bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE): Experience from a Tertiary-Care Pediatric Center
Authors: Garg Meenal , Arora Anshita , Kulkarni Shilpa D. , Hegde Anaita Udwadia , Shah Krishnakumar N.
Published: February 2022

Introduction Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease occurring as a complication of measles infection that is still prevalent in low-resource countries. Clinical and electrographical variability in SSPE can lead to diagnostic delays.

Methods Children diagnosed with SSPE in a tertiary care pediatric hospital in India in a period of 8 years were included in the study. The diagnosis was established on the basis of Dyken's criteria. The demographic data, clinical presentations, investigations, treatment approaches, and outcomes were reviewed and recorded.

Results Thirty-four patients were included in the analysis. Average age at symptom onset was 7 years, 5 months. Majority of the children were not vaccinated for measles. Most patients (80%) presented with stage 2 of illness. Nearly 25% presented with atypical clinical features. Myoclonus was the most predominant feature seen after diagnosis. Electroencephalography (EEG) was the most useful investigation for suspecting the diagnosis. All patients showed deterioration in neurological status with time and 20% died during follow-up.

Conclusion Atypical presentations of SSPE must be recognized in areas with high incidence to institute timely treatment and establish prognosis. EEG findings were found to be the most important indicator for diagnosis. Measles eradication will pave the way for elimination of this dreaded disease.
Predicting Health Care Providers' Acceptance of a Personal Health Record Secure Messaging Feature
Authors: Yousef Consuela C. , Salgado Teresa M. , Farooq Ali , Burnett Keisha , McClelland Laura E. , Abu Esba Laila C. , Alhamdan Hani S. , Khoshhal Sahal , Aldossary Ibrahim , Alyas Omar A. , DeShazo Jonathan P.
Published: February 2022

Background Personal health records (PHRs) can facilitate patient-centered communication through the secure messaging feature. As health care organizations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia implement PHRs and begin to implement the secure messaging feature, studies are needed to evaluate health care providers' acceptance.

Objective The aim of this study was to identify predictors of health care providers' behavioral intention to support the addition of a secure messaging feature in PHRs using an adapted model of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology as the theoretical framework.

Methods Using a cross-sectional survey design, data on acceptance of secure messaging features in PHRs were collected from health care providers working at the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs between April and May 2021. The proposed model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling in SmartPLS.

Results There were 224 participants: female (66.5%), 40 to 49 years of age (39.9%), nurses (45.1%), and those working more than 10 years in the organization (68.8%). Behavioral intention to support the addition of a secure messaging feature was significantly influenced by performance expectancy (β = 0.21, p = 0.01) and attitude (β = 0.50, p < 0.01), while other predicting factors, such as effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating condition, did not significantly affect the intention. Furthermore, age, years of experience, and professional role did not moderate the relationships.

Conclusion Health care professionals will support introducing a secure messaging feature in the PHRs if they serve the intended purpose. Considering attitude also plays a significant role in acceptance, it is necessary to arrange for training and support, so that caregivers, health care providers, and the patients become familiar with the benefits and expected outcomes of using the feature.
Data Science Trends Relevant to Nursing Practice: A Rapid Review of the 2020 Literature
Authors: Douthit Brian J. , Walden Rachel L. , Cato Kenrick , Coviak Cynthia P. , Cruz Christopher , D'Agostino Fabio , Forbes Thompson , Gao Grace , Kapetanovic Theresa A. , Lee Mikyoung A. , Pruinelli Lisiane , Schultz Mary A. , Wieben Ann , Jeffery Alvin D.
Published: February 2022

Background The term “data science” encompasses several methods, many of which are considered cutting edge and are being used to influence care processes across the world. Nursing is an applied science and a key discipline in health care systems in both clinical and administrative areas, making the profession increasingly influenced by the latest advances in data science. The greater informatics community should be aware of current trends regarding the intersection of nursing and data science, as developments in nursing practice have cross-professional implications.

Objectives This study aimed to summarize the latest (calendar year 2020) research and applications of nursing-relevant patient outcomes and clinical processes in the data science literature.

Methods We conducted a rapid review of the literature to identify relevant research published during the year 2020. We explored the following 16 topics: (1) artificial intelligence/machine learning credibility and acceptance, (2) burnout, (3) complex care (outpatient), (4) emergency department visits, (5) falls, (6) health care–acquired infections, (7) health care utilization and costs, (8) hospitalization, (9) in-hospital mortality, (10) length of stay, (11) pain, (12) patient safety, (13) pressure injuries, (14) readmissions, (15) staffing, and (16) unit culture.

Results Of 16,589 articles, 244 were included in the review. All topics were represented by literature published in 2020, ranging from 1 article to 59 articles. Numerous contemporary data science methods were represented in the literature including the use of machine learning, neural networks, and natural language processing.

