bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiological Abnormalities in Finger Extension Weakness and DOwnbeat Nystagmus Motor Neuron Disease: Three New Patients and Review of the Literature
Authors: Theuriet Julian , Bernard Emilien , Guy Nathalie , Taithe Frédéric , Even Cécilia , Maisonobe Thierry , Sangaré Aude , Lardeux Pierre , Tilikete Caroline Froment , Couratier Philippe , Lenglet Timothée , Pegat Antoine 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTIntroduction/AimsFinger Extension Weakness and DOwnbeat Nystagmus Motor Neuron Disease (FEWDON‐MND) is characterized by motor weakness predominantly affecting finger extension, accompanied by downbeat nystagmus. To date, only 11 patients have been reported. The present study adds a further three and aims to provide a more detailed description of the electrodiagnostic features of these patients.MethodsWe present the clinical and electrophysiological features of three French patients from specialized motor neuron centers and review the electrophysiological findings of previously reported patients.ResultsThese three patients presented with pure motor weakness affecting finger extension and downbeat nystagmus. They exhibited a slowly progressive disease course without respiratory involvement. Nerve conduction studies showed decreased compound muscle action potential amplitudes in the extensor indicis muscles. Abnormal spontaneous activity on needle electromyography (EMG) was rare in two patients, absent in one, and otherwise limited to weak muscles. Additionally, chronic motor axon loss features suggestive of motor neuronopathy were seen in our patients. Importantly, they were also detected in distant asymptomatic muscles.DiscussionThe three patients reported here confirm the typical phenotype of FEWDON‐MND, characterized by slowly progressive distal motor weakness initially affecting finger extension, associated with downbeat nystagmus. Although chronic motor axon loss features have been found in all reported patients, our three patients show that active denervation can be absent or rare. Thus, finger drop and diffuse chronic neurogenic changes on EMG should lead clinicians to look for downbeat nystagmus and to consider FEWDON‐MND.
Uncertainty Quantification of the Short‐ and Long‐Term Behavior of COx Claystone and Reliability Analysis of the IL‐LLW Repository's Concrete Liner Based on In Situ Convergence Data
Authors: Do Duc Phi , Vu Minh Ngoc , Nguyen Truong Toan , Hoxha Dashnor , Armand Gilles 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThe excavation‐induced fractured zone (EFZ) and the anisotropic evolution in time of drifts’ convergence, as observed in the Mesue/Haute‐Marne Underground Researche Laboratory (MHM URL), reveal the complex behavior of Callovo‐Oxfordian (COx) claystone, the host formation for geological radioactive waste disposal project (Cigéo) in France. Especially, the dispersion of the in situ convergence monitoring exhibits the non‐negligible uncertainty of the host rock properties that must be quantified and considered in the stability analysis of the repositories’ support systems. In this work, the well‐known Bayesian inference with the transitional Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling technique is chosen to quantify the uncertainty of the short‐ and long‐term behavior of COx claystone and EFZ using the convergence data of a drift excavated in the major horizontal stress direction. An engineering approach is adopted to simulate the anisotropy of drift convergence. To reduce the computational cost of the numerical model prediction during the probabilistic inversion, the artificial neural network–based surrogate is chosen. The uncertainty of the visco‐elastoplastic behavior of COx claystone, as well as the uncertainty of the EFZ shape, is then considered in the reliability analysis of the concrete liner of an intermediate‐level long‐lived radioactive (IL‐LLW) repository. The numerical applications allow verifying the robustness of the current design for the repository support system.
Volume and Mass Conservation in Lagrangian Meshfree Methods
Authors: Suchde Pratik , Leithäuser Christian , Kuhnert Jörg , Bordas Stéphane P. A. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTMeshfree Lagrangian frameworks for free surface flow simulations do not conserve fluid volume. Meshfree particle methods like SPH are not mimetic, in the sense that discrete mass conservation does not imply discrete volume conservation. On the other hand, meshfree collocation methods typically do not use any notion of mass. As a result, they are neither mass conservative nor volume conservative at the discrete level. In this paper, we give an overview of various sources of conservation errors across different meshfree methods. The present work focuses on one specific issue: inconsistent volume and mass definitions. We introduce the concept of representative masses and densities, which are essential for accurate post‐processing in meshfree collocation methods. Using these, we introduce an artificial compressibility in the fluid to reduce errors in volume conservation. Numerical experiments show that the introduced frameworks significantly improve volume conservation behaviour in meshfree collocation methods, even for complex industrial test cases such as automotive water crossing.
