bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amperometric Detection of Mercury Ions Using Piperazine‐Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide as an Efficient Sensing Platform
Authors: Mahendran G. Balu , Ramalingam S. Jothi , Rayappan John Bosco Balaguru , Gumpu Manju Bhargavi , Kumar Rajendran Ganesh , Lakshmanakumar Muthaiyan , Nesakumar Noel 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn this work, employing the Hibiscus rosa sinensis (HRS) flower extract as a green reducer for graphene oxide (GO) reduction and functionalization of rGO using piperazine is proposed. A chemically modified screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was prepared using piperazine functionalized reduced graphene oxide (P‐rGO). Electroanalytical techniques such as amperometry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were used to investigate the sensing capability of P‐rGO modified SPCE towards the detection of Hg2+ ions. The oxidation peak observed in the cyclic voltammetry was due to the interaction between piperazine (amine) and mercury ions. Piperazine plays a major role in improving the sensitivity of the developed sensor towards mercury cation detection, while the P‐rGO is used as a platform for the incorporation of Hg2+.The developed sensor exhibits a high sensitivity of 0.00327 μA/pM over a wide linear range of 0.2 pM to 2 pM, with a detection limit of 0.0557 pM.
Bioinformatics pipeline to guide late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) post‐GWAS studies: Prioritizing transcription regulatory variants within LOAD‐associated regions
Authors: Lutz Michael W. , Chiba‐Falek Ornit 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntroductionAs new late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) genetic risk loci are identified and brain cell–type specific omics data becomes available, there is an unmet need for a bioinformatics framework to prioritize genes and variants for testing in single‐cell molecular profiling experiments and validation using disease models and gene editing technologies. Prior work has characterized and prioritized active enhancers located in LOAD‐genome‐wide association study (GWAS) regions and their potential interactions with candidate genes. The current study extends this work by focusing on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within these LOAD enhancers and their impact on altering transcription factor (TF) binding. The proposed bioinformatics pipeline progresses from SNPs located in LOAD‐GWAS regions to a filtered set of candidate regulatory SNPs that have a predicted strong effect on TF binding.MethodsActive enhancers within LOAD‐associated regions were identified and SNPs located in the enhancers were catalogued. SNPs that disrupt TF binding sites were prioritized and the respective TFs were filtered to include only those that were expressed in brain tissues relevant to LOAD. The TFs binding to the corresponding sequence was further confirmed by ChIP‐seq signals. Finally, the high‐priority candidate SNPs were evaluated as expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) in disease‐relevant tissues.ResultsWe catalogued 61 strong enhancers in LOAD‐GWAS regions encompassing 326 SNPs and 104 TF binding sites. Seventy‐seven and 78 of the TFs were expressed in brain and monocytes, respectively, out of which 19 TF‐binding sites showed ChIP‐seq signals. Eleven SNPs were found to interrupt with TF binding out of which three SNPs were also significant eQTL.DiscussionThis study provides a framework to catalogue noncoding variations in enhancers located in LOAD‐GWAS loci and characterize their likelihood to perturb TF binding. The approach integrates multiple data types to characterize and prioritize SNPs for putative regulatory function using single‐cell multi‐omics assays and gene editing.
The impact of hearing impairment and hearing aid use on progression to mild cognitive impairment in cognitively healthy adults: An observational cohort study
Authors: Bucholc Magda , Bauermeister Sarah , Kaur Daman , McClean Paula L. , Todd Stephen 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntroductionWe assessed the association of self‐reported hearing impairment and hearing aid use with cognitive decline and progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodsWe used a large referral‐based cohort of 4358 participants obtained from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center. The standard covariate‐adjusted Cox proportional hazards model, the marginal structural Cox model with inverse probability weighting, standardized Kaplan‐Meier curves, and linear mixed‐effects models were applied to test the hypotheses.ResultsHearing impairment was associated with increased risk of MCI (standardized hazard ratio [HR] 2.58, 95% confidence interval [CI: 1.73 to 3.84], P = .004) and an accelerated rate of cognitive decline (P < .001). Hearing aid users were less likely to develop MCI than hearing‐impaired individuals who did not use a hearing aid (HR 0.47, 95% CI [0.29 to 0.74], P = .001). No difference in risk of MCI was observed between individuals with normal hearing and hearing‐impaired adults using hearing aids (HR 0.86, 95% CI [0.56 to 1.34], P = .51).DiscussionUse of hearing aids may help mitigate cognitive decline associated with hearing loss.
