bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Cyclic Permutation Approach to Removing Spatial Dependency between Clustered Gene Ontology Terms
Authors: Rapoport Rachel , Greenberg Avraham , Yakhini Zohar , Simon Itamar
Published: March 2024

Traditional gene set enrichment analysis falters when applied to large genomic domains, where neighboring genes often share functions. This spatial dependency creates misleading enrichments, mistaking mere physical proximity for genuine biological connections. Here we present Spatial Adjusted Gene Ontology (SAGO), a novel cyclic permutation-based approach, to tackle this challenge. SAGO separates enrichments due to spatial proximity from genuine biological links by incorporating the genes’ spatial arrangement into the analysis. We applied SAGO to various datasets in which the identified genomic intervals are large, including replication timing domains, large H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 domains, HiC compartments and lamina-associated domains (LADs). Intriguingly, applying SAGO to prostate cancer samples with large copy number alteration (CNA) domains eliminated most of the enriched GO terms, thus helping to accurately identify biologically relevant gene sets linked to oncogenic processes, free from spatial bias.
SOS-Inducing Drugs Trigger Nucleic Acid Release and Biofilm Formation in Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Demjanenko Peter , Zheng Sam , Crane John K.
Published: March 2024

Our laboratory recently reported that induction of the SOS response, triggered by SOS-inducing drugs, was accompanied by a large release of DNA from enteric bacteria. The SOS response release had not previously been reported to include release of extracellular DNA from bacterial cells. We followed up on those observations in this current study and found that not just double-stranded DNA was being released, but also single-stranded DNA, RNA, and protein. SOS-inducing drugs also triggered formation of biofilm at the air–fluid interface on glass, and the biofilms contained DNA. We extended our study to test whether inhibitors of the SOS response would block DNA release and found that SOS inhibitors, including zinc salts, nitric oxide donors, and dequalinium, inhibited SOS-induced DNA release. The understanding that SOS-induced DNA release is associated with formation of biofilms increases our appreciation of the role of the SOS response in pathogenesis, as well as in emergence of new antibiotic resistance. Our findings with SOS inhibitors also suggest that regimens might be devised that could block the deleterious effects of the SOS response, at least temporarily, when this is desired.
Mechanistic Insights Revealed by YbtPQ in the Occluded State
Authors: Hu Wenxin , Parkinson Chance , Zheng Hongjin
Published: March 2024

Recently, several ATP-binding cassette (ABC) importers have been found to adopt the typical fold of type IV ABC exporters. Presumably, these importers would function under the transport scheme of “alternating access” like those exporters, cycling through inward-open, occluded, and outward-open conformations. Understanding how the exporter-like importers move substrates in the opposite direction requires structural studies on all the major conformations. To shed light on this, here we report the structure of yersiniabactin importer YbtPQ from uropathogenic Escherichia coli in the occluded conformation trapped by ADP-vanadate (ADP-Vi) at a 3.1 Å resolution determined by cryo-electron microscopy. The structure shows unusual local rearrangements in multiple helices and loops in its transmembrane domains (TMDs). In addition, the dimerization of the nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) promoted by the vanadate trapping is highlighted by the “screwdriver” action at one of the two hinge points. These structural observations are rare and thus provide valuable information to understand the structural plasticity of the exporter-like ABC importers.
Knee Measurement System with Osteoarthritis Levels Using Artificial Cartilage and Skeletons
Authors: Kang Minchae , Seo Suyeon , Lee Hyewon , Han Min-Woo
Published: March 2024

Knee osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative arthritis, is a disease characterized by irreversible changes in the cartilage and bones comprising the joints, resulting in pain, impaired function, and deformity. Furthermore, independent of natural aging, the rate of change in joint cartilage has increased in recent years, which is mainly attributed to environmental factors. The rising incidence of knee-related disorders emphasizes the importance of analyzing the morphology and kinematics of knee structure. This study introduces a knee measurement system designed to replicate the motions of knee using 3D-printing technology, providing insights into knee mechanics with OA level. The research explores the stages of OA using the Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grade scale, highlighting the variations in the force applied to the knee bone according to movement. The developed knee-simulation system, utilizing the four-bar-link theory, presents a novel approach to studying OA levels 0 to 4. As OA progresses, the cartilage deteriorates, affecting the movement of OA. The OA-based knee measurement system that incorporates soft tissues and skeletons can assist in developing a personalized diagnostic approach for knee disease. This will also help to enhance surgical effectiveness by facilitating the creation of personalized prosthetic joints for individual patients and offering a customized surgical simulation.
Towards a Self-Powered Amperometric Glucose Biosensor Based on a Single-Enzyme Biofuel Cell
Authors: Kausaite-Minkstimiene Asta , Kaminskas Algimantas , Gayda Galina , Ramanaviciene Almira
Published: March 2024

