bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unsupervised machine learning based clustering and treatment planning strategy for reducing radiation dermatitis in IMPT of head and neck cancer
Authors: Noufal Manthala Padannayil , Sharma Dayananda Shamurailatpam , Nangia Sapna , Patro Kartikeshwar C , Gaikwad Utpal , Burela Nagarjuna 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Radiation dermatitis (RD) is a major concern in intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) despite its demonstrated superiority over contemporary photon radiotherapy. In this study, dose surface histogram (DSH) data extracted from forty-four patients of HNC treated with IMPT was used to predict the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) of skin. Grades of NTCP-skin were clustered using the K-means clustering unsupervised machine learning algorithm (MLA). A new skin-sparing IMPT (IMPT-SS) planning strategy was developed with three major changes and prospectively implemented in twenty HNC patients. Across skin surfaces exposed from 10 (S10) to 70 (S70) GyRBE, the skin's NTCP demonstrated the strongest associations with S50 and S40 GyRBE (0.95 and 0.94). The increase in the NTCP of skin per unit GyRBE is 0.568 for skin exposed to 50 GyRBE as compared to 0.418 for 40 GyRBE. Three distinct clusters were formed, with 41% of patients in G1, 32% in G2, and 27% in G3. The average (±SD) generalised equivalent uniform dose (gEUD) for G1, G2, and G3 clusters was 26.54±6.75, 38.73±1.80, and 45.67±2.20 GyRBE. The corresponding NTCP (%) were 4.97±5.12, 48.12±12.72 and 87.28±7.73 respectively. In comparison to IMPT, new IMPT-SS plans significantly (p<0.01) reduced SX GyRBE, gEUD, and associated NTCP-skin while maintaining identical dose volume indices for target and other organs at risk (OARs). The mean NTCP-skin value for IMPT-SS was 37% lower than that of IMPT. The dose to skin in patients treated prospectively for HNC was reduced by including gEUD for an acceptable radiation dermatitis determined from the local patient population using an unsupervised MLA in the spot map optimization of a new IMPT planning technique. However, the clinical finding of acute skin toxicity must also be related to the observed reduction in skin dose.
A Comparative study of Posterior cingulate metabolism in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment due to Parkinson’s Disease or to Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Huang Mingming , Cai Xi , Zhang Yong , Pu Wei , Gao Bo , Yu Hui 
Published: August 2022

AbstractFew comparative studies exist of metabolic brain changes in cognitive impairment among neurodegenerative illnesses. In this study, we compared posterior cingulate (PCC) metabolic abnormalities in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Parkinson’s disease (PD) and to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Thirty eight patients with idiopathic PD, including 20 patients with mild cognitive impairment (PDMCI), 18 patients with normal cognitive (PDN), 18 patients with probable mild cognitive impairment (ADMCI), and 25 healthy older controls (HC) underwent PCC1H-MRS scans. Compared with controls, patients with PDMCI exhibited significantly reduced concentration of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and total Creatine (tCr), While patients with ADMCI exhibited significantly increased concentration of myo-inositol (Ins), and reduced NAA/Ins ratio. There was reduced concentration of NAA, Ins and tCr in PDMCI compared with ADMCI. No significant metabolic alteration was found in PDN subjects. Besides, ROC analysis revealed that the concentration of tCr could differentiate PDMCI from PDN with an AUC of 0.71, and the level of NAA/Ins ratio could differentiate subjects with MCI from normal cognitive controls with an AUC of 0.74. Patients with PDMCI and ADMCI exhibited distinct PCC metabolic1H-MRS profiles. Findings suggest that cognitively normal PD patients with low NAA, tCr in the PCC might be at risk of preclinical PDMCI, and also the Ins and/or NAA/MI ratio in the PCC should be reconsidered as a possible biomarker of preclinical MCI in clinical practice. So, comparison of PCC1H-MRS profiles of cognitive impairment among neurodegenerative illnesses may provide useful information for better defining the disease process and elucidate possible treatment mechanisms.
Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern of Moraxella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenza in Iran; a Systematic review
Authors: Hatami Firouze , Nazhand Hadi Allahverdi , Ebadi Hadi , Zeininasab Amir Hossein , Gharehbagh Farid Javandoust , Shahrokhi Shahrzad , Rabiei Mohammad Mahdi , Lotfollahi Legha , Kazeminia Neda , Darazam Ilad Alavi 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Introduction: Haemophilus. influenzae and Moraxella. catarrhalis are two common pathogens in respiratory tract infections. Antimicrobial resistance to these pathogens occurs over years. Therefore, we decided to carry out a systematic review to investigate the antibiotic resistance and sensitivity of these pathogens in Iran.Material and method: All recent original articles and studies related to the antimicrobial resistance in H. influenza and M. cattarhalis in Iran up to 2022 were investigated in English and Persian databases. Result: The prevalence of antibiotic susceptibility in H. influenza to levofloxacin (100%), cefotaxim (78.8%), clarithromycin (71.4%) and ceftriaxone (71.4-80%) was upmost. Resistances to ciprofloxacin were varied. In addition, about 50% of isolated had resistant to ampicillin. The prevalence of M. cattarhalis resistance in Iran including penicillin was 70-100%, erythromycin was 0%, and in three of our study of our studies, the resistance rate of ciprofloxacin was 0% whereas in one study 70% of isolated M.cattarhalis had resistance to ciprofloxacin also, resistances to amoxicillin/clavulanate were varied.Conclusion: According to the study, most isolates of H. influenzae are sensitive to levofloxacin, but resistance to macrolides and third generation cephalosporins are increasing; and the majority of M. cattarhalis was resistant to penicillin.
Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol on Defective Graphene Supported Cu Based Single-Atom Catalysts: A First Principles Approach
Authors: liu jing , zhao jun , li yang , liu chuangwei , Zayed Mohamed E 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction to clean fuels is recently regarded as one of the most promising routes to meet the global demand for energy and environmental riskiness. In this work, we explored and compared the mechanism of electrochemical reduction of CO2 to methanol by graphene (G)-supported single-atom-copper (Cu) catalysts. The free energies of the CO2 reduction intermediates in electrochemical reaction pathways were calculated by using density functional theory coupled with a computational hydrogen electrode approach. Moreover, the physical and electronic characteristics of the two catalysts were examined via binding energy, atomic distance, bader charge, band structure, and density of states calculations. The computational results show that the three coordinated single-copper atom (Cu-G3) is slightly oxidized, whereas the four coordinated single-copper atom (Cu-G4) is heavily oxidized. In particular, the Cu-G3 is the more suitable catalytic for the conversion of CO2 to CH3OH. Moreover, two various pathways (*HCOO and *COOH) on the two proposed catalysts (Cu-G3 and Cu-G4) are explored based on the initially produced intermediates. The Cu-G3/G4 catalysts robustly promote the HCOO* pathway with an energy barrier of 0.41 eV (*HCOOH → *CHO) and 0.50 eV (*CO2 → *HCOO). However, the rate-limiting step for the *COOH pathway on Cu-G3/G4 catalysts is (*CO → *CHO), with limiting potentials of 1.1 eV and 1.13 eV, respectively. Hence, the reduction of CO2 to methanol on graphene supported single-atom-copper highly prefers to *HCOO pathway. Lastly, we focus on the mechanism of the rate-limiting step (*CO → *CHO). The linear relationship between *CO and *CHO binding energy is broken by the single Cu atom. And the s-p electrons of copper have filled the antibonding orbital of Cu-G4 and weakened the binding with CHO, resulting in a slightly higher energy barrier for the Cu-G4 than Cu-G3. Conclusively, the current study provides a reference for non-noble metal monatomic catalysis of carbon dioxide to methanol with optimal product selectivity.
