bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic Detection and Classification of Modic Changes in MRI Images Using Deep Learning: Intelligent Assisted Diagnosis System
Authors: Liu Gang , Wang Lei , You Sheng‐nan , Wang Zhi , Zhu Shan , Chen Chao , Ma Xin‐long , Yang Lei , Zhang Shuai , Yang Qiang
Published: November 2023

Objective

Modic changes (MCs) are the most prevalent classification system for describing intravertebral MRI signal intensity changes. However, interpreting these intricate MRI images is a complex and time‐consuming process. This study investigates the performance of single shot multibox detector (SSD) and ResNet18 network‐based automatic detection and classification of MCs. Additionally, it compares the inter‐observer agreement and observer‐classifier agreement in MCs diagnosis to validate the feasibility of deep learning network‐assisted detection of classified MCs.

Method

A retrospective analysis of 140 patients with MCs who underwent MRI diagnosis and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria in Tianjin Hospital from June 2020 to June 2021 was used as the internal dataset. This group consisted of 55 males and 85 females, aged 25 to 89 years, with a mean age of (59.0 ± 13.7) years. An external test dataset of 28 patients, who met the same criteria and were assessed using different MRI equipment at Tianjin Hospital, was also gathered, including 11 males and 17 females, aged 31 to 84 years, with a mean age of 62.7 ± 10.9 years. After Physician 1 (with 15 years of experience) annotated all MRI images, the internal dataset was imported into the deep learning model for training. The model comprises an SSD network for lesion localization and a ResNet18 network for lesion classification. Performance metrics, including accuracy, recall, precision, F1 score, confusion matrix, and inter‐observer agreement parameter Kappa value, were used to evaluate the model's performance on the internal and external datasets. Physician 2 (with 1 year of experience) re‐labeled the internal and external test datasets to compare the inter‐observer agreement and observer‐classifier agreement.

Results

In the internal dataset, when models were utilized for the detection and classification of MCs, the accuracy, recall, precision and F1 score reached 86.25%, 87.77%, 84.92% and 85.60%, respectively. The Kappa value of the inter‐observer agreement was 0.768 (95% CI: 0.656, 0.847),while observer‐classifier agreement was 0.717 (95% CI: 0.589, 0.809).In the external test dataset, the model's the accuracy, recall, precision and F1 scores for diagnosing MCs reached 75%, 77.08%, 77.80% and 74.97%, respectively. The inter‐observer agreement was 0.681 (95% CI: 0.512, 0.677), and observer‐classifier agreement was 0.519 (95% CI: 0.290, 0.690).

Conclusion

The model demonstrated strong performance in detecting and classifying MCs, achieving high agreement with physicians in MCs diagnosis. These results suggest that deep learning models have the potential to facilitate the application of intelligent assisted diagnosis techniques in the field of spine research.
Under What Conditions Would South Korea Go Nuclear? Seoul's Strategic Choice on Nuclear Weapons
Authors: Kim Min‐hyung
Published: November 2023

The main goal of this article is to analyze the conditions under which South Korea would decide to go nuclear. It seeks to examine the key factors that would trigger Seoul's decision for nuclear‐arming. The article contends that South Korea is likely to go nuclear under the following conditions: where South Koreans' demands for nuclear weapons continue to rise despite US security assurances; where Pyongyang's threats of its nuclear weapons attacks are increasingly directed towards Seoul as opposed to Washington; where US security assurances for South Korea become highly questionable; and where potential nearby proliferators (Japan and Taiwan, in particular) go nuclear. Any single one of these conditions might not be enough for Seoul's decision to nuclearize, but when at least any two of them are fulfilled at the same time, South Korea is highly likely to go nuclear.
Agile R&D units' organisation and its relationship with innovation performance
Authors: Meier Andre , Kock Alexander
Published: November 2023

Firms increasingly apply agile approaches in their development processes, and therefore researchers started investigating how agility affects innovation performance. However, previous research on agility often only considers software development or approaches the concept only from an outcome perspective (i.e. increased adaptability to changes) instead of from a capability perspective (i.e. how to organise for adaptability to be successful). Consequently, research failed to investigate how the organisation of agile research and development (R&D) units in physical new product development (NPD) affects innovation performance. We apply structural equation modelling on 162 R&D units in a large industrial firm and analyse the interplay of agile R&D units' organisation, the resulting agility, front‐end success and NPD success. Moreover, we consider contingency factors of environmental turbulence. The study extends research on agility's neglected capability perspective in innovation management, thus providing a better understanding of agility's relationship with innovation performance and showing managers how to increase their unit's NPD success.
Benefits of outcrossing and their implications for genetic management of an endangered species with mixed‐mating system
Authors: Rodger Yael S. , Dillon Rebecca , Monro Keyne , Pavlova Alexandra , Coates David J. , Byrne Margaret , Sunnucks Paul
Published: November 2023

