bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Random forest classifier‐based safe and reliable routing for opportunistic IoT networks
Authors: Kandhoul Nisha , Dhurandher Sanjay K. , Woungang Isaac
Published: September 2023

Designing a safe and reliable way for communicating the messages among the devices and humans forming the Opportunistic Internet of Things network (OppIoT) has been a challenge since the broadcast mode of message sharing is used. To contribute toward addressing such challenge, this paper proposes a Random Forest Classifier (RFC)‐based safe and reliable routing protocol for OppIoT (called RFCSec) which ensures space efficiency, hash‐based message integrity, and high packet delivery, simultaneously protecting the network against safety threats viz. packet collusion, hypernova, supernova, and wormhole attacks. The proposed RFCSec scheme is composed of two phases. In the first one, the RFC is trained on real data trace, and based on the output of this training, the second phase consists in classifying the encountered nodes of a given node as belonging to one of the output classes of nodes based on their past behavior in the network. This helps in proactively isolating the malicious nodes from participating in the routing process and encourages the participation of the ones with good message forwarding behavior, low packet dropping rate, high buffer availability, and a higher probability of delivering the messages in the past. Simulation results using the ONE simulator show that the proposed RFCSec secure routing scheme is superior to the MLProph, RLProph, and CAML routing protocols, chosen as benchmarks, in terms of legitimate packet delivery, probability of message delivery, count of dropped messages, and latency in packet delivery. The out‐of‐bag error obtained is also minimal
New method of traffic flow forecasting based on quantum particle swarm optimization strategy for intelligent transportation system
Authors: Zhang Degan , Wang Jiaxu , Fan Hongrui , Zhang Ting , Gao Jinxin , Yang Peng
Published: September 2023

Traffic flow forecasting is one of the essential means to realize smart cities and smart transportation. The accurate and effective prediction will provide an important basis for decision‐making in smart transportation systems. This paper proposes a new method of traffic flow forecasting based on quantum particle swarm optimization (QPSO) strategy for intelligent transportation system (ITS). We establish a corresponding model based on the characteristics of the traffic flow data. The genetic simulated annealing algorithm is applied to the quantum particle swarm algorithm to obtain the optimized initial cluster center, and is applied to the parameter optimization of the radial basis neural network prediction model. The function approximation of radial basis neural network is used to obtain the required data. In addition, in order to compare the performance of the algorithms, a comparison study with other related algorithms such as QPSO radial basis function (QPSO‐RBF) is also performed. Simulation results show that compared with other algorithms, the proposed algorithm can reduce prediction errors and get better and more stable prediction results.
A fault‐tolerant workflow management system with Quality‐of‐Service‐aware scheduling for scientific workflows in cloud computing
Authors: Ahmad Zulfiqar , Nazir Babar , Umer Asif
Published: September 2023

Cloud computing provides solutions to many scientific and business applications. Large‐scale scientific applications, which are structured as scientific workflows, are evaluated through cloud computing. In this paper, we proposed a Quality‐of‐Service‐aware fault‐tolerant workflow management system (QFWMS) for scientific workflows in cloud computing. We have considered two real‐time scientific workflows, i.e., Montage and CyberShake, for an evaluation of the proposed QFWMS. The results of the proposed QFWMS scheduling were evaluated through simulation environment WorkflowSim and compared with three well‐known heuristic scheduling policies: (a) minimum completion time (MCT), (b) Maximum‐minimum (Max‐min), and (c) Minimum‐minimum (Min‐min). By considering Montage scientific workflow, the proposed QFWMS reduces the make‐span 8.86%, 8.94%, and 5.53% compared with existing three heuristic policies. Similarly, the proposed QFWMS reduces the cost 6.19%, 3.52%, and 3.60% compared with existing three heuristic policies. Likewise, by considering CyberShake scientific workflow, the proposed QFWMS reduces the make‐span 19.54%, 21.41%, and 25.71% compared with existing three heuristic policies. Similarly, the proposed QFWMS reduces the cost 8.78%, 8.40%, and 8.61% compared with existing three heuristic policies. More so, for QFWMS, SLA is neither violated for time constraints nor for cost constraints. While for MCT, Max‐min and Min‐min scheduling policies, SLA is violated 32, 37, and 23 times, respectively. Conclusively, the proposed QFWMS scheduling and management system is one of the significant workflow management systems for execution and management of scientific workflows in cloud computing.
A self‐adaptive algorithm for super‐peer selection considering the mobility of peers in cognitive mobile peer‐to‐peer networks
Authors: Amirazodi Nahid , Saghiri Ali Mohammad , Meybodi Mohammad Reza
Published: September 2023

