bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Automatic deep learning segmentation of the hippocampus on high‐resolution diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and its application to the healthy lifespan
Authors: Miller Dylan , Efird Cory , Solar Kevin Grant , Beaulieu Christian , Cobzas Dana 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can provide unique contrast and insight into microstructural changes with age or disease of the hippocampus, although it is difficult to measure the hippocampus because of its comparatively small size, location, and shape. This has been markedly improved by the advent of a clinically feasible 1‐mm isotropic resolution 6‐min DTI protocol at 3 T of the hippocampus with limited brain coverage of 20 axial‐oblique slices aligned along its long axis. However, manual segmentation is too laborious for large population studies, and it cannot be automatically segmented directly on the diffusion images using traditional T1 or T2 image‐based methods because of the limited brain coverage and different contrast. An automatic method is proposed here that segments the hippocampus directly on high‐resolution diffusion images based on an extension of well‐known deep learning architectures like UNet and UNet++ by including additional dense residual connections. The method was trained on 100 healthy participants with previously performed manual segmentation on the 1‐mm DTI, then evaluated on typical healthy participants (n = 53), yielding an excellent voxel overlap with a Dice score of ~ 0.90 with manual segmentation; notably, this was comparable with the inter‐rater reliability of manually delineating the hippocampus on diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (Dice score of 0.86). This method also generalized to a different DTI protocol with 36% fewer acquisitions. It was further validated by showing similar age trajectories of volumes, fractional anisotropy, and mean diffusivity from manual segmentations in one cohort (n = 153, age 5–74 years) with automatic segmentations from a second cohort without manual segmentations (n = 354, age 5–90 years). Automated high‐resolution diffusion MRI segmentation of the hippocampus will facilitate large cohort analyses and, in future research, needs to be evaluated on patient groups.
Numerical solution of the boundary value problem of elliptic equation by Levi function scheme
Authors: Pan Jinchao , Liu Jijun 
Published: August 2024

AbstractFor boundary value problem of an elliptic equation with variable coefficients describing the physical field distribution in inhomogeneous media, the parametrix can represent the solution in terms of volume and surface potentials, with the drawback that the volume potential involving in the solution expression requires heavy computational costs as well as the solvability of the integral equations with respect to the density pair. We introduce an modified integral expression for the solution to an elliptic equation in divergence form under the parametrix framework. The well‐posedness of the linear integral system with respect to the density functions to be determined is rigorously proved. Based on the singularity decomposition for the parametrix, we propose two schemes to deal with the volume integrals so that the density functions can be solved efficiently. One method is an adaptive discretization scheme for computing the integrals with continuous integrands, leading to the uniform accuracy of the integrals in the whole domain, and consequently the efficient computations for the density functions. The other method is the dual reciprocity method which is a meshless approach converting the volume integrals into boundary integrals equivalently by expressing the volume density as the combination of the radial basis functions determined by the interior grids. The proposed schemes are justified numerically to be of satisfactory computation costs. Numerical examples in 2‐dimensional and 3‐dimensional cases are presented to show the validity of the proposed schemes.
Social networks and transformative behaviours in a grassland social‐ecological system
Authors: Nesbitt Holly K. , Metcalf Alexander L. , Floyd Theresa M. , Uden Daniel R. , Chaffin Brian C. , Gulab Sabrina , Banerjee Simanti , Vallury Sechindra , Hamlin Samantha L. , Metcalf Elizabeth Covelli , Fogarty Dillon T. , Twidwell Dirac , Allen Craig R. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Social connections among individuals are essential components of social‐ecological systems (SESs), enabling people to take actions to more effectively adapt or transform in response to widespread social‐ecological change. Although scholars have associated social connections and cognitions with adaptive capacity, measuring actors' social networks may further clarify pathways for bolstering resilience‐enhancing actions.

We asked how social networks and socio‐cognitions, as components of adaptive capacity, and SES regime shift severity affect individual landscape management behaviours using a quantitative analysis of ego network survey data from livestock producers and landcover data on regime shift severity (i.e. juniper encroachment) in the North American Great Plains.

Producers who experienced severe regime shifts or perceived high risks from such shifts were not more likely to engage in transformative behaviour like prescribed burning. Instead, we found that social network characteristics explained significant variance in transformative behaviours.

Policy implications: Our results indicate that social networks enable behaviours that have the potential to transform SESs, suggesting possible leverage points for enabling capacity and coordination toward sustainability. Particularly where private lands dominate and cultural practices condition regime shifts, clarifying how social connections promote resilience may provide much needed insight to bolster adaptive capacities in the face of global change.

