bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
W‐Transformer: Accurate Cobb angles estimation by using a transformer‐based hybrid structure
Authors: Yao Yifan , Yu Wenjun , Gao Yongbin , Dong Jiuqing , Xiao Qiangqiang , Huang Bo , Shi Zhicai 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundScoliosis is a type of spinal deformity, which is harmful to a person's health. In severe cases, it can trigger paralysis or death. The measurement of Cobb angle plays an essential role in assessing the severity of scoliosis.PurposeThe aim of this paper is to propose an automatic system for landmark detection and Cobb angle estimation, which can effectively help clinicians diagnose and treat scoliosis.MethodsA novel hybrid framework was proposed to measure Cobb angle precisely for clinical diagnosis, which was referred as W‐Transformer due to its w‐shaped architecture. First, a convolutional neural network of cascade residual blocks as our backbone was designed. Then a transformer was fused to learn the dependency information between spine and landmarks. In addition, a reinforcement branch was designed to improve the overlap of landmarks, and an improved prediction module was proposed to fine‐tune the final coordinates of landmarks in Cobb angles estimation. Besides, the public Accurate Automated Spinal Curvature Estimation (AASCE) MICCAI 2019 challenge was served as data set. It supplies 609 manually labeled spine anterior–posterior (AP) X‐ray images, each of which contains a total of 68 landmark labels and three Cobb Angles tags.ResultsFrom the perspective of the AASCE MICCAI 2019 challenge, we achieved a lower symmetric mean absolute percentage error (SMAPE) of 8.26% for all Cobb angles and the lowest averaged detection error of 50.89 in terms of landmark detection, compared with many state‐of‐the‐art methods. We also provided the SMAPEs for the Cobb angles of the proximal‐thoracic (PT), the main‐thoracic (MT), and the thoracic‐lumbar (TL) area, which are 5.27%, 14.59%, and 20.97% respectively, however, these data were not covered in most previous studies. Statistical analysis demonstrates that our model has obtained a high level of Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.9398 (), which shows excellent reliability of our model. Our model can yield 0.9489 (), 0.8817 (), and 0.9149 () for PT, MT, and TL, respectively. The overall variability of Cobb angle measurement is less than 4, implying clinical value. And the mean absolute deviation (standard deviation) for three regions is 3.64 (4.13), 3.84 (4.66), and 3.80 (4.19). The results of Student paired ‐test indicate that no statistically significant differences are observed between manual measurement and our automatic approach (‐value is always 0.05). Regarding the diagnosis of scoliosis (Cobb angle 10), the proposed method achieves a high sensitivity of 0.9577 and a specificity of 0.8475 for all spinal regions.ConclusionsThis study offers a brand‐new automatic approach that is potentially of great benefit of the complex task of landmark detection and Cobb angle evaluation, which can provide helpful navigation information about the early diagnosis of scoliosis.
A simultaneous space‐time discretization approach to the inverse dynamics of geometrically exact strings
Authors: Ströhle Timo , Betsch Peter 
Published: February 2022

AbstractA continuous space‐time Galerkin method is newly proposed for the numerical solution of inverse dynamics problems. The proposed space‐time finite element method is combined with servo‐constraints to partially prescribe the motion of the underlying mechanical system. The new approach to the feedforward control of infinite‐dimensional mechanical systems is motivated by the classical method of characteristics. In particular, it is shown that the simultaneous space‐time discretization is much better suited to solve the inverse dynamics problem than the semi‐discretization approach commonly applied in structural dynamics. Representative numerical examples dealing with elastic strings undergoing large deformations demonstrate the capabilities of the newly devised space‐time finite element method.
