bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revealing the impact of organic spacers and cavity cations on quasi-2D perovskites via computational simulations
Authors: Guedes-Sobrinho Diego , Neves Silveira Danilo , de Araujo Luis O. , Favotto Dalmedico Jônatas , Wenzel W. , Pramudya Y. , Piotrowski Maurício J. , Rêgo Celso R. C.
Published: March 2023

Two-dimensional hybrid lead iodide perovskites based on methylammonium (MA) cation and butylammonium (BA) organic spacer—such as $${\hbox {BA}_{2}\hbox {MA}_{n-1}\hbox {Pb}_{n}\hbox {I}_{3n+1}}$$

BA
2

MA

n
-
1

Pb
n

I

3
n
+
1

—are one of the most explored 2D hybrid perovskites in recent years. Correlating the atomistic profile of these systems with their optoelectronic properties is a challenge for theoretical approaches. Here, we employed first-principles calculations via density functional theory to show how the cation partially canceled dipole moments through the $${{\hbox {NH}_{3}}^{+}}$$

NH
3

+

terminal impact the structural/electronic properties of the $${\hbox {Pb}_{n}\hbox {I}_{3n+1}}$$

Pb
n

I

3
n
+
1

sublattices. Even though it is known that at high temperatures, the organic cation assumes a spherical-like configuration due to the rotation of the cations inside the cage, our results discuss the correct relative orientation according to the dipole moments for ab initio simulations at 0 K, correlating well structural and electronic properties with experiments. Based on the combination of relativistic quasiparticle correction and spin-orbit coupling, we found that the MA horizontal-like configuration concerning the inorganic sublattice surface leads to the best relationship between calculated and experimental gap energy throughout n = 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 number of layers. Conversely, the dipole moments cancellation (as in BA-MA aligned-like configuration) promotes the closing of the gap energies through an electron depletion mechanism. We found that the anisotropy $$\rightarrow$$
→
isotropy optical absorption conversion (as a bulk convergence) is achieved only for the MA horizontal-like configuration, which suggests that this configuration contribution is the majority in a scenario under temperature effects.
Spin Seebeck effect mediated reversal of vortex-Nernst effect in superconductor-ferromagnet bilayers
Authors: Sharma Himanshu , Wen Zhenchao , Mizuguchi Masaki
Published: March 2023

We report on the observation of sign reversal of vortex-Nernst effect in epitaxial NbN/Fe bilayers deposited on MgO (001) substrates. Strong coupling between vortex magnetisation and ferromagnetic magnetisation at the NbN/Fe bilayer interface is presented. In NbN/Fe bilayer thin films an apparent sign reversal of vortex-Nernst signal under a temperature gradient with magnetic field and temperature is observed when the thickness of Fe is increased up to 5 nm. This reversal of the vortex-Nernst effect is associated with the enhancement of the spin Seebeck effects (SSE) near Tc due to coherence peak effect (CPE) and strong coupling of vortex magnetisation and ferromagnetic magnetisation at the interface of the NbN/Fe bilayer. The observed large SSE via inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE) is due to the CPE below and close to TC, highlighting the high spin to charge conversion efficiency of NbN in this region. This work may contribute to the development of superconducting spintronic devices by engineering the coupling of the superconductor/ferromagnet interface.
Rapid and effective preparation of clonal bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cell sheets to reduce renal fibrosis
Authors: Kameishi Sumako , Dunn Celia M. , Oka Masatoshi , Kim Kyungsook , Cho Yun-Kyoung , Song Sun U. , Grainger David W. , Okano Teruo
Published: March 2023

