bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of surgical revascularization procedure outcomes for adult Moyamoya disease: a computed tomography perfusion-based study
Authors: Yuan Xuexia , Yu Hao , Sun Zhanguo , Wu Jiaxing , Gao Lingyun , Chong Zhen , Jin Feng , Chen Yueqin , Liu Deguo 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
The effectiveness of surgical interventions, whether direct or indirect, for Moyamoya disease (MMD) remains controversial. This study aims to investigate CT perfusion (CTP) as an objective method to evaluate the outcomes of different surgical modalities for adult MMD.

Methods
The clinical and imaging data of 41 patients who underwent superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass and 43 who received encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) were retrospectively analyzed. Intra- and intergroup differences in the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, the change in clinical symptoms, collateral grade, and CTP parameters pre- and postoperatively were compared.

Results
The overall level of the change in clinical symptoms in the STA-MCA group was higher than in the EDAS group (p < 0.05). In the operative area, the relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was significantly higher whereas the relative time to peak (rTTP) and the relative mean transit time (rMTT) were significantly lower in the STA-MCA and EDAS groups postoperatively than preoperatively (all p < 0.05). In the ipsilateral frontal lobe and basal ganglia, the postoperative rCBF was significantly higher, and the rTTP was significantly lower than the preoperative in the STA-MCA group (all p < 0.05). The postoperative rCBF improvement was higher in each brain area for STA-MCA than in the EDAS group (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion
Highlighting the utility of CTP, this study demonstrates its effectiveness in assessing postoperative cerebral hemodynamic changes in adult MMD patients. STA-MCA yielded a larger postoperative perfusion area and greater improvement compared to EDAS, suggesting CTP’s potential to elucidate symptom variation between two surgical revascularization procedures.

Critical relevance statement
We analyzed computed tomography perfusion parameters in pre- and postoperative adult Moyamoya disease patients undergoing superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass and encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis. Our findings suggest computed tomography perfusion’s potential in objectively elucidating symptom variations between these surgical revascularization approaches for MMD.

Key points
• Postoperative perfusion improvement is only confined to the operative area after EDAS.
• Besides the operative area, postoperative perfusion in the ipsilateral frontal lobe and basal ganglia was also improved after STA-MCA.
• The degree of perfusion improvement in each brain area in the STA-MCA group was generally greater than that in the EDAS group.

Graphical Abstract
Improving speech recognition systems for the morphologically complex Malayalam language using subword tokens for language modeling
Authors: Manohar Kavya , A R Jayan , Rajan Rajeev 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis article presents the research work on improving speech recognition systems for the morphologically complex Malayalam language using subword tokens for language modeling. The speech recognition system is built using a deep neural network–hidden Markov model (DNN-HMM)-based automatic speech recognition (ASR). We propose a novel method, syllable-byte pair encoding (S-BPE), that combines linguistically informed syllable tokenization with the data-driven tokenization method of byte pair encoding (BPE). The proposed method ensures words are always segmented at valid pronunciation boundaries. On a text corpus that has been divided into tokens using the proposed method, we construct statistical n-gram language models and assess the modeling effectiveness in terms of both information-theoretic and corpus linguistic metrics. A comparative study of the proposed method with other data-driven (BPE, Morfessor, and Unigram), linguistic (Syllable), and baseline (Word) tokenization algorithms is also presented. Pronunciation lexicons of subword tokenized units are built with pronunciation described as graphemes. We develop ASR systems employing the subword tokenized language models and pronunciation lexicons. The resulting ASR models are comprehensively evaluated to answer the research questions regarding the impact of subword tokenization algorithms on language modeling complexity and on ASR performance. Our study highlights the strong performance of the hybrid S-BPE tokens, achieving a notable 10.6% word error rate (WER), which represents a substantial 16.8% improvement over the baseline word-level ASR system. The ablation study has revealed that the performance of S-BPE segmentation, which initially underperformed compared to syllable tokens with lower amounts of textual data for language modeling, exhibited steady improvement with the increase in LM training data. The extensive ablation study indicates that there is a limited advantage in raising the n-gram order of the language model beyond $$n=3$$

