Ultralow lattice thermal conductivity of binary compounds A2B (A = Cs, Rb & B = Se, Te) with higher-order anharmonicity correction.

By employing first-principles calculations that integrate self-consistent phonon theory and the Boltzmann transport equation, we have delved into the thermal transport characteristics of hexagonal anisotropic materials A2B (A = Cs, Rb and B = Se, Te). Our computational results have disclosed that these A2B materials exhibit ultralow lattice thermal conductivity (κL) at room temperature. Specifically, in the case of Cs2Te, the κL values are a mere 0.15 W m-1 K-1 in the a(b) direction and 0.22 W m-1 K-1 in the c direction, both markedly less than the thermal conductivity of quartz glass, a conventional thermoelectric material (0.9 W m-1 K-1). Importantly, our calculations encompass higher-order anharmonic effects while computing the lattice thermal conductivities of these materials. This is essential since pronounced anharmonicity leads to a decrease in phonon group velocity, and consequently, lowers the κL values. Our results establish a theoretical foundation for exploring the thermal transport characteristics of anisotropic materials with substantial anharmonicity. Furthermore, the binary compounds A2B proffer a gamut of possibilities for a wide range of applications in thermoelectrics and thermal management, owing to their ultralow lattice thermal conductivity.

Imaging features of marginal ulcers on multidetector CT.

AIM: To assess the inter-reader agreement and frequency of various imaging findings of marginal ulcers on computed tomography (CT) in a series of patients with endoscopically or surgically confirmed marginal ulcer disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis involving a single academic institution. Eighty patients with a gastro-enteric anastomosis with confirmed marginal ulcer on endoscopy or surgery and multidetector (MD)CT performed within a month reviewed by two fellowship-trained abdominal radiologists to assess for the presence or absence of predetermined imaging characteristics categorised under signs of inflammation, signs of penetration, signs of perforation, and signs of obstruction. Inter-rater reliability was assessed using the Cohen kappa test. RESULTS: Findings of perforation had moderate to substantial agreement, including the presence of extraluminal air, extraluminal fluid, and leakage of oral contrast medium (kappa 0.83 [0.61, 1.05], 0.57 [0.35, 0.79] and 0.75 [0.18, 1.31], respectively) although these were present relatively infrequently (23-26%, 30-43%, 3-4%, respectively). Additional imaging characteristics with moderate agreement were the presence of perienteric fat stranding, a dilated stomach proximal to the anastomosis, and penetration into adjacent organ (kappa 0.45 [0.23, 0.69], 0.47 [0.26, 0.69], and 0.47 [0.25, 0.69], respectively) which were variably present (80-88%, 11-16%, 5%, respectively). Wall thickening and contour abnormalities, although frequently present (61-90% and 60-80%, respectively) had only slight to fair agreement (kappa 0.09 [-0.14, 0.30] and 0.29 [0.07, 0.51]). CONCLUSION: Signs of perforation have high inter-reader agreement but occur relatively infrequently. Fat stranding, wall thickening, and contour abnormalities are much more common; however, only fat stranding had moderate agreement.

Hyperparameter Optimization of Bayesian Neural Network Using Bayesian Optimization and Intelligent Feature Engineering for Load Forecasting.

This paper proposes a new hybrid framework for short-term load forecasting (STLF) by combining the Feature Engineering (FE) and Bayesian Optimization (BO) algorithms with a Bayesian Neural Network (BNN). The FE module comprises feature selection and extraction phases. Firstly, by merging the Random Forest (RaF) and Relief-F (ReF) algorithms, we developed a hybrid feature selector based on grey correlation analysis (GCA) to eliminate feature redundancy. Secondly, a radial basis Kernel function and principal component analysis (KPCA) are integrated into the feature-extraction module for dimensional reduction. Thirdly, the Bayesian Optimization (BO) algorithm is used to fine-tune the control parameters of a BNN and provides more accurate results by avoiding the optimal local trapping. The proposed FE-BNN-BO framework works in such a way to ensure stability, convergence, and accuracy. The proposed FE-BNN-BO model is tested on the hourly load data obtained from the PJM, USA, electricity market. In addition, the simulation results are also compared with other benchmark models such as Bi-Level, long short-term memory (LSTM), an accurate and fast convergence-based ANN (ANN-AFC), and a mutual-information-based ANN (ANN-MI). The results show that the proposed model has significantly improved the accuracy with a fast convergence rate and reduced the mean absolute percent error (MAPE).

Structural stability and evolution of half-metallicity in Ba2CaMoO6: interplay of hole- and electron-doping.

