bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prescribing hand strengthening exercise for patients with rheumatoid arthritis; clinical cues influencing occupational therapists' and physiotherapists' judgements
Authors: Boniface Graham , White Nicola , Tomlinson Christopher , Norris Meriel , O’Connell Neil , Williamson Esther , Harries Priscilla 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the clinical judgements of therapists in prescribing the intensity of hand strengthening exercise in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsPhase I: Eleven therapists knowledgeable in treating patients with RA subjectively identified seven clinical cues. These were incorporated into 54 hypothetical patient case scenarios. Phase II: Therapists with ≥2 years post‐registration experience and current or recent experience in treating patients with RA were asked to assess 69 case scenarios in total (54 + 15 repeats) and judge what intensity of hand strengthening exercise they would prescribe using the OMNI‐Resistance Exercise Scale of perceived exertion. Using responses to the repeated cases, the Cochran‐Weiss‐Shanteau index of expertise was used to identify therapists who prescribed more consistently. Multiple regression was used to determine which clinical cues were most strongly associated with the intensity of exercise prescribed. A sub‐group analysis explored differences between consistent and inconsistent prescribers.ResultsFifty‐three therapists took part. Thirty completed all 69 case scenarios. Across all therapists, the three most important clinical cues associated with lower intensity of exercise prescribed were (1) Patient's reported pain intensity whilst practising the exercise (β = −1.150, p < 0.001), (2) Disease activity (β = −0.425, p < 0.001) and (3) average hand pain over the last week (β = −0.353 p < 0.001). Twelve therapists were categorised as consistent prescribers. This group relied on fewer clinical cues (three vs. seven) when judging what intensity of exercise to prescribe.ConclusionThis study provides insights into how therapists prescribe hand exercises. Intensity of hand strengthening exercise was influenced by three key clinical cues, including pain intensity and disease activity.
Making incurable pancreatic cancer curable
Authors: An Jianhong , Xie Dacheng , Xie Keping 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest malignancies, with limited effectiveness of standard therapies, resulting in little improvement in the 5‐year survival rate over the past few decades. However, advanced radiotherapy techniques and emerging treatment modalities, such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy, are showing tremendous potential as effective treatment options for pancreatic cancer patients who were previously considered incurable. This review summarizes the current advances and challenges in pancreatic cancer treatment strategies and proposes further optimization directions, aiming to provide insights into the cure of incurable pancreatic cancer.
Addressing Climate Health: A Practical Guide to Quantifying and Reducing Health Care‐Associated Emissions
Authors: Dilger Amanda E. , Shelley Jekaterina , Bergmark Regan W. , Slutzman Jonathan E. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe objective was to quantify annual greenhouse gas emissions from a surgical specialty hospital and identify high‐yield areas to reduce emissions associated with patient care.Study DesignPre‐post study, greenhouse gas inventory.SettingSpecialty hospital.MethodsA scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas inventory of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear main campus for calendar years (CY) 2020, 2021, and 2022 was performed by assessing emissions attributable to on‐site sources (scope 1) and purchased electricity and steam (scope 2). The associated carbon dioxide equivalent was then calculated using known global warming potentials and emission factors.ResultsThe major contributors to scope 1 and scope 2 emissions at our institution for CY 2020 to 2022 were waste anesthetic gases and purchased steam. These results were reviewed with hospital leadership and a plan was developed to reduce these emissions. Emission monitoring is ongoing to assess the efficacy of these interventions.ConclusionMeasuring scope 1 and scope 2 emissions at the facility level allows health care facilities to develop institution‐specific interventions and compare data across health care organizations. Surgeons can lead on health care system sustainability by collaborating with clinical and nonclinical staff to measure emissions, developing targeted emissions‐reduction interventions, and tracking progress with yearly assessments.
