bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved organs at risk segmentation based on modified U‐Net with self‐attention and consistency regularisation
Authors: Manko Maksym , Popov Anton , Gorriz Juan Manuel , Ramirez Javier 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, with radiotherapy as one of the treatment options. Radiotherapy planning starts with delineating the affected area from healthy organs, called organs at risk (OAR). A new approach to automatic OAR segmentation in the chest cavity in Computed Tomography (CT) images is presented. The proposed approach is based on the modified U‐Net architecture with the ResNet‐34 encoder, which is the baseline adopted in this work. The new two‐branch CS‐SA U‐Net architecture is proposed, which consists of two parallel U‐Net models in which self‐attention blocks with cosine similarity as query‐key similarity function (CS‐SA) blocks are inserted between the encoder and decoder, which enabled the use of consistency regularisation. The proposed solution demonstrates state‐of‐the‐art performance for the problem of OAR segmentation in CT images on the publicly available SegTHOR benchmark dataset in terms of a Dice coefficient (oesophagus—0.8714, heart—0.9516, trachea—0.9286, aorta—0.9510) and Hausdorff distance (oesophagus—0.2541, heart—0.1514, trachea—0.1722, aorta—0.1114) and significantly outperforms the baseline. The current approach is demonstrated to be viable for improving the quality of OAR segmentation for radiotherapy planning.
Enabling pandemic‐resilient healthcare: Narrowband Internet of Things and edge intelligence for real‐time monitoring
Authors: Islam Md Motaharul , Hasan Mohammad Kamrul , Islam Shayla , Balfaqih Mohammed , Alzahrani Ahmed Ibrahim , Alalwan Nasser , Safie Nurhizam , Bhuiyan Zaheed Ahmed , Thakkar Rahul , Ghazal Taher M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe Internet of Things (IoT) in deploying robotic sprayers for pandemic‐associated disinfection and monitoring has garnered significant attention in recent research. The authors introduce a novel architectural framework designed to interconnect smart monitoring robotic devices within healthcare facilities using narrowband Internet of Things (NB‐IoT) technology. The core objective is establishing a seamless data transmission pipeline that bridges these devices with the nearest base station. The associated data is routed directly from the edge computing infrastructure to the Cloud storage. The proposed architecture increases data security and optimises system performance by avoiding dependencies on central data centres. The critical components of this system allow the edge node to transmit data to the cloud, where primary data processing and analysis occur. The selection of NB‐IoT as the underlying protocol facilitates real‐time data collection and monitoring in healthcare with boosted capacity and coverage, extended battery life, and cost efficiency.
Development of a novel signal restoration algorithm to eliminate the distorted components in space charge measurement excited by femtosecond laser irradiation
Authors: Qi Tianrun , Ren Hanwen , Gao Haoyu , Li Qingmin , Ma Yidan , Ma Yiqun , Xiao Tao 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFor the space charge measurement method with optical excitation for electrical insulation, the distortion of the excitation laser on the measurement signal and the accumulation of space charge have not been discussed before. Both experiment and simulation results show that three types of distorted components introduced by optical excitation can lead to distortion of the upper interface signal. Further, the factors causing distortion of the measured signal and the formation mechanism are analysed. A virtual electrode potential compensation method and a distorted component extraction method are proposed. Meanwhile, an attenuation restoration and charge conversion correction factor is introduced, leading to a novel signal processing algorithm adapted to space charge optical measurement methods. Compared with the traditional algorithm, the novel algorithm has an error of less than 1% in the calculation of charge and electric field strength, with an increase in accuracy of 47.7% and 9.81%, respectively. By applying the novel restoration algorithm, the comparison shows that the space charge accumulation does not change significantly under laser irradiation, verifying the reliability of the optical excitation. The given algorithm can provide a theoretical and technical foundation for the realisation of the optical measurement method for space charge.
