bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of film mulching on the physiological and morphological parameters and yield of cucumber under insufficient drip irrigation
Authors: Yan Haofang , Ma Jiamin , Zhang Jianyun , Wang Guoqing , Zhang Chuan , Akhlaq Muhammad , Huang Song , Yu Jianjun
Published: April 2022

A comprehensive study was conducted to analyse the influence of film mulching on the soil water content (SWC), plant physiological and morphological parameters, yield and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) of cucumber grown in a greenhouse. The experiment was designed to set the film mulching (M1) and non‐film mulching (M0) applications under two irrigation levels (T1: sufficient irrigation; T2: insufficient irrigation). Thus, four treatments, i.e. T1M1, T1M0, T2M1 and T2M0 were set. The response of plant growth, physiology characteristics, yield and SWC under the designed treatments was analysed based on the data from two planting years (2019 and 2020). Applying film mulching effectively improved the SWC by approximately 10%. The cucumber plant height, stem diameter and leaf area index (LAI) under the T2M1 treatment increased by 38.0–63.1, 16.5–24.9 and 84.0–89.4%, respectively, compared to the T2M0 treatment. The maximum yield was found in the T1M1 treatment, which increased by 24.2–27.5% compared to T1M0. Film mulching increased cucumber yield by 18.0–24.7% compared to non‐film mulching. It was also observed that film mulching under insufficient drip irrigation had a positive influence on plant morphological parameters (photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance). Among the four treatments, the maximum photosynthetic rate (= 20.69 μmol m−2 s−1) and stomatal conductance (= 0.47 μmol m−2 s−1) were found in the T2M1 treatment. The sap flow rate under the T2M1 treatment was close to that under the T1M0 treatment, while the largest variation in the sap flow rate occurred under the T1M1 treatment, and the smallest variation occurred under the T2M0 treatment. It can be concluded that the effect of the film mulching technique on cucumber yield and IWUE was significant under insufficient drip irrigation.
In vitro and in vivo assessment of a 3D printable gelatin methacrylate hydrogel for bone regeneration applications
Authors: Celikkin Nehar , Mastrogiacomo Simone , Dou Weiqiang , Heerschap Arend , Oosterwijk Egbert , Walboomers X. Frank , Święszkowski Wojciech
Published: April 2022

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) has made significant progress in developing and assessing different types of bio‐substitutes. However, scaffolds production through standardized methods, as required for good manufacturing process (GMP), and post‐transplant in vivo monitoring still limit their translation into the clinic. 3D printed 5% GelMA scaffolds have been prepared through an optimized and reproducible process in this work. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were encapsulated in the 3D printable GelMA ink, and their biological properties were assessed in vitro to evaluate their potential for cell delivery application. Moreover, in vivo implantation of the pristine 3D printed GelMA has been performed in a rat condyle defect model. Whereas optimal tissue integration was observed via histology, no signs of fibrotic encapsulation or inhibited bone formation were attained. A multimodal imaging workflow based on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allowed the simultaneous monitoring of both new bone formation and scaffold degradation. These outcomes point out the direction to undertake in developing 3D printed‐based hydrogels for BTE that can allow a faster transition into clinical use.
Examining the role of language competency in genetic testing awareness among adults in the United States
Authors: Passero Lauren , Srinivasan Swetha , Roberts Megan C.
Published: April 2022

English language competency, as a component of health literacy, is associated with increased awareness and uptake of health‐related genetic testing. The relationship between language competency and genetic testing awareness has not yet been explored in the wider U.S. population yet has significant implications for the practice of genetic counselors and in the promotion of genomic medicine for public health. We analyzed data from the 2017 Health Information National Trends Survey 5 Cycle 1 using weighted logistic regression to model the relationship between self‐reported English competency, genetic testing awareness, and race and explore adjusted odds ratios and average marginal effects for levels of English competency. Compared to respondents with high English competency, the probability of genetic testing awareness was 20 percentage points lower for White participants reporting moderate English competency (p = .029) and 37 percentage points lower for non‐White participants reporting low English competency (p < .001). Future research is needed to understand the mechanisms through which English competency affects awareness and uptake of genetic testing in the United States and to develop strategies to overcome language barriers for the practice of genetic counselors and the implementation of genetics services.
A case report of an endoscopic approach to life‐threatening cecal variceal hemorrhage
Authors: MacFarlane Kirsty E , Fischer Nicholas J
Published: April 2022

Cecal varices are a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis. We describe a 29‐year‐old man with decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis who developed gastrointestinal bleeding in the hospital. A computed tomography mesenteric angiogram showed bleeding cecal varices, which were successfully treated by glue injection therapy at colonoscopy. The procedure appeared to be complicated by bacteremia due to Escherichia coli.
Quantifying trade‐offs of land multifunctionality evaluated by set pair analysis in ecologically vulnerable areas of northwestern China
Authors: Han Ziyan , Meng Jijun , Zhu Likai , Cheng Haoran , Wu Yingdi , Wei Chanjuan
Published: April 2022

