bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multi‐Proxy Approach to Unravel Late Pleistocene Sediment Flux and Bottom Water Conditions in the Western South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Mathias G. L. , Roud S. C. , Chiessi C. M. , Campos M. C. , Dias B. B. , Santos T. P. , Albuquerque A. L. S. , Toledo F. A. L. , Costa K. B. , Maher B. A.
Published: February 2021

Magnetic signals in deep‐sea sediments have the potential to unravel past continental environmental changes, via changes in primary terrigenous magnetic supply, but also record past marine environmental conditions, via in situ formation of secondary magnetic minerals, particularly when complemented by independent proxies. By combining environmagnetic, geochemical, and siliciclastic grain size data, we investigated marine sediment core GL‐1090 (24.92°S, 42.51°W, 2,225 m water depth) aiming to unravel changes in terrigenous sediment input and bottom water conditions during the last ∼184 ka at the western South Atlantic middepth. The Al/Si, Fe/κ and siliciclastic grain size data show that terrigenous sediments at this core location derived from the Plata River (southeastern South America). This material was transported northwards by the Brazilian Coastal Current and their delivery to our core site was modulated by sea‐level oscillations. Periods of low sea‐level were characterized by the input of coarser and more abundant terrigenous sediments. Environmagnetic parameters indicate significant downcore variations in the magnetic domain state, which we interpret as changes in the content of biogenic magnetite following glacial‐interglacial cycles. Coeval negative excursions in magnetic grain size and benthic δ13C suggests that concentrations of single domain magnetite (possibly magnetotactic bacterial magnetite) vary in response to middepth water ventilation. We suggest that reduced ventilation in the middepth western South Atlantic bottom waters during peak glaciations triggered a decrease in the production of biogenic magnetite. Peak glaciations were, in turn, linked with increases in the residence time of North Atlantic Deep Water (or its glacial counterpart).
Resource-efficient quantum algorithm for protein folding
Authors: Robert Anton , Barkoutsos Panagiotis Kl. , Woerner Stefan , Tavernelli Ivano
Published: February 2021

Predicting the three-dimensional structure of a protein from its primary sequence of amino acids is known as the protein folding problem. Due to the central role of proteins’ structures in chemistry, biology and medicine applications, this subject has been intensively studied for over half a century. Although classical algorithms provide practical solutions for the sampling of the conformation space of small proteins, they cannot tackle the intrinsic NP-hard complexity of the problem, even when reduced to the simplest Hydrophobic-Polar model. On the other hand, while fault-tolerant quantum computers are beyond reach for state-of-the-art quantum technologies, there is evidence that quantum algorithms can be successfully used in noisy state-of-the-art quantum computers to accelerate energy optimization in frustrated systems. In this work, we present a model Hamiltonian with $${\mathcal{O}}({N}^{4})$$

O

(

N

4

)

scaling and a corresponding quantum variational algorithm for the folding of a polymer chain with N monomers on a lattice. The model reflects many physico-chemical properties of the protein, reducing the gap between coarse-grained representations and mere lattice models. In addition, we use a robust and versatile optimization scheme, bringing together variational quantum algorithms specifically adapted to classical cost functions and evolutionary strategies to simulate the folding of the 10 amino acid Angiotensin on 22 qubits. The same method is also successfully applied to the study of the folding of a 7 amino acid neuropeptide using 9 qubits on an IBM 20-qubit quantum computer. Bringing together recent advances in building gate-based quantum computers with noise-tolerant hybrid quantum-classical algorithms, this work paves the way towards accessible and relevant scientific experiments on real quantum processors.
Self-assembling peptide scaffolds in the clinic
Authors: Gelain Fabrizio , Luo Zhongli , Rioult Marika , Zhang Shuguang
Published: February 2021

Well-defined scaffold hydrogels made of self-assembling peptides have found their way into clinical products. By examining the properties and applications of two self-assembling peptides—EAK16 and RADA16—we highlight the potential for translating designer biological scaffolds into commercial products.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in osteoarthritis (OA) knee: Correct dose critical for long term clinical efficacy
Authors: Bansal Himanshu , Leon Jerry , Pont Jeremy L. , Wilson David A. , Bansal Anupama , Agarwal Diwaker , Preoteasa Iustin
Published: February 2021

Despite encouraging results reported with regards to Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) application in osteoarthritis (OA) knee, still critical issues like conclusive structural evidence of its efficacy, standard dose and good manual method of preparation to obtain high yield remains unanswered. Present study is an attempt to optimise the dose and concentration of therapeutic PRP and its correlation with structural, physiologic efficacy with a new manual method of PRP preparation. A total of one hundred and fifty patients were randomized to receive either PRP (10 billion platelets) or hyaluronic acid (HA; 4 ml; 75 patients in each group) and followed up till 1 year. An addition of filtration step with 1 µm filter in manual PRP processing improved platelet recovery upto 90%. Significant improvements in WOMAC (51.94 ± 7.35 vs. 57.33 ± 8.92; P < 0.001), IKDC scores (62.8 ± 6.24 vs 52.7 ± 6.39; P < 0.001), 6-min pain free walking distance (+ 120 vs. + 4; P < 0.001) persisted in PRP compared to HA group at 1 year. Significant decline IL-6 and TNF-α levels observed in PRP group (P < 0.05) compared to HA at 1 month. Study demonstrated that an absolute count of 10 billion platelets is crucial in a PRP formulation to have long sustained chondroprotective effect upto one year in moderate knee OA.
Construction of adenovirus vectors simultaneously expressing four multiplex, double-nicking guide RNAs of CRISPR/Cas9 and in vivo genome editing
Authors: Nakanishi Tomoko , Maekawa Aya , Suzuki Mariko , Tabata Hirotaka , Sato Kumiko , Mori Mai , Saito Izumu
Published: February 2021

