bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using deep convolutional neural networks to predict patients age based on ECGs from an independent test cohort
Authors: Singstad Bjørn-Jostein , Tavashi Belal 
Published: January 2023

Electrocardiography is one of the most frequently used methods to evaluate cardiovascular diseases. However, the last decade has shown that deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) can extract information from the electrocardiogram (ECG) that goes beyond traditional diagnostics, such as predicting a persons age. In this study, we trained two different 1-dimensional CNNs on open datasets to predict age from a persons ECG.
The models were trained and validated using 10 seconds long 12-lead ECG records, resampled to 100Hz. 59355 ECGs were used for training and cross-validation, while 21748 ECGs from a separate cohort were used as the test set. We compared the performance achieved on the cross-validation with the performance on the test set. Furthermore, we used cardiologist annotated cardiovascular conditions to categorize the patients in the test set in order to assess whether some cardiac condition leads to greater discrepancies between CNN-predicted age and chronological age.
The best CNN model, using an Inception Time architecture, showed a significant drop in performance, in terms of mean absolute error (MAE), from cross-validation on the training set (7.90 ± 0.04 years) to the performance on the test set (8.3 years). On the other hand, the mean squared error (MSE) improved from the training set (117.5 ± 2.7 years^2) to the test set (111 years^2). We also observed that the cardiovascular condition that showed the highest deviation between predicted and biological age, in terms of MAE, was the patients with pacing rhythm (10.5 years), while the patients with prolonged QT-interval had the smallest deviation (7.4 years) in terms of MAE.
This work contributes to existing knowledge of age prediction using deep CNNs on ECGs by showing how a trained model performs on a test set from a separate cohort to that used in the training set.
Physical Education Teachers in Tunisia Conception of Training Actors as a Source of Vulnerability
Authors: Souid I. 
Published: January 2023

Tunisia became a French protectorate in 1881, which ended in 1956. This led Tunisia to ensure the education of the young Tunisians and, as a consequence, to ensure efficient training of future teachers. Until nowadays, this project did not lead to satisfying outputs, especially in the case of PE. The present study thus aimed to examine the possible vulnerability of the training of PE teachers in ISSEPs. This was done by using semi-directed interviews to take into consideration the point of view of major players in the training (i.e.: the directors of the ISSEPs, trainers, and students) regarding teacher training in the ISSEPs.
The results of a lexical analysis (Alceste2012plus©) completed by a categorical analysis showed that these interviewees are aware of the weaknesses of the training of PE teachers in ISSEPs. However, each type of interviewee considered that these difficulties are not linked to themselves but rather to another type of interviewee or to causes originating from outside of the training itself. Such potentially conflicting points of view were also found to be formulated on the base of a consensus regarding PE as the interviewees implicitly consider PE as a sports initiation (or as a sports training). However, this consensus, probably anchored in the mentalities since the independence of Tunisia, is not consistent with the target set by the Education Act of 2008.
As a consequence, this suggests a particular interest to make the training evolve as a function of the requirements of PE teaching, which might require promoting an innovative form of training.
How Crystallographic Orientation‐Induced Fibrinogen Conformation Affects Platelet Adhesion and Activation on TiO2
Authors: Struczyńska Maja , Firkowska‐Boden Izabela , Levandovsky Nathan , Henschler Reinhard , Kassir Nour , Jandt Klaus D. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractControl of protein adsorption is essential for successful integration of healthcare materials into the body. Human plasma fibrinogen (HPF), especially its conformation is a key upstream regulator for platelet behavior and thus pathological clot formation at the blood‐biomaterial interface. A previous study by the authors revealed that the conformation of adsorbed HPF can be controlled by rutile surface crystallographic orientation. Therefore, it is hypothesized that pre‐adsorbed HPF on specific rutile orientation can regulate platelets adhesion and activation. Here, it is shown that platelets exposed to the four low index (110), (100), (101), (001) facets of TiO2 (rutile) exhibit surface‐specific behavior. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations of platelets morphology and P‐selectin expression measurement revealed that on (110) facets, platelets adhesion and activation are suppressed. In contrast, extensive surface coverage by fully activated platelets is observed on (001) facets. Platelets' behavior has been linked to the HPF conformation and thereby availability of platelet‐binding sequences. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging supported by immunochemical analysis shows that on (110) facets, HPF is adsorbed in trinodular conformation rendering the γ400‐411 platelet‐binding sequence inaccessible. This research has potential implications on the bioactivity of different materials crystal facets, reducing the risk of pathological clot formation and thromboembolic complications.
Exsolution Modeling and Control to Improve the Catalytic Activity of Nanostructured Electrodes
Authors: Kim Yo Han , Jeong Hyeongwon , Won Bo‐Ram , Myung Jae‐ha 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn situ exsolution for nanoscale electrode design has attracted considerable attention because of its promising activity and high stability. However, fundamental research on the mechanisms underlying particle growth remains insufficient. Herein, cation‐diffusion‐determined exsolution is presented using an analytical model based on classical nucleation and diffusion. In the designed perovskite system, the exsolution trend for particle growth is consistent with this diffusion model, which strongly depends on the initial cation concentration and reduction conditions. Based on the experimental and theoretical results, a highly Ni‐doped anode and an electrochemical switching technique are employed to promote exsolution and overcome growth limitations. The optimal cell exhibits an outstanding maximum power density of 1.7 W cm−2 at 900 °C and shows no evident degradation when operating at 800 °C for 240 h under wet H2. This study provides crucial insights into the developing and tuning of heterogeneous catalysts for energy‐conversion applications.
On‐Chip Metaline for Multiport Beam Splitting
Authors: Li Tianhao , Liao Kun , Zhou Hongyin , Geng Guangzhou , Li Junjie , Su Zhaoxian , Wang Yongtian , Hu Xiaoyong , Huang Lingling 
Published: January 2023

