bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison and evaluation of supercritical CO2 cooling performance in horizontal tubes with variable cross‐section by field synergy theory
Authors: Hao Junhong , Ju Chenzhi , Li Chao , Tian Liang , Ge Zhihua , Du Xiaoze
Published: May 2022

The cooling/heating performance improvement of supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) in heat exchange tube with changing cross‐section is significant and crucial for solar‐driven advanced thermal systems' application and development. The study introduced and constructed straight, diverging, and converging horizontal tubes with the changing cross‐section. The analyzation and evaluation of the sCO2 cooling performance used the combination of SST k‐ω turbulence model‐based numerical method and the field synergy theory, including the influence of tube cross‐sectional shape, inlet pressure and temperature on the cooling performance. As these simulation results indicate, the converging tube can enhance the flow field's synergy and increase the heat transfer ability by 13.15% under cooling conditions. Nevertheless, the heat transfer ability of the sCO2 decreases in the diverging tube under cooling conditions. Besides, the total heat transfer rate rises and the surface heat transfer coefficient has the opposite trends when the inlet temperature increases. Meanwhile, when inlet pressure varies from 11 to 12 MPa, the total heat exchange and surface convective heat transfer coefficient are the maximum. In conclusion, a converging horizontal tube and a suitable inlet pressure can effectively improve the cooling performance of the sCO2. The converging cross‐section design will provide an alternative for its application in advanced thermal systems.
Randomized controlled trial of cognitive remediation therapy in adolescent inpatients with anorexia nervosa: Neuropsychological outcomes
Authors: Herbrich‐Bowe Laura , Bentz Lea K. , Correll Christoph U. , Kappel Viola , van Noort Betteke M.
Published: May 2022

Objective

Neuropsychological dysfunction exists in anorexia nervosa (AN). Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT), mainly evaluated in adults with AN, targets these impairments.

Methods

Adolescent inpatients (age = 11–17 years) with AN were randomized to 5 weeks of either 10 sessions of individually delivered CRT or non‐specific cognitive‐training (NSCT). Co‐primary outcomes included cognitive domain ‘flexibility’ [composite score of Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WSCT) and Trail Making Test (TMT‐4)] and ‘central coherence’ [composite score of Central Coherence Index (CCI) and Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT)] at end of treatment (FU1). Secondary outcomes included individual test scores and self‐reported everyday‐life flexibility at FU1 and at 6‐months post‐treatment (FU2). Independent sample t‐tests, Pearson chi‐square‐tests and mixed models for repeated measures (MMRM) analyses were conducted.

Results

In 56 females (age = 15.1 ± 1.5 years), CRT was not superior to NSCT at FU1 regarding ‘flexibility’ (p = 0.768) or ‘central coherence’ (p = 0.354), nor at FU2 (p = 0.507; p = 0.624) (effect sizes = 0.02–0.26). Both groups improved over time in central coherence (CCI p = 0.001; GEFT p < 0.001), self‐reported flexibility (p = 0.002) and WCST (p = 0.18), but not TMT‐4 (p = 0.286). NSCT was superior to CRT regarding self‐reported planning/organisation ability at FU1 (p < 0.001) and FU2 (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

CRT was not superior to NSCT in adolescent inpatients with AN. More randomized controlled studies are needed.
Model order reduction for bifurcating phenomena in fluid‐structure interaction problems
Authors: Khamlich Moaad , Pichi Federico , Rozza Gianluigi
Published: May 2022

This work explores the development and the analysis of an efficient reduced order model for the study of a bifurcating phenomenon, known as the Coandă effect, in a multi‐physics setting involving fluid and solid media. Taking into consideration a fluid‐structure interaction problem, we aim at generalizing previous works towards a more reliable description of the physics involved. In particular, we provide several insights on how the introduction of an elastic structure influences the bifurcating behavior. We have addressed the computational burden by developing a reduced order branch‐wise algorithm based on a monolithic proper orthogonal decomposition. We compared different constitutive relations for the solid, and we observed that a nonlinear hyper‐elastic law delays the bifurcation w.r.t. the standard model, while the same effect is even magnified when considering linear elastic solid.
Alteration of gut microbiota in high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice using carnosic acid from rosemary
Authors: He Xuan , Zhang Man , Li Shu‐Ting , Li Xinyu , Huang Qingrong , Zhang Kun , Zheng Xi , Xu Xue‐Tao , Zhao Deng‐Gao , Ma Yan‐Yan
Published: May 2022

Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) is widely used as a food ingredient. Rosemary extract (containing 40% carnosic acid) exhibited potent antiobesity activity. However, the relationship between carnosic acid (CA) and changes in the gut microbiota of high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese mice has not been fully investigated. C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet, an HFD, or an HFD containing 0.1% or 0.2% CA for 10 weeks. CA exhibited promising antiobesity effects and caused marked alterations in the gut microbiota of HFD‐induced obese mice. CA caused the prevalence of probiotics and functional bacteria, including Akkermansia muciniphila, Muribaculaceae unclassified, and Clostridium innocuum group, and inhibited diabetes‐sensitive bacteria, including Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes was regulated by CA in a dose‐dependent manner, decreasing it from 13.22% to 2.42%. Additionally, CA reduced bile acid‐metabolizing bacteria, such as Bilophila, Clostridium, Lactobacillus, and Leuconostoc. The results of the linear discriminant analysis and effect size analysis indicated that CA attenuated the microbial changes caused by HFD. The high CA (HCA) group (HFD containing 0.2% CA) exhibited a greater abundance of Verrucomicrobiae (including Akkermansia muciniphila, genus Akkermansia, family Akkermansiaceae, and order Verrucomicrobiales), Eubacterium, and Erysipelatoclostridium, and the low CA (LCA) group (HFD containing 0.1% CA) exhibited a greater abundance of Eisenbergiella, Intestinimonas, and Ruminococcaceae. Our results demonstrate that the antiobesity effects of CA might be strongly related to its prebiotic effects.
Care partner needs of people with neurodegenerative disorders: What are the needs, and how well do the current assessment tools capture these needs? A systematic meta‐review
Authors: Kinchin Irina , Edwards Layla , Adrion Emily , Chen Yaohua , Ashour Aya , Leroi Iracema , Brugulat‐Serrat Anna , Phillips Jane , Masterson Fiona , Kochovska Slavica
Published: May 2022

Objectives

The burden on care partners, particularly once dementia emerges, is among the greatest of all caregiving groups. This meta‐review aimed to (1) synthesis evidence on the self‐reported needs of care partners supporting people living with neurodegenerative disorders; (2) compare the needs according to care partner and care recipient characteristics; and (3) determine the face validity of existing care partner needs assessment tools.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of reviews involving a thematic synthesis of care partner needs and differences in needs according to demographic and other characteristics. We then conducted a gap analysis by identifying the themes of needs from existing needs assessment tools specific to dementia and cross‐matching them with the needs derived from the thematic synthesis.

Results

Drawing on 17 published reviews, the identified range of needs fell into four key themes: (1) knowledge and information, (2) physical, social and emotional support, (3) care partner self‐care, and (4) care recipient needs. Needs may differ according to disease trajectory, relationship to the care recipient, and the demographic characteristics of the care partner and recipient. The ‘captured needs’ range between 8% and 66% across all the included needs assessment tools.

Conclusions

Current tools do not fully or adequately capture the self‐identified needs of care partners of people living with neurodegenerative disorders. Given the high burden on care partners, which has been further exacerbated by the COVID‐19 (SARS CoV‐2) pandemic, the needs assessment tools should align with the self‐reported needs of care partners throughout the caregiving trajectory to better understand unmet needs and target supportive interventions.
What is digital transformation? Core tensions facing established companies on the global stage
Authors: Furr Nathan , Ozcan Pinar , Eisenhardt Kathleen M.
Published: May 2022

Research summary

Digital transformation is a dominant theme in the global economy, but what it means for established companies remains perplexing for both academics and practitioners. As digital erases familiar geographic, industrial, and organizational boundaries, it has led to simplistic characterizations such as “digital changes everything.” Yet while digital changes some things, others remain the same. Here, we identify three core tensions at the heart of digital transformation—products vs platforms, firms vs ecosystems, and people vs tools—and describe their underlying economics, driving forces, and countervailing forces. These tensions frame a concrete discussion of strategic alternatives for global companies. Overall, we emphasize that digital transformation is not an objective state, but rather a strategic choice by executives from an array of alternatives.

Managerial summary

Digital transformation is a dominant theme in the global economy, but what it means remains perplexing for executives and academics. Pundits claim that “digital changes everything” and that leaders must “disrupt or be disrupted,” but is this really true for established companies serving robust customer needs on the global stage? Understanding what digital transformation means can be challenging as it breaks down familiar geographic, industrial, and organizational boundaries, creating new opportunities and threats. In this paper, we explore three key tensions at the heart of digital transformation—products vs platforms, firms vs ecosystems, and people vs tools—and enumerate their enabling and constraining forces. Building on these concrete constructs provides effective foundations for formulating digital transformation strategy.
Prognostic value of lesion dissemination in doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine‐treated, interimPET‐negative classical Hodgkin Lymphoma patients: A radio‐genomic study
Authors: Durmo Rexhep , Donati Benedetta , Rebaud Louis , Cottereau Anne Segolene , Ruffini Alessia , Nizzoli Maria Elena , Ciavarella Sabino , Vegliante Maria Carmela , Nioche Christophe , Meignan Michel , Merli Francesco , Versari Annibale , Ciarrocchi Alessia , Buvat Irene , Luminari Stefano
Published: May 2022

