bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance investigation of electric vehicle battery thermal management system using nano fluids as coolants on ANSYS CFX software
Authors: Wankhede Sagar , Kamble Laxman
Published: October 2022

Because of their sophisticated cell chemistry when compared to other types of cell technology now in use, lithium‐ion batteries are commonly used in electric vehicles. These lithium‐ion cells must be operated within certain range of working temperatures but as the energy requirements increase the cells cross the operating bandwidth of temperature and thus cooling of lithium‐ion batteries becomes necessary for its optimal performance. Battery cooling has thus emerged as an important area of research as lithium‐ion batteries do not perform well on higher temperature ranges. Thus, cooling of the batteries using a cooling system is been focused upon and various battery cooling techniques are developed using various coolants such as air, liquid, phase change material and many more. The current study is focused on the use of liquid cooling method for cooling the lithium‐ion battery pack. This paper focuses on the use of nano fluids as coolants for cooling of the lithium‐ion battery pack due to its enhanced thermal conductivity and low viscosity at higher temperature which cools the battery pack. Nanoparticles such as aluminium oxide, titanium dioxide and copper oxide which when mixed with water (base fluid) form the nano fluid solution whose properties are simulated using governing equations. The paper also validates the cooling performance of nano fluids over currently used coolants using ANSYS CFX solver. The findings reveal that using nano fluids as coolants definitely aids in lowering battery pack (BP) temperatures, and nano fluids have a higher heat rejection rate than water. Comparing aluminium oxide, copper oxide, titanium di‐oxide as a coolant for battery thermal management system, Al2O3 nano fluids exhibit the greatest temperature reduction, followed by CuO and TiO2 nano fluids, respectively.
Hydrogen storage studies of Co, Fe, Fe3C nanoparticles encapsulated nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes
Authors: Dhanya A. R. , Ranjan Nisha , Ramaprabhu Sundara
Published: October 2022

The most crucial part of the hydrogen economy is the development of a hydrogen storage material which will be cost effective and its hydrogen storage capacity meets US DOE target. This study is an attempt to develop an efficient hydrogen storage material from a simple, one step synthesis technique. Herein, we synthesize metal nanoparticles encapsulated (M = Co, Fe, Fe3C) nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (M/NCNT) for the efficient hydrogen adsorption within temperature range of 25°C to 100°C and at pressures 5 to 18 bar. The phase, morphology, surface area, and composition of the encapsulated metal nanoparticles NCNT were confirmed by different characterization techniques. Fe/NCNT is observed to have the highest hydrogen storage capacity of 3.3 wt% at room temperature, ~16 bar pressure, and the highest isosteric heat of adsorption (Qst) of 13 kJmol−1, among all. B,N‐CNTs reported 0.35 wt% hydrogen storage capacity at ~16 bar H2 equilibrium pressure and room temperature. The large surface area, defects produced on the CNT due to N doping as well as the presence of metal nanoparticles both inside, on the CNTs which results in the spillover mechanism for the dissociation of the hydrogen molecules into atoms and its diffusion through carbon layers within the CNT, are the factors that contribute to the enhancement of hydrogen storage capacity in M/NCNT.
Statistical methods for cis‐Mendelian randomization with two‐sample summary‐level data
Authors: Gkatzionis Apostolos , Burgess Stephen , Newcombe Paul J.
Published: October 2022

Mendelian randomization (MR) is the use of genetic variants to assess the existence of a causal relationship between a risk factor and an outcome of interest. Here, we focus on two‐sample summary‐data MR analyses with many correlated variants from a single gene region, particularly on cis‐MR studies which use protein expression as a risk factor. Such studies must rely on a small, curated set of variants from the studied region; using all variants in the region requires inverting an ill‐conditioned genetic correlation matrix and results in numerically unstable causal effect estimates. We review methods for variable selection and estimation in cis‐MR with summary‐level data, ranging from stepwise pruning and conditional analysis to principal components analysis, factor analysis, and Bayesian variable selection. In a simulation study, we show that the various methods have comparable performance in analyses with large sample sizes and strong genetic instruments. However, when weak instrument bias is suspected, factor analysis and Bayesian variable selection produce more reliable inferences than simple pruning approaches, which are often used in practice. We conclude by examining two case studies, assessing the effects of low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol and serum testosterone on coronary heart disease risk using variants in the HMGCR and SHBG gene regions, respectively.
The fluid definition of the ‘waters of the United States’: Non‐uniform effects of regulation on US wetland protections
Authors: Wade Jeffrey , Kelleher Christa , Ward Adam S. , Schewe Rebecca L.
Published: October 2022

