bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep learning proton beam range estimation model for quality assurance based on two‐dimensional scintillated light distributions in simulations
Authors: Lee Eunho , Cho Byungchul , Kwak Jungwon , Jeong Chiyoung , Park Min‐Jae , Kim Sung‐woo , Song Si Yeol , Goh Youngmoon
Published: July 2023

Background

Many studies have utilized optical camera systems with volumetric scintillators for quality assurances (QA) to estimate the proton beam range. However, previous analytically driven range estimation methods have the difficulty to derive the dose distributions from the scintillation images with quenching and optical effects.

Purpose

In this study, a deep learning method utilized to QA was used to predict the beam range and spread‐out Bragg peak (SOBP) for two‐dimensional (2D) map conversion from the scintillation light distribution (LD) into the dose distribution in a water phantom.

Methods

The 2D residual U‐net modeling for deep learning was used to predict the 2D water dose map from a 2D scintillation LD map. Monte Carlo simulations for dataset preparation were performed with varying monoenergetic proton beam energies, field sizes, and beam axis shifts. The LD was reconstructed using photons backpropagated from the aperture as a virtual lens. The SOBP samples were constructed based on monoenergetic dose distributions. The training set, including the validation set, consisted of 8659 image pairs of LD and water dose maps. After training, dose map prediction was performed using a 300 image pair test set generated under random conditions. The pairs of simulated and predicted dose maps were analyzed by Bragg peak fitting and gamma index maps to evaluate the model prediction.

Result

The estimated beam range and SOBP width resolutions were 0.02 and 0.19 mm respectively for varying beam conditions, and the beam range and SOBP width deviations from the reference simulation result were less than 0.1 and 0.8 mm respectively. The simulated and predicted distributions showed good agreement in the gamma analysis, except for rare cases with failed gamma indices in the proximal and field‐marginal regions.

Conclusion

The deep learning conversion method using scintillation LDs in an optical camera system with a scintillator is feasible for estimating proton beam range and SOBP width with high accuracy.
Factors influencing oviposition behaviour of the invasive pest, Drosophila suzukii, derived from interactions with other Drosophila species: potential applications for control
Authors: Tungadi Trisna Dewi , Powell Glen , Shaw Bethan , Fountain Michelle T
Published: July 2023

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) or spotted wing Drosophila is a worldwide invasive pest of soft‐ and stone‐fruit production. Female D. suzukii lay their eggs in ripening fruit and the hatched larvae damage fruit from the inside, rendering it unmarketable and causing significant economic loss. Current methods to reduce D. suzukii population in the field primarily rely on chemical insecticides which are not a sustainable long‐term solution and increase the risk of resistance developing. Several studies demonstrate that when D. suzukii encounter or coexist with other Drosophila on a food source, this is usually a disadvantage to D. suzukii, leading to reduced oviposition and increased larval mortality. These effects have potential to be exploited from a pest management perspective. In this review we summarise recent research articles focusing on the interspecific interactions between D. suzukii and other Drosophila species aimed at understanding how this drives D. suzukii behaviour. Potential semiochemical and microbiome impacts are postulated as determinants of D. suzukii behaviour. Development of control practices focusing on reducing D. suzukii populations and deterring them from laying eggs by utilising factors that drive their behaviour are discussed. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Fabrication and Local Electrical Characterization of p–n Junction Copper Phthalocyanine Nanorods
Authors: Koshiba Yasuko , Sugimoto Iori , Horike Shohei , Fukushima Tatsuya , Ishida Kenji
Published: July 2023

1D organic semiconductor nanostructures have attracted considerable attention; however, only a few studies are conducted on p–n junction organic semiconductor 1D nanostructures. Herein, p‐ and n‐type and p–n junction phthalocyanine (Pc) nanorods are grown in the out‐of‐plane direction of a substrate via vacuum deposition using typical organic semiconductors with copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) as the p‐type semiconductor and copper octafluorophthalocyanine (F8CuPc) and copper hexadecafluorophthalocyanine (F16CuPc) as the n‐type semiconductors. p–n junction Pc nanorods are fabricated via the continuous deposition of F8CuPc and F16CuPc onto CuPc nanorods. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy reveals that the Pc molecules in the nanorods are perpendicularly aligned, with their molecular planes oriented toward the longitudinal direction of the nanorods. The local current–voltage properties of the nanorods are measured using conductive atomic force microscopy. The hole mobility in the CuPc nanorods is 10 times higher than that in the CuPc thin films. The p–n junction properties of F8CuPc/CuPc nanorods are evaluated.
Effect of Heat Treatment on the Crystallization Behavior of Amorphous Manganese Dioxide and its Electrochemical Properties in Zinc‐Ion Battery Cathodes
Authors: Gu Chengyang , Zhang Zhenzhong , Zhao Yukai , Zhao Fangxia , Liu Yana , Zhang Youwei
Published: July 2023

