bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A survey on analysis and detection of Android ransomware
Authors: Sharma Shweta , Kumar Rakesh , Rama Krishna C.
Published: March 2021

Smart‐phones have become a necessity for users due to their abundance of services such as global positioning system, Wi‐Fi, voice/video calls, SMS, camera, and so forth. It contains personal information of users including photos, documents, messages, and videos. Android‐based smart‐phones enriched with many applications (commonly known as apps) fascinates users to use this ubiquitous technology up to a full extent. With open architecture and 73% of market share, Android is the most popular mobile operating system (OS) among developers. At the same time, the increasing popularity of Android OS woos attackers or cyber‐criminals to exploit its vulnerabilities. The attackers write malicious code to harm the device and grab users' sensitive information. For example, ransomware (a form of malware) demands ransom from victims to liberate the ceased material for illegal financial gain. The existing survey papers cover the analysis and detection of generic Android malware. The focus of this survey paper is to present an in‐depth threat scenario of Android ransomware. This article not only provides a comprehensive survey on analysis and detection methods for Android ransomware since its beginning (2015) till date (2020); but also presents observations and suggestions for researchers and practitioners to carry out further research.
Covalent Cross‐Linking of Metal‐Organic Cages: Formation of an Amorphous Cationic Porous Extended Framework for the Uptake of Oxo‐Anions from Water
Authors: Deng Shu‐Qi , Li Dian‐Mei , Mo Xiao‐Jing , Miao Yi‐Ling , Cai Song‐Liang , Fan Jun , Zhang Wei‐Guang , Zheng Sheng‐Run
Published: March 2021

Invited for this month's cover are the collaborating groups of Sheng‐Run Zheng and Wei‐Guang Zhang from South China Normal University, China. The cover picture shows an amorphous cationic porous metal‐organic material that constructed from the covalent linking of large cationic metal‐organic cage for the removal of toxic oxo‐anions from water with high capacities and rapid kinetics. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/cplu.202000570.
Rational Functionalization Towards Redox‐Active TEMPO Stable Free‐Radical‐Hydrochar Composites
Authors: Patrinoiu Greta , Calderon‐Moreno Jose M. , Somacescu Simona , Musuc Adina M. , Spataru Tanta , Ionita Petre , Carp Oana
Published: March 2021

Although both stable free organic radicals and biomass‐derived hydrochars have emerged as appealing, green, multifunctional materials, their association has not been explored. In this study, strength is found to lie in their union, which primarily leads to stable redox‐active free‐radical‐hydrochar composites that can generate unexpected opportunities for the development of advanced metal‐free sustainable materials. The composites are obtained by a straightforward green one‐pot hydrothermal procedure. The loading of stable free radicals of nitroxide type and their localization is engineered by the nature of the carbohydrate and the reaction status; vigorous reaction parameters promote faster nucleation and growth kinetics of the hydrochar products, leading to a covalent immobilization of redox species on the surface of the carbonaceous microspherical aggregates. The nitroxide free‐radical‐hydrochar materials demonstrate enhancements in terms of both electrocatalytic activity and capacitive features.
Impact analysis of electric vehicle charging station integration with distributed generators on power systems
Authors: Aggarwal Surbhi , Singh Amit Kumar
Published: March 2021

In the modern era, the transportation sector is undergoing a revolution in which low‐carbon, green transportation, and sustainable development are the primary goals. The successful deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) in the transportation sector depends on fast charging station, charging process, autonomy, and EVs on‐road price. This paper focuses on the installation of a fast charging station, a case study of IEEE 24‐bus test system. The paper presents siting of charging stations with different power ratings of 5, 25, 50, and 100 MW onto the load bus lines in a different test case system keeping in mind the violation of voltage magnitude limit (0.95 < V < 1.05) and line ratings. Four different test cases have been analyzed using Newton–Raphson (NR) method for the integration of charging stations.The random charging of EVs results in power fluctuations at the grid side, power quality issues, and equipment loss of life. Distributed generators (DGs) are an effective way to improve the quality of energy services. Proper siting and sizing of DGs are done, taking into account four different test cases with pre‐installed charging stations to overcome the network's losses and maintain the system's stability.
EPPAS: Energy‐efficient privacy‐preserving and physically secure mutual authentication scheme for secure communication in smart grid systems
Authors: Subramani Jegadeesan , Muneeswaran Dhamodaran , Maria Azees , Arunachalam Murugan , Neelagandan Ramesh Babu
Published: March 2021

Electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption are efficiently monitored and controlled by the next‐generation power grid called a smart grid systems (SGs) with the help of information and communication technology (ICT). Due to this ICT intervention, the SGs are facing a lot of security threats. The main security threats are tampering of smart meters and meter data because they are fixed in the customer places without any hardware security. This may result in inaccurate billing and wrong decisions related to grid management. To overcome these issues, an energy‐efficient privacy‐preserving and physically secure mutual authentication scheme is proposed for providing secure communication in SGs by using the one‐way hash functions, bitwise exclusive‐OR operations, physically unclonable functions (PUFs), and reverse fuzzy extractor. The security and performance analysis section ensures that the proposed scheme provides essential security features with less computation and communication overhead compared to that of other existing schemes. Therefore, it is better suitable for resource‐limited SGs.
Effects of elevation and selective disturbance on soil climate and vegetation in big sagebrush communities
Authors: Roundy Bruce A. , Chambers Jeanne C.
Published: March 2021

