bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated and Robust Organ Segmentation for 3D-based Internal dose Calculation
Authors: Nazari Mahmood , Jimenez-Franco Luis David , Schroeder Michael , Kluge Andreas , Bronzel Marcus , Kimiaei Sharok
Published: February 2021

Purpose: In this work we address image segmentation within dosimetry using deep learning and make three main contributions: a) to extend and op- timize the architecture of an existing Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) in order to obtain a fast, robust and accurate Computed Tomography (CT) based organ segmentation method for kidneys and livers; b) to train the CNN with an inhomogeneous set of CT scans and validate the CNN for daily dosimetry; c) to evaluate dosimetry results obtained using automated organ segmentation in comparison to manual segmentation done by two independent experts. Methods: We adapted a performant deep learning approach using CT-images to calculate organ boundaries with sufficiently high and adequate accuracy and processing time. The segmented organs were consequently used as binary masks for further convolution with a point spread function to retrieve the ac- tivity values from quantitatively reconstructed SPECT images for ”volumet- ric”/3D dosimetry. The retrieved activities were used to perform dosimetry calculations considering the kidneys as source organ. Results: The computational expenses of the algorithm was adequate enough to be used in clinical daily routine, required minimum pre-processing and per- formed within an acceptable accuracy of 93 . 4% for liver segmentation and of 94 . 1% for kidney segmentation. Additionally, kidney self-absorbed doses calcu- lated using automated segmentation differed 6 . 3% from dosimetries performed by two medical physicists in 8 patients. Conclusion: The proposed approach may accelerate volumetric dosimetry of kidneys in molecular radiotherapy with 177Lu-labelled radio-pharmaceuticals such as 177Lu-DOTATOC. However, even though a fully automated segmen- tation methodology based on CT images accelerates the organ segmentation and performs with high accuracy, it does not remove the need for supervision and corrections by experts, mostly due to misalignments in the co-registration between SPECT and CT images.Trial registration: EudraCT, 2016-001897-13. Registered 26.04.2016, www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=2016-001897-13
Dissociation as a Causal Pathway from Sexual Abuse to Positive Symptoms in the Spectrum of Psychotic Disorders
Authors: Khosravi Mohsen , Bakhshani Nour-Mohammad , Kasaeiyan Rashya
Published: February 2021

Background: Although numerous studies have supported the role of childhood maltreatment in the etiology of psychosis, underlying mechanisms have not been well understood yet. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of particular forms of dissociation in the relationship between five major types of childhood abuse and psychotic symptoms among patients with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders.Methods: In this cross-sectional correlation study, a total of 210 participants, including 140 patients with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (70 first-episode psychotic patients and 70 chronic psychotic patients) and 70 community controls, were selected by systematic random sampling (with the sampling interval of 3) and one-to-one matching, respectively, from among inpatients and outpatients referring to Baharan Psychiatric hospital, Zahedan, Iran, and people living in this region. In this study, the evaluation criteria included Dissociative Experiences Scale, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale.Results: The obtained results revealed that the mean scores of sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and physical abuse were higher in psychotic patients than community controls (without any significant difference among first-episode psychotic patients and chronic psychotic patients). Furthermore, the highest mean scores of dissociative experiences belonged to chronic psychotic patients. Regarding the three study groups, there was no significant gender-based difference between mean scores of dissociative experiences and various types of childhood maltreatment. Multiple-mediation also indicated that absorption and dissociative amnesia played a mediating role in the relationship between sexual abuse and positive symptoms. Moreover, this study implied the role of physical abuse in predicting psychotic symptoms even in the absence of sexual abuse. Conclusions: This study illustrated specific associations among childhood maltreatment, dissociative experiences, and psychotic symptoms in the clinical population. Thus, to provide appropriate interventions, patients with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders needed to be asked about a wide range of possible adverse childhood experiences and dissociative experiences. Nevertheless, further studies using prospective or longitudinal designs need to be carried out to realize the differential contribution of various forms of childhood maltreatment and their potential interactions, more precisely.
Tele-Medicine Provides an Effective Tool for the Management of COVID-19 in Children
Authors: Poeta Marco , Pierri Luca , Bruzzese Eugenia , Nunziata Francesco , Vassallo Edoardo , Catzola Andrea , Ciccarelli Gian Paolo , Guarino Alfredo , Vecchio Andrea Lo
Published: February 2021

Overcrowding, the unavailability of personal protective equipment, and transmission between health care workers are the main causes of the rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospital settings. Because children have less severe symptoms than adults, we used tele-medicine (TM) as the main approach to managing subjects younger than 14 years who contacted their primary care paediatrician (PCP). A TM program for suspected paediatric COVID-19 cases was developed by the COVID-19 paediatric referral centre and PCPs in the Campania Region, Italy. A total of 269 cases of suspected COVID-19 were discussed through tele-consultation between PCPs and paediatric infectious disease specialists. The main reason for the initiation of tele-consultation by PCPs was the need for case management advice (n=206, 77%). A total of 203 children were tested for COVID-19, and 139 were positive (73 males, aged 5 years [IQR 1-10]), of whom 103 were managed at home with phone/video monitoring, 17 received a direct medical visit and discharged to home, and 19 were admitted to the COVID-19 unit. The main symptoms were fever (45%) and cough (25%). Thirty-five percent were asymptomatic and detected in family clusters. None had severe clinical outcomes.ConclusionTM is a reliable tool to limit the spread of COVID-19 and might reduce the number of unnecessary visits and hospital admissions. Through tele-consultation with an expert, PCPs can identify at-risk children who need testing and manage most cases remotely. However, standardization of the TM approach and criteria for hospital admission are needed.
Urbanization Significantly Reduces Frequency of Light Rain: an Example From Beijing City
Authors: Yang Ping , Ren Guoyu , Yan Pengcheng , Deng Jingmian
Published: February 2021

