bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical method to characterise capsule membrane permeability for controlled drug delivery
Authors: Bielinski Clément , Kaoui Badr
Published: November 2021

Design and characterisation of capsules is not an easy task owing to the multiple involved preparation factors and parameters. Here, a novel method to characterise capsule membrane permeability to solute molecules by an inverse approach is proposed. Transport of chemical species between the capsule core and the surrounding medium through the membrane is described by the Fick's second law with a position‐dependent diffusion coefficient. Solutions are computed in spherical coordinates using a finite difference scheme developed for diffusion in multilayer configuration. They are validated using semi‐analytical solutions and fully three‐dimensional lattice Boltzmann simulations. As a proof of concept, the method is applied to experimental data available in the literature on the kinetics of glucose release and absorption to determine the membrane permeability of capsules. The proposed method is easy to use and determines correctly the permeability of capsule membranes for controlled drug release and absorption applications.
Association of Platelet Thromboxane Inhibition by Low‐Dose Aspirin With Platelet Count and Cytoreductive Therapy in Essential Thrombocythemia
Authors: Tosetto Alberto , Rocca Bianca , Petrucci Giovanna , Betti Silvia , Soldati Denise , Rossi Elena , Timillero Andrea , Cavalca Viviana , Porro Benedetta , Iurlo Alessandra , Cattaneo Daniele , Bucelli Cristina , Dragani Alfredo , Di Ianni Mauro , Ranalli Paola , Palandri Francesca , Vianelli Nicola , Beggiato Eloise , Lanzarone Giuseppe , Ruggeri Marco , Carli Giuseppe , Elli Elena Maria , Priolo Stefania , Randi Maria Luigia , Bertozzi Irene , Loscocco Giuseppe Gaetano , Ricco Alessandra , Specchia Giorgina , Vannucchi Alessandro Maria , Rodeghiero Francesco , De Stefano Valerio , Patrono Carlo ,   for the Aspirin Regimens in EsSential thrombocythemia (ARES) Investigators
Published: November 2021

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by enhanced platelet production and thrombotic complications. The inhibition of platelet cyclooxygenase (COX) activity by the standard once‐daily aspirin is mostly incomplete due to accelerated thrombopoiesis. The phase II Aspirin Regimens in EsSential thrombocythemia (ARES) trial has recently compared the efficacy of once‐ vs. twice‐ or three‐times daily low‐dose aspirin in inhibiting platelet thromboxane (TX) A2 production, as reflected by serum (s) TXB2 measurements. The present substudy characterized the determinants of the highly variable response to the standard aspirin 100 mg once‐daily regimen in fully compliant patients with ET and the effects of the experimental dosing regimens on response variability. By multivariable analysis, the platelet count (directly) and cytoreductive treatment (inversely) were significantly associated with sTXB2 values in 218 patients with ET. However, the platelet count positively correlated with sTXB2 in patients not being treated with cytoreductive drugs (ρ = 0.51, P < 0.01, n = 84), but not in patients on cytoreduction. Patients in the lowest sTXB2 quartile were older, more often on cytoreductive drugs, had lower platelet count and Janus‐Associated Kinase2 (JAK2)‐V617F allele frequency as compared with patients in the upper sTXB2 quartiles. After 2 weeks of a twice‐ or 3‐times daily aspirin regimen, the association between the platelet count and sTXB2 became similar in cytoreduced and non‐cytoreduced patients. In conclusion, the platelet count appears the strongest determinant of TXA2 inhibition by once‐daily low‐dose aspirin in ET, with different patterns depending of cytoreductive treatment. More frequent aspirin dosing restores adequate platelet inhibition and reduces interindividual variability, independently of cytoreduction.
A two‐fold optimization framework using hybrid B2 algorithm for resource allocation in long‐term evolution based cognitive radio networks system
Authors: Javar Anjana Devi , V Prasanna Srinivasan
Published: November 2021

Cognitive radio networks (CRNs) have allowed efficient spectrum sharing while also presenting new challenges to the conventional problems of resource allocation and wireless network interference management. The aim is to provide wireless connectivity to secondary stations on a best‐effort basis while preserving the primary station's service quality. In order to achieve this objective, we have developed a model using hybrid B2 optimization. This method is used for resource allocation in a CRN based on the long‐term evolution (LTE) standard platform of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The hybrid B2 optimization algorithm is formed by integrating the bacterial foraging and black widow optimization algorithm. Initially, to optimize the level of service for primary customers, spectrum resources are allocated to primary stations using our proposed model. Later, the spare capacity of the primary channels is then spread among the secondary stations in order to increase the secondary users' service efficiency. The proposed work is twofold where it handles both the low traffic and high traffic scenarios. To reduce the prediction error in a high traffic and bursty environment, an adaptive weighted least square support vector machine (AWLSSVM) is presented. Furthermore, the proposed model is compared with other existing models to evaluate the system's effectiveness.
Court ruling suggests electronic databases inaccessible to screen readers are not forbidden
Authors: Masinter Michael R.
Published: November 2021