Optimal local truncation error method to solution of 2‐D time‐independent elasticity problems with optimal accuracy on irregular domains and unfitted Cartesian meshes
Authors: Idesman Alexander , Dey Bikash 
Published: February 2022

AbstractRecently we have developed the optimal local truncation error method (OLTEM) for scalar PDEs on irregular domains and unfitted Cartesian meshes. Here, OLTEM is extended to a much more general case of a system of PDEs for the 2‐D time‐independent elasticity equations on irregular domains. Compact 9‐point uniform and nonuniform stencils (with the computational costs of linear finite elements) are used with OLTEM. The stencil coefficients are assumed to be unknown and are calculated by the minimization of the local truncation error. It is shown that the second order of accuracy is the maximum possible accuracy for 9‐point stencils independent of the numerical technique used for their derivations. The special treatment of the Neumann boundary conditions has been developed that does not increase the size of the stencils. The numerical examples are in agreement with the theoretical findings. They also show that due to the minimization of the local truncation error, OLTEM is much more accurate than linear finite elements and than quadratic finite elements (up to engineering accuracy of 0.1%–1%) at the same numbers of degrees of freedom. Due to the computational efficiency and trivial unfitted Cartesian meshes that are independent of irregular domains, the proposed technique with no remeshing for the shape change of irregular domains will be effective for many engineering applications.
Recovery lines in ancient Egyptian child mummies: Computed tomography investigations in European museums
Authors: Panzer Stephanie , Schneider Karl O. , Zesch Stephanie , Rosendahl Wilfried , Helmbold‐Doyé Jana , Thompson Randall C. , Zink Albert R. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and anatomical distribution of recovery lines (growth arrest lines) in ancient Egyptian child mummies. Whole‐body computed tomography (CT) examinations of 21 ancient Egyptian child mummies from European museums were evaluated for estimation of age at death and sex of the children. CT examinations were systematically assessed for recovery lines by inspection for metaphyseal lines, diaphyseal transverse lines, and bone‐within‐bone appearance at several sites of the skeleton. The estimated age at death of the children ranged from about 1 year to the age of 12–14 years. Twelve children were assessed as male, seven as female, and in two, the sex was indeterminate. Recovery lines were found in 18 out of the 21 (86%) child mummies. Metaphyseal lines were present in 12 mummies (57%), diaphyseal transverse lines in 12 mummies (57%), and bone‐within‐bone appearance in 11 mummies (52%). One case showed particularly dense metaphaseal bands typical of lead lines in lead poisoning. In conclusion, systematic assessment of recovery lines on CT images of ancient Egyptian child mummies showed a high prevalence of these lines. Many children had a combination of different lines, indicating more than one episode of growth disturbance. The spectrum of recovery lines included the better known metaphyseal and diaphyseal transverse lines as well as the less known bone‐within‐bone appearance that share the same pathomechanism. The mummy with lead lines seems to be the first case of radiological evidence of lead poisoning from ancient Egypt.
Potentially modifiable mediators for socioeconomic disparities in childhood obesity in the United States
Authors: Wen Xiaozhong , Mi Baibing , Wang Youfa , Taveras Elsie M. , Bartashevskyy Maksym 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine modifiable mediators for socioeconomic disparities in childhood obesity in the United States.MethodsThis study used the data of 1,211 mother‐child dyads from a US national birth cohort from pregnancy to 6 years post partum. Socioeconomic status was indicated by maternal education (college graduate vs. less) and family income (>185% vs. ≤185% of the poverty line). Single‐ and multiple‐factor mediation analyses were conducted for socioeconomic disparities in childhood obesity at 6 years, adjusting for demographics.ResultsThe confounder‐adjusted relative risk of childhood obesity was 1.79 for low maternal education and 1.42 for low family income. Low‐maternal‐education‐related obesity was individually mediated by maternal preconception BMI (percentage of indirect effect, 8.8%), smoking during pregnancy (7.0%), infant weight gain (14.4%), child sleep duration (11.4%), and TV viewing during weekdays at 6 years (4.9%). Low‐family‐income‐related obesity was mediated by maternal preconception BMI (18.5%), smoking during pregnancy (6.3%), child sleep duration (12.8%), and the home learning environment at 6 years (26.2%). In multiple‐mediator analysis, significant mediators together mediated 54.0% of maternal‐education‐related or 39.4% of family‐income‐related disparities.ConclusionsMaternal preconception BMI, smoking during pregnancy, infant weight gain, child sleep, TV viewing, and the home learning environment substantially mediated socioeconomic disparities in childhood obesity in the United States.
