bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pedicled chimeric superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap with external oblique fascia for vesicocutaneous bladder fistula repair: A case report and literature review on the utility of pedicled chimeric SCIP
Authors: Lichtenberg Nicholas Jan , B Sandeep , Taylor D. M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFollowing its initial description by Koshima in 2004, the superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap has become a ubiquitous and extremely useful flap in coverage of defects whereby bulkiness must be avoided. It also allows direct closure and concealment of the donor site. Its use as a free tissue transfer has been demonstrated by various surgeons globally. Nevertheless, there are few cases illustrating the utility of the pedicled SCIP flap in the reconstruction of lower abdominal defects. We present a case of a pedicled SCIP flap utilized as a chimeric flap incorporating external oblique muscle fascia on a deep branch along with the typical fasciocutaneous component based on the superficial branch to cover the suprapubic defect after vesicocutaneous fistula repair. We thereafter report on the literature of pedicled chimeric SCIP flap for locoregional reconstruction. A 26‐year‐old female was referred to the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery unit after suffering a functional bladder outlet obstruction necessitating the creation of a urinary stoma. Subsequently, stoma obstruction occurred, and a suprapubic catheter was performed that was complicated by infection and resulted in the development of a vesicocutaneous fistula. Accordingly, the urological surgeons were planning surgical closure of the suprapubic vesicocutaneous defect, measuring 5 × 4 cm. A pedicled SCIP flap was designed to match the defect size; and raised as a chimeric flap with external oblique muscle fascia based on the deep branch, along with the fasciocutaneous component based on the superficial branch. The external oblique fascial component was used to secure the suture line of fistula repair, over which the fasciocutaneous component was inset, effectively double breasting the fistula repair and full thickness lower abdominal defect. The patient had an unremarkable postoperative recovery and has since been followed up in the outpatient setting without complication for the past 24 months. Robust coverage of the suprapubic defect was reliably achieved and no further fistulation has occurred. This case illustrates that a pedicled SCIP flap can be harvested as a chimeric flap and used to reliably cover defects in the infra‐umbilical region.
Microsurgical breast reconstruction and primary hypercoagulable disorders
Authors: Zarb Rakel M. , Lamberton Charles , Ramamurthi Aishwarya , Berry Vince , Adamson Karri A. , Doren Erin L. , Hettinger Patrick C. , Hijjawi John B. , LoGiudice John A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundPrimary hypercoagulable disorders pose a significant challenge to microsurgeons and have traditionally been regarded as a relative contraindication to free tissue transfer. Since free flaps offer numerous advantages in breast reconstruction, there is an effort to expand the population to whom these operations can be safely offered. The purpose of this study is to describe our chemoprophylaxis regimen in cases of primary hypercoagulability, as well as to compare flap outcomes and complications between women with and without hypercoagulability.Patients and MethodsA single institution retrospective review identified 15 patients (25 flaps) with known primary hypercoagulability who underwent microsurgical breast reconstruction from 2010 through 2020. There were 785 patients (1268 flaps) without primary hypercoagulability who underwent microsurgical breast reconstruction, including 40 patients (73 flaps) with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE), evaluated for comparison. Patient characteristics, thromboprophylaxis regimen, and surgical outcomes were collected. In carrying out this cohort study, we have adhered to Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.ResultsFifteen patients with primary hypercoagulability were identified, including heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation (n = 12), protein S deficiency (n = 1), prothrombin mutation (n = 1), and primary antiphospholipid syndrome (n = 1). Thirteen of these (87%) were discharged with an extended LMWH course. There was no postoperative VTE or mortality in this cohort, and no significant difference in hematoma or transfusion compared with the control group (p = .31, p = .87, respectively). The flap loss rate was 4% in the hypercoagulable group compared with 0.92% in the control group (p = .15). The salvage for arterial or venous compromise in the hypercoagulable group was poor (0% vs. 52%, p = .3).ConclusionMicrosurgical breast reconstruction in women with primary hypercoagulability disorders is feasible with acceptable risk of flap loss but poor salvage potential. Postoperative thromboprophylaxis with extended prophylactic LMWH in this population appears to be a safe regimen.
