bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eetilised valikud COVID-19 pandeemia tingimustes
Authors:   University of Tartu, Estonia, Sutrop Margit , Simm Kadri ,   University of Tartu, Estonia
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented interest in ethics, as societies are confronted with difficult ethical choices: life versus economic well-being, individual freedom versus health, free movement of people versus public health. All democratic societies have witnessed disagreements concerning restrictions to the free movement of people, vaccination policies, and distribution of healthcare resources. The adopted policies and formulated guidelines showed that different countries prioritized values differently. Amongst the most challenging ethical debates during the COVID-19 pandemic were attempts to formulate clinical ethical guidelines on how limited medical resources and services ought to be allocated should the need exceed availability. This article provides an overview of the process of compiling the clinical ethics recommendations for Estonian hospitals concerning the allocation of limited healthcare resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article describes the stakeholder involvement, engagements with comparable international documents, main internal debates and lessons learned for the future.
In situ Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection Using the Endoscopic Kyoto Scoring System
Authors: Lim Eunsun , Jo Ik Hyun , Kim Yeon-Ji , Chung Woo Chul
Published: December 2021

Background/Aims: This study aimed to investigate the possibility of in situ diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection during endoscopic examination. The predictive infection value was estimated using the endoscopic Kyoto scoring system (EKSS), and specific endoscopic findings were evaluated for diagnosing H. pylori infection in H. pylori naïve patients and those with a eradication history.Materials and Methods: A total of 836 patients with H. pylori infection were analyzed. The state of the infection was predicted using the EKSS and specific endoscopic findings.Results: Patients were classified into two groups: the H. pylori naïve group and the group with a the bacterial eradication history. The area under the curve (AUC) on receiver operating characteristics analysis was 0.90 for EKSS in H. pylori naïve patients and 0.83 for the other group patients. For patients with open type atrophy and/or intestinal metaplasia, EKSS (24.4%; 95% CI, 12.4~0.3%) and regular arrangement of collecting venules (RAC) (46.3%; 95% CI, 30.7~62.9%) showed low specificities. Mucosal swelling (66.2%; 95% CI, 62.5~69.7%) and sticky mucus (80.5%; 95% CI, 74.8~85.2%) presented relatively high positive predictive values for H. pylori infection in naïve patients, whereas reflux esophagitis, hematin, red streak, and duodenitis exhibited high negative predictive values in patients with a H. pylori eradication history (98.0%; 95% CI, 96.4~99.1%).Conclusions: EKSS and RAC are excellent tools for predicting H. pylori infection. However, they have a limited role in patients with open type atrophy and/or intestinal metaplasia. Specific endoscopic findings could help predict the infection state.
Foraging ecology of the amphibious mudskipper Periophthalmus chrysospilos (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae)
Authors: Dinh Quang Minh , Nguyen Ton Huu Duc , Lam Tran Thi Huyen , Nguyen Tien Thi Kieu , Tran Giang Van , Jaafar Zeehan
Published: December 2021

The food composition and feeding ecology of fishes living in the intertidal zone play an essential role in understanding the energetic connectivity between terrestrial and aquatic systems. Periophthalmus chrysospilos is an amphibious fish species occurring in the intertidal zone, but data on its diet and foraging ecology is still poorly known. This study on Ps. chrysospilos was carried out from April 2020 to March 2021 at four sites within the Mekong Delta estuary to define the influence of spatio-temporal factors on the diet of this species. The diet composition and relative gut lengths (RGLs) of Ps. chrysospilos were analysed in relation to four parameters—sex, size, site, and season. A total of 1,031 individuals were collected, and their digestive tract lengths were used to calculate the RGL. The digestive tracts of only 546 individuals were with food items (approximately 1:1 of empty vs full digestive tract) and were subsequently used for further analyses. The ranges in total length and weight in both adult and juvenile individuals were 3.4–10.6 cm and 0.38–14.13 g, respectively. The RGL values varied with season, fish size and site, but was always lower than 1, indicating a predominantly carnivorous diet. The variability of food items found within the digestive tracts demonstrated its adaptability in pursuing prey items within the limits of the littoral zone, and its importance as a conduit of terrestrial-marine connectivity. This species is characterised as an opportunistic mesopredator feeding primarily on Acetes spp., Uca spp., Dolichoderus sp., and rarely on Polychaeta and Actinopterygii. Other items found within the digestive tract are Mollusca, and detritus. The diet composition of Ps. chrysospilos did not vary with season and size, but changed with sex and site parameters. Uca spp. contributed to the sexual variation in dietary component, whereas Mollusca, Uca spp., Dolichoderus sp. and detritus, were drivers for spatial variation in the dietary component. The research provides fundamental information on diet composition and feeding strategy, as well as contributes towards knowledge on foraging ecology and resource use by intertidal animal communities.
Seven ecological and technical attributes for biofilm‐based recovery of shorebird populations in intertidal flat ecosystems
Authors: Kuwae Tomohiro , Elner Robert W. , Amano Tatsuya , Drever Mark C.
Published: December 2021

Soft‐bottomed intertidal flats are essential foraging areas for shorebirds but are severely impacted by threats such as coastal development and climate change. Notwithstanding the urgency for humanintervention (conservation, restoration and creation) of tidal flats, few ecologically based technical guidelines exist for the artificial (clearly intended human intervention) intertidal flats, and none explicitly consider the unique properties of intertidal biofilm as a critical food source for small‐bodied shorebirds.

