Revolutionizing heart disease prediction with quantum-enhanced machine learning.

The recent developments in quantum technology have opened up new opportunities for machine learning algorithms to assist the healthcare industry in diagnosing complex health disorders, such as heart disease. In this work, we summarize the effectiveness of QuEML in heart disease prediction. To evaluate the performance of QuEML against traditional machine learning algorithms, the Kaggle heart disease dataset was used which contains 1190 samples out of which 53% of samples are labeled as positive samples and rest 47% samples are labeled as negative samples. The performance of QuEML was evaluated in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, specificity, F1 score, and training time against traditional machine learning algorithms. From the experimental results, it has been observed that proposed quantum approaches predicted around 50.03% of positive samples as positive and an average of 44.65% of negative samples are predicted as negative whereas traditional machine learning approaches could predict around 49.78% of positive samples as positive and 44.31% of negative samples as negative. Furthermore, the computational complexity of QuEML was measured which consumed average of 670 µs for its training whereas traditional machine learning algorithms could consume an average 862.5 µs for training. Hence, QuEL was found to be a promising approach in heart disease prediction with an accuracy rate of 0.6% higher and training time of 192.5 µs faster than that of traditional machine learning approaches.

Change in precipitation pattern over South Asia in response to the trends in regional warming and free-tropospheric aerosol loading.

Spatial and temporal shifts in rainfall patterns over South Asia and the adjoining Seas during the pre-monsoon season have been observed over the past 2 decades from 2000 to 2019. Aerosol particles suspended above the boundary layer are a contributing factor to these changes. These particles not only alter cloud characteristics, but also diminish the lapse rate, thereby suppressing convective activity, leading to precipitation anomalies. Over the past 2 decades, high-rainfall regions have experienced declining rainfall, while low-rainfall regions have received increased rainfall. Coinciding with notable anomalies in precipitation, contrasting trends in aerosol optical depth, particularly due to absorbing aerosols in the elevated regions of the atmosphere, are seen. Apart from aerosols, several factors are considered that are critical in modifying precipitation patterns over the study region, such as water vapor content, convective processes, and lower-level relative humidity. We observed a potential transport of excess water vapor by ambient circulation from the oceanic regions having reduced rain, such as Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, to higher latitudes enabling precipitation anomaly at distant locations.

Chemical composition, source characteristics, and hygroscopic properties of organic-enriched aerosols in the high Arctic during summer.

Arctic regions are extremely sensitive to global warming. Aerosols are one of the most important short-lived climate-forcing agents affecting the Arctic climate. The present study examines the summertime chemical characteristics and potential sources of various organic and inorganic aerosols at a Norwegian Arctic site, Ny-Ålesund (79°N). The results show that organic matter (OM) accounts for 60 % of the total PM10 mass, followed by sulfate (SO42-). Water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) contributes 62 % of OC. Photochemical processes involving diverse anthropogenic and biogenic precursor compounds are identified as the major sources of WSOC, while water-insoluble organic carbon (WIOC) aerosols are predominantly linked to primary marine emissions. Despite being a remote pristine site, the aerosols show a sign of chemical aging, evidenced by a significant chloride depletion, which was about 82 % on average during the study period. Nitrogen-containing aerosols are likely stemming from migratory seabird colonies and local dust sources around the sampling site. While biogenic, crustal, and sea salt-derived SO42- account for 37%, 8%, and 5% respectively, the remaining 50% is attributed to anthropogenic SO42-. Through chemical tracers, Pearson correlation coefficient matrix, and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), the present study identifies soil biota (terrestrial biogenic) and marine emissions, along with their photochemical oxidation processes, as potential sources of Arctic aerosols during summer, while biomass burning and combustion-related sources have a minor contribution. The chemical closure of hygroscopicity highlights that while organics predominantly control aerosol hygroscopicity in the Arctic summer, specific inorganic components like (NH4)2SO4 can significantly increase it on certain days, affecting aerosol-cloud interactions and climate processes over the Arctic during summer. The present study highlights the high abundance of organics and their vital role in the Arctic climate during summer when natural aerosols are conquered.

Anthropogenic sources and liquid water drive secondary organic aerosol formation over the eastern Himalaya.

Atmospheric aerosols have a serious impact on altering the radiation balance of the vulnerable Himalayan atmosphere. Organic aerosol (OA), one of the least resolved aerosol fractions in the Himalayas, constrain our competence to assess their climate impacts on the region. Here we investigate water-soluble OA molecules in PM10 samples collected from March to May 2019 at Lachung (27.4°N and 88.4°E), a high-altitude location (2700 m a.s.l.) in the eastern Himalaya, to elucidate their origin and formation process. The dominance of oxalic acid (C2) reveals that water-soluble OA in the eastern Himalaya are atmospherically processed. Backward air mass trajectories and mass concentration ratios of organic tracers as well as relationships with inorganic species (K+, SO42-, NH4+) suggest an anthropogenic origin of water-soluble OA with significant atmospheric processing during long-range transport to the eastern Himalayan region. We used the thermodynamic prediction of aerosol liquid water (ALW) to examine the formation mechanism of secondary OA (SOA) such as oxalic acid. Correlations of ALW with SO42- and water-soluble organic matter show that ALW is sensitive to both anthropogenic sulfate and water-soluble organic compounds in Himalayan aerosols. A strong positive relationship of C2 acid with predicted ALW provides evidence of extensive SOA formation from precursors via aqueous phase photochemical processes. This inference is supported by positive correlations of C2 acid relative abundance with diagnostic mass concentration ratios of C2 acid to precursor molecules. Our findings underscore the importance of anthropogenic sources and ALW in SOA formation through aqueous phase processes in the eastern Himalaya.

