bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of melanin influence on skin samples based on Raman spectroscopy and optical coherence tomography dual‐modal approach
Authors: Wu Di , Kukk Anatoly Fedorov , Roth Bernhard 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMelanoma is responsible for more than half of the deaths related to skin cancer in the last few decades. A dual‐modality optical biopsy system with Raman spectroscopy and optical coherence tomography approach was built with the goal of achieving noninvasive skin measurement. To mimic melanoma and evaluate the effect of melanin on skin, models have been created by dissolving synthetic melanin in dimethyl sulfoxide and adding it to fresh skin samples. Compared to the untreated samples, morphological images showed that the imaging depth on melanin‐treated skin has been increased from 250 μm to 350 μm due to the optical clearing effect of the DMSO solvent, and Raman analysis revealed that relative spectral intensities of melanin‐treated samples were lower in the amide‐I and CH2‐deformation bands, and higher in the CH2‐twist and C–C stretch bands. Using machine learning for skin type classification, an accuracy of 89% is achieved.
Improvement of the enantioselectivity of lipase catalyzed reactions with deoxycholic acid‐based molecular tweezers
Authors: Yan Hongding , Huang Jing , Jia Yanrong , Ma Mengxu , Ni Huagang , Xia Min , Ye Peng , Zhang Juan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDLipase as a hydrolase has important applications in the synthesis of chiral drugs. Based on the special interfacial activity of lipase, bile salt as a biosurfactant can effectively improve the catalytic activity of lipase.RESULTSIn this work, the strong selective recognition of the molecular tweezers and guest molecules helps improve the guest molecule concentration near the lipase catalytic center. However, this strong recognition will also make it difficult for the guest molecules to break away from the molecular tweezers. Therefore, there is an optimal value for this recognition that can effectively improve the chiral resolution effect of lipase.CONCLUSIONSThe two hydroxyl groups on deoxycholic acid were modified to prepare deoxycholic acid‐based molecular tweezers with two ‘arms’ and one ‘crack.’ The recognition performance between the molecular tweezers and amino acid methyl ester was determined by UV spectrophotometry. According to the binding constant, Ka, and free energy, −ΔG0, a complex formed between the deoxycholic acid‐based molecular tweezers (host) and amino acid methyl ester (guest) due to chiral recognition. Molecular tweezers were subsequently mixed with porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) and candida rugosa lipase (CRL), respectively, to catalyze the transesterification of racemic tryptophan methyl ester. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
1‐Butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride involved in sequential extraction of lignite to separate group components and its effect on functional groups of residues
Authors: Liang Chong , Zhao Wei , Cui Mingyu , Wang Dingkai , Liu Xutang , Dong Linyang , Wei Xianyong 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn view of the low economic benefit for direct utilization of lignite, the ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) has been used to extract Inner Mongolia lignite (IML) in order to efficiently separate lignite, develop the technology for clean and value‐added utilization of lignite, and alleviate the enormous pressure of ecological environment pollution. Subsequently, sequential extraction of IML by [Bmim]Cl/N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), acetonitrile and ether was employed to separate group components in lignite.RESULTSFunctional group results show that hydrogen bonds of IML including OHether, COOH dimers and SHN, and weak covalent bonds such as CalO, CalN, CalS and SS, can be cleaved by [Bmim]Cl. Extraction experiments using mixed solvents of [Bmim]Cl and NMP or water indicate that the synergistic effect of NMP and [Bmim]Cl plays a vital role in increasing lignite extraction yield, but for water an opposite effect is observed. Importantly, the group components extracted by [Bmim]Cl/NMP and consecutively by acetonitrile and ether show a clear difference in composition according to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Specifically, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and long‐chain alkanes are present in the acetonitrile phase, with relative content of 8% and 88%, respectively, while most of esters, aliphatic acids and phenols are dissolved in ether with proportions of 35.24%, 35.53% and 16.57%, respectively.CONCLUSIONThis work demonstrates that sequential extraction of lignite by [Bmim]Cl/NMP, acetonitrile and ether may provide new insights for the separation of group components and clean utilization of lignite in industry. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of prevalence and clinical features of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract Crohn's disease in adults compared to non‐UGI types
Authors: Tamizifar Babak , Adibi Peyman , Hadipour Maryam , Mohamadi Vahid 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackground and AimCrohn's disease is an inflammatory condition that affects the gastrointestinal (GI) system. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal Crohn's disease (UGICD) and compare its features to non‐UGICD types.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The heterogeneity of prevalence estimates was examined, subgroup analyses were carried out, and meta‐analyses were conducted using random‐effects modeling. Prognostic data were qualitatively reviewed and combined.ResultsTwo‐thousand nine‐hundred and forty studies were retrieved and 32 studies were included in the final analysis. Pooled prevalence of UGICD was 15% (CI: 11–18%) among 14 509 patients. UGICD prevalence did not show any significant increase with time (P = 0.45). The most prevalent (38%, CI: 30–47%) behavior of UGICD was B1 (nonstricturing‐nonpenetrating), while the most common concurrent location was L3 (ileocolon) with a prevalence of 47% (CI: 34–59%). UGICD patients had higher stricturing phenotype (B2) compared to non‐UGICD (0.38 vs 0.30; P = 0.03). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of UGICD between patients classified according to the Montreal or Vienna classification. Stricturing phenotype was more common among Asian patients compared to Western patients (0.44 vs 0.24; P < 0.001). UGICD was a risk factor for surgery and drug therapy and was associated with an aggressive course of the disease and more resections. Pooled prevalence of UGICD was 15%.ConclusionNonstricturing‐nonpenetrating type was the most prevalent UGICD. UGICD patients had more complications and worse outcomes compared to non‐UGICD patients.
How female entrepreneurship may boost business innovation and internationalization
Authors: Machado Diana , Braga Vítor , Correia Aldina , Braga Alexandra , Silva Carina 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis study sought to analyze the role female entrepreneurship plays in the internationalization and innovation process of firms. Additionally, this study aims to contribute to a better understanding of how the countries of Europe and Central Asia are grouped in terms of female entrepreneurship. Our analysis used secondary data collected from the Enterprise Surveys—The World Bank database to which multivariate statistical analysis were applied. The results suggest a non‐significant statistical relationship between female entrepreneurship and internationalization, which may be explained by high capital access constraints female entrepreneurs face. There are cultural and social barriers that affect the decision of women entrepreneurs to internationalize. Our results also show interdependence between internationalization and innovation. The results also suggest that the countries of Europe and Central Asia can be divided into two clusters. The difference between the two clusters can be justified by the role of women in the countries concerned. The originality of this article is related to the analysis of the possible contribution of women entrepreneurship to the internationalization of firms, which is still an understudied area, because of the exclusion of women entrepreneurs from the market due to the male norms that dominate the socioeconomic contexts. Additionally, the findings of this research can contribute to the implementation of a strategic policy framework to encourage female entrepreneurship.
