bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multimodal assessment of regional gray matter integrity in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients with normal cognition: a voxel-based structural and perfusion approach
Authors: Shooli Hossein , Nemati Reza , Chabi Negar , Larvie Mykol , Jokar Narges , Dadgar Habibollah , Gholamrezanezhad Ali , Assadi Majid 
Published: September 2021

Objective: There is increasing evidence that gray matter (GM) impairment is strongly associated with clinical performance decline. We aim to perform a voxelwise analysis between regional GM (rGM) perfusion and structural abnormalities in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients with normal cognition (RRMS-IC) and explore clinical correlate of early rGM abnormalities. Methods and materials: We studied 14 early RRMS-IC patients and 14 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Brain perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), structural MRI, and a comprehensive neuropsychological examination were acquired from all participants. Neuropsychological tests include expanded disability status scale, minimal mental status examination, short physical performance battery, Wechsler memory scale, and quick smell test. Voxel-based morphometry was used for analyzing SPECT and T1-MR images to identify rGM hypoperfusion and atrophy, respectively (RRMS-IC vs controls (group analysis), and also, each patient vs controls (individual analysis)) (p < 0.001). Then, anatomical location of impaired regions was acquired by automated anatomical labeling software. Results: There was no significant difference in total GM volume between RRMS-IC and healthy controls, however, rGM atrophy and hypoperfusion were detected. Individual analysis revealed more rGM impairment compared with group analysis. rGM hypoperfusion was more extensive rather than rGM atrophy in RRMS-IC. There was no spatial association between rGM atrophy and rGM hypoperfusion (p > 0.05). rGM abnormalities correlated with several relevant minimal clinical deficits. Conclusion: Lack of spatial correlation between rGM atrophy and hypoperfusion might suggest that independent mechanisms might underlie atrophy and hypoperfusion. Perfusion SPECT may provide supplementary information along with MRI. Advances in knowledge: Association between rGM atrophy and rGM hypoperfusion and their clinical significance in early RRMS-IC is not well described yet. Our study showed that there is spatial dissociation between rGM atrophy and rGM hypoperfusion, suggesting that different mechanisms might underlie these pathologies.
Perspectives on automated composition of workflows in the life sciences
Authors: Lamprecht Anna-Lena , Palmblad Magnus , Ison Jon , Schwämmle Veit , Al Manir Mohammad Sadnan , Altintas Ilkay , Baker Christopher J. O. , Ben Hadj Amor Ammar , Capella-Gutierrez Salvador , Charonyktakis Paulos , Crusoe Michael R. , Gil Yolanda , Goble Carole , Griffin Timothy J. , Groth Paul , Ienasescu Hans , Jagtap Pratik , Kalaš Matúš , Kasalica Vedran , Khanteymoori Alireza , Kuhn Tobias , Mei Hailiang , Ménager Hervé , Möller Steffen , Richardson Robin A. , Robert Vincent , Soiland-Reyes Stian , Stevens Robert , Szaniszlo Szoke , Verberne Suzan , Verhoeven Aswin , Wolstencroft Katherine 
Published: September 2021

Scientific data analyses often combine several computational tools in automated pipelines, or workflows. Thousands of such workflows have been used in the life sciences, though their composition has remained a cumbersome manual process due to a lack of standards for annotation, assembly, and implementation. Recent technological advances have returned the long-standing vision of automated workflow composition into focus. This article summarizes a recent Lorentz Center workshop dedicated to automated composition of workflows in the life sciences. We survey previous initiatives to automate the composition process, and discuss the current state of the art and future perspectives. We start by drawing the “big picture” of the scientific workflow development life cycle, before surveying and discussing current methods, technologies and practices for semantic domain modelling, automation in workflow development, and workflow assessment. Finally, we derive a roadmap of individual and community-based actions to work toward the vision of automated workflow development in the forthcoming years. A central outcome of the workshop is a general description of the workflow life cycle in six stages: 1) scientific question or hypothesis, 2) conceptual workflow, 3) abstract workflow, 4) concrete workflow, 5) production workflow, and 6) scientific results. The transitions between stages are facilitated by diverse tools and methods, usually incorporating domain knowledge in some form. Formal semantic domain modelling is hard and often a bottleneck for the application of semantic technologies. However, life science communities have made considerable progress here in recent years and are continuously improving, renewing interest in the application of semantic technologies for workflow exploration, composition and instantiation. Combined with systematic benchmarking with reference data and large-scale deployment of production-stage workflows, such technologies enable a more systematic process of workflow development than we know today. We believe that this can lead to more robust, reusable, and sustainable workflows in the future.
Molecular characterization and genetic diversity of four undescribed novel oleaginous Mortierella alpina strains from Libya
Authors: Muftah Eltariki Fuzia Elfituri , Tiwari Kartikeya , Alhoot Mohammed Abdelfatah 
Published: September 2021

