bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum-derived exosomal PD-L1 expression to predict anti-PD-1 response and in patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Shimada Yoshihisa , Matsubayashi Jun , Kudo Yujin , Maehara Sachio , Takeuchi Susumu , Hagiwara Masaru , Kakihana Masatoshi , Ohira Tatsuo , Nagao Toshitaka , Ikeda Norihiko
Published: April 2021

PD-L1 expression is the most useful predictive biomarker for immunotherapy efficacy on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (CD8+ TILs) play an essential role in the clinical activity of immunotherapy. PD-L1 is found on the exosome’s surface, and PD-L1 expressing exosomes can inhibit antitumor immune responses. This study aimed to analyze tumor PD-L1 expression, serum exosomal PD-L1, and CD8+ TILs to investigate anti-PD-1 response and clinicopathological outcomes in NSCLC. One hundred twenty patients with stage I–III NSCLC were enrolled, and serum samples collected during the initial surgery were pooled. The Human CD274/PD-L1 ELISA kit was used to quantify the exosomal PD-L1. Exosomal PD-L1 levels were significantly correlated with tumor PD-L1 levels (p < 0.001) and the number of CD8+ TILs (p = 0.001). Patients with exosomal PD-L1 ≥ 166 pg/mL tended to have a worse RFS than those with < 166 pg/mL in all stage (p = 0.163) and stage I patients (p = 0.116). Seventeen patients exhibited postoperative recurrences and received anti-PD-1 treatment. The disease control rate of patients with exosomal PD-L1 ≥ 166 pg/mL was 100%. The measurement of serum exosomal PD-L1 as a quantitative factor with tumor PD-L1 status may help predict anti-PD-1 response and clinical outcomes in patients with NSCLC.
Enhancing carbohydrate repartitioning into lipid and carotenoid by disruption of microalgae starch debranching enzyme
Authors: Kato Yuichi , Oyama Tomoki , Inokuma Kentaro , Vavricka Christopher J. , Matsuda Mami , Hidese Ryota , Satoh Katsuya , Oono Yutaka , Chang Jo-Shu , Hasunuma Tomohisa , Kondo Akihiko
Published: April 2021

Light/dark cycling is an inherent condition of outdoor microalgae cultivation, but is often unfavorable for lipid accumulation. This study aims to identify promising targets for metabolic engineering of improved lipid accumulation under outdoor conditions. Consequently, the lipid-rich mutant Chlamydomonas sp. KOR1 was developed through light/dark-conditioned screening. During dark periods with depressed CO2 fixation, KOR1 shows rapid carbohydrate degradation together with increased lipid and carotenoid contents. KOR1 was subsequently characterized with extensive mutation of the ISA1 gene encoding a starch debranching enzyme (DBE). Dynamic time-course profiling and metabolomics reveal dramatic changes in KOR1 metabolism throughout light/dark cycles. During light periods, increased flux from CO2 through glycolytic intermediates is directly observed to accompany enhanced formation of small starch-like particles, which are then efficiently repartitioned in the next dark cycle. This study demonstrates that disruption of DBE can improve biofuel production under light/dark conditions, through accelerated carbohydrate repartitioning into lipid and carotenoid.
High-resolution stereolithography using a static liquid constrained interface
Authors: Bhanvadia Aftab A. , Farley Richard T. , Noh Youngwook , Nishida Toshikazu
Published: April 2021

3D printing using conventional stereolithography is challenging because the polymerized layers adhere to the solid constraining interface. The mechanical separation forces lead to poor process reliability and limit the geometrical design space of the printed parts. Here, these challenges are overcome by utilizing a static inert immiscible liquid below the resin as the constraining interface. We elucidate the mechanisms that enable the static liquid to mitigate stiction in both discrete layer-by-layer and continuous layerless growth modes. The inert liquid functions as a dewetting interface during the discrete growth and as a carrier of oxygen to inhibit polymerization during the continuous growth. This method enables a wide range of process conditions, such as exposure and resin properties, which facilitates micrometer scale resolutions and dimensional accuracies above 95%. We demonstrate multi-scale microstructures with feature sizes ranging from 16 μm to thousands of micrometers and functional devices with aspect ratios greater than 50:1 without using sacrificial supports. This process can enable additive 3D microfabrication of functional devices for a variety of applications.
Enhanced photocatalytic properties of a chemically modified blue phosphorene
Authors: Maibam Ashakiran , Das Sawan Kumar , Samal Pragnya Paramita , Krishnamurty Sailaja
Published: April 2021

Rate of photocatalysis depends on how well the structures can check the electron–hole recombination.
Chemical characterization ofCassia fistulapolysaccharide (CFP) and its potential application as a prebiotic in synbiotic preparation
Authors: Dawood Dawood Hosni , Darwish Mohamed Samir , El-Awady Asmaa A. , Mohamed Azza H. , Zaki Ahmed A. , Taher Mohamed A.
Published: April 2021

CFP may be a prebiotic due to its high resistance against α-amylase and acid. CFP provides two ways to adjust nitric oxide synthesis in macrophages. We show the use of CFP in the production of synbiotic yogurt with favorable physical and chemical characteristics.
Observation of lithium stripping in super-concentrated electrolyte at potentials lower than regular Li stripping
Authors: Shiga Tohru , Masuoka Yumi , Nozaki Hiroshi
Published: April 2021