AbstractWave shaping plays an important role in on‐chip signal processing. However, previously reported photonics elements exhibit limited control capabilities or require complex nanofabrication techniques. Here, an on‐chip metadevice is proposed for multiport beam splitting based on a 1D slots array on the silicon‐on‐insulator platform, which has the advantages of high efficiency, full 2π phase shift, and an easy design scheme. The proposed metadevice is experimentally demonstrated at 1550 nm, which shows different numbers of beam splits. This design provides a new solution for on‐chip beam splitting, which has great potential in wide applications such as signal processing, on‐chip laser modulation, on‐chip neural network, etc.
Mechanical Wave Propagation in Solidifying Metals: Physico‐Mathematical Model and Numerical Tests
Authors: Chen Wei , Wu Shiping , Wang Rujia 
Published: January 2023

AbstractDespite the widespread application of mechanical waves in solidifying metals, the wave propagation laws in melt and the motion patterns of melts are unclear, which has seriously hindered the development of vibration solidification treatment. It is difficult to solve the wave propagation because of the spatial heterogeneity and the intrinsic viscoelasticity of solidifying metals. In this paper, a physico‐mathematical model is developed by coupling the unsteady temperature field and the integral Hooke–Kelvin model unifying various rheological models during solidification, and simplifies to wave equations by introducing memory factors. Then, the wave equations are solved by a staggered‐grid high‐order difference method. Subsequently, the propagation laws of mechanical waves in a large casting and a feeding channel during solidification are analyzed, eventually verified by casting experiments. It is shown that the viscoelasticity of solidifying metals is significant for the wave field. In the large casting, both displacements and stresses exhibit complex multi‐lobe patterns. In the feeding channel, the formation of micropores between the quasi‐liquid and the quasi‐solid phase and the feeding improvement by vibrations are well explained by simulation. The numerical model is a novel reliable method to theorize the solidification under vibration and expands the potential applications of vibration.
General correlation for pressure drop through randomly‐packed beds of spheres with negligible wall effects
Authors: Dixon Anthony G. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractPressure drop in fixed beds has been studied for over a century and a large number of conflicting correlations exist in the literature. Contributing factors to these differences include the use of particles of different shapes, the presence of wall effects in beds of low tube‐to‐particle diameter ratio (N) and parameter fitting over limited ranges of modified Reynolds number . The present work, in contrast, considers the entire Reynolds number range for perfect spheres in unbounded (high‐N) random‐packed beds. An asymptote‐based correlation has been developed based on published data for extremely high and on new particle‐resolved computational fluid dynamics (PRCFD) results for extremely low . The resulting equation is given by: . This equation fits a literature data set of 541 points with average error 5.66%, and shows correct limits for both high and low .
Tuning the mesoscopically structured ZSM‐5 nanosheets for the alkylation between toluene and methanol
Authors: Xiong Feng , Ji Chen , Gan Shengzhi , Liang Peng , Huang Yi , Shang Jin , Liu Baoyu , Dong Jinxiang 
Published: January 2023

