bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structural changes and contractility in muscle assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in individuals with ryanodine receptor 1‐related rhabdomyolysis or myalgia
Authors: Lyu Zhe , Solheim Tuva Åsatun , Poulsen Nanna Scharff , Eisum Anne‐Sofie Vibæk , Beha Gry Hatting , Fornander Freja , Andersen Annarita Ghosh , Witting Nanna , Vissing John 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIntroduction/AimsRyanodine receptor 1 (RYR1)‐related myopathies associated with variants in the RYR1 gene present with a wide range of symptoms and severity. Two of the milder phenotypes associated with dominant pathogenic variants in RYR1 are rhabdomyolysis and myalgia. Only a few studies have investigated the muscle function and structure of individuals with RYR1‐related rhabdomyolysis/myalgia objectively, showing inconsistent results. This study aimed to describe structural changes and contractility of muscles in individuals with RYR1‐related rhabdomyolysis/myalgia.MethodsWe investigated 15 individuals with dominant variants in the RYR1‐gene and compared them with 15 age‐, sex‐, and body mass index (BMI)‐matched controls using MRI, stationary isokinetic dynamometry, and comprehensive clinical evaluation.ResultsNo significant differences were found between individuals with RYR1‐related rhabdomyolysis/myalgia and healthy controls in peak torque, fat fraction, cross‐sectional area, contractile cross‐sectional area, or contractility (p > .05) in muscles of the lower back (MRI data only), thigh, or calf. On clinical examination, three individuals exhibited weakness in hip or back extension on the Medical Research Council (MRC) test and eight had muscle hypertrophy. Individuals with weakness were not hypertrophic.DiscussionMost individuals with RYR1‐related rhabdomyolysis/myalgia have close to normal strength, and normal fat fraction and contractility of muscles, and therefore constitute a mild phenotype of RYR1‐related myopathies.
Solar arrays create novel environments that uniquely alter plant responses
Authors: Sturchio Matthew A. , Kannenberg Steven A. , Pinkowitz Tillie A. , Knapp Alan K. 
Published: July 2024

Societal Impact StatementGlobally, the combustion of fossil fuels represents the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions, and as such, a transition to renewable forms of energy provides the greatest potential for mitigating climate warming. Although solar photovoltaic energy generation is a leading climate solution, these energy facilities have a significant spatial footprint. Naturally, concerns regarding the coexistence of solar development in agriculturally productive and pristine native ecosystems remain. This study offers insight for how plants respond to novel environmental conditions within a solar array and contextualizes results to inform future array siting, design, and management to realize a sustainable solar energy future.Summary

Photovoltaic (PV) solar arrays impose dynamic shading regimes and redistribute precipitation to the ecosystems beneath, leading to spatial and temporal heterogeneity in plant growth environments. Although PV are known to alter ecosystem‐level processes in managed and native landscapes, the control of PV‐induced microenvironments on plant ecophysiological responses are largely unexplored. A more robust and mechanistic understanding of how PV microenvironments control plant response will inform management of existing solar arrays and provide insight for future arrays designed to enhance ecosystem services.
Here, we evaluated carbon (photosynthetic parameters) and water relations (daily patterns of leaf water potential (ψL) and stomatal conductance (gsw)) in a C3 perennial grass (Bromus inermis) across PV microsites within a 1.6 ha (1.2 MW) array in semiarid Colorado, USA.
Light‐saturated photosynthetic rate was surprisingly consistent spatially, not differing between plants growing in near full sun (between PV rows) versus those growing in shadier microsites beneath panels (~28% of full sunlight). Additionally, plants located in microsites receiving only direct sunlight in the morning, when air temperature and vapor pressure deficits (VPD) were low, had greater ψL and gsw than plants receiving direct sunlight primarily in the hotter drier afternoon.