Changing climatic conditions prompt concerns about vegetation response to disturbance under future compared to past conditions. In this long‐term study, we examined soil climate and vegetation differences at lower, mid, and upper elevations in two separate locations in the Great Basin, USA. We hypothesized that soil climate and vegetation associations across the elevational gradient could help predict responses under future warming and drying. We measured soil water availability, soil temperatures, and vegetation cover in relation to fire and perennial herb removal at each elevation for 13–17 yr after treatment. Seasonal soil water availability increased, while soil temperature‐related variables decreased with increasing elevation. Soil water availability in spring was positively correlated with October through June precipitation (r2 = 0.53), while water availability in spring through fall was positively correlated with perennial plant cover (r2 = 0.65). Partition models separated low, mid, and high elevations by spring soil water availability and growing degree days when soil water was available (R2 = 0.93). Current soil climate and vegetation conditions at lower elevations could indicate future conditions at higher elevations under a warmer and drier climate. During the first years after removal of perennial grasses and forbs, there was an increase in soil water availability in spring at 13–30 cm soil depth that was associated with sagebrush establishment, particularly at upper elevations. In subsequent years, sagebrush continued to dominate even though little difference in soil water availability existed between disturbed and undisturbed plots. This indicates that quickly establishing sagebrush preempted resources and reduced perennial herb recovery. Resource preemption after disturbance will likely be a major driver of plant succession in the future as in the past. Species that establish best under future warmer and drier conditions are most likely to dominate after disturbance. A negative correlation (r2 = 0.34) between the standard deviation of annual spring soil water availability and perennial vegetation cover, which helps resist annual grass invasion, supports the hypothesis that greater resource fluctuation is associated with greater plant community invasibility. Current responses to fire and loss of native plant cover across elevational gradients can indicate future responses under a warmer and drier climate.
Clarifications of the Carbonyl and Water Absorptions in Fourier Transform Near Infrared Spectra from Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Authors: Azizian Hormoz , Dugan Michael E. R. , Kramer John K. G.
Published: March 2021

The Fourier transform near infrared (FT‐NIR) spectrum of extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) shows two minor carbonyl absorptions at 5280 and 5180 cm–1 that has been used to assess their authenticity. To establish components absorbing at 5280 cm–1, volatile aldehydes and ketones, triacylglycerol (TAG), diacylglycerols (DAG), free fatty acids (FFA), phenolics, and water are investigated and sometimes added to refined olive oil (ROO). Except TAG, the remaining carbonyls contribute to 5280 cm–1 by broadening peak. Water absorption is demonstrated by its removal using Na2SO4 or deuterium oxide addition; FT‐NIR spectral changes are reconstituted by water addition. Water absorption depends on being free or complexed with polar compounds in oil. The size of absorption is not related to abundance, but on unique absorption specificity of components; water shows the strongest absorption. Heat removes water and volatiles, leaving behind DAG, FFA, and phenolics, and makes it possible to differentiate absorption of water, volatile and non‐volatile carbonyls. Cloudy olive oils are analyzed using FT‐NIR methodology after warming for 3 min at 50 °C. FT‐NIR index values are replaced by a new calibration model based on correlating gravimetric mass loss of water plus volatiles with spectral changes. The FT‐NIR methodology is expanded to include EVOOs with 15.5% to 21% linoleic acid.

Practical Applications: Testing for authenticity of EVOOs remains a challenge because adulterations continue to be a problem due to economic gains. Spectroscopy methods, specifically FT‐NIR, are much preferred to targeted chemical methods because they measure all constituents in products and are non‐destructive and fast. The current universal FT‐NIR methodology assesses 13 different parameters: five major FAs, and the DAG and FFA contents. The FT‐NIR index value measuring the content of moisture plus volatiles is now replaced by a gravimetric determination. The methodology identifies four major types of adulterants, high in oleic acid, linoleic acid, palm olein or ROO. The composition of olive oils makes it necessary to develop five oil‐specific groups, but cloudy samples still need to be clarified by slight warming before measuring. The value of this universal FT‐NIR methodology will increase after being adopted by commercial and in regulatory settings.
Self‐Assembly of Cholesterol‐Doxorubicin and TPGS into Prodrug‐Based Nanoparticles with Enhanced Cellular Uptake and Lysosome‐Dependent Pathway in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Olim Filipe , Neves Ana Rute , Vieira Mariana , Tomás Helena , Sheng Ruilong
Published: March 2021

Developing new easy‐to‐prepare functional drug delivery nanosystems with good storage stability, low hemotoxicity, as well as controllable drug delivery property, has attracted great attention in recent years. In this work, a cholesterol‐based prodrug nanodelivery system is prepared by self‐assembly of cholesterol‐doxorubicin prodrug conjugates (Chol‐Dox) and tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) using thin‐film hydration method. The Chol‐Dox/TPGS assemblies (molar ratio 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2) are able to form nanoparticles with average hydrodynamic diameter of ≈140–214 nm, surface zeta potentials of ≈−24.2–−0.3 mV, and remarkable solution stability in 0.1 m PBS, 16 days). The Chol‐Dox/TPGS assemblies show low hemotoxicity and different cytotoxicity profiles in breast cancer cells (MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231), which are largely dependent on the molar ratio of Chol‐Dox and TPGS. The Chol‐Dox/TPGS assemblies tend to enter into MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells through non‐Clathrin‐mediated multiple endocytosis and lysosome‐dependent uptake pathways, moreover, these nanoassemblies demonstrate lysosome‐dependent intracellular localization, which is different from that of free DOX (nuclear localization). The results demonstrate that the Chol‐Dox/TPGS assemblies are promising cholesterol‐based prodrug nanomaterials for breast cancer chemotherapy.

