bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectral efficient designs of MIMO‐based CR‐NOMA for Internet of Things Networks
Authors: Thakur Prabhat , Singh Ghanshyam
Published: June 2021

Due to rapid increase in the wireless‐connected Internet‐of‐things (IoT) devices, the communication among devices is a critical task as it relies on the radio‐frequency spectrum, which is a limited resource. Therefore, additional spectral efficient communication designs are required for future IoT networks. By keeping this in mind, we have exploited individually spectral efficient technologies such as the cognitive radio (CR), non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), and multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) simultaneously that is MIMO‐based CR‐NOMA (MIMO‐CR‐NOMA) and have proposed as well as analyzed a potential framework for its downlink scenario. The closed‐form expressions for the throughput at each user due to the number of transmitting and receiving antennas are derived numerically. Further, we have derived mathematical expressions for the sum throughput of different frameworks such as CR‐NOMA, CR‐MIMO, and MIMO‐CR‐NOMA systems. Moreover, the proposed frameworks are simulated, and the relationship between two NOMA users each with multiple antennas is illustrated with simulation results.
Pollen DNA metabarcoding identifies regional provenance and high plant diversity in Australian honey
Authors: Milla Liz , Sniderman Kale , Lines Rose , Mousavi‐Derazmahalleh Mahsa , Encinas‐Viso Francisco
Published: June 2021

Accurate identification of the botanical components of honey can be used to establish its geographical provenance, while also providing insights into honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) diet and foraging preferences. DNA metabarcoding has been demonstrated as a robust method to identify plant species from pollen and pollen‐based products, including honey. We investigated the use of pollen metabarcoding to identify the floral sources and local foraging preferences of honeybees using 15 honey samples from six bioregions from eastern and western Australia. We used two plant metabarcoding markers, ITS2 and the trnL P6 loop. Both markers combined identified a total of 55 plant families, 67 genera, and 43 species. The trnL P6 loop marker provided significantly higher detection of taxa, detecting an average of 15.6 taxa per sample, compared to 4.6 with ITS2. Most honeys were dominated by Eucalyptus and other Myrtaceae species, with a few honeys dominated by Macadamia (Proteaceae) and Fabaceae. Metabarcoding detected the nominal primary source provided by beekeepers among the top five most abundant taxa for 85% of samples. We found that eastern and western honeys could be clearly differentiated by their floral composition, and clustered into bioregions with the trnL marker. Comparison with previous results obtained from melissopalynology shows that metabarcoding can detect similar numbers of plant families and genera, but provides significantly higher resolution at species level. Our results show that pollen DNA metabarcoding is a powerful and robust method for detecting honey provenance and examining the diet of honeybees. This is particularly relevant for hives foraging on the unique and diverse flora of the Australian continent, with the potential to be used as a novel monitoring tool for honeybee floral resources.
Dose relationships can exacerbate, mute, or reverse the impact of heterospecific host density on infection prevalence
Authors: Clay Patrick A. , Cortez Michael H. , Duffy Meghan A.
Published: June 2021

The likelihood an individual becomes infected depends on the community in which it is embedded. For environmentally transmitted parasites, host community composition can alter host density, the density of parasites that hosts encounter in the environment, and the dose to which hosts are subsequently exposed. While some multi‐host theory incorporates some of these factors (e.g., competition among hosts), it does not currently consider the nonlinear relationships between parasite exposure dose and per‐propagule infectivity (dose–infectivity relationships), between exposure dose and infected host mortality (dose–mortality relationships), and between exposure dose and parasite propagule excretion (dose–excretion relationships). This makes it difficult to predict the impact of host species on one another’s likelihood of infection. To understand the implications of these nonlinear dose relationships for multi‐host communities, we first performed a meta‐analysis on published dose–infectivity experiments to quantify the proportion of accelerating, linear, or decelerating dose–infectivity relationships; we found that most experiments demonstrated decelerating dose–infectivity relationships. We then explored how dose–infectivity, dose–mortality, and dose–excretion relationships might alter the impact of heterospecific host density on infectious propagule density, infection prevalence, and density of a focal host using two‐host, one‐parasite models. We found that dose relationships either decreased the magnitude of the impact of heterospecific host density on propagule density and infection prevalence via negative feedback loops (decelerating dose–infectivity relationships, positive dose–mortality relationships, and negative dose–excretion relationships), or increased the magnitude of the impact of heterospecific host density on infection prevalence via positive feedback loops (accelerating dose–infectivity relationships and positive dose–excretion relationships). Further, positive dose–mortality relationships resulted in hosts that traditionally decrease disease (e.g., low competence, strong competitors) increasing infection prevalence, and vice versa. Finally, we found that dose relationships can create positive feedback loops that facilitate friendly competition (i.e., increased heterospecific density has a positive effect on focal host density because the reduction in disease outweighs the negative effects of interspecific competition). This suggests that without taking dose relationships into account, we may incorrectly predict the effect of heterospecific host interactions, and thus host community composition, on environmentally transmitted parasites.
Machine ​learning algorithms for claims data‐based prediction of in‐hospital mortality in patients with heart failure
Authors: König Sebastian , Pellissier Vincent , Hohenstein Sven , Bernal Andres , Ueberham Laura , Meier‐Hellmann Andreas , Kuhlen Ralf , Hindricks Gerhard , Bollmann Andreas
Published: June 2021

Aims

Models predicting mortality in heart failure (HF) patients are often limited with regard to performance and applicability. The aim of this study was to develop a reliable algorithm to compute expected in‐hospital mortality rates in HF cohorts on a population level based on administrative data comparing regression analysis with different machine learning (ML) models.

