bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sulfur dioxide flux measurement at Mount Tokachi, Japan, with TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument
Authors: Yamaguchi Kensuke , Tanaka Ryo , Morita Masaaki , Mori Toshiya , Kazahaya Ryunosuke 
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Monitoring the volcanic activity of a potentially hazardous volcano is essential for eruption warning and hazard mitigation. The SO2 flux from the volcano is one of the most important measures to understand its activity. Mount Tokachi, in Japan, is an active volcano that experienced three magmatic explosive eruptions in the 20th century (in 1926, 1962, and 1988–1989). Since 2006, geodetic observations have captured ground deformation, suggesting an inflation beneath the main crater. Moreover, since 2020 daily visual observations have detected the increase in plume heights and the occurrence of volcanic glow at the main crater. The high-time-resolution estimation of SO2 flux will help monitor the activity of Mount Tokachi and clarify the associating mechanisms. Furthermore, satellite remote sensing can estimate the vertical column density (VCD) of sulfur dioxide (SO2), enabling the daily determination of SO2 flux without the need to visit the site. Due to the improved spatial resolution, the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) has advanced satellite-based volcanic gas flux measurements.Methods: We have analyzed the available TROPOMI data and conducted ground-based observations to estimate the SO2 flux from Mount Tokachi at 100–2,000 tons/day.Result and Discussion: The average annual SO2 flux has been increasing since 2021, on par with the increase in plume height and volcanic glow. TROPOMI data enabled quantification of the annual SO2 flux, with a sufficient temporal resolution to monitor the volcanic activity at Mount Tokachi. However, a high flux, such as in excess of 2,000 tons/day, was observed in the winter season. The flux from the satellite data was similar to that from ground-based observations during the summer. However, a seasonal change in flux from the satellite data was observed in winter, with the flux being larger than that in summer, possibly because the flux increases during winter. Another possible reason is the influence of snow cover on satellite observations due to its high surface reflectance. We reanalyzed some TROPOMI data during the winter, in which the ground snow cover was misidentified as clouds at low altitudes. This procedure suppresses the error caused by the high surface reflectance due to winter snow coverage and improves the quality of the annual SO2 flux from satellite observations. This methodology is applicable to other high-latitude or high-altitude volcanoes during specific seasons characterized by frequent fluctuations in snow cover conditions.
Medical home primary care components and current educational service use in children and youth on the autism spectrum
Authors: Rizk Sabrin , Benevides Teal W. , Shiu Chengshi Amory , Berg Kristin L. , Khetani Mary A. 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionChildren and youth on the autism spectrum and their families use health and educational services to address their complex needs. They use primary health care services in the medical home, as endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). They can also use educational services for their cognitive, social, and adaptive skill development, beginning in early intervention and through their transition to postsecondary or vocational roles. Medical and educational services are organized and delivered in separate systems, thereby placing the primary responsibility for coordinating these services on their families.MethodsPooled data from 2016 through 2019 National Survey of Children's Health were used to measure the association between current educational service use and six medical home primary care components, controlling for select sociodemographic and clinical factors in children and youth on the autism spectrum (n = 1,922).ResultsAfter controlling for select sociodemographic and clinical factors, difficulty getting referrals [aOR = 2.93, 95% CI (1.33, 6.41), P = 0.007] and no shared decision-making in the medical home [aOR = 2.93, 95% CI (1.21, 7.06), P = 0.016] resulted in higher likelihood of current educational service use. Older children had a lower likelihood of current educational service use [aOR = 0.91, 95% CI (0.85, 0.97), P = 0.003], whereas higher autism severity increased the likelihood of current educational service use [aOR = 1.80, 95% CI (1.10, 2.95), P = 0.019].ConclusionChildren and youth on the autism spectrum, especially those with moderate or severe autism, had a higher likelihood of education service use, unless they were older, had difficulty getting referrals, and no shared decision-making. Results suggest that the way services are currently provided between health and educational systems separates medical and educational professionals, therefore increasing the demands on caregivers and educational systems to facilitate current educational service use. Further study is needed for improving the medical home referral or shared decision-making pathways and to identify caregiver strategies for navigating educational systems.
