bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Cancer Survivorship Program at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Authors: Jacobs Linda A.
Published: January 2024

The Cancer Survivorship Program was established at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center in 2001. The Cancer Center was renamed the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania in 2002 and the survivorship program was henceforth known as the ACC Survivorship Program. The program was supported from 2001 to 2004 in part by a seed grant from the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF). The LIVESTRONG Survivorship Centers of Excellence Network was created by the LAF in 2005 and the ACC Survivorship Program joined the Network in 2007. The seven nationwide Cancer Centers that comprised the Network were supported by the LAF through 2015. A focus on clinical care, research, and education led the development of the ACC Survivorship Program. The program is currently led by an advanced practice provider (APP) and staffed by medical, surgical, and radiation oncology APPs and collaborating oncologists. This program provides care to adult survivors of pediatric cancers, as well as survivors of adult-onset cancers such as breast, genitourinary/prostate, lymphoma, head and neck, gastrointestinal, thoracic, sarcoma, and central nervous system. Research protocols for survivors of specific cancer diagnoses have been developed and have resulted in collaborative research, publications, and conference presentations. Sustaining the ACC Survivorship Program has been challenging despite strong endorsement of services by patients, families, and providers. Challenges include barriers such as cost restraints, changing cancer center priorities, and a reduced oncology workforce, issues experienced across the country that must be addressed in the years to come.
Breast Cancer Screening in the Geriatric Population: Challenges and Future Considerations
Authors: Burgers Jessica , Azizi Armina , Singh Vedant
Published: January 2024

Purpose of Review

With the aging population of the USA, the role of mammographic screening over the age of 75 is controversial. This review investigates the benefits, risks, and utilization of mammography screening in the geriatric population.

Recent Findings

The utilization of screening mammography in geriatric patients is variable and often not targeted to those who will receive the most benefit. Prognostic tools can help stratify those who will benefit from early detection versus those who will suffer harm from false positives and overdiagnosis. Decision aids are well received by both patient and physician and facilitate shared decision-making discussions.

Future research needs to include more patients over 70 years of age to provide stronger data on the benefits and risks. The dissemination of decision-making tools can help with messaging, and further research on the implementation and reception of these tools can help with their refinement.
Advanced Maternal Age Affects the Cryosusceptibility of Ovulated but not In Vitro Matured Mouse Oocytes
Authors: Daddangadi Akshatha , Uppangala Shubhashree , Kabekkodu Shama Prasada , Khan G Nadeem , Kalthur Guruprasad , Talevi Riccardo , Adiga Satish Kumar
Published: January 2024

Oocyte cryopreservation is offered to women of various age groups for both health and social reasons. Oocytes derived from either controlled ovarian stimulation or in vitro maturation (IVM) are cryopreserved via vitrification. As maternal age is a significant determinant of oocyte quality, there is limited data on the age-related susceptibility of oocytes to the vitrification-warming procedure alone or in conjunction with IVM. In the present study, metaphase II oocytes obtained from 2, 6, 9, and 12 month old Swiss albino mice either by superovulation or IVM were used. To understand the association between maternal age and oocyte cryotolerance, oocytes were subjected to vitrification-warming and compared to non vitrified sibling oocytes. Survived oocytes were evaluated for mitochondrial potential, spindle integrity, relative expression of spindle checkpoint protein transcripts, and DNA double-strand breaks. Maturation potential and vitrification-warming survival were significantly affected (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) in ovulated oocytes from the advanced age group but not in IVM oocytes. Although vitrification-warming significantly increased spindle abnormalities in ovulated oocytes from advanced maternal age (p < 0.01), no significant changes were observed in IVM oocytes. Furthermore, Bub1 and Mad2 transcript levels were significantly higher in vitrified-warmed IVM oocytes (p < 0.05). In conclusion, advanced maternal age can have a negative impact on the cryosusceptibility of ovulated oocytes but not IVM oocytes in mice.
Mass Casualty Incident Preparedness for Airport Emergencies: Report From an Aeroplane Crash Simulation at Guglielmo Marconi Airport, Bologna (Italy)
Authors: Flauto Alfonso , Marcis Lucia , Pallavicini Paolo , Calzolari Federico , Nanetti Tommaso , Scopelliti Antonino Giovanni , Fabbri Martina , Cremonini Stefano , Imbriaco Guglielmo
Published: January 2024

Background:

Airport emergencies are rare but potentially catastrophic; therefore, system preparedness is crucial. Airport emergency plans include the organization of emergency drills on a regular basis, including full-scale exercises, to train and test the entire rescue organization.

Objective:

This report describes a full-scale simulation at Bologna International Airport, Italy, in October 2022, involving local EMS resources.

Methods:

A full-scale aeroplane crash was simulated on the airport ground, activating the Airport emergency plan, and requiring the intervention of supplementary resources (ambulances, medical cars, and other emergency vehicles).

Results:

Twenty-seven simulated patients were evaluated by EMS: START triage assessment was correct for 81.48% of patients; 11.11% were over-triaged and 7.41% were under-triaged. All patients were transported to the hospitals of the area. The simulation ended 2 hours and 28 minutes after the initial alarm.

