bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finite difference predictions of P-SV wave propagation inside submerged solids. I. Liquid–solid interface conditions
Authors: Dahake Girish , Gracewski S. M.
Published: July 2002

A finite difference scheme has been developed to analyze internal strains in submerged elastic solids of irregular geometry subjected to ultrasonic wave sources that simulate a clinical lithotripter. In part I of this paper, the finite difference formulation that accounts for arbitrary liquid–solid interfaces is presented and sample numerical results are discussed. Two different methods for discretizing the liquid–solid interface conditions are developed. The first treats the interface conditions explicitly. The second integrates the heterogeneous wave equations across the interface using the divergence theorem. Both schemes account for varying grid sizes and give similar results for a test problem consisting of a radially diverging source incident on the rectangular solid. The time sequence obtained numerically for strain at the center of a rectangular solid matches well with the experimental results [S. M. Gracewski et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 94, 652–661 (1993)] in terms of the arrival times and the relative amplitudes of the peaks. In addition, strain contours are plotted to visualize the propagation of P (longitudinal) and S (shear vertical) waves inside a circular solid. The reflection from the concave back surface of the circular solid has a focusing effect with the subsequent formation of focal zones, known as caustics, where peak strains occur. In part II of this paper, the finite difference scheme is used to study the effects of geometry changes on the internal stresses and caustics predicted in model stones subjected to lithotripter pulses.
The role of spread excitation and suppression in simultaneous masking
Authors: Moore Brian C. J. , Vickers Deborah A.
Published: July 2002

This experiment was intended to clarify the relative role of spread of excitation and suppression in simultaneous masking, for masker frequencies just below and well below the signal frequency. The experiment had two stages. In stage 1, growth-of-masking functions were measured in simultaneous masking for a 2200-Hz sinusoidal signal and a sinusoidal masker with frequency of either 1800 Hz or 500 Hz. Straight lines fitted to these data were used to determine masker levels that would give 10, 20, and 30 dB of masking. In stage 2, thresholds for detecting a brief 2200-Hz signal were measured using forward masking. It was reasoned that the threshold of the signal would give an indication of the amount of excitation evoked by the masker in the frequency region of the signal. Three forward maskers were used: (1) a 2200-Hz sinusoid at 10, 20, or 30 dB sensation level (SL); (2) a 2200-Hz sinusoid at the same levels as in (1) together with a sinusoid with frequency 500 or 1800 Hz at a level just sufficient to mask the 2200-Hz sinusoid. We refer to this as the “combined masker,” (3) a 500-Hz or 1800-Hz sinusoid at the same levels as in (2) above. The 1800-Hz combined masker produced slightly less forward masking than the 2200-Hz masker (1), which might be explained in terms of suppression or as perceptual cueing. Both the 1800-Hz combined masker and the 1800-Hz component alone (3) gave significant amounts of forward masking (up to 18 dB), indicating that these maskers produced substantial excitation at 2200 Hz. This is consistent with the idea that the simultaneous masking of the 2200-Hz component in stage 1 was produced by spread of excitation rather than by suppression. The 500-Hz combined masker produced much less forward masking than the 2200-Hz component alone, indicating strong suppression of the 2200-Hz component of the combined masker by the 500-Hz component. However, both the 500-Hz combined masker and the 500-Hz component alone produced some forward masking. This is not consistent with the idea that masking of the 2200-Hz component in stage 1 (simultaneous masking) was produced solely by suppression.
Wavefront folding, chaos, and diffraction for sound propagation through ocean internal waves
Authors: Simmen Jeffrey , Flatté Stanley M. , Wang Guang-Yu
Published: July 2002

This work presents an analysis of the effects of ocean internal waves on long-range acoustic pulse propagation from the geometrical-optics point of view. The chaotic behavior of rays and the microfolding of timefronts are investigated. The extent of the region of the timefront in which strongly chaotic rays appear, and the strength of the rays’ sensitivity to initial conditions, are found to depend on the average (range-independent) sound-speed profile, on the range from the source to the receiver, and on the internal-wave spectral model, but not on the specific realization of the internal waves. For a particular experiment (SLICE89), it is concluded that the observed depth diffusion of energy in the late-arriving portion of the timefront is a result of refraction (of geometrical-optics rays), not diffraction. It is found that internal-wave effects cause an upper turning point of a ray to be spread to the extent of 10 km horizontally and 100 m vertically, which affects the resolution of ocean-acoustic tomography. The validity and usefulness of ray-based, semi-classical (WKB) waveforms to represent received arrivals are evaluated by comparing with waveforms generated with multifrequency, parabolic-equation simulations. Center frequencies of 250 Hz and 1000 Hz with 100-Hz bandwidth are used. The semi-classical waveforms reproduce the correct arrival time and temporal shape of almost all arrivals, even those that are made of dozens of microrays induced by the internal waves. The overall intensities of the 1000-Hz arrivals are reasonably accurate, while the 250-Hz intensities show differences of order 5 dB.
The effect of temperature, pressure, and salinity on sound attenuation in turbid seawater
Authors: Richards Simon D.
Published: July 2002