Machine learning‐based statistical downscaling of wind resource maps using multi‐resolution topographical data
Authors: Oh Myeongchan , Lee Jehyun , Kim Jin‐Young , Kim Hyun‐Goo 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe need for high‐resolution wind resource maps is increasing with the increase in the supply and development of wind power. Many physical downscaling models have been developed and applied to make these maps. However, as the existing models require extensive computations and time, statistical models with higher efficiency are being studied. Statistical models such as regression and machine learning models can quickly calculate wind resource maps, but they have a problem of low accuracy. This study proposes a machine learning model with new topography‐derived variables to interpret the physical characteristics of the wind. As the shape of topography, which was unable to be interpreted in previous studies, can be considered with new derived variables, a significant performance improvement was identified. The analysis was conducted using 1 km Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) results and ERA5 reanalysis data from South Korea. Two Weibull distribution parameter maps were calculated and used as input and output data. Three collections of derived variables were devised and compared. Therefore, the multi‐resolution topography data showed the highest improvements with approximately 15% reduction in root mean square error (RMSE) for both the linear regression and machine learning models. In particular, the land area showed a decrease of 20%. The best proposed models showed an RMSE of 7% and 8% for two Weibull parameters. The results are expected to serve as a reference for continuing research and utilization of statistical models.
Natural selection rules: new positivity bounds for massive spinning particles
Authors: Davighi Joe , Melville Scott , You Tevong 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
We derive new effective field theory (EFT) positivity bounds on the elastic 2 → 2 scattering amplitudes of massive spinning particles from the standard UV properties of unitarity, causality, locality and Lorentz invariance. By bounding the t derivatives of the amplitude (which can be represented as angular momentum matrix elements) in terms of the total ingoing helicity, we derive stronger unitarity bounds on the s- and u-channel branch cuts which determine the dispersion relation. In contrast to previous positivity bounds, which relate the t-derivative to the forward-limit EFT amplitude with no t derivatives, our bounds establish that the t-derivative alone must be strictly positive for sufficiently large helicities. Consequently, they can provide stronger constraints beyond the forward limit which can be used to constrain dimension-6 interactions with a milder assumption about the high-energy growth of the UV amplitude.
Edge modes as reference frames and boundary actions from post-selection
Authors: Carrozza Sylvain , Höhn Philipp A. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
We introduce a general framework realizing edge modes in (classical) gauge field theory as dynamical reference frames, an often suggested interpretation that we make entirely explicit. We focus on a bounded region M with a co-dimension one time-like boundary Γ, which we embed in a global spacetime. Taking as input a variational principle at the global level, we develop a systematic formalism inducing consistent variational principles (and in particular, boundary actions) for the subregion M. This relies on a post-selection procedure on Γ, which isolates the subsector of the global theory compatible with a general choice of gauge-invariant boundary conditions for the dynamics in M. Crucially, the latter relate the configuration fields on Γ to a dynamical frame field carrying information about the spacetime complement of M; as such, they may be equivalently interpreted as frame-dressed or relational observables. Generically, the external frame field keeps an imprint on the ensuing dynamics for subregion M, where it materializes itself as a local field on the time-like boundary Γ; in other words, an edge mode. We identify boundary symmetries as frame reorientations and show that they divide into three types, depending on the boundary conditions, that affect the physical status of the edge modes. Our construction relies on the covariant phase space formalism, and is in principle applicable to any gauge (field) theory. We illustrate it on three standard examples: Maxwell, Abelian Chern-Simons and non-Abelian Yang-Mills theories. In complement, we also analyze a mechanical toy-model to connect our work with recent efforts on (quantum) reference frames.
Medial talar resection: how much remains stable?
Authors: Hagen Jennifer E. , Sands Andrew K. , Swords Michael , Rammelt Stefan , Schmitz Nina , Richards Geoff , Gueorguiev Boyko , Souleiman Firas 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Pathologies of the medial talus (e.g., fractures, tarsal coalitions) can lead to symptomatic problems such as pain and nonunion. Bony resection may be a good solution for both. It is unclear how much of the medial talus can be taken before the subtalar joint becomes unstable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect a limited resection of the medial talar facet and the anteromedial portion of the posterior talar facet has on subtalar stability.

