bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advancements in MR hardware systems and magnetic field control: B0 shimming, RF coils, and gradient techniques for enhancing magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy
Authors: Shang Yun , Simegn Gizeaddis Lamesgin , Gillen Kelly , Yang Hsin-Jung , Han Hui 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
High magnetic field homogeneity is critical for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) applications. B0 inhomogeneity during MR scans is a long-standing problem resulting from magnet imperfections and site conditions, with the main issue being the inhomogeneity across the human body caused by differences in magnetic susceptibilities between tissues, resulting in signal loss, image distortion, and poor spectral resolution. Through a combination of passive and active shim techniques, as well as technological advances employing multi-coil techniques, optimal coil design, motion tracking, and real-time modifications, improved field homogeneity and image quality have been achieved in MRI/MRS. The integration of RF and shim coils brings a high shim efficiency due to the proximity of participants. This technique will potentially be applied to high-density RF coils with a high-density shim array for improved B0 homogeneity. Simultaneous shimming and image encoding can be achieved using multi-coil array, which also enables the development of novel encoding methods using advanced magnetic field control. Field monitoring enables the capture and real-time compensation for dynamic field perturbance beyond the static background inhomogeneity. These advancements have the potential to better use the scanner performance to enhance diagnostic capabilities and broaden applications of MRI/MRS in a variety of clinical and research settings. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the latest advances in B0 magnetic field shimming and magnetic field control techniques as well as MR hardware, and to emphasize their significance and potential impact on improving the data quality of MRI/MRS.
The Structure of Large SUM-Free Sets in 𝔽n
p
Authors: Versteegen Leo 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT
A set $A\subset \mathbb{F}_p^n$ is sum-free if A + A does not intersect A. If $p\equiv 2 \;\mathrm{mod}\; 3$, the maximal size of a sum-free set in $\mathbb{F}_p^n$ is known to be $(p^n+p^{n-1})/3$. We show that if a sum-free set $A\subset \mathbb{F}_p^n$ has size at least $p^n/3-p^{n-1}/6+p^{n-2}$, then there exists subspace $V\lt\mathbb{F}_p^n$ of codimension 1 such that A is contained in $(p+1)/3$ cosets of V. For p = 5 specifically, we show the stronger result that every sum-free set of size larger than $1.2\cdot 5^{n-1}$ has this property, thus improving on a recent theorem of Lev.
Muscle involvement in systemic sclerosis: high mortality not associated with nature of histological lesions
Authors: Le Gouellec Noémie , Zaidan Louai , Chaigne Benjamin , Periou Baptiste , Cailliau Emeline , Dhote Robin , Rivière Sébastien , Uzunhan Yurdagul , Agard Christian , Godeau Bertrand , Wolkenstein Pierre , Hachulla Eric , Mouthon Luc , Authier Jerome 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this study was to determine the association between various histological patterns and prognosis in patients with SSc and histologically proven muscle involvement.

Methods
A multicentre retrospective study was conducted of a cohort of scleroderma patients who had undergone muscle biopsy. The biopsies were reviewed in a coordinated manner to classify patients based on the histological findings. Three different patterns were observed: fibrosing myopathy (FMy), inflammatory myopathy (IMy), and immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNMy). Rates of survival, muscle relapse, and cardiac and pulmonary events were compared between these three groups.

Results
Among the 71 scleroderma patients with muscle biopsy specimens available for review, 33 (46.5%) were classified in the FMy group, 18 (25.5%) in the IMy group and 20 (28%) in the NMy group. The median follow-up time was 6.4 years (interquartile range, 2.2–10.9 years), and 21 patients died during follow-up, primarily from heart disease and infections. The 10-year survival rate after the first non-RP symptom was 80%, and the cumulative incidence of muscle relapse was 25%. Neither factor differed significantly between the three groups. The risk of pulmonary events was lowest in the IMy group, significantly lower than in the FMy group (hazard ratio, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.04–0.67) and non-significantly lower than in the IMNMy group (hazard ratio, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.06–1.24). The risk of cardiac events did not differ significantly between the three groups.

