bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable development of supplier performance. An empirical analysis of relationship characteristics in the automotive sector
Authors: Naffin Jule , Klewitz Johanna , Schaltegger Stefan
Published: January 2023

Sustainability performance of suppliers has become increasingly important for both corporate practice and research. While the importance of relationships between the focal company and its suppliers has been acknowledged for improving sustainability performance of suppliers, little is known about the role of relation specific factors in practice. This research fills this gap by empirically analyzing the relevance of relationspecific factors for the sustainability performance of suppliers based on a unique data set of 736 first‐tier suppliers of a German original equipment manufacturer in the automotive industry. The analysis reveals that the sustainability performance of suppliers relates positively to transaction volume and relationship length as specific forms of relation specific characteristics as well as strategic partnership as a proxy of incentivized, in‐depth cooperation and knowledge exchange. Each of the investigated relation‐specific characteristics show a link with either environmental or with social performance. Conclusions are drawn for research and management.
Cytology as the guiding light: Prompt cytomorphologic diagnosis of cystic metastases from a jejunal neuroendocrine tumor masquerading as hepatic abscesses
Authors: Tom Jesty Pullattu , Singh Aditya , Gupta Parikshaa , Gupta Nalini , Basher Rajender Kumar , Suri Vikas
Published: January 2023

Hepatic cystic lesions are commonly seen in radiology and can occur due to infective or neoplastic causes. It is imperative to determine the precise nature of these hepatic cysts owing to significant therapeutic and prognostic differences. Hepatic metastases from gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) mostly present as solid hypervascular lesions. Cystic presentation of the metastatic NETs is extremely rare. A 64‐year‐old woman presented with an abdominal lump of 3 months duration and high‐grade fever from the last 2 days. An ultrasound abdomen revealed multiple hypoechoic liver lesions suggestive of liver abscesses. An ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) from the cystic liver lesions revealed a NET confirmed by immunocytochemistry. The Ki‐67 index was 5%; hence, a final diagnosis of metastatic NET, grade 2, was given with advice to work up for localizing the primary tumor. Subsequently, a contrast‐enhanced computerized tomography of the abdomen revealed a polypoidal lesion in the proximal jejunum, which showed intense expression on the whole‐body DOTANOC scan (SUVmax‐76.5), indicating it to be the likely primary tumor along with somatostatin receptor‐expressing multiple lymph nodes and hypodense liver lesions. Thus, a final diagnosis of a jejunal NET with abdominal lymph node and liver metastases was made. The present report highlights the importance of FNA as a reliable modality in diagnosing metastatic NETs presenting as unusual cystic hepatic metastases masquerading as liver abscesses. Additionally, the cell block helps confirm the cytologic diagnosis and enables upfront tumor grading, thereby helping in prognostication and therapeutic decision‐making.
Design, synthesis, and antitumor evaluation of trimethoxyflavonoid with arylurea structure against hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Sun Xueyan , Zhao Yin , Zhao Jingduo , Xie Zhizhong , Lei Xiaoyong , Liu Xingyun , Li Yong , Huang Sheng , Wang Zhe , Tang Guotao
Published: January 2023

Simultaneous targeting of tumor vasculature and inhibitors of tumor cell glycolysis may be a promising antitumor strategy. Here, we reported the total synthesis and biological evaluation of A‐ring arylurea flavonoid derivatives with B‐ring trimethoxy group, which exhibited potent antitumor activity against a variety of tumor cells in vitro. Most of the derivatives showed in vitro antitumor activity on HepG‐2, HGC‐27, MDA‐MB‐231, and A549 cells. Among them, compounds 8e, 8f, 8g, 8h, 8j, and 8l also exhibited significant anti‐proliferation effects on liver tumor cell subtypes BEL‐7402 and SMMC‐7721. Compound 8l had the lowest IC50 value (5.61 ± 0.39 μM) on HepG‐2 cells, and showed the effects of inhibiting colony formation, arresting the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase, and inducing apoptosis in a concentration‐dependent manner. In addition, the toxicity of compound 8l on human normal cells LO2 and GES‐1 was lower than that of sorafenib. The inhibitory effects of compound 8l on the expression of glycolytic rate‐limiting enzymes HKII, PFK‐1, PKM2 and vascular endothelial growth factor were further evaluated. Corresponding reduction in intracellular lactate was also detected after compound 8 treatment. Our results support an antitumor strategy targeting tumor vasculature and glycolysis to discover and develop a new generation of antitumor drugs.
Factors That Impact Hospital‐Specific Enrollment Rates for a Neonatal Clinical Trial: An Analysis of the HEAL Study
Authors: Guttmann Katherine F. , Li Sijia , Wu Yvonne W. , Juul Sandra E. , Wilfond Benjamin S. , Weiss Elliott Mark ,   HEAL Recruitment Collaborative
Published: January 2023

