bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Automated measurement of spine indices on axial MR images for lumbar spinal stenosis diagnosis using segmentation‐guided regression network
Authors: Pang Chunlan , Su Zhihai , Lin Liyan , Lin Guoye , He Ji , Lu Hai , Feng Qianjin , Pang Shumao 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPurposeAutomated measurement of spine indices on axial magnetic resonance (MR) images plays a significant role in lumbar spinal stenosis diagnosis. Existing direct spine indices measurement approaches fail to explicitly focus on the task‐specific region or feature channel with the additional information for guiding. We aim to achieve accurate spine indices measurement by introducing the guidance of the segmentation task.MethodsIn this paper, we propose a segmentation‐guided regression network (SGRNet) to achieve automated spine indices measurement. SGRNet consists of a segmentation path for generating the spine segmentation prediction and a regression path for producing spine indices estimation. The segmentation path is a U‐Net‐like network which includes a segmentation encoder and a decoder which generates multilevel segmentation features and segmentation prediction. The proposed segmentation‐guided attention module (SGAM) in the regression encoder extracts the attention‐aware regression feature under the guidance of the segmentation feature. Based on the attention‐aware regression feature, a fully connected layer is utilized to output the accurate spine indices estimation.ResultsExperiments on the open‐access Lumbar Spine MRI data set show that SGRNet achieves state‐of‐the‐art performance with a mean absolute error of 0.49 mm and mean Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.956 for four indices estimation.ConclusionsThe proposed SGAM in SGRNet is capable of improving the performance of spine indices measurement by focusing on the task‐specific region and feature channel under the guidance of the segmentation task.
Experiences of health management among people at high risk of stroke in China: A qualitative study
Authors: Guo Lina , Guo Yuanli , Booth Jo , Wei Miao , Wang Lin , Zhu Yiru , He Yu , Liu Yanjin 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundEffective health management of people at high risk of stroke in China is challenging.AimTo explore and identify the experiences of health management among people at high risk of stroke in order to provide a foundation for a targeted health management strategy for this special group.DesignA qualitative, descriptive study based on interviews.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with 31 people at high risk of stroke. The interviews were collated and analysed using Colaizzi’s seven‐step method.ResultsA total of 31 people at high risk of stroke were included, and the ages ranged from 40 to 86, with an average age of 60.71 (SD = 11.55). The experiences of health management were categorized into three themes. Theme 1: Facing many ongoing problems in health management, limited knowledge, lack of confidence and poor compliance. Theme 2: Accumulated some value experiences of coping with problems of health management, becoming active learners, promoting social interaction and enhancing self‐health management. Theme 3: Sensitivity to multiple influencing factors, the severity of disease and complexity of disease management, family income and economic burden and the value of social support.ConclusionsThis study explored the experiences of health management among people at high risk of stroke, and these findings are of great significance in the primary prevention of stroke.
Revisiting the differential diagnosis of the lucent bone lesion: A case of fibrous dysplasia discovered in a Polish medieval osteological collection
Authors: Haydar Syed M. A. , Sheikh Adnan , Ouellette Hugue , Mallinson Paul , Munk Peter L. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn the short report published by Siek and Spinek, the femoral metaphyseal lesion in question was described as potentially the first described case of a simple bone cyst (SBC) from a Polish background. However, on review of the single radiograph available, we feel the primary and differential diagnoses offered are misleading from a radiographic perspective, with the imaging features overall favoring fibrous dysplasia—probable cystic subtype. As magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a histological diagnosis would not be possible in skeletonized remains, the diagnosis must rest on opinion‐based radiology. In this commentary, we illustrate why fibrous dysplasia is the most likely radiological diagnosis and describe why the differentials offered in the original article should not be entertained.
