bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of distant metastasis and specific survival prediction of small intestine cancer patients with metastasis: A population‐based study
Authors: Xu Jinyi , Yao Zhiyi , Liao Guoliang , OuYang Xi , Mao Shengxun , Cao Jiaqing , Lai Bin
Published: May 2023

Background

Small intestine cancer (SIC) is difficult to diagnose early and presents a poor prognosis due to distant metastasis. This study aimed to develop nomograms for diagnosing and assessing the prognosis of SIC with distant metastasis.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with SIC between 2010 and 2015 were included from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database. Univariate and multifactor analysis determined independent risk factors for distant metastasis and prognostic factors for overall and cancer‐specific survival. We then constructed the corresponding three nomograms and assessed the diagnostic accuracy of the nomograms by net reclassification improvement, receiver operating characteristic curves and calibration curves, assessed the clinical utility by decision curve analysis.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 6697 patients, of whom 1299 had distant metastasis at diagnosis. Tstage, Nstage, age, tumor size, grade, and histological type were independent risk factors for distant metastasis. Age, histological type, T stage, N stage, grade, tumor size, whether receiving surgery, number of lymph nodes removed, and the presence of bone or lung metastases were predictors of both overall survival and cancer‐specific survival. The nomograms showed excellent accuracy in predicting distant metastasis and prognosis.

Conclusion

Nomograms were developed and validated for SIC patients with distant metastasis, aiding physicians in making rational and personalized clinical decisions.
Synthesis and utilization of mesoporous alumina as a supporting material of Ce‐promoted Ni‐based catalysts in the methane reforming process
Authors: Zolghadri Sara , Honarvar Bizhan , Rahimpour Mohammad Reza , Arab Aboosadi Zahra , Azizi Mehdi
Published: May 2023

Due to the large applications of hydrogen as a feedstock of chemical industries and as an energy carrier, its production on large scales with low costs has attracted researchers. Steam reforming of methane (SRM) is the most common process for producing H2‐rich syngas over Ni/Al2O3 catalysts, which suffer from coke deposition and Ni particles agglomeration. For overcoming these issues, we have synthesized mesoporous alumina (MA) as a supporting material of Ni particles, structure, and activity, which were compared with the bulk alumina (BA) supported catalysts in the SRM process for the first time. Besides, cerium as an appropriate promoter for lowering deposited coke was added to all prepared catalysts. The reaction temperature (600–700°C), Ni loading (10–25 wt.%), and Ce loading (1–5 wt.%) were the parameters that were optimized for maximizing H2 yield and CH4 conversion. Prepared samples were characterized by various techniques before and/or after reaction. The results of TEM and XRD depicted the formation of nanocrystalline and mesoporous structure for Ni‐MA catalysts compare to Ni‐BA samples. The observations indicated that 20Ni‐3Ce/MA had the highest catalytic performance, achieving a CH4 conversion of 91.0% and H2 yield of 92.8% at 700°C.
Azide Thermolysis Frameworks: Self‐inflating, Porous, and Lightweight Materials
Authors: Brückel Julian , Matt Yannick , Schmidt Lisa , Mattern Cornelia M. , Schepers Ute , Leopold Sonja , Calkovsky Martin , Gerthsen Dagmar , Bräse Stefan
Published: May 2023

Porous organic materials have received increasing attention due to their potential applications, such as gas storage, gas separation, and catalysis. In this work, we present a series of aromatic, polyazide‐containing building blocks that enable the formation of a new class of amorphous porous organic materials. The azide precursors are obtained in moderate to good yields following an easy synthesis procedure. By thermal decomposition, self‐inflating porous structures named Azide Thermolysis Frameworks (ATFs) can be obtained. Modified thermogravimetric analysis is used to determine the onset temperature at which the azides decompose and the frameworks are formed. The frameworks are further investigated via infrared (IR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and gas adsorption measurements. Specific surface areas and pore sizes are determined by nitrogen adsorption measurements at 77 K using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method (BET) to give surface areas of up to 677 m2/g for the ATF resulting from the thermolysis of TPB‐Azide at 450 °C, which can compete with early Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs). The specific surface area can be tuned by varying the thermolysis temperature.
A case of complete remission of Hodgkin lymphoma confirmed histopathologically by neck dissection
Authors: Ohashi Yu , Shiga Kiyoto , Katagiri Katsunori , Saito Daisuke , Oikawa Shin‐ichi , Tsuchida Kodai , Miyaguchi Jun , Kusaka Takahiro , Yamada Hiroyuki
Published: May 2023

Background

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is diagnosed definitively by biopsy, and treatment is based on stage. Owing to the nature of the disease, post‐treatment efficacy is determined mainly by fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and the efficacy of treatment is not confirmed by histopathology. We report a case of tongue cancer after treatment for HL, in which a post‐treatment lymph node with complete remission was histopathologically confirmed by neck dissection.

