bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Road to Total Knee Replacement: Utilization of Knee Surgeries Up to Ten Years Before Total Knee Replacement in England and Sweden
Authors: Dell'Isola Andrea , Appleyard Tom , Yu Dahai , Hellberg Clara , Thomas Geraint , Turkiewicz Aleksandra , Peat George , Englund Martin
Published: October 2022

Objective

To compare the prevalence and timing of knee surgery (including meniscal, ligamentous, synovial, and osteotomy) in the 10 years prior to primary total knee replacement (TKR) between England and Sweden.

Methods

This was a population‐based, case–control study within England and southern Sweden using electronic health care databases. Patients underwent primary TKR between 2015 and 2019. Risk‐set sampling showed that general population controls matched 1:1 by age, sex, and practice/municipality. The annual prevalence and prevalence ratio of having at least 1 recorded surgery in each of the 10 years preceding TKR was estimated using Poisson regressions.

Results

We included 6,308 and 47,010 TKR cases in Sweden and England, respectively. Meniscal surgeries were the most frequent procedure prior to TKR in both countries; prevalence was higher in England across all time points. The prevalence of meniscal surgery increased in both countries in the years approaching TKR, reaching 33.2 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 31.6–34.9) per 1,000 persons in England, and 9.83 (95% CI 7.66–12.61) in Sweden. In England, we observed a decrease from 2014 to 2018 in the utilization of this procedure in the 4 years preceding a TKR. The prevalence of all analyzed surgeries was consistently lower in controls.

Conclusion

There are comparable trends in the use of knee surgery in the years preceding TKR across England and Sweden. Of note, meniscal surgeries remain common, even within the year prior to TKR, highlighting that these patients may experience low‐value care. Careful consideration of knee surgery in those with late‐stage disease is required.
Extended Metasurface Spin Functionalities from Rotation of Elements
Authors: Wei Minggui , Xu Yuhong , Liu Guigeng , Wu Tong , Liu Wanyin , Su Xiaoqiang , Xu Quan , Zhang Xueqian , Han Jiaguang , Gu Jianqiang , Zhang Baile
Published: October 2022

Metasurfaces are a class of planar optical components that are engineered to manipulate electromagnetic waves, including their spin states in terms of circular polarizations. For example, the Pancharatnam–Berry (PB) phase has been exploited in metasurfaces for various spin functionalities, but these spin functionalities, exhibit conjugate relations for spin states. Recent advances combining the PB phase and propagation phase have implemented completely independent spin functionalities for spin states. However, the spin functionalities are fixed once the metasurfaces are designed. Here, this work proposes and demonstrates that the spin functionalities designed from the PB phase and propagation phase can be further extended by simply rotating the elements in a metasurface. This extension is based on a relationship between phase profiles of spin states that are acquired before and after the rotation. Proof‐of‐concept demonstrations are performed for the extended spin functionalities, including the conversion from spin angular momentum to orbital angular momentum, and spin‐dependent holograms. This extension may find use in relevant applications such as polarized display and dual‐polarized holography.
Kinetics‐assisted identification and regulation of active sites for Pd‐catalyzed propyne selective hydrogenation
Authors: Yan Kelin , Cao Yueqiang , Ge Xiaohu , Li Yurou , Zhang Jing , Gong Xueqing , Qian Gang , Zhou Xinggui , Duan Xuezhi
Published: October 2022

Identification and regulation of active sites are significant for guiding the design and optimization of hydrogenation catalysts toward the target product but remain a great challenge. Herein, we demonstrate a kinetics‐assisted identification method combined with theoretical calculations for identifying and further regulating the dominant active sites of Pd catalysts for propyne hydrogenation. Kinetics analysis and model calculations based on the cuboctahedron shape of Pd nanoparticles in the catalysts indicate the Pd(111) sites as the dominant active sites for the propyne conversion and propylene formation while the Pd(100) sites as those for the propane formation, which are further rationalized by theoretical calculations. Moreover, the Pd catalyst with electron‐rich properties exhibits relatively higher activity and selectivity, guided by which the SiO2 support with abundant electron‐donating hydroxyl groups is employed to increase the Pd electron density. Such electronic regulation for the Pd catalyst clearly enhances the selective hydrogenation of propyne.
Mid‐ and later‐life risk factors for predicting neuropathological brain changes associated with Alzheimer's and vascular dementia: The Honolulu Asia Aging Study and the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility‐Reykjavik Study
Authors: Stephan Blossom C. M. , Gaughan Denise M. , Edland Steven , Gudnason Villi , Launer Lenore J , White Lon R
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Dementia prediction models are necessary to inform the development of dementia risk reduction strategies. Here, we examine the utility of neuropathological‐based risk scores to predict clinical dementia.

Methods

Models were developed for predicting Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non‐AD neuropathologies using the Honolulu Asia Aging neuropathological sub‐study (HAAS; n = 852). Model accuracy for predicting clinical dementia, over 30 years, was tested in the non‐autopsied HAAS sample (n = 2960) and the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility‐Reykjavik Study (n = 4614).

