bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stability against fluctuations: a two-dimensional study of scaling, bifurcations and spontaneous symmetry breaking in stochastic models of synaptic plasticity
Authors: Elliott Terry 
Published: April 2024

AbstractStochastic models of synaptic plasticity must confront the corrosive influence of fluctuations in synaptic strength on patterns of synaptic connectivity. To solve this problem, we have proposed that synapses act as filters, integrating plasticity induction signals and expressing changes in synaptic strength only upon reaching filter threshold. Our earlier analytical study calculated the lifetimes of quasi-stable patterns of synaptic connectivity with synaptic filtering. We showed that the plasticity step size in a stochastic model of spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) acts as a temperature-like parameter, exhibiting a critical value below which neuronal structure formation occurs. The filter threshold scales this temperature-like parameter downwards, cooling the dynamics and enhancing stability. A key step in this calculation was a resetting approximation, essentially reducing the dynamics to one-dimensional processes. Here, we revisit our earlier study to examine this resetting approximation, with the aim of understanding in detail why it works so well by comparing it, and a simpler approximation, to the system’s full dynamics consisting of various embedded two-dimensional processes without resetting. Comparing the full system to the simpler approximation, to our original resetting approximation, and to a one-afferent system, we show that their equilibrium distributions of synaptic strengths and critical plasticity step sizes are all qualitatively similar, and increasingly quantitatively similar as the filter threshold increases. This increasing similarity is due to the decorrelation in changes in synaptic strength between different afferents caused by our STDP model, and the amplification of this decorrelation with larger synaptic filters.
Clinical risk factors for portal hypertension-related complications in systemic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Fujiwara Kisako , Kondo Takayuki , Fujimoto Kentaro , Yumita Sae , Ogawa Keita , Ishino Takamasa , Nakagawa Miyuki , Iwanaga Terunao , Tsuchiya Satoshi , Koroki Keisuke , Kanzaki Hiroaki , Inoue Masanori , Kobayashi Kazufumi , Kiyono Soichiro , Nakamura Masato , Kanogawa Naoya , Ogasawara Sadahisa , Nakamoto Shingo , Chiba Tetsuhiro , Koizumi Jun , Kato Jun , Kato Naoya 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
During systemic therapy, the management of portal hypertension (PH)-related complications is vital. This study aimed to clarify factors associated with the incidence and exacerbation of PH-related complications, including the usefulness of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in the management of PH-related complications during systemic therapy.

Methods
A total of 669 patients who received systemic therapy as first-line treatment (443 patients for sorafenib, 131 for lenvatinib, and 90 for atezolizumab/bevacizumab [ATZ/BEV]) were enrolled in this retrospective study. Additionally, the lower esophageal intramural vessel diameters (EIV) on CECT and endoscopic findings in 358 patients were compared.

Results
The cutoff values of the EIV diameter on CECT were 3.1 mm for small, 5.1 mm for medium, and 7.6 mm for large varices, demonstrating high concordance with the endoscopic findings. esophageal varices (EV) bleeding predictors include EIV ≥ 3.1 mm and portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). In patients without EV before systemic therapy, factors associated with EV exacerbation after 3 months were EIV ≥ 1.9 mm and ATZ/BEV use. Predictors of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) include the ammonia level or portosystemic shunt diameter ≥ 6.8 mm. The incidence of HE within 2 weeks was significantly higher (18%) in patients with an ammonia level ≥ 73 μmol/L and a portosystemic shunt ≥ 6.8 mm. The exacerbating factors for ascites after 3 months were PVTT and low albumin levels.