When Li plating/stripping was conducted on a Cu powder electrode in a super-concentrated electrolyte of LiFSA and PNMePh, two potential plateaus of the Cu electrode for Li stripping were observed at −0.2 V and +1.0 V versus a Li counter electrode.
The COVID-19 pandemic: impact on the molecular bioscience research community and beyond
Authors: Ferreira Pedro , Gruszka Dominika , Mercer Derry
Published: April 2021

In 2020, the Biochemical Society conducted two surveys to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on researchers in the molecular biosciences. Totalling over 1000 responses across both surveys (a first-phase survey launched in April 2020 and a follow-up survey launched in October 2020) , the feedback reflected the impact of the various lockdowns and restrictions implemented within both the UK and globally.
Multi‐factor joint normalisation for face recognition in the wild
Authors: Liu Yanfei , Chen Junhua
Published: April 2021

Face recognition has become very challenging in unconstrained conditions due to strong intra‐personal variations, such as large pose changes. Face normalisation can help to resolve these problems and effectively improve the face recognition performance in unconstrained conditions by converting non‐frontal faces to frontal ones. However, there are other complex facial variations in addition to pose, such as illumination and expression, which will also influence face recognition performance. The authors propose a well‐designed generative adversarial network‐based multi‐factor joint normalisation network (MFJNN) to normalise multiple factors simultaneously. First, a multi‐encoder generator and a feature fusion strategy are designed and implemented in the MFJNN to realise the joint normalisation of multiple factors in addition to pose. Second, a convolutional neural network‐based (CNN‐based) network is applied in the MFJNN, which allows the MFJNN to simultaneously realise image synthesis and facial representation learning. Moreover, an identity perceptive loss is introduced based on the CNN‐based network to produce reliable identity‐preserving features of the input face images. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can synthesise multi‐factor normalisation results with identity preservation and effectively improve the face recognition performance.
Demonstration of super‐Gaussian apodized linearly chirped fiber Bragg grating for efficient beam steering in Ku‐band applications
Authors: Srivastava Nimish Kumar , Raghuwanshi Sanjeev Kumar , Parihar Reena
Published: April 2021

This paper demonstrates a photonic‐based wideband TTD beamforming will demonstrate network employing super‐Gaussian apodized chirped fiber Bragg grating (SGFBG) of different lengths (each having central wavelength of 1550 nm) such as 5, 4.5, 4, 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5 cm as well as varying chirp rate, which can be used as variable TTD lines for controlling the radiation angle of PAA (the main lobe radiated by the PAA can be steered squint‐free between 0° and ± 69°) suitable for continuous beamforming at microwave frequencies in Ku‐band (12‐18 GHz). The experimental demonstration shows the effect of change in laser wavelength on delay incurred within the reflected light from the SGFBG. This delay in modulated optical signal will be converted into delayed microwave signal feed to respective element of PAA after passing through photodetector. Finally, the time‐delayed microwave signal feeded to each element of PAA will be responsible for tilt in microwave signal compared to the horizontal direction. Novelty of the proposed SGFBG as compared to linearly chirped fiber Bragg grating (LCFBG) is in terms of reduction in ripples in delay spectrum which will lead to exact delay introduction in the optical signal.
Energy tourism in Serbia: online representation of the hydro energy tourism
Authors: Dimitrovski Darko
Published: April 2021

Energy tourism is an emerging type of tourism that received increasing attention in the recent period. Hydro plants were part of the energy tourism offer that has been attracting the tourist throughout the time. Thus, revealing the online representation of their textual and visual content is of considerable interest for countries that aim to enhance this specific tourism activity. Serbia has an unfavourable structure of exploited energy sources with a significant share of renewable source, in contrast to considerable hydro energy potential, both for energy creation and tourism usage. By acknowledging the current state of the tourism use of hydro plants, understanding its attraction and experience value, and future activities that could derive from it is an initial step in formulating tourism management and marketing efforts.
Bionic organization as a stage of production enterprise development in a digital transformation process
Authors: Cherepanov Vitalii , Popov Evgeny , Simonova Victoria
Published: April 2021

This article embraces a concept of bionic organization as a form of production enterprise which main attribute is an integration of digital technologies in the management processes and the production lines from the product idea to its delivery to a consumer. Digital technologies reinforce human competencies and abilities of analogous machines, playing a role of independent component of executive and production system. At the same time, digital technologies become full-fledged members of the organization, enriching it with bionic treats.

An idea of full human substation in production management with digital technologies is far from being practicable, but a tendency towards this change is quite clear. The main purpose of this this article is to discover main features of bionic organization as an intermediate evolution stage on the way of full human substitution with machines and digital technologies. Additionally, the article focuses on the interconnections between bionic organization, digital transformation, digital maturity and management system. This analysis was made for a production enterprise set upon a way to deep digital transformation.
Impact of alternative energy sources on development of neo-industrial foreign trade specialization
Authors: Andreeva Elena , Golovina Alla , Ratner Artem
Published: April 2021

This paper identifies the structure of the energy balance in the world and in individual countries was analyzed, trends and factors in the development of alternative types of energy carriers. The impact of their development on the volume and structure of international energy trade is substantiated. Its development prospects are presented for developed countries that are leaders in the development of alternative energy sources, and for developing countries for which the price factor is more important. Prospects of development of Russian energy exports in conditions of increasing importance of alternative types of energy carriers in the world economy and international trade are considered.
Sustainability of economic systems and business enterprises
Authors: Kalyugina Svetlana , Snegireva Natalia , Shalashaa Zaur , Shmygaleva Polina
Published: April 2021