Results

Different models were identified for predicting neurodegenerative and vascular neuropathology (c‐statistic range: 0.62 to 0.72). These typically included age, APOE, and a blood pressure‐related measure. The neurofibrillary tangle and micro‐vascular lesion models showed good accuracy for predicting clinical vascular dementia.

Discussion

There may be shared risk factors across dementia‐related lesions, suggesting common pathways. Strategies targeting these models may reduce risk or postpone clinical symptoms of dementia as well as reduce neuropathological burden associated with AD and vascular lesions.
Actigraphy Enables Home Screening of Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Raschellà Flavio , Scafa Stefano , Puiatti Alessandro , Martin Moraud Eduardo , Ratti Pietro‐Luca
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a potentially harmful, often overlooked sleep disorder affecting up to 70% of Parkinson's disease patients. Current diagnosis relies on nocturnal video‐polysomnography, which is an expensive and cumbersome examination requiring specific clinical expertise. Here, we explored the use of wrist actigraphy to enable automatic RBD diagnoses in home settings.

Methods

A total of 26 Parkinson's disease patients underwent 2‐week home wrist actigraphy, followed by two in‐laboratory evaluations. Patients were classified as RBD versus non‐RBD based on dream enactment history and video‐polysomnography. We comprehensively characterized patients' movement patterns during sleep using actigraphic signals. We then trained machine learning classification algorithms to discriminate patients with or without RBD using the most relevant features. Classification performance was quantified with respect to clinical diagnosis, separately for in‐laboratory and at‐home recordings. Performance was further validated in a control group of non‐Parkinson's disease patients with other sleep conditions.

Results

To characterize RBD, actigraphic features extracted from both (1) individual movement episodes and (2) global nocturnal activity were critical. RBD patients were more active overall, and showed movements that were shorter, of higher magnitude, and more scattered in time. Using these features, our classification algorithms reached an accuracy of 92.9 ± 8.16% during in‐clinic tests. When validated on home recordings in Parkinson's disease patients, accuracy reached 100% over a 2‐week window, and was 94.4% in non‐Parkinson's disease control patients. Features showed robustness across tests and conditions.

Interpretation

These results open new perspectives for faster, cheaper, and more regular screening of sleep disorders, both for routine clinical practice and clinical trials. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:317–329
Direct TEM Observation of Vacancy‐Mediated Heteroatom Incorporation into a Zeolite Framework: Towards Microscopic Design of Zeolite Catalysts
Authors: Li Junyan , Mayoral Alvaro , Kubota Yoshihiro , Inagaki Satoshi , Yu Jihong , Terasaki Osamu
Published: October 2022

Incorporating hetero‐metal‐atom, e.g., titanium, into zeolite frameworks can enhance the catalytic activity and selectivity in oxidation reactions. However, the rational design of zeolites containing titanium at specific sites is difficult because the precise atomic structure during synthesis process remained unclear. Here, a titanosilicate with predictable titanium distribution was synthesized by mediating vacancies in a defective MSE‐type zeolite precursor, based on a pre‐designed synthetic route including modification of vacancies followed by titanium insertion, where electron microscopy (EM) plays a key role at each step resolving the atomic structure. Point defects including vacancies in the precursor and titanium incorporated into the vacancy‐related positions have been directly observed. The results provide insights into the role of point defects in zeolites towards the rational synthesis of zeolites with desired microscopic arrangement of catalytically active sites.
The Elusive Mononitrosylated [Fe4S4] Cluster in Three Redox States
Authors: Kim Youngsuk , Sridharan Arun , Suess Daniel L. M.
Published: October 2022

Iron‐sulfur clusters are well‐established targets in biological nitric oxide (NO) chemistry, but the key intermediate in these processes—a mononitrosylated [Fe4S4] cluster—has not been fully characterized in a protein or a synthetic model thereof. Here, we report the synthesis of a three‐member redox series of isostructural mononitrosylated [Fe4S4] clusters. Mononitrosylation was achieved by binding NO to a 3 : 1 site‐differentiated [Fe4S4]+ cluster; subsequent oxidation and reduction afforded the other members of the series. All three clusters feature a local high‐spin Fe3+ center antiferromagnetically coupled to 3[NO]−. The observation of an anionic NO ligand suggests that NO binding is accompanied by formal electron transfer from the cluster to NO. Preliminary reactivity studies with the monocationic cluster demonstrate that exposure to excess NO degrades the cluster, supporting the intermediacy of mononitrosylated intermediates in NO sensing/signaling.
Platinum‐Gold Alloy Catalyzes the Aerobic Oxidation of Formic Acid for Hydrogen Peroxide Synthesis
Authors: Chen Jinxing , Ma Qian , Yu Zhixuan , Li Minghua , Dong Shaojun
Published: October 2022

