bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison Between Lung Ultrasound and Computed Tomographic Findings in Patients With COVID‐19 Pneumonia
Authors: Lopes Agnaldo José , Mafort Thiago Thomaz , da Costa Cláudia Henrique , Rufino Rogério , de Cássia Firmida Mônica , Kirk Kennedy Martins , Cobo Carolina Gianella , da Costa Hanna da Silva Bessa , da Cruz Carlos Miguel Brum Queiroz , Mogami Roberto
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe findings from lung ultrasound (LUS) and computed tomography (CT) in health professionals with coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia and to evaluate the associations of the findings of both tests.

Methods

This cross‐sectional observational study evaluated 45 health professionals who were initially seen in screening tents and had a diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 as confirmed by a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and lung involvement diagnosed by LUS. Subsequently, these individuals were admitted to the hospital, where chest CT was performed. Aeration scores were obtained for the LUS examinations based on the following findings: more than 2 B‐lines, coalescent B‐lines, and subpleural consolidations. A subjective assessment of the extent of lung disease on CT was performed on the basis of the percentage of lung parenchyma involvement as follows: 25% or less, 25% to 50%, and greater than 50%.

Results

Regarding LUS signs, more than 2 B‐lines, coalescent B‐lines, and subpleural consolidations were present in 73.3%, 68.2%, and 24.4% of cases, respectively. The main findings on CT were ground glass opacities, a crazy‐paving pattern, and consolidations (66.7%, 20%, and 20% of cases); 17.8% of cases had examinations without abnormalities. Patients with more than 2 B‐lines on LUS had more ground glass opacity areas on CT (P = .0007), whereas patients with subpleural consolidations on LUS had more consolidations on CT (P < .0001). In addition, patients with higher LUS aeration scores had more extensive disease on CT (P < .0001).

Conclusions

Lung ultrasound can detect lung injury even in the presence of normal CT results. There are associations between the abnormalities detected by both methods, and a relationship also exists between LUS aeration scores and the disease extent on CT.
Long‐term treatment outcome of type 1 thyroplasty using novel titanium medialization laryngoplasty implant combined with arytenoid adduction for unilateral vocal cord paralysis: single‐arm interventional study at a single institution
Authors: Sano Daisuke , Matsushima Koji , Isono Yasuhiro , Ikui Yukiko , Kinutani Yuri , Chiba Yoshihiro , Hirose Hajime , Oridate Nobuhiko
Published: September 2020

Objective

To evaluate the long‐term treatment outcome of type 1 thyroplasty with novel rearrangeable titanium medialization laryngoplasty implant (TMLI) combined with arytenoid adduction (AA) for unilateral vocal cord paralysis (UVFP) in the authors' institution.

Methods

A total of 16 Japanese patients with UVFP who received type 1 thyroplasty using TMLI with arytenoid adduction was enrolled in this single‐arm, non‐randomized interventional study. The results of the auditory perceptual assessment, aerodynamic examination, acoustic measurement, and patient‐based survey on these patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Results

Type 1 thyroplasty using TMLI with arytenoid adduction for our patient series presented significant improvements in maximum phonation time, mean flow rates, GRBAS scale, the Voice Handicap Index and the Voice‐Related Quality of Life score over the 12‐month postoperative period.

Conclusion

Type 1 thyroplasty using TMLI with arytenoid adduction was quite effective for obtaining satisfactory postoperative voice improvement without any surgical complication over the long‐term period.
The Effect of Photobiomodulation on Nitrite and Inflammatory Activity in Radiotherapy‐Induced Oral Mucositis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Martins Allisson F. L. , Morais Marília O. , Sousa‐Neto Sebastião S. , Oton‐Leite Angélica F. , Pereira Carlos H. , Valadares Marize C. , Freitas Nilceana M. A. , Batista Aline C. , Leles Cláudio R. , Mendonça Elismauro F.
Published: September 2020

Background and Objectives

To investigate pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines and nitrite salivary levels in patients with head and neck cancer receiving photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) associated with a Preventive Oral Care Program (POCP), for prevention and control of oral mucositis (OM) during radiotherapy (RT) associated or not with chemotherapy protocol.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

In this randomized double‐blinded clinical trial, 48 patients were randomly assigned to two groups: PBMT (n = 25) and Control (n = 23). In the PBMT group, patients were submitted to PBMT associated with the POCP. In the Control group, patients were submitted only to the POCP. Saliva samples were collected in the 1st (baseline), 7th, 14th, 21st, and 30th sessions of RT, and the levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐12p70, IL‐1β, and tumoral necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were measured using the cytometric bead array. Nitrite levels were measured by colorimetric method. OM was assessed using the World Health Organization and the National Cancer Institute scales.

Results

Patients in the PBMT group presented less severe OM. PBMT tended to stabilize nitrite concentration levels during the RT regimen. The IL‐1β concentration was associated with higher OM scores. PBMT promoted an increase in IL‐12p70, TNF‐α, and IL‐10 concentration.