Land systems in drylands have been experiencing increasing conflicts among multiple land functions. The improvement of one function is often at the cost of other functions, and trade‐offs occur. Previous studies often cannot adequately address the fuzziness and lack an optimal benchmark when assessing land multifunctionality, and neglect the nonlinear features when quantifying the trade‐offs. Taking the Heihe River Basin (HRB) in China as a study area, we applied the set pair analysis (SPA) to develop a novel framework for assessing land multifunctionality at a grid scale from the production‐living ecological aspects. We then utilized the constraint line fitted with segmented quantile regression to identify the trade‐offs among land functions. The results showed that our developed model could effectively measure land multifunctionality. The overall land multifunctionality in the HRB increased between 2000–2015, and the increased production and living functions made more contributions. From 2000 to 2015, the relationship between production function and ecological function changed from the status of synergy to trade‐off, and the degree first increased and then decreased. The coupling coordination degree index showed that the coordination among land functions was high in the south and low in the north, which was mainly controlled by ecological functions. The effects of natural and anthropogenic drivers on land functions showed nonlinear characteristics, and thresholds existed for some factors showing the abrupt change in influence. We concluded that our research provides reliable and detailed information about the interactions among land functions, which is essential for sustainable land use and territorial spatial planning.
Empirical scatter correction: CBCT scatter artifact reduction without prior information
Authors: Trapp Philip , Maier Joscha , Susenburger Markus , Sawall Stefan , Kachelrieß Marc
Published: April 2022

Background

The image quality of cone beam CT (CBCT) scans severely suffers from scattered radiation if no countermeasures are taken. Scatter artifacts may induce cupping and streak artifacts and lead to a reduced image contrast and wrong CT values of the reconstructed volumes. Established software‐based approaches for a correction of scattered radiation typically rely on prior knowledge of the CT system, scan parameters, the scanned object, or all of the aforementioned.

Purpose

This study proposes a simple and effective postprocessing software‐based correction method of scatter artifacts in CBCT scans without specific prior knowledge.

Methods

We propose the empirical scatter correction (ESC), which generates scatter‐like basis images from each projection image by convolution operations. A linear combination of these basis images is subtracted from the original projection image. The logarithm is taken and an FDK reconstruction is performed. The coefficients needed for the linear combination are determined automatically by a downhill simplex algorithm such that the resulting reconstructed images show no scatter artifacts. We demonstrate the potential of ESC by correcting simulated volumes with Monte Carlo scatter artifacts, a head phantom scan performed on our table‐top CBCT, and a pelvis scan from a Varian Edge CBCT scanner.

Results

ESC is able to improve the image quality of CBCT scans, which is shown on the basis of our simulations and on measured data. For a simulated head CT, the CT value difference to the scatter‐free reference image was as low as −6 HU after using ESC, whereas the uncorrected data deviated by more than −200 HU from the reference data. Simulations of thorax and abdomen CT scans show that although scatter artifacts are not fully removed, anatomical features which were hard to discover prior to the correction become clearly visible and better segmentable with ESC. Similar results are obtained in the phantom measurement, where a comparison to a slit scan of our head phantom shows only small differences. The CT values in soft tissue are improved in this measurement, as well. In soft tissue areas with severe scatter artifacts, the CT values agree well with those of the slit scan (difference to slit scan: 35 HU corrected and −289 HU uncorrected). Scatter artifacts in measured patient data can also be reduced using the proposed ESC. The results are comparable to those achieved with designated correction algorithms installed on the Varian Edge CBCT system.

Conclusions

ESC allows to reduce artifacts caused by patient scatter solely based on the projection data.
Modified ethylene/α‐octene co‐polymer composites based on dual toughening of hydrogen bonding network and nanospheres
Authors: Huang Zhiyi , Liao Tingting , Liu Xiaochun , Wu Jianyu , Tang Zilun , Pan Guoyi , Liu Huameng , Lin Xiaofeng , Lin Wenjing , Li Yong , Gu Yuxin , Yi Guobin
Published: April 2022

Thermoplastic elastomer ethylene/α‐octene co‐polymer (POE) is a special polymer material with both elasticity and thermoplasticity. However, the nonpolarity and low‐tensile strength of POE limit its application in polar materials and high‐strength materials fields. In this study, we synthesized a specific molecule with C═C bonds and NH bonds, which was introduced into POE to construct hydrogen bonding network, and the prepared modified POE is further blended with carboxyl terminated polystyrene nanospheres as toughening agent to prepare modified POE elastomer composites. Based on such dual toughening strategy containing chemical modification and physical toughening, the modified POE elastomer composites possess improved mechanical properties. The composites achieve a tensile strength of 21.4 MPa, elongation at break of 1268%, fracture energy of 109.6 MJ∙m−3 and exhibit improved thermal stability. Impressively, the tensile strength of reprocessed composites is restored to more than 90% of their original tensile strength even after four times of reprocessing steps, demonstrating excellent reusability.
Multifunctional wood composites based on Camellia oleifera shell with harsh‐weather and self‐mildew resistance
Authors: Chen Guoliang , Wang Hanzhang , Zhang Shifeng , Zhang Wei , Wu Hong , Li Changzhu , Xiao Zhihong
Published: April 2022

