bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization algorithm for high precision RGB-D dense point cloud 3D reconstruction in indoor unbounded extension area
Authors: Pan Zihao , Hou Junyi , Yu Lei 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Aimed at the problems existing in the present Red Green Blue-Depth (RGB-D) three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction algorithms in the unbounded extension area, such as low accuracy, inaccurate pose estimation, and more restrictions on data set shooting, an optimization algorithm for indoor unbounded RGB-D dense point cloud 3D reconstruction with high accuracy is proposed. The algorithm aims at obtaining better pose estimation during image construction. In the image preprocessing stage, normal direction information is given to each point cloud. In camera pose estimation, since perspective-n-points (PNPs) pose estimation is more accurate and has a smaller cumulative error than the traditional near-point iterative algorithm, this paper improves PNP pose estimation and puts it into the pose estimation algorithm. Direct average distribution of errors to achieve loop closure will affect the accuracy of pose estimation. In this study, Similarity Transformation of 3 Points was used to optimize the solution before global Bundle adjustment, enhancing the closed-loop performance of the algorithm. Experimental verification showed that the error of the proposed algorithm for indoor environment reconstruction was about 2 cm at macro and small scales, and the reconstruction error was less than 2%. It can be widely used for RGB-D 3D reconstruction of large indoor scenes and has high accuracy in pose estimation and mapping.
Global bifurcation diagrams of positive solutions for a class of 1D superlinear indefinite problems*
Authors: Fencl M , López-Gómez J 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
This paper analyzes the structure of the set of positive solutions of a class of one-dimensional superlinear indefinite bvp’s. It is a paradigm of how mathematical analysis aids the numerical study of a problem, whereas simultaneously its numerical study confirms and illuminates the analysis. On the analytical side, we establish the fast decay of the positive solutions as λ ↓ −∞ in the region where a(x) < 0 (see (1.1)), as well as the decay of the solutions of the parabolic counterpart of the model (see (1.2)) as λ ↓ −∞ on any subinterval of [0, 1] where u
0 = 0, provided u
0 is a subsolution of (1.1). This result provides us with a proof of a conjecture of [26] under an additional condition of a dynamical nature. On the numerical side, this paper ascertains the global structure of the set of positive solutions on some paradigmatic prototypes whose intricate behavior is far from predictable from existing analytical results.
Patient specific distortion detection and mitigation in MR images used for stereotactic radiosurgery
Authors: Bredfeldt Jeremy S , Miao Xin , Kaza Evangelia , Schneider Manuel , Requardt Martin , Feiweier Thorsten , Aizer Ayal , Tanguturi Shyam , Haas-Kogan Daphne , Rahman Rifaquat , Cagney Daniel N , Sudhyadhom Atchar 
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Objective. In MRI-based radiation therapy planning, mitigating patient-specific distortion with standard high bandwidth scans can result in unnecessary sacrifices of signal to noise ratio. This study investigates a technique for distortion detection and mitigation on a patient specific basis. Approach. Fast B0 mapping was performed using a previously developed technique for high-resolution, large dynamic range field mapping without the need for phase unwrapping algorithms. A phantom study was performed to validate the method. Distortion mitigation was validated by reducing geometric distortion with increased acquisition bandwidth and confirmed by both the B0 mapping technique and manual measurements. Images and contours from 25 brain stereotactic radiosurgery patients and 95 targets were analyzed to estimate the range of geometric distortions expected in the brain and to estimate bandwidth required to keep all treatment targets within the ±0.5 mm iso-distortion contour. Main Results. The phantom study showed, at 3 T, the technique can measure distortions with a mean absolute error of 0.12 mm (0.18 ppm), and a maximum error of 0.37 mm (0.6 ppm). For image acquisition at 3 T and 1.0 mm resolution, mean absolute distortion under 0.5 mm in patients required bandwidths from 109 to 200 Hz px−1 for patients with the least and most distortion, respectively. Maximum absolute distortion under 0.5 mm required bandwidths from 120 to 390 Hz px−1. Significance. The method for B0 mapping was shown to be valid and may be applied to assess distortion clinically. Future work will adapt the readout bandwidth to prospectively mitigate distortion with the goal to improve radiosurgery treatment outcomes by reducing healthy tissue exposure.
