bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative dosimetric analysis of single versus multiple isocenter stereotactic body radiotherapy for liver metastasis
Authors: Jayadevan P M , Sudesh  , Shine N S , Nithin K , Dhanya  
Published: December 2024

Abstract
This study investigates the impact of selecting a single isocenter (SIC) or multiple isocenter (MIC) technique in Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) for multiple liver targets on the dose distribution and delivery efficiency. In this retrospective study, the treatment plans for 26 patients with 2–5 liver lesions were analysed. Each patient treatment plan was created using single and multiple isocenters with 6 MV photon beams, for maximum Planning Target Volume (PTV) coverage while minimising doses to normal liver tissue. The dosimetric parameters compared include PTV coverage (V95%, V98%, V100%), normal liver volume receiving less than 15Gy, mean liver dose, and maximum dose to nearby critical organs. Additionally, the total number of Monitor Units (MU), beam ON time, and gamma analysis were evaluated to assess delivery efficiency. A paired t-test was used to compare various parameters between single and multiple isocenter approaches. MIC demonstrated comparable PTV coverage with a 5.4% lower mean liver dose (p < 0.01) and spared an additional 4.5% of normal liver volume, which is significant. However, this approach resulted in 1.5 times increase in both total MU (p < 0.001) and beam ON time (p < 0.001) compared to the single isocenter plans. No significant differences were observed for the maximum dose to other critical organs or in gamma analysis. MIC provided lower mean liver dose and superior sparing of normal liver which might be critical for patients with compromised liver volume. However, this results in higher MU and longer beam-ON time.
Fast, low-loss, all-optical phase modulation in warm rubidium vapour
Authors: Davis William O C , Burdekin Paul , Wasawo Tabijah , Thomas Sarah E , Mosley Peter J , Nunn Joshua , McGarry Cameron 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Low-loss high-speed switches are an integral component of future photonic quantum technologies, with applications in state generation, multiplexing, and the implementation of quantum gates. Phase modulation is one method of achieving this switching; however, existing optical phase modulators offer either high bandwidth or low loss—not both. We demonstrate fast (100 MHz bandwidth), low-loss (

83
(
2
)