Camellia oleifera shell is rich in lignin and tea saponin and other natural active substances, and it is used to directly prepare fuel and biochar, which are low‐value applications. Inspired by the tea oil fruit shell, a new type of wood‐based composite was designed, which was bonded between inner layers and coated on the surface with Camellia oleifera shell‐based phenolic resin through a one‐step manufacturing process. The acid catalyst type, reaction time, and substitution ratios (Camellia oleifera shell/phenol) were used to optimize the formulation and process of Camellia oleifera shell phenolic resin. The chemical structure, wet bonding strength, harsh‐weather resistance, thermal properties, and flame resistance of the composites (Camellia oleifera shell phenolic resin surface coated plywood [CSPCPs]) were evaluated. The results indicated that the CSPCPs showed better‐wet bonding strength and thermal properties and harsh‐weather resistance compared with the common uncoated plywood. CSPCP‐3 presented the maximum wet bonding strength of 1.63 MPa. The limiting oxygen indexes of the CSPCPs were all higher than that of common plywood. All CSPCPs displayed excellent acid rain corrosion resistance, with little mass loss under simulated acid rain conditions. Grayscale was used to compare the samples' color to assess their self‐mildew resistance. As the amount of shell increased, the mold resistance of CSPCPs increased. CSPCP‐3 showed excellent comprehensive performance and can be a multifunctional wood composite suitable for outdoor applications.
Simultaneous characterization of preform expansion and permeability in vacuum assisted resin infusion
Authors: Grofti Zaynab , Croteau‐Labouly Bruno , Boukhili Rachid , Causse Philippe , Belouettar Salim , Perrin Henri , Trochu François
Published: April 2022

Vacuum assisted resin infusion (VARI) is a composite manufacturing process, in which a fibrous reinforcement is laid out in a mold, and then sealed under a vacuum bag. The preform is compressed under vacuum and a liquid polymer resin is infused into the mold cavity. A characterization of compressibility and permeability is required to get accurate predictions of infusion times and thickness of final parts. A new experimental methodology is developed to simultaneously characterize the preform expansion and permeability of fibrous reinforcements during infusion. It is implemented in a one‐dimensional rectangular workbench by impregnating the preform with silicone oil. Pressure sensors measure the liquid pressure, and the reinforcement thickness is acquired by linear variable displacement transducers (LVDTs). The flow rate is also recorded with a scale. The expansion of the wetted reinforcement and permeability can be modeled by power laws as a function of pressure and fiber volume content, respectively. For isotropic preforms, a single experiment provides all the information needed to simulate the flow and predict the infusion time, the thickness and pressure. To validate this new characterization approach, the results of two infusions are successfully compared with numerical simulations.
Statin‐associated muscle symptoms—A review: Individualizing the approach to optimize care
Authors: Wiggins Barbara S. , Backes James M. , Hilleman Daniel
Published: April 2022

The 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, also known as “statins” are considered first‐line pharmacologic therapy for reducing low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C). They have been demonstrated efficacy in a variety of patients populations to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. Like any pharmacologic therapy, however, they are not without possible adverse effects that can lead to discontinuation, thus leading to a loss of benefit. The most common side effect related to statin therapy impacting compliance is musculoskeletal related, commonly referred to as statin‐associated muscle systems (SAMS). While the overall incidence is relatively low, the consequences of nonadherence to statin therapy can have a negative impact on patient care. Therefore, it is important for healthcare providers to understand risk factors, how to diagnose, and how to manage this unfortunate adverse effect in order to optimize care.
Pressure‐Induced Isostructural Phase Transition in Biskyrmion Host Hexagonal MnNiGa
Authors: Singh Anupam K. , Devi Parul , Jena Ajit K. , Modanwal Ujjawal , Lee Seung-Cheol , Bhattacharjee Satadeep , Joseph Boby , Singh Sanjay
Published: April 2022

Magnetic skyrmions are vortex‐like spin textures, which can be manipulated by external stress or pressure via magnetoelastic effects. Herein, the observation of isostructural phase transition in a biskyrmion host hexagonal MnNiGa at pressureP ≈4 GPa using pressure‐dependent synchrotron X‐Ray powder diffraction (XRD) data analysis is presented. The XRD data reveals anisotropic compression behavior with pressure with different compression rates of thea‐axis in the basal plane and thec‐axis in the prismatic plane. However, the hexagonal symmetry remains unchanged for pressure up to 14 GPa. Fitting of unit cell volume with pressure using a second‐order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state reveals that the data fall into two distinct curves for those above and below 4 GPa. Herein, the understanding of crystal structure with the application of hydrostatic pressure in the biskyrmion host MnNiGa is contributed to, wherein the skyrmion textures can be manipulated by pressure due to their magnetoelastic character.
The relationship between precipitation and its spatial pattern in the trades observed during EUREC4A
Authors: Radtke Jule , Naumann Ann Kristin , Hagen Martin , Ament Felix
Published: April 2022