Allogeneic “off-the-shelf” mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy requires scalable, quality-controlled cell manufacturing and distribution systems to provide clinical-grade products using cryogenic cell banking. However, previous studies report impaired cell function associated with administering freeze-thawed MSCs as single cell suspensions, potentially compromising reliable therapeutic efficacy. Using long-term culture-adapted clinical-grade clonal human bone marrow MSCs (cBMSCs) in this study, we engineered cBMSC sheets in 24 h to provide rapid preparation. We then sought to determine the influence of cBMSC freeze-thawing on both in vitro production of pro-regenerative factors and in vivo ability to reduce renal fibrosis in a rat model compared to freshly harvested cBMSCs. Sheets from freeze-thawed cBMSCs sheets exhibited comparable in vitro protein production and gene expression of pro-regenerative factors [e.g., hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and interleukin 10 (IL-10)] to freshly harvested cBMSC sheets. Additionally, freeze-thawed cBMSC sheets successfully suppressed renal fibrosis in vivo in an established rat ischemia–reperfusion injury model. Despite previous studies reporting that freeze-thawed MSCs exhibit impaired cell functions compared to fresh MSC single cell suspensions, cell sheets engineered from freeze-thawed cBMSCs do not exhibit impaired cell functions, supporting critical steps toward future clinical translation of cBMSC-based kidney disease treatment.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergent stroke care in Beijing, China
Authors: Wang Yuan , Liu Gang , Zhu Yu , Song Haiqing , Ren Yi , Liu Ying , Ma Qingfeng
Published: March 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an unprecedented disruption to health care systems around the globe. Stroke is still an ongoing issue during the pandemic. We investigated the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on emergent stroke care in Beijing, China. This is a retrospective analysis of two groups of patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) registered in the Beijing Emergency Care Database between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020. Based on a database including 77 stroke centres, the quantity and quality of emergency care for stroke were compared. Subgroup analyses based on hospitals in different areas (high-risk and low/medium-risk areas) were carried out. A total of 6440 and 8699 admissions with suspected stroke were recorded in 2020 and 2019, respectively. There were no significant differences in the mean age and sex distribution for the patients between the two observational periods. The number of AIS admissions decreased by approximately 23.9% during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to that during the prepandemic period. The proportions of intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular treatment were 76.4% and 13.1%, respectively, in 2020, which were higher than those in 2019 (71.7% and 9.3%, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the time from stroke onset to arrival at the hospital (97.97 ± 23.09 min vs. 99.40 ± 20.76 min, p = 0.832) between the two periods. The door-to-needle time for thrombolysis (44.92 ± 9.20 min vs. 42.37 ± 9.06 min, p < 0.001) and door-to-thrombectomy time (138.56 ± 32.45 min vs. 120.55 ± 32.68 min, p < 0.001) were increased significantly in the pandemic period compared to those in the prepandemic period, especially in hospitals in high-risk areas. The decline in the number of patients with AIS and delay in treatment started after the launch of the level-1 public health emergency response and returned to stability after the release of professional protocols and consensus statements. Disruptions to medical services during the COVID-19 pandemic have substantially impacted AIS patients, with a clear drop in admission and a decline in the quality of emergent AIS care, especially in hospitals in high-risk areas and at the time of the initial outbreak of COVID-19. Health care systems need to maintain rapid adaptation to possible outbreaks of COVID-19 or similar crises in the future.
Physiological specialization of Puccinia triticina and genome-wide association mapping provide insights into the genetics of wheat leaf rust resistance in Iran
Authors: Talebi Reza , Mahboubi Mozghan , Naji Amir Mohammad , Mehrabi Rahim
Published: March 2023

Leaf rust caused byPuccinia triticinaErikss. (Pt) is the most widely distributed and important wheat disease worldwide. The objective of the present study was to determine the frequency of Iranian Pt races, their virulence to key resistance genes and map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to different Pt races from 185 globally diverse wheat genotypes using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) approach. The virulence pattern of the 33Ptisolates from various wheat-growing areas of Iran on 55 wheat differentials showed that the FKTPS and FKTTS were relatively frequent pathotypes among the 18 identified races. The weighted average frequency of virulence on the resistance genesLrb,Lr3bg,Lr14b, Lr16,Lr24,Lr3ka,Lr11andLr20were high (> 90%). However, low virulence on the resistant genesLr2a, Lr9,Lr19,Lr25,Lr28andLr29indicates that these genes are still effective against the pathogen population in Iran at present. GWAS on a panel of 185 wheat genotypes against 10Ptraces resulted into 62 significant marker-trait associations (MTAs) belonged to 34 quantitative trait loci (QTL) across 16 chromosomes. Among them, 10 QTLs on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 3B, 3D, 4A, 6D, 7A and 7D were identified as potential novel QTLs, of which four QTLs (QLr.iau-3B-2, QLr.iau-7A-2, QLr.iau-7A-3andQLr.iau-7D-2) are more interesting, as they are associated with resistance to two or morePtraces. The known and novel QTLs associated with differentPtraces found here, can be used in future wheat breeding programs to recombine different loci for durable resistance against leaf rust races.
On the nature of the interlayer magnetic interactions in biphase ferromagnetic films
Authors: Silva E. F. , Gamino M. , Oliveira A. B. , Correa M. A. , Bohn F.
Published: March 2023

We report on the nature of the interlayer magnetic interactions in NiFe/Cu/Co films. By probing the quasi-static and dynamic magnetic properties of biphase ferromagnetic films, with soft and hard ferromagnetic phases intermediated by a non-magnetic layer, we address aspects of the coupling between magnetic layers. Our results demonstrate the nature of the interlayer magnetic coupling in biphase films. We also disclose the asymmetric magnetoimpedance effect as a fingerprint of the nature of the magnetic interlayer interactions playing key role in the magnetization dynamics of the system. We revisit in literature data and ideas on the asymmetric magnetoimpedance and the nature of the magnetic interactions in biphase ferromagnetic systems. Then, we compare our findings with results for biphase ribbons and microwires. Our observations raise the fundamental similarities and differences in the asymmetric magnetoimpedance of these structures.
Testing the morphological constraint hypothesis of tail length in the sexually dimorphic Cerastes vipera and new perspectives
Authors: Sivan Jaim , Tesler Itay , Hadad Shlomo , Degen Abraham Allan , Geffen Eli , Kam Michael
Published: March 2023

The morphological constraint hypothesis (MCH) states that, in snakes, males typically have relatively longer tails than females to accommodate the hemipenes and retractor muscles. To date, most studies testing the MCH have been interspecific and results have been equivocal. We tested the MCH intraspecifically onCerastes vipera,a species with a relatively short tail and suitable for testing the MCH. The relative tail length and length of the hemipenes pocket inCerastes viperawere measured in preserved museum-maintained males (n = 35) and in free-ranging males and females (n = 277). Males exhibited relatively longer tails than females, which was explained fully by the length of the hemipenes pocket. The relatively short tail ofC. viperapresents a constraint to the reproductive structures in males, as the length of the hemipenes pocket occupies a greater proportion in shorter- than longer-tailed individuals. This is the first report presenting these intraspecific findings in support of the MCH. Whether these relations are widespread among snake families, within Viperidae, or specifically withinC. viperawarrants further studies.
Age-dependent changes in intuitive and deliberative cooperation
Authors: Nava Francesco , Margoni Francesco , Herath Nilmini , Nava Elena
Published: March 2023