Half-metallic ferromagnetic materials have attracted a lot of attention due to their probable technological applications in spintronics. In this respect, doping plays a crucial role in tailoring or controlling the physical properties of the system. Herein, the impact of both hole and electron doping on the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of the recent high pressure synthesized non-magnetic insulator Ba2CaMoO6 double perovskite oxide are investigated by replacing one of the Mo ions with Nb and Tc. The structural and mechanical stability of the undoped/doped materials are analyzed by calculating the formation energies and stiffness tensors, respectively, which confirm the system's stability. Interestingly, our results revealed that Nb- and Tc-doped systems display an electronic transition from insulating to p- and n-type half-metallic ferromagnetic states, respectively. The most striking feature of the present study is that oxygen ions become spin-polarized, with a magnetic moment of ∼0.12 µB per atom, and are mainly responsible for conductivity in the Nb-doped system. However, the admixture of Tc 4d non-degenerate orbitals are primarily contributing to the metallicity in the Tc-doped structure, with a moment of ∼0.59 µB. It is also found that Nb and Tc ions remain in the 5+ and 7+ states with electronic configurations of t22g↑t22g↓e0g↑e0g↓ and t32g↑t22g↓e0g↑e0g↓, with spin states of S = 0 and S = 1/2 in the individual doped systems, respectively. Hence, the present work proposes that a doping strategy with a suitable candidate could be beneficial to tune the physical properties of the materials for their potential utilization in advanced spin-based devices.

HSD3B1 (1245A>C) germline variant and clinical outcomes in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with abiraterone and enzalutamide: results from two prospective studies.

BACKGROUND: A common polymorphism (1245A>C) in the HSD3B1 gene is associated with increased de novo synthesis of androgens and worse outcomes in men treated with androgen-deprivation therapy for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer. The objective of the study was to determine whether this polymorphism is associated with outcomes for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with abiraterone or enzalutamide. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 547 patients treated with abiraterone or enzalutamide from two prospective cohorts were evaluated. The HSD3B1 genotype was determined by targeted sequencing and/or TaqMan single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping. In cohort 1, patients were randomized to receive abiraterone + prednisone or enzalutamide. In cohort 2, patients received either agent according to investigator's choice. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response rate, time to PSA progression (TTPP), time to progression (TTP) and overall survival were determined. Associations between HSD3B1 genotypes and outcomes were evaluated via univariate Cox regression. Multivariable Cox model was used to determine the independent association of each covariate. RESULTS: The HSD3B1 variant genotype (CC) was present in 15% of patients and was associated with worse TTP [hazard ratio (HR) 1.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.67, P = 0.032] and PSA response rates (48% for CC versus 62% and 65% for AA and AC, respectively [P = 0.019]), with no significant difference in TTPP (HR 1.28, 95% CI 0.99-1.66, P = 0.064). The effect of genotype was similar for treatment with abiraterone or enzalutamide with a negative test for interaction for TTPP (P = 0.997) and TTP (P = 0.749). Multivariable analysis did not show a significant association between genotype and TTP or TTPP. CONCLUSIONS: The HSD3B1 (CC) genotype was associated with shorter TTP and lower PSA response rate in patients with mCRPC treated with abiraterone or enzalutamide. However, the CC genotype did not provide prognostic information beyond that conferred by standard clinical variables, suggesting that it may not be a suitable stand-alone biomarker in mCRPC.

Autism, Epilepsy, and Neuroregression: Photosensitivity on Electroencephalography Solved the Riddle.

Autistic epileptiform regression is an uncommon but extensively described malady in children. The clinico-etiological spectrum of this entity ranges from electrical status epilepticus in sleep to various neurogenetic and neurodegenerative disorders. Identification of these disorders is crucial considering their therapeutic and prognostic implications. Simple investigations such as neuroimaging and electroencephalography with activation procedures can provide valuable diagnostic clues in resource-limited settings; facilitating targeted genetic/metabolic testing. Here we report a 3.5-year-old girl with autistic regression and epilepsy. Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis was suspected as her electroencephalogram showed photoparoxysmal response on low-frequency (1-3 Hz) intermittent photic stimulation. A deficient leukocyte tripeptidyl peptidase 1 enzyme confirmed the diagnosis of late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Estimation of genetic variability among peanut genotypes for resistance to leaf spot disease.

This study aimed to identify high-yielding peanut genotypes with resistance to leaf spot disease. The experiments included material from fourteen local and four exotic peanut genotypes that showed highly significant differences among morphological and disease severity parameters in all the genotypes which, in turn, suggested diversity genotypes. Disease severity analysis showed that the highest disease score and damaged leaf area were observed in the genotype Kelincer and the lowest scores and leaf damaged areas were observed in Majalaya super and BARI-2000, respectively. Based on these results, the genotypes BARI-2011, Chakori, Golden, BARI-89, Majalaya Super, BARD-699, BARI-2000, SP-1, and No. 334 can be used by breeders in peanut improvement programs for the development of new cultivars with higher disease resistance and increased yield.

