bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Generalized arcsine laws for a sluggish random walker with subdiffusive growth
Authors: Del Vecchio Del Vecchio Giuseppe , Majumdar Satya N. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
We study a simple one dimensional sluggish random walk model with subdiffusive growth. In the continuum hydrodynamic limit, the model corresponds to a particle diffusing on a line with a space dependent diffusion constant

D
(
x
)
=

|

x

|

−
α

and a drift potential

U
(
x
)
=

|

x

|

−
α

, where

α
⩾
0

parameterizes the model. For α = 0 it reduces to the standard diffusion, while for α > 0 it leads to a slow subdiffusive dynamics with the distance scaling as

x
∼

t

μ

at late times with

μ
=
1

/

(
α
+
2
)
⩽
1

/

2

. In this paper, we compute exactly, for all

α
⩾
0

, the full probability distributions of three observables for a sluggish walker of duration T starting at the origin: (i) the occupation time

t
+

denoting the time spent on the positive side of the origin, (ii) the last passage time

t
l

through the origin before T, and (iii) the time tM
at which the walker is maximally displaced on the positive side of the origin. We show that while for α = 0 all three distributions are identical and exhibit the celebrated arcsine laws of Lévy, they become different from each other for any α > 0 and have nontrivial shapes dependent on α. This generalizes the Lévy’s three arcsine laws for normal diffusion

(
α
=
0

) to the subdiffusive sluggish walker model with a general

α
⩾
0

. Numerical simulations are in excellent agreement with our analytical predictions.
Commissioning of Extended Electron Beam Ion Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory
Authors: Kondrashev S. , Beebe E. , Coe B. , Ikeda S. , Kanesue T. , Landon G. , Okamura M. , Raparia D. , Ritter J. , Rodowicz T. , Schoepfer B. , Vorbach R. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The Extended Electron Beam Ion Source (EEBIS) has been installed and commissioned at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) hadron accelerator complex in the spring of 2023. EEBIS has replaced its predecessor, RhicEBIS, which provided ions for BNL hadron facilities for over a decade since 2009. The motivations for the source upgrade are to provide higher intensities of the Au32+ ion beam for the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and to provide of an intense source of polarized 3He2+ ions for the future Electron Ion Collider (EIC) at BNL. EEBIS is and will continue to be the primary source for a variety of different ion species for the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at BNL. EEBIS utilizes two identical, two-meter-long unshielded 5T warm bore superconducting solenoids, and it is operated with electron beam current up to 10 A, providing a high-capacity ion traps to fulfill the requirement for high intensity ion beams. The upstream solenoid contains a “short ion trap” with a length of 95 cm, while the “long ion trap” with a length of 178 cm is located inside the downstream solenoid bore. The main features of EEBIS are:

* A Gas injection and ionization cell equipped with a Lorenz pulse valve

* High-capacity ZAO non-evaporable getter (NEG) custom linear pumping units

* In situ apparatus for pumping speed measurements to monitor NEG activation and saturation

* “External drift tube” construction with differential pumping stages to provide space for Lorentz pulse valve and 3He high-field polarization cell

* A Ba oxide electron gun cathode.