Our paper analyses the issues of sustainability of economic systems and business enterprise at micro and meso levels. Dynamics are analysed in a global bio-geophysical subsystem linked to the macroeconomic system, the environment and the human economy. The paper proposes a conceptual framework that looks into the compromise between economic growth and sustainability and concludes that both can be achieved if relevant efforts are spent and funds are allocated. Moreover, it analyses the risks and assesses economic and financial stability using the Altman and Altman-Sabato models. In addition, the research addresses the role of the macroeconomic system, the environment and the human economy in the sustainable development of ecosystem functions and its impacts on business enterprises. Our results might become the guidelines for the governments seeking to combine the development of their economic systems with the principles of sustainable development.
Vital energy coefficient for leading positive changes on the way to sustainable development
Authors: Gerasimov Kirill , Skivko Maria , Lyubavina Natalya
Published: April 2021

This paper focuses on such characteristics of leaders that foster the transformation processes. In particular, the paper analyses the coefficient of vital energy as a significant resource for achieving sustainable development goals. Considered in comparison with inefficient energy use as burnout, vital energy emphasizes the importance of life-work balance and the possibility for recharging for leaders. Moreover, the accent is given to the specificity of sustainable development changes that requires, apart from effective solutions, efficient and passionate leaders.
Sustainable development of the universities in the 21st century
Authors: Ilgov Vyacheslav , Gardanova Zhanna , Nikitina Natalya
Published: April 2021

Our paper aims at assessing the sustainable development of the universities in the 21st century that is market by globalization, high penetration of information and communication technologies as well as global environmental changes. The paper stresses that the higher education is undergoing profound changes in its role and its position in the society and should focus its attention to the environmental challenges and the fight again the global warming. Higher education is ripe for reforms that are not intended to disrupt its main goals and its very essence but that might help it to modernize its approaches to achieving the up-to-date objectives that would maximize its contribution to the development of the society. Therefore, it appears that governments and the civil society alike should put more effort into embedding the sustainable development principles as well as sustainable development goals (SDG) into the educational curricular of the universities regardless to their geographical location.
Sustainable healthcare within the strategy of regional development
Authors: Nekrasov Michail , Kalina Svetlana , Veprentsova Svetlana , Kekteeva Yulia
Published: April 2021

This article has an aim of connecting the sustainable healthcare to the environmentally-friendly strategy of regional development. We describe how a growing interest in ways health organisations and systems measure and report on their sustainability is recorded in the recent years. In addition, we note the growing need for sustainability indicators in the health system, such as health insurance coverage, quality of care, and access to health services. Our results show that environmental pollution and other hazardous activities have a profound effect on human health and therefore create a burden for the healthcare system. In addition, we discuss the importance of sustainable healthcare for the health and well-being of patients and the environment. In the same time, we stress that high standards of healthcare should be preserved and maintained in spite of the reduction in health costs and environmental impacts as a part of the sustainable regional development strategies.
Sustainable independent tourism: the role of the information and communication technologies
Authors: Sutyrina Olga , Domracheva Svetlana , Okhotina Natalia , Pavlova Yana
Published: April 2021

This paper focuses on the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the sustainable independent tourism and hospitality. Moreover, it attempts to identify emerging trends in tourism of the 21st century. Nowadays, tourism has become more independent on large travel agencies and package tours and this transition has been caused by the development of Internet and information technologies. Most recently, the rise of the sharing economy had an array of important implications for the tourism sector with such digital platforms as Uber, Airbnb, Gett, Lyft, TripAdvisor, Expedia or Booking.com replacing the traditional ways to travel. Surely, independent tourism is not for everyone and might be restricted to small groups of people. However, it is crucial for sustainable development in tourism and hospitality sector due to the fact that it can replace massive tourism and limit the extent of overtourism in many popular destinations.
Renewable energy sources in maintaining environmental stability on the Black Sea coast
Authors: Diasamidze Mzia , Shotadze Ana
Published: April 2021

The aim of this research is to study the main ecological parameters of the Black Sea in an experimental way as well as to evaluate the results and to draw conclusions. We aim at determining the cause of pollution of the sea area represented by the emissions from ships’ engines and pollution by surface waters. Our empirical part that included the field expeditions, sampling was carried out with the involvement of students within the framework of the internal grant research project “Monitoring of the Black Sea Ecological Status - Sea Water Quality Survey”. We studied the level of pollution of two rivers flowing into the Black Sea, Bartskhana and Kubistskali, and made relevant conclusions about the types of pollution, proper measurements and causal relationship of the causes of sea water pollution with the vessels entering the port of Batumi.
Soft monetary policy in a sustainable economy as a rigid game
Authors: Čábelková Inna
Published: April 2021