Inconsistent enrollment among hospitals for neonatal clinical trials may lead to study populations that are not representative of the patient population in the neonatal intensive care unit. The High‐Dose Erythropoietin for Asphyxia and Encephalopathy (HEAL) trial was a multisite randomized clinical trial investigating erythropoietin as a neuroprotective treatment for term infants (those born between 37 and 42 complete weeks) with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Substantial variability was noted in enrollment rate by hospital. We developed survey questions across five conceptual domains to understand systems‐level issues that might contribute to variation in enrollment rate by hospital. Our study found that hospitals varied in their responses across these five domains. We propose three potential reasons that we found a lack of identifiable hospital‐level factors that correlated with enrollment rates: sample‐size limitations, methodological concerns, and confounding factors. Future studies with a larger sample size should be considered to evaluate contributors to hospital‐level variability. This will lead to more robust recruitment strategies, improved enrollment, and decreases in the waste of research resources.
The Drosophila‐parasitizing wasp Leptopilina heterotoma: A comprehensive model system in ecology and evolution
Authors: Quicray Maude , Wilhelm Léonore , Enriquez Thomas , He Shulin , Scheifler Mathilde , Visser Bertanne
Published: January 2023

The parasitoid Leptopilina heterotoma has been used as a model system for more than 70 years, contributing greatly to diverse research areas in ecology and evolution. Here, we synthesized the large body of work on L. heterotoma with the aim to identify new research avenues that could be of interest also for researchers studying other parasitoids and insects. We start our review with a description of typical L. heterotoma characteristics, as well as that of the higher taxonomic groups to which this species belongs. We then continue discussing host suitability and immunity, foraging behaviors, as well as fat accumulation and life histories. We subsequently shift our focus towards parasitoid‐parasitoid interactions, including L. heterotoma coexistence within the larger guild of Drosophila parasitoids, chemical communication, as well as mating and population structuring. We conclude our review by highlighting the assets of L. heterotoma as a model system, including its intermediate life history syndromes, the ease of observing and collecting natural hosts and wasps, as well as recent genomic advances.
Trait adaptation enhances species coexistence and reduces bistability in an intraguild predation module
Authors: Li Xiaoxiao , Klauschies Toni , Yang Wei , Yang Zhifeng , Gaedke Ursula
Published: January 2023

Disentangling how species coexist in an intraguild predation (IGP) module is a great step toward understanding biodiversity conservation in complex natural food webs. Trait variation enabling individual species to adjust to ambient conditions may facilitate coexistence. However, it is still unclear how coadaptation of all species within the IGP module, constrained by complex trophic interactions and trade‐offs among species‐specific traits, interactively affects species coexistence and population dynamics. We developed an adaptive IGP model allowing prey and predator species to mutually adjust their species‐specific defensive and offensive strategies to each other. We investigated species persistence, the temporal variation of population dynamics, and the occurrence of bistability in IGP models without and with trait adaptation along a gradient of enrichment represented by carrying capacity of the basal prey for different widths and speeds of trait adaptation within each species. Results showed that trait adaptation within multiple species greatly enhanced the coexistence of all three species in the module. A larger width of trait adaptation facilitated species coexistence independent of the speed of trait adaptation at lower enrichment levels, while a sufficiently large and fast trait adaptation promoted species coexistence at higher enrichment levels. Within the oscillating regime, increasing the speed of trait adaptation reduced the temporal variability of biomasses of all species. Finally, species coadaptation strongly reduced the presence of bistability and promoted the attractor with all three species coexisting. These findings resolve the contradiction between the widespread occurrence of IGP in nature and the theoretical predictions that IGP should only occur under restricted conditions and lead to unstable population dynamics, which broadens the mechanisms presumably underlying the maintenance of IGP modules in nature. Generally, this study demonstrates a decisive role of mutual adaptation among complex trophic interactions, for enhancing interspecific diversity and stabilizing food web dynamics, arising, for example, from intraspecific diversity.
Sediment controls on the transition from debris flow to fluvial channels in steep mountain ranges
Authors: Neely Alexander B. , DiBiase Roman A.
Published: January 2023

Steep channel networks commonly show a transition from constant‐gradient colluvial channels associated with debris flow activity to concave‐up fluvial channels downstream. The trade‐off between debris flow and fluvial erosion in steep channels remains unclear, which obscures connections among topography, tectonics, and climate in steep landscapes. Here, we analyze steep debris‐flow‐prone channels across the western United States and observe: (1) similar maximum channel gradients across a range of catchment erosion rates and geologic settings; and (2) lengthening colluvial channels with coarsening sediment cover. Following this compilation, we hypothesize that steep channel gradients are controlled by two competing thresholds of motion for bed‐sediment cover: bed failure by mass‐wasting and fluvial entrainment. We use downstream patterns in discharge, channel geometry, and sediment size to calculate discharges needed to mobilize sediment cover by both mechanisms across channels in the San Gabriel Mountains (SGM) and northern San Jacinto Mountains (NSJM) in southern California. Across steep colluvial channels in both landscapes, decadal discharges are below fluvial entrainment thresholds but above mass‐wasting entrainment thresholds for
(median) sediment sizes, consistent with recent debris flows captured by repeat imagery. Colluvial channel gradient is similar despite > 3× contrasts in surface sediment grain size. In concave‐up fluvial channels downstream, decadal discharges exceed fluvial entrainment thresholds, and mass‐wasting is not predicted on lower gradients. In both landscapes, fluvial channels steepen downstream compared to gradients needed to mobilize sediment cover, which we interpret to reflect downstream increases in sediment flux. Coarser sediment supply in the NSJM than the SGM increases fluvial entrainment thresholds, which increases total channel relief in the NSJM by (1) lengthening colluvial channels shaped by debris flows and (2) increasing fluvial channel gradients. Our compilation and downstream analysis show how differing sensitivity of fluvial and debris flow processes to sediment grain size impacts the relative relief of colluvial and fluvial regimes in headwater channel networks.
Positive outcomes from U.S. lead regulations, continued challenges, and lessons learned for regulating emerging contaminants
Authors: Dietrich Matthew , Filippelli Gabriel M
Published: January 2023