This paper describes the study of an amperometric glucose biosensor based on an enzymatic biofuel cell consisting of a bioanode and a biocathode modified with the same enzyme—glucose oxidase (GOx). A graphite rod electrode (GRE) was electrochemically modified with a layer of Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles embedded in a poly(pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid) (PPCA) shell, and an additional layer of PPCA and was used as the cathode. A GRE modified with a nanocomposite composed of poly(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione) (PPD) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) entrapped in a PPCA shell was used as an anode. Both electrodes were modified with GOx by covalently bonding the enzyme to the carboxyl groups of PPCA. The developed biosensor exhibited a wide linear range of 0.15–124.00 mM with an R2 of 0.9998 and a sensitivity of 0.16 μA/mM. The limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were found to be 0.07 and 0.23 mM, respectively. The biosensor demonstrated exceptional selectivity to glucose and operational stability throughout 35 days, as well as good reproducibility, repeatability, and anti-interference ability towards common interfering substances. The studies on human serum demonstrate the ability of the newly designed biosensor to determine glucose in complex real samples at clinically relevant concentrations.
Identification of Novel Can Manipulation Behaviour in the Common Raven (Corvus corax)
Authors: Dickinson Rebecca , Loftus Loni
Published: March 2024

This study examines the common raven (Corvus corax) population on Lanzarote, Spain, at a previously unstudied site. The study aimed to compare the use of camera trap technology and human observation in capturing a wide repertoire of raven behaviour and pay close attention to the perforation of aluminium cans, a behaviour that has not been described in the scientific literature previously but has been reported anecdotally through human observation. Five cameras were sited over a period of 6 months, with three aluminium cans placed at each location. One of the three cans was baited with meat and eggs, mimicking wild feeding substrate. Human observations took place over the same period of time in the same locations. Raven sightings were highly correlated in human-inhabited areas as well as agricultural areas, seemingly linked to food acquisition. Camera trap technology identified a greater number of can-orientated behaviours (interaction, manipulation, peeking inside, and pecking) compared to the human observation method. Conversely, human observation yielded a greater number of non-can-orientated behaviours (analysed as a group) when compared to that of camera trap observation. Overall, there was a significantly greater number of ravens observed via human observation when compared to that of camera trap observation. Initial evidence suggests that ravens only perforate cans they deem salient in terms of food acquisition, with beer cans being the most common focus of the behaviours observed, possibly linked to olfactory stimuli, the movement of the can or learned behaviour relating to reward acquisition. This study presents new data regarding object interaction in ravens, adding to the current body of knowledge.
Enhancing Flexural Resistance in Pre-Damaged RC Beams with Near-Surface Mounted GFRP Bar and Bolt Anchoring System
Authors: El-Emam Hesham M. , Ata Bassam , Ahmad Seleem S. E. , Salim Hani A. , Reda Ramy M.
Published: March 2024

The objective of this research was to explore the mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of reinforced concrete beams (RC beams) strengthened with near-surface mounted (NSM) glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars. This study focused on evaluating the effect of various factors on the load-deflection response and failure patterns of RC beams, including pre-existing damage, end anchorage, bar length, bar number, and the condition of concrete cover. The tested RC beams were divided into three groups. The first group included undamaged and damaged control beams. The second group involved the strengthening of beams after inducing damage, with variations in bar length, number, and cross-sectional area. This group also included beams strengthened by GFRP bars with and without anchors. In the third group, the effects of different cover materials, cover bonding techniques, and anchor bolts on the strengthening bars were examined. The results of the experiment indicated a notable decrease in both cracking and maximum load capacity for beams that were pre-damaged. The inclusion of anchor bolts appeared to have a noticeable effect, enhancing the load-carrying capacity and reducing mid-span deflection. Opting for two bars proved to be more effective than using three bars, leading to a higher maximum load and improved ductility. Moreover, prioritizing the bonding of the concrete cover at the end of the bars was found to be more important than bonding in the area of maximum moment.
Degradation of Mechanical Performance of Hoop Head Tenon-Mortise Joint of Tusi Manor with Decay Disease in Tibetan Areas in Yunnan
Authors: Nong Zhengquan , Liu Heng , Wu Kua , Yin Man , Yuan Zhe , Su Yanwei , Qiang Mingli
Published: March 2024

(1) The Hoop Head Tenon-mortise Joint (HHTMJ) in the Tusi Manor in Tibetan areas in Yunnan, China, has a serious decay phenomenon. To understand the effect of decay on the seismic performance of HHTMJ, (2) the five groups of HHTMJ and small-size Pinus kesiya var. langbianensis wood mechanical property testing specimens were placed in an artificially set decay environment and cultivated together with wood decay fungi for 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks, respectively. Low-cycle repeated loading tests were conducted to compare the failure mode, hysteresis curve, skeleton curve, and cumulative energy consumption of the HHTMJ under different decay cycles. (3) The results indicate that the failure mode of the HHTMJ is fractured at the tenon shoulder, and the deformation and failure of the tenon increase with the increase in decay. Compared with the non-decayed specimens, the ultimate bearing performance of the specimens after 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks of decay decreased by 8.83%, 16.97%, 19.69%, and 30.22%, respectively. The cumulative energy consumption decreased by 21.6%, 27.4%, 33.2%, and 41.3%, respectively. (4) Decay primarily occurs on the exterior of the tenon, with minimal decay on the interior. The degradation of seismic performance in HHTMJ is relatively close to the degradation observed in small-size wood specimens during mechanical property testing.
A Proposed Model for Variation Order Management in Construction Projects
Authors: Ismaeil Esam M. H. , Sobaih Abu Elnasr E.
Published: March 2024

