bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The implementation of an image‐guided system at a proton therapy center facility
Authors: Arjomandy Bijan , Bejarano Buele Ana Isabel , Clinthorne Neal , Vujasevic Milos , Athar Basit , Deemer James , Alkhatib Ahmad , Hussain Abrar 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPurposePencil Beam Scanning (PBS) proton therapy has similar requirements on patient alignment to within 1 mm and 1‐degree accuracy as photon radiosurgery. This study describes general workflow, acceptance, and commissioning test procedures and their respective results for an independent robotic arm used for Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) for a Proton Therapy System.MethodsThe system is equipped with kV‐imaging techniques capable of orthogonal and Cone‐Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) imaging modalities mounted on an independent robotic arm gantry attached to the ceiling. The imaging system is capable of 360‐degree rotation around patients to produce CBCT and kilovoltage orthogonal images. The imaging hardware is controlled by Ehmet Health XIS software, and MIM Software handles the image fusion and registration to an acceptable accuracy of ≤1‐mm shifts for patients’ alignment. The system was tested according to the requirements outlined in the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group (TG) 142 and TG 179. The system tests included (1) safety, functionality, and connectivity, (2) mechanical testing, (3) image quality, (4) image registration, and (5) imaging dose. Additional tests included imaging gantry isocentricity with a laser tracker and collision‐avoiding system checks.ResultsThe orthogonal and volumetric imaging are comparable in quality to other commercially available On‐Board Imagers (OBI) systems. The resulting spatial resolution values were 1.8‐, 0.8‐, and 0.5‐Line Pairs per Millimeter (lp/mm) for orthogonal, full‐fan CBCT, and half‐fan CBCT, respectively. The image registration is accurate to within 1 mm and 1 degree. The data shows consistent imaging‐guided system performance with standard deviations in x, y, and z of 0.7, 0.8, and 0.7 mm, respectively.ConclusionsThe system provides excellent image quality and performance, which can be used for IGRT. The proven accuracy of the x‐ray imaging and positioning system at McLaren Proton Therapy Center (MPTC) is 1 mm, making it suitable for proton therapy.
A robust evaluation of 49 high‐dose‐rate prostate brachytherapy treatment plans including all major uncertainties
Authors: Kennedy Andrew Christopher , Douglass Michael John James , Santos Alexandre Manuel Caraça 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundUncertainties in radiotherapy cause deviation from the planned dose distribution and may result in delivering a treatment that fails to meet clinical objectives. The impact of uncertainties is unique to the patient anatomy and the needle locations in HDR prostate brachytherapy. Evaluating this impact during treatment planning is not common practice, relying on margins around the target or organs‐at‐risk to account for uncertainties.PurposeA robust evaluation framework for HDR prostate brachytherapy treatment plans was evaluated on 49 patient plans, measuring the range of possible dosimetric outcomes to the patient due to 14 major uncertainties.MethodsPatient plans were evaluated for their robustness to uncertainties by simulating probable uncertainty scenarios. Five‐thousand probabilistic and 1943 worst‐case scenarios per patient were simulated by changing the position and size of structures and length of dwell times from their nominal values. For each uncertainty scenario, the prostate D90 and maximum doses to the urethra, D0.01cc, and rectum, D0.1cc, were calculated.ResultsThe D90 was an average 1.16 ± 0.51% (mean ± SD) below nominal values for the probabilistic scenarios; the D0.01cc metric was 2.24 ± 0.90% higher; and D0.1cc was greater by 0.48 ± 0.30%. The D0.01cc and D90 metrics were more sensitive to uncertainties than D0.1cc, with a median of 79.0% and 84.9% of probabilistic scenarios passing the constraints, compared to 96.5%. The median pass‐rate for scenarios that passed all three metrics simultaneously was 63.4%.ConclusionsAssessing treatment plan robustness improves plan quality assurance, is achievable in less than 1‐min, and identifies treatment plans with poor robustness, allowing re‐optimization before delivery.
