bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transition Metal (Co, Ni, Fe, Cu) Single‐Atom Catalysts Anchored on 3D Nitrogen‐Doped Porous Carbon Nanosheets as Efficient Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts for Zn–Air Battery
Authors: Zhang Mengtian , Li Hao , Chen Junxiang , Ma Fei‐Xiang , Zhen Liang , Wen Zhenhai , Xu Cheng‐Yan
Published: July 2022

Exploring highly active and cost‐efficient single‐atom catalysts (SACs) for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is critical for the large‐scale application of Zn–air battery. Herein, density functional theory (DFT) calculations predict that the intrinsic ORR activity of the active metal of SACs follows the trend of Co > Fe > Ni ≈ Cu, in which Co SACs possess the best ORR activity due to its optimized spin density. Guided by DFT calculations, four kinds of transition metal single atoms embedded in 3D porous nitrogen‐doped carbon nanosheets (MSAs@PNCN, M = Co, Ni, Fe, Cu) are synthesized via a facile NaCl‐template assisted strategy. The resulting MSAs@PNCN displays ORR activity trend in lines with the theoretical predictions, and the Co SAs@PNCN exhibits the best ORR activity (E1/2 = 0.851 V), being comparable to that of Pt/C under alkaline conditions. X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectra verify the atomically dispersed Co‐N4 sites are the catalytically active sites. The highly active CoN4 sites and the unique 3D porous structure contribute to the outstanding ORR performance of Co SAs@PNCN. Furthermore, the Co SAs@PNCN catalyst is employed as cathode in Zn–air battery, which can deliver a large power density of 220 mW cm–2 and maintain robust cycling stability over 530 cycles.
Nanostructures and catalytic atoms engineering of tellurium‐based materials and their roles in electrochemical energy conversion
Authors: Li Tiantian , Deng Yuting , Rong Xiao , He Chao , Zhou Mi , Tang Yuanjiao , Zhou Hongju , Cheng Chong , Zhao Changsheng
Published: July 2022

With the dramatic developments of renewable and environmental‐friendly electrochemical energy conversion systems, there is an urgent need to fabricate durable and efficient electrocatalysts to address the limitation of high overpotentials exceeding thermodynamic requirements to facilitate practical applications. Recently, tellurium‐based nanomaterials (Te NMs) with unique chemical, electronic, and topological properties, including Te‐derived nanostructures and transition metal tellurides (TMTs), have emerged as one of the most promising electrocatalytic materials. In the absence of comprehensive and guiding reviews, this review comprehensively summarizes the main advances in designing emerging Te NMs for electrocatalysis. First, the engineering strategies and principles of Te NMs to enhance their electrocatalytic activity and stability from the nanostructures to the catalytic atoms are discussed in detail, especially on the chemical/physical/multiplex templating strategies, heteroatom doping, vacancy/defect engineering, phase engineering, and the corresponding mechanisms and structure‐performance correlations. Then, typical applications of Te NMs in electrocatalysis are also discussed in detail. Finally, the existing key issues and main challenges of Te NMs for electrocatalysis are highlighted, and the development trend of Te NMs as electrocatalysts is expounded. This review provides new concepts to guide future directions for developing Te NMs‐based electrocatalysts, thereby promoting their future wide applications in electrochemical energy systems.
Small Atom Doping: A Synergistic Strategy to Reduce SnZn Recombination Center Concentration in Cu2ZnSnSe4
Authors: Jimenez-Arguijo Alex , Navarro Güell Alejandro , Sanchez Yudania , Malerba Claudia , Valentini Matteo , Becker Pascal , Choubrac Leo , Unold Thomas , Jehl Li-Kao Zacharie , Giraldo Sergio , Saucedo Edgardo
Published: July 2022

Kesterite Cu2ZnSnS
x
Se4−x
(CZTSSe) is among the most promising inorganic Earth‐abundant thin‐film photovoltaic technologies, although currently, the larger voltage deficit compared with more mature chalcogenide technologies is hampering solar‐to‐electricity conversion efficiency progress in these materials. Most of the latest reports agree on the CZTSSe defect structure as the main limitation for the open‐circuit voltage. Small atom doping is suggested as an interesting strategy to reduce the concentration of defects without affecting secondary phase formation. Herein, an innovative approach based on the introduction of LiAlH4 and its further decomposition during the selenization process of CZTSe precursors, as a pathway for hydrogen and lithium/alkali transient doping, is explored. This process shows a strong beneficial influence on the crystal growth and solar cell device performance, especially with a significant improvement in V
oc and fill factor. A reduction of nonradiative recombination and a remarkable fourfold increase in the carrier lifetime correlating with the reduction of the open‐circuit voltage (V
oc) deficit below 330 mV is demonstrated. A mechanism on how small atoms (Li and H) interact to reduce the concentration of SnZn recombination centers while keeping doping relatively unchanged is proposed, opening fundamental perspectives for the simple and universal transient doping of thin‐film chalcogenide compounds.
A Robust Agar–PAM Hydrogel for Efficient Solar Steam Generation
Authors: Yang Tingting , Mu Xiaojiang , Zhou Jianhua , Wang Pengfei , Chen Huan , Wang Xiaoyang , Miao Lei
Published: July 2022

