bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aging and oocyte competence: A molecular cell perspective
Authors: Ferreira Ana Filipa , Soares Maria , Almeida‐Santos Teresa , Ramalho‐Santos João , Sousa Ana Paula 
Published: May 2023

AbstractFollicular microenvironment is paramount in the acquisition of oocyte competence, which is dependent on two interconnected and interdependent processes: nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation. Extensive research conducted in human and model systems has provided evidence that those processes are disturbed with female aging. In fact, advanced maternal age (AMA) is associated with a lower chance of pregnancy and live birth, explained by the age‐related decline in oocyte quality/competence. This decline has largely been attributed to mitochondria, essential for oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development; with mitochondrial dysfunction leading to oxidative stress, responsible for nuclear and mitochondrial damage, suboptimal intracellular energy levels, calcium disturbance, and meiotic spindle alterations, that may result in oocyte aneuploidy. Nuclear‐related mechanisms that justify increased oocyte aneuploidy include deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, loss of chromosomal cohesion, spindle assembly checkpoint dysfunction, meiotic recombination errors, and telomere attrition. On the other hand, age‐dependent cytoplasmic maturation failure is related to mitochondrial dysfunction, altered mitochondrial biogenesis, altered mitochondrial morphology, distribution, activity, and dynamics, dysmorphic smooth endoplasmic reticulum and calcium disturbance, and alterations in the cytoskeleton. Furthermore, reproductive somatic cells also experience the effects of aging, including mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage, compromising the crosstalk between granulosa/cumulus cells and oocytes, also affected by a loss of gap junctions. Old oocytes seem therefore to mature in an altered microenvironment, with changes in metabolites, ribonucleic acid (RNA), proteins, and lipids. Overall, understanding the mechanisms implicated in the loss of oocyte quality will allow the establishment of emerging biomarkers and potential therapeutic anti‐aging strategies.This article is categorized under:
Reproductive System Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Estimation of Height Anomalies from Gradients of the Gravitational Potential Using a Spectral Combination Method
Authors: Pitoňák Martin , Šprlák Michal , Novák Pavel 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn this study, we apply a spectral combination method for estimation of height anomalies from gradients of the gravitational potential measured by satellites. The spectral combination method is used for solving over-determined problems within gravity field modelling when multiple types of gravity data are collected and used for recovery of unobservable quantities (typically the gravitational potential). The method applies solutions to geodetic boundary-value problems formulated in spherical approximation for gradients of the gravitational potential of up to the third order. Spectral forms of the solutions are combined using spectral weights defined under the condition of minimizing the global mean-square error of the estimators. Mathematical models are implemented and tested using gradients synthesized from a global geopotential model which allows for closed-loop testing of the estimators. The tests reveal among others that horizontal derivatives of the gravitational potential influence recovered values more than their vertical counterparts.
Impact of Coordinate- and Tropospheric Ties on the Rigorous Combination of GNSS and VLBI
Authors: Herrera-Pinzón Iván Darío , Rothacher Markus 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn this work, we study the impact of the use of site coordinate and tropospheric ties between VLBI telescopes and GNSS antennas at co-location sites during the CONT17 campaign. We perform the rigorous estimation of all parameter types common to these two techniques: station coordinates, troposphere zenith delays and gradients, and the full set of Earth Orientation Parameters (EOPs) and their rates, including their full variance-covariance information. The core element of our processing scheme is the combination of the techniques via coordinate and tropospheric ties, the later being essential especially for the height estimates. By using and evaluating different weighting schemes, to obtain a unique set of consistent parameters, we analyse coordinate repeatabilities and the behaviour of the EOPs, to discuss the impact of the accuracy and weighting of the coordinate and troposphere ties on the estimation of geodetic parameters. Our work shows that the combined solution with coordinate and troposphere ties generally improves the precision of all the estimated geodetic parameters. In particular, the repeatabilities of the height component, the polar motion estimates, and the LOD, show improvements up to 19%, 35% and 48%, respectively, with respect to the single-technique solutions. These results provide enough evidence of the benefits of our approach.
Pushing Plus Buttons
Authors: Kvalnes Øyvind 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn a well-functioning communication climate, people are generous in pushing each other’s plus buttons. Meaning, they regularly acknowledge and praise each other’s efforts and initiatives. Pushing plus buttons is the fifth and final quality I will draw attention to as being inherent in the best communication climates. The concept comes from the Finnish philosopher Esa Saarinen, who uses it to describe how people can energise colleagues and collaborators at work by taking time to appreciate truly and explicitly what they do. The opportunity to push a colleague’s plus button can appear in an instant and it can be a critical quality moment.
Equivariant K-theory of the semi-infinite flag manifold as a nil-DAHA module
Authors: Orr Daniel 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe equivariant K-theory of the semi-infinite flag manifold, as developed recently by Kato, Naito, and Sagaki, carries commuting actions of the nil-double affine Hecke algebra (nil-DAHA) and a q-Heisenberg algebra. The action of the latter generates a free submodule of rank |W|, where W is the (finite) Weyl group. We show that this submodule is stable under the nil-DAHA, which enables one to express the nil-DAHA action in terms of $$|W|\times |W|$$