We propose that effective human intervention in intertidal flat ecosystems can be developed through mirroring the needs of small‐bodied shorebirds. Scientific evidence from intertidal flat recovery projects in Japan is summarized, and foraging requirements of shorebirds are reviewed with a focus on intertidal biofilm as a critical food source.

These findings are used to propose the primary goal of intervention, that is maximizing total energy intake for population recovery of small‐bodied shorebirds through biofilm. Three sub‐goals are presented for creating environmental conditions in which (1) a broad spectrum of food sources is available, but particularly intertidal biofilm; (2) maximizing energy intake rate per individual; and (3) maximizing foraging activity. We then describe seven key ecologically based technical attributes for artificial intertidal flats that promote use by small‐bodied shorebirds: depositional environment, complex shoreline, gentle slope, gradient of grain sizes from muddy to sandy, maximum water depth at the lowest tide 5 cm or less, freshwater inflow and unobstructed sight‐lines.

Critical questions remain for effective intervention in intertidal flat ecosystems, including food web dynamics, variation in the quality and quantity of food sources, especially biofilm, optimal sedimentary environment systems (interaction between grain size, bed slope and elevation), monitoring involving comparisons with appropriate benchmark (control) habitats, quantifying foraging behaviour and the synergy and trade‐offs among ecosystem services.
A hybrid approach based on deep learning and level set formulation for liver segmentation in CT images
Authors: Gong Zhaoxuan , Guo Cui , Guo Wei , Zhao Dazhe , Tan Wenjun , Zhou Wei , Zhang Guodong
Published: December 2021

Accurate liver segmentation is essential for radiation therapy planning of hepatocellular carcinoma and absorbed dose calculation. However, liver segmentation is a challenging task due to the anatomical variability in both shape and size and the low contrast between liver and its surrounding organs. Thus we propose a convolutional neural network (CNN) for automated liver segmentation. In our method, fractional differential enhancement is firstly applied for preprocessing. Subsequently, an initial liver segmentation is obtained by using a CNN. Finally, accurate liver segmentation is achieved by the evolution of an active contour model. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms existing methods. One hundred fifty CT scans are evaluated for the experiment. For liver segmentation, Dice of 95.8%, true positive rate of 95.1%, positive predictive value of 93.2%, and volume difference of 7% are calculated. In addition, the values of these evaluation measures show that the proposed method is able to provide a precise and robust segmentation estimate, which can also assist the manual liver segmentation task.
Inverse Design of Nanoparticles Using Multi‐Target Machine Learning
Authors: Li Sichao , Barnard Amanda S.
Published: December 2021

In this study a new approach to inverse design is presented that draws on the multi‐functionality of nanomaterials and uses sets of properties to predict a unique nanoparticle structure. This approach involves multi‐target regression and uses a precursory forward structure/property prediction to focus the model on the most important characteristics before inverting the problem and simultaneously predicting multiple structural features of a single nanoparticle. The workflow is general, as demonstrated on two nanoparticle data sets, and can rapidly predict property/structure relationships to guide further research and development without the need for additional optimization or high‐throughput sampling.
Modular reactors with electrical resistance heating for hydrocarbon cracking and other endothermic reactions
Authors: Balakotaiah Vemuri , Ratnakar Ram R.
Published: December 2021

We propose and demonstrate by calculations novel modular reactor configurations with electrical resistance heating for endothermic reactions such as cracking and steam reforming of hydrocarbons. The basic unit of each module consists of a set of wires, tubes, plates, monolith, or gauze/wire meshes arranged in parallel or series to satisfy the current–voltage constraints. The smaller dimensions such as spacing and diameter are selected to obtain nearly uniform heating temperature within the reaction zone.
Cutting COF‐like C4N to Give Colloidal Quantum Dots: Towards Optical Encryption and Bidirectional Sulfur Chemistry via Functional Group and Edge Effects
Authors: Shu Chenhao , Fang Long , Yang Meijia , Zhong Linfeng , Chen Xiaochuan , Yu Dingshan
Published: December 2021

Herein, we report the first synthesis of colloidal C4N quantum dots (QDs) and their functional composites and explore their optical activities and edge‐selective polysulfide adsorption‐catalysis. As‐obtained C4NQDs are rich in carbonyl groups and edges, allowing good solution processability and facile assembly with other moieties for creating functionalities. While C4NQDs show normal fluorescence (FL), the QD/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composites give FL/room‐temperature‐phosphorescence (RTP) dual‐mode emission, enabling the corresponding solution to be used as an encryption ink. The QDs anchored onto carbon nanotubes can be used as a barrier layer to decorate commercial separators, endowing a Li−S cell with excellent cycling stability, high rate capability, and large areal capacity. Computation and experiment studies show that edge sites in C4N favor polysulfide adsorption and catalysis and the enriched edges and carbonyl groups in QDs synergically promotecatalytic conversion of sulfur species.
Psychological causes, correlates, and consequences of materialism
Authors: Shrum L. J. , Chaplin Lan Nguyen , Lowrey Tina M.
Published: December 2021

