bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of Systemic Bevacizumab in Radiation-Induced Optic Neuropathy, Case Series
Authors: AlAmeer Ahmad Mohammed , Davis James Brian , Carey Andrew Rising , Henderson Amanda Dean 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Purpose:Optic neuropathy is a rare, delayed complication after radiation with no universally accepted treatment modality. We report the outcomes of 6 patients with radiation-induced optic neuropathy (RION) who were treated with systemic bevacizumab.
Methods: This is a retrospective series of 6 cases of RION, treated with intravenous (IV) bevacizumab. “Improved” or “worse” visual outcomes were defined as a change in best corrected visual acuity of ≥3 Snellen lines. Otherwise, the visual outcome was noted as “stable”.
Results: In our series, RION was diagnosed 8 to 36 months after radiotherapy. IV bevacizumab was initiated as treatment within 6 weeks of the onset of visual symptoms in 3 cases and after 3 months in the other cases. Although no improvement in visual function was observed, stabilization of vision was noted in 4 of the 6 cases. In the other 2 cases, the level of vision declined from counting fingers to no light perception. In 2 cases, bevacizumab treatment was discontinued prior to completion of the planned course due to renal stone formation or worsening of renal disease. One patient developed ischemic stroke 4 months after bevacizumab completion.
Conclusion: Systemic bevacizumab may stabilize vision in some patients with RION; however, the risks and potential benefits of using IV bevacizumab should be considered in each individual case.
Angle calibration method of missile shell combined detection platform under loading condition
Authors: Nan Guo , Chuan ZHANG 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
This study addresses the issue of decreased installation accuracy of platform components due to repeated loading on a missile shell testing platform. A proposed method to address this issue involves the development of a specialized fixture for platform inspection and transfer, as well as testing the angular accuracy of the platform's headstock and tailstock. The study also analyzes the various factors that affect the accuracy error of the inspection platform after loading products and investigates the impact of repeated loading on the geometric accuracy between platform components. The results indicate that a calibration method utilizing the transfer fixture and inspection mandrel can effectively eliminate the loss of corner accuracy of the testing platform after loading products. This method ensures the parallelism between the centerline of the head and tail seat and the working surface of the testing platform, with a deviation of 0.003 mm/100 mm, and maintains a corner accuracy of 30" after loading. This approach offers advantages in terms of convenience, accuracy, and reliability.
Identification of novel candidate genes associated with non-syndromic tooth agenesis in Mongolian families
Authors: Semjid Dejidnorov , Ahn Hyunsoo , Bayarsaikhan Sapaar , Gantumur Munkhjargal , Kim Sanguk , Lee Jae Hoon 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to identify genetic variants associated with non-syndromic tooth agenesis (TA) in nine families from Mongolia using whole-exome sequencing (WES) and bioinformatics analysis to TA.Material and methods The study enrolled 41 participants, including three inherited and six non-inherited families. WES analysis was performed on 14 saliva samples from individuals with non-syndromic TA. The potential candidate genes were identified through variant filtering and segregation analysis. The filtered variants were then analyzed in silico mutation impact analysis.Results WES analysis identified 21 variants associated with TA, and 5 of these variants met all filtering criteria. These variants were located in the exome region of MAST4, ITGA6, PITX2, CACNA1S, and CDON genes. The variant in PITX2 was found in eight participants from inherited and non-inherited families, while the MAST4 variant was identified in 6 participants from inherited families.Conclusions The study identified various genetic variant candidates associated with TA in different family groups, with PITX2 being the most commonly identified. Our findings suggest that MAST4 may also be a novel candidate gene for TA due to its association with the Wnt signaling pathway. Additionally, we found that five candidate genes related to focal adhesion and calcium channel complex were significant and essential in tooth development.Clinical relevance: Identifying new pathogenic genes associated with TA can improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease, leading to better diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Early detection of TA based on biomarkers can improve dental management and facilitate orthodontic and prosthetic treatment.