Freshwater generation by solar distillation is a promising technology to relieve global water scarcity. However, the evaporation of water requires a lot of energy, and the fragile purifier is easily damaged, resulting in low water production in practical applications. Therefore, a material simultaneously possessing low water evaporation enthalpy and strong toughness is desired. Herein, the authors introduced agar into polyacrylamide (AP) to uniquely design hydroxyl group ramparts on the skeleton of hydrogel to uniquely design hydroxyl groups rampart on the skeleton of hydrogel to strengthen robustness of hydrogel and regulate water state, which not only reduces energy demand for evaporation but resists external disturbance. The tensile stress of CNT100‐AP1/9 hydrogel reaches the maximum value of 102 kPa while the tensile strain is 467%. Finally, a high evaporation rate of ≈3 kg m−2 h−1 with 86.2% photothermal conversion efficiency is obtained under 1 kW m−2 illumination. The ingenious structure to wear hydroxyl groups coat on the skeleton of PAM hydrogel opens a new avenue for building a new robust and efficient solar thermal desalination system.
Identifying and expression analysis of WD40 transcription factors in walnut
Authors: Chen Shuwen , Li Dapei , Chen Sisi , He Jianing , Wang Zengbin , Yang Guiyan , Lu Zhoumin
Published: July 2022

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) is an important woody oil plant and will be affected by abiotic and biological stress during its growth and development. The WD‐repeat (WD40) protein is widely involved in plant growth, development, metabolism, and abiotic stress response. To explore the stress response mechanism of walnut, based on the complete sequencing results of the walnut genome, this study identified and analyzed the physiological, biochemical, genetic structure, and conservative protein motifs of 42 JrWD40 genes, whose expression to abnormal temperature were tested to predict the potential biological function. The results showed that the open reading frame (ORF) of theseWD40 genes were 807–2,460 bp, encoding peptides were 29,610.55–90,387.98 Da covering 268–819 amino acids, as well as 12–112 phosphorylation sites. JrWD40 proteins were highly conserved with four to five WD40 domains and shared certain similarity to WD40 proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. JrWD40 genes can be induced to varying degrees by low and high temperature treatments. JrWD40‐32, JrWD40‐27, JrWD40‐35, and JrWD40‐21 are affected by high temperature more seriously and their expression levels are higher; while JrWD40‐37, JrWD40‐26, JrWD40‐20, JrWD40‐24, and other genes are inhibited under low temperature stress. JrWD40‐40, JrWD40‐28, and JrWD40‐18 were first suppressed with low expression, while as the treatment time prolonging, the expression level was increased under cold condition. JrWD40‐14, JrWD40‐18, JrWD40‐34, and JrWD40‐3 displayed strong transcriptions response to both heat and cold stress. These results indicated that JrWD40 genes can participate in walnut adaptation to adversity and can be used as important candidates for walnut resistance molecular breeding.
Quality and sustainability in the production process: A study of bakeries using an integrated multi‐criteria method based on fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS
Authors: Serpa Natália Pedroso , Silva Deoclécio Junior Cardoso da , Wegner Roger da Silva , Stertz Estefana da Silva , Teixeira Clarissa Stefani , Lopes Luis Felipe Dias
Published: July 2022

The objective of the present study is to evaluate, determine, and apply alternatives for improving the quality of the process and the product, with an emphasis on sustainable practices, using an integrated multi‐criteria method. For this purpose, an analysis was conducted at a chain of bakeries, aiming to highlight bottlenecks in the production process and in the product. With the support of a literature review, four criteria and seven alternatives were defined to overcome these bottlenecks and, at the same time, contribute to the sustainability of the organization. For data analysis, six decision makers were interviewed and, following their evaluations, an integrated method based on fuzzy AHP and fuzzy TOPSIS was created. The fuzzy AHP was adopted to establish the importance of the criteria, while the fuzzy TOPSIS was used to evaluate and classify the alternatives developed to bypass the bottlenecks. The results revealed that of the criteria, Criterion “Cr1 – Quality” was prioritized. On the other hand, the alternative with the best performance was “A3 – Physical Layout Reorganization”. Applying this alternative, the study demonstrates the results achieved such as reduction of errors and accident risks, as well as greater fluidity in the productive space. the present study also makes theoretical and managerial contributions to the field, bringing the theory closer to the reality of companies that operate in the food sector.
TamaFlex™—A novel nutraceutical blend improves lameness and joint functions in working horses
Authors: Jain Sandesh , Patil Satyajit G. , Chinta Gopichand , Alluri KrishnaRaju Venkata
Published: July 2022

Background

Lameness is one of the major causes of reduced physical performance and early retirement in working horses. TamaFlex™ (NXT15906F6) is a standardized synergistic anti‐inflammatory botanical formulation containing Tamarindus indica seed extract and Curcuma longa rhizome extract at a 2:1 ratio.

Methods

We conducted a 12‐week single‐center, randomized, blinded, placebo‐controlled trial demonstrating the efficacy of NXT15906F6 in horses with lameness grade 2–4 on the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) scale. Twenty‐two lame horses were supplemented with NXT15906F6 (2.5 gram/day) or placebo over a period of 84 days. Improvement in lameness over placebo was the primary endpoint, and changes in the levels of rheumatoid factor (RF), anti‐nuclear antibody (ANA), and anti‐cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACC‐peptide) in serum, and pro‐inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL‐1β and IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and prostaglandin‐E2 (PGE2) in serum and synovial fluid were the secondary endpoints.

