bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and associated factors of psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy in the Casablanca–Settat region of Morocco: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Hajji El Bachir , Traore Boubacar , Hassoune Samira , Khoubila Adil , Bellakhdar Salma , Rafai Mohammed Abdoh , Lakhdar Abdelhakim 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the estimated prevalence of anxiety, depression, and anxiety–depression syndrome (ADS) and to identify the associated factors in Moroccan people with epilepsy (PWE).MethodA cross‐sectional study was conducted among adult PWE (June 2021–December 2022) in the Casablanca–Settat region. PWE were interviewed by completing a questionnaire collecting sociodemographic and clinical data. Anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Out of 21 points, a score ≥8 is in favor of considerable anxiety/depression symptoms and a sum of the two scores ≥15 indicates the presence of ADS. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 21.0. p‐values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant and logistic regression was performed to determine the associated factors.ResultsAmong 294 PWE, the median age was 39 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 25.75–54.00). The median anxiety, depression, and ADS scores were 8 (IQR: 5.00–10.00), 7 (IQR: 4.00–10.00), and 15 (IQR: 10.00–20.00), respectively. Anxiety, depression, and ADS were revealed in 51.4%, 44.9%, and 51.0% of PWE, respectively. Depression was the only predictor for anxiety (aOR = 24.20; 95%CI: 12.45–47.01). Antiseizure polytherapy (aOR = 3.35; 95%CI: 1.72–6.54) and anxiety (aOR = 24.04; 95%CI: 12.12–47.67) were the factors associated with depression. The risk of ADS was increased by female gender (aOR = 2.83; 95%CI: 1.68–4.78), antiseizure polytherapy (aOR = 2.75; 95%CI: 1.62–4.65), structural epilepsy (aOR = 1.73; 95%CI: 1.01–2.94), and the presence of concomitant conditions with epilepsy (aOR = 1.96; 95%CI: 1.16–3.31).SignificanceOur study reports high psychiatric comorbidity prevalence in epilepsy, which supports the bidirectional link hypothesis. Associated factors found are important in the prognosis and prevention.Plain Language SummaryThe neural mechanisms underlying epilepsy tend to expose PWE to psychiatric disorders. Our study aims to quantify the rate of psychiatric comorbidities and their predictive factors in Moroccan PWE. The estimated prevalences of significant symptoms of anxiety, depression, and ADS were 51.4%, 44.9%, and 51.0%, respectively. Depression was the predictor of anxiety. Antiseizure polymedication and anxiety were the associated factors with depression. The risk of SAD was increased by female gender, antiseizure polymedication, structural epilepsy, and concomitant diseases with epilepsy. Our results are important for considering the psychiatric aspect of PWE and improving their care and quality of life.
Frugal Education: What, why, and how?
Authors: Masters Alex 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis paper explores how frugal innovation practices can challenge resource constraints by leveraging available resources in creative and innovative ways towards more affordable, practical, sustainable and resilient education practice. The education sector has faced many challenges when adapting practice to deliver quality education in the wake of a world‐changing pandemic. There is a great deal we can learn from each other with regards to the frugal application of resources, such as time, money, people and space. However, forms of frugality in education design are driven by necessity and are reactive as opposed to proactive measures. We can, however, learn from educators and institutions that have been able to achieve significant educational impact at low cost with far fewer resources, adopting frugal approaches to education design and delivery. This paper proposes a set of frugal education aspects that demonstrate how frugal design practices can be organised and applied within an educational context. The aspects are outlined, and examples are presented to illustrate their effectiveness within existing education practice. This paper seeks to contribute to the existing knowledge base and research into frugal innovation practice as it applies within an education context, reframing the use of the term ‘frugal’ away from affordability and poor quality, towards a more expansive understanding that establishes a foundation on which to build, define, and contextualise frugality within an education context. The paper concludes with recommendations for the development of practical resources, informed by the research, to support educators in the design of frugal education practice.
