bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Operational Police Stress Is Associated With Disordered Eating in Police Officers
Authors: Qi Baiyu , Wu Ya‐Ke 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTObjectivePolice officers are under high operational stress and are at high risk for stress‐related mental health disturbances. However, little research has investigated disordered eating in this population. In this study, we compared disordered eating symptoms between male and female police officers, examined the association between operational police stress and disordered eating symptoms, and explored body mass index (BMI) and sex as potential moderators of these associations.MethodThe participants consisted of 476 police officers from North Carolina, United States. Operational police stress was assessed using the Operational Police Stress Questionnaire, and disordered eating symptoms were assessed using the Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory. Weight and height were measured by trained staff.ResultsCompared with female officers (n = 149), male officers (n = 325) scored significantly higher on binge eating, excessive exercise, muscle building, and negative attitudes toward obesity, and lower on body dissatisfaction, cognitive restraint, restricting, and purging. After adjusting for BMI and sex, significant positive associations were found between operational police stress and all disordered eating symptom subscales, except for excessive exercise. No association was significantly moderated by BMI or sex.DiscussionDisordered eating is an understudied yet critical concern among stressed police officers, affecting both males and females. Targeted prevention and intervention strategies, such as regular screening during physical exams, could enable early detection of disordered eating symptoms in this high‐stress occupation group.
Clinical and radiologic characteristics of ruptured epidermal inclusion cysts in the nipple and subareolar regions: A report of two cases
Authors: Fahed Reine , Ghazal Kariman 
Published: December 2024

AbstractEpidermal inclusion cysts (EICs) in the breast, particularly in the nipple and subareolar regions, are rare entities that pose significant diagnostic challenges and management dilemmas in clinical practice. This study retrospectively analyzes two case reports of women presenting with EICs located in these unusual breast areas. The subjects included a 35‐year‐old female with congested nipple symptoms and bilateral mastodynia, and a 58‐year‐old female with a palpable right breast nodule. Diagnostic efforts involved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), sonography, and mammography, which highlighted the cysts' onion‐like asymmetry and heterogeneous characteristics with posterior acoustic enhancement. Despite detailed imaging, distinguishing these cysts from malignancies or typical abscesses proved difficult. Both cases experienced spontaneous cyst rupture with subsequent resolution following antibiotic therapy. A literature review confirmed the rarity of such cases, emphasizing the importance of recognizing EICs to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions. These findings underscore the need for heightened clinical awareness and detailed imaging to accurately diagnose and manage EICs in atypical breast locations, and call for further research to explore their etiology and optimal treatment strategies.
Synthesizing Images With Annotations for Medical Image Segmentation Using Diffusion Probabilistic Model
Authors: Huang Zengan , Yang Qinzhu , Tian Mu , Gao Yi 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTTo alleviate the burden of manual annotation, there are numerous excellent segmentation models for images segmentation being developed. However, the performance of these data‐driven segmentation models is frequently constrained by the availability of samples sizes of pair medical images and segmentation annotations. Therefore, to address this challenge, this study introduces the medical image segmentation augmentation diffusion model (MEDSAD). MEDSAD solves the problem of annotation scarcity by utilizing a given simple annotation to generate paired medical images. To improve stability, we used the traditional diffusion model for this study. To exert better control over the texture synthesis in the medical images generated by MEDSAD, the texture style injection (TSI) mechanism is introduced. Additionally, we propose the feature frequency domain attention (FFDA) module to mitigate the adverse effects of high‐frequency noise during generation. The efficacy of MEDSAD is substantiated through the validation of three distinct medical segmentation tasks encompassing magnetic resonance (MR) and ultrasound (US) imaging modalities, focusing on the segmentation of breast tumors, brain tumors, and nerve structures. The findings demonstrate the MEDSAD model's proficiency in synthesizing medical image pairs based on provided annotations, thereby facilitating a notable augmentation in performance for subsequent segmentation tasks. Moreover, the improvement in performance becomes greater as the quantity of synthetic available data samples increases. This underscores the robust generalization capability and efficacy intrinsic to the MEDSAD model, potentially offering avenues for future explorations in data‐driven model training and research.
