bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Deep Learning Model Based on MRI and Clinical Factors Facilitates Noninvasive Evaluation of KRAS Mutation in Rectal Cancer
Authors: Liu Huanhuan , Yin Hongkun , Li Jinning , Dong Xue , Zheng Hui , Zhang Tingting , Yin Qiufeng , Zhang Zhongyang , Lu Minda , Zhang Huiling , Wang Dengbin
Published: May 2022

Background

Recent studies showed the potential of MRI‐based deep learning (DL) for assessing treatment response in rectal cancer, but the role of MRI‐based DL in evaluating Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KRAS) mutation remains unclear.

Purpose

To develop a DL method based on T2‐weighted imaging (T2WI) and clinical factors for noninvasively evaluating KRAS mutation in rectal cancer.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

A total of 376 patients (108 women [28.7%]) with histopathology‐confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma and KRAS mutation status.

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3 T, turbo spin echo T2WI and single‐shot echo‐planar diffusion‐weighted imaging (b = 0, 1000 sec/mm2).

Assessment

A clinical model was constructed with clinical factors (age, gender, carcinoembryonic antigen level, and carbohydrate antigen 199 level) and MRI features (tumor length, tumor location, tumor stage, lymph node stage, and extramural vascular invasion), and two DL models based on modified MobileNetV2 architecture were evaluated for diagnosing KRAS mutation based on T2WI alone (image model) or both T2WI and clinical factors (combined model). The clinical usefulness of these models was evaluated through calibration analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Statistical Tests

Mann–Whitney U test, Chi‐squared test, Fisher's exact test, logistic regression analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), Delong's test, Hosmer–Lemeshow test, interclass correlation coefficients, and Fleiss kappa coefficients (P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant).

Results

All the nine clinical‐MRI characteristics were included for clinical model development. The clinical model, image model, and combined model in the testing cohort demonstrated good calibration and achieved areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.668, 0.765, and 0.841, respectively. The combined model showed improved performance compared to the clinical model and image model in two cohorts. DCA confirmed the higher net benefit of the combined model than the other two models when the threshold probability is between 0.05 and 0.85.

Data Conclusion

The proposed combined DL model incorporating T2WI and clinical factors may show good diagnostic performance. Thus, it could potentially serve as a supplementary approach for noninvasively evaluating KRAS mutation in rectal cancer.

Evidence Level

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Exceptional Photon Blockade: Engineering Photon Blockade with Chiral Exceptional Points
Authors: Huang Ran , Özdemir Ş. K. , Liao Jie‐Qiao , Minganti Fabrizio , Kuang Le‐Man , Nori Franco , Jing Hui
Published: May 2022

Non‐hermitian spectral degeneracies, known as exceptional points (EPs), feature the simultaneous coalescence of both eigenvalues and the associated eigenstates of a system. A host of intriguing EP effects and their applications have been revealed in the classical realm, such as loss‐induced lasing, single‐mode laser, and EP‐enhanced sensing. Here, it is shown that a purely quantum effect, known as single‐photon blockade, emerges in a Kerr microring resonator due to EP‐induced asymmetric coupling between the optical modes and the nonlinearity‐induced anharmonic energy‐level spacing. A striking feature of this photon blockade is that it emerges at two‐photon resonance which in Hermitian systems will only lead to photon‐induced tunneling but not to photon blockade. By tuning the system towards or away from an EP, one can control quantum correlations, implying the potential use of their system for frequency tunable single‐photon generation and an antibunching‐to‐bunching light switch. The work sheds new light on EP‐engineered purely quantum effects, providing unique opportunities for making and utilizing various single‐photon quantum EP devices.
Controversial molecular functions of CBS versus non‐CBS domain variants of PRKAG2 in arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy: A case report and literature review
Authors: Gong Xue , Yu Peiyu , Wu Ting , He Yunru , Zhou Kaiyu , Hua Yimin , Lin Sha , Wang Tao , Huang He , Li Yifei
Published: May 2022

Background

PRKAG2 cardiac syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by a PRKAG2 gene variant. There are several major adverse cardiac presentations, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and life‐threatening arrhythmia. Two cases with pathogenic variants in the PRKAG2 gene are reported here who presents different cardiac phenotypes.

Methods

Exome sequencing and variant analysis of PRKAG2 were performed to obtain genetic data, and clinical characteristics were determined.

Results

The first proband was a 9‐month‐old female infant (Case 1), and was identified with severe DCM and resistant heart failure. The second proband was a 10‐year‐old female infant (Case 2), and presented with HCM and ventricular preexcitation. Exome sequencing identified a de novo c.425C > T (p.T142I) heterozygous variant in the PRKAG2 gene for Case 1, and a c.869A > T (p.K290I) for Case 2. The mutated sites in the protein were labeled and identified as p.K290 in the CBS domain and p.T142 in the non‐CBS domain. Differences in the molecular functions of CBS and non‐CBS domains have not been resolved, and variants might lead to the different cardiomyopathy phenotypes. Single‐cell RNA analysis demonstrated similar expression levels of PRKAG2 in cardiomyocytes and conductive tissues. These results suggest that the arrhythmia induced by the PRKAG2 variant was the primary change, and not secondary to cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion

In summary, this is the first case report to describe a DCM phenotype with early onset in patients possessing a PRKAG2 c.425C > T (p.T142I) pathogenic variant. Our results aid in understanding the molecular function of non‐CBS variants in terms of the disordered sequence of transcripts. Moreover, we used scRNA‐seq to show that electrically conductive cells express a higher level of PRKAG2 than do cardiomyocytes. Therefore, variants in PRKAG2 are expected to also alter the biological function of the conduction system.
Optical Activity of Spin‐Forbidden Electronic Transitions in Metal Complexes from Time‐Dependent Density Functional Theory with Spin‐Orbit Coupling
Authors: Ludowieg Herbert D. , Srebro‐Hooper Monika , Crassous Jeanne , Autschbach Jochen
Published: May 2022

The calculation of magnetic transition dipole moments and rotatory strengths was implemented at the zeroth‐order regular approximation (ZORA) two‐component relativistic time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) level. The circular dichroism of the spin‐forbidden ligand‐field transitions of tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) computed in this way agrees very well with available measurements. Phosphorescence dissymmetry factors
and the corresponding lifetimes are evaluated for three N‐heterocyclic‐carbene‐based iridium complexes, two of which contain helicene moieties, and for two platinahelicenes. The agreement with experimental data is satisfactory. The calculations reproduce the signs and order of magnitude of
, and the large variations of phosphorescence lifetimes among the systems. The electron spin contribution to the magnetic transition dipole moment is shown to be important in all of the computations.
FeO(OH)@C‐Catalyzed Selective Hydrazine Substitution of p‐Nitro‐Aryl Fluorides and their Application for the Synthesis of Phthalazinones
Authors: Li Dingzhong , Zhang Wensheng , Zhu Longzhi , Yin Shuang‐Feng , Kambe Nobuaki , Qiu Renhua
Published: May 2022

An efficient hydrazine substitution of p‐nitro‐aryl fluorides with hydrazine hydrates catalyzed by FeO(OH)@C nanoparticles is described. This hydrazine substitutions of p‐nitro‐aryl fluorides bearing electron‐withdrawing groups proceeded efficiently with high yield and selectivity. Similarly, hydrogenations of p‐nitro‐aryl fluorides containing electron‐donating groups also smoothly proceeded under mild conditions. Furthermore, with these prepared aryl hydrazines, some phthalazinones, interesting as potential structures for pharmaceuticals, have successfully been synthesized in high yields.
Direct Syntheses of Diphenylmethanol Derivatives from Substituted Benzenes and CHCl3 through Friedel‐Crafts Alkylation and Post‐Synthetic Hydrolysis or Alcoholysis Catalyzed by Alumina
Authors: Suri Guga , Liang Fengying , Hu Mixia , Wang Meiling , Bu Ren , Zhang Xiaoying , Wang Hui , Dong Wenyan , Eerdun Chaolu , Tsuda Akihiko
Published: May 2022

The present study reports an innovative finding that alumina containing water or primary alcohol catalyzes the hydrolysis or alcoholysis, respectively, of the product formed through AlCl3‐mediated Friedel‐Crafts alkylation of methyl‐substituted benzenes and CHCl3. The former and later reactions mainly provided hydroxy‐ and alkoxy‐substituted diarylmethanes, respectively, while the reference reactions without alumina provided bisarylchloromethane. This method enables the selective syntheses of diphenylmethanol derivatives with very simple procedures, without expensive reagents and apparatuses. Furthermore, the alumina used in the reaction could be recycled by washing with water and subsequent drying. From the viewpoint of material recycling, this function is very important for the development of sustainable chemical reactions.
Guanfacine for irritability, impulsivity, and agitation in elderly patients: A report of two cases
Authors: Miyoshi Takafumi , Noborio Yayoi , Hoonhwa Chang , Ishimori Yuki
Published: May 2022

Background

Irritability, impulsivity, and agitation in elderly patients with dementia are highly prevalent and extremely burdening for patients, caregivers, and medical staff. In general hospitals, they have been one of the major problems that develop and disturb care and treatment. However, the mechanisms underlying these symptoms remain unclear, and there is no established treatment. In actual clinical practice, antipsychotic drugs and mood stabilizers have been mainly used as pharmacotherapies for these symptoms, but adverse effects of these drugs have often been problematic.

Case Presentation

We report two valuable cases of elderly patients who were admitted to our hospital due to physical disorders and developed irritability, impulsivity, and agitation, which were effectively treated with guanfacine at very low doses and in a short period.

