bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of virtual monoenergetic levels on coronary plaque volume components using photon-counting computed tomography
Authors: Vattay Borbála , Szilveszter Bálint , Boussoussou Melinda , Vecsey-Nagy Milán , Lin Andrew , Konkoly Gábor , Kubovje Anikó , Schwarz Florian , Merkely Béla , Maurovich-Horvat Pál , Williams Michelle C. , Dey Damini , Kolossváry Márton 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Objectives
Virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) from photon-counting CT (PCCT) may change quantitative coronary plaque volumes. We aimed to assess how plaque component volumes change with respect to VMIs.

Methods
Coronary CT angiography (CTA) images were acquired using a dual-source PCCT and VMIs were reconstructed between 40 and 180 keV in 10-keV increments. Polychromatic images at 120 kVp (T3D) were used as reference. Quantitative plaque analysis was performed on T3D images and segmentation masks were copied to VMI reconstructions. Calcified plaque (CP; > 350 Hounsfield units, HU), non-calcified plaque (NCP; 30 to 350 HU), and low-attenuation NCP (LAP; − 100 to 30 HU) volumes were calculated using fixed thresholds.

Results
We analyzed 51 plaques from 51 patients (67% male, mean age 65 ± 12 years). Average attenuation and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) decreased significantly with increasing keV levels, with similar values observed between T3D and 70 keV images (299 ± 209 vs. 303 ± 225 HU, p = 0.15 for mean HU; 15.5 ± 3.7 vs. 15.8 ± 3.5, p = 0.32 for CNR). Mean NCP volume was comparable between T3D and 100–180-keV reconstructions. There was a monotonic decrease in mean CP volume, with a significant difference between all VMIs and T3D (p < 0.05). LAP volume increased with increasing keV levels and all VMIs showed a significant difference compared to T3D, except for 50 keV (28.0 ± 30.8 mm3 and 28.6 ± 30.1 mm3, respectively, p = 0.63).

Conclusions
Estimated coronary plaque volumes significantly differ between VMIs. Normalization protocols are needed to have comparable results between future studies, especially for LAP volume which is currently defined using a fixed HU threshold.

Clinical relevance statement
Different virtual monoenergetic images from photon-counting CT alter attenuation values and therefore corresponding plaque component volumes. New clinical standards and protocols are required to determine the optimal thresholds to derive plaque volumes from photon-counting CT.

Key Points
• Utilizing different VMI energy levels from photon-counting CT for the analysis of coronary artery plaques leads to substantial changes in attenuation values and corresponding plaque component volumes.
• Low-energy images (40–70 keV) improved contrast-to-noise ratio, however also increased image noise.
• Normalization protocols are needed to have comparable results between future studies, especially for low-attenuation plaque volume which is currently defined using a fixed HU threshold.
Intrinsic Nonlinear Elasticity: An Exterior Calculus Formulation
Authors: Rashad Ramy , Brugnoli Andrea , Califano Federico , Luesink Erwin , Stramigioli Stefano 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIn this paper, we formulate the theory of nonlinear elasticity in a geometrically intrinsic manner using exterior calculus and bundle-valued differential forms. We represent kinematics variables, such as velocity and rate of strain, as intensive vector-valued forms, while kinetics variables, such as stress and momentum, as extensive covector-valued pseudo-forms. We treat the spatial, material and convective representations of the motion and show how to geometrically convert from one representation to the other. Furthermore, we show the equivalence of our exterior calculus formulation to standard formulations in the literature based on tensor calculus. In addition, we highlight two types of structures underlying the theory: first, the principal bundle structure relating the space of embeddings to the space of Riemannian metrics on the body and how the latter represents an intrinsic space of deformations and second, the de Rham complex structure relating the spaces of bundle-valued forms to each other.
A neural builder for spatial subdivision hierarchies
Authors: Evangelou Iordanis , Papaioannou Georgios , Vardis Konstantinos , Gkaravelis Anastasios 
Published: July 2023

