bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An integrated 3D printed radioluminescent-based phantom for quality assurance on a robotic-arm linac
Authors: Ashraf M R , Gibson C , Skinner L , Gu X , Xing L , Wang L 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Objective. To develop, characterize and improve upon a high-resolution 3D printed radioluminescence-based imaging phantom for quality assurance (QA) of a robotic arm linear accelerator. Approach. A phantom was constructed which consisted of a scintillating sheet, fiducial markers, a low-cost complementary metal-oxide semiconductor camera and a 3D printed light–tight enclosure. The camera, equipped with a 12 mm lens, was angled 45 degrees from the horizontal axis with a direct line of sight of the scintillating sheet. A perspective image transformation with optical distortion correction was employed to obtain beam’s eye view images for different collimators. Beam profiles, Iris™ field size, multileaf collimator leaf positioning and central laser-radiation field coincidence QA tests were performed and compared against data obtained with gafchromic film. The phantom’s short-term stability, sensitivity to changes in output, field size and leaf positioning were also assessed. Main Results. The limiting resolution of the optical system was measured to be ∼0.26 mm. Field size, as measured by the radioluminescence system for Iris apertures, agreed to within 0.2 mm of the values measured using film. The imaging system was sensitive to field size changes well below 0.2 mm and output changes as small as 1 monitor unit (MU). For the optical setup, the mean leaf deviation error for banks X1 and X2 was 0.21 and 0.17 mm at 800 mm source to axis distance, whereas the mean difference for the film dataset was 0.16 mm and 0.22 mm for banks X1 and X2, respectively. The optical system was able to detect leaf positioning errors as small as 0.2 mm. Compared with film data, excellent agreement was seen for relative central axis beam profiles for 10 mm and 5 mm beams. Significance. The phantom presented here is an alternative to film and electronic portal imager devices, due to its low-cost, portability, and high spatial and temporal resolution.
A deep learning method for continuous noninvasive blood pressure monitoring using photoplethysmography
Authors: Liang Hao , He Wei , Xu Zheng 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study is to investigate continuous blood pressure waveform estimation from a plethysmography (PPG) signal, thus providing more human cardiovascular status information than traditional cuff-based methods. Approach. The proposed method utilizes the feature extraction ability of a convolution neural network to estimate blood pressure (BP) from PPG signals without the need for waveform analysis and signal feature extraction. Main results. The network achieved mean absolute errors and standard deviations of 2.55 ± 3.92 mmHg for systolic BP (SBP), 1.66 ± 2.76 mmHg for diastolic BP (DBP), and 2.52 ± 3.02 mmHg for overall pressure waveform. The results meet the best levels of the protocols of the British Hypertension Society (BHS) and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). Significance. The proposed method shows promise for noninvasive continuous BP monitoring in hospital wards and daily life, which can assist in clinical diagnosis, disease treatment, and rehabilitation.
Adsorption on 3C-SiC surfaces in chemical vapor deposition process of CH3SiCl3–H2 system: a first-principles study
Authors: Yin Bowen , Bai Longteng , Yang Xiaohui , Zhou Jin , Wang Lu , Liu Jiantao , Feng Zhiqiang , Zhang Xianghua , Zeng Qingfeng , Guan Kang 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
SiC has become increasingly important in high-energy semiconductor device materials and structural composite materials in recent years. Many systematic experimental studies have been conducted on the preparation of cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC) by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. Despite this, the microscopic mechanism of the SiC deposition process has not been fully elucidated due to the limitations of the experimental methods. Based on these problems, the structural parameters, adsorption energies, charge populations, transition states, and electronic densities of states of Si-Cl-C-H at different sites were simulated by a first-principles method, and the micro-mechanism of the surface deposition reaction was analyzed. The calculated results provide a theoretical and experimental basis for the study of 3C-SiC preparation by CVD.