History of Bariatric Surgery Before Thyroid Surgery: Recommendations for Prevention and Management of Postoperative Hypocalcemia
Authors: Eberly Hänel W. , Sciscent Bao Y. , Jeffrey Lorenz F. , Goyal Neerav , Goldenberg David 
Published: December 2023

AbstractHypocalcemia following thyroidectomy is a common and potentially life‐threatening complication. It is caused by intraoperative injury to the parathyroid glands or their blood supply. Although several studies have shown that patients with a prior history of bariatric surgery may be at an increased risk for hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy, no clear recommendations exist for preventing and managing this condition in this population. This paper highlights the significance of understanding this risk and of obtaining a history of prior bariatric surgery before thyroidectomy. We propose concise recommendations for preventing and managing hypocalcemia following thyroidectomy in patients with a history of bariatric surgery.
Adjuvant and salvage radiotherapy after neoadjuvant therapy and radical prostatectomy for high‐risk localized prostate cancer
Authors: Ravi Praful , Kwak Lucia , Devlies Wout , Xie Wanling , Chipidza Fallon , Yang Xiaoyu , Bubley Glenn , Kaplan Irving , Kibel Adam S. , Nguyen Paul , Taplin Mary‐Ellen 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundWe sought to describe patterns of delivery of adjuvant (aRT) and salvage RT (sRT) in patients who underwent RP after receiving neoadjuvant androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) before radical prostatectomy (RP) for high‐risk localized prostate cancer (HRLPC).MethodsTwo hundred eighteen patients treated on phase 2 neoadjuvant trials between 2006 and 2018 at two academic centers were evaluated. aRT and sRT were defined as receipt of RT with a PSA of ≤0.1 or >0.1 ng/mL, respectively. Primary outcomes were biochemical recurrence (BCR), defined as time from aRT/sRT to a PSA rising to >0.1 ng/mL, and metastasis‐free survival (MFS) after RT.ResultsTwenty‐three (11%) and 55 (25%) patients received aRT and sRT respectively. Median PSA at start of aRT and sRT was 0.01 and 0.16 ng/mL, and median duration from RP to RT was 5 and 14 months, respectively. All aRT patients had NCCN high‐risk disease, 30% were pN1 and 43% had positive surgical margins; 52% had prostate bed RT. Fifty‐one percent of sRT patients had biopsy Gleason 9–10, 29% were pT2 and 9% had positive surgical margins; 63% had RT to the prostate bed/pelvis. At a median follow‐up of 5.3 and 3.0 years after aRT and sRT, 3‐year freedom from BCR was 55% and 47%, and 3‐year MFS was 56% and 53%, respectively.ConclusionsaRT was infrequently used in patients who received neoadjuvant ARPI before RP for HRLPC. Outcomes of aRT and sRT were similar but generally poor. Studies evaluating intensified systemic therapy approaches with postoperative RT in this high‐risk population are needed.
Programmed myofibre necrosis in critical illness acquired muscle wasting
Authors: Patel Sunil , Francis Thomas , Rajaram Raghini , Handslip Rhodri , Mumby Sharon , Bear Danielle E. , Padhke Rahul , Hart Nicholas , Montgomery Hugh , Takata Masao , Harridge Stephen D.R. , Patel Brijesh V. , Puthucheary Zudin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundAcute skeletal muscle wasting during critical illness is common and causes significant morbidity and functional limitation. Myofibre necrosis is a major histological finding but is often considered an unprogrammed by‐product of muscle inflammation. This study sought to evaluate if a form of programmed necrosis, necroptosis, is activated in skeletal muscle during critical illness.MethodsA cohort of 28 patients from the MUSCLE‐UK study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01106300) with serum and skeletal muscle biopsy samples were identified. Samples were available from ICU admission (T1) and between day 7–10 post admission (T2). Skeletal muscle was stratified by a histopathologist in the original study as necrotic (NEC, N = 14) or non‐necrotic (NONEC, N = 14) using haematoxylin and eosin staining. We used phosphorylated mixed‐lineage kinase domain‐like (pMLKL) protein (a key terminal effector protein) and receptor‐interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) as markers of necroptosis activation using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.ResultsWe show that pMLKL expression is significantly higher in the NEC group [NEC: T2:T1 expression; 9.1 (IQR 3.9–22.3) vs. NONEC: T2:T1 expression; 0.9 (IQR 0.6–1.1), P = 0.003]. We then confirm this upregulation and describe co‐localization with receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) in skeletal muscle using immunohistochemistry. We show that both RIPK3 and pMLKL are present within intact myofibres at the intermediate timepoint day 3 without cellular infiltrate. At T2, pMLKL is also present in the interstitial space where there is infiltrate of CD68 positive immune cells. The observed necroptosis may originate from both internal and infiltrating sources. These findings were absent in samples from patients who did not exhibit histopathological features of necrosis.ConclusionsWe show that necroptosis machinery, RIPK3 and pMLKL, are associated with conventional histopathological features of myonecrosis in a critically ill cohort.
