bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing canopy rainfall partitioning by Mediterranean dryland shrubs under extreme rainfall
Authors: Lucas‐Borja Manuel Esteban , Van Stan John T. , Carmona Yáñez María Dolores , García López Carlos Alberto , Zema Demetrio Antonio 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIntense rain events have become more frequent in some regions due to climate change, and this trend is particularly concerning in dryland regions where the ecological and geomorphological impacts of rainfall are intimately tied to its intensity. The interception of rainfall by vegetation is a critical process in the water balance of drylands; thus, this study estimated the canopy interception capacity and interception rates as well as stemflow of three typical Mediterranean shrub species (Rosmarinus officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, and Macrochloa tenacissima) of three size classes in Spain under a simulated extreme rainfall rate (~8 mm min−1, historical return period of >100 years). Given that these plants' canopy structures markedly differ from taller woody plants (i.e., trees), a novel method was developed to assess the stemflow fraction. Results showed significant differences in interception amount, rates, and storage capacity among the shrub species, with variations in plant morphology, such as shrub height and canopy diameter, being the key factors determining interception capacity. R. officinalis had the highest interception fraction per unit canopy area, or ‘specific interception,’ (18.4%). In contrast, the lowest specific interception fraction was measured for M. tenacissima (6.5%). Thymus vulgaris was characterized by the highest stemflow yields per unit canopy area (4.85 mm) and fraction (up to 29.6% of rainfall), which was the lowest for M. tenacissima (1.09 mm, ~1%–4%). Strong linear correlations were found between canopy interception and shrub canopy diameter (|r| > −0.51, max = −0.90), when observations were grouped for size class. These linear correlations between shrub morphology and partitioning enabled multiple‐regression linear models to be developed that predicted canopy interception and stemflow with good accuracy (r2 > 0.64, with a maximum of 0.82) from shrub height, canopy diameter, dry biomass, size class, and species. Despite these measurements being conducted under one extreme storm depth and intensity, the results provide: (i) values of rainfall partitioning for important shrub species in Mediterranean dryland environments; and (ii) a simple but reliable model that may be further developed (e.g., embedding variable rainfall values as weather input or incorporating other morphological parameters) and may be integrated into complex hydrological models.
Hybrid‐NET: A fusion of DenseNet169 and advanced machine learning classifiers for enhanced brain tumor diagnosis
Authors: Khan Saif Ur Rehman , Zhao Ming , Asif Sohaib , Chen Xuehan 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe computer‐aided diagnostic (CAD) method to detect human brain tumors relies heavily on automated tumor characterization. Although CAD method has been extensively researched, significant obstacles still exist. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) classifiers brain tumors into glioma, meningioma, and pituitary tumors. However, accurately distinguishing between these tumor types remains a complex challenge in medical imaging. The recently developed deep learning and machine learning (ML) techniques have shown immense potential in image classification. However, the low numbers of medical image archives also pose a problem for medical image classification. As a result, fewer medical images are available to use in deep learning research and development. To address this issue, we use three highly effective ML classifiers with deep convolutional learned features for medical image classification. The MRI images of the three distinct types of brain tumors may be found in an open dataset on Figshare, which tests the automated approach's efficacy. Features are extracted from brain MRI scans using the DenseNet169 model. Extracted features are fed into a multiclass three ML classifiers (RF, SVM, XGBoost) for improved performance. Results from testing and evaluation of the entire framework are promising, especially compared to the field's state‐of‐the art technique. The suggested model outperformed the state‐of‐the‐art technique, with an overall classification accuracy of 95.10%. To verify the enhanced performance of the proposed system, extensive tests are conducted on the brain MRI dataset available on Figshare. The optimal hyper‐parameter fading classifier is seen to outperform the Softmax classifier for the features when there is limited training data.
Writing to grieve: Solidarity in times of loss in educational community spaces
Authors: Peachey Katie B. , Lee Crystal Chen 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis qualitative case study is a part of a larger university–community partnership that explores adolescents' utilization of critical literacy to write, engage, and lead in their communities. For this specific study, we explore the question: How does an educational community use literacy practices and modalities to grieve through collective loss and develop solidarity with one another? Through the utilization of a critical literacy framework and a sense‐based pedagogy lens, we explore how various forms of literacy and multimodalities allowed this community to grieve and foster solidarity in a time of loss. We conducted several rounds of inductive and emotion codings to identify key themes from our data sources which included student work/publications, social media posts, organization communication, videos, focus groups, and staff interviews. Our preliminary findings show that (a) reciprocal vulnerability developed over time can produce solidarity; (b) writing can be a restorative act in collective loss; and (c) writing through grief positions students as leaders of their communities. Through this study, we provide educators and community members with potential tools for developing spaces for restorative education and supporting collective resilience through literacy practices.
