bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient‐specific deep learning for 3D protoacoustic image reconstruction and dose verification in proton therapy
Authors: Lang Yankun , Jiang Zhuoran , Sun Leshan , Tran Phuoc , Mossahebi Sina , Xiang Liangzhong , Ren Lei
Published: July 2024

Background

Protoacoustic (PA) imaging has the potential to provide real‐time 3D dose verification of proton therapy. However, PA images are susceptible to severe distortion due to limited angle acquisition. Our previous studies showed the potential of using deep learning to enhance PA images. As the model was trained using a limited number of patients' data, its efficacy was limited when applied to individual patients.

Purpose

In this study, we developed a patient‐specific deep learning method for protoacoustic imaging to improve the reconstruction quality of protoacoustic imaging and the accuracy of dose verification for individual patients.

Methods

Our method consists of two stages: in the first stage, a group model is trained from a diverse training set containing all patients, where a novel deep learning network is employed to directly reconstruct the initial pressure maps from the radiofrequency (RF) signals; in the second stage, we apply transfer learning on the pre‐trained group model using patient‐specific dataset derived from a novel data augmentation method to tune it into a patient‐specific model. Raw PA signals were simulated based on computed tomography (CT) images and the pressure map derived from the planned dose. The reconstructed PA images were evaluated against the ground truth by using the root mean squared errors (RMSE), structural similarity index measure (SSIM) and gamma index on 10 specific prostate cancer patients. The significance level was evaluated by t‐test with the p‐value threshold of 0.05 compared with the results from the group model.

Results

The patient‐specific model achieved an average RMSE of 0.014 (), and an average SSIM of 0.981 (), out‐performing the group model. Qualitative results also demonstrated that our patient‐specific approach acquired better imaging quality with more details reconstructed when comparing with the group model. Dose verification achieved an average RMSE of 0.011 (), and an average SSIM of 0.995 (). Gamma index evaluation demonstrated a high agreement (97.4% [] and 97.9% [] for 1%/3  and 1%/5 mm) between the predicted and the ground truth dose maps. Our approach approximately took 6 s to reconstruct PA images for each patient, demonstrating its feasibility for online 3D dose verification for prostate proton therapy.

Conclusions

Our method demonstrated the feasibility of achieving 3D high‐precision PA‐based dose verification using patient‐specific deep‐learning approaches, which can potentially be used to guide the treatment to mitigate the impact of range uncertainty and improve the precision. Further studies are needed to validate the clinical impact of the technique.
Microwave‐Assisted Tragacanth Gum–Based Grafted Silver Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Sustained Release Formulations of Diclofenac Sodium and Antibacterial Assay
Authors: Chapi Sharanappa , Babaladimath Gangadhar , Murugendrappa M. V. , Raghu Anjanapura V.
Published: July 2024

In this work, novel tragacanth gum‐graft‐poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid) (TG‐g‐PAMPS) hydrogel was synthesized via free radical copolymerization of TG, 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid by using ammonium peroxodisulfate and N,N‐methylene‐bis‐acrylamide under microwave radiation, resulting in the cross‐linked graft copolymer network. Silver nanoparticles (SNs) were formed and stabilized by the reduction of silver nitrate using tri‐sodium citrate. The TG‐g‐PAMPS gel and its nanocomposite were characterized and confirmed using FTIR, TGA, XRD, SEM, EDS, and TEM techniques. It is observed that the presence of SNs significantly improves the swelling ability of the TG‐g‐PAMPS gel. Degradation studies of both hydrogels were studied using the soil burial method and determining the respective weight loss. The presence of SNs is found to impart significant antibacterial properties to the gel against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli bacteria. Further, the TG‐g‐PAMPS gel and TG‐g‐PAMPS‐SN were evaluated as matrix materials for the release of the drug (diclofenac sodium) and the effect of SNs on the release was examined. The in‐vitro released data were analyzed using empirical equations to understand the mechanism of release. Among the various models, the released data were well fitted into the Korsmeyer–Peppas equation and the released kinetics followed non‐Fickian diffusion.
Effect of concomitant use of yokukansan on steady‐state blood concentrations of donepezil and risperidone in real‐world clinical practice
Authors: Saruwatari Junji , Kaneko Tetsuya , Murata Tsukasa , Narise Haruka , Kugimoto Sawa , Nishimura Eri , Tetsuka Natsuki , Ando Misaki , Oi Momo , Ota Masako , Hamada Nayumi , Kaneda Keiichiro , Furusho Shiro , Sakamoto Masakatsu , Kajiwara‐Morita Ayami , Oda Kazutaka , Oniki Kentaro , Ueda Keishi , Jono Hirofumi , Yasui‐Furukori Norio
Published: July 2024

Aim

Yokukansan is one of the most frequently used herbal medicines that can improve the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. In this exploratory study, we investigated whether yokukansan affects the steady‐state blood concentrations of donepezil, risperidone, and the major metabolites of both drugs in a real‐world clinical setting.

