bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Primary pulmonary meningioma with associated multiple micronodules: a case report and literature review
Authors: Yang Bei , Qiu Jingxin 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPrimary pulmonary meningioma (PPM) is a rare and benign slow growing tumor with good prognosis. It often presents as an asymptomatic, well-circumscribed, solitary pulmonary nodule. Wedge resection is the management of choice for both diagnosis and treatment. Here, we report one case of PPM with increased fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake and associated micronodules, which was clinically suspicious for malignancy. The patient was a 60-year-old female who presented with persistent shortness of breath for 1 year. Chest computed tomography showed a 1.5-cm well-circumscribed homogenous nodule in the left upper lobe with increased FDG uptake and multiple smaller well-circumscribed micronodules scattered in both lungs. Left upper lobe wedge resection confirmed the diagnosis of PPM. PPM can deceptively mimic malignancy, so recognizing this rare entity and including it in the differential diagnoses of pulmonary nodules, especially with avid uptake of FDG, is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis and overtreatment.
A spontaneous paracecal herniation: a rare form of an uncommon case
Authors: Mwanje Bright Anderson , Nassaka Melvin Gloria , Kanyike Andrew Marvin 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Paracecal hernias are a rare form of internal hernias. This is a case of a spontaneous paracecal retroperitoneal hernia in an elderly patient. A 73-year-old male, a known patient of adenocarcinoma of the rectum, who had undergone neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy a year ago, presented with a 2-day-history of exacerbated colicky peri-umbilical and right-sided non-radiating abdominal pain, with associated progressive abdominal distension, which were aggravated by feeding. A contrasted abdominal computed tomography scan showed features of small bowel obstruction. An exploratory laparotomy revealed herniation of gangrenous small bowel ~30 cm through a small, tight opening just below the base of the cecum. Resection and anastomosis and closure of the retroperitoneal pouch were done. Patient recovered and was discharged on the fourth post-operative day. Spontaneous retroperitoneal hernias can occur in elderly patients with additional risk factors like neoplasms, with a high risk of bowel ischemia, hence the urgent need for surgical intervention.
Constructing State and National Estimates of Vaccination Rates from Immunization Information Systems
Authors: Raghunathan Trivellore , Kirtland Karen , Li Ji , White Kevin , Murthy Bhavini , Lin Xia Michelle , Harris Latreace , Gibbs-Scharf Lynn , Zell Elizabeth 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Immunization Information Systems are confidential computerized population-based systems that collect data from vaccination providers on individual vaccinations administered along with limited patient-level characteristics. Through a data use agreement, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention obtains the individual-level data and aggregates the number of vaccinations for geographical statistical areas defined by the US Census Bureau (counties or equivalent statistical entities) for each vaccine included in system. Currently, 599 counties, covering 11 states, collect and report data using a uniform protocol. We combine these data with inter-decennial population counts from the Population Estimates Program in the US Census Bureau and several covariates from a variety of sources to develop model-based estimates for each of the 3,142 counties in 50 states and the District of Columbia and then aggregate to the state and national levels. We use a hierarchical Bayesian model and Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods to obtain draws from the posterior predictive distribution of the vaccination rates. We use posterior predictive checks and cross-validation to assess the goodness of fit and to validate the models. We also compare the model-based estimates to direct estimates from the National Immunization Surveys.
Bremsstrahlung Produced by 5 keV Electrons Incident on Al2O3 and MgO Samples at Air Pressures of 30, 50, and 100 Pa
Authors: Nguyen Duc Trung , Seo Woorim , Tellez Jacob , Heidema Jonathan , Williams Scott 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Bremsstrahlung spectra produced by 5 keV electrons incident on Al2O3 and MgO targets at air pressures of 30, 50, and 100 Pa have been compared with results produced using pyPENELOPE, a program designed to simulate electron microscopy. The comparisons showed that the experimental results were in good agreement with the results simulated using pyPENELOPE, except near the Duane–Hunt limit, where the bremsstrahlung amplitudes were consistently greater than PENEPMA predicted. The discrepancies may be due to charging effects, which are not simulated by PENEPMA, the Monte Carlo code on which pyPENELOPE is based. If so, the phenomena could potentially impact the accuracy of energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry measurements.