Methods and results

Inpatient cases with primary International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD‐10) encoded discharge diagnosis of HF non‐electively admitted to 86 German Helios hospitals between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2018 were identified. The dataset was randomly split 75%/25% for model development and testing. Highly unbalanced variables were removed. Four ML algorithms were applied, and all algorithms were tuned using a grid search with multiple repetitions. Model performance was evaluated by computing receiver operating characteristic areas under the curve. In total, 59 125 cases (69.8% aged 75 years or older, 51.9% female) were investigated, and in‐hospital mortality was 6.20%. Areas under the curve of all ML algorithms outperformed regression analysis in the testing dataset with values of 0.829 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.814–0.843] for logistic regression, 0.875 (95% CI 0.863–0.886) for random forest, 0.882 (95% CI 0.871–0.893) for gradient boosting machine, 0.866 (95% CI 0.854–0.878) for single‐layer neural networks, and 0.882 (95% CI 0.872–0.893) for extreme gradient boosting. Brier scores demonstrated a good calibration especially of the latter three models.

Conclusions

We introduced reliable models to calculate expected in‐hospital mortality based only on administrative routine data using ML algorithms. A broad application could supplement quality measurement programs and therefore improve future HF patient care.
Irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia in patients with eating disorders ‐ a systematic review
Authors: Hanel Vivien , Schalla Martha A. , Stengel Andreas
Published: June 2021

Objectives

The prevalence of eating disorders is rising worldwide. The low body weight in anorexia nervosa as well as the increase in body mass index due to binge eating disorder are contributing to a strikingly high morbidity and mortality. In a similar pattern, the prevalence and burden of the disease of functional gastrointestinal disorders such as functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome is increasing. As gastrointestinal complaints are commonly reported by patients with eating disorders, the question arose whether there is a relationship between eating disorders and functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Methods

To address the need to better understand the interplay between eating disorders and functional gastrointestinal disorders as well as factors that might influence this connection, the data bases Medline, Web of Science and Embase were systematically searched.

Results

After removal of duplicates the search yielded 388 studies which were screened manually. As a result, 36 publications were selected for inclusion in this systematic review.

Conclusion

The occurrence of functional gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia in patients with eating disorders is considerably high and often associated with psychological, hormonal and functional alterations. In the future, further research addressing the underlying mechanisms accounting for this relationship is required.
Toward Domain Name System privacy enhancement using intent‐based Moving Target Defense framework over software defined networks
Authors: Hyder Muhammad Faraz , Ismail Muhammad Ali
Published: June 2021

Moving Target Defense (MTD) is an active security procedure while intent‐based networking (IBN) is gaining popularity as an evolving networking model. Software defined network (SDN) provides centralized network management through the control plane. In this article, a mechanism for the privacy enhancement of the Domain Name System (DNS) is proposed using intent‐based MTD over SDN. DNS is a critical internet service with a high risk of privacy disclosure as it is related to user preferences. The proposed model privacy enhancement using intent‐based MTD running over SDN (PEIMS) exploits IBN API of ONOS SDN controller along with Openflow flow modification for privacy enhancement. PEIMS core components include MTD application running over the ONOS SDN controller, ONOS intent‐based API, and the DNS server. The notion is the protection of privacy disclosures that occur during DNS queries. PEIMS provides a dynamic port shuffling technique for mapping DNS traffic to minimize the attacker's chances of observing the DNS queries responses. The proposed model was implemented using ONOS controller, ONOS north bound intent‐based API, and Mininet. The proposed model was evaluated in terms of privacy protection, attacker, and defender cost. The results showed promising trends for DNS privacy protection at a low computational cost. The work also quantified the privacy disclosures.
Mixed‐frequency forecasting of crude oil volatility based on the information content of global economic conditions
Authors: Salisu Afees A. , Gupta Rangan , Bouri Elie , Ji Qiang
Published: June 2021