AbstractMesoscopically structured ZSM‐5 nanosheets were prepared as highly active catalysts for the alkylation between toluene with methanol. The results showed that the Brønsted acid sites of ZSM‐5 nanosheets were mainly distributed on the external surface in aluminum‐rich zeolites owing to the charge‐balance between positive quaternary ammonium cation (N+) in Cph‐10‐6‐6, Na+ ions and negative aluminosilicate species. In addition, it revealed that high alkalinity was easier to depolymerize the SiOSi species in Aluminum‐rich synthesis gel, and the high alkalinity was required for silica‐rich systems to dissolve silica species in order to finish the self‐assemble process, leading to ZSM‐5 nanosheets with high alkalinity presenting enhanced catalytic performance. Moreover, the optimized ZSM‐5‐50‐2.5 was effective for the alkylation between toluene and methanol with toluene conversion of up to 50%, and it was stably operated for 48 h under the harsh conditions of WHSV = 32.5 h−1 with a desired stability.
Development of robust superhydrophobic PFA/TMI/PVDF membrane by electrospinning/electrospraying techniques for air gap membrane distillation
Authors: Eryildiz Bahriye , Ozbey‐Unal Bahar , Menceloglu Yusuf Z. , Keskinler Bulent , Koyuncu Ismail 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn this present study, the fabrication of electrospun nanofiber membranes with various hydrophobic polymers containing varying ratios of TMI & PFA (a, a‐dimethyl meta‐isopropenylbenzyl isocyanate‐perfluoroalkoxy alkane) and styrene or polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was conducted to enhance air gap membrane distillation (AGMD) performance. Electrospinning and electrospraying were combined to fabricate an electrospun nanofiber membrane. Different membrane properties such as contact angle, thickness, liquid entry pressure (LEP) and mechanical strength were examined for the evaluation of nanofiber membranes. The performance of fabricated electrospun membranes was examined in AGMD application for 2 h using 0.1 wt% NaCl solution. Then, the optimized membrane was further tested for 2 h using synthetic and real geothermal water. Results demonstrated that a fabricated membrane with 20 wt% TMI & PFA and 80 wt% styrene increased the contact angle to 154.8° and the LEP to 77.6 kPa. The salt rejection was 99.7% and permeate water boron concentration was 0.108 mg B/L for modified membrane (M1) compared with 98.01% and 0.305 mg B/L for pure PVDF membrane. These results indicate that this superhydrophobic membrane, fabricated by a combined electrospin/electrospray technique, shows high promise for MD applications.
Radiographic patterns and characteristics of sagittal profiles in normal spinopelvic curvatures: An explicit depiction of the distribution of lumbar vertebral bodies and discs
Authors: Liu Guang‐Pu , Liu Lei , Han Meng , Zhang Jian‐Wei , Wang Zhen‐Fei , Liu Guang‐Wang , Han Cong‐Hui , Ma Chao 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe current study aimed to investigate the sagittal morphology of the spinopelvic complex and the components of the lumbar spine in the normal population. In total, 132 adult volunteers were retrospectively evaluated and divided into four groups according to the Roussouly classification. Statistical analysis of radiological parameters, including lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), PI–LL, LL–TK, lumbar vertebral lordosis from L1 to L5 (L1L–L5L), the intervertebral angle from L1–L2 to L5–S1 (IVA1‐2–IVA5‐1), segmental lordosis from L1 to L5 (S1L–S5L), the proportion of L1–L5 (L1%–L5%), the proportion of the intervertebral angle from L1–L2 to L5–S1 (IVA1‐2%–IVA5‐1%), and proportion of segmental lordosis from L1 to L5 (S1L%–S5L%), was performed. Based on the classification, type II (n = 46) was the most common, followed by type I (n = 39), type III (n = 36), and type IV (n = 11). The quantitative values of the sagittal parameters of the four groups were obtained. Results showed a significant difference in terms of LL, PI, SS, and LL‐TK. Further, L1%, L2%, L3%, IVA1‐2%, IVA2‐3%, S1L%, S2L%, and S3L% had an increasing trend. PI was positively correlated with LL, S1L, S2L, S3L, S4L, S1L%, and S2L%, but not with S5L%. In conclusion, pelvic parameters had a significant effect on lumbar curvature and lordosis distribution. Further, the abovementioned results were beneficial for individual surgical decision‐making regarding targeted intervertebral angle, screw‐insertion dimension, and rod contouring.
“The group gives me strength”: A group‐based intervention to promote trust and social connectedness among women experiencing homelessness
Authors: Marzana Daniela , Martinez‐Damia Sara , Gaboardi Marta , Scollato Alessandra , Marta Elena 
Published: January 2023