Over the past decade, central banks in a majority of developed countries injected astonishing amounts of money into national and international economies in the hope of helping real sectors and with worries of high inflation. Neither of these came true. This paper describes the reasons for such unusual dynamics using a case of the sustainable economy. The three factors considered include the increased propensity to save, the decreased money multiplier, and substantial growth in the financial markets. The mathematical model studies the effect of the new money created on the real sector via the effect on real consumption depending on the share of the new money received by the less and more affluent part of the population. The results suggest, that the higher is the proportion of new money allocated to the poorer part of the society, the higher is the effect of overall money on the real sector if the propensity to consume in this part of the population is held constant.
Building major competencies for enhancing higher education for sustainable development
Authors: Ivanov Alexander , Tolstikova Svetlana , Ovcharenko Larisa , Morozova Tatiana
Published: April 2021

This paper focuses on the specifics and preconditions for building major competencies that are envisaged for enhancing higher education for sustainable development (ESD). It looks into the professional development of specialists in higher education, factors affecting individual stages of professional development of these specialists, as well as into the role of the environment in their professional development. Furthermore, it studies the formal and informal learning as the important setting leading to the creation of the major competencies for linking globalization, complexity and environmental responsibility and channelling them to students through the teaching process in higher education.
A visualization of the energy-saving problems
Authors: Pryshchenko Svitlana , Antonovych Yevgen , Petrushevskyi Andryi
Published: April 2021

This paper focuses on the visualization of eco problems and the latest green technologies, including energy-saving. Today, there are four color-graphic means in advertising: photography, graphics (drawing or computer graphics), font compositions, and often a combination of these. Our study considers the imagery and stylistics of eco poster as a type of public advertising, and ascertains that in the subject of energy-saving a light bulb as the visual stereotype prevails. The paper indicates the importance of system design thinking, the use of creative approaches in the educational process of designers (metaphor, metonymy, hyperbole, association, allegory also) in creating social appeals for a wide audience – from young children to the older generation. Moreover, it emphasized the social value of design, and the aesthetic, moral as well as communicative aspects of visual information of environmental orientation within the context of this study.
Surrogate based blended-wing-body underwater glider shape optimization design
Authors: Ye Pengcheng , Wang Congcong , Pan Guang
Published: April 2021

In order to improve the design quality and optimization efficiency for blended-wing-body underwater glider(BWBUG) shape design optimization problems, a surrogate-based blended-wing-body underwater glider shape optimization(SBUGSO) framework is proposed. The aim is to maximize the lift to drag ratio(LDR) of BWBUG with the constrain that the displacement volume of the optimal shape is larger than that of the initial shape. The LDR of the optimal BWBUG is improved by 24.32% with acceptable computational resources. The optimization results show that the present SBUGSO framework can efficiently decrease the computational resource, and improve the hydrodynamic performance and loading capacity of BWBUG. Comparing with the other optimization algorithms, SBUGSO framework shows the significant superiority.
3D Reconstruction with circular light field by using 3D hough transformation
Authors: Song Zhengxi , Wu Qi , Wang Xue , Wang Qing
Published: April 2021

Aiming at the issue of incomplete trajectories in the 2D epipolar image of circular light field, this paper proposes a 3D reconstruction method by using 3D Hough transformation. This method computes 3D point clouds by computing the parameters of feature trajectories in 3D image volume. By analyzing the 3D distribution of circular light field trajectories, binary curves in image volume are extracted, and their local orientation are further estimated by the 3D structure tensor. The 3D Hough space generation and the parameter selection method are proposed to the 3D curves detection. The parameters of these curves are converted to 3D point clouds on each view and then merged to final 3D reconstruction. The ambiguity of Hough transformation solution on 2D epipolar image is overcome by the 3D analyzing method. The experiments are carried out on both synthetic and real datasets. The experiment results show that this method can improve the reconstruction performance compared with the state-of-the-art in circular light field.
Study on project trajectory of air-to-ground missile with strapdown seeker under multi constraints
Authors: Zhao Junmin , Nie Cong , Chang Guannan , Lyu Meibo , Li Xinguo
Published: April 2021

The air-to-ground missile with strapdown seeker may have the problems, including small field of view(FOV), limited overload, and fall angle constraint. To solve the above mentioned problem, a phased guidance scheme is proposed. In this scheme, the attack trajectory is divided into the following six stages, including glided stage, fall angle constraint stage, target acquisition and adjustment stage, terminal guidance stage and blind zone stage. The glided stage is designed to increase range, the terminal fall angle is attained ahead of time at fall angle constraint stage. The aim of target acquisition and adjustment stage is to adjust the missile attitude, so that the target will fall within the FOV of the seeker. It creates good condition to capture the target for strapdown seeker. In the terminal stage, the guidance law of proportional navigation and attitude track are used to fit the needs of FOV constraint and attack accuracy. The simulation result shows that the project trajectory can solve the application of attacking moving targets for air-to-ground missile with strapdown seeker under multi constraints.
Study on effect of geometry on performance of pulse detonation rocket engines
Authors: Wang Yun , Fan Wei , Li Hongbin
Published: April 2021

In order to investigate the effect of the geometry on the performance of pulse detonation rocket engines under valveless self-adaptive working mode, the multi-cycle experiment was carried out on the pulse detonation rocket engines with different mixing sections and obstacles, while the operating frequency was 20 Hz. Gasoline was utilized as fuel, and oxygen-enriched air as oxidizer. Experimental results indicate that the DDT distance and DDT time of PDRE can be shortened by using the mixing section of gradual-expansion structure. The effect of the spiraling grooves and annular grooves on the DDT process is weak. The mixture-based specific impulse of the mixing section with gradual-expansion structure is 4.2%-7.2% lower than that of the mixing section with sudden-expansion structure. The mixture-based specific impulse of PDRE with sudden-expansion structure and Shchelkin spirals is the largest, about 116.4 s.
Modeling and analysis of mission thread of weapon system of systems based on O-PPN
Authors: Chen Yuqi , Xu Tingxue , Zhao Xiaotong , Lu Cheng
Published: April 2021

