bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Near‐infrared (NIR) imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) may assist in intraoperative decision making and improving surgical margin in bone and soft tissue tumor surgery
Authors: Huang Huayi , He Siyuan , Wei Renxiong , Zhu Xiaobin , Deng Zhouming , Wang Yi , Guo Liangyu , Lei Jun , Cai Lin , Xie Yuanlong
Published: May 2023

Background and Objectives

Negative surgical margins are significant in improving patient outcomes. However, surgeons can only rely on visual and tactile information to identify tumor margins intraoperatively. We hypothesized that intraoperative fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) could serve as an assistive technology to evaluate surgical margins and guide surgery in bone and soft tissue tumor surgery.

Methods

Seventy patients with bone and soft tissue tumors were enrolled in this prospective, non‐randomized, single‐arm feasibility study. All patients received intravenous indocyanine green (0.5 mg/kg) before surgery. Near‐infrared (NIR) imaging was performed on in situ tumors, wounds, and ex vivo specimens.

Results

60/70 tumors were fluorescent at NIR imaging. The final surgical margins were positive in 2/55 cases, including 1/40 of the sarcomas. Surgical decisions were changed in 19 cases by NIR imaging, and in 7/19 cases final pathology demonstrated margins were improved. Fluorescence analysis showed that the tumor‐to‐background ratio (TBR) of primary malignant tumors was higher than that of benign, borderline, metastatic, and tumors ≥5 cm in size had higher TBR than those <5 cm.

Conclusions

ICG fluorescence imaging may be a beneficial technique to assist in surgical decision making and improving surgical margins in bone and soft tissue tumor surgery.
CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Growing Vestibular Schwannoma: Longitudinal Tumor Control, Hearing Outcomes, and Predicting Post‐Treatment Hearing Status
Authors: Hildrew Douglas M. , Perez Philip L. , Mady Leila J. , Li Jinhong , Nilsen Marci L. , Hirsch Barry E.
Published: May 2023

Objectives

(1) To determine tumor control rates for treating growing vestibular schwannoma (VS) with CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery (CK SRS); (2) to determine hearing outcomes after CK SRS; (3) to propose a set of variables that could be used to predict hearing outcomes for patients receiving CK SRS for VS.

Study Design

Retrospective case series review.

Methods

127 patients who received CK SRS for radiographically documented growing VS were reviewed. Tumors were monitored for post‐procedure growth radiographically with linear measurements and three‐dimensional segmental volumetric analysis (3D‐SVA). Hearing outcomes were reviewed for 109 patients. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to identify variables correlated with hearing outcomes.

Results

Tumor control rate was 94.5% for treating VS with CK SRS. Hearing outcomes were categorized using the American Academy of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery (AAO‐HNS) classification system. As of their last available audiogram, 33.3% of patients with pre‐treatment class A and 26.9% of patients with class B retained their hearing in that class. 15.3% of patients starting with class A or B with extended follow‐up (>60 months), maintained hearing within this same grouping. Our final model proposed to predict hearing outcomes included age, fundal cap distance (FCD), tumor volume, and maximum radiation dose to the cochlea; however, FCD was the only statistically significant variable.

Conclusion

CK SRS is an effective treatment for control of VS. Hearing preservation by class was achieved in a third of patients. Finally, FCD was found to be protective against hearing loss.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 134:S1–S12, 2024
Resolution Improvement of Structured Illumination Microscopy using Non‐Diffraction‐Limited Point‐Scanned Fluorescence Fringe
Authors: Zheng Xiaomin , Wang Lei , Wang Meiting , Wu Wenshuai , Chen Jiajie , Qu Junle , Gao Bruce Zhi , Shao Yonghong
Published: May 2023

To further improve the resolving ability of structured illumination microscopy (SIM), a space‐time‐modulation–based laser‐scanning structured illumination microscopy (LSSIM) technique is presented in which a non‐diffraction‐limited non‐sinusoidal cumulative fluorescence fringe is generated in samples by point scanning the modulated excitation beam. The higher‐frequency information of samples can be mixed using the cumulative fringes with unlimited frequency into the passband of a confocal system. The non‐sinusoidal intensity‐modulated function used in LSSIM is specifically designed as a combination of cosine functions with different orders. The resolving ability of LSSIM experimentally by imaging fluorescent beads and bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells with stained F‐actin is demonstrated. The results demonstrate three‐fold resolution enhancement over the confocal system, surpassing the resolving ability of conventional SIM. Moreover, the optical system is a simple modification of laser‐scanning confocal microscopy, making LSSIM more compatible with other techniques and suitable for biomedical research without the specific requirements for fluorescent dyes.
Manipulating the Chirality of Moiré Metasurface by Symmetry Breaking
Authors: Lyu Bokun , Li Yang , Jia Qianwen , Li Haojie , Yang Guoxia , Cao Fengzhao , Kou Supeng , Liu Dahe , Cao Tun , Li Guixin , Shi Jinwei
Published: May 2023