Herein, amorphous manganese dioxide (AMO) is prepared by the liquid‐phase coprecipitation method, the effect of heat treatment temperature on the microstructure, and phase composition of AMO and the electrochemical properties as cathode materials for aqueous Zn–MnO2 batteries are investigated. The results show that the AMO didn't crystallize at 250 °C, but its structure stability increases. When the temperature is 350 and 400 °C, part of the AMO crystallizes into rod‐shaped nano‐α‐MnO2 crystals. At 540 °C, the products crystallize into nano‐α‐MnO2 crystals. Continuing to increase the temperature to 650 °C, the structural stability of the products is further improved. Heat treatment leads to reduced specific surface area and porosity of the material, which in turn leads to reduced specific capacity and cycling stability. In addition, the heat‐treated products show a sharp drop in capacity during the discharge process; this was because the volume change caused by the irreversible phase change of the electrode material is difficult to release in the anisotropic crystal, resulting in the collapse of the structure. This study shows that unheated AMO is better than heat‐treated AMO as a cathode material for aqueous Zn–MnO2 battery cathode material in terms of overall performance and cost.
A Hybrid Supercapacitor from Nickel Cobalt Sulfide and Activated Carbon for Energy Storage Application
Authors: Markhabayeva Aiymkul A. , Anarova Assiya S. , Abdullin Khabibulla A. , Kalkozova Zhanar K. , Tulegenova Aida T. , Nuraje Nurxat
Published: July 2023

Nickel–cobalt sulfide is a promising material for supercapacitor positive electrodes due to its high theoretical capacitance. Herein, the electrochemical properties of nickel–cobalt sulfide nanostructures synthesized via a two‐stage hydrothermal method are investigated and the synthesis conditions to achieve high mass loading while maintaining high specific capacitance are determined. The nanostructural morphology and effective mass loading of the electrodes (≈10 mg cm−2) enable the achievement of a high specific capacitance value of 8.1 F cm−2 at a current density of 5 mA cm−2. A hybrid capacitor is made using optimized nickel–cobalt sulfide electrodes as the positive electrode and activated carbon as the negative electrode. The device exhibits a maximum operation potential window of 1.75 V and an energy density of 51.2 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 262.5 W kg−1. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that the device maintains a capacitance retention rate of 95% after 10 000 charge–discharge cycles within a working voltage of 1.8 V. High electrochemical performances compared with others devices‐based water electrolytes make it promising for the energy storage device.
Synthesis of Calcium Manganese Oxide Films Using a Sol–Gel Method and Evaluation of Color and Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Oka Ryohei , Hayakawa Tomokatsu
Published: July 2023

Herein, for developing colored photocatalysts, calcium manganese oxide (Ca–Mn–O) film and powder samples are synthesized by a sol–gel method using acetylacetone (acac) or citric acid as a chelating agent, and their color and photocatalytic properties are evaluated. Thin‐film X‐ray diffraction experiments clarify the precipitation of Ca–Mn–O phases, such as Ca3Mn2O7 (Ca/Mn = 1.5) and Ca2MnO4 (Ca/Mn = 2), in the film samples with drop‐cast coating. These films strongly absorb all visible light due to the interband transition between O 2p and Mn 3d orbitals, resulting in dark gray coloration. By testing photocatalytic activities using methylene blue dyes, it is revealed that the film sample (acac, 4‐drops) exhibits photocatalytic activities, which makes Ca–Mn–O films dual functional with photocatalytic functions and coloration.
Unleashing the power of SDN and GNN for network anomaly detection: State‐of‐the‐art, challenges, and future directions
Authors: Dhadhania Archan , Bhatia Jitendra , Mehta Rachana , Tanwar Sudeep , Sharma Ravi , Verma Amit
Published: July 2023

Modern computer networks' increasing complexity and scale need serious attention towards network anomaly detection. Software‐defined networking (SDN) and graph neural networks (GNN) have emerged as promising approaches for anomaly detection due to their ability to capture dynamic network behavior and learn complex patterns from large‐scale network data. The amalgamation of SDN and GNN for network anomaly detection presents promising opportunities for improving the accuracy and efficiency of network anomaly detection. This paper focuses on various trends, issues, and challenges by integrating GNN on the top of SDN for network anomaly detection. The article highlights the advantages of using SDN for providing fine‐grained control and programmability in network monitoring. At the same time, GNN can model network behavior as a graph and learn representations from graph‐structured data. The authors also discuss the limitations of traditional anomaly detection methods in SDN, such as rule‐based approaches, and the potential of GNN to overcome these limitations by leveraging their ability to capture non‐linear and dynamic patterns in network data. This paper also presents a case study of DoS attack detection using SDN. The result shows that SDN based approach helps to detect attacks with an accuracy of 97% with future research directions.
Correlation of Bread Staling and Starch Digestibility and Role of Carboxymethyl Cellulose
Authors: Arslan‐Tontul Sultan
Published: July 2023