Simulation of the Earth’s radio-leakage from mobile towers as seen from selected nearby stellar systems
Authors: Saide Ramiro C , Garrett M A , Heeralall-Issur N 
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACT
Mobile communication towers represent a relatively new but growing contributor to the total radio-leakage associated with planet Earth. We investigate the overall power contribution of mobile communication towers to the Earth’s radio leakage budget, as seen from a selection of different nearby stellar systems. We created a model of this leakage using publicly available data of mobile tower locations. The model grids the surface of the planet into small, computationally manageable regions, assuming a simple integrated transmission pattern for the mobile antennas. In this model, these mobile tower regions rise and set as the Earth rotates. In this way, a dynamic power spectrum of the Earth was determined, summed over all cellular frequency bands. We calculated this dynamic power spectrum from three different viewing points – HD 95735, Barnard’s star, and Alpha Centauri A. Our preliminary results demonstrate that the peak power leaking into space from mobile towers is ∼4GW. This is associated with Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile tower technology emanating from the East Coast of China as viewed from HD 95735. We demonstrate that the mobile tower leakage is periodic, direction dependent, and could not currently be detected by a nearby civilization located within 10 light-years of the Earth, using instrumentation with a sensitivity similar to the Green Bank Telescope. We plan to extend our model to include more powerful 5G mobile systems, radar installations, ground based up-links (including the Deep Space Network), and various types of satellite services, including low-Earth orbit constellations, such as Starlink and OneWeb.
An empirical relation to estimate host galaxy stellar light from AGN spectra
Authors: Jalan Priyanka , Rakshit Suvendu , Woo Jong-Jak , Kotilainen Jari , Stalin C S 
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACT
Measurement of black hole mass for low-z (z≤ 0.8) Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) is difficult due to the strong contribution from host galaxy stellar light necessitating detailed spectral decomposition to estimate the AGN luminosity. Here, we present an empirical relation to estimate host galaxy stellar luminosity from the optical spectra of AGNs at z ≤ 0.8. The spectral data were selected from the fourteenth data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-DR14) quasar catalogue having a signal-to-noise ratio at 5100 Å (SNR5100) &gt;10 containing 11 415 quasars. The median total luminosity (log (Ltotal/[erg s−1])), stellar luminosity (log (Lstar/[erg s−1])), and AGN continuum luminosity ((log Lcont/[erg s−1])) in our sample are 44.52, 44.06, and 44.30, respectively. We fit the AGN power-law continuum, host galaxy, and iron blend contribution, simultaneously over the entire available spectrum. We found the host galaxy fraction to anticorrelate with continuum luminosity and can be well-represented by a polynomial function, which can be used to correct the stellar light contribution from AGN spectra. We also found anticorrelation between host galaxy fraction and iron strength, Eddington ratio, and redshift. The empirical relation gives comparable results of host-fraction with the image decomposition method.
Efficient detection and monitoring of pediatric brain malignancies with liquid biopsy based on patient-specific somatic mutation screening
Authors: Kojic Marija , Maybury Mellissa K , Waddell Nicola , Koufariotis Lambros T , Addala Venkateswar , Millar Amanda , Wood Scott , Pearson John V , Hansford Jordan R , Hassall Tim , Wainwright Brandon J 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Background
Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in children. Early detection and serial monitoring are essential for better therapeutic outcomes. Liquid biopsy has recently emerged as a promising approach for detecting these tumors by screening body fluids for the presence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Here we tested the limits of liquid biopsy using patient-specific somatic mutations to detect and monitor primary and metastatic pediatric brain cancer.