Albeit slow and not without its challenges, lead (Pb) emissions and
sources in the United States (U.S.) have decreased immensely over the
past several decades. Despite the prevalence of childhood Pb poisoning
throughout the 20th century, most U.S. children born in the last two
decades are significantly better off than their predecessors in regards
to Pb exposure. However, this is not equal across demographic groups and
challenges remain. Modern atmospheric emissions of Pb in the U.S. are
nearly negligible since the banning of leaded gasoline in vehicles and
regulatory controls on Pb smelting plants and refineries. This is
evident in the rapid decrease of atmospheric Pb concentrations across
the U.S over the last four decades. One of the most significant
remaining contributors to air Pb is aviation gasoline (avgas), which is
minor compared to former Pb emissions. However, continual exposure risks
to Pb exist in older homes and urban centers, where leaded paint and/or
historically contaminated soils+dusts can still harm children. Thus,
while effective in eliminating nearly all primary sources of Pb in the
environment, the slow rate of U.S. Pb regulation has led to legacy,
secondary sources of Pb in the environment. More proactive planning,
communication, and research of commonly used emerging contaminants of
concern that can persist in the environment long after their initial use
(i.e., PFAS) should be prioritized so that the same mistakes are not
made again.
Effects of Chemical Compounds on the Activity of the N-acetyl-β-D-Glucosaminidase of the Marine Prawn, Palaemon serratus: Screening In Vitro
Authors: Rollin Marc , Coulaud Romain , Rocher Béatrice , Billoir Elise , Geffard Olivier , Duflot Aurélie , Fromont Chloé , Boulangé-Lecomte Céline , Le Foll Frank , Xuereb Benoit
Published: January 2023

N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) is important for crustaceans because the enzyme activity is necessary for the molting process. The present study aimed to assess the sensitivity of Palaemon serratus NAGase activity to a set of compounds of diverse chemical families in the context of in vitro exposures. Compounds representing different chemical families were selected according to their abundance, impact in the environment, and relevance as disruptors of the molting process. In a first step, four solvents (dimethylsulfoxide [DMSO], methanol, acetone, and ethanol) were tested to determine their suitability to dissolve hydrophobic compounds without affecting NAGase activity. Exclusively, ethanol had no effect on enzyme activity and on the integrity of the proteins present in the enzyme extract. The 18 other compounds were tested and four of these compounds, pentoxifylline, fenoxycarb, dithiocarbamate, and RH5849, showed a specific alteration on the activity of NAGase, without affecting the protein content. However, cadmium, zinc, and glyphosate showed a nonspecific alteration, affecting both the enzyme activity and the proteins, whereas ibuprofen exclusively altered the protein content. Finally, 10 of the 22 tested compounds (including DMSO, acetone, and methanol) showed a direct alteration of NAGase activity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:846–858. © 2023 SETAC
Middle Eocene–early Miocene planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy, sea‐level reconstruction and sequence biostratigraphy at N. El Faras‐1X well, Qattara Depression, Western Desert, Egypt
Authors: Shahin Abdalla , El Khawagah Samar , Shahin Banan
Published: January 2023

The planktonic foraminiferal assemblages are tracked in the middle Eocene–early Miocene succession within N. El Faras‐1X Well, Qattara Depression, Egypt. This succession is composed mainly of three lithostratigraphic units the upper part of the Apollonia Formation (middle to late Eocene), Dabaa Formation (late Eocene and Oligocene) and the lower part of the Moghra Formation (early Miocene). Biostratigraphically, the recorded 77 planktonic foraminiferal species enabled the recognition of 12 planktonic foraminiferal biozones; 4 biozones belong to middle to late Eocene, 7 biozones belong to the Oligocene and 1 belongs to the early Miocene. The proposed biozones were compared with their equivalents in other Egyptian regions and other schemes. Eleven Lowest Occurrence and two Highest Occurrence planktonic foraminiferal bioevents were also recognized and correlated all over the world. The chronostratigraphy and the stage boundaries were mainly delineated according to the diagnostic planktonic foraminifera. The middle–late Eocene boundary (Bartonian–Priabonian boundary), The Eocene–Oligocene boundary (Priabonian–Rupelian boundary), the early Oligocene–late Oligocene boundary (Rupelian–Chattian boundary) and the Oligocene–Miocene boundary (Chattian–Aquitanian boundary) were accurately determined. Based on the % P, the palaeobathymetry was estimated and hence the sea‐level fluctuation. The reconstructed sea‐level curve revealed two major transgressive–regressive cycles with minor oscillation within them. These events were globally correlated and match in most parts with that of the worldwide sea‐level curves. The sequence stratigraphy framework consists mainly of two transgressive–regressive (T–R) depositional sequences (DS1 and DS2). The DS1 includes the TST1 below which is capped by mfs1 and the HST1 above. The DS2 involves the TST2 below that was capped by mfs2 and the HST2 above.
Impact of COVID‐19 measures on the health and healthcare of children in East‐Africa: Scoping review
Authors: El Salih Ibrahim , Njuguna Festus Muigai , Widjajanto Pudjo Hagung , Kaspers Gertjan , Bailey Ajay , Mostert Saskia
Published: January 2023

