bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Constructing Novel High Dielectric Constant Polyimides Containing Dipolar Pendant Groups with Enhanced Orientational Polarization
Authors: Tang Yadong , Xu Wenhan , Yao Hongyan , Qin Hao , Jiang Zhenhua , Zhang Yunhe 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPolymer dielectrics with high dielectric constant are urgently demanded for potential electrical and pulsed power applications. The design of polymers with side chains containing dipolar groups is considered an effective method for preparing materials with a high dielectric constant and low loss. This study synthesizes and comprehensively compare the dielectric properties of novel polyimides with side chains containing urea (BU‐PI), carbamate (BC‐PI), and sulfonyl (BS‐PI) functional groups. The novel polyimides exhibit relatively high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss values due to the enhanced orientational polarization and suppressed dipole‐dipole interactions of dipolar groups. In particular, BU‐PI containing urea pendant groups presents the highest dielectric constant of 6.14 and reasonably low dielectric loss value of 0.0097. The strong γ transitions with low activation energies derived from dielectric spectroscopy measurements have been further evaluated to demonstrate the enhanced free rotational motion of urea pendant dipoles. In energy storage applications, BU‐PI achieves a discharged energy density of 6.92 J cm−3 and a charge‐discharge efficiency above 83% at 500 MV m−1. This study demonstrates that urea group, as dipolar pendant group, can provide polymers with better dielectric properties than the most commonly used sulfonyl groups.
A compact microstrip second‐order lossy bandpass filter with improved simplified composite right‐/left‐handed zeroth‐order resonator
Authors: Gong Jianqiang , Chen Yu , Chen Bin , Zhao Jiaqi , Xu Kan , Zhong Zhisheng , Liu Mingping 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA novel compact microstrip second‐order lossy bandpass filter (BPF) based on an improved simplified composite right‐/left‐handed zeroth‐order resonator (ISZOR) is presented in this paper. The microstrip ISZOR (MISZOR) features miniature topology and ample adjustable physical parameters accompanied by its easily controllable zeroth‐order base mode and first harmonic. Its layout can be quickly generated by applying the implicit space mapping technique. By virtue of the lossy coupling matrix synthesis method, the finite unloaded quality factor of the MISZOR can be taken into account in advance to foretell the insertion loss level. A new definition of the external quality factor as well as its full‐wave extraction method is introduced, enabling the targetted second‐order lossy BPF to be directly implemented as in the classical lossless design, despite the existence of the parallel resistor loaded nonresonant node at each terminal. A succinct inductive coupled microstrip corner is conceived to achieve the relatively strong terminal coupling strength. The exemplified lossy BPF centers at 3.1 GHz with a fractional bandwidth of 5%, which is automatically optimized with the Nelder–Mead simplex algorithm. A prototype measurement is carried out, and good agreement is achieved with simulation, testifying the proposed design concept.