The acoustic attenuation coefficient in shallow coastal waters is of interest to designers and operators of devices such as naval mine-hunting sonars, sidescan surveying sonars, and acoustic Doppler current profilers, typically employing frequencies ranging from tens of kHz to several hundred kHz, possibly up to 1 MHz. At these frequencies attenuation due to suspended particulate matter which characterizes turbid coastal waters is an important contribution to the total attenuation coefficient. In this paper the effect of temperature, pressure, and salinity on the total attenuation coefficient for seawater containing a suspension of solid particles is investigated by employing suitable expressions for the sound speed, density, and viscosity of seawater as functions of temperature, salinity, and pressure. Results presented demonstrate that while there is little variation in the attenuation with pressure in up to a few hundred meters of water, there is significant variation with temperature and salinity over the ranges found globally in the sea.
Calculating the performance of 1–3 piezoelectric composites for hydrophone applications: An effective medium approach
Authors: Avellaneda Marco , Swart Pieter J.
Published: July 2002

A new method is presented for evaluating the performance of 1–3 polymer/piezoelectric ceramic composites for hydrophone applications. The Poisson’s ratio effect, i.e., the enhancement of the hydrostatic performance which can be achieved by mixing piezoelectric ceramics with polymers, is studied in detail. Using an “effective medium” approach, algebraic expressions are derived for the composite hydrostatic charge coefficient dh, the hydrostatic figure of merit dhgh, and the hydrostatic electromechanical coupling coefficient kh in terms of the properties of the constituent materials, the ceramic volume fraction, and a microstructural parameter p. The high contrast in stiffness and dielectric constants existing between the two phases can be exploited to derive simple, geometry-independent approximations which explain quantitatively the Poisson’s ratio effect. It is demonstrated that the stiffness and the Poisson’s ratio of the polymer matrix play a crucial role in enhancing hydrophone performance. Using a differential scheme to model the parameter p, we evaluate dh, dhgh, and kh for polymer/piezoelectric ceramic systems at varying compositions. Several examples involving Pb (Zr, Ti)O3 and (Pb,Ca)TiO3 piezoelectric ceramics are given to illustrate the theory.
The acoustic properties of microcalcifications in the context of breast ultrasound
Authors: Anderson Martin E. , Soo Mary S. C. , Trahey Gregg E.
Published: July 2002

Breast microcalcifications are small crystals of calcium phosphates which are important diagnostic indicators under mammography. Despite continuing advances in the resolution and sensitivity of modern scanners, the role of ultrasound in the breast clinic is limited by the inability of current ultrasound practice to visualize microcalcifications reliably. While mammography is currently the gold standard for their detection, approximately 70% of breast biopsies prompted by the presentation of microcalcifications result in negative biopsy. The improved visualization of microcalcifications under ultrasound could provide additional diagnostic information in these cases, potentially reducing the number of negative biopsies. A review is presented of the theoretical and empirical results to date of this group’s studies of the acoustic properties of microcalcifications as characterized through the application of classical theoretical models, including the Faran model, and through clinical studies of suspected in vivo microcalcifications and breast tissue backscatter. The similarities found between theoretical and clinical results strongly suggest that microcalcifications have elastic scattering properties. The findings are presented in an analysis of the relative impact of phase aberration, spatial resolution, and tissue backscatter on the visualization of microcalcifications with ultrasound. [Work supported by NIH Grant No. RO1-CA43334.]
Measurements of macrosonic standing waves in oscillating closed cavities
Authors: Lawrenson Christopher C. , Lipkens Bart , Lucas Timothy S. , Perkins David K. , Van Doren Thomas W.
Published: July 2002

Measurements of macrosonic standing waves in gases in oscillating closed cavities are shown. The strong dependence of the pressure waveform upon cavity shape is demonstrated. This dependence is exploited to provide control of harmonic phase and amplitude, thus avoiding shocks and enabling resonant waveforms to reach macrosonic pressures. The exploitation of this dependence is referred to as resonant macrosonic synthesis (RMS). Power is delivered to the cavity by oscillating it with a linear actuator (entire resonator drive). Standing wave overpressures in excess of 340% of ambient pressure are demonstrated in RMS cavities, compared to maximum overpressures of 17% observed in cylindrical resonators. Ratios of maximum to minimum pressures of 27 were observed in RMS cavities compared to 1.3 for cylinders. Measurements are shown for four axisymmetric cavity shapes: cylinder, cone, horn-cone hybrid, and bulb. Cavities were filled with nitrogen, propane, or refrigerant R-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane). Physical effects which can be observed at macrosonic pressures are demonstrated. These effects include nonlinearly generated dc pressures of 40% of ambient pressure as well as hardening and softening resonance behavior for the same gas but different cavity shape. RMS, together with the entire resonator drive, provides high-power transduction of energy through resonant sound waves and opens a wide range of new commercial applications for macrosonic waves.
Modeling otoacoustic emission and hearing threshold fine structures
Authors: Talmadge Carrick L. , Tubis Arnold , Long Glenis R. , Piskorski Pawel
Published: July 2002