We evaluated the prognostic role of the largest distance between two lesions (Dmax), defined by positron emission tomography (PET) in a retrospective cohort of newly diagnosed classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) patients. We also explored the molecular bases underlying Dmax through a gene expression analysis of diagnostic biopsies. We included patients diagnosed with cHL from 2007 to 2020, initially treated with ABVD, with available baseline PET for review, and with at least two FDG avid lesions. Patients with available RNA from diagnostic biopsy were eligible for gene expression analysis. Dmax was deduced from the three‐dimensional coordinates of the baseline metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and its effect on progression free survival (PFS) was evaluated. Gene expression profiles were correlated with Dmax and analyzed using CIBERSORTx algorithm to perform deconvolution. The study was conducted on 155 eligible cHL patients. Using its median value of 20 cm, Dmax was the only variable independently associated with PFS (HR = 2.70, 95% CI 1.1–6.63, pValue = 0.03) in multivariate analysis of PFS for all patients and for those with early complete metabolic response (iPET‐). Among patients with iPET‐low Dmax was associated with a 4‐year PFS of 90% (95% CI 82.0–98.9) significantly better compared to high Dmax (4‐year PFS 72.4%, 95% CI 61.9–84.6). From the analysis of gene expression profiles differences in Dmax were mostly associated with variations in the expression of microenvironmental components. In conclusion our results support tumor dissemination measured through Dmax as novel prognostic factor for cHL patients treated with ABVD.
Reliability and preliminary reference values for the Total Faulty Breathing Scale (TFBS): A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Mohan Vikram , Branney Jonathan , Clark Carol , Neal Rebecca , Jagannathan Madhanagopal , Paungmali Aatit , Perri Maria
Published: May 2022

Background and Aims

The evaluation of breathing function is crucial in the clinical examination of the respiratory system. The Total Faulty Breathing Scale (TFBS) could be used in clinical settings to quantify the measurement of breathing dysfunction. Reliability data for the TFBS are available for males, but there is a requirement to determine reliability for females and to develop reference values. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine the reliability in females and to establish the preliminary reference values for the TFBS.

Methods

Twenty‐three healthy female participants for reliability and 44 (7 male and 37 female) participants for preliminary reference values participated in this cross‐sectional study. For both aspects of the study, participants were instructed to breathe at their own pace with no specific instruction. Then each participant was observed carrying out normal breathing for a period of 10 breaths and deep breathing for a period of 10 breaths while being assessed with the TFBS.

Results

Intrarater and interrater reliability of the TFBS showed a kappa value of 0.769 and 0.751, respectively, indicating substantial agreement for female participants. The preliminary reference categories for TFBS were reported to be normal for 20 (45.5%) participants and mild faulty breathing for the remaining 24 (54.4%) participants.

Conclusions

The findings of this study suggested that TFBS was reliable to measure breathing function among female participants, and the reference categories may be helpful in the identification of normal and faulty breathing.
Evaluating changes in catchment‐scale evapotranspiration after 50% strip‐thinning in a headwater catchment
Authors: Chiu Chen‐Wei , Gomi Takashi , Hiraoka Marino , Shiraki Katsushige , Onda Yuichi , Dung Bui Xuan
Published: May 2022

We examined changes in catchment‐scale annual and seasonal evapotranspiration after 50% strip thinning, using runoff data from headwater catchments. The short‐term water balance (STWB) method between periods from 8 to 100 days was applied to the treated (KT) and control (KC) catchments. The estimated evapotranspiration during the pre‐ and post‐thinning periods were 840 and 910 and 780 and 860 mm/year in the catchmentsKTandKC, respectively. According to a paired catchment analysis of estimated evapotranspiration, monthly evapotranspiration increased from 3 to 20 mm from June to December, while it decreased from 7 to 31 mm from January to May. The estimated annual and monthly evapotranspiration was compatible with the values monitored in the plot‐scale interception, canopy transpiration, and ground surface evapotranspiration. Our findings showed that the decreases in evapotranspiration due to 50% thinning were similar or different in different methods of measurement when compared with thinning in the other catchments around the world. The STWB model can evaluate the effects of timber harvesting on changes in evapotranspiration (ET), including the reproduction of seasonal patterns of ET.
Intermittency as an indicator of drought in streamflow and groundwater
Authors: Yildirim Isilsu , Aksoy Hafzullah
Published: May 2022

Under normal precipitation conditions, increasing water demand causes groundwater level to deplete and streamflow to decrease. This results in more frequent intermittency. The so‐called intermittency cycle hypothesis is examined in this study. It is a vicious circle in hydrology making both surface and groundwater resources less efficient in supplying ever‐increasing water demand. To test the hypothesis, a data‐based analysis is applied to Gediz, Kucuk Menderes, and Ergene river basins in western Turkey. Results at basin‐ and station‐scale show no change in precipitation while streamflow fluctuates with a tendency to decrease and groundwater steeply declines. Groundwater is used excessively to meet the drastically increased water demand. With the overuse of groundwater, water table descends, streamflow decreases and intermittency increases. Intermittency ratio of a river is found related to the decrease in streamflow and the drop in groundwater level. It can trigger drought in streamflow and groundwater. It is concluded that intermittency can be taken as a quantitative indicator of drought in streamflow and groundwater.
En‐ConvNet: A novel approach for glaucoma detection from color fundus images using ensemble of deep convolutional neural networks
Authors: Elangovan Poonguzhali , Nath Malaya Kumar
Published: May 2022