Results

NXT15906F6 exhibited significant relief from lameness in a time‐dependent manner. NXT15906F6 also reduced levels of ANA, PGE2, IL‐1β, TNF‐α and IL‐6. Moreover, NXT15906F6 supplementation is safe and tolerable in alleviating joint pain in lame horses, and protects the joints from further degradation by reducing pro‐inflammatory mediators.

Conclusion

NXT15906F6 significantly reduces the lameness during walking and trotting, leading to an improvement in their joint flexibility, health, and working performances.
Gene expression ofNectin‐4and its clinical significance in dogs with primary lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Tamura Kei , Ishigaki Kumiko , Yoshida Orie , Kazuyuki Terai , Sakurai Naoki , Heishima Tatsuya , Fujiyuki Tomoko , Kai Chieko , Asano Kazushi
Published: July 2022

Background

Canine primary lung adenocarcinoma (CPLA) is suspected by radiography or computed tomography; however, since there are no tumour markers, early diagnosis is difficult, and the prognosis is poor due to increased tumour volume. Nectin‐4 has been reported to be expressed in human lung, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers and promotes tumour growth. It has been reported to be a tumour marker and prognostic factor, and oncolytic virotherapy is being investigated using nectin‐4 as a therapeutic target.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression ofNectin‐4in CPLA and its clinical significance in dogs with pulmonary adenocarcinomas.

Methods

The relationships betweenNectin‐4expression and signalling, tumour volume, tumour weight, and prognosis were analyzed in 34 CPLA patients.

Results

The expression of canineNectin‐4(highNectin‐4) was found in 25 of 34 cases (73%), andNectin‐4expression levels did not show any significant associations with gender, body weight, and tumour stage. However, there was a significant positive correlation betweenNectin‐4expression and tumour volume (r = 0.623,p < 0.05) and tumour weight (r = 0.735,p < 0.05). Regarding prognosis, the median survival time was 427 days in highNectin‐4cases and 420 days in cases with noNectin‐4expression.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated thatNectin‐4is highly expressed in CPLA. In addition, nectin‐4 might be a tumour growth factor in CPLA and thus is a promising biomarker for CPLA. Further investigations on nectin‐4 in CPLA are warranted for its diagnosis and novel targets for oncolytic virotherapy.
Shimosato Co-Location of the SLR and GNSS Stations
Authors: Nakamura Yuto , Watanabe Shun-ichi , Yokota Yusuke , Suzuki Akira , Ueshiba Haruka , Seo Noritsune
Published: July 2022

The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) operates Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) instruments at the Shimosato Hydrographic Observatory (SHO) in Wakayama Prefecture located at the southernmost area of the main island of Japan. SHO is a co-location site where SLR and GNSS can be linked by precisely measuring the local tie vector (relative position) between these two space geodetic techniques. In November 2020, JCG collaborated with the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) and performed a local tie survey to precisely determine the local tie vector between the stone marker of the GNSS station and the invariant point (IVP) of the SLR telescope. The IVP of the SLR telescope was determined by an indirect method, in which the reflector targets mounted on the SLR telescope were precisely observed from the surrounding temporary marks. The SLR telescope was rotated at a constant interval during the survey so that the observed target positions form arcs, from which we determined the azimuth and elevation axes; the orthogonal projection of the elevation axis onto the azimuth axis was determined as the IVP. The resulting local tie vector and its variance-covariance information were submitted for the development of the upcoming International Terrestrial Reference Frame 2020 (ITRF2020).
Correction to: The Use of Robots in Aquatic Biomonitoring with Special Focus on Biohybrid Entities
Authors: Rajewicz Wiktoria , Schmickl Thomas , Thenius Ronald
Published: July 2022

The original version of the Chapter “The Use of Robots in Aquatic Biomonitoring with Special Focus on Biohybrid Entities” was previously published as non-open access. It has now been changed to Open Access under the CC BY 4.0 license and the copyright holder updated to ‘The Author(s)’. The book and the chapter have been updated with this change.
Instantons: thick-wall approximation
Authors: Mukhanov V. F. , Sorin A. S.
Published: July 2022

Abstract

We develop a new method for estimating the decay probability of the false vacuum via regularized instantons. Namely, we consider the case where the potential is either unbounded from below or the second minimum corresponding to the true vacuum has a depth exceeding the height of the potential barrier. In this case, the materialized bubbles dominating the vacuum decay naturally have a thick wall and the thin-wall approximation is not applicable. We prove that in such a case the main contribution to the action determining the decay probability comes from the part of the solution for which the potential term in the equation for instantons can be neglected compared to the friction term. We show that the developed approximation exactly reproduces the leading order results for the few known exactly solvable potentials. The proposed method is applied to generic scalar field potentials in an arbitrary number of dimensions.
Heterozygous expression of the Alzheimer’s disease-protective PLCγ2 P522R variant enhances Aβ clearance while preserving synapses
Authors: Solomon Shiden , Sampathkumar Nirmal Kumar , Carre Ivo , Mondal Mrityunjoy , Chennell George , Vernon Anthony C. , Ruepp Marc-David , Mitchell Jacqueline C
Published: July 2022

Background

A rare coding variant, P522R, in the phospholipase C gamma 2 (PLCG2) gene has been identified as protective against late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but the mechanism is unknown. PLCG2 is exclusively expressed in microglia within the central nervous system, and altered microglial function has been implicated in the progression of AD.

