bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal tracing of pandemic spread from infection data
Authors: Roy Satyaki , Biswas Preetom , Ghosh Preetam
Published: September 2021

COVID-19, a global pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 virus, has claimed millions of lives worldwide. Amid soaring contagion due to newer strains of the virus, it is imperative to design dynamic, spatiotemporal models to contain the spread of infection during future outbreaks of the same or variants of the virus. The reliance on existing prediction and contact tracing approaches on prior knowledge of inter- or intra-zone mobility renders them impracticable. We present a spatiotemporal approach that employs a network inference approach with sliding time windows solely on the date and number of daily infection numbers of zones within a geographical region to generate temporal networks capturing the influence of each zone on another. It helps analyze the spatial interaction among the hotspot or spreader zones and highly affected zones based on the flow of network contagion traffic. We apply the proposed approach to the daily infection counts of New York State as well as the states of USA to show that it effectively measures the phase shifts in the pandemic timeline. It identifies the spreaders and affected zones at different time points and helps infer the trajectory of the pandemic spread across the country. A small set of zones periodically exhibit a very high outflow of contagion traffic over time, suggesting that they act as the key spreaders of infection. Moreover, the strong influence between the majority of non-neighbor regions suggests that the overall spread of infection is a result of the unavoidable long-distance trips by a large number of people as opposed to the shorter trips at a county level, thereby informing future mitigation measures and public policies.
Effect of hybridized local and charge transfer molecules rotation in excited state on exciton utilization
Authors: Sun Gang , Wang Xin-Hui , Li Jing , Yang Bo-Ting , Gao Ying , Geng Yun
Published: September 2021

The fluorescent molecules utilizing hybridized local and charge-transfer (HLCT) state as potential organic light-emitting diodes materials attract extensive attention due to their high exciton utilization. In this work, we have performed the density functional theory method on three HLCT-state molecules to investigate their excited-state potential energy surface (PES). The calculated results indicate the T1 and T2 energy gap is quite large, and the T2 is very close to S1 in the energy level. The large gap is beneficial for inhibiting the internal conversion between T1 and T2, and quite closed S1 and T2 energies are favor for activating the T2 → S1 reverse intersystem crossing path. However, considering the singlet excited-state PES by twisting the triphenylamine (TPA) or diphenylamine (PA) group, it can be found that the TPA or PA group almost has no influence on T1 and T2 energy levels. However, the plots of S1 PES display two kinds of results that the S1 emissive state is dominated by charge-transfer (CT) or HLCT state. The CT emission state formation would decrease the S1 energy level, enlarge the S1 and T2 gap, and impair the triplet exciton utilization. Therefore, understanding the relationship between the S1 PES and molecular structures is important for designing high-performance luminescent materials utilizing HLCT state.
Staphylococcus aureus internalization impairs osteoblastic activity and early differentiation process
Authors: Mouton W. , Josse J. , Jacqueline C. , Abad L. , Trouillet-Assant S. , Caillon J. , Bouvard D. , Bouchet M. , Laurent F. , Diot A.
Published: September 2021

Staphylococcus aureusis the most frequent aetiology of bone and joint infections (BJI) and can cause relapsing and chronic infections. One of the main factors involved in the chronicization of staphylococcal BJIs is the internalization ofS. aureusinto osteoblasts, the bone-forming cells. Previous studies have shown thatS. aureustriggers an impairment of osteoblasts function that could contribute to bone loss. However, these studies focused mainly on the extracellular effects ofS. aureus. Our study aimed at understanding the intracellular effects ofS. aureuson the early osteoblast differentiation process. In our in vitro model of osteoblast lineage infection, we first observed that internalizedS. aureus8325-4 (a reference lab strain) significantly impactedRUNX2andCOL1A1expression compared to its non-internalized counterpart 8325-4∆fnbAB(with deletion offnbAandfnbB). Then, in a murine model of osteomyelitis, we reported no significant effect forS. aureus8325-4 and 8325-4∆fnbABon bone parameters at 7 days post-infection whereasS. aureus8325-4 significantly decreased trabecular bone thickness at 14 days post-infection compared to 8325-4∆fnbAB. When challenged with two clinical isogenic strains isolated from initial and relapse phase of the same BJI, significant impairments of bone parameters were observed for both initial and relapse strain, without differences between the two strains. Finally, in our in vitro osteoblast infection model, both clinical strains impacted alkaline phosphatase activity whereas the expression of bone differentiation genes was significantly decreased only after infection with the relapse strain. Globally, we highlighted thatS. aureusinternalization into osteoblasts is responsible for an impairment of the early differentiation in vitro and thatS. aureusimpaired bone parameters in vivo in a strain-dependent manner.
Targeting extracellular and juxtamembrane FGFR2 mutations in chemotherapy-refractory cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Bitzer Michael , Spahn Stephan , Babaei Sepideh , Horger Marius , Singer Stephan , Schulze-Osthoff Klaus , Missios Pavlos , Gatidis Sergios , Nann Dominik , Mattern Sven , Scheble Veit , Nikolaou Konstantin , Armeanu-Ebinger Sorin , Schulze Martin , Schroeder Christopher , Biskup Saskia , Beha Janina , Claassen Manfred , Ruhm Kristina , Poso Antti , Malek Nisar P.
Published: September 2021