Performance Analysis of Priority Medical Events in Healthcare IoT Networks Using 3‐Dimension Discrete Time Markov Chain
Authors: Dewa Gilang Raka Rayuda 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTA reliable medical service via the Healthcare Internet‐of‐Things (H‐IoT) network employs wireless communications to periodically deliver medical data from in‐body patients to the data center. However, the high number of patients in an ultra‐dense hospital requires the installation of numerous medical sensors, incurring congested network traffic. Data collisions and non‐priority sessions may occur in the corresponding traffic, dropping the overall performance of H‐IoT networks. Thus, it is crucial to rigorously observe the degradation of wireless performance to analyze proper settings and limitations for ultra‐dense H‐IoT. Accordingly, this paper models the operation of a healthcare IoT network using a three‐dimensional discrete‐time Markov chain (3D‐DTMC) to analyze the performance of H‐IoT networks, including expected throughput, expected discovery time consumption, and the probability of successful transmission quantitatively. In addition, this paper also analyzes the impact of different failure factor mechanisms, either cooperative failure or independent failure, on the overall performance of H‐IoT networks.
Ultrafast Dynamics of Diketopyrrolopyrrole Dimers
Authors: Al‐Jaaidi Ali , Toldo Josene M. , Barbatti Mario 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTDiketopyrrolopyrroles (DPPs) have attracted attention for their potential applications in organic photovoltaics due to their tunable optical properties and charge‐carrier mobilities. In this study, we investigate the excited‐state dynamics of a DPP dimer using time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) and nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations. Our results reveal a near‐barrierless hydrogen migration state intersection that facilitates ultrafast internal conversion with a lifetime of about 400 fs, leading to fluorescence quenching. Electronic density analysis along the relaxation pathway confirms a hydrogen atom transfer mechanism. These findings highlight the critical role of state intersections in the photophysical properties of DPP dimers, providing new insights for the design of functionalized DPP systems aimed at suppressing nonradiative decay for enhanced performance in photovoltaic applications.
Pharmacognostic Characterization of Primula macrophylla by Light Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Analytical Techniques
Authors: Din Kinza Muhammad , Alam Fiaz , Sarfraz Mehak , Rasheed Rukhba , Alamri Abdulhakeem S. , Ahmed Ibrar 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTTraditional medicinal systems have extensively used Primula macrophylla (Primulaceae) to treat a variety conditions, including bronchitis, asthma, joint pain, fever and so forth. This study determines various pharmacognostic and phytochemical standards helpful to ensure the purity, safety, and efficacy of medicinal plant P. macrophylla. In experimental section the Intact aerial parts, powdered materials, and extracts were examined macro‐ and microscopically and pharmacognostic standardization parameters were determined in accordance with the guidelines given by the World Health Organization. Parameters including extractive values, ash values, and loss on drying were determined. Preliminary phytochemical tests, fluorescence analysis, and chromatographic profiling were performed for the identification and standardization of P. macrophylla. The results of macroscopic studies revealed that leaves are farinose, alternating, foliage, toothed and flowers are unbranched, hermaphroditic, large, herbaceous, round, non‐woody stem, roots are adventitious. Length of leave is 11 cm, flower 3 cm, stem 38 cm and root 18 cm. Odor is clove or Eucalyptus like, irritating smell and has pungent/ bitterness. Qualitative analysis confirmed that carbohydrates are not present and saponins, terpenoid, flavonoid, phenolic, phytosterol and fixed oils are not present. The atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) showed the trace amounts of Pb (1.604 mg/L), As (−12.91 mg/L), Hg (7.102 mg/L), and Cd (0.226 mg/L) present. The internal structure of the plant was examined using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The plant cross‐sectional scans revealed several useful botanical properties. LM and SEM revealed important diagnostic features including stomata, phloem, xylem, spiral vessels, and trichomes and so forth. We conclude that the data generated from the present study help to authenticate the medicinally important plant P. macrophylla. This study is helpful for establishing the pharmacopeia standards in accordance with WHO guidelines.
Medial Flap Turbinoplasty is Unlikely to Cause Empty Nose Syndrome
Authors: Almansour Yasser M. , Alani Abdulghafoor , Wilson Carl P. , Eide Jacob G. , Craig John R. 