Conclusion

PBMT was effective in the prevention and control of severe OM, and its mechanism of action may be related to a better balance of inflammatory response that may favor injury control. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Design of a Bio‐Based Device for Micro Total Analysis Combining Fused Deposition Modeling and Layer‐by‐Layer Technologies
Authors: de León Alberto S. , de Frutos Raquel M. , Molina Sergio I.
Published: September 2020

In this paper a methodology is presented to fabricate a micropatterned device made of bio‐based polymers (polylactic acid, sodium alginate (ALG), and chitosan (CHI)) suitable for micro total analysis. Fused deposition modeling and layer‐by‐layer technologies are combined to create tailorable devices with submillimetric controlled well size that can be rapidly prepared in house. As proof of concept, the influence of immobilization of ALG/CHI bilayers in the selective adsorption of alkaline phosphatase and its activity is studied. Due to the noncovalent nature of these interactions, it is proven that these devices can be reused for at least three times, contributing to generate less waste. It is foreseen that the combination of these fast and inexpensive technologies will lead to new setups for laboratory and clinical assays such as high‐throughput screening where controlled immobilization of enzymes, peptides, or other valuable biomolecules needs to be used.
What kind of donor are you? Uncovering complexity in donor identity
Authors: Bove Liliana , Chmielewski Danielle , Neville Benjamin A. , Lei Jing , Nagpal Anish
Published: September 2020

Identity is a useful lens to understand donation behavior. However, studies have typically conceptualized and examined donor identity as a generic, unidimensional concept. Through in‐depth interviews with 52 blood donors, this study sets out to discover if there is more complexity to donor identity, and what implications this might have for marketing communications, in the context of donation of the self (e.g., blood, organs, time, and effort). We use sentiment polarity and amplification analysis of inductive themes to uncover distinct patterns reflective of four different donor identities. We label these the Savior, Communitarian, Pragmatist, and Elitist, which are underpinned by theories of gift‐giving, sharing, pragmatism, and signaling, respectively. The typology offers a theory‐building mechanism to anticipate the effects of marketing stimuli on donation behavior. We conclude by presenting four theoretical propositions, for which we provide preliminary empirical evidence. The survey data is suggestive of action readiness for donation behavior when a marketing communication message is aligned with its intended donor identity.
Photopatternable and Rewritable Epoxy‐Anhydride Vitrimers
Authors: Giebler Michael , Alabiso Walter , Wieser Viktoria , Radl Simone , Schlögl Sandra
Published: September 2020

The present work highlights a new approach to write, erase, and rewrite micropatterns into the same region of covalent adaptable polymer networks. Thermal curing of an epoxy‐terminated o‐nitrobenzyl ester (o‐NBE) derivative with hexahydrophthalic anhydride in the presence of 1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene yields a dynamic covalent network, whose solubility is locally controlled by irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light. The photolysis of the o‐NBE chromophores enables a well‐defined cleavage of the epoxy‐anhydride network, and the formation of soluble photolysis products is confirmed by sol‐gel analysis. The photo‐induced change in solubility is exploited to inscribe micropatterns by photolithographic techniques and after development in an organic solvent positive tone structures with a feature size of 20 µm are obtained. Due to the thermo‐activated exchange reactions of the hydroxyl ester links and the related macroscopic reflow, the polymer patterns are fully erased at temperatures well above the topological freezing transition of the vitrimer network. The regenerated film has a smooth surface topology and can be reused to inscribe new micropatterns via mask lithography.
Chorea in IgLON5‐Mediated Autoimmune Encephalitis
Authors: Aslam Sana , Shill Holly
Published: September 2020

View Supplementary Video 1
Dopamine Transporter Deficiency Syndrome: A Case with Hyper‐ and Hypokinetic Extremes
Authors: Nasehi Mohammad M. , Nikkhah Ali , Salari Mehri , Soltani Pegah , Shirzadi Saeed
Published: September 2020

View Supplementary Video 1

View Supplementary Video 2
Comparing outcomes between stacked/conjoined and non‐stacked/conjoined abdominal microvascular unilateral breast reconstruction
Authors: Salibian Ara A. , Bekisz Jonathan M. , Frey Jordan D. , Nolan Ian T. , Kaoutzanis Christodoulos , Yu Jason W. , Levine Jamie P. , Karp Nolan S. , Choi Mihye , Thanik Vishal D.
Published: September 2020

Background

Stacked and conjoined free flaps are increasingly utilized in autologous breast reconstruction to augment tissue transfer volume. However, there is a paucity of comparative data on abdominally‐based stacked/conjoined versus non‐stacked/conjoined flaps. The purpose of this study was to compare ability to match native breast size, complications, recovery, and symmetrizing procedures between these two cohorts in unilateral breast reconstruction.

Methods

A retrospective review of all stacked (two separate hemiabdominal)/conjoined (bipedicled full abdominal) flaps and non‐stacked/conjoined (unipedicled hemiabdominal) flaps in unilateral abdominally‐based autologous breast reconstructions was performed from 2011 to 2018. Variables including demographics, operative characteristics, complications, and revisions were compared in 36 stacked/conjoined patients versus 146 non‐stacked/conjoined patients.

Results

The stacked/conjoined cohort had more DIEP flaps (91.7 vs. 65.1%) and the non‐stacked/conjoined group more MS‐TRAMs (34.2 vs. 6.9%, p = .000). Additionally, non‐stacked/conjoined flaps had greater utilization of combined medial and lateral row perforators (p = .000). Mean flap weight was significantly higher than mastectomy weight in stacked/conjoined flaps (+110.7 g) when compared to non‐stacked/conjoined flaps (−40.2) (p = .023).

