bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Food web structure and intraguild predation affect ecosystem functioning in an established plankton model
Authors: Prowe A. E. Friederike , Su Bei , Nejstgaard Jens C. , Schartau Markus 
Published: February 2022

AbstractUnderstanding how marine microbial food webs and their ecosystem functions are changing is crucial for projections of the future ocean. Often, simplified food web models are employed and their solutions are only evaluated against available observations of plankton biomass. With such an approach, it remains unclear how different underlying trophic interactions affect interpretations of plankton dynamics and functioning. Here, we quantitatively compare four hypothetical food webs to data from an existing mesocosm experiment using a refined version of the Minimum Microbial Food Web model. Food web representations range from separated food chains to complex food webs featuring additional trophic links including intraguild predation (IGP). Optimization against observations and taking into account model complexity ensures a fair comparison of the different food webs. Although the different optimized model food webs capture the observations similarly well, projected ecosystem functions differ depending on the underlying food web structure and the presence or absence of IGP. Mesh‐like food webs dominated by the microbial loop yield higher recycling and net primary production (NPP) than models dominated by the classical diatom‐copepod food chain. A high degree of microzooplankton IGP increases NPP and organic matter recycling, but decreases trophic transfer efficiency (TTE) to copepods. Copepod production, the trophic role of copepods, and TTE are more sensitive to initial biomass changes in chain‐like than in complex food webs. Measurements resolving trophic interactions, in particular those quantifying IGP, remain essential to reduce model uncertainty and allow sound conclusions for ecosystem functioning in plankton ecosystems.
Toward an ontology of collaborative learning healthcare systems
Authors: Vinson Alexandra H. , Seid Michael , Gamel Breck , Saeed Shehzad , Fureman Brandy , Cronin Susan C. , Bates Katherine , Hartley David 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo establish a basis for a domain ontology ‐ a formal, explicit specification of a shared conceptualization ‐ of collaborative learning healthcare systems (CLHSs) in order to facilitate measurement, explanation, and improvement.MethodsWe adapted the “Methontology” approach to begin building an ontology of CLHSs. We specified the purpose of an ontology, acquired domain knowledge via literature review, conceptualized a common framework of CLHSs using a grounded approach, refined these concepts based on expert panel input, and illustrated concept application via four cases.ResultsThe set of concepts identified as important to include in an ontology includes goals, values, structure, actors, environment, and products. To establish this set of concepts, we gathered input from content experts in two ways. First, expert panel methods were used to elicit feedback on these concepts and to test the elicitation of terms for the vocabulary of the Values concept. Second, from these discussions we developed a mapping exercise to test the intuitiveness of the concepts, requesting that network leaders from four CLHSs complete a mapping exercise to associate characteristics of their networks with the high‐level concepts, building the vocabulary for each concept in a grounded fashion. We also solicited feedback from these participants on the experience of completing the mapping exercise, finding that the exercise is acceptable and could aid in CLHS development and collaboration. Respondents identified opportunities to improve the operational definitions of each concept to ensure that corresponding vocabularies are distinct and non‐overlapping.DiscussionOur results provide a foundation for developing a formal, explicit shared conceptualization of CLHSs. Once developed, such a tool can be useful for measurement, explanation, and improvement. Further work, including alignment to a top‐level ontology, expanding the vocabulary, and defining relations between vocabulary is required to formally build out an ontology for these uses.
THE ORGANIZATIONAL IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN CONNECTION IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Authors: Seth Nitin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe author, Chief Executive Officer of Incedo Inc., a high‐growth technology services firm; writes about “three framing constructs” in understanding Artificial intelligence (AI), how it will affect jobs and the labor force, and the role of human connection. The constructs, in the author’s words are first; we need to realize and understand how jobs will be redefined by AI. Second, what are new skills that humans need to learn as a result of the changes brought about by AI and the redefinition of work? Third, this is the “and” part of AI AND humanity, how can AI help improve human interactions? For instance, in point one, he contends “As it changes existing jobs and creates new ones, the workforce will have to undertake ongoing training and education to ensure their experience and skills integrate seamlessly with the advances in AI, and remain in sync with the dynamic human resources market.” In point two: “Organizations can play their part by giving their employees incentives and time to improve their skills.” And in point three: “The bottom line is that AI definitely has a place in this world just as humans do. All the apocalyptic scenarios of a showdown between machines and humans don’t stand a chance.”