Underwater Pose SLAM using GMM scan matching for a mechanical profiling sonar
Authors: Vial Pau , Palomeras Narcís , Solà Joan , Carreras Marc 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe underwater domain is a challenging environment for robotics because widely used electromagnetic devices must be substituted by acoustic equivalents, much slower and noisier. In this paper a two‐dimensional pose simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) system for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle based on inertial sensors and a mechanical profiling sonar is presented. Two main systems are specially designed. On the one hand, a dead reckoning system based on Lie Theory is presented to track integrated pose uncertainty. On the other hand, a rigid scan matching technique specialized for acoustic data is proposed, which allows one to estimate the uncertainty of the matching result. Moreover, Bayesian–Gaussian mixtures models are introduced to the scan matching problem and the registration problem is solved by an optimization in Lie groups. The SLAM system is tested on real data and executed in real time with the robotic application. Using this system, section maps at constant depth can be obtained from a three‐dimensional underwater domain. The presented SLAM system constitutes the first achievement towards an underwater Active SLAM application.
Unveiling Local Aging Patterns Following Accelerated Stress Testing of High‐Performance Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Authors: Sharma Preetam , Cheng Lei , Aaron Douglas , Mehrazi Shirin , Braaten Jonathan , Craig Nathan , Johnston Christina , Mench Matthew M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis study presents an in‐depth analysis of heterogeneous aging patterns in membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) subjected to diverse accelerated stress test (AST) conditions, simulating carbon corrosion (CC AST) and Pt particle size growth in fully humidified (Pt AST‐Wet) and underhumidified (Pt AST‐Dry) H2/N2 atmospheres. Multimodal characterization techniques are used to focus on heterogeneous aging patterns, primarily examining the variations in current distributions and Pt particle size maps. The findings reveal distinct characteristics of current distributions for all the AST cases, with substantial changes and strong current gradients in the CC AST case, indicative of severe performance degradation. Notably, despite significant differences in Pt particle size growth at the end‐of‐life (EOL), the Pt AST‐Wet and Pt AST‐Dry cases show minor changes in spatial current distributions. Moreover, a preferential growth of Pt particles under serpentine flow field bends in the Pt AST‐Wet case is observed for the first time. This study provides crucial insights into the role of mass transport properties in shaping fuel cell performance, and highlights the need to consider factors beyond electrochemically‐active surface area (ECSA) when assessing fuel cell durability.
Printable Counter Electrode with Metal Nitride as the Conductive Medium for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Gao Qiaojiao , Xiao Xufeng , Xiang Junwei , Liu Jiale , Wang Xiaoru , Hu Wenjing , Yang Chuang , Xie Jiayu , Chen Long , Meng Ranjun , Gong Jinwei , Ou Kangming , Gao Lingya , Mei Anyi , Han Hongwei 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPerovskite solar cells (PSCs) with a booming high power conversion efficiency (PCE) are on their road toward industrialization. A proper design of the counter electrode (CE) with low cost, high conductivity, chemical stability, and good interface contact with the other functional layer atop the perovskite layer is vital for the overall performance of PSCs. Herein, the application of titanium nitride (TiN) is reported as a conductive medium for the printable CE in hole‐conductor‐free mesoscopic PSCs. TiN improves the conductivity of the CE and reduces the resistivity from 20 to 10 mΩ∙cm. TiN also improves the wettability of the CE with perovskite and enhances the back interface contact, which promotes charge collection. On the other hand, TiN is chemically stable during processing and undergoes no distinguishable chemical reaction with halide perovskite. Devices with TiN as the conductive media in the CE deliver a champion PCE of 19.01%. This work supplies a considerable choice for the CE design of PSCs toward industrial applications.
