bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of surface‐guided patient setup for conventional radiotherapy of brain and nasopharynx cancer
Authors: Lee Sang Kyu , Huang Sheng , Zhang Lei , Ballangrud Ase M. , Aristophanous Michalis , Cervino Arriba Laura I. , Li Guang 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the accuracy of surface‐guided radiotherapy (SGRT) in cranial patient setup by direct comparison between optical surface imaging (OSI) and cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT), before applying SGRT‐only setup for conventional radiotherapy of brain and nasopharynx cancer.Methods and MaterialsUsing CBCT as reference, SGRT setup accuracy was examined based on 269 patients (415 treatments) treated with frameless cranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) during 2018‐2019. Patients were immobilized in customized head molds and open‐face masks and monitored using OSI during treatment. The facial skin area in planning CT was used as OSI region of interest (ROI) for automatic surface alignment and the skull was used as the landmark for automatic CBCT/CT registration. A 6 degrees of freedom (6DOF) couch was used. Immediately after CBCT setup, an OSI verification image was captured, recording the SGRT setup differences. These differences were analyzed in 6DOFs and as a function of isocenter positions away from the anterior surface to assess OSI‐ROI bias. The SGRT in‐room setup time was estimated and compared with CBCT and orthogonal 2D kilovoltage (2DkV) setups.ResultsThe SGRT setup difference (magnitude) is found to be 1.0 ± 2.5 mm and 0.1˚±1.4˚ on average among 415 treatments and within 5 mm/3˚ with greater than 95% confidence level (P < 0.001). Outliers were observed for very‐posterior isocenters: 15 differences (3.6%) are >5.0mm and 9 (2.2%) are >3.0˚. The setup differences show minor correlations (|r| < 0.45) between translational and rotational DOFs and a minor increasing trend (<1.0 mm) in the anterior‐to‐posterior direction. The SGRT setup time is 0.8 ± 0.3 min, much shorter than CBCT (5 ± 2 min) and 2DkV (2 ± 1 min) setups.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that SGRT has sufficient accuracy for fast in‐room patient setup and allows real‐time motion monitoring for beam holding during treatment, potentially useful to guide radiotherapy of brain and nasopharynx cancer with standard fractionation.
Enhancement of Photovoltaic Current through Dark States in Donor‐Acceptor Pairs of Tungsten‐Based Transition Metal Di‐Chalcogenides
Authors: Roy Sayan , Hu Zixuan , Kais Sabre , Bermel Peter 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAs several photovoltaic materials experimentally approach the Shockley–Queisser limit, there has been a growing interest in unconventional materials and approaches with the potential to cross this efficiency barrier. One such candidate is dark state protection induced by the dipole–dipole interaction between molecular excited states. This phenomenon has been shown to significantly reduce carrier recombination rate and enhance photon‐to‐current conversion, in elementary models consisting of few interacting chromophore centers. Atomically thin 2D transition metal di‐chalcogenides (TMDCs) have shown great potential for use as ultra‐thin photovoltaic materials in solar cells due to their favorable photon absorption and electronic transport properties. TMDC alloys exhibit tunable direct bandgaps and significant dipole moments. In this work, the dark state protection mechanism has been introduced to a TMDC based photovoltaic system with pure tungsten diselenide (WSe2) as the acceptor material and the TMDC alloy tungsten sulfo‐selenide (WSeS) as the donor material. Our numerical model demonstrates the first application of the dark state protection mechanism to a photovoltaic material with a photon current enhancement of up to 35% and an ideal photon‐to‐current efficiency exceeding the Shockley–Queisser limit.
Robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer and periampullary lesions
Authors: Shyr Yi‐Ming , Wang Shin‐E , Chen Shih‐Chin , Shyr Bor‐Uei , Shyr Bor‐Shiuan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPancreaticoduodenectomy, so‐called “Whipple operation,” is a time‐consuming and technically demanding complex operation. Traditionally, this procedure has been performed most usually by open approach, which results in a large and painful wound. With the introduction of laparoscopic and robotic surgery, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has emerged as a worldwide trend to improve wound cosmesis and to minimize wound pain. Although MIS for pancreaticoduodenectomy has also been attempted at some centers, the role of MIS, either robotic or laparoscopic approach, has not been well‐established for complex pancreaticoduodenectomy. Given that laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy has been limited by its technical complexity and the high level of advanced laparoscopic skills required for pancreatic reconstruction, a robotic surgical system is introduced to overcome several limitations related to the laparoscopic approach. Providing high‐quality three‐dimensional (3‐D) vision, high optical magnification, articulation of robotic instruments, greater precision with suture targeting, and elimination of surgeon tremor, robotic surgical systems innovatively perform more delicate and complex procedures involving extensive dissection and suturing techniques such as pancreaticoduodenectomy. Although associated with longer operative time, robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD) has been claimed to have the benefits of less delayed gastric emptying, less blood loss, shorter length of postoperative stay, and lower wound infection rate, as compared with the traditional open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD). Moreover, RPD seems to be not only technically feasible but also justified without compromising the survival outcomes for pancreatic head and ampullary adenocarcinomas. Therefore, RPD could be recommended not only to surgeons but also to patients in terms of surgical feasibility, surgical outcomes, and patient satisfaction.
Respiratory health and silicosis in artisanal mine workers in southern Brazil
Authors: Souza Tamires P. , van Tongeren Martie , Monteiro Inês 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundArtisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM) are an important source of employment in southern Brazil. Mining workers are frequently exposed to unhealthy work conditions which increase the risk of occupational diseases. In this study, we assessed the association of sociodemographic factors and the occupational history of artisanal mining workers with the risk of adverse respiratory outcomes.MethodsThe study was conducted with 258 artisanal mining workers in southern Brazil, who were exposed to dust (mainly crystalline silica) in their work. Information on sociodemographic variables and occupational histories was collected between 2017 and 2018. To estimate the worker's exposure to inhalable dust we use the Advanced REACH (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals) Tool (ART).ResultsStudy participants were all men, with an average age of 40 years. Median crude dust exposure estimated by ART was 13.2 mg/m³ and median crude crystalline silica exposure was 1.6 mg/m3. The prevalence ratio (PR) for self‐reported silicosis was 3.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.39–7.17) in workers with 20 years or more of mining work. Factors associated with silicosis were age, pack‐years of tobacco use, and body mass index. Smokers were over twice as likely to report respiratory symptoms.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that a high prevalence of silicosis and other associated diseases in mining workers is associated with both unhealthy work environment conditions and the health profile of workers. This study is an important step for understanding health outcomes from work in ASM.
Impact on the personality of engineering students based on project‐based learning
Authors: Salankar Nilima , Koundal Deepika , Hu Yu‐Chen 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn an engineering study, the project/knowledge application module has a great weightage where students get an opportunity for the application of knowledge. Project evaluation consists of the following phases: documentation, presentation, teamwork, and leadership. This study has used the entire duration of the project assessment process for the evaluation of personality changes along with the academic assessment for the duration of 2 years. The intervention used for the evaluation is strongly correlated with five factors (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) of the OCEAN model. Statistical and descriptive tests are used for the assessment of the relationship of interventions on academic performance, personality development, and placement activity with 95% confidence. The survey has been conducted at the end of 2 years to validate the obtained results on the basis of interventions. From the results, it has been found that students can actually work upon personality enhancement till the 7th semester whereas the improvement in learning and analytical skills is a continuous process and the students in the 8th semester have shown significant variation in these two assessed parameters. Thus, the proposed intervention approach is an appropriate tool, which helps students to improve their personality at five factors of the OCEAN model results in 360° enhancement in the personality along with academic performance.
Chromosome 22q11.21 and 11p15.4 microdeletions confirmed by high‐throughput sequencing analysis in one patient with asymmetric cry syndrome: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Pang Yonghong , Yu Yang , Deng Xiaoyi , Liu Qian , Yan Junmei , Gao Xiangyu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHealthcare providers treating newborns with asymmetric cry syndrome should consider 22q11.2 microdeletion within the differential diagnosis list and order appropriate genetic testing.
