bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chasing assets abroad: Ideas for more effective asset tracing and recovery in cross‐border insolvency
Authors: Sarra Janis , Madaus Stephan , Mevorach Irit
Published: August 2023

Asset tracing and recovery (ATR) has become highly challenging in the digital age, where, with the touch of computer keys, assets can be shifted through multiple jurisdictions within minutes, creating significant challenges for recovering value. While many countries have tools to enable ATR, these tools differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and often are not recognized across borders in a manner that keeps pace with the need for rapid ATR, particularly during insolvency. This article takes stock of the myriad ATR tools available in domestic systems to discern parameters of key ATR tools that have common objectives, features, and safeguards, and that can form the basis of more standardized understanding and application of such tools. It also explores the extent to which cross‐border ATR is aided by the leading frameworks for global, cross‐border insolvency—the UNCITRAL Model Laws on Cross‐Border Insolvency, insolvency‐related judgments, and enterprise groups—in the process, revealing gaps and uncertainties. Such uncertainties can result in losses to stakeholders affected by insolvencies of different business sizes but can be particularly detrimental in small and medium enterprise (SME) cross‐border insolvencies where there are typically more limited resources to chase assets. Against this backdrop, this article proposes ideas for the enhancement of the cross‐border insolvency framework, to allow for effective cross‐border access to information held abroad, the freezing of assets in cross‐border cases, and the cross‐border recovery of assets.
Genome‐wide study of genetic polymorphisms predictive for outcome from first‐line oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Park Hanla A. , Edelmann Dominic , Canzian Federico , Seibold Petra , Harrison Tabitha A. , Hua Xinwei , Shi Qian , Silverman Allison , Benner Axel , Macauda Angelica , Schneider Martin , Goldberg Richard M. , Alberts Steven R. , Hoffmeister Michael , Brenner Hermann , Chan Andrew T. , Peters Ulrike , Newcomb Polly A. , Chang‐Claude Jenny
Published: August 2023

We conducted the first large genome‐wide association study to identify novel genetic variants that predict better (or poorer) prognosis in colorectal cancer patients receiving standard first‐line oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy vs chemotherapy without oxaliplatin. We used data from two phase III trials, NCCTG N0147 and NCCTG N9741 and a population‐based patient cohort, DACHS. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were employed, including an interaction term between each SNP and type of treatment for overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival. The analysis was performed for studies individually, and the results were combined using fixed‐effect meta‐analyses separately for resected stage III colon cancer (3098 patients from NCCTG N0147 and 549 patients from DACHS) and mCRC (505 patients from NCCTG N9741 and 437 patients from DACHS). We further performed gene‐based analysis as well as in silico bioinformatics analysis for CRC‐relevant functional genomic annotation of identified loci. In stage III colon cancer patients, a locus on chr22 (rs11912167) was associated with significantly poorer OS after oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy vs chemotherapy without oxaliplatin (Pinteraction < 5 × 10−8). For mCRC patients, three loci on chr1 (rs1234556), chr12 (rs11052270) and chr15 (rs11858406) were found to be associated with differential OS (P < 5 × 10−7). The locus on chr1 located in the intronic region of RCSD1 was replicated in an independent cohort of 586 mCRC patients from ALGB/SWOG 80405 (Pinteraction = .04). The GWA gene‐based analysis yielded for RCSD1 the most significant association with differential OS in mCRC (P = 6.6 × 10−6). With further investigation into its biological mechanisms, this finding could potentially be used to individualize first‐line treatment and improve clinical outcomes.
Reflections on access to care for heavy menstrual bleeding: Past, present, and in times of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Henry Claire , Filoche Sara
Published: August 2023

The symptom of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) affects at least a quarter of reproductive‐age menstruators. However, given the variance in diagnosing the underlying causes, barriers, and inequity in access to care for HMB, and therefore reporting of HMB, this figure is likely to be a gross underestimate. HMB can have a detrimental impact on quality of life. From the limited reports available it is estimated that around 50%–80% of people with HMB do not seek care for this debilitating symptom, and for those that do, it may take years until the first treatment action. Almost half of those with HMB believe their condition is unworthy of treatment, that there is no treatment available, or that it is “normal”. The term “medical gaslighting” has recently been used to describe how healthcare professionals disregard people's symptoms. This has the ensuing effect of negatively compounding self‐doubt and embarrassment around menstrual bleeding, creating a cycle of diminished experience inhibiting further seeking of care. There is a scarcity of intervention studies informing increased access to care. Multilevel approaches are needed to increase access to care and support for those with HMB. During the COVID‐19 global pandemic, barriers to care access and support for HMB have been exacerbated and, given the significant pressures that this pandemic has placed on healthcare services worldwide, it will take many years to recover. In the meantime, it is crucial to ensure that medically “benign” conditions such as the symptom of HMB are not overlooked.
Clinical efficacy and risk factors for suction curettage and hysteroscopy in patients with type I and II cesarean scar pregnancy
Authors: Wu Tong , Wang Qingxuan , Liu Wei , Zhang Jing , Wang Wenhui , Wang Jun , Ji Cuihong , Liu Honghui , Tang Chunyan , Mi Xin
Published: August 2023

Objective

To investigate the clinical efficacy and evaluate risk factors for suction curettage (SC) and hysteroscopy in the treatment of type I and II cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP).

