bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three‐dimensional MRI‐based treatment planning approach for non‐invasive ocular proton therapy
Authors: Fleury E. , Trnková P. , Erdal E. , Hassan M. , Stoel B. , Jaarma‐Coes M. , Luyten G. , Herault J. , Webb A. , Beenakker J.‐W. , Pignol J.‐P. , Hoogeman M.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To develop a high‐resolution three‐dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based treatment planning approach for uveal melanomas (UM) in proton therapy.

Materials/methods

For eight patients with UM, a segmentation of the gross tumor volume (GTV) and organs‐at‐risk (OARs) was performed on T1‐ and T2‐weighted 7 Tesla MRI image data to reconstruct the patient MR‐eye. An extended contour was defined with a 2.5‐mm isotropic margin derived from the GTV. A broad beam algorithm, which we have called πDose, was implemented to calculate relative proton absorbed doses to the ipsilateral OARs. Clinically favorable gazing angles of the treated eye were assessed by calculating a global weighted‐sum objective function, which set penalties for OARs and extreme gazing angles. An optimizer, which we have named OPT’im‐Eye‐Tool, was developed to tune the parameters of the functions for sparing critical‐OARs.

Results

In total, 441 gazing angles were simulated for every patient. Target coverage including margins was achieved in all the cases (V95% > 95%). Over the whole gazing angles solutions space, maximum dose (Dmax) to the optic nerve and the macula, and mean doses (Dmean) to the lens, the ciliary body and the sclera were calculated. A forward optimization was applied by OPT’im‐Eye‐Tool in three different prioritizations: iso‐weighted, optic nerve prioritized, and macula prioritized. In each, the function values were depicted in a selection tool to select the optimal gazing angle(s). For example, patient 4 had a T2 equatorial tumor. The optimization applied for the straight gazing angle resulted in objective function values of 0.46 (iso‐weighted situation), 0.90 (optic nerve prioritization) and 0.08 (macula prioritization) demonstrating the impact of that angle in different clinical approaches.

Conclusions

The feasibility and suitability of a 3D MRI‐based treatment planning approach have been successfully tested on a cohort of eight patients diagnosed with UM. Moreover, a gaze‐angle trade‐off dose optimization with respect to OARs sparing has been developed. Further validation of the whole treatment process is the next step in the goal to achieve both a non‐invasive and a personalized proton therapy treatment.
Robust autocalibrated structured low‐rank EPI ghost correction
Authors: Lobos Rodrigo A. , Hoge W. Scott , Javed Ahsan , Liao Congyu , Setsompop Kawin , Nayak Krishna S. , Haldar Justin P.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

We propose and evaluate a new structured low‐rank method for echo‐planar imaging (EPI) ghost correction called Robust Autocalibrated LORAKS (RAC‐LORAKS). The method can be used to suppress EPI ghosts arising from the differences between different readout gradient polarities and/or the differences between different shots. It does not require conventional EPI navigator signals, and is robust to imperfect autocalibration data.

Methods

Autocalibrated LORAKS is a previous structured low‐rank method for EPI ghost correction that uses GRAPPA‐type autocalibration data to enable high‐quality ghost correction. This method works well when the autocalibration data are pristine, but performance degrades substantially when the autocalibration information is imperfect. RAC‐LORAKS generalizes Autocalibrated LORAKS in two ways. First, it does not completely trust the information from autocalibration data, and instead considers the autocalibration and EPI data simultaneously when estimating low‐rank matrix structure. Second, it uses complementary information from the autocalibration data to improve EPI reconstruction in a multi‐contrast joint reconstruction framework. RAC‐LORAKS is evaluated using simulations and in vivo data, including comparisons to state‐of‐the‐art methods.

Results

RAC‐LORAKS is demonstrated to have good ghost elimination performance compared to state‐of‐the‐art methods in several complicated EPI acquisition scenarios (including gradient‐echo brain imaging, diffusion‐encoded brain imaging, and cardiac imaging).

Conclusions

RAC‐LORAKS provides effective suppression of EPI ghosts and is robust to imperfect autocalibration data.
A preconditioned implicit difference scheme for semilinear two‐dimensional time–space fractional Fokker–Planck equations
Authors: Zhang Chengjian , Zhou Yongtao
Published: December 2020

Time–space fractional Fokker–Planck equations (TSFFPEs) are a class of very useful models for describing some practical phenomena in statistical physics. In the present article, we focus on the fast computation for semilinear two‐dimensional TSFFPEs. A stable implicit difference scheme with second‐order accuracy in time and space is derived. In order to accelerate the convergence rate of the scheme, a preconditioned strategy combining the Kronecker product splitting preconditioner and the generalized minimal residual method is suggested. Numerical experiments further confirm the theoretical accuracy of the difference scheme and computational advantage of the acceleration scheme.
The dysregulation of metabolic pathways and induction of the pentose phosphate pathway in renal ischaemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Scantlebery Angelique ML , Tammaro Alessandra , Mills James D , Rampanelli Elena , Kors Lotte , Teske Gwendoline J , Butter Loes M , Liebisch Gerhard , Schmitz Gerd , Florquin Sandrine , Leemans Jaklien C , Roelofs Joris JTH
Published: December 2020