Trade wind convection organises into a rich spectrum of spatial patterns, often in conjunction with precipitation development. Which role spatial organisation plays for precipitation and vice versa is not well understood. We analyse scenes of trade‐wind convection scanned by the C‐band radar Poldirad during the EURECA field campaign to investigate how trade‐wind precipitation fields are spatially organised, quantified by the cells' number, mean size, and spatial arrangement, and how this matters for precipitation characteristics. We find that the mean rain rate (i.e., the amount of precipitation in a scene) and the intensity of precipitation (mean conditional rain rate) relate differently to the spatial pattern of precipitation. Whereas the amount of precipitation increases with mean cell size or number, as it scales well with the precipitation fraction, the intensity increases predominantly with mean cell size. In dry scenes, the increase of precipitation intensity with mean cell size is stronger than in moist scenes. Dry scenes usually contain fewer cells with a higher degree of clustering than moist scenes do. High precipitation intensities hence typically occur in dry scenes with rather large, few, and strongly clustered cells, whereas high precipitation amounts typically occur in moist scenes with rather large, numerous, and weakly clustered cells. As cell size influences both the intensity and amount of precipitation, its importance is highlighted. Our analyses suggest that the cells' spatial arrangement, correlating mainly weakly with precipitation characteristics, is of second‐order importance for precipitation across all regimes, but it could be important for high precipitation intensities and to maintain precipitation amounts in dry environments.
Influence of laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis and its recurrence on perinatal outcomes
Authors: Ono Yosuke , Furumura Kyoko , Yoshino Osamu , Ota Hajime , Sasaki Yasushi , Hidaka Takao , Fukushi Yoshiyuki , Hirata Shuji , Yamada Hideto , Wada Shinichiro
Published: April 2022

Purpose

It is unknown whether surgery for endometriosis or recurrence of endometriosis affects obstetric outcomes.

Methods

A total of 208 pregnant women with a history of endometriosis were analyzed. Patients who had endometriomas >3 cm and no history of laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis were defined as non‐surgery group (n = 60), while those who had a history of surgery for endometriosis (n = 148) were defined as surgery group. We investigated the obstetric outcomes in 208 patients according to with or without postoperative recurrence of endometriosis and the time from surgery to pregnancy.

Results

Among 177 cases of on‐going pregnancy, in surgery group, there were lower prevalence of placenta previa compared with non‐surgery group (8.5% vs. 23.4%; p = 0.020). Subgroup analysis revealed a decreased prevalence of placenta previa in postoperative non‐recurrence group (6.0%: p = 0.007) compared with non‐surgery (23.4%) and postoperative recurrence group (28.6%). Placenta previa was more prevalent in the patients who got pregnant more than 2 years after surgery (20.0%) than the patients who got pregnant within 2 years (2.4%: p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis revealed that the surgery was associated with a reduction in placenta previa (OR: 0.32, 95% CI [0.11–0.90]; p = 0.032).

Conclusions

Pregnancy within two years after laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis may reduce placenta previa.
Approximate two‐loop robust nonlinear model predictive control with real‐time execution and closed‐loop guarantee
Authors: Farajzadeh Devin Mohammad Ghassem , Hosseini Sani Seyed Kamal
Published: April 2022

In this article, a robust nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) scheme with two control loops is considered and its real‐time execution is guaranteed for a predefined sampling time. Robustness of the NMPC scheme against bounded input uncertainty is achieved by assuming Lipschitz continuity of the inner‐loop dynamic function. The NMPC control law is approximated using piecewise affine linear functions over hyper‐rectangle regions generated by k‐d tree partitioning algorithm. Additionally, error bound on the approximation of the optimal solution function is obtained by assuming bounds on the subgradient of the optimal solution function. Consequently, the robust stability and recursive feasibility of the closed‐loop system for the proposed approximate NMPC framework are proven, and at the same time, real‐time execution of the proposed scheme for a predefined sampling time is guaranteed. Simulation results, on a nonlinear benchmark problem, are used to better illustrate the proposed approach and to compare it with some other methods.
The nexus between renewable energy, income inequality, and consumption‐based CO2 emissions: An empirical investigation
Authors: Baloch Muhammad Awais , Danish
Published: April 2022

The income inequality and emissions nexus have been a hot issue of debate among scholarly circles. However, the effect of income inequality coupled with renewable energy on consumption‐based carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions has not been addressed adequately in the recent literature. This study fills the auspicious gap in the literature by investigating the impacts of income inequality and renewable energy on consumption‐based CO2 emissions for BRICS economies. Considering the unique features of income distributions, two proxies of income inequality: the Gini index and income earned by the top 10%, are utilized to understand the various analytical approaches. To yield consistent and reliable estimates several panel data estimation techniques are employed for the period from 1994 to 2018 for BRICS economies. Empirical results reveal that income inequality contributes to consumption‐based CO2 emissions in the atmosphere. However, renewable energy helps in reducing consumption‐based CO2 emissions. Based on the empirical findings, the study suggests important policy implications for BRICS countries to control the environmental impacts.
Operando High‐Valence Cr‐Modified NiFe Hydroxides for Water Oxidation
Authors: Wang Ming Hua , Lou Zhen Xin , Wu Xuefeng , Liu Yuanwei , Zhao Jia Yue , Sun Kai Zhi , Li Wen Xin , Chen Jiacheng , Yuan Hai Yang , Zhu Minghui , Dai Sheng , Liu Peng Fei , Yang Hua Gui
Published: April 2022