Materialism has a long history in consumer research, and the volume of research continues to expand rapidly. In this article, we review extant research on materialism, with a particular focus on research in the last 10 years. We structure the review around the antecedents and consequences of materialism. We first provide a brief review of the different conceptualizations of materialism. We then discuss antecedents in terms of interpersonal influences (socialization factors—parents, peers, and media) and intrapersonal influences (psychological factors—self‐esteem, power, belongingness, and self‐concept clarity). Next, we discuss some consequences of materialism, such as well‐being, gratitude, and prosocial attitudes and behaviors. Finally, we conclude with suggestions for future research.
Negative valence of hallucinatory voices as predictor of cortical glutamatergic metabolite levels in schizophrenia patients
Authors: Hjelmervik Helene , Craven Alexander R. , Johnsen Erik , Kompus Kristiina , Bless Josef J. , Sinkeviciute Igne , Kroken Rune A. , Løberg Else‐Marie , Ersland Lars , Grüner Renate , Sommer Iris E. , Hugdahl Kenneth
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Negative emotional valence of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) in schizophrenia can be a source of distress and is considered a strong predictor of illness severity. Previous studies have found glutamate to mediate AVH severity in frontal and temporal brain regions, however, they do not specifically address emotional valence of AVH. The role of glutamate for the experience of negative‐ versus positive emotional valence of AVH is therefore unknown and was investigated in the current study.

Methods

Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), 37 schizophrenia patients had Glx (glutamate+glutamine) measured in the left superior temporal gyrus (STG), and additionally in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the right STG, or in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Self‐reported emotional valence in AVH was measured with the Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire (BAVQ‐R).

Results

Results from linear mixed models showed that negative emotional valence was associated with reduced Glx levels across all four measured brain regions in the frontal and temporal lobe. More specifically, voices that were experienced to be omnipotent (p = 0.04) and that the patients attempted to resist (p = 0.04) were related to lower Glx levels. Follow‐up analysis of the latter showed that voices that evoked emotional resistance (i.e., fear, sadness, anger), rather than behavioral resistance, was a significant predictor of reduced glutamate (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

The findings could indicate aberrant glutamatergic signaling, or increased NMDA‐receptor hypoactivity in patients who experience their voices to be more emotionally negative. Overall, the study provides support for the glutamate hypothesis of schizophrenia.
Mechanochemical, Water‐Assisted Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones Using Ruthenium Catalyst
Authors: Kolcsár Vanessza Judit , Szőllősi György
Published: December 2021

Asymmetric catalytic reactions are among the most convenient and environmentally benign methods to obtain optically pure compounds. The aim of this study was to develop a green system for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones, applying chiral Ru catalyst in aqueous media and mechanochemical energy transmission. Using a ball mill we have optimized the milling parameters in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone followed by reduction of various substituted derivatives. The scope of the method was extended to carbo‐ and heterocyclic ketones. The scale‐up of the developed system was successful, the optically enriched alcohols could be obtained in high yields. The developed mechanochemical system provides TOFs up to 168 h−1. Our present study is the first in which mechanochemically activated enantioselective transfer hydrogenations were carried out, thus, may be a useful guide for the practical synthesis of optically pure chiral secondary alcohols.
Sensitivity Analysis and Multi‐Objective Optimization of Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane in a Fixed‐bed Reactor over Vanadium/Graphene for Propylene Production
Authors: Fazlinezhad Armin , Fattahi Moslem , Tavakoli-Chaleshtori Rouzbeh , Rezaveisi Hosna
Published: December 2021

Oxidative dehydrogenation of light alkanes is an attractive route for the production of olefins. This method does not need much energy, while common processes such as propane dehydrogenation and cracking require external energy resources and cause rapid catalyst deactivation. In this research, an isothermal one‐dimensional model of a fixed‐bed reactor was considered for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane over a V2O5/graphene catalyst. Operational parameter sensitivity analysis showed that high temperature (450–500 °C), high pressure (7–8 atm), a moderate molar propane to air feed ratio (about 0.7), and a low feed flow rate enhanced the propane conversion and propylene productivity. However, for the production of propylene as desirable product, low temperature, low pressure, a high molar ratio, and a high feed flow rate are preferred. Thus, to determine the exact interval of operational parameter values, a multi‐objective optimization was performed for the yields of propylene and COx, revealing a maximum propylene yield of ∼40 %. For safety reasons, a feed molar ratio of propane to air of > 0.6 was preferred, which is not in the flammable region.
Comparative Kinetic Analysis and Process Optimization for the Production of Dimethyl Ether via Methanol Dehydration over a γ‐Alumina Catalyst
Authors: Al-Rabiah Abdulrahman A. , Alshehri Abdulelah S. , Ibn Idriss Arimiyawo , Abdelaziz Omar Y.
Published: December 2021

