bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reversible Diode with Tunable Band Alignment for Photoelectricity‐Induced Artificial Synapse
Authors: Zhang Chi , Ning Jing , Lu Wei , Wang Boyu , Cui Xuan , Zhu Xiaoxiao , Shen Xue , Feng Xin , Wang Yanbo , Wang Dong , Wang Xinran , Zhang Jincheng , Hao Yue
Published: April 2023

The advent of big data era has put forward higher requirements for electronic nanodevices that have low energy consumption for their application in analog computing with memory and logic circuit to address attendant energy efficiency issues. Here, a miniaturized diode with a reversible switching state based on N‐n MoS2 homojunction used a bandgap renormalization effect through the band alignment type regulated by both dielectric and polarization, controllably switched between type‐I and type‐II, which can be simulated as artificial synapse for sensing memory processing because of its rectification, nonvolatile characteristic and high optical responsiveness. The device demonstrates a rectification ratio of 103. When served as memory retention time, it can attain at least 7000 s. For the synapse simulation, it has an ultralow‐level energy consumption because of the pA‐level operation current with 5 pJ for long‐term potentiation and 7.8 fJ for long‐term depression. Furthermore, the paired pulse facilitation index reaches up to 230%, and it realizes the function of optical storage that can be applied to simulate visual cells.
Horizontal Magnetic Tweezers to Directly Measure the Force–Velocity Relationship for Multiple Kinesin Motors
Authors: Geyer Veikko F. , Diez Stefan
Published: April 2023

Transport of intracellular cargo along cytoskeletal filaments is often achieved by the concerted action of multiple motor molecules. While single‐molecule studies have provided profound insight into the mechano‐chemical principles and force generation of individual motors, studies on multi‐motor systems are less advanced. Here, a horizontal magnetic‐tweezers setup is applied, capable of producing up to 150 pN of horizontal force onto 2.8 µm superparamagnetic beads, to motor‐propelled cytoskeletal filaments. It is found that kinesin‐1 driven microtubules decorated with individual beads display frequent transitions in their gliding velocities which we attribute to dynamic changes in the number of engaged motors. Applying defined temporal force‐ramps the force–velocity relationship is directly measured for multi‐motor transport. It is found that the stall forces of individual motors are approximately additive and collective backward motion of the transport system under super‐stall forces is observed. The magnetic‐tweezers apparatus is expected to be readily applicable to a wide range of molecular and cellular motility assays.
Understanding the High Voltage Behavior of LiNiO2 Through the Electrochemical Properties of the Surface Layer
Authors: Bautista Quisbert Edgar , Fauth François , Abakumov Artem M. , Blangero Maxime , Guignard Marie , Delmas Claude
Published: April 2023

Nickel‐rich layered oxides are adopted as electrode materials for EV's. They suffer from a capacity loss when the cells are charged above 4.15 V versus Li/Li+. Doping and coating can lead to significant improvement in cycling. However, the mechanisms involved at high voltage are not clear. This work is focused on LiNiO2 to overcome the effect of M cations. Galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) and in situ X‐ray diffraction (XRD) experiments are performed at very low rates in various voltage ranges (3.8–4.3 V,). On the “4.2–4.3 V” plateau the R2 phase is transformed simultaneously in R3, R3 with H4 stacking faults and H4. As the charge proceeds above 4.17 V cell polarization increases, hindering Li deintercalation. In discharge, such polarization decreases immediately. Upon cycling, the polarization increases at each charge above 4.17 V. In discharge, the capacity and dQ/dV features below 4.1 V remain constant and unaffected, suggesting that the bulk of the material do not undergo significant structural defect. This study shows that the change in polarization results from the electrochemical behavior of the grain surface having very low conductivity above 4.17 V and high conductivity below this threshold. This new approach can explain the behavior observed with dopants like tungsten.
Nanoclay‐Modulated Interfacial Chemical Bond and Internal Electric Field at the Co3O4/TiO2 p‐n Junction for Efficient Charge Separation
Authors: Zhang Shilin , Wang Qingjie , Zhang Peng , Wang Jie , Li Yue , Lu Chang , Sarwar Muhammad Tariq , Dong Xiongbo , Zhao Qihang , Tang Aidong , Fu Liangjie , Yang Huaming
Published: April 2023

To achieve a high separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers in semiconductors, constructing high‐quality heterogeneous interfaces as charge flow highways is critical and challenging. This study successfully demonstrates an interfacial chemical bond and internal electric field (IEF) simultaneously modulated 0D/0D/1D‐Co3O4/TiO2/sepiolite composite catalyst by exploiting sepiolite surface‐interfacial interactions to adjust the Co2+/Co3+ ratio at the Co3O4/TiO2 heterointerface. In situ irradiation X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the interfacial Co2+OTi bond (compared to the Co3+OTi bond) plays a major role as an atomic‐level charge transport channel at the p‐n junction. Co2+/Co3+ ratio increase also enhances the IEF intensity. Therefore, the enhanced IEF cooperates with the interfacial Co2+OTi bond to enhance the photoelectron separation and migration efficiency. A coupled photocatalysis‐peroxymonosulfate activation system is used to evaluate the catalytic activity of Co3O4/TiO2/sepiolite. Furthermore, this work demonstrates how efficiently separated photoelectrons facilitate the synergy between photocatalysis and peroxymonosulfate activation to achieve deep pollutant degradation and reduce its ecotoxicity. This study presents a new strategy for constructing high‐quality heterogeneous interfaces by consciously modulating interfacial chemical bonds and IEF, and the strategy is expected to extend to this class of spinel‐structured semiconductors.
Tuning Nanobodies’ Bioactivity: Coupling to Ultrasmall Gold Nanoparticles Allows the Intracellular Interference with Survivin
Authors: Stahl Paul , Kollenda Sebastian , Sager Jonas , Schmidt Laura , Schroer Martin A. , Stauber Roland H. , Epple Matthias , Knauer Shirley K.
Published: April 2023