Aiming at the problem that the current WSoS mission modeling and analysis methods are difficult to describe the property of multi-state of each equipment system, combining with Petri net and Markov process, an O-PPN based mission thread modeling and analysis method is proposed in this paper. Based on the definition of WSoS, the mission of WSoS is formally described. To improve the traditional Petri net, an operation performance Petri net (O-PPN) is constructed, in order to meet the modeling needs of the general mission thread of the WSoS; and aiming at the problems of the performance degradation of the equipment system and the possible "ahead of time" state, the performance degradation model of the equipment system based on Markov is constructed. The corresponding state probability set is obtained by inputting the reliability parameters of each equipment system. And according to the requirements of each operation in the mission thread for the performance level of each equipment system and combined with the mission success and failure criteria of the combat task and operation, the mission success probability of the whole WSoS is calculated. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed method is verified by the simulation of the case.
Gemeinsame Handlungsempfehlung (S1-Leitlinie) von DGN, OGNMB und SGNM – Radiosynoviorthese – Stand: 9/2019 – AWMF-Registernummer: 031-023
Authors: Gabriel Michael , Pöppel Thorsten D. , Freudenberg Lutz S. , Farahati Jamshid , Krause Thomas , Buchmann Inga , Panholzer Peter J. , Mödder Gynter , Becherer Alexander , Kampen Willem U. , Kurth Jens , Krause Bernd J. , Wissmeyer Michael , Kresnik Ewald ,   Weitere Beteiligte,   Deutsche Gesellschaft für Rheumatologie e. V. (DGRh),   Deutsche Schmerzgesellschaft e. V.
Published: April 2021

Diese Handlungsempfehlung soll eine Grundlage für die Qualitätssicherung der Radiosynoviorthese (RSO) bei entzündlichen (nichtinfektiösen) Gelenkerkrankungen schaffen. Sie wurde interdisziplinär erarbeitet und beschreibt die allgemeine Zielsetzung, Definitionen, klinische Hintergrundinformationen und Kontraindikationen dieser Radionuklidtherapie. Aufgeführt werden die Anforderungen, die an ein Behandlungszentrum gestellt werden, prätherapeutisch notwendige Untersuchungsbefunde sowie Empfehlungen, wie die Behandlung technisch und organisatorisch durchgeführt werden sollte. Ferner finden sich Angaben zur Kontrolle und Nachsorge der therapierten Patienten. Grundsätzlich sollen Behandlung und Nachsorge in Abstimmung und Zusammenarbeit der beteiligten Fachdisziplinen erfolgen.
Infektionsmanagement bei drohender Frühgeburt – eine Umfrage an deutschen Perinatalzentren
Authors: Pech Theresa , Gerber Bernd , Stubert Johannes
Published: April 2021

Einleitung Internationalen und nationalen Leitlinien fehlt es an detaillierten Empfehlungen zur Infektionsdiagnostik und -therapie bei drohender Frühgeburt. Ziel der Studie war es, Daten zur Versorgungssituation an deutschen Perinatalzentren zu erheben.

Methoden Onlineumfrage zum Infektionsmanagement bei drohender Frühgeburt an allen 212 deutschen Perinatalzentren der Versorgungsstufen Level I und II.

Ergebnisse Die Rücklaufquote betrug 31,6% (n=67). Bei drohender Frühgeburt unter 34 vollendeten SSW ohne Blasensprung verzichten 78,8% auf eine kalkulierte Antibiotikagabe. Von den verbleibenden vierzehn Zentren (21,2%) würde die Hälfte generell bei klinischen Zeichen einer drohenden Frühgeburt antibiotisch behandeln. Fast alle Zentren (94%) führen eine vaginale Erregerdiagnostik durch. Eine mikroskopische Abstrichbeurteilung mittels Nugent- oder Amsel-Score erfolgt in 37,3%. Abweichungen von der physiologischen vaginalen Mikrobiota werden mehrheitlich antibiotisch behandelt (bakterielle Vaginose 79,1%, n=53, Candida spp. 77,6%, n=52, Ureaplasma spp. 49,3%, n=33). Kontrollabstriche erfolgen in 70,1%. Konsens besteht hinsichtlich einer Antibiotikagabe bei frühem vorzeitigem Blasensprung. 72,6% bevorzugen eine Monotherapie mit einem β-Laktam-Antibiotikum. Uneinheitlich waren hier die Angaben zur Dauer der Therapie, wobei 58% der Zentren länger als sieben Tage behandeln.