Nurses' Sleep Quality and Its Influencing Factors During the First Explosive COVID‐19 Outbreak in Zhejiang, China, After the Relaxation of Epidemic Prevention and Control Measures: A Multicentre Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Lu Lifen , Sheng Di , Zhu Yaling , Xia Xiaowei , Chen Guanghui , Liang Jiali , Shen Xiulan , Zheng Gui 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTAimTo investigate the sleep quality and its influencing factors among nurses in hospitals in Zhejiang, China, during the first explosive COVID‐19 outbreak following the relaxation of prevention and control measures.DesignA multicentre cross‐sectional study.MethodsBetween 10 January and 20 January 2023—approximately 1 month after the policy was loosened—a total of 573 nurses from tertiary and community hospitals in Zhejiang participated in an online, self‐administered survey. The participants were recruited using convenience sampling, and the survey was distributed via the WeChat platform. The survey included a general information form; the Self‐Rating Scale of Sleep (SRSS); the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale‐21 (DASS‐21); the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS); and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26.0. Statistical methods employed included t‐tests, one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi‐square tests and Mann–Whitney U‐tests for comparisons between groups. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to analyse the relationship between the SRSS score and the DASS‐21, PSSS and BRS scores. A multiple linear stepwise regression analysis was conducted to determine the independent influencing factors of sleep quality.ResultsMore than 90% of the nurses were infected with COVID‐19, and 60.6% had sleep disorders. The regression analysis revealed that anxiety, the BRS score, comorbidities, hospital grade, clinical front‐line, age and COVID‐19 infection independently predicted sleep quality. The scores for several SRSS items were higher than the Chinese norm, especially for the nurses in tertiary hospitals.Patient and Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.
Development of Low‐Viscosity Silicone Rubber With Variable Hardness for Precise Microfabrication
Authors: Kimura Yusuke , Yoshimura Kimio , Omichi Masaaki , Oyama Tomoko G. , Oyama Kotaro , Hoshina Hiroyuki , Seko Noriaki , Kimura Atsushi , Taguchi Mitsumasa 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTSilicone rubbers, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), have been widely used in biotechnology and medical science because of their excellent properties. However, microfabrication of silicone rubbers remains to be problematic because of the high viscosity and adhesiveness (tackiness) of silicone rubber, making it difficult to fill molds and reproduce shapes during soft lithography. Also, the patterns made of soft silicone rubber are prone to pattern collapse. To address these, we designed molecules that can be modified by radiation and whose hardness can be adjusted after microfabrication. By combining materials with different chemical structures and molecular weights, we developed a silicone rubber with low viscosity and adhesiveness suitable for radiation modification. The synthesized silicone rubbers had a high filling ability in micropatterned molds and low adhesiveness, which prevented pattern collapse. Moreover, the elastic modulus of silicone rubbers can be controlled using high‐energy electron beam (EB) irradiation. The radiation‐modified silicone rubber sheet retained its high transparency to visible light, high oxygen permeability, and low drug adsorption and adhesion. By utilizing these characteristics, a new technique was developed that produces microfabricated structures with different hardness and hydrophilicity using imprinting technology followed by EB irradiation. Soft lithography was then performed on the developed silicone rubber to transfer the micropillar structure. Pillar shapes were accurately fabricated with a diameter of 1.0 μm or less along the mold, which is difficult to fabricate with conventional PDMS. This new silicone rubber overcomes the problems associated with conventional silicone rubber and is a promising material for high‐performance medical microdevices.