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W
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×
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W
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matrices over the q-Heisenberg algebra. Our main result gives an explicit algebraic construction of these matrices as a limit from the (non-nil) DAHA in simply-laced type. This construction reveals that multiplication by equivariant scalars, when expressed in terms of the Heisenberg algebra, is given by the nonsymmetric q-Toda system introduced by Cherednik and the author.
Analysis of heat transfer enhancement due to helical static mixing elements inside cooling channels in machine tools
Authors: Anders Denis , Reinicke Ulf , Baum Markus 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn this contribution, the effectiveness of helical static mixers in different arrangements and flow configurations/regimes is explored. By means of a thorough numerical analysis, the application limits of helical static mixers for the heat transfer enhancement inside cooling channels of machine tools are provided. The numerical simulations were processed with the commercial finite volume Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code, ANSYS Fluent 2020 R2. This study shows that there exists an optimal range of application for static mixers as heat exchange intensifier depending on the flow speed, the transmitted heat flow and the thermal conductivity of the tool. The investigations of this contribution are restricted to single-phase flow in circular cross-sections and straight channel geometries. As a representative application example for a machine tooling, the cooling of a simple injection mold is investigated. The research carried out reveals that the application of static mixing elements for enhancement of heat transfer is very effective, particularly for fluid flow with low to medium Reynolds numbers, close-contour cooling, high values of heat fluxes, and high thermal conductivity of the tooling material.
Sarcopenia and body fat change as risk factors for radiologic incisional hernia following robotic nephrectomy
Authors: Hajian Simin , Ghoreifi Alireza , Cen Steven Yong , Varghese Bino , Lei Xiaomeng , Hwang Darryl , Tran Khoa , Tejura Tapas , Whang Gilbert , Djaladat Hooman , Duddalwar Vinay 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Objective
To assess the effect of body muscle and fat metrics on the development of radiologic incisional hernia (IH) following robotic nephrectomy.

Materials and Methods
We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent robotic nephrectomy for kidney tumors between 2011 and 2017. All pre- and postoperative CTs were re-reviewed by experienced radiologists for detection of radiologic IH and calculation of the following metrics using Synapse 3D software: cross-sectional psoas muscle mass at the level of L3 and L4 as well as subcutaneous and visceral fat areas. Sarcopenia was defined as psoas muscle index below the lowest quartile. Cox proportional hazard model was constructed to examine the association between muscle and fat metrics and the risk of developing radiologic IH.

Results
A total of 236 patients with a median (IQR) age of 64 (54–70) years were included in this study. In a median (IQR) follow-up of 23 (14–38) months, 62 (26%) patients developed radiologic IH. On Cox proportional hazard model, we were unable to detect an association between sarcopenia and risk of IH development. In terms of subcutaneous fat change from pre-op, both lower and higher values were associated with IH development (HR (95% CI) 2.1 (1.2–3.4), p = 0.01 and 2.4 (1.4–4.1), p < 0.01 for < Q1 and ≥ Q3, respectively). Similar trend was found for visceral fat area changes from pre-op with a HR of 2.8 for < Q1 and 1.8 for ≥ Q3.