Conclusions
Careful management is warranted for patients with risk factors for exacerbation of PH-related complications; moreover, the effective use of CECT is clinically important.
Extending intergranular normal-stress distributions using symmetries of linear-elastic polycrystalline materials
Authors: El Shawish Samir 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIntergranular normal stresses (INS) are critical in the initiation and evolution of grain boundary damage in polycrystalline materials. To model the effects of such microstructural damage on a macroscopic scale, knowledge of INS is usually required statistically at each representative volume element subjected to various loading conditions. However, calculating INS distributions for different stress states can be cumbersome and time-consuming. This study proposes a new method to extend the existing INS distributions to arbitrary loading conditions using the symmetries of a polycrystalline material composed of randomly oriented linear-elastic grains with arbitrary lattice symmetry. The method relies on a fact that INS distributions can be accurately reproduced from the first (typically) ten statistical moments, which depend trivially on just three stress invariants and a few material invariants due to assumed isotropy and material linearity of the polycrystalline model. While these material invariants are complex averages, they can be extracted numerically from a few existing INS distributions and tabulated for later use. Practically, only three such INS distributions at properly selected loadings are required to provide all relevant material invariants for the first 11 statistical moments, which can then be used to reconstruct the INS distribution for arbitrary loading conditions. The proposed approach is demonstrated to be accurate and feasible for an arbitrarily selected linear-elastic material under various loading conditions.
The hemostatic and comforting effects of oral adhesive bandages in tooth extraction: a randomized controlled clinical study
Authors: Zhou Xiaocheng , Cai Yu , Zhao Jihong 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Objectives
To compare oral adhesive bandages with the classic compression method and evaluate the clinical efficacy of this wound dressing material in improving postoperative comfort, wound healing, and hemostasis in tooth extraction.

Materials and methods
The study was designed as a randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 120 patients were recruited and randomly assigned to the study group and the control group. In the study group, oral adhesive bandages were used as wound dressing. In the control group, patients bit on cotton balls and gauze, as usual. Hemorrhage, comfort, and healing levels were evaluated at postoperative 1 h, 24 h, and 7 days. The adhesion time of the oral adhesive bandages was also recorded.

Results
The average adhesion time of the oral adhesive bandages was 26.6 h. At postoperative 1 and 24 h, the hemostatic levels of the oral adhesive bandage group were significantly higher than those of the control group. The oral adhesive bandage group also reported significantly higher comfort scores than the control group. Both groups had similar healing levels and side effects. But the mean score for wound healing was slightly higher in the oral adhesive bandage group.

Conclusions
Oral adhesive bandages were more effective than cotton balls and gauze in providing hemostatic and comfort effects on extraction wounds.