Conclusion This review provides an overview of the data science trends that were relevant to nursing practice in 2020. Examinations of such literature are important to monitor the status of data science's influence in nursing practice.
Genetic Profiling of Pediatric Patients with B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Akin-Bali Dilara Fatma , Doganay Erdogan Beyza , Aslar Oner Deniz , Mahmud Akkan , Tasdelen Serpil , Kurekci Emin , Akar Nejat , Ozdag Sevgili Hilal
Published: February 2022

B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) is a heterogeneous leukemia subgroup. It has multiple sub-types that are likely to be classified by prognostic factors. Following a systematic literature review, this study analyzed the genes correlated with BCP-ALL prognosis (IKZF1, PAX5, EBF1, CREBBP, CRLF2, JAK2, ERG, CXCR4, ZAP70, VLA4, NF1, NR3C1, RB1, TSLP, ZNRF1, and FOXO3A), specifically their nucleotide variations and expression profiles in pediatric BCP-ALL samples. The study included 45 pediatric BCP-ALL patients with no cytogenetic anomaly and a control group of 10 children. The selected genes' hot-spot regions were sequenced using next-generation sequencing, while Polymorphism Phenotyping v2 and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program were used to identify pathogenic mutations. The expression analysis was performed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The mutation analysis detected 328 variants (28 insertions, 47 indels, 74 nucleotide variants, 75 duplications, and 104 deletions). The most and least frequently mutated genes were IKZF1 and CREBBP, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between patients and controls for mutation distribution in eight genes (ERG, CRLF2, CREBBP, TSLP, JAK2, ZAP70, FOXO3A, and NR3C1). The expression analysis revealed that JAK and ERG were significantly overexpressed in patients compared with controls (respectively, p = 0.004 and p = 0.003). This study combined genes and pathways previously analyzed in pediatric BCP-ALL into one dataset for a comprehensive analysis from the same samples to unravel candidate prognostic biomarkers. Novel mutations were identified in all of the studied genes.
A Study to Assess the Correlation between Academic Test Anxiety and Self-Esteem among Undergraduate Students
Authors: Thomas Timi , Joseph Gincy , Paul Shynee
Published: February 2022

Introduction The time of examination and evaluation is a stressful period where stress is on its highest levels. To some extent, low level of stress can help in motivating the students; however, on the contrary more stress can be discouraging. It will make students exhausted, overwhelmed, and confused. So, the present study focuses on assessing the academic test anxiety and self-esteem among undergraduates. The objectives of the study were: determining the academic test anxiety and self-esteem among students and find out the correlation and association between academic test anxiety and self-esteem.

Materials and Methods A quantitative research approach had been adopted and descriptive correlational survey design was used to identify the academic test anxiety and self-esteem among first year students from selected constituent colleges of NITTE (Deemed to be University) at Paneer campus. The sample consisted of 300 first year undergraduate students. The participants were selected using convenient sampling technique. The data were collected using the sociodemographic pro forma, standardized Westside Test Anxiety Scale and State Self-Esteem Scale. The data were computed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics like Karl Pearson's correlation coefficient test, Fisher's exact value, and chi-square value.

Result Majority of (79.9%) of the participants were in the age group of 18 to 19 years. The mean age of the participants was 18.56 ± 0.928 with minimum age 17 and maximum age of 21. Regarding entry level percentage of marks (Pre-University Course/+ 2), 34.7% of participants secured with more than 80% of marks in their entry level examination followed by 38.2% of the participants scoring between 70 and 79% and only 16 (5.6%) participants counted between 45 and 59%. Majority (76%) of the participants were females. The study reveals that 32.3% of the participants experienced moderate level of test anxiety and 17% of the participants experienced severe level of test anxiety followed by 34.7% participants experiencing mild levels of test anxiety. The mean test anxiety score was 2.97 ± 0.55 which indicates that average participants were showing moderate level of test anxiety. There is a significant medium positive correlation between academic test anxiety and self-esteem (r value = 0.497 and p ≤ 0.001). As the p-value was more than 0.05 (p = 0.09, p = 0.86), there is no significant association found between previous academic performance with level of academic test anxiety or self-esteem.

Conclusion The study concludes that, students' self-esteem can be enhanced and test anxiety can be reduced by creating an enabling environment for mentoring where they can practice assertiveness skills which will in turn boost their confidence to perform all academic tasks successfully.
Pictorial Depiction of an Institutional Experience of Acute Abdominal Emergencies in Cancer Patients with COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Jajodia Ankush , Jena Anuraag , Pasricha Sunil , Goel Shaifali , Gupta Gurudutt , Puri Sunil
Published: February 2022

The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a diagnostic and management challenge to the clinician, which further gets heightened when patients present with abdominal complications in a cancer care center. The atypical manifestations of the disease provide a diagnostic conundrum to the radiologist and leave the pathologist in the perils of guiding further management to the clinician. Although previous literature shows gastrointestinal involvement in COVID-19, we present a case series of complicated subjects with clinical imaging as a pictorial essay and relevant pathology. The abdominal manifestations of COVID-19 are complicated in cancer patients where a variety of other differentials such as infiltration by metastatic disease and drug-related chemo toxicity effects must be taken into account, which may be ruled out by clinical workup, adequate imaging, and laboratory tests. This would help achieve better clinical acumen and modify management in these subjects.
Neoclassical transport analysis of high rotational trace limit tungsten impurities in KSTAR tokamak
Authors: Lee Hyojong , Lee Hyeonjun , Han Yoon Seong , Song Jiheon , Belli E. A. , Choe Wonho , Kang Jisung , Lee Jekil , Candy J. , Lee Jungpyo
Published: February 2022

