bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A miniature robotic steerable endoscope for maxillary sinus surgery called PliENT
Authors: Legrand Julie , Ourak Mouloud , Van Gerven Laura , Vander Poorten Vincent , Vander Poorten Emmanuel 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn endoscopic maxillary sinus surgery, the maxillary sinus is accessed through the nasal cavity which constitutes a narrow and tortuous pathway. However, surgeons still use rigid endoscopes and rigid, straight or pre-bent instruments for this procedure. Resection of the uncinate process and creation of a medial antrostomy is warranted to access the pathology inside the maxillary sinus and depending on the location of the pathology (lateral, inferior or anterior wall), additional resection of healthy tissue and/or functional structures like the lacrimal duct and/or inferior turbinate is necessary to gain optimal access. In order to avoid this additional resection, a functional single-handed, steerable endoscope for endoscopic maxillary sinus surgery has been designed and built. This endoscope is, to our knowledge, the most slender active steerable endoscope ever reported for maxillary sinus surgery. The performance of the endoscope was validated by two surgeons on a cadaver. An increased field of view was found in comparison to currently used endoscopes. As a direct consequence, a reduced need for resection of healthy tissue was confirmed.
Macro-seepage based potential new hydrocarbon prospects in Assam-Arakan Basin, India
Authors: Boruah Annapurna , Verma Sumit , Rasheed Abdul , Siddharth Gairola Gaurav , Gogoi Anuj 
Published: February 2022

AbstractActive macro seepages of methane that occur in between the north bank of the Brahmaputra river and Himalayan foothill region of Assam Arakan Basin, India, indicate the presence of hydrocarbon accumulation in the subsurface, but the hydrocarbon prospects in this region are not well studied. We carried out an extensive field sampling, which included a total of 58 sediment core collections from an active gas seepage location and nearby areas at a depth of 2–2.5 m. Our sample locations are placed at 1 km intervals laterally. We performed laboratory investigations and mapped near-surface chemical alterations associated with active macro seepages and microseepages. The analysis of geochemical composition of hydrocarbon gases in the sediment indicates both the biogenic and thermogenic origins of seeped hydrocarbons. The stable isotope analysis of methane suggests the presence of thermogenic as well as mixed biogenic-thermogenic gases. The presence of such mixing of gases is caused by the secondary alteration processes during their migration through potential faults and fractures. The trace elements of the sediments show anomalous concentrations at different parts of the study area, with a wide range of concentrations for Ba (54 to 492 ppm), Cu (1–25 ppm), Cr (61–329 ppm), Ni (1–42 ppm), Pb (2–48 ppm), Th (2–32 ppm), U (4–39 ppm), V (19–133 ppm) and U (0.87–6.5 ppm). There are higher concentrations of adsorbed gases, trace elements, and microbes along the identified lineaments. Such higher concentration can be triggered by high hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria count, which is greater than 104cfu/gm of soil of bacterial growth around the lineaments. We identified potential hydrocarbon prospects based on the macro and micro seepage analysis using integrated geological, geochemical and microbial techniques in the study area.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Numerical assessment of the influence of helical baffle on the hydrothermal aspects of nanofluid turbulent forced convection inside a heat exchanger
Authors: Yang Li , Baghaei Shaghayegh , Suksatan Wanich , Barnoon Pouya , sharma Sandhir , Davidyants Alla , El-Shafay A. S. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis study is devoted to the numerical assessment of the influence of helical baffle on the hydrothermal aspects and irreversibility behavior of the turbulent forced convection flow of water-CuO nanofluid (NF) inside a hairpin heat exchanger with 100 mm length, 10 mm inner tube internal diameter, and 15 mm outer diameter internal diameter. The variations of the first-law and second-law performance metrics are investigated in terms of Reynolds number (Re = 5000–10,000), volume concentration of NF ($$\varphi =0-4\mathrm{\%}$$

φ
=
0
-
4
%

) and baffle pitch (B = 25–100 mm). The results show that the NF Nusselt number grows with the rise of both the Re and $$\varphi$$
φ
whereas it declines with the rise of B. In addition, the outcomes depicted that the rise of both Re and $$\varphi$$
φ
results in the rise of pressure drop, while it declines with the increase of B. Moreover, it was found that the best thermal performance of NF is equal to 1.067, which belongs to the case B = 33.3 mm, $$\varphi$$
φ
=2%, and Re = 10,000. Furthermore, it was shown that irreversibilities due to fluid friction and heat transfer augment with the rise of Re while the rise of B results in the decrease of frictional irreversibilities. Finally, the outcomes revealed that with the rise of B, the heat transfer irreversibilities first intensify and then diminish.