A class of cochlear models which account for much of the characteristic variation with frequency of human otoacoustic emissions and hearing threshold microstructure is presented. The models are based upon wave reflections via distributed spatial cochlear inhomogeneities and tall and broad cochlear activity patterns, as suggested by Zweig and Shera [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 98, 2018–2047 (1995)]. They successfully describe in particular the following features: (1) the characteristic quasiperiodic frequency variations (fine structures) of the hearing threshold, synchronous and click-evoked emissions, distortion-product emissions, and spontaneous emissions; (2) the relationships between these fine structures; and (3) the distortion product emission filter shape. All of the characteristic frequency spacings are approximately the same (0.4 bark) and are mainly determined by the phase behavior of the apical reflection function. The frequency spacings for spontaneous emissions and threshold microstructure are predicted to be the same, but some deviations from these values are predicted for synchronous and click-evoked and distortion-product emissions. The analysis of models is aided considerably by the use of the solutions of apical, and basal, moving solutions (basis functions) of the cochlear wave equation in the absence of inhomogeneities.
Acoustic fatheads: Parallel evolution of underwater sound reception mechanisms in dolphins, turtles, and sea birds
Authors: Ketten Darlene R. , Merigo Connie , Chiddick Elisabeth , Krum Howard , Melvin Edward F.
Published: July 2002

Dolphins lack conventional external ear canals, seal ear canals vary widely in size and patency, and sound conduction mechanisms in aquatic birds and turtles are virtually unknown. In this study, computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to map densities of tissues associated with the outer, middle, and inner ears of three dolphin, two seal, two turtle, and two sea-bird species. Three-dimensional reconstructions of scan data were used to determine species-specific geometry of tissue groups connected to the middle ear or surrounding the ear canal. The analyses show bundles of coherent fatty tissues emerging from the middle ear in all species examined. Densities of these fats are similar across species and are consistent with sound speeds near that of sea water. In seals and birds, these fats sheathed the external auditory canal. In turtles, the fats formed a discrete column communicating with the surface of the head. In dolphins, the fats formed three distinct bundles: two directed anteriorly along the lower jaw with a third projecting laterally. These findings suggest that all four groups evolved parallel soft tissue mechanisms that act as low impedance channels for underwater sound. [Work supported by Mellon Foundation, Seaver Institute, and Office of Naval Research.]
Acoustic scattering by benthic and planktonic shelled animals
Authors: Stanton Timothy K. , Chu Dezhang , Wiebe Peter H. , Eastwood Robert L. , Warren Joseph D.
Published: July 2002

Acoustic backscattering measurements and associated scattering modeling were recently conducted on a type of benthic shelled animal that has a spiral form of shell (Littorina littorea). Benthic and planktonic shelled animals with this shape occur on the seafloor and in the water column, respectively, and can be a significant source of acoustic scattering in the ocean. Modeling of the scattering properties allows reverberation predictions to be made for sonar performance predictions as well as for detection and classification of animals for biological and ecological applications. The studies involved measurements over the frequency range 24 kHz to 1 MHz and all angles of orientation in as small as 1° increments. This substantial data set is quite revealing of the physics of the acoustic scattering by these complex shelled bodies and served as a basis for the modeling. Specifically, the resonance structure of the scattering was strongly dependent upon angle of orientation and could be traced to various types of rays (e.g., subsonic Lamb waves and rays entering the opercular opening). The data are analyzed in both the frequency and time domain (compressed pulse processing) so that dominant scattering mechanisms could be identified. Given the complexity of the animal body (irregular elastic shell with discontinuities), approximate scattering models are used with only the dominant scattering properties retained. Two models are applied to the data, both approximating the body as a deformed sphere: (1) an averaged form of the exact modal-series-based solution for the spherical shell, which is used to estimate the backscattering by a deformed shell averaged over all angles of orientation, and produces reasonably accurate predictions over all k1aesr (k1 is the acoustic wave number of the surrounding water and aesr is the equivalent spherical radius of the body), and (2) a ray-based formula which is used to estimate the scattering at fixed angle of orientation, but only for high k1aesr. The ray-based model is an extension of a model recently developed for the shelled zooplankton Limacina retroversa that has a shape similar to that of the Littorina littorea but swims through the water [Stanton et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 103, 236–253 (1998b)]. Applications of remote detection and classification of the seafloor and water column in the presence of shelled animals are discussed.
On the Relationship Between Extensional Viscosities for Uniaxial and Biaxial Extension
Authors: Dealy John M.
Published: July 2002

There has been considerable discussion in the literature of the last few years about the material functions which can be measured in steady uniform extensional flows, and the author has recently summarized much of this discussion. Although the initial work in this field focussed attention on uniaxial extensional flow, there is now a growing interest in biaxial extensional flow. Kinematically, biaxial extension is the reverse of uniaxial extension; i.e., the velocity fields for the two flows are identical except that the signs of the components are changed. An implication of this fact is that any constitutive equation of the “simple fluid” type will predict a biaxial extensional viscosity function which can be obtained from the predicted uniaxial extensional viscosity by a simple variable transformation.
A Man in His 50s With an Unusual Network of Small Veins in the Left Infraclavicular Region—Paget-Schroetter Syndrome
Authors: Tahirović Elnur , Granov Nermir
Published: February 2023

This case report describes a diagnosis of Paget-Schroetter syndrome in a man in his 50s with a network of small veins in the left infraclavicular region discovered after unsuccessful left subclavian vein puncture.
Treatment of Recurrent Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita With Tofacitinib
Authors: Fan Birao , Wang Mingyue
Published: February 2023