This study aims to identify the causes of excessive change orders and their impact on public construction projects in Saudi Arabia. This should support the organizations working in the construction industry to improve variation order management (VOM) as a preventive action by dealing proactively with variation order causes. Therefore, a new methodology was proposed to minimize change orders and their impact on the successful completion of projects as well as cost during the project lifecycle. The methodology involved ten selected turnkey building projects at King Faisal University (KFU) campus, Saudi Arabia. Statistical analyses were conducted to predict the cost overrun in project size and contract value. The findings showed the most significant causes leading to variation order in public construction projects. These include the combined effect of the designer and owner technical committee, designer document, and owner stakeholder committee. Hence, a new model for VOM was developed as a best practice approach, including three stages. The first stage is the initiation process, which includes seven procedures, seven tools, and key responsibilities. The second stage deals with the course of change orders based on a certain number of procedures and weight for each parameter assigned to this phase. It supports decision processes based on a certain average ratio of weights calculation. The third stage is the decision to support decision makers in proceeding or not proceeding with the variation order. Although the present study was conducted in Saudi Arabia’s public building construction project, it is envisaged that these research results are widely applicable to other developing countries. The paper presents a direction for further research to enhance the impact of cost overrun in public sector construction projects in developing countries, i.e., Saudi Arabia.
Finite Element Analysis of Axial Compression Behavior of L-Shaped Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular Columns with Different Combinations
Authors: Li Hexiao , Tao Zhong , Han Dongji
Published: March 2024

L-shaped concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns, a kind of structural member appropriate for high-rise buildings, not only avoid the defect of conventional square columns protruding from the wall but also have the green and low-carbon properties of steel structures appropriate for fabricated construction. To learn more about their axial compression behavior, refined 3D finite element models were established using the general finite element software ABAQUS. The reliability of the models was subsequently verified based on failure tests and load–displacement relation tests on eight L-shaped specimens. The axial compression mechanism of L-shaped CFST columns was investigated using the verified finite element models. Further systematic parameter analysis was carried out to investigate the influence of parameters such as steel strength, concrete strength, length ratio of long limb to short limb, the angle between the two limbs, and combination methods on the axial compression behavior of L-shaped CFST columns. The results demonstrate that the angle between the two limbs has a significant impact on the stress distribution of concrete and steel pipes. The corner effect increases as the angle between the two limbs decreases. The combination of F-type specimens can better exert the constraint effect of steel pipes on concrete, while the triangular cavity of unequal-limb specimens and specimens with an included angle of 60° cannot effectively trigger the interaction between steel pipes and concrete. The initial stiffness of L-shaped CFST columns increases with an increase in concrete strength and a decrease in limb length ratio, which is not sensitive to changes in steel strength and the included angle. The peak bearing capacity of the specimens increases with increases in steel strength and concrete strength and a decrease in the limb length ratio. Compared to C-type and Z-type specimens, the initial stiffness of F-type specimens is slightly higher, and the peak bearing capacity is significantly increased.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Fractionated Radiotherapy in the Management of Brain Metastases
Authors: Benkhaled Sofian , Schiappacasse Luis , Awde Ali , Kinj Remy
Published: March 2024

The management of brain metastases (BM) remains an important and complex issue in the treatment of cancer-related neurological complications. BM are particularly common in patients diagnosed with lung, melanoma, or breast cancer. Over the past decade, therapeutic approaches for the majority of BM patients have changed. Considering and addressing the fact that patients with BM are living longer, the need to provide effective local control while preserving quality of life and neurocognition is fundamental. Over the past decade, SRS and SRT have become a more commonly chosen treatment option for BM. Despite significant advances in the treatment of BM, numerous questions remain regarding patient selection and optimal treatment sequencing. Clinical trials are critical to advancing our understanding of BM, especially as more therapeutic alternatives become available. Therefore, it is imperative for interdisciplinary teams to improve their understanding of the latest advances in SRS-SRT. This review aims to comprehensively explore SRS and SRT as treatments for BM, covering clinical considerations in their application (e.g., patient selection and eligibility), managing limited and multiple intact BM, addressing brainstem metastases, exploring combination therapies with systemic treatments, and considering the health economic perspective.
Intraductal Carcinoma of the Prostate versus Simulants: A Differential Diagnosis Growing in Clinical Impact
Authors: Smith Steven Christopher , Wobker Sara E.
Published: March 2024