Conclusion

The present cases suggest that guanfacine may be a therapeutic option for treating irritability, impulsivity, and agitation in elderly patients.
Effects of material properties of band‐gap‐graded Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films on the onset of the quantum efficiency spectra of corresponding solar cells
Authors: Thomas Sinju , Bertram Tobias , Kaufmann Christian , Kodalle Tim , Márquez Prieto José A. , Hempel Hannes , Choubrac Leo , Witte Wolfram , Hariskos Dimitrios , Mainz Roland , Carron Romain , Keller Jan , Reyes‐Figueroa Pablo , Klenk Reiner , Abou‐Ras Daniel
Published: May 2022

Polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGSe) thin‐film solar cells exhibit gradual onset in their external quantum efficiency (EQE) spectra whose shape can be affected by various CIGSe material properties. Apart from influences on the charge‐carrier collection, a broadening of the EQE onset leads to enhanced radiative losses in open‐circuit voltage (Voc). In the present work, Gaussian broadening of parameters describing the EQE onset of thin‐film solar cells, represented by the standard deviation, 𝜎total, was evaluated to study the impacts of the effective band‐gap energy, the electron diffusion length, and the Ga/In gradient in the CIGSe absorber. It is shown that 𝜎total can be disentangled into contributions of these material properties, in addition to a residual component 𝜎residual. Effectively, 𝜎total depends only on a contribution related to the Ga/In gradient as well as on 𝜎residual. The present work highlights the connection of this compositional gradient, the microstructure in the polycrystalline CIGSe absorber, and the luminescence emission with the residual component 𝜎residual. It is demonstrated that a flat band‐gap with no compositional gradient in the bulk of the CIGSe absorber is essential to obtain the lowest 𝜎total values and thus result in lower recombination losses and gains in Voc.
The efficacy and safety of fingolimod plus standardized treatment versus standardized treatment alone for acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bai Peng , Zhu Runxiu , Wang Ping , Jiang Feng , Zhen Jin , Yao Yuan , Zhao Chenhui , Liang Zihong , Wang Meiling , Liu Bin , Li Min , Li Na , Yuan Jun
Published: May 2022

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is the most common type of stroke. Fingolimod is a sphingosine analog that acts on sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptors (S1PR). Recently, the safety and efficacy of fingolimod in both patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and patients with AIS have been investigated in proof‐of‐concept trials. In this review, we performed a meta‐analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fingolimod for AIS. This study was conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic review and Meta‐Analysis) statement. We searched for publications on the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinical trials, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, CBM up to August 2021. We compiled five studies; a main meta‐analysis forest plots were conducted for the values of the proportion of patients whose modified Rankin scale (MRS) score was 0–1 at day 90. There were heterogeneities in each study; the method of sensitivity analysis was performed. A sensitivity analysis was performed with a mean difference (MD) of the efficacy of fingolimod plus standardized treatment versus standardized treatment alone. Random effect model is used for meta‐analysis regardless of the I2 index. The analysis was carried out for categorical variables using the risk ratio (RR), LogRR, and its 95% CI. The methodological quality of each randomized controlled trial (RCTs) was assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration tool to assess the risk of bias (ROB). A meta‐analysis of five studies with 228 participants was conducted. The risk ratio of patients whose MRS score was 0–1 at day 90 between fingolimod plus standardized treatment and standardized treatment alone was 2.59 (95%CI, 1.48–4.56). The Fingolimod plus standard treatment group decreased infarct growth and improved clinical function than the standard treatment.
Output‐feedback Q‐learning for discrete‐time linear H∞ tracking control: A Stackelberg game approach
Authors: Ren Yunxiao , Wang Qishao , Duan Zhisheng
Published: May 2022

In this article, an output‐feedback Q‐learning algorithm is proposed for the discrete‐time linear system to deal with the tracking control problem. The problem is formulated as a zero‐sum game in the Stackelberg game framework with a discount factor to make the value function bounded. According to the principle of optimality, the game algebraic Riccati equation (GARE) is derived and solved by the Q‐learning algorithm to get the optimal solution of the Stackelberg game without requiring the knowledge of system dynamics and state. It is proved that the solution of the algorithm converges to the optimal control input and the worst‐case disturbance with excitation noises during training, and the Stackelberg strategy can achieve a lower disturbance attenuation level than the Nash one. Moreover, the impacts of the discount factor on the stability of the closed‐loop system and solvability of the GARE are analyzed to provide some criteria for the choice of the discount factor. Simulation examples are provided to validate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
Real time monitoring and prediction of time to endpoint maturation in clinical trials
Authors: Wang Li , Liu Yang , Chen Xiaotian , Pulkstenis Erik
Published: May 2022

In clinical trials, almost all key milestone dates can be defined in terms of time to endpoint maturation (TTEM). The real time monitoring and accurate prediction of TTEM have a significant impact on clinical trial planning and execution and can bring significant value to clinical trial practitioners. TTEM is defined as the time to achieve or observe a certain number or percentage of some endpoint of interest. It is a combination of time to site initiation, time to subject enrollment after site initiation and time to event of interest after subject enrollment. To better predict TTEM during the trial, the future site initiation and subject enrollment have to be taken into account while predicting the number of events. In this article, we propose a novel simulation‐based framework combining time to site initiation, time to subject enrollment and time to event in order to predict TTEM. A nonhomogeneous Poisson process with a quadratic time‐varying rate function is used to model site initiation and subject enrollment and more advanced time to event models had been explored and integrated on top of them, such as Weibull, piecewise exponential, and model averaging which is equivalent to a Bayesian model selection strategy. To evaluate the predictive performance of the proposed methodology, we conducted extensive simulations and applied the methodology to 14 randomly selected real oncology phase 2 and phase 3 studies in both solid tumor and hematology with a total 31 study‐endpoint combinations. The predictive performance of the proposed methodology was then compared with popular and commonly available commercial software, for example, East (Cytel, Cambridge, MA, USA). From both simulation and real data, the proposed methodology can significantly improve the prediction accuracy by up to 54% compared to the commonly available method.
Two Different Strategies Based on Three‐Way Analysis Models of UV Spectroscopic and Spectrochromatographic Measurements to Quantify the Acidity Constant of Acetylsalicylic Acid
Authors: Dinç Erdal , Ertekin Zehra Ceren
Published: May 2022