Conclusion:

The response time proved a good response. Triage accuracy was correct in more than 80% of simulated patients. The availability of a trauma centre within 6 kilometres allowed the transportation of a quota of patients directly from the event, without affecting transportation times. Areas for improvement were identified in the communication within the different agencies and in moving ambulances within the airport runway without airport personnel guidance.
The Impact of Exposure to Previous Disasters on Hospital Disaster Surge Capacity Preparedness in Finland: Hospital disaster surge capacity preparedness
Authors: Kerola Anna , Hirvensalo Eero , Franc Jeffrey M.
Published: January 2024

Objective:

As disasters are rare and high-impact events, it is important that the learnings from disasters are maximized. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of exposure to a past disaster or mass casualty incident (MCI) on local hospital surge capacity planning.

Methods:

The current hospital preparedness plans of hospitals receiving surgical emergency patients in Finland were collected (n = 28) and analyzed using the World Health Organization (WHO) hospital emergency checklist tool. The surge capacity score was compared between the hospitals that had been exposed to a disaster or MCI with those who had not.

Results:

The overall median score of all key components on the WHO checklist was 76% (range 24%). The median surge capacity score was 65% (range 39%). There was no statistical difference between the surge capacity score of the hospitals with history of a disaster or MCI compared to those without (65% for both, P = 0.735).

Conclusion:

Exposure to a past disaster or MCI did not appear to be associated with an increased local hospital disaster surge capacity score. The study suggests that disaster planning should include structured post-action processes for enabling meaningful improvement after an experienced disaster or MCI.
Yielding to percolation: a universal scale
Authors: Chaparian Emad
Published: January 2024

A theoretical and computational study analysing the initiation of yield-stress fluid percolation in porous media is presented. Yield-stress fluid flows through porous media are complicated due to the nonlinear rheological behaviour of this type of fluid, rendering the conventional Darcy type approach invalid. A critical pressure gradient must be exceeded to commence the flow of a yield-stress fluid in a porous medium. As the first step in generalising the Darcy law for yield-stress fluids, a universal scale based on the variational formulation of the energy equation is derived for the critical pressure gradient which reduces to the purely geometrical feature of the porous media. The presented scaling is then validated by both exhaustive numerical simulations (using an adaptive finite element approach based on the augmented Lagrangian method), and also the previously published data. The considered porous media are constructed by randomised obstacles with various topologies; namely square, circular and alternatively polygonal obstacles which are mimicked based on Voronoi tessellation of circular cases. Moreover, computations for the bidispersed obstacle cases are performed which further demonstrate the validity of the proposed universal scaling.
Flows with free boundaries and hydrodynamic singularities
Authors: Karabut Evgenii A. , Zhuravleva Elena N.
Published: January 2024

Plane unsteady potential flows of an ideal incompressible fluid with a free boundary are considered in the absence of external forces and surface tension. Examples of exact solutions in situations where the entire boundary of the domain occupied by the fluid is completely free are constructed. There may be polar singularities of the complex velocity function inside the fluid, which corresponds to the presence of a source or a sink there.
On the existence of a nodal solution for p-Laplacian equations depending on the gradient
Authors: Faraci F. , Puglisi D.
Published: January 2024

In the present paper we deal with a quasi-linear elliptic equation depending on a sublinear nonlinearity involving the gradient. We prove the existence of a nontrivial nodal solution employing the theory of invariant sets of descending flow together with sub-supersolution techniques, gradient regularity arguments, strong comparison principle for the

$p$

-Laplace operator. The same conclusion is obtained for an eigenvalue problem under a different set of assumptions.
Regular matrices of unbounded linear operators
Authors: Leonetti Paolo
Published: January 2024

Let$X,\,Y$be Banach spaces and fix a linear operator$T \in \mathcal {L}(X,\,Y)$and ideals$\mathcal {I},\, \mathcal {J}$on the nonnegative integers. We obtain Silverman–Toeplitz type theorems on matrices$A=(A_{n,k}: n,\,k \in \omega )$of linear operators in$\mathcal {L}(X,\,Y)$, so that\[ \mathcal{J}\text{-}\lim A\boldsymbol{x}=T(\mathcal{I}\text{-}\lim \boldsymbol{x}) \]for every$X$-valued sequence$\boldsymbol {x}=(x_0,\,x_1,\,\ldots )$which is$\mathcal {I}$-convergent (and bounded). This allows us to establish the relationship between the classical Silverman–Toeplitz characterization of regular matrices and its multidimensional analogue for double sequences, its variant for matrices of linear operators, and the recent version (for the scalar case) in the context of ideal convergence. As byproducts, we obtain characterizations of several matrix classes and a generalization of the classical Hahn–Schur theorem. In the proofs we use an ideal version of the Banach–Steinhaus theorem which has been recently obtained by De Bondt and Vernaeve [J. Math. Anal. Appl.495(2021)].
Implications of the geochemistry of L1LL1 (MIS2) loess in Poland for paleoenvironment and new normalizing values for loess-focused multi-elemental analyses
Authors: Skurzyński Jacek , Jary Zdzisław , Fenn Kaja , Lehmkuhl Frank , Raczyk Jerzy , Stevens Thomas , Wieczorek Małgorzata
Published: January 2024

Loess paleoenvironmental reconstructions on regional to supra-regional scales have recently gained much attention. Geochemistry comparisons in relation to reference datasets, such as the Upper Continental Crust (UCC) data, have furthered our understanding of the climatic and geomorphological conditions under which terrestrial sites have developed. However, UCC data differs from loess, thereby obscuring important features, and the existing “average loess” datasets also are not sufficient for modern investigations.