Growth, intestinal health, nutritional profile and molecular mechanism of the hydrid grouper, E. lanceolatus♂× E. fuscoguttatus♀juveniles reared with microalgae Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Authors: Zhang W. H. , Lau C. C. , Yeong Y. S. , Zhou W. L. , Gao J. W. , Jiang Z. F. , Mok W. J. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The effects of microalgae Chlorella pyrenoidosaon the hybrid groupers’ (Epinephelus lanceolatus♂×E. fuscoguttatus♀) growth, gut microbiome and transcriptome were examined in this study. Feeding trials with duration of 15-days (15d) and 60-days (60d) were conducted on three experimental groups (n=3) as follow; (T1) grouper fed with basal diet and reared in filtered seawater (control treatment), (T2) grouper fed with basal diet and reared in C. pyrenoidosa monoculture water and (T3) grouper fed with basal diet partially replaced with 15% of dried C. pyrenoidosa (CRM) and reared in filtered seawater. The findings revealed that groupers reared 15d in T2 treatment (T2-15d) had a higher fat content, with apparent shift of microbial composition and functional pathways in the gut. Groupers reared 60d in T2 treatment (T2-60d) displayed an increased NADH dehydrogenases and cytochrome c oxidases gene expression, indicating more robust oxidative phosphorylation activity and ATP production crucial for the metabolic homeostasis. The reduction in the total amino acid content was also detected in groupers raised in T2-60d. Gastritis, enteritis and lipid malabsorption syndrome were observed in groupers raised 60d in T3 treatment (T3-60d), with the condition likely due to a higher intake of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids ratio in grouper raised 15 days in T3 (T3-15d) and T3-60d. This result indicated that grouper intestinal inflammation could arise from the inclusion of dried C. pyrenoidosa. Overall, the study outcomes demonstrated that introducing live C. pyrenoidosa to the culture water is advantageous in the digestion and enhance the energy metabolism of juvenile groupers.
Evaluation of Sarcopenia and Prognostic Biomarkers in Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Turkish Oncology Group and Turkish Society of Radiation Oncology Thoracic Cancer Study Group (08-005)
Authors: Gümüştepe Esra , Yavaş Güler , Kıraklı Esra Korkmaz , Dinçbaş Hidayet Fazilet , Nurlu Dilek , Hürmüz Pervin , Köksoy Elif Berna , Çatal Tuba Kurt , Özler Talar , Aslan Melek Tuğçe Yılmaz , Akyürek Serap 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of sarcopenia, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and inflammatory markers in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received definitive chemoradiotherapy. Furthermore, the study aimed to determine the threshold value of disease-specific sarcopenia.
Methods: A total of 461 patients with stage III NSCLC were evaluated. Sarcopenia, PNI, and biochemical inflammatory markers were assessed. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used to analyze overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).
Results: This study found a disease-specific sarcopenia threshold of LSMI <38.7 cm² / m² for women and <45.1 cm² / m² for men, with 25.2% of patients having disease-specific sarcopenia. The optimal PNI cut-off value was determined to be 34.71, with 75.3% of patients categorized as PNI-high and 24.7% as PNI-low. Multivariate cox regression analysis revealed that low PNI was found to be an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for both PFS (HR =0.67; 95% CI, 0.48-0.92, p= 0.015) and OS (HR =1.49; 95% CI, 1.11-2.01, p= 0.008). Other factors including ECOG PS 3 (HR =7.76; 95% CI, 1.73-34.76, p=0.007), induction CT (HR =0.66; 95% CI, 0.49-0.88, p= 0.004), and disease-specific sarcopenia (HR =1.40; 95% CI, 1.02-1.92, p= 0.038) also had independent effects on prognosis.
Conclusion: The present study provides evidence that the presence of sarcopenia and low PNI significantly impacts the prognosis of patients with stage III NSCLC who undergo definitive CRT. Furthermore, our study is notable for being the first multicenter investigation to identify a disease-specific sarcopenia threshold.
Fast superconvergent solvers for weakly singular Hammerstein equations
Authors: Arrai Mohamed , Allouch Chafik , Aslimani Abderrahim 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
This article investigates discrete versions of the projection-type and modified projection-type methods for solving Hammerstein integral equations with a weakly singular kernel. The approximating operator utilized is either the orthogonal projection or an interpolatory projection onto a space of piecewise polynomials of degree ≤ r - 1 with respect to a graded partition of [0, 1]. The study reveals that the proposed methods achieve optimal rates of convergence, demonstrating that the numerical quadrature used to estimate the integrals maintainsthe same rates of convergence as the continuous methods. Thetheoretical findings are supported by numerical experiments.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2010). 41A10, 45G10, 47H30, 65R20.
