bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Becoming needless: A psychoanalytically informed qualitative study exploring the interpersonal and intrapsychic experiences of longstanding anorexia nervosa
Authors: Blackburn Bríd , O'Connor John , Parsons Harriet
Published: November 2020

This study explored the interpersonal and intrapsychic experiences of individuals living with longstanding anorexia and considered how such experiences might influence barriers to recovery. Six women, aged between 22 and 44, were interviewed on three occasions using a psychoanalytically informed qualitative research design. Three interrelated themes emerged: “all on our own,” becoming needless and “nobody speaks your language.” Interpersonal experiences were characterized by abusive mistreatment, abandonment, and rejection, which, at times, seemed to be re‐enacted with acute health care staff, mental health professionals, and mental health services. Participants developed a conviction of being undeserving and fundamentally flawed, perhaps in a defensive attempt to establish a sense of control and survive these overwhelming experiences potentially operating as a self‐protective enclave. Ultimately, participants seemed to be describing, defending against the pain of relatedness by striving to have no needs. Participants seemed stuck in this state of self‐protection, hampering their ability to develop trust in the therapeutic relationship. Directions for future research and implications for psychotherapeutic work are also discussed.
Biogenic Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles with High Antimicrobial and Catalytic Activities using Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa)
Authors: Yong Doreen W. Y. , Lieu Zi Zhao , Cao Xujun , Yong Xin Ee , Wong Jireh Z. L. , Cheong Yuan Shan , Browder Laney K. , Chin Wee Shong
Published: November 2020

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely sought after for a variety of biomedical and environmental applications due to their antimicrobial and catalytic properties. We present here a green and simple synthesis of AgNPs utilizing traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. The screening of 20 aqueous herb extracts shows that Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa) had the most promising potential in producing AgNPs of 30±6 nm, with narrow size distribution and high crystallinity. The antimicrobial activities of these AgNPs conducted on E. coli cells were found to be superior in comparison to poly(vinylpyrrolidone)‐capped AgNPs synthesized using common chemical method. Additionally, the AgNPs obtained possess excellent catalytic performance in the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol. We compared the phytochemical and FTIR spectral analyses of the herb extract before and after synthesis, in order to elucidate the phytochemicals responsible for the reduction of Ag+ ions and the capping of the AgNPs produced.
The Erosion of Immunity Defenses in Water Contamination Cases
Authors: McCall Kara L. , Binder Matt
Published: November 2020

Key Takeaways

Governmental entities and officials have long relied on immunity defenses when facing litigation; protection is not guaranteed, however.

It helps to understand the principles of different kinds of immunities, including exceptions, interpretations, and applications.

Certain recent water contamination cases involving municipalities and utilities illustrate the complexities and new trends regarding immunity defenses.
Global Perspectives on Water Reuse: North America and India
Authors: Kumar Arun , Goyal Kirti
Published: November 2020

Key Takeaways

The global water reuse market is expected to reach US$22.3 billion by the year 2021, with a growth rate of 13.1%.

The epicenter of the water reuse market is shifting from North America to Asia, with a significant increase in China's reuse capacity.

Strict policies and a regulatory framework have a direct influence on the success of water reuse projects.
Influences of Process Temperature on a Phase of Ga2O3 Thin Films Grown by Atomic Layer Deposition on Sapphire
Authors: Lee Seung Hyun , Lee Kang Min , Lee Sang Woon
Published: November 2020

Influences of process temperature on the phase of Ga2O3 thin films grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on a sapphire substrate is investigated. Ga2O3 thin films grown by ALD at a process temperature of 200°C showed an amorphous phase; however, crystalline α‐Ga2O3 film was deposited at the deposition temperatures from 225 to 250°C. Above a process temperature of 300°C, α and β phases coexist in the grown Ga2O3 thin film. Interestingly, β‐Ga2O3 thin film was deposited on the sapphire by an increase of working pressure during Ga2O3 ALD process at the process temperature of 300°C. The bandgap of β‐Ga2O3 thin film was as high as ~5.2 eV. A metal–semiconductor–metal type photodetector using the β‐Ga2O3 thin film exhibited a fast response speed with a short rise time of 1.3 μs for the detection of deep ultraviolet wavelengths.
LncRNA MALAT1 accelerates non‐small cell lung cancer progression via regulating miR‐185‐5p/MDM4 axis
Authors: Wang Dan , Zhang Suhong , Zhao Min , Chen Fengling
Published: November 2020

Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the commonest malignancy with high death rate around the world. LncRNA metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is greatly overexpressed in multifarious cancers, including NSCLC. However, the precise mechanism of MALAT1 in NSCLC tumorigenesis is blurry. This paper aims to investigate the theory of MALAT1 action in NSCLC progression. The levels of MALAT1, microRNA (miR)‐185‐5p, and mouse double minute 4 protein (MDM4) were measured by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) or western blot. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were, respectively, determined by 3‐(4, 5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2, 5‐diphenyl‐2‐H‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and flow cytometry. Cell migratory and invasive abilities were inspected by transwell assay. The binding relationship between miR‐185‐5p and MALAT1 or MDM4 was confirmed by dual‐luciferase reporter assay. The impacts of MALAT1 on tumor growth in vivo were measured by a xenograft experiment. We found MALAT1 and MDM4 were upregulated and MALAT1 positively regulated the MDM4 expression. MALAT1 and MDM4 deletion significantly hindered the proliferation, metastasis, and expedited the apoptosis of NSCLC cells. MDM4 overexpression partly overturned the influence of MALAT1 downregulation on cell development. Moreover, miR‐185‐5p, as a target of MALAT1, could directly target MDM4, and miR‐185‐5p upregulation exerted inhibitory effects on NSCLC cells. Besides, knockdown of MALAT1 inhibited tumor growth in vivo through miR‐185‐5p/MDM4 axis in NSCLC. Collectively, MALAT1 contributed to proliferation, migration, invasion, and impeded apoptosis by regulating the MDM4 expression mediated by miR‐185‐5p in NSCLC cells.
Degradation of Atenolol in a Rectangular Staircase Photocatalytic Reactor with Immobilized ZnO
Authors: Farid Madjene , Mirvet Assassi , Nacera Yeddou-Mezenner
Published: November 2020

Atenolol (ATL) was removed with a rectangular staircase photocatalytic reactor (RSPR) using immobilized ZnO under solar irradiation. The effects of operational parameters such as flow rate, pH, and initial ATL concentration were examined. The highest degradation was obtained after 240 min photocatalytic reaction. The effects of different scavengers proved that the ATL degradation was mainly due to the direct oxidization with OH• radicals, whereas, the h+ and O2•− radicals played a minor role in the degradation process. Five repetitive operations of RSPR allowed for reaching 77 ± 3 % degradation of ATL for each cycle. Kinetic data indicated that the photocatalytic kinetics followed the global matter balance model.
Experimental methods in chemical engineering: Temperature programmed surface reaction spectroscopy—TPSR
Authors: Jehng Jih‐Mirn , Wachs Israel E. , Patience Gregory S. , Dai Yong‐Ming
Published: November 2020

Temperature programmed surface reaction spectroscopy (TPSR) is a powerful technique to determine the surface chemistry of bulk metal, supported metal, bulk metal oxide, supported metal oxide, zeolite, and molecular sieve catalysts. It can provide both qualitative and quantitative analysis of the surface active sites present on the catalyst surface, the reaction mechanisms, and kinetics occurring on the catalyst surface by using chemical probe molecules such as alcohols, carboxylates, and specific acidic‐basic reacting gases. In this tutorial review, the highly informativeCH3OHchemical probe molecule was used to highlight the information that can be obtained fromCH3OH‐TPSR experiments. TheCH3OHmolecule readily interacts with the catalyst surface to form surfaceCH3O·andHCOO·intermediates that react to produce HCHO/HCOOCH3/(CH3O)2CH2,CH3OCH3, andCO/CO2products related to the surface redox, acid and basic nature, respectively. Integration of theCH3OH‐TPSR spectra peaks provide the number of surface active sites. The surface kinetic information provided byCH3OH‐TPSR allows to discriminate between different reaction mechanisms (first‐order, second‐order, Langmuir‐Hinshelwood, and Mars‐van Krevelen). We discuss the uncertainty inherent inCH3OH‐TPSR experiments and address source of errors and detection limits. Web of Science indexed over 800 articles citing TPSR since 1990. A bibliometric analysis identified four clusters of reactions and catalysts: the dominant catalysts for partial oxidation and water gas shift were Ni, Ru, and Pt;CeO2, Co, Cu, Rh, Pd, and perovskites were the main catalysts for combustion and hydrogenation; Ag and zeolites were grouped with reduction; and,Al2O3,ZrO2,SiO2, andV2O5were applied for dehydrogenation.
Additivity of Higher Rho Invariants and Nonrigidity of Topological Manifolds
Authors: Weinberger Shmuel , Xie Zhizhang , Yu Guoliang
Published: November 2020

Let X be a closed oriented connected topological manifold of dimension n ≥ 5. The structure group is the abelian group of equivalence classes of all pairs (f, M) such that M is a closed oriented manifold and f : M → X is an orientation‐preserving homotopy equivalence. The main purpose of this article is to prove that a higher rho invariant map defines a group homomorphism from the topological structure group of X to the analytic structure group of X. Here X is the universal cover of X, Γ = π1X is the fundamental group of X, and is a certain C*‐algebra. In fact, we introduce a higher rho invariant map on the homology manifold structure group of a closed oriented connected topological manifold, and prove its additivity. This higher rho invariant map restricts to the higher rho invariant map on the topological structure group. More generally, the same techniques developed in this paper can be applied to define a higher rho invariant map on the homology manifold structure group of a closed oriented connected homology manifold. As an application, we use the additivity of the higher rho invariant map to study nonrigidity of topological manifolds. More precisely, we give a lower bound for the free rank of the algebraically reduced structure group of X by the number of torsion elements in π1X. Here the algebraically reduced structure group of X is the quotient of modulo a certain action of self‐homotopy equivalences of X. We also introduce a notion of homological higher rho invariant, which can be used to detect many elements in the structure group of a closed oriented topological manifold, even when the fundamental group of the manifold is torsion free. In particular, we apply this homological higher rho invariant to show that the structure group is not finitely generated for a class of manifolds. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Can Rainfall Explain the Variability of Sugarbeet Root and Sugar Yield Across North Dakota and Minnesota?
Authors: Chatterjee Amitava
Published: November 2020