Average follow‐up was 54.7 ± 27.5 and 54.6 ± 29.3 months, respectively. Stacked/conjoined flaps had lower fat necrosis rates (8.3 vs. 25.4%, p = .039) and had a decreased risk of fat necrosis on multivariable regression analysis (OR 0.278, p = 0.045). There were otherwise no differences in flap, breast, or donor‐site complications. Stacked/conjoined flaps also had a lower rate of contralateral breast reduction (p = .041).

Conclusion

Stacked/conjoined flaps were associated with a lower risk of fat necrosis compared with non‐stacked/conjoined flaps and had a lower rate of contralateral symmetrizing reductions in patients undergoing unilateral abdominally‐based breast reconstruction.
On the periodic solutions of third‐order neutral differential equation
Authors: Biçer Emel
Published: September 2020

Using Krasnoselskii's fixed‐point theorem, we obtain some results for the existence of periodic solutions to the third‐order neutral differential equations with delay. The results obtained essentially improve, include, and complement the results in the literature.
A randomized generalized low rank approximations of matrices algorithm for high dimensionality reduction and image compression
Authors: Li Ke , Wu Gang
Published: September 2020

High‐dimensionality reduction techniques are very important tools in machine learning and data mining. The method of generalized low rank approximations of matrices (GLRAM) is a popular technique for dimensionality reduction and image compression. However, it suffers from heavily computational overhead in practice, especially for data with high dimension. In order to reduce the cost of this algorithm, we propose a randomized GLRAM algorithm based on randomized singular value decomposition (RSVD). The theoretical contribution of our work is threefold. First, we discuss the decaying property of singular values of the matrices during iterations of the GLRAM algorithm, and provide a target rank required in the RSVD process from a theoretical point of view. Second, we establish the relationship between the reconstruction errors generated by the standard GLRAM algorithm and the randomized GLRAM algorithm. It is shown that the reconstruction errors generated by the former and the latter are comparable, even if the solutions are computed inaccurately during iterations. Third, the convergence of the randomized GLRAM algorithm is investigated. Numerical experiments on some real‐world data sets illustrate the superiority of our proposed algorithm over its original counterpart and some state‐of‐the‐art GLRAM‐type algorithms.
Personality traits and job exploration among Latino business students: An exploratory investigation
Authors: Sui Lu , Qin Hong , Ned John , Sun Lijuan
Published: September 2020

We examine the role of the Big Five personality traits in the job exploration process of Latino undergraduate business students to ascertain the personality traits and socio‐cognitive variables that lead to greater success of students in their job searches. We find that personalities such as extraversion and conscientiousness are positively associated with career self‐efficacy, career expectations, and interests in both academic and professional skills, which in turn positively influence job exploration behaviors. Additionally, we find that personalities such as agreeableness and neuroticism have a negative influence on career exploration behaviors. Our findings provide Latino business students with college vocational guidance that can help enhance their career confidence, job beliefs, and career interests in the job‐seeking process.
Effect of antibiotics in preventing hospitalizations from respiratory tract infections in children with Down syndrome
Authors: Manikam Logan , Lakhanpaul Monica , Schilder Anne G. M. , Littlejohns Peter , Cupp Meghan A. , Alexander Emma C. , Hayward Andrew
Published: September 2020

Background

Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) due to anatomical variations, comorbidities, and immune system immaturity. Evidence on interventions to reduce this risk is incomplete. This study aims to quantify the effect of antibiotics prescribed for RTIs in primary care on the subsequent risk of RTI‐related hospitalization for children with DS versus controls.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 992 children with DS and 4874 controls managed by UK National Health Service General Practitioners (GPs) and hospitals as identified in CALIBER (Clinical disease research using LInked Bespoke studies and Electronic health Records), 1997–2010. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were undertaken.

Results

In children with DS, the prescription of antibiotics following an RTI‐related GP consultation did not significantly reduce the risk of RTI‐related hospitalization in the subsequent 28 days (risk with antibiotics, 1.8%; without, 2.5%; risk ratio, 0.699; 95% confidence interval, 0.471–1.036). Subgroup analyses showed a risk reduction only in infants with DS, after adjustment for covariates. There was no reduction in risk for controls, overall or across subgroups.

Conclusions

In conclusion, while prescription of antibiotics following RTI‐related GP consultations were effective for infants with DS in reducing subsequent RTI‐related hospitalization, this was not the case for older children with DS. We would encourage further high‐quality cohort and randomized controlled trials to interrogate this finding, and to examine the impact of antibiotics on other endpoints, including symptom duration.
Thermoelectric and Plasmonic Properties of Metal Nanoparticles Linked by Conductive Molecular Bridges
Authors: Fedorov Aleksandr S. , Krasnov Pavel O. , Visotin Maxim A. , Tomilin Felix N. , Polyutov Sergey P.
Published: September 2020

