bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extended perceptive field revealed in humans with binocular fusion disorders
Authors: Benhaim-Sitbon Laura , Lev Maria , Polat Uri 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBinocular vision disorders or dysfunctions have considerable impact on daily visual activities such as reading. Heterophoria (phoria) is a latent eye misalignment (with a prevalence of up to 35%) that appears in conditions that disrupt binocular vision and it may affect the quality of binocular fusion. Our recent study, which used lateral masking (LM), suggests that subjects with binocular fusion disorders (horizontal phoria) exhibit an asymmetry and an abnormal pattern of both binocular and monocular lateral interactions, but only for the horizontal meridian (HM). The perceptive field (PF) is the fundamental processing unit of human vision and both masking and crowding depend on its size. An increased PF size is found in amblyopic populations or in young children. We hypothesized that the PF’s size would be asymmetric only for the phoric group (larger along the HM). We estimated the PF’s size using two different methods (LM with equal-phase and opposite-phase flankers). Phoric subjects exhibited a larger binocular PF size, only for the HM, confirming our hypothesis of an asymmetric PF size. However, the monocular PF size of phoric and control subjects was similar. Phoria affects the PF’s size similarly to meridional amblyopia but without being attributed to abnormal refraction. We suggest that these findings could help explain the inter-observer variability found in the masking literature and the reading difficulties often encountered in subjects with high heterophoria. Since perceptual learning can reduce the PF’s size, further investigation of training may provide a novel therapy to reduce some symptoms related to heterophoria.
Modelling of icodextrin hydrolysis and kinetics during peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Stachowska-Pietka Joanna , Waniewski Jacek , Olszowska Anna , Garcia-Lopez Elvia , Wankowicz Zofia , Lindholm Bengt 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn peritoneal dialysis, ultrafiltration is achieved by adding an osmotic agent into the dialysis fluid. During an exchange with icodextrin-based solution, polysaccharide chains are degraded by α-amylase activity in dialysate, influencing its osmotic properties. We modelled water and solute removal taking into account degradation by α-amylase and absorption of icodextrin from the peritoneal cavity. Data from 16 h dwells with icodextrin-based solution in 11 patients (3 icodextrin-exposed, 8 icodextrin-naïve at the start of the study) on dialysate volume, dialysate concentrations of glucose, urea, creatinine and α-amylase, and dialysate and blood concentrations of seven molecular weight fractions of icodextrin were analysed. The three-pore model was extended to describe hydrolysis of icodextrin by α-amylase. The extended model accurately predicted kinetics of ultrafiltration, small solutes and icodextrin fractions in dialysate, indicating differences in degradation kinetics between icodextrin-naïve and icodextrin-exposed patients. In addition, the model provided information on the patterns of icodextrin degradation caused by α-amylase. Modelling of icodextrin kinetics using an extended three-pore model that takes into account absorption of icodextrin and changes in α-amylase activity in the dialysate provided accurate description of peritoneal transport and information on patterns of icodextrin hydrolysis during long icodextrin dwells.
Startle-triggered responses indicate reticulospinal drive is larger for voluntary shoulder versus finger movements
Authors: Maslovat Dana , Santangelo Cassandra M. , Carlsen Anthony N. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractRecent primate studies have implicated a substantial role of reticulospinal pathways in the production of various voluntary movements. A novel way to assess the relative reticulospinal contributions in humans is through the use of a “StartReact” paradigm where a startling acoustic stimulus (SAS) is presented during a simple reaction time (RT) task. The StartReact response is characterized by short-latency triggering of a prepared response, which is attributed to increased reticulospinal drive associated with startle reflex activation. The current study used a StartReact protocol to examine differences in reticulospinal contributions between proximal and distal effectors by examining EMG onset latencies in lateral deltoid and first dorsal interosseous during bilateral shoulder or finger abduction. The magnitude of the StartReact effect, and thus relative reticulospinal drive, was quantified as the difference in RT between startle trials in which startle-reflex related EMG activation in the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) was present (SCM +) versus absent (SCM −). A significantly larger StartReact effect was observed for bilateral shoulder abduction versus bimanual finger abduction and a higher incidence of SCM + trials occurred in the proximal task. Additionally, both startle reflex and response-related EMG measures were larger on SCM + trials for the shoulder versus finger task. These results provide compelling novel evidence for increased reticulospinal activation in bilateral proximal upper-limb movements.
