bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genomic technologies and the diagnosis of 46, XY differences of sex development
Authors: Idris Firman , Sinclair Andrew H. , Ayers Katie L. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract Differences/disorders of sex development can be caused by disruptions to the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control development and sex determination of the reproductive organs with 1:100 live births affected. Multiple genes are associated with 46, XY differences/disorders of sex development that can cause varying clinical phenotypes. An accurate genetic diagnosis is essential to guide clinical care for individuals with 46, XY differences/disorders of sex development and can contribute to family planning. The use of genomics in differences/disorders of sex development has grown, with several advances employed in genetic diagnosis; however, diagnostic rates have stagnated at less than 50% for these conditions. This review will discuss 46, XY differences/disorders of sex development, its molecular causes, and the genomic technologies currently utilized for diagnosis with focus on reports from the last 5 years. We also touch on the challenges in diagnosing 46, XY differences/disorders of sex development and discuss new and future technologies that promise to improved diagnostic rates for these difficult conditions.
Ureteroscopy vs laparoscopic ureterolithotomy for large proximal ureteric stone: a randomised trial
Authors: Torricelli Fabio C. M. , Srougi Victor , Marchini Giovanni S. , Vicentini Fabio C. , Batagello Carlos A. , Danilovic Alexandre , Arap Marco A. , Andrade Hiury , Mitre Anuar I. , Jordão Ricardo D. , Monga Manoj , Nahas William C. , Mazzucchi Eduardo 
Published: July 2024

ObjectiveTo compare the outcomes of retrograde flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) with retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy (RLU) for large proximal ureteric stones.Patients and MethodsA prospective randomised trial was conducted from January 2018 through December 2022 including patients with impacted proximal ureteric stones of 15–25 mm. Patients underwent fURS or RLU. Primary outcome was the stone‐free rate. Demographic data, stone features, and complications rates were also compared between groups.ResultsA total of 64 patients were enrolled, 32 in each group. The mean impacted stone time was similar between groups, as well as stone size (17 mm) and stone density (>1000 Hounsfield Units). The ureteric stone‐free rates between the two groups (93.7% in fURS vs 96.8% in RLU; odds ratio [OR] 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.72 to 3.17; P = 0.554), and overall success rates, which take into account residual fragments in the kidney (84.3% in fURS vs 93.7% in RLU; OR 1.02, 95% CI −0.69 to 2.74; P = 0.23), were similar. Operative time was also not statistically significantly different between groups (median 80 vs 82 min; P = 0.101). There was no difference in hospital length of stay. Retropulsion rate was higher with fURS (65.6% vs 3.1%; p < 0.001). Residual hydronephrosis (34.3% each group) and complication rates did no differ according to treatment.ConclusionFlexible URS and RLU are both highly efficient and present low morbidity for large impacted proximal ureteric stone treatment. RLU is not superior to fURS.
Termination of Parental Rights on the Grounds of Intellectual/Developmental Disability: An Overlooked Policy and Health Issue
Authors: Kendrick Jennifer I. S. 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTIn the United States, 37 states and 4 territories allow for the termination of parental rights (TPR) due to parental disability. Twenty‐eight of these states and all four of the territories specifically include parental intellectual developmental disability (IDD). Policies that call for the TPR based on factors outside of parental abuse or neglect have myriad negative effects on individuals, families and communities, including long‐term adverse health outcomes for children who have been removed from parental custody, delays in prenatal care for pregnant people whose stigmatized identities may result in involuntary TPR and an increased burden on already overtaxed child welfare systems. This paper analyses policies and proposes an alternative policy modelled after advocacy from other groups of parents with marginalized identities.