Case

The patient was a 74‐year‐old man who was referred to our hospital for cancer on the right side of his tongue. He had previously undergone chemotherapy for HL involving the right side of his neck and achieved complete remission. Because he had cT3N2cM0 tongue cancer, glossectomy and bilateral neck dissection were performed. Surprisingly, histopathological examination revealed that there was neither metastatic lymph nodes nor lymphoma cells in his right neck. Moreover, there was no lymphatic structure in his remnant lymph nodes.

Conclusion

This was a rare case in which complete remission of HL was confirmed by histopathological analysis. The absence of lymph node structure and lymphatic flow led to contralateral neck lymph node metastases of tongue cancer.
Advanced reversible stenographic method for image and video frames by adapting dual tree complex wavelet transform and chaotic whale optimization algorithm
Authors: J Jerisha Liby , T Jaya
Published: May 2023

In this article, an advanced reversible stenographic method is proposed for image and video frames by adapting dual tree complex wavelet transform and chaotic whale optimization algorithm. Here, the cover image and secret message are taken as input. In this image, the edges are identified by Canny edge detection system and embedded by the process of dual‐tree complex wave transformation method (DT‐CWT‐CWOA‐SDH) and pixel edges are optimized using the chaos whale optimization algorithm (CWOA), it optimizes the edge pixel variations and maximizes the robustness of the image and visual quality of stego image. The objective of this process is to increase the security of secret data hiding the secret message on cover image and forming the stego image by the embedding procedure and to maximize the peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR) and reduce the execution time. The proposed method runs on the MATLAB work site and the performance of proposed method is evaluated using different existing methods. The simulation outcomes illustrate that the proposed DT‐CWT‐CWOA‐SDH shows higher PSNR of 32.01%, 24.79%; lower mean square error (MSE) of 21.13%, 45.185%, normalized correlation (NC) of 11.24%, 19.04% compared with existing method.
An intelligent MAC protocol for mission critical applications in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Raut Archana R. , Khandait S. P.
Published: May 2023

In the current age, wireless sensor networks (WSN) are growing the attention of researchers. WSNs are significantly used in a broad scope of real‐time monitoring applications. With ongoing advances and requirements in industrial emerging time‐critical applications, WSNs have been accordingly stretched out to help the reliable, time‐bound data delivery. In WSNs, node organization, resource limitations, topology varieties, providing delay guarantees for channel access, and transmission time barrier are the most significant challenges in real‐time handling traffic. Suppose critical data packets arrive from sensor nodes simultaneously. In that case, finding the optimal path for the transmission of data packets so that data are reached within time bounds, taking into account the current network scenario, is a more inspiring task. With this perspective, in order to provide a priority‐based transmission scheme, an improved adaptive media access control (MAC) protocol is proposed to support priority‐based channel access considering the current network scenario, which ensures time‐bounded reliable transfer of critical data packets. The proposed system uses an adaptive learning‐centered approach to find the optimum path for sending critical data packets in varying network scenarios. The proposed mission‐critical MAC (MC‐MAC) protocol is assessed arithmetically to offer reliable and time‐bounded transmission for emergency data packets.
Joint scheduling optimization of a microgrid with integration of renewable energy sources and electric vehicles considering energy and reserve minimization
Authors: Hai Tao , Zhou Jincheng , Zain Jasni Mohamad , Jamali Farah
Published: May 2023

To lower operational costs as well as emissions when wind and solar resources are available in a microgrid (MG), this study discusses the scheduling of electric vehicles (EVs) and responsive demands simultaneously. To mitigate the effects associated with undispatchable energy sources such as wind and solar, the proposed system makes use of EVs for peak shaving and load curve changes, while responsive demands provide the reserves required to do so. In addition, a two‐stage model is provided to evaluate MG's planned running costs (energy and reserve). Costs related to generating and reserving electricity are minimized in Stage 1, while costs related to adjusting unit scheduling to account for fluctuations in wind and photovoltaic output are minimized in Stage 2. Converged barnacles mating optimizer (CBMO) is a highly effective and powerful optimization tool that is used to handle the resultant objective optimization issue. An MG consisting of multiple dispersed generations is used to implement the proposed model. It is worth mentioning that three scenarios have been defined to analyze the impact of joint scheduling of EVs and controllable loads on the MG's day‐ahead operation. The three cost terms, that is, the generation cost, the reserve cost, and the startup cost of units in this scenario, are derived as $745.6913, $10.5278, and $6.35, respectively, remarkably less than the values reported in Scenarios 1 and 2. In Scenario 1, the CBMO algorithm yielded a lower MG operational cost than methods by a margin of 843.2 $/day. Costs per day of operation in Scenario 2 are derived to be $819.3 using the CBMO technique, whereas in Scenario 3, they are determined to be $743.1.
Joint user and throughput maximization in re‐configurable intelligent surface assisted beyond 5G/6G networks
Authors: Azam Alishba , Imran Muhammad , Ali Mudassar , Khan Humayun Zubair , Wakeel Abdul , Naeem Muhammad
Published: May 2023

