bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of harmonization on the reproducibility of MRI radiomic features when using different scanners, acquisition parameters, and image pre-processing techniques: a phantom study
Authors: Hajianfar Ghasem , Hosseini Seyyed Ali , Bagherieh Sara , Oveisi Mehrdad , Shiri Isaac , Zaidi Habib
Published: March 2024

This study investigated the impact of ComBat harmonization on the reproducibility of radiomic features extracted from magnetic resonance images (MRI) acquired on different scanners, using various data acquisition parameters and multiple image pre-processing techniques using a dedicated MRI phantom. Four scanners were used to acquire an MRI of a nonanatomic phantom as part of the TCIA RIDER database. In fast spin-echo inversion recovery (IR) sequences, several inversion durations were employed, including 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, and 3000 ms. In addition, a 3D fast spoiled gradient recalled echo (FSPGR) sequence was used to investigate several flip angles (FA): 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 degrees. Nineteen phantom compartments were manually segmented. Different approaches were used to pre-process each image: Bin discretization, Wavelet filter, Laplacian of Gaussian, logarithm, square, square root, and gradient. Overall, 92 first-, second-, and higher-order statistical radiomic features were extracted. ComBat harmonization was also applied to the extracted radiomic features. Finally, the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Kruskal-Wallis’s (KW) tests were implemented to assess the robustness of radiomic features. The number of non-significant features in the KW test ranged between 0–5 and 29–74 for various scanners, 31–91 and 37–92 for three times tests, 0–33 to 34–90 for FAs, and 3–68 to 65–89 for IRs before and after ComBat harmonization, with different image pre-processing techniques, respectively. The number of features with ICC over 90% ranged between 0–8 and 6–60 for various scanners, 11–75 and 17–80 for three times tests, 3–83 to 9–84 for FAs, and 3–49 to 3–63 for IRs before and after ComBat harmonization, with different image pre-processing techniques, respectively. The use of various scanners, IRs, and FAs has a great impact on radiomic features. However, the majority of scanner-robust features is also robust to IR and FA. Among the effective parameters in MR images, several tests in one scanner have a negligible impact on radiomic features. Different scanners and acquisition parameters using various image pre-processing might affect radiomic features to a large extent. ComBat harmonization might significantly impact the reproducibility of MRI radiomic features.

Graphical Abstract
Solidification Behavior and Microstructure Evolution in Dissimilar Electron Beam Welds Between Commercially Pure Iron and Nickel
Authors: Hochanadel Joris , Panton Boyd , Fink Carolin , Lippold John
Published: March 2024

Electron beam welding processes have highly accurate control of both spatial and temporal heating profiles which provide unique capabilities in dissimilar metals joining. In this work, electron beam welds were made between commercially pure nickel and iron to determine the effect of fusion zone composition on solidification behavior and microstructure evolution. The weld was made with a beam deflected in a circular pattern to enable joining and promote mixing. The beam traveled at a shallow angle of approximately 1 deg to the joint interface starting in the nickel and finishing in the iron. The shallow angle created a weld with a composition gradient along its 110 mm length. The solidification behavior and final weld microstructure were characterized using both light optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Electron backscatter diffraction was used to determine the phase fractions in the fusion zone. A change in solidification mode from face-centered cubic austenite to body-centered cubic ferrite was observed as a function of fusion zone composition. Weld cross-sections containing 65.5 wt pct Fe and 76.9 wt pct Fe had a two-phase fcc + bcc microstructure. Using the compositions and phase fractions, the two-phase region was estimated to be between 56.4 and 79.7 wt pct Fe. Martensite was observed in cross-sections containing between 76.9 wt pct Fe and 98.1 wt pct Fe, which was confirmed using hardness measurements.
Effect of capecitabine as monotherapy for HER2 normal metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Knudsen Anne-Dorthe Mosgaard , Modvig Mikala Wej , Vogsen Marianne , Kodahl Annette Raskov
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of capecitabine monotherapy for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) normal metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), and secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and PFS according to treatment line and estrogen receptor (ER) status. Patients who received capecitabine as monotherapy for HER2 normal MBC from 2010 to 2020 were included in this retrospective study. ER status, treatment line, number of treatments, and dates of progression and death were registered. PFS was defined from capecitabine initiation to progression or any cause of death, and OS until any cause of death. Among 162 patients receiving capecitabine, approx. 70% had ER-positive disease. They received a median of six cycles of capecitabine (range 2–45). The median PFS was 4.3 months, with no significant difference between treatment lines. When analyzing PFS according to ER status, a statistically significant difference was observed between those with ER-positive and ER-negative disease, with a median PFS of 5,3 months versus 2,5 months, respectively (p = 0.006). A similar trend was seen for overall survival, with a median OS of 14 months for all patients and 17.8 months versus 7.6 months for patients with ER-positive and ER-negative disease, respectively (p ≤ 0.0001). Patients with HER2 normal MBC receiving monotherapy capecitabine had a median PFS of 4.3 months, and a median OS of 14 months. PFS was consistent regardless of treatment line but differed significantly according to ER status.
Validation of the VisionArray® Chip Assay for HPV DNA Testing in Histology Specimens of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Channir Hani Ibrahim , Bendtsen Simone Kloch , Melchior Linea Cecilie , Sandholm Pia Rovsing , Mordhorst Christine , Carlander Amanda-Louise Fenger , von Buchwald Christian , Kiss Katalin
Published: March 2024