The chirality of materials is of great significance in many fields. Metasurfaces with chirality have attracted great attention in the past decades because of their ability to miniaturize the device into the nanoscale. An important class of chiral metasurfaces is the Moiré pattern assembled by two layers of metasurfaces. However, Moiré metasurfaces usually have limited circular dichroism. Here, the origin and the limiting factor of the chirality of Moiré metasurfaces using the chiral coupled oscillator model is analyzed. It is demonstrated that, with the help of a non‐Hermitian Hamiltonian, the chirality can be improved by breaking the symmetry in the positive and negative k directions. The best result is achieved when both the two components have lowest transmission. In addition, the chiral anisotropy of a Moiré metasurface in full momentum space is studied, and it is shown that the chirality can be further improved in certain directions. The chiral anisotropy of Moiré metasurfaces may be used in applications such as optical information storage, structured color, unidirectional light coupling, sensitive chiral sensors, chiral nonlinear optics, chiral lasers, and Bose–Einstein condensation.
Quintic Dispersion Soliton Frequency Combs in a Microresonator
Authors: Zhang Shuangyou , Bi Toby , Del'Haye Pascal
Published: May 2023

Chip‐scale optical frequency combs have attracted significant research interest and can be used in applications ranging from precision spectroscopy to telecom channel generators and lidar systems. In the time domain, microresonator based frequency combs correspond to self‐stabilized soliton pulses. In two distinct regimes, microresonators are shown to emit either bright solitons in the anomalous dispersion regime or dark solitons (a short time of darkness in a bright background signal) in the normal dispersion regime. Here, the dynamics of continuous‐wave‐laser‐driven soliton generation is investigated in the zero‐group‐velocity‐dispersion regime as well as the generation of solitons that are spectrally crossing different dispersion regimes. In the measurements, zero‐dispersion solitons with multipeak structures (soliton molecules) are observed with distinct and predictable spectral envelopes that are a result of fifth‐order dispersion of the resonators. Numerical simulations and the analysis of bifurcation structures agree well with the observed soliton states. This is the first observation of soliton generation that is governed by fifth‐order dispersion, which can have applications in ultrafast optics, telecom systems, and optical spectroscopy.
Applying a theory of change approach to develop and pilot a universal mental health literacy curriculum for adolescents
Authors: Kagstrom Anna , Juríková Laura , Pešout Ondřej , Šimsa Benjamin , Winkler Petr
Published: May 2023

Universal evidence‐based prevention and promotion programs lack in availability and scalability for child and adolescent mental health in Central and Eastern Europe. This paper describes the process of applying the theory of change to plan, develop, and pilot a mental health literacy intervention in Czech schools. The process of using theory of change to develop a complex intervention for mental health literacy is described across three stages: formative development, piloting, and evaluation. The application of evidence‐based intervention was discussed within 64 diverse stakeholder meetings and tested over 2 years of piloting. The resulting theory of change map is described in the context of consideration for modifications, revisions, and recommendations for successful implementation of the developed intervention. Continued monitoring and evaluation and a formal evaluation of the effectiveness of mental health literacy curriculum within the region will be essential before scale‐up.
Control of Kawahara equation with overdetermination condition: The unbounded cases
Authors: Capistrano Filho Roberto A. , de Sousa Luan S. , Gallego Fernando A.
Published: May 2023

In this manuscript, we consider the internal control problem for the fifth‐order KdV type equation, commonly called the Kawahara equation, on unbounded domains. Precisely, under certain hypotheses over the initial and boundary data, we can prove that there exists an internal control input such that solutions of the Kawahara equation satisfy an integral overdetermination condition. This condition is satisfied when the domain of the Kawahara equation is posed in the real line, left half‐line, and right half‐line. Moreover, we are also able to prove that there exists a minimal time in which the integral overdetermination condition is satisfied. Finally, we show a type of exact controllability associated with the “mass” of the Kawahara equation posed in the half‐line.
A porcine bladder model of pre‐clinical urodynamics demonstrates increased afferent nerve activity during filling
Authors: Moore R. Hart , Ghatas Mina P. , Rogers Devin , Bednarz Christopher , Shields Michael , Grob Gabrielle , Burkett Linda S. , Muthusamy Selvaraj , Speich John E. , Klausner Adam P.
Published: May 2023

Introduction and Objectives

Urodynamics are the accepted gold standard for the evaluation of multiple forms of voiding dysfunction. However, the tests are expensive, invasive, poorly reproducible, and often prone to artifacts. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop next‐generation urodynamics. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel ex vivo porcine bladder urodynamics model with afferent pelvic nerve signaling that can be used as a preclinical surrogate for bladder sensation.

Methods

Porcine bladders including the ureters and vascular supply were harvested from local abattoirs using an established protocol in both male and female animals. Ex vivo bladder perfusion was performed using physiologic MOPS (3‐(N‐morpholino) propanesulfonic acid) buffer solution. The pelvic nerve adjacent to the bladder was grasped with micro‐hook electrodes and electroneurogram (ENG) signals recorded at 20 kHz. Bladders were filled with saline at a nonphysiologic rate (100 mL/min) to a volume of 1 L using standard urodynamics equipment to simultaneously record intravesical pressure. ENG amplitude was calculated as the area under the curve for each minute, and ENG firing rate was calculated as number of spikes (above baseline threshold) per minute. At the conclusion of the experiment, representative nerve samples were removed and processed for nerve histology by a pathologist (hematoxylin and eosin and S100 stains).