Mixing gene pools in translocations can create populations with higher genetic diversity and evolutionary potential compared to single sources. However, the benefits of outcrossing on genetic rescue may depend on species' life history, notably mating systems. We assessed outcomes on growth and survival of different kinds of cross in a translocated population of the highly endangered mixed‐mating species Banksia brownii, established from multiple sources. We genetically assigned plants grown from field‐pollinated seed as of selfed, within‐source or between‐source (referring to the original source populations) cross types, and estimated proportion of heterozygous loci for each plant. We modeled the associations among genetic predictors (cross type, level of genetic diversity, and ancestry) and fitness proxies measured in glasshouse and field. At the translocation site, selfing rates were approximately 53–70% and crossing among sources was rare, both likely owing to different patterns of flowering among plants. Offspring of selfed plants were consistently smaller in volume in the glasshouse than were offspring from within‐source crosses. There was no evidence from the first 3 years that survival in the field was influenced by any predictor tested, but the smaller volume of selfed plants in the glasshouse and correlation of glasshouse size at 5 months with the size of the same plants at 3 years in the field suggest that more time may be needed to observe any effects of outcrossing on survival and fitness. Our results highlight the importance of monitoring mating systems, genetic diversity, and fitness data for evaluating translocation success and informing adaptive management.
Modeling and Influence Factors Analysis of Refueling Emissions for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Authors: Wu Xudong , He Ren
Published: November 2023

Vehicle fuel evaporative emissions are an important source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), causing serious pollution to the environment. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) often use high-pressure fuel tank to seal the fuel vapor generated by running loss (RL), hot soak loss (HSL), and diurnal breathing loss (DBL) in the fuel tank, resulting in increased refueling emissions. With the widespread use of PHEVs, the issue of refueling emissions cannot be ignored. In this study, according to the working characteristics of PHEV, the refueling process is divided into depressurization phase and refueling phase, and a mathematical model is established for the fuel vapor emission process. The mathematical model is solved and calculated by using matlab, and compared with the experimental results. The error between experimental and calculated results of refueling emissions is only 2.45%, indicating that the established mathematical model can accurately predict the refueling emissions of PHEVs. The refueling emission experiment activities are carried out, and the influencing factors of PHEV refueling emission are discussed, including initial pressure, ambient temperature, and refueling temperature. The effect of the temperature difference between ambient temperature and refueling temperature on refueling emissions is discussed for the first time, and it is found that refueling temperature has a more significant impact on refueling emissions compared with ambient temperature. When refueling temperature increases to 303 K and 313 K compared to 293 K, refueling emission mass increases by 31.97% and 69.88% respectively.
Optimal Control of District Cooling Energy Plant With Reinforcement Learning and Model Predictive Control
Authors: Guo Zhong , Chaudhari Aditya , Coffman Austin R. , Barooah Prabir
Published: November 2023

We consider the problem of optimal control of district cooling energy plants (DCEPs) consisting of multiple chillers, a cooling tower, and a thermal energy storage (TES), in the presence of time-varying electricity prices. A straightforward application of model predictive control (MPC) requires solving a challenging mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINLP) because of the on/off of chillers and the complexity of the DCEP model. Reinforcement learning (RL) is an attractive alternative since its real-time control computation is much simpler. But designing an RL controller is challenging due to myriad design choices and computationally intensive training. In this paper, we propose an RL controller and an MPC controller for minimizing the electricity cost of a DCEP, and compare them via simulations. The two controllers are designed to be comparable in terms of objective and information requirements. The RL controller uses a novel Q-learning algorithm that is based on least-squares policy iteration. We describe the design choices for the RL controller, including the choice of state space and basis functions, that are found to be effective. The proposed MPC controller does not need a mixed-integer solver for implementation, but only a nonlinear program (NLP) solver. A rule-based baseline controller is also proposed to aid in comparison. Simulation results show that the proposed RL and MPC controllers achieve similar savings over the baseline controller, about 17%.
Sport Event Sponsorship in the Midst of Crisis: A Teaching Case Study on the Partnership Between RunCzech and Adidas
Authors: Crossan William , Šíma Jan , Dwyer Brendan
Published: November 2023

This case provides students with an opportunity to observe RunCzech, a historically successful sport event organization, as they navigate a crisis and strive to satisfy all stakeholders, with emphasis on the sponsor stakeholders. Students are familiarized with the challenges facing RunCzech and their corresponding response. The event organizers strive to mitigate these challenges with their crisis management strategy. This strategy includes creating new events in partnership with their sponsors while remaining in compliance with changing government restrictions. RunCzech’s crisis management, and the communication surrounding it, is framed in terms of Coombs’s situational crisis communication theory. The students see innovative crisis management, with a primary focus on sponsors as stakeholders, before being tasked with communicating these crisis management efforts to one specific sponsor, adidas.
Development of simple, rapid, and sensitive methods for detection of hepatitis C virus RNA from whole blood using reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification
Authors: Pauly Matthew D. , Weis-Torres Sabrina , Hayden Tonya M. , Ganova-Raeva Lilia M. , Kamili Saleem
Published: November 2023

