bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practical realization of the watt from Planck’s constant using radiation pressure
Authors: Simonds Brian J , Rogers Kyle A , Schulze Sven , Newell David , Shaw Gordon , Wahl Johannes , Williams Paul A , Lehman John H
Published: October 2024

A primary force standard is implemented to realize the watt through Planck’s constant by means of radiation pressure at the kilowatt level. The high amplification laser-pressure optic, or HALO, is a multiple reflection radiation pressure apparatus used for absolute radiometry of high-power lasers. In this work, a primary standard electrostatic force balance is used to measure the reflection-enhanced optical forces. With this configuration, the HALO is used to measure laser powers in the range of 100 W–5000 W from a 1070 nm fiber laser. The expanded uncertainty of the 5 kW measurement is 0.12%, which is both the lowest uncertainty multi-kW measurement and radiation pressure-based measurement to-date. The HALO result was validated against a thermal primary standard using a calibrated transfer standard at 2 kW. The degree of equivalence was 0.78% ± 1.12%, which demonstrates agreement within the uncertainties of these two primary standards.
Observation of high frequency Alfvén eigenmodes excited by RF-accelerated minority hydrogen ions in the EAST tokamak
Authors: Liu Lunan , Zhang Wei , Zhang Xinjun , Ochoukov R. , Qin Chengming , Zhu Yubao
Published: October 2024

The paper presents the original observation of high frequency Alfvén eigenmode excited by fast minority hydrogen ions accelerated by ion cyclotron range of frequency waves in EAST. The frequency of high frequency Alfvén eigenmodes is around

0.75
∼
0.8
∗

Ω
H

, where

Ω
H

is the cyclotron frequency of hydrogen ions evaluated at the low-field side plasma edge. It tracks the on-axis magnetic field Bt
and the edge plasma electron density ne
via the Alfvénic relation

ω
∼

B
t

∗

n
e

−
1

/

2

. The high frequency Alfvén eigenmodes are always accompanied by sub-cyclotron modes in several experiments at EAST, consistent with the high frequency Alfvén eigenmode detected on other conventional tokamaks, namely ASDEX Upgrade and DIII-D. Based on the previous study, these sub-cyclotron modes are consistent with the spectrum splitting produced by toroidal mode numbers (Gorelenkov et al 2003 Nucl. Fusion
43 228). We also found that the location of eigenmode excitation of high frequency Alfvén eigenmode driven by RF-accelerated minority hydrogen ions remains unchanged even though the cyclotron resonance location of hydrogen ions varies with Bt
.
Measuring the extent of trees outside of forests: a nature-based solution for net zero emissions in South Asia
Authors: Skole David L , Samek Jay , Mehra Swapan , Bajaj Rajaditya , Tanmay Tanishq , Suresh Sangeetha , Jindal Shrey , Ndalowa Dan
Published: October 2024

To reduce emissions of carbon and other greenhouse gases on a pathway that does not overshoot and keeps global average temperature increase to below the 1.5 °C target stipulated by the Paris Agreement, it shall be necessary to rely on nature-based solutions with atmospheric removals. Without activities that create removals by carbon sequestration it will not be possible to balance residual emissions. Policies that focus solely on reducing deforestation will only lower future emissions. On the other hand, activities that include regeneration or regrowth of tree biomass can be used to create net-zero emissions through carbon sequestration and atmospheric removals now. New methods demonstrated here using high resolution remote sensing and deep machine learning enable analyses of carbon stocks of individual trees outside of forests (TOF). Allometric scaling models based on tree crowns at very high spatial resolution (<0.5 m) can map carbon stocks across large landscapes of millions of trees outside of forests. In addition to carbon removals, these landscapes are also important to livelihoods for millions of rural farmers and most TOF activities have the capacity to bring more countries into climate mitigation while also providing adaptation benefits. Here were present a multi-resolution, multi-sensor method that provides a way to measure carbon at the individual tree level in TOF landscapes in India. The results of this analysis show the effectiveness of mapping trees outside of forest across a range of satellite data resolution from 0.5 m to 10 m and for measuring carbon across large landscapes at the individual tree scale.
Arctic amplification causes earlier onset of seasonal tree growth in northeastern Siberia
Authors: Kirdyanov Alexander V , Kolmogorov Alexey I , Kruse Stefan , Herzschuh Ulrike , Arzac Alberto , Pestryakova Lyudmila A , Nikolaev Anatoly N , Bebchuk Tatiana , Büntgen Ulf
Published: October 2024

Although recent warming affects the high-northern latitudes at an unprecedented rate, little is known about its impact on boreal forests because in situ observations from remote ecosystems in Siberia are sparse. Here, we analyse the radial growth and climate sensitivity of 54 Cajander larches (Larix cajanderi Mayr.) from three sites across the northern treeline ecotone within the Omoloy river basin in northeastern Siberia. Three independent tree-ring width chronologies span 279–499 years and exhibit distinct summer temperature signals. These records further reveal evidence for sufficiently earlier onsets of growing seasons since the middle of the 20th century. This phenological shift coincides with rapidly increasing May temperatures and associated earlier snowmelt. Our findings reinforce the importance of high-precision ground measurements from remote regions in Siberia to better understand how warming-induced changes in the functioning and productivity of the boreal forest influence carbon, nutrient, and water cycle dynamics.
Lattice polymers near a permeable interface
Authors: Bradly C J , Beaton N R , Owczarek A L
Published: October 2024