Cooperation is one of the most advantageous strategies to have evolved in small- and large-scale human societies, often considered essential to their success or survival. We investigated how cooperation and the mechanisms influencing it change across the lifespan, by assessing cooperative choices from adolescence to old age (12–79 years, N = 382) forcing participants to decide either intuitively or deliberatively through the use of randomised time constraints. As determinants of these choices, we considered participants’ level of altruism, their reciprocity expectations, their optimism, their desire to be socially accepted, and their attitude toward risk. We found that intuitive decision-making favours cooperation, but only from age 20 when a shift occurs: whereas in young adults, intuition favours cooperation, in adolescents it is reflection that favours cooperation. Participants’ decisions were shown to be rooted in their expectations about other people’s cooperative behaviour and influenced by individuals’ level of optimism about their own future, revealing that the journey to the cooperative humans we become is shaped by reciprocity expectations and individual predispositions.
Monitoring sleep using smartphone data in a population of college students
Authors: Langholm Carsten , Byun Andrew Jin Soo , Mullington Janet , Torous John
Published: March 2023

Sleep is fundamental to all health, especially mental health. Monitoring sleep is thus critical to delivering effective healthcare. However, measuring sleep in a scalable way remains a clinical challenge because wearable sleep-monitoring devices are not affordable or accessible to the majority of the population. However, as consumer devices like smartphones become increasingly powerful and accessible in the United States, monitoring sleep using smartphone patterns offers a feasible and scalable alternative to wearable devices. In this study, we analyze the sleep behavior of 67 college students with elevated levels of stress over 28 days. While using the open-source mindLAMP smartphone app to complete daily and weekly sleep and mental health surveys, these participants also passively collected phone sensor data. We used these passive sensor data streams to estimate sleep duration. These sensor-based sleep duration estimates, when averaged for each participant, were correlated with self-reported sleep duration (r = 0.83). We later constructed a simple predictive model using both sensor-based sleep duration estimates and surveys as predictor variables. This model demonstrated the ability to predict survey-reported Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores within 1 point. Overall, our results suggest that smartphone-derived sleep duration estimates offer practical results for estimating sleep duration and can also serve useful functions in the process of digital phenotyping.
Electrochemical sensing of methotrexate in the presence of folic acid using PAMAM dendrimer-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube-modified electrode
Authors: Nejad Fariba Garkani , Beitollahi Hadi , Sheikhshoaie Iran
Published: March 2023

This work presents a novel electrochemical sensor based on the third-generation poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (G3 PAMAM)-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube-modified screen-printed graphite electrode (SPGE) for the simple and sensitive detection of methotrexate.
Liquid and solid-state tunable fluorescent carbon dots for trace water detection
Authors: Li Nan , Dong Xuezhe , Lv Xugui , Li Yunfei , Ma Qingyu , Guan Ruifang , Xie Zheng
Published: March 2023

A type of carbon dot that possesses tunable fluorescence properties both in liquid and solid states was synthesized and applied to trace water detection.
The charge effects on the hydrogen evolution reaction activity of the defected monolayer MoS2
Authors: Zhang Jing , Li Dongying , Ju Lin , Yang Gui , Yuan Di , Feng Zhenzhen , Wang Wentao
Published: March 2023

HER activity of defected MoS2 is not only influenced by the ΔGH* as previously thought, but also by formation energies, charge state and Fermi level's position of defects.
Environmental lifecycle assessment of CO2-filled triboelectric nanogenerators to help achieve carbon neutrality
Authors: Xu Guoqiang , Li Xinyuan , Fu Jingjing , Zhou Yuekuan , Xia Xin , Zi Yunlong
Published: March 2023

CO2pumped into nanogenerators in ocean for wave energy collection can offset carbon emissions, producing eco-friendly energy. LCA shows that the production of 1 kW of electricity emits approximately 42 g of carbon dioxide, which is comparable to traditional wind energy.
Heterologous expression and characterization of an endoglucanase from Lactobacillus plantarum dy-1
Authors: Li Jiaying , Bai Juan , Yuan Jie , Fan Songtao , Zhang Ting , Pan Tao , Zhao Yansheng , Zhang Jiayan , Xiao Xiang
Published: March 2023

An endoglucanase gene from Lactobacillus plantarum was heterologously expressed; the purified endoglucanase could significantly affect the microstructure of barley bran and promote the physiological activity of β-glucan in barley bran.
Application of one-point calibration LIBS for quantification of analytes in samples with distinct matrix characteristics: a case study with Hg
Authors: Leva Borduchi Luís Carlos , Menegatti Carlos Renato , Bastos Pereira Milori Débora Marcondes , Izário Filho Hélcio José , Villas-Boas Paulino Ribeiro
Published: March 2023