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic is of grave concern. As scientific data is being collected about the nature of COVID‐19, government leaders and policy makers are challenged. They might feel pressured to take strong measures to stop virus spread. However, decisions could cause more harm than do good. This study maps all existing literature regarding the impact of COVID‐19 containment measures on the health and healthcare of children in East‐Africa.

Methods

This scoping review follows Population Concept Context guidelines of Arksey and O’Malley and PRISMA 2020 checklist. PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched. All peer‐reviewed literature published in English between January 2020 and October 2022 was considered. Initial screening of titles and abstracts was undertaken independently by two reviewers, with a third available in case of doubt. This was followed by full‐text screening involving two independent reviewers.

Results

In total, 70 studies were included. Eight containment measures affecting children's health and healthcare were distinguished: lockdowns, school closures, physical distancing, travel restrictions, business closures, stay‐at‐home orders, curfews, quarantine measures with contact tracing. The consensus in the studies is that containment measures could minimise COVID‐19 spread but have adverse indirect effects on children in East‐Africa. Seven indirect effects were distinguished: economic damage, limited education access, food insecurity, child abuse, limited healthcare access, disrupted health‐programs, and mental health challenges.

Conclusion

Government leaders and policy makers should take adverse indirect effects of COVID‐19 measures into account, particularly in resource‐limited regions such as East‐Africa, apply a holistic approach, and strengthen socioeconomic and health‐systems to protect the most vulnerable.
Direct Hydrogenolysis of Cellulose to Methane Utilizing Rare‐Earth Promoted Nickel Catalysts
Authors: Koch Christopher J. , Alagaratnam Anushan , Goeppert Alain , Surya Prakash G. K.
Published: January 2023

Cellulose is one of the main components of plant matter, which makes it a viable target for biomass conversion to fuels. The direct conversion of cellulose to methane utilizing nickel‐based catalysts often has challenges associated with it. Carbon agglomeration creating nickel‐carbon nanoparticles deactivating catalytic hydrogenation of cellulose has been well reported. Utilizing rare‐earth metals as promoters increases the conversion of cellulose to methane, albeit with deactivation of the catalyst in the form of nickel‐rare‐earth‐carbon nanoparticles. Adding an additional zinc metal promoter eliminates the carbon agglomeration and allows for increased methane yields. Herein, we report an 81 % methane yield from cellulose in 48 hours utilizing a Ni/Zn/Y/Al2O3 catalyst at 225 °C and under 50 bar H2 pressure.
Total variation‐based ultrasound image despeckling using method noise thresholding in non‐subsampled contourlet transform
Authors: Singh Prabhishek , Diwakar Manoj
Published: January 2023

Medical diagnostics rely heavily on ultrasound imaging since it is non‐invasive, inexpensive, and able to provide images in real time. However, the inherent existence of a kind of signal‐dependent noise in these images diminishes the use of ultrasound imaging systems. Speckle noise is inherently present in ultrasound images. Its inherent presence occurs during the image acquisition phase. It decreases the diagnostic usefulness of this imaging modality since it interferes with and reduces the image resolution and contrast. Speckle noise is multiplicative in nature. This multiplicative nature of speckle noise causes adverse effects on ultrasound imaging because it distorts the image quality and causes a loss of the patient's informative content in ultrasound imaging. This causes difficulty in tissue characterization. A lot of research has been done in this field to remove speckle noise while preserving medical information in the image. To handle this issue, research has been grouped into multiple domains. The two main domains include homomorphic and non‐homomorphic filtering. The homomorphic filtering uses a logarithmic transform that converts this multiplicative nature into an additive nature and uses any additive image restoration model to do a despeckling task. Non‐homomorphic filtering encompasses all methods that do not employ a logarithmic transform. Since the presence of speckle noise in ultrasound imaging is an inherent property. Therefore, the despeckling of medical ultrasound images is a mandatory task that cannot be avoided or ignored. This paper proposes a two‐step hybrid and homomorphic despeckling technique, where modified total variation method is applied as step one for speckle reduction purposes. Step two implements method of noise thresholding in the non‐subsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) domain using the bivariate shrinkage rule for edge preservation. The effectiveness and reliability of the proposed method are tested by comparing it with some of the latest methods based on qualitative and quantitative analyses. This paper will help the new researchers understand various problems and their solutions related to ultrasound image despeckling.
The typical and atypical development of empathy: How big is the gap from lab to field?
Authors: Bulgarelli Chiara , Jones Emily J. H.
Published: January 2023

Background

Empathy‐understanding and sharing someone else's feelings‐is crucial for social bonds. Studies on empathy development are limited and mainly performed with behavioural assessments. This is in contrast to the extensive literature on cognitive and affective empathy in adults. However, understanding the mechanisms behind empathy development is critical to developing early interventions to support children with limited empathy. This is particularly key in toddlerhood, as children transition from highly scaffolded interactions with their parents and towards interactions with their peers. However, we know little about toddlers' empathy, in part due to the methodological constraints of testing this population in traditional lab settings.