This case report describes a patient with recurrent epidermolysis bullosa acquisita who was treated with tofacitinib.
Outcomes Associated With Neutropenia and Lymphopenia in Epidermal Necrolysis
Authors: Ingen-Housz-Oro Saskia , Bettuzzi Thomas , Badaoui Bouchra , de Prost Nicolas
Published: February 2023

This retrospective cohort study examines the association of lymphocyte and neutrophil levels with treatment outcomes in 147 patients with epidermal necrolysis in France.
Pruritic Rash in a Woman With Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Liang Sydney E. , Kim Randie H.
Published: February 2023

A woman in her 60s presents with a pruritic rash that initially developed on the legs and progressed to her feet, arms, hands, and trunk, with associated symptoms of a burning sensation and occasional pain. What is your diagnosis?
Persistent Green-Blue Plaque in a Healthy Woman
Authors: Kelly Brenna G. , Liu Ting , Deacon Dekker C.
Published: February 2023

A woman in her 30s presents with a bruise on her hand with a blue-green plaque that appeared after a twisting injury to the affected hand. What is your diagnosis?
Implementation and Assessment of No Opioid Prescription Strategy at Discharge After Major Urologic Cancer Surgery
Authors: Mian Badar M. , Singh Zorawar , Carnes Kevin , Lorenz Leanne , Feustel Paul , Kaufman Ronald P. , Avulova Svetlana , Bernstein Adrien , Cangero Theodore , Fisher Hugh A. G.
Published: February 2023

Importance

Postoperative opioid prescriptions are associated with delayed recovery, perioperative complications, opioid use disorder, and diversion of overprescribed opioids, which places the community at risk of opioid misuse or addiction.

Objective

To assess a protocol for eliminating postdischarge opioid prescriptions after major urologic cancer surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study of the no opioid prescriptions at discharge after surgery (NOPIOIDS) protocol was conducted between May 2017 and June 2021 at a tertiary referral center. Patients undergoing open or minimally invasive radical cystectomy, radical or partial nephrectomy, and radical prostatectomy were sorted into the control group (usual opioids), the lead-in group (reduced opioids), and the NOPIOIDS group (no opioid prescriptions).

Interventions

The NOPIOIDS group received a preadmission educational handout, postdischarge instructions for using nonopioid analgesics, and no routine opioid prescriptions. The lead-in group received a postdischarge instruction sheet and reduced opioid prescriptions at prescribers’ discretion. The control group received opioid prescriptions at prescribers’ discretion.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcome measures included rate and dose of opioid prescriptions at discharge and for 30 days postdischarge. Additional outcome measures included patient-reported pain and satisfaction level, unplanned health care utilization, and postoperative complications.

Results

Of 647 opioid-naive patients (mean [SD] age, 63.6 [10.0] years; 478 [73.9%] male; 586 [90.6%] White), the rate of opioid prescriptions at discharge for the control, the lead-in, and the NOPIOIDS groups was 80.9% (157 of 194), 57.9% (55 of 95), and 2.2% (8 of 358) (Kruskal-Wallis test of medians: P < .001), and the overall median (IQR) tablets prescribed was 14 (10-20), 4 (0-5.3), and 0 (0-0) per patient in the control, lead-in, and NOPIOIDS groups, respectively (Kruskal-Wallis test of medians: P < .001). In the NOPIOIDS group, median and mean opioid dose was 0 tablets for all procedure types, with the exception of kidney procedures (mean [SD], 0.5 [1.7] tablets). Patient-reported pain surveys were received from 358 patients (72.6%) in the NOPIOIDS group, demonstrating low pain scores (mean [SD], 2.5 [0.86]) and high satisfaction scores (mean [SD], 86.6 [3.8]). There was no increase in postoperative complications in the group with no opioid prescriptions.

Conclusions and Relevance

This perioperative protocol, with emphasis on nonopioid alternatives and patient instructions, may be safe and effective in nearly eliminating the need for opioid prescriptions after major abdominopelvic cancer surgery without adversely affecting pain control, complications, or recovery.
Variability in Organ Procurement Organization Performance by Individual Hospital in the United States
Authors: Johnson Wali , Kraft Kathryn , Chotai Pranit , Lynch Raymond , Dittus Robert S. , Goldberg David , Ye Fei , Doby Brianna , Schaubel Douglas E. , Shah Malay B. , Karp Seth J.
Published: February 2023

Importance

Availability of organs inadequately addresses the need of patients waiting for a transplant.

Objective

To estimate the true number of donor patients in the United States and identify inefficiencies in the donation process as a way to guide system improvement.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was performed of organ donation across 13 different hospitals in 2 donor service areas covered by 2 organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in 2017 and 2018 to compare donor potential to actual donors. More than 2000 complete medical records for decedents were reviewed as a sample of nearly 9000 deaths. Data were analyzed from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018.

Exposure

Deaths of causes consistent with donation according to medical record review, ventilated patient referrals, center acceptance practices, and actual deceased donors.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Potential donors by medical record review vs actual donors and OPO performance at specific hospitals.