Sugarbeet production regions of North Dakota and Minnesota contribute more than half of the production nationally. Across this region, sugarbeet yield and sugar content vary widely from north to south. The study described in this article used statistical analyses of five years (2013–2017) of county‐wise monthly rainfall data to interpret the spatial variation of sugarbeet yield and quality. Earn 0.5 CEUs in Crop Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/857.
Bio‐Based Cycloalkanes: The Missing Link to High‐Performance Sustainable Jet Fuels
Authors: Muldoon Jake A. , Harvey Benjamin G.
Published: November 2020

Invited for this month′s cover is the group of Ben Harvey at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, China Lake. The image shows several examples of bio‐based cycloalkanes that have been developed as next‐generation sustainable jet fuels. The Review itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.202001641.
Nonadaptive host‐use specificity in tropical armored scale insects
Authors: Peterson Daniel A. , Hardy Nate B. , Morse Geoffrey E. , Itioka Takao , Wei Jiufeng , Normark Benjamin B.
Published: November 2020

Most herbivorous insects are diet specialists in spite of the apparent advantages of being a generalist. This conundrum might be explained by fitness trade‐offs on alternative host plants, yet the evidence of such trade‐offs has been elusive. Another hypothesis is that specialization is nonadaptive, evolving through neutral population‐genetic processes and within the bounds of historical constraints. Here, we report on a striking lack of evidence for the adaptiveness of specificity in tropical canopy communities of armored scale insects. We find evidence of pervasive diet specialization, and find that host use is phylogenetically conservative, but also find that more‐specialized species occur on fewer of their potential hosts than do less‐specialized species, and are no more abundant where they do occur. Of course local communities might not reflect regional diversity patterns. But based on our samples, comprising hundreds of species of hosts and armored scale insects at two widely separated sites, more‐specialized species do not appear to outperform more generalist species.
Diet composition and preferences of Bohor reedbuck (Redunca redunca ) in the compound of Alage College, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia
Authors: Derebe Yonas , Girma Zerihun
Published: November 2020

Numerous indices have been developed to compare use and availability of foods in field diets of wild ungulates. However, little attention has been given to laboratory analysis for comparing food preferences. To this end, a study aimed at investigating the diet composition and preference of Bohor reedbuck was conducted in the compound of Alage Agricultural College, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia from 2017 to 2018 encompassing both dry and wet seasons. Bohor reedbuck is a medium sized horned antelope species endemic to Africa. Continuous focal animal observation was used to collect the data on plant species included in the diet of Bohor reedbuck. Focal individuals’ observation was carried out for 30 min in 10 min sampling interval during their active feeding period (early morning and late afternoon) over four different habitat types. The nutrient composition of plants consumed was determined using wet chemistry laboratory analysis. Bohor reedbucks consumed 15 species of plants; herbs comprised 94.3% of the foods they consumed. Digitaria abyssinica was the most preferred plant species with highest crude protein (23.75%) and less fiber (61.8% nitrogen detergent fiber and 27.8% acid detergent fiber). These findings suggest that food preference of Bohor reedbuck is determined by the nutritional content of the plant it consumed, since the area is more or less natural habitat in terms of plant species composition. For sustainable conservation of the species, there is a need to actively promote management of the plant species most preferred by the reedbuck to feed on.
A Comparison of Edge‐plane and Basal‐plane Pyrolytic Graphite Electrodes towards Sensitive Determination of the Fungicide Mandipropamid
Authors: Festinger Natalia , Lemiesz Adrianna , Skowron Ewelina , Smarzewska Sylwia , Ciesielski Witold
Published: November 2020

A sensitive square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) method based on basal‐plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (BPPGE) and edge‐plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (EPPGE) was developed to determine the concentration of the pesticide mandipropamid (MAN) in spiked river water and grape juice samples. Under optimal experimental conditions, the SWV response of EPPGE and BPPGE was linear over the concentration ranges of 0.7 to 9.0 μmol L−1 and 0.5 to 10.0 μmol L−1, respectively. The method was successfully used to determine MAN in spiked samples with good recovery. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was conducted to understand the mechanism underlying the electrode process of MAN.
Lignocellulosic Fibers from Renewable Resources Using Green Chemistry for a Circular Economy
Authors: Salem Khandoker S. , Naithani Ved , Jameel Hasan , Lucia Lucian , Pal Lokendra
Published: November 2020

The sustainable development of lignocellulose fibers exhibits significant potential to supplant synthetic polymer feedstocks and offers a global platform for generating sustainable packaging, bioplastics, sanitary towels, wipes, and related products. The current research explores the dynamics of fiber production from wood, non‐wood, and agro‐residues using carbonate hydrolysis and a mild kraft process without bleaching agents. With respect to carbonate hydrolysis, high yield, and good coarseness fibers are attained using a simple, low‐cost, and ecofriendly process. Fibers produced using a mild kraft process have lower Klason lignin, carboxyl content, surface charges, and higher fiber length, and crystallinity. Eucalyptus fibers show the highest crystallinity while softwood carbonate fibers show the lowest crystallinity. Hemp hurd fibers contain the highest concentration of hard‐to‐remove water, and thus, suffer maximum flattening visualized by the microscopic images. The relatively high yield sustainable fibers with versatile properties can provide a significant economic benefit since fiber is the dominant cost for producing various bioproducts to meet society's current and future needs.
Measuring the Structure of a Technology System for Directing Technological Transition
Authors: Wu Shuanglei , Wei Yongping , Head Brian , Hanna Scott
Published: November 2020

