bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An effective method for preparing histological sections of blow fly intra-puparial stages for minimum PMI estimations
Authors: Martín-Vega Daniel , Simonsen Thomas J. , Hall Martin J. R. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBlow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are generally early colonisers of fresh cadavers, enabling the estimation of a minimum post-mortem interval (minPMI) based on an accurate aging of the oldest immature stages associated with a cadaver. In blow flies, the pupal stage and the subsequent development of the adult take place inside a protective case, the puparium, formed from the hardened and darkened cuticle of the third instar larva. Because the puparium is an opaque structure that shows virtually no external changes, qualitative analyses of the internal tissues can be very informative for determining reliable age-specific morphological markers. Those analyses can be performed using either non-invasive but expensive and not widely accessible techniques, or traditional histological methods, which are invasive as they require the serial sectioning of the sample. Histological methods are often readily available for forensic researchers and practitioners; however, the histological study of blow fly intra-puparial stages has traditionally been hampered by the poor paraffin infiltration of tissues due to the abundance of fat bodies, resulting in usually fragmented sections and the subsequent loss of relevant information. We present here an effective method for the preparation of histological sections of blow fly intra-puparial stages, maximising the paraffin infiltration while enabling the production of clean and entire sections that allow for the use of reliable age-specific morphological markers, thus improving the accuracy of minPMI estimations when access to more costly techniques is not feasible.
External post-mortem examination in virtual reality—scalability of a monocentric application
Authors: Klus Christina , Krumm Katja , Jacobi Sindy , Willemer Marie-Christin , Daub Charlotte , Stoevesandt Dietrich , Metzler Katrin , Richter Carolin , Peter Lisa-Maria , Heide Steffen , Schmidt Uwe 
Published: April 2024

AbstractConducting external post-mortem examinations is an essential skill required of physicians in various countries, regardless of their specialization. However, the quality of these examinations has been a subject of continuous debates, and notable errors were reviled. In response to these shortcomings, a virtual reality (VR) application was developed at Halle's medical department in Germany, focusing on the scene of discovery and the completion of death certificates. The initial trial of this VR application in 2020 involved 39 students and 15 early-career professionals. Based on the feedback, the application underwent improvements and was subsequently introduced to the medical department in Dresden, Germany, in 2022. Its primary objective was to showcase the VR training's adaptability and scalability across various educational structures and levels of medical expertise. Out of 73 students who participated, 63 completed the evaluation process. 93.1% (n = 58) of the evaluators reported increased confidence in conducting external post-mortem examinations, and 96.8% (n = 61) felt more assured in filling out death certificates, crediting this progress to the VR training. Additionally, 98.4% (n = 62) believed that repeating forensic medical aspects in their coursework was crucial, and 96.8% (n = 61) viewed the VR examination as a valuable addition to their academic program. Despite these positive responses, 91.6% (n = 55) of participants maintained that training with real corpses remains irreplaceable due to the insufficiency of haptic feedback in VR. Nevertheless, the potential for enhancing the VR content and expanding the training to additional locations or related disciplines warrants further exploration.
The retinal venous pressure at different levels of airway pressure measured with a new method
Authors: Baumgärtner Johanna L. , Stodtmeister Richard , Mauer René , Pillunat Lutz E. , Pillunat Karin R. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Purpose
This study is to investigate the increase in retinal venous pressure (RVP) induced by a stepwise increase in airway pressure (AirP) using the new IOPstim method, which is designed to artificially increase the intraocular pressure (IOP) and thus to stimulate vascular pulsation.

Methods
Twenty-eight healthy subjects were examined in the left eye. The RVP was measured at baseline and at four different levels of AirP (10, 20, 30, and 40 mmHg) using the new IOPstim method: a half balloon of 8 mm diameter is inflated laterally to the cornea under observation of the central retinal vein. As soon as the vein pulsates at a certain AirP level, the IOP is measured with a commercially available tonometer, which then corresponds to the RVP.

