bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Second generation stationary chest tomosynthesis with faster scan time and wider angular span
Authors: Billingsley Alex , Inscoe Christina , Lu Jianping , Zhou Otto , Lee Yueh Z. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundDigital tomosynthesis has shown potential for increasing specificity and sensitivity compared to radiography for low‐dose chest imaging. Prior investigation of the s‐DCT system indicated potential, but additional iteration with improved scan speed, power, and angular span was necessary for translation.PurposeThe study aims to demonstrate and characterize a second‐generation stationary digital chest tomosynthesis (s‐DCT) scanner with increased x‐ray energy, tube current, and larger angular span.MethodsThe second‐generation s‐DCT system employed a meter‐long linear carbon nanotube (CNT) source array integrated with a digital detector and patient imaging table. Tube output, focal spot size, modulation transfer function (MTF), artifact spread function (ASF), and imaging performance were evaluated. A lung phantom with simulated nodules was imaged for clinical task‐based demonstration.ResultsThe scanner achieved a 6 s scan time, significantly improved from the prior generation's 16 s. The x‐ray tube exhibited good current stability, with 20.4 ± 0.6 mA tube current and focal spot size aligned with specifications (IEC 0.8). The MTF confirmed enhanced spatial resolution of 2.4 lp/mm, comparable to commercial chest tomosynthesis systems. The ASF indicated improved depth resolution (5.2 mm, previously 9.5 mm). Phantom imaging showcased visualization of both high and low‐attenuation lung nodules.ConclusionThe second‐generation s‐DCT system exhibited improved performance in terms of tube power, scan time, and image quality. Enhanced in‐plane and depth resolution, along with faster imaging, suggest potential clinical benefits for improved diagnoses. Further clinical validation is warranted to ascertain the system's clinical utility.
Gastric bypass elicits persistent gut adaptation and unique diabetes remission‐related metabolic gene regulation
Authors: Stefater‐Richards Margaret A. , Panciotti Courtney , Esteva Valerie , Lerner Miriam , Petty Carter R. , Gourash William F. , Courcoulas Anita P. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractObjectiveWe have previously shown that early intestinal adaptation precedes and relates to metabolic improvement in humans after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB). We hypothesized that intestinal adaptation would persist at the 1‐year postoperative time point and that gene expression (GE) signatures would relate to type 2 diabetes remission, providing insight into potential mechanisms for intestinally mediated metabolic improvement after RYGB.MethodsWe determined GE by RNA sequencing in jejunum (Roux limb [RL]) collected from 28 patients before and 12 months after RYGB.ResultsGlobal GE from paired baseline and 1‐year jejunal samples did not separate according to clinical phenotype (type 2 diabetes remission, sustained weight loss). In general, GE was consistent with persistent RL remodeling, and microvilli were elongated by 39%. Remodeling was not attenuated in patients with lack of diabetes remission or with weight regain. Patients with diabetes remission demonstrated greater jejunal activation of lipogenesis‐related pathways driven by RXR, LXR, and SREBP.ConclusionsRL adaptation is a key feature of RYGB in all patients, likely reflecting the dramatic alterations to gastrointestinal anatomy, but jejunal lipogenesis appears to be more strongly activated in those patients with diabetes remission. Further study is needed to understand whether these pathways may drive metabolic remission after RYGB.
Retrograde Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction: A Google Search Analysis
Authors: Hunter Nathaniel , Wright Aidan , Jin Vivian , Tritter Andrew 
Published: October 2024

AbstractObjectiveNo studies describe what patients search for online in relation to retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (RCPD). Our objectives were to describe the Google search volume for RCPD, identify the most common queries related to RCPD, and evaluate the available online resources.Study DesignObservational.SettingGoogle Database.MethodsUsing Ahrefs and Search Response, Google search volume for RCPD and “People Also Ask” (PAA) questions were documented. PAA questions were categorized based on intent, and the websites were categorized on source. The quality and readability of the sources were determined using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, Flesch Reading Ease score, and Flesch‐Kincaid Grade Level.ResultsSearch volume for RCPD‐related content has continually increased since 2021, with a combined average volume of 6287 searches per month. Most PAA questions were related to technical details (61.07%) and treatments (32.06%) for RCPD. Websites provided to answer these questions were most often from academic (25.95%) and commercial (22.14%) sources. None of the sources met the criteria for universal readability, and only 15% met all quality metrics set forth by JAMA.ConclusionInterest in RCPD is at an all‐time high, with information related to its diagnosis and treatment most popular among Google users. Significantly, none of the resources provided by Google met the criteria for universal readability, preventing many patients from fully comprehending the information presented. Future work should aim to address questions related to RCPD in a suitable way for all patient demographics.