Technological advancements have generated a “techno‐sphere” within which all humans live. However, the capacity to direct technology development lags far behind technology development itself. This study deciphers the structural characteristics of a technology system using three pairs of features: systemicity and complexity (scalar), centrality and diversity (structural), and adaptability and inertia (structural); and at micro‐, meso‐, and macrolevels. By applying this approach in Chinese agricultural and water technology systems in the Yellow River Region and the Yangtze River Region from the beginning of agriculture in ≈8000 BC to the end of preindustrial agriculture in 1911, it is found that there exist trade‐off relationships between the centrality and diversity of a technology system, there exist alternative dominations of adaptivity and inertia in development of a technology system, and there exist time‐lag phenomena of change in a technology system between mesolevel and macrolevel. It is also identified that a larger‐scale, more diverse and adaptive technology system is observed in the Yellow River Region whereas the technology system in the Yangtze River Region is more rapidly expanding in scale and mainly dominated by inertia. These discoveries will assist increasing the capacity of managing and directing technological transition in future.
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) plus top hat for HIV‐infected women with endocervical intraepithelial neoplasia in Kenya
Authors: Chung Michael H. , De Vuyst Hugo , Greene Sharon A. , Topazian Hillary M. , Sayed Shahin , Moloo Zahir , Cagle Anthony , Nyongesa‐Malava Evans , Luchters Stanley , Temmerman Marleen , Sakr Samah R. , Mugo Nelly R. , McGrath Christine J.
Published: November 2020

Objective

To determine the utility of detecting endocervical cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2+ with endocervical curettage (ECC) and treating with loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) plus top hat (+TH) among women with HIV.

Methods

Cytology was followed by coloscopy‐directed biopsy if participants had HSIL or ASC‐H and biopsy plus ECC if there were glandular cells present. CIN2/3 on ECC and/or inadequate colposcopy (ENL) was treated with LEEP+TH, while CIN2/3 on ectocervix (ECL) received LEEP alone. Recurrent CIN2+ were compared over a 2‐year follow‐up.

Results

Of 5330 participants, 160 underwent ECC, 98 were CIN2/3 on ECC, and 77 received LEEP+TH. ECC detected 15 (9%) more women with CIN2/3 than biopsy alone. Women were more likely to have ENL if they were older (≥45 vs <35 years) (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 2.14; P = 0.009) and on antiretroviral treatment longer (≥2 vs <2 years) (aRR 3.97; P < 0.001). Over the 2‐year follow‐up, 35 (29%) ENL had recurrent CIN2+ after TH compared to 19 (24%) ECL after LEEP (hazard ratio 1.32; 95% confidence interval 0.75–2.31; P = 0.338).

Conclusion

Among HIV‐infected women, adding ECC did not increase detection of pre‐cancerous disease significantly and treatment with LEEP+TH for ENL was comparable to treatment with LEEP for ECL.
Inside Cover
Authors: Fadhel Muhannad N , Baskoy Sila Appak , Wang Yanjie , Hysi Eno , Kolios Michael C.
Published: November 2020

Vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) can be used to damage the tumour vasculature, suppressing oxygen and nutrition supply to the tumour tissue. Photoacoustic imaging was used to assess the structural and functional changes of the tumour vasculature and evaluate the efficacy of the VDAs. Tissues are irradiated with short laser pulses and the photoacoustic waves are analyzed to extract vessel size and hemoglobin composition to evaluate the VDA, hours after administration.

Further details can be found in the article by Muhannad N Fadhel, Sila Appak Baskoy, Yanjie Wang, Eno Hysi, and Michael C. Kolios (e202000209).

image
Osteoblasts/Osteocytes sirtuin6 Is Vital to Preventing Ischemic Osteonecrosis Through Targeting VDR-RANKL Signaling
Authors: Zhang Zhongkai , Song Yiping , Wang Sung Il , Ha Sang Hoon , Jang Kyu Yun , Park Byung-Hyun , Moon Young Jae , Kim Jung Ryul
Published: November 2020

Ischemic osteonecrosis (ION) can produce permanent deformity and osteoarthritis in the femoral head and other joints. No biologic treatment has been established, and the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of ION have not been elucidated. In this work, we found that treatment with sirtuin6 (Sirt6) suppressed inflammatory cytokines, bone resorption, progression of osteoarthritis, and reduced bone deformity in an ION mouse model. We used a deacetylase mutant adenovirus to confirm that those effects were caused by the deacetylase function of Sirt6. Among the osteoclastogenic factors of osteoblasts, only the receptor activator of NF-κb ligand (RANKL) level changed in response to Sirt6 knockout in primary osteoblasts. In particular, the vitamin D receptor physically interacted with Sirt6 and induced recruitment of Sirt6 around RANKL promoters. Finally, Tg mice overexpressing Sirt6 resisted osteocyte death, bone resorption, and progression of osteoarthritis after ischemic surgery, whereas osteoblast/osteocyte-specific Sirt6 knockout mice showed aggravated bone loss and severe deformity. Our findings demonstrate that administration of Sirt6 prevents bone loss and osteoarthritis in ischemic conditions. Activation of Sirt6 in osteoblasts/osteocytes could be a new therapeutic approach to treating ION of the femoral head and other bone regions. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Assessing the impact of urban geometry on surface urban heat island using complete and nadir temperatures
Authors: Yang Jinxin , Menenti Massimo , Wu Zhifeng , Wong Man Sing , Abbas Sawaid , Xu Yong , Shi Qian
Published: November 2020