Conclusion
Both excessive body fat gain and loss are associated with development of radiologic IH in patients undergoing robotic nephrectomy.
Application of isotopic labels optimised for large scale plot experiments
Authors: Tenspolde Arne , Kleineidam Kristina , Müller Christoph , Wrage-Mönnig Nicole 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIsotopic tracer methods using 15N or other isotopes provide insights into the sources and underlying N transformations leading to N2O emissions from agricultural soils. However, homogeneous labelling of naturally structured soil in the field is challenging since macropore flow must be avoided while the application must be performed in a limited timeframe. Therefore, we tested the infiltration pattern of several application methods and consequently developed drip application (DA) for larger scales using individual dropper bottles. We performed a proof of concept test, followed by an evaluation experiment in-situ with a manual sprinkler as control at an undisturbed grassland site using 15NH415NO3 (80 kg N ha-1, 10 at.%, 15 mm precipitation equiv.). 15N-NH4+ and 15N-NO3- recovery rates and corresponding correlation coefficients were calculated to examine horizontal and vertical homogeneity. The proof of concept test showed the negative effect of very dry topsoil on homogeneous infiltration. DA achieved significantly larger 15N recovery rates than sprinkler application and led to a more homogeneous horizontal label distribution. For DA, coefficients of variation of 15N recovery rates were smaller than with sprinklers for most depths, yet for both methods 15N recovery rates especially of 15N-NH4+ decreased vertically. Besides optimised label distribution, the DA method offers high flexibility in application patterns while offering reproducibility, feasibility and a reasonable application speed also at undisturbed sites at the plot scale. Moreover, DA causes no change in soil structure or soil diffusivity. Thus, the drip application method was found suitable for tracer application to field sites.
The long-term course and relationship with survival of multidimensional fatigue in patients with brain metastases after Gamma Knife radiosurgery
Authors: Verhaak Eline , Schimmel Wietske C. M. , Sitskoorn Margriet M. , Hanssens Patrick E. J. , Butterbrod Elke , Gehring Karin 
Published: May 2023

AbstractPurposeThe aims of this study were to evaluate long-term multidimensional fatigue in patients with brain metastases (BM) up to 21 months after Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) and (change in) fatigue as predictor of survival.MethodsPatients with 1 to 10 BM, expected survival > 3 months, and Karnofsky Performance Status ≥ 70, and Dutch non-cancer controls were included. Fatigue was measured with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. Levels of fatigue between patients and controls were compared using independent-samples t-tests. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate fatigue within the patient group up to 21 months after GKRS. Pre-GKRS fatigue and minimal clinically important (MCI) changes in fatigue in the first three months (defined as a 2-point difference) after GKRS were evaluated as predictors of survival time.ResultsPrior to GKRS, patients with BM (n = 92) experienced significantly higher fatigue on all subscales than controls (n = 104). Over 21 months, physical fatigue increased, and mental fatigue decreased significantly. More specifically, general, and physical fatigue increased significantly between pre-GKRS and 3 months, followed by stable scores between 3 (n = 67) and 6 (n = 53), 6 and 12 (n = 34) and 12 and 21 (n = 21) months. An MCI increase in general or physical fatigue over the first 3 months after GKRS was a significant predictor of shorter survival time.ConclusionExcept for mental fatigue, all aspects of fatigue remained elevated or further increased up to 21 months after treatment. Furthermore, an increase in general or physical fatigue within three months after GKRS may be a prognostic indicator for poorer survival.ClinicalTrials.gov identifierNCT02953756, November 3, 2016.
Survival benefit of radiotherapy and nomogram for patients with primary tracheal malignant tumors: a propensity score-matched SEER database analysis
Authors: Zheng Zhen , Du Zhennan , Fang Zhongjie , Shi Yunbin , Chen Xue , Jin Ming , Liu Kaitai 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to conduct a matched-pair analysis to assess the impact of radiotherapy (RT) on patients with malignant tracheal tumors using the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database. Additionally, a predictive nomogram was developed for patients with malignant tracheal tumors.

