bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Machine learning based oxygen and carbon concentration derivation using dual‐energy CT for PET‐based dose verification in proton therapy
Authors: Liu Yuxiang , Zhou Long , Peng Hao 
Published: March 2022

PurposeOnline dose verification based on proton‐induced positron emitters requires high accuracy in the assignment of elemental composition (e.g., C and O). We developed a machine learning framework for deriving oxygen and carbon concentration based on dual‐energy CT (DECT).MethodsDigital phantoms at the head site were constructed based on single‐energy CT (SECT) and stoichiometric calibration. DECT images (80 and 140 kVp) were synthesized using two methods: (1) theoretical CT numbers with Gaussian noise (method 1) and (2) forward/backward image reconstruction with poly‐energetic energy spectrum and Poisson noise modeled (method 2). Two architectures of convolutional neural networks, UNet and ResNet, were investigated to map from DECT images to C/O weights. Four cases (UNet‐1: Method 1+UNet, ResNet‐1: Method 1+ResNet, UNet‐2: Method 2+UNet, and ResNet‐2: Method 2 +ResNet) were tested for different tissue types and different noise levels. Monte‐Carlo simulation was employed to identify the impact of fluctuation in oxygen and carbon concentration on activity/dose distribution.ResultsWhen no noise is present, all four cases are able to obtain <2% mean absolute errors and <4% root mean square error (RMSE). For the worst image quality (e.g., lowest image SNR), the RMSE for O among all tissue types is 3.02% (UNet‐1), 4.46% (ResNet‐1), 4.38% (UNet‐2), and 6.31% (ResNet‐2), respectively. For UNet‐1 and ResNet‐1, the model performed slightly better in terms of RMSE for skeletal tissue than soft tissues. Such a trend is not observed for UNet‐2 and ResNet‐2. With regard to the comparison between UNet and ResNet, different accuracy and noise immunity are observed. The activity profiles exhibit 3%–5% difference in terms of mean relative error between the ground truth and machine learning outcome.ConclusionWe explored the feasibility of a machine learning framework to derive elemental concentration of oxygen and carbon based on DECT images. Two machine learning models, UNet and ResNet, are able to utilize spatial correlation and obtain accurate carbon and oxygen concentration. This study lays a foundation for us to apply the proposed approach to clinical DECT images.
Potential of multiparametric characterization of foodstuffs by nuclear magnetic resonance to better predict microbial behavior
Authors: Recht Raphael , Omhover‐Fougy Lysiane , Stahl Valérie , Hamon Erwann 
Published: March 2022

AbstractNumerous predictive microbiology models have been proposed to describe bacterial population behaviors in foodstuffs. These models depict the growth kinetics of particular bacterial strains based on key physico‐chemical parameters of food matrices and their storage temperature. In this context, there is a prominent issue to accurately characterize these parameters, notably pH, water activity (aw), and NaCl and organic acid concentrations. Usually, all these product features are determined using one destructive analysis per parameter at macroscale (>5 g). Such approach prevents an overall view of these characteristics on a single sample. Besides, it does not take into account the intra‐product microlocal variability of these parameters within foods. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a versatile non‐invasive spectroscopic technique. Experiments can be recorded successively on a same collected sample without damaging it. In this work, we designed a dedicated NMR approach to characterize the microenvironment of foods using 10‐mg samples. The multiparametric mesoscopic‐scale approach was validated on four food matrices: a smear soft cheese, cooked peeled shrimps, cold‐smoked salmon, and smoked ham. Its implementation in situ on salmon fillets enabled to observe the intra‐product heterogeneity and to highlight the impact of process on the spatial distribution of pH, NaCl, and organic acids. This analytical development and its successful application can help address the shortcomings of monoparametric methods traditionally used for predictive microbiology purposes.