A preliminary study of multispectral Cherenkov imaging and a Fricke‐xylenol orange gel film (MCIFF) for online, absolute dose measurement
Authors: Han Haonan , Geng Changran , Deng Xinping , Li Jun , Shu Diyun , Tang Xiaobin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundCherenkov luminescence imaging has shown potential for relative dose distribution and field verification in radiation therapy. However, to date, limited research utilizing Cherenkov luminescence for absolute dose calibration has been conducted owing to uncertainties arising from camera positioning and tissue surface optical properties.PurposeThis paper introduces a novel approach to multispectral Cherenkov luminescence imaging combined with Fricke–xylenol orange gel (FXG) film, termed MCIFF, which can enable online full‐field absolute dose measurement. By integrating these two approaches, MCIFF allows for calibration of the ratio between two spectral intensities with absorbed dose, thereby enabling absolute dose measurement.MethodsAll experiments are conducted on a Varian Clinac 23EX, utilizing an electron multiplying charge‐coupled device (EMCCD) camera and a two‐way image splitter for simultaneous capture of two‐spectral Cherenkov imaging. In the first part of this study, the absorbance curves of the prepared FXG film, which receives different doses, are measured using a fluorescence spectrophotometer to verify the correlation between absorbance and dose. In the second part, the FXG film is positioned directly under the radiation beam to corroborate the dose measurement capacity of MCIFF across various beams. In the third part, the feasibility of MCIFF is tested in actual radiotherapy settings via a humanoid model, demonstrating its versatility with various radiotherapy materials.ResultsThe results of this study indicate that the logarithmic ratios of spectral intensities at wavelengths of 550 ± 50 and 700 ± 100 nm accurately reflect variations in radiation dose (R2 > 0.96) across different radiation beams, particle energies, and dose rates. The slopes of the fitting lines remain consistent under varying beam conditions, with discrepancies of less than 8%. The optical profiles obtained using the MCIFF exhibit a satisfactory level of agreement with the measured results derived from the treatment planning system (TPS) and EBT3 films. Specifically, for photon beams, the lateral distances between the 80% and 20% isodose lines, referred to as the penumbra (P80‐20) values, obtained through TPS, EBT3 films, and MCIFF, are determined as 0.537, 0.664, and 0.848 cm, respectively. Similarly, for electron beams, the P80‐20 values obtained through TPS, EBT3 films, and MCIFF are found to be 0.432, 0.561, and 0.634 cm, respectively. Furthermore, imaging of the anthropomorphic phantom demonstrates the practical application of MCIFF in real radiotherapy environments.ConclusionBy combining an FXG film with Cherenkov luminescence imaging, MCIFF can calibrate Cherenkov luminescence to absorbed dose, filling the gap in online 2D absolute dose measurement methods in clinical practice, and providing a new direction for the clinical application of optical imaging to radiation therapy.
Reduction of cone‐beam CT artifacts in a robotic CBCT device using saddle trajectories with integrated infrared tracking
Authors: Wei Chengtao , Albrecht Johanna , Rit Simon , Laurendeau Matthieu , Thummerer Adrian , Corradini Stefanie , Belka Claus , Steininger Philipp , Ginzinger Felix , Kurz Christopher , Riboldi Marco , Landry Guillaume 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundCone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is widely used in many medical fields. However, conventional CBCT circular scans suffer from cone beam (CB) artifacts that limit the quality and reliability of the reconstructed images due to incomplete data.PurposeSaddle trajectories in theory might be able to improve the CBCT image quality by providing a larger region with complete data. Therefore, we investigated the feasibility and performance of saddle trajectory CBCT scans and compared them to circular trajectory scans.MethodsWe performed circular and saddle trajectory scans using a novel robotic CBCT scanner (Mobile ImagingRing (IRm); medPhoton, Salzburg, Austria). For the saddle trajectory, the gantry executed yaw motion up to using motorized wheels driving on the floor. An infrared (IR) tracking device with reflective markers was used for online geometric calibration correction (mainly floor unevenness). All images were reconstructed using penalized least‐squares minimization with the conjugate gradient algorithm from RTK with voxel size. A disk phantom and an Alderson phantom were scanned to assess the image quality. Results were correlated with the local incompleteness value represented by , which was calculated at each voxel as a function of the source trajectory and the voxel's 3D coordinates. We assessed the magnitude of CB artifacts using the full width half maximum (FWHM) of each disk profile in the axial center of the reconstructed images. Spatial resolution was also quantified by the modulation transfer function at 10% (MTF10).ResultsWhen using the saddle trajectory, the region without CB artifacts was increased from 43 to 190 mm in the SI direction compared to the circular trajectory. This region coincided with low values for . When was larger than 0.02, we found there was a linear relationship between the FWHM and . For the saddle, IR tracking allowed the increase of MTF10 from 0.37 to 0.98 lp/mm.ConclusionsWe achieved saddle trajectory CBCT scans with a novel CBCT system combined with IR tracking. The results show that the saddle trajectory provides a larger region with reliable reconstruction compared to the circular trajectory. The proposed method can be used to evaluate other non‐circular trajectories.
