bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Active contour and texture features hybrid model for breast cancer detection from ultrasonic images
Authors: Rautela Kamakshi , Kumar Dinesh , Kumar Vijay 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBreast ultrasound is commonly used in the early detection of breast cancer. The existing geodesic‐based methods use pre‐defined filters that necessitate extensive prior knowledge to achieve the region of interest in input image. Furthermore, the majority of ultrasound images suffer from noise and acoustic shadowing, which reduces the accuracy of tumor detection. To make the breast ultrasound image more informative, the discriminative features can also be extracted to improve detection accuracy. This article proposes a method to combine Active Contour and Texture Feature Vectors to find discriminative patterns. A comprehensive set of discriminative features for cancer detection in ultrasound images is created by combining the two learning models. The Breast Ultrasound Images dataset is used to evaluate the suggested method and compare it to recently created algorithms. Experimental results reveal that the proposed approach outperforms the existing algorithms in terms of accuracy, recall, precision, Jaccard index, and F1 score.
Adiposity is associated with widespread transcriptional changes and downregulation of longevity pathways in aged skeletal muscle
Authors: Burton Mark A. , Antoun Elie , Garratt Emma S. , Westbury Leo , Baczynska Alica , Dennison Elaine M. , Harvey Nicholas C. , Cooper Cyrus , Patel Harnish P. , Godfrey Keith M. , Lillycrop Karen A. ,   EpiGen Global Research Consortium
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundAmongst healthy older people, a number of correlates of impaired skeletal muscle mass and function have been defined. Although the prevalence of obesity is increasing markedly in this age group, information is sparse about the particular impacts of obesity on ageing skeletal muscle or the molecular mechanisms that underlie this and associated disease risk.MethodsHere, we examined genome‐wide transcriptional changes using RNA sequencing in muscle biopsies from 40 older community‐dwelling men from the Hertfordshire Sarcopenia Study with regard to obesity (body mass index [BMI] >30 kg/m2, n = 7), overweight (BMI 25–30, n = 19), normal weight (BMI < 25, n = 14), and per cent and total fat mass. In addition, we used EPIC DNA methylation array data to investigate correlations between DNA methylation and gene expression in aged skeletal muscle tissue and investigated the relationship between genes within altered regulatory pathways and muscle histological parameters.ResultsIndividuals with obesity demonstrated a prominent modified transcriptional signature in muscle tissue, with a total of 542 differentially expressed genes associated with obesity (false discovery rate ≤0.05), of which 425 genes were upregulated when compared with normal weight. Upregulated genes were enriched in immune response (P = 3.18 × 10−41) and inflammation (leucocyte activation, P = 1.47 × 10−41; tumour necrosis factor, P = 2.75 × 10−15) signalling pathways and downregulated genes enriched in longevity (P = 1.5 × 10−3) and AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) (P = 4.5 × 10−3) signalling pathways. Furthermore, differentially expressed genes in both longevity and AMPK signalling pathways were associated with a change in DNA methylation, with a total of 256 and 360 significant cytosine–phosphate–guanine–gene correlations identified, respectively. Similar changes in the muscle transcriptome were observed with respect to per cent fat mass and total fat mass. Obesity was further associated with a significant increase in type II fast‐fibre area (P = 0.026), of which key regulatory genes within both longevity and AMPK pathways were significantly associated.ConclusionsWe provide for the first time a global transcriptomic profile of skeletal muscle in older people with and without obesity, demonstrating modulation of key genes and pathways implicated in the regulation of muscle function, changes in DNA methylation associated with such pathways and associations between genes within the modified pathways implicated in muscle regulation and changes in muscle fibre type.