Hyphae Carbon Coupled with Gel Composite Assembly for Construction of Advanced Carbon/Sulfur Cathodes for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Huang By Lei , Zhang Haomiao , Qiu Zhong , Liu Ping , Cao Feng , He Xinping , Xia Yang , Liang Xinqi , Wang Chen , Wan Wangjun , Zhang Yongqi , Chen Minghua , Xia Xinhui , Zhang Wenkui , Zhou Jiancang 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe design and fabrication of novel carbon hosts with high conductivity, accelerated electrochemical catalytic activities, and superior physical/chemical confinement on sulfur and its reaction intermediates polysulfides are essential for the construction of high‐performance C/S cathodes for lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs). In this work, a novel biofermentation coupled gel composite assembly technology is developed to prepare cross‐linked carbon composite hosts consisting of conductive Rhizopus hyphae carbon fiber (RHCF) skeleton and lamellar sodium alginate carbon (SAC) uniformly implanted with polarized nanoparticles (V2O3, Ag, Co, etc.) with diameters of several nanometers. Impressively, the RHCF/SAC/V2O3 composites exhibit enhanced physical/chemical adsorption of polysulfides due to the synergistic effect between hierarchical pore structures, heteroatoms (N, P) doping, and polar V2O3 generation. Additionally, the catalytic conversion kinetics of cathodes are effectively improved by regulating the 3D carbon structure and optimizing the V2O3 catalyst. Consequently, the LSBs assembled with RHCF/SAC/V2O3‐S cathode show exceptional cycle stability (capacity retention rate of 94.0% after 200 cycles at 0.1 C) and excellent rate performance (specific capacity of 578 mA h g−1 at 5 C). This work opens a new door for the fabrication of hyphae carbon composites via fermentation for electrochemical energy storage.
Small‐Molecule Phototheranostic Agent with Extended π‐Conjugation for Efficient NIR‐II Photoacoustic‐Imaging‐Guided Photothermal Therapy
Authors: Wang Zhen , Liu Yu , He Chunxu , Zhang Xinmin , Li Xi , Li Yuanyuan , Tang Yufu , Lu Xiaomei , Fan Quli 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPhotoacoustic imaging (PAI) and photothermal therapy (PTT) conducted over the near‐infrared‐II (NIR‐II) window offer the benefits of noninvasiveness and deep tissue penetration. This necessitates the development of highly effective therapeutic agents with NIR‐II photoresponsivity. Currently, the predominant organic diagnostic agents used in NIR‐II PAI‐guided PTT are conjugated polymeric materials. However, they exhibit a low in vivo clearance rate and long‐term biotoxicity, limiting their clinical translation. In this study, an organic small molecule (CY‐1234) with NIR‐II absorption and nanoencapsulation (CY‐1234 nanoparticles (NPs)) for PAI‐guided PTT is reported. Extended π‐conjugation is achieved in the molecule by introducing donor–acceptor units at both ends of the molecule. Consequently, CY‐1234 exhibits a maximum absorption peak at 1234 nm in tetrahydrofuran. Nanoaggregates of CY‐1234 are synthesized via F‐127 encapsulation. They exhibit an excellent photothermal conversion efficiency of 76.01% upon NIR‐II light irradiation. After intravenous injection of CY‐1234 NPs into tumor‐bearing mice, strong PA signals and excellent tumor ablation are observed under 1064 nm laser irradiation. This preliminary study can pave the way for the development of small‐molecule organic nanoformulations for future clinical applications.
