bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alterations in choroidal vascular structures due to serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with POEMS syndrome
Authors: Yokouchi Hirotaka , Nagasato Daisuke , Mitamura Yoshinori , Egawa Mariko , Tabuchi Hitoshi , Misawa Sonoko , Kuwabara Satoshi , Baba Takayuki 
Published: June 2023

AbstractA higher serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level can cause choroidal thickening in the choroid of patients with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome. We aimed to determine whether fluctuations in serum VEGF levels affect choroidal vascular structures in patients with POEMS syndrome. This retrospective observational case series examined 17 left eyes of 17 patients with POEMS syndrome. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) images were obtained, and serum VEGF levels were measured at baseline and 6 months after transplantation with dexamethasone (n = 6), thalidomide (n = 8), or lenalidomide (n = 3). EDI-OCT images were binarized using ImageJ software, and we calculated the areas of the whole choroid and the luminal and stromal areas. Subsequently, we determined whether the choroidal vascular structure had changed significantly between baseline and 6 months after treatment. Six months after treatment, serum VEGF levels and the whole choroid, luminal, and stromal areas had decreased significantly compared to the baseline values (all, P < 0.001). The mean luminal area to the whole choroidal area ratio at 6 months after treatment was 0.70 ± 0.03, which was significantly smaller than the ratio at baseline (0.72 ± 0.03; P < 0.001). Whole choroid and luminal area fluctuations were significantly positively correlated with fluctuations in serum VEGF levels (r = 0.626, P = 0.007 and r = 0.585, P = 0.014, respectively). Choroidal thickening induced by VEGF might be caused by increases in the choroidal vessel lumen area. These results may offer insights into the pathogenesis of POEMS syndrome and the role of serum VEGF in choroidal vascular structure, which may apply to other ocular diseases.
Automated COVID-19 detection with convolutional neural networks
Authors: Dumakude Aphelele , Ezugwu Absalom E. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis paper focuses on addressing the urgent need for efficient and accurate automated screening tools for COVID-19 detection. Inspired by existing research efforts, we propose two framework models to tackle this challenge. The first model combines a conventional CNN architecture as a feature extractor with XGBoost as the classifier. The second model utilizes a classical CNN architecture with a Feedforward Neural Network for classification. The key distinction between the two models lies in their classification layers. Bayesian optimization techniques are employed to optimize the hyperparameters of both models, enabling a “cheat-start” to the training process with optimal configurations. To mitigate overfitting, transfer learning techniques such as Dropout and Batch normalization are incorporated. The CovidxCT-2A dataset is used for training, validation, and testing purposes. To establish a benchmark, we compare the performance of our models with state-of-the-art methods reported in the literature. Evaluation metrics including Precision, Recall, Specificity, Accuracy, and F1-score are employed to assess the efficacy of the models. The hybrid model demonstrates impressive results, achieving high precision (98.43%), recall (98.41%), specificity (99.26%), accuracy (99.04%), and F1-score (98.42%). The standalone CNN model exhibits slightly lower but still commendable performance, with precision (98.25%), recall (98.44%), specificity (99.27%), accuracy (98.97%), and F1-score (98.34%). Importantly, both models outperform five other state-of-the-art models in terms of classification accuracy, as demonstrated by the results of this study.
