bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
X-ray coronary angiography background subtraction by adaptive weighted total variation regularized online RPCA
Authors: Shakeri Saeid , Almasganj Farshad 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Objective. X-ray coronary angiograms (XCA) are widely used in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases. Various structures with independent motion patterns in the background of XCA images and limitations in the dose of injected contrast agent have resulted in low-contrast XCA images. Background subtraction methods have been developed to enhance the visibility and contrast of coronary vessels in XCA sequences, consequently reducing the requirement for excessive contrast agent injections. Approach. The current study proposes an adaptive weighted total variation regularized online RPCA (WTV-ORPCA) method, which is a low-rank and sparse subspaces decomposition approach to subtract the background of XCA sequences. In the proposed method, the images undergo initial preprocessing using morphological operators to eliminate large-scale background structures and achieve image homogenization. Subsequently, the decomposition algorithm decomposes the preprocessed images into background and foreground subspaces. This step applies an adaptive weighted TV constraint to the foreground subspace to ensure the spatial coherency of the finally extracted coronary vessel images. Main results. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed background subtraction method, some qualitative and quantitative experiments are conducted on two clinical and synthetic low-contrast XCA datasets containing videos from 21 patients. The obtained results are compared with six state-of-the-art methods employing three different assessment criteria. By applying the proposed method to the clinical dataset, the mean values of the global contrast-to-noise ratio, local contrast-to-noise ratio, structural similarity index, and reconstruction error (RE) are obtained as

