bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of injection‐locked ring oscillators for process, voltage, and temperature‐aware low phase‐noise reference clock generation
Authors: Larijani Mohammad M. , Jalali Mohsen
Published: May 2022

In this paper, injection‐locked coupled ring oscillators (ROs) are studied regarding their capabilities for process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) compensated reference clock generation. A PVT resilient RO is implemented by means of injection‐locked coupled ROs where the injection locking mechanism is realized by employing adjustable coupling factors. It is shown that the oscillation frequency can be highly compensated for temperature‐related variations through the coupling factors. In addition, it is possible to compensate the center oscillation frequency for process‐induced variations and supply voltage fluctuations. The proposed technique is fully open loop without any frequency tracking loop and can be easily adopted by other architectures of oscillators such as RC and LC counterparts. A 2.4 GHz reference clock generator is implemented in a 0.18 μm standard CMOS process. While the temperature coefficient (TC) of the free‐running ROs is about 640 ppm/°C, the coupled structure offers a TC of 80 ppm/°C. Furthermore, the phase‐noise of the coupled structure is about 4 dB lower compared with the free‐running ROs. The proposed RO consumes about 2.8 mW and occupies a silicon area of 0.09 mm2.
Rational Design of Robust and Universal Aqueous Binders to Enable Highly Stable Cyclability of High‐Capacity Conversion and Alloy‐Type Anodes
Authors: Yao Yuzhu , Qu Xiaolei , Zhou Linming , Liu Yongfeng , Hong Zijian , Wu Yongjun , Huang Zhenguo , Hu Jianjiang , Gao Mingxia , Pan Hongge
Published: May 2022

The development of high‐performance binders is a simple but effective approach to address the rapid capacity decay of high‐capacity anodes caused by large volume change upon lithiation/delithiation. Herein, we demonstrate a unique organic/inorganic hybrid binder system that enables an efficient in situ crosslinking of aqueous binders (e.g., sodium alginate (SA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)) by reacting with an inorganic crosslinker (sodium metaborate hydrate (SMH)) upon vacuum drying. The resultant 3D interconnected networks endow the binders with strong adhesion and outstanding self‐healing capability, which effectively improve the electrode integrity by preventing fracturing and exfoliation during cycling and facilitate Li+ ion transfer. SiO anodes fabricated from the commercial microsized powders with the SA/0.2SMH binder maintain 1470 mAh g−1 of specific capacity at 100 mA g−1 after 200 cycles, which is 5 times higher than that fabricated with SA binder alone (293 mAh g−1). Nearly, no capacity loss was observed over 500 cycles when limiting discharge capacity at 1500 mAh g−1. The new binders also dramatically improved the performance of Fe2O3, Fe3O4, NiO, and Si electrodes, indicating the excellent applicability. This finding represents a novel strategy in developing high‐performance aqueous binders and improves the prospect of using high‐capacity anode materials in Li‐ion batteries.
Elemental Sulfur‐Promoted Synthesis of 4‐Hydroxybenzophenones from p‐Quinone Methides under Metal‐Free Condition
Authors: Li Jingping , Wang Kunpeng , Wu Jiayi , Zhang Haoxiang , Chen Yan , Liu Qinglei , Xu Junju , Yi Weiyin
Published: May 2022

Conventional methods for the general and efficient synthesis of 4‐hydroxybenzo‐ phenones are extremely underdeveloped and limited. We herein report a challenging metal‐free protocol to rapidly construct 4‐hydroxybenzophenones from para‐quinone methides (p‐QMs) in DMSO in the presence of KOH using the inexpensive and readily available elemental sulfur as redox reagent. As an unprecedented method, this simple but efficient approach has excellent site specificity, green sustainability, excellent atomic economy, and broad functional group compatibilities. Mechanistic studies show that the novel reaction proceeds through a radical pathway.
Development of High‐Performance UV Solidification All‐Solid‐State Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: He Jingshan , Wu Wenjun
Published: May 2022

All solidification is the only way for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) to achieve commercial application. At present, the intricate and expensive approaches such as vapor deposition used for DSSCs based on hole transport materials are unsuitable for the development of large‐scale all‐solid‐state devices. Herein, a new avenue for the evolution of all solid‐state DSSCs through dissolving the I−/I3− redox couple in commercial UV glue and then solidifying under UV light as electron transport materials is put forward. Not only does this device show superior stability (the power conversion efficiency (PCE) can be maintained more than 95% after 1000 h), but also an optimum PCE of 6.15% (short‐circuit photocurrent density = 11.93 mA cm−2, open‐circuit voltage = 683 mV, fill factor = 0.75) is obtained. It must be the best choice for the future development of all‐solid‐state DSSC device.
First‐principle calculations on Li2CuSb: A novel material for lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Shukla Ashutosh , Pandey Shail , Pandey Himanshu
Published: May 2022

