bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility study on thermo‐mechanical performance of 3D printed and annealed coir fiber powder/polylactic acid eco‐friendly biocomposites
Authors: Bright Brailson Mansingh , Binoj Joseph Selvi , Hassan Shukur Abu , Wong Wai Leong Eugene , Suryanto Heru , Liu Shengjie , Goh Kheng Lim
Published: February 2024

The enhancement of the mechanical and thermal characteristics of 3D printed polylactic acid (PLA) composites reinforced by coir fiber powder (CFP) has been investigated by varying the weight percentage (wt%) of the reinforcement and annealing process. CFP/PLA composite filaments with CFP compositions of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 wt% were fabricated. These filaments were used to print CFP/PLA test specimens. The specimens were annealed at 90°C for 120 min in a hot air oven followed by cooling at room temperature. Mechanical, morphological, crystalline, and thermal characterizations were conducted on these specimens. The tensile and flexural strength of neat PLA were observed as 49.7 and 82.4 MPa which decreased by 6.4% and 8.13% respectively for printed composite specimens with 0.5 wt% CFP as reinforcement material. On the other hand, the annealed CFP/PLA composite specimen, with 0.1 wt% CFP as a reinforcement material, demonstrated higher tensile and flexural strength. Specifically, it exhibited a maximum tensile strength of 56.4 MPa and a maximum flexural strength of 92.9 MPa, which are 13.5% and 12.7% higher, respectively, than neat PLA. These strengths are 15.5% and 16.7% higher, respectively, than those of the unannealed CFP/PLA composite specimen with the same wt% of CFP reinforcement. The annealing process increased the crystallinity of composites by enhancing the crystallinity index (63%) and crystalline size (6.7 nm). The high thermal stability of composites (with a glass transition temperature of 256°C) makes them suitable for applications in food and medical packaging.

Highlights

Enhancement of thermo‐mechanical characteristics of 3D printed bio‐composites.

Annealing process improved mechanical features of 3D printed bio‐composites.

Annealed composite with 0.1 wt% as reinforcement demonstrated better properties.

SEM and XRD studies confirmed failure mechanisms and crystalline structure.

Thermal and mechanical assets favor its utilization in food wrapping applications.
Compatibility of the fungus Beauveria bassiana and Trichoplusia ni SNPV against the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni: crop plant matters
Authors: Deschodt Pauline S , Cory Jenny S
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Microbial insecticides are an important weapon in insect pest management, but their use is still relatively limited. One approach for increasing their efficacy and use could be to combine different pathogens to increase pest mortality. However, little is known about whether increasing pathogen diversity will improve pest management. Here, we investigated the compatibility of two pathogens for the management of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, T. ni nucleopolyhedrovirus (TniSNPV) and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, on two crops, tomato and broccoli. The pathogens were applied to individual plants using ultra low volume sprays, alone or in combination, either synchronously or asynchronously. Healthy third‐instar T. ni larvae were introduced to the plants before application and collected by destructive sampling 24 h after the last pathogen application.

RESULTS

Combined applications did not result in an increase in larval mortality compared to TniSNPV alone, although mortality was generally high. B. bassiana was considerably less effective on broccoli compared to tomato. In both the combined treatments, virus‐induced mortality was approximately 50% lower when applied together with the fungus, while fungus‐induced mortality was not affected by the virus, even when the virus was introduced 24 h before the fungus.

CONCLUSION

While our results suggest that applying this combination of entomopathogens would not be beneficial for pest management, this study illustrates the need to consider the target crop as an important driver of the efficacy of both single and mixed pathogen applications in the field. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Growth of MnxAu1−x Films on Cu(001) and Ag(001) Single‐Crystal Substrates
Authors: Gelen Ismet , Shinwari Tauqir , Kumberg Ivar , Hadjadj Sebastien Elie , Shokr Yasser A. , Golias Evangelos , Kuch Wolfgang
Published: February 2024

The growth, morphology, and structure of films on Cu(001) and Ag(001) are studied by means of low‐energy electron diffraction (LEED), medium‐energy electron diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy, and scanning tunnelling microscopy. Different concentrations x from about 0.5 to 1 and thicknesses from 0.2 to 12.9 ML of are examined. For several values of x, exhibits a c(2  2) superstructure pattern on Cu(001) when the total thickness is around or above 0.5 ML. Above 1 ML, LEED patterns of can be only observed on Ag(001), but not on Cu(001). LEED‐I(V) is employed to deduce the vertical interlayer distance for as‐grown and post‐annealed films on Ag(001). Above 500 K, Ag from the substrate segregates into the films.
Clinical manifestations of dengue, Zika and chikungunya in the Pacific Islands: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kharwadkar Sahil , Herath Nipun
Published: February 2024