Establishing initial resting abdominal pressure in children undergoing urodynamics
Authors: Sinha Sanjay , Vasudeva Pawan , Panda Arabind , Khattar Nikhil , Patel Anita , Agarwal Mayank M. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIntroductionThe International Continence Society recommends zeroing of transducers to the atmospheric pressure for invasive urodynamics. The range of abdominal pressure relative to atmospheric pressure is well‐known in adults but has not been described in children. This prospective observational study was carried out to establish baseline abdominal in children.Materials and MethodsProspective, multicenter, observational study of 100 children aged 0‐18 years undergoing invasive urodynamics using water‐filled systems. Initial resting abdominal pressure, intravesical pressure and detrusor pressure were recorded in supine, sitting, and standing position (as age‐ and diagnosis‐appropriate). This data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0.0 with regard to age, gender, height, weight, body mass index, and underlying diagnosis (classified as neurogenic or non‐neurogenic). Nonparametric tests were used (2‐sided p < 0.05, significant).ResultsInitial resting abdominal pressure (inter‐quartile range) in children was between 5 and 15 cmH2O in the supine, 13−20 cmH2O in the sitting, and 15−21 cmH2O in the standing position. These pressures were not consistently influenced by age, gender, height, weight or underlying diagnosis. The initial resting detrusor pressure was noted to be 0−4 cmH2O without any difference based on posture. Limitations include use of two‐tube technique, relatively small number of subjects across each age group, wide range of underlying diagnoses and need for manual smoothing of some traces.ConclusionThis study defines initial resting abdominal pressure at urodynamics in children and notes that, as with adults, it is possible to define widely applicable ranges regardless of individual characteristics. These pressures appear lower than those noted historically in adults.
Fractional non‐fungible tokens: Overview, evaluation, marketplaces, and challenges
Authors: Choi Wonseok , Woo Jongsoo , Hong James Won‐Ki 
Published: January 2024

AbstractFractional non‐fungible tokens (NFTs) have emerged at the forefront of blockchain innovation, merging tokenization, NFTs, and fractional ownership to democratize access to high‐value digital assets. In this paper, we explore the fundamental concepts of blockchain technology, smart contracts, NFTs, and tokenization to lay the groundwork for understanding fractional NFTs. We investigate key ERC standards, including ERC‐20, ERC‐721, and ERC‐1155, which are pivotal in enabling the creation and management of fractional NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. Then, we present two major processes in fractional NFTs, minting and reconstitution. We develop fractional NFTs based on ERC standards and evaluate their gas consumption. Furthermore, through a comprehensive review of existing platforms, we analyze their minting and reconstitution processes and underlying ERC standards. Challenges, such as regulatory compliance and security, are also examined. We highlight the significance of robust security measures and transparency to build trust in fractional NFT ecosystems. While the field is still evolving, fractional NFTs have the potential to disrupt traditional ownership models and revolutionize industries. We envision fractional NFTs fostering a more inclusive and decentralized digital economy as technology advances and adoption grows.
The experiences of public health nurses during the COVID‐19 in Taiwan: A qualitative study
Authors: Wu Fei‐Ling , Sun Jui‐Chiung , Wu Hsueh‐Ching , Su Mei‐Chen , Lin Chia‐Ling 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAimThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has had a substantial effect on frontline health care workers and caused public health nurses (PHNs) to come under various forms of pressure. PHNs face high‐risk challenges in their work environment, and their professional commitment and adaptability are key concerns. The aim of this qualitative study was to describe the experiences of PHNs during the COVID‐19 outbreak.Methods/DesignTwenty PHNs who worked during the COVID‐19 outbreak were recruited from seven public health centres through posters. Data were collected through in‐depth interviews that comprised semi‐structured and open‐ended questions; subsequently, the data were analysed through content analysis.ResultsThree themes emerged from the study findings, namely (1) the disorderliness of COVID‐19 pandemic prevention work, (2) managing stress and fear, and (3) the establishment of a new normal. Because of the severity of the pandemic, the workload and stress associated with epidemic prevention policies continue to increase. PHNs may infect their family members and experience a sense of alienation and distance. They must also deal with irrationality and reactions in the people within their community.ConclusionHealth department directors and policymakers should provide the necessary support and assistance to frontline pandemic prevention workers to increase the efficiency of pandemic prevention efforts.Patient or Public ContributionThe participants agreed to participate in the qualitative study during the study period.