A population model‐based linear‐quadratic Gaussian compensator for the control of intravenously infused alcohol studies and withdrawal symptom prophylaxis using transdermal sensing
Authors: Yao Mengsha , Luczak Susan E. , Saldich Emily B. , Rosen I. Gary 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAn output feedback linear‐quadratic Gaussian compensator (combined controller and state estimator) for the regulation of intravenous‐infused alcohol studies and treatment using a noninvasive transdermal alcohol biosensor is developed. The design is based on a population model involving an abstract semilinear parabolic hybrid reaction‐diffusion system involving coupled partial and ordinary differential equations with random parameters known only up to their distributions. The scheme developed is based on a weak formulation of the model equations in an appropriately constructed Gelfand triple of Bochner spaces wherein the unknown random parameters are treated as additional spatial variables. Implementation relies on a Galerkin‐based approximation and convergence theory and an abstract formulation involving linear semigroups of operators. The model is fit and validated using laboratory collected human subject data and the method of moments. The results of numerical simulations of controlled intravenous alcohol infusion are presented and discussed.
Polyvinylidene fluoride‐natural graphite flexible composite films: Formation of graphite nanosheets, electroactive phase, analysis of electrical and thermal properties
Authors: Ayyappan J. , Menon Niranjan Haridas , Sabu Aleena , Ramanujam B. T. S. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSolution blending technique has been employed to synthesize polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)‐natural graphite composite films. The surface tension of the solvent has been observed to play an important role in the reduction of graphite particle size and their dispersion in the polymer matrix as N‐N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) employed PVDF‐x wt% natural graphite (x = 3, 5) films exhibit higher conductivity than that of N‐N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) employed films of same composition. The dispersion of probe sonicated graphite particles in PVDF matrix has been observed to be better when DMAc solvent is used in comparison to DMF employed composite as revealed by optical microscope images. The electrical percolation threshold in PVDF‐natural graphite composites is identified below 0.5 wt% natural graphite due to remarkable reduction in the particle size of graphite which improved the network formation between them. FESEM analysis confirms the formation of graphite nanosheets. The coexistence of non‐polar α and electroactive γ phases of PVDF in the composites is confirmed by FTIR, XRD, and DSC analyses. Maximum fraction of γ phase, as calculated from FTIR, is 88% in PVDF‐3 wt% natural graphite composite. Thermal annealing of PVDF‐3 wt% natural graphite at 120°C for 5 h results in enhanced electroactive γ phase in the nanocomposite. The onset degradation temperature of PVDF is increased by 4°C in PVDF‐5 wt% natural graphite suggesting enhanced thermal stability of the composite. Room temperature I–V characteristics of PVDF‐x wt% natural graphite (x = 5, 7) composite supports space charge limited conduction to be the dominant mechanism of charge transport.
Compaction behavior of 3D woven preforms with hybrid fibers and under different process parameters
Authors: Hu Peili , Shan Zhongde , Zang Yong , Sun Zheng , Wang Shaozong , Huang Hao 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe reinforced fibers of three‐dimensional (3D) composites are interwoven in space and have better inter‐laminar properties than two‐dimensional (2D) laminates, and have great application prospects in high‐tech fields. Flexible‐oriented 3D woven technology is an emerging technology for weaving 3D composite preforms, especially suitable for manufacturing large‐thickness and complex preform architectures, and the compaction behavior of preforms has an important influence on its performance. In this paper, using this technology, different types of 3D preforms were woven and subjected to systematic compaction experiments, to explore the effects of different fiber hybrid modes and process parameters on the compaction behavior. It is found that, increasing the number of cycles, wetting and sizing the fibers are all beneficial to improve the compaction ability, but reduce the stress relaxation and recovery ratios. The stress relaxation of the hybrid fiber preform is mainly affected by the carbon fiber. Reducing the dispersion of different fiber bundles is beneficial to decrease the recovery ratio. The research results provide experimental and theoretical reference for the rapid and efficient weaving of hybrid fiber composite preforms in the future.