Cognitive peer‐to‐peer networks are obtained from a combination of cognitive networking concepts and peer‐to‐peer networks. These networks are able to improve their performance while operating under dynamic and unknown environments. A cognitive peer‐to‐peer network tries to learn an appropriate configuration for itself considering the unknown physical properties of peers. Cognitive mobile peer‐to‐peer networks refer to cognitive peer‐to‐peer networks which are built over mobile ad hoc networks. In these networks, heterogeneity of the mobility of peers and resource limitation in wireless networks create challenges for network management algorithms. Because of the dynamicity of these networks, the management algorithms should be designated in self‐adaptive manner. In one type of these networks, some peers, called super‐peers, undertake to perform network managerial tasks. The mobility of peers leads to connection failure among peers and reselection of new super‐peers. Therefore, the selection of super‐peers, due to their influential role, requires an algorithm that considers the peers' mobility. Up to now, no self‐adaptive algorithm has been designated for super‐peer selection considering the mobility of peers in a self‐adaptive manner. This paper proposes M‐SSBLA, a self‐adaptive algorithm for super‐peer selection considering the mobility of peers based on learning automata. The proposed algorithm is obtained from cooperation between a learning automata‐based cognitive engine and MIS. MIS is a well‐known super‐peer selection algorithm in mobile peer‐to‐peer networks. We compared the proposed algorithm with recently reported algorithms, especially for a network with high mobility. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can cover maximum ordinary‐peer with a few super‐peer and improve robustness against super‐peer failures while decreasing maintenance overhead.
Design of slotted patch antenna based on photonic crystal for wireless communication
Authors: Britto Elizabeth Caroline , Danasegaran Sathish Kumar , Johnson William
Published: September 2023

Nowadays, the wireless communication is improved in numerous ranges, and the use of the high speed of data rate in the communication systems is needed. The standing problem of high‐performance planar antenna is reduced by the recently developed artificial dielectric called photonic crystal, which is used to control and manipulate the optical property of light. This paper addresses the slotted tube antenna structure, and the investigation is done by the concept of triangular lattice structure based on the photonic crystal. This utility enhances the return loss of −57.81 dB and the voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of 1.002 at 2.37 THz operating frequencies. The increase in hole radius provides the shifting in zero dispersion point towards the shorter wavelength that helps for faster data rate transmission applications. Further, to characterize the model of the proposed antenna, the optimal value of the air hole, lattice constant value between holes and the thickness of the slot are found and the related parameters of such antenna are studied with the support of simulation software CST microwave studio.
Association of physical activity with dementia and cognitive decline in UK Biobank
Authors: Huang Xiangyuan , Tan Chuen Seng , Kandiah Nagaendran , Hilal Saima
Published: September 2023

INTRODUCTION

There is a lack of studies on the association between specific physical activity (PA) types and dementia. We examined the association of leisure time physical activity (LTPA), occupational physical activity (OPA), and sedentary lifestyle with dementia risk and cognitive decline using the UK‐Biobank study.

METHODS

Baseline PA was collected using questionnaires. A total of 502,481 dementia‐free participants were recruited in 2006–2010 and followed for 10 years until the end of 2020 for the ascertainment of dementia. Associations of PA with incident dementia and cognitive decline were examined.

RESULTS

Higher levels of LTPA and OPA and lower levels of sedentary hours were associated with lower dementia risk. The fifth quintiles of LTPA (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43‐0.67) and OPA (HR = 0.68, 95% CI:0.51‐0.90) had lower dementia risk, whereas the fifth quintile of sedentary lifestyle had higher dementia risk (HR = 1.23, 95% CI:1.08‐1.41).

DISCUSSION

Our findings suggest the promotion of an active lifestyle suggested to be preventive of dementia risk. This research has been conducted using the UK Biobank Resource under Application Number 71022.
Nine‐coordinated Eu3+ Dipicolinate Compounds: Different Crystal Structures and Luminescence Properties as a Function of pH
Authors: Mortensen Sabina Svava , Sørensen Thomas Just
Published: September 2023

Two compounds, Na3[Eu(DPA)3] ⋅ 14H2O and [Eu(DPA)(HDPA)(H2O)2] ⋅ 4H2O, were created and the structure determined using single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The single crystal luminescence properties were compared and related to the Eu3+ coordination geometry. The formation of single crystals from solutions of Eu(CF3SO3)3 and H2DPA was found change with the pH value of the H2DPA solution. Mixtures of Na3[Eu(DPA)3] ⋅ 14H2O and [Eu(DPA)(HDPA)(H2O)2] ⋅ 4H2O were observed with a pH ratio between the two structures. While visual inspection showed that all samples contained both Na3[Eu(DPA)3] ⋅ 14H2O and [Eu(DPA)(HDPA)(H2O)2] ⋅ 4H2O, the PXRD and luminescence data did not immediately reveal that the samples were pure. Having discovered that the samples were indeed mixtures, quantification was attempted by Rietveld refinement of the PXRD data, and the luminescence spectra were compared to those from single crystals. As the data was not found to reveal that the samples were mixtures, even though we knew that this was the case, we must urge caution when inferring structure‐property relationships from powder samples. In this case we were able to isolate monophasic systems and do a comparative study, but this requires that the samples are identified as mixtures.
Formal Radical Deoxyfluorination of Oxalate‐Activated Alcohols Triggered by the Selectfluor‐DMAP Charge‐Transfer Complex
Authors: Baunis Haralds , Pieber Bartholomäus
Published: September 2023