Methods

This was a retrospective study including 100 women diagnosed with type I/II CSP. Patients were treated with either ultrasound‐guided SC (SC group) or hysteroscopy resection (surgery group). The success rates, mean operation time, hospitalization duration, hospitalization cost, risk factors, adverse events, and complications were analyzed.

Results

The success rate of the SC and surgery groups were 85% and 100%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.032). There was one case of type I CSP and eight cases of type II CSP that failed SC treatment. No failed cases were found in the surgery group. Analysis of the causes of treatment failure revealed that diameter of the gestational sac was a risk factor for SC failure (odds ratio, 19.66 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.70–227.72], P = 0.017). Comparing the clinical outcomes between the SC and surgery groups, although the mean operation time of the SC group was significantly shorter than the surgery group (15 [CI, 15–20] vs. 30 [CI, 27–40], P = 0.001), the cost and duration of hospitalization were significantly lower in the surgery group than that in the SC group. No significant differences were observed for adverse events and complications between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Hysteroscopy is an effective and economical method for treating type I/II CSP. Moreover, SC is not recommended for patients with type I/II CSP with a gestation age ≥8 weeks.
The effectiveness of a novel treatment of TIM‐3(−) NK cells infusion in murine models of immune‐mediated bone marrow failure
Authors: Ding Shaoxue , Zhang Tian , Liu Zixuan , Cui Yi , Liu Chunyan , Fu Rong
Published: August 2023

Background

T‐cell immunoglobulin and mucin‐containing domain (TIM)‐3 exerts its inhibitory effect on NK cells and participates in the immune pathogenesis of SAA. In this study, we aimed to explore a novel treatment method of TIM‐3(+) NK or TIM‐3(−) NK cell infusion in combination with immunosuppressive therapy for bone marrow failure (BMF)/aplastic anemia (AA) mice.

Methods

BMF/AA mouse model was constructed. The TIM‐3 expression and functional molecules on TIM‐3(+) and TIM‐3(−) NK cells of the BMF group, total body irradiation (TBI) group, and normal control (NC) group mice were detected by flow cytometry. After treatment, the general condition, whole blood cell and bone marrow cell (BMC) count, and immune condition of mice from each group were compared.

Results

TIM‐3 expression in the peripheral blood NK cells of BMF mice was significantly lower than that of the TBI and NC group mice. TIM‐3(−) NK cells expressed more NKG2D receptors than TIM‐3(+) NK cells. The levels of P‐Akt and PI3K in TIM‐3(−) NK cells were higher than those in TIM‐3(+) NK cells. On the 17th day after BMF induction, the weight, peripheral whole blood cell count, and BMC count of BMF mice decreased significantly compared with that of the NC group mice. The therapeutic effect in the TIM‐3(−) NK cell treatment group was better than that in the TIM‐3(+) NK cell treatment and CsA treatment groups. Concurrently, the ratio of CD4+T and CD8+T cells of BMF mice was significantly lower than that of the NC group mice. The therapeutic effect in CsA + TIM‐3(−) NK group was more significant than that of the CsA treatment and the CsA + TIM‐3(+) NK groups.

Conclusions

In this study, we found that the general condition, peripheral whole blood cell and BMC count, and immune status of BMF mice improved significantly after CsA + TIM‐3(−) NK cell treatment. These results may provide further insights into the immune pathogenesis of SAA and novel therapeutic ideas for improving SAA treatment.
Correlation between different levels and patterns of dyslipidemia and glomerular filtration rate in patients with type 2 diabetes: A cross‐sectional survey of a regional cohort
Authors: Yadegar Amirhossein , Mohammadi Fatemeh , Rabizadeh Soghra , Ayati Aryan , Seyedi Seyed Arsalan , Nabipoorashrafi Seyed Ali , Esteghamati Alireza , Nakhjavani Manouchehr
Published: August 2023

Background

Due to the high cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetic nephropathy, more attention should be paid to lipid levels and dyslipidemia in these patients. The current study investigated the association between single and mixed dyslipidemia patterns, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and different chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study evaluated 4059 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). TG, TC, LDL‐C, and HDL‐C were measured. Non‐HDL‐C and AIP were calculated. We estimated eGFR using the CKD‐EPI equation.

Results

With the progression of the kidney failure stage, mean levels of TG, LDL‐C, non‐HDL‐C, and AIP decreased. HDL‐C levels decreased with the advance of the CKD stage in men but did not change significantly in women. The prevalence of single dyslipidemia, including high LDL‐C and high non‐HDL‐C, decreased with the advancing CKD stage. The prevalence of mixed dyslipidemia patterns, including high AIP and high LDL‐C, high AIP and high non‐HDL‐C, showed a significant downward tendency. TG and AIP levels were negatively, and HDL‐C levels were positively correlated with eGFR after adjusting for the risk factors. Also, CKD stage 3 was positively related to the risk of high TG and low HDL‐C.