Dengue, Zika and chikungunya outbreaks pose a significant public health risk to Pacific Island communities. Differential diagnosis is challenging due to overlapping clinical features and limited availability of laboratory diagnostic facilities. There is also insufficient information regarding the complications of these arboviruses, particularly for Zika and chikungunya. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to calculate pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the clinical manifestations of dengue, Zika and chikungunya in the Pacific Islands. Based on pooled prevalence estimates, clinical features that may help to differentiate between the arboviruses include headache, haemorrhage and hepatomegaly in dengue; rash, conjunctivitis and peripheral oedema in Zika; and the combination of fever and arthralgia in chikungunya infections. We estimated that the hospitalisation and mortality rates in dengue were 9.90% (95% CI 7.67–12.37) and 0.23% (95% CI 0.16–0.31), respectively. Severe forms of dengue occurred in 1.92% (95% CI 0.72–3.63) of reported cases and 23.23% (95% CI 13.58–34.53) of hospitalised patients. Complications associated with Zika virus included Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS), estimated to occur in 14.08 (95% CI 11.71–16.66) per 10,000 reported cases, and congenital brain malformations such as microcephaly, particularly with first trimester maternal infection. For chikungunya, the hospitalisation rate was 2.57% (95% CI 1.30–4.25) and the risk of GBS was estimated at 1.70 (95% CI 1.06–2.48) per 10,000 reported cases. Whilst ongoing research is required, this systematic review enhances existing knowledge on the clinical manifestations of dengue, Zika and chikungunya infections and will assist Pacific Island clinicians during future arbovirus outbreaks.
Privacy and security trade‐off in cyber‐physical systems: An information theory‐based framework
Authors: Wu Lihan , Wang Haojun , Liu Kun , Zhao Liying , Xia Yuanqing
Published: February 2024

This article investigates the trade‐off between privacy and security in cyber‐physical systems, with the goal of designing a privacy‐preserving mechanism based on information theory. Considering the unreliability of the communication channel, we assume that the private data is vulnerable to eavesdropping and bias injection attacks. To maintain privacy, the system is equipped with a privacy‐preserving mechanism achieved by injecting Gaussian‐type privacy noise into transmitted data, which inevitably leads to degraded detecting performance. Therefore, we investigate the trade‐off between privacy level and detection performance, where the privacy level and the detection performance are measured by mutual information and Kullback–Leibler divergence, respectively. Then, the optimal privacy noise is obtained by solving a convex optimization problem for maximizing the privacy degree and constraining a bound on detection performance degradation. Furthermore, to optimize the detection performance, another convex optimization problem is proposed to minimize both the false alarm rate and the missed alarm rate while guaranteeing a level of the privacy. Finally, a numerical example of the vehicle tracking problem is adopted to illustrate the effectiveness of the designed framework.
Copper Deposition in Polydopamine Nanostructure to Promote Cuproptosis by Catalytically Inhibiting Copper Exporters of Tumor Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Chang Jiao , Yin Weimin , Zhi Hui , Chen Shiyu , Sun Jiuyuan , Zhao Yuge , Huang Li , Xue Liangyi , Zhang Xiaoyou , Zhang Tingting , Dong Haiqing , Li Yongyong
Published: February 2024

Cuproptosis is an emerging programmed cell death, displaying great potential in cancer treatment. However, intracellular copper content to induce cuproptosis is unmet, which mainly ascribes to the intracellular pumping out equilibrium mechanism by copper exporter ATP7A and ATP7B. Therefore, it is necessary to break such export balance mechanisms for desired cuproptosis. Mediated by diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC) coordination, herein a strategy to efficiently assemble copper ions into polydopamine nanostructure (PDA‐DTC/Cu) for reprogramming copper metabolism of tumor is developed. The deposited Cu2+ can effectively trigger the aggregation of lipoylated proteins to induce cuproptosis of tumor cells. Beyond elevating intracellular copper accumulation, PDA‐DTC/Cu enables to break the balance of copper metabolism by disrupting mitochondrial function and restricting the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) energy supply, thus catalytically inhibiting the expressions of ATP7A and ATP7B of tumor cells to enhance cuproptosis. Meanwhile, the killed tumor cells can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) to stimulate the immune response. Besides, PDA‐DTC/Cu NPs can promote the repolarization of tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs ) to relieve the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME). Collectively, PDA‐DTC/Cu presented a promising “one stone two birds” strategy to realize copper accumulation and inhibit copper export simultaneously to enhance cuproptosis for 4T1 murine breast cancer immunotherapy.
Reactive Oxidation Induced Stoichiometric Modulation of Multivalent Vanadium Oxides
Authors: Song Sehwan , Lee Dooyong , Son Yeongjun , Choi Yesul , Kim Jiwoong , Han Seonghoon , Lee Jisung , Kim Seokjun , Jeong Seung Gyo , Lim Si‐Heon , Yan Jiafeng , Kim Songkil , Choi Woo Seok , Kim Hyun Ho , Kim Jaeyong , Bae Jong‐Seong , Takesue Naoshia , Hwang Chanyong , Park Sungkyun
Published: February 2024

Vanadium oxides, such as V2O3, VO2, and V2O5, have attracted considerable attention because of the fascinating physical properties of each oxidation state. On the other hand, precisely controlling the individual oxidation states is difficult due to the sensitivity of oxygen stoichiometry. This article reports that reactive oxygen annealing (ROA) can systematically change the oxidation state of the vanadium oxide films grown on a c‐Al2O3 substrate compared with typical annealing under O2 environments. Chemical, structural, electronic, and electrical analysis confirms the evolution of the vanadium oxide phases from V2O3 to V2O3/VO2, VO2, VO2/V2O5, and V2O5, showing that the ROA method can control and tune the oxidation state of the highly oxygen‐sensitive multivalent metal oxides.
Evaluation of the acid degradation properties of colloidal nanosilica‐based cement pastes
Authors: Muthu Murugan , Sadowski Łukasz
Published: February 2024