Schlussfolgerung An deutschen Perinatalzentren besteht eine hohe Bereitschaft zur Infektionsdiagnostik und -therapie bei drohender Frühgeburt. Das Infektionsmanagement ist jedoch uneinheitlich und partiell widersprüchlich zu den vorliegenden Leitlinien. Es besteht ein Bedarf an qualitativ hochwertigen Studien zu diesem Thema.
COVID-19: ambulante oder stationäre Betreuung? – Risikoscore zur prospektiven Differenzierung leichter und schwerer Verläufe
Authors: Peters Lynn , Burkert Sanne , Dinse-Lambracht Alexander , Peifer Johannes , Grüner Beate
Published: April 2021

Während die Zahl an Personen, die sich mit SARS-CoV-2 infizierte, über eine lange Zeit stieg, nahmen die Behandlungskapazitäten in den Krankenhäusern entsprechend ab. Um Patienten nicht zu gefährden und gleichzeitig Ressourcen zu schonen, ist eine frühzeitige Differenzierung zwischen prognostisch leichten und schweren Verläufen erforderlich. Zur Identifikation von COVID-19-Fällen mit stationärem Behandlungsbedarf wurde zu Beginn der Pandemie ein COVID-19-Risikoscore basierend auf einer Literaturrecherche und ersten klinischen Erfahrungen erstellt und im Rahmen einer retrospektiven Kohortenstudie mit 155 Patienten validiert. Aufgrund des hohen prädiktiven Wertes und der Diskriminierungsfähigkeit kann der etablierte COVID-19-Risikoscore ein unterstützendes Instrument für klinisch tätige Ärzte an der Sektorengrenze zwischen ambulantem und stationärem Bereich darstellen.
Der dggö-Ausschuss für Allokation und Verteilung – 11. Workshop des dggö-Ausschusses Allokation und Verteilung
Authors: Krüger Felix , Schäffer Tobias , Stahn Gerrit
Published: April 2021

Am 13. und 14. November 2020 fand der 11. Workshop des dggö-Ausschusses Allokation und Verteilung statt. Aufgrund der anhaltenden Pandemie-Situation wurde der Workshop erstmals als Online-Veranstaltung durchgeführt. Mit insgesamt 11 Vorträgen, die allesamt von Korreferaten begleitet wurden, sowie einem Hauptvortrag durch Prof. Jan Schildmann (MLU Halle-Wittenberg und ZEKO) bot der Workshop den fast 40 teilnehmenden Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftlern reichlich Gelegenheit zur Diskussion neuer Forschungsbeiträge.
Neuer Corona-Test: Gurgeln, spucken, fertig
Authors: Heeser Alexandra
Published: April 2021

An der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) erhalten Firmen, Kitas und Co. mit einem in Deutschland nahezu unbekannten Test-Verfahren schnell die Auskunft, ob es unter den Mitarbeitern oder Kindern Coronafälle gibt. Der Gurgeltest funktioniert als qPCR-Test. Auch wenn der Buchstabe „q“ hält, was er verspricht – nämlich eine schnelle („quick“) Auswertung –, steht er eigentlich für quantitativ. Ein Ergebnis des Tests liegt schon in weniger als zwei Stunden vor.
Cybersecurity: Sicherheitsrisiko Krankenhaus
Authors: Doelfs Guntram
Published: April 2021

Die schwere Hackerattacke gegen die Uniklinik Düsseldorf im vergangenen September offenbarte, wie verwundbar deutsche Kliniken weiterhin sind. Zwar hat sich einiges verbessert, doch nach Ansicht von Sicherheitsexperten ist die IT-Sicherheit in vielen Kliniken weiterhin mit Mängeln behaftet. Selbst KRITIS-Häuser zeigen erhebliche Schwachstellen, wie eine aktuelle Studie belegt.
KHZG: Schattenseiten eines Goldrausches
Authors: Doelfs Guntram
Published: April 2021

Seit Inkrafttreten des Krankenhauszukunftsgesetzes werden deutsche Krankenhäuser mit Angeboten für Digitalisierungsprojekte regelrecht überschüttet. Neben vielen etablierten Anbietern und Beratungsfirmen sind offenbar auch branchenfremde Firmen und wenig qualifizierte Berater unterwegs, die Kliniken Hard- und Software verkaufen wollen, die diese gar nicht benötigen.
Study on the polarity effect in an atmospheric pressure glow discharge driven by resonant power supply
Authors: Wang Yongsheng , Ding Weidong
Published: April 2021

In recent years, atmospheric pressure glow discharge has become an active research area for many scholars because of its broad industrial application prospects. However, much of the research is focused more on how to acquire this type of discharge or how to use it in some fields; there is a lack of clear and universally accepted theories. In this paper, we described the polarity effect in the process of atmospheric pressure glow discharge driven by a resonant power supply, from the standpoint of the differences in electric field direction in the pin-to-plate gap. We also discussed the characteristics of the discharge waveform, the characteristics of discharge images and the light-intensity distribution on the centerline of the discharge channel. Also studied were the polarity effect of unipolar discharge and the influence of different output-voltage amplitudes on the polarity effect. We found that both positive and negative discharges looked like a typical glow discharge. The voltage and current waveforms of unipolar discharge have a rapidly rising slope, and there is strong ionization near the anode. In the process of a unipolar discharge, there is an obvious γ discharge stage, and the α mode discharge has an obvious high-slope stage, whereas the slope of this process of a negative discharge is more gradual, and the polarity effects of positive and negative unipolar discharges become less and less obvious with the increase in the output-voltage amplitude of power supply.
Temperature-induced first-order electronic topological transition in
β
-Ag2Se
Authors: Sharath Chandra L. S. , Ramjan SK. , Banik Soma , Sagdeo Archna , Chattopadhyay M. K.
Published: April 2021