Current fifth‐generation (5G) cellular networks must be upgraded to sixth‐generation (6G) networks as the data rate demands are increasing dramatically. In 6G, the re‐configurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) concept has recently received a lot of attention, it is a new technology that can be configured to optimize the wireless propagating environments and adjust wireless settings to improve the throughput of a network. RIS is emerging as a solution for Tera‐Hertz technologies. Therefore the joint user and the throughput maximization problem with RIS‐assisted B5G/6G wireless network is investigated in this paper subject to power transmission, quality of service (QoS), and phase shift constraints. The proposed research work focuses on RIS‐assisted wireless transmission, to collaboratively improve the admitted users and the throughput for all users in comparison to a traditional communications platform. The problem formulated is non‐convex resulting in the mixed integer non‐linear programming (MINLP) problem. MINLP problems are NP‐hard problems. A mesh adaptive direct search (MADS) algorithm is proposed to solve this problem efficiently. Extensive simulation work validates the proposed algorithm, in a RIS‐assisted network. Results achieved from the simulation show that by incorporating RIS in a network, efficient resource allocation increases throughput and maximizes the admitted users in a wireless network. The proposed MADS algorithm outperforms the existing advanced algorithms and its computational complexity is also low.
Electrolyte abnormalities in hospitalized COVID‐19 patients at tertiary referral centers in Tehran: Hypermagnesemia as a marker of fatality: A retrospective cross‐sectional study
Authors: Mardani Sayna , Hakamifard Atousa , Aghazadeh Sarhangipour Kouros , Mardani Masoud
Published: May 2023

Background and Aims

To evaluate biochemical abnormalities and their association with the outcome of hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients at a tertiary referral center in Iran.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted on COVID‐19 patients who were admitted at tertiary referral centers in Tehran, Iran, from March 2021 to 2022. Demographic and biochemical laboratory data of the patients including blood sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium were collected from patient treatment sheets of severe COVID‐19 patients admitted to a different ward of the hospital. A logistic regression model was fitted to identify the associated parameters with mortality.

Results

Four hundred and ninety‐nine patients with COVID‐19, including 287 males (57.5%), who had a mean age of 58.95 ± 16.60 years, were enrolled. Thirty‐eight patients (7.62%) died during hospitalization. The factors we found to be independently associated with an increased risk of in‐hospital death were having comorbidity (mortality of 94.7%, vs. 61% among those without comorbidity; odds ratio, 17.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.81–82.37), hypermagnesemia (34.2%, vs. 26.2% among those with normal magnesium; odds ratio, 9.71; 95% CI, 2.958–31.91), and having a male gender (34.2%, vs. 26.2% among those were female; odds ratio, 9.71; 95% CI, 2.958–31.91)

Conclusions

Hypermagnesemia, having a male gender, and the existence of comorbidity in patients with COVID‐19 is associated with an increase in mortality. Further studies on the pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic implications need to be done.
Assessment of heat transfer in large parallel plates with a narrow gap maintained at a constant temperature
Authors: Mohanty Rajiva Lochan , Chaudhuri Sumanta , Chakraborty Paromita , Mishra Vijay Kumar , Sahu Kunja Bihari , Das Bitanjaya
Published: May 2023

Investigations are conducted on electromagnetohydrodynamic (EMHD) flow and heat transfer in a third‐grade fluid flowing through large parallel plates, which are maintained at constant temperatures. The impact of convective heat transmission is disregarded since the space between the plates is small. The influence of viscous dissipation is considered. Despite being addressed for Newtonian fluids, the conduction problem with the viscous dissipation effect is not examined in third‐grade fluids for EMHD flow and heat transfer behavior. The least‐square method is adopted to solve nondimensional, nonlinear momentum and energy conservation equations to get the dimensionless velocity, temperature distribution, and heat flux. Temperature and heat flux are investigated in relation to the third‐grade fluid parameter, the Hartmann number, the electric field parameter, and the Brinkman number. The findings show a rise in the Brinkman number dramatically increases heat transfer from both walls, necessitating cooling of both plates. The heat flow from both walls increases as the parameters of third‐grade fluid increases.
Antibody Libraries as Platforms to Exploring Target and Receptor Pleiotropy
Authors: Lin Chih‐Wei , Ho Han Kyung
Published: May 2023

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have become important classes in biopharmaceutical products. The selection of antibodies has traditionally been based on their binding affinity. New techniques and advancements in combinatorial antibody libraries have made it possible to isolate functional antibodies within cellular environments. These antibodies can act an agonist or antagonist provide valuable insights into the complexities of signal transduction and potentially leading to different cell responses or affecting cell behavior. Additionally, an in vivo selection system is utilized, which relies on cell migration to specific tissues, to generate antibodies that induce cells to differentiate and selectively migrate to particular tissues. Overall, the discovery of functional antibodies from antibody libraries has the potential to reveal receptor pleiotropism and pave opportunities to investigate cellular biology and uncover surprising discoveries in the areas of stem cells and cancer research.
Denitrification potential of surface soils of constructed wetlands in Newtown Creek, an urban superfund site
Authors: Govinda Nirmela , Groffman Peter M. , Durand Sarah E. , Zarnoch Chester B. , Elkins Willis
Published: May 2023