The present study examined the effects of colloidal nanosilica on the performance of cement paste samples exposed to nitric acid for a continuous period of 28 days. Compressive strength and weight losses in paste samples as a result of this attack were determined to be 66% and 27%. The inclusion of nanosilica up to 6% by weight reduced these sample losses by densifying the microstructure with its pore filling and pozzolanic effects. The addition of nanosilica decreased the flow of cement paste by 30%, but improved compressive and flexural strengths at the end of 28 days by up to 45% and 118%. The acid attack on the cement sample resulted in the formation of a degraded layer surrounding the unaltered core material. X‐ray tomography images showed this zone formation, and the scanning electron microscopy images revealed the degraded microstructure. The results of the x‐ray diffraction and nanoindentation tests confirmed the complete decalcification of the main cement hydrates, including calcium silicate hydrate and portlandite, as a result of acid attack. The results obtained suggest that the incorporation of nanosilica strengthens the microstructure of the cement matrix, thus improving the service life of structural concrete operating in chemical environments.
Impact of graph energy on a measurement of resilience for tipping points in complex systems
Authors: Edwards Christine M. , Nilchiani Roshanak Rose , Miller Ian M.
Published: February 2024

Societies depend on various complex and highly interconnected systems, leading to increasing interest in methods for managing the resilience of these complex systems and the risks associated with their disruption or failure. Identifying and localizing tipping points, or phase transitions, in complex systems is essential for predicting system behavior but a difficult challenge when there are many interacting elements. Systems may transition from stable to unstable at critical tipping‐point thresholds and potentially collapse. One of the suggested approaches in literature is to measure a complex system's resilience to collapse by modeling the system as a network, reducing the network behavior to a simpler model, and then measuring the resulting model's stability. In particular, Gao and colleagues introduced a methodology in 2016 that introduces a resilience index to measure precariousness (the distance to tipping points). However, those mathematical reductions can cause information loss from reducing the topological complexity of the system. Herein, the authors introduce a new methodology that more‐accurately predicts the location of tipping points in networked systems and their precariousness with respect to those tipping points by integrating two approaches: (1) a new measurement of a system's topological complexity using graph energy (created based on molecular orbital theory) and; (2) the resilience index method from Gao et al. This new approach is tested in three separate case studies involving ecosystem collapse, supply chain sustainability, and disruptive technology. Results show a shift in tipping‐point locations correlated with graph energy. The authors present an equation that corrects errors introduced as a result of the model reduction, providing a measurement of precariousness that gives insight into how a complex system's topology affects the location of its tipping points.
Recent developments in the management of ascites in cirrhosis
Authors: Lan Tian , Chen Ming , Tang Chengwei , Deltenre Pierre
Published: February 2024

In recent years, advances have been made for treating ascites in patients with cirrhosis. Recent studies have indicated that several treatments that have been used for a long time in the management of portal hypertension may have beneficial effects that were not previously identified. Long‐term albumin infusion may improve survival in patients with cirrhosis and ascites while beta‐blockers may reduce ascites occurrence. Transjugular intrahepatic porto‐systemic shunt (TIPS) placement may also improve survival in selected patients in addition to the control with ascites. Low‐flow ascites pump insertion can be another option for some patients with intractable ascites. In this review, we summarize the latest data related to the management of ascites occurring in cirrhosis. There are still unanswered questions, such as the optimal use of albumin as a long‐term therapy, the place of beta‐blockers, and the best timing for TIPS placement to improve the natural history of ascites, as well as the optimal stent diameter to reduce the risk of shunt‐related side‐effects. These issued should be addressed in future studies.
Ultrasound study of natural progression of ovarian endometrioma
Authors: Knez J. , Bean E. , Nijjar S. , Mavrelos D. , Jurkovic D.
Published: February 2024

Objective

To determine the natural progression of ovarian endometrioma in women who are managed expectantly.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of 83 women with evidence of ovarian endometrioma who were managed expectantly between April 2007 and May 2022. The study was conducted in the Department of Women's Health, University College London Hospitals and The Gynecology Ultrasound Centre, London, UK. We searched our ultrasound clinic databases to identify women aged 18 years or older with evidence of ovarian endometrioma who were managed expectantly for ≥ 6 months. All women attended for a minimum of two ultrasound scans performed by a single expert ultrasound operator. In addition to patient demographics, we recorded the number, mean diameter and location of each cyst. The cyst growth rate was expressed as annual change in the mean diameter.