Application of reactive extraction for the separation of pseudomonic acids: Influencing factors, interfacial mechanism, and process modelling
Authors: Lazar Roxana Georgiana , Blaga Alexandra Cristina , Dragoi Elena Niculina , Galaction Anca Irina , Cascaval Dan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMupirocin (a mixture of A, B, C, and D pseudomonic acids—four complex, similar structures) is an antibiotic belonging to the monocarboxylic acid class, used to cure infections caused by bacteria (Gram‐positive), especially methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Its biotechnological production and separation need constant attention, as improving antibiotics is important in the pharmaceutical industry. This is the first study regarding pseudomonic acids separation through reactive extraction; the experiments were focused on finding a proper combination of extractant and diluent for optimization of the separation yield. The pH influence (4–9) and extractant (TOA and Amberlite LA‐2, 5–20 g/L) concentration dissolved in n‐heptane (green solvent) have been analyzed, obtaining the maximum extraction yield (88.78%) at pH 4, 20 g/L extractant, and 10% octanol added to the organic solvent. The addition of the phase modifier, 1‐octanol, improved the extraction yield by 2.6 times for Pseudomonic acid A due to interactions of formed complexes with the phase modifier that improves its solubility. The experimental results for determining the mechanism of the interfacial reaction showed that, regardless of the pH value and solvent polarity (modified by the addition of 1‐octanol), only one molecule of Pseudomonic acid A and extractant react at the aqueous‐organic interface. In addition, the system was modelled and optimized with a methodology combining artificial neural networks (ANN) and differential evolution.
The effect of particle size on flow in a continuous oscillatory baffled reactor using CFD
Authors: Jimeno Guillermo , Lee Yeaw Chu , Ni Xiong‐Wei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractExperimental and numerical characterizations of flow in continuous oscillatory baffled reactors (COBR) have mainly been based on single phase in past decades. By coupling a primary Eulerian liquid phase with a secondary discrete Lagrangian phase consisting of solid particles of given density and size, this work investigates the effects of particle size on axial dispersion, evaluates residence times and velocities of particles, and quantifies the oscillation dampening caused by the presence of solid particles in a COBR.
Adaptive Neuro‐Fuzzy Inference System‐Particle swarm optimization‐based clustering approach and hybrid Moth‐flame cuttlefish optimization algorithm for efficient routing in wireless sensor network
Authors: Pattnaik Satyajit , Sahu Pradip Kumar 
Published: March 2021

SummaryThe selection of good rendezvous points (RPs) is a significant role for M2obile Sink (MS) in the wireless sensor network (WSN). For the mobile sink, the selection of RP is one of the major problems in WSN. The rendezvous points are only selected based on the local information, so the possibility of selecting an optimal sensor node as RP will be extremely low. The next problem is to find the mobile sink path which visits all the RPs. The above problem is comprehended by utilizing an optimization algorithm. In this paper, Adaptive Neuro‐Fuzzy Inference System‐Particle swarm optimization based clustering approach and hybrid Moth‐flame cuttlefish optimization (MFO‐CFO) algorithm for efficient routing in WSN is proposed. Initially, the number of clusters is formed due to the Fuzzy C‐means (FCM) based Ant lion optimization (ALO) clustering approach. An Adaptive Neuro‐Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) based Particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique is presented for best cluster head (CH) selection. Here, residual energy (RE), node degree, and histories are considered as an input parameter to find the optimal cluster head. At last, we use hybrid MFO‐CFO techniques to find the minimum RPs which decreases energy consumption. The performance metrics of end to end (E2E) delay, energy consumption, channel load, throughput, bit error rate (BER), Network Life Time (NLT), packet delivery ratio (PDR), latency, jitter, and packet loss are computed using several nodes. The performance is compared with some existing algorithms such as Genetic Approach (GA), Fuzzy, PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization), Multiple Access Data Gathering using Mobile Sink for Path Constrained Environment (MADGAMSPCE).