We investigate the Li2CuSb full‐Heusler alloy using the first‐principles electronic structure calculations and propose the electrochemical lithiation in this alloy. Band structure calculations suggest the presence of metallic nature in this alloy contrary to half‐metallic nature as predicted for most of the members of the full‐Heusler alloy family. This alloy is found to be a promising anode material for high‐capacity rechargeable batteries based on lithium‐ion. We found a removal voltage of ≈ 2.48 V for lithium ions in the Li2CuSb/Cu cell, which is in good agreement with the experimentally obtained result for a similar kind of material Cu3Sb. During charge and discharge cycles of the Li2CuSb/Cu cell, the formation of a non‐stoichiometric compound (Li2−yCu1+xSb) having a similar structure as Li2CuSb suggests a better performance as well as stability of this cell.
Germline MUTYH mutations and high‐grade gliomas: Novel evidence for a potential association
Authors: Bedics Gábor , Kotmayer Lili , Zajta Erik , Hegyi Lajos László , Brückner Edit Ágota , Rajnai Hajnalka , Reiniger Lilla , Bödör Csaba , Garami Miklós , Scheich Bálint
Published: May 2022

There is growing body of evidence supporting the role of germline mutations in the pathogenesis of pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors, and the widespread use of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) panels facilitates their detection. Variants of the MUTYH gene are increasingly recognized as suspected germline background of various extraintestinal malignancies, besides their well‐characterized role in the polyposis syndrome associated with biallelic mutations. Using a multigene NGS panel (Illumina TruSight Oncology 500), we detected one H3 G34V‐ and one H3 K27M‐mutant pediatric high‐grade diffuse glioma, in association with c.1178G>A (p.G393D) and c.916C>T (p.R306C) MUTYH variants, respectively. Both MUTYH mutations were germline, heterozygous and inherited, according to the subsequent genetic testing of the patients and their first‐degree relatives. In the H3 K27M‐mutant glioma, amplifications affecting the 4q12 region were also detected, in association with KDR‐PDGFRA, KIT‐PDGFRA, and KDR‐CHIC2 fusions, previously unreported in this entity. Among 47 other CNS tumors of various histological types tested with the same NGS panel in our institution, only one adult glioblastoma harbored MUTYH mutation. Together with a single previous report, our data raises the possibility of an association between germline MUTYH mutations and CNS malignancies, particularly in pediatric histone H3‐mutant gliomas.
Neural representation of phonological information during Chinese character reading
Authors: Li Aqian , Yang Rui , Qu Jing , Dong Jie , Gu Lala , Mei Leilei
Published: May 2022

Previous studies have revealed that phonological processing of Chinese characters elicited activation in the left prefrontal cortex, bilateral parietal cortex, and occipitotemporal regions. However, it is controversial what role the left middle frontal gyrus plays in Chinese character reading, and whether the core regions (e.g., the left superior temporal gyrus and supramarginal gyrus) for phonological processing of alphabetic languages are also involved in Chinese character reading. To address these questions, the present study used both univariate and multivariate analysis (i.e., representational similarity analysis, RSA) to explore neural representations of phonological information during Chinese character reading. Participants were scanned while performing a reading aloud task. Univariate activation analysis revealed a widely distributed network for word reading, including the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, lateral temporal cortex, and occipitotemporal cortex. More importantly, RSA showed that the left prefrontal (i.e., the left middle frontal gyrus and left inferior frontal gyrus) and bilateral occipitotemporal areas (i.e., the left inferior and middle temporal gyrus and bilateral fusiform gyrus) represented phonological information of Chinese characters. These results confirmed the importance of the left middle frontal gyrus and regions in ventral pathway in representing phonological information of Chinese characters.
Neural similarity between mentalizing and live social interaction during the transition to adolescence
Authors: Merchant Junaid S. , Alkire Diana , Redcay Elizabeth
Published: May 2022

Social interactions are essential for human development, yet little neuroimaging research has examined their underlying neurocognitive mechanisms using socially interactive paradigms during childhood and adolescence. Recent neuroimaging research has revealed activity in the mentalizing network when children engage with a live social partner, even when mentalizing is not required. While this finding suggests that social‐interactive contexts may spontaneously engage mentalizing, it is not a direct test of how similarly the brain responds to these two contexts. The current study used representational similarity analysis on data from 8‐ to 14‐year‐olds who made mental and nonmental judgments about an abstract character and a live interaction partner during fMRI. A within‐subject, 2 (Mental/Nonmental) × 2 (Peer/Character) design enabled us to examine response pattern similarity between conditions, and estimate fit to three conceptual models of how the two contexts relate: (1) social interaction and mentalizing about an abstract character are represented similarly; (2) interactive peers and abstract characters are represented differently regardless of the evaluation type; and (3) mental and nonmental states are represented dissimilarly regardless of target. We found that the temporal poles represent mentalizing and peer interactions similarly (Model 1), suggesting a neurocognitive link between the two in these regions. Much of the rest of the social brain exhibits different representations of interactive peers and abstract characters (Model 2). Our findings highlight the importance of studying social‐cognitive processes using interactive approaches, and the utility of pattern‐based analyses for understanding how social‐cognitive processes relate to each other.
Assessing plasma circulating tumor human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in determining treatment response in HPV‐associated oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Zarrabi Kevin K. , Galloway Thomas J. , Flieder Douglas B. , Kumar Sameera S. , Judd Julia , Bauman Jessica R.
Published: May 2022

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV)‐mediated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is a subset of head and neck cancer with a unique mechanism of carcinogenesis. Local disease is treated definitively with a multimodal approach. Navigating recurrences can be challenging, as they are sometimes indiscernible from de novo primary malignancies. Identification of dynamic biomarkers that are specific to HPV‐mediated disease may assist in disease monitoring. We present a 78‐year‐old man who developed a squamous cell carcinoma in the lung 7 years after completing definitive chemoradiation for his p16+ head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

A novel assay for plasma circulating tumor HPV DNA was employed and provided a tool for longitudinal disease monitoring during therapy.