Conclusion

This study shows that blood lipids decreased with the progression of renal failure in patients with T2D. However, after adjustment, TG and AIP levels had negative, and HDL‐C levels had a positive correlation with eGFR, which could be consistent with the hypothesis that eGFR decreases with increasing TG or AIP levels or decreasing HDL‐C levels.
Beyond genetics: Deciphering the impact of missense variants in CAD deficiency
Authors: del Caño‐Ochoa Francisco , Ng Bobby G. , Rubio‐del‐Campo Antonio , Mahajan Sonal , Wilson Matthew P. , Vilar Marçal , Rymen Daisy , Sánchez‐Pintos Paula , Kenny Joanna , Ley Martos Myriam , Campos Teresa , Wortmann Saskia B. , Freeze Hudson H. , Ramón‐Maiques Santiago
Published: August 2023

CAD is a large, 2225 amino acid multienzymatic protein required for de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. Pathological CAD variants cause a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy which is highly responsive to uridine supplements. CAD deficiency is difficult to diagnose because symptoms are nonspecific, there is no biomarker, and the protein has over 1000 known variants. To improve diagnosis, we assessed the pathogenicity of 20 unreported missense CAD variants using a growth complementation assay that identified 11 pathogenic variants in seven affected individuals; they would benefit from uridine treatment. We also tested nine variants previously reported as pathogenic and confirmed the damaging effect of seven. However, we reclassified two variants as likely benign based on our assay, which is consistent with their long‐term follow‐up with uridine. We found that several computational methods are unreliable predictors of pathogenic CAD variants, so we extended the functional assay results by studying the impact of pathogenic variants at the protein level. We focused on CAD's dihydroorotase (DHO) domain because it accumulates the largest density of damaging missense changes. The atomic‐resolution structures of eight DHO pathogenic variants, combined with functional and molecular dynamics analyses, provided a comprehensive structural and functional understanding of the activity, stability, and oligomerization of CAD's DHO domain. Combining our functional and protein structural analysis can help refine clinical diagnostic workflow for CAD variants in the genomics era.
Predictors of implantation failure in left bundle branch area pacing using a lumenless lead in patients with bradycardia
Authors: Kato Hiroyuki , Sato Toshiaki , Shimeno Kenji , Mito Shinji , Nishida Taku , Soejima Kyoko
Published: August 2023

Background

Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) is a novel conduction system pacing technique. In this multicenter study, we aimed to evaluate the procedural success, safety, and preoperative predictors of procedural failure of LBBAP.

Methods

LBBAP was attempted in 285 patients with pacemaker indications for bradyarrhythmia, which were mainly atrioventricular block (AVB) (68.1%) and sick sinus syndrome (26.7%). Procedural success and electrophysiological and echocardiographic parameters were evaluated.

Results

LBBAP was successful in 247 (86.7%) patients. Left bundle branch (LBB) capture was confirmed in 54.7% of the population. The primary reasons for procedural failure were the inability of the pacemaker lead to penetrate deep into the septum (76.3%) and failure to achieve shortening of stimulus to left ventricular (LV) activation time in lead V6 (18.4%). Thickened interventricular septum (odds ratio [OR], 2.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–5.35), severe tricuspid regurgitation (OR, 8.84; 95% CI, 1.22–64.06), and intraventricular conduction delay (OR, 8.16; 95% CI, 2.32–28.75) were preoperative predictors of procedural failure. The capture threshold and ventricular amplitude remained stable, and no major complications occurred throughout the 2‐year follow‐up. In patients with ventricular pacing burden >40%, the LV ejection fraction remained high regardless of LBB capture.

Conclusions

Successful LBBAP was affected by abnormal cardiac anatomy and intraventricular conduction. LBBAP is feasible and safe as a primary strategy for patients with AVB, depending on ventricular pacing.
Otolaryngologic Side Effects After COVID‐19 Vaccination
Authors: Ahsanuddin Salma , Jin Ryan , Dhanda Aatin K. , Georges Kirolos , Baredes Soly , Eloy Jean Anderson , Fang Christina H.
Published: August 2023

Objectives

With widespread vaccination against COVID‐19, concerns regarding side effects have been raised. We aim to assess the frequency of otolaryngologic adverse events (AEs) following COVID‐19 vaccination as compared with other vaccines in a national database.

Study Design

Retrospective analysis of national registry.

Methods

The Food and Drug Administration's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) database was queried from December 2020 to May 2021 for all COVID‐19 vaccination AEs. Complaints were categorized as otolaryngologic and sub stratified into different anatomic components. Reporting odds ratios (ROR) and proportional reporting ratios (PRR) were determined for AEs of clinical significance.

Results

The total number of AEs reported from vaccination with the Moderna, Pfizer‐BioNTech, and Janssen vaccines equaled 1,280,950. Of these, 62,660 (4.9%) were otolaryngologic in nature, with 32.6% associated with the oropharynx/larynx, 18.3% with the nasal cavity/sinuses, 17.1% with the ears/vestibular system, 10.0% with the oral cavity, and 21.9% miscellaneous. Signal ratios reached significance levels for dysgeusia (n = 2124, PRR: 17.33, ROR: 16.36), ageusia (n = 1376, PRR: 2.81, ROR: 2.81), anosmia (n = 983, PRR: 4.01, ROR: 4.01), rhinorrhea (n = 2203, PRR: 2.99, ROR: 3.00), throat tightness (n = 3666, PRR: 4.99, ROR: 5.00), throat irritation (n = 3313, PRR: 4.51, ROR: 4.52), dysphagia (n = 2538, PRR: 2.07, ROR: 2.07), tinnitus (n = 4377, PRR: 3.97, ROR: 3.98), and vertigo (n = 2887, PRR: 3.93, ROR: 3.93). Signal ratios were not significant for facial paralysis, Bell's palsy, anaphylaxis, sinusitis, hearing disability, and ear pain.