Recent revisions to the definition of the ‘waters of the United States’ (WOTUS) have considerably altered how wetlands are federally regulated under the Clean Water Act. The two most recent modifications to WOTUS, the Clean Water Rule (CWR) and the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR), represent two opposing approaches to the federal wetland policy. The impacts of these two rules on the regulation of wetlands have as of yet been poorly characterized at broad spatial scales. Using New York State (NYS) as a case study, we evaluated the jurisdictional statuses of more than 253 000 wetlands under the CWR and the NWPR to assess the landscape‐scale effects of WOTUS re‐definitions. We found that statewide and within each of NYS's hydrologic regions, the NWPR protects fewer wetlands and less total wetland area than the CWR. The efficacy of the two regulations varied considerably in space across NYS, highlighting the need for comprehensive, nationwide assessments of wetland policy outcomes. We also observed that both rules produced non‐uniform patterns in jurisdiction across a range of landscape positions and wetland sizes, preferentially protecting large wetlands close to the stream network. This effect was particularly pronounced under the NWPR, which excludes all geographically isolated wetlands from protection. Our findings in NYS emphasize the existence of unique patterns in protected wetlands across spatial scales, highlighting the value in applying geospatial analyses to evaluate environmental policy.
Revisiting the calculation of thermodynamic parameters of adsorption processes from the modified equilibrium constant of the Redlich–Peterson model
Authors: Tran Hai Nguyen , Thanh Trung Ninh Pham , Lima Eder C , Bollinger Jean‐Claude , Dat Nguyen Duy , Chao Huan‐Ping , Juang Ruey‐Shin
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

The adsorption equilibrium constant of the Langmuir model (KL; L mol−1) has been applied as the standard thermodynamic equilibrium constant, , for calculating the thermodynamic parameters (∆G°, ∆S°, and ∆H°) of an adsorption processes by using the van't Hoff equation. Some authors have (directly and indirectly) applied the constant KRP (L kg−1) of the Redlich–Peterson model for such calculations. However, this is an incorrect application because the unit of KRP is not suitable (it is not an equilibrium constant). Its new adsorption equilibrium constant, Ke(RP) (L mol−1), was revisited based on aRP (L mol−1)g. In the literature, there is still uncertainty regarding the application of aRP as for calculating the thermodynamic parameters. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of applying Ke(RP) to calculate thermodynamic parameters using available literature data. The thermodynamic parameters obtained from Ke(RP) were compared to those from KL. A case study using a biosorbent for adsorbing methylene blue dye at different temperatures was carried out to re‐verify the feasibility.

RESULTS

The Redlich–Peterson model is only valid when its exponent is in a strict range (0 ≤ g ≤ 1). The Redlich–Peterson model (68%; 227 observations collected from 52 published papers) describes adsorption equilibrium datasets better than the Langmuir model. The negative ΔG° values obtained based on Ke(RP) (11.7–47.6 kJ mol−1) were significantly different (p = 2.98 × 10−12) from those on KL (12.2–40.8 kJ mol−1). The magnitudes of ΔH° obtained based on Ke(RP) were significantly different (P < 0.05) to those on KL; however, such differences did not affect conclusions drawn on dominant mechanism adsorption (physical or chemical). The magnitude of ΔH° for chemisorption (involved in covalent bonds) is higher than 200 kJ mol−1. For the case study, the ∆H° (kJ mol−1) and ∆S° [J mol−1 × K−1] values calculated based on Ke(RP) (11.65 and 111.5) were like those on KL (11.34 and 110.4, respectively).

CONCLUSION

A new equilibrium constant, Ke(RP) (L mol−1), of the Redlich–Peterson model can be applied as for calculating the thermodynamic parameters (∆G°, ∆S°, and ∆H°) of an adsorption processes under specific cases (i.e., F, H, and L‐shaped adsorption isotherms). Most of the adsorption processes (98%) involve physical adsorption. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Scalable copper‐catalyzed preparation of imidazopyridinones from iodopyridinyl ureas
Authors: Rugg Kyle W. , Balk Regina C. , Paolillo Joshua M. , Yerkozhanov Dauzhan , Tampone Thomas G. , Holan Martin , Buono Frederic G. , Reeves Jonathan T.
Published: October 2022

The efficient copper‐catalyzed construction of imidazopyridinones is described. Beginning from iodopyridinyl ureas, Ullmann coupling provides imidazopyridinones in good yield. Manufacturing by this process is described on 473 kg scale; the scope and limitations of substrates is also detailed.
An insight on medicinal attributes of pyrimidine scaffold: An updated review
Authors: Vyas Akshun , Sahu Bhaskar , Pathania Shelly , Nandi Nilay Kumar , Chauhan Gaurav , Asati Vivek , Kumar Bhupinder
Published: October 2022