A mathematical modeling technique to understand the role of decoy receptors in ligand-receptor interaction
Authors: Dey Subrata , Ghosh Aditi , Banerjee Malay 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe ligand-receptor interaction is fundamental to many cellular processes in eukaryotic cells such as cell migration, proliferation, adhesion, signaling and so on. Cell migration is a central process in the development of organisms. Receptor induced chemo-tactic sensitivity plays an important role in cell migration. However, recently some receptors identified as decoy receptors, obstruct some mechanisms of certain regular receptors. DcR3 is one such important decoy receptor, generally found in glioma cell, RCC cell and many various malignant cells which obstruct some mechanism including apoptosis cell-signaling, cell inflammation, cell migration. The goal of our work is to mathematically formulate ligand-receptor interaction induced cell migration in the presence of decoy receptors. We develop here a novel mathematical model, consisting of four coupled partial differential equations which predict the movement of glioma cells due to the reaction-kinetic mechanism between regular receptors CD95, its ligand CD95L and decoy receptors DcR3 as obtained in experimental results. The aim is to measure the number of cells in the chamber’s filter for different concentrations of ligand in presence of decoy receptors and compute the distance travelled by the cells inside filter due to cell migration. Using experimental results, we validate our model which suggests that the concentration of ligands plays an important role in cell migration.
Feasibility of in vivo multi-parametric quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of the healthy sciatic nerve with a unified signal readout protocol
Authors: Boonsuth Ratthaporn , Battiston Marco , Grussu Francesco , Samlidou Christina Maria , Calvi Alberto , Samson Rebecca S. , Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott Claudia A. M. , Yiannakas Marios C. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMagnetic resonance neurography (MRN) has been used successfully over the years to investigate the peripheral nervous system (PNS) because it allows early detection and precise localisation of neural tissue damage. However, studies demonstrating the feasibility of combining MRN with multi-parametric quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) methods, which provide more specific information related to nerve tissue composition and microstructural organisation, can be invaluable. The translation of emerging qMRI methods previously validated in the central nervous system to the PNS offers real potential to characterise in patients in vivo the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms involved in a plethora of conditions of the PNS. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of combining MRN with qMRI to measure diffusion, magnetisation transfer and relaxation properties of the healthy sciatic nerve in vivo using a unified signal readout protocol. The reproducibility of the multi-parametric qMRI protocol as well as normative qMRI measures in the healthy sciatic nerve are reported. The findings presented herein pave the way to the practical implementation of joint MRN-qMRI in future studies of pathological conditions affecting the PNS.
Role of DNA methylation in the relationship between glioma risk factors and glioma incidence: a two-step Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Howell Amy E. , Relton Caroline , Martin Richard M. , Zheng Jie , Kurian Kathreena M. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractGenetic evidence suggests glioma risk is altered by leukocyte telomere length, allergic disease (asthma, hay fever or eczema), alcohol consumption, childhood obesity, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) and triglyceride levels. DNA methylation (DNAm) variation influences many of these glioma-related traits and is an established feature of glioma. Yet the causal relationship between DNAm variation with both glioma incidence and glioma risk factors is unknown. We applied a two-step Mendelian randomization (MR) approach and several sensitivity analyses (including colocalization and Steiger filtering) to assess the association of DNAm with glioma risk factors and glioma incidence. We used data from a recently published catalogue of germline genetic variants robustly associated with DNAm variation in blood (32,851 participants) and data from a genome-wide association study of glioma risk (12,488 cases and 18,169 controls, sub-divided into 6191 glioblastoma cases and 6305 non-glioblastoma cases). MR evidence indicated that DNAm at 3 CpG sites (cg01561092, cg05926943, cg01584448) in one genomic region (HEATR3) had a putative association with glioma and glioblastoma risk (False discovery rate [FDR] < 0.05). Steiger filtering provided evidence against reverse causation. Colocalization presented evidence against genetic confounding and suggested that differential DNAm at the 3 CpG sites and glioma were driven by the same genetic variant. MR provided little evidence to suggest that DNAm acts as a mediator on the causal pathway between risk factors previously examined and glioma onset. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use MR to appraise the causal link of DNAm with glioma risk factors and glioma onset. Subsequent analyses are required to improve the robustness of our results and rule out horizontal pleiotropy.
