bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Quality-refinement Process for Medical Imaging Applications
Authors: Maleike D. , Nolden M. , Kenngott H.-G. , Meinzer H.-P. , Wolf I. , Neuhaus J. 
Published: June 2009

Summary
Objectives: To introduce and evaluate a process for refinement of software quality that is suitable to research groups. In order to avoid constraining researchers too much, the quality improvement process has to be designed carefully. The scope of this paper is to present and evaluate a process to advance quality aspects of existing research prototypes in order to make them ready for initial clinical studies. The proposed process is tailored for research environments and therefore more lightweight than traditional quality management processes.
Methods: Focus on quality criteria that are important at the given stage of the software life cycle. Usage of tools that automate aspects of the process is emphasized. To evaluate the additional effort that comes along with the process, it was exemplarily applied for eight prototypical software modules for medical image processing.
Results: The introduced process has been applied to improve the quality of all prototypes so that they could be successfully used in clinical studies. The quality refinement yielded an average of 13 person days of additional effort per project. Overall, 107 bugs were found and resolved by applying the process.
Conclusions: Careful selection of quality criteria and the usage of automated process tools lead to a lightweight quality refinement process suitable for scientific research groups that can be applied to ensure a successful transfer of technical software prototypes into clinical research workflows.
Postoperative Hypofractionated Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy With Concurrent Chemotherapy in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Cho Won Kyung , Park Won , Kim Sang-Won , Lee Kang Kyu , Ahn Ki Jung , Choi Jin Hwa 
Published: April 2024

ImportanceProspective data assessing the safety of hypofractionated (40 Gy in 16 fractions) radiotherapy (RT) among patients who receive postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer are lacking.ObjectiveTo evaluate the acute toxic effects of hypofractionated pelvic intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with concurrent chemotherapy among women with cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThe POHIM-CCRT (Postoperative Hypofractionated Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy With Concurrent Chemotherapy in Cervical Cancer) study was designed as a multicenter, phase 2 nonrandomized controlled trial that accrued and followed up patients from June 1, 2017, to February 28, 2023. In total, 84 patients were enrolled from 5 institutions affiliated with the Korean Radiation Oncology Group. Eligible patients experienced lymph node metastasis, parametrial invasion, or positive resection margins after radical hysterectomy for treatment of confirmed cervical cancer.InterventionPostoperative pelvic radiation using hypofractionated IMRT with 40 Gy in 16 fractions to the whole pelvis combined with concurrent chemotherapy.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary end point was incidence of acute grade 3 or higher gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary, and hematologic toxic effects (based on the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0) in the evaluable population during RT or within 3 months after RT completion.ResultsOf 84 patients enrolled, 5 dropped out prior to RT, and data from 79 patients were analyzed. The patients’ median (IQR) age was 48 (42-58) years, and the median (IQR) tumor size was 3.7 (2.7-4.5) cm. Of these patients, 31 (39.7%) had lymph node metastasis, 4 (5.1%) had positive resection margins, and 43 (54.4%) had parametrial invasion. Grade 3 or higher acute toxic effects occurred in 2 patients (2.5% [90% CI, 0%-4.8%]). After a median (IQR) follow-up of 43.0 (21.1-59.0) months, the 3-year disease-free survival rate was 79.3%, and the overall survival rate was 98.0%.ConclusionsFindings from this nonrandomized control trial indicated that postoperative pelvic irradiation combined with concurrent chemotherapy using hypofractionated IMRT with 40 Gy in 16 fractions was safe and well-tolerated in women with cervical cancer. Studies assessing long-term toxic effects and oncological outcomes with longer follow-up periods are needed.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03239613
The impact of automatic tube current modulation related settings of a modern GE CT scanner on image quality and patient dose; details do matter
Authors: Tsalafoutas Ioannis A. , AlKhazzam Shady , Kharita Mohammed Hassan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the operation principles of the automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) of a modern GE healthcare CT scanner, and the impact of related settings on image quality and patient dose.Material & MethodsA dedicated phantom (Mercury 4.0) was scanned using two of the most frequently used clinical scanning protocols (chest and abdomen‐pelvis). The preset protocol settings were used as starting points (reference conditions). Scan direction, scan mode (helical vs. axial), total beam width, tube potential (kVp), and ATCM settings were then modified individually to understand their impact on radiation dose and image quality. Regarding the ATCM settings, the SmartmA minimum and maximum mA limits, and the noise index (NI) values were varied. As surrogates of patient dose, the CTDIvol and DLP values of each scan were used. As surrogates of image quality were used the image noise and the detectability index (d’) of five different materials (air, solid water, polystyrene, iodine, and bone) embedded in the Mercury phantom calculated with the ImQuest software.ResultsThe scanning direction did not have any effect on ATCM curves, unlike what has been observed in CT scanners from other manufacturers. Total beam width does matter, however, the SmartmA limit settings and kVp selection had the greatest impact on image quality and dose. It was seen that improper minimum mA limit settings practically invalidated the ATCM operation. In contrast, when full modulation was allowed without restrictions, noise standard deviation, and detectability index became much more consistent across the wide range of phantom diameters. For lower kVp settings an impressive dose reduction was observed that requires further investigation.ConclusionSmartmA is a tool that if not properly used may increase the patient doses considerably. Therefore, its settings should be carefully adjusted for each preset different clinical protocol.