The surface urban heat island intensity (SUHII) when using nadir‐viewing radiometric and complete surface temperature (TrandTc) was evaluated. The urban areas of the Kowloon peninsula and Hong Kong Island were selected and four daytime Landsat TM images and two nighttime ASTER images were collected to retrieveTrand then modelTcbased on a semi‐empirical model. SUHIIs were estimated using both the retrievedTrand modelledTc. High spatial resolution (HR) airborne thermal images (0.2 m) observed at 12:10 noon on Oct 24, 2017 were used to retrieveTcdirectly. Results based on HR data and satellite data were consistent and indicated that the geometry of the built‐up space had a larger impact on SUHII when usingTc(SUHIIc) thanTr(SUHIIr). During daytime SUHIIc decreased while SUHIIr showed a very slight increase with building density. Both SUHIIc and SUHIIr decreased with higher building height but the rate of decrease of SUHIIc was higher than SUHIIr. Both SUHIIc and SUHIIr decreased with increasing building height variance and increased with increasing sky view factor (SVF). The rate of decrease with building height variance for SUHIIc was larger than SUHIIr. The rate of increase of SUHIIc with SVF was higher than SUHIIr. During nighttime, geometry effects on SUHIIc and SUHIIr were different from daytime. Both SUHIIc and SUHIIr increased with building density, while the rate of increase of SUHIIc with building density, as well as with building height, was much higher than SUHIIr. Both SUHIIc and SUHIIr decreased with SVF, but the rate of decrease of SUHIIc was higher than SUHIIr. Both SUHIIc and SUHIIr initially increased with building height variance and then remained approximately constant. We also evaluated the UHI intensity: SUHIIc was much closer to UHII than SUHIIr. Overall, building geometry had larger impact on SUHIIc than on SUHIIr, that is, SUHIIc is more representative of urban climate than SUHIIr.
Pullbacks of universal Brill–Noether classes via Abel–Jacobi morphisms
Authors: Pagani Nicola , Ricolfi Andrea T. , van Zelm Jason
Published: November 2020

Following Mumford and Chiodo, we compute the Chern character of the derived pushforward , for an arbitrary element of the Picard group of the universal curve over the moduli stack of stable marked curves. This allows us to express the pullback of universal Brill–Noether classes via Abel–Jacobi sections to the compactified universal Jacobians, for all compactifications such that the section is a well‐defined morphism.
Deep learning with noise‐to‐noise training for denoising in SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging
Authors: Liu Junchi , Yang Yongyi , Wernick Miles N. , Pretorius P. Hendrik , King Michael A.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Post‐reconstruction filtering is often applied for noise suppression due to limited data counts in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). We study a deep learning (DL) approach for denoising in conventional SPECT‐MPI acquisitions, and investigate whether it can be more effective for improving the detectability of perfusion defects compared to traditional postfiltering.

Methods

Owing to the lack of ground truth in clinical studies, we adopt a noise‐to‐noise (N2N) training approach for denoising in SPECT‐MPI images. We consider a coupled U‐Net (CU‐Net) structure which is designed to improve learning efficiency through feature map reuse. For network training we employ a bootstrap procedure to generate multiple noise realizations from list‐mode clinical acquisitions. In the experiments we demonstrated the proposed approach on a set of 895 clinical studies, where the iterative OSEM algorithm with three‐dimensional (3D) Gaussian postfiltering was used to reconstruct the images. We investigated the detection performance of perfusion defects in the reconstructed images using the non‐prewhitening matched filter (NPWMF), evaluated the uniformity of left ventricular (LV) wall in terms of image intensity, and quantified the effect of smoothing on the spatial resolution of the reconstructed LV wall by using its full‐width at half‐maximum (FWHM).

Results

Compared to OSEM with Gaussian postfiltering, the DL denoised images with CU‐Net significantly improved the detection performance of perfusion defects at all contrast levels (65%, 50%, 35%, and 20%). The signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNRD) in the NPWMF output was increased on average by 8% over optimal Gaussian smoothing (P < 10−4, paired t‐test), while the inter‐subject variability was greatly reduced. The CU‐Net also outperformed a 3D nonlocal means (NLM) filter and a convolutional autoencoder (CAE) denoising network in terms of SNRD. In addition, the FWHM of the LV wall in the reconstructed images was varied by less than 1%. Furthermore, CU‐Net also improved the detection performance when the images were processed with less post‐reconstruction smoothing (a trade‐off of increased noise for better LV resolution), with SNRD improved on average by 23%.