β-Ag2Se is a promising material for room temperature thermoelectric applications and magneto-resistive sensors. However, no attention was paid earlier to the hysteresis in the temperature dependence of resistivity [ρ(T)]. Here, we show that a broad hysteresis above 35 K is observed not only in ρ(T), but also in other electronic properties such as Hall coefficient [RH(T)], Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, and ultraviolet photoelectron spectra (UPS). We also show that the hysteresis is not associated with a structural transition. The ρ(T) and RH(T) show that β-Ag2Se is semiconducting above 300 K, but metallicity is retained below 300 K. While electronic states are absent in the energy range from the Fermi level (EF) to 0.4 eV below the EF at 300 K, a distinct Fermi edge is observed in the UPS at 15 K suggesting that the β-Ag2Se undergoes an electronic topological transition from a high-temperature semiconducting state to a low-temperature metallic state. Our study reveals that a constant and moderately high thermoelectric figure of merit in the range 300–395 K is observed due to the broad semiconductor to metal transition in β-Ag2Se.
New insights into numerical simulations of flow around two tandem square cylinders
Authors: Shui Qingxiang , Duan Cuie , Wang Daguo , Gu Zhaolin
Published: April 2021

Flows around tandem square cylinders at Re = 100 are numerically studied using a characteristic-based penalty operator splitting finite element method based on a multistep algorithm. The validation of the code and numerical method is performed for flows around single square cylinders. L/D effects (with L being the center-to-center distance and D being the square cylinder width) on the flow structures and parameters are investigated for 1.5 ≤ L/D ≤ 9.0. The flow structures, especially far downstream of the square cylinder, indicate six distinct flow regimes. The two-layered vortex formation (TVF) and secondary vortices formation (SVF) modes are defined, and their mechanisms are analyzed. The evolution of TVF into SVF proceeds through the combination of single and binary vortex formations. Variations in the physical flow parameters, including the coefficients of fluctuating lift (CL′), time-averaged drag (C̄D), and amplitude lift (CLA), as well as the Strouhal number and phase lag (ϕ), are analyzed for various L/D values. Obvious jumps in the flow parameters occur at both square cylinders for L/D = 4.4–4.5 because of vortex impingement. Finally, insight into the physics underlying the relationship between CL−upA, CL−up′, and ϕ is derived from the simulation results. The local maximum and minimum of CL−upA and CL−up′ occur at ϕ = 2π and 3π, respectively, corresponding to in-phase and anti-phase vortex shedding by the cylinders. The pressures on the upper and lower sides of the upstream square cylinder decrease and increase, respectively, leading to reductions in CL−upA and CL−up′ as the flow pattern changes from in-phase to anti-phase.
Billion-pixel x-ray camera (BiPC-X)
Authors: Wang Zhehui , Anagnost Kaitlin , Barnes Cris W. , Dattelbaum D. M. , Fossum Eric R. , Lee Eldred , Liu Jifeng , Ma J. J. , Meijer W. Z. , Nie Wanyi , Sweeney C. M. , Therrien Audrey C. , Tsai Hsinhan , Yue Xin
Published: April 2021

The continuing improvement in quantum efficiency (above 90% for single visible photons), reduction in noise (below 1 electron per pixel), and shrink in pixel pitch (less than 1 μm) enable billion-pixel x-ray cameras (BiPC-X) based on commercial complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) imaging sensors. We describe BiPC-X designs and prototype construction based on flexible tiling of commercial CMOS imaging sensors with millions of pixels. Device models are given for direct detection of low energy x rays (<10 keV) and indirect detection of higher energies using scintillators. Modified Birks’s law is proposed for light yield non-proportionality in scintillators as a function of x-ray energy. Single x-ray sensitivity and spatial resolution have been validated experimentally using a laboratory x-ray source and the Argonne Advanced Photon Source. Possible applications include wide field-of-view or large x-ray aperture measurements in high-temperature plasmas, the state-of-the-art synchrotron, x-ray free electron laser, and pulsed power facilities.
Probing photoinduced proton coupled electron transfer process by means of two-dimensional resonant electronic–vibrational spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Jiaji , Borrelli Raffaele , Tanimura Yoshitaka
Published: April 2021

We develop a detailed theoretical model of photo-induced proton-coupled electron transfer (PPCET) processes, which are at the basis of solar energy harvesting in biological systems and photovoltaic materials. Our model enables us to analyze the dynamics and the efficiency of a PPCET reaction under the influence of a thermal environment by disentangling the contribution of the fundamental electron transfer and proton transfer steps. In order to study quantum dynamics of the PPCET process under an interaction with the non-Markovian environment, we employ the hierarchical equations of motion. We calculate transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) and a newly defined two-dimensional resonant electronic–vibrational spectroscopy (2DREVS) signals in order to study the nonequilibrium reaction dynamics. Our results show that different transition pathways can be separated by TAS and 2DREVS.
COVID-19 in animals: contact with humans and potential transmissions
Authors: Selleck Paul
Published: April 2021