Denitrification, the anaerobic microbial conversion of nitrate (NO3−), a common water pollutant, to nitrogen (N) gases, is often high in the soil of natural wetlands. In areas where natural wetlands have been degraded or destroyed, constructed and restored wetlands have been used to restore ecosystem services like denitrification. Thus, denitrification in restored and constructed wetlands could play an important role in treating anthropogenic N sources such as combined sewer overflow discharges which can be high in NO3−. In this study, we measured denitrification potential using an anaerobic slurry assay and made a suite of ancillary measurements (soil moisture content, microbial biomass carbon [C] and N content, potential net N mineralization and nitrification, soil inorganic N pools, and soil respiration) in four constructed salt marsh wetlands, and a series of wetland habitat basins in Newtown Creek, NY, an urban superfund site. Samples were also taken from natural salt marshes located at Paerdegat Basin, Jamaica Bay, NY. Our results show that constructed Spartina alterniflora marshes in ultra‐urban Newtown Creek support denitrification potential equivalent to rates of natural marshes in Jamaica Bay and reference marshes in other urban estuaries. There were significant positive correlations between microbial biomass C and N content and organic matter content and denitrification potential. Results suggest that constructed wetlands can support wetland vegetation, soils, and microbial life and contribute to N removal under ultra‐urban conditions.
Research progress of piperazine and morpholine derivatives in the discovery of agricultural chemicals
Authors: Zhang Yong , Liu Xing , Zou Yue , Wang Sheng , Song Hongyi , Cai Qingfeng , Peng Ju , Yi Chongfen , Chen Jixiang
Published: May 2023

Piperazine and morpholine are important heterocyclic structures, which are widely used in the discovery of agrochemicals. Piperazine and morpholine rings are often used as active substructures or bridges to design and synthesize new agrochemicals. In the past decade, piperazine and morpholine compounds have made rapid progress in the research and development of new pesticides, especially in the discovery of fungicides and antibacterial agents. In the future, more piperazine and morpholine pesticides may be commercialized. However, there is no comprehensive review on the use of piperazine and morpholine derivatives in the creation of new agrochemicals. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the application of piperazine and morpholine active compounds in the creation of new pesticides in the past 12 years. This paper not only summarizes the biological activities of piperazine and morpholine compounds, but also discusses the structure–activity relationship, physiological and biochemical changes, and mechanism of action. This work aims to provide inspiration and ideas for the discovery of new agrochemicals of piperazine and morpholine.
Benefits of using exchangeable copper and the ratio of exchangeable copper in a real‐world cohort of patients with Wilson disease
Authors: Mariño Zoe , Molera‐Busoms Cristina , Badenas Celia , Quintero‐Bernabeu Jesús , Torra Mercè , Forns Xavier , Artuch Rafael
Published: May 2023

Wilson disease (WD) is a complex disease in which diagnosis and long‐term metabolic copper control remains challenging. The absence of accurate biomarkers requires the combination of different parameters to ensure copper homeostasis. Exchangeable copper and its ratio (REC) have been suggested to be useful biomarkers in this setting. We aimed at introducing these measurements and evaluate their performance and accuracy in our real‐world cohort of WD patients. Exchangeable copper and REC were measured in 48 WD patients and 56 control individuals by inductively coupled plasma‐mass‐spectrometry. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. REC was shown to be significantly higher among WD patients compared to controls and useful for WD identification by using the previously established cutoffs: 71.4% of WD patients with a recent diagnosis had REC ≥18.5% and 95.1% of long‐term treated WD had REC ≥14%; only four patients of the cohort presented discordant levels. Moreover, REC values were below 15% in all the control individuals. Exchangeable copper was significantly higher in WD patients compared to controls and tended to be reduced among WD patients who were compliant to medication. This real‐life study confirmed that exchangeable copper and REC are useful serum biomarkers that can be used as complementary tests to ensure WD diagnosis (REC) and copper homeostasis whithin time (exchangeable copper). The desirable target levels for this last objective still needs to be validated in prospective cohorts.
Thunderstorm tracking in Northwest Europe for enhanced hazard preparedness
Authors: Hayward Leah , Whitworth Malcolm , Pepin Nick , Dorling Steve
Published: May 2023

The tracking of thunderstorms provides critical information on their frequency and behaviour for early warning, prediction and preparedness. Thunderstorm tracking has previously been constrained by the boundaries of a particular country or has focused on a particular category such as severe thunderstorms and mesoscale convective systems. However, less severe thunderstorms also pose a risk to life and property and occur more frequently and thus warrant inclusion in investigations of thunderstorm behaviour. In this paper, we present a new thunderstorm event catalogue, including all detected thunderstorms with at least three lightning flashes, derived from a tracking methodology applied to Northwest Europe within the bounds of 48° to 65°N and 15°W to 10°E between 2008 and 2018. The catalogue is based on ATDnet lightning flash data which was clustered into thunderstorms using a spatio‐temporal proximity assessment lightning clustering code written in the R coding language. The thunderstorm lightning clusters enabled the production of thunderstorm behaviour statistics such as speed, direction of movement, lightning flashes per minute and duration. This revealed that in winter, thunderstorms are shorter lived and move faster than in summer as well as more typically tracking from the west rather than from the south‐west. Thunderstorm behaviour characteristics were attributed to weather pattern types for the first time, providing probabilistic data that can be attributed to synoptic conditions. This can improve preparedness and early warning. Such results demonstrate how this new thunderstorm event catalogue, which includes all types and severities of thunderstorms unconstrained by political boundaries, can provide additional important information to enhance understanding of thunderstorm behaviour in the region. Our lightning clustering method may be useful for similar studies in other locales.
The knee connectome: A novel tool for studying spatiotemporal change in cartilage thickness
Authors: Cummings Jennifer , Gao Kenneth , Chen Vincent , Morales Martinez Alejandro , Iriondo Claudia , Caliva Francesco , Majumdar Sharmila , Pedoia Valentina
Published: May 2023