Pyrimidine itself or in different fused forms is an important chemical motif for every step of cell life. Alongside, it exists as a key pharmacophoric part in thiamine, alloxan, orotic acid, and other isoforms of nucleotide bases. It has emerged as a privileged scaffold in medicinal chemistry due to its various possible structural and pharmacological attributes. In a number of clinically used chemical agents, pyrimidine or its fused/clubbed form with other moieties act as a key pharmacophore. Structure activity relationship (SAR) studies of the explored derivatives demonstrated that slight modifications with various substitutions on the pyrimidine rings can deviate biological activity to a large extent. 2‐Pyrimidone and 2,4‐pyrimidione derivatives are largely explored by a number of research groups for various pharmacological targets and due to their similarity to nucleotide bases, it has a great impact on the biological profile of these molecules. The current review focuses on describing the recent advancements (2015 onward) in the development of pyrimidine‐based biologically active molecules along with drug candidates under different clinical trials. The aim of this review is to provide structural features associated with pyrimidine along with their SAR studies, which are believed to be valuable for the scientists working on the development of pyrimidine‐based small molecules in the aforementioned disease conditions. We believe that the results of this research will help to provide a structural idea that may be used in the design and development of new pyrimidine‐based small molecules that target a variety of receptors or enzymes.
Evaluation and validation of an RT‐PCR assay for specific detection of monkeypox virus (MPXV)
Authors: Paniz‐Mondolfi Alberto , Guerra Susana , Muñoz Marina , Luna Nicolas , Hernandez Matthew M. , Patino Luz H. , Reidy Jason , Banu Radhika , Shrestha Paras , Liggayu Bernadette , Umeaku Audrey , Chen Feng , Cao Liyong , Patel Armi , Hanna Ayman , Li Sunny , Look Andy , Pagani Nina , Albrecht Randy , Pearl Rebecca , Garcia‐Sastre Adolfo , Bogunovic Dusan , Palacios Gustavo , Bonnier Lucia , Cera Freddy , Lopez Heidi , Calderon Yvette , Eiting Erick , Mullen Karr , Shin Sangyoon Jason , Lugo Luz Amarilis , Urbina Antonio E. , Starks Carlotta , Koo Tonny , Uychiat Patricia , Look Avery , van Bakel Harm , Gonzalez‐Reiche Ana , Betancourt Adolfo Firpo , Reich David , Cordon‐Cardo Carlos , Simon Viviana , Sordillo Emilia M. , Ramírez Juan David
Published: October 2022

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a zoonotic orthopoxvirus within the Poxviridae family. MPXV is endemic to Central and West Africa. However, the world is currently witnessing an international outbreak with no clear epidemiological links to travel or animal exposure and with ever‐increasing numbers of reported cases worldwide. Here, we evaluated and validated a new, sensitive, and specific real‐time PCR‐assay for MPXV diagnosis in humans and compare the performance of this novel assay against a Food & Drug Administration‐cleared pan‐Orthopox RT‐PCR assay. We determined specificity, sensitivity, and analytic performance of the PKamp™ Monkeypox Virus RT‐PCR assay targeting the viral F3L‐gene. In addition, we further evaluated MPXV‐PCR‐positive specimens by viral culture, electron microscopy, and viral inactivation assays. The limit of detection was established at 7.2 genome copies/reaction, and MPXV was successfully identified in 20 clinical specimens with 100% correlation against the reference method with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Our results demonstrated the validity of this rapid, robust, and reliable RT‐PCR assay for specific and accurate diagnosis of MPXV infection in human specimens collected both as dry swabs and in viral transport media. This assay has been approved by NYS Department of Health for clinical use.
Human monkeypox (hMPXV) re‐emergence: Host immunity status and current vaccines landscape
Authors: Shafaati Maryam , Zandi Milad
Published: October 2022

Monkeypox virus is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus and the Poxviridae family. Orthopoxviruses are among the most intricate animal viruses. The pathogenicity of human monkeypox infection has been emphasized in response to its recent emergence in non‐endemic countries and the threat of bioterrorism. It is always necessary to take appropriate precautions in exposure to emerging or re‐emerging infections. Here, we focus on the current state of the human monkeypox infection outbreak, research & development of immune responses, and clinical interventions to prevent and treat the human monkeypox virus and other human poxviruses.
Surface wind climates in the North China Plain: Implications for air quality
Authors: Hu Xun , Cai Xuhui , Wang Xuesong , Song Yu , Wang Xiaobin , Kang Ling , Zhang Hongsheng
Published: October 2022

Wind climatology is significant for applications from weather forecasting to air pollution control. Investigation of wind climates in the North China Plain (NCP) region is insufficient yet. Based on hourly observational data at 94 surface weather stations from 2014 to 2020, wind climatic features in the NCP region were examined using statistical and clustering methods. The seasonal average wind speed over this region is the highest in spring (2.7 m·s−1), followed by winter (2.5 m·s−1), and weakest in summer and autumn (2.0 and 1.9 m·s−1). The annual mean wind speed is higher in the mountainous and coastal areas (2.0–2.5 m·s−1) but lower in the plains (1.5–2.0 m·s−1). Mountain–plain/valley winds and sea–land breezes are important in the associated areas. Wind fields in the plains are variable, possibly due to the coexistence of multiple synoptic winds and regional thermal circulations. Monthly mean background wind fields display that northwesterly and southeasterly winds prevail over this region in winter and summer, respectively. Local winds, that is, mountain–plain winds and sea–land breezes, vary diurnally, but a time lag of about 3 hr exists between them. Synoptic winds act as a mediate wind system between local and background winds, being identified into eight patterns using a hierarchical clustering method. Among them, two patterns featuring a weak wind convergence zone along the mountains (36%) and three patterns featuring southerlies (55%) are major synoptic winds in this region.
Viscosity of evaporated soymilk prepared in the laboratory using normal and 11S‐lacking soybean seeds
Authors: Shimoyamada Makoto , Masuda Hayato , Matsuno Masayuki , Murakami Kazuya , Egusa Shintaro
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

Soymilk is utilized not only as a beverage but also as an alternative to bovine milk, including products such as yoghurt and cream. Evaporated soymilk is expected to be utilized as condensed milk. Raw and heated soymilk samples prepared in our laboratory were evaporated and then subjected to viscosity measurement. The soymilk samples were made from two different varieties: Fukuyutaka, which contains 7S and 11S globulin proteins; and an 11S‐lacking soybean (Nanahomare).