Comparison of heart rate and cardiac output of VVI pacemaker settings in patients with atrial fibrillation with bradycardia
Authors: Yokota Ayako , Kabutoya Tomoyuki , Mitama Tadayuki , Okuyama Takafumi , Watanabe Hiroaki , Kamioka Masashi , Watanabe Tomonori , Komori Takahiro , Imai Yasushi , Kario Kazuomi 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundWhile most VVI pacemakers in bradycardic patients are set to a low limit of 60/min, the optimal lower limit rate for VVI pacemakers in atrial fibrillation has not been established. Although an increase in heart rate within the normal range in the setting of a VVI pacemaker might be expected to lead to an increase in cardiac output with the shortening of the diastolic time, the changes in cardiac output at different pacemaker settings have not been fully clarified.MethodsWe included 11 patients with bradycardic atrial fibrillation who had VVI pacemakers implanted. Stroke volume was measured using the electrical cardiometry method (AESCULONⓇ mini; Osypka Medical) without pacing and at ventricular pacings of 60, 70, 80, and 90/min.ResultsStroke volume decreased stepwise at ventricular pacing rates of 60, 70, 80, and 90/min (63.6 ± 11.2, 61.9 ± 10.6, 59.3 ± 12.2, and 57.5 ± 12.2 mL, p < .001), but cardiac output increased (3.81 ± 0.67, 4.33 ± 0.74, 4.74 ± 0.97, and 5.17 ± 1.09 L/min, p < .001). The rate of increase in cardiac output at a pacing rate of 70/min compared to 60/min correlated with left ventricular end‐systolic volume (r = 0.711, p = .014).ConclusionsCardiac output increased at a pacing rate of 70 compared to 60 in bradycardic atrial fibrillation patients, and the rate of increase in cardiac output was greater in those with larger left ventricular end‐systolic volume.
An uncertainty management perspective on the antecedents of leader self‐serving behavior
Authors: Babalola Mayowa T. , Qu Yuanmei (Elly) , Ali Moazzam , Pathki Chandra Shekhar Rao , Usman Muhammad , Muchiri Michael 
Published: May 2023

SummaryLeader self‐serving behavior has been associated with a range of adverse outcomes in the workplace. However, much remains to be explored about why and when such leader behavior emerges in organizations. This research develops and tests a theoretical framework that delineates the emotional and cognitive states that give rise to leader self‐serving behavior. Specifically, we draw on uncertainty management theory to theorize that job insecurity heightens leaders' anxiety and self‐serving cognitions that subsequently trigger leader self‐serving behavior. We further argue that the overall justice of an organization effectively mitigates the indirect relationship between a leader's sense of job insecurity and leader self‐serving behavior via leader anxiety and self‐serving cognitions. Results from a three‐wave field study involving 481 leader–follower dyads provide support for our hypothesized model. We discuss the implications of our findings for leadership theory and practice.
Climate change over Indonesia and its impact on nutmeg production: An analysis under high‐resolution CORDEX‐CORE regional simulation framework
Authors: Anripa Nuralfin , Kumar A. , Maharana Pyarimohan , Dimri A. P. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractNutmeg is an important spice and contributes significantly to the gross domestic product of Indonesia. The study examines the impact of climate change on Indonesia and the production of nutmeg over Banda Neira Island. For this, the outputs from high‐resolution regional climate models under different representative concentration pathways (RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), within the framework of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5/Coordinated Regional Climate Down‐scaling Experiment‐Coordinated Output for Regional Evaluations (CMIP5/CORDEX‐CORE) over southeast Asia domain are employed. The representation of the spatial structure of rainfall and temperature climatology is found to be much better in ensembles as compared to individual model experiments. The behaviour of simulated rainfall and temperature from the model experiments is examined to check whether the projected climate favours an increase in nutmeg production. The study found that projected changes in the number of wet days (ideal 100–160 wet days), heavy rainfall events, rising mean temperature above the optimum temperature range (25–26°C), increasing heatwave spells, and prolongation of the warm period led to an unfavourable climate for nutmeg production. Based on the analysis of dynamically produced (model simulated) climate variables, the study rejects the forecasted increase in nutmeg production using a statistical regression model due to the unfavourable climatic conditions that are likely to affect the growth, production and quality of nutmeg. The changing climate not only reduces regional agricultural production but also impacts the socio‐economic condition of the people of Indonesia. Therefore, the study emphasizes implementing stringent climate laws and policies at global, regional and local levels to curb greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the negative impact of climate change.