Integer‐Sheet‐Pump Quantization for Hexahedral Meshing
Authors: Brückler H. , Bommes D. , Campen M. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSeveral state‐of‐the‐art algorithms for semi‐structured hexahedral meshing involve a so called quantization step to decide on the integer DoFs of the meshing problem, corresponding to the number of hexahedral elements to embed into certain regions of the domain. Existing reliable methods for quantization are based on solving a sequence of integer quadratic programs (IQP). Solving these in a timely and predictable manner with general‐purpose solvers is a challenge, even more so in the open‐source field. We present here an alternative robust and efficient quantization scheme that is instead based on solving a series of continuous linear programs (LP), for which solver availability and efficiency are not an issue. In our formulation, such LPs are used to determine where inflation or deflation of virtual hexahedral sheets are favorable. We compare our method to two implementations of the former IQP formulation (using a commercial and an open‐source MIP solver, respectively), finding that (a) the solutions found by our method are near‐optimal or optimal in most cases, (b) these solutions are found within a much more predictable time frame, and (c) the state of the art run time is outperformed, in the case of using the open‐source solver by orders of magnitude.
Reconstructing Curves from Sparse Samples on Riemannian Manifolds
Authors: Marin D. , Maggioli F. , Melzi S. , Ohrhallinger S. , Wimmer M. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractReconstructing 2D curves from sample points has long been a critical challenge in computer graphics, finding essential applications in vector graphics. The design and editing of curves on surfaces has only recently begun to receive attention, primarily relying on human assistance, and where not, limited by very strict sampling conditions. In this work, we formally improve on the state‐of‐the‐art requirements and introduce an innovative algorithm capable of reconstructing closed curves directly on surfaces from a given sparse set of sample points. We extend and adapt a state‐of‐the‐art planar curve reconstruction method to the realm of surfaces while dealing with the challenges arising from working on non‐Euclidean domains. We demonstrate the robustness of our method by reconstructing multiple curves on various surface meshes. We explore novel potential applications of our approach, allowing for automated reconstruction of curves on Riemannian manifolds.
KerGen: A Kernel Computation Algorithm for 3D Polygon Meshes
Authors: Asiler M. , Sahillioğlu Y. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWe compute the kernel of a shape embedded in 3D as a polygon mesh, which is defined as the set of all points that have a clear line of sight to every point of the mesh. The KerGen algorithm, short for Kernel Generation, employs efficient plane‐plane and line‐plane intersections, alongside point classifications based on their positions relative to planes. This approach allows for the incremental addition of kernel vertices and edges to the resulting set in a simple and systematic way. The output is a polygon mesh that represents the surface of the kernel. Extensive comparisons with the existing methods, CGAL and Polyhedron Kernel, demonstrate the remarkable timing performance of our novel additive kernel computation method. Yet another advantage of our additive process is the availability of the partial kernel at any stage, making it useful for specific geometry processing applications such as star decomposition and castable shape reconstruction.
The teaching and assessment of local anaesthesia in UK dental schools
Authors: Richards Charlotte , Dargue Anna , Mylonas Petros , Morris Dominic , Emanuel Charlotte 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIntroductionLocal anaesthesia (LA) is fundamental to successful dental treatment. Graduating hygienists, therapist and dentists should be confident and proficient in delivering LA. There is one previously published article reviewing LA teaching in United Kingdom (UK) dental schools in 2016, and at this time 10 out of 14 schools allowed peer‐to‐peer administration. The method of teaching LA administration has become an area of debate in terms of legality and morality given the potential complications and issues with valid consent. The aim of the study was to explore current teaching practices and assessment of LA in UK dental schools.Materials and MethodsTwo national surveys (2020 and 2023) were sent out via the ABAOMS Education Committee to all 16 dental schools in the United Kingdom with dental and/or hygiene and therapy programmes.ResultsThere was a 100% response rate from all schools. There has been a significant shift from peer‐to‐peer administration of local anaesthesia, with only 4 schools now allowing peer‐to‐peer administration. The majority of schools use simulation methods to deliver the teaching, including LA models, cadavers and ‘cap‐on’ simulation with a peer. When comparing the timing of teaching between 2020 and 2023, BDS students now administer their first LA injection to a patient later in the programme, and there has been a reduction in intra‐professional teaching.ConclusionDue to the large shift away from practicing LA on peers, there is a need for further development of simulation methods given the drawbacks with current models and the limited development of haptic technology in relation to LA.