Nanobodies are highly affine binders, often used to track disease‐relevant proteins inside cells. However, they often fail to interfere with pathobiological functions, required for their clinical exploitation. Here, a nanobody targeting the disease‐relevant apoptosis inhibitor and mitosis regulator Survivin (SuN) is utilized. Survivin's multifaceted functions are regulated by an interplay of dynamic cellular localization, dimerization, and protein–protein interactions. However, as Survivin harbors no classical “druggable” binding pocket, one must aim at blocking extended protein surface areas. Comprehensive experimental evidence demonstrates that intracellular expression of SuN allows to track Survivin at low nanomolar concentrations but failed to inhibit its biological functions. Small angle X‐ray scattering of the Survivin‐SuN complex locates the proposed interaction interface between the C‐terminus and the globular domain, as such not blocking any pivotal interaction. By clicking multiple SuN to ultrasmall (2 nm) gold nanoparticles (SuN‐N), not only intracellular uptake is enabled, but additionally, Survivin crosslinking and interference with mitotic progression in living cells are also enabled. In sum, it is demonstrated that coupling of nanobodies to nanosized scaffolds can be universally applicable to improve their function and therapeutic applicability.
Fast and Durable Lithium Storage Enabled by Tuning Entropy in Wadsley–Roth Phase Titanium Niobium Oxides
Authors: Zheng Jie , Xia Rui , Sun Congli , Yaqoob Najma , Qiu Qianyuan , Zhong Liping , Li Yongdan , Kaghazchi Payam , Zhao Kangning , Elshof Johan E. ten , Huijben Mark
Published: April 2023

Wadsley–Roth phase titanium niobium oxides have received considerable interest as anodes for lithium ion batteries. However, the volume expansion and sluggish ion/electron transport kinetics retard its application in grid scale. Here, fast and durable lithium storage in entropy‐stabilized Fe0.4Ti1.6Nb10O28.8 (FTNO) is enabled by tuning entropy via Fe substitution. By increasing the entropy, a reduction of the calcination temperature to form a phase pure material is achieved, leading to a reduced grain size and, therefore, a shortening of Li+ pathway along the diffusion channels. Furthermore, in situ X‐ray diffraction reveals that the increased entropy leads to the decreased expansion along a–axis, which stabilizes the lithium intercalation channel. Density functional theory modeling indicates the origin to be the more stable FeO bond as compared to TiO bond. As a result, the rate performance is significantly enhanced exhibiting a reversible capacity of 73.7 mAh g−1 at 50 C for FTNO as compared to 37.9 mAh g−1 for its TNO counterpart. Besides, durable cycling is achieved by FTNO, which delivers a discharge capacity of 130.0 mAh g−1 after 6000 cycles at 10 C. Finally, the potential impact for practical application of FTNO anodes has been demonstrated by successfully constructing fast charging and stable LiFePO4‖FTNO full cells.
Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Polymer Spheres and the Activation to Porous Carbon Spheres for Advanced Aluminum‐Ion Hybrid Capacitors
Authors: Feng Shihao , Xing Lingli , Li Kun , Wang Hong , An Qinyou , Zhou Liang , Mai Liqiang
Published: April 2023

Porous carbon spheres (PCSs) characteristic of perfect symmetry and ideal rheological property have great potential in electrochemical energy storage (EES). However, conventional synthesis of PCSs heavily relies on solution‐based methods that may lead to environmental issues. Herein, an environment‐friendly solvent‐free method toward the facile and mass production of m‐phenylenediamine‐formaldehyde (MPF) resin spheres, which can be converted into PCSs after carbonization and activation is reported. An ultrahigh productivity of 25.89 g in a 100‐mL container and an impressive percent yield of 98.89% can be achieved for the MPF resin spheres, which are further converted into carbon spheres with a reasonable yield of 14.5% after carbonization. When employed as the cathode material for aluminum‐ion hybrid capacitors, the obtained PCSs afford a double‐layer capacity of ≈200 mAh g−1, the highest value among reported porous carbon materials for Al‐based EES devices. It is anticipated that the solvent‐free synthesis method for PCSs developed here may play a significant role in other EES devices, such as magnesium‐ion and calcium‐ion hybrid capacitors.
Achieving 17.7% Efficiency of Ternary Organic Solar Cells by Incorporating a High Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital Level and Miscible Third Component
Authors: Torimtubun Alfonsina Abat Amelenan , Méndez Maria , Moustafa Enas , Pallarès Josep , Palomares Emilio , Marsal Lluis F.
Published: April 2023