Polarization Saturation in Multilayered Interfacial Ferroelectrics
Authors: Cao Wei , Deb Swarup , Stern Maayan Vizner , Raab Noam , Urbakh Michael , Hod Oded , Kronik Leeor , Shalom Moshe Ben 
Published: April 2024

AbstractVan der Waals polytypes of broken inversion and mirror symmetries have been recently shown to exhibit switchable electric polarization even at the ultimate two‐layer thin limit. Their out‐of‐plane polarization has been found to accumulate in a ladder‐like fashion with each successive layer, offering 2D building blocks for the bottom‐up construction of 3D ferroelectrics. Here, it is demonstrated experimentally that beyond a critical stack thickness, the accumulated polarization in rhombohedral polytypes of molybdenum disulfide saturates. The underlying saturation mechanism, deciphered via density functional theory and self‐consistent Poisson–Schrödinger calculations, point to a purely electronic redistribution involving: 1. Polarization‐induced bandgap closure that allows for cross‐stack charge transfer and the emergence of free surface charge; 2. Reduction of the polarization saturation value, as well as the critical thickness at which it is obtained, by the presence of free carriers. The resilience of polar layered structures to atomic surface reconstruction, which is essentially unavoidable in polar 3D crystals, potentially allows for the design of new devices with mobile surface charges. The findings, which are of general nature, should be accounted for when designing switching and/or conductive devices based on ferroelectric layered materials.
Harvesting Multicolor Photoluminescence in Nonaromatic Interpenetrated Metal–Organic Framework Nanocrystals via Pressure‐Modulated Carbonyls Aggregation
Authors: Xiao Zhihao , Shan Shuo , Wang Yixuan , Zheng Haiyan , Li Kuo , Yang Xinyi , Zou Bo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractInterpenetrated metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with nonaromatic ligands provide a unique platform for adsorption, catalysis, and sensing applications. However, nonemission and the lack of optical property tailoring make it challenging to fabricate smart responsive devices with nonaromatic interpenetrated MOFs based on ligand‐centered emission. In this paper, the pressure‐induced aggregation effect is introduced in nonaromatic interpenetrated Zn4O(ADC)4(Et3N)6 (IRMOF‐0) nanocrystals (NCs), where carbonyl groups aggregation results in O─O distances smaller than the sum of the van der Waals radii (3.04 Å), triggering the photoluminescence turn‐on behavior. It is noteworthy that the IRMOF‐0 NCs display an ultrabroad emission tunability of 130 nm from deep blue (440 nm) to yellow (570 nm) upon release to ambient conditions at different pressures. The eventual retention of through‐space n–π* interactions in different degrees via pressure treatment is primarily responsible for achieving a controllable multicolor emission behavior in initially nonemissive IRMOF‐0 NCs. The fabricated multicolor phosphor‐converted light‐emitting diodes based on the pressure‐treated IRMOF‐0 NCs exhibit excellent thermal, chromaticity, and fatigue stability. The proposed strategy not only imparts new vitality to nonaromatic interpenetrated MOFs but also offers new perspectives for advancements in the field of multicolor displays and daylight illumination.