Combining calibration-free LIBS with the one-point calibration method can mitigate matrix effects and compensate for variations in system optimization, enabling accurate Hg quantification in soil and landfill leachate samples.
Aqueous processing of organic semiconductors enabled by stable nanoparticles with built-in surfactants
Authors: Marcial-Hernandez Raymundo , Giacalone Sofia , Neal William G. , Lee Chang-Seuk , Gilhooly-Finn Peter A. , Mastroianni Giulia , Meli Dilara , Wu Ruiheng , Rivnay Jonathan , Palma Matteo , Nielsen Christian B.
Published: March 2023

Non-ionic polar side chains are leveraged in the molecular design of conjugated polymers to create stable surfactant-free polymer nanoparticle dispersions. An organic electronic device is prepared by processing the nanoparticles directly from water.
Synthesis of temperature- and humidity-induced dual stimulation film PU-PNIPAmn and its independent film formation as a smart window application
Authors: Tian Jing , Jin Chengguo , Wu Xudong , Liao Cong , Xie Jiangping , Luo Yajun
Published: March 2023

Dynamic windows, which switch between transparent and opaque states as the temperature changes, can be applied in buildings to reduce building energy consumption.
All-blade-coated flexible perovskite solar cells & modules processed in air from a sustainable dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-based solvent system
Authors: Jafarzadeh Farshad , Castriotta Luigi Angelo , De Rossi Francesca , Ali Jazib , Di Giacomo Francesco , Di Carlo Aldo , Matteocci Fabio , Brunetti Francesca
Published: March 2023

Sustainable flexible perovskite solar modules that are deposited without toxic solvents are developedviablade coating in ambient air. 14% PCE is obtained by the optimization of coating parameters and the use of additives.
Liquid structure of bistable responsive macromolecules using mean-field density-functional theory
Authors: Moncho-Jordá Arturo , Göth Nils , Dzubiella Joachim
Published: March 2023

Compression modifies the size distribution, osmotic pressure and microstructure of soft bistable responsive macromolecules.
Inverse design of triblock Janus spheres for self-assembly of complex structures in the crystallization slot via digital alchemy
Authors: Rivera-Rivera Luis Y. , Moore Timothy C. , Glotzer Sharon C.
Published: March 2023

The digital alchemy framework is an extended ensemble simulation technique that incorporates particle attributes as thermodynamic variables, enabling the inverse design of colloidal particles for desired behavior.
Detoxification of bisphenol A via sulfur-mediated carbon–carbon σ-bond scission
Authors: Thiounn Timmy , Karunarathna Menisha S. , Lauer Moira K. , Tennyson Andrew G. , Smith Rhett C.
Published: March 2023

Environmental contamination with bisphenol A (BPA), produced via degradation of plastic waste, can be disintegrated to monoaryls by its reaction with elemental sulfur.
Molecularly engineered host materials for high performance inkjet-printed thermally activated delayed fluorescence organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Wei Honghui , Yi Yuan-Qiu-Qiang , Song Yanping , Xie Liming , Liu Yang , Wei Zhipeng , Dai Qian , Meng Xiuqing , Su Wenming , Cui Zheng
Published: March 2023

Host material with appropriate thermal stability and solubility is essential for inkjet printing (IJP) organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).Herein, three new host materials with different molecular symmetries have been designed for IJP OLEDs.
Hybridization of helical poly(phenylacetylene)s bearing l-proline tripeptide pendants into porous silica microspheres as a solvent-tolerable chiral stationary phase for liquid chromatography
Authors: Huang Jiahe , Zhou Zhengjin , Zhang Chunhong , Wang Chao , Zhou Yanli , Liu Lijia , Li Junqing , Satoh Toshifumi , Okamoto Yoshio
Published: March 2023

This paper provided a new hybridization strategy for a poly(phenylacetylene)-based CSP. The HCSP exhibited a good solvent tolerability, and the introduction of CHCl3 into the eluent can improve the chiral resolution performance.
Unique features of the structural phase transition in acetylene showing simultaneous characteristics of reconstructive, displacive and order–disorder
Authors: Peng Jie , Zhang Sijie , Refson Keith , Dove Martin T
Published: March 2023

We have studied the two phases of the molecular crystal acetylene, C2H2, using calculations of the lattice dynamics by Density Functional Theory methods.
Residual proton line width under refocused frequency-switched Lee-Goldburg decoupling in MAS NMR
Authors: Aebischer Kathrin , Ernst Matthias
Published: March 2023

We analyze the source of the residual line width in refocused homonuclear-decoupled spectra in detail by comparing numerical simulations and experimental data. We find that rf imperfections can severely limit the achievable decoupling performance.
The evolution of anionic nanoclusters at the electrode interface in water-in-salt electrolytes
Authors: Zhang Lei , Yu Yuanxi , Suo Liumin , Zhuang Wei , He Lunhua , Zhang Xiaohua , Hong Liang , Tan Pan
Published: March 2023

The evolution of anionic nanoclusters at the electrode interface due to cation–π interactions.
Impact of safety valves on thermal runaway characteristics of 21 700-size lithium-ion cells
Authors: Ouyang Linqun , Huang Jian , Ouyang Dongxu
Published: March 2023

Safety valves have a great impact on the thermal runaway behavior of 21 700-size cells, and effectively restrain the thermal runaway risks and hazards of cells under typical abusive conditions.
An Ag–Au-PANI core–shell nanowire network for visible-to-infrared data encryption and supercapacitor applications
Authors: Jung Yeongju , Pyun Kyung Rok , Min JinKi , Yoon Hyeokjun , Lee Minjae , Kim Byung-Wook , Lee Jinwoo , Ko Seung Hwan
Published: March 2023