The accumulation of tungsten impurities measured in a KSTAR experiment was analyzed theoretically using a drift-kinetic code, NEO, to determine the contribution of neoclassical transport. According to the NEO simulation results, there is a certain value of impurity toroidal rotation speed maximizing the neoclassical inward convection. The inward convection decreases or the outward convection increases as the rotation increases only beyond the speed value. The non-monotonic dependency of the neoclassical convection on the rotation is analyzed by the several coefficients for many profile effects, including ion and electron profiles. The dependency of the coefficients for the main ion density gradient on the rotation is different from that for the temperature gradient, so it results in the amplification of the temperature screening beyond the certain value of the rotation. In the KSTAR case with high toroidal rotation of the tungsten (around Mach number 4.5), only in the mid-radius does the rotation reduce the inward impurity particle convection or change the inward convection to the outward convection. Thus, the rotation is a useful tool to control the impurity accumulation conditionally. The favorable condition occurs only for high rotation, which significantly depends on the radius and the collisionality due to the complicated non-monotonic dependency of the convection on the rotation speed.
Kohler’s rule and anisotropic Berry-phase effect in nodal-line semimetal ZrSiSe
Authors: Song Jiangpeng , Wang Jian , Wang Yihao , Zhang Lei , Song Meng , Li Zhihao , Cao Liang , Liu Dayong , Xiong Yimin
Published: February 2022

Nodal-line semimetals, ZrSiX (X = S, Se, Te), provide an ideal platform to investigate the tunable Fermi surfaces by replacing chalcogens. Here, we study the magnetoresistance at various magnetic fields and temperatures in ZrSiSe and find the obedience of Kohler’s law and sigmoidal-shaped field dependence, which are different to the behavior reported in ZrSiS. This difference is caused by compensated carriers and the non-negligible contribution from the trivial band in ZrSiSe. Furthermore, an anisotropic Berry-phase effect is observed and can be attributed to the enhanced spin–orbit coupling and the effect of a trivial band induced by Se replacement. Our findings provide further understanding for the topological states in nodal-line semimetal ZrSiX families and reveal the potential applications on magnetic sensors by manipulating the topological states.
Tutorial on broadband transmissive metasurfaces for wavefront and polarization control of terahertz waves
Authors: You Xiaolong , Fumeaux Christophe , Withayachumnankul Withawat
Published: February 2022

In order to harness the capabilities of terahertz waves, various metasurface-based functional devices have been developed recently. However, due to the limited usage of systematic optimization methodologies, many existing designs leave room for further bandwidth and efficiency improvement. This article provides an overview on the bandwidth limiting factors associated with metasurfaces and gives a tutorial on a semi-analytical approach to broadband design. The broadband approach incorporates network analysis and genetic algorithm to determine the frequency-independent optimal circuit parameters for multi-layer transmissive metasurfaces, so that targeted complex transmission coefficients can be achieved over a wide bandwidth. The broadband design approach is enabling the configuration and optimization of diverse metasurfaces for wavefront and polarization control of terahertz waves, including quarter- and half-waveplates.
Theory of laser-induced photoemission from a metal surface with nanoscale dielectric coating
Authors: Zhou Yang , Zhang Peng
Published: February 2022

This paper presents an analytical quantum model for photoemission from metal surfaces coated with an ultrathin dielectric, by solving the 1D time-dependent Schrödinger equation subject to an oscillating double-triangular potential barrier. The model is valid for an arbitrary combination of metal (of any work function and Fermi level), dielectric (of any thickness, relative permittivity, and electron affinity), laser field (strength and wavelength), and dc field. The effects of dielectric properties on photoemission are systematically investigated. It is found that a flat metal surface with dielectric coating can photoemit a larger current density than the uncoated case when the dielectric has smaller relative permittivity and larger electron affinity. Resonant peaks in the photoemission probability and emission current are observed as a function of dielectric thickness or electron affinity due to the quantum interference of electron waves inside the dielectric. Our model is compared with the effective single-barrier quantum model and modified Fowler–Nordheim equation, for both 1D flat cathodes and pyramid-shaped nanoemitters. While the three models show quantitatively good agreement in the optical field tunneling regime, the present model may be used to give a more accurate evaluation of photoemission from coated emitters in the multiphoton absorption regime.
Effect of interfacial atomic mixing on the thermal conductivity of multi-layered stacking structure
Authors: Liu Yingguang , Xue Xinqiang , Ren Guoliang , Chernatynskiy Aleksandr
Published: February 2022