This paper subjects six alternative indicators of global economic activity to empirically examine their relative predictive powers in the forecast of crude oil market volatility. GARCH‐MIDAS approach is constructed to accommodate all the relevant series at their available data frequencies, thereby circumventing information loss and any associated bias. We find evidence in support of global economic activity as a good predictor of energy market volatility. Our forecast evaluation of the various indicators places a higher weight on the newly developed indicator of global economic activity which is based on a set of 16 variables covering multiple dimensions of the global economy, whereas other indicators do not seem to capture. Furthermore, we find that accounting for any inherent asymmetry in the global economic activity proxies improves the forecast accuracy of the GARCH‐MIDAS‐X model for oil volatility. The results leading to these conclusions are robust to multiple forecast horizons and consistent across alternative energy sources.
Pre‐supplementary motor network connectivity and clinical outcome of magnetic stimulation in obsessive–compulsive disorder
Authors: Ji Gong‐Jun , Xie Wen , Yang Tingting , Wu Qianqian , Sui Pengjiao , Bai Tongjian , Chen Lu , Chen Lu , Chen Xingui , Dong Yi , Wang Anzhen , Li Dandan , Yang Jinying , Qiu Bensheng , Yu Fengqiong , Zhang Lei , Luo Yudan , Wang Kai , Zhu Chunyan
Published: June 2021

A large proportion of patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) respond unsatisfactorily to pharmacological and psychological treatments. An alternative novel treatment for these patients is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). This study aimed to investigate the underlying neural mechanism of rTMS treatment in OCD patients. A total of 37 patients with OCD were randomized to receive real or sham 1‐Hz rTMS (14 days, 30 min/day) over the right pre‐supplementary motor area (preSMA). Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected before and after rTMS treatment. The individualized target was defined by a personalized functional connectivity map of the subthalamic nucleus. After treatment, patients in the real group showed a better improvement in the Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale than the sham group (F1,35 = 6.0, p = .019). To show the neural mechanism involved, we identified an “ideal target connectivity” before treatment. Leave‐one‐out cross‐validation indicated that this connectivity pattern can significantly predict patients' symptom improvements (r = .60, p = .009). After real treatment, the average connectivity strength of the target network significantly decreased in the real but not in the sham group. This network‐level change was cross‐validated in three independent datasets. Altogether, these findings suggest that personalized magnetic stimulation on preSMA may alleviate obsessive–compulsive symptoms by decreasing the connectivity strength of the target network.
An information‐based framework for development national twin registry: Scoping review and focus group discussion
Authors: Abtahi Hamidreza , Gholamzadeh Marsa , Shahmoradi Leila , Shariat Mamak
Published: June 2021

Background

Registries in various clinical domains have been established in the last decades. The specific genetic structure of twins has enabled researchers to find answers to the role of genetics and the environment in medical sciences. Thus, twin registries were developed across the world to support twin studies. Our main objective was to devise a conceptual model for developing the national twin registry to ensure the success of this registry.

Methods

In this descriptive and qualitative study, the combination of literature review and focus group discussions was applied to achieve suitable models for developing a national twin registry based on lessons learned from founded registries. The qualitative synthesis and reporting results were conducted based on the COREQ checklist.

Results

According to a systematic literature review, the characteristics and employed strategies employed by established twin registries were recognized. Moreover, based on our objectives, suitable models for registry development were defined. The source of information, the different levels of data, and the information flow were determined based on this model.

Conclusion

Suggesting a conceptual framework for twin registry development at the national level based on the experiences of other countries could contribute to a greater understanding of twin registry implementation efficiently.
A benefit–cost analysis of different response scenarios to COVID‐19: A case study
Authors: Cook David C. , Fraser Rob W. , McKirdy Simon J.
Published: June 2021

Background

This paper compares the direct benefits to the State of Western Australia from employing a “suppression” policy response to the COVID‐19 pandemic rather than a “herd immunity” approach.

Methods

An S‐I‐R (susceptible‐infectious‐resolved) model is used to estimate the likely benefits of a suppression COVID‐19 response compared to a herd immunity alternative. Direct impacts of the virus are calculated on the basis of sick leave, hospitalizations, and fatalities, while indirect impacts related to response actions are excluded.

Results

Preliminary modeling indicates that approximately 1700 vulnerable person deaths are likely to have been prevented over 1 year from adopting a suppression response rather than a herd immunity response, and approximately 4500 hospitalizations. These benefits are valued at around AUD4.7 billion. If a do nothing policy had been adopted, the number of people in need of hospitalization is likely to have overwhelmed the hospital system within 50 days of the virus being introduced. Maximum hospital capacity is unlikely to be reached in either a suppression policy or a herd immunity policy.