Enhancing epidural needle guidance using a polarization‐sensitive optical coherence tomography probe with convolutional neural networks
Authors: Wang Chen , Liu Yunlong , Calle Paul , Li Xinwei , Liu Ronghao , Zhang Qinghao , Yan Feng , Fung Kar‐ming , Conner Andrew K. , Chen Sixia , Pan Chongle , Tang Qinggong 
Published: October 2023

AbstractEpidural anesthesia helps manage pain during different surgeries. Nonetheless, the precise placement of the epidural needle remains a challenge. In this study, we developed a probe based on polarization‐sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS‐OCT) to enhance the epidural anesthesia needle placement. The probe was tested on six porcine spinal samples. The multimodal imaging guidance used the OCT intensity mode and three distinct PS‐OCT modes: (1) phase retardation, (2) optic axis, and (3) degree of polarization uniformity (DOPU). Each mode enabled the classification of different epidural tissues through distinct imaging characteristics. To further streamline the tissue recognition procedure, convolutional neural network (CNN) were used to autonomously identify the tissue types within the probe's field of view. ResNet50 models were developed for all four imaging modes. DOPU imaging was found to provide the highest cross‐testing accuracy of 91.53%. These results showed the improved precision by PS‐OCT in guiding epidural anesthesia needle placement.
Therapist's effect on children's therapeutic alliance: A naturalistic study
Authors: Casari Leandro , Areas Malenka , Ison Mirta , Gómez Beatriz , Roussos Andrés , Consoli Andrés , Gómez Penedo Juan Martín 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectivesThe therapeutic alliance (TA) has been shown to be a predictor of psychotherapy treatment success. In the case of psychotherapy with children, there is a dearth of information on TA's role. The aims of the paper are: (1) To estimate the therapist effects on children TA; (2) to investigate if therapists' TA predicts children's TA; (3) to analyze if children's age and sex predict children's TA; (4) to evaluate if the therapist's characteristics predict children's TA.MethodsThe sample consisted of 77 children undergoing psychotherapy in Argentina, and the therapists (N = 29) providing services to those children. The assessment tools utilized for the study included the Therapy Alliance Scale for Children and the Personal Style of the Therapist Questionnaire (PST‐Q).ResultsFindings indicated that 2% of the children's TA was explained by the therapists (ICC = 0.02), while 17% of the therapists' TA was explained by the therapists (ICC = 0.17). Therapists' TA predicted children's TA. Children's age and sex did not have an effect on their own TA. Moreover, therapists with more experience achieved higher scores of children's TA. Finally, the Operative dimension of the PST had a negative effect on children's TA (i.e., therapists who prefer more spontaneous interventions over structured ones may experience higher levels of therapeutic alliance with child patients).ConclusionWe found a positive effect of the therapist's TA on children's TA, especially in the preference for using more spontaneous intervention techniques. We discuss the implications of the findings on the training of psychotherapists who provide services to children.
Obsessive‐compulsive symptoms, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness: Associations and implications among US veterans
Authors: Patel Tapan A. , Raines Amanda M. , Morabito Danielle M. , Schmidt Norman B. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectiveObsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) is among the most debilitating psychiatric disorders worldwide, but has gone relatively unnoticed within the US veteran population. Simultaneously, suicide rates continue to remain high within this population despite the high volume of veterans who receive psychiatric care. With recent research demonstrating OCD's unique relationship with suicidality, it is imperative to explore this association and factors that may explain this association within veterans.MethodsThe present study investigated OCD symptoms and their relationship with two known risk factors of suicide, perceived burdensomeness (PB) and thwarted belongingness (TB), in two samples of veterans.ResultsIn the first study (N = 100), OCD symptoms were found to be uniquely related to both PB and TB even after covarying for demographics, trauma exposure, and probable depression. In the second study (N = 99), these relationships were replicated longitudinally. OCD symptoms at baseline were found to be indirectly related to suicidal ideation severity at a 1‐month follow‐up via PB and TB at post‐treatment.ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of assessing and addressing OCD symptoms within veterans due to the unique relationship these symptoms have with suicidal constructs. A deeper understanding of the impact of OCD within the veteran population will inform future prevention and intervention efforts.