EPolar‐UNet: An edge‐attending polar UNet for automatic medical image segmentation with small datasets
Authors: Ling Yating , Wang Yuling , liu Qian , Yu Jie , Xu Lei , Zhang Xiaoqian , Liang Ping , Kong Dexing 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundMedical image segmentation is one of the most key steps in computer‐aided clinical diagnosis, geometric characterization, measurement, image registration, and so forth. Convolutional neural networks especially UNet and its variants have been successfully used in many medical image segmentation tasks. However, the results are limited by the deficiency in extracting high resolution edge information because of the design of the skip connections in UNet and the need for large available datasets.PurposeIn this paper, we proposed an edge‐attending polar UNet (EPolar‐UNet), which was trained on the polar coordinate system instead of classic Cartesian coordinate system with an edge‐attending construction in skip connection path.MethodsEPolar‐UNet extracted the location information from an eight‐stacked hourglass network as the pole for polar transformation and extracted the boundary cues from an edge‐attending UNet, which consisted of a deconvolution layer and a subtraction operation.ResultsWe evaluated the performance of EPolar‐UNet across three imaging modalities for different segmentation tasks: CVC‐ClinicDB dataset for polyp, ISIC‐2018 dataset for skin lesion, and our private ultrasound dataset for liver tumor segmentation. Our proposed model outperformed state‐of‐the‐art models on all three datasets and needed only 30%–60% of training data compared with the benchmark UNet model to achieve similar performances for medical image segmentation tasks.ConclusionsWe proposed an end‐to‐end EPolar‐UNet for automatic medical image segmentation and showed good performance on small datasets, which was critical in the field of medical image segmentation.
Analytical corrections for B1‐inhomogeneity and signal decay in multi‐slice 2D spiral hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI using keyhole reconstruction
Authors: Plummer J. W. , Hussain R. , Bdaiwi A. S. , Costa M. L. , Willmering M. M. , Parra‐Robles J. , Cleveland Z. I. , Walkup L. L. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPurposeHyperpolarized xenon MRI suffers from heterogeneous coil bias and magnetization decay that obscure pulmonary abnormalities. Non‐physiological signal variability can be mitigated by measuring and mapping the nominal flip angle, and by rescaling the images to correct for signal bias and decay. While flip angle maps can be calculated from sequentially acquired images, scan time and breath‐hold duration are doubled. Here, we exploit the low‐frequency oversampling of 2D‐spiral and keyhole reconstruction to measure flip angle maps from a single acquisition.MethodsFlip angle maps were calculated from two images generated from a single dataset using keyhole reconstructions and a Bloch‐equation–based model suitable for hyperpolarized substances. Artifacts resulting from acquisition and reconstruction schemes (e.g., keyhole reconstruction radius, slice‐selection profile, spiral‐ordering, and oversampling) were assessed using point‐spread functions. Simulated flip angle maps generated using keyhole reconstruction were compared against the paired‐image approach using RMS error (RMSE). Finally, feasibility was demonstrated for in vivo xenon ventilation imaging.ResultsSimulations demonstrated accurate flip angle maps and B1‐inhomogeneity correction can be generated with only 1.25‐fold central‐oversampling and keyhole reconstruction radius = 5% (RMSE = 0.460°). These settings also generated accurate flip angle maps in a healthy control (RSME = 0.337°) and a person with cystic fibrosis (RMSE = 0.404°) in as little as 3.3 s.ConclusionRegional lung ventilation images with reduced impact of B1‐inhomogeneity can be acquired rapidly by combining 2D‐spiral acquisition, Bloch‐equation–based modeling, and keyhole reconstruction. This approach will be especially useful for breath‐hold studies where short scan durations are necessary, such as dynamic imaging and applications in children or people with severely compromised respiratory function.