Effect of PCV-VG ventilation on intraoperative respiratory mechanics and pulmonary function during prolonged robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery in the Trendelenburg position
Authors: Rui Xing , Xiao Hao Meng , Sen Yang , Ye Mao , Hu Song Zhang , Hui Zhang , Ming Yan 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Objective To investigate the effect of applying pressure-controlled ventalition and volume-guaranteed (PCV-VG) ventilation on intraoperative respiratory mechanics and pulmonary function in patients in the Trendelenburg position during robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery. Methods Seventy-six patients who underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic Trendelenburg position from April 2021 to May 2022 at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were selected and divided into PCV-VG group (group P ) and VCV group (group V ) using the random number table method. Observed indexes: intraoperative respiratory mechanics parameters such as peak airway pressure (Ppeak ), plateau pressure (Pplat ), pulmonary dynamic compliance (Cdyn), airway resistance(Raw). Respiratory function parameters: SpO2 , PaO2 , PaCO2 , SaO2 and calculate the oxygenation index (OI), alveolar-arterial oxygen partial pressure difference (PA-a DO2 ), intrapulmonary shunt (Qs /Qt ), respiratory index (RI); intraoperative hemodynamic index and postoperative complications. Results Compared with VCV, PCV-VG, a new ventilation mode, can better ensure the mechanical ventilation effect in patients with prolonged robotic head-down position without affecting hemodynamics, reduce peak airway pressure and plateau pressure, increase dynamic lung compliance, and optimize intraoperative respiratory function in pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position patients with Trendelenburg position duration over 2h.Conclusion: Compared to VCV, PCV-VG provided lower Ppeak with Pplat and improved Cdyn during robot-assisted laparoscopic Trendelenburg position surgery, better pulmonary oxygenation and gas exchange after pneumoperitoneum duration beyond 2h,better quality of recovery at 24h postoperatively. while there was no significant difference in hemodynamic variables.
Increasing population exposure to future heatwaves influenced by land-atmosphere interactions
Authors: Zhou Jingwei , Teuling Adriaan J. , Seneviratne Sonia , Hirsch Annette 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Heatwaves have significant effects on ecosystems and human populations. Human habitability is impacted severely as human exposure to heatwaves is projected to increase, in which land-atmosphere interactions make a vital contributing factor. Future risk of heatwaves is substantial and imminent worldwide. Increasing heatwave trends have demonstrated the need of effective measures for adaptation to persistent hot temperature extremes and ambitious mitigation to limit further increases in heatwave severity. This study examines whether the projected intensification of land-atmosphere interactions contributes to projected increases in heatwave events and what this may mean for future population exposure to heatwaves. With the intensification of land-atmosphere interactions, heatwaves are found to increase by up to 40 days, intensify by up to 4.5 °C averagely in global land regions, with increasing frequency of 33% over most mid-latitude land regions by 2070–2100 under the RCP8.5 high emissions scenario. Furthermore, dry soil moisture conditions have a significant role in projected increases of multiple heatwave characteristics regionally compared with the global land area. Land-atmosphere interactions contribute as much as 35.7% to an average of 39.3% more of today’s global population exposure to heatwaves. Our results highlight contributions from land-atmosphere interactions on both heatwaves and their impacts on human population.
A Novel Diagnostic Scoring System for Pediatric Appendicitis Based on Age and Sex-Adjusted Hematological Parameters
Authors: Aydoğdu Bahattin , Azizoğlu Mustafa , Arslan Serkan , Aydogdu Gülay , Basuguy Erol , Salik Fikret , Ökten Mustafa , Okur Mehmet Hanifi 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Objective
Our aim is to establish the importance of age and sex-adjusted NLR, PLR, and other hematological parameters in the prediction of acute appendicitis and describe a novel scoring system.
Methods
The consecutive medical records of 946 pediatric patients (between 5–18) hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis at our high-volume university hospital between January 2018 and December 2021 were retrospectively collected for analysis. The patients were divided based on perioperative findings into the negative exploration group (Group I) and the acute appendicitis group (Group II). This study developed a new scoring system based on “age and sex-adjusted” NLR, PLR, LMR, and CRP parameters.
Results
The mean age of Group I and II were 12.20 ± 2,31, and 11,56 ± 3,11, respectively. The white blood cell count (WBC) (p < .001), neutrophil percentage (p < .001), NLR (p < .001), PLR (p = .001), LMR (P < 0,001), and CRP (p < 0,001) were higher in the Group II compared with the Group I. The score was calculated between 0–8 points. 4.5 and above was determined as the best cut-off value for acute appendicitis with higher AUC (0,96), sensitivity (94%), specificity (86%), PPV (97,5%), NPV (65%), Accuracy (92,6%), and Misclassification Rate (7,4%).