Conclusion

We bring attention to a novel assay and highlight its potential for use in the treatment paradigm of HPV‐mediated oropharyngeal carcinoma.
Oral eltrombopag versus subcutaneous recombinant human thrombopoietin for promoting platelet engraftment after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: A prospective, non‐inferiority, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wen Bingbing , Zhang Xiaohan , Chen Shiyu , Fan Jingchao , Yang Sitian , Cai Yun , Wang Pengcheng , Zhang Qiaoxia , Gu Qingli , Du Xin
Published: May 2022

Delayed platelet engraftment (DPE) is associated with poor survival and increased transplantation‐related mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). Therefore, treatments are needed to improve platelet engraftment and prevent DPE. We performed a phase three, non‐inferior, randomized controlled study of eltrombopag or recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) to promot platelet engraftment after allo‐HSCT. Candidates for allo‐HSCT were randomly assigned to receive oral eltrombopag (50 mg daily) or subcutaneous rhTPO (15000U daily) from the first‐day post‐transplantation. The primary endpoint was the cumulative numbers of platelet engraftment (platelet recovery ≥20 × 109/L, without transfusion, for seven consecutive days) on day 60 after transplantation. We performed intention‐to‐treat analyses with a non‐inferior margin of −15%. A total of 92 participants underwent randomization. 44 and 48 patients were randomized to the eltrombopag and rhTPO groups, respectively. The median duration of follow‐up was 360 days (range: 12–960 days). The cumulative incidence of platelet engraftment on day 60 after transplantation in eltrombopag group was 86.4% (38/44) compared with 85.4% (41/48) in the rhTPO group (absolute risk difference [ARD] 1%, one‐sided lower limit of 95% confidence interval [CI] −13.28%, Pnon‐inferirioty = 0.014). The rate of DPE in the eltrombopag group was 6.8% (3/44) compared with 12.5% (6/48) in the rhTPO group (ARD ‐5.7%, one‐sided higher limit of 95% CI 6.28%, Pnon‐inferirioty = 0.063). Approximately, three‐fourths of non‐hematologic adverse events were not observed in the eltrombopag group but three patients (3/48, 6%) experienecd them in the rhTPO group. In addition, platelet transfusions unite from day 0 to day 21, or from day 22 to day 60, progression‐free survival, overall survival were not significantly different between both groups. Eltrombopag was non‐inferior to rhTPO in promoting platelet engraftment post allo‐HSCT for patients with hematological malignancy. Oral eltrombopag was more convenient for patients than subcutaneous rhTPO (NCT03515096).
The role of water and energy use in expanding the boundaries of irrigated agriculture in the Berrechid plain of Morocco
Authors: Ouassissou Romaissa , Lacombe Guillaume , Kuper Marcel , Hammani Ali , El Amrani Mohamed
Published: May 2022

Despite the attention given to the water–energy–food nexus, there is little field evidence of how this plays out for irrigators. This article analyses the diversity of irrigation system configurations and their related water and energy use in semi‐arid Morocco, where groundwater‐fed and pressurized drip irrigation, although supposedly thrifty, is energy intensive. The analysis relying on hydraulic calculations and multiple linear regressions was based on interviews, observations and measurements on irrigation systems in 25 farms. The results show that each farmer used between one and three pumps and up to two storage reservoirs to pump groundwater from up to 120 m deep borehole(s) and transfer it along a distance often exceeding 2 km to reach available fertile lands that are rented. Such distances had little effect on the system‐wise energy consumption, varying between 4.62 and 4.88 kWh m−3, although the recycled car engines powering these irrigation systems were largely inefficient, consuming on average 2.5 kWh m−3. State subsidies encourage these water‐intensive and energy‐inefficient farming systems, increasing pressure on groundwater and land. These findings underline the importance of going beyond a strict nexus perspective, as expansion of the ‘groundwater economy’ is accompanied by conflicts over tenure and increasing inequalities in access to water that threaten the sustainability of irrigated agriculture.
Self‐compassion and depression in Chinese undergraduates with left‐behind experience: Mediation by emotion regulation and resilience
Authors: Yu Si , Zhang Chunyang , Xu Wei
Published: May 2022

Objectives

The protective role of self‐compassion in emerging adult depression has garnered empirical support. It makes more sense to understand the psychological processes underlying this relationship. Based on the stress appraisal patterns, the present study examined the mediating roles of emotion regulation (ER) and resilience in the link between self‐compassion and depression among college students with left‐behind experience (LBE).

Methods

A total of 391 LBE college students (Mage = 18.43 years; SD = 0.79 years) in Chongqing reported their demographic information and self‐compassion (the Self‐Compassion Scale) level at baseline (T1) and reported their levels of ER (the Emotion Regulation Scale), resilience (the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale), and depression (the Depression‐Anxiety‐Stress Scale) 3 months later (T2).

Results

The results revealed that (a) both ER (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) and resilience separately mediated the association between self‐compassion and depression; (b) cognitive reappraisal and resilience sequentially mediated this association.