% transmission) phase shifting (

Δ
ϕ
=
(
0.90
(
5
)
)
π

) in a signal field, induced by a control field, and mediated by the two-photon

5

S

1
/
2

→
5

P

3
/
2

→
5

D

5
/
2

transition in 87Rb vapour. The all-optical nature of the scheme circumvents restrictions of electronic phase modulators, where bandwidth and repetition rate can be limited by the requirement to rapidly modulate high voltages. We discuss routes to enhance both performance and scalability for application to a range of quantum and classical technologies.
Time-reversed biphoton source of the double-Λ spontaneous four-wave mixing process
Authors: Huang Wei-Kai , Kim Bongjune , Shih Teng-Jen , Hsu Chia-Yu , Tu Pei-Yu , Lin Tse-Yu , Chen Yong-Fan , Chuu Chih-Sung , Yu Ite A 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Utilizing the double-Λ spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM) process, the biphoton source generates narrow-linewidth pairs of signal and probe photons. In a medium, the signal photon propagates at nearly the speed of light in a vacuum, while the probe photon propagates as slow light. Typically, signal photons arrive at the detector first and are used as the heralding photons in conventional biphoton sources. In this work, we propose using probe photons as the heralding photons to enhance the heralding probability, an approach that has been overlooked previously. We also investigate a time-reversed double-Λ SFWM biphoton source using heated atomic vapor. Compared with the conventional biphoton source under the same experimental conditions, the time-reversed one exhibits a time-reversed temporal profile with a similar full-width-at-half-maximum linewidth of 3.4 MHz, increased the heralding efficiency by a factor of 5.3, and enhanced the detection rate by 1.3 times. With the time-reversed source, we achieved a heralding probability of 82±6% and a generation rate of (1.8 ± 0.2)× 106 pairs/s, referring to biphotons collected within polarization-maintained single-mode optical fibers. Furthermore, the time-reversed temporal profile is more suitable for quantum memory. Simulation results show that, at an optical depth of 150 (or 50), the storage efficiency of a quantum memory using the time-reversed source can reach 91% (or 81%), compared with 81% (or 67%) using the conventional source. This study demonstrates the significance of using the slow-light photon in biphoton pairs as the heralding photon for quantum operations. We have achieved a biphoton source with high heralding probability, high generation rate, and narrow linewidth in a room-temperature or hot medium.
Dynamic selectout and voting-based federated learning for enhanced medical image analysis
Authors: Iqbal Saeed , Qureshi Adnan N , Alhussein Musaed , Aurangzeb Khursheed , Mahmood Atif , Razalli Bin Azzuhri Saaidal 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Federated learning (FL) is a promising technique for training machine learning models on distributed, privacy-aware datasets. Nevertheless, FL faces difficulties with agent/client participation, model performance, and the heterogeneous nature of networked data sources when it comes to distributed healthcare systems. When these agents work together in the system, it is imperative to tackle the complexities of distributed deep learning. We suggest a novel approach that uses a voting mechanism and dynamic SelectOut inside the FL framework to address these problems. Local medical imaging datasets frequently show diversity in distribution and data imbalances. In certain situations, traditional FL techniques like FedProx and federated averaging, which depend on data size to weight contributions, might not be the optimal choice. In order to improve parameter aggregation and client selection unpredictability and increase the model’s adaptability to imbalanced and heterogeneous datasets, our proposed FedVoteNet model introduces SelectOut techniques based on voting methodology. Based on how much their local performance has improved from the last communication cycle, we arbitrarily remove clients. Additionally eliminated are clients whose model weights when combined with the global model adversely affect its performance. Our method is further enhanced by the inclusion of a voting mechanism. At the conclusion of each communication cycle, clients that improve both their local performance and their contribution to the global model are awarded higher voting values. This encourages more significant and effective contributions from clients by providing incentives for them to actively increase the diversity of their training data. We assess our approach on a dataset of medical images, including magnetic resonance imaging scans, and find that the FL model performs noticeably better (F1 Score = 0.968, Sensitivity = 0.977, Specificity = 0.945, and AUC = 0.950). The voting system and the dynamic SelectOut algorithms improve the convergence of the FL model and successfully handle the difficulties presented by uneven and heterogeneous datasets. To sum up, our proposed approach uses voting and dynamic SelectOut techniques to improve FL performance on a variety of uneven, distributed, and varied datasets. This strategy has a lot of potential to improve FL across a range of applications, especially those that prioritize data privacy, diversity, and performance.
Climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems
Authors: Guild Ryan , Wang Xiuquan , Quijón Pedro A 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
As the planet undergoes unprecedented climate changes, coastal ecosystems stand at the frontline of ocean-land interactions and environmental changes. This overview explores the various climate-related challenges transforming coastal ecosystems and their responses to these pressures. Key climate-related stressors—including warming, sea level rise, ocean acidification, changes to freshwater availability, and shifts in circulation and disturbance patterns—pose significant threats to both the structure and function of these ecosystems. These stressors impact every level of biological organization, with modern responses manifesting as ecosystem degradation and shifts toward simpler, less biodiverse states—trends likely to intensify with ongoing emissions. Compounded by local human disturbances, these stressors risk overwhelming the adaptive capacity of coastal ecosystems, restructuring coastal food webs, and compromising the essential ecosystem services that currently underpin productivity, storm protection, and water quality in coastal zones. Future trajectories of change in coastal ecosystems will largely depend on the extent of future greenhouse gas emissions and human activities in and around coastal zones. However, critical knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding the interactions among stressors and the nature of ecological tipping points. Addressing these gaps through further research will be necessary to improve projections of future impacts and support the conservation and resilience of these valuable ecosystems.
Browsers and the Web
Authors: Panchekha Pavel , Harrelson Chris 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
I—this is Chris speaking—have known the web1 for all of my adult life. The web for me is something of a technological companion, and I’ve never been far from it in my studies or my work. Perhaps it’s been the same for you. And using the web means using a browser. I hope, as you read this book, that you fall in love with web browsers, just like I did.
Keeping Data Private
Authors: Panchekha Pavel , Harrelson Chris 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Our browser has grown up and now runs (small) web applications. With one final step—user identity via cookies—it will be able to run all sorts of personalized online services. But capability demands responsibility: our browser must now secure cookies against adversaries interested in stealing them. Luckily, browsers have sophisticated systems for controlling access to cookies and preventing their misuse.
Scheduling Tasks and Threads
Authors: Panchekha Pavel , Harrelson Chris 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Modern browsers must handle user input, request remote files, run various callbacks, and ultimately render to the screen, all while staying fast and responsive. That requires a unified task abstraction to keep track of the browser’s pending work. Moreover, browser work must be split across multiple CPU threads, with different threads running tasks in parallel to maximize responsiveness.
Supporting Embedded Content
Authors: Panchekha Pavel , Harrelson Chris 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
While our browser can render complex styles, visual effects, and animations, all of those apply basically just to text. Yet web pages contain a variety of non-text embedded content, from images to other web pages. Support for embedded content has powerful implications for browser architecture, performance, security, and open information access, and has played a key role throughout the web’s history.
What Wasn’t Covered
Authors: Panchekha Pavel , Harrelson Chris 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
The last 16 chapters have, I hope, given you a solid understanding of all of the major components of a web browser, from the network requests it makes to the way it stores your data safely. With such a vast topic I had to leave a few things out. Here’s my list of the most important things not covered by this book, in no particular order.
Association of early-life factors with biological age acceleration and the mediating effect of social environment risks in middle-aged and older adults
Authors: Liu Xiaojing , Jin Ming , Yang Zeping , Zhang Ziyi , Huang Ninghao , Huang Tao , Li Nan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Adverse early-life events influence the health with ageing throughout the life course. However, the effects of combined early-life risks on ageing acceleration in adults and the roles of social environment risks remain unknown.