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) has emerged as a promising candidate for precision medicine, especially in the case of activating FGFR2 gene fusions. In addition to fusions, a considerable fraction of iCCA patients reveals FGFR2 mutations, which might lead to uncontrolled activation of the FGFR2 pathway but are mostly of unknown functional significance. A current challenge for molecular tumor boards (MTB) is to predict the functional consequences of such FGFR2 alterations to guide potential treatment decisions. We report two iCCA patients with extracellular and juxtamembrane FGFR2 mutations. After in silico investigation of the alterations and identification of activated FGFR2 downstream targets in tumor specimens by immunohistochemistry and transcriptome analysis, the MTB recommended treatment with an FGFR-inhibiting tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Both patients developed a rapidly detectable and prolonged partial response to treatment. These two cases suggest an approach to characterize further detected FGFR2 mutations in iCCA to enable patients´ selection for a successful application of the FGFR -inhibiting drugs.
Tails stabilize landing of gliding geckos crashing head-first into tree trunks
Authors: Siddall Robert , Byrnes Greg , Full Robert J. , Jusufi Ardian
Published: September 2021

Animals use diverse solutions to land on vertical surfaces. Here we show the unique landing of the gliding gecko, Hemidactylus platyurus. Our high-speed video footage in the Southeast Asian rainforest capturing the first recorded, subcritical, short-range glides revealed that geckos did not markedly decrease velocity prior to impact. Unlike specialized gliders, geckos crashed head-first with the tree trunk at 6.0 ± 0.9 m/s (~140 body lengths per second) followed by an enormous pitchback of their head and torso 103 ± 34° away from the tree trunk anchored by only their hind limbs and tail. A dynamic mathematical model pointed to the utility of tails for the fall arresting response (FAR) upon landing. We tested predictions by measuring foot forces during landing of a soft, robotic physical model with an active tail reflex triggered by forefoot contact. As in wild animals, greater landing success was found for tailed robots. Experiments showed that longer tails with an active tail reflex resulted in the lower adhesive foot forces necessary for stabilizing successful landings, with a tail shortened to 25% requiring over twice the adhesive foot force.
Photocarrier-assisted photothermocatalysis of Fischer–Tropsch synthesis for the enhanced yield of C2–C4 hydrocarbons over a Co/SrTiO3 catalyst
Authors: Ning Shangbo , Wang Sikai , Ouyang Shuxin , Qi Yuhang , Yi Xinli , Hu Huilin , Ye Jinhua
Published: September 2021

Photocarrier-assisted photothermocatalysis enhanced the selectivity to C2−C4 hydrocarbons, which can be ascribed to the combined effect of photocatalysis and photothermal catalysis.
The controlling role of atmosphere in dawsonite versus gibbsite precipitation from tetrahedral aluminate species
Authors: Dembowski Mateusz , Loring John S. , Bowden Mark E. , Reynolds Jacob G. , Graham Trent R. , Rosso Kevin M. , Pearce Carolyn I.
Published: September 2021

The transformation of tetrahedrally coordinated potassium aluminate dimer salt to octahedrally coordinated phases, such as gibbsite, is investigated using in situ IR and ex-situ X-ray diffraction, revealing the controlling role of humidity in the presence of CO2.
Interaction of beta-lactoglobulin and bovine serum albumin with iron oxide (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles in the presence and absence of pre-adsorbed phosphate
Authors: Ustunol Irem B. , Coward Elizabeth K. , Quirk Eleanor , Grassian Vicki H.
Published: September 2021

Dynamic changes in the secondary structures of BSA and β-LG observed when adsorbed onto nanoscale α-Fe2O3 surfaces. Adsorbed phosphate, a common oxyanion found in the environment, impacts protein surface coverage and modulates protein structure.
Two-dimensional Ti3C2 MXene-based nanostructures for emerging optoelectronic applications
Authors: Chen Xu , Shi Zhifeng , Tian Yongtao , Lin Pei , Wu Di , Li Xinjian , Dong Bin , Xu Wen , Fang Xiaosheng
Published: September 2021

This review focuses on the recent research efforts devoted to Ti3C2 MXene nanostructures with respect to their synthesis methods, fundamental properties, theoretical description and optoelectronic applications.
A new approach to near-surface positron annihilation analysis of ion irradiated ferritic alloys
Authors: Kršjak Vladimír , Hruška Petr , Degmová Jarmila , Sojak Stanislav , Noga Pavol , Shen Tielong , Sabelová Veronika , Egger Werner , Slugeň Vladimír
Published: September 2021

Positron diffusion in helium-implanted Fe9Cr steel was investigated in a new approach revealing the role of microstructure in radiation embrittlement.
Two deep-ultraviolet nonlinear optical monolayers obtained by a template-optimized design strategy
Authors: Tudi Abudukadi , Han Shujuan , Yang Zhihua , Pan Shilie
Published: September 2021