Synchronization of stochastic memristive neural networks via event‐triggered impulsive control
Authors: Zhang Zhenning , Mu Xiaowu , Hu Zenghui 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis paper investigates the synchronization problem for master‐slave stochastic memristive neural networks (SMNNs) with time‐delay via event‐triggered impulsive control (ETIC). Firstly, a novel ETIC method is designed for SMNNs to realize quasi‐synchronization in mean square sense. Different from time‐triggered impulsive control (TTIC) in the existing results on SMNNs, the proposed event‐triggered method determines impulsive instants based on the real‐time system states, which can reduce redundant impulses. Compared with the existing ETIC for deterministic memristive neural networks (MNNs), the proposed event‐triggered mechanism (ETM) can exclude Zeno behavior completely by adding the waiting time, when stochastic disturbances occur in MNNs. Secondly, if the master SMNNs have nonzero control inputs, an adaptive‐impulsive hybrid controller with ETM is designed to realize almost surely exponential synchronization. Under the ETM, the number of transmitted events is reduced, then control resources can be saved. Zeno behavior can be excluded in almost sure sense. Ultimately, simulations are presented to illustrate the validity of the obtained results.
Injectable Hydrogels Prepared Using Novel Synthetic Short Peptides with Defined Structure and Gelatin as Scaffolds to Support Cell and Tissue Growth
Authors: Lee Ashlynn Ling Zhi , Balakrishnan Nithiyaa , Ng Jian Yao , Liu Shaoqiong , Ong Zhan Yuin , Wang Yanming , Gao Shujun , Yang Yi Yan 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAnimal‐derived basement‐membrane matrices such as Geltrex are used to grow cells and tissues. Particularly, these are commonly applied to support tumor growth in animals for cancer research. However, a material derived from an animal source has an undefined composition, and may thus have unavoidable batch‐to‐batch variation in properties. To overcome these issues, a series of synthetic short peptides to form hydrogels is designed in combination with gelatin to promote cell adhesion and growth. The peptides have sequences of (X1Y1X2Y2)2, where X1 and X2 are hydrophobic residues, while Y1 and Y2 are hydrophilic residues. The peptides spontaneously fold and self‐assemble into a β‐sheet secondary structure upon contact with salts, and then aggregate to form hydrophilic networks of hydrogels. Hybrid hydrogels formed by mixing the peptide IEVEIRVK (IVK8) with gelatin are injectable and enzymatically degradable. The hybrid hydrogels at optimal compositions support SW480 and HepG2 tumor spheroid growth in vitro as effectively as Geltrex. More importantly, the peptide/gelatin hydrogels support tumor growth in a SW480 human colorectal adenocarcinoma xenograft mouse model. Altogether, the results illustrate that the synthetic peptide/gelatin hybrid hydrogel is a promising scaffold that can be used to support cell and tissue growth both in vitro and in vivo.
Revealing the Deposition Mechanism of the Powder Aerosol Deposition Method Using Ceramic Oxide Core–Shell Particles
Authors: Linz Mario , Bühner Florian , Paulus Daniel , Hennerici Lukas , Guo Yiran , Mereacre Valeriu , Mansfeld Ulrich , Seipenbusch Martin , Kita Jaroslaw , Moos Ralf 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe powder aerosol deposition (PAD) method is a process to manufacture ceramic films completely at room temperature. Since the first reports by Akedo in the late 1990s, much research has been conducted to reveal the exact mechanism of the deposition process. However, it is still not fully understood. This work tackles this challenge using core–shell particles. Two coated oxides, Al2O3 core with a SiO2 shell and LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 core with a LiNbO3 shell, are investigated. Initially, the element ratios Al:Si and Ni:Nb of the powder are determined by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). In a second step, the change in the element ratios of Al:Si and Ni:Nb after deposition is investigated. The element ratios from powder to film strongly shift toward the shell elements, indicating that the particles fracture and only the outer parts of the particles are deposited. In the last step, this work investigates cross‐sections of the deposited films with scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM combined with EDX and an energy‐selective back‐scattered electron (EsB) detector to unveil the element distribution within the film itself. Therefore, the following overall picture emerges: particles impact on the substrate or on previously deposited particle, fracture, and only a small part of the impacting particles that originate from the outer part of the impacting particle gets deposited.
African Americans and federal land policy: Exploring the Homestead Acts of 1862 and 1866
Authors: Muhammad Andrew , Sichko Christopher , Olsson Tore C. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWe examine the history of US land policy, with a focus on the Homestead Acts, underscoring the precarious position of African Americans during the homesteading period. We discuss the historical context and the shifting political landscape of the Civil War and Reconstruction era, providing the context for research on federal land policies and problems of race. Past research is almost entirely outside of the agricultural and applied economics profession. We believe that the applied economics discipline is especially suited for empirically examining the influence of federal land policies on past and present disparities and racial makeup of American agriculture.