Conclusion

Using early international estimates to represent the negative impact each type of policy response is likely to have on gross state product, results suggest the benefit–cost ratio for the suppression policy is slightly higher than that of the herd immunity policy, but both benefit–cost ratios are less than one.
Well‐being in the time of COVID‐19: Do metaphors and mindsets matter?
Authors: Burnette Jeni L. , Hoyt Crystal L. , Buttrick Nicholas , Auster‐Gussman Lisa A.
Published: June 2021

Communications about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) often employ metaphors, which can help people understand complex issues. For example, public health messages may focus on “fighting” the disease, attempting to rouse people to action by instilling a sense of urgency. In contrast, change‐focused metaphors may foster growth mindsets and self‐efficacy—cornerstones of well‐being and action. We randomly assigned participants to read one of two articles—either an article about coronavirus that focused on fighting the war or an article that highlighted the possibility of change. In Study 1 (N = 426), participants who read the war, relative to the change, message reported lower growth mindsets and self‐efficacy and these in turn, predicted lower well‐being and weaker intentions to engage in health behaviours. In Study 2, (N = 702), we sought to replicate findings and included a no treatment control. We failed to replicate the effects of message condition, although both messages predicted greater self‐efficacy compared to the control. Similar to Study 1, growth mindsets predicted intentions to engage in recommended health behaviours and self‐efficacy predicted both well‐being and action. We discuss theoretical reasons for discrepancies as well as practical applications for developing public health communications.
The Lebanese Uprising in the Digital Age
Authors: Merhej Karim , Qureshi Elina
Published: June 2021

On October 17, 2019, following the announcement of a tax to be placed on calls made via the mobile communication application WhatsApp, thousands of Lebanese citizens took to the streets to protest against this arbitrary decision. The protest quickly morphed into a country‐wide uprising in which citizens from all walks of life participated. Digital technologies were heavily used by both protesters and counter‐revolutionary forces. This descriptive commentary piece will seek to shed light on how the former used digital technologies in ingenious ways to further the cause of the uprising while the latter used them to break the uprising's momentum, with the hope that such a piece can pave the way for further research on the intersection of social movements, technology, and counter‐revolutionary tactics.
Effects of heavy metals on reproduction owing to infertility
Authors: Bhardwaj Jitender K. , Paliwal Aakansha , Saraf Priyanka
Published: June 2021

The reproductive performance of most of the species is adversely affected by hazardous heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, zinc, and copper. Heavy metals are liberated in the environment by natural sources like rock weathering, volcanic eruption, and other human activities like industrial discharge, mineral mining, automobile exhaust, and so forth. Heavy metals alter several reproductive functions in both males and females like a decrease in sperm count, motility, viability, spermatogenesis, hormonal imbalance, follicular atresia, and delay in oocyte maturation, and so forth, and thus, forms an important aspect of reproductive toxicology. The present review compiles toxicity aspects of various heavy metals and their efficacy and mechanism of action in mammals.
The relationship between guilt, depression, prolonged grief, and posttraumatic stress symptoms after suicide bereavement
Authors: Wagner Birgit , Hofmann Laura , Grafiadeli Raphaela
Published: June 2021

Objective

A profound feeling of guilt and its role in complicating psychological reactions are accepted as central issues in suicide bereavement. However, research examining the relationship of guilt with mental disorders commonly following suicide bereavement is still lacking. This study aimed to examine the association between guilt and symptoms of depression, prolonged grief disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after suicide bereavement, as well as its moderating role in the association between the time which elapsed since bereavement and psychopathological symptoms.

Methods

154 self‐selected adult German participants bereaved by suicide completed online questionnaires assessing sociodemographics, characteristics related to the loss, guilt, depression, prolonged grief, and PTSD.

Results

Significant positive correlations were found between guilt and all assessed psychopathological symptoms. Further, guilt was a significant correlate with symptoms of depression, prolonged grief, PTSD over and above sociodemographic factors, and time that elapsed since the loss. Guilt furthermore moderated the link between the time which elapsed since bereavement and depressive symptoms, while this effect was not observed for prolonged grief and posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Conclusion

Our findings replicate theoretical frameworks linking feelings of guilt with mental disorders after suicide bereavement. Accordingly, they highlight the necessity to adapt psychotherapeutic interventions according to the specific needs of this population to maximize treatment effectiveness.
Changing perspectives in the training of endoscopic ultrasonography in Asia
Authors: Koo Chieh‐Sian , Anastassiades Constantinos P , Ho Khek‐Yu
Published: June 2021

Training of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in Asia faces challenges of the ever‐increasing demand for skills to handle a growing range of both diagnostic and interventional EUS procedures, and a continual shortage of EUS training programs. To keep up with the pace of development in EUS, more short‐term EUS programs have been conducted across Asia in recent years. In this aspect, the Asian EUS Group (AEG) has taken the lead to fast‐track the dissemination of EUS knowledge and skills across Asia through its multinational network of training centers. AEG's programs are brought to wherever there is demand. Its versatile modular structure allows the program to be easily customized and scaled up or down to align to local needs, making it highly adaptable to the changing and varying needs in different countries. Even with the current pandemic situation, it has been able to continue its training efforts through the use of technology, including webinars, and live case demonstration.
Dimroth rearrangement in the row of new pyrano[3,4‐c][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a][1,5‐a]pyridines and synthesis of new heterocyclic systems: Pyranopyrazolo[4,3‐e][1,2,4]triazolopyridines
Authors: Paronikyan Ervand G. , Dashyan Shushanik Sh. , Mamyan Suren S. , Ayvazyan Armen G.
Published: June 2021