Functional outcome in patients with traumatic or hemorrhagic brain injuries undergoing decompressive craniectomy versus craniotomy and 6-month rehabilitation
Authors: Pingue Valeria , Franciotta Diego 
Published: June 2023

AbstractDecompressive craniectomy (DC) and craniotomy (CT) to treat increased intracranial pressure after brain injury are common but controversial choices in clinical practice. Studying a large cohort of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hemorrhagic stroke (HS) on rehabilitation pathways, we aimed to determine the impact of DC and CT on functional outcome/mortality, and on seizures occurrence. This observational retrospective study included patients with either TBI, or HS, who underwent DC or CT, consecutively admitted to our unit for 6-month neurorehabilitation programs between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018. Neurological status using Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and rehabilitation outcome with Functional Independence Measure, both assessed at baseline and on discharge, post-DC cranioplasty, prophylactic antiepileptic drug use, occurrence of early/late seizures, infectious complications, and death during hospitalization were evaluated and analyzed with linear and logistic regression models. Among 278 patients, DC was performed in 98 (66.2%) with HS, and in 98 (75.4%) with TBI, whilst CT in 50 (33.8%) with HS, and in 32 (24.6%) with TBI. On admission, GCS scores were lower in patients treated with CT than in those with DC (HS, p = 0.016; TBI, p = 0.024). Severity of brain injury and older age were the main factors affecting functional outcome, without between-group differences, but DC associated with worse functional outcome, independently from severity or type of brain injury. Unprovoked seizures occurred post-DC cranioplasty more frequently after HS (OR = 5.142, 95% CI 1.026–25.784, p = 0.047). DC and CT shared similar risk of mortality, which associated with sepsis (OR = 16.846, 95% CI 5.663–50.109, p < 0.0001), or acute symptomatic seizures (OR = 4.282, 95% CI 1.276–14.370, p = 0.019), independently from the neurosurgery procedures. Among CT and DC, the latter neurosurgical procedure is at major risk of worse functional outcome in patients with mild-to-severe TBI, or HS undergoing an intensive rehabilitation program. Complications with sepsis or acute symptomatic seizures increase the risk of death.
Assessing physical abilities of sarcopenia patients using gait analysis and smart insole for development of digital biomarker
Authors: Kim Shinjune , Park Seongjin , Lee Sangyeob , Seo Sung Hyo , Kim Hyeon Su , Cha Yonghan , Kim Jung-Taek , Kim Jin-Woo , Ha Yong-Chan , Yoo Jun-Il 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study is to compare variable importance across multiple measurement tools, and to use smart insole and artificial intelligence (AI) gait analysis to create variables that can evaluate the physical abilities of sarcopenia patients. By analyzing and comparing sarcopenia patients with non sarcopenia patients, this study aims to develop predictive and classification models for sarcopenia and discover digital biomarkers. The researchers used smart insole equipment to collect plantar pressure data from 83 patients, and a smart phone to collect video data for pose estimation. A Mann–Whitney U was conducted to compare the sarcopenia group of 23 patients and the control group of 60 patients. Smart insole and pose estimation were used to compare the physical abilities of sarcopenia patients with a control group. Analysis of joint point variables showed significant differences in 12 out of 15 variables, but not in knee mean, ankle range, and hip range. These findings suggest that digital biomarkers can be used to differentiate sarcopenia patients from the normal population with improved accuracy. This study compared musculoskeletal disorder patients to sarcopenia patients using smart insole and pose estimation. Multiple measurement methods are important for accurate sarcopenia diagnosis and digital technology has potential for improving diagnosis and treatment.
Connectivity alteration in thalamic nuclei and default mode network-related area in memory processes in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy using magnetoencephalography
Authors: Ishizaki Tomotaka , Maesawa Satoshi , Nakatsubo Daisuke , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Torii Jun , Mutoh Manabu , Natsume Jun , Hoshiyama Minoru , Saito Ryuta 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis work aimed to investigate the involvement of the thalamic nuclei in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) and identify the influence of interictal epileptic discharges on the neural basis of memory processing by evaluating the functional connectivity (FC) between the thalamic nuclei and default mode network-related area (DMNRA) using magnetoencephalography. Preoperative datasets of nine patients with MTLE with seizure-free status after surgery and those of nine healthy controls were analyzed. The FC between the thalamic nuclei (anterior nucleus [ANT], mediodorsal nucleus [MD], intralaminar nuclei [IL]), hippocampus, and DMNRA was examined for each of the resting, pre-spike, spike, and post-spike periods in the delta to ripple bands using magnetoencephalography. The FC between the ANT, MD, hippocampus, and medial prefrontal cortex increased in the gamma to ripple bands, whereas the FC between the ANT, IL, and DMNRA decreased in the delta to beta bands, compared with that of the healthy controls at rest. Compared with the rest period, the pre-spike period had significantly decreased FC between the ANT, MD, and DMNRA in the ripple band. Different FC changes between the thalamic nuclei, hippocampus, and DMNRA of specific connections in a particular band may reflect impairment or compensation in the memory processes.