Despite its first recognition even longer ago, in the past nearly 20 years, intraductal carcinoma of the prostate has become a standard histopathologic reporting parameter conveying a strong negative prognostic factor for prostatic adenocarcinoma. When seen at biopsy, intraductal carcinoma of the prostate is associated with risk for aggressive prostatectomy outcomes, including frequently high-grade, high-stage, high-volume disease, with increased risk for recurrence and progression. Multiple organizations, including the uropathology subspecialty societies to the World Health Organization, recognize and recommend reporting the presence of intraductal carcinoma, whether sampled in “pure” form or present with concomitant invasive adenocarcinoma. Moreover, emerging scholarship relates intraductal carcinoma to higher prevalence of homologous recombination repair deficiency mutations in prostatic adenocarcinoma, whether somatic or germline, which serve as indications for approved targeted therapies. Taken together, this is a diagnosis for the histopathologist not to miss. In view of these elevated stakes and the opportunity to further precision medicine, this review details neoplastic and non-neoplastic simulants in the differential diagnosis of intraductal carcinoma of the prostate.
Machine Learning Meets Cancer
Authors: Varlamova Elena V. , Butakova Maria A. , Semyonova Vlada V. , Soldatov Sergey A. , Poltavskiy Artem V. , Kit Oleg I. , Soldatov Alexander V.
Published: March 2024

The role of machine learning (a part of artificial intelligence—AI) in the diagnosis and treatment of various types of oncology is steadily increasing. It is expected that the use of AI in oncology will speed up both diagnostic and treatment planning processes. This review describes recent applications of machine learning in oncology, including medical image analysis, treatment planning, patient survival prognosis, and the synthesis of drugs at the point of care. The fast and reliable analysis of medical images is of great importance in the case of fast-flowing forms of cancer. The introduction of ML for the analysis of constantly growing volumes of big data makes it possible to improve the quality of prescribed treatment and patient care. Thus, ML is expected to become an essential technology for medical specialists. The ML model has already improved prognostic prediction for patients compared to traditional staging algorithms. The direct synthesis of the necessary medical substances (small molecule mixtures) at the point of care could also seriously benefit from the application of ML. We further review the main trends in the use of artificial intelligence-based technologies in modern oncology. This review demonstrates the future prospects of using ML tools to make progress in cancer research, as well as in other areas of medicine. Despite growing interest in the use of modern computer technologies in medical practice, a number of unresolved ethical and legal problems remain. In this review, we also discuss the most relevant issues among them.
Perovskite-Derivative Ni-Based Catalysts for Hydrogen Production via Steam Reforming of Long-Chain Hydrocarbon Fuel
Authors: Guo Kai , Zhang Hui , Zhang Changxuan , Guo Xining , Li Huiying , Xiao Zhourong
Published: March 2024

Large-scale hydrogen production by the steam reforming of long-chain hydrocarbon fuel is highly desirable for fuel-cell application. In this work, LaNiO3 perovskite materials doped with different rare earth elements (Ce, Pr, Tb and Sm) were prepared by a sol-gel method, and the derivatives supported Ni-based catalysts which were successfully synthesized by hydrogen reduction. The physicochemical properties of the as-prepared catalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, H2 temperature-programmed reduction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The catalytic performance of the as-prepared catalysts for hydrogen production was investigated via the steam reforming of n-dodecane. The results showed that the catalyst forms perovskite oxides after calcination with abundant mesopores and macropores. After reduction, Ni particles were uniformly distributed on perovskite derivatives, and can effectively reduce the particles’ sizes by doping with rare earth elements (Ce, Pr, Tb and Sm). Compared with the un-doped catalyst, the activity and hydrogen-production rate of the catalysts are greatly improved with rare earth element (Ce, Pr, Tb and Sm)-doped catalysts, as well as the anti-carbon deposition performance. This is due to the strong interaction between the uniformly distributed Ni particles and the support, as well as the abundant oxygen defects on the catalyst surface.
A Low-Cost Deep-Learning-Based System for Grading Cashew Nuts
Authors: Pham Van-Nam , Do Ba Quang-Huy , Tran Le Duc-Anh , Nguyen Quang-Minh , Do Van Dinh , Nguyen Linh
Published: March 2024

Most of the cashew nuts in the world are produced in the developing countries. Hence, there is a need to have a low-cost system to automatically grade cashew nuts, especially in small-scale farms, to improve mechanization and automation in agriculture, helping reduce the price of the products. To address this issue, in this work we first propose a low-cost grading system for cashew nuts by using the off-the-shelf equipment. The most important but complicated part of the system is its “eye”, which is required to detect and classify the nuts into different grades. To this end, we propose to exploit advantages of both the YOLOv8 and Transformer models and combine them in one single model. More specifically, we develop a module called SC3T that can be employed to integrate into the backbone of the YOLOv8 architecture. In the SC3T module, a Transformer block is dexterously integrated into along with the C3TR module. More importantly, the classifier is not only efficient but also compact, which can be implemented in an embedded device of our developed cashew nut grading system. The proposed classifier, called the YOLOv8–Transformer model, can enable our developed grading system, through a low-cost camera, to correctly detect and accurately classify the cashew nuts into four quality grades. In our grading system, we also developed an actuation mechanism to efficiently sort the nuts according to the classification results, getting the products ready for packaging. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed classifier, we collected a dataset from our sorting system, and trained and tested the model. The obtained results demonstrate that our proposed approach outperforms all the baseline methods given the collected image data.
A Multiband and Multifunctional Metasurface for Linear and Circular Polarization Conversion in Reflection Modes
Authors: Hafeez Saima , Yu Jianguo , Umrani Fahim Aziz , Yun Wang , Ishfaq Muhammad
Published: March 2024