A ternary strategy has been demonstrated as being an effective method to improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE); however, general rules for materials selection are not fully comprehended. Herein, nonfullerene acceptor ITIC‐M and fullerene acceptor PC70BM possessing higher lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and good miscibility with nonfullerene acceptor Y7 are incorporated as third components in the state‐of‐the‐art of PM6:Y7 binary blend. As a result, the device PCE for both ternary devices improves from 16.46% for binary host to 17.73% and 17.67% for ITIC‐M‐ and PC70BM‐based ternary devices, respectively. The higher LUMO of the guest acceptor can play multiple roles to elevate the open‐circuit voltage such as reducing energy‐loss and reverse saturation current, creating less‐localized shallow trap sites along with suppressing charge recombination, and decreasing Urbach energy. Moreover, the good miscibility facilitates an alloy‐like phase in acceptors domain for efficient exciton dissociation and electron transport, which leads to improved short‐circuit current density and fill factor in ternary devices. The results provide a promising approach to realize high‐performance ternary organic solar cells by synergizing the compatible third component with host acceptor.
Differences between Tensile Properties of WAAM SS304 Components in Different Directions
Authors: Yu Huiyin , Zhu Xiaolei , Wang Jian , Lu Xiaofeng
Published: April 2023

Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is particularly suitable for manufacturing large metal structure components. However, the anisotropy of mechanical properties of WAAM components cannot be avoided, which makes the mechanical properties of WAAM components unstable and seriously limits its engineering application. Herein, the tensile samples for 304 stainless‐steel thin‐walled structures along three directions (longitudinal, diagonal, and transverse) of the deposition layer are intercepted. The mechanical properties of the components are 9.3–54.6% higher than the standard values. The samples have obvious anisotropy characteristics. Samples with diagonal direction show the best mechanical properties, which are not affected by process parameters. The better the forming quality, the higher the mechanical properties of the samples. By correlating the mechanical properties results of the samples with the microstructures, it is found that very fine dendrites grow along the deposition direction in the samples, and this unique microstructure leads to the anisotropy of the mechanical properties. Under the action of uniaxial tensile load, the growth direction of precise dendrite in the sample with diagonal direction is almost the same as the slip direction of the maximum dislocation plane, which is the reason for the excellent mechanical properties of the sample with diagonal direction.
Heat–Moisture Treatment on Pinhão Starch Impacts the Properties of the Biodegradable Films
Authors: Biduski Bárbara , do Evangelho Jarine Amaral , Lima Karina Oliveira , Halal Shanise Lisie de Mello El , Zavareze Elessandra da Rosa , Dias Alvaro Renato Guerra , Pinto Vânia Zanella
Published: April 2023

Using non‐conventional starch can benefit the industry since it can present different properties. It also can lead to new properties upon physical modification, which improves its derivate film properties. Therefore, the aim of this work is to evaluate the heat–moisture treatment (HMT) on pinhão starch and its effectiveness in film properties. After isolation using water as a solvent, the pinhão starch is treated by HMT for 16 h at 110 °C. Native and HMTed starches are used to produce biodegradable films. Pinhão starch and starch films chemical and physical properties are properly characterized. The HMT causes some changes in short‐range ordered structures, reduces the relative crystallinity, and shifts the pinhão starch from C‐type to A‐type. Also, HMT decreases the peak viscosity and the breakdown, and improves thermal stability. These starch changes upon HMT reduces water vapor permeability, increases tensile strength, and elongation at the break of pinhão starch films. Desirable changes in starch and film properties are achieved by physically modifying pinhão starch using HMT, which is a promising alternative to chemical modifications.
Effects of Co‐Addition of Plant Peptides and Lauric Acid on the Physicochemical Properties and In Vitro Digestibility of Sweet Potato Starch
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Xiao Jianhui , Zeng Zicong , Zhang Zedong , Wu Guoqiang , Yu Lili , Xie Liwen , Hou Tianyu , Li Dongming
Published: April 2023

The effects of co‐addition of three plant peptides (P)—soybean peptide (SP), wheat peptide (WP) or corn peptide (CP), and lauric acid (LA)—on the physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of sweet potato starch (SPS) are investigated. The enthalpy (ΔH2), complex index (CI), ordered crystalline structure, and resistant starch (RS) content of the SPS–LA–P ternary system significantly increase, compared to those of the SPS–P and SPS–LA binary systems. The microscopic surface is smoother and denser, and the cross‐sectional gel layer is thicker. The peak viscosity, breakdown value, paste clarity, and gel hardness of the ternary system also significantly decrease, likely due to the formation of more SPS–LA binary complexes and SPS–LA–P ternary complexes in the ternary systems. The co‐addition of WP and LA demonstrates the most significant increase in the ΔH2 (1.48 J g−1), CI (48.74%), relative crystallinity (18.17%), and molecular orderliness of SPS–control, which also has reduced paste clarity (23.93%). The addition of SP and LA is most effective in reducing the peak viscosity (4183.33 cP) and gel hardness (221.72 g) of SPS, and the ternary systems containing WP and CP have the highest RS content of 29.81% and 28.74%, respectively.
Understanding the Inhibitory Mechanism of Exogenous Protein on Enzymatic Preparation of Resistant Starch
Authors: Siddiqui Samiya , Khan Anum , Rahman Ubaid Ur , Shah Aamer Ali , Badshah Malik , Rehman Malik Mujaddad Ur , Hayat Azam , Khan Samiullah
Published: April 2023