Simultaneous expression of multiplex guide RNAs (gRNAs) is valuable for knockout of multiple genes and also for effective disruption of a gene by introducing multiple deletions. We developed a method of Tetraplex-guide Tandem for construction of cosmids containing four and eight multiplex gRNA-expressing units in one step utilizing lambda in vitro packaging. Using this method, we produced an adenovirus vector (AdV) containing four multiplex-gRNA units for two double-nicking sets. Unexpectedly, the AdV could stably be amplified to the scale sufficient for animal experiments with no detectable lack of the multiplex units. When the AdV containing gRNAs targeting the H2-Aa gene and an AdV expressing Cas9 nickase were mixed and doubly infected to mouse embryonic fibroblast cells, deletions were observed in more than 80% of the target gene even using double-nicking strategy. Indels were also detected in about 20% of the target gene at two sites in newborn mouse liver cells by intravenous injection. Interestingly, when one double-nicking site was disrupted, the other was simultaneously disrupted, implying that two genes in the same cell may simultaneously be disrupted in the AdV system. The AdVs expressing four multiplex gRNAs could offer simultaneous knockout of four genes or two genes by double-nicking cleavages with low off-target effect.
Effects of exposure to immersive videos and photo slideshows of forest and urban environments
Authors: Mostajeran Fariba , Krzikawski Jessica , Steinicke Frank , Kühn Simone
Published: February 2021

A large number of studies have demonstrated the benefits of natural environments on people’s health and well-being. For people who have limited access to nature (e.g., elderly in nursing homes, hospital patients, or jail inmates), virtual representations may provide an alternative to benefit from the illusion of a natural environment. For this purpose and in most previous studies, conventional photos of nature have been used. Immersive virtual reality (VR) environments, however, can induce a higher sense of presence compared to conventional photos. Whether this higher sense of presence leads to increased positive impacts of virtual nature exposure is the main research question of this study. Therefore, we compared exposure to a forest and an urban virtual environment in terms of their respective impact on mood, stress, physiological reactions, and cognition. The environments were presented via a head-mounted display as (1) conventional photo slideshows or (2) 360$$^{\circ }$$∘videos. The results show that the forest environment had a positive effect on cognition and the urban environment disturbed mood regardless of the mode of presentation. In addition, photos of either urban or forest environment were both more effective in reducing physiological arousal compared to immersive 360$$^{\circ }$$∘videos.
Feasibility and patency of echoendoscopic anastomoses with lumen apposing metal stents depending on the gastrointestinal segment involved
Authors: Betés Maite , Pérez-Longo Pablo , Peralta Sandra , Bojorquez Alejandro , Angós Ramon , Chopitea Ana , Baixauli Jorge , Munoz-Navas Miguel , Súbtil Jose Carlos
Published: February 2021

EUS-guided anastomoses with LAMS have emerged as a therapeutic option for patients with obstruction of the digestive tract. However, the long-term permeability of these anastomoses remains unknown. Most of the published cases involve the gastric wall and experience in distal obstruction is limited to few case reports. We review our series of patients treated with LAMS for gastrointestinal obstruction and describe the technical success according to the anastomotic site and the long-term follow-up in those cases in which the stent migrated spontaneously or was removed. Out of 30 cases treated with LAMS, EUS-guided anastomosis did not involve the gastric wall in 6 patients. These procedures were technically more challenging as two failures were recorded (2/6, 33%) while technical success was achieved in 100% of the cases in which the stent was placed through the gastric wall. In two of the patients, one with entero-enteric and another with recto-colic anastomosis, stent removal after spontaneous displacement was followed by long term permeability of the EUS-guided anastomosis (172 and 234 days respectively). In a EUS-guided gastroenterostomy the stent was removed at 118 days, but closure of the fistula was confirmed 26 days later. Our experience suggests that LAMS placement between bowel loops is feasible and might allow the creation of an anastomosis with long-term patency. As compared to LAMS placement between bowel loops, when LAMS are placed through the gastric wall, removal of the LAMS seems to lead to closure of the fistula.
Chorismate- and isochorismate converting enzymes: versatile catalysts acting on an important metabolic node
Authors: Hubrich Florian , Müller Michael , Andexer Jennifer N.
Published: February 2021

The interplay between (iso)chorismate, chorismate-converting enzymes, and further influencing factors is a prime example for the dynamics of enzyme catalysis.
The initial reaction mechanism and thermal sensitivity of a fluoropolymer-containing energetic molecular system: the coupling effect of interfacial interactions and free radical reactions
Authors: Qian Wen
Published: February 2021

