bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polarization conversion in soft glass fluoride and chalcogenide fibers for mid-infrared applications
Authors: Khan Md Moinul Islam , Shamim Md Hosne Mobarok , Delarosbil Jean-Luc , Messaddeq Younes , Smektala Frederic , Rochette Martin 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Mid-infrared (MIR) technologies are crucial for applications from chemical sensing to precision medical surgery. Effective polarization control is essential to enhance the functionality of fiber systems. Current solutions for polarization control in the MIR primarily involve free-space devices and components. In this work, we take a step forward and experimentally demonstrate polarization conversion within soft glass fluoride and chalcogenide fibers using a commercially available in-line polarization controller (PC). Our experiments using a single PC show a polarization extinction ratio (PER) of 20.7 dB in a ZBLAN fiber (FiberLabs) with a coating of urethane acrylic resin. Cascading two PCs enhances the PER to 39.1 dB while reducing the required compressive force and, thus, increasing the fiber lifetime. Chalcogenide fibers (As2Se3, As2S3, Ge20Se60Te20) are coated with polymethyl methacrylate and tested using a single PC. Thanks to the higher strain-optic coefficients of chalcogenide glass, these fibers exhibited exceptional PER values, reaching 39.3 dB for As2Se3, 41.4 dB for As2S3, and 38.3 dB for Ge20Se60Te20. The polymer coatings of the ZBLAN and chalcogenide fibers effectively protect them from compressive force and twisting, enabling them to endure more than 30 cycles of compression and decompression without breakage. Stability test conducted over 12 h with ZBLAN fiber demonstrated that the achieved polarization state remains stable, with maximum deviations due to environmental factors estimated to be less than 2%. This work is the first proof that in-line polarization control using soft glass fibers is achievable, paving the way toward the development of all-fiber MIR systems.
YOLO-VDS: accurate detection of strawberry developmental stages for embedded agricultural robots
Authors: Zhu Changshuang , Li Zelun , Liu Wei , Wu Pengcheng , Zhang Xin , Wang Shuai 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Detecting the various developmental stages of strawberries in their natural environment is crucial for modern agricultural robots. Existing methods focus on fruit detection but ignore stage classification. Moreover, they usually requiring substantial computational resources and are not suitable for small and low-power embedded platforms. To address this problem, we propose YOLO-VDS, a lightweight model based on YOLOv5s and optimized for embedded platforms. We introduce the Inverse Residual Bottleneck with 3 Convolutions (IRBC3) module to enhance the feature extraction capability and reduce the model computation. Then, we enhance the feature extraction and representation capabilities by introducing Efficient Channel Attention (ECA) in the backbone. Experiments on the Strawberry-DS dataset show that YOLO-VDS performs significantly better than YOLOv5s and other similar algorithms. Compared to YOLOv5s, the accuracy is improved by 5.8%, mAP@ 0.5 by 7.7%, and the number of model parameters is reduced by 24.29%. Deployed on a Jetson TX2 NX, YOLO-VDS reaches 19.2 FPS after TensorRT acceleration, demonstrating its suitability for vision-guided harvesting robots and edge computing applications.&#xD;
Subcutaneous Lower Pole Release as Double Bubble Prevention in Constricted Base Breasts: The “Plus One” Augmentation Technique
Authors: Fertsch Sonia , Wolter Andreas , Rancati Alberto , Angrigiani Claudio , Voigt Matthias , Andree Christoph 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Breasts with a broad base, constricted inframammary fold (IMF) and a short distance between the nipple and the IMF are predisposed to form a double bubble (DB) deformity. Most publications have focused on the correction of a DB rather than on its prevention and thorough analysis of the IMF.

Objectives
Introduction of a third dissection plane in breast augmentation for preventing or correcting DB deformities.

Methods
This study is a retrospective analysis conducted by a single surgeon, involving 46 patients with a well-defined constricted IMF who underwent breast augmentation with the ‘Plus One’ technique between 2019 and 2021. Women who required mastopexy were excluded. All procedures were analyzed for lower pole curvature using visual and graphical photographic analysis. The lower pole breast contour was plotted as a graph for better comparison of outcomes. Breast-Q surveys were conducted before and 3 months after surgery. Follow-ups were done at 2 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery.

Results
The curve of the postoperative lower pole was convex in 96% of the cases. In 4%, the curve tends to straighten out in the lower pole. In one case, the curve became concave at one point indicating a DB deformity, making a DB complication rate of 2%. The mean preoperative satisfaction score was 43±2, and the postoperative satisfaction score was 94±3 on the BREAST-Q scale.