Methods
Somatic mutations were identified in 3 ependymoma, 1 embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes, 1 central nervous system neuroblastoma, and 7 medulloblastoma patients. The mutations were used as liquid biomarkers for serial assessment of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples using a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) system. The findings were correlated to the imaging data and clinical assessment to evaluate the utility of the approach for clinical translation.

Results
We developed personalized somatic mutation ddPCR assays which we show are highly specific, sensitive, and efficient in detection and monitoring of ctDNA, with a positive correlation between presence of ctDNA, disease course, and clinical outcomes in the majority of patients.

Conclusions
We demonstrate the feasibility and clinical utility of personalized mutation-based liquid biopsy for the surveillance of brain cancer in children. However, even with this specific and sensitive approach, we identified some potential false negative analyses. Overall, our results indicate that changes in ctDNA profiles over time demonstrate the great potential of our specific approach for predicting tumor progression, burden, and response to treatment.
A critical analysis of neuro-oncology clinical trials
Authors: Kim Yeonju , Armstrong Terri S , Gilbert Mark R , Celiku Orieta 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Background
Limitations in trial design, accrual, and data reporting impact efficient and reliable drug evaluation in cancer clinical trials. These concerns have been recognized in neuro-oncology but have not been comprehensively evaluated. We conducted a semi-automated survey of adult interventional neuro-oncology trials, examining design, interventions, outcomes, and data availability trends.

Methods
Trials were selected programmatically from ClinicalTrials.gov using primary malignant central nervous system tumor classification terms. Regression analyses assessed design and accrual trends; effect size analysis utilized survival rates among trials investigating survival.

Results
Of 3038 reviewed trials, most trials reporting relevant information were nonblinded (92%), single group (65%), nonrandomized (51%), and studied glioblastomas (47%) or other gliomas. Basic design elements were reported by most trials, with reporting increasing over time (OR = 1.24, P &lt; .00001). Trials assessing survival outcomes were estimated to assume large effect sizes of interventions when powering their designs. Forty-two percent of trials were completed; of these, 38% failed to meet their enrollment target, with worse accrual over time (R = −0.94, P &lt; .00001) and for US versus non-US based trials (OR = 0.5, P &lt; .00001). Twenty-eight percent of completed trials reported partial results, with greater reporting for US (34.6%) versus non-US based trials (9.3%, P &lt; .00001). Efficacy signals were detected by 15%–23% of completed trials reporting survival outcomes.

Conclusion
Low randomization rates, underutilization of controls, and overestimation of effect size, particularly pronounced in early-phase trials, impede generalizability of results. Suboptimal designs may be driven by accrual challenges, underscoring the need for cooperative efforts and novel designs. The limited results reporting highlights the need to incentivize data reporting and harmonization.
Multi-omics analysis reveals spatiotemporal regulation and function of heteromorphic leaves in Populus
Authors: Wu Zhihua , Jiang Zhenbo , Li Zhijun , Jiao Peipei , Zhai Juntuan , Liu Shuo , Han Xiaoli , Zhang Shanhe , Sun Jianhao , Gai Zhongshuai , Qiu Chen , Xu Jindong , Liu Hong , Qin Rui , Lu Rui 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Despite the high economic and ecological importance of forests, our knowledge of the adaptive evolution of leaf traits remains very limited. Euphrates poplar (Populus euphratica), which has high tolerance to arid environment, has evolved four heteromorphic leaf forms, including narrow (linear and lanceolate) and broad (ovate and broad-ovate) leaves on different crowns. Here, we revealed the significant functional divergence of four P. euphratica heteromorphic leaves at physiological and cytological levels. Through global analysis of transcriptome and DNA methylation across tree and leaf developmental stages, we revealed that gene expression and DNA epigenetics differentially regulated key processes involving development and functional adaptation of heteromorphic leaves, such as hormone signaling pathways, cell division, and photosynthesis. Combined analysis of gene expression, methylation, ATAC-seq, and Hi-C-seq revealed longer interaction of 3D genome, hypomethylation, and open chromatin state upregulates IAA-related genes (such as PIN-FORMED1 and ANGUSTIFOLIA3) and promotes the occurrence of broad leaves while narrow leaves were associated with highly concentrated heterochromatin, hypermethylation, and upregulated abscisic acid pathway genes (such as Pyrabactin Resistance1-like10). Therefore, development of P. euphratica heteromorphic leaves along with functional divergence was regulated by differentially expressed genes, DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility, and 3D genome remodeling to adapt to the arid desert. This study advances our understanding of differential regulation on development and functional divergence of heteromorphic leaves in P. euphratica at the multi-omics level and provides a valuable resource for investigating the adaptive evolution of heteromorphic leaves in Populus.
