bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using stable water isotopes to understand ecohydrological partitioning under contrasting land uses in a drought‐sensitive rural, lowland catchment
Authors: Landgraf Jessica , Tetzlaff Dörthe , Wu Songjun , Freymüller Jonas , Soulsby Chris
Published: December 2022

Vegetation plays an essential role in water partitioning, as it strongly influences evapotranspiration, infiltration and water retention. To analyse the influence of vegetation on water partitioning under innovative land management strategies, we used stable water isotopes as natural tracers to monitor precipitation, soil water and groundwater fluxes over the growing season of 2021 (March–October). We selected eight plot sites with four contrasting land covers and soil types in the drought‐sensitive Demnitzer Millcreek Catchment (DMC) in NE Germany. The land use types include forest, grassland, and arable with the latter being subdivided into conventional (e.g., crops) and innovative (e.g., agroforestry) sites. Two weather stations, a flux tower, and in situ soil moisture monitoring complemented our isotopic data with a hydroclimatic context. The year of 2021 had near‐normal precipitation totals compared to the prolonged drought of 2018–20. Soil water storage was highest at the agricultural sites, while lowest at the forest, though this reflected both the influence of soil properties (as forests dominated sand soils while crops loam soils) and the greater evapotranspiration from forests. We also estimated soil water ages and found the greatest isotopic variability and fastest turnover of water in the upper soils of arable sites. The forest soil water had the most limited variability in isotopic composition and tended to be older, revealing lower levels of groundwater recharge. Conventional and innovative cropping sites were similar to each other, likely due to the early tree development stage in agroforestry schemes under the latter. Our investigation revealed the forest sites are potentially most vulnerable to limited water availability in the DMC and land use changes in agricultural land lacked major differences in ecohydrological fluxes over the study year. The study further underlines the need for long‐term observations of recent adaptive land use changes and drought‐sensitive vegetation to improve our understanding and evolve drought resilient land management strategies considering time lags in impacts and non‐stationarity.
Do stock market fluctuations lead to currency deflation in the South Asian region? Evidence beyond symmetry
Authors: Suleman Muhammad Tahir , Tabash Mosab I. , Sheikh Umaid A.
Published: December 2022

This study explores the role of the asymmetrical influence of stock market reaction to the fluctuations in US dollars against the domestic currencies of the South Asian region. The symmetrical Panel based autoregressive distributed lag model (PARDL) model and panel‐based non‐linear autoregressive distributed lag model (NARDL) model with the Pooled Mean Group Approach (PMG) approach were employed to estimate the impact of stock market bullish and bearish behaviour on local currency variabilities of the South Asian region. The results show that during the pre‐economic recession regime, negative fluctuations in stock indexes had a direct association with exchange rate fluctuations for a longer period. However, after the crisis, both negative and positive stock index shocks have formulated an indirect or inverse association with exchange rate fluctuations. These findings pose important practical implications for the short‐term and long‐term shareholders and financial analysts. Hence, it is recommended that shareholders and financial analysts should base their investment in South Asian stock indices on negative and positive shocks since the non‐linear connectivity between both variables also exhibits regime dependence characteristics.
MoBioTools: A toolkit to setup quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations
Authors: Cárdenas Gustavo , Lucia‐Tamudo Jesús , Mateo‐delaFuente Henar , Palmisano Vito F. , Anguita‐Ortiz Nuria , Ruano Lorena , Pérez‐Barcia Álvaro , Díaz‐Tendero Sergio , Mandado Marcos , Nogueira Juan J.
Published: December 2022

We present a toolkit that allows for the preparation of QM/MM input files from a conformational ensemble of molecular geometries. The package is currently compatible with trajectory and topology files in Amber, CHARMM, GROMACS and NAMD formats, and has the possibility to generate QM/MM input files for Gaussian (09 and 16), Orca (≥4.0), NWChem and (Open)Molcas. The toolkit can be used in command line, so that no programming experience is required, although it presents some features that can also be employed as a python application programming interface. We apply the toolkit in four situations in which different electronic‐structure properties of organic molecules in the presence of a solvent or a complex biological environment are computed: the reduction potential of the nucleobases in acetonitrile, an energy decomposition analysis of tyrosine interacting with water, the absorption spectrum of an azobenzene derivative integrated into a voltage‐gated ion channel, and the absorption and emission spectra of the luciferine/luciferase complex. These examples show that the toolkit can be employed in a manifold of situations for both the electronic ground state and electronically excited states. It also allows for the automatic correction of the active space in the case of CASSCF calculations on an ensemble of geometries, as it is shown for the azobenzene derivative photoswitch case.
Identification of thin and thick gingival phenotypes by two transparency methods: A diagnostic accuracy study
Authors: da Costa Fernanda A. , Perussolo Jeniffer , Dias Debora R. , Araújo Maurício G.
Published: December 2022

Background

There is limited information on the diagnostic accuracy of the transparency method to diagnose gingival phenotypes taking into consideration not only the gingival thickness (GT) but also the keratinized tissue width (KTW). Thus, the aim of the present study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of two transparency methods using a conventional steel probe (SP) and a plastic color‐coded probe (CCP) to identify thin and thick gingival phenotypes.