AbstractSpatial data structures, such as k-d trees and bounding volume hierarchies, are extensively used in computer graphics for the acceleration of spatial queries in ray tracing, nearest neighbour searches and other tasks. Typically, the splitting strategy employed during the construction of such structures is based on the greedy evaluation of a predefined objective function, resulting in a less than optimal subdivision scheme. In this work, for the first time, we propose the use of unsupervised deep learning to infer the structure of a fixed-depth k-d tree from a constant, subsampled set of the input primitives, based on the recursive evaluation of the cost function at hand. This results in high-quality upper spatial hierarchy, inferred in constant time and without paying the intractable price of a fully recursive tree optimisation. The resulting fixed-depth tree can then be further expanded, in parallel, into either a full k-d tree or transformed into a bounding volume hierarchy, with any known conventional tree builder. The approach is generic enough to accommodate different cost functions, such as the popular surface area and volume heuristics. We experimentally validate that the resulting hierarchies have competitive traversal performance with respect to established tree builders, while maintaining minimal overhead in construction times.
Prospective analysis of grip strength and load distribution after surgical treatment of common diseases of the hand with novel’s manugraphy® system
Authors: Grüner Jasmin S. , Cai Aijia , Pingel Isabel , Horch Raymund E. , Beier Justus P. , Arkudas Andreas 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Carpal tunnel syndrome, A1 annular pulley stenosis and Dupuytren’s contracture are among the most common conditions of the hand. In this study, we investigated the impact of surgical procedure on hand grip strength and high-resolution spatial load distribution in individuals suffering from those diseases over a follow-up period of one year.

Materials and methods
In this prospective study, data of 9 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, 12 patients with A1 annular pulley stenosis and 7 patients with Dupuytren’s contracture were evaluated. Only patients with unilateral disease were included providing the contralateral hand as an intra-individual control. Grip strength was measured with cylindrical instruments in two different sizes with respect to the hand size of the patients. Maximum and average values of grip strength as well as spatial load distribution in each finger, thenar, hypothenar and palm were analyzed. Data of the affected patients were collected preoperatively and 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. Grip strength and spatial load distribution were compared preoperatively to postoperatively. In addition, DASH score, Levine score, 2-point discrimination and degree of flexion contracture were assessed.

Results
The patients with A1 annular pulley stenosis showed a significant increase in grip strength 6 months and one year postoperatively. Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and Dupuytren’s contracture showed no significant difference in grip strength over the course of time. An increase in the percentual grip strength of the thenar in patients with carpal tunnel disease and within the affected finger in A1 annular pulley stenosis was observed over the course of time. The DASH score was significantly lower in all patient cohorts one year postoperatively.

Conclusion
Surgical procedure in carpal tunnel syndrome, A1 annular ligament stenosis and Dupuytren’s contracture improves the functionality of the hand in everyday life. Some areas of the hand seem to compensate other weaker areas in grip strength.
The Museum of the Osservatorio Vesuviano: inviting the public to explore the geoheritage of the world’s first volcano observatory
Authors: Di Vito Mauro Antonio , Sparice Domenico , de Vita Sandro , Doronzo Domenico Maria , Ricciardi Giovanni Pasquale , Uzzo Tullia 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe Osservatorio Vesuviano (OV) is the oldest volcano observatory in the world having been founded in 1841 by the King of the Two Sicilies Ferdinand II of Bourbon. The historical building, located on the western slope of Vesuvius, hosts a museum with important collections of remarkable scientific, historical and artistic value, including pioneering instruments, rocks and minerals, photos and films of Vesuvius’ eruptions and many other memorabilia. Visitors discover this heritage through permanent exhibitions, and a multimedia path, across the history of Vesuvius and the origin of volcano monitoring. The museum lies within the protected area of Vesuvius National Park, established in 1995. The park’s network of trails allows visitors to enjoy the geodiversity of Somma-Vesuvius, whose activity has been intertwined with that of humans from Bronze Age to modern times, as testified by many important archaeological sites around the volcano, the most famous among them being Pompeii and Herculaneum. The “Grand Tour” was the cultural journey undertaken in the eighteenth century by European intellectuals, in which Italy was an essential destination; we consider the Museum of the OV an essential stop in a modern “Vesuvius Grand Tour”, a journey through the geological and archaeological heritage of Vesuvius territory. Since 2001, the OV is the Naples section of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), which is primarily tasked with monitoring the three active volcanoes of the Neapolitan area—Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei and Ischia—through an advanced surveillance network.
Self-adjusting Population Sizes for Non-elitist Evolutionary Algorithms: Why Success Rates Matter
Authors: Hevia Fajardo Mario Alejandro , Sudholt Dirk 
Published: July 2023