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an underdiagnosed global health problem. Diagnosis of current HCV infections typically requires testing for HCV RNA using high-complexity laboratory tests. Methods for the detection of HCV RNA that are simple, inexpensive, rapid, and compatible with use outside of a laboratory setting are very important in order to improve access to hepatitis C diagnostic testing and facilitate accelerated linkage to care. We developed and evaluated three simple workflows for extracting HCV RNA from small volumes of whole blood for use in a sensitive, pan-genotypic RT-LAMP assay. The water workflow uses osmotic stress to release HCV RNA and has a limit of detection of 4.3 log
10
(IU/mL) (95% CI 4.0–4.9). The heat workflow uses a heating step to release HCV RNA and has a limit of detection of 4.2 log
10
(IU/mL) (95% CI 3.8–5.1). The bead workflow, which uses chemical lysis of the sample and a streamlined paramagnetic solid phase reversible immobilization bead procedure for nucleic acid purification, has a limit of detection of 2.8 log
10
(IU/mL) (95% CI 2.5–3.4). When used to test whole blood spiked with HCV RNA-positive plasma samples in which most HCV levels were below 5.0 log
10
(IU/mL), the water, heat, and bead workflows detected HCV RNA in 69%, 75%, and 94% of samples, respectively. These workflows are compatible with visual lateral flow dipsticks, and each takes less than 60 min from sample to result. Each workflow can be performed with minimal and inexpensive equipment. With further procedural simplifications, these workflows may form the basis of assays for the point-of-care diagnosis of HCV infections.
Low-temperature immunization attenuates the residual virulence of
orf074r
gene-deleted infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus: a candidate immersion vaccine
Authors: Zeng Ruoyun , Fu Jiajie , Pan Weiqiang , Zhan Zhipeng , Weng Shaoping , Guo Changjun , He Jianguo
Published: November 2023

The development of immersion vaccines for preventing viral aquatic infectious diseases is important for Asian aquaculture. Gene-deletion-attenuated vaccines have good potential for administration via immersion. However, most gene-deletion viruses still have residual virulence, and thus, gene-deletion immersion vaccines for aquatic viruses are rarely developed. Herein, an
orf074r
deletion strain (Δ
orf074r
) of infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) with residual virulence was constructed, and an immunization process was developed to further attenuate Δ
orf074r
at low temperature (22°C), making it a candidate immersion vaccine for ISKNV. Under conventional aquaculture temperatures (28°C), Δ
orf074r
was attenuated but still had a mortality rate of 46.7% in the mandarin fish
Siniperca chuatsi
, indicating that Δ
orf074r
was not suitable for development as an immersion vaccine. However, over 95% of the surviving fish were protected against ISKNV challenge, and the surviving fish had an increased innate response along with an increase in antiviral antibody levels. To further reduce the mortality rate of Δ
orf074r
, we carried out immersion experiments at 22°C. The results showed that the residual virulence of Δ
orf074r
was further reduced, and all fish survived after immersion in Δ
orf074r
at 22°C. Then, the immunized fish were maintained at 28°C, and 80% of them were protected against ISKNV challenge; their immune responses were also induced. These results suggested that Δ
orf074r
could be a candidate immersion vaccine against ISKNV at 22°C and has good application prospects in the fish farming industry. Our work will aid in the development of an aquatic gene-deletion live attenuated immersion vaccine.

IMPORTANCE

Global aquaculture production yielded a record of 122.9 million tons in 2022. However, ~10% of farmed aquatic animal production is lost each year due to various infectious diseases, resulting in substantial economic waste. Therefore, the development of vaccines is important for the prevention and control of aquatic infectious diseases. Gene-deletion live attenuated vaccines are efficacious because they mimic natural pathogen infection and generate a strong antibody response, thus showing good potential for administration via immersion. However, most gene-deletion viruses still have residual virulence, and thus, gene-deletion immersion vaccines for aquatic viruses are rarely developed. In this study, an
orf074r
deletion strain (Δ
orf074r
) of ISKNV with residual virulence was constructed, and an immunization process was developed to reduce its residual virulence at 22°C, thereby making it a potential immersion vaccine against ISKNV. Our work will aid in the development of an aquatic gene-deletion live-attenuated immersion vaccine.
New National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance for hypertension: a review and comparison with the US and European guidelines
Authors: Goldie Fraser C , Brady Adrian J B
Published: November 2023

The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance for hypertension management has recently been updated. This review article summaries the main recommendations in NICE guidelines, and compares them with the American and European guidelines. NICE and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recommend diagnosing hypertension at a higher level than the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA). NICE treats to less stringent targets than both the ACC/AHA and the ESC, while using similar, although non-combination pill based, treatment regimens.
Morphology of the mural and commissural atrioventricular junction of the mitral valve
Authors: Krawczyk-Ożóg Agata , Batko Jakub , Zdzierak Barbara , Dziewierz Artur , Tyrak Kamil , Bolechała Filip , Kopacz Paweł , Strona Marcin , Gil Krzysztof , Hołda Jakub , Hołda Mateusz K
Published: November 2023

Objective

This study investigates mitral annular disjunctions (MAD) in the atrial wall-mitral annulus-ventricular wall junction along the mural mitral leaflet and commissures.