Methods

Maxillary anterior teeth (n = 300) of 50 individuals were included in this study. The GT was measured via transgingival assessment at 2 mm apical to the gingival margin. Tooth sites were subdivided into thin or thick phenotypes according to the corresponding GT, respectively, ≤1 mm and >1 mm. SP and CCP were used to determine the gingival phenotype by the transparency method. The KTW was also evaluated. The diagnostic accuracy of the experimental periodontal probes to identify the thin and thick gingival phenotypes were compared.

Results

Of 300 gingival sites evaluated, 57% (n = 172) were identified as thin (GT: 0.82 ± 0.12 mm, KTW: 4 ± 1.2 mm) and 43% (n = 128) as thick phenotypes (GT: 1.16 ± 0.12 mm, KTW: 4.3 ± 1.3 mm) by the transgingival method. The SP and CCP were very sensitive (>0.94) to identify the thin phenotype, however, less specific (0.35–0.39) to diagnose thick phenotype. The diagnostic accuracy for the SP and CCP was similar, 0.69 and 0.70, respectively.

Conclusion

The steel and color‐coded plastic probe were equally effective in identifying thin gingival phenotype at maxillary anterior tooth sites.
Measures to improve patient needs assessments and reduce practice variation in Dutch home care organizations
Authors: Schwenke Marit , van Dorst José , Zwakhalen Sandra , de Jong Judith D. , Brabers Anne E. M. , Bleijenberg Nienke
Published: December 2022

Aim

Worldwide, long‐term care tends to shift from institutional care towards home care. In order to deliver high‐quality and adequate care, the type, amount and cost of care is determined by a patient needs assessment. However, there are indications that this patient needs assessment varies between comparable patients. In the Netherlands, some home care organizations aim to improve patient needs assessments by implementing improvement measures to reduce this practice variation. The goal of this study was to explore the type and perceived impact of those implemented improvement measures.

Design

A cross‐sectional explorative survey study was conducted among Dutch home care organizations between January and April 2021.

Methods

An online questionnaire with 26 items was developed by the research team, which was distributed through Dutch nationwide home care sector organizations, the Dutch nurses' association (V&VN) and the Dutch society for home care nursing (NWG).

Results

The survey was completed by 184 respondents, including home care nurses, managers and staff who are responsible for training, policy and quality of care. Intervision and peer review for home care nurses were the most common reported improvement measures that were implemented in home care organizations. The experiences of those improvement measures have been perceived as creating greater uniformity in the patient needs assessment, making home care nurses feel more supported and secure performing their patient needs assessment and that the provided care is more in line with patients' demand. Our findings give insights into type and perceived impact of improvement measures that Dutch home care organizations implemented. Further research is needed to find out whether improvement measures actually improve patient needs assessments and reduce practice variation.
Transgenerational associations of parental famine exposure in early life with offspring risk of adult obesity in China
Authors: Yao Wei‐Yuan , Li Leah , Jiang Hui‐Ru , Yu Yong‐Fu , Xu Wang‐Hong
Published: December 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the transgenerational associations between exposure to famine in early life and obesity.

Methods

This study used the longitudinal data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey from 1989 to 2015. A total of 1113 fathers and 1207 mothers (946 mother–father pairs) born in 1955 to 1966 and 1895 adult offspring were included. Offspring were classified into subgroups according to the famine exposure of their parents (unexposed, maternal exposed, paternal exposed, parental exposed) and exposure timing (during fetal development, childhood).

Results

Maternal exposure to famine in early life was associated with elevated levels of BMI, waist circumference, overweight, and central obesity of their children, whereas paternal exposure was inversely associated with these measurements. Compared with children of unexposed parents (P0M0), the maternal exposed group (P0M1) had higher mean BMI, by 1.3 kg/m2 (95% CI: 0.3 to 2.4); waist circumference, by 1.5 cm (−1.0 to 3.9); overweight (odds ratio [OR] [95% CI]: 3.1 [1.6 to 6.1]); and central obesity (OR [95% CI]: 1.9 [1.02 to 3.7]). No significant heterogeneity was observed in the associations by sex of offspring.

Conclusions

Fetal and early childhood exposure to famine in parents may be associated with their children's risk of obesity during adulthood. A better understanding of the transgenerational associations is important for developing strategies to reduce obesity risk in future generations.
Reduced muscle strength (dynapenia) in women with obesity confers a greater risk of falls and fractures in the UK Biobank
Authors: Dowling Lisa , Cuthbertson Daniel J. , Walsh Jennifer S.
Published: December 2022

Objective

This study aimed to determine the independent effects of obesity and dynapenia on falls risk, areal bone mineral density, and fracture risk (lower extremity or all other fractures).

Methods

A total of 16,147 women (aged 60‐82 years) from the UK Biobank were categorized by handgrip strength (HGS; dynapenia status: HGS ≤ 21 kg) and body weight (BMI: normal weight, overweight, or obesity). Multiple logistic regression models examined the association among dynapenia and obesity and self‐reported falls (previous 12 months), lower extremity fractures, and all other fractures (previous 5 years).