Results

A total of 1922 women who attended our gynecology clinic during the study period were found to have evidence of moderate or severe endometriosis on pelvic ultrasound examination. Of those, 83 women had evidence of ovarian endometrioma and were managed expectantly. The median age of women was 39 (range, 26–51) years at the initial visit. Each woman had at least two ultrasound scans performed by a single expert operator at a minimum interval of ≥ 6 months. Of 83 women diagnosed with endometrioma, 50 (60% (95% CI, 49–71%)) had a single cyst and the remainder had multiple cysts. The median number of endometriomas per patient was 1 (range, 1–5) and the median follow‐up time was 634 (range, 187–2984) days. A total of 39/83 (47% (95% CI, 36–58%)) women experienced an overall reduction in size of cysts, in 18/83 (22% (95% CI, 13–32%)) the cysts increased in size and in 26/83 (31% (95% CI, 22–42%)) women, no meaningful change in size was observed. The median change in mean cyst diameter per woman during the study period was −2.7 (range, −57.7 to 39.3) mm, with a median annual regression rate of −1.7 (range, −24.6 to 42.0) mm/year/woman. Overall, when compared with the initial visit, cysts were significantly smaller at follow‐up (median diameter, 22.3 (range, 6.7–77.0) mm vs 18.5 (range, 5.0–72.0) mm; P = 0.009). We did not identify any clinical characteristics that could reliably predict the chance of endometrioma progression.

Conclusions

In the majority of women with an ultrasound diagnosis of ovarian endometrioma, the cysts do not increase in size significantly over time and they could be managed expectantly. This evidence may help clinicians when counseling asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic women about management of ovarian endometrioma. © 2024 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Role of artificial‐intelligence‐assisted automated cardiac biometrics in prenatal screening for coarctation of aorta
Authors: Taksøe‐Vester C. A. , Mikolaj K. , Petersen O. B. B. , Vejlstrup N. G. , Christensen A. N. , Feragen A. , Nielsen M. , Svendsen M. B. S. , Tolsgaard M. G.
Published: February 2024

Objective

Although remarkable strides have been made in fetal medicine and the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease, around 60% of newborns with isolated coarctation of the aorta (CoA) are not identified prior to birth. The prenatal detection of CoA has been shown to have a notable impact on survival rates of affected infants. To this end, implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in fetal ultrasound may represent a groundbreaking advance. We aimed to investigate whether the use of automated cardiac biometric measurements with AI during the 18–22‐week anomaly scan would enhance the identification of fetuses that are at risk of developing CoA.

Methods

We developed an AI model capable of identifying standard cardiac planes and conducting automated cardiac biometric measurements. Our data consisted of pregnancy ultrasound image and outcome data spanning from 2008 to 2018 and collected from four distinct regions in Denmark. Cases with a postnatal diagnosis of CoA were paired with healthy controls in a ratio of 1:100 and matched for gestational age within 2 days. Cardiac biometrics obtained from the four‐chamber and three‐vessel views were included in a logistic regression‐based prediction model. To assess its predictive capabilities, we assessed sensitivity and specificity on receiver‐operating‐characteristics (ROC) curves.

Results

At the 18–22‐week scan, the right ventricle (RV) area and length, left ventricle (LV) diameter and the ratios of RV/LV areas and main pulmonary artery/ascending aorta diameters showed significant differences, with Z‐scores above 0.7, when comparing subjects with a postnatal diagnosis of CoA (n = 73) and healthy controls (n = 7300). Using logistic regression and backward feature selection, our prediction model had an area under the ROC curve of 0.96 and a specificity of 88.9% at a sensitivity of 90.4%.

Conclusions

The integration of AI technology with automated cardiac biometric measurements obtained during the 18–22‐week anomaly scan has the potential to enhance substantially the performance of screening for fetal CoA and subsequently the detection rate of CoA. Future research should clarify how AI technology can be used to aid in the screening and detection of congenital heart anomalies to improve neonatal outcomes. © 2024 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Moonshots and the New Industrial Policy: Questioning the Mission Economy
Authors: Henrekson Magnus , Sandström Christian , Stenkula Mikael
Published: February 2024

The notion that society should be organized around large so-called missions has gained momentum in public debate, and the reemergence of active industrial policy across the world has been inspired by academic scholars promoting the idea of mission-oriented innovation policies (MOIPs). Besides this introductory chapter, this collective volume consists of 16 chapters distributed across 3 overarching themes: theoretical perspectives, empirical evidence, and alternative paths. The volume provides a comprehensive assessment and normative critique of the efficacy of such policies. In addition to summing up the main findings in the 16 chapters, this introduction provides some additional analysis, pins down the most important general conclusions, and suggests future research questions. Today’s economies are highly dependent on a well-functioning process of decentralized experimentation, selection, and screening. Instead of large-scale MOIPs, governments should strive to create an institutional framework that levels the playing field for potential entrepreneurs while encouraging productive entrepreneurship.
The Cost of Missions: Lessons from Brazilian Shipbuilding
Authors: Alves André Cherubini
Published: February 2024

This chapter focuses on the challenges of implementing mission-oriented policies (MOPs) in developing countries, with a particular emphasis on the Brazilian shipbuilding sector. The aim is to analyze the difficulties associated with setting MOPs and their impact on market creation and innovation. Despite the implementation of comprehensive institutional arrangements to foster technological and industrial development, the sector’s progress has been hindered by coordination uncertainties and high capability-building costs. The policies initially provided a boost, but the industry ultimately failed to catch up with international competitors. The article highlights the blurred boundary between policy expectations for market creation and the practical limitations of building a thriving industry.
You Can’t Develop What You Don’t Know: The Realities and Limitations of Foreign Aid Missions
Authors: Waldron Kathryn , Coyne Christopher J.
Published: February 2024