Computational‐Design Enabled Wearable and Tunable Metamaterials via Freeform Auxetics for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Wu Ke , Zhu Xia , Bifano Thomas G. , Anderson Stephan W. , Zhang Xin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMetamaterials hold significant promise for enhancing the imaging capabilities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines as an additive technology, due to their unique ability to enhance local magnetic fields. However, despite their potential, the metamaterials reported in the context of MRI applications have often been impractical. This impracticality arises from their predominantly flat configurations and their susceptibility to shifts in resonance frequencies, preventing them from realizing their optimal performance. Here, a computational method for designing wearable and tunable metamaterials via freeform auxetics is introduced. The proposed computational‐design tools yield an approach to solving the complex circle packing problems in an interactive and efficient manner, thus facilitating the development of deployable metamaterials configured in freeform shapes. With such tools, the developed metamaterials may readily conform to a patient's knee, ankle, head, or any part of the body in need of imaging, and while ensuring an optimal resonance frequency, thereby paving the way for the widespread adoption of metamaterials in clinical MRI applications.
In Situ X‐Ray Techniques Unraveling Charge Distribution Induced by Halogen Bonds in Solvates of an Iodo‐Substituted Squaraine Dye
Authors: Ye Xiaoyu , Gutenthaler‐Tietze Jonathan , Wu Ruoxuan , Xia Guomin , Xu Shidang , Liu Bin , Chen Yi‐Hung , Karaghiosoff Konstantin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe importance of halogen bonds (XBs) in the regulation of material properties through a variation in the electrostatic potential of the halogen atom is not attracted much attention. Herein, this study utilizes in situ single crystal X‐ray diffraction and synchrotron‐based X‐ray techniques to investigate the cooling‐triggered irreversible single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformation of the DMF solvated iodo‐substituted squaraine dye (SQD‐I). Transformation is observed to be mediated by solvent‐involved XB formation and strengthening of electrostatic interaction between adjacent SQD‐I molecules. By immersing a DMF solvate in acetonitrile a solvent exchange without loss of long‐range ordering is observed. This is attributed to conservation of the molecular charge distribution of SQD‐I molecules during the process. The different solvates can be used in combination for temperature‐dependent image encryption. This work emphasizes the changes caused by XB formation to the electrostatic potentials of halogen containing molecules and their influence on material properties and presents the potential utility of XBs in the design of soft‐porous crystals and luminescent materials.
Predictive soil health indicators across a boreal forest to agricultural conversion gradient
Authors: Benalcazar P. , Kolka R. , Diochon A. C. , Schindelbeck R. R. , Sahota T. , McLaren B. E. , Stanovick John 
Published: April 2024

AbstractA changing climate offers new opportunities to expand agriculture in northern latitudes, and understanding forest‐to‐agriculture land conversion impacts is critical to ensure soil sustainability. Using the Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health (CASH) framework, we identified a minimum suite of indicators with little collinearity to reliably predict soil impacts during the conversion of boreal forest to agriculture and a time since conversion gradient (forest, <10 years, >10 and <50 years, and >50 years since conversion). We sampled paired forest and agricultural sites and used multiple linear regression to assess 16 indicators and found four‐ and six‐indicator models predicted the CASH score with varying but reasonable accuracy depending on conversion class. Organic matter, water aggregate stability, and pH were consistent predictors across all classes, as well as one or more micronutrients. The CASH framework appears to be more suitable for agricultural soils and as time since conversion proceeds.
Multifunctional Additives to Realize Dendrite‐Free Lithium Deposition in Carbonate Electrolytes toward Low‐Temperature Li Metal Batteries
Authors: Jiang Jinlong , Li Meng , Liu Xiaoyu , Yi Jin , Jiang Yong , Wu Chao , Liu Huakun , Zhao Bing , Li Wenrong , Sun Xueliang , Zhang Jiujun , Dou Shixue 
Published: April 2024

AbstractLi metal is recognized as one of the most promising anode candidates for next‐generation high specific energy batteries. However, the fragile solid electrolyte interface (SEI) and heterogeneous Li plating/stripping in carbonate electrolyte severely encumber its practical application. Here, the heptafluorobutyramide (HFT) and lithium nitrate (LiNO3) are proposed to synergistically construct a robust SEI layer with excellent Li+ transport kinetics. The HFT can promote the dissolution of LiNO3 in carbonate electrolyte due to the strong cooperation. The results of theoretical calculations, in situ Raman and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy with deep Ar‐ion etching demonstrate that HFT and NO3− will be preferentially reduced to a Li3N/LiF‐rich composite structure on the surface of Li metal. Particularly, after the addition of additives, the first solvent shell is converted from solvent‐dominated to anion‐dominated structure, and thus a significantly lower Li‐ion desolvation barrier is presented. Consequently, the Coulombic efficiency (CE) of Li||Cu half cells using the designed carbonate electrolyte can reach 97.1%. The full cells matched with LiFePO4 and LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM 811) can deliver high‐capacity retention over 100% at −20°C. This work provides an effective strategy for the regulation of solvation structure and the construction of high‐performance Li metal batteries.