Background: A large number of undiscovered fungal species still exist on earth, which can be useful for bioprospecting, particularly for single cell oil (SCO) production. Mortierella is one of the significant genera in this field and contains about hundred species. Moreover, M. alpina is the main single cell oil producer at commercial scale under this genus. Methods: Soil samples from four unique locations of North-East Libya were collected for the isolation of oleaginous Mortierella alpina strains by a serial dilution method. Morphological identification was carried out using light microscopy (Olympus, Japan) and genetic diversity of the isolated Mortierella alpina strains was assessed using conserved internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene sequences available on the NCBI GenBank database for the confirmation of novelty. The nucleotide sequences reported in this study have been deposited at GenBank (accession no. MZ298831:MZ298835). The MultAlin program was used to align the sequences of closely related strains. The DNA sequences were analyzed for phylogenetic relationships by molecular evolutionary genetic analysis using MEGA X software consisting of Clustal_X v.2.1 for multiple sequence alignment. The neighbour-joining tree was constructed using the Kimura 2-parameter substitution model. Results: The present research study confirms four oleaginous fungal isolates from Libyan soil. These isolates (barcoded as MSU-101, MSU-201, MSU-401 and MSU-501) were discovered and reported for the first time from diverse soil samples of district Aljabal Al-Akhdar in North-East Libya and fall in the class: Zygomycetes; order: Mortierellales. Conclusions: Four oleaginous fungal isolates barcoded as MSU-101, MSU-201, MSU-401 and MSU-501 were identified and confirmed by morphological and molecular analysis. These fungal isolates showed highest similarity with Mortierella alpina species and can be potentialistic single cell oil producers. Thus, the present research study provides insight to the unseen fungal diversity and contributes to more comprehensive Mortierella alpina reference collections worldwide.
Case Report: A digital workflow in the treatment of bruxism in a young patient
Authors: Shopova Dobromira , Mladenov Krasimir 
Published: September 2021

Bruxism is increasingly common in today's stressful world and affects mainly young patients. It is a combined disease that involves dentition and its supporting structures, muscles, ligaments and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Here we present a complete combined analog and digital clinical protocol in a patient with parafunction. A young patient sought help due to impaired aesthetics, as a result of abraded tooth surfaces and severe symptoms of TMJ. We implemented a therapeutic protocol of six stages: deprogramming of the muscles and determination of treatment position and digital optimization; realization of the morphological plan for the upper dentition; non-invasive repositioning of the lower jaw by splint therapy; splint placement and follow-up; morphological planning of the lower dentition and replacement of the splint with fixed prosthesis with follow-up; and completion of the case with ceramic restorations. The digitally modeled temporary constructions for the upper jaw were made of PMMA and placed in the patient's mouth together with the splint on the lower jaw, made of Ceramill Splintec. After an adaptation period, all restorations were replaced by permanent zirconia. We achieved restoration of the defects of the dental arches and hard dental tissues and recovery to normal height of the lower third of the face (vertical dimension occlusion), fixed a stable and balanced position of the lower jaw, and repaired the normal physiological position of the TMJ for the patient. Аfter a multi-stage treatment we received a result satisfying the patient, the dentist and the dental technician. Aesthetics and function were restored, and clinical symptoms were removed from the TMJ.
Two-year results of a multi-centre, randomized controlled trial comparing a second-generation uncemented trabecular metal-backed versus cemented polyethylene glenoid component in total shoulder arthroplasty
Authors: Chin Patrick Y. K. , Regan William D. , Plausinis Derek , Zarzour Zane D. , Leung Fay , Sasyniuk Treny M. , Lim Brendan , Sayre Eric C. 
Published: September 2021