Effects of meso‐ and micro‐scale defects on hygrothermal aging behavior of glass fiber reinforced composites
Authors: Sukur Emine Feyza , Elmas Sinem , Seyyednourani Mahsa , Eskizeybek Volkan , Yildiz Mehmet , Sas Hatice S. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractDesign and process‐induced defects in fiber‐reinforced polymers (FRPs) lead to fracture nucleation due to the stress concentrations. In addition to the degradation in mechanical properties, defects can accelerate aging of FRPs and limit their service life. Efforts to understand the impact of defects have largely focused on the mechanical performance of FRPs. However, their impact on aging performance has not yet been extensively investigated. Here, we report the effect of the meso‐scale (missing yarn) and micro‐scale (micro‐crack) defects on the hygrothermal aging behavior of FRPs. Missing yarn defects were generated by pulling‐out yarns in warp and weft directions of glass fabric. Then, micro‐cracks were induced in composite laminates by acoustic emission controlled tensile loading/unloading. After exposing samples to the hygrothermal aging, we found that meso‐scale defects deteriorate mechanical/thermomechanical performance, reaching 30% decrease in the flexural strength. Notably, even though increasing micro‐crack density reduces the moisture saturation time, the aging time is reported as a more predominant design parameter, deteriorating the mechanical performance for micro‐crack‐induced FRPs.
Mechanical and tribological properties of carbon fiber‐reinforced polyetheretherketone composite coatings by flame‐spraying method
Authors: Li Yupeng , Wei Lai , Man Zhiqiang , Liu Sihang , Wang Sai , Lei Mingkai 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe carbon fiber‐reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF/PEEK) composite coatings with two types of short CFs, that is, 300‐ and 600‐mesh, each in the contents of 10 and 30 wt% are deposited in comparison with the pure PEEK coatings by using a flame spraying method, respectively. The 300‐mesh CFs with intact morphology and the 600‐mesh CFs preserving fractured shape and higher graphitization degree are selected as the reinforced fillers in the CF/PEEK composite coatings. The flame‐sprayed CF/PEEK composite coatings show the increased porosity with the higher CF contents. The adding of CFs in the flame‐sprayed CF/PEEK composite coatings limits the thermal degradation of PEEK and restrains the PEEK crystallization showing low crystallinity degree and small crystallite size. The composite coatings in 10 wt% CF content exhibit the optimized nanoindentation behavior and tribological property. The 300‐mesh CFs with large length and intact morphology in flame‐sprayed CF/PEEK composite coatings lead to the increased surface hardness by 1.31 times over that of the pure PEEK coatings. The 600‐mesh CFs with higher graphitization degree contribute to better tribological property of flame‐sprayed CF/PEEK composite coatings with an order of magnitude lower specific wear rate.
Glucosamine and lower mortality and cancer incidence: Selection bias in the observational studies
Authors: Suissa Karine , Hudson Marie , Suissa Samy 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundGlucosamine is a widely used supplement to treat joint pain and osteoarthritis despite inconclusive randomized trial results on its effectiveness. In contrast, observational studies associate glucosamine with significant reductions in mortality and cancer incidence. We evaluated the extent of bias, particularly selection bias, to explain these surprising beneficial effects.MethodsWe searched the literature to identify all observational studies reporting on the effect of glucosamine use on major outcomes.ResultsWe identified 11 observational studies, reporting a mean 16% reduction in all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.84, 95% CI: 0.81–0.87) with glucosamine use, as well as significant reductions in cancer incidence and other major diseases including cardiovascular, respiratory and diabetes. We show that these significant effects can result from selection bias due to collider stratification, as all studies used “prevalent” cohorts, where glucosamine use started before cohort entry, and where subjects agreed to join the cohorts. Our illustration of the bias using the UK Biobank publication involving a half‐million subjects shows how a true rate ratio of mortality of 1.0 in the population can result in a biased rate ratio of 0.82 in the prevalent cohort.ConclusionsThe observational studies reporting significant reductions in mortality, cancer incidence and other outcomes with glucosamine were affected by selection bias from collider stratification. In the absence of properly conducted observational studies that circumvent this bias by considering “new users”, the studies to date cannot support the prescription of this supplement as a preventive measure for mortality, cancer, and other chronic diseases.