Various kinetic models of methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether over a commercial γ‐alumina catalyst were compared with a view to selecting the most appropriate model as a basis for process optimization. To achieve significant improvements in the conventional design, the Berčič‐and‐Levec kinetic model was employed and process intensification was applied to develop a more energy‐efficient process, by enhancing the adiabatic reactor performance and maximizing the heat recovery from the highly exothermic reactor. The single‐pass conversion of methanol was increased to 83 %, with an inlet temperature of 217 °C to the adiabatic reactor. Application of process intensification resulted in an improved flowsheet, which reduced the total energy requirements by 59.3 % and cut the CO2 emissions by 60.8 %.
Functionalization of Graphite Electrodes with Aryl Diazonium Salts for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Bauer Marina , Pfeifer Kristina , Luo Xianlin , Radinger Hannes , Ehrenberg Helmut , Scheiba Frieder
Published: December 2021

The functionalization of electrode surfaces is a useful approach to gain a better understanding of solid–electrolyte interphase formation and battery performance in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Electrografting and deprotection of alkyl silyl protected ethynyl aryl diazonium salts on graphite electrodes were performed. Furthermore, electrografting of aryl diazonium salts carrying functional groups such as amino, carboxy and nitro, and their influence on the electrochemical performance in LIBs were investigated. The drawbacks of electrografted and especially deprotected samples were evaluated and compared to corresponding in situ grafted samples. While electrografted samples tend to lower the delithiation capacities, in situ grafted samples, except amino groups, reveal higher capacities. Ethynyl (TMS) shows improved capacities at 1 C and better capacity retention compared to the pristine graphite electrode. Additionally, the Coulombic efficiency of the first cycle was enhanced for in situ grafted samples.
Electrodeposition of Defect‐Rich Ternary NiCoFe Layered Double Hydroxides: Fine Modulation of Co3+ for Highly Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Wang Jiaxin , Sun Xiaoliang , Hu Hanbin , Shen Tianyang , Liu Guihao , Li Zewei , Cao Dongwei , He Lei , Song Yu‐Fei
Published: December 2021

The low‐cost, high‐abundance and durable layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been considered as promising electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, the easy agglomeration of lamellar LDHs in the aqueous phase limits their practical applications. Herein, a series of ternary NiCoFe LDHs were successfully fabricated on nickel foam (NF) via a simple electrodeposition method. The as‐prepared Ni(Co0.5Fe0.5)/NF displayed an unique nanoarray structural feature. It showed an OER overpotential of 209 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline solution, which was superior to most systems reported so far. As evidenced by the XPS and XAFS results, such excellent performance of Ni(Co0.5Fe0.5)/NF was attributed to the higher Co3+/Co2+ ratio and more defects exposed, comparing with Ni(Co0.5Fe0.5)‐bulk and Ni(Co0.5Fe0.5)‐mono LDHs prepared by conventional coprecipitation method. Furthermore, the ratio of Co to Fe could significantly tune the Co electronic structure of Ni(CoxFe1‐x)/NF composites (x=0.25, 0.50 and 0.75) and affect the electrocatalytic activity for OER, in which Ni(Co0.5Fe0.5)/NF showed the lowest energy barrier for OER rate‐determining step (from O* to OOH*). This work proposes a facile method to develop high‐efficiency OER electrocatalysts.
Disparities in cardiovascular disease mortality after breast cancer treatment: Methodological considerations using real‐world data
Authors: Calip Gregory S. , Wadé Niquelle Brown , Guadamuz Jenny S. , Wang Xiaoliang , Miksad Rebecca A. , Whitaker Kristen D.
Published: December 2021

The growing understanding that cardiovascular comorbidity and mortality are common among breast cancer survivors and that race‐ and age‐based disparities in cardiovascular‐related deaths exist demands clinical attention. With the goal of achieving cancer health equity, the leveraging of real‐world data sources for cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention should serve to learn from the experience of all patients.
Providing cessation treatment to every oncology patient who smokes: An essential component of cancer care
Authors: Fiore Michael C. , Baker Timothy B. , Nolan Margaret B. , Emamekhoo Hamid
Published: December 2021

Patients with cancer who smoke can gain significant benefits from quitting, including lower cancer and all‐cause mortality. It is imperative for oncology clinicians to address smoking cessation with all patients with cancer who smoke, both for their overall health and to improve cancer outcomes.
Prevalence and spectrum of pathogenic variants among patients with multiple primary cancers evaluated by clinical characteristics
Authors: Bychkovsky Brittany L. , Lo Min‐Tzu , Yussuf Amal , Horton Carrie , Richardson Marcy , LaDuca Holly , Garber Judy E. , Rana Huma Q.
Published: December 2021

Background

Multiple primary cancers (MPCs) are a hallmark of cancer predisposition syndromes. Here the frequency of germline pathogenic variants (PVs) among patients with MPCs is reported.

Methods

Patients with MPCs who underwent multigene panel testing from March 2012 to December 2016 were studied. Eligible patients had an analysis of 21 genes: ATM, BARD1, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, CDH1, CHEK2, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, MUTYH, NBN, NF1, PALB2, PMS2, PTEN, RAD51C, RAD51D, STK11, and TP53. The frequencies of PVs by sex, number of cancers, and age at diagnosis were compared with 2‐sided χ2 tests or Fisher exact tests when the number was <10.

