bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early Active Motion by Suzuki Pins and Rubber Traction After Intramedullary Reduction of an Impaction Fracture
Authors: Aure Arild , Ohlsson Rikard , Bjåland Østerhus Ingvild 
Published: September 2024

Case:
A 39-year-old man fell during a mountain hike and injured his left, nondominant ring finger, presenting with swelling, tenderness, and crepitus of the proximal interphalangeal joint. A computed tomography scan demonstrated a displaced intra-articular impaction fracture of the middle phalanx base. Surgery was performed with a combination of intramedullary reduction by K-wire and dynamic external fixation, using a Suzuki frame, to allow early active motion and prevent collapse of the reduced fragments. At 1-year follow-up, the clinical and radiological results were excellent.

Conclusion:
The impaction fracture of our patient was successfully treated with Suzuki pins and rubber after intramedullary reduction by K-wire.
Dispersing Settled Barite: An Approach to Improve Performance and Safety of Cut and Pull in Plug and Abandonment Operations
Authors: Yousuf Hazzaz Bin , Khalifeh Mahmoud , Saasen Arild , Gasparotto Luiz H. S. , Godøy Rune 
Published: September 2024

Summary
Settled barite is a known challenge in well construction and well control activities. This phenomenon creates operational and safety challenges during cut and pull operations in well abandonment activities. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach to mitigate these challenges by dispersing settled barite particles using chelating agents, specifically ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), commonly utilized in the oil industry to dissolve barite scales. Laboratory tests were conducted to assess the impact of these two chelating agents across varying concentrations, weight-to-volume ratios, pH levels, and durations. Settled barite samples retrieved from a plug and abandonment (P&A) operation were used in this test. Initially, visual inspection suggested some action of chelating agents in fragmenting settled barite materials into smaller particles. Afterward, a sequence of sieves was used to assess the particle-size distribution (PSD) and quantify the dispersion, revealing an increase in particle dispersion correlating with higher concentrations of chelating agents and weight-to-volume ratios. Contrary to scale-dissolving experiments, the dispersion of settled barite manifests across a broad pH spectrum. Furthermore, an initial increase in dispersion was observed over time, while the introduction of an activator such as potassium chloride (KCl) displayed no discernible effect on the overall dispersion process. This work shows the potential resolution of settled barite issues through the application of conventional chelating agents, such as EDTA and DTPA, commonly used within the oil field. It suggests methodologies for optimizing their performance in addressing barite settlement concerns. In addition, the study proposes the broader applicability of chelators within the EDTA and DTPA family for dispersing settled barite, thereby enhancing performance and augmenting oilfield safety in chelator use.
The role of fuel treatments during incident management
Authors: Greiner S. Michelle , Schultz Courtney , Novak Katie McGrath , Lohman Adam 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The United States Forest Service, with partners, implements fuel reduction treatments on National Forests and surrounding landscapes to mitigate negative impacts from wildfire, facilitate climate adaptation, and protect communities. Understanding fuel treatment effectiveness is important for evaluating treatments against objectives to inform the strategic planning and application of treatments. An understudied aspect of fuel treatments is how existing fuel treatments are incorporated into tactical decision-making during wildfire incident response, including in cases where the fire did not directly overlap with treatments. Through interviews with fire and forest personnel (e.g., Incident Commanders, Agency Administrators, and Fuels Planners) seven different wildfires during 2020 and 2021, we investigated how fuel treatments are evaluated and considered in an incident management context. We found that treatments were considered and used during incidents in various ways including tactically as access points, for contingency planning, and to increase efficiencies related to operations and firefighter safety. The decision to use a fuel treatment was based on several conditions, including the time since the treatment was implemented or maintained, treatment location, incident conditions, and personnel dynamics within the Incident Management Team or local forest unit. We situate the implications of these findings within the complexity of problem definition for fire and wildfire decision-making literature and provide recommendations for using fuel treatments to support wildfire incident management.
Can motion onset VEPs see through the blur?
Authors: Kordek David , Young Laura , Voda Petr , Kremláček Jan 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Motion-onset visual evoked potentials (MO VEPs) are robust to dioptric blur when low contrast and low spatial frequency patterns are used for stimulation. To reveal mechanisms of MO VEPs robustness, we studied whether the resistance to defocus persists even when using a high-contrast checkerboard using digital defocus in the emmetropic eyes of 13 subjects (males 20–60 years). We compared the dominant components of MO VEPs to pattern-reversal VEPs (PR VEP), which are sensitive to the blur. For stimulation, we used checkerboard patterns with 15´ and 60´ checks. To defocus the checkerboard, we rendered it with a second-order Zernike polynomial (\({Z}_{2}^{0}\)) with an equivalent defocus of 0, 2, or 4 D. For PR VEP, the checkerboards were reversed in terms of their contrast. To evoke MO VEP, the checkerboard of 60´ checks moved for 200 ms with a speed of 5 or 10 deg/s in the cardinal directions. The MO VEP did not change in peak time (P ≥ 0.0747) or interpeak amplitude (P > 0.0772) with digital blur. In contrast, for PR VEP, the results showed a decrease in interpeak amplitude (P ≤ 6.65ˑ10 − 4) and an increase in peak time (P ≤ 0.0385). Thus, we demonstrated that MO VEPs evoked by checkerboard, structure containing high spatial content, can be robust to defocus.