Conclusions
The “plus one” method showed stable and satisfying results and is easily reproducible with a low complication rate. This can also be used as either a prophylactic or corrective measure.
Multidimensional scaling improves distance-based clustering for microbiome data
Authors: Chen Guanhua , Wang Xinyue , Sun Qiang , Tang Zheng-Zheng 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Motivation
Clustering patients into subgroups based on their microbial compositions can greatly enhance our understanding of the role of microbes in human health and disease etiology. Distance-based clustering methods, such as partitioning around medoids (PAM), are popular due to their computational efficiency and absence of distributional assumptions. However, the performance of these methods can be suboptimal when true cluster memberships are driven by differences in the abundance of only a few microbes, a situation known as the sparse signal scenario.

Results
We demonstrate that classical multidimensional scaling (MDS), a widely used dimensionality reduction technique, effectively denoises microbiome data and enhances the clustering performance of distance-based methods. We propose a two-step procedure that first applies MDS to project high-dimensional microbiome data into a low-dimensional space, followed by distance-based clustering using the low-dimensional data. Our extensive simulations demonstrate that our procedure offers superior performance compared to directly conducting distance-based clustering under the sparse signal scenario. The advantage of our procedure is further showcased in several real data applications.

Availability and implementation
The R package MDSMClust is available at https://github.com/wxy929/MDS-project.
Ovarian cancer risk reduction by salpingectomy during non-gynaecological surgery: scoping review
Authors: Fisch Charlotte , Gelderblom Malou E , Hermens Rosella P M G , de Reuver Philip R , Nienhuijs Simon W , Somford Diederik M , de Hullu Joanne A , Piek Jurgen M J 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynaecological cancers. The identification of the fallopian tube epithelium as the origin of most ovarian cancers introduces a novel prevention strategy by removing the fallopian tubes during an already indicated abdominal surgery for another reason, also known as an opportunistic salpingectomy. This preventive opportunity is evidence based, recommended and established at the time of gynaecologic surgery in many countries worldwide. To expand interest among surgeons in performing a salpingectomy during non-gynaecological surgery, the aim of this review is to identify knowledge gaps during those surgeries.

Methods
A scoping review was performed following the PRISMA-Scoping Review (ScR) checklist. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) database and Cochrane Library were systematically searched from inception to November 2024. Trial registers were searched for ongoing trials. All studies reporting original data on salpingectomy during non-gynaecological surgery were included. Outcomes were provided narratively.

Results
Eighteen studies were identified reporting on the implementation, surgical feasibility, patients’ perspectives, physicians’ knowledge and cost-effectiveness of an opportunistic salpingectomy during non-gynaecological surgery. Population-level data indicate that an opportunistic salpingectomy is rarely performed in non-gynaecological surgeries. High success rates and no complications of an opportunistic salpingectomy were observed during bariatric surgery and cholecystectomies. However, performing an additional salpingectomy appeared more time-consuming. Patients had strong interest in information on and willingness to undergo opportunistic salpingectomy. Cost-effectiveness analysis encourages opportunistic salpingectomy use, as models show reduced ovarian cancer incidence and mortality rate while being cost-effective.

Conclusions
Opportunistic salpingectomy during non-gynaecologic surgery appears to be a promising method to prevent ovarian cancer. Implementing such a strategy will require education of multiple surgical disciplines, training and resolution of organizational issues.
Non-ischemic etiology is a better prognostic factor of reverse left ventricular remodeling in patients with heart failure reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Yoon H J , Kim K H , Cho J Y , Park H J , Lee N L , Choi G H , Cho Y E 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background and Purpose
Even though the similar guideline directed standard care of heart failure (HF) is applied, clinical outcomes may differ in case by case. Since progressive left ventricular (LV) dilation makes the worse outcome, we investigate the prognostic factor of LV reverse remodeling and functional recovery in patients with heart failure reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods
More than 1000 HFrEF who were followed from 2018 to 2023, 438 patients (61.1±15.2 years, 284 male) with consecutive echocardiography at 1-year intervals and treated by the guideline directed medical therapy including angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor were enrolled. We compared clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic parameters according to LV reverse remodeling. LV reverse remodeling was defined as the normalized LV end-systolic volume index and LV functional recovery was defined as LV EF ≥ 50% on 1-year follow up echocardiography.

Results
Baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics including LV EF were not different between the groups. Non-ischemic etiology was significantly frequent in LV reverse remodeling group compared with non-reverse group (96.4% vs.88.6, p=0.005). During 5 years of clinical follow up, death was developed in 25 patients (5.7%), most of death was in non-reverse group (1.5% vs. 9.0%). Non-ischemic etiology was an independent predictor for LV reverse remodeling (OR 3.329, CI 1.253-8.846, p=0.012) and LV functional recovery (OR 4.210, CI 1.459-12.151, p=0.008) in patients with HFrEF. In Kaplan Meier analysis, non-ischemic etiology showed better outcome than ischemic etiology (Log Rank p=0.001). Ischemic etiology was an independent predictor of mortality in patients with HFrEF (OR 5.569, CI 2.127-14.582, p&lt;0.001).