A comparable study of the optical spectra and EPR parameters for 3d1‐ and 3d9‐doped MgNH4PO4·6H2O
Authors: Chen Baojin , Zhang Junlong , Li Rong , Liang Yajin , Feng Cuidi , Zhang Huaming 
Published: March 2022

AbstractVO2+ (3d1) and Cu2+ (3d9) are the two complementary states that usually show opposite distortions when they are doped in crystals. In this work, the optical absorption spectra (OAS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) parameters, and local structure (LS) for VO2+ (and Cu2+) in MgNH4PO4·6H2O (MPPH) are uniformly investigated on the basis of the high‐order perturbation formulas for a 3d1 (and 3d9) ion in tetragonally compressed (and elongated) octahedra, respectively. In the calculated formulas, the required crystal‐field parameters can be obtained from the superposition model and reasonably linked with the LS distortion for VO2+ and Cu2+ centers. Based on the calculations, the tetragonal compressed [VO(H2O)5]2+ cluster (and tetragonal elongated [Cu(H2O)6]2+ cluster) is found to suffer tetragonal compression ratio of 1.65% and tetragonal elongation ratio of 3.8% along C4‐axis, respectively, due to the Jahn–Teller (JT) effect. The theoretical EPR parameters based on the above lattice distortions agree well with the experimental data, and the LS of the VO2+ and Cu2+ centers in MPPH is discussed.
Polyvinyl chloride modifications, properties, and applications: Review
Authors: Lieberzeit Peter , Bekchanov Davron , Mukhamediev Mukhtar 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe present study provides an overview of the latest scientific developments in the field of application and modification of ion exchange sorbents and membranes made of granular and powdery polyvinyl chloride (PVC), focusing on some scientific works, such as water and wastewater treatment, ion exchange, gas separation, etc. For this purpose, an introduction to the various methods of modifying PVC is first given, and then the application of ion exchange sorbents and membrane is discussed. Methods of modification of PVC under homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions using modifiers containing N, S, and O atoms are also described. Various ion‐exchange sorbents and membranes based on PVC, methods for modifying PVC and the use of the obtained ion‐exchange sorbents and membranes are viewed. A comparison of the sorption properties of ion‐exchange sorbents based on PVC and sorbents used in industry has also been carried out.
Microfluidic fabrication of calcium alginate helical microfibers for highly stretchable wound dressing
Authors: Ma Wenjun , Ling Sida , Zhang Jingwei , Chen Zhuo , Xu Jianhong 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDue to suitable biocompatibility and biodegradability, natural polymers have a wide range of applications in the biomedical field, but the defects of mechanical properties limit their performance in some practical scenarios. Here, the microfluidic method was used to spin alginate into helical fibers, and then the gaps of packed microfibers were filled with polyacrylamide (PAM) to obtain a calcium alginate/PAM composite polymer membrane. Compared with pure calcium alginate, this composite film greatly improved the flexibility and stretchability, and could be stretched up to 14 times of its original length, and not deform significantly under 300% strain for 8 cycles. It also had good transparency and skin adhesion, further guaranteeing the application potential in the field of wound dressings. The loading and release experiments showed that the calcium alginate fibers maintained a dense morphology, and could achieve higher loading efficiency and more controllable release than pure PAM. Above all, this film has great application potential in joint wound dressings, especially when loading with antibacterial substances or healing‐promoting drugs is needed. In addition, our research of achieving substantial optimization of elasticity and stretchability through the introduction of helical shape also has certain reference significance for other natural polymers limited by mechanical properties.
Strength and the cracking behavior of frozen sandstone containing ice‐filled flaws under uniaxial compression
Authors: Jia Hai‐liang , Han Li , Zhao Tao , Sun Qiang , Tan Xian‐jun 
Published: March 2022

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanical properties of frozen flawed rock masses is fundamental to conducting safe rock engineering in frozen rock strata. However, there has been scarce research in this area, especially on key issues such as the strength and deformability of frozen flawed rock masses and failure processes under load. In this paper, frozen flawed sandstone was subjected to uniaxial compression and the cracking process was observed. The influences of flaw inclination angle and freezing temperature on the strength and cracking behavior of frozen flawed sandstone under load were determined. The results show that: (a) the strength of frozen flawed sandstone increases with increases in flaw inclination and decreases in temperature; (b) the flaw inclination has a dramatic influence on both the crack coalescence behavior and the final failure form of frozen flawed samples under compression; and (c) the significant influence of freezing temperature on the cracking behavior of frozen flawed sandstone is caused by the interaction between flaw ice and its surrounding rock. Strengthening of flawed sandstone by freezing results because (i) pore ice provides support and cohesion at the pore scale, while (ii) at the crack scale ice can support the flaw and resist its deformation during compression, and cementation of the ice–rock interface provides normal and tangential cracking resistance.