Brønsted–Lowry Acid‐Based Aqueous Eutectic Electrolyte for Practical Zinc Batteries
Authors: Bouchal Roza , Al Kathemi Ibrahim , Antonietti Markus 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAqueous highly concentrated electrolytes (AHCEs) have recently emerged as an innovative strategy to enhance the cycling stability of aqueous Zinc (Zn) batteries (AZB). Particularly, thanks to high Zn Chloride (ZnCl2) solubility in water, AHCEs based on ZnCl2 feature remarkable Zn anode stability. However, due to their inherently acidic pH and Cl− anion reactivity, these electrolytes face compatibility challenges with other battery components. Here, an aqueous eutectic electrolyte (AEE) based on Brønsted–Lowry concept is reported—allowing the usage of cheap and abundant salts, ZnCl2, and sodium acetate (NaAc). The reported, pH buffered, AEE displays a higher coordination of water at an even lower salt concentration, by simply balancing the acceptor–donor H─bonding. This results in impressive improvement of electrolyte properties such as high electrochemical stability, high transport properties and low glass transition temperature. The developed AEE displays higher compatibility with vanadium oxide‐based cathode with a 50% increase in capacity retention in comparison to sat. ZnCl2. More importantly, the pH buffered AEE solves the incompatibility issues of ZnCl2 toward commonly used aluminium (Al) current collector as well as cellulose separator. This work presents an efficient, simple, and low‐cost strategy for the development of aqueous electrolytes for the practical application of Zn batteries.
Survey of current UK alpaca husbandry practices: Vaccination, treatment and supplementation
Authors: Middleton Abby , Blackie Nicola , Crilly James Patrick , Reilly Beth 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe popularity of alpacas in the UK is increasing, with the British Alpaca Society (BAS) estimating that there are currently 45,000 registered alpacas and a further 15,000 unregistered alpacas. This research set about to investigate what husbandry procedures are currently undertaken on alpacas in the UK.MethodsAn online survey of 47 questions was created using Jisc and was available for 4.5 months.ResultsAll 116 holdings implemented shearing and foot trimming (100.0%), and most vaccinated against clostridial disease (95.7%) and supplemented with vitamin D (91.4%). There was no obvious pattern in vitamin D dosing. A significant positive association was found between the size of the holding and whether injectable or oral vitamin D was used (p = 0.034), with smaller holdings preferring oral vitamin D products.LimitationsThe survey was distributed online, including via the BAS e‐Newsletter. The percentage of BAS‐registered alpacas was not clarified, so it is unknown if the data are skewed by this.ConclusionAlthough owners are ensuring that routine interventions are implemented, variation in responses implies there is no current standard protocol. This highlights that these differences may be due to logistical choices, training or varied advice, which may be due to the lack of published literature.
DNA logic programming: From concept to construction
Authors: Zhang Yi , Hu Ning , Xu Jiajie , Wang Zhen 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDNA programming, which is based on the principle of base complementary pairing and Boolean operations, exhibits organizational structures and algorithms similar to those observed in machine language. Consequently, the practical implementation of DNA logic programming can be achieved through the utilization of programming techniques, enabling the discrimination and output generation. In recent years, DNA programming has witnessed a convergence with disciplines, such as life sciences, medicine, and other interdisciplinary areas, thereby giving rise to an advanced research system that yields valuable insights. This development has paved the way for multidisciplinary cutting‐edge research. Furthermore, the successful transition from conceptualization to the practical implementation of DNA programming has been accomplished. This review summarizes the recent advances in DNA logic programming within the biomedical fields, specifically emphasizing the conceptualization and execution of DNA logic programming constructs. The benefits and obstacles associated with the adoption of DNA programming in cutting‐edge research areas are also highlighted.
Possible case of prefixed brachial plexus in a dog with a caudal cervical intervertebral disc extrusion
Authors: Gottardello Chiara , Scuttari Michela , Costanzo Giulia , Nespro Andrea , Tirrito Federica 
Published: December 2023

AbstractA 5‐year‐old, entire, male dachshund was referred with a 7‐day history of non‐ambulatory paraparesis. The neurological examination was most consistent with a T3–L3 myelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography studies of the cervical, cervicothoracic and thoracolumbar regions revealed a C7–T1 intervertebral disc extrusion causing moderate spinal cord compression. Based on the clinical presentation and imaging findings, a presumptive diagnosis of intervertebral disc extrusion in a dog affected by suspected prefixed brachial plexus was made. The dog underwent a ventral slot decompressive surgery, and its neurological conditions improved shortly after. The discrepancy between neuroanatomical localisation and location of an intervertebral disc extrusion may represent a possible instance of prefixed brachial plexus. To the authors’ best knowledge, prefixed brachial plexus has not been reported in dogs to date.