bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing a multi‐layer full‐adder using a new three‐input majority gate based on quantum computing
Authors: Seyedi Saeid , Jafari Navimipour Nima
Published: October 2021

Recently, quantum dot‐cellular automata (QCA) has fascinated much attention because of its potential less area consumption, low power usage, less intricacy, and low delay. The full‐adder circuit is used in this technology for several procedures, like multiplication, subtraction, and division in the arithmetic logic unit. For this reason, the full‐adder is generally investigated as a central unit in the development of QCA technology. The present investigation demonstrates a new efficient QCA‐based full‐adder layout utilizing the TIEO gate and new 3‐input majority gate. In this design, the inputs get inside one side, and the outputs are derived from another circuit side. Other cells do not embrace the output and input signals, and they may simply be available, helping produce a more impressive circuit layout. Concretely speaking, in this design, the 0.02 μm2 region and the latency of the 0.5 clock cycle have been implemented using only 18 cells. Utilizing the QCADesigner tool, the suggested design in the current investigation has been functionally approved. The simulation outcomes show that this layout conducts properly and works faster than the oldest designs.
Probing Adsorption of Dipeptides on Anatase in H2O and D2O: Thermodynamics and Molecular Geometry
Authors: Korina Elena , Naifert Sergey , Palko Nadezhda , Grishina Maria , Potemkin Vladimir , Morozov Roman , Adawy Alaa , Merono Rafael , Avdin Vyacheslav , Schelokov Artyom , Popov Vadim , Bol'shakov Oleg
Published: October 2021

Considering the vast importance of peptide and protein interactions with inorganic surfaces, probing hydrogen bonding during their adsorption on metal oxide surfaces is a relevant task that could shed light on the essential features of their interplay. This work is devoted to studying the dipeptides’ adsorption on anatase nanoparticles (ANs) in light and heavy water to reveal differences arising upon the change of the major hydrogen bonding carrier. Thermodynamic study of six native dipeptides’ adsorption on ANs in both media shows a strong influence of the solvent on the Gibbs free energy and the effect of side‐chain mobile protons on the entropy of the process. The adsorption is endothermic irrespective of the medium and is entropy‐driven. Computer simulations of peptide adsorption in both media shows similarity in binding via an amino group and demonstrates structural features of protonated and deuterated peptides in obtained complexes. Calculated peptide‐ anatase nanoparticle (AN) descriptors indicate surface oxygens as points of peptide‐nanoparticle contacts.
MPSA: A real‐time collaborative scheduling algorithm for wireless rechargeable sensor networks
Authors: Wang Kun , Zeng Gang , Wang Lei , Yang Ziyu
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we mainly focus on the influence of network partitioning on the network and develop a new Multi‐chargers region Partition charging Scheduling Algorithm (MPSA) based on network information. By studying the influence of the different number of partitions and partition mode on the whole sensor networks, and simultaneously comparing different MCs scheduling algorithms from multiple perspectives, such as the effective energy usage efficiency and the survival rate of sensor nodes in the whole network, the superiority of Multi‐chargers region Partition charging Scheduling Algorithm (MPSA) scheduling strategy and the rationality and necessity of layered mechanism are proven. Simulations are conducted to verify the advantages of our scheme, revealing that our scheme outperforms in terms of dead node number, energy usage efficiency, and so on.
Merkel cell carcinoma presenting as a malignant pleural effusion post‐COVID‐19 hospitalization: A case report and literature review
Authors: Lanceta Joel , Toprak Mesut , Rosca Oana C.
Published: October 2021

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, highly aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin, associated with immunosuppression, UV light exposure, and the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Cases of metastatic MCC diagnosed in body fluid cytology are extremely rare; only five cases have been reported previously in the English literature. We present a case of a 65‐year‐old male with acute respiratory failure and an enlarged right pleural effusion. He had two hospitalizations for COVID‐19 pneumonia 2 months prior, for which he received steroid treatment and tocilizumab. Emergent thoracentesis was done, with pleural fluid sent for cytologic evaluation. Both the Papanicolaou stained ThinPrep slide and cell block demonstrated clusters of predominantly small to medium sized blue round cells with hyperchromatic nuclei, scant cytoplasm and fine chromatin, in a background of rare mesothelial cells, macrophages and numerous lymphocytes. Tumor cells were positive for CD56, chromogranin, synaptophysin, SAT2B, MCPyV, and CK20 in perinuclear dot like pattern, while negative for TTF‐1 and CD45 immunostains. Ki67 proliferative index was approximately 40%. The patient had a history of MCC of the right ulnar forearm 4 years before the current presentation, which was unknown to us at the time of cytologic evaluation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the sixth case of metastatic MCC diagnosed by fluid cytology and the first reported in a patient receiving immunosuppressive treatment for COVID‐19. Further reporting of such cases may increase awareness, especially when prior history is not readily available, such as in our case.
Immune response differs between intralymphatic or subcutaneous administration of GAD‐alum in individuals with recent onset type 1 diabetes
Authors: Dietrich Fabrícia , Barcenilla Hugo , Tavira Beatriz , Wahlberg Jeanette , Achenbach Peter , Ludvigsson Johnny , Casas Rosaura
Published: October 2021

Aims

Immunomodulation with autoantigens potentially constitutes a specific and safe treatment for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Studies with GAD‐alum administrated subcutaneously have shown to be safe, but its efficacy has been inconclusive. Administration of GAD‐alum into the lymph nodes, aimed to optimise antigen presentation, has shown promising results in an open‐label clinical trial. Herein, we compared the immune response of the individuals included in the trial with a group who received GAD‐alum subcutaneously in a previous study.