Lipid accumulation is associated with various forms of acute renal injury; however, the causative factors and pathways underpinning this lipid accumulation have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we performed lipidomic profiling of renal tissue following ischaemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). We identified a significant accumulation of cholesterol and specific phospholipids and sphingolipids in kidneys 24 h after IRI. In light of these findings, we hypothesised that pathways involved in lipid metabolism may also be altered. Through the analysis of published microarray data, generated from sham and ischaemic kidneys, we identified nephron‐specific metabolic pathways affected by IRI and validated these findings in ischaemic renal tissue. In silico analysis revealed the downregulation of several energy and lipid metabolism pathways, including mitochondrial fatty acid beta‐oxidation (FAO), peroxisomal lipid metabolism, fatty acid (FA) metabolism, and glycolysis. The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), which is fuelled by glycolysis, was the only metabolic pathway that was upregulated 24 h following IRI. In this study, we describe the effect of renal IRI on metabolic pathways and how this contributes to lipid accumulation. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Characterization of COVID‐19 disease in pediatric oncology patients: The New York‐New Jersey regional experience
Authors: Madhusoodhan P. Pallavi , Pierro Joanna , Musante Jordan , Kothari Prachi , Gampel Bradley , Appel Burton , Levy Adam , Tal Adit , Hogan Laura , Sharma Archana , Feinberg Shari , Kahn Alissa , Pinchinat Ashley , Bhatla Teena , Glasser Chana L. , Satwani Prakash , Raetz Elizabeth A. , Onel Kenan , Carroll William L.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Pediatric oncology patients undergoing active chemotherapy are suspected to be at a high risk for severe disease secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection; however, data to support this are lacking. We aim to describe the characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in this population and also its impact on pediatric cancer care in the New York region during the peak of the pandemic.

Patients and Methods

This multicenter, retrospective study included 13 institutions. Clinical and laboratory information on 98 patients ≤21 years of age receiving active anticancer therapy, who tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 by nasopharyngeal swab polymerase chain reaction (PCR), was collected.

Results

Of the 578 pediatric oncology patients tested for COVID‐19, 98 were positive, of whom 73 were symptomatic. Most experienced mild disease, 28 required inpatient management, 25 needed oxygen support, and seven required mechanical ventilation. There is a slightly higher risk of severe disease in males and obese patients, though not statistically significant. Persistent lymphopenia was noted in severe cases. Delays in cancer therapy occurred in 67% of SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive patients. Of four deaths, none were solely attributable to COVID‐19. The impact of the pandemic on pediatric oncology care was significant, with 54% of institutions reporting delays in chemotherapy, 46% delays in surgery, and 30% delays in transplant.

Conclusion

In this large multi‐institutional cohort, we observed that mortality and morbidity from COVID‐19 amongst pediatric oncology patients were low overall, but higher than reported in general pediatrics. Certain subgroups might be at higher risk of severe disease. Delays in cancer care due to SARS‐CoV‐2 remain a concern.
Fetal gastroschisis: Maternal and fetal methylation profile
Authors: Freitas Amanda Brasil de , Francisco Rossana Pulcineli Vieira , Centofanti Sandra Frankfurt , Damasceno Jullian Gabriel , Chehimi Samar Nasser , Osmundo‐Junior Gilmar de Souza , Kulikowski Leslie Domenici , Brizot Maria de Lourdes
Published: December 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study was to describe the genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation profile in fetuses with gastroschisis, determine whether the profile was inherited, and investigate any possible correlations with maternal risk factors.

Method

Genome‐wide DNA methylation analysis of 96 blood samples was performed using the Illumina Human Methylation 850K BeadChip. The blood samples were collected as follows: 32 from the umbilical cord of fetuses with gastroschisis, 32 from their respective mothers, 16 from the umbilical cord of fetuses without malformation, and 16 from their respective mothers.

Results

The differential DNA methylation analysis showed a significant difference between the groups. The enrichment analysis resulted in 12 sites related to T‐cell activation (p = 0.0128). The sites with different methylation status contained 10 genes, three of which were related to the beta‐2‐microglobulin gene. The methylation profile observed in the fetuses with gastroschisis was not inherited from the mothers. In addition, there was no association between maternal urinary tract infection, smoking, and alcohol use and different methylated sites.

Conclusion

We established the methylation profile of gastroschisis fetuses, which differs from that of normal fetuses. The profile was not inherited and did not correlate with maternal risk factors.
Geography, psychology and the ‘Big Five’ personality traits: Who moves, and over what distances, in the United Kingdom?
Authors: Shuttleworth Ian , Stevenson Clifford , Bjarnason Þóroddur , Finell Eerika
Published: December 2020

Personality, as measured by the ‘Big Five’ dimensions of agreeableness, openness, extroversion, neuroticism and conscientiousness, has been explored in the social psychological literature as a predictor of migration but so far has received very little attention in the geographical literature, which is surprising given its predictive importance and also evidence that the selectivity of migration shapes area personality profiles. Using the Understanding Society1 data set, this paper analyses how personality influences whether a respondent moves or not over a 5‐year period and, if they do, how far they move. After controlling for individual sociodemographic characteristics, it is found (a) that those who score higher on conscientiousness and neuroticism are more likely to expect to move in the next year; (b) that only those who score highly on extroversion actually made at least one move during the 5‐year period; (c) that openness is positively associated with making a long‐distance move (≥50 km); and (d) that the pattern for (c) is reversed for short‐distance moves (<10 km). These findings are significant for two reasons. First, they show that personality should be more central in migration studies and that geography can usefully seek disciplinary insights from social psychology. Second, they help us take a step towards a better understanding of the relationships between geography, personality and spatial mobility.
Ferroelectric, Analog Resistive Switching in Back‐End‐of‐Line Compatible TiN/HfZrO4/TiOx Junctions
Authors: Bégon-Lours Laura , Halter Mattia , Popoff Youri , Offrein Bert Jan
Published: December 2020