Deep learning of quantitative ultrasound multi-parametric images at pre-treatment to predict breast cancer response to chemotherapy
Authors: Taleghamar Hamidreza , Jalalifar Seyed Ali , Czarnota Gregory J. , Sadeghi-Naini Ali 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn this study, a novel deep learning-based methodology was investigated to predict breast cancer response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) using the quantitative ultrasound (QUS) multi-parametric imaging at pre-treatment. QUS multi-parametric images of breast tumors were generated using the data acquired from 181 patients diagnosed with locally advanced breast cancer and planned for NAC followed by surgery. The ground truth response to NAC was identified for each patient after the surgery using the standard clinical and pathological criteria. Two deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) architectures including the residual network and residual attention network (RAN) were explored for extracting optimal feature maps from the parametric images, with a fully connected network for response prediction. In different experiments, the features maps were derived from the tumor core only, as well as the core and its margin. Evaluation results on an independent test set demonstrate that the developed model with the RAN architecture to extract feature maps from the expanded parametric images of the tumor core and margin had the best performance in response prediction with an accuracy of 88% and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.86. Ten-year survival analyses indicate statistically significant differences between the survival of the responders and non-responders identified based on the model prediction at pre-treatment and the standard criteria at post-treatment. The results of this study demonstrate the promising capability of DCNNs with attention mechanisms in predicting breast cancer response to NAC prior to the start of treatment using QUS multi-parametric images.
Demarcating the boundary conditions of memory reconsolidation: An unsuccessful replication
Authors: Stemerding Lotte E. , Stibbe Danielle , van Ast Vanessa A. , Kindt Merel 
Published: February 2022

AbstractDisrupting memory reconsolidation provides an opportunity to abruptly reduce the behavioural expression of fear memories with long-lasting effects. The success of a reconsolidation intervention is, however, not guaranteed as it strongly depends on the destabilization of the memory. Identifying the necessary conditions to trigger destabilization remains one of the critical challenges in the field. We aimed to replicate a study from our lab, showing that the occurrence of a prediction error (PE) during reactivation is necessary but not sufficient for destabilization. We tested the effectiveness of a reactivation procedure consisting of a single PE, compared to two control groups receiving no or multiple PEs. All participants received propranolol immediately after reactivation and were tested for fear retention 24 h later. In contrast to the original results, we found no evidence for a reconsolidation effect in the single PE group, but a straightforward interpretation of these results is complicated by the lack of differential fear retention in the control groups. Our results corroborate other failed reconsolidation studies and exemplify the complexity of experimentally investigating this process in humans. Thorough investigation of the interaction between learning and memory reactivation is essential to understand the inconsistencies in the literature and to improve reconsolidation interventions.