Cartilage thickness change is a well‐documented biomarker of osteoarthritis pathogenesis. However, there is still much to learn about the spatial and temporal patterns of cartilage thickness change in health and disease. In this study, we develop a novel analysis method for elucidating such patterns using a functional connectivity approach. Descriptive statistics are reported for 1186 knees that did not develop osteoarthritis during the 8 years of observation, which we present as a model of cartilage thickness change related to healthy aging. Within the control population, patterns vary greatly between male and female subjects, while body mass index (BMI) has a more moderate impact. Finally, several differences are shown between knees that did and did not develop osteoarthritis. Some but not all significance appears to be accounted for by differences in sex, BMI, and knee alignment. With this work, we present the connectome as a novel tool for studying spatiotemporal dynamics of tissue change.
Antibiotic resistance genes in the subgingival microbiome and implications for periodontitis therapy
Authors: Gager Yann , Koppe Jonas , Vogl Ina , Gabert Jörg , Jentsch Holger
Published: May 2023

Background

Antibiotic resistance is emerging as a global public threat. However, it remains poorly investigated in the context of periodontal therapy. The aim of the study was to investigate the complete diversity of antibiotic resistance genes in a German population.

Methods

Thirty‐nine volunteers with periodontitis contributed to the present study with one to four periodontal pockets for a total of 124 subgingival samples. Samples were analyzed using shotgun metagenomics.

Results

A total of 19 antibiotic resistance genes from six antibiotic classes were detected in subgingival biofilm. Two thirds of the volunteers (n = 26/39) showed antibiotic resistance genes for at least one of the antibiotic classes used for periodontal treatment in dental practice or research: beta‐lactam, lincosamide, macrolide, nitroimidazole, and tetracycline. Macrolide was the most abundant class detected (21/39 patients).

Conclusions

Findings from our study suggest a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in periodontal pockets from German volunteers. We recommend the development and broader use of molecular diagnostic tests for antibiotic resistance in dental practice to ensure treatment success and to minimize antibiotic resistance.
Co‐Occurrence of Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Congenital Heart Disease: Etiologies and Management
Authors: Yang Tengyu , Fan Xinmiao , Fan Yue , Song Wenjie , Liu Xingrong , Wang Jian , Chen Xiaowei
Published: May 2023

Objectives/Hypothesis

The co‐occurrence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and congenital heart disease (CHD) is a rare condition with complex etiologies. The purpose of this study is to assess the etiologies, clinical features, and outcomes of cochlear implant (CI) in this patient population.

Study Design

Case series and literature review.

Methods

Clinical data of children who were diagnosed with SNHL and CHD and received CIs at a tertiary hospital from 2016 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. A literature review was performed to identify patients with SNHL and CHD.

Findings

Of the 382 children who underwent cochlear implantation at our center, eight (2.1%) were diagnosed with SNHL and CHD. A literature review identified 1525 patients from 254 studies; the database therefore consisted of 1533 patients. The most common genetic etiologies of co‐occurring SNHL and CHD were CHARGE syndrome (36.3%), Turner syndrome (8.4%), 22q11.2 deletion (3.0%), Noonan syndrome (2.9%), and Down syndrome (2.5%), whereas the most common non‐genetic etiologies were congenital rubella syndrome (22.9%) and SNHL after early cardiac surgery (5.5%). Most of the patients presented with congenital, bilateral, severe‐profound SNHL requiring early rehabilitation. Of the 126 children who received CIs at a median age of 2.5 years, half showed delayed speech development at last follow‐up.

Conclusions

Co‐occurring SNHL and CHD is a rare condition with complex etiologies. Timely hearing intervention with long‐term follow‐up and proper timing of heart surgery is essential for these children.