This study aims to correlate bread staling with starch digestibility rate. The study also investigates the effects of the use of an anti‐staling agent (carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)) on starch digestion and glycemic index value. The results indicate that CMC utilization has an insignificant effect on a specific volume of bread, but, it decreases the crumb and crust lightness. CMC improves the textural properties of bread and reduces hardness during storage. The highest firmness increase is detected in the control sample, and the rate of firmness accelerates after the second day of storage. However, the addition of CMC leads to a decrease in the firmness of the bread. As expected, CMC is effective in slowing bread staling. The most novel results of the study are revealed through starch digestion. That storage period and CMC utilization affect significantly (p < 0.05) starch hydrolysis rate and staling has a decreasing effect on starch digestibility. After 4 days of storage, the expected glycemic index (eGI) decreases in all bread samples, and the highest decrease is observed in 5% CMC‐added bread samples. These results are also correlated with an increase in total dietary fiber content after the storage period.
The International Law of Content Governance
Authors: Celeste Edoardo , Palladino Nicola , Redeker Dennis , Yilma Kinfe
Published: July 2023

This chapter considers the extent to which international law offers guidance to the governance of digital platforms. Recent years have seen a growing attention in the potential of international law in offering normative guidance to address human rights concerns in content governance. The chapter considers whether the recent turn to international law for content governance standards is a worthwhile exercise. It finds that, beset by a host of design and structural constraints, international law does not offer meaningful normative guidance to the governance of and in digital platforms. The chapter then highlights how emergent standards are moving past the regulatory limits of international law.
Shaping Standards from Below: Insights from Civil Society
Authors: Celeste Edoardo , Palladino Nicola , Redeker Dennis , Yilma Kinfe
Published: July 2023

This chapter discusses how civil society groups are articulating rights and principles for the digital age through non-legally binding declarations, known as ‘Internet Bills of Rights’. These documents represent the ‘voice’ of communities that are seeking to redefine core constitutional principles in light of the challenges posed by digital society, resulting in a new form of ‘digital constitutionalism’. The chapter analyses 40 Internet Bills of Rights and their principles related to online content governance, including substantive and procedural standards, as well as ad hoc provisions specifically crafted to address social media platforms. These provisions aim to contextualise and adapt international human rights standards into more granular norms and rules to be implemented in the platform environment.
Platform Policies Versus Human Rights Standards
Authors: Celeste Edoardo , Palladino Nicola , Redeker Dennis , Yilma Kinfe
Published: July 2023

This chapter empirically examines how five social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube—deal with the content governance dilemma and the question of which human rights standard to apply when moderating user content. It builds on previous chapters’ analyses of relevant human rights standards in international law and civil society-issued documents to elucidate to what extent substantial and procedural demands are met by the platforms. After an analysis of platform policies—specifically the human rights commitments included in them, the chapter examines substantive content moderation trends in a comparative way. Thereafter, procedural practices of content moderation including transparency reporting and automated content moderation are comparatively discussed. The chapter finds a relatively high degree of convergence among the platforms on a number of practices.
Conclusion
Authors: Celeste Edoardo , Palladino Nicola , Redeker Dennis , Yilma Kinfe
Published: July 2023

The choice on the law of online content moderation is a conundrum composed of three options, none of which is fully satisfying. International human rights law is not the solution to the content governance dilemma, but its contribution cannot be excluded from the resolution of this issue. A multi-level approach is proposed where multiple actors are instrumental in translating human rights norms into rules that speak to the context of online content governance. This work focuses on the role of civil society organisations. By comparing the demands advanced by civil society actors with platforms’ policies we reconstruct an image of the process of social media constitutionalisation ‘in motion’.
Introduction
Authors: Nyström Höög Catharina , Rahm Henrik , Thomassen Hammerstad Gøril
Published: July 2023

This book deals with the Nordic tradition of sakprosa studies, and the role of complex written texts in an increasingly diverse and dynamic society. Since 2009, the journal Sakprosa—a Nordic publication based in Oslo—has been publishing articles on different aspects of applied linguistics, rhetoric, textual studies, discourse analysis, literature studies, educational studies, communication and adjoining disciplines. The word sakprosa is a compound noun, where the first part sak is a rather polysemic word which means ‘thing’ (or ‘issue’, ‘case’, ‘subject’) and the second part means ‘prose’. Thus, the literal meaning is prose (texts) about things. Common translations are non-fictional prose, subject oriented texts or subject-oriented prose as well as non-literary prose. We use the Scandinavian noun sakprosa as it incorporates all these meanings. The six chapters of this book bring forth different aspects of the concept sakprosa—the text-theoretical framework for Scandinavian sakprosa research, CSR-reporting, changes of sakprosa culture because of the digitizing of communication, a study of a master programme for sakprosa writing, crisis information from a public authority and a concluding summary which re-visits all the chapters and reflects on their contributions to the field of sakprosa studies.
Texts as Cultural Artefacts: Theoretical Challenges to Empirical Research on Utterances and Texts
Authors: Berge Kjell Lars , Ledin Per
Published: July 2023