Feasibility and acceptability of study methods and psychosocial interventions for body image among women diagnosed with breast cancer: A systematic review and narrative synthesis
Authors: Brunet Jennifer , Price Jenson , Baillot Aurélie , Dann Erica , Vani Madison F. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis systematic review aimed to summarize evidence for the feasibility and acceptability of psychosocial interventions for body image among women diagnosed with breast cancer and the study methods used to evaluate the interventions in question.MethodsArticles were identified via MEDLINE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, PsychINFO, and EMBASE. Inclusion criteria were: (1) peer‐reviewed publication in English from 2000 onward with accessible full‐text, (2) reported data on the feasibility and/or acceptability of psychosocial interventions and/or study methods, (3) included at least one measure of body image or reported a body‐related theme, and (4) sample comprised women diagnosed with breast cancer. All study designs were eligible. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment.ResultsSixty‐two articles were included. Participants and comparator groups varied as did interventions. Feasibility and acceptability of the interventions and study methods were inconsistently operationalized and reported across studies. Evidence of feasibility and acceptability was heterogeneous within and across studies, though mostly positive.ConclusionPublished psychosocial interventions for body image and study methods are generally feasible and acceptable. Findings should be used to advance the development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions designed to improve outcomes (body image or otherwise) for women diagnosed with breast cancer.Systematic review registrationThis review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; ID: CRD42021269062, 11 September 2021).
Pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma in a 7‐year‐old child
Authors: Denamur Sophie , Hervieux Erik , Cosson Laure , Sileo Chiara , Coulomb Aurore , Nathan Nadia , Corvol Harriet 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA 7‐year‐old boy presented with exertional dyspnea and cough, initially misdiagnosed as asthma. Imaging revealed a mass obstructing the left main bronchus, later identified as a pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). Following surgical sleeve resection, complete tumor removal occurred without malignancy in surrounding lymph nodes, resulting in symptom resolution without additional therapy. Pulmonary MEC, uncommon in pediatric patients, poses diagnostic challenges due to nonspecific symptoms, resulting in delayed diagnosis. Typically managed via complete surgical resection, MEC offers a favorable prognosis, primarily affecting central airways and requiring conservative surgical approaches to preserve lung tissue. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges of primary pulmonary MEC in pediatric patients. It stresses the need to consider unusual causes in pediatric respiratory symptoms and highlights the critical role of precise diagnostic methods and personalized surgical strategies in managing such rare pulmonary malignancies for optimal outcomes.
Relationship between independence in activities of daily living at discharge and physical activity at admission of older postoperative hip fracture rehabilitation inpatients: A retrospective case‐control study
Authors: Shimizu Tomoko , Kanai Chiaki , Asakawa Yasuyoshi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackground and PurposeHip fractures are associated with a reduction in activities of daily living (ADL) and require long‐term care. The physical activity of patients with hip fractures is temporarily impaired immediately after surgery, causing difficulty in the measurement of physical activities at the time of rehabilitation admission. This study examined the relationship between ADL at discharge and light‐ and moderate‐intensity physical activity at the time of rehabilitation admission by determining a cut‐off value predicting ADL independence.MethodsThis retrospective case control study analyzed 43 postoperative hip fracture patients aged ≥65 years admitting into inpatient rehabilitation. ADL at discharge was assessed using the Functional Independent Measure motor items (FIM‐m). The duration of physical activity at the time of rehabilitation admission was measured using an activity tracker equipped with an accelerometer. Prehospital frailty was evaluated using Clinical Frailty Scale. The relationship between these variables was examined using Spearman's product‐moment correlation coefficient. Differences in physical activity between patients requiring and not requiring assistance with ADLs were examined using the analysis of covariance. A receiver operating characteristic curve of the need for ADL assistance at discharge was constructed from the duration of physical activity.ResultsThe duration of physical activity at the time of rehabilitation admission was related to FIM‐m at discharge. The cut‐off value of the duration of physical activity for predicting the need for ADL assistance at discharge was 135 s, with a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 68.4% (area under the curve: 0.76).DiscussionThe duration of physical activity at the time of rehabilitation admission may be a factor that can quantitatively predict the risk of requiring assistance with ADLs at discharge in older hip fracture patients. The duration of light‐and‐moderate intensity physical activity may be a component of multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation to improve patients' ADL.