Conclusion
Present scoring system calculated pertaining to patients' age and gender can be used to avoid unnecessary surgery.
Heat denaturation enables multicolor X10-STED microscopy at single-digit nanometer resolution
Authors: Saal Kim Ann , Shaib Ali H. , Mougios Nikolaos , Crzan Dagmar , Opazo Felipe , Rizzoli Silvio O. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Expansion microscopy (ExM) improves imaging quality by physically enlarging the biological specimens. In principle, combining a large expansion factor with optical super-resolution should provide extremely high imaging precision. However, large expansion factors imply that the expanded specimens are dim and are therefore poorly suited for optical super-resolution. To solve this problem, we present a protocol that ensures the 10-fold expansion of the samples through high-temperature homogenization (X10ht). The resulting gels exhibited relatively high fluorescence intensity, enabling the sample analysis by multicolor stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy, for a final resolution of 6–8 nm. X10ht offers a more thorough homogenization than previous X10 protocols based on enzymatic digestion, and thereby enables the expansion of thick samples. The better epitope preservation also enables the use of nanobodies as labeling probes and the implementation of post-expansion signal amplification. We conclude that X10ht is a promising tool for nanoscale resolution in biological samples.
Parking functions: From combinatorics to probability
Authors: Kenyon Richard , Yin Mei 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Suppose that m drivers each choose a preferred parking space in a linear car park with n spots. In order, each driver goes to their chosen spot and parks there if possible, and otherwise takes the next available spot if it exists. If all drivers park successfully, the sequence of choices is called a parking function. Classical parking functions correspond to the case m = n; we study here combinatorial and probabilistic aspects of this generalized case. We construct a family of bijections between parking functions PF(m, n) with m cars and n spots and spanning forests F(n+1, n+1−m) with n + 1 vertices and n + 1 − m distinct trees having specified roots. This leads to a bijective correspondence between PF(m, n) and monomial terms in the associated Tutte polynomial of a disjoint union of n−m+1 complete graphs. We present an identity between the “inversion enumerator” of spanning forests with fixed roots and the “displacement enumerator” of parking functions. The displacement is then related to the number of graphs on n + 1 labeled vertices with a fixed number of edges, where the graph has n+1−m disjoint rooted components with specified roots. We investigate various probabilistic properties of a uniform parking function, giving a formula for the law of a single coordinate. As a side result we obtain a recurrence relation for the displacement enumerator. Adapting known results on random linear probes, we further deduce the covariance between two coordinates when m = n. MSC Classification: 60C05 , 05A16 , 05A19 , 60F10
Low Serum Magnesium as a Predictive Factor of Major Adverse Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Events in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Lu Wei , Xie Yeqing , Zhang Yang , Cao Xuesen , Zhao Shuan , Zhang Zhen , Shen Bo , Zou Jianzhou 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Introduction: Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events are the major complication and leading cause of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. This study was aimed to assess the relationship between serum magnesium (Mg) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in MHD patients. Methods: 290 patients were enrolled in the prospective cohort study, which were divided into three categories according to the concentration of serum Mg (LMg, MMg, and HMg), with a 60-month flowing-up. Kaplan-Meier analysis, univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were introduced to evaluate the role of serum Mg, and the potential prognostic values of the adjusted models were assessed with the time-dependent ROC curve. Results: During the follow-up period, a total of 69 patients experienced MACCE, including 35 cases of cardiovascular mortality, 22 cases of acute heart failure, and 12 cases of cerebrovascular events. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the incidence of MACCE (Log-Rank = 0.017) was significantly higher in patients with relatively low levels of Mg. The univariate Cox proportional hazard model indicated the low level of serum Mg was significantly pertinent to MACCE (LMg, HR 2.40, 95% CI 1.26-4.56; MMg, HR 2.13, 95% CI 1.12-4.07). After being adjusted for confounding factors, it was valid in models 1-9. Further subgroup analyses indicated that the risky role of low magnesium in the occurrence of cardiovascular mortality (HR 2.67, 95% CI 1.16-6.15). Conclusions: Low serum Mg was correlated with higher MACCE risks in MHD patients.