n
=
3

. Such an increase results in considerable model size growth without significant improvements in WER. The implementation of the algorithm and all associated experiments are available under an open license, allowing for reproduction, adaptation, and reuse.
The run test for two samples in the presence of uncertainty
Authors: Aslam Muhammad 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe run test, which examines whether two samples selected from the same population are random, has been employed. However, the current run test for two samples is based on the assumption of certainty, which is not always valid in practical scenarios. This paper aims to introduce a modified version of the run test for two samples that account for uncertainty. We will develop a statistical approach for the run test that considers uncertain factors such as sample size, level of significance, and observations. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed test, we analyze wind power and photovoltaic power data. The analysis of these variables demonstrates that they are randomly selected from the population. The results indicate that the proposed run test is well-suited for addressing uncertainty in renewable energy. By employing this modified test, we can effectively assess the randomness of samples and make reliable conclusions in uncertain conditions.
The climate variability trio: stochastic fluctuations, El Niño, and the seasonal cycle
Authors: Stuecker Malte F. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractClimate variability has distinct spatial patterns with the strongest signal of sea surface temperature (SST) variance residing in the tropical Pacific. This interannual climate phenomenon, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), impacts weather patterns across the globe via atmospheric teleconnections. Pronounced SST variability, albeit of smaller amplitude, also exists in the other tropical basins as well as in the extratropical regions. To improve our physical understanding of internal climate variability across the global oceans, we here make the case for a conceptual model hierarchy that captures the essence of observed SST variability from subseasonal to decadal timescales. The building blocks consist of the classic stochastic climate model formulated by Klaus Hasselmann, a deterministic low-order model for ENSO variability, and the effect of the seasonal cycle on both of these models. This model hierarchy allows us to trace the impacts of seasonal processes on the statistics of observed and simulated climate variability. One of the important outcomes of ENSO’s interaction with the seasonal cycle is the generation of a frequency cascade leading to deterministic climate variability on a wide range of timescales, including the near-annual ENSO Combination Mode. Using the aforementioned building blocks, we arrive at a succinct conceptual model that delineates ENSO’s ubiquitous climate impacts and allows us to revisit ENSO’s observed statistical relationships with other coherent spatio-temporal patterns of climate variability—so called empirical modes of variability. We demonstrate the importance of correctly accounting for different seasonal phasing in the linear growth/damping rates of different climate phenomena, as well as the seasonal phasing of ENSO teleconnections and of atmospheric noise forcings. We discuss how previously some of ENSO’s relationships with other modes of variability have been misinterpreted due to non-intuitive seasonal cycle effects on both power spectra and lead/lag correlations. Furthermore, it is evident that ENSO’s impacts on climate variability outside the tropical Pacific are oftentimes larger than previously recognized and that accurately accounting for them has important implications. For instance, it has been shown that improved seasonal prediction skill can be achieved in the Indian Ocean by fully accounting for ENSO’s seasonally modulated and temporally integrated remote impacts. These results move us to refocus our attention to the tropical Pacific for understanding global patterns of climate variability and their predictability.
Exploring the multifaceted roles of mathematics learning in predicting students' computational thinking competency
Authors: Lee Silvia Wen-Yu , Tu Hsing-Ying , Chen Guang-Lin , Lin Hung-Ming 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundThere exist shared competencies between computational thinking (CT) and mathematics, and these two domains also mutually benefit from various teaching approaches. However, the linkages between mathematics and computational thinking lack robust empirical support, particularly from student-centered learning perspectives. Our study aimed to enhance our understanding of the connections between students' mathematics learning and computational thinking. To assess students' mathematics learning, we measured their beliefs about mathematics learning and their level of mathematical literacy (ML). Our hypothesis posited that students' beliefs concerning mathematics learning, encompassing their views on the nature of mathematics and their attitude towards the subject, can both directly and indirectly influence their CT, with ML serving as a mediating factor. Our data were gathered through surveys and tests administered to eighth- and ninth-grade students. Data were analyzed using partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM).ResultsThe evaluation of the measurement model indicated strong internal consistency for each construct. Both convergent and discriminant validity were also established. Upon assessing the structural model, it was found that beliefs about the nature of mathematics positively predicted attitudes towards mathematics, and this belief also indirectly predicted ML through positive attitudes towards mathematics. In addition, ML directly and positively predicted both CT subscales. Notably, a comprehensive mediating effect of ML on beliefs about mathematics learning and CT was identified in the analysis.ConclusionsThis study advances the understanding of the relationships between mathematics learning and CT. We have further confirmed the importance of mathematical literacy in predicting CT and its mediating role between beliefs about mathematics learning and CT. It is suggested that teachers could promote students’ CT competence by enhancing their mathematical literacy or integrating mathematics and CT into the same learning activities. Finally, we propose that upcoming investigations treat CT assessments as formative constructs, diverging from their reflective counterparts.
Polymer composite microspheres loading
177
Lu radionuclide for interventional radioembolization therapy and real-time SPECT imaging of hepatic cancer
Authors: Xiao Liu , Li Yuhao , Geng Ruiman , Chen Lihong , Yang Peng , Li Mingyu , Luo Xia , Yang Yuchuan , Li Lin , Cai Huawei 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background

Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with
90
Y-labeled glass and resin microspheres is one of the primary treatment strategies for advanced-stage primary and metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, difficulties of real-time monitoring post administration and embolic hypoxia influence treatment prognosis. In this study, we developed a new biodegradable polymer microsphere that can simultaneously load
177
Lu and MgO nanoparticle, and evaluated the TARE therapeutic efficacy and biosafety of
177
Lu-PDA-CS-MgO microspheres for HCC treatment.