A comparative study to quantify acid dissociation constant (pKa) of acetylsalicylic acid by applying the parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) to three‐way data arrays of UV spectroscopic and spectrochromatographic measurements was presented. In data recording and data collection stages, the spectrochromatograms of 20 μg/mL acetylsalicylic acid in different mobile phases having seven different pH levels were recorded, and a cubic data set was created with time x wavelength x pH dimensions. UV spectra of the analyte in the concentration range of 10–30 μg/mL and in seven different pH media were recorded and arranged as a three‐way array with dimensions, wavelength x concentration x pH. To estimate the pKa by two different chemometric strategies, the cubic data sets were decomposed into trilinear components, which allowed to predict the pKa in the pH profiles. In practice, the three‐way analysis‐based UV spectroscopic and spectrochromatographic methods didn't include a titration procedure and had a second‐order advantage over traditional pKa determination methods. As a result, this investigation on the rapid and accurate estimation of the acidity constant of acetylsalicylic acid provided alternative and practical ways to determine the pKa of active pharmaceutical ingredients in the future.
Synthesis of Xylo‐oligosaccharide from D‐xylose by Catalyst of Oxalate Acid
Authors: Yang Hao , Liu Jingguang , Tao Yanzhi , Zhu Tian , Li Yijing , Nong Guangzai
Published: May 2022

Xylo‐oligosaccharide (XOS) can stimulate the growth of Bifidobacterium, it is widely used in functional food, nutritional products and other aspects. At present, XOS is mainly prepared by hydrolysis of the hemicellulose in plant materials by enzyme catalyzing, resulting the high cost. In order to find an efficient method to reduce the cost, XOS was prepared by synthesis from D‐xylose through oxalate acid catalyzing in this paper, getting the results as following: a light‐yellow product of XOS was obtained with the max yield of 53.75±3.48 %. Its molecular weight is in the range of 459–1306 g/mol, being oligomers contain 3–9 units of D‐xylose units. In addition, the XOS contains both of the basic units of α‐D‐xylose and β‐D‐xylose, mainly connected by both α1‐β4 and β1‐α4 glycosidic bonds. Therefore, this study develops a new method of XOS generation, doing benefit to the high value‐added utilization of xylose.
Adsorption and Corrosion Inhibition of Cactus cladode Extract and Effect of KI Addition on Mild Steel in 0.5 M H2SO4
Authors: Oulabbas Amel , Abderrahmane Sihem , Salcı Abdullah , Geçibesler İbrahim Halil , Solmaz Ramazan
Published: May 2022

Adsorption and corrosion inhibitionof Cactus cladode(CC) extract collectedin eastern Algeria from areas of Chetaibi in Annaba on mild steel (MS) in 0.5 MH2SO4 solution were studied with potentiodynamic polarization (PP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The electrochemical stability of surface inhibitor film was investigated by chronoamperometry (CA) technique. The MS surface exposed to thecorrosive medium in the absence and presence of CC extract was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. The potential of zero charge(Epzc) of MS in the presence of CC extract was determined by EIS methodand excess surface scharge of the metal surface was determined. It was found that CC extract has a high inhibition effeciency on the corrosion of MS. The thermodynamic examinations indicated that Kads was 20.88 L g−1 and ▵G0ads was −24.64 kJ mol−1.Thevalue of Epzc confirmed excess positive charge atthe MS surface. The adsorption of extract molecules obeys to Langmuir isotherm. The inhibition efficiency was 91.8 % at 1000 ppm CC extract concentration, while it iscreased to 97.7 % when 1000 ppm KI was added to this solution.The inhibitor film formed over the metal surface has a hydrophobic character.The addition of KI to the inhibited solution stabilizes the surface film and enhances inhibition efficiency.
One‐pot Synthesis of 3,5‐disubstituted‐2,6‐dicyanoaniline Derivatives using CoFe2O4@SiO2@L‐Arginine as a Magnetically Nanocatalyst
Authors: Yari Mehdi , Shiri Lotfi , Rostami Hedieh
Published: May 2022

Herein, we report an appropriate procedure for the synthesis of 3,5‐disubstituted‐2,6‐dicyanoaniline derivatives through a condensation reaction of β‐nitrostyrenes, malononitrile and aldehydes using CoFe2O4@SiO2‐Arginine magnetic nanoparticles as a basic nanocatalyst. In this work, 3,5‐disubstituted‐2,6‐dicyanoaniline derivatives were synthesized in good yields. This catalyst was characterized by FT‐IR, XRD, EDX, TGA, VSM and SEM analysis. Also, this nanocatalyst has advantages such as easy separation and reusability even after five runs without a significant reduction in its activity.
Insight into Reversible Conversion Reactions in SnO2‐Based Anodes for Lithium Storage: A Review
Authors: Lan Xuexia , Xiong Xingyu , Liu Jun , Yuan Bin , Hu Renzong , Zhu Min
Published: May 2022