Objective
To investigate associations of maternal smoking, breastfeeding and birth weight with accelerated biological age (BA), and to explore genetic-predicted effect and mediating effect of social environment risks.

Design
Population-based prospective cohort.

Setting
UK Biobank.

Subjects
151 773 participants.

Methods
We used Klemera–Doubal BA (KDM-BA), PhenoAge and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) as BA biomarkers. Associations of early-life risk factors and score with BA acceleration were estimated using linear regression models. Genetic risk score (GRS) was calculated based on genetic variations for maternal smoking and birth weight. Polysocial risk scores (PsRS) for each BA were calculated by summing the number of dichotomised social environment factors significantly associated with each of the three BA biomarkers.

Results
Maternal smoking, non-breastfeeding and low birth weight were individually associated with BA acceleration. The early-life risk score was significantly associated with accelerated KDM-BA and PhenoAge and shorter LTL. The effects of GRS on accelerated BA were in the same direction. The BA-specific PsRS mediated the accelerated KDM-BA and PhenoAge and shorter LTL by 8.37%, 22.34% and 7.90%, respectively.

Conclusions
Our findings demonstrated a dose-dependent association of combined early-life risks with accelerated BA in middle-aged and older adults, partially mediated by social environment risks. The findings highlight the importance of early identification and surveillance of high-risk individuals for ageing acceleration during adulthood.
Occupational health of drilling waste workers as related to microbial exposure and waste treatment methods
Authors: Eriksen Elke , Daae Hanne Line , Afanou Anani Komlavi , Madsen Anne Mette , Graff Pål 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Exposure to microorganisms is a known contributor to occupational disease. This study assessed drilling waste workers’ health status and investigated the potential of inhalable bioaerosols to elicit an immune response in vitro and in vivo.