Multifunctional integrated meta-devices are the demand of modern communication systems and are given a lot of attention nowadays. Most of the research has focused on either cross-polarization conversion (CPC) or linear-to-circular (LP–CP) conversion. However, simultaneously realizing multiple bands with good conversion efficiency remains crucial. This paper proposes a multiband and multifunctional dual reflective polarization converter surface capable of converting a linearly polarized (LP) wave into a circularly polarized (CP) wave, in frequency bands of 12.29–12.63 GHz, 16.08–24.16 GHz, 27.82–32.21 GHz, 33.75–38.74 GHz, and 39.70–39.79 GHz, with 3 dB axial ratio bandwidths of 2.7%, 40.15%, 14.6%, 13.76%, and 0.2%, respectively. Moreover, the converter is capable of achieving CPC with a polarization conversion ratio (PCR) that exceeds 95%, within the frequency ranges of 13.10–14.72 GHz, 25.43–26.00, 32.46–32.56 GHz, and 39.14–39.59 GHz. In addition, to identify the fundamental cause of the CPC and LP–CP conversion, a comprehensive theoretical investigation is provided. Furthermore, the surface current distribution patterns at different frequencies are investigated to analyze the conversion phenomena. A sample prototype consisting of 20 × 20 unit cells was fabricated and measured, verifying our design and the simulated results. The proposed structure has potential applications in satellite communications, radar, stealth technologies, and reflector antennas.
177Lu-PSMA-617 in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Review of the Evidence and Implications for Canadian Clinical Practice
Authors: Chi Kim N. , Yip Steven M. , Bauman Glenn , Probst Stephan , Emmenegger Urban , Kollmannsberger Christian K. , Martineau Patrick , Niazi Tamim , Pouliot Frédéric , Rendon Ricardo , Hotte Sebastien J. , Laidley David T. , Saad Fred
Published: March 2024

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is highly expressed in prostate cancer and a therapeutic target. Lutetium-177 (177Lu)-PSMA-617 is the first radioligand therapy to be approved in Canada for use in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). As this treatment represents a new therapeutic class, guidance regarding how to integrate it into clinical practice is needed. This article aims to review the evidence from prospective phase 2 and 3 clinical trials and meta-analyses of observational studies on the use of 177Lu-PSMA-617 in prostate cancer and discuss how Canadian clinicians might best apply these data in practice. The selection of appropriate patients, the practicalities of treatment administration, including necessary facilities for treatment procedures, the assessment of treatment response, and the management of adverse events are considered. Survival benefits were observed in clinical trials of 177Lu-PSMA-617 in patients with progressive, PSMA-positive mCRPC who were pretreated with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors and taxanes, as well as in taxane-naïve patients. However, the results of ongoing trials are awaited to clarify questions regarding the optimal sequencing of 177Lu-PSMA-617 with other therapies, as well as the implications of predictive biomarkers, personalized dosimetry, and combinations with other therapies.
The Development and Testing of a Patient Decision Aid for Individuals with Homologous Recombinant Proficient Ovarian Cancer Who Are Considering Niraparib Maintenance Therapy
Authors: Hopkins Laura , Carey Mark , Brown Linda , McCrea Sabryna , Milne Mark , Tokaryk Dawne , Stacey Dawn
Published: March 2024

New treatments for ovarian cancer are available that require trade-offs between progression-free survival and quality of life. The aim of this study was to develop a decision aid for patients with homologous recombinant proficient (HRP) tumors, as the benefit–harm ratio of niraparib needs consideration. This decision aid was created with a systematic and iterative development process based on the Ottawa Decision Support Framework. The decision aid was user-tested for acceptability, usability, and comprehensibility using a survey completed by a sample of patients with ovarian cancer and oncologists. This decision aid follows the International Patient Decision Aids Standards (IPDAS) criteria in its development. User-test respondents (n = 13 patients; 13 physicians) reported that the decision aid used language that was easy to follow (69% patients; 85% physicians), was an appropriate length (69% patients; 62% physicians) and provided the right amount of information (54% patients; 54% physicians). Most respondents (92% patients; 62% physicians) would recommend this decision aid for HRP patients considering niraparib. This is the first decision aid for patients with HRP ovarian cancers who are considering niraparib maintenance therapy. It is available on-line and is being further evaluated in a pragmatic clinical trial in Saskatchewan.
Food as Medicine: FOODRx for Patients with Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease in Central Minnesota—A PILOT STUDY
Authors: García-Pérez Mónica , De Kesel Lofthus Alexandra , Tilstra David , Switzer Kevin , Williamson Kristen
Published: March 2024