Results

Compared with 242 actual donors, 931 potential donors were identified at these hospitals. This suggests a deceased donor potential of 3.85 times (95% CI, 4.23-5.32) the actual number of donors recovered. There was a surprisingly wide variability in conversion of potential donor patients into actual donors among the hospitals studied, from 0% to 51.0%. One OPO recovered 18.8% of the potential donors, whereas the second recovered 48.2%. The performance of the OPOs was moderately related to referrals of ventilated patients and not related to center acceptance practices.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study of hospitals served by 2 OPOs, wide variation was found in the performance of the OPOs, especially at individual hospitals. Addressing this opportunity could greatly increase the organ supply, affirming the importance of recent efforts from the federal government to increase OPO accountability and transparency.
High‐Temporal‐Resolution Characterization Reveals Outstanding Random Telegraph Noise and the Origin of Dielectric Breakdown in h‐BN Memristors
Authors: Pazos Sebastian , Becker Thales , Villena Marco Antonio , Zheng Wenwen , Shen Yaqing , Yuan Yue , Alharbi Osamah , Zhu Kaichen , Roldán Juan Bautista , Wirth Gilson , Palumbo Felix , Lanza Mario
Published: February 2023

Memristor‐based electronic memory have recently started commercialization, although its market size is small (~0.5%). Multiple studies claim their potential for hardware implementation of artificial neural networks, advanced data encryption, and high‐frequency switches for 5G/6G communication. Application aside, the performance and reliability of memristors need to be improved to increase their market size and fit technology standards. Multiple groups propose novel nano‐materials beyond phase‐change, metal‐oxides, and magnetic materials as resistive switching medium (e.g., two‐dimensional, nanowires, perovskites). However, most studies use characterization setups that are blind to critical phenomena in understanding charge transport across the devices. Here an advanced setup with high temporal resolution is used to analyze current noise, dielectric breakdown growth, and ambipolar resistive switching in memristors based on multilayer hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN), one of the most promising novel nano‐materials for memristive applications. The random telegraph noise in pristine memristors and its evolution as the devices degrade, covering ~7 orders of magnitude in current with consistent observation, is studied. Additionally, an ambipolar switching regime with very low resistance down to 50Ω and its connection with a telegraph behavior with high/low current ratios >100, linked to a thermally‐driven disruption of a metallic nanofilament, is shown.
The relative financial performance of African American farms in the United States since the Great Recession
Authors: Collins LaPorchia A. , McDonald Tia M. , Giri Anil K. , Subedi Dipak
Published: February 2023

Using data from the 2009–2020 Agricultural Resource Management Surveys, we compare the financial position and performance of African American farms to that of other U.S. farms. The results suggest that, relative to others, the average African American farm has lower total value of production, net cash farm income, government payments, assets, and debts. We obtained mixed results regarding financial performance, with African American farms having lower profitability, liquidity, and efficiency than others but higher solvency. To our knowledge, this study is the first to provide a contemporary overview of the status of African American farms using detailed, farm‐level financial data.
Privacy, bias and the clinical use of facial recognition technology: A survey of genetics professionals
Authors: Aboujaoude Elias , Light Janice , Brown Julia E. H. , Boscardin W. John , Hallgrímsson Benedikt , Klein Ophir D.
Published: February 2023

Facial recognition technology (FRT) has been adopted as a precision medicine tool. The medical genetics field highlights both the clinical potential and privacy risks of this technology, putting the discipline at the forefront of a new digital privacy debate. Investigating how geneticists perceive the privacy concerns surrounding FRT can help shape the evolution and regulation of the field, and provide lessons for medicine and research more broadly. Five hundred and sixty‐two genetics clinicians and researchers were approached to fill out a survey, 105 responded, and 80% of these completed. The survey consisted of 48 questions covering demographics, relationship to new technologies, views on privacy, views on FRT, and views on regulation. Genetics professionals generally placed a high value on privacy, although specific views differed, were context‐specific, and covaried with demographic factors. Most respondents (88%) agreed that privacy is a basic human right, but only 37% placed greater weight on it than other values such as freedom of speech. Most respondents (80%) supported FRT use in genetics, but not necessarily for broader clinical use. A sizeable percentage (39%) were unaware of FRT's lower accuracy rates in marginalized communities and of the mental health effects of privacy violations (62%), but most (76% and 75%, respectively) expressed concern when informed. Overall, women and those who self‐identified as politically progressive were more concerned about the lower accuracy rates in marginalized groups (88% vs. 64% and 83% vs. 63%, respectively). Younger geneticists were more wary than older geneticists about using FRT in genetics (28% compared to 56% “strongly” supported such use). There was an overall preference for more regulation, but respondents had low confidence in governments' or technology companies' ability to accomplish this. Privacy views are nuanced and context‐dependent. Support for privacy was high but not absolute, and clear deficits existed in awareness of crucial FRT‐related discrimination potential and mental health impacts. Education and professional guidelines may help to evolve views and practices within the field.
Room‐Temperature High‐Performance Thermoelectric Bi0.6Sb0.4Te: Elimination of Detrimental Band Inversion in BiTe
Authors: Jia Fei , Yin Xin , Cheng Wen‐Wen , Lan Jia‐Ting , Zhan Shu‐Hui , Chen Ling , Wu Li‐Ming
Published: February 2023