From Back to Stage: Superior Cycling Stability of 2LiBH4−MgH2 Enabled by Anion Tuning
Authors: Ma Zhongliang , Zang Jiahe , Hu Wenqiang , Wang Qisen , Sun Zhonghui , Fang Fang , Song Yun , Sun Dalin 
Published: April 2024

Abstract2LiBH4−MgH2 (Li‐RHC) is a potential hydrogen storage candidate with a capacity of 11.5 wt.%. However, its further application is severely limited by the long nucleation induction period and poor reversibility of end‐product. Unlike the traditional focus on the catalytical role of cation, herein, a new perspective of previously ignored anion tuning has been proposed, in which S2− bridges the reversible conversion between Li2S and MgS during de‐/hydrogenation cycling of Li‐RHC. Such conversion not only enhances the migration of Li+, leading to the rapid destabilization of B─H bonds without obvious nucleation period of MgB2, but also improves the cycling stability of Li‐RHC with capacity retention over 90% even after 50 cycles. The universal of this anion modulation has been verified, along with the matching criteria of the corresponding transition metal cation. The results highlight the contribution of anion, push anion modulation from back to stage and eventually broaden the selection of catalysts for Li‐RHC.
Association between low handgrip strength and incontinence among Chinese middle‐aged and older people: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Li Lin , Chen Feilong , Li Xiaoyan , Gao Yiyuan , Wang Ning , Xu Tao 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectiveIncontinence seriously affects the lives of middle‐aged and older people. Pelvic floor muscle assessment is very important for incontinence, and handgrip strength can be used as an auxiliary diagnostic tool. Our study aims to find new cutoff points of handgrip strength as early indicators of incontinence and analyze the association between low handgrip strength and incontinence among Chinese middle‐aged and older people.MethodsParticipants were recruited from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longevity Study. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to find the handgrip strength cutoff point. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore other incontinence‐related risk factors.ResultsThe study included 10,229 middle‐aged and older people. Compared with normal handgrip strength participants, medium strength participants had 1.510 [men, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.017–2.243] and 1.792 (women, 95% CI = 1.294–2.480) times greater risk of incontinence, and low strength participants had 2.420 (men, 95% CI = 1.787–3.277) and 1.516 (women, 95% CI = 1.130–2.032) times greater risk of incontinence. Trend test results showed that the risk of incontinence increased with decreasing handgrip strength in middle‐aged and older people.ConclusionsOur study suggests that handgrip strength < 31 kg in men and < 20.5 kg in women is significantly associated with higher risk of incontinence in Chinese middle‐aged and older people. The risk of incontinence increases with decreasing handgrip strength. Handgrip strength should be measured in routine physical examinations in middle‐aged and older people for timely assessment and intervention in incontinence.
Worm‐like ordered mesoporous carbon from liquefied wood: Morphological manipulation by varying hydrothermal temperature
Authors: Li Yang , Wu Zhenwei , Liu Yanhong , Zhang Kun , Luo Sha , Li Wei , Liu Shouxin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe hydrothermal/soft templating method is an effective way to synthesize ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC), yet the mechanism of this strategy is not well illustrated. Herein, a hydrothermal temperature‐controlled approach is developed to precisely synthesize OMCs with well‐defined morphologies from liquefied wood (LW). As the hydrothermal temperature increases from 130 to 210°C, the hydrophilicity of the hydrophilic blocks decreases accompanied by the increase of the relative volume of the hydrophobic block, resulting in the packing parameter p of micelles changing from p ≤ 1/3 to 1/3 < p < 1/2, which transforms the micelle's structure from spherical to cylindrical. Additionally, accelerated nucleation occurred with the increased hydrothermal temperature. When the rate of nucleation is matched to the self‐assembly of the composite micelles, the composite micelles grow into worm‐like morphology and an ordered p6m mesostructure. This hydrothermal temperature‐controlled strategy provides a straightforward and effective approach for synthesizing OMCs with various morphologies from LW, addressing the previously insufficiently elucidated micelle formation mechanism in the hydrothermal/soft templating method.