A novel linear regression density peak clustering‐based transmission line protection for line‐commuted converter‐voltage source converter hybrid high voltage direct current system
Authors: Lei Shunguang , Shu Hongchun , Li Zhimin , Hu Yinan , Tian Xincui , Liu Taiwen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractLine‐commuted converter (LCC)–voltage source converter (VSC) hybrid high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system is an innovative technology, the existing LCC and VSC protection require setting, and it is difficult to be directly applied in the LCC–VSC hybrid HVDC, which is a serious problem in practical engineering. A novel linear regression density peak clustering (LRDPC) approach is introduced for transmission line protection. LRDPC employs Least Squares linear regression to compute the fault current slope, followed by density peak clustering for fault type identification. The proposed protection structure is straightforward and setting‐less, eliminating the need for fault pole selection elements and classification thresholds. Validation on the Kun‐Liu‐Long LCC–VSC HVDC RTDS system demonstrates the method's effectiveness in identifying diverse faults under varying conditions, including fault types, locations, resistances, and signal‐to‐noise ratios. Notably, it remains robust against fault impedance (600 Ω) and noise interference (20 dB).
Two‐stage demand‐side management in energy flexible residential buildings
Authors: Fotouhi Ghazvini Mohammad Ali , Antoniadou‐Plytaria Kyriaki , Steen David , Tuan Le Anh 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn this study, an optimisation model is developed for two‐stage energy management of a residential building to minimise energy cost under monthly power‐based tariffs for peak demand and time‐variable electricity prices. The expected peak demand is determined in the first stage, and then the energy management system minimizes energy costs during the second stage. The second stage's optimisation problem is solved in a rolling time window, facilitating real‐time operation of flexible energy sources in the building. This includes optimal charging and discharging of the battery energy system, electric vehicle battery charging, heating system operation, and determining the optimal start times for washing machines and dishwashers, all close to real‐time. The proposed approach enables users to predict and manage peak demand in daily operation, staying below the predetermined value through a close to real‐time energy management system. The effectiveness of this two‐stage approach in demand‐side management for residential buildings is demonstrated through a realistic case study.
La sismique fréquentielle, outil pour vérifier la continuite de la transmission des contraintes dans un massif applications aux injections, vides, voutes de tunnel
Authors: De Sloovere Pierre , Colin Pierre , Mauss Jean-Louis , Godin Hubert , Priano Stefano 
Published: March 2024

La sismique fréquentielle est une méthode peu utilisée bien que très puissante pour vérifier la continuité des contraintes dans un massif. Mise au point pour des contrôles d’injection, elle est utile par exemple pour déterminer que le toit d'une exploitation minière est resté stable, même 50 ans après son abandon (cas de Chizeuil). Cela peut l'être aussi pour détecter des karsts inattendus sous des fondations (cas de Tournai).
Le principe en est simple : il s'agit d'émettre un choc mécanique dans un terrain et d'analyser en fréquence le signal reçu par un récepteur en plusieurs points du massif. Le champ de contrainte produit par le choc voit son spectre modifié par le terrain : en milieu continu, le modèle de Kelvin-Voigt montre que les fréquences transmises sont plus élevées si le module élastique est élevé ; il en est de même si la viscosité est élevée. En milieu fracturé, les fractures jouent le rôle d'un filtre passe bas : à toute largeur de fissure correspond une longueur d’onde minimale au-delà de laquelle il n'y a pas transmission de la vibration de part et d’autre de la fracture. En conséquence, les hautes fréquences ne passent que s'il n'y a pas de fissures, si le module élastique est élevé et si la viscosité importante, ce qui est un objectif commun à tout constructeur.
A Chizeuil, sept forages de 50 mètres réalisés au-dessus de l’exploitation ont permis de montrer que les hautes fréquences étaient transmises au-dessus de la mine sur 20 mètres ou plus avec une remarquable continuité ; aucune basse fréquence n'apparaît, le toit de la mine n'est donc pas fissuré.
L'exemple de Tournai est l'inverse du précédent : une trentaine de forages de 18 mètres de profondeur ont permis de dessiner une carte sommaire des karsts en dessous de fondations en cours de réalisation et de délimiter précisément un certain nombre de secteurs, ce qui a permis de poursuivre la construction avec un maximum d'informations.