On‐site hydrogen peroxide production through electrocatalytic and photocatalytic oxygen reduction reactions has recently attracted broad research interest. However, practical applications have thus far been plagued by the low activity and the requirement of complex equipment. Here, inspired by the process of biological hydrogen peroxide synthesis catalyzed by enzymes, we report a Pt‐Au alloy to mimic the catalytic function of natural formate oxidase for hydrogen peroxide synthesis through aerobic oxidation of formic acid. The mass activity of the Pt‐Au alloy is three times higher than that of formate oxidase. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the efficient dehydrogenation of formic acid and the high selectivity of the subsequent reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide account for the high hydrogen peroxide productivity. In addition, the formic acid aqueous solution provides an acidic environment, which is conducive to the utilization of the in situ generated hydrogen peroxide for oxidation reactions, including C−H bond oxidation and sterilization.
Upper‐limb acute superficial lymphatic thrombosis: A case report
Authors: Hamdan Rémy , Briche Nicolas , Gasmi Vanessa , Abejiou Ilham , Lafon Ingrid , Djerroudi Lounes
Published: October 2022

Upper‐limb acute superficial lymphatic is a rare phenomenon that has received little attention in the medical literature to date, yet it mimics superficial venous thrombosis and may also complicate a skin punch biopsy.
Anesthetic management of a patient with trisomy 18 undergoing esophageal banding and preceding gastrostomy—A case report
Authors: Kano Misaki , Sugiyama Daisuke , Ueda Kenichi , Kobayashi Osamu
Published: October 2022

A patient diagnosed with trisomy 18 is at great risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality, especially with complex congenital cardiac anomalies. Here, we report successful anesthetic management of palliative esophageal‐banding and gastrostomy for trachea‐esophageal fistula in a patient who had a complex congenital heart disease with trisomy 18.
Temporal changes and gender differences related to orofacial symptoms in two cohorts of 75‐year‐old Swedish subjects examined in 2007 and 2017: A repeated cross‐sectional study
Authors: Johansson Anders , Omar Ridwaan , Sannevik Josefin , Mastrovito Berit , Carlsson Gunnar E. , Johansson Ann‐Katrin
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To compare two cohorts of 75‐year‐old persons, born 10 years apart, in regard to reported symptoms related to temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and orofacial complaints with special reference to gender differences.

Material and Methods

In 2007, a questionnaire comprising questions on social factors, general and oral health, and a series of attitude‐related questions was mailed to all individuals born in 1932 living in two Swedish counties (N = 5195), and in 2017 to all born in 1942 (N = 7204). The response rate for the cohort examined in 2007 was 71.9% (n = 3735) and 70.7% (n = 5091) for the cohort examined in 2017. Bivariate statistical analyses were applied.

Results

Reported bruxism and pain from the temporomandibular joint were significantly higher in the 1942 cohort compared to the 1932 cohort, while reports of oral lesions and daytime dry mouth were lower. Women reported problems significantly more frequently in most of the domains investigated in both 2007 and 2017, that is, TMD, burning mouth, sensitive teeth, oral lesions, taste changes, daytime/night‐time dry mouth, except bad breath.

Conclusions

TMD‐related symptoms increased while complaints from oral lesions and daytime mouth dryness decreased between 2007 and 2017. Temporal changes were otherwise few, but the findings underline the gender inequalities that exist, to the disadvantage of women. This must be considered when planning for clinical care/dental education to appropriately address the needs of older people.
Characterization of the surface charge property and porosity of track‐etched polymer membranes
Authors: Zhuang Jiakun , Ma Long , Qiu Yinghua
Published: October 2022

As an important property of porous membranes, the surface charge property determines many ionic behaviors of nanopores, such as ionic conductance and selectivity. Based on the dependence of electric double layers on bulk concentrations, ionic conductance through nanopores at high and low concentrations is governed by the bulk conductance and surface charge density, respectively. Here, through the investigation of ionic conductance inside track‐etched single polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nanopores under various concentrations, the surface charge density of PET membranes is extracted as ∼−0.021 C/m2 at pH 10 over measurements with 40 PET nanopores. Simulations show that surface roughness can cause underestimation in surface charge density due to the inhibited electroosmotic flow. Then, the averaged pore size and porosity of track‐etched multipore PET membranes are characterized by the developed ionic conductance method. Through coupled theoretical predictions in ionic conductance under high and low concentrations, the averaged pore size and porosity of porous membranes can be obtained simultaneously. Our method provides a simple and precise way to characterize the pore size and porosity of multipore membranes, especially for those with sub‐100 nm pores and low porosities.
Three‐dimensional MoSx/polyaniline@graphene heteroaerogels as electrode materials for high‐performance symmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Lonkar Sunil P. , Gupta Vinay , Alhassan Saeed M. , Schiffer Andreas
Published: October 2022