We study the localisation of lattice polymer models near a permeable interface in two dimensions. Localisation can arise due to an interaction between the polymer and the interface, and can be altered by a preference for the bulk solvent on one side or by the application of a force to manipulate the polymer. Different combinations of these three effects give slightly different statistical mechanical behaviours. The canonical lattice model of polymers is the self-avoiding walk which we mainly study with Monte Carlo simulation to calculate the phase diagram and critical phenomena. For comparison, a solvable directed walk version is also defined and the phase diagrams are compared for each case. We find broad agreement between the two models, and most minor differences can be understood as due to the different entropic contributions. In the limit where the bulk solvent on one side is overwhelmingly preferred we see how the localisation transition transforms to the adsorption transition; the permeable interface becomes effectively an impermeable surface.
Generalized Itô’s lemma and the stochastic thermodynamics of diffusion with resetting
Authors: Bressloff Paul C
Published: October 2024

Methods from the theory of stochastic processes are increasingly being used to extend classical thermodynamics to mesoscopic non-equilibrium systems. One characteristic feature of these systems is that averaging the stochastic entropy with respect to an ensemble of stochastic trajectories leads to a second law of thermodynamics that quantifies the degree of departure from thermodynamic equilibrium. A well known mechanism for maintaining a diffusing particle out of thermodynamic equilibrium is stochastic resetting. In its simplest form, the position of the particle instantaneously resets to a fixed position x
0 at a sequence of times generated from a Poisson process of constant rate r. Within the context of stochastic thermodynamics, instantaneous resetting to a single point is a unidirectional process that has no time-reversed equivalent. Hence, the average rate of entropy production calculated using the Gibbs–Shannon entropy cannot be related to the degree of time-reversal symmetry breaking. The problem of unidirectionality can be avoided by considering resetting to a random position or diffusion in an intermittent confining potential. In this paper we show how stochastic entropy production along sample paths of diffusion processes with resetting can be analyzed in terms of extensions of Itô’s formula for stochastic differential equations (SDEs) that include both continuous and discrete processes. First, we use the stochastic calculus of jump-diffusion processes to calculate the rate of stochastic entropy production for instantaneous resetting, and show how previous results are recovered upon averaging over sample trajectories. Second, we formulate single-particle diffusion in a switching potential as a hybrid SDE and develop a hybrid extension of Itô’s stochastic calculus to derive a general expression for the rate of stochastic entropy production. We illustrate the theory by considering overdamped Brownian motion in an intermittent harmonic potential. Finally, we calculate the average rate of entropy production for a population of non-interacting Brownian particles moving in a common switching potential. In particular, we show that the latter induces statistical correlations between the particles, which means that the total entropy is not given by the sum of the 1-particle entropies.
Scaling study of diffusion in dynamic crowded spaces
Authors: Bendekgey Harry , Huber Greg , Yllanes David
Published: October 2024

We formulate a scaling theory for the long-time diffusive motion in a space occluded by a high density of moving obstacles in dimensions 1, 2 and 3. Our tracers diffuse anomalously over many decades in time, before reaching a diffusive steady state with an effective diffusion constant

D

eff

, which depends on the obstacle diffusivity and density. The scaling of

D

eff

, above and below a critical regime, is characterized by two independent critical parameters: the conductivity exponent µ, also found in models with frozen obstacles, and an exponent ψ, which quantifies the effect of obstacle diffusivity.
Mechanical characterization and performance evaluation of twisted Jute-Kevlar hybrid composites with varied fiber orientations
Authors: Gurusamy P , R Deepak Suresh Kumar , N Ramanan
Published: October 2024

Composite materials play a vital role in developing new materials in engineering and technology. Composites show how the properties of the matrix and reinforcement work together to create more robust, more rigid materials than would be possible from the individual components working alone. They consist of two or more component materials combined with notably dissimilar physical or chemical characteristics. Two categories of composite coupons have been developed in this research work: the first category (C1) is made up of jute twisted-Kevlar twisted jute fiber (0/90 degree), and the second category (C2) is made up of jute twisted-Kevlar twisted jute fiber (0/45 degree). The nano-silica is reinforced with the matrix with a weight percentage of 0%,5%,10% and 15%. This involved various mechanical tests, analysis of wear surfaces, as well as DMA, DSC, and FEA testing, and ultimately, the machining of the composites studied. The machining parameters used in waterjet machining have been carefully analyzed. The tensile strength of S3 in category C1 was 163 N mm−2, while S2 in category C2 had 154 N mm−2. The flexural strength of S3 in category C1 was the highest, with 200.23 N mm−2, and S3 in category C2 had 189.32 N mm−2. The impact strength, hardness values having higher than the Category C 2 composites. Overall, the mechanical behaviour of Category C1 exhibits better performance. An increase in reinforcement shows better damping behaviour in DMA study. The performance of up to 10% of nanoparticles was found to be good, in a thermal analysis (DSC). Morphological analysis revealed improper fiber pullout in the developed composites. The material’s wear performance is similar to adhesive wear, with a slight wear loss in the pin on the disc. The machining parameters of the composite showed a relationship between velocity and surface roughness.
Prediction of puncturing events through LSTM for multilayer tissue
Authors: Behera Bulbul , Orlando M Felix , Anand R S
Published: October 2024