3D beam shaping methods for ultrashort‐pulsed laser material processing
Authors: Brodsky Alexander , Kaplan Natan 
Published: August 2022

AbstractUltrashort‐pulse (USP) lasers enable microlevel manipulation of material surfaces and work on the bulk of transparent materials with almost no thermal effects. One major bottleneck that is limiting the processing speed with USP lasers is the effective spreading of laser energy in the processed material. Diffractive optical elements (DOE) are a leading method of solving this bottleneck. In this article, we review the concept of 3D diffractive light shaping for USP lasers and show its usefulness in various industrial USP laser applications.
Tethered drug release from model contact lenses
Authors: Lasowski Frances , Rambarran Talena , Rahmani Vida , Sheardown Heather D 
Published: August 2022

AbstractDrug delivery to the eye remains a challenge due to low compliance and high amounts of drug loss resulting from anatomical barriers. Contact lens‐based delivery systems offer many advantages since their increased corneal residence time can increase drug bioavailability. A releasable, sustained delivery system from a contact lens has been evaluated in the current work. Using a labile lactide spacer, comprised of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate, varying numbers of lactide units and succinic anhydride, a model drug, R‐roscovitine, was covalently incorporated into model silicone lenses (consisting of 80 mol% N,N‐dimethylacrylamide and 20 mol% of a modified silicone). This enabled a greater amount of the drug to remain in the material following extraction with isopropyl alcohol, a common purification procedure used in lens manufacturing. The incorporation of the tether and drug did not substantially alter the bulk properties of the materials, with their water content remaining between 32% and 36% and their transmittance remaining at over 90% at 600 nm. Drug release from these materials exceeded 2 weeks, with the longer lactide tethers showing greater release as expected. This demonstrates that these covalently modified materials have the potential to be used to deliver drugs in a sustained manner. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Assessment of anxiety/depression among cancer patients before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Adzrago David , Sulley Saanie , Tagoe Ishmael , Ormiston Cameron K. , Odame Emmanuel A. , Mamudu Lohuwa , Williams Faustine 
Published: August 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo assess differences in the prevalence of anxiety/depression symptoms among cancer patients before (2019) and during the COVID‐19 pandemic (2020); and the associations between anxiety/depression and sociodemographic and health behavior factors among cancer patients before and during the pandemic.MethodsWe analyzed data from the 2019 (n = 856) and 2020 (n = 626) Health Information National Trends Survey, a nationally representative survey of United States adults aged ≥18 years. Only adults with a cancer diagnosis were used in the analyses. Anxiety/depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire‐4 (low/none [0–2], mild [3–5], moderate [6–8], and severe [9–12]) and dichotomized as low/none and current anxiety/depression (mild/moderate/severe). Multivariate analysis was performed.ResultsThe prevalence of anxiety/depression symptoms among cancer patients was 32.7% before the COVID‐19 pandemic and 31.1% during the pandemic. The odds of anxiety/depression among patients with fair/poor health status was higher during the pandemic relative to before (before: odds ratio [OR] = 1.85 vs. during: OR = 3.89). Participants aged 50–64 years (before: OR = 0.29, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.11–0.76; during: OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.11–0.97) and ≥65 years (before: OR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.05–0.34; during: OR = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.07–0.47) had lower odds of anxiety/depression before and during the pandemic compared to those aged 35–49 years. Hispanics/Latinos had higher odds of anxiety/depression (OR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.11–6.57) before the pandemic and lower odds of anxiety/depression during the pandemic (OR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.05–1.01) compared to non‐Hispanic Whites. Those who completed high school (before: OR = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.01–0.42), some college (before: OR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.02–0.42), ≥college degree had lower odds of anxiety/depression symptoms (before: OR = 0.05, 95% CI = 0.01–0.26; during: OR = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.01–0.61) compared to those with less than a high school education.ConclusionOur results suggest the need to increase the provision of mental health services to cancer patients at high risk of developing anxiety/depression symptoms, particularly during public health emergencies, to alleviate further health burdens.