Fracture behavior analysis and fatigue assessment of the spring clip in heavy‐haul railway
Authors: Wang Yu‐Xuan , Xiao Wen‐Jun , Wang Zhi‐Feng , Liu Yong , Wang Er‐Bo , Chang Hong‐Tao 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis paper proposes a novel method based on a numerical simulation approach and fatigue fracture theory to analyze the fracture behavior and assess the fatigue life of spring clips. To this end, the finite element (FE) model of the vehicle‐track‐foundation system was developed including the key parts of the type II fastening system. Meanwhile, the spring clip FE model was validated through the natural vibration characteristics. Subsequently, the numerical simulations were performed under various working conditions to obtain the fatigue characteristics of the spring clips. The fatigue crack initiation life and damage were analyzed using FE results for the spring clips with ε‐N curve and Brown‐Miller criterion. Moreover, based on the initial crack geometry of the spring clips, the maximum circumferential stress criterion with the Paris equation was employed to analyze the crack extension behavior and assess the fatigue crack extension life.
The role of the environment and connectivity on multiple facets of local fish diversity in tropical headwater streams
Authors: Ribeiro‐Martins André , Bastos Douglas Aviz , Sousa Leandro Melo , Giarrizzo Tommaso , Milesi Silvia Vendruscolo , Hepp Luiz Ubiratan 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The identification of multiple facets of biodiversity (e.g., phylogenetic and functional) can help to understand how evolutionary and ecological mechanisms shape the assembly of biological communities.

Here, we employed multiple regressions and variance partitions to investigate the effects of environmental conditions, connectivity and space on aspects of the functional and phylogenetic facets of fish fauna in tropical headwater streams of the Xingu River basin, in Eastern Amazonia.

We found that the functional and phylogenetic diversities of fish communities are related to local environmental conditions and stream connectivity in the drainage network, with marked differences occurring between the rainy and dry periods. Furthermore, we discovered that functional uniqueness was influenced mainly by environmental factors, whereas phylogenetic uniqueness had a more complex relationship with the influence of local environmental factors and connectivity.

Our findings indicate that the fish assemblages of small headwater streams of the Xingu River basin share a close phylogenetic history. This is probably because of the climatic and environmental stability experienced by Amazonian ichthyofauna over evolutionary time.

Our findings emphasise the role of niche‐based processes in shaping the unique functional composition of fish assemblages in headwater streams, and highlight the importance of environmental heterogeneity in maintaining the ecological integrity of these freshwater ecosystems.
Nurses' experiences and perceptions of running nurse‐led clinics: A scoping review
Authors: Pu Xiaomeng , Malik Gulzar , Murray Christine 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimTo explore what is known about nurses' experiences and perceptions of running nurse‐led clinics.BackgroundNurse‐led clinics were established to address health care needs. In collaboration with medical practitioners, advanced practice nurses may take a selected group of patients and manage their ongoing healthcare independently. Their experiences in running nurse‐led clinics directly impact patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.DesignScoping review of the peer‐reviewed literature.Data SourceSystematic search through CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases from January 2010 to September 2023.Review MethodsThis scoping review is guided by the updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping review from Joanna Briggs Institute.ResultsOf 2747 retrieved articles, 15 were included in this review. Synthesis of the findings revealed that nurses believed implementing nurse‐led clinics was beneficial to themselves, patients, and healthcare systems. However, they faced challenges in running nurse‐led clinics, including insufficient support, teamwork obstacles and lack of role recognition.ConclusionNurses need to be proactive in promoting their clinics and overcoming challenges. Healthcare organizations are responsible for creating a positive culture to support nurse‐led services. Future research should focus on ways to increase global awareness of nurse‐led clinics.