New and effective methods for the synthesis of derivatives of pyrano[3,4‐c][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a][1,5‐a]pyridines were developed. Synthesized new tetracyclic heterocyclic systems containing pyrano[3,4‐c]pyridine ring unknown in the literature were obtained for the first time. The rearrangement of Dimroth in the triazolo[4,3‐a]pyridine systems for the first time was studied. The possibility of rearrangement of Dimroth in the new heterocyclic system has been investigated.
An image quality review programme in a population‐based mammography screening service
Authors: Galli Vania , Pini Monica , De Metrio Daniele , de Bianchi Priscilla Sassoli , Bucchi Lauro
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Mammography is one of the most technically demanding radiographic processes, and mammography quality assurance initiatives are priorities in the implementation of public health screening services. In the optimisation of image quality (IQ), radiographers play a major role. Between 1998 and 2009, the steering committee for mammography of a large population‐based screening service in northern Italy undertook several audit checks of the imaging facilities. In 2009, the target age range of the screening service was extended. The mammogram volume was projected to increase steeply but with no substantial increase in the radiographer workforce.

Methods

In view of the potential impact on mammographic IQ, the passive audit approach was abandoned in favour of an active radiographer‐oriented IQ review programme. Its technical basis consists of regularly repeated rounds of review of random samples of digital mammograms performed by each first‐level radiographer and by more experienced local reference radiographers, with IQ classification, followed by a training effort and a monitoring work.

Results

The mammogram volume grew from 140,822 in 2008 to 319,394 in 2014 (+127%) and then stabilised. In 2012, the proportion of mammograms with a poor IQ rose from 0.6% to 19.3%, paralleled by a substantial decrease of mammograms interpreted to have a moderate and perfect IQ. Conversely, a generalised improvement occurred in both rounds of 2016 and in the first round of 2018.

Conclusion

In the new challenging scenario, the programme proved to be effective. A successful IQ review initiative is one that encourages radiographers to participate with a positive and confident attitude.
Impact of technological and departmental changes on incident rates in radiation oncology over a seventeen‐year period
Authors: Le Cornu Emma , Murray Shillayne , Brown Elizabeth , Bernard Anne , Shih Feng‐Jung , Ferrari‐Anderson Janet , Jenkins Michael
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Advancements in technology and processes are designed to bring improvement. However, this is often achieved in parallel with increases in complexity, simultaneously presenting opportunities for new types of errors. This study aims to contextualise the impact of internal departmental changes upon radiation incidents and near misses recorded.

Methods

A timeline of events and a comprehensive incident categorisation system were applied to all radiation incidents and near misses recorded at the Princess Alexandra Hospital Radiation Oncology department from 2003 to 2019, inclusive. Descriptive statistics were performed to identify the type and number of incidents reported during the time period in relation to potential changes within the department, with a focus on the implementation of an electronic environment.

Results

Over the seventeen‐year period, 157 incidents and 76 near misses were reported. The majority of incidents were classified as ‘procedural’ (78%), with ‘treatment’ being both the highest point of error and point of detection (49% and 85%, respectively).

The largest number of incidents and near misses were reported in 2018 (n = 39) which was also a year that experienced the largest number of departmental changes (n = 16), including the move to a completely electronic planning process.

Conclusions

Changes within the department were followed by an increasing number of reported incidents. Proactive measures should be undertaken prior to the implementation of major changes within the department to aid in the minimisation of incident occurrence.
In situ Raman spectroscopy for cultural heritage studies
Authors: Rousaki Anastasia , Vandenabeele Peter
Published: June 2021

Raman spectroscopy is considered as one of the most appreciated analytical techniques in the cultural heritage research field, thanks to some of its favourable characteristics such as the relatively quick time of analysis, identification of both inorganic and organic molecules. The necessity of conducting the research non‐destructively on‐site and directly on the artefact brought the technique out of the laboratory. Since 2004, when the first non‐commercial mobile Raman instrument for in situ applications on cultural heritage objects was realized, years of continuous technical and instrumental developments have passed. Today, on‐site Raman spectroscopy is considered as a cornerstone technique for the documentation of materials of works of art and the assessment of their conservation state without jeopardizing the integrity of the artefact. This paper reviews some of the breakthroughs of Raman analysis of cultural heritage objects, conducted on field (museum environment, outdoors and archaeological complexes).
Mechanical simulation of foldable organic light‐emitting diode display supporting layer
Authors: Wang Wenqiang , Jia Yongzhen , Li Haoqun , Jiang Maoyuan , Zhang Zhuo
Published: June 2021

The bending reliability is the key characteristic of foldable organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) panel. In the bending process of foldable OLED panel module, display supporting layer crack and optically clear adhesive (OCA) layer peeling issue often occur. In this study, a periodic pattern supporting layer is designed to solve the peeling and crack issue. The finite element method for simulating the foldable panel was constructed to investigate the correlation between the dimensions of the periodic pattern substructure and the crack stress. The results show that the periodic pattern substructure can decrease the modulus of the bending zone, which can significantly improve the flexibility of the supporting layer. It makes the deformations of OCA to be coordinated during the bending process, thus effectively reducing the peeling issue. In addition, the crack stress values of the periodic pattern substructure directly rely on its dimensions. It indicates that a proper design of the pattern substructure and feature dimensions is important to improve the bending reliability of the OLED panel.
A unified OLED aging model combining three modeling approaches for extending AMOLED lifetime
Authors: Jiang Xingtong , Xu Chihao
Published: June 2021