The number of food-insecure individuals with diabetes is on the rise. FOODRx is a supplemental healthy food intervention program that gave disease-appropriate food boxes to food-insecure patients with diabetes at their care clinic and included nutrition and recipe materials in the patient’s preferred language (English, Spanish, or Somali). Implemented over a twelve-month period, we analyze FOODRx participants’ pre and post clinical measures, health care usage, and program/clinic satisfaction, and found that participation was linked to post improvements in fasting glucose and HgbA1c levels, reductions in ER visits and healthcare costs, and a decline in patients choosing between medication and food. Glucose levels decreased from 214 to 187 mg/dL and HgbA1c levels decreased from 9.6% to 9.1%. Average ER visits dropped from 1.21 to 1 visit and the reductions in healthcare costs were reflected in a decrease of an average of USD 250,000 in insurance claims. Patients were less likely to experience food insecurity, as measured in number of meals skipped and levels of hunger. Finally, the program improved patient satisfaction with the cultural responsiveness of the information shared with them.
The Impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Predicting Neurological Status Pre- and Post-Treatment of Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: A 22-Year Experience in a Neurovascular and Spine Center
Authors: Filis Andreas , Engellandt Kay , Romualdo Sergio M. F. , El-Battrawy Ibrahim , Podlesek Dino , Juratli Tareq A. , Eyüpoglu Ilker Y. , Hijazi Mido Max
Published: March 2024

Background: Successful treatment of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVF) requires prompt diagnosis with definitive fistula localization and non-delayed treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used for the screening and follow-up of SDAVF, although the value of MRI signs such as myelopathy and flow voids is controversial. Therefore, we investigated the predictive value of MRI signs pre- and post-treatment and their correlation with the neurological status of SDAVF patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 81 patients who underwent surgical or endovascular treatment for SDAVF at our hospital between 2002 and 2023. A total of 41 SDAVF patients with follow-up MRI of 4.6 [2.9–6.5] months (median [interquartile range]) post-treatment and clinical follow-up of 3, 6, and 12 months were included. Results: The extent of pretreatment myelopathy was seven [6–8] vertebral levels, with follow-up MRI showing no myelopathy in 70.7% of cases. The pretreatment flow voids extended over seven [4.5–10] vertebral levels and completely disappeared on follow-up MRI in 100% of cases. The modified Aminoff–Logue scale of disability (mALS) was four [2–7] pretreatment and two [0–4.5] at the third follow-up, with improvement in 65.9% of patients. The American Spinal Injury Association motor score (ASIA-MS) was 97 [88–100] pretreatment and 100 [95–100] at the third follow-up assessment, with 78% of patients improving. Pretreatment ASIA-MS correlated with the extent of myelopathy at admission (R2: 0.179; 95% CI: −0.185, −0.033; p = 0.006) but not with flow voids at admission, while pretreatment mALS showed no correlation with either MRI signs. The improvement in ASIA-MS and mALS between admission and the last follow-up showed no correlation with the extent of pretreatment myelopathy and flow voids or with pos-treatment MRI changes. The diagnostic sensitivity of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for localization of the fistula was 68.3% (28/41). Conclusions: The severity of the clinical condition in SDAVF patients has a multifactorial cause, whereby the ASIA-MS correlates with the extent of myelopathy pretreatment. MRI changes after treatment showed no correlation with the clinical outcome and cannot be used as a prognostic factor.
Ensemble Classifier Based on Interval Modeling for Microarray Datasets
Authors: Bentkowska Urszula , Gałka Wojciech , Mrukowicz Marcin , Wojtowicz Aleksander
Published: March 2024

The purpose of the study is to propose a multi-class ensemble classifier using interval modeling dedicated to microarray datasets. An approach of creating the uncertainty intervals for the single prediction values of constituent classifiers and then aggregating the obtained intervals with the use of interval-valued aggregation functions is used. The proposed heterogeneous classification employs Random Forest, Support Vector Machines, and Multilayer Perceptron as component classifiers, utilizing cross-entropy to select the optimal classifier. Moreover, orders for intervals are applied to determine the decision class of an object. The applied interval-valued aggregation functions are tested in terms of optimizing the performance of the considered ensemble classifier. The proposed model’s quality, superior to other well-known and component classifiers, is validated through comparison, demonstrating the efficacy of cross-entropy in ensemble model construction.
Technology-Supported Behavior Change—Applying Design Thinking to mHealth Application Development
Authors: Schweitzer Ramona , Schlögl Stephan , Schweitzer Marco
Published: March 2024