A recent court ruling suggests the Americans with Disabilities Act does not forbid college and university libraries from offering access to electronic databases that may be inaccessible to screen readers. In 2017, two students and the National Federation of the Blind sued the Los Angeles Community College District for allegedly violating the ADA “by making available library databases that were inaccessible for blind students through JAWS,” software that converts electronic text to speech, and by making available databases that contained images without adequate text descriptions to be read by JAWS. NFB asserted that ADA regulations required LACCD to “make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures when the modifications are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability” and that the school could through reasonable policy modifications make its electronic databases accessible to its sight‐impaired users. By resting its claim on the library's failure to make policy modifications, NFB sought to circumvent the obligation the library already bore to provide on request auxiliary aids and services to sight‐impaired users when they encountered inaccessible databases; instead, NFB sought to compel the school to adopt policies that would make the use of auxiliary aids and services unnecessary by ensuring the databases would already be accessible.
Late diagnoses and USMLE accommodations: Mechanisms to support students
Authors: Petersen Kristina H. , Nash Ranna
Published: November 2021

Applying for United States Medical Licensing Examination accommodations is an arduous and often isolating process for medical students. Since this topic was last addressed in the Coalition Corner in 2016, disability resource professionals have become more involved in supporting students. However, disparities remain across institutions in terms of services provided; of particular concern are students who have been recently diagnosed with learning disabilities or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and lack documentation from K–12 education.
Employee Accommodations
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: November 2021

An overview of the key topics faced by disability services providers with citations to noteworthy cases, statutes, regulations, and additional sources.
Contrasting effects of tree origin and urbanization on invertebrate abundance and tree phenology
Authors: Jensen Johan Kjellberg , Jayousi Sherin , von Post Maria , Isaksson Caroline , Persson Anna S.
Published: November 2021

The ongoing wide‐scale introduction of nonnative plants across the world may negatively influence native invertebrate fauna, due to a lack of coevolved traits related to the novel plants, e.g., unique phytochemicals or shifted phenology. Nonnative plants, specifically trees, are common in urban environments, areas that already pose novel habitats to plants and wildlife through a wide array of anthropogenic factors. For example, impervious surfaces contribute to increased ambient temperatures, the so‐called urban heat island effect (UHI), which can affect local plant phenology. Yet, few studies have simultaneously studied the effects of urbanization and tree species origin on urban invertebrate communities. We measured the city‐level UHI and phenology of nine native and seven nonnative tree species in five city‐center parks in southern Sweden, as well as four common native species in a rural control forest. We quantified the abundance of invertebrates on a subset of native and nonnative tree species through shake sampling, sticky traps, and frass collection. In the urban environment, nonnative trees hosted significantly fewer invertebrates compared to native trees. Furthermore, the nonnative trees had a delayed phenology compared to native species, while the peak of caterpillars associated with the subset of trees surveyed for this measure was significantly earlier compared to that of the native species studied. The effect of tree species origin on urban invertebrate abundance was of a greater magnitude (effect size) than the effect of urbanization on invertebrate abundance in native tree hosts. Hence, the results indicate that the impact of nonnative vegetation may be a stronger driver of invertebrate declines in urban areas than other factors. As the effect of species origin on tree phenology was at a level comparable to the urban effect, increasing prevalence of nonnative vegetation can potentially obscure effects of urbanization on phenology in large‐scale studies, as well as induce mismatches to invertebrate populations. Since parks harbor a large proportion of urban biodiversity, native trees play a crucial role in such habitats and should not be considered replaceable by nonnative species in terms of conservation value.
Age‐related breeding success in little penguins: a result of selection and ontogenetic changes in foraging and phenology
Authors: Saraux Claire , Chiaradia Andre
Published: November 2021

Reproductive performance typically improves with age, reaching a plateau at middle age and subsequently declining in older age classes (senescing individuals). Three potential non‐exclusive mechanisms can explain the improvement in reproductive performance with age: (1) selection (poor quality individuals are removed from the population with increasing age), (2) constraint (individual efficiency increases through experience), and (3) restraint (reproductive investment increases with age as the residual reproductive value decreases). While all three mechanisms received strong empirical support, few studies have aimed at teasing apart those hypotheses and understanding their underlying functioning. In little penguins (Eudyptula minor), we used a 19‐yr longitudinal dataset on breeding and foraging of more than 450 individuals to investigate the effect of age on breeding success. We separated within‐individual from among‐individual age effects using state‐of‐the‐art statistical methods (within‐subject centering and population change decomposition). We then assessed whether within‐individual changes in breeding resulted from ontogenetic changes in foraging performances, breeding phenology or access to mates and nest sites. Fidelity and assortative pairing explained the high correlation in male and female ages within a pair. Breeding performances followed a typical bell‐shaped curve with performance increasing up to 8 yr old, before reaching a plateau and subsequently declining after age 16. Both selection and within‐individual processes occurred, although within‐individual changes dominated differences in age‐dependent breeding success. The selective appearance had almost no effect (apart from ages 2–3), and selective disappearance mostly affected changes at old ages (above 16), although they were also responsible for the slight increase in reproductive performances from ages 5–8. Focusing on within‐individual changes, birds exhibited higher performances at middle ages, with birds foraging better, laying earlier and changing partner and nest less often. Their reproductive investment did not vary with age for females and slightly decreased for males. This supports the constraint hypothesis but not the restraint one. Finally, the increase in breeding performances at young ages was explained by the age‐related increase in foraging performances during chick‐rearing and advancement of laying. In contrast, reproductive senescence was defined by a general decrease in bird performances.
Investigating the application of Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material in sedimentary lithic artifacts for archaeological provenancing applications in the Canadian Rockies
Authors: Allan Timothy E. , McMillan Rhy
Published: November 2021