Thus, while soil moisture is a primary control of plant productivity in most water‐limited grasslands, we found that VPD was a better predictor of daily patterns of leaf‐level photosynthetic and water relations responses that control aboveground biomass production in a PV array. These findings provide new mechanistic insight for evaluating vegetation management strategies in semiarid PV arrays.
Do Prostate Imaging‐Reporting and Data System (PIRADS) lesions predict holmium laser enucleation of prostate outcomes?
Authors: Tsai Kyle , Xu Perry , Guo Jenny , Dean Nicholas , Khondakar Nabila , Michael Jamie , Neill Clayton , Krambeck Amy 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIntroduction and ObjectivesProstate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used for prostate cancer (PCa) screening and risk stratification and is helpful for surgical planning for patients undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). There are few studies investigating the correlation between MRI Prostate Imaging‐Reporting and Data System (PIRADS) lesion characteristics and HoLEP pathology and outcomes.MethodsWe performed retrospective review of patients who underwent HoLEP between January 2021 and August 2023 by a single surgeon. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative characteristics and outcomes were analyzed for all patients who had a documented preoperative prostate MRI.ResultsThere were 334 patients without a pre‐existing diagnosis of PCa and with a preoperative prostate MRI, of which 140 (42%) had at least one PIRADS lesion. There was a total of 203 PIRADS lesions: 91 (45%) in the peripheral zone (PZ), 106 (52%) in the transition zone (TZ), and 6 (2%) not specified. Incidental PCa was noted in 44 (13%) patients at time of HoLEP. Presence or location of lesion was not significantly associated with rate or grade of incidental PCa on pathology. Greater number of lesions and lesion size correlated with longer procedure times. Lesion number, size, or grade were not found to correlate with cancer grade or rate of cancer.ConclusionsGrade, presence, location, size, and number of PIRADS lesions on preoperative prostate MRI for patients with an appropriate prior PCa workup were not significantly associated with incidental PCa or higher PCa grade on HoLEP pathology.
Hebrew–Russian Bilingual Children's Early Literacy Skills: The Roles of the Home Literacy Environment and Mothers' Writing Support
Authors: Minkov Miriam , Aram Dorit 
Published: July 2024

AbstractToday, many children worldwide grow up in bilingual or multilingual families. This study explores early literacy development in Russian–Hebrew bilingual families in Israel. It studies the contribution of the home literacy environment (HLE), the language of communication, and the nature of the maternal writing support in Hebrew and Russian, to children's early literacy skills in the two languages. Participants were 61 Israeli children (4–6 years old) and their mothers. The mothers completed questionnaires about home literacy activities in both languages and were videotaped while supporting their child in writing a list of eight words in Hebrew and Russian. Children's early literacy skills (phonological awareness, letter knowledge, and word recognition) were assessed in both languages. Results showed that mothers adjusted their writing support not only to the child's skills but also to the particular orthography. The HLE and aspects of mothers' writing support predicted their children's early literacy skills, not only within each language but also in cross‐language models. The literacy activities provided at home and the nature of mothers' support seem to link to the children's literacy outcomes. The results stress the importance of parents' explicit efforts to support children's early literacy skills in both heritage and societal languages.
Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of N‐Type PbSe Through Semi‐Coherent Nanostructure by AgCuTe Alloying
Authors: Wang Xinxin , Wang Chao , Wang Yajing , Hao Min , Cui Shengqiang , Huang Xudong , Wang Chunhui , Chen Jing , Cheng Zhenxiang , Wang Jianli 
Published: July 2024

AbstractN‐type PbSe thermoelectric materials encounter challenges in improving the power factor due to the single‐band structure near the Fermi level, which obstructs typical band convergence. The primary strategy for enhancing the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) for n‐type PbSe involves reducing lattice thermal conductivity (κlat) by introducing various defect structures. However, lattice mismatches resulting from internal defects within the matrix can diminish carrier mobility, thereby affecting electrical transport properties. In this study, n‐type AgCuTe‐alloyed PbSe systems achieve a peak ZT value of ≈1.5 at 773 K. Transmission electron microscopy reveals nanoprecipitates of Ag2Te, the room temperature second phase of AgCuTe, within the PbSe matrix. Meanwhile, a unique semi‐coherent phase boundary is observed between the PbSe matrix and the Ag2Te nanoprecipitates. This semi‐coherent phase interface effectively scatters low‐frequency phonons while minimizing damage to carrier mobility. Additionally, the dynamic doping effect of Cu atoms from the decomposition of AgCuTe within the matrix further optimize the high‐temperature thermoelectric performance. Overall, these factors significantly enhance the ZT across the whole temperature range. The ZT value of ≈1.5 indicates high competitiveness compared to the latest reported n‐type PbSe materials, suggesting that these findings hold promise for advancing the development of efficient thermoelectric systems.
COVID‐19 with multi‐organ arterial and venous thrombosis. A case report
Authors: Habibi Hamzeh , Afsharkia Paniz , Jahangiri Mohamad , Mostafavi Soroush 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis case illustrates a late complication of viral pneumonia, likely due to COVID‐19, characterized by simultaneous acute arterial and venous thrombosis in multiple organs. The patient experienced myocardial infarction with left ventricular thrombus, pulmonary embolism, acute limb ischemia, superior mesenteric artery thrombosis, renal artery thrombosis, and deep vein thrombosis, posing significant challenges in both management and determining the etiology.
Blast performance of RC columns with different levels of concrete grades and reinforcing ratios
Authors: Mohamed Ali Abdelrahim , Ali Osama , Metwally Ibrahim M. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe present article aims to study the behavior of RC columns under blast loading. A nonlinear dynamic Three‐Dimensional (3D) Finite Element FE model‐based explicit solver available in ABAQUS Software is used. A parametric study is investigated to enhance the blast resistance of RC columns under three different scaled distances z of an explosion, that is, 0.23, 0.5, and 1.07 m/kg1/3 for close, intermediate, and Far in‐distance. In addition, three levels of concrete grades are used, which are Normal Strength Concrete (NSC), High Strength Concrete (HSC), and Ultra High‐Performance Concrete (UHPC). The study also considers Three reinforcement ratios for longitudinal and transverse reinforcement ratios of (ρL = 1.28%, 2.4%, and 3.1%) and (ρs = 0.6%, 0.9%, and 1.35%), respectively. Further, three different Axial Load Ratios, ALR = 0.01, 0.2, and 0.4, are considered to examine the effect of increasing ALR on the RC column under close explosion. For more investigation, the parametric analysis considers two geometrical shapes of RC columns (square and circular). The material behaviors of concrete and reinforcing steel bars are represented using Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) and Johnson–Cook (J–C) models, respectively, available in ABAQUS Software. The FE model has been initially validated against experimental study. The FE‐predicted deflection and damage were observed and agreed with the practical cases. In addition, the parametric study's results demonstrate that the RC column's blast deflection is significantly reduced with increasing reinforcement ratios. However, increasing concrete grade could efficiently reduce blast damage and deflection. Furthermore, compared with NSC, UHPC significantly reduced maximum damage and deflection by around 60% for square and 55% for circular columns, respectively.
Human readiness levels and Human Views as tools for user‐centered design
Authors: Handley Holly A. H. , See Judi E. , Savage‐Knepshield Pamela A. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe Human Readiness Level (HRL) scale is a simple nine‐level scale that brings structure and consistency to the real‐world application of user‐centered design. It enables multidisciplinary consideration of human‐focused elements during the system development process. Use of the standardized set of questions comprising the HRL scale results in a single human readiness number that communicates system readiness for human use. The Human Views (HVs) are part of an architecture framework that provides a repository for human‐focused system information that can be used during system development to support the evaluation of HRL levels. This paper illustrates how HRLs and HVs can be used in combination to support user‐centered design processes. A real‐world example for a U.S. Army software modernization program is described to demonstrate application of HRLs and HVs in the context of user‐centered design.