Transdisciplinary embodied education in elementary school: a real integrative approach for the science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics teaching
Authors: Almarcha Maricarmen , Vázquez Pablo , Hristovski Robert , Balagué Natàlia 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionConnecting academic disciplines and integrating knowledge is gaining popularity in elementary school. The relevant question is, how the targeted integration could be achieved? This research aimed to (a) evaluate the potential of teaching and learning Dynamic Systems Theory (DST) and Statistical Physics (ST) general concepts through embodied experiences in elementary school and, based on it (b) enable a far transfer analogical reasoning within and between different academic subjects.MethodsForty-eight elementary school students, aged 10.2 ± 0.82 y.o., followed an 8-week, 2-h/week intervention. The learning protocol contained a concreteness fading sequence of phases and consisted of four steps: (a) embodied experience, (b) reflective observation, (c) abstract conceptualization of DST/ST concepts, and (d) transfer of the DST/SP concepts to physical, sociological, biological and ecological phenomena. A validated questionnaire and an interview evaluated students’ knowledge and analogical reasoning.ResultsThe Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test showed a general positive effect of the intervention on the understanding of DSP/SP concepts and on the far transfer competencies of students (Z = −5.98; p &lt; 0.0001). There was no association between the previous and newly acquired competencies (Spearman’s ρ = 0.112; p = 0.441).DiscusionThe qualitative results showed that, in general, the suggested embodied learning protocol supports the acquisition of DST/SP general concepts and the far transfer competencies. However, students of this age are possibly highly sensitive to the balance of the focus between the embodied phases and the conceptualization/transfer phases of the learning protocol. The study points to the potential of learning the general DST/SP for elementary school students’ integrative and far transfer competencies. The DST/SP concept-based transdisciplinary embodied education may offer a truly integrative approach to STEAM teaching.
Ultrasound, laboratory and histopathological insights in diagnosing papillary thyroid carcinoma in a paediatric population: a single centre follow-up study between 2000-2022
Authors: Januś Dominika , Wójcik Małgorzata , Taczanowska-Niemczuk Anna , Kiszka-Wiłkojć Aleksandra , Kujdowicz Monika , Czogała Małgorzata , Górecki Wojciech , Starzyk Jerzy B. 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundPapillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) often coincides with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT); whether this association is incidental or causal remains debated.ObjectiveTo evaluate the ultrasonographic, laboratory, and histopathological features of PTC in paediatric patients with and without AIT and its relationship to puberty.DesignA retrospective cohort study.Patients and methodsA retrospective analysis of medical records of 90 patients (69; 76.7% females). The mean age at PTC diagnosis was 13.8 years [range 6-18]. All patients were evaluated ultrasonographically before thyroid surgery. Thyroid nodules were categorised using the European Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (EU-TIRADS PL), and cytopathology was assessed using Bethesda criteria. Neck ultrasound results and thyroid and autoimmune status were correlated with histopathological PTC assessment.ResultsThe coexistence of PTC and AIT was found in 48.9% (44/90) of patients. The percentage of AIT was increasing with age; AIT was present only in 1/3 of prepubertal, close to 50% in pubertal, and over 60% in adolescent patients. The youngest patients (aged &lt;10 years old) presented more often with goitre and lymphadenopathy and less often with AIT than adolescents (15-18 years of age). There were no differences in TPOAb, TgAb, and TSH levels between the age subgroups. Presurgical TgAb levels were higher than those of TPOAb in the youngest patients. Histopathological analysis revealed that the solid subtype was observed more often in prepubertal children and diffuse sclerosing in children below 14 years of age, whereas the classic subtype dominated in late pubertal. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that lymph nodes metastases (LNM) were associated with PTC diameter and fT4 level, whereas extrathyroidal extension with age and angioinvasion with PTC diameter and age. The correlations between age and fibrosis, and the presence of psammoma bodies in malignant tissues were close to significant. We did not observe an association between TSH levels and the presence of autoimmunity and PTC variables.ConclusionsIn paediatric patients the natural course of PTC may be less aggressive in adolescent patients than in younger children (especially &lt; 10 years of age). We suggest that pre-operative evaluation of paediatric patients with thyroid nodules could include apart from assessment of thyroid hormones, evaluation of TPOAb, TgAb, and TRAb together with comprehensive neck ultrasonography.