Concurrent Validity of a Low‐Cost Manometer for Objective Assessments of Respiratory Muscle Strength
Authors: Curtis James A. , Mocchetti Valentina , Rameau Anaïs 
Published: October 2023

Objective(s)This study examined the agreement in maximal expiratory (MEP) and inspiratory (MIP) pressure readings between two digital manometers: (1) the MicroRPM – the gold‐standard manometer for respiratory muscle strength testing; and (2) the LDM – a low‐cost, commercially available, alternative manometer.MethodsPositive (MEP) and negative (MIP) pressures were simultaneously applied to the MicroRPM and LDM using a 3‐liter syringe within a controlled laboratory setting. Pressure readings were compared, and agreement was analyzed using Lin's concordance correlation (ρc). Agreement was interpreted as ‘poor’ if <0.90, ‘moderate’ if 0.90 – <0.95, ‘substantial’ if 0.95 – <0.99, and ‘excellent’ if ≥0.99. Twenty percent of the pressure trials were repeated by a second researcher to examine test–retest reliability.ResultsA total of 150 trials were completed, ranging from −167 to +208 cmH2O. There was a median absolute difference of 0.3 cmH2O in pressure readings between the MicroRPM and the LDM. Lin's concordance correlation revealed ‘excellent’ agreement between the LDM and MicroRPM devices, with test–retest reliability assessment revealing ‘substantial‐to‐excellent’ agreement between the LDM and MicroRPM devices, with a concordance correlation coefficient of ρc = 0.999 (95% CI: 0.999–0.999).ConclusionsThere was a median difference of 1.0% in MEP and MIP pressure readings consistently observed between the LDM and MicroRPM. Despite these relatively small differences, excellent agreement between the two manometers was present. These data suggest the LDM may be a valid, lower cost alternative to the MicroRPM for objectively assessing respiratory strength in clinical practice; however, additional research is needed in healthy adults and in patient populations.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 134:1831–1836, 2024
Quality of life and swallowing outcomes after early proactive swallowing rehabilitation by either transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation or exercise‐based swallowing training in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy
Authors: Ku Peter K. M. , Vlantis Alexander C. , Wong Rita W. M. , Hui Thomas S. C. , Law Thomas , Ng Louisa K. Y. , Wong Eddy W. Y. , Chang W. T. , Johnson David R. , Mok Florence S. T. , Wong K. H. , Abdullah Victor , van Hasselt Andrew , Lee Kathy Y. S. , Tong Michael C. F. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundExercise‐based swallowing training (EBST) and transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (TNMES) are common modalities used to treat late dysphagia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We aimed to investigate and compare the efficacies of EBST and TNMES as proactive treatments administered early after radiotherapy.MethodsPatients with early post‐radiotherapy NPC (n = 120) underwent either TNMES or EBST. Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), quality of life (QOL), and swallowing function questionnaires were completed before the intervention as well as immediately, 6, and 12 months after the intervention. Outcome measures included the scores for the swallowing function score (SFS), penetration and aspiration scale (PAS), dynamic imaging grade of swallowing toxicity (DIGEST), functional oral intake scale (FOIS), swallowing performance status scale (SPSS), pharyngeal motor impairment (PMI), pharyngeal function impairment (PFI), and functional assessment after cancer therapy–nasopharyngeal (FACT‐NP) questionnaire.ResultsThree months after radiotherapy, 31 and 34 patients underwent TNMES and EBST, respectively, and completed swallowing assessments at all four assessment timepoints. All patients showed post‐radiotherapy impairments in the SFS, PAS, DIGEST, PMI, and PFI. Compared with the EBST group, the TNMES group showed significant improvements in the PFI and PMI scores, with small‐to‐medium effect sizes. Additionally, compared with the EBST group, the TNMES group demonstrated a trend toward slightly better improvements in the PAS, DIGEST, FOIS, and SPSS scores immediately and 6 months after the intervention. The SFS scores improved from baseline in both groups; however, the TNMES group showed an earlier improvement. Finally, the TNMES group showed better QOL according to the FACT‐NP than the EBST group.ConclusionProactive TMNES and EBST are safe and feasible modalities for improving swallowing in patients with NPC when administered early after radiotherapy. Although TNMES showed better results than EBST, these results should be interpreted with caution given the study limitations.Level of evidence1B.
Rapidly evolving zooplankton in a salinizing world: To what extent does microevolutionary adaptation to one salt increase tolerance to another one?
Authors: Zhao Shuai‐Ying , Zhou Libin , Chen Guangjie , Declerck Steven A. J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractSalinization is a worldwide emerging threat to freshwater systems. It can be caused by various salts with different toxicity to freshwater organisms. Populations of freshwater organisms have been shown to rapidly evolve adaptations to salinity, yet it remains unclear whether adaptation to one salt increases tolerance or, conversely, susceptibility to other salts. Using an experimental evolution approach, we subjected replicate populations of a planktonic monogonont rotifer species (Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas) to non‐saline and NaCl‐enriched environments. A subsequent multigenerational common garden (CG) transplant experiment demonstrated rapid microevolutionary adaptation to salinity. A second CG experiment provided evidence that adaptation to NaCl increases tolerance mainly to CaCl2 but to a much lesser extent to Na2SO4. Increased tolerance to CaCl2 was associated with increased tolerance to Ca2+ ion toxicity. In contrast, acquired tolerance to Na2SO4 could not be shown to involve an improved ability to cope with ion toxicity. Our results highlight that the evolution of cross‐tolerance may expand the temporal and spatial dimensions under which the ecological consequences of salt adaptation apply.