The chemical compositions of toolstones composed of clastic and chemical sedimentary rock are often not distinct among procurement locations. However, sedimentary toolstone sources may show variations in the structural characteristics of the included carbonaceous material (CM) related to differences in their postdepositional histories, providing a potential proxy by which procurement locations, rather than individual rock units, can be assessed as raw material sources for archaeological lithics. Here, we apply a well‐established method for investigating the nature of CM in sedimentary rocks, Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material (RSCM), to an archaeological case study. We test if the technique can be used to differentiate among toolstones from two procurement areas along the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains potentially used by pre‐European contact Indigenous inhabitants of the Hummingbird Creek Site (FaPx‐1). Artifacts found during excavations at Hummingbird Creek visually appear to match toolstone‐grade rocks in the site's vicinity. We analyzed source material from two localities: (1) the local toolstone around FaPx‐1 and (2) a toolstone procurement area ~45 km away associated with many precontact workshop sites. To test if the artifacts have compositions consistent with the local toolstones, we analyzed artifacts and potential source materials with RSCM as well as their major, minor, and trace element composition using X‐ray fluorescence (XRF). Our work is guided by the elimination of source locations using indirect geochemical proxies in accordance with the exclusionary Provenance Hypothesis. Both the structural and the chemical characteristics of the artifacts are similar to those of geologic samples from the nonlocal source location and are not consistent with samples collected locally, permitting the exclusion of local materials and suggesting that the inhabitants of FaPx‐1 used a variety of toolstones to manufacture the artifacts from materials that do not appear to be readily available near the site.
To be or not to be: Future lives in economic evaluation
Authors: Luyten Jeroen , Verbeke Evelyn , Schokkaert Erik
Published: November 2021

Sometimes healthcare will affect the health of people living in the future, or their chance of coming into existence. Should such outcomes be valued in health‐economic evaluation? Guidelines implicitly recommend their inclusion but this rule has counterintuitive implications and is not consistently applied in practice. We suggest making a distinction between “necessary” and “potential” future lives in Health Technology Assessment. Necessary lives will exist independent of our healthcare choices and should be included. Potential lives are choice‐dependent and should be excluded. This rule offers intuitive solutions within the HTA framework, and it changes the cost‐effectiveness of several interventions where necessary future lives are affected.
Immunomodulation and RNA interference alter hepatitis B virus–specific CD8 T‐cell recognition of infected HepG2‐NTCP
Authors: Kuipery Adrian , Sanchez Vasquez Juan Diego , Mehrotra Aman , Feld Jordan J. , Janssen Harry L. A. , Gehring Adam J.
Published: November 2021

Background and Aims

CD8 T cells are essential in controlling HBV infection. Viral control is dependent on efficient recognition of HBV‐infected hepatocytes by CD8 T cells, which can induce direct lysis of infected hepatocytes. In addition, CD8 T cells produce interferon (IFN)‐γ, which mediates noncytopathic viral clearance. Innate immunomodulators and HBV‐targeted RNA interference (RNAi) are being developed to treat chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but may modify HBV antigen presentation and impact CD8 T‐cell recognition, in addition to their primary mechanisms of action.

Approach and Results

HBV‐infected HepG2‐NTCP cells were treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonists, TLR7/8 conditioned media (CM) collected from immune cells, or RNAi using short interfering RNAs. The effect of these treatments on antigen presentation was measured through coculture with CD8 T cells recognizing human leukocyte antigen–A0201 restricted epitopes, HBc18‐27 or HBs183‐191. Cytokine profiles of TLR7/8 CM were measured using a cytometric bead array. TDF reduced viral replication, but not CD8 T‐cell recognition, of infected cells. Direct exposure of infected HepG2‐NTCP to TLR7/8 agonists had no impact on T‐cell recognition. Exposure of infected HepG2‐NTCP to TLR7/8 CM enhanced HBV‐specific CD8 T‐cell recognition through type 1 interferon (IFN) and IFN‐γ‐dependent mechanisms. RNAi rapidly suppressed HBV‐DNA, HBcAg, and HBsAg expression, impairing recognition by HBV‐specific CD8 T cells.