Clinical relevance
Oral adhesive bandages possess clinical value in the management of extraction wounds.
Focalize K-NN: an imputation algorithm for time series datasets
Authors: Almeida Ana , Brás Susana , Sargento Susana , Pinto Filipe Cabral 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe effective use of time series data is crucial in business decision-making. Temporal data reveals temporal trends and patterns, enabling decision-makers to make informed decisions and prevent potential problems. However, missing values in time series data can interfere with the analysis and lead to inaccurate conclusions. Thus, our work proposes a Focalize K-NN method that leverages time series properties to perform missing data imputation. This approach shows the benefits of taking advantage of correlated features and temporal lags to improve the performance of the traditional K-NN imputer. A similar approach could be employed in other methods. We tested this approach with two datasets, various parameter and feature combinations, and observed that it is beneficial in scenarios with disjoint missing patterns. Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness of Focalize K-NN for imputing missing values in time series data. The more noticeable benefits of our methods occur when there is a high percentage of missing data. However, as the amount of missing data increases, so does the error.
Virtual rehabilitation for patients with osteoporosis or other musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Thuilier Eléa , Carey John , Dempsey Mary , Dingliana John , Whelan Bryan , Brennan Attracta 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis study aims to identify effective ways to design virtual rehabilitation to obtain physical improvement (e.g. balance and gait) and support engagement (i.e. motivation) for people with osteoporosis or other musculoskeletal disorders. Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder and is among the most prevalent diseases globally, affecting 0.5 billion adults. Despite the fact that the number of people with osteoporosis is similar to, or greater than those diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and dementia, osteoporosis does not receive the same recognition. Worldwide, osteoporosis causes 8.9 million fractures annually; it is associated with substantial pain, suffering, disability and increased mortality. The importance of physical therapy as a rehabilitation strategy to avoid osteoporosis fracture cannot be over-emphasised. However, the main rehabilitation challenges relate to engagement and participation. The use of virtual rehabilitation to address such challenges in the delivery of physical improvement is gaining in popularity. As there currently is a paucity of literature applying virtual rehabilitation to patients with osteoporosis, the authors broadened the search parameters to include articles relating to the virtual rehabilitation of other skeletal disorders (e.g. Ankylosing spondylitis, spinal cord injury, motor rehabilitation, etc.). This systematic review initially identified 130 titles, from which 23 articles (involving 539 participants) met all eligibility and selection criteria. Four groups of devices supporting virtual rehabilitation were identified: a head-mounted display, a balance board, a camera and more specific devices. Each device supported physical improvement (i.e. balance, muscle strength and gait) post-training. This review has shown that: (a) each device allowed improvement with different degrees of immersion, (b) the technology choice is dependent on the care need and (c) virtual rehabilitation can be equivalent to and enhance conventional therapy and potentially increase the patient’s engagement with physical therapy.
Root surface roughness evaluation following application of different periodontal instruments and Er:YAG laser: A profilometry and SEM study
Authors: İnce Kuka Gizem , Gürsoy Hare 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Aim
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of 30°-angled Er:YAG laser tip and different periodontal instruments on root surface roughness and morphology in vitro.

Methods
Eighteen bovine teeth root without carious lesion were decoronated from the cementoenamel junction and seperated longitidunally. A total of 36 obtained blocks were mounted in resin blocks and polished with silicon carbide papers under water irrigation. These blocks were randomly assigned into 3 treatment groups. In Group 1, 30°-angled Er:YAG laser (2.94 μm) tip was applied onto the blocks with a 20 Hz, 120 mJ energy output under water irrigation for 20 s. In Groups 2 and 3, the same treatment was applied to the blocks with new generation ultrasonic tip and conventional curette apico-coronally for 20 s with a sweeping motion. Surface roughness and morphology were evaluated before and after instrumentation with a profilometer and SEM, respectively.

Results
After instrumentation, profilometric analysis revealed significantly higher roughness values compared to baseline in all treatment groups(p < 0.05). Laser group revealed the roughest surface morphology followed by conventional curette and new generation ultrasonic tip treatment groups (p < 0.05). In SEM analysis, irregular surfaces and crater defects were seen more frequently in the laser group.

Conclusion
Results of the study showed that the use of new generation ultrasonic tip was associated with smoother surface morphology compared to 30°-angled Er-YAG laser tip and conventional curette. Further in vitro and in vivo studies with an increased sample size are necessary to support the present study findings.
Development and validation of a nomogram to predict overall survival in patients with redefined anaplastic thyroid carcinoma based on the SEER database
Authors: Zhang Chuyue , Li Bin , Yang Yan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
According to the latest classification of thyroid tumors released by the WHO in 2022, primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid (PSCCTh) is classified as anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). The objective of this study was to determine the differences in characteristics between ATC and PSCCTh and develop a nomogram to predict overall survival patients with the redefined anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (rATC).

Methods
Patients diagnosed with ATC and PSCCTh between 2000 and 2018 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were enrolled and randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort with a ratio of 7:3. Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using log-rank tests. The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to determine independent prognostic factors of rATC patients. We then developed and validated nomograms to predict the 3-, 6- and 12-month OS of rATC and the results were evaluated by C-index and calibration curves.