Nanohybrids of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDs) with conducting materials such as carbonaceous graphene and conducting polymers like polyaniline (PANI) have attracted significant interest as electrode material in energy storage applications, particularly supercapacitors. Herein, we put forward a simplistic and scalable approach to integrating molybdenum sulfide (MoSx) with conducting graphene and polyaniline supports into a three‐dimensional (3D) assembly. Acidic graphene oxide was simultaneously used as a precursor of graphene and catalyst to in situ synthesize the amorphous molybdenum (MoSx) nanoparticles and as an acidic dopant for polyaniline base to form 3D porous MoSx‐PANI@RGO architecture under hydrothermal methods. Due to its highly porous conductive network and plentiful ion diffusion redox sites, the as‐obtained 3D hybrid material was effectively used to fabricate electrodes for supercapacitor application. The 3D MoSx‐PANI@RGO nanohybrid electrodes showed excellent specific capacitance of 1365 F g−1 @ 1 A g−1, significantly greater than the PANI/RGO (770 F g−1) and MoSx/RGO (568 F g−1) electrodes, respectively. Remarkably, the corresponding symmetric supercapacitor device can deliver an excellent energy density of 29.5 Wh kg−1 and a high‐power density of 8700 W kg−1 with excellent cycling permanence verified by 88% capacitance preservation after 5000 cycles. Overall, the implemented strategy of using direct acidic GO offers technological scalability in fabricating a wide range of low‐cost 3D functional electrodes for various energy‐storage applications.
The Acute Toxicity of Salinity in Onshore Unconventional Gas Waters to Freshwater Invertebrates in Receiving Environments: A Systematic Review
Authors: Willems Daniel J. , Kumar Anupama , Nugegoda Dayanthi
Published: October 2022

Industries such as unconventional natural gas have seen increased global expansion to meet the increasing energy needs of our increasing global population. Unconventional gas uses hydraulic fracturing that produces significant volumes of produced waters, which can be highly saline and pose a toxic threat to freshwater invertebrates if exposure via discharges, spills, leaks, or runoff were to occur. The primary aim of the present review was to determine the sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) content of these waters as an approximate measure of salinity and how these values compare to the NaCl or synthetic marine salt acute toxicity values of freshwater invertebrate taxa. Shale gas produced waters are much more saline with 78 900 ± 10 200 NaCl mg/L and total dissolved solids (TDS) of 83 200 ± 12 200 mg/L compared to coal bed methane (CBM) produced waters with 4300 ± 1100 NaCl mg/L and TDS of 5900 ± 1300 mg/L and pose a far greater toxicity risk from NaCl to freshwater invertebrates. In addition, the toxicity of other major ions (Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, CO32−, HCO3−, and SO42−) and their influence on the toxicity of Na+ and Cl− were evaluated. Exposure of untreated and undiluted shale gas produced waters to freshwater invertebrates is likely to result in significant or complete mortality. Shale gas produced waters have higher concentrations of various metals compared with CBM produced waters and are more acidic. We recommend future research to increase the reporting and consistency of water quality parameters, metals, and particularly organics of produced waters to provide a better baseline and help in further investigations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2928–2949. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Abstract

Comparing the acute toxicity (48–96-h) of sodium chloride (NaCl) and/or synthetic marine salt laboratory exposures of freshwater invertebrates to the salinity in unconventional gas produced waters from coal bed methane and shale gas extraction, and how other major ions (Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, CO32–, HCO3–, SO42–) can influence the toxicity of Na+ and Cl– ions and other major ions found in these waters.
Vehicle‐to‐Grid Integration: Unlocking the Value of Scaled Electric Vehicle Adoption
Authors: Owens Matt , Sadowicz Audrey , Wiley Jeremy
Published: October 2022

Growth in electric vehicle (EV) adoption continues to accelerate and indicators suggest such growth will continue. Light‐duty EV sales in the United States rose by 66 percent in Q2 of 2022 over the same period in 2021, representing 5.3 percent of new sales in Q2 of 2022 vs. 2.7 percent in Q1 of 2021. EV sales in China and many European countries in 2021 represented more than a quarter of global new car sales. While the average upfront price of most light‐duty EVs is still higher than their gasoline equivalents, the fuel and maintenance savings often yield a lower total cost of ownership over a three‐to‐seven‐year period. Some analysts indicate that reaching 5 percent of sales is a key milestone in the transition to EVs, with many policy and market developments supporting this assertion.
The Energy Trilogy's Next Chapter
Authors: Cartwright Echo D.
Published: October 2022

As nations across the world seek to transition to a carbon‐free economy and secure their energy generation independence, world leaders are considering the use of many alternative energy technologies. The frequency and intensity of global severe weather events in a changing climate, coupled with the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, have increased the focus on finding domestic sources of clean energy to stabilize energy prices and markets, as reliance on fossil fuels from volatile areas of the world has created significant energy supply, safety, and reliability issues, and increasing costs to those depending upon these energy sources. These and other issues were weighing heavily on the minds of our world leaders as the United Nations General Assembly gathered in New York City this past September.
Microgrids and the Energy Transition in Puerto Rico
Authors: Glattard Jacqueline
Published: October 2022