Enzymatic synthesis of resistant starch strongly depends on the food composition and their interaction with exogenous/endogenous proteins during preparation process. Therefore, the present study systematically investigates the inhibitory effect of egg albumin on pancreatic‐α‐amylase for synthesis of resistant starch from maize flour. The maximum inhibitory concentration of egg albumin is 5 mg mL−1 with % inhibition of 95.15% for pancreatic‐α‐amylase. Lineweaver burk plot reveals that Vmax is constant with and without addition of egg albumin. Whereas Km is increased in presence of albumin to achieve the same Vmax. Increase in the substrate concentration (Km) from 5 to 25 mg mL−1 leads to a decrease in enzyme inhibition. Moreover, the resistant starch content of enzymatically prepared resistant starch with and without albumin as compared to gelatinized maize starch (control) is increased. Scanning electron micrograph reveals interaction of egg albumin with maize starch as thread like aggregation. FTIR and XRD analysis reveal the increase in crystallinity of enzymatically treated maize starch against control. Moreover, egg albumin is negatively associated with enzymatic hydrolysis by preventing its access to maize starch granule and act as a competitive inhibitor. As a result of this interaction decrease in resistant starch yield from maize starch is investigated by enzymatic treatment.
Revision of the Barremian fern Coniopteris laciniata from Las Hoyas and El Montsec (Spain): Highlighting its importance in the evolution of vegetation during the Early Cretaceous
Authors: Blanco‐Moreno Candela , Buscalioni Ángela D.
Published: April 2023

The species Coniopteris laciniata and Sphenopteris wonnacottii are heterophyllous ferns recovered from two Spanish Barremian localities, Las Hoyas and El Montsec respectively. The similarities between these species, observed in a study of a total of 66 hand specimens from both localities, indicate that they are conspecific. Following the rule of priority in botanical nomenclature, and because there are doubts about the assignment of this species to a higher taxonomic rank, the name Coniopteris is maintained. Characters of this fern and additional characters of other species of Coniopteris would support a diversification of polypod ferns during the Early Cretaceous. Metric architecture analyses suggest that the heterophylly of the plant was probably caused by the submersion of the apical part of fronds in water during their development, which would be consistent with the taphonomy of the remains in both localities.
Diskussion der Ergebnisse
Authors: Jähnke Anke
Published: April 2023

In Kapitel 5 werden die Ergebnisse im Lichte der bisherigen Studienlage sowie Stärken und Limitationen der Untersuchung diskutiert.
New covariant Feynman rules for effective field theories
Authors: von Gersdorff Gero , Santos Kevin
Published: April 2023

Abstract

We provide a new and completely general formalism to compute the effective field theory matching contributions from integrating out massive fields in a manifestly gauge covariant way, at any desired loop order. The formalism is based on old ideas such as the background field method and the heat kernel, however we add some crucial new ingredients that greatly improve the simplicity and general applicability of the approach. We formulate our method in terms of Feynman rules, the resulting effective action is expressed in terms of local heat kernel coefficients. We also provide as supplementary material a mathematica code that facilitates the computation of these coefficients.
Melatonin inhibits senescence-associated melanin pigmentation through the p53-TYR pathway in human primary melanocytes and the skin of C57BL/6 J mice after UVB irradiation
Authors: Ma Li-Ping , Liu Meng-Meng , Liu Fang , Sun Bo , Wang Si-Nian , Chen Jie , Yu Hui-Jie , Yan Juan , Tian Mei , Gao Ling , Liu Qing-Jie
Published: April 2023

UVB exposure accelerates skin aging and pigmentation. Melatonin effectively regulates tyrosinase (TYR) activity and aging. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between premature senescence and pigmentation, and the mechanism of melanin synthesis effected by melatonin. Primary melanocytes were extracted and identified from the male foreskin. To inhibit TYR expression, primary melanocytes were transduced with the lentivirus pLKD-CMV-EGFP-2A-Puro-U6-TYR. The wild-type TYR(+/+) and TYR(–/–) or TYR(+/–) knockout C57BL/6 J mice were used to determine the role of TYR on melanin synthesis in vivo. Results showed that UVB-induced melanin synthesis is dependent on TYR in primary melanocytes and mice. Furthermore, in primary melanocytes pretreated with Nutlin-3 or PFT-α to up or downregulate p53, results showed that premature senescence and melanin synthesis increased in primary melanocytes after UVB irradiation at 80 mJ/cm2, and further increased after being treated with Nutlin-3, while significantly decreased with PFT-α. In addition, melatonin inhibited UVB-induced premature senescence associated with inactivation of p53 and phosphorylation of p53 on Ser15 (ser-15), a decrease of melanin synthesis accompanied by reduced TYR expression. Moreover, skin erythema and pigmentation induced by UVB were reduced in the dorsal and ear skin of mice topically pretreated with 2.5% melatonin. These indicate that melatonin inhibits UVB-induced senescence-associated pigmentation via the p53-TYR pathway in primary melanocytes and prevents pigmentation obviously in the dorsal and ear skin of C57BL/6 J mice after UVB irradiation.

Key messages

P53 links UVB irradiation-induced senescence and senescence-associated pigmentation and regulates TYR in primary melanocytes after UVB irradiation.

Melatonin inhibits senescence-associated pigmentation through the p53-TYR pathway in primary melanocytes.

Melatonin prevents skin erythema and melanin pigmentation induced by UVB irradiation in the dorsal and ear skin of C57BL/6J mice.
Impact of regional multi-disciplinary team on the management of complex urogynaecology conditions
Authors: Ong Hui Ling , Sokolova Inna , Agur Wael
Published: April 2023

Introduction and hypothesis

Following the publication of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on the management of pelvic floor dysfunction, articles speculating on the benefits and costs of local and regional multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) have been in circulation. To date, there has been no formal assessment of the impact of a regional MDT on the management of women with complex urogynaecological conditions.