Practical Applications: This work demonstrates a lipid prodrug‐based nanotherapeutic system. Herein the Chol‐Dox/TPGS nanoassemblies could serve as promising and controllable cholesterol‐based prodrug nanomaterials/nano‐formulations for potential breast cancer chemotherapy.
A review of methods for determining structural fire severity—Part II: Analysis and review
Authors: MacIntyre Jonathon D. , Abu Anthony K. , Moss Peter J. , Nilsson Daniel , Wade Colleen A.
Published: March 2021

There is a risk of a building suffering unsustainable structural damage in the event of a large fire. Therefore, it is necessary to design buildings to withstand expected fires. A widely used simplified calculation method is the so‐called “time‐equivalence” method. There are significant concerns about the suitability of this method. This paper is part II of a twofold study examining the state of the art of time‐equivalence methods. The purpose of this paper is to identify methods and/or analysis concepts which show the potential for use in modern design. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis is used for this purpose. However, as there is a large number of time‐equivalence methods to assess, a numerical case study is first undertaken to identify methods which have sufficient accuracy to warrant further study. These analyses found that, while none of the time‐equivalence methods studied have sufficient accuracy for use in their present form, the methods derived using the equal energy concept provide a good basis to model the effects of fire on a structure. This study recommends that a new time‐equivalence method be developed using the equal energy approach.
Surgical treatment of the neck in patients with salivary gland carcinoma
Authors: Westergaard‐Nielsen Marie , Godballe Christian , Grau Eriksen Jesper , Larsen Stine Rosenkilde , Kiss Katalin , Agander Tina , Parm Ulhøi Benedicte , Wittenborg Charabi Birgitte , Ehlers Klug Tejs , Jacobsen Henrik , Johansen Jørgen , Kristensen Claus Andrup , Andersen Elo , Andersen Maria , Bjørndal Kristine
Published: March 2021

Background

Elective neck dissection (END) in patients with salivary gland carcinoma is controversial and there are no universally accepted guidelines.

Methods

Patients were identified from the Danish Head and Neck Cancer Group. Between 2006 and 2015, 259 patients with primary salivary gland carcinoma were treated with END. Variables potentially associated with regional metastases were analyzed using logistic regression. Neck recurrence‐free survival was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

Occult metastases were found in 36 of the patients treated with END (14%) and were particularly frequent among patients with T3/T4 tumors and high‐grade histology tumors. In multivariate analyses, high‐grade histology and vascular invasion were associated with occult metastases.

Conclusion

We recommend END of levels II and III for patients with high‐grade or unknown histological grade tumors, and for T3/T4 tumors. Levels I, II, and III should be included in END in patients with submandibular, sublingual, or minor salivary gland carcinomas.
Numerical investigation of the thermo‐hydraulic performance of water‐based nanofluids in a dimpled channel flow using Al2O3, CuO, and hybrid Al2O3–CuO as nanoparticles
Authors: Ahmed Farid , Abir Md Atrehar , Fuad Muhtasim , Akter Farhana , Bhowmik Palash K. , Alam Syed Bahauddin , Kumar Dinesh
Published: March 2021

In this study, the authors study the impact of spherical dimple surfaces and nanofluid coolants on heat transfer and pressure drop. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the thermal performance of nanofluids with respect to different Reynolds numbers (Re) and nanoparticle compositions in dimpled channel flow. Water‐based nanofluids with , CuO, and –CuO nanoparticles are considered for this investigation with 1%, 2%, and 4% volume fraction for each nanofluid. The simulations are conducted at low Reynolds numbers varying from 500 to 1250, assuming constant and uniform heat flux. The effective properties of nanofluids are estimated using models proposed in the literature and are combined with the computational fluid dynamics solver ANSYS Fluent for the analysis. The results are discussed in terms of heat transfer coefficient, temperature distributions, pressure drop, Nusselt number, friction factors, and performance criterion for all the cases. For all cases of different nanoparticle compositions, the heat transfer coefficient was seen as 35%–46% higher for the dimpled channel in comparison with the smooth channel. Besides, it was observed that with increasing volume fraction, the values of heat transfer and pressure drop were increased. With a maximum of 25.18% increase in the thermal performance, the 1% /water was found to be the best performing nanofluid at Re = 500 in the dimpled channel flow.
Basal cell carcinoma of the prostate diagnosed incidentally with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: How can we detect prior to benign prostatic hyperplasia surgery?
Authors: Ohara Eiichiro , Aoki Hiroshi , Arakawa Yosuke , Kato Atsushi , Shibuya Rie , Ishidoya Shigeto
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Basal cell carcinoma of the prostate is a rare prostate malignancy. Its diagnosis and treatment have not been well established yet.

