bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mortality from upper gastrointestinal tumors in colorectal cancer screening patients
Authors: Zessner-Spitzenberg Jasmin , Waldmann Elisabeth , Rockenbauer Lisa-Maria , Penz Daniela , Hinterberger Anna , Majcher Barbara , Asaturi Arno , Trauner Michael , Ferlitsch Monika 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background and study aims Currently, gastric cancer screening is only cost-effective in countries with high incidence. Integrated screening, in which gastroscopy is performed in conjunction with colonoscopy, could help reduce the gastric cancer screening procedure burden in countries with low or intermediate incidence. However, there is a lack of population-based studies to identify high-risk groups.
Methods In this retrospective analysis of a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program database, we used Cox proportional hazards model to identify an association of high- and low-risk finding (polyps ≥ 10 mm or with high-grade dysplasia) with time to death from upper gastrointestinal cancer (esophageal and gastric). We estimated the 10-year mortality of upper gastrointestinal tumors in different 10-year age groups, stratified by sex and polyp finding at colonoscopy.
Results We included 349,856 CRC screening colonoscopies in our study. The median follow-up time was 5.22 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.21–5.24 years). Of the participants, 4.5% had polyps ≥ 10 mm or with high-grade dysplasia (HGD). At the end of the study period, 384 deaths from upper gastrointestinal cancer had occurred. Aside from age and sex, we found the presence of high-risk polyps to be significantly associated with upper gastrointestinal cancer death (hazard ratio 1.54, 95% CI 1.06–2.25, P = 0.025).
Conclusions CRC screening participants with polyps < 10 mm and no HGD have a lower risk for mortality from upper gastrointestinal cancers compared with participants with polyps > 10 mm and HGD. Future studies will demonstrate whether integrated screening with additional gastroscopy is effective in CRC screening participants with large or highly dysplastic polyps.
Substantial Differences in Proanthocyanidin Contents among Ginkgo biloba Leaf Extracts in Herbal Medicinal Products Obtained from the German Market
Authors: Germer Stefan , Ritter Thomas , Wurglics Mario 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPharmacologic activity of proanthocyanidins in Ginkgo biloba leaf extract has recently been reported. The objective of the present study was to screen proanthocyanidin contents in herbal medicinal products containing Ginkgo extracts. A recently published HPLC method for quantification of proanthocyanidins in G. biloba leaf extract EGb 761 was adopted to also be suitable for finished herbal medicinal products. The method was applied to 14 products from the German market. For each product, a set of three individual batches was purchased and analyzed. Substantial differences in proanthocyanidins contents were found among distinct products, ranging from 0.30 to 5.86%. The batch-to-batch variability within each product was low. The highest concentrations are in a similar range as, for example, the amount of Ginkgo terpene trilactones specified in the monograph for G. biloba leaf extract in the European Pharmacopeia. Although it has not yet been
established whether and to what extent proanthocyanidins contribute to the overall pharmacological or clinical efficacy of Ginkgo extracts, a potential impact on the purported benefits of different contents in proanthocyanidins cannot be ruled out. Quality assessment of different Ginkgo extracts in the future may include proanthocyanidins.
Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) seminal plasma: establishing the proteome and effect on spermatozoa when added to cryomedium
Authors: Negus Cameron , Pinyopummin Anuchai , Mahasawangkul Sittidet , Hobbs Rebecca , Bathgate Roslyn 
Published: July 2024