A proposal to analyze the progression of non-dialytic chronic kidney disease by surrogate endpoints: introducing parametric survival models
Authors: Erohildes Ferreira Renato , Sanders-Pinheiro Helady , Basile Colugnati Fernando Antonio 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionChronic kidney disease (CDK) progression studies increasingly use surrogate endpoints based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate. The clinical characteristics of these endpoints bring new challenges in comparing groups of patients, as traditional Cox models may lead to biased estimates mainly because they do not assume a hazard function.ObjectiveThis study proposes the use of parametric survival analysis models with the three most commonly used endpoints in nephrology based on a case study. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decay &gt; 5 mL/year, eGFR decline &gt; 30%, and change in CKD stage were evaluated.MethodThe case study is a 5-year retrospective cohort study that enrolled 778 patients in the predialysis stage. Exponential, Weibull, Gompertz, lognormal, and logistic models were compared, and proportional hazard and accelerated failure time (AFT) models were evaluated.ResultsThe endpoints had quite different hazard functions, demonstrating the importance of choosing appropriate models for each. AFT models were more suitable for the clinical interpretation of the effects of covariates on these endpoints.ConclusionSurrogate endpoints have different hazard distributions over time, which is already recognized by nephrologists. More flexible analysis techniques that capture these relevant clinical characteristics in decision-making should be encouraged and disseminated in nephrology research.
Association of LIPC polymorphisms with stroke risk in the Chinese population
Authors: Pan Jiaxing , Zhuo Qingqing , Chen Xu , Huang Xuehong , Shen Shiqiang , Yang Qiu , Luo Jiawen , Wang Suiyan , Jin Tianbo 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundStroke is a common cerebrovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between LIPC single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of stroke in the Chinese population.MethodsThis study recruited 710 stroke patients and 701 healthy controls. The four SNPs (rs690, rs6083, rs3829461, and rs6074) in LIPC were genotyped by the Agena MassARRAY. The correlation between LIPC polymorphisms and stroke risk was measured by odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). In addition, multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) analysis was used to evaluate the impact of SNP–SNP interaction on stroke risk.ResultsOverall analysis showed that rs690 was associated with an increased risk of stroke (T vs. G: OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.01–1.40, p = 0.041; additive: OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.01–1.42, p = 0.036). The stratified analysis revealed that rs690 was associated with an increased risk of stroke in subjects aged ≤ 64 years, male patients, and smokers, and rs6074 was associated with an increased risk of stroke in subjects aged &gt; 64 years, male patients, drinkers, and non-smokers (p &lt; 0.05). The results of the MDR analysis suggested the four-locus model as the most favorable model for assessing the risk of stroke. The analysis of clinical parameters of stroke patients showed that rs690 was correlated with platelet distribution width (PDW) (p = 0.014) and hematocrit levels (p = 0.004), and rs6074 was correlated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level (p = 0.033). Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis results demonstrated that the expression levels of LIPC and its related genes (APOB, CETP, PNPLA2, and LMF1) were significantly different between the control and stroke groups (p &lt; 0.05), and LIPC-related proteins were mainly related to lipid metabolism.ConclusionThis study indicated that rs690 and rs6074 in LIPC were significantly associated with increased risk of stroke in the Chinese population, possibly by regulating the levels of PDW, HCT, and LDL-C.