Case presentation

An 80‐year‐old man was referred to our hospital for undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate with persistent lower urinary tract symptoms. Ultrasonography showed enlarged prostate (41.3 cc) with mid‐lobe hypertrophy. His prostate‐specific antigen and testosterone levels were 0.437 ng/mL and 873 ng/dL, respectively. Histological examination of the enucleated tissue confirmed basal cell carcinoma. The cells were positive for bcl‐2, 34βE12, p63, and cytokeratin 5/6. Ki‐67 labeling index was 5%. Subsequent staging computed tomography scan and bone scintigram showed neither lymph node nor distant metastasis. Currently, the patient is under close follow‐up with imaging, endoscopy, and urodynamic study.

Conclusion

It is difficult for physicians to detect prostate basal cell carcinoma before benign prostatic hyperplasia surgery. In case of organ‐confined disease, age and Ki‐67 labeling index could be suggestive of subsequent treatment decision‐making.
A novel prognosis prediction model, including cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated antigen‐4, ischemia‐modified albumin, lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and homocysteine, for ischemic stroke in the Chinese hypertensive population
Authors: Ma Jin , Shen Likui , Bao Lei , Yuan Hua , Wang Yingxin , Liu Hua , Wang Qiang
Published: March 2021

Background

There is still a lack of tools to assess the prognosis of ischemic stroke patients induced by hypertension. In this study, we built a novel prognostic assessment model for ischemic stroke in the Chinese hypertensive population.

Methods

Mass spectrometry technique was used to analyze the changes in serum protein profiles of hypertensive patients with ischemic stroke. A total of 314 hypertensive patients were divided into the testing group (206 patients) and the validation group (108 patients).

Results

Compared with hypertensive patients without ischemic stroke, serum cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4), ischemia‐modified albumin (IMA), lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA2), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and homocysteine (HCY) levels were significantly increased among hypertensive patients with ischemic stroke (p < 0.05). Then, we built a novel prognostic assessment model for hypertensive patients with ischemic stroke [Logit(P) = 29.172–1.088*CTLA‐4–0.952*IMA‐0.537*Lp‐PLA2 −0.066*GFAP −0.149*HCY]. It showed higher efficiency (AUC = 0.981, sensitivity = 95.5%, specificity = 93.8%) than any single marker. The estimated probability was 0.739, which means if higher than 0.739, it was classified into poor prognosis. Compared with the estimated probability ≤0.739 group, the survival rate of hypertensive patients with ischemic stroke in the estimated probability >0.739 group was significantly decreased (χ2 = 40.001, p < 0.001). In the validation group, our novel prognostic assessment model still showed good efficiency (AUC = 0.969, sensitivity = 89.4%, specificity = 92.5%; χ2 = 47.551, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Current novel prognostic assessment model we have built is of great value in the prognostic evaluation for ischemic stroke in the Chinese hypertensive population.
Combined fibrinogen‐to‐pre‐albumin ratio and carbohydrate antigen 19–9 score is a promising metric to predict progression of metastatic colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liao Yu‐Cui , Fu Ming , Wang Xue‐Feng , Cheng Xue‐Xin
Published: March 2021

Background

Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma (CMA). Albumin‐to‐fibrinogen ratio (AFR) and fibrinogen‐to‐pre‐albumin ratio (FPR) were independent prognostic factors for many kinds of solid malignancies. However, the association between the inflammatory scores and progression of metastatic CMA remains unknown.

Methods

Peripheral blood neutrophil count and circulating fibrinogen, albumin, and pre‐albumin levels were detected, and neutrophil‐to‐albumin ratio (NAR), neutrophil‐to‐pre‐albumin ratio(NPAR), AFR, and FPR were calculated in 42 metastatic MCA patients. Kaplan‐Meier curve, Cox regression, time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (tdROC) were selected to investigate the prognostic utility of them in the patients.

Results

Metastatic CMA patients commonly occurred in middle‐younger patients (80.95%). NPAR (adjusted hazard ratio (HR)=2.405, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.195–4.842) and FPR (plog‐rank=0.007, adjusted HR=2.364, 95% CI=1.203–4.645) were significantly associated with poor progression‐free survival in these patients. The prognostic prediction area under tdROC (AUROC) of FPR was significantly higher than that of NPAR(0.703 versus 0.537). Moreover, the patients with a high CA19‐9‐FPR score showed worse outcomes than those with the low score (plog‐rank<0.001, adjusted HR=7.273, 95% CI=2.721–19.435 for the score 1 versus 0). The prediction AUROC, sensitivity, and specificity of the score were 0.892 (0.788–0.996), 76.32%, and 100.00%, respectively, and its predicted efficacy was better than that of the single biomarkers.

Conclusion

The combined CA19‐9‐FPR score is an economical, simple, effective, and independent prognostic factor for metastatic MCA.
Real‐World Evidence of Treatment, Tolerance, Healthcare Utilization, and Costs Among Postacute Care Adult Patients Receiving Enteral Peptide‐Based Diets in the United States
Authors: LaVallee Chris , Seelam Prafullakumar , Balakrishnan Santosh , Lowen Cynthia , Henrikson Aimee , Kesting Bill , Perugini Moreno , Araujo Torres Krysmaru
Published: March 2021

Objective

Peptide ‐based (PB) enteral tube feeding (ETF) formulas have been shown to reduce gastrointestinal (GI) intolerance in patients receiving enteral nutrition. However, limited data exist in relation to their use in the postacute/home care setting. We sought to assess the real‐world GI tolerance, healthcare utilization, and resource use costs of 100% whey‐protein PB ETF in adults in a postacute care setting and describe their demographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics.