We present a photon‐ and metal‐free approach for the radical fluorination of aliphatic oxalate‐activated alcohols. The method relies on the spontaneous generation of the N‐(chloromethyl)triethylenediamine radical dication, a potent single electron oxidant, from Selectfluor and 4‐(dimethylamino)pyridine. The protocol is easily scalable and provides the desired fluorinated products within only a few minutes reaction time.
CsPbIBr2‐Based Bifacial Semitransparent Solar Cells for All‐Day Applications
Authors: Zhao Yajie , Ge Rui , Zheng Jieyuan , Chen Lirong , Wang Xingru , Zheng Yang , Zhong Liuwen , Zhu Yanqing , Xu Xueqing , Xu Gang , Xiao Xiudi
Published: September 2023

Among all‐inorganic perovskites, CsPbIBr2 has become a potential candidate in semitransparent perovskite solar cells (ST‐PSCs) due to its excellent thermal stability and suitable bandgap. Herein, by optimizing the ambient temperature in an N2‐filled glovebox, the growth process of CsPbIBr2 crystals is regulated to avoid the generation of pinholes and improve the photoelectric conversion capacity of perovskite cells. When the ambient temperature is around 25 °C, the champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.82% with opaque n–i–p structure is achieved. Based on MoOx/Ag/MoOx (20/12/20 nm) multilayer top electrode, the ST‐PSC device achieves a maximum PCE of 7.06% at the fluorine‐doped tin oxide side under the simulated 1 sun illumination condition and a PCE of 23.96% at MoOx/Ag/MoOx electrode side under the intensity of 1000 lux (≈350 μW cm−2) provided by a white light‐emitting diode lamp, along with an average visible transmittance of 29.25%. The resulting perovskite solar cell is the first bifacial inorganic ST‐PSC that could be used under both sunlight and indoor light, which is an important step toward all‐day power generation of inorganic ST‐PSCs and building‐integrated photovoltaics.
Exploring the Potential of Natural Rubber as Electrolytes and Electrodes for Advanced Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Kamarulazam Fathiah , Manogran Pershaanaa , Goh Zhi Ling , Gerard Ong , Said Zulnasri , Zabidi Alya Sabrina , Bashir Shahid , Zulkarnain Muzakkir , Subramaniam Ramesh , Kasi Ramesh
Published: September 2023

Amid the search for alternatives to petrochemical‐based polymers and growing concern for environmental sustainability, natural polymers have gained significant attention. These polymers have potential applications in household appliances to advanced energy systems and offer a way to address the depletion and sustainability challenges associated with synthetic polymers. One such natural source of polymer is natural rubber (NR), which has been developed as a highly performing material in electrodes and electrolytes. Nowadays, researchers are more interested in NR due to its sustainability, affordability, elastomeric properties, and low glass transition temperature. This article presents a comprehensive exploration of NR characteristics, delving into its elasticity, glass transition temperature, and an extensive evaluation of its potential as a hydrogel electrolyte. Furthermore, this investigation showcases NR's capability to mitigate potential long‐term consequences of synthetic materials. Given NR's inherent insulating nature, a meticulous analysis of the interplay between NR composites and their electrical properties within electrodes is prompted. This article provides a review of past research, growth and development, and prospects of NR and its derivatives as in applications including electrochemical energy storage, energy harvesting, wastewater treatment, and slow‐release fertilizers. Moreover, the study briefly underscores the importance of NR while acknowledging its limitations.
HECC‐ABE: A novel blockchain‐based IoT healthcare data storage using hybrid cryptography schemes with key optimization by hybrid meta‐heuristic algorithm
Authors: Dubey Anil Kumar , Ramanjaneyulu N. , Saraswat Mala , Brammya G. , Govindasamy Chinnaraj , Ninu Preetha N. S.
Published: September 2023

The most contemporary development in information technology is the Internet of Things (IoT), which integrates the digital world with the real world. It makes it possible for things and people to communicate via the Internet. Blockchain is one of the popular topics of interest right now, and it can be used in most IoT applications. The blockchain's salient characteristics, like decentralization, data integrity, confidentiality, protection, and openness, are the main reasons for implementing it in healthcare services. Hence, this paper introduces an effective approach for storing IoT‐based healthcare data storage in the blockchain. The procedures in this suggested paradigm are as follows: user authentication, user trust verification, and optimal key storage in the blockchain. Wearable sensors are inserted in or adhered to a patient's body and used by IoT networks to gather healthcare data. These details are supplied into the verification structure constructed by adaptive dilated long short term memory with attention network (AD‐LSTM‐AN). Once the user's authentication is confirmed, then the user's trust level is computed. The same AD‐LSTM‐AN‐based verification structure is used to verify the historical data that has been stored and retrieved by the user, together with their previous transactions, in this phase. The healthcare data are then sent to the hybrid elliptic curve cryptography with attribute‐based encryption (HECC‐ABE) cryptography schemes for data encryption once the authentication of the person who attempts to store the data is confirmed. An adaptive final position‐based golden eagle‐Harris hawks optimization (AFP‐GEHHO) algorithm is used for optimizing the keys of the encrypted data. The blockchain platform stores the encrypted data of the authorized user with a high level of trust. The same process is done in reverse order whenever a user needs to recover information that is saved in the blockchain to retrieve the initially stored healthcare data. The effectiveness of secure data storage in blockchain is tested through experimental simulations. Throughout the analysis, the designed model achieves 96% in terms of accuracy. Thus, the developed model shows more secure and effective, has less error and reduces the time and memory requirements compared to existing approaches.
Discounting the Benefits for Natural Gas Utility Energy Efficiency Programs
Authors: Peterson Ted
Published: September 2023