Results

Among the 9714 patients analyzed, most were female (91.1%) and White (71.0%); the median age at testing was 63 years, and the median ages at first and second cancer diagnoses were 49 and 58 years, respectively. Overall, 1320 (13.6%) had PVs. The prevalence of PVs increased with the number of primary cancers (PCs): 13.1% with 2 PCs, 15.9% with 3 PCs, and 18.0% with ≥4 PCs (P = .00056). Differences in the prevalence of PVs by age at diagnosis were significant: 14.7% with 2 PCs at an age < 50 years, 15.8% with 1 PC at an age < 50 years, and 12.0% with all PCs at an age ≥ 50 years (P = 2.07E–05). PVs by the age at second cancer diagnosis were also significant: 14.7% at an age < 50 years, 13.9% at an age of 50 to 69 years, and 11.4% at an age ≥ 70 years (P for trend = .005).

Conclusions

Among patients with MPCs, there is a high frequency of germline PVs, with a higher frequency found among patients with a higher number of PCs. These findings suggest that genetic testing should be considered even among patients who are older at the diagnosis of an additional primary malignancy.
Utility of the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytology, with focus on the incidence and histologic correlates of atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) and salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (SUMP): A 3‐year institutional experience
Authors: Cormier Christopher M. , Agarwal Shweta
Published: December 2021

Background

Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) is the preferred diagnostic test for salivary gland lesions. The purpose of the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) is to standardize salivary gland cytology reporting and guide treatment decisions. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the utility and performance of the MSRSGC, with a focus on the cytomorphology of lesions diagnosed as atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) and salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (SUMP).

Methods

In total, 123 salivary gland FNAs were included in the study. FNA diagnoses for all cases were reviewed and recategorized, as applicable, according to the MSRSGC. Cytohistologic correlation was performed in 51 cases that had available surgical follow‐up, and the risk of malignancy (ROM) was calculated.

Results

Most FNA samples were from the parotid gland. The mean patient age was 61.4 years, and the male‐to‐female ratio was 1.3:1. The ROM was 0% (categories I and II; nondiagnostic and benign nonneoplastic, respectively), 50% (category III; AUS), 0% (category IVA; benign neoplasm), 40% (category IVB; SUMP), 100% (category V; suspicious for malignancy), and 100% (category VI; malignant). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 100% each. In addition, the primary factors for an AUS diagnosis were identified as low cellularity and/or the presence of lymphocytes. The presence of oncocytes followed by cellular atypia in an otherwise classic pleomorphic adenoma were principal factors for a SUMP diagnosis.

Conclusions

The authors report an ROM comparable to that reported in the literature, with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%, supporting adaptation of the MSRSGC into the system for reporting salivary gland cytology. In addition, the findings emphasize the need to refine criteria for AUS and SUMP, thereby improving the predictive capability and subsequent management of salivary gland lesions.
Edge enhanced deep learning system for IoT edge device security analytics
Authors: Mukhtar Naila , Mehrabi Ali , Kong Yinan , Anjum Ashiq
Published: December 2021

The processing of locally harvested data at the physically accessible edge devices opens a new avenue of security threats for edge enhanced analytics. Cryptographic algorithms are used to secure the data being processed on the edge device. However, the implementation weakness of the algorithms on the edge devices can lead to side‐channel attack vulnerability, which is exacerbated with the application of machine‐learning techniques. This research proposes a deep learning‐based system integrated at the edge device to identify the side‐channel leakages. To design such a deep learning‐based system, one of the challenges is formulating the suitable attack model for the underlying target algorithm. Based on the previous findings, three machine learning‐based side‐channel attack models are curated and investigated for the edge device security evaluations. As a test case, the standard elliptic‐curve cryptographic algorithm is selected. Moreover, quantitative analysis is provided for the best attack model selection using standard machine‐learning evaluation metrics. A comparative analysis is performed on the raw unaligned data samples and reduced feature‐engineered samples using edge enhanced security analytics. The investigation concludes that the vulnerable algorithm implementation can lead to the secret key recovery from the edge device, with 96% accuracy, using a neural‐network‐based algorithm to analyse side‐channel attacks.
Plastic‐film mulch affects partitioning of maize biomass and nutrients to grain
Authors: Guan Zhen‐Huan , Wang Lin , Turner Neil C. , Li Xiao Gang
Published: December 2021