Zwitterionic Polymer Hairy Coating onto Mesh toward Easy Oil/Water Separation
Authors: Wang Chunyu , Liu Yingze , Shao Yue , Tang Zian , Wen Zhendong , Liang Fuxin , Yang Zhenzhong 
Published: February 2022

AbstractA zwitterionic polymeric hair‐coated stainless steel mesh membrane is fabricated, which demonstrates efficient separation of oil/water mixtures and emulsions. The hairy coating of poly(divinylbenzene‐co‐vinylbenzene chloride) is generated by precipitation cationic polymerization, and subsequently grafting a zwitterionic polymer layer by atom transfer radical polymerization of sulfobetaine methacrylate. The microstructure of the hairy coating is tunable from an array of individual nanofibers to porous networks by interweaving of the hairs. The long‐range attraction of zwitterionic polymers with water renders the coated mesh with excellent superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic performance. The coated mesh is highly antifouling to avoid the prehydration in conventional methods. Moreover, the microstructure is demonstrated to be responsible for the high separation efficiency of oil/water emulsion. Therefore, separation of oil/water mixtures and emulsions becomes easier by the coated mesh, which is promising in industrial oil field sewage treatment.
High Refractive Index, Enantiopure Silicones Based on BINOL
Authors: Melendez‐Zamudio Miguel , Silverthorne Kaitlyn E. C. , Brook Michael A. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe high refractive index aromatic compound, binaphthol (BINOL), is readily incorporated into silicone polymer chains using the Piers–Rubinsztajn (PR) reaction; alternating and random linear copolymers, and elastomers are available. The highest refractive index (RI) materials are BINOL rich. It is not possible to directly make high refractive index linear polymers with very short HSi‐capped, telechelic silicone chains, as they do not react cleanly. However, chain extending short vinyl‐capped BINOL macromers with simple arylsilanes using hydrosilylation leads to polymers with a molar mass of up to 8000 and refractive indices of up to 1.58. Elastomers are prepared using similar processes. The reactions are facile to practice and suggest BINOL can be harnessed in these and other processes to augment RI.
Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Polysiloxanes with Short Delay Fluorescence Lifetimes
Authors: Liu Silu , Li Quanwei , Hua Lei , Zhao Zhennan , Ren Zhongjie , Yan Shouke 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBlue‐emitting thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) polymers are still in demand for high‐efficiency display materials. Through‐space charge transfer (TSCT) strategy is promising for keeping color purity of blue‐emitting polymers with nonconjugated main chains. It is, however, hard to synthesize copolymers with well‐dispersed donors or acceptors utilizing traditional polyethylene backbones via radical polymerization. Herein, two series of blue‐emitting polysiloxane with TADF properties, random and order‐controlled copolysiloxanes, are successfully designed and synthesized and their photophysical properties are investigated and compared in detail. All of them display short prompt and delay fluorescence lifetimes and a very fast reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) rate of 107 s−1. Compared with random copolysiloxanes, acceptors are well separated by donors for order‐controlled copolysiloxanes, which exhibit the faster RISC processes and the higher photoluminescence quantum yield. Therefore, the order‐controlled architecture provides a guide for improving light‐emitting efficiency of TSCT‐type TADF polymers.