The follow-up of post-mastectomy patients: Should the ipsilateral side be assessed with both mammogram and ultrasound?

AIM: This study aimed to determine findings of axillary view mammogram (MMG) and ultrasound (USG) of the ipsilateral side in post-mastectomy patients and to document difficulty level in performing the axillary view and patients' pain level during the procedure. METHODS: Post-mastectomy patients who had MMG and USG on follow-up during an 18-months period were included. The MMG and USG findings of 183 patients were reviewed and histology results were recorded when available. Radiographers' difficulty and patients' pain level during the axillary view MMG were charted. RESULTS: On MMG, 172 cases were normal, eight cases were benign (Category 2) and three cases indeterminate (Category 3). On USG, 175 cases were normal, three cases were benign (Category 2) and five cases indeterminate (Category 3). Malignant lesions detected in two out of 183 patients (1%) were metastatic carcinoma in bilateral axillary lymph nodes and leiomyosarcoma at the mastectomy site. These two cases were Category 3 on USG with negative MMG findings. In majority of cases (79%), the radiographer had no difficulty performing the axillary view compared with contralateral MMG. Majority of patients (80%) experienced similar pain during axillary view compared to contralateral MMG. CONCLUSION: Follow-up imaging of post-mastectomy patients should include (i) USG of the mastectomy site, both axillary regions, and the contralateral breast, and (ii) MMG of the contralateral side. Ipsilateral axillary view MMG is not necessary.

Contrast enhanced Voiding Urosonography (ce-VUS) as a radiation-free technique in the diagnosis of vesicoureteric reflux: Our early experience.

OBJECTIVE: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound has become increasingly utilised as an alternative imaging modality for the diagnosis of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) in paediatric patients. The study objective is to evaluate the efficacy of contrast enhanced Voiding Urosonography (ce-VUS) compared with fluoroscopic micturating cystourethrography (MCU) in the detection of VUR. METHODS: This prospective study was carried out between July 2011 and January 2013 on paediatric patients who underwent MCU. All consented patients would undergo ce- VUS prior to MCU. We documented the epidemiology details, the number of Kidney-Ureter (K-U) unit studied, baseline renal and bladder sonogram, as well as presence of VUR on ce-VUR. The technique for ce-VUS was standardized using normal saline to fill the bladder prior to administration of SonoVue® (2.5 ml) to assess the kidney-ureter (K-U) unit. Dedicated contrast detection software was used to discern the presence of microbubbles in the pelvicaliceal system (PCS). The findings were then compared with MCU. RESULTS: 27 paediatric patients were involved in the study [17 males (63%) and 10 females (37%)] involving 55 K-U units (one patient had a complete duplex system). MCU detected VUR in 10 K-U units while ce-VUS detected VUR in 8 out of the 10 K-U units. There were 2 false negative cases (both Grade 1) with ce-VUS. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of ce-VUS were 80%, 98%, 95%, 89% and 96%, respectively. CONCLUSION: ce-VUS is a sensitive and specific radiation-free alternative for the detection of VUR in the paediatric population.

Accuracy of ultrasound versus computed tomography urogram in detecting urinary tract calculi.

AIM: To determine the (i) sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound (USG) in the detection of urinary tract calculi, (ii) size of renal calculi detected on USG, and (iii) size of renal calculi not seen on USG but detected on computed tomography urogram (CTU). METHODS: A total of 201 patients' USG and CTU were compared retrospectively for the presence of calculi. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of USG were calculated with CTU as the gold standard. RESULTS: From the 201 sets of data collected, 59 calculi were detected on both USG and CTU. The sensitivity and specificity of renal calculi detection on USG were 53% and 85% respectively. The mean size of the renal calculus detected on USG was 7.6 mm ± 4.1 mm and the mean size of the renal calculus not visualised on USG but detected on CTU was 4 mm ± 2.4 mm. The sensitivity and specificity of ureteric calculi detection on USG were 12% and 97% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of urinary bladder calculi detection on USG were 20% and 100% respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the accuracy of US in detecting renal, ureteric and urinary bladder calculi were 67%, 80% and 98% respectively.

Renal doppler assessment in differentiating obstructive from non-obstructive hydronephrosis in children.