Plastic‐film mulch significantly improves maize (Zea mays L.) productivity in hydrothermally limited areas, but there is a lack of understanding of how mulch affects the partitioning of dry matter and nutrients to grain. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of plastic‐film mulch on the remobilization of biomass and nutrients accumulated in the presilking stage to grain during the grain‐filling period. A 2‐yr field experiment was conducted with five maize hybrids in a cold semiarid environment. The vegetative biomass in all cultivars at maturity was generally greater than that at silking regardless of whether the soil was mulched or not, indicating that there was no translocation of presilking assimilates to the grain. The increased grain yield in plastic‐film mulched plots compared with those that were nonmulched was ascribed to their enhanced partitioning of postsilking assimilates to grain. Conversely, increased accumulation of nitrogen and phosphorus in grain at maturity under mulch relative to no mulch mainly was due to increased remobilization from presilking vegetative organs. The benefit of plastic‐film mulch in increasing the partitioning of postsilking assimilates and the remobilization of nutrients from presilking vegetative organs was greater in a drier than in a wetter year. The results of this study strongly support the conclusion that in hydrothermally limited environments, maize generally does not remobilize presilking assimilates but does remobilize presilking nitrogen and phosphorus in vegetative organs to the grain during grain filling. Further, plastic‐film mulched, relative to nonmulched, maize increases the translocation to the grain of postsilking assimilates and presilking nitrogen and phosphorus accumulated in vegetative organs.
Normative data for the Brief Spanish‐English Verbal Learning Test for representative and diverse Hispanics/Latinos: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)
Authors: Breton Jordana , Stickel Ariana M. , Tarraf Wassim , Gonzalez Kevin A. , Keamy Alexandra J. , Schneiderman Neil , Marquine María J. , Zlatar Zvinka Z. , Salmon David P. , Lamar Melissa , Daviglus Martha L. , Lipton Richard B. , Gallo Linda C. , Goodman Zachary T. , González Hector M.
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Episodic learning and memory performance are crucial components of cognitive assessment. To meet the needs of a diverse Hispanic/Latino population, we aimed to provide normative data on the Brief Spanish‐English Verbal Learning Test (B‐SEVLT).

Methods

The target population for the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) included individuals 45+ years old from Central American, Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and South American backgrounds. Average age was 56.5 years ± 9.92, 54.5% were female, and mean education was 11.0 years ± 5.6 (unweightedn = 9309). Participants were administered the B‐SEVLT in their preferred language (Spanish or English). Hispanic/Latino background adjusted B‐SEVLT scores and percentile cut‐points were created using survey‐adjusted regression models.

Results

Higher educational attainment, younger age, and being female were associated with higher learning and memory performance. Hispanic/Latino background groups differed in B‐SEVLT performance.

Discussion

Representative learning and memory norms for Hispanic/Latinos of diverse backgrounds will improve cognitive assessment and accuracy of neurocognitive disorder diagnosis.
Sharing detection heterogeneity information among species in community models of occupancy and abundance can strengthen inference
Authors: Riecke Thomas V. , Gibson Dan , Kéry Marc , Schaub Michael
Published: December 2021

The estimation of abundance and distribution and factors governing patterns in these parameters is central to the field of ecology. The continued development of hierarchical models that best utilize available information to inform these processes is a key goal of quantitative ecologists. However, much remains to be learned about simultaneously modeling true abundance, presence, and trajectories of ecological communities.

Simultaneous modeling of the population dynamics of multiple species provides an interesting mechanism to examine patterns in community processes and, as we emphasize herein, to improve species‐specific estimates by leveraging detection information among species. Here, we demonstrate a simple but effective approach to share information about observation parameters among species in hierarchical community abundance and occupancy models, where we use shared random effects among species to account for spatiotemporal heterogeneity in detection probability.

We demonstrate the efficacy of our modeling approach using simulated abundance data, where we recover well our simulated parameters using N‐mixture models. Our approach substantially increases precision in estimates of abundance compared with models that do not share detection information among species. We then expand this model and apply it to repeated detection/non‐detection data collected on six species of tits (Paridae) breeding at 119 1 km2 sampling sites across a P. montanus hybrid zone in northern Switzerland (2004–2020). We find strong impacts of forest cover and elevation on population persistence and colonization in all species. We also demonstrate evidence for interspecific competition on population persistence and colonization probabilities, where the presence of marsh tits reduces population persistence and colonization probability of sympatric willow tits, potentially decreasing gene flow among willow tit subspecies.

While conceptually simple, our results have important implications for the future modeling of population abundance, colonization, persistence, and trajectories in community frameworks. We suggest potential extensions of our modeling in this paper and discuss how leveraging data from multiple species can improve model performance and sharpen ecological inference.
Crystallization Regulation and Morphological Evolution for HTM‐free Tin‐Lead (1.28eV) Alloyed Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Hu Hang , Zhou Xianyong , Chen Jiabang , Wang Deng , Li Dongyang , Huang Yulan , Zhang Luozheng , Peng Yuanjun , Wang Feng , Huang Jingxia , Chen Naichao , Sun Liang , Liu Xuesong , Wang Xingzhu , Ouyang Jianyong , Xu Baomin
Published: December 2021