Aging is still the most challenging issue for organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs), which causes the image‐sticking artifacts on active‐matrix organic light‐emitting diode (AMOLED) displays and limits their lifetime. To overcome this demerit, an aging model is necessary to compensate for aging artifacts. In this paper, we present a unified OLED aging model, which combines three feasible modeling approaches of OLED degradation, namely, data‐counting, electro‐optical, and correlation methods. The model can be used to predict the efficiency decay of OLED pixels during operation. It mitigates weaknesses and limitations of each of these three models and deploys their strengths, respectively. In the first aging stage, the data‐counting model is prioritized, and in the later stages, it is calibrated using the correlation model. The dependency of the efficiency decay on the operation point of OLED is covered by the electro‐optical model. The unified model is based on both phenomenal and physical effects. It delivers more reliability to determine an OLED's degradation over a long‐term operation and a wide operation range like current amplitude and/or temperature range. The unified aging model applies to either an analog or a digital driving scheme. A corresponding compensation based on the aging model can be applied for extending the AMOLED lifetime.
Quantitative Shear Wave Speed Assessment for Muscles With the Diagnosis of Taut Bands and/or Myofascial Trigger Points Using Probe Oscillation Shear Wave Elastography: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lok U‐Wai , Huang Chengwu , Zhou Chenyun , Yang Lulu , Ling Wenwu , Tang Shanshan , Gong Ping , Madson Timothy J. , Jensen Mark A. , Gay Ralph E. , Chen Shigao
Published: June 2021

Objective

To use probe oscillation shear wave elastography (PROSE) with two vibration sources to generate two shear waves in the imaging plane to quantitatively assess the shear wave speeds (SWSs) of muscles with and without the diagnosis of taut bands (TB) and/or myofascial trigger points (MTrPs).

Methods

Thirty‐three patients were scanned with the PROSE technique. Shear waves were generated through continuous vibration of the ultrasound probe, while the shear wave motions were detected using the same probe. SWSs for the sides with and without TBs and/or MTrPs were computed and compared. The pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were measured as an indicator of maximum pain tolerance of patients. The statistical differences between the SWSs with and without TBs and/or MTrPs with different PPT values were analyzed using the nonparametric Wilcoxon rank‐sum test.

Results

The mean SWSs for the sides with TBs and/or MTrPs are faster than that of the contralateral side without TBs and/or MTrPs. A significant difference was observed between mean SWSs with and without TBs and/or MTrPs without any information of PPT, with rank‐sum test P <  .005. Additionally, with the information of PPT, a significant difference was observed between mean SWSs for the sides with and without TBs and/or MTrPs, for PPT values between 0 and 50 N/cm2 (P <  .005), but for PPT values between 50 and 90 N/cm2, it was difficult to differentiate mean SWSs with and without TBs and/or MTrPs.

Conclusion

Our preliminary results show that SWSs measured from patients had a significant difference between the mean SWSs with and without TBs and/or MTrPs.
Oxygen‐controlled recirculating seepage meter reveals extent of nitrogen transformation in discharging coastal groundwater at the aquifer–estuary interface
Authors: W. Brooks Thomas , D. Kroeger Kevin , A. Michael Holly , K. York Joanna
Published: June 2021

Nutrient loads delivered to estuaries via submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) play an important role in the nitrogen (N) budget and eutrophication status. However, accurate and reliable quantification of the chemical flux across the final decimeters and centimeters at the sediment–estuary interface remains a challenge, because there is significant potential for biogeochemical alteration due to contrasting conditions in the coastal aquifer and surface sediment. Here, a novel, oxygen‐ and light‐regulated ultrasonic seepage meter, and a standard seepage meter, were used to measure SGD and calculate N species fluxes across the sediment–estuary interface. Coupling the measurements to an endmember approach based on subsurface N concentrations and an assumption of conservative transport enabled estimation of the extent of transformation occurring in discharging groundwater within the benthic zone. Biogeochemical transformation within reactive estuarine surface sediment was a dominant driver in modifying the N flux carried upward by SGD, and resulted in a similar percentage of N removal (~ 42–52%) as did transformations occurring deeper within the coastal aquifer salinity mixing zone (~ 42–47%). Seasonal shifts in the relative importance of biogeochemical processes including denitrification, nitrification, dissimilatory nitrate reduction, and assimilation altered the composition of the flux to estuarine surface water, which was dominated by ammonium in June and by nitrate in August, despite the endmember‐based observation that fixed N in discharging groundwater was strongly dominated by nitrate. This may have important ramifications for the ecology and management of estuaries, since past N loading estimates have generally assumed conservative transport from the nearshore aquifer to estuary.
Lake browning generates a spatiotemporal mismatch between dissolved organic carbon and limiting nutrients
Authors: Stetler Jonathan T. , Knoll Lesley B. , Driscoll Charles T. , Rose Kevin C.
Published: June 2021