Due to their compatibility with complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor technologies, hafnium‐based ferroelectric devices receive increasing interest for the fabrication of neuromorphic hardware. Herein, an analog resistive memory device is fabricated with a process developed for back‐end‐of‐line integration. A 4.5 nm‐thick HfZrO4 (HZO) layer is crystallized into the ferroelectric phase, a thickness thin enough to allow electrical conduction through the layer. A TiOx interlayer is used to create an asymmetric junction as required for transferring a polarization state change into a modification of the conductivity. Memristive functionality is obtained, both in the pristine state and after ferroelectric wake‐up, involving redistribution of oxygen vacancies in the ferroelectric layer. The resistive switching is shown to originate directly from the ferroelectric properties of the HZO layer.
Semiglobal fixed‐time output feedback stabilization for a class of nonlinear systems
Authors: Yao Qijia
Published: December 2020

In this article, the fixed‐time output feedback stabilization for a class of lower‐triangular nonlinear systems only subject to Hölder continuous condition is investigated. First, a fixed‐time state observer is designed to estimate the unmeasured system states. Then, a fixed‐time full‐state feedback controller is designed under the assumption that all system states are measurable. Finally, a fixed‐time output feedback controller is designed by integrating the fixed‐time full‐state feedback controller with the fixed‐time state observer. Rigorous theoretical analysis for the semiglobal fixed‐time stability of the resulting closed‐loop system is provided. Numerical simulations are performed on a flexible‐joint single‐link robotic manipulator with a DC motor to illustrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed control method.
Vector‐based kernel weighting: A simple estimator for improving precision and bias of average treatment effects in multiple treatment settings
Authors: Garrido Melissa M. , Lum Jessica , Pizer Steven D.
Published: December 2020

Treatment effect estimation must account for observed confounding, in which factors affect treatment assignment and outcomes simultaneously. Ignoring observed confounding risks concluding that a helpful treatment is not beneficial or that a treatment is safe when actually harmful. Propensity score matching or weighting adjusts for observed confounding, but the best way to use propensity scores for multiple treatments is unknown. It is unclear when choice of a different weighting or matching strategy leads to divergent inferences. We used Monte Carlo simulations (1000 replications) to examine sensitivity of multivalued treatment inferences to propensity score weighting or matching strategies. We consider five variants of propensity score adjustment: inverse probability of treatment weights, generalized propensity score matching, kernel weights (KW), vector matching, and a new hybrid that is easily implemented—vector‐based kernel weighting (VBKW). VBKW matches observations with similar propensity score vectors, assigning greater KW to observations with similar probabilities within a given bandwidth. We varied degree of propensity score model misspecification, sample size, treatment effect heterogeneity, initial covariate imbalance, and sample distribution across treatment groups. We evaluated sensitivity of results to propensity score estimation technique (multinomial logit or multinomial probit). Across simulations, VBKW performed equally or better than the other methods in terms of bias, efficiency, and covariate balance measured via prognostic scores. Our simulations suggest that VBKW is amenable to full automation and is less sensitive to PS model misspecification than other methods used to account for observed confounding in multivalued treatment analyses.
Bayesian penalized cumulative logit model for high‐dimensional data with an ordinal response
Authors: Zhang Yiran , Archer Kellie J.
Published: December 2020

Many previous studies have identified associations between gene expression, measured using high‐throughput genomic platforms, and quantitative or dichotomous traits. However, we note that health outcome and disease status measurements frequently appear on an ordinal scale, that is, the outcome is categorical but has inherent ordering. Identification of important genes may be useful for developing novel diagnostic and prognostic tools to predict or classify stage of disease. Gene expression data are usually high‐dimensional, meaning that the number of genes is much larger than the sample size or number of patients. Herein we describe some existing frequentist methods for modeling an ordinal response in a high‐dimensional predictor space. Following Tibshirani (1996), who described the LASSO estimate as the Bayesian posterior mode when the regression coefficients have independent Laplace priors, we propose a new approach for high‐dimensional data with an ordinal response that is rooted in the Bayesian paradigm. We show that our proposed Bayesian approach outperforms existing frequentist methods through simulation studies. We then compare the performance of frequentist and Bayesian approaches using a study evaluating progression to hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis C infected patients.
First Vesicular Self‐assembly of a Trihydroxy‐Diterpenoid Andrographolide in Aqueous Medium: Entrapment and Release of Fluorophore and Anti‐Cancer Drug Doxorubicin
Authors: Ghorai Subrata , Bag Braja Gopal
Published: December 2020