Methods

A non‐randomized, open‐label, single‐arm study examining drug–drug interactions was conducted. Fifteen dementia patients taking donepezil for at least 4 weeks and eight schizophrenia patients taking risperidone for at least 2 weeks were orally administered 2.5 g of yokukansan three times a day before or between meals, and blood samples were collected before and 8 weeks after starting co‐treatment with yokukansan. Plasma concentrations of donepezil, risperidone, and each metabolite were measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and compared before and after the 8‐week administration of yokukansan.

Results

The plasma concentrations of donepezil and its metabolites (6‐O‐desmethyl‐donepezil, 5‐O‐desmethyl‐donepezil, and donepezil‐N‐oxide), risperidone, and its metabolite paliperidone did not differ before and after the 8‐week treatment with yokukansan.

Conclusions

The findings of this study show that the concomitant use of yokukansan may have little clinical impact on the steady‐state blood levels of donepezil and risperidone in patients with dementia or schizophrenia.
Release of ‘Kikatiti’ a multiple disease resistant pinto bean cultivar with superior productivity in Tanzania identified from evaluation of the Durango Diversity Panel
Authors: Nchimbi‐Msolla Susan , Urrea Carlos A. , Kilango Michael , Soler‐Garzón Alvaro , Porch Timothy G. , Miklas Phillip N.
Published: July 2024

‘Kikatiti’ pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) (Reg. no. CV‐361, PI 705149) was developed by the dry bean breeding program at the University of Nebraska, Agricultural Research Division, and submitted for release in 2021 by the Sokoine University of Agriculture in Morogoro as an upright indeterminate pinto bean with high yield potential and multiple disease resistance across bean production environments in Tanzania. Kikatiti was officially released in 2024 by the National Seed Committee. Kikatiti is an F7:8 derived line developed using the pedigree breeding method in Nebraska. The exceptional performance of Kikatiti in Tanzania was first identified by evaluation of the Durango Diversity Panel (DDP), which consisted of 200 accessions in on‐station trials conducted in Arusha and Mbeya. Kikatiti was identified as accession DDP‐094 (advanced breeding line NE2‐09‐3). Kikatiti yielded 1584 kg ha−1 across 5 years of trials in Tanzania and matured in 89 days. Kikatiti is resistant to bean rust conferred by the Ur‐3 and Ur‐11 genes, resistant to all strains of Bean common mosaic virus and Bean common mosaic necrosis virus conferred by the I and bc‐3 genes, moderately resistant to common bacterial blight conferred by the SAP6 quantitative trait locus, avoids white mold disease due to its upright architecture, and is moderately susceptible to angular leaf spot disease. Kikatiti has large seed size (35.9 g 100 seeds−1), and in on‐farm trials, farmers ranked Kikatiti above local pinto cultivars for its performance and market potential. Kikatiti has the potential to expand pinto bean production across East Africa.
Magnetized AdS/BCFT Correspondence in Horndeski Gravity
Authors: Santos Fabiano F. , Bravo‐Gaete Moisés , Ferreira Manoel M. , Casana Rodolfo
Published: July 2024

This work examines the thermodynamics and hydrodynamics behaviors of a five‐dimensional black hole under the influence of an external magnetic field. The solution is the gravity dual to the Anti‐de Sitter/Boundary Conformal Field Theory correspondence, enabling the study of properties within an anisotropic fluid framework. Utilizing holographic renormalization, the free energy and the holographic stress tensor residing on the boundary denoted as are computed. Within the fluid/gravity correspondence framework, authors have a class of boundary extensions in , where the stress‐energy tensor describes a magnetizing conformal fluid. The characteristics of this special solution as well as its thermodynamic properties, including the bulk and shear viscosity, the square of the speed of sound, as well as the anisotropic effects induced by the magnetic field in the magnetized conformal plasma are discussed.
Stay, leave late, leave early, return, or move onward? Interprovincial migration decisions of older adults in China, 2000–2005 and 2010–2015
Authors: Huang Cuiying , Liu Ye , Pan Zehan
Published: July 2024

Existing studies on the migration of older adults in China have tended to treat older migration as a one‐off activity and have failed to investigate the multiple processes involved. Based on the microdata samples of the 1% national population sample surveys in 2005 and 2015, this study examines the effect of regional and personal attributes on older adults' two‐phase migration decisions. In the first phase, older adults decide whether to leave the province of household registration, while in the second phase, they decide to stay in the same province, return to the province of household registration, or move onward to a new province. In the first phase of migration, older adults' decisions were affected by several regional amenities, including medical services, public green areas, air pollution, and temperature differences. In the second phase of migration, older adults who had decided to remain in the first phase tended to leave provinces with a lower cost of living, fewer public green areas, and more extreme temperature differences. Older adults who, in the first phase, had moved to a new province with fewer medical services, more severe air pollution, and larger temperature differences were more likely to return to their province of household registration in the second phase in 2000‐2005, while those residing in provinces with more extreme temperature differences tended to move onward to a new province in 2010‐2015. This study enhances our understanding of the heterogeneity of older migration in China by disentangling the complexity of multiple migration processes.
Device and Noise Performances of AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors with Various GaN Channel Layers Grown on AlN Buffer Layer
Authors: Im Ki‐Sik , Kim Minho , Nam Okhyun
Published: July 2024

AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with different GaN channel layers grown on AlN buffer layer are fabricated and investigated in order to optimize the device performances and to study the noise properties. To investigate the strain effect of the GaN channel layer grown on the AlN buffer layer, the positive shift of Raman peak is observed as the GaN channel becomes thinner. The threshold voltages (Vth) of the fabricated devices shift to positive direction according to the decreased GaN channel layer due to the decreased 2‐dimensional electron gas (2DEG) and deteriorated crystal quality of GaN channel layer. All devices demonstrated 1/f noise properties and the dominance of the carrier number fluctuations (CNF) noise mechanism. The largest trap density (Nt) value in the narrowest GaN channel device is because of the degraded crystal quality and the enhanced strain effect of the GaN channel layer. However, the lowest noise levels at the drain current (Id) > 10−6 A for the device with the GaN channel thickness of 30 nm grown on AlN buffer layer are observed to be due to the fully depleted GaN channel layer although its poor crystal quality.
Quadratic Speed‐ups in Quantum Kernelized Binary Classification
Authors: Lee Jungyun , Park Daniel K.
Published: July 2024

Classification is at the core of data‐driven prediction and decision‐making, representing a fundamental task in supervised machine learning. Recently, several quantum machine learning algorithms that use quantum kernels as a measure of similarities between data have emerged to perform binary classification on datasets encoded as quantum states. The potential advantages of quantum kernels arise from the ability of quantum computers to construct kernels that are more effective than their classical counterparts in capturing patterns in data or computing kernels more efficiently. However, existing quantum kernel‐based classification algorithms do not harness the capability of having data samples in quantum superposition for additional enhancements. This work demonstrates how such capability can be leveraged in quantum kernelized binary classifiers (QKCs) through Quantum Amplitude Estimation (QAE) for quadratic speed‐up. Additionally, new quantum circuits are proposed for the QKCs in which the number of qubits is reduced by one, and the circuit depth is reduced linearly with respect to the number of sample data. The quadratic speed‐up over previous methods is verified through numerical simulations on the Iris dataset.
Treatment with low‐dose nintedanib and tacrolimus in patients with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases with anti‐ARS antibody‐positive dermatomyositis
Authors: Kawaguchi Takeshi , Matsuda Motohiro , Umekita Kunihiko , Miyazaki Taiga
Published: July 2024

Nintedanib has been demonstrated to inhibit the rate of forced vital capacity decline in patients with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (PF‐ILD) at a dose of 200 or 300 mg/day in the INBUILD trial. Although concomitant use of nintedanib with P‐glycoprotein inhibitors reportedly increases the plasma concentrations of the former, tacrolimus, a P‐glycoprotein inhibitor, is often used to treat connective tissue diseases‐related interstitial lung diseases. The optimal dose of nintedanib in combination with tacrolimus for the treatment of PF‐ILD with connective tissue disease is unknown. We herein present two patients with PF‐ILD with anti‐aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetase antibody‐positive dermatomyositis who were successfully treated with low‐dose nintedanib (<200 mg/day) in combination with tacrolimus.
A rare case of a huge malignant pleural mesothelioma presenting in the posterior mediastinum
Authors: Mori Yuta , Kato Chihiro , Yamakawa Hideo , Sugiura Mariko , Fukumitsu Kensuke , Fukuda Satoshi , Kanemitsu Yoshihiro , Uemura Takehiro , Tajiri Tomoko , Ohkubo Hirotsugu , Ito Yutaka , Oguri Tetsuya , Murase Takayuki , Niimi Akio
Published: July 2024

We report a case of a 69‐year‐old woman with pleural mesothelioma presenting in the posterior mediastinum with a maximum diameter of 25 cm. She had a chronic cough and a pleural effusion was noted on chest X‐ray. The examination of the effusion showed high hyaluronic acid levels, and mesothelioma was suspected. A chest computed tomography scan showed a huge mediastinal mass, which caused rapid progression of respiratory failure and compression of the heart. Sufficient tissue samples could not be obtained before death. The patient died approximately 1 month after the initial visit, and a pathological autopsy was performed. The diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma was made. Malignant pleural mesothelioma with a huge posterior mediastinal mass such as in this case is considerably rare; however, it is a rapidly progressing form of the disease and is reported here as an important differential diagnosis for mediastinal tumours.
Uncertainty‐aware LiDAR‐based localization for outdoor mobile robots
Authors: Park Geonhyeok , Chung Woojin
Published: July 2024

Accurate and robust localization is essential for autonomous mobile robots. Map matching based on Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors has been widely adopted to estimate the global location of robots. However, map‐matching performance can be degraded when the environment changes or when sufficient features are unavailable. Indiscriminately incorporating inaccurate map‐matching poses for localization can significantly decrease the reliability of pose estimation. This paper aims to develop a robust LiDAR‐based localization method based on map matching. We focus on determining appropriate weights that are computed from the uncertainty of map‐matching poses. The uncertainty of map‐matching poses is estimated by the probability distribution over the poses. We exploit the normal distribution transform map to derive the probability distribution. A factor graph is employed to combine the map‐matching pose, LiDAR‐inertial odometry, and global navigation satellite system information. Experimental verification was successfully conducted outdoors on the university campus in three different scenarios, each involving changing or dynamic environments. We compared the performance of the proposed method with three LiDAR‐based localization methods. The experimental results show that robust localization performances can be achieved even when map‐matching poses are inaccurate in various outdoor environments. The experimental video can be found at https://youtu.be/L6p8gwxn4ak.
Public enemies? The differential effects of reputation and celebrity on corporate misconduct scandalization
Authors: Han Jung‐Hoon , Pollock Timothy G. , Paruchuri Srikanth
Published: July 2024