Line-of-sight quantum key distribution with differential phase shift keying
Authors: Endo Hiroyuki , Sasaki Toshihiko , Takeoka Masahiro , Fujiwara Mikio , Koashi Masato , Sasaki Masahide 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Free-space optical (FSO) links offer a practical approach to realize quantum key distribution (QKD) in a global scale. However, when one wants to further extend the distance from the geostationary orbit to the ground, currently known QKD schemes cannot realize practical key rates mainly due to the diffraction losses of a laser beam. If the facts that the FSO links are highly directional and must be used in the line-of-sight (LoS) condition are taken into account, one may impose some physical restrictions on an eavesdropping model to explore longer-distance QKD. In this paper, we propose a novel FSO secret key agreement scheme, line-of-sight QKD (LoS-QKD), based on a quantum wiretap channel. In our model, an eavesdropper can tap only a limited fraction of the FSO signal beam but perform any physically allowable operations on the tapped signals. Fading effects which are significant in the FSO links are fully taken into account. We provide a security proof for the differential phase shift (DPS) keying scheme in terms of the metric which meets the composability. We investigate numerically the performances of LoS-QKD with DPS keying, including finite-length analysis, showing that our proposed scheme can realize high-speed and long-distance secret key agreement with information-theoretic security.
Tracer dynamics in one dimensional gases of active or passive particles
Authors: Banerjee Tirthankar , Jack Robert L , Cates Michael E 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
We consider one-dimensional systems comprising either active run-and-tumble particles (RTPs) or passive Brownian random walkers. These particles are either noninteracting or have hardcore exclusions. We study the dynamics of a single tracer particle embedded in such a system—this tracer may be either active or passive, with hardcore exclusion from environmental particles. In an active hardcore environment, both active and passive tracers show long-time subdiffusion: displacements scale as t
1/4 with a density-dependent prefactor that is independent of tracer type, and differs from the corresponding result for passive-in-passive subdiffusion. In an environment of noninteracting active particles, the passive-in-passive results are recovered at low densities for both active and passive tracers, but transient caging effects slow the tracer motion at higher densities, delaying the onset of any t
1/4 regime. For an active tracer in a passive environment, we find more complex outcomes, which depend on details of the dynamical discretization scheme. We interpret these results by studying the density distribution of environmental particles around the tracer. In particular, sticking of environment particles to the tracer cause it to move more slowly in noninteracting than in interacting active environments, while the anomalous behaviour of the active-in-passive cases stems from a ‘snowplough’ effect whereby a large pile of diffusive environmental particles accumulates in front of an RTP tracer during a ballistic run.
Quantitative analysis of an ECR Ar plasma structure by X-ray spectroscopy at high spatial resolution
Authors: Naselli E. , Rácz R. , Biri S. , Mazzaglia M. , Galatà A. , Celona L. , Gammino S. , Torrisi G. , Mascali D. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
In the frame of the PANDORA_Gr3 project, aiming at measuring for the first time in-plasma nuclear β-decays of astrophysical interest, an innovative multi-diagnostic approach to correlate plasma parameters to nuclear activity has been proposed [1–3]. This is based on several detectors and techniques (optical emission spectroscopy, RF systems, interferopolarimetry) and here we focus on high resolution spatially-resolved X-ray spectroscopy, performed by means of a X-ray pin-hole camera setup sensitive in the 0.5–20 keV energy domain. We present measurements on an Ar plasma heated by Electron Cyclotron Resonance at the ECR-plasma lab of ATOMKI-Debrecen. The achieved spatial and energy resolution were 0.5 mm and 300 eV at 8 keV, respectively [4]. The new algorithm of analysis for single-photon-counted images has been developed allowing an investigation in High-Dynamic-Range (HDR) mode. Hence a spatially resolved quantitative characterization of plasma vs. plasma walls emitted spectra was done; the investigated electrons are the ones crucial for in-plasma ionization. Both stable and turbulent plasma regimes can be investigated.