Effects of an exercise program during pediatric stem cell transplantation: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Smith Charles , Farhat Ryan , Fern‐Buneo Anna , Purrington Heidi , Cobb Ellie , Matson Laura , Kang Paul , Beebe Kristen , Campbell Courtney , Schwalbach Charlotte , Salzberg Dana , Miller Holly , Adams Roberta , Ngwube Alexander 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundDuring pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), there is significant reduction in physical activity, leading to loss of strength and function, along with decline in quality of life (QoL). This study evaluates the effects of a supervised exercise program on functional ability, mobility, strength, and QoL during and following pediatric HSCT.MethodsPatients ages 4–21 years presenting for HSCT were randomized to either an intervention group, who underwent exercise routines three times weekly and once weekly on discharge for 6 weeks supervised by a physical therapist, or the control group, which was treated per standard of care. Forty subjects were recruited for the study, 20 in each arm. Physical therapy and QoL assessments were conducted at three time points: pre‐HSCT (baseline), on the day of hospital discharge, and 6 weeks after discharge.ResultsExercise capacity and endurance using Six‐Minute Walk test (p = .023) and strength using manual muscle testing (p = .005) were improved in the exercise group, compared to the control group. There was evidence that some QoL outcomes (measured using the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) were improved 6 weeks post discharge, with observed decreases in anxiety (p = .0009) and fatigue (p = .037).ConclusionSupervised exercise program during pediatric HSCT has positive effects on endurance, functional mobility, and muscle strength, and may also result in improvements in some aspects of QoL. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04663503.
Expressions of anger during advising on life dilemmas predict suicide risk among college students
Authors: Hu Chao S. , Huang Jinhao , Huang Chengli , Munroe Melanie , Xie Dong , Li Mei 
Published: February 2022

AbstractResearch has demonstrated a relationship between anger and suicidality, while real‐time authentic emotions behind facial expressions could be detected during advising hypothetical protagonists in life dilemmas. This study aimed to investigate the predictive validity of anger expressions during advising for suicide risk. Besides advising on life dilemmas (a friend's betrayal, a friend's suicide attempt), 130 adults completed the suicidal scale of the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Participants’ anger during advice‐giving was measured 29 times/s by artificial intelligence (AI)‐based software FaceReader 7.1. The results showed that anger was a significant predictor of suicide risk. Increased anger during advising was associated with higher suicide risk. In contrast, there was no significant correlation between suicide risk and duration or length of advising. Therefore, measuring micro expressions of anger with AI‐based software may help detect suicide risk among clinical patients in both traditional and online counseling contexts and help prevent suicide.
Plasma immersion ion‐implanted 3D‐printed PEEK bone implants: In vivo sheep study shows strong osseointegration
Authors: Kruse Hedi V. , Lewin William T. , Suchowerska Natalka , Al Maruf D. S. Abdullah , Cheng Kai , Clark Jonathan R. , McKenzie David R. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAdhesion of regenerating bone tissue to orthopaedic implants is critical to their long‐term success. Titanium has excess rigidity, interferes with imaging, and complicates radiation treatment. Poly(ether‐ether‐ketone) (PEEK) is a preferred material, but is limited by biological inertness. We show that plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) imparts osteoadhesion on 3D printed PEEK using in vitro pull‐off tests and in vivo torque tests in a sheep scapula model. PIII‐PEEK prints incubated with bone cells in vitro show 9–14 times higher pull‐off strength, compared to untreated implants. Treated implants in vivo require seven times higher torque for release from the sheep scapula. We propose PIII‐PEEK as a scaffold material with tensile properties analogous to collagen, the fibrillar component of bone, to produce fracture‐tough fully integrating scaffolds.
