bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CellSegUNet: an improved deep segmentation model for the cell segmentation based on UNet++ and residual UNet models
Authors: Metlek Sedat 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCell nucleus segmentation is an important method that is widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, as well as counting and identifying the cell nucleus. The main challenges when using this method are heterogeneous image intensities in the image, overlapping of cell nuclei, and noise. In order to overcome these difficulties, a hybrid segmentation model with attention block, CellSegUNet, is proposed, inspired by the advantageous points of UNet++  and Residual UNet models. With the proposed attention mechanism, semantic gaps that may occur are prevented by evaluating both horizontal and vertical features together. The serial and parallel connection of the convolutional blocks in the residual modules in the CellSegUNet model prevents data loss. Thus, features with stronger representation ability were obtained. The output layer, which is, especially proposed for the CellSegUNet model, calculated the differences between the data in each layer and the data in the input layer. The output value obtained from the layer level where the lowest value comes from constitutes the output of the whole system. At the same depth level, CellSegUNet versus UNet++  and ResUNet models were compared on Data Science Bowl (DSB), Sartorius Cell Instance Segmentation (SCIS), and Blood Cell Segmentation (BCS) datasets. With the CellSegUNet model, accuracy, dice, and jaccard metrics were obtained as 0.980, 0.970, 0.959 for the DSB dataset, 0.931, 0.957, 0.829 for the SCIS dataset and 0.976, 0.971, 0.927 for the BCS dataset, respectively. As a result, it is predicted that the proposed model can provide solutions to different segmentation problems.
Conservative or surgical management of orbital schwannomas: a population-based case series
Authors: El-Hajj Victor Gabriel , Singh Aman , Norin Cecilia , Edström Erik , Bohman Elin , Elmi-Terander Adrian 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Orbital schwannomas (OS) are rare occurrences with no more than 500 cases reported in the literature. The tumor’s potential to compromise the delicate neuro-ophthalmic structures within the orbit prompts surgical removal. Tumor removal is performed by ophthalmologists, often requiring a multidisciplinary surgical approach. The literature contains a very limited number of cases managed non-surgically. However, the inherent risks of orbital surgery warrant a comparison of the outcomes of conservative and surgical management strategies.

Aims
To review the national Swedish experience with the management of orbital schwannomas.

Methods
The study center is the primary Swedish referral center for the multidisciplinary management of orbital tumors, including schwannomas. During the period of 2005 to 2021, 16 patients with an OS diagnosis were managed at the center.

Results
Four patients initially underwent surgery where gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in three (75%) and subtotal resection (STR) in one (25%) case. The remaining 12 patients, who had a low risk of neuro-ophthalmic impairment, were managed conservatively with radiological and clinical examinations at regular intervals. After an average follow-up of 17 months, surgery was performed in three of these cases (25%). No recurrences or tumor growths were detected on radiological follow-ups (mean 50 months), and all patients experienced postoperative improvement at clinical follow-up (mean 65 months). The remainder of the conservatively treated patients (n=9) experienced no clinical progression (mean 30 months). A slight radiological tumor progression was detected in one patient after 17 months.

Conclusion
There were no differences in long-term outcome between patients who had been managed with early surgery and those operated later after an initially conservative management. Conservatively treated patients had minimal to no symptoms and remained clinically stable throughout the follow-up period. Based on these findings, conservative management may successfully be adopted in cases with mild symptoms, no signs of compressive optic neuropathy and low risk of neuro-ophthalmic impairment. Conversion to surgical management is indicated upon clinical deterioration or tumor growth. Based on the findings of this study a decision tree for the management of orbital schwannomas is suggested.
Ray tracing-based construction of 3D background model for real-time stereoscopic rendering of live immersive video
Authors: Kim Youngwook , Yun Jehyeong , Yun Joungil , Kwak Sangwoon , Ihm Insung 
Published: January 2024