Methods

Here, we combine naturalistic observations with a targeted review of the literature to provide an assessment of our current understanding of the development of empathy in toddlerhood as it is expressed in real‐world settings. We went into toddlers' typical habitat, a nursery, and we performed 21 h of naturalistic observations of 2‐to‐4‐year‐olds. We then reviewed the literature to evaluate our current understanding of the mechanisms that underpin observed behaviours.

Results

We observed that (i) emotional contagion, possibly a primitive form of empathy, was observed at the nursery, but rarely; (ii) older toddlers often stared when someone cried, but there was no clear evidence of shared feelings; (iii) teacher and parent scaffolding might be paramount for empathy development; (iv) as some atypical empathic reactions can be observed from toddlerhood, early interventions could be developed. Several competing theoretical frameworks could account for current findings.

Conclusions

Targeted studies of toddlers and their interaction partners in both controlled and naturalistic contexts are required to distinguish different mechanistic explanations for empathic behaviour in toddlerhood. We recommend the use of new cutting‐edge methodologies to embed neurocognitively‐informed frameworks into toddlers' natural social world.
Incident HIV acquisition among pregnant women in Botswana: findings from the Tsepamo birth outcomes surveillance study
Authors: Mussa Aamirah , Mayondi Gloria Katuta , Diseko Modiegi , Mabuta Judith , Mmalane Mompati , Makhema Joseph , Lockman Shahin , Morroni Chelsea , Shapiro Roger , Zash Rebecca
Published: January 2023

Introduction

In Botswana, where almost all pregnant women known to have HIV receive antiretroviral therapy, a large proportion of vertical HIV transmission may occur among women with incident undiagnosed HIV infection during pregnancy. Botswana guidelines recommend repeat HIV testing every 3 months in pregnancy, with at least one test in the third trimester. We evaluated the rate of repeat HIV testing, calculated HIV incidence during pregnancy and estimated missed seroconversions.

Methods

In the Botswana Tsepamo Study, we abstracted HIV test dates and results from obstetric records of all women who delivered at maternity wards in 18 communities between 7th May 2017 and 20th August 2021. We defined seroconversion as an initial negative/indeterminate HIV test in pregnancy followed by a positive test during pregnancy/at delivery. The incidence rate (IR) of seroconversion was calculated among women with > = 2 known test dates. Missed seroconversions were estimated among women without a test in the third trimester by applying the IR to the time after the last HIV test until delivery.

Results

Among 103,529 women delivering in the study period testing negative at the first test and with known conception and HIV test dates, 29,085 (28%) were tested in one trimester of pregnancy, 73,156 (71%) were tested in ≥ 2 trimesters of pregnancy and 9628 (9%) had a test in all trimesters. A total of 78,162 (75%) women had a third‐trimester test. There were 223 seroconversions (2.58/1000 pregnancies, 0.26%) among those with ≥ 2 known HIV test dates, yielding an IR of 0.69/100 person‐years. Among 25,289 women who did not have a test in the third trimester, we estimate approximately 58 seroconversions may have been missed during pregnancy due to a lack of repeat testing. Factors associated with seroconversion during pregnancy included younger age, less education and not being married.

Conclusions

More than two‐thirds of women had repeat HIV testing in pregnancy and HIV incidence was low. However, an estimated 21% of seroconversions in pregnancy were likely missed due to a lack of re‐testing. To reach the goal of zero new paediatric HIV infections, Botswana will need to intensify repeat HIV testing in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Efficacy and safety of zero‐fluoroscopy ablation of ventricular arrhythmias originating from the right ventricular outflow tract: Comparison with fluoroscopy‐guided ablation without a three‐dimensional electroanatomic mapping system
Authors: Vu Ba Van , Phan Phong Dinh , Pham Linh Tran , Hoang Kien Trung , Do Thinh Duc , Nguyen Hung Manh , Ngo Linh Thi Hai , Le Dung Tien , Phan Nguyen Thao , Nguyen Huu Cong , Luong Thuc Cong
Published: January 2023

Background

Radiofrequency catheter ablation is the preferred treatment choice for ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) originating from right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) in symptomatic patients and is usually performed under fluoroscopy guidance. Zero‐fluoroscopy (ZF) ablations using 3D mapping system applied for treatment of various types of arrhythmias are trending and practiced in many centers around the world, but rarely done in Vietnam. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zero‐fluoroscopy ablation of RVOT VAs, compared with fluoroscopy‐guided ablation without a 3D electroanatomic mapping (EAM) system.