Conclusions

These findings reveal the underlying mechanisms of the associations between self‐compassion and depression among LBE college students and have implications for interventions aimed at mitigating their depression.
Happiness of ex‐refugees in the Indonesia border after two decades of Timor Leste referendum
Authors: Kamsi  , Julianto Very
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to find out how happy the ex‐East Timor refugees who chose to become Indonesians after more than 20 years of the Timor Leste referendum were. Descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis were employed for investigating the responsible factors for their happiness level. An open survey method and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ) scale distribution were used in this study with 173 Indonesians who participated in the 1999 Timor Leste referendum. The results show that on a scale of 1 to 6 participants are in the second or third lowest levels of happiness. Five main factors determine the happiness of the refugees, including economic condition, recognition and appreciation from the Indonesian government, security, family, and education access. These research findings offer a deeper understanding of the ex‐refugee studies to obtain psychological well‐being rights in their country of choice.
Protective and risk social dimensions of emergency remote teaching during COVID‐19 pandemic: A multiple mediation study
Authors: Procentese Fortuna , Gatti Flora , Ceglie Emiliano
Published: May 2022

The changes in teaching due to COVID‐19‐related restraints generated distress among teachers, putting their job‐related efficacy and satisfaction at risk. This study deepens the community‐related protective and risk factors in teachers' experience. An online questionnaire detecting social distancing burnout, job‐related distress experience, efficacy and satisfaction, and Sense of Community (SoC) was administered to 307 Italian teachers. A multiple mediation model was tested with Structural Equation Modeling. Evidence showed that social distancing burnout could increase teachers' distress rates and, through them, impact their job‐related efficacy and satisfaction; however, its effects on the latter depended on the kind of distress mediating. Conversely, SoC could support their job‐related efficacy and satisfaction, yet no association with their distress rates emerged. The role of social distancing and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)‐related distress as the main threats for teachers stems, along with the one of job distress and the community of belonging as assets on which teachers relied.
Protein‐based metal bio‐cleaner for detoxification of wastewater
Authors: Sisila Valappil , Janeena Asuma , Prem Suresh , Mohandass Pachaiyappan , Narayanan Jayaraman , Easwaramoorthi Shanmugam , Ganesh Shanmugam , Kamini Numbi Ramudu , Ayyadurai Niraikulam
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Copper is an essential redox‐active transition metal accessible in the very least amount in healthy living cells. Exposure to heavy metals through contaminated soil, the food chain and drinking of contaminated groundwater affects cellular metabolism in the human body. Hence, developing innovative next‐generation approaches with a dual function such as efficient detection (sensor) and removal of heavy metals (Cu2+) in the environment is of paramount importance. Our study deals with an engineered biologically compatible green fluorescent protein (GFP) with metal‐binding amino acid (3‐aminotyrosine) for effective sensing and removal.

RESULTS

The fluorescent‐based sensing of congener protein (amGFP) with heavy metal Cu2+ was extensively explored through fluorescence, circular dichroism spectroscopic and computational simulation approaches. The amGFP exhibits a low dissociation constant value of 5.25 μmol L−1. In addition, the engineered congener protein was used as a bio‐cleaner to remove Cu2+ from environmental samples. The copper binding capacity of engineered protein (amGFP, 346.46 μg mL−1) showed a 1.6‐fold increase compared with native protein (GFP, 214 μg mL−1). GFP and amGFP immobilized on ethylenediamine‐functionalized granular activated carbon (FGAC) were applied to environmental samples; FGAC‐immobilized amGFP exhibited Cu2+ removal of about 85%, which was twofold higher than that of FGAC‐immobilized GFP.

CONCLUSIONS

The results prove that amGFP was able to bind more copper than native GFP. This is an early attempt to develop a genetically encoded fluorescent protein that could be used to effectively remove Cu2+ from wastewater. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Influence of Er:YAG laser irradiation settings on dentin‐adhesive interfacial ultramorphology and dentin bond strength
Authors: Vermelho Paulo Moreira , Freitas Patricia Moreira , Reis André Figueiredo , Giannini Marcelo
Published: May 2022

This study evaluated the effects of Erbium‐doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) laser settings and dentin bonding agents on ultramorphological characteristics of resin–laser–irradiated dentin interfaces and dentin bond strength (BS) of these adhesive systems. Additionally, dentin depth affected by Er:YAG laser irradiations was measured. The experiments were performed on occlusal dentin surfaces of third molars that were flattened with 600‐grit SiC sandpaper. Treated‐dentin with laser settings (250 mJ/4 Hz and 160 mJ/10 Hz) were the experimental groups, while SiC abraded dentin was the control. These three dentin treatments and three adhesives (two self‐etchings and one etch‐&‐rinse adhesive) formed nine groups for the ultramorphology of laser‐ablated dentin‐adhesives interfacial analysis, using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). For BS (n = 8), the same nine groups were tested with addition of the two evaluation times (24 h after sample preparation or 1 year). The depths of Er:YAG laser effects into the dentin were measured using a TEM (n = 10). Ablated‐dentin depth and BS data were analyzed by one‐ and three‐way ANOVA, respectively, and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Hybrid layer formation was only observed for controls, while for laser‐treated dentin, adhesives were bonded to dentin with resin tags formation. Laser settings reduced the BS for all adhesives at 24 h, while at 1 year, etch‐&‐rinse adhesive presented the highest BS, regardless treatment (control or laser settings). Dentin depth affected by laser settings was similar. The laser irradiation altered the bonding mechanism of the adhesives to dentin and reduced the BS for self‐etching adhesives. Etch‐&‐rinse adhesive yielded the highest BS at 1 year. Laser settings similarly affected the dentin in depth.