Results

A total of 3793/16,147 women fell, and 1413/15,570 (9.1%) eligible women experienced fall‐related fractures. Obesity (odds ratio [OR] 1.25; 95% CI: 1.12‐1.38) and dynapenia (OR 0.87; 95% CI: 0.77‐0.98) were both independently associated with greater lower extremity fracture risk, independently of areal bone mineral density. However, considering all other fracture sites, obesity conferred protection (OR 0.77; 95% CI: 0.61‐0.96), except in those with low HGS, who had an equivalent fracture risk to those with normal weight (OR 1.06; 95% CI: 0.82‐1.38).

Conclusions

Dynapenia further increases the increased risk of leg and ankle fractures in obesity and counteracts the protective effects of obesity on fracture risk at all other sites (wrist, arm, hip, spine, other bones).
Unveiling the Price of Obscenity: Evidence From Closing Prostitution Windows in Amsterdam
Authors: Giambona Erasmo , Ribas Rafael P.
Published: December 2022

Does legitimating sinful activities have a cost? This paper examines the relationship between housing demand and overt prostitution in Amsterdam. In our empirical design, we exploit the spatial discontinuity in the location of brothel windows created by canals, combined with a policy that forcibly closed some of the windows near these canals. To pin down their effect on housing prices, we apply a difference‐in‐discontinuity (DiD) estimator, which controls for the precise location of brothel windows and the effect of other policies and local developments. Our results show that the housing prices are discontinuous at the bordering canals, and this discontinuity nearly disappears after closures. The discontinuity is also found to decrease with the distance to brothels, disappearing after 300 yards. Our estimates indicate that homes right next to sex workers were 30 percent cheaper before the closures. This result seems unrelated to the presence of other businesses, such as bars and cannabis shops. Instead, the price discount is partly explained by petty crimes. However, 73 percent of the effect remains unexplained after controlling for many forms of crime and risk perception. Our findings suggest that households tend to be against the visible presence of sex workers and related nuisances, reaffirming their marginalization.
The effectiveness of psychoeducation in improving attitudes towards psychological disorders and internalized stigma in the family members of bipolar patients: A quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Latifian Maryam , Raheb Ghoncheh , Abdi Kianoush , Alikhani Rosa , Shariful Islam Sheikh Mohammed
Published: December 2022

Family members of bipolar patients experience stigma following being labeled by others, which can disrupt their routine lives and result in social isolation. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of psychoeducation in improving the attitudes of bipolar patients' family members towards psychological disorders and internalized stigma. The present study is a quasi‐experimental study with a pre‐ and post‐test follow‐up design, in which 74 individuals were selected by convenience sampling among families who had a member with a bipolar disorder who was referred to the largest psychiatric hospital in Iran in 2021. The participants were randomly divided into the experimental and control groups (n = 37 per group). The members of the experimental group then underwent eight 90‐min sessions of psychoeducation. The control group also received psychoeducation at the end of the study. The results of analysis of covariance showed that psychoeducation reduced internalized stigma in the family members of bipolar patients and increased their positive attitudes towards psychological disorders compared with the control group (p < .01). On this basis, psychoeducation can be useful to reduce the internalized stigma of family members of bipolar patients and to increase their positive attitudes towards psychological disorders.
Enhanced performance of a bio‐based diluent with both vinyl and epoxide groups for unsaturated polyester resin applications
Authors: ShangGuan Jianan , Zheng Yanglei , Jiang Junyi , Li Yong , Sun Haoran , Xiang Shuangfei , Zhao Shujun , Fu Feiya , Liu Xiangdong
Published: December 2022

Styrene has been widely used as a reactive diluent for a variety of commercial unsaturated polyester resins (UPRs), but suffered from high volatility. In this work, we developed a bio‐based reactive diluent, 4‐vinylguaiacol glycidyl ether (DE4VG), via an epoxidation of 4‐vinylguaiacol (4VG). Excellent miscibility and high reactivity of DE4VG were demonstrated by a series of copolymerization tests with an unsaturated polyester prepolymer (named PMSD) synthesized from maleic anhydride, 1,3‐dihydroxypropane and succinic acid. While, significant advantages in terms of viscosity and volatility were confirmed. Additionally, DE4VG provides both vinyl and epoxide groups and the epoxide groups were cured using 4,4‐diamino diphenylmethane (DDM) to participate the network formation of the cured PMSD/DE4VG/TBPB/DDM resin, resulting in high glass transition temperature (Tg, 195°C), residual carbon (45.5%), tensile strength (41.75 MPa), and the elongation at break (4.5%), which were all significantly surpassed the cured PMSD/St/TBPB, PMSD/St/TBPB/DDM, PMSD/DE4VG/TBPB resin. This work provided a successful demonstration to replace styrene with a bio‐based reactive diluent in UPR preparation, not only overcame the high volatility of styrene, but also enhanced material performances of the cured resin.
A group acceptance sampling plan for ‘Another Generalized Transmuted‐Exponential Distribution’ based on truncated lifetimes
Authors: Fayomi Aisha , Khan Khushnoor
Published: December 2022