In this study, we examine the youngest Polish loess (L1LL1 = MIS 2, ca. 26–15 ka) for its suitability as a new, loess-focused reference dataset. Eighty-nine samples from seven sites were analyzed, using inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. The loess had assumedly been homogenized during transportation and/or sedimentary recycling (LaN/SmN = 3.34–4.06, median 3.78; Eu/Eu* = 0.46–0.66, median 0.55; GdN/YbN = 1.08–1.49, median 1.26), and weakly affected by pre- or post-depositional weathering (CIA = 53.64–69.12, median 57.69). The statistically significant differences between sites in elemental medians were mostly conditioned by variations in grain size and in the “fresh” to “re-deposited” sediment ratio. Nonetheless, the overall geochemical composition homogeneity provided a basis for the estimation of Polish Median Loess (PML) data, as determined for 41 chemical elements. When used, PML data highlight differences between loess regions in Europe, thereby providing a tool for cross-continental comparisons.
Knowledge-Based Support for Adhesive Selection: Will it Stick?
Authors: VANDEVELDE SIMON , VENNEKENS JOOST , JORDENS JEROEN , VAN DONINCK BART , WITTERS MAARTEN
Published: January 2024

As the popularity of adhesive joints in industry increases, so does the need for tools to support the process of selecting a suitable adhesive. While some such tools already exist, they are either too limited in scope or offer too little flexibility in use. This work presents a more advanced tool, that was developed together with a team of adhesive experts. We first extract the experts’ knowledge about this domain and formalize it in a Knowledge Base (KB). The IDP-Z3 reasoning system can then be used to derive the necessary functionality from this KB. Together with a user-friendly interactive interface, this creates an easy-to-use tool capable of assisting the adhesive experts. To validate our approach, we performed user testing in the form of qualitative interviews. The experts are very positive about the tool, stating that, among others, it will help save time and find more suitable adhesives.
Crustal and Upper Mantle Attenuation Structure Beneath the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau and Its Implications on Plateau Outgrowth
Authors: Liu Hanlin , Pei Shunping , Liu Wei , Xue Xiaotian , Li Jiawei , Hua Qian , Li Lei
Published: January 2024

The eastern Tibetan Plateau (TP) is crucial to the exploration of plateau outgrowth mechanisms. Teleseismic attenuation may provide constraints on anelasticity in the lithosphere‐asthenosphere system and may therefore improve the understanding of plateau outgrowth and material extrusion. This study use dense array data across the eastern TP to measure relative attenuation from teleseismic P‐wave phases. These observations are then used to invert a 2D relative attenuation map and a 3D Qp−1 model. Weak attenuation is observed beneath the Sichuan Basin and most of the Dianzhong Block at depths of both 0–100 km and 100–200 km (Qp−1 < 0.003). Strong attenuation is observed beneath the eastern TP and southwestern Dianzhong Block at depths of 0–100 km (Qp−1 ∼ 0.01–0.13), but underneath the eastern TP only at depths of 100–200 km (Qp−1 ∼ 0.013–0.015). These results suggest a cratonic lithosphere underneath the Dianzhong Block similar to that beneath the Sichuan Basin. We assume that this is the cooled lithosphere remnant of the Permian Emeishan plume. In contrast, strong attenuation beneath the eastern TP would indicate a thick lower crust and asthenosphere with intense heating. The boundary between strong and weak attenuation lies close to the Longmenshan‐Xiaojinhe faults. We infer that the materials extruded eastward from the eastern TP cross this boundary into the southwestern Dianzhong Block in the lower crust, but stop at this boundary in the asthenosphere.
Spatial and Temporal Patterns in Petrogenic Organic Carbon Mobilization During the Paleocene‐Eocene Thermal Maximum
Authors: Hollingsworth E. H. , Elling F. J. , Badger M. P. S. , Pancost R. D. , Dickson A. J. , Rees‐Owen R. L. , Papadomanolaki N. M. , Pearson A. , Sluijs A. , Freeman K. H. , Baczynski A. A. , Foster G. L. , Whiteside J. H. , Inglis G. N.
Published: January 2024