Materials and methods

Samples from T1D individuals collected 15 months after administration of either three doses 1 month apart of 4 μg GAD‐alum into lymph nodes (LN, n = 12) or two doses 1 month apart of 20 μg subcutaneously (SC, n = 12) were studied. GADA, GADA subclasses, GAD65‐induced cytokines, peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation, and T cells markers were analysed.

Results

Low doses of GAD‐alum into the lymph nodes induced higher GADA levels than higher doses administrated subcutaneously. Immune response in the LN group was characterised by changes in GADA subclasses, with a relative reduction of IgG1 and enhanced IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 proportion, higher GAD65‐induced secretion of IL‐5, IL‐10, and TNF‐α, and reduction of cell proliferation and CD8+ T cells. These changes were not observed after subcutaneous (SC) injections of GAD‐alum.

Conclusions

GAD‐specific immune responses 15 months after lymph node injections of GAD‐alum differed from the ones induced by SC administration of the same autoantigen.
High‐altitude adaptation in vertebrates as revealed by mitochondrial genome analyses
Authors: Wang Xibao , Zhou Shengyang , Wu Xiaoyang , Wei Qinguo , Shang Yongquan , Sun Guolei , Mei Xuesong , Dong Yuehuan , Sha Weilai , Zhang Honghai
Published: October 2021

The high‐altitude environment may drive vertebrate evolution in a certain way, and vertebrates living in different altitude environments might have different energy requirements. We hypothesized that the high‐altitude environment might impose different influences on vertebrate mitochondrial genomes (mtDNA). We used selection pressure analyses and PIC (phylogenetic independent contrasts) analysis to detect the evolutionary rate of vertebrate mtDNA protein‐coding genes (PCGs) from different altitudes. The results showed that the ratio of nonsynonymous/synonymous substitutions (dN/dS) in the mtDNA PCGs was significantly higher in high‐altitude vertebrates than in low‐altitude vertebrates. The seven rapidly evolving genes were shared by the high‐altitude vertebrates, and only one positive selection gene (ND5 gene) was detected in the high‐altitude vertebrates. Our results suggest the mtDNA evolutionary rate in high‐altitude vertebrates was higher than in low‐altitude vertebrates as their evolution requires more energy in a high‐altitude environment. Our study demonstrates the high‐altitude environment (low atmospheric O2 levels) drives vertebrate evolution in mtDNA PCGs.
Eu3Be22N16O: A Highly Condensed Oxonitridoberyllate
Authors: Elzer Eugenia , Weidemann Martin , Schnick Wolfgang
Published: October 2021

The oxonitridoberyllate Eu3Be22N16O was synthesized from Eu(NH2)2, Be3N2 and BeO in a W crucible under N2 atmosphere in a radio‐frequency furnace at 1400 °C. The crystal structure was solved and refined from X‐ray diffraction data (C2/c (no. 15), a=20.620(2), b=8.722(6), c=17.506(2) Å, β=120.782(3)°) and confirmed with Rietveld refinement methods as well as lattice‐energy calculations (Madelung part of lattice energy, MAPLE). Eu3Be22N16O consists of a rigid network of edge‐sharing BeX4 (X=N, O) tetrahedra and trigonal‐planar BeN3 units resulting in a high degree of condensation κ=1.29. The charge of the anionic network is compensated by Eu2+. Magnetic susceptibility measurements exhibit Curie‐Weiss behavior above 2 K with an effective magnetic moment of 7.82 μB/f.u., which is in accordance with the theoretical value for EuII.
Thermohydraulic performance improvement and entropy generation characteristics of a microchannel heat sink cooled with new hybrid nanofluids containing ternary/binary hybrid nanocomposites
Authors: Souby M. Mohamed , Bargal Mohamed H. S. , Wang Yiping
Published: October 2021

Recently, the combination of hybrid nanofluids with microchannel heat sinks (MCHSs) has led to superior heat removal from high heat flux electronics chips. The present work aimed to evaluate numerically the first and second law performances of MCHSs using the new cost‐effective binary/ternary hybrid nanofluids. Water‐based binary and ternary hybrid nanofluids include the MgO/TiO2 nanocomposite and the CuO/MgO/TiO2 nanocomposite, respectively. The effects of the hybrid nanofluid volume concentration (vol.%) and Reynolds number (Re) on the heat transfer, pressure drop, combined thermohydraulic characteristics, and entropy generation characteristics of the MCHSs are discussed. The results show that higher values of the convective heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop, and frictional entropy generation rate are obtained when using hybrid nanofluids with high Re and vol.% values. Furthermore, by increasing the Re and vol.% values of the hybrid nanofluids, the bottom wall temperature, total thermal resistance, and thermal entropy generation rate decreased, and an increased temperature uniformity was obtained on the bottom surface of the MCHSs. In conclusion, the applied hybrid nanofluids are considered to be more promising heat transfer fluids when compared with conventional fluids such as water. Particularly, the CuO/MgO/TiO2‐water ternary hybrid nanofluid exhibited a better heat transfer efficiency than did the MgO/TiO2‐water binary hybrid nanofluid.
Theoretical study on the application of isothermal compression technology in vapor‐compression refrigeration systems with an isothermal piston
Authors: Hu Yu , Xu Weiqing , Ren Teng , Cai Maolin , Yang Bo , Shi Yan
Published: October 2021