Context The removal or supplementation of ejaculates with seminal plasma (SP) can affect cryotolerance and post-thaw survival of spermatozoa in many species. In the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), elucidation of the SP proteome and investigation of how it affects spermatozoa may enable improvement of cryopreservation protocols. Aims Herein, we characterise the Asian elephant SP proteome and investigate the impacts of SP on sperm cryotolerance in the presence of conspecific or heterospecific SP. Methods Proteomic analysis of Asian elephant SP was performed using mass spectrometry on nine samples from three individuals. In a separate study, SP was removed from six ejaculates and spermatozoa were resuspended in Tris extender supplemented with: no seminal plasma (NOSP), conspecific SP from ejaculates exhibiting ‘good’ (GSP, >60%) or mixed sperm total motility (MSP), or horse SP (HSP). Samples underwent cryopreservation, and sperm parameters were compared prior to cryopreservation and after thawing (0 and 2 h). Key results Mass spectrometry identified 155 proteins from an array of families. Significant differences were observed in post-thaw sperm quality between SP treatments: high concentrations of MSP (25%, v/v) displayed greater average path and straight-line velocity immediately after thawing (P < 0.05) and greater sperm motility index and beat cross frequency than NOSP after 2 h post-thaw incubation (P < 0.05). The addition of HSP improved sperm kinematic parameters compared to NOSP and GSP treatments (P < 0.05). Conclusions and implications These preliminary findings suggest the potential of SP to enhance the cryosurvival of Asian elephant spermatozoa, with HSP showing particularly promising results compared to conspecific SP (GSP). Further research into the specific effects of Asian elephant SP proteins is warranted.
A test of whether rabbit abundance increases following predator control in a rural landscape
Authors: Barron Mandy , de Burgh Natalie , Norbury Grant 
Published: July 2024