Methods and Results

We conducted a nonrandomized, prospective single‐center study including 114 patients with RVOT VAs that had electrocardiographic features of typical left bundle branch block, inferior axis QRS morphology, and a precordial transition ≥ V3, from May 2020 to July 2022. The patients were assigned (without randomization) to two different approaches of either zero‐fluoroscopy ablation under the guidance of the Ensite system (ZF group) or fluoroscopy‐guided ablation without a 3D EAM (fluoroscopy group) in a 1:1 ratio. After a follow‐up time of 5.0 ± 4.9 months and 6.9 ± 9.3 months in the ZF and fluoroscopy groups, respectively, the results showed a higher success rate in the fluoroscopy group than in the complete ZF group (87.3% vs 86.8%), although the difference was not statistically significant. No major complication was noted in both the groups.

Conclusion

ZF ablation for RVOT VAs can be done safely and effectively using the 3D electroanatomic mapping system. The results of ZF approach are comparable to that of the fluoroscopy‐guided approach without a 3D EAM system.
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation for Patients With Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Propensity Score‐Matching Analysis
Authors: Ning Jiwei , Wang Shifeng , Guo Yuehao , Diao Jianfeng , Bai Xuehong , Wang Hongjin , Hu Kaimeng , Zhao Qingwen
Published: January 2023

Objectives

This retrospective study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in combination with chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone in treating patients with unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC).

Methods

The data of unresectable LAPC patients who received chemotherapy with or without HIFU ablation were retrieved retrospectively. The overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), cancer antigen 19‐9 response rate, and safety were compared between these two groups before and after propensity score matching (PSM).

Results

Overall, 254 patients with LAPC were included, of whom 92 underwent HIFU ablation. After PSM to control for potential biases, HIFU was associated with improved OS (12.8 versus 12.2 months, log‐rank P = .046), as compared to patients without HIFU ablation. Patients with numeric rating scale (NRS) less than 4, and receiving HIFU ablation were significantly associated with improved OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.365 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.148–0.655], P = .002; aHR = 0.490 [95% CI = 0.250–0.961], P = .038; respectively) by multivariate analyses with the adjustment of age, NRS, and tumor size. ORR was also observed to be higher in HIFU group of 30.0% than in the chemotherapy group of 13.3% (P = .039). No severe adverse events of special interest or HIFU‐caused deaths were observed.

Conclusions

Patients with unresectable LAPC who received gemcitabine‐based chemotherapy might benefit from additional HIFU ablation.
Balanced Charge‐Carrier Transport and Defect Passivation in Far‐Red Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Wang Shuxin , Liu Yongjie , Liu Chenwei , Shao Wenlong , Wang Chen , Xiao Meng , Chen Guoyi , Yu Zhiqiu , Tao Chen , Ke Weijun , Fang Guojia
Published: January 2023

Perovskites are promising light emitters that can cover broad‐range emissions over the entire visible spectrum. However, few studies have focused on uncommon wavebands, such as far‐red emission of 700–750 nm that has broad applications in biology, horticulture lighting, optogenetics, etc. Here, a strategy is demonstrated to achieve high‐performance far‐red perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) through antisolvent engineering. First, 1,3,5‐tris(1‐phenyl‐1H‐benzimidazole‐2‐yl) benzene (TPBi) is introduced into n‐i‐p perovskite matrix not only to passivate the defects but also to balance carrier mobility as well as adjust the energy level alignment between perovskite and the electron transport layer. The n‐type TPBi can prevent hole carriers’ movements in perovskite light emitters and enhance electron injection. Furthermore, the incorporation of TPBi uplifts the Fermi energy level of perovskites by 0.32 eV as well as diminishes the conduction band offset between zinc oxide (ZnO) and the perovskite emitters, hence alleviating the accumulation of charges at the interface. Consequently, the PeLEDs with TPBi‐modified perovskite emitters show an invariable far‐red emission peak at around 735 nm with a champion external quantum efficiency of 14.22%. This work makes up the far‐red emission of perovskite light‐emitting devices and boosts latent capacity of PeLEDs for future application.
A review on mechanisms and recent developments of nanomaterials based carbon fiber reinforced composites for enhanced interface performance
Authors: Li X. , Liu T. , Lin P. , Xiang W. , Shang H. , Liu Y. , Zhang S.
Published: January 2023

Carbon fiber reinforced composites have attracted lots of attention in many fields. However, on account of the poor infiltration of resin to carbon fiber, the weak interface performance between fiber and resin has been restricting the interface properties of composites. In recent progress, the review attaches more importance to the introduction of the third phase monomer, which mainly uses physical and chemical methods to assemble nanomaterials (such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, etc.) on the carbon fiber surface to modify the interface structure of the carbon fiber reinforced composites, and all of them have been demonstrated in this paper. Furthermore, the effects of introducing nanomaterials on the structure of the fiber/resin interface and the relationship between multi‐scale interface structure and properties have been investigated. It can be seen that the design idea of researchers mainly uses one or more theories to improve the interface properties of carbon fiber reinforced composites, such as transition layer, chemical bonding, mechanical interlocking, infiltration, diffusion, and adsorption. In brief, this work provides some novel insights for the preparation of carbon fiber reinforced composites with excellent interlaminar shear strength.
A study on coatability of marble dust on metal substrates
Authors: Nayak S. K. , Satapathy A. , Mantry S.
Published: January 2023