Telomere-related prognostic biomarkers for survival assessments in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Chen Shengyang , Hu Shuiquan , Zhou Baizhong , Cheng Bingbing , Tong Hao , Su Dongchao , Li Xiaoyong , Chen Yanjun , Zhang Genhao 
Published: June 2023

AbstractHuman telomeres are linked to genetic instability and a higher risk of developing cancer. Therefore, to improve the dismal prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients, a thorough investigation of the association between telomere-related genes and pancreatic cancer is required. Combat from the R package “SVA” was performed to correct the batch effects between the TCGA-PAAD and GTEx datasets. After differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were assessed, we constructed a prognostic risk model through univariate Cox regression, LASSO-Cox regression, and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Data from the ICGC, GSE62452, GSE71729, and GSE78229 cohorts were used as test cohorts for validating the prognostic signature. The major impact of the signature on the tumor microenvironment and its response to immune checkpoint drugs was also evaluated. Finally, PAAD tissue microarrays were fabricated and immunohistochemistry was performed to explore the expression of this signature in clinical samples. After calculating 502 telomere-associated DEGs, we constructed a three-gene prognostic signature (DSG2, LDHA, and RACGAP1) that can be effectively applied to the prognostic classification of pancreatic cancer patients in multiple datasets, including TCGA, ICGC, GSE62452, GSE71729, and GSE78229 cohorts. In addition, we have screened a variety of tumor-sensitive drugs targeting this signature. Finally, we also found that protein levels of DSG2, LDHA, and RACGAP1 were upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues compared to normal tissues by immunohistochemistry analysis. We established and validated a telomere gene-related prognostic signature for pancreatic cancer and confirmed the upregulation of DSG2, LDHA, and RACGAP1 expression in clinical samples, which may provide new ideas for individualized immunotherapy.
The impact of bilateral anodal transcranial direct current stimulation of the premotor and cerebellar cortices on physiological and performance parameters of gymnastic athletes: a randomized, cross-over, sham-controlled study
Authors: Anoushiravani Sajjad , Alizadehgoradel Jaber , Iranpour Asgar , Yousefi Bilehsavar Omid , Pouresmali Asghar , Nitsche Michael A. , Salehinejad Mohammad Ali , Mosayebi-Samani Mohsen , Zoghi Maryam 
Published: June 2023

AbstractProfessional sports performance relies critically on the interaction between the brain and muscles during movement. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique which modulates cortical excitability and can be used to improve motor performance in athletes. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of bilateral anodal tDCS (2 mA, 20 min) over the premotor cortex or cerebellum on motor and physiological functions and peak performance of professional gymnastics athletes. Seventeen professional gymnastics athletes participated in a randomized, sham-controlled, crossover study. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of two anodal tDCS protocols (2 mA, 20 min) with stimulation over the bilateral premotor cortex or cerebellum with the return electrodes placed over the opposite supraorbital areas. Power speed, strength coordination, endurance, static and dynamic strength, static and dynamic flexibility, and rating of perceived exertion were measured before and immediately after tDCS interventions (bilateral anodal tDCS over premotor cortices, anodal tDCS over the cerebellum, and sham tDCS). Additionally, physiological muscle performance parameters, including maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of upper body muscles, were assessed during tDCS. Bilateral anodal tDCS over the premotor cortex, compared to anodal tDCS over the cerebellum and sham tDCS conditions, significantly improved power speed, strength coordination, and static and dynamic strength variables of professional gymnastics athletes. Furthermore, bilateral anodal tDCS over the cerebellum, compared to sham tDCS, significantly improved strength coordination. Moreover, bilateral premotor anodal tDCS significantly increased MVIC of all upper body muscles during stimulation, while anodal tDCS over the cerebellum increased MVIC in only some muscles. Bilateral anodal tDCS over the premotor cortex, and to a minor degree over the cerebellum, might be suited to improve some aspects of motor and physiological functions and peak performance levels of professional gymnastics athletes.Clinical Trial Registration ID: IRCT20180724040579N2.