RESULTS

Raw Fukuyutaka soymilk had a lower viscosity and could be concentrated to a solids content of over 300 g kg−1 compared to heated soymilk (around 250 g kg−1), but the viscosity changes of Nanahomare soymilk showed an opposite trend. Only 7S globulin was denatured during evaporation at 75 °C and likely affected the interaction between proteins and oil bodies. This tendency was remarkable in the Nanahomare soymilk. The strange viscosity change behavior of evaporated Nanahomare soymilk, number of protein particles, intrinsic fluorescence and flow behavior suggest that thermally denatured 7S globulin accelerates the interactions between oil bodies, whereas 11S globulin, which is probably in its native state, suppresses the acceleration by denatured 7S globulin.

CONCLUSION

Raw soymilk containing native globulins shows a slower increase in viscosity during evaporation. However, denatured 7S globulin accelerates the increase in viscosity during evaporation through interactions between oil bodies. The effect of the denatured state of individual proteins on interactions is expected to be useful in understanding the interaction between proteins and in controlling their properties and functions. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Impact of climate change on wheat grain composition and quality
Authors: Zahra Noreen , Hafeez Muhammad Bilal , Wahid Abdul , Al Masruri Muna Hamed , Ullah Aman , Siddique Kadambot H.M. , Farooq Muhammad
Published: October 2022

Wheat grain quality, an important determinant for human nutrition, is often overlooked when improving crop production for stressed environments. Climate change makes this task more difficult by imposing combined stresses. The scenarios relevant to climate change include elevated CO2 concentrations (eCO2) and extreme climatic events such as drought, heat waves, and salinity stresses. However, data on wheat quality in terms of climate change are limited, with no concerted efforts at the global level to provide an equitable and consistent climate risk assessment for wheat grain quality. Climate change induces changes in the quality and composition of wheat grain, a premier staple food crop globally. Climate‐change events, such as eCO2, heat, drought, salinity stress stresses, heat + drought, eCO2 + drought, and eCO2 + heat stresses, alter wheat grain quality in terms of grain weight, nutrient, anti‐nutrient, fiber, and protein content and composition, starch granules, and free amino acid composition. Interestingly, in comparison with other stresses, heat stress and drought stress increase phytate content, which restricts the bioavailability of essential mineral elements. All climatic events, except for eCO2 + heat stress, increase grain gliadin content in different wheat varieties. However, grain quality components depend more on inter‐varietal difference, stress type, and exposure time and intensity. The climatic events show differential regulation of protein and starch accumulation, and mineral metabolism in wheat grains. Rapid climate shifting impairs wheat productivity and causes grain quality to deteriorate by interrupting the allocation of essential nutrients and photoassimilates. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Impacts of soybean protein isolate hydrolysates produced at high hydrostatic pressure on gelling properties, structural characteristics, and molecular forces of myofibrillar protein
Authors: Guan Haining , Tian Yanli , Liu Dengyong , Diao Xiaoqin , Feng Chunmei , Xu Xiaojun
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND

Soybean protein isolate hydrolysates (SPIHs) produced at high hydrostatic pressure have higher bioactivity. The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of different SPIH concentrations obtained under various pressures (0.1, 100, 200, and 300 MPa) on gelling properties, structural characteristics, and main forces of myofibrillar protein (MP) in MP‐SPIH plural gels.

RESULTS

The MP‐SPIH plural gel with 3% SPIH produced under 200 MPa had the maximum gel strength (0.42 N) and water holding capacity (53.69%). A decline in thermal stability and a rise in storage modulus (G′) of MP‐SPIH plural gels were found with increased SPIH pressure and concentration. Additionally, the addition of SPIHs increased the amounts of α‐helix and β‐sheet, decreased random coil structural content of MP in MP‐SPIH plural gels, and facilitated the generation of a denser and uniform gels network. The molecular forces in MP‐SPIH plural gels were mainly hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bond.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the interaction of MP with 3% SPIH obtained at 200 MPa improved the quality of plural gels. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Biosolids and microorganisms synergistically enhance aggregate stability and organic carbon sequestration of bauxite residue
Authors: Tian Tao , Zhang Yufei , Zhu Feng , Ke Wenshun , Fan Jiarong , Liu Zheng , Xue Shengguo
Published: October 2022

Weak aggregate stability and low organic carbon content in bauxite residue restrict ecological rehabilitation. To eliminate these restrictions, a 1‐year column experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of introducing biosolids (BS), biosolids plus microorganisms (BSM) into bauxite residue on the aggregate stability, changes of organic carbon content, and growth of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in bauxite residue. Compared with control group (CK), BS and BSM treatments increased dry‐sieve size distributions of bauxite residue aggregates in 2‐1 and 1‐0.25 mm, mean weight diameter (MWD), particle sizes of aggregates, complex Al oxide, and free Fe oxide in bauxite residue. The average particle sizes in bauxite residue following CK, BS, and BSM treatments after the harvest of plants were obtained to be ~121, ~201, and ~272 nm, respectively. In addition, BS and BSM treatments also increased aggregate‐associated humic substances and carbon content in bauxite residue. The carbon contents in bauxite residue following CK, BS, and BSM treatments after the harvest of plants reached ~18.8%, ~42.9%, and ~67.7%, respectively. The plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight of ryegrass following BSM treatment reached the maximum, which were 27.2 cm, 2.83 g, and 0.28 g, respectively. Results demonstrated that aggregate stability and carbon sequestration of bauxite residue were enhanced following amendment application, and the combined application of biosolids and microorganisms is superior than single BS. This implies that BSM treatment has a potential for plant establishment in bauxite residue disposal areas.
Water regime enhances the effects of flue gas desulfurization gypsum on the reclamation of highly saline‐sodic soil
Authors: Zhang Wenchao , Zhang Wenxin , Zhao Yonggan , Wang Shujuan , Liu Jia , Li Yan
Published: October 2022

Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum‐based reclamation of saline‐sodic soil has been widely used in the Songnen Plain of China, but its reclamation effect depends on the water regime. A pot experiment was conducted to identify the optimal water regimes for reclaiming a highly saline‐sodic soil [pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) were 10.4, 5.5 dS m‒1 and 68.1%, respectively] by using FGD gypsum. Three water regimes with drainage times [irrigation amounts of 3‐, 5‐, and 7‐times the soil pore volume (PV)] were selected and FGD gypsum was added to a portion of the regimes before the final drainage operation. Then the saline‐sodic parameters of drainage and soil were measured and analyzed. Na+, Cl−, HCO3−, and SO42− were the main ions in the drainage of all the treatments. With the increase in drainage times, the water regime without FGD gypsum notably decreased soil EC by 17.8%–52.0%. In contrast to the FGD gypsum treatment, the water regime failed to decrease the soil ESP. FGD gypsum application with three drainage times had optimal reclamation with reductions in soil pH and ESP of 0.5–2.3 units and 5.1%–20.1%, respectivley. But the associated water consumption was more than 40% higher than that of one‐ or two‐drainage operations. In terms of water reduction (irrigation volume was 5 times PV), sodicity reduction and salt removal (soil pH, ESP, and EC were reduced by 1.7 units, 12.3%, and 1.12 dS m−1), FGD gypsum application with two‐time drainage could be a more suitable measure to reclaim highly saline‐sodic soil.
Thinning promoted the rejuvenation and highly efficient use of soil water for degraded Caragana korshinskii plantation in semiarid loessal regions
Authors: Wang Guohui , Chen Zhixue , Shen Yuying , Yang Xianlong
Published: October 2022

High‐density afforestation of single‐species causes soil desiccation and vegetation degradation, posing severe challenges for plant rehabilitation, survival and its sustainable soil water use in drought regions. We explored the eco–hydrological responses of density adjustment for a typical degraded Caragana korshinskii plantation on the Chinese Loess Plateau, using 2‐year field observations. The treatments included two thinning intensities [thinning one at an interval of one (T50) and two (T67) shrubs], three pruning intensities [pruning 25% (P25), 50% (P50), and 75% (P75) of branches], and a control treatment (CK). Results indicated that the total soil water storage (0–600 cm) in T50 and T67 was 14.1% and 17.0% higher than that in CK in 2020 (p < 0.05). Treatments T67 and P25 significantly affected the length, basal diameter, and biomass of stems compared with the CK. Moreover, canopy transpiration at the individual–scale in T67 was 43.5% and 37.6% higher in 2019 and 2020 than that in CK (p < 0.05). At the stand–scale, the canopy transpiration in T67 was reduced by 81.2% in 2019 and by 79.2% in 2020 compared with that in CK (p < 0.05), respectively. In 2020, the water use efficiency in T67 was 13.8% and 101.7% higher (p < 0.05) than that in CK and T50, respectively. These observations indicate that thinning the stand density by 67% (T67) promotes plant rejuvenation and improves highly efficient use of soil water for the excessively afforested C. korshinskii plantations on the Loess Plateau. Our findings will guide the rational management of overcrowded C. korshinskii plantations in similar dry regions.
Temporal Dynamics of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia in Spinocerebellar Ataxias
Authors: Moulaire Paul , Poulet Pierre Emmanuel , Petit Emilien , Klockgether Thomas , Durr Alexandra , Ashisawa Tetsuo , Tezenas du Montcel Sophie ,   for the READISCA Consortium
Published: October 2022

Background

The Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) is the reference clinical scale to assess the severity of cerebellar ataxia. In the context of upcoming therapeutic trials, a reliable clinical outcome is needed to assess the efficiency of treatments.

Objective

The aim is to precisely assess and compare temporal dynamics of SARA and a new f‐SARA.

Methods

We analyzed data from four cohorts (EUROSCA, RISCA, CRC‐SCA, and SPATAX) comprising 1210 participants and 4092 visits. The linearity of the progression and the variability were assessed using an ordinal Bayesian mixed‐effect model (Leaspy). We performed sample size calculations for therapeutic trials with different scenarios to improve the responsiveness of the scale.

Results

Seven of the eight different items had a nonlinear progression. The speed of progression was different between most of the items, with an average time for a one‐point increase from 3.5 years [3.4; 3.6] (median, 95% credible interval) for the fastest item to 11.4 [10.9; 12.0] years. The total SARA score had a linear progression with an average time for a one‐point increase of 0.95 [0.92; 0.98] years. After removing the four last items and rescaling all items from 0 to 4, variability increased and progression was slower and thus would require a larger sample size in a future therapeutic trial.