Marble dust is a hazardous construction/industrial waste generated during the extraction, cutting and polishing of marble‐producing rocks. The present work explores the potential of marble dust to be used as a coating material on metal substrates. For this, the high‐velocity oxy‐fuel (HVOF) spraying route is adopted to deposit marble dust coatings on four different metallic substrates: mild steel, inconel, aluminum, and copper. Liquefied petroleum gas is used as the fuel and nitrogen as the carrier gas while the coating deposition is performed by varying the spray distance over a range from 50 mm to 250 mm. The coating microstructure is studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the developed phases are identified using an x‐ray diffractometer. The developed coatings are characterized in terms of deposition efficiency, coating thickness and adhesion strength. It is found that the coatings exhibit fairly good interfacial adhesion and thickness values that varied quite significantly with the spray distance. Maximum deposition efficiency of about 68 % is obtained for the copper substrate when the deposition is performed at a spray distance of 100 mm. This experimental investigation thus shows that despite being a waste, marble dust is eminently coatable on several metallic substrates.
A preliminary study on the manufacturing aluminum–potassium feldspar metal matrix composite materials
Authors: Das O. , Aybarc U. , Yucel Ozturk Y. , Goren Kiral B. , Ozturk H. , Kiral Z. , Uyulgan B.
Published: January 2023

This study reports the results of a preliminary study of manufacturing aluminum–potassium feldspar metal matrix composites including its castability and mechanical properties. The material was composed considering 0.25 %, 0.5 %, and 0.75 % additive ratios to examine the impact of the amount of potassium feldspar on the material and mechanical properties of the manufactured aluminum metal matrix composite material. Aluminum alloy (A356) was utilized as the matrix of the composition. The composite material was manufactured by the stir casting technique. The modulus of elasticity, yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, density, and quality index of the material parameters was taken into account to determine the materials′ practicality. The preliminary results indicated that potassium feldspar is a promising mineral to be utilized as an additive for aluminum metal matrix composites since it has a positive impact on mechanical properties. By optimizing the casting parameters, the positive aspects of the potassium feldspar may make the material more practical to be utilized in vast engineering applications.
Effect of thickness and chemical composition on thermal resistance of steel dilatometric specimens under heating‐cooling cycles by Joule heating
Authors: Chávez‐Campos P. N. , Vázquez‐Gómez O. , Vergara‐Hernández H. J. , Chávez‐Campos G. M. , Herrejón‐Escutia M. , López‐Martínez E.
Published: January 2023

The effect of thickness and chemical composition on the electrical power and thermal resistance of dilatometric specimens heated by Joule heating are analyzed in different steels, using stepped tests of constant temperature and electrical current. In the stepped constant temperature tests, the electric current necessary to maintain the target temperature in a specific time is measured, while in the electric current tests the electrical current is maintained until the maximum temperature stabilizes. The results show that the electrical power behaves linearly with the thickness associated with the transfer area, while the thermal resistance behaves potentially; both values depend on the chemical composition due to electrical resistivity. The steels with a higher concentration of alloying elements have a better response to Joule heating. However, thickness is the parameter that most influences electrical power due to changes in transfer area and electrical current density, as well as in the mass of the specimen to be heated. Finally, based on the results obtained, predictions are realized for the design of thicker specimens, maintaining the observed behavior; i. e., as the thickness of the specimen increases, the increase in electrical power and thermal resistance is maintained.
Characterization and evaluating the mechanical performance of halloysite nanotubes reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/polycarbonate composites exposed to aggressive environmental conditions
Authors: Narendra Babu Y. , Venkateswara Rao M. , Gopala Krishna A.
Published: January 2023

Developing light weight polymer based composites dispersed with novel reinforcements which can function well in the presence of aggressive environments is an active research field in the materials engineering. Hence, in the current work, halloysite nanotubes (1 %, 2 %, 4 %, 6 %, 8 % and 10 % by weight) were reinforced into acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/polycarbonate blend and the role of reinforcing phases on the mechanical performance under aggressive environmental conditions has been evaluated. Hardness was measured as gradually increased in the composites with the increased content of the reinforcements. Impact strength of the composites was observed as increased in the composites up to 4 % reinforcement and further decreased. Increased strength was measured for the composite up to 2 % reinforcement. Ductility of the composites was decreased as reflected form the decreased % of elongation with the higher fraction of reinforcements due to induced brittleness. The composites were exposed to diluted sulfuric acid for 3 h and 6 h at 60 °C and then subjected to tensile loading. With the increased time of exposure, composites with 1 % and 2 % reinforcement exhibited relatively better performance.
Electrophysiological Characterization of a MYH7 Variant with Tremor Phenotype
Authors: Vial Felipe , McGurrin Patrick , Osterholt Thomas , Ehrlich Debra J. , Iannacone Susan T. , Donkervoort Sandra , Neuhaus Sarah B. , Chao Katherine C. , Bönnemann Carsten G. , Haubenberger Dietrich , Hallett Mark
Published: January 2023

Background

The concept of a myopathy with associated tremor (“myogenic tremor”) in humans has been previously described for specific MYBPC1 (Myosin‐Binding Protein C) variants. Here we report for the first time an individual with tremor who was found to have a de‐novo likely pathogenic variant in Myosin Heavy Chain 7 (MYH7).