Aims To report early (two-year) postoperative findings from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating disease-specific quality of life (QOL), clinical, patient-reported, and radiological outcomes in patients undergoing a total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) with a second-generation uncemented trabecular metal (TM) glenoid versus a cemented polyethylene glenoid (POLY) component. Methods Five fellowship-trained surgeons from three centres participated. Patients aged between 18 and 79 years with a primary diagnosis of glenohumeral osteoarthritis were screened for eligibility. Patients were randomized intraoperatively to either a TM or POLY glenoid component. Study intervals were: baseline, six weeks, six-, 12-, and 24 months postoperatively. The primary outcome was the Western Ontario Osteoarthritis Shoulder QOL score. Radiological images were reviewed for metal debris. Mixed effects repeated measures analysis of variance for within and between group comparisons were performed. Results A total of 93 patients were randomized (46 TM; 47 POLY). No significant or clinically important differences were found with patient-reported outcomes at 24-month follow-up. Regarding the glenoid components, there were no complications or revision surgeries in either group. Grade 1 metal debris was observed in three (6.5%) patients with TM glenoids at 24 months but outcomes were not negatively impacted. Conclusion Early results from this RCT showed no differences in disease-specific QOL, radiographs, complication rates, or shoulder function between uncemented second-generation TM and cemented POLY glenoids at 24 months postoperatively. Revision surgeries and reoperations were reported in both groups, but none attributed to glenoid implant failure. At 24 months postoperatively, Grade 1 metal debris was found in 6.5% of patients with a TM glenoid but did not negatively influence patient-reported outcomes. Longer-term follow-up is needed and is underway. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(9):728–736.
Investigation of Branch Accessibility with a Robotic Pruner for Pruning Apple Trees
Authors: Zahid Azlan , He Long , Choi Daeun , Schupp James , Heinemann Paul 
Published: September 2021

HighlightsA branch accessibility simulation was performed for robotic pruning of apple trees.A virtual tree environment was established using a kinematic manipulator model and an obstacle model.Rapidly-exploring random tree (RRT) was combined with smoothing and optimization for improved path planning.Effects on RRT path planning of the approach angle of the end-effector and cutter orientation at the target were studied.Abstract. Robotic pruning is a potential solution to reduce orchard labor and associated costs. Collision-free path planning of the manipulator is essential for successful robotic pruning. This simulation study investigated the collision-free branch accessibility of a six rotational (6R) degrees of freedom (DoF) robotic manipulator with a shear cutter end-effector. A virtual environment with a simplified tall spindle tree canopy was established in MATLAB. An obstacle-avoidance algorithm, rapidly-exploring random tree (RRT), was implemented for establishing collision-free paths to reach the target pruning points. In addition, path smoothing and optimization algorithms were used to reduce the path length and calculate the optimized path. Two series of simulations were conducted: (1) performance and comparison of the RRT algorithm with and without smoothing and optimization, and (2) performance of collision-free path planning considering different approach poses of the end-effector relative to the target branch. The simulations showed that the RRT algorithm successfully avoided obstacles and allowed the manipulator to reach the target point with 23 s average path finding time. The RRT path length was reduced by about 28% with smoothing and by 25% with optimization. The RRT smoothing algorithm generated the shortest path lengths but required about 1 to 3 s of additional computation time. The lowest coefficient of variation and standard deviation values were found for the optimization method, which confirmed the repeatability of the method. Considering the different end-effector approach poses, the simulations suggested that successfully finding a collision-free path was possible for branches with no existing path using the ideal (perpendicular cutter) approach pose. This study provides a foundation for future work on the development of robotic pruning systems. Keywords: Agricultural robotics, Collision-free path, Manipulator, Path planning, Robotic pruning, Virtual tree environment.
Is laser space propulsion practical?: review
Authors: Phipps C. R. , Loktionov E. Y. , Bonnal C. , Boyer S. A. E. , Sharaborova E. , Tahan G. 
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we review practical limitations to laser space
propulsion that have been discussed in the literature. These are as
follows: (1) thermal coupling to the propelled payload, which might
melt it; (2) a decrease in mechanical coupling with number of pulses,
which has been observed in some cases; and (3) destruction of solar
panels in debris removal proposals that might create more debris
rather than less. Previously, lack of data prevented definite
assessments. Now, new data on multipulse vacuum laser impulse coupling
coefficient