BACKGROUND: to determine the usefulness of Doppler ultrasound measurement of resistive index (RI) in differentiating obstructive from non-obstructive hydronephrosis in children. METHODS: From August 2011 to November 2012, renal Doppler assessments of the intra-renal renal arteries were performed on 16 children (19 kidneys) with congenital hydronephrosis. the independent t-test was used to assess for significant difference in RI values between those with obstructive hydronephrosis (6 kidneys) and those with non-obstructive hydronephrosis (13 kidneys) as determined by dynamic renal scintigraphy. the assessor was blinded to the clinical findings and scintigraphy results. RESULTS: RI was significantly different between obstructive and non-obstructive hydronephrosis. Obstructive hydronephrosis returned higher RI values, with mean RI of 0.78. Mean RI in non-obstructive hydronephrosis was 0.70, and the difference was significant (p <0.05). the sensitivity and specificity of Doppler ultrasound were 100% and 53% respectively. CONCLUSION: Doppler ultrasound measurement of resistive index is useful in differentiating obstructive from nonobstructive hydronephrosis and provides an alternative non-ionizing investigation.

Comparison on the use of semi-automated and automated core biopsy needle in ultrasound guided breast biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the use of semi-automated (Medax Velox 2; Poggio Rusco, Italy) and automated (Bard Magnum Biopsy Instrument; Covington, GA, USA) core biopsy needles, for ultrasound guided breast biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 14G semi-automatic spring loaded core biopsy needle with a 22-mm-throw (Medax Velox 2; Poggio Rusco, Italy) and 14-gauge automated needle device with a 22-mm-throw biopsy gun (Bard-Magnum Biopsy Instrument, Covington, GA, USA) were used for breast biopsies under ultrasound guidance on alternate months during the study period between July 2009 and May 2011. One hundred and sixty lesions were biopsied and specimens were sent for histological evaluation. RESULTS: The automated needle obtained a higher number of histology reports at 84% (67/80) as compared with the semiautomated needle at 60% (48/80) (Fisher exact test, p value=0.023). Inadequate samples with the automated needle were much less at 9% (7/60) than with the semiautomated needle at 23% (18/60) (Fisher exact test, p value=0.028). The semi-automated needle showed slightly less fragmented samples. However, the number of fragmented samples with definitive diagnosis was slightly higher with the automated compared with the semiautomated needle, at 16% (13/80) and 13% (10/80) respectively. Compared with histology of 29 lesions that were excised, the semi-automated needle had higher sensitivity (100%) but lower specificity (75%) and accuracy (90%) compared with the automated needle (88% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 95% accuracy). CONCLUSION: Definitive diagnosis from the study samples slightly favours the use of automated core biopsy needle as compared to semi-automated core biopsy needle.

The comparative accuracy of ultrasound and mammography in the detection of breast cancer.

AIM: This study was performed to determine the accuracy of ultrasound (USG) as compared to mammography (MMG) in detecting breast cancer. METHODS: This was a review of patients who had breast imaging and biopsy during an 18-month period. Details of patients who underwent breast biopsy were obtained from the department biopsy record books and imaging request forms. Details of breast imaging findings and histology of lesions biopsied were obtained from the hospital Integrated Radiology Information System (IRIS). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of USG and MMG were calculated with histology as the gold standard. RESULTS: A total of 326 breast lesions were biopsied. Histology results revealed the presence of 74 breast cancers and 252 benign lesions. USG had a sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 84%, PPV = 60%, NPV = 94% and an accuracy of 84%. MMG had a sensitivity of 49%, specificity of 89%, PPV = 53%, NPV = 88% and an accuracy of 81%. A total of 161 lesions which were imaged with both modalities were analyzed to determine the significance in the differences in sensitivity and specificity between USG and MMG. Sensitivity of USG (75%) was significantly higher than sensitivity of MMG (44%) (X(2)1=6.905, p=0.014). Specificity of MMG (91%) was significantly higher than specificity of USG (79%) (X(2)1=27.114, p<0.001). Compared with MMG, the sensitivity of USG was 50% (95% CI 10%-90%) higher in women aged less than 50 years (X(2)1=0.000, p=1.000) and 27% (95% CI 19%-36%) higher in women aged 50 years and above (X(2)1=5.866, p=0.015). Compared with MMG, the sensitivity of USG was 40% (95% CI 10%-70%) higher in women with dense breasts (X(2)1=0.234, p=0.628) and 27% (95% CI 9%-46%) higher in women with non-dense breasts (X(2)1=4.585, p=0.032). CONCLUSION: Accuracy of USG was higher compared with MMG. USG was more sensitive than MMG regardless of age group. However, MMG was more specific in those aged 50 years and older. USG was more sensitive and MMG was more specific regardless of breast density. In this study, 20% of breast cancers detected were occult on MMG and seen only on USG.