Various anode materials have been widely studied to pursue higher performance for next generation lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Metal oxides hold the promise for high energy density of LIBs through conversion reactions. Among these, tin dioxide (SnO2) has been typically investigated after the reversible lithium storage of tin‐based oxides is reported by Idota and co‐workers in 1997. Numerous in/ex situ studies suggest that SnO2 stores Li+ through a conversion reaction and an alloying reaction. The difficulty of reversible conversion between Li2O and SnO2 is a great obstacle limiting the utilization of SnO2 with high theoretical capacity of 1494 mA h g−1. Thus, enhancing the reversibility of the conversion reaction has become the research emphasis in recent years. Here, taking SnO2 as a typical representative, the recent progress is summarized and insight into the reverse conversion reaction is elaborated. Promoting Li2O decomposition and maintaining high Sn/Li2O interface density are two effective approaches, which also provide implications for designing other metal oxide anodes. In addition, some in/ex situ characterizations focusing on the conversion reaction are emphatically introduced. This review, from the viewpoint of material design and advanced characterizations, aims to provide a comprehensive understanding and shed light on the development of reversible metal oxide electrodes.
Wood‐Derived High‐Mass‐Loading MnO2 Composite Carbon Electrode Enabling High Energy Density and High‐Rate Supercapacitor
Authors: Chen Lian , Wang Feng , Tian Zhiwei , Guo Hongtao , Cai Chenyang , Wu Qijun , Du Haijuan , Liu Kunming , Hao Zhifei , He Shuijian , Duan Gaigai , Jiang Shaohua
Published: May 2022

The simple design of a high‐energy‐density device with high‐mass‐loading electrode has attracted much attention but is challenging. Manganese oxide (MnO2) with its low cost and excellent electrochemical performance shows high potential for practical application in this regard. Hence, the high‐mass‐loading of the MnO2 electrode with wood‐derived carbon (WC) as the current collector is reported through a convenient hydrothermal reaction for high‐energy‐density devices. Benefiting from the high‐mass‐loading of the MnO2 electrode (WC@MnO2‐20, ≈14.1 mg cm–2) and abundant active sites on the surface of the WC hierarchically porous structure, the WC@MnO2‐20 electrode shows remarkable high‐rate performance of areal/specific capacitance ≈1.56 F cm–2/45 F g–1, compared to the WC electrode even at the high density of 20 mA cm–2. Furthermore, the obtained symmetric supercapacitor exhibits high areal/specific capacitances of 3.62 F cm–2 and 87 F g–1 at 1.0 mA cm–2 and high energy densities of 0.502 mWh cm–2/12.2 Wh kg–1 with capacitance retention of 75.2% after 10 000 long‐term cycles at 20 mA cm–2. This result sheds light on a feasible design strategy for high‐energy‐density supercapacitors with the appropriate mass loading of active materials and low‐tortuosity structural design while also encouraging further investigation into electrochemical storage.
Cyclodextrin‐Confined Supramolecular Lanthanide Photoswitch
Authors: Yu Hua‐Jiang , Wang Haoran , Shen Fang‐Fang , Li Feng‐Qing , Zhang Ying‐Ming , Xu Xiufang , Liu Yu
Published: May 2022

The utilization of azobenzene‐based photoisomerization cannot only control the morphology of supramolecular assemblies, but can also regulate many biological processes. However, the design of azobenzene‐involved nanoconstructs with switchable photoluminescence remains challenging because of the light‐quenching ability of azobenzene. Herein, an azobenzene‐derived multicomponent nanosystem is reported and its function as a supramolecular lanthanide photoswitch is explored. The metal chelation between lanthanide ions (Ln3+ = Eu3+ and Tb3+) and 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid is utilized as the light‐emitting center but its inherent fluorescence emission is completely suppressed via the disordered motion of the adjoining azophenyl unit. Interestingly, the hydrophobic cavity of α‐cyclodextrin can provide a confined microenvironment to immobilize the molecular conformation of trans‐azobenzene, thus leading to the recovery of characteristic lanthanide luminescence both in aqueous solution and the hydrogel state. Also, the luminescence can be reversibly turned off when the cis‐azobenzene is expelled from the cavity of α‐cyclodextrin upon alternating light irradiation. This mutual cooperation arising from host–guest complexation and metal–ligand coordination confers the desired photoswitchable luminescence abilities on the commonly used azobenzenes, which may hold great promise in the creation of more advanced light‐responsive smart materials.
Silica Particle‐Mediated Growth of Single Crystal Graphene Ribbons on Cu(111) Foil
Authors: Li Yunqing , Choe Myeonggi , Jin Sunghwan , Luo Da , Bakharev Pavel V. , Seong Won Kyung , Ding Feng , Lee Zonghoon , Ruoff Rodney S.
Published: May 2022