Development and validation for multifactor prediction model of sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Zeng Chaojun , Yang Yunhua , Huang Shuna , He Wenjuan , Cai Zhang , Huang Dongdong , Lin Chang , Chen Junying 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundSudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a global problem threatening human health. Early and rapid diagnosis contributes to effective treatment. However, there is a lack of effective SSNHL prediction models.MethodsA retrospective study of SSNHL patients from Fujian Geriatric Hospital (the development cohort with 77 participants) was conducted and data from First Hospital of Putian City (the validation cohort with 57 participants) from January 2018 to December 2021 were validated. Basic characteristics and the results of the conventional coagulation test (CCT) and the blood routine test (BRT) were then evaluated. Binary logistic regression was used to develop a prediction model to identify variables significantly associated with SSNHL, which were then included in the nomogram. The discrimination and calibration ability of the nomogram was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC), calibration plot, and decision curve analysis both in the development and validation cohorts. Delong’s test was used to calculate the difference in ROC curves between the two cohorts.ResultsThrombin time (TT), red blood cell (RBC), and granulocyte–lymphocyte ratio (GLR) were found to be associated with the diagnosis of SSNHL. A prediction nomogram was constructed using these three predictors. The AUC in the development and validation cohorts was 0.871 (95% CI: 0.789–0.953) and 0.759 (95% CI: 0.635–0.883), respectively. Delong’s test showed no significant difference in the ROC curves between the two groups (D = 1.482, p = 0.141).ConclusionIn this study, a multifactor prediction model for SSNHL was established and validated. The factors included in the model could be easily and quickly accessed, which could help physicians make early diagnosis and clinical treatment decisions.
Case report: Bilateral double beta peak activity is influenced by stimulation, levodopa concentrations, and motor tasks, in a Parkinson’s disease patient on chronic deep brain stimulation
Authors: Giannini Giulia , Baldelli Luca , Leogrande Gaetano , Cani Ilaria , Mantovani Paolo , Lopane Giovanna , Cortelli Pietro , Calandra-Buonaura Giovanna , Conti Alfredo 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionSubthalamic (STN) local field potentials (LFPs) in the beta band are considered potential biomarkers for closed-loop deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The beta band is further dissected into low-and high-frequency components with somewhat different functions, although their concomitance and association in the single patient is far to be defined. We present a 56-year-old male PD patient undergoing DBS showing a double-beta peak activity on both sides. The aim of the study was to investigate how low-and high-beta peaks were influenced by plasma levodopa (L-dopa) levels, stimulation, and motor performances.MethodsA systematic evaluation of raw LFPs, plasma L-dopa levels, and motor tasks was performed in the following four conditions: OFF medications/ON stimulation, OFF medications/OFF stimulation, ON medications/OFF stimulation, and ON medications/ON stimulation.ResultsThe analysis of the LFP spectra suggests the following results: (1) the high-beta peak was suppressed by stimulation, while the low-beta peak showed a partial and not consistent response to stimulation; (2) the high-beta peak is also influenced by plasma L-dopa concentration, showing a progressive amplitude increment concordant with plasma L-dopa levels, while the low-beta peak shows a different behavir; and (3) motor performances seem to impact beta peaks behavior.ConclusionThis single exploratory case study illustrates a complex behavior of low-and high-beta peaks in a PD patient, in response to stimulation, L-dopa plasma levels, and motor performances. Our results suggest the importance to investigate patient-specific individual LFP patterns in view of upcoming closed-loop stimulation.