The dual role of a novel Sinorhizobium meliloti chemotaxis protein CheT in signal termination and adaptation
Authors: Agbekudzi Alfred , Arapov Timofey D. , Stock Ann M. , Scharf Birgit E. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSinorhizobium meliloti senses nutrients and compounds exuded from alfalfa host roots and coordinates an excitation, termination, and adaptation pathway during chemotaxis. We investigated the role of the novel S. meliloti chemotaxis protein CheT. While CheT and the Escherichia coli phosphatase CheZ share little sequence homology, CheT is predicted to possess an α‐helix with a DXXXQ phosphatase motif. Phosphorylation assays demonstrated that CheT dephosphorylates the phosphate‐sink response regulator, CheY1~P by enhancing its decay two‐fold but does not affect the motor response regulator CheY2~P. Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) experiments revealed that CheT binds to a phosphomimic of CheY1~P with a KD of 2.9 μM, which is 25‐fold stronger than its binding to CheY1. Dissimilar chemotaxis phenotypes of the ΔcheT mutant and cheT DXXXQ phosphatase mutants led to the hypothesis that CheT exerts additional function(s). A screen for potential binding partners of CheT revealed that it forms a complex with the methyltransferase CheR. ITC experiments confirmed CheT/CheR binding with a KD of 19 μM, and a SEC‐MALS analysis determined a 1:1 and 2:1 CheT/CheR complex formation. Although they did not affect each other's enzymatic activity, CheT binding to CheY1~P and CheR may serve as a link between signal termination and sensory adaptation.
Ageism in dental students – a multicentric study in southern Brazil
Authors: Guimarães Magáli Beck , Pinto Luciana de Rezende , Bulgarelli Alexandre Fávero , Machry Renan Vaz , Pivetta Hedionéia Maria Foletto , Marchini Leonardo 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectivesGerontological education and intergenerational contact are proven strategies for effectively combating ageism. In this context, this study investigates the association between gerontological education, intergenerational contact, and ageism among dental students.MethodsGerontological education from students’ perspective, intergenerational contact, and ageism were assessed using a questionnaire containing sociodemographical aspects and an ageism scale (ASDS‐Braz). The sample included students enrolled in the final year of dental programs at three public universities in southern Brazil. A multilevel Poisson regression was conducted to assess factors associated with ASDS‐Braz scores.ResultsA modest correlation was identified between dental schools in terms of reducing ageism, and a weak correlation was found between self‐reported race and ageism. Notably, statistically significant findings were observed across family relationship with older individuals: students who reported having a poor relationship with older adults in their families presented 45% higher ageism scores than did those with an excellent relationship.ConclusionThe results suggested that while some gerontological education was reported by the participants, it may not be sufficient to prepare dental students to provide effective oral healthcare to older adults and to reduce ageism among them. Additionally, reinforcing positive aspects of intergenerational relationships may be an additional strategy in combating ageism within this population.
High‐frequency ultrasonography of the scalp: A comparison between androgenetic alopecia and healthy volunteers
Authors: Li Lin , Ma Qi , Luo Weifeng , Ji Jiang , Zhang Xiaoyan , Hong Dongken 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to assess differences in various scalp parameters between patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and healthy volunteers using 22 MHz ultrasound.MethodsThirty patients with AGA (AGA group) and 30 healthy volunteers (control group) who visited the Department of Dermatology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from September 2021 to June 2022 were randomly selected. The patients with AGA met the diagnostic criteria outlined in the Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia. The severity of alopecia was assessed for males between grades 2 and 4 on the Norwood–Hamilton scale, and for females between stages 2 and 3 on the Ludwig scale. No artificial interventions were conducted at the vertex, and all examination conditions remained consistent. Ultrasound examinations at 22 MHz were performed on the scalp at the vertex in both the AGA and control groups. Seven parameters were measured, namely, epidermis + dermis thickness, entire scalp thickness, subcutaneous tissue thickness, average follicle width, average follicle length, follicle count, and the presence of color flow signals in the subcutaneous tissue. The differences in these parameters were then compared.ResultsThe AGA group showed reduced thickness of the entire scalp and subcutaneous tissue, narrower average follicle width, shorter average follicle length, lower hair follicle count, and fewer instances of color flow signals in the subcutaneous tissue at the vertex area (p < 0.05).ConclusionHigh‐frequency (22 MHz) ultrasonography can be employed to visualize the entrance echo, dermis, subcutaneous tissue, and hair follicles of the scalp, thereby providing imaging for the clinical assessment of hair loss.