Conclusions

Although several otolaryngologic symptoms were reported, few were found to be clinically significant. Of note, facial paralysis, Bell's palsy, and anaphylaxis did not meet signal thresholds to be determined significant.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 134:1163–1168, 2024
Spatially varying plankton synchrony patterns at seasonal and interannual scales in a well‐connected shelf sea
Authors: Honda Isabel A. , Ji Rubao , Solow Andrew R.
Published: August 2023

Spatial population synchrony, defined as spatial covariation in population density fluctuations, exists across different temporal and spatial scales. Determining the degree of spatial synchrony is useful for inferring environmental drivers of population variability in the wake of climate change. In this study, we applied novel statistical methods to detect spatial synchrony patterns of Calanus finmarchicus on the Northeast U.S. Shelf at multiple spatiotemporal scales using unevenly distributed data. Our results reveal that C. finmarchicus subpopulations connected by advection are not necessarily in synchrony, indicating that the degree of synchrony is likely influenced by heterogeneity of local habitats. In addition, regionally synchronous environmental conditions (e.g., sea surface temperature) may not play as significant a role in influencing subregional population dynamics as was previously hypothesized. Overlooking the spatial heterogeneity of synchronous patterns at different time scales could lead to erroneous inferences of potential environmental drivers responsible for C. finmarchicus variability.
Implications of Low‐Refractive Mode Index on Nonlinear Optical Interactions
Authors: Vertchenko Larissa , Lavrinenko Andrei
Published: August 2023

Despite ample experimental evidence that the so‐called epsilon‐near‐zero (ENZ) materials enable enhancement of nonlinear interactions in limited volumes of materials, there is still a lot of controversy about theoretical interpretation of results in search of optimal materials and structural configurations. The nonlinear performance of materials depending on their refractive index is compared and direct simulations prove with the indium‐tin oxide material that the regime with low refractive index is superior to the ENZ regime in terms of the third harmonic generation (THG) efficiency. It is shown that as a rule for low‐index materials the THG scales inversely proportional to the refractive index squared. Another advantage of low‐index modes is that they satisfy phase‐matching conditions by default. As exemplified by the direct numerical simulations, silicon‐based photonic crystals can effectively produce third harmonic waves, which can be manipulated to propagate in any desired direction. Such an approach helps to avoid unnecessary complexity in on‐chip linear and nonlinear circuitry and reduces potential sources of losses by unifying the whole production chain with implementation of the same material, e.g., silicon.
Utility of Neurophysiological Evaluation in Movement Disorders Clinical Practice
Authors: Grippe Talyta , Chen Robert
Published: August 2023

Background

Quantitative and objective neurophysiological assessment can help to define the predominant phenomenology and provide diagnoses that have prognostic and therapeutic implications for movement disorders.

Objectives

Evaluate the agreement between initial indications and final diagnoses after neurophysiological evaluations in a specialized movement disorders center.

Methods

Electrophysiological studies conducted for movement disorders from 2003 to 2021 were reviewed. The indications were classified according to predominant phenomenology and the diagnoses categorized in subgroups of phenomenology.

Results

A total of 509 studies were analyzed. 51% (259) of patients were female, with a mean age of 51 years (ranges 5 to 89 years). The most common reasons for referral were evaluation of functional movement disorders (FMD), followed by jerky movements, tremor and postural instability. Regarding FMD referrals, there was a diagnostic change in 13% of the patients after electrophysiological assessment. The patients with jerky movements as indication had a diagnosis other than myoclonus in 27% of them, and tremor was not confirmed in 20% of the cases. In patients with an electrophysiological diagnosis of FMD, it was not suspected in 30% of the referrals. Similarly, tremor was not mentioned in the referral of 17% of the patients with this electrophysiological diagnosis and myoclonus was not suspected in 13% of the cases.

Conclusions

Electrophysiological assessment has utility in the evaluation of movement disorders, even in patients evaluated by movement disorders neurologists. More studies are needed to standardize the protocols between centers and to promote the availability and use of these techniques among movement disorders clinics.
Estimating follow‐up CTs from geometric deformations of catheter implants in interstitial breast brachytherapy: A feasibility study using electromagnetic tracking
Authors: Dürrbeck Christopher , Schulz Moritz , Pflaum Leonie , Kallis Karoline , Geimer Tobias , Abu‐Hossin Nadin , Strnad Vratislav , Maier Andreas , Fietkau Rainer , Bert Christoph
Published: August 2023

Background

Electromagnetic tracking (EMT) systems have been shown to provide valuable information on the geometry of catheter implants in breast cancer patients undergoing interstitial brachytherapy (iBT). In the context of an extended patient‐specific, pre‐treatment verification, EMT can play a key role in determining the potential need and, if applicable, the appropriate time for treatment adaptation. To detect dosimetric shortcomings the relative position between catheters, and target volume and critical structures must be known. Since EMT cannot provide the anatomical context and standard imaging techniques such as cone‐beam CT are not yet available in most brachytherapy suites, it is not possible to detect anatomic changes on a daily or fraction basis, so the need for adaptive planning cannot be identified.