Sociocultural context of exclusive breastfeeding in Africa: A narrative review
Authors: Amzat Jimoh , Aminu Kafayat , Matankari Brisca , Ismail Abbas , Almu Bello , Kanmodi Kehinde Kazeem 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsAlthough exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) has many benefits, it is not commonly practiced in several countries as a result of context‐specific challenges. EBF practice is thus a global health discourse because over 200 million children suffer from malnutrition despite the abundance of human milk. The risk of starvation remains very high among African children with less than 40% of them exclusively breastfed. In Africa, the adoption or nonadherence to EBF is a sociocultural issue. Hence, this narrative review examined the sociocultural context of EBF in the region.MethodsPubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were searched using keywords related to EBF and Africa. Relevant data from selected studies were synthesized narratively and reported using a structured narrative format.ResultsEBF is strongly rooted in every culture and is a culturally determined behavior. Some believe that colostrum is dirty and harmful to newborns and, thus, needs to be purified. Despite the belief that human milk is the best food for babies, mothers often complement human milk with other foods right from birth because of perceived lactation inadequacy. Most African mothers believe in prelacteal feeding to help cleanse the infant's gastrointestinal tract for digestion, quench thirst, flush the bladder and help the mother to rest after childbirth before breastfeeding (BF) is initiated. The role of significant others was equally found important in the decision and duration of BF. The availability of family support (especially from grandmothers and husbands) reportedly encouraged EBF in Africa. The duration and exclusivity of BF in Africa are negatively associated with demographic variables like young age, low level of education, being unmarried, low income, out of employment, and parity (first‐time mother).ConclusionWhile there have been some efforts and policies to improve EBF, it is important to consider context‐specific challenges and sociocultural factors. There is a need for more deliberate efforts to encourage mothers through the implementation of effective best practices concerning EBF in Africa.
Orthogonal effect of exchange and correlation parameters in density functional theory to compute geometric and spectroscopic quantities
Authors: Moncomble Aurélien , Cornard Jean‐Paul 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe influence of the composition of the functional used for density functional theory computations on one structural parameter (a dihedral angle) and a spectroscopic parameter (absorption wavelength) is assessed in this study on the basis of two molecules (flavonols). In this kind of molecules, these two parameters should be correlated according to the nature of the electronic transition involved. However, it is shown herein that by varying the proportion of true exchange and correlation while building a functional, it is possible to obtain independently a large range of values for these parameters without any relation with the underlying real values. Therefore, it is concluded that the choice of a functional after a benchmark, especially using user‐defined functionals, should be carried out with great care to avoid such effects.
Concentration of hitting times in Erdős‐Rényi graphs
Authors: Ottolini Andrea , Steinerberger Stefan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe consider Erdős‐Rényi graphs for fixed and and study the expected number of steps, , that a random walk started in needs to first arrive in . A natural guess is that an Erdős‐Rényi random graph is so homogeneous that it does not really distinguish between vertices and . Löwe‐Terveer established a CLT for the Mean Starting Hitting Time suggesting . We prove the existence of a strong concentration phenomenon: is given, up to a very small error of size , by an explicit simple formula involving only the total number of edges , the degree and the distance .