Conclusion

Despite a heterogeneous temporal dynamics at the item level, the global progression of SARA was linear. Changing the initial scale deteriorates the responsiveness. This new information about the temporal dynamics of the scale should help design the outcome of future clinical trials. © 2022 The Authors.Movement Disorderspublished by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Development and validation of CT‐based radiomics nomogram for the classification of benign parotid gland tumors
Authors: Zheng Menglong , Chen Qi , Ge Yaqiong , Yang Liping , Tian Yulong , Liu Chang , Wang Peng , Deng Kexue
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Accurate preoperative diagnosis of parotid tumor is essential for the formulation of optimal individualized surgical plans. The study aims to investigate the diagnostic performance of radiomics nomogram based on contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) images in the differentiation of the two most common benign parotid gland tumors.

Methods

One hundred and ten patients with parotid gland tumors including 76 with pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and 34 with adenolymphoma (AL) confirmed by histopathology were included in this study. Radiomics features were extracted from contrast‐enhanced CT images of venous phase. A radiomics model was established and a radiomics score (Rad‐score) was calculated. Clinical factors including clinical data and CT features were assessed to build a clinical factor model. Finally, a nomogram incorporating the Rad‐score and independent clinical factors was constructed. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve was generated and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated to quantify the discriminative performance of each model on both the training and validation cohorts. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was conducted to evaluate the clinical usefulness of each model.

Results

The radiomics model showed good discrimination in the training cohort [AUC, 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.80–0.98] and validation cohort (AUC, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.77–1.00). The radiomics nomogram showed excellent discrimination in the training cohort (AUC, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.96–1.00) and validation cohort (AUC, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.88–1.00) and displayed better discrimination efficacy compared with the clinical factor model (AUC, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88–0.99) in the training cohort (p < 0.05). The DCA demonstrated that the combined radiomics nomogram provided superior clinical usefulness than clinical factor model and radiomics model.

Conclusions

The CT‐based radiomics nomogram combining Rad‐score and clinical factors exhibits excellent predictive capability for differentiating parotid PA from AL, which might hold promise in assisting radiologists and clinicians in the exact differential diagnosis and formulation of appropriate treatment strategy.
Hyperia: A novel methodology of developing anthropomorphic breast phantoms for X‐ray imaging modalities – Part I: Concept and initial findings
Authors: Ikejimba Lynda , Farooqui Asma , Ghazi Peymon
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To introduce a novel methodology for developing anthropomorphic breast phantoms for use in X‐ray‐based imaging modalities.

Methods

“Hyperization” is a quasi‐stippling mapping operation in which regions of varying grayscale values in a 2D image are transformed into regions of varying holes on a surface. The holes can be cut or engraved on the sheet of paper using a high‐resolution laser cutter/engraver. In hyperization, the main parameters are the size and the distance between the holes. Here, we introduce the concept and chronicle the development and characterization of a proof‐of‐concept prototype. In this study, we hypothesized that a resulting “Hyperia” phantom would be a realistic representative of a patient's breast tissue: it would exhibit similar X‐ray properties and show textural complexities. We used breast computed tomography (bCT) images of real patients as the input models. Using a previously developed segmentation method, the input CT images were segmented into different tissue classes (skin, adipose, and fibroglandular). The segmented images were then “Hyperized”. A series of Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to find the optimal hyperization parameters. Different laser cutter/engraver systems and substrate materials were explored to find a viable option for developing an entire Hyperia breast phantom. The resulting phantom was imaged on a prototype breast CT system, and the resulting images were evaluated based on physical properties and similarity to the original patient data.

Results

The simulation results indicate close similarities – both in the distribution of different tissue types and the resulting CT numbers – between the patient bCT image and the bCT of the Hyperia phantom, regardless of the breast size and density: the Pearson correlation coefficient (ρ) ranged from 0.88 in a BIRADS A breast to 0.94 in BIRADS C and D breasts (ρ of 1.00 suggests perfect structural similarity), and the volumetric mean squared error ranged from 0.0033 (in BIRADS D breast) to 0.0059 (in BIRADS A), suggesting good agreement between the resulting CT numbers. For fabricating the slices, the office paper was found to be an optimal substrate material, with the Hyperization parameters of (α, β) = (0.200 mm, 0.400 mm).

Conclusion

A novel phantom can be used for X‐ray‐based breast cancer imaging systems. The main advantage is that only one material is used for creating a contrast between different tissue types in an image.
A feasibility study on deep‐neural‐network‐based dose‐neutral dual‐energy digital breast tomosynthesis
Authors: Kim Hyeongseok , Lee Hoyeon , Lee Seoyoung , Choi Young‐Wook , Choi Young Jin , Kim Kee Hyun , Seo Wontaek , Shin Choul Woo , Cho Seungryong
Published: October 2022

Background

Diagnostic performance based on x‐ray breast imaging is subject to breast density. Although digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is reported to outperform conventional mammography in denser breasts, mass detection and malignancy characterization are often considered challenging yet.