Thermoelectric and plasmonic properties of systems comprising small golden nanoparticles (NPs) linked by narrow conductive polymer bridges are studied using the original hybrid quantum‐classical model. The bridges are considered here to be either conjugated polyacetylene, polypyrrole, or polythiophene chain molecules terminated by thiol groups. The parameters required for the model are obtained using density functional theory and density functional tight‐binding simulations. Charge‐transfer plasmons in the considered dumbbell structures are found to possess frequency in the infrared region for all considered molecular linkers. The appearance of plasmon vibrations and the existence of charge flow through the conductive molecule, with manifestation of quantum properties, are confirmed using frequency‐dependent polarizability calculations implemented in the coupled perturbed Kohn–Sham method. To study the thermoelectric properties of the 1D periodical systems, a universal equation for the Seebeck coefficient is derived. The phonon part of the thermal conductivity for the periodical – system is calculated by the classical molecular dynamics. The thermoelectric figure of merit ZT is calculated by considering the electrical quantum conductivity of the systems in the ballistic regime. It is shown that for nanoparticles connected by polyacetylene, polypyrrole, or polythiophene chains at T = 300 K, the ZT value is {0.08;0.45;0.40}, respectively.
Growth Mechanism of Alternating Defect Domains in Hexagonal WS2 via Inhomogeneous W‐Precursor Accumulation
Authors: An Gwang Hwi , Yun Seok Joon , Lee Young Hee , Lee Hyun Seok
Published: September 2020

While a hexagonal WS2 monolayer, grown by chemical vapor deposition, exhibits distinctive patterns in photoluminescence mapping, segmented with alternating S‐vacancy (SV) and W‐vacancy (WV) domains in a single crystal, the formation mechanism for native alternating defect domains remains unresolved to date. Here, the formation mechanism of alternating defect domains in hexagonal WS2 via the precursor accumulation model is experimentally elucidated. A triangular WS2 seed is initially formed, followed by a hexagonal flake. Alternating W‐rich (SV) and W‐deficient (WV) domains are constructed in hexagonal WS2 flake, which is confirmed by confocal photoluminescence mapping and secondary ion mass spectroscopy. This is explained by the accumulation or scarcity of W‐precursors at the edge of the WS2 flake. The W‐precursors accumulate near the edges of the initial triangular WS2 seed over time, while they are deficient near the corners of the triangular WS2, eventually forming WV domains in the truncated hexagonal domains. The heterogeneous accumulation becomes more prominent in the presence of H2 gas through desorption of the W‐precursors.
Insight into the Origins of Figures of Merit and Design Strategies for Organic/Inorganic Lead‐Halide Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Qiu Feng , Chu Jingyu , Liu Zirui , Xiang Jinzhong , Yang Jie , Wang Chong
Published: September 2020

Organic/inorganic lead‐halide perovskite and its solar cells (SCs) present a new research platform for the study of special photophysical and photovoltaic (PV) characteristics across materials science, chemistry, physics, and engineering disciplines. However, the current understanding of the crystal structures, origins of figures of merit, and design strategies of SCs is inadequate. These key parameters are critical for exploring further applications of organometallic‐halide perovskite films and their SCs. Therefore, herein, the material characteristics of lead‐halide perovskite are introduced, the origins of open‐circuit voltages, short‐circuit current densities, and fill factors are explored, and three design strategies using interface engineering, bandgap engineering, and process‐control engineering for high‐quality perovskite active‐layer fabrication, outstanding efficiency, and stable SCs are summarized. Herein, process‐control engineering is introduced for the first time in perovskite SCs. Based on favorable synergistic effects, these structural features, origins of crucial parameters, and design strategies all promote the development of new schemes to explore the underlying physics, optimize functional layers and cell architectures, and improve final PV performance and device stability.
Recent Advances in Organic Hole Transporting Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Sheibani Esmaeil , Yang Li , Zhang Jinbao
Published: September 2020

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with advantages of exceptional photovoltaic performance and facile solution‐processed fabrication have shown great potential in future scalable application. After about a decade of rapid development, this new PSCs technology demonstrates over 25% efficiency, a comparable performance with traditional silicon solar cells. Further, the development of PSCs in the direction of scalable production still highly relies on designing innovative materials with low cost and high efficiency. Recently, a great number of functional organic molecules as hole transport materials (HTMs) have been designed, synthesized, and studied in PSCs, including molecules with planar structure, 3D geometry, or different core units. Discovering the correlation between their chemical structures and physicochemical properties plays a fundamental role in supervising future molecular design and synthesis. Herein, recent advances in organic molecular HTMs with various structures in typical and reverse PSCs device configuration are summarized, including doped and doping‐free materials. By evaluating the structural modification and analyzing their effects on photovoltaic performance, the goal is to generate universal strategies for preparing low‐cost and efficient HTMs, paving the way for future scalable application of PSCs.
Polish experience with network arch bridges using cold‐bent HD sections
Authors: Kaczmarek Tomasz , Galewski Tymon , Topolewicz Krzysztof , Sęk Radosław , Radziecki Andrzej , Ochojski Wojciech , Kożuch Maciej , Lorenc Wojciech
Published: September 2020

This article presents Polish experience with the design and construction of net‐arch bridges using cold‐bent HD sections in the arch. So far, four road bridges have been built, and they are currently in service. The experience gained and the positive economical footprint is leading to a growth in the popularity of this solution, together with much better recognition of the technology on the market. One of the first net‐arch bridges using cold‐bent HD beams was built in Poland in 2011. The arch has a span of 75 m. The composite deck is constructed from HE sections, which are suspended from the arches. One bridge built recently has a span of 120 m. Several other bridges are at the design or erection phase, in particular, the first railway net‐arch bridge with nine independent decks and a maximum span of 116 m. The aim of this paper is to familiarize the reader with the technical solution developed and present the economic background and, specifically, to focus on the fabrication of cold‐bent HD‐section steel arch structures as a new task in engineering.
Short‐term wind speed forecasting using S‐transform with compactly supported kernel
Authors: Kamath Priya R. , Senapati Kedarnath
Published: September 2020