Natural occurrence of ustiloxins in rice from five provinces in China and the removal efficiencies of different milling steps
Authors: Hu Zheng , Qian Shen'an , Fan Kai , Yu Yinan , Liu Xing , Liu Hao , Meng Jiajia , Zhao Zhihui , Han Zheng 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe widespread incidence of “false smut” disease in rice has caused extensive ustiloxin contamination around the world. Until now there has been a lack of knowledge regarding the natural occurrence of ustiloxins in paddy. The development of efficient removal methods is also still a challenge that remains unexplored.RESULTSIn the current study, three main ustiloxins – ustiloxin A (UA), ustiloxin B (UB), and ustiloxin G (UG) – were determined simultaneously by ultraperformance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) in 206 paddy samples collected in 2021 from five rice‐producing provinces in China. The predominant ustiloxin was UA with an occurrence of 46.1% and an average concentration of 49.71 μg kg−1. This was followed by UB (31.1%, 13.31 μg kg−1) and UG (18.4%, 9.19 μg kg−1). No targeted ustiloxins were detected in white rice samples randomly collected from supermarkets in Shanghai. To reveal the causes, two approaches were tested for the removal of the ustiloxins: most of the targeted ustiloxins (>93%) were removed in brown rice by husking and, subsequently, all targeted ustiloxins (100%) were removed by whitening.CONCLUSIONA wide distribution of ustiloxins was discovered in paddy samples in this study. The UA contaminations were significantly different depending on their origin, with the highest occurrence in paddy from Shanghai and Jiangsu, southeast coast provinces in China. Contamination by UG was also found in paddy for the first time and was strongly correlated with those of UA and UB. A combination of husking and whitening has been verified to be a practicable and promising way to ensure efficient removal and food safety. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Identification of Surgical Uterine Prolapse in Premenopausal Patients With Clinical or Ultrasound Criteria? A Multicenter Comparative Study
Authors: García‐Mejido José Antonio , Martín‐Martinez Alicia , González‐Diaz Enrique , Núñez‐Matas María José , Fernández‐Palacín Ana , Carballo‐Rastrilla Sonia , Fernández‐Fernández Camino , Sainz‐Bueno José Antonio 
Published: May 2023

ObjectivesIt is unknown whether diagnosing uterine prolapse (UP) via ultrasound or surgical criteria is superior. Our objective is to determine whether the diagnostic capacity of ultrasound with surgical criteria differs from that of surgical criteria only.MethodsThis was a multicenter prospective observational study with 54 premenopausal patients with surgical criteria for a dysfunctional pelvic floor pathology who were consecutively recruited for 1 year. Clinical UP with surgical criteria was defined when UP stage II–IV was identified (during pelvic floor consultation), and UP diagnosed by ultrasound with surgical criteria was established when a difference ≥15 mm was found between rest and Valsalva applied to the pubis‐uterine fundus. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were determined to evaluate clinical and ultrasound methodologies as diagnostic tests.ResultsUP diagnosed by ultrasound with surgical criteria presented better sensitivity (78.57 vs 35.71%), specificity (92.11 vs 81.58%), positive predictive value (61.83 vs 23.99%), and negative predictive value (96.35 vs 11.37%) than UP diagnosed by surgical criteria only.ConclusionUltrasound with surgical criteria is superior to surgical criteria alone when diagnosing UP.
Prognostic value of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio in gastric cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Li‐Li , Pan Li‐Sha 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been extensively studied in patients with gastric cancer (GC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), although the results are controversial. Therefore, we performed the present meta‐analysis to systematically assess the correlation between NLR and prognosis and clinicopathological factors in GC patients undergoing treatment with ICIs. Among the electronic databases, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library were thoroughly searched. To estimate the prognostic value of NLR for progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated, and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated. This meta‐analysis included 10 studies with 830 patients. Based on the pooled data, a high NLR was associated with poor OS in GC patients receiving ICIs (HR = 2.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.70–2.66, p < 0.001). Elevated NLR was a significant biomarker for worse PFS in GC patients treated with ICIs (HR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.22–2.48, p = 0.002). There was, however, no significant correlation between NLR and sex, age, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (PS) of the ECOG, differentiation, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, or PD‐L1 status in GC patients treated with ICIs. High NLR before treatment was associated with poor OS and PFS in GC patients treated with ICIs, according to our meta‐analysis. NLR is an effective biomarker for evaluating the prognosis of GC patients receiving ICIs and provide more valuable information for treatment decisions in the era of immunotherapy for GC.
