bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In-line monitoring of a multi-stage drying process for battery electrodes: vol. 1—applying methods of scattered light measurement
Authors: Mohacsi Jonas , Ly Kevin , Birg Marius , Scharfer Philip , Schabel Wilhelm 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe drying process of battery electrodes is a crucial and expensive step in the battery manufacturing process as it significantly impacts the performance of the final cell. One major challenge is minimising high scrap rates, which has a marked impact on material efficiency and production costs. One approach is to utilise additional in-line sensors to detect and prevent defects at an early stage. Established sensor technology has been employed primarily to measure parameters prior to and subsequent to the drying process. The objective of this study is to examine the potential of a scattered light sensor for monitoring the electrode surface during drying for the first time. The sensor’s ability to detect surface roughness during drying was demonstrated in initial experiments. Further extensive investigations successfully determined the characteristic point of the onset of pore emptying by the sensor. The results suggest that in-line deployment of the scattered light sensor can be highly beneficial, particularly for multi-stage drying processes. On one hand, the sensor serves as a tool for the straightforward configuration of a multi-stage drying process, and on the other hand, for the in-line utilisation of the sensor with the aim of quality assurance.
What do we mean by a ground model–the Fookes geomodel legacy
Authors: Griffiths James S. 
Published: November 2024

The first Glossop lecture by Professor Fookes in 1996 established the importance of the geological model in predicting ground conditions in engineering geology. The concept of the geological model was expanded in his 2000 paper on ‘total geology’, and this becomes the ‘geomodel’ in a 2015 book. Fookes was clear that the
a priori
geological model/geomodel developed from existing knowledge and site observations and was fundamental to planning and interpreting the ground conditions data that emerged from investigations.

A geological model was referred to in the first iteration (2007) of Eurocode 7 and fed into a geotechnical design model. This usage was reaffirmed in 2022 within an overall Engineering Geological Model Framework by IAEG Commission 25. In Hong Kong the 2007 engineering geology manual identified a geological model as feeding into a ground model and then into a geotechnical model.
The expression ‘ground model’ has subsequently emerged as providing a synopsis of the ground conditions that feeds into geotechnical design. This is recognised in the second iteration of Eurocode 7 and is in the 2023 CIRIA guidance on Geotechnical Baseline reports. The Society for Underwater Technology 2022 Report refers to the ground model and defines it as a database of available information that encompasses written reports, the database of collated information and the geotechnical risk register.
Given these different views it is necessary to agree what constitutes a ground model, as this has important implications for contract documentation and establishing the legal responsibilities of all ground engineering professionals.
Role of Virtual Ruler‐Based Diameter Measurement in Endoscopic Therapy for Cirrhotic Esophageal Varices: A Retrospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Fang Zhongliang , Bai Yuchuan , Mao Yudi , Jin Jing , Zhang Qianqian , Tang Yangchen , Ding Xiping , Kong Derun 
Published: November 2024

Background: Esophageal variceal (EV) diameter is a critical, independent risk factor for hemorrhage, and plays a key role in guiding choices of endoscopic treatment techniques. We developed a novel tool, the virtual ruler (VR), which offers increased precision and expediency in EV diameter (EVD) measurements. This study investigates the clinical value of VR for assessing EVD during the endoscopic treatment of cirrhotic EVs.Methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter review of 345 cirrhotic patients with EVs who received endoscopic treatment. EVD was measured using VR, and several outcomes, including rebleeding rates, vascular eradication rates, mortality, and complication incidences, were compared in patients stratified by EVD as measured by both VR and endoscopists.Results: There was moderate agreement between VR and endoscopist measurements of EVD (Kappa = 0.591, p < 0.001). In patients with EVD > 1 cm, the VR group had a lower rebleeding rate after endoscopic treatment compared to the endoscopist group (3.8% vs. 11.3%; p = 0.048). No significant between‐group differences in outcomes were noted in patients with EVD ≤ 1 cm. Additionally, comparisons of endoscopic variceal ligation and endoscopic injection sclerotherapy within the VR‐based diameter groups showed no substantial differences in treatment efficacy or adverse events (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Using VR to accurately measure EVD may help decrease endoscopist misjudgment of larger EVD values and may reduce postoperative rebleeding rates after endoscopic treatment. VR holds potential clinical significance in guiding endoscopic EV treatment.Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry identifier: ChiCTR2200064028.
Histopathological Patterns of Cutaneous and Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis Due to L. aethiopica
Authors: Atnafu Abay , Chanyalew Zewditu , Yimam Sofia , Zeleke Meaza , Negussie Shimelis , Girma Selfu , Melaku Aklilu , Chanyalew Menberework 
Published: November 2024