Results
Spontaneous venous pulsation was observed in all study participants. The mean RVP values at baseline and at the AirP levels of 10, 20, 30, and 40 mmHg were 17.6 ± 2.8 mmHg; 20.1 ± 3.0 mmHg; 22.1 ± 3.5 mmHg; 24.3 ± 3.7 mmHg, and 26.6 ± 4.2 mmHg, respectively. The mean RVP values of each AirP level were statistically significantly different from each other in pairwise comparison. In a linear mixed model, the effect of AirP on RVP was highly significant (p < 0.001). In the model, a 10-mmHg increase in AirP resulted in a linear increase in RVP of 2.2 mmHg.

Conclusion
An increase in AirP was accompanied by a linear increase in RVP. The influence of AirP on RVP, and thus on retinal perfusion pressure during the Valsalva maneuver, is less than was assumed based on previous studies in which contact lens dynamometry was used.
Risk factors for bariatric surgery in patients over 65 years of age—a multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Dowgiałło-Gornowicz Natalia , Lech Paweł , Katkowski Bartosz , Walędziak Maciej , Proczko-Stepaniak Monika , Szymański Michał , Karpińska Izabela , Major Piotr 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Societies are aging, life expectancy is increasing, and as a result, the percentage of elderly people in the population is constantly increasing. When qualifying patients over 65 years of age for bariatric surgery, the benefits and risks should be carefully assessed. Weighing risk factors against each other to improve the quality of life and better control of obesity-related diseases. The study aimed to determine risk factors for bariatric surgery among patients over 65 years of age.

Methods
A multicenter, retrospective analysis of patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric procedures from 2008 to 2022. The patients were divided into two groups: complicated (C) and uncomplicated (UC). Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to obtain significant, independent risk factors.

Results
There were 20 (7.0%) patients in C group and 264 (93.0%) patients in UC group. The most common complication was intraperitoneal bleeding (8, 2.8). There was no postoperative mortality. The mean follow-up was 47.5 months. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, length of stay and %EWL significantly corresponded to general complications (OR 1.173, OR 1.020). A higher weight loss before surgery lowered the risk for hemorrhagic events after surgery (OR 0.889). A longer length of stay corresponded to leak after surgery (OR 1.175).

Conclusions
Bariatric and metabolic surgery appears to be a safe method of obesity treatment in patients over 65 years of age. The most common complication was intraperitoneal bleeding. A prolonged hospital stay may increase the risk of leakage, while a higher weight loss before the surgery may lower the risk of bleeding.
Plant genome information facilitates plant functional genomics
Authors: Bernal-Gallardo Judith Jazmin , de Folter Stefan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Main conclusion
In this review, we give an overview of plant sequencing efforts and how this impacts plant functional genomics research.

Abstract
Plant genome sequence information greatly facilitates the studies of plant biology, functional genomics, evolution of genomes and genes, domestication processes, phylogenetic relationships, among many others. More than two decades of sequencing efforts have boosted the number of available sequenced plant genomes. The first plant genome, of Arabidopsis, was published in the year 2000 and currently, 4604 plant genomes from 1482 plant species have been published. Various large sequence initiatives are running, which are planning to produce tens of thousands of sequenced plant genomes in the near future. In this review, we give an overview on the status of sequenced plant genomes and on the use of genome information in different research areas.
Coping with unpredictable environments: fine-tune foraging microhabitat use in relation to prey availability in an alpine species
Authors: Scridel Davide , Anderle Matteo , Capelli Federico , Forti Alessandro , Bettega Chiara , Alessandrini Corrado , del Mar Delgado Maria , Pedrotti Luca , Partel Piergiovanni , Bogliani Giuseppe , Pedrini Paolo , Brambilla Mattia 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMicrohabitat utilisation holds a pivotal role in shaping a species’ ecological dynamics and stands as a crucial concern for effective conservation strategies. Despite its critical importance, microhabitat use has frequently been addressed as static, centering on microhabitat preference. Yet, a dynamic microhabitat use that allows individuals to adjust to fine-scale spatio-temporal prey fluctuations, becomes imperative for species thriving in challenging environments. High-elevation ecosystems, marked by brief growing seasons and distinct abiotic processes like snowmelt, winds, and solar radiation, feature an ephemeral distribution of key resources. To better understand species’ strategies in coping with these rapidly changing environments, we delved into the foraging behaviour of the white-winged snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis, an emblematic high-elevation passerine. Through studying microhabitat preferences during breeding while assessing invertebrate prey availability, we unveiled a highly flexible microhabitat use process. Notably, snowfinches exhibited specific microhabitat preferences, favoring grass and melting snow margins, while also responding to local invertebrate availability. This behaviour was particularly evident in snow-associated microhabitats and less pronounced amid tall grass. Moreover, our investigation underscored snowfinches’ fidelity to foraging sites, with over half located within 10 m of previous spots. This consistent use prevailed in snow-associated microhabitats and high-prey-density zones. These findings provide the first evidence of dynamic microhabitat use in high-elevation ecosystems and offer further insights into the crucial role of microhabitats for climate-sensitive species. They call for multi-faceted conservation strategies that go beyond identifying and protecting optimal thermal buffering areas in the face of global warming to also encompass locations hosting high invertebrate densities.
Characterising vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy in adults: symptom development and long-term persistent outcomes
Authors: Li Tiffany , Trinh Terry , Bosco Annmarie , Kiernan Matthew C. , Goldstein David , Park Susanna B. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Decades following the introduction of vincristine as treatment for haematological malignancies, vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy (VIPN) remains a pervasive, untreatable side-effect. However there remains a gap in understanding the characteristics of VIPN in adults. This study presents a comprehensive phenotyping of VIPN.