Research Summary

We explore misconduct scandalization's antecedents by focusing on the rational and emotional bases underlying reputation and celebrity, and considering how they can enhance or reduce the likelihood misconduct is scandalized as a function of the misconduct's objective and perceived severity. Specifically, we argue the quantifiable nature of objective misconduct severity enhances reputation's rational influence, but attenuates celebrity's emotion‐based appeal. Conversely, perceived misconduct severity reduces reputation's influence, while enhancing the media‐driven interest in celebrity firms' behaviors. Our findings based on corporate data breaches confirm that objective severity amplifies reputation's effect and attenuates celebrity's effect, while perceived severity amplifies celebrity's effect and attenuates reputation's effect. Our findings highlight the importance of social evaluations' sociocognitive content in understanding why only some misconduct becomes scandalized.

Managerial Summary

Committing misconduct is costly; having it scandalized is devastating. Yet little is known about how social evaluations influence why only some firms' misconduct is scandalized, beyond the vague notion that prominent firms' misconduct attracts media attention. We find that the rational and emotional bases of firms' evaluations matter. High reputation, based on the rational assessment of firms' capabilities, increases the likelihood of scandalization for objectively severe misconduct, and the influence of celebrity—originating from audiences' emotional resonance with firms' unconventional traits and behaviors—weakens as objective severity increases. Conversely, reputation's influence weakens, and celebrity's influence strengthens, as media “availability cascades” grow and increase perceived severity. In addition to providing a more realistic portrayal of media behavior, we offer insights into post‐misconduct communications and remedial actions.
Nonlinear wave propagation in homogenized strain gradient 1D and 2D lattice materials: Applications to hexagonal and triangular networks
Authors: Wazne Abdallah , Reda Hilal , Ganghoffer Jean‐François , Lakiss Hassan
Published: July 2024

This work aims to analyze the propagation of fully nonlinear waves, encompassing shear, extension, and bending deformation modes, within homogenized periodic nonlinear hexagonal and triangular networks, successively considering 1D and 2D situations. The wave analysis is conducted from the expression of the effective strain energy density of periodic hexagonal and triangular lattices in the nonlinear regime by a continualization of the discrete lattice equations, considering all forms of energy. We incorporate strain gradient effects into the continuous model to account for the wave‐dispersive nature. The resulting second‐gradient nonlinear continuum exhibits subsonic and supersonic propagation modes. We first examine in a 1D situation the dynamical response of the hexagonal and triangular lattices, considering varying levels of nonlinearity quantified by a single scalar valued parameter. We further evaluate the impact of a fully nonlinear analysis compared to an analysis solely based on the shear energy, regarding both supersonic and subsonic modes. The nonlinear wave propagation analysis is then extended to a 2D situation for the same two lattices. It is shown that the longitudinal mode exhibits a higher frequency at a low degree of nonlinearity; however, as the degree of nonlinearity increases, the shear mode surpasses the longitudinal mode in terms of frequency. As the wavenumber increases, the nonlinearity has a lesser impact on the frequency behavior, and the phase velocity is more influenced by other factors, such as the second gradient contributions of the effective constitutive law. Such a behavior indicates a transition from a highly nonlinear behavior at lower wave numbers to a more linear behavior at higher wave numbers.
Indonesia: How Effective Is Direct Storytelling in Enhancing Entrepreneurial Motivation for Visually Impaired People? An Experimental Study
Authors: Aldianto Leo , Anggadwita Grisna
Published: July 2024

People with visual impairment have limitations in carrying out socioeconomic activities. The entrepreneurial initiative is an attempt to encourage the active participation of visually impaired people in improving their socioeconomic status. Managing motivation is essential for increasing the self-confidence and potential of people with visual impairments. Storytelling is a method that is considered capable of providing cognitive stimulation to visually impaired persons to generate entrepreneurial motivation. Thus, this study aims to identify the effectiveness of the storytelling method in increasing the entrepreneurial motivation of visually impaired people. This study used a quasi-experimental design by comparing treatment and control groups. Statistical analysis was performed to test the results of the pre- and post-tests. This study was conducted at a social institution in Indonesia for the visually impaired. The results of this study show that direct storytelling is an effective method for increasing entrepreneurial motivation in people with visual impairments. Statistical tests showed a difference between the experimental and control groups after the storytelling intervention, significantly increasing entrepreneurial motivation. This study provides new insights into entrepreneurship by using a storytelling method. This study also presents policy implications for developing empowerment models for persons with disabilities, particularly the entrepreneurial approach for visually impaired people.
Calculation and Selection of Motor Parameters in Automation System
Authors: Yao Fulai , Yao Yaming
Published: July 2024