Prevalence of intestinal trichomonads in captive non-human primates in China
Authors: Ma Ping-Ping , Zou Yang , Mu Wen-Jie , Zhang Yue-Yue , Li Ya-Qi , Liu Zhong-Li , Zhang Long , Chen Li-Xian , Liu Guo-Hua , Wang Shuai 
Published: March 2024

Trichomonads are protozoan symbionts with the capacity to infect vertebrates including humans and non-human primates (NHPs), sometimes with pathogenic effects. However, their diversity and prevalence in NHPs in China are poorly understood. A total of 533 fecal samples were collected from captive NHPs in Yunnan Province, China, of which 461 samples from Macaca fascicularis and 72 from Macaca mulatta. Trichomonadidae species were identified using PCR amplification of the ITS-1/5.8S/ITS-2 sequences. The overall prevalence of trichomonads in NHPs was determined to be 11.4% (61/533), with gender, diarrhea, and region identified as potential risk factors for the infections. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis identified three species of trichomonads, i.e., Trichomitopsis minor (n = 45), Pentatrichomonas hominis (n = 11), and Tetratrichomonas sp. (n = 5). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report Trichomitopsis minor infection in NHPs in China. Of note, Pentatrichomonas hominis is generally recognized as a parasitic organism affecting humans. Collectively, our results suggest that NHPs are potential sources of zoonotic trichomonad infections, highlighting the importance of surveillance and control measures to protect human and animal populations.
Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) field trial targeting the suppression of Aedes albopictus in Greece
Authors: Balatsos Georgios , Karras Vasileios , Puggioli Arianna , Balestrino Fabrizio , Bellini Romeo , Papachristos Dimitrios P. , Milonas Panagiotis G. , Papadopoulos Nikos T. , Malfacini Marco , Carrieri Marco , Kapranas Apostolos , Mamai Wadaka , Mastronikolos George , Lytra Ioanna , Bouyer Jérémy , Michaelakis Antonios 
Published: March 2024

The sterile insect technique (SIT) involves releasing large numbers of sterile males to outcompete wild males in mating with females, leading to a decline in pest populations. In the current study, we conducted a suppression trial in Greece against the invasive dengue vector mosquito Aedes albopictus (Skuse) through the weekly release of sterile males for 22 weeks from June to September 2019. Our approach included the long-distance transport of sterile mosquitoes, and their release at a density of 2,547 ± 159 sterile males per hectare per week as part of an area-wide integrated pest management strategy (AW-IPM). The repeated releases of sterile males resulted in a gradual reduction in egg density, reaching 78% from mid-June to early September. This reduction remained between 70% and 78% for four weeks after the end of the releases. Additionally, in the SIT intervention area, the ovitrap index, representing the percentage of traps containing eggs, remained lower throughout the trial than in the control area. This trial represents a significant advance in the field of mosquito control, as it explores the viability and efficacy of producing and transporting sterile males from a distant facility to the release area. Our results provide valuable insights for future SIT programmes targeting Ae. Albopictus, and the methodology we employed can serve as a starting point for developing more refined and effective release protocols, including the transportation of sterile males over long distances from production units to intervention areas.
The Inequitable Years: Backcountry Experiences After Pregnancy
Authors: Koroll Rebecca S. 
Published: March 2024

Summary
Motherhood brings exciting changes and challenges. All at once you experience changes to family dynamics, priorities, work-life balance, and your leisure. In the case of outdoor leisure participation, a mother’s ability to participate is largely influenced by the age of your child, your physical stamina, and emotional or psychological ability to handle, expect, plan, and adapt to your child’s and your own changing needs during participation. Specifically, this is true in activities that take place in remote, or backcountry settings as opposed to urban or near-urban settings. Accessibility is limited to moms who can take on (and financially afford) to carry their child on their back for long periods at a time. Few trail systems, that are not located inside conservation areas or parks, are designed with accessibility in mind. For any parent, this includes not being stroller friendly. Social media is abundant with “hacks” for the once outdoorsy moms to get back outside with their kids but, unless you have the resources and time, this often is not realistic until you have an independently mobile child. Moms looking to participate in outdoor leisure with infants are subject to extensive costs, planning, and high levels of fitness to be able to enjoy outdoor spaces and wellbeing benefits. In this case study, I offer a reflection of my experience trying to re-enter the world of back-country hiking with an infant. I consider the financial, physical, and psychological constraints faced when trying to “belong” in the outdoors, in this new phase of life.

