bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cave beetle lineages gained genes before going down under: An example of repeated genomic exaptation?
Authors: Friedrich Markus 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe adaptation of animals to subterranean habitats like caves and aquifers stereotypically leads to dramatic trait‐loss consequences like the lack of eyes and body pigmentation. These body plan regression trends are expected to be tied to gene loss as well. Indeed, previous studies documented the degeneration of vision genes in obligate cave dwellers. Contradicting this picture, the first broad‐scale comparative transcriptome‐wide study of gene content evolution in separate subterranean Australian and Mediterranean beetle clades unearthed evidence of global gene gain and retention. This suggests that the transition to cave life may be more contingent on gene repertoire expansion than contraction. Future studies, however, will need to examine how much the observed patterns of gene content evolution reflect subfunctionalization and fitness‐securing genetic redundancy outcomes following gene duplication as opposed to adaptive trajectories.
Self‐avoiding walks and polygons on hyperbolic graphs
Authors: Panagiotis Christoforos 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe prove that for the ‐regular tessellations of the hyperbolic plane by ‐gons, there are exponentially more self‐avoiding walks of length than there are self‐avoiding polygons of length . We then prove that this property implies that the self‐avoiding walk is ballistic, even on an arbitrary vertex‐transitive graph. Moreover, for every fixed , we show that the connective constant for self‐avoiding walks satisfies the asymptotic expansion as ; on the other hand, the connective constant for self‐avoiding polygons remains bounded. Finally, we show for all but two tessellations that the number of self‐avoiding walks of length is comparable to the th power of their connective constant. Some of these results were previously obtained by Madras and Wu for all but finitely many regular tessellations of the hyperbolic plane.
Association of extra‐pulmonary vein triggers with low‐voltage area and clinical recurrence in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing catheter ablation
Authors: Park In Jae , Kim Daehoon , Yu Hee Tae , Kim Tae‐Hoon , Uhm Jae‐Sun , Joung Boyoung , Lee Moon‐Hyoung , Hwang Chun , Pak Hui‐Nam 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesAlthough extra‐pulmonary vein (PV) triggers (ExPVTs) play a role in atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation (AFCA), the mechanism is unknown. We explored whether the locations of ExPVTs were associated with low‐voltage scar areas (LVAs).MethodsAmong 2255 consecutive patients who underwent a de novo AFCA, 1696 (male 72.1%, median 60 years old, paroxysmal 64.7%) were included who underwent isoproterenol provocation and voltage mapping of the left atrium (LA) during their procedures. We investigated the associations between ExPVTs and their mean LA voltage and colocalization of ExPVTs within LVAs (<0.2 mV).ResultsWe observed ExPVTs in 181 (10.7%) patients (60 in the LA, 99 in the right atrium [RA], 16 biatrial, and 6 unmappable). A lower mean LA voltage was independently associated with the existence of ExPVTs (OR 0.77 per 1 SD mV increase, 95% CI 0.60–0.99, p = .039). Among 76 patients who had ExPVTs[LA], 43 (56.6%) had ExPVTs within LVAs. During a median of a 42‐month follow‐up, patients with ExPVTs had a higher AF recurrence than those without (HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.48–2.37, Log‐rank p < .001), but colocalization of ExPVTs and LVAs (Log‐rank p = .544) and the anatomical location of ExPVTs (Log‐rank p = .084) did not affect the rhythm outcome.ConclusionsThe presence of ExPVTs was associated with low LA voltage and poor rhythm outcome post‐AFCA, but the colocalization of ExPVTs and LVA in LA did not affect rhythm outcome.