Throughout the United States, utilities frequently offer incentives and rebates to customers to upgrade equipment and install improved building measures on homes and businesses to reduce energy consumption. For utilities to offer such programs, per regulatory and legal requirements, they often must follow guidelines to be cost‐effective running through cost‐benefit tests. The costs to operate such programs are straightforward and most often entail just a one‐time expenditure. In contrast, the benefits can vary widely depending on discount rate, projected fuel costs, societal impacts from less consumption, and the life‐cycle of the program.
A novel approach to assessing natural resource injury with Bayesian networks
Authors: Rowland Freya E. , Kotalik Christopher J. , Marcot Bruce G. , Hinck Jo Ellen , Walters David M.
Published: September 2023

Quantifying the effects of environmental stressors on natural resources is problematic because of complex interactions among environmental factors that influence endpoints of interest. This complexity, coupled with data limitations, propagates uncertainty that can make it difficult to causally associate specific environmental stressors with injury endpoints. The Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) regulations under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and Oil Pollution Act aim to restore natural resources injured by oil spills and hazardous substances released into the environment; exploration of alternative statistical methods to evaluate effects could help address NRDAR legal claims. Bayesian networks (BNs) are statistical tools that can be used to estimate the influence and interrelatedness of abiotic and biotic environmental variables on environmental endpoints of interest. We investigated the application of a BN for injury assessment using a hypothetical case study by simulating data of acid mine drainage (AMD) affecting a fictional stream-dwelling bird species. We compared the BN-generated probability estimates for injury with a more traditional approach using toxicity thresholds for water and sediment chemistry. Bayesian networks offered several distinct advantages over traditional approaches, including formalizing the use of expert knowledge, probabilistic estimates of injury using intermediate direct and indirect effects, and the incorporation of a more nuanced and ecologically relevant representation of effects. Given the potential that BNs have for natural resource injury assessment, more research and field-based application are needed to determine their efficacy in NRDAR. We expect the resulting methods will be of interest to many US federal, state, and tribal programs devoted to the evaluation, mitigation, remediation, and/or restoration of natural resources injured by releases or spills of contaminants. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:562–573. Published 2023. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
Artificial optoelectronic synapse based on spatiotemporal irradiation to source‐sharing circuitry of synaptic phototransistors
Authors: Song Seungho , Choi Changsoon , Ahn Jongtae , Lee Je‐Jun , Jang Jisu , Yu Byoung‐Soo , Hong Jung Pyo , Ryu Yong‐Sang , Kim Yong‐Hoon , Hwang Do Kyung
Published: September 2023

To overcome the intrinsic inefficiency of the von Neumann architecture, neuromorphic devices that perform analog vector–matrix multiplication have been highlighted for achieving power‐ and time‐efficient data processing. In particular, artificial synapses, of which conductance should be programmed to represent the synaptic weights of the artificial neural network, have been intensively researched to realize neuromorphic devices. Here, inspired by excitatory and inhibitory synapses, we develop an artificial optoelectronic synapse that shows both potentiation and depression characteristics triggered only by optical inputs. The design of the artificial optoelectronic synapse, in which excitatory and inhibitory synaptic phototransistors are serially connected, enables these characteristics by spatiotemporally irradiating the phototransistor channels with optical pulses. Furthermore, a negative synaptic weight can be realized without the need for electronic components such as comparators. With such attributes, the artificial optoelectronic synapse is demonstrated to classify three digits with a high recognition rate (98.3%) and perform image preprocessing via analog vector–matrix multiplication.

