Large Discrepancies Research Articles

Risk factors for postoperative acute kidney injury after cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Acute kidney injury after CRS + HIPEC is a serious postoperative complication, but only a few studies have reported its postoperative risk factors. In addition, there are large discrepancies in the results of available observational studies. We searched The Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science,and PubMed to identify observational studies reporting risk factors for AKI after CRS + HIPEC. A meta-analysis was performed to investigate the effect of various preoperative and intraoperative risk factors on AKI after CRS + HIPEC. A total of 7 studies were included in this study, comprising 1550 patients who developed AKI after CRS + HIPEC. The results of meta-analysis showed that the significant preoperative risk factors were age, sex, BMI, eGFR, Hb, PCI, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. IO cisplatin, IO SBP < 100 was identified as an intraoperative risk factor, whereas IO mitomycin emerged as a protective factor for postoperative AKI. In addition, the risk of postoperative AKI varied by primary tumor site, with Appendix being less prone to AKI, while mesothelioma and ovarian, two sites with a greatly elevated risk of postoperative AKI. This meta-analysis identified a number of risk factors for postoperative AKI after CRS + HIPEC. By identifying these risk factors, it is more beneficial for clinicians to perform early preoperative interventions and select the most appropriate treatment strategy for their patients, thus minimizing the risk of postoperative AKI. PROSPERO CRD42024585269.

Evaluation of the direction-dependent mechanical properties of ideal single crystal metals: A comparative ab initio study

Abstract The anisotropy of crystal structures mandates the direction dependence of materials’ mechanical properties. Key properties of interest are the Young’s modulus and Poisson ratio in the small strain limit, and the ideal tensile strength in the large strain regime. To date, atomistic computations of these properties have been conducted using two approaches. The first approach explicitly calculates the stress-strain response using computational tensile test experiments. The second approach computes the single crystal elastic constants then derives the mechanical properties using analytical equations. The two approaches have been used interchangeably and their equivalence not assessed. This work systematically computes the mechanical properties of 13 BCC and 12 FCC metals via the two approaches using first principles density functional theory calculations and hypothesize the robustness of the first approach. Analysis of the results has revealed the shortcomings of the elastic constants method in detecting instabilities in the structures captured by the first principles computational tensile test approach. Large discrepancies in calculations of Young’s moduli using the latter approach are herein reported, as well as auxetic repossess and large Poisson ratio for some metals. Beyond the small strain results, we systematically examined the lateral strain response up to 0.5 applied strain in 3 crystallographic directions and reported large changes in slopes and peculiarities around the Brain transformation strain. From the computational stress-strain results, we validated empirical equations in the literature relating the ideal strength to the direction-dependent Young’s modulus and the Bain strain along [001] in BCC and [110] in FCC but also presented further relations for other crystallographic directions. In conclusion, we believe that the elastic constants approach, while computationally efficient, has to be used with caution and should be validated against the computational tensile tests. In addition, we highlight the importance of examining different crystallographic directions with possibly desirable properties.

Advancements and opportunities to improve bottom–up estimates of global wetland methane emissions