3D numerical simulation with experimental validation of a traveling magnetic field stirring generated by a Bitter coil for silicon directional solidification process
Authors: Hiba B , Nouri Ab , Hachani L , Zaidat K 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Silicon is the most widely used raw material in photovoltaic industry; however, the quality of the silicon photovoltaic solar cells depends on the quality of the raw material (i.e. metallurgical silicon or poly-silicon) and the solidification methods used for the production of the silicon ingot from which the solar cells are produced. This study is related to how improve the quality of the final ingot in the directional solidification process; it is necessary to control the impurity segregation of silicon raw material during the processing. This control can be accomplished by adding an electromagnetic Bitter coil which can generate an external traveling magnetic field (TMF) stirring to control the hydrodynamic flow of silicon melt during the solidification process without contaminating it. To carry out this study, we used a Bridgman vertical directional solidification furnace, equipped with a cylindrical Bitter coil stirrer used in order to have the control of the silicon melt convection on the principal parameters of the solidification process, such as the growth rate, the thermal gradient and the natural convection of silicon melt. For the electromagnetic, heat exchange and silicon melt flow modelling, we used 3D numerical Multiphysics coupled models. Parallel to the numerical results we carried out experimental investigations relating to the characterization of the electromagnetic parameters. This study shows a promising effect of the applied traveling magnetic field on the final ingot quality; indeed, we have the ability to control the silicon melt flow which can affect the thermal configuration, the solidification interface shape and the segregation of impurities by changing the electric current input configuration of the Bitter coil stirrer.
Clinical trials in older people
Authors: Pitkala Kaisu H , Strandberg Timo E 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) usually provide the best evidence for treatments and management. Historically, older people have often been excluded from clinical medication trials due to age, multimorbidity and disabilities. The situation is improving, but still the external validity of many trials may be questioned. Individuals participating in trials are generally less complex than many patients seen in geriatric clinics.
Recruitment and retention of older participants are particular challenges in clinical trials. Multiple channels are needed for successful recruitment, and especially individuals experiencing frailty, multimorbidity and disabilities require support to participate. Cognitive decline is common, and often proxies are needed to sign informed consent forms. Older people may fall ill or become tired during the trial, and therefore, special support and empathic study personnel are necessary for the successful retention of participants.
Besides the risk of participants dropping out, several other pitfalls may result in underestimating or overestimating the intervention effects. In nonpharmacological trials, imperfect blinding is often unavoidable. Interventions must be designed intensively and be long enough to reveal differences between the intervention and control groups, as control participants must still receive the best normal care available. Outcome measures should be relevant to older people, sensitive to change and targeted to the specific population in the trial. Missing values in measurements are common and should be accounted for when designing the trial.
Despite the obstacles, RCTs in geriatrics must be promoted. Reliable evidence is needed for the successful treatment, management and care of older people.