Published: December 2024

BackgroundEmpty nose syndrome (ENS) is a poorly understood condition that affects a minority of patients who undergo inferior turbinate (IT) surgery. The Empty Nose Syndrome 6‐item Questionnaire (ENS6Q) was validated to diagnose ENS following IT reduction, with an ENS6Q ≥ 11 being suggestive of ENS. Medial flap turbinoplasty (MFT) involves IT bone removal ± submucosal reduction (SMR) and is highly effective at surgically treating IT hypertrophy. This study's purpose was to determine the incidence of ENS following MFT by comparing ENS6Q scores preoperatively and postoperatively.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted on consecutive patients who underwent bilateral MFT with or without septoplasty to address nasal obstruction. Preoperative and postoperative nasal obstruction and septoplasty effectiveness (NOSE, 0–20) and ENS6Q (0–30) scores were compared at a minimum 12 months postoperatively.ResultsOf 100 patients, mean age was 48.9 years and 53% were male. Mean follow‐up was 25.0 months (range: 12–66 months). Patients underwent MFT with SMR in 70% of cases, whereas 30% had bone removal only, and 79% had septoplasty. NOSE scores decreased significantly postoperatively (mean 9‐point reduction, p < 0.0001). Mean preoperative and postoperative ENS6Qs were 8.5 and 3.0, respectively, with a mean 5.6‐point decrease postoperatively (p < 0.0001). While some patients developed elevated ENS6Q scores mainly in the first 3 months postoperatively, no patients had ENS6Q scores ≥11 at final follow‐up.ConclusionsMFT ± septoplasty led to significant long‐term reduction in nasal obstruction, with no patients ultimately developing ENS6Q ≥ 11 postoperatively. Therefore, MFT was unlikely to cause ENS.Level of EvidenceLevel 4 Laryngoscope, 2024
Short‐Term Nitrogen and Phosphorus Additions Regulated Soil Organic Carbon Turnover by Altering Functional Microorganisms in Desert Steppes
Authors: Hai Xuying , Li Jianping , Shangguan Zhouping , Deng Lei 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThe dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover are significantly modulated by the supply of essential nutrients, with particular emphasis on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). For the typical desert steppe, the responses of soil carbon (C) turnover to the addition of N and P and the underlying mechanism remain elusive. This study applied N and P fertilization for 2 years and probed the impacts of N and P on the composition of the microbial community, as well as their effects on the cumulative mineralization of SOC (C
min) in desert steppe. The results showed that the addition of N and P enhanced SOC levels, with a more pronounced increase in the recalcitrant C pool compared to the labile C pool. The C
min was decreased by 23.2% and 20.4% under N and P additions. The N effect in conjunction with P addition and the P effect in conjunction with N addition caused increases in the C
min. The addition of N and P differently influenced the composition and structure of the microbial community by altering microbial preferences. The addition of N markedly reduced the abundance of microbial C cycling genes, which encompassed those pivotal for C fixation, C degradation, and methane metabolism. The addition of N alone resulted in a reduction of SOC mineralization, causing the largest increases in the recalcitrant C pool and the total SOC pool, as compared to the addition of P and the combined input of N and P. These findings extend our understanding of the response mechanism of soil C mineralization with N and P enrichment. Overall, the addition of N independently augments the soil's capacity as a C reservoir, thereby facilitating greater C sequestration in desert steppes.
Malignant otitis externa: What is the role of surgery?
