bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel biophysical skin biomarkers discriminate topical anti‐inflammatory treatments based on their potential for local adverse effects
Authors: Danby Simon G. , Matcher Stephen , Byers Robert , Taylor Rosie , Sahib Sura , Andrew Paul , Brown Kirsty , Kay Linda , Wright Carl , Pinnock Abi , Chittock John , Duan Mengqiu , Cha Amy , Adiri Roni , Zang Chuanbo , Werth John , Cork Michael J. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundTopical corticosteroids (TCS) are efficacious treatments for inflammatory skin conditions, however, there is a risk of adverse effects; understanding how best to use these treatments is an unmet research priority shared by patients and healthcare professionals.ObjectivesTo develop non‐invasive biomarkers of local adverse effects to facilitate the optimisation of topical therapy.MethodsAn observer‐blind randomised within‐subject controlled trial in atopic dermatitis patients was undertaken (NCT04194814) comparing betamethasone valerate 0.1% cream (BMV) to a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory treatment, crisaborole 2% ointment (CRB). Participants underwent 4 weeks twice‐daily treatment with CRB on one forearm and BMV on the other (left/right randomised). Skin properties were assessed on days 1, 15, 29 of treatment and again on day 57, including imaging of skin microstructure using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR)‐Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic assessment of stratum corneum molecular structure. The primary outcome was the difference in the change in epidermal thickness from days 1 to 29.ResultsThirty‐seven participants received the first dose, of which 32 completed the study (all 37 were included in the analysis). Pathologic epidermal thinning at day 29 was significantly greater (p < 0.0001) at sites treated with BMV (−31.66; 95% confidence interval: −35.31, −28.01 µm) compared to CRB (−13.76; −17.42, −10.10 µm). From a panel of exploratory biomarkers, superficial plexus depth and stratum corneum carboxyl group levels had the greatest ability to discriminate the effects of the TCS treatment (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsBMV induced 2.3x more pathologic epidermal thinning than CRB after 4 weeks of treatment, suggesting that CRB may be more appropriate for longer‐term, proactive‐based, treatment strategies where the risks of adverse effects are greatest. By monitoring treatment effects using OCT and ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy, two new non‐invasive biomarkers of skin health have been identified with the potential to help optimise future safe treatment strategies.
Adipocytes Promote Endometrial Cancer Progression Through Activation of the SIRT1‐HMMR Signaling Axis
Authors: Savardekar Akanksha , Fernandes Ellerhea , Padhye‐Pendse Aishwarya , Gupta Tanish , Pol Jaydeep , Phadke Madhura , Desai Sharad , Jadhav Sachin , Rajwade Jyutika , Banerjee Arnab 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTAdipocyte is a predominant component of the omental adipose tissue that influences the tumor microenvironment and increases the risk of endometrial cancer progression (EC), however, little is known about the underlying mechanism. In this study, using a co‐culture model, we found that the adipocyte‐EC cell interaction promoted SIRT1 signaling in vitro and in vivo xenograft mice models. Furthermore, immunostaining of SIRT1 protein showed significantly higher expression of SIRT1 in endometrial cancer patients than in normal endometria. RNA sequencing analysis revealed HMMR (hyaluronan‐mediated motility receptor), an oncogene, as a downstream effector of SIRT1 in adipocyte‐associated EC. Transient knockdown and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that SIRT1 inhibition impedes transcription of the HMMR gene via FOXM1, and reduced expression of HMMR in co‐cultured EC cells blocks AURKA activation via TPX2, leading to cell cycle arrest. This is the first study to report the positive correlation between SIRT1 and HMMR in EC patient tumors and might be used as a potential biomarker in EC. Notably, SIRT1 regulates HMMR expression in a FOXM1‐dependent manner, and interfering with SIRT1 may provide a promising strategy for the management of endometrial cancer.