5.976

,

3.173

,

0.987

, and

0.026

, respectively. These criteria over the low-contrast synthetic dataset were

4.851

,

2.942

,

0.958

, and

0.034

, respectively. Significance. The findings demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method in improving the contrast and visibility of coronary vessels, preserving the integrity of the vessel structure, and minimizing REs without imposing excessive computational complexity.
Zinc oxide-based sensor prepared by modified sol–gel route for detection of low concentrations of ethanol, methanol, acetone, and formaldehyde
Authors: Dhahri Ramzi , Benamara Majdi , Nassar Kais Iben , Elkenany Elkenany Brens , Al-Syadi A M 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
We successfully synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles using the sol–gel method, followed by their application onto alumina substrates for sensor testing. Comprehensive characterization of the nanomaterials was carried out utilizing XRD, SEM, TEM, UV–VIS-IR, and Photoluminescence (PL) techniques. The nanoparticles displayed a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure, typical of ZnO. UV–Vis-IR spectroscopy revealed significant absorption in the UV region, with the band gap energy calculated to be 3.22 eV. PL spectra indicated the presence of various defects, such as oxygen vacancies and zinc interstitials, within the ZnO structure. SEM analysis of the deposited film surface showed spherical agglomerates, confirming the nanoscale dimensions, while energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy spectra affirmed the high purity of the ZnO films, rich in Zn and O elements. Sensor tests demonstrated the ZnO sensor’s high sensitivity to low concentrations of volatile organic compounds such as ethanol, formaldehyde, methanol, and acetone. Notably, at an operational temperature of 300 °C, the sensor exhibited a remarkable response to 5 ppm of each gas, with the following response and response/recovery times: for methanol, 11.47 and 36 s/57 s; for acetone, 11.54 and 25 s/52 s; for formaldehyde, 0.79 and 53 s/58 s; and for ethanol, 3.88 and 9 s/59 s.
Scheme of preparing cluster states with cat qubits
Authors: Zhu Fan , Yu Ke-hui , Han Yu-xiang , Xue Jiao-jiao , Li Hong-rong 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Cluster states are essential quantum resources for one-way quantum computations and quantum networks. The reliable generation of cluster states in specific quantum systems is crucial for initializing complex quantum operations. In this paper, we introduce an efficient scheme for the deterministic preparation of a cluster state via circuit quantum electrodynamics (QED). Our scheme involves four individual microwave resonators, each of which is coupled to a superconducting transmon qutrit. We demonstrated that a four-cqubit cluster state can be achieved using three controlled-phase gate operations. The cluster state is prepared deterministically, eliminating the need for measurement-based feedback. Throughout these operations, the qutrit remains in its ground state, effectively minimizing decoherence from the qutrit. Numerical simulations suggest that our scheme can generate high-fidelity cluster states using current-circuit QED technology. We believe that our model will facilitate exploration of future large-scale continuous-variable quantum information processing systems.
Corrigendum: Assessing the Tidal Influences on the Coastal Erosion-Accretion Processes in the Indian Sundarban Delta using Hydrodynamic Models and Geoinformatics (2023 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 1164 012002)
Authors: Bhui K , Bhadra T , Samanta S , Hazra S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Please see Article PDF for corrigendum text.
Introduction
Authors: Brady Henry E 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Given human foibles and the difficulties of aggregating preferences, political theorists have been understandably concerned with whether democratic deliberation and the representation of individuals by delegates can produce democratic outcomes. Yet by focusing on these topics, they have neglected the American Founding Fathers’ concern with faction, and they have failed to understand and set standards for the vigorous competition among political parties, interest groups, and the media that is at the core of modern representative democracies. Because of this neglect, political theorists have missed a chance to do for politics what economists have done for economics through their detailed study of market failures and competitive successes within economic systems. In this book, Charles Beitz rectifies this mistake by considering the operation of the entire political system. He sets standards for political competition and uses empirical political science findings to determine when those standards are met or violated. The result moves us beyond a focus on deliberation by asking when representative systems work For the People? and when they fail to do so.
Unrepresentative Democracy in America
Authors: Karlan Pamela S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Fair and effective representation requires at least some measure of majoritarianism, but the United States falls systemically short of that ideal in two important structural respects. First, in the foreseeable future a majority of the US Senate is likely to be controlled by states in which a minority of Americans live—states that differ systematically along several dimensions from the states in which the majority lives. Second, in presidential elections, the way the Electoral College operates means that the winner of the popular vote may not be elected president—creating an “electoral inversion.” For both the Senate and the presidency, there is a serious risk to majoritarian control. Moreover, this countermajoritarian skew has become self-reenforcing after a series of Supreme Court that have further undercut democracy.
Reply to Commentators
Authors: Beitz Charles R 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The commentators provide illuminating remarks on the relationship between preferences and policy and political competition, on the importance of legitimacy, and on the shortcomings of American institutions such as the Senate and Electoral College. Gilens offers a shorthand for thinking about three justifying purposes for democracy (responsiveness, protecting group interests, and decisiveness), and his empirical finding that the rich are much more likely to get their way than the middle class or poor suggests a failure of democracy linked to inequality. Mansbridge adds a concern with democratic legitimacy and asks whether competition could undermine it and how competition might be moderated. Karlan shows that a combination of the rules of the American Constitution and changes in political geography have exacerbated the countermajoritarian features of the Senate and Electoral College. I comment on the ways these themes enrich and qualify the main lines of argument in the lectures.
A-002 Analytical Validation of the Zybio High Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I CLIA Assay
Authors: Ma T , Tang D , Wu X , Deng K 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) plays a pivotal role in the early diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). With technological advancements, the sensitivity of troponin assays has significantly improved. The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) criteria for hs-cTn assays include a total imprecision (Coefficient of Variation, CV) ≤10% at the gender-specific 99th percentile value and detectable levels in ≥50% of a healthy population. This study aims to evaluate the performance of Zybio's hs-cTnI assay against these high-sensitivity standards

Methods
This study involved 1661 individuals undergoing routine health checks at Chongqing Medical University Third Hospital. Exclusion criteria included recent medication use, abnormal NT-proBNP levels, significant cardiac silhouette changes in chest X-rays, age &lt;20, incomplete data, pregnancy, or history of severe chronic diseases. Participants were classified into apparent healthy and healthy groups based on blood pressure, lipid profiles, and electrocardiogram results. Laboratory examinations included hs-cTn and NT-ProBNP concentrations using Zybio's chemiluminescence instrument EXI2400 and associated reagent kits, with other parameters measured using standard biochemical and high-performance liquid chromatography methods.