AbstractEvolutionary algorithms (EAs) are general-purpose optimisers that come with several parameters like the sizes of parent and offspring populations or the mutation rate. It is well known that the performance of EAs may depend drastically on these parameters. Recent theoretical studies have shown that self-adjusting parameter control mechanisms that tune parameters during the algorithm run can provably outperform the best static parameters in EAs on discrete problems. However, the majority of these studies concerned elitist EAs and we do not have a clear answer on whether the same mechanisms can be applied for non-elitist EAs. We study one of the best-known parameter control mechanisms, the one-fifth success rule, to control the offspring population size $$\lambda $$
λ
in the non-elitist $${(1,\lambda )}$$

(
1
,
λ
)

EA. It is known that the $${(1,\lambda )}$$

(
1
,
λ
)

EA has a sharp threshold with respect to the choice of $$\lambda $$
λ
where the expected runtime on the benchmark function OneMax changes from polynomial to exponential time. Hence, it is not clear whether parameter control mechanisms are able to find and maintain suitable values of $$\lambda $$
λ
. For OneMax we show that the answer crucially depends on the success rate s (i. e. a one-$$(s+1)$$

(
s
+
1
)

-th success rule). We prove that, if the success rate is appropriately small, the self-adjusting $${(1,\lambda )}$$

(
1
,
λ
)

EA optimises OneMax in O(n) expected generations and $$O(n \log n)$$

O
(
n
log
n
)

expected evaluations, the best possible runtime for any unary unbiased black-box algorithm. A small success rate is crucial: we also show that if the success rate is too large, the algorithm has an exponential runtime on OneMax and other functions with similar characteristics.
Effects of music-based interventions on cancer-related pain, fatigue, and distress: an overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Trigueros-Murillo Ana , Martinez-Calderon Javier , Casuso-Holgado María Jesús , González-García Paula , Heredia-Rizo Alberto Marcos 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To summarize the available evidence from systematic reviews with meta-analysis on the effects of music-based interventions in adults diagnosed with cancer.

Methods
An overview of systematic reviews was conducted. CINHAL, Embase, PEDro, PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched from inception until November 2022. Systematic reviews with meta-analysis in individuals with cancer (any type), any comparator, and outcomes of cancer-related pain, fatigue, and psychosocial symptoms were eligible. The methodological quality of systematic reviews and the amount of spin of information in the abstract were assessed. The Graphical Representation of Overlap for OVErviews tool (GROOVE) was used to explore the overlap of primary studies among systematic reviews.

Results
Thirteen systematic reviews, with over 9000 participants, containing 119 randomized trials and 34 meta-analyses of interest, were included. Music-based interventions involved passive music listening or patients’ active engagement. Most systematic reviews lacked a comprehensive search strategy, did not assess the certainty in the evidence and discussed their findings without considering the risk of bias of primary studies. The degree of overlap was moderate (5.81%). Overall, combining music-based interventions and standard care seems to be more effective than standard care to reduce cancer-related pain, fatigue, and distress. Mixed findings were found for other psychosocial measures.