Extracellular matrix cancer‐associated fibroblasts promote stromal fibrosis and immune exclusion in triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Lu Xunxi , Gou Zongchao , Chen Hong , Li Li , Chen Fei , Bao Chunjuan , Bu Hong , Zhang Zhang 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe impact of high heterogeneity of cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) on triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) immunotherapy response has not been fully elucidated, restricting progress in precision immuno‐oncology. We integrated single‐cell transcriptomic data from 18 TNBC patients and analyzed fibroblast subpopulations. Extracellular matrix CAFs (ecmCAFs) were identified as a fibroblast subpopulation with distinct ECM‐associated characteristics. The ecmCAFs were significantly enriched in TNBC patients with residual disease after neoadjuvant immunotherapy and contributed to a fibrotic tumor microenvironment and T‐cell exclusion. Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) positive macrophages (SPP1+ Mφs) were closely localized to ecmCAFs and produced more transforming growth factor beta (TGFB1), interleukin 1 beta (IL1B), and SPP1 under hypoxic conditions. SPP1+ Mφs were found to facilitate the differentiation of normal breast fibroblasts to ecmCAFs, thus promoting ECM remodeling and stromal fibrosis. Our work revealed the critical role of ecmCAFs in generating a desmoplastic architecture and driving immunosuppression in TNBC. © 2025 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Spawning site selection by invasive Asian toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) in eastern Madagascar
Authors: Muller Benjamin J , Harison Rodino Fetraharijaona , Randriamanantena Nomenjanahary Faly , Allen‐Ankins Slade , Schwarzkopf Lin 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBACKGROUNDInvasive species are a major threat to biodiversity on a global scale. Control strategies for these species could be improved by understanding and exploiting life history vulnerabilities. For example, most invasive anurans require waterbodies with specific characteristics for spawning; therefore, modifying these characteristics could influence spawning success. Asian toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) were accidentally introduced to the east coast of Madagascar around 2010, and have since established and spread across an area exceeding 850 km2. To determine if Asian toads select spawning sites with specific characteristics within their invaded range, we surveyed habitat characteristics at 30 waterbodies used by toads for spawning, and compared these to characteristics at 30 adjacent, unused waterbodies, in urban and rural areas in eastern Madagascar.RESULTSToads selectively oviposited in small waterbodies with gently sloping banks, while the structure of surrounding vegetation, water chemistry (salinity, water temperature), presence of other species, depth of the waterbody, and substrate of the waterbody bank did not appear to influence spawning site selection.CONCLUSIONOur results provide a pathway to examine modification of potential Asian toad spawning sites as a management strategy for these invasive pests. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
The role of boundary‐layer friction in modulating midlatitude heatwaves
Authors: Russo E. , Wicker W. , Folini D. , Domeisen D. I. V. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractHeatwaves are among the most harmful extreme events, impacting human health, ecosystems, and infrastructure. Heatwaves are driven and modulated by a range of dynamical and thermodynamic factors, but their relative importance for the characteristics of these extremes, such as intensity, frequency, and location, for example, is not fully resolved. Dynamical models allow for a better understanding of the physical drivers of heatwaves, and idealised models in particular allow us to discriminate between the effects of different components of the climate system on heatwaves. One such factor is the boundary‐layer friction associated with different surface types, which is known to influence the dynamics of the atmosphere. The geography and land cover of continental surfaces, as well as local characteristics in surface roughness, can influence the atmospheric circulation. In this study, we use an idealised general circulation model to conduct sensitivity experiments testing the role of changes in local and global boundary‐layer friction for midlatitude heatwaves. The number of heatwave days and events is found to be larger for areas where the jet stream is strongly decelerated as a consequence of a local increase in boundary‐layer friction. This effect strengthens when increasing the areas of modified friction. Changes in boundary‐layer friction applied over areas with a geographical location and extent similar to those of continental areas of the Northern Hemisphere result in heatwave day differences of up to 20% between different locations at the same latitudes. These findings highlight how the extent, surface properties, and geographic position of continental and smaller land masses influence heatwave occurrence through their frictional effects on atmospheric dynamics.