Vapor‐compression refrigeration systems are widely used in refrigeration equipment. Theoretically, the process is typically divided into two isobaric processes: an adiabatic isentropic compression process and adiabatic isentropic throttling process. The refrigeration compressor is the main energy‐consuming component in vapor‐compression refrigeration systems. However, this device has a large energy loss and low overall efficiency in the adiabatic isentropic compression process. In this study, a modified vapor‐compression refrigeration cycle with an isothermal piston is proposed to realize near‐isothermal compression of a refrigerator to significantly reduce the energy loss in the compression process and improve the system performance. A real‐gas compression process model is established, and the heat transfer index Hex is set. By changing the heat transfer index Hex, the performances of the vapor‐compression refrigeration system under ideal and real compression conditions are compared and analyzed. Compared with a traditional vapor‐compression refrigeration system, the coefficient of performance of the compressor with an isothermal compression process is increased by approximately 17%. The results also demonstrate that the lower the evaporation temperature Te and higher the condensation temperature Tc, the greater the optimization effect of the isothermal compression.
Modulation of ecosystem services by animal personalities
Authors: Hunter Malcolm L , Boone Sara R , Brehm Allison M , Mortelliti Alessio
Published: October 2021

Conservationists rarely consider the roles individuals, with their own unique behavior, physiology, and genome, play in shaping ecosystem processes and consequently ecosystem services, but this is changing. An ongoing surge in research on animal personalities (that is, behavioral differences among individuals that are consistent over time and across contexts) is exposing the ecological roles of individuals to scientific scrutiny. Here, we present four broad examples of ecosystem services that are likely to be shaped by personalities: (1) pollination and seed dispersal, (2) regulation of pest species, (3) ecotourism, and (4) maintenance of soil quality. Although researchers have suggested diverse links between animal personality and ecosystem function, very few have examined this association. We outline a four‐step process for quantifying and validating these linkages, leading to application for conservation practitioners, and conclude by recommending that accounting for behavioral variation should be incorporated into the management of ecosystem services.
Determinants of adoption of computer‐assisted audit tools and techniques among internal audit units in Ghana
Authors: Awuah Benjamin , Onumah Joseph Mensah , Duho King Carl Tornam
Published: October 2021

This study investigates the determinants of adoption of computer‐assisted audit tools and techniques (CAATTs) among internal audit units in Ghana. Data for the study was drawn from a sample of 75 private and state‐owned enterprises through questionnaires while the partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed to analyze and test the hypotheses. The findings indicate that albeit CAATT adoption within internal audit units is fairly high, the actual usage in the areas of risk assessment, fraud detection, substantive testing, and analytical procedures are still low. Using the extended technology‐organization‐environment (TOE) framework, results show that CAATT behavioral intention is driven by technological readiness, organizational readiness, and environmental readiness but not personal innovativeness. In addition, CAATT behavioral intention influences CAATT adoption among the internal audit units. The findings provide valuable insights to management, heads of audit units, policymakers, and regulators on ways to improve the adoption and use of CAATT. Firms should invest more in training workshops on big data analytics, hiring more data scientists or data engineers, and equipping internal audit units with the information technology infrastructure. The paper complements prior research by applying a hierarchical component modeling technique to the extended TOE framework to investigate CAATT adoption in internal audits.
Front Cover
Authors: Lee Jae‐Hun , Carpena Nathaniel T. , Kim Sehwan , Lee Min Young , Jung Jae Yun , Choi Ji Eun
Published: October 2021

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy has been introduced as noninvasive treatment modality for peripheral nerve injuries. Despite numerous reports of the positive effect of PBM on peripheral nerve regeneration, there remains no agreement on the optimal parameters to support the best therapeutic activity in facial nerve regeneration. We assessed the effects of PBM of various wavelengths on cell viability under the oxidative stress and nerve regeneration after facial nerve injuries.

Further details can be found in the article by Jae‐Hun Lee, Nathaniel T. Carpena, Sehwan Kim, Min Young Lee, Jae Yun Jung, and Ji Eun Choi (e202100159)

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Inside Front Cover
Authors: Steelman Zachary A. , Coker Zachary N. , Kiester Allen , Noojin Gary , Ibey Bennett L. , Bixler Joel N.
Published: October 2021

We introduce quantitative phase imaging (QPI) as a useful tool for the study of single cells undergoing cytoskeletal remodeling after nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) exposure. In particular, we use cell swelling, dry mass and disorder strength measurements derived from QPI phase images to monitor the cellular response to nsPEFs, augmenting more traditional fluorescence‐based methods.

Further details can be found in the article by Zachary A. Steelman, Zachary N. Coker, Allen Kiester, Gary Noojin, Bennett L. Ibey, and Joel N. Bixler (e202100125)

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Diaphragmatic ultrasound: Prospects as a tool to assess respiratory muscle involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Rajula Rahul Reddy , Saini Jitender , Unnikrishnan Gopikrishnan , Vengalil Seena , Nashi Saraswati , Bardhan Mainak , Huddar Akshata , Chawla Tanushree , Sindhu Dodmalur Mallikarjuna , Ganaraja Valakunja Harikrishna , Polavarapu Kiran , Preethish‐Kumar Veeramani , Kandavel Thennarasu , Sathyaprabha Talakad N. , Nalini Atchayaram
Published: October 2021

Background

Ultrasonography (USG) of the diaphragm is a promising alternative to pulmonary function tests (PFT) for assessing respiratory function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease (ALS/MND).