Transmission and clearance of human papillomavirus infection in the oral cavity and its role in oropharyngeal carcinoma – A review
Authors: Wierzbicka Małgorzata , San Giorgi Michel R. M. , Dikkers Frederik G. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe majority of sexually active individuals becomes infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) at least once in their lifetime. Pathways for HPV transmission vary across different mucosal sites per individual. They include autoinoculation within one host, direct transmission between individuals (including perinatal transmission and transmission during sexual activity), and indirect transmission through contact with hands. The authors aim to clarify the prevalence and route of transmission per anatomic site, inter‐ and intra‐individually, using a narrative review of the literature. In conclusion, transmission of HPV to the oral cavity and oropharynx is hypothesised to occur mainly through sexual contact. Transmission of particles through saliva has not been proven and daily living activities are not a documented source of HPV infection. Oropharyngeal HPV related cancer survivors and their partners do not show increased risk of infection during sexual intercourse. Transmission of HPV to the oral cavity (autoinoculation with fingers or transmission through saliva in deep kissing) is probably of limited importance.
Modulation of Surface Oxygen Defects on ZnO/ZnS Catalysts to Promote Photocatalytic H2 Production
Authors: Wu Bo , Wang Yi , Zeng Wei , Pan Anqiang , Zhu Ting 
Published: February 2022

AbstractZinc oxide/zinc sulfide (ZnO/ZnS) microparticles with enriched surface oxygen defects (Dso) were prepared via a hydrothermal sulfurization modulated by doping sliver/copper ions (Ag+/Cu2+). Microsized ZnO precursors with different structures were firstly prepared in the presence of Ag+/Cu2+. A subsequent surface sulfurization of the precursor led to the formation of ZnS nanostructure, forming ZnO/ZnS with modulated Dso simultaneously. In addition, this in‐situ sulfurization ensured the homogeneous distribution of Ag/Cu species with ZnO/ZnS (ACZS), which significantly improved the electric conductivity of these hybrid materials. Because of the structural, compositional, and defect features, the ACZS6 sample delivered a maximum photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) production rate of 769 μmol g−1 h−1 with almost 100 % of rate retention even after 9 h under UV‐vis light. Thus, this study may provide an efficient strategy to engineering oxygen defects within microsized photocatalysts for H2 production.
Synthesis of Quercetin Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles and Their Application for the Colorimetric Detection of L‐Cysteine in Biologically Complex Fluids
Authors: Sharma Deepak , Chaudhary Abhishek 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn the present manuscript authors report an eco‐friendly, simple, and cost‐effective one‐pot synthesis of quercetin functionalized silver nanoparticles (Q‐AgNPs). The synthesized Q‐AgNPs exhibited surface plasmonic resonance absorption band at 418 nm which confirmed the synthesis. The synthesized Q‐AgNPs were further characterized by X‐ray diffraction which confirmed the crystalline structure of Q‐AgNPs. FTIR analysis of Q‐AgNPs was performed to find out the functional groups present on Q‐AgNPs. The distribution, size, and morphology of Q‐AgNPs were determined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. SEM, TEM, and DLS analysis revealed that synthesised nanoparticles were spherical in morphology with an average size of 40 nm. Furthermore, the synthesised Q‐AgNPs were observed to selectively sense cysteine in water, urine, and foetal bovine serum with detection limit of 21.1 nM, 86 nM, and 230 nM respectively. The SEM, TEM, and DLS analysis clearly indicated the aggregation of Q‐AgNPs in the presence of l‐cysteine particles as compared to the control Q‐AgNPs (without l‐cysteine). The findings revealed that synthesized Q‐AgNPs can be utilized to detect low concentration of cysteine in water and biological complex fluids without any requirement of sophisticated instrumentation.
A Microfabricated Pistonless Syringe Pump Driven by Electro‐Conjugate Fluid with Leakless On/Off Microvalves
Authors: Matsubara Tatsuya , Choi Jong Seob , Kim Deok‐Ho , Kim Joon‐wan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn contrast to microfluidic devices, bulky syringe pumps are widely used to deliver a small amount of solution with high accuracy. Miniaturizing the syringe pump is difficult due to the scale effect in the microscale where the friction of the piston–cylinder is dominant and there are few high‐power microactuators. To solve these problems, an on‐chip microsyringe pump without mechanical sliding parts and with high power sources is proposed. The microsyringe pump utilizes the interface between water and oil (electro‐conjugate fluid, ECF) instead of a piston and an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flow driven by ECF in place of a linear actuator. ECF as a functional fluid has two capabilities: a) making the water–oil interface in microchannels and b) generating an active ECF flow at an applied voltage to withdraw and infuse aqueous solution by the interface. To control the flow direction, ECF‐driven leakless on/off microvalves are also integrated. It is demonstrated that the proposed ECF microsyringe pump synchronized with the ECF on/off microvalves can control the withdrawing and infusing of aqueous solution with high resolution and precision. The experiments prove the feasibility of the microsyringe pump to be embedded as a module for the precise and linear control of flow rates in microfluidic devices.