AbstractImmersive video stored in multiview video-plus-depth format can provide viewers with vivid immersive experiences. However, rendering such video in real time in immersive environments remains a challenging task due to the high resolution and refresh rate demanded by recent extended reality displays. An essential issue in this immersive rendering is the disocclusion problem that inevitably occurs when virtual views are synthesized via the de facto standard 3D warping technique. In this paper, we present a novel virtual view synthesis framework that, from a live immersive video stream, renders stereoscopic images in real time for a freely moving virtual viewer. The main difference from previous approaches is that the surrounding background environment of the immersive video’s virtual scene is progressively reproduced on the fly directly in the 3D space while the input stream is being rendered. To allow this, we propose a new 3D background modeling scheme that, based on GPU-accelerated real-time ray tracing, efficiently and incrementally builds the background model in compact 3D triangular mesh. Then, we demonstrate that the 3D background environment can effectively alleviate the critical disocclusion problem in the immersive rendering, eventually reducing spatial and temporal aliasing artifacts. It is also suggested that the 3D representation of background environment enables extension of the virtual environment of immersive video by interactively adding 3D visual effects during rendering.
Usefulness of the Berg Balance Scale for prediction of fall risk in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Ayvat Ender , Doğan Mert , Ayvat Fatma , Kılınç Özge Onursal , Sütçü Gülşah , Kılınç Muhammed , Yıldırım Sibel Aksu 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Introduction
The Berg Balance Scale, possibly the most widely used balance-related measure, has gained popularity in clinical trials. It provides information about patients’ balance-related abilities and can be used to assess improvement or worsening after rehabilitation. The aim of this study is to determine the cut-off value of the Berg Balance Scale for the fall risk in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods
This study was designed as a prospective descriptive trial, and 186 patients with MS were included. Fall history was recorded by interview; balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS).

Results
The mean ages of 96 patients with a fall history within the previous month and 90 patients without a fall history were 35.98 ± 8.58 and 35.71 ± 9.33 years, respectively. The mean value of the BBS score of the faller group was 49.44 ± 5.43 while 52.36 ± 3.53 in non-faller group. The cut-off value of the BBS for fall risk in patients with MS was determined as 50.50 points.

Conclusions
For patient safety and the success of rehabilitation, it is crucial to evaluate the risk of falling in patients with MS, one of the neurological patient groups where complaints about falling are most prevalent. The results showed that BBS is a sensitive and specific measure for identifying in patients with MS at risk of falling.
Multimodal repetitions in children’s co-construction of arguments
Authors: Schönfelder Nora 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe study examines the interactive functions of gesture repetitions as a specific form of interpersonal synchronization in argumentative decision-making processes of peers (1–6 graders). Based on a collection of 13 instances, gesture repetitions are investigated in the process of collaboratively co-constructing arguments. Drawing on multimodal interaction analysis, a description is provided of how gestures are aligned and laminated with other multimodal resources, such as body posture and gaze, into multimodal repetitions during the co-construction of both arguments and counterarguments. The study illustrates the way in which multimodal repetitions serve to mark coherence between the participants’ turns and contribute to the argument. As the multimodal resources are highly synchronized with each other, multimodal repetitions also make the collaboration of specific participants publicly visible to all interactants, thereby attaching more importance to the sharedness—and persuasiveness—of the constructed argument. The analysis therefore focuses on both depictive and pragmatic gestures that are conceived as parts of multimodal gestalts (Mondada, 2014), and describes different trajectories of co-constructions that entail interactively successful as well as unsuccessful examples.
Nonuniform sliding-window reconstruction for accelerated dual contrast agent quantification with MR fingerprinting
Authors: Marriott Anna , Rioux James , Brewer Kimberly 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Objective
MR fingerprinting (MRF) can enable preclinical studies of cell tracking by quantifying multiple contrast agents simultaneously, but faster scan times are required for in vivo applications. Sliding window (SW)-MRF is one option for accelerating MRF, but standard implementations are not sufficient to preserve the accuracy of T2*, which is critical for tracking iron-labelled cells in vivo.

Purpose
To develop a SW approach to MRF which preserves the T2* accuracy required for accelerated concentration mapping of iron-labelled cells on single-channel preclinical systems.

Methods
A nonuniform SW was applied to the MRF sequence and dictionary. Segments of the sequence most sensitive to T2* were subject to a shorter window length, preserving the T2* sensitivity. Phantoms containing iron-labelled CD8+ T cells and gadolinium were used to compare 24× undersampled uniform and nonuniform SW-MRF parameter maps. Dual concentration maps were generated for both uniform and nonuniform MRF and compared.

Results
Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient, compared to gold standard parameter values, was much greater for nonuniform SW-MRF than for uniform SW-MRF. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed no significant difference between nonuniform SW-MRF and gold standards. Nonuniform SW-MRF outperformed the uniform SW-MRF concentration maps for all parameters, providing a balance between T2* sensitivity of short window lengths, and SNR of longer window lengths.