AbstractPeople experiencing homelessness usually face social isolation because of relationship breakdown and social stigma. Women represent a minority and experience more psychological distress compared to men. Only a few homelessness services implement group‐based interventions that aim at the social re‐integration of people experiencing homelessness. The present research aims to provide empirical evidence supporting the use of group‐based intervention to promote trust and social connectedness among women experiencing homelessness. The intervention consisted of 10 open‐ended group meetings conducted by a female psychologist‐facilitator who stimulated the expression and sharing of feelings within the group. A total of 13 women living in a shelter in Italy participated in the intervention. The evaluation procedure consisted of two methodologies. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted at the beginning and the end of the intervention and structured observations were implemented during group meetings. The observation of group dynamics confirmed the benefits of the intervention documenting a transition from isolation and self‐reference to trust and social connectedness. The results of the interviews showed that women moved from (T1) loneliness, scepticism and passive desire to (T2) connection with others, care, and confident objective. Implications of the results are discussed in terms of lines of action for services for homeless women.
Coexistence of anti‐MDA5 and anti‐PL‐7 in a patient with dermatomyositis: A case report
Authors: Fu Hongyan , Sun Shaofeng , Zhang Hong , Chi Shuhong , Ma Weirong , Yang Guilan , Chen Juan 
Published: January 2023

AbstractCoexisting anti‐MDA5 and anti‐PL‐7 antibodies are extremely rare. Anti‐MDA5 is associated with rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP‐ILD), while anti‐PL‐7 is often associated with chronic or subacute ILD and better outcomes than RP‐ILD. We report a 41‐year‐old woman diagnosed with dermatomyositis (DM)‐associated ILD positive for anti‐MDA5 and anti‐PL‐7.
Surgical strategy for airway management and bleeding control in penetrating neck injury in zone II: A case report
Authors: Akutsu Tomohiro , Endo Akira , Sonobe Hiroyuki , Saida Fumitaka , Miyakawa Kyuhei , Takedatsu Fumino , Suzuki Keisuke , Murata Kiyoshi , Otomo Yasuhiro 
Published: January 2023