Background

The detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) has several implications in the diagnostic work-up and management of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). The choice of HPV detection assay and testing algorithms differ across institutions and vary in cost, detection targets, technical feasibility, and turnaround time. In this study, we aimed to validate the VisionArray® HPV Chip for formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of OPSCC using the previously applied standard pan-HPV DNA PCR assay as a reference.

Methods

The validation cohort consisted of FFPE tissue samples from patients previously diagnosed with HPV DNA-positive OPSCC (n = 80), HPV DNA-negative OPSCC (n = 21), and a benign group of tumor samples consisting of Warthin’s tumors (n = 20) and branchial cleft cysts of the lateral neck (n = 14). All samples were tested with p16 immunohistochemistry, pan-HPV DNA PCR, and the VisionArray® HPV Chip.

Results

The overall sensitivity and specificity of the VisionArray® HPV Chip assay were 100% [95% CI 95.5%; 100.0%] and 96.3% [95% CI 87.3%; 99.6%] and the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 97.6% [95% CI 91.5%; 99.7%] and 100% [95% CI 93.2%; 100%], respectively.

Conclusions

The VisionArray® HPV Chip assay can be recommended for high-risk HPV testing in FFPE tissue samples from OPSCC, providing both a fast and simultaneous genotyping for 41 clinically relevant HPV types.
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after mogamulizumab in T-cell lymphoma patients: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Lechowicz Mary Jo , Smith Christy , Ristuccia Robert , Dwyer Karen
Published: March 2024

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is an important therapy for patients with T-cell lymphomas, including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), adult T-cell lymphoma (ATL), and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). Mogamulizumab is an anti-CCR4 antibody that has been associated with an increased risk of transplant-related complications in retrospective analyses of ATL, particularly when administered within 50 days before transplantation. This post hoc analysis of 3 clinical trials examined safety and outcome data for 32 patients with CTCL (n = 23), ATL (n = 7), or PTCL (n = 2) who underwent allo-HSCT after mogamulizumab treatment. Overall, 22 patients (69%) were known to have graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), 8 patients (25%) did not report GVHD, and 2 patients (6%) had unknown GVHD status. Fourteen patients with known GVHD underwent transplantation between 50 and 365 days after their last dose of mogamulizumab, while 2 underwent transplantation within 50 days after treatment. Based on this limited evidence, GVHD was not associated with the time interval from last mogamulizumab dose to transplantation.
Design and Control of a Flexure-Based Dual Stage Piezoelectric Micropositioner
Authors: Zarrabi Ekbatani Romina , Zheng Jinchuan , Chen Xiaoqi , Nikzad Mostafa , Man Zhihong
Published: March 2024

In the field of advanced manufacturing technology, there is a growing need for high-precision micro/nano positioners. The traditional single stage actuated positioners have encountered performance limitation in achieving longer travel range and higher precision. This motivates us to develop a novel dual stage piezoelectric-actuated micropositioner presented in this paper. The micropositioner incorporates displacement amplification mechanisms to overcome the limited range of piezoelectric actuators. Design considerations such as flexure characteristics and material selection are discussed, and structural analysis is performed using finite element analysis (FEA). For precise positioning, the dual stage control strategy is investigated and compared with the conventional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) single stage control method. In the proposed positioner, a combination of parallelogram and bridge mechanisms is utilized. The bridge mechanism works to amplify the piezoelectric actuator displacement output. The parallelogram mechanism, integrated within the system, helps mitigate resonance modes and contributes to the achievement of linearized motion. The characteristics of the micropositioner were evaluated using analytical modelling and FEA. Multiple analysis was used to optimise the positioner’s design parameters. Furthermore, experimental studies were carried out to validate the characteristics of the micropositioner performance in terms of achievable output travel range and sustained positioning accuracy.
Musculoskeletal health in esport: a cross-sectional comparison of musculoskeletal pain among young Danish esports players and handball players
Authors: Sand Hansen Frederik , Lyngs Mathias , Dyg Hyllested Lauridsen Mathias , Lund Straszek Christian
Published: March 2024

Purpose

There is a continuous debate regarding musculoskeletal (MSK) pain prevalence and training volume among amateur esports players. Previous findings suggest that MSK pain may limit esports participation in this group; however, these results have yet to be replicated in a similar population. It also remains to be investigated whether MSK pain is more prevalent in esports compared to other activities, such as handball. The objectives were (1) to compare MSK pain prevalence among amateur esports players and another group of sports-active amateur players and (2) to investigate whether MSK pain would impact training volume in the two groups.