Conclusion
The mortality rate in scleroderma patients with muscle involvement was not associated with their histological patterns.
Transiently increased circulating CD39+FoxP3+ Treg cells predicts the clinical response to methotrexate in early rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Villalba Alejandro , Nuño Laura , Benito-Miguel Marta , Nieto-Carvalhal Beatriz , Monjo Irene , Novella-Navarro Marta , Peiteado Diana , García-Carazo Sara , Balsa Alejandro , Miranda-Carús María-Eugenia 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Objectives
A subset of human circulating FoxP3+ regulatory T cells expresses CD39 (cTreg39+) and hydrolyses pro-inflammatory adenine nucleotides released at inflammatory foci, releasing the anti-inflammatory agent adenosine. Methotrexate (MTX), inhibiting 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide transformylase, enhances the extrusion of adenine nucleotides and may help Treg39+ cells control inflammation. Therefore, we examined the relation of cTreg39+ cells with the effect of MTX in early rheumatoid arthritis (eRA).

Methods
Freshly isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes from 98 untreated eRA patients and 98 healthy controls (HC) were examined by cytometry. Twelve months (12 m) after initiating MTX, 82 patients were clinically re-evaluated and cytometry was repeated in 40 of them. The effect of MTX on Treg cell potency was assessed in Treg/Tresp cocultures.

Results
The baseline (0 m) cTreg39+ cell frequency was elevated in eRA above HC levels. Patients who reached low disease activity at 12 months (12 m-LDA, DAS28-ESR ≤ 3.2, n = 51) had presented with a significantly higher 0 m cTreg39+ frequency vs those who did not (n = 31). The 0 m cTreg39+ cutoff for attaining 12 m-LDA was 42.0% (sensitivity = 90.4%, specificity = 96.8%). At 12 m, the cTreg39+ frequency was no longer elevated but its association with disease activity remained: it was still significantly higher in patients who had reached LDA vs those who had not. In vitro, MTX augmented the Treg39+ cell potency but had no effect on Treg39− cells.

Conclusion
MTX cooperates with Treg39+ cells and the baseline cTreg39+ frequency predicts the response to MTX in eRA. In addition, the transiently elevated baseline cTreg39+ frequency in eRA may provide a slot for prompt MTX initiation.
Cross-sectional expected returns: new Fama–MacBeth regressions in the era of machine learning
Authors: Han Yufeng , He Ai , Rapach David E , Zhou Guofu 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
We extend the Fama–MacBeth regression framework for cross-sectional return prediction to incorporate big data and machine learning. Our extension involves a three-step procedure for generating return forecasts based on Fama–MacBeth regressions with regularization and predictor selection as well as forecast combination and encompassing. As a by-product, it provides estimates of characteristic payoffs. We also develop three performance measures for assessing cross-sectional return forecasts, including a generalization of the popular time-series out-of-sample R2 statistic to the cross section. Applying our extension to over 200 firm characteristics, our cross-sectional return forecasts significantly improve out-of-sample predictive accuracy and provide substantial economic value to investors. Overall, our results suggest that a relatively large number of characteristics matter for determining cross-sectional expected returns. Our new method is straightforward to implement and interpret, and it performs well in our application.
Meta-analysis of Face Perception in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: Evidence for Differential Impairment in Emotion Face Perception
Authors: Mewton Paige , Dawel Amy , Miller Elizabeth J , Shou Yiyun , Christensen Bruce K 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background and Hypothesis
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are associated with face perception impairments. It is unclear whether impairments are equal across aspects of face perception or larger—indicating a differential impairment—for perceiving emotions relative to other characteristics (eg, identity, age). While many studies have attempted to compare emotion and non-emotion face perception in SSD, they have varied in design and produced conflicting findings. Additionally, prior meta-analyses on this topic were not designed to disentangle differential emotion impairments from broader impairments in face perception or cognition. We hypothesize that SSD-related impairments are larger for emotion than non-emotion face perception, but study characteristics moderate this differential impairment.