Mariana Mazzucato argues that capitalism needs to be rebuilt around private-public partnered “missions.” To facilitate these missions, Mazzucato provides seven pillars to serve as guidelines. Using Mazzucato’s pillars, we critically review US government efforts to develop the local economy and establish new political institutions through foreign aid. We analyze the successfulness of these “missions” by assessing government officials’ ability to overcome the “knowledge problem” and “political economy problems.” We conclude that Mazzucato’s pillars are unlikely to be satisfied due to these dual problems.
A Public Choice Perspective on Mission-Oriented Innovation Policies and the Behavior of Government Agencies
Authors: Björnemalm Rickard , Sandström Christian , Åkesson Nelly
Published: February 2024

Mission-oriented innovation policies put government and state agencies at the forefront of the innovation process. Currently, little is known about the interests of the government agencies in charge of implementing mission-oriented innovation policies. In this chapter, we set out to explore the incentives and behavior of such government agencies. We do so by analyzing 33 annual reports from three government agencies in charge of implementing innovation policies in Sweden over a 10-year period: Sweden’s Innovation Agency (Vinnova), the Swedish Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten), and the Swedish Agency for Regional and Economic Growth (Tillväxtverket). First, we track all cases in these annual reports where an evaluation is mentioned. Identifying 654 instances, we subsequently make a sentiment analysis and code whether these statements are positive, neutral, or negative. Our findings show that 84% of these instances are positive, 12% are neutral, and 4% are negative. Second, we relate these results to more critical evaluations and show that these agencies often ignore research that generates more critical results. In sum, our results suggest that government agencies in charge of implementing mission-oriented policies benefit from the enlarged role they are given and that they act according to their own self-interest.
Bottom-Up Policies Trump Top-Down Missions
Authors: Henrekson Magnus , Stenkula Mikael
Published: February 2024

Mission-oriented innovation policies are becoming increasingly popular among policymakers and scholars. We maintain that these policies are based on an overly mechanistic view of innovation and economic growth, suggesting that a more bottom-up approach is called for. By invoking an entrepreneurial ecosystem perspective, we point out that innovative entrepreneurship requires many other actors—besides the entrepreneur—whose skills and abilities are necessary to realize an entrepreneurial project. When mission-oriented policies play a large role in the economy, connections between actors in the ecosystem risk becoming distorted. An efficient and well-balanced entrepreneurial ecosystem requires instead an institutional framework that levels the playing field for potential entrepreneurs and encourages productive entrepreneurship. To promote this kind of system, we discuss in more detail eight key areas where appropriate horizontal or bottom-up policy measures can foster innovation and, in the end, the welfare-enhancing productive entrepreneurship policymakers and scholars strive for.
The State of the Entrepreneurial State: Empirical Evidence of Mission-Led Innovation Projects around the Globe
Authors: Batbaatar Maral , Larsson Johan P. , Sandström Christian , Wennberg Karl
Published: February 2024

This chapter reviews theoretical rationales for mission-oriented innovation policy and provides an empirical overview of extant 28 papers and 49 cases on the topic. We synthetize varieties of mission formulations, actors involved, and characteristics of missions described as more or less failed or successful. Fifty-nine percent of the studied missions are still ongoing, 33 percent are considered successful, and 8 percent as failures. Sixty-seven percent of the studied missions have taken place in Europe, 24 percent in North America, and 8 percent in Asia. The majority of innovation projects referred to as missions do not fulfill the criteria defined by the OECD. Results suggest that missions related to technological or agricultural innovations are more often successful than broader types of missions aimed at social or ecological challenges. Challenges regarding the governance and evaluation of missions remain unresolved in the literature. We find no case that contains a cost-benefit analysis or takes opportunity cost into account.
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer: Approach to Staging and Surveillance
Authors: Kang Heejun , Kennedy Tabassum A. , Yu Eugene
Published: February 2024

This chapter addresses the rising global burden of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer (HNSCC), a heterogeneous group of cancers in the upper aerodigestive tract. We focus on the pivotal role of imaging modalities like CT, MRI, PET/CT, and US in the early detection, accurate staging, and management of HNSCC. The discussion includes the nuances of TNM staging, key upstaging features, and the evolving role of advanced imaging techniques such as MR/PET. The chapter highlights significant updates in the AJCC/UICC eighth edition, particularly concerning HPV-related cancers and the depth of invasion in oral cavity SCC. Special attention is given to the challenges in diagnosing Neck Cancer of Unknown Primary (NCUP), underlining the importance of integrated imaging, clinical exam, and molecular markers. Overall, the chapter emphasizes the essential role of radiologists in the comprehensive management of HNSCC, combining imaging insights with clinical findings for optimal patient care.
Masses in and Around the Spine
Authors: Vandevenne Jan E. , Kastler Adrian
Published: February 2024