A strategy combining classic and reactive molecular dynamics is applied to find the coupling effect of interfacial interactions and free radical reactions during the initial thermal decomposition of fluoropolymer-containing molecular systems.
Strength of electronic decoupling of fullerene on an AuSiX layer formed on Au(111)
Authors: Sun Kewei , Kawai Shigeki
Published: February 2021

The electronic decoupling strength of the AuSiX layer is investigated via the HOMO–LUMO gap of the fullerene (C60) molecule by STM/STS.
The potential mechanism of atmospheric new particle formation involving amino acids with multiple functional groups
Authors: Liu Jiarong , Liu Ling , Rong Hui , Zhang Xiuhui
Published: February 2021

Aspartic acid (ASP), which possesses not only one amino group but also two carboxylic groups, could contribute to cluster formation as a “participator”.
Genetic and structural analyses of ssRNA viruses pave the way for the discovery of novel antiviral pharmacological targets
Authors: Vlachakis Dimitrios
Published: February 2021

In the era of big data and artificial intelligence, a lot of new discoveries have influenced the fields of antiviral drug design and pharmacophore identification.
High-performance supercapacitor electrode based on naphthoquinone-appended dopamine neurotransmitter as an efficient energy storage material
Authors: Biradar Madan R. , Salkar Akshay V. , Morajkar Pranay P. , Bhosale Sheshanath V. , Bhosale Sidhanath V.
Published: February 2021

NQ-DP based organic material was successfuly synthesized and employed as an efficient pseudocapacitor material.
Novel ruthenium(iii) complexes with hydroxybenzophenones: experimental and theoretical characterization and in vitro leishmanicidal activity comparing complexes and ligands
Authors: Dias Júlia Scaff Moreira , Martins Felipe Terra , de Araújo Neto João Honorato , Castellano Eduardo Ernesto , Viana Rommel Bezerra , Teixeira Jéssica da Silva , Guimarães Elisalva Teixeira , Soares Milena Botelho Pereira , Frazão Barbosa Marília Imaculada , Doriguetto Antônio Carlos
Published: February 2021

Six ruthenium–benzophenone complexes were synthesized in order to combine the chemistry of two interesting compound classes aiming at medicinal chemistry innovation.
Electrochemical oxidation of boron-doped nickel–iron layered double hydroxide for facile charge transfer in oxygen evolution electrocatalysts
Authors: Ahn In-Kyoung , Lee So-Yeon , Kim Hyoung Gyun , Lee Gi-Baek , Lee Ji-Hoon , Kim Miyoung , Joo Young-Chang
Published: February 2021

An electrochemically oxidized boron-doped NiFe LDH electrocatalyst was prepared and the electrocatalyst showed improved water oxidation performance.
Carbon and metal-based catalysts for vanadium redox flow batteries: a perspective and review of recent progress
Authors: Bayeh Anteneh Wodaje , Kabtamu Daniel Manaye , Chang Yu-Chung , Wondimu Tadele Hunde , Huang Hsin-Chih , Wang Chen-Hao
Published: February 2021

This review article highlights the current research progress and future prospects of powerful electrode materials for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) applications.
Recent technical progress in sample preparation and liquid-phase separation-mass spectrometry for proteomic analysis of mass-limited samples
Authors: Yang Zhichang , Sun Liangliang
Published: February 2021

Recent development of sample preparation methods with nanoliter processing volumes, ultrasensitive LC-MS/MS and CZE-MS/MS systems for proteomics of mass-limited samples.
Self-supported mesoscopic tin oxide nanofilms for electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to formate
Authors: Jeong Juwon , Kang Jin Soo , Shin Heejong , Lee Soo Hong , Jang Junghwan , Hyeon Taeghwan , Park Hyun S. , Sung Yung-Eun
Published: February 2021

Self-supported mesoscopic SnO2 film exhibits a remarkable formate production performance in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction due to its advantageous nanoarchitecture and resistance to SnO2-to-Sn reduction.
Mechanism and regio- and stereoselectivity in an NHC-catalyzed Mannich/lactamization domino reaction
Authors: Li Yan , Li Zhilin , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: February 2021

The mechanism and regio- and stereoselectivity in the NHC-catalyzed Mannich/lactamization domino reaction.
Synthesis and electronic coupling studies of cyclometalated diruthenium complexes bridged by 3,3′,5,5′-tetrakis(benzimidazol-2-yl)-biphenyl
Authors: Wang Hao , Shao Jiang-Yang , Duan Ran , Wang Ke-Zhi , Zhong Yu-Wu
Published: February 2021

Electrochemical and intervalence charge-transfer studies suggest that when the same or similar terminal ligands are used, the strength of the bridging ligand in mediating the Ru–Ru coupling decreases in the order of tpbp > H-tbibp > Me-tbibp.
Correction: Photorelease of a metal-binding pharmacophore from a Ru(ii) polypyridine complex
Authors: Karges Johannes , Stokes Ryjul W. , Cohen Seth M.
Published: February 2021