Association of cognitive impairment severity with potentially avoidable readmissions: A retrospective cohort study of 8897 older patients
Authors: Mitsutake Seigo , Ishizaki Tatsuro , Tsuchiya‐Ito Rumiko , Furuta Ko , Hatakeyama Akira , Sugiyama Mika , Toba Kenji , Ito Hideki 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionUnderstanding the association between cognitive impairment severity and potentially avoidable readmissions (PARs) in older patients may facilitate the identification of at‐risk individuals who would benefit from readmission prevention measures.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study was conducted using claims data linked with routinely collected cognitive impairment assessment results from a general acute care hospital in Tokyo, Japan. Patients were 65 years or age or older who were discharged from the subject hospital to home or a facility between July 2016 and September 2018.ResultsA multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for covariates showed that the odds of PARs within 90 days to the subject hospital for patients with moderate and severe cognitive impairment were 1.418 times (95% confidence interval: 1.005‐2.002) and 2.212 times (95% confidence interval: 1.206‐4.058) higher, respectively, that for patients with normal cognition.DiscussionOlder inpatients with later‐stage cognitive impairment may represent a suitable target population for transitional care programs aimed at reducing readmissions.
Location, but not defensive genotype, determines ectomycorrhizal community composition in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings
Authors: Downie Jim , Taylor Andy F. S. , Iason Glenn , Moore Ben , Silvertown Jonathan , Cavers Stephen , Ennos Richard 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

For successful colonization of host roots, ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi must overcome host defense systems, and defensive phenotypes have previously been shown to affect the community composition of EM fungi associated with hosts. Secondary metabolites, such as terpenes, form a core part of these defense systems, but it is not yet understood whether variation in these constitutive defenses can result in variation in the colonization of hosts by specific fungal species.

We planted seedlings from twelve maternal families of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) of known terpene genotype reciprocally in the field in each of six sites. After 3 months, we characterized the mycorrhizal fungal community of each seedling using a combination of morphological categorization and molecular barcoding, and assessed the terpene chemodiversity for a subset of the seedlings. We examined whether parental genotype or terpene chemodiversity affected the diversity or composition of a seedling's mycorrhizal community.

While we found that terpene chemodiversity was highly heritable, we found no evidence that parental defensive genotype or a seedling's terpene chemodiversity affected associations with EM fungi. Instead, we found that the location of seedlings, both within and among sites, was the only determinant of the diversity and makeup of EM communities.

These results show that while EM community composition varies within Scotland at both large and small scales, variation in constitutive defensive compounds does not determine the EM communities of closely cohabiting pine seedlings. Patchy distributions of EM fungi at small scales may render any genetic variation in associations with different species unrealizable in field conditions. The case for selection on traits mediating associations with specific fungal species may thus be overstated, at least in seedlings.
Transcriptome assembly and differential gene expression of the invasive avian malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum in Hawaiʻi
Authors: Videvall Elin , Paxton Kristina L. , Campana Michael G. , Cassin‐Sackett Loren , Atkinson Carter T. , Fleischer Robert C. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum (lineage GRW4) was introduced less than a century ago to the native avifauna of Hawaiʻi, where it has since caused major declines of endemic bird populations. One of the native bird species that is frequently infected with GRW4 is the Hawaiʻi ʻamakihi (Chlorodrepanis virens). To achieve a better understanding of the transcriptional activities of this virulent parasite, we performed a controlled challenge experiment of 15 ʻamakihi that were infected with GRW4. Blood samples containing malaria parasites were collected at two time points (intermediate and peak infection stages) from host individuals that were either experimentally infected by mosquitoes or inoculated with infected blood. We then used RNA sequencing to assemble a high‐quality blood transcriptome of P. relictum GRW4, allowing us to quantify parasite expression levels inside individual birds. We found few significant differences (one to two transcripts) in GRW4 expression levels between host infection stages and between inoculation methods. However, 36 transcripts showed differential expression levels among all host individuals, indicating a potential presence of host‐specific gene regulation across hosts. To reduce the extinction risk of the remaining native bird species in Hawaiʻi, genetic resources of the local Plasmodium lineage are needed to enable further molecular characterization of this parasite. Our newly built Hawaiian GRW4 transcriptome assembly, together with analyses of the parasite's transcriptional activities inside the blood of Hawaiʻi ʻamakihi, can provide us with important knowledge on how to combat this deadly avian disease in the future.