An Ag–Au-PANI core–shell network is fabricated for dual functions of visible-to-infrared electrochromic supercapacitor and data encryptable display.
A simple strategy based on combinatorial gold nanoparticle sizes for enhanced sensitivity in colorimetric bioanalysis
Authors: Du Huan , Jin Yanwen , Zheng Xiaoke , Cheng Nansheng , Chen Junbo , Hou Xiandeng
Published: March 2023

The strategy of combinatorial gold nanoparticle sizes enhances the sensitivity of colorimetric bioanalysis.
The role of the blood–brain barrier during neurological disease and infection
Authors: Patabendige Adjanie , Janigro Damir
Published: March 2023

A healthy brain is protected by the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which is formed by the endothelial cells that line brain capillaries. The BBB plays an extremely important role in supporting normal neuronal function by maintaining the homeostasis of the brain microenvironment and restricting pathogen and toxin entry to the brain. Dysfunction of this highly complex and regulated structure can be life threatening. BBB dysfunction is implicated in many neurological diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and brain infections. Among other mechanisms, inflammation and/or flow disturbances are major causes of BBB dysfunction in neurological infections and diseases. In particular, in ischaemic stroke, both inflammation and flow disturbances contribute to BBB disruption, leading to devastating consequences. While a transient or minor disruption to the barrier function could be tolerated, chronic or a total breach of the barrier can result in irreversible brain damage. It is worth noting that timing and extent of BBB disruption play an important role in the process of any repair of brain damage and treatment strategies. This review evaluates and summarises some of the latest research on the role of the BBB during neurological disease and infection with a focus on the effects of inflammation and flow disturbances on the BBB. The BBB's crucial role in protecting the brain is also the bottleneck in central nervous system drug development. Therefore, innovative strategies to carry therapeutics across the BBB and novel models to screen drugs, and to study the complex, overlapping mechanisms of BBB disruption are urgently needed.
Recent developments in the engineering of Rubisco activase for enhanced crop yield
Authors: Sparrow-Muñoz Ignacio , Chen Timothy C. , Burgess Steven J.
Published: March 2023

Rubisco activase (RCA) catalyzes the release of inhibitory sugar phosphates from ribulose-1,6-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) and can play an important role in biochemical limitations of photosynthesis under dynamic light and elevated temperatures. There is interest in increasing RCA activity to improve crop productivity, but a lack of understanding about the regulation of photosynthesis complicates engineering strategies. In this review, we discuss work relevant to improving RCA with a focus on advances in understanding the structural cause of RCA instability under heat stress and the regulatory interactions between RCA and components of photosynthesis. This reveals substantial variation in RCA thermostability that can be influenced by single amino acid substitutions, and that engineered variants can perform better in vitro and in vivo under heat stress. In addition, there are indications RCA activity is controlled by transcriptional, post-transcriptional, post-translational, and spatial regulation, which may be important for balancing between carbon fixation and light capture. Finally, we provide an overview of findings from recent field experiments and consider the requirements for commercial validation as part of efforts to increase crop yields in the face of global climate change.
Auditory and Somatosensory Development for Speech in Later Childhood
Authors: Ayala Samantha A. , Eads Amanda , Kabakoff Heather , Swartz Michelle T. , Shiller Douglas M. , Hill Jennifer , Hitchcock Elaine R. , Preston Jonathan L. , McAllister Tara
Published: March 2023

Purpose:

This study collected measures of auditory-perceptual and oral somatosensory acuity in typically developing children and adolescents aged 9–15 years. We aimed to establish reference data that can be used as a point of comparison for individuals with residual speech sound disorder (RSSD), especially for RSSD affecting American English rhotics. We examined concurrent validity between tasks and hypothesized that performance on at least some tasks would show a significant association with age, reflecting ongoing refinement of sensory function in later childhood. We also tested for an inverse relationship between performance on auditory and somatosensory tasks, which would support the hypothesis of a trade-off between sensory domains.

Method:

Ninety-eight children completed three auditory-perceptual tasks (identification and discrimination of stimuli from a “rake”–“wake” continuum and category goodness judgment for naturally produced words containing rhotics) and three oral somatosensory tasks (bite block with auditory masking, oral stereognosis, and articulatory awareness, which involved explicit judgments of relative tongue position for different speech sounds). Pairwise associations were examined between tasks within each domain and between task performance and age. Composite measures of auditory-perceptual and somatosensory functions were used to investigate the possibility of a sensory trade-off.

Results:

Statistically significant associations were observed between the identification and discrimination tasks and the bite block and articulatory awareness tasks. In addition, significant associations with age were found for the category goodness and bite block tasks. There was no statistically significant evidence of a trade-off between auditory-perceptual and somatosensory domains.