New X-ray detections of magnetic period-bounce cataclysmic variables from XMM-Newton and SRG/eROSITA
Authors: Muñoz-Giraldo Daniela , Stelzer Beate , de Martino Domitilla , Schwope Axel 
Published: June 2023

Context. A great portion of the cataclysmic variable population, between 40% and 70%, is predicted to be made up of period-bouncers, systems with degenerate donors that have evolved past the period minimum. However, due to their intrinsic faintness, only a few of these systems have been observed and confidently identified so far.
Aims. We have searched for X-ray emission as proof of accretion in order to confirm period-bounce cataclysmic variables.
Methods. In this study, we used data from XMM-Newton and eROSITA on a pilot sample of three period-bounce candidates with a magnetic white dwarf, which are expected to exhibit stronger X-ray emission than non-magnetic systems due to more efficient conversion of matter accretion onto the white dwarf.
Results. In a dedicated XMM-Newton observation of the period-bounce candidate SDSS J151415.65+074446.5 we discovered X-ray modulation at the binary orbital period confirming it as an accreting system. The X-ray light curve and the X-ray spectrum display characteristics of magnetic Polar-type systems, allowing us for the first time to determine the X-ray luminosity and mass accretion rate for this system. Catalog data from eROSITA on the Spektrum-Roentgen-Gamma satellite for V379 Vir and SDSS J125044.42+154957.4 enabled a first look into the X-ray behavior of period-bounce candidates with this new all-sky instrument. From the eROSITA measurements, the X-ray luminosity and mass accretion rate were determined for the first time for SDSS J125044.42+154957.4, and the earlier result for V379 Vir from XMM-Newton was confirmed.
Conclusions. The three cataclysmic variables with a magnetic white dwarf and very low-mass donor studied in this work present evidence for X-ray emission at a similar level of LX [erg s−1] ≈ 1029, which, together with the detection of X-ray orbital modulation in two of them (i.e., V379 Vir and SDSS J151415.65+074446.5), unambiguously proves the presence of accretion in these systems. The detection of these period-bouncers at faint X-ray luminosity levels with the all-sky X-ray survey eROSITA offers new prospects for the identification of additional period-bouncers, providing impetus for theoretical studies of binary evolution.
X-Linked Hypophosphatemia at the European Society of Pediatric Endocrinology Meeting 2022
Authors: Alsaffar Hussain , Dauleh Hajar , Ali Khadija 
Published: June 2023

AbstractRickets, a growth plate disorder, is classified into calcipenic and phosphopenic types based on the etiology. Phosphopenic rickets can be further classified into fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) mediated and non-FGF23 mediated. FGF-23 has a phosphaturic effect which results in hypophosphatemia and, therefore, the accumulation of hypertrophied chondrocytes, leading to rachitic changes in the bones. One of the most common causes of inherited hypophosphatemic rickets is X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), mainly due to a mutation in the PHEX gene that ends in the extended release of FGF-23. During the 60th annual meeting of the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology, held in Rome between September 15 and 19, 2022, approximately 15 presentations were made either as free communication or poster. In addition, there was a dedicated satellite symposium focusing on XLH. This article has been prepared mainly to share knowledge and updates discussed during the meeting about hypophosphatemic rickets, as we feel this disease is still to be focused on in the MENA region, since there are some gaps in the recognition and management of FGF23 hypophosphatemic rickets and osteomalacia.