Purpose

As an improved diagnostic solution to the dense breast cases, we propose a dual‐energy DBT imaging technique that enables breast compositional imaging at comparable scanning time and patient dose compared to the conventional single‐energy DBT.

Methods

The proposed dual‐energy DBT acquires projection data by alternating two different energy spectra. Then, we synthesize unmeasured projection data using a deep neural network that exploits the measured projection data and adjacent projection data obtained under the other x‐ray energy spectrum. For material decomposition, we estimate partial path lengths of an x‐ray through water, lipid, and protein from the measured and the synthesized projection data with the object thickness information. After material decomposition in the projection domain, we reconstruct material‐selective DBT images. The deep neural network is trained with the numerical breast phantoms. A pork meat phantom is scanned with a prototype dual‐energy DBT system to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed imaging method.

Results

The developed deep neural network successfully synthesized missing projections. Material‐selective images reconstructed from the synthesized data present comparable compositional contrast of the cancerous masses compared with those from the fully measured data.

Conclusions

The proposed dual‐energy DBT scheme is expected to substantially contribute to enhancing mass malignancy detection accuracy particularly in dense breasts.
Interventions to improve tolerability of local anesthetic intradetrusor Botulinum toxin injections: A systematic review
Authors: Faure Walker Nicholas , Macpherson Finn , Tasleem Ali , Rampal Tarannum
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Intradetrusor BotulinumtoxinA (BTA) injections are recommended for patients with overactive bladder (OAB) refractory to lifestyle changes and medical intervention. It is preferable to perform injections using a flexible cystoscope under local anesthetic (LA) rather than under spinal or general anesthetic owing to the associated anesthetic risks, increased costs, and need for repeated inpatient admission. Injections under LA can be difficult to tolerate for some patients. This review aims to assess interventions that may improve the tolerability of intradetrusor BTA injections under LA.

Methods

A systematic review was performed using Ovid of Embase + Embase classic and MEDLINE® ALL in November 2021. Articles were included if they reported objectively measured pain scores during LA intradetrusor BTA injections for refractory OAB. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tools. Meta‐analysis was not performed owing to the heterogeneity of outcome measures.

Results

Ten studies were included in this review with a total of 429 participants. The review identified alkalinized lidocaine, electromotive drug administration (EMDA), opiate suppositories, lidocaine bladder instillations, number of injections, and dose of BTA as interventions aimed at improving tolerability.

Conclusion

EMDA of intravesical alkalinized lidocaine, intravesical, alkalinized lidocaine without EMDA, and a reduction in the number of injection site were all associated with improvements in patient tolerability during LA BTA injections. Further research should address which subgroups of patients find the procedure most painful and would benefit most from these interventions.
Mixed urinary incontinence: Are there effective treatments?
Authors: Game Xavier , Dmochowski Roger , Robinson Dudley
Published: October 2022

The aim of this debate article is to discuss whether effective treatments are available for mixed urinary incontinence (MUI). Because patients with MUI have both stress and urgency urinary incontinence (SUI and UUI) episodes and current treatment guidelines currently recommend treating the predominant symptom first, this article presents standard and emerging treatments for both SUI and UUI before discussing how well these treatments meet the medical needs of patients with MUI. Standard treatments presented include noninvasive options such as lifestyle changes and pelvic floor exercises, pharmacological agents, and surgery. Treatment of all three types of urinary incontinence (UI) is usually initiated with noninvasive options, after which treatment options diverge based on UI subtype. Multiple pharmacological agents have been developed for the treatment of UUI and overactive bladder, whereas surgery remains the standard option for SUI and stress‐predominant MUI. The divide between UUI and SUI options seems to be propagated in emerging treatments, with most novel pharmacological agents still targeting UUI and even having SUI and stress‐predominant MUI as exclusion criteria for participation in clinical trials. Considering that current treatment options focus almost exclusively on treating the predominant symptom of MUI and that emerging pharmacological treatments exclude patients with stress‐predominant MUI during the development phase, effective treatments for MUI are lacking both in standard and emerging practice. Ideally, agents with dual mechanisms of action could provide symptom benefit for both the stress and urgency components of MUI.
Treatment patterns in women with urinary urgency and/or urgency urinary incontinence in the symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Bretschneider Carol Emi , Liu Qian , Smith Abigail R. , Kirkali Ziya , Amundsen Cindy L. , Lai Henry , Geynisman‐Tan Juila , Kirby Anna , Cameron Anne P. , Helmuth Margaret E. , Griffith James W. , Jelovsek John Eric ,   the Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network (LURN) Observational Cohort Study Group
Published: October 2022

Background

Limited epidemiological data exist describing how patients engage with various treatments for overactive bladder (OAB). To improve care for patients with OAB, it is essential to gain a better understanding of how patients interface with OAB treatments longitudinally, that is, how often patients change treatments and the pattern of this treatment change in terms of escalation and de‐escalation.

Objectives

To describe treatment patterns for women with bothersome urinary urgency (UU) and/or urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) presenting to specialty care over 1 year.

Study Design

The Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network (LURN) study enrolled adult women with bothersome UU and/or UUI seeking care for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) between January 2015 and September 2016. An ordinal logistic regression model was fitted to describe the probabilities of escalating or de‐escalating level of treatment during 1‐year follow‐up.