Abstract Wetlands are the single largest natural source of atmospheric methane (CH4), contributing approximately 30% of total surface CH4 emissions, and they have been identified as the largest source of uncertainty in the global CH4 budget based on the most recent Global Carbon Project CH4 report. High uncertainties in the bottom–up estimates of wetland CH4 emissions pose significant challenges for accurately understanding their spatiotemporal variations, and for the scientific community to monitor wetland CH4 emissions from space. In fact, there are large disagreements between bottom–up estimates versus top–down estimates inferred from inversion of atmospheric CH4 concentrations. To address these critical gaps, we review recent development, validation, and applications of bottom–up estimates of global wetland CH4 emissions, as well as how they are used in top–down inversions. These bottom–up estimates, using (1) empirical biogeochemical modeling (e.g. WetCHARTs: 125–208 TgCH4 yr−1); (2) process-based biogeochemical modeling (e.g. WETCHIMP: 190 ± 39 TgCH4 yr−1); and (3) data-driven machine learning approach (e.g. UpCH4: 146 ± 43 TgCH4 yr−1). Bottom–up estimates are subject to significant uncertainties (∼80 Tg CH4 yr−1), and the ranges of different estimates do not overlap, further amplifying the overall uncertainty when combining multiple data products. These substantial uncertainties highlight gaps in our understanding of wetland CH4 biogeochemistry and wetland inundation dynamics. Major tropical and arctic wetland complexes are regional hotspots of CH4 emissions. However, the scarcity of satellite data over the tropics and northern high latitudes offer limited information for top–down inversions to improve bottom–up estimates. Recent advances in surface measurements of CH4 fluxes (e.g. FLUXNET-CH4) across a wide range of ecosystems including bogs, fens, marshes, and forest swamps provide an unprecedented opportunity to improve existing bottom–up estimates of wetland CH4 estimates. We suggest that continuous long-term surface measurements at representative wetlands, high fidelity wetland mapping, combined with an appropriate modeling framework, will be needed to significantly improve global estimates of wetland CH4 emissions. There is also a pressing unmet need for fine-resolution and high-precision satellite CH4 observations directed at wetlands.

A comparative study of dosage strategies in HIPEC: BSA-based vs fixed dose methods.

832 Background: Peritoneal metastases commonly occur in ovarian, gastric, and colorectal cancers, significantly contributing to patient morbidity and mortality. Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a promising approach for managing peritoneal surface cancers. This procedure involves cytoreductive surgery to remove visible tumors, followed by the perfusion of heated chemotherapy (41-42°C) directly into the peritoneal cavity. HIPEC addresses the limitation of systemic chemotherapy, which often fails to penetrate the peritoneal cavity effectively. HIPEC dosing may either be a flat-fixed dose or be calculated based on Body Surface Area (BSA). BSA can be determined using three methods: actual BSA (based on weight and height), ideal BSA (based on sex and height), and adjusted BSA (considering lean and fat mass). Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 151 metastatic cancer patients at UVMMC. Patient BMI, weight, and height at diagnosis were collected to calculate BSA values (actual, adjusted, and ideal) for estimating a hypothetical chemotherapy dosage. Statistical analysis using SPSS involved linear mixed models and paired t-tests to compare Mitomycin-C dosages between a fixed dose (40 mg) and a BSA-derived dose (30 mg/m²). Results: The average dosage of Mitomycin-C differed significantly depending on whether the dose was calculated using actual, adjusted, or ideal BSA. The largest discrepancy in dosage was observed between the actual BSA method and the flat-fixed dose, with an average difference of 16 mg. The smallest difference in dose was between the adjusted and ideal BSA methods. When stratifying by BMI, the greatest variation in Mitomycin-C dosage was found among overweight and obese patients (BMI ≥ 25). For these patients, the average dosage difference between the flat fixed dose and the actual BSA dose was 20 mg. In comparison, in patients with a BMI under 18.5 (underweight) the actual BSA dose was comparable to the fixed dose. Conclusions: Different institutions utilize a variety of dosing strategies for the HIPEC procedure. Differences in BSA calculation methods and perfusate volumes (literature values of 2, 3 and 4 L is most common) contribute to the complexity of establishing standardized dosing. The significant dosing variations observed, especially in overweight and obese patients, are of concern, as 70% of the U.S. population has a BMI ≥ 25. Our study demonstrates significant variability in HIPEC chemotherapy dosing, especially among patients with higher BMI. The discrepancy between BSA-based methods and flat-fixed doses may impact treatment efficacy and toxicity. Standardizing dosing approaches is important to ensure consistent therapeutic outcomes and patient safety.