Study Design
We meta-analyzed 313 effect sizes from 104 articles to investigate if SSD-related impairments are significantly greater for emotion than non-emotion face perception. We tested whether key study characteristics moderated these impairments, including SSD severity, sample intelligence matching, task difficulty, and task memory dependency.

Study Results
We found significantly greater impairments for emotion (Cohen’s d = 0.74) than non-emotion face perception (d = 0.55) in SSD relative to control samples, regardless of SSD severity, intelligence matching, or task difficulty. Importantly, this effect was obscured when non-emotion tasks used a memory-dependent design.

Conclusions
This is the first meta-analysis to demonstrate a differential emotion impairment in SSD that cannot be explained by broader impairments in face perception or cognition. The findings also underscore the critical role of task matching in studies of face perception impairments; to prevent confounding influences from memory-dependent task designs.
Interpretation and application of the CISG by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia: an analysis of the judgment in the Boom Conveyor case
Authors: Fillers Aleksandrs , Ratniece Laura 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The judgment of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia in Boom Conveyor provides an interpretation of Articles 38 and 39 of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG). As there have not been many cases in Latvia in which the Supreme Court applies the CISG, this judgment offers a rather rare chance to analyse how Latvia’s Supreme Court interprets and applies the Convention. This article provides an analysis of the Court’s judgment and concludes that, unfortunately, the Court misinterpreted the CISG and missed a good chance to establish a sound practice in the interpretation of the CISG in Latvia.
Patients, Peers, and Personal Identity: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study Exploring the Transformative Potential of the Arts and Humanities in Intern Training
Authors: Orr Andrew R. , Hussain Farah , Silver Michelle , Tomescu Oana , Balmer Dorene F. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Medical education initiatives incorporate arts and humanities (AHs) to foster physician competence and professionalism. However, the full potential of these initiatives is unclear. A recent conceptual framework attempts to clarify this potential but was constructed primarily from undergraduate medical education studies. To explore AH instruction in graduate medical education (GME), the authors asked: What is the potential of a longitudinal curriculum incorporating AHs for the personal and professional development of internal medicine interns throughout the intern year?

Method
From September 2021 to June 2022, 14 internal medicine interns at a large internal medical residency program participated in a longitudinal qualitative study, recording longitudinal audio-diaries (LADs) and participating in semistructured interviews. The LAD response rate was 91%, and the interview completion rate was 96%. The authors identified 3 themes that reflected shared meaning on the transformative potential of AHs: reclaiming personal sense of self, building community, and surfacing empathy. They constructed stories from 2 interns whose trajectories resonated most with AH instruction’s potential for personal and professional development.

Results
Interns valued the abstract over the concrete benefits of AHs. Interns detailed valuable abstract benefits, with reclaiming sense of self, building community, and surfacing empathy apparent across time, pointing to long-term effects of AH interventions. The intern stories revealed a steady appreciation for AHs and difficulty with the practical utility of AHs midyear before a return to recognition of its value by year’s end.

Conclusions
Despite varying AHs experience levels, interns consistently appreciated AH instruction. These findings extend a prior conceptual model to a GME population by highlighting AH instruction’s potential for reclaiming interns’ senses of self, building community, and surfacing empathy. Future curricula can leverage this ability to create meaningful connections with one’s purpose, peers, and patients to maximize the potential of AH instruction for GME learners.
“We Need a Seismic Shift”: Disabled Student Perspectives on Disability Inclusion in U.S. Medical Education
Authors: Jain Neera R. , Stergiopoulos Erene , Addams Amy , Moreland Christopher J. , Meeks Lisa M. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Students with disabilities have inequitable access to medical education, despite widespread attention to their inclusion. Although systemic barriers and their adverse effects on medical student performance are well documented, few studies include disabled students’ first-person accounts. Existing first-person accounts are limited by their focus predominantly on students who used accommodations. This study bridged these gaps by analyzing a national dataset of medical students with disabilities to understand their perceptions of disability inclusion in U.S. medical education.