Correction for ‘Photorelease of a metal-binding pharmacophore from a Ru(ii) polypyridine complex’ by Johannes Karges et al., Dalton Trans., 2021, DOI: 10.1039/D0DT04290K.
A flexible and conductive connection introduced by cross-linked CNTs between submicron Si@C particles for better performance LIB anode
Authors: Zhou Qiqi , Liu Junhao , Gong Xuzhong , Wang Zhi
Published: February 2021

Interwoven carbon-nanotubes having tight linkages with Si@C contribute to ensure charge transfer and accommodate the volume expansion.
Synthesis of N-alkoxyphthalimide derivatives via PIDA-promoted cross dehydrogenative coupling reaction
Authors: Chen Rongxiang , Liu Bing , Li Wenbo , Wang Kai-Kai , Miao Changqing , Li Zhizhuang , Lv Yingjie , Liu Lantao
Published: February 2021

A cross dehydrogenative coupling reaction of aryl ketones with N-hydroxyphthalimide was realized. The reactions afforded a clean and facile access to diverse N-alkoxyphthalimide derivatives in high yields (up to 99%).
Investigating the stable operating voltage for the MnFe2O4 Li-ion battery anode
Authors: Ghosh Sourav , de Donder Timothy , Gunnarsson Klas , Kumar V. Kiran , Martha Surendra K. , Svedlindh Peter , Kessler Vadim G. , Seisenbaeva Gulaim A. , Pol Vilas G.
Published: February 2021

Evaluating the impact of the potential window on the electrochemical performance of the MnFe2O4 based anode material in Li-ion batteries.
Genesis of Responsible Resource Consumption Tools in Regional Development Strategy of Socio-economic Systems
Authors: Mitrofanova Inna V. , Hashemi Jalal M.R. , Ivanova Nataliya V. , Sizeneva Lidiya A.
Published: February 2021

At present, the issue ecological balance restoring and rational resource con-sumption is especially acute, which determines large-scale transformations at the world level, as well as the need to modernize the tools for socio-economic develop-ment systems of countries (macro-level), individual territories and regions (meso-level), a set of interacting economic systems and economic units (microlevels). The article examines the problems of responsible resource consumption in regional socioeconomic systems, which led to change of effective growth paradigm to: 1) the sustainable development paradigm, society’s informatization; 2) selective regional policy of interregional differentiation. Obviously, at the macro-level, there is an intensive search for effective management of regional resource consumption; development of mechanisms and tools for environmental responsibility management. That is why a decrease in the level of negative impacts, as well as the consequences of low socio-economic development, determines the genesis of responsible resource consumption tools in regions’ strategizing as a key development task. However, the study of the ontology “responsible resource consumption tools” goes through the concept of sustainable development and is transformed into an integral, logically linked system of views, united by a common idea and aimed at achieving the goal of work.
Socio-Economic Regional Strategies Development Foresighting By Providing Environmental Balance
Authors: Mushketova Natalia S. , Al-Duraye Jameel S.M. , Kosulnikova Tatiana L. , Yevstifeyeva Yekaterina P.
Published: February 2021

Long-term forecasting of socio-economic processes is the basis for ensuring regional security. In a crisis, the mechanisms of a market economy are always aimed at constant reforming of economic science in order to ensure the ecological balance and responsible resource consumption. The foresight method as a long-term forecasting, carried out to build routes for future development, is becoming one of the most relevant in developed market economies countries. Foresight of the future and the application of methods for changing it at the world, macro and micro levels determine the search for solutions by the authorities in the development of socio-economic policy that does not violate the ecological balance. It is clear that the constant change of paradigms in the ecological and socio-economic course of the real life of society significantly complicates the foresight processes at the macro and micro levels, causing the transformation of already established plans, programs, projects of environmental and socio-economic policy. The economic crisis at the beginning of 21st century, which lasts for the second decade, was complicated by the conditions of a pandemic, the forced measures of which are to slow down the processes of production and consumption. At present, using of foresight system is aimed at achieving achievements that are subordinate to national goals, which it is advisable to confirm with the apparatus of mathematical models and system analysis in substantiating the methodological foundations of the ecological balance.
Improvement of the management subsystem in the economic mechanism of the construction enterprises, taking into account the innovative component
Authors: Shchepkina Natalia , Meshkova Natalia
Published: February 2021

The scale and the level of the scientific developments in forming of the economic mechanism for managing innovative development, the search for the main factors that hinder the innovative activities of the enterprises and grounding of the mechanisms for attracting innovations into production remain insufficiently studied. The article presents recommendations on forming the economic mechanism for managing the innovative development of the construction enterprises. Quality assurance is understood as a system of measures that constantly maintain consumer confidence in the product quality. Accordingly, the role of the personnel of the enterprise increases significantly. Therefore, it is necessary to pay great attention to the functioning of the following principles: labor collective; machines; materials; method; sphere. Considering this fact, the mechanism for maximizing the management of the innovative development has been proposed, which is based on the principles of management, on the principles of the quality system and the improvement of the construction enterprises activities.
Prediction of crack propagation kinetics through multipoint stochastic simulations of microscopic fields
Authors: Le Mire Etienne , Burger Emilien , Iooss Bertrand , Mai Chu
Published: February 2021