There have been huge achievements of all‐perovskite tandem solar cells, which recently realized the highest power conversion efficiency of 24.8%. However, the complex device structure and complicated manufacture processes severely restrict the further development of all‐perovskite tandem solar cells. In this work, we successfully fabricated high‐efficiency hole transport material‐free (HTM‐free) Sn−Pb alloyed narrow bandgap perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by introducing guanidinium thiocyanate (GASCN) and hydroiodic acid (HI) into the perovskite precursor solution. GASCN and HI play a positive synergy effect during perovskite crystallization process resulting in larger grain size, fewer surface defects, and lower trap density to suppress the Sn2+ oxidation degradation. Furthermore, they could effectively adjust the energy level of perovskite materials, reduce the energy level difference between perovskite and ITO resulting in more efficiently transport of free hole charge carriers. As a result, with adding GASCN and HI, the achieved highest power conversion efficiency of HTM‐free devices increased from 12.58% to 17.85%, which is one of the highest PCEs among all values reported to date for the HTM‐free narrow‐bandgap (1.2–1.4 eV) Sn−Pb binary PSCs. Moreover, the optimized device shows improved environmental stability. Our additive strategy manifests a remarkable step towards the facile, cost‐efficient fabrication of HTM‐free perovskite‐based tandem solar cells with both high efficiency and simple fabrication process.
New echocardiographic indices of shift to biventricular failure to optimize risk stratification of chronic heart failure
Authors: Mandoli Giulia Elena , Pastore Maria Concetta , Benfari Giovanni , Setti Martina , Nistor Dan , D'Ascenzi Flavio , Focardi Marta , Baccani Bernardo , Patti Giuseppe , Valente Serafina , Mondillo Sergio , Cameli Matteo
Published: December 2021

Aims

The present study investigated the prognostic impact of either isolated left atrial (LA) impairment, or its association with right ventricular (RV) failure, in heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), using basic and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE).

Methods and results

One hundred and six outpatients with HFrEF were enrolled in this prospective observational study. Patients with primary lung diseases, non‐sinus rhythm, previous cardiac surgery, and poor acoustic window were excluded. After clinical examination and basic echocardiography, STE was used to measure peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) and a new marker of RV performance and pulmonary circulation relation: free‐wall RV longitudinal strain (fwRVLS)/systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP). Patients were followed for all‐cause/cardiovascular death and HF hospitalization. Of 84 eligible patients (60.1 ± 11.5 years; 82% male patients), 48 reached the combined endpoint (cardiovascular death and/or HF hospitalization). Population was divided into three groups: Group 1 (PALS ≥ 15 and fwRVLS/sPAP ≤ −0.5), Group 2 (PALS ≤ 15 and fwRVLS/sPAP ≤ −0.5), and Group 3 (PALS ≤ 15 and fwRVLS/sPAP > −0.5). Mean follow up was 3.5 ± 0.3 years. The higher severity groups were associated with higher LA volume index (P < 0.0001), New York Heart Association class (P = 0.02), mitral regurgitation (P = 0.0004) and tricuspid regurgitation grades (P < 0.0001), lower left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (P = 0.0003), LV global longitudinal strain (P < 0.0001), PALS (P < 0.0001), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (P < 0.007), sPAP (P < 0.0001), and RV strain (P < 0.0001). Reduced PALS and fwRVLS/sPAP were independent predictors of the combined endpoint with adjusted Cox models (hazard ratio = 9.54; 95% confidence interval = 2.95–30.92; P = 0.0002 for Group 3 vs. Group 1). Kaplan–Meier curves showed early and persistent divergence between the three groups for the prediction of the combined endpoint and of all‐cause death (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The combination of LA and right heart damage entails worse prognosis in patients with HFrEF. The evaluation of PALS and fwRVLS/sPAP could aid risk stratification of HFrEF patients to provide them early treatment.
Applications of Non‐precious Transition Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Electrochemistry
Authors: Tajik Somayeh , Beitollahi Hadi , Dourandish Zahra , Mohammadzadeh Jahani Peyman , Sheikhshoaie Iran , Askari Mohammad Bagher , Salarizadeh Parisa , Nejad Fariba Garkani , Kim Dokyoon , Kim Soo Young , Varma Rajender S. , Shokouhimehr Mohammadreza
Published: December 2021

Non‐precious transition metal oxide nanomaterials offer numerous opportunities for various cost‐effective electrochemical applications. This review article features the design and advancement of such nanomaterials with unique features applied for the fabrication of electrochemical devices. Also, it discusses various new syntheses of transition metal oxide nanoparticles (TMO NPs) via multiple chemicophysical and biological procedures. Further, the novel appliances of the TMO NPs with varying sizes and morphologies are appraised. The advantages and challenges of a number of investigations on the TMO NPs towards electrochemical applications are addressed with their standpoint of cost‐effectiveness, applicability, and the efficiency of the introduced nanostructures for the industrial applications.
Detection of Pyocyanin with a Boron‐doped Diamond Electrode Using Flow Injection Analysis with Amperometric Detection and Square Wave Voltammetry
Authors: Jarosova Romana , Irikura Kallyni , Rocha‐Filho Romeu C. , Swain Greg M.
Published: December 2021