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An improved cuckoo search algorithm with deep learning approach for classifying arrhythmia based on ECG signal
Authors: Srinivas Dava , Bhuvaneshwarri I. , Ramesh G. P. , Bhukya Shankar Nayak , Poonguzhali I.
Published: September 2023

Arrhythmias are variations in the heartbeat rhythm that occur frequently in a human's life. These arrhythmias can result in potentially deadly consequences, putting one's life in danger. As a result, the detection and classification of arrhythmias is an important issue in cardiac diagnostics. Electrocardiogram is one of the easiest ways to diagnose the heart disease but the complexities occur due to the noise present in it. This research introduced an Improved Cuckoo Search Algorithm (ICSA) which is utilized to optimize the features. Initially, the data is gathered from MIT‐BIH arrhythmia dataset and the pre‐processing is performed using Discrete Wavelet Transformation (DWT) which removes the unwanted noises from the signals. The major limitation in standard cuckoo search algorithm is the increased number of iterations. Whenever the value of probability distribution and the convergence is small then the efficiency will be poor and enhance the number of iterations. The ICSA eliminate these drawbacks by fixing the values for probability distribution and convergence at the early stage and increase the integrity among the solutions. Thus, ICSA is utilized in the process of optimizing the features and finally, the classification is performed using Support Vector Machine with Feed Forward Back Propagation Neural Network (SVM‐FFBPNN). The experimental results s how that the proposed ICSA effectively optimize the features and offers better classification accuracy of 98.21% which is comparatively higher than Improved Monarch Butterfly Optimization (IMBO) algorithm and Bat‐Rider Optimization Algorithm (BROA) with 97.75% and 91.32% respectively.
Validation and evaluation of a prior‐to‐admission medication list discrepancy risk‐scoring tool
Authors: Fleenor L. Montana , McCluggage Lauren K. , Schell Ryan F. , VanCleave Halden Z. , Nelson Scott D.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Medication reconciliation is vital in preventing medication errors during transitions of care. Implementation of effective medication reconciliation, however, remains a challenge for healthcare systems due to cost and resource constraints. The objective of this study was to evaluate a risk‐scoring tool for identifying patients at high risk for medication discrepancies and, therefore, prioritize pharmacy intervention with obtaining an admission medication history.

Methods

Single‐center validation study at an academic medical center including adult patients with a medication history note written by a pharmacy staff member. The primary outcome was the number of changes made to the prior‐to‐admission (PTA) medication list by pharmacy staff. Secondary outcomes included changes in risk score after medication history was completed, the number of changes based on disease state and medication class, and the number of clinically relevant changes for a randomized subgroup of patients.

Results

The study included 12 122 patient encounters. The median PTA risk score was 29 (low risk), and 41% of patients were aged 40–65 years. The median number of discrepancies was higher for the high‐risk group (6, interquartile range [IQR] 3–11) compared to the low‐risk group (3, IQR 1–7), p < 0.001. For the primary outcome, Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.37, indicating a weak correlation between the PTA risk score and the number of changes to the medication list. The linear regression also indicated a weak correlation (R2 = 0.14). Parkinsonism, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cystic fibrosis were associated with a higher median count of medication discrepancies.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that this PTA medication risk‐scoring tool could help identify patients at high risk of medication discrepancies, but the score did not correlate well with the number of medication list changes. Therefore, subgroup analyses and further studies are needed to determine the optimal medication list risk‐scoring tools.
Estimating the cost of illness of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Shahinul , Islam Alin Md. Saiful , Begum Farhana , Fahim Shah Mohammad , Tasnim Zareen , Alam Md. Mahabubul
Published: September 2023

Background and Aim

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing concern, affecting about 45 million of the Bangladeshi population. There is a paucity of research on the economic burden of NAFLD. The study aims to estimate the cost of illness of NAFLD in Bangladesh.

Methods

In this prospective, cross‐sectional study, a total of 250 patients of NAFLD, non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and NASH cirrhosis were included from public and private hospitals. Costs of hospitalization, physician fees, investigation costs, expenditures on medical procedures, drugs; and nonmedical costs such as transport expenses and other informal payments (tips) were estimated.

Results

The overall cost per patient per evaluation was (16.90–46 942.00) USD. The cost in public and private hospitals was 384.76 and 1146.93 USD, respectively. The cost per patient of NAFLD was 157.91 (16.90–955.08) USD, and for NASH cirrhosis was 1783.80 (422.48–46 942) USD. The cost of illness increased to USD 281.18 for diabetics and 254.52 USD for hypertensive. If all the NAFLD patients are evaluated once in healthcare settings, the projected cost will be 7.11 billion USD. In NAFLD, cost for investigations, medicines, transportation, and consultation of physicians was 49.08%, 32.41%, 11.11%, and 6.67%, respectively.

Conclusions

NAFLD is causing a huge economic burden to the healthcare system. The cost of illness is increased with NASH cirrhosis. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the economic burden of NAFLD in Bangladesh and emphasizes the several ways of intervention to reduce the cost by preventive measures and accessible healthcare for affected individuals.
New tools for theoretical comparison of rectangular and sine wave operation of ion traps, guides and mass filters
Authors: Huntley Adam P. , Reilly Peter T.A.
Published: September 2023