Methods

Healthy control hiPSCs were CRISPR edited to generate cells heterozygous and homozygous for the PLCG2P522R variant. Microglia derived from these hiPSC’s were used to investigate the impact of PLCγ2P522R on disease relevant processes, specifically microglial capacity to take up amyloid beta (Aβ) and synapses. Targeted qPCR assessment was conducted to explore expression changes in core AD linked and microglial genes, and mitochondrial function was assessed using an Agilent Seahorse assay.

Results

Heterozygous expression of the P522R variant resulted in increased microglial clearance of Aβ, while preserving synapses. This was associated with the upregulation of a number of genes, including the anti-inflammatory cytokine Il-10, and the synapse-linked CX3CR1, as well as alterations in mitochondrial function, and increased cellular motility. The protective capacity of PLCγ2P522R appeared crucially dependent on (gene) ‘dose’, as cells homozygous for the variant showed reduced synapse preservation, and a differential gene expression profile relative to heterozygous cells.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that PLCγ2P522R may result in increased surveillance by microglia, and prime them towards an anti-inflammatory state, with an increased capacity to respond to increasing energy demands, but highlights the delicate balance of this system, with increasing PLCγ2P522R ‘dose’ resulting in reduced beneficial impacts.

Graphical abstract
NPC transplantation rescues sci-driven cAMP/EPAC2 alterations, leading to neuroprotection and microglial modulation
Authors: Martínez-Rojas Beatriz , Giraldo Esther , Grillo-Risco Rubén , Hidalgo Marta R. , López-Mocholi Eric , Alastrue-Agudo Ana , García-García Francisco , Moreno-Manzano Victoria
Published: July 2022

Neural progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation represents a promising treatment strategy for spinal cord injury (SCI); however, the underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain incompletely understood. We demonstrate that severe spinal contusion in adult rats causes transcriptional dysregulation, which persists from early subacute to chronic stages of SCI and affects nearly 20,000 genes in total tissue extracts. Functional analysis of this dysregulated transcriptome reveals the significant downregulation of cAMP signalling components immediately after SCI, involving genes such as EPAC2 (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP), PKA, BDNF, and CAMKK2. The ectopic transplantation of spinal cord-derived NPCs at acute or subacute stages of SCI induces a significant transcriptional impact in spinal tissue, as evidenced by the normalized expression of a large proportion of SCI-affected genes. The transcriptional modulation pattern driven by NPC transplantation includes the rescued expression of cAMP signalling genes, including EPAC2. We also explore how the sustained in vivo inhibition of EPAC2 downstream signalling via the intrathecal administration of ESI-05 for 1 week impacts therapeutic mechanisms involved in the NPC-mediated treatment of SCI. NPC transplantation in SCI rats in the presence and absence of ESI-05 administration prompts increased rostral cAMP levels; however, NPC and ESI-05 treated animals exhibit a significant reduction in EPAC2 mRNA levels compared to animals receiving only NPCs treatment. Compared with transplanted animals, NPCs + ESI-05 treatment increases the scar area (as shown by GFAP staining), polarizes microglia into an inflammatory phenotype, and increases the magnitude of the gap between NeuN + cells across the lesion. Overall, our results indicate that the NPC-associated therapeutic mechanisms in the context of SCI involve the cAMP pathway, which reduces inflammation and provides a more neuropermissive environment through an EPAC2-dependent mechanism.

Graphical abstract
Instability of Boundary Layers with the Navier Boundary Condition
Authors: Quarisa Lorenzo , Rodrigo José L.
Published: July 2022

We study the $$L^{\infty }$$

L
∞

stability of the Navier-Stokes equations in the half-plane with a viscosity-dependent Navier friction boundary condition around shear profiles which are linearly unstable for the Euler equation. The dependence from the viscosity is given in the Navier boundary condition as $$\partial _y u = \nu ^{-\gamma }u$$

∂
y

u
=

ν

-
γ

u

for some $$\gamma \in {\mathbb {R}}$$

γ
∈
R

, where u is the tangential velocity. With the no-slip boundary condition, which corresponds to the limit $$\gamma \rightarrow +\infty $$

γ
→
+
∞

, a celebrated result from E. Grenier (Comm. Pure Appl. Math. 53:1067–1091, 2000) provides an instability of order $$\nu ^{1/4}$$

ν

1
/
4

. M. Paddick (Differ. Integral Equ. 27:893–930, 2014) proved the same result in the case $$\gamma =1/2$$

γ
=
1
/
2

, furthermore improving the instability to order one. In this paper, we extend these two results to all $$\gamma \in {\mathbb {R}}$$

γ
∈
R

, obtaining an instability of order $$\nu ^{\vartheta }$$

ν
ϑ

, where in particular $$\vartheta =0$$

ϑ
=
0

for $$\gamma \le 1/2$$

γ
≤
1
/
2

and $$\vartheta =1/4$$

ϑ
=
1
/
4

for $$\gamma \ge 3/4$$

γ
≥
3
/
4

. When $$\gamma \ge 1/2$$

γ
≥
1
/
2

, the result denies the validity of the Prandtl boundary layer expansion around the chosen shear profile.
Erwartungen der Generation Y an digitale Gesundheitsinnovationen
Authors: Kreyenschulte Thea , Bohnet-Joschko Sabine
Published: July 2022

Hintergrund und Ziel

Als „Generation Y“ werden jüngere Erwachsene bezeichnet, die im ungefähren Zeitraum von 1980–2000 geboren wurden. Der Generation wird zugeschrieben, digital affin und technisch versiert zu sein. Somit kann davon ausgegangen werden, dass bei diesen Menschen ein verstärkter Wunsch besteht, im Bedarfsfall digitale Innovationen der Gesundheitsversorgung zu nutzen. Die genauen diesbezüglichen Erwartungen sind jedoch weitestgehend unbekannt. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Erwartungen und Bedarfe der Generation Y genauer zu untersuchen.

