bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound‐Guided Hydrodistension for Adhesive Capsulitis
Authors: Pimenta Madalena , Vassalou Evangelia E. , Dimitri‐Pinheiro Sofia , Klontzas Michail E. , Ramos Isabel , Karantanas Apostolos H. 
Published: July 2022

ObjectivesTo compare the additive value of immediate post‐procedural manipulation versus physiotherapy, following ultrasound (US)‐guided hydrodistention of the glenohumeral joint (GHJ) in patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC) and define predictors of outcome.MethodsWithin a 19‐month period, 161 consecutive patients with AC were prospectively enrolled and allocated to two groups according to treatment, based on patients' individual preferences: 1) group‐I, US‐guided hydrodistension plus immediate post‐procedural manipulations and 2) group‐II, US‐guided hydrodistension plus supervised physiotherapy program. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and a visual analog scale (VAS) were used for clinical assessment at baseline (immediately after treatment), 1, 3, and 6 months. Comparisons were performed with Mann–Whitney U test and Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Linear regression was used to identify predictors of outcome. P value <.05 defined significance.ResultsGHJ hydrodistension with manipulation or physiotherapy was linked to clinical improvement at all follow‐up time‐points. DASH scores of group‐I remained constantly lower than DASH scores of group‐II at all time‐points (P < .001). VAS scores were lower in group‐I than group‐II at 1 and 3 months (P < .001 and P = .0019, respectively). Both groups had improved to a similar degree with respect to pain at 6 months (P = .29). The performance of post‐interventional manipulations was predictive of improved shoulder functionality (as assessed with DASH scores) at all time‐points, while low‐grade disease and milder symptoms at presentation were associated with improved short‐term pain.ConclusionsImmediate post‐procedural manipulations appeared to be superior to physiotherapy following GHJ hydrodistension for AC in terms of shoulder functionality during a 6‐month follow‐up period. Post‐interventional manipulations, the stage of AC and lower DASH and VAS scores at presentations were predictive of improved outcome.
Self‐reported stigmatisation among patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) or chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU): A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Wiis Malthe A. K. , Heilskov Sofine , Sørensen Jennifer A. , Bang Karen , Egekvist Henrik , Deleuran Mette , Thyssen Jacob P. , Thomsen Simon F. , Vestergaard Christian 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) are two prevalent, visible and itching skin diseases associated with decreased quality of life (QoL), sleep disturbance, depression and anxiety. However, little is known about stigmatisation among patients suffering from these diseases.ObjectivesTo examine whether patients with AD or CSU experience stigmatisation and if disease severity or psychosocial variables associate with experienced stigmatisation.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey was performed among adult AD and CSU patients from two highly specialised university hospitals and two private dermatology clinics. External stigmatisation was examined using the 6‐item Stigmatisation Scale (6SS). AD severity was assessed by dermatologists using the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score. Patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) included: Patient‐Oriented Eczema Measure, Urticaria Activity Score over 7 days (UAS7), Urticaria Control Test, Dermatology Life Quality Index, 9‐item Patient Health Questionnaire, 7‐item Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Insomnia Severity Index and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: General Health. Nonparametric statistics were used due to nonnormal distribution of data. Data were managed in REDCap and analysed with Stata for macOS.ResultsMean EASI score was 7.6 (±10.7) and the mean UAS7 score was 15.6 (±12.0), for patients with AD and CSU, respectively. External stigmatisation was reported by 78.6% of AD patients and 57.3% of CSU patients. Mean 6SS score was 2.9 (±2.8) among AD patients and 1.9 (±2.8) among CSU patients, and stigmatisation levels differed significantly (p < 0.001). In both AD and CSU patients, stigmatisation correlated weakly to moderately with sleep disturbance (rs = 0.48 and rs = 0.30) and symptoms of depression (rs = 0.50 and rs = 0.38) and anxiety (rs = 0.46 and rs = 0.36), but not with disease severity as measured by EASI and UAS7.ConclusionBoth AD and CSU patients report external stigmatisation, which correlated with psychological parameters but not with disease severity. Further studies on stigmatisation are needed and should include a standardised scale embracing both external and internal facets of stigmatisation.