The Orphan Nuclear Receptor Nr4a1 Contributes to Interstitial Cardiac Fibrosis via Modulation of Cardiac Fibroblast and Macrophage Phenotype
Authors: Widiapradja Alexander , Connery Heather , Bullock Martyn , Kasparian Ainsley , Clifton-Bligh Roderick , Levick Scott Peter 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The orphan nuclear receptor Nr4a1 has complex biological functions and has been implicated in numerous diseases, including cardiovascular disease. While protective in atherosclerosis and myocardial ischemia, Nr4a1 has been shown to cause cardiac fibrosis in non-ischemic adverse remodelling of the heart. However, mechanisms underlying these actions are still poorly understood. Accordingly, we sought to: 1) understand the contribution of Nr4a1 to the inflammatory environment including macrophage phenotype; and 2) determine the contribution of Nr4a1 to cardiac fibroblast phenotype in the fibrotic heart. Wild type and Nr4a1-/- mice were infused with angiotensin II (1500 ng/kg/min) to induce cardiac fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction. Nr4a1 deletion prevented cardiac fibrosis and maintained normal diastolic function. We determined that macrophages lacking Nr4a1 had distinctly different phenotypes to wild type macrophages, with Nr4a1 deletion preventing the induction of a pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype, instead promoting an anti-inflammatory phenotype. This had functional consequences in that macrophages lacking Nr4a1 showed a reduced ability to induce cardiac fibroblast migration. Interestingly, deletion of Nr4a1 in isolated cardiac fibroblasts also had profound effects on their phenotype and function, with these cells not able to produce excess extracellular matrix proteins, convert to a myofibroblast phenotype, or respond to macrophage stimuli.
Conclusions: Nr4a1 causes cardiac fibrosis and subsequent diastolic dysfunction by inducing a pro-inflammatory phenotype in macrophages and by pushing cardiac fibroblasts towards a pro-fibrotic phenotype in response to pro-fibrotic stimuli. Nr4a1 is also critical for macrophage/fibroblast interactions.
Evaluation of Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery Who Required Hospitalization Due to Covid-19
Authors: PAIVA AMANDA , FERRAZ ALVARO , MERTEN BRUNA , CRUZ FERNANDO SANTA 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic, anthropometric, and clinical profile of patients undergoing bariatric surgery who required hospitalization due to COVID-19.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis from February 2021 to October 2022, involving individuals aged 20 to 59 years. These individuals were under the care of a bariatric surgery outpatient clinic, had previously undergone the surgical procedure, and tested positive for COVID-19. The study focused on those who had laboratory tests conducted six months before and after contracting the disease. The primary objective was to examine changes in laboratory test results six months before and after COVID-19 infection, considering hospitalization occurrences and symptoms manifested post-positive diagnosis. Additionally, secondary outcomes included exploring the correlation between laboratory test results and hospitalization for COVID-19, categorized by nutritional status.
Results
A total of 49 individuals actively participated in the study, with a notable predominance of females (87.8%). A significant majority, accounting for 73.5%, underwent sleeve gastrectomy. The study observed a prevalence of obese individuals who had recently undergone surgery. Common symptoms among hospitalized patients included fever, dry cough, tiredness, pain and discomfort, as well as difficulties in breathing, speaking, or moving. Individuals requiring hospitalization exhibited higher average levels of triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (Gamma GT) in the six months preceding the diagnosis of COVID-19 compared to those who did not require hospitalization. The timeframe between bariatric surgery and COVID-19 contamination was less than three years. Among those hospitalized for COVID-19, 27.3% had trouble breathing.
Conclusion
With a significance level set at 95%, it was observed that hospitalized patients exhibited elevated levels of triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (Gamma GT) compared to non-hospitalized patients in the six months leading up to the onset of the disease. Consequently, it can be deduced that heightened levels of TG, LDL, and Gamma GT are indicative factors that contribute to the likelihood of hospitalization.