Material und Methoden

Zur Datenerhebung wurden im April 2021 5 Fokusgruppeninterviews mit jeweils 6 Personen zwischen 23 und 36 Jahren geführt, wobei pro Gruppe 3 Personen im Gesundheitsbereich tätig waren. Das Interviewmaterial wurde anhand der Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Bei den Befragten bestand u. a. die Erwartung, niedrigschwellige digitale Innovationen der Gesundheitsversorgung zu nutzen. Zudem zeigte sich ein großer Bedarf an Gesundheitsinformationen. Im Vordergrund stand die Steigerung der Effizienz im Alltag, insbesondere eine Verringerung des Zeitaufwands. Einflüsse der Coronapandemie auf die Erwartungen konnten beobachtet werden.

Diskussion

3 Funktionen von digitalen Anwendungen stellen sich als besonders relevant heraus: „Verwaltung“, „Tracking“ und „Information“. Zu diesen wurden Präferenzprofile der Generation Y erstellt. Passgenaue Angebote digitaler Innovationen könnten helfen, zielgruppenspezifische Gesundheitsförderung und Prävention konkreter umzusetzen und einen Mehrwert für Menschen der Generation Y zu generieren. Da der Alltag der Zielgruppe bereits von Digitalisierung und digitalen Innovationen geprägt ist, liegt hier großes Potenzial.
Kostenübernahme bariatrischer Operationen ohne Antragstellung – Erfahrungen in einem deutschen Adipositaszentrum
Authors: Auf der Maur Isabel , Gero Daniel , Kampmann Gesa , Prediger Tobias , Schopf Stefan , Peters Jutta , Widmer Jeannette , Deerberg-Wittram Jens , Köhler-Hohmann Christel , Bueter M. , Thalheimer Andreas
Published: July 2022

Hintergrund

Nur ein kleiner Teil der Patienten mit morbider Adipositas hat in Deutschland Zugang zur derzeit effektivsten Therapie, der bariatrischen Operation. Ein wesentlicher Grund ist die restriktive Haltung der Krankenkassen hinsichtlich der Kostenübernahme.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die Erfassung der postoperativen Rate an Kostenübernahmen durch die Krankenkassen ohne die derzeit übliche präoperative Antragstellung bei morbid adipösen Patienten, die eine leitliniengerecht indizierte bariatrische Operation in einem Adipositaszentrum in Bayern erhalten.

Methodik

Der Prozess der postoperativen Kostenübernahmen wurde durch eine prospektive Datenbank im Zeitraum von 2 Jahren evaluiert. Die Fälle primärer Kostenübernahme wurden hinsichtlich Alter, BMI, Komorbiditäten und der Mitgliedschaft in einer bestimmten Krankenkasse korreliert. Abgelehnte Kostenübernahmen wurden bezüglich des weiteren anwaltschaftlichen und sozialgerichtlichen Prozesses verfolgt.

Ergebnisse

Es wurden 188 Patienten ohne vorherige Antragstellung einer leitliniengerecht indizierten bariatrischen Operation zugeführt. Die primäre Kostenübernahme erfolgte in 76,6 % (n = 144). Es ergab sich keine Korrelation mit dem BMI, Komorbiditäten oder der Zugehörigkeit zu einer bestimmten Krankenkasse. Die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer postoperativen Kostenübernahme war bei Patienten über 40 Jahren signifikant wahrscheinlicher. Bei den Patienten ohne postoperative Kostenübernahme wurde in 7 Fällen eine außergerichtliche Einigung erreicht, 8 Fälle wurden rechtshängig, und 29 Fälle waren in anwaltschaftlicher Bearbeitung.

Diskussion

Trotz der relativ hohen Rate primärer Kostenübernahmen zeigt sich auch in dieser Analyse die restriktive Haltung der Krankenkassen bezüglich der bariatrischen Operation mit entsprechendem ökonomischem Druck auf die Leistungserbringer. Die konsequente Umsetzung des antragsfreien Operierens erscheint notwendig, um den politischen Druck auf die Krankenversicherungen und Sozialgerichte zu erhöhen.
An aggregate approach to estimating quality of life in micropolitan areas
Authors: Weinstein Amanda L. , Hicks Michael , Wornell Emily
Published: July 2022

Because of their reliance on large samples of micro-level housing and wage data, quality of life studies using Rosen–Roback models have focused almost exclusively on metropolitan areas, largely ignoring non-metropolitan areas. Although understandable given data constraints, this dominant focus on metropolitans has limited the data-driven approaches available to policymakers concerned with community and economic development in small cities, or micropolitan areas. To address this gap, we develop an aggregate approach to estimate both quality of life and quality of the business environment in micropolitan areas utilizing county-level housing and wage data that can be used when large samples of micro-level data are unavailable. Specifically, we use the county residuals from wage and housing regressions to replace the fixed effects typically estimated from the micro-level estimations in quality of life studies. We find compelling evidence that higher quality of life is not only associated with higher employment and population growth and lower poverty rates, but that it is more important than quality of the business environment in determining the success of micropolitan areas.
The study of the roundness and cylindricity deviations of parts produced with the use of the additive manufacturing
Authors: Świderski Jacek , Makieła Włodzimierz , Dobrowolski Tomasz , Stępień Krzysztof , Zuperl Uros
Published: July 2022