Methods

We examined 224 adult human hearts (21.9% females, 47.9±17.6 years) devoid of cardiovascular diseases (especially mitral valve disease). These hearts were obtained during forensic medical autopsies conducted between January 2018 and June 2021. MAD was defined as a spatial displacement (≥2 mm) of the leaflet hinge line towards the left atrium. We provided a detailed morphometric analysis (disjunction height) and histological examination of MADs.

Results

MADs were observed in 19.6% of all studied hearts. They appeared in 12.1% of mural leaflets. The P1 scallop was the primary site for disjunctions (8.9%), followed by the P2 scallop (5.4%) and P3 scallop (4.5%). MADs were found in 9.8% of all superolateral and 5.8% of all inferoseptal commissures. The average height for leaflet MADs was 3.0±0.6 mm, whereas that for commissural MADs was 2.1±0.5 mm (p<0.0001). The microscopical arrangement of MADs in both the mural leaflet and commissures revealed a disjunction shifted towards left atrial aspect, filled with connective tissue and covered by elongated valve annulus. The size of the MAD remained remarkably uniform and showed no correlation with other anthropometric factors (all p>0.05).

Conclusions

In the cohort of the patients with healthy hearts, MAD is present in about 20% of all studied hearts. The MADs identified tend to be localised, confined to a single scallop. Moreover, MADs in the commissures are notably smaller than those in the mural leaflet.
Novel uses for implanted haemodynamic monitoring in adults with subaortic right ventricles
Authors: Marshall V William H , Mah May Ling , DeSalvo Jennifer , Rajpal Saurabh , Lastinger Lauren T , Salavitabar Arash , Armstrong Aimee K , Berman Darren , Lampert Brent , Wright Lydia K , Hickey Jenne , Metzger Rachel , Nandi Deipanjan , Gajarski Robert , Daniels Curt J
Published: November 2023

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication in patients with complete dextro-transposition of the great arteries (TGA) after atrial switch (D-TGA/AS) and congenitally corrected TGA (ccTGA). In this population with subaortic right ventricles (sRVs), echocardiography is a poor screening tool for PH; implantable invasive haemodynamic monitoring (IHM) could be used for this purpose, but data are limited. The aim of this study is to report on novel uses of IHM in patients with sRV.

Methods

This retrospective study describes the uses of IHM, impact of IHM on heart failure hospitalisation (HFH) and device-related complications in adults with sRV from a single centre (2015–2022).

Results

IHM was placed in 18 patients with sRV (median age 43 (range 30–54) years, 8 female, 16 with D-TGA/AS, 2 with ccTGA); 16 had moderate or severe sRV systolic dysfunction, 13 had PH on catheterisation. IHM was used for (1) Medical therapy titration, (2) Medical management after ventricular assist device in patients with transplant-limiting PH and (3) Serial monitoring of pulmonary artery pressures without repeat catheterisations to help identify the optimal time for heart transplant referral. In follow-up (median 23 months), HFHs/year were similar to the year prior to IHM (median 0 (IQR 0–1.0) before vs 0 (0–0.8) after, p=0.984). Device migration occurred in one, without long-term sequelae.

Conclusions

Uses of IHM in patients with sRV are described which may minimise the need for serial catheterisations in a population where PH is prevalent. HFHs were low overall but not impacted by IHM. One device-related complication occurred without long-term consequence.
Comprehensive analyses of immune tumor microenvironment in papillary renal cell carcinoma
Authors: de Vries-Brilland Manon , Rioux-Leclercq Nathalie , Meylan Maxime , Dauvé Jonathan , Passot Christophe , Spirina-Menand Elena , Flippot Ronan , Fromont Gaëlle , Gravis Gwenaelle , Geoffrois Lionnel , Chevreau Christine , Rolland Fréderic , Blanc Ellen , Lefort Félix , Ravaud Alain , Gross-Goupil Marine , Escudier Bernard , Negrier Sylvie , Albiges Laurence
Published: November 2023

Background

Papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) is the most common non-clear cell RCC, and associated with poor outcomes in the metastatic setting. In this study, we aimed to comprehensively evaluate the immune tumor microenvironment (TME), largely unknown, of patients with metastatic pRCC and identify potential therapeutic targets.

Methods

We performed quantitative gene expression analysis of TME using Microenvironment Cell Populations-counter (MCP-counter) methodology, on two independent cohorts of localized pRCC (n=271 and n=98). We then characterized the TME, using immunohistochemistry (n=38) and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) (n=30) on metastatic pRCC from the prospective AXIPAP trial cohort.

Results

Unsupervised clustering identified two “TME subtypes”, in each of the cohorts: the “immune-enriched” and the “immune-low”. Within AXIPAP trial cohort, the “immune-enriched” cluster was significantly associated with a worse prognosis according to the median overall survival to 8 months (95% CI, 6 to 29) versus 37 months (95% CI, 20 to NA, p=0.001). The two immune signatures, Teff and JAVELIN Renal 101 Immuno signature, predictive of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) in clear cell RCC, were significantly higher in the “immune-enriched” group (adjusted p<0.05). Finally, five differentially overexpressed genes were identified, corresponding mainly to B lymphocyte populations.