Recognizing penetration events in multilayer tissue is critical for many biomedical engineering applications, including surgical procedures and medical diagnostics. This paper presents a unique method for detecting penetration events in multilayer tissue using Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks. LSTM networks, a form of recurrent neural network (RNN), excel at analyzing sequential data because of their ability to hold long-term dependencies. The suggested method collects time-series insertion force data from sensors integrated from a 1-DOF prismatic robot as it penetrates tissue. This data is then processed by the LSTM network, which has been trained to recognize patterns indicating penetration events through various tissue layers. The effectiveness of this approach is validated through experimental setups, demonstrating high accuracy and reliability in detecting penetration events. This technique offers significant improvements over traditional methods, providing a non-invasive, real-time solution that enhances the precision and safety of medical procedures involving multilayer tissue interaction.
A comparative study of friction stir welding and friction stir scribe technique for dissimilar metal joining
Authors: Solanki Sapna A , Dhruv Anand B
Published: October 2024

Friction stir welding (FSW) has emerged as a novel method for joining similar and dissimilar ferrous and non-ferrous materials. This solid-state welding process utilizes frictional heat generated between a tool shoulder and the base material. The stirring action facilitates the movement and consolidation of the material, resulting in localized fusion and the formation of a joint. This review examines their effectiveness in joining various material combinations, with particular focus on automotive and aerospace applications. FSW utilizes frictional heat and stirring action to create localized plasticity and material flow, while FSS incorporates a cutting feature to mechanically interlock dissimilar materials. The review paper shows comparison of various experimental investigations considering variables such as tool geometry, welding parameters, and material combinations. FSW has some significant parameters to enhance weld quality such as traverse speed, plunge depth, and tool design. These techniques show promising applications for multi-material integration, offering advantages over conventional fusion welding methods. Future research directions include expanding material combinations, developing automated systems, and exploring hybrid joining approaches.
Optimal and simultaneous synthesis of fractional order QFT controllers and prefilters for non-minimum phase hydro power systems
Authors: Katal Nitish , Verma Pankaj , Mahapatro Soumya Ranjan
Published: October 2024

Ideally, the operating frequency of the power units, working in parallel, must not deviate from its nominal value. However, due to the dynamic nature of the load, operating frequency varies throughout the day; thus, the control of governors in the prime movers is essential to balance out the demand, and prevent any frequency deviation. To address this, present study investigates the design of optimal and robust quantitative feedback theory based (QFT) controllers and pre-filters for single area load frequency control of hydro power systems. Hydropower system model considered in the present study features a right-hand side zero, thus exhibiting non-minimum phase; these characteristics make the control more challenging. Also, the work investigates the optimal design of the QFT controllers and prefilters simultaneously by automating the loop shaping procedure, which else follows a sequential manual process on Nichols charts. The proposed automation also empowers the control designer to predefine the controller structure. In the present work the design of fractional order QFT controllers and pre-filters is considered. The study also compares the proposed work with the methods proposed in the existing literature as well as the optimal controllers obtained using the time domain indices. The obtained results establishes that the developed fractional QFT controller offers good tracking, stability, and robustness to disturbances when compared to existing approaches. The proposed fractional order QFT controllers offer the elimination of the overshoot and the undershoot from the closed loop response of the system; outperforms the existing controllers in terms of disturbance rejection; offers 0% steady-state deviation, while providing improved phase margin (60.1°) for enhanced stability compared to existing controllers. Also, the proposed QFT-GA attains the ideal values for both the peak complementary sensitivity functions; thus, establishing excellent robustness. Also, the proposed controllers ensure adequate tolerance to frequency deviation in case of load change.
Use your power for good: Collective action to overcome institutional injustices impeding ethical science communication in the academy
Authors: Broder E Dale , Merkle Bethann Garramon , Balgopal Meena M , Weigel Emily G , Murphy Shannon M , Caffrey Joshua J , Hebets Eileen A , Sher Anna A , Gumm Jennifer M , Lee Jennifer , Schell Chris J , Tinghitella Robin M
Published: October 2024