Application of Hansen solubility parameters in the eutectic mixtures: difference between empirical and semi-empirical models

Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSPs) are widely used as a tool in solubility studies. Given the variety of existent approaches to predict these parameters, this investigation focused on estimating the HSPs of a set of Natural Deep Eutectic Systems (NADES), using empirical (EM) and semi-empirical models (SEM), and then understanding their differences/similarities. Although these theoretical models are designed and recommended mostly for simple molecules or simple solutions, they are still being used in eutectic systems studies, mainly empirical ones. Thus, a preliminary test was conducted with a set of conventional solvents, in which their experimental values of HSPs are known. Besides the confirmation of the EM as the most suitable for these kinds of regular solvents, the results found also showed a very similar behaviour to what was observed in NADES, i.e., in terms of suggesting the EM and SEM with the highest/lowest similarity. Furthermore, it was concluded that although there is a large discrepancy between the estimated values of the hydrogen bond parameter, especially for systems with a higher polar character, there is still a good similarity for the other parameters. In fact, it was observed that, when combining the semi-empirical models, it was possible to obtain a value of the hydrogen bond parameter more similar to the empirical ones.

P-409. Reevaluation of Contamination Rates: Discrepancies Between Clinical and Laboratory Assessment

Abstract Background Contamination of blood cultures can result in unnecessary testing and the unwarranted use of antimicrobials.Quality control is essential to prevent these outcomes, with the contamination rate serving as a key quality indicator. Various criteria exist for assessing contamination prevalence. While these criteria enable independent computation of contamination rates by the laboratory, they can differ significantly from clinician judgments. But recent advancements, such as improved blood culture bottles, new disinfectants, the use of mass spectrometers, and the rise in immunosuppressed patients and intravascular device users, may have influenced these divergences. Table1 laboratory judgement : Use CLSI criteria"If multiple sets are submitted at the same time or within 24 hours and only one set is positive for the following target organisms"Coagulase-negative staphylococci,Propionibacterium acnes,Microccus spp,Viridans-group streptococci,Corynebacterium spp,Bacillus spp,Aerococcus spp" Methods Over a four-year period starting in 2018, we conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients with multiple-set blood cultures submitted at our hospital. This study differentiated contamination from true bacteremia, as defined by the laboratory and as assessed by infectious disease specialists. The definition of contamination by the laboratory followed the criteria of CLSI. Abbreviation IQR = interquartile range. a:Cases judged as contamination by the laboratory but clinically judged as true bacteremia b:Cases judged as contamination by the laboratory and clinically Results Of the 23,472 blood culture submissions, 18,851 involved multiple sets. Of these, 3,003 cases tested positive in at least one set. The laboratory identified 459 cases as contamination, while clinicians identified 365 cases. The contamination rates were 2.4% and 1.9%, respectively. Discrepancies were notably higher among patients with haematological malignancies, neutropenia, those with intravascular devices, and when multiple bacteria were concurrently detected, particularly in cases involving Staphylococcus epidermidis. Conclusion It has been reported that there is little difference between the judgment of contamination between the judgment of the laboratories and the clinicians, however, in the present study a large discrepancy in contamination rates was observed. This may be related to patients’background in our hospital where a large number of patients with haematological malignancies and neutropenia, and patients with intravascular devices were hospitalized ,and the clinical side tended to treat such patients as having true bacteremia. The possibility of a divergence in contamination rates as a quality indicator should be considered in such facilities. Disclosures Hiroshi Morioka, MD-PhD, SHIMADZU CORPORATION: Advisor/Consultant Mitsutaka Iguchi, n/a, SHIMADZU CORPORATION: Advisor/Consultant Keisuke Oka, MD-PhD, SHIMADZU CORPORATION: Advisor/Consultant Tetsuya yagi, MD-PhD, SHIMADZU CORPORATION: Advisor/Consultant

Evaluating the Stress State and the Load-Bearing Fraction as Predicted by an In Vivo Parameter Identification Method for the Abdominal Aorta