Conclusions

Immunomodulation and RNAi, but not nucleos(t)ide analogues, alter the recognition of infected HepG2‐NTCP by HBV‐specific CD8 T cells. Understanding these changes will inform combination treatments for CHB.
Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Intravenous Ferric Pyrophosphate Citrate: Equivalence to Administration via Dialysate
Authors: Marbury Thomas , van Heuveln Fred , van der Horst Eric , Pratt Raymond D.
Published: November 2021

Ferric pyrophosphate citrate (FPC) is indicated to maintain hemoglobin in patients with stage 5 hemodialysis‐dependent chronic kidney disease on chronic hemodialysis by addition to the dialysate. An intravenous (IV) FPC presentation containing 6.75 mg of iron in 4.5 mL was developed. The objective was to establish the equivalence of iron delivery via dialysate and IV infusion using a pharmacokinetic approach. An open‐label, randomized, multiple‐period, single‐dose, crossover study was conducted in 27 patients with CKD‐5HD. Each patient received (1) a basal iron profile over 12 hours, (2) FPC 6.75 mg Fe IV predialyzer, (3) FPC 6.75 mg Fe IV postdialyzer, and (4) FPC 2 μM (110 μg Fe/L of hemodialysate). Serum and plasma iron was analyzed for total Fe and transferrin bound iron (TBI). Equivalence was determined by comparing maximum observed concentration and area under the concentration‐time curve from time 0 to the last observation of 110 μg Fe/L of hemodialysate (reference) and test treatments Fe predialyzer and postdialyzer iron profiles. The main outcome measure was the measurement of bioequivalence between the reference and test treatments. Bioequivalence parameters showed that infusion of FPC iron IV, predialyzer and postdialyzer delivered equivalent iron as via hemodialysate. The increment in serum total Fe from predialysis to postdialysis was the same as observed in the long‐term clinical studies of FPC. FPC IV was well tolerated. IV infusion of 6.75 mg iron as FPC during 3 hours of HD delivers an equivalent amount of iron as when Triferic is delivered via hemodialysate. The IV presentation of FPC extends the ability to provide FPC iron to all patients receiving hemodialysis or hemodiafiltration.
Cholecystectomy in a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria undergoing ravulizumab maintenance treatment
Authors: Moriyama Mitsuru , Aota Yasuo , Okabe Masahiro , Osaka Yoshiaki , Katagiri Seiichiro , Akahane Daigo , Gotoh Akihiko
Published: November 2021

A 47‐year‐old male with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) controlled with routine ravulizumab administration suffered a massive haemolytic crisis due to choledocholithiasis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed 6 weeks after a regular ravulizumab infusion. After surgery, the patient presented with anaemia without marked elevation in lactate dehydrogenase and required two blood transfusions. Tumour necrosis factor‐α increased more than twofold with reticulocyte suppression after surgery, suggesting the involvement of myelosuppressive cytokines. This case suggests that laparoscopic surgery may be safely performed in patients with PNH receiving ravulizumab maintenance treatment. However, attention should be paid to postoperative anaemia, regardless of breakthrough haemolysis.
Impact of ABO and Rhesus blood groups on COVID‐19 susceptibility and severity: A case‐control study
Authors: Kerbage Anthony , Haddad Sara F. , Nasr Lewis , Riachy Albert , Mekhael Elio , Nassim Nabil , Hoyek Karim , Sleilaty Ghassan , Nasr Fadi , Riachy Moussa
Published: November 2021

Early evidence from China suggested that blood groups may be involved in susceptibility to COVID‐19. Several subsequent studies reported controversial results. We conducted a retrospective matched case‐control study that aims to investigate the association between blood groups and the risk and/or severity of COVID‐19. We compared the blood groups distribution of 474 patients admitted to the hospital for COVID‐19 between March 2020 and March 2021, to that of a positive control group of outpatients infected with COVID‐19 and matched them for sex and age, as well as to the distribution in the general population. Three hundred and eighteen HC+ pairs with available blood group information were matched. The proportion of group A Rh+ in hospitalized patients (HC+) was 39.9% (CI 35.2%–44.7%), compared to 44.8% (CI 39.8%–49.9%) and 32.3% in the positive outpatient controls (C+) and the general population (C−), respectively. Both COVID‐19‐positive groups (HC+ and C+) had significantly higher proportions of group A Rh+ compared to the general population (p = 0.0019 and p < 0.001, respectively), indicating that group A Rh+ increases susceptibility to COVID‐19. Although blood group A Rh+ was more frequent in the outpatients C+ compared to the hospitalized group HC+, the association did not reach statistical significance, indicating that blood group A Rh+ is not associated with severity. There was no significant relationship between COVID‐19 and other blood groups. Our findings indicate that blood group A Rh+ increases the susceptibility for COVID‐19 but is not associated with higher disease severity.
Combining meta‐epidemiological study datasets on commercial funding of randomised clinical trials: Database, methods, and descriptive results of the COMFIT study
Authors: Nejstgaard Camilla Hansen , Lundh Andreas , Abdi Suhayb , Clayton Gemma , Gelle Mustafe Hassan Adan , Laursen David Ruben Teindl , Olorisade Babatunde Kazeem , Savović Jelena , Hróbjartsson Asbjørn ,   COMFIT Consortium
Published: November 2021