Influence of the food environment on obesity risk in a large cohort of US veterans by community type
Authors: Rummo Pasquale E. , Kanchi Rania , Adhikari Samrachana , Titus Andrea R. , Lee David C. , McAlexander Tara , Thorpe Lorna E. , Elbel Brian 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine relationships between the food environment and obesity by community type.MethodsUsing electronic health record data from the US Veterans Administration Diabetes Risk (VADR) cohort, we examined associations between the percentage of supermarkets and fast‐food restaurants with obesity prevalence from 2008 to 2018. We constructed multivariable logistic regression models with random effects and interaction terms for year and food environment variables. We stratified models by community type.ResultsMean age at baseline was 59.8 (SD = 16.1) years; 93.3% identified as men; and 2,102,542 (41.8%) were classified as having obesity. The association between the percentage of fast‐food restaurants and obesity was positive in high‐density urban areas (odds ratio [OR] = 1.033; 95% CI: 1.028–1.037), with no interaction by time (p = 0.83). The interaction with year was significant in other community types (p < 0.001), with increasing odds of obesity in each follow‐up year. The associations between the percentage of supermarkets and obesity were null in high‐density and low‐density urban areas and positive in suburban (OR = 1.033; 95% CI: 1.027–1.039) and rural (OR = 1.007; 95% CI: 1.002–1.012) areas, with no interactions by time.ConclusionsMany healthy eating policies have been passed in urban areas; our results suggest such policies might also mitigate obesity risk in nonurban areas.
Plant fiber‐reinforced composites based on injection molding process: Manufacturing, service life, and remanufacturing
Authors: Zhao Feng , Liu Xiaorui , Zhao Jialong , Feng Tao , Guo Wei 
Published: February 2024

AbstractResource depletion and environmental degradation have become important issues affecting the human development process. Plant fiber‐reinforced composites (PFRCs) are characterized by high natural availability, good mechanical properties, low density, recyclability, and eco‐friendliness. Expanding human applications of plant fibers is an important measure to combat resource and environmental problems. The injection molding process has the characteristics of strong product size adaptability, high molding precision, and high production efficiency. It is suitable for large‐scale production in the industry and is one of the main molding methods of PFRCs. Currently, there are still challenges and opportunities for high‐performance manufacturing of PFRCs based on the injection molding process. This article reviews the complete process of manufacturing‐service life‐remanufacturing of PFRCs based on the injection molding process. Emphasis is placed on the pretreatment technology and selection strategy of multi‐phase blended raw materials, the molding process conditions, functional applications, and simulation analysis, the aging and degradation characteristics during service, and the remanufacturing characteristics of the composites. Finally, the future research focus is summarized and prospected. The research in this paper will help promote the continuous progress of key technologies in the production process of PFRCs and help the industry to truly realize high‐performance green manufacturing in the future.Highlights
Plant fibers exhibit variability in morphology and properties.
The link between the structure and performance of PFRCs is unclear.
The degradability and durability of PFRCs are contradictory.
The functionality and mechanical properties of PFRCs are contradictory.
PFRCs have good characteristics for remanufacturing.
Enhanced electromechanical coupling in Pb(ZrTi)O3 piezoelectric composite via poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene) clamping
Authors: Wang Jiahao , Xia Weimin , Wang Rong , Pan Hong , Zhang Xiaofang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study presents an advanced two‐step hot‐pressing process for fabricating the 1‐3 type Pb(ZrTi)O3/poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene) (PZT/P(VDF‐TrFE)) piezoelectric composite sheets, demonstrating significant potential for nondestructive evaluation and information storage applications. The engineered columnar architecture within these composites induces a two‐phase clamping effect, which, upon polarization, facilitates the elongation of PZT and suppresses its lateral vibrations, thus enhancing the electromechanical coupling effect as verified by COMSOL simulations. A notable dielectric constant of 2200 at 100 Hz and a coupling coefficient of 0.725 was achieved with specific geometric modifications to the PZT/P(VDF‐TrFE) sheets. These findings suggest that P(VDF‐TrFE) as a polymer matrix exceeds the performance of conventional epoxy matrices, offering a novel approach to designing 1‐3 type piezoelectric composites.Highlights
P(VDF‐TrFE) effectively drives the elongation strain of internal PZT columns.
COMSOL simulation clarifies the clamping effect of piezoelectric P(VDF‐TrFE).
PZT/P(VDF‐TrFE) shows a higher kt of 0.725 than that of pure PZT samples.