The first completely digital quadrupole mass filter was recently introduced. There is now a need to understand and demonstrate the benefits of digital operation and compare them to the commercial standards. Our work to date has demonstrated that sine and square wave operation are very similar because of their similar stability diagrams and because they use a direct current (DC) potential between the electrode pairs to narrow and limit the mass range. In contrast, rectangular wave‐operated digital mass filters and ion traps narrow and limit the stable mass range with the waveform duty cycle without the need for a DC potential. To understand and compare the differences between rectangular and sinusoidal modes of operation, our group has developed new spreadsheet tools that permit calculation of the m/z versus frequency space stability diagrams with the application of a DC potential between the electrode sets for rectangular and sine waveforms, and plots of the pseudopotential well depth against the entire range of stable m/zs for rectangular and sine waveforms. Our spreadsheets were used to make comparisons between fixed‐frequency variable‐voltage and fixed‐voltage variable‐frequency modes of operation. They provide a comprehensive companion tool for operating in the laboratory frame and are tunable to the instrument. This manuscript introduces these tools as it compares sine and rectangular wave modes of operation and provides a basis for understanding the advantages and disadvantages of digital operation relative to conventional technology.
Synergistic interaction of Cu(II) with caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid in α‐glucosidase inhibition
Authors: Tang Lihua , Guan Qinhao , Zhang Liangliang , Xu Man , Zhang Meng , Khan Mohd Shahnawaz
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

Phenolic acids are widespread in foods and are beneficial to human health. However, the role of metal ions in influencing the binding of proteins with phenolic acids that contain the same parent nucleus structure remains unclear. This study investigated the inhibitory effect of caffeic acid (CA) and chlorogenic acid (CHA) on α‐glucosidase and the biological effect of copper on this process.

RESULTS

It was found that the esterification of CA with quinic acid could increase the fluorescence quenching, conformational change, and inhibitory effect of CHA on α‐glucosidase. Copper ions reduced their fluorescence quenching and conformation‐changing ability by binding to the neighboring phenolic hydroxyl group but also increased their ability to alter secondary structure and to inhibit α‐glucosidase and in vitro anti‐glycation.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this study shows that the binding of copper ions to the phenolic hydroxyl group adjacent to CA and CHA synergistically inhibited α‐glucosidase. The findings will offer a theoretical basis for investigating the properties of metal ions and phenolic acid in food chemistry and their potential applications in the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Soil properties and anthropogenic influences control the distribution of soil organic carbon in grasslands of northern China
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Song Zhaoliang , Zhang Dongbo , Wu Yuntao , Van Zwieten Lukas , Sun Shaobo , Wang Wenying , Liu Hongyan , Wang Yidong , Wang Hailong
Published: September 2023

Soil organic carbon (SOC) in grasslands not only plays an important role in carbon cycle but also largely affects soil function and thus determines grasslands' productivity. However, the influence mechanism of different factors on SOC storage in grasslands of northern China remains unclear. Based on an extensive field investigation and multiple statistical approaches, we mapped SOC of the grassland in northern China, and explored their correlations with climatic factors, biological factors, human activity intensity (HAI), and soil physicochemical factors. The effects of these factors on SOC were also analyzed by structural equation model. The results showed that the SOC varied across the regions and was strongly correlated with soil chemical factors (i.e., soil total nitrogen [TN], amorphous Al, and amorphous Fe) and soil physical factors (i.e., clay, silt, and sand). HAI, which was mainly influenced by grazing, had a significant but negative impact on SOC. Different from previous studies, we found that climatic factors such as temperature and precipitation indirectly affected SOC by influencing biological factors such as vegetation coverage, vegetation height, Shannon–Weiner index, and species richness. The soil physicochemical properties and HAI were the dominant influencing factors for controlling SOC distribution in the grasslands of northern China. Our findings will further increase the understanding of the carbon cycle in grassland ecosystems, while providing important scientific references for temperate grassland ecosystem management.
Long‐term nutrient load reductions and increasing lake TN : TP stoichiometry decrease phytoplankton biomass and diversity in a large shallow lake
Authors: Frenken Thijs , Brandenburg Karen M. , Van de Waal Dedmer B.
Published: September 2023

Nutrient loading of freshwater and marine habitats has increased during the last century as a result of anthropogenic activities. From the 1980s onwards, following implementation of new policy targeting eutrophication, total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) loads were reduced in many European waters. Often, however, decreases in TP were stronger as compared to TN, leading to increased TN : TP ratios. Our analysis shows that the large and shallow lake IJsselmeer (the Netherlands) experienced a similar trend, whereas TN was reduced by 50%, TP was reduced by 89% between 1975 and 2018. Most of this nutrient load reduction was achieved before the year 2000, changes in nutrient concentrations in the lake became smaller afterwards, especially for TN, leading to a further increase in stoichiometric imbalance up to a yearly averaged TN : TP (molar) of 296 in 2018. The observed changes in nutrients were accompanied by a decline in total phytoplankton biomass, and slight declines in phytoplankton genus evenness and diversity. Although biomass decreases likely resulted from the overall decrease in nutrient availabilities, the reduced diversity may have resulted from the shift toward very high TN : TP ratios that indicate relatively low TP levels and enhanced competition for phosphorus. Overall, our findings demonstrate long‐term trends with decreased phytoplankton biomass and diversity following reduced nutrient concentrations and enhanced stoichiometric imbalance. Ultimately, such changes at the food web base may alter the structure and functioning of the entire aquatic food‐ web in lake IJsselmeer.
Split‐face study to evaluate efficacy of global cryomodulation for reduction of pain and inflammation after nonablative fractional resurfacing
Authors: Murray Taryn N. , Darji Kavita , Friedman Paul M.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Cryomodulation, or the delivery of controlled cooling to downregulate inflammatory processes in the skin, has been proposed to mitigate acute side effects following various dermatologic treatments. A new controlled cooling device has been developed to deliver cryomodulation for a range of different indications. In this clinical study, we evaluate the device for the reduction of pain, erythema, and edema following nonablative fractional resurfacing (NAFR).