Biomimetic Fe7S8/Carbon electrocatalyst from [FeFe]‐Hydrogenase for improving pH‐Universal electrocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Kim Dohun , Surendran Subramani , Im Sejin , Lim Jaehyoung , Jin Kyoungsuk , Nam Ki Tae , Sim Uk 
Published: October 2023

AbstractEfficient and cost‐effective electrocatalysts that can operate across a wide range of pH conditions are essential for green hydrogen production. Inspired by biological systems, Fe7S8 nanoparticles incorporated on polydopamine matrix electrocatalyst were synthesized by co‐precipitation and annealing process. The resulting Fe7S8/C electrocatalyst possesses a three‐dimensional structure and exhibits enhanced electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen production across various pH conditions. Notably, the Fe7S8/C electrocatalyst demonstrates exceptional activity, achieving low overpotentials of 90.6, 45.9, and 107.4 mV in acidic, neutral, and alkaline environments, respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals that Fe7S8/C exhibits the lowest charge transfer resistance under neutral conditions, indicating an improved proton‐coupled electron transfer process. Continuous‐wave electron paramagnetic resonance results confirm a change in the valence state of Fe from 3+ to 1+ during the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). These findings closely resemble the behavior of natural [FeFe]‐hydrogenase, known for its superior hydrogen production in neutral conditions. The remarkable performance of our Fe7S8/C electrocatalyst opens up new possibilities for utilizing bioinspired materials as catalysts for the HER.
Why presumptions are important in occupational health: The example of COVID‐19 infection as an occupational disease
Authors: Laskaris Zoey , Markowitz Steven B. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWorkers who become ill or injured on the job while undertaking extraordinary risks on behalf of the public are, at times, granted facilitated access to workers' compensation (WC) benefits through the application of presumptions in the compensation process. Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, a broad range of occupational groups faced an elevated risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) exposure at work to perform vital services to maintain our food supply, sustain needed transportation, provide health care, assure energy supply and others. Some states or jurisdictions in the United States recognized both the risk and the service of these workers by enacting COVID‐19 presumption laws to streamline selected essential workers' eligibility for WC benefits. Other states did not. Results of these contrasting public approaches permit an examination of the impact of presumptions in compensation by examining the frequency and outcomes of COVID‐19 claims in “COVID‐19 presumption” and “nonpresumption” states. Despite state‐level variations in economic response to the pandemic, industry mix, and presumption eligibility criteria, the use of COVID‐19 presumptions appears to have substantially increased claim filing rates and improved access to benefits. Lastly, the additional costs of COVID‐19 claims to employers and insurers were lower than initially predicted. In response to future airborne infectious disease outbreaks, workers' compensation presumption laws should be universally implemented to permit a broad range of high‐risk workers to work on the public's behalf without fear of losing wages and incurring medical expenses associated with a work‐related viral exposure.
Designing and evaluating a cost‐effective single nucleotide polymorphism liquid array for Chinese native chickens
Authors: Liu Yifan , Shan Yanju , Tu Yunjie , Zhang Ming , Ji Gaige , Ju Xiaojun , Shi Shiying , Fan Chenyu , Li Yunlei , Shu Jingting 
Published: October 2023

AbstractGenotyping plays an important role in breeding and population studies. Currently available genotyping technologies, including solid‐phase chips and sequencing, often have several limitations in their application to local chickens in China, including high costs, insufficient diversity, and poor universality. In the present study, we developed a chicken 5 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array suitable for breeding and genetic analysis using genotyping by targeted sequencing technology. The chip design was based on genomic data from 33 local breeds, and 5847 SNPs were selected for the final chip design. Among these SNPs, 3427 sites were associated with economic traits in broiler chickens. Our chip contained 25,000 high‐quality SNP markers captured from 5 K regions with highly efficient target site capture. Population analyses of the eight breeds showed high detection rates and minor allele frequencies for SNP markers on the array, enabling clear differentiation of different populations and families within populations. The genetic diversity trend obtained using the chip was consistent with the results obtained from microsatellite analyses. Additionally, the 5 K array was applied to a genome‐wide association study of broilers, resulting in the identification of several growth‐ and meat quality‐related loci. Therefore, the newly developed chip is efficient, cost‐effective, and well suited for application in local Chinese chickens, which will accelerate poultry breeding improvements and enhance conservation efforts.