An hour precipitation dataset of 42 automatic weather stations is developed and applied to analyze the temporal and spatial characteristics of light precipitation in urban areas of Beijing City during 2007-2017. The stations are classified into three groups, including 18 sites in central urban area (4th RR), 10 sites in peri-urban area (4th-5th RR) and 14 sites in suburban area (5th-6th RR). Light precipitation is defined as hourly rainfall of 0.1-0.3mm. Analysis shows that light precipitation occurred in urban area in the whole day, with the peak value in 0600 LST and minimum value in 1600LST; monthly variation of light precipitation frequency (LPF) was characterized by the highest value in summer and the lowest value in winter; remarkable differences are found for the various urbanized areas, with the annual and seasonal mean LPF being generally small in central urban area and gradually increasing toward suburban area; the hourly mean LPF during morning and nighttime is higher in summer than those in other seasons in each of the urban areas; relative humidity, aerosol and wind speed might have been the major influential factors for the observed temporal and spatial pattern of light precipitation.
A New Agent-Based Model Provides Insight Into Assumptions in Modeling Forest Management Under Deep Uncertainty
Authors: Sotnik Garry , Cassell Brooke A. , Duveneck Matthew J. , Scheller Robert M.
Published: February 2021

ContextExploratory modeling in forestry uses a variety of approaches to study forest management questions. One key assumption that every approach makes is about the degree of deep uncertainty—the lack of knowledge required for making an informed decision—that future forest managers will face. This assumption can strongly influence simulation results and the conclusions drawn from them, but is rarely studied.ObjectivesOur objective was to measure the degree of deep uncertainty within a forest management simulation to compare alternative modeling approaches and improve understanding of when a specific approach should be applied.MethodsWe first developed a method for measuring the degree of deep uncertainty assumed by approaches to modeling forest management. Next, we developed a new extension to the LANDIS-II model, the SOSIEL Harvest Extension, which simulates alternative approaches to modeling forest management. Finally, we applied the new method and extension to comparing three alternative approaches to modeling forest management in Michigan.ResultsThe degrees of deep uncertainty varied substantially among the three modeling approaches. There is also an overall negative relationship between the degree of deep uncertainty an approach assumes a forest manager will face and the level of flexibility the approach assumes a manager will have in responding to forest change.ConclusionsQuantifying the deep uncertainty inherent in simulated forest management and comparing it across models provides an opportunity to better understand its sources and investigate differences in the assumptions made by alternative modeling approaches.
An empirical investigation of deviations from the Beer-Lambert law in near-infrared spectroscopy: A case study of lactate in aqueous solutions, serum, blood and tissue
Authors: Mamouei Mohammad , Budidha Karthik , Baishya Nystha , Qassem Meha , Kyriacou Panayiotis
Published: February 2021

The linear relationship between optical absorbance and the concentration of analytes -as postulated by the Beer-Lambert law- is one of the fundamental assumptions that much of the optical spectroscopy literature is explicitly or implicitly based upon. The common use of linear regression models such as principal component regression and partial least squares exemplifies how the linearity assumption is upheld in practical applications. However, the literature also establishes that deviations from the Beer-Lambert law can be expected when a) the light source is far from monochromatic, b) the concentrations of analytes are very high and c) the medium is highly scattering. The lack of a quantitative understanding of when such nonlinearities can become predominant, along with the mainstream use of nonlinear machine learning models in different fields, have given rise to the use of methods such as random forests, support vector regression, and neural networks in spectroscopic applications. This raises the question that, given the small number of samples and the high number of variables in many spectroscopic datasets, are nonlinear effects significant enough to justify the additional model complexity? In the present study, we empirically investigate this question in relation to lactate, an important biomarker. Particularly, to analyze the effects of scattering matrices, three datasets were generated by varying the concentration of lactate in phosphate buffer solution, human serum, and sheep blood. Additionally, the fourth dataset pertained to invivo, transcutaneous spectra obtained from healthy volunteers in an exercise study. Linear and nonlinear models were fitted to each dataset and measures of model performance were compared to attest the assumption of linearity. To isolate the effects of high concentrations, the phosphate buffer solution dataset was augmented with six samples with very high concentrations of lactate between (100-600 mmol/L). Subsequently, three partly overlapping datasets were extracted with lactate concentrations varying between 0-11 mmol/L, 0-20 mmol/L and 0-600 mmol/L. Similarly, the performance of linear and nonlinear models were compared in each dataset. This analysis did not provide any evidence of substantial nonlinearities due high concentrations. However, the results suggest that nonlinearities in scattering media may be substantial, justifying the use of complex, nonlinear models.
Nursing Students’ Health Literacy Level and Health Practices: a Cross Sectional Study at a University in Namibia
Authors: Munangatire Takaedza , Tomas Nestor , Mareka Violetha
Published: February 2021