Assessing the precision of a detergent‐assisted cartridge precipitation workflow for non‐targeted quantitative proteomics
Authors: Nickerson Jessica L. , Gagnon Hugo , Wentzell Peter D. , Doucette Alan A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDetergent‐based workflows incorporating sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) necessitate additional steps for detergent removal ahead of mass spectrometry (MS). These steps may lead to variable protein recovery, inconsistent enzyme digestion efficiency, and unreliable MS signals. To validate a detergent‐based workflow for quantitative proteomics, we herein evaluate the precision of a bottom‐up sample preparation strategy incorporating cartridge‐based protein precipitation with organic solvent to deplete SDS. The variance of data‐independent acquisition (SWATH‐MS) data was isolated from sample preparation error by modelling the variance as a function of peptide signal intensity. Our SDS‐assisted cartridge workflow yield a coefficient of variance (CV) of 13%–14%. By comparison, conventional (detergent‐free) in‐solution digestion increased the CV to 50%; in‐gel digestion provided lower CVs between 14% and 20%. By filtering peptides predicting to display lower precision, we further enhance the validity of data in global comparative proteomics. These results demonstrate the detergent‐based precipitation workflow is a reliable approach for in depth, label‐free quantitative proteome analysis.
Recognition of histidines with a synthetic zinc amino‐oxochlorin regioisomer via synergetic coordination and hydrogen bonding
Authors: Yuasa Mio , Hara Nobuyuki , Tamiaki Hitoshi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractZinc 13‐(N,N‐diethylamino)methyl‐3,3,7,8,12,17,18‐heptaethyl‐2‐oxochlorin was prepared from 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18‐octaethylporphyrin via the regioselectively acid‐catalyzed double dehydration of cis‐12,13‐diethyl‐cis‐12,13‐dihydroxy‐2‐oxobacteriochlorin to the corresponding 12‐ethyl‐13‐vinyl‐2‐oxochlorin. The synthetic zinc amino‐oxochlorin was axially ligated with the imidazolyl group of Nα‐protected histidines in chloroform, and concomitantly the amino group of the former was hydrogen‐bonded with the carboxy group of the latter. The resulting two‐point bonding supramolecules served as models for the complexes of chlorophylls with peptides in photosynthetic apparatuses including light‐harvesting antennas and charge‐separating reaction centers. A similar 1:1 complex was produced by the interaction of the zinc amino‐chlorin with the related methionine possessing thioether and carboxylic acid moieties.
The HOG‐pathway related AaOS1 leads to dicarboximide‐resistance in field strains of Alternaria alternata and contributes, together with the Aafhk1, to mycotoxin production and virulence
Authors: Wei Lingling , Chen Bin , Li Xiujuan , Shi Haiping , Xie Shuai , Hu Hao , Chen Wenchan , Wei Lihui , Wang Xiaoyu , Chen Changjun 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDGarlic leaf spot (GLS) caused by Alternaria alternata is one of the main diseases in the garlic production areas, and its management heavily relies on dicarboximide fungicides. However, the efficacy of dicarboximides against the GLS disease has decreased year on year.RESULTSIn the present study, 10 of 148 A. alternata strains separated from Jiangsu Province were moderately resistant (MR) to a dicarboximide fungicide procymidone (ProMR). Positive cross‐resistance was observed between Pro and iprodione (Ipro) or fludioxonil (Fld), but not between Pro and fluazinam or azoxystrobin. Mutations at AaOS1, but not Aafhk1, were confirmed to confer the Pro resistance by constructing replacement mutants, whereas mutations at both AaOS1 and Aafhk1 decreased the gene expression level of AapksI, as well as the ability to produce mycotoxin AOH (polyketide‐derived alternariol) and virulence. Additionally, more genes (AaOS1 and Aafhk1) harboring the mutations experienced a larger biological fitness penalty.CONCLUSIONTo our knowledge, this is the first report on Pro resistance selected in garlic fields, and mutations at AaOS1 of A. alternata causing a decreased ability to produce the mycotoxin AOH. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
A generalized Bayesian optimal interval design for dose optimization in immunotherapy
Authors: Xia Qing , Takeda Kentaro , Yamaguchi Yusuke , Zhang Jun 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFor novel immuno‐oncology therapies, the primary purpose of a dose‐finding trial is to identify an optimal dose (OD), defined as the tolerable dose having adequate efficacy and immune response under the unpredictable dose–outcome (toxicity, efficacy, and immune response) relationships. In addition, the multiple low or moderate‐grade toxicities rather than dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs) and multiple levels of efficacy should be evaluated differently in dose‐finding to determine true OD for developing novel immuno‐oncology therapies. We proposed a generalized Bayesian optimal interval design for immunotherapy, simultaneously considering efficacy and toxicity grades and immune response outcomes. The proposed design, named gBOIN‐ETI design, is model‐assisted and easy to implement to develop immunotherapy efficiently. The operating characteristics of the gBOIN‐ETI are compared with other dose‐finding trial designs in oncology by simulation across various realistic settings. Our simulations show that the gBOIN‐ETI design could outperform the other available approaches in terms of both the percentage of correct OD selection and the average number of patients allocated to the OD across various realistic trial settings.
ASAH: An arc‐surface‐adsorption hexapod robot with a motion control scheme
Authors: Ma Congjun , Dian Songyi , Guo Bin , Sun Jianglong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMobile robots with the ability to climb provide significant advantages in equipment contact operation and maintenance. In this work, an arc‐surface‐adsorption hexapod (ASAH) robot is designed for a class of internal cavity‐cylindrical‐type electrical equipment (ICCEE). The target of robot reliable movement on the ICCEE surface obtains its priority to be solved. Therefore, a matched‐specific motion control scheme is proposed. First, the mechanisms, adaptability, and motility of the ASAH robot are analyzed from a kinematic point of view. Subsequently, to solve the arc surface movement problem, this study proposes a novel six‐three‐legged composite gait and a “trapezoidal” foot tip trajectory algorithm, which improve safety in robot support phase movements and adsorption accuracy in the swing phase, respectively. In addition, based on the motion gait and trajectory, an active adsorption scheme is added to compensate for the position error. Finally, both virtual and physical prototype are constructed for performance verification. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme in facilitating accurate motion on internal and external arc surfaces with different diameters, with an error lower than 5.3 mm/rad and  rad/mm for movements in the circumferential and axial directions, respectively. Experimental results and application performance in a nuclear power plant further verify the effectiveness of the gait and trajectory algorithm; an overall success rate of 85% in circumferential movement was achieved with a maximum load weight of 2.63 kg, representing 76% of the robot body weight.
Organizational hubris: Its antecedents and consequences for stakeholder relationships
Authors: Gamache Daniel L. , Pfarrer Michael D. , Curran Kevin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractResearch SummaryAlthough research has explored how executive hubris shapes organizational actions, we theorize that hubris can also develop outside the executive suite. We introduce the construct organizational hubris, which we define as a durable, collective attitude marked by exaggerated pride and confidence in the organization. Organizational hubris differs from executive hubris in terms of level (individual versus collective) and target (self‐focused vs. organization‐focused). We argue that organizational hubris can develop among high‐identification organizations via an external route (positive external attributions) or an internal route (charismatic messaging from top leaders), or both. Once developed, organizational hubris affects important outcomes by shaping (1) how external stakeholders perceive the organization, (2) how insiders treat external stakeholders, and (3) the relationship among internal stakeholders—particularly between employees and top managers.Managerial SummaryAmong the many stories of corporate excess, some organizations exhibit a sense of superiority—the view that success is inevitable and failure impossible—that can shape their very nature. In this article, we depart from the idea that hubris is confined to the C‐suite and introduce the construct organizational hubris, which we define as a durable, collective attitude marked by exaggerated pride and confidence in the organization. Organizational hubris can develop from positive external attributions and/or charismatic messaging from top leaders. Once developed, organizational hubris affects important strategic outcomes by shaping (1) how external stakeholders perceive the organization, (2) how insiders treat external stakeholders, and (3) the relationship among internal stakeholders—particularly between employees and top managers.