Dynamic GOLVEN-ROOT GROWTH FACTOR 1 INSENSITIVE signaling in the root cap mediates root gravitropism
Authors: Xu Ke , Jourquin Joris , Xu Xiangyu , De Smet Ive , Fernandez Ana I , Beeckman Tom 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Throughout the exploration of the soil, roots interact with their environment and adapt to different conditions. Directional root growth is guided by asymmetric molecular patterns but how these become established or are dynamically regulated is poorly understood. Asymmetric gradients of the phytohormone auxin are established during root gravitropism, mainly through directional transport mediated by polarized auxin transporters. Upon gravistimulation, PIN-FORMED2 (PIN2) is differentially distributed and accumulates at the lower root side to facilitate asymmetric auxin transport up to the elongation zone where it inhibits cell elongation. GOLVEN (GLV) peptides function in gravitropism by affecting PIN2 abundance in epidermal cells. In addition, GLV signaling through ROOT GROWTH FACTOR 1 INSENSITIVE (RGI) receptors regulates root apical meristem maintenance. Here, we show that GLV-RGI signaling in these 2 processes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) can be mapped to different cells in the root tip and that, in the case of gravitropism, it operates mainly in the lateral root cap (LRC) to maintain PIN2 levels at the plasma membrane (PM). Furthermore, we found that GLV signaling upregulates the phosphorylation level of PIN2 in an RGI-dependent manner. In addition, we demonstrated that the RGI5 receptor is asymmetrically distributed in the LRC and accumulates in the lower side of the LRC after gravistimulation. Asymmetric GLV-RGI signaling in the root cap likely accounts for differential PIN2 abundance at the PM to temporarily support auxin transport up to the elongation zone, thereby representing an additional level of control on the asymmetrical auxin flux to mediate differential growth of the root.
An intrinsically disordered region-containing protein mitigates the drought–growth trade-off to boost yields
Authors: Liu Jun , Liu Jing , Deng Linbin , Liu Hongmei , Liu Hongfang , Zhao Wei , Zhao Yuwei , Sun Xingchao , Fan Shihang , Wang Hanzhong , Hua Wei 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Drought stress poses a serious threat to global agricultural productivity and food security. Plant resistance to drought is typically accompanied by a growth deficit and yield penalty. Herein, we report a previously uncharacterized, dicotyledon-specific gene, Stress and Growth Interconnector (SGI), that promotes growth during drought in the oil crop rapeseed (Brassica napus) and the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Overexpression of SGI conferred enhanced biomass and yield under water-deficient conditions, whereas corresponding CRISPR SGI mutants exhibited the opposite effects. These attributes were achieved by mediating reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis while maintaining photosynthetic efficiency to increase plant fitness under water-limiting environments. Further spatial-temporal transcriptome profiling revealed dynamic reprogramming of pathways for photosynthesis and stress responses during drought and the subsequent recovery. Mechanistically, SGI represents an intrinsically disordered region-containing protein that interacts with itself, catalase isoforms, dehydrins, and other drought-responsive positive factors, restraining ROS generation. These multifaceted interactions stabilize catalases in response to drought and facilitate their ROS-scavenging activities. Taken altogether, these findings provide insights into currently underexplored mechanisms to circumvent trade-offs between plant growth and stress tolerance that will inform strategies to breed climate-resilient, higher yielding crops for sustainable agriculture.