Andrographolide, a naturally occurring trihydroxy diterpenoid, was extracted from the leaves of Andrographis paniculata. The molecule spontaneously formed vesicular self‐assemblies in aqueous binary liquid mixtures such as DMSO‐water (1 : 2), THF‐water (1 : 2), DMF‐water (1 : 2) and cyclohexanol‐water (2 : 1). The characterizations of the vesicular self‐assemblies were carried out by optical, atomic force and electron microscopic techniques, x‐ray diffraction and FTIR studies. The encapsulation of anionic fluorophore carboxyfluorescein and the cationic fluorophores rhodamine B and anti‐cancer drug doxorubicin by the self‐assemblies of andrographolide was also demonstrated. The entrapped drug molecules were released on treatment with the vesicle‐rupturing agent Triton X‐100.
Improve the Conductivity of CuBTC by in‐situ Reduction to Core‐Shell CuTCNQ@CuBTC
Authors: Meng Chunfeng , Chen Hantao , Hu Pinfei , Yuan Aihua
Published: December 2020

In recent years, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have been widely used in the fields of hydrogen storage, gas separation, catalysts, and so on. It is inspiring to apply MOFs in the field of electrochemistry, whereas the intrinsic low electric conductivity of MOFs limits their promising future. Herein, a new approach to improve the electronic conductivity of Cu‐MOF (CuBTC) is developed, by adopting LiTCNQ solution as the reductant to generate CuTCNQ@CuBTC (BTC=1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid; TCNQ=7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane) core‐shell nanoparticles with conductive CuTCNQ as the shell and non‐conductive CuBTC as the core, and the reaction conditions are optimized. Mutually validated data indicate that conductive CuTCNQ shell grows thicker with a higher temperature (60 °C) and prolonged time (24 h). With this method, the conductivity of the CuBTC material is effectively improved from 3.84×10−9 to 2.94×10−7 S cm−1.
Influence of C5‐Substituents on Repair of O4‐Methyl Adducts of Pyrimidines by O6‐Alkylguanine DNA Alkyltransferases
Authors: Sacre Lauralicia , Pontarelli Alexander , Bahsoun Yehya , Wilds Christopher J.
Published: December 2020

The DNA repair protein O6‐alkylguanine‐DNA alkyltransferase (AGT), found in numerous organisms, can remove methyl groups from the O6‐ and O4‐atoms of 2′‐deoxyguanosine and thymidine in DNA. AGT variants demonstrate different repair efficiencies towards these lesions. To understand the influence of C5 nucleobase substituents on O4‐methyl removal by AGTs, DNA duplexes containing 5‐chloro‐, 5‐bromo‐ 5‐iodo‐ and 5‐trifluoromethyl‐O4‐methyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine were studied. UV thermal denaturation revealed a stability reduction of 11 °C for the O4‐methyl halogen series and 5‐trifluoromethyl analog relative to their controls. For the 5‐chloro analog efficient repair was observed by human and E.coli AGTs. For the larger halogens (5‐bromo and 5‐iodo) and 5‐trifluoromethyl analog, human AGT showed moderate repair of the O4‐methyl adduct. E.coli OGT and Ada‐C readily repaired most adducts with reduced efficiency for the larger groups, except C5‐iodo. These results suggest electronic contributions and favourable interactions of the C5‐halogens within the AGT active site contribute to efficient dealkylation.
Recent Advances in Opal/Inverted Opal Photonic Crystal Photocatalysts
Authors: Chen Yiwen , Li Lingling , Xu Quanlong , Chen Wei , Dong Youqing , Fan Jiajie , Ma Dekun
Published: December 2020

Solar light is one of the most renewable energy resources. However, the limited light absorption range and low quantum efficiency of current semiconductors has immensely hindered the development of solar energy utilization technology and has been a matter of research priority. Opal/inverted opal photonic crystals (PCs) display a unique periodic structure, which can spontaneously enhance light–matter interactions and extend light propagation path, thus showing great potential in harvesting solar energy. The construction of opal/inverted opal photonic crystal photocatalyst (PCP) featured with attractive optical performance, which is originated from slow photons effect and multiple scatter effect, has been considered as an effective strategy to boost photocatalytic property. This review starts with the introduction of optical characteristics of PC, followed by discussion of fabrication strategies. Then, an overview of progress toward the application of PCP in photocatalytic hydrogen production, pollutant degradation, and CO2 reduction is provided as well. Finally, the challenging points and perspective are presented. It is expected that this review can provide valuable guidance for future design and synthesis of PCPs.
Dual Interfacial Modification Engineering for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Le , Liu Dali , Sun Rui , Zhou Donglei , Wu Yanjie , Zhuang Xinmeng , Liu Shuainan , Bi Wenbo , Wang Nan , Zi Lu , Zhang Boxue , Shi Zhichong , Song Hongwei
Published: December 2020

Although the research on perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has achieved rapid progress, its efficiency and stability still need to be further improved to meet the industrial requirements. The defects located inside the cells, on the surfaces, interfaces, or grain boundaries, will primarily affect carrier transportation through the formation of nonradiative recombination centers and hinder the further enhancement of the power conversion efficiency (PCE). Herein, a straightforward and simple defect passivation method is developed to increase the PCE and stability of PSCs. In the device, the N‐type semiconductor AgBiS2 is introduced by thermal evaporation as a modified layer between the perovskite films and electron transport layer, which can improve the charge transport characteristic and bandgap optimization of PSCs. Simultaneously, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent mixed polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used for solvent annealing treatment, which can further improve the quality of perovskite film and reduce the trap density by increasing grain size and enhancing the crystallinity. As a result, the PSCs with dual‐interfacial modification exhibit a remarkable improvement in PCE from 18.58% to 21.19% with exceptional long‐term and moisture stability. This work provides an innovative insight for fabricating the stable and efficient PSCs toward the industrialization.
Excitation Wavelength‐Dependent Charge Generation Dynamics in a Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cell Interface
Authors: Xu Dong-Hui , Chen Yang , Zhang Si-Yuan , Yu Jia-Li , Liu Xiang-Yang , Li Laicai
Published: December 2020