Methods
Eight fresh-frozen human cadaveric lower limbs were mounted in a frame for simulated weight-bearing. Computed tomography scans were obtained under 700 N single-legged stance loading, with the foot in neutral, 15° inversion, and 15° eversion positions. A sequential resection of 10, 20, and 30% of the medial facet and the anteromedial portion of the posterior talar facet to the calcaneus, based on the intact talus width, was performed. Measurements of subtalar vertical angulation, talar subluxation, coronal posterior facet angle and talocalcaneal (Kite) angle in the anteroposterior and lateral view were performed.

Results
Gross clinical instability was not observed in any of the specimens. No significant differences were detected in the measurements between the resected and intact states (P ≥ 0.10) as well as among the resected states (P ≥ 0.11).

Conclusion
In a biomechanical setting, resecting up to 30% of the medial facet and anteromedial portion of the posterior facet based on the intact talus width—does not result in any measurable instability of the subtalar joint in presence of intact ligamentous structures.

Level of evidence
V.
A Novel Technique Combining Human Acellular Dermal Matrix (HADM) and Enriched Platelet Therapy (EPT) for the Treatment of Vaginal Laxity: A Single-Arm, Observational Study
Authors: Yang Fang , Liu Yin , Xiao Hong , Ma Jiaying , Cun Huanying , Wu Chengdao 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
There is a paucity of knowledge about cosmetic vaginal tightening procedures; therefore, the present study aimed to describe the clinical effects of a novel combination technique of human acellular dermal matrix (HADM) and enriched platelet therapy (EPT) for the treatment of vaginal laxity.

Methods
This single-arm, observational study was conducted on 52 patients with grade II to III vaginal relaxation. HADM biological band (U-shaped) was implanted in these patients by submucosal puncture in vagina under anesthesia. This was followed by thrice administration of EPT injection, once at the time surgery followed by each dose at a time interval of one month. Patients were followed up for a period of 6 months based on Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Vaginal Health Index (VHI) scores. Patient satisfaction was measured using Visual Analogue Score (VAS).

Results
About 52 women with median age of 39 years were included in the study. The average time reported to complete HADM surgery was reported as 27 minutes. Following implantation, it was found that labia minora was significantly closed and perineal length was increased from 1.5 to 2.2 cm. Moreover, there was improvement in elasticity, contractility and lubricity of vaginal mucosa. The sexual function scores from pre- to post-surgery were significantly increased (7.95 vs. 30.09; p value: <0.001). The mean VHI score also increased significantly after 6 months of treatment (mean ± S.D. before vs after treatment: 11.2 ± 3.3 vs. 19.6 ± 4.1, P < 0.0001). The mean VAS after surgery was 1.61 ± 0.31. About 96% of the patients did not feel any pain after treatment at 6-month follow-up. No adverse effects were reported in this study.

Conclusions
These findings supported that combination treatment with HADM and EPT was safe and associated with both improved vaginal laxity and sexual function. These results may provide a novel surgical technique for this prevalent and undertreated condition.