Randomised trials are often funded by commercial companies and methodological studies support a widely held suspicion that commercial funding may influence trial results and conclusions. However, these studies often have a risk of confounding and reporting bias. The risk of confounding is markedly reduced in meta‐epidemiological studies that compare fairly similar trials within meta‐analyses, and risk of reporting bias is reduced with access to unpublished data. Therefore, we initiated the COMmercial Funding In Trials (COMFIT) study aimed at investigating the impact of commercial funding on estimated intervention effects in randomised clinical trials based on a consortium of researchers who agreed to share meta‐epidemiological study datasets with information on meta‐analyses and trials included in meta‐epidemiological studies. Here, we describe the COMFIT study, its database, and descriptive results. We included meta‐epidemiological studies with published or unpublished data on trial funding source and results or conclusions. We searched five bibliographic databases and other sources. We invited authors of eligible meta‐epidemiological studies to join the COMFIT consortium and to share data. The final construction of the COMFIT database involves checking data quality, identifying trial references, harmonising variable categories, and removing non‐informative meta‐analyses as well as correlated meta‐analyses and trial results. We included data from 17 meta‐epidemiological studies, covering 728 meta‐analyses and 6841 trials. Seven studies (405 meta‐analyses, 3272 trials) had not published analyses on the impact of commercial funding, but shared unpublished data on funding source. On this basis, we initiated the construction of a combined database. Once completed, the database will enable comprehensive analyses of the impact of commercial funding on trial results and conclusions with increased statistical power and a markedly reduced risk of confounding and reporting bias.
Polymer‐Grafted Nanoparticles (PGNs) with Adjustable Graft‐Density and Interparticle Hydrogen Bonding Interaction
Authors: Yuan Chenyun , Käfer Florian , Ober Christopher K.
Published: November 2021

Polymer‐grafted nanoparticles (PGNs) receive great attention because they possess the advantages of both the grafted polymer and inorganic cores, and thus demonstrate superior optical, electronic, and mechanical properties. Thus, PGNs with tailorable interparticle interactions are indispensable for the formation of a superlattice with a defined and ordered structure. In this work, the synthesis of PGNs is reported which can form interparticle hydrogen‐bonding to enhance the formation of well‐defined 2D nanoparticle arrays. Various polymers, including poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) (P4VP), poly(dimethyl aminoethyl acrylate) (PDMAEMA), and poly(4‐acetoxy styrene) (PAcS), are attached to silica cores by a “grafting from” in a mini emulsion‐like synthesis approach. SiO2‐PAcS brushes are deprotected by hydrazinolysis and converted into poly(4‐vinyl phenol) (PVP), containing hydroxyl groups as potential hydrogen‐bonding donor sites. Understanding and controlling interparticle interactions by varying grafting density in the range of 10−2–10−3 chain nm−2, and the formation of interparticle hydrogen bonding relevant for self‐assembly of PGNs and potential formation of PGN superlattice structures are the motivations for this study.
Hierarchical Chiral Supramolecular Nanoarchitectonics with Molecular Detection: Helical Structure Controls upon Self‐Assembly and Coassembly
Authors: Li Heng , Han Liang , Li Qing , Lai Hanjian , Fernández‐Trillo Paco , Tian Leilei , He Feng
Published: November 2021

The morphological transformation from microspheres to helical supramolecular nanofibers with controllable handedness is achieved by the introduction of molecular chirality based on amino acid derivatives (TDAP), and the chirality of the supramolecular architectures that are achieved is nullified through the coassembly of the equivalent TDAP enantiomers. The molecular detection of achiral melamine based on the R‐TDAP‐COOH supramolecular system is achieved by the appearance of helicity and inversion.
A facile approach to therapeutic angiogenesis using a platelet concentrate and microsphere composite
Authors: Hendow Eseelle K. , Day Richard M.
Published: November 2021

Stimulating revascularization of under perfused tissue is a key challenge in regenerative medicine. A variety of approaches using soluble biotherapeutic agents have been investigated in recent years but each have yielded limited potency or raised concerns regarding safety. This study reports on the finding that the pro‐angiogenic secretome released from platelet concentrates is significantly enhanced when combined with highly porous biodegradable polymer microspheres. These findings suggest a topically applied autologous platelet concentrate‐biomaterials based approach may serve as a facile and broadly applicable platform to achieve therapeutic angiogenesis in ischemic tissue or where preservation of tissue perfusion and viability is required.
Computational modeling and data‐driven homogenization of knitted membranes
Authors: Herath Sumudu , Xiao Xiao , Cirak Fehmi
Published: November 2021

Knitting is an effective technique for producing complex three‐dimensional surfaces owing to the inherent flexibility of interlooped yarns and recent advances in manufacturing, providing better control of local stitch patterns. Fully yarn‐level modeling of large‐scale knitted membranes is not feasible. Therefore, we use a two‐scale homogenization approach and model the membrane as a Kirchhoff‐Love shell on the macroscale and as Euler‐Bernoulli rods on the microscale. The governing equations for both the shell and the rod are discretized with cubic B‐spline basis functions. For homogenization, we consider only the in‐plane response of the membrane. The solution of the nonlinear microscale problem requires a significant amount of time due to the large deformations and the enforcement of contact constraints, rendering conventional online computational homogenization approaches infeasible. To sidestep this problem, we use a pretrained statistical Gaussian process regression (GPR) model to map the macroscale deformations to macroscale stresses. During the offline learning phase, the GPR model is trained by solving the microscale problem for a sufficiently rich set of deformation states obtained by either uniform or Sobol sampling. The trained GPR model encodes the nonlinearities and anisotropies present in the microscale and serves as a material model for the membrane response of the macroscale shell. The bending response can be chosen in dependence of the mesh size to penalize the fine out‐of‐plane wrinkling of the membrane. After verifying and validating the different components of the proposed approach, we introduce several examples involving membranes subjected to tension and shear to demonstrate its versatility and good performance.
Dyslexia: Links with schizotypy and neurological soft signs
Authors: Barkus Emma , de Leede‐Smith Saskia , Roodenrys Steven , Horsley Lauren , Matrini Shannen , Mison Erin
Published: November 2021