The design of EEBIS as well as the results of its commissioning and first-year operation are presented and discussed.
Investigation of the burst phenomenon in SiPMs in liquid nitrogen
Authors: Guarise M. , Andreotti M. , Balboni A. , Calabrese R. , Casazza D. , Cotta Ramusino A. , Corallo A. , Chiozzi S. , D'Amico R. , Fiorini M. , Giammaria T. , Luppi E. , Pierini L. , Tomassetti L. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Burst effect of Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) at cryogenic
temperatures have been discovered few years ago looking at the dark
count rate of SiPMs at liquid nitrogen temperatures. Bursts are
trains of single signals that happen randomly and are clearly
distinguishable from the primary DCR and correlated noise because of
their particular time distribution. In this article we describe a
detailed study related to both the external causes that triggers
bursts and to the phenomenon, internal to the sensor, that produces
this dark signals. We related the burst occurrence to the
luminescence produced by some trapping centers in the SiPMs when
they are excited by ionizing radiation that impinges on the sensor.
Effect of overlap rates on forming quality and properties of laser cladding Ni40A-WC composite coatings
Authors: Xu Liangjie , Sun Shengyuan , Xu Jihao , Liu Zihan , Li Jiaxin , Wang Jiale , Cao Yang , Jiao Junke 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
To investigate the effect of the overlap rates on quality, microstructure and mechanical properties of the cladding layer, the Ni40A-WC composite coating on the surface of H13 steel was prepared by laser cladding technology, and the surface morphology, crack defects, microstructure, microhardness, friction and wear of composite coatings with different overlap rates was detailed characterized and analyzed. The results show that the overlap rates is a key parameter that affects the quality and performance of coatings, and Ni40A-WC coating with flat surface, compact structure and significantly improved mechanical properties can be obtained by appropriate overlap rates. With the increase of the overlap rates, the WC particles in the coating increased, the hard phase diffraction peak intensity of Cr7C3, W2C and Cr23C6 in the microstructure increased, and the microhardness and wear resistance also increased. The mean hardness of the coating at 50%, 60%, 70% and 80% overlap rates increases 1.01, 1.16, 1.17 and 1.71 times of the hardness of H13 substrate, respectively, and the wear rate decreases by about 57%, 65%, 74% and 83%, respectively.
Predictors of NCLEX-RN Failure in Prelicensure Nursing Students
Authors: Rogers Meagan , Koomey Cynthia , Fontenot Rachael 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

AIM
The aim of this study was to identify predictors of NCLEX-RN® failure and guide nursing program support and resources for at-risk students.

BACKGROUND
Prelicensure nursing programs have adopted stringent admission and progression policies and often delay student testing based on known predictors of NCLEX-RN success. Students also delay scheduling the exam based on their perceived level of test readiness. There is a gap in the literature associated with predictors of NCLEX-RN failure.

METHOD
A retrospective predictive analysis was conducted on 3,396 graduates for the period 2018 through 2022 using demographic characteristics and academic metrics as variables.

RESULTS
Students who were men and students with increased lag time to take the NCLEX-RN (>45 days between graduation and initial attempt) were significantly more likely to fail.

CONCLUSION
Nursing programs using only known predictors of success for admission and progression decisions exclude students who could be successful if given the opportunity.
Alterations of diffusion kurtosis measures in gait-related white matter in the “ON–OFF state” of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Wei Xuan , Wang Shiya , Zhang Mingkai , Yan Ying , Wang Zheng , Wei Wei , Tuo Houzhen , Wang Zhenchang 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background:
Gait impairment is closely related to quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study aimed to explore alterations in brain microstructure in PD patients and healthy controls (HCs) and to identify the correlation of gait impairment in the ON and OFF states of patients with PD, respectively.

Methods:
We enrolled 24 PD patients and 29 healthy controls (HCs) from the Movement Disorders Program at Beijing Friendship Hospital Capital Medical University between 2019 and 2020. We acquired magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and processed the diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) images. Preprocessing of diffusion-weighted data was performed with Mrtrix3 software, using a directional distribution function to track participants’ main white matter fiber bundles. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Quantitative gait and clinical scales were used to assess the status of medication ON and OFF in PD patients.

Results:
The axial kurtosis (AK), mean kurtosis (MK), and radial kurtosis (RK) of five specific white matter fiber tracts, the bilateral corticospinal tract, left superior longitudinal fasciculus, left anterior thalamic radiation, forceps minor, and forceps major were significantly higher in PD patients compared to HCs. Additionally, the MK values were negatively correlated with Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) scores in both the ON and OFF in PD patients. Within the PD group, higher AK, MK, and RK values, whether the patients were ON or OFF, were associated with better gait performance (i.e., higher velocity and stride length).

Conclusions:
PD exhibits characteristic regional patterns of white matter microstructural degradation. Correlations between objective gait parameters and DKI values suggest that dopamine-responsive gait function depends on preserved white matter microstructure. DKI-based Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) analysis may serve as a tool for evaluating PD-related motor impairments (e.g., gait abnormalities) and could yield potential neuroimaging biomarkers.
A novel KEAP1 inhibitor, tiliroside, activates NRF2 to protect against acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress and acute liver injury
Authors: Cai Fangfang , Zhou Kaiqian , Wang Peipei , Zhang Wen , Liu Lei , Yang Yunwen 
Published: February 2025

Background:
Acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury (AILI) is one of the common causes of abrupt liver failure in numerous nations. Several previous studies revealed that tiliroside, a glycoside flavonoid, exerts neuroprotective and renal protective effects. However, whether it has hepatoprotective effects is not known. The objective of this research is to examine whether tiliroside can protect against AILI.