The anatomical spaces in and around the spine encompass the paraspinal compartment, the vertebral compartment and the epidural compartment. Tumors in these compartments may easily spread via adipose corridors, direct contact or hematogenous pathways. Classifications such as the Weinstein-Boriani-Biagini, SINS, and ESCC or Bilsky score are used to grade these tumors. Imaging features of main tumoral and pseudotumoral masses are described and shown in this review. Detection of masses beyond the spine and even beyond the paraspinal space can be of utmost importance and examples are shown why radiologists should avoid tunnel view into the spinal canal.
Gravitational dark matter from minimal preheating
Authors: Zhang Ruopeng , Zheng Sibo
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Following our previous work, we continue to explore gravitational dark matter production during the minimal preheating caused by inflaton self-resonance. In this situation there is only one dimensionless index parameter n characterizing the inflation potential after the end of inflation, which leads to a robust prediction on the gravitational dark matter relic abundance. Using lattice method to handle the non-perturbative evolutions of relevant quantities during the inflaton self-resonance, we derive the gravitational dark matter relic abundance arising from both the inflaton condensate and fluctuation annihilation. While being absent in the large gravitational dark matter mass range for n = 2, the former one can instead dominate over the later one for n = 4, 6. Our results show that gravitational dark matter mass of 1.04 (2.66) × 1014 GeV accommodates the observed value of dark matter relic abundance for n = 4 (6).
Dynamical actions and q-representation theory for double-scaled SYK
Authors: Blommaert Andreas , Mertens Thomas G. , Yao Shunyu
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We show that DSSYK amplitudes are reproduced by considering the quantum mechanics of a constrained particle on the quantum group SUq(1, 1). We construct its left-and right-regular representations, and show that the representation matrices reproduce two-sided wavefunctions and correlation functions of DSSYK. We then construct a dynamical action and path integral for a particle on SUq(1, 1), whose quantization reproduces the aforementioned representation theory. By imposing boundary conditions or constraining the system we find the q-analog of the Schwarzian and Liouville boundary path integral descriptions. This lays the technical groundwork for identifying the gravitational bulk description of DSSYK. We find evidence the theory in question is a sine dilaton gravity, which interestingly is capable of describing both AdS and dS quantum gravity.
Do means-tested childcare subsidies discourage work?
Authors: Vattø Trine Engh , Østbakken Kjersti Misje
Published: February 2024

We examine how means-tested childcare subsidies affect parental labor supply. Using the introduction of reduced childcare prices for low-income families in Norway in 2015, we show that these subsidies may have the unintended effect of discouraging work rather than promoting employment. First, structural labor supply simulations suggest that a negative parental labor supply effect dominates, ex ante. Ex post, we find a small and insignificant effect of means-tested childcare subsidies on parental labor supply in the reform year. We find no statistically significant bunching around the income limits in subsequent years, but we do find negative labor supply effects in subsequent expansions of the reform. Our results suggest that in a context where both parental employment and participation in formal childcare are high, means-tested childcare subsidies may have unintended parental labor supply effects.
On the distribution of modular square roots of primes
Authors: Shkredov Ilya D. , Shparlinski Igor E. , Zaharescu Alexandru
Published: February 2024

We use recent bounds on bilinear sums with modular square roots to study the distribution of solutions to congruences $$x^2 \equiv p \pmod q$$

x
2

≡
p

(
mod

q
)

with primes $$p\leqslant P$$

p
⩽
P

and $$q \leqslant Q$$

q
⩽
Q

. This can be considered as a combined scenario of Duke, Friedlander and Iwaniec with averaging only over the modulus q and of Dunn, Kerr, Shparlinski and Zaharescu with averaging only over p.
3-Manifolds and VOA Characters
Authors: Cheng Miranda C. N. , Chun Sungbong , Feigin Boris , Ferrari Francesca , Gukov Sergei , Harrison Sarah M. , Passaro Davide
Published: February 2024

By studying the properties of q-series $$\widehat{Z}$$

Z
^

-invariants, we develop a dictionary between 3-manifolds and vertex algebras. In particular, we generalize previously known entries in this dictionary to Lie groups of higher rank, to 3-manifolds with toral boundaries, and to BPS partition functions with line operators. This provides a new physical realization of logarithmic vertex algebras in the framework of the 3d-3d correspondence and opens new avenues for their future study. For example, we illustrate how invoking a knot-quiver correspondence for $$\widehat{Z}$$

Z
^

-invariants leads to many infinite families of new fermionic formulae for VOA characters.
Predicting hematoma expansion in acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: integrating clinical factors with a multitask deep learning model for non-contrast head CT
Authors: Lee Hyochul , Lee Junhyeok , Jang Joon , Hwang Inpyeong , Choi Kyu Sung , Park Jung Hyun , Chung Jin Wook , Choi Seung Hong
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To predict hematoma growth in intracerebral hemorrhage patients by combining clinical findings with non-contrast CT imaging features analyzed through deep learning.

Methods

Three models were developed to predict hematoma expansion (HE) in 572 patients. We utilized multi-task learning for both hematoma segmentation and prediction of expansion: the Image-to-HE model processed hematoma slices, extracting features and computing a normalized DL score for HE prediction. The Clinical-to-HE model utilized multivariate logistic regression on clinical variables. The Integrated-to-HE model combined image-derived and clinical data. Significant clinical variables were selected using forward selection in logistic regression. The two models incorporating clinical variables were statistically validated.