The Phenotype and genotype of Chinese adult patients with NLRP3-associated autoinflammatory disease
Authors: Wu Na , Wu Di , Miao Junke , Zhao Mengzhu , Wang Yi , Yu Weihong , Shen Min 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background: NLRP3-associated autoinflammatory disease (NLRP3-AID) is a spectrum of autosomal dominant inherited diseases associated with NLRP3 gene mutations. Reports of Chinese NLRP3-AID cases are limited to date. In the present study, we aim to describe the phenotype and genotype of a cohort of Chinese adult NLRP3-AID patients.Methods: This single-center study included sixteen adult patients diagnosed with NLRP3-AID at Department of Rheumatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital between July 2015 to September 2021. Whole-exome sequencing using next-generation sequencing was performed in each patient. Clinical data and mutational information were compared with a European cohort.Results: The median age of disease onset was 16 (0-46) years old, and adult-onset was observed in 4 patients (25%). The median time of diagnosis delay was 20 (0–39) years. Five patients (31.3%) had family history of similar symptoms. The most common clinical manifestations were recurrent fever (93.8%), arthralgia/arthritis (81.3%), skin rash (75%), myalgia (62.5%), and central nervous system manifestations (50%). Heterozygous NLRP3 variants detected in these patients were p.T348M (n=4, 25%), Q703K, V70M, K131R, M116I, P38S, V442I, D303G, G328E, A439V, K829T, L632F and V198M (n=1, separately). All the variants were missense mutations.Conclusions: We reported the largest case series of Chinese adult NLRP3-AID patients. The distinct symptoms of NLRP3-AID patients suggest the heterogeneity of disease. P38S, M116I, K131R, V442I and K829T were identified as novel NLRP3 variants. These data expand the clinical phenotypic and genotypic profiles of NLRP3-AID.
Dual-Band Reconfigurable Terahertz Dielectric Resonator Antenna with Graphene Loading
Authors: Fakhte Saeed , Taskhiri Mohammad Mahdi 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
A graphene-based dual-band terahertz rectangular dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) is proposed in this work. The upper wall of the rectangular DRA is coated with graphene, which acts as an impedance surface to tune the resonant frequencies of the \({\varvec{T}\varvec{E}}_{111}^{\varvec{y}}\)and \({\varvec{T}\varvec{E}}_{113}^{\varvec{y}}\)modes of the antenna by varying its chemical potential. Also, it is observed that for some values of the chemical potential of graphene, the \({\varvec{T}\varvec{E}}_{113}^{\varvec{y}}\) mode is not well excited, which leads to the ability to reconfigure the antenna in terms of the number of operating bands. In another part of the paper, an approximate formula for obtaining the resonant frequency of the graphene-loaded DRA is presented for the first time. The resonance frequency results obtained from this theoretical method for different chemical potential values are compared with the simulation results, and it is concluded that there is a good agreement between them.
Impact of Microfinance Credit Access on Households’ Income and Welfare: Evidence from Ethiopia, Asmamaw Getnet Wassie, lecturer, Department of Economics, Debre Tabor University
Authors: Wassie Asmamaw Getnet , Taw Tefera Berihun 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
This study examined the impact of microfinance credit access on households’ income and welfare evidence from Ethiopia. The main objective of the study is investigating the impact of microfinance credit access on households’ income and welfare. The study used cross sectional data. The study surveyed 422 households. Half of the surveyed households were credit taker but the remaining half did not take the credit. The treatment variable (D) of the study is credit access. The outcome variables of the study are income and welfare of households. The study employed both descriptive and econometric model to achieve the objective of the study. The propensity score matching was employed in the econometric part of the study to estimate the impact of the credit on outcome variable of the study. Among matching methods kernel (0.1) was employed since it satisfies the criterion of best matching between treatment unit and controlled unit. The study found that average treatment effect (ATT) on the treated group in terms of income is less than its counterpart. However, average treatment effect (ATT) on treated group in terms of welfare is greater than the average treatment effect (ATT) on controlled group.