New physiological thresholds improve soil desiccation prediction rationality in apple orchards converted from farmland on the Chinese Loess Plateau
Authors: Guo Fuxing , Sun Haowei , Zhang Linsen , Mu Yan , Wang Yanping , Wu Fuyong 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe dry soil layer (DSL), as a typical indicator for degradation in soil water supply capacity and soil drought, could provide important information for land use and reconstruction in semiarid and arid areas. However, the traditional index of DSL assessment neglected the water absorption characteristics and drought resistance of different crops and lacked uniformity and comparability. These may misjudge the occurrence and severity of the DSL and bring uncertainty to land development and vegetation selection. In this study, the DSL severity of the main production zone of apples in the Chinese Loess Plateau was reassessed using new plant physiological indices covering the next 60 years (2020–2080) under four general circulation models. Physiological indices were established based on the response of leaf net photosynthetic (TPN) and transpiration rate (TTR) to soil available water which is the difference between soil moisture and permanent wilting point (n = 113). The environment policy integrated climate (EPIC) model was used to predict future soil water dynamics and drought yield loss (YL). The results showed that TPN and TTR significantly slowed down the accumulation of DSL severity quantitative index (QI, based on thickness moisture and formation depth of DSL) and enhanced the correlation between DSL and YL, which correlation coefficient increased from 0.51 to 0.73 and 0.64. Forming serious DSL (QI >0.5) has slowed from 2040 to 2055 years. Moreover, future climate change accumulatively reduced 9.95%–14.18% of the YL. These results indicated that the traditional method overestimated the environmental contradiction between economic benefits and eco‐hydrology of apple orchards, which could send unreliable messages to policymakers to restrict further development of apple industries. This study emphasized that evaluating DSL based on plant physiological threshold reflected better soil desiccation level and YL, which will contribute to further study of the sustainable development of fragile ecosystems.
Twisted Polaritonic Crystals in Thin van der Waals Slabs
Authors: Capote‐Robayna Nathaniel , Matveeva Olga G. , Volkov Valentyn S. , Alonso‐González Pablo , Nikitin Alexey Y. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPolaritons – hybrid light–mater excitations – are very appealing for the confinement of light at the nanoscale. Recently, a particular interest has been focused on thin anisotropic slabs of van der Waals (vdW) materials supporting polaritons with hyperbolic dispersion, which can exhibit ultrahigh momenta and strongly directional in‐plane propagation and thus promise novel nano‐optical applications in a planar geometry. However, the excitation and manipulation of in‐plane hyperbolic polaritons have not yet been well studied and understood. Here, twisted polaritonic crystals (PCs) are introduced – lattices with periods comparable to the polaritons wavelength rotated with respect to the natural vdW crystal axes – to efficiently excite and control in‐plane hyperbolic polaritons. A general analytical theory valid for an arbitrary PC made in a thin biaxial slab is developed and the excitation of Bragg resonances tunable by the twisting angle is demonstrated. The findings open novel avenues for both fundamental studies of PCs in vdW crystals and the development of midinfrared sensing and photodetection applications.
Super Proton Conductive Nafion/Short Fiber/Nanosilica/Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) Composite Membrane for Application in Anhydrous Fuel Cells
Authors: Karimi Mohammad Bagher , Mohammadi Fereidoon , Hooshyari Khadijeh , Jalilzadeh Shokoufeh 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe aim of present study is to reduce the tortuosity of proton conductive pathways within the polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) for application in anhydrous PEM fuel cells. For this purpose, for the first time, microsize chopped fibers (modified glass wool fibers), modified nanosilica, and a deep eutectic solvent (DES) are incorporated into the Nafion matrix to extend proton conductive pathways. The long length of the fibers as new and cheap additives creates a continuous interface within the polymer matrix which significantly improves its proton conductivity, likely by reducing the tortuosity of proton conductive pathways. While nanosilica promotes the connectivity of the short fibers, EG/NaBr‐based DES is also used as a nonaqueous electrolyte to maintain proton conductivity at anhydrous conditions. The measurements show super proton conductivity beyond 1400 mS cm−1 at 100 °C and anhydrous conditions for the Nafion/DES composite membrane containing 5 wt% short fibers and 2 wt% nanosilica. Furthermore, fuel cell performance of the prepared membranes shows a promising result by providing a maximum power density of 715 mW cm−2 at 95 °C. This study clearly shows the important role of ionic paths within the PEMs to achieve desirable properties in the real condition of a fuel cell system.