Glaucomatous optic neuropathy is the preeminent cause of incurable vision impairment and blindness across the world. Manual interpretation of the pathological structures in fundus images is time‐consuming and requires the expertise of a competent specialist. With the development of deep learning approaches, automated glaucoma diagnosis is easy and effective for larger screening. Convolutional neural networks, in particular, have emerged as a promising choice for glaucoma detection from fundus images due to their remarkable success in image classification. Transferring the optimized weights from a pre‐trained model expedites and simplifies the training process of deep neural network. In this paper, a deep ensemble model using the stacking ensemble learning technique is developed to attain the optimum performance for the classification of glaucomatous and normal images. Thirteen pre‐trained models such as Alexnet, Googlenet, VGG‐16, VGG‐19, Squeezenet, Resnet‐18, Resnet‐50, Resnet‐101, Efficientnet‐b0, Mobilenet‐v2, Densenet‐201, Inception‐v3, and Xception are implemented. Their performance is compared in 65 different configurations, comprising 13 CNN architectures and five various classification approaches. A two‐stage ensemble selection technique is proposed to select the optimal configurations. Selected configurations are pooled using a probability averaging technique. The final classification is performed using an SVM classifier. In this work, publicly available databases are modified (such as: DRISHTI‐GS1‐R, ORIGA‐R, RIM‐ONE2‐R, LAG‐R, and ACRIMA‐R) based on oversampling data‐level technique for validating the performance of deep ensemble model. Ensembling the best configurations reports an overall classification accuracy of 93.4%, 79.6%, 91.3%, 99.5%, and 99.6% in DRISHTI‐GS1‐R, ORIGA‐R, RIM‐ONE2‐R, ACRIMA‐R, and LAG‐R databases, respectively.
Tunable alginate hydrogels as injectable drug delivery vehicles for optic neuropathy
Authors: Maxwell Courtney J. , Soltisz Andrew M. , Rich Wade W. , Choi Andrew , Reilly Matthew A. , Swindle‐Reilly Katelyn E.
Published: May 2022

Many disease pathologies, particularly in the eye, are induced by oxidative stress. In particular, injury to the optic nerve (ON), or optic neuropathy, is one of the most common causes of vision loss. Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) occurs when the ON is damaged following blunt or penetrating trauma to either the head or eye. Currently, there is no effective treatment for TON, only management options, namely the systematic delivery of corticosteroids and surgical decompression of the optic nerve. Unfortunately, neither option alleviates the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are responsible for downstream damage to the ON. Additionally, the systemic delivery of corticosteroids can cause fatal off‐target effects in cases with brain involvement. In this study, we developed a tunable injectable hydrogel delivery system for local methylene blue (MB) delivery using an internal method of crosslinking. MB was chosen due to its ROS scavenging ability and neuroprotective properties. Our MB‐loaded polymeric scaffold demonstrated prolonged release of MB as well as in situ gel formation. Additionally, following rheological characterization, these alginate hydrogels demonstrated minimal cytotoxicity to human retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro and exhibited injection feasibility through small‐gauge needles. Our chosen MB concentrations displayed a high degree of ROS scavenging following release from the alginate hydrogels, suggesting this approach may be successful in reducing ROS levels following ON injury, or could be applied to other ocular injuries.
Metabolic abnormalities, liver and body fat in American versus Chinese patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Zhang Wei , Su Grace L , Sravanthi Kaza , Huang Rui , Wang Yi , Rao Huiying , Wei Lai , Lok Anna S
Published: May 2022

Background and Aim

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common in the United States and China. We compared prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS), hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, and quantity and quality of body fat between American versus Chinese patients with NAFLD.

Methods

NAFLD patients were prospectively recruited from the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) in the United States and Peking University Health Sciences Center (PUHSC) in China. All patients had baseline computed tomography (CT), laboratory tests and Fibroscan® controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM). Comparisons were made for overall cohorts and matched cohorts (matched for sex, age, and body mass index [BMI] category). Logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of moderate and severe steatosis and lack of advanced fibrosis.

Results

One‐hundred and one American and One‐hundred and sixty Chinese patients were included. UMHS patients were older, with higher prevalence of MS, had higher LSM and CAP scores, and more fat in liver, visceral, subcutaneous, and muscle compartments than PUHSC patients. Differences in LSM, visceral fat Hounsfield unit, and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) persisted in the matched cohort. NAFLD patients with MS had significantly higher LSM, and more fat in liver, visceral, subcutaneous and muscle compartments than those without. Moderate or severe steatosis was independently associated with MS, visceral fat quality, and SFA, while the absence of advanced fibrosis was associated with Asian race and not having MS.

Conclusion

American patients with NAFLD had more liver fibrosis than Chinese patients despite having better quality visceral fat and after matching for age, sex, and BMI category.
JID ‘Long run effects of Covid‐19 on developing countries’ Special Issue Editorial Introduction
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Sanghamitra , Vadlamannati Krishna
Published: May 2022

The developing world has experienced unprecedented effects of the Covid‐19 pandemic. The devastating effects of this major crisis are felt in all possible spheres of the developing world and with a serious impact on social and economic development in developing countries. The spread of Covid‐19, which has brought the world to a near standstill, has given rise to the question on the socioeconomic effects of the pandemic. The special issue on Covid‐19 at JID aims to bring together contemporary research on several aspects of how the devastating effects of the pandemic have panned out in different spheres of life, particularly, in the developing world. This special issue has 10 papers with a particular emphasis on evidence of the impact of the Covid‐19 pandemic in Sub‐Saharan Africa and South America.