This chapter presents a theory of texts often used in Scandinavian “sakprosa” research. In the chapter, the constitutive features of any text are presented. It is shown how the text as a cultural artefact has the quality of and at the same time being a unique utterance and instantiating a text norm. In the text theory presented, text is part of a text culture, to which other text sharing similar norms belong. Thus, a “text” is conceived as an utterance that competent participants in a specific cultural time and space assign a certain cultural value.
Digital Discourse Networks: Digital Media as a Socio-material Condition for Access and Circulation
Authors: Andersen Jack
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this chapter is to argue that digital media act as a socio-material condition for access to, and the circulation of, sakprosa in modern digital culture. I adapt the German media theorist Friedrich Kittler’s notion of a discourse network and examine work on digital archives and algorithms, to demonstrate through two concrete examples, a Danish public authority website and the website of a publishing house, how their digital configuration, in different ways, set up communicative conditions for the circulation of, and access to, sakprosa on the websites. The research implications of the argument presented are, first, that sakprosa is, or is becoming, a different thing when operating in a discourse network consisting of software, data, archives, and algorithms. This needs to be recognized when studying sakprosa in these spheres. Another implication is the need for sakprosa research to engage more with digital media conversations so as to inform these conversations. The novelty of the approach taken in here lies in a new vocabulary, concepts, and discourses capable of contributing to a deeper understanding of the involvement of sakprosa in digital infrastructures.
Crisis Communication on Social Media: Informalization in the Hour-by-Hour Struggle for Information
Authors: Almström Persson Gunilla
Published: July 2023

This chapter concerns the communicative conditions in the relation between informal practice of sakprosa and informal style in social media communication. By focusing on knowledge and interaction in authorities’ crisis communication, the objective is to discuss whether the public discourse undergoes an informalization within the framework of critical discourse analysis. The aim of this study is to shed light on communicative strategies in authorities’ prose on social media. The data consist of two corpora from the Twitter platform of the Swedish crisis authority—the first from the terror attack in Stockholm in 2017 and the second from an official false alarm for a total number of 1,951 tweets. Methodologically, the data are arranged chronologically and rest on a qualitative approach to style.

A result of this study is that boundaries within the public discourse in social media are not blending, but rather are parallel. When the authority takes the initiative to post informative tweets, they use formal written style. On the contrary, when they write responses to citizens’ tweets, they often use a personal and informal style. Another result is that when the authority does not communicate, it seems to trigger citizens to post informal and sometimes harsh comments.
Concluding Remarks: The Power and Potential of the Concept Sakprosa (CPS): A Guided Tour Through Five Topoi
Authors: Tønnesson Johan
Published: July 2023

The reason why the term sakprosa, imprecisely translated as non-fiction, is, in fact, untranslatable into English, is the prefix “sak” (German: Sach), with the approximate meaning “subject”, “case”, or even “thing”. Hence, in these concluding remarks to the book The Discourse of Things, the Scandinavian idiom is recommended as a foreign word to English, as has happened with the idiom “ombudsman”. It is argued that the concept is well fit to discuss and strengthen the quality of socially and culturally important texts in a democratic-ethical perspective. An appropriate understanding of sakprosa texts can be achieved through five metaphorical topoi: (a) the city: a complex textual system of debating publics and common private fora, (b) the anthill: a multitude of everyday activities that are handled through texts, (c) the choir: multi-voiced texts that shed light on the phenomena in question, based on different skills and temperaments, (d) the thing site: where judgments are shared and decisions are made about the future and (e) the borderland. The recent book’s empirical and theoretical studies are commented on and placed in these four topoi, related to a thorough discussion around the author’s own proposal for a definition of the Concept of sakprosa (CPS): “Sakprosa are texts that the addressee has reasons to perceive as direct utterances about reality”, as well as to his division of CPS in literary sakprosa, belonging to the literary institution, and functional sakprosa, which make up the vast majority of texts in today’s societies.
Chinese as a Heritage Language in New Zealand: A Historical Overview
Authors: Wang Danping
Published: July 2023

This chapter presents a comprehensive historical overview of 180 years of Chinese settlement in New Zealand, providing insight into the maintenance and teaching of Chinese as a heritage language in the country since the 1950s. Using the concept of linguistic demography, the chapter analyses changing demographics based on the most recent population census, aiming to illuminate future language shifts and planning in New Zealand. Moreover, the chapter explores the politics of immigration policies that have targeted Chinese immigrants for over a century. It covers the six distinct periods of identity within the Chinese community from its establishment to the present day. These insights shed light on the attitudes and efforts of generations of Chinese migrants to preserve their cultural heritage. The study also outlines the three stages of Chinese heritage language teaching in New Zealand, providing a foundation for further research and a deeper understanding of the current state of Chinese language education in the country and potential future developments.
Introduction
Authors: Li Bin
Published: July 2023

This research focuses on the political nature of urban redevelopment from a governance perspective; characteristics of its governance will be analysed within the Chinese authoritarian regime. Urban redevelopment is chosen as the research object because it is significant and complex enough to be a typical case in Chinese economic growth. The main problem in urban redevelopment is the issue of social cooperation among different stakeholders; it is the problem of governance. Theories of governance origin from the developed world and their applications into Chinese context will bring about interesting development of governance studies and exciting reflection of Chinese politics. In this perspective, the most important characteristic of China’s political system, an authoritarian regime can strongly affect the characteristics of governance. Guangzhou, as the third largest city in China and the political-economic centre of south China, has been chosen as the studied site to reveal its political nature in Urban redevelopment. Based on this analysis, a resilient mode of governance in Guangzhou redevelopment can be established. This mode is a small fragment of mirror to reflect the whole political picture of China.
Three Phases of Urban Redevelopment Governance
Authors: Li Bin
Published: July 2023