Methods
Adult patients (n = 57; age = 59.8 ± 14.6) were assessed cross-sectionally following completion of vincristine (months post treatment = 16.3 ± 15.6, cumulative dose = 7.6 ± 4.4), with a subset of 20 patients assessed prospectively during treatment. Patient reported measures (EORTC-QLQ-CIPN20, R-ODS) were used to profile symptoms and disability. Neurological assessment was undertaken using the Total Neuropathy Score and nerve conduction studies. Sensory threshold and fine motor tasks were also undertaken. Comparisons of data between timepoints were calculated using paired-sample t tests or Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. Comparisons between outcome measures were calculated with independent sample t tests or Mann–Whitney U tests for non-parametric data.

Results
The majority of patients developed VIPN by mid-treatment (77.8%, 7.0 ± 3.3 weeks post baseline) with the prevalence remaining stable by end-of-treatment (75%, 8.1 ± 1.7 weeks post mid-treatment). By 3 months post-completion, 50% of patients still reported VIPN although there were significant improvements on neurological grading and functional assessment (P < 0.05). VIPN presented with sensorimotor involvement in upper and lower limbs and was associated with decreased sensory and motor nerve amplitudes, reduced fine-motor function and increased disability.

Conclusion
VIPN in adults presents as a sensorimotor, upper- and lower-limb neuropathy that significantly impacts disability and function. Neuropathy recovery occurs in a proportion of patients; however, VIPN symptoms may persist and continue to affect long-term quality of life.
Highly integrable silicon micropumps using lateral electrostatic bending actuators
Authors: Uhlig Sebastian , Gaudet Matthieu , Langa Sergiu , Ruffert Christine , Jongmanns Marcel , Schenk Harald 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWe present the design, fabrication, and characterization of an innovative silicon-based micropump with high potential for portable lab-on-chip (LoC) as well as point-of-care (PoC) applications. The actuators of the pump are electrostatic driven in-plane bending devices, which were presented earlier (Borcia et al. in Phys Rev Fluids 3(8): 084202, 2018. 10.1103/PhysRevFluids.3.084202; Uhlig et al. in Micromachines, 9(4), 2018. 10.3390/mi9040190). This paper presents the characterization results achieved with the micropump. The dielectric non-polar liquid Novec7100™ was used as a test liquid due to its adequate physical properties. When applying a periodic voltage of 130 V, a flow rate of up to 80 µL/min was detected. The counter pressure amounts up to 30 kPa and the correspondent fluidic power (volumetric flow rate times the counter pressure) was calculated to 10 µW. The pump contains passive flap valves at the inlet and outlet, which are based on a bending cantilever design. Depending on the application requirements, the micropump can be designed modularly to adjust the specific parameters by an adequate arrangement of pump base units. In this paper, the proof of principle is shown using a single base unit with different number of stacked NED-actuator beams, as well as the serial arrangement of base units. Both modular concepts target the increase of backpressure of the NED-micropump in an inherently different way compared to conventional membrane micropumps.
Short-term effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on motor speech in Parkinson’s disease: a pilot study