The authors report the growth of micrometer‐long single‐crystal graphene ribbons (GRs) (tapered when grown above 900 °C, but uniform width when grown in the range 850 °C to 900 °C) using silica particle seeds on single crystal Cu(111) foil. Tapered graphene ribbons grow strictly along the Cu<101> direction on Cu(111) and polycrystalline copper (Cu) foils. Silica particles on both Cu foils form (semi‐)molten Cu–Si–O droplets at growth temperatures, then catalyze nucleation and drive the longitudinal growth of graphene ribbons. Longitudinal growth is likely by a vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) mechanism but edge growth (above 900 °C) is due to catalytic activation of ethylene (C2H4) and attachment of C atoms or species (“vapor solid” or VS growth) at the edges. It is found, based on the taper angle of the graphene ribbon, that the taper angle is determined by the growth temperature and the growth rates are independent of the particle size. The activation enthalpy (1.73 ± 0.03 eV) for longitudinal ribbon growth on Cu(111) from ethylene is lower than that for VS growth at the edges of the GRs (2.78 ± 0.15 eV) and for graphene island growth (2.85 ± 0.07 eV) that occurs concurrently.
A Method to Synthesize the Multiple‐Pattern Frequency‐Invariant Conformal Arrays
Authors: Zhu Chunhui , Lin Jianbin , Lv Sheng , Liu Lijun , Liu Yanhui
Published: May 2022

This paper presents a method to synthesize the multiple‐pattern frequency‐invariant conformal arrays for the first time. In this method, the extended generalized matrix pencil method is applied to obtain the optimized linear arrays. Then with the help of the quasi‐conformal transformation optics, the conformal arrays are designed by employing the inhomogeneous metamaterials. A set of numerical simulations on Taylor pattern, pencil‐beam pattern and flat‐beam pattern is shown to demonstrate the results. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
A review of normalization and differential abundance methods for microbiome counts data
Authors: Swift Dionne , Cresswell Kellen , Johnson Robert , Stilianoudakis Spiro , Wei Xingtao
Published: May 2022

The recent development of cost‐effective high‐throughput DNA sequencing technologies has tremendously increased microbiome research. However, it has been well documented that the observed microbiome data suffers from compositionality, sparsity, and high variability. All of which pose serious challenges when analyzing microbiome data. Over the last decade, there has been considerable amount of interest into statistical and computational methods to tackle these challenges. The choice of inference aids in the selection of the appropriate statistical methods since only a few methods allow inferences for absolute abundance while most methods allow inferences for relative abundances. An overview of recent methods for differential abundance analysis and normalization of microbiome data is presented, focusing on methods that are accessible but have not been widely covered in previous literature. In detailed descriptions of each method, we discuss assumptions and if and how these methods address the challenges of microbiome data. These methods are compared based on accuracy metrics in real and simulated settings. The goal is to provide a comprehensive but non‐exhaustive set of potential and easily‐accessible tools for differential abundance and normalization of microbiome data.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical Models > Generalized Linear Models

Software for Computational Statistics > Software/Statistical Software

Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Modeling Methods
Recursive movements of eastern wild turkey broods in the southeastern United States
Authors: Bakner Nicholas W. , Cohen Bradley S. , Collier Bret A. , Chamberlain Michael J.
Published: May 2022

Productivity of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) populations throughout the southeastern United States has declined over the past several decades. Although population trajectory is driven primarily by annual reproduction, wild turkey managers have little information regarding the behavioral ecology of broods immediately post‐hatch. Broods are known to revisit areas within their ranges, but revisitation behavior is poorly understood spatially and temporally. Thus, identifying patterns of visitation and revisitation can increase understanding of brood behavior. We monitored 94 brooding females until brood failure or 28 days after hatch to evaluate movements and to quantify landcover and vegetation density at revisited locations which we defined as a 100‐m radius circular buffer around each GPS location. Average time between revisitation was 1.05 days (SD = 2.01). Revisited areas were associated with increased proportions of open treeless, pine (Pinus spp.), and pine‐hardwood landcover types and decreased proportions of hardwood forest landcover. Our results indicate that broods frequently revisit areas, presumably due to understory structure that increases available forage and reduces predation risk. However, future research should evaluate recursion and its relationship to habitat selection as it could be driven by development (i.e., aging) of the brood over time.
Haptic Discrimination of Different Types of Soft Materials
Authors: Cavdan Müge , Doerschner Katja , Drewing Knut
Published: May 2022

We interact with different types of soft materials on a daily basis such as salt, hand cream, etc. Recently we have shown that soft materials can be described using four perceptual dimensions which are deformability, granularity, viscosity, and surface softness [1]. Here, we investigated whether humans can actually perceive systematic differences in materials that selectively vary along one of these four dimensions as well as how judgments on the different dimensions are correlated to softness judgments. We selected at least two material classes per dimension (e.g., hair gel and hand cream for viscosity) and varied the corresponding feature (e.g., the viscosity of hair gel). Participants ordered four to ten materials from each material class according to their corresponding main feature, and in addition, according to their softness. Rank orders of materials according to the main feature were consistent across participants and repetitions. Rank orders according to softness were correlated either positively or negatively with the judgments along the associated four perceptual dimensions. These findings support our notion of multiple softness dimensions and demonstrate that people can reliably discriminate materials which are artificially varied along each of these softness dimensions.
A Multi-modal Haptic Armband for Finger-Level Sensory Feedback from a Prosthetic Hand
Authors: Berkovic Alexandre , Laganier Colin , Chappell Digby , Nanayakkara Thrishantha , Kormushev Petar , Bello Fernando , Rojas Nicolas
Published: May 2022