The Paleocene‐Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) was a transient global warming event and is recognized in the geologic record by a prolonged negative carbon isotope excursion (CIE). The onset of the CIE was due to a rapid influx of 13C‐depleted carbon into the ocean‐atmosphere system. However, the mechanisms required to sustain the negative CIE remains unclear. Enhanced mobilization and oxidation of petrogenic organic carbon (OCpetro) has been invoked to explain elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations after the onset of the CIE. However, existing evidence is limited to the mid‐latitudes and subtropics. Here, we determine whether: (a) enhanced mobilization and subsequent burial of OCpetro in marine sediments was a global phenomenon; and (b) whether it occurred throughout the PETM. To achieve this, we utilize a lipid biomarker approach to trace and quantify OCpetro burial in a global compilation of PETM‐aged shallow marine sites (n = 7, including five new sites). Our results confirm that OCpetro mass accumulation rates (MARs) increased within the subtropics and mid‐latitudes during the PETM, consistent with evidence of higher physical erosion rates and intense episodic rainfall events. High‐latitude sites do not exhibit drastic changes in the source of organic carbon during the PETM and OCpetro MARs increase slightly or remain stable, perhaps due a more stable hydrological regime. Crucially, we also demonstrate that OCpetro MARs remained elevated during the recovery phase of the PETM. Although OCpetro oxidation was likely an important positive feedback mechanism throughout the PETM, we show that this feedback was both spatially and temporally variable.
Three-dimensional analysis of hard and soft tissue changes in skeletal class II patients with high mandibular plane angle undergoing surgery
Authors: Zhang Caixia , Lu Tong , Wang Lichan , Wen Juan , Huang Ziwei , Lin Shuang , Zhou Yiwen , Li Guifeng , Li Huang
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to study 3-dimensional (3D) changes of hard and soft tissues of skeletal class II patients after 2-jaw surgery and genioplasty. 32 adult patients diagnosed with mandibular hypoplasia who underwent 2-jaw surgery of maxillary impaction, mandibular advancement and genioplasty were enrolled. Cone-beam computed tomography and 3D stereophotogrammetry was conducted 1 week before and 6 months after surgery. Dolphin imaging software was used to establish a 3D digitizing model and 3D measurement system. Paired t-test was performed to compare the values before and after surgery. Pearson’s correlation test assessed the degree of correlations between hard and soft tissue change. The mean impaction of the maxilla was 2.600 ± 3.088 mm at A. The mean advancement of the mandible was 7.806 ± 2.647 mm at B. There was a significant upward and forward movement for most landmarks of the nose and lip, while a significant decrease in nasal tip height (lateral view), upper lip height, and upper and lower vermilion height. The nose's width was significantly increased. For maxillary, Sn, Ac-r, Ac-l, and Ls demonstrated a significant correlation with A and U1 in the anteroposterior axis. However, there were no significant correlations among them in the vertical axis. For mandibular, Li demonstrated a significant correlation with L1 in the anteroposterior axis specifically for the mandible. Notably, correlations between the landmarks of the chin's hard and soft tissues were observed across all axes. The utilization of 3-D analysis facilitated a quantitative comprehension of both hard and soft tissues, thereby furnishing valuable insights for the strategic formulation of orthognathic treatment plans targeting patients with skeletal class II conditions.
Population pharmacokinetics of lenalidomide in Chinese patients with influence of genetic polymorphisms of ABCB1
Authors: Liang Xiaoxiao , Shi Haiyan , Bi Kehong , Feng Saran , Chen Shixian , Zhao Wei , Huang Xin
Published: January 2024

Affected by differences in the pharmacokinetics (PK) of lenalidomide, the toxicity of lenalidomide varies among different patients, with serious toxicity leading to dose reduction or discontinuation. The differences in the PK of lenalidomide may be related to factors such as patients’ physiological characteristics, pathological characteristics and gene polymorphisms etc., which may also affect its toxicity. The aim of this study is to establish a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) model of lenalidomide and explore factors associated with the adverse events (AEs) of lenalidomide from a PK perspective. Blood samples were collected by opportunistic blood collection. Drug concentrations were determined by using HPLC/MS and genotype of ABCB1 3435 C > T (rs1045642), ABCB1 1236 A > G (rs1128503) and ABCB1 2677 A > C/T (rs2032582) was tested by the first-generation DNA sequencing technology. NONMEM software and SPSS 26.0 software were used respectively to establish PPK model of lenalidomide and explore the correlation between PK parameters and the incidence of serious AEs of lenalidomide. 51 patients were enrolled in the PPK study, and one-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination agreed well with the observed data. The significant covariate affecting lenalidomide apparent volume of distribution (V/F) were the gene polymorphism of ABCB1 3435 C > T and diet. Safety studies could be conducted in 39 patients. The V/F value in patients suffering from serious AEs was significantly higher than that in others ( median = 67.04 L vs 37.17 L, P = 0.033). According to the covariates screened, the incidence of serious AEs was higher in patients with genotype CT or TT at ABCB1 3435 C > T locus than that in patients with genotype CC (P = 0.039). Additionally, V/F value was the highest in patients carrying genotype TT with postprandial medication, in whom the incidence of serious AEs was higher than others (P = 0.037). In conclusion, the genotype of ABCB1 3435 C > T locus and diet had pharmacokinetically relevant impact on lenalidomide, which may also be related to the incidence of serious AEs. Patients with gene variants of CT or TT at ABCB1 3435 C > T locus may be more susceptible to serious AEs, and monitoring of adverse reactions should be particularly strengthened in patients who carried genotype TT with postprandial medication.
Vitamin E intake is inversely associated with NAFLD measured by liver ultrasound transient elastography
Authors: Qi Xiangjun , Guo Jiayun , Li Yanlong , Fang Caishan , Lin Jietao , Chen Xueqing , Jia Jie
Published: January 2024