Tandem mass tag‐based quantitative proteomic analysis of cervical cancer
Authors: Aljawad Mohammed F. , Faisal Abdul Hussein M. Al , Alqanbar Mohammed F. , Wilmarth Phillip A. , Hassan Basima Q. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundCervical cancer is a common cancer in women caused by high‐risk human papillomavirus (Hr‐HPV). Many potential biomarkers have been proposed for precancerous lesions and cancer diagnosis and some of these markers studied for prognosis. This study determined potential biomarkers for cervical cancer diagnosis in regard to HPV genotype by using isobaric labeling quantitative proteomics.Methodsin the current study, there were 75 formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) uterine cervical samples that used to determine the 14 HPV genotypes and the viral load of each genotype was determined. The tandem mass tag (TMT) proteomic work was performed on four FFPE samples of cervical cancer and four FFPE of control samples. The validation of biomarkers from cervical proteome were evaluated using Immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing.ResultsThe most frequent HPV genotype among all other genotypes was HPV 16. There were 2753 proteins quantified by TMT and 336 of these proteins had significant differential abundances. KPNA2, MCM2, COL1A1, and DCN were selected based on functional enrichment analysis and validated by Immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing. The staining of IHC confirmed the upregulation of KPNA2 and MCM2 expression in cervical neoplasia and the downregulation of DCN and COL1A1 in some cervical cancer group subjects.ConclusionThe KPNA2 marker was compared to other previously reported biomarkers and is a putative biomarker to be validated in further studies, specifically the relationship with HPV load.
Developing A Novel Small‐Scale Test to Predict Large‐Scale Explosivity
Authors: Hunter Justin , Smith James , Oxley Jimmie 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThere is a need for small‐scale (gram) tests that accurately predicts large‐scale (kilogram) detonation performance of energetic materials. Many attempts have been made to create such tests, but they are either too narrow in scope [1–3] or fail to demonstrate correlation with large‐scale behavior [4–9]. When creating regulations relative to safety and transportation, accurate small‐scale tests are crucial to organizations such as the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Herein is reported small‐scale (15 g) detonation tests which can be reasonably correlated to large‐scale results. The protocol utilizes a
” diameter rate stick, booster to overdrive the sample, seeding with RDX, and evaluation of the run distance to failure using optical techniques. By these means we hope to develop reliable safety information prior to scaleup of production.
Biphasic effects of statins on neuron cell functions under oxygen–glucose deprivation and normal culturing conditions via different mechanisms
Authors: Wang Hui , Chen Yun , Li Ping , Chen Yan , Yu Danfang , Tan Qian , Liu Xiaoli , Guo Zhenli 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWhile there is a growing interest in the use of statins, HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors, to treat neurodegenerative diseases, statins are associated with conflicting effects within the central nervous system (CNS) without clear evidence of the underlying mechanisms. This study systematically investigated effects of four statins (atorvastatin, pitavastatin, cerivastatin, and lovastatin) on neuronal cells under pathological condition using an in vitro model depicting ischemic injury, as well as tested under physiological condition. All four statins at micromolar concentrations display toxic effects on neuron cells under physiological condition. Atorvastatin and cerivastatin but not pitavastatin or lovastatin at nanomolar concentrations display protective effects on neuron cells under ischemic injury condition, via decreased ischemic injury‐induced oxidative stress, oxidative damage, and inflammation. Mechanistically, atorvastatin, pitavastatin, and lovastatin induces neuron cell apoptosis via prenylation‐independent manner. Other mechanisms are involved in the pro‐apoptotic effect of cerivastatin. Prenylation is not involved in the protective effects of statins under ischemic injury condition. Our work provides better understanding on the multiple differential effects of statins on neuron cells under physiological condition and ischemic injury, and elucidate their underlying mechanisms, which may be of relevance to the influence of statins in CNS.