Conclusions
LV reverse remodeling was more common and clinical outcomes were better in non-ischemic etiology as compared to those of ischemic etiology, even after standard medication in patients with HFrEF. This etiologic difference of clinical outcomes should be considered in the management of HF.
Impact of unique hemodynamic characteristics and paradoxical ventricular function on clinical outcome of portopulmonary hypertension
Authors: Kim Y , Kwak S , Choi K , Yang J , Kang J , Hwang D , Chang S , Kim H 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Limited data are available on hemodynamic characteristics, outcomes, and liver transplantation candidacy for portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH). This study aimed to evaluate the hemodynamic characteristics, natural course, and outcomes following liver transplantation in PoPH patients.

Methods
Patients diagnosed with PoPH by right heart catheterization at two referral centers were retrospectively analyzed. PoPH was defined as Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension with clinical evidence of portal hypertension.

Results
We included 43 patients with PoPH (median age: 52 years; 19 men). Advanced liver cirrhosis was associated with higher cardiac index and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and right atrial pressure increased with increasing pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), while the cardiac index declined but was mostly preserved within normal limits. Of the 34 patients without liver transplantation, 13 (38%) died during a median follow-up of 2.2 years. Severity of liver cirrhosis and an increased TAPSE were significant predictors of mortality (per 1 mm increase, adjusted hazard ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.35, p=0.042). Among the nine patients who underwent liver transplantation, six had a mean PAP of 35–45 mmHg and PVR &gt;3 Wood units; of these, one died after liver transplantation, from reasons unrelated to pulmonary hypertension.

Conclusion
In PoPH patients, a higher cardiac index with right ventricular hypercontraction was prominent in advanced stages of liver cirrhosis. Higher TAPSE was identified as a risk factor for mortality in patients without liver transplantation. Establishing optimal PoPH candidates for liver transplantation is essential for improving patient survival.
Important role of longitudinal strain evaluated by speckle tracking echocardiography in Japanese Fabry disease patients
Authors: Nojiri A , Morimoto S , Fukoro E , Okuyama T , Anan I , Kawai M , Yoshimura M , Hongo K 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Introduction
Fabry disease is an important infiltrative secondary cardiomyopathy caused by a decrease or deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A activity. The resultant accumulation of glycosphingolipids causes left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), myocardial fibrosis, and arrhythmias. Recent advances in speckle tracking echocardiography have enabled the detection of early contractile dysfunction in various heart diseases.

Purpose
We examined whether or not longitudinal strain (LS) evaluated using speckle tracking echocardiography could detect early contractile dysfunction in Japanese patients with Fabry disease.

Methods
We recruited 56 patients with Fabry disease (22 men and 34 women) who were followed up at our University Hospital and 28 control subjects who showed normal standard echocardiographic findings in the present study. The diagnosis of Fabry disease was based on a mutation analysis of the GLA gene. Comprehensive echocardiography was performed using an ultrasound scanner. Cardiac mechanics were analyzed using the two-dimensional speckle tracking technique via automated function imaging and a Q-analysis software program according to consensus statements on cardiac mechanics quantitation. Using 3 apical views, the LS values of the 17 segments of the left ventricle were calculated for each patient. The global longitudinal strain (GLS) of each patient was also calculated.

Results
We divided the Fabry disease patients into two groups: patients without LVH (Fabry LVH [-]) and patients with LVH (Fabry LVH [+]). Figure 1 shows the results of the averaged LS values among the control, Fabry LVH (-), and Fabry LVH (+) groups. An analysis of variance detected significant differences in GLS and LS in the anterolateral region of the left ventricle (anterolateral LS) among the 3 groups. A post-hoc analysis revealed a significant decrease in GLS and anterolateral LS in Fabry LVH (-) compared to the control (Figure 2A-B). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that both GLS and anterolateral LS could discriminate Fabry LVH (-) from controls (Figure 2C). Using GLS, a cutoff value of -20.0 discriminated Fabry LVH (-) from controls with a sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 67.9%. Using anterolateral LS, a cutoff value of -18.8 discriminated Fabry LVH (-) from controls with a sensitivity of 69.7% and specificity of 60.7%.