Sonochemical Fabrication of s‐Scheme Hierarchical CdS/BiOBr Heterojunction Photocatalyst with High Performance for Carbon Dioxide Reduction
Authors: Xiao Yunxue , Maimaitizi Hujiabudula , Okitsu Kenji , Tursun Yalkunjan , Abulizi Abulikemu 
Published: March 2022

AbstractCO2 conversion to methanol becomes a promising strategy by using semiconductor‐based photocatalyst for environmental remediation and converting solar energy. In this study, a series of CdS‐modified BiOBr (CdS/BiOBr) microspheres are fabricated by mild hydrolysis‐ultrasonic method and the effect of CdS growing on the photocatalytic CO2 reduction activities of BiOBr are systematically investigated. Among all CdS/BiOBr composite photocatalysis, the highest value of CH3OH yields (876 µmol gcat−1, 4 h) is achieved with 15% CdS/BiOBr, which is nearly double higher than alone BiOBr (435 µmol gcat−1). Comparatively, the CdS/BiOBr microspheres with s‐scheme heterostructure exhibit the surprising photocatalytic performance and CH3OH selectivity, which are attributed to the enhanced light absorption, as well as effective separation and migration of the photoinduced electron–hole pairs induced by the s‐scheme heterojunction between BiOBr and CdS. This study provides a mild hydrolysis‐ultrasonic method for environmental remediation and converting energy using cost‐effective semiconductor materials.
Facile pathway to construct mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with pyraclostrobin: Physicochemical properties, antifungal activity, and biosafety
Authors: Feng Jianguo , Chen Zhiyang , Chen Wang , Sun Li , Yang Jinghan , He Kangli , Dong Sa , Yuan Shuzhong 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDA controlled‐release formulation based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) provides an effective way for reducing pesticide use and protecting the ecological environment. In this study, MSNs loaded with pyraclostrobin (PYR@MSNs) were prepared using a one‐pot method.RESULTSThe characteristics of PYR@MSNs were systematically investigated, including morphology, loading content, ultraviolet (UV) resistance, release behavior, control effects against pathogens, and safety to nontarget organisms. The results show that the prepared PYR@MSNs presented characteristics of regular spherical shapes, uniform particle size (200 nm), high drug loading (38.9%), and enhanced UV resistance. Compared with traditional formulation, PYR@MSNs exhibited improved control effects against Fusarium graminearum, an extended control period, and lower toxicity to zebrafish, earthworms and BEAS‐2B cells.CONCLUSIONSThis research will facilitate the development of efficient and safe pesticide delivery systems. The PYR@MSNs has showed its potential as a new controlled‐release formulation with increased efficacy and is expected to benefit the sustainable development of agriculture. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Delphi consensus recommendation for optimization of pulmonary hypertension therapy focusing on switching from a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor to riociguat
Authors: Rahaghi Franck F. , Balasubramanian Vijay P. , Bourge Robert C. , Burger Charles D. , Chakinala Murali M. , Eggert Michael S. , Elwing Jean M. , Feldman Jeremy , King Christopher , Klinger James R. , Mathai Stephen C. , McConnell John Wesley , Palevsky Harold I. , Restrepo‐Jaramillo Ricardo , Safdar Zeenat , Sager Jeffrey S. , Sood Namita , Sulica Roxana , White R. James , Hill Nicholas S. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDual combination therapy with a phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitor (PDE5i) and endothelin receptor antagonist is recommended for most patients with intermediate‐risk pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The RESPITE and REPLACE studies suggest that switching from a PDE5i to a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activator may provide clinical improvement in this situation. The optimal approach to escalation or transition of therapy in this or other scenarios is not well defined. We developed an expert consensus statement on the transition to sGC and other treatment escalations and transitions in PAH using a modified Delphi process. The Delphi process used a panel of 20 physicians with expertise in PAH. Panelists answered three questionnaires on the management of treatment escalations and transitions in PAH. The initial questionnaire included open‐ended questions. Later questionnaires consolidated the responses into statements that panelists rated on a Likert scale from −5 (strongly disagree) to +5 (strongly agree) to determine consensus. The Delphi process produced several consensus recommendations. Escalation should be considered for patients who are at high risk or not achieving treatment goals, by adding an agent from a new class, switching from oral to parenteral prostacyclins, or increasing the dose. Switching to a new class or within a class should be considered if tolerability or other considerations unrelated to efficacy are affecting adherence. Switching from a PDE5i to an SGC activator may benefit patients with intermediate risk who are not improving on their present therapy. These consensus‐based recommendations may be helpful to clinicians and beneficial for patients when evidence‐based guidance is unavailable.