Unraveling the charge generation dynamics at the donor–acceptor (D−A) interfaces is crucial for improving the photovoltaic performances of nonfullerene acceptor‐based organic solar cells (OSCs). Herein, time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) based nonadiabatic dynamics simulations are used to explore the ultrafast photoinduced dynamics at a nonfullerene D–A PTB7@PDI interface. Based on the results, it is found that such an interface exhibits distinct charge generation processes upon excitation with different wavelengths. The excitation at ≈591 nm mainly results in the local exciton |PTB7∗>, whereas the charge transfer exciton |PTB7+PDI−> also has minor contribution. Later on, the electron transfer from PTB7 to PDI, i.e., channel I charge generation process, occurs in 1 ps. The situations are much more complex when the excitation is conducted using ≈487 nm light. The initial populated excitons include local excitons |PDI∗>, |PTB7∗>, and charge transfer exciton |PTB7+PDI−>, after which both channel I and channel II charge generation take place ultrafast. However, in both situations, the charge generation processes occur within a few picoseconds, which is consistent with previous experimental work. Such ultrafast charge generation processes in a wide range of solar spectra are one of the reasons responsible for the excellent photovoltaic properties of such OSCs.
Experimental and numerical investigation of vertical through‐plate for concrete‐filled steel tube column to H‐beam connections
Authors: Chang HakJong , Kim JunHee , Choi Insub , Gencturk Bora
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the structural behavior of concrete‐filled steel tube (CFT) column to H‐beam connections with vertical through‐plate through full‐scale experiments and examine retrofit methods using the finite element method to improve the connection performance. For this purpose, monotonic loading tests were performed on three full‐scale specimens with varying thickness of vertical through‐plate. The experiments showed that the specimens suffer from a brittle failure due to the stress concentrations and residual stresses at the welds before the beams reach their plastic moment capacity. A series of sectional analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of the thermally induced residual stresses due to welding and then the strain concentrations in the welded connection were estimated by comparing the experimental maximum strain and the analytical mean strain values. Based on these results, a retrofit model for reinforcing a stiff plate on the upper flange of the beam was proposed and analyzed to reduce the stress concentrations in the welded connection. The results showed that using the proposed retrofit approach, the stress concentration at the connection between the vertical through‐plate and the top flange is reduced by 72%, and the strength of the connection is increased by 70%, which is 10% higher than the analytical plastic moment capacity of the beam.
Choosing the right time granularity for analysis of digital biomarker trajectories
Authors: Wakim Nicole I. , Braun Thomas M. , Kaye Jeffrey A. , Dodge Hiroko H. ,   for ORCATECH
Published: December 2020

Introduction

The use of digital biomarker data in dementia research provides the opportunity for frequent cognitive and functional assessments that was not previously available using conventional approaches. Assessing high‐frequency digital biomarker data can potentially increase the opportunities for early detection of cognitive and functional decline because of improved precision of person‐specific trajectories. However, we often face a decision to condense time‐stamped data into a coarser time granularity, defined as the frequency at which measurements are observed or summarized, for statistical analyses. It is important to find a balance between ease of analysis by condensing data and the integrity of the data, which is reflected in a chosen time granularity.

Methods

In this paper, we discuss factors that need to be considered when faced with a time granularity decision. These factors include follow‐up time, variables of interest, pattern detection, and signal‐to‐noise ratio.

Results

We applied our procedure to real‐world data which include longitudinal in‐home monitored walking speed. The example shed lights on typical problems that data present and how we could use the above factors in exploratory analysis to choose an appropriate time granularity.

Discussion

Further work is required to explore issues with missing data and computational efficiency.
Find alternatives to enhance student well‐being during COVID‐19
Authors: Parks Rodney , Taylor Alexander
Published: December 2020

Over the last few months following the arrival of COVID‐19, the traditional strategic enrollment management playbook for higher education has been thrown out. Institutional leaders are struggling to address student concerns about taking classes remotely and trying to create a stable environment for students to thrive. Students are experiencing heightened levels of stress and anxiety (see https://www.jmir.org/2020/9/e21279/) related to the pandemic. However, institutions do not have the traditional support avenues they had prior to the pandemic. Greater anxiety and isolation lead to students struggling to find social outlets, causing students to feel distant from the institution's sense of community.
Isolation of peste des petits ruminants virus using primary goat kidney cell culture from kidneys obtained at slaughter
Authors: Begum Shahana , Nooruzzaman Mohammed , Hasnat Azmary , Parvin Mst. Murshida , Parvin Rokshana , Islam Mohammad Rafiqul , Chowdhury Emdadul Haque
Published: December 2020

Background

Traditionally isolation of peste des petits ruminant virus (PPRV) is performed in Vero cells that takes several blind passages before observing typical cytopathic effects (CPEs). As an alternate, researchers have been using lamb kidney (LK) cells but day‐old lambs are difficult to obtain and requires animal sacrifice.