The volume documents studies on the effects of the pandemic at the macro‐level, for economy wide effects, the impact of the pandemic on firms and on its effects on households.
Optimal design of proportional integral derivative acceleration controller for higher‐order nonlinear time delay system using m‐MBOA technique
Authors: Arulvadivu J. , Manoharan S. , Lal Raja Singh R. , Giriprasad S.
Published: May 2022

In general, the parameter adjustment is used to design the proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID) controllers. Despite that, to enhance the capacity of control performance by adjusting parameters is limited. Therefore, in this paper, an optimal design of proportional integral derivative acceleration (PIDA) controller is proposed for higher‐order nonlinear time delay system (TDS) using modified butterfly optimization algorithm (MBOA) with the aim of achieving optimal closed‐loop response, which is enhanced with mutualism system (m‐MBOA). In the proposed approach, the mutualism stage of symbiotic organisms search (SOS) and butterfly optimization algorithm (BOA) global exploration phase is considered. The major aim of the proposed approach is to “tune the gain of the PIDA controller to get the desired response.” It reduces the drawback of the PIDA controller in the higher‐order TDS using advanced control limits is the individuality of the proposed approach. Here, the proposed approach is employed to reduce the higher‐order delays together with reliability limits, like minor overshoots, time resolution, and fixed stage deficiency. To evaluate the proposed PIDA controller, the execution is done by the MATLAB/Simulink platform, also its efficiency is compared with existing approaches. Moreover, the proposed and existing approaches are analyzed with mean, median, and standard deviations. From the analysis, the proposed approach achieves the stability with minimal delay time and reduces the computational complexity. Finally, the simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach can efficiently with accurately find the optimal global solutions.
Residue and distribution of drip irrigation and spray application of two diamide pesticides in corn and dietary risk assessment for different consumer groups
Authors: Li Xianjia , Sun Zheng , Yan Tiantian , Li Yuan , Zhang Xue , Liu Miaojiao , Lin Yigang , Zhang Zhixiang , Xu Hanhong
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

As the use of diamide insecticides on corn continues to increase, there is growing concern about their residue levels on corn and dietary risks to populations. In this study, the distribution, dispersion and transfer efficiency of two diamide insecticides (tetrachlorantraniliprole (TCAP) and cyantraniliprole (CNAP)) in different parts of corn and soil were investigated in a 1‐year field trial in Guangzhou and Lanzhou using two different application methods – spray and drip irrigation, respectively – and the dietary risk of the insecticides to different consumer populations was assessed under the two application methods.

RESULTS

The results showed that drip irrigation had a longer persistence period than spraying, and there was a hysteresis in the absorption distribution of the agent in different parts of corn, which was gradually transferred to the leaves after absorption from the roots. The average TE1 (transfer efficiency) and TE2 were 0.230–0.261 and 1.749–1.851 for TCAP and 0.168–0.187 and 2.363–2.815 for CNAP, respectively. At corn harvest, both TCAP and CNAP were below detectable levels in soil and corn. For different consumer populations, hazard quotients ranged from 0.001 to 0.066 for TCAP and from 0.003 to 0.568 for CNAP – both well below 100%.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that TCAP and CNAP applied by spray or drip irrigation are safe for long‐term risk of human intake and also provides guidance for the use of both insecticides in agricultural production to control corn pests, especially in arid and semi‐arid areas. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
A method for tracking the Brownian motion to estimate the size distribution of submicron particles in seawater
Authors: Xiong Yuanheng , Zhang Xiaodong , Hu Lianbo
Published: May 2022

Because the diffusivity of particles undergoing the Brownian motion is inversely proportional to their sizes, the size distribution of submicron particles can be estimated by tracking their movement. This particle tracking analysis (PTA) has been applied in various fields, but mainly focused on resolving monodispersed particle populations and is rarely used for measuring oceanic particles that are naturally polydispersed. We demonstrated using Monte Carlo simulation that, in principle, PTA can be used to size natural, oceanic particles. We conducted a series of lab experiments using microbeads of NIST‐traceable sizes to evaluate the performance of ViewSizer 3000, a PTA‐based commercial instrument, and found two major uncertainties: (1) the sample volume varies with the size of particles and (2) the signal‐to‐noise ratio for particles of sizes < 200–250 nm was reduced and hence their concentration was underestimated with the presence of larger particles. After applying the volume correction, we found the instrument can resolve oceanic submicron particles of sizes greater than 250 nm with a mean absolute error of 3.9% in size and 38% in concentration.
Cellulose‐Based Sustainable Composites: A Review of Systems for Applications in EMI Shielding and Sensors
Authors: Gebrekrstos Amanuel , Orasugh Jonathan Tersur , Muzata Tanyaradzwa S. , Ray Suprakas Sinha
Published: May 2022