Optimizing Corticosteroid Sinonasal Irrigation Outcomes Through 3D Printing: A Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial
Authors: Root Zachary T. , Lepley Thomas J. , Kim Kanghyun , Schneller Aspen R. , Zhao Songzhu , Wen Raymond , Formanek Veronica L. , Sussman Sarah M. , Lee Joseph S. , Odeh Ahmad , Wei Lai , Kelly Kathleen M. , Otto Bradley A. , Zhao Kai 
Published: October 2024

AbstractObjectiveTopical corticosteroid irrigation plays critical role in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Yet, its efficacy can be highly variable. We sought to determine if personalized, 3‐dimensional (3D)‐printed nasal models can optimize head positioning and irrigation parameters, therefore improving patient outcomes.Study DesignRandomized, single‐blinded clinical trial.SettingTertiary medical center from November 2021 to July 2023.MethodsSixty‐two patients with CRS were randomized into either control (CG), backfill (BG), or model (MG) groups; daily 2 mg mometasone irrigations were then performed for 2 months with either standard head‐forward and natural side‐tilt position (CG), a head tilt of 90° to the side with fluid entering the lower nostril (BG), or in an optimized position as determined by a patient‐specific 3D printed irrigation model (MG), respectively.ResultsA total of 36 patients completed the trial (CG: N = 14/23; BG N = 11/23, MG: N = 11/16). Significant posttreatment improvement in Lund‐Mackay (LM) scoring was only observed in the MG (−3.73, 95% confidence interval = −5.71, −1.75; P < .001). Patient‐reported outcome measures (Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation, Sinonasal Outcome Test‐22, and Visual Analog Scale of nasal congestion) improved significantly among all groups. Optimal model penetration scores significantly correlated to posttreatment MG LM score (Spearman's r = 0.65, P < .05). Among all groups, patients with prior endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) (n = 19) had objectively less opacification at baseline; however, experienced the same degree of opacification reduction and symptom reduction as those without prior ESS (n = 17).ConclusionThe use of 3D printing to personalize head positioning may significantly improve objective corticosteroid irrigation outcomes. Mometasone irrigation may have similar subjective and objective effects on patients regardless of prior surgical history.Level of EvidenceLevel 1 prospective, randomized, single‐blinded clinical trial NCT06118554.
Global health training opportunities during pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship: Results from a survey of program leaders
Authors: Hornstein Paula R. , Falade Ayo S. , Triedman Scott A. , Lehmann Leslie E. , Fadelu Temidayo A. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundThere is growing interest in global health (GH) among medical trainees in the United States. However, providing GH training opportunities at the fellowship level presents several challenges. Understanding of barriers and facilitators to implementing GH training is essential for addressing these challenges.MethodsWe developed a comprehensive survey of 65 Likert‐scale multiple‐choice and open‐ended questions to assess perspectives of pediatric hematology/oncology fellowships leaders on GH training. The survey was electronically distributed to program leaders at all ACGME‐accredited pediatric hematology/oncology fellowships programs, and data were summarized using descriptive analysis.ResultsOf 73 eligible programs, we had a 45.2% response rate with 27 complete and 6 partial responses. Respondents represented programs across the United States, including 19 (57.6%) affiliated with NCI‐Designated Cancer Centers. Fourteen programs (43.8%) currently offer GH training opportunities, whereas 18 programs expressed interest in future opportunities (15, 83.3%) or plan to offer them soon (3, 16.7%). Major barriers identified include competing training priorities (23, 82.1%), lack of faculty mentors in the division (23, 82.1%), and lack of dedicated institutional funding (20, 71.4%). Key facilitators include the interest and initiative of current fellows (27, 96.4%), dedicated institutional funding (26, 92.8%), and having established international partnerships (26, 92.8%).ConclusionsThe study reveals strong interest in GH training in pediatric hematology/oncology fellowships. Despite challenges such as competing priorities and a lack of mentors, significant facilitators include current fellows’ initiatives, dedicated funding, and established international partnerships. These insights can help shape future initiatives to incorporate GH into pediatric oncology/hematology fellowship training.