Cell seeding dynamics in a porous scaffold material designed for meniscus tissue regeneration
Authors: Jäger Henry , Grosjean Elise , Plunder Steffen , Redenbach Claudia , Keilmann Alex , Simeon Bernd , Surulescu Christina 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWe study the dynamics of a seeding experiment where a fibrous scaffold material is colonized by two types of cell populations. The specific application that we have in mind is related to the idea of meniscus tissue regeneration. In order to support the development of a promising replacement material, we discuss certain rate equations for the densities of human mesenchymal stem cells and chondrocytes and for the production of collagen‐containing extracellular matrix. For qualitative studies, we start with a system of ordinary differential equations and refine then the model to include spatial effects of the underlying nonwoven scaffold structure. Numerical experiments as well as a complete set of parameters for future benchmarking are provided.
A Two‐Step Framework for Validating Causal Effect Estimates
Authors: Shen Lingjie , Visser Erik , van Erning Felice , Geleijnse Gijs , Kaptein Maurits 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTBackground: Comparing causal effect estimates obtained using observational data to those obtained from the gold standard (i.e., randomized controlled trials [RCTs]) helps assess the validity of these estimates. However, comparisons are challenging due to differences between observational data and RCT generated data. The unknown treatment assignment mechanism in the observational data and varying sampling mechanisms between the RCT and the observational data can lead to confounding and sampling bias, respectively.Aims: The objective of this study is to propose a two‐step framework to validate causal effect estimates obtained from observational data by adjusting for both mechanisms.Materials and Methods: An estimator of causal effects related to the two mechanisms is constructed. A two‐step framework for comparing causal effect estimates is derived from the estimator. An R package RCTrep is developed to implement the framework in practice.Results: A simulation study is conducted to show that using our framework observational data can produce causal effect estimates similar to those of an RCT. A real‐world application of the framework to validate treatment effects of adjuvant chemotherapy obtained from registry data is demonstrated.Conclusion: This study constructs a framework for comparing causal effect estimates between observational data and RCT data, facilitating the assessment of the validity of causal effect estimates obtained from observational data.
An Emulated Target Trial Case Study of Real‐World Overall Survival With Second‐Line Maintenance Niraparib Versus Active Surveillance in Patients With Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Perhanidis Jessica A. , Kalilani Linda , Zimmerman Nicole M. , Golembesky Amanda 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTPurposeThis retrospective real‐world study compared overall survival (OS) between patients with BRCA wild‐type (BRCAwt) recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (OC) who received niraparib second‐line maintenance (2LM) versus active surveillance (AS) using target trial emulation, cloning, inverse probability of censoring weighting (IPCW) methodology to minimize immortal time bias.MethodsEligible patients from a United States‐based, deidentified, electronic health record–derived database were diagnosed with epithelial OC (January 1, 2011–May 31, 2021), were BRCAwt, and completed second‐line (2L) therapy (January 1, 2017–March 2, 2022). Patient data were cloned at index (2L last treatment date), assigned to niraparib 2LM and AS cohorts, and censored when treatment deviated from clone assignment. Follow‐up was measured from index to earliest of study end (May 31, 2022), last activity, or death. Median OS (mOS) and hazard ratios were estimated from stabilized IPCW Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression models.ResultsOverall, 199 patients received niraparib 2LM, and 707 had their care managed with AS. Key characteristics were balanced across cohorts after cloning and stabilized IPCW. Median follow‐up was 15.6‐ and 9.3‐months pre‐cloning. IPCW mOS was 24.1 months (95% CI: 20.9–29.5) and 18.4 months (95% CI: 15.1–22.8) in niraparib 2LM and AS cohorts, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% CI: 0.66–0.89).ConclusionsThis real‐world study provides supportive evidence of an OS benefit for patients with BRCAwt recurrent OC who received 2LM niraparib monotherapy compared with those whose care was managed with AS. The analytic strategies implemented were useful in minimizing immortal time bias and measured confounding.