We obtained two two-dimentional deep-ultraviolet nonlinear optical layers with a large band gap and proper second harmonic generation by a template-optimized design strategy.
Two- and three-dimensional β,β′-N-heterocycle fused porphyrins: concise construction, singlet oxygen production and electro-catalytic hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Fan Yan , Zeng Zhiming , Shu Hui , Zhou Mingbo , Xu Ling , Rao Yutao , Gu Tingting , Liang Xu , Zhu Weihua , Song Jianxin
Published: September 2021

A series of 2D and 3D porphyrins fused with N-heterocycles were prepared by palladium-catalyzed. Photophysical and electrochemical properties, 1O2 production and electrocatalytic HER behaviours of the representative porphyrins were investigated.
Spontaneously-buckled microstructure of copper nanowire conductors for a highly stretchable heater
Authors: Zhao Le , Yu Shihui , Li Junjun , Song Zichen , Wu Muying , Wang Xiuyu , Wang Xiaohu
Published: September 2021

The applications of stretchable conductors, which spontaneously form microbuckles on flexible substrates in micro and nano manufacturing, flexible and stretchable electronic technology, medicine, and other fields, have attracted extensive attention.
Imprint of planet formation in the deep interior of the Sun
Authors: Kunitomo Masanobu , Guillot Tristan
Published: September 2021

In protoplanetary disks, the growth and inward drift of dust lead to the generation of a temporal “pebble wave” of increased metallicity. This phase must be followed by a phase in which the exhaustion of the pebbles in the disk and the formation of planets lead to the accretion of metal-poor gas. At the same time, disk winds may lead to the selective removal of hydrogen and helium from the disk. Hence, stars grow by accreting gas that has an evolving composition. In this work, we investigated how the formation of the Solar System may have affected the composition and structure of the Sun, and whether it plays any role in solving the so-called solar abundance problem, that is, the fact that standard models with up-to-date lower-metallicity abundances reproduce helioseismic constraints significantly more poorly than those with old higher-metallicity abundances. We simulated the evolution of the Sun from the protostellar phase to the present age and attempted to reproduce spectroscopic and helioseismic constraints. We performed chi-squared tests to optimize our input parameters, which we extended by adding secondary parameters. These additional parameters accounted for the variations in the composition of the accreted material and an increase in the opacities. We confirmed that, for realistic models, planet formation occurs when the solar convective zone is still massive; thus, the overall changes due to planet formation are too small to significantly improve the chi-square fits. We found that solar models with up-to-date abundances require an opacity increase of 12%–18% centered at T = 106.4 K to reproduce the available observational constraints. This is slightly higher than, but is qualitatively in good agreement with, recent measurements of higher iron opacities. These models result in better fits to the observations than those using old abundances; therefore, they are a promising solution to the solar abundance problem. Using these improved models, we found that planet formation processes leave a small imprint in the solar core, whose metallicity is enhanced by up to 5%. This result can be tested by accurately measuring the solar neutrino flux. In the improved models, the protosolar molecular cloud core is characterized by a primordial metallicity in the range Zproto = 0.0127–0.0157 and a helium mass fraction in the range Yproto = 0.268–0.274.
France–Japan synthesis concept on sodium-cooled fast reactor review of a joint collaborative work
Authors: Rodriguez Gilles , Varaine Frédéric , Costes Laurent , Venard Christophe , Serre Frédéric , Chanteclair Frédéric , Chenaud Marie-Sophie , Dechelette Franck. , Hourcade Edouard , Plancq David , Hamy Jean-Marie , Dirat Jean-François , Carluec Bernard , Perrin Benoit , Verrier Denis , Kubo Shigenobu , Ishikawa Nobuyuki , Tanaka Masaaki , Takano Kazuya , Ohki Shigeo , Ozawa Takayuki , Yamano Hidemasa , Shimakawa Yoshio , Mochida Haruo , Shimizu Ryo , Kosaka Shinya , Yamada Yumi , Koyama Kazuya , Murakami Hisatomo , Iitsuka Toru , Oyama Kazuhiro , Kaneko Fumiaki , Higurashi Koichi , Kurita Koichi
Published: September 2021

In the frame of the France-Japan agreement on nuclear collaboration, a bilateral collaboration agreement on nuclear energy was signed on March 21st, 2017, including a topic dedicated to Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR). This agreement has set the framework to start a bilateral discussion on a joint view of an SFR concept. France (CEA and FRAMATOME) and Japan (JAEA, MHI and MFBR) have carried out these studies from 2017 to 2019. Based on the beginning of the basic design phase of ASTRID project − ASTRID − 600 MWe (ASTRID for Advanced Sodium Technological Reactor for Industrial Demonstration), the two countries performed a common work to examine ways to develop a feasible common design concept, which could be realized both in France and in Japan. The subject was then extended and extrapolated with the ASTRID − 150 MWe data (reduced power reactor and enhanced experimental capabilities) in a second phase of this study. France and Japan first focused on design requirements. Common requirements were identified, as well as differences in the safety approach and the structural design requirements, according to national standards and respective site conditions, in particular considering seismic hazards. The teams developed common Top-Level design Requirements (TLRs) to allow common specification data, then joint design. This collaborative work was carried out through the implementation of twelve France-Japan Working Groups, working jointly. This paper is providing a review of this joint synthesis on Sodium Fast Reactor design concept. It is summarizing the context and objectives, then the definition and approaches of the Top Level Requirements. This paper is then dealing with the major design features: the core design and their related safety aspects, and the nuclear island design. Thus, this paper is providing a comprehensive review of this joint work gathering French and Japan nuclear design teams during two full years.
Numerical discretization and fast approximation of a variably distributed-order fractional wave equation
Authors: Jia Jinhong , Zheng Xiangcheng , Wang Hong
Published: September 2021