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease in Ethiopia, mainly caused by L. aethiopica. Limited reports are available related to histopathological features of the skin lesion caused by L. aethiopica. This study aimed to analyze the histopathological features of CL due to L. aethiopica.Materials and Methods: A similar cohort polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed CL patients from a previous own study, who were prospectively enrolled from All Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis and Rehabilitation Training (ALERT) Hospital Addis Ababa, Kela Health Center in Gurage Zone, Siliti Health Center in Silit zone of southern nations and nationalities, as well as Ankober Health Center in Amhara region was used for data analysis. The histopathology was analyzed by performing hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to look for the presence of general and specific histopathology patterns of the disease. Descriptive statistics was utilized using SPSS version 26.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, United States of America).Results: Amastigotes were observed in skin biopsies of 29% (n = 2) mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) and 58% (n = 6) localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) patients. Diffused inflammatory cell infiltrate was observed in the dermal compartment of 77% (n = 20) samples while the remaining 23% (n = 6) had patchy or nodular inflammatory cell infiltrate. The dominant type of inflammatory cell infiltrate in the dermal compartments is macrophages and lymphocytes with a similar proportion, 23/26 (88.5%), followed by plasma cells, 21/26 (80.8%). Among all cases, 38.5% (n = 10) of them were categorized under the Type I pattern while Types IV and V patterns were reported in 26.9% (n = 7) and 34.6% (n = 9) of the remaining samples, respectively. The study found statistically significant correlations between necrosis and MCL (p = 0.01), unorganized granulomas and LCL (p = 0.04), and the presence of eosinophils and giant cell Langerhans with MCL (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively).Conclusion: In our study, the histopathological patterns of the CL caused by L. aethiopica were shown to have a dermal change that was characterized by a domination of diffused inflammatory cell infiltrate. Most of the cell types in the infiltrate were macrophages and lymphocytes. In addition, amastigote resided in the histiocyte with a varying degree of intensity, and both the organized and unorganized granulomas were shown with a considerable proportion.
A novel ensemble-based approach for Windows malware detection
Authors: Verma Vikas , Malik Arun , Batra Isha , Hosen A. S. M. Sanwar 
Published: November 2024

<p class="Abstract"><span lang="EN-US">The exponential growth of internet-connected devices, particularly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has brought forth a critical global challenge: safeguarding the security of transmitted information. The integrity and functionality of these devices face significant threats from various forms of malware, leading to behavioral distortions. Consequently, a vital aspect of cybersecurity entails accurately identifying and classifying such malware, enabling the implementation of appropriate countermeasures. Existing literature has explored diverse approaches for malware identification, encompassing static and dynamic analysis techniques like signature-based, behavior-based, and heuristic-based methods. However, these approaches face a key issue of inadequately identifying unknown malware variants, often resulting in misclassifications of new strains as benign. To tackle this challenge, this study introduces a novel ensemble-based approach for identifying and classifying malware on Windows platforms, with a specific focus on detecting new and previously unknown variants. The proposed approach leverages multiple machine learning schemes to identify elusive unknown malware that proves challenging for existing methods. </span></p>
Sex-Specific Association Between Genetic Risk of Psychiatric Disorders and Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Jiang Jiayue-Clara , Singh Kritika , Nitin Rachana , Davis Lea K. , Wray Naomi R. , Shah Sonia 
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND:
Though epidemiological studies show increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks among individuals with psychiatric disorders, findings on sex differences in comorbidity have been inconsistent.