Glycosphingolipid Changes in Plasma in Parkinson's Disease Independent of Glucosylceramide Levels
Authors: te Vruchte Danielle , Sturchio Andrea , Priestman David A. , Tsitsi Panagiota , Hertz Ellen , Andréasson Mattias , Markaki Ioanna , Wallom Kerri‐Lee , Platt Frances , Svenningsson Per 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundAlteration in glycosphingolipids (GSLs) in Parkinson's disease (PD) still needs to be determined.ObjectivesWe evaluated if PD subjects show abnormal GSLs levels compared to healthy controls (HC) and if GSLs correlate with clinical features.MethodsWe analyzed GSLs and glucosylceramide (GlcCer) in plasma using two normal‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography assays; clinico‐demographic data were extracted.ResultsEighty PD subjects and 25 HCs were analyzed. Levels of GlcCer, GD1b, Gb4, GalNAcGA1, and b‐series were higher in PD patients than in HCs; total GSLs, GT1b, GM1a, GM3, GM2, and a‐series levels were lower in PD patients than in HCs. Changes in GSLs were present in PD subjects, with GlcCer levels similar to those in HCs. The results were similar after excluding certain GBA1 mutation carriers. Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Part III, correlated with Gb4 and Montreal Cognitive Assessment with GD1b levels.ConclusionsMultiple GSL abnormalities in plasma were detected in patients with and without GlcCer changes, indicating a broader shift in lipid homeostasis. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson Movement Disorder Society.
Warp‐based edge feature reinforcement network for medical image segmentation
Authors: Fan Xin , Kang Xiaojing , Tian Shengwei , Wu Weidong , Yu Long 
Published: July 2022

AbstractBackgroundRapid and accurate segmentation of medical images can provide important guidance in the early stages of life‐threatening diseases.PurposeHowever, fuzzy edges and high similarity with the background in images usually cause undersegmentation or oversegmentation. To solve these problems.MethodsWe propose a novel edge features‐reinforcement (EFR) module that uses relative frequency changes before and after warping images to extract edge information. Then, the EFR module leverages deep features to guide shallow features to produce a band‐shaped edge attention map for reinforcing the edge region of all channels. We also propose a multiscale context exploration (MCE) module to fuse multiscale features and to extract channel and spatial correlations, which allows a model to focus on the parts that contribute most to the final segmentation. We construct EFR‐Net by embedding EFR and MCE modules on the encoder–decoder architecture.ResultsWe verify EFR‐Net's performance with four medical datasets: retinal vessel segmentation dataset DRIVE, endoscopic polyp segmentation dataset CVC‐ClinicDB, dermoscopic image dataset ISIC2018, and aortic true lumen dataset Aorta‐computed tomography (CT). The proposed model achieves Dice similarity coefficients (DSCs) of 81.61%, 92.87%, 89.87%, and 96.98% on DRIVE, CVC‐ClinicDB, ISIC2018, and Aorta‐CT, respectively, which are better than those of current mainstream methods. In particular, the DSC of polyp segmentation increased by 3.87%.ConclusionThrough quantitative and qualitative research, our method is determined to surpass current mainstream segmentation methods, and EFR modules can effectively improve the edge prediction effect of color images and CT images. The proposed modules are easily embedded in other encoder–decoder architectures, which has the potential to be applied and expanded.