We investigate a variably distributed-order time-fractional wave partial differential equation, which could accurately model, e.g., the viscoelastic behavior in vibrations in complex surroundings with uncertainties or strong heterogeneity in the data. A standard composite rectangle formula of mesh size σ is firstly used to discretize the variably distributed-order integral and then the L-1 formula of degree of freedom N is applied for the resulting fractional derivatives. Optimal error estimates of the corresponding fully-discrete finite element method are proved based only on the smoothness assumptions of the data. To maintain the accuracy, setting σ = O(N−1) leads to O(N3) operations of evaluating the temporal discretization coefficients. To improve the computational efficiency, we develop a novel time-stepping scheme by expanding the fractional kernel at a fixed fractional order to decouple the fractional operator from the variably distributed-order integral. Only O(logN) terms are needed for the expansion without loss of accuracy, which consequently reduce the computational cost of generating coefficients from O(N3) to O(N2 logN). Optimal-order error estimates of this time-stepping scheme are rigorously proved via novel and different techniques from the standard analysis procedure of the L-1 methods. Numerical experiments are presented to substantiate the theoretical results.
„Nichtärztliche“ Insulindosisanpassung
Authors: Wiesner Tobias
Published: September 2021

Häufig werden die glykämischen Therapieziele unter einer Insulintherapie nicht erreicht. Die Ursachen sind vielfältig. Lange Zeit war die Anpassung von Medikamenten – somit auch Insulin – die alleinige ärztliche Aufgabe. Inzwischen verfolgt das Konzept des Empowerments der Patienten das Ziel, Patienten zu befähigen, eigene adäquate Therapieentscheidungen zu treffen, um die Lebensqualität zu verbessern, glykämische Ziele zu erreichen und somit Folgekomplikationen zu reduzieren. Diese Befähigung des Patienten kann über verschiedene, teilweise auch therapieabhängige Systeme und Algorithmen wie Applikationen (Apps) im Sinne einer DiGA, kontinuierliche Glukose-Messsysteme (CGM) oder AID (automated insulin delivery)- Systeme erreicht werden.
Augmented Reality: Moving Robotics Forward
Authors: Hachach-Haram Nadine , Miskovic Danilo
Published: September 2021

Compared with other fields, adoption of robotics in colorectal surgery remains relatively slow. One of the reasons for this is that the expected benefits of robotics, such as greater accuracy, speed, and better patient outcomes, are not born out in evidence comparing use of robotics for colorectal procedures to conventional laparoscopy. But evidence also suggests that outcomes with colorectal robotic procedures depend on the experience of the surgeon, suggesting that a steep learning curve is acting as a barrier to the benefits of robotics being realized. In this paper, we analyze exactly why surgeon skill and proficiency is such a critical factor in colorectal surgery, especially around the most complex procedures associated with cancer. Shortening of the learning curve is crucial for both the adoption of the technique and the efficient use of expert trainers. Looking beyond the basics of training and embracing a new generation of digital learning technologies that facilitate peer-to-peer collaboration and development beyond the confines of individual institutions may be an important contributor to achieve these goals in the future.
Findings from the 2021 Yearbook Section on Health Information Management
Authors: Bloomrosen Meryl , Berner Eta S. ,   Section Editors for the IMIA Yearbook Section on Health Information Management
Published: September 2021

Objectives: To summarize the recent literature and research and present a selection of the best papers published in 2020 in the field of Health Information Management (HIM) and Health Informatics.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature for the IMIA Yearbook HIM section was performed by the two section editors with the help of a medical librarian. We searched bibliographic databases for HIM-related papers using both MeSH headings and keywords in titles and abstracts. A shortlist of the fifteen best candidate papers was first selected by section editors before being peer-reviewed by independent external reviewers.

Results: The three major themes of Health Information Exchange (transmitting, sharing, and accessing patient health-related data and information) (HIE), Data Quality, and Privacy and Security make up 80% of the fifteen papers, with individual papers on personal health records, information governance and the professionalism of the HIM field.

Conclusions: Traditional HIM concerns about HIM practice and workforce as well as issues about the data in electronic health records (EHRs) including data quality, coding, health information exchange among entities within the healthcare systems and privacy and confidentiality continue to be a large part of the HIM research literature. Although there was little research applying these themes to pandemic concerns, HIM professionals have the expertise to make ccontributions to public health informatics research and this research would benefit from their involvement.
The Evolution of Clinical Knowledge During COVID-19: Towards a Global Learning Health System
Authors: Verspoor Karin
Published: September 2021

Objectives: We examine the knowledge ecosystem of COVID-19, focusing on clinical knowledge and the role of health informatics as enabling technology. We argue for commitment to the model of a global learning health system to facilitate rapid knowledge translation supporting health care decision making in the face of emerging diseases.