Multi-layered stacking structures and atomic mixing interfaces were constructed. The effects of various factors on the thermal conductivity of different lattice structures were studied by non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations, including the number of atomic mixing layers, temperature, total length of the system, and period length. The results showed that the mixing of two and four layers of atoms can improve the thermal conductivities of the multi-layer structure with a small total length due to a phonon “bridge” mechanism. When the total length of the system is large, the thermal conductivity of the multi-layer structure with atomic mixing interfaces decreases significantly compared with that of the perfect interfaces. The interfacial atom mixing destroys the phonon coherent transport in the multi-layer structure and decreases the thermal conductivity to some extent. The thermal conductivity of the multi-layer structure with perfect interfaces is significantly affected by temperature, whereas the thermal conductivity of the multi-layer structures with atomic mixing is less sensitive to temperature.
Characteristics of high-contrast gratings based spoof surface plasmon polaritons and the application in microwave all-dielectric metamaterial absorbers
Authors: Guo Mengchao , Wang Xiaokun , Zhuang Haiyan , Tang Dongming , Zhang Baoshan , Chen Ping , Yang Yi
Published: February 2022

High-contrast gratings (HCGs) based spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs), as a new kind of SSPPs, have been proposed recently. Here, we study their particular mechanism and characteristics by comparing them with traditional metal-type SSPPs. The different fundamental dielectric resonator modes decided by the height–length ratio R of the dielectric element are found to be the key factor of the mechanism, leading to new characteristics and providing more working modes. In low R mode, HCG-based SSPPs can work under deep-subwavelength thickness and can be easily excited by free space wave and, thus, are considered to be applied to all-dielectric metamaterial absorbers (ADMMAs). Simulations and analysis confirm the microwave absorption effect of HCG-based SSPPs as a new mechanism of ADMMAs. Based on this, a carbon black based ADMMA is designed and the simulation and experimental results verify the important role of HCG-based SSPPs in broadband absorption. It is expected that this work can give rise to further and wider studies on the characteristics and applications of HCG-based SSPPs.
Algebras of integrals of motion for the Hamilton–Jacobi and Klein–Gordon–Fock equations in spacetime with four-parameter groups of motions in the presence of an external electromagnetic field
Authors: Obukhov Valeriy V.
Published: February 2022

The algebras of the integrals of motion of the Hamilton–Jacobi and Klein–Gordon–Fock equations for a charged test particle moving in an external electromagnetic field in a spacetime manifold are found. The manifold admits four-parameter groups of motions that act nontransitively on the spacetime. All admissible electromagnetic fields for which such algebras exist are found. In the case of an arbitrary n-dimensional Riemannian space on which the groups of motions act, it is proved that the admissible field does not deform the algebra of symmetry operators of the free Hamilton–Jacobi and Klein–Gordon–Fock equations. In addition, the system of differential equations, which must be satisfied by the potentials of the admissible electromagnetic field, has been investigated for compatibility.
Energy-based drag decomposition analyses for a turbulent channel flow developing over convergent–divergent riblets
Authors: Guo Tongbiao , Fang Jian , Zhong Shan , Moulinec Charles
Published: February 2022

Direct numerical simulations of a turbulent channel flow developing over convergent–divergent (C–D) riblets are performed at a Reynolds number of Reb = 2800, based on the half channel height δ and the bulk velocity. To gain an in-depth understanding of the origin of the drag generated by C–D riblets, a drag decomposition method is derived from kinetic energy principle for a turbulent channel flow with wall roughness. C–D riblets with a wavelength, Λ, ranging from 0.25δ to 1.5δ, are examined to understand the influence of secondary flow motions on the drag. It is found that as Λ increases, the intensity of the secondary flow motion increases first and then decreases, peaking at Λ/δ=1. At Λ/δ≥1, some heterogeneity appears in the spanwise direction for the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and vortical structures, with the strongest enhancement occurring around regions of upwelling. All the riblet cases examined here exhibit an increased drag compared to the smooth wall case. From the energy dissipation/production point of view, such a drag increase is dominated by the TKE production and the viscous dissipation wake component. While the drag contribution from the TKE production shear component decreases as Λ increases, the drag contribution from the wake component of both the TKE production and viscous dissipation follows the same trend as the intensity of the secondary flow motion. From the work point of view, the drag increase in the riblet case at Λ/δ=0.25 comes mainly from the work of the Reynolds shear stresses, whereas at Λ/δ≥1, the drag augmentation is dominated by the work of the dispersive stresses. At Λ/δ=0.5, both components play an important role in the increase in the drag, which also exhibits a peak.
Arbitrary image reinflation: A deep learning technique for recovering 3D photoproduct distributions from a single 2D projection
Authors: Sparling Chris , Ruget Alice , Leach Jonathan , Townsend Dave
Published: February 2022