Widespread long‐term increases in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations (i.e., “browning”) have been observed in many lakes, but the ecological consequences are poorly understood. Some studies suggest a unimodal relationship between DOC and primary productivity, with peak productivity at intermediate DOC concentrations. This peak is hypothesized to result from the tradeoff between light absorbing properties of DOC, and increases in limiting nutrients with browning. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether nutrient stoichiometry is constant as lakes brown. Across both regional and national surveys, we found a positive linear relationship between DOC and both total and organic forms of nitrogen and phosphorus. However, long‐term data from a suite of browning lakes indicates that total nutrients do not increase as DOC increases through time. Our results show that DOC and limiting nutrients are coupled spatially, but not temporally, and that this temporal mismatch challenges previous conceptualizations of the long‐term effects of browning on productivity.
Too close for comfort? The impact of salesperson‐customer proximity on consumers' purchase behavior
Authors: Otterbring Tobias , Wu Freeman , Kristensson Per
Published: June 2021

Across a series of lab and field studies, with a total sample of over 1200 participants, we investigate how the physical proximity between salespeople and customers can impact store loyalty, purchase intentions, and actual spending. An initial survey among a representative sample of retail salespeople reveals that they associate close physical proximity between employees and customers with positive consumer outcomes, an intuition that dovetails with prior research documenting the positive influence of such proximity on purchase intentions, particularly in nonexpressive consumption contexts. Contrary to this work, we demonstrate, across four studies in which proximity was both measured and manipulated, that store loyalty, purchase intentions, and actual spending behavior are negatively impacted when consumers encounter a salesperson who is standing close by (vs. farther away), particularly in expressive consumption contexts. Psychological discomfort mediates this effect, such that consumers experience greater discomfort when a salesperson is standing close by, which in turn decreases spending. Importantly, this phenomenon is moderated by identity relevance, such that the negative influence of salesperson‐customer proximity specifically emerges when consumers think about products in terms of their ability to express their identities. These findings carry important implications for retailers operating in expressive consumption contexts.
Magnetic Resonance‐Guided Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy for Focal Hand Dystonia: A Pilot Study
Authors: Horisawa Shiro , Yamaguchi Toshio , Abe Keiichi , Hori Hiroki , Fukui Atsushi , Iijima Mutsumi , Sumi Masatake , Hodotsuka Kenichi , Konishi Yoshiyuki , Kawamata Takakazu , Taira Takaomi
Published: June 2021

Background

The efficacy of magnetic resonance‐guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) thalamotomy for the treatment of focal hand dystonia (FHD) is not well known.

Objective

We aimed to prospectively investigate the efficacy of MRgFUS thalamotomy for the treatment of FHD.

Methods

We performed MRgFUS thalamotomy of the ventro‐oral (Vo) nucleus in 10 patients with FHD. We evaluated the scores of the Writer's Cramp Rating Scale (WCRS, 0–30; higher scores indicating greater severity), Tubiana Musician's Dystonia Scale (TMDS, 0–5; lower scores indicating greater severity), and Arm Dystonia Disability Scale (ADDS, 0%–100%; lower scores indicating greater disability) at baseline and 3 and 12 months post‐treatment.

Results

WCRS, TMDS, and ADDS scores significantly improved from 6.3 ± 2.7, 1.4 ± 0.5, and 58.7% ± 14.3% at baseline to 1.6 ± 3.1 (P = 0.011), 5.0 ± 0 (P = 0.0001), and 81.6% ± 22.9% (P = 0.0229) at 12 months, respectively. There was one prolonged case of dysarthria at 12 months.

Conclusion

We show that MRgFUS Vo‐thalamotomy significantly improved FHD. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Modeling of vector‐borne disease with media impact on switching surface
Authors: Mishra Arti
Published: June 2021

Human behavior has always been played a crucial role in spread of emerging infectious diseases. To make changes in human behavior toward epidemic is very important step for controlling the infectious diseases. In this regard, many efforts have been done so far by media to aware the human population during disease outbreak. To understand the impact of media on vector‐borne diseases, a vector‐host model has been proposed. The model incorporates the effect of media in transmission rate, which is depending on the case number and its rate of change. This transforms the model into two switching subsystems with the switching surface, which is the function of susceptible human and infected mosquito population. The qualitative analysis of the two subsystems has been performed. The basic reproduction number has been computed. The cross validation (CV) has been performed to evaluate the model performance for the weekly Zika cases of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, USA. By using k‐fold CV technique, the root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) has been computed to find the prediction accuracy of the model. Again, partial rank correlation coefficients (PRCCs) of the parameters associated with switching surface (Sq) have been computed that reveal the parameters associated with change in case numbers have more impact on Sq than the case numbers only. Also, the parameters associated with mosquitoes dynamics are drawing more effect on Sq than the parameters associated with human dynamics. Further, by numerical simulation, it is found that consideration of change in case numbers in transmission rate is more significant as it reduces the epidemic peak at the beginning of disease outbreak. However, the weights associated with mosquito dynamics is more important to consider as in absence of them, the infection level gets increased.
All‐pass phaser on a base of half‐wave coupled‐line section and its application
Authors: Gorbachev Anatoly , Parshin Yuriy
Published: June 2021