Results
After application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 1338 ATC and 127 PSCCTh patients were included in the study. Further, OS and CSS of patients with PSCCTh were better than that of patients with ATC. Prognostic factors were not identical for the two cancers. Multivariate Cox model analysis indicated that age, tumor size, metastasis, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy are independent prognostic factors for CSS in patients with ATC; while for patients with PSCCTh, the corresponding factors are age, and surgery. We selected six survival predictors (age, tumor size, metastasis, surgery, radiation, and, chemotherapy) for nomogram construction. The C-indexes in the training and validation cohort were 0.740 and 0.778, respectively, reflecting the good discrimination ability of the model. The calibration curves also showed good consistency in the probability of 3-, 6-, and 12-month OS between the actual observation and the nomogram prediction.

Conclusion
We constructed a nomogram to provide a convenient and reliable tool for predicting OS in rATC patients. Prognostic factors influencing CSS were not identical in patients with ATC and PSCCTh. These findings indicate that different clinical treatment and management plans are required for patients with these two types of thyroid cancer.
Exploring Ca and Sr stannate perovskites as adsorbents for Congo Red removal
Authors: Reinders Nataliia , Luxová Jana , Dohnalová Žaneta , Šulcová Petra 
Published: April 2024

AbstractOrganic azo-dyes, including Congo Red, present a significant environmental concern due to their widespread industrial usage and resistance to biodegradation, leading to severe contamination of effluents. This study explores the efficacy of two basic perovskites (MSnO3, where M = Ca and Sr) in removing Congo Red by adsorption, offering a potential solution for wastewater treatment. The synthesis of the adsorbents was performed by a coprecipitation technique, an effective and no-waste producing method. By adjusting reaction conditions, the physical-chemical characteristics of the perovskites, including crystallinity, morphological features, surface area and porosity, were controlled. Adsorption studies conducted across a range of Congo Red concentrations (10–100 mg L− 1) at pH 10 revealed MSnO3 to possess exceptional adsorption capacity exceeding 100 mg per gram. The results indicate irreversible adsorption and potential adsorbent regeneration by thermal treatment. Slow kinetics also suggest strong binding forces aligned with the fundamentals of pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetic model. Regarding the impact of the synthesis parameters, while the precipitation conditions may not significantly influence adsorption performance, perovskite samples synthesized at higher temperatures are considered more suitable for this application due to their enhanced stability and regenerative capabilities for repeated use. Estimated correlations between sample parameters and adsorption efficiency provide a valuable insight for the practical application of oxide perovskites in addressing dye contamination issues.
Dynamical low-rank approximation of the Vlasov–Poisson equation with piecewise linear spatial boundary
Authors: Uschmajew André , Zeiser Andreas 
Published: April 2024

AbstractDynamical low-rank approximation (DLRA) for the numerical simulation of Vlasov–Poisson equations is based on separation of space and velocity variables, as proposed in several recent works. The standard approach for the time integration in the DLRA model uses a splitting of the tangent space projector for the low-rank manifold according to the separated variables. It can also be modified to allow for rank-adaptivity. A less studied aspect is the incorporation of boundary conditions in the DLRA model. In this work, a variational formulation of the projector splitting is proposed which allows to handle inflow boundary conditions on spatial domains with piecewise linear boundary. Numerical experiments demonstrate the principle feasibility of this approach.
Semi-explicit integration of second order for weakly coupled poroelasticity
Authors: Altmann R. , Maier R. , Unger B. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWe introduce a semi-explicit time-stepping scheme of second order for linear poroelasticity satisfying a weak coupling condition. Here, semi-explicit means that the system, which needs to be solved in each step, decouples and hence improves the computational efficiency. The construction and the convergence proof are based on the connection to a differential equation with two time delays, namely one and two times the step size. Numerical experiments confirm the theoretical results and indicate the applicability to higher-order schemes.
Body composition measures as a determinant of Alpelisib related toxicity
Authors: Shachar Eliya , Raphael Ari , Katz Uriel , Kessner Rivka , Shachar Shlomit Strulov 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Body composition has emerged as an important prognostic factor in patients treated with cancer. Severe depletion of skeletal muscle, sarcopenia, has been associated with poor performance status and worse oncological outcomes. We studied patients with metastatic breast cancer receiving alpelisib, to determine if sarcopenia and additional body composition measures accounting for muscle and adiposity are associated with toxicity.