Methods
Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize bias between the RT and no-RT groups. We utilized both univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses to identify independent prognostic factors for patients and subgroups. We developed a novel nomogram and evaluated its results using the C-index.

Results
A total of 648 patients between 1975 and 2019 were included, and 160 patients in RT were 1:1 propensity score-matched with no-RT. The independent prognostic factors for patients with tracheal malignant tumors were surgery, marital status, disease extension, pathology, and age. The independent risk factors for patients without surgery included RT and disease extension. The C-index confirmed that the nomogram accurately predicted the prognosis of patients with tracheal malignant tumors.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that RT may provide a survival benefit for tracheal cancer patients who did not undergo surgery. The nomogram can be a useful tool for predicting prognosis in patients with tracheal malignant tumors.
Simultaneous fluorescence imaging of bowel perfusion and ureter delineation using methylene blue: a demonstration in a porcine model
Authors: Heuvelings Danique J. I. , Al-Difaie Zaid , Scheepers Max H. M. C. , Okamoto Nariaki , Diana Michele , Stassen Laurents P. S. , Bouvy Nicole D. , Al-Taher Mahdi 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Intraoperative near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRF) with preoperative optical dye administration is a promising technique for quick and easy intraoperative visualization of the ureter and for an improved, real-time assessment of intestinal perfusion. During colorectal surgery, there is a need for simultaneous non-invasive ureteral imaging and bowel perfusion assessment, using one single camera system. The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of simultaneous intestinal perfusion and ureteral imaging using a single commercially available NIRF imaging system.

Methods
Six Landrace pigs underwent laparotomy under general anesthesia in this experiment. An intravenous (IV) dose of 0.2 mg/kg indocyanine green (ICG) was given to assess bowel perfusion. Two pairs received a methylene blue (MB) iv injection of 0.75, 0.50 or 0.25 mg/kg respectively to investigate ureteral visualization. Quest Spectrum Fluorescence Camera (Quest Medical Imaging, Middenmeer, The Netherlands) was used for NIRF imaging.

Results
Ureter visualization and bowel perfusion under NIRF imaging was achieved in all animals. All ureters were visible after five to ten minutes and remained clearly visible until the end of every experiment (120–420 min). A mixed model analysis did not show any significant differences neither between the three groups nor over time. Importantly, we demonstrated that bowel perfusion could be visualized with methylene blue (MB) as well. We observed no interference between ICG and MB and a faster washout of MB.

Conclusion
We successfully demonstrated simultaneous fluorescence angiography with ICG and ureteral imaging with MB in the same surgical procedure, with the same commercially available NIRF imaging equipment. More importantly, we showed that the use MB is adequate for bowel perfusion assessment and ureter visualization with this NIRF imaging system. Besides, MB showed an earlier washout time, which can be clinical beneficial as a repeated dye injection may be necessary during a surgical procedure.
Master equation model for solute transport in river basins: part I channel fluvial scale
Authors: Rizzello Stefano , Vitolo Raffaele , Napoli Gaetano , De Bartolo Samuele 
Published: May 2023