Information
© CAB International 2024
Proposed DRLs for mammography in Switzerland
Authors: Dupont Laura , Aberle Christoph , Botsikas Diomidis , Ith Michael , Lima Thiago Viana Miranda , Menz Roman , Monnin Pascal , Poletti Pierre-Alexandre , Presilla Stefano , Schegerer Alexander , Stoica Liana-Cristina , Trueb Philipp , Sans Merce Marta 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The aim of this study is to propose diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) values for mammography in Switzerland. For the data collection, a survey was conducted among a sufficient number of centres, including five University hospitals, several cantonal hospitals, and large private clinics, covering all linguistic regions of Switzerland to be representative of the clinical practice. The data gathered contained the mean glandular dose (MGD), the compressed breast thickness (CBT), the mammography model and the examination parameters for each acquisition. The data collected was sorted into the following categories: 2D or digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) examination, craniocaudal (CC) or mediolateral oblique (MLO) projection, and eight categories of CBT ranging from 20 mm to 100 mm in 10 mm intervals. A total of 24 762 acquisitions were gathered in 31 centres on 36 mammography units from six manufacturers. The analysis showed that the data reflects the practice in Switzerland. The results revealed that the MGD is larger for DBT than for 2D acquisitions for the same CBT. From 20–30 mm to 90–100 mm of CBT, the 75th percentile of the MGD values obtained increased from 0.81 mGy to 2.55 mGy for 2D CC acquisitions, from 0.83 mGy to 2.96 mGy for 2D MLO acquisitions, from 1.22 mGy to 3.66 mGy for DBT CC acquisitions and from 1.33 mGy to 4.04 mGy for DBT MLO acquisitions. The results of the survey allow us to propose Swiss DRLs for mammography according to the examination type (2D/DBT), projection (CC/MLO) and CBT. The proposed values are very satisfactory in comparison with other studies.
Calibration of medical gamma cameras for estimation of internal contamination from 137Cs
Authors: Hjellström Martin , Isaksson Mats 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Calibration of 22 gamma camera units was performed at 15 hospitals in southern and western Sweden to estimate 137Cs contamination in humans in a supine static geometry, with a new developed calibration protocol and phantom. The minimum detectable activities (MDAs) and the estimated committed effective doses (CEDs) were calculated for each calibration. Generic calibration factors were calculated for five predetermined groups based on the detector type and manufacturer. Group 1 and 2 included NaI-based gamma cameras from General Electrics (GEs) with a crystal thickness of 5/8′′ and 3/8′′ respectively. Group 3 and 4 included NaI-based gamma cameras from Siemens Healthineers with a crystal thickness of 3/8′′, with a similar energy window as the GE NaI-based cameras and a dual window respectively. Group 5 included semiconductor-based gamma cameras from GE with a CdZnTe (CZT) detector. The generic calibration factors were 60.0 cps kBq−1, 52.3 cps kBq−1, 50.3 cps kBq−1, 53.2 cps kBq−1 and 48.4 cps kBq−1 for group 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively. The MDAs ranged between 169 and 1130 Bq for all groups, with measurement times of 1–10 min, corresponding to a CED of 4.77–77.6 μSv. A dead time analysis was performed for group 1 and suggested a dead time of 3.17 μs for 137Cs measurements. The dead time analysis showed that a maximum count rate of 232 kcps could be measured in the calibration geometry, corresponding to a CED of 108–263 mSv. It has been shown that semiconductor-based gamma cameras with CZT detectors are feasible for estimating 137Cs contamination. The generic calibration factors derived in this study can be used for gamma cameras of the same models in other hospitals, for measurements in the same measurement geometry. This will increase the measurement capability for estimating internal 137Cs contamination in the recovery phase following radiological or nuclear events.