Clinical spectrum of contactin-associated protein 2 autoimmune encephalitis in children
Authors: Hu Wenjing , Wang Enhui , Fang Hongjun , Li Li , Yi Jurong , Liu Qingqing , Qing Wei , Guo Danni , Tan Qianqian , Liao Hongmei 
Published: May 2023

ObjectiveAnti-contactin-associated protein 2 (CASPR2)-related autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is more common in adults than in children. Clinical understanding of anti-CASPR2-antibody (Ab)-related AE, diagnosis and treatment standards are lacking in children. Therefore, this retrospective study on clinical symptoms and treatment outcomes in children with anti-CASPR2-Ab-related AE was conducted, to improve the clinical understanding of the disease, its diagnosis and treatment.MethodsThis study retrospectively assessed children with anti-CASPR2-Ab-related AE from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022, in the Department of Neurology at Hunan Children’s Hospital. Data regarding demographics, clinical symptoms, laboratory examinations, electroencephalography (EEG), imaging, and curative were collected.ResultsThirteen patients were positive for serum anti-CASPR2-Ab (age at manifestation, 25 months to 13 years old; median, 8.1 years old; male-to-female ratio, 8/5). One patient (P1) had dual Abs, including anti-CASPR2 and anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor Abs; his symptoms were more severe than those of children with anti-CASPR2 Abs alone. The clinical symptoms of the 13 patients with anti-CASPR2 Ab were movement disorders (9/13), consciousness disorders (9/13), abnormal demeanor (8/13), seizures (7/13), language disorders (6/13), fever (6/13), pain (4/13), involuntary exercise (4/13), poor diet (4/13), vomiting (3/13), sleep disorders (3/13), mood disorders (3/13), eczema/itching/redness (2/13), sweating (P8), urinary disorders (P13), and cognitive disorders (P9). No tumors were found in any patient. Additionally, EEG results of six patients were abnormal and imaging findings such as abnormal signals were found in 10 patients. Moreover, all except one patient recovered well after treatment; P1 with overlapping syndrome underwent recovery for more than 2 years. None of the patients who recovered have had a relapse.Discussion and conclusionAnti-CASPR2-Ab-related AE has several clinical manifestations. Anti-CASPR2-Ab levels were higher in male patients than in female patients. Moreover, related tumors are relatively rare. Most patients benefit from immunotherapy and have a lower chance of recurrence in the short term. Furthermore, different from patients who had anti-CASPR2-Ab AE alone, those with overlapping syndrome had a severe and complex condition requiring lengthy treatment and rehabilitation. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the long-term prognosis of these patients.
An fMRI study of finger movements in children with and without dyslexia
Authors: Turesky Ted K. , Luetje Megan M. , Eden Guinevere F. 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionDevelopmental dyslexia is a language-based reading disability, yet some have reported motor impairments, usually attributed to cerebellar dysfunction.MethodsUsing fMRI, we compared children with and without dyslexia during irregularly paced, left or right-hand finger tapping. Next, we examined seed-to-voxel intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) using six seed regions of the motor system (left and right anterior lobe of the cerebellum, SM1 and SMA).ResultsA whole-brain task-evoked analysis revealed relatively less activation in the group with dyslexia in right anterior cerebellum during right hand tapping. For iFC, we found the group with dyslexia to have greater iFC between the right SM1 seed and a medial aspect of right postcentral gyrus for left hand tapping; and greater iFC between the left SM1 seed and left thalamus, as well as weaker local iFC around the left SM1 seed region for right hand tapping. Lastly, extracted activity and connectivity values that had been identified in these between-group comparisons were not correlated with measures of reading.DiscussionWe conclude that there are some aberrations in motor system function in children with dyslexia, but these are not tied to reading ability.
Retinal ganglion cells undergo cell type—specific functional changes in a computational model of cone-mediated retinal degeneration
Authors: Xu Aiwen , Beyeler Michael 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionUnderstanding the retina in health and disease is a key issue for neuroscience and neuroengineering applications such as retinal prostheses. During degeneration, the retinal network undergoes complex and multi-stage neuroanatomical alterations, which drastically impact the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) response and are of clinical importance. Here we present a biophysically detailed in silico model of the cone pathway in the retina that simulates the network-level response to both light and electrical stimulation.MethodsThe model included 11, 138 cells belonging to nine different cell types (cone photoreceptors, horizontal cells, ON/OFF bipolar cells, ON/OFF amacrine cells, and ON/OFF ganglion cells) confined to a 300 × 300 × 210μm patch of the parafoveal retina. After verifying that the model reproduced seminal findings about the light response of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), we systematically introduced anatomical and neurophysiological changes (e.g., reduced light sensitivity of photoreceptor, cell death, cell migration) to the network and studied their effect on network activity.ResultsThe model was not only able to reproduce common findings about RGC activity in the degenerated retina, such as hyperactivity and increased electrical thresholds, but also offers testable predictions about the underlying neuroanatomical mechanisms.DiscussionOverall, our findings demonstrate how biophysical changes typified by cone-mediated retinal degeneration may impact retinal responses to light and electrical stimulation. These insights may further our understanding of retinal processing and inform the design of retinal prostheses.