The present paper focuses on the group acceptance sampling plan when the characteristic of interest follows Another Generalized Transmuted‐Exponential distribution. The probability of acceptance is calculated using mean life as a quality parameter for obtaining design parameters such as sample size ‘n’ and acceptance number ‘c’. The values of the operating characteristic function are determined for different quality levels. The plan satisfies both the producer's and consumer's risks at specified quality levels. Relevant r codes using Monte Carlo simulation are appended for use by academia and practitioners. The simulated results of the study are exhibited in the form of tables and explained with relevant examples. Results of the proposed plan are compared with the results generated using maximum likelihood estimates of Another Generalized Transmuted‐Exponential distribution. Easy to follow methodology of the current paper will open new vistas for applying the technique of group acceptance sampling plan to a variety of transmuted probability distributions. For illustration purposes, real data set is also analyzed to show the implementation of the proposed sampling plan.
Behavior of HF and (HF)2 inside a fullerene cage: An in silico study using different density functionals
Authors: Poddar Arpita , Ramachandran C. N. , Chattaraj Pratim Kumar
Published: December 2022

An in silico study on the properties of HF and its dimer inside C60 using density functional theory (DFT) based approaches is presented. For this purpose, 10 different DFT functionals following Jacob's Ladder have been chosen. The geometrical parameters such as bond length and bond angle, of the molecules and their dipole moment have been computed. Two types of orientations, namely, L‐shaped and anti‐parallel of (HF)2 inside C60 are considered, the latter with an extremely short hydrogen bond. HF bond lengths are elongated upon encapsulation in comparison to its free state analogue. The calculated value of stabilization energy of HF@C60 is found to be functional dependent, whereas, (HF)2@C60 is thermodynamically unstable for all the functionals. The kinetic stability of (HF)2@C60 is assessed using the atom‐centered density matrix propagation (ADMP) simulation at 300 K temperature. The red shift in HF stretching frequencies is noticed in all cases. Non‐covalent index (NCI) analysis revealed non‐covalent interactions between HF dimer and the C60 cage. Energy decomposition analysis (EDA) showed a high value for the repulsive ΔEpauli which makes the (HF)2@C60 system unstable except for the functional BP86‐D3 of GGA family. Furthermore, the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analysis is performed and it confirmed the presence of (3, −1) bond critical point along the hydrogen bond region of the L‐shaped (HF)2@C60.
High‐Performance Biodegradable Energy Storage Devices Enabled by Heterostructured MoO3–MoS2 Composites
Authors: Shao Mingjiao , Sheng Hongwei , Lin Liqi , Ma Hongyun , Wang Qi , Yuan Jiao , Zhang Xuetao , Chen Gang , Li Wenquan , Su Qing , Xie Erqing , Wang Jing , Zhang Zhibin , Lan Wei
Published: December 2022

Biodegradable implantable devices are of growing interest in biosensors and bioelectronics. One of the key unresolved challenges is the availability of power supply. To enable biodegradable energy‐storage devices, herein, 2D heterostructured MoO3–MoS2 nanosheet arrays are synthesized on water‐soluble Mo foil, showing a high areal capacitance of 164.38 mF cm−2 (at 0.5 mA cm−2). Employing the MoO3–MoS2 composite as electrodes of a symmetric supercapacitor, an asymmetric Zn‐ion hybrid supercapacitor, and an Mg primary battery are demonstrated. Benefiting from the advantages of MoO3–MoS2 heterostructure, the Zn‐ion hybrid supercapacitors deliver a high areal capacitance (181.86 mF cm−2 at 0.5 mA cm−2) and energy density (30.56 µWh cm−2), and the Mg primary batteries provide a stable high output voltage (≈1.6 V) and a long working life in air/liquid environment. All of the used materials exhibit desirable biocompatibility, and these fabricated devices are also fully biodegradable. Demonstration experiments display their potential applications as biodegradable power sources for various electronic devices.
The Role of Surface Groups in Dictating the Chiral‐Solvent‐Induced Assembly of Carbon Dots into Structures Exhibiting Circularly Polarized Luminescence
Authors: Basu Srestha , Amdursky Nadav
Published: December 2022

Here, the use of achiral nanoparticles and solvent‐induced chirality transfer is combined for the making of large structures exhibiting chiroptical properties in the form of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). The nanoparticles that the authors use are carbon dots (C‐Dots) that are known for their bright luminescence and the ability to tune their surface moieties by using different precursors in their synthesis. Here, the result of adding the chiral solvent limonene into an aqueous solution of various C‐Dots is explored, differentiated by their surface group. It is shown that only nitrogen‐containing C‐Dots with amine functional groups see the emergence of a CPL signal and the formation of a large fibrillar assembled structure. The various forces happening in the interface between the C‐Dots and the limonene phase and the role of the amine groups in both the chirality transfer interactions and the interactions between C‐Dots in the assembly process are discussed, whereas these two processes intertwine with each other. The ability to form fluorescent chiral structures exhibiting CPL from achiral nanoparticles and the understanding of the various interactions in this process are both important to the rationale design of any supramolecular chiral assemblies.
Multispectral and Circular Polarization‐Sensitive Carbon Dot‐Polydiacetylene Capacitive Photodetector
Authors: Shauloff Nitzan , Bisht Rajesh , Turkulets Yury , Manikandan Rajendran , Morag Ahiud , Lehrer Avi , Baraban Joshua H. , Shalish Ilan , Jelinek Raz
Published: December 2022