This paper presents a modified S‐transform (ST) based on a compactly supported kernel. A version of Cheriet‐Belochrani (CB) kernel is chosen for this purpose. It is shown that the proposed modified S‐transform (CBST) offers better frequency resolution than the traditional ST. It is used to decompose the wind speed time series into frequency‐based subseries. Further, artificial neural network (ANN) is applied to each of the subseries for an hour ahead prediction. Finally, forecast for the original wind speed series is obtained by combining the prediction result of all the subseries. Initially, increasing the number of subseries results in a decrease in prediction error. However, when the number of subseries is sufficiently large, no significant change in prediction error is observed if the number is further increased. It is also observed that, for a model based on neural‐network, involving decomposition of wind speed time series, the proposed model offers low prediction error. A comparative study with the methods based on wavelet transform (WT) and empirical mode decomposition (EMD) demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method. For this study, we have used simulated wind speed data generated by nonhydrostatic mesoscale model and data recorded using anemometer and LiDAR instrument at different heights to evaluate the short‐term forecasting results.
On the Reactivity of NHCtBuAuCl towards Rb6Cs6Si17: The First Gold‐Silicon Cluster [(NHCtBuAu)6(η2‐Si4)]Cl2·7NH3 and an Imide Capped Gold Triangle (NHCtBuAu)3NHCl
Authors: Tiefenthaler Susanne M. , Streitferdt Verena , Baumann Josef , Gaertner Stefanie , Gschwind Ruth M. , Korber Nikolaus
Published: September 2020

Crystals of the two new compounds (NHCtBuAu)3NHCl and [(NHCtBuAu)6(η2‐Si4)]Cl2·7NH3 could be isolated from the reaction of Rb6Cs6Si17 with NHCtBuAuCl in the presence of [2.2.2]‐cryptand in liquid ammonia. Both compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and crystallize trigonally without any alkali metals or chelating ligands. Additionally, the crystal of [(NHCtBuAu)6(η2‐Si4)]Cl2·7NH3 was further interpreted by means of ELF and NBO calculations. In the case of (NHCtBuAu)3NHCl, NMR experiments provided an exceptional insight into the reaction processes in solution and allowed for the detection of sequential precursors. In the class of capped gold triangles (NHCtBuAu)3NHCl impresses with its unique characteristics of being capped by an imide and bound to N‐heterocyclic carbenes as ligands instead of the ubiquitously employed phosphines. The gold capped silicon tetrahedron [(NHCtBuAu)6(η2‐Si4)]Cl2·7NH3 represents the first known silicide‐gold compound, as well as the first known functionalized Zintl anion, crystallized with a cationic central moiety.
The electroweak phase transition: a collider target
Authors: Ramsey-Musolf Michael J.
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Determining the thermal history of electroweak symmetry breaking (EWSB) is an important challenge for particle physics and cosmology. Lattice simulations indicate that EWSB in the Standard Model (SM) occurs through a crossover transition, while the presence of new physics beyond the SM could alter this thermal history. The occurrence of a first order EWSB transition would be particularly interesting, providing the needed pre-conditions for generation of the cosmic matter-antimatter asymmetry and sources for potentially observable gravitational radiation. I provide simple, generic arguments that if such an alternate thermal history exists, the new particles involved cannot be too heavy with respect to the SM electroweak temperature, nor can they interact too feebly with the SM Higgs boson. These arguments do not rely on the decoupling limit. I derive corresponding quantitative expectations for masses and interaction strengths which imply that their effects could in principle be observed (or ruled out) by prospective next generation high energy colliders. The simple, generic arguments provide a quantitative, parametric understanding of results obtained in a wide range of explicit model studies; relate them explicitly to the electroweak temperature; and delineate broad contours of collider phenomenology pertaining to a non-standard history of EWSB.
Collinear expansion for color singlet cross sections
Authors: Ebert Markus A. , Mistlberger Bernhard , Vita Gherardo
Published: September 2020

Abstract

We demonstrate how to efficiently expand cross sections for color-singlet production at hadron colliders around the kinematic limit of all final state radiation being collinear to one of the incoming hadrons. This expansion is systematically improvable and applicable to a large class of physical observables. We demonstrate the viability of this technique by obtaining the first two terms in the collinear expansion of the rapidity distribution of the gluon fusion Higgs boson production cross section at next-to-next-to leading order (NNLO) in QCD perturbation theory. Furthermore, we illustrate how this technique is used to extract universal building blocks of scattering cross section like the N-jettiness and transverse momentum beam function at NNLO.
Fully coherent energy loss effects on light hadron production in pA collisions
Authors: Arleo François , Cougoulic Florian , Peigné Stéphane
Published: September 2020