Objective

We established a primary goat kidney (GK) cell culture from the kidneys obtained at slaughter.

Methods

The kidney of Black Bengal goats were collected from slaughter house and processed to make single cell suspension. The cells were resuspended in appropriate culture medium and maintained under optimum culture condition.

Results

The 80% confluent monolayer of GK cells was obtained after 15–20 days post seeding. Upon infection with a field isolate of PPRV, the well‐developed CPEs characterized by cell rounding, vacuolation in the cytoplasm and fusion of cells were observed after 48 hr post infection. Virus quantification in the culture supernatant revealed more viral RNA in GK cells than LK cells. The multicycle growth analysis of PPRV showed a steady increase in the virus loads in the culture supernatant of infected GK cells, suggesting an adaptation of the PPRV in GK cells.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that primary GK cells can be successfully prepared from the mature kidney cortical tissues and can be used for the isolation of PPRV. This system could reduce the unnecessary sacrifice of lambs or kids. Since kidneys of slaughtered goats are available throughout the year, using this protocol primary cell culture from mature goat kidney can provide primary cells to the laboratory throughout the year.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Luminescent Properties of a 3D Mg(II)−Sm(III) Heterometallic Coordination Polymer Containing 20‐member Water Clusters
Authors: Chen Yanmei , Liu Shanshan , Lin Junqi , Liu Siyu , Ruan Zhijun
Published: December 2020

A new Mg(II)−Sm(III) heterometallic coordination polymer (Cp) with the formula [Sm2(pydc)6Mg3(H2O)6] ⋅ 11H2O (1) (H2pydc=pyridine‐2,6‐dicarbolylic acid) has been solvothermal synthesized by reacting pyridine‐2,6‐dicarbolylic acid, Sm(NO3)3 ⋅ 6H2O, MgCl2 ⋅ 6H2O and imidazole at 393 K for 48 h. It was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR and TGA. The results show that coordination polymer 1 exhibits a three‐dimensional network structure and crystallizes in hexagonal crystal system, space group P6/mcc, with crystallographic data of a=15.4203(6) Å, b=15.4203(6) Å, c=15.2563(6) Å, α=β=90°, γ=120°, V=3141.7(3) Å3, and Z=2. The twenty‐member water cluster structure and topological structure of compound 1 were analyzed, and its luminescent properties were studied. It presents the characteristic emission spectra of Sm(III) ions.
Aufnahmediagnose Prellung: Ätiologie, Epidemiologie und Kostenfaktoren
Authors: Woschek Mathias , Schindler Cora R. , Sterz Jasmina , Störmann Philipp , Willems Laurent , Marzi Ingo , Verboket René D.
Published: December 2020

Hintergrund

Die stationäre Aufnahme von Patienten mit Prellungen wird in Kliniken der Akutversorgung regelhaft praktiziert. Dabei stehen die pathophysiologischen Unfallfolgen oft im Hintergrund. Ziel dieser retrospektiven monozentrischen Untersuchung war die Untersuchung der Ätiologie sowie der kostenverursachenden Faktoren und Refinanzierung bei Aufnahmen durch Prellungen.

Methodik

Es erfolgte die Abfrage der Patienten entsprechend den Entlassdiagnosen aus dem krankenhausinternen Informationssystem (KIS). Eingeschlossen wurden 117 Patienten in einem Zeitraum von 2 Jahren. Es erfolgten hier die Klassifizierung nach Unfallmechanismus sowie die Einteilung in Altersgruppen. Des Weiteren erfolgte die Kostenkalkulation anhand von abteilungs- und klinikspezifischen Tagessätzen.

Ergebnisse

Bezüglich der Ätiologie war der häusliche Sturz die häufigste Ursache (48,7 %), gefolgt von dem Hochrasanztrauma (22,8 %). Innerhalb der Gruppe des häuslichen Sturzes lag das Durchschnittsalter im Mittel bei 77,8 Jahre. Diese Gruppe zeigte die längste Verweildauer (VWD) mit 5,2 Tagen. Im Rahmen der kalkulierten Kosten zeigte die Gruppe nach häuslichem Sturz die höchsten Kosten mit 2596,24 € bei einem mittleren DRG-Erlös von 1464,51 €.

Diskussion

Die Auswertung der klinikinternen Daten bestätigte die subjektive Wahrnehmung, dass ein Großteil der nach Prellung aufgenommenen Patienten aus der Altersgruppe >65 Jahre stammt. Die Aufnahme erfolgt hier vor dem Hintergrund der in dieser Altersgruppe zunehmenden Komorbiditäten sowie zur Abwendung von Folgeerkrankungen und Folgen der Immobilisierung. Ebenfalls konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Versorgungskosten gesundheitsökomisch relevant sind und die Behandlung in diesen Fällen nicht kostendeckend ist.
The faster the better? Time to first CT scan after admission in moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury and its association with mortality
Authors: Mader Marius Marc-Daniel , Rotermund Roman , Lefering Rolf , Westphal Manfred , Maegele Marc , Czorlich Patrick ,   the TraumaRegister DGU
Published: December 2020