Background: Inadequate health literacy and poor health practices among nurses could be a hindrance to empowering the population with good health practices. For the nurses to empower the population, they need to be equipped with good health literacy and good health practices. The starting point of solving this problem is through provision of deliberate health literacy and health practice education in the nursing curriculum. This study explored health literacy level and health practices of nursing students in Namibia. Specifically the study examined the health literacy level, health practices and the relationship between the two among nursing students across four levels of study. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 205 nursing students. A simple random stratified sampling method was used and data were collected using questionnaire for health literacy (16 items) and health practices (11 items. Pearson correlation, independent t-test and One-way ANOVA were used to analyse the data. Results: The overall mean general health literacy score was 13.04± 1.52. The majority (n=157;76.5%) of the students were found to have adequate health literacy scores, 21.5% with moderate health literacy scores and only 2% with inadequate health literacy scores. The overall mean health practice score was 32.4± 5.50. Most (n=106; 51.7%) of the students were found to have poor health practices, 44.4% had average health practices and 3.9% had good health practices. There was no significant relationship between health literacy levels and health practices of the students (p=0.63).Conclusions: Nursing students have good health literacy but more efforts should be applied to maintain such health literacy levels during and beyond the point of graduation. However, with poor health practices, there is need to investigate more on the contributing factors and develop strategies that can support good health practices among nursing students and maybe these can be transferred into their professional careers as nurses.
Energetic and Electronic Properties of NH3, NO2 and SO2 Interacting with GaN Nanotube: A DFT Study
Authors: Silva Andrew A. J. Anchieta da , Caetano Caio Vinícius , Guerini Silvete
Published: February 2021

In this work, the interaction of GaN nanotube (GaNNT) with common air pollutants of industrialized cities, such as NH3, NO2 and SO2 in different configurations was studied. For this study, the single-walled (10,0) GaNNT was used. The analysis was done via the density functional theory implemented in the SIESTA simulation software. The analysis of the results shows that the air pollutants alter the properties of nanotubes when they interact with them. The stability analysis shows that the most stable configurations are those in which adsorption occurs through a chemical process. The systems remain semiconductors, but in the case of NO2 and SO2 molecules interacting with GaNNT, there was a significant reduction in the energy gap. Our results also indicate that GaNNT is a promising material to detect and remove NH3 and NO2 molecules from the environment, however it may be not applicable to detect or remove SO2, because the latter interacts strongly with the nanotube, which prevents the GaNNT from being reused.
SMOX and SMS Responsible for Polyamine Metabolism Enhanced Adipogenesis
Authors: Yi Xia , Wu Ping , Liu Jianyun , Gong Ying , Xu Xiaoyuan , Xiong Jianjun
Published: February 2021

Adipose tissue regulating carbohydrate and lipid metabolism had been extensively focused. However, the regulation of amino acid metabolism during adipocyte differentiation remained detailed. Here we applied RNA-Seq technique to establish the transcriptional landscapes of amino acid metabolism during adipogenesis. We totally screened 17 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for amino acid metabolism at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days during adipogenesis from human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), especially with 13 up-regulated genes most prevalent in our adipogenic anecdote. Small molecule metabolic process was the most enriched biological process following by oxidation-reduction process. Interestingly, the enforced expression of SMOX (spermine oxidase) responsible for polyamine metabolism in arginine and proline metabolism pathway facilitated adipogenesis more than SMS (spermine synthase) using RNA interference (RNAi). The established potential regulatory network further suggested that adipocyte differentiation tightly related with the basal metabolism of amino acid metabolism with the partially confirmed SMS-SMOX-PPARG signaling pathway. It would highlight the effect of adipogenesis on amino acid metabolism in adipocyte biology and provide the potential treatment strategy for the study of fat metabolic diseases.
Electrochemical Sensitive Detection of Hydrazine Through Cobalt Doped Cerium Oxide Nanostructured Platform
Authors: Ansari Anees AHMAD , Alam Manawwer
Published: February 2021

Chemically synthesized cobalt-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles(CeO2:Co;NPs) were successfully prepared by complexed based co-precipitation process. The structural, morphological, chemical composition, optical properties, and electro-catalytic properties were determined by X-ray diffraction pattern(XRD), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX), UV/Visible absorption spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry techniques. Owing to the wide-spread applications of CeO2 NPs in various fields of applied material sciences, transition metal ions doped CeO2:Co NPs exhibited excellent electro-catalytic properties. Outstanding physiochemical properties of CeO2 such as reversible oxidation states, high ionic mobility, large oxygen storage ability, effective large specific surface area, and the excellent current response observed in the electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine. The presence of transition metal ions (cobalt) improves the oxidation potential of hydrazine. Cyclic voltammetry was analog with the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results, which revealed the enhanced with rapid sensing response against hydrazine. The electro-catalytic results of the CeO2:Co NPs electrode exhibited excellent voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy performance towards the hydrazine oxidation. The fabricated chemical sensor shows a wide linear detection range from 7.18 to 1000 µM, a low detection limit 7.2 µM, and sensitivity of 2.42 µAmLµM-1cm-2. The fabricated sensing electrode demonstrated long-term steadiness resulting it shows high sensitivity, selectivity, repeatability/reproducibility, and rapid detection of hydrazine.
Hydroxypropylation Reduces Gelatinization Temperature of Corn Starch for Textile Sizing
Authors: Shen Yanqin , YAO Yijun , Wang Zhongliang , Wu Hailiang
Published: February 2021