Effects of bacterial cellulose/thyme essential oil emulsion coating on the shelf life of chilled chicken meat
Authors: Xu Yuelong , Xin Jiajin , Lyu Yunbin , Zhang Chong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDBacterial cellulose (BC) is a fiber substance produced by microbial fermentation. It is widely used in the food preservation industry because of its extremely pure texture, high crystallinity and high biocompatibility. In the present study, bacterial cellulose/thyme essential oil (BC/TEO‐E) with antibacterial and fresh‐keeping functions was prepared by ultrasonic treatment of modified bacterial cellulose for encapsulation of thyme essential oil, which effectively inhibited the spoilage of chilled chicken.RESULTSThe purified BC, produced by Acetobacter xylinum ATCC 53524, was ultrasonically treated wih different times (0, 30, 60 and 90 min). Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and zeta potential were used to characterize the structure of BC after ultrasound, showing that BC, treated for 30 min, had the optimal fiber structure, crystallinity (85.8%), thermal stability (347.77 °C) and solution stability (−26.63 ± 1.96 mV). BC/TEO‐E was prepared by a homogenizer for the preservation of chilled chicken. Optical microscopy indicated that the BC/TEO‐E prepared by 0.5% BC had optimal dispersion and stability, and even no delamination was observed in the emulsion. Compared with other groups (control, 0.5% BC and Tween‐E), the total number of colonies and coliforms in chilled chicken treated with 0.5% BC/TEO‐E was the lowest during the whole storage period (12 days), indicating that it can effectively inhibit bacterial growth. In addition, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, pH and drip loss results showed that 0.5% BC/TEO‐E could effectively inhibit the spoilage of chilled chicken compared to the other treatment groups.CONCLUSIONAll of the results acquired in the present study indicate that BC/TEO‐E has a potential application in chilled chicken preservation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Ultrasound Incorporation in Gross Anatomy Labs in a Master of Medical Sciences Program
Authors: Robertson Taylor , Meyer Kimberly , Kerr Marcel Satsky , Gibson John , Bradley Libby , Reeves Rustin , Handler Emma 
Published: February 2024

ObjectivesTeaching ultrasound imaging is on the rise in undergraduate medical anatomy education. However, there is little research exploring the use of ultrasound in preparatory graduate programs. The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of ultrasound imaging inclusion in a graduate gross anatomy course.MethodsMaster of Medical Sciences students were enrolled in a prosection‐based anatomy course that included pinned cadaver stations and an ultrasound station. Using ultrasound, teaching assistants imaged volunteers demonstrating anatomical structures students previously learned at cadaver stations. Students answered one ultrasound image question on each practical exam and were asked to participate in a pre‐ and post‐course survey. Student practical and lecture exam scores and final course grades from the 2022 cohort were compared to a historical control cohort from 2021 via statistical analysis, including a survey administered to the 2022 cohort.ResultsTwo hundred students from the 2021 cohort and 164 students from the 2022 cohort participated in this study. Students in the 2022 cohort had significantly higher scores in 1 of the 5 practical exams (P < .05, d = .289), and 2 of the 5 written exams (P < .05, d = .207), (P < .05, d = .311). Survey data revealed increased (P < .05, d = 1.203) learning outcome achievement from pre‐survey to post‐survey in the intervention cohort. Students who correctly answered the ultrasound question performed significantly better on practical's 3 (P < .05) and 4 (P < .05) than those who missed the ultrasound question.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that ultrasound imaging in a cadaver lab is beneficial to graduate students' learning and understanding of gross anatomy.
Novel design of compact quad‐band divider using stepped impedance coupled lines
Authors: Wang Xinhuai , Li Xin , Xu Yin , Wang Wen , Xu Hongyang , Kang Le 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis letter presents a novel compact quad‐band power divider using stepped impedance coupled lines. The power divider adopts a stepped impedance coupling line with two transmission zeros as the primary transmission unit and forms a flexible quad‐band in the architecture of the second‐order power divider design through clever impedance matching and transmission zeros design. In addition, the complete and detailed formula derivation and calculation process of this power divider are given, and the specific parameters of the transmission line and coupled line model of the power divider are obtained. Finally, a novel compact power divider operating at 0.9, 1.8, 3.5, and 4.4 GHz is designed and implemented based on the calculation. The test results of the power divider show good performance and are consistent with the simulation results, which proves the effectiveness of the method and structure design.