Driven by the urgent need for sustainable and equitable change, the clean energy transition in Puerto Rico is remarkably grassroots, evidenced by the growth of residential solar and emergence of community microgrids. Between 2014 and 2022, the annual average share of renewable energy generated by the Puerto Rican power company increased marginally from 1.71 percent to 2.76 percent. In the same timeframe, residential solar net metering increased 50 times over, from 4.4 megawatts (MW) to 224.6 MW, as illustrated in Figure 1.
The Future of Oil and Natural Gas in a Balanced Energy Mix and the Role of Carbon Capture
Authors: Smead Richard G.
Published: October 2022

A September article in Power Magazine announced a study released by Oxford University that in effect stated if the world completely transitioned away from oil and natural gas to renewables—primarily wind power, solar power, and battery storage—energy costs could be reduced by $12 trillion. The study was based on various assumptions as to the future pricing of oil and natural gas, along with the premise that the costs of wind, solar, and energy storage batteries are dropping rapidly and will continue to do so. This type of study is consistent with aspirational policy and regulatory goals such as those of the Biden Administration, and consistent with the various infusions of financial support contained within the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The assumptions employed in the Oxford study can certainly be analyzed and no doubt refuted by advocates of a more balanced energy mix future that includes oil and natural gas in large volumes, and it is not that difficult to do. However, there are a few fundamental issues with the tone and the trumpeting of studies such as the Oxford study that are not helpful.
Probabilistische Prognose von Karstwasserzutritten beim Bau von Untertagebauwerken
Authors: Filipponi Marco , Renard Philippe , Dall'Alba Valentin , Neven Alexis
Published: October 2022

Various methods have been developed in recent decades to predict hazards associated with karst voids in underground construction. Common to all these methods is that the predicted range of water inflow is often insufficient for the purpose of implementing the planned construction works. This is usually due to an incomplete knowledge of the karst conduit system within a project area, making it difficult to predict the position and characteristics of karst voids. The method presented in this paper permits a robust prediction of karst water inflow. It is based on a combination of stochastically generated, pseudo‐genetic karst conduit systems and hydraulic modelling of the hydrogeological conditions using a Monte Carlo approach. This approach facilitates a plausible estimation of the expected range of karst‐induced water inflows and also enables the probability of encountering a karst voids. to be determined. The predictions allow for differentiated treatment of the hazards associated with karst water during the construction and operation phase of underground structures. In concrete terms, this relates to the planning and implementation of exploratory measures and ground‐improvement measures, the design of the dewatering system and its monitoring during the construction and operation phase.
Towards optimized TBM cutter changing policies with reinforcement learning
Authors: Erharter Georg H. , Hansen Tom F.
Published: October 2022

In tunnel boring machine (TBM) excavation, cutter maintenance is necessary, but the time for it has to be minimized for efficiency. Although there is extensive literature on TBM cutter wear and predictive maintenance for different industrial applications, there is no optimized policy for cutter changes in TBM tunnelling today. This study aims to investigate the application of reinforcement learning (RL) – a branch of machine learning – for finding optimized policies for cutter changing that maximize the number of working cutters and minimize the maintenance effort. A simulation of a TBM excavation process is developed that focuses on the cutter wear and an agent that controls when cutters must be changed. The simulation uses generated parameters that indicate the cutter life, but the results could be transferred to real sensor data in future excavations once that level of development is reached. The article presents the first results from this RL scenario which can give valuable insights into TBM excavation logistics and presents a challenging multiaction‐selection RL problem.
Debris flows at Illgraben, Switzerland – From seismic wiggles to machine learning
Authors: Walter Fabian , Chmiel Małgorzata , Hovius Niels
Published: October 2022

Where debris flows can impinge on the built environment, early detection of flow events is necessary in order to issue warnings and initiate countermeasures like road or train track closure. In this contribution, previously published work at Illgraben, Switzerland, is compiled, which shows how seismic measurements can be used for debris flow monitoring and warning. The advantage of the seismic approach is that debris flow signals can be detected at large distances eliminating the need for installations within or close to torrents, which are usually difficult to access. It is shown that seismic data contain important information about debris flows, including initiation, propagation, and particle sizes. However, machine learning algorithms, which are tuned with example data rather than physical principles, so far offer the best performance for debris flow detection with continuous real‐time data. Such algorithms pave the way for a new class of warning systems, based on data science techniques rather than in‐torrent instrumentation.
Zur Gründung des 140 m hohen Staudamms Kühtai im Längental
Authors: Perzlmaier Sebastian , Holzmann Michael , Bauer Steffen
Published: October 2022