Science communication (scicomm) shapes our world by helping people use science to make societal and personal decisions. Supporting and doing ethical scicomm requires valuing diverse perspectives and the people who do scicomm. Unfortunately, institutional hurdles ingrained in academia impede and undermine ethical scicomm. The injustices impeding scicomm stem from the prestige paradigm of academia (articulated in the present article), which reinforces hierarchical relationships in an exclusionary and exploitative system. To move academia forward, we name and review these injustices through the lens of five realms of scicomm (scientific communication, teaching scicomm, academics engaging in scicomm, scicomm research, and scicomm careers beyond academia). We then provide a novel framework, helping readers identify axes of influence and how they can leverage their intersectional, academic capital to take concrete action to remove the hurdles impeding ethical scicomm in academia.
Diagnostic value of three complete blood count abnormalities, hypereosinophilia, hyperlymphocytosis and basophilic lymphocytes, in Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms
Authors: Liccardo Patti Carmela , Ingen-Housz-Oro Saskia , Wolkenstein Pierre , Wagner-Ballon Orianne , Badaoui Bouchra
Published: October 2024

The prevalence and kinetics of hypereosinophilia (HE), hyperlymphocytosis (HL) and basophilic lymphocytes (BL) are not well understood. This monocentric retrospective study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of these blood count abnormalities in the acute phase of Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS). Of 60 patients included in the study, 47% had probable DRESS and 53% had definite DRESS. HE and HL were present in 62% and 27% of patients, respectively, with no link to DRESS severity. BL, found in 85% of blood smears, were associated with definite DRESS. The detection of BL, although not specific to DRESS nor sufficient to diagnose DRESS alone, appears to be the most sensitive haematological factor for diagnosing DRESS, especially when HE or HL are absent. Clinicians should ensure that a blood smear review is performed whenever a DRESS is suspected. A prospective study is needed to confirm these findings.
Application value of individualized tube voltage, contrast injection, and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction V algorithm based on body mass index in renal computed tomography angiography for radiation and iodinated contrast dose reduction
Authors: Li Junjun , Xiao Yi , Cao Le , Cheng Yannan , Li Yanan , Jia Xiaoqian , Li Xinyu , Fan Ganglian , Li Jianying , Guo Jianxin
Published: October 2024

Objectives

To explore the application value of body mass index (BMI)-based kilovoltage peak (kVp) selection and contrast injection protocol combined with different adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction V (ASIR-V) strengths in renal computed tomography angiography (CTA) in reducing radiation and contrast medium (CM) doses.

Methods

One-hundred renal CTA patients were prospectively enrolled and were divided into individualized kVp group (group A, n = 50) and conventional 100 kVp group (group B, n = 50), both with automatic tube current modulation and CM of Iohexol at 350 mgI/mL concentration. Group A: 70 kVp, noise index (NI) of 18 and CM dose rate of 17 mgI/kg/s for 10 s for BMI <25 kg/m2 patients; 80 kVp, NI = 17, and CM dose rate of 19 mgI/kg/s for 10 s for 25 kg/m2≤BMI≤30 kg/m2 patients. Group B: 100 kVp, 50 mL of CM at the flow rate of 4.5 mL/s. The objective image quality, effective radiation dose, CM dose, injection rate, and image quality were compared between the 2 groups.

Results

There was no significant difference in patient characteristics between the 2 groups (P > .05). Compared to group B, group A significantly reduced effective radiation dose by 28.4%, CM dose by 27.2%, and injection rate by 22.7% (all P < .001). The 2 groups had similar SD values in erector spine (P > .05). Group A had significantly higher CT values, SNR, and CNR values of the renal arteries than group B (all P < .001). The 2 radiologists had excellent agreement (Kappa value > 0.8) in the subjective scores of renal CTA images and showed no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (4.57 ± 0.42 vs 4.41 ± 0.49) (P > .05).

Conclusions

BMI-based scan and reconstruction protocol in renal CTA significantly reduces radiation and contrast doses while maintaining diagnostic image quality.

Advances in knowledge

(i) BMI-based individualized tube voltage selection and contrast injection protocol in renal CTA reduces both radiation and contrast doses over conventional protocol. (ii) The combination of lower kVp and higher weight ASIR-V maybe used to improve image quality in terms of contrast enhancement and image noise under lower radiation and contrast dose conditions. (iii) Renal CTA of normal size (BMI ≤ 30 kg/m2) patients acquired at low radiation dosage and low iodine contrast dose through the combination of low tube voltage and ASIR-V algorithm achieves excellent diagnostic image quality with a good inter-rater agreement.
Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in differentiating granulomatous mastitis from invasive ductal carcinoma
Authors: Xu Yan , Yuan Liqin , Liu Ziru , Long Jie , Luo Yan , Chen Chengcai , Niu Chengcheng
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study aims to analyse the imaging manifestations of granulomatous mastitis (GM) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) using conventional ultrasound (US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). The objective is to investigate the clinical value of CEUS in differentiating between GM and IDC.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 39 GM patients and 64 IDC patients between January 2020 and June 2023. All diagnoses were confirmed via core needle biopsy or surgical pathology. The characteristics of both conventional US and CEUS in these patients were analysed to distinguish GM from IDC.