The Roles of Lifetime Enacted Stigma in Tic Symptoms among Young Adults with Tourette Syndrome
Authors: Shiu Chengshi , Chen Wei‐Ti , Kim Boram , Ricketts Emily , Stiede Jordan T. , Espil Flint M. , Specht Matthew W. , Woods Douglas W. , Piacentini John 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundAlthough rarely framed as enacted stigma, adults with Tourette syndrome (ATS) have long suffered from discrimination associated with their tic symptoms. Given the high stress levels of enacted stigma that ATS experience, it is expected that their tic symptoms are profoundly impacted. However, the evidence linking enacted stigma to ATS's tic symptoms remains limited.MethodsThis study used a secondary data‐analysis approach to reanalyze the data from the follow‐up phase of a multi‐centered, randomized controlled trial in which a behavioral intervention was tested for its efficacy in managing tic symptoms. This study first conducted psychometric testing on a list of 16 enacted stigma events across five life stages and identified the underlying factor structure. The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) was used to assess severity and impairment of current tic symptoms, whereas the Clinical Global Impression of Severity scale (CGI) was used to obtain the gestalt of clinical judgment on tic severity. A series of multivariate linear models were then fitted to test the relationships between different types of lifetime enacted stigma and current tic symptoms.ResultsThe analytic sample included 73 young ATS (average age of 23.2 [standard deviation = 2.5] years). The factor analysis identified three types of enacted stigmas: “traumatic events,” “confrontations,” and “subtle mistreatments.” In multivariate models, traumatic events significantly associated with YGTSS‐severity, whereas subtle mistreatments provided additional explanations for CGI.ConclusionsEnacted stigma may play important roles in shaping ATS's current tics symptom severity and, therefore, should be carefully considered in future intervention development.
Small vessel platelet thrombosis in the peripheral nerves in POEMS syndrome
Authors: Takeuchi Hiroki , Yamamoto Yasumasa , Miyahara Junichi , Takeshima Takao , Ozaki Akihiko , Kawasaki Teruaki , Kawamura Kazuyuki , Oka Nobuyuki 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIntroduction/AimsVascular thrombosis is prevalent among patients with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy M‐protein, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome. The endothelial cells in the endoneurium are often hypertrophied and the lumen is frequently occluded. Consequent local hypoxia may increase vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which induces hypercoagulation and vascular permeability.MethodsThis study presents two patients in the fifth decade of life, who had rare nerve biopsy findings of vascular occlusion mainly by platelets. Before the cases presented here, we encountered nine confirmed POEMS patients whose nerve biopsies did not show similar findings.ResultsA small artery and a vein were occluded, but no atherosclerotic changes were observed. The endothelial cells that adhered to the packed platelets lost their junctions.DiscussionPlatelet aggregation, degranulation, and ischemia may cause a loose endothelial barrier and leak proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin‐12. This may increase production of VEGF and may cause nerve demyelination. Small vessel platelet thrombosis may contribute to the pathogenesis of this disorder.
Autonomous animal heating and cooling system for temperature‐regulated magnetic resonance experiments
Authors: Verghese George , Vöröslakos Mihaly , Markovic Stefan , Tal Assaf , Dehkharghani Seena , Yaghmazadeh Omid , Alon Leeor 
Published: October 2023

AbstractTemperature is a hallmark parameter influencing almost all magnetic resonance properties (e.g., T1, T2, proton density, and diffusion). In the preclinical setting, temperature has a large influence on animal physiology (e.g., respiration rate, heart rate, metabolism, and oxidative stress) and needs to be carefully regulated, especially when the animal is under anesthesia and thermoregulation is disrupted. We present an open‐source heating and cooling system capable of regulating the temperature of the animal. The system was designed using Peltier modules capable of heating or cooling a circulating water bath with active temperature feedback. Feedback was obtained using a commercial thermistor, placed in the animal rectum, and a proportional‐integral‐derivative controller was used to modulate the temperature. Its operation was demonstrated in a phantom as well as in mouse and rat animal models, where the standard deviation of the temperature of the animal upon convergence was less than a 10th of a degree. An application where brain temperature of a mouse was modulated was demonstrated using an invasive optical probe and noninvasive magnetic resonance spectroscopic thermometry measurements.