Effect of Cold Plasma Treatment, Cross‐Linking, and Dual Modification on Corn Starch
Authors: Taslikh Musarreza , Abbasi Hossein , Mortazavian Amir M. , Ghasemi Jahan B. , Naeimabadi Aboutorab , Nayebzadeh Kooshan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCorn starch has limited applications due to its paste intolerance during heating, high shear processing, and low pH of foods. In this study, native corn (NC) starch is treated by both cold plasma and chemical cross‐linking to produce modified starch. The cross‐link ratio (CR), granule morphology, as well as other physicochemical properties of the modified starch are evaluated. The CR is 5.2% by plasma treatment, and it could be further increased up to 23.7% by the subsequent cross‐linking using adipic acid and acetic acid anhydride mixture. Modified granules have more cracks, pits, holes, and damages than NC ones. FTIR spectra's shows some new peaks after dual modification (1563 cm−1) and plasma treatment (1730 cm−1). The plasma and cross‐linking treatments cause a significant increase of swelling power for all the modified starches. Results of the present study indicate the possibilities of exploring cold plasma and cross‐linking treatments for starch modifications.
How to use power Doppler ultrasound in transvaginal assessment of uterine fibroids
Authors: Frijlingh M. , Juffermans L. , de Leeuw R. , de Bruyn C. , Timmerman D. , Van den Bosch T. , Huirne J. A. F. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractMeasuring vascularization in uterine fibroids is important for their diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Vascularization can be measured by power Doppler ultrasound. The power Doppler signal depends on fibroid characteristics and on a variety of ultrasound‐machine settings. Literature describing which machine settings influence the power Doppler signal is limited. Each manufacturer names settings and presets at their own discretion, with little information available publicly. Consistency of machine settings is important for correct interpretation of images in daily practice and is essential in yielding reproducible data for research. The aims of this paper, drawing from both a literature search and semistructured interviews with ultrasound‐machine engineers and clinical experts in gynecological ultrasound, were: (1) to provide comprehensive background information on ultrasound physics and fibroid characteristics; (2) to present an overview of machine settings relevant to both two‐ and three‐dimensional power Doppler, including power Doppler frequency, pulse repetition frequency, gain, wall‐motion filter, acoustic power, persistence and signal rise; and (3) to provide a step‐by‐step tutorial on the optimal settings for vascular evaluation of uterine fibroids using power Doppler. The step‐by‐step tutorial comprises six steps to optimize the power Doppler signal, create a preset and acquire a reliable three‐dimensional volume. This step‐by‐step tutorial should help research groups and clinicians to use power Doppler correctly and reproducibly in the evaluation of uterine fibroids. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Circular RNA in disease: Basic properties and biomedical relevance
Authors: Chen Xiaolan , Zhou Min , Yant Levi , Huang Chuan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCircular RNAs (circRNAs) represent a class of covalently closed RNA molecules with great diversity in molecular features, functions, and regulatory mechanisms. Emerging advances in our understanding of circRNA biogenesis, nuclear export, and stability control have been made very recently. In particular, novel roles of circRNAs in diverse human diseases are increasingly recognized. Various circRNAs have been found to affect many disease‐relevant pathways through a diverse array of mechanisms, including forming R‐loops, sponging miRNAs or proteins, and translating functional proteins, resulting in different pathological phenotypes. This recent progress calls for a revised view of circRNAs in diseases threatening the lives and health of humans. In this review, we focus on the recently described functional relevance of disease‐associated circRNAs as well as the potential of circRNAs in diverse clinical applications.This article is categorized under:
RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs