bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thyroidectomy refusal and long-term anti-thyroid use in toxic multi-nodular goitre
Authors: Uwanuruochi K  , Uwanuruochi V  
Published: September 2023

Background: Definitive management for most patients with toxic goitres comprise thyroidectomy or radioiodine ablation.
Method: We report a middle aged woman who refused surgery on personal grounds, and in the absence of radioiodine was managed long-term with oral anti-thyroid.
Results: The clinical outcome was fair.
Conclusion: Our study, the first report of long-term anti-thyroid use from our centre, highlight the peculiarities of management under this scenario.
Surgical vs. transcatheter arotic valve replacement in patients over 75 years with aortic stenosis: sociodemographic profile, clinical characteristics, quality of life and functionality
Authors: Fradejas-Sastre Víctor , Parás-Bravo Paula , Herrero-Montes Manuel , Paz-Zulueta María , Boixadera-Planas Ester , Fernández-Cacho Luis Manuel , Veiga-Fernández Gabriela , Arnáiz-García Maria Elena , De-la-Torre-Hernández Jose María 
Published: September 2023

Background
Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) affects 25% of the population over 65 years. At present, there is no curative medical treatment for AVS and therefore the surgical approach, consisting of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), is the treatment of choice.

Methodology
The aim of this study was to analyze the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, quality of life and functionality of a sample of patients with AVS over 75 years of age, who underwent TAVR or SAVR, applying standard clinical practice. A prospective multicenter observational study was conducted in two hospitals of the Spanish National Health System. Data were collected at baseline, 1, 6 months and 1 year.

Results
In total, 227 participants were included, with a mean age of 80.6 [SD 4.1]. Statistically significant differences were found in terms of quality of life, which was higher at 1 year in patients who underwent SAVR. In terms of functionality, SAVR patients obtained a better score (p < 0.01). However, patients who underwent TAVR began with a worse baseline situation and managed to increase their quality of life and functionality after 1 year of follow-up.

Conclusion
The individualized choice of TAVR or SAVR in patients with AVS improves patients’ quality of life and function. Moreover, the TAVR procedure in patients with a worse baseline situation and a high surgical risk achieved a similar increase in quality of life and functionality compared to patients undergoing SAVR with a better baseline situation.
Effect of Audit Quality on Value Relevance of Accounting Earnings of Manufacturing Companies Listed in Nigerian Exchange Group
Authors: Ndubuisi Odoemelam , Henry Wobo O. , Juliet Ojims 
Published: September 2023

The study investigates the effect of audit quality on the relationship between accounting earnings and share prices of quoted manufacturing companies in Nigeria. The current research uses secondary data extracted from 19 sample companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), from 2006 to 2021. Pooled Ordinary Least Squares (POLS) are used to estimate the results. The findings reveal that earnings per share (EPS) statistically significantly and positively impact the share price of quoted manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The results also indicate that book value per share does not significantly explain the variations in share price. Interestingly, findings show that the moderating role of audit quality has a greater interaction effect with book value per share of quoted manufacturing firms in Nigeria. Finally, the results also show that earnings per share and book value per share have a combined significant effect on the share price of quoted manufacturing companies in Nigeria. The study has valuable insights and implications for shareholders, board members, practitioners, academicians, and policymakers. Further, the study contributes to the current literature by investigating the impact of audit quality on the relationship between accounting earnings and the share price of manufacturing companies. The agency, shareholders, and stakeholder theories support the findings, which contribute to a better understanding of the role of audit quality in the value relevance of accounting earnings information. We recommend among others the need for quality auditing of financial statements of companies to enhance financial performance.
Comparison between CT-Scan Finding and Operative Finding of Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis Undergoing Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Authors: Attallah Laith Mahmood , Bakir Saud Salim , Abdulridha Mohammed Zaki Salim 
Published: September 2023

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis is a group of disorders characterized by inflammation of the mucosa of the nose and Paranasal sinuses for at least 12 consecutive weeks. It is a common clinical problem that has a significant impact on quality of life. CT-scan has become the modality of choice for assessment of CRS and Endoscopic sinus surgery is a minimally invasive technique and the surgical management of choice for chronic rhinosinusitis.
The Aim of this Study: To verify the agreement and associations between preoperative CT-scan and intraoperative ESS findings in patients with CRS and to evaluate the types and frequency of anatomical variants in the nasal fossa and paranasal sinuses as well as their clinical correlations in chronic rhinosinusitis.
Patients and Methods: This study is experimental study in which 50 subjects were collected by simple randomization technique as they visited our department in a period from January to December 2015. All the participants were guided to conduct a coronal, axial, and sagittal CT scan of the nose and paranasal sinuses before functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The anatomical variations and mucosal abnormalities on CT Scan & ESS were studied and analyzed.
Results: Septal deviation is the most common anatomical abnormality, 37(74%) of the participants have these abnormalities. The presence of agar nasi cells 34(68%), and chonca bullosa 28(56%) are the second and third most common anatomical variants found on CT-scan images. There is a high level of agreement between both the diagnostic tools at the high numbers of both positive and negative results for each abnormal finding.
Conclusions: There was a good correlation between CT and ESS findings and there was a slight difference between the diagnostic characteristics of these different tools.
Comparison of the Effects of Open and Closed Endotracheal Suction Systems on Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia and Mortality
Authors: Bulut Dilek , Sayar Merve Sefa 
Published: September 2023

Aims: Nosocomial pneumonia is a prevalent complication in patients admitted to intensive care units. Endotracheal suction (ES) is used to clean the airways of secretions in patients under mechanical ventilation (MV). The objective of this study was to compare the effects of an open endotracheal suction system (OESS) versus a closed endotracheal suction system (CESS) on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
Study Design: Retrospective examination of hospital records.
Place and Duration of Study: Reanimation Intensive Care Unit, Van Training and Research Hospital, Van, Turkey, between January 2018 and December 2019.
Methodology: Age, gender, and length of stay in the intensive care unit and under mechanical ventilation (MV), mortality and isolated microorganism status of 73 (35.6%) patients with VAP were analyzed retrospectively. These features were compared according to the ES type applied. Sample: The study was conducted among 205 patients who were connected to a mechanical ventilator for more than 48 h in the reanimation intensive care unit (RICU) of a tertiary care hospital.
Results: There was no difference between OESS and CESS groups in terms of mortality rates, length of stay in the RICU, and duration of MV. There was a significant difference in terms of incidence of VAP between the OESS group and the CESS group (41.8% and 29%, respectively; P = .045) Acinetobacter baumanii was the most frequently isolated microorganism in both groups.
Conclusion: CESS treatment was associated with a lower incidence of VAP in patients of the RICU.
Shooting Your Own Foot: A Case Report on Autoimmune Encephalitis Following a Viral Trigger
Authors: Dutta Shelly , Choudhary Kavita , Yerramareddy Shourya 
Published: September 2023

Aims: The aim of this case report is to highlight the frequently overlooked association between Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis and a preceding Herpes Simplex Viral Encephalitis trigger, the clinical settings under which to suspect this autoimmune disease, the need for appropriate workup to clinch the diagnosis and the necessity of speedy initiation of immunotherapy, in a disease where timely treatment is paramount.
Presentation of Case: A middle aged woman presented with a history of fever and syncope, followed by slurring of speech, quadriparesis, seizures and altered sensorium. She was diagnosed with HSV-1 Encephalitis on basis of CSF studies and MRI brain. Despite a timely 28-day course of intravenous acyclovir therapy, she showed incomplete clinical recovery. A serum and CSF autoantibody panel was performed, which clinched a diagnosis of Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis. A course of steroids and IVIg was given and the patient was discharged after showing clinical improvement.
Discussion: Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis is an autoimmune encephalitis characterized by complex neuropsychiatric features and presence of IgG antibodies against NR1 subunit of NMDA receptor detectable in CSF and serum. It is associated with various malignancies, chiefly ovarian teratomas, and with HSV-1 viral encephalitis. Diagnosis involves autoantibody detection in CSF or serum and first line treatment is with steroids, IVIg or plasma exchange, and tumour resection.
Conclusion: Prompt diagnosis of Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is crucial as it enables treatment with timely immunosuppression and tumour resection. This disease must be suspected in adults or children presenting with subacute onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms, with CSF lymphocytic pleocytosis and presence of autoantibodies to NMDA receptor in CSF or serum. Early treatment is associated with good outcomes.
Does increasing the diversity of seeds broadcast for restoration alter post‐dispersal seed predation and its community‐determining effects?
Authors: Drescher Benny J. , Nolan Madeline 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Native seeds broadcast for restoration are often consumed by predators before they can germinate. However, it is unclear how the composition of a seed mix affects seed predation.

We excluded vertebrates from small plots seeded with native grassland plants to evaluate how seed diversity affects predation. There were two seeding treatments: a less diverse mix with a focal cohort of eight species on which we focused our analyses, and a more diverse mix that consisted of the focal cohort plus eight additional species.

The focal cohort experienced greater predation when dispersed with the additional species, but this effect was unevenly distributed throughout the focal cohort.

The species of the focal cohort that experienced the greatest increase in predation when in the high‐diversity treatment were also the ones favoured by predators when in the treatment without additional species. This suggests that when more species of palatable seed are available in a dispersed seed patch, predators may exert a stronger community‐filtering effect on such a seed patch.

Increasing the number of species dispersed together for land stewardship efforts may increase predation of these seeds, which is a concern if their dispersal is intended to restore native plant diversity. We recommend strategies to minimize this potential detriment, such as staggering seed dispersal over time, for practitioners who seek to disperse a high diversity of seeds for native restoration.
Basis transform in linear switched system models from input–output data
Authors: Bencherki Fethi , Türkay Semiha , Akçay Hüseyin 
Published: September 2023