Valley Polarized Edge States beyond Inversion Symmetry Breaking
Authors: Bisharat Dia'aaldin J. , Sievenpiper Daniel F. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractValley‐contrast physics has gained considerable attention, particularly for realizing photonic topological insulators (PTIs) that support reflection‐free valley‐polarized edge modes (VPEMs) in the absence of inter‐valley scattering. It is an open question whether similar robust states can exist in the absence of topological valley phase, i.e., nonvanishing Berry curvature at the valleys. It is shown that a C6υ‐symmetric triangular photonic crystal (PhC) inherently exhibits uniform distribution of spatially varying phase vortices, which support a local (limited) version of valley Hall effect (LVHE), where the valley polarization is location defined as opposed to being fixed throughout the bulk. Then it is demonstrated that defect regions with sublattice asymmetry in otherwise a symmetric PhC lead to wave localization and splitting of photons according to their valley index, thus enabling VPEMs along a line defect waveguide. The device is fabricated on a silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) slab, and it is characterized at near‐infrared frequencies showing robust transmission through sharp bends comparable to valley PTIs. The results present a new perspective to creating valley edge states and outline a new waveguiding mechanism applicable to electromagnetics as well as plasmonics, mechanics, and acoustics.
Nonlinear Optical Wavefront Engineering with Geometric Phase Controlled All‐Dielectric Metadevice
Authors: Jin Mingke , Hu Zixian , Liu Xuan , Li Guixin 
Published: May 2023

AbstractOptical wavefront engineering with artificial nanostructures has important applications in laser manufacturing, bioimaging, optical communications, etc. In the linear optical regime, metasurfaces are widely utilized to realize wavefront engineering functionalities, such as imaging with a flat lens and generation of vortex beams and holographic images. On the other hand, it is highly desirable to directly control the wavefront of light during nonlinear optical processes. Here, the nonlinear optical wavefront engineering with geometric phase controlled all‐dielectric metadevices is experimentally demonstrated. This is realized by integrating the multifunctional dielectric metasurface with the conventional nonlinear optical crystals. It is demonstrated that the nonlinear metadevice can be used to generate optical vortices and nonreciprocal holographic images at second harmonic frequencies. The proposed all‐dielectric metadevice represents an important strategy to develop compact and multifunctional nonlinear optical sources.
Organoids: The current status and biomedical applications
Authors: Yang Siqi , Hu Haijie , Kung Hengchung , Zou Ruiqi , Dai Yushi , Hu Yafei , Wang Tiantian , Lv Tianrun , Yu Jun , Li Fuyu 
Published: May 2023

AbstractOrganoids are three‐dimensional (3D) miniaturized versions of organs or tissues that are derived from cells with stem potential and can self‐organize and differentiate into 3D cell masses, recapitulating the morphology and functions of their in vivo counterparts. Organoid culture is an emerging 3D culture technology, and organoids derived from various organs and tissues, such as the brain, lung, heart, liver, and kidney, have been generated. Compared with traditional bidimensional culture, organoid culture systems have the unique advantage of conserving parental gene expression and mutation characteristics, as well as long‐term maintenance of the function and biological characteristics of the parental cells in vitro. All these features of organoids open up new opportunities for drug discovery, large‐scale drug screening, and precision medicine. Another major application of organoids is disease modeling, and especially various hereditary diseases that are difficult to model in vitro have been modeled with organoids by combining genome editing technologies. Herein, we introduce the development and current advances in the organoid technology field. We focus on the applications of organoids in basic biology and clinical research, and also highlight their limitations and future perspectives. We hope that this review can provide a valuable reference for the developments and applications of organoids.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor‐related myocarditis in thymic epithelial tumors: Recent progress and perspectives
Authors: Yin Jianqiong , Yao Zhuoran , Pan Jing , Gan Lu , Xue Jianxin 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare anterior mediastinal malignancies originating in the thymus with poor outcomes, and standard platinum‐based chemotherapy shows limited efficacy for treating metastatic or recurrent disease. In this setting, further improved novel treatment strategies are needed. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely applied in clinical practice for cancer therapy and early results of clinical trials have brought notable objective responses and lasting survival benefits to patients with TETs. However, the incidences of immune‐related adverse events (irAEs), especially cardiac adverse events, are higher than those of other tumor types. Myocarditis is a rapidly progressive and life‐threatening irAE in patients treated with ICIs, thereby hindering the further utilization of ICI in TETs patients. Therefore, this article aims to review the results of case series and clinical trials that evaluated ICIs for the treatment of TETs and to provide an overview of the clinical features of fatal ICI‐related myocarditis in TETs. Furthermore, we approach insights into the immunobiology of thymic tumors and focus on revealing the mechanisms of cardiotoxicity in patients with TETs, hoping to provide several valuable insights for maximizing the therapeutic potential of ICIs in TETs.