Optimal content for a surgical curriculum for general practice in Rwanda: A Delphi study
Authors: Mpirimbanyi Christophe , Kirsch Michael , Lin Yihan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn Rwanda, a nationwide shortage of surgeons necessitates general practitioners (GPs) perform many common procedures and minor surgeries. However, GPs only receive a 1‐year internship to prepare them to provide this care. We performed a Delphi survey of practicing GPs to assess essential content for a surgical curriculum for Rwandan interns to better prepare them for general practice.MethodsWe invited 56 practicing GPs to participate in a two‐round anonymous electronic survey in February 2023. The first round assessed demographics and solicited free‐text responses to gather knowledge and procedural content suggestions for the curriculum. The second round refined these responses into key content areas.ResultsThirty‐one GPs responded to both rounds of the Delphi survey. They provided insight into the most commonly performed procedures, most important technical skills, and the top areas of surgical knowledge necessary for general practice. They expressed a need for more exposure to a variety of surgical pathologies and interventions across multiple specialties, highlighting the value of foundational skills in trauma, obstetrics and gynecology, and orthopedics, both at the beginning of their internship, as well as at the beginning of their general practice.ConclusionsGPs emphasized the importance of broad exposure to common acute surgical pathology and interventions across several surgical subspecialties, as well as a need for foundational technical skills and surgical knowledge. The results of our study underscore the necessity of a surgical education providing a solid basis in the foundational knowledge and techniques of surgical care.
Monitizer: Automating Design and Evaluation of Neural Network Monitors
Authors: Azeem Muqsit , Grobelna Marta , Kanav Sudeep , Křetínský Jan , Mohr Stefanie , Rieder Sabine 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe behavior of neural networks (NNs) on previously unseen types of data (out-of-distribution or OOD) is typically unpredictable. This can be dangerous if the network’s output is used for decision making in a safety-critical system. Hence, detecting that an input is OOD is crucial for the safe application of the NN. Verification approaches do not scale to practical NNs, making runtime monitoring more appealing for practical use. While various monitors have been suggested recently, their optimization for a given problem, as well as comparison with each other and reproduction of results, remain challenging.We present a tool for users and developers of NN monitors. It allows for (i) application of various types of monitors from the literature to a given input NN, (ii) optimization of the monitor’s hyperparameters, and (iii) experimental evaluation and comparison to other approaches. Besides, it facilitates the development of new monitoring approaches. We demonstrate the tool’s usability on several use cases of different types of users as well as on a case study comparing different approaches from recent literature.
Guiding Enumerative Program Synthesis with Large Language Models
Authors: Li Yixuan , Parsert Julian , Polgreen Elizabeth 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPre-trained Large Language Models (LLMs) are beginning to dominate the discourse around automatic code generation with natural language specifications. In contrast, the best-performing synthesizers in the domain of formal synthesis with precise logical specifications are still based on enumerative algorithms. In this paper, we evaluate the abilities of LLMs to solve formal synthesis benchmarks by carefully crafting a library of prompts for the domain. When one-shot synthesis fails, we propose a novel enumerative synthesis algorithm, which integrates calls to an LLM into a weighted probabilistic search. This allows the synthesizer to provide the LLM with information about the progress of the enumerator, and the LLM to provide the enumerator with syntactic guidance in an iterative loop. We evaluate our techniques on benchmarks from the Syntax-Guided Synthesis (SyGuS) competition. We find that GPT-3.5 as a stand-alone tool for formal synthesis is easily outperformed by state-of-the-art formal synthesis algorithms, but our approach integrating the LLM into an enumerative synthesis algorithm shows significant performance gains over both the LLM and the enumerative synthesizer alone and the winning SyGuS competition tool.