Results

A total of 10 pig bladders were used, and nerve histology confirmed the presence of nerve in all adequately processed samples. Vesical pressure, ENG firing rate, and ENG amplitude all increased as a function of filling. During filling tertiles (low fill: min 1–3, med fill: min 4–6, and high fill: min 7–10), normalized pressures were 0.22 ± 0.04, 0.38 ± 0.05, and 0.72 ± 0.07 (cmH2O). Similarly, normalized ENG firing rates were 0.08 ± 0.03, 0.31 ± 0.06, and 0.43 ± 0.04 spikes/minute, respectively, and normalized nerve amplitudes were 0.11 ± 0.06, 0.39 ± 0.06, and 0.56 ± 0.14) μV, respectively. Strong relationships between average normalized pressure values and averaged normalized ENG firing rate (r2 = 0.66) and average normalized ENG amplitude (r2 = 0.8) were identified.

Conclusions

The ex vivo perfused porcine bladder can be used as a preclinical model for the development of next‐generation urodynamics technologies. Importantly, the model includes a reproducible method to measure afferent nerve activity that directly correlates with intravesical pressure during filling and could potentially be used as a surrogate measure of bladder sensation.
Double‐row 16‐element folded‐end dipole transceiver array for 3D RF shimming of the whole human brain at 9.4 T
Authors: Nikulin Anton V. , Bosch Dario , Solomakha Georgiy A. , Glang Felix , Scheffler Klaus , Avdievich Nikolai I.
Published: May 2023

Homogeneity and longitudinal coverage of transmit (Tx) human head RF coils at ultrahigh field (UHF, ≥7 T) can be improved by 3D RF shimming, which requires using multi‐row Tx arrays. Examples of 3D RF shimming using double‐row UHF loop transceiver (TxRx) and Tx arrays have been described previously. Dipole antennas provide unique simplicity and robustness while offering comparable Tx efficiency and signal‐to‐noise ratio to conventional loop designs. Single‐row Tx and TxRx human head UHF dipole arrays have been previously described by multiple groups. Recently, we developed a novel type of dipole antenna, a folded‐end dipole, and presented single‐row eight‐element array prototypes for human head imaging at 7 and 9.4 T. These studies have shown that the novel antenna design can improve the longitudinal coverage and minimize peak local specific absorption rate (SAR) as compared with common unfolded dipoles. In this work, we developed, constructed, and evaluated a 16‐element double‐row TxRx folded‐end dipole array for human head imaging at 9.4 T. To minimize cross‐talk between neighboring dipoles located in different rows, we used transformer decoupling, which decreased coupling to a level below −20 dB. The developed array design was demonstrated to be capable of 3D static RF shimming and can be potentially used for dynamic shimming using parallel transmission. For optimal phase shifts between the rows, the array provides 11% higher SAR efficiency and 18% higher homogeneity than a folded‐end dipole single‐row array of the same length. The design also offers a substantially simpler and more robust alternative to the common double‐row loop array with about 10% higher SAR efficiency and better longitudinal coverage.
In situ reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) nanocomposites by covalently modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes via surface‐grafting polymerization
Authors: Jiang Zilong , Chen Tianwu , Wang Zhaoyang , Han Jinxuan , Zhang Chunling , Jiang Bo , Shang Yingshuang , Zhang Haibo
Published: May 2023

Covalent modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is an efficient way to improve the interfacial interaction and compatibility between MWCNTs and the matrix. In this article, MWNCTs were covalently modified by 4,4′‐difluorobenzophenone (DB) to allow temperature‐tolerant functional groups on the walls. These surface‐functionalized MWCNTs (MWCNTs‐DB) were then attached to poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) resins by in situ grafting polymerization, to prepare high‐strength PEEK nanocomposites. The addition of 1 wt% MWCNTs‐DB improved the tensile and flexural strength of the PEEK nanocomposite by 28% and 22%, respectively, compared with pristine PEEK. In particular, the optimal break at strain of the PEEK nanocomposites reaches 39%. The glass transition temperature of the PEEK nanocomposites increased from 148 to 153°C, indicating strong interfacial interactions between MWNCTs and PEEK. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy images confirmed the amelioration of MWNCTs dispersion in PEEK resins achieved by in situ grafting polymerization. Our results demonstrate the potential of surface‐functionalized carbon nanotubes for use in high‐temperature applications and offer innovative protocols for designing and preparing high‐performance nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties, which could have applications in various fields such as aerospace, automotive, and biomedical engineering.
Abnormalities of the corpus callosum. Can prenatal imaging predict the genetic status? Correlations between imaging phenotype and genotype
Authors: Nguyen Toan , Heide Solveig , Guilbaud Lucie , Valence Stéphanie , Perre Saskia Vande , Blondiaux Eléonore , Keren Boris , Quenum‐Miraillet Geneviève , Jouannic Jean‐Marie , Mandelbrot Laurent , Picone Olivier , Guet Agnès , Tsatsaris Vassilis , Milh Mathieu , Girard Nadine , Vincent Marie , Nizon Mathilde , Poirsier Céline , Vivanti Alexandre , Benachi Alexandra , Portes Vincent des , Guibaud Laurent , Patat Olivier , Spentchian Myrtille , Frugère Lisa , Héron Delphine , Garel Catherine
Published: May 2023

Objective

Recent studies have evaluated prenatal exome sequencing (pES) for abnormalities of the corpus callosum (CC). The objective of this study was to compare imaging phenotype and genotype findings.