Results

Based on CEUS features, GM lesions most commonly presented as hypoechoic areas (43.6%), followed by pseudocysts (28.2%), hypoechoic nodules (15.4%), and honeycomb cysts (12.8%). The diffuse enhancement pattern was an independent characteristic for distinguishing GM from IDC, with the ROC analysis revealing an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.794.

Conclusion

US is the preferred initial examination for GM, and both its conventional and CEUS features can enhance diagnostic accuracy and guide clinical treatment. CEUS demonstrates high differential diagnostic value in distinguishing GM from IDC.

Advances in knowledge

This study categorizes GM manifestations on CEUS into four types, each corresponding to different pathological stages of GM. We identified that the diffuse enhancement pattern on CEUS is a distinctive characteristic associated with GM, aiding in its differentiation from IDC.
Computed tomographic angiography in planning thoraco-dorsal artery perforator flap in breast and soft tissue reconstruction: a systematic review
Authors: Soliman Mahmoud , Metwally Islam H , Denewer Adel , Abdallah Ahmed , Denewar Fatmaelzahraa Abdelfattah , Healy Nuala Ann , Romics Laszlo , Agrawal Amit
Published: October 2024

Objectives

Thoraco-dorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flaps have been increasingly used in breast and soft tissue reconstruction. Perforator localization is often done using a hand-held doppler, however, false results are not uncommon. This study aimed to systematically review the literature on the value of preoperative computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in TDAP flaps examining scanning protocol, mapping technique, concordance with operative findings, and disadvantages.

Methods

A PRISMA-compliant comprehensive search of Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases was conducted in November 2023. We included studies evaluating CTA mapping of free and pedicled TDAPs for breast or soft tissue reconstruction using The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools.

Results

Five studies were included and considered at high risk of bias. The studies included 72 patients with a mean age of 43.8 years. Concordance between CT findings and Doppler mapping or operative visualization was reported in two studies. In three studies, CTA was combined with Doppler flowmetry, whilst dynamic infrared thermography was used in one study. Standardized scanning protocol and patient positioning were lacking in all reports.

Conclusions

This study highlights the paucity of evidence on the value of CTA in TDA perforator mapping with inconsistent outcomes and non-standardized scanning protocols. Despite difficult imaging acquisition and interpretation, 3D reconstructed images and detailed vascular anatomy may facilitate planning.

Advances in knowledge

Further research is required to explore the practical value of CTA in TDAP planning and standardizing protocols.
Multiparameter MRI features of prostatic malakoplakia
Authors: Zeng Han-Jiang , Yang Ling , Yao Jin
Published: October 2024

Objective

To summarize the multiparameter MRI (mpMRI) features of prostatic malakoplakia.

Methods

Eleven patients (median age 62 years; IQR 59-71 years) with pathologically confirmed prostatic malakoplakia were included in this study. MpMRI features of the lesions were retrospectively reviewed and summarized.

Results

The Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores of the patients were 4 or 5, with a medium diameter of 3.7 cm (IQR 2.0-5.2 cm). All the lesions involved the peripheral zone, of which three cases (3/11, 27.3%) involved the transition zone simultaneously. A diffuse symmetrical distribution was found in five cases, a focal distribution in five cases, and a focal symmetrical distribution in one case. Both the surgical capsule and prostatic margin were bulged and compressed, but no signs of infiltration were found. Nearly all the lesions had moderate hypointensity on T2-weighted images and slightly higher signal intensity on T1-weighted images. Among the lesions, early enhancement occurred in all cases, prolonged enhancement occurred in eight cases, and ring enhancement persisted in one case. All lesions displayed periprostatic enhancement in the delayed phase.

Conclusions

Lesions distributed diffusely and symmetrically in the peripheral zone with preserved surgical capsule and margin are characteristic features of malakoplakia as opposed to cancer, especially in those with slightly high T1 signal intensity and delayed periprostatic enhancement. Those locally distributed lesions with the above signs should also be suspected.

Advances in knowledge

Prostatic malakoplakia are more likely to distribute diffusely and symmetrically, with slightly high T1 signal intensity and delayed periprostatic enhancement.
A review on optimization of Wilms tumour management using radiomics
Authors: Alhashim Maryam , Anan Noushin , Tamal Mahbubunnabi , Altarrah Hibah , Alshaibani Sarah , Hill Robin
Published: October 2024

Background

Wilms tumour, a common paediatric cancer, is difficult to treat in low- and middle-income countries due to limited access to imaging. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been introduced for staging, detecting, and classifying tumours, aiding physicians in decision-making. However, challenges include algorithm accuracy, translation into conventional diagnosis, reproducibility, and reliability. As AI technology advances, radiomics, an AI tool, emerges to extract tumour morphology and stage information.

Objectives

This review explores the application of radiomics in Wilms tumour management, including its potential in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Additionally, it discusses the future prospects of AI in this field and potential directions for automation-aided Wilms tumour treatment.