Methods:
AILI mouse and cell models were performed to evaluate the protective effects of tiliroside. Molecular docking, cellular thermal shift assay, immunoprecipitation, and RNA-seq were performed to analyze the possible mechanisms of tiliroside.

Results:
In vivo, tiliroside attenuated AILI in mice significantly, as evidenced by lower ALT and AST levels. Molecular docking, cellular thermal shift assay, and RNA-seq analysis revealed that tiliroside promoted the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and the expression of its downstream genes through disruption of the NRF2-KEAP1 protein-protein interaction to inhibit KEAP1-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of NRF2, thereby inhibiting oxidative stress in the livers of AILI mice. Furthermore, hepatocyte-specific knockout of NRF2 greatly attenuated the hepatic-protective effects of tiliroside in mice. In vitro, tiliroside protected against acetaminophen-induced oxidative stress on cultured hepatocytes through activation of NRF2. In addition, NRF2 knockout markedly blunted the protection effects of tiliroside, suggesting that NRF2 mediates the hepatic-protective effects of tiliroside.

Conclusions:
Our study demonstrated that tiliroside could protect against AILI by activating the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway, which primarily inhibits the processing of oxidative stress and cell death. Our results suggest that tiliroside could serve as a potential agent for the clinical treatment of AILI.
Integrative single-cell and spatial transcriptome analysis reveals heterogeneity of human liver progenitor cells
Authors: Liu Chuanjun , Wang Kai , Mei Junpu , Zhao Ruizhen , Shen Juan , Zhang Wei , Li Liangyu , Roy Bhaskar , Fang Xiaodong 
Published: February 2025

Background:
Liver progenitor cells (LPCs) with bipotential differentiation capacities are essential for restoring liver homeostasis and hepatocyte population after damage. However, the low proportion and shared markers with epithelial cells make studying LPC heterogeneity difficult, especially in humans. To address this gap, we explored over 259,400 human liver single cells across 4 conditions (fetal, healthy, cirrhotic, and HCC-affected livers).

Methods:
Human liver tissue samples were analyzed using spatial transcriptomics sequencing technologies to describe the heterogeneity of LPCs. Liver tissue was characterized by LPC heterogeneity at single-cell resolution by employing cellular modules, differentiation trajectories, and gene co-expression patterns.

Results:
We annotated and identified 1 LPC cluster, 3 LPC subpopulations, and 4 distinct cellular modules, indicating the heterogeneity within LPC and the diversity between LPCs and epithelial cells. LPCs showed spatial colocalization with cholangiocytes and comprised a small proportion (2.95±1.91%) within the merged epithelial cells and LPC populations, exhibiting marked differences in marker expression patterns compared to those in mice. LPCs exhibited distinct cellular states in functional restoration, activation, proliferation, and cell transition. Additionally, the gene co-expression network of LPCs exhibited 3 unique modules, reflecting the distinct connectivity of genes encoding apolipoproteins and heat shock proteins in the gene co-expression network modules.

Conclusions:
Our study provides valuable insights into the multifaceted heterogeneity of human LPCs. Future studies focusing on spatial gene expression dynamics will contribute to our understanding of the spatial arrangement of liver regeneration.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Among Veterans
Authors: Varghese Merilyn S. , Wu Wen-Chih , Drwal Kariann R. , Burg Matthew M. , Kazi Dhruv S. , Gaffey Allison E. , Mattocks Kristin M. , Brandt Cynthia A. , Bastian Lori A. , Gandhi Parul U. 
Published: February 2025

Purpose:
Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a valuable secondary preventive intervention for Veterans given their increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Adults cared for in the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system are a unique population that receives healthcare from the largest integrated care network in the United States. Yet, this group faces distinct challenges in utilizing CR. In this review, we evaluated the existing data regarding CR utilization and outcomes among U.S. Veterans.

Review methods:
A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Scopus for cardiac rehabilitation and U.S. Veterans.