Non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of global deaths. The risk of their development and progression is increased by modifiable behavioral risk factors. Yet, despite the known benefits of primary and secondary prevention, people often do not follow recommendations for a healthier lifestyle. To this end, mobile health (mHealth) applications offer features for behavioral interventions. Yet, reported user engagement is often low. The objective of the work presented in this article is thus to evaluate the suitability of Design Thinking (DT) as a means to inform the development of an mHealth application that helps increase long-term engagement, and consequently supports individuals in sustainably changing their lifestyle. Applying the DT approach, key user needs and challenges were investigated and used to design a first low-fidelity mHealth application prototype. Think-Aloud analysis, task completion, and post-test interviews were then used to evaluate the prototype and generate early-stage insights. Subsequently, a structured, retrospective analysis of this process, evaluating the insight-generation potential of each step in the DT process cycle, was used to reflect on its suitability to inform mHealth application development. The respective results highlight (1) the distinct value of the DT method, particularly in the early stages of a development project; (2) the strong need for interdisciplinary collaboration in such projects, so as to capture realistic end-user requirements and improve the overall effectiveness of the application design; and (3) the significance of integrating behavioral change theories into the design of mHealth applications, in order to promote long-term engagement.
An Analytic Hierarchy Process Contingency Analysis of Factors Affecting the Emigration Decision of Medical Doctors in Turkey
Authors: Kadaifci Cigdem , Topcu Y. Ilker , Mu Enrique
Published: March 2024

While the importance of explicitly identifying and considering contingent factors such as decision content and context is widely accepted as a way to ensure the validity of the decision analysis for the specific task at hand, few studies include this. This research uses a contingency theoretical approach to study factors affecting the emigration decision of medical doctors (MDs) for the specific case of Turkey. The motivation for conducting this study arises from the observation that the growing trend in emigration among MDs from Turkey is having a significant impact on the country’s healthcare system. Dealing with the emigration of MDs is crucial for ensuring an effective and sustainable healthcare system, especially in terms of the availability of services, satisfaction, and employment of the healthcare staff. Contextual factors were explicitly identified through consultation with experts, while the generic factors were retrieved from the specialized medical migration literature. The Analytic Hierarchy Process method was utilized to prioritize the factors. Seventy-three participants were surveyed about their intention to either study or work abroad. The findings reveal that low remuneration and anxiety about their future due to the political situation in the country constitute the two most important factors driving the decision to emigrate.
Stability of and Change in Psychopathological Risk Levels in Pre-Early Adolescents before, during, and after Their Study Sojourns: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Cerniglia Luca , Cimino Silvia
Published: March 2024

Background: Adolescents can benefit from studying abroad in terms of personal development, cross-cultural encounters, and academic enrichment. This article digs into the psychological challenges that students may face before and during their study abroad, focusing on the emotional components of their experiences. Methods: The current descriptive study sought to assess the stability or change in levels of psychopathological risk in a sample of N = 195 adolescents before and during a study abroad sojourn. To examine psychological symptoms in pre-adolescents, teachers were asked to complete a report-form questionnaire. Results: The findings of this study revealed that students’ psychological functioning changed significantly after their study abroad experience. Anxious/depressed and withdrawn ratings specifically increased from the pre-sojourn assessment (T1) to the evaluation during the stay (T2), then remained consistent (T3). In addition, the scores for rule-breaking and aggressive conduct changed, increasing from T1 to T2 and then decreasing from T2 to T3. This trend implies that teenagers may struggle with behavioral challenges early in their study abroad experience, but subsequently adjust and improve their conduct as they grow more used to the new environment. Conclusions: this research offers insight into the emotional and behavioral issues that adolescents face when studying abroad, underlining the significance of treating psychopathological risk factors in this demographic.
Electrodeposition of Silicon Fibers from KI–KF–KCl–K2SiF6 Melt and Their Electrochemical Performance during Lithiation/Delithiation
Authors: Leonova Anastasia , Leonova Natalia , Minchenko Lyudmila , Suzdaltsev Andrey
Published: March 2024

The possibility of using Si-based anodes in lithium-ion batteries is actively investigated due to the increased lithium capacity of silicon. The paper reports the preparation of submicron silicon fibers on glassy carbon in the KI–KF–KCl–K2SiF6 melt at 720 °C. For this purpose, the parameters of silicon electrodeposition in the form of fibers were determined using cyclic voltammetry, and experimental samples of ordered silicon fibers with an average diameter from 0.1 to 0.3 μm were obtained under galvanostatic electrolysis conditions. Using the obtained silicon fibers, anode half-cells of a lithium-ion battery were fabricated, and its electrochemical performance under multiple lithiations and delithiations was studied. By means of voltametric studies, it is observed that charging and discharging the anode based on the obtained silicon fibers occurs at potentials from 0.2 to 0.05 V and from 0.2 to 0.5 V, respectively. A change in discharge capacity from 520 to 200 mAh g−1 during the first 50 charge/discharge cycles at a charge current of 0.1 C and a Coulombic efficiency of 98–100% was shown. The possibility of charging silicon-based anode samples at charging currents up to 2 C was also noted; the discharge capacity ranged from 25 to 250 mAh g−1.
HAR-Net: An Hourglass Attention ResNet Network for Dangerous Driving Behavior Detection
Authors: Qu Zhe , Cui Lizhen , Yang Xiaohui
Published: March 2024