Background: Arterial mechanics are crucial to cardiovascular functionality. The pressure–strain elastic modulus often delineates mechanical properties. Emerging methods use non-linear continuum mechanics and non-convex minimization to identify tissue-specific parameters in vivo. Reliability of these methods, particularly their accuracy in representing the in vivo stress state, is a significant concern. This study aims to compare the predicted stress state and the collagen-attributed load-bearing fraction with the stress state from in silico experiments. Methods: Our team has evaluated an in vivo parameter identification method through in silico experiments involving finite element models and demonstrated good agreement with the parameters of a healthy abdominal aorta. Results: The findings suggest that the circumferential stress state is well represented for an abdominal aorta with a low transmural stress gradient. Larger discrepancies are observed in the axial direction. The agreement deteriorates in both directions with an increasing transmural stress gradient, attributed to the membrane model’s inability to capture transmural gradients. The collagen-attributed load-bearing fraction is well predicted, particularly in the circumferential direction. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of investigating both isotropic and anisotropic aspects of the vessel wall. This evaluation advances the parameter identification method towards clinical application as a potential tool for assessing arterial mechanics.

Characterization of Novel Plantaricin-Derived Antiviral Peptides Against Flaviviruses

Flaviviruses, including West Nile virus, Zika virus, and Dengue virus, pose global health challenges due to their distribution, pathogenicity, and lack of effective treatments or vaccines. This study investigated the antiviral activity of novel truncated peptides derived from the two-peptide plantaricins PLNC8 αβ, PlnEF, PlnJK, and PlnA. The antiviral potential was predicted using machine learning tools, followed by in vitro evaluation against the Kunjin virus using plaque reduction assays in Vero cells. Molecular docking assessed peptide interactions with KUNV and ZIKV. Full-length and truncated peptides from PlnA, PlnE, PlnF, PlnJ, and PlnK demonstrated limited antiviral efficacy against KUNV in vitro, despite in silico predictions suggesting antiviral potential for PlnA, PlnE, and PlnJ. Large discrepancies were observed between the predicted and experimentally determined activities. However, complementary two-peptide plantaricins PlnEF and PlnJK exhibited significant synergistic effects. Furthermore, the truncated peptides PLNC8 α1-15 and PLNC8 β1-20 reduced KUNV viral load by over 90%, outperforming their full-length counterparts. Molecular docking revealed interactions of PLNC8 α and PLNC8 β, and their truncated variants, with KUNV and ZIKV, suggesting a mechanism involving viral envelope disruption. These findings highlight the potential of plantaricin-derived peptides as promising antiviral candidates against flaviviruses, warranting further investigation into their mechanisms and applications.

A national survey on gastroenterology and hepatology training reveals dissimilar perceptions between trainees and trainers and an important need for improvement in training programs.

We aimed to collect data on gastroenterology and hepatology training from the viewpoint of trainees and trainers. A national online survey was distributed among trainees and specialists at certified training institutions between February and May 2024. Overall, 226 respondents - 98 trainees, 78 trainers, 50 program directors, and department heads responded, with a national coverage of 70% of trainees and 85% of specialty-department heads. A training curriculum was reported by 56% of trainees and 84% of curriculum organizers, regular feedback and training progress meetings by 11% of trainees (57% if considered without assessment of training progress), but 88% of curriculum organizers. Training was rated as very good or good by 65% of trainees, 79% of trainers, and 100% of department heads. Quality of functional diagnostics, endoscopy, and ultrasound training was rated as very good or good by trainees in 16, 61, and 54%, by trainers in 27, 79, and 58%, and by department heads in 74, 89, and 85%. Much agreement was found concerning the wish for external rotations (trainees 65%, trainers 70%, and department heads 89%) and a new postcertification advanced-endoscopy training and accreditation. Department heads seem to overestimate the quality of their training programs. Consequently, we found large discrepancies in the perception of specialty training that should stimulate efforts to standardize training and boost necessary train-the-trainer programs. Diagnosis of functional gastrointestinal disorders and abdominal ultrasound skills are areas with the largest room for improvement. Increased flexibility of hospital providers will be crucial for significant improvement of external training possibilities.