The paper is dedicated to the evaluation of the accuracy of rotary parts produced with the use of advanced manufacturing technology. The authors investigated the impact of the layer thickness of the applied material and the orientation of the model when printing using the PolyJet method™ on the geometrical quality of manufactured products. To analyze the influence of the assumed factors on the geometrical quality of the holes, a novel evaluation method has been developed. The proposed method takes into account parameters such as roundness deviation, profile irregularity coefficient, dominant harmonic component of the roundness profile, cylindricity deviation, diameter error, and surface topography parameters. The study presented in this paper had two main objectives. The former was to analyze the impact of the layer thickness of the applied material and the orientation of the model when printing using the PolyJet method™ on the geometrical quality of rotary parts. The latter objective was to test a novel, multi-parametric method of evaluation of the accuracy of produced parts in practice. The results obtained by the authors prove that the new evaluation method can be useful in the assessment of the accuracy of manufactured products.
Egyptian cobra (Naja haje haje) venom phospholipase A2: a promising antiviral agent with potent virucidal activity against simian rotavirus and bovine coronavirus
Authors: Salama Walaa H. , Shaheen Mohamed N. F. , Shahein Yasser E.
Published: July 2022

Viral infections are linked to a variety of human diseases. Despite the achievements made in drug and vaccine development, several viruses still lack preventive vaccines and efficient antiviral compounds. Thus, developing novel antiviral agents is of great concern, particularly the natural products that are promising candidates for such discoveries. In this study, we have purified an approximately 15 kDa basic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzyme from the Egyptian cobra Naja haje haje venom. The purified N. haje PLA2 showed a specific activity of 22 units/mg protein against 6 units/mg protein for the whole crude venom with 3.67-fold purification. The antiviral activity of purified N. haje PLA2 has been investigated in vitro against bovine coronavirus (BCoV) and simian rotavirus (RV SA-11). Our results showed that the CC50 of PLA2 were 33.6 and 29 µg/ml against MDBK and MA104 cell lines, respectively. Antiviral analysis of N. haje PLA2 showed an inhibition of BCoV and RV SA-11 infections with a therapeutic index equal to 33.6 and 16, respectively. Moreover, N. haje PLA2 decreased the BCoV and RV SA-11 titers by 4.25 log10 TCID50 and 2.5 log10 TCID50, respectively. Thus, this research suggests the potential antiviral activity of purified N. haje PLA2 against BCoV and RV SA-11 infections in vitro.
From target analysis to suspect and non-target screening of endocrine-disrupting compounds in human urine
Authors: Musatadi Mikel , Caballero Claudia , Mijangos Leire , Prieto Ailette , Olivares Maitane , Zuloaga Olatz
Published: July 2022

In the present work, a target analysis method for simultaneously determining 24 diverse endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in urine (benzophenones, bisphenols, parabens, phthalates and antibacterials) was developed. The target analysis approach (including enzymatic hydrolysis, clean-up by solid-phase extraction and analysis by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS)) was optimized, validated and applied to volunteers’ samples, in which 67% of the target EDCs were quantified. For instance, benzophenone-3 (0.2–13 ng g−1), bisphenol A (7.7–13.7 ng g−1), methyl 3,5-dihydroxybenzoate (8–254 ng g−1), mono butyl phthalate (2–17 ng g−1) and triclosan (0.3–9 ng g−1) were found at the highest concentrations, but the presence of other analogues was detected as well. The developed target method was further extended to suspect and non-target screening (SNTS) by means of LC coupled to high-resolution MS/MS. First, well-defined workflows for SNTS were validated by applying the previously developed method to an extended list of compounds (83), and then, to the same real urine samples. From a list of approximately 4000 suspects, 33 were annotated at levels from 1 to 3, with food additives/ingredients and personal care products being the most abundant ones. In the non-target approach, the search was limited to molecules containing S, Cl and/or Br atoms, annotating 4 pharmaceuticals. The results from this study showed that the combination of the lower limits of detection of MS/MS and the identification power of high-resolution MS/MS is still compulsory for a more accurate definition of human exposome in urine samples.

Graphical abstract
Artificial intelligence guided enhancement of digital PET: scans as fast as CT?
Authors: Hosch René , Weber Manuel , Sraieb Miriam , Flaschel Nils , Haubold Johannes , Kim Moon-Sung , Umutlu Lale , Kleesiek Jens , Herrmann Ken , Nensa Felix , Rischpler Christoph , Koitka Sven , Seifert Robert , Kersting David
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Both digital positron emission tomography (PET) detector technologies and artificial intelligence based image post-reconstruction methods allow to reduce the PET acquisition time while maintaining diagnostic quality. The aim of this study was to acquire ultra-low-count fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) ExtremePET images on a digital PET/computed tomography (CT) scanner at an acquisition time comparable to a CT scan and to generate synthetic full-dose PET images using an artificial neural network.

Methods

This is a prospective, single-arm, single-center phase I/II imaging study. A total of 587 patients were included. For each patient, a standard and an ultra-low-count FDG PET/CT scan (whole-body acquisition time about 30 s) were acquired. A modified pix2pixHD deep-learning network was trained employing 387 data sets as training and 200 as test cohort. Three models (PET-only and PET/CT with or without group convolution) were compared. Detectability and quantification were evaluated.