Methods

Eligible players for this cross-sectional study had to engage in either structured esports or handball and be 15–25 years of age to participate. Demographic data, self-reported MSK pain prevalence, training volume, sleep patterns, physical activity level, and activity-limiting pain and burnout were obtained through online questionnaires.

Results

In total, 76 esports players and 175 handball players were included. Overall, 48% of esports players and 80% of handball players experienced MSK pain. The odds of experiencing MSK pain were significantly lower in esports compared to handball (OR: 0.24, 95% CI 0.13–0.43, chi-square p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in training volume between players with or without MSK pain in either group. Esports players had significantly higher training volume (additional 13 h/week, p < 0.001) compared to handball players.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that esports players are not at increased odds of experiencing MSK pain compared to handball players despite significant differences in training volume.
Gangue grouting filling in subsequent space of coal green mining: methodology and case study
Authors: Yu Kunpeng , Ma Liqiang , Ngo Ichhuy , Zhai Jiangtao , Xu Yujun , Zhao Zhiyang , Wang Hui , Wang Dangliang
Published: March 2024

Underground backfilling stands out as a crucial technological strategy for the eco-friendly and effective management of solid waste in mining operations. However, existing backfilling techniques have led to increased production processes at the working face, resulting in a reduction in coal extraction efficiency. Addressing the temporal and spatial interference between mine solid waste backfilling and coal mining is essential. To overcome this challenge, this study introduces a novel post-mining spatial gangue slurry backfilling method. Radar detection was employed to ascertain the typical characteristics of the subsequent space collapse roof shape. Stress monitoring and compaction experiments were conducted to establish the relationship between stress and the bulking coefficient of the overlying rock mass, identifying subsequent spatial void structure characteristics. The development of a CO2 mineralized coal-based solid waste filling material, utilizing conventional low-calcium fly ash under normal temperature and pressure conditions, was presented. This paper provides a comprehensive understanding of the post-mining spatial gangue slurry backfilling method, outlines the spatial layout approach for the corresponding system, and analyzes research challenges associated with gangue slurry backfilling materials and the technology of slurry injection borehole layout. The research aims to innovate an efficient underground disposal model for gangue, contributing to the refinement of the technical system for the comprehensive disposal and utilization of gangue.
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is the causal agent of Sclerotinia stem rot on peanut (groundnut) in South Africa
Authors: Bornman Simoné , Thomas Chanel , Ntladi Solomon , Wilken P. Markus
Published: March 2024

Sclerotinia stem rot on South African groundnut was previously attributed to Sclerotinia minor, but recent infections prompted a re-evaluation. Isolates underwent a species-specific PCR and phylogenetic analysis, confirming them as S. sclerotiorum. Koch’s postulates were fulfilled, demonstrating pathogenicity. Inoculation caused disease symptoms, with subsequent re-isolation matching the original strains. This study identifies S. sclerotiorum as the causative agent of Sclerotinia stem rot on groundnut in South Africa.
Thermal boundary conditions for heat transfer analysis of bridges considering non-uniform distribution of internal air temperature by computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Zhang Lu , Shan Yushi , Li Lingfang , Wang Fei , Xia Yong
Published: March 2024

Heat transfer analysis has been used to calculate the temperature distribution in bridges. Thermal boundary conditions play a critical role in this analysis. However, existing studies on thermal boundary conditions simplify the air temperature inside the bridge deck as uniform, which is not realistic and thus causes inaccurate simulation results. This study proposes a new approach to thermal boundary conditions in the heat transfer analysis of bridges. For the first time, computational fluid dynamics is used to calculate non-uniform air temperatures inside the bridge deck. In addition, non-approximate heat exchange equations for long-wave radiation are also incorporated into the approach. The techniques are applied to the 1377-m main span Tsing Ma Suspension Bridge to calculate the internal air temperatures of a deck segment. Transient heat transfer analysis is then conducted to calculate the time-dependent temperature distribution of the segment. As compared with the field monitoring results, the proposed approach can simulate the temperature distribution of the bridge with an average discrepancy of 0.88 °C and is more accurately than other existing approaches.
Multi-objective Optimization Framework for Trade-Off Among Pedestrian Delays and Vehicular Emissions at Signal-Controlled Intersections
Authors: Akyol Görkem , Göncü Sadullah , Silgu Mehmet Ali
Published: March 2024

Traffic congestion has several adverse effects on urban traffic networks. Increased travel times of vehicles, with the addition of excessive greenhouse emissions, can be listed as harmful effects. To address these issues, transportation engineers aim to reduce private car usage, reduce travel times through different control strategies, and mitigate harmful effects on urban networks. In this study, we introduce an innovative approach to optimizing traffic signal control settings. This methodology takes into account both pedestrian delays and vehicular emissions. Non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II and Multi-objective Artificial Bee Colony algorithms are adopted to solve the multi-objective optimization problem. The vehicular emissions are modeled through the MOVES3 emission model and integrated into the utilized microsimulation environment. Initially, the proposed framework is tested on a hypothetical test network, followed by a real-world case study. Results indicate a significant improvement in pedestrian delays and lower emissions.
Engaging diverse voices across sites of curriculum making in Australia: realities and possibilities
Authors: Garrard Kerri Anne , Cairns Rebecca , Weinmann Michiko , Hannigan Shelley , Phillips Fiona
Published: March 2024