Cryogen‐free 400‐MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer as a versatile tool for pharmaceutical process analytical technology
Authors: Silva Elipe Maria Victoria , Ndukwe Ikenna Edward , Murray James I. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe discovery of new ceramic materials containing Ba‐La‐Cu oxides in 1986 that exhibited superconducting properties at high temperatures in the range of 35 K or higher, recognized with the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1987, opened a new world of opportunities for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMRs) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) to move away from liquid cryogens. This discovery expands the application of high temperature superconducting (HTS) materials to fields beyond the chemical and medical industries, including electrical power grids, energy, and aerospace. The prototype 400‐MHz cryofree HTS NMR spectrometer installed at Amgen's chemistry laboratory has been vital for a variety of applications such as structure analysis, reaction monitoring, and CASE‐3D studies with RDCs. The spectrometer has been integrated with Amgen's chemistry and analytical workflows, providing pipeline project support in tandem with other Kinetic Analysis Platform technologies. The 400‐MHz cryofree HTS NMR spectrometer, as the name implies, does not require liquid cryogens refills and has smaller footprint that facilitates installation into a chemistry laboratory fume hood, sharing the hood with a process chemistry reactor. Our evaluation of its performance for structural analysis with CASE‐3D protocol and for reaction monitoring of Amgen's pipeline chemistry was successful. We envision that the HTS magnets would become part of the standard NMR and MRI spectrometers in the future. We believe that while the technology is being developed, there is room for all magnet options, including HTS, low temperature superconducting (LTS) magnets, and low field benchtop NMRs with permanent magnets, where utilization will be dependent on application type and costs.
Patterns and assessment of spastic hemiplegic gait
Authors: Li Sheng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractHemiparetic gait disorders are common in stroke survivors. A circumductory gait is often considered the typical hemiparetic gait. In clinical practice, a wide spectrum of abnormal gait patterns is observed, depending on the severity of weakness and spasticity, and the anatomical distribution of spasticity. Muscle strength is the key determinant of gait disorders in hemiparetic stroke survivors. Spasticity and its associated involuntary activation of synergistic spastic muscles often alter posture of involved joint(s) and subsequently the alignment of hip, knee, and ankle joints, resulting in abnormal gait patterns. Due to combinations of various levels of muscle weakness and spasticity and their interactions with ground reaction force, presentations of gait disorders are variable. From a neuromechanical perspective, a stepwise visual gait analysis approach is proposed to identify primary underlying causes. In this approach, the pelvic and hip joint movement is examined first. The pelvic girdle constitutes three kinematic determinants. Its abnormality determines the body vector and compensatory kinetic chain reactions in the knee and ankle joints. The second step is to assess the ankle and foot complex abnormality. The last step is to examine abnormality of the knee joint. Assessment of muscle strength and spasticity of hip, knee, and ankle/foot joints needs to be performed before these steps. Lidocaine nerve blocks can be a useful diagnostic tool. Recognizing different patterns and identifying the primary causes are critical to developing clinical interventions to improve gait functions.
Comparative study of mobile acoustic uroflowmetry and conventional uroflowmetry: A systematic review and meta analysis
Authors: Rangganata Ervandy , Rahardjo Harrina Erlianti , Rasyid Nur , Widia Fina , Murwantara I Made , Yugopuspito Pujianto , Gemilang Bayu , Nasher Fakhri Zuhdian , Syadza Yasmina Zahra , Yonathan Kevin , Birowo Ponco 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIntroductionUroflowmetry is a noninvasive measurement of the volume of urine excreted over time. Conventional uroflowmetry has become the main modality of urine flow measurement within time. However, this method requires the patient to be present in the hospital or healthcare setting, thus sometimes making the patients feel uncomfortable to undergo the examination. This led to multiple measurements which are inconvenient for the patients. Mobile acoustic uroflowmetry (sono‐uroflowmetry) has been proposed as an alternative method of urine flow measurement due to its portability. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of sono‐uroflowmetry as compared to conventional uroflowmetry.MethodsElectronic databases searching were done using prespecified search strategy to retrieve articles related with uroflowmetry. In addition, hand‐search strategy was used to identify additional articles. Studies with participants who had undergone sono‐uroflowmetry were included. Voided volume, voiding duration, maximum flow rate, and average flow rate were identified and used to determine the outcomes of measurement. The quality of included articles was conducted using checklist for Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies by JBI.ResultsInitial search yielded 335 articles with four additional papers identified through hand‐searching process. Six papers were retrieved and further used in the narrative synthesis. Five studies enrolled male participants, while only one of the papers enrolled female participants as additional subgroup analysis. Therefore, the meta‐analysis was performed by using only male participants. Based on the meta‐analysis results, there were strong to very strong positive correlation in voided volume, voiding time, average flow, average flow rate, and maximum flow rate between sono and conventional uroflowmetry.ConclusionSonouroflowmetry showed significant positive correlations to conventional uroflowmetry, signifying its use as an alternative of conventional uroflowmetry.