Highlights

Er:YAG laser irradiation settings produced similar effects on depth and bond strength to dentin. The etch‐&‐rinse adhesive yielded the highest dentin bond strength regardless of the type of dentin treatment at 1 year.
Nonspecific ileitis: Impact of histopathology and gastrointestinal ultrasound in achieving the diagnosis of Crohn's disease
Authors: Smith Rebecca L , Taylor Kirstin M , Friedman Antony B , Majeed Ammar , Perera Natalie , Gibson Peter R
Published: May 2022

Background and Aim

Nonspecific ileitis is inflammation of the ileum without specific diagnostic features. A minority may go on to develop Crohn's disease, but optimal pathways of further investigation have not been established. This study aimed to identify a cohort of patients with nonspecific ileitis and to determine the value of ileal histology and gastrointestinal ultrasound in identifying/excluding Crohn's disease.

Patients and Methods

In a retrospective analysis, all patients having nonspecific ileitis at colonoscopy from January 2010 to August 2021 were identified. Clinical associations with those subsequently diagnosed with Crohn's disease were examined with specific reference to ileal histology and gastrointestinal ultrasound.

Results

Of 29 638 procedures, 147 patients (0.5%) had nonspecific ileitis. Crohn's disease was subsequently diagnosed in 8 patients (5.4%) at a median of 148 (range 27–603) days after colonoscopy. The presence of chronic inflammation on ileal biopsies was more common in those subsequently diagnosed with Crohn's disease (63% vs 20%; P = 0.0145). On gastrointestinal ultrasound, none of the 26 patients with normal bowel wall thickness (<3 mm) were subsequently diagnosed with Crohn's disease, and repeat ultrasound in 15 patients 1 year later showed no change. Of the nine patients with abnormal sonographic findings, three were diagnostic for Crohn's disease. Repeat ultrasound revealed Crohn's disease in two, while four had resolution of the abnormal findings.

Conclusion

Although ileal histology was of limited value in identifying patients with nonspecific ileitis who were subsequently diagnosed with Crohn's disease, gastrointestinal ultrasound was highly informative. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the value of gastrointestinal ultrasound as a diagnostic and monitoring tool in this setting.
Efficacy and safety of direct‐acting antiviral therapies and baseline predictors for treatment outcomes in hepatitis C patients: A multicenter, real‐world study in Guangdong, China
Authors: Xie Zhiwei , Deng Kai , Xia Yang , Zhang Chunlan , Xu Min , Li Feng , Liu Jinfeng , Zhou Yuanping , Chen Xiaoping , Chen Xuefu , Yan Qin , Huang Jing , Chen Wenli , Wu Shuduo , Bai Honglian , Li Jianping , Guan Yujuan
Published: May 2022

The data on direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients in southern China with multiple genotypes circulating are limited. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DAA regimens among CHC patients in Guangdong, China. A total of 220 patients receiving a variety of DAA were enrolled. The primary outcome was sustained virologic response (SVR) at 12 weeks. Resistance associated substitutions (RASs) were evaluated by deep sequencing. The overall SVR rate was 96.4%, and was 97.7% for genotype 1, 100% for genotype 2, 91.9% for genotype 3, 95.7% for genotype 6, and 100% for untyped. The overall incidence of adverse events (AEs) was 8.2% (18/220) and all the AEs were mild. Nonstructural proteins 5A RAS, 30K/31M, and Y93H were most prevalent at baseline and the end of treatment in non‐SVR patients, respectively. Logistics regression showed that elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) at baseline were specifically associated with non‐SVR in patients with genotype 3 and 6 infections (p = 0.029 and p = 0.017) but not genotype 1 infection (p = 0.746 and p = 0.971), and baseline AST was the best predictor for SVR in genotypes 3 and 6 patients (area under curve = 0.890). Our studies demonstrated all DAA regimens achieved ideal SVR and were well tolerated. NS5A RAS were prevalent in non‐SVR patients. Elevated ALT and AST as baseline predictors for non‐SVR in genotypes 3 and 6 infections warrant further research in a larger cohort.
Evidence‐based counseling for African‐American parents: A contextual humanistic perspective
Authors: Adkison‐Johnson Carla , Terpstra Jeffrey
Published: May 2022

Parent training programs have been deemed the gold standard for addressing child misbehavior in families. Recent investigations on parent education have placed an emphasis on developing culturally responsive programming in which evidence‐based parenting interventions are adopted to focus on racial, ethnic, and cultural issues. The purpose of this article is to examine the impact of group counseling sessions, as measured from pre‐ to postintervention, on how African‐American parents respond to adolescent misbehavior. The results provide evidence that group counseling does have an overall effect on the intensity of disciplinary practices among African‐American parents. Irrespective of the child's age, the effect appears to be more prevalent in cases of mild misbehavior than those of severe misbehavior. Implications for culturally responsive counseling practice are also discussed.
The role of communication style in adaptation to interorganizational project disruptions
Authors: Oliveira Nuno , Argyres Nicholas , Lumineau Fabrice
Published: May 2022