Methods

We studied 33 patients fulfilling Awaji criteria (definite = 14; probable = 12; possible = 7) and 33 age and gender‐matched controls. Diaphragm thickness was measured using USG at the end of expiration (DTex) and end of inspiration (DTin). The thickness ratio (TR) was calculated as DTin/DTex. The mean age at onset and duration were 49.73 ± 12.7 years and 13.57 ± 9.7 months, respectively. Men = 25 (75.8%); Limb onset ALS/MND = 24 patients (72.7%); bulbar onset = 9 (27.3%).

Results

Compared to controls, ALS/MND patients had reduced mean DTex (2.22 ± 0.29 mm vs. 2.02 ± 0.32 mm, p = .012) and DTin (4.0 ± 0.71 mm vs. 3.41 ± 0.38 mm, p < .001). PFTs done in 31 patients showed restrictive abnormality in 80.6%. Significant positive correlation was seen between percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%) and DTin (p = .009) and TR (p = .037) but not with DTex (p = .852). No significant correlation was seen between diaphragmatic thickness and other PFT parameters or ALSFRS scores.

Conclusion

The diaphragmatic thickness showed a significant decrease in ALS/MND as compared to controls. End‐inspiratory diaphragmatic thickness and TR correlated well with %FVC. Thus, diaphragmatic USG could be a potential alternative to PFTs in assessing respiratory function in ALS/MND patients having the advantage of less patient participation and ease of performing in late stages of ALS/MND.
Soccer league optimization for load flow analysis of power systems
Authors: Srilakshmi Koganti , Babu P. Ravi , Venkatesan Yogambari , Palanivelu Aravindhababu
Published: October 2021

This paper proposes a generalized soccer league optimization (SLO) based load flow (LF) method suitable for both transmission and distribution systems. The LF problem is formulated as an optimization problem of lowering the sum of squares of active and reactive power mismatches at all busses, while taking the net corrections of bus voltage angles and magnitudes as unknown decision variables. The formulated problem is then solved using SLO, a population‐based algorithm imitated from the behavior of team players of soccer league competition. The performances in respect of accuracy, robustness to different line r/x ratios, and computational efficiency are studied on six standard IEEE transmission and distribution systems and the results are presented.
Perioperative parenteral fish oil supplementation improves postoperative coagulation function and outcomes in patients undergoing colectomy for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Zhang Tenghui , Li Guangke , Duan Ming , Lv Tengfei , Feng Dengyu , Lu Nan , Zhou Yan , Gu Lili , Zhu Weiming , Gong Jianfeng
Published: October 2021

Objective

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an independent risk factor for thromboembolism, especially during the perioperative period. This study aimed to determine the effects of perioperative parenteral nutrition (PN) supplemented with fish oil (FO) on coagulation function and postoperative outcomes in patients with UC.

Methods

This retrospective cohort included 92 consecutive patients who underwent colectomy for UC. Postoperative coagulation indices and outcomes, including thromboelastography (TEG) findings and comprehensive complication index (CCI), were compared. The relative change in serum D‐dimer (ΔD‐dimer) levels and maximal amplitude (ΔMA) on TEG were also determined.

Results

Patients receiving PN supplemented with FO (n = 48) had lower D‐dimer (P = .036) levels on postoperative day (POD) 5 and a higher MA (P < 0.001) on POD 1 than those who did not receive it (n = 44). A lower ΔD‐dimer level (P = .048) and ΔMA (P < 0.001) were also observed in patients receiving FO. The incidence of major postoperative complications (6.3 vs 22.7%; P = .017) and CCI (20.9 vs 23.4%; P = .044) were significantly lower in patients receiving FO. In multivariate analysis, FO (odds ratio, 0.231; 95% confidence interval, 0.055–0.971; P = .046) was a positive protector of major postoperative complications.

Conclusion

Perioperative PN supplemented with FO improved coagulation function and reduced major postoperative complications in patients with UC requiring colectomy. These results may provide cues in formulating management strategies for preventing thromboembolisms and postoperative complications in patients with UC.
Factors associated with the involvement of lymph nodes in low‐grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Durmuş Yasin , Meydanlı Mehmet M. , Akıllı Hüseyin , Kayıkçıoğlu Fulya , Güngördük Kemal , Akbayır Özgür , Taşkın Salih , Çelik Hüsnü , Ayhan Ali
Published: October 2021

Background and Objectives

Evaluating nodal metastases in low‐grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) patients.

Methods

Women with LGSOC who had undergone primary cytoreductive surgery comprising systematic pelvic‐paraaortic lymphadenectomy were included. Data were obtained retrospectively from 12 oncology centers.