Scan/rescan reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used to estimate the geometric dimensions of lower lumbar vertebrae. While MRI-based measurements have demonstrated good reliability with interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of 0.80 or higher, many evaluations focus solely on the comparison of identical MRI images. This approach primarily reflects analyst dexterity and does not assess the reliability of the entire process, including imaging and image selection. To evaluate the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the entire process of using MRI to measure biomechanically relevant lumbar spinal characteristics, incorporating imaging, image selection, and analysis. A dataset of 144 low-back MRI scans was analyzed. Reliability assessments were performed under different conditions: (1) identical scans rated by the same analyst at different times (intra-rater reliability) and (2) distinct scans of the same subject obtained by different MRI operators and analyzed by different analysts (inter-rater reliability). Mean absolute differences in measurements were calculated, and sources of variability, such as breathing artifacts, were noted. Larger discrepancies were observed when comparing distinct scans analyzed by different MRI operators and analysts. In the "worst-case" scenario, where both the MRI operator and analyst differed, a 4.05% mean absolute difference was noted for anterior endplate measurements. This was higher than the 2.76% difference observed when analysts re-rated their own scans after one month. Despite these discrepancies, the variability in measurements was relatively low and primarily attributed to factors like breathing artifacts. The process of using MRI to derive biomechanical measures, particularly for bony structures, demonstrates robust reliability. Variability in measurements is minimal even under challenging conditions, supporting the use of MRI for biomechanical assessments.

Neck shaft angle deviation in patients undergoing femoral limb lengthening, a retrospective study.

Previous studies have shown that subtrochanteric femoral fractures treated with intramedullary nails might lead to varus-procurvatum malalignment. Similar results have been reported when using antegrade intramedullary lengthening nails (ILNs). The purpose of our study is to examine if antegrade telescoping intramedullary lengthening nails lead to varus-procurvatum malalignment of the proximal femur and what are possible predictors of that shift. In this retrospective, single centre study, five surgeons performed 537 femoral ILN. 347 antegrade PRECICE nails were selected after applying exclusion criteria. The following exclusion criteria were applied, intentional angular deformity correction, retrograde femoral lengthening and concomitant tibial lengthening. After further exclusion criteria were applied, we retrospectively inspected 201 PRECICE nails inserted in 158 paediatric and adult patients (average age 19.9 years) that underwent IM nail limb lengthening. Follow-up was at least one year by which time all osteotomies were healed. Mean lengthening was 4.7cm per lengthening surgery with some patients needing multiple lengthening for large discrepancies. Of the 201 nails, trochanteric entry was used in 127 procedures and piriformis entry was used in 74 of them. With pre-op Osteotomy Level Coefficient (OLC) of 0.3. The preoperative neck shaft angle (NSA) was significantly reduced from 130.6 to 127.4 degrees at the end of lengthening (P < 0.05). There was no discernible correlation between the OLC and change in NSA. The trochanteric entry point was associated with a greater tendency to reduce the NSA (Mdif = -4.1, SD = 6.5) as compared to the piriformis entry point (Mdif = -3, SD 6.4) (P < 0.05). No significant change in anatomic medial proximal femoral angle (aMPFA) was noted between pre- and postoperative time points, nor between trochanteric and piriformis entry groups. Our study investigated the risk of iatrogenic varus deformity of the proximal femur following intramedullary limb lengthening procedures. We identified the osteotomy site as the most significant risk factor for developing iatrogenic varus, while the nail insertion point did not significantly predict this complication, showing comparable results for both trochanteric and piriformis entry points. Additionally, our study is the first to identify a correlation between the level of osteotomy and coxa-valga correction. We hypothesize that a higher osteotomy level might be beneficial for patients undergoing limb lengthening who also present with coxa-valga deformity. IV.