Level of Evidence

4, case series Laryngoscope, 134:400–409, 2024
Effects of poplar intercropping systems on reducing the concentration of different forms of inorganic nitrogen in the soil profile
Authors: Xu Cheng , Wang Bo , Yang Tao , Lin Zeyang , Tian Di , Qian Zhuangzhuang , Ding Changjun , Tang Luozhong
Published: May 2023

This study focused on understanding how different spacing arrangements of poplar (Populus deltoides)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) agroforestry systems and the processes of the tree and wheat roots in these systems impact the elimination efficiency of inorganic nitrogen from soil. Three planting systems were tested: a monoculture wheat system (control), a widely spaced wheat–poplar system (PWW) and a narrowly spaced wheat–poplar system (PWN). Soil and root samples were collected in four different soil layers (0–20, 20–40, 40–60, and 60–100 cm) at four different sampling sites (PWN: 0, 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 m; PWW: 0, 1.5, 3.5, and 7 m from tree row, respectively). The nitrate–nitrogen (), ammonium–nitrogen (), and nitrite–nitrogen () in the soil samples were analyzed to determine the elimination efficiency of the different systems. The results indicated that the concentration and soil accumulation content reduction of inorganic nitrogen in the two intercropping systems, especially in the PWW system, were encouraging compared to those in the control system. The and concentration reductions and poplar fine root length density (FRLD) were higher at the sampling point near the poplar row, especially in surface soil (p < 0.05), but the distribution of the wheat FRLD decreased with soil depth and proximity to the poplar trunk. Furthermore, the poplar and wheat FRLD had significant positive relationships with the concentration reduction of inorganic nitrogen. In conclusion, poplar–agroforestry systems should be considered as an important method for controlling nonpoint pollution from farmland.
Energie: Schöne neue Atomkraftwelt
Authors: Ehrensberger Christian
Published: May 2023

Viele Staaten setzen auf klassische Kernenergie, um sich unabhängig zu machen und weniger CO2 zu emittieren. Neue Ansätze wie Mini‐Kraftwerke, Kraftwerke mit integrierter Transmutation und die Kernfusion könnten den Energieträger auch für Skeptiker attraktiver machen.
Blickpunkt Nachwuchs: Der Kern der Flavoenzyme
Authors: Storch Golo
Published: May 2023

Flavinabhängige Enzyme aktivieren molekularen Sauerstoff, betreiben Photochemie und mehr. Deren molekulares Herzstück, den Heterocyclus Isoalloxazin, modifizieren Golo Storch und sein Team für die Organokatalyse.
Modified Nutrition Risk in the Critically ill score and mortality in critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury
Authors: Li Ping , Li Sikai , Liu Shanshan , Li Man
Published: May 2023

Background

Understanding the relationship between nutrition risk at admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and the prognosis of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) may aid early recognition of high‐risk patients.

Methods

We extracted data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III and the electronic ICU Collaborative Research Databases. Using modified Nutrition Risk in the Critically ill score (mNUTRIC) within the first 24 h of ICU admission, 5153 patients were divided into three groups: low (≤1, n = 1765), moderate (2–4, n = 2574), and high (≥5, n = 814). The primary outcome was 28‐day in‐hospital mortality, and the secondary outcomes were 7‐day in‐hospital mortality, length of ICU stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation.

Results

During the median follow‐up time of 6.69 days, 647 deaths occurred in total. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, setting the low mNUTRIC group as a reference, the risk of 28‐day mortality was increased in the high and moderate mNUTRIC groups (hazard ratio [HR]high vs low [95% CI]: 4.21 [2.70–6.58] and 2.84 [1.95–4.14], respectively). Similarly, high and moderate mNUTRIC scores are linked to a higher risk of 7‐day mortality (PTrend < 0.001) and a longer duration of mechanical ventilation (PTrend < 0.001). The effect of mNUTRIC on mortality varied by serum glucose level (PInteraction = 0.01). Lastly, those whose mNUTRIC scores deteriorated within the first 3 days have a 1.46 times greater risk of dying compared with patients with improved mNUTRIC scores.

Conclusions

Nutrition risk screening by mNUTRIC score at the time of admission to the ICU may improve mortality prediction.
Soil resistivity measurements to evaluate subsoil salinity in rice production systems in the Vietnam Mekong Delta
Authors: Nguyen Van Hong , Germer Jörn , Duong Van Nha , Asch Folkard
Published: May 2023

Rice is a staple crop in the Vietnam Mekong Delta (VMD) in which more than half of Vietnam's rice is produced. However, rice production in the VMD is threatened by increasing saltwater intrusion due to land subsidence and climate change induced sea level rise. Saltwater intrusion into lowland areas through the canal system or capillary rise of saline water from near surface saline water tables may result in salt accumulation in the topsoil. Therefore, it is important to disentangle the two effects and their relative importance to implement appropriate strategies for water and salinity management for adapting rice production systems of the VMD to climate change. Here, we report on the possibility of using geoelectrical methods to evaluate the potential threat of subsoil salinity to rice production. To evaluate the level of subsoil salinity, we measured soil electrical resistivity using an ARES II to a depth of 40 m in a case study comprising five locations in the VMD. Electrical resistivity measurements were calibrated to soil types, which were identified through evaluating 1 m core sections obtained by drilling down to 40 m depth. The relationship between drilling data and soil resistivity was determined by applying clustering and principal component analysis. Resistivity values smaller than 3 Ω m were clearly identified as indicative for a saline water table. The results show a direct link between the depth of the saline water table and the proximity to the sea, but not to the rice production system (single, double, or triple cropping). This study proved for the first time the applicability of the electrical resistivity tomography method for identifying groundwater tables and evaluating subsoil salinity on an agricultural field scale in the VMD.
An Artemisia scoparia extract attenuates glucocorticoid‐induced lipolysis in adipocytes
Authors: Harvey Innocence , Stephens Jacqueline M.
Published: May 2023

Objective

Prescription glucocorticoid (GC) use is widespread across developed countries for the treatment of several inflammatory conditions. Elevated GCs are known to promote lipolysis and metabolic disorders. An extract of Artemisia scoparia (SCO) has been shown to reduce lipolysis and promote metabolic health but has not been investigated in the context of excess GCs. Our aim was to examine the effects of SCO on GC‐induced lipolysis.