Genetic support for the causal association between 91 circulating inflammatory proteins and atopic dermatitis: A two‐sample Mendelian randomization trial
Authors: Du Xinran , Shi Hongshuo , Liu Xin , Wang Yi , Du Ting , Wang Peiyao , Cheng Linyan , Zhu Jianyong , Li Fulun 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a refractory disease that occurs in clinical practice. One of the most common inflammatory skin diseases, its occurrence and development are related to inflammation. Nevertheless, the precise nature of the relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and AD remains uncertain.MethodsA two‐sample MR analysis was performed to determine the causal relationship between the expression of 91 circulating inflammatory proteins and AD by using genome‐wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics data from the FinnGen consortia. The robustness of the MR results was assessed by means of sensitivity analysis.ResultsThe causal relationship between the expression of nine specific circulating inflammatory proteins and AD was corroborated by the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method. The findings indicated that three circulating inflammatory proteins, namely, interleukin‐18 receptor 1 [OR (CI) = 1.08 (1.05–1.11); p = 0.000001)], interleukin‐8 [OR (CI) = 1.07 (1.00–1.14); p = 0.036244)], and tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14 [OR (CI) = 1.05 (1.00–1.10); p = 0.036842)], were positively correlated with AD. Additionally, six circulating inflammatory proteins were negatively correlated with AD: the T‐cell surface glycoprotein CD5 [OR (CI) = 0.89 (0.84–0.95); p = 0.000191)], macrophage colony‐stimulating factor 1 [OR (CI) = 0.93 (0.88–0.99); p = 0.031422)], fractalkine [OR (CI) = 0.91 (0.85–0.97); p = 0.003067)], interleukin‐24 [OR (CI) = 0.91 (0.83–0.99); p = 0.031673)], signaling lymphocytic activation molecule [OR(CI) = 0.94 (0.89–1.00); p = 0.039818)], and urokinase‐type plasminogen activator [OR(CI) = 0.95 (0.90–1.00); p = 0.037037)].ConclusionThis study confirms the potential causal relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and AD and provides guidance for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of AD.
Bayesian‐Edge system for classification and segmentation of skin lesions in Internet of Medical Things
Authors: Naseem Shahid , Anwar Muhammad , Faheem Muhammad , Fayyaz Muhammad , Malik Muhammad Sheraz Arshad 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundSkin diseases are severe diseases. Identification of these severe diseases depends upon the abstraction of atypical skin regions. The segmentation of these skin diseases is essential to rheumatologists in risk impost and for valuable and vital decision‐making. Skin lesion segmentation from images is a crucial step toward achieving this goal—timely exposure of malignancy in psoriasis expressively intensifies the persistence ratio. Defies occur when people presume skin diseases they have without accurately and precisely incepted. However, analyzing malignancy at runtime is a big challenge due to the truncated distinction of the visual similarity between malignance and non‐malignance lesions. However, images' different shapes, contrast, and vibrations make skin lesion segmentation challenging. Recently, various researchers have explored the applicability of deep learning models to skin lesion segmentation.Materials and methodsThis paper introduces a skin lesions segmentation model that integrates two intelligent methodologies: Bayesian inference and edge intelligence. In the segmentation model, we deal with edge intelligence to utilize the texture features for the segmentation of skin lesions. In contrast, Bayesian inference enhances skin lesion segmentation's accuracy and efficiency.ResultsWe analyze our work along several dimensions, including input data (datasets, preprocessing, and synthetic data generation), model design (architecture, modules), and evaluation aspects (data annotation requirements and segmentation performance). We discuss these dimensions from seminal works and a systematic viewpoint and examine how these dimensions have influenced current trends.ConclusionWe summarize our work with previously used techniques in a comprehensive table to facilitate comparisons. Our experimental results show that Bayesian‐Edge networks can boost the diagnostic performance of skin lesions by up to 87.80% without incurring additional parameters of heavy computation.