Finite‐Time Adaptive Tracking Control for Non‐Linear Networked Control Systems With Prescribed Performance Under Unknown Deception Attacks
Authors: Zou Xia , Liu Ruonan , Zong Guangdeng , Wang Wencheng 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the finite‐time adaptive tracking control problem for non‐linear networked control systems with prescribed performance under unknown deception attacks. To mitigate the effects caused by unknown deception attacks, a series of auxiliary signals and attack compensators are reasonably constructed to overcome the unavailability problem of the compromised state variables. Besides, the neural network approximation technique is utilized to address unknown non‐linear terms and actuator deception attacks. Further, an equivalent system model is acquired by introducing the intermediate transformations of the tracking error and the prescribed performance function. Then, a finite‐time adaptive tracking controller is designed based on the neural network and the backstepping techniques. Moreover, it is mathematically rigorously proved that all the signals of the closed‐loop system are bounded and the tracking error converges within the predefined boundary in a finite‐time. Finally, an example application of a single‐link robotic arm system is applied to verify the effectiveness of the designed control algorithm.
Three‐dimensional characterization of particle morphology in natural gravel and blasted rock fragments using SfM‐MVS photogrammetry
Authors: Liu Hongchen , Zhang Zitao , Su Huaizhi , Zhang Xuedong , Hu Jing 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThis study aims to develop a high‐precision and cost‐efficient method for the three‐dimensional reconstruction of large particles in natural gravel and blasted rock fragments, utilizing Structure from Motion (SfM) and Multi‐View Stereo (MVS) techniques. The proposed approach was applied to characterize the three‐dimensional morphology of rockfill dam materials at a real construction site. Particle shape was quantitatively analyzed using shape indices of sphericity, convexity, and angularity. The predominant morphology of natural gravel is characterized as slightly elongated and slightly flat, while rock fragments are slightly elongated and not flat. Probability density distributions of shape indices follow a skewed normal distribution: sphericity and convexity show leftward skewness, whereas angularity is right‐skewed. Skewness parameters of sphericity and angularity are consistent between natural gravel and blasted rock fragments, indicating comparable shape asymmetry. Convexity skewness is significantly higher in natural gravel compared to rock fragments, by approximately an order of magnitude. The relationship between size and particle shape shows that form ratios and associated shape descriptors change linearly with the logarithm of size; larger particles approach spherical or cubic forms. The innovative measurements contribute to the particle shape data set of rockfill dam materials, providing valuable insights into the three‐dimensional and statistical morphological characteristics of relatively large particles in natural gravel and blasted rock fragments. This approach enhances understanding of particle morphology's impact on the mechanical behavior of granular materials.
Reverse Time‐to‐Death as Time‐Scale in Time‐to‐Event Analysis for Studies of Advanced Illness and Palliative Care
Authors: Cheung Yin Bun , Ma Xiangmei , Chaudhry Isha , Liu Nan , Zhuang Qingyuan , Yang Grace Meijuan , Malhotra Chetna , Finkelstein Eric Andrew 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTIncidence of adverse outcome events rises as patients with advanced illness approach end‐of‐life. Exposures that tend to occur near end‐of‐life, for example, use of wheelchair, oxygen therapy and palliative care, may therefore be found associated with the incidence of the adverse outcomes. We propose a concept of reverse time‐to‐death (rTTD) and its use for the time‐scale in time‐to‐event analysis based on partial likelihood to mitigate the time‐varying confounding. We used data on community‐based palliative care uptake (exposure) and emergency department visits (outcome) among patients with advanced cancer in Singapore to illustrate. We compare the results against that of the common practice of using time‐on‐study (TOS) as time‐scale. Graphical analysis demonstrated that cancer patients receiving palliative care had higher rate of emergency department visits than non‐recipients mainly because they were closer to end‐of‐life, and that rTTD analysis made comparison between patients at the same time‐to‐death. In analysis of a decedent cohort, emergency department visits in relation to palliative care using TOS time‐scale showed significant increase in hazard ratio estimate when observed time‐varying covariates were omitted from statistical adjustment (% change‐in‐estimate = 16.2%; 95% CI 6.4% to 25.6%). There was no such change in otherwise the same analysis using rTTD (% change‐in‐estimate = 3.1%; 95% CI ‐1.0% to 8.5%), demonstrating the ability of rTTD time‐scale to mitigate confounding that intensifies in relation to time‐to‐death. A similar pattern was found in the full cohort. Simulations demonstrated that the proposed method had smaller relative bias and root mean square error than TOS‐based analysis. In conclusion, use of rTTD as time‐scale in time‐to‐event analysis provides a simple and robust approach to control time‐varying confounding in studies of advanced illness, even if the confounders are unmeasured.