Multispectral photodetectors (MSPs) and circularly polarized light (CPL) sensors are important in opto‐electronics, photonics, and imaging. A capacitive photodetector consisting of an interdigitated electrode coated with carbon dot/anthraquinone‐polydiacetylene is constructed. Photoexcitation of the carbon dots induces transient electron transfer to the anthraquinone moieties, and concomitant change in the film dielectric constant and recorded capacitance. This unique photodetection mechanism furnishes wavelength selectivity that is solely determined by the absorbance of the carbon dots incorporated in the anthraquinone‐polydiacetylene matrix. Accordingly, employing an array of polymerized‐anthraquinone photodetector films comprising carbon dots (C‐dots) exhibiting different excitation wavelengths yielded optical “capacitive fingerprints” in a broad spectral range (350–650 nm). Furthermore, circular light polarization selectivity is achieved through chiral polymerization of the polydiacetylene framework. The carbon dot/anthraquinone‐polydiacetylene capacitive photodetector features rapid photo‐response, high fidelity, and recyclability as the redox reactions of anthraquinone are fully reversible. The carbon dot/anthraquinone‐polydiacetylene platform is inexpensive, easy to fabricate, and consists of environmentally friendly materials.
“Actually, It's Real Work”: EFL Teachers' Perceptions of Technology‐Assisted Project‐Based Language Learning in Lebanon, Libya, and Syria
Authors: Garib Ali
Published: December 2022

English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers in under‐resourced contexts are prone to constraining factors influencing their interactive and technological pedagogical choices. To cast light on this population of EFL teachers' technology‐integrated interactive teaching practices, such as technology‐assisted project‐based language learning (TAPBLL), this study examines EFL teachers' perceptions of TAPBLL before and after its implementation in Lebanon, Libya, and Syria. Survey and interview data were collected from 25 EFL teachers. The interviews were conducted via WebEx and Zoom between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. The analysis of the data was guided by a phenomenological approach and the author identified themes from the participants' responses. The findings reveal that all teachers in the three contexts perceive TAPBLL as a desired teaching approach although they encountered a number of challenges when attempting to implement it. The findings provide implications for further research and teacher professional development.
Prenatal exome sequencing and impact on perinatal outcome: cohort study
Authors: Poljak B. , Agarwal U. , Alfirevic Z. , Allen S. , Canham N. , Higgs J. , Kaelin Agten A. , Khalil A. , Roberts D. , Mone F. , Navaratnam K.
Published: December 2022

Objectives

First, to determine the uptake of prenatal exome sequencing (pES) and the diagnostic yield of pathogenic (causative) variants in a UK tertiary fetal medicine unit following the introduction of the NHS England Rapid Exome Sequencing Service for fetal anomalies testing (R21 pathway). Second, to identify how the decision to proceed with pES and identification of a causative variant affect perinatal outcomes, specifically late termination of pregnancy (TOP) at or beyond 22 weeks' gestation.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of anomalous fetuses referred to the Liverpool Women's Hospital Fetal Medicine Unit between 1 March 2021 and 28 February 2022. pES was performed as part of the R21 pathway. Trio exome sequencing was performed using an Illumina next‐generation sequencing platform assessing coding and splice regions of a panel of 974 prenatally relevant genes and 231 expert reviewed genes. Data on demographics, phenotype, pES result and perinatal outcome were extracted and compared. Descriptive statistics and the χ‐square or Fisher's exact test were performed using IBM SPSS version 28.0.1.0.

Results

In total, 72 cases were identified and two‐thirds of eligible women (n = 48) consented to trio pES. pES was not feasible in one case owing to a low DNA yield and, therefore, was performed in 47 cases. In one‐third of cases (n = 24), pES was not proposed or agreed. In 58.3% (14/24) of these cases, this was because invasive testing was declined and, in 41.7% (10/24) of cases, women opted for testing and underwent chromosomal microarray analysis only. The diagnostic yield of pES was 23.4% (11/47). There was no overall difference in the proportion of women who decided to have late TOP in the group in which pES was agreed compared with the group in which pES was not proposed or agreed (25.0% (12/48) vs 25.0% (6/24); P = 1.0). However, the decision to have late TOP was significantly more frequent when a causative variant was detected compared with when pES was uninformative (63.6% (7/11) vs 13.9% (5/36); P < 0.0009). The median turnaround time for results was longer in cases in which a causative variant was identified than in those in which pES was uninformative (22 days (interquartile range (IQR), 19–34) days vs 14 days (IQR, 10–15 days); P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the potential impact of identification of a causative variant by pES on decision to have late TOP. As the R21 pathway continues to evolve, we urge clinicians and policymakers to consider introducing earlier screening for anomalies, developing robust guidance for late TOP and ensuring optimized support for couples. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Probing non-standard neutrino interactions with a light boson from next galactic and diffuse supernova neutrinos
Authors: Akita Kensuke , Im Sang Hui , Masud Mehedi
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Non-standard neutrino interactions with a massive boson can produce the bosons in the core of core-collapse supernovae (SNe). After the emission of the bosons from the SN core, their subsequent decays into neutrinos can modify the SN neutrino flux. We show future observations of neutrinos from a next galactic SN in Super-Kamiokande (SK) and Hyper-Kamiokande (HK) can probe flavor-universal non-standard neutrino couplings to a light boson, improving the previous limit from the SN 1987A neutrino burst by several orders of magnitude. We also discuss sensitivity of the flavor-universal non-standard neutrino interactions in future observations of diffuse neutrinos from all the past SNe, known as the diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB). According to our analysis, observations of the DSNB in HK, JUNO and DUNE experiments can probe such couplings by a factor of ∼ 2 beyond the SN 1987A constraint. However, our result is also subject to a large uncertainty concerning the precise estimation of the DSNB.
The ideal site of cement application in cement augmented sacroiliac screw fixation: the biomechanical perspective
Authors: Albers Christoph Emanuel , Zderic Ivan , Kastner Philipp , Gueorguiev Boyko , Tosounidis Theodoros Herkules , Keel Marius Johann Baptist , Bastian Johannes Dominik
Published: December 2022