Method

This multicenter retrospective study included fetuses with abnormalities of the CC between 2018 and 2020 by ultrasound and/or MRI and for which pES was performed. Abnormalities of the CC were classified as complete (cACC) or partial (pACC) agenesis of the CC, short CC (sCC), callosal dysgenesis (CD), interhemispheric cyst (IHC), or pericallosal lipoma (PL), isolated or not. Only pathogenic (class 5) or likely pathogenic (class 4) (P/LP) variants were considered.

Results

113 fetuses were included. pES identified P/LP variants for 3/29 isolated cACC, 3/19 isolated pACC, 0/10 isolated sCC, 5/10 isolated CD, 5/13 non‐isolated cACC, 3/6 non‐isolated pACC, 8/11 non‐isolated CD and 0/12 isolated IHC and PL. Associated cerebellar abnormalities were significantly associated with P/LP variants (OR = 7.312, p = 0.027). No correlation was found between phenotype and genotype, except for fetuses with a tubulinopathy and an MTOR pathogenic variant.

Conclusions

P/LP variants were more frequent in CD and in non‐isolated abnormalities of the CC. No such variants were detected for fetuses with isolated sCC, IHC and PL.
The role of colorblind racism and white fragility in maintaining racist bullying in middle school
Authors: Jones Tiffany M. , Williford Anne , Malorni Angela , McCowan Kristin , Becker Kaylee , Halac Tess , Lea Charles H. , Spencer Michael S.
Published: May 2023

The present study sought to understand how colorblind racism (CBR) and white fragility (WF) influence the presence and perpetration of racist bullying in a middle school setting. Five focus groups and one interview (n = 20) were conducted with school administrators, teachers, and racially and ethnically diverse students to elicit their experiences and perspectives concerning racist bullying. Focus groups were analyzed using template analysis. Racist bullying was a common experience among racial and ethnic minoritized students. CBR and WF were evident as white students and teachers claimed students had similar experiences regardless of race, they minimized the impact of racist bullying, and silenced discussions of race and racism. CBR and WF were critical drivers of the maintenance of racist bullying in this middle school, and thus important to address in efforts to prevent racist bullying.
Meaning‐centered pain coping skills training for patients with metastatic cancer: Results of a randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors: Winger Joseph G. , Kelleher Sarah A. , Ramos Katherine , Check Devon K. , Yu Justin A. , Powell Victoria D. , Lerebours Reginald , Olsen Maren K. , Keefe Francis J. , Steinhauser Karen E. , Porter Laura S. , Breitbart William S. , Somers Tamara J.
Published: May 2023

Objective

For patients with advanced cancer, pain is a common and debilitating symptom that can negatively impact physical, emotional, and spiritual well‐being. This trial examined the feasibility and initial effects of Meaning‐Centered Pain Coping Skills Training (MCPC), a cognitive‐behavioral pain management intervention with an emphasis on enhancing meaning (i.e., a personal sense of purpose, worth, and significance) and peace.

Methods

We enrolled 60 adults with stage IV solid tumor cancers and moderate‐severe pain between February 2021 and February 2022. Participants were randomized 1:1 to MCPC + usual care or usual care alone. Meaning‐Centered Pain Coping Skills Training consisted of four weekly 60‐min individual sessions via videoconference or telephone, delivered by a trained therapist using a manualized protocol. Participants completed validated measures of pain severity, pain interference, pain self‐efficacy, spiritual well‐being (i.e., meaning, peace, and faith), and psychological distress at baseline and 5‐week and 10‐week follow‐ups.

Results

All feasibility metrics exceeded prespecified benchmarks. Fifty‐eight percent of screened patients were eligible, and 69% of eligible patients consented. Of those assigned to MCPC, 93% completed all sessions and 100% of those who completed follow‐ups reported using coping skills weekly. Retention was strong at 5‐week (85%) and 10‐week (78%) follow‐ups. Meaning‐Centered Pain Coping Skills Training participants reported better scores than control participants across outcome measures, including moderate‐to‐large sized differences at 10‐week follow‐up in pain severity (Cohen's d = −0.75 [95% confidence interval: −1.36, −0.14]), pain interference (d = −0.82 [‐1.45, −0.20]), and pain self‐efficacy (d = 0.74 [0.13, 1.35]).

Conclusions

MCPC is a highly feasible, engaging, and promising approach for improving pain management in advanced cancer. Future efficacy testing is warranted.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04431830, registered 16 June 2020.
The paediatric physiotherapy curricula landscape: A survey of United Kingdom entry‐level programs
Authors: Chesterton Paul , Chesterton Jennifer
Published: May 2023

Background and Purpose

To identify the paediatric curriculum content covered in entry‐level physiotherapy programs within the United Kingdom (UK), and report faculties perceived importance. Strengths, weaknesses, barriers and facilitators, to the implementation of paediatric content were explored.

Methods

A cross‐sectional online questionnaire captured entry‐level physiotherapy programme leaders' perceptions of paediatric programs.