Conclusions:

This study provided a multidimensional characterization of speech-related sensory function in older children/adolescents. Complete materials to administer all experimental tasks have been shared, along with measures of central tendency and dispersion for scores in two subgroups of age. Ultimately, we hope to apply this information to make customized treatment recommendations for children with RSSD based on sensory profiles.
Origin of the diffuse 4–8 keV emission in M 82
Authors: Iwasawa K. , Norman C. , Gilli R. , Gandhi P. , Peréz-Torres M. A.
Published: March 2023

We present the first spatially resolved, X-ray spectroscopic study of the 4−8 keV diffuse emission found in the central part of the nearby starburst galaxy M 82 on a few arcsecond scales. The new details that we see allow a number of important conclusions to be drawn on the nature of the hot gas and its origin as well as feedback on the interstellar medium. We use archival data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory with an exposure time of 570 ks. The Fe XXV emission at 6.7 keV, expected from metal-enriched hot gas, is enhanced only in a limited area close to the starburst disc and is weak or almost absent over the rest of the diffuse emission, resulting in spatial variations in equivalent width from < 0.1 keV to 1.9 keV. This shows the presence of non-thermal emission due to inverse Compton scattering of the far-infrared photons by radio emitting cosmic ray electrons. The morphological resemblance between the diffuse X-ray, radio, and far-infrared emission maps support this concept. Our decomposition of the diffuse emission spectrum indicates that ∼70% of the 4−8 keV luminosity originates from the inverse Compton emission. The metal-rich hot gas with a temperature of ≃5 keV makes a minor contribution to the 4−8 keV continuum, but it accounts for the majority of the observed Fe XXV line. This hot gas appears to emerge from the circumnuclear starburst ring and fill the galactic chimneys identified as mid-infrared and radio emission voids. The energetics argument suggests that much of the supernova energy in the starburst site has gone into creating of the chimneys and is transported to the halo. We argue that a hot, rarefied environment produced by strong supernova feedback results in displacing the brightest X-ray and radio supernova remnants which are instead found to reside in giant molecular clouds. We find a faint X-ray source with a radio counterpart, close to the kinematic centre of the galaxy and we carefully examine the possibility that this source is a low-luminosity active galactic nucleus in an advection-dominated accretion flow phase.
X-Shooting ULLYSES: Massive stars at low metallicity
Authors: Hawcroft C. , Sana H. , Mahy L. , Sundqvist J. O. , de Koter A. , Crowther P. A. , Bestenlehner J. M. , Brands S. A. , David-Uraz A. , Decin L. , Erba C. , Garcia M. , Hamann W.-R. , Herrero A. , Ignace R. , Kee N. D. , Kubátová B. , Lefever R. , Moffat A. , Najarro F. , Oskinova L. , Pauli D. , Prinja R. , Puls J. , Sander A. A. C. , Shenar T. , St-Louis N. , ud-Doula A. , Vink J. S.
Published: March 2023

Context. The winds of massive stars have a significant impact on stellar evolution and on the surrounding medium. The maximum speed reached by these outflows, the terminal wind speed v∞, is a global wind parameter and an essential input for models of stellar atmospheres and feedback. With the arrival of the ULLYSES programme, a legacy UV spectroscopic survey with the Hubble Space Telescope, we have the opportunity to quantify the wind speeds of massive stars at sub-solar metallicity (in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, 0.5 Z⊙ and 0.2 Z⊙, respectively) at an unprecedented scale.

Aims. We empirically quantify the wind speeds of a large sample of OB stars, including supergiants, giants, and dwarfs at sub-solar metallicity. Using these measurements, we investigate trends of v∞ with a number of fundamental stellar parameters, namely effective temperature (Teff), metallicity (Z), and surface escape velocity vesc.

Methods. We empirically determined v∞ for a sample of 149 OB stars in the Magellanic Clouds either by directly measuring the maximum velocity shift of the absorption component of the C IV λλ1548–1550 line profile, or by fitting synthetic spectra produced using the Sobolev with exact integration method. Stellar parameters were either collected from the literature, obtained using spectral-type calibrations, or predicted from evolutionary models.

Results. We find strong trends of v∞ with Teff and vesc when the wind is strong enough to cause a saturated P Cygni profile in C IV λλ1548–1550. We find evidence for a metallicity dependence on the terminal wind speed v∞ ∝ Z0.22±0.03 when we compared our results to previous Galactic studies.

Conclusions. Our results suggest that Teff rather than vesc should be used as a straightforward empirical prediction of v∞ and that the observed Z dependence is steeper than suggested by earlier works.
Existence, uniqueness, and stabilization results for parabolic variational inequalities
Authors: Kröner Axel , Rautenberg Carlos N. , Rodrigues Sérgio S.
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we consider feedback stabilization for parabolic variational inequalities of obstacle type with time and space depending reaction and convection coefficients and show exponential stabilization to nonstationary trajectories. Based on a Moreau–Yosida approximation, a feedback operator is established using a finite (and uniform in the approximation index) number of actuators leading to exponential decay of given rate of the state variable. Several numerical examples are presented addressing smooth and nonsmooth obstacle functions.
The Generalization of Ciric and Caristi Type Fixed Point Theorem
Authors: CHENG Zejia
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we generalize the renowned Ciric and Caristi　type fixed point theorem and some corollaries. Then we give an example to illustrate our result is really better than the theorem.
Group Sparsity Residual Constraint Image Denoising Model with𝒍1/𝒍2Regularization
Authors: WU Di , ZHANG Tao , MO Xutao
Published: March 2023