Direct sub‐atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry: Evaporation/sublimation‐driven ionization is amazing, fundamentally, and practically
Authors: Trimpin Sarah , Inutan Ellen D. , Pagnotti Vincent S. , Karki Santosh , Marshall Darrell D. , Hoang Khoa , Wang Beixi , Lietz Christopher B. , Richards Alicia L. , Yenchick Frank S. , Lee Chuping , Lu I‐Chung , Fenner Madeleine , Madarshahian Sara , Saylor Sarah , Chubatyi Nicolas D. , Zimmerman Teresa , Moreno‐Pedraza Abigail , Wang Tongwen , Adeniji‐Adele Adetoun , Meher Anil K. , Madagedara Hasini , Owczarzak Zachary , Musavi Ahmed , Hendrickson Tamara L. , Peacock Patricia M. , Tomsho John W. , Larsen Barbara S. , Prokai Laszlo , Shulaev Vladimir , Pophristic Milan , McEwen Charles N. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis paper covers direct sub‐atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (MS). The discovery, applications, and mechanistic aspects of novel ionization processes for use in MS that are not based on the high‐energy input from voltage, laser, and/or high temperature but on sublimation/evaporation within a region linking a higher to lower pressure and modulated by heat and collisions, are discussed, including how this new reality has guided a series of discoveries, instrument developments, and commercialization. A research focus, inter alia, is on how best to understand, improve, and use these novel ionization processes, which convert volatile and nonvolatile compounds from solids (sublimation) or liquids (evaporation) into gas‐phase ions for analysis by MS providing reproducible, accurate, sensitive, and prompt results. Our perception on how these unprecedented versus traditional ionization processes/methods relate to each other, how they can be made to coexist on the same mass spectrometer, and an outlook on new and expanded applications (e.g., clinical, portable, fast, safe, and autonomous) is presented, and is based on ST's Opening lecture presentation at the Nordic Mass spectrometry Conference, Geilo, Norway, January 2023. Focus will be on matrix‐assisted ionization (MAI) and solvent‐assisted ionization (SAI) MS covering the period from 2010 to 2023; a potential paradigm shift in the making.
Noncanonical functions of telomerase and telomeres in viruses‐associated cancer
Authors: Rasouli Sara , Dakic Aleksandra , Wang Qi‐En , Mitchell Darrion , Blakaj Dukagjin M. , Putluri Nagireddy , Li Jenny , Liu Xuefeng 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe cause of cancer is attributed to the uncontrolled growth and proliferation of cells resulting from genetic changes and alterations in cell behavior, a phenomenon known as epigenetics. Telomeres, protective caps on the ends of chromosomes, regulate both cellular aging and cancer formation. In most cancers, telomerase is upregulated, with the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) enzyme and telomerase RNA component (TERC) RNA element contributing to the maintenance of telomere length. Additionally, it is noteworthy that two viruses, human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), utilize telomerase for their replication or persistence in infected cells. Also, TERT and TERC may play major roles in cancer not related to telomere biology. They are involved in the regulation of gene expression, signal transduction pathways, cellular metabolism, or even immune response modulation. Furthermore, the crosstalk between TERT, TERC, RNA‐binding proteins, and microRNAs contributes to a greater extent to cancer biology. To understand the multifaceted roles played by TERT and TERC in cancer and viral life cycles, and then to develop effective therapeutic strategies against these diseases, are fundamental for this goal. By investigating deeply, the complicated mechanisms and relationships between TERT and TERC, scientists will open the doors to new therapies. In its analysis, the review emphasizes the significance of gaining insight into the multifaceted roles that TERT and TERC play in cancer pathogenesis, as well as their involvement in the viral life cycle for designing effective anticancer therapy approaches.
Optimal reliability ensemble averaging approach for robust climate projections over China
Authors: Gao Yiyan , Yu Zhongbo , Zhou Minpei , Ju Qin , Wen Lei , Huang Tangkai 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAccurate simulation and reliable projection of temperature and precipitation over China under climate change is important for proposing adaptation measures for future natural ecosystems. This study proposes a novel method to construct an optimal reliability ensemble averaging (REA) subset from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) based on their historical performance in simulating temperature and precipitation across different subregions. The optimal REA ensemble outperforms the multi‐model ensemble mean (MMEM) and single optimal model in reproducing the spatial patterns of historical annual mean temperature and precipitation over China from 1985 to 2014. Under the examined Shared Socioeconomic Pathway scenarios (SSP1‐2.6, SSP2‐4.5 and SSP5‐8.5), the REA projects persistent warming and increased precipitation towards the end of the 21st century, intensifying under higher emissions. Nationwide mean temperature rises of 1.39, 2.69 and 5.05°C, and precipitation increases of 9%, 10% and 20% are projected in the long‐term (2081–2100) relative to 1995–2014 under SSP1‐2.6, SSP2‐4.5 and SSP5‐8.5 scenarios, respectively. Northwestern China and the Tibetan Plateau are expected to experience amplified warming and precipitation increases, respectively. Compared to the MMEM, the REA generally indicates reduced warming but larger precipitation increases, especially over the Tibetan Plateau under higher‐emissions scenarios. The REA exhibits lower projection uncertainty than the MMEM for both temperature and precipitation, primarily attributed to reduced internal variability. The novel optimal framework for REA shows the potential for extracting robust regional climate information applicable to different subregions of China. This study may contribute to new comprehension of future climate change over China.