Authors: Zhang Lisa , Bonanno Joseph , Byun Woo Yul , Ren Yin 
Published: December 2024

AbstractObjectiveMalignant otitis externa (MOE) is typically managed with long‐term broad‐spectrum antibiotics. The impact of surgical intervention on clinical outcomes is not well described. This study aims to compare clinical outcomes of MOE patients managed with or without surgery.Study Design/SettingRetrospective cohort, academic tertiary referral center.MethodsPatients diagnosed with MOE between January 2010 to September 2022 were included. Univariate analyses compared symptoms at initial presentation and long‐term (≥1 year) outcomes between surgical and non‐surgical patients.ResultsA total of 23 patients were included (78% male, mean age 69 ± 13 years, median follow‐up 305 days). Most (N = 22, 96%) patients were diabetic. Seventeen (74%) underwent surgical intervention (76% tympanomastoidectomy, 24% external auditory canal debridement and biopsy). Poor facial nerve (FN) function at initial presentation (defined as House‐Brackmann [HB] grade ≥3) significantly predicted undergoing surgical intervention (p = 0.02). Comparing surgically managed versus non‐surgical patients at the time of presentation, there were no differences in the degree of hearing loss, severity of diabetes, rate of insulin dependence, incidence of immunosuppression, or the Charlson Comorbidity Index (all p > 0.05). FN outcomes at long‐term follow‐up also did not significantly differ (p > 0.05). No significant differences in the length of stay (9 vs. 6 days, p = 0.2), rate of readmission (31% vs. 17%, p = 0.5) or 5‐year overall survival (53% vs. 66%, p = 0.6) were observed between surgical and non‐surgical patients.ConclusionsLong‐term outcomes for patients with MOE remain poor. Patients with poor FN function at presentation were more likely to undergo surgical intervention. Patient comorbidities, including the severity of diabetes, were not predictive of undergoing surgery. However, surgical intervention for MOE did not appear to lower the length of stay, the rate of hospital readmission, or overall mortality in our cohort.Level of EvidenceIII
Meniere's disease: Structural considerations in early cochlea hydrops
Authors: Pender Daniel J. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractObjectiveStructural features of the human cochlea may control early lesion formation in endolymphatic hydrops. This process may hinge on three structural features: the flattened spiral shape of the human cochlea, the toroidal configuration of the distended cochlea duct, and the distensibility characteristics of Reissner's membrane. An analytical method is presented to assess the variation in hydropic distention that may occur in the several turns of the cochlea due to these structural features.MethodsA normal human cochlea is used to illustrate the method of analysis. Structural dimensions were taken from a mid‐modiolar section. Reissner's membrane was projected to assume a spiral toroid shape as it distends. Peak membrane stress proclivities in each cochlea turn were calculated analytically. Membrane strain was assessed from a collagen model of Reissner's membrane. Sagittal membrane displacements were quantified geometrically.ResultsStress levels in Reissner's membrane were projected to be the lowest in the lower basal turn and to increase progressively to a peak value in the apex. Strain in Reissner's membrane in the apical turn was projected to be substantially higher than in the lower turns. Sagittal displacement of Reissner's membrane was projected to be most pronounced in the apical turn in all the stages of early cochlea hydrops.ConclusionStructural features appear to underlie a differential susceptibility to hydrops in the human cochlea. The flattened spiral shape of the human cochlea coupled with the anticlastic configuration and the distensile characteristics of Reissner's membrane are projected to result in distinct histological stages as hydropic disease in the cochlea progresses.
Developing a mobile application for gender‐affirming voice training: A community‐engaged approach
Authors: Alter Isaac L. , Chadwick Keith A. , Andreadis Katerina , Coleman Rachel , Pitti Mary , Ezell Jerel M. , Rameau Anaïs 
Published: December 2024

AbstractObjectivesTo date, there has yet to be a rigorous exploration of voice and communication modification training (VCMT) among transgender and gender‐nonconforming (TGNC) individuals using digital technology. We sought to evaluate and describe the iterative process of app development using a community‐based approach.MethodsAn interprofessional team of voice health care professionals, application developers, designers, and TGNC community members was assembled to conceive the functionality, content, and design of a mobile app to support VCMT for TGNC people. Six TGNC individuals, identified primarily by word of mouth, joined the development team as a Community Advisory Board (CAB). The CAB provided input on app content development, design choices, and user experience, with collaboration across disciplines and integration of TGNC community members throughout app development; the applicability of CBPR principles was evaluated throughout the development process.ResultsIterative cycles of content creation and feedback produced multiple substantial changes during the app's development, including added functionality, improved inclusivity and accessibility, and design and branding enhancements. Several successful outcomes from our approach were identified, including the recruitment of dedicated CAB members and interprofessional collaboration that included community members. Challenges included integration of multiple different approaches and levels of expertise, navigating TGNC individuals' participation without exploitation, and creating high‐quality content on a limited budget.ConclusionsOur process demonstrates the value of including a CAB in the design of a digital VCMT platform, and suggests a potential for community‐based participatory research (CBPR) in laryngology and speech language pathology, where uptake of this framework has remained limited.Level of EvidenceLevel 5.