Conclusions
Nonuniform SW-MRF improves the accuracy of matching compared to uniform SW-MRF, allowing higher accelerated concentration mapping for preclinical systems.
Assessment of the effects of different variable weights on wildfire susceptibility
Authors: Sari Fatih 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn this study, wildfire susceptibility is mapped using various multi-criteria decision analysis techniques (AHP, SAW and VIKOR) and machine learning algorithms (MaxEnt and logistic regression) to reveal the response of models for wildfires. In this study, it is suggested that using natural weights generated by machine learning algorithms instead of artificial weights in MCDA methods can increase the reliability of susceptibility maps because wildfires have very close relationship with climatic, topographic and environmental variables. The contribution rates (natural weights) were obtained using machine learning algorithms and incorporated into MCDA methods to make the spatial relationships between variables more obvious. As a result, eight susceptibility maps were generated using MCDA methods, MaxEnt and logistic regression algorithms. Correlation analysis showed that using natural weights instead of artificial weights increased the correlation between MCDA methods and machine learning algorithms. Each correlation value increased by 10% on average and the highest increase was determined between VIKOR and logistic regression from 0.6286 to 0.7580 when natural weights were used. In addition, 1035 existing wildfire locations were used to evaluate the reliability of generated maps. The results showed that the average risk values of 1035 wildfire locations increased from 6.04 to 7.23 using AHP, from 0.66 to 0.79 using SAW and from 0.35 to 0.25 using the VIKOR method. This indicates a significant increase in the accuracy and reliability of susceptibility maps produced when natural weights determined by machine learning algorithms are used in MCDA methods.
CMSV: a New Cloud Multi-Agents for Self-Driving Vehicles as a Services
Authors: Nasr Aida A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe development of autonomous vehicles has changed the way of transmitting goods to users, with the potential to improve road safety and efficiency. One of the effective issues of self-driving vehicles is path planning issue. In this paper, a new system is proposed for addressing the potential of using multi-agent systems (MAS) to address path planning problems in autonomous vehicles. The system is called Cloud Multi-Agents for Self-Driving Vehicles as A Services (CMSV). It is used to solve the dependent delivery problem, where the vehicle transmits the goods/deliveries, that are dependent on each other, to specific locations in ordering or with specific directions. The new system consists of three phases: (1) converting the problem into TSP sub problems according to deliveries dependency, (2) applying GDC to select the good solutions (3) applying multi-agent system to select the optimal solution. The proposed system is compared with systems that use a genetic algorithm, Ant Colony algorithm, Particle Swarm Optimization and The Harris hawk optimization (HHO) algorithm. From the findings, we find that the proposed system is more efficient than the other systems.
The behaviour of aluminium, manganese, iron, cobalt, and lead in the subarctic Pacific Ocean: boundary scavenging and temporal changes
Authors: Chan Cheuk-Yin , Zheng Linjie , Sohrin Yoshiki 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAluminium (Al), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), and lead (Pb) are trace metals that exhibit significant scavenging tendencies in the oceans. This study presents the full-depth distributions of the dissolved (d) and labile particulate (lp) fractions of these five elements in the subarctic Pacific Ocean, obtained during the GEOTRACES Japan KH-17-3 cruise. Along the 145° W meridional transect, the d and lp species of Al, Mn, Fe, and Co reflected fluvial supply from Alaska and benthic input from the continental shelf. We estimated that the boundary-scavenging zone has a width of approximately 250 km off Alaska. Along the 47° N zonal transect (GEOTRACES GP02 Line), we found input of trace metals from the Okhotsk and Bering Seas in the west, contrasting to the limited input of trace metals due to boundary scavenging in the east. The hydrothermal activity of the Juan de Fuca Ridge influenced the distribution of deep-water trace metals at the easternmost station, CL-21. Temporal change in the vertical profiles of dPb in the middle of the subarctic gyre highlighted a decline in anthropogenic Pb emissions from 2005 to 2017. Temporal change of the vertical profiles of Al, Mn, and Fe at 47° N, 160° E from 2011 to 2017 indicates the influence of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In particular, lp trace metals were brought by tsunami and ocean circulation in 2011, and decreased over time through scavenging.
Toward Characterizing Lymphatic Vasculature in the Mammary Gland During Normal Development and Tumor-Associated Remodeling
Authors: Dahms Petra , Lyons Traci R 
Published: January 2024