Methods

Throughout the existence of the West of Scotland (WoS) Regional Urogynaecology MDT, from May 2010 to December 2015, 60 patients with complex Urogynaecology conditions were discussed. Data were collected on presenting condition, pre- and post-MDT management plans, and treatment outcomes.

Results

The average age was 52.6 years (range 21–91 years). All meetings had at least 1 urogynaecologist, 1 gynaecologist, 1 reconstructive female urologists, 1 urodynamicist and, on average, 3 continence nurses, 4 physiotherapists, as well as 1 clinical librarian to conduct a literature search and 1 secretary for administrative support. The majority of the referrals dealt with urinary incontinence (n=34) and 8 patients presented with mesh complications alongside other pelvic floor disorders. The MDT made changes to the original referrer’s management plan in at least 25 (41.7%) patient presentations. Twenty-two out of all the patients discussed (36.7%) were reported as cured or improved in their condition following the MDT-recommended management.

Conclusion

The WoS Regional Urogynaecology MDT had a positive impact on the management of women presenting with complex condition(s). Cross-sharing of resources between hospitals within the region provided a wider range of management plans, better tailored to each individual.
On the undecidability and descriptional complexity of synchronized regular expressions
Authors: Xie Jingnan , Hunt Harry B.
Published: April 2023

In Freydenberger (Theory Comput Syst 53(2):159–193, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00224-012-9389-0), Freydenberger shows that the set of invalid computations of an extended Turing machine can be recognized by a synchronized regular expression [as defined in Della Penna et al. (Acta Informatica 39(1):31–70, 2003. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00236-002-0099-y)]. Therefore, the widely discussed predicate “$$=\{0,1\}^*$$

=

{
0
,
1
}

∗

” is not recursively enumerable for synchronized regular expressions (SRE). In this paper, we employ a stronger form of non-recursive enumerability called productiveness and show that the set of invalid computations of a deterministic Turing machine on a single input can be recognized by a synchronized regular expression. Hence, for a polynomial-time decidable subset of SRE, where each expression generates either $$\{0, 1\}^*$$

{
0
,
1
}

∗

or $$\{0, 1\}^* -\{w\}$$

{
0
,
1
}

∗

-

{
w
}

where $$w \in \{0, 1\}^*$$

w
∈

{
0
,
1
}

∗

, the predicate “$$=\{0,1\}^*$$

=

{
0
,
1
}

∗

” is productive. This result can be easily applied to other classes of language descriptors due to the simplicity of the construction in its proof. This result also implies that many computational problems, especially promise problems, for SRE are productive. These problems include language class comparison problems (e.g., does a given synchronized regular expression generate a context-free language?), and equivalence and containment problems of several types (e.g., does a given synchronized regular expression generate a language equal to a fixed unbounded regular set?). In addition, we study the descriptional complexity of SRE. A generalized method for studying trade-offs between SRE and many classes of language descriptors is established.
The relation between hypoxia and proliferation biomarkers with radiosensitivity in locally advanced laryngeal cancer
Authors: van den Bovenkamp Karlijn , van der Vegt Bert , Halmos Gyorgy B. , Slagter-Menkema Lorian , Langendijk Johannes A. , van Dijk Boukje A. C. , Schuuring Ed , van der Laan Bernard F. A. M.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Treatment decision-making in advanced-stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is difficult due to the high recurrence rates and the desire to preserve laryngeal functions. New predictive markers for radiosensitivity are needed to facilitate treatment choices. In early stage glottic LSCC treated with primary radiotherapy, expression of hypoxia (HIF-1α and CA-IX) and proliferation (Ki-67) tumour markers showed prognostic value for local control. The objective of this study is to examine the prognostic value of tumour markers for hypoxia and proliferation on locoregional recurrent disease and disease-specific mortality in a well-defined cohort of patients with locally advanced LSCC treated with primary, curatively intended radiotherapy.

Methods

In pre-treatment biopsy tissues from a homogeneous cohort of 61 patients with advanced stage (T3–T4, M0) LSCC primarily treated with radiotherapy, expression of HIF-1α, CA-IX and Ki-67 was evaluated with immunohistochemistry. Demographic data (age and sex) and clinical data (T- and N-status) were retrospectively collected from the medical records. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the relation between marker expression, demographic and clinical data, and locoregional recurrence and disease-specific mortality.

Results

Patients with high expression of HIF-1α developed significantly more often a locoregional recurrence (39%) compared to patients with a low expression (21%) (p = 0.002). The expression of CA-IX and Ki-67 showed no association with locoregional recurrent disease. HIF-1α, CA-IX and Ki-67 were not significantly related to disease-specific mortality. Clinical N-status was an independent predictor of recurrent disease (p < 0.001) and disease-specific mortality (p = 0.003). Age, sex and T-status were not related to locoregional recurrent disease or disease-specific mortality.