Research to date has pointed out that during periods of curriculum reform, public debate gets politicised resulting in an over-emphasis on top-down approaches to curriculum making. As a group of curriculum inquiry researchers, we are concerned that teachers, students, school leaders and community organisations are often side-lined as integral curriculum actors in curriculum making processes. This paper challenges top-down, discipline-siloed conceptualisations of curriculum making by bringing together three separate curriculum projects, as illustrations, for the purpose of rendering diverse articulations of curriculum as a social process. We apply Priestley et al.’s (Priestley et al., Curriculum making in Europe: Policy and practice within and across diverse contexts, Emerald Publishing Limited, 2021) sites of curriculum making as a conceptual frame, to articulate the diversity of curriculum making activities, curriculum actors and sites of curriculum making in primary and secondary settings. The three illustrations include examining how teachers and students participate in curriculum making about Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia at macro and meso sites; how listening to secondary students as curriculum actors allows them to contribute to shaping school History beyond the nano sites of the classroom and how community and arts-based approaches empower primary students to engage in nano curriculum making (e.g. Hannigan & Kelly, Hannigan and Kelly, Lin et al. Sinner et al. Irwin (eds), Community arts education: Transversal global perspectives, Intellect, 2023). By engaging a collaborative approach that uses illustrations to draw a complementary transdisciplinary picture of the realities and possibilities of curriculum making across different sites, this paper makes a novel methodological contribution to the field of curriculum inquiry.
Examining the Relationships Among Adverse Experiences, Impulsivity, and Alcohol Use: A Scoping Review of Recent Literature
Authors: Wilson Sayre E. , Garcia Karla , Fava Nicole M. , Leeman Robert F.
Published: March 2024

Purpose of Review

Alcohol use and associated consequences are among the top preventable causes of death in the USA. Research links high impulsivity and adverse and traumatic experiences (ATEs) to increased alcohol use/misuse, as all three similarly affect brain functioning and development. Yet, studies measuring different specific domains yield differing results. This scoping review examined research articles (N = 35) that examine relations among domains of impulsivity, ATEs, and alcohol use.

Recent Findings

Overall, findings indicate that both childhood and lifetime ATEs and all three domains of impulsivity (generalized, choice, and action) are significantly associated with various alcohol and other concurrent substance use measures across age groups. However, variations in results indicate that factors such as timing of assessment, methods, and heterogeneity of construct domains are critical components of these relationships.

Several research gaps remain. Future research should incorporate multiple domains of the three constructs, and additional longitudinal studies are needed to determine the true nature of the relationships.
A note on complex plane curve singularities up to diffeomorphism and their rigidity
Authors: Fernández-Hernández A. , Giménez Conejero R.
Published: March 2024

We prove that if two germs of plane curves (C, 0) and $$(C',0)$$

(

C
′

,
0
)

with at least one singular branch are equivalent by a (real) smooth diffeomorphism, then C is complex isomorphic to $$C'$$

C
′

or to $$\overline{C'}$$

C
′

¯

. A similar result was shown by Ephraim for irreducible hypersurfaces before, but his proof is not constructive. Indeed, we show that the complex isomorphism is given by the Taylor series of the diffeomorphism. We also prove an analogous result for the case of non-irreducible hypersurfaces containing an irreducible component that is non-factorable. Moreover, we provide a general overview of the different classifications of plane curve singularities.
Semantic prior guided fine-grained facial expression manipulation
Authors: Xue Tao , Yan Jin , Zheng Deshuai , Liu Yong
Published: March 2024

Facial expression manipulation has gained wide attention and has been applied in various fields, such as film production, electronic games, and short videos. However, existing facial expression manipulation methods often overlook the details of local regions in images, resulting in the failure to preserve local structures and textures of images. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a local semantic segmentation mask-based GAN (LSGAN) to generate fine-grained facial expression images. LSGAN is composed of a semantic mask generator, an adversarial autoencoder, a transformative generator, and an AU-intensity discriminator. Our semantic mask generator generates eye, mouth, and cheek masks of face images. Then, our transformative generator integrates target expression labels and corresponding facial region features to generate a vivid target facial expression image. In this fashion, we can capture expressions from target face images explicitly. Furthermore, an AU-intensity discriminator is designed to capture facial expression variations and evaluate quality of generated images. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our method achieves authentic face images with accurate facial expressions and outperforms state-of-the-art methods qualitatively and quantitatively.
Torsion phenomena for zero-cycles on a product of curves over a number field
Authors: Gazaki Evangelia , Love Jonathan
Published: March 2024