Assessment of biogeographic variation in traits of Lewis flax (Linum lewisii) for use in restoration and agriculture
Authors: Innes Peter , Gossweiler André , Jensen Scott , Tilley Derek , St. John Loren , Jones Thomas , Kitchen Stanley , Hulke Brent S 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Lewis flax (Linum lewisii) is widely distributed across western North America and is currently used in native ecosystem restoration. There is also growing interest in de novo domestication of Lewis flax as a perennial oilseed crop. To better understand this species and facilitate both restoration and domestication, we used common gardens to assess biogeographical variation in a variety of seed and growth traits from 37 flax accessions, consisting of 35 wild populations from the Intermountain West region, the pre-variety germplasm Maple Grove (L. lewisii) and the cultivar ‘Appar’ (L. perenne) and related this variation to collection site geography and climate. Results from linear mixed models suggest there is extensive phenotypic variation among populations of Lewis flax within the Intermountain West. Using a multivariate approach, we identify a key suite of traits that are related to latitude and climate and may facilitate adaptation, including flowering indeterminacy, seed mass and stem number. These traits should be taken into account when considering the release of new germplasm for restoration efforts. We also find that Lewis flax seed contains desirably high amounts of alpha-linolenic acid and is otherwise mostly indistinguishable in fatty acid composition from oil-type varieties of domesticated flax (L. usitatissimum), making it a strong candidate for domestication. This study provides fundamental knowledge for future research into the ecology and evolution of Lewis flax, which will inform its use in both restoration and agriculture.
Systematic evaluation of computational tools to predict the effects of mutations on protein stability in the absence of experimental structures
Authors: Pan Qisheng , Nguyen Thanh Binh , Ascher David B , Pires Douglas E V 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Changes in protein sequence can have dramatic effects on how proteins fold, their stability and dynamics. Over the last 20 years, pioneering methods have been developed to try to estimate the effects of missense mutations on protein stability, leveraging growing availability of protein 3D structures. These, however, have been developed and validated using experimentally derived structures and biophysical measurements. A large proportion of protein structures remain to be experimentally elucidated and, while many studies have based their conclusions on predictions made using homology models, there has been no systematic evaluation of the reliability of these tools in the absence of experimental structural data. We have, therefore, systematically investigated the performance and robustness of ten widely used structural methods when presented with homology models built using templates at a range of sequence identity levels (from 15% to 95%) and contrasted performance with sequence-based tools, as a baseline. We found there is indeed performance deterioration on homology models built using templates with sequence identity below 40%, where sequence-based tools might become preferable. This was most marked for mutations in solvent exposed residues and stabilizing mutations. As structure prediction tools improve, the reliability of these predictors is expected to follow, however we strongly suggest that these factors should be taken into consideration when interpreting results from structure-based predictors of mutation effects on protein stability.
DLRAPom: a hybrid pipeline of Optimized XGBoost-guided integrative multiomics analysis for identifying targetable disease-related lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulatory axes
Authors: Shen Chen , Li Huiyu , Li Miao , Niu Yu , Liu Jing , Zhu Li , Gui Hongsheng , Han Wei , Wang Huiying , Zhang Wenpei , Wang Xiaochen , Luo Xiao , Sun Yu , Yan Jiangwei , Guan Fanglin 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The lack of a reliable and easy-to-operate screening pipeline for disease-related noncoding RNA regulatory axis is a problem that needs to be solved urgently. To address this, we designed a hybrid pipeline, disease-related lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulatory axis prediction from multiomics (DLRAPom), to identify risk biomarkers and disease-related lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulatory axes by adding a novel machine learning model on the basis of conventional analysis and combining experimental validation. The pipeline consists of four parts, including selecting hub biomarkers by conventional bioinformatics analysis, discovering the most essential protein-coding biomarkers by a novel machine learning model, extracting the key lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA axis and validating experimentally. Our study is the first one to propose a new pipeline predicting the interactions between lncRNA and miRNA and mRNA by combining WGCNA and XGBoost. Compared with the methods reported previously, we developed an Optimized XGBoost model to reduce the degree of overfitting in multiomics data, thereby improving the generalization ability of the overall model for the integrated analysis of multiomics data. With applications to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), we predicted nine risk protein-coding biomarkers and some potential lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulatory axes, which all correlated with GDM. In those regulatory axes, the MALAT1/hsa-miR-144-3p/IRS1 axis was predicted to be the key axis and was identified as being associated with GDM for the first time. In short, as a flexible pipeline, DLRAPom can contribute to molecular pathogenesis research of diseases, effectively predicting potential disease-related noncoding RNA regulatory networks and providing promising candidates for functional research on disease pathogenesis.