Informal camping on the margin of wild country: Early indicators of degradation and potential for some positive nature conservation outcomes
Authors: Adedokun Busola Christianah , McHenry Melinda Therese , Kirkpatrick James Barrie 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWild areas provide a wide array of recreational opportunities in nature, including informal camping. We examined the potential for land degradation associated with informal campsites accessible by vehicle on the margins of the wild country on the Central Plateau of Tasmania, where alpine and sub‐alpine ecosystems with numerous glacial and periglacial wetlands sit within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. There were no integrated analyses of the biotic and abiotic effects of informal camping on the distinctive ecosystems of Tasmania's high mountains and no work looking specifically at flyfishers campsites from anywhere in the world. We hypothesised that the impacts of informal camping on the vegetation communities, soil properties and native animals would be deleterious. We assessed impacts by comparing trampled areas and fire pits in ten campsites with geomorphologically similar adjacent controls. We found that informal camping resulted in colonisation by different plant species, greater soil compaction, more acid soils and decreased volumetric water content than control areas. Soils in 16 illegal firepits had higher pH, electrical conductivity and lower water content than the adjacent unburned ground. Visual amenity was also reduced by litter. More positively, campsite vegetation had a higher coverage of native herbs and grasses than the controls and attracted native animals, including a threatened iconic carnivore, the Tasmania devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). Informal camping may offset soil damage by helping endangered animals and plants at the current visitor rate. However, more informal campers may degrade world heritage values.
Automated Motor Tic Detection: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Brügge Nele Sophie , Sallandt Gesine Marie , Schappert Ronja , Li Frédéric , Siekmann Alina , Grzegorzek Marcin , Bäumer Tobias , Frings Christian , Beste Christian , Stenger Roland , Roessner Veit , Fudickar Sebastian , Handels Heinz , Münchau Alexander 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundVideo‐based tic detection and scoring is useful to independently and objectively assess tic frequency and severity in patients with Tourette syndrome. In trained raters, interrater reliability is good. However, video ratings are time‐consuming and cumbersome, particularly in large‐scale studies. Therefore, we developed two machine learning (ML) algorithms for automatic tic detection.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the performances of state‐of‐the‐art ML approaches for automatic video‐based tic detection in patients with Tourette syndrome.MethodsWe used 64 videos of n = 35 patients with Tourette syndrome. The data of six subjects (15 videos with ratings) were used as a validation set for hyperparameter optimization. For the binary classification task to distinguish between tic and no‐tic segments, we established two different supervised learning approaches. First, we manually extracted features based on landmarks, which served as input for a Random Forest classifier (Random Forest). Second, a fully automated deep learning approach was used, where regions of interest in video snippets were input to a convolutional neural network (deep neural network).ResultsTic detection F1 scores (and accuracy) were 82.0% (88.4%) in the Random Forest and 79.5% (88.5%) in the deep neural network approach.ConclusionsML algorithms for automatic tic detection based on video recordings are feasible and reliable and could thus become a valuable assessment tool, for example, for objective tic measurements in clinical trials. ML algorithms might also be useful for the differential diagnosis of tics. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Patch antenna with low cross‐polarization using loading technique
Authors: Zhang Jing‐Yi , Zhang Jin‐Dong , Wu Wen , Fang Da‐Gang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn this article, a low cross‐polarized patch antenna is proposed with simple loading techniques. A metal block is set next to the patch and a coupling fringing field generated by the block compensates for the fringing field distribution asymmetry of the patch, resulting in a lower cross‐polarization. In addition, a shorting pin is loaded to further improve polarization purity. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, prototypes of the proposed antenna with specific parameters were fabricated and tested. The measured cross‐polarized level can be reduced to below −30 dB, which is greatly lower than that of the traditional patch.