Purpose

The aim of this feasibility study is to develop and evaluate a technique capable of estimating follow‐up CTs at any time based on the initial treatment planning CT (PCT) and surrogate information about changes of the implant geometry from an EMT system.

Methods

A deformation vector field is calculated from two different implant reconstructions acquired in treatment position through EMT, the first immediately after the PCT and the second at another time point during the course of treatment. The calculation is based on discrete displacement vectors of pairs of control and target points. These are extrapolated by means of different radial basis functions in order to cover the entire CT volume. The adequate parameters for the calculation of the deformation field were identified. By warping the PCT according to the deformation field, one obtains an estimated CT (ECT) that reflects the geometric changes. For the proof of concept, ECTs were computed for the time point of the clinical follow‐up CT (FCT) that is embedded in the treatment workflow after the fourth fraction.

Results

ECT and clinical FCTs of 20 patients were compared to each other quantitatively in terms of absolute Hounsfield unit differences in the planning target volume (PTV) and in a convex hull (CH) enclosing the catheters. The median differences were 31.2  and 29.5 HU for the CH and the PTV, respectively.

Conclusion

The proposed ECT approach was able to approximate the “anatomy of the day” and therefore, in principle, allows a dosimetric appraisal of the treatment plan quality before each fraction. In this way, it can contribute to a more detailed patient‐specific quality assurance in iBT of the breast and help to identify the timing for a potential treatment adaptation.
Quantification of short echo time MRS signals with improved version of QUantitation based on quantum ESTimation algorithm
Authors: Starčuková Jana , Stefan Dan , Graveron‐Demilly Danielle
Published: August 2023

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy offers information about metabolite changes in the organism, which can be used in diagnosis. While short echo time proton spectra exhibit more distinguishable metabolites compared with proton spectra acquired with long echo times, their quantification (and providing estimates of metabolite concentrations) is more challenging. They are hampered by a background signal, which originates mainly from macromolecules (MM) and mobile lipids. An improved version of the quantification algorithm QUantitation based on quantum ESTimation (QUEST), with MM prior knowledge (QUEST‐MM), dedicated to proton signals and invoking appropriate prior knowledge on MM, is proposed and tested. From a single acquisition, it enables better metabolite quantification, automatic estimation of the background, and additional automatic quantification of MM components, thus improving its applicability in the clinic. The proposed algorithm may facilitate studies that involve patients with pathological MM in the brain. QUEST‐MM and three QUEST‐based strategies for quantifying short echo time signals are compared in terms of bias‐variance trade‐off and Cramér–Rao lower bound estimates. The performances of the methods are evaluated through extensive Monte Carlo studies. In particular, the histograms of the metabolite and MM amplitude distributions demonstrate the performances of the estimators. They showed that QUEST‐MM works better than QUEST (Subtract approach) and is a good alternative to QUEST when measured MM signal is unavailable or unsuitable. Quantification with QUEST‐MM is shown for 1H in vivo rat brain signals obtained with the SPECIAL pulse sequence at 9.4 T, and human brain signals obtained, respectively, with STEAM at 4 T and PRESS at 3 T. QUEST‐MM is implemented in jMRUI and will be available for public use from version 7.1.
Relationship between quality of life, fear of disease progression, and coping styles in patients with pulmonary hypertension: A network analysis
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Liu Mengqi , Li Jing , Wang Zhiwei , Liang Qian , Yan Zeping , Wang Jiurui , Luan Xiaorong
Published: August 2023

A poor quality of life (QoL) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) is often associated with emotional disturbances and the ability to cope. Little is known, however, about the intrinsic links among the QoL, fear of disease progression (FoP), and coping styles in patients with PH. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationships among QoL, FoP, and coping styles in patients with PH. We conducted a cross‐sectional survey of 247 patients from a tertiary hospital in Jinan, China and analyzed the relationships using network analysis. Participants completed the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Questionnaire, Fear of Disease Progression Questionnaire and Simple Coping Style Questionnaire during the survey period. The total QoL, positive coping, and negative coping scores were 46.55 ± 10.46, 31.75 ± 6.85, and 18.75 ± 4.66, respectively. The QoL psychological domain had the strongest centrality, deserving more attention than other domains. The coping styles were bridge nodes that connected the whole network, where negative coping and social family FoP, and positive coping and both social and psychological QoL had the strongest positive correlations. There were no significant sex‐based or age‐based differences in the networks. To improve QoL and psychological well‐being in people with PH, healthcare professionals must focus on issues beyond the patient's physical health. Specifically, they should focus on positive coping styles, while developing interventions to promote positive coping and reduce negative coping styles.
Birds among the Moche of northern Peru: Examining food, environment, and ritual through avian taxa from Huaca Colorada (600–900 CE)
Authors: Alaica Aleksa K.
Published: August 2023