Methods

Chitosan microspheres were synthesized through emulsification crosslink reaction and then conducted surface modification with polydopamine (PDA). The
177
Lu and nano MgO were conjugated to microspheres using active chemical groups of PDA. The characteristics of radionuclide loading efficiency, biodegradability, blood compatibility, and anti-tumor effectwere evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. SPECT/CT imaging was performed to monitor bio-distribution and bio-stability of
177
Lu-PDA-CS-MgO after TARE treatment. The survival duration of each rat was monitored. HE analysis, TUNEL analysis, immunohistochemical analysis, and western blot analysis were conducted to explore the anti-tumor effect and mechanism of composited microspheres. Body weight, liver function, blood routine examination were monitored at different time points to evaluate the bio-safety of microspheres.

Results

The composite
177
Lu-PDA-CS-MgO microsphere indicated satisfactory degradability, biocompatibility, radionuclide loading efficiency and radiochemical stability in vitro. Cellular evaluation showed that
177
Lu-PDA-CS-MgO had significant anti-tumor effect and blocked tumor cell cycles in S phase. Surgical TARE treatment with
177
Lu-PDA-CS-MgO significantly prolonged the medial survival time from 49 d to 105 d, and effectively inhibited primary tumor growth and small metastases spreading. Moreover, these microspheres indicated ideal in vivo stability and allowed real-time SPECT/CT monitoring for up to 8 weeks. Immunostaining and immunoblotting results also confirmed that
177
Lu-PDA-CS-MgO had potential in suppressing tumor invasion and angiogenesis, and improved embolic hypoxia in HCC tissues. Further evaluations of body weight, blood test, and pathological analysis indicated good biosafety of
177
Lu-PDA-CS-MgO microspheres in vivo.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that
177
Lu-PDA-CS-MgO microsphere hold great potential as interventional brachytherapy candidate for HCC therapy.

Graphical Abstract

Polymer composite microspheres loading
177
Lu radionuclide and MgO nanoparticles for interventional radioembolization therapy and real-time SPECT imaging of hepatic cancer.
Illicium verum anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231 cell line
Authors: Pahore Asra Khan , Khan Shagufta , Karim Nasim 
Published: November 2023

Objective: To evaluate the anticancer activity of methanolic extract of Illicium verum against triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line.
Methods: A cell culture experimental study was carried out at Pharmacology department of Bahria University Medical and Dental College (January to June 2021) in collaboration with Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. Cell viability and proliferation assays were used to quantify dead and alive cells by utilizing a tetrazolium assay and an enzyme immunosorbent plate reader was used to calculate their absorbance. For the apoptosis initiation assay, these cells were dyed with a fluorescent stain and observed for fluorescence and apoptosis. During cell viability testing, various I. verum methanolic extract doses (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 25µg/ml) were employed to treat MDA-MB-231 cells, while the IC50 dose of 2.8µg/ml was used for both the cell proliferation and apoptosis initiation assays.
Results: In the cell viability assay, all I. verum methanolic extract doses exhibited a substantial decrease in the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells (less than 0.01 p-value). In cell proliferation assay and apoptosis initiation, the IC50 dose of 2.8µg/ml of I. verum methanolic extract also exhibited a substantial decrease in cell division (less than 0.01 p-value) and the initiation of apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells.
Conclusion: Illicium verum methanolic extract have strong anticancer activity against triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line through cytotoxicity, proliferation reduction, and apoptosis initiation mechanisms.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.1.7860
How to cite this: Pahore AK, Khan S, Karim N. Illicium verum anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231 cell line. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(1):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.1.7860
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Study on preoperative treatment of acute Type-A aortic dissection with endotracheal intubation combined with deep analgesia and sedation
Authors: Khan Asfandyar , Chaoen Luo , Fan Hu , Shuangxi He , Qiaoling Liu , Lei Zhengwen 
Published: November 2023