Results

Fifty‐five responses were submitted, providing a 67% completion rate. Faculty perceived that students' felt the inclusion of paediatric content within the curricula was ‘Important’ (Mean 3.60 ± SD 0.74). Of 30 diagnoses surveyed, only two were covered ‘Well’ within curriculums, despite 23 rated at least ‘Important’ by respondents. Of the 18 assessment/examination components, 13 were covered ‘Well’ with five ‘Somewhat’. All were considered to be at least ‘Important’. Perceived strengths were grouped into three main categories (1) integrated/lifespan approach, (2) links to clinical specialists, and (3) a broad/detailed curriculum. Perceived weaknesses included curriculum time pressures and paediatric placement availability.

Discussion

The majority of paediatric conditions were only somewhat covered by UK curriculums, despite respondents in the main believing they should be an important element of the entry‐level syllabus. Some UK physiotherapy entry‐level students may not be exposed to any paediatric teaching or clinical placements.
Upgrading on Per Protocol versus For Cause surveillance prostate biopsies: An opportunity to decreasing the burden of active surveillance
Authors: Wang Michael , Lange Andrew , Perlman David , Qi Ji , George Arvin K. , Ferrante Stephanie , Semerjian Alice , Sarle Richard , Cher Michael L. , Ginsburg Kevin B. ,   for the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative
Published: May 2023

Background

Most prostate cancer (PC) active surveillance (AS) protocols recommend “Per Protocol” surveillance biopsy (PPSBx) every 1–3 years, even if clinical and imaging parameters remained stable. Herein, we compared the incidence of upgrading on biopsies that met criteria for “For Cause” surveillance biopsy (FCSBx) versus PPSBx.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed men with GG1 PC on AS in the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC) registry. Surveillance prostate biopsies obtained 1 year after diagnosis were classified as either PPSBx or FCSBx. Biopsies were retrospectively deemed FCSBx if any of these criteria were met: PSA velocity > 0.75 ng/mL/year; rise in PSA > 3 ng from baseline; surveillance magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (sMRI) with a PIRADS ≥ 4; change in DRE. Biopsies were classified PPSBx if none of these criteria were met. The primary outcome was upgrading to ≥GG2 or ≥GG3 on surveillance biopsy. The secondary objective was to assess for the association of reassuring (PIRADS ≤ 3) confirmatory or surveillance MRI findings and upgrading for patients undergoing PPSBx. Proportions were compared with the chi‐squared test.

Results

We identified 1773 men with GG1 PC in MUSIC who underwent a surveillance biopsy. Men meeting criteria for FCSBx had more upgrading to ≥GG2 (45%) and ≥GG3 (12%) compared with those meeting criteria for PPSBx (26% and 4.9%, respectively, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). Men with a reassuring confirmatory or surveillance MRI undergoing PPSBx had less upgrading to ≥GG2 (17% and 17%, respectively) and ≥GG3 (2.9% and 1.8%, respectively) disease compared with men without an MRI (31% and 7.4%, respectively).

Conclusions

Patients undergoing PPSBx had significantly less upgrading compared with men undergoing FCSBx. Confirmatory and surveillance MRI seem to be valuable tools to stratify the intensity of surveillance biopsies for men on AS. These data may help inform the development of a risk‐stratified, data driven AS protocol.
Treatment outcomes of simultaneous integrated boost to intraprostatic lesions with external beam radiotherapy in localized prostate cancer patients
Authors: Onal Cem , Erbay Gurcan , Guler Ozan C. , Yavas Cagdas , Oymak Ezgi
Published: May 2023

Background

To evaluate the treatment outcomes and toxicity of definitive radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PC) patients using the simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) technique, which delivered 78 Gy to the entire prostate and 86 Gy to the intraprostatic lesion (IPL) in 39 fractions.

Materials and Methods

Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted of the prognostic factors for freedom from biochemical failure (FFBF), progression‐free survival (PFS), and PC‐specific survival (PCSS) of 619 PC patients who received definitive RT between September 2012 and August 2021. Predictors of late Grade ≥2 genitourinary (GU) and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities were also identified using logistic regression.

Results

The median follow‐up for entire cohort was 68.5 months. The 5‐year FFBF, PFS, and PCSS rates were 93.2%, 83.2%, and 98.6%, respectively. They were predicted by the serum prostate‐specific antigen, Gleason score (GS), clinical nodal stage, and D'Amico risk group. Only 45 patients (7.3%) developed disease recurrence 41.9 months after RT. The 5‐year FFBF rates for low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk disease were 98.0%, 93.1%, and 88.5%, respectively (p < 0.001). The 5‐year PFS and PCSS rates according to risk groups were 91.0%, 82.1%, and 77.4% (p < 0.001), and 99.2%, 96.4%, and 95.9% (p = 0.03), and, respectively. GS > 7 and lymph node metastasis negatively predicted FFBF and PCSS in multivariable analysis. Ninety (14.6%) and 44 (7.1%) patients had acute Grade ≥2 GU and GI toxicities, respectively, and 42 (6.8%) and 27 (4.4%) patients had late Grade ≥2 GU and GI toxicities, respectively. Diabetes and transurethral resection independently predicted late Grade 2 GU toxicity, but no significant predictor of late Grade ≥2 GI toxicity was found.