C
m

on several materials at 1064 nm, at
1030 nm, and at 532 nm are available. We are now able to compare the
results for single and multiple pulses on materials that have been
considered for laser ablation space propulsion (LASP), or that are
likely space debris constituents, and decide whether LASP is a
practical idea. Laser space propulsion and debris removal concepts
depend on thousands or hundreds of thousands of repetitive pulses.
Repetitive pulse mechanical coupling as well as thermal coupling
(which can melt the target rather than propel it) are both important
considerations. Materials studied were 6061T6 aluminum, carbon-doped
polyoxymethylene (POM), undoped POM, a yellow POM copolymer, and a
mixture of Al and POM microparticles combined and pressed, containing
a 50%/50% mixture of the two materials by mass. We address 6 and 70 ps
pulses because of the availability of data at these pulse durations.
We also briefly consider continuous wave (CW) laser propulsion.
Finally, we consider a recent paper concerning solar panel destruction
from a positive perspective.
Spurious jumps in wavelength tracking of fiber-optic Fabry–Perot interferometric sensors
Authors: Sheng Qiwen , Uddin Nezam , Han Ming 
Published: September 2021

Wavelength tracking is a commonly used method for demodulating
fiber-optic Fabry–Perot interferometric sensors due to its high
resolution and straightforward implementation. We report the
observation of random spurious jumps in a commonly used
wavelength-tracking method based on curve fitting. These jumps were
unrelated to the phase ambiguity of the spectral fringes and led to
measurement errors. We analyzed the origin of the spurious jumps
through Monte Carlo simulations where the fringe valley positions were
obtained using polynomial curve fittings. The simulation results show
that the spurious jumps arose mainly from the systematic errors of the
curve-fitting function for modeling the sensor spectrum and manifested
themselves by the changes in the pixel set for curve fitting. The
centroid method also suffered from the spurious jumps. We proposed a
modified correlation demodulation method free of the spurious jumps.
In this method, the information of the measurand was obtained through
the correlation between the measured sensor spectral frames and a
sufficiently large number of calibrated frames of the sensor over the
measurement range. The simulation and experimental results show that
the modified correlation method was free of the spurious jumps
encountered in the regular wavelength tracking. The resolution of the
method was also studied and compared with the curve-fitting
method.
Radiology- and gene-based risk stratification in small renal cell carcinoma: A preliminary study
Authors: Takao Seiichiro , Ushijima Yasuhiro , Motomura Yushi , Sakamoto Katsumi , Hirakawa Masakazu , Nishie Akihiro , Mimori Koshi , Yamashita Yasuo , Tsutsumi Takashi , Ishigami Kousei 
Published: September 2021

Purpose
Most small renal cell carcinomas (small RCCs) will remain indolent after detection, but some stage I RCCs still metastasize. There are no risk-stratification imaging factors that could be used to identify poor-prognosis patients based on genomic profiling. Here, we evaluated the relationships between imaging parameters and RNA expressions in small RCC and attempted to identify imaging factors that could be used as effective biomarkers.

Methods
We acquired biopsy specimens of 18 clear cell carcinomas that had undergone perfusion CT (pCT) and MRI between April 2018 and March 2019. We performed RNA sequencing, assessed RNA expressions, and calculated each tumor’s cell-cycle progression (CCP) score, which has prognostic value in predicting metastatic progression. We classified the tumors into two groups: clear cell type A (ccA) and type B (ccB). CcA has better survival compared to ccB. We evaluated the following characteristics of each tumor: tumor size, presence of pseudocapsule, and fat. We used the pCT and MRI to measure each tumor’s volume transfer constant (Ktrans), rate constant (Kep), extracellular extravascular volume fraction (VE), fractional plasma volume (VP), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). The correlations between these small RCC imaging parameters and the tumor size and RNA expressions were determined.