Enhancement in dye removal by photocatalytic degradation using metal oxide nanoparticles embedded on activated carbon powder and study of their antibacterial activity
Authors: Suchak Nidhishree M , Mistry Hiral M , Bhoi Hiteshkumar R , Deshpande M P , Pandya Swati J , Chaki S H , Tiwari Manisha , Tiwari Dhermendra K , Bhatt Sandip V 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The synergetic effect of photocatalytic, adsorption and antibacterial properties of ZnO@ACP and CuO@ACP samples are investigated in this study. The synthesized samples are initially studied for their elemental composition, crystalline phase and structure, surface morphology, optical band gap, functional groups, vibrational modes by EDAX, SEM, XRD, Raman, FTIR, UV–vis spectroscopy and BET respectively. Methylene blue (MB) which is used as a dye in industries has been used in this work for its removal from waste water using the above prepared samples. We could remove 63% of MB by adsorption under dark conditions with this samples. After illumination with UV radiation, it is seen that MB is degraded 93% by ZnO@ACP, 85% with CuO@ACP whereas adsorbed 78% with activated charcoal. This reflects that ZnO and CuO nanoparticles embedded with activated charcoal shows increase in photocatalytic activity. Further, Langmuir-Hinshelwood model is used to calculate the kinetic rates of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles on embedded on ACP samples. The antimicrobial activity of synthesized samples is also tested against E. coli. bacteria whereas cell viability is tested using CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) animal cells at various concentrations. The results obtained shows 75% decrease in the growth of E. coli bacteria for ZnO@ACP and 60% decrease for CuO@ACP at a concentration of 250 μg ml−1 whereas reduction in colony counts is 95% and 75%, respectively. we obtained 80%–90% CHO cell viability proves that both these samples are not toxic to these cells.
Spatially Resolved Properties of the GW170817 Host Galaxy
Authors: Li Yubin , Mao Jirong , Qin Jianbo , Zheng Xianzhong , Liu Fengshan , Zhao Yinghe , Zhao Xiaohong 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
GW170817 is the unique gravitational-wave (GW) event associated with the electromagnetic (EM) counterpart GRB 170 817A. NGC 4993 is identified as the host galaxy of GW170817/GRB 170 817A. In this paper, we focus on the spatially resolved properties of NGC 4993. We present the photometric results from the comprehensive data analysis of the high spatial-resolution images in the different optical bands. The morphological analysis reveals that NGC 4993 is a typical early-type galaxy without significant remnants of a major galaxy merger. The spatially resolved stellar population properties of NGC 4993 suggest that the galaxy center has passive evolution with the outskirt formed by gas accretion. We derive the merging rate of the compact object per galaxy by a co-evolution scenario of a supermassive black hole and its host galaxy. If the galaxy formation is at redshift 1.0, the merging rate per galaxy is from 3.2 × 10−4 to 7.7 × 10−5 within the merging decay time from 1.0 to 5.0 Gyr. The results provide vital information for ongoing GW EM counterpart detections. The Hubble space telescope data analysis presented in this paper can be also applied to Chinese Space Station Telescope research in the future.
A miniaturized and low-energy subcutaneous optical telemetry module for neurotechnology
Authors: Xu Zhangyu , Truong Nhan Duy , Nikpour Armin , Kavehei Omid 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Objective. This study presents a proof-of-concept optical telemetry module that leverages a single light-emitting diode (LED) to transmit data at a high bit rate while consuming low power and occupying a small area. Our experiments showed that we could achieve 108 Mbit s−1 and 54 Mbit s−1 back telemetry data rates for tissue thicknesses of 3 mm and 8 mm, respectively. Approach. The proposed module is designed to be powered by near-field coupling and achieve bidirectional communication by low-speed downlink from near-field communication. It aims to minimize the size of the implant while providing reliable transmission that meets the requirements of high-speed wireless communication from a multi-electrode array neurotechnology implant outside the body. Results. The power consumption of the module is 1.57 mW, including the power consumption of related circuits, resulting in an efficiency of 14.5 pJ bit−1, at a tissue thickness of 3 mm and a data rate of 108 Mbit. The use of an optical lens, combined with tissue scattering effect and optimized emission angle, makes the module robust to misalignments of up to ±5 mm and ±15° between the implantable and external units. The LED in the implantable unit is only 0.98 × 0.98 × 0.6 mm3, and the testing module is composed of discrete components and laboratory instruments. Significance. This work aims to show how it is possible to strike a balance between a small, reliable, and high-bit-rate data uplink between a neural implant and its proximal, wirelessly connected external unit. This optical telemetry module has the potential to be integrated into a significantly miniaturized system through an application-specific integrated circuit and can support up to 1000 channels of neural recordings, each sampled at 9 kSps with a 12-bit readout resolution.