Summary:
Veterans have 3 potential options for attending CR: in-person at their local VA medical centers, home-based CR through their local VA medical centers, and in-person at community CR centers. However, participation remains low. A significant barrier to participation is transportation to in-person CR. Home-based CR shows promise in addressing this barrier and has demonstrated resilience in the face of pandemic restrictions. Cardiac rehabilitation outcomes among Veterans who participate include improved exercise capacity, fewer depressive symptoms, and decreased mortality. Despite its benefits for secondary prevention among Veterans, there remains a paucity of data about the current uptake of CR, the impact of mental health on uptake, possible sex-based or racial disparities, and long-term outcomes.
New Keratoconus Grading System Based on OCT: Threshold Adjustment for a Swept-Source OCT
Authors: Lu Nan-Ji , Raiskup Frederik , Pillunat Lutz E. , Wang Qin-Mei , Cui Le-Le , Herber Robert 
Published: February 2025

Purpose:
To assess the performance of the STEP keratoconus (KC) grading system using swept-source (SS)-OCT, and to compare the relative performance of SS-OCT and spectral domain (SD)-OCT for thickness measurements.

Setting:
University hospitals in Germany and China.

Designs:
Retrospective case-control study.

Methods:
Rotating Scheimpflug Tomography (RSC, Pentacam) and SS-OCT (ANTERION) were used to examine 152 normal and 314 KC eyes from a German cohort; The STEP system (stroma thinnest thickness [ST] and epithelium standard deviation [EP]) was generated in SS-OCT and compared with RSC ABC system. Pentacam and SD-OCT (RTVue-XR) data from a Chinese cohort of 236 normal and 331 KC eyes were utilized to indirectly assess inter-device agreement between SS-OCT and SD-OCT using Bland-Altman plots and linear regression. Optimized thresholds for STEP ‘ST’ were determined for SS-OCT.

Results:
In normal eyes, STEP ‘ST’ agreement with RSC ‘C’ was 91.45%, dropping to 28.98% in KC eyes. STEP ‘EP’ showed 58.55% and 60.53% agreement with RSC ‘A’ and ‘B’ in normal eyes, and 36.62% and 52.87% in KC eyes, respectively. SS-OCT’s ST values were estimated to be higher than those of SD-OCT (estimated mean difference = 23.18 and 20.91 μm in the normal and KC eyes, respectively). Adjusted threshold of STEP ‘ST’ for SS-OCT was proposed.

Conclusions:
SS-OCT’s STEP ‘EP’ aligned well with RSC ABC system, while thresholds for SS-OCT’s STEP 'ST' required adjustment for more accurate clinical application. These findings highlight important considerations for thickness measurement discrepancies between SS-OCT and SD-OCT, with broader implications for future clinical practice and research.
Validation of the CONTEC08A upper-arm blood pressure monitor in adult Chinese
Authors: Zhou Yi , Zhou Yi , Zou Ruo-Yi , Li Yan , Wang Ji-Guang 
Published: February 2025

Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the CONTEC08A oscillometric upper-arm blood pressure (BP) monitor for BP measurement in adults according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 81060-2:2018 and amendment (Amd)1:2020 standard.

Methods
Eighty-five subjects (male 40 and female 45) were recruited to fulfill the age, sex, BP, and cuff distribution criteria of the ISO standard in the general population, and had a mean age of 40.2 years. The same arm sequential BP measurement method was used with three differently sized cuffs for the arm circumference ranging from 18 to 26 cm (small), 22–32 cm (medium), and 22–43 cm (large), respectively, for the test device, and two differently sized cuffs for the arm circumference ≤32 cm (standard) and >32 cm (large), respectively, for the mercury sphygmomanometer.

Results
Two hundred and fifty-five comparison pairs were obtained for analysis. For validation criterion 1, the mean ± SD of the differences between the test device and reference SBP/DBP readings was 1.1 ± 6.7/3.0 ± 5.3 mmHg. For validation criterion 2, the SD of the averaged SBP/DBP differences between the test device and reference BP per subject was 5.63/4.68 mmHg.

Conclusion
The automated upper-arm BP monitor CONTEC08A has passed the requirements of the ISO Universal Standard in the general population, and can be recommended for BP measurement in adults.
Clinical evaluation of the iHealth BP7 wrist blood pressure monitor in general population according to the ISO 81060-2:2018/Amd 1:2020
Authors: Li Yiming , Zhu Zizhuo , Li Jiaheng , Gu Yuan , Wan Yi 
Published: February 2025

Objective
The objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the iHealth BP7 wrist blood pressure (BP) monitor for clinical use and self-measurement in general population according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 81060-2:2018/Amendment (Amd) 1:2020 protocol.