Many charged particle imaging measurements rely on the inverse Abel transform (or related methods) to reconstruct three-dimensional (3D) photoproduct distributions from a single two-dimensional (2D) projection image. This technique allows for both energy- and angle-resolved information to be recorded in a relatively inexpensive experimental setup, and its use is now widespread within the field of photochemical dynamics. There are restrictions, however, as cylindrical symmetry constraints on the overall form of the distribution mean that it can only be used with a limited range of laser polarization geometries. The more general problem of reconstructing arbitrary 3D distributions from a single 2D projection remains open. Here, we demonstrate how artificial neural networks can be used as a replacement for the inverse Abel transform and—more importantly—how they can be used to directly “reinflate” 2D projections into their original 3D distributions, even in cases where no cylindrical symmetry is present. This is subject to the simulation of appropriate training data based on known analytical expressions describing the general functional form of the overall anisotropy. Using both simulated and real experimental data, we show how our arbitrary image reinflation (AIR) neural network can be utilized for a range of different examples, potentially offering a simple and flexible alternative to more expensive and complicated 3D imaging techniques.
Perspective on III–V barrier detectors
Authors: Klipstein Philip C.
Published: February 2022

In a photodiode made from a narrow bandgap III–V material such as InSb, the dark current is usually dominated by thermal generation-recombination (GR) in the depletion region. In an XBn or XBp barrier detector, the GR current is suppressed by confining the depletion region to a wide bandgap barrier material with a band alignment that blocks majority carriers. Diffusion limited barrier detectors are essentially unipolar and represent a device architecture with unity gain that is fundamentally different from that of the traditional photodiode. High performance barrier detector arrays spanning the mid- and long-wave infrared atmospheric transparency windows are currently being produced with both bulk alloy and type II superlattice (T2SL) absorbers several micrometers thick. In T2SLs, 5–10 μm diffusion lengths have been demonstrated for both InAs/GaSb XBp and InAs/InAsSb XBn devices. The former exhibit minority electrons with a short lifetime and a high mobility, while the latter exhibit minority holes with a long lifetime and a low mobility. The contrasting behavior is understood in terms of competing GR and Auger recombination mechanisms, and a transition between metallic and nonmetallic conduction. These properties present unique challenges for the future design of monolithic dual band photodetectors.
Equation of states for dense ice up to 80 GPa at low-temperature conditions
Authors: Fukui Hiroshi , Kadobayashi Hirokazu , Abe Hirotaka , Takahashi Ryunosuke , Wadati Hiroki , Hirao Naohisa
Published: February 2022

We have measured the lattice volume of ice VIII in different pressure–temperature pathways and found that the volume depends on the pathway, implying that deviatoric stress makes the volume larger. Dense ice is in the ice VIII phase with the molar volume of 6.56 cm3 and in a high-pressure phase with the molar volume of 6.45 cm3 at 10 K where the pressure can be estimated as 57.0 ± 3.4 and 60.4 ± 3.6 GPa, respectively, based on the third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation with parameters determined in this study (K0 = 30.8 ± 1.3 GPa and K′0 = 3.7 ± 0.1 with V0 fixed to 12.030 cm3).
Appraising widespread resprouting but variable levels of postfire seeding in Australian ecosystems: the effect of phylogeny, fire regime and productivity
Authors: Lawes Michael J. , Crisp Michael D. , Clarke Peter J. , Murphy Brett P. , Midgley Jeremy J. , Russell-Smith Jeremy , Nano Catherine E. M. , Bradstock Ross A. , Enright Neal J. , Fontaine Joseph B. , Gosper Carl R. , Woolley Leigh-Ann
Published: February 2022

Postfire resprouting (R+) and recruitment from seed (S+) are common resilience traits in Australian ecosystems. We classified 2696 woody Australian taxa as R+ or not (R−) and as S+ or not (S−). The proportions of these traits in Australian ecosystems were examined in relation to fire regimes and other ecological correlates, and by trait mapping on a phylogeny scaled to time. Resprouting mapped as an ancestral trait. Postfire reseeding recruitment, while ancient, is more taxonomically restricted and has evolved independently several times. Nevertheless, both R+ and S+ are common in most clades, but negatively correlated at the ecosystem level indicating an evolutionary trade-off related to differences in the severity of fire regimes, determined in part by ecosystem productivity. Thus, R+ was associated with persistence in ecosystems characterised by higher productivity and relatively frequent surface fires of moderate to low severity (fire-productivity hypothesis). S+, the fire-stimulated recruitment by seed, occurred in ecosystems characterised by infrequent but intense crown-fire and topkill, reducing competition between postfire survivors and recruits (fire-resource-competition hypothesis). Consistently large proportions of R+ or S+ imply fire has been a pervasive evolutionary selection pressure resulting in highly fire-adapted and fire-resilient flora in most Australian ecosystems.
Microhabitat selection by small mammals in response to fire
Authors: Lees Dylan M. , Watchorn Darcy J. , Driscoll Don A. , Doherty Tim S.
Published: February 2022