Conclusions

The proposed DL with N2N training approach can yield additional noise suppression in SPECT‐MPI images over conventional postfiltering. For perfusion defect detection, DL with CU‐Net could outperform conventional 3D Gaussian filtering with optimal setting as well as NLM and CAE.
Patient compliance with orthotic use‐ can we do better? An editorial for Zuccarino et al. “Satisfaction with Ankle Foot Orthoses in Individuals with Charcot–Marie‐Tooth”
Authors: Hachisuka Akiko , Hubenig Lindsay , Chan K. Ming
Published: November 2020

See article on pages 40–45 in this issue.
Clinical exome sequencing in the diagnosis of pediatric neuromuscular disease
Authors: Herman Isabella , Lopez Michael A. , Marafi Dana , Pehlivan Davut , Calame Daniel G. , Abid Farida , Lotze Timothy E.
Published: November 2020

Background

The diagnosis of uncommon pediatric neuromuscular disease (NMD) is challenging due to genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity, yet is important to guide treatment, prognosis, and recurrence risk. Patients with diagnostically challenging presentations typically undergo extensive testing with variable molecular diagnostic yield. Given the advancement in next generation sequencing (NGS), we investigated the value of clinical whole exome sequencing (ES) in uncommon pediatric NMD.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of 106 pediatric NMD patients with a combination of ES, chromosomal microarray (CMA), and candidate gene testing was completed at a large tertiary referral center.

Results

A molecular diagnosis was achieved in 37/79 (46%) patients with ES, 4/44 (9%) patients with CMA, and 15/74 (20%) patients with candidate gene testing. In 2/79 (3%) patients, a dual molecular diagnosis explaining the neuromuscular disease process was identified. A total of 42 patients (53%) who received ES remained without a molecular diagnosis at the conclusion of the study.

Conclusions

Due to NGS, molecular diagnostic yield of rare neurological diseases is at an all‐time high. We show that ES has a higher diagnostic rate compared to other genetic tests in a complex pediatric neuromuscular disease cohort and should be considered early in the diagnostic journey for select NMD patients with challenging presentations in which a clinical diagnosis is not evident.
Preparation and acoustic properties of a tung oleic acid‐based polyurethane foam and its stratified structure
Authors: Ji Yangjie , Chen Shuming
Published: November 2020

Bio‐based polyurethane foam, a new green environmental material, has attracted more and more attention of people. In this study, the tung oleic acid‐based polyurethane (TOPUF) had been prepared using one‐step method. Characterization of the polyurethane foams were carried out by SEM and Fourier transform infrared. The cell morphology, acoustic, and mechanical performance of TOPUF with different contents of tung oleic acid‐based polyols (TOAP) were studied and compared with that of a pure petroleum‐based polyurethane foam. In addition, the effects of thickness ratio of layers on the acoustic performance of the double‐layer composite polyurethane foam (DPUF) were also studied by means of theoretical model and experiment. The results illustrate that TOPUF shows a high absorption performance in the frequency range from 100 to 500 Hz and sound insulation performance in the range from 100 to 6300 Hz. The average sound absorption coefficient of TOPUF is 0.505, and the average transmission loss is 18.818 dB in this case. Furthermore, the average sound absorption coefficient and average transmission loss of DPUFs are 0.545 and 14.528 dB using multilayer structure. Overall, TOPUF has excellent acoustic properties and prodigious application prospects.
Registration of Image Modalities for Analyses of Tissue Samples Using 3D Image Modelling
Authors: Hermann Juliane , Brehmer Kai , Jankowski Vera , Lellig Michaela , Hohl Mathias , Mahfoud Felix , Speer Timotheus , Schunk Stefan J. , Tschernig Thomas , Thiele Herbert , Jankowski Joachim
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Biopsies are a diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of histopathological, molecular biological, proteomic, and imaging data, to narrow down disease patterns or identify diseases. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) provides an emerging state‐of‐the‐art technique for molecular imaging of biological tissue. The aim of this study is the registration of MALDI MSI data sets and data acquired from different histological stainings to create a 3D model of biopsies and whole organs.

Experimental design

The registration of the image modalities is achieved by using a variant of the authors' global, deformable Schatten‐q‐Norm registration approach. Utilizing a connected‐component segmentation for background removal followed by a principal‐axis based linear pre‐registration, the images are adjusted into a homogeneous alignment. This registration approach is accompanied by the 3D reconstruction of histological and MALDI MSI data.

Results

With this, a system of automatic registration for cross‐process evaluation, as well as for creating 3D models, is developed and established. The registration of MALDI MSI data with different histological image data is evaluated by using the established global image registration system.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

In conclusion, this multimodal image approach offers the possibility of molecular analyses of tissue specimens in clinical research and diagnosis.
Learning compact physics‐aware delayed photocurrent models using dynamic mode decomposition
Authors: Hanson Joshua , Bochev Pavel , Paskaleva Biliana
Published: November 2020

Radiation‐induced photocurrent in semiconductor devices can be simulated using complex physics‐based models, which are accurate, but computationally expensive. This presents a challenge for implementing device characteristics in high‐level circuit simulations where it is computationally infeasible to evaluate detailed models for multiple individual circuit elements. In this work we demonstrate a procedure for learning compact delayed photocurrent models that are efficient enough to implement in large‐scale circuit simulations, but remain faithful to the underlying physics. Our approach utilizes dynamic mode decomposition (DMD), a system identification technique for learning reduced‐order discrete‐time dynamical systems from time series data based on singular value decomposition. To obtain physics‐aware device models, we simulate the excess carrier density induced by radiation pulses by solving numerically the ambipolar diffusion equation, then use the simulated internal state as training data for the DMD algorithm. Our results show that the significantly reduced‐order delayed photocurrent models obtained via this method accurately approximate the dynamics of the internal excess carrier density—which can be used to calculate the induced current at the device boundaries—while remaining compact enough to incorporate into larger circuit simulations.
Predicting just‐in‐time software defects to reduce post‐release quality costs in the maritime industry
Authors: Kang Jonggu , Ryu Duksan , Baik Jongmoon
Published: November 2020

Background

The importance of software in maritime transportation is rapidly increasing as the industry seeks to develop and utilize innovative future ships, which can be realized using software technology. Due to the safety‐critical nature of ships, software quality assurance (SQA) has become an essential prerequisite for such development.