SummaryThis article addresses the problem of basis correction in the context of linear switched‐system (LSS) identification from input–output data. It is often the case that identification algorithms for the LSSs from input–output data operate locally. The local submodel estimates, identified individually by subspace algorithms from the input‐output data, reside in different‐state bases, which mandates performing a basis correction that facilitates their coherent patching for the ultimate goal of performing output predictions for arbitrary inputs and switching sequences. We formulate a persistence of excitation condition for the inputs and the switching sequences that guarantees the presented approach's success. These conditions are mild in nature, which proves the practicality of the devised algorithm. We supplement the theoretical findings with an elaborating numerical simulation example.
Superionic Silver Halide Solid Electrolyte: Dielectric Property and Iontronic Memtransistor Application for Bioinspired Computing
Authors: Mukherjee Arka , Mohanan Kannan Udaya , Sagar Srikrishna , Das Bikas C. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractTechnology like high‐level parallel information processing and storage in the brain remains a dream to the researchers using conventional solid‐state electronics. Here, a robust thin film bilayer superionic dielectric of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and rubidium silver iodide (RbAg4I5) is developed to fabricate solid‐state iontronic synaptic memtransistors, which can serve as the basic building blocks for the hardware‐implementation of neuromorphic computing. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and impedance measurements precisely confirm the stoichiometric composition of RbAg4I5 and dielectric nature combining with a PEO layer, respectively. The superionic bilayer PEO/RbAg4I5 gating effectively modulates the channel conductance analogously and displays memtransistor functionality. Interestingly, the transfer curves depict a colossal hysteresis yielding negative differential transconductance of peak‐to‐valley ratio up to 5 × 103 after the gate‐controlled resistive switching. Systematic electrical characterizations reveal a variety of synaptic behaviors, including the inhibitory postsynaptic current, paired‐pulse depression, and potentiation/depression curve. Finally, an artificial neural network for off‐chip digit recognition is simulated to assess the performance of the device for the neuromorphic application and achieved a test accuracy of 95.94% on the Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology dataset.
CuInP2S6‐Based Electronic/Optoelectronic Synapse for Artificial Visual System Application
Authors: Liu Yiqun , Wu Yonghuang , Han Haojie , Wang Yue , Peng Ruixuan , Liu Kai , Yi Di , Nan Ce‐Wen , Ma Jing 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWith the development of information processing, various neuromorphic synaptic devices have been proposed, including novel devices mimicking multiple sensory systems in the biosome, in which vision is a vital source of information. Due to the pressing issue of high energy consumption and the ever‐increasing complexity of practical application scenarios, there is an urgent need to investigate optoelectronic synapses with simple structure but multifunctional capabilities, thereby broadening their application scope. Here, remarkable performances in both electrical and optical operation modes are achieved in multilayer graphene/CuInP2S6/Au electronic/optoelectronic device. By modulating the electrical and optical pulses, both short‐term and long‐term memory can be emulated in the same device, while visual perception, processing, and memorizing functions are demonstrated in this single cell with relatively low energy consumption. In addition, light adaptive behavior can also be simulated through optical–electrical cooperative modulation in the device, further providing a novel and promising strategy for future applications in artificial visual systems.
Conductive Hydrogel for Flexible Bioelectronic Device: Current Progress and Future Perspective
Authors: He Qinhong , Cheng Yan , Deng Yijia , Wen Feng , Lai Yuekun , Li Huaqiong 
Published: September 2023