Level of Evidence IV
: Therapeutic Study This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Removal of Thyroglossal Duct Cyst by a Submental Approach
Authors: Roh Jong‐Lyel 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundThyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) is the most common congenital cyst in the neck and is removed by the Sistrunk procedure. This surgery involves a horizontal skin incision over the cyst that may leave a noticeable scar on the front of the neck. Therefore, this study examined the clinical outcomes and cosmetic benefits of the Sistrunk procedure by an incision in the submental area that is not easily visible from the front.Materials and methodsThis observational study was performed on 152 patients who underwent the Sistrunk procedure by a submental approach to remove TGDC at a university medical center. Intraoperative findings, postoperative complications, subjective pain levels, and satisfaction with incision scars and neck and facial deformities, and recurrence were prospectively evaluated.ResultsThe length of the submental incision was about 3 cm and the median total operation time was 36 min. Postoperative complications were minimal. Hematoma occurred in two cases (1.3%), surgical site infection in 1 case (0.7%), and dysphagia for more than 1 week occurred in 1 case (0.7%). On a 0–10 visual analogue scale, the pain had a median value of 2 on the first day after surgery, and satisfaction with incision scars and neck and facial deformities showed median values of 8 and 10 at 6 months after surgery, respectively. Recurrence occurred in one patient (0.7%) during the median follow‐up period of 68 months.ConclusionsThe submental approach for TGDC excision may be a reliable new surgical method that is safe and has cosmetic advantages.Condensed abstractThis observational study evaluated the clinical outcomes and cosmetic benefits of the Sistrunk procedure by a submental incision for thyroglossal duct cyst in 152 patients. The surgical procedure showed no increased operation time, no need for wide flap elevation, easy suprahyoid dissection, and an invisible scar in a natural position of the neck.
Fine root mortality under severe drought reflects different root distribution of Quercus robur and Ulmus laevis trees in hardwood floodplain forests
Authors: Leonova Anastasia , Heger Adrian , Vásconez Navas Lizeth K. , Jensen Kai , Reisdorff Christoph 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Key message
Extremely high fine root mortalities were observed under drought in 2018, increasing fine root mortality in young trees could be explained by differences in root distribution compared to old trees.

Abstract
Juvenile trees in floodplains are prone to high mortality leading to a low success in reforestation in these habitats. One of the reasons contributing to high mortality of juvenile trees could be limited water and nutrient uptake due to a high level of fine root mortality, especially during summer droughts on higher terraces of floodplains. Strategies of different tree species in hardwood floodplain forests (HFFs) on keeping fine roots alive are still poorly understood. During the record-breaking summer drought of 2018, we examined the relationship between tree age and fine root dynamics of Quercus robur and Ulmus laevis along the Elbe River in Germany. Root area index (RAI), live root density (LRD) and relative root mortality (RRM) of young and old Q. robur and U. laevis were analysed by taking soil cores three times during the progression of a summer drought. Old oaks had a lower RAI in the upper soil than young oaks, while RAI of elms did not differ between young and old trees. RRM was very high during summer reaching more than 100% on average. RRM of young trees of both species increased with increasing drought during summer, while RRM of old trees did not change. We argue that differences in the response of RAI between oaks and elms reflect the sink competition between growing deep roots and shallow roots, which is pronounced in oaks due to their characteristic tap root system. Differences in root distribution patterns and the ability to perform hydraulic redistribution may explain the differences in RRM between trees of different species and ages.
Social Anxiety Disorder: Associations with Peer-Liking, Discrimination, and Prejudicial Feelings in Early Adolescent Girls
Authors: Brookman Ruth , Bird Fay , Harris Celia B. , Grant Kerry-Ann 
Published: February 2022