AbstractWe report the case of a 33‐year‐old man with a self‐inflicted neck wound with severe hypopharynx injury, and hemorrhagic shock, which was well managed by a trauma surgeon trained in esophageal surgery. Training in cervical lymph node dissection for esophageal cancer could be useful in the management of penetrating neck injuries.
Grafting PEG and alkyl comb polymers onto bleached wood pulp fibres
Authors: Wu Xiao , Culhane Annika , Amir Kashaf , Bicho Paul , Doherty Erin A. S. , Riehle Richard J. , Borkar Sachin , Moran‐Mirabal Jose , Pelton Robert H. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractComb polymers were prepared by reacting a poly(ethylene‐alt‐maleic anhydride) with alkyl amines or poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) amines. The resulting polymers were used to modify bleached softwood kraft pulp fibre surfaces by catalyst‐free grafting in a process suitable for pulp mill implementation. Pulp fibres were impregnated with a polymer solution and cured above 100°C. High grafting yields were obtained despite having up to 88% of the anhydride groups consumed by amine derivatization. Grafting yields were more than 90% when the polymer dosage was <13 g/kg (dry polymer/dry fibre) for alkyl derivatives and < 38 g/kg for PEG derivatives. We propose that the upper dosage limit for efficient grafting reflects the need for direct contact between cellulose and every polymer chain for ester linkage formation. For a given polymer dosage, the cured pulp sheets had a maximum wet tensile index, TImax, when either curing time or temperature was increased. Both the alkyl and PEG derivatives fit the power law for the wet TImax~βΓru0.54–0.62 where β values were the estimated conversion of succinic acid moieties to anhydrides when the pulp sheets were cured, and Γru is the dimensionless polymer content that is numerically equal to the amount of applied polymer in mmol repeat units/g dry fibre. However, high polymer dosages give experimental TImax values that fall below the power law, irrespective of curing intensity, because the pulp sheets contain unfixed polymer chains that lubricate fibre/fibre joints, lowering wet strength.
Investigating the Lack of Translation from Cruzain Inhibition to Trypanosoma cruzi Activity with Machine Learning and Chemical Space Analyses
Authors: Lameiro Rafael F. , Montanari Carlos A. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractChagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi. Cruzain, its main cysteine protease, is commonly targeted in drug discovery efforts to find new treatments for this disease. Even though the essentiality of this enzyme for the parasite has been established, many cruzain inhibitors fail as trypanocidal agents. This lack of translation from biochemical to biological assays can involve several factors, including suboptimal physicochemical properties. In this work, we aim to rationalize this phenomenon through chemical space analyses of calculated molecular descriptors. These include statistical tests, visualization of projections, scaffold analysis, and creation of machine learning models coupled with interpretability methods. Our results demonstrate a significant difference between the chemical spaces of cruzain and T. cruzi inhibitors, with compounds with more hydrogen bond donors and rotatable bonds being more likely to be good cruzain inhibitors, but less likely to be active on T. cruzi. In addition, cruzain inhibitors seem to occupy specific regions of the chemical space that cannot be easily correlated with T. cruzi activity, which means that using predictive modeling to determine whether cruzain inhibitors will be trypanocidal is not a straightforward task. We believe that the conclusions from this work might be of interest for future projects that aim to develop novel trypanocidal compounds.
Top advances of the year: Hepatobiliary cancers
Authors: Coffman‐D’Annibale Kelley L. , Greten Tim F. 
Published: January 2023

Plain Language SummaryThis commentary reviews top advances in hepatobiliary cancer research in 2021–2022, focusing on leveraging immunotherapeutics in combination with other therapies earlier in the disease course and targeted to patient's individualized biomarkers that may predict response or resistance to checkpoint inhibitors.
Experimental and numerical study on failure mechanisms of bone simulants subjected to projectile impact
Authors: Żochowski Paweł , Cegła Marcin , Berent Jarosław , Grygoruk Roman , Szlązak Karol , Smędra Anna 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAnalyses of the human bones failure mechanisms under projectile impact conditions can be made through performing of a large number of ballistic trials. But the amount of data that can be collected during ballistic experiments is limited due to the high dynamics of the process and its destructive character. Numerical analyses may support experimental methodologies allowing to better understand the principles of the phenomenon. Therefore, the main aim of the study was to create and to verify a numerical model of commercially available synthetic bone material—Synbone®. The model could be used in the future as a supporting tool facilitating forensic studies or designing processes of personal protection systems (helmets, bulletproof vests, etc.). Although Synbone® is commonly used in the ballistic experiments, the literature lacks reliable numerical models of this material. In order to define a numerical model of Synbone®, mechanical experiments characterizing the response of the material to the applied loads in a wide range of strains and strain rates were carried out. Based on the mechanical tests results, an appropriate material model was selected for the Synbone® composite and the values of constants in its equations were determined. Material characterization experiments were subsequently reproduced with numerical simulations and a high correlation of the results was obtained. The final validation of the material model was based on the comparison of the ballistic impact experiments and simulation results. High similarity obtained (relative error lower than 10%) demonstrates that the numerical model of Synbone® material was properly defined.