Methods

Mature adipocytes were pretreated with vehicle or SCO, then exposed to either the synthetic GC dexamethasone (DEX) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). Medium was collected and assayed for glycerol and fatty acids as measures of lipolysis. The expression of several lipolytic genes and proteins was assessed, and the involvement of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in SCO's effects was also interrogated.

Results

SCO significantly attenuated DEX‐induced lipolysis but did not interfere with DEX‐mediated changes in inflammatory gene profiles in adipocytes. SCO treatment resulted in significant reductions in monomeric phosphodiesterase (PDE) protein levels while elevating PDE multimeric complex formation, but other canonical lipolytic mediators were unaltered. SCO attenuated lipolysis even when GR expression was significantly knocked down. Finally, it was demonstrated that SCO was distinct from rosiglitazone in its antilipolytic effects.

Conclusions

SCO attenuates GC‐induced lipolysis independently of GR activity. Future studies are needed to elucidate underlying mechanisms.
Enhancement in the Numerical Simulation of Textile Fabrics by Local Calculation of Stress‐Ratio‐Dependent Material Parameters
Authors: Motevalli Mehran , Balzani Daniel
Published: May 2023

In the structural analysis of tensile membranes, the linear elastic model is still a favorable choice for design engineers due to its simplicity and straightforward interpretation of parameters. However, it is well known that such an over simplification of the complex behavior leads to inaccurate or even false response in numerical simulations. In this work, the linear elastic model together with the hyperelastic orthotropic material model proposed for geometrically nonlinear simulation of tensile surfaces is considered as the basis for a new numerical approach leading to more accurate structural simulations. The nonlinear model is able to provide a more precise description of fabric materials and becomes a competitive candidate for realistic structural analysis with only 3 material parameters. In the proposed procedure, the material parameters are estimated based on the stress ratios encountered in structural simulations. Therefore, the material properties are initially identified for each loading scenario of the load‐driven biaxial experiments. This results in a number of sets of different stress‐ratio‐dependent material parameters following the experimentally applied load ratios. In a second identification step, an iterative simulation procedure is employed in which, according to the locally obtained stress ratios in the discretized structural problem, the associated parameter values at each material point will be updated. For new stress ratios that lie between those applied experimentally, an interpolation scheme is implemented that approximates the parameter value accordingly. The iterative simulation is repeated until the total change in the updated parameters at all points becomes insignificant. By employing the proposed method, it is shown that the linear elastic model will be able to more accurately represent the complex behavior of textile membranes.
On the inclusion of plastic material behavior within the thermodynamic topology optimization
Authors: Kick Miriam , Junker Philipp
Published: May 2023

Accounting for the real material behavior in topology optimization is essential since it determines the final optimal structure. For considering a plastic material behavior, we propose a surrogate plasticity model within the thermodynamic topology optimization to handle this complex material behavior in a resource‐efficient manner. We model physically correct plastic strains analogously to classic plasticity models but without path‐dependence and hysteresis during the course of optimization. This is verified by comparison to classic elasto‐plastic models. To demonstrate the necessity of accounting for the realistic material model, we present optimization results where the structural changes due to plastic deformations become apparent.
Extension of an In Vitro Spine Test Rig to Track Load‐dependent Biomechanics of the Lumbar Spine under Physiological Conditions
Authors: Brenzel Katharina , Blomeyer Nadja , Johnen Laura , Praster Maximilian , Röhrig Max , Topol Heiko , Brandl Christopher , Markert Bernd , Stoffel Marcus
Published: May 2023

Low back pain is a major cause of chronic health problems and is often related to loading history. A test rig was developed at the Institute of General Mechanics, RWTH Aachen University to investigate the influence of duration and intensity of spinal loading using in vitro experiments on spinal cadavers. In this work, several extensions of this spine test rig are presented: (1) a hydraulic cylinder with a force measuring unit was added to apply axial compression; (2) a new follower load principle system was developed to achieve uniform compression of the naturally curved spine; (3) the specimen is immersed in phosphate‐buffered saline with protease inhibitors during the testing period to allow osmotic interactions on the one hand and the investigation of the influence of different loading and rest cycles on the other hand; (4) a fiber‐optic pressure measurement system was added to successfully measure the intradiscal pressure during the test series. The first results obtained using these test rig extensions and the new pressure measurement system show their functionality. The new test rig enables the investigation of a wide range of load scenarios and further measurement parameters.
Efficiency increasing reconstruction of 3D‐Vessel scan data using a NURBS surface
Authors: Maurer Lukas , Makvandi Resam , Juhre Daniel
Published: May 2023