Interorganizational projects often suffer disruptions that require participating organizations to adapt in order to restore project operations. We study the role of communication style in facilitating adaptation to such disruptions. Whereas the literature on interorganizational communication has emphasized communication mode and frequency, we study the content and features of written communication in seven U.K. construction projects. Communication style mattered for adaptation quality in these projects, and we found that several properties of communication style were particularly important for adaptation: cost and information orientation, as well as informality, precision and authenticity. Moreover, managerial slack and organizational reputation were important precursors of communication style. These results provide novel insights into the role of communication style in adaptation to interorganizational project disruptions. We discuss the implications of these insights for research on interorganizational projects in operations and supply chain management.
Effect of potassium salts on the structure of γ‐cyclodextrin MOF and the encapsulation properties with thymol
Authors: Pan Xiaodan , Junejo Shahid Ahmed , Tan Chin Ping , Zhang Bin , Fu Xiong , Huang Qiang
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Thymol is a natural essential oil with strong volatility, low solubility, poor dispersion, strong irritation, and an unpleasant smell, which often requires appropriate porous materials to encapsulate thymol during the application process. However, the encapsulation efficiency of thymol in inclusion complexes is low, and new methods of encapsulation need to be developed. In the present study, the encapsulation capacity, storage stability, and antibacterial activity of thymol were investigated using γ‐cyclodextrin (γ‐CD) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) by cocrystallization and high‐temperature adsorption methods. The effect of different potassium salts (i.e. KOH, KCl, and KAc) on the structure and complexation of γ‐CD‐MOFs was also analyzed.

RESULTS

Compared with γ‐CD, the thymol encapsulation capacity of γ‐CD‐MOFs was increased by two‐ to three‐fold, with the encapsulation content following the order: KAc‐γ‐CD‐MOF (293.8 mg g–1) > KOH‐γ‐CD‐MOF (287.7 mg g–1) > KCl‐γ‐CD‐MOF (249.3 mg g–1). The anions in the solution participate in the coordination and influence the symmetry relationship between atoms and ions. This explains the differences in both the three‐dimensional γ‐CD‐MOF structure and the thymol encapsulation amount, as well as the high storage stability of thymol.

CONCLUSION

The in vitro release kinetics and antibacterial experiments showed that the inclusion complexes prepared by γ‐CD‐MOFs had higher stability, sustainability, and antibacterial activity, which suggests that it is an excellent complex material for industrial and agricultural applications. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Correlation of Levator‐Muller's Complex Thickness on Ultrasound Biomicroscopy to Botulinum Toxin A Injection in Thyroid‐Related Upper Eyelid Retraction
Authors: Kandasamy Sindhuja , Agrawal Sahil , Pushker Neelam , Meel Rachna , Bajaj Mandeep S. , Thirumurthy Velpandian , Jyotsna Viveka P.
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To study the thickness of levator palpebra superioris‐Muller's muscle complex (LMC) on ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and to correlate with the clinical response to botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection in patients with inactive‐stage of thyroid‐related upper eyelid retraction (UER). We also studied the correlation of clinical parameters, preinjection with postinjection values.

Methods

This was a prospective, interventional study. Patients with thyroid‐related UER who underwent subconjunctival injection of BTA were recruited. Demographic data and clinical details were evaluated. UBM (50 MHz) was done to measure the thickness of LMC. Patient's satisfaction was graded at each follow‐up. Follow‐up was done at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months' time intervals.

Results

A total of 13 patients were recruited and 26 eyes were divided into two groups; group 1 included eyes with UER (n = 17), and group 2 included eyes without UER (n = 9). There was a statistically significant reduction in margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1) after BTA injection at 1‐week, 1‐month, and 3‐months follow‐up with maximum reduction at 1 month. The mean LMC thickness of 26 eyes was 0.96 mm which was found to be significantly more than normal controls. On comparison of mean LMC thickness with the amount of UER and reduction in MRD1, we did not find a significant difference.

Conclusions

Patients with TED have significantly thicker LMC on UBM than controls. Further studies are needed with a larger sample size on the correlation of UBM features of levator aponeurosis with response to BTA injection.
Coyote and porcupine spread Russian olive seeds through endozoochory
Authors: Campbell Joshua W. , West Natalie M.
Published: May 2022

Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is an invasive tree that has spread throughout much of the western United States. The mode of seed dispersal occurs by hydrochory and possibly by birds. Seed dispersal by frugivorous mammals has not been investigated. Between 15 October and 4 November 2020, we walked through Russian olive windbreaks in western North Dakota, USA, and surveyed for mammal scat, and found 10 coyote (Canis latrans) and 54 porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) scats that contained intact Russian olive seeds. We subsequently evaluated the viability, germination frequency, and time to germination of seeds ingested by coyote and porcupine relative to un‐ingested control seeds harvested from trees at sites where we collected scat. Overall, Russian olive seeds that passed through mammal intestinal tracts had similar viability and equivalent (porcupine) or higher (coyote) germination frequency compared to controls. Additionally, coyote‐ingested seeds germinated earlier (time to germination was low) than controls, but porcupine‐ingested seeds were similar to controls. Thus, our data supports the idea that mammals may be agents of regional Russian olive seed dispersal.
Factors Impacting Discharge Destination Following Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction
Authors: Sweeny Larissa , Slijepcevic Allison , Curry Joseph M. , Philips Ramez , Bonaventure Caroline A. , DiLeo Michael , Luginbuhl Adam J. , Crawley Meghan B. , Guice Kelsie M. , McCreary Eleanor , Buncke Michelle , Petrisor Daniel , Wax Mark K.
Published: May 2022

Objective

Determine which variables impact postoperative discharge destination following head and neck microvascular free flap reconstruction.