Interaction Between HCN and Slack Channels Regulates mPFC Pyramidal Cell Excitability and Working Memory
Authors: Wu Jing , El-Hassar Lynda , Datta Dibyadeep , Thomas Merrilee , Zhang Yalan , Jenkins David P. , DeLuca Nicholas J. , Chatterjee Manavi , Gribkoff Valentin K. , Arnsten Amy F.T. , Kaczmarek Leonard K. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The ability of monkeys and rats to carry out spatial working memory tasks has been shown to depend on the persistent firing of pyramidal cells in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), arising from recurrent excitatory connections on dendritic spines. These spines express hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels whose open state is increased by cAMP signaling, and which markedly alter PFC network connectivity and neuronal firing. In traditional neural circuits, activation of these non-selective cation channels leads to neuronal depolarization and increased firing rate. Paradoxically, cAMP activation of HCN channels in PFC pyramidal cells reduces working memory-related neuronal firing. This suggests that activation of HCN channels may hyperpolarize rather than depolarize these neurons. The current study tested the hypothesis that Na+ influx through HCN channels activates Slack Na+-activated K+ (KNa) channels to hyperpolarize the membrane. We have found that HCN and Slack KNa channels co-immunoprecipitate in cortical extracts and that, by immunoelectron microscopy, they colocalize at postsynaptic spines of PFC pyramidal neurons. A specific blocker of HCN channels, ZD7288, reduces KNa current in pyramidal cells that express both HCN and Slack channels, but has no effect on KNa currents in an HEK cell line expressing Slack without HCN channels, indicating that blockade of HCN channels in neurons reduces K+ +current indirectly by lowering Na+ influx. Activation of HCN channels by cAMP in a cell line expressing a Ca2+ reporter results in elevation of cytoplasmic Ca2+, but the effect of cAMP is reversed if the HCN channels are co-expressed with Slack channels. Finally, we used a novel pharmacological blocker of Slack channels to show that inhibition of Slack in rat PFC improves working memory performance, an effect previously demonstrated for blockers of HCN channels. Our results suggest that the regulation of working memory by HCN channels in PFC pyramidal neurons is mediated by an HCN-Slack channel complex that links activation HCN channels to suppression of neuronal excitability.
Study on Geotechnical Characteristics of Expansive Soil With Plastic Waste and E-waste
Authors: JYOTHIRMAYEE S. , REDDY P. RAJAMOHAN , MAMATHA K. LAKSHMI , VEDAVATHI D. , NAGARJUNA U. , KUMAR B. CHARAN 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Soil stabilization which ameliorates the properties of soil which can be done by adding some suitable alloys like cement, lime and waste materials such as fly ash, phosphogypsum, plastic etc. The price of these alloys has also gone up, which has considerably aided the development of various soil additives like plastics and e-waste in recent years. The cutting-edge soil stabilisation techniques can be actively employed to address societal concerns, reduce waste production, and produce valuable resources from non-useful waste. The use of plastics, including polythene materials, is expanding quickly and contributing to a number of environmental issues. As a result, the waste ejection which did not pose any environmental risks—has evolved into a genuine provocative act. Because there is a dearth of good quality soil for embankments, using trash as a soil stabiliser is therefore an economical solution.
Here, we tried to look into how the strength characteristics of expansive soil are affected due to plastic waste and electronic waste. On expansive soil containing varied amounts of plastic garbage and e-waste, tests for moisture-density relationships, unconfined compression strengths, and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) are performed. Lastly, we draw the conclusion that using plastic trash and e-waste in combination will weaken expanding soil to varying degrees.