Investment in new coal-fired power plants after the COVID-19 pandemic: experts expect 170–270 GW of new coal
Authors: Montrone Lorenzo , Steckel Jan Christoph , Nemet Gregory 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
To avoid dangerous climate change, the global community has committed to phasing down coal at COP26 in Glasgow. Since policies and pledges currently implemented in the power sector are not sufficient to meet mitigation targets, countries are expected to increase their ambition over time within the UNFCCC process. Furthermore, some countries are bilaterally negotiating support packages to speed up the phase-out of coal through ‘Just Energy Transition Partnerships’. Yet, to assess those ratcheting up efforts an understanding of the current baseline is pivotal. Here, we quantify the probability that currently planned coal plants will be built, based on an in-depth expert elicitation consisting of interviews with 29 experts from ten countries. We analyze the most important factors influencing the realization of the coal pipeline, isolate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, and compare the experts’ forecasts with mitigation pathways scenarios. We find that globally 170 GW–270 GW of new coal-fired power plants are likely to be built in the upcoming years. Future negotiations for joint partnerships can use the results of this elicitation as a baseline to determine ambitious coal phase-out plans.
Decadal variations of Pacific Walker circulation tied to tropical Atlantic–Pacific trans-basin SST gradients
Authors: Yao Shuai-Lei , Luo Jing-Jia , Chu Pao-Shin , Zheng Fei 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
During the modern satellite-monitoring era since ∼1979, the observed Pacific Walker circulation (PWC) presented a pronounced strengthening and robust westward-shifting, defying the model-projected weakening response to anthropogenic warming. The exact cause for the PWC decadal intensification and the corresponding observation-model disagreement remains indecisive. Using two targeted experiments wherein sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical eastern Pacific and North Atlantic are separately restored to follow the observed history, we reveal that the North Atlantic-only SST warming and the tropical eastern Pacific-only SST cooling contribute partly to the PWC decadal adjustment. The North Atlantic SST warming triggers a significant westward displacement of PWC, while the tropical eastern Pacific SST cooling drives mainly the associated shifts of the large-scale atmospheric surface pressure centers. Further, we identify that the tropical Atlantic–eastern Pacific trans-basin SST gradients have dominated the PWC decadal variations over the past century. Our results highlight that a reliable representation of the simulated inter-basin warming contrast between the tropical Atlantic and the tropical eastern Pacific SSTs may be influential in correcting future projections of the PWC strength.
Prototype development of bilateral arm mirror-like-robotic rehabilitation device for acute stroke patients
Authors: Klinkwan Phassakorn , Kongmaroeng Chalunda , Muengtaweepongsa Sombat , Limtrakarn Wiroj 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
During the early six months after the onset of a stroke, patients usually remain disabled with limbs weakness and need intensive rehabilitation. An increased number of stroke patients is countered with a reduced number of physical therapists. The development of medical robots to substitute therapists’ work should be helpful. We developed a prototype of a bilateral arm mirror-like-robotic rehabilitation device covering the shoulder to the elbow as a 4-degrees of freedom (DOF). The device was operated by gripping the patient’s arm or forearm. The motor for arm movement and point of force was calculated from static and dynamic. A developed microcontroller drove the assistive control system to regulate the movement of a robotic arm by getting the position of the normal arm’s movement to control the weak arm’s movement position. The prototype was built with an operation control system and tested in acute stroke patients. The effectiveness of rehabilitation using developed robots was assessed and compared with the conventional training group. Patients with either left or right arm paresis can practice with the device. They can safely train the weakened arm by using the normal arm as a working model. A bilateral robot was designed to be easy to use, lightweight, and compact size. Patients can use the device regularly for rehabilitation training, even at home.