Methods and Results: We frame the evolution of knowledge in the COVID-19 crisis in terms of learning theory, and present a view of what has occurred during the pandemic to rapidly derive and share knowledge as an (underdeveloped) instance of a global learning health system. We identify the key role of information technologies for electronic data capture and data sharing, computational modelling, evidence synthesis, and knowledge dissemination. We further highlight gaps in the system and barriers to full realisation of an efficient and effective global learning health system.

Conclusions: The need for a global knowledge ecosystem supporting rapid learning from clinical practice has become more apparent than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continued effort to realise the vision of a global learning health system, including establishing effective approaches to data governance and ethics to support the system, is imperative to enable continuous improvement in our clinical care.
A Literature Review on the GDPR, COVID-19 and the Ethical Considerations of Data Protection During a Time of Crisis
Authors: Christofidou Maria , Lea Nathan , Coorevits Pascal
Published: September 2021

Objective: This survey article presents a literature review of relevant publications aiming to explore whether the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has held true during a time of crisis and the implications that arose during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Method and Results: Based on the approach taken and the screening of the relevant articles, the results focus on three themes: a critique on GDPR; the ethics surrounding the use of digital health technologies, namely in the form of mobile applications; and the possibility of cross border transfers of said data outside of Europe. Within this context, the article reviews the arising themes, considers the use of data through mobile health applications, and discusses whether data protection may require a revision when balancing societal and personal interests.

Conclusions: In summary, although it is clear that the GDPR has been applied through a mixed and complex experience with data handling during the pandemic, the COVID-19 pandemic has indeed shown that it was a test the GDPR was designed and prepared to undertake. The article suggests that further review and research is needed to first ensure that an understanding of the state of the art in data protection during the pandemic is maintained and second to subsequently explore and carefully create a specific framework for the ethical considerations involved. The paper echoes the literature reviewed and calls for the creation of a unified and harmonised network or database to enable the secure data sharing across borders.
Key Contributions in Clinical Research Informatics
Authors: Daniel Christel , Bellamine Ali , Kalra Dipak ,   Section Editors of the IMIA Yearbook Section on Clinical Research Informatics
Published: September 2021

Objectives: To summarize key contributions to current research in the field of Clinical Research Informatics (CRI) and to select best papers published in 2020.

Method: A bibliographic search using a combination of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) descriptors and free-text terms on CRI was performed using PubMed, followed by a double-blind review in order to select a list of candidate best papers to be then peer-reviewed by external reviewers. After peer-review ranking, a consensus meeting between two section editors and the editorial team was organized to finally conclude on the selected four best papers.

Results: Among the 877 papers published in 2020 and returned by the search, there were four best papers selected. The first best paper describes a method for mining temporal sequences from clinical documents to infer disease trajectories and enhancing high-throughput phenotyping. The authors of the second best paper demonstrate that the generation of synthetic Electronic Health Record (EHR) data through Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) could be substantially improved by more appropriate training and evaluation criteria. The third best paper offers an efficient advance on methods to detect adverse drug events by computer-assisting expert reviewers with annotated candidate mentions in clinical documents. The large-scale data quality assessment study reported by the fourth best paper has clinical research informatics implications, in terms of the trustworthiness of inferences made from analysing electronic health records.

Conclusions: The most significant research efforts in the CRI field are currently focusing on data science with active research in the development and evaluation of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms based on ever more intensive use of real-world data and especially EHR real or synthetic data. A major lesson that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has already taught the scientific CRI community is that timely international high-quality data-sharing and collaborative data analysis is absolutely vital to inform policy decisions.
Human Factors and Organizational Issues Section Synopsis IMIA Yearbook 2021
Authors: Senathirajah Yalini , Hribar Michelle ,   Section Editors of the IMIA Yearbook Section on Human Factors and Organizational Issues
Published: September 2021

Objective: To select the best papers that made original and high impact contributions in the area of human factors and organizational issues in biomedical informatics in 2020.

Methods: A rigorous extraction process based on queries from Web of Science® and PubMed/Medline was conducted to identify the scientific contributions published in 2020 that address human factors and organizational issues in biomedical informatics. The screening of papers on titles and abstracts independently by the two section editors led to a total of 1,562 papers. These papers were discussed for a selection of 12 finalist papers, which were then reviewed by the two section editors, two chief editors, and by three external reviewers from internationally renowned research teams.

Results: The query process resulted in 12 papers that reveal interesting and rigorous methods and important studies in human factors that move the field forward, particularly in clinical informatics and emerging technologies such as brain-computer interfaces. This year three papers were clearly outstanding and help advance in the field. They provide examples of applying existing frameworks together in novel and highly illuminating ways, showing the value of theory development in human factors. Emerging themes included several which discussed physician burnout, mobile health, and health equity. Those concerning the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) were included as part of that section.

Conclusion: The selected papers make important contributions to human factors and organizational issues, expanding and deepening our knowledge of how to apply theory and applications of new technologies in health.
Notable Papers and New Directions in Sensors, Signals, and Imaging Informatics
Authors: Hsu William , Baumgartner Christian , Deserno Thomas M. ,   Section Editors of the IMIA Yearbook Section on Sensors, Signals, and Imaging Informatics
Published: September 2021

Objective: To identify and highlight research papers representing noteworthy developments in signals, sensors, and imaging informatics in 2020.