Motors are the most important executive components in electrical automation equipment, including AC motors, DC motors, AC servo motors, DC servo motors, stepping motors, etc. In the design of the automation system, the selection of the motor is a frequently encountered problem. You need to calculate the parameters of the required motor. Novices often do not know where to start. Below we give a simple calculation and selection method.
Efficiency Optimization of Power Stations with Different Generating Units
Authors: Yao Fulai , Yao Yaming
Published: July 2024

There are many power stations in the world with different generators. These include thermal power stations, hydropower stations, etc. They convert the energy of raw materials into electrical energy. In these power stations, with the same input of raw materials, there is maximum power generation. To achieve the maximum, we should decide how many generators to use and how many tasks should be assigned to each generator.
Classical Kerr-Schild double copy in bigravity for maximally symmetric spacetimes
Authors: García-Compeán H. , Ramos C.
Published: July 2024

Abstract

A generalized Kerr-Schild ansatz for bigravity, already considered in the literature, which leads to linear interactions between the metrics is used to study the bigravity equations in the context of the double copy. By contracting the resulting spin-2 field bigravity equations of motion using Killing vector fields, as is usually carried out in general relativity, we arrive to the single and zeroth copy equations for the mentioned ansatz. For the case of stationary solutions, we obtain two Maxwell and two conformally coupled scalar field equations for the single and zeroth copies respectively, and the linear interactions are absent. In the time-dependent case we obtain equations for the fields which are coupled. By decoupling these equations and at the zeroth copy level, we recover a massless and a massive field whose mass is proportional to the Fierz-Pauli mass and depends on the coefficients of the interaction potential between the metrics. This has been also previously documented in the literature and is now reinterpreted within the context of the double copy proposal.
Rechtsprechung zu toxikologischen Schwellenwerten
Authors: Sproll Constanze , Walch Stephan G. , Lachenmeier Dirk W.
Published: July 2024

Toxikologische Schwellenwerte wie die duldbare tägliche Aufnahmemenge (Acceptable Daily Intake, ADI), die akute Referenzdosis (ARfD) und die niedrigste Dosis mit beobachteter schädlicher Wirkung (Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level, LOAEL) sind entscheidend für die Bewertung der Sicherheit von Lebensmitteln. Sie berücksichtigen potenzielle Risiken durch Kurz- und Langzeitexposition gegenüber bestimmten Inhaltsstoffen und Kontaminanten in Lebensmitteln. Dieser Artikel erläutert die Bedeutung und Verwendung dieser Schwellenwerte im Sachverständigengutachten und deren aktuelle Beurteilung in der Rechtsprechung, die zwischen Verbraucherinteressen und wirtschaftlichen Interessen von Lebensmittelbetrieben abwägen muss.
Semi-classical Pseudo-differential Operators on $$\hbar \mathbb {Z}^n$$ and Applications
Authors: Botchway Linda N. A. , Chatzakou Marianna , Ruzhansky Michael
Published: July 2024

In this paper we consider the semiclassical version of pseudo-differential operators on the lattice space $$\hbar {{\mathbb {Z}}^{n}}$$

ħ

Z

n

. The current work is an extension of the previous work (Botchway et al. in J Funct Anal 278(11):108473, 33, 2020) and agrees with it in the limit of the parameter $$\hbar \rightarrow 1$$

ħ
→
1

. The various representations of the operators will be studied as well as the composition, transpose, adjoint and the link between ellipticity and parametrix of operators. We also give the conditions for the $$\ell ^p$$

ℓ
p

, weighted $$\ell ^2$$

ℓ
2

boundedness and $$\ell ^p$$

ℓ
p

compactness of operators. We investigate the relation between the classical and semi-classical quantization in the spirit of Ruzhansky and Turunen (Pseudo-differential operators and symmetries. Pseudo-differential operators, vol 2. Theory and Applications, Birkhäuser, Basel, 2010; J Fourier Anal Appl 16(6):943–982, 2010) RTspsJFAA and employ its applications to Schatten–von Neumann classes on $$\ell ^2( \hbar \mathbb {Z}^n)$$

ℓ
2

(
ħ

Z

n

)

. We establish Gårding and sharp Gårding inequalities, with an application to the well-posedness of parabolic equations on the lattice $$\hbar \mathbb {Z}^n$$

ħ

Z

n

. Finally we verify that in the limiting case where $$\hbar \rightarrow 0$$

ħ
→
0

the semi-classical calculus of pseudo-differential operators recovers the classical Euclidean calculus, but with a twist.
Quantitative flow ratio or angiography for the assessment of non-culprit lesions in acute coronary syndromes, a randomized trial
Authors: Ullrich-Daub Helen , Olschewski Maximilian , Schnorbus Boris , Belhadj Khelifa-Anis , Köhler Till , Vosseler Markus , Münzel Thomas , Gori Tommaso
Published: July 2024

Background

Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndromes often have multivessel disease (MVD). Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is an angiography-based technology that may help quantify the functional significance of non-culprit lesions, with the advantage that measurements are possible also once the patient is discharged from the catheterization laboratory.