Logical qubit implementation for quantum annealing: augmented Lagrangian approach
Authors: Djidjev Hristo N 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Solving optimization problems on quantum annealers (QA) usually requires each variable of the problem to be represented by a connected set of qubits called a logical qubit or a chain. Chain weights, in the form of ferromagnetic coupling between the chain qubits, are applied so that the physical qubits in a chain favor taking the same value in low energy samples. Assigning a good chain-strength value is crucial for the ability of QA to solve hard problems, but there are no general methods for computing such a value and, even if an optimal value is found, it may still not be suitable by being too large for accurate annealing results. In this paper, we propose an optimization-based approach for producing suitable logical qubits representations that results in smaller chain weights and show that the resulting optimization problem can be successfully solved using the augmented Lagrangian method. Experiments on the D-Wave Advantage system and the maximum clique problem on random graphs show that our approach outperforms both the default D-Wave method for chain-strength assignment as well as the quadratic penalty method.
Roadmap on exsolution for energy applications
Authors: Neagu Dragos , Irvine J T S , Wang Jiayue , Yildiz Bilge , Opitz Alexander K , Fleig Jürgen , Wang Yuhao , Liu Jiapeng , Shen Longyun , Ciucci Francesco , Rosen Brian A , Xiao Yongchun , Xie Kui , Yang Guangming , Shao Zongping , Zhang Yubo , Reinke Jakob , Schmauss Travis A , Barnett Scott A , Maring Roelf , Kyriakou Vasileios , Mushtaq Usman , Tsampas Mihalis N , Kim Youdong , O’Hayre Ryan , Carrillo Alfonso J , Ruh Thomas , Lindenthal Lorenz , Schrenk Florian , Rameshan Christoph , Papaioannou Evangelos I , Kousi Kalliopi , Metcalfe Ian S , Xu Xiaoxiang , Liu Gang 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Over the last decade, exsolution has emerged as a powerful new method for decorating oxide supports with uniformly dispersed nanoparticles for energy and catalytic applications. Due to their exceptional anchorage, resilience to various degradation mechanisms, as well as numerous ways in which they can be produced, transformed and applied, exsolved nanoparticles have set new standards for nanoparticles in terms of activity, durability and functionality. In conjunction with multifunctional supports such as perovskite oxides, exsolution becomes a powerful platform for the design of advanced energy materials. In the following sections, we review the current status of the exsolution approach, seeking to facilitate transfer of ideas between different fields of application. We also explore future directions of research, particularly noting the multi-scale development required to take the concept forward, from fundamentals through operando studies to pilot scale demonstrations.
Adaptive Functioning Among Older Adults: The Essence of Information Processing Speed in Executive Functioning
Authors: Hoffmeister Jordan R , Roye Scott , Copeland Christopher T , Linck John F 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Objective
The current study investigated the degree to which information processing speed mediates the association between executive functioning and adaptive functioning among older adults.

Method
Cases (N = 239) were selected from a clinical database of neuropsychological evaluations. Inclusion criteria were age 60+ (M = 74.0, standard deviation = 6.9) and completion of relevant study measures. Participants were majority White (93%) women (53.1%). The Texas Functional Living Scale was used as a performance-based measure of adaptive functioning. Information processing speed was measured using the Coding subtest from the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status. Executive functioning performance was quantified using part B of the Trail Making Test, Controlled Oral Word Association Test, and Similarities and Matrix Reasoning subtests from the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, second edition. Mediation models were assessed with bootstrapped confidence intervals.

Results
Information processing speed mediated all measures of executive functioning. Direct effects were significant for all models (ps &lt; 0.03), suggesting that executive functioning maintained unique associations with adaptive functioning. Follow-up analyses indicated no evidence for moderation of the mediation models based on diagnostic group. Additional models with executive functioning mediating information processing speed and adaptive functioning revealed inconsistent mediation, with smaller effects.