AbstractLymphatic vasculature has been shown to promote metastatic spread of breast cancer. Lymphatic vasculature, which is made up of larger collecting vessels and smaller capillaries, has specialized cell junctions that facilitate cell intravasation. Normally, these junctions are designed to collect immune cells and other cellular components for immune surveillance by lymph nodes, but they are also utilized by cancer cells to facilitate metastasis. Although lymphatic development overall in the body has been well-characterized, there has been little focus on how the lymphatic network changes in the mammary gland during stages of remodeling such as pregnancy, lactation, and postpartum involution. In this review, we aim to define the currently known lymphangiogenic factors and lymphatic remodeling events during mammary gland morphogenesis. Furthermore, we juxtapose mammary gland pubertal development and postpartum involution to show similarities of pro-lymphangiogenic signaling as well as other molecular signals for epithelial cell survival that are critical in these morphogenic stages. The similar mechanisms include involvement of M2-polarized macrophages that contribute to matrix remodeling and vasculogenesis; signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) survival and proliferation signaling; and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2)/Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling to promote ductal and lymphatic expansion. Investigation and characterization of lymphangiogenesis in the normal mammary gland can provide insight to targetable mechanisms for lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic spread of tumor cells in breast cancer.
Facilitators and Barriers to Implementing Interventions to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders in Blue-Collar Workers: A Scoping Review
Authors: der Meer Suzan Mooren-van , Smit Denise J. M. , Hutting Nathan , van Lankveld Wim , Engels Josephine , Reneman Michiel , Pelgrim Thomas , Staal J. Bart 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Blue-collar workers generally have less healthy lifestyles, poorer health, and a lower life expectancy than white-collar workers. At least in part this may be attributed to their work and working conditions. Employers increasingly provide interventions to improve health and wellbeing and prevent musculoskeletal disorders. However, they often do not reach blue-collar workers. The aim of this scoping review was to identify the facilitators for and barriers to implementing such interventions among blue-collar workers.

Methods
A scoping review in which the study population of the selected studies consists of blue-collar workers (≥ 18 years old) in paid employment. Furthermore, included studies should report facilitators and barriers to implementing interventions to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. The literature search was conducted in six databases. The resulting studies were extracted with the help of the updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Results
15 articles were included; these were reviews, intervention studies, qualitative studies and process evaluations. A main facilitator was a participatory approach, which involves the blue-collar worker in the entire process of defining, developing, and implementing a multidimensional preventive intervention. The main barriers on the worker level were unfavorable worker characteristics and unsupportive behavior/attitudes. The main barriers on the organization level were a culture with a high production standard, a hierarchical culture, inflexible work, and an unsupportive attitude from the employer.

Conclusion
This review showed the multifaceted nature of implementation. A tailored implementation plan that involves the stakeholders (including workers) is important.
Hydroxycarbonate apatite formation, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial properties of rubidium-doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles
Authors: Pantulap Usanee , Unalan Irem , Zheng Kai , Boccaccini Aldo R. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractRubidium (Rb) has been shown to impact biological activity. This work synthesized Rb-doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs) based on the composition 70SiO2–30CaO mol% with a sol-gel method. Rb2O was substituted for CaO in concentrations of 5 and 10 mol%. The influence of Rb incorporation on the hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) formation, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial capacity of particles was evaluated. XRD analysis confirmed the amorphous structure of the particles. In vitro, biomineralization studies showed HCA on the surface of MBGN and Rb-doped MBGN pellets after 7 days of soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF). An inhibition zone of Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) around Rb-doped MBGN pellets was detected, while MBGN pellets did not show any inhibition zone. Additionally, MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cells demonstrated cytocompatibility when exposed to Rb-MBG suspensions at different concentrations of up to 250 µg/ml. Based on their overall properties, Rb-containing MBGNs are proposed for biomedical applications, such as filler nanoparticles in composite bone scaffolds.
Understanding Wellbeing Profiles According to White Matter Structural Connectivity Sub-types in Early Adolescents: The First Hundred Brains Cohort from the Longitudinal Adolescent Brain Study
Authors: Driver Christina , Boyes Amanda , Mohamed Abdalla Z. , Levenstein Jacob M. , Parker Marcella , Hermens Daniel F. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWellbeing is protective against the emergence of psychopathology. Neurobiological markers associated with mental wellbeing during adolescence are important to understand. Limited research has examined neural networks (white matter tracts) and mental wellbeing in early adolescence specifically. A cross-sectional diffusion tensor imaging analysis approach was conducted, from the Longitudinal Adolescent Brain study, First Hundred Brains cohort (N = 99; 46.5% female; Mage = 13.01, SD = 0.55). Participants completed self-report measures including wellbeing, quality-of-life, and psychological distress. Potential neurobiological profiles using fractional anisotropy, axial, and radial diffusivity were determined via a whole brain voxel-wise approach, and hierarchical cluster analysis of fractional anisotropy values, obtained from 21 major white matter tracts. Three cluster groups with significantly different neurobiological profiles were distinguished. No significant differences were found between the three cluster groups and measures of wellbeing, but two left lateralized significant associations between white matter tracts and wellbeing measures were found. These results provide preliminary evidence for potential neurobiological markers of mental health and wellbeing in early adolescence and should be tracked longitudinally to provide more detailed and robust findings.