Conclusion
Music-based interventions could be an interesting approach to modulate cancer-related pain, fatigue, and distress in adults with cancer. The variability among interventions, together with important methodological biases, detract from the clinical relevance of these findings.
mixDA: mixup domain adaptation for glaucoma detection on fundus images
Authors: Yan Ming , Lin Yun , Peng Xi , Zeng Zeng 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDeep neural network has achieved promising results for automatic glaucoma detection on fundus images. Nevertheless, the intrinsic discrepancy across glaucoma datasets is challenging for the data-driven neural network approaches. This discrepancy leads to the domain gap that affects model performance and declines model generalization capability. Existing domain adaptation-based transfer learning methods mostly fine-tune pretrained models on target domains to reduce the domain gap. However, this feature learning-based adaptation method is implicit, and it is not an optimal solution for transfer learning on the diverse glaucoma datasets. In this paper, we propose a mixup domain adaptation (mixDA) method that bridges domain adaptation with domain mixup to improve model performance across divergent glaucoma datasets. Specifically, the domain adaptation reduces the domain gap of glaucoma datasets in transfer learning with an explicit adaptation manner. Meanwhile, the domain mixup further minimizes the risk of outliers after domain adaptation and improves the model generalization capability. Extensive experiments show the superiority of our mixDA on several public glaucoma datasets. Moreover, our method outperforms state-of-the-art methods by a large margin on four glaucoma datasets: REFUGE, LAG, ORIGA, and RIM-ONE.
Looking at QED with Dyson–Schwinger Equations: Basic Equations, Ward–Takahashi Identities and the Two-Photon-Two-Fermion Irreducible Vertex
Authors: Oliveira Orlando , Macedo Helena Lessa , Terin Rodrigo Carmo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractA minimal truncated set of the integral Dyson–Schwinger equations, in Minkowski spacetime, that allows to explore QED beyond its perturbative solution is derived for general linear covariant gauges. The minimal set includes the equations for the fermion and photon propagators, the photon-fermion vertex, and the two-photon-two-fermion one-particle-irreducible diagram. If the first three equations are exact, to build a closed set of equations, the two-photon-two-fermion equation is truncated ignoring the contribution of Green functions with large number of external legs. It is shown that the truncated equation for the two-photon-two-fermion vertex reproduces the lowest-order perturbative result in the limit of the small coupling constant. Furthermore, this equation allows to define an iterative procedure to compute higher order corrections in the coupling constant. The Ward–Takahashi identity for the two-photon-two-fermion irreducible vertex is derived and solved in the soft photon limit, where one of the photon momenta vanish, in the low photon momenta limit and for general kinematics. The solution of the Ward–Takahashi identity determines the longitudinal component of the two-photon-two-fermion irreducible vertex, while it is proposed to use the Dyson–Schwinger equation to determine the transverse part of this irreducible diagram. The two-photon-two-fermion DSE is solved in heavy fermion limit, considering a simplified version of the QED vertices. The contribution of this irreducible vertex to a low-energy effective photon-fermion vertex is discussed and the fermionic operators that are generated are computed in terms of the fermion propagator functions.
Detection of mpox virus in ambient air in a sexual health clinic
Authors: Raymenants Joren , Van Gestel Liesbeth , Coppens Jasmine , De Block Tessa , Bangwen Eugene , Rutgers Jojanneke , Hens Matilde , De Vos Elise , Coppens Sandra , Keyaerts Els , André Emmanuel , Rezende Antonio Mauro , Van Esbroeck Marjan , Vercauteren Koen , Liesenborghs Laurens 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAlthough transmitted mainly through direct (sexual) contact, mpox virus (MPXV) can be detected in ambient air. We explored the use of air sampling for diagnosis or (genomic) surveillance of mpox in a sexual health clinic. For six out of six patients who were infected with MPXV, all four of our ambient air PCR tests were positive. For 14 uninfected patients, PCR was positive in three ambient air samples, albeit with higher cycle threshold (Ct) values. Genomic sequencing of samples from two positive patients showed matching sequences between air and clinical samples.
Characterization of the soft-tissue wall lining residual periodontal pockets and implications in periodontal wound healing
Authors: Gousopoulou Evangelia , Bakopoulou Athina , Laskaris Dimitrios , Gousopoulos Epameinondas , Apatzidou Danae A. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Aim
To characterize the soft-tissue wall of remaining periodontal pockets for wound healing-related parameters versus healthy gingival crevices in the same individuals.