Methods

A single‐blind, prospective, randomized, split‐face study was conducted to assess the efficacy of the controlled dermal cooling device for the reduction of pain, edema, and erythema following nonablative fractional resurfacing with the dual 1550 nm erbium‐doped fiber and 1927 nm thulium fiber laser. Subjects were randomized to receive a 10‐min controlled cooling treatment to either the left or right side of the face immediately following full face NAFR. Pain ratings were recorded immediately postlaser treatment and immediately postcryomodulation treatment. At follow‐up, subjects were surveyed for reduction of side effects and treatment satisfaction. Blinded review of photographs by two physicians was conducted to assess efficacy.

Results

The average pain score for subjects immediately post‐NAFR was 5.15. Following cryomodulation, the average pain score on the treatment side was reduced by 69%, to an average of 1.6. The untreated side of the face was reduced by 19%, to an average of 4.2. Overall, 90% of subjects endorsed reduced discomfort. At follow‐up, 70% of subjects reported a noticeable improvement in edema and 50% reported a noticeable improvement in erythema between the treatment and control sides. The average subject satisfaction score for the cryomodulation treatment was 4.2. All subjects (100%) indicated that they would elect to undergo the cryomodulation treatment again. Both blinded physician reviewers were successful in identifying the cryomodulation‐treated side of the face in 70% of subjects' posttreatment photographs.

Conclusions

The results of this split‐face study support the efficacy of a global cryomodulation device for the reduction of pain, edema, and erythema following NAFR treatment. Cryomodulation was delivered in a simple 10 min procedure and yielded high patient satisfaction.
One‐Step Polymerizations Enable Facile Construction and Structural Optimization of Graft Copolymer Electrolytes
Authors: Guo Kairui , Li Shaoqiao , Shi Zhen , Zhou Xingping , Xue Zhigang
Published: September 2023

The development of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)‐based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) is limited by the semi‐crystalline nature of PEO and the extremely strong EO‐Li+ interactions. To promote the rapid migration of Li+, a one‐step method combining radical polymerization and ring‐opening polymerization catalyzed simultaneously by lithium carboxylate is proposed to construct multi‐component graft copolymer electrolytes (GCPEs) in this study. Tailored macroinitiator with catalytic and initiated sites (PAALi(OH‐Br)) realizes one‐step polymerizations of vinyl monomers and cyclic monomers, and provides GCPEs with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) side chains. The grafted structure of GCPE greatly facilitates the intra‐chain hopping of Li+, resulting in excellent ionic conductivity. The introduction of PCL further improves the tLi+ of GCPE. The three‐component graft copolymer electrolyte constructed by polystyrene (PS), PEO, and PCL exhibits high tensile stress (1.62 MPa), a high ionic conductivity (2.4 × 10−5 S cm−1, 30 °C), and a high tLi+ of 0.47 and high electrochemical stability.
Surgical lymphedema models in the mice hindlimb—A systematic review and quality assessment
Authors: Bucan Amar , Frendø Martin , Ngo Mikaella Ty , Sørensen Jens Ahm , Hölmich Lisbet Rosenkrantz
Published: September 2023

Background

Lymphedema constitutes a major unsolved problem in plastic surgery. To identify novel lymphedema treatments, preclinical studies are vital. The surgical mouse lymphedema model is popular and cost‐effective; nonetheless, a synthesis and overview of the literature with evidence‐based guidelines is needed. The aim of this review was to perform a systematic review to establish best practice and support future high‐quality animal studies exploring lymphedema treatments.

Methods

We performed a systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, searching four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus) from inception–September 2022. The Animals in Research Reporting In Vivo Experiments 2.0 (ARRIVE 2.0) guidelines were used to evaluate reporting quality. Studies claiming to surgically induce lymphedema in the hindlimb of mice were included.

Results

Thirty‐seven studies were included. Four main models were used. (1) Irradiation+surgery. (2) A variation of the surgery used by (1) + irradiation. (3) Surgery only (SPDF‐model). (4) Surgery only (PLND‐model). Remaining studies used other techniques. The most common measurement modality was the caliper. Mean quality coefficient was 0.57. Eighteen studies (49%) successfully induced sustained lymphedema. Combination of methods seemed to yield the best results, with an overrepresentation of irradiation, the removal of two lymph nodes, and the disruption of both the deep and superficial lymph vessels in the 18 studies.

Conclusion

Surgical mouse hindlimb lymphedema models are challenged by two related problems: (1) retaining lymphedema for an extended period, that is, establishing a (chronic) lymphedema model (2) distinguishing lymphedema from post‐operative edema.