Authors: Brabenec Lubos , Kovac Daniel , Mekyska Jiri , Rehulkova Lenka , Kabrtova Veronika , Rektorova Irena 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIntroduction: Hypokinetic dysarthria (HD) is a common motor speech symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD) which does not respond well to PD treatments. We investigated short-term effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on HD in PD using acoustic analysis of speech. Based on our previous studies we focused on stimulation of the right superior temporal gyrus (STG) - an auditory feedback area. Methods: In 14 PD patients with HD, we applied anodal, cathodal and sham tDCS to the right STG using a cross-over design. A protocol consisting of speech tasks was performed prior to and immediately after each stimulation session. Linear mixed models were used for the evaluation of the effects of each stimulation condition on the relative change of acoustic parameters. We also performed a simulation of the mean electric field induced by tDCS. Results: Linear mixed model showed a statistically significant effect of the stimulation condition on the relative change of median duration of silences longer than 50 ms (p = 0.015). The relative change after the anodal stimulation (mean = -5.9) was significantly lower as compared to the relative change after the sham stimulation (mean = 12.8), p = 0.014. We also found a correlation between the mean electric field magnitude in the right STG and improvement of articulation precision after anodal tDCS (R = 0.637; p = 0.019). Conclusions: The exploratory study showed that anodal tDCS applied over the auditory feedback area may lead to shorter pauses in a speech of PD patients.
A Rényi-type quasimetric with random interference detection
Authors: Cerqueti Roy , Maggi Mario 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis paper introduces a new dissimilarity measure between two discrete and finite probability distributions. The followed approach is grounded jointly on mixtures of probability distributions and an optimization procedure. We discuss the clear interpretation of the constitutive elements of the measure under an information-theoretical perspective by also highlighting its connections with the Rényi divergence of infinite order. Moreover, we show how the measure describes the inefficiency in assuming that a given probability distribution coincides with a benchmark one by giving formal writing of the random interference between the considered probability distributions. We explore the properties of the considered tool, which are in line with those defining the concept of quasimetric—i.e. a divergence for which the triangular inequality is satisfied. As a possible usage of the introduced device, an application to rare events is illustrated. This application shows that our measure may be suitable in cases where the accuracy of the small probabilities is a relevant matter.
Annealing and doping effects on magnetism for T$$^{*}$$-type (La, Eu, Sr)$$_2$$CuO$$_{4-y}$$F$$_y$$ cuprates
Authors: Xie Peiao , Takahama Motofumi , Taniguchi Takanori , Okabe Hirotaka , Koda Akihiro , Watanabe Isao , Fujita Masaki 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe magnetic behavior of T$$^{*}$$

∗

-phase cuprates in the underdoped region has been studied through zero-field muon spin rotation/relaxation ($$\mu $$
μ
SR) measurements. By examining the manner in which the superconducting transition temperature changes with increased fluorine substitution, we demonstrate the possibility of achieving an underdoped region in T$$^{*}$$

∗

-La$$_{1-x/2}$$

1
-
x
/
2

Eu$$_{1-x/2}$$

1
-
x
/
2

Sr$$_{x}$$

x

CuO$$_{4-y}$$

4
-
y

F$$_{y}$$

y

(LESCOF). For as-grown (AS) samples, the onset temperature for development of spin correlation is determined by $$\mu $$
μ
SR measurement. We observed a substantial enhancement from $$\sim $$
∼
7 K (x = 0.18, y = 0) to $$\sim $$
∼
80 K (x = 0.18, y = 0.15) with an appearance of a magnetic order below $$\sim $$
∼
55 K. Thus, the magnetic order can be stabilized by underdoping in AS T$$^{*}$$

∗

-LESCOF, similar to T-phase La$$_{2-x}$$

2
-
x

Sr$$_x$$

x

CuO$$_4$$

4

. However, the damping of spin precession in the $$\mu $$
μ
SR time spectra appears to be significant than in La$$_2$$

2

CuO$$_4$$

4

(LCO), suggesting the presence of inhomogeneous magnetism. In addition, the unrecovered normalized time spectrum to 1/3 along the time axis indicates a dynamical nature of magnetism. These magnetic behavior disappears with oxidation annealing, even in the lightly hole-doped sample. The absence of static magnetism in the oxidation-annealed T$$^{*}$$