METHODS:
This genetic epidemiology study examined the sex-specific association between the genetic risk of 3 psychiatric disorders (major depression [MD], schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder), estimated using polygenic scores (PGSs), and risks of 3 CVDs (atrial fibrillation [AF], coronary artery disease [CAD], and heart failure [HF]) in 345 169 European-ancestry individuals (UK Biobank), with analyses replicated in an independent BioVU cohort (n=49 057). Mediation analysis was conducted to determine whether traditional CVD risk factors could explain any observed sex difference.

RESULTS:

In the UK Biobank, a 1-SD increase in PGS
MD
was significantly associated with the incident risks of all 3 CVDs in females after multiple testing corrections (hazard ratio [HR]
AF-female
=1.04 [95% CI, 1.02–1.06];
P
=1.5×10
−
4
; HR
CAD-female
=1.07 [95% CI, 1.04–1.11];
P
=2.6×10
−
6
; and HR
HF-female
=1.09 [95% CI, 1.06–1.13];
P
=9.7×10
−
10
), but not in males. These female-specific associations remained even in the absence of any psychiatric disorder diagnosis or psychiatric medication use. Although mediation analysis demonstrated that the association between PGS
MD
and CVDs in females was partly mediated by baseline body mass index, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and smoking, these risk factors did not explain the higher risk compared with males. The association between PGS
MD
and CAD was consistent between females who were premenopausal and postmenopausal at baseline, while the association with AF and HF was only observed in the baseline postmenopausal cohort. No significant association with CVD risks was observed for the PGS of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The female-specific positive association of PGS
MD
with CAD risk was replicated in BioVU.

CONCLUSIONS:
Genetic predisposition to MD confers a greater risk of CVDs in females versus males, even in the absence of any depression diagnosis. This study warrants further investigation into whether genetic predisposition to depression could be useful for improving cardiovascular risk prediction, especially in women.
Loss of Endothelial
APOE4
Dysregulates Neural Function In Vivo
Authors: Marottoli Felecia M. , Balu Deebika , Flores‐Barrera Eden , de la Villarmois Emilce Artur , Zhang Hui , Chaudhary Rohan , Talati Ruju , Tseng Kuei Y. , Tai Leon M. 
Published: November 2024

Background

We recently found that loss of endothelial cell
APOE3
disrupts neurovascular and synaptic function. However, whether endothelial
APOE4
is detrimental or protective for neural function under physiological conditions is unknown. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine the role of endothelial cell
APOE4
in regulating brain function in vivo.

Methods and Results

We developed
APOE4
fl/fl
/Cdh5(PAC)‐CreERT2
+/−
and
APOE4
fl/fl
/Cdh5(PAC)‐CreERT2
−/−
(control) mice. Knockdown of endothelial cell
APOE4
was induced at ≈4 to 5 weeks of age. Experiments were conducted at 9 months of age to evaluate neurovascular and neuronal function via biochemistry, immunohistochemistry, behavior tests, and electrophysiology. Endothelial cell
APOE4
knockdown resulted in higher neurovascular permeability, lower claudin‐5 vessel coverage, impaired trace fear memory extinction, and disruption of cortical excitatory‐inhibitory balance of synaptic activity.