Conclusion

HIF-1α overexpression and the presence of regional lymph node metastases at diagnosis were independent predictors of locoregional recurrent disease after primary treatment with curatively intended radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced LSCC.
Migraine: from pathophysiology to treatment
Authors: Puledda Francesca , Silva Elisa Martins , Suwanlaong Kanokrat , Goadsby Peter J.
Published: April 2023

Migraine is an extremely disabling, common neurological disorder characterized by a complex neurobiology, involving a series of central and peripheral nervous system areas and networks. A growing increase in the understanding of migraine pathophysiology in recent years has facilitated translation of that knowledge into novel treatments, which are currently becoming available to patients in many parts of the world and are substantially changing the clinical approach to the disease. In the first part of this review, we will provide an up to date overview of migraine pathophysiology by analyzing the anatomy and function of the main regions involved in the disease, focusing on how these give rise to the plethora of symptoms characterizing the attacks and overall disease. The second part of the paper will discuss the novel therapeutic agents that have emerged for the treatment of migraine, including molecules targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide (gepants and monoclonal antibodies), serotonin 5-HT1Freceptor agonists (ditans) and non-invasive neuromodulation, as well as providing a brief overview of new evidence for classic migraine treatments.
MAX CUT in Weighted Random Intersection Graphs and Discrepancy of Sparse Random Set Systems
Authors: Nikoletseas Sotiris , Raptopoulos Christoforos , Spirakis Paul
Published: April 2023

Let V be a set of n vertices, $${\mathcal M}$$
M
a set of m labels, and let $${\textbf{R}}$$
R
be an $$m \times n$$

m
×
n

matrix ofs independent Bernoulli random variables with probability of success p; columns of $${\textbf{R}}$$
R
are incidence vectors of label sets assigned to vertices. A random instance $$G(V, E, {\textbf{R}}^T {\textbf{R}})$$

G
(
V
,
E
,

R

T

R
)

of the weighted random intersection graph model is constructed by drawing an edge with weight equal to the number of common labels (namely $$[{\textbf{R}}^T {\textbf{R}}]_{v,u}$$

[

R

T

R
]

v
,
u

) between any two vertices u, v for which this weight is strictly larger than 0. In this paper we study the average case analysis of Weighted Max Cut, assuming the input is a weighted random intersection graph, i.e. given $$G(V, E, {\textbf{R}}^T {\textbf{R}})$$

G
(
V
,
E
,

R

T

R
)

we wish to find a partition of V into two sets so that the total weight of the edges having exactly one endpoint in each set is maximized. In particular, we initially prove that the weight of a maximum cut of $$G(V, E, {\textbf{R}}^T {\textbf{R}})$$

G
(
V
,
E
,

R

T

R
)

is concentrated around its expected value, and then show that, when the number of labels is much smaller than the number of vertices (in particular, $$m=n^{\alpha }, \alpha <1$$

m
=

n
α

,
α
<
1

), a random partition of the vertices achieves asymptotically optimal cut weight with high probability. Furthermore, in the case $$n=m$$

n
=
m

and constant average degree (i.e. $$p = \frac{\Theta (1)}{n}$$

p
=

Θ
(
1
)

n

), we show that with high probability, a majority type randomized algorithm outputs a cut with weight that is larger than the weight of a random cut by a multiplicative constant strictly larger than 1. Then, we formally prove a connection between the computational problem of finding a (weighted) maximum cut in $$G(V, E, {\textbf{R}}^T {\textbf{R}})$$

G
(
V
,
E
,

R

T

R
)

and the problem of finding a 2-coloring that achieves minimum discrepancy for a set system $$\Sigma $$
Σ
with incidence matrix $${\textbf{R}}$$
R
(i.e. minimum imbalance over all sets in $$\Sigma $$
Σ
). We exploit this connection by proposing a (weak) bipartization algorithm for the case $$m=n, p = \frac{\Theta (1)}{n}$$

m
=
n
,
p
=

Θ
(
1
)

n

that, when it terminates, its output can be used to find a 2-coloring with minimum discrepancy in a set system with incidence matrix $${\textbf{R}}$$
R
. In fact, with high probability, the latter 2-coloring corresponds to a bipartition with maximum cut-weight in $$G(V, E, {\textbf{R}}^T {\textbf{R}})$$

G
(
V
,
E
,

R

T

R
)

. Finally, we prove that our (weak) bipartization algorithm terminates in polynomial time, with high probability, at least when $$p = \frac{c}{n}, c<1$$

p
=

c
n

,
c
<
1

.
Neural clustering based on implicit maximum likelihood
Authors: Vardakas Georgios , Likas Aristidis
Published: April 2023

Clustering is one of the most fundamental unsupervised learning tasks with numerous applications in various fields. Clustering methods based on neural networks, called deep clustering methods, leverage the representational power of neural networks to enhance clustering performance. ClusterGan constitutes a generative deep clustering method that exploits generative adversarial networks (GANs) to perform clustering. However, it inherits some deficiencies of GANs, such as mode collapse, vanishing gradients and training instability. In order to tackle those deficiencies, the generative approach of implicit maximum likelihood estimation (IMLE) has been recently proposed. In this paper, we present a clustering method based on generative neural networks, called neural implicit maximum likelihood clustering, which adopts ideas from both ClusterGAN and IMLE. The proposed method has been compared with ClusterGAN and other neural clustering methods on both synthetic and real datasets, demonstrating promising results.
Epidemiology of proximal humerus fractures in Qatar
Authors: Alzobi Osama Z. , Salman Loay A. , Derbas Jawad , Abudalou Abedallah , Hantouly Ashraf T. , Ahmed Ghalib
Published: April 2023

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and treatment options of proximal humerus fractures at a level one trauma center and to compare our data with the current literature.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted on all patients diagnosed and treated for proximal humerus fractures at Hamad General Hospital, a level one trauma center, between January 2018 and December 2019. Age, gender, mechanism of injury, fracture classification, mode of treatment, implant type, length of hospital stay, associated injuries and complications were analyzed.

Results

A total of 190 patients with a mean age of 52.4 years were included; 56.8% were males. The incidence of proximal humerus fracture was 4.1/100,000 per year. Falling from a standing height was the most common cause of injury (50.5%). Additionally, Neer’s two-part fracture was found to be the most common type (n = 132, 69%). Forty-one patients (21.3%) had other associated injuries. Most fractures were treated nonoperatively with an arm sling (n = 138, 72.6%).