High‐valence metal‐doped multimetal (oxy)hydroxides outperform noble metal electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) owing to the modified energetics between 3d metals and high‐valence dopants. However, the rational design of sufficient and subtle modulators is still challenging. With a multimetal layered double hydroxide (LDH) as the OER catalyst, this study introduces a series of operando high‐valence dopants (Cr, Ru, Ce, and V), which can restrict the 3+ valence states in the LDH template to prevent phase separation and operando transfer to the >3+ valence states for sufficient electronic interaction during the OER process. Through density functional theory simulations, ultrathin Cr‐doped NiFe (NiFeCr) LDH is synthesized with strong electronic interaction between Cr dopants and NiFe bimetallic sites, evidenced by X‐ray absorption spectroscopy. The resulting NiFeCr‐LDH catalyzes the OER with ultralow overpotentials of 189 and 284 mV, obtaining current densities of 10 and 1000 mA cm–2, respectively. Further, a NiFeCr‐LDH anode is coupled in the anion exchange membrane electrolyzers to promote alkaline water splitting and CO2‐to‐CO electrolysis, which achieves low full cell voltages at high current densities.
Monodispersed Lignin Colloidal Spheres with Tailorable Sizes for Bio‐Photonic Materials
Authors: Wang Jingyu , Chen Wenhao , Yang Dongjie , Fang Zhiqiang , Liu Weifeng , Xiang Ting , Qiu Xueqing
Published: April 2022

Lignin colloidal spheres (LCSs) are promising biomaterials for application in drug storage and delivery, pollutant adsorption, and ultraviolet protection due to their biocompatibility, amphiphilicity, and conjugated structure. However, wide size distribution of LCSs greatly limits their performances, especially in many precise and advanced applications. Herein, the fabrication of monodispersed LCSs with tailorable sizes ranging from the nanoscale to microscale is reported. Lignin raw materials are first fractionated by solvent extraction, and then the lignin fraction is used to fabricate monodispersed LCSs by solvent/antisolvent self‐assembly. The underlying mechanism for the formation of monodispersed LCS is primarily ascribed to the improved homogeneity of long‐range intermolecular forces, especially the electrostatic forces and hydrophobic forces, between lignin molecules. Moreover, by manipulating the short‐range order of LCSs, an innovative application of lignin as bio‐photonic materials with tunable structural colorations (e.g., red, green, or blue) is demonstrated. This work not only provides deep insight and an effective strategy to eliminate the serious inhomogeneity of LCSs, but also makes lignin resources have great potential as biodegradable and biocompatible photonic materials in diverse advanced optical application fields such as photonic devices, anti‐counterfeiting labels, and structural color pigments.
Reproducibility in Time and Space—The Molecular Weight Effects of Polymeric Materials in Organic Photovoltaic Devices
Authors: Gui Ruohua , Liu Yang , Chen Zhihao , Wang Tong , Chen Tao , Shi Rui , Zhang Kangning , Qin Wei , Ye Long , Hao Xiaotao , Yin Hang
Published: April 2022

The reproducibility issue is one of the major challenges for the commercialization of large‐area organic electronic devices. It involves both the device‐to‐device variation and opto‐electronic properties in different positions of a single thin film. Herein, the molecular weight effects in polymeric semiconductors with three widely used photovoltaic donor materials P3HT, PBDB‐T, and PM6 are systematically investigated. A simple but effective method is proposed to evaluate the uniformity of large‐area devices by adopting the micron‐level grid electrodes in organic thin films. An interesting phenomenon is observed that the device is gradually improved uniformly with the Mw range lower than 100 kg mol−1. In neat films, both the mobility and energetic disorder values of hole carriers exhibit relatively lower coefficient of variation (cv) in high molecular‐weight systems. After blending with the electron‐accepting materials, their bulk heterojunction films also enjoy more uniform hole transfer rates, fluorescence lifetimes, and power conversion efficiencies in single and different devices. This work not only proposes a facile approach to evaluate the electrical properties of large‐area organic thin films, but also demonstrates the relationship between molecular weight and device reproducibility in polymer solar cells. This contribution provides a new insight into the commercial large‐scale production of organic electronics.
Structure‐activity relations of Pd(II) and Pt(II) thiosemicarbazone complexes on different human glioblastoma cell lines
Authors: Schulz Ellina , Mawamba Viviane , Löhr Mario , Hagemann Carsten , Friedrich Alexandra , Schatzschneider Ulrich
Published: April 2022

Ten thiosemicarbazone ligands obtained by condensation of pyridine‐2‐carbaldehyde, quinoline‐2‐carbaldehyde, 2‐acetylpyridine, 2‐acetylquinoline, or corresponding 2‐pyridyl ketones with thiosemicarbazides RNHC(S)NHNH2 and R=CH3, C6H5 were prepared in good yield. The reaction of [PdCl2(cod)] with cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene or K2[PtCl4] resulted in a total of 17 Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes isolated in excellent purity, as demonstrated by 1H, 13C, and, where applicable, 195Pt NMR spectroscopy combined with CHNS analysis. The cytotoxicity of the title compounds was studied on four human glioblastoma cell lines (GaMG, U87, U138, and U343). The most active compound, with a Pd(II) metal centre, a 2‐quinolinyl ring, and methyl groups on both the proximal C and distal N atoms exhibited an EC50 value of 2.1 μM on the GaMG cell lines, thus being slightly more active than cisplatin (EC50 3.4 μM) and significantly more potent than temozolomide (EC50 67.1 μM). Surprisingly, the EC50 values were inversely correlated with the lipophilicity, as determined with the “shake‐flask method”, and decreased with the length of the alkyl substituents (C1>C8>C10). Correlation with the different structural motifs showed that for the most promising anticancer activity, a maximum of two aromatic rings (either quinolinyl or pyridyl plus phenyl) combined with one methyl group are favoured and the Pd(II) complexes are slightly more potent than their Pt(II) analogues.
$$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM, Argyres-Douglas theories, and an exact graded vector space isomorphism
Authors: Buican Matthew , Nishinaka Takahiro
Published: April 2022