Heat flow saturate of Ag/MgO-water hybrid nanofluid in heated trigonal enclosure with rotate cylindrical cavity by using Galerkin finite element
Authors: Redouane Fares , Jamshed Wasim , Devi S. Suriya Uma , Prakash M. , Nasir Nor Ain Azeany Mohd , Hammouch Zakia , Eid Mohamed R. , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy , Mahammed A. Belhadj , Abdel-Aty Abdel-Haleem , Yahia I. S. , Eed Emad M. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractMHD Natural convection, which is one of the principal types of convective heat transfer in numerous research of heat exchangers and geothermal energy systems, as well as nanofluids and hybrid nanofluids. This work focuses on the investigation of Natural convective heat transfer evaluation inside a porous triangular cavity filled with silver-magnesium oxide/water hybrid nanofluid [H2O/Ag-MgO]hnf under a consistent magnetic field. The laminar and incompressible nanofluid flow is taken to account while Darcy–Forchheimer model takes account of the advection inertia effect in the porous sheet. Controlled equations of the work have been approached nondimensional and resolved by Galerkin finite element technique. The numerical analyses were carried out by varying the Darcy, Hartmann, and Rayleigh numbers, porosity, and characteristics of solid volume fraction and flow fields. Further, the findings are reported in streamlines, isotherms and Nusselt numbers. For this work, the parametric impact may be categorized into two groups. One of them has an effect on the structural factors such as triangular form and scale on the physical characteristics of the important outputs such as fluidity and thermal transfer rates. The significant findings are the parameters like Rayleigh and slightly supported by Hartmann along with Darcy number, minimally assists by solid-particle size and rotating factor as clockwise assists the cooler flow at the center and anticlockwise direction assists the warmer flow. Clear raise in heat transporting rate can be obtained for increasing solid-particle size.
Molecular assays to reliably detect and quantify predation on a forest pest in bats faeces
Authors: Baroja Unai , Garin Inazio , Vallejo Nerea , Caro Amaia , Ibáñez Carlos , Basso Andrea , Goiti Urtzi 
Published: February 2022

AbstractTargeted molecular methods such as conventional PCR (cPCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR), combined with species-specific primers and probes, are widely applied for pest species detection. Besides, the potential of qPCR to quantify DNA in samples makes it an invaluable molecular tool to infer the predation levels on specific prey by analysing predators’ stools. Nevertheless, studies on the diet of bats failed to find any empirical relationship, and it remains to be evaluated. Thus, we developed and evaluated two species-specific PCR assays to detect and quantify DNA of a major forest pest, the pine processionary, Thaumetopoea pityocampa, in bats’ faeces. Further, we empirically compared a range of different known DNA concentrations (input) of the target species mixed with mocks and bat faecal samples against DNA abundances yielded by qPCR (output) for a quantitative assessment. Overall, cPCR showed a lower detection rate than qPCR, but augmenting the replicate effort from one to three replicates led to a greater increase in the detection rate of the cPCR (from 57 to 80%) than the qPCR (from 90 to 99%). The quantitative experiment results showed a highly significant correlation between the input and output DNA concentrations (t = 10.84, p < 0.001) with a mean slope value of 1.05, indicating the accuracy of our qPCR assay to estimate DNA abundance of T. pityocampa in bat faeces. The framework of this study can be taken as a model to design similar assays applicable to other species of interest, such as agricultural pests or insects of public health concern.
Metabolic profile in endothelial cells of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Smolders V. F. E. D. , Rodríguez C. , Blanco I. , Szulcek R. , Timens Wim , Piccari L. , Roger Y. , Hu X. , Morén Constanza , Bonjoch C. , Sebastián L. , Castellà M. , Osorio J. , Peinado V. I. , Bogaard Harm Jan , Quax P. H. A. , Cascante M. , Barberà J. A. , Tura-Ceide O. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractChronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are two forms of pulmonary hypertension (PH) characterized by obstructive vasculopathy. Endothelial dysfunction along with metabolic changes towards increased glycolysis are important in PAH pathophysiology. Less is known about such abnormalities in endothelial cells (ECs) from CTEPH patients. This study provides a systematic metabolic comparison of ECs derived from CTEPH and PAH patients. Metabolic gene expression was studied using qPCR in cultured CTEPH-EC and PAH-EC. Western blot analyses were done for HK2, LDHA, PDHA1, PDK and G6PD. Basal viability of CTEPH-EC and PAH-EC with the incubation with metabolic inhibitors was measured using colorimetric viability assays. Human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAEC) were used as healthy controls. Whereas PAH-EC showed significant higher mRNA levels of GLUT1, HK2, LDHA, PDHA1 and GLUD1 metabolic enzymes compared to HPAEC, CTEPH-EC did not. Oxidative phosphorylation associated proteins had an increased expression in PAH-EC compared to CTEPH-EC and HPAEC. PAH-EC, CTEPH-EC and HPAEC presented similar HOXD macrovascular gene expression. Metabolic inhibitors showed a dose-dependent reduction in viability in all three groups, predominantly in PAH-EC. A different metabolic profile is present in CTEPH-EC compared to PAH-EC and suggests differences in molecular mechanisms important in the disease pathology and treatment.