Aim

Our two-center, randomized superiority trial aimed to test whether QFR, as compared to angiography, modifies the rate of non-culprit lesion interventions (primary functional endpoint) and improves the outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndromes and MVD (primary clinical endpoint).

Methods

In total, 202 consecutive patients (64 [56–71] years of age, 160 men) with STEMI (n = 69 (34%)), NSTEMI (n = 94 (47%)), or unstable angina (n = 39 (19%)) and MVD who had undergone successful treatment of all culprit lesions were randomized 1:1 to angiography- vs. QFR-guided delayed revascularization of 246 non-culprit stenoses (1.2/patient).

Results

The proportion of patients assigned to percutaneous intervention was not different between groups (angiography group: 45 (45%) vs. QFR: 56 (55%), P = 0.125; relative risk = 0.80 (0.60–1.06)). At 12 months, a primary clinical endpoint event (composite of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, revascularization, and significant angina) occurred in 24 patients (angiography-guided) and 23 patients (QFR-guided; P = 0.637, HR = 1.16 [0.63–2.15]). None of its components was different between groups.

Discussion

QFR guidance based on analysis of images from the primary intervention was not associated with a difference in the rate of non-culprit lesion staged revascularization nor in the 12-month incidence of clinical events in patients with acute coronary syndromes and multivessel disease.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04808310).

Graphical abstract
Postoperative hip bracing reduces kinesiophobia in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy: a randomized-controlled trial
Authors: Fischer Maximilian , Nonnenmacher Lars , Sobau Christian , Zimmerer Alexander
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Detailed postoperative rehabilitation protocols after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) are still a matter of debate. Adjunctive hip bracing represents a promising tool to improve early patients’ mobilization. To present, the effect of hip brace therapy on postoperative functional outcomes and specific patient individual psychologic factors remains controversially discussed. Consequently, we aimed to report postoperative outcomes focusing on hip function, pain and kinesiophobia between braced and unbraced patients.

Materials and methods

A prospective, randomized-controlled trial was conducted, including patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for FAIS. After exclusion, a final study cohort of 36 patients in the intervention group (postoperative hip brace) and 36 patients in the control group (no hip brace) were compared for kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia), pain (Visual analog scale) and joint function (International Hip Outcome Tool-12) within the first six postoperative months.

Results

Hip arthroscopy significantly improved all patient-reported outcomes in both groups. Intergroup analysis revealed significantly lower levels of kinesiophobia in braced patients at 6-months follow up (30.7 vs. 34.1, p = 0.04) while not negatively affecting pain and joint function. No intra- and postoperative complications occurred within both groups.

Conclusions

This study could demonstrate that bracing after hip arthroscopy can positively influence kinesiophobia, while the brace did not negatively impact postoperative pain and quality of life. Thus, hip bracing could be a viable assistive therapy in the postoperative rehabilitation phase after hip arthroscopy.
Establishing minimal clinically important differences and patient acceptable symptom state thresholds following birmingham hip resurfacing
Authors: Pasqualini Ignacio , Huffman Nickelas , Emara Ahmed K. , Klika Alison K. , McLaughlin John P. , Mesko Nathan , Brooks Peter J. , Piuzzi Nicolas S.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) has emerged as a compelling and innovative alternative to total hip arthroplasty (THA), especially among young, active patients. However, the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) and the Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) thresholds have not yet been determined for patients undergoing BHR. Therefore, the current study aimed to (1) determine the MCID and PASS thresholds for both the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS)-Pain and HOOS physical function shortform (PS), for patients who underwent BHR; and (2) identify factors influencing the achievement of MCID and PASS for HOOS-Pain and HOOS-PS.

Methods

Prospectively collected data from patients undergoing BHR was analyzed. Patients with osteoarthritis and completed preoperative and 1-year postoperative PROMs were included. Distribution-based and anchored-based approaches were used to estimate MCID and PASS, respectively. The optimal cut-off point for PASS thresholds was calculated using the Youden index.

Results

MCID for HOOS-Pain and PS were calculated to be 9.2 and 9.3, respectively. The PASS threshold for HOOS-Pain and PS were ≥ 77.7 and ≥ 87.3, respectively. The current study identified several factors affecting postoperative achievement of thresholds. Baseline Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores were a predictor for achieving MCID for postoperative HOOS-Pain, achieving MCID for postoperative HOOS-PS, achieving PASS for postoperative HOOS-Pain, and achieving PASS for postoperative HOOS-PS. Furthermore, baseline HOOS-Pain was a significant predictor for achieving MCID for postoperative HOOS-PS, achieving PASS for postoperative HOOS-Pain, and achieving PASS for postoperative HOOS-PS.