Single Image Dehazing using Alternate Pooling Fused Transformer Block with Attention Network
Authors: M Suganthi , C Akila 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Haze decreases contrast and limit sight in both outdoor and indoor images. Each pixel's deterioration is unique and is influenced by how far the scene point is from the camera. The transmission coefficients, which regulate the scene attenuation and degree of haze in each pixel, express this dependence. Previous techniques used a variety of patch-based priors and transformers to solve the single image dehazing problem. Although various researches had demonstrated the effectiveness of vision Transformers, our image dehazing method has been able to surpass the state-of-the-art image dehazing networks. As a result, we proposed a novel image dehazing network named Alternate Pooling Fused Transformer Network (APF_TRANS_NET) with Locally Grouped Self Attention. Compared to earlier deep learning-based methods, it performs far better. The proposed approach enhances the ability of vision transformer in Dehazing progress with an efficient transformer along with the dual weighted deep channel and spatial attention mechanism. To show the efficiency of our model, we trained it on five different datasets, including i-Haze dataset, O-Haze dataset, SOTS dataset, RESIDE-6K, and RS-Haze. The proposed our immense model outperforms the prior state-of-the-art techniques, with a significant improvement in its performance. .
Construction of Soybean Drought Indicators based on Catastrophic Processes and Its Risk Assessment in Northeast China
Authors: Cheng Xihan , Li Hainan , Gao Xining , Wang Liwei , Xu Mingjie , Yin Hong 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Against the background of global warming, drought has become a prominent agrometeorological disaster affecting soybean production in Northeast China (NEC). The development of soybean drought indicators in NEC, based on comprehensive analysis of disaster processes, would greatly enhance dynamic monitoring and early warning systems for soybean drought. This research has significant implications for regional drought prevention and effective disaster mitigation strategies. In this study, the spatial variability of the water surplus and deficit index (\(\:{D}_{n,i}\)) was eliminated, the new index \(\:{CD}_{50,i}\) was constructed, and the initial discriminant value of drought was determined by inverting the historical drought disaster processes of soybean drought. The Kolmogorov‒Smirnov (K–S) test was conducted to determine the optimal distribution model of the sample sequence, and the t-distribution interval estimation method was used to obtain the indicator level threshold. Based on the newly constructed soybean drought indicators, soybean drought risk assessments were carried out. The findings demonstrated that the drought duration days (\(\:D\)) estimated according to \(\:{CD}_{50,i}\ge\:0.56\) as the dominant factor and the daily cumulative value (\(\:CV\)) with \(\:{CD}_{50,i}\ge\:0.56\) as the auxiliary factor could be used to monitor soybean drought in NEC more accurately, and the accuracy rate of the indicators reached 82.4%. There were spatial differences in the probability of each drought level. In terms of the drought risk level, the high-risk area was distributed mainly in the eastern part of Heilongjiang Province, and the low-risk area was distributed mainly in the central and western parts of the East Four Leagues, the western part of Liaoning Province, and a small part of Heilongjiang and Jilin Provinces. The results of this study can be used to dynamically monitor early warning signs of soybean drought so that drought assessment has greater pertinence and provides a technical guarantee for high, stable and efficient soybean production.
From Problem to Solution: Bio-inspired 3D Printing for Bonding Soft and Rigid Material via Underextrusion
Authors: Goshtasbi Arman , Grignaffini Luca , Sadeghi Ali 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Vertebrate animals benefit from a combination of rigidity for structural support and softness for adaptation. Similarly, integratingrigidity and softness can enhance the versatility of soft robotics. However, the challenges associated with creating durablebonding interfaces between soft and rigid materials have limited the development of hybrid robots. Existing solutions requirespecialized machinery, such as polyjet 3D printers, which are not commonly available. In response to these challenges, wehave developed a 3D printing technique that can be used with almost all commercially available FDM printers. This techniqueleverages the common issue of underextrusion to create a strong bond between soft and rigid materials. Underextrusiongenerates a porous structure, similar to fibrous connective tissues, that provides a robust interface with the rigid part throughlayer fusion, while the porosity enables interlocking with the soft material. Our experiments demonstrated that this methodoutperforms conventional adhesives commonly used in soft robotics, achieving nearly 200% of the bonding strength in bothlap shear and peeling tests. Additionally, we investigated how different porosity levels affect bonding strength. We testedthe technique under pressure scenarios critical to soft and hybrid robots and achieved three times more pressure than thecurrent adhesion solution. Finally, we fabricated various hybrid robots using this technique to demonstrate the wide range ofcapabilities this approach and hybridity can bring to soft robotics.