Method: A broad literature search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus databases. We combined Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms and keywords to construct particular queries for sensors, signals, and image informatics. We only considered papers that have been published in journals providing at least three articles in the query response. Section editors then independently reviewed the titles and abstracts of preselected papers assessed on a three-point Likert scale. Papers were rated from 1 (do not include) to 3 (should be included) for each topical area (sensors, signals, and imaging informatics) and those with an average score of 2 or above were subsequently read and assessed again by two of the three co-editors. Finally, the top 14 papers with the highest combined scores were considered based on consensus.

Results: The search for papers was executed in January 2021. After removing duplicates and conference proceedings, the query returned a set of 101, 193, and 529 papers for sensors, signals, and imaging informatics, respectively. We filtered out journals that had less than three papers in the query results, reducing the number of papers to 41, 117, and 333, respectively. From these, the co-editors identified 22 candidate papers with more than 2 Likert points on average, from which 14 candidate best papers were nominated after intensive discussion. At least five external reviewers then rated the remaining papers. The four finalist papers were found using the composite rating of all external reviewers. These best papers were approved by consensus of the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) Yearbook editorial board.

Conclusions. Sensors, signals, and imaging informatics is a dynamic field of intense research. The four best papers represent advanced approaches for combining, processing, modeling, and analyzing heterogeneous sensor and imaging data. The selected papers demonstrate the combination and fusion of multiple sensors and sensor networks using electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG), or photoplethysmogram (PPG) with advanced data processing, deep and machine learning techniques, and present image processing modalities beyond state-of-the-art that significantly support and further improve medical decision making.
Year 2020 (with COVID): Observation of Scientific Literature on Clinical Natural Language Processing
Authors: Grabar Natalia , Grouin Cyril ,   Section Editors of the IMIA Yearbook Section on Clinical Natural Language Processing
Published: September 2021

Objectives: To analyze the content of publications within the medical NLP domain in 2020.

Methods: Automatic and manual preselection of publications to be reviewed, and selection of the best NLP papers of the year. Analysis of the important issues.

Results: Three best papers have been selected in 2020. We also propose an analysis of the content of the NLP publications in 2020, all topics included.

Conclusion: The two main issues addressed in 2020 are related to the investigation of COVID-related questions and to the further adaptation and use of transformer models. Besides, the trends from the past years continue, such as diversification of languages processed and use of information from social networks
Psychological Status and Attitude of Breast Cancer Patients Post-COVID-19 Outbreak in Chennai: A Observational Survey Study
Authors: Krishnan Chandralekha , Subramani Latha K.Vivek
Published: September 2021

Introduction The global threat caused by COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented lockdown imposed had created emotional stress among the breast cancer patients with dilemma regarding risk of progression of cancer due to interruptions of standard medical care and panic about acquiring the COVID-infection during their frequent visits to the hospital.

Objectives We conducted a questionnaire-based study to assess the psychological impact in this situation affecting their quality of life and their perspective in this current situation.

Materials and Methods Breast cancer patients who had been recently diagnosed, those who were on chemotherapy and visited our OPD in the month of July during the COVID-19 pandemic were assessed for their treatment-related perspectives with a questionnaire. Psychological status was analyzed with GAD-7 (generalized anxiety disorder questionnaire) and PHQ-9 (patient health questionnaire).

Results A total of 202 breast cancer patients were included when lockdown was relaxed after a period of 3 months and COVID-19 status was still up trending. The clinical profile and patient-related information were collected from the medical records. Of them, 55.4% (112 patients) were within the city, 35.1% (71 patients) were from suburban areas of the city, and 9.4% (19 patients) were from adjacent districts/rural areas. Also, 56% were educated. Of these, 87% wanted to continue treatment and did not bother about the spread of the infection, while remaining patients’ main concern was to avoid infection than to get oncological management. Also, 76% were aware about the COVID-19 infection and sequelae. A total of 80% patients were aware of the consequences due to delay in cancer treatment. Of these patients, 51%, 42% and 7% had mild, moderate, and severe anxiety respectively and 69%, 25% and 6% had mild, moderate, and severe depression respectively. The severe anxiety and depression correlated with metastatic breast cancer and educated patients.

Conclusion This study reflected that the breast cancer patients were more bothered to continue the treatment in spite of the existing pandemic.
Comparison of Various Radiotherapy Dose Fractionation Schedules in Palliation of Bone Metastasis
Authors: Fernandes Donald J. , Athiyamaan Mariappan Senthiappan , Rao Sandesh , Shankar Sharaschandra , Krishna Abhishek
Published: September 2021

Introduction Bone metastasis is a common manifestation of malignancy. Bone metastases causes various morbidities and affect the quality of life. External beam radiotherapy is the mainstay of treatment of uncomplicated painful bone metastases. Different radiotherapy fractionation schedules are in practice for palliation of painful bone metastases.