A series of hydroxypropylated starch (HPS) that can be dissolved in water at 60-65℃ was obtained via two-step method in water system from corn starch. The structure and property of the HPS and its gelatinization temperature were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H NMR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). It was concluded that hydroxypropyl mainly bonded on the hydroxyl group at C 2 position from anhydroglucose unit of starch in the form of C-O-C, and the substitution level at C 6 position was slightly higher than that at C 3 position; and the crystallinity of starch decreased from 52.41% to 29.4% due to the introduction of hydroxypropyl and was confirmed by XRD. At the same time, the grooves on the surface of starch granules were observed by SEM. The above-mentioned two synergism promoted the permeation and transmission of water molecules in the starch microstructure. Moreover, the gelatinization temperatures and enthalpy of synthetic HPS was lower than that of raw corn starch, as further confirmed by DSC. This caused the HPS with a molar substitution greater than 0.1 soluble in water at 65℃, and the dissolution state was similar to that of at 95℃ (transmittance above 55%), as well as exhibited high slurry stability. Interestingly, compared with the raw starch, the HPS film showed excellent mechanical property at the relative humidity of 65%, which could be attributed to the hydrophilic ether bond and the flexible alkyl chain bonded on the structure of starch. This study will provide a new way for the preparation of high performance starch size for sizing yarn at medium low temperature.
Effect of Triple Antibiotic Paste on The Bond Strength of Epoxy and Methacrylate Resin–Based Sealers to Root Canal Dentine
Authors: Sobhnamayan Fereshte , Adl Alireza , Sedigh-Shams Mahdi , Mirkhaghani Hossein
Published: February 2021

Background: Triple antibiotic pastes (TAP) has gained popularity as a root canal medicament in regenerative endodontic procedures and other endodontic treatment modalities. As this medicament changes the chemical structure of dentine, it may affect the bond strength of endodontic sealers to radicular dentine. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of TAP on the bond Strength of epoxy and methacrylate resin- based sealers to root canal dentine.Methods: In this in vitro study, eighty single-rooted human mandibular premolars were prepared using ProTaper rotary system. The specimens were randomly divided into a control group (without intracanal dressing) and an experimental group receiving TAP (n = 40). The intracanal dressing was removed after three weeks. Then samples of each group were randomly divided into four subgroups (n = 10) and obturated with gutta-percha and different resin-based sealers. G1: AH Plus, G2: Syntex, G3: EndoREZ, G4: MetaSEAL. After one week, 16 Slices of 1±0.1 mm thickness were obtained from the midroots of teeth in each subgroup and a push-out test was used to measure the bond strength. Slices were examined using a stereomicroscope at 30× to determine the mode of failure. The data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance, one- way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests (α = 0.05).Results: Compared to control group, TAP significantly increased the bond strength of MetaSeal and EndoREZ (p<0.05). In the control group, epoxy resin- based sealers showed higher bond strength compared to methacrylate ones (p=0.00). In TAP group, Syntex and EndoREZ showed significantly the greatest and the lowest bond strengths respectively (p<.05). The analysis of failure modes revealed a predominance of mixed failures in all groups except for Syntex group in which most failures were cohesive.Conclusions: TAP significantly increased the bond strength of methacrylate resin- based sealers.
When to Perform Curettage After Uterine Artery Embolization for Cesarean Scar Pregnancy: a Clinical Study
Authors: Wang Qiao , Peng Hongling , Zhao Xia , Qi Xiaorong
Published: February 2021

Background: Prophylactic uterine artery embolization (UAE) combined with following curettage was suggested as an effective and minimally invasive treatment strategy for cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) with high bleeding risk. However, the timing of curettage after UAE remains to be studied. Thus, we aimed to identify the optimal time interval to perform curettage after UAE in patients with CSP.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a large medical center for women and children in southwest China. CSP patients treated by UAE combined with following curettage were included and grouped by the treatment time interval between these two procedures. The clinical outcomes among arms were compared by univariate and multi-variable analysis.Results: Our study finally included a total of 314 CSP patients who received this combination treatment in our department from January 2014 to December 2019. The median time interval between UAE and curettage was 48 hours with a range of 12-168 hours in all participants. Thirty-two cases (10.2%) experienced intra-operative hemorrhage (blood loss ≥200mL). Seventeen cases (5.4%) used intrauterine balloon tamponade. Fourteen cases (4.5%) were converted into laparoscopy (or laparotomy). In the cohort study, patients with longer treatment interval had more intra-operative blood loss and higher incidence of complications than those with shorter interval (P＜0.05). The rate of intra-operative bleeding was 5.0% in patients who received curettage within 24 hours after UAE (Arm 1), in comparison with 19.4% in those who had treatment interval longer than 72 hours (Arm 4). In the multi-variable logistic regression model of bleeding, the treatment interval ＞72 hours had an adjusted odds ratio of 3.37 (95% confidence interval: 1.40-8.09). Conclusion: We suggest that curettage should not be delayed longer than 72 hours after UAE under general conditions.
Intra-Articular Injection of Autologous Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fractions for the Cartilage Repair of Grade 2 and 3 Knee Osteoarthritis: A Confirmatory Clinical Trial
Authors: Zhang Yin , Bi Qing , Yu Taihen , Hong Zheping , Tong Yu , Luo Junchao , Yuan Ye , Zhang Wei , Zhu Senbo , Ji Lichen , Zhao Chen , Zhang Shuijun , Zhang Qiong
Published: February 2021