Prevalence of bean scab caused by Elsinoë phaseoli and challenges associated with bean cultivation in Kenya
Authors: Masheti Y. O. , Muthomi J. W. , Muiru W. M. , Arunga E. E. , Gepts P. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis study investigated the prevalence of scab caused by Elsinoë phaseoli causing yield losses on beans in Kenya. The research focused on common practices and challenges faced by subsistence farmers with the aim of providing insights into scab prevalence, impact, and potential management challenges. A structured questionnaire was employed in a survey conducted in 2022 and 2023, covering major bean‐growing regions using a three‐stage sampling design. Data from 128 bean farmers included information on farm size, seed sources, cropping systems, awareness of challenges, and pest/disease management practices. Scab prevalence was determined by scouting for symptoms, with a total of 84 farms surveyed in 2021. The incidence of bean scab was confirmed in all surveyed clusters, indicating its widespread occurrence across various agro‐ecological zones. Farmers exhibited common practices such as preference for uniform bean seeds (61%), use of uncertified seeds (83%), intercropping (80%), and limited crop rotation. Challenges included disease and pest infestations, with limited diversity in management options. Confirmation of the presence of bean scab in diverse agro‐ecological zones emphasizes its importance and the need for further research on its impact and epidemiology. Challenges with crop rotation were evident due to small farm sizes and subsistence‐focused farming. The study recommends further research for a comprehensive understanding of the link between increased scab importance and current bean farming practices such as short rotation periods and the use of susceptible varieties. Training programs are also vital to improve farmers' knowledge on safe agro‐chemical use, ensuring sustainable constraint management in common bean cultivation in Kenya.
Strangler fig–host tree associations: Insights into the ecology and management of tropical urban green spaces
Authors: Mo Yu‐Xuan , Zou Huang , Hu Hai‐Xia , Li Su , Lu Hua‐Zheng , Pu Xiao‐Yan , Zhang Yun‐Xin , Balami Sujan , Li Yuan , Hu Tao , Song Liang , Liu Wen‐Yao 
Published: October 2024

Societal Impact StatementThe strangler fig is known for its hemiepiphytic growth form and conspicuous strangling behavior in the tropics worldwide. It also plays an important role in providing ecological functions in tropical urban ecosystems. This study reveals strangler figs tend to colonize large trees with suitable microsites in a large tropical botanical garden and cause some negative effects on their hosts. We advocate balanced management strategies considering ecological functions, potential risks, and overall values of stranglers and their hosts. These results provide a scientific basis for us to develop better practices for plant management in urban green spaces (especially botanical gardens with high plant biodiversity) in tropical urban ecosystems.Summary

Strangler figs colonize trees in tropical cities, which contribute to a unique urban ecology and enrich local ecological functions. Understanding ecological associations between strangler figs and their host trees can improve green space management in tropical urban ecosystems.
We investigated 9282 trees growing in the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden and then analyzed the diversity, characteristics, and network of strangler figs and their host trees.
We found 13 strangler fig species (319 individuals) widely colonized 67 host species, with palm hosts bearing 52% of all strangler individuals. Strangler figs had a high colonization rate in large trees with appropriate microsites (e.g., persistent palm petioles and the fork of mature trees with rough trunks). Leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content of hosts decreased significantly after strangler figs' aerial roots had entered the ground. The strangler–host network was characterized by relatively high specialization and low nestedness, and simulated management of strangler figs on large hosts and palm hosts could simplify the strangler–host network.
Strangler fig colonization can be managed. Planting trees with large diameters at breast height and rough bark can increase the colonization of stranglers, while cutting off aerial roots can inhibit their establishment. The epiphytic stage is the best time to manage strangler figs. We recommend taking into consideration the trade‐offs among ecological functioning, human safety, and the multifaceted value of strangler figs and their host trees and thereby implementing comprehensive management strategies tailored to different contexts for improving green space management in the tropics.
Molecular mechanisms of mammalian sperm capacitation, and its regulation by sodium‐dependent secondary active transporters
Authors: Takei Gen L. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundMammalian spermatozoa have to be “capacitated” to be fertilization‐competent. Capacitation is a collective term for the physiological and biochemical changes in spermatozoa that occur within the female body. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying capacitation have not been fully elucidated.MethodsPreviously published papers on capacitation, especially from the perspective of ions/channels/transporters, were extracted and summarized.ResultsCapacitation can be divided into two processes: earlier events (membrane potential hyperpolarization, intracellular pH rise, intracellular Ca2+ rise, etc.) and two major later events: hyperactivation and the acrosome reaction. Earlier events are closely interconnected with each other. Various channels/transporters are involved in the regulation of them, which ultimately lead to the later events. Manipulating the extracellular K+ concentration based on the oviductal concentration modifies membrane potential; however, the later events and fertilization are not affected, suggesting the uninvolvement of membrane potential in capacitation. Hyperpolarization is a highly conserved phenomenon among mammalian species, indicating its importance in capacitation. Therefore, the physiological importance of hyperpolarization apart from membrane potential is suggested.ConclusionThe hypotheses are (1) hyperpolarizing Na+ dynamics (decrease in intracellular Na+) and Na+‐driven secondary active transporters play a vital role in capacitation and (2) the sperm‐specific potassium channel Slo3 is involved in volume and/or morphological regulation.