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and safety of endotracheal intubation combined with deep analgesia and sedation in the prevention of preoperative dissection rupture in acute Standford type A aortic dissection.
Methods: This study evaluated the impact of preoperative endotracheal intubation combined with deep analgesia and sedation on acute Stanford Type-A aortic dissection. Conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of South China’s cardiac intensive care unit from June 2018 to December 2021, 134 diagnosed patients participated. They were divided into experimental (n=42) and control (n=92) groups. Data collected included clinical details, biochemical markers, VAS and SAS scores, and preoperative dissection rupture occurrences. Criteria involved acute Stanford Type-A aortic dissection diagnosis and complete data. Exclusions encompassed rupture, vital sign instability after vasoactive drugs, or prolonged coma. Standardized methods were used for sample collection and analysis. The study’s design, duration, and location ensured comprehensive evaluation of the intervention’s effects on patients.
Results: The experimental group showed significantly fewer deaths due to dissection rupture compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Initial VAS and SAS scores (T0) were similar between groups (P > 0.05), indicating good comparability. However, at T1, T2, and T3, analgesia and sedation were significantly better in the experimental group (P < 0.05). By T4, patient numbers were too low in both groups for a significant difference (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Preoperative endotracheal intubation combined with deep analgesia and sedation in patients with acute Stanford Type-A aortic dissection can produce good analgesic and sedative effects, effectively reduce the incidence of preoperative dissection rupture, and create conditions for subsequent surgical treatment of patients.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.1.8107
How to cite this: Chaoen L, Khan A, Fan H, Shuangxi H, Qiaoling L, Lei Z. Study on preoperative treatment of acute Type-A aortic dissection with endotracheal intubation combined with deep analgesia and sedation. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(1):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.1.8107
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Alkenylcopper Reagents Prepared from Stereodefined Alkenylboronate Esters. Reaction with Allylic Halides as a Convenient Route to Stereodefined 1,4-Dienes
Authors: Bhat Narayan G. 
Published: November 2023

The stereo-defined synthesis of 1,4-dienes based on in situ generated stereo-defined alkenylcopper reagents is presented. The hydroboration of alkynes with dibromoborane-methyl sulfide complex followed by treatment with trimethylene glycol provides stable (E)-1-alkenylboronate esters. These boronate esters readily undergo “ate” complexes with a hindered base such as potassium-tert.-butoxide. The transmetalation of the alkenyl group from boron to copper via the “ate” complexes retains the original stereochemistry defined from the starting alkenylboronate esters. The effect of representative bases on stereodefined alkenylboronate esters and subsequent reaction of these boronate esters in the transmetalation reaction with copper(I) bromidemethyl sulfide is investigated. The resulting stereo-defined alkenyl copper species generated in situ readily couple with allylic bromide to give the corresponding 1,4-dienes with retention of stereochemistry. Since (Z)-1-alkenylboronate esters are easily accessible, both cisand trans-isomeric 1,4-dienes are synthesized.
From the Berlin Wall to the Great Wall: Payment Transactions and Financing of Business between West Germany and Communist China, 1949 to 1972
Authors: He Fei 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Over two decades from 1949 until the resumption of the diplomatic relations between these two countries in 1972, West German companies never gave up on the Chinese market despite substantial difficulties caused by Cold War frictions. This paper exams the payment transactions and terms of credits for financing industrial projects between the PRC and West German companies.
“Mapping and projecting otherness in media discourse of the Russia–Ukraine war”
Authors: Strukowska Marta E. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This paper shows how otherness, having a negative representation potential, is covered in media discourse with a focus on the first day of the Russia–Ukraine war. In this article, I specifically investigate the representation of otherness that weaves the web of relations within the “us versus them” narrative espoused most strongly by Teun A. Van Dijk (1992. Discourse and the denial of racism. Discourse and Society 3. 87–118, 2002. Discourse and racism. In David Goldberg & John Solomos (eds.), The Blackwell companion to racial and ethnic studies, 145–159. Oxford: Blackwell) and further developed within the premises of a proximisation theory (e.g., Cap 2013. Proximization: The pragmatics of symbolic distance crossing. Amsterdam: John Benjamins; Chilton 2004. Analysing political discourse: Theory and practice. London: Routledge). This framework concerns the positive self-representation of Ukraine and its performance contrasted with Russia’s negative other-presentation. Following this account, otherness serves as means of legitimising media actions as preventive measures taken to inform society about the past, create the present state of the world through assertions (Dunmire 2011. Projecting the future through political discourse. Amsterdam: John Benjamins; Searle 2010. Making the social world: The structure of human civilization. Oxford: Oxford University Press) which endorse media credibility and predict future outcomes with respect to the horror of the unfolding war. This study argues that the representation of otherness takes place at the proximisation level of certain lexico-grammatical choices that are used strategically by media to cover the narrative of a “permanent military standby” and the “immediacy of otherness”.