Deformable CT image registration via a dual feasible neural network
Authors: Lei Yang , Fu Yabo , Tian Zhen , Wang Tonghe , Dai Xianjin , Roper Justin , Yu David S. , McDonald Mark , Bradley Jeffrey D. , Liu Tian , Zhou Jun , Yang Xiaofeng 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPurposeA quality assurance (QA) CT scans are usually acquired during cancer radiotherapy to assess for any anatomical changes, which may cause an unacceptable dose deviation and therefore warrant a replan. Accurate and rapid deformable image registration (DIR) is needed to support contour propagation from the planning CT (pCT) to the QA CT to facilitate dose volume histogram (DVH) review. Further, the generated deformation maps are used to track the anatomical variations throughout the treatment course and calculate the corresponding accumulated dose from one or more treatment plans.MethodsIn this study, we aim to develop a deep learning (DL)‐based method for automatic deformable registration to align the pCT and the QA CT. Our proposed method, named dual‐feasible framework, was implemented by a mutual network that functions as both a forward module and a backward module. The mutual network was trained to predict two deformation vector fields (DVFs) simultaneously, which were then used to register the pCT and QA CT in both directions. A novel dual feasible loss was proposed to train the mutual network. The dual‐feasible framework was able to provide additional DVF regularization during network training, which preserves the topology and reduces folding problems. We conducted experiments on 65 head‐and‐neck cancer patients (228 CTs in total), each with 1 pCT and 2–6 QA CTs. For evaluations, we calculated the mean absolute error (MAE), peak‐signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index (SSIM), target registration error (TRE) between the deformed and target images and the Jacobian determinant of the predicted DVFs.ResultsWithin the body contour, the mean MAE, PSNR, SSIM, and TRE are 122.7 HU, 21.8 dB, 0.62 and 4.1 mm before registration and are 40.6 HU, 30.8 dB, 0.94, and 2.0 mm after registration using the proposed method. These results demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of our proposed method for pCT and QA CT DIR.ConclusionIn summary, we proposed a DL‐based method for automatic DIR to match the pCT to the QA CT. Such DIR method would not only benefit current workflow of evaluating DVHs on QA CTs but may also facilitate studies of treatment response assessment and radiomics that depend heavily on the accurate localization of tissues across longitudinal images.
On the Precipitation Copolymerization of 1‐Octene and Glycidyl Methacrylate in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Rosales‐Guzmán Miguel , de Jesús Herrera‐Morales Rosendo , Mendoza‐Carrizales Ricardo , García‐Zamora Maricela , Cepeda‐Garza Jesús Angel , Saldívar‐Guerra Enrique , Pérez‐Camacho Odilia , Torres‐Lubián Román 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe free radical precipitation copolymerization of the polar monomer glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and the nonpolar monomer 1‐octene (Oct) in supercritical carbon dioxide (sc‐CO2) is reported under different conditions of pressure and temperature. According to 1H NMR studies, in the obtained statistical copolymers (GMA‐stat‐Oct) the molar fraction of the olefin (FOct) increases when the pressure and temperature of the reaction increased from the reference values T = 125 °C and P = 34 bar. In particular, when the initial molar fraction of Oct (fOct) is 0.83, the molar fraction of this monomer in the final copolymer reaches a maximum value of 0.22 at 124 bar and T = 155 °C. On the other hand, for fOct = 0.89, it is obtained that FOct = 0.25 at 124 bar and T = 155 °C. Copolymers obtained are characterized by NMR, scanning electron microscopy, and size exclusion chromatography techniques. Finally, two copolymers were selected to demonstrate the feasibility of modifying the GMA moiety in order to introduce OH polar groups giving rise to Oct‐stat‐glycerol methacrylate copolymers.
Combining Soil Vapor Extraction and Electrokinetics for the Removal of Hexachlorocyclohexanes from Soil
Authors: Henrique João M. M. , Isidro Julia , Saez Cristina , Lopez‐Vizcaíno Rúben , Yustres Angel , Navarro Vicente , Dos Santos Elisama V. , Rodrigo Manuel A. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis paper focuses on the evaluation of the mobility of four hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers by soil vapor extraction (SVE) coupled with direct electrokinetic (EK) treatment without adding flushing fluids. SVE was found to be very efficient and remove nearly 70 % of the four HCH in the 15‐days of the tests. The application of electrokinetics produced the transport of HCH to the cathode by different electrochemical processes, which were satisfactorily modelled with a 1‐D transport equation. The increase in the electric field led to an increase in the transport of pollutants, although 15 days was found to be a very short time for an efficient transportation of the pollutants to the nearness of the cathode. Loss of water content in the vicinity of the cathode warns about the necessity of using electrokinetic flushing technologies instead of simple direct electrokinetics. Thus, results point out that direct electrokinetic treatment without adding flushing fluids produced low current intensities and ohmic heating that contributes negatively to the performance of the SVE process. No relevant differences were found among the removal of the four isomers, neither in SVE nor in EK processes.