Abstract

In this first of two papers, we explain in detail the simplest example of a broader set of relations between apparently very different theories. Our example relates $$ \mathfrak{su}(2) $$
su

2

$$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super Yang-Mills (SYM) to a theory we call “(3, 2)”. This latter theory is an exactly marginal diagonal SU(2) gauging of three D3(SU(2)) Argyres-Douglas (AD) theories. We begin by observing that the Schur indices of these two theories are related by an algebraic transformation that is surprisingly reminiscent of index transformations describing spontaneous symmetry breaking on the Higgs branch. However, this transformation breaks half the supersymmetry of the SYM theory as well as its full $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 SU(2)F flavor symmetry. Moreover, it does so in an interesting way when viewed through the lens of the corresponding 2D vertex operator algebras (VOAs): affine currents of the small $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super-Virasoro algebra at c = −9 get mapped to the $$ \mathcal{A}(6) $$
A

6

stress tensor and some of its conformal descendants, while the extra supersymmetry currents on the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 side get mapped to higher-dimensional fermionic currents and their descendants on the $$ \mathcal{A}(6) $$
A

6

side. We prove these relations are facets of an exact graded vector space isomorphism (GVSI) between these two VOAs. This GVSI respects the U(1)r charge of the parent 4D theories. We briefly sketch how more general $$ \mathfrak{su}(N) $$
su

N

$$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM theories are related to an infinite class of AD theories via generalizations of our example. We conclude by showing that, in this class of theories, the $$ \mathcal{A}(6) $$
A

6

VOA saturates a new inequality on the number of strong generators.
Regionale und geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede bei Appendektomien
Authors: Leeser Lea , Neukirch Benno , Drösler Saskia E.
Published: April 2022

Hintergrund

Frühere Analysen kleinräumiger Appendektomieraten zeigen erheblich höhere regionale Unterschiede der Operationshäufigkeiten bei Frauen als bei Männern.

Ziel

Die Arbeit identifiziert valide Messgrößen zur Darstellung regionaler Unterschiede und analysiert geschlechtsspezifische Veränderungen der Appendektomieraten auf Landkreisebene in der Zeitreihe.

Material und Methoden

Datengrundlage sind die der DRG-Statistik entnommenen Appendektomiehäufigkeiten für 2014, 2016 sowie 2018 nach Geschlecht auf Landkreisebene. Die regionalen Unterschiede werden mittels der „systematic component of variation“ (SCV) berechnet und beurteilt. Die SCV ist im Vergleich zu Extrem-Ratio und Variationskoeffizient robuster gegenüber stark schwankender Nennerpopulationen. SCV-Werte über 5 geben einen Hinweis auf hohe Variationen und größer 10 auf sehr hohe Variationen.

Ergebnisse

Bei der männlichen Population lassen sich nur geringe regionale Unterschiede der Operationsraten feststellen, die im Zeitverlauf stabil bleiben (SCV2014 = 2,1, SCV2016 = 1,8 und SCV2018 = 2,0). Bei Frauen hingegen liegt die SCV in den Jahren 2014 sowie 2016 (SCV2014 = 6,1, SCV2016 = 5,3) über 5 und sinkt 2018 auf 4,5 ab. Darstellungen als Funnel-Plot berücksichtigen höhere Streuungen der Operationsraten in Landkreisen mit niedrigen Einwohnerzahlen.

Diskussion

Bei Frauen ist ein rückläufiger Trend in den Appendektomiehäufigkeiten zu erkennen. Unklar ist, ob dieser Trend auf einer Veränderung der Indikationsstellung oder auf einem geänderten allgemeinen Behandlungsmanagement bei einem Appendizitisverdacht beruht. Durch robuste Variationsmaße und der graphischen Aufbereitung als Funnel-Plots ist es möglich, systematisch bedingte regionale Versorgungsunterschiede von Zufallseffekten zu unterscheiden.
Patientenorientierung
Authors: Mihaljevic André L. , Michalski Christoph , Kaisers Udo , Strunk Guido
Published: April 2022

Hintergrund

Patientenorientierung entwickelt sich politisch und gesellschaftlich zum entscheidenden Leitbild unseres Gesundheitssystems, doch in der praktischen Umsetzung zeigen sich Probleme durch konfligierende Ziele und Interessen.

Ziel der Arbeit

Darstellung des Begriffs Patientenorientierung sowie möglicher Messmethoden mit besonderem Fokus auf den deutschen Sprachraum.

Material und Methoden

Narrative Übersichtsarbeit durch Literatursuche in Medline, der Cochrane Library, PsyINfo und CINHAL. Aus den Ergebnissen wird das Konzept von „Patient-Reported Experience Measures“ (PREMs) und ein PREM-System entwickelt.

Ergebnisse

Die Patientenorientierung ist kein abgeschlossenes theoretisches Konstrukt. Aktuell werden 16 Dimensionen der Patientenorientierung unterschieden. Die am weitesten verbreitete Messmethode zur Erfassung der Patientenorientierung sind PREMs. Anders als in anderen Ländern gibt es im Deutschen nur eine begrenzte Anzahl von PREMs, deren methodologische Messungsqualität häufig unklar ist. Wesentliche chirurgische Aspekte der Patientenversorgung werden durch vorliegende deutschsprachige PREMs nicht erfasst. Es wird ein PREM-System in deutscher Sprache entwickelt und der Forschungsbedarf aufgezeigt.