Methods

The review analyses various research studies and articles on the use of radiomics in Wilms tumour management. This includes studies on automated deep learning-based classification, interobserver variability in histopathological analysis, and the application of AI in staging, detecting, and classifying Wilms tumours.

Results

The review finds that radiomics offers several promising applications in Wilms tumour management, including improved diagnosis: it helps in classifying Wilms tumours from other paediatric kidney tumours, prognosis prediction: radiomic features can be used to predict both staging and response to preoperative chemotherapy, Treatment response assessment: Radiomics can be used to monitor the response of Wilms and to predict the feasibility of nephron-sparing surgery.

Conclusions

This review concludes that radiomics has the potential to significantly improve the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of Wilms tumours. Despite some challenges, such as the need for further research and validation, AI integration in Wilms tumour management offers promising opportunities for improved patient care.

Advances in knowledge

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the potential applications of radiomics in Wilms tumour management and highlights the significant role AI can play in improving patient outcomes. It contributes to the growing body of knowledge on AI-assisted diagnosis and treatment of paediatric cancers.
Effectiveness and safety of upadacitinib retreatment after withdrawal in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a retrospective study
Authors: Hagino Teppei , Saeki Hidehisa , Fujimoto Eita , Kanda Naoko
Published: October 2024

Background

Upadacitinib, a Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, is effective for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). Upadacitinib treatment may be discontinued in some patients; however, the effectiveness and safety of retreatment after its withdrawal have not been examined in detail in real-world practice.

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of upadacitinib retreatment after withdrawal in real-world clinical practice for Japanese patients with AD.

Methods

This retrospective study included 62 Japanese patients with moderate-to-severe AD treated with upadacitinib 15 mg (n = 38) or 30 mg (n = 24). Effectiveness was assessed using the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) and Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (PP-NRS) before treatment (baseline), at timepoints of discontinuation, at retreatment, and at week 12 after retreatment with upadacitinib. Safety was evaluated through the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).

Results

EASI and PP-NRS scores significantly decreased at week 12 after upadacitinib retreatment compared with baseline in both the 15-mg and 30-mg groups (P = 0.01 for EASI and PP-NRS in both groups). At week 12 after retreatment, achievement rates of at least a 75%, 90% or 100% reduction in EASI from baseline (EASI 75, EASI 90 or EASI 100, respectively) were 84%, 57% and 19% in the 15-mg group, and 87%, 57% and 17% in the 30-mg group, respectively. TEAEs were mild or moderate, and no serious AEs or deaths were reported.

Conclusions

Retreatment with upadacitinib after withdrawal effectively improved clinical signs and pruritus in patients with AD, with a manageable safety profile, supporting its use for long-term management of AD.
Electoral Cycles in Fiscal Rules: International Empirical Evidence
Authors: Jung Hoyong , Kim Bong Hwan
Published: October 2024

Using panel data from 99 countries over the period of 1985–2020, this study aims to uncover that fiscal rules work in electoral cycles. The results show that fiscal rules are less likely to be implemented in the pre-election year. We also find that this loosening in fiscal rules is especially prominent in cases when the incumbent political party can wield significant political power, where countries are less developed economically and politically, and where the management of fiscal rules is more likely to be exposed to discretionary interventions. Our findings are aligned with the opportunistic political budget cycles, in which politicians exploit fiscal policies and systems to serve their own political incentives. These results suggest that even fiscal rules, which are designed to prevent political pressure, are also subject to political process. (JEL codes: D72, D78, E32, E62, H11, and H60).
AI and Digital Technology: Gender Gaps in Higher Education
Authors: Conde-Ruiz José Ignacio , Ganuza Fernandez Juan José , García Manuel , Victoria Lanzón Carlos
Published: October 2024

This article examines gender gaps in higher education in Spain in the context of technological advancements, particularly digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI). First, analyzing descriptive Spanish data we identify significant disparities, with women overrepresented in health-related fields and underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines. This imbalance is concerning as STEM fields offer better employment prospects and higher salaries. Then, we analyze university degrees’ exposure to technological change through routine task intensity (RTI) and AI exposure indices, as well as a novel index of exposure to emerging digital technologies from 2015 to 2024. Our findings show that women are more enrolled in degrees with higher RTI, prone to automation, and less in degrees with higher AI exposure, likely to benefit from technological advancements. This suggests technological change could widen existing labor market gender gaps. To address this, we recommend policies to boost female participation in STEM fields and adapt educational curricula to reduce routine tasks and enhance AI complementarities, ensuring equitable labor market outcomes amid technological change. (JEL codes: I23, I26, J16, J24).
Xerogel synthesis from carbon materials and glue inspired by Japanese-solid-calligraphy ink
Authors: Kubota Sakurako , Yoshioka Fuwa , Takada Masato , Itoh Rui , Uzawa Airi , Ugawa Arisa , Masuda Kotone , Emizu Wakana , Hayakawa Junpei
Published: October 2024