Kühtai Dam is an embankment dam with a central earth core that is founded on rock. The rock surface is treated by shaping, adding dental concrete and, finally, grouting. A large excavation was required to expose the rock in the earth core foundation. Before starting the excavation, the Längentalbach stream had to be diverted. The upstream and downstream shells of Kühtai Dam are founded on the remaining overburden. Under the earth core, an inspection tunnel is located along the dam axis. The tunnel serves to accommodate measuring equipment and decouple fill and grout curtain works in terms of sequence of construction. In deviation from the tender project, the inspection gallery on each side of the valley is constructed as a combination of two conventional adits and two raise‐boring shafts. To connect the adits and shafts, reinforced concrete structures are situated at half dam height, on which the earth core is founded directly similar to an inspection gallery in trench type. On the one hand, this adjustment is the result of a geological fault detected during the preliminary excavation works in 2020. The fault crosses the core footprint in the orographic left flank of the valley. On the other hand, the subdivision of the two long conventional shafts will eliminate the construction time constraint resulting from the requirement to not start grouting in the dam foundation until the conventional tunnelling below the dam has been completed.
Automatisierte Ausführung und Steuerung von Kompensationsinjektionen
Authors: Maroschek Philipp , Weber Florian , Rathenböck Florian , Özkoral Florian
Published: October 2022

Construction projects such as the construction of a new metro system can require extensive compensation grouting measures for existing buildings. A comprehensive monitoring system and corresponding data management system (DMA) are crucial monitoring elements throughout the construction process. Elevation grouting prevents any impact the construction measures may have on buildings located in the vicinity. For this purpose, tubes‐à‐manchettes are installed in a tight grid underneath the buildings. Double packers are used to achieve stabilisation at an early stage, i.e. contact grouting. Therefore, if tunnel driving causes the subsoil to settle, elevation grouting can be introduced as a countermeasure. By using the data provided by water level gauges, the system automatically proposes a measure, which is transmitted to the grouting platform following the check and approval by the responsible engineer. The machine operator selects the sleeve and starts the fully automated grouting process. Each grouting process is recorded, transmitted to the DMS, analyzed in real time, checked and visualized. All parties involved in the project are able to view the data via the web platform at any time and are provided with comprehensive information.
Kraftwerk Witznau, Verpressversuche zur Ertüchtigung des Druckstollens
Authors: Schwalt Markus , Stolz Daniel
Published: October 2022

In response to spalling of concrete parts, the headrace tunnel was to be strengthened section by section and made fit for the years to come. Since little information was available on the condition of the tunnel and the cause of the spalling, possible damage patterns and causes were analyzed and grouting in combination with concrete rehabilitation were defined as strengthening measures. During a break in operation of approx. 2 months in June 2020, cement injections were tested in grouting trials in different variants to determine their suitability and optimize the parameters and the work to be carried out. The tests and the investigations carried out revealed interesting findings about the condition of the tunnel. The grouting was carried out at low pressure, at different distances and drilling depths, testing important parameters for the subsequent execution and enabling optimization. The porosity of the lining was significantly reduced by grouting, thus improving the quality of the shell. A before‐and‐after measurement with georadar investigation demonstrated the improvement of the lining due to the grouting.

A remarkable finding is the combination of the relatively poor quality of the lining concrete, which is due to the construction during World War II, with the practically uncracked and relatively tight lining. It is a testimony to a high level of construction skill that it was possible to create such durable structures with the means available at the time.
Plasma levels of interleukin‐8 and response to paroxetine in patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Guan Xuan , Dong Zai‐Quan , Hao Yan‐Ni , Shen Xiao‐Ling , Xie Qing‐Lian , Chen Jian‐Min
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Immune dysregulation plays a key role in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, little is known about the complicated involvement of various interleukins in MDD. This study was performed to investigate the correlation between plasma interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) levels and treatment outcome of paroxetine (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) in patients with MDD.

Methods

A total of 115 hospitalized patients (36 males and 79 females), aged from 18 to 72 years, were enrolled. Plasma levels of IL‐8 were measured before treatment initiation (baseline) and at 8 weeks after oral paroxetine treatment. Efficacy of paroxetine was evaluated by use of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD‐17). Baseline IL‐8 levels were compared between responders and non‐responders to paroxetine treatment.

Results

Plasma IL‐8 levels decreased significantly after an 8‐week antidepressant treatment in responders, in association with a dramatic decrease in HAMD‐17 scores. In non‐responders, plasma IL‐8 levels did not change significantly at 8 weeks after antidepressant treatment. Baseline plasma IL‐8 levels were found to be significantly lower in responders than in non‐responders, showing a correlation between IL‐8 and antidepressant response to paroxetine.

Conclusions

These results indicate that plasma IL‐8 levels were related to treatment outcome of paroxetine, and therefore suggest that IL‐8 could be a promising predicator of treatment response in individual patients with MDD.
Open science considerations for descriptive research in developmental science
Authors: Kosie Jessica E. , Lew‐Williams Casey
Published: October 2022

Descriptive developmental research seeks to document, describe and analyze the conditions under which infants and children live and learn. Here, we articulate how open‐science practices can be incorporated into descriptive research to increase its transparency, reliability and replicability. To date, most open‐science practices have been oriented toward experimental rather than descriptive studies, and it can be unclear how to translate open‐science practices (e.g., preregistration) for research that is more descriptive in nature. We discuss a number of unique considerations for descriptive developmental research, taking inspiration from existing open‐science practices and providing examples from recent and ongoing studies. By embracing a scientific culture where descriptive research and open science coexist productively, developmental science will be better positioned to generate comprehensive theories of development and understand variability in development across communities and cultures.
Exploring the temporal aspect of B‐IT social alignment on operational level: A reflexive thematic analysis
Authors: Levkov Nikola , Jacks Tim , Boateng Richard
Published: October 2022