Conclusion

In summary, the incidence of proximal humerus fractures during the two-year study period was found to be 4.1 per 100,000 persons per year. Our results showed a lower incidence of proximal humerus fractures with a predominance of males and younger patients in Qatar’s population compared to females and older patients in the developed countries. Our results may contribute to the development of effective strategies for preventing and treating proximal humerus fractures, and can provide important data for further high-level clinical research.

Level of evidence

IV.
Pathways to adverse pregnancy outcomes: exploring the mediating role of intimate partner violence and depression: results from a South African rape cohort study
Authors: Abrahams N. , Chirwa E. , Mhlongo S. , Seedat S. , Myers B. , Peer N. , Kengne A. P. , Garcia-Moreno C. , Lombard C. , Jewkes R.
Published: April 2023

Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) are common occurrences that contribute to negative maternal and child health outcomes. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that trauma exposure and depression are drivers of the better-recognised risk factors for miscarriage, abortion and stillbirths. Our comparative cohort study based in Durban, South Africa recruited women who reported a recent rape (n = 852) and those who had never experienced rape (n = 853), with follow-up for 36 months. We explored APOs (miscarriage, abortion or stillbirth) among those having a pregnancy during follow-up (n = 453). Potential mediators were baseline depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms, substance abuse, HbA1C, BMI, hypertension and smoking. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to determine direct and indirect paths to APO. Overall, 26.6% of the women had a pregnancy in the follow-up period and 29.4% ended in an APO, with miscarriage (19.9%) the most common outcome, followed by abortion (6.6%) and stillbirths (2.9%). The SEM showed two direct pathways from exposure to childhood trauma, rape and other trauma, to APO which were ultimately mediated by hypertension and/or BMI, but all paths to BMI were mediated by depression and IPV-mediated pathways from childhood and other trauma to hypertension. Food insecurity mediated a pathway from experiences of trauma in childhood to depression. Our study confirms the important role of trauma exposure, including rape, and depression on APOs, through their impact on hypertension and BMI. It is critical that violence against women and mental health are more systematically addressed in antenatal, pregnancy and postnatal care.
Comparison of mechanical properties and host tissue response to OviTex™ and Strattice™ surgical meshes
Authors: Lombardi J. , Stec E. , Edwards M. , Connell T. , Sandor M.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study compared the in vitro/benchtop and in vivo mechanical properties and host biologic response to ovine rumen-derived/polymer mesh hybrid OviTex™ with porcine-derived acellular dermal matrix Strattice™ Firm.

Methods

OviTex 2S Resorbable (OviTex 2S-R) and Strattice morphology were examined in vitro using histology and scanning electron microscopy; mechanical properties were assessed via tensile test; in vivo host biologic response and explant mechanics were evaluated in a rodent subcutaneous model. Separately, OviTex 1S Permanent (OviTex 1S-P) and Strattice were evaluated in a primate abdominal wall repair model.

Results

OviTex 2S-R demonstrated layer separation, whereas Strattice retained its structural integrity and demonstrated higher maximum load than OviTex 2S-R out-of-package (124.8 ± 11.1 N/cm vs 37.9 ± 5.5 N/cm, p < 0.001), 24 h (55.7 ± 7.4 N/cm vs 5.6 ± 3.8 N/cm, p < 0.001), 48 h (45.3 ± 14.8 N/cm vs 2.8 ± 2.6 N/cm, p = 0.003), and 72 h (29.2 ± 10.5 N/cm vs 3.2 ± 3.1 N/cm, p = 0.006) following collagenase digestion. In rodents, inflammatory cell infiltration was observed between OviTex 2S-R layers, while Strattice induced a minimal inflammatory response. Strattice retained higher maximum load at 3 (46.3 ± 27.4 N/cm vs 9.5 ± 3.2 N/cm, p = 0.041) and 6 weeks (28.6 ± 14.1 N/cm vs 7.0 ± 3.0 N/cm, p = 0.029). In primates, OviTex 1S-P exhibited loss of composite mesh integrity whereas Strattice integrated into host tissue with minimal inflammation and retained higher maximum load at 1 month than OviTex 1S-P (66.8 ± 43.4 N/cm vs 9.6 ± 4.4 N/cm; p = 0.151).

Conclusions

Strattice retained greater mechanical strength as shown by lower susceptibility to collagenase degradation than OviTex 2S-R in vitro, as well as higher maximum load and improved host biologic response than OviTex 2S-R in rodents and OviTex 1S-P in primates.
Predicting the risk of saltwater contamination of freshwater aquifers during aquifer thermal energy storage
Authors: Regnier G. , Salinas P. , Jackson M. D.
Published: April 2023

Aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) is an underground thermal energy storage technology with a large potential to decarbonise the heating and cooling of buildings. ATES installations typically store thermal energy in aquifers that are also exploited for potable water, so a major consideration during development is ensuring that system operation will not lead to groundwater pollution. In this study, the risk of contamination due to upconing of a shallow freshwater/saltwater interface during ATES operation is investigated. Fluid flow, and heat and salt (chloride ion) transport are simulated in a homogeneous aquifer during ATES operation via a well doublet. The impact of geological, hydrological and operational parameters is investigated in a sensitivity analysis. Two new dimensionless numbers are proposed to characterise salt upconing and redistribution during ATES operation and provide a close match to simulated concentrations: CR,w characterises the contamination risk at the ATES installation, and CR,d characterises the risk at locations downstream of the ATES installation with respect to background groundwater flow. ATES systems with CR,w and CR,d < 10 introduce low risk of contamination in a homogenous aquifer, with chloride concentration at, and downstream of, the ATES system, remaining below the World Health Organisation’s advised limit. ATES installations with CR,w and CR,d > 10 cause a rapid increase in aquifer chloride concentration. The results are used to estimate an exclusion distance beyond which ATES system operation will not cause contamination in a homogenous aquifer. The dimensionless parameters proposed allow rapid assessment of the potential for saltwater contamination during ATES operation.
A waste wet oxidation technique as a solution for chemical production and resource recovery in Poland
Authors: Mumtaz Hamza , Werle Sebastian , Sobek Szymon
Published: April 2023

Effective municipal solid waste (MSW) management and waste-to-resource recovery has a key potential to play a vital role in economic growth of a country. MSW contains the different items of daily use that makes its composition mix in nature. Different waste-to-energy techniques are already available to treat this waste but these techniques always require some pretreatments such pre-separation and pre-drying of mix MSW that makes these processes less techno-economic to apply on large scales. To provide an effective solution to this problem, potential wet oxidation technique has been reviewed in this study. In the first section, the statistics for MSW generation and composition for different cities in Poland have been presented to show the existence of maximum organic content which can be converted to useful organic compounds. In the later section, the wet oxidation technique and its various aspects have been reviewed in detail to justify the potential of this technique to treat mix MSW at larger scales to produce different valuable products in the context of waste-to-resource recovery.

Graphical abstract
Interobserver agreement on landmark and flexure identification in colon capsule endoscopy
Authors: Schelde-Olesen B. , Bjørsum-Meyer T. , Koulaouzidis A. , Buijs M. M. , Herp J. , Kaalby L. , Baatrup G. , Deding U.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

When an optical colonoscopy is carried out, Scope Guide can assist the endoscopist in determining the localization. In colon capsule endoscopy (CCE), this support is not available. To our knowledge, the interobserver agreement on landmark identification has never been studied. This study aims to investigate the interobserver agreement on landmark identification in CCE.

Methods

An interobserver study was carried out comparing the landmark identification (the ileocecal valve, hepatic flexure, splenic flexure, and anus) in CCE investigations between an external private contractor and three in-house CCE readers with different levels of experience. All CCE investigations analyzed in this study were carried out as a part of the Danish screening program for colorectal cancer. Patients were between 50 and 74 years old with a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT). A random sample of 20 CCE investigations was taken from the total sample of more than 800 videos.

Results

Overall interobserver agreement on all landmarks was 51%. Interobserver agreement on the first cecal image (ileocecal valve), hepatic flexure, splenic flexure, and last rectal image (anus) was 72%, 29%, 22%, and 83%, respectively. The overall interobserver agreement, including only examinations with adequate bowel preparation (n = 16), was 54%, and for individual landmarks, 73%, 32%, 24%, and 85%.

Conclusion

Overall interobserver agreement on all four landmarks from CCE was poor. Measures are needed to improve landmark identification in CCE investigations. Artificial intelligence could be a possible solution to this problem.
Germany’s journey toward 14 Tesla human magnetic resonance
Authors: Ladd Mark E. , Quick Harald H. , Speck Oliver , Bock Michael , Doerfler Arnd , Forsting Michael , Hennig Jürgen , Ittermann Bernd , Möller Harald E. , Nagel Armin M. , Niendorf Thoralf , Remy Stefan , Schaeffter Tobias , Scheffler Klaus , Schlemmer Heinz-Peter , Schmitter Sebastian , Schreiber Laura , Shah N. Jon , Stöcker Tony , Uder Michael , Villringer Arno , Weiskopf Nikolaus , Zaiss Moritz , Zaitsev Maxim
Published: April 2023

Multiple sites within Germany operate human MRI systems with magnetic fields either at 7 Tesla or 9.4 Tesla. In 2013, these sites formed a network to facilitate and harmonize the research being conducted at the different sites and make this technology available to a larger community of researchers and clinicians not only within Germany, but also worldwide. The German Ultrahigh Field Imaging (GUFI) network has defined a strategic goal to establish a 14 Tesla whole-body human MRI system as a national research resource in Germany as the next progression in magnetic field strength. This paper summarizes the history of this initiative, the current status, the motivation for pursuing MR imaging and spectroscopy at such a high magnetic field strength, and the technical and funding challenges involved. It focuses on the scientific and science policy process from the perspective in Germany, and is not intended to be a comprehensive systematic review of the benefits and technical challenges of higher field strengths.
The Pie of Inspiration: Positioning the Therapist’s and Client’s Knowledge in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Authors: Zatloukal Leoš
Published: April 2023

Non-expert stance or “not-knowing” position plays important role in postmodern/ poststructuralist therapies (Tarragona, 2008) and at the same time many misunderstandings and potential pitfalls for therapeutic practice arose with this concept. This paper examines “knowledge” in therapeutic conversations from the perspective of one of the postmodern therapies – Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. After an introduction to the Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and its principles, attention is given to process and content related expertise and the solution-focused therapist’s positioning in conversations. The next section describes a model, called the Pie of Inspiration, which allows for reflecting on different sources of knowledge and inviting them into the solution-focused therapeutic conversation. The application of the model is illustrated through some case examples and an activity for working with children which is called Klondike.