Conclusions

MCID and PASS thresholds were established for HOOS-Pain and PS domains following BHR with most patients achieving these clinically meaningful benchmarks. Additionally, several factors affecting achievement of MCID and PASS were identified, including modifiable risk factors that may allow clinicians to implement optimization strategies and further improve outcomes.
The impact of virtual and augmented reality on presence, user experience and performance of Information Visualisation
Authors: Gronowski Ashlee , Arness David Caelum , Ng Jing , Qu Zhonglin , Lau Chng Wei , Catchpoole Daniel , Nguyen Quang Vinh
Published: July 2024

The fast growth of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) head-mounted displays provides a new medium for interactive visualisations and visual analytics. Presence is the experience of consciousness within extended reality, and it has the potential to increase task performance. This project studies the impact that a sense of presence has on data visualisation performance and user experience under AR and VR conditions. A within-subjects design recruited 38 participants to complete interactive visualisation tasks within the novel immersive data analytics system for genomic data in AR and VR, and measured speed, accuracy, preference, presence, and user satisfaction. Open-ended user experience responses were also collected. The results implied that VR was more conducive to efficiency, effectiveness, and user experience as well as offering insight into possible cognitive load benefits for VR users.
Climate change and Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) in North America: modelling possible changes in range with different climate scenarios and interspecific interactions
Authors: Bommersbach Cassandra K. , Grenier Gabrielle , Gendron Haley , Harris Les N. , Janjua M. Yamin , Mandrak Nicholas E. , Tallman Ross F.
Published: July 2024

One of the greatest challenges for researchers today is understanding climate-change impacts on fish populations, particularly in vulnerable and understudied ecosystems such as the Canadian Arctic. Among other impacts, northern fishes will undergo thermal stress as atmospheric and sea surface temperatures are projected to rise globally. Models that consider how both environmental factors such as temperature and potential species interactions will impact population extirpation and species’ range contraction can help project the future distribution of a species in the face of a warming climate. Here, we investigate the climate-change impacts of rising temperatures and the potential northward distributional shift of brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) on Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus), Canada’s northernmost freshwater fish species. Specifically, we used a logistic regression model to establish baseline relationships between the current distribution of Arctic charr and the variables, degree-days (a key climate variable), geographical location, and brook charr occurrence. We developed the model applying the expected changes in degree-days to 2050 (25–50% increase from the average of 1976–2005) and 2080 (50–100% increase) while incorporating the historical distribution of Arctic charr to estimate the change in Arctic charr distribution over that time. We found that growing degree-days, longitude, latitude, and brook charr occurrences correctly classified 93% of Arctic charr historical occurrences in Canada. We estimate that in a high-carbon scenario, where degree-days are expected to increase by 50 to 100%, Arctic charr range is projected to decrease by 18% in Canada by 2051–2080 and decrease even further by 3% with the presence of brook charr. The Canadian high Arctic may provide refuge for Arctic charr, likely maintaining temperatures optimal for species persistence. Regardless, management that considers the climate stresses on Arctic charr populations will be important to preserve this highly valued resource that is pivotal for food security and traditional ways of life for northerners.
Symplectic Quantization III: Non-relativistic Limit
Authors: Gradenigo Giacomo , Livi Roberto , Salasnich Luca
Published: July 2024

First of all we shortly illustrate how the symplectic quantization scheme (Gradenigo and Livi, Found Phys 51(3):66, 2021) can be applied to a relativistic field theory with self-interaction. Taking inspiration from the stochastic quantization method by Parisi and Wu, this procedure is based on considering explicitly the role of an intrinsic time variable, associated with quantum fluctuations. The major part of this paper is devoted to showing how the symplectic quantization scheme can be extended to the non-relativistic limit for a Schrödinger-like field. Then we also discuss how one can obtain from this non-relativistic theory a linear Schrödinger equation for the single-particle wavefunction. This further passage is based on a suitable coarse-graining procedure, when self-interaction terms can be neglected, with respect to interactions with any external field. In the Appendix we complete our survey on symplectic quantization by discussing how this scheme applies to a non-relativistic particle under the action of a generic external potential.
Deep Model-Based Reinforcement Learning for Predictive Control of Robotic Systems with Dense and Sparse Rewards
Authors: Antonyshyn Luka , Givigi Sidney
Published: July 2024

Sparse rewards and sample efficiency are open areas of research in the field of reinforcement learning. These problems are especially important when considering applications of reinforcement learning to robotics and other cyber-physical systems. This is so because in these domains many tasks are goal-based and naturally expressed with binary successes and failures, action spaces are large and continuous, and real interactions with the environment are limited. In this work, we propose Deep Value-and-Predictive-Model Control (DVPMC), a model-based predictive reinforcement learning algorithm for continuous control that uses system identification, value function approximation and sampling-based optimization to select actions. The algorithm is evaluated on a dense reward and a sparse reward task. We show that it can match the performance of a predictive control approach to the dense reward problem, and outperforms model-free and model-based learning algorithms on the sparse reward task on the metrics of sample efficiency and performance. We verify the performance of an agent trained in simulation using DVPMC on a real robot playing the reach-avoid game. Video of the experiment can be found here: https://youtu.be/0Q274kcfn4c.
Death associated protein like 1 acts as a novel tumor suppressor in melanoma by increasing the stability of P21 protein
Authors: Liu Xiaoyan , Hu Xiaojuan , Jing Meiyu , Huang Lijin , You Yaqi , Zhang Yaru , Li Ke , Tu Yunhai , Liu Youjia , Chen Xiaogang , Su Jianzhong , Hejtmancik J. Fielding , Hou Ling , Ma Xiaoyin
Published: July 2024