Abstract

We single out the role of fully coherent induced gluon radiation on light hadron production in pA collisions. The effect has the same general features as for quarkonium production, however with a richer color structure as the induced radiation depends on the global color charge of the partonic subprocess final state. Baseline predictions for light hadron nuclear suppression in pPb collisions at the LHC are provided, taking into account only the effect of fully coherent energy loss, which proves to be of the same order of magnitude as gluon shadowing or saturation. This underlines the need to include fully coherent energy loss in phenomenological studies of hadron production in pA collisions.
Zwangsmaßnahmen in der Psychiatrie: praktische Konsequenzen ethischer Aspekte
Authors: Helmchen Hanfried
Published: September 2020

Im Rahmen der rechtlichen und ethischen Voraussetzungen und Verfahren derAnwendungvon Zwang in der Psychiatrie wird die Perspektive derAbwendung, also die Prävention zur Vermeidung von Zwang beleuchtet. Zwang ist ausschließlich bei Selbstbestimmungsunfähigkeit und unmittelbarer konkreter Lebensgefährdung zulässig. Praktische Schwierigkeiten bei der Feststellung dieser Kriterien werden kasuistisch illustriert. Verfahren zur Vermeidung von Zwang (Vorausverfügungen, vertrauensbildende Maßnahmen, Erkennung von Kontexteinflüssen, Sensibilisierung gegenüber Zwang) zielen ebenso wie die Präzisierung von Indikation und Kontrolle der Anwendung von Zwang und ein Einstellungswandel hin zur Entscheidungsassistenz darauf, die Respektierung des Selbstbestimmungsrechtes des psychisch Kranken zu stärken – und damit den Konflikt des Psychiaters zwischen Fürsorgepflicht und Respektierung des Selbstbestimmungsrechtes des Patienten in ein faires Gleichgewicht zu bringen.
Improved production of Humira antibody in the genetically engineered Escherichia coli SHuffle, by co-expression of human PDI-GPx7 fusions
Authors: Lénon Marine , Ke Na , Szady Cecily , Sakhtah Hassan , Ren Guoping , Manta Bruno , Causey Bryce , Berkmen Mehmet
Published: September 2020

Microbial production of antibodies offers the promise of cheap, fast, and efficient production of antibodies at an industrial scale. Limiting this capacity in prokaryotes is the absence of the post-translational machinery, present in dedicated antibody producing eukaryotic cell lines, such as B cells. There has been few and limited success in producing full-length, correctly folded, and assembled IgG in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cell lines. One such success was achieved by utilizing the genetically engineered Escherichia coli strain SHuffle with an oxidative cytoplasm. Due to the genetic disruption of reductive pathways, SHuffle cells are under constant oxidative stress, including increased levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The oxidizing capacity of H2O2 was linked to improved disulfide bond formation, by expressing a fusion of two endoplasmic reticulum-resident proteins, the thiol peroxidase GPx7 and the protein disulfide isomerase, PDI. In concert, these proteins mediate disulfide transfer from H2O2 to target proteins via PDI-Gpx7 fusions. The potential of this new strain was tested with Humira, a blockbuster antibody usually produced in eukaryotic cells. Expression results demonstrate that the new engineered SHuffle strain (SHuffle2) could produce Humira IgG four-fold better than the parental strain, both in shake-flask and in high-density fermentation. These preliminary studies guide the field in genetically engineering eukaryotic redox pathways in prokaryotes for the production of complex macromolecules.

Key points

• A eukaryotic redox pathway was engineered into the E. coli strain SHuffle in order to improve the yield of the blockbuster antibody Humira.

• The best peroxidase-PDI fusion was selected using bioinformatics and in vivo studies.

• Improved yields of Humira were demonstrated at shake-flask and high-density fermenters.
Lung cancer screening by nodule volume in Lung-RADS v1.1: negative baseline CT yields potential for increased screening interval
Authors: Silva Mario , Milanese Gianluca , Sestini Stefano , Sabia Federica , Jacobs Colin , van Ginneken Bram , Prokop Mathias , Schaefer-Prokop Cornelia M. , Marchianò Alfonso , Sverzellati Nicola , Pastorino Ugo
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The 2019 Lung CT Screening Reporting & Data System version 1.1 (Lung-RADS v1.1) introduced volumetric categories for nodule management. The aims of this study were to report the distribution of Lung-RADS v1.1 volumetric categories and to analyse lung cancer (LC) outcomes within 3 years for exploring personalized algorithm for lung cancer screening (LCS).

Methods

Subjects from the Multicentric Italian Lung Detection (MILD) trial were retrospectively selected by National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) criteria. Baseline characteristics included selected pre-test metrics and nodule characterization according to the volume-based categories of Lung-RADS v1.1. Nodule volume was obtained by segmentation with dedicated semi-automatic software. Primary outcome was diagnosis of LC, tested by univariate and multivariable models. Secondary outcome was stage of LC. Increased interval algorithms were simulated for testing rate of delayed diagnosis (RDD) and reduction of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) burden.

Results

In 1248 NLST-eligible subjects, LC frequency was 1.2% at 1 year, 1.8% at 2 years and 2.6% at 3 years. Nodule volume in Lung-RADS v1.1 was a strong predictor of LC: positive LDCT showed an odds ratio (OR) of 75.60 at 1 year (p< 0.0001), and indeterminate LDCT showed an OR of 9.16 at 2 years (p= 0.0068) and an OR of 6.35 at 3 years (p= 0.0042). In the first 2 years after negative LDCT, 100% of resected LC was stage I. The simulations of low-frequency screening showed a RDD of 13.6–21.9% and a potential reduction of LDCT burden of 25.5–41%.