Social skills predict the development of creative strategies in college teachers during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Pederiva Vanessa , Andretta Ilana , Brust‐Renck Priscila G. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe development of social skills (SS) and creative potential is of great interest to researchers in educational and organizational contexts. The present study aimed to understand the relationship between SS and the use of creative strategies to solve problems in the work environment of college teachers. The study included 386 faculty members of Brazilian colleges who were teaching during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Participants answered an online survey including the Social Skills Questionnaire and the Strategies to Create at Work Scale. The results showed that the SS were predictors of the development of creative strategies in college teachers, with greater emphasis on the ability to maintain calm in the face of criticism, which significantly predicted all strategies to create at work. The development and search for solutions to problems in a creative way in the work environment can be a result of frequent interactions with students, teachers, managers, other employees of the institution. Such interactions can also help improve repertoire of SS.
Radiation‐induced angiosarcoma—An unusual cause of recurrent pleural effusion
Authors: Yun Jenny SW , McCracken James , Wadhwa Vikas 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAlthough rare, radiotherapy can induce secondary malignancies, such as radiation‐induced angiosarcoma (RIAS), which is associated with a poor prognosis. Early detection is crucial for improving outcomes. The modified Cahan criteria are instrumental in diagnosing RIAS, which is ultimately confirmed through histological examination. We present a case of a middle‐aged woman who developed RIAS after undergoing radiotherapy post‐surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy for right‐sided breast cancer. The patient presented with a rapidly reaccumulating right‐sided pleural effusion, and RIAS was confirmed through pleural biopsy and aspirate. This case report highlights the pathway for establishing a diagnosis of RIAS and the need for early detection through clinical examination and surveillance imaging for patients following radiotherapy.
Intubated or rigid bronchoscopy under high‐flow oxygenation and deep sedation without ventilator or anesthesiologist: A report on a new technique
Authors: Seol Hee Yun , Chae Ganghee , Kim Jin Hyoung , Kim Yun Seong , Yoon Seong Hoon , Lee Taehoon 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAs the demand for advanced bronchoscopic procedures increases, prolonged sedation with adequate oxygenation has become essential. Traditionally, these procedures require an anesthesiologist to provide (positive‐pressure or jet) ventilator support. However, recent innovations have enabled advanced bronchoscopy under high‐flow endotracheal oxygenation and deep sedation without these requirements. Following oropharyngeal lidocaine anaesthesia, deep sedation was induced using fentanyl and remimazolam. Thereafter lidocaine was instilled into the larynx, trachea, and main bronchi using a flexible bronchoscope with a spray catheter. Finally, either an uncuffed endotracheal tube (Case 1) or a rigid bronchoscope (Case 2) was inserted, and advanced bronchoscopic procedures, such as cryobiopsy and stent insertion, were successfully performed without a ventilator or an anesthesiologist. Our novel technique is expected to facilitate the easier and adequate performance of advanced high‐level bronchoscopic procedures by pulmonologists, even in resource‐limited settings.
An Innovative Azobenzene‐Based Photothermal Fabric with Excellent Heat Release Performance for Wearable Thermal Management Device
Authors: Wu Yudong , Dong Liqi , Tang Shuxin , Liu Xiao , Han Yulin , Zhang Songge , Liu Kai , Feng Wei 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAzobenzene (azo)‐based photothermal energy storage systems have garnered great interest for their potential in solar energy conversion and storage but suffer from limitations including rely on solvents and specific wavelengths for charging process, short storage lifetime, low heat release temperature during discharging, strong rigidity and poor wearability. To address these issues, an azo‐based fabric composed of tetra‐ortho‐fluorinated photo‐liquefiable azobenzene monomer and polyacrylonitrile fabric template is fabricated using electrospinning. This fabric excels in efficient photo‐charging (green light) and discharging (blue light) under visible light range, solvent‐free operation, long‐term energy storage (706 days), and good capacity of releasing high‐temperature heat (80–95 °C) at room temperature and cold environments. In addition, the fabric maintains high flexibility without evident loss of energy‐storage performance upon 1500 bending cycles, 18‐h washing or 6‐h soaking. The generated heat from charged fabric is facilitated by the Z‐to‐E isomerization energy, phase transition latent heat, and the photothermal effect of 420 nm light irradiation. Meanwhile, the temperature of heat release can be personalized for thermal management by adjusting the light intensity. It is applicable for room‐temperature thermal therapy and can provide heat to the body in cold environments, that presenting a promising candidate for wearable personal thermal management.