This chapter aims to describe what happened in the field of urban redevelopment in Guangzhou from 1990 to 2015. The patterns of governance in this period can be divided into 3 phases; different phases have quite distinct characteristics of social cooperative modes and various state-market-communities relations. It comprises 3 phases with different patterns of governance: first, the Primitive Market Phase (1990–1998); second, the Pure Government Phase (1998–2006); and third, the Multiple Players Phase (2006–2015). These phases are strongly connected to periods of control by the mayors of Guangzhou, especially in the first two phases. However, the modes of governance were not changed immediately after the changes of mayors; every new leader needs time to adapt a new position, control new resources, modify existing policy and build up new agendas. There are always delays between the announcement of new mayors and establishment of a new mode of governance. This research prefers to identify phases based on the period of leadership of mayors because this method is simple and clear, and emphasises the importance of leaders in governance. In every phase, modes of social interactions and the state-market-communities relations will be expressed.
Resilient Governance of Urban Redevelopment
Authors: Li Bin
Published: July 2023

This chapter aims to explain why there are diverse features associated with the different phrases. The purpose of changes in governance modes is closely related to governmental target with economic growth. Structural elements include institutional, cultural and economic ones which are external and internal challenges; changed governance modes are responses against these challenges. This chapter aim to make a clear connection between changes in the developmental environment of Guangzhou and authoritarian regime in this city. Various aspects of the developmental environment have changed in the last 25 years, and the modes of governance have also changed; however, the logic underlying the connection between these two parts has never been changed. Every mode of governance has been transformed to adapt a changed environment to maximise economic growth. This is resilient governance of urban redevelopment in Guangzhou.
Conclusion
Authors: Li Bin
Published: July 2023

This chapter aims to conclude the whole study. This research employs the case of Guangzhou to explore the forces governing urban redevelopment in Chinese cities which have experienced rapid development and radical transformations in the last few decades. Based on studies of institutional background as authoritarian regime, modes of governance in redeveloping Guangzhou, and connection between authoritarian political system and three distinct governance phases, a resilient governance in redeveloping Guangzhou has been preliminarily formed. This research has difficulties in terms of a structural narrative about stories in Guangzhou over 25 years; it is difficult to collect data and make choices among data. At the same time, Guangzhou is just one case among Chinese cities; it is acknowledged that it is difficult to analyse the nature of governance in Chinese cities by the example of one city. To overcome these research limits and develop this research, studies in the future need to follow the latest developments, broaden the research field and deepen the nature of the research.
Lateral meniscus posterior root repair in the setting of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction restores joint mechanics to the intact state and improves clinical function: a systematic review of biomechanical and clinical outcomes
Authors: Perry Allison K. , Knapik Derrick M. , Maheshwer Bhargavi , Polce Evan M. , Hodakowski Alexander J. , Jackson Garrett , Gursoy Safa , Chahla Jorge
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To perform a systematic review of biomechanical and clinical outcomes following lateral meniscus posterior root (LMPR) repair with concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Methods

A literature search was performed systematically using PubMed, Embase, and Medline databases in April 2022. The search included the following terms combined with Boolean operators: ‘Meniscus repairs’, ‘Meniscal Repair’, ‘Posterior Horn’, ‘Root’, ‘Radial’. Inclusion criteria consisted of level I‐IV human clinical and biomechanical studies reporting biomechanical data and/or outcomes following LMPR repair in the setting of ACLR.

Results

Three biomechanical studies, all utilizing a transtibial pullout technique, were identified, all of which reported significant improvement in joint contact pressures and mechanics and 3/4 of which reported significant improvement in anterior or rotational stability with LMPR repair. Five clinical studies, consisting of 146 patients (mean age 28.5 ± 1.1 years) undergoing LMPR repair, were identified with an average follow‐up of 19.1 months (range 6.2–46 months). Across all clinical studies, Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores were found to improve postoperatively, with 3/4 reporting significant improvement in Lysholm (all, p ≤ 0.001) scores and 3/5 reporting significant improvement in IKDC scores when compared to preoperative values (all, p ≥ 0.004). Meniscal extrusion decreased significantly following repair in 2/4 studies (all, p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions

Biomechanically, transtibial pullout repair of the LMPR restored joint contact pressures and joint mechanics to intact levels when performed with concomitant ACLR. Clinically, LMPR repair with concurrent ACLR resulted in improved Lysholm and IKDC scores. These findings enable surgeons to determine optimal treatment plans and discuss realistic outcomes with patients when encountering LMPR injuries.

Level of evidence

IV.
Does lucency equate to revision? A five‐year retrospective review of Attune and Triathlon total knee arthroplasty
Authors: O’Donovan Paul , McAleese Timothy , Harty James
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The Attune® total knee arthroplasty system was introduced in 2013 to address lingering issues of patient dissatisfaction. However, recent literature reports concerns of early tibial tray debonding. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of radiolucent lines, survivorship and patient reported outcome‐measures between the Attune® system and the well‐established Triathlon® system.