Conclusions

Nodule volume by semi-automatic software allowed stratification of LC risk across Lung-RADS v1.1 categories. Personalized screening algorithm by increased interval seems feasible in 80% of NLST eligible.

Key Points

• Using semi-automatic segmentation of nodule volume, Lung-RADS v1.1 selected 10.8% of subjects with positive CT and 96.87 relative risk of lung cancer at 1 year, compared to negative CT.

• Negative low-dose CT by Lung-RADS v1.1 was found in 80.6% of NLST eligible and yielded 40 times lower relative risk of lung cancer at 2 years, compared to positive low-dose CT; annual screening could be preference sensitive in this group.

• Semi-automatic segmentation of nodule volume and increased screening interval by volumetric Lung-RADS v1.1 could retrospectively suggest a 25.5–41% reduction of LDCT burden, at the cost of 13.6–21.9% rate of delayed diagnosis.
Improving emotion recognition is associated with subsequent mental health and well-being in children with severe behavioural problems
Authors: Wells Amy E. , Hunnikin Laura M. , Ash Daniel P. , van Goozen Stephanie H. M.
Published: September 2020

Impaired emotion recognition is a transdiagnostic risk factor for a range of psychiatric disorders. It has been argued that improving emotion recognition may lead to improvements in behaviour and mental health, but supportive evidence is limited. We assessed emotion recognition and mental health following a brief and targeted computerised emotion recognition training in children referred into an intervention program because of severe family adversity and behavioural problems (n = 62; aged 7–10). While all children continued to receive their usual interventions, only children impaired in emotion recognition (n = 40) received the emotion training. Teachers blind to whether or not children had received the training rated children’s mental health problems before and 6 months after the training. Participants who received the emotion training significantly improved their recognition of negative and neutral facial expressions. Although both groups showed improved behaviour at follow-up, the reduction in behavioural problems was only significant in children who received the emotion training. Post-training emotion recognition scores predicted mental health problems 6 months later independently of initial emotion recognition ability and severity of behavioural problems. The results are consistent with the view that targeting emotion recognition can improve longer term functioning in individuals with disruptive behaviour, although further research using fully randomised designs is needed before causal conclusions can be drawn with confidence.
DEM simulation of anisotropic granular materials: elastic and inelastic behavior
Authors: Recchia Giuseppina , Magnanimo Vanessa , Cheng Hongyang , La Ragione Luigi
Published: September 2020

In this work, Discrete Elements Method simulations are carried out to investigate the effective stiffness of an assembly of frictional, elastic spheres under anisotropic loading. Strain probes, following both forward and backward paths, are performed at several anisotropic levels and the corresponding stress is measured. For very small strain perturbations, we retrieve the linear elastic regime where the same response is measured when incremental loading and unloading are applied. Differently, for a greater magnitude of the incremental strain a different stress is measured, depending on the direction of the perturbation. In the case of unloading probes, the behavior stays elastic until non-linearity is reached.Under forward perturbations, the aggregate shows an intermediate inelastic stiffness, in which the main contribution comes from the normal contact forces. That is, when forward incremental probes are applied the behavior of anisotropic aggregates is an incremental frictionless behavior. In this regime we show that contacts roll or slide so the incremental tangential contact forces are zero.

Graphical Abstract
Correction: Groundwater circulation and earthquake-related changes in hydrogeological karst environments: a case study of the Sibillini Mountains (central Italy) involving artificial tracers
Authors: Nanni T. , Vivalda P. M. , Palpacelli S. , Marcellini M. , Tazioli A.
Published: September 2020

The original version of this article was revised due to a retrospective Open Access order.
Impact of additional resection on new ischemic lesions and their clinical relevance after intraoperative 3 Tesla MRI in neuro-oncological surgery
Authors: Voglis Stefanos , Müller Timothy , van Niftrik Christiaan H. B. , Tosic Lazar , Neidert Marian Christoph , Regli Luca , Bozinov Oliver
Published: September 2020

Intraoperative MRI (ioMRI) has become a frequently used tool to improve maximum safe resection in brain tumor surgery. The usability of intraoperatively acquired diffusion-weighted imaging sequences to predict the extent and clinical relevance of new infarcts has not yet been studied. Furthermore, the question of whether more aggressive surgery after ioMRI leads to more or larger infarcts is of crucial interest for the surgeons’ operative strategy. Retrospective single-center analysis of a prospective registry of procedures from 2013 to 2019 with ioMRI was used. Infarct volumes in ioMRI/poMRI, lesion localization, mRS, and NIHSS were analyzed for each case. A total of 177 individual operations (60% male, mean age 45.5 years old) met the inclusion criteria. In 61% of the procedures, additional resection was performed after ioMRI, which resulted in a significantly higher number of new ischemic lesions postoperatively (p < .001). The development of new or enlarged ischemic areas upon additional resection could also be shown volumetrically (mean volume in ioMRI 0.39 cm3 vs. poMRI 2.97 cm3; p < .001). Despite the surgically induced new infarcts, mRS and NIHSS did not worsen significantly in cases with additional resection. Additionally, new perilesional ischemia in eloquently located tumors was not associated with an impaired neurological outcome. Additional resection after ioMRI leads to new or enlarged ischemic areas. However, these new infarcts do not necessarily result in an impaired neurological outcome, even when in eloquent brain areas.
Soft curvature sensors for measuring the rotational angles of mechanical fingers
Authors: Liu Haixiao , Li Li , Ouyang Zhikang , Sun Wei
Published: September 2020