For a smooth projective variety X over an algebraic number field k a conjecture of Bloch and Beilinson predicts that the kernel of the Albanese map of X is a torsion group. In this article we consider a product $$X=C_1\times \cdots \times C_d$$

X
=

C
1

×
⋯
×

C
d

of smooth projective curves and show that if the conjecture is true for any subproduct of two curves, then it is true for X. For a product $$X=C_1\times C_2$$

X
=

C
1

×

C
2

of two curves over $$\mathbb {Q} $$
Q
with positive genus we construct many nontrivial examples that satisfy the weaker property that the image of the natural map $$J_1(\mathbb {Q})\otimes J_2(\mathbb {Q})\xrightarrow {\varepsilon }{{\,\textrm{CH}\,}}_0(C_1\times C_2)$$

J
1

(
Q
)

⊗

J
2

(
Q
)

→
ε

CH

0

(

C
1

×

C
2

)

is finite, where $$J_i$$

J
i

is the Jacobian variety of $$C_i$$

C
i

. Our constructions include many new examples of non-isogenous pairs of elliptic curves $$E_1, E_2$$

E
1

,

E
2

with positive rank, including the first known examples of rank greater than 1. Combining these constructions with our previous result, we obtain infinitely many nontrivial products $$X=C_1\times \cdots \times C_d$$

X
=

C
1

×
⋯
×

C
d

for which the analogous map $$\varepsilon $$
ε
has finite image.
Parent Preferences for Peer Connection in Virtual Mental Health and Parenting Support Platforms
Authors: Rioux Charlie , Childers-Rockey Zoe A. , Konkin Avaline , Cameron Emily E. , Tomfohr-Madsen Lianne , MacKinnon Anna L. , Watts Dana , Murray Julie , Pharazyn Ashley , Roos Leslie E.
Published: March 2024

Peer connections can be integrated in online and app-based (eHealth) family mental health and parenting programs through forums/chats or video group sessions. Little is known about parental preferences regarding eHealth features, yet they could be key factors influencing uptake and utility of programs. Accordingly, the present study aims to examine parent preferences for connecting with other parents in eHealth programs. Parents (n = 177) of 0–5-year-old children in the United States were recruited on MTurk. Parents were asked about peer connection preferences through questions framed around how and with whom they would like to connect when using a virtual mental health and parenting support platform. Most (86.4%) preferred connecting with other parents in an eHealth program with 73.2% preferring to connect anonymously. If using a forum, 45.5% of mothers were comfortable connecting only with other mothers whereas 54.5% were comfortable connecting with parents of any gender; 80.3% of fathers were comfortable connecting with all parents. Results were similar for videoconferencing. Age, income, number of children, recent stressful events, social support, mental health symptoms, and parenting stress did not predict any of these preferences. Our results suggest that integrating peer connection should be considered in developing parental eHealth programs as it may be in line with the preferences of most parents and programs that match user preferences have been shown to have higher enrollment and adherence. These preferences should be further studied with community samples and diverse participants to strengthen confidence in the findings and properly inform program development.
A Study on the Weapon–Target Assignment Problem Considering Heading Error
Authors: Kim Ji-Eun , Lee Chang-Hun , Yi Mun Yong
Published: March 2024

The focus of this study is to investigate the assignment of weapons to multiple targets in a scenario, specifically when an air defense system is confronted with numerous targets, such as low-altitude rockets or groups of drones. The accuracy of weapons in destroying these targets depends heavily on the correct alignment of the launchers with the targets, which can be affected by errors in launcher orientation. Therefore, in solving weapon–target assignment (WTA) problems, it is crucial to account for the heading errors caused by the launcher’s orientation angle. To address this issue, the use of a rotation strategy to align the orientation angle with the target’s approach direction can significantly improve the probability of kill (PK) against the target. However, its unitary implementation has limitations, which may result in missed engagements if there is insufficient time to rotate to the desired orientation angle. Thus, as a remedy, we propose a new WTA method that combines rotation and rotation fix strategy, improving the weakness of losing the opportunity of engagement due to rotation time and heading errors. The efficacy of this approach is evaluated through numerical simulations.
Removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and organic fluorine from sewage sludge and sea sand by pyrolysis
Authors: Hušek Matěj , Semerád Jaroslav , Skoblia Siarhei , Moško Jaroslav , Kukla Jaroslav , Beňo Zdeněk , Jeremiáš Michal , Cajthaml Tomáš , Komárek Michael , Pohořelý Michael
Published: March 2024