Relatively little attention has been paid to the importance of birds as alternative food sources and as ceremonial offerings in Moche practices. I examine bird remains from the Late Moche (600–900 CE) site of Huaca Colorada of the Jequetepeque Valley, Peru, to investigate the role of birds in daily activities and their use in ritual events. The Moche used birds in diverse ways in both domestic and ceremonial activities. Beginning with their use as food source, this analysis addresses the active hunting and opportunistic collection of various avian taxa to establish some of the ways that these animals formed part of subsistence practices. I further consider the way birds can serve as environmental proxies. I examine the presence of marine birds and possible nonlocal species at Huaca Colorada for their use in ceremonial practice. Zooarchaeological and iconographic evidence attests to various predatory bird taxa as important liminal beings for bridging different ecological zones and as vehicles for the travel of spirits and other supernatural forces between spheres of the living and the dead. By investigating birds in Moche practices, this article contributes new insights on the way avian species formed part of feasting events and mortuary offerings and more fully connects iconographic and zooarchaeological records.
Fatigue mediates the relationship between emotional and cognitive functioning in children post‐cancer treatment
Authors: Greidanus‐Jongejan Juliette E. M. , van Gorp Marloes , van Litsenburg Raphaele R. L. , Aarsen Femke K. , van der Vlist Merel M. Nap‐ , Nijhof Sanne , Grootenhuis Martha A.
Published: August 2023

Background/objectives

Children treated for cancer are at risk to develop cognitive problems. Insight in underlying associations with emotional functioning and fatigue can be used to optimize interventions. We therefore aim to study emotional functioning, fatigue, and cognitive functioning in children postcancer treatment and investigate whether fatigue mediates the relationship between emotional and cognitive functioning.

Design/methods

Emotional functioning, fatigue, and cognitive functioning were assessed in children post‐cancer treatment using subscales of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Generic Core Scales, Multidimensional Fatigue Scale and Cognitive Functioning Scale. A one sample t‐test was used to compare outcomes with general population peers and mediation analysis was used to address the effect of fatigue on the relationship between emotional and cognitive functioning.

Results

A total of 137 children (mean age: 13.6, SD ± 3.3 years; mean time since end of treatment: 7.1 months, SD ± 5.9) participated. Lower scores on emotional functioning (Cohen's d [D]: 0.4), fatigue (D: 0.8) and cognitive functioning (D: 0.6) were found (p < .001) in children post‐cancer treatment than in peers. A medium association was found between emotional and cognitive functioning (standardized regression coefficient [β]: 0.27, p < .001), which was mediated by fatigue (β = 0.16).

Conclusions

Outcomes on emotional and cognitive functioning are decreased and fatigue is increased in children postcancer treatment. Fatigue mediates the relationship between emotional and cognitive functioning. Our results show the importance to focus on fatigue amongst stress as a target for intervention to improve cognitive functioning.
Evaluation of protein extraction methods to improve meta‐proteomics analysis of treated wastewater biofilms
Authors: Almulhim Fatimah , Hong Pei‐Ying
Published: August 2023

Metaproteomics can be used to study functionally active biofilm‐based bacterial populations in reclaimed water distribution systems, which in turn result in bacterial regrowth that impacts the water quality. However, existing protein extraction methods have differences in their protein recovery and have not been evaluated for their efficacies in reclaimed water biofilm samples. In this study, we first evaluated six different protein extraction methods with diverse chemical and physical properties on a mixture of bacterial cell culture. Based on a weighting scores‐based evaluation, the extraction protocols in order of decreasing performance are listed as B‐PER > RIPA > PreOmics > SDS > AllPrep > Urea. The highest four optimal methods on cell culture were further tested against treated wastewater non‐chlorinated and chlorinated effluent biofilms. In terms of protein yield, our findings showed that RIPA performed the best; however, the highest number of proteins were extracted from SDS and PreOmics. Furthermore, SDS and PreOmics worked best to rupture gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacterial cell walls. Considering the five evaluation factors, PreOmics obtained highest weighted score, indicating its potential effectiveness in extracting proteins from biofilms. This study provides the first insight into evaluating protein extraction methods to facilitate metaproteomics for complex reclaimed water matrices.
Design, Synthesis, and Photophysical Characterization of Multifunctional Far‐Red Squaraine Dyes for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Mori Kota , Kurokawa Yuki , Mavileti Sai Kiran , Pandey Shyam S.
Published: August 2023

Novel far‐red sensitive symmetrical squaraine (SQ) dyes aiming toward multifunctional properties such as control of dye aggregation, promotion of molecular self‐assembly, and introduction of electrolyte function by alkyl chain terminal modification are designed. Newly designed dyes without terminal modification as reference (SQ‐5) along with iodine (SQ‐77) and imidazole (SQ‐79) alkyl terminal‐modified dyes are successfully synthesized, characterized, and subjected to detailed photophysical investigations. Iodine terminal modification (SQ‐77) leads to enhanced molar extinction coefficient, dye aggregation, dye loading, and binding strength on the TiO2 surface, which is found by just the opposite after the imidazole (SQ‐79) terminal modification. Demonstration of nearly similar photovoltaic performance by SQ‐77 and SQ‐79 in the absence of iodine and chenodeoxycholic acid validates their multifunctional role as electrolyte function and dye aggregation prevention, respectively, in addition to their main role as photosensitizer. Dye‐sensitized solar cells fabricated with SQ‐5 as a sensitizer show efficient far‐red to near‐infrared photo sensitization and photon harvesting with short‐circuit photocurrent density, open‐circuit voltage, and fill factor of 11.98 mA cm−2, 0.61 V, and 0.57, respectively, leading to a photoconversion efficiency of 4.2% under simulated solar irradiation.
Multilevel analysis of place of delivery among reproductive age women in Ethiopia
Authors: Guyo Tamirat G. , Banja Yishak Belachew , Ayele Tadesse Awoke
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The place where the mother gives birth majorly affects the birth outcome and the mother's well‐being; this is because most maternal mortality, morbidity, and neonatal death occur during the time of labor and delivery and immediately after birth. This study was aimed to identify factors associated with the place of delivery among reproductive age women.