Most studies failed to induce lymphedema and used error‐prone measurements. We provide an overview of studies claiming to induce lymphedema and advocate improved research via five evidence‐based recommendations to use: (1) a proven lymphedema model; (2) sufficient follow‐up time, (3) validated measurement methods; (4) ARRIVE‐guidelines; (5) contralateral hindlimb as control.
A high linearity 0.05–7 GHz digital step attenuator with the capacitive compensation for bonding wires parasitic parameters
Authors: Fu Haipeng , Tao Jiqing , Hu Jianquan , Wang Keping , Ma Kaixue
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a broadband, high linearity 7‐bit digital step attenuator (DSA) using a low‐cost bonding wire package. Capacitive compensation technique is proposed to offset the deterioration of attenuation accuracy and operating bandwidth caused by the parasitic parameters of the bonding wire and switching transistors. And the negative voltage bias technique (NVBT) is proposed to improve the linearity of the DSA. Based on the capacitive compensation technique and the NVBT, a 7‐bit DSA is implemented using a 0.13 µm Silicon‐On‐Insulator (SOI) process with a low‐cost bonding wire package. The DSA achieves broadband operation with an insertion loss (IL) of 2.7 dB at 7 GHz and root mean square (RMS) amplitude error less than 0.5 dB at DC‐7 GHz. The input P1 dB of all states is better than 31.7 dBm.
A quantitative CBCT pipeline based on 2D antiscatter grid and grid‐based scatter sampling for image‐guided radiation therapy
Authors: Bayat Farhang , Ruan Dan , Miften Moyed , Altunbas Cem
Published: September 2023

Background

Quantitative accuracy is critical for expanding the role of cone beam CT (CBCT) imaging from target localization to quantitative treatment monitoring and plan adaptations in radiation therapy. Despite advances in CBCT image quality improvement methods, quantitative accuracy gap between CBCT and multi‐detector CT (MDCT) remains.

Purpose

In this work, a physics‐driven approach was investigated that combined robust scatter rejection, raw data correction and iterative image reconstruction to further improve CBCT image quality and quantitative accuracy, referred to as quantitative CBCT (qCBCT).

Methods

QCBCT approach includes tungsten 2D antiscatter grid hardware, residual scatter correction with grid‐based scatter sampling, image lag, and beam hardening correction for offset detector geometry linac‐mounted CBCT. Images were reconstructed with iterative image reconstruction to reduce image noise. qCBCT was evaluated using a variety of phantoms to investigate the effect of object size and its composition on image quality, and image quality was benchmarked against clinical CBCT and gold standard MDCT images used for treatment planning.

Results

QCBCT provided statistically significant improvement in CT number accuracy and reduced image artifacts when compared to clinical CBCT images. When compared to gold standard MDCT, mean HU errors in qCBCT and clinical CBCT were 17 ± 9 and 38 ± 29 HU, respectively. Magnitude of phantom size dependent HU variations were comparable between MDCT and qCBCT images. With iterative reconstruction, contrast‐to‐noise ratio improved by 25% when compared to clinical CBCT protocols.

Conclusions

Combination of novel scatter suppression techniques and other data correction methods in qCBCT provided CT number accuracy comparable to gold standard MDCT used for treatment planning. This approach may potentially improve CBCT's promise in fulfilling the tasks that demand high quantitative accuracy, such as online dose calculations and treatment response assessment, in image guided radiation therapy.
Blood–brain barrier water exchange measurements using contrast‐enhanced ASL
Authors: Powell Elizabeth , Dickie Ben R. , Ohene Yolanda , Maskery Mark , Parker Geoff J. M. , Parkes Laura M.
Published: September 2023

A technique for quantifying regional blood–brain barrier (BBB) water exchange rates using contrast‐enhanced arterial spin labelling (CE‐ASL) is presented and evaluated in simulations and in vivo. The two‐compartment ASL model describes the water exchange rate from blood to tissue,
, but to estimate
in practice it is necessary to separate the intra‐ and extravascular signals. This is challenging in standard ASL data owing to the small difference in
values. Here, a gadolinium‐based contrast agent is used to increase this
difference and enable the signal components to be disentangled. The optimal post‐contrast blood
(
) at 3 T was determined in a sensitivity analysis, and the accuracy and precision of the method quantified using Monte Carlo simulations. Proof‐of‐concept data were acquired in six healthy volunteers (five female, age range 24–46 years). The sensitivity analysis identified the optimal
at 3 T as 0.8 s. Simulations showed that
could be estimated in individual cortical regions with a relative error
% and coefficient of variation
%; however, a high dependence on blood
was also observed. In volunteer data, mean parameter values in grey matter were: arterial transit time
 s, cerebral blood flow
 mL blood/min/100 mL tissue and water exchange rate
s−1. CE‐ASL can provide regional BBB water exchange rate estimates; however, the clinical utility of the technique is dependent on the achievable accuracy of measured
values.