Association of lipid composition and unsaturated fatty acids of VLDL with atrial remodeling in metabolic syndrome
Authors: Lee Hsiang-Chun , Cheng Wei-Chung , Ma Wen-Lung , Lin Yu-Hsun , Shin Shyi-Jang , Lin Yi-Hsiung 
Published: April 2023

AbstractSubjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS) commonly have atrial remodeling, which indicates a risk for atrial fibrillation. This study determined MetS-related changes in lipid components in very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), which has been shown to cause atrial remodeling, the effect of statins on these changes, and the correlation between atrial remodeling and VLDL lipid compositions. Blood samples were collected from 12 non-MetS and 27 sex- and age-matched MetS subjects. Fourteen patients with MetS (MetS-off statin) discontinued statin therapy 14 days before the study, while the remaining 13 remained on it (MetS-on statin). The VLDLs were isolated and processed for mass-based lipid profiling. Lipidomic analyses were performed and associated with atrial remodeling markers measured using standard echocardiography and electrocardiography. Compared with the VLDL components of the non-MetS group, glucosyl/galactosyl ceramide, lyso-phosphatidylcholine, lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine, and triglycerides were enriched in the MetS-off statin group. Statin therapy attenuated all abnormally abundant lipid classes in MetS, except for triglycerides. In addition, lyso-phosphatidylcholine, lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine, and triglycerides were significantly correlated with atrial dilatation, and the latter two were also correlated with the PR interval. Enrichment of double bonds, which indicate unsaturated fatty acids, was also significantly correlated with atrial remodeling and P-wave duration. This study suggests that the pathological lipid payload of MetS-VLDL may contribute to atrial remodeling in patients.
Evaluation of the impact of Covid-19 on air traffic volume in Turkish airspace using artificial neural networks and time series
Authors: Gultekin Nurullah , Acik Kemaloglu Sibel 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn early 2020, the aviation sector was one of the business lines adversely affected by the Covid 19 outbreak that affected the whole world. As a result, some countries imposed travel restrictions. Following these restrictions, air traffic density has decreased significantly worldwide. Since air traffic density directly affects almost all operations in air transportation, analyzing these data is very essential. For this purpose, SARIMA models, one of the linear time series models, and multilayer perceptron model (MLP), one of the artificial neural network methods suitable for nonlinear modeling, were applied to the air traffic data regarding Turkish airspace between 2010 and 2019, and the actual air traffic density was compared with the forecasts obtained from these analyses. It is considered that the results of this study are essential for organizations conducting aviation operations to take into consideration while doing future planning.