Prediction of crack propagation kinetics in the components of nuclear plant primary circuits undergoing Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) can be improved by a refinement of the SCC models. One of the steps in the estimation of the time to rupture is the crack propagation criterion. Current models make use of macroscopic measures (e.g. stress, strain) obtained for instance using the Finite Element Method. To go down to the microscopic scale and use local measures, a two-step approach is proposed. First, synthetic microstructures representing the material under specific loadings are simulated, and their quality is validated using statistical measures. Second, the shortest path to rupture in terms of propagation time is computed, and the distribution of those synthetic times to rupture is compared with the time to rupture estimated only from macroscopic values. The first step is realized with the cross-correlation-based simulation (CCSIM), a multipoint simulation algorithm that produces synthetic stochastic fields from a training field. The Earth Mover’s Distance is the metric which allows to assess the quality of the realizations. The computation of shortest paths is realized using Dijkstra’s algorithm. This approach allows to obtain a refinement in the prediction of the kinetics of crack propagation compared to the macroscopic approach. An influence of the loading conditions on the distribution of the computed synthetic times to rupture was observed, which could be reduced through a more robust use of the CCSIM.
Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Heterocycles by the Aza-Wittig Reaction
Authors: Mahdavi Mohammad , Pedrood Keyvan , Montazer Mohammad Nazari , Larijani Bagher
Published: February 2021

The formation of the C=N bond in recent studies on heterocyclic compounds via the aza-Wittig reaction is reviewed. Furthermore, two different strategies for the formation of heterocyclic compounds, including intermolecular and intramolecular aza-Wittig reactions are described. The primary aim of this review is to provide up-to-date information on the application of the aza-Wittig reaction in the synthesis of a wide range of N-containing heterocyclic compounds in the chemical literature since 2010.

1 Introduction

2 Mechanism of the Staudinger and Aza-Wittig Reactions

3 Intramolecular Aza-Wittig Reaction

4 Intermolecular Aza-Wittig Reaction

5 Conclusion
Vascularized Pericranial Flap for Endonasal Anterior Skull Base Reconstruction
Authors: Giurintano Jonathan , McDermott Michael W. , El-Sayed Ivan H.
Published: February 2021

Introduction As the limits of advanced skull base malignancies that can be managed through an endoscopic endonasal approach continue to be expanded, the resultant anterior skull base defects are of increasing size and complexity. In the absence of nasoseptal or turbinate flaps, the vascularized pericranial flap has been employed at our institution with excellent results.

Objective The study aimed to review the outcomes of patients who underwent endonasal anterior craniofacial resection with anterior skull base reconstruction using a vascularized pericranial flap.

Design Retrospective chart review of patients treated by the University of California – San Francisco minimally invasive skull base service from the years 2011 to 2017. Average duration of follow-up was 16.4 months.

Setting This study was conducted at Academic tertiary referral center.

Participants A total of nine patients with advanced anterior cranial base malignancies were identified who were treated with a minimally invasive, endoscopic anterior craniofacial resection from the years 2011 to 2017. Due to the nature of the resection in these patients, nasoseptal flaps and inferior/middle turbinate flaps were unavailable or insufficient for anterior skull base defect repair. Each patient underwent reconstruction of the anterior cranial base defect using an anteriorly based pericranial flap harvested by bicoronal incision, and tunneled anteriorly to the nasal cavity through a frontoethmoidal incision.
Clinical Outcomes after Mitral Valve Repair with the Physio II Annuloplasty Ring
Authors: Noack Thilo , Sieg Franz , Cuartas Mateo Marin , Spampinato Ricardo , Holzhey David , Seeburger Joerg , Borger Michael Andrew
Published: February 2021

Background Mitral valve (MV) repair with annuloplasty is the standard of care in patients with primary degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR). Newer generations of annuloplasty rings have been developed with the goals of closer reproduction of native annular geometry and easier implantation. This study investigates the short-term and 5-year clinical outcomes of MV repair with the Carpentier-Edwards (CE) Physio II annuloplasty ring.

Methods This is an observational study including a total of 486 patients who underwent MV repair for DMR using the CE Physio II annuloplasty ring between 2011 and 2016.

Results Mean age was 54.8 ± 12.1 years, 364 patients (74.9%) were males, and 84 patients (17.3%) presented with atrial fibrillation. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 62.3 ± 7.3%. Mean logistic EuroSCORE was 2.7 ± 2.4%. New York Heart Association functional class III–IV symptoms were present in 134 (27.6%) patients preoperatively. Isolated MV repair was performed via a right-sided mini-thoracotomy in 479 patients (98.6%). Concomitant procedures included ablation for atrial fibrillation in 83 patients (17.1%) and closure of atrial septum defect in 88 patients (18.1%). Median size of implanted annuloplasty rings was 34 mm (interquartile range: 34–38 mm). Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 116 ± 34 minutes and mean cross-clamp time was 74 ± 25 minutes. Thirty-day mortality was 0.4%. The Kaplan–Meier 4-year survival was 98.5%. Freedom from MV reoperation was 96.2 and 94.0% at 1 and 4 years.