Methods
Same arm BP was sequentially measured in 95 qualified participants and compared with a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. A total of 285 comparison pairs were obtained and analyzed according to the ISO 81060-2:2018/Amd 1:2020.

Results
For the validation Criterion 1 of the protocol, the mean ± SD of the differences between the test device and reference BP readings was 0.62 ± 6.18 and −0.20 ± 5.59 mmHg for SBP and DBP, respectively. For Criterion 2, the SDs of the averaged BP differences between the test device and reference BP per subject were 5.79 and 5.28 mmHg (with maximum allowed SDs of 6.90 and 6.95 mmHg) for SBP and DBP, respectively.

Conclusion
The iHealth BP7 wrist BP monitor satisfied all the validation requirements according to the ISO 81060-2:2018/Amd 1:2020 protocol and can be recommended for clinical use and self-measurement in the general population.
Time is spine: critical updates for the intensivist
Authors: Sandarage Ryan , Nashed Joseph Y. , Tsai Eve C. 
Published: February 2025

Purpose of review
The concept of ‘time is spine’ emphasizes early or ultra-early surgical decompression within 24 or 12 h, respectively, after spinal cord injury (SCI) to maximize recovery. This review updates the latest findings on the timing of surgical decompression and hemodynamic management in acute SCI, focusing on neurological outcomes and complications.

Recent findings
While early decompression may improve neurological outcomes, factors like injury severity, comorbidities, and system resources affect surgical timing. Recent studies question the benefits of ultra-early decompression, finding no significant improvement at 12 months, suggesting earlier analyses may have overstated its benefits. Current recommendations include tailoring decompression timing to individual cases, considering patient-specific and systemic factors. New techniques like spinal cord pressure monitoring, intraoperative ultrasound, and advanced imaging are advancing targeted intervention and hemodynamic management in SCI.

Summary
The timing of spinal decompression and hemodynamic management may impact neurological function, however, because of the deficiencies of current studies, individualized, patient-tailored decision-making is critical. A multidisciplinary approach that considers injury severity and patient characteristics is essential for optimal management. Further research is required to refine the timing of surgical intervention and explore additional factors influencing recovery.
Reflux Seen on a Barium Swallow is Not a Substitute For Ambulatory Reflux Monitoring in Symptomatic Patients
Authors: Bhardwaj Richa , Davis Trevor A. , Franz Allison , Kem Danielle , Edds Steven , Rogers Benjamin , Gyawali C. Prakash 
Published: February 2025

Objective:
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is often reported in barium studies (GERB). We aimed to evaluate whether GERB associates with parameters defining conclusive reflux using Lyon criteria on esophageal physiological testing (GERpH).

Methods:
Adults who underwent both ambulatory reflux monitoring off antisecretory therapy and barium esophagogram between 2018 and 2023 were eligible for inclusion in this retrospective study. All reflux monitoring studies were independently reviewed to extract acid exposure time (AET) and number of reflux episodes. GERpH was diagnosed based on Lyon consensus criteria, and compared with GERB reported on barium esophagogram. Performance characteristics of GERB in predicting AET >6% and GERpH by Lyon criteria were calculated.

Results:
Of 182 patients (median age: 55.0 y, 69.8% females, median body mass index: 29.8 kg/m2), 61 had GERB and 101 had GERpH, whereas 58 had neither GERB nor GERpH. AET >6% was seen in 39.3% with GERB, and never with GERB without GERpH. The sensitivity and specificity of GERB in predicting AET >6% were 31.6% and 65.1%; corresponding values in predicting conclusive gastroesophageal reflux disease were 37.6% and 71.6%, respectively. A hiatus hernia (HH) was seen in 46.8% with GERB and was associated with higher median AET (6.0% vs 3.8% without HH, P = 0.003) and higher frequency of AET >6% (50.6% vs 32.5%, P = 0.032), but not higher reflux episodes (P ≥ 0.51).

Conclusions:
In patients with symptoms suspicious of reflux disease, reflux seen on a barium esophagogram has suboptimal performance characteristics in predicting conclusive gastroesophageal reflux disease. HH identified on barium esophagography is associated with a higher reflux burden on reflux monitoring.