Abnormalities in language processing, psychological distress, and subtle neurodevelopmental features called neurological soft signs (NSS) are expressed by people with dyslexia and those scoring highly on schizotypy. We investigated whether the expression of NSS, distress, and schizotypy predicted dyslexia status. Participants (N = 96, 48 dyslexic) selected to be age and sex matched, completed the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire, Neurological Evaluation Scale, and the National Adult Reading Test (NART; a measure of verbal intelligence). Dyslexia status was predicted by higher total NSS and disorganized schizotypy scores in the absence of NART. However, even with the inclusion of NART, disorganized schizotypy remained a significant predictor. The findings suggest that disorganized features of schizotypy could be a significant factor for those with dyslexia. Conversely, more attention needs to be given to developmental language disorders in those who score highly on schizotypy.
Tracking the effectiveness of creative ads with a computer mouse
Authors: Shen Wangbing , Wei Xing
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to explore the impact of creative advertising on consumers' purchase intention and attention. By calculating mouse trajectories in two tasks, we found that when advertising gained enough attention, creative advertising can attract more attention and reduce individuals' feelings of uncertainty when making purchase decisions.
Cover Image, Volume 77, Issue 12
Authors: Peach Daniel AH , Almond Max , Ko Elton , Meraj Sanam , Gries Regine , Gries Gerhard
Published: November 2021

The cover image is based on the Research Article Cheese and cheese infusions: ecological traps for mosquitoes and spotted wing Drosophila by Daniel AH Peach et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.6603. Image Credit: Sean McCann.

image
Evolution of Corrosive Potential‐Induced Degradation at the Rear Side of Bifacial Passivated Emitter and Rear Solar Cells
Authors: Sporleder Kai , Bauer Jan , Jäckel Bengt , Nauman Volker , Turek Marko , Hagendorf Christian
Published: November 2021

Detrimental corrosive potential‐induced degradation at the rear side of bifacial solar cells has been found recently. This potential‐induced degradation effect is nonreversible and shows typical surface damages in the micrometer scale. However, also areas in the cells showing no such surface damage suffer from electrical losses. Cracks in the nanometer scale underneath the surface, that is, at the interface between Si bulk and Al2O3, turn out to be the cause of this effect, leading to depassivation effects. The emergence of these cracks is assumed to originate from oxidation of the Si bulk due to potential‐induced degradation stress.
Advances in Chip‐Scale Quantum Photonic Technologies
Authors: Lu Liangliang , Zheng Xiaodong , Lu Yanqing , Zhu Shining , Ma Xiao‐Song
Published: November 2021

Quantum photonic system has made remarkable achievements in computing and communication. Serving as quantum information carriers, photons are flying qubits and robust against decoherence, emerging as a desirable platform to make quantum processor a reality. However, with system's complexity and functionality scaling up, the requirements for stability, programmability, and manufacturability will be in high demand. Integrated photonics, compatible with complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor fabrication, has overwhelming dominance in terms of density and performance, making it an unrivaled contender for large‐scale quantum information processing (QIP). To improve the performance of individual blocks and integrate them on a common substrate is one of the core tasks for a practical quantum processor. Here, the recent advances in components that constitute quantum photonic systems on silicon photonics platform, including sources, modulators, and detectors are reviewed. Burgeoning quantum photonics applications, such as multi‐dimensional, multi‐photon QIP and integrated quantum key distribution are highlighted.
Dismantling power asymmetries in disaster and emergency management research: Another argument for the application of critical theory
Authors: Leach Kirk , Rivera Jason D.
Published: November 2021

Recently there has been a renewed call for research that seeks to understand the experiences of historically marginalized groups as a means of addressing inequities in governmental treatment and service provision. Although this call has been issued across all of the social sciences, its manifestation in the realm of disaster and emergency management has been limited based on the discipline's lack of use of critical methods within research designs. We argue that this is not necessarily a byproduct of a lack of interest in the experiences of minority populations or addressing inequity, but due a lack of understanding on how to use critical theory as a framework for research design in emergency and disaster management. As such, this conceptual paper offers insight into the need and value of critical theory as a means of structuring research. To aid the practices of other researchers, we offer two potential methods among many, critical ethnography and storytelling, as options for approaching critical research in emergency and disaster management.
A fully self‐powered, natural‐light‐enabled fiber‐optic vibration sensing solution
Authors: Wang Jiaqi , Man Ho‐Yin , Meng Cuiling , Liu Pengcheng , Li Shaoxin , Kwok Hoi‐Sing , Zi Yunlong
Published: November 2021