Conclusions

Localized PC was effectively and safely treated with definitive RT using the SIB technique to deliver 86 Gy to the IPL in 39 fractions without severe late toxicity. This finding must be validated with long‐term results.
Comparative demographics, population projections and egg maturation patterns of four eupelmid egg parasitoids on the factitious host Antherae pernyi
Authors: Mu Ming‐Yue , Chen Yong‐Ming , Wang Xingeng , Desneux Nicolas , Zang Lian‐Sheng
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND

The genera Anastatus and Mesocomys (both Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) are important solitary egg endoparasitoids as biological control agents for lepidopterous and hemipterous pests worldwide. Here, we comparatively evaluated the demographic parameters of four important eupelmid egg parasitoids (Anastatus fulloi, A. japonicus, Mesocomys albitarsis and M. trabalae) reared on the factitious host eggs of the Chinese oak silkworm Antheraea pernyi, using age‐stage two‐sex life tables, their population projections as well as egg maturation patterns.

RESULTS

Both the age‐specific net reproductive rate (lxmx) and reproductive value (vxj) increased initially and then gradually decreased with increasing age in all four parasitoid species. Overall, the two Mesocomys species had higher survival rates at stable age‐stage distribution, peak reproductive values, and intrinsic rates of increase than the two Anastatus species. Mesocomys albitarsis had the longest longevity, whereas A. japonicus had the longest oviposition days and mean generation time. The two Mesocomys species are thus projected to have faster population increase than the two Anastatus species. Adult females of all four parasitoid species emerged with only a few mature eggs (< 6 eggs) and most of their eggs were matured post‐emergence (strict synovigeny). The estimated 90% of lifetime complement of reproduction (offspring) and realized days were 374 and 32 for A. japonicus, 337 and 22 for M. trabalae, 330 and 19 for M. albitarsis and 147 and 28 for A. fulloi.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that the two Mesocomys species have higher control capacity than the two Anastatus species. Provision of adult food for these strictly synovigenic parasitoids would be essential to prolong their lifespan and continuously produce eggs for parasitizing their hosts for mass rearing or augmentative biological control programs. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effect of Surface Energetics on Phase Stability of CaMnO3
Authors: Grimm Benjamin , Bredow Thomas
Published: May 2023

CaMnO3 is a promising starting point for the search of perovskites which are suitable as electrode materials for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In a previous theoretical study [Phys. Status Solidi B 2022, 260, 2200427], it was established that the global hybrid functional PW1PW is well suited to obtain structural, energetic, and electronic bulk properties. Herein, the focus is extended to surface properties of CaMnO3. All symmetry‐inequivalent low‐index surfaces of CaMnO3 are investigated with PW1PW. Based on the experience with polar surfaces, it is decided to employ stoichiometric and symmetric models, in some cases with Schottky defects. From the calculated surface energies, the crystal morphologies are predicted based on the Gibbs–Wulff theorem. The (101), (100), (011), (001), and (010) surfaces (space group no. 62) and the (010), (110), (011), and (101) surfaces (space group no. 20) dominate the surfaces of respective single crystals and should be considered in future theoretical calculations of the HER. Furthermore, it is found that the modification with space group no. 20 is significantly more stable than space group no. 62 for nanoparticles with a diameter below 10 nm.
Tetragonal and Orthorhombic Phases in Polycrystalline Sr4Ir3O10 Synthesized by High‐Pressure and High‐Temperature Technique
Authors: Wang Huaixiang , Lu Dabiao , Wang Weipeng , Ding Yifan , Ji Yu , Shen Xi , Yao Yuan , Long Youwen , Yu Richeng
Published: May 2023

The macroscopic physical properties of materials are determined by their crystal and electronic structures. Iridates have anomalous electronic structures because of the competition of comparable energies between the Coulomb repulsion of electrons and spin–orbit coupling. The polycrystalline Sr4Ir3O10 sample is successfully synthesized, which owns a trilayered perovskite structure using the high‐pressure and high‐temperature technique. The transmission electron microscopy studies give the structural evidence of Sr4Ir3O10 in real space experimentally. It is proved that tetragonal and orthorhombic structures with I4/mmm and Pbca space groups coexist in the polycrystalline Sr4Ir3O10 sample.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Solution Strengthening of Si and Cu Atoms in Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Kong Shining , Li Jianyu , Zhang Zhao
Published: May 2023

For heat‐treatable aluminum alloys, solid solute elements play key role in material strengthening. Al–Mg–Si alloy is a typical heat‐treatable alloy; Cu and Si atoms are its main solid solution atoms. To reveal the strengthening mechanism, the interaction between the edge dislocations and the Cu and Si solute atoms of different concentration in aluminum matrix is investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Results indicate that Cu atoms provide a more effective strengthening due to the stronger pinning effect. The increment of critical resolved shear stress (ΔCRSS) is a function of concentration of solid solute atoms. When more than two types of solid solution atoms coexist in matrix, the final increment of the ΔCRSS is determined by the interactive effects of the atoms instead of the direct sum of all items. The pinning of Cu solid solute atoms can lead to two Shockley partial dislocations merging to an edge dislocation.
Distribution of the follicular and luteal phase lengths and their age‐dependent changes in Japanese women: A large population study
Authors: Mitake Sawa , Wada‐Hiraike Osamu , Kashiwabara Kosuke , Nakamura Akari , Nasu Risa , Hine Maaya , Matsuyama Yutaka , Fujii Tomoyuki , Osuga Yutaka
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The current definition of menstrual cycle length in a Japanese woman is different from those of WHO definition, and the original data are outdated. We aimed to calculate the distribution of follicular and luteal phases length in modern Japanese women with various menstrual cycles.