Conclusion

For the first time, using RNA-seq and immunohistochemistry, we have highlighted a specific immune TME subtype of metastatic pRCC, significantly more infiltrated with T and B immune population. This “immune-enriched” group appears to have a worse prognosis and could have a potential predictive value for response to immunotherapy, justifying the confirmation of these results in a cohort of metastatic pRCC treated with CPI and in combination with targeted therapies.

Trial registration number

NCT02489695.
Targeting myeloid checkpoint Siglec-10 reactivates antitumor immunity and improves anti-programmed cell death 1 efficacy in gastric cancer
Authors: Lv Kunpeng , Sun Mengyao , Fang Hanji , Wang Jieti , Lin Chao , Liu Hao , Zhang Heng , Li He , He Hongyong , Gu Yun , Li Ruochen , Shao Fei , Xu Jiejie
Published: November 2023

Objective

Immunotherapy has not yielded satisfactory therapeutic responses in gastric cancer (GC). However, targeting myeloid checkpoints holds promise for expanding the potential of immunotherapy. This study aims to evaluate the critical role of Siglec-10+tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in regulating antitumor immunity and to explore the potential of the myeloid checkpoint Siglec-10 as an interventional target.

Design

Siglec-10+TAMs were assessed based on immunohistochemistry on tumor microarrays and RNA-sequencing data. Flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, and single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis were employed to characterize the phenotypic and transcriptional features of Siglec-10+TAMs and their impact on CD8+T cell-mediated antitumor immunity. The effectiveness of Siglec-10 blockade, either alone or in combination with anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), was evaluated using an ex vivo GC tumor fragment platform based on fresh tumor tissues.

Results

Siglec-10 was predominantly expressed on TAMs in GC, and associated with tumor progression. In Zhongshan Hospital cohort, Siglec-10+TAMs predicted unfavorable prognosis (n=446, p<0.001) and resistance to adjuvant chemotherapy (n=331, p<0.001), which were further validated in exogenous cohorts. In the Samsung Medical Center cohort, Siglec-10+TAMs demonstrated inferior response to pembrolizumab in GC (n=45, p=0.008). Furthermore, Siglec-10+TAMs exhibited an immunosuppressive phenotype and hindered T cell-mediated antitumor immune response. Finally, blocking Siglec-10 reinvigorated the antitumor immune response and synergistically enhances anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in an ex vivo GC tumor fragment platform.

Conclusions

In GC, the myeloid checkpoint Siglec-10 contributes to the regulation of immunosuppressive property of TAMs and promotes the depletion of CD8+T cells, ultimately facilitating immune evasion. Targeting Siglec-10 represents a potential strategy for immunotherapy in GC.
Green synthesis of chromium substituted calcium hexaferrite nanoparticles for high-frequency applications
Authors: Umashankara Raja R. , Munirathnam R. , Vidya Y. S. , Manjunatha H. C. , Sridhar K. N. , Rajashekara K. M. , Manjunatha S. , Seenappa L.
Published: November 2023

For the first of its kind, Cr[Formula: see text]-substituted calcium hexaferrite (CaCrxFe[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text], 3, 5 and 7)) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via a facile, economical, eco-friendly lemon juice extract mediated green solution combustion method. The samples were calcined followed by characterization. The Bragg reflections confirm the formation of a single phase M-type hexaferrite crystal structure. No other impurity or mixed phases are observed even after the substitution of Cr[Formula: see text] to the host matrix. Meanwhile, the crystallite size decreases from 29.44 to 19.92[Formula: see text]nm with an increase in the substitution of Cr[Formula: see text] ions. The surface morphological analysis shows the presence of agglomerated irregularly shaped NPs. The direct energy band gap estimated using Wood and Tauc’s relation depicts the decrease in energy band gap from 2.98 to 2.74[Formula: see text]eV with an increase in the substitution of Cr[Formula: see text] ions. These Cr[Formula: see text]-substituted calcium hexaferrite NPs were predicted to be useful in high-frequency applications based on structural, dielectric, and magnetic studies.
A CPC fractional model of the heat and mass transport mechanism in Carbon nanotubes with slip effects on velocity
Authors: Abbas Shajar , Nazar Mudassar , Gillani Syeda Farzeen Fatima , Naveed Muhammad , Ahmad Mushtaq , Nisa Zaib Un
Published: November 2023

A fractional technique is used to evaluate the temperature, mass, and velocity flow of single and double wall CNTs over a vertical plate. Slip boundary conditions and applied magnetic force are addressed. Human blood is used to examine how base fluid behaves. Applying the proper dimensionless variables results in the dimensionless formulation of initial and boundary conditions related to the governed dimensional concentration, momentum, and energy equations. The Laplace transform technique is used to resolve the dimensionless governing partial differential equations and get the solutions. The constant proportional Caputo (CPC) time-fractional derivative is a unique class of fractional model used in the simulation technique. The fundamental definitions are used to support the said model first. Using MWCNTs and SWCNTs in comparison to the flow characteristics, a thermal and mass study is given. The heat and mass transfer processes for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been shown to typically be progressive. The momentum profile decreases as the fractional variables rise. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) show more progressive velocity control as a result of the magnetic parameter. Graphs demonstrate the influence of embedding factors on the velocity, energy, and concentration profiles.
Electronic structure and optical properties of superconducting compounds ScGa3 and LuGa3
Authors: Knyazev Yu. V. , Lukoyanov A. V. , Kuz’min Yu. I.
Published: November 2023