Turning to the dark side: LED light at night alters the activity and species composition of a foraging bat assemblage in the northeastern United States
Authors: Seewagen Chad L. , Adams Amanda M. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractArtificial light at night (ALAN) is a rapidly intensifying form of environmental degradation that can impact wildlife by altering light‐mediated physiological processes that control a broad range of behaviors. Although nocturnal animals are most vulnerable, ALAN's effects on North American bats have been surprisingly understudied. Most of what is known is based on decades‐old observations of bats around street lights with traditional lighting technologies that have been increasingly replaced by energy‐efficient broad‐spectrum lighting, rendering our understanding of the contemporary effects of ALAN on North American bats even less complete. We experimentally tested the effects of broad‐spectrum ALAN on presence/absence, foraging activity, and species composition in a Connecticut, USA bat community by illuminating foraging habitat with light‐emitting diode (LED) floodlights and comparing acoustic recordings between light and dark conditions. Lighting dramatically decreased presence and activity of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), which we detected on only 14% of light nights compared with 65% of dark (lights off) and 69% of control (lights removed) nights. Big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) activity on light nights averaged only half that of dark and control nights. Lighting did not affect presence/absence of silver‐haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans), but decreased their activity. There were no effects on eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis) or hoary bats (L. cinereus), which have been described previously as light‐tolerant. Aversion to lighting by some species but not others caused a significant shift in community composition, thereby potentially altering competitive balances from natural conditions. Our results demonstrate that only a small degree of ALAN can represent a significant form of habitat degradation for some North American bats, including the endangered little brown bat. Research on the extent to which different lighting technologies, colors, and intensities affect these species is urgently needed and should be a priority in conservation planning for North America's bats.
Seizures in Sotos syndrome: Phenotyping in 49 patients
Authors: Fortin Olivier , Vincelette Christian , Khan Afsheen Q. , Berrahmoune Saoussen , Dassi Christelle , Karimi Mitra , Scheffer Ingrid E. , Lu Jun , Davis Kellie , Myers Kenneth A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe aimed to describe the phenotypic spectrum of seizures in Sotos syndrome, a genetic condition involving overgrowth, macrocephaly, dysmorphic features, and learning disability, in which 60%‐90% have NSD1 pathogenic variants. Patients were recruited from clinics and referral from support groups. Those with seizures and a clinical diagnosis of Sotos syndrome were included. Phenotyping data were collected via structured clinical interview and chart review. Forty‐nine patients were included. Twenty had NSD1 testing results available; of these, 15 (75%) had NSD1 pathogenic variants. Seizure onset age ranged from 3 months to 12 years. Staring spells (absence or focal impaired awareness seizure) were the most frequently reported semiology (33/49; 67%), followed by febrile seizures (25/49; 51%) and afebrile bilateral tonic‐clonic seizures (25/49; 51%). Most patients (33/49; 67%) had multiple seizure types. The majority (33/49; 67%) had seizures controlled on a single antiseizure medication or no medication. Nine (18%) had drug‐resistant epilepsy. Epilepsy syndromes included febrile seizures plus, Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome, childhood absence epilepsy, and generalized tonic‐clonic seizures alone. The seizure phenotype in Sotos syndrome most commonly involves staring spells, afebrile tonic‐clonic seizures or febrile convulsions; however, other seizure types may occur. Seizures are typically well‐controlled with medication, but drug‐resistant epilepsy occurs in a minority.