Results
Of the 1247 participants (556 males, 691 females) included in the final analysis, 1157 showed detectable hs-cTnI levels above the limit of detection (LOD), yielding an overall detection rate of 92.78%. Detection rates were 93.71% in males and 92.04% in females. The total imprecision (CV) of hs-cTnI at gender-specific 99th percentile values over 20 days was below 10%, meeting the high-sensitivity criteria. This finding was consistent across lower and higher concentration ranges.

Conclusions
The Zybio hs-cTnI assay demonstrated a high detection rate in a healthy population, with 92.78% detectability overall, 93.71% in males, and 92.04% in females. The assay met the high-sensitivity criteria of IFCC, with a total imprecision (CV) of less than 10% at the gender-specific 99th percentile levels. These results validate the utility of Zybio's hs-cTnI assay for clinical application in the early diagnosis of ACS.
A-020 Evaluation of the QuidelOrtho Diagnostics Vitros NT-proBNP II Assay
Authors: Leung E K , Tsan J , Xiao Y 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
N-terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP), a short peptide originating from the cleavage of proBNP by Corin, can be used as a diagnostic test in individuals presenting with signs and symptoms consistent with heart failure (HF). QuidelOrtho Diagnostics released its latest reformulation of its NT-proBNP assay, the Vitros NT-proBNP II assay. The analytical performance of this assay was evaluated.

Methods
Repeatability, reproducibility, and carryover were assessed using quality control material. The analytical measuring range and clinical reportable range (AMR and CRR) were assessed using commercially available material and diluted patient samples. Accuracy was assessed by comparing results from the Vitros NT-proBNP II assay and results from the Vitros NT-proBNP assay. Instrument-to-instrument comparison was performed by comparing results from the NT-proBNP II assay from two different Vitros 5600 chemistry analyzers. Paired heparin and EDTA plasma samples were assessed for specimen type comparison.

Results
Repeatability and reproducibility were &lt;=10% CV and no carryover was observed. The AMR was 20 - 30,000 pg/mL and the CRR extended the range to 600,000 pg/mL. Passing-Bablok analysis showed a significant proportional bias with a slope of 1.34 for samples up to 12,000 pg/mL (Vitros NT-proBNP). Vendor-performed comparison studies showed no significant proportional bias with a slope of 1.06 using unweighted Deming analysis for samples up to 20,700 pg/mL (Vitros NT-proBNP). Instrument-to-instrument and heparin-to-EDTA plasma comparisons showed no significant biases.

Conclusions
The NTproBNP II assay showed acceptable repeatability, reproducibility, and no carryover. The AMR analysis verified the measuring range in the IFU of the assay and the CRR is extended to 600,000 pg/mL. Results were very comparable between two different Vitros 5600s and between paired heparin and EDTA plasma specimens. Comparison between the Vitros NT-proBNP and Vitros NT-proBNP II assays showed a very significant proportional bias (slope of 1.34) for specimens up to 12,000 pg/mL measured on the Vitros NT-proBNP assay, but the proportional bias is less significant at higher NT-proBNP values (&gt;20,000 pg/mL, Vitros NT-proBNP) are included in the analysis. There may be a significant matrix effect or interference at lower NT-proBNP concentrations with the reformulated reagent, which may be less prominent when NT-proBNP is present at much higher concentrations.
A-038 Interlaboratory Comparison of Parathyroid Hormone Analytical Results Across Clinical Assays from 8 Manufacturers - Steps Towards Standardization
Authors: Lee G S , Lyle A , Ribera A , Behm K E , Lagoueyte C , Sugahara O , Buchannan T , Long L , Collins L , Vesper H W 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is an 84 amino acid peptide produced by the parathyroid gland and is a key biomarker used for the diagnosis and treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder, as well as hypo- and hyperparathyroidism. PTH clinical assays were previously reported to exhibit significant inter-assay measurement variability, which limits the utility of PTH as a diagnostic biomarker and can result in the misclassification of patients. Thus, there is a need for PTH clinical assay standardization to improve clinical assay measurement agreement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Clinical Standardization Program (CDC-CSP) will launch a PTH standardization program, which is in support of and coordinated with the IFCC Committee on Bone Metabolism. In preparation, the CDC-CSP conducted an Inter-Laboratory Comparison Study to evaluate the current status of PTH inter-assay variability and to investigate potential sources of variability.