The optical properties of bulk AuCu3-type ordered superconducting binary compounds ScGa3 and LuGa3 have been experimentally investigated for the first time in the wide spectral range and explained in terms of the band structure. First-principles calculations of electronic densities of states and optical conductivities are performed within the framework of LSDA+U method using the LMTO-ASA software package. The measured dielectric functions spectra for both materials exhibit a strong absorption region above ∼ 1[Formula: see text]eV, which are in a reasonable agreement with the calculated metal-like energy structures of compounds. Features of quantum light absorption are discussed on the basis of a comparative analysis of experimental and theoretical spectra of interband optical conductivity. Plasma and relaxation frequencies of conduction electrons are determined.
Initial Correlations and Complete Positivity of Dynamical Maps
Authors: Jagadish Vinayak , Srikanth R. , Petruccione Francesco
Published: November 2023

It is now increasingly realized in the study of open system dynamics that initial correlations do not pose a conceptual difficulty as traditionally believed. A similar methodology as used to describe initial product states can be adopted, with the only difference being that the reduced dynamics is possibly not completely positive, entailing that only a restricted set of initial reduced states lead to a physically valid dynamics. Here we study the interplay between the initial correlations, especially in the form of highly entangled states, and the system–environment unitary. In particular, for almost any initial entangled state, one can furnish infinitely many joint unitaries that generate CP dynamics on the system. Restricting to the case of initial, pure entangled states, we obtain the scaling of the dimension of the set of these unitaries and show that it is of zero measure in the set of all possible interaction unitaries.
The Gauge-Relativity of Quantum Light, Matter, and Information
Authors: Stokes Adam , Riley Hannah , Nazir Ahsan
Published: November 2023

We describe the physical relativity of light and matter quantum subsystems, their correlations, and energy exchanges. We examine the most commonly adopted definitions of atoms and photons, noting the significant difference in their localisation properties when expressed in terms of primitive manifestly gauge-invariant and local fields. As a result, different behaviours for entanglement generation and energy exchange occur for different definitions. We explore such differences in detail using toy models of a single photonic mode interacting with one and two dipoles.
From the chair
Authors: Harvey Christine
Published: November 2023

Following our recent SIGHPC elections over the summer, I am thrilled to be authoring my first column as your SIGHPC Chair! I am looking forward to spending the next three years working with the rest of the SIGHPC leadership team as well as with our broader SIGHPC community.
Processing & Production of Scientific Data: An historical marriage, now in a permanent divorce?
Authors: Freiburger Dana
Published: November 2023

Once upon a time, the same person generated and then processed data arising from an original scholarly pursuit. For example: an early modern astronomer predicted sky phenomena based on their observation; a ship's navigator plotted a course using readings from their instruments; and a natural philosopher uncovered laws of nature from basic physical measurements. These measuring and calculating skills would have been studied in tandem before being applied, thus ensuring their wedded deployment. And fittingly, when any results became known, "who got credit" would have been clear.
Conference Report: The 30th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems (ACM SIGSPATIAL 2022) Seattle, Washington, USA November 1--4, 2022
Authors: Renz Matthias , Sarwat Mohamed , Nascimento Mario A. , Shekar Shashi , Xie Xing
Published: November 2023

This report presents the development and finalization of the 30th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems (ACM SIGSPATIAL 2022), which was held in Seattle, Washington, USA, November 1--4, 2022.
Report of the 5th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop on AI for Geographic Knowledge Discovery (GeoAI 2022)
Authors: Martins Bruno , Lunga Dalton , Gao Song , Newsam Shawn , Yang Lexie , Deng Xueqing , Mai Gengchen
Published: November 2023

Emerging advances in artificial intelligence, hardware accelerators, and big data processing architectures continue to reach the geospatial information sciences, with a transformative impact on many societal challenges. Recent breakthroughs in deep learning have brought forward an automated capability to learn representative features from massive and complex data, including text, images, or videos. In tandem, rapid innovations in sensing technologies are supporting the collection of geospatial data in even higher resolution and throughput, supporting the observation, mapping, and analysis of different events/phenomena over the earth's surface and in socioeconomic environments with unprecedented detail. Combined, these developments are offering the potential for breakthroughs in geographic knowledge discovery, impacting decision-making in areas such as humanitarian mapping, intelligent transportation systems, urban expansion analysis, health data analysis and epidemiology, the study of climate change, handling natural disasters, and the general monitoring of the earth's surface.
HaniMob 2022 Workshop Report: The 2nd ACM SIGSPATIAL Workshop on Animal Movement Ecology and Human Mobility
Authors: Ossi Federico , Hachem Fatima , Robira Benjamin , Ellis-Soto Diego , Rutz Christian , Dodge Somayeh , Cagnacci Francesca , Damiani Maria Luisa
Published: November 2023