Purpose

To compare construct stability of cement augmented sacroiliac screws using two different cementation sites in a biomechanical fragility fracture model of the pelvis.

Methods

A fracture model with an incomplete fracture of the sacral ala and complete fracture of the anterior pelvic ring mimicking a FFP IIB fragility fracture of the pelvis was established in five fresh frozen human cadaveric pelvises. Sacral fracture stabilization was achieved with bilateral 7.3 mm fully threaded sacroiliac screws. Cement augmentation was performed at the tip of the screw (body of S1; Group A) on one side, and at the midshaft of the screw (sacral ala; Group B) on the contralateral side. Biomechanical testing was conducted separately on both sides comprising cyclic loading of axial forces transferred through the tested hemipelvis from L5 to the ipsilateral acetabulum. Combined angular displacement in flexion and internal rotation (“gap angle”), angular displacement of the ilium in relation to the screw (“screw tilt ilium”), and screw tip cutout were evaluated.

Results

Relative interfragmentary movements were associated with significantly higher values in group A versus group B for “gap angle” (2.4° vs. 1.4°;p < 0.001), and for “screw tilt ilium” (3.3° vs. 1.4°;p < 0.001), respectively. No significant difference was indicated for screw tip cutout between the two groups (0.6 mm [Group A] vs. 0.8 mm [Group B];p = 0.376).

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated less fragment and screw displacements in a FFP IIB fracture model under physiologic cyclic loading by cement augmentation of sacroiliac screws at the level of the lateral mass compared to the center of vertebral body of S1.
Multiple myeloma, a quintessential malignant disease of aging: a geroscience perspective on pathogenesis and treatment
Authors: Urban Veronika S. , Cegledi Andrea , Mikala Gabor
Published: December 2022

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy, which is predominantly a disease of older adults (the median age at diagnosis is 70 years). The slow progression from asymptomatic stages and the late-onset of MM suggest fundamental differences compared to many other hematopoietic system-related malignancies. The concept discussed in this review is that age-related changes at the level of terminally differentiated plasma cells act as the main risk factors for the development of MM. Epigenetic and genetic changes that characterize both MM development and normal aging are highlighted. The relationships between cellular aging processes, genetic mosaicism in plasma cells, and risk for MM and the stochastic processes contributing to clonal selection and expansion of mutated plasma cells are investigated. In line with the DNA damage accumulation theory of aging, in this review, the evolution of monoclonal gammopathy to symptomatic MM is considered. Therapeutic consequences of age-dependent comorbidities that lead to frailty and have fundamental influence on treatment outcome are described. The importance of considering geriatric states when planning the life-long treatment course of an elderly MM patient in order to achieve maximal therapeutic benefit is emphasized.
Low-Grade Hepatic Steatosis Is Associated with Long-term Remission of Type 2 Diabetes Independent of Type of Bariatric-Metabolic Surgery
Authors: Lautenbach Anne , Wernecke Marie , Mann Oliver , Wagner Jonas , Wolter Stefan , Stoll Fabian , Aberle Jens
Published: December 2022

Background

Bariatric-metabolic surgery (BS) decreases the grade of steatosis, hepatic inflammation, and fibrosis in patients with severe obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Mechanisms include substantial weight loss, but also simultaneous effects on glucose homeostasis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between NAFLD and remission of type 2 diabetes (T2D) up to 8 years following different types of BS.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study including 107 patients with obesity and T2D at baseline, the association between biopsy-proven NAFLD defined as steatosis in > 5% of hepatocytes at the time of surgery and T2D remission up to 8 years following different surgical procedures was investigated. Univariate regression analysis was used to examine the association between NAFLD and remission of T2D.

Results

Long-term remission of T2D was present in 56% of patients (n = 60). The presence of low-grade liver steatosis (grade 1) was associated with remission of T2D. Patients with a liver steatosis score ≥ 2 showed higher HbA1c levels at baseline. There were no significant differences in preoperative presence of lobular inflammation, hepatocyte ballooning, or fibrosis between patients who achieved T2D remission compared with those with no remission. Type of surgery did not affect remission of T2D.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the presence of low-grade liver steatosis is associated with remission of T2D following sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Therefore, BS should be considered at an early NAFLD stage in patients with T2D.