Advanced functional materials that are highly efficient in shielding electromagnetic radiation and sensing applications are primarily lightweight polymeric materials. In recent years, several research works on the development of polymer‐based sensors and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials have been reported. Cellulosic materials are extensively investigated for fabricating EMI shielding gadgets and sensors. Cellulose is a naturally abundant renewable polymeric material, and the EMI shielding, and sensing performances of cellulose‐based materials depend on their conductive network architecture. Incorporating conducting nanofillers can improve the conductivity of the cellulose matrix in composites. However, a comprehensive understanding of the electrical response of nanofillers in cellulose‐based composites is necessary for the design of EMI shielding materials and sensor devices. Therefore, this work provides a critical overview of the types of processing methods used, an insight into the effects of incorporating conductive nanofillers on the architectural structure of cellulose, and the obtained shielding and sensing properties of the cellulose‐based composites. This article is expected to provide guidelines for developing sustainable polymer materials for advanced applications in the future.
Hydrogen‐Bonds‐Mediated Nanomedicine: Design, Synthesis, and Applications
Authors: Chen Senbin , Wu Yanggui , Lortie Frédéric , Bernard Julien , Binder Wolfgang H. , Zhu Jintao
Published: May 2022

Among the various challenges in medicine, diagnosis, complete cure, and healing of cancers remain difficult given the heterogeneity and complexity of such a disease. Differing from conventional platforms with often unsatisfactory theranostic capabilities, the contribution of supramolecular interactions, such as hydrogen‐bonds (H‐bonds), to cancer nanotheranostics opens new perspectives for the design of biomedical materials, exhibiting remarkable properties and easier processability. Thanks to their dynamic characteristics, a feature generally observed for noncovalent interactions, H‐bonding (macro)molecules can be used as supramolecular motifs for yielding drug‐ and diagnostic carriers that possess attractive features, arising from the combination of assembled nanoplatforms and the responsiveness of H‐bonds. Thus, H‐bonded nanomedicine provides a rich toolbox that is useful to fulfill biomedical needs with unique advantages in early‐stage diagnosis and therapy, demonstrating the promising potential in clinical translations and applications. Here the design and synthetic routes toward H‐bonded nanomedicines, focus on the growing understanding of the structure‐function relationship for efficient cancer treatment are summarized. A guidance for designing new H‐bonded intelligent theranostic agents is proposed, to inspire more successful explorations of cancer nanotheranostics and finally to promote potential clinical translations.
Parkinson's Disease Is Associated with Impaired Gut–Blood Barrier for Short‐Chain Fatty Acids
Authors: Yang Xiaodong , Ai Penghui , He Xiaoqin , Mo Chengjun , Zhang Yi , Xu Shaoqing , Lai Yiqiu , Qian Yiwei , Xiao Qin
Published: May 2022

Background

Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by gut microbiota are reduced in feces but paradoxically increased in plasma of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), which may stem from intestinal wall leakage. Gut function should be taken into consideration when conducting microbial‐metabolite research.

Objective

The objective was to investigate synchronous changes of SCFAs in feces and plasma of patients with PD, taking constipation as a confounder to better disentangle the SCFA metabolism exclusively associated with PD.

Methods

The concentrations of fecal and plasma SCFAs in 33 healthy control subjects and 95 patients with PD were measured using liquid and gas chromatography mass spectrometry, respectively. Patients with PD were divided into patients with PD without constipation (n = 35) and patients with PD with constipation (n = 60). Gut–blood barrier (GBB) permeability was assessed by plasma/fecal ratio of SCFA concentrations and fecal α1‐antitrypsin concentration.

Results

Patients with PD displayed decreased concentrations of fecal acetic, propionic, and butyric acid and increased concentrations of plasma acetic and propionic acid. Fecal acetic, isobutyric, and isovaleric acid were lower and plasma acetic and propionic acid were higher in patients with PD with constipation than in patients with PD without constipation. Constipation aggravated GBB permeability in patients with PD. Combined fecal and plasma SCFAs could discriminate patients with PD from healthy control subjects. Fecal SCFAs, except propionic acid, were negatively correlated with disease severity, while plasma acetic, propionic, and valeric acid showed a positive correlation.

Conclusions

Our study showed alterations of fecal and plasma SCFAs in patients with PD that were associated with an impaired GBB and might be aggravated by constipation. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Design of soft and hard composite patterns for electromagnetic scattering controlling at both normal and grazing incidence
Authors: Li Guanya , Liu Yanning , He Qingting , Chen Haiyan , Weng Xiaolong , Liang Difei , Xie Jianliang , Deng Longjiang
Published: May 2022

In this paper, the soft and hard composite patterns for electromagnetic scattering control at both normal and grazing incident angle is proposed. The soft and hard parts are composed of dielectric substrate sandwiched by transverse or longitude metal strips with metal via and the perfect electrical conductor ground, and these two parts are combined at a certain inclination angled to form the soft and hard composite patterns. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed composite patterns have the monostatic radar cross‐section (RCS) reduction of 20.79 and 18.36 dB at 11.24 GHz under normal incidence for transverse electric polarization and transverse magnetic polarization, respectively. Also, this structure achieves 2.78 and 5.43 dB monostatic RCS reduction under grazing incidence from 60° to 90°. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental ones. The physical mechanisms of the proposed composite patterns can be elucidated by the equivalent impedance method based on its near‐field distribution. The proposed composite patterns can be functionalized by changing the electromagnetic parameters of the soft and hard surfaces, which has a great potential to be used as the traveling wave antenna enclosure for scattering control.
Multitask network for thyroid nodule diagnosis based on TI‐RADS
Authors: Han Xiaohong , Chang Luchen , Song Ke , Cheng Longlong , Li Minghui , Wei Xi
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Assessment of thyroid nodules is usually relied on the experience of the radiologist and is time‐consuming. Classification model of thyroid nodules cannot only reduce the burden on physicians but also provide objective recommendations. However, most classification models based on deep learning simply give a prediction result of the benignity or malignancy of nodules; thus, physicians have no way of knowing how the deep learning gets the prediction result due to the black‐box nature of neural networks. In this work, we integrate the explainability directly into the outputs generated by the model through combining thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI‐RADS). The inference process of the proposed method is consistent with doctor's clinical diagnosis process; therefore, doctors can better explain the diagnosis results of the model to the patient.