The study of animal and human movement has experienced a remarkable boom over the last decades, mainly due to the continuous development of location-aware sensors (e.g. bio-logging devices for animals; GPS trackers for humans) capable of capturing individual locations at a constantly increasing spatio-temporal resolution [7, 2]. Anthropogenic pressure plays a critical role in shaping animal movement and behavior. Similarly, human movement behavior can largely be influenced by disruptive environmental events causing people to shift their mobility patterns, which eventually may impact wildlife activity patterns in areas where wildlife intersects with human presence.
ACM SIGSPATIAL GISCUP 2022 Workshop Report: Extracting Building Footprints from LiDAR Point Clouds Seattle, Washington, USA, November 1, 2022
Authors: Brooks Cheryl , Isci Serkan , Kanza Yaron , Klosowski James T. , Woods Robert
Published: November 2023

The 11
th
SIGSPATIAL Cup competition, GISCUP 2022, was held in conjunction with the 30
th
ACM SIGSPATIAL International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems (ACM SIGSPATIAL 2022), and focused on extraction of building footprints from LiDAR point clouds. Participating teams competed on computing the most accurate building footprints in selected areas, based on a given LiDAR point cloud. The point cloud was USGS data created by scanning the area using light detection and ranging. The top three teams presented their results at the SIGSPATIAL 2022 conference.
Improvement of Nonlesional Skin Tone and Skin Barrier in Severe Atopic Dermatitis after Dupilumab Treatment
Authors: Ahn Hye-Jin , Shin Min Kyung
Published: November 2023

Dupilumab, approved for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis (AD), has been proven to improve skin barrier and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation on nonlesional areas. Previous studies, however, are only based on subjective visual assessments rather than objective biophysical measurements. We aimed to objectively measure transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin tone improvements after dupilumab treatment through bioengineering devices. Nineteen patients with severe AD were enrolled. Biophysical measurements were conducted in three nonlesional skin areas, the cheek, forearm, and lower abdomen, on a monthly basis for 5 months since the first dupilumab injection. TEWL was measured using a Tewameter®. Skin tones represented by L∗ (lightness), a∗ (redness), and b∗ (yellowness) parameters were measured by the spectrophotometer®; the erythema and melanin index measured by the narrow‐band reflectance spectrophotometer® were additionally assessed. Improvement from baseline was evaluated by the Wilcoxon’s rank‐sum test and Bonferroni correction. Correlation among biophysical parameters was evaluated by Pearson’s correlation. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. TEWL and skin tone parameters in all anatomical regions showed significant improvement. The L∗ and a∗ values of the arm and trunk significantly improved after 2 months of dupilumab therapy and the face 3 months after. Similarly, b∗ value of all anatomical regions significantly decreased after 1 month of treatment, and the TEWL did so after 2 months. When compared between anatomic regions, the trunk demonstrated higher improvement in L∗ value, the arm in erythema index, and the face in melanin index. TEWL positively correlated with erythema index (r = 0.51, p < 0.05), melanin index (r = 0.45, p < 0.05), and a∗ (r = 0.50, p < 0.05); negative correlation was observed with L∗ (r = −0.48, p < 0.05). On top of AD symptom relief, dupilumab objectively improves the skin barrier and skin tone of nonlesional areas.
Working Hours Associated with the Quality of Nursing Care, Missed Nursing Care, and Nursing Practice Environment in China: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Li Miqi , Wang Ying , Du Meichen , Wang Hui , Liu Yanqun , Richardson Brianna N. , Bai Jinbing
Published: November 2023

Aim. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of the length of working hours on missed nursing care, quality of nursing care, and perceptions of the nursing practice environment. Methods. A multicenter cross-sectional investigation using online questionnaires was conducted from April 2 to May 10, 2022, in twenty nine hospitals (13 Level-III hospitals and 16 Level-II hospitals). We collected data on the working hours of nurses and nurse-reported outcomes, including missed nursing care, quality of nursing care, and nursing practice environment. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression models were used to examine relationships between the hours per shift and nurse-reported outcomes. Results. We investigated 12,703 nurses with a response rate of 97.33%. Nurses worked on average 7.72 (SD = 1.16) hours on the day shift and 8.92 (SD = 2.20) hours on the night shift, respectively. On the day shift, working 7.5 hours shift showed minimal missed nursing care; meanwhile, working 7–7.5 hours were correlated with the highest satisfaction of the nursing practice environment and better quality of nursing care. On the night shift, the highest missed nursing care was found for a working duration of 12 hours to the working 7 hours, with the lowest satisfaction while better quality was observed. The percentage of nurses who reported working overtime was 30.33%. Nurses who worked overtime reported lower satisfaction and poorer quality of nursing care on all shifts; moreover, working overtime showed the positive correlation to missed nursing care on the day shift, while on night shift was not statistically significant. Conclusion. Positive outcomes were observed for nurses who reported working 7–7.75 hours on the day shift and 12 hours (no more than 15 hours) on the night shift. Implications of Nursing Management. The results reemphasized the need for managers to reduce the working hours, overtime work, and the frequency of the night shift.
In Vitro Effect of Mouthrinses on the Microhardness of Three Different Nanohybrid Composite Resins
Authors: Bernaldo-Faustino Jhonn Luis , Dulanto-Vargas Julissa Amparo , Carranza-Samanez Kilder Maynor
Published: November 2023