Graphical Abstract
Ageing in Place Classification: Creating a geodemographic classification for the ageing population in England
Authors: Yang Yuanxuan , Dolega Les , Darlington-Pollock Fran
Published: December 2022

Population ageing is one of the most significant demographic changes underway in many countries. Far from being a homogenous group, older people and their experiences of ageing are diverse. A better understanding of the characteristics and geography of the older population, including the older workforce, is important. It allows policymakers and stakeholders to better adapt to the opportunities and challenges that the ageing population brings. This paper describes the implementation of the Ageing in Place Classification (AiPC) in England. AiPC is a multidimensional geodemographic classification, and it employs a wide range of spatially representative attributes of older people’s sociodemographic characteristics and their living environment at the small area level. The openly available product provides valuable insights that can be implemented in both local and national contexts, in particular to improve service delivery and inform targeted policy interventions. AiPC is readily updateable with the arrival of new Census data; the concept and framework are also transferable to other countries.
OrBITS: label-free and time-lapse monitoring of patient derived organoids for advanced drug screening
Authors: Deben Christophe , De La Hoz Edgar Cardenas , Compte Maxim Le , Van Schil Paul , Hendriks Jeroen M.H. , Lauwers Patrick , Yogeswaran Suresh Krishan , Lardon Filip , Pauwels Patrick , Van Laere Steven , Bogaerts Annemie , Smits Evelien , Vanlanduit Steve , Lin Abraham
Published: December 2022

Background

Patient-derived organoids are invaluable for fundamental and translational cancer research and holds great promise for personalized medicine. However, the shortage of available analysis methods, which are often single-time point, severely impede the potential and routine use of organoids for basic research, clinical practise, and pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

Methods

Here, we developed a high-throughput compatible and automated live-cell image analysis software that allows for kinetic monitoring of organoids, named Organoid Brightfield Identification-based Therapy Screening (OrBITS), by combining computer vision with a convolutional network machine learning approach. The OrBITS deep learning analysis approach was validated against current standard assays for kinetic imaging and automated analysis of organoids. A drug screen of standard-of-care lung and pancreatic cancer treatments was also performed with the OrBITS platform and compared to the gold standard, CellTiter-Glo 3D assay. Finally, the optimal parameters and drug response metrics were identified to improve patient stratification.

Results

OrBITS allowed for the detection and tracking of organoids in routine extracellular matrix domes, advanced Gri3D®-96 well plates, and high-throughput 384-well microplates, solely based on brightfield imaging. The obtained organoid Count, Mean Area, and Total Area had a strong correlation with the nuclear staining, Hoechst, following pairwise comparison over a broad range of sizes. By incorporating a fluorescent cell death marker, intra-well normalization for organoid death could be achieved, which was tested with a 10-point titration of cisplatin and validated against the current gold standard ATP-assay, CellTiter-Glo 3D. Using this approach with OrBITS, screening of chemotherapeutics and targeted therapies revealed further insight into the mechanistic action of the drugs, a feature not achievable with the CellTiter-Glo 3D assay. Finally, we advise the use of the growth rate-based normalised drug response metric to improve accuracy and consistency of organoid drug response quantification.

Conclusion

Our findings validate that OrBITS, as a scalable, automated live-cell image analysis software, would facilitate the use of patient-derived organoids for drug development and therapy screening. The developed wet-lab workflow and software also has broad application potential, from providing a launching point for further brightfield-based assay development to be used for fundamental research, to guiding clinical decisions for personalized medicine.
Sequence effects on the life estimation of thin-walled welded tubular structures made of HSS + UHSS under bending
Authors: Neuhäusler Josef , Roth Jakob , Oswald Markus , Dürr André , Rother Klemens
Published: December 2022

Welded hollow sections are typical in different industries. A database of fatigue life data of welded hollow section joints covering sequence effects and the accuracy of the linear damage accumulation is presented. The effects of the shape of the applied load spectra, sequence effects of different amplitudes have been investigated using two high-strength steels. This document covers thin-walled tubes of 2-mm thickness made of low-carbon or mild steel 1.8849 (S460MH) and austenitic TWIP-steel 1.4678 + CP700 (X30MnCrN16-14). Constant amplitude and two-level load spectra are presented to check the linear damage accumulation. Using stress concentration factors from finite element analysis, typical FAT classes for the structural and the effective notch stress concepts are checked as well. Both structures show much higher strength compared IIW recommendations by structural stress approach and DVS 0905 by effective notch stress approach. Typical maximum linear damage sums taken from recommendations and codes of 0.2 or 0.5 are exceeded for all spectra investigated and in some of the cases even significantly above 1.0. Transferability of the recommendations to component type structures like those tubular joints made of high-strength steel needs revision to lift its lightweight potential but this will require additional data.
Facile fabrication, structural and electrical investigations of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles for fuel cell performance
Authors: Ramadan Mervet , Elnouby Mohamed S. , El-Shazly O. , El-Wahidy E. F. , Farag A. A. M. , Roushdy N.
Published: December 2022