Room‐temperature thermoelectric materials are the key to miniaturizing refrigeration equipment and have great scientific and social implications, yet their application is hindered by their extreme scarcity. BiTe exhibiting strong spin‐orbit coupling peaks ZT at 600 K. Herein, we discover the synergy effect of Sb doping in BiTe that eliminates the detrimental band inversion and leads to an overlap of conduction band (CB) and valence band that significantly increases the S from 33 to 124 μV K−1. In addition, this effect enhances the μ from 58 to 92 cm2 V−1 s−1 owing to the sharp increase in the CB slope along the Γ‐A in the first Brillouin zone. Furthermore, Sb doping increases the anharmonicity, shortens the phonon lifetime and lowers κlat. Finally, Se/Sb codoping further optimizes the ZT to 0.6 at 300 K, suggesting that Bi0.6Sb0.4Te1−ySey is a potential room‐temperature TE material.
Combustion performance of lignite after efficient upgrading via deep eutectic solvent‐assisted hydrothermal dewatering
Authors: Li Jianfeng , Yu Yujie , Huang Rui , Yao Xianrui , Tang Yumu , He Yu
Published: February 2023

In order to increase the efficiency of hydrothermal dewatering (HD), a deep eutectic solvent (DES, synthesized by ChCl and ZnCl2) was employed to promote the removal of moisture and oxygen from lignite. The variation of physicochemical structure of upgraded coals greatly affected the combustion performance. The effects of addition amount of DES, upgrading temperature, and the molar ratio by ChCl and ZnCl2 on combustion performance of upgraded coals were analyzed via thermogravimetric analysis. Compared with HD lignite upgraded at 280°C, the combustion curves of DES‐HD lignite were shifted and delayed toward a higher temperature zone as DES additions increased. DES‐HD lignite had lower spontaneous combustion tendency and higher combustion reactivity. When upgrading temperature increased from 250 to 300°C, the combustion curves of lignite upgraded with 3.0‐g DES (ChCl:ZnCl2 = 1:1) first moved to the low‐temperature zone and then shifted to the high‐temperature zone. DES‐HD lignite maintained the advantages of raw coal in terms of combustion characteristics. For lignite upgraded with different molar ratios of ZnCl2 in DES, the difference in combustion behavior was mainly manifested in the burnout stage. The burnout stage was advanced slightly as the molar ratio of ZnCl2 increased.
Infinite‐dimensional extended state observer based stabilization for an ODE‐wave cascaded system with control matched disturbance
Authors: Mei Zhan‐Dong
Published: February 2023

This paper focuses on the output feedback exponential stabilization for an ODE‐wave cascaded system with control matched disturbance at one end of the wave equation. We construct an infinite‐dimensional extended state observer to trace the state and estimate the total disturbance simultaneously. An estimated state and estimated total disturbance based output feedback control law is then designed. It is proved that the original system is exponentially stabilized and the whole closed‐loop system is bounded.
Visual processing in genetic conditions linked to autism: A behavioral study of binocular rivalry in individuals with 16p11.2 deletions and age‐matched controls
Authors: Choi Yeo Bi , Mentch Jeff , Haskins A. J. , Van Wicklin Caitlin , Robertson Caroline E.
Published: February 2023

Close phenotypic characterization of individuals with genetic conditions linked to autism provides a promising approach to navigating the heterogeneity of autism spectrum conditions. The current study investigated sensory processing in individuals with a rare genetic event that is highly penetrant for autism, 16p11.2 deletions, using a well‐characterized visual paradigm, binocular rivalry, which is thought to be a non‐invasive index of excitatory/inhibitory balance in the visual cortex. We characterized rivalry dynamics in 45 adolescent and adult individuals (19 individuals with 16p11.2 deletions, 26 age‐matched neurotypical controls). We found that binocular rivalry perceptual transition rates were significantly slower for individuals with 16p11.2 deletions, relative to controls. Importantly, these results could not be accounted for by differences in motor response latencies or perceptual decision criteria, which were matched between groups. Results should be interpreted with caution given the unmatched psychometric features between groups, such as IQ. Future studies should study visual processing in other genetic groups linked to autism beyond 16p to understand the specificity of these findings. These results highlight the importance of characterizing sensory functions in individuals with genetic alterations associated with autism.
Awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms and risk factors in a young ethnically diverse British population
Authors: Radu Cristina‐Alexandra , Matos de Melo Fernandes Nadia , Khalfe Sumaira , Stordal Britta
Published: February 2023

Background

Ovarian cancer does not cause many symptoms in the early stages, which is why the majority of cases are of advanced disease. Increasing awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms may lead to earlier diagnosis and improved outcomes.

Methods

Participants in Britain completed the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Measure by online survey (n = 459).

Results

Our participants were 75% female, 25% male and a young (27.89 ± 11.44 years) ethnically diverse population (40.3% White, 29.3% Asian and 18.0% Black). Individuals recalled 1.24 ± 1.30 symptoms, and recognised 5.96 ± 2.4 symptoms. We found higher levels of recall and recognition compared to previous research possibly due to using an online survey. Recognition was lowest for difficulty eating (39.4%) and persistently feeling full (38.7%). Males had slightly lower symptom recall and recognition than females. Participants incorrectly recalled an irregular menstrual cycle (22.4%) as an ovarian cancer symptom and 67% answered the age of incidence question incorrectly. Suggesting that participants incorrectly associate ovarian cancer as a disease of pre‐menopausal women.