Results

One hundred and forty‐eight women with LGSOC who had undergone comprehensive surgical staging were included. Seventy‐one (48.0%) patients had metastatic lymph nodes. Preoperative serum CA‐125 levels of ≥170 U/ml (odds ratio [OR]: 3.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22–12.07; p = 0.021) and presence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) (OR: 13.72; 95% CI: 3.36–55.93; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of nodal metastasis in LGSOC. Sixty (40.5%) patients were classified to have apparently limited disease to the ovary/ovaries. Twenty (33.3%) of them were upstaged after surgical staging. Twelve (20.0%) had metastatic lymph nodes. Presence of LVSI (OR: 12.96; 95% CI: 1.14–146.43; p = 0.038) and preoperative serum CA‐125 of ≥180 U/ml (OR: 7.19; 95% CI: 1.35–38.12; p = 0.02) were independent predictors of lymph node metastases in apparent Stage Ⅰ disease.

Conclusions

Clinicians may consider to perform a reoperation comprising systematic lymphadenectomy in patients who had apparently limited disease to the ovary/ovaries and had not undergone lymphadenectomy initially. Reoperation may be considered particularly in patients whose preoperative serum CA‐125 is ≥180 U/ml and/or whose pathological assessment reported the presence of LVSI.
Implications of intensive care unit admissions among medicare beneficiaries following resection of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Rice Daniel R. , Hyer J. Madison , Tsilimigras Diamantis , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: October 2021

Background

Intensive care unit (ICU) use has increased among patients with cancer. We sought to define factors associated with ICU admissions among patients with pancreatic cancer and characterize trends in mortality among hospital survivors.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare linked database was used to identify patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent resection. Multivariable analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with ICU admission and mortality among hospital survivors.

Results

Among 6422 Medicare beneficiaries who underwent resection of pancreatic cancer, 2386 (37.1%) had an ICU admission. Patients with ICU admissions were more likely to be younger (10‐year increase odds ratio [OR]: 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77–0.89), male (OR: 1.17, 95% CI 1.05–1.30) and undergo resection at a teaching hospital (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.05–1.36). While the majority of patients survived to hospital discharge (n = 2106; 88.3%), a majority of patients (n = 1296; 54.3%) died within 6 months. Among patients who had subsequent ICU admissions, 1‐ and 5‐year survival was only 31.8% and 11.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

Over one‐third of patients with pancreatic cancer had an ICU admission. While most patients survived hospitalization, more than one‐half of patients died within 6 months of discharge and two‐thirds died within 1 year. These data should serve to guide patient–provider discussions around prognosis relative to ICU utilization.
Microbial methane oxidation efficiency and robustness during lake overturn
Authors: Zimmermann M. , Mayr M. J. , Bürgmann H. , Eugster W. , Steinsberger T. , Wehrli B. , Brand A. , Bouffard D.
Published: October 2021

Many seasonally stratified lakes accumulate substantial amounts of the greenhouse gas methane in the anoxic zone. Methane oxidizing bacteria in the water column act as a converter, oxidizing methane into carbon dioxide and biomass before it reaches the atmosphere. Current observations and estimates of this methane oxidation efficiency are diverging, especially for the lake overturn period. Here, we combine a model of turbulent mixing, gas exchange, and microbial growth with a comprehensive data set for autumn mixing to quantify the relevant physical and microbial processes for a 16 m deep, wind‐sheltered Swiss lake. Scenario analysis suggests that the methane converter is efficient and robust under a large range of mixing velocities and only rare events of pronounced surface cooling can trigger substantial outgassing. This case study combines in situ observation and a deterministic physically based model and suggests that the frequency of storms may strongly impact methane emissions for similar temperate lakes.
Glia Imaging Differentiates Multiple System Atrophy from Parkinson's Disease: A Positron Emission Tomography Study with [11C]PBR28 and Machine Learning Analysis
Authors: Jucaite Aurelija , Cselényi Zsolt , Kreisl William C. , Rabiner Eugenii A. , Varrone Andrea , Carson Richard E. , Rinne Juha O. , Savage Alicia , Schou Magnus , Johnström Peter , Svenningsson Per , Rascol Olivier , Meissner Wassilios G. , Barone Paolo , Seppi Klaus , Kaufmann Horacio , Wenning Gregor K. , Poewe Werner , Farde Lars
Published: October 2021

Background

The clinical diagnosis of multiple system atrophy (MSA) is challenged by overlapping features with Parkinson's disease (PD) and late‐onset ataxias. Additional biomarkers are needed to confirm MSA and to advance the understanding of pathophysiology. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the translocator protein (TSPO), expressed by glia cells, has shown elevations in MSA.

Objective

In this multicenter PET study, we assess the performance of TSPO imaging as a diagnostic marker for MSA.

Methods

We analyzed [11C]PBR28 binding to TSPO using imaging data of 66 patients with MSA and 24 patients with PD. Group comparisons were based on regional analysis of parametric images. The diagnostic readout included visual reading of PET images against clinical diagnosis and machine learning analyses. Sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating curves were used to discriminate MSA from PD and cerebellar from parkinsonian variant MSA.

Results

We observed a conspicuous pattern of elevated regional [11C]PBR28 binding to TSPO in MSA as compared with PD, with “hotspots” in the lentiform nucleus and cerebellar white matter. Visual reading discriminated MSA from PD with 100% specificity and 83% sensitivity. The machine learning approach improved sensitivity to 96%. We identified MSA subtype‐specific TSPO binding patterns.