We report on the analytical performance of boron‐doped diamond thin‐film electrodes for the detection of the virulence factor, pyocyanin (PYO). The results reported herein confirm the utility of diamond electrodes for the sensitive and reproducible detection of pyocyanin in a 0.1 mol L−1 phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) when using amperometric detection coupled with flow injection analysis (FIA) or square wave voltammetry (SWV). Pyocyanin was reductively detected by hydrodynamic voltammetry in FIA at an E1/2 of −0.31 V vs. Ag/AgCl (3 mol L−1 KCl). The detection figures of merit were a linear dynamic range from 100 to 0.08 μmol L−1, a response reproducibility of 1.3 % (RSD), and a limit of detection of 0.09 μmol L−1 (S/N=3). A comparable linear dynamic range, response reproducibility and limit of detection were observed in preliminary square wave voltammetry measurements. Importantly, these detection figures of merit were obtained using boron‐doped diamond electrodes that received no conventional pretreatment. Some comparison data are presented for nitrogen‐incorporated tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta‐C : N) and glassy carbon (GC) electrodes.
Brain opioid segments and striatal patterns of dopamine release induced by naloxone and morphine
Authors: Shokri‐Kojori Ehsan , Naganawa Mika , Ramchandani Vijay A. , Wong Dean F. , Wang Gene‐Jack , Volkow Nora D.
Published: December 2021

Opioid receptors are expressed throughout the brain and play a major role in regulating striatal dopamine (DA) release. Clinical studies have shown that naloxone (NAL, a nonspecific opioid antagonist) in individuals with opioid use disorder and morphine (MRP, a nonspecific opioid agonist) in healthy controls, resulted in DA release in the dorsal and ventral striatum, respectively. It is not known whether the underlying patterns of striatal DA release are associated with the striatal distribution of opioid receptors. We leveraged previously published PET datasets (collected in independent cohorts) to study the brain‐wide distribution of opioid receptors and to compare striatal opioid receptor availability with striatal DA release patterns. We identified three major gray matter segments based on availability maps of DA and opioid receptors: striatum, and primary and secondary opioid segments with high and intermediate opioid receptor availability, respectively. Patterns of DA release induced by NAL and MRP were inversely associated and correlated with kappa (NAL: r(68) = −0.81, MRP: r(68) = 0.54), and mu (NAL: r(68) = −0.62, MRP: r(68) = 0.46) opioid receptor availability. Kappa opioid receptor availability accounted for a unique part of variance in NAL‐ and MRP‐DA release patterns (ΔR2 >0.14, p <.0001). In sum, distributions of opioid receptors distinguished major cortical and subcortical regions. Patterns of NAL‐ and MRP‐induced DA release had inverse associations with striatal opioid receptor availability. Our approach provides a pattern‐based characterization of drug‐induced DA targets and is relevant for modeling the role of opioid receptors in modulating striatal DA release.
Critical role of rhythms in prefrontal transcranial magnetic stimulation for depression: A randomized sham‐controlled study
Authors: Tsai Yi‐Chun , Li Cheng‐Ta , Liang Wei‐Kuang , Muggleton Neil G. , Tsai Chong‐Chih , Huang Norden E. , Juan Chi‐Hung
Published: December 2021

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an alternative treatment for depression, but the neural correlates of the treatment are currently inconclusive, which might be a limit of conventional analytical methods. The present study aimed to investigate the neurophysiological evidence and potential biomarkers for rTMS and intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) treatment. A total of 61 treatment‐resistant depression patients were randomly assigned to receive prolonged iTBS (piTBS; N = 19), 10 Hz rTMS (N = 20), or sham stimulation (N = 22). Each participant went through a treatment phase with resting state electroencephalography (EEG) recordings before and after the treatment phase. The aftereffects of stimulation showed that theta‐alpha amplitude modulation frequency (fam) was associated with piTBS_Responder, which involves repetitive bursts delivered in the theta frequency range, whereas alpha carrier frequency (fc) was related to 10 Hz rTMS, which uses alpha rhythmic stimulation. In addition, theta‐alpha amplitude modulation frequency was positively correlated with piTBS antidepressant efficacy, whereas the alpha frequency was not associated with the 10 Hz rTMS clinical outcome. The present study showed that TMS stimulation effects might be lasting, with changes of brain oscillations associated with the delivered frequency. Additionally, theta‐alpha amplitude modulation frequency may be as a function of the degree of recovery in TRD with piTBS treatment and also a potential EEG‐based predictor of antidepressant efficacy of piTBS in the early treatment stage, that is, first 2 weeks.
Status epilepticus in a patient with intractable epilepsy caused by renal colic due to a ureter stone
Authors: Torii Koei , Ikegami Yosuke , Aoki Maria , Kato Taiki , Hamakawa Takashi , Maruyama Tetsuji , Yasui Takahiro
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Epilepsy has a variety of seizure‐inducing factors. Epileptic seizures caused by renal colic are extremely rare.

Case presentation

A 22‐year‐old woman with intractable epilepsy was brought to our hospital as an emergency case, because of vomiting and status epilepticus. She had implanted a vagus nerve stimulator in the left anterior chest at the age of 20 years. Computed tomography showed a ureter stone in the right distal ureter. On the second day of hospitalization, ureteroscopic lithotripsy was performed under general anesthesia. The patient’s seizures were controlled to a frequency of once a month or less in the four months after discharge.

Conclusion

We encountered a rare case of the frequency of status epilepticus increased by renal colic due to a ureter stone. Ureteroscopic lithotripsy was effective in controlling the frequency of status epilepticus increased by renal colic.