Diskussion

Anders als in anderen Ländern gibt es in deutscher Sprache kein zusammenhängendes PREM-System. Die systematische Erfassung der Patientenorientierung ist daher insbesondere in der Chirurgie aktuell nicht adäquat möglich. Wesentliche methodologische, organisatorische, regulatorische und finanzielle Aspekte müssen bewältigt werden, bevor die Patientenorientierung als fundiertes Konstrukt im klinischen Alltag implementiert werden kann.
Efficacy and safety of 177Lu‑DOTATATE in patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours: data from the NETTER-R international, retrospective study
Authors: Clement Dominique , Navalkissoor Shaunak , Srirajaskanthan Rajaventhan , Courbon Frédéric , Dierickx Lawrence , Eccles Amy , Lewington Valerie , Mitjavila Mercedes , Percovich Juan Carlos , Lequoy Benoît , He Beilei , Folitar Ilya , Ramage John
Published: April 2022

Purpose

NETTER-R aimed to determine the efficacy, safety and tolerability of 177Lu-DOTATATE in patients with progressive, advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (panNETs) using retrospective real-world data from multiple sites.

Methods

This international study retrospectively included patients with panNETs treated with 177Lu-DOTATATE. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), safety and tumour response.

Results

In total, 110 patients with panNETs were studied; 65.5% received a cumulative dose of 177Lu-DOTATATE 29.6 GBq ± 10% (median: 7.4 GBq). In 62 patients with available RECIST v1.1 tumour response, the median PFS was 24.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.5–34.5), and the objective response rate was 40.3% (95% CI: 28.1–53.6); all responses were partial. With a median follow up of 24.5 months (range: 2.0–123.4 months) after the first cycle of 177Lu-DOTATATE, the median OS in the full analysis set (n = 110) was 41.4 months (95% CI: 28.6–50.2). PFS (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.672; p = 0.0009) and OS (HR: 3.360; p < 0.0001) were longer in patients who received no chemotherapy prior to 177Lu-DOTATATE than those who did. No treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) led to treatment discontinuation. Grade 3 anaemia, lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 0.9%, 5.4% and 0.9% of patients, respectively. No acute leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome was reported. Six patients (5.5%) had renal TEAEs. All renal grade ≥ 3 events were transient and did not lead to treatment modification.

Conclusions

These results reinforce the role of 177Lu-DOTATATE for the treatment of patients with advanced, somatostatin receptor-positive panNETs.
Correction of the pelvic incidence using a bilateral extending pelvic osteotomy: a proof of concept study
Authors: Ochtman A. E. A. , Bleys R. L. A. W. , Cunningham J. E. , Öner F. C. , van Gaalen S. M.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The aim of this proof of concept human cadaver study was to quantify the effect of a bilateral extending pelvic osteotomy (BEPO) on pelvic incidence (PI) as a potential alternative for a pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) in patients with severe spinal sagittal malalignment.

Materials and methods

10 fresh frozen human cadavers were treated with the BEPO technique. CT images were made before and after the osteotomy and pure sagittal images were created on which PI was measured.

Results

The mean pre-osteotomy PI was 47.9° (range 36.4–63.9) and the mean post-osteotomy PI was 36.5° (range 22.1–54.4). The mean correction was − 10.4° with a range of − 8.4° to − 17.3° (p = 0.03), which resulted in a mean decrease of 23% in the PI (range 16–42).

Conclusions

There was a feasible and effective correction of PI using the BEPO technique on the os ilium. This was a preliminary cadaveric study. No conclusions could be made on global sagittal alignment. We postulate that an extending osteotomy of the ilium could be a potential alternative for a PSO reducing the complexity of spine surgery in patients with severe spinal sagittal malalignment.
On the dynamic stability of delaminated composite beams under free vibration
Authors: Szekrényes András , Máté Péter , Hauck Bence
Published: April 2022

This work deals with the analysis of the free vibration problem of elastic delaminated composite beams. The work mainly consists of a model development and improvement stage based on the first-order shear deformable beam theory. A general model is developed taking the bending-extensional coupling into account. The specified problem is a built-in beam with free end, and one of the novelties of this work is the consideration of the fact that a built-in beam cannot be fixed rigidly in reality. Thus, a Winkler-type elastic foundation is applied along the built-in length. The total potential energy and the governing equations of the delaminated and intact parts of the beam are also captured. The problem is solved in two ways: analytically and numerically by using the finite element method, respectively. Applying the developed models the natural frequencies, mode shapes as well as the stress resultants are determined. The comparison of natural frequencies to those measured experimentally shows that the built-in length resting on Winkler-type elastic foundation influences significantly the agreement between model and experiment. In the final stage, the parametric excitation phenomenon taking place in the delaminated part is analyzed using a local model and the harmonic balance method. The dynamic buckling is characterized by some stability diagrams, and it is shown that the applied model is very sensitive to the frequency leading to somewhat controversial critical amplitudes compared to measurements.
Disruption in the space–time continuum: why digital ethnography matters
Authors: Cleland Jennifer , MacLeod Anna
Published: April 2022