Vehicular pollution as the primary source of oxidative potential of PM2.5 in Bhubaneswar, a non-attainment city in eastern India.

We assessed the oxidative potential (OP) of PM2.5 (n = 230) using dithiothreitol (DTT) assay to identify the major emission sources in Bhubaneswar (20.20°N, 85.80°E), one of the non-attainment cities under the National Clean Air Program, situated on the eastern coast of India. Continuous day and night PM2.5 samples were collected during periods influenced by marine airmass (MAM; April-May 2019) as well as continental airmass (CAM; October 2019-December 2019). Volume normalized DTT (DDTv) activities were approximately two times higher during CAM compared to MAM periods. In contrast, mass normalized DTT activity (DDTm) showed insignificant variations between CAM and MAM periods. This might be due to particulate organic matter, which accounted for more than one-fifth of the PM2.5 mass loading and remained surprisingly invariant during the study periods. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) identified secondary aerosols (MAM: 26% and CAM: 33%) as dominant contributors to PM2.5 mass in both periods. OP, is, however, dominated by vehicular emissions (21%) as identified through multiple linear regression. Conditional Bivariate Probability Function (CBPF) analysis indicated that local sources were the primary drivers for the catalytic activity of PM2.5 in the study region. Additionally, stagnant meteorological conditions, combined with the chemical aging of species during regional transport of pollutants, likely enhanced redox activity of PM2.5 during the CAM period. The study highlights that increasing traffic congestion is primarily responsible for adverse health outcomes in the region. Therefore, it is important to regulate mobility and vehicular movement to mitigate the hazardous impact of PM2.5 in Bhubaneswar.

Two decades of ceria nanoparticle research: structure, properties and emerging applications.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) are versatile materials with unique and unusual properties that vary depending on their surface chemistry, size, shape, coating, oxidation states, crystallinity, dopant, and structural and surface defects. This review encompasses advances made over the past twenty years in the development of CeNPs and ceria-based nanostructures, the structural determinants affecting their activity, and translation of these distinct features into applications. The two oxidation states of nanosized CeNPs (Ce3+/Ce4+) coexisting at the nanoscale level facilitate the formation of oxygen vacancies and defect states, which confer extremely high reactivity and oxygen buffering capacity and the ability to act as catalysts for oxidation and reduction reactions. However, the method of synthesis, surface functionalization, surface coating and defects are important factors in determining their properties. This review highlights key properties of CeNPs, their synthesis, interactions, and reaction pathways and provides examples of emerging applications. Due to their unique properties, CeNPs have become quintessential candidates for catalysis, chemical mechanical planarization (CMP), sensing, biomedical applications, and environmental remediation, with tremendous potential to create novel products and translational innovations in a wide range of industries. This review highlights the timely relevance and the transformative potential of these materials in addressing societal challenges and driving technological advancements across these fields.

Periosteum-Augmented Soft-Tissue Graft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Soft-tissue grafts are an option for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. One of the major drawbacks of soft-tissue grafts is the delay in the osteointegration and ligamentization of the implanted graft. Enveloping the ends of the graft with periosteum sleeves can hasten the osteointegration process and help in quicker rehabilitation of the patient. This article describes a simple and unique way to augment the soft-tissue graft with periosteum for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Outcomes of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in the United States: A Propensity-score Matched Analysis of a Large National Database.

Patients with cirrhosis that are hospitalized with COVID-19 infection have been found to have worse outcomes. No comparative study has been conducted between gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients with cirrhosis who are diagnosed with COVID-19. We utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to perform a retrospective analysis of 24, 050 patients diagnosed with cirrhosis and COVID-19. The identified patients were separated into variceal bleeding, nonvariceal bleeding, and no (or neither) GI bleeding groups. After performing propensity sample matching and multivariate analysis of mortality, we found no significant differences in mortality among the three groups. However, the variceal bleed group had a shorter length of stay (5.67 days lower than the no-bleed group). Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with intervention was associated with reduced mortality in the variceal and nonvariceal bleeding groups. Acute kidney injury was a strong predictor of mortality in both bleeding groups. A native American race was found to be associated with higher mortality in the nonvariceal bleeding group. Our study suggests that there are various pathophysiological processes among the three groups, with no significant mortality differences with cirrhosis complications of GI bleeding.

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy in unusual venous anatomy - donor and recepient implications

ABSTRACT Objectives Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is now a commonly performed procedure in most of renal transplantation centers. However, the suitability of laparoscopy for donors with abnormal venous anatomy is still a subject of debate. Materials and methods Between August 2007 and August 2014, 243 laparoscopic donor nephrectomies were performed in our institution. All donors were evaluated with preoperative three-dimensional spiral computed tomography (CT) angiography Thirteen (5.35%) donors had a left renal vein anomaly. A retrospective analysis was performed to collect donor and recipient demographics and perioperative data. Results Four donors had a type I retroaortic vein, seven had type II retroaortic vein and a circumaortic vein was seen in three donors. The mean operative time was 114±11 minutes and mean warm ischemia time was 202±12 seconds. The mean blood loss was 52.7±18.4mL and no donor required blood transfusion. Mean recipient creatinine at the time of discharge was 1.15±0.18mg/dL, and creatinine at six months and one year follow-up was 1.12±0.13mg/dL and 1.2±0.14mg/dL, respectively. There were no significant differences in operative time, blood loss, warm ischemia time, donor hospital stay or recipient creatinine at 6 months follow-up, following laparoscopic donor nephrectomy in patients with or without left renal vein anomalies. Conclusion Preoperative delineation of venous anatomy using CT angiography is as important as arterial anatomy. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is safe and feasible in patients with retroaortic or circumaortic renal vein with good recipient outcome.