Melanoma is a primary malignant tumor with high lethality, which occurs in the skin and eye tissues, while the molecular mechanisms of melanomagenesis remain largely unknown. Here, we show that death-associated protein-like 1 (DAPL1) expression is lower in melanoma tissues than in paracancerous tissues or nevus tissues, and Uveal melanoma patients with lower DAPL1 expression have a poorer survival rate than those with higher expression of DAPL1. Overexpression of DAPL1 inhibits proliferation of cultured melanoma cells, whereas knockdown of DAPL1 increases cell proliferation. Tumor transplantation experiment results also demonstrate that DAPL1 inhibits tumorigenesis of melanoma cells both in subretinal and subcutaneous tissues of nude mice in vivo. Finally, DAPL1 inhibits proliferation of melanoma cells by increasing the protein level of P21 via decreasing the ubiquitin mediated degradation of P21 and promoting its stability. Conversely, knockdown of P21 neutralizes the effects of inhibition of DAPL1 on melanoma cell proliferation and enhances the severity of melanoma tumorigenesis. These results suggest that DAPL1 is a novel melanoma tumor suppressor gene and thus a potential therapeutic target for melanoma.
A model for identifying potentially inappropriate medication used in older people with dementia: a machine learning study
Authors: Hu Qiaozhi , Zhao Mengnan , Teng Fei , Lin Gongchao , Jin Zhaohui , Xu Ting
Published: July 2024

Background

Older adults with dementia often face the risk of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use. The quality of PIM evaluation is hindered by researchers' unfamiliarity with evaluation criteria for inappropriate drug use. While traditional machine learning algorithms can enhance evaluation quality, they struggle with the multilabel nature of prescription data.

Aim

This study aimed to combine six machine learning algorithms and three multilabel classification models to identify correlations in prescription information and develop an optimal model to identify PIMs in older adults with dementia.

Method

This study was conducted from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020. We used cluster sampling to obtain prescription data from patients 65 years and older with dementia. We assessed PIMs using the 2019 Beers criteria, the most authoritative and widely recognized standard for PIM detection. Our modeling process used three problem transformation methods (binary relevance, label powerset, and classifier chain) and six classification algorithms.

Results

We identified 18,338 older dementia patients and 36 PIMs types. The classifier chain + categorical boosting (CatBoost) model demonstrated superior performance, with the highest accuracy (97.93%), precision (95.39%), recall (94.07%), F1 score (95.69%), and subset accuracy values (97.41%), along with the lowest Hamming loss value (0.0011) and an acceptable duration of the operation (371s).

Conclusion

This research introduces a pioneering CC + CatBoost warning model for PIMs in older dementia patients, utilizing machine-learning techniques. This model enables a quick and precise identification of PIMs, simplifying the manual evaluation process.
Leader-in-Extremis: Neil Armstrong in der Filmbiographie „Aufbruch zum Mond“ – ein Fallbeispiel für Führung bei Gefahr für „Leib und Leben“
Authors: West-Leuer Beate
Published: July 2024

Leadership-in-Extremis bedeutet Führung bei Gefahr für „Leib und Leben“. Dies gilt auch für die bemannte Raumfahrt, was in Chazelles Filmbiographie „Aufbruch zum Mond“ (2018) anschaulich dokumentiert wird. Die Wiederaufnahme des Mondlandungsprogramms durch die NASA ist für die Autorin Anlass, die Merkmale von Führung in Extremsituationen zu untersuchen und zu Neil Armstrongs Führungsstil im Apolloprojekt in Beziehung zu setzen. Abschließende Reflexionen gelten der Notwendigkeit interventionstechnischer Anpassungen im Coaching von Führungskräften in Extremsituationen. Aufgrund nationaler und internationaler Eskalationen von gewaltsamen und kriegerischen Konflikten können primär- bis tertiärpräventive Coachingangebote sinnvoll sein.
Modelling the influence of tool wear on shape errors in milling using a hybrid soft-sensor
Authors: Denkena Berend , Wichmann Marcel , Rokicki Markus , Stürenburg Lukas
Published: July 2024

The wear of cutting tools during milling processes not only constrains the volume of material that can be removed by a tool but also results in a progressive deterioration of the quality of the workpiece. Although there are established methodologies for predicting tool wear, there is a paucity of knowledge regarding the impact of tool wear on shape error. The authors present a data-driven soft sensor to model the effect of tool wear on shape error, obviating the need for direct tool wear measurement. To evaluate this approach, a milling experiment was conducted, wherein process forces, spindle current, and resulting shape error were measured. Furthermore, a geometrical cutting simulation was conducted in order to obtain cutting conditions, including the volume of material removed. This study examines the contribution of these features to the prediction performance of the proposed soft sensor. Additionally, the transferability from models trained on different tools is investigated to ascertain the impact of tool wear variance on prediction performance. Prediction experiments demonstrate that a soft-sensor based on a combination of simulation and process monitoring data enables a model trained on data from multiple milling tools to account for wear and predict shape error well under varying wear scenarios. The approach presented here has been demonstrated to result in a reduction of the prediction error of up to 60% compared to an average baseline prediction.