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Verification and validation of dielectric mapping technique for non‐destructive evaluation of polymer matrix composites
Authors: Berkowitz Katherine , Guha Rishabh D. , Oluwajire Oluwatimilehin , Grace Landon R. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe rapid increase in use of polymer matrix composites in different industries underscores the need for reliable non‐destructive evaluation techniques to characterize small‐scale damage and prevent structural failure. A novel dielectric technique exploits moisture‐polymer interactions to identify and track damage, leveraging differences in dielectric properties between free and bound water. This technique has demonstrated the ability to detect low levels of damage, but the localization accuracy has not yet been evaluated. This work utilizes unsupervised machine learning to assess the technique's ability to identify the damage boundary following a low‐velocity impact event. Bismaleimide/quartz and E‐glass/epoxy laminates were impacted via drop tower to induce varying levels of damage, and subsequently inspected via dielectric technique at several moisture levels by weight. Resulting data was processed via k‐means clustering and the identified damage boundary was compared to a boundary obtained from backlit images and scanning electron microscopy. Accuracy was quantified using developed metrics for damage centroid and boundary identification. The technique averaged 93.9% accuracy in determining the damage center and 77.5% accuracy in identifying the damage boundary. Results indicated the technique's effectiveness across varying moisture levels, particularly in damage centroid identification. Localization accuracy was shown to be insensitive to moisture content, improving the technique's practical capabilities. Further analysis revealed potential for delineation of delaminations.Highlights
Low‐velocity impact of two material architectures.
Damage boundary determined and validated via scanning electron microscopy.
Detected damage site via dielectric technique compared to damage boundary.
High technique accuracy revealed; >90% centroid localization accuracy.
Potential for delamination delineation observed.
New genomic techniques can contribute to reduced pesticide usage in Europe
Authors: Sundström Jens F. , Berlin Anna , Phuong Nam Kieu , Karlsson Milla , Andreasson Erik 
Published: August 2024

Societal Impact StatementCan modern breeding technologies, such as genome editing, contribute to reduced pesticide usage? This question has been accentuated by a recent legal proposal to exempt genome‐edited plants from the strict regulations applied to classical genetically modified (GM) crops within the European Union (EU). Using official statistics on crop cultivation and pesticide usage for two example crops commonly grown in Sweden, we calculate that cereal farmers collectively could save up to 70 million € in pesticide usage for wheat alone and that a late blight‐resistant potato could reduce pesticide usage by over 80% provided that the EU legislation is amended.SummaryThe European Commission has set goals to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, and one way to meet these goals in the agricultural sector is to breed disease‐resistant crops. Here, we ask whether modern breeding technologies, for example, genome editing using site‐directed nucleases, can contribute to these goals. This question has been accentuated by recent legal proposals in the European Union (EU) and several other jurisdictions worldwide to exempt genome‐edited plants from the strict regulations often applied to classical genetically modified (GM) crops. Using official statistics on crop cultivation and pesticide usage for two example crops commonly grown in Sweden (wheat and potato), we show that cereal farmers collectively could potentially save up to 70 million € in pesticide usage for wheat alone and that a late blight‐resistant potato could reduce pesticide usage by over 80% provided that the EU legislation is amended. Given the immense potential of genome‐edited crops, we further discuss details in the legal proposal currently being negotiated in the EU on the so‐called new genomic techniques that includes both genome editing and targeted insertions of cisgenes. Although promising, we argue that several technical limitations in the legal proposal will, if implemented, hamper the development of disease‐resistant crops and make the suggested legislation less future‐proof.
Characterization of mavacamten pharmacokinetics in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to inform dose titration
Authors: Chang Peter , Perera Vidya , Salinger David H. , Merali Samira , Thanneer Neelima , Back Hyunmoon , Seroogy Julie D. , Gretler Daniel D. , Sehnert Amy J. , Palmisano Maria , Roy Amit 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMavacamten is a selective, allosteric, reversible cardiac myosin inhibitor that has been developed for the treatment of adults with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). A population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model was developed to characterize mavacamten pharmacokinetics (PK) and the variation in mavacamten exposure associated with intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Data from 12 clinical studies (phases 1, 2, and 3) were used. Evaluable participants were those who had at least one mavacamten concentration measurement with associated sampling time and dosing information. The base model included key covariates: body weight, cytochrome P450 isozyme 2C19 (CYP2C19) phenotype with respect to PK, and formulation. The final model was generated using stepwise covariate testing and refinement processes. Simulations were performed to evaluate PK: apparent clearance (CL/F); apparent central and peripheral volumes of distribution; and steady‐state average, trough, and maximum concentrations. Overall, 9244 measurable PK observations from 497 participants were included. A two‐compartment model structure was selected. After stepwise covariate model building and refinement, additional covariates included were: specified mavacamten dose, omeprazole or esomeprazole administration, health/disease status, estimated glomerular filtration rate, fed status, and sex. The final PopPK model accurately characterized mavacamten concentrations. At any given dose, CYP2C19 phenotype was the most influential covariate on exposure parameters (e.g., median CL/F was reduced by 72% in CYP2C19:poor metabolizers compared with the reference participant [CYP2C19:normal metabolizer]). CL/F was also approximately 16% higher in women than in men but lower in participants receiving concomitant omeprazole or esomeprazole (by 33% and 42%, respectively) than in participants not receiving such concomitant therapy.
Osimertinib‐induced BRAF mutation in a single metastatic lesion among multiple pulmonary lesions in a case of lung cancer with EGFR exon 19 deletion
Authors: Miura Hiroyuki , Miura Jun , Goto Shinichi , Yamamoto Tomoko 
Published: August 2024