Method

Secondary analysis was done using the 2019 Mini Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. A multi‐stage sampling technique was used to select a total of 5527 weighted representative samples of women to include in the analysis. To identify factors associated with the place of delivery, a multilevel mixed effect binary logistic regression model was fitted to consider the hierarchical nature of the data. Statistical significance was declared at p‐value < 0.05.

Result

This study found that women aged 35 to 49 years, mothers with primary and secondary and above, educational status, and women from households with higher wealth index, and participants who had at least one antenatal care visit had higher odds of giving birth in a health facility. Women with two and three and more birth order, who live in rural areas, and women living in communities with higher poverty levels have lower odds of institutional delivery.

Conclusion

Increased maternal age, increased maternal educational status, having at least one antenatal care visit, women's household wealth index, increased birth order, rural residence, and higher community poverty level were found to be factors that significantly associated with the place of delivery. Hence, Ethiopia's Federal Minister of Health and another stakeholders should amplify their efforts to increase the accessibility and availability of healthcare facilities and quality maternal health service delivery.
Ensemble learning for score likelihood ratios under the common source problem
Authors: Veneri Federico , Ommen Danica M.
Published: August 2023

Machine learning‐based score likelihood ratios (SLRs) have emerged as alternatives to traditional likelihood ratios and Bayes factors to quantify the value of evidence when contrasting two opposing propositions. When developing a conventional statistical model is infeasible, machine learning can be used to construct a (dis)similarity score for complex data and estimate the ratio of the conditional distributions of the scores. Under the common source problem, the opposing propositions address if two items come from the same source. To develop their SLRs, practitioners create datasets using pairwise comparisons from a background population sample. These comparisons result in a complex dependence structure that violates the independence assumption made by many popular methods. We propose a resampling step to remedy this lack of independence and an ensemble approach to enhance the performance of SLR systems. First, we introduce a source‐aware resampling plan to construct datasets where the independence assumption is met. Using these newly created sets, we train multiple base SLRs and aggregate their outputs into a final value of evidence. Our experimental results show that this ensemble SLR can outperform a traditional SLR approach in terms of the rate of misleading evidence and discriminatory power and present more consistent results.
1.1: Invited Paper: A novel scheme of projection film screen for ultra‐large color gamut with photonic band gap reflection mechanism
Authors: Guo Bingang , Li Zhou , Wang Dong , Su Dongbian , Liu Xiaofei , Ma Runkai
Published: August 2023

A novel scheme of projection film screen to get ultra large color gamut using photonic band gap reflection mechanism is proposed. The projection screen made by a kind of film that can only reflect three narrowband R/G/B light emitted from projector (E.g., 460nm, 560nm and 650nm), as well as absorb other visible light wavelengths. The film has a well‐designed nano level multilayer structure which can form three photonic band gaps to reflect 460nm, 560nm and 650nm light respectively. An ultra large color gamut of 73.44% Rec2020 (138.68% sRGB) was obtained even under a bright room ambient light, that makes projection image quality comparable to a traditional TV. It could be an effective way to help solve the problem of dull color performance shown on traditional projection screens.
2.1: Invited Paper: Grid Pattern Image Sticking Compensation Method for MLED Splicing Screen
Authors: Wu Yanhong , Zhang Shuguo , Duan Ran , Chen Guannan , Liu Yuyu , Leng Changlin
Published: August 2023

COG (Chip On Class) based MLED (Mini‐LED) Splicing Screen has an advantage of ultra low current, but suffers the problem that its red light luminescent efficiency is drastically hindered by high temperature of screen. MLED splicing screen consists of multiple display panels, the display panel sticks partially to its background frame with margin. As a result, the speed of heat diffusion difference between the panel margin area and the central area results in grid pattern image sticking. The central area looks cyan because it has a higher temperature, but the margin area looks white because of its lower temperature. To prevent grid image sticking problem and improve the visual quality of splicing screen, we propose a novel method to dynamically estimate the compensation ratio for red channel and apply this compensation ratio to acquire chroma uniformity. Our method is implemented in FPGA to achieve realtime performance. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
3.2: Elevating the Light Output Power Density of Scaling‐down AlGaN Ultraviolet‐C Micro‐LED
Authors: Feng Feng , Liu Yibo , Zhang Ke , Chan Ka-Wah , Liu Zhaojun , Kwok Hoi-Sing
Published: August 2023

Ultraviolet band‐C (UV‐C) micro‐light‐emitting diodes (Micro‐LEDs) with high optical power density are increasingly demanded in the utilization of sterilization, solar‐blind communications, and neuroscience for the robust structure and adjustable emission wavelength. In this work, AlGaN UV‐C Micro‐LEDs are fabricated and characterized in 5×5, 10×10, 20×20, 30×30, 50×50, 80×80, and 100×100 µm2. With pixel size scaling down, the smaller devices have the potential to emit more considerable light output power (LOP) density at the same injected current density. This LOP density sizing effect implies higher luminescence efficiencies on small‐sized UV‐C Micro‐LEDs, which could be widely adopted by the industry.
7.2: Invited Paper: Vari‐focal Near‐eye Displays Based on Geometry Phase Liquid Crystal Lenses
Authors: Li Yan , Liu Shuxin , Lin Junhao , Su Yikai
Published: August 2023