AbstractNormal and anomalous diffusion are ubiquitous in many physical complex systems. Here we define a system of diffusion equations generalized in time and space, using the conservation principles of mass and momentum at channel scale by a master equation. A numerical model for describing the steady one-dimensional advection-dispersion equation for solute transport in streams and channels imposed with point-loading is presented. We find the numerical model parameter as the solution of this system by estimating the transition probability that characterizes the physical phenomenon in the diffusion regime. The results presented (Part I) refer to the channel scale and represent the first part of a research project that has been extended to the basin scale.
Preferable PMSM rotor geometry for reduced axial flux components in the stator core
Authors: Blanken Norman , Ponick Bernd 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis paper describes various rotor geometries for the axial end region of permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) with the aim of reducing the axial magnetic stator flux component. This is achieved by considering the degrees of freedom for the three-dimensional geometry provided by state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies. The comparison of various approaches against conventional arrangements is discussed based on the effects on the axial magnetic stator flux in the end region and on the magnetic flux within the air-gap.
Normal vibration distribution search-based differential evolution algorithm for multimodal biomedical image registration
Authors: Gui Peng , He Fazhi , Ling Bingo Wing-Kuen , Zhang Dengyi , Ge Zongyuan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn linear registration, a floating image is spatially aligned with a reference image after performing a series of linear metric transformations. Additionally, linear registration is mainly considered a preprocessing version of nonrigid registration. To better accomplish the task of finding the optimal transformation in pairwise intensity-based medical image registration, in this work, we present an optimization algorithm called the normal vibration distribution search-based differential evolution algorithm (NVSA), which is modified from the Bernstein search-based differential evolution (BSD) algorithm. We redesign the search pattern of the BSD algorithm and import several control parameters as part of the fine-tuning process to reduce the difficulty of the algorithm. In this study, 23 classic optimization functions and 16 real-world patients (resulting in 41 multimodal registration scenarios) are used in experiments performed to statistically investigate the problem solving ability of the NVSA. Nine metaheuristic algorithms are used in the conducted experiments. When compared to the commonly utilized registration methods, such as ANTS, Elastix, and FSL, our method achieves better registration performance on the RIRE dataset. Moreover, we prove that our method can perform well with or without its initial spatial transformation in terms of different evaluation indicators, demonstrating its versatility and robustness for various clinical needs and applications. This study establishes the idea that metaheuristic-based methods can better accomplish linear registration tasks than the frequently used approaches; the proposed method demonstrates promise that it can solve real-world clinical and service problems encountered during nonrigid registration as a preprocessing approach.The source code of the NVSA is publicly available at https://github.com/PengGui-N/NVSA.
Injection of autologous conditioned plasma combined with a collagen scaffold may improve the clinical outcome in shoulder impingement syndrome: a prospective study
Authors: Halm-Pozniak Agnieszka , Lohmann Christoph H. , Awiszus Friedemann , Rudolf Margit , Bertrand Jessica , Berth Alexander 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is one of the most common diseases of the shoulder and can be addressed with various therapeutic concepts. Orthobiological agents such as platelet rich plasma with a low side effect rate gain importance in the conservative treatment of SIS. Currently, the knowledge about success rate influencing factors, such as the growth factors (GF) concentration or acromion type, is limited. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical outcome in the therapy of external SIS using autologous conditioned plasma combined with recombinant human collagen scaffold (ACP/STR) injection in comparison with a corticosteroid-local anesthetic (CSA) injection. Additionally, the influence of potential limiting factors such as GF concentration, age and acromial morphology was proved.

Materials and methods
This prospective pseudo-randomized trial recruited 58 patients with external SIS who received an ultrasound-guided subacromial injection either an ACP/STR or a CSA followed by physical therapy. Follow-up (FU) was performed at 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months. The outcome was assessed with Constant–Murley score, disability of arm, shoulder and hand score and simple shoulder test. The concentration of GF was measured using ELISA.

Results
During the FU, the improvement of outcome measures was observed with no differences between both groups. Shoulder force was significantly increased in the ACP/STR group (p < 0.01). We found no correlation between the amount of GF and age or gender in the ACP/STR patients. An acromion Bigliani type III predisposes for therapy failure (p < 0.001, OR = 56) in both treatment groups.

Conclusions
Patients with SIS benefit regarding to PROMs after both ACP/STR and CSA injection and physical therapy. Patients who received ACP/STR obtained superior improvement in force. The quantity of GF did not vary depending on the age, so that ACP/STR can be a treatment option for SIS in elderly patients with multimorbidity. The presence of an acromion type III seems to be a predictive factor for limited effectivity of injections in the clinical management of SIS.