Methods
Eight PTH assay manufacturer’s laboratories measured PTH in 42 deidentified, fresh-frozen single donor serum samples in duplicate over 2 independent runs. Sample PTH concentrations ranged from 1.3 - 324 pg/mL, based on initial screening values. Five manufacturers submitted data for 2 different assays, resulting in PTH measurements from 13 assays total. Data were submitted to the CDC CSP for analysis.

Results
Assay precision was &lt;5% for 10/13 measurement procedures (MP) assessed and 3 MPs exhibited precisions between 5 - 18%. Assay-specific PTH measurements demonstrated good linear correlation compared to the all-assay mean concentration. Interestingly, inter-assay variability increased with increasing PTH concentrations, with individual sample standard deviations increasing from 2.9 - 123, with a mean SD of 24.1 and individual sample CVs increasing from 18.9 - 44.5%, with a mean CV of 24.2%.

Conclusions
This study provides new insights into PTH inter-assay variability and assay performance for assays commonly used in the clinical setting. The findings of this PTH Interlaboratory Comparison Study establish a baseline for PTH inter-assay variability and will guide future PTH standardization efforts.
A-041 Metoclopramide Stimulation Test can Rule Out Prolactinoma in Patients with Moderate Hyperprolactinemia
Authors: González Á , Moreno A , Deza S , Salvador J , Galofre J C , Alegre E 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Prolactinoma is the main cause of hyperprolactinemia once physiological and pharmacological causes are excluded. Prolactin (PRL) and thyrotropin (TSH) response to dopaminergic antagonists has been previously used in prolactinoma diagnosis. Current guidelines only recommend baseline PRL concentration in diagnosis, considering values exceeding 250 ng/mL highly suggestive of prolactinoma. However, subtler hyperprolactinemia is much more frequent, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies are necessary to detect potential prolactinomas. Our aim was to examine the utility of a metoclopramide (MCP) stimulation test as a screening tool to evaluate the need for pituitary MRI studies in patients with moderate hyperprolactinemia.

Methods
We retrospectively selected 67 moderate hyperprolactinemia patients (&lt;250 ng/mL), with a MCP test and a pituitary MRI within the same assistance. We excluded patients with pharmacological treatments affecting dopaminergic axis. According MRI results we classified them in patients with microadenoma (&lt;10 mm; n=23), with macroadenoma (≥10 mm; n=5) or without adenoma (n=39). Maximum relative increases over baseline concentrations were calculated for PRL (ΔPRLMax) and TSH (ΔTSHMax). The Research Ethic Committee approved the study.

Results
ΔPRLMax exceeds baseline PRL capability to identify patients with an adenoma (AUC=0.8718 vs 0.7756). ΔPRLMax below 220% identifies 100% of these patients with 71% of specificity (Table 1).
Screening with MCP test would have avoided 42% of MRI, resulting in 34% costs saving. Analysis of TSH response only slightly increased the specificity when considered as a secondary criterion. Test length can be reduced from 60 to 30 minutes without losing screening capability.