Validation of the Arabic Version of the Movement Disorder Society‐Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale
Authors: Khalil Hanan , Aldaajani Zakiyah F. , Aldughmi Mayis , Al‐Sharman Alham , Mohammad Tareq , Mehanna Raja , El‐Jaafary Shaimaa I. , Dahshan Ahmed , Ben Djebara Mouna , Kamel Walaa A. , Amer Hanan A. , Farghal Mohammed , Abdulla Fatema , Al‐Talai Nouf , Snineh Muneer Abu , Farhat Nouha , Jamali Fatima A. , Matar Rawan K. , Abdelraheem Heba S. , Ghonimi Nesma A.M. , Al‐Melh Mishal Abu , Elbhrawy Sonia , Alotaibi Majid S. , Elaidy Shaimaa A. , Almuammar Shahad A. , Al‐Hashel Jasem Y. , Gouider Riadh , Samir Hatem , Mhiri Chokri , Skorvanek Matej , Lin Jeffrey , Martinez‐Martin Pablo , Stebbins Glenn T. , Luo Sheng , Goetz Christopher G. , Bajwa Jawad A. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe Movement Disorder Society‐Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS‐UPDRS) has become the gold standard for evaluating different domains in Parkinson's disease (PD), and it is commonly used in clinical practice, research, and clinical trials.ObjectivesThe objectives are to validate the Arabic‐translated version of the MDS‐UPDRS and to assess its factor structure compared with the English version.MethodsThe study was carried out in three phases: first, the English version of the MDS‐UPDRS was translated into Arabic and subsequently back‐translated into English by independent translation team; second, cognitive pretesting of selected items was performed; third, the Arabic version was tested in over 400 native Arabic‐speaking PD patients. The psychometric properties of the translated version were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) as well as exploratory factor analysis (EFA).ResultsThe factor structure of the Arabic version was consistent with that of the English version based on the high CFIs for all four parts of the MDS‐UPDRS in the CFA (CFI ≥0.90), confirming its suitability for use in Arabic.ConclusionsThe Arabic version of the MDS‐UPDRS has good construct validity in Arabic‐speaking patients with PD and has been thereby designated as an official MDS‐UPDRS version. The data collection methodology among Arabic‐speaking countries across two continents of Asia and Africa provides a roadmap for validating additional MDS rating scale initiatives and is strong evidence that underserved regions can be energically mobilized to promote efforts that apply to better clinical care, education, and research for PD. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Identification of a novel heterozygous SOX9 variant in a Chinese family with congenital heart disease
Authors: Gong Li , Wang Chunyan , Xie Haiyang , Gao Jun , Li Tengyan , Qi Shenggui , Wang Binbin , Wang Jing 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies of individuals with hereditary or sporadic congenital heart disease (CHD) have provided strong evidence for a genetic basis for CHD. The aim of this study was to identify novel pathogenic genes and variants in a Chinese CHD family.MethodsThree generations of a family with CHD were recruited. We performed whole exome sequencing for the affected individuals and the proband's unaffected aunt to investigate the genetic causes of CHD in this family. Heterozygous variants carried by the proband and her maternal grandmother, but not the proband's aunt, were selected. The frequencies of the variants detected were assessed using public databases, and their influences on protein function were predicted using online prediction software. The candidate variant was further confirmed by Sanger sequencing of other members of the family.ResultsOn the basis of the family's pedigree, the mode of inheritance was speculated to be autosomal dominant with incomplete penetrance. We identified a novel heterozygous missense variant in SOX9 in all affected individuals and one asymptomatic family member, suggesting an inheritance pattern with incomplete penetrance. The variant was not found in any public database. In addition, the variant was highly conserved among mammals, and was predicted to be deleterious by online software programs.ConclusionsWe report for the first time a novel heterozygous missense variant in SOX9 (NM_000346:c.931G>T:p.Gly311Cys) in a Chinese CHD family. Our results provide further evidence supporting a causative role for SOX9 variants in CHD.