Method
The authors analyzed 674 open-text responses by students with disabilities from the 2019 and 2020 Association of American Medical Colleges Year Two Questionnaire responding to the prompt, “Use the space below if you would like to share anything about your experiences regarding disability and medical school.” Following reflexive thematic analysis principles, the authors coded the data using an inductive semantic approach to develop and refine themes. The authors used the political-relational model of disability to interpret themes.

Results
Student responses were wide-ranging in experience. The authors identified key dimensions of the medical education system that influenced student experiences: program structure, processes, people, and culture. These dimensions informed the changes students perceived as possible to support their access to education and whether pursuing such change would be acceptable. In turn, students took action to navigate the system, using administrative, social, and internal mechanisms to manage disability.

Conclusions
Key dimensions of medical school affect student experiences of and interactions with disability inclusion, demonstrating the political-relational production of disability. Findings confirm earlier studies on disability inclusion that suggest systemic change is necessary, while adding depth to understand how and why students do not pursue accommodations. On the basis of student accounts, the authors identify existing resources to help medical schools remedy deficits in their systems to improve their disability inclusion practice.
Effect of Electrode Montage on Frequency Tuning Properties of Air-Conducted Ocular Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potential
Authors: Raveendran Rajesh Kumar , Singh Niraj Kumar 
Published: August 2024

Objectives:
The use of a 500 Hz tone burst over other frequencies was adopted for the clinical recording of ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP) on the basis that this stimulus frequency produces larger response amplitudes (frequency tuning) than the other frequencies. However, the possibility of reflex contamination due to a spatially displaced reference electrode from the muscle of the response origin raises questions about using an infraorbital (IO) montage. Nonetheless, the belly-tendon (BT) montage, which places both the recording electrodes over the inferior oblique muscle, increases the chances of obtaining a response with greater contribution from the inferior oblique muscle. However, whether this response continues to show the frequency tuning to 500 Hz is not known. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the frequency tuning of oVEMP using various electrode montages.

Design:
Thirty-eight young adults underwent simultaneous oVEMP recording from IO, BT, chin-referenced, and sternum-referenced electrode montages in response to 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz tone bursts.

Results:
The frequency tuning most often coincided with a 750-Hz tone burst irrespective of the montage, with the BT montage exhibiting significantly higher response rates and larger peak to peak amplitudes than other montages (p < 0.008). Further, there was a “substantial” agreement on frequency tuning between BT and IO montages.

Conclusions:
With better response rates and response amplitudes yet similar frequency tuning to the IO montage, the BT montage can be a better option for the clinical recording of oVEMP across frequencies.
Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Growth in the C1/2 Segment and its Clinical Significance
Authors: Kim Dongkyu , Jang Hyun Jun , Moon Bong Ju , Kim Kyung Hyun , Park Jeong Yoon , Kuh Sung Uk , Kim Keun Su , Chin Dong Kyu 
Published: August 2024

Study Design.
A retrospective analysis at a single institution.

Objective.
This study aimed to determine whether ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) growth in the C1/2 area remains clinically uneventful despite visible radiologic enlargement.

Background.
In cervical decompressive surgery for OPLL, preserving the C2 lamina is preferred for stability, and the larger spinal canal space above C2 tends to mitigate clinical issues caused by OPLL growth. However, the effects of OPLL progression in the C1/2 segment, which often remains untreated, on patients’ clinical outcomes are unclear.

Patients and Methods.
We enrolled 144 patients with cervical OPLL who underwent decompression surgery between January 2011 and December 2018. The patients were categorized based on whether they underwent a C2 sparing procedure or C2 laminectomy. The primary outcome was radiologic progression of OPLL, defined as a 2 mm increase in sagittal thickness or longitudinal elongation, and its correlation with clinical symptoms.