Prediction of ground vibration due to mine blasting in a surface lead–zinc mine using machine learning ensemble techniques
Authors: Hosseini Shahab , Pourmirzaee Rashed , Armaghani Danial Jahed , Sabri Sabri Mohanad Muayad 
Published: April 2023

AbstractGround vibration due to blasting is identified as a challenging issue in mining and civil activities. Peak particle velocity (PPV) is one of the blasting undesirable consequences, which is resulted during emission of vibration in blasted bench. This study focuses on the PPV prediction in the surface mines. In this regard, two ensemble systems, i.e., the ensemble of artificial neural networks and the ensemble of extreme gradient boosting (EXGBoosts) were developed for PPV prediction in one of the largest lead–zinc open-pit mines in the Middle East. For ensemble modeling, several ANN and XGBoost base models were separately designed with different architectures. Then, the validation indices such as coefficient determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), the variance accounted for (VAF), and Accuracy were used to evaluate the performance of the base models. The five top base models with high accuracy were selected to construct an ensemble model for each of the methods, i.e., ANNs and XGBoosts. To combine the outputs of the top base models and achieve a single result stacked generalization technique, was employed. Findings showed ensemble models increase the accuracy of PPV predicting in comparison with the best individual models. The EXGBoosts was superior method for predicting of the PPV, which obtained values of R2, RMSE, MAE, VAF, and Accuracy corresponding to the EXGBoosts were (0.990, 0.391, 0.257, 99.013(%), 98.216), and (0.968, 0.295, 0.427, 96.674(%), 96.059), for training and testing datasets, respectively. However, the sensitivity analysis indicated that the spacing (r = 0.917) and number of blast-holes (r = 0.839) had the highest and lowest impact on the PPV intensity, respectively.
Radiosensitising effect of iron oxide‐gold nanocomplex for electron beam therapy of melanoma in vivo by magnetic targeting
Authors: Mohamadkazem Mahshad , Neshastehriz Ali , Amini Seyed Mohammad , Moshiri Ali , Janzadeh Atousa 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMelanoma is a dangerous type of skin cancer sometimes treated with radiotherapy. However, it induces damage to the surrounding healthy tissue and possibly further away areas. Therefore, it is necessary to give a lower dose to the patient with targeted therapy. In this study, the radio‐sensitising effect of gold‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles on electron beam radiotherapy of a melanoma tumour with magnetic targeting in a mouse model was investigated. Gold‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared in a steady procedure. The melanoma tumour model was induced in mice. Animals were divided into five groups: (1) normal; (2) melanoma; (3) gold‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles alone; (4) electron beam radiotherapy; (5) electron beam radiotherapy plus gold‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles. The magnet was placed on the tumour site for 2 h. The tumours were then exposed to 6 MeV electron beam radiotherapy for a dose of 8 Gy. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry test, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay blood test were also performed. Gold‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles with magnetic targeting before electron beam radiotherapy reduced the growth of the tumour compared to the control group. Blood tests did not show any significant toxicity. Deposition of nanoparticles was more in the tumour and spleen tissue and to a lesser extent in the liver, kidney, and lung tissues. The synergistic effect of nanoparticles administered by the intraperitoneal route and then concentrated into the tumour area by application of an external permanent magnet, before delivery of the electron beam radiotherapy improved the overall cancer treatment outcome and prevented metal distribution side effects.
A Modified Arthroscopic Ulnar Tunnel Technique for Combined Foveal and Capsular (All-Inside) Fixation of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injury
Authors: Simonsen Sabine , Gvozdenovic Robert 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background Traumatic disruption of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is commonly present in various wrist traumas. A variation of surgical techniques is previously developed for different injury patterns. To our knowledge, only a few studies have investigated the fixation of combined foveal and capsular TFCC injuries using the ulnar tunnel technique.
Purpose This prospective cohort study of 21 patients aimed to evaluate the clinical and patient-reported outcome at 2 years of follow-up after arthroscopic TFCC of combined, foveal, and capsular reattachment by modified ulnar tunnel technique.
Methods Pain, grip strength, wrist motion, inclusive rotation, and patient-reported outcomes were assessed pre- and postoperatively at 2 years of follow-up.
Results No complications occurred preoperatively. Pain and patient-reported outcomes improved significantly (p < 0.0001 and 0.004). Grip strength improved, but not significantly (p = 0.088). The range of motion remained unchanged. All the patients achieved full stability of the distal radioulnar joint. Two patients sustained a new TFCC injury due to a wrist trauma and underwent a reoperation successfully. Two patients experienced complications: one patient experienced tenderness caused by cyst occurrence after PushLock ankers and the second had subluxation of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon subsheet. Both patients were successfully treated and reoperated on with curettage of the cyst, and reconstruction of the extensor carpi ulnaris retinaculum. All the patients ended with good or excellent satisfaction scores.