Results

For hematoma detection, the diagnostic performance of the developed multi-task model was excellent (AUC, 0.99). For expansion prediction, three models were evaluated for predicting HE. The Image-to-HE model achieved an accuracy of 67.3%, sensitivity of 81.0%, specificity of 64.0%, and an AUC of 0.76. The Clinical-to-HE model registered an accuracy of 74.8%, sensitivity of 81.0%, specificity of 73.3%, and an AUC of 0.81. The Integrated-to-HE model, merging both image and clinical data, excelled with an accuracy of 81.3%, sensitivity of 76.2%, specificity of 82.6%, and an AUC of 0.83. The Integrated-to-HE model, aligning closest to the diagonal line and indicating the highest level of calibration, showcases superior performance in predicting HE outcomes among the three models.

Conclusion

The integration of clinical findings with non-contrast CT imaging features analyzed through deep learning showed the potential for improving the prediction of HE in acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage patients.
Multicentric evaluation of high and low power lasers on RIRS success using propensity score analysis
Authors: Erol Eren , Ecer Gokhan , Kiremit Murat Can , Gokce Mehmet İlker , Balasar Mehmet , Sarikaya Ahmet Furkan , Babayigit Muammer , Karaarslan Umut Can , Aksoy Elif Ipek , Sarica Kemal , Ahmed Kamran , Güven Selçuk
Published: February 2024

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of HPL on different parameters by different centers and urologists. While doing this, we evaluated different parameters by comparing HPL(High Power laser) and LPL(Low-power laser). This is an observational, retrospective, comparative, multicentric study of prospectively organised database. A total of 217 patients who underwent RIRS for kidney stones smaller than 2 cm in three different centers were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups; LPL used (Group1, n:121 patients) and HPL used (Group2, n:96). Propensity score matching was done in the data analysis part. After matching, a total of 192 patients, 96 patients in both groups, were evaluated. There was no difference between the groups regarding age, gender, stone side, and stone location. The stone-free rate on the first day was 80.3% in Group 1, it was 78.1% in Group 2 (p = 0.9). In the third month, it was 90.7% in Group 1 and 87.5% in Group 2 (p:0.7).Hospitalization duration was significantly higher in Group 1. (2.35 ± 2.27 days vs. 1.42 ± 1.10 days; p < 0.001).The operation duration was 88.70 ± 29.72 min in Group1 and 66.17 ± 41.02 min in Group2 (p < 0.001). The fluoroscopy time (FT) was 90.73 ± 4.79 s in Group 1 and 50.78 ± 5.64 s in Group 2 (p < 0.001). Complications according to Clavien Classification, were similar between the groups(p > 0.05). According to our study similar SFR and complication rates were found with HPL and LPL. In addition, patients who used HPL had lower operation time, hospital stay, and fluoroscopy time than the LPL group. Although high-power lasers are expensive in terms of cost, they affect many parameters and strengthen the hand of urologists thanks to the wide energy and frequency range they offer.
Police service district planning
Authors: Vlćek Tobias , Haase Knut , Fliedner Malte , Cors Tobias
Published: February 2024

We propose a new framework to address the territory design problem of emergency services in collaboration with two police authorities in Europe. Our framework serves as a strategic decision support system to assess different districting layouts, department locations, staffing decisions and dispatching strategies. First, we introduce a novel modification of the p-median problem with a combined approach to the contiguity and compactness of district layouts solvable by a commercial solver. Second, we utilize a new discrete event simulation that accounts for the variability of spatial and temporal incident patterns and driving times to evaluate the district layouts according to several criteria based upon up to 1.8 million historical incidents. Our simulation results demonstrate that our proposed district layouts can lead to a reduction of the response time by up to 14.52% while also lowering the dispatch time, the overall driving time, and the number of unanswered calls for service. Additionally, we examine the computational complexity of optimally locating district centers and analyze the more restricted problem of optimally reassigning districts to fixed district centers.
Validity and reliability of measurement of peripheral oxygen saturation during the 6-Minute Walk Test in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Elkjær Amanda Lynggaard , Næser Esben Uggerby , Aaen Katja Thorup , Hovgaard Henrik Lynge , Juhl-Olsen Peter , Bendstrup Elisabeth , Søndergaard Klaus
Published: February 2024

Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) using the fingers may have important limitations due to Raynaud’s phenomenon and sclerodactyly in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Sensors located at more central body positions may be more accurate as these as less prone to Raynaud attacks. To determine the validity and reliability of the SpO2 measured at the finger, forehead, and earlobe during the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Eighty two patients with SSc had an arterial line placed while performing the 6MWT. Peripheral oxygen saturation was simultaneously measured by finger, forehead, and earlobe sensors and compared to the arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) measured before and after the 6MWT. 40 patients repeated the 6MWT one week later to determine re-test reliability. We used Bland–Altman plots to display the agreement between SpO2 and SaO2. The intraclass correlation coefficient for repeated measurement of minimum SpO2 was calculated. The mean difference between SpO2 and SaO2 after the 6MWT was − 3% (SD: ± 5), 0% (SD: ± 2), and 1% (SD: ± 2) for the finger, forehead, and earlobe, respectively. The minimum SpO2 measured at the finger demonstrated the poorest re-test reliability: The ICC (95% CI) showed good agreement using the ear and forehead probe (ICCear = 0.89 [95% CI 0.80; 0.94]; ICCforehead = 0.77 [95% CI 0.60; 0.87]), while a modest reliability was found using the finger probe (ICCfinger = 0.65 95% CI [0.43; 0.80]). SpO2 should be measured using either the earlobe or forehead during the 6MWT in patients with SSc. Clinical Trials.Gov (NCT04650659).
Automated inversion time selection for late gadolinium–enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Xie Cheng , Zhang Rory , Mensink Sebastian , Gandharva Rahul , Awni Mustafa , Lim Hester , Kachel Stefan E. , Cheung Ernest , Crawley Richard , Churilov Leonid , Bettencourt Nuno , Chiribiri Amedeo , Scannell Cian M. , Lim Ruth P.
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To develop and share a deep learning method that can accurately identify optimal inversion time (TI) from multi-vendor, multi-institutional and multi-field strength inversion scout (TI scout) sequences for late gadolinium enhancement cardiac MRI.

Materials and methods

Retrospective multicentre study conducted on 1136 1.5-T and 3-T cardiac MRI examinations from four centres and three scanner vendors. Deep learning models, comprising a convolutional neural network (CNN) that provides input to a long short-term memory (LSTM) network, were trained on TI scout pixel data from centres 1 to 3 to identify optimal TI, using ground truth annotations by two readers. Accuracy within 50 ms, mean absolute error (MAE), Lin’s concordance coefficient (LCCC) and reduced major axis regression (RMAR) were used to select the best model from validation results, and applied to holdout test data. Robustness of the best-performing model was also tested on imaging data from centre 4.

Results

The best model (SE-ResNet18-LSTM) produced accuracy of 96.1%, MAE 22.9 ms and LCCC 0.47 compared to ground truth on the holdout test set and accuracy of 97.3%, MAE 15.2 ms and LCCC 0.64 when tested on unseen external (centre 4) data. Differences in vendor performance were observed, with greatest accuracy for the most commonly represented vendor in the training data.

Conclusion

A deep learning model was developed that can identify optimal inversion time from TI scout images on multi-vendor data with high accuracy, including on previously unseen external data. We make this model available to the scientific community for further assessment or development.

Clinical relevance statement

A robust automated inversion time selection tool for late gadolinium–enhanced imaging allows for reproducible and efficient cross-vendor inversion time selection.

Key Points

• A model comprising convolutional and recurrent neural networks was developed to extract optimal TI from TI scout images.

• Model accuracy within 50 ms of ground truth on multi-vendor holdout and external data of 96.1% and 97.3% respectively was achieved.

• This model could improve workflow efficiency and standardise optimal TI selection for consistent LGE imaging.
The relationship between ablation range and ablation energy in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a comparison between microwave ablation and laser ablation
Authors: Zhong Xinyu , Cao Yuting , Zhang Xinghao , Liu Wengang , Zhou Ping
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To study the relationship between the ablation range and applied energy of laser ablation (LA) and microwave ablation (MWA) in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).

Methods

A total of 201 PTMC patients were treated with LA (n = 102) or MWA (n = 99) with single-applicator fixed ablation. The ablation range was determined by contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The ratios of ablation volume, longitudinal diameter, and orthogonal diameter to ablation energy (RAV/E, RAL/E, RAO/E) were analyzed and compared between MWA and LA. The effects of PTMC characteristics and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) on ablation efficiency were evaluated by linear regression.

Results

The RAV/E was 0.72 (0.65–0.84) mm3/J for MWA and 0.48 (0.39–0.54) mm3/J for LA. HT was significantly correlated with RAV/E of LA (coefficient =  − 0.367, p < 0.0001). RAL/E did not differ significantly between MWA and LA (MWA 0.026 mm/J, LA 0.025 mm/J; p = 0.957). However, MWA had a greater RAO/E than LA (MWA 0.014 mm/J, LA 0.012 mm/J; p < 0.0001). The plateau values of MWA and LA on the ablation orthogonal diameter were 10.7 mm and 8.69 mm, respectively.

Conclusions

MWA showed a higher RAV/E than LA. More intuitively, MWA had a better ablation performance than LA on the orthogonal axis rather than the longitudinal axis. Theoretically, MWA and LA could achieve complete ablation of ≤ 6.70 mm and ≤ 4.69 mm PTMC separately by single-applicator fixed ablation considering a unilateral 2-mm safe margin. HT had a negative effect on LA but not on MWA.

Clinical relevance statement

This study establishes strong connections between ablation energy and ablation range in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) in vivo, possibly contributing to the supplementation of the PTMC Ablation Consensus or Guidelines and providing a scientific basis for choosing clinical ablation parameters in PTMC.

Key Points

• Both microwave ablation (MWA) and laser ablation (LA) have excellent performance on the ablation longitudinal axis (easily exceeding 10 mm) for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).

• MWA performed much better than LA on the ablation orthogonal axis.

• MWA and LA are expected to achieve complete ablation of ≤ 6.70 mm and ≤ 4.69 mm PTMC separately by single-applicator fixed ablation considering a unilateral 2-mm safe margin.