Method

Using medical claims data from the United States, we analyzed GI intolerance events occurring in adults receiving 100% whey‐protein PB ETF (Peptamen® adult formulas) for one year before and after initiation of ETF. Resource use costs were subsequently estimated using a multivariate general linearized model and adjusted for age, gender, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score.

Results

The proportion of adults experiencing no GI intolerance events increased from 41% (418/1022) to 59% (601/1022) in the one‐year period after initiation of 100% whey PB ETF (P < .001). The proportion of patients with at least one hospital inpatient visit also decreased from 100% (1022/1022) to 72% (737/1022) over the same period, and the mean number of inpatient visits per patient decreased from 15.6 to 13.0. Cost modeling revealed that outpatient visits accounted for 42% ($1174/$2820) of total estimated healthcare resource costs in the first 30 days after 100% whey PB ETF initiation, with only 9% ($255/$2820) due to emergency room visits.

Conclusion

These 100% whey‐protein PB ETF formulas are a valuable nutrition treatment option for patients with or at risk of malnutrition who show intolerance to standard ETF formulas and may reduce hospital inpatient visits and associated costs.
Nutrition in medical education in Latin America: Results of a cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Cardenas Diana , Díaz Gustavo , Cadavid Jessika , Lipovestky Fernando , Canicoba Marisa , Sánchez Paola , Álvarez Ludwig , Duarte Yan , Reyes José Guillermo Gutiérrez , de Noyola Gilda Miranda , Maza Claudia , Porbén Sergio Santana , Bermúdez Charles Elleri , García Yawelida , Calvo Isabel , Arenas Humberto
Published: March 2021

Rationale

The gap between the nutrition education provided to medical students and the nutrition competences and attitudes needed for doctors to provide effective nutrition care is a global concern. The goal of this study was to investigate the curricular content on nutrition education in Latin American medical schools and to evaluate the self‐perceived knowledge, attitudes, and barriers to nutrition practice of final‐year medical students.

Methods

Eighty‐five public and private medical schools from 17 Latin American countries were invited to participate in the study. Two close‐ended online questionnaires consisting of 25 and 43 questions were sent to medical school directors. Quantitative variables were expressed as frequencies, percentages, mean ± standard deviation, medians, and ranges.

Results

A total of 22 (26%) medical school directors responded, of which 11 schools (50%) offered stand‐alone mandatory nutrition courses in preclinical and 8 (36%) in clinical years. The mean hours dedicated to nutrition education was 47 (range: 0–150). A total of 1530 of 1630 (94%) students from 12 countries responded. Students’ average age was 25 ± 3 years, and 59% were female. Most students agreed that improving patients’ health through nutrition (91%) is important and that nutrition counseling and assessment should be part of routine care provided by all physicians (89%), but they lack the level of education and training required to address nutrition‐related issues.

Conclusions

Positive attitude and interest in nutrition among final‐year medical students is high, but nutrition education is not perceived as sufficient to adequately prepare doctors in the field of nutrition.
New results concerning the pedo‐ and chronostratigraphy of the loess–palaeosol sequence Attenfeld (Bavaria, Germany) derived from a multi‐methodological approach
Authors: Krauss Lydia , Klasen Nicole , Schulte Philipp , Lehmkuhl Frank
Published: March 2021

Loess–palaeosol sequences (LPS) represent important records of palaeoenvironmental dynamics throughout the Quaternary. During the Pleistocene's dry and cold phases, the Danube's riverbed was one of the major sources for loess sediments that built up LPS in southern Germany and southeastern Europe. Surprisingly, studies addressing Bavarian LPS along the Danube River often lack actuality. The Attenfeld site was one of them and is often cited as a typical LPS. Nevertheless, the site's previous interpretations are based on a few empirical data and field observations. Considering the site's closeness to the sediment's source area, the Alps, and the region's importance in Middle and Upper Palaeolithic migrational movements, those former renditions needed an evaluation. Therefore, we applied a multi‐proxy approach (including analyses of grain‐size distribution, element composition, and sediment colour attributes) combined with optically stimulated luminescence. Based on our findings, we conclude that the Attenfeld site's former interpretations might be too generalised. We identified units that were not mentioned by previous studies (e.g. Early Glacial dark greyish horizon). Field observations, sediment characteristics, and age estimates indicate sediment deposition of the dated units partly before MIS 4, which contrasts with previous interpretations. The results further demonstrate how sensitive LPS are to environmental settings and dynamics.
Carcinoma of Unknown Primary and the 8th Edition TNM Classification for Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Boeker Robert , Stromberger Carmen , Heiland Max , Beck‐Broichsitter Benedicta , Hofmann Veit M. , Neumann Konrad , Ochsenreither Sebastian , Olze Heidi , Dommerich Steffen , Piwonski Iris , Coordes Annekatrin
Published: March 2021

Objective

In the 8th Edition TNM Classification for Head and Neck Cancer, the classification for carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) changed in addition to oropharyngeal carcinomas. The current classification considers extranodal extension (ENE), determination of p16 (surrogate marker for human papillomavirus), and detection of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the new classification on the prognosis of p16‐positive and p16‐negative CUP and the impact of EBV proof.

Methods

Clinical and pathological data from patients with CUP of the head and neck between 2009 and 2018 were evaluated. The 7th (UICC7) and 8th (UICC8) edition of the Union for International Cancer Control staging system were applied and compared.