Pyrolysis is one method for treating sewage sludge, particularly in remote areas or decentralised systems. The end product of pyrolysis, sludge-char, can serve as a soil improver. However, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the organic pollutants’ behaviour in sludge-char. In our work, we focused on the behaviour of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Sludge was pyrolyzed at 200–700 °C to determine the minimum safe temperature for effective PFASs removal. It is important to note that PFASs may not only be mineralized but also cleaved to unanalyzed PFASs and other organofluorinated substances. To address this issue, we incorporated additional measurements of organic fluorine in the experiment using combustion ion chromatography (CIC). Due to the inherent heterogeneity of sludge, containing a variety of pollutants and their precursors, we conducted pyrolysis on artificially contaminated sand. This allowed us to assess and compare the behaviour of PFASs in a homogeneous matrix. Based on our analyses, we determined that a temperature greater than 400 °C is imperative for effective PFASs and organic fluorine removal. The results were verified by analyzing samples from a commercial sludge pyrolysis unit at the Bohuslavice-Trutnov WWTP, which confirmed our measurements. In light of these results, it becomes evident that sludge pyrolysis below 400 °C is unsuitable for PFAS removal from sewage sludge.

Graphical Abstract
On the Performance of Malleable APGAS Programs and Batch Job Schedulers
Authors: Finnerty Patrick , Posner Jonas , Bürger Janek , Takaoka Leo , Kanzaki Takuma
Published: March 2024

Malleability—the ability for applications to dynamically adjust their resource allocations at runtime—presents great potential to enhance the efficiency and resource utilization of modern supercomputers. However, applications are rarely capable ofgrowingandshrinkingtheir number of nodes at runtime, and batch job schedulers provide only rudimentary support for such features. While numerous approaches have been proposed to enable application malleability, these typically focus on iterative computations and require complex code modifications. This amplifies the challenges for programmers, who already wrestle with the complexity of traditional MPI inter-node programming.Asynchronous Many-Task(AMT) programming presents a promising alternative. In AMT, computations are split into many fine-grainedtasks, which are processed byworkers. This makes transparent task relocation via the AMT runtime system possible, thus offering great potential for enabling efficient malleability. In this work, we propose an extension to an existing AMT system, namelyAPGAS for Java. We provide easy-to-use malleability programming abstractions, requiring only minor application code additions from programmers. Runtime adjustments, such as process initialization and termination, are automatically managed by our malleability extension. We validate our malleability extension by adapting a load balancing library handling multiple benchmarks. We show that both shrinking and growing operations cost low execution time overhead. In addition, we demonstrate compatibility with potential batch job schedulers by developing a prototype batch job scheduler that supports malleable jobs. Through extensive real-world job batches execution on up to 32 nodes, involving rigid, moldable, and malleable programs, we evaluate the impact of deploying malleable APGAS applications on supercomputers. Exploiting scheduling algorithms, such as FCFS, Backfilling, Easy-Backfilling, and one exploiting malleable jobs, the experimental results highlight a significant improvement regarding several metrics for malleable jobs. We show a 13.09% makespan reduction (the time needed to schedule and execute all jobs), a 19.86% increase in node utilization, and a 3.61% decrease in job turnaround time (the time a job takes from its submission to completion) when using 100% malleable job in combination with our prototype batch job scheduler compared to the best-performing scheduling algorithm with 100% rigid jobs.
Towards an Automated Classification of Software Libraries
Authors: Auch Maximilian , Balluff Maximilian , Mandl Peter , Wolff Christian
Published: March 2024

Nowadays, the use of third-party libraries in software is common. At the same time, the number of published libraries continues to increase. An automated classification should help to maintain an overview and identify similar software libraries. This paper investigates if new approaches can be used to classify all software libraries crawled from Apache Maven repositories into defined classes using machine learning. In addition to tags that are not always available or of poor quality, we examine one feature that is always available—the id. Consisting of group-id and artifact-id, the id of an Apache Maven software library contains valuable information that can help in classification. Through a developed preprocessing and an optimized recurrent neural network (RNN), the tokenised ids should allow a classification of most libraries. Furthermore, we present an optimized approach through a hybrid use of id tokens and tags in combination. Based on the dataset including 28,600 labeled entries, a comparison of various approaches was carried out. The RNN achieved a balanced accuracy of 71.36% by training on tokenised ids. A model trained on tags achieved a balanced accuracy of 92%. However, the new hybrid approach, which combines tags and ids, optimizes the result to 94.12%. While a classification on tags achieves a better result than the more general id-based approach, the applicability is limited to software libraries that are tagged. The hybrid approach, on the other hand, takes advantage of the classification results based on tags when these are available, but includes valuable information from the always available ids.
Validation of a patient-specific finite element analysis framework for identification of growing rod-failure regions in early onset scoliosis patients
Authors: Jayaswal Daksh , Kodigudla Manoj , Kelkar Amey , Goel Vijay , Palepu Vivek
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Growing rods are the gold-standard for treatment of early onset scoliosis (EOS). However, these implanted rods experience frequent fractures, requiring additional surgery. A recent study by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified four common rod fracture locations. Leveraging this data, Agarwal et al. were able to correlate these fractures to high-stress regions using a novel finite element analysis (FEA) framework for one patient. The current study aims to further validate this framework through FEA modeling extended to multiple patients.