Conclusions

We found a pattern of significantly increased regional glial TSPO binding in patients with MSA. Intriguingly, our data are in line with severe neuroinflammation in MSA. Glia imaging may have potential to support clinical MSA diagnosis and patient stratification in clinical trials on novel drug therapies for an α‐synucleinopathy that remains strikingly incurable. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A machine learning recommender system based on collaborative filtering using Gaussian mixture model clustering
Authors: Shakoor Delshad Mohammad , Maihami Vafa , Maihami Reza
Published: October 2021

With the shift toward online shopping, it has become necessary to customize customers' needs and give them more choices. Before making a purchase, buyers research the products' features. The recommender systems facilitate the search task for customers by narrowing down the search space within specific products that align with the customer's needs. A recommender system uses clustering to filter information, calculating the similarity between members of a cluster to determine the factors that will lead to more accurate predictions. We propose a new method for predicting scores in machine learning recommender systems using the Gaussian mixture model clustering and the Pearson correlation coefficient. The proposed method is applied to MovieLens data. The results are then compared to three commonly used methods: Pearson correlation coefficients, K‐means, and fuzzy C‐means algorithms. As a result of increasing the number of neighbors, our method shows a lower error than others. Additionally, the results depict that accuracy will increase as the number of users increases. Our model, for instance, is 5% more accurate than existing methods when the neighbor size is 30. Gaussian mixture clustering chooses similar users and takes into account the scores distance when choosing nearby users that are similar to the active user.
Technical note: Extraction of proton pencil beam energy spectrum from measured integral depth dose in a cyclotron proton beam system
Authors: Yao Weiguang , Farr Jonathan B.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Proton pencil beam energy spectrum is an essential parameter for calculations of dose and linear energy transfer. We extract the energy spectrum from measured integral depth dose (IDD).

Methods

A measured IDD (measIDD) in water is decomposed into many IDDs of mono‐energetic pencil beams (monoIDDs) in water. A simultaneous iterative technique is used to do the decomposition that extracts the energy spectrum of protons from the measIDD. The monoIDDs are generated by our analytic random walk model‐based proton dose calculation algorithm. The linear independence of the monoIDDs is considered and high spatial resolution monoIDDs are used to improve their linear independence. To validate the extraction, first we use synthesized IDDs (synIDD) with Gaussian energy spectrum and compare the extracted energy spectrum with the Gaussian; second, for the energy spectrum extracted from measIDDs, the accuracy of the extraction is validated by comparing the calculated IDD from the energy spectrum with the measIDD. The measIDDs are derived from commissioning of a cyclotron proton pencil beam system with a Bragg peak ionization chamber. The nominal energy of the pencil beams is from 70 to 245 MeV. The monoIDDs are generated for energies from 0.05 to 275 MeV in steps of 0.05 MeV with a spatial resolution of 1 mm.

Results

The difference of the extracted and original Gaussian energy spectrum peaked at 75 and 80 MeV was <1%. As the energy decreased, the difference increased but was reduced by using 0.1‐mm monoIDDs. The difference was not sensitive to the energy interval of monoIDDs when the interval increased from 0.05 to 1 MeV. For the energy spectrum extraction from measIDDs, there was a main peak near the nominal energy but the spectrum was not in Gaussian distribution. In three example cases (70, 160, and 245 MeV), the relative differences of the measIDDs and calculated IDDs were within 3.4%, 2.9%, and 4.7% of the Bragg peak value, respectively. Fitting the spectrum by Gaussian distribution, we had σ = 0.87, 1.51, and 0.86 MeV, respectively, for these three examples, and the relative differences of the resultant calculated IDDs from the measIDDs were within 4.7%, 7.4%, and 4.5%, respectively.

Conclusions

Our algorithm accurately extracted the energy spectrum from the synIDDs and measIDDs. High‐resolution monoIDDs are necessary to extract low‐energy spectrum. Energy spectrum extraction from measIDD reveals important information for beam modeling.
Technical Note: Long‐term monitoring of diode sensitivity degradation induced by proton irradiation
Authors: Younkin James E. , Robertson Daniel G. , Liu Wei , Hu Yanle , Morales Danairis Hernandez , Bues Martin , Shen Jiajian , Ding Xiaoning
Published: October 2021

Purpose

To measure diode sensitivity degradation (DSD) induced by cumulative proton dose delivered to a commercial daily quality assurance (QA) device.

Methods

At our institution, six Daily QA 3 (DQA3, Sun Nuclear Corporation, Melbourne, FL, USA) devices have been used for daily proton pencil beam scanning QA in four proton gantry rooms over a span of 4 years. DQA3 diode counts were cross‐calibrated using a homogenous field with a known dose of 1 Gy. The DSD rate (ΔR%/100 Gy) was calculated using linear regression on time‐series plots of diode counts and an estimate of cumulative dose per year based on the cross‐calibration. The effect of DSD on daily QA spot position measurements was quantified by converting DSD to baseline spot position shift.

Results

The average dose delivered to the four inner DQA3 diodes was 104 ± 5 Gy/year, and the rate of DSD was ‐5.1% ± 1.0/100 Gy with the exception of one DQA3 device that had a significantly higher rate of DSD (–12%/100 Gy). The R2s of the linear fit to time‐series plots were between 0.92 and 0.98. The DSD rates were not constant but decreases with accumulated doses. The four center diodes, which received 40% of the cumulative dose received by inner diodes, had a DSD rate of –7.2% ± 0.9/100 Gy. For our daily QA program, 1 year of DSD was equivalent to a 0.2 mm shift in spot position.