In this paper, a new reconstruction method using a mathematical description of the surface with non‐uniform rational B‐splines (so‐called NURBS) of 3D vessel scans is presented. With the advantage of a file size of less than 1% of the original STL file, the developed reconstruction method can be used in numerical simulations such as the placement or extension of a flow diverter. Along a generated centerline, various geometric functions can also be calculated for diagnostic purposes, such as the cross‐sectional area of the vessel, which can be used to locate a vessel stenosis. As for isogeometric analysis, this method can generally be used to reconstruct any tubular geometry.
Direct stress minimization in electro‐mechanical metamaterials
Authors: Blaszczyk Mischa , Hackl Klaus
Published: May 2023

Metamaterials are artificially created multiscale materials with many different applications [1]. We assume periodic microstructure. No specific length scale is demanded for the differentiation between the scales. Instead, we consider the microscale as consisting of repeating unit cells, whereas the macroscale is the scale, where desired and sometimes unusual physical effects occur. The precise arrangement and geometry at the microscale level is responsible for the macroscopic material behavior, which can substantially differ from the original components it is made from. This way, unique material properties otherwise not found in nature (e.g. negative refractive materials [2]) are possible. Most previous research regarding metamaterials concentrated only on a single physical branch in each case, e.g. electromagnetic or acoustic metamaterials [3,4].

In this contribution we present a class of theoretical electro‐mechanical metamaterials by combining insulating and conducting materials. Our aim is to directly control and reduce the resulting total stress of insulating materials by counteracting the mechanical stress through the application of an electric field, which is created by a conducting material. The solution of the resulting minimization problem is related to the eigenvalues of the mechanical stress tensor. Additionally, we discuss the constrained cases of tension and compression and cover the plane stress case. We show numerical results for all cases and discuss the limits of such a material.
On the Consistency of Arnoldi‐Based Krylov Methods for Conservation Laws
Authors: Linders Viktor , Birken Philipp
Published: May 2023

Conservation and consistency are fundamental properties of discretizations of systems of hyperbolic conservation laws. Re‐ cently, these concepts have been extended to the realm of iterative methods by defining locally conservative and flux consistent iterations. In this note, the current status of such iterative methods is summarized. In particular, it has been shown that Krylov subspace methods are locally conservative, but that they are not flux consistent. Here, we approach the problem of quantifying the flux inconsistency of Krylov subspace methods. Krylov methods introduce a time retardation factor into discretizations of linear conservation laws. It has thusfar been unknown how to compute the precise value of this factor. This issue is resolved herein for Arnoldi‐based Krylov subspace methods.
On the use of mixed basis function degrees within a convective isogeometric element formulation
Authors: Stammen Lisa , Dornisch Wolfgang
Published: May 2023

Solving linear elasticity problems using standard finite element methods, different locking phenomena can occur. In order to counteract these effects, mixed methods or formulations using higher approximation orders can be employed, for instance. As a consequence, this leads to an increased computational effort. Hence, a selective elevation of orders in decisive directions within a purely displacement‐based element formulation is proposed in this contribution. Within isogeometric analysis (IGA), the geometry is discretized using non‐uniform rational B‐splines (NURBS), which simultaneously represent the basis functions for the analysis. Due to the fact that the geometry can be preserved exactly during analysis, this can increase the accuracy of results. In this contribution, convective basis systems that are aligned with the local geometry are employed combined with selective order elevation. The required convective basis systems are interpolated from those determined in each control point.
Semi‐crystalline polymers at finite strains: A thermo‐coupled constitutive model for varying degrees of crystallinity and temperatures
Authors: Reuvers Marie-Christine , Boes Birte , Felder Sebastian , Brepols Tim , Kulkarni Sameer , Loos Klara , Johlitz Michael , Lion Alexander , Reese Stefanie
Published: May 2023

Thermoplastics are gaining interest for various industrial applications, since they can be widely used for thermoforming and injection moulding processes due to their thermostable material behavior. In combination with the material's low density and high strength to mass ratio, they are especially of interest in times where an improved environmental balance is more and more important. Hence, why they are for example frequently used in the automotive industry to reduce the weight of automotive components.

Semi‐crystalline polymers as a subcategory of thermoplastics, partly crystallize after cool‐down from the molten state. During the thermoforming process, they are subjected to large deformations as well as thermal loads and show strong thermo‐mechanical coupling effects in addition to the influence of the evolution of the crystalline phase on the macroscopic material behavior. Therefore, computational models are needed to predict the complex material response reliably and minimize production errors.

This work presents a thermomechanically consistent material formulation at finite strains. In order to account for the highly nonlinear material behavior, elasto‐plastic and visco‐elastic contributions are combined in the Helmholtz free energy and a dependency on temperature as well as the degree of cristallinity (DOC) is incorporated. Special attention is devoted to the choice of yield function and hardening behavior.

A comparison of the simulation results to experiments at varying degrees of crystallinity and temperatures is presented to review the changes in the formulation. Therefore a special blending technique is used to ensure stable crystallinity conditions in the test samples.