Results

There were 97 patients treated, 26.8% women and 73.2% men. The average age at initial diagnosis was 64.6 years. Of which, 58.8% had a documented history of smoking, 37.1% were positive for p16, 4.1% were positive for EBV, and 66% had ENE. Most of the patients were at stage III/IVa (78.4% according to UICC7). According to UICC8, p16+ patients were mainly at stage I (86.1%), and p16− at stage IVb (56.1%). P16 status (P = .002), ENE (P = .001), nodal category (TNM7, P < .001), UICC stage (TNM7, P < .001) and UICC stage (TNM8, P < .001) had a significant impact on survival in the univariate analysis. The 8th TNM classification resulted in a downstaging of p16‐positive CUP syndromes and an upstaging of p16‐negative syndromes.

Conclusion

The 8th TNM classification shows the lower UICC stage in p16‐positive CUP syndromes. The prognostic significance for survival has improved from the 7th to the 8th TNM classification.

Level of Evidence using the 2011 OCEBM

Level 3. Laryngoscope, 131:E2534–E2542, 2021
Subwavelength Broadband Photonic Spin Hall Devices via Optical Slot Antennas
Authors: He Axin , Xu Yi , Gao Baowei , Zhang Tongzhou , Zhang Jiasen
Published: March 2021

The photonic spin Hall effect, wherein left‐ and right‐handed circularly polarized components can be separated during transportation after reflection or refraction by an optical interface through spin–orbit interaction, has gained increasing attention from the scientific and technological fields. Here, broadband subwavelength photonic spin Hall devices (PSHDs) are demonstrated on the basis of L‐shaped optical slot antennas. A basic PSHD comprises two L‐shaped slot antennas with a footprint size of 300 nm × 700 nm. The angle between the two radiation directions of the incident lights with different spins varies from 56° to 31° in the wavelength range of 750 to 850 nm. An array of antenna pairs is used to control radiation directions and improve the performance of the PSHDs. The proposed PSHDs are highly useful in integrated nanophotonic devices given their ultrasmall size, broadband response, and flexible design method.
Nonlinear Lithium Niobate Metasurfaces for Second Harmonic Generation
Authors: Ma Junjun , Xie Fei , Chen Weijin , Chen Jiaxin , Wu Wei , Liu Wei , Chen Yuntian , Cai Wei , Ren Mengxin , Xu Jingjun
Published: March 2021

Second harmonic generation (SHG) is a coherent nonlinear phenomenon that plays an important role in laser color conversion. Lithium niobate (LN), which features both a large band gap and outstanding second‐order nonlinearities, acts as an important optical material for nonlinear frequency conversion covering a wide spectral range from ultraviolet to mid‐infrared. Here, LN metasurfaces with controllable SHG properties are experimentally demonstrated. Distinct enhancements for the SHG efficiency are observed at Mie‐resonances. And by changing the geometric parameters, thus the resonances of the metasurfaces, the authors manage to selectively boost the SHG efficiency at different wavelengths. The results would pave a way for developing with high flexibility the novel compact nonlinear light sources for applications such as biosensing and optical communications.
Prenatal ultrasound findings in Koolen‐de Vries foetuses: Central nervous system anomalies are frequent markers of this syndrome
Authors: García‐Santiago Fe Amalia , Martínez‐Payo Cristina , Mansilla Elena , Santos‐Simarro Fernando , Ruiz de Azua Ballesteros Miguel , Mori María Ángeles , Antolín Alvarado Eugenia , Nieto Yolanda , Vallcorba Isabel , Tenorio Jair , Nevado Julián , Lapunzina Pablo
Published: March 2021

Objective

Prenatal diagnoses of microdeletion syndromes without ultrasound findings in the first and second trimester are always difficult. The objective of this study is to report the prenatal ultrasound findings in four foetuses diagnosed with 17q21.31 microdeletions (Koolen‐de Vries syndrome) using chromosomal microarrays (CMA).

Patients and Methods

We present four foetuses with 17q21.31 microdeletion. All showed CNS anomalies in the third trimester, three had ventriculomegaly, and one hypogenesis of corpus callosum at 31 weeks of pregnancy.

Results

Array‐SNPs and CGH‐array were performed on uncultured amniocytes and peripheral blood revealing a 17q21.31 microdeletion.

Conclusions

Prenatal CNS anomalies (mainly ventriculomegaly) at third trimester, in spite of isolate, should be considered a prenatal ultrasound marker of this syndrome. This kind of malformations raise the possibility of an underlying genetic conditions including 17q21.31 microdeletion; thus, CMA should be taken into consideration when offering prenatal genetic counselling.
Advance in compact structure‐preserving manner to the Rosenau–Kawahara model of shallow‐water wave
Authors: Wongsaijai Ben , Charoensawan Phakdi , Chaobankoh Tanadon , Poochinapan Kanyuta
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we pursue further analysis of the performance of a compact structure‐preserving finite difference scheme. The convergence, stability, and accuracy of the approximate solution with respect to grid refinement are discussed. The compact difference approach to precisely preserving invariants on any time‐space regions gives a three‐level linear‐implicit scheme with the spatial accuracy, found to be fourth order on a uniform grid. The method is verified by comparison with a solution of the Rosenau–Kawahara equation just obtained with second‐order finite difference schemes recently. Also, the efficiency of the present algorithm is confirmed by simulations of the problem at a long time. Details of CPU time are examined in order to assess the usefulness of the compact scheme for determining an approximate solution.
A robust spectral treatment of a class of initial value problems using modified Chebyshev polynomials
Authors: Youssri Youssri H. , Abd‐Elhameed Waleed M. , Abdelhakem Mohamed
Published: March 2021