Study Design

Retrospective review of prospectively collected databases.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing head and neck microvascular free flap reconstruction between January 2010 and December 2019 (n = 1972) were included. Preoperative, operative and postoperative variables were correlated with discharge destination (home, skilled nursing facility [SNF], rehabilitation facility, death).

Results

The mean age of patients discharged home was lower (60 SD ± 13, n = 1450) compared to those discharged to an SNF (68 SD ± 14, n = 168) or a rehabilitation facility (71 SD ± 14, n = 200; p < 0.0001). Operative duration greater than 10 h correlated with a higher percentage of patients being discharged to a rehabilitation or SNF (25% vs. 15%; p < 0.001). Patients were less likely to be discharged home if they had a known history of cardiac disease (71% vs. 82%; p < 0.0001). Patients were less likely to be discharged home if they experienced alcohol withdrawal (67% vs. 80%; p = 0.006), thromboembolism (59% vs. 80%; p = 0.001), a pulmonary complication (46% vs. 81%; p < 0.0001), a cardiac complication (46% vs. 80%; p < 0.0001), or a cerebral vascular event (25% vs. 80%; p < 0.0001). There was no correlation between discharge destination and occurrence of postoperative wound infection, salivary fistula, partial tissue necrosis or free flap failure. Thirty‐day readmission rates were similar when stratified by discharge destination.

Conclusion

There was no correlation with the anatomic site, free flap donor selection, or free flap survival and discharge destination. Patient age, operative duration and occurrence of a medical complication postoperatively did correlate with discharge destination.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 133:95–104, 2023
Incidence of Persistent Tracheocutaneous Fistula After Pediatric Tracheostomy Decannulation
Authors: Teplitzky Taylor B. , Kou Yann‐Fuu , Beams Dylan R. , Johnson Romaine F. , Chorney Stephen R.
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To determine the incidence of tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) and identify characteristics associated with persistence.

Study Design

Prospective cohort.

Methods

All successfully decannulated children (<18 years) between 2014 and 2020 at a tertiary children's hospital were included. Revision tracheostomies, concomitant major neck surgery, or single‐stage laryngotracheal reconstructions were excluded. A persistent TCF was defined as a patent fistula at 6 weeks after decannulation.

Results

A total of 77 children met inclusion criteria with a persistent TCF incidence of 65% (50/77). Children with a persistent TCF were younger at placement (1.4 years (SD: 3.3) vs. 8.5 years (SD: 6.5), p < 0.001) and tracheostomy‐dependent longer (2.8 years (SD: 1.3) vs. 0.9 years (SD: 0.7), p < 0.001). On univariate analysis, placement under 12 months of age (86% vs. 26% p < 0.001), duration of tracheostomy more than 2 years (76% vs. 11% p < 0.001), short gestation (64% vs. 26%, p = 0.002), congenital malformations (64% vs. 33%, p = 0.02), newborn complications (58% vs. 26%, p = 0.009), maternal complications (40% vs. 11%, p = 0.009) and chronic respiratory failure (72% vs. 41%, p = 0.01) were associated with persistent TCF. Logistic regression analysis associated duration of tracheostomy (OR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.05–0.35, p < 0.001) and congenital malformations (OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.06–0.99, p = 0.049) with failure to spontaneously close.

Conclusions

Two‐thirds of children will develop a persistent TCF after tracheostomy decannulation. Persistent TCF is correlated with a longer duration of tracheostomy and congenital malformations. Anticipation of this event in higher‐risk children is necessary when caring for pediatric tracheostomy patients.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 133:417–422, 2023
Association of APACHE‐II Scores With 30‐Day Mortality After Tracheostomy: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Marget Matthew J. , Dunn Raven , Morgan Christie L.
Published: May 2022

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess whether the Acute Physiology, Age, Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE‐II) score is a reliable predictor of 30‐day mortality in the setting of adult patients with ventilator‐dependent respiratory failure (VDRF) who undergo tracheostomy.

Methods

This is a retrospective, single‐institution study. Potential subjects were identified using the current procedural terminology codes for the tracheostomy procedure and International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, codes for VDRF. APACHE‐II scores were retrospectively calculated. Tracheostomies were performed in our population over an 18‐month period (November 2018 through April 2020). Our study population did not include patients with novel coronavirus. The primary outcome was mortality at 30 days after tracheostomy.

Results

A total of 238 patients with VDRF who had a tracheostomy were included in this study. Twenty‐eight (11.8%) patients died within 30 days of tracheostomy. The mean (standard deviation) APACHE‐II score was 22.5 (10.2) for patients who died within 30 days of tracheostomy and 19.8 (7.4) for patients living within 30 days of tracheostomy (p = 0.30). Patients with APACHE‐II scores greater than or equal to 30 showed higher odds of death within 30 days of tracheostomy (odds ratio, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.14–7.89, p = 0.03).