Fitness cost and realized heritability of resistance to spinosad in Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

The common green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea is a key biological control agent employed in integrated pest management (IPM) programs for managing various insect pests. Spinosad is used for the management of pests in ornamental plants, fruit trees, vegetable and field crops all over the world, including Pakistan. A field-collected population of C. carnea was selected with spinosad and fitness costs and realized heritability were investigated. After selection for five generations, C. carnea developed 12.65- and 73.37-fold resistance to spinosad compared to the field and UNSEL populations. The resistant population had a relative fitness of 1.47, with substantially higher emergence rate of healthy adults, fecundity and hatchability and shorter larval duration, pupal duration, and development time as compared to a susceptible laboratory population. Mean relative growth rate of larvae, intrinsic rate of natural population increase and biotic potential was higher for the spinosad-selected population compared to the susceptible laboratory population. Chrysoperla species are known to show resistance to insecticides which makes the predator compatible with most IPM systems. The realized heritability (h 2) value of spinosad resistance was 0.37 in spinosad-selected population of C. carnea.

Oral Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. polymorphum binds to human salivary α-amylase.

Fusobacterium nucleatum acts as an intermediate between early and late colonizers in the oral cavity. In this study, we showed that F. nucleatum subsp. polymorphum can bind to a salivary component with a molecular weight of approximately 110 kDa and identified the protein and another major factor of 55 kDa, as salivary α-amylase by time-of-flight mass spectrometry and immuno-reactions. Salivary α-amylase is present in both monomeric and dimeric forms and we found that formation of the dimer depends on copper ions. The F. nucleatum adhered to both monomeric and dimeric salivary α-amylases, but the numbers of bacteria bound to the dimeric form were more than those bound to the monomeric form. The degree of adherence of F. nucleatum to four α-amylases from different sources was almost the same, however its binding to ß-amylase was considerably decreased. Among four α-amylase inhibitors tested, acarbose and type 1 and 3 inhibitors derived from wheat flour showed significant activity against the adhesion of F.nucleatum to monomeric and dimeric amylases, however voglibose had little effect. Moreover F. nucleatum cells inhibited the enzymatic activity of salivary α-amylase in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that F. nucleatum plays more important and positive role as an early colonizer for maturation of oral microbial colonization.

Detection of intratumoral calcification in oligodendrogliomas by susceptibility-weighted MR imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: SWI is a unique pulse sequence sensitive to both hemorrhage and calcification. Our aim was to retrospectively assess the ability of SWI to detect intratumoral calcification in ODs compared with conventional MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using CT as criterion standard, the MR imaging findings from 71 patients (33 males, 38 females; mean age, 42.5 years) with pathologically proved OD were retrospectively evaluated. We classified the MR imaging data into SWI data (MRSWI) and traditional pulse sequences (MRnoSWI). The sensitivity and specificity of the MRnoSWI (n = 71) were compared with that of the MRSWI (n = 13) independently and also for matched-paired data (n = 13). The Fisher exact test was applied to the matched-pair data for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: For paired data of MRSWI and MRnoSWI (n = 13), there was significantly increased sensitivity of MRSWI (86%) for the detection of intratumoral calcification in OD compared with the MRnoSWI (14.3%) (P = .015, Fisher exact test) by using CT as the criterion standard. The overall accuracy of MRSWI for the paired data was also significantly greater (P = .048). The specificities were not significantly different (P = .773). The sensitivity of MRSWI (n = 13) was 86%, and for MRnoSWI (n = 71), it was 33.3%. Specificity of MRSWI was 83%, and for MRnoSWI, it was 95%. CONCLUSIONS: SWI is better able to detect calcification in ODs than conventional MR imaging pulse sequences.

Lymphangioma: Is intralesional bleomycin sclerotherapy effective?

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of intralesional bleomycin sclerotherapy in the treatment of lymphangioma in children and to determine the incidence of complications in the treatment. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 24 children diagnosed with lymphangioma and treated with intralesional injection of bleomycin aqueous solution from January 1999 to December 2004. RESULTS: Complete resolution was seen in 63% (15/24) of lesions, 21% (5/24) had good response and 16% (4/24) had poor response. The tumour recurred in 2 patients. Two other patients had abscess formation at the site of injection. No other serious complications or side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Intralesional bleomycin therapy was very effective in the treatment of lymphangioma. Our results were comparable to other published studies. Bleomycin administered as intralesional injection was found to be safe as there was no serious complication or side effect observed in this study.