The success of IS change implementation on the operational level is surrounded by challenges that mainly concern cross‐departmental management and people issues involved in the implementation process. Different organizational departments are entrained to different temporal structures that shape the temporal context of business and IT (B‐IT) communication. Through reflexive thematic analysis, and semi‐structured interviews with 32 business and IT professionals from 7 banking and 2 telecom corporations in North Macedonia, we identify the key time dimensions and temporal events affecting B‐IT communication. We propose a new construct, temporal B‐IT social alignment, and we define it as B‐IT‐SU (shared understanding) of cross‐departmental temporal structuring that enables and constrains the B‐IT communication in the process of translating business demands into IT requirements on the operational level. Findings show that establishing strong structural linkage through interface actors mitigates only some of the challenges in IS implementation resulting from different temporal aspects. Furthermore, we found that the identified time dimensions as well as entrainment to different temporal structures and events have a significant impact on achieving B‐IT‐SU and B‐IT‐SA (shared agreement). We advance the view of B‐IT social alignment, and we synthesize lessons that can be learned from this study that have practical implications.
Synergistic effect on the tribological characteristics for coal‐to‐liquids soot modified by nitric acid and oleic acid
Authors: Wang Jian , Liu Tianxia , Qin Jian
Published: October 2022

A self‐made soot capture device was applied to burn coal‐to‐liquids and collect its soot (CS), and then modified the CS with nitric acid or nitric acid and oleic acid to obtain nitric acid modified CS (CSN) or nitric acid and oleic acid modified CS (CSNO). The influence of CS, CSN and CSNO on the lubrication performance of 10# white oil (WO) was investigated on a four‐ball tester. The structural difference, surface topography, element composition and tribological mechanism of the three types soot were analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, high resolution transmission electron microscope, and so on. From the obtained results, after further modification with oleic acid, the solubility of oil is significantly improved. Compared with 10# WO, the average friction coefficient and average wear scar diameter of CS, CSN and CSNO are all reduced. Among them, CSNO has the best anti‐friction and anti‐wear effect. CSNO is expected to be used as carbon lubricating material from coal‐to‐liquids soot.
Tunable population dynamics in a synthetic filamentous coculture
Authors: Finger Maurice , Palacio‐Barrera Ana M. , Richter Paul , Schlembach Ivan , Büchs Jochen , Rosenbaum Miriam A.
Published: October 2022

Microbial cocultures are used as a tool to stimulate natural product biosynthesis. However, studies often empirically combine different organisms without a deeper understanding of the population dynamics. As filamentous organisms offer a vast metabolic diversity, we developed a model filamentous coculture of the cellulolytic fungus Trichoderma reesei RUT‐C30 and the noncellulolytic bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). The coculture was set up to use α‐cellulose as a carbon source. This established a dependency of S. coelicolor on hydrolysate sugars released by T. reesei cellulases. To provide detailed insight into coculture dynamics, we applied high‐throughput online monitoring of the respiration rate and fluorescence of the tagged strains. The respiration rate allowed us to distinguish the conditions of successful cellulase formation. Furthermore, to dissect the individual strain contributions, T. reesei and S. coelicolor were tagged with mCherry and mNeonGreen (mNG) fluorescence proteins, respectively. When evaluating varying inoculation ratios, it was observed that both partners outcompete the other when given a high inoculation advantage. Nonetheless, adequate proportions for simultaneous growth of both partners, cellulase, and pigment production could be determined. Finally, population dynamics were also tuned by modulating abiotic factors. Increased osmolality provided a growth advantage to S. coelicolor. In contrast, an increase in shaking frequency had a negative effect on S. coelicolor biomass formation, promoting T. reesei. This comprehensive analysis fills important knowledge gaps in the control of complex cocultures and accelerates the setup of other tailor‐made coculture bioprocesses.
A pBBR1‐based vector with IncP group plasmid compatibility for Methylorubrum extorquens
Authors: Pöschel Laura , Gehr Elisabeth , Buchhaupt Markus
Published: October 2022

Plasmids are one of the most important genetic tools for basic research and biotechnology, as they enable rapid genetic manipulation. Here we present a novel pBBR1‐based plasmid for Methylorubrum extorquens, a model methylotroph that is used for the development of C1‐based microbial cell factories. To develop a vector with compatibility to the so far mainly used pCM plasmid system, we transferred the pBBR1‐based plasmid pMiS1, which showed an extremely low transformation rate and caused a strong growth defect. Isolation of a suppressor mutant with improved growth led to the isolation of the variant pMis1_1B. Its higher transformation rate and less pronounced growth defect phenotype could be shown to be the result of a mutation in the promotor region of the rep gene. Moreover, cotransformation of pMis1_1B and pCM160 was possible, but the resulting transformants showed stronger growth defects in comparison with a single pMis1_1B transformant. Surprisingly, cotransformants carrying pCM160 and a pMis1_1B derivative containing a mCherry reporter construct showed higher fluorescence levels than strains containing only the pMis1_1B‐based reporter plasmids or a corresponding pCM160 derivative. Relative plasmid copy number determination experiments confirmed our hypothesis of an increased copy number of pMis1_1B in the strain carrying both plasmids. Despite the slight metabolic burden caused by pMis1_1B, the plasmid strongly expands the genetic toolbox for M. extorquens.
From Illegal to Ideal: The Necessity of Hemp Production
Authors: Donaldson Lindsey
Published: October 2022