BackgroundCartilage defect remains one of the most important reasons for the rapid development of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Numerous reports have confirmed the safety and clinical efficacy of autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fractions (SVF), which has recently been used clinically to treat patients with knee OA. However, there is still no consensus as to whether SVF can promote cartilage regeneration. Herein, we purposed to evaluate the effectiveness of SVF in cartilage regeneration by developing cartilage model based on the 3D-FS-SPGR sequence.MethodsPatients with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2-3 knee OA were recruited in our research. Then, we monitored patients and subsequently scored symptoms using WOMAC, VAS, and range of motion (ROM) before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. The WORMS and MOCART were recorded by magnetic resonance imaging. The cartilage model of the patient was established using the 3D-FS-SPGR sequence, while the relevant parameters of the model were counted at baseline, 6, and 12 months.ResultsWe enrolled 47 patients (53 knees) with knee OA in this study, of which 29 knees were classified as grade 2, while 24 were assigned grade 3. No treatment-related adverse event was observed in our study. Notably, WOMAC, VAS, and ROM showed a significant improvement at 12 months. We further found that the thickness, volume, and surface of the cartilage defect decreased, while the volume of healthy cartilage increased in all regions, particularly in the medial femoral and tibia condyle. Moreover, the scores of WORMS and MOCART revealed a substantial improvement of cartilage repair at 12 months. ConclusionsTaken together, this study shows that intra-articular injection of SVF into the knee markedly improved the clinical symptoms of patients without the occurrence of adverse events, thereby repairing the damaged articular cartilage through cartilage regeneration.Trial registration﻿Retrospectively registered. Chinses Clinical Trial Registry with identifier ChiCTR2100042930. Registered 28 January 2021.
The Enhancement of Energy Storage Performances via Combining Relaxor Behaviors With the Crucial Point of Solubility Limit
Authors: Shi Zhifeng , Liu Yaping , Guo Fei , Zhao Shifeng
Published: February 2021

(1-x)(0.96Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-0.04BiMnO3)-xLaMnO3 ternary solid solution films were fabricated by Sol-gel methods. It takes advantage of the large polarization from 0.96NBT-0.04BMO limit solid solution at crucial point of solubility limit to enhance energy density. And LaMnO3 was introduced to improve the energy storage efficiency via the enhancement of relaxor behaviors. It is shown that the relaxor behaviors had been enhanced, and a large energy storage density of 87.9 J/cm3 and efficiency of 56.5 % were achieved for 0.85(NBT-BMO)-0.15LM films, with increase ratio of 4.9 % and 13.3 % respectively than 0.96NBT-0.04BMO solubility limit films. However, when LaMnO3 is beyond a certain limit, the breakdown strength is reduced due the formation of the current channel. Thus it suggests a alternative method that combining relaxor behaviors with solubility limit films, which provides a way to regulate the energy storage performances for film capacitors.
A Psychoacoustic Test for Misophonia Assessment
Authors: Enzler Falco , Loriot Céline , Fournier Philippe , Noreña Arnaud J.
Published: February 2021

Misophonia is a condition where a strong arousal response is triggered when hearing specific human generated sounds, like chewing, and/or repetitive tapping noises, like pen clicking. It is diagnosed with clinical interviews and questionnaires since no psychoacoustic tools exist to assess its presence. The present study was aimed at developing and testing a new assessment tool for misophonia. The method was inspired by an approach we have recently developed for hyperacusis. It consisted of presenting subjects (n=253) with misophonic, pleasant, and unpleasant sounds in an online experiment. The task was to rate them on a pleasant to unpleasant visual analog scale. Subjects were labeled as misophonics (n=78) or controls (n=55) by using self-report questions and a misophonia questionnaire, the MisoQuest. There was a significant difference between controls and misophonics in the median global rating of misophonic sounds. On the other hand, median global rating of unpleasant, and pleasant sounds did not differ significantly. We selected a subset of the misophonic sounds to form the core discriminant sounds of misophonia (CDSMiso). A metric: the CDS score, was used to quantitatively measure misophonia, both with a global score and with subscores. The latter could specifically quantify aversion towards different sound sources/events, i.e., mouth, breathing/nose, throat, and repetitive sounds. A receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the method accurately classified subjects with and without misophonia (accuracy = 91 %). The present study suggests that the psychoacoustic test we have developed can be used to assess misophonia reliably and quickly.
Determination of Poultry Manure and Plant Residues Effects on Zn Bioavailable Fraction in Contaminated Soil Via DGT Technique
Authors: Mohseni Amir , Heidari Saber , Bidast Solmaz , Raei Bijan , Moftakharzadeh Seyed Adel
Published: February 2021