Results.
Of the 144 patients, 35 were in the C2 sparing group, and 109 were in the C2 laminectomy group, with an average follow-up period of 5.2 to 5.6 years. The rate of radiologic progression of OPLL in the C1/2 segment was comparable between the two groups (54.3% vs. 51.4%, P = 0.916). However, diagnosis of C1/2 stenosis at the final follow-up was still lower in the C2 sparing group than in the C2 laminectomy group (2.9% vs. 10.1%, P = 0.294), and there were no new cases of symptoms caused by cord compression in the C1/2 segment in either group.

Conclusion.
OPLL in the C1/2 segment was clinically silent despite radiologic growth. For patients who do not present with significant canal stenosis or cord compression due to OPLL above the C2 upper lamina, C2 lamina-sparing decompressive surgery is preferred.

Level of Evidence.
Level III.
Impact of Tricuspid Regurgitation Severity on Accuracy of Echocardiographic Estimation of Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Xiao Jiawang , Wang Jianming , Huang Shuai , Geng Jingsong , Meng Lili , Wang Zhongchao , Wang Qiguang 
Published: August 2024

Objective:
This study aims to investigate the impact of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity on the accuracy of echocardiographic estimation of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Methods:
Patients who were diagnosed with PAH and had a right heart catheterization (RHC) and echocardiography examination were selected retrospectively from May 2018 to December 2021. sPAP measured by RHC is used as the gold standard. A difference in sPAP of less than 10 mmHg between echocardiographic estimation by peak TR velocity and RHC measurement was defined as accurate, with a difference ≥10 mmHg considered inaccurate. The factors affecting the accuracy of echocardiographic sPAP estimation were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results:
A total of 138 patients aged (45.57 ± 15.97) years with PAH were enrolled. sPAP measured by echocardiography and RHC were (80.83 ± 23.46) and (81.62 ± 30.05) mmHg, respectively. The values of the 2 methods were highly correlated (r = 0.809, P < 0.01) and Bland-Altman plots showed good consistency. The accuracy rate of sPAP estimation by echocardiography was 42.03% (58/138). In the 57.97% (80/138) of patients where echocardiography was inaccurate, sPAP was overestimated in 28.26% (39/138) and underestimated in 29.71% (41/138). Univariate analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the accurate and inaccurate groups in World Health Organization-Function Class, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, severity of TR, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), sPAP-RHC, mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified the TR severity (odds ratio = 2.292, 95% confidence interval: 1.126–4.667, P = 0.022) and TAPSE (odds ratio = 0.733, 95% confidence interval: 0.621–0.865, P < 0.001) as independent predictors for the accuracy of echocardiographic sPAP estimation.

Conclusion:
Higher TR severity and lower TAPSE values reduce the accuracy of sPAP estimated by echocardiography. Therefore, TR severity and right heart function should be considered when echocardiography is used to estimate sPAP by the TR velocity.
Breast cancer burden among young women from 1990 to 2021: a global, regional, and national perspective
Authors: Tang Zhuojun , Wei Yiying , Liang Yanqing , Zhu Xuexian , Tang Junjie , Sun Yulin , Zhuang Qingyuan 
Published: August 2024

Background
Breast cancer, the most prevalent tumor in women globally, significantly impacts young women, compromising their daily lives and overall well-being. Breast cancer represents a significant public health concern due to its extensive physical and psychological consequences.

Material and methods
Data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) were used to assess the global, regional, and national burden of breast cancer in young women aged 20–39 from 1990 to 2021. This analysis focused on trends measured by the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and explored the socioeconomic impacts via the sociodemographic index (SDI).

Results
During 1990–2021, the incidence and prevalence of breast cancer among young women increased globally, with annual rates of 0.82 and 0.87%, respectively. The mortality rate and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) also rose annually by −0.12% and −0.05, respectively. A significant burden shift was observed towards regions with lower SDI, with diet high in red meat, alcohol use, and high fasting plasma glucose identified as prominent risk factors, particularly in lower SDI regions.

Conclusion
Our findings underscore breast cancer in young women as an escalating global health challenge, with the burden increasingly shifting towards lower socioeconomic areas. This underscores the necessity for targeted prevention and control strategies for breast cancer, focusing on reducing the identified risk factors and ensuring equitable health resource distribution.