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases, whose severe form is associated with oxidative stress. Vitamin E as an antioxidant has a protective potential in NAFLD. Whether dietary intake of vitamin E, supplementary vitamin E use, and total vitamin E have a preventive effect on NAFLD requires investigation. A cross-sectional study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2017–2020) was conducted. Vitamin E intake, including dietary vitamin E, supplementary vitamin E use, and total vitamin E, was obtained from the average of two 24-h dietary recall interviews. The extent of hepatic steatosis was measured by liver ultrasound transient elastography and presented as controlled attenuated parameter (CAP) scores. Participants were diagnosed with NAFLD based on CAP threshold values of 288 dB/m and 263 dB/m. The statistical software R and survey-weighted statistical models were used to examine the association between vitamin E intake and hepatic steatosis and NAFLD. Overall, 6122 participants were included for NAFLD analysis. After adjusting for age, gender, race, poverty level index, alcohol consumption, smoking status, vigorous recreational activity, body mass index, abdominal circumference, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and supplementary vitamin E use, dietary vitamin E was inversely associated with NAFLD. The corresponding odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of NAFLD for dietary vitamin E intake as continuous and the highest quartile were 0.9592 (0.9340–0.9851, P = 0.0039) and 0.5983 (0.4136–0.8654, P = 0.0091) (Ptrend = 0.0056). Supplementary vitamin E was significantly inversely associated with NAFLD (fully adjusted model: OR = 0.6565 95% CI 0.4569–0.9432, P = 0.0249). A marginal improvement in total vitamin E for NAFLD was identified. The ORs (95% CIs, P) for the total vitamin E intake as continuous and the highest quartile in the fully adjusted model were 0.9669 (0.9471–0.9871, P = 0.0029) and 0.6743 (0.4515–1.0071, P = 0.0538). Sensitivity analysis indicated these findings were robust. The protective effects of vitamin E significantly differed in the stratum of hyperlipidemia (Pinteraction < 0.05). However, no statistically significant results were identified when the threshold value was set as 263 dB/m. Vitamin E intake, encompassing both dietary and supplemental forms, as well as total vitamin E intake, demonstrated a protective association with NAFLD. Augmenting dietary intake of vitamin E proves advantageous in the prevention of NAFLD, particularly among individuals devoid of hyperlipidemia.
Lipoprotein(a) is associated with DNA damage in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Woźniak Ewelina , Broncel Marlena , Woźniak Agnieszka , Satała Joanna , Pawlos Agnieszka , Bukowska Bożena , Gorzelak-Pabiś Paulina
Published: January 2024

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is a common autosomal-dominant inherited disorder associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). HeFH subjects have a higher lipoprotein(a), i.e. Lp(a), concentration than the general population. Patients with FH are exposed to elevated levels of LDL from birth and ox-LDL may induce other oxidation pathways. The aim of the study was to determine the levels of markers of oxidative stress and DNA damage in patients with HeFH and describe the effect of Lp(a) on the resulting damage. Higher DNA damage was identified in patients with HeFH compared to the normolipidemic ones, and ASCVD was associated with greater damage. Oxidative stress markers were elevated in HeFH patients; however, only ox-LDL was higher in the ASCVD group and its level correlated with DNA damage. A positive correlation was found between DNA damage and Lp(a) concentration in the HeFH patients. Higher levels of Lp(a) were associated with greater DNA damage, especially in patients with HeFH and ASCVD. In HeFH patients, the optimal Lp(a) cut-off point associated with ASCVD is > 23.45 nmol/L, i.e. much lower than for the general population; however this cut-off point needs validation in a larger group of HeFH patients.
Assessing the feasibility of applying machine learning to diagnosing non-effusive feline infectious peritonitis
Authors: Dunbar Dawn , Babayan Simon A. , Krumrie Sarah , Haining Hayley , Hosie Margaret J. , Weir William
Published: January 2024

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a severe feline coronavirus-associated syndrome in cats, which is invariably fatal without anti-viral treatment. In the majority of non-effusive FIP cases encountered in practice, confirmatory diagnostic testing is not undertaken and reliance is given to the interpretation of valuable, but essentially non-specific, clinical signs and laboratory markers. We hypothesised that it may be feasible to develop a machine learning (ML) approach which may be applied to the analysis of clinical data to aid in the diagnosis of disease. A dataset encompassing 1939 suspected FIP cases was scored for clinical suspicion of FIP on the basis of history, signalment, clinical signs and laboratory results, using published guidelines, comprising 683 FIP (35.2%), and 1256 non-FIP (64.8%) cases. This dataset was used to train, validate and evaluate two diagnostic machine learning ensemble models. These models, which analysed signalment and laboratory data alone, allowed the accurate discrimination of FIP and non-FIP cases in line with expert opinion. To evaluate whether these models may have value as a diagnostic tool, they were applied to a collection of 80 cases for which the FIP status had been confirmed (FIP: n = 58 (72.5%), non–FIP: n = 22 (27.5%)). Both ensemble models detected FIP with an accuracy of 97.5%, an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.969, sensitivity of 95.45% and specificity of 98.28%. This work demonstrates that, in principle, ML can be usefully applied to the diagnosis of non-effusive FIP. Further work is required before ML may be deployed in the laboratory as a diagnostic tool, such as training models on datasets of confirmed cases and accounting for inter-laboratory variation. Nevertheless, these results illustrate the potential benefit of applying ML to standardising and accelerating the interpretation of clinical pathology data, thereby improving the diagnostic utility of existing laboratory tests.
Effects of age and axial length on choroidal stratified structure in normal eyes
Authors: Ito Yuki , Endo Hiroaki , Kase Satoru , Takahashi Mitsuo , Sonoda Shozo , Sakoguchi Tomonori , Sakamoto Taiji , Ishida Susumu , Kase Manabu
Published: January 2024