Fully automated measurement of intracranial CSF and brain parenchyma volumes in pediatric hydrocephalus by segmentation of clinical MRI studies
Authors: Russo Carmela , Pirozzi Maria Agnese , Mazio Federica , Cascone Daniele , Cicala Domenico , De Liso Maria , Nastro Anna , Covelli Eugenio Maria , Cinalli Giuseppe , Quarantelli Mario 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundBrain parenchyma (BP) and intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (iCSF) volumes measured by fully automated segmentation of clinical brain MRI studies may be useful for the diagnosis and follow‐up of pediatric hydrocephalus. However, previously published segmentation techniques either rely on dedicated sequences, not routinely used in clinical practice, or on spatial normalization, which has limited accuracy when severe brain distortions, such as in hydrocephalic patients, are present.PurposeWe developed a fully automated method to measure BP and iCSF volumes from clinical brain MRI studies of pediatric hydrocephalus patients, exploiting the complementary information contained in T2‐ and T1‐weighted images commonly used in clinical practice.MethodsThe proposed procedure, following skull‐stripping of the combined volumes, performed using a multiparametric method to obtain a reliable definition of the inner skull profile, maximizes the CSF‐to‐parenchyma contrast by dividing the T2w‐ by the T1w‐ volume after full‐scale dynamic rescaling, thus allowing separation of iCSF and BP through a simple thresholding routine.ResultsValidation against manual tracing on 23 studies (four controls and 19 hydrocephalic patients) showed excellent concordance (ICC > 0.98) and spatial overlap (Dice coefficients ranging from 77.2% for iCSF to 96.8% for intracranial volume). Accuracy was comparable to the intra‐operator reproducibility of manual segmentation, as measured in 14 studies processed twice by the same experienced neuroradiologist. Results of the application of the algorithm to a dataset of 63 controls and 57 hydrocephalic patients (19 with parenchymal damage), measuring volumes’ changes with normal development and in hydrocephalic patients, are also reported for demonstration purposes.ConclusionsThe proposed approach allows fully automated segmentation of BP and iCSF in clinical studies, also in severely distorted brains, enabling to assess age‐ and disease‐related changes in intracranial tissue volume with an accuracy comparable to expert manual segmentation.
Nitsche's method for a Robin boundary value problem in a smooth domain
Authors: Chiba Yuki , Saito Norikazu 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWe prove several optimal‐order error estimates for a finite‐element method applied to an inhomogeneous Robin boundary value problem (BVP) for the Poisson equation defined in a smooth bounded domain in , . The boundary condition is weakly imposed using Nitsche's method. The Robin BVP is interpreted as the classical penalty method with the penalty parameter . The optimal choice of the mesh size relative to is a non‐trivial issue. This paper carefully examines the dependence of on error estimates. Our error estimates require no unessential regularity assumptions on the solution. Numerical examples are also reported to confirm our results.
Parental Experiences With Access to Care for Obstructive Sleep‐Disordered Breathing: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Pecha Phayvanh P. , Nicholas Jungbauer Walter , Ruggiero Kenneth J. , Nietert Paul , Melvin Cathy L. , Ford Marvella E. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractObjectiveDespite evidence‐based guidelines for obstructive sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB), recent studies continue to highlight treatment inequities. We used qualitative research methods to examine parental facilitators and barriers to SDB treatment.Study DesignQualitative interviews.SettingTertiary care center.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted (January‐April 2022) with parents of children with SDB who underwent tonsillectomies to understand the processes of SDB detection and accessing specialty care. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was reached and coded using NVivo software.ResultsOf the 17 parents who completed the key informant interviews, 6 (35%) were of non‐Hispanic black race, and 3 (17.6%) interviews were conducted in Spanish. Parents noted that the more knowledge their primary care provider (PCP) had about SDB, the easier it was to obtain a diagnostic workup (41%). The most common barrier included difficulty obtaining a specialist (otolaryngology or sleep medicine) referral from their PCP and encountering providers who were dismissive of parent‐reported symptoms related to SDB, leading them to seek a second opinion or self‐refer (53%). Medicaid coverage was a strong facilitator to receipt of care (59%). Three (17.6%) parents noted alienation in the process due to racial bias or language barriers.ConclusionParental interviews revealed that facilitators of SDB treatment included high clinician knowledge and perceived importance of SDB as well as Medicaid insurance which decreased financial strain. Parents also cited the attainment of referrals as a significant barrier to obtaining specialty evaluation. These findings identify potential modifiable areas to tailor future interventions for timely and equitable SDB care.