Constructing Accessible Closed Nanopores in Coal‐Derived Hard Carbon for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Fu Weixuan , Zhao Guoqiang , He Shuaijie , Yan Chenyu , Li Song , Tang Aidong , Yang Huaming 
Published: January 2025

AbstractHard carbon (HC) materials are suitable anodes for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) but still suffer from insufficient initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE). Promoting sodium storage via the pore filling mechanism is an effective way to improve the ICE, and the key here is regulating the pore structures of HC. In this work, coal‐derived HC is successfully engineered with abundant accessible closed nanopores by treating the coal precursors with a facile destructive oxidation strategy. Investigations demonstrate that the destructive oxidation strategy can not only introduce abundant oxygen‐containing functional groups (OFGs) but also decrease the size of graphitic microcrystals. Thus, the OFGs significantly enhance the crosslinking of small graphitic microcrystals and stimulate the formation of accessible closed nanopores during carbonization, which eventually improves the ICE by promoting the pore filling mechanism. The optimized HC exhibits so far the highest ICE (92.2%) among coal‐derived SIB anode materials, together with a considerable capacity of 328.5 mAh g−1 at 90 mA g−1 and a capacity retention of 95.1% after 150 cycles. The results provide guidelines for developing high‐performance HC materials toward the large‐scale application of SIBs, which is of great significance for future energy storage systems.
Passivation Mechanism in Highly Luminescent Nanocomposite‐Based CH3NH3PbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals
Authors: Noguera‐Gómez Jaume , Sagra‐Rodríguez Víctor , Chirvony Vladimir S. , Minguez‐Avellan Miriam , Eledath‐Changarath Mahesh , Sánchez‐Royo Juan F. , Martínez‐Pastor Juan P. , Boix Pablo P. , Abargues Rafael 
Published: January 2025

Water exposure significantly impacts the structure and photoluminescence (PL) of metal halide perovskites. However, humid conditions can enable the in situ synthesis of methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr3) perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) within a nickel acetate matrix, achieving PL quantum yields (PLQY) of up to 80%. The water‐driven formation and transformation of MAPbBr3 is presented, highlighting the crucial role of acetate. Comprehensive optical and structural analyses reveal that low relative humidity (RH < 20%) favors the formation of non‐emissive MA4PbBr6 (0D) and hydroxide species (PbBrOH, OH−) . Exposure to higher RH induces a structural reorganization from 0D MA4PbBr6 to 3D MAPbBr3 via a MABr‐stripping mechanism, forming NCs with enhanced PLQY. Removing ambient humidity quenches PL, a process that is reversible due to hydroxide‐mediated reactions controlled by dual acid‐base nature of the acetic acid/acetate system. Unlike previous reports, the findings reveal that hydroxide ions reversibly bind to NCs, passivating traps and improving stability. Acetate's basicity plays a critical role in generating OH−, promoting the passivation, stability, and enhanced optical properties of the perovskite nanocomposites.
Testing a new approach to teaching introductory economics: Effects on subsequent learning
Authors: Cardak Buly A. , O'Keefe Sue , Tong Yen Dan , Walker David 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe academic performance of students who take an introductory economics subject taught from CORE's The Economy is compared to the performance of students taught using the Australian adaptation of Mankiw's principles text. All students attended the same university, completing the relevant subject during the same semester. Using a difference in differences approach, it is found that the average mark for all subjects taken after the introductory economics semester is 0.26 standard deviations higher for students who took CORE Economics. The benefit extends beyond economics subjects, with students who have taken CORE Economics performing better in many business school discipline areas.