Assessment of Child Care Institutions in India: Perspectives from Children Who Have Transitioned From Institutions

ABSTRACTThis study focused on assessing the former residents' perspectives of the quality of care provided in child care institution in India, particularly those rehabilitated from the facilities in the Manipur region. With a large share of the world's children population, India takes up the responsibility of bringing care to millions of children who are orphaned or destitute. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act sets standards for protection of the welfare of children in institutional care; however, concerns of poor care quality as well as abuse and trafficking continue to be raised. The methodology applied in this study uses a qualitative technique with a fundamental interpretative design to explore the lived experiences of children who have exited these institutions. Findings from the study illuminate large discrepancies between children's need for independence and their ability to thrive independently after care, including insufficient post care preparation, inconsistent levels of emotional support, and meagre educational and skill building opportunities. These findings contrast previous studies that tend to focus on pervasive structural and regulatory shortcomings in child care institutions, while neglecting to consider the relational lived experiences of children in the aftermath of institutional care. This study stresses the need for a thorough nurturing approach to care that not only supplies children with the practical essentials to live independently but additionally handles their emotional needs. As such, this study provides important recommendations for governments, child welfare practitioners and organizations that wish to improve the institutional care and the long‐term trajectories of children leaving care.

Modeling and simulation of the effect of surface roughness on the Fowler-Nordheim conduction in MOS structures

Abstract A compact Fowler-Nordheim (FN) tunneling current model is derived to describe the non-ideal, surface roughness-related relationship between current and voltage in a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS). This relationship is achieved by applying a fractal continuum Laplacian operator in the 1D Schrödinger equation, resulting in a model that extends the standard FN to account for surface inhomogeneities through a fractional power α. Our error analysis predicts significant inaccuracies in the extracted FN parameters when using the standard FN model to interpret rough surface data.&amp;#xD;A methodology for extracting FN fractal parameters and the flat band voltage via a fractal FN plot is proposed. Simulated datasets and real measurements of Al/SiO₂/4H-SiC capacitors are used to validate the model. Comparison of the parameters extracted using the fractal FN model and the standard FN model confirms the predictions from the error analysis and the suitability of the fractal FN model. The fractal FN model offers a potential explanation for the large discrepancies observed in FN parameters reported in the literature.&amp;#xD;

Credibility-Based Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of Hybrid and Fully Electric Aircraft

Aircraft designs for future electric aircraft often have large discrepancies in the underlying assumptions for highly influential design parameters. More optimistic assumptions on these parameters could result in better aircraft performance but include higher risks in the realization of the design in the defined timeline. In this work, the novel concept of design credibility is introduced to be used for quantifying the effect of assumptions on the underlying technologies on the design performance and the risks. For a range of highly important parameters, probability curves have been created that can predict a range of assumed future performance by 2035. A credibility-based multidisciplinary design optimization framework is created, which evaluates the maximum achievable mission ranges for hybrid electric aircraft under credibility constraints. The optimizations are performed using a surrogate-based global optimization routine, the efficient global optimization. With the full framework, the multiple aircraft designs are optimized under a range of credibility limits to create range-credibility Pareto curves. The results show that battery gravimetric energy density is the most dominant factor for the optimization. Motor and airframe parameters have a smaller effect on the achievable range. Their influence on the optimal design depends on the desired credibility level. For high credibilities, the motor is found to be more relevant. For low credibilities, airframe technology improvements are dominant. The shape of the underlying credibility distributions of secondary parameters has a strong effect on their relevance for the optimal configuration.