Methods
Venous blood and self-reported health data were collected from 56 and 73 Norwegian drilling waste workers, respectively. Immunological effects were assessed as Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation potential of personal air samples in vitro and biomarker expression in workers’ plasma samples in vivo. Parameters, such as BMI, sex, and smoking habits, were considered along with factors such as purification technology of drilling waste when biomarker expression was interpreted. Symptom prevalence among exposed workers was compared to an unexposed control group.

Results
Personal air samples activated TLR signalling in vitro in 90% of all cases. The activation potential correlated significantly with work exposure to microbial agents and total dust. Significant differences in biomarker expression and symptom prevalence were identified between purification technologies and exposure groups. Drilling waste workers had significantly increased OR of skin irritation and respiratory symptoms compared to the control group.

Conclusions
Exposure to microorganisms during the treatment of offshore drilling waste is an occupational health concern.
The Moderating Role of Online Awareness in the Association between Strategy Use and Performance Accuracy on a Test of Functional Cognition in Individuals with Acquired Brain Injury
Authors: Salazar-Frías Daniel , Funes María Jesús , Szot Ana Clara , Laffarga Lucía , Navarro-Egido Alba , Rodríguez-Bailón María 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Objective
Deficits in online self-awareness (SA) are common after acquired brain injury (ABI), leading to safety concerns and impacting daily activities and rehabilitation outcomes. Early identification is recommended as a critical first step in cognitive rehabilitation following ABI. The aim of this observational study was to examine differences in online SA and strategy use between individuals with ABI and healthy controls. It also investigated whether online SA moderates the relationship between strategy use and performance accuracy on a test designed to assess cognitive-functional deficits.

Method
80 individuals with ABI and 76 controls completed the Spanish Weekly Calendar Planning Activity-10. Measures of online SA included strategy use and self-recognized errors assessed during task. An after-task interview assessed individuals’ self-evaluation of task difficulty and accuracy of performance.

Results
Individuals with ABI performed worse than controls on most measures of online SA. They were less likely to self-recognize errors and use self-monitoring strategies. They also tended to overestimate their performance and showed greater discrepancy between self-rated and actual performance. Moderation analyses show that better performance was significantly associated with greater strategy use among ABI individuals who were aware of their performance.