Suppression of BMP signaling by PHD2 deficiency in Pulmonary Arterial hypertension
Authors: Liu Bin , Yi Dan , Pan Jiakai , Dai Jingbo , Zhu Maggie M. , Zhao You‐Yang , Oh S. Paul , Fallon Michael B. , Dai Zhiyu 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBMP signaling deficiency is evident in the lungs of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. We demonstrated that PHD2 deficiency suppresses BMP signaling in the lung endothelial cells, suggesting the novel mechanisms of dysregulated BMP signaling in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Long‐term safety of a structured transition protocol from parenteral prostanoids to selexipag in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Tamura Yuichi , Furukawa Asuka , Tamura Yudai , Yamada Kenta , Taniguchi Hirohisa , Fukuda Keiichi , Kawamura Akio , Satoh Toru 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThere was no structured method for safely transition from parenteral prostanoids to oral medication. We enrolled 37 idiopathic/hereditary pulmonary arterial hypertension patients receiving triple combination therapy including parenteral prostanoids into structured transition program to oral selexipag. Four (10.8%) patients successfully transitioned under the protocol, and all of them presented long‐term safety.
A deep learning framework for real‐time 3D model registration in robot‐assisted laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Padovan Erica , Marullo Giorgia , Tanzi Leonardo , Piazzolla Pietro , Moos Sandro , Porpiglia Francesco , Vezzetti Enrico 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIntroductionThe current study presents a deep learning framework to determine, in real‐time, position and rotation of a target organ from an endoscopic video. These inferred data are used to overlay the 3D model of patient's organ over its real counterpart. The resulting augmented video flow is streamed back to the surgeon as a support during laparoscopic robot‐assisted procedures.MethodsThis framework exploits semantic segmentation and, thereafter, two techniques, based on Convolutional Neural Networks and motion analysis, were used to infer the rotation.ResultsThe segmentation shows optimal accuracies, with a mean IoU score greater than 80% in all tests. Different performance levels are obtained for rotation, depending on the surgical procedure.DiscussionEven if the presented methodology has various degrees of precision depending on the testing scenario, this work sets the first step for the adoption of deep learning and augmented reality to generalise the automatic registration process.
From evidence‐informed to evidence‐based: An evidence building framework for education
Authors: Owen Kaydee L. , Watkins Richard C. , Hughes J. Carl 
Published: March 2022

AbstractDeveloping an evidence‐base for educational provision can be an arduous journey. To facilitate consistent and accurate implementation of promising approaches, research efforts need to answer questions relating to theoretical coherence, efficacy, effectiveness, cost, ease of use, and acceptability. An evidence‐building framework can help us to think critically about the current state of evidence and plan a long‐term research programme. In this conceptual paper, we draw attention to an evidence‐building framework from medical and psychosocial science that conceptualises the phases and challenges along this journey. We have adapted this framework to help researchers and other education practitioners conceptualise how to review, synthesise, generate and communicate evidence in education. This framework facilitates a questions‐to‐methods approach in our journey to evidence, dissolving the idea that some research and analysis methods are superior to others. We argue that this evidence building framework can help us to distinguish between key terms in education, such as evidence‐informed and evidence‐based practice, as well as teacher enquiry and research—helping to distinguish the roles of researchers and practitioners. This paper has direct relevance to informing how we build evidence in education and identifies a need for collaboration as we work towards an evidence‐based teaching profession.