Methods

This retrospective database review was conducted at a single institution in Cork, Ireland. All primary Attune® (N = 445) and Triathlon® (N = 285) systems implanted between 2015 and 2016 were reviewed. Radiolucent lines were assessed for those with a minimum two‐year radiological follow‐up (Attune® = 338; Triathlon® = 231). X‐rays were taken post op, at 6 months, 2 years and 5 years. Radiolucent lines were documented using the Modern Knee Society Radiographic System. Five‐year survival was assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis with the Log Rank method to determine statistical significance. The Oxford Knee Score and EQ‐5D‐5L, were collected pre‐op, at 6 months, 2 years and 5 years post‐operatively and compared using the Kruskal–Wallis Test.

Results

The Attune® had a higher proportion of radiolucent lines at the tibial tray [87.1% (54/62) vs 61.4% (27/44); p = 0.001] and at the implant–cement interface [62.9% (39/62) vs 43.2% (19/44); p = 0.02]. Conversely, the Triathlon® had a higher proportion AT the femur [38.6% (17/44) vs 12.9% (8/62); p = 0.001] and at the cement–bone interface [56.8% (25/44) vs 37.1% (23/62); p = 0.02]. The overall frequency of radiolucent lines was similar in both the Attune® and Triathlon® groups [17.8%, (60/338) vs 17.7%, (41/231); p = 0.49]. There was no difference in revision‐free survival analysis at 5 years (Attune® 97.8% vs Triathlon® 95.8%; p = 0.129). The Attune® performed better at 5 years in the Oxford Knee Score [Attune® = 42.6 (SD 5.2) vs Triathlon® = 41 (SD 6.4); p = 0.001] and in the EQ‐5D [Attune® = 0.773 (SD 0.187) vs Triathlon® = 0.729 (SD 0.218); p = 0.013]. There was no difference at 5 years in the EQ‐VAS [Attune® = 80.4 (SD 13.7) vs Triathlon® = 78.5 (SD 15.3); p = 0.25].

Conclusion

The Attune® system exhibited a higher incidence of radiolucent lines at the tibial tray. However, this did not lead to decreased survivorship at medium term follow‐up compared to the Triathlon®. Furthermore, improvements in patient reported outcomes modestly favoured the Attune® system.

Level of evidence

III.
A robust, open-source implementation of the locally optimal block preconditioned conjugate gradient for large eigenvalue problems in quantum chemistry
Authors: Nottoli Tommaso , Giannì Ivan , Levitt Antoine , Lipparini Filippo
Published: July 2023

We present two open-source implementations of the locally optimal block preconditioned conjugate gradient (lobpcg) algorithm to find a few eigenvalues and eigenvectors of large, possibly sparse matrices. We then test lobpcg for various quantum chemistry problems, encompassing medium to large, dense to sparse, well-behaved to ill-conditioned ones, where the standard method typically used is Davidson’s diagonalization. Numerical tests show that while Davidson’s method remains the best choice for most applications in quantum chemistry, LOBPCG represents a competitive alternative, especially when memory is an issue, and can even outperform Davidson for ill-conditioned, non-diagonally dominant problems.
An algebraic model for inversion and deletion in bacterial genome rearrangement
Authors: Clark Chad , Jonušas Julius , Mitchell James D. , Francis Andrew
Published: July 2023

Inversions, also sometimes called reversals, are a major contributor to variation among bacterial genomes, with studies suggesting that those involving small numbers of regions are more likely than larger inversions. Deletions may arise in bacterial genomes through the same biological mechanism as inversions, and hence a model that incorporates both is desirable. However, while inversion distances between genomes have been well studied, there has yet to be a model which accounts for the combination of both deletions and inversions. To account for both of these operations, we introduce an algebraic model that utilises partial permutations. This leads to an algorithm for calculating the minimum distance to the most recent common ancestor of two bacterial genomes evolving by inversions (of adjacent regions) and deletions. The algebraic model makes the existing short inversion models more complete and realistic by including deletions, and also introduces new algebraic tools into evolutionary distance problems.
Comparative study of the efficacy and safety of topical minoxidil 2% versus topical bimatoprost 0.01% versus topical bimatoprost 0.03% in treatment of eyebrow hypotrichosis: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zaky Mohamed S. , Hashem Osama A. , Mahfouz Sara M. , Elsaie Mohamed L.
Published: July 2023

Eyebrows are an important feature of facial identity and communications in human beings as well as an important eye defense shield from dust and foreign bodies. To compare the efficacy and safety between 0.01%, 0.03% bimatoprost and minoxidil 2% in gel formulations for eyebrow enhancement. Sixty eligible subjects were female or male, aged 18 years or older with eyebrow hypotrichosis, defined as either a Grade 1 or 2 on the Global Eyebrow Assessment (GEBA) scale. Patients were randomized into 3 groups using block randomization. Group a (20 patients) applied topical 0.03% bimatoprost gel once daily onto both eyebrows, group b (20 patients) applied topical 0.01% bimatoprost gel once daily onto both eyebrows while group c (20 patients) applied topical minoxidil 2% gel once daily onto both eyebrows. A significant improvement in GEBA score was reported in all the three groups after treatment (P ≤ 0.001); however, there was no statistically significant difference between the three groups (P1 = 0.091; P2 = 0.102; P3 = 0.663). Bimatoprost is equally efficacious as minoxidil in enhancement of eyebrows with a more favorable response produced by the 0.03% concentration.
Insomnia moderates the association between psychotic-like experiences and suicidal ideation in a non-clinical population: a network analysis
Authors: Misiak Błażej , Gawęda Łukasz , Moustafa Ahmed A. , Samochowiec Jerzy
Published: July 2023

Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) have been associated with poor sleep quality and increased suicide risk. However, the association between PLEs, insomnia and suicide risk has not been thoroughly investigated in prior studies. In this study, we aimed to explore as to whether insomnia moderates the association between PLEs and suicidal ideation. The study was performed in 4203 young adults (aged 18–35 years, 63.8% females). Data were collected using self-reports. Moderation analysis demonstrated that PLEs are associated with higher levels of the current suicidal ideation only in participants with greater severity of insomnia (B = 0.003, p < 0.001). This analysis included age, gender, education, occupation and depressive symptoms as covariates. Moreover, the network analysis demonstrated that nodes representing PLEs are connected to the node of current suicidal ideation only in participants with greater severity of insomnia. The nodes of PLEs connected to the current suicidal ideation node captured PLEs representing deja vu experiences, auditory hallucination-like experiences and paranoia (edge weights between 0.011 and 0.083). Furthermore, nodes representing PLEs were the three most central nodes in the network analysis of individuals with higher levels of insomnia (strength centrality between 0.96 and 1.10). In turn, the three most central nodes were represented by depressive symptoms in the network analysis of individuals with lower levels of insomnia (strength centrality between 0.67 and 0.79). Findings from this study indicate that insomnia might be an important risk factor of suicide in people with PLEs, especially those reporting deja vu experiences, auditory hallucination-like experiences and paranoia.
A novel tetraspanin-related gene signature for predicting prognosis and immune invasion status of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhu Yindong , Yang Ying , Liu Yuan , Qian Hongyan , Qu Ganlin , Shi Weidong , Liu Jun
Published: July 2023

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), the most common subtype of lung cancer, is the primary contributor to cancer-linked fatalities. Dysregulation in the proliferation of cells and death is primarily involved in its development. Recently, tetraspanins, a group of transmembrane proteins, have gained increasing attention for their potential role in the progression of LUAD. Hence, our endeavor involved the development of a novel tetraspanin-based model for the prognostication of lung cancer.

Methods

A comprehensive set of bioinformatics tools was utilized to evaluate the expression of tetraspanin-related genes and assess their significance regarding prognosis. Hence, a robust risk signature was established through machine learning. The prognosis-predictive value of the signature was evaluated in terms of clinical application, functional enrichment, and the immune landscape.

Results

The research first identified differential expression of tetraspanin genes in patients with LUAD via publicly available databases. The resulting data were indicative of the value that nine of them held regarding prognosis. Five distinct elements were utilized in the establishment of a tetraspanin-related model (TSPAN7, TSPAN11, TSPAN14, UPK1B, and UPK1A). Furthermore, as per the median risk scores, the participants were classified into high- and low-risk groups. The model was validated using inner and outer validation sets. Notably, consensus clustering and prognostic score grouping analysis revealed that tetraspanin-related features affect tumor prognosis by modulating tumor immunity. A nomogram based on the tetraspanin gene was constructed with the aim of enhancing the poor prognosis of high-risk groups and facilitating clinical application.

Conclusion

Through machine learning algorithms and in vitro experiments, a novel tetraspanin-associated signature was developed and validated for survival prediction in patients with LUAD that reflects tumor immune infiltration. This could potentially provide new and improved measures for diagnosis and therapeutic interventions for LUAD.
Pre-operative endoscopic balloon dilatation and its impact on outcome of laparoscopic Heller cardiomyotomy for patients with achalasia: does the frequency and interval matter?
Authors: El-Magd El-Sayed Abou , Elgeidie Ahmed , Elmahdy Youssif , Abbas Amr , Elyamany Mohamed Abdellatif , Abulazm Ibrahem Lotfy
Published: July 2023

Background

Many surgeons believe that pre-operative balloon dilatation makes laparoscopic myotomy more difficult in achalasia patients. Herein, we wanted to see if prior pneumatic balloon dilatation led to worse outcomes after laparoscopic myotomy. We also assessed if the frequency of dilatations and the time interval between the last one and the surgical myotomy could affect these outcomes.

Methods

The data of 460 patients was reviewed. They were divided into two groups: the balloon dilation (BD) group (102 patients) and the non-balloon dilatation (non-BD) group (358 patients).