In December 2019, cases of atypical pneumonia were diagnosed in hospital patients in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. The disease was characterised by a respiratory disorder of variable severity ranging from mild upper respiratory tract illness to acute respiratory distress syndrome, severe interstitial pneumonia and death. The source of the virus is yet to be confirmed but wild animals sold at wholesale seafood and exotic animal markets of Wuhan were implicated. The virus was called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease designated as Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). As of the 13 January 2021, the WHO had reported 90335008 cases and 1954336 deaths in 216 countries. The isolation of related coronaviruses from bats suggests that they may be a potential host species. This paper is a review of the current literature on SARS-CoV-2 infections of animals and the animal challenge models for the in-vivo evaluation of vaccines and therapeutics.
Acute treatment with monoclonal antibodies: their design and their use
Authors: Kelleher Anthony D
Published: April 2021

Passive anti-viral immunotherapy, including monoclonal antibodies (mAb), was identified early as a promising therapeutic avenue for COVID-19 with a rapid development pathway. This has been driven by the lack of existing effective direct acting antivirals for coronaviruses, the marginal clinical impact of remdesivir and the relative lack of efficacy of antivirals against other respiratory pathogens, combined with the failure of repurposed drugs. This review explores the potential utility of mAb targeting SARS-CoV-2, to prevent or treat COVID-19 infection. The use of mAb against host factors (e.g. tocilizumab targeting IL-6 receptor and canakinumab targeting IL1-β) to mitigate the inflammatory response seen in progressive disease will not be considered. This review will primarily consider mAb that have direct neutralising activity via their targeting of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein focussing on: the targets of mAb; how they mediate viral neutralisation; their propensity to generate escape mutants; their clinical use so far, and their likely place in the therapeutic play book.
Diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease and barriers to conducting pelvic examinations in Australian general practice: findings from an online survey
Authors: Bittleston Helen , Coombe Jacqueline , Temple-Smith Meredith , Bateson Deborah , Hunady Jill , Sanci Lena , Hocking Jane S. , Goller Jane L.
Published: April 2021

Background Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is under-diagnosed globally, particularly in primary care, and if untreated may cause reproductive complications. This paper investigates PID diagnosis by Australian general practitioners (GPs) and barriers to their conducting a pelvic examination. Methods: An online survey investigating Australian GPs’ chlamydia management, including PID diagnosis, was conducted in 2019. From 323 respondents, 85.8% (n = 277) answered multiple-choice questions about PID and 74.6% (n = 241) answered a free-text question about barriers to conducting pelvic examinations. Using multivariable logistic regression, we identified factors associated with conducting pelvic examinations. Barriers to performing pelvic examinations were explored using thematic analysis. Results: Most GPs indicated that they routinely ask female patients with a sexually transmissible infection about PID symptoms, including pelvic pain (86.2%), abnormal vaginal discharge (95.3%), abnormal vaginal bleeding (89.5%), and dyspareunia (79.6%). Over half reported routinely conducting speculum (69.0%) and bimanual pelvic (55.3%) examinations for women reporting pelvic pain. Female GPs were more likely to perform speculum [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.6; 95%CI: 2.6–8.2] and bimanual pelvic examinations (AOR 3.7; 95%CI: 2.1–6.5). GPs with additional sexual health training were more likely to routinely perform speculum (AOR 2.2; 95%CI: 1.1–4.2) and bimanual pelvic examinations (AOR 2.1; 95%CI: 1.2–3.7). Barriers to pelvic examinations were patient unwillingness and/or refusal, GP gender, patient health-related factors, time pressures, and GP reluctance. Conclusion: Although GPs typically ask about PID symptoms when managing patients with chlamydia, they are not consistently able or willing to perform pelvic examinations to support a diagnosis, potentially reducing capacity to diagnose PID.
Rocky escarpment versus savanna woodlands: comparing diet and body condition as indicators of habitat quality for the endangered northern quoll (
Authors: Thomas Hannah , Cameron Skye F. , Campbell Hamish A. , Micheli-Campbell Mariana A. , Kirke Ellie C. , Wheatley Rebecca , Wilson Robbie S.
Published: April 2021

Abstract Context Understanding what constitutes high-quality habitat for threatened species is critical for conservation management planning. The endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) has experienced an uneven range contraction among habitat types. Once common across multiple habitats of northern mainland Australia, declining populations have now contracted to rocky escarpments. Aim The island refuge of Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory, Australia, has not experienced the declines as seen on mainland Australia. Here, northern quolls persist in both rocky escarpment and savanna woodland, which provides a rare opportunity to investigate the habitat quality of rocky escarpments and savanna woodland for the northern quoll. Methods Northern quolls (n = 111) were trapped in both rocky escarpment (n = 61) and savanna woodland (n = 50) habitats before the breeding season (May). We conducted body condition assessment, scat analysis, and measured trophic niche breadth of individuals occupying each habitat type. Key results Female quolls occupying rocky escarpments exhibited a lower body condition than did quolls occupying savanna woodland. Quolls from rocky escarpments consumed a significantly higher proportion of mammals and fed within a narrower dietary niche than did those occupying savanna woodland. Conclusions Quolls had adapted to the dietary resources available within each habitat type, suggesting that the lack of quolls in savanna woodland on the mainland is due to factors other than availability of dietary resources. Implications Groote Eylandt is of critical conservation significance, where high numbers of northern quolls exist in both rocky escarpment and savanna woodland habitats. For population viability on the mainland, managing threats such as feral predators and inappropriate fire regimes in savanna woodland, particularly those surrounding rocky escarpment, should be prioritised.