Results

The PET/CT input model with group convolution performed best regarding lesion signal recovery and was selected for detailed evaluation. Synthetic PET images were of high visual image quality; mean absolute lesion SUVmax (maximum standardized uptake value) difference was 1.5. Patient-based sensitivity and specificity for lesion detection were 79% and 100%, respectively. Not-detected lesions were of lower tracer uptake and lesion volume. In a matched-pair comparison, patient-based (lesion-based) detection rate was 89% (78%) for PERCIST (PET response criteria in solid tumors)-measurable and 36% (22%) for non PERCIST-measurable lesions.

Conclusion

Lesion detectability and lesion quantification were promising in the context of extremely fast acquisition times. Possible application scenarios might include re-staging of late-stage cancer patients, in whom assessment of total tumor burden can be of higher relevance than detailed evaluation of small and low-uptake lesions.
The Rise and Fall of Energy Democracy: 5 Cases of Collaborative Governance in Energy Systems
Authors: Berthod Olivier , Blanchet Thomas , Busch Henner , Kunze Conrad , Nolden Colin , Wenderlich Michelle
Published: July 2022

A wide range of actors are seeking to democratize energy systems. In the collaborative governance process of energy system transitions to net zero, however, many energy democracy concepts are watered down or abandoned entirely. Using five renewable energy case studies, we first explore the diversity of energy democratizing system challengers and bottom-up actors. Secondly, we analyze the role of conflict and challenges arising from the subsequent collaborative governance process and identify what appear to be blind spots in the CG literature. Our case studies on Berlin (GER), Jena (GER), Kalmar (SWE), Minneapolis (US) and Southeast England (UK) include different types of policy processes and actors. They suggest that actors championing energy democracy principles play an important role in opening participation in the early stages of collaborative energy transition governance. As collaborative governance progresses, participation tends to be increasingly restricted. We conclude that collaborative processes by themselves are insufficient in maintaining energy democracy principles in the energy transition. These require institutional embedding of participative facilitation and consensus building. The Kalmar case study as our only successful example of energy democracy suggests that a more intermediated and service-oriented approach to energy provision can create a business case for democratizing energy provision through collaborative governance.
Significance of autumn and winter food consumption for reproduction by Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears, Ursus maritimus
Authors: Griffen Blaine D. , Whiteman John P. , Pullan Sariah
Published: July 2022

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea experience long annual periods when preferred seal prey are scarce or are unavailable. Consumption of bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcasses from native Alaskan subsistence hunting is increasingly common for onshore polar bears, yet the energetic consequences of this consumption remain unclear. We use data on bears captured repeatedly over periods that encompassed autumn and winter, combined with calculations, to show that adult female bears likely consume an average of at least 4 seal equivalents during both autumn and winter periods and that considerable variation in energy intake exists across individual bears. We further show that subsistence-caught whale carcasses provide an upper threshold of > 4000 seal equivalents, which could potentially meet mean consumption needs of ~ 80% of the southern Beaufort Sea bear subpopulation during autumn and winter periods. Finally, we modify an existing model to show that observed mass changes over autumn and winter could substantially alter spring foraging habitat choice by females with cubs and the chance that a female with reduced energy reserves would abort a pregnancy or abandon cubs in favor of increasing her own survival; these behaviors could potentially influence population vital rates. Our study highlights the importance of mass dynamics over the autumn and winter months, points to the need for additional data on foraging and energetics over this period, and indicates that the recent declines in polar bear body condition in some subpopulations could have complex effects on reproduction.
Prognostic factors in patients with clinical stage I nonseminoma—beyond lymphovascular invasion: a systematic review
Authors: Zengerling Friedemann , Beyersdorff Dirk , Busch Jonas , Heinzelbecker Julia , Pfister David , Ruf Christian , Winter Christian , Albers Peter , Kliesch Sabine , Schmidt Stefanie
Published: July 2022

Objective

To systematically evaluate evidence on prognostic factors for tumor recurrence in clinical stage I nonseminoma patients other than lymphovascular invasion (LVI).

Methods

We performed a systematic literature search in the biomedical databases Medline (via Ovid) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (search period January 2010 to February 2021) for full text publications in English and German language, reporting on retro- or prospectively assessed prognostic factors for tumor recurrence in patients with stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors.

Results

Our literature search yielded eleven studies reporting on 20 potential prognostic factors. Results are based on cohort studies of mostly moderate to low quality. Five out of eight studies found a significant association of embryonal carcinoma (EC) in the primary tumor with relapse. Among the different risk definitions of embryonal carcinoma (presence, predominance, pure), presence of EC alone seems to be sufficient for prognostification. Interesting results were found for rete testis invasion, predominant yolk sac tumor, T-stage and history of cryptorchidism, but the sparse data situation does not justify their clinical use.

Conclusions

No additional factors that meet the prognostic value of LVI, especially when determined by immunohistochemistry, could be identified through our systematic search. The presence of EC might serve as a second, subordinate prognostic factor for clinical use as the data situation is less abundant than the one of LVI. Further efforts are necessary to optimize the use of these two prognostic factors and to evaluate and validate further potential factors with promising preliminary data.
Near-infrared autofluorescence of the parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy for the prevention of hypoparathyroidism: a prospective randomized clinical trial
Authors: Wolf Henning Wendelin , Runkel Norbert , Limberger Kathrin , Nebiker Christian Andreas
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Postoperative hypoparathyroidism remains the most often complication in thyroid surgery. Near-infrared autofluorescence (NIR-AF) is a modality to identify parathyroid glands (PG) in vivo with high accuracy, but its use in daily routine surgery is unclear so far. In this randomized controlled trial, we evaluate the ability of NIR-AF to prevent postoperative hypoparathyroidism following total thyroidectomy.