Comprehensive assessment of the impact of blood pressure, body mass index, smoking, and diabetes on healthy life expectancy in Japan: NIPPON DATA90

Healthy life expectancy (HLE) is a population health indicator that is widely used in developed countries, but little is known about its relationships with combinations of non-communicable disease risk factors. This study was conducted to examine HLE at age 65 according to combinations of blood pressure levels, body mass index, smoking status, and diabetes mellitus (DM) in a Japanese population. In a nationwide cohort study (NIPPON DATA90), data on these risk factors were obtained from participants in 1990 through physical examinations, blood tests, interviews, and questionnaires. Subsequently, participants aged ≥65 years underwent surveys on activities of daily living in 1995 and 2000, and multistate life tables were used to calculate combination-specific HLEs and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The study population comprised 6,569 participants (men: 2,797; women: 3,772) who were followed-up until 2010. HLE at age 65 in men with grade II/III hypertension, obesity, current smoker status, and DM (HLE: 12.9 years, 95% CIs: 12.9-13.0 years) was 9.7 years shorter than men without these risk factors (HLE: 22.6 years, 95% CIs: 22.4-22.8 years). Similarly, HLE at age 65 in women with grade II/III hypertension, obesity, current smoker status, and DM (HLE: 16.2 years, 95% CIs: 15.9-16.5 years) was 10.1 years shorter than women without these risk factors (HLE: 26.3 years, 95% CIs: 26.3-26.3 years). The large discrepancies in HLEs underscore the impact of non-communicable disease risk factors, which should be considered when formulating health interventions to improve HLE in Japanese older adults.

A data pipeline for secure extraction and sharing of social determinants of health.

Linking neighborhood- and patient-level data provides valuable information about the influence of upstream social determinants of health (SDOH). However, sharing of these data across health systems presents challenges. We set out to develop a pipeline to acquire, deidentify, and share neighborhood-level SDOH data across multiple health systems. We created a pipeline centered around Decentralized Geomarker Assessment for Multi-Site Studies (DeGAUSS) that utilizes containerization to geocode patient addresses and obtain neighborhood-level SDOH variables. We compared DeGAUSS to a third-party vendor geocoding tool available at Duke Health using a cohort of adult patients referred for abdominal transplant from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2022. We calculated Cohen's Kappa and percent disagreement at census block group and tract levels, and by Area Deprivation Index, urbanicity, and year. The pipeline successfully generated SDOH data for 97.8% of addresses. There was high concordance between DeGAUSS and the vendor tool at the census block group (0.93) and tract levels (0.95). At the block group level, disagreement proportion differed by year and urbanicity, with larger disagreement in the rural category than in micropolitan and metropolitan categories (13%, 7%, 6.2%, respectively). We describe a novel pipeline that can facilitate the secure acquisition and sharing of neighborhood-level SDOH without sharing PHI. The pipeline can be scaled to include additional social, climate, and environmental variables, and can be extended to an unlimited number of health systems.

A reciprocity calibration of hydrophones in a non-anechoic water tank: Method and realization.

To measure the electroacoustic parameters of transducers in the continuous sound field in a limited water area, a reciprocity calibration method of hydrophones using a spatial sampling average method in a non-anechoic tank was developed. The sound propagation in the non-anechoic tank under the impedance boundary condition, with a sound source producing continuous sound, is introduced based on the Helmholtz equation and Green's function. The reciprocity constant is given using the spatial sampling average sound pressure, and the three-transducer reciprocity calibration procedure was established. The number of spatial sampling points, which must be not less than 6000, and the sampling configuration in the non-anechoic tank are determined. In the non-anechoic tank of 15 m × 9 m × 6 m, the sensitivity of the hydrophone in the frequency range of 250 Hz to 10 kHz was calibrated, and the largest discrepancy between the measurement results from the reciprocity calibration method in the non-anechoic water tank and the standard facility was 0.7 dB.