An investigation into the Performance of Apple Genotypes: A Parametric Assessment of Fruit Setting in the Orchards of Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Mishra Neha , Gupta Rakesh , Chandel Ashu , Sharma Subhash , Verma Pramod , Sharma Hukam , Verma Geeta , Rana Diksha , Pathania Samriti , Laishram Chinglembi , Rajput Tanvi , Sharma Shubham 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Climate change continues to alter the traditional apple-growing environments. This change in environment prompts a thorough examination of fruit setting behavior, which is a key component in productivity. The study aimed to identify suitable high density apple genotypes with stable fruit setting behavior. The apple genotypes are evaluated over a duration of two years, 2021–2023 in different environments. The stable apple genotypes for percent fruit set were identified using Eberhart and Russell and AMMI Model. The stability parameters of Eberhart and Russell stability model indicates jeromine as a stable genotype. The interaction items in AMMI (additive main effects and multiplicative interactions) analysis of variance cut across interaction principal components IPC1 and IPC2. The recommended genotypes for each region include Redlum Gala for Zone I; Gale Gala for Zone II; and Jeromine, Red Velox, and Super Chief have stability in Zone III. Based on AMMI Stability Value, Jeromine and Red Velox are the most stable genotypes with a minor role in G × E interaction. Fruit Setting of the genotypes should be given higher attention that would help optimize the apple production. Therefore, Jeromine and Red velox comes to be the most stable and high fruit set performance genotypes among others. This study contributes to the understanding of genotype stability under varying climatic conditions, offering substantial recommendations for apple breeding and cultivation strategies in Himachal Pradesh.
NaHS Mediates Astrocytic EAAT2 Expression to Alleviate SNI-Induced Neuropathic Pain and Depressive-Like Behaviors
Authors: Qi Man-Man , Peng Heng-Yue , Zhang Tian-Ge , Li Yan , Gao Meng-Ya , Sun Wen-Bo , Wang Xu-Peng 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

This study explores the impact of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) in treating neuropathic pain. Utilizing the Spared Nerve Injury (SNI) model in mice, the research investigates the role of astrocytes and the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in chronic pain. The findings reveal that sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), an H2S donor, effectively enhances the mechanical pain threshold and thermal pain escape latency in SNI mice. The study further demonstrates NaHS's potential in reducing glutamate levels in the spinal cord and the discharge frequency of neurons in the primary somatosensory cortex hindlimb region (S1HL) brain area, suggesting a novel therapeutic approach for neuropathic pain through the modulation of astrocyte function and EAAT2 expression.
Application of Adiposity Indices for Body Fat and Metabolic Health Assessment Before and After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Authors: Luna Mariana , Pereira Silvia , Saboya Carlos , Ramalho Andrea 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
Visceral fat is determinant for obesity metabolic disturbances. Gold standard methods for its assessment are unfeasible in clinical practice. Adiposity indices have been proposed to provide a more feasible evaluation. The study aims to assess body fat distribution through adiposity indices, before and 6 months after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass(RYGB), and their correlation with body and biochemical variables.
Methods
prospective longitudinal study with adults undergoing RYGB, evaluated before(T0) and 6 months after surgery(T1). Weight, height, waist circumference(WC), BMI, waist-to-height ratio(WHtR), total cholesterol(TC), HDL-c, LDL-c, triglycerides(TG), insulin, glucose, HbA1c and HOMA-IR were evaluated. Visceral adiposity index(VAI), conicity index(CI), lipid accumulation product(LAP), Clinica Universidad de Navarra-Body adiposity estimator(CUN-BAE) and a body shape index(ABSI) were calculated.
Results
62 individuals, 80% women, mean age 42.8 ± 11.13 years. There was significant improvement in adiposity and all biochemical variables, even with more than 90% still in overweight/obesity class and/or inadequate WC and WHtR. Only 40% of individuals had VAI inadequacy at T1. Individuals with elevated VAI had higher HOMA-IR, TG and LAP at T0, compared to those with adequate VAI. Although this difference was not maintained at T1, after surgery, VAI was the only index that correlated with HOMA-IR. Pre-surgical ABSI, CI, WC and WHtR correlated with post-surgical HOMA-IR, insulin and TC. Only the post-surgical variation in ABSI correlated with HOMA-IR reduction.BMI did not correlate with post-surgical metabolic outcome.
Conclusion
The findings reinforce the ability of RYGB to reduce visceral adiposity, and the applicability of the indices to assess metabolic health, with emphasis on VAI and ABSI.
Utilizing machine learning for nerve conduction velocity analysis
Authors: Sadeghi Hossein , Seif Fatemeh , Khanmohammadi Soraya , khanmohammadi sima 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Nerve conduction (NC) studies often utilized electrodiagnostic tests for assessing the conduction of both motor and sensory nerves. In a cohort study of 216 individuals within the age range of 20 to 59 years, from the findings of the Poursina Electrodiagnostic Center, Rasht, Iran, healthy subjects underwent machine learning (ML) techniques to evaluate the conduction of nerves situated in the upper extremities, specifically the median, ulnar, and radial nerves. Through this investigation, normal values were successfully set up. There are multiple variables, such as gender, age, weight, and height that can influence NC. Given the historical background and thorough medical assessment, assuming the absence of any NC agents or underlying medical conditions. The results showed the successful establishment of normal values for NC and the favorable performance of the ML models in predicting NC values.