An initial investigation of using smartphone‐enabled micro‐temporal data collection to increase acceptability, feasibility, and validity of research on cancer caregiving
Authors: Bouchard Elizabeth G. , Collins R. Lorraine , Vincent Paula C. , Patel Hital , Sahler Olle Jane Z. , McCarty Christopher , Prince Mark A. , Kelly Kara M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPurposeSmartphone‐enabled micro‐temporal data collection has potential to increase reliability, validity, and feasibility of participant‐reported data and is a promising strategy for pediatric oncology supportive care and quality‐of‐life research. Given the demands of pediatric cancer caregiving, we sought to understand the feasibility and acceptability of smartphone data collection that included short surveys administered daily for 14 days via text message link.MethodsWe recruited pediatric cancer caregivers, whose children (ages 0–18 years) were on active treatment, to complete a 14‐day daily survey study via smartphone. We implemented our study procedures and examined feasibility through study enrollment rates, reasons for refusal, retention rates, number of reminders and number of completed surveys. We examined acceptability using caregiver ratings of survey length, burden, and ease of completion on a smartphone.ResultsWe recruited (N = 75) caregivers to the study and had an 84% enrollment rate. Reasons for declining participation included passive refusal (n = 13) and too busy (n = 1). The participant retention rate was 100% and compliance with daily survey completion was 99%. Most surveys were completed following two prompts and took participants 5 minutes or less to complete. Caregivers rated the surveys as easy to complete, low burden, and just right in length.ConclusionA daily self‐report, using a brief (≤5 minutes) survey administered on a smartphone via text message prompt, is a feasible and acceptable method. Future research should extend these findings to understand the generalizability across pediatric cancer caregiving contexts.
Genome‐wide analysis of MYB family genes in Tripterygium wilfordii and their potential roles in terpenoid biosynthesis
Authors: Xia Meng , Tu Lichan , Liu Yuan , Jiang Zhouqian , Wu Xiaoyi , Gao Wei , Huang Luqi 
Published: July 2022

AbstractTerpenoids are a class of significant bioactive components in the woody vine of Tripterygium wilfordii. Previous studies have shown that MYB transcription factors play important roles in plant secondary metabolism, growth, and developmental processes. However, the MYB involved in terpenoid biosynthesis in Tripterygium wilfordii are unknown. To identify Tripterygium wilfordii MYB (TwMYB) genes that are involved in terpenoid biosynthesis, we conducted the genome‐wide analysis of the TwMYB gene family. A total of 207 TwMYBs were identified including 84 1R‐TwMYB, 117 R2R3‐TwMYB, four 3R‐TwMYB, and two 4R‐TwMYB genes. The most abundant R2R3‐TwMYBs together with their Arabidopsis homologs were categorized into 26 subgroups. Intraspecific collinearity analysis found that the 74.9% of the TwMYBs may be generated by segmental duplication events, and 36.7% of duplicated gene pairs were derived from the specific whole genome duplication (WGD) event in Tripterygium wilfordii. In addition, interspecies collinearity analysis found that 16 TwMYB genes formed homologous gene pairs with MYB genes in seven representative species, which indicated they may have a key role in evolution. Notably, we found that the TwMYB genes were differentially expressed in various tissues by expression pattern analysis. In order to further select the candidate genes related to terpenoid biosynthesis, the assay of Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) induction and analysis of phylogenetic tree was conducted. It was speculated that six candidate TwMYB genes (TwMYB33, TwMYB34, TwMYB45, TwMYB67, TwMYB102, and TwMYB103) are involved in regulating terpenoid biosynthesis. This study is the first systematic analysis of the TwMYB gene family and will lay a foundation for the functional characterization of TwMYB genes in the regulation of terpenoid biosynthesis.