To quantify the choroidal structures of normal eyes by optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based binarization and evaluate the relationships among age, refractive power, and ocular axial length. This was a retrospective observational study. One hundred and eighty nine eyes of 189 subjects without ocular diseases were examined by enhanced depth imaging (EDI)-OCT. A choroidal OCT horizontal image with a width of 1500 μm centered on the fovea was binarized. The lumen, stroma, and total choroidal area in the choriocapillaris (CC), Sattler’s layer (SL), and Haller's layer (HL) were measured, and the ratio of the luminal area to total choroidal area (L/C ratio) was calculated. Multiple regression analysis was performed for choroidal parameters in each choroidal layer and for age, refractive power, and ocular axial length. Multiple regression analysis showed that an older age was significantly correlated with a lower choroidal area and the L/C ratio in all choroidal layers (each P < 0.05). A Long axial length was significantly associated with lower SL and HL (P < 0.05), but not with refractive power. In the choroid of normal eyes, age-related decreases in the choroidal area and L/C ratio were associated with all choroidal layers, and elongation of the axial length was associated with thinning of SL and HL.
Validation of low-cost reflectometer to identify phytochemical accumulation in food crops
Authors: Rosier Carl L. , Kittredge Dan , Nainiger Barbara , Duarte Octavio , Austic Greg , TerAvest Dan
Published: January 2024

Diets consisting of greater quantity/diversity of phytochemicals are correlated with reduced risk of disease. This understanding guides policy development increasing awareness of the importance of consuming fruits, grains, and vegetables. Enacted policies presume uniform concentrations of phytochemicals across crop varieties regardless of production/harvesting methods. A growing body of research suggests that concentrations of phytochemicals can fluctuate within crop varieties. Improved awareness of how cropping practices influence phytochemical concentrations are required, guiding policy development improving human health. Reliable, inexpensive laboratory equipment represents one of several barriers limiting further study of the complex interactions influencing crop phytochemical accumulation. Addressing this limitation our study validated the capacity of a low-cost Reflectometer ($500) to measure phytochemical content in selected crops, against a commercial grade laboratory spectrophotometer. Our correlation results ranged from r2 = 0.81 for protein in wheat and oats to r2 = 0.99 for polyphenol content in lettuce in both the Reflectometer and laboratory spectrophotometer assessment, suggesting the Reflectometer provides an accurate accounting of phytochemical content within evaluated crops. Repeatability evaluation demonstrated good reproducibility of the Reflectometer to assess crop phytochemical content. Additionally, we confirmed large variation in phytochemical content within specific crop varieties, suggesting that cultivar is but one of multiple drivers of phytochemical accumulation. Our findings indicate dramatic nutrient variations could exist across the food supply, a point whose implications are not well understood. Future studies should investigate the interactions between crop phytochemical accumulation and farm management practices that influence specific soil characteristics.
Wildfire spreading prediction using multimodal data and deep neural network approach
Authors: Shadrin Dmitrii , Illarionova Svetlana , Gubanov Fedor , Evteeva Ksenia , Mironenko Maksim , Levchunets Ivan , Belousov Roman , Burnaev Evgeny
Published: January 2024

Predicting wildfire spread behavior is an extremely important task for many countries. On a small scale, it is possible to ensure constant monitoring of the natural landscape through ground means. However, on the scale of large countries, this becomes practically impossible due to remote and vast forest territories. The most promising source of data in this case that can provide global monitoring is remote sensing data. Currently, the main challenge is the development of an effective pipeline that combines geospatial data collection and the application of advanced machine learning algorithms. Most approaches focus on short-term fire spreading prediction and utilize data from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for this purpose. In this study, we address the challenge of predicting fire spread on a large scale and consider a forecasting horizon ranging from 1 to 5 days. We train a neural network model based on the MA-Net architecture to predict wildfire spread based on environmental and climate data, taking into account spatial distribution features. Estimating the importance of features is another critical issue in fire behavior prediction, so we analyze their contribution to the model’s results. According to the experimental results, the most significant features are wind direction and land cover parameters. The F1-score for the predicted burned area varies from 0.64 to 0.68 depending on the day of prediction (from 1 to 5 days). The study was conducted in northern Russian regions and shows promise for further transfer and adaptation to other regions. This geospatial data-based artificial intelligence (AI) approach can be beneficial for supporting emergency systems and facilitating rapid decision-making.
TRIM59 suppresses the brain ischaemia/reperfusion injury and pyroptosis of microglial through mediating the ubiquitination of NLRP3
Authors: Zhang Liangtian , Li Gang , Li Ying
Published: January 2024

Cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury induces irreversible brain injury and causes functional impairment. Ubiquitination plays a crucial role in protein degradation, but its role in cerebral I/R injury remains unclear. Differentially expressed genes in stroke were identified by analysing the microarray dataset GSE119121. Cerebral I/R was simulated in vitro by treating human microglial HMC3 cells with oxygen–glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R). Cell viability was tested by Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) assays, and pyroptosis was examined by flow cytometry. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and inflammatory cytokine secretion were measured by LDH cytotoxicity assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The cerebral I/R animal model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery in rats. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that tripartite motif-containing protein 59 (TRIM59) is downregulated in stroke, which was verified in cerebral I/R models. The upregulation of TRIM59 promoted viability and inhibited pyroptosis in OGD/R-treated microglia and alleviated cerebral I/R injury in vivo. TRIM59 attenuated NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) protein expression through ubiquitination, thus degrading NLRP3 and alleviating OGD/R-induced injury. TRIM59 relieves cerebral I/R injury in vivo and in vivo. Mechanistically, TRIM59 directly interacts with NLRP3 and inhibits NLRP3 through ubiquitination. Targeting the TRIM59/NLRP3 signalling axis may be an effective therapeutic strategy for cerebral I/R.
Lightweight air-to-air unmanned aerial vehicle target detection model
Authors: Cheng Qing , Wang Yazhe , He Wenjian , Bai Yu
Published: January 2024

The rapid expansion of the drone industry has resulted in a substantial increase in the number of low-altitude drones, giving rise to concerns regarding collision avoidance and countermeasure strategies among these unmanned aerial vehicles. These challenges underscore the urgent need for air-to-air drone target detection. An effective target detection model must exhibit high accuracy, real-time capabilities, and a lightweight network architecture to achieve a balance between precision and speed when deployed on embedded devices. In response to these requirements, we initially curated a dataset comprising over 10,000 images of low-altitude operating drones. This dataset encompasses diverse and intricate backgrounds, significantly enhancing the model’s training capacity. Subsequently, a series of enhancements were applied to the YOLOv5 algorithm to realize lightweight object detection. A novel feature extraction network, CF2-MC, streamlined the feature extraction process, while an innovative module, MG, in the feature fusion section aimed to improve detection accuracy and reduce model complexity. Concurrently, the original CIoU loss function was replaced with the EIoU loss function to further augment the model’s accuracy. Experimental results demonstrate an enhancement in the accuracy of drone target detection, achieving mAP values of 95.4% on the UAVfly dataset and 82.2% on the Det-Fly dataset. Finally, real-world testing conducted on the Jetson TX2 revealed that the YOLOv5s-ngn model achieved an average inference speed of 14.5 milliseconds per image. The code utilized in this paper can be accessed via https://github.com/lucien22588/yolov5-ngn.git.
Study on morphology optimization of open-pit mine slope based on section and spatial morphology effect
Authors: Jia Lan , Wang Jiaqi , Cai Xueting , Fang Linhao , Ma Yonghai , Wang Zhixin
Published: January 2024

Reasonable design of the slopes of mining field is an important prerequisite for optimizing open-pit mine boundary, ensuring safe production and improving economic benefits of open-pit mines. This study took the open-pit coal mine coal mine in Block I of Thar coal field in Pakistan as the research background, based on the section morphology effect of slope stability and the occurrence characteristics of coal seam and weak layer, the section morphology of slope was optimized step by step from two-dimensional angle by using the rigid body limit equilibrium method. The three-dimensional numerical simulation method is used to analyze the three-dimensional spatial effect of slope stability and reveal the influence of the spatial geometry of the slope stability. The spatial morphology of the slope was optimized and the evolutionary mechanism of slope instability was revealed. By comparing the optimized slope morphology with the preliminary design and the slope morphology of the straight slope with equal flat plate, the economic benefits were further analyzed. The results showed that under the premise of meeting the safety reserve coefficient, compared with the preliminary design and the design of equal plate. The slope angle of the optimized section morphology was increased by 1° and 3° respectively, and the coal resource recovery was increased by 332 m2 and 1790 m2 respectively, and the economic benefits were $ 18,065,859 and $ 54,408,251 respectively. And the slope angle of the optimized spatial morphology was increased by 3° and 5° respectively, and the coal resource recovery was increased by 1188 m2 and 2726 m2 respectively, and the economic benefits were $ 72,082,808 and $ 108,417,368 respectively.
Multitaper Spectrum Analysis of Consonants Produced by Patients With Dentofacial Disharmonies
Authors: Tran Auvi , Oakley Madeleine , Paye Ciana , Trudan Emma , Ghaltakhchyan Nare , Turvey Timothy , Blakey George , Zajac David , Mielke Jeff , Jacox Laura Anne
Published: January 2024

Purpose:

This study investigates differences in American English consonants produced by patients who present with various dentofacial disharmonies (DFDs), including severe overbites (Class II), underbites (Class III), and anterior open bites. Previous studies have found that patients with these malocclusion types all produce lingual sibilants and plosives with increased spectral center of gravity and increased spectral variance relative to controls. This result is puzzling since some DFD groups differ from controls in opposite ways, and it is also difficult to interpret because spectral moment measures are affected by a wide range of speech and nonspeech factors.

Method:

To better understand the articulatory basis of these differences, we apply articulatorily interpretable spectral measures derived from multitaper spectra.

Results:

We find that all groups of DFD patients produce /s ʃ t tʃ/ with midfrequency spectral peaks that are less prominent than those of the control group, but peak frequency measures are largely the same across all groups.