Group sparse residual constraint with non-local priors (GSRC) has achieved great success in image restoration producing state-of-the-art performance. In the GSRC model, the [see formula in PDF] norm minimization is employed to reduce the group sparse residual. In recent years, non-convex regularization terms have been widely used in image denoising problems, which have achieved better results in denoising than convex regularization terms. In this paper, we use the ratio of the [see formula in PDF] and [see formula in PDF] norm instead of the [see formula in PDF] norm to propose a new image denoising model, i.e., a group sparse residual constraint model with [see formula in PDF] minimization (GSRC-[see formula in PDF]). Due to the computational difficulties arisen from the non-convexity and non-linearity, we focus on a constrained optimization problem that can be solved by alternative direction method of multipliers (ADMM). Experimental results of image denoising show that the pro-posed model outperforms several state-of-the-art image denoising methods both visually and quantitatively.
Comparative Application of 5 mL Syringe and 22G PTC Needles in Thyroid Nodule Fine-Needle Aspiration
Authors: QIN Wen , YUAN Shengxing , WANG Xingyue
Published: March 2023

This study aims to compare the differences in sampling satisfaction rates between 5 mL syringe and 22G percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) needles in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) to provide economical and reasonable needle selection. From January 2021 to March 2022, 187 patients with thyroid nodules (a total of 200 nodules) who underwent ultrasound-guided FNA were punctured using 22G PTC and 5 mL syringe needles once for each nodule, and the sample was sent for pathological examination. The sample satisfaction rate of the two methods was statistically analyzed, and factors affecting the sample satisfaction rate were determined. Results demonstrated that the overall sample satisfaction rates of 5 mL syringes and 22G PTC needles were 83% and 85% (P>0.05), respectively. The satisfaction rates of the two specimens were 92.6% and 91.1% (P>0.05) among 136 nodules with poor blood supply. For 64 nodules with rich blood supply, the satisfaction rate of both specimens was significantly lower than that of the nodule with poor blood supply (P<0.05), and that of the 5 mL syringe needle was significantly lower than that of the latter (62.5% vs. 71.8%, P<0.05). The results suggest that satisfactory sampling results can be obtained using either a 5 mL syringe or 22G PTC needles. The 22G PTC needle is more likely to yield FNA results if the nodule is rich in blood supply.
Effektivität von Mukosa Muskel Flaps in der Behandlung von perianalen Fisteln bei Morbus Crohn und kryptoglandulären Fisteln – eine Langzeit-Follow-up-Studie
Authors: Schineis Christian , Warschkow René , Bruder Leon , Lauscher Johannes C , Kamphues Carsten , Kreis Martin , Weixler Benjamin
Published: March 2023

Hintergrund Die chirurgische Behandlung von perianalen Fisteln, die von Morbus Crohn (MC) oder kryptoglandulären Abszessen (KGA) ausgehen, bleibt eine Herausforderung. Daten zu
langfristigen Heilungsraten sind rar. Unser Ziel war es, die langfristige Erfolgsrate von Mukosa-Muskel-Flap-Operationen (MMF-Operationen) zu bewerten.

Methoden Diese monozentrische retrospektive Studie wurde zwischen dem 1. März 2010 und dem 31. März 2020 an einem tertiären Referenzzentrum (Charité Universitätsklinikum Berlin,
Campus Benjamin Franklin) durchgeführt. Patienten mit komplexen perianalen Fisteln, die durch MC oder KGA entstanden und mit MMF behandelt wurden, wurden eingeschlossen. Die langfristigen
Heilungsraten von MMF-Operationen bei KGA und MC wurden verglichen. Regressionsanalysen wurde angewandt, um prädiktive Faktoren für eine definitive Heilung zu identifizieren.

Ergebnisse 83 Patienten (24 MC, 59 KGA) wurden eingeschlossen. Die mediane Nachbeobachtungszeit betrug bei MC 5,4 und bei KGA 1,9 Jahre. Eine definitive Heilung der Fisteln wurde
bei 19 (79,2%) MC-Patienten (p = 0,682) und bei 44 (74,6%) KGA-Patienten erreicht. Die Heilungszeit war bei KGA signifikant kürzer als bei MC (9,3 Monate [Standardabweichung: SD = 11,3
Monate] vs. 30,9 Monate [SD = 23,5 Monate]; p < 0,001). Die Behandlung mit Biologika (Hazard Ratio: HR = 0,18; 95%-Konfidenzintervall: 95%-KI = 0,06–0,59; p = 0,004) und die Anlage
eines protektiven Ileostomas (HR = 0,29; 95%-KI = 0,10–0,85; p = 0,023) bei MC waren unabhängige Prädiktoren für den MMF-Erfolg. Die gleichzeitige Medikation mit Azathioprin bei MC war ein
unabhängiger Prädiktor für MMF-Versagen (HR = 3,20; 95%-KI = 1,05–9,81; p = 0,041).

Schlussfolgerung Diese Studie zeigt, dass die chirurgische Therapie von perianalen Fisteln mit MMF bei insgesamt etwa 75% der Patienten erfolgreich ist. Patienten mit MC
profitieren von Biologika und einem protektiven Ileostoma. Die Behandlung mit Azathioprin hat einen negativen Einfluss auf die Rezidivrate. Eine vorangegangene MMF-Operation erhöht das
Risiko eines MMF-Versagens bei wiederholten Operationen nicht.
Cadaveric Study for Safe Elevation of a Profunda Artery Perforator Flap: Anatomy of the Perforators and Obturator Nerves
Authors: Nam Yong-Seok , Kim Hyung Bae , Kim Sang Hyun , Eom Jin Sup , Han Hyun Ho
Published: March 2023

Background This cadaveric study aimed to describe the anatomy of the profunda artery perforators (PAPs).