New modified shifted Chebyshev polynomials (MSCPs) have been constructed over the interval [α, β]. These polynomials are utilized as basis functions with the application of the spectral collocation method. The operational matrix of integer order derivatives of these polynomials is introduced. The elements of this matrix are explicitly given. The introduced operational matrix along with the collocation method is used to find a direct solver of linear/nonlinear class of IVPs. Furthermore, the convergence and error analysis of the modified Chebyshev expansion are discussed. Some specific numerical examples are given to ascertain the wide applicability and the good efficiency of the suggested algorithm. The obtained results from the tested numerical examples are convincing. Also, the introduced approximate solutions are very close to the analytical ones.
The stability of the fractional Volterra integro‐differential equation by means of Ψ‐Hilfer operator revisited
Authors: Baleanu Dumitru , Saadati Reza , Sousa José
Published: March 2021

In this note, we have as main purpose to investigate the Ulam‐Hyers stability of a fractional Volterra integral equation through the Banach fixed point theorem and present an example on Ulam‐Hyers stability using operator theory α‐resolvent in order to elucidate the investigated result. Our results modify the Theorem 4 of Sousa and et. al. [Sousa JVC, Rodrigues FG, Oliveira EC. Stability of the fractional Volterra integro‐differential equation by means of Ψ‐Hilfer operator. Math Meth Appl Sci. 2019;42(9):3033‐3043.] and present a corrected proof with a modified approximation.
Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma segmentation in PET‐CT images via hybrid learning for feature fusion
Authors: Yuan Cheng , Zhang Miao , Huang Xinyun , Xie Wei , Lin Xiaozhu , Zhao Weili , Li Biao , Qian Dahong
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive type of lymphoma with high mortality and poor prognosis that especially has a high incidence in Asia. Accurate segmentation of DLBCL lesions is crucial for clinical radiation therapy. However, manual delineation of DLBCL lesions is tedious and time‐consuming. Automatic segmentation provides an alternative solution but is difficult for diffuse lesions without the sufficient utilization of multimodality information. Our work is the first study focusing on positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET‐CT) feature fusion for the DLBCL segmentation issue. We aim to improve the fusion performance of complementary information contained in PET‐CT imaging with a hybrid learning module in the supervised convolutional neural network.

Methods

First, two encoder branches extract single‐modality features, respectively. Next, the hybrid learning component utilizes them to generate spatial fusion maps which can quantify the contribution of complementary information. Such feature fusion maps are then concatenated with specific‐modality (i.e., PET and CT) feature maps to obtain a representation of the final fused feature maps in different scales. Finally, the reconstruction part of our network creates a prediction map of DLBCL lesions by integrating and up‐sampling the final fused feature maps from encoder blocks in different scales.

Results

The ability of our method was evaluated to detect foreground and segment lesions in three independent body regions (nasopharynx, chest, and abdomen) of a set of 45 PET‐CT scans. Extensive ablation experiments compared our method to four baseline techniques for multimodality fusion (input‐level (IL) fusion, multichannel (MC) strategy, multibranch (MB) strategy, and quantitative weighting (QW) fusion). The results showed that our method achieved a high detection accuracy (99.63% in the nasopharynx, 99.51% in the chest, and 99.21% in the abdomen) and had the superiority in segmentation performance with the mean dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 73.03% and the modified Hausdorff distance (MHD) of 4.39 mm, when compared with the baselines (DSC: IL: 53.08%, MC: 63.59%, MB: 69.98%, and QW: 72.19%; MHD: IL: 12.16 mm, MC: 6.46 mm, MB: 4.83 mm, and QW: 4.89 mm).

Conclusions

A promising segmentation method has been proposed for the challenging DLBCL lesions in PET‐CT images, which improves the understanding of complementary information by feature fusion and may guide clinical radiotherapy. The statistically significant analysis based on P‐value calculation has indicated a degree of significant difference between our proposed method and other baselines (almost metrics: P < 0.05). This is a preliminary research using a small sample size, and we will collect data continually to achieve the larger verification study.
Maxwell parallel imaging
Authors: Francavilla Matteo Alessandro , Lefkimmiatis Stamatios , Villena Jorge F. , G. Polimeridis Athanasios
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To develop a general framework for parallel imaging (PI) with the use of Maxwell regularization for the estimation of the sensitivity maps (SMs) and constrained optimization for the parameter‐free image reconstruction.

Theory and Methods

Certain characteristics of both the SMs and the images are routinely used to regularize the otherwise ill‐posed optimization‐based joint reconstruction from highly accelerated PI data. In this paper, we rely on a fundamental property of SMs—they are solutions of Maxwell equations—we construct the subspace of all possible SM distributions supported in a given field‐of‐view, and we promote solutions of SMs that belong in this subspace. In addition, we propose a constrained optimization scheme for the image reconstruction, as a second step, once an accurate estimation of the SMs is available. The resulting method, dubbed Maxwell parallel imaging (MPI), works for both 2D and 3D, with Cartesian and radial trajectories, and minimal calibration signals.