Mapping NOx emissions in Cyprus using TROPOMI observations: evaluation of the flux-divergence scheme using multiple parameter sets

The production of nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) is substantial in urban areas and from fossil fuel-fired power plants, causing both local and regional pollution, with severe consequences for human health. To estimate their emissions and implement air quality policies, authorities often rely on reported emission inventories. The island of Cyprus is de facto divided into two different political entities, and as a result, such emissions inventories are not systematically available for the whole island. We map NOx emissions in Cyprus for two 6-month periods in 2021 and 2022 with a flux-divergence scheme, using spaceborne retrievals of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) columns at high spatial resolution from the TROPOMI instrument, as well as horizontal wind data to derive advection and concentrations of OH, NO, and NO2 to derive chemical processes. Emissions are estimated under three different sets of parameters using ECMWF data and WRF-Chem simulations. These sets are chosen for their differences in spatial resolution and representation of wind and air composition. Exploiting the low emissions in Cyprus, we show that the flux-divergence method is limited by the resolution of wind and hydroxyl radical, the signal-to-noise ratio of the observed tropospheric column densities, and the NOx:NO2 ratio above the main pollution sources. Such limitations lead to large discrepancies in the emissions calculated with the three different sets of parameters, making it difficult to estimate NOx emissions for the five power plants of the island without high uncertainties. Nevertheless, the obtained emissions display a higher seasonality than reported or inventory emissions. For the two power plants in the south, the different mean daytime output estimates appear to be significantly higher than the bottom-up estimates. They are also higher than those from the power plants in the south combined, despite a much lower production capacity, illustrating the application of different environmental norms and the use of different technologies and fuels in the two parts of Cyprus.

Sample-prototype optimal transport-based universal domain adaptation for remote sensing image classification

In recent years, there is a growing interest in domain adaptation for remote sensing image scene classification, particularly in universal domain adaptation, where both source and target domains possess their unique private categories. Existing methods often lack precision on remote sensing image datasets due to insufficient prior knowledge between the source and target domains. This study aims to effectively distinguish between common and private classes despite large intra-class sample discrepancies and small inter-class sample discrepancies in remote sensing images. To address these challenges, we propose Sample-Prototype Optimal Transport-Based Universal Domain Adaptation (SPOT). The proposed approach comprises two key components. Firstly, we utilize an unbalanced optimal transport algorithm along with a sample complement mechanism to identify common and private classes based on the optimal transport assignment matrix. Secondly, we leverage the optimal transport algorithm to enhance discriminability among different classes while promoting similarity within the same class. Experimental results demonstrate that SPOT significantly enhances classification accuracy and robustness in universal domain adaptation for remote sensing images, underscoring its efficacy in addressing the identified challenges.

Agreement and Discrepancies of Maternal- and Self-Reported Psychopathology in Emerging Adults

Collateral reports on psychopathology improve clinical care and research. Previous research showed moderate agreement between adults’ self- and collateral reports. Factors associated with discrepancies in different age groups, especially the crucial period of emerging adulthood, are yet to be investigated. We examined mother-child agreement and factors associated with discrepancies in N = 256 mother-child dyads with emerging adult children (M = 22.3 years) who participated in a longitudinal prevention study (18-year follow-up). Children completed self-report measures on psychopathology (Adult Behavior Checklist, ASR), current psychological distress, and two individual items regarding the mother-child relationship and frequency of contact. Mothers reported on their children’s psychopathology (Adult Behavior Checklist, ABCL) and their own psychological distress. Children and mothers completed a half-structured clinical interview on mental disorders. Agreement between ASR and ABCL was moderate to high (r = .48 to .53). Both reports significantly correlated with children’s diagnoses based on the clinical interview (r = .37 to .58). When children reported higher levels of psychopathology, higher levels of current psychological distress were associated with larger mother-child discrepancies. When mothers reported higher levels of child psychopathology, higher levels of maternal psychological distress, lower relationship quality, and higher frequency of contact were associated with larger discrepancies. Mother-child agreement in emerging adulthood is comparable to agreement in adolescence and adulthood. Factors associated with discrepancies differ for higher maternal- vs. self-reported psychopathology. Maternal psychological distress is more relevant for informant discrepancies than maternal mental disorder diagnoses. Longitudinal studies are needed to enhance the understanding of informant discrepancies.