Conclusions

Our data support the novel concept that endothelial cell
APOE4
is protective for brain function when other cell types express
APOE4
.
Multifactorial effects of probiotic Parasutterella excrementihominis on gestational inflammation, offspring behaviour and prenatal-stress induced disruptions in tryptophan metabolism
Authors: Galley J.D. , Rajasekera T.A. , Bennouna D.J. , Batabyal A. , Verosky B. , Woodke S. , Stokes J. , Brown A.K. , Murthy S. , Kopec R.E. , Gur T.L. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Prenatal stress (PNS) has widespread effects on offspring, including aberrant immune development and behavioural deficits. The microbiome is a mediator of the dissemination of stress effects to the offspring through immunomodulation and metabolite production. Metabolites derived from the mother and their gut microbiota pass to the foetus and can affect immune and nervous development. Stress affects the abundance of such metabolites, including the tryptophan (Trp) pathway, which are involved in immune and nervous system function. We hypothesized that the PNS is associated with dysregulation of Trp metabolism. We further posited that treatment with a Trp-metaboliser Parasutterella excrementihominis would abrogate PNS-associated deleterious effects on offspring development. To test this hypothesis, pregnant mice were exposed to restraint stress and administered P. excrementihominis (Dam n = 3-9; Offspring n = 5-10). PNS increased maternal gut Trp and both maternal and offspring inflammation. P. excrementihominis treatment reduced the PNS-induced excess pool of maternal gut Trp. Some PNS effects on foetal neuroinflammation were reduced in severity due to handling effects from bacterial gavage. However, P. excrementihominis was anti-inflammatory in dam and offspring and anxiolytic in offspring of Pe-treated dams. These data illustrate that elevated Trp levels are associated PNS and its downstream deleterious offspring inflammatory and behavioural outcomes while P. excrementihominis, a Trp-metabolizer, can ameliorate these effects and improve offspring outcomes.
A Retrospective Single-Center Study in 20 Patients With Midline Nasal Masses: Which Site Has the Highest Risk of Recurrence?
Authors: Yılmaz Topçuoğlu Miray-Su , Plinkert Peter K. , Seitz Angelika , El Damaty Ahmed , Bächli Heidrun , Baumann Ingo 
Published: November 2024

Objectives: Midline nasal masses are rare and challenging for surgeons. This study examined the site with the highest risk of recurrence following midline nasal mass excisions. Methods: Surgical outcomes were retrospectively reviewed following excision of midline nasal masses between 2010 and 2022 in the predominantly pediatric patient cohort. The primary outcome measure was the recurrence rate. Results: Overall, 22 nasal masses were resected from 20 patients. Of these masses, 16 were nasal dermoid sinus cysts (NDSC), 2 were hamartomas, 1 was an epidermoid cyst, and 1 was a mature teratoma. Five of the nasal masses were classified as intracranial lesions, 11 were classified as intraosseous lesions, and 6 were classified as superficial lesions. The open rhinoplasty approach was chosen in 65% of the surgeries. For the intracranially extended lesions, a combined nasocranial approach was performed. Four revision surgeries were performed due to superficial recurrences at the nasal dorsum of lesions, that were primarily classified as intraosseous lesions. Conclusions: All recurrences had a superficial extension and were easily excised. Intraosseous NDSC have the highest risk of recurrence, but conversely, they also occur most frequently.
Impact of blood eosinophil count on clinical outcomes in hospitalized Syrian patients with COPD exacerbation
Authors: Albuaini Sara , Najjar Michel , Tulaiba Dania , Al Bardan Hussam 
Published: November 2024

Objective In this multicenter retrospective study, we evaluated the prognostic role of blood eosinophil count on clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods We included patients aged 20 to 90 years with a COPD diagnosis. Patients were divided into groups with blood eosinophil count ≤300 or >300 cells/μL and then further classified into 1–99, 100–300, or >300 cells/μL. We compared sociodemographic features and clinical outcomes between groups and identified risk factors associated with mortality in hospitalized patients with COPD and blood eosinophil count ≤300 cells/μL. Results In total, 217 patients were included (82% men, average age 64.3±10.3 years). Patients with eosinophil counts ≤300 cells/μL had significantly longer hospital stays, more admissions to the intensive care unit (22.2% vs. 4.3%), and more frequent mechanical ventilation (21.6% vs. 4.3%) than those with eosinophil counts >300 cells/μL. Mortality only occurred in the group with ≤300 cells/μL; patients with COPD who had eosinophil counts >300 cells/μL had significantly better survival rates (17.0% vs. 0%). Conclusion High blood eosinophil counts at admission were associated with improved short-term outcomes. Our findings reveal the importance of considering eosinophil counts in clinical decision-making to manage hospitalized patients with COPD.
Adverse outcome detection of childhood administered thimerosal-free HibTITER®
Authors: Jablonowski Karl , Hooker Brian 
Published: November 2024