Conclusion MV repair with the CE Physio II annuloplasty ring is associated with excellent midterm clinical outcome.
Changes in the Options for Management of Prolactin Secreting Pituitary Adenomas
Authors: Iuliano Sherry L. , Bi Wenya Linda , Laws Edward R.
Published: February 2021

Objectives Initial therapy for the management of prolactinomas has long been maintained to be medical, consisting of a dopamine agonist. These therapies may have troublesome side effects, and some prolactinomas are resistant to medical therapy regarding lowering prolactin levels or shrinking the tumor. These issues have revived interest in surgery for prolactin-secreting adenomas as an early therapeutic option. We report our analysis of surgery for prolactin microadenomas in women, using the transsphenoidal endoscopic approach.

Design We reviewed a contemporary series of 33 women (mean age = 31.8 years) with microprolactinomas who underwent early surgical intervention, which was a three-dimensional transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic operation.

Setting The study was conducted at a tertiary academic referral center for pituitary tumors.

Main Outcome Measures Preoperative and postoperative prolactin.

Results Overall, 28 patients had received preoperative dopamine agonists, 24 of these experienced a variety of drug-related side effects, and 4 had tumors that were resistant to lowering prolactin or tumor shrinkage. Preoperative prolactin levels averaged 90.3 ng/mL (range = 30.7–175.8 ng/mL). We observed a 94% normalization rate in postoperative prolactin (mean = 10.08 ng/mL, range = 0.3–63.1 ng/mL). During the follow-up (mean = 33.9 months), five patients had elevated prolactin; four required reinitiation of medical therapy, two had surgical reexploration, and none received radiation therapy. Complications included syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (n = 3), transient diabetes insipidus (n = 1), postoperative epistaxis (n = 1), and fat graft site infection (n = 1).

Conclusion This review supports the consideration of transsphenoidal surgery as an early intervention for some women with prolactin-secreting microadenoma. Indications include significant side effects of medical therapy and tumors that do not respond to standard medical management.
Effect of PCSK9 E670G and R46L Polymorphisms on Major Adverse Cardio-Cerebrovascular Events in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Santoso Anwar , Yulianto Yulianto , Simarmata Hendra , Putra Abhirama Nofandra , Listiyaningsih Erlin
Published: February 2021

Major adverse cardio-cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are still high, although there have been advances in pharmacology and interventional procedures. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease regulating lipid metabolism associated with inflammation in acute coronary syndrome. The MACCE is possibly related to polymorphisms in PCSK9. A prospective cohort observational study was designed to confirm the association between polymorphism of E670G and R46L in the PCSK9 gene with MACCE in STEMI. The Cox proportional hazards model and Spearman correlation were utilized in the study. The Genotyping of PCSK9 and ELISA was assayed.

Sixty-five of 423 STEMI patients experienced MACCE in 6 months. The E670G polymorphism in PCSK9 was associated with MACCE (hazard ratio = 45.40; 95% confidence interval: 5.30–390.30; p = 0.00). There was a significant difference of PCSK9 plasma levels in patients with previous statin consumption (310 [220–1,220] pg/mL) versus those free of any statins (280 [190–1,520] pg/mL) (p = 0.001).

E670G polymorphism of PCSK9 was associated with MACCE in STEMI within a 6-month follow-up. The plasma PCSK9 level was higher in statin users.
Sinonasal Symptoms and Self-Reported Health before and after Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery—A Prospective Study
Authors: Hallén Tobias , Olsson Daniel S , Farahmand Dan , Esposito Daniela , Olofsson Ann-Charlotte , Jakobsson Sofie , Jakobsson Ung Eva , Sahlstrand-Johnson Pernilla , Johannsson Gudmundur , Skoglund Thomas , Bergquist Henrik
Published: February 2021

Objectives Despite the limited invasiveness of endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS), some degree of nasal structure destruction is unavoidable. Our objective was to evaluate sinonasal morbidity and self-reported health before and 6 months after ETSS for pituitary tumors, and to identify possible predictive factors for deterioration in sinonasal health.

Design Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting University tertiary referral hospital.

Participants Totally 109 consecutive adult patients undergoing ETSS for pituitary tumors between 2015 and 2019.

Main Outcome Measures Sinonasal symptoms and self-reported health before and 6 months after ETSS, assessed by the Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and the EQ-5D questionnaire. Predictive factors for postoperative deterioration in sinonasal symptoms.

Results The overall SNOT-22 score did not change, but the score of the rhinologic domain of SNOT-22 worsened from 6.0 ± 5.9 before to 8.0 ± 7.4 6 months after surgery (p = 0.011). The EQ-5D visual analog scale improved from 64.0 ± 22.9 before to 71.1 ± 18.7 6 months after surgery (p = 0.00088). Univariate and multivariable regression analyses showed that prior sinonasal surgery was associated with a significant worsening in rhinologic symptoms 6 months after surgery (p = 0.046 and p = 0.020, respectively).

Conclusions Although self-reported overall health improved, significant deterioration of rhinologic symptoms was seen 6 months after ETSS. This information is important for preoperative patient counselling. Further refinement of the surgical technique and follow-up strategies to reduce postoperative sinonasal morbidity could be of value, especially in patients who have undergone prior sinonasal surgery.
Aortic Root Replacement with Reimplantation of the Aortic Valve: A Low-Volume Center Experience
Authors: Ntinopoulos Vasileios , Papadopoulos Nestoras , Odavic Dragan , Haeussler Achim , Loeblein Helen , Dzemali Omer
Published: February 2021

Background Most data after root replacement with reimplantation of the aortic valve originate from high-volume centers. This raises concerns about the generalizability of these data and the reproducibility of this complex procedure. Aim of this study is to assess the perioperative and midterm outcomes of this procedure in a low-volume center.

Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of the data of 72 patients, who underwent root replacement with reimplantation of the aortic valve in a single center between 2011 and 2020. Time to event analysis was performed with Kaplan–Meier curves. Longitudinal analysis of serial echocardiographic data was performed with a mixed-effects ordinal logistic regression model.

Results In-hospital mortality was 1.4%, with absence of any neurological events during the perioperative period. At midterm follow-up, two further patients died. Overall survival rates at 1 and 5 years were 98.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 97–100%) and 96.3% (95% CI: 93.8–98.8%), respectively. During follow-up, five patients (6.9%) required reoperation on the aortic valve. The incidence of moderate and severe aortic regurgitation at 5 years was 6.6% (95% CI: 2.4–13.6%) and 0.6% (95% CI: 0.1–3.2%), respectively. Mild aortic regurgitation at hospital discharge (p < 0.001) and cusp plication (p = 0.0121) were associated with a higher incidence of moderate or severe aortic regurgitation at follow-up.

Conclusion Reimplantation of the aortic valve is safe and feasible even in a low-volume center. Mortality, freedom from reoperation, and incidence of moderate or severe aortic regurgitation at follow-up are comparable to those of high-volume centers.
The Heartguard: A Humanitarian Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Program in Rural China
Authors: Zhang Xun E. , Geng Zhi , Shao Jun , Yao Hao , Wang Lu , Li Xiaobo , Li Qingguo
Published: February 2021

Background Congenital heart disease (CHD) accounts for the most common birth defects in China, pressuring both the physical and mental health in children. The inaccessibility of CHD children in rural China due to financial difficulties is demanding inputs from both the government and society. The Heartguard project is a program developed to improve the delivery of CHD care in rural China.

Methods The Heartguard project partners with county hospitals and performs CHD screening to diagnose patients with CHD in rural China. Diagnosed children with CHD who are unable to afford therapy will subsequently receive treatment sponsored by the financial partners. All patients are followed up by the local partner and visiting surgical team members.

Results More than 10,000 children across 9 provinces underwent CHD screening. A total of 240 (accounting for an incidence of 2.4%) was treated by the program, of which 226 patients were managed invasively, the other 14 patients conservatively. Open surgery was performed in 162 patients, while endovascular procedures were applied in another 64. No mortality or significant complications occurred during the transfer. There was no perioperative or late death.

Conclusion This humanitarian cardiac surgery program is able to promote accessibility of care for CHD children in rural China. The quality of life of these patients can be improved with continuous input from the society.
Advances in the Management of Acute Venous Thromboembolism and New Therapeutic Agents
Authors: Stevens Hannah , McFadyen James , Chan Noel
Published: February 2021

Important advances in the understanding and management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) have enhanced our ability to diagnose, prevent, and treat VTE. In this narrative review, we discuss how recent advances in the understanding and management of VTE are changing practice, highlight ongoing unmet needs in VTE management, and outline how novel therapeutic targets with little or no influence on hemostasis may help address these unmet needs.
Outline viewpoint feature histogram: An improved point cloud descriptor for recognition and grasping of workpieces
Authors: Ru Changlei , Wang Fei , Li Tong , Ren Baiming , Yan Xin
Published: February 2021

We propose an improved point cloud global descriptor for recognition and grasping of similar workpieces. In the industry, different types of workpieces need to be recognized precisely in some intelligent systems. Deep learning requires a lot of preparation work, and it is difficult to adapt to the variety of workpieces. Furthermore, traditional descriptors based on point pairs cannot meet the requirements of identification. To solve this problem, the Outline Viewpoint Feature Histogram (Outline-VFH) descriptor remains part of the recognition ability of the Viewpoint Feature Histogram (VFH) descriptor and contains an extra outline description, which is established based on the oriented bounding box theory. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed descriptor, experiments were conducted on public dataset and some physical workpieces. The results show that the Outline-VFH is much better than VFH and some other descriptors on recognition and has great potential in vision-based robot grasping applications.
Inertial cell sorting of microparticle-laden flows: An innovative OpenFOAM-based arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian numerical approach
Authors: Hashemi Shahraki Zahra , Navidbakhsh Mahdi , Taylor Robert A
Published: February 2021

The need for cell and particle sorting in human health care and biotechnology applications is undeniable. Inertial microfluidics has proven to be an effective cell and particle sorting technology in many of these applications. Still, only a limited understanding of the underlying physics of particle migration is currently available due to the complex inertial and impact forces arising from particle–particle and particle–wall interactions. Thus, even though it would likely enable significant advances in the field, very few studies have tried to simulate particle-laden flows in inertial microfluidic devices. To address this, this study proposes new codes (solved in OpenFOAM software) that capture all the salient inertial forces, including the four-way coupling between the conveying fluid and the suspended particles traveling a spiral microchannel. Additionally, these simulations are relatively (computationally) inexpensive since the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian formulation allows the fluid elements to be much larger than the particles. In this study, simulations were conducted for two different spiral microchannel cross sections (e.g., rectangular and trapezoidal) for comparison against previously published experimental results. The results indicate good agreement with experiments in terms of (monodisperse) particle focusing positions, and the codes can readily be extended to simulate two different particle types. This new numerical approach is significant because it opens the door to rapid geometric and flow rate optimization in order to improve the efficiency and purity of cell and particle sorting in biotechnology applications.
New cyclotron resonances and features of charged-particle dynamics in the presence of an intense electromagnetic wave
Authors: Buts V. A. , Zagorodny A. G.
Published: February 2021