Fidelity to participants when researching multilingual language teachers: A systematic review
Authors: Calafato Raees 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe research field of multilingualism in education has grown exponentially over the last two decades, with more and more studies published every year on the need for teachers to validate the whole linguistic repertoire of their students and help them draw on their multilingualism as a resource. What has, conversely, not been accorded sufficient attention by researchers is the multilingualism of the teachers tasked with realising this. This oversight, as it were, raises ethical issues for researchers that go beyond macro ethical considerations like the need to ensure participant anonymity, their protection from harm, and data confidentiality. Education is itself a complex, ethical enterprise, where engagement with teachers and students requires greater faithfulness, exactitude, and respect on the part of researchers. The need for such engagement, from an ethical standpoint, has been magnified as governments globally implement multilingual initiatives in schools and universities that encourage teachers to harness the growing linguistic and cultural diversity that surrounds them (and of which they are a part). Based on a systematic review of 59 published works between 2016 and 2021, this article discusses the importance of adopting a fidelity‐to‐participants approach when researching multilingual language teachers. Such an approach has been missing from most studies, yet it would benefit researchers and their participants, as well as policymakers and educators in several ways.
COVID‐19 outcomes in paediatric cancer: A large scale pooled meta‐analysis of 984 cancer patients
Authors: El‐Qushayri Amr Ehab , Benmelouka Amira Yasmine , Dahy Abdullah , Hashan Mohammad Rashidul 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe aimed to study the outcomes of COVID‐19 in paediatric cancer patients. On 26 October 2021, we did a systematic search for relevant articles in seven electronic databases followed by manual search. We included cancer patients aged ≤18 years. Event rates and the 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used to report the results. We included 21 papers after screening of 2759 records. The pooled rates of hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality were 44% (95%CI: 30–59), 14% (95%CI: 9–21) and 9% (95%CI: 6–12), respectively. Moreover, subgroup analysis revealed that high income countries had better COVID‐19 outcomes compared to upper middle income countries and lower middle income countries in terms of hospitalisation 30% (95%CI: 17–46), 60% (95%CI: 29–84) and 47% (95%CI: 36–58), ICU admission 7% (95%CI: 1–32), 13% (95%CI: 7–23) and 18% (95%CI: 6–41), and mortality 3% (95%CI: 2–5), 12% (95%CI: 8–18) and 13% (95%CI: 8–20), in order. In general, absence of specific pharmacologic intervention to prevent infection with the scarcity of vaccination coverage data among paediatric groups and its impact, high priority caution is required to avoid SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among paediatric cancer patients. Furthermore, our results highlight the importance of promoting care facilities for this vulnerable population in low and middle income regions to ensure quality care among cancer patients during pandemic crisis.
Effects of cardiovascular arousal on emotional experience
Authors: Chen Wei‐Ju , Johnson Hanna B. , Nelson Alese M. , Fleming Raymond 
Published: March 2022

AbstractStudies of arousal and emotion show that generalized physiological arousal can enhance emotional experience for a range of different emotions. Other research shows that different emotions may be associated with specific patterns of physiological reactivity. Together these findings suggest that while nonspecific autonomic activation can be sufficient in the generation of emotion, specific patterns of reactivity may appear once the emotion is established. This study aimed to test this hypothesis by examining the effects of generalized arousal on emotional experience, as well as the physiological responses associated with positive and negative emotions. One hundred and nine participants either sat or stood during the viewing of positive and negative film clips while emotion ratings and cardiorespiratory measures were taken. Those who stood during the videos reported greater levels of emotion than those who sat, indicating that generalized arousal due to standing heightened emotional experience. In addition, participants exhibited greater high‐frequency heart rate variability and lower respiration rate during the negative video than the positive video, indicating that physiological reactivity differed between the positive and negative emotions. These results suggest that while patterns of physiological reactivity may be specific to individual emotions, nonspecific arousal is sufficient to enhance diverse emotions.