Methods

Three patient-specific FEA models were developed to match the pre-operative patient data taken from both registry and biplanar radiographs. The surgical procedure was then simulated to match the post-operative deformity. Body weight and flexion bending (1 Nm) loads were then applied and the output stress data on the rods were analyzed.

Results

Radiographic data showed fracture locations at the mid-construct, adjacent to the distal and tandem connector across the patients. Stress analysis from the FEA showed these failure locations matched local high-stress regions for all fractures observed. These results qualitatively validate the efficacy of the FEA framework by showing a decent correlation between localized high-stress regions and the actual fracture sites in the patients.

Conclusions

This patient-specific, in-silico framework has huge potential to be used as a surgical tool to predict sites prone to fracture in growing rod implants. This prospective information would therefore be vital for surgical planning, besides helping optimize implant design for reducing rod failures.
International Comparison of Qualification Process for Medical Product Development Tools
Authors: Uchijima Daichi , Kano Shingo
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Qualification of medical product evaluation tools is underway in the United States, Europe, and Japan to reflect the advancements in the basic science of medical products. In Europe and the U.S., Guidance of Guidances (GoG) policies that clarify regulators’processes, tasks, and methods of sponsor involvement are adopted to issue tool guidance. However, in Japan, a non-GoG type policy focusing on supporting the research and development for tools without defining a tool guidance-making process has been adopted.

Methods

In this study, an analytical framework for the lifecycle of development tools was constructed, including pre- and post-tool qualification processes, to compare the two above-mentioned approaches. For this study, Japanese cases were selected as experimental cases, whereas Western cases served as controls. The progress of tool qualification and composition of deliverables were analyzed.

Results and Conclusions

It was indicated that in the GoG type policy, in which processes are defined, and involvement methods are clarified, tool qualification can progress more smoothly than in a non-GoG type policy. This policy indicates that deliverables may have a consistent composition. Contrastingly, GoG-type policies alone present challenges in connecting upstream tools for R&D support.
Matricin Modulates Carbamazepine-Induced Acute Tubulointerstitial Nephritis in Rat Models of Alzheimer’s Disease via MEK-JAK2-STAT3 Signaling
Authors: Iqbal Shabnoor , Omara Timothy
Published: March 2024

Carbamazepine is a first-choice anticonvulsant, and its medication is typically well tolerated when compared to lithium and valproic acid. Patients of Alzheimer’s Disease who are administered carbamazepine tend to develop acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. In this study, we established an Alzheimer’s model using scopolamine in Sprague Dawley rats to find out the nephroprotective effect of matricin (a bioactive sesquiterpene isolated from chamomile flowers) against carbamazepine-induced acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and its underlying mechanism of action. Scopolamine (16 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected for induction of Alzheimer’s disease on the 28th day whereas carbamazepine (25 mg/kg) was given daily to induce acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. Treatment with matricin inhibited carbamazepine-induced mRNA expressions of RAS-ERK-MEK-JAK2-STAT3, cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6), and restored the optimal levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress (MDA, SOD and CAT). Further, matricin treatments reinstated biomarkers of kidney function (creatinine, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen), and refurbished the levels of MDA, SOD, and CAT. Histopathological analyses indicated that there was systemic dilation, tubular necrosis, interstitial edema, and glomerulus nephritis in the medulla region of the kidneys in rats with Alzheimer’s disease that received carbamazepine only. Treatment with matricin reconsolidated histopathology, and only mild glomerulus nephritis were observed in rats with Alzheimer’s disease. These results suggest that matricin could be utilized as a co-supplement with carbamazepine for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s disease to minimize the risk of kidney damage.
Residential variations in hypertension prevalence and trends among adults in Bangladesh
Authors: Parvin Shahanaj , Akter Salma , Hossain Md. Ismail , Ali Md. Sabuj , Soni Most Sifat Muntaha
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Hypertension is a widespread and life-threatening condition globally, with its prevalence increasing rapidly, particularly among adults. This study aims to examine the trend in adult hypertension prevalence and associated risk factors in both urban and rural areas of Bangladesh from 2011 to 2018.

Methods

Nationally representative cross-sectional data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey was used at two time points, 2011 and 2018. In our study, we used a two-step approach for variable selection, combining traditional statistical methods ($${\chi }^{2}$$

χ

2

test) with a machine learning algorithm (Boruta algorithm).. This study also employed two different multivariate binary logistic regression models to identify the risk factors that are most closely connected to the presence of hypertension (respectively for urban and rural locations).

Results

According to the study, hypertension has been on the rise in Bangladesh. In 2011, over a third of adults (38.7%) in urban Bangladesh had hypertension, a number that rose by 22.6% in 2017-18. Though rural areas had a lower hypertension prevalence in 2011 (36%), it surged to 64% in 2017-18, surpassing the rate in urban areas. The results of the multivariate analysis showed that age, gender, education, wealth status, area, and survey year had a significant influence on the determinants of hypertension status in connection to place of residence. According to the odds ratio, the prevalence was significantly higher among older respondents, female respondents, wealthy families and higher-educated respondents.