Objectives This study was aimed to compare and report the outcomes of various fractionation schedules of radiation therapy (RT) in terms of pain relief and quality of life in patients with painful bone metastases.

Materials and Methods Eighty patients were randomized into four treatment arms with different RT fractionation schedules, namely, 8 Gy in 1 fraction, 20 Gy in 5 fractions, 24 Gy in 6 fractions, and 30 Gy in 10 fractions. Patients were assessed for pain by visual analog scale (VAS), performance status and quality of life before initiating the treatment, on the day of completion of treatment, and 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months of treatment completion.

Results Majority of the metastases constituted from breast followed by lung cancer. Of these, 27.5% had metastases to the thoracic vertebra, 26.25% to the lumbar vertebra, 22.5% to the pelvis, 8.75% to the sternum, 6.25% each to cervical vertebra and femur, and 1.25% each to humerus and ribs. The mean VAS score prior to start of RT was 5.31, 5.21, 5.54, and 4.87 in arms A, B, C, and D, respectively. At the end of treatment, the scores were 3.0, 3.29, 2.77, and 2.47, respectively. At the end of 3 months, the scores were 1.54, 0.57, 0.54, and 0.60, respectively. The pain reduction was significant in all the four arms (p < 0.05). Also, 25% of the patients’ arm A had complete pain relief, whereas 45% of patients in arms B, C, and D had complete pain relief. In arm A, the performance status failed to improve at 3 months when compared with 1-week post-RT but the improvement was significant in the remaining three arms. There was improvement in the quality of life in all the arms, both in terms of function and symptoms. The mean score of symptomatic quality of life based on the EORTC BM22 module prior to start of RT was 38.14, 34.91, 28.85, and 29.17 in arms A, B, C, and D, respectively. There was a significant drop to 9.29, 6.55, 5.13, and 6.11 at 1-month posttreatment in the four arms, respectively. The outcomes in terms of functional quality of life showed a similar trend.

Conclusion This study demonstrated that pain reduction by various RT fractionation schedules were similar, and no statistically significant difference was noted. Performance status and quality of life improved in all the four treatment arms post-RT.
Evaluation of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Expression in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin
Authors: Kant Nimita , Jayaraj Perumal Senthiappan
Published: September 2021

Introduction Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is highly invasive malignant tumor showing keratinocytic differentiation and is often associated with chronic exposure to UV light. Telomerase is RNA dependent DNA polymerase that causes addition of telomeric repeat DNA sequences to chromosomal ends. Recently, UV signature mutations have been identified in core promoter region of TERT gene, which encodes the main catalytic subunit leading to overexpression in cutaneous melanoma. However, its role and expression pattern have not been studied in eyelid skin SCC.

Objectives Present study aimed to analyze the presence of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) in eyelid SCC, as its expression pattern and mutational status have not been studied in SCC.

Materials and Methods Nineteen cases of eyelid SCC were evaluated for the presence of TERT protein using monoclonal antibody against TERT, and its mutational status was verified using PCR and DNA sequencing. Bioedit software was used for analyzes and primers were vindicated using NCBI Primer Blast. Results were correlated with clinicopathological features of SCC.

Results A C to T mutation was observed in 6 of 19 SCC cases. Positive expression of TERT was found in 57% of the cases analyzed and it showed a significant association with keratinocytic differentiation (p = 0.04).

Conclusion Relation between TERT promoter mutation and TERT immunohistochemistry is studied for the first time in eyelid skin SCC. Our results suggested that overexpression of TERT may contribute to the aggressive behavior associated with SCC and such patients may warrant aggressive treatment.
An Analysis of Acute Adverse Drug Reactions Occurring in Day Care Chemotherapy Setting in a Tertiary Care Cancer Centre
Authors: R. Senthil J. , A. Santa , KB Pavan , P. Rakesh , G. Pravanika , G. Pravanika , Ch Narander , MMVT Krishna ,   Sekhar
Published: September 2021

Introduction Acute adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in day care chemotherapy are not uncommon and easily manageable many a time. However, sometimes they may lead to untoward events. It is of paramount importance to document and analyze such events in contemporary medical oncology practice for the best utilization and planning of available personnel and resources.

Objectives This study was aimed to analyze the acute ADRs occurring in day care cancer chemotherapy setting.

Materials and Methods All acute ADRs reported in day care cancer chemotherapy setting, during the administration of chemotherapy, at Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, were included in the study from June 15, 2020 to September 30, 2020. The ADRs were classified in to anaphylactic, allergic, and gastrointestinal (nausea/vomiting/heart burns/chest tightness). All ADRs were graded according to CTCAE version 5.0. Suspected drugs, time to reaction, and corrective measures were analyzed.

Results During the study period, a total of 8,600 sessions of day care chemotherapy were administered. ADRs were noticed in 83 cases (~1%). Among the reported ADRs, anaphylactic reactions were noted in 20 patients (24%); allergic reactions of grades 1 and 2 were noted in 41 patients (49%). Gastrointestinal ADRs were noted in 30 patients (36%). Adverse reactions are mostly seen in oxaliplatin (22.8%), rituximab (14.4%), paclitaxel (15.6%), carboplatin (13.2%), and docetaxel (7.2%). In grade-I (10%) and grade-II (63%) resections, supportive treatment was provided and chemotherapy was continued. Grade-III ADRs were noted in 21 patients (25%) out of whom, 3 patients required short-term intensive care, chemotherapy was withheld until the next cycle in one patient, and chemotherapy regimen was changed in 3 patients. No patient died of ADR.