This paper presents the implementation and evaluation of three specific, yet complementary, mechanisms of haptic feedback—namely, normal displacement, tangential position, and vibration—to render, at a finger-level, aspects of touch and proprioception from a prosthetic hand without specialised sensors. This feedback is executed by an armband worn around the upper arm divided into five somatotopic modules, one per each finger. To evaluate the system, just-noticeable difference experiments for normal displacement and tangential position were carried out, validating that users are most sensitive to feedback from modules located on glabrous (hairless) skin regions of the upper arm. Moreover, users identifying finger-level contact using multi-modal feedback of vibration followed by normal displacement performed significantly better than those using vibration feedback alone, particularly when reporting exact combinations of fingers. Finally, the point of subjective equality of tangential position feedback was measured simultaneously for all modules, which showed promising results, but indicated that further development is required to achieve full finger-level position rendering.
Larger Skin-Surface Contact Through a Fingertip Wearable Improves Roughness Perception
Authors: Gueorguiev David , Javot Bernard , Spiers Adam , Kuchenbecker Katherine J.
Published: May 2022

With the aim of creating wearable haptic interfaces that allow the performance of everyday tasks, we explore how differently designed fingertip wearables change the sensory threshold for tactile roughness perception. Study participants performed the same two-alternative forced-choice roughness task with a bare finger and wearing three flexible fingertip covers: two with a square opening (64 and 36 mm$$^2$$

2

, respectively) and the third with no opening. The results showed that adding the large opening improved the 75% JND by a factor of 2 times compared to the fully covered finger: the higher the skin-surface contact area, the better the roughness perception. Overall, the results show that even partial skin-surface contact through a fingertip wearable improves roughness perception, which opens design opportunities for haptic wearables that preserve natural touch.
Design of a 2-DoF Haptic Device for Motion Guidance
Authors: Kuang Lisheng , Marchal Maud , Aggravi Marco , Giordano Paolo Robuffo , Pacchierotti Claudio
Published: May 2022

We present a 2-degrees-of-freedom (2-DoF) haptic device, which can be either used as a grounded or a hand-held device. It is composed of two platforms moving with respect to each other, actuated by two servomotors housed in one of structures. The device implements a rigid coupling mechanism between the two platforms, based on a three-legged 3-4R constrained parallel linkage, with the two servomotors actuating two of these legs. The device can apply position/kinesthetic haptic feedback to the user hand(s). This paper presents the device and its kinematics, together with a human subjects experiment where we evaluate its capabilities to provide meaningful directional information.
Furekit: Wearable Tactile Music Toolkit for Children with ASD
Authors: Qi Di , Shibasaki Mina , Kamiyama Youichi , Tanaka Sakiko , Kawasaki Bunsuke , Mitsuhashi Chisa , Pai Yun Suen , Minamizawa Kouta
Published: May 2022

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face the challenge of social interaction and communication, leading to them often requiring significant support from others in their daily lives. This includes challenges like basic communication to convey their emotions to comprehension in early education. To aid with their early development, we propose Furekit, a wearable toolkit that encourages physical interaction via audio and tactile stimuli. Furekit can be attached to various parts of the body, can be operated wirelessly, and is equipped with both a speaker and a vibrotactile actuator. The audio and tactile stimuli are triggered when touched via a conductive pad on the surface, aiming to aid these children’s learning and social experience. From our conducted workshop with children with ASD, we found that Furekit was well-received and was able to encourage their spontaneous physical movement. In the workshop, Furekit shows its potential as an educational and communication tool for children with ASD.
Discussion
Authors: Georgiades Stavros
Published: May 2022

By considering the interactions of two creative groups in temporary organizations during two media projects the author proposes a model illustrating how they repeatedly change formation so that individuals can manage job interdependencies and new issues arising while developing, building up, and synthesizing new ideas into a final creative solution. This theory on creative group dynamic coordination builds theory on how and why creative groups coordinate, challenges assumptions about the role of formal structures and informal practices by demonstrating how the two dynamically interact and complement each other to facilitate coordination via the emergence of what one would expect to be “un-coordinated methods”, and provides an alternative perspective to the stages the groups have to go through by emphasizing a cyclical and not a linear team developmental process.
The twisted index and topological saddles
Authors: Bullimore Mathew , Ferrari Andrea E. V. , Kim Heeyeon , Xu Guangyu
Published: May 2022

Abstract

The twisted index of 3d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 gauge theories on S1× Σ has an algebro-geometric interpretation as the Witten index of an effective supersymmetric quantum mechanics. In this paper, we consider the contributions to the supersymmetric quantum mechanics from topological saddle points in supersymmetric localisation of abelian gauge theories. Topological saddles are configurations where the matter fields vanish and the gauge symmetry is unbroken, which exist for non-vanishing effective Chern-Simons levels. We compute the contributions to the twisted index from both topological and vortex-like saddles points and show that their combination recovers the Jeffrey-Kirwan residue prescription for the twisted index and its wall-crossing.
Der „schwierige“ Patient – Vestibularisdiagnostik unter erschwerten Bedingungen
Authors: Dlugaiczyk Julia
Published: May 2022