Background Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB) is a gram-negative pathogenic bacterium that mostly impacts the pediatric and geriatric population, sometimes resulting in permanent sequelae or death. Objective In this study we set out to discover adverse outcomes from the thimerosal-free HibTITER® vaccine derived from a Florida Medicaid dataset spanning from January 2003 to June 2007 ( n = 277,484). Methods HIB vaccinated children were isolated from the Florida Medicaid dataset. Using other HIB vaccines as the control, we analyzed diagnoses for statistically significant adverse outcomes related to the HibTITER® vaccine (only the strictest p-value of <0.0001 was used in analyzing this dataset). We simultaneously and independently examined the statistical significance of symptoms reported to VAERS related to HIB vaccines to corroborate our findings ( p-value significance was reported at <0.05, <0.001, and <0.0001). Results The study revealed 19 individual ICD-9 codes positively associated ( p-value<0.0001 post Bonferroni correction) with recipients of the HibTITER® vaccine within 30-days of vaccination. Of these conditions, 14 have VAERS corroborators. The diseases span severity from mild to life-threatening and areas of respiration (e.g., asthma), gastrointestinal, otolaryngologic (e.g., common cold), dermatologic, generalized infections (e.g., tuberculosis), and other conditions. Conclusion Incidence of 19 different medical conditions was significantly higher compared to the control group who received other HIB vaccine formulations. These results were corroborated using the VAERS database, and have profound medical implications for the estimated 35 million Americans between the ages of 16 and 33 who received the vaccine.
Effects of Motherwort on Biological Behavior of Brain Tissue in Rats with Ischemic Stroke and its Relationship with Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B Signaling Pathway
Authors: Cao Guangyu , Zhou Jianju , Yu Guoqing , Fu Xiaohong , Xiong Bo 
Published: November 2024

Background Motherwort has a protective effect on the nervous system and can improve cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury to a certain extent. However, the effect of motherwort on the biological behavior of the brain tissue of rats with ischemic stroke and its relationship with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway is still unclear. Purpose Therefore, we will explore the effect of motherwort on the biological behavior of the brain tissue of rats with ischemic stroke and its relationship with the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Methods There were 17 model rats in each group, divided into a control group, a model group, and a motherwort (low, medium, and high) dose group. Detect cell proliferation, invasion, and so on, and observe the expression of proteins and genes such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), AKT, Pl3K, and β-actin. Results After successfully constructing a rat model of ischemic stroke, motherwort can improve neurological damage and cerebral infarction in ischemic stroke and is closely related to PI3K/AKT signaling; in addition, motherwort can upregulate PI3K/AKT signaling and improve neurological damage and cerebral infarct size in ischemic stroke rats to a certain extent, and play a role in protecting neurons. Conclusion The antioxidant and antineuronal apoptosis effects of motherwort can improve neurological damage and cerebral infarction area of ischemic stroke rats by upregulating the expression level of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting nerve cells. Apoptosis further protects neurons and plays a role in slowing down disease progression.
A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of ‘Oral Ice Application’ on Oral Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Radiotherapy
Authors: Mancheri Naseem , Kaur Sukhpal , Pathak Pragya , Ghoshal Sushmita 
Published: November 2024

Background Oral mucositis is the most common complication of patients receiving radiotherapy. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of “oral ice application” on the incidence of radiotherapy-associated mucositis. Methodology The study was conducted on newly diagnosed head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. Using computer-generated random numbers they were allocated to experimental and control groups with 30 patients in each group. The patients in the experimental group were asked to suck ice cubes for 5 minutes before and after undergoing radiotherapy during each cycle till completion of their treatment. The control group patients continued with the routine care. Oral mucositis was assessed on the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th days of radiotherapy by using the WHO oral toxicity scale. Results A majority (93%) of the participants were males and 70% had the habit of smoking before the diagnosis of the disease. In the experimental group, Grade 1 mucositis was reported on the 10th day of the treatment. However, it was noted on the 5th day in the control group. The patients included in the experimental group, had a significantly lower incidence of mucositis on the 10th day, 15th, and 20th day of radiotherapy ( p < .05). Though both groups were comparable as per the overall prevalence of oral mucositis, the severity of mucositis was significantly less in the patients in the experimental group. Conclusion “Oral ice application” was useful for delaying mucositis and reducing its severity. It is a simple and easy-to-use method and should be practiced in routine. MeSH terms Radiotherapy, Pain, Mucositis, Cryotherapy