Present state and future outlook for the application of in vitro oocyte maturation in human infertility treatment
Authors: Krisher Rebecca L 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
In vitro oocyte maturation is an assisted reproductive technology in which a meiotically immature oocyte (prophase I or germinal vesicle stage) is recovered from an antral follicle and matured in vitro prior to fertilization. This technology, although in widespread use in domestic livestock, is not typically implemented during human in vitro fertilization cycles. This review examines how in vitro oocyte maturation is currently used in the clinical setting, including the various ways in vitro oocyte maturation is defined in practice. The role of in vitro oocyte maturation in patient care and the major challenges for implementation are described. Efficiency and safety are critically explored. The role of in vitro oocyte maturation in oncofertility will also be discussed. Finally, the outlook for the future of clinical in vitro oocyte maturation is considered.
Progesterone and interferon tau regulate expression of polyamine enzymes during the ovine peri-implantation period
Authors: Halloran Katherine M , Stenhouse Claire , Moses Robyn M , Seo Heewon , Johnson Gregory A , Wu Guoyao , Bazer Fuller W 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Progesterone (P4) and interferon tau (IFNT) are important for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in ruminants. Agmatine and polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) have important roles in the survival, growth, and development of mammalian conceptuses. This study tested the hypothesis that P4 and/or IFNT stimulate the expression of genes and proteins involved in the metabolism and transport of polyamines in the ovine endometrium. Rambouillet ewes (n = 24) were surgically fitted with intrauterine catheters on Day 7 of the estrous cycle. They received daily intramuscular injections of 50 mg P4 in corn oil vehicle and/or 75-mg progesterone receptor antagonist (RU486) in corn oil vehicle from Days 8–15, and twice daily intrauterine injections (25 μg/uterine horn/day) of either control serum proteins (CX) or IFNT from Days 11–15, resulting in four treatment groups: (i) P4 + CX; (ii) P4 + IFNT; (iii) RU486 + P4 + CX; or (iv) RU486 + P4 + IFNT. On Day 16, ewes were hysterectomized. The total amounts of arginine, citrulline, ornithine, agmatine, and putrescine in uterine flushings were affected (P &lt; 0.05) by P4 and/or IFNT. P4 increased endometrial expression of SLC22A2 (P &lt; 0.01) and SLC22A3 (P &lt; 0.05) mRNAs. IFNT affected endometrial expression of MAT2B (P &lt; 0.001), SAT1 (P &lt; 0.01), and SMOX (P &lt; 0.05) mRNAs, independent of P4. IFNT increased the abundance of SRM protein in uterine luminal (LE), superficial glandular (sGE), and glandular epithelia (GE), as well as MAT2B protein in uterine LE and sGE. These results indicate that P4 and IFNT act synergistically to regulate the expression of key genes required for cell-specific metabolism and transport of polyamines in the ovine endometrium during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy.
Predictors of Social Workers Attitudes Towards Evidence-based Practice: Self-determination and the Moderating Role of Organisational Learning
Authors: Zhang Huan , Chen Zhen , Zhang Qiujie 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Social workers’ attitudes towards evidence-based practice (EBPA) are critical to evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation. However, current studies on EBPA have not yet established a theoretical framework based on the intrinsic motivations that underlie social workers’ attitudes. By applying self-determination theory, this study constructed an explanatory framework that focussed on intrinsic motivation and used organisational learning capability (OLC) as a moderating role. Furthermore, this study verified the constructed framework using data from the Chinese Social Workers Survey including 5,620 social workers from all provinces in China. The results showed that social workers’ professional autonomy, job satisfaction and professional competence had significantly positive impacts on their EBPA and that OLC played a moderating role in the relationship between social workers’ intrinsic motivations and their EBPA. These findings provide further insight into social workers’ EBPA. The practical implications include emphasising practitioners’ innate psychological needs, including the voice of service users and building learning organisations when improving social workers’ EBPA and implementing EBP.