History of toxicology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Authors: Greim Helmut 
Published: July 2024

AbstractToxicology at the TUM is mainly associated with the Faculty of Medicine at the Klinikum rechts der Isar (MRI). The Department of Clinical Toxicology has been founded in 1963. Max von Clarmann, the head, focused his activities on the treatment of intoxications and the development of analytical methods and established a poison information center. His successors, Thomas Zielker and Florian Eyer, further developed this department to an internationally renown institution.In 1967, the MRI became the TUM faculty of medicine with its Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology. The director Melchior Reiter, formerly Institute of Pharmacology of the Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU), in 1970 initiated the foundation of the Department of Toxicology at the Gesellschaft für Strahlen- und Umweltforschung (GSF) with the director Gerhard Lange. The research focused on the neurotoxic effects of heavy metals and the metabolism and hepatoxicity of persistent chemicals. After Lange’s unexpected death in 1973, he was succeeded in 1975 by Helmut Greim from the University of Tübingen. The now Institute of Toxicology rapidly expanded developing and standardizing in vitro test methods, investigating the mechanism of carcinogens and mutagens and heavy metal toxicity. Training courses in the 15 major areas of toxicology have been organized at the GSF and competent centers in Germany. In 1987, Greim became the director of the newly founded Institute of Toxicology and Environmental Hygiene of the TUM, with expanded research and teaching activities, especially in toxicology at the faculties of Chemistry of the TUM and LMU, which thereafter became mandatory for students of chemistry at German universities.
Integration of secreted signaling molecule sensing on cell monitoring platforms: a critical review
Authors: Azuaje-Hualde Enrique , Alonso-Cabrera Juncal A. , de Pancorbo Marian M. , Benito-Lopez Fernando , Basabe-Desmonts Lourdes 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMonitoring cell secretion in complex microenvironments is crucial for understanding cellular behavior and advancing physiological and pathological research. While traditional cell culture methods, including organoids and spheroids, provide valuable models, real-time monitoring of cell secretion of signaling molecules remains challenging. Integrating advanced monitoring technologies into these systems often disrupts the delicate balance of the microenvironment, making it difficult to achieve sensitivity and specificity. This review explored recent strategies for integrating the monitoring of cell secretion of signaling molecules, crucial for understanding and replicating cell microenvironments, within cell culture platforms, addressing challenges such as non-adherent cell models and the focus on single-cell methodologies. We highlight advancements in biosensors, microfluidics, and three-dimensional culture methods, and discuss their potential to enhance real-time, multiplexed cell monitoring. By examining the advantages, limitations, and future prospects of these technologies, we aim to contribute to the development of integrated systems that facilitate comprehensive cell monitoring, ultimately advancing biological research and pharmaceutical development.
Rapid detection of ricin at trace levels in complex matrices by asialofetuin-coated beads and bottom-up proteomics using high-resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Piquet Paloma , Saadi Justyna , Fenaille François , Kalb Suzanne R. , Becher François 
Published: July 2024

AbstractRicin is a toxic protein regarded as a potential chemical weapon for bioterrorism or criminal use. In the event of a ricin incident, rapid analytical methods are essential for ricin confirmation in a diversity of matrices, from environmental to human or food samples. Mass spectrometry–based methods provide specific toxin identification but require prior enrichment by antibodies to reach trace-level detection in matrices. Here, we describe a novel assay using the glycoprotein asialofetuin as an alternative to antibodies for ricin enrichment, combined with the specific detection of signature peptides by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Additionally, optimizations made to the assay reduced the sample preparation time from 5 h to 80 min only. Method evaluation confirmed the detection of ricin at trace levels over a wide range of pH and in protein-rich samples, illustrating challenging matrices. This new method constitutes a relevant antibody-free solution for the fast and specific mass spectrometry detection of ricin in the situation of a suspected toxin incident, complementary to active ricin determination by adenine release assays.
Graphical Abstract