Conclusions

The DSD rate of DQA3 diodes determined by long‐term proton daily QA data was about –5%/100 Gy, which is more than 10 times greater than the reported DSD rate from photon irradiation. DQA3 diodes may be used for daily proton QA programs, provided that they are recalibrated at an appropriate frequency that should be determined specifically for different daily QA programs.
Technical Note: Break‐even dose level for hypofractionated treatment schedules
Authors: Böhlen Till Tobias , Germond Jean‐François , Bourhis Jean , Vozenin Marie‐Catherine , Bailat Claude , Bochud François , Moeckli Raphaël
Published: October 2021

Purpose

To derive the isodose line R relative to the prescription dose below which irradiated normal tissue (NT) regions benefit from a hypofractionated schedule with an isoeffective dose to the tumor. To apply the formalism to clinical case examples.

Methods

From the standard biologically effective dose (BED) equation based on the linear‐quadratic (LQ) model, the BED of an NT that receives a relative proportion r of the prescribed dose per fraction for a given α/β‐ratio of the tumor, (α/β)T, and NT, (α/β)NT, is derived for different treatment schedules while keeping the BED to the tumor constant. Based on this, the “break‐even” isodose line R is then derived. The BED of NT regions that receive doses below R decreases for more hypofractionated treatment schedules, and hence a lower risk for NT injury is predicted in these regions. To assess the impact of a linear behavior of BED for high doses per fraction (>6 Gy), we evaluated BED also using the LQ‐linear (LQ‐L) model.

Results

The formalism provides the equations to derive the BED of an NT as function of dose per fraction for an isoeffective dose to the tumor and the corresponding break‐even isodose line R. For generic α/β‐ratios of (α/β)T = 10 Gy and (α/β)NT = 3 Gy and homogeneous dose in the target, R is 30%. R is doubling for stereotactic treatments for which tumor control correlates with the maximum dose of 100% instead of the encompassing isodose line of 50%. When using the LQ‐L model, the notion of a break‐even dose level R remains valid up to about 20 Gy per fraction for generic α/β‐ratios and .

Conclusions

The formalism may be used to estimate below which relative isodose line R there will be a differential sparing of NT when increasing hypofractionation. More generally, it allows to assess changes of the therapeutic index for sets of isoeffective treatment schedules at different relative dose levels compared to a reference schedule in a compact manner.
Capacity planning for large scale people movement: Models and application to the Ujjain Kumbh Mela
Authors: Dalal Jyotirmoy , Iyer Ananth V.
Published: October 2021

We focus on capacity planning and admission control of people accessing a system consisting of paths, where the flow varies along spatial, temporal, or event‐based dimensions. People arrive during a time window, are admitted, travel through specified paths, and leave the system within a provided admission time guarantee. The decisions include choosing capacity for disruption plans and reactive capacity, adaptive path adjustment through redirection, and admission control in response to realized demand scenarios. We first develop a continuous‐time model to choose optimal capacity for disruption plans corresponding to an expected admission time guarantee. The next model determines the optimal upfront versus reactive capacity decisions given demand scenarios. For each disruption plan, a mathematical programming model chooses optimal capacity by path segment, redirection, and admission control over time to manage realized demand under an admission time guarantee. We quantify the value of flexible capacity deployment and: (a) provide the optimal capacity by disruption plan to ensure an admission time guarantee, (b) provide the optimal long term capacity and reactive capacity, and (c) provide the optimal adaptive routing and admission control decisions to minimize capacity costs to ensure an admission time guarantee. We apply the model to data from the Kumbh Mela at Ujjain, a bathing festival in India that attracts close to 85 million people over a 25‐day period, to provide insights for managers. The models can assist managers of food festivals, music events, religious walks, and other events involving managing people flow across paths during specific time windows.
Serial measurements of body composition using bioelectrical impedance and clinical usefulness of phase angle in colorectal cancer
Authors: Han Seung‐Rim , Bae Jung Hoon , Lee Chul Seung , Al‐Sawat Abdullah , Park Soo Ji , Lee Hyo Jin , Yoon Mi Ran , Jin Hyeong Yong , Lee Yoon Suk , Lee Do Sang , Lee In Kyu
Published: October 2021

Background

Although body composition (BC) can be measured easily using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), there are few studies of serial BC measurements in colorectal cancer (CRC). The purpose of the present study was to observe the serial change of BC in patients with CRC surgery from the initiation to the end of chemotherapy and to evaluate its clinical usefulness.

Methods

From July 2018 to November 2019, patients undergoing elective CRC surgery were enrolled. All clinical data were reviewed retrospectively. BIA data were collected prospectively at four time points (initial, discharge day, first chemotherapy, and 6 months later). BC was measured using a commercial BIA device.

Results

A total of 160 patients were enrolled, and 110 (68.8%) patients were followed. Most BC measurements, such as weight, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle index, and fat mass index, were lowest at the first chemotherapy and rebounded after 6 months. Phase angle (PhA) and the ratio of extracellular water to total body water (ECW/TBW) were “V” shaped and inverted “V” shaped, respectively, and the peaks were on discharge days. This pattern of BC showed significant difference according to sarcopenia, old age (>70 years), and advanced stage (III or IV). The change of PhA and ECW/TBW sensitively pattern differences according to clinical aspect.