Methods
A retrospective observational analysis was conducted, including 38 women with metastatic breast cancer and a PIK3CA mutation, treated with alpelisib as advanced line of therapy. Sarcopenia was determined by measuring skeletal muscle cross-sectional area at the third lumbar vertebra using computerized tomography. Various body composition metrics were assessed along with drug toxicity, dose reductions, treatment discontinuation, hospitalizations, time to treatment failure and overall survival.

Results
Sarcopenia was observed in half of the patients (n = 19, 50%), spanning normal weight, overweight, and obese individuals. Among the body composition measures, lower skeletal muscle density (SMD) was associated with an increased risk of treatment-related hyperglycaemia (P = 0.03). Additionally, lower visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was associated with alpelisib-induced rash (P = 0.04) and hospitalizations (P = 0.04). Notably, alpelisib treatment discontinuation was not impacted by alpelisib toxicity.

Conclusion
Body composition measures, specifically SMD and VAT may provide an opportunity to identify patients at higher risk for severe alpelisib related hyperglycemia, and cutaneous toxicity. These findings suggest the potential use of body composition assessment to caution toxicity risk, allowing for personalized therapeutic observation and intervention.
A systematic mapping on software testing for blockchains
Authors: Elakaş Anıl , Sözer Hasan , Şafak Ilgın , Kalkan Kübra 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to identify and classify studies published on software testing techniques applied to blockchain systems. Previously published reviews in related areas have a narrow focus and/or do not follow a systematic review protocol. We conducted a systematic mapping based on an initial selection of 1025 studies. A rigorous selection process resulted in a final pool of 17 primary studies. These studies are categorized with respect to the employed testing methods, considered quality attributes, and functionality. We observe that most of the publications focus on testing functional correctness or security, whereas the testing of runtime performance attracts less attention. Existing approaches mostly employ fuzz testing or mutation testing. Search-based testing is usually combined with these techniques. The application of model-based testing is rare. The adaptability of fuzz testing and model-based testing techniques to changing blockchain platforms and languages remains a concern. On the other hand, performance and scalability issues are noted for search-based techniques and mutation testing. The use and integration of multiple testing techniques also stand out as a viable research direction.
Autism Knowledge Assessments: A Closer Examination of Validity by Autism Experts
Authors: McMahon Camilla M. , McClain Maryellen Brunson , Wells Savannah , Thompson Sophia , Shahidullah Jeffrey D. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPurpose: The goal of the current study was to conduct a substantive validity review of four autism knowledge assessments with prior psychometric support (Gillespie-Lynch in J Autism and Dev Disord 45(8):2553–2566, 2015; Harrison in J Autism and Dev Disord 47(10):3281–3295, 2017; McClain in J Autism and Dev Disord 50(3):998–1006, 2020; McMahon in Res Autism Spectr Disord 71:101499, 2020). 69 autism experts who served on the editorial board of one or more peer-reviewed autism journals evaluated the accuracy and ambiguity of autism knowledge questions. 34% of the questions were flagged as “potentially problematic” for accuracy, and 17% of the questions were flagged as “potentially problematic” for ambiguity. Autism expert feedback revealed three themes across ambiguous questions: (1) an oversimplification of mixed or still-evolving research literature, (2) an insufficient recognition of the heterogeneity of the autism spectrum, and (3) a lack of clarity in the question/answer prompt. Substantive validity of future autism knowledge assessments should be carefully evaluated via feedback from a diverse group of autism experts and/or potential respondents. Potentially problematic questions can be removed or modified to improve the validity of autism knowledge assessments.