Timing specification of Chinese tones
Authors: Li Ya 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Previous research has long been divided on the issues of Chinese tone bearing unit and lexical stress. To help
address these issues, the present study proposes a tonal timing framework based on two types of timing units, specified μ and
unspecified X. It uses Mandarin third tone sandhi and Shanghai Wu tone split and spread processes to illustrate that the proposed
framework can provide a unified account of different tone sandhi processes from the temporal dimension. It also discusses the
implications of the framework for the TBU size, default tone type, tonal prominence, tonal foot, word-level prominence, and
tone-syllable association.
The Hole Argument and Beyond: Part I: The Story so Far
Authors: Gomes Henrique , Butterfield Jeremy 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
In this two-part paper, we review, and then develop, the assessment of the hole argument for general relativity. This first Part reviews the literature hitherto, focussing on the philosophical aspects. It also introduces two main ideas we will need in Part II: which will propose a framework for making comparisons of non-isomorphic spacetimes.
In Section 1 of this paper, we recall Einstein’s original argument. Section 2 recalls the argument’s revival by philosophers in the 1980s and 1990s. This includes the first main idea we will need in Part II: namely, that two spacetime points in different possible situations are never strictly identical—they are merely counterparts.
In Section 3, we report—and rebut—more recent claims to “dissolve” the argument. Our rebuttal is based on the fact that in differential geometry, and its applications in physics such as general relativity, points are in some cases identified, or correspond with each other, between one context and another, by means other than isometry (or isomorphism). We call such a correspondence a threading of points. This is the second main idea we shall use in Part II.
Relics of the quantum spacetime: from Synge’s world function as the fundamental probe of spacetime architecture to the emergent description of gravity
Authors: Kothawala Dawood 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
All our observations that characterise space and time are expressed in terms of non-local, bi-tensorial objects such as geodesic intervals between events and two-point (Green) functions. In this contribution, I highlight the importance of characterising spacetime geome-try in terms of such non-local objects, focusing particularly on two important bi-tensors that play a particular fundamental role – Synge’s World function and the van Vleck determinant. I will first discuss how these bi-tensors help capture information about spacetime geometry, and then describe their role in characterising quantum spacetime endowed with a lower bound, say ℓ
0, on spacetime intervals. Incorporating such a length scale in a Lorentz covariant manner necessitates a description of spacetime geometry in terms of above bi-tensors, and naturally replaces the conventional description based on the metric tensor gab
(x) with a description in terms of a non-local bi-tensor qab
(x, y). The non-analytic structure of qab
(x, y) which renders a perturbative expansion in ℓ
0 meaningless, also generically leaves a non-trivial “relic” in the limit ℓ
0 → 0. I present some results where such a relic term is manifest; specifically, I will discuss how this: (i) suggests a description of gravitational dynamics different from the one based on Einstein-Hilbert lagrangian, (ii) implies dimensional reduction to 2 at small scales, (iii) connects with the notion of cosmological constant itself being a non-local vestige of the small scale structure of spacetime, (iv) helps address the issues of spacetime singularities. I will conclude by discussing the ramifications of these ideas for quantum gravity.
Quantum physics and biology: the local wavefunction approach
Authors: Ellis George F R 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Is there a single linearly evolving Wave Function of the Universe that is able to lead to all the nonlinearities we see around us? This proposal seems a priori highly implausible. I claim that instead, in the real Universe, generically only local wave functions exist. Non-local wave functions occur for carefully engineered contexts such as Bell experiments, but there is no single wave function for a cat or macroscopic object such as a brain, let alone for the Universe as a whole. Contextual wave function collapse leads to a defensible version of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum theory, where classical macro levels provide the context for quantum events and biological emergence. Complexity arises via multiscale adaptive modular hierarchical structures that enable logical branching to emerge from the underlying linear physics. Each emergent level is causally effective because of the meshing of upwards and downwards causation that takes place consistently with that physics. Quantum chemistry approaches in biological contexts fit this local wavefunction picture.