AbstractOne of the resistant mechanisms of EGFR‐TKIs is BRAF V600E mutation. Herein, we present the case of a 54‐year‐old Japanese female who underwent a right middle lobectomy for pathological stage IIB lung adenocarcinoma. One year and nine months after the surgery, she developed multiple intrapulmonary metastases. Osimertinib was administered due to EGFR exon 19 deletion. Although all intrapulmonary metastases had shrunk, the nodule at the superior segment of left lung enlarged after postoperative 4 years. The tumour was resected and BRAF V600E mutation and exon 19 deletion were detected. Three months after treatment with dabrafenib and trametinib instead of osimertinib, the remaining intrapulmonary metastases increased again. The continued growth of the metastatic foci even after EGFR‐TKI may indicate an acquired resistance. Thus, a repeat biopsy will aid in confirming the new gene expression. It should have been necessary to administer an additional dose of dabrafenib and trametinib without discontinuing osimertinib.
Successful treatment of type B2 thymoma with steroid and radiotherapy
Authors: Fujiwara Miho , Watanabe Hiromi , Takigawa Yuki , Goda Mayu , Shiraha Keisuke , Inoue Tomoyoshi , Matsuoka Suzuka , Kudo Kenichiro , Sato Akiko , Sato Ken , Fujiwara Keiichi , Shibayama Takuo 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAn 86‐year‐old woman with leg edema and dyspnea on exertion was admitted to our hospital. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass in the anterior mediastinum with pericardial invasion. Histological examination with endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) led to the diagnosis of Masaoka stage IVa type B2 thymoma. For palliation, radiotherapy (32 Gy/16 fractions) and prednisolone (30 mg/day) were administered and tapered. After treatment, both the pericardial effusion and tumour size decreased. Combination therapy with steroids and radiotherapy may be effective for treating thymomas.
The application of unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) for monitoring intertidal oyster density and abundance
Authors: Bueno Jenny , Lester Sarah E. , Breithaupt Joshua L. , Brooke Sandra 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is a coastal foundation species currently under threat from anthropogenic activities both globally and in the Apalachicola Bay region of north Florida. Oysters provide numerous ecosystem services, and it is important to establish efficient and reliable methods for their effective monitoring and management. Traditional monitoring techniques, such as quadrat density sampling, can be labor‐intensive, destructive of both oysters and reefs, and may be spatially limited. In this study, we demonstrate how unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) can be used to efficiently generate high‐resolution geospatial oyster reef condition data over large areas. These data, with appropriate ground truthing and minimal destructive sampling, can be used to effectively monitor the size and abundance of oyster clusters on intertidal reefs. Utilizing structure‐from‐motion photogrammetry techniques to create three‐dimensional topographic models, we reconstructed the distribution, spatial density and size of oyster clusters on intertidal reefs in Apalachicola Bay. Ground truthing revealed 97% accuracy for cluster presence detection by UAS products and we confirmed that live oysters are predominately located within clusters, supporting the use of cluster features to estimate oyster population status. We found a positive significant relationship between cluster size and live oyster counts. These findings allowed us to extract clusters from geospatial products and predict live oyster abundance and spatial density on 138 reefs covering 138 382 m2 over two locations. Oyster densities varied between sites, with higher live oyster densities occurring at one site within the Apalachicola Bay bounds, and lower oyster densities in areas adjacent to Apalachicola Bay. Repeated monitoring at one site in 2022 and 2023 revealed a relatively stable oyster density over time. This study demonstrated the successful application of high‐resolution drone imagery combined with cluster sampling, providing a repeatable method for mapping and monitoring to inform conservation, restoration and management strategies for intertidal oyster populations.
Mechanical Efficiency of Photochromic Nanomotors, From First Principles
Authors: Shirodkar Sharmila N. , Su Tonghui , Gupta Nitant , Penev Evgeni S. , Yakobson Boris I. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPhotochromic molecular motors hold promise for a multitude of potential applications in fields ranging from medicine to communications and structural repair. Yet, it is still a challenge to predict their mechanical efficiency. Here, azobenzene is explored as a representative light‐driven nanomotor and estimate its quantum yield of photoisomerization and maximum mechanical efficiency. This is based on first‐principles mapping of the 3D potential energy surfaces for the ground and excited states of the trans and cis configurations and identifying the minimum energy pathway for isomerization. A work cycle is devised and identifies force constant as the parameter that resembles temperature in the Carnot heat engine, but with very different efficiencies. The results show that the optomechanical efficiency of azobenzene at constant load is about 5% albeit under ideal conditions. To test the hypothesis, the study also explores the optomechanical efficiency of stilbene and 2‐butene and shows that their efficiency does not exceed 5%.