Magnetic Torque‐Driven All‐Terrain Microrobots
Authors: Wang Qiong , Zhang Zhuhua , Wu Yuhua , Li Bingyan , Li Yuchong , Gu Hongcheng , Gu Zhongze 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAll‐terrain microrobots possess significant potential in modern medical applications due to their superior maneuverability in complex terrains and confined spaces. However, conventional microrobots often struggle with adaptability and operational difficulties in variable environments. This study introduces a magnetic torque‐driven all‐terrain multiped microrobot (MTMR) to address these challenges. By coupling the structure's multiple symmetries with different uniform magnetic fields, such as rotating and oscillating fields, the MTMR demonstrates various locomotion modes, including rolling, tumbling, walking, jumping, and their combinations. Experimental results indicate that the robot can navigate diverse terrains, including flat surfaces, steep slopes (up to 75°), and gaps over twice its body height. Additionally, the MTMR performs well in confined spaces, capable of passing through slits (0.1 body length) and low tunnels (0.25 body length). The robot shows potential for clinical applications like minimally invasive hemostasis in internal bleeding and thrombus removal from blood vessels through accurate cargo manipulation capability. Moreover, the MTMR can carry temperature sensors to monitor environmental temperature changes in real time while simultaneously manipulating objects, displaying its potential for in‐situ sensing and parallel task implementation. This all‐terrain microrobot technology demonstrates notable adaptability and versatility, providing a solid foundation for practical applications in interventional medicine.
A possible archaic precursor of the octocoral structural plan from the Ordovician of Estonia
Authors: Rozhnov Sergey V. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractA new species and genus of colonial coral, Lindaphylon solovjevi, from the Upper Ordovician of Estonia is described in detail. The colony has a zonation similar to the zonation structure of the mesogleal skeleton of octocorals, since it consists of a narrow axis and a surrounding wide cortex of small calcite sclerites and a system of large solenia. Corallites present 12 sclerosepta in a wide shallow cup. A new family Lindaphylonidae and an order Lyndaphylonaceae are based on these features, and a new order placed in the subphylum Anthozoa as incertae sedis. A comparative study of skeleton formation and mesenteric apparatus symmetry in different groups of coral polyps is considered in detail.
The fiber hinge model for unbonded post‐tensioned beam‐column connections
Authors: Qi Hu , Shen Yelei , Guo Haishan , Zhang Wenxuan , Lu Zheng 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe precast concrete frame with unbonded post‐tensioned beam‐column connections (UPBC) has been emphasized in recent years for it is capable of sustaining a design‐basis earthquake with minor damage. The fiber hinge model (FHM), which is a simple and effective approach, is proposed in this paper for the simulation of UPBC. In the FHM, the mild steels and prestressed tendons crossing the interface are integrated into one element. The mechanism and behavior of the FHM are presented in this paper. The proposed model, which is developed in OpenSees, has been validated by tests, and the FHM is able to accurately describe the shift of compressive center induced by the opening of the interface between the precast beam and column, as well as “beam elongation effects.”
A high Ki‐67 labeling index and high thyroglobulin doubling rate are significant predictors of excision‐site recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma following airway resection for locally curative surgery
Authors: Ito Yasuhiro , Miyauchi Akira , Hirokawa Mitsuyoshi , Kawakami Makoto , Kihara Minoru , Onoda Naoyoshi , Miya Akihiro 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundPapillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) occasionally invades the trachea and requires airway resection. Tracheal excision site recurrence (ESR) is a serious problem. We investigated predictors of ESR in patients with PTC who underwent airway resection for locally curative surgery.MethodsWe enrolled 149 patients with PTC who underwent airway resection (median age at the initial surgery: 67 years), including partial‐thickness resection (n = 73) or full‐thickness resection (n = 76), for grossly curative surgery. The median postoperative follow‐up period was 93 months.ResultsTo date, 11 patients (6.7%) underwent ESR: 6 underwent full‐thickness resection and 5 underwent partial‐thickness resection. The time to ESR ranged from 14 to 113 months (median: 57 months) after the initial surgery. None of the 11 ESR patients underwent adjuvant external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and none of the 4 airway resection patients who underwent EBRT developed ESR. The 5‐ and 10‐year ESR rates were 4.3% and 11.3%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis (forward–backward stepwise selection method), a Ki‐67 labeling index (LI) ≥5% (p = 0.048) and the thyroglobulin doubling rate (Tg‐DR) >0.33/year (p = 0.009) (for Tg‐antibody negative cases) were independent predictors of ESR. Nine of the 11 patients underwent ESR resection and only one developed a second recurrence.ConclusionsA high Ki‐67 LI was a static predictor, and high Tg‐DR was a dynamic predictor, of ESR in patients with PTC following airway resection. In such patients, careful postoperative monitoring for ESR is necessary and adjuvant therapies, such as EBRT, may be considered.