Context In New Zealand and Australia, rural landowners believe that local control of invasive predators aimed at protecting the indigenous biota exacerbates European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) problems on their land. Aims We tested this using rabbit index data collected in replicated areas with and without predator control in rural landscapes of the Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand. Methods Spotlight data were available from two ecological restoration areas. For the Cape to City area, data were collected from 2016 to 2021, with three sites subjected to ongoing predator control (traps deployed in 2016 and 2017) and two sites untreated. For the Poutiri Ao ō Tāne area, data were collected from 2012 to 2021, with two sites subjected to ongoing predator control (beginning in 2012) and three sites untreated. Generalised linear mixed-effects models were used to assess whether predator control was a statistically significant predictor of rabbit counts. Cameras were also deployed annually, beginning in 2015, in the treatment and non-treatment areas in Cape to City. Mixed-effects models were fitted to the camera detection data using a ‘Before After Control Impact’ framework to assess whether camera detection rates of rabbits changed with predator control. Key results Contrary to landowner expectations, fewer rabbits were counted under spotlight at the predator control sites at Cape to City, although no effect was detected in the camera detection data. More rabbits were counted on the predator control sites at Poutiri Ao ō Tāne, but this effect was not statistically significant and only became apparent in the last 2 years of the 9-year monitoring period. Conclusions The effects of predator control on rabbit abundance indices in the Hawke’s Bay region were contradictory and inconclusive. This suggests that the influence of predators on rabbit populations is minor compared with other sources of population limitation or regulation, such as disease and poor food quality. Implications The absence of a definitive predator effect should reassure landowners concerned about potential rabbit population outbreaks following predator control.
Recent advances in piezoelectric and triboelectric self-powered sensors for human–machine interface applications
Authors: Du Lei , Li Yulong , Qiu Ruizhe , Xu Jiaxing , Nie Kai , Cao Xinyu , Tang Jiaqi , Wang Yiqing , Du Gang , Bu Ling 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
The burgeoning internet of things and artificial intelligence technologies have prospered a variety of emerging applications. Human–machine interfaces (HMIs), for instance, enables users with intuitive, efficient, and friendly way to interact with machines, capable of instant information acquisition, processing, communication, and feedback, etc. These features require ultra-compact and high-performance transducers, and therefore self-powered sensors have become the key underlying technology for HMI applications. This review focuses on the piezoelectric, triboelectric, and hybrid self-powered sensors with particular attention to their microstructures and fabrication methods, showing that both traditional microfabrication and emerging fabrication methods like three-dimensional (3D) printing, electrospinning, and braiding have contributed to the planar, array, porous, fabric, and composite type self-powered sensors. Moreover, the integration method of piezoelectric and triboelectric sensor arrays is investigated. The crosstalk issue is highlighted, i.e. the signal interference between adjacent sensing units, and current solutions such as array design optimization, signal processing improvement, and material innovation to reduce crosstalk sensitivity have been reviewed through specific examples. Three categories of HMI applications have been outlined, including intelligent interaction, robotics, and human monitoring, with detailed explanations of how the self-powered sensors support these HMI applications. Through discussion of challenges and prospects, it is proposed that further coordinating the design and fabrication of micro devices with HMIs will potentially boost the intelligent application with even higher level of diversification, convenience, and interconnectivity.
A contour detection method for bulk material piles based on cross-source point cloud registration
Authors: Zhang Pingjun , Zhao Hao , Li Guangyang , Lin Xipeng 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
In the field of automatic bulk material loading, accurate detection of the profile of the material pile in the compartment can control its height and distribution, thus improving the loading efficiency and stability, therefore, this paper proposes a new method for pile detection based on cross-source point cloud registration. First, 3D point cloud data are simultaneously collected using lidar and binocular camera. Second, feature points are extracted and described based on 3D scale-invariant features and 3D shape contexts algorithms, and then feature points are used in progressive sample consensus algorithm to complete coarse matching. Then, bi-directional KD-tree accelerated iterative closest point is established to complete the fine registration. Ultimately, the detection of the pile contour is realized by extracting the point cloud boundary after the registration. The experimental results show that the registration errors of this method are reduced by 54.2%, 52.4%, and 14.9% compared with the other three algorithms, and the relative error of the pile contour detection is less than 0.2%.
Improved-quality graphene films via the synergism of large nanosheet aligning and nanotube bridging for flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Xu Xuan , Li Zhenhu , Li Haoxiang , Li Yongsu , Zeng Yu , Liu Shuangyi 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Scalable production of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) films with high mechanical-electrical properties is desirable as these films are candidates for wearable electronics devices and energy storage applications. Removing structural incompleteness such as wrinkles or voids in the graphene films, which are generated from the assembly process, would greatly optimize their mechanical properties. However, the densely stacked graphene sheets in the films degrade their ionic kinetics and thus limit their development. Here, a horizontal-longitudinal-structure modulating strategy is demonstrated to produce enhanced mechanical, conductive, and capacitive graphene films. Typically, two-dimensional large graphene sheets (LGS) induce regular stacking of graphene oxide (GO) during the assembly process to reduce wrinkles, while one-dimensional single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) bridge with graphene sheets to strengthen the multidirectional intercalation and reduce GO layer restacking. The simultaneous incorporation of LGS and SWCNT synergistically creates a fine microstructure by improving the alignment of graphene sheets, increasing continuous conductive pathways to facilitate electron transport, and enlarging interlayer spacing to promote electrolyte ion diffusion. As a result, the obtained graphene films are flat and exhibit signally reinforced mechanical properties, electrical conductivity (38727 S m−1), as well as specific capacitance (232 F g−1) as supercapacitor electrodes compared to those of original rGO films. Moreover, owing to the comprehensive improved properties, a flexible gel supercapacitor assembled by the graphene film-based electrodes shows high energy density, good flexibility, and excellent cycling stability (93.8% capacitance retention after 10 000 cycles). This work provides a general strategy to manufacture robust graphene structural materials for energy storage applications in flexible and wearable electronics.
MR-OCTAVIUS 4D with 1500 MR and 1600 MR arrays is suitable for plan QA in a 1.5 T MRI-linac
Authors: Gorobets Viktoriia , Vries Wilfred de , Brand Nicole , Foppen Thomas , Wopereis André J M , Woodings Simon 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
To ensure the accuracy of radiation delivery to patients in a 1.5 T MRI-linac, the implementation of quality assurance (QA) devices compatible with MR technology is essential. The OCTAVIUS 4D MR, made by PTW (Freiburg, Germany) is designed to ensure consistent and ideal alignment of its detectors with the direction of each beam segment. This study focuses on investigating the fundamental characteristics of the detector response for the OCTAVIUS Detector (OD) 1500 MR and OCTAVIUS 1600 MR when used in the MR-compatible OCTAVIUS 4D. Characteristics examined included short-term reproducibility, dose linearity, field size dependency, monitor unit (MU) rate dependency, dose-per-pulse dependency, and angular dependency. The evaluation of OD 1500 MR also involved measuring 25 clinical treatment plans across diverse target sizes and anatomical sites, including the liver/pancreas, rectum, prostate, lungs, and lymph nodes. One plan was measured with the standard setup and with a 5 cm left offset. The OD 1600 MR was not available for these measurements. The capability of the OD 1500 MR to identify potential errors was assessed by introducing a MU and positional shift within the software. The results demonstrated no significant differences in short-term reproducibility (