High-speed rail model reveals the gene tandem amplification mediated by short repeated sequence in eukaryote
Authors: Chen Haidi , Xue Jingwen , Zhang Zhenghou , Zhang Geyu , Xu Xinyuan , Li He , Zhang Ruxue , Ullah Najeeb , Chen Lvxing , Amanullah  , Zang Zhuqing , Lai Shanshan , He Ximiao , Li Wei , Guan Miao , Li Jingyi , Chen Liangbiao , Deng Cheng 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe occurrence of gene duplication/amplification (GDA) provide potential material for adaptive evolution with environmental stress. Several molecular models have been proposed to explain GDA, recombination via short stretches of sequence similarity plays a crucial role. By screening genomes for such events, we propose a “SRS (short repeated sequence) *N + unit + SRS*N” amplified unit under USCE (unequal sister-chromatid exchange) for tandem amplification mediated by SRS with different repeat numbers in eukaryotes. The amplified units identified from 2131 well-organized amplification events that generate multi gene/element copy amplified with subsequent adaptive evolution in the respective species. Genomic data we analyzed showed dynamic changes among related species or subspecies or plants from different ecotypes/strains. This study clarifies the characteristics of variable copy number SRS on both sides of amplified unit under USCE mechanism, to explain well-organized gene tandem amplification under environmental stress mediated by SRS in all eukaryotes.
Diversity, trait preferences, management and utilization of yams landraces (Dioscorea species): an orphan crop in DR Congo
Authors: Adejumobi Idris I. , Agre Paterne A. , Onautshu Didy O. , Adheka Joseph G. , Bambanota Mokonzi G. , Monzenga Jean-Claude L. , Komoy Joseph L. , Cipriano Inacio M. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractYam (Dioscorea spp.) is cultivated in many villages of DR Congo as a means to sustain food security and alleviate poverty. However, the extent of the existing diversity has not been studied in details thus, considered as an orphan. A survey covering 540 farmers in 54 villages was conducted in six major yam growing territories covering three provinces in DR Congo to investigate the diversity, management and utilization of yam landraces using pre-elaborate questionnaires. Subject to synonymy, a total of 67 landraces from five different species were recorded. Farmers’ challenges limiting yam production were poor tuber qualities (69%), harvest pest attack (7%), difficulty in harvesting (6%), poor soil status (6%). The overall diversity was moderate among the recorded yam germplasm maintained at the household level (1.32) and variability exist in diversity amongst the territories and provinces. Farmers’ in territories of Tshopo and Mongala provinces maintained higher level of germplasm diversity (2.79 and 2.77) compared to the farmers in territories of Bas-Uélé (1.67). Some yam landraces had limited abundance and distribution due to loss of production interest in many villages attributable to poisons contained hence, resulting in possible extinction. Farmers’ most preferred seed source for cultivation were backyard (43%) and exchange with neighboring farmers (31%) with the objective of meeting food security and generating income. In villages where yam production is expanding, farmers are relying on landraces with good tuber qualities and high yield even though they are late maturing. This study revealed the knowledge of yam landrace diversity, constraints to production and farmers’ preferences criteria as a guide for collection and conservation of yam germplasm for yam improvement intervention.