Methods

This study determined the lengths of the follicular and luteal phases of Japanese women using basal body temperature data collected via a smartphone application from 2015 to 2019, and the data were analyzed using the Sensiplan method. Over 9 million temperature readings from more than 80 000 participants were analyzed.

Results

The mean duration of the low‐temperature (follicular) phase averaged 17.1 days and was shorter among participants aged 40–49 years. The mean duration of the high‐temperature (luteal) phase was 11.8 days. The variance and maximum‐minimum difference of the length of the low temperature period were significant in women under 35 years old than women aged more than 35 years.

Conclusions

The shortening of the follicular phase in women aged 40–49 years implied a relationship with the rapid decline of ovarian reserve in these women, and the age 35 years old was turning point of ovulatory function.
Active disturbance rejection‐based event‐triggered bipartite consensus control for nonaffine nonlinear multiagent systems
Authors: Cao Zhongwen , Niu Ben , Zong Guangdeng , Zhao Xudong , Ahmad Adil M.
Published: May 2023

This article investigates the active disturbance rejection‐based distributed event‐triggered bipartite consensus problem of nonaffine nonlinear multiagent systems with input saturation. To reduce the update frequency of the control signal, an event‐triggered mechanism is employed for each follower. Additionally, the active disturbance rejection technology, as a combination of the extended state observer and the tracking differentiator, is introduced to estimate the uncertainties of the system and address the problem of explosion of complexity in the backstepping design process. Compared with the traditional distributed bipartite consensus schemes using neural networks/fuzzy logic systems, the design complexity of the control law is reduced in the proposed scheme. Meanwhile, the tracking error is maintained within a predefined range via the funnel function. Finally, the stability of the system is proved under the Lyapunov stability analysis theory, and the effectiveness of the proposed strategy is verified via simulation examples.
Detecting the imprints of past clear‐cutting on riparian forest plant communities along a Mediterranean river
Authors: Angiolini Claudia , de Simone Leopoldo , Fiaschi Tiberio , Cifaldi Giuseppe Pio , Maccherini Simona , Fanfarillo Emanuele
Published: May 2023

In riparian forests, clear‐cutting causes long‐lasting changes in both riparian and aquatic biota. In this work, we examined if past clear‐cutting events occurred at different times have imprints on riparian forests in a Mediterranean river in central Italy. We carried out a randomized, plot‐based vegetation survey of riparian forests in systematically sampled 500 m‐long sectors along the whole river, dividing the riparian zone into two internal and two external strips. From historical aerial photos, past clear‐cutting events within plots were detected and classified in age classes: (i) cut in the past 8 years (recent); (ii) cut between 8 and 19 years ago (intermediate); (iii) no signs of clear‐cutting in the last 19 years (distant). We analyzed the responses of vegetation to clear‐cutting and strip position. Alien species richness was higher and woody species richness was lower in recently clear‐cut areas compared to those with a distant clear‐cutting event. Moreover, recently cut woods had more alien and synanthropic species. Intermediate clear‐cut areas had higher levels of invasion by alien species compared to areas with distant cut. Riparian forests of internal strips are impacted by clear‐cutting, but seem to recover in 8–19 years thanks to their natural resilience. Conversely, recent or intermediate clear‐cutting events did not affect any of the investigated vegetation attributes in the external strips since such forests were already invaded by alien and synanthropic species after human disturbance. Our results confirm that clear‐cutting events can have long‐lasting effects on Mediterranean riparian forests, confirming the vulnerability of river ecosystems to clear‐cutting and suggesting the need for more caution in management practices to improve the conservation status of riparian forests.
Accurate delineation of individual tree crowns in tropical forests from aerial RGB imagery using Mask R‐CNN
Authors: Ball James G. C. , Hickman Sebastian H. M. , Jackson Tobias D. , Koay Xian Jing , Hirst James , Jay William , Archer Matthew , Aubry‐Kientz Mélaine , Vincent Grégoire , Coomes David A.
Published: May 2023

Tropical forests are a major component of the global carbon cycle and home to two‐thirds of terrestrial species. Upper‐canopy trees store the majority of forest carbon and can be vulnerable to drought events and storms. Monitoring their growth and mortality is essential to understanding forest resilience to climate change, but in the context of forest carbon storage, large trees are underrepresented in traditional field surveys, so estimates are poorly constrained. Aerial photographs provide spectral and textural information to discriminate between tree crowns in diverse, complex tropical canopies, potentially opening the door to landscape monitoring of large trees. Here we describe a new deep convolutional neural network method, Detectree2, which builds on the Mask R‐CNN computer vision framework to recognize the irregular edges of individual tree crowns from airborne RGB imagery. We trained and evaluated this model with 3797 manually delineated tree crowns at three sites in Malaysian Borneo and one site in French Guiana. As an example application, we combined the delineations with repeat lidar surveys (taken between 3 and 6 years apart) of the four sites to estimate the growth and mortality of upper‐canopy trees. Detectree2 delineated 65 000 upper‐canopy trees across 14 km2 of aerial images. The skill of the automatic method in delineating unseen test trees was good (F1 score = 0.64) and for the tallest category of trees was excellent (F1 score = 0.74). As predicted from previous field studies, we found that growth rate declined with tree height and tall trees had higher mortality rates than intermediate‐size trees. Our approach demonstrates that deep learning methods can automatically segment trees in widely accessible RGB imagery. This tool (provided as an open‐source Python package) has many potential applications in forest ecology and conservation, from estimating carbon stocks to monitoring forest phenology and restoration.