Fiber‐optic sensors have been developed to monitor the structural vibration with advantages of high sensitivity, immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI), flexibility, and capability to achieve multiplexed or distributed sensing. However, the current fiber‐optic sensors require precisely polarized coherent lasers as the lighting sources, which are expensive in cost and suffer from the power supply issues while operating at outdoor environments. This work aims at solving these issues, through developing a fully self‐powered, natural‐light‐enabled approach. To achieve that, a spring oscillator‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), a polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC), and an optical fiber were integrated. The external vibration drove the PNLC to switch its transparency, allowing the variation of the incident natural light in the optical fiber. Compared with the majority of conventional TENG‐based active vibration sensors, the developed paradigm does not suffer from the EMI, without requirements of the signal preamplification which consumes additional energy. The vibration displacement monitoring was performed to validate the sensing effectiveness of the developed paradigm.
Typifications of the N.L. Burman and Linnaean names in Polygala, Polygalaceae
Authors: Pastore José Floriano Barêa , Martinez Agustina
Published: November 2021

The historical context and typifications of a number of not yet typified Linnaean names in Polygala (P. acutifolia, P. aspalatha, P. brasiliensis, P. chamaebuxus, P. microphylla, P. penaea, P. sibirica, P. theezans) are presented, along with the identities of P. acutifolia and P. theezans. Bartolomeo di Panigai, a cartographer in the Portuguese boundary commission sent on an expedition to establish borders between Portugal and Spain in accordance with the Treaty of Madrid (signed in 1750), is suggested as the likely collector of P. aspalatha and P. brasiliensis. Three of N.L. Burman's names (P. pinnata, P. thea, P. triphylla) are revised, and two new combinations, Indigofera pinnata and Wiborgia triphylla, the legume species originally described by N.L. Burman in genus Polygala, are presented.
Computed tomographic assessment of the completeness of arthroscopic subtotal coronoidectomy in dogs with medial coronoid disease
Authors: Renner Carina , Medl Nikola
Published: November 2021

Background

Until recent years, arthroscopic subtotal coronoidectomy has been the universally accepted treatment for medial coronoid disease but has variable clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the completeness of arthroscopic medial coronoid debridement and to detect the most vulnerable location of failure.

Methods

Eighty‐three dogs with a diagnosis of medial coronoid disease were included in the study. Arthroscopic debridement was performed in 92 elbow joints, and the completeness of removal was assessed by postoperative computed tomography scans.

Results

Pathological changes were confined to the coronoid apex in 92/92 (100%) of cases and combined with radial incisure lesions in 39/92 (42%). Apical lesions were completely removed in 66/92 (72%) of cases and radial incisure lesions in 2/39 (5%). Bony remnants were detected at the apex (46%) and base (24%) of the medial coronoid process, free within the elbow joint (9%), and/or within the instrument port (84%). Fissures were positively associated with the occurrence of bony remnants (p = 0.038) and a 37% higher probability of incomplete removal of radial incisure lesions (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

In this study, incomplete removal was more likely to occur in the presence of radial incisure lesions. Thorough assessment of this region during arthroscopy is strongly recommended.
Nigeria's financing of health care during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Challenges and recommendations
Authors: Aregbeshola Bolaji S. , Folayan Morenike O.
Published: November 2021

An analysis of the financing of Nigeria's health‐care system in response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic was conducted. Nigeria projected that it would need US$330 million to control its COVID‐19 pandemic. However, it raised more than US$560.52 million, of which more than 90% came from the private sector and the donor/philanthropist community. The pooled COVID‐19 fund is mainly being expended on temporary public health and clinical care measures, with little invested to strengthen the health system beyond the pandemic. The poor turn‐around time for COVID‐19 test results and the stigma associated with the disease results in most persons with mild to moderate symptoms seeking care from alternatives to the health‐care institutions designated for COVID‐19 health care. The huge out‐of‐pocket expenses, and the inability of most Nigerians to earn money because of measures instituted to contain the pandemic, will likely cause many Nigerians to become economically impoverished by the COVID‐19 pandemic. COVID‐19‐related commodity procurement was least responsive to the needs of those most in need of care and support. The government needs to institute several fiscal policies. Immediate response to ease the financial impact of COVID‐19 require inclusion of COVID‐19 management in health insurance packages and an increase in domestic government health spending.
The role of circulating galectin-1 in type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: evidence from cross-sectional, longitudinal and Mendelian randomisation analyses
Authors: Drake Isabel , Fryk Emanuel , Strindberg Lena , Lundqvist Annika , Rosengren Anders H. , Groop Leif , Ahlqvist Emma , Borén Jan , Orho-Melander Marju , Jansson Per-Anders
Published: November 2021

Aims/hypothesis

Galectin-1 modulates inflammation and angiogenesis, and cross-sectional studies indicate that galectin-1 may be a uniting factor between obesity, type 2 diabetes and kidney function. We examined whether circulating galectin-1 can predict incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes in a middle-aged population, and if Mendelian randomisation (MR) can provide evidence for causal direction of effects.