Conclusion:

We conclude that the DFD patients differ more in sibilant noise source properties than in front cavity filter properties.
Self‐packaged MISL‐based miniaturized high Q factor bandpass filter
Authors: Ma Kaixue , Lin Songhua , Wu Yi
Published: January 2024

This paper proposes a technique named self‐packaged metal integrated suspended line (MISL) to design a high Q factor bandpass filter (BPF). This unique construction simplifies the traditional suspended stripline and substrate integrated suspended line configuration and creates a loss‐reduced structure, allowing for the implementation of high Q‐factor circuits. To demonstrate the advantages of the MISL platform, the shorted 3D metal stepped impedance resonators are first investigated using a miniaturized prototype based on this novel platform. Subsequently, a third‐order BPF based on MISL technology is designed, fabricated, and characterized. The fabricated BPF exhibits a minimum insertion loss (IL) of 0.31 dB, with centre frequencies of 5.88 GHz and 3‐dB fractional bandwidths of 19.8%, respectively.
A reliability‐based construction approach for wide‐area backup protection systems utilizing phasor measurement units in smart grids
Authors: Jia Huibin , Hou Weiran , Zheng Tao , Wan Siqi , Gai Yonghe
Published: January 2024

Reliability is a fundamental requirement of wide‐area backup protection (WABP) systems, and it is one of the most crucial performance indicators for such a WABP system. Two definitions are introduced: the reliability of WABP systems and the undetectable probability of a power line. They are determined by the specific placement of communication links (CLs) and phasor measurement units (PMUs). A simultaneous optimization model was developed to minimize the construction cost of WABP systems by optimizing the partitioning and placement of PMUs, protection centers, and CLs. The model considers several constraints, including latency, regional balance, and system reliability. To reduce the computational complexity, a cluster‐based genetic algorithm was developed to determine the optimal solution. Finally, numerical simulations were conducted using IEEE test cases. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can minimize the construction costs of WABP systems while increasing their reliability.
Characterisation of FG-type stars with improved transport of chemical elements
Authors: Moedas Nuno , Bossini Diego , Deal Morgan , Cunha Margarida S.
Published: January 2024

Context. The modelling of chemical transport mechanisms is crucial for accurate stellar characterisations. Atomic diffusion is one of these processes and is commonly included in stellar models. However, it is usually neglected for F-type or more massive stars because it produces surface abundance variations that are unrealistic. Additional mechanisms to counteract atomic diffusion must therefore be considered. It has been demonstrated that turbulent mixing can prevent excessive variation in surface abundances, and can also be calibrated to mimic the effects of radiative accelerations on iron.

Aims. We aim to evaluate the effect of calibrated turbulent mixing on the characterisation of a sample of F-type stars, and how the estimates compare with those obtained when chemical transport mechanisms are neglected.

Methods. We selected stars from two samples: one from the Kepler LEGACY sample and the other from a sample of Kepler planet-hosting stars. We inferred their stellar properties using two grids. The first grid considers atomic diffusion only in models that do not show excessive variation in chemical abundances at the stellar surface. The second grid includes atomic diffusion in all the stellar models and calibrated turbulent mixing to avoid unrealistic surface abundances.

Results. Comparing the derived results from the two grids, we find that the results for the more massive stars in our sample show greater dispersion in the inferred values of mass, radius, and age due to the absence of atomic diffusion in one of the grids. This can lead to relative uncertainties for individual stars of up to 5% on masses, 2% on radii, and 20% on ages.

Conclusions. This work shows that a proper modelling of the microscopic transport processes is crucial for the accurate estimation of their fundamental properties – not only for G-type stars but also for F-type stars.
Revision of the strongest solar energetic particle event of 23 February 1956 (GLE #5) based on the rediscovered original records
Authors: Hayakawa Hisashi , Koldobskiy Sergey , Mishev Alexander , Poluianov Stepan , Gil Agnieszka , Usoskina Inna , Usoskin Ilya
Published: January 2024

Aims. Intense solar eruptions can produce solar energetic particles (SEPs), potentially detectable by ground-based instruments such as neutron monitors (NMs). These events are called ground-level enhancements (GLEs). The strongest GLE with the hardest known SEP spectrum occurred on 23 February 1956 (conventionally numbered GLE #5), providing a benchmark reference for related studies. However, the existing datasets for GLE #5 were compiled from different sources, often secondary; these datasets exhibited significant discrepancies and internal inconsistencies leading to large uncertainties or biases. Here we resolve the inconsistencies and revisit the reconstructions of the energy spectra and angular characteristics of the SEPs for that event, based on our reanalyses on (somehow forgotten) original contemporary records.

Methods. We collected, digitised, and verified the source records for NM measurements during GLE #5 based on contemporaneous publications and unpublished materials in the University of Chicago Archives. Using the revised datasets and full modelling, we critically revised the reconstruction of the energy spectra and angular characteristics of the SEPs and the event-integrated omnidirectional SEP flux (fluence) for GLE #5.

Results. The energy spectrum of the SEPs during the initial and main phases of GLE #5 was revised based on the new dataset, resulting in a slightly softer, but still agreeing within the uncertainties of the recent studies, SEP spectral estimate. The SEP flux was found to be highly anisotropic in the early phase of the event. This provides a revised reference basis for further analyses and modelling of strong and extreme SEP events and their terrestrial impacts.