A hyperparameter‐tuning approach to automated inverse planning
Authors: Maass K. , Aravkin A. , Kim M. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundIn current practice, radiotherapy inverse planning often requires treatment planners to modify multiple parameters in the treatment planning system's objective function to produce clinically acceptable plans. Due to the manual steps in this process, plan quality can vary depending on the planning time available and the planner's skills.PurposeThis study investigates the feasibility of two hyperparameter‐tuning methods for automated inverse planning. Because this framework does not train a model on previously optimized plans, it can be readily adapted to practice pattern changes, and the resulting plan quality is not limited by that of a training cohort.MethodWe retrospectively selected 10 patients who received lung stereotactic body radiation therapy using manually generated clinical plans. We implemented random sampling and Bayesian optimization to automatically tune objective function parameters using linear–quadratic utility functions based on 11 clinical goals. Normalizing all plans to deliver a minimum dose of 48 Gy to 95% of the planning target volume, we compared plan quality for the automatically generated plans to the manually generated plans. We also investigated the impact of iteration count on the automatically generated plans, comparing planning time and plan utility for randomized and Bayesian plans with and without stopping criteria.ResultsWithout stopping criteria, the median planning time was 1.9 and 2.3 h for randomized and Bayesian plans, respectively. The organ‐at‐risk (OAR) doses in the randomized and Bayesian plans had a median percent difference (MPD) of 48.7% and 60.4% below clinical dose limits and an MPD of 2.8% and 3.3% below clinical plan doses. With stopping criteria, the utility decreased by an MPD of 5.3% and 3.9% for randomized and Bayesian plans, but the median planning time was reduced to 0.5 and 0.7 h, and the OAR doses still had an MPD of 42.9% and 49.7% below clinical dose limits and an MPD of 0.3% and 1.8% below clinical plan doses.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that hyperparameter‐tuning approaches to automated inverse planning can reduce the treatment planner's active planning time with plan quality that is similar to or better than manually generated plans.
Technical note: Impact of beam properties for uveal melanoma proton therapy—An in silico planning study
Authors: Wulff Jörg , Koska Benjamin , Janson Martin , Bäumer Christian , Denker Andrea , Geismar Dirk , Gollrad Johannes , Timmermann Beate , Heufelder Jens 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the impact of beam quality in terms of distal fall‐off (DFO, 90%–10%) and lateral penumbra (LP, 80%–20%) of single beam ocular proton therapy (OPT) and to derive resulting ideal requirements for future systems.MethodsNine different beam models with DFO varying between 1 and 4 mm and LP between 1 and 4 mm were created. Beam models were incorporated into the RayStation with RayOcular treatment planning system version 10 B (RaySearch Laboratories, Stockholm, Sweden). Each beam model was applied for eight typical clinical cases, covering different sizes and locations of uveal melanoma. Plans with and without an additional wedge were created, resulting in 117 plans with a total prescribed median dose of 60 Gy(RBE) to the clinical target volume. Treatment plans were analyzed in terms of V20–V80 penumbra volume, D1 (dose to 1% of the volume) for optic disc and macula, optic nerve V30 (volume receiving 30 Gy(RBE), i.e., 50% of prescription), as well as average dose to lens and ciliary body. An LP‐dependent aperture margin was based on estimated uncertainties, ranging from 1.7 to 4.0 mm.ResultsV20–V80 showed a strong influence by LP, while DFO was less relevant. The optic disc D1 reached an extra dose of up to 3000 cGy(RBE), comparing the defined technical limit of DFO = LP = 1 mm with DFO = 3 mm/LP = 4 mm. The latter may result from a pencil‐beam scanning (PBS) system with static apertures. Plans employing a wedge showed an improvement for organs at risk sparing.ConclusionPlan quality is strongly influenced by initial beam parameters. The impact of LP is more pronounced when compared to DFO. The latter becomes important in the treatment of posterior tumors near the macula, optic disc or optic nerve. The plan quality achieved by dedicated OPT nozzles in single‐ or double‐scattering design might not be achievable with modified PBS systems.