Conclusions

Using BIA, serial BC measurements were taken to establish a pattern based on clinical characteristics. PhA showed the most sensitive change according to the patient's clinical aspect.
Building better conservation media for primates and people: A case study of orangutan rescue and rehabilitation YouTube videos
Authors: Freund Cathryn A. , Heaning Erin G. , Mulrain Imani R. , McCann Jesse B. , DiGiorgio Andrea L.
Published: October 2021

Conservation organizations rely on social/internet media platforms to raise awareness and fundraise. Social media is a double‐edged sword: it can be a wide‐reaching and effective tool for education and fundraising, but can also have counterproductive impacts on public views towards wildlife and understanding of wildlife conservation.

For example, depicting humans interacting with wildlife in media may increase video popularity, but animals shown in anthropogenic contexts are also viewed as appealing pets. We are interested in understanding whether this is true for social media posts (YouTube videos) by orangutan rescue and rehabilitation organizations, which rely on social media for fundraising and awareness raising. Our goal is to provide data and recommendations to guide these organizations in building media with positive conservation impact while minimizing potential negative effects.

Using YouTube analytics and sentiment analysis of comments on 117 videos, we ask how viewer responses to videos vary with (a) the amount of human–orangutan interaction depicted, (b) the ages of the orangutans featured and (c) the mention of threats to orangutans.

Videos with longer human–orangutan interaction time were viewed more, but comments on them were significantly more likely to be negative towards Indonesian/Malaysian people. Comments on orangutan rescue/rehabilitation videos were more likely to be categorized as negative for orangutan conservation compared to videos about orangutans generally, and within these, so were comments on videos featuring infant and juvenile orangutans.

Based on our findings, we recommend that orangutan rescue and rehabilitation organizations feature adult and mixed age groups of orangutans rather than infants and juveniles, minimize the amount of human–orangutan interaction shown and talk about conservation threats to orangutans in their videos. We also recommend that, as a precaution, other primate rescue and rehabilitation groups also abide by these suggestions.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Bronchoalveolar lavage profiles in uncontrolled wheezy children compared by asthma predictive index
Authors: Ezmigna Dima , Brown Mark , Daines Cori , Morgan Wayne
Published: October 2021

Objective

The asthma predictive index (API) predicts later asthma in preschoolers with frequent wheeze. We hypothesized that airway cytology differs between API positive (API+)/negative (API−) children with uncontrolled/recurrent wheezing with dominance of eosinophils in API+ and neutrophils in API− groups respectively. The main objective of this study is to compare bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell profiles in API+/API− children with recurrent wheezing unresponsive to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).

Design

Retrospective analysis of BAL in 43 children, 3–36 months (median: 14 months) receiving ICS (31 API+, 12 API−). BAL cell differential counts, bacterial/viral cultures, and lipid‐laden macrophage percentages were analyzed. Cell counts presented as median (range).

Results

Neutrophil percentages were increased in both groups (API− 16% [1%–76%]; API+ 42% [1%–95%]; p = NS). Cell percentages were similar for lymphocytes (API− 12% [1%–30%]; API+ 7% [1%–37%]), and macrophages (API− 67.5% [12%–97%]; API+ 41% [2%–94%]). Eosinophil percentages were low in both groups (API− 1% [1%–2%]; API+ 1% [1%–11%]). There was no difference in cellular distributions using absolute cell counts comparing API groups. Bacterial cultures were positive in 18 (60%) API+ and 5 (41%) API− patients (p = 0.10).

Conclusion

Cell profiles do not differ between API groups in children ≤36 months with recurrent wheezing unresponsive to ICS. Neutrophil percentages and total granulocyte count correlate with positive bacterial cultures independent of API status. Persistent bacterial bronchitis likely plays an important role in the persistence of symptoms unresponsive to ICS therapy regardless of API status with a trend to more positive cultures in API positive children.
Immunomodulation induced by central nervous system‐related peptides as a therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Palumbo María Laura , Moroni Alejandro David , Quiroga Sofía , Castro María Micaela , Burgueño Adriana Laura , Genaro Ana María
Published: October 2021

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) are disorders characterized by the progressive loss of neurons affecting motor, sensory, and/or cognitive functions. The incidence of these diseases is increasing and has a great impact due to their high morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, current therapeutic strategies only temporarily improve the patients’ quality of life but are insufficient for completely alleviating the symptoms. An interaction between the immune system and the central nervous system (CNS) is widely associated with neuronal damage in NDD. Usually, immune cell infiltration has been identified with inflammation and is considered harmful to the injured CNS. However, the immune system has a crucial role in the protection and regeneration of the injured CNS. Nowadays, there is a consensus that deregulation of immune homeostasis may represent one of the key initial steps in NDD. Dr. Michal Schwartz originally conceived the concept of “protective autoimmunity” (PA) as a well‐controlled peripheral inflammatory reaction after injury, essential for neuroprotection and regeneration. Several studies suggested that immunizing with a weaker version of the neural self‐antigen would generate PA without degenerative autoimmunity. The development of CNS‐related peptides with immunomodulatory neuroprotective effect led to important research to evaluate their use in chronic and acute NDD. In this review, we refer to the role of PA and the potential applications of active immunization as a therapeutic option for NDD treatment. In particular, we focus on the experimental and clinical promissory findings for CNS‐related peptides with beneficial immunomodulatory effects.