Improvement of Expansive Soil Treated With Pond Ash
Authors: JYOTHIRMAYEE S. , NIHARIKA N. , SETHU G. , MAHATHI L. , MUBARAK P. , KUMAR P. ANIL 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
There is a lot of clay in the broad earth. Lime, iron, magnesium, alumina, and potash make up chemically expanding soil, but they are deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter. They are suitable for growing cotton because they can grip water. This project intended to test various expansive soil properties with pond ash at various percentages of 12%, 24%, 36%, and 48%. On expansive soil samples with varying percentages of pond ash, a series of tests such as the Liquid limit test, Plastic limit test, Standard proctor test, Specific gravity of soil, California Bearing test (CBR), and Unconfined compressive strength are performed. After conducting all of the tests, we discovered that adding pond ash increased the strength of expansive soil by a certain percentage, or 36%, and that as the percentage of pond ash was increased further, the strength of the soil gradually decreased.
Solving Nonlinear Stochastic Itô-Volterra Integral Equations by Balancing Polynomial
Authors: beyranvand zahra 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
This paper describes a technique that uses Balancing polynomials and the corresponding operational matrices. Secondly, the operational matrix is used to transform the nonlinear stochastic Itô-Volterra integral equations into a nonlinear system of algebraic equations amenable to solution using the Newton method. The proposed method is also subjected to an error analysis, and two numerical examples are provided to demonstrate its viability and effectiveness. Numerical outcomes indicate that the suggested method is more accurate than the operation matrix method of Block pulse functions.
Annotated dataset for deep-learning-based bacterial colony detection
Authors: Makrai László , Fodróczy Bettina , Nagy Sára Ágnes , Czeiszing Péter , Csabai István , Szita Géza , Solymosi Norbert 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Quantifying bacteria per unit mass or volume is a common task in various fields of microbiology (e.g., infectiology, and food hygiene). Most bacteria can be grown on culture media. The unicellular bacteria reproduce by dividing into two cells, which increases the number of bacteria in the population. Methodologically, this can be followed by culture procedures, which mostly involve determining the number of bacterial colonies on the solid culture media that are visible to the naked eye. However, it is a time-consuming and laborious professional activity. Addressing the automation of colony counting by convolutional neural networks in our work, we have cultured 24 bacteria species of veterinary importance with different concentrations on solid media. A total of 57,028 colonies were annotated manually by bounding boxes on the 373 digital images of bacterial cultures.
The published database will help developments that use artificial intelligence to automate the counting of bacterial colonies.
Anterior knee pain and sit-up tests predicts patients’ satisfaction and improvement in quality of life after anterior stabilized total knee replacement without patellar resurfacing
Authors: Barahona Maximiliano , Barrientos Cristian , Alegria Anselmo , Barahona Macarena , Navarro Tomas , Hinzpeter Jaime , Palet Miguel , Zamorano Alvaro , Catalan Jaime , Infante Carlos 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to assess patient satisfaction and identify risk factors for dissatisfaction after anterior stabilised conventional total knee arthroplasty (TKA) without patellar resurfacing, using the Goodman score.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from our institutional database from 1 January 2018 to 1 March 2021. Patients who underwent TKA with the Vanguard® Cruciate Retaining Anterior Stabilized Knee System (Zimmer Biomet, Warsaw, Indiana, USA) without patellar replacement were invited to participate. Patients with other bearing surfaces (posterior stabilised or medial congruent) or diagnosed with infection or instability were excluded. Patients' reported outcomes, body mass index (BMI), passive range of motion, the timed up-and-go test, sit-up test, and algometry were assessed. Patients were also asked if they had anterior knee pain. Satisfaction was assessed using the Goodman scale, and logistic multivariate regression was used to identify variables associated with dissatisfaction and a worse perceived improvement in quality of life.
Results
A total of 131 TKA patients were included in the study. The median satisfaction score was 100 (interquartile range [IQR], 87.5 to 100), with the 75-point threshold at the 90th percentile according to Section A of Goodman. Section B of Goodman showed that 113 TKA patients (86.26%) reported "great improvement" or "more than I ever dreamed." Multivariate logistic regression revealed that anterior knee pain (OR 5.16, 95% CI 1.24 to 21.39), the sit-up test (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.81), and BMI (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.99) were significantly associated with patient dissatisfaction and a worse perceived improvement in quality of life. The receiver operating characteristics curve for the models had areas under the curve of 0.83 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.97) and 0.82 (95% CI 0.70 to 0.94), respectively.