<

0.2
%

), dose linearity (

<

1
%

), field size dependency (

<

0.7
%

for field sizes larger than 5 cm × 5 cm), MU rate dependency (

<

0.8
%

), dose-per-pulse dependency (

<

0.4
%

) and angular dependency (standard deviation

<

0.5
%

). All tests of clinical plans were successfully completed. The OD 1500 MR demonstrated compatibility with the standard 95% pass rate when employing a global 3%/3 mm gamma criterion, and a 90% pass rate using a global 2%/2 mm gamma criterion. The detector demonstrated the capacity to measure treatment plans with a 5 cm left offset. With the standard parameters, the gamma test was sensitive to position errors but required an addition tests of mean/median dose or point dose in order to detect small dose difference.
Deep denoiser prior driven relaxed iterated Tikhonov method for low-count PET image restoration
Authors: Chang Weike , D’Ascenzo Nicola , Antonecchia Emanuele , Li Bingxuan , Yang Jigang , Mu Dengyun , Li Ang , Xie Qingguo 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Objective. Low-count positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is an efficient way to promote more widespread use of PET because of its short scan time and low injected activity. However, this often leads to low-quality PET images with clinical image reconstruction, due to high noise and blurring effects. Existing PET image restoration (IR) methods hinder their own restoration performance due to the semi-convergence property and the lack of suitable denoiser prior. Approach. To overcome these limitations, we propose a novel deep plug-and-play IR method called Deep denoiser Prior driven Relaxed Iterated Tikhonov method (DP-RI-Tikhonov). Specifically, we train a deep convolutional neural network denoiser to generate a flexible deep denoiser prior to handle high noise. Then, we plug the deep denoiser prior as a modular part into a novel iterative optimization algorithm to handle blurring effects and propose an adaptive parameter selection strategy for the iterative optimization algorithm. Main results. Simulation results show that the deep denoiser prior plays the role of reducing noise intensity, while the novel iterative optimization algorithm and adaptive parameter selection strategy can effectively eliminate the semi-convergence property. They enable DP-RI-Tikhonov to achieve an average quantitative result (normalized root mean square error, structural similarity) of (0.1364, 0.9574) at the stopping iteration, outperforming a conventional PET IR method with an average quantitative result of (0.1533, 0.9523) and a state-of-the-art deep plug-and-play IR method with an average quantitative result of (0.1404, 0.9554). Moreover, the advantage of DP-RI-Tikhonov becomes more obvious at the last iteration. Experiments on six clinical whole-body PET images further indicate that DP-RI-Tikhonov successfully reduces noise intensity and recovers fine details, recovering sharper and more uniform images than the comparison methods. Significance. DP-RI-Tikhonov’s ability to reduce noise intensity and effectively eliminate the semi-convergence property overcomes the limitations of existing methods. This advancement may have substantial implications for other medical IR.
Carbon ion beam dosimetry in magnetic fields using Farmer-type ionization chambers of different radii: measurements and simulations
Authors: Surla S , Marot M , Burigo L , Brons S , Runz A , Karger C P 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Objective. To investigate magnetic field effects on the dose distribution and ionization chambers response in carbon ion reference fields and determine magnetic field correction factors for chambers of different volumes. Approach. The response of six Farmer-type chambers with varying radii (1–6 mm, termed as R1–R6) was measured in magnetic fields up to 1 T in 0.1 T increments using an experimental electromagnet and compared with Monte Carlo simulations. Chamber readings were measured in the entrance region of a monoenergetic carbon ion beam of 390.75 MeV u−1. A lower energy of 200.28 MeV u−1 was applied to chamber R3 for comparison. Polarity and recombination corrections were investigated for the R3 chamber. The local dose change induced by the magnetic field was calculated by Monte Carlo, which together with change of the chamber’s response, was used to calculate the final magnetic field correction