AbstractConductive hydrogels (CHs) for flexible bioelectronic devices have raised great attention due to their tunable mechanical performances, adhesion, anti‐swelling, and biocompatibility. This review summarizes the current development of conductive hydrogel‐based flexible bioelectronic devices in the aspect of classifications and applications. Firstly, the conductive hydrogels are classified into two kinds according to the types of conductivity: ionic conductive hydrogels and electronic conductive hydrogels (hydrogel based on pure conductive materials, introducing conductive micro/nano‐materials). Secondly, the applications of conductive hydrogels for bioelectronic device, like wearable devices (strain sensor, body fluid detector, serviced in extreme environment), tissue engineering (skin, heart, nerve, muscle), and other applications (bionic robot, cancer treatment), are highly illustrated. Finally, a depth outlook is given, which aims to promote the development of this field in the future.
A Universal Cross‐Synthetic Strategy for Sub‐10 nm Metal‐Based Composites with Excellent Ion Storage Kinetics
Authors: Liang Ming , Zhang Hanwen , Chen Biao , Meng Xiao , Zhou Jingwen , Ma Liying , He Fang , Hu Wenbin , He Chunnian , Zhao Naiqin 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe sub‐10 nm metal‐based nanomaterials (SMNs) show great potential for the electrochemical energy storage field. However, their ion storage capacity and stability suffer from severe agglomeration and interface problems. Herein, a universal strategy is reported to synthesize a wide range of SMNs (e.g., metal, nitride, oxide, and sulfides) embedded in free‐standing carbon foam (SMN/FC‐F) composite electrodes by crossing the interfacial confinement of NaCl self‐assembly with the thermal‐mechanical coupling of powder metallurgy. The pressure‐enhanced NaCl self‐assembly interfacial confinement is greatly beneficial to preventing SMN agglomeration and promoting SMNs embedded in FC‐F which originate from the welding of carbon nanosheets. They are confirmed via a series of advanced characterizations including X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and spherical aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, with theoretical computations. Benefiting from the unique structure, SMNs/FC‐F delivers ultrafast and stable ion‐storage kinetics. As a proof‐of‐concept demonstration, the MoS2/FC‐F shows excellent ion storage kinetics and superior long‐term cycling performance for ion storage (e.g., Na3V2(PO4)2O2F/C//MoS2/FC‐F sodium‐ion batteries exhibit a high reversible capacity of 185 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 with a decay rate of 0.05% per cycle.). This work provides a new opportunity to design and fabricate promising SMN‐based free‐standing working electrodes for electrochemical energy storage and conversion applications.
Organohydrogel Strain Sensors with Low Mechanical Hysteresis and Adhesion for High‐Quality Signals
Authors: Fang Yuanlai , Bai Zhongxiang , Yang Li , Wei Jingjiang , Wang Yi , Wang Shan , Cui Jiaxi 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe hysteresis of deformation and weak interaction between sensors and targets would deteriorate the authenticity and reliability of signals outputted from the strain sensors. Here, low‐hysteretic and adhesive organohydrogel‐based strain sensors (P‐H‐A‐A) are prepared according to the homogeneous growth of the conductive polyaniline (PANi) network and heterogeneous growth of the adhesive poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) layer from the poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) seeds. Via regulating the concentration of aniline (ANi) in the ANi‐nutrients, the mechanical hysteresis at 50% strain of P‐H‐A‐A organohydrogels increased from 12 to 1896 kJ m−3. The relative resistance (ΔR/R0) signals achieved from the low mechanical hysteresis P‐H‐A‐A (0.1 m) strain sensors are timelier and more intact than the one from the obviously mechanical hysteretic P‐H‐A‐A (0.5 m). The PAA layer makes the P‐H‐A‐A strain sensors conformally in contact with the skin, ensuring the reliability and integrity of signals. This work would give some helpful suggestions for designing advanced epidermal electronics.
Introducing the Step Monte Carlo Method for Simulating Dynamic Properties
Authors: Sztenkiel Dariusz 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn this work, a simple modification of the Monte Carlo algorithm is introduced, which is called step Monte Carlo (sMC). The sMC approach allows to simulate processes far from equilibrium and obtain information about the dynamic properties of the system under investigation. In the approach proposed, here the probability of accepting the final (trial) state depends on the activation energy, not on the relative energy between the final and initial state. This barrier height is probed on an ongoing basis, by generating intermediate states along the path connecting the initial and trial positions. Importantly, to calculate the activation energy, the model only requires knowledge of the Hamiltonian without having to introduce additional input parameters such as transition rates etc. The details of sMC are explained in the case of a simple spin model. The comparison of its results with the ones obtained within the frame of stochastic Landau‐Lifshitz‐Gilbert indicates the correctness of sMC. In this study's opinion, the proposed method can be applied to simulate other processes, for example, dynamics of classical atoms and complex fluids, diffusion, nucleation, surface adsorption, and crystal growth processes.
Dynein‐Powered Cell Locomotion Guides Metastasis of Breast Cancer
Authors: Tagay Yerbol , Kheirabadi Sina , Ataie Zaman , Singh Rakesh K. , Prince Olivia , Nguyen Ashley , Zhovmer Alexander S. , Ma Xuefei , Sheikhi Amir , Tsygankov Denis , Tabdanov Erdem D. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe principal cause of death in cancer patients is metastasis, which remains an unresolved problem. Conventionally, metastatic dissemination is linked to actomyosin‐driven cell locomotion. However, the locomotion of cancer cells often does not strictly line up with the measured actomyosin forces. Here, a complementary mechanism of metastatic locomotion powered by dynein‐generated forces is identified. These forces arise within a non‐stretchable microtubule network and drive persistent contact guidance of migrating cancer cells along the biomimetic collagen fibers. It is also shown that the dynein‐powered locomotion becomes indispensable during invasive 3D migration within a tissue‐like luminal network formed by spatially confining granular hydrogel scaffolds (GHS) made up of microscale hydrogel particles (microgels). These results indicate that the complementary motricity mediated by dynein is always necessary and, in certain instances, sufficient for disseminating metastatic breast cancer cells. These findings advance the fundamental understanding of cell locomotion mechanisms and expand the spectrum of clinical targets against metastasis.