Fast acquisition of a first computed tomography (CT) scan after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is recommended. This study is aimed at investigating whether the length of the period preceding initial CT scan influences mortality in patients with leading TBI. A retrospective cohort analysis of patients registered in the TraumaRegister DGU® was conducted including adult patients with TBI, defined as Abbreviated Injury ScaleHead ≥ 3 and GCS ≤ 13 who had been treated in level 1 or 2 trauma centers from 2007–2016. Patients were grouped according to time intervals either from trauma or from admission to CT. A total of 6904 patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean time period from trauma to hospital admission was 68.8 min. From admission to first CT, a mean of 19.0 min elapsed. Trauma severity was higher in groups with a longer duration from trauma to CT as represented by a mean (± standard deviation) Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 19.8 ± 9.0, 20.7 ± 9.3, and 21.4 ± 7.5 and similar distribution of mortality of 24.9%, 29.9%, and 36.3% in the ≤ 60-min, 61–120-min, and ≥ 121-min groups, respectively. An adjusted multivariable logistic regression model showed a significant influence of the level of the trauma center (p = 0.037) but not for interval from admission to CT (p = 0.528). TBI patients with a longer time span from trauma to first CT were more severely injured and demonstrated a worse prognosis, but received a CT scan faster when duration from admission is observed. The duration until the CT scan was obtained showed no significant impact on the mortality.
A Numerical Investigation of the Effects of Fuel Composition on the Minimum Ignition Energy for Homogeneous Biogas-Air Mixtures
Authors: Papapostolou Vassilios , Turquand d’Auzay Charles , Chakraborty Nilanjan
Published: December 2020

The minimum ignition energy (MIE) requirements for ensuring successful thermal runaway and self-sustained flame propagation have been analysed for forced ignition of homogeneous stoichiometric biogas-air mixtures for a wide range of initial turbulence intensities and CO2 dilutions using three-dimensional Direct Numerical Simulations under decaying turbulence. The biogas is represented by a CH4 + CO2 mixture and a two-step chemical mechanism involving incomplete oxidation of CH4 to CO and H2O and an equilibrium between the CO oxidation and the CO2 dissociation has been used for simulating biogas-air combustion. It has been found that the MIE increases with increasing CO2 content in the biogas due to the detrimental effect of the CO2 dilution on the burning and heat release rates. The MIE for ensuring self-sustained flame propagation has been found to be greater than the MIE for ensuring only thermal runaway irrespective of its outcome for large root-mean-square (rms) values of turbulent velocity fluctuation, and the MIE values increase with increasing rms turbulent velocity for both cases. It has been found that the MIE values increase more steeply with increasing rms turbulent velocity beyond a critical turbulence intensity than in the case of smaller turbulence intensities. The variations of the normalised MIE (MIE normalised by the value for the quiescent laminar condition) with normalised turbulence intensity for biogas-air mixtures are found to be qualitatively similar to those obtained for the undiluted mixture. However, the critical turbulence intensity has been found to decrease with increasing CO2 dilution. It has been found that the normalised MIE for self-sustained flame propagation increases with increasing rms turbulent velocity following a power-law and the power-law exponent has been found not to vary much with the level of CO2 dilution. This behaviour has been explained using a scaling analysis and flame wrinkling statistics. The stochasticity of the ignition event has been analysed by using different realisations of statistically similar turbulent flow fields for the energy inputs corresponding to the MIE and it has been demonstrated that successful outcomes are obtained in most of the instances, justifying the accuracy of the MIE values identified by this analysis.
Correction to: How will a drier climate change carbon sequestration in soils of the deciduous forests of Central Europe?
Authors: Fekete István , Berki Imre , Lajtha Kate , Trumbore Susan , Francioso Ornella , Gioacchini Paola , Montecchio Daniela , Várbíró Gábor , Béni Áron , Makádi Marianna , Demeter Ibolya , Madarász Balázs , Juhos Katalin , Kotroczó Zsolt
Published: December 2020

The initial online publication contained a typesetting mistake in the author information. The original article has been corrected.
The great multivariate time series classification bake off: a review and experimental evaluation of recent algorithmic advances
Authors: Ruiz Alejandro Pasos , Flynn Michael , Large James , Middlehurst Matthew , Bagnall Anthony
Published: December 2020

Time Series Classification (TSC) involves building predictive models for a discrete target variable from ordered, real valued, attributes. Over recent years, a new set of TSC algorithms have been developed which have made significant improvement over the previous state of the art. The main focus has been on univariate TSC, i.e. the problem where each case has a single series and a class label. In reality, it is more common to encounter multivariate TSC (MTSC) problems where the time series for a single case has multiple dimensions. Despite this, much less consideration has been given to MTSC than the univariate case. The UCR archive has provided a valuable resource for univariate TSC, and the lack of a standard set of test problems may explain why there has been less focus on MTSC. The UEA archive of 30 MTSC problems released in 2018 has made comparison of algorithms easier. We review recently proposed bespoke MTSC algorithms based on deep learning, shapelets and bag of words approaches. If an algorithm cannot naturally handle multivariate data, the simplest approach to adapt a univariate classifier to MTSC is to ensemble it over the multivariate dimensions. We compare the bespoke algorithms to these dimension independent approaches on the 26 of the 30 MTSC archive problems where the data are all of equal length. We demonstrate that four classifiers are significantly more accurate than the benchmark dynamic time warping algorithm and that one of these recently proposed classifiers, ROCKET, achieves significant improvement on the archive datasets in at least an order of magnitude less time than the other three.
Nonlinear interaction between self- and parametrically excited wind-induced vibrations
Authors: Di Nino Simona , Luongo Angelo
Published: December 2020