The design, fabrication, and testing of soft sensors that measure elastomer curvature and mechanical finger bending are described in this study. The base of the soft sensors is polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which is a translucent elastomer. The main body of the soft sensors consists of three layers of silicone rubber plate, and the sensing element is a microchannel filled with galliumindium-tin (Ga-In-Sn) alloy, which is embedded in the elastomer. First, the working principle of soft sensors is investigated, and their structure is designed. Second, the relationship between curvature and resistance is determined. Third, several sensors with different specifications are built in accordance with the structural design. Experiments show that the sensors exhibit high accuracy when the curvature changes within a certain range. Lastly, the soft sensors are applied to the measurement of mechanical finger bending. Experiments show that soft curvature sensors can effectively reflect mechanical finger bending and can be used to measure the bending of mechanical fingers with high sensitivity within a certain working range.
Multiple radial phosphorus segregations in GaAsP core-shell nanowires
Authors: Fonseka H. Aruni , Zhang Yunyan , Gott James A. , Beanland Richard , Liu Huiyun , Sanchez Ana M.
Published: September 2020

Highly faceted geometries such as nanowires are prone to form self-formed features, especially those that are driven by segregation. Understanding these features is important in preventing their formation, understanding their effects on nanowire properties, or engineering them for applications. Single elemental segregation lines that run along the radii of the hexagonal cross-section have been a common observation in alloy semiconductor nanowires. Here, in GaAsP nanowires, two additional P rich bands are formed on either side of the primary band, resulting in a total of three segregation bands in the vicinity of three of the alternating radii. These bands are less intense than the primary band and their formation can be attributed to the inclined nanofacets that form in the vicinity of the vertices. The formation of the secondary bands requires a higher composition of P in the shell, and to be grown under conditions that increase the diffusivity difference between As and P. Furthermore, it is observed that the primary band can split into two narrow and parallel bands. This can take place in all six radii, making the cross sections to have up to a maximum of 18 radial segregation bands. With controlled growth, these features could be exploited to assemble multiple different quantum structures in a new dimension (circumferential direction) within nanowires.
Adaptive nanopores: A bioinspired label-free approach for protein sequencing and identification
Authors: Spitaleri Andrea , Garoli Denis , Schütte Moritz , Lehrach Hans , Rocchia Walter , De Angelis Francesco
Published: September 2020

Single molecule protein sequencing would tremendously impact in proteomics and human biology and it would promote the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. However, its technological realization can only be envisioned, and huge challenges need to be overcome. Major difficulties are inherent to the structure of proteins, which are composed by several different amino-acids. Despite long standing efforts, only few complex techniques, such as Edman degradation, liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy, make protein sequencing possible. Unfortunately, these techniques present significant limitations in terms of amount of sample required and dynamic range of measurement. It is known that proteins can distinguish closely similar molecules. Moreover, several proteins can work as biological nanopores in order to perform single molecule detection and sequencing. Unfortunately, while DNA sequencing by means of nanopores is demonstrated, very few examples of nanopores able to perform reliable protein-sequencing have been reported so far. Here, we investigate, by means of molecular dynamics simulations, how a re-engineered protein, acting as biological nanopore, can be used to recognize the sequence of a translocating peptide by sensing the “shape” of individual amino-acids. In our simulations we demonstrate that it is possible to discriminate with high fidelity, 9 different amino-acids in a short peptide translocating through the engineered construct. The method, here shown for fluorescence-based sequencing, does not require any labelling of the peptidic analyte. These results can pave the way for a new and highly sensitive method of sequencing.
Devonian-Carboniferous boundary sections in Iran
Authors: Königshof Peter , Bahrami Ali , Kaiser Sandra I.
Published: September 2020

Many sections are known from Iran which exhibit sediments across the Devonian-Carboniferous (D-C) boundary. In contrast to the majority of published D-C sections worldwide from pelagic/hemipelagic environments, successions in Iran are mainly composed of shallow-water sediments. Correlation with hemipelagic or pelagic palaeoenvironments remains difficult due to biostratigraphic uncertainties in most sections and/or hiatuses. On the other hand, a limited number of sections dealing with shallow-water facies settings in Iran at this particular time period are known and further research is necessary. Several sections in the Alborz Mountains provide an excellent opportunity to study successions across the D-C boundary in shallow-water facies. In Iran, protognathoids are represented byProtognathodus meischneriandProtognathodus collinsoni. The two biostratigraphically important protognathoids (Protognathodus kuehniandProtognathodus kockeli) were not reported or did not occur for the first time in the Late Tournaisian. Early siphonodellids were described instead. In the frame of an Iranian/German research project, we study different palaeoenvironments to reduce serious palaeoenvironmental and palaeogeographical sampling bias which may limit our knowledge on the Hangenberg Event particularly in shallow-water facies. We present a summary on published D-C sections in Iran (Ghale-Kalaghu, Howz-e-Dorah 1, Howz-e-Dorah 2 and Shahmirzad) and sections which are under study (Mighan, Chelcheli and Khoshyeilagh) at the time of this writing.