The principles and design method of modified all‐pass phase shifter (phaser) are presented. As a key component of Butler matrix (BM), the proposed phaser offers the possibility to realize BM with additional degree of freedom. The design procedure of the four‐beam dipole phased array with the proposed phasers is discussed and illustrated. As experimental verification, the four‐beam array for 2.2 GHz applications is manufactured and tested. Satisfying performances at matching, co– and cross–polarization patterns among all input ports can be observed covering a 12% relative bandwidth.
Facile synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles‐decorated polyaniline nanofibers with enhanced electrochemical performance as supercapacitor electrode
Authors: Ahmad Md. Wasi , Anand Surbhi , Fatima Atiya , Yang Duck‐Joo , Choudhury Arup
Published: June 2021

Copper oxide‐decorated polyaniline nanofibers (CuO@PANiNFs) nanocomposite was prepared through in situ chemical deposition of CuO nanoparticles on the PANiNFs. The results of spectroscopic analyses suggested the presence of strong interfacial interactions between CuO nanoparticles and PANiNF matrix, while X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of CuO monoclinic crystal phase on PANiNFs. SEM images displayed a uniform dispersion of CuO nanoparticles on the surface of PANiNFs. The highest specific capacitance of 486.9 F/g and area specific capacitance of 169 F/cm2 at 0.5 mA/cm2 were achieved for the CuO@PANiNFs nanocomposite. This could be ascribed to the low solution resistance and charge‐transfer resistance of nanocomposite electrode as observed in the electrical impedance spectroscopic results. The CuO@PANiNFs electrode revealed good cyclic stability with ~82% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles. The CuO@PANiNFs electrode delivered a maximum energy density of 67.7 Wh/kg, which is nearly 1.8 times higher than that of the pure PANiNFs electrode. Therefore, the present CuO@PANiNFs nanocomposite with high specific capacitance and energy density could be used as a cost‐effective, ecofriendly, and sustainable supercapacitor electrode material.
Impact of acute kidney injury on overall survival in children and young adults undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Matsuoka Daisuke , Hirabayashi Koichi , Murase Tsubasa , Saito Shoji , Nakazawa Yozo
Published: June 2021

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). Increasing severity of AKI is associated with an increased risk of death. However, the impact of AKI in patients with malignant versus nonmalignant disease has not been reported. We investigated the incidence of AKI within the first 100 days after allo‐HSCT and the impact of AKI on both 3‐year overall survival (OS) and cumulative incidence of death after allo‐HSCT in all patients and in patients with/without malignant primary diseases.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 107 consecutive pediatric and young adult patients who received their first allo‐HSCT. AKI was classified into three grades according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network classification system.

Results

The cumulative incidences of AKI stages 1–3, 2–3, and 3, at day 100 after allo‐HSCT were 34.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 25.7%–43.6%), 17.8% (95% CI, 11.2%–25.6%), and 3.7% (95% CI, 1.2%–8.6%), respectively. OS was reduced for patients with AKI compared with patients without AKI (60.4% vs. 79.6%, p = .038). The cumulative incidence of death in the AKI group with nonmalignant disease was significantly higher than that in the no‐AKI group (44.4% vs. 0%, p = .003).

Conclusion

AKI after allo‐HSCT was not only a frequent event but also related to reduced OS. We recommend that all patients receiving allo‐HSCT, especially patients with nonmalignant diseases, be closely monitored for AKI.
Towards markerless computer assisted surgery: Application to total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Sta Salaheddine , Ogor Jérôme , Letissier Hoel , Stindel Eric , Hamitouche Chafiaa , Dardenne Guillaume
Published: June 2021

Purpose

A new approach is proposed to localise surgical instruments for Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery (CAOS) that aims at overpassing the limitations of conventional CAOS solutions. This approach relies on both a depth sensor and a 6D pose estimation algorithm.

Methods

The Point‐Pair Features (PPF) algorithm was used to estimate the pose of a Patient‐Specific Instrument (PSI) for Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). Four depth sensors have been compared. Three scores have been computed to assess the performances: The Depth Fitting Error (DFE), the Pose Errors, and the Success Rate.

Results

The obtained results demonstrate higher performances for the Microsoft Kinect Azure in terms of DFE. The Occipital Structure core shows better behavior in terms of Pose Errors and Success Rate.

Conclusion

This comparative study presents the first depth‐sensor based solution allowing the intraoperative markerless localization of surgical instruments in orthopedics.