Conclusions
These results suggest that early contractile dysfunction can be detected using GLS and anterolateral LS in Japanese patients with Fabry disease, even without LVH. The early detection of contractile dysfunction may be used to identify candidate patients for enzyme replacement therapy or pharmacological chaperone therapy.
Right ventricular and right atrial strain are associated with kidney dysfunction in acute heart failure
Authors: Anastasiou V , Peteinidou E P , Tountas C T , Daios S D , Moysidis D V M , Fardoulis E F , Gogos C G , Theodorakopoulou M T , Iatridi F I , Sarafidis P S , Giannakoulas G G , Karamitsos T K , Delgado V D , Ziakas A Z , Kamperidis V K 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
In acute heart failure (HF), low cardiac output and venous congestion are pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to renal function impairment. The present study investigated the association between advanced echocardiographic measures of right ventricular and atrial function and renal impairment in patients with acute HF.

Methods
A total of 377 patients hospitalized for acute HF were prospectively evaluated. The first blood sample on admission was used to measure estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the 2021 Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration creatinine equation. Advanced echocardiographic assessment was performed in all patients within 24 hours from admission.

Results
Patients with eGFR &lt;45mL/min/1.73m2 were older and more likely to have chronic heart failure, chronic atrial fibrillation, and type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to patients with eGFR ≥45mL/min/1.73m2. In addition, patients in the lower eGFR group had lower cardiac output, higher mean E/e’ ratio, larger right ventricular (RV) size, worse RV function assessed by RV free wall longitudinal strain, more impaired right atrial (RA) reservoir strain, and more frequently severe tricuspid regurgitation (Figure 1). RV free wall longitudinal strain and RA reservoir strain were the only independent echocardiographic associates of low eGFR, whereas cardiac output was not.

Conclusion
Impaired RV and RA longitudinal strain were independently associated with eGFR &lt;45mL/min/1.73m2 in acute HF, while reduced cardiac output and reduced renal preload were not. This suggests that RV and RA dysfunction underlying venous congestion and increased renal afterload are more important pathophysiological determinants of renal impairment in acute HF than reduced cardiac output (Figure 2).
Figure 1
Figure 2
Prognostic role of right atrial strain in patients with secondary tricuspid regurgitation: insights from the CARE-TR registry
Authors: Lupi L , Saccani N , Alghisi F , Pezzola E , Pancaldi E , Pagliaro B , Villaschi A , Soranzo E , Pagnesi M , Tomasoni D , Mangieri A , Stolfo D , Sinagra G , Metra M , Adamo M 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Recently, right atrial (RA) deformation evaluated with speckle tracking echocardiography has emerged as prognostic parameter in patients with pulmonary hypertension and tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

Purpose
To explore the prognostic role of right atrial reservoir strain (RASr) in patients atrial and ventricular secondary TR (ASTR; VSTR).

Methods
The Consecutive pAtients with seveRE Tricuspid Regurgitation evaluated in heart failure (HF) and Valve Clinics (CARE-TR) registry collected data from patients with at least severe TR enrolled at 3 Italian Centres between January 2020 and December 2022. The present analysis includes 402 patients with STR and complete data on right atrial function. Patients were classified as ASTR in presence of all the following echocardiographic parameters: left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50%, pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≤ 50 mmHg, right ventricular (RV) mid end-diastolic diameter (RVEDD) ≤ 38 mm and/or RV end-diastolic area ≤ 13 cm2/m2, RV fractional area change ≥ 35% and/or RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS) ≥ 17%. Right atrial indexed volume (RAVI) and RASr were collected. The lack of at least one of these parameters identified the VSTR aetiology. The study endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization at 18-months follow-up.

Results
Patients’ median age was 79 years (IQR 72-83) and 45% were male. At 18-months follow-up, 139 patients (46%) reached the primary endpoint. After adjustment for age, male sex, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, RAVi and loop diuretic dose, RASr was the only independent predictor of events in patients with ASTR (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.86-0.96, p = 0.001); in patients with V-FTR after adjustment for age, male sex, coronary artery disease, GFR, NYHA class, loop diuretic dose and RAVi, RVEDD (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07, p = 0.029) and RVFWLS (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01-1.12, p = 0.049) were the only echocardiographic parameters associated with poor prognosis, while RASr was not. At receiver operating characteristic analysis, the best cut-off of RASr to predict the composite outcome in the whole population was 12% (sensitivity 74%, specificity 70%, area under the curve [AUC] 0.75, p &lt; 0.001). Cumulative survival free from events was lower in patients with RASr ≤ 12% as compared to those with RASr &gt; 12% in the whole population (52% vs 84%; Log rank p &lt; 0.001) and in both ASTR and VSTR (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

Conclusions
Right atrial reservoir strain is an useful and reliable tool to identify patients with STR at high risk of death and hospitalization for heart failure and it offers the best prognostic performance in patients with ASTR.
ASTR patients survival according to RASr
VSTR patients survival according to RASr