Understanding how fire influences animal behaviour, such as movement and resource selection, is important for ecosystem management because it can improve our capacity to predict how species will respond. We assessed microhabitat selection by two small mammals, the bush rat (Rattus fuscipes) and agile antechinus (Antechinus agilis), in response to a low intensity prescribed fire. We used spool and line tracking and touch pole vegetation surveys to quantify microhabitat selection along 21 trails for bush rats and 22 for antechinuses before and after fire. In unburnt areas, bush rats showed positive selection for sedges, logs, and habitat complexity, with selection further increasing in burnt areas for sedges, ferns, shrubs, habitat complexity and unburnt patches. Agile antechinuses showed no significant microhabitat selection in unburnt or burnt areas and no change in response to fire. Their lack of response to ground fires may be due, partially, to their scansorial behaviour and use of tree hollows as refuge sites. Strong selection by bush rats for small unburnt patches suggests that even low intensity, patchy fires such as planned burns can impact bush rats and that high burn patchiness may help bush rats persist in recently burnt areas. Future fire planning should consider both behavioural and population responses of animals to fire.
TRIM14 inhibits OPTN-mediated autophagic degradation of KDM4D to epigenetically regulate inflammation
Authors: Liu Di , Zhao Zhiyao , She Yuanchu , Zhang Lei , Chen Xiangtian , Ma Ling , Cui Jun
Published: February 2022

Significance

Histone methylation regulates gene transcription through a variety of methylases and demethylases. The regulatory role of autophagy, an important process of protein degradation and recycling, in these histone modifiers is still unclear. We report that TRIM14 stabilized the histone demethylase KDM4D to facilitate the transcription of interleukin 12 (
Il12
) and
Il23
by inhibiting histone H3K9 trimethylation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, TRIM14 recruited the deubiquitinases USP14 and BRCC3 to remove the K63-linked ubiquitin chains of KDM4D and prevented it from undergoing optineurin-mediated autophagic degradation. This study is valuable not only for increasing our understanding of the cross-talk between autophagy and epigenetic regulation, but also for demonstrating the potential of TRIM14 as a target for therapeutic interventions for inflammation-related diseases.
Perceptions on Navigating ACGME-Accredited Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Program Websites: A Thematic Analysis across a Race- and Gender-Diverse Pool of Potential Applicants
Authors: Abrams Matthew P. , Jackson Danielle S. , Aneke-Gratia Amaka , Kohler Anne E. , Mehtani Nicky , Jordan Ayana
Published: February 2022

Background: There is an alarming shortage of addiction psychiatrists in the United States. To promote interest in addiction psychiatry (ADP), it is essential to maximize resources available through ADP fellowship websites. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceived adequacy and accessibility of content on ADP fellowship websites and discover what further information is considered important among trainees interested in becoming addiction specialists. Methods: Three virtual focus groups were conducted between January and February 2021 among medical students and residents in diverse geographic regions. Participants were asked about the availability of information on ADP fellowship program websites and other material they would like to see available. Focus groups were recorded, with data transcribed and coded using NVivo 11 and Dedoose. A coding scheme was deductively developed based on the core research questions. Results: The majority of participants ( N = 27) identified areas of dissatisfaction with the content currently available on ADP websites. The sample was highly representative of racial and ethnic minoritized trainees ( n = 12) and genderqueer/non-binary participants ( n = 3). Three major themes were identified and durable across all focus groups: lack of emphasis on diversity/health equity, lack of portrayal of everyday life and activities of fellows, and inadequate representation of curricula. Overwhelmingly, participants identified a dedication to health equity (for example, working with minoritized populations) as a key deciding factor in whether to apply to a particular ADP fellowship. Conclusions: ADP fellowship websites are perceived to have considerable variability in the amount and quality of information. Many do not appear to provide the full spectrum of content desired by diverse potential applicants, such as information regarding current fellows and community-centered initiatives. This is concerning, as it suggests ADP fellowships may be interfacing poorly with burgeoning leaders, especially those from race and gender minoritized backgrounds, neglecting potential opportunities to develop future addiction specialists.
Improving Witness Interviewing for the Investigation of Disappeared Persons Due to Armed Conflict
Authors: Congram Derek , Mikellide Maria , Vennemeyer Matthew
Published: February 2022

Investigating missing persons who are presumed dead in conflict contexts almost always involves witness interviews. Interviews can be critical both to locating burial sites and to positively identifying bodies that are located. Despite the importance of interviews, the authors have found that investigators in these contexts seldom have formal training on interviewing. This article highlights three principal problems that the authors have experienced relative to interviewing as part of missing persons investigations in armed conflict contexts: that interviewing is not treated as a professional activity; the tendency to overvalue technical tools in the search for burial sites; and a lack of awareness about cultural and contextual factors that impact interviews. The article concludes with five recommendations on how to improve witness interviewing.
A general justification for hybrid functionals in DFT by means of linear response theory*
Authors: Ludeña Eduardo V , Torres F Javier , Rincón Luis
Published: February 2022

In the present work, resorting to linear response theory, we examine the plausibility of postulating Kohn–Sham (KS)-type equations which contain, by definition, an effective hybrid potential made up by some arbitrary mixture of local and non-local terms. In this way a general justification for the construction of hybrid functionals is provided without resorting to arguments based on the adiabatic connection, the generalized KS theory or the Levy’s constrained search (or its variations). In particular, we examine the cases of single-hybrid functionals, derived from non-local exchange and of double-hybrid functionals, emerging from non-local second-order expressions obtained from the KS perturbation theory. A further generalization for higher-order hybrid functionals is also included.
Dosimetry impact of gating latency in cine magnetic resonance image guided breath-hold pancreatic cancer radiotherapy
Authors: Hu Panpan , Li Xiaoyang , Liu Wei , Yan Bing , Xue Xudong , Yang Fei , Ford John Chetley , Portelance Lorraine , Yang Yidong
Published: February 2022