The textile industry is one of the most demanding industries for the environment. Due to new research, hemp proves to be a wise alternative solution to an oversaturated fiber market. Through the perspective of sustainable development, researchers look at the economic vantage point of agricultural activities and compare it to that of cotton. Hemp possesses significant environmental benefits with the potential to enhance soil health, remediate contaminated soils, and convert atmospheric CO2 to biomass. Hemp also has economic value compared to other fiber crops, such as cotton.
An evolutionary history of the CoA‐binding protein Nat/Ivy
Authors: Longo Liam M. , Hirai Hayate , McGlynn Shawn Erin
Published: October 2022

Nat/Ivy is a diverse and ubiquitous CoA‐binding evolutionary lineage that catalyzes acyltransferase reactions, primarily converting thioesters into amides. At the heart of the Nat/Ivy fold is a phosphate‐binding loop that bears a striking resemblance to that of P‐loop NTPases—both are extended, glycine‐rich loops situated between a β‐strand and an α‐helix. Nat/Ivy, therefore, represents an intriguing intersection between thioester chemistry, a putative primitive energy currency, and an ancient mode of phospho‐ligand binding. Current evidence suggests that Nat/Ivy emerged independently of other cofactor‐utilizing enzymes, and that the observed structural similarity—particularly of the cofactor binding site—is the product of shared constraints instead of shared ancestry. The reliance of Nat/Ivy on a β‐α‐β motif for CoA‐binding highlights the extent to which this simple structural motif may have been a fundamental evolutionary “nucleus” around which modern cofactor‐binding domains condensed, as has been suggested for HUP domains, Rossmanns, and P‐loop NTPases. Finally, by dissecting the patterns of conserved interactions between Nat/Ivy families and CoA, the coevolution of the enzyme and the cofactor was analyzed. As with the Rossmann, it appears that the pyrophosphate moiety at the center of the cofactor predates the enzyme, suggesting that Nat/Ivy emerged sometime after the metabolite dephospho‐CoA.
Adaptive neural optimal control via command filter for nonlinear multi‐agent systems including time‐varying output constraints
Authors: Zhang Tianping , Liu Tao
Published: October 2022

In this article, an optimal command‐filtered backstepping control approach is proposed for uncertain strict‐feedback nonlinear multi‐agent systems (MASs) including output constraints and unmodeled dynamics. One‐to‐one nonlinear mapping (NM) is utilized to recast constrained systems as corresponding unrestricted systems. A dynamical signal is applied to cope with unmodeled dynamics. Based on dynamic surface control (DSC), the feedforward controller is designed by introducing error compensating signals. The optimal feedback controller is produced applying adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) and integral reinforcement learning (IRL) techniques in which neural networks are utilized to approximate the relevant cost functions online with established weight updating laws. Therefore, the entire controller, including feedforward and feedback controllers, not only ensures that all signals in the closed‐loop systems are cooperative semi‐globally uniformly ultimately bounded (SGUUB) and the outputs maintain in the provided time‐varying constraints, but also makes sure that the cost functions achieve minimization. A simulation example is presented to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed control algorithm.
Decorating Porous Aromatic Framework Cavities with Long‐Chain Alkyl Grippers for Rapid and Selective Iron(III) Detection
Authors: Yan Zhuojun , Xie Jialin , Geng Tongfei , Feng Bin , Cui Bo , Li Na , Su Pinjie , Bu Naishun , Yuan Ye , Xia Lixin
Published: October 2022

Due to the key role of Fe(III) species in living organisms, real‐time detection of Fe3+ ions is an important topic for the accurate diagnosis of many diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's diseases. Here, soft long‐chain alkyl groups serving as the grippers are introduced into the rigid porous skeleton through a one‐step Suzuki‐coupling reaction. Through the ion‐induced dipole interaction of long‐chain alkyl groups with Fe3+ ions, the resulting PAF solid exhibits excellent enrichment effect for metal elements. Accordingly, an absorption competition quenching (ACQ) phenomenon is observed leading to the selectivity and sensitivity for monitoring Fe3+ ions in the presence of various interfering ions. The sensing performance with the detection limit of 5.34×10−6 M far exceeds that of other porous solids including MOFs, ZIFs, COPs, and PNTs, etc. This work pioneers an efficient strategy that introducing long‐chain alkanes as the grippers for the design of advanced sensors for practical application.