Impact of intra-abdominal pressure on early kidney transplant outcomes
Authors: Coca Armando , Arias-Cabrales Carlos , Pérez-Sáez María José , Fidalgo Verónica , González Pablo , Acosta-Ochoa Isabel , Lorenzo Arturo , Rollán María Jesús , Mendiluce Alicia , Crespo Marta , Pascual Julio , Bustamante-Munguira Juan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIncreased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is common among post-surgical patients and may cause organ dysfunction. However, its impact after kidney transplantation on early postoperative complications and graft recovery remains unclear. We designed a prospective, observational cohort study to describe the prevalence and determinants of IAP, as well as its effect on delayed graft function, postoperative complications, and graft recovery. IAP was measured in 205 kidney transplant recipients every 8 h during the first 72 h after surgery using the urinary bladder technique. Intra-abdominal hypertension was defined as IAP ≥ 12 mmHg. Patients were followed for 6 months or until graft failure/death. Mean IAP was 12 ± 3.3 mmHg within the first 24 h. 78% of subjects presented with intra-abdominal hypertension during the first 72 h. Increased IAP was associated with higher renal resistive index [r = 0.213; P = 0.003] and lower urine output [r =  − 0.237; P < 0.001]. 72 h mean IAP was an independent risk factor for delayed graft function [OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.13–1.51], postoperative complications [OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.03–1.33], and absence of graft function recovery [HR for graft function recovery: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.88–0.99]. Increased IAP was highly prevalent after transplantation and was independently associated with delayed graft function, postoperative complications, and absence of graft function recovery. Routine IAP monitoring should be considered post-transplantation to facilitate early recognition of relevant complications.
Persistent susceptibility of Aedes aegypti to eugenol
Authors: Adhikari Kamal , Khanikor Bulbuli , Sarma Riju 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBotanical insecticides are preferred for their environment and user-friendly nature. Eugenol is a plant-based monoterpene having multifarious biocidal activities. To understand whether eugenol would persistently work against Aedes aegypti, we performed larvicidal bioassays on thirty successive generations and determined median lethal concentration (LC50) on each generation. Results showed no apparent differences between LC50 at F0 (63.48 ppm) and F30 (64.50 ppm) indicating no alteration of susceptibility toward eugenol. To analyze, if eugenol has any effect on metabolic detoxification-associated enzymes, we measured esterases (alpha and beta), cytochrome P450, and GST activities from the survived larvae exposed to LC50 concentration from F0–F30. Results revealed a decrease of esterases, GST, and cytochrome P450 activities at the initial 4–8 generations and then a gradual increase as the generations progressed. GST activity remained significantly below the control groups. Synergists (TPP, DEM, and PBO) were applied along with eugenol at F30 and LC50 concentration, and the said enzyme activities were recorded. Results showed a noticeable decrease in LC50 and enzyme activities indicating effective inhibitions of the respective enzymes. Overall, present results inferred that eugenol would effectively work as a larvicide for a longer period in successive generations without initiating rapid resistance and therefore could be advocated for controlling A. aegypti.
Machine learning-based diagnosis and risk factor analysis of cardiocerebrovascular disease based on KNHANES
Authors: Oh Taeseob , Kim Dongkyun , Lee Siryeol , Won Changwon , Kim Sunyoung , Yang Ji-soo , Yu Junghwa , Kim Byungsung , Lee Joohyun 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe prevalence of cardiocerebrovascular disease (CVD) is continuously increasing, and it is the leading cause of human death. Since it is difficult for physicians to screen thousands of people, high-accuracy and interpretable methods need to be presented. We developed four machine learning-based CVD classifiers (i.e., multi-layer perceptron, support vector machine, random forest, and light gradient boosting) based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We resampled and rebalanced KNHANES data using complex sampling weights such that the rebalanced dataset mimics a uniformly sampled dataset from overall population. For clear risk factor analysis, we removed multicollinearity and CVD-irrelevant variables using VIF-based filtering and the Boruta algorithm. We applied synthetic minority oversampling technique and random undersampling before ML training. We demonstrated that the proposed classifiers achieved excellent performance with AUCs over 0.853. Using Shapley value-based risk factor analysis, we identified that the most significant risk factors of CVD were age, sex, and the prevalence of hypertension. Additionally, we identified that age, hypertension, and BMI were positively correlated with CVD prevalence, while sex (female), alcohol consumption and, monthly income were negative. The results showed that the feature selection and the class balancing technique effectively improve the interpretability of models.