Conclusion Serious ADRs are rare in contemporary medical oncology practice during day care chemotherapy administration. Most acute ADRs were easily managed.
Integrated optics show potential for terahertz technology applications
Authors: Green Leigh Ann
Published: September 2021

A newly developed integrated optical system is compact, broadband ready, requires no manual optical alignment, and allows for free-space-like propagation.
Finite-element dynamic-matrix approach for spin-wave dispersions in magnonic waveguides with arbitrary cross section
Authors: Körber L. , Quasebarth G. , Otto A. , Kákay A.
Published: September 2021

We present a numerical approach to efficiently calculate spin-wave dispersions and spatial mode profiles in magnetic waveguides of arbitrarily shaped cross section with any non-collinear equilibrium magnetization that is translationally invariant along the waveguide. Our method is based on the propagating-wave dynamic-matrix approach by Henry et al. (Ref. 19) and extends it to arbitrary cross sections using a finite-element method. We solve the linearized equation of motion of the magnetization only in a single waveguide cross section, which drastically reduces computational effort compared to common three-dimensional micromagnetic simulations. In order to numerically obtain the dipolar potential of individual spin-wave modes, we present a plane-wave version of the hybrid finite-element/boundary-element method by Fredkin and Koehler which we extend to a modified version of the Poisson equation. Our method is applied to several important examples of magnonic waveguides including systems with surface curvature, such as magnetic nanotubes, where the curvature leads to an asymmetric spin-wave dispersion. In all cases, the validity of our approach is confirmed by other methods. Our method is of particular interest for the study of curvature-induced or magnetochiral effects on spin-wave transport and also serves as an efficient tool to investigate standard magnonic problems.
A fast, low-energy multi-state phase-change artificial synapse based on uniform partial-state transitions
Authors: Go Shao Xiang , Lee Tae Hoon , Elliott Stephen R. , Bajalovic Natasa , Loke Desmond K.
Published: September 2021

Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS)-based neural architectures and memristive devices containing many artificial synapses are promising technologies that are being developed for pattern recognition and machine learning. However, the volatility and design complexity of traditional CMOS architectures, and the trade-off between the operating time and power consumption of conventional memristive devices, have tended to impede the path to achieve the interconnectivity/compactness and information density of the brain using either approach. Here, by developing a nanoscale deposit-only-metal-electrode-fabrication-based uniform-partial-state-transition-facilitated approach, we demonstrate a fast artificial synapse with a Rapid-operating-time, Intermediate-bias-range, Multiple-states, and Several-synaptic-functions (RIMS) synapse, implemented using deposit-only, nanopillar-based Ge2Sb2Te5-type memristive devices. A previously unconsidered, fast, paired-pulse facilitation/depression using ∼50 ns spikes with an ∼1 µs inter-spike interval within an ∼1 V range and with a low-energy consumption of ∼1.8 pJ per paired-spike as well as a previously inaccessible multi-state, rapid long-term potentiation/depression with ∼15 distinct states using ∼50 ns spikes within a 0.7/1.4 V range was achieved. Fast spike-timing-dependent plasticity using ∼50 ns spikes with an ∼1 µs inter-spike interval within a 1.3 V range was also achieved. Electro-thermal simulations reveal a uniform-partial-state-transition-facilitated variation in conductance states. This artificial synapse, equipped with a nanoscale deposit-only-metal-electrode-fabrication-based uniform-partial-state-transition-facilitated framework, shows the potential for a substantial overall performance improvement in artificial-intelligence tasks.
Mexican-hat potential energy surface in two-dimensional III2-VI3 materials and the importance of entropy barrier in ultrafast reversible ferroelectric phase change
Authors: Huang Yu-Ting , Chen Nian-Ke , Li Zhen-Ze , Li Xian-Bin , Wang Xue-Peng , Chen Qi-Dai , Sun Hong-Bo , Zhang Shengbai
Published: September 2021

First-principles calculations reveal a Mexican-hat potential energy surface (PES) for two-dimensional (2D) In2Se3. This unique PES leads to a pseudo-centrosymmetric paraelectric β phase that resolves the current controversy between theory and experiment. We further show that while the α-to-β (ferroelectric-to-paraelectric) phase transition is fast and coherent, assisted by an in-plane shear phonon mode, a random distribution of the atoms in the trough of the PES acts as an entropy barrier against the reverse β-to-α transition. This will be the origin of the speed limitation of current In2Se3 ferroelectric devices. However, if one orders the β phase (due to the formation of in-plane ferroelectric domains), the reverse transition can take place within tens of picoseconds in the presence of a perpendicular electric field. Finally, the Mexican-hat PES is a general feature for the entire family of 2D III2-VI3 materials. Our finding offers a critical physical picture in controlling the ultrafast reversible phase transition in 2D In2Se3 and other III2-VI3 materials, which will benefit their practical industrial development for advanced ferroelectric devices.