Development and validation of a biomechanically fidelic surgical training knee model
Authors: Bennett Kieran J. , Foroutan Parham , Fairweather Ella , Al‐Dirini Rami M. A. , Sobey Sammuel A. , Litchfield Nick , Roe Mark , Reynolds Karen J. , Costi John J. , Taylor Mark 
Published: May 2024

AbstractKnee arthroplasty technique is constantly evolving and the opportunity for surgeons to practice new techniques is currently highly dependent on the availability of cadaveric specimens requiring certified facilities. The high cost, limited supply, and heterogeneity of cadaveric specimens has increased the demand for synthetic training models, which are currently limited by a lack of biomechanical fidelity. Here, we aimed to design, manufacture, and experimentally validate a synthetic knee surgical training model which reproduces the flexion dependent varus‐valgus (VV) and anterior‐posterior (AP) mechanics of cadaveric knees, while maintaining anatomic accuracy. A probabilistic finite element modeling approach was employed to design physical models to exhibit passive cadaveric VV and AP mechanics. Seven synthetic models were manufactured and tested in a six‐degree‐of‐freedom hexapod robot. Overall, the synthetic models exhibited cadaver‐like VV and AP mechanics across a wide range of flexion angles with little variation between models. In the extended position, two models showed increased valgus rotation (<0.5°), and three models showed increased posterior tibial translation (<1.7 mm) when compared to the 95% confidence interval (CI) of cadaveric measurements. At full flexion, all models showed VV and AP mechanics within the 95% CI of cadaveric measurements. Given the repeatable mechanics exhibited, the knee models developed in this study can be used to reduce the current reliance on cadaveric specimens in surgical training.
Polarization‐independent liquid crystal device with microdomain twisted structure
Authors: Tang Mingyuan , Huang Kai , Zhang Yumeng , Lu Jiangang 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe polarization‐independent liquid crystal (LC) phase modulators can greatly improve the efficiency and reduce the complexity of the optical system. However, it is difficult for the LC phase modulator to achieve both good low‐loss modulation and polarization‐independent properties. A LC phase modulator of single layer microdomain twisted structure has been proposed to achieve good polarization independence and low loss in phase modulation. However, the multi‐exposure in fabrication is difficult to realize in production process. To simplify the fabrication process, an alternate LC (ALC) mask is proposed with the alternate arrangement of twist‐nematic (TN) LC and nematic LC. The fabrication process is optimized to two steps exposure with the usage of ALC and is suitable for large‐amount‐production. The measurement results showed that the single layer microdomain twisted LC phase modulator may get very low polarization dependence, about 3.52% under 2π phase modulation depth, with low loss. The device shows good potential application in optical communication, wearable device, and display.
Initial clinical outcomes of robotic resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: Is it safe and effective?
Authors: Lippert Trenton , Ross Sharona , Pattilachan Tara , Christodoulou Maria , Gratsianskiy Denis , Rosemurgy Alexander , Sucandy Iswanto 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesWe aimed to describe our outcomes of robotic resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, the largest single institutional series in the Western hemisphere to date.MethodsBetween 2016 and 2022, we prospectively followed all patients who underwent robotic resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.ResultsIn total, 23 patients underwent robotic resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, 18 receiving concomitant hepatectomy. The median age was 73 years. Operative time was 470 min with an estimated blood loss of 150 mL. No intraoperative conversions to open or other intraoperative complications occurred. Median length of stay was 5 days. Four postoperative complications occurred. Three readmissions occurred within 30 days with one 90‐day mortality. R0 resection was achieved in 87% of patients and R1 in 13% of patients. At a median follow‐up of 27 months, 15 patients were alive without evidence of disease, two patients with local recurrence at 1 year, and six were deceased.ConclusionsUtilization of the robotic platform for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma is safe and feasible with excellent perioperative outcomes. Further studies are needed to determine the long‐term oncological outcomes.