Objective

Based on the unique characteristics of the maritime domain, the purpose of this study was to achieve effective SQA resource allocation to reduce post‐release quality costs.

Method

Software defect prediction (SDP) is employed to predict defects in newly developed software based on models trained with past software defects and to update information using machine learning. This study demonstrated that just‐in‐time SDP is applicable to maritime domain practice and can reduce post‐release quality costs via combination with an estimation model, qCOPLIMO.

Results

Using real‐world datasets collected from the maritime industry, performance and cost‐benefit analyses of SDP were performed. A successful model was obtained that meets the performance criterion of 0.75 in within‐project defect prediction (WPDP) but not cross‐project defect prediction (CPDP). In addition, the cost‐benefit analysis results showed that 20% effort enables the detection of 56% of defects on average and that the post‐release quality cost can be reduced by 37.3% in the maritime domain.

Conclusion

SDP can be successfully applied to the maritime domain. Further, it is desirable to utilize WPDP instead of CPDP once minimum high‐quality commits are available that can be identified as defective or not. Finally, SDP can help reduce review effort and post‐release quality costs.
Dynamical algorithms for data mining and machine learning over dynamic graphs
Authors: Haghir Chehreghani Mostafa
Published: November 2020

In many modern applications, the generated data is a dynamic network. These networks are graphs that change over time by a sequence of update operations (node addition, node deletion, edge addition, edge deletion, and edge weight change). In such networks, it is inefficient to compute from scratch the solution of a data mining/machine learning task, after any update operation. Therefore in recent years, several so‐called dynamical algorithms have been proposed that update the solution, instead of computing it from scratch. In this paper, first we formulate this emerging setting and discuss its high‐level algorithmic aspects. Then, we review state of the art dynamical algorithms proposed for several data mining and machine learning tasks, including frequent pattern discovery, betweenness/closeness/PageRank centralities, clustering, classification, and regression.

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Structure Discovery and Clustering

Technologies > Machine Learning

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Big Data Mining
Precise calculation of the decay rate of false vacuum with multi-field bounce
Authors: Chigusa So , Moroi Takeo , Shoji Yutaro
Published: November 2020

Abstract

We study the decay rate of a false vacuum in gauge theory at the one-loop level. We pay particular attention to the case where the bounce consists of an arbitrary number of scalar fields. With a multi-field bounce, which has a curved trajectory in the field space, the mixing among the gauge fields and the scalar fields evolves along the path of the bounce in the field space and the one-loop calculation of the vacuum decay rate becomes complicated. We consider the one-loop contribution to the decay rate with an arbitrary choice of the gauge parameter, and obtain a gauge invariant expression of the vacuum decay rate. We also give proper treatments of gauge zero modes and renormalization.
The Computational Complexity of Plethysm Coefficients
Authors: Fischer Nick , Ikenmeyer Christian
Published: November 2020

In two papers, Bürgisser and Ikenmeyer (STOC 2011, STOC 2013) used an adaption of the geometric complexity theory (GCT) approach by Mulmuley and Sohoni (Siam J Comput 2001, 2008) to prove lower bounds on the border rank of the matrix multiplication tensor. A key ingredient was information about certain Kronecker coefficients. While tensors are an interesting test bed for GCT ideas, the far-away goal is the separation of algebraic complexity classes. The role of the Kronecker coefficients in that setting is taken by the so-called plethysm coefficients: These are the multiplicities in the coordinate rings of spaces of polynomials. Even though several hardness results for Kronecker coefficients are known, there are almost no results about the complexity of computing the plethysm coefficients or even deciding their positivity.

In this paper, we show that deciding positivity of plethysm coefficients is -hard and that computing plethysm coefficients is #-hard. In fact, both problems remain hard even if the inner parameter of the plethysm coefficient is fixed. In this way, we obtain an inner versus outer contrast: If the outer parameter of the plethysm coefficient is fixed, then the plethysm coefficient can be computed in polynomial time.