Japanese-solid-calligraphy ink is a xerogel made by mixing soot and glue followed by molding and drying. Herein, we prepare xerogels from glue and 1 or 2 carbon materials (fullerene C60, multiwalled and single-walled carbon nanotubes, nanodiamonds, graphite, graphene, and carbon nanohorns) and characterize their surface morphology, indentation hardness, surface resistivity, and other physical properties. Our ecofriendly and simple synthesis does not require special equipment and affords xerogels holding promise as electrode materials.
Monorhinal and birhinal odor processing in humans: an fMRI investigation
Authors: Ekanayake Anupa , Peiris Senal , Kanekar Sangam , Tobia Michael , Yang Qing , Ahmed Biyar , McCaslin Silas , Kalra Deepak , Eslinger Paul , Karunanayaka Prasanna
Published: October 2024

The olfactory nerve, also known as cranial nerve I, is known to have exclusive ipsilateral projections to primary olfactory cortical structures. However, the lateralization of olfactory processes is known to depend on the task and nature of stimuli. It still remains unclear whether olfactory system projections in humans also correspond to functional pathways during olfactory tasks without any trigeminal, perceptual, or cognitive-motor components. Twenty young healthy subjects with a normal sense of smell took part in an olfactory functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study. We used 2 types of nostril-specific stimulation, passive (no sniffing), and active (with sniffing), with phenyl ethyl alcohol, a pure olfactory stimulant, to investigate fMRI activity patterns in primary and secondary olfactory-related brain structures. Irrespective of the stimulated nostril and the type of stimulation, we detected symmetrical activity in primary and secondary olfactory-related brain structures such as the primary olfactory cortex, entorhinal cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex. In the absence of perceptual or cognitive-motor task demands, the perception of monorhinally presented pure odors is processed bilaterally in the brain.
GRAN: a SDN intrusion detection model based on graph attention network and residual learning
Authors: Zhang Yue , Jue Chen , Liu Wanxiao , Ma Yurui
Published: October 2024

In recent years, the landscape of computer networks has witnessed the advent of a transformative architectural paradigm, termed Software Defined Networking (SDN). This innovative architecture endeavors to confront and transcend the intrinsic limitations of traditional network frameworks, while its burgeoning deployment of SDN simultaneously introduces additional complexities to network security. Therefore, this paper focuses on the detection of abnormal behavior in SDN as well as identification of different network attack types. First of all, we propose a feature processing method for the high-dimensional data of SDN network traffic. Secondly, we introduce a new intrusion detection solution for SDN, i.e. Graph Residual Attention Network (GRAN), which leverages the available graph information to integrate attention mechanism and residual learning into Graph Neural Networks. Finally, we implement our proposed model as well as other standard intrusion detection models to detect different intrusion types on InSDN dataset. The simulation results show that our proposed model has better performance than other comparative models, in both binary and multi-class classification problems. More specifically, our proposed GRAN model achieves an accuracy of 97.1% on multi-class classification problems, and detects each type of network attack accurately with the precision greater than 81%.
Multimodal prehabilitation to enhance functional capacity of patients with esophageal cancer during concurrent neoadjuvant chemotherapies—a randomized feasibility trial
Authors: St-Pierre Jade , Coca-Martinez Miquel , Drummond Kenneth , Minnella Enrico , Ramanakumar Agnihotram V , Ferri Lorenzo , Carli Franco , Scheede-Bergdahl Celena
Published: October 2024

Esophageal adenocarcinoma continues to bear high morbidity and mortality. Prehabilitation, using exercise, nutrition, and psychosocial strategies to optimize patients prior to surgical resection, is largely underexplored in this malignancy, especially in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Objectives of this study were (i) to determine feasibility of prehabilitation during treatment in patients with esophageal cancer and (ii) to establish differences between hospital and home-based exercise. Patients were recruited from August 2019 – February 2023 and blindly randomized to either supervised or homebased exercise, receiving identical nutritional and psychosocial support. The main outcome measures were recruitment, retention, and dropout rates. The secondary outcomes included cardiorespiratory fitness, functional capacity, and quality of life. Forty-four subjects were blindly randomized: 23 to supervised exercise and 21 to home-based exercise (72% recruitment rate). Overall compliance for the supervised group was 72%; home-based group was 77%. Baseline to pre-operative, both groups experienced significant increases in sit-to-stand, arm curls, and amount of weekly moderate–vigorous physical activity. The home-based group experienced an additional considerable decrease in up-and-go test times. Both groups maintained cardiorespiratory fitness and saw substantial increases in some quality-of-life scores. Multimodal prehabilitation is feasible for patients with esophageal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In both groups, patient fitness, which is relevant for this patient population given the anticipated decline in functional status during this period, was maintained. This study provides a foundation for future prehabilitation interventions in this patient population.
Affordance-based lesson planning in pre-service teacher education
Authors: Ončevska Ager Elena , Anderson Jason
Published: October 2024