Conclusions
Online SA appears to moderate the use of cognitive strategies during functional cognitive performance after ABI. Therefore, it is important to include assessments of online SA and strategy use for individuals with ABI. Furthermore, these findings highlight the importance of focusing on SA and self-generated strategies as key goals of cognitive rehabilitation aimed at improving daily functioning after ABI.
CapHLA: a comprehensive tool to predict peptide presentation and binding to HLA class I and class II
Authors: Chang Yunjian , Wu Ligang 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I) and class II (HLA-II) proteins play an essential role in epitope binding and presentation to initiate an immune response. Accurate prediction of peptide-HLA (pHLA) binding and presentation is critical for developing effective immunotherapies. However, current tools can predict antigens exclusively for pHLA-I or pHLA-II, but not both; have constraints on peptide length; and commonly show unsatisfactory predictive accuracy. Here, we developed a convolution and attention-based model, CapHLA, trained with eluted ligand and binding affinity mass spectrometry data, to predict peptide presentation probability (PB) and binding affinities (BA) for HLA-I and HLA-II. In comparison with 11 other methods, CapHLA consistently showed improved performance in predicting pHLA BA and PB, particularly in HLA-II and non-classical peptide length datasets. Using CapHLA PB and BA predictions in combination with antigen expression level (EP) from transcriptomic data, we developed a neoantigen quality model for predicting immunotherapy response. In analyses of clinical response among 276 cancer patients given immunotherapy and overall survival in 7228 cancer patients, our neoantigen quality model outperformed other genetics-based models in predicting response to checkpoint inhibitors and patient prognosis. This study provides a versatile neoantigen screening tool, illustrating the prognostic value of neoantigen quality.
Sympatry, syntopy, and species age: disentangling drivers of signal evolution in a large radiation of passerine birds (Meliphagides)
Authors: Leroy Hélène , Harmáčková Lenka , Friedman Nicholas R , Remeš Vladimír 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
The evolution of signalling traits is crucial in species diversification, because they can become effective barriers to interspecific hybridization. Among various selection pressures acting on signal evolution, species interactions can reinforce signal divergence via reproductive character displacement, especially during secondary sympatry. Although previous evidence suggests that sympatry promotes signal divergence, methods using large-scale geographical range overlap fail to capture local co-occurrence (syntopy), an essential prerequisite of species interactions. In this study, we used 116 sympatric species pairs of Meliphagides, a large radiation of Australasian passerines, to test simultaneously the effects of node age, range sympatry, and, for the first time, local syntopy on colour and song divergence. Signal divergence increased with node age (although not consistently). However, we did not find conclusive evidence that sympatry was driving signal evolution, probably owing to a necessary exclusion of allopatric pairs from our analyses. Furthermore, we did not demonstrate any significant effect of syntopy on signal evolution. This could suggest that reinforcement of signal divergence in sympatry (and syntopy) is not as common as previously thought, with neutral trait drift potentially being a more dominant driver. Alternatively, constraints on signal evolution might prevent trait divergence.
Salivary oxytocin and amygdalar alterations in functional neurological disorders
Authors: Weber Samantha , Stoffel Natascha , Ansede-Bermejo Juan , Cruz Raquel , Del Real Bolt Álvaro , Bruckmaier Rupert , Carracedo Ángel , Aybek Selma 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Individuals diagnosed with functional neurological disorder experience abnormal movement, gait, sensory processing or functional seizures, for which research into the pathophysiology identified psychosocial contributing factors as well as promising biomarkers. Recent pilot studies suggested that (epi-)genetic variants may act as vulnerability factors, for example, on the oxytocin pathway. This study set out to explore endogenous oxytocin hormone levels in saliva in a cohort of 59 functional neurological disorder patients and 65 healthy controls comparable in sex and age. First, we examined the association between salivary oxytocin levels with the genetic allelic variant (rs53576) of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), its epigenetic changes indicated by methylation rates, and clinical variables—including childhood trauma. Second, due to previously reported effects of oxytocin changing the volume and functional connectivity of the amygdala, as well as the known involvement of the amygdala in the pathophysiology of functional neurological disorders, we further looked at both structural and functional imaging of the amygdala. While patients did not significantly differ from healthy control in their peripheral oxytocin levels, there was a specific interaction of OXTR methylation and peripheral oxytocin dependent on group: higher methylation rates correlated with higher salivary oxytocin in patients only, while this was not the case in healthy control [F(1109) = 8.92, P = 0.003, d = 0.541]. Moreover, patients with the AA-genotype (minor allele) of the rs53576 genetic variant of the OXTR gene presented with higher OXTR methylation levels [F(2106) = 10.25, P &lt; 0.0001, d = 0.58]. Lastly, amygdalar connectivity to the hippocampus, the posterior cingulate cortex, the inferior parietal cortex and the inferior temporal cortex as well as smaller amygdalar volume were correlated to peripheral oxytocin levels in patients only [F(2,38) = 5.36, P = 0.025, d = 0.431], but not in healthy control. No significant interactions with childhood trauma were identified. Our study revealed a significant interplay between peripheral oxytocin and OXTR methylation in patients only, potentially influenced by genotype. One could hypothesize that higher peripheral oxytocin denotes a compensatory mechanisms for the increased methylation of the OXTR, which might affect amygdalar functional connectivity. These findings help to further understand underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, considering oxytocin’s involvement in functional patients and could offer a potential site of treatment for future studies.