Does frequent internet use increase the propensity to change address? UK evidence from Understanding Society on mobility preferences, expectations and moves
Authors: Rowland Neil , Shuttleworth Ian 
Published: January 2024

AbstractLong‐term declines in rates of internal migration have been widely documented in many developed economies. Accompanying this decline has been a proliferation in the everyday use of new technologies such as the internet. New communication technologies have been theorised to influence migration decisions, but the direction of this influence is ambiguous, with some studies finding that they decrease migration, others that they increase it. Using data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, this paper assesses the relationship between internet use and preferences/expectations to change address as well as the decision to move. Although frequent users of the internet tend to be more mobile on average, longitudinal analysis offers no evidence that internet use influences migratory preferences and expectations or actual moves. This paper contributes to the literature by studying a developed country with high levels of internet penetration, by engaging not only with actual moves but also with preferences and expectations to move, and by drawing on longitudinal data to address unmeasured confounding in so far as possible. More broadly, it provides a reference point for future studies which might consider whether internet use plays a different role in the aftermath of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Prevalence, trends, and inequality in noncommunicable diseases in Bangladesh: Evidence from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys 2011 and 2017–2018
Authors: Ali Masum , Amin Md. Ruhul , Jarl Johan , Saha Sanjib 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe investigated the change of the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Bangladesh from 2011 to 2018 across different socioeconomic groups as well as the factors associated with the changes in prevalence. We used the two waves of the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 2011 and 2017–2018. Modified Poisson regression model was used to estimate the prevalence rate and ratio of NCDs and to test the association with different demographic and socioeconomic variables. The study found an upward trend of NCDs from 2011 to 2017 in which overweight and obesity, hypertension, and diabetes increased by 1.8, 1.5, and 1.1 times, respectively. In 2011, people from the richest households had 5.6 higher odds of being overweight compared to the poorest, which was reduced to 3.0 in 2017. However, the increment for overweight and hypertension was the highest among the poor and manual workers from 2011 to 2017. The age‐adjusted prevalence ratio of overweight increased 4.4 times for the poorest, compared to 1.7 times for the richest. For manual workers, overweight increased 3.8 times, whereas hypertension increased by 2.4 times. The pooled analysis revealed that participants from the richest households have the highest risk of NCDs, with 3.3 times for overweight, 2.3 times for diabetes, and 1.3 times for hypertension, compared to the poorest. However, the prevalence of NCDs is rising quickly among the low socioeconomic groups in Bangladesh, narrowing the gap with higher socioeconomic groups. Our findings call for immediate policy interventions and targeted programs to curb NCD escalation in Bangladesh.
Coupling Bertoin's and Aldous–Pitman's representations of the additive coalescent
Authors: Kortchemski Igor , Thévenin Paul 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe construct a coupling between two seemingly very different constructions of the standard additive coalescent, which describes the evolution of masses merging pairwise at rates proportional to their sums. The first construction, due to Aldous and Pitman, involves the components obtained by logging the Brownian continuum random tree (CRT) by a Poissonian rain on its skeleton as time increases. The second one, due to Bertoin, involves the excursions above its running infimum of a linear‐drifted standard Brownian excursion as its drift decreases. Our main tool is the use of an exploration algorithm of the so‐called cut‐tree of the Brownian CRT, which is a tree that encodes the genealogy of the fragmentation of the CRT.