The color of coronavirus
Authors: Pham Cong S. , Mitra Devashish 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis study examines racial disparities in the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States, focusing on factors influencing infection and mortality rates at the county level. We find compelling evidence of disproportionate effects on ethnic minority groups, particularly Blacks, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans. Additionally, socioeconomic variables including income inequality, residential segregation and lack of health insurance coverage are identified as significant contributors to these disparities. Notably, our analysis reveals a diminishing trend in disparities over time, suggesting possible effectiveness of policy responses and/or differential preventive behaviors across racial groups. Finally, the paper identifies several mediating channels through which socioeconomic variables contribute to overall disparities.
Cholecalciferol combined with Satureja rechingeri essential oils improves growth performance and immune response of broiler chickens
Authors: Taghizadeh Morteza , Esmaeili Hassan , Vakili Reza 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundVitamin D possesses an important role in the maintenance and health of broiler chickens. Herbal essential oils (EOs) have been proposed as a suitable alternative to chemical drugs in intensive production management systems for better performance of broilers with slight side effects and admirable therapeutic properties.ObjectivesThis experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding cholecalciferol (VD) in combination of Satureja rechingeri EO (SREO) on growth performance, haematological indicators and immunological response of broilers.MethodsA total of 540 1‐day‐old mixed‐sex broiler chickens (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Experimental treatments included different concentrations of cholecalciferol (VD) (0, 2000 and 4000 IU/kg = 0, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) and SREO (0, 200 and 400 mg/kg) on growth performance, haematological indicators and immunological responses of broiler chickens were investigated.ResultsThe results showed that the chicken fed diet supplemented with 0.1 mg/kg VD (VD0.1) in combination of 200 mg/kg SREO (SREO200) increased the feed intake during the overall and first 14‐day periods of the trial when compared with other dietary treatments. Interaction of VD0.1 × SREO200 led to more body weight gain (BWG) in the grower and finisher phases than all other feed treatment groups. The blood level of lymphocyte at day 42, heterophil at days 28 and 42 and heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio at 14 and 28 days of age were affected by VD0.1 + SREO200 in comparison with VD0 + SREO0 group. Feeding VD and/or SREO decreased triglyceride, cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein concentrations at days 28 and 42 of the study, especially in VD0.1 + SREO200 treatment. Feeding VD0.1 + SREO200 also resulted in higher serum status of immunoglobulin M, lysozymes and phagocytic percentage among all treatments.ConclusionConsidering the outcomes, it is suggested that the combination of suitable concentration of VD and EO of the plant had favourable effects on the immune system and performance criteria of broiler chickens.
Subdiagnostic Cushing's syndrome in a Labrador retriever diagnosed with progesterone‐secreting adrenocortical neoplasia and late liver metastasis
Authors: Celliers Anri , Pazzi Paolo , Mitchell Emily , Lensink Antionette , Raseasala Nonkululeko 
Published: August 2024

AbstractA 5‐year‐old, neutered male Labrador retriever was presented for poor hair regrowth following clipping, lethargy, exercise intolerance, polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria and heat‐seeking behaviour. A bradyarrhythmia due to a second‐degree atrioventricular block and poor cardiac contractility was found. On abdominal ultrasound, a left adrenal mass was detected, and a functional progesterone‐secreting tumour was diagnosed and confirmed on histopathology and electron microscopy. After the initiation of inodilator drug therapy and adrenalectomy with a subsequent decline in progesterone concentrations, the clinical signs resolved. The dog was represented 2 years later with similar clinical signs. The dog's progesterone concentrations were again elevated, and a metastatic liver mass was detected on abdominal ultrasound examination and computed tomography scan. After liver lobectomy, the diagnosis was confirmed on histopathology, the clinical signs resolved, and progesterone concentrations normalised. This report describes the presentation of a dog with progesterone‐secreting adrenocortical neoplasia and late metastasis.