Delayed PET imaging using image synthesis network and nonrigid registration without additional CT scan
Authors: Rao Fan , Wu Zhuoxuan , Han Lu , Yang Bao , Han Weidong , Zhu Wentao 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPurposeAttenuation correction is critical for positron emission tomography (PET) image reconstruction. The standard protocol for obtaining attenuation information in a clinical PET scanner is via coregistered computed tomography (CT) images. Therefore, for delayed PET imaging, the CT scan is repeated twice, which increases the radiation dose for the patient. In this paper, we propose a zero‐extradose delayed PET imaging method that requires no additional CT scans.MethodsA deep learning‐based synthesis network is designed to convert PET data into pseudo‐CT images for delayed scans. Then, nonrigid registration is performed between this pseudo CT image and the CT image of the first scan, warping the CT image of the first scan to an estimated CT image for the delayed scan. Finally, the PET image attenuation correction in the delayed scan is obtained from this estimated CT image. Experiments with clinical datasets are implemented to assess the effectiveness of the proposed method with the well‐recognized Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) method. The average peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR) and the mean absolute percent error (MAPE) are used for comparison. We also use scoring from three experienced radiologists as subjective measurement means based on the diagnostic consistency of the PET images reconstructed from GAN and the proposed method with respect to the ground truth images.ResultsThe experiments show that the average PSNR is 47.04 dB (the proposed method) vs. 44.41 dB (the traditional GAN method) for the reconstructed delayed PET images in our evaluation dataset. The average MAPEs are 1.59% for the proposed method and 3.32% for the traditional GAN method across five organ regions of interest (ROIs). The scores for the GAN and the proposed method rated by three experienced radiologists are 8.08±0.60 and 9.02±0.52, indicating that the proposed method yields more consistent PET images with the ground truth.ConclusionsThis work proposes a novel method for CT‐less delayed PET imaging based on image synthesis network and nonrigid image registration. The PET image reconstructed using the proposed method yields delayed PET images with high image quality without artifacts and is quantitatively more accurate than the traditional GAN method.
Neural network dose prediction for rectal spacer stratification in dose‐escalated prostate radiotherapy
Authors: Thomas Christopher , Dregely Isabel , Oksuz Ilkay , Guerrero Urbano Teresa , Greener Tony , King Andrew P. , Barrington Sally F. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPurposeTo develop a knowledge‐based decision‐support system capable of stratifying patients for rectal spacer (RS) insertion based on neural network predicted rectal dose, reducing the need for time‐ and resource‐intensive radiotherapy (RT) planning.MethodsForty‐four patients treated for prostate cancer were enrolled into a clinical trial (NCT03238170). Dose‐escalated prostate RT plans were manually created for 30 patients with simulated boost volumes using a conventional treatment planning system (TPS) and used to train a hierarchically dense 3D convolutional neural network to rapidly predict RT dose distributions. The network was used to predict rectal doses for 14 unseen test patients, with associated toxicity risks calculated according to published data. All metrics obtained using the network were compared to conventionally planned values.ResultsThe neural network stratified patients with an accuracy of 100% based on optimal rectal dose–volume histogram constraints and 78.6% based on mandatory constraints. The network predicted dose‐derived grade 2 rectal bleeding risk within 95% confidence limits of ‐1.9% to +1.7% of conventional risk estimates (risk range 3.5%–9.9%) and late grade 2 fecal incontinence risk within ‐0.8% to +1.5% (risk range 2.3%–5.7%). Prediction of high‐resolution 3D dose distributions took 0.7 s.ConclusionsThe feasibility of using a neural network to provide rapid decision support for RS insertion prior to RT has been demonstrated, and the potential for time and resource savings highlighted. Directly after target and healthy tissue delineation, the network is able to (i) risk stratify most patients with a high degree of accuracy to prioritize which patients would likely derive greatest benefit from RS insertion and (ii) identify patients close to the stratification threshold who would require conventional planning.