Assessing model risk in financial and energy markets using dynamic conditional VaRs
Authors: Gianfreda Angelica , Scandolo Giacomo 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIt has been recognized that model risk has an important effect on any risk measurement procedures, particularly when dealing with complex markets and in the presence of a wide range of implemented models. We consider a normalized measure of model risk for the forecast of daily Value‐at‐Risk, combined with a model selection and an averaging procedure. This allows us to restrict the set of plausible models on a daily basis, making the initial choice of competing models less crucial and then yielding a more reliable assessment of model risk. Using AR‐GARCH‐type models with different distributions for the innovations, we assess the dynamics of model risk for different financial assets (a stock, an equity index, an exchange rate) and commodities (electricity, crude oil and natural gas) over 15 years.
Equatorially trapped Rossby waves in radiative stars
Authors: Albekioni Mariam , Zaqarashvili Teimuraz V. , Kukhianidze Vasil , Gurgenashvili Eka , Bourdin Philippe 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObservations by recent space missions reported the detection of Rossby waves (r‐modes) in light curves of many stars (mostly A, B, and F spectral types) with outer radiative envelope. This article aims to study the theoretical dynamics of Rossby‐type waves in such stars. Hydrodynamic equations in a rotating frame were split into horizontal and vertical parts connected by a separation constant (or an equivalent depth). Vertical equations were solved analytically for a linear temperature profile and the equivalent depth was derived through free surface boundary condition. It is found that the vertical modes are concentrated in the near‐surface layer with a thickness of several tens of surface density scale height. Then with the equivalent width, horizontal structure equations were solved, and the corresponding dispersion relation for Rossby, Rossby‐gravity, and inertia‐gravity waves was obtained. The solutions were found to be confined around the equator, leading to the equatorially trapped waves. It was shown that the wave frequency depends on the vertical temperature gradient as well as on stellar rotation. Therefore, observations of wave frequency in light curves of stars with known parameters (radius, surface gravity, rotation period) could be used to estimate the temperature gradient in stellar outer layers. Consequently, the Rossby mode may be considered as an additional tool in asteroseismology apart from acoustic and gravity modes.
Aptamer‐modified tetrahedral DNA nanostructure‐immobilized liposome for specific gene delivery and potential cancer theragnostic
Authors: Lim Doo Young , Hwang Byeong Hee 
Published: October 2023

AbstractTargeted delivery of therapeutic agents to cancer cells is crucial for effective cancer treatment without adverse effects. In this study, we developed a novel delivery carrier, Aptamer‐modified tetrahedral DNA nanostructure (TDN) immobilized Liposome (ApTL), for specific delivery to nucleolin‐overexpressing cancer cells. We demonstrated that targeted ApTL was highly effective in delivering plasmid and mRNA to nucleolin‐overexpressing cancer cells compared to non‐targeted ApTL with a non‐specific aptamer. ApTL, which is highly negative and nano‐sized, specifically delivered nucleic acids to MDA‐MB‐231 and HeLa cancer cells, primarily via lipid‐raft‐mediated endocytosis. Furthermore, the co‐delivery of mRNA and doxorubicin resulted in increased apoptosis and reduced cancer cell viability. Interestingly, co‐delivery of mRNA and Dox did not show a significant difference in EGFP expression at 24 h but dramatically increased EGFP expression at 48 h, making ApTL/mEGFP/Dox a promising candidate for detecting live cancer cells after targeted cancer drug treatment. Our results suggest that ApTL can be a promising tool for the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to nucleolin‐overexpressing cancer cells, providing a new strategy for cancer theragnostic.