Methods In total, nine free cadavers with 18 upper thighs were dissected, 12 of which were from female cadavers, and 6 were from male cadavers. The average age of the cadavers was 84.7 ± 4.2 years. Dissection was performed to evaluate the anatomic position and characteristics of the femoral PAPs. The perforator distance from the gluteal sulcus, number of perforators, perforating muscles, diameter of the perforators, origin of the perforators, and number of nerves passing above and below the perforators were determined.

Results The average number of perforators that penetrate the adductor magnus muscle was 2.5. The average distance from the origin of the perforators to the gluteal sulcus was 71.72 ± 28.23 mm. The average numbers of the obturator nerves passing above and below the perforator in the adductor magnus muscle were 1.3 (range, 0–4) and 0.7 (range, 0–2), respectively.

Conclusion The results provide a detailed anatomic basis for the PAP flap. The perforators of a PAP flap may be included in a flap with a transverse design. Sacrificing the small obturator nerves during dissection may not lead to significant donor site morbidity.
A Comparison of Postoperative Outcomes Between Immediate, Delayed Immediate, and Delayed Autologous Free Flap Breast Reconstruction: Analysis of 2010–2020 NSQIP Data
Authors: Marquez Jessica L. , Sudduth Jack D. , Kuo Keith , Patel Ashraf A. , Eddington Devin , Agarwal Jayant P. , Kwok Alvin C.
Published: March 2023

Background While many factors influence decisions related to the timing between mastectomy and flap-based breast reconstruction, there is limited literature comparing postoperative complications between immediate (IBR), delayed immediate (DIBR), and delayed (DBR) reconstruction modalities. Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), we sought to compare postoperative complication rates of each timing modality.

Methods The NSQIP 2010–2020 database was queried for patients who underwent free flap breast reconstruction. Cases were categorized to include mastectomy performed concurrently with a free flap reconstruction, removal of a tissue expander with free flap reconstruction, and free flap reconstruction alone which are defined as IBR, DIBR, and DBR, respectively. The frequency of postoperative outcomes including surgical site infection (SSI), wound dehiscence, intraoperative transfusion, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and return to operating room (OR) was assessed. Overall complication rates, hospital length of stay (LOS), and operative time were analyzed. Multivariable regression analysis controlling for age, race, BMI, diabetes, hypertension, ASA class, and laterality was performed.

Results A total of 7,907 cases that underwent IBR, DIBR (n = 976), and DBR reconstruction (n = 6,713) were identified. No statistical difference in occurrence of SSIs, wound dehiscence, or DVT was identified. DIBR (9%) and DBR (11.9%) were associated with less occurrences of reoperation than IBR (13.2%, p < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that DIBR and DBR were associated with a lower odds of complications and shorter operation time versus IBR. No statistically significant differences between DIBR and DBR in surgical complications, LOS, and operative time were identified.

Conclusion Awareness of overall complication rates associated with each reconstructive timing modality can be used to help guide physicians when discussing reconstructive options. Our data suggests that DIBR and DBR are associated with less overall complications than IBR. Physicians should continue to consider patients' unique circumstances when deciding upon which timing modality is appropriate.
Free Tissue Transfer to the Lower Extremity in the Setting of Thrombocytosis and the Role of Antiplatelet Therapy: A Propensity Score–Matched Analysis
Authors: Berger Lauren E. , Huffman Samuel S. , Bovill John D. , Spoer Daisy L. , Shin Stephanie , Truong Brian N. , Gupta Nisha , Attinger Christopher E. , Akbari Cameron M. , Evans Karen K.
Published: March 2023

Background Free tissue transfer (FTT) provides a versatile method to achieve successful lower limb salvage. Thrombocytosis in patients undergoing lower extremity (LE) FTT is associated with increased risk of complications. The aims of this study were to assess the feasibility of performing LE FTT in patients with preoperative thrombocytosis, and whether antiplatelet (AP) therapy on the day of surgery (DOS) affects outcomes.

Methods A retrospective review of thrombocytotic patients who underwent LE FTT between 2011 and 2022 was performed. Patients were stratified into groups based on the receipt of AP therapy on the DOS. Patients were propensity score matched for comorbidity burden and postoperative risk stratification. Outcomes of interest included perioperative transfusion requirements, postoperative flap-related complications, rates of flap success, limb salvage, and ambulatory status.

Results Of the 279 patients who underwent LE FTT, 65 (23.3%) were found to have preoperative thrombocytosis. Fifty-three patients remained following propensity score matching; of which, 32 (60.4%) received AP therapy on the DOS and 21 (39.6%) did not. Overall flap success rate was 96.2% (n = 51). The likelihoods of thrombosis and hematoma development were similar between cohorts (p = 0.949 and 0.574, respectively). Receipt of DOS AP therapy was associated an additional 2.77 units and 990.10 mL of transfused blood (p = 0.020 and 0.018, respectively). At a mean follow-up of 20.7 months, overall limb salvage and ambulatory rates were 81.1% (n = 43) and 79.2% (n = 42), respectively, with no differences between cohorts.

Conclusion Preoperative thrombocytosis is not an absolute contraindication to LE FTT. DOS AP therapy may be protective in comorbid patients with elevated platelet counts but must be weighed against possible short-term bleeding as suggested by significant increases in postoperative transfusion requirements.