Results

Among 349 women, 281 reported UUI and 68 reported UU at baseline. At the end of 1 year of treatment by a urologist or urogynecologist, the highest level of treatment received by participants was 5% expectant management, 36% behavioral treatments (BT), 26% physical therapy (PT), 26% OAB medications, 1% percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, 3% intradetrusor onabotulinum toxin A injection, and 3% sacral neuromodulation. Participants using BT or PT at baseline were more likely to be de‐escalated to no treatment than participants on OAB medications at baseline, who tended to stay on medications. Predictors of the highest level of treatment included starting level of treatment, hypertension, UUI severity, stress urinary incontinence, and anticholinergic burden score.

Conclusions

Treatment patterns for UU and UUI are diverse. Even for patients with significant bother from OAB presenting to specialty clinics, further treatment often only involves conservative or medical therapies. This study highlights the need for improved treatment algorithms to escalate patients with persistent symptoms, or to adjust care in those who have been unsuccessfully treated.
Total fluid intake, caffeine, and other bladder irritant avoidance among adults having urinary urgency with and without urgency incontinence: The Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network (LURN)
Authors: Cameron Anne P. , Helmuth Margaret E. , Smith Abigail R. , Lai H. Henry , Amundsen Cindy L. , Kirkali Ziya , Gillespie Brenda W. , Yang Claire C. , Clemens J. Quentin ,   the LURN Study Group
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Caffeine has long been vilified as a cause for urinary urgency incontinence (UUI) along with other potential bladder irritants such as carbonation, alcohol, and acidic juices. The objective of this study was to assess the fluid intake behavior of people with urgency, UUI, and those with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) without UUI or urgency to assess if they avoided certain potential bladder irritants or had different fluid intake. We hypothesized that patients with UUI would avoid caffeine as a self‐management method more so than these other two groups.

Methods

Treatment‐seeking men and women with LUTS in the Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network (LURN) Observational Cohort study completed a baseline 3‐day voiding and intake diary. “Complete” diaries had 3 days of data and no missing intake or voided volumes. Beverages with any caffeine, alcohol, carbonation, or acidic juice were identified and the total volume was recorded as well as the type of beverage containing caffeine to calculate the daily caffeine dose.

Results

Four hundred and ninety‐one participants (277 men and 214 women) with a median age of 63 had complete diaries. Urinary urgency was more prevalent in women than men (79% vs. 55%, p < 0.0001) as was UUI (84% vs. 47%, p < 0.0001). Total fluid intake over 3 days was lower among the urgency group versus the nonurgency group (median [interquartile range] 5.2 [4.0–6.8] L vs. 5.7 [4.3–7.0] L, p = 0.028) and the UUI group compared to the urgency without incontinence group were less likely to consume alcohol (26% vs. 37%, p = 0.04).

After adjusting for sex, BMI, age, and total intake volume, UUI participants had 54% lower odds of consuming any caffeine (odds ratio = 0.46, 95% confidence interval = 0.22–0.96, p = 0.04) than those without incontinence, but among those that did consume caffeine, no difference in the volume of caffeinated beverages or milligrams of caffeine consumed was detected between those with UUI and those with urgency without incontinence. No difference in carbonation or acidic juice intake was detected between groups.

Conclusions

Individuals with urgency consume a lower volume of fluid than those without urgency. UUI participants more often abstain from caffeine, but among those that consume caffeine, the dose is similar to those without UUI. One explanation for these results is that only a subset of individuals with urgency or UUI are caffeine sensitive.
The bladder contractility and bladder outlet obstruction indices in adult men: Results of a global Delphi consensus study
Authors: Sinha Sanjay , Finazzi‐Agrò Enrico , Dmochowski Roger Roman , Hashim Hashim , Iacovelli Valerio
Published: October 2022

Aims

This Delphi study was planned to examine global expert consensus with regard to utility, accuracy, and categorization of Bladder Contractility Index (BCI) and Bladder Outlet Obstruction Index (BOOI) and the related evidence.

Methods

Twenty‐eight experts were invited to answer the two‐round survey including three foundation questions and 15 survey questions. Consensus was defined as ≥75% agreement. The ordinal scale (0–10) in round 1 was classified into “strongly agree,” “agree,” “neutral,” “disagree,” and “strongly disagree” for the final round. A systematic search for evidence was conducted for therapeutic studies that have examined outcome stratified by the indices in men.

Results

Nineteen experts participated in the survey with 100% completion. Consensus was noted with regard to 6 of 19 questions. Experts strongly agreed with utility of quantifying bladder contractility and bladder outflow obstruction with near unanimity regarding the latter. There was consensus that BCI and BOOI were accurate, that BCI was clinically useful, and for defining severe bladder outflow obstruction as BOOI > 80. Systematic search yielded 69 publications (BCI 45; BOOI 50). Most studies examined the indices as a continuous variable or by standard cutoffs (BCI 100, 150; BOOI 20, 40).

Conclusion

There is general agreement among experts on need for indices to quantify bladder contractility and bladder outflow obstruction as well as with regard to accuracy and utility of BCI and BOOI indices. Few studies have examined the discriminant power of existing cutoffs or explored new ones. This is an extraordinary knowledge gap in the field of urology.