Der Patient mit dem Leitsymptom Schwindel stellt häufig eine Herausforderung für den Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Arzt dar. Die folgende Artikelserie beleuchtet unterschiedliche Aspekte des „schwierigen“ Schwindelpatienten. Der vorliegende erste Teil widmet sich den Besonderheiten und Fallstricken bei der Anamneseerhebung und der klinisch-neurootologischen Untersuchung. Dabei werden situationsspezifische Lösungsansätze zu folgenden Themen der Anamneseerhebung aufgezeigt: Definition von Erwartungen und Zielen, „ausschweifende“ Anamnese, Beschreibung des Symptoms Schwindel, mehrere Schwindelentitäten bei einem Patienten, Diskrepanz zwischen Symptomschwere und vestibulären Befunden, kognitive Verzerrungen und der Umgang mit Emotionen. Des Weiteren werden praxisbezogene Hinweise für die neurootologische Untersuchung von Patienten mit Halswirbelsäulenproblemen und Augenbewegungsstörungen sowie bei ängstlichen Patienten gegeben.
Amplitude and frequency of wetting and drying cycles drive N2 and N2O emissions from a subtropical pasture
Authors: Friedl Johannes , Deltedesco Evi , Keiblinger Katharina M. , Gorfer Markus , De Rosa Daniele , Scheer Clemens , Grace Peter R. , Rowlings David W.
Published: May 2022

This study investigated the effects of irrigation frequency on N2 and N2O emissions from an intensively managed pasture in the subtropics. Irrigation volumes were estimated to replace evapotranspiration and were applied either once (low frequency) or split into four applications (high frequency). To test for legacy effects, a large rainfall event was simulated at the end of the experiment. Over 15 days, 7.9 ± 2.7 kg N2 + N2O-N ha−1 was emitted on average regardless of irrigation frequency, with N2O accounting for 25% of overall N2 + N2O. Repeated, small amounts of irrigation produced an equal amount of N2 + N2O losses as a single, large irrigation event. The increase in N2O emissions after the large rainfall event was smaller in the high-frequency treatment, shifting the N2O/(N2O + N2) ratio towards N2, indicating a treatment legacy effect. Cumulative losses of N2O and N2 did not differ between treatments, but higher CO2 emissions were observed in the high-frequency treatment. Our results suggest that the increase in microbial activity and related O2 consumption in response to small and repeated wetting events can offset the effects of increased soil gas diffusivity on denitrification, explaining the lack of treatment effect on cumulative N2O and N2 emissions and the abundance of N cycling marker genes. The observed legacy effect may be linked to increased mineralisation and subsequent increased dissolved organic carbon availability, suggesting that increased irrigation frequency can reduce the environmental impact (N2O), but not overall magnitude of N2O and N2 emissions from intensively managed pastures.
Prospective surveillance of colonization and disease by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at a European pediatric cancer center
Authors: Füller Miriam A. , Kampmeier Stefanie , Wübbolding Anna M. , Grönefeld Judith , Kremer Almut , Groll Andreas H.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Children and adolescents undergoing treatment for cancer or allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation are at increased risk for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We therefore examined the occurrence and outcome of MRSA colonization and infection in patients of a large European pediatric cancer center.

Methods

In a prospective observational cohort study conducted between 2007 and 2018, nasopharyngeal swabs for culture of MRSA were obtained from all admitted patients. The primary endpoint of the study was the colonization rate over time. Secondary endpoints included genetic relatedness of isolates, time burden of isolation measures, and results of decolonization efforts.

Results

During the study period, MRSA screening identified 34 colonized patients (median age: 10 years; range: 0–21) without trends over time. MRSA colonization was associated with the presence of classical risk factors. There was no molecular evidence of patient-to-patient transmission. A standard MRSA eradication regimen led to a lasting eradication of the organism in 26 of 34 patients. MRSA infection occurred in two patients with no associated fatalities.

Conclusion

Prospective monitoring revealed low rates of MRSA colonization and infection at our center. These low rates and the absence of patient-to-patient transmission support the effectiveness of the management bundle of MRSA identification, isolation, and decolonization.
Towards designing a generic and comprehensive deep reinforcement learning framework
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc Duy , Nguyen Thanh Thi , Pham Nhat Truong , Nguyen Hai , Nguyen Dang Tu , Nguyen Thanh Dang , Lim Chee Peng , Johnstone Michael , Bhatti Asim , Creighton Douglas , Nahavandi Saeid
Published: May 2022

Reinforcement learning (RL) has emerged as an effective approach for building an intelligent system, which involves multiple self-operated agents to collectively accomplish a designated task. More importantly, there has been a renewed focus on RL since the introduction of deep learning that essentially makes RL feasible to operate in high-dimensional environments. However, there are many diversified research directions in the current literature, such as multi-agent and multi-objective learning, and human-machine interactions. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a comprehensive software architecture that not only plays a vital role in designing a connect-the-dots deep RL architecture but also provides a guideline to develop a realistic RL application in a short time span. By inheriting the proposed architecture, software managers can foresee any challenges when designing a deep RL-based system. As a result, they can expedite the design process and actively control every stage of software development, which is especially critical in agile development environments. For this reason, we design a deep RL-based framework that strictly ensures flexibility, robustness, and scalability. To enforce generalization, the proposed architecture also does not depend on a specific RL algorithm, a network configuration, the number of agents, or the type of agents.