Materials and methods
Gingival tissues collected from the diseased interface of pockets (GT biopsies) and from healthy gingival crevices (G biopsies) were subjected to RT2-profiler PCR Array for wound healing-related markers and network analysis of differentially expressed genes. Lymphangiogenesis-related gene expression was determined by qRT-PCR. The migration potential of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from GT biopsies (GT-MSCs) and G biopsies (G-MSCs) was evaluated by the scratch- and the transwell migration assays. The total collagen protein content was determined in GT-MSCs and G-MSCs homogenates.

Results
Gene-ontology analysis on significantly upregulated genes expressed in GT biopsies revealed enrichment of several genes involved in processes related to matrix remodeling, collagen deposition, and integrin signaling. No significantly expressed genes were seen in G biopsies. Regarding lymphangiogenesis-related genes, GT biopsies demonstrated greater expression for PROX1 than G biopsies (p = 0.05). Lower migration potential (p < 0.001), yet greater production of collagen protein (p = 0.05), was found for GT-MSCs over G-MSCs.

Conclusion
Differential expression patterns of various molecular pathways in biopsies and cell cultures of diseased versus healthy gingival tissues indicate a potential of the former for tissue remodeling and repair.

Clinical relevance
In the course of periodontitis, granulation tissue is formed within a periodontal defect in an attempt to reconstruct the site. Following treatment procedures periodontal granulation tissue remains inflamed but appears to retain healing potential.
Gesture retrieval and its application to the study of multimodal communication
Authors: Parian-Scherb Mahnaz , Uhrig Peter , Rossetto Luca , Dupont Stéphane , Schuldt Heiko 
Published: July 2023

AbstractComprehending communication is dependent on analyzing the different modalities of conversation, including audio, visual, and others. This is a natural process for humans, but in digital libraries, where preservation and dissemination of digital information are crucial, it is a complex task. A rich conversational model, encompassing all modalities and their co-occurrences, is required to effectively analyze and interact with digital information. Currently, the analysis of co-speech gestures in videos is done through manual annotation by linguistic experts based on textual searches. However, this approach is limited and does not fully utilize the visual modality of gestures. This paper proposes a visual gesture retrieval method using a deep learning architecture to extend current research in this area. The method is based on body keypoints and uses an attention mechanism to focus on specific groups. Experiments were conducted on a subset of the NewsScape dataset, which presents challenges such as multiple people, camera perspective changes, and occlusions. A user study was conducted to assess the usability of the results, establishing a baseline for future gesture retrieval methods in real-world video collections. The results of the experiment demonstrate the high potential of the proposed method in multimodal communication research and highlight the significance of visual gesture retrieval in enhancing interaction with video content. The integration of visual similarity search for gestures in the open-source multimedia retrieval stack, vitrivr, can greatly contribute to the field of computational linguistics. This research advances the understanding of the role of the visual modality in co-speech gestures and highlights the need for further development in this area.
Assessment of a mixed reality smart home controller: HoloHome pilot study on healthy adults
Authors: Mahroo Atieh , Greci Luca , Mondellini Marta , Sacco Marco 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis work presents HoloHome, a Mixed Reality application that aims to provide a new means of interaction to control the Smart Home components while providing continuous support for the inhabitants, including older adults and people with limited mobility and cognitive skills. HoloHome integrates several technological paradigms such as Mixed Reality, Internet of Things, and Ambient Assisted Living to maximize the tailored domestic comfort for the Smart Home’s inhabitants while promoting their comfort, safety, and independence in performing daily activities. It is designed and implemented on Microsoft HoloLens, ensuring the connection of the Mixed Reality environment with the distributed network of domestic sensors through the WiFi-enabled microcontrollers to present an innovative method of interaction with the Smart Home and IoT network. Additionally, HoloHome provides unique services and assistive technologies mainly designed for older adults and people with short-term memory deficits to provide continuous assistance, support, and instruction for household activities. This paper conducts the assessment of HoloHome, where the proposed system's usability, cybersickness, and effectiveness are investigated. The usability of HoloHome is validated on a sample of healthy adults to highlight desirable modifications before further assessments of older adults and people with disabilities. This pilot study demonstrated a good level of perceived usability (71.5%) among healthy adults, leading toward the best possible adjustments prior to proposing the system to the more fragile users.