Conclusion

A large proportion of Bangladesh’s adult population suffers from hypertension. A health education program is required to develop appropriate strategies, including appropriate weight control, appropriate physical activity, and healthier eating habits. Health authorities should take initiatives to spread awareness among people, particularly at an older age.
Acceptability and Feasibility of the Plasma Separation Card for an Integrated Model of Care for HBV and HCV Screening Among People Attending HIV Clinics in Cameroon and Uganda
Authors: Picchio Camila A , Nicolàs Aina , Ayemfouo Fofou Ironne Valdèse , Kasone Viola , Guewo-Fokeng Magellan , Tagny Claude T , Nanyonjo Teddy , Nansumba Hellen , Kouongni Yves Nacel , Sezawo Kamdjeu Rita Gaëlle Epse , Seremba Emmanuel , Kouanfack Charles , Ssewanyana Isaac , Njouom Richard , Segura Ariadna Rando , Rodríguez-Frías Francisco , Mbanya Jean Claude , Ocama Ponsiano , Lazarus Jeffrey V.
Published: March 2024

Background

Sub-Saharan African countries have a high burden of viral hepatitis and poor access to screening and care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of using the plasma separation card (PSC) for viral hepatitis B and C screening among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Cameroon and Uganda.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study carried out between 05/2021 and 03/2023 including 192 PLHIV in Cameroon (n = 104) and Uganda (n = 88). Basic sociodemographic variables and whole blood samples were collected. Adequate filling with blood of PSCs was used to determine feasibility together with participant responses to questions on acceptability. A logistic regression model was carried out to assess the relationship between PSC acceptability and factors of interest.

Results

70% of participants reported PSC as an acceptable viral hepatitis screening tool, and it was significantly more accepted in Uganda than Cameroon (100% vs. 43.2%, p < 0.001). Similarly, 75% of PSCs had at least one spot sample filled and were viable for analysis, 99% were correctly filled in Uganda and 53.4% in Cameroon. Reported ease of method performance (aOR: 24.77 95% CI 2.97-206.42, p = 0.003) and reduced collection time (aOR: 3.73 95% CI 1.26–11.04, p = 0.017) were associated with greater odds of PSC acceptance. HBsAg + and anti-HCV + prevalence were 11.1% and 1.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

In spite of country differences, overall, the PSC was reported as a feasible and acceptable viral hepatitis testing method. Acceptability and feasibility of the method must be explored in heterogeneous target communities and qualitative research to better understand country-specific barriers and facilitators should be carried out.
Controlling roll-yaw coupling with aileron and twist design
Authors: Brincklow J.R. , Montgomery Z.S. , Hunsaker D.F.
Published: March 2024

Most simple ailerons produce adverse yaw. However, with proper aileron placement and wing twist, an aileron can produce proverse or neutral yaw, eliminating the need for aileron-rudder mixing, differential aileron deflection or Frise ailerons. The relationship between wing planform, aileron placement and lift distribution is studied here for a special class of optimal lift distributions that minimise induced drag for a variety of design constraints. It is shown that a wing employing the elliptic lift distribution will always produce adverse yaw, independent of aileron design or operating condition. However, for wings employing other optimal lift distributions, the ailerons can be placed to produce proverse or neutral yaw. A numerical lifting-line algorithm is used to explore the impact of aileron design on a wide range of wing planforms and lift distributions. Results can be used in the early stages of design to correctly place ailerons with respect to desired roll-yaw coupling.
Lessons learned from shallow subglacial bedrock drilling campaigns in Antarctica
Authors: Braddock Scott , Venturelli Ryan A. , Nichols Keir , Moravec Elliot , Boeckmann Grant V. , Campbell Seth , Balco Greg , Ackert Robert , Small David , Johnson Joanne S. , Dunbar Nelia , Woodward John , Mukhopadhyay Sujoy , Goehring Brent
Published: March 2024

We review successes and challenges from five recent subglacial bedrock drilling campaigns intended to find evidence for Antarctic Ice Sheet retreat during warm periods in the geologic past. Insights into times when the polar ice sheets were smaller than present serve as guiding information for modeling efforts that aim to predict the rate and magnitude of future sea level rise that would accompany major retreat of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. One method to provide direct evidence for the timing of deglaciations and minimum extent of prior ice sheets is to extract subglacial bedrock cores for cosmogenic nuclide analysis from beneath the modern ice sheet surface. Here we summarize the lessons learned from five field seasons tasked with obtaining bedrock cores from shallow depths (<120 m beneath ice surface) across West Antarctica since 2016. We focus our findings on drilling efforts and technology and geophysical surveys with ground-penetrating radar. Shallow subglacial drilling provides a high risk, high reward means to test for past instabilities of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, and we highlight key challenges and solutions to increase the likelihood of success for future subglacial drilling efforts in polar regions.