Results

Although pre-operative parameters and surgical experience were comparable between the two groups, the incidence of mucosal perforation, operative time, and intraoperative blood loss significantly increased in the BD group. The same group also showed a significant delay in oral intake and an increased hospitalization period. At a median follow-up of 4 years, the incidence of post-operative reflux increased in the BD group, while patient satisfaction decreased. Patients with multiple previous dilatations showed a significant increase in operative time, blood loss, perforation incidence, hospitalization period, delayed oral intake, and reflux esophogitis compared to single-dilatation patients. When compared to long-interval cases, patients with short intervals had a higher incidence of mucosal perforation and a longer hospitalization period.

Conclusion

Pre-operative balloon dilatation has a significant negative impact on laparoscopic myotomy short and long term outcomes. It is associated with a significant increase in operative time, blood loss, mucosal injury, hospitalization period, and incidence of reflux symptoms. More poor outcomes are encountered in patients with multiple previous dilatations and who have a short time interval between the last dilatation and the myotomy.
Gremlin-1 in pregnancy and postpartum: relation to the fatty liver index, markers of bone health, glucose metabolism and gestational diabetes mellitus status
Authors: Deischinger Carola , Bastian Magdalena , Leitner Karoline , Bancher-Todesca Dagmar , Kiss Herbert , Baumgartner-Parzer Sabina , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra , Harreiter Jürgen
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Gremlin-1 is a peptide that functions as an antagonist to bone morphogenic proteins and is overexpressed in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Gremlin-1 has not yet been investigated in pregnancy, pregnancy-related insulin resistance or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Patients and methods

Gremlin-1 levels were measured throughout the pregnancy of 58 women at high risk for GDM at the Medical University of Vienna. Furthermore, an oral glucose tolerance test, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, sex hormones, blood lipids, liver and renal parameters, and markers of bone development were evaluated at two points during pregnancy (< 20 weeks of gestation (GW), GW 24–28) and 12–14 weeks postpartum.

Results

Gremlin-1 levels decreased from < 20 GW (mean = 9.2 pg/ml, SD = 8.4 pg/ml) to GW 24–28 (mean = 6.7 pg/ml, SD = 5.7 pg/ml, p = 0.033) and increased again postpartum, albeit not significantly (mean = 10.7 pg/ml, SD = 13.1 pg/ml, p = 0.339). During pregnancy, Gremlin-1 levels correlated negatively with osteocalcin and procollagen type I aminoterminal propeptide (P1NP), markers of bone health. Concerning glucose metabolism, Gremlin-1 levels were inversely related to the Insulinogenic Index at GW < 20. However, Gremlin-1 levels were not significantly different between women with normal glucose tolerance and GDM during pregnancy. Postpartum, Gremlin-1 was associated with the fatty liver index, osteocalcin levels, diastolic blood pressure and weight.

Conclusion

Gremlin-1 levels decreased significantly during pregnancy. The biomarker is not related to GDM status, but correlates negatively with the Insulinogenic Index, an index related to beta cell function.

Trial Registry Number ACTRN12616000924459.
Manufacturing of cellulose-based nano- and submicronparticles via different precipitation methods
Authors: Reimer Martin , Eckel Felix , Rothammer Maximilian , Van Opdenbosch Daniel , Zollfrank Cordt
Published: July 2023

Nanoprecipitation is one of the most popular methods for producing polymer nanoparticles. However, the reported results show a large variability. In order to provide a first-hand comparative study, we prepared cellulose-based nanoparticles via different nanoprecipitation methods. Here, the influence of the coagulating solvents acetone, N,N-dimethylacetamide and tetrahydrofuran on the size and shape of the particles via precipitation using dialysis was investigated. The influence of temperature and concentration was determined by dropwise addition of the coagulation medium. Then, via rapid solvent shifting, particles were prepared from cellulose acetates with different molecular masses and the cellulose acetate propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate derivatives in the concentration range of 1–20 mg mL− 1. Thereby, it was possible to prepare spherical particles in the range from 43 to 158 nm. Furthermore, the impact of the molecular weight of these derivatives on the obtained particle size distributions was determined. It is possible to obtain pure regenerated cellulose particles in the nanometer range by a deacetylation of the derivatives. In addition, the findings were used to directly convert cellulose from a DMAc/LiCl solvent system into regenerated cellulose nanoparticles with a size of 10 ± 3 nm.

Graphical abstract
Derivative shape estimations with resolved overlapped peaks and reduced noise for time signals encoded by NMR spectroscopy with and without water suppression
Authors: Belkić Dževad , Belkić Karen
Published: July 2023

Derivative estimation in magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) possesses several attractive features. It has the ability to enhance the inaccessible spectral details when time signals encoded by MRS are analyzed by nonderivative shape estimators. These unfolded subtle spectral features can be diagnostically relevant in differentiating between healthy and diseased tissues. Within the realm of shape estimators, the prerequisite for the success of MRS in the clinic is reliance upon accurate derivative signal processing. However, derivative processing of encoded time signals can be very challenging. The reason is that such spectra may suffer from severe numerical instabilities since even small perturbations (noise) in the input data could produce large errors in the predicted output data. Nevertheless, it is presently demonstrated that this obstacle can be surmounted by an adaptive optimization. The benefit is simultaneously increased resolution and reduced noise in quantitatively interpretable lineshapes. The illustrative spectra are reconstructed from time signals encoded by proton MRS with and without water suppression.