Results
The tumor size was significantly correlated with Kep and inversely correlated with VE, VP, ADC, and hallmark angiogenesis. The CCP score was significantly inversely correlated with Ktrans and Kep. The ccA tumors tended to show a pseudocapsule on MRI.

Conclusion
Tumor size was correlated with low perfusion, but not with prognostic factors based on genomic profiling. Imaging parameters (e.g., Ktrans and Kep) and tumor characteristics (e.g., pseudocapsule) may enable gene-based risk stratification in small RCC.
Evaluating malformations of the lacrimal drainage system in brachycephalic dog breeds: A comparative computed tomography analysis
Authors: Sahr Sabine , Dietrich André , Oechtering Gerhard 
Published: September 2021

Objectives
This study aimed to investigate and compare the anatomical features of the nasolacrimal drainage system (NDS) in three brachycephalic dog breeds with those of normocephalic dogs, taking into account how the NDS was related to the malformed brachycephalic head.

Animals
Fifty-one brachycephalic dogs were examined, comprising 23 Pugs, 18 French Bulldogs, and 10 English Bulldogs. Six normocephalic dogs of different breeds served as a comparison.

Methods
Computed tomographic dacryocystography was performed. Parameters such as length, angulation, and gradient were determined. Crossing of the nasolacrimal duct (NLD) beneath the maxillary canine root, as well as the incidence of an accessory opening, were also analyzed.

Results and conclusions
In all three brachycephalic breeds, the NDS was grossly malformed. We regard this as a further consequence of exaggerated breeding for a short head conformation. While the length of the NLD was substantially reduced by 41 to 57 percent in brachycephalic dogs, their lacrimal canaliculi were two to three times as long as those of normocephalic dogs. Varying parts of the nasolacrimal drainage system followed an inverse direction in short-headed dogs, giving the entire nasolacrimal apparatus an anomalous U- or V-shaped appearance. The NLD exhibited a three to five times steeper alignment in brachycephalic dogs than in normocephalic ones. Obviously, this strong slope did not cause clinical symptoms only because there was an aberrant outflow pathway. The brachycephalic dogs consistently exhibited an accessory opening, through which most of fluid escaped into the posterior nasal cavity instead of through the common route into the nasal vestibule via the nasolacrimal ostia.
Navegación de robots móviles en formación de convoy
Authors: Ramirez Peña Brayan Humberto , Infante Moreno Wilson 
Published: September 2021

Se presenta la navegación para un convoy conformado por tres robots tipo lego, el cual alcanza un punto final establecido por medio de la cinemática del robot maestro que puede mantener una comunicación bluetooth, conociendo la cantidad de robots (esclavos) en la formación, que pueden incorporarse antes del recorrido o abandonar la formación durante el mismo.
El convoy evade un obstáculo el cual pude estar en diferentes coordenadas de la ruta establecida por el robot maestro. se estableció una comunicación infrarroja para la formación del convoy conservando unas distancias mínimas y máximas entre los integrantes de la formación. Los resultados obtenidos ofrecen un mínimo error en la consecución del punto final y se conforma la formación durante los diferentes desplazamientos realizados en un ambiente controlado.
Estimates of heat kernels of non-symmetric Lévy processes
Authors: Grzywny Tomasz , Szczypkowski Karol 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
We investigate densities of vaguely continuous convolution semigroups
of probability measures on

ℝ
d

{{\mathbb{R}^{d}}}

.
First, we provide results that give upper estimates
in a situation when the corresponding jump measure is allowed to be highly non-symmetric.
Further, we prove upper estimates of the density and its derivatives if the jump measure compares
with an isotropic unimodal measure and the characteristic exponent satisfies a certain scaling condition.
Lower estimates are discussed in view of a recent development in that direction,
and in such a way to complement upper estimates.
We apply all those results to establish precise estimates of densities of non-symmetric Lévy processes.