Dynamics of neuronal firing modulated by high-frequency electrical pulse stimulations at axons in rat hippocampus
Authors: Wang Zhaoxiang , Feng Zhouyan , Yuan Yue , Guo Zheshan , Cui Jian , Jiang Tianzi 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objective. The development of electrical pulse stimulations in brain, including deep brain stimulation, is promising for treating various brain diseases. However, the mechanisms of brain stimulations are not yet fully understood. Previous studies have shown that the commonly used high-frequency stimulation (HFS) can increase the firing of neurons and modulate the pattern of neuronal firing. Because the generation of neuronal firing in brain is a nonlinear process, investigating the characteristics of nonlinear dynamics induced by HFS could be helpful to reveal more mechanisms of brain stimulations. The aim of present study is to investigate the fractal properties in the neuronal firing generated by HFS. Approach. HFS pulse sequences with a constant frequency 100 Hz were applied in the afferent fiber tracts of rat hippocampal CA1 region. Unit spikes of both the pyramidal cells and the interneurons in the downstream area of stimulations were recorded. Two fractal indexes—the Fano factor and Hurst exponent were calculated to evaluate the changes of long-range temporal correlations (LRTCs), a typical characteristic of fractal process, in spike sequences of neuronal firing. Main
results. Neuronal firing at both baseline and during HFS exhibited LRTCs over multiple time scales. In addition, the LRTCs significantly increased during HFS, which was confirmed by simulation data of both randomly shuffled sequences and surrogate sequences. Conclusion. The purely periodic stimulation of HFS pulses, a non-fractal process without LRTCs, can increase rather than decrease the LRTCs in neuronal firing. Significance. The finding provides new nonlinear mechanisms of brain stimulation and suggests that LRTCs could be a new biomarker to evaluate the nonlinear effects of HFS.
Impacts of method courses on Vietnamese pre-service teachers’ perceptions and practices: From the perspectives of model and modeling in STEM education
Authors: Khuyen Nguyen Thi To , Bien Nguyen Van , Ngan Le Hai My , Khan Samia , Faikhamta Chatree , Islami R Ahmad Zaky El 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Modeling in visual representations is essential in STEM education because of its concretization in science, technology, engineering, and math learning activities. Therefore, model-based teaching needs to be improved for pre-service teachers (PSTs) to implement STEM education successfully. We conduct the model-based integrated inquiry STEM (MII-STEM) method courses for 16 PSTs in Physics Education in Vietnam. A qualitative analysis was utilized to examine how and to what extent PSTs change in perceptions of models and STEM education. The findings showed that the number of PSTs with a higher understanding of the model increased. PSTs gain a deeper understanding of STEM education and could transfer alternative perceptions of STEM education into STEM lesson plans. PSTs clarified and embedded Science and Engineering Practices in STEM lesson plans. There were changes of PSTs’ STEM lesson plan after the MII-STEM course: (1) product-oriented to process-oriented; (2) make Engineering more apparent; (3) focusing on developing students’ science and engineering practices; (4) define how STEM sub-fields integrated into STEM lesson plans; and (5) using model and modeling in STEM activities. In addition, PSTs had a positive view of the effectiveness of the STEM-focus method course.
Using the Design-Based Research Approach to Develop and Evaluate a New Study Module about Knowledge Acquisition in Science
Authors: Biedenbach Jana , Spatz Verena 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The research approach design-based research has become more popular in recent years, also in the field of science didactics. Representatives of this field usually explicitly distinguish themselves from evaluation. In contrast, we have formed a synthesis of both research approaches for our development and evaluation project. By conducting the development and evaluation according to a design-based research process, we are able to take advantage of the added value of the design-based research approach. This article describes the philosophy of our research with the image of the didactic engineer and gives an insight into the implementation through the concrete description of our project, the development and evaluation of a new study module on knowledge acquisition in science for pre-service teachers. Finally, we discuss the added value of the elements of design-based Research compared to a pure evaluation and where the limits lie regarding the claims of design-based research.
The Stellarium Gornergrat: Astrophysics with your own Data
Authors: Gschwind Stéphane , Hohmann Sascha , Müller Andreas , Nordine Jeffrey , Riesen Timm-Emanuel 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Remote-controlled telescopes in education provide the opportunity to obtain high quality astronomy images for a broad variety of users. The Stellarium Gornergrat is such a telescope. In addition to pure observation, it offers a user-friendly interface and teaching modules so that astronomical and astrophysical projects can be integrated into everyday school life without any special prior knowledge and without requiring a lot of time. This contribution presents the Stellarium project and a provides an overview of several teaching activities.