The aeroelastic behavior of a planar prismatic visco-elastic structure, subject to a turbulent wind, flowing orthogonally to its plane, is studied in the nonlinear field. The steady component of wind is responsible for a Hopf bifurcation occurring at a threshold critical value; the turbulent component, which is assumed to be a small harmonic perturbation of the former, is responsible for parametric excitation. The interaction between the two bifurcations is studied in a three-dimensional parameter space, made of the two wind amplitudes and the frequency of the turbulence. Aeroelastic forces are computed by the quasi-static theory. A one-D.O.F dynamical system, drawn by a Galerkin projection of the continuous model, is adopted. The multiple scale method is applied, to get a two-dimensional bifurcation equation. A linear stability analysis is carried out to determine the loci of periodic and quasi-periodic bifurcations. Limit cycles and tori are computed by exact, asymptotic, and numerical solutions of the bifurcation equations. Numerical results are obtained for a sample structure, and compared with finite-difference solutions of the original partial differential equation of motion.
Generation and robustness of quantum entanglement in spin graphs
Authors: Riegelmeyer Jan , Wignall Dan , Estarellas Marta P. , D’Amico Irene , Spiller Timothy P.
Published: December 2020

Entanglement is a crucial resource for quantum information processing, and so protocols to generate high-fidelity entangled states on various hardware platforms are in demand. While spin chains have been extensively studied to generate entanglement, graph structures also have such potential; however, only a few classes of graphs have been explored for this specific task. In this paper, we apply a particular coupling scheme involving two different coupling strengths to a graph of two interconnected $$3\times 3$$

3
×
3

square graphs such that it effectively contains three defects. We show how this structure allows generation of a Bell state whose fidelity depends on the chosen coupling ratio. We apply partitioned graph theory in order to reduce the dimension of the graph and show that, using a reduced graph or a reduced chain, we can still simulate the same protocol with identical dynamics. Finally, we investigate how fabrication errors affect the entanglement generation protocol and how the different equivalent structures are affected, finding that for some specific coupling ratios they are extremely robust.
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in dialysis patients
Authors: Obremska Marta , Madziarska Katarzyna , Zyśko Dorota , Ładny Jerzy R. , Gałązkowski Robert , Gąsior Mariusz , Nadolny Klaudiusz
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The aim of the study was to assess whether a history of dialysis is related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) attempts and survival to hospital admission in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Methods

The databases of the POL-OHCA registry and of emergency medical calls in the Command Support System of the State of Emergency Medicine (CSS) were searched to identify patients with OHCA and a history of dialysis. A total of 264 dialysis patient with OHCA were found: 126 were dead on arrival of emergency medical services (EMS), and 138 had OHCA with CPR attempts. Data from the POL-OHCA registry for patients with CPR attempts, including age, sex, place of residence, first recorded rhythm, defibrillation during CPR, and priority dispatch codes, were collected and compared between patients with and without dialysis.

Results

CPR attempts by EMS were undertaken in 138 dialyzed patients (52.3%). The analysis of POL-OHCA data revealed no differences in age, sex, place of residence, first recorded rhythm, and priority dispatch codes between patients with and without dialysis. Defibrillation was less frequent in dialysis patients (P = 0.04). A stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed no association between survival to hospital admission and a history of hemodialysis (odds ratio = 1.12; 95% CI 0.74–1.70,P = 0.60).

Conclusions

A history of dialysis in patients with OHCA does not affect the rate of CPR attempts by EMS or a short-term outcome in comparison with patients without dialysis. Defibrillation during CPR is less common in patients on dialysis than in those without.
Correction to: Global Climate Implications for Homelessness: A Scoping Review
Authors: Kidd Sean A. , Greco Susan , McKenzie Kwame
Published: December 2020

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s11524-020-00505-y
Self-Compassion and Instagram Use Is Explained by the Relation to Anxiety, Depression, and Stress
Authors: Keyte Rebecca , Mullis Lauren , Egan Helen , Hussain Misba , Cook Amy , Mantzios Michail
Published: December 2020

Previous research acknowledges that prolonged social media use is associated with several negative psychological consequences, including higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. In order to protect individuals from social stressors, research illustrates the role that self-compassion can play, with individuals high in self-compassion reporting greater emotional wellbeing; hence, proposing self-compassion could be a trait that is positively related to social media use. This research aimed to investigate the relationship between Instagram use and self-compassion, and whether this relationship can be explained through the relation to psychological wellbeing (depression, anxiety, and stress). A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate this relationship amongst young adults (n = 173), utilizing a revised version of The Multidimensional Facebook Intensity Scale to explore Instagram, The Self-Compassion Scale, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Instagram intensity appeared to influence psychological wellbeing, with participants who spent more time on Instagram reporting poorer psychological wellbeing. Whilst higher levels of self-compassion were associated with lower levels of reported depression, anxiety, and stress, the relationship between Instagram intensity and self-compassion was not mediated to the extent as expected by wellbeing. Possible explanations and future directions are discussed as to what could explain the positive relationship between self-compassion and Instagram use.