Objective. We investigated dosimetry effect of gating latency in cine magnetic resonance image (cine MRI) guided breath-hold pancreatic cancer radiotherapy. Approach. The gating latency was calculated based on cine MRI obtained from 17 patients who received MRI guided radiotherapy. Because of the cine MRI-related latency, beam overshoot occurs when beam remains on while the tracking target already moves out of the target boundary. The number of beam on/off events was calculated from the cine MRI data. We generated both IMRT and VMAT plans for all 17 patients using 33 Gy prescription, and created motion plans by applying isocenter shift that corresponds to motion-induced tumor displacement. The GTV and PTV coverage and dose to nearby critical structures were compared between the motion and original plan to evaluate the dosimetry change caused by cine MRI latency. Main results. The time ratio of cine MRI imaging latency over the treatment duration is 6.6 ± 3.1%, the mean and median percentage of beam-on events <4 s are 67.0 ± 14.3% and 66.6%. When a gating boundary of 4 mm and a target-out threshold of 5% is used, there is no significant difference for GTV V33Gy between the motion and original plan (p = 0.861 and 0.397 for IMRT and VMAT planning techniques, respectively). However, the PTV V33Gy and stomach Dmax for the motion plans are significantly lower; duodenum V12.5 Gy and V18Gy are significantly higher when compared with the original plans, for both IMRT and VMAT planning techniques. Significance. The cine MRI gating latency can significantly decrease the dose delivered to the PTV, and increase the dose to the nearby critical structures. However, no significant difference is observed for the GTV coverage. The dosimetry impact can be mitigated by implementing additional beam-on control techniques which reduces unnecessary beam on events and/or by using faster cine MRI sequences which reduces the latency period.
Origin of the anomalous electromechanical interaction between a moving magnetic dipole and a closed superconducting loop
Authors: Zhang Hongye , Yang Tianhui , Li Wenxin , Xin Ying , Li Chao , Iacchetti Matteo F , Smith Alexander C , Mueller Markus
Published: February 2022

Lenz’s law states that ‘the current induced in a circuit due to a change in a magnetic field is directed to oppose the change in flux and to exert a mechanical force which opposes the motion’. This statement has been widely adopted to predict many effects in electromagnetism. However, multiple recent experimental measurements have shown that the interactions between a moving permanent magnet (PM) and a closed superconducting loop can disobey the fundamental statement of Lenz’s law: during the entire process of a PM threading a high temperature superconducting (HTS) coil, the current induced in the HTS coil keeps the same direction, and thus the mechanical force exerted on the PM does not always oppose its movement. The seeming ‘Lenz’s law-violated phenomenon’, namely the anomalous electromechanical interaction between a moving PM and a closed superconducting loop, can bring about numerous potential applications in the domains of superconducting magnetic energy storage, electromagnetic ejection, and flux pumps, etc. However, the cause of this anomalous phenomenon remains controversial. By representing the PM as a magnetic dipole, taking the perfect conductor approximation for the closed superconducting loop, this paper has theoretically studied the anomalous electromechanical effect with rigorous mathematical formulae derivation. The proposed analytical equations have been verified by numerical modelling and experimental measurements, which further confirms the effectiveness of the perfect conductor approximation in ease of calculation. Results have shown that both the induced electromotive force and the intrinsic properties of the conductive loop (resistance-dominant or inductance-dominant) determine together the electromechanical performance of the studied energy conversion system, and the nearly zero resistivity of superconductors is the dominant cause of the anomalous phenomenon. This paper has illuminated the origin of the anomalous electromechanical interaction between a moving magnetic dipole and a closed superconducting loop, provided an efficient and reliable tool to predict the electromechanical performance of the studied energy conversion system, and is believed to deepen people’s understanding of the interactions between magnetic field sources and superconductors.
Spatial profile of accelerated electrons from ponderomotive scattering in hydrogen cluster targets
Authors: Aurand B , Reichwein L , Schwind K M , Aktan E , Cerchez M , Kaymak V , Lessmann L , Prasad R , Thomas J , Toncian T , Khoukaz A , Pukhov A , Willi O
Published: February 2022

We study the laser-driven acceleration of electrons from overdense hydrogen clusters to energies of up to 13 MeV in laser forward direction and several hundreds of keV in an outer ring-structure. The use of cryogenic hydrogen allows for high repetition-rate operation and examination of the influence of source parameters like temperature and gas flow. The outer ring-structure of accelerated electrons, originating from the interaction, that is robust against the change of laser and target parameters can be observed for low electron densities of ca 3 × 1016 cm−3. For higher electron densities, an additional central spot of electrons in the laser forward direction can be observed. Utilizing 3D particle-in-cell simulations, it is revealed that both electron populations mainly stem from ponderomotive scattering.
Evaluating impact of medium variation on dose calculated through planning system in a low cost in-house phantom
Authors: Saini Amit , Pandey V P , Singh Avtar , Kumar Pankaj
Published: February 2022