The development of metaverse has the potential to revolutionize people's life. As the entry to metaverse, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies are gaining ever‐increasing attention. However, there is vergence‐accommodation conflict problem for most VR or AR 3D displays. In this paper, we propose to realize vari‐focal near‐eye displays based on tunable geometry phase liquid crystal lenses to address this problem. Experimental results validate that images can be rendered at different depth as the tunable lenses change their focal lengths. Thus, correct accommodation cue can be induced, and 3D visual fatigue could be significantly suppressed.
9.1: Effect of Nitrogen Doping Content on Electrical Properties and Stability of a‐IGZO TFT
Authors: Xiong Haotian , Fang Liang , Wu Fang , Liu Dan , Yuan Zhe , Liu GaoBin , Zhang Shufang , Zhang Hong , Li Wanjun , Yu Peng , Tong Cunzhu
Published: August 2023

To improve the electrical properties and stability of thin‐film transistor (TFT) based on the indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) channel, the effect of nitrogen‐doping content on the electrical properties of IGZO films and the IGZO TFT were evaluated. It is found that the mobility and carrier concentration of IGZO films gradually decreases ( μ from 18.11 to 11.25 cm2/ V.s, n from 1.76×107 to 4.38×107 cm‐3 ) with the increase of N2 flow content (0‐8sccm). N‐doping can evidently improve the positive bias stress(PBS) stability of IGZO TFT. Typically, the low‐content N‐doping (1 sccm) can significantly boost the stability of IGZO:N TFT (ΔVth = 3.3 V vs ΔVth=9.54 V for the undoped counterpart), while the electrical properties is at almost no degradation with the mobility and on‐off current ratio (Ion/Ioff)as high as 16.59 cm2 /V.s and 3.55×107, and the sub‐threshold swing (SS) and threshold voltage (Vth) as low as 0.32 V/dec and 1.49 V, respectively. These outstanding reliability performance indicates that the N‐doping with appropriate low‐content is a facile and economical way to improve the electrical properties and stability of IGZO TFT.
15.1: Invited Paper: Novel method for preparing blue perovskite light emitting pixel diodes
Authors: Li Danyang , Wang Junjie , Peng Junbiao
Published: August 2023

Traditional inkjet printing color quantum dot technology is to
print red, green and blue quantum dot inks respectively, while
perovskite material is ionic compound, and changing the halogen
component can change the light color, which provides a new
method for inkjet printing to realize color display. Here, we report
a method for implementing blue devices by ion exchange between
halogen‐containing inks and underlying perovskite quantum dot
films by inkjet‐printing. This method can also be used for full‐color devices.
25.1: Invited Paper: New Design of Cross‐linkable Hole Transport Materials towards Efficient Solution‐processed TADF OLEDs
Authors: Yan Hao , Wang Xiaowei , Xu Hong , Meng Hong
Published: August 2023

New hole transport materials (HTMs) with cross‐linkable units
HT‐1 and HT‐2 are designed with suitable energy levels, good
solubility, and good solvent resistance after film formation.
Subsequently, the cross‐linkable HTMs based OLEDs with a
green TADF emitter show significantly improved current
efficiency (CE) of 52 cd/A and 68 cd/A, respectively, compared to
the device without HTM of less than 23 cd/A. This study
demonstrates a new HTM design strategy with controllable
energetics for printable optoelectronic devices, including OLEDs
and quantum‐dot LEDs.
30.1: Invited Paper: (Invited) Recent Progress in Metal Oxide TFTs using Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Hur Jae Seok , Jeong Jae Kyeong
Published: August 2023

This paper reviews recent approaches in the development of high‐
performance metal‐oxide thin‐film transistors (TFTs) through
atomic‐layer deposition (ALD) process. Since metal‐oxide TFTs
are contributing as one of the main backplane technology for
display products such as organic light‐emitting diode (OLED)
televisions, further improvements are aggressively attempted in
various approaches. Among them, two mainstream approaches
including cation composition ratio variation and novel structural
design is introduced. Both approaches are enabled by extensive
merits of the ALD process compared to the conventional
sputtering process. In this paper, state‐of‐the‐art characteristics
of ALD deposited oxide semiconductors are described. Results
show promising potential for ALD‐derived metal oxide TFTs as a
future candidate for next generation high‐end active‐matrix
display devices.
36.3: A Low Flicker Micro‐LED Pixel Circuit Based on Amorphous InGaZnO Thin‐Film Transistors
Authors: Shen Ao , Xia Yong , Fan Zenghui , Li Liangdong , Zou Zhongfei , Zhong Dezhen , Dong Chengyuan
Published: August 2023

We proposed a novel 6T1C pixel circuit as well as its driving scheme
based on amorphous InGaZnO thin‐film transistors (a‐IGZO
TFTs) for micro‐LED displays. Compared with the conventional
7T1C pixel circuit, the new design not only simplified the circuit
structure but also exhibited apparently better threshold voltage
compensation effect as well as much lower flicker value.