New Safety Feedback Control Design to Guarantee Adequate Frequency Performance in Microgrids
Authors: Taousser Fatima , Morovati Samaneh , Zhang Yichen , Djouadi Seddik M. , Tomsovic Kevin , Olama Mohammed 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTSafety analysis of power systems is concerned with the system's ability to maintain critical variables within specified limits following a disturbance. Frequency control adequacy has become increasingly important as the system inertia decreases due to the increase in renewable energy penetration. Various controllers for inverters have been proposed to improve the system frequency response and few are capable to ensure the safety of the response. In this article, a diesel‐wind energy system is considered and modeled as a switching system between normal, faulted, and post‐fault modes. A safety feedback controller is designed as a supplementary signal for a wind turbine generator such that the speed of the diesel generator stays within a permissible range in the presence of a finite energy disturbance. Numerical results on the modified 33‐bus microgrid system obtained of the proposed novel approach indicate that the suggested control configuration can guarantee adequate frequency response without excessive conservativeness.
An Efficient Filtering Approach for Model Estimation in Sparse Regression
Authors: Wei Yanran , Myers William , Deng Xinwei 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTAs technology advances, the scale of data generated is growing exponentially, bringing huge challenges to data storage and computation. To facilitate the computational cost while maintaining model estimation accuracy, subdata selection become important. Conventional methods, such as LASSO and ridge regression, often focus on feature selection. In contrast, methods of subsampling aim at specifying data points to be extracted. However, these subsampling methods often overlook the full consideration of the role of the response variable and its relationship with predictor variables. In this work, we propose a so‐called filtering approach for model estimation (FAME) method to perform subsampling in combination with feature screening. Compared with existing methods, the proposed method can result in the subdata being smaller in size both in terms of the number of features and observations, and also the computational complexity does not increase. The proposed method can be extended to situations when the predictor is binary, the response is binary, or both are binary. The performance of FAME is evaluated in both numerical studies and real data examples.
Enhancing Satellite Link Security Against Drone Eavesdropping Through Cooperative Communication
Authors: Kumar Rajnish , Arnon Shlomi 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTIntegrated satellite terrestrial networks (ISTNs) are emerging as a promising next‐generation communication technology, for example, B5G and 6G, with low‐earth orbit (LEO) satellites playing a growing role. However, the complex and unique characteristics of ISTNs make them more susceptible to cyberattacks. Recently, the use of drones for public and private services has increased the risk of eavesdropping on LEO satellite links. Such scenario presents an extremely challenging environment due to dynamic nature of LEO satellite and drone along with atmospheric attenuation at sub‐THz frequencies. This study proposes a novel adaptive power‐bandwidth cooperative scheme designed to mitigate the likelihood of eavesdropping attacks on LEO satellite links communicating with a ground station when a drone is within the line of sight. The mathematical algorithm dynamically adapts the resources to maximize the normalized secrecy capacity in this challenging scenario while maintaining a reasonable signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) at the legitimate receiver. The adaptive scheme involves strategic cooperation with a nearby terrestrial third party to amplify and forward the satellite signal to the ground station receiver. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, showing significant improvements (> 70%) compared to the non‐adaptive scheme over a wide range of elevation angles.
How the Affordances of Different Modeling Tools Impact Kindergartener‐Constructed Models and Modeling Reasoning
Authors: Louca Loucas T. , Zacharia Zacharias C. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTThis study seeks to enrich our understanding of modeling‐based learning (MbL) in kindergarten science education, investigating the influences of different modeling tools on kindergarten child‐constructed models and their modeling reasoning. Therefore, this multi‐case study aimed at providing in‐depth descriptions of how MbL was enacted by 66 kindergarteners while combining the use of three modeling tools: paper‐and‐pencil, three‐dimensional structures, and dramatic play. We studied three different classes of children engaged in MbL who studied and modeled three different physical phenomena (wildflowers' parts and their functions, dissolving substances in water, shadow formation). We varied the modeling tools to investigate the ways these tools contributed to children's MbL. Data sources included the child‐constructed models, their modeling discourse, and mechanistic reasoning. From the videotaped lesson transcripts, we developed detailed accounts of the three MbL cases, and we analysed the discourse using modeling frame analysis and mechanistic reasoning analysis, along with the model component artifact analysis of the child‐constructed models. Findings suggested that the use of different modeling tools impacts child‐constructed models and their corresponding modeling‐based mechanistic reasoning. The findings also suggest that children's representational proficiencies seem to be related to the use of a variety of modeling tools, which enabled children to talk about the possible different ways of developing models and the different affordances of the various modeling tools' representational power. We use this evidence to argue that different modeling tools may afford different modeling possibilities that kindergarten children may draw upon possibly combining with modeling resources they have (e.g., role‐playing, storytelling, drawing).