factors. Main results. The dependence of the chamber response on the magnetic field was non-linear and volume-dependent. Maximum changes ranged from 0.30% (R4) to 0.62% (R5) at 0.2 T. For R3, the response for the lower energy was systematically decreased by 0.2% in the range of 0.2 T to 0.7 T. No significant effect of the magnetic field on polarity and ion recombination correction was found. The maximum variation of the local dose was found to be (0.03 ± 0.08) % at 0.2 T for beam energy of 390.75 MeV u−1. Magnetic field correction factors for the different chambers ranged from 0.28% (R4) to 0.60% (R5). Significance. This study provides the first detailed analysis of chambers’ response to magnetic flux densities of up to 1 T using chambers of different radii and comparison with simulations. By combining the chamber response alterations with local dose changes magnetic field correction factors were calculated for all six chambers, including the commercial Farmer-type chamber.
Quantum conditional entropy and classical-quantum conditional entropy with localization characteristics
Authors: Han Qi , Wang Shuai , Gou Lijie , Zhang Rong 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
In the era of rapid development of quantum mechanics, some issues in the field of quantum information have become increasingly important. Local quantum Bernoulli noises (LQBNs) is a localized Bernoulli functional, and it is the localization of quantum Bernoulli noises (QBNs). The distinctive feature of LQBNs lies in its localization properties, which make it highly valuable in the field of quantum information. In this paper, we study three new types of quantum conditional entropy with localization characteristics from three dimensions: local quantum conditional entropy, local quantum conditional entropy at the same position, and classical-quantum conditional entropy. Based on the locality of LQBNs, we prove that the local quantum conditional entropy is concave and unitary invariant. Surprisingly, we find that the local quantum mutual information (entropy) corresponding to the same position is 0. The local quantum conditional entropy defined based on the local quantum state at a specific position, proposed in this paper, provides new insights into understanding the impact of local quantum noise on the information transmission in quantum channels. This discovery not only deepens our understanding of the internal structure of local quantum entropy, but also reveals its influence on the performance of quantum communication.
Photostability of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals modified with poly(ethylene adipate)
Authors: Wang Yajuan , Wang Jianing , Wang Lei , Wang Shuonan , Liu Wenyan 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
All inorganic CsPbBr3 nanocrystals (NCs) have gained significant attention due to their potential as light-emitting diodes, solar cells and other optoelectronic devices. However, to a certain extent, the stability issues of CsPbBr3 NCs under water, light, and thermal conditions limit their further applications. In order to improve stability, this article proposes a strategy of modifying CsPbBr3 NCs with poly(ethylene adipate) (PEA). The surface passivation of macromolecular polymer PEA not only increases the distance between NCs which inhibits the aggregation of small NCs, but also provides a dense protective layer to protect NCs from corrosion by water, air and light. Therefore, the performance of PEA-modified CsPbBr3 NCs in terms of optical properties and stability is significantly improved. The photoluminescence intensity of PEA-modified CsPbBr3 NCs remains at about 40% of the initial intensity when heated to 100 °C, while that of pure CsPbBr3 NCs has decreased to less than 10%. The photoluminescence intensity of PEA-modified CsPbBr3 NCs decreased to 83% of the initial intensity after 7 cycles of heating to 100 °C and then cooling to room temperature, while that of pure CsPbBr3 NCs decreased to 13%. Meanwhile, the PL intensity of PEA-modified CsPbBr3 NCs remained at 66% of the initial intensity after 10 h under 365 nm ultraviolet light, and there is no obvious red shift in PL spectra, while the PL intensity of pure CsPbBr3 NCs only maintained 21% of the initial intensity, accompanied by obvious red shift in PL spectra. The results show that the PEA-modified CsPbBr3 NCs have a positive effect on stability.