An integrated laboratory work to improve students' practical skills and attitudes toward biochemistry in the biochemistry course
Authors: Anwar Yunita Arian Sani , Muti'ah Muti'ah , Dewi Yuli Kusuma 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis research reports on implementing the integrated laboratory work to achieve effective learning in the biochemistry course. The integrated laboratory work includes three stages: pre‐laboratory, lab work, and post‐laboratory. In other words, the three stages include planning, implementing, and evaluating investigation activities in the laboratory. The research design used was a posttest control group design consisting of a control and an experimental group. There were 67 students as respondents, who were divided into control (N = 33) and experimental (N = 34) groups. Practical skills were measured using an assessment rubric with the involvement of the observer. The categories of practical skills measured were procedural skills, observation skills, interpretation skills, and reporting skills. Attitude toward biochemistry was measured using a questionnaire with five Likert scales. The indicators of attitudes toward biochemistry used were liking for a biochemistry theory lesson, liking for biochemistry laboratory work, evaluative beliefs about biochemistry, and behavioral tendencies to learn biochemistry. The influence of the implementation of the integrated laboratory work on the students' practical skills and attitudes toward biochemistry was analyzed using MANOVA. The research result shows that implementing the integrated laboratory work improves students' average scores in practical skills and attitudes toward biochemistry. All the practical skills and attitudes categories in the experimental group have a higher score than those in the control group. The reason is that the work of the integrated laboratory can prepare students to conduct better investigations in biochemistry laboratory work.
Interrogating Aptamer Chemical Space Through Modified Nucleotide Substitution Facilitated by Enzymatic DNA Synthesis
Authors: Niogret Germain , Bouvier‐Müller Alix , Figazzolo Chiara , Joyce Jack M. , Bonhomme Frédéric , England Patrick , Mayboroda Olena , Pellarin Riccardo , Gasser Gilles , Tucker James H. R. , Tanner Julian A. , Savage G. Paul , Hollenstein Marcel 
Published: October 2023

AbstractChemical modification of aptamers is an important step to improve their performance and stability in biological media. This can be performed either during their identification (mod‐SELEX) or after the in vitro selection process (post‐SELEX). In order to reduce the complexity and workload of the post‐SELEX modification of aptamers, we have evaluated the possibility of improving a previously reported, chemically modified aptamer by combining enzymatic synthesis and nucleotides bearing bioisosteres of the parent cubane side‐chains or substituted cubane moieties. This method lowers the synthetic burden often associated with post‐SELEX approaches and allowed to identify one additional sequence that maintains binding to the PvLDH target protein, albeit with reduced specificity. In addition, while bioisosteres often improve the potency of small molecule drugs, this does not extend to chemically modified aptamers. Overall, this versatile method can be applied for the post‐SELEX modification of other aptamers and functional nucleic acids.
Cd/Cd(OH)2 Nanosheets Enhancing the Electrocatalytic Activity of CO2 Reduction to CO
Authors: Jia Xiaoyan , Qi Kongsheng , Yang Jie , Fan Zixi , Hua Zhixin , Wan Xiaoqi , Zhao Yuhua , Mao Yidan , Yang Dexin 
Published: October 2023

AbstractElectric‐driven conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to carbon monoxide (CO) under mild reaction conditions offers a promising approach to mitigate the greenhouse effect and the energy crisis. Surface engineering is believed to be one of the prospective methods for enhancing the electrocatalytic activity of CO2 reduction. Herein, hydroxyl (OH) groups were successfully introduced to cadmium nanosheets to form cadmium and cadmium hydroxide nanocomposites (i. e. Cd/Cd(OH)2 nanosheets) via a facile two‐step method. The as‐prepared Cd/Cd(OH)2/CP (CP indicates carbon paper) electrode displays excellent electrocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction to produce CO. The Faradaic efficiency of CO reaches 98.3 % and the current density achieves 23.8 mA cm−2 at −2.0 V vs. Ag/Ag+ in a CO2‐saturated 30 wt% 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazole hexafluorophosphate ([Bmim]PF6)‐65 wt% acetonitrile (CH3CN)‐5 wt% water (H2O) electrolyte. And the CO partial current density can reach up to 71.6 mA cm−2 with the CO Faradaic efficiency of more than 85 % at −2.3 V vs. Ag/Ag+, which stands out against Cd/CP, Cd(OH)2/CP, and Cd/CdO/CP electrodes. The excellent electrocatalytic performance of the Cd/Cd(OH)2/CP electrode can be attributed to its unique structural properties, suitable OH groups, perfect interaction with electrolyte, abundant active sites and fast electron transfer rate.