Python package available to install at https://github.com/PatBall1/Detectree2.
HOST program provides housing, support for students facing homelessness
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: May 2023

BOSTON — It only makes sense that college students are more likely to succeed when they can count on having their own bed to sleep in every night. But unfortunately that's not the case for the 15% of college students who are experiencing housing instability. “If you don't have a place to lay your head,” said Vonda Easterling, Ph.D., “how can you focus on doing well in school?”
President of USF worked her way up the ladder
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: May 2023

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA — It might come as a surprise that Rhea F. Law, the first graduate of the University of South Florida to become USF President, knows firsthand what it's like to work her way through school and up to the top of the career ladder. Law first started working as a university research project administrator at USF because it was the only way she could afford to go to college — she knew that employees had the benefit of taking six free credits per semester. At that rate, it took her 10 years of working full time to earn a bachelor's degree in business administration. Next, she cashed in her retirement fund to pay for law school, eventually earning a J.D. from the Stetson University College of Law.
Multiple multi‐sample testing under arbitrary covariance dependency
Authors: Vutov Vladimir , Dickhaus Thorsten
Published: May 2023

Modern high‐throughput biomedical devices routinely produce data on a large scale, and the analysis of high‐dimensional datasets has become commonplace in biomedical studies. However, given thousands or tens of thousands of measured variables in these datasets, extracting meaningful features poses a challenge. In this article, we propose a procedure to evaluate the strength of the associations between a nominal (categorical) response variable and multiple features simultaneously. Specifically, we propose a framework of large‐scale multiple testing under arbitrary correlation dependency among test statistics. First, marginal multinomial regressions are performed for each feature individually. Second, we use an approach of multiple marginal models for each baseline‐category pair to establish asymptotic joint normality of the stacked vector of the marginal multinomial regression coefficients. Third, we estimate the (limiting) covariance matrix between the estimated coefficients from all marginal models. Finally, our approach approximates the realized false discovery proportion of a thresholding procedure for the marginal p‐values for each baseline‐category logit pair. The proposed approach offers a sensible trade‐off between the expected numbers of true and false findings. Furthermore, we demonstrate a practical application of the method on hyperspectral imaging data. This dataset is obtained by a matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) instrument. MALDI demonstrates tremendous potential for clinical diagnosis, particularly for cancer research. In our application, the nominal response categories represent cancer (sub‐)types.
Multivariate single index modeling of longitudinal data with multiple responses
Authors: Tian Zibo , Qiu Peihua
Published: May 2023

In medical studies, composite indices and/or scores are routinely used for predicting medical conditions of patients. These indices are usually developed from observed data of certain disease risk factors, and it has been demonstrated in the literature that single index models can provide a powerful tool for this purpose. In practice, the observed data of disease risk factors are often longitudinal in the sense that they are collected at multiple time points for individual patients, and there are often multiple aspects of a patient's medical condition that are of our concern. However, most existing single‐index models are developed for cases with independent data and a single response variable, which are inappropriate for the problem just described in which within‐subject observations are usually correlated and there are multiple mutually correlated response variables involved. This paper aims to fill this methodological gap by developing a single index model for analyzing longitudinal data with multiple responses. Both theoretical and numerical justifications show that the proposed new method provides an effective solution to the related research problem. It is also demonstrated using a dataset from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging.
Leveraging Ligand and Composition Effects: Morphology‐Tailorable Pt–Bi Bimetallic Aerogels for Enhanced (Photo‐)Electrocatalysis
Authors: Xue Geng , Li Yueqi , Du Ran , Wang Jinying , Hübner René , Gao Meng , Hu Yue
Published: May 2023

Metal aerogels (MAs) are emerging porous materials displaying unprecedented potential in catalysis, sensing, plasmonic technologies, etc. However, the lack of efficient regulation of their nano‐building blocks (NBBs) remains a big hurdle that hampers the in‐depth investigation and performance enhancement. Here, by harmonizing composition and ligand effects, Pt‐ and Bi‐based single‐ and bimetallic aerogels bearing NBBs of controlled dimensions and shapes are obtained by facilely tuning the metal precursors and the applied ligands. Particularly, by further modulating the electronic and optic properties of the aerogels via adjusting the content of the catalytically active Pt component and the semiconducting Bi component, both the electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic performance of the Pt–Bi aerogels can be manipulated. In this light, an impressive catalytic performance for electro‐oxidation of methanol is acquired, marking a mass activity of 6.4‐fold higher under UV irradiation than that for commercial Pt/C. This study not only sheds light on in situ manipulating NBBs of MAs, but also puts forward guidelines for crafting high‐performance MAs‐based electrocatalysts and photoelectrocatalysts toward energy‐related electrochemical processes.