Nucleus pulposus structure and function assessed in shear using magnetic resonance elastography, quantitative MRI, and rheometry
Authors: Co Megan , Raterman Brian , Klamer Brett , Kolipaka Arunark , Walter Benjamin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn vivo quantification of the structure–function relationship of the intervertebral disc (IVD) via quantitative MRI has the potential to aid objective stratification of disease and evaluation of restorative therapies. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is an imaging technique that assesses tissue shear properties and combined with quantitative MRI metrics reflective of composition can inform structure–function of the IVD. The objectives of this study were to (1) compare MRE‐ and rheometry‐derived shear modulus in agarose gels and nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue and (2) correlate MRE and rheological measures of NP tissue with composition and quantitative MRI.MethodMRE and MRI assessment (i.e., T1ρ and T2 mapping) of agarose samples (2%, 3%, and 4% (w/v); n = 3–4/%) and of bovine caudal IVDs after equilibrium dialysis in 5% or 25% PEG (n = 13/PEG%) was conducted. Subsequently, agarose and NP tissue underwent torsional mechanical testing consisting of a frequency sweep from 1 to 100 Hz at a rotational strain of 0.05%. NP tissue was additionally evaluated under creep and stress relaxation conditions. Linear mixed‐effects models and univariate regression analyses evaluated the effects of testing method, %agarose or %PEG, and frequency, as well as correlations between parameters.ResultsMRE‐ and rheometry‐derived shear moduli were greater at 100 Hz than at 80 Hz in all agarose and NP tissue samples. Additionally, all samples with lower water content had higher complex shear moduli. There was a significant correlation between MRE‐ and rheometry‐derived modulus values for homogenous agarose samples. T1ρ and T2 relaxation times for agarose and tissue were negatively correlated with complex shear modulus derived from both techniques. For NP tissue, shear modulus was positively correlated with GAG/wet‐weight and negatively correlated with %water content.ConclusionThis work demonstrates that MRE can assess hydration‐induced changes in IVD shear properties and further highlights the structure–function relationship between composition and shear mechanical behaviors of NP tissue.
Robotic‐arm‐assisted lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty leads to high implant survival and patient satisfaction at mean 10‐year follow‐up
Authors: Ruderman Lindsey V. , Bayoumi Tarik , ten Noever de Brauw Gaby V. , Lan Ranqing , Nguyen Joseph T. , Pearle Andrew D. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundThere is a lack of literature reporting on long‐term outcomes following robotic‐arm‐assisted lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). This study assessed the long‐term survivorship, patient‐reported satisfaction and pain scores following robotic‐arm‐assisted lateral UKA for lateral compartment osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsA single surgeon's database was reviewed to identify all patients who underwent robotic‐arm‐assisted lateral UKA with a cemented, fixed‐bearing prosthesis prior to May 2015. Patients were contacted to determine implant survivorship, satisfaction and pain. Kaplan–Meier models were applied to analyse survival.ResultsA total of 77 knees (70 patients) with a mean follow‐up of 10.2 ± 1.5 years (range: 8.1–13.3) were included. Five knees were revised, corresponding to a 10‐year survivorship of 96.1% and estimated survival time of 12.7 ± 0.3 years (95% confidence interval: 12.2–13.2) with all‐cause revision as the endpoint. Unexplained pain (40.0%) and progression of OA (40.0%) in contralateral compartments were the most reported reasons for revision. Among patients without revision, 94.4% were either satisfied or very satisfied with their lateral UKA and the average pain score was 1.1.ConclusionRobotic‐arm‐assisted lateral UKA led to high implant survivorship and patient satisfaction, and low pain scores at long‐term follow‐up. Progression of OA in contralateral compartments and unexplained pain were the most frequent reasons for revision. These findings support the continued use of robotic‐arm‐assisted lateral UKA for lateral compartment OA; however, its clinical value over conventional techniques remains to be established in prospective comparative studies.Level of EvidenceTherapeutic Level IV.