There is increasing interest in the use of ethnography as a qualitative research approach to explore, in depth, issues of culture in health professions education (HPE). Our specific focus in this article is incorporating the digital into ethnography. Digital technologies are pervasively and increasingly shaping the way we interact, behave, think, and communicate as health professions educators and learners. Understanding the contemporary culture(s) of HPE thus means paying attention to what goes on in digital spaces. In this paper, we critically consider some of the potential issues when the field of ethnography exists outside the space time continuum, including the need to engage with theory in research about technology and digital spaces in HPE. After a very brief review of the few HPE studies that have used digital ethnography, we scrutinize what can be gained when ethnography encompasses the digital world, particularly in relation to untangling sociomaterial aspects of HPE. We chart the shifts inherent in conducting ethnographic research within the digital landscape, specifically those related to research field, the role of the researcher and ethical issues. We then use two examples to illustrate possible HPE research questions and potential strategies for using digital ethnography to answer those questions: using digital tools in the conduct of an ethnographic study and how to conduct an ethnography of a digital space. We conclude that acknowledging the pervasiveness of technologies in the design, delivery and experiences of HPE opens up new research questions which can be addressed by embracing the digital in ethnography.
Agroecology in the North: Centering Indigenous food sovereignty and land stewardship in agriculture “frontiers”
Authors: Price Mindy Jewell , Latta Alex , Spring Andrew , Temmer Jennifer , Johnston Carla , Chicot Lloyd , Jumbo Jessica , Leishman Margaret
Published: April 2022

Warming temperatures in the circumpolar north have led to new discussions around climate-driven frontiers for agriculture. In this paper, we situate northern food systems in Canada within the corporate food regime and settler colonialism, and contend that an expansion of the conventional, industrial agriculture paradigm into the Canadian North would have significant socio-cultural and ecological consequences. We propose agroecology as an alternative framework uniquely accordant with northern contexts. In particular, we suggest that there are elements of agroecology that are already being practiced in northern Indigenous communities as part of traditional hunter-gatherer food systems. We present a framework for agroecology in the North and discuss its components of environmental stewardship, economies, knowledge, social dimensions and governance using examples from the Dehcho region, Northwest Territories, Canada. Finally, we discuss several challenges and cautions in creating policy around agroecology in the North and encourage community-based research in developing and testing this framework moving forward.
Philanthropy and the Making of a New Moral Order: A History of Developing Community
Authors: Kumar Arun
Published: April 2022

Community development, or the socio-economic transformation of local communities, has been a significant focus of organizational ethics. Such community development programmes—whether led by state, civil society, or businesses—are animated by modernization and have involved, I argue, the production of a new moral order. As part of which, communities were imagined in particular ways, historically. Drawing on a periodization of history of philanthropy of the Tata Group (India’s leading multinational conglomerate) from the 1860s onwards, I outline the four stages involved in the production of this new moral order—each with a distinct formulation of community—as part of India’s development. The shifts in imaginaries of community, I conclude, were justified and legitimized by the elites as part of the wider nation-building efforts.
Subscribing to big data at scale
Authors: Wang Xikui , Carey Michael J. , Tsotras Vassilis J.
Published: April 2022

Today, data is being actively generated by a variety of devices, services, and applications. Such data is important not only for the information that it contains, but also for its relationships to other data and to interested users. Most existing Big Data systems focus on passively answering queries from users, rather than actively collecting data, processing it, and serving it to users. To satisfy both passive and active requests at scale, application developers need either to heavily customize an existing passive Big Data system or to glue one together with systems like Streaming Engines and Pub-sub services. Either choice requires significant effort and incurs additional overhead. In this paper, we present the BAD (Big Active Data) system as an end-to-end, out-of-the-box solution for this challenge. It is designed to preserve the merits of passive Big Data systems and introduces new features for actively serving Big Data to users at scale. We show the design and implementation of the BAD system, demonstrate how BAD facilitates providing both passive and active data services, investigate the BAD system’s performance at scale, and illustrate the complexities that would result from instead providing BAD-like services with a “glued” system.
Competing feedback in an idealized tide-influenced delta network
Authors: Ragno Niccolò , Tambroni Nicoletta , Bolla Pittaluga Michele
Published: April 2022

The morphodynamic evolution of river deltas is intimately tied to flow and sediment partitioning at bifurcations. In this work, the long-term equilibrium configuration of a simple delta network is investigated by means of an analytical model, which accounts for the effect of small tidal oscillations. Differently from individual bifurcations where tidal action is always a stabilizing factor, in the case of a tree-like delta with multiple bifurcations a dual response emerges. Specifically, depending on the values of four reference parameters functions of tidal amplitude, upstream flow conditions, and channels geometry, tides can either promote or discourage an unbalanced discharge distribution. This behavior primarily concerns the apex bifurcation, which is affected by the variations of the relative tidal amplitude at the internal nodes. In turn these variations depend on how flow and sediment are diverted upstream. The stability of steady-state solutions is found to be governed by the sign and magnitude of the slope asymmetry between channels. This work provides a basic modeling framework for the interpretation of the autogenic response of multiple coupled micro-tidal bifurcations, which can potentially be extended to include in a unified scheme erosional and depositional processes typical of fluvio-deltaic systems.