∗

-LESCOF could be attributed to the structural effect, as the physical properties of the T$$^{\prime }$$

′

-phase cuprates has been discussed in terms of oxygen coordination around the Cu ion.
Association of Genetic Variants with Postoperative Donor Artery Development in Moyamoya Disease: RNF213 and Other Moyamoya Angiopathy-Related Gene Analysis
Authors: Torazawa Seiei , Miyawaki Satoru , Imai Hideaki , Hongo Hiroki , Ono Hideaki , Ogawa Shotaro , Sakai Yu , Kiyofuji Satoshi , Koizumi Satoshi , Komura Daisuke , Katoh Hiroto , Ishikawa Shumpei , Saito Nobuhito 
Published: April 2024

AbstractRobust postoperative bypass development is a characteristic of moyamoya disease (MMD); however, genetic factors mediating this phenomenon remain incompletely understood. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the relationship between postoperative donor artery development and genetic variants. We retrospectively enrolled 63 patients (79 hemispheres) who underwent combined revascularization surgery. Postoperative development of the superficial temporal artery (STA), middle meningeal artery, and deep temporal artery (DTA) was assessed using the caliber-change ratio determined from magnetic resonance angiography measurements. We analyzed RNF213 and 36 other moyamoya angiopathy-related genes by whole-exome sequencing and extracted rare or damaging variants. Thirty-five participants carried RNF213 p.Arg4810Lys (all heterozygotes), whereas 5 had RNF213 rare variants (RVs). p.Arg4810Lys was significantly associated with postoperative DTA development, while age at surgery, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were inversely associated. Multiple regression analysis revealed that age and p.Arg4810Lys held statistical significance (P = 0.044, coefficient − 0.015, 95% confidence interval (CI) − 0.029 to 0.000 and P = 0.001, coefficient 0.670, 95% CI 0.269 to 1.072, respectively). Those with RNF213 RV without p.Arg4810Lys exhibited a significant trend toward poor DTA development (P = 0.001). Hypertension demonstrated a significant positive association with STA development, which remained significant even after multiple regression analysis (P = 0.001, coefficient 0.303, 95% CI 0.123 to 0.482). Following Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, targeted analyses of RNF213 and 36 moyamoya angiopathy-related genes showed a significant association of only RNF213 p.Arg4810Lys with favorable DTA development (P = 0.001). A comprehensive analysis of RNF213, considering both p.Arg4810Lys and RVs, may provide a clearer prediction of postoperative DTA development.
The Impact of the Limit q-Durrmeyer Operator on Continuous Functions
Authors: Gürel Yılmaz Övgü , Ostrovska Sofiya , Turan Mehmet 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe limit q-Durrmeyer operator, $$D_{\infty ,q}$$

D

∞
,
q

, was introduced and its approximation properties were investigated by Gupta (Appl. Math. Comput. 197(1):172–178, 2008) during a study of q-analogues for the Bernstein–Durrmeyer operator. In the present work, this operator is investigated from a different perspective. More precisely, the growth estimates are derived for the entire functions comprising the range of $$D_{\infty ,q}$$

D

∞
,
q

. The interrelation between the analytic properties of a function f and the rate of growth for $$D_{\infty ,q}f$$

D

∞
,
q

f

are established, and the sharpness of the obtained results are demonstrated.
Numerical studies of the energy absorption capacities and deformation mechanisms of 2D cellular topologies
Authors: Majdak Mateusz , Baranowski Paweł , Małachowski Jerzy 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis paper investigates the energy absorption capacities of selected cellular topologies under quasi-static loading conditions. Twenty topologies with nearly identical relative densities belonging to 4 groups were examined: honeycomb, re-entrant, bioinspired and chiral. The topologies were modeled using an experimentally validated numerical ABSplus model and subsequently subjected to in-plane uniaxial compression tests. The findings revealed the topologies with the most favorable energy absorption parameters and the main deformation mechanisms. The topologies were classified by mechanism, and a parametric study of basic material properties, namely modulus of elasticity, yield stress, and ductility, was performed for a representative topology from each mechanism. The results indicated that the honeycomb group topologies were characterized by the largest average absorbed energy, and yield stress was found to have the greatest impact on energy absorption efficiency regardless of the main deformation mechanism.