Moreover, we derive new lower and upper bounds and in special cases even combinatorial descriptions for plethysm coefficients, which we consider to be of independent interest. Our technique uses discrete tomography in a more refined way than the recent work on Kronecker coefficients by Ikenmeyer, Mulmuley, and Walter (Comput Compl 2017). This makes our work the first to apply techniques from discrete tomography to the study of plethysm coefficients. Quite surprisingly, that interpretation also leads to new equalities between certain plethysm coefficients and Kronecker coefficients.
Inanspruchnahme von Maßnahmen der betrieblichen Gesundheitsförderung in Deutschland – Ergebnisse der Studie „Gesundheit in Deutschland aktuell“ (GEDA 2014/2015-EHIS)
Authors: Ludwig Sabine , Starker Anne , Hermann Sophie , Jordan Susanne
Published: November 2020

Hintergrund/Zielsetzung

Maßnahmen der betrieblichen Gesundheitsförderung (BGF) sollen die Arbeitsorganisation und die Arbeitsbedingungen verbessern sowie die persönlichen Kompetenzen der Beschäftigten fördern. Sie können einen großen Teil der Bevölkerung erreichen. Ziel der Studie ist, die Inanspruchnahme von verhältnis- und verhaltensbezogenen BGF-Maßnahmen anhand zentraler individueller und betrieblicher Faktoren zu beschreiben.

Material und Methoden

In der repräsentativen bevölkerungsbasierten Querschnittsstudie „Gesundheit in Deutschland aktuell“ (GEDA 2014/2015-EHIS) des Robert Koch-Instituts wurden 14.389 Erwerbstätige im Alter von 18 bis 64 Jahren zur Kenntnis und Inanspruchnahme von Angeboten zu Rückengesundheit, Stressbewältigung/Entspannung und einer Kantine mit gesunden Ernährungsangeboten in den letzten 12 Monaten in ihrem Unternehmen befragt. Dabei wurde nach soziodemografischen Faktoren, Gesundheitsbewusstsein und dem subjektiven Gesundheitszustand stratifiziert.

Ergebnisse

Das Angebot einer Kantine wird von 64,6 % der Frauen (F) und 66,2 % der Männer (M) genutzt. Angebote zur Rückengesundheit (F: 26,2 %; M: 18,7 %) und Stressbewältigung/Entspannung (F: 35,2 %; M: 25,6 %) werden deutlich weniger in Anspruch genommen. Beschäftigte mit ausgeprägtem Gesundheitsbewusstsein nutzen alle 3 Angebote häufiger als Beschäftigte mit weniger ausgeprägtem Gesundheitsbewusstsein. Männer mit schlechtem Gesundheitszustand nutzen die verhaltenspräventiven Angebote häufiger als Männer mit gutem Gesundheitszustand.

Schlussfolgerung

Um weitere Erwerbstätige mit BGF-Maßnahmen zu erreichen, sollten diese zielgruppenspezifisch konzipiert werden. Geschlechter- und Altersaspekte, der Umfang der Erwerbstätigkeit, das Gesundheitsbewusstsein sowie der Gesundheitszustand sollten berücksichtigt werden.
Plant–Environment Interactions in the Low Arctic Torngat Mountains of Labrador
Authors: Davis Emma , Trant Andrew , Hermanutz Luise , Way Robert G. , Lewkowicz Antoni G. , Siegwart Collier Laura , Cuerrier Alain , Whitaker Darroch
Published: November 2020

The eastern Canadian Subarctic and Arctic are experiencing significant environmental change with widespread implications for the people, plants, and animals living there. In this study, we integrate 10 years of research at the Nakvak Brook watershed in Torngat Mountains National Park of Canada, northern Labrador, to assess the sensitivity of ecological and geomorphological systems to regional climate warming. A time series of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index indicates that the area has undergone a significant greening trend over the past four decades. Analyses of shrub cross sections suggest that greening has been caused by a combination of rapid establishment and growth that began in the late 1990’s and coincided with warmer growing season temperatures. Recent (2010–2015) vegetation change has been subtle and heavily moderated by soil moisture status. Plant canopy height is greater in wet areas and has an insulating effect on ground surface temperatures during the winter, a consequence of snow trapping by shrub canopies. Observations of subsurface conditions indicate that the study site is best characterized as having discontinuous near-surface permafrost. The importance of subsurface conditions for above-ground vegetation depends on the geomorphological context, with plants in wet areas underlain by fine materials being the most likely to be growth-limited by permafrost, thus being potential hot-spots for future change. With the expectation of sustained climate change, loss of adjacent sea ice, and proximity to the forest-tundra ecotone, it is likely that the Torngat Mountains will continue to be an area of rapid environmental change in the coming decades.
Preschool Children’s Learning Opportunities Using Natural Numbers in Number Row Activities
Authors: Alkhede Maria , Holmqvist Mona
Published: November 2020

This study analysed how preschool teachers differently enacted the same mathematical activity for preschool children to discern numbers, and how this affected the children’s learning opportunities during the activity. The analysis was based on variation theory and Chi’s taxonomy of learning activities. Two Swedish preschool teachers’ enactment of the same mathematical activity for 27 children aged 4–6 years was studied. Video recordings of what the children were offered to discern were used in the analysis. The results indicate that variations in how the teachers chose to enact the activity produced two different learning opportunities for the children. Differences in what aspects were made discernible were closely linked to the characteristics of the activity implemented. The enactments differed even if the same game was chosen and the same amount of time was used in the play-based activity. In one preschool group, there were few opportunities to discern more than the nominal form of numbers; the other preschool group had an activity focused on all number forms simultaneously. In addition, in the latter group, the children had the opportunity to develop equinumerosity. The results suggest that the activity with limited variation was more appropriate for learning with undeveloped knowledge; the children with more developed understanding required a more varied design. This study contributes to the knowledge of how the design of an activity affects children’s learning differently, which is important when planning learning-based preschool activities.