Amide proton transfer weighted imaging in pediatric neuro‐oncology: initial experience
Authors: Obdeijn Iris V. , Wiegers Evita C. , Alic Lejla , Plasschaert Sabine L. A. , Kranendonk Mariëtte E. G. , Hoogduin Hans M. , Klomp Dennis W. J. , Wijnen Jannie P. , Lequin Maarten H. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAmide proton transfer weighted (APTw) imaging enables in vivo assessment of tissue‐bound mobile proteins and peptides through the detection of chemical exchange saturation transfer. Promising applications of APTw imaging have been shown in adult brain tumors. As pediatric brain tumors differ from their adult counterparts, we investigate the radiological appearance of pediatric brain tumors on APTw imaging. APTw imaging was conducted at 3 T. APTw maps were calculated using magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry at 3.5 ppm. First, the repeatability of APTw imaging was assessed in a phantom and in five healthy volunteers by calculating the within‐subject coefficient of variation (wCV). APTw images of pediatric brain tumor patients were analyzed retrospectively. APTw levels were compared between solid tumor tissue and normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM) and between pediatric high‐grade glioma (pHGG) and pediatric low‐grade glioma (pLGG) using t‐tests. APTw maps were repeatable in supratentorial and infratentorial brain regions (wCV ranged from 11% to 39%), except those from the pontine region (wCV between 39% and 50%). APTw images of 23 children with brain tumor were analyzed (mean age 12 years ± 5, 12 male). Significantly higher APTw values are present in tumor compared with NAWM for both pHGG and pLGG (p < 0.05). APTw values were higher in pLGG subtype pilocytic astrocytoma compared with other pLGG subtypes (p < 0.05). Non‐invasive characterization of pediatric brain tumor biology with APTw imaging could aid the radiologist in clinical decision‐making.
Development and validation of self‐screening tool for nutrition risk in patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy: A study protocol
Authors: Chen Zhiming , Yu Haichi , Yuan Hua , Wang Jia , Wang Qiuchen , Zhu Mingyue , Yao Jiannan , Zhang Xiuying , Xue Hui 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimThis study aims to develop and validate a clinical nutrition risk screening tool to predict nutrition risk in home for the patients with gastric cancer after surgery at home so that high‐risk patients can be targeted for preventive nutrition care.DesignThe development of self‐screening tool for nutrition risk in patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy (SNRSGC) through literature review, expert panel ratings and cognitive interview; the validation of SNRSGC is evaluated through prospective research on participants.MethodsThis research is divided into four parts: Step 1, Identification of a potential referred nutritional risk screening; Step 2, Item generation and scoring are selected through literature review methods to screen sensitive indicators which can reflect the nutritional characteristics of patients after gastric cancer surgery, establish the frame and update according to the latest guidelines; Step 3, Item reduction is determined by the rating of SNRSGC items by an expert panel and cognitive interview; Step 4, During the validation stage, we conducted research design based on the Consensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments checklist to evaluate the validity, reliability, interpretability and acceptability of SNRSGC.ResultsSNRSGC is the first screening tool specifically to predict nutrition risk for stay‐at‐home postoperative patients with gastric cancer, which can help patients at home detect nutritional risks at home in time and guide patients to seek medical treatment as soon as possible to improve their nutritional status.