Ensuring safety while driving relies heavily on normal driving behavior, making the timely detection of dangerous driving patterns crucial. In this paper, an Hourglass Attention ResNet Network (HAR-Net) is proposed to detect dangerous driving behavior. Uniquely, we separately input optical flow data, RGB data, and RGBD data into the network for spatial–temporal fusion. In the spatial fusion part, we combine ResNet-50 and the hourglass network as the backbone of CenterNet. To improve the accuracy, we add the attention mechanism to the network and integrate center loss into the original Softmax loss. Additionally, a dangerous driving behavior dataset is constructed to evaluate the proposed model. Through ablation and comparative studies, we demonstrate the efficacy of each HAR-Net component. Notably, HAR-Net achieves a mean average precision of 98.84% on our dataset, surpassing other state-of-the-art networks for detecting distracted driving behaviors.
Wake-Up and Imprint Effects in Hafnium Oxide-Based Ferroelectric Capacitors during Cycling with Different Interval Times
Authors: Ding Yaru , Weng Zeping , Lan Zhangsheng , Yan Chu , Cai Daolin , Qu Yiming , Zhao Yi
Published: March 2024

This work experimentally investigated the wake-up behaviors of hafnium oxide-based ferroelectric capacitors by manipulating the interval time between each characterization cycle. Both Positive-Up–Negative-Down (PUND) and Negative-Down–Positive-Up (NDPU) waveforms were used as the stress and measurement waveforms in the experiments. It was found that the imprint occurs as the total interval time increases to a several-seconds level. However, this only affects the remnant polarization (PR) of ferroelectric capacitors when stressed by NDPU waveforms, since the voltage amplitude saturates under the PUND stress conditions and does not influence the PR. The wake-up behavior has been proved to be caused by the defects redistribution during electrical cycling. Notably, when using PUND waveforms, the change in the interval time can result in different increase rates of PR, indicating the possibility of recovery during the intervals. This recovery leads to a slower wake-up when cycling with a longer interval time. Moreover, it is observed that this PR recovery could reach saturation after several seconds of the interval time. This comprehensive investigation of wake-up and imprint behaviors can provide new insights to evaluate and enhance the reliability of ferroelectric memories.
The Safety, Operation, and Energy Efficiency of Rail Vehicles—A Case Study for Poland
Authors: Sitarz Marek
Published: March 2024

The objective of the article was to describe the importance of a good technically and economically planned process for purchasing a rail vehicle. Compliance with this process with safety standards and energy efficiency is crucial regarding effectiveness in the long-life cycle cost of a rail vehicle. Methods that were used focused on audit and document analysis. In the result based on a specific audit of a railway company, some non-compliances were found, and it was methodically proven that they are significant risk factors in terms of performing such processes in the future. Major conclusions regarded the importance of fulfilling legal requirements of SMS for purchase purposes, involvement of a safety engineer post in this process, and usage of technical feedback regarding previous operation of railway vehicles and operational findings from the past. The transport policy of the EU and other developed countries sets ambitious goals for reducing energy consumption in transportation activities, which is linked to the aim of reducing environmental burdens.
Research on Coordinated Optimization of Source-Load-Storage Considering Renewable Energy and Load Similarity
Authors: Wang Xiaoqing , Du Xin , Wang Haiyun , Yan Sizhe , Fan Tianyuan
Published: March 2024

Currently, the global energy revolution in the direction of green and low-carbon technologies is flourishing. The large-scale integration of renewable energy into the grid has led to significant fluctuations in the net load of the power system. To meet the energy balance requirements of the power system, the pressure on conventional power generation units to adjust and regulate has increased. The efficient utilization of the regulation capability of controllable industrial loads and energy storage can achieve the similarity between renewable energy curves and load curves, thereby reducing the peak-to-valley difference and volatility of the net load. This approach also decreases the adjustment pressure on conventional generating units. Therefore, this paper proposes a two-stage optimization scheduling strategy considering the similarity between renewable energy and load, including energy storage and industrial load participation. The combination of the Euclidean distance, which measures the similarity between the magnitude of renewable energy–load curves, and the load tracking coefficient, which measures the similarity in curve shape, is used to measure the similarity between renewable energy and load profiles. This measurement method is introduced into the source-load-storage optimal scheduling to establish a two-stage optimization model. In the first stage, the model is set up to maximize the similarity between renewable energy and the load profile and minimize the cost of energy storage and industrial load regulation to obtain the desired load curve and new energy output curve. In the second stage, the model is set up to minimize the overall operation cost by considering the costs associated with abandoning the new energy sources and shedding loads to optimize the output of conventional generator sets. Through a case analysis, it is verified that the proposed scheduling strategy can achieve the tracking of the load curve to the new energy curve, reducing the peak-to-valley difference of the net load curve by 48.52% and the fluctuation by 67.54% compared to the original curve. These improvements effectively enhance the net load curve and reduce the difficulty in regulating conventional power generation units. Furthermore, the strategy achieves the full discard of renewable energy and reduces the system operating costs by 4.19%, effectively promoting the discard of renewable energy and reducing the system operating costs.