AbstractSocial anxiety can have an adverse effect on social connections, educational achievement, and wellbeing. However, the extent to which students stigmatize their peers with social anxiety disorder (SAD) in female educational settings remains unknown. This study investigated the relationship between SAD, peer-liking and stigma in a cohort of early adolescent girls. The sample was 103 sixth and seventh graders attending three girls’ schools in Australia. The students, aged between 10- and 13-years, were randomly allocated to either a control (n = 52) or experimental (n = 51) group. Participants completed an online survey while at school to examine their responses to one of two age-and-gender matched vignettes: a hypothetical peer with SAD (experimental condition), or without SAD (control condition). Contrary to expectations, group comparisons revealed that students with the SAD vignette liked their peer more than students with the non-SAD vignette. Also, students endorsed higher levels of pity, lower levels of fear, but similar levels of anger when considering their SAD (versus non-SAD) peer. In the SAD group, higher levels of pity were associated with greater peer-liking. The opposite pattern was evident in response to the non-SAD peer. Importantly, students discriminated less (preferred less social distance) in response to their peer with SAD. This points to the potential benefit of adolescent peer programs that aim to promote positive peer-relationships as a protective factor for students with SAD. Future research may examine gender and socio-economically diverse students to increase the confidence with which findings can be generalized to other educational settings.
Partial gradient optimal thresholding algorithms for a class of sparse optimization problems
Authors: Meng Nan , Zhao Yun-Bin , Kočvara Michal , Sun Zhongfeng 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe optimization problems with a sparsity constraint is a class of important global optimization problems. A typical type of thresholding algorithms for solving such a problem adopts the traditional full steepest descent direction or Newton-like direction as a search direction to generate an iterate on which a certain thresholding is performed. Traditional hard thresholding discards a large part of a vector, and thus some important information contained in a dense vector has been lost in such a thresholding process. Recent study (Zhao in SIAM J Optim 30(1): 31–55, 2020) shows that the hard thresholding should be applied to a compressible vector instead of a dense vector to avoid a big loss of information. On the other hand, the optimal k-thresholding as a novel thresholding technique may overcome the intrinsic drawback of hard thresholding, and performs thresholding and objective function minimization simultaneously. This motivates us to propose the so-called partial gradient optimal thresholding (PGOT) method and its relaxed versions in this paper. The PGOT is an integration of the partial gradient and the optimal k-thresholding technique. The solution error bound and convergence for the proposed algorithms have been established in this paper under suitable conditions. Application of our results to the sparse optimization problems arising from signal recovery is also discussed. Experiment results from synthetic data indicate that the proposed algorithm is efficient and comparable to several existing algorithms.
Novel treatments for congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Authors: Schröder Mariska A. M. , Claahsen - van der Grinten Hedi L. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPatients with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) need life-long medical treatment to replace the lacking glucocorticoids and potentially lacking mineralocorticoids and to lower elevated adrenal androgens. Long-term complications are common, including gonadal dysfunction, infertility, and cardiovascular and metabolic co-morbidity with reduced quality of life. These complications can be attributed to the exposure of supraphysiological dosages of glucocorticoids and the longstanding exposure to elevated adrenal androgens. Development of novel therapies is necessary to address the chronic glucocorticoid overexposure, lack of circadian rhythm in glucocorticoid replacement, and inefficient glucocorticoid delivery with concomitant periods of hyperandrogenism. In this review we aim to give an overview about the current treatment regimens and its limitations and describe novel therapies especially evaluated for 21OHD patients.
Confirmation by analogy
Authors: Nappo Francesco 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis paper proposes a framework for representing in Bayesian terms the idea that analogical arguments of various degrees of strength may provide inductive support to yet untested scientific hypotheses. On this account, contextual information plays a crucial role in determining whether, and to what extent, a given similarity or dissimilarity between source and target may confirm an empirical hypothesis over a rival one. In addition to showing confirmation by analogy compatible with the adoption of a Bayesian standpoint, the proposal outlined in this paper reveals a close agreement between the fulfillment of Hesse’s (Models and analogies in science, University of Notre Dame Press, 1963) criteria for analogical arguments capable of inductive support and the attribution of confirmatory power by the lights of Bayesian confirmation theory. In this sense, the Bayesian representation not only enriches a framework, Hesse’s, of enduring relevance for understanding scientific activity, but may offer something akin to a proof of concept of it.