Conclusions
A shortened MCP test is a useful and cost-effective screening tool to avoid unnecessary MRI. Its simplicity allows its performance in almost any clinical facility, allowing to easily rule out prolactinoma in an important percentage of patients, something of upmost importance specially in regions were MRI facilities are scarce.
A-050 Reference Intervals for Plasma Concentrations of C-Terminal Telopeptide of Type-I Collagen (CTX) for Greek Adult Population
Authors: Makris K , Trifonidi I , Tournis S , Chronopoulos E 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
CTX assays measure a fragment of the C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen released during resorption of mature bone. To adequately interpret CTX results, method-specific and population specific reference intervals are needed. We aimed to determine reference intervals for plasma concentrations of CTX.

Methods
We collected samples from 431 apparently healthy Greeks (140 men as well as 150 pre- and 139 postmenopausal women), who volunteered to participate in our study. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, medical histories and medications were collected and subjects with conditions or receiving medications that affecting bone metabolism were excluded. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) used to measure bone mineral density (BMD) in all participants. All blood collections were performed in the morning after overnight fast. Plasma EDTA samples were used for the measurement of CTX. Measurements were performed by an automated chemiluminescent immunoassay on the Maglumi-X3 analyzer (Snibe, Shenzhen, China). The reference interval was defined as the central 95% range and determined according to CLSI guide C28-A3 using the MedCalc Software.

Results
The table summarizes our results. The mean age of men, pre- and post-menopausal women were 50.7, 40,7 and 58.4 years respectively. DXA results revealed that 348 participants had normal BMD, 74 HAD osteopenia and 9 had osteoporosis which excluded from analysis. Since our data were not normally distributed (Shapiro-Wilk test) in any group and after the exclusion of outliers (Tukey test), we used the non-parametric method suggested by the CLSI guide to determine the reference intervals. Multiple regression analysis also revealed that sex menopausal status and BMD were factors affecting CTX values.

Conclusions
We provide reference intervals for the determination of CTX concentrations in EDTA-plasma for the Greek adult population using an automated immunoassay. Our data may aid to interpret bone turnover in the Greek adult population.
A-052 Clinical usefulness of ADAMS A1c HA-8190V automatic switching mode for the HbA1c measurement in Hb variants
Authors: Yun Y , Lee Y , Seo J 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is widely used as a HbA1c routine assay. However, quantification of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a challenge in patients with hemoglobin (Hb) variants. In this study, we evaluated the clinical utility and analytical performance of new developed ARKRAY ADMAS HA-8190V assay using autoswitch mode, that automatically switches between variant and fast mode depending on patient Hb characteristics, in patients with Hb variant suspected in Korea.

Methods
The measuring time for HbA1c assay was compared between the HA-8180V fast mode (existing model) and the autoswitch mode of HA-8190V (new model) in 60 normal Hb samples. And the HbA1c measured values was compared bewteen the HA-8180V fast mode and the HA-8190V autoswitch mode in 30 low Hb samples. In addition, flag detection for the abnormal Hb and measured values for 21 Hb variant samples were analyzed using the HA-8180V fast mode and the HA-8190V autoswitch mode.

Results
It took 50.8 minutes and 39.1 minute to measure 60 normal Hb samples by HA-8180V fast mode and HA-8190V autoswitching mode, respectively. The values could not be measured at the HA-8180V fast mode for 7 of 30 low Hb samples, whereas all samples could be measured at HA-8190V autoswitching mode. For 21 Hb variant samples, HA-8180V fast mode showed abnormal flag detections for only 14 samples, but HA-8190V autoswitch mode reported abnormal variant flags for 20 samples. In the result accuracy evaluation (% difference) based on capillary electrophoresis HbA1c assay (Sebia, Lisses, France) in the 21 Hb variant samples, the % difference of HA-8190 V autoswitch mode was 3.9%, which was superior to HA-8180V fast mode of -11.65%.

Conclusions
Autoswitch mode of The HA-8190V (automatically switch between variant and fast mode based on patient Hb characteristics) showed more accurate flag detection and HbA1c measurements in patients with Hb variants, along with shorter test time and manual reduction.