New Alkalescent Electrolyte Chemistry for Zinc‐Ferricyanide Flow Battery
Authors: Zhi Liping , Liao Chenyi , Xu Pengcheng , Sun Fusai , Fan Fengtao , Li Guohui , Yuan Zhizhang , Li Xianfeng 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAlkaline zinc‐ferricyanide flow batteries are efficiency and economical as energy storage solutions. However, they suffer from low energy density and short calendar life. The strongly alkaline conditions (3 mol L−1 OH−) reduce the solubility of ferri/ferro‐cyanide (normally only 0.4 mol L−1 at 25 °C) and induce the formation of zinc dendrites at the anode. Here, we report a new zinc‐ferricyanide flow battery based on a mild alkalescent (pH 12) electrolyte. Using a chelating agent to rearrange ferri/ferro‐cyanide ion‐solvent interactions and improve salt dissociation, we increased the solubility of ferri/ferro‐cyanide to 1.7 mol L−1 and prevented zinc dendrites. Our battery has an energy density of ~74 Wh L−1catholyte at 60 °C and remains stable for 1800 cycles (1800 hours) at 0 °C and for >1400 cycles (2300 hours) at 25 °C. An alkalescent zinc‐ferricyanide cell stack built using this alkalescent electrolyte stably delivers 608 W of power for ~40 days.
A Thermosalient and Mechanically Compliant Organic Crystalline Optical Waveguide Switcher
Authors: Di Qi , Al‐Handawi Marieh B. , Li Liang , Naumov Panče , Zhang Hongyu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe dense and ordered molecular arrangements endow dynamic molecular crystals with fast response, rapid energy conversion, low energy dissipation, and strong coupling between heat/light and mechanical energy. Most of the known dynamic crystals can only respond to a single stimulus, and materials that can respond to multiple stimuli are rare. Here, we report an organic crystalline material that can be bent plastically and is also thermosalient, as its crystals can move when they undergo a reversible phase transition. The crystals transmit light regardless of their shape or crystalline phase. The combination of light transduction and reversible thermomechanical deformation provides an opportunity to switch the waveguiding capability of the material in a narrow temperature range, which holds a tremendous potential for applications in heat‐averse electronic components, such as central processing units. Unlike existing electronics, the material we report here is completely organic and therefore much lighter, potentially reducing the overall weight of electronic circuits.
Rechargeable Zn‐H2O hydrolysis battery for hydrogen storage and production
Authors: Cai Muya , Shi Hao , Zhang Yu , Qu Jiakang , Wang Hongya , Guo Yanyang , Du Kaifa , Li Wei , Deng Bowen , Wang Dihua , Yin Huayi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractReactive metals hydrolysis offers significant advantages for hydrogen storage and production. However, the regeneration of common reactive metals (e.g., Mg, Al, etc.) is energy‐intensive and produces unwanted byproducts such as CO2 and Cl2. Herein, we employ Zn as a reactive mediator that can be easily regenerated by electrolysis of ZnO in an alkaline solution with a Faradaic efficiency of >99.9 %. H2 is produced in the same electrolyte by constructing a Zn‐H2O hydrolysis battery consisting of a Zn anode and a Raney‐Ni cathode to unlock the Zn‐H2O reaction. The entire two‐step water splitting reaction with a net energy efficiency of 70.4 % at 80 °C and 50 mA cm−2. Additionally, the Zn‐H2O system can be charged using renewable energy to produce H2 on demand and runs for 600 cycles only sacrificing 3.76 % energy efficiency. DFT calculations reveal that the desorption of H* on Raney‐Ni (−0.30 eV) is closer to zero compared with that on Zn (−0.87 eV), indicating a faster desorption of H* at low overpotential. Further, a 24 Ah electrolyzer is demonstrated to produce H2 with a net energy efficiency of 65.5 %, which holds promise for its real application.