A greenhouse experiment was aimed at assessing the effects of poultry manure, sorghum, and clover residues (0 and 15 g kg-1) on the zinc (Zn) bioavailable fraction in contaminated calcareous soil using two chemical assay, diffusion gradient in thin films (DGT) and DTPA-TEA, and a bioassay with corn (Zea mase L.). The results showed that poultry manure, clover, and sorghum residues application increased dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by 53.6 and 36.1, and 9.2%, respectively, with respect to unamended soils, as well as decreasing soil pH by 0.42, 0.26, and 0.06 units, respectively. These changes did result in increases of Zn effective concentration (CE) and DTPA-Zn, and plant Zn concentration as a result of the increased exchangeable form of Zn. In the sorghum residues-amended soils, a reverse trend was observed for CE-Zn compared to the DTPA method. Correlation analyses revealed that unlike CE-Zn, DTPA-Zn had a positive correlation significantly with organic fractions that can be considered as an equivalent to the fact that the DTPA method had been overestimated Zn available to plants. The best correlations between corn metal concentrations and soil metal bioavailability were for CE-Zn using DGT technique, which also provided the best Zn bioavailability estimate. It is concluded that sorghum residues could be used to reduce the phytotoxicity risk of Zn in calcareous contaminated soil, and DTPA method is the less robust indicator of Zn bioavailability than DGT technique.
Parameters of Complete Blood Count Might Predict the Prognosis of Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer
Authors: Sutcuoglu Osman , Fincan Abdülkadir , Gürler Fatih , İnci Bediz Kurt , Özdemir Nuriye , Yazıcı Ozan
Published: February 2021

PurposeMetastatic gastric cancer is a common disease with poor prognosis. In this common disease, estimating the prognosis with a simple complete blood count has attracted the attention in many studies. However, the results of the studies are incompatible with each other. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between parameters of the complete blood count and disease prognosis in patients with advanced gastric cancer(AGC).MethodsBetween 2009 and May 2019, the files of patients with AGC were retrospectively evaluated. Blood counts of the patients were examined before receiving any treatment at the time of diagnosis of AGC. All parameters derived from complete blood count and defined in literature were evaluated in this study. These were; Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio(NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio(PLR), monocyte lymphocyte ratio(MLR), systemic immune-inflammation index(SII), hemoglobin, lymphocyte, platelet. The patients were divided in two subgroups according to the median values of NLR, PLR, MLR and SII.ResultsA total of 105 patients with AGC were included in the study. The median survival in the patients with low NLR group was 14.6 months compared with high NLR group was 7.9 months (p=0.008). In low PLR and MLR group the median survivals were 12.7 and 14.6 months compared with high PLR and MLR were 8.2 and 7.9 months respectively (p=0.019, p=0.06). There was no significant relationship with SII (p=0.375). Multivariate analysis showed that NLR was an independent predictor of overall survival.ConclusionThrough the parameters derived from complete blood count, NLR appears to be a promising prognostic marker in patients with AGC.
EL-IGrowCut: MRI Brain Tissue Segmentation Based on Ensemble Learning and Improve GrowCut Techniques
Authors: Jafari Fatemeh , Ghaffari Hamidreza
Published: February 2021

Background and ObjectiveMagnetic resonance (MR) technology enables physicians to employ digital imaging as a tool to identify and analyze brain tumors as well as to differentiate between healthy and tumor tissues. Since precisely defining the tumor position is a challenging task, segmentation is necessary stage in medical image processing. Segmentation is defined as the division of a given image into non-overlapping regions with relatively similar features. Recently, various techniques have been proposed for MR image segmentation. MethodsIn this paper, a new ensemble clustering technique based on neural network algorithm (NNA) was introduced for segmentation of MRI Brain tissues, which consists of two main phases: training phase and testing phase. In the former, pixels with the same amount of light intensity were put into one group via simple linear iterative clustering (SLIC) algorithm, creating superpixels. Then, the combination of GrowCut methods and Zernik’s feature extraction method and clustering and classification ensemble learning, including multi-layer perceptron neural network algorithm (MLP), Support vector machine (SVM) and K nearest neighbor (KNN), are based on geometric features in order to detect the division of MRI Brain tissues. The improved GrowCut method, based on the geometric properties of the images, has been used to segmentation the image of the brain from MRI images. Then, with the help of Zernik’s technique, image features were extracted based on the features of the edges and the texture of the images. Finally, the ensemble learning methods such as KNN, SVM, and MLP combine together for attempted to detect MRI Brain tissues. Results and ConclusionsThe performance of the proposed method was evaluated on the IBSR20 dataset and the obtained results were compared separately with the six basic clustering methods (that together are creating the ensemble clustering technique). The results demonstrated that the proposed technique outperforms other clustering algorithms in terms of segmentation accuracy in most of the experimental cases. Therefore, by presenting experiments to diagnose MRI Brain tissues, it was observed that the proposed method detected the MR with acceptable accuracy and the combination of ensemble learning methods and GrowCut and Zernik’s feature extraction methods was successful.
Structural Role of Nd2O3 as Dopant Material in Modified Borate Glasses and Glass Ceramics
Authors: Shaalan M. A. , El-Damrawi Gomaa , Hassan A.K. , Misbah M. Hamed
Published: February 2021