Conclusion The ulnar tunnel technique for combined foveal and capsular injuries shows promising short-term follow-up results and high satisfaction scores in the patients.
Level of Evidence II (Prospective Corhorte).
Augmented reality technology in enhancing learning retention and critical thinking according to STEAM program
Authors: Alkhabra Yaser A. , Ibrahem Usama M. , Alkhabra Saleh A. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAccording to the science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) program, this experimental research aims to advocate e-content based on augmented reality (AR) technology to enhance retention learning (LR) and reinforce critical thinking in the intermediate stage in Ha’il, KSA. Then, we study the interaction between the technology of AR design (image/mark) and the mental capacity of learners (high/low) in developing critical thinking (CT) and practical skills, i.e., the interaction between AR (image/mark) and gender. The study’s sample consisted of 120 8th-grade junior high school students from six schools in Ha’il. 63 of the 120 participants are females, while 57 are males. They were divided into 2 control and 8 experimental groups. Our analysis revealed that students’ LR and CT skills after using AR were better than before using AR. The first result we found was that implementing AR in educational realms impacted students’ LR. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were exhibited in overall CT skills between those with high and low mental capacity (MC), favoring those with high MC. Even more interestingly, according to the STEAM program, male students’ outcomes in science learning were more reinforced by AR than females’. Future research could quantify learning outcomes and look at underserved communities. Moreover, future studies could reveal the educational benefits of augmented reality-based active learning.
Predatory economics fuelling insecurity: violence and the commodification of labour in South Sudan
Authors: Bakumenko Stefan 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACT
This article explores how predatory economic processes play out in South Sudan, particularly in fuelling conflict and competition. It posits that issues of personal wealth and communal patronage are just as essential to understanding the conflict as politics, ideology and personal animosities. The article highlights the structural incentives for coercive economics and the commodification of labour. Exploring two case studies, it analyses how contests over the vital oil and cattle industries create insecurity in South Sudan, outlining the actors, methods and incentives involved in this economic violence. It concludes with opportunities for further research.
Analytic approach to the Landau–Zener problem in bounded parameter space
Authors: Matus Felipe , Střeleček Jan , Cejnar Pavel 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Three analytic solutions to the Schrödinger equation for the time-dependent Landau–Zener (LZ) Hamiltonian are presented. They correspond to specific finite-time driving paths in a bounded parameter space of a two-level system. Two of these paths go through the avoided crossing of levels, either with a constant speed or with variable speed that decreases in the region of reduced energy gap, the third path bypasses the crossing such that the energy gap remains constant. The solutions yield exact time dependencies of the excitation probability for the system evolving from the ground state of the initial Hamiltonian. The LZ formula emerges as an approximation valid within a certain interval of driving times for the constant-speed driving through the avoided crossing. For long driving times, all solutions converge to the prediction of the adiabatic perturbation theory. The excitation probability vanishes at some discrete time instants.
Effects of early stages of prestretching on the aging kinetics in Al–Cu–Li–based alloy
Authors: Khushaim Muna 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
A combination of high hardness values and a low energy–consumption preparation method was used to induce the precipitation of the T1 phase in the Al alloy AA2195. This combination was obtained by subjecting the alloy samples to sequential and early stages of prestretching. Hardness testing and differential scanning calorimetry were employed to explore the behaviours of the hardness and enthalpy values as functions of the prestretching level applied before aging. Results demonstrated that the optimal aging thermomechanical conditions are (1) 150 °C for 10 h after applying prestretching levels of 0%, 1%, and 2% and (2) 150 °C for 20 h after applying prestretching levels of 3% and 4%. Under these conditions, the recorded enthalpy values for the formation of the T1 phase at prestretching levels of 0%, 1%, and 2% were 2.86, 1.72, and 1.14 J g−1, respectively and those obtained at prestretching levels of 3% and 4% were 1.43 and 1.27 J g−1, respectively.