Methods

Participants (n = 4022; 58.6% women) in the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study–Cardiovascular Cohort enrolled between 1991 and 1994 (mean age 57.6 years) were examined. eGFR was calculated at baseline and after a mean follow-up of 16.6 ± 1.5 years. Diabetes status was ascertained through registry linkage (mean follow-up of 18.4 ± 6.1 years). The associations of baseline galectin-1 with incident CKD and type 2 diabetes were assessed with Cox regression, adjusting for established risk factors. In addition, a genome-wide association study on galectin-1 was performed to identify genetic instruments for two-sample MR analyses utilising the genetic associations obtained from the Chronic Kidney Disease Genetics (CKDGen) Consortium (41,395 cases and 439,303 controls) and the DIAbetes Genetics Replication And Meta-analysis (DIAGRAM) consortium (74,124 cases and 824,006 controls). One genome-wide significant locus in the galectin-1 gene region was identified (sentinel SNP rs7285699; p = 2.4 × 10−11). The association between galectin-1 and eGFR was also examined in individuals with newly diagnosed diabetes from the All New Diabetics In Scania (ANDIS) cohort.

Results

Galectin-1 was strongly associated with lower eGFR at baseline (p = 2.3 × 10−89) but not with incident CKD. However, galectin-1 was associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes (per SD increase, HR 1.12; 95% CI 1.02, 1.24). Two-sample MR analyses could not ascertain a causal effect of galectin-1 on CKD (OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.82, 1.02) or type 2 diabetes (OR 1.05; 95% CI 0.98, 1.14) in a general population. However, in individuals with type 2 diabetes from ANDIS who belonged to the severe insulin-resistant diabetes subgroup and were at high risk of diabetic nephropathy, genetically elevated galectin-1 was significantly associated with higher eGFR (p = 5.7 × 10−3).

Conclusions/interpretation

Galectin-1 is strongly associated with lower kidney function in cross-sectional analyses, and two-sample MR analyses suggest a causal protective effect on kidney function among individuals with type 2 diabetes at high risk of diabetic nephropathy. Future studies are needed to explore the mechanisms by which galectin-1 affects kidney function and whether it could be a useful target among individuals with type 2 diabetes for renal improvement.

Graphical abstract
A strategy for on-machine springback measurement in rotary draw bending using digital image-based laser tracking
Authors: Ha Taekwang , Welo Torgeir , Ringen Geir , Wang Jyhwen
Published: November 2021

Rotary draw bending is a commonly used metal forming technique for profile bending. Due to the elastic recovery of the material, springback compensation to control the bent product quality is one of the critical manufacturing issues. The realized bend angle has to be measured for springback compensation before removing the profile from the machine, and the bending process can follow an iterative approach until the product quality is satisfied. However, this trial-and-error is costly for batch production in manufacturing. An on-machine measurement technique is therefore developed to measure springback in rotary draw bending with an affordable laser and a webcam. An image processing technology is integrated with the manufacturing process to track the deformation and measure springback angle in real time, eliminating the need for the workpiece to be transferred to a measurement device. In this paper, bending experiments were conducted with AA6082 rectangular hollow profiles bent at 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° angles, and springback angles from the conventional manual measurement were compared to that from the on-machine measurement. Since the difference in springback measurement between the proposed and the conventional methods was within 0.15° on average, it is demonstrated that the laser tracking, on-machine measurement is a feasible real-time springback measurement technique for Industry 4.0.
Trends of incidence and treatment strategies for operatively treated distal fibula fractures from 2005 to 2019: a nationwide register analysis
Authors: Milstrey Alexander , Baumbach Sebastian Felix , Pfleiderer Alexander , Evers Julia , Boecker Wolfgang , Raschke Michael J , Polzer Hans , Ochman Sabine
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Valid epidemiological data about distal fibular fractures and their treatment strategies are missing. Innovative osteosynthesis techniques were introduced and improved during the past 15 years. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic development and the implementation of new treatment strategies in a nationwide register in Germany over a period of 15 years.

Materials and methods

Data of the German Federal Statistical Office from 2005 until 2019 were screened. Adults with a fracture of the distal fibula were included. Data were separated for gender, age and treatment strategy.

Results

During the past 15 years, there was a steady annual incidence of distal fibula fractures of 74 ± 32 per 100,000 people without any significant changes (p = 0.436). 60.1% ± 0.6% of all fractures occurred in females. The annual incidence for male was nearly constant over the different age groups, whereas for female, there was a clear increase in incidence above the age of 40. Whereas 66% of fractures in between 20 and 30 years of age occurred in male, approximately 70% of fractures above the age of 60 occurred in females. The relative quantity of locking plates increased from 2% in 2005 to 34% in 2019. In 2019, only 1.02% of the patients were operated with an intramedullary nail.

Conclusions

Operatively treated distal fibular fractures revealed an age dependent increase in incidence in postmenopausal women compared to younger females. Regarding the treatment strategy, there was an increase in application of locking plates. The data implicate a typical fragility fracture related age and gender distribution for distal fibula fractures.