Conclusions
Results highlight the importance of information processing speed in understanding real-world implications of pathological and non-pathological cognitive aging. Information processing speed mediated all relationships between executive functioning and adaptive functioning. Further investigation is warranted into the importance of processing speed in explaining associations of other cognitive domains with adaptive functioning.
Leveraging developmental landscapes for model selection in Boolean gene regulatory networks
Authors: Subbaroyan Ajay , Sil Priyotosh , Martin Olivier C , Samal Areejit 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBoolean models are a well-established framework to model developmental gene regulatory networks (DGRNs) for acquisition of cellular identities. During the reconstruction of Boolean DGRNs, even if the network structure is given, there is generally a large number of combinations of Boolean functions that will reproduce the different cell fates (biological attractors). Here we leverage the developmental landscape to enable model selection on such ensembles using the relative stability of the attractors. First we show that previously proposed measures of relative stability are strongly correlated and we stress the usefulness of the one that captures best the cell state transitions via the mean first passage time (MFPT) as it also allows the construction of a cellular lineage tree. A property of great computational importance is the insensitivity of the different stability measures to changes in noise intensities. That allows us to use stochastic approaches to estimate the MFPT and thereby scale up the computations to large networks. Given this methodology, we revisit different Boolean models of Arabidopsis thaliana root development, showing that a most recent one does not respect the biologically expected hierarchy of cell states based on relative stabilities. We therefore developed an iterative greedy algorithm that searches for models which satisfy the expected hierarchy of cell states and found that its application to the root development model yields many models that meet this expectation. Our methodology thus provides new tools that can enable reconstruction of more realistic and accurate Boolean models of DGRNs.
Amygdala hyperactivation relates to eating behaviour: a potential indicator of food addiction in Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Strelnikov Kuzma , Debladis Jimmy , Salles Juliette , Valette Marion , Cortadellas Julie , Tauber Maithé , Barone Pascal 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Prader–Willi syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental genetic disorder characterized by various endocrine, cognitive and behavioural problems. The symptoms include an obsession for food and reduced satiety, which leads to hyperphagia and morbid obesity. Neuropsychological studies have reported that Prader–Willi patients display altered social interactions with a specific weakness in interpreting social information and responding to them, a symptom close to that observed in autism spectrum disorders. In the present case-control study, we hypothesized that brain regions associated with compulsive eating behaviour would be abnormally activated by food-related odours in Prader–Willi syndrome, as these can stimulate the appetite and induce hunger-related behaviour. We conducted a brain imaging study using the olfactory modality because odours have a high-hedonic valence and can cause stronger emotional reactions than other modalities. Further, the olfactory system is also intimately associated with the endocrine regulation of energy balance and is the most appropriate modality for studies of Prader–Willi syndrome. A total of 16 Prader–Willi participants were recruited for this study, which is a significant achievement given the low incidence rate of this rare disease. The second group of 11 control age-matched subjects also participated in the brain imaging study. In the MRI scanner, using an MRI-compatible olfactometer during 56 block sessions, we randomly presented two odours (tulip and caramel), which have different hedonic valence and a different capacity to arouse hunger-related behaviour. Our results demonstrate that Prader–Willi participants have abnormal activity in the brain reward system that regulates eating behaviour. Indeed, we found that these patients had right amygdala activity up to five times higher in response to a food odour (caramel) compared with the tulip odour. In contrast, age-matched control participants had similar activity levels in response to both odours. The amygdala activity levels were found to be associated with the severity of the hyperphagia in Prader–Willi patients. Our results provide evidence for functional alteration of the right amygdala in Prader–Willi syndrome, which is part of the brain network involved in food addiction modulated by the ghrelin and oxytocin systems, which may drive the hyperphagia. Our study provides important new insights into the functioning of emotion-related brain circuits and pathology, and it is one of the few to explore the dysfunction of the neural circuits involved in emotion and addiction in Prader–Willi syndrome. It suggests new directions for the exploration and remediation of addictive behaviours.