An insight into recent updates on analytical techniques for bioactive alkaloids
Authors: Saini Aniket , Seni Kushal , Chawla Pooja A. , Chawla Viney , Ganti Subrahmanya S. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIntroductionAlkaloids represent a wide class of naturally existing nitrogen‐containing organic compounds having diverse biological activities. They are primary bioactive substances extracted from diverse plant parts. Due to their diverse biological activities, they are frequently used as medicines. The alkaloids have diverse pharmacological impacts on the human body; alkaloids are used for prevention, treatment, and reduction of discomfort associated with chronic illnesses. As most alkaloids exist in plants in complex form, combined with numerous other natural plant components, it is essential to recognize and characterize these molecules using different analytical techniques.ObjectivesWe aimed to review the literature on the methods and protocols for the analysis of naturally occurring alkaloids.MethodsWe carried out a literature survey using the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases and other relevant published materials. The keywords used in the searches were “alkaloids,” “analytical methods,” “HPLC method,” “GC method,” “electrochemical methods,” and “bioanalytical methods,” in various combinations.ResultsIn this article, several classes of alkaloids are presented, along with their biological activities. Moreover, it includes a thorough explanation of chromatographic techniques, hyphenated techniques, electrochemical techniques, and current trending analytical methods utilized for the isolation, identification, and comprehensive characterization of alkaloids.ConclusionsThe various analytical techniques play an important role in the identification as well as the characterization of various alkaloids from plants, plasma samples, and urine samples. The hyphenation of various chromatographic techniques with mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy plays a crucial role in the characterization of unknown compounds.
Back from the dead: A fungus gnat pollinator turns Arisaema lethal trap into nursery
Authors: Suetsugu Kenji , Nishigaki Hiroki , Kakishima Satoshi , Sueyoshi Masahiro , Sugiura Shinji 
Published: February 2024

Societal Impact StatementThe research explores the complex interaction between flowering plants and their pollinators, specifically focusing on the genus Arisaema. Unlike most plants, Arisaema has a distinctive trait in which killing pollinators can be beneficial. Traditionally, this interaction has been viewed as highly antagonistic because it appears to favor the plants at the expense of the pollinators. However, new evidence reveals that a pollinator uses the lethal floral trap of Arisaema thunbergii as a nursery. Remarkably, some individuals probably even escape from the trap after laying eggs. This finding challenges the prevailing notion that deceptive pollination is the sole outcome in Arisaema, a genus known for its intricate lethal pollination mechanisms.Summary

While many flowering plants engage in mutualistic relationships with their pollinators, flower‐insect interactions are not always mutually beneficial. Some plants exploit their pollinators by deceptively promising rewards without delivering them. Among such plants, the genus Arisaema (Araceae) is notable for its antagonistic behavior towards pollinators, as female plants invariably entrap them with lethal effects.
Here we tested the hypothesis that the succulent appendix of some Arisaema species, such as Arisaema thunbergii, may serve as a food source for pollinator larvae, leading to the possibility of nursery pollination. To investigate this, we retrieved adult insect corpses trapped within the spathes of A. thunbergii. Subsequently, we incubated the spathes after collecting the corpses to determine if conspecific insects emerged from them.
We present novel evidence that one of the main pollinating fungus gnats, Leia ishitanii, uses the lethal floral trap of A. thunbergii inflorescences as a nursery. Astonishingly, some L. ishitanii individuals may even succeed in escaping from the female spathe after depositing their eggs.
These findings challenge the conventional understanding that deceptive pollination is the norm within the genus Arisaema. The interaction between A. thunbergii and L. ishitanii, in which a significant portion of female adults die inside but still reproduction seems successful, suggests an intermediate stage between brood‐site deception and nursery pollination mutualism.