Individuals recalled 1.47 ± 1.20 risk factors, and recognised 6.1 ± 2.4 risk factors. Family history of ovarian cancer was recalled by 59% of participants. Recognition was lowest for in vitro fertilisation treatment (23.0%) and talcum powder in the genital area (23.0%). The generic cancer risk factors of alcohol (9.3%) and poor diet (8.8%) were recalled as specific ovarian cancer risk factors. 57.9% of participants incorrectly answered that there is an ovarian cancer screening programme. Suggesting confusion between ovarian and cervical cancer as participants also recalled cervical cancer risk factors of sexually transmitted diseases (6.3%) and human papillomavirus (1.5%). 29.7% of female participants would seek help for an ovarian cancer symptom within 1–2 days. Help seeking was higher in the Black and Asian ethnicities (44.4% and 45.0%; p = 0.018).

Conclusion

Awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms is low. Ovarian cancer awareness campaigns should include common misconceptions identified in this research.
New Rosane Diterpenoids and Their Analogs from Euphorbia ebracteolata Hayata
Authors: Ding Kang , Zhang Ya‐Yao , Yang Ting , Lian Wen‐Wen , Xia Cong‐Yuan , Wang Wen‐Ping , Zhang Wei‐Ku , He Jun , Xu Jie‐Kun
Published: February 2023

Phytochemical investigation of the roots of Euphorbia ebracteolata Hayata resulted in the isolation of three new rosane diterpenoids, euphebracteolatins C–E (1–3), along with fourteen known analogs (4–17). Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis including HR‐ESI‐MS, 1D and 2D NMR. Euphebracteolatin C (1) contains a C‐1/C‐10 double bond and a keto group at C‐7, and euphebracteolatins D and E (2–3) possess an aromatic ring‐A in their skeleton. The plausible biogenetic pathways of all the isolates were also proposed. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 9 showed selective cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells with IC50 values of 14.29 and 12.33 μM, respectively, and 2–3 displayed moderate cytotoxicity against three human cancer lines, with IC50 values ranging from 23.69 to 39.25 μM.
Effects of Epitranscriptomic RNA Modifications on the Catalytic Activity of the SARS‐CoV‐2 Replication Complex**
Authors: Apostle Alexander , Yin Yipeng , Chillar Komal , Eriyagama Adikari M. D. N. , Arneson Reed , Burke Emma , Fang Shiyue , Yuan Yinan
Published: February 2023

SARS‐CoV‐2 causes individualized symptoms. Many reasons have been given. We propose that an individual's epitranscriptomic system could be responsible as well. The viral RNA genome can be subject to epitranscriptomic modifications, which can be different for different individuals, and thus epitranscriptomics can affect many events including RNA replication differently. In this context, we studied the effects of modifications including pseudouridine (Ψ), 5‐methylcytosine (m5C), N6‐methyladenosine (m6A), N1‐methyladenosine (m1A) and N3‐methylcytosine (m3C) on the activity of SARS‐CoV‐2 replication complex (SC2RC). We found that Ψ, m5C, m6A and m3C had little effect, whereas m1A inhibited the enzyme. Both m1A and m3C disrupt canonical base pairing, but they had different effects. The fact that m1A inhibits SC2RC implies that the modification can be difficult to detect. This fact also implies that individuals with upregulated m1A including cancer, obesity and diabetes patients might have milder symptoms. However, this contradicts clinical observations. Relevant discussions are provided.
Brewers' spent grain from three styles of craft beer: Characterization and their rheological effects on wheat flour dough
Authors: Pereira de Freitas Fabio P. , Steel Caroline J. , Lannes Suzana Caetano da Silva
Published: February 2023

Background and Objectives

To use the diversity of Brewers' spent grain (BSG) from craft beer as an ingredient of functional bread, it is required to characterize and know their effects on dough and breads. The present work investigated the physicochemical characteristics of BSG, and the farinograph effects of wheat flour substituted by Baltic Porter (BP), India Pale Ale (IPA), and Weiss (W) BSGs in amounts of 10%. Results were used for predicting the end‐use quality and bread‐making performance of wheat flour and wheat flour‐BSG blends. Reliability of prediction was verified by a baking test.

Findings

BSG from barley malt beers BP and IPA were higher in protein and lower in carbohydrate content than barley/wheat malt W BSG. The heterogeneity of ground and sieved BSG was shown by pictures taken from microscopy images of endosperm, husk, and husk/endosperm particles varying in quantities, forms, and size. Water absorption of dough was slightly affected by W, while all dough containing BSG had the development time and stability lowered when compared with the control.

Conclusions

The prediction of bread‐making performance showed that, while control and BP reached the “bread quality” range, W and IPA scored under “bread quality” range because of their lower stability. On the baking test, specific volume of control, BP, and IPA breads were in agreement with their prediction. W bread, however, in disagreement with prediction, presented specific volume closer to the predicted as “bread quality” BP bread.