It is shown that in the general case the conditions of cyclotron resonances should be formulated with regard to the influence of intense electromagnetic fields, if present, on the particle motion. Moreover, the greater is the wave field strength, the more significantly such effects are pronounced. These effects lead to the appearance of qualitatively new features in the particle dynamics. Such features include regularization of the particle dynamics, particularly a stepwise structure appears in the time dependencies of momenta and energy. The second feature concerns a new generation mechanism of regimes with dynamical chaos. This mechanism differs from the known mechanisms that arise as a result of the intersection of homoclinic structures. The new mechanism appears when particle trajectories pass the point associated with the singular solution of the equations under consideration (at the points of such solutions, the uniqueness theorem is violated).
Excited state dynamics of 7-deazaguanosine and guanosine 5′-monophosphate
Authors: Krul Sarah E. , Hoehn Sean J. , Feierabend Karl J. , Crespo-Hernández Carlos E.
Published: February 2021

Minor structural modifications to the DNA and RNA nucleobases have a significant effect on their excited state dynamics and electronic relaxation pathways. In this study, the excited state dynamics of 7-deazaguanosine and guanosine 5′-monophosphate are investigated in aqueous solution and in a mixture of methanol and water using femtosecond broadband transient absorption spectroscopy following excitation at 267 nm. The transient spectra are collected using photon densities that ensure no parasitic multiphoton-induced signal from solvated electrons. The data can be fit satisfactorily using a two- or three-component kinetic model. By analyzing the results from steady-state, time-resolved, computational calculations, and the methanol–water mixture, the following general relaxation mechanism is proposed for both molecules, Lb → La → 1πσ*(ICT) → S0, where the 1πσ*(ICT) stands for an intramolecular charge transfer excited singlet state with significant πσ* character. In general, longer lifetimes for internal conversion are obtained for 7-deazaguanosine compared to guanosine 5′-monophosphate. Internal conversion of the 1πσ*(ICT) state to the ground state occurs on a similar time scale of a few picoseconds in both molecules. Collectively, the results demonstrate that substitution of a single nitrogen atom for a methine (C–H) group at position seven of the guanine moiety stabilizes the 1ππ* Lb and La states and alters the topology of their potential energy surfaces in such a way that the relaxation dynamics in 7-deazaguanosine are slowed down compared to those in guanosine 5′-monophosphate but not for the internal conversion of 1πσ*(ICT) state to the ground state.
Type-III Dirac fermions in HfxZr1−xTe2 topological semimetal candidate
Authors: Fragkos Sotirios , Tsipas Polychronis , Xenogiannopoulou Evangelia , Panayiotatos Yerassimos , Dimoulas Athanasios
Published: February 2021

Topological semimetals host interesting new types of low-energy quasiparticles such as type-I and type-II Dirac and Weyl fermions. Type-III topological semimetals can emerge exactly at the border between type-I and II, characterized by a line-like Fermi surface and a flat energy dispersion near the topological band crossing. Here, we theoretically predict that 1T-HfTe2 and 1T-ZrTe2 transition metal dichalcogenides are type-I and type-II DSMs, respectively. By alloying the two materials, a new HfxZr1−xTe2 alloy with type-III Dirac cone emerges at x = 0.2, in combination with 1% in-plane compressive strain. By imaging the electronic energy bands with in situ angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of this random alloy with the desired composition, grown by molecular beam epitaxy on InAs(111) substrates, we provide experimental evidence that the tοp of type-III Dirac cone lies at—or very close to—the Fermi level.
Exploring non-linear correlators on AGP
Authors: Khamoshi Armin , Chen Guo P. , Henderson Thomas M. , Scuseria Gustavo E.
Published: February 2021

Single-reference methods such as Hartree–Fock-based coupled cluster theory are well known for their accuracy and efficiency for weakly correlated systems. For strongly correlated systems, more sophisticated methods are needed. Recent studies have revealed the potential of the antisymmetrized geminal power (AGP) as an excellent initial reference for the strong correlation problem. While these studies improved on AGP by linear correlators, we explore some non-linear exponential Ansätze in this paper. We investigate two approaches in particular. Similar to Wahlen-Strothman et al. [Phys. Rev. B 91, 041114(R) (2015)], we show that the similarity transformed Hamiltonian with a Hilbert-space Jastrow operator is summable to all orders and can be solved over AGP by projecting the Schrödinger equation. The second approach is based on approximating the unitary pair-hopper Ansatz recently proposed for application on a quantum computer. We report benchmark numerical calculations against the ground state of the pairing Hamiltonian for both of these approaches.