Results

The effectiveness of MPI is illustrated for various undersampling schemes, including radial, variable‐density Poisson‐disc, and Cartesian, and is compared against the state‐of‐the‐art PI methods. Finally, we include some numerical experiments that demonstrate the memory footprint reduction of the constructed Maxwell basis with the help of tensor decomposition, thus allowing the use of MPI for full 3D image reconstructions.

Conclusion

The MPI framework provides a physics‐inspired optimization method for the accurate and efficient image reconstruction from arbitrary accelerated scans.
Design of PLA/ENR thermoplastic vulcanizates with balanced stiffness‐toughness based on rubber reinforcement and selective distribution of modified silica
Authors: Jiang Gang , Zhang Jiahao , Ding Jianping , Chen Yukun
Published: March 2021

Elastomer‐toughened PLA has incubated plenty outstanding achievements. Principally, increasing elastomer content will immolate vast rigidity in exchange for toughness. In this work, silane coupler KH550‐treated SiO2 and ENR were used to synergistically enhance and toughen PLA via dynamic vulcanization. It is found that the PLA/ENR/SiO2 TPV with balanced stiffness and toughness exhibited a bi‐continuous phase structure. Thereinto, the hydrophobic SiO2 nanoparticles were regulated to uniformly disperse in the ENR phase, which played an essential role in reinforcing the rubber and bracing the symmetrical rubber network, so as to toughen the PLA with retaining high stiffness at an acceptable plastic‐to‐rubber ratio. By incorporating nano‐SiO2 modified with 10 phr KH550, the TPV could obtain an impact strength of 23.7 kJ/m2 at 0°C while maintain a tensile strength of 42.1 MPa, which were 1.62‐fold and 1.03‐fold of those before modification, respectively. The synergistic enhancing and toughening mechanism of nano‐SiO2 and ENR was revealed through a series of test and analysis, which furnished a succinct and effective proposition of fabricating high‐performance PLA materials.
Insights into colloidal membrane fouling mechanisms for nanofiltration of surface water using single and hybrid membrane processes
Authors: Heidari Setareh , Amirinejad Mehdi , Mirzadeh Seyedeh Sima , Wood David A.
Published: March 2021

Colloidal membrane fouling mechanisms were modeled for experimental data provided for nanofiltration of surface water by single and hybrid membrane systems. The hybrid system is composed of coagulation/activated carbon adsorption and bare polyethersulfone or mixed‐matrix membranes. The comprehensive modeling of these membrane systems was performed by three explicit equations to evaluate the effects of combined cake‐filtration and pore‐blocking on the fouling processes. These equations were derived from Darcy's law applied under constant operating pressure. The results showed that by using the nonlinear regression method, the combined cake‐filtration/pore‐blocking models demonstrated more accurate fits to the experimental permeate volume data compared to individual blocking models. The accuracy achieved by such nonlinear fits is expressed in terms of a mean squared error of approximately 10−10 (m3/m2)2 and R2 > 0.999. Furthermore, the impact of a pretreatment stage and the type of membrane used to prevent or reduce the fouling are also investigated. Experimental results reveal that the colloidal fouling depends on the type of membrane and the characteristics of raw water and is not only related to the cake filtration.
A conductive rubber with self‐healing ability enabled by metal‐ligand coordination
Authors: Xiong Jianxiang , Gong Zhou , Ding Jianping , Chen Yukun
Published: March 2021

At present, flexible conductive materials have been widely noticed. However, developing electronic materials with both good mechanical and electrical self‐healing abilities remains both a great challenge and an exciting goal. Herein, we prepared a commercial nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) with electrical healing capability based on constructing Fe(III) coordination and CNT networks. With 3 phr (parts per hundreds of rubber) CNT, the tensile strength and the elongation at break of rubber composite reached 1.1 MPa and 300%, respectively. After healing at 80°C for 9 hours, the recovery efficiency of rubber composite achieved 90%. After adding 5 phr CNT, the conductivity can reach 0.077 S/m, and the electrical conductivity was 0.076 S/m after self‐healing. Such material can maintain resistance change within 5 times at high strain (100%), so it is applicable in the field of strain sensor.
Using the external magnetic field of composites to control fiber orientation and enhancement of electrical conductivity
Authors: Chang Che‐Wei , Chen Shia‐Chung , Tsai Pi‐Lin , Chiu Min‐Chi , Liu Yu‐Shiu
Published: March 2021

The industrial developments have led to more applications of various composites. Since fiber orientation and distribution will influence product performance in composites, controlling said orientation and distribution is of critical importance. This study used external magnetic fields to control the fiber orientation and distribution in a polymer. The orientation of the actual fibers under magnetic field control during flowing was observed using a visualization system, which was made by PMMA and transparent epoxy as an upper cover and filling polymer. In order to clearly observe and calculate, 0.1 wt% fiber content was used, and 0.3 wt% fiber content was used to measure conductivity. Fiber distribution angles without a magnetic field concentrate parallel to the flow direction (0° ~ 30° and 151° ~ 180°) while distribution angles under magnetic field control were concentrated along the magnetic field direction, which was perpendicular to the flow direction (61° ~ 120°). The higher the magnetic flux density, the larger the torque of the electromagnetic field on the fibers and the higher the orientation of fibers was with the magnetic field. The electrical conductivity was 12.23 times higher for 1 mm fibers in an external magnetic field versus no magnetic field.