Significance and Novelty

Beer style affected BSG composition and farinograph behavior of wheat flour dough‐BSG blends, with the stability being the determinant parameter on defining their end‐use and bread‐making quality. Significant correlations of lipid content in BSG were positive for development time and negative for tolerance index. There is no standard farinograph behavior of wheat flour‐BSG blends, with these effects being governed, beyond BSG composition, by protein content of wheat flour.
Neutral Monodentate and Hypervalent Chalcogen Bond Catalysis on the Intramolecular Rauhut‐Currier Reaction of Bis(enones): A DFT Study
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Zhao Chang , Li Xiaoyan , Shi Bo , Zeng Yanli
Published: February 2023

Recently, the green and high efficient of chalcogen bond (ChB) catalysis has been aroused great interest. In this work, the ChB catalysis has been applied to the intramolecular Rauhut‐Currier (RC) reaction of bis(enones). The mechanism was divided into four processes: the promoter addition process, the carbon‐carbon bond coupling process, the hydrogen transfer process, and the promoter elimination process. This study shows that the ChB catalyst could act on the promoter and reactant in the RC reaction, respectively. And the path 2 of ChB catalyst direct acting on the reactant is considered to be a relatively favorable channel of the reaction due to a lower energy barrier. In addition, all six catalysts could achieve good catalytic effect. Analysis of the properties shows that the formation of chalcogen bond mainly promotes the charge transfer of LP(O)−BD*(C−Se) in the carbon‐carbon bond formation (key step), so that the charge of C(4) atom become more positive, thereby accelerating the reaction.
Fluorescein bromination – electrophilic aromatic substitution in electrochemical writing
Authors: Ducci Matthias
Published: February 2023

In diesem Beitrag wird ein neues Experiment vorgestellt, welches die Themenfelder „elektrophile aromatische Substitution“ sowie „elektrochemisches Schreiben“ miteinander verknüpft. Beim elektrochemischen Schreiben wird mit einer Elektrode auf Filterpapier geschrieben, das zuvor in einer Elektrolytlösung getränkt wurde [1]. Im vorgestellten Experiment werden Bromid‐Ionen an der Anode zu Brom zu oxidiert und dieses sofort mit Fluorescein zur Reaktion gebracht [2].
Concurrent immunotherapy and re‐irradiation utilizing stereotactic body radiotherapy for recurrent high‐grade gliomas
Authors: Mahase Sean S. , Roytman Michelle , Roth O'Brien Diana , Ivanidze Jana , Schwartz Theodore H. , Pannullo Susan C. , Ramakrishna Rohan , Magge Rajiv S. , Williams Nicholas , Fine Howard A. , Chiang Gloria Chia‐Yi , Knisely Jonathan P. S.
Published: February 2023

Background

Clinical trials evaluating immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) in recurrent high‐grade gliomas (rHGG) report 7%–20% 6‐month progression‐free survival (PFS), while re‐irradiation demonstrates 28%–39% 6‐month PFS.

Aims

We evaluate outcomes of patients treated with ICI and concurrent re‐irradiation utilizing stereotactic body radiotherapy/fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (SBRT) compared to ICI monotherapy.

Methods and Results

Patients ≥18‐years‐old with rHGG (WHO grade III and IV) receiving ICI + SBRT or ICI monotherapy between January 1, 2016 and January 1, 2019 were included. Adverse events, 6‐month PFS and overall survival (OS) were assessed. Log‐rank tests were used to evaluate PFS and OS. Histogram analyses of apparent diffusion coefficient maps and dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance perfusion metrics were performed. Twenty‐one patients with rHGG (ICI + SBRT: 16; ICI: 5) were included. The ICI + SBRT and ICI groups received a mean 7.25 and 6.2 ICI cycles, respectively. There were five grade 1, one grade 2 and no grade 3–5 AEs in the ICI + SBRT group, and four grade 1 and no grade 2–5 AEs in the ICI group. Median PFS was 2.85 and 1 month for the ICI + SBRT and ICI groups; median OS was 7 and 6 months among ICI + SBRT and ICI groups, respectively. There were significant differences in pre and posttreatment tumor volume in the cohort (12.35 vs. 20.51; p = .03), but not between treatment groups.

Conclusions

In this heavily pretreated cohort, ICI with re‐irradiation utilizing SBRT was well tolerated. Prospective studies are warranted to evaluate potential therapeutic benefits to re‐irradiation with ICI + SBRT in rHGG.
QoS‐based routing scheme in software‐defined networks using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Rezaei Hesam , Ghaffari Ali
Published: February 2023

Recently, with the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its real‐time applications, the network is required to guarantee the differential quality of service (QoS) requirements of the various data flows (telemedicine, video, and live streaming) of various IoT services. Software‐defined network (SDN) as emerging network technology separates the control logic from data planes of networks and is a promising technique to guarantee the QoS requirements of different services. In SDN, the controller has global visibility of the whole network devices such as switches and routers. Hence, controllers can dynamically optimize QoS requirements and resources of the network. On the other hand, providing a QoS‐aware routing scheme is an important challenge. Hence, in this paper by capitalizing on the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP), a new QoS‐aware routing method is proposed in SDNs. The proposed scheme considers the combination of different QoS criteria such as bandwidth, route length, reliability, and bit error rate for selecting an appropriate route between sender and receiver nodes. The simulation results indicated that the proposed method improves throughput and end‐to‐end delay. Comparison with other routing algorithms shows that the proposed method performs better load balancing under different network topologies.