Glasses in the system xNd2O3-(46-x)B2O3-27CaO-24.4Na2O-2.6 P2O5 (0 ≤ x ≤ 4 mol%) have been prepared via conventional melt quenching technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra have showed that the amorphous structure is dominant in glasses of Nd2O3 concentrations ≤ 0.5 mol%. But formation of a more ordered structure is confirmed at higher Nd2O3 values. Result based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) shows an increase in glass transition temperature (Tg) with increasing Nd2O3 at expense of B2O3 contents. Vicker hardness (Hv) and density (D) are used to correlate the glass structure with its properties. The measured density is found to be increased whereas the molar volume is decreased with increasing Nd2O3 content. The calculated molar volume (Vm) and free spaces (Vf) are both decreased due to filling process which is suggested to be carried out by Nd3+ of larger size than that of B3+. Decreasing of Vm and Vf can reflect the increase in bridging bonds in the glass network which in turns results in increasing of both Tg and of the investigated compositions.
An Experimental Millimeter Wave Radio over Fiber Link with Double Polarization Multiplexing
Authors: Badraoui Nada , Berceli Tibor
Published: February 2021

A novel approach, an optical radio over fiber link with double polarization multiplexing is presented. In the two orthogonal polarizations of the optical beam the contents of information to be transmitted are different doubling the link capacity this way . For experimental verification a millimeter wave radio over fiber link with double polarization multiplexing has been developed. To ensure low cross polarization an incoherent approach is used. A high quality signal transmission is achieved by a proper procedure providing high polarization extinction ratio. In the experimental investigations different bit rates and fiber lengths are used. A signal with 12 Gbit/s bit rate is transmitted over a 25 km long link with about 1.10 -8 bit error rate. That result is much better than the already published data measured on experimental links.
The Effect of Variation Sensitivity Against Time For Magnesium Oxide (MgO) Doped Polyaniline Nanocomposites Influenced By Ammonium Persulfate
Authors: B MANJUNATHA , Jabnoor Rahul , kalyane Sangshetty
Published: February 2021

Polyaniline and doped polyaniline was prepared by the method of insitu chemical oxidative polymerization with ammonium persulfate as an oxidant agent. The composite polyaniline was mixing the magnesium oxide and polyaniline with the PANI matrix distributions. Polyaniline composite of MgO characterized like as x-ray diffractometer shows structural properties. The electrical properties of polyaniline and composite polyaniline as a conductivity increases with increase in frequency. The sensor property shows the sensitivity with the help of time obtained the sensitivities values the ranges from 120 to 160% from these composites in 50% composite the sensitivity is high.
Leaching of Polar Herbicides in the Presence of Designed Carbon Sorbents in Soil
Authors: Yavari Saba , Asadpour Robabeh , Kamyab Hesam , Yavari Sara , Kutty Shamsul Rahman Mohamed , Baloo Lavania , Manan Teh Sabariah Binti Abd , Chelliapan Shreeshivadasan , Sidik Azwadi Bin Che
Published: February 2021

Imidazolinones are polar herbicides with high leaching potential making them potential threat to environment quality. Biochar, a carbon sorbent, can efficiently stabilize substances and could be used to reduce the pesticides leaching. This work was conducted to study biochar effects on leaching of imazapic, imazapyr, and a mixture of them (Onduty®) for the first time. Leaching columns were used during lab experiments. Soil amendment with biochars produced from oil palm empty fruit bunch and rice husk significantly reduced the herbicides leaching percentages. 16% of imazapic was leached from biochar-free soil. For rice husk and empty fruit bunch biochar-amended soils the amounts were 4.3% and 3.6%, respectively. The highest percentage of imazapyr was leached out from non-amended soil (14.2%) followed by rice husk (4.0%) and empty fruit bunch (2.8%) biochar-amended soils. 15.2% of the applied Onduty® was leached from non-amended soil. Rice husk and empty fruit bunch biochars could reduce the herbicide leaching to 4.2% and 3.0%, respectively. Soil amended with biochars retained the higher percentages of the herbicides in top 7.5 cm depths. Total herbicides amounts adsorbed by biochars were more than 95%. It was concluded that biochar application has the potential to decrease imidazolinones leaching and their environmental pollution.
The Long-Term Outcome of Cyberknife Radiotherapy for Central Skull Base Meningiomas: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Hong Sukwoo , Sato Kengo , Kagawa Kenji , Ichi Shunsuke
Published: February 2021