Effect of cilostazol on preventing paclitaxel‐induced neuropathy in patients with breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Haroun Esraa A. , Mansour Noha O. , Eltantawy Ahmed , Shams Mohamed E. E. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractStudy ObjectivePaclitaxel‐induced peripheral neuropathy is a significant clinical problem can markedly deteriorate patient's quality of life (QoL). Preclinical evidence exists about the preventive capacity of cilostazol against peripheral neuropathy. However, this hypothesis has not yet been clinically investigated. This proof‐of‐concept study evaluated the effect of cilostazol on the incidence of paclitaxel‐induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with non‐metastatic breast cancer.DesignThis is a parallel randomized placebo‐controlled trial.SettingThe Oncology Center at Mansoura University, Egypt.PatientsPatients with breast cancer scheduled to receive paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 biweekly.InterventionsPatients were randomized to either cilostazol group who received cilostazol tablets 100 mg BID, or to control group who received placebo instead.MeasurementsThe primary endpoint was the incidence of paclitaxel‐induced neuropathy evaluated through common terminology criteria for adverse event (NCI‐CTCAE) version 4. Secondary endpoints included assessment of the patient's QoL by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group‐Neurotoxicity (FACT‐GOG‐NTx) subscale. Exploratory outcome measures included changes in serum levels of biomarkers namely nerve growth factor (NGF), and neurofilament light chain (NfL).Main ResultsThe incidence of grade 2 and 3 peripheral neuropathies were significantly lower in the cilostazol group (40%) compared to the control group (86.7%) (p < 0.001). The incidence of clinically significant worsening in neuropathy‐related QoL was higher in control group compared to the cilostazol group (p = 0.001). A higher percent increase from baseline in serum NGF was observed in the cilostazol group (p = 0.043). The circulating levels of NfL deemed comparable between the two arms at the end of the study (p = 0.593).ConclusionAdjunctive use of cilostazol is as a novel option that might reduce the incidence of paclitaxel‐induced peripheral neuropathy and improve the patients' QoL. Future larger clinical trials are warranted to confirm these findings.
Adapting school‐based implementation support from in‐person to virtual: An experimental evaluation of a virtual coaching program to improve intervention fidelity
Authors: Wang Jiayi , Begeny John C. , Durling Jesslyn M. , Newson Natasha K. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIntervention fidelity is crucial in ensuring efficient and quality support for students in need. Some coaching strategies have evidenced positive impacts on intervention fidelity and virtual coaching has been emerging in recent years, especially during the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, current literature is still limited in examining the effects of virtual coaching. After adapting an evidence‐based set of in‐person coaching materials and procedures into a virtual delivery format, this study used a multiple baseline design to evaluate the efficacy of the virtual coaching program in supporting interventionists who implemented a small‐group reading intervention. Visual analysis and nonparametric analyses demonstrated considerable improvement in interventionists' fidelity after receiving the virtual coaching program. Additionally, surveys from interventionists indicated positive perceptions toward the coaches and the virtual coaching process. Practical implications of virtual coaching and future research directions are discussed.
Inclusive collaboration across plant physiology and genomics: Now is the time!