Conclusion
Anterior stabilised TKA without patellar resurfacing can achieve 90% satisfaction and 86% improvement in quality of life. To improve these results, it is essential to prevent and treat anterior knee pain and enhance quadriceps strength.
Level of evidence: Therapeutic, Level III (retrospective cohort study).
Improved Functionnectome by dissociating the contributions of white matter fiber classes to functional activation
Authors: Nozais Victor , Theaud Guillaume , Descoteaux Maxime , Schotten Michel Thiebaut , Petit Laurent 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Integrating the underlying brain circuit's structural and functional architecture is required to explore the functional organization of cognitive networks properly. In that regard, we recently introduced the Functionnectome. This structural-functional method combines an fMRI acquisition with tractography-derived white matter connectivity data to map cognitive processes onto the white matter. However, this multimodal integration faces three significant challenges: 1) the definition of the interface between grey and white matter, as the tractography streamlines may fail to reach the grey matter properly; 2) the scrambling effect of crossing fibers on functional signal, as a single voxel in such regions can be structurally connected to several cognitive networks with heterogeneous functional signals; and 3) the difficulty of interpretation of the resulting cognitive maps, as crossing and overlapping white matter tracts can obscure the organization of the studied network. In the present study, we tackled these problems by developing a streamline-extension procedure and dividing the white matter anatomical priors between association, commissural, and projection fibers. This approach significantly improved the characterization of the white matter involvement in the studied cognitive processes. The new Functionnectome priors produced are now readily available, and the analysis workflow highlighted here should also be generalizable to other structural-functional approaches.
A Prospective Analysis of the Association of Smoking with Cardiometabolic Risk
Authors: Sultan Samar , Lesloom Fouzy 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background This study aimed to explore the possible effects of cigarette smoking on the cardiometabolic risk of apparently healthy Saudi individuals in Jeddah City.Methods A blood sample was withdrawn from each participant (100 smokers [60 males and 40 females] and 60 nonsmokers [36 males and 24 females]) for the assessment of their cardiometabolic functions (lipid profile, von Willebrand factor (vWF), Troponin I) and liver function tests using an automated enzymatic method.Results Among participant smokers, 80% smoked one pack daily, while 20% smoked more than one pack daily. Smokers had significantly higher vWF functional activity and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (p < 0.001 for both), but significantly lower albumin and total bilirubin levels than nonsmokers (p = 0.026, and p < 0.001, respectively). The number of daily cigarettes consumed correlated positively and significantly with plasma levels of LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.225, p = 0.004), non-HDL cholesterol (r = 0.220, p = 0.005), vWF function activity (r = 410, p < 0.001), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (r = 0.686, p < 0.001), but negatively correlated with total bilirubin (r=-0.459, p < 0.001). Moreover, heavy smokers had a significantly higher BMI (p = 0.001) and waist-to-hip ratio among male smokers compared to control non- smokers (p = 0.003). Thus,Conclusions Cigarette smoking is associated with increased dyslipidemia, body mass index, and central obesity, in addition to higher vWF functional activity. Increased hs-cTnI levels in smokers, indicating a higher susceptibility to heart failure and cardiovascular mortality among smokers.
Analysis of GPS flex power based on global grid
Authors: Han Qi , Fan Jiachen , Xu Yong , Hu Caibo , Zhu Kejia , Guo Siyuan 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
GPS IIR-M and IIF satellites have the capability to achieve flex power by distributing transmitting power between different signals, and in general, the power of P(Y) signal is typically improved. Since February 2020, with observations from IGS and iGMAS stations, the IIR-M and IIF satellites of the GPS system have activated flex power almost daily, most of which are regional in nature. To obtain the selected center points of GPS flex power, this paper proposes a method to divide the grid globally, calculate the satellite elevation angles, and perform statistical analysis. This paper verifies the correctness of the proposed method by using simulated data and previous literature data. Moreover, data from February 2020, April 2020, and March 2021 are analyzed and verified in this study. The study of flex power in different periods reveals that the locations of the center points and the way of application are constantly changed, leading to changes in the global availability of flex power.