Introduction. Daily use of different mouthrinses at home or in the dental office can alter the properties of resin hardness. The present study aimed to compare Vickers microhardness (VHN) in vitro of nanohybrid composite resins (NCRs) immersed in mouthrinses. Materials and Methods. In total, 120 discs (10 ⨯ 2 mm) were prepared from three NCR shade A2 (n = 40/group) with FiltekTM Z350 XT (Z350XT), Tetric EvoCeram (TEC), and Polofil NHT (PNHT). The specimens were incubated in artificial saliva (37°C ⨯ 24 hr). Specimens were distributed into four mouthrinses (n = 10/group) of artificial saliva (control), chlorhexidine (CHX 0.12%, pH 5.6), cetylpyridine chloride (CPC 0.075%, pH 5.84), and CHX 0.12% + CPC 0.05% (pH 6.2) (2 times/day, 2’ ⨯ 12 hr). The VHN (300 gf/10”) was measured after 24 hr, 14, and 21 days. Data were analyzed by three-way analysis of variance, followed by post hoc Tukey analysis at 0.05 level of significance. Results. The results revealed a global effect of the interaction of the mouthrinses ⨯ time between NRC evaluated (

P
=
0.001

). Baseline VHN in PNHT and Z350XT was higher than TEC. Within each group of NCR, VHN of CHX + CPC > other mouthrinses (PNHT/14 days; Z350XT/21 days), and >CPC (Z350XT/14 days). In mouthrinses-intragroups, VHN of PNHT and Z350XT decreased at 14 days (CHX, CPC) and was maintained over time in NCR (CHX + CPC). VHN-TEC was similar among groups. Conclusion. Microhardness showed differences due to the interaction of the type of NCR, the composition of the mouthrinses, and time. VHN decreased after 14 days and was more affected in composite resins with lower filler content and in mouthrinses with a lower pH.
Association between Lower Lobe Location and Early Recurrence for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Motono Nozomu , Mizoguchi Takaki , Ishikawa Masahito , Iwai Shun , Iijima Yoshihito , Uramoto Hidetaka
Published: November 2023

Introduction: It is unclear whether a lower lobe origin is a risk factor for early recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients who underwent pulmonary resection. Methods: The risk factors for early recurrence, defined as recurrence occurring within 1 year after surgery, were analyzed in 476 patients with NSCLC who underwent pulmonary resection without wedge resection. Results: The proportion of men, Brinkman’s index, carcinoembryonic antigen levels, and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were significantly higher in patients with early recurrence than in those without early recurrence. Furthermore, the rates of lower lobe origin, extended resection beyond lobectomy, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, and advanced-stage disease were significantly higher in patients with early recurrence. Age (odds ratio [OR] = 4.46, p < 0.01), SUVmax (OR = 5.78, p = 0.02), a lower lobe origin (OR = 3.06, p = 0.01), and pathological stage (OR = 3.34, p = 0.01) were risk factors for early recurrence in multivariate analysis. Furthermore, only early recurrence (OR = 3.34, p = 0.01) was a risk factor for overall survival in multivariate analysis, and overall survival outcomes and prognoses significantly differed between patients with and without early recurrence (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Age, SUVmax, a lower lobe origin, and pathological stage are risk factors for early recurrence. These results suggest that for patients with NSCLC who underwent pulmonary resection, SUVmax and a lower lobe origin are important for deciding the indication for adjuvant chemotherapy in addition to pathological stage.
Total Neoadjuvant Therapy Approach for the Treatment of Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Where Do We Stand?
Authors: Romero Zoghbi Sigfredo Elias , Martín Martín Margarita , García Juan Carlos , Valero Mireia , Rincón Diego , Peña Huertas Marina , Fusco Juan Pablo , López Escarlata , Zafra Juan , Fernández Luengas David , López Campos Fernando , Couñago Felipe
Published: November 2023

Background: For the management of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), initial treatment with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery and chemotherapy in selected patients is considered one of the recommended options by the main international clinical guidelines. Nonetheless, the administration of all chemotherapy before definitive treatment (total neoadjuvant therapy [TNT]) is an optimal alternative with a growing level of evidence that must be evaluated in multidisciplinary boards. This review summarizes the available data and controversies in this scenario. Summary: We have analyzed the characteristics of the main published studies that assess the use of TNT in patients with LARC, evaluating their inclusion criteria and distinguishing between the employed radiotherapy fractionations, systemic agents, timing, and the implications of these treatments with regard to surgery and long-term oncological results. Our aim was to describe the evidence that supports the use of a specific regime in everyday clinical practice. Key Points: There is solid evidence for the use of TNT in patients with LARC. There are no data indicating the superiority of one specific TNT scheme among all the existing options. International clinical guidelines leave the door open to choose the most adequate treatment based on the clinical and pathological characteristics of each patient. This review shows the different approaches to TNT and assesses the best options based on clinical evidence.