Authors:   Interdisciplinary Plant Science Consortium
Published: May 2023

AbstractWithin the broad field of plant sciences, what are the most pressing challenges and opportunities to advance? Answers to this question usually include food and nutritional security, climate change mitigation, adaptation of plants to changing climates, preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services, production of plant‐based proteins and products, and growth of the bioeconomy. Genes and the processes their products carry out create differences in how plants grow, develop, and behave, and thus, the key solutions to these challenges lie squarely in the space where plant genomics and physiology intersect. Advancements in genomics, phenomics, and analysis tools have generated massive datasets, but these data are complex and have not always generated scientific insights at the anticipated pace. Further, new tools may need to be created or adapted, and field‐relevant applications tested, to advance scientific discovery derived from such datasets. Meaningful, relevant conclusions and connections from genomics and plant physiological and biochemical data require both subject matter expertise and the collaborative skills needed to work together outside of specific disciplines. Bringing the best expertise to bear on complex problems in plant sciences requires enhanced, inclusive, and sustained collaboration across disciplines. However, despite significant efforts to enable and sustain collaborative research, a variety of challenges persist. Here, we present the outcomes and conclusions of two workshops convened to address the need for collaboration between scientists engaged in plant physiology, genetics, and genomics and to discuss the approaches that will create the necessary environments to support successful collaboration. We conclude with approaches to share and reward collaboration and the need to train inclusive scientists that will have the skills to thrive in interdisciplinary contexts.
Electrochemical Restoration of Battery Materials Guided by Synchrotron Radiation Technology for Sustainable Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Lei , Shen Yihao , Liu Yuanlong , Zeng Pan , Meng Junxia , Liu Tiefeng , Zhang Liang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractLithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have been ubiquitous in modern society, especially in the fields of electronic devices, electric vehicles and grid storage, while raising concerns about a tremendous number of spent batteries in the next five to ten years. As environmental awareness and resource security is gaining increasingly extensive attention, how to effectively deal with spent LIBs has become a challenging issue academically and industrially. Accordingly, the development of battery recycling has surfaced as a highly researched topic in the battery community. Recently, the structural and electrochemical restoration of recycled electrode materials have been proposed as a non‐destructive method to save more energy and chemical agents compared with mature metallurgical methods. Such a refurbishment process of electrode materials is also regarded as a reverse process of their degradation in the working condition. Notably, synchrotron radiation technology, which is previously applied to diagnose battery degrade, has started to play major roles in gaining more insight into the structural restoration of electrode materials. Here, the contribution of synchrotron radiation technology to reveal the underlying degradation and regeneration mechanisms of LIBs cathodes is highlighted, providing a theoretical basis and guidance for the direct recycling and reuse of degraded cathodes.
Minimally‐Invasive and In‐Vivo Hydrogel Patterning Method for In Situ Fabrication of Implantable Hydrogel Devices
Authors: Cha Gi Doo , Kim Minjeong , Park Ok Kyu , Sunwoo Sung‐Hyuk , Kang Taegyu , Lee Wang Hee , Nam Seonghyeon , Hyeon Taeghwan , Choi Seung Hong , Kim Dae‐Hyeong 
Published: May 2023

AbstractDespite advances in a wide range of device applications of hydrogels, including implantable ones, a method for deploying patterned hydrogel devices into the body in a minimally‐invasive manner is not available yet. However, in situ patterning of the hydrogel in vivo has an obvious advantage, by which incision surgery for implantation of the hydrogel device can be avoided. Here, a minimally‐invasive and in vivo hydrogel patterning method for in situ fabrication of implantable hydrogel devices is presented. The sequential application of injectable hydrogels and enzymes, with assistance of minimally‐invasive surgical instruments, enables the in vivo and in situ hydrogel patterning. This patterning method can be achieved by adopting an appropriate combination of the sacrificial mold hydrogel and the frame hydrogel, in consideration of unique material properties of the hydrogels such as high softness, facile mass transfer, biocompatibility, and diverse crosslinking mechanisms. In vivo and in situ patterning of the hydrogels functionalized with nanomaterials is also demonstrated to fabricate the wireless heater and tissue scaffold, showcasing broad applicability of the patterning method.