Conclusion

An APACHE‐II score of 30 and above is associated with mortality within 30 days of tracheostomy in patients with VDRF. APACHE‐II scores may be a promising tool for assessing risk of mortality in patients with VDRF after tracheostomy.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 133:273–278, 2023
Interpreting consequences of inadequate sampling of oceanic motions
Authors: Wang Chuanyin , Liu Zhiyu , Lin Hongyang
Published: May 2022

Inadequate sampling of oceanic motions, which commonly occurs for both oceanic measurements and simulations, can cause peculiar spectral features and potentially leads to misinterpretations. Here, we combine an extremely high‐frequency moored velocity record and a high‐resolution numerical simulation with the basic signal‐processing theory to quantitatively explore how varying sampling rates affect the ability to represent oceanic motions, especially internal gravity waves (IGWs). The moored measurements and simulations demonstrate that hourly sampling is sufficient to capture horizontal internal tidal velocities, but inadequate to faithfully characterize the vertical velocity for nearly all frequencies. The daily‐sampled model simulation shows a complicated frequency‐wavenumber spectral pattern of IGWs. Due to contrasting periodicities in time and space, temporal subsampling tends to retain the total variance of original IGWs, while spatial subsampling directly induces spectral energy loss. This study sheds light on data applications of the upcoming satellite altimetry missions.
Pediatric acute liver failure: Reexamining key clinical features, current management, and research prospects
Authors: Ascher Bartlett Johanna M. , Yanni George , Kwon Yong , Emamaullee Juliet
Published: May 2022

This review aims to synthesize the most updated research, outcomes, and trends in the field of pediatric liver transplantation (LT), specifically focusing on children who have suffered from acute liver failure. Pediatric acute liver failure is a dynamic, life‐threatening condition that can either self‐resolve or lead to death. LT is a lifesaving intervention. With the introduction of technical variant grafts and recent immunosuppression modifications, overall patient survival, graft survival, and waitlist mortality have improved. Furthermore, recent advances in the knowledge of immunologic mediators of acute liver failure offer the possibility of more detailed understanding of the pathophysiology and new areas for research. Given the success of living donor LT for pediatric patients with acute liver failure, this option should continue to be actively considered as an alternative treatment option for patients who are listed for transplantation and are managed at a multidisciplinary tertiary care transplant center.
Factors associated with improved patient and graft survival beyond 1 year in pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Squires James E. , Bilhartz Jacob , Soltys Kyle , Hafberg Einar , Mazariegos George V. , Gupta Nitika A. , Anand Ravinder , Anderson Sarah G. , Miloh Tamir ,   for the Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation
Published: May 2022

With advances in surgical techniques, medical management, and more equitable allocation systems, children who receive a liver transplantation (LT) today can expect remarkable outcomes early after LT. However, beyond 1 year after transplant, attrition rates have not improved. We reviewed two separate eras (Era 1: January 1995–June 2004 vs. Era 2: July 2004–March 2018) of the Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation registry to explore the evolution and associated factors contributing to late graft loss (LGL) and late mortality (LM). The fraction of long‐term pediatric LT recipients surviving after 1 year with their first graft significantly improved (81.5% in Era 1 vs. 85.7% in Era 2; p < 0.0001). This improvement occurred despite significant changes in patient selection toward higher risk populations (p < 0.001) and without notable improvement in perioperative complications such as hepatic artery thrombosis (p = 0.24) and early posttransplant reoperation (p = 0.94) that have historically contributed to poor late‐allograft outcomes. Improved outcomes were associated with changes in patient characteristics and perioperative practices, which subsequently impacted both early post‐LT complications as well as other sequalae known to contribute to adverse events in long‐term pediatric LT recipients. In conclusion, despite significant changes in patient selection toward higher risk populations, and without notable improvement in several perioperative complications known to contribute to poor late‐allograft outcomes, significant improvements in LGL and a trend toward improvement in LM was seen in a more contemporary cohort of children receiving an LT.
Fintech and corporate green technology innovation: Impacts and mechanisms
Authors: Xue Qihang , Bai Caiquan , Xiao Weiwei
Published: May 2022

This paper uses the number of green patents granted of listed companies and the number of fintech companies in prefecture‐level cities in China from 2011 to 2018 to investigate the impact of fintech development on corporate green technology innovation and its mechanisms. We find that fintech can significantly promote corporate green technology innovation. Specifically, the promotion effect of fintech works through three channels: alleviating financing constraints, gathering scientific and technological talents, and optimizing environmental regulations. Heterogeneity tests find that its promotion effect is more significant for the eastern region, invention patents, state‐owned enterprises, and low environmental uncertainty.
Board systems, employee representation, and neo‐institutional theory: The moderating effect of economic freedom on corporate boards and financial performance
Authors: Sayari Naz , Marcum Bill
Published: May 2022

This study assesses the relative financial performance of firms operating in an environment in which economic freedom is protected by effective institutions. To do this, we examine the moderating effect of economic freedom on the relationship between board structure and financial performance. Using longitudinal data across 30 European countries, we find that firms with a one‐tier board consistently outperform those with a two‐tier board, but the relative underperformance of two‐tier boards is partially mitigated by the inclusion of employee representatives. The positive influence of employee representatives on the performance of firms with two‐tier boards is bolstered by greater economic freedom.