Methods

Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy were allocated in two groups with the use of NIR-AF in the intervention group or according to standard practice in the control group. The aim was to identify the PGs in an early most stage of the operation to prevent their devascularization or removal. Parathyroid hormone was measured pre- and postoperatively and on postoperative day (POD) 1. Serum calcium was measured on POD 1 and 2. Possible symptoms and calcium/calcitriol supplement were recorded.

Results

A total of 60 patients were randomized, of whom 30 underwent NIR-AF-based PG identification. Hypoparathyroidism at skin closure occurred in 7 out of 30 patients using NIR-AF, respectively, in 14 out of 30 patients in the control group (p=0.058). There was no significant difference in serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels between both groups. Likewise, NIR-AF could not detect PGs at a higher rate.

Conclusion

The use of NIR-AF may help surgeons identify and preserve PGs but did not significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism in this trial. Larger case series have to clarify whether there is a benefit in routine thyroidectomy.

Trial registration number

DRKS00009242 (German Clinical Trial Register). Registration date: 03.09.2015
Regulation of distal tubule sodium transport: mechanisms and roles in homeostasis and pathophysiology
Authors: Pearce David , Manis Anna D. , Nesterov Viatcheslav , Korbmacher Christoph
Published: July 2022

Regulated Na+ transport in the distal nephron is of fundamental importance to fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Further upstream, Na+ is the principal driver of secondary active transport of numerous organic and inorganic solutes. In the distal nephron, Na+ continues to play a central role in controlling the body levels and concentrations of a more select group of ions, including K+, Ca++, Mg++, Cl−, and HCO3−, as well as water. Also, of paramount importance are transport mechanisms aimed at controlling the total level of Na+ itself in the body, as well as its concentrations in intracellular and extracellular compartments. Over the last several decades, the transporters involved in moving Na+ in the distal nephron, and directly or indirectly coupling its movement to that of other ions have been identified, and their interrelationships brought into focus. Just as importantly, the signaling systems and their components—kinases, ubiquitin ligases, phosphatases, transcription factors, and others—have also been identified and many of their actions elucidated. This review will touch on selected aspects of ion transport regulation, and its impact on fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. A particular focus will be on emerging evidence for site-specific regulation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and its role in both Na+ and K+ homeostasis. In this context, the critical regulatory roles of aldosterone, the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), and the kinases SGK1 and mTORC2 will be highlighted. This includes a discussion of the newly established concept that local K+ concentrations are involved in the reciprocal regulation of Na+-Cl− cotransporter (NCC) and ENaC activity to adjust renal K+ secretion to dietary intake.
Theoretical considerations regarding the functional anatomical traits of primary and secondary xylem in dragon tree trunk using the example of Dracaena draco
Authors: Tulik Mirela , Wojtan Rafał , Jura-Morawiec Joanna
Published: July 2022

Main conclusion

In Dracaena draco trunks, the primary and secondary xylem conduits co-function. Both are resistant to embolism; however, secondary conduits are mainly involved in mechanical support.

Monocotyledonous dragon trees (Dracaena spp., Asparagaceae) possess in their trunks both primary and secondary xylem elements, organized into vascular bundles, that for dozens of years co-function and enable the plant to transport water efficiently as well as provide mechanical support. Here, based on the modified Hagen-Poiseuille’s formula, we examined the functional anatomical xylem traits of the trunk in two young D. draco individuals to compare their function in both primary and secondary growth. We provided analyses of the: (i) conduits surface sculpture and their cell walls thickness, (ii) conduit diameter and frequency, (iii) hydraulically weighted diameter, (iv) theoretical hydraulic conductivity, (v) area-weighted mean conduit diameter, as well as (vi) vulnerability index. The conduits in primary growth, located in the central part of the trunk, were loosely arranged, had thinner cell walls, larger mean hydraulically weighted diameter, and significantly larger value of the theoretical hydraulic conductivity than conduits in secondary growth, which form a rigid cylinder near the trunk surface. Based on the vulnerability index, both primary and secondary conduits are resistant to embolism. Taking into account the distribution within a trunk, the secondary growth conduits seems to be mainly involved in mechanical support as they are twisted, form structures similar to sailing ropes and have thick cell walls, and a peripheral localization. D. draco has been adapted to an environment with water deficit by distinctive, spatial separation of the xylem elements fulfilling supportive and conductive functions.
Geometric effects of volume-to-surface mapping of fMRI data
Authors: Ciantar Keith George , Farrugia Christine , Galdi Paola , Scerri Kenneth , Xu Ting , Bajada Claude J.
Published: July 2022

In this work, we identify a problem with the process of volume-to-surface mapping of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data that emerges in local connectivity analysis. We show that neighborhood correlations on the surface of the brain vary spatially with the gyral structure, even when the underlying volumetric data are uncorrelated noise. This could potentially have impacted studies focusing upon local neighborhood connectivity. We explore the effects of this anomaly across varying data resolutions and surface mesh densities, and propose several measures to mitigate these unwanted effects.