Purpose: In radiotherapy, accuracy in dose estimation of dose calculation methods is critical. The influence of deformity on radiation dose calculations derived by planning system is evaluated in present study. The goal of study was to create a low-cost inhomogeneous phantom for measuring absorbed dose using an Ionisation chamber and Gafchromic film, which was validated using treatment planning system (TPS) dose outcome. Methods:and Materials: The central axis dose calculations were computed using Pencil Beam Convolution algorithm (PBC), Collapsed Cone Convolution (CCC) and Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm in the Monaco treatment planning system using an In-house phantom (20 × 20 × 20cm3) made up of acrylic sheet containing water and inhomogeneous material wooden powder equivalent to lung. Phantom was scanned in Computed Tomography (CT) scanner and image set was sent to the planning workstation. The depth dose evaluations were performed using ionization chamber and Gafchromic film with same beam settings and monitor units in every setup. Following that, the calculated doses obtained from TPS and measured depth doses were compared. Results: The results was reported for photon energies 6MV, 10MV, 15MV, 6FFF and 10FFF at varying field sizes of 4 × 4 cm2, 5 × 5 cm2, 10 × 10 cm2, and 15 × 15 cm2. MC maximum dose variation predicted was 2.06% in 15MV of measured chamber dose and −2.06% of measured gafchromic film dose in 6MVFFF. CCC maximum dose variation predicted was 2.68% of measured chamber dose in 6MV and 3.31% of measured gafchromic film dose in 6MV whereas PB maximum dose variation predicted was −5.94% in 15MV of measured chamber dose and −11.6% of measured gafchromic film dose in 6MVFFF. Conclusion: Low-cost in-house phantoms can be utilised to assess point and planar doses during patient-specific quality assurance in centres that don’t have accessibility to phantoms due to the high cost of commercially available tools.
A few-shot U-Net deep learning model for lung cancer lesion segmentation via PET/CT imaging
Authors: Protonotarios Nicholas E , Katsamenis Iason , Sykiotis Stavros , Dikaios Nikolaos , Kastis George A , Chatziioannou Sofia N , Metaxas Marinos , Doulamis Nikolaos , Doulamis Anastasios
Published: February 2022

Over the past few years, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging for computer-aided diagnosis has received increasing attention. Supervised deep learning architectures are usually employed for the detection of abnormalities, with anatomical localization, especially in the case of CT scans. However, the main limitations of the supervised learning paradigm include (i) large amounts of data required for model training, and (ii) the assumption of fixed network weights upon training completion, implying that the performance of the model cannot be further improved after training. In order to overcome these limitations, we apply a few-shot learning (FSL) scheme. Contrary to traditional deep learning practices, in FSL the model is provided with less data during training. The model then utilizes end-user feedback after training to constantly improve its performance. We integrate FSL in a U-Net architecture for lung cancer lesion segmentation on PET/CT scans, allowing for dynamic model weight fine-tuning and resulting in an online supervised learning scheme. Constant online readjustments of the model weights according to the users’ feedback, increase the detection and classification accuracy, especially in cases where low detection performance is encountered. Our proposed method is validated on the Lung-PET-CT-DX TCIA database. PET/CT scans from 87 patients were included in the dataset and were acquired 60 minutes after intravenous 18F-FDG injection. Experimental results indicate the superiority of our approach compared to other state-of-the-art methods.
Structural and bonding properties of small hydrocarbons inside Ca(squarate)-metal organic framework: ab-initio study
Authors: Alnemrat Sufian , Hooper Joseph P , Guo Lidong , Bao Zongbi
Published: February 2022

Ab−initio Molecular Dynamic (MD) and static Density Functional Theory (DFT) are used to study the structural and bonding properties of small hydrocarbon adsorbates inside Ca(squarate)−Metal Organic Framework (MOF). Car−Parrinello Molecular Dynamics (CPMD) simulations of a single−adsorbate−MOF structure are used to obtain the adsorbate most preferred site of adsorption. This site is used for further structural and bonding analyses using static DFT. Unlike many other MOFs; we found that the Ca(squarate)−MOF physisorbs and weakly binds small adsorbate molecules such as C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, and C3H8 with no observed charge transfer and minimal hybridization with the MOF orbitals. No covalent bonding is seen near the preferred site of adsorption. The calculated binding energies decreases as the H content in the adsorbate molecule increases and found to be −18.71 kJ/mol, −18.14 kJ/mol, −15.75 kJ/mol, and—4.47 kJ/mol for C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, and C3H8 molecules respectively. Density of State (DOS) and a Crystal Orbital Overlap Population (COOP) analyses show that the interactions between C and H atoms in the molecule and C and O atoms in the MOF have antibonding characteristics near the Fermi level. These antibonding states tend to destabilize the overall electronic structure of the combined adsorbate/MOF system and hence decrease the binding energies of these adsorbates inside the MOF.