Future Arctic: how will increasing coastal erosion shape nearshore planktonic food webs?
Authors: Juma Gabriel A. , Meunier Cédric L. , Herstoff Emily M. , Irrgang Anna M. , Fritz Michael , Weber Caroline , Lantuit Hugues , Kirstein Inga V. , Boersma Maarten 
Published: December 2024

AbstractArctic regimes. Currently, warming accelerates the erosion of permafrost coasts and the associated discharge of sediment, carbon, and nutrients into the Arctic Ocean. However, the impacts of coastal erosion on planktonic food webs remain understudied. We aimed to (1) understand how coastal erosion impacts nearshore carbon, nutrient, and light regimes; (2) investigate the effects on primary production and energy transfer; and (3) predict how increased erosion will impact the productivity of consumers, and the overall food web interactions. We found that sediment discharge increases turbidity (darkening). This darkening is expected to hamper phytoplankton productivity, while additional carbon input will provide bacteria with direct energy sources, and shift the balance between basal autotrophic and heterotrophic production. Since the heterotrophic pathway has a lower efficiency, its dominance might negatively affect mesozooplankton. Increased Arctic coastal erosion might therefore influence planktonic food webs by changing mechanisms of energy mobilization and transfer to higher trophic levels.
Orbital Angular Momentum of Structured Vortex Beams Induced by Intensity Singularity
Authors: Hu Juntao , Wei Wenjun , Li Xinzhong , Shen Yijie , Zhan Qiwen , Li Guixin , Qian Yixian 
Published: December 2024

AbstractA new category of optical orbital angular momentum (OAM) associated with intensity singularity independent of phase singularity is predicted, and a kind of structured vortex beams (VBs) with arbitrary transverse shapes is demonstrated. A universal inverse‐designed caustic scheme is developed for generating such structured VBs which exhibit crucial intensity gradient and phase gradient. Additionally, they exhibit nonuniformly distributed phase gradients, capable of driving particles accelerately along a desired trajectory. Particle trapping experiments validate that such structured VBs without phase singularity drive the trapped particles to move along predefined trajectories. The idea not only provides an approach for generating and manipulating OAM from intensity singularity, enabling to spur further independent insights into the generation of OAM, but also paves the way for optically driving and accelerating particles along a desired trajectory.
The Scintillating Dynamics of Self‐Trapped Exciton Endowed/Unendowed by Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence
Authors: Yin Hang , Zhou Xin , Song Bingxi , Wang Ruichen , Li Boya , Sun Jinglu , Wei Qinhua , Cai Peiqing , Chen Zhen , Yang Fan , Qin Laishun 
Published: December 2024

AbstractTriplet generation and control are widely studied in high‐energy scintillating materials, owing to their critical roles in thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and energy‐transfer processes. However, X‐ray excited inorganic scintillators, such as Cs2ZrCl6, present various defect traps in the self‐trapped exciton states. Hence, the mobility of the hot carriers that participate in scintillating dynamics is disorderly, and they may contribute to TADF or suppress the TADF pathway. This study prepares a series of Cs2ZrCl6: x%m‐MTDATA (x% = 0%–10%) organic–inorganic hybrid scintillators to achieve tunable photoluminescence (PL) and radioluminescence (RL) through a directional energy‐transfer pathway. This work highlights the different scintillating carrier dynamics of Cs2ZrCl6: x%m‐MTDATA under ultraviolet or X‐ray excitation. The introduction of m‐MTDATA into Cs2ZrCl6 could increase the trap depths and ensure thermal quenching under X‐ray excitation, rather than inducing thermal activation, resulting in a weak X‐ray excited afterglow output and fast RL decay time. These findings provide a paradigm for future research on organic–inorganic hybrid X‐ray scintillators, opening new opportunities for detecting high‐energy radiations.