Introducing SWIRL: An Intermediate Representation Language for Scientific Workflows
Authors: Colonnelli Iacopo , Medić Doriana , Mulone Alberto , Bono Viviana , Padovani Luca , Aldinucci Marco 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn the ever-evolving landscape of scientific computing, properly supporting the modularity and complexity of modern scientific applications requires new approaches to workflow execution, like seamless interoperability between different workflow systems, distributed-by-design workflow models, and automatic optimisation of data movements. In order to address this need, this article introduces SWIRL, an intermediate representation language for scientific workflows. In contrast with other product-agnostic workflow languages, SWIRL is not designed for human interaction but to serve as a low-level compilation target for distributed workflow execution plans. The main advantages of SWIRL semantics are low-level primitives based on the send/receive programming model and a formal framework ensuring the consistency of the semantics and the specification of translating workflow models represented by Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) into SWIRL workflow descriptions. Additionally, SWIRL offers rewriting rules designed to optimise execution traces, accompanied by corresponding equivalence. An open-source SWIRL compiler toolchain has been developed using the ANTLR Python3 bindings.
Certified Quantization Strategy Synthesis for Neural Networks
Authors: Zhang Yedi , Chen Guangke , Song Fu , Sun Jun , Dong Jin Song 
Published: September 2024

AbstractQuantization plays an important role in deploying neural networks on embedded, real-time systems with limited computing and storage resources (e.g., edge devices). It significantly reduces the model storage cost and improves inference efficiency by using fewer bits to represent the parameters. However, it was recently shown that critical properties may be broken after quantization, such as robustness and backdoor-freeness. In this work, we introduce the first method for synthesizing quantization strategies that verifiably maintain desired properties after quantization, leveraging a key insight that quantization leads to a data distribution shift in each layer. We propose to compute the preimage for each layer based on which the preceding layer is quantized, ensuring that the quantized reachable region of the preceding layer remains within the preimage. To tackle the challenge of computing the exact preimage, we propose an MILP-based method to compute its under-approximation. We implement our method into a tool and demonstrate its effectiveness and efficiency by providing certified quantization that successfully preserves model robustness and backdoor-freeness.
A Local Search Algorithm for MaxSMT(LIA)
Authors: He Xiang , Li Bohan , Zhao Mengyu , Cai Shaowei 
Published: September 2024

AbstractMaxSAT modulo theories (MaxSMT) is an important generalization of Satisfiability modulo theories (SMT) with various applications. In this paper, we focus on MaxSMT with the background theory of Linear Integer Arithmetic, denoted as MaxSMT(LIA). We design the first local search algorithm for MaxSMT(LIA) called PairLS, based on the following novel ideas. A novel operator called pairwise operator is proposed for integer variables. It extends the original local search operator by simultaneously operating on two variables, enriching the search space. Moreover, a compensation-based picking heuristic is proposed to determine and distinguish the pairwise operations. Experiments are conducted to evaluate our algorithm on massive benchmarks. The results show that our solver is competitive with state-of-the-art MaxSMT solvers. Furthermore, we also apply the pairwise operation to enhance the local search algorithm of SMT, which shows its extensibility.