This article reports on an exploratory study investigating the extent to which affordance-based lesson planning is feasible and useful in pre-service teacher education. After using both affordance-based and outcomes-based lesson plans, trainee teachers in North Macedonia participated in both a survey and interviews. Respondents found both types of lesson plan useful, but in different ways and for different reasons, with some disagreement among the sample in a number of areas. While their considerations of affordance often helped them to prepare and reflect on lessons effectively, they also expressed concern about the time and cognitive challenge required to do so, with many indicating that they would appreciate more agency, both to develop their own pro formas and to explore affordance in alternative ways, such as through discussions. We conclude our article with a number of reflective questions that may be useful to other teacher educators and practicum supervisors.
HPV-associated cancers among people living with HIV: nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study 2004–21 in Estonia
Authors: Tisler Anna , Toompere Karolin , Bardou Marc , Diaz Jose , Orumaa Madleen , Uusküla Anneli
Published: October 2024

Cancers represent the primary cause of mortality among people living with HIV (PLWH). However, comprehensive nationwide data regarding cancer incidence remains limited. Our objective was to evaluate the incidence rates of cancers, particularly those associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), within a nationwide study cohort. Using data from the Estonian Health Insurance Fund and the National Cancer Registry from 2004 to 2021, we calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for various cancer types among PLWH to compare to the general population with special emphases on HPV-associated cancers. A total of 7011 individuals (65.7% men) diagnosed with HIV were identified. HPV-associated cancers accounted for 21.4% of all incident cancer cases among PLWH. SIRs for HPV-associated cancers were 3.7 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2–6.2] among men living with HIV (MLWH) and 5.7 (95% CI 4.0–7.9) among women living with HIV (WLWH). In MLWH, the highest SIRs were for penile 12.5 (95% CI 4.0–38.7), followed by oropharyngeal 3.6 (95% CI 1.7–7.6) and anal–rectal cancers 2.7 (95% CI 1.1–6.4) in comparison to the general population. In WLWH, an increased incidence of cervical (SIR = 5.8, 95% CI 3.9–8.5), oropharyngeal (SIR = 6.1, 95% CI 1.5–24.3), and anal–rectal (SIR = 3.6, 95% CI 1.2–11.2) cancers was observed. A significantly increased risk of AIDS-defining and non-AIDS-defining cancers is reported. We demonstrate a substantially heightened risk of HPV-associated cancers among PLWH compared to the general population, underscoring the imperative for intensified screening and scaled-up vaccination along with improvement in adherence to antiretroviral therapy.
Evidence for a hydrogen sulfide-sensing E3 ligase in yeast
Authors: Johnson Zane , Wang Yun , Sutter Benjamin M , Tu Benjamin P
Published: October 2024

In yeast, control of sulfur amino acid metabolism relies upon Met4, a transcription factor that activates the expression of a network of enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of cysteine and methionine. In times of sulfur abundance, the activity of Met4 is repressed via ubiquitination by the SCFMet30 E3 ubiquitin ligase, but the mechanism by which the F-box protein Met30 senses sulfur status to tune its E3 ligase activity remains unresolved. Herein, we show that Met30 responds to flux through the trans-sulfuration pathway to regulate the MET gene transcriptional program. In particular, Met30 is responsive to the biological gas hydrogen sulfide, which is sufficient to induce ubiquitination of Met4 in vivo. Additionally, we identify important cysteine residues in Met30's WD-40 repeat region that sense the availability of sulfur in the cell. Our findings reveal how SCFMet30 dynamically senses the flow of sulfur metabolites through the trans-sulfuration pathway to regulate the synthesis of these special amino acids.
Ringing mountain ranges: teleseismic signature of the interaction of high-frequency wavefields with near-source topography at the Degelen nuclear test site
Authors: Pienkowska Marta , Nippress Stuart E J , Bowers David , Nissen-Meyer Tarje
Published: October 2024

Over the last decade there has been an international effort to find methods to recover and digitise recordings from historical earthquakes and explosions that occurred during the 1950s through to the 1980s. Making these recordings accessible in digital format offers opportunities to study what signatures are encoded in the data, and to apply state-of-the-art techniques and methods to historical data. In this study, we employ unsupervised machine learning to cluster historical teleseismic waveforms from nuclear explosions conducted at the former USSR Degelen test site, in Kazakhstan, recorded at seismic arrays in the UK (Eskdalemuir array), Canada (Yellowknife array), Australia (Warramunga array), and India (Gauribidanur array). In particular, we use two unsupervised algorithms to cluster waveforms using shape-based clustering: kernel k-means and k-Shape. The algorithms clearly split waveforms into distinct clusters that are spatially related, even when waveform differences are subtle, and we show with local and teleseismic numerical simulations that the clusters are related to the topography. The topography at the Degelen test site has characteristic wavelengths of 2–4 km and local simulations highlight that the seismic wavefield is trapped in reverberating mountain peaks. The location of the explosion is crucial in determining which section of the mountain range reverberates, influencing the outgoing wavefield. Teleseismic waveform simulations confirm that it is this superposition of energy leaving the reverberating peaks that results in the observed teleseismic waveform differences we observe.