Few reports exist demonstrating the effects of CyberKnife radiotherapy (CKRT) on the central skull base meningiomas (CSMs). Retrospective analysis of 113 patients were performed. The median age was 62 (IQR 50 – 72) years old, and 78 patients (69%) were female. Upfront CKRT was performed in 41 (36%), where 17 (15%) patients were asymptomatic. The other CKRT was for postoperative adjuvant therapy in 32 (28%), and for the recurrent or relapsed tumors in 40 (35%) patients. Previous operation was done in 74 patients (66%). Among the available pathology in 46 patients, 37 (80%) were WHO grade I, 8 (17%) were grade II, and 1 (2%) were grade III. The median prescribed dose covered 95% of the planning target volume was 2500 (IQR 2100 – 2500) cGy and the median target volume was 9.5 (IQR 3.9 – 16.9) cm3. The median PFS was 48 (IQR 23 – 73) months and 84% and 78% were free of tumor progression at five, and 10 years respectively. The median follow-up was 49 (IQR 28 – 83) months. PFS was better in grade I than grade II (p = 0.02). No other baseline factors including the history of previous operation was associated with PD or PFS. Adverse events of radiation therapy were radiation- induced optic neuropathy (0.9%), and cerebral edema (4.4%). Asymptomatic cavernous carotid stenosis was found in three (2.7%), five (4.4%) underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement for normal pressure hydrocephalus, and five (4.4%) died. CKRT is useful for the management of CSMs with low rate of adverse events.
Chromosomal Characteristics and Prognostic Analysis of Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Song Mingzhu , Zhang Tun , Yang Dongdong , Xiao Hao , Wang Huiping , Zhai Zhimin , Ye Qianling
Published: February 2021

BackgroundSecondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia (S-AML) patients generally have a poor prognosis, and the chromosomal karyotype of S-AML have been rarely reported in the published literature. We aimed to explore the chromosomal karyotype and its clinical significance in patients with S-AML.MethodsClinical characteristics and chromosome karyotypes of 26 patients with S-AML were retrospectively analyzed. The overall survival (OS) was measured from the time of the patients’ transition to AML (which means the time of S-AML diagnosis) .ResultsAmong the 26 S-AML patients, there were 13 males and 13 females, with a median age of 63 years old (range, 20-77 years old). All of them were secondary to a variety of hematologic malignancies or solid tumors, and most of them were secondary to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). About 62% of the S-AML patients showed chromosome abnormalities. The level of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in S-AML patients with abnormal chromosome karyotype was higher than those with normal chromosome karyotype. Apart from the differences in treatment regimens, S-AML patients with chromosomal karyotype abnormalities had shorter OS (P<0.05). Conclusions﻿S-AML patients with abnormal chromosomal karyotype have higher LDH and shorter OS than normal chromosomal karyotype, and the OS of hypodiploidy was much shorter than hyperdiploid.
Examining the Impact of Technical Controls, Accountability and Monitoring towards Cyber Security Compliance in E-government Organisations
Authors: Alqahtani Mohammed , Braun Robin
Published: February 2021

IT infrastructure and systems are made up of technical as well as social systems that work in alliance to ensure that organization's goals and objectives are met. Security controls and measures are developed and used to guard data and information systems of the organization. The breaches of Cyber security are primarily caused by the misuse of information systems and failure to comply with cyber security measures. Cyber security non-compliance is a major concern for organizations. For effective compliance and human acceptance of cyber security technology and complying with cyber practices, it is essential to ascertain, research, and examine the factors which contribute to the compliance and implementation of cyber security. This study has utilized an enhanced UTAUT2 i.e. Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 model and assessed its relationship with cyber security compliance. Five new formal and informal factors that affect cyber security compliance in organizations are identified and evaluated. The research questions addressed are: how the formal factors of technical measures; accountability; monitoring and evaluation impact employee's behaviour towards cyber security compliance. The study comprises a correlational survey of employees working at e-government organizations in Saudi Arabia. Results indicate that there is a significant role play by technical measures; accountability; monitoring and evaluation, on employee attitudes and behaviour towards cyber security compliance.
Association Mapping and Domestication Analysis to Dissect Genetic Improvement Process of Upland Cotton Yield-Related Traits in China
Authors: Chunping GUO , Zhenyuan PAN , Chunyuan YOU , Xiaofeng ZHOU , Cong HUANG , Chao SHEN , Ruihai ZHAO , Qingyong YANG , Longfu ZHU , Zhongxu LIN , Nie Xinhui
Published: February 2021

BackgroundCotton fiber yield is a complex trait, which can be influenced by multiple agronomic traits. Unravelling the genetic basis of cotton fiber yield related traits contributes to genetic improvement of cotton fiber. ResultsIn this study, 503 upland cotton varieties covering the 4 breeding stages in China were used to for association mapping and domestication analysis of upland cotton yield-related traits in China. 140 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) significantly associated with ten fiber yield related traits were identified, among which, 29 QTLs showed an increasing trend contribution to cotton yield-related traits from BS1 to BS4, and 26 QTLs showed decreased trend effect. 4 favorable alleles of 9 major QTLs (R2≥3) were strongly selected during the breeding stages, and the candidate genes of the 4 strongly selected alleles were predicated according to the gene function annotation and tissue expression data. ConclusionsThe study not only uncovers the genetic basis of 10 cotton yield related traits, but also provides genetic evidence for cotton improvement during the cotton breeding process in China.