In the present work, CdS nanoparticles were synthesized and analyzed for use in fuel cell applications. The X-ray diffraction investigation showed that CdS possesses a cubic polycrystalline structure. For the (111) plane, the average values of mean crystallite size, microstrain, and dislocation density were calculated and found to be 1.935 nm, 0.0758, and 0.267 nm−2. The average crystallite size was additionally calculated and found to be 2.02 nm using the modified Scherrer’s plot. The observed blue shift in the photoluminescence of CdS is caused by the quantum size impact of the nanocrystalline structure. A broad emission band at 590 nm is produced by the recombination of a hole in the valence band of CdS with an electron confined in a sulfur vacancy. The average Cd/S ratio is good and comparable, according to the EDS analysis, which is close to the theoretical values and almost exactly fits the ideal structure. A thermogravimetry diagram was used to establish the thermal stability of CdS across a wide range of temperatures. Fuel cell application features peaks were investigated by the cyclic voltammetry of CdS under various conditions. The linear sweep voltammetry was used to analyze the electrochemical performance of CdS electrodes in fuel cells. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was also used and the results confirmed that nickel substrate is regarded as being superior to stainless steel in terms of performance.
Community-Based Culturally Tailored Education Programs for Black Communities with Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Hypertension, and Stroke: Systematic Review Findings
Authors: Singh Hardeep , Fulton Joseph , Mirzazada Sofia , Saragosa Marianne , Uleryk Elizabeth M. , Nelson Michelle L. A.
Published: December 2022

Background

Community-based culturally tailored education (CBCTE) programs for chronic diseases may reduce health disparities; however, a synthesis across chronic diseases is lacking. We explored (1) the characteristics and outcomes of CBCTE programs and (2) which strategies for culturally appropriate interventions have been used in CBCTE programs, and how they have been implemented.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted by searching three databases to identify empirical full-text literature on CBCTE programs for Black communities with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, or stroke. Studies were screened in duplicate, then data regarding study characteristics, participants, intervention, and outcomes were extracted and analyzed. Cultural tailoring strategies within programs were categorized using Kreuter and colleagues’ framework.

Results

Of the 74 studies, most were conducted in the USA (97%) and delivered in one site (53%; e.g., church/home). CBCTE programs targeted diabetes (65%), hypertension (30%), diabetes and hypertension (1%), cardiovascular disease (3%), and stroke (1%). Reported program benefits included physiological, medication-related, physical activity, and literacy. Cultural tailoring strategies included peripheral (targeted Black communities), constituent-involving (e.g., community informed), evidential (e.g., integrated community resources), linguistic (e.g., delivered in community’s dialect/accent), and sociocultural (e.g., integrated community members’ religious practices).

Conclusions

CBCTE programs may have beneficial outcomes, but a small sample size limited several. The strategies identified can be adopted by programs seeking to culturally tailor. Future interventions should clearly describe community members’ roles/involvement and deliver programs in multiple locations to broaden reach.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO CRD42021245772.
Schriftstrukturorientierte Zugänge zur Alphabetisierung erwachsener Zugewanderter aus der Sicht von Lehrkräften
Authors: Waschewski Tina , Grotlüschen Anke , Müller Astrid
Published: December 2022

Die Nachfrage nach Integrationskursen mit Alphabetisierung ist stark gestiegen, gleichzeitig sinken die Erfolgsdaten dieser Kurse kontinuierlich ab. Die gängigen, lautorientierten Alphabetisierungskonzepte führen nicht zum erwünschten Erfolg. Schriftstrukturorientierte Ansätze, die in allgemeinbildenden Schulen ihre Lernwirksamkeit gezeigt haben, werden in den Alphabetisierungskursen allerdings bislang kaum berücksichtigt. Hier setzt das Forschungsprojekt an. In Workshops konnten Kursleitungen einen schriftstrukturorientierten Ansatz kennenlernen. Anschließend wurden sie in Interviews dazu befragt, ob, und wenn ja, mit welchen Anpassungen dieser Ansatz in den Alphabetisierungskursen eingesetzt werden kann. Die Argumente wurden systematisiert und zeigen Chancen und Grenzen der Übertragbarkeit auf.
Antioxidant and anticancer properties of nano and fermented-nano powders of wheat and rice by-products
Authors: Yousif El-Sayed , Yaseen Attia , Abdel-Fatah Abdel-Fatah , Shouk Abdel-Hafeez , Gdallah Mohamed , Mohammad Ayman
Published: December 2022

In this study, nano and fermented-nano powders of wheat and rice by-products were prepared by superfine grinding of raw and solid-state fermented materials. Effects of fermentation and superfine grinding on phytochemical content, phenolic acids profile as well as antioxidant and anticancer activity were investigated. The results revealed that, phenolic contents of fermented-nano wheat bran (FNWB), fermented-nano wheat germ (FNWG) and fermented-nano rice bran (FNRB) increased by 40.5, 59.2 and 27.9%, respectively compared to their raw samples. The free, conjugated and bound forms of most identified phenolic acids apparently increased. Also, the antioxidant activity of nano and fermented-nano forms significantly increased compared to its raw materials. The anticancer activity of nano and fermented-nano materials against human colon cancer cell line (HCT 116) increased compared to its raw materials. Nano rice bran (NRB) extract was the most effective one with IC50 value of 4.10 mg/mL under the investigated condition. The obtained results indicated that superfine grinding and solid-state fermentation could change the rigid microstructure and liberate bioactive compounds, which enhanced their bio-accessibility and bioavailability to improve bran functionality and usability.