We provide a detailed electrophysiological characterization of the tremor syndrome in a human individual with a myopathy and this pathogenic MYH7 variant to provide further insight in the phenotypic spectrum and pathomechanism of myogenic tremors in skeletal sarcomeric myopathies.

Methods

Electromyographic recordings were obtained from facial muscles, as well as bilateral upper and lower extremities.

Results

10 to 11 Hz activity was observed in the face and extremities during recordings with muscle activation. There were intermittent episodes of significant left–right coherence that would modulate across muscle groups throughout the recording, but no coherence between muscles at different levels of the neuraxis.

Conclusions

A possible explanation for this phenomenon is that the tremor originates at the sarcomere level within muscles, which is then picked up by muscle spindles and leads to activating input to the neuraxis segment. At the same time, the stability of the tremor frequency does suggest the presence of central oscillators at the segmental level. Thus, further studies will be needed to determine the origin of myogenic tremor and to better understand the pathomechanism.
Advertising strategies of competing firms considering consumer privacy concerns
Authors: Shen Yue , Zhong Weijun , Mei Shue
Published: January 2023

Targeted advertising based on consumers' purchase history is the most prevalent choice for firms; however, its effectiveness is affected by an increase in consumer privacy concerns. We established a two‐period game model to analyze firms' equilibrium advertising strategies, pricing strategies, and profits when a segment of consumers is unwilling to provide their purchase information owing to privacy concerns. Based on the equilibrium results, some valuable managerial insights are suggested for competing firms. Firms should consider the proportion of privacy‐sensitive consumers and advertising costs when developing advertising strategies. Targeted advertising is not an optimal choice invariably.
Radiative cooling scale method for correcting hourly surface air temperature error in numerical weather prediction models
Authors: Ueyama Hideki
Published: January 2023

Globally, a variety of numerical weather prediction (NWP) models are employed by national agencies. However, the derived outputs from these models are generally inadequate for precise cultivation management due to bias error. This study uses observational data acquired over several months to develop an equation for correcting surface air temperature (SAT) error in NWP model outputs. With the proposed method, model outputs are converted into potential temperature to cancel the influence of differences between computational elevation and real elevation. The potential temperature errors in the NWP model outputs are corrected using a linear regression equation in which a radiative cooling scale (RCS) serves as the independent variable. The RCS is computed using air temperature observed at a nearby meteorological observation station, together with upper‐level pressure data from the NWP model. Versions of the correction models are developed for specific situations: day, night, and upper‐level meteorology, classified into six groups. In an application of the proposed method, the root mean square error (RMSE) of the corrected SAT output from a global spectral model operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) was 1.2–1.6 K; the RMSE of the corrected SAT output from a nonhydrostatic model operated by the JMA was 1.2–1.5 K. The proposed method corrected the NWP model SAT output errors to a level of accuracy similar to that of data corrected using the Kalman filtering technique without the requirement for constant observation at the target site.
Explicit, determinantal, recursive formulas, and generating functions of generalized Humbert–Hermite polynomials via generalized Fibonacci polynomials
Authors: Kizilateş Can
Published: January 2023

In this paper, using the Faà di Bruno formula and some properties of the Bell polynomials of the second kind, we obtain a new explicit formula for the generalized Humbert–Hermite polynomials. We provide determinantal representations for the ratio of two differentiable functions. We obtain a recursive relation for the generalized Humbert–Hermite polynomials. As a practice, we derive an alternative recursive relation for generalized Humbert–Hermite polynomials via the Hessenberg determinant. Finally, we derive several families of multilinear and multilateral generating functions for the generalized Humbert–Hermite‐type polynomials and other polynomials which are mentioned in this paper. Our results also include many well‐known polynomials in the literature.
Factors associated with leakage in patients with an ostomy: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Indrebø Kirsten Lerum , Aasprang Anny , Olsen Torill Elin , Andersen John Roger
Published: January 2023

Aims

To explore the associations between sociodemographic and clinical data, the patient's knowledge and skills, and relationship to healthcare professionals with leakage from an ostomy.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Methods

This study included 160 patients with a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy. Leakage was the dependent variable and was assessed by self‐report. Sociodemographic and clinical data and the Ostomy Adjustment Scale subscores, ‘knowledge and skills’ and ‘health care professionals’ were independent variables. Spearman's rho and multivariate partial least squares regression analysis were used to estimate possible factors associated with leakage.

Results

Of the participants, 13.8% had leakage weekly or more often, 16.3% more often than once a month and 37, 5% had leakage more seldom than once a month. The most important risk factors for leakage were (1) having an ostomy placement that does not meet international guidelines, (2) not having an optimal relationship with health professionals, (3) having a diagnosis other than cancer, (4) not having proper knowledge and skills in ostomy care, (5) not having a colostomy, (6) having a convex baseplate, (7) having an oval ostomy, and (8) being dependent on others for ostomy care. The independent variables in the PLS‐ model explained 31% of the variance in leakage.

Patient or Public Contribution

We thank the patients in the user panel for their help during the study.