Methods

A multitask network based on TI‐RADS (MTN‐TI‐RADS) for the classification of thyroid nodules is proposed. In this network, a set of TI‐RADS classifications of nodules is first obtained by multitask learning, then the TI‐RADS points and the corresponding risk levels are calculated, and finally, nodules are classified as benign and malignant. The classification process through the network is consistent with the diagnostic process of physician; thus, the results of classification can be easily understood by physicians. In addition, the attention modules are introduced to the spatial and channel domains to let the network focus more on critical features.

Results

To verify the classification performance of our method, we compared the results obtained through our method with the results of the radiologist's evaluation. For the 781 test nodules in the internal dataset and the 886 test nodules in the external dataset, the sensitivity and specificity of MTN‐TI‐RADS were 0.988, 0.912 in internal dataset, 0.949, 0.930 in external dataset, versus the senior radiologist of 0.925 (), 0.816 (), and 0.910 (), 0.836 (), respectively. And the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of MTN‐TI‐RADS was 0.981 in internal dataset, 0.973 in external dataset, versus the senior radiologist of 0.905, 0.923. For the internal dataset, we also computed the accuracy of the risk level (TR1 to TR5) and the mean absolute error (MAE). The accuracy of the risk level of the proposed method is 78%, and the MAE is 1.30. The MAE of the total points (0–14 points) is 1.30.

Conclusions

An effective and result‐interpretable end‐to‐end thyroid nodule classification network (MTN‐TI‐RADS) is proposed. MTN‐TI‐RADS has superior ability to classify malignant and benign thyroid nodules compared to senior radiologists. Based on MTN‐TI‐RADS, a classification model with strong interpretation and a high degree of physician trust is constructed. The proposed classification network is consistent with the diagnosis process of physicians, thus is more reliable and interpretable, and has great potential for clinical application.
Cancellation of streak artifacts in radial abdominal imaging using interference null space projection
Authors: Fu Zhiyang , Johnson Kevin , Altbach Maria I. , Bilgin Ali
Published: May 2022

Purpose

In radial abdominal imaging, it has been commonly observed that signal from the arms cause streaks due to system imperfections. We previously introduced a streak removal technique (B‐STAR), which is inherently spatially variant and limited to work in image space. In this work, we propose a spatially invariant streak cancellation technique (CACTUS), which can be applied in either image space or k‐space and is compatible with iterative reconstructions.

Theory and Methods

Streak sources are typically spatially localized and can be represented using a low‐dimensional subspace. CACTUS identifies the streak subspace by leveraging the spatial redundancy of receiver coils and projects the data onto the streak null space to eliminate the streaks. When applied in k‐space, CACTUS can be combined with iterative reconstructions. CACTUS was tested in phantoms and in vivo abdominal imaging using a radial turbo spin‐echo pulse sequence.

Results

In phantoms, CACTUS improved T2 estimation in comparison to previous de‐streaking methods. In vivo experiments showed that CACTUS reduced streaks and yielded T2 estimation, in regions affected by streaks, closer to a streak‐free reference. Evaluation using a clinical abdominal dataset (n = 20) showed that CACTUS is comparable to B‐STAR and yields significantly better signal preservation and streak cancellation than coil removal and suppression methods.

Conclusion

CACTUS provides superior signal preservation and streak reduction performance compared to coil removal and suppression methods. As a clear advantage over B‐STAR, CACTUS can be integrated with iterative reconstruction methods. In abdominal T2 mapping, CACTUS improves the accuracy of parameter estimation in areas affected by streaks.
Erratum to “Investigating Cardiac Stimulation Limits of MRI Gradient Coils Using Electromagnetic and Electrophysiological Simulations in Human and Canine Body Models” (MRM 2021, 85[2]:1047–1061)
Authors: Klein Valerie , Davids Mathias , Schad Lothar R. , Wald Lawrence L. , Guérin Bastien
Published: May 2022

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T2‐oximetry–based cerebral venous oxygenation mapping using Fourier‐transform–based velocity‐selective pulse trains
Authors: Li Wenbo , Xu Feng , Zhu Dan , van Zijl Peter C. M. , Qin Qin
Published: May 2022

Purpose

To develop a T2‐oximetry method for quantitative mapping of cerebral venous oxygenation fraction (Yv) using Fourier‐transform–based velocity‐selective (FT‐VS) pulse trains.

Methods

The venous isolation preparation was achieved by using an FT‐VS inversion plus a nonselective inversion (NSI) pulse to null the arterial blood signal while minimally affected capillary blood flows out into the venular vasculature during the outflow time (TO), and then applying an Fourier transform based velocity selective saturation (FT‐VSS) pulse to suppress the tissue signal. A multi‐echo readout was employed to obtain venous T2 (T2,v) efficiently with the last echo used to detect the residual CSF signal and correct its contamination in the fitting. Here we compared the performance of this FT‐VS–based venous isolation preparations with a traditional velocity‐selective saturation (VSS)–based approach (quantitative imaging of extraction of oxygen and tissue consumption [QUIXOTIC]) with different cutoff velocities for Yv mapping on 6 healthy volunteers at 3 Tesla.

Results

The FT‐VS–based methods yielded higher venous blood signal and temporal SNR with less CSF contamination than the velocity‐selective saturation–based results. The averaged Yv values across the whole slice measured in different experiments were close to the global Yv measured from the individual internal jugular vein.

Conclusion

The feasibility of the FT‐VS–based Yv estimation was demonstrated on healthy volunteers. The obtained high venous signal as well as the mitigation of CSF contamination led to a good agreement between the T2,v and Yv measured in the proposed method with the values in the literature.
Phase‐cycled balanced SSFP imaging for non‐contrast‐enhanced functional lung imaging
Authors: Ilicak Efe , Ozdemir Safa , Schad Lothar R. , Weis Meike , Schoenberg Stefan O. , Zöllner Frank G. , Zapp Jascha
Published: May 2022

Purpose

To introduce phase‐cycled balanced SSFP (bSSFP) acquisition as an alternative in Fourier decomposition MRI for improved robustness against field inhomogeneities.

Methods

Series 2D dynamic lung images were acquired in 5 healthy volunteers at 1.5 T and 3 T using bSSFP sequence with multiple RF phase increments and compared with conventional single RF phase increment acquisitions. The approach was evaluated based on functional map homogeneity analysis, while ensuring image and functional map quality by means of SNR and contrast‐to‐noise ratio analyses.

Results

At both field strengths, functional maps obtained with phase‐cycled acquisitions displayed improved robustness against local signal losses compared with single‐phase acquisitions. The coefficient of variation (mean ± SD, across volunteers) measured in the ventilation maps resulted in 29.7 ± 2.6 at 1.5 T and 37.5 ± 3.1 at 3 T for phase‐cycled acquisitions, compared with 39.9 ± 5.2 at 1.5 T and 49.5 ± 3.7 at 3 T for single‐phase acquisitions, indicating a significant improvement () in ventilation map homogeneity.

Conclusions

Phase‐cycled bSSFP acquisitions improve robustness against field inhomogeneity artifacts and significantly improve ventilation map homogeneity at both field strengths. As such, phase‐cycled bSSFP may serve as a robust alternative in lung function assessments.
Topology optimization of structural frames based on a nonlinear Timoshenko beam finite element considering full interaction
Authors: Changizi Navid , Amir Mariyam , Warn Gordon P. , Papakonstantinou Konstantinos G.
Published: May 2022

This article presents an approach for the topology optimization of frame structures composed of nonlinear Timoshenko beam finite elements (FEs) under time‐varying excitation. Material nonlinearity is considered with a nonlinear Timoshenko beam FE model that accounts for distributed plasticity and axial–shear–moment interactions through appropriate hysteretic interpolation functions and a yield/capacity function, respectively. Hysteretic variables for curvature, shear, and axial deformations represent the nonlinearities and evolve according to first‐order nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Owing to the first‐order representation, the governing dynamic equilibrium equations, and hysteretic evolution equations can thus be concisely presented as a combined system of first‐order nonlinear ODEs that can be solved using a general ODE solver. This avoids divergence due to an ill‐conditioned stiffness matrix that can commonly occur with Newmark–Newton solution schemes that rely upon linearization. The approach is illustrated for a volume minimization design problem, subject to dynamic excitation where an approximation for the maximum displacement at specified nodes is constrained to a given limit, that is, a drift ratio. The maximum displacement is approximated using the p‐norm, thus facilitating the derivation of the analytical sensitivities for gradient‐based optimization. The proposed approach is demonstrated through several numerical examples for the design of structural frames subjected to sinusoidal base excitation.
The Effects of Youth Employment on Crime: Evidence from New York City Lotteries
Authors: Kessler Judd B. , Tahamont Sarah , Gelber Alexander , Isen Adam
Published: May 2022

Recent policy discussions have proposed government‐guaranteed jobs, including for youth. One key potential benefit of youth employment is a reduction in criminal justice contact. Prior work on summer youth employment programs has documented little‐to‐no effect of the program on crime during the program but has found decreases in violent and other serious crimes among “at‐risk” youth in the year or two after the program. We add to this picture by studying randomized lotteries for access to the New York City Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), the largest such program in the United States. We link SYEP data to New York State criminal records data to investigate outcomes of 163,447 youth who participated in a SYEP lottery between 2005 and 2008. We find evidence that SYEP participation decreases arrests and convictions during the program summer, effects that are driven by the small fraction (3 percent) of SYEP youth who are at‐risk, as defined by having been arrested before the start of the program. We conclude that an important benefit of SYEPs is the contemporaneous effect during the program summer and that the effect is concentrated among individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system.