Liking or Needing? Theorizing on the Role of Affect in Network Behavior
Authors: van der Heijden Machiel 
Published: February 2023

AbstractInformal networks are crucial for the functioning of public organizations and the quality of government service. Because of this, public administration scholars increasingly theorize on what drives informal network behavior, particularly in terms of whom public officials contact for information or advice. However, existing studies provide a rather rational and strategic account of how such networking occurs, pointing to factors, such as preference similarity, resource availability, and social capital as its main drivers. This article critiques the microfoundations of existing theoretical models, arguing that they (a) potentially require too extensive information-processing capabilities on behalf of individual decision-makers and (b) discount the role that affect and emotive responses are likely to play in the social activity of networked interaction. In response, this article proposes three lines of theorizing on how (interpersonal) affect can be incorporated into theorizing about the network behavior of public officials: (1) affect as a fallback strategy; (2) affect in the driver’s seat; and (3) affect as a decision distorter. Several methods are discussed to empirically pursue the presented lines of theorizing.
Quasilinear approach to bump-on-tail instability using non-Maxwellian distributions
Authors: Sheikh A , Zaheer S , Noreen N , Shah H A 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Spacecraft observations provide evidence about the existence of various waves and kinetic instabilities in solar wind plasmas. These instabilities and waves play an important role in the dynamics of the solar wind. In the present work, bump-on-tail (BOT) instability is revisited by employing the κ and then the modified (r, κ) distributions using a quasilinear approach. The evolution of bump-on-tail instability is studied analytically and numerically by using the solar wind data. The growth rate of BOT instability for varying ratios of temperature and number density is also observed. It is observed that the maximum growth rate increases with increasing number density and decreases with increasing electron temperature in the bump. The effect of spectral indices κ in the kappa distribution and r and κ in the modified (r, κ) distribution functions ultimately contributes towards the shoulder and tail of the distribution functions and the results appear to have been modified. Stimulation of wave energy density shows rapid variation in the quasilinear evolution of bump-on-tail instability as compared to the simple linear model.
Silicone matrices for controlled dexamethasone release: toward a better understanding of the underlying mass transport mechanisms
Authors: Rongthong Thitiphorn , Qnouch Adam , Maue Gehrke Maria , Paccou Laurent , Oliveira Paulo , Danede Florence , Verin Jeremy , Vincent Christophe , Willart Jean-Francois , Siepmann Florence , Siepmann Juergen 
Published: February 2023

AbstractDexamethasone-loaded silicone matrices offer an interesting potential as innovative drug delivery systems, e.g. for the treatment of inner ear diseases or for pacemakers. Generally, very long drug release periods are targeted: several years/decades. This renders the development and optimization of novel drug products cumbersome: experimental feedback on the impact of the device design is obtained very slowly. A better understanding of the underlying mass transport mechanisms can help facilitating research in this field. A variety of silicone films were prepared in this study, loaded with amorphous or crystalline dexamethasone. Different polymorphic drug forms were investigated, the film thickness was altered and the drug optionally partially/completely exchanged by much more water-soluble dexamethasone ‘phosphate’. Drug release studies in artificial perilymph, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and Raman imaging were used to elucidate the physical states of the drugs and polymer, and of the systems’ structure as well as dynamic changes thereof upon exposure to the release medium. Dexamethasone particles were initially homogeneously distributed throughout the systems. The hydrophobicity of the matrix former very much limits the amounts of water penetrating into the system, resulting in only partial drug dissolution. The mobile drug molecules diffuse out into the surrounding environment, due to concentration gradients. Interestingly, Raman imaging revealed that even very thin silicone layers (&lt;20 µm) can effectively trap the drug for prolonged periods of time. The physical state of the drug (amorphous, crystalline) did not affect the resulting drug release kinetics to a noteworthy extent.