bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new type of unconventional gas reservoir from the nodular limestones of the Middle Permian Maokou Formation in the south‐eastern Sichuan Basin, south‐west China
Authors: Li Ang , Shan Xuanlong , Luo Kaiping , Li Fengxun , Peng Jinning , Su Siyuan , Pan Wenlei , Deng Mo
Published: August 2021

A set of nodular limestones was developed in the first member of the Middle Permian Maokou Formation (denoted as the Mao‐1 member) in the south‐eastern Sichuan Basin, south‐west China. Borehole coring has shown excellent signals of oil and gas from the Mao‐1 member carbonates, and many drilling wells have obtained industrial‐level gas flow. To assess the natural gas exploration potential of the Mao‐1 member in this area, sedimentary characteristics of drilling cores are described, and the formation mechanism of natural gas reservoir and its key controlling factors are also evaluated using data obtained from field geological survey, core observation, and laboratory experimental analysis. On this basis, the process of natural gas accumulation and evolution is examined. The results show that the Mao‐1 member nodular limestone comprises abundant marls and packstone to wackestone, and they were deposited in a lower part of the carbonate ramp setting. The marls exhibit rather high organic‐matter abundance and hydrocarbon generation capacity. Natural gas is mostly enriched in the marls developed talc diagenetic shrinkage pores and a certain number of organic‐matter pores, and their reservoir properties are much better than that of packstone‐wackestone. The natural gas in the Mao‐1 member is mainly self‐generated oil pyrolysis gas. The gas reservoir is characterized by the co‐existence of source rocks and reservoir, a lithology‐controlled reservoir, and a structure‐fracture‐controlled enrichment mechanism. Organic‐matter‐rich marl constitutes the material basis for natural gas accumulation. Talc diagenetic shrinkage pores provide storage space for natural gas. Preservation conditions are the key to natural gas accumulation, and natural fractures are beneficial to high gas production. The gas reservoir is characterized by early intraformational enrichment and late interformational adjustment. The finding of the nodular limestone gas reservoir of the Mao‐1 member provides new insights into unconventional gas exploration in the Sichuan Basin, and shows great potential for increasing natural gas reserves and production in China.
Clinical Staging of Mass‐Forming Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Computed Tomography Versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Kim Yeun‐Yoon , Yeom Suk‐Keu , Shin Hyejung , Choi Sang Hyun , Rhee Hyungjin , Park Ji Hoon , Cho Eun‐Suk , Park Sumi , Lee Seung Soo , Park Mi‐Suk
Published: August 2021

We compared the performance of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for preoperative clinical staging of mass‐forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), using the eighth American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) system. This retrospective, multicenter, cohort study consecutively identified patients who underwent partial hepatectomy for mass‐forming iCCA and had preoperative CT and MRI performed from January 2009 to December 2015. CT and MRI characteristics were used to determine clinical stage based on the eighth AJCC system. Performances of CT and MRI for clinical T and N staging were compared using generalized estimating equations. In 334 patients (median age, 63 years; 221 men), MRI sensitivities were significantly higher than CT sensitivities for detecting T1b or higher stages (91.0% vs. 80.5%, respectively, P < 0.001), T2 or higher stages (89.1% vs. 73.8%, respectively, P < 0.001), and T3 or T4 stage (77.8% vs. 58.0%, respectively, P < 0.001). MRI was also more sensitive at identifying multiple tumors than CT (66.7% vs. 50.0%, respectively, P = 0.026), without a significant difference in specificity (78.1% vs. 80.1%, respectively, P = 0.342). Sensitivities were comparable between CT and MRI for determination of size >5 cm (i.e., T1b for single tumor) and extrahepatic organ invasion (i.e., T4). Sensitivities of CT and MRI were not different for N stage (65.0% vs. 64.0%, respectively, P = 0.808), but the specificity of CT was significantly higher than that of MRI (80.7% vs. 72.9%, respectively, P = 0.001) when using a composite reference standard. Conclusion: MRI showed superior sensitivity to CT for diagnosing T2 and T3 stages, particularly multiple tumors. CT and MRI had comparable sensitivity for N staging, but CT provided higher specificity than MRI.
Improving healthcare performance through Activity‐Based Costing and Time‐Driven Activity‐Based Costing
Authors: Niñerola Angels , Hernández‐Lara Ana‐Beatriz , Sánchez‐Rebull Maria‐Victòria
Published: August 2021

Improving healthcare performance has become a need for resource optimisation in a field where they are scarce. Activity‐Based Costing (ABC) has been applied for more than 30 years to allocate costs and provide information for decision‐making. This paper seeks to review previous literature in the health field that analysed this cost system and its new version, TDABC (Time‐Driven Activity‐Based Costing). Five hundred ninety articles published from 1989 to 2019 were retrieved from Scopus and Medline. The review includes descriptive, relational and content analyses. Results show that the interest in applying these cost systems is growing, especially in journals focusing on the financial aspects of health, policy and planning, and radiology. However, there is a difference in the application of ABC and TDABC. ABC is more related to efficiency and more used in laboratories. In contrast, TDABC is primarily used in hospitals and addressing the value of health rather than cost‐effectiveness. On the other hand, the findings suggest that TDABC present greater opportunities for publication compared with ABC. Its progression is higher and gets more citations. The current article contributes to broadening the field's vision and encourages authors for further research.
Nanoprobe‐based mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for rapid phospholipid profiling
Authors: Mernie Elias Gizaw , Tseng Mei‐Chun , Wu Wen‐Ti , Liu Tzu‐Ming , Chen Yu‐Ju
Published: August 2021

Phospholipids are the major components of cellular membranes and possess important biological roles. Despite their significance in diagnosis and therapeutic application in various diseases, systematic profiling of phospholipids remains challenging due to time‐consuming sample preparation and their inherent structure complexity. Taking advantages of complementary, simple, and fast structural analysis by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), we reported a nanoprobe‐based dual detection strategy for large‐scale phospholipid profiling. Based on electrostatic interaction between nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) chelated iron ion and phosphate head on phospholipids, we developed an NTA‐decorated magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)‐based strategy for enrichment of phospholipids from lung cancer cell lines. Compared to the conventional liquid–liquid extraction, NTA@MNP nanoprobe enrichment demonstrated 2.6‐fold more identified phospholipids. By direct on‐particle analysis, FTIR confirmed the P‐O‐C and phosphate stretching characteristic of the phospholipid head group, and MALDI‐TOF MS identified a total of 59 phospholipids from PC9 and A549 lung cancer cells. Comparing the variation of phospholipids between two cell lines, we identified significantly more phospholipids in the PC9 cells (49) compared to 35 phospholipids in the A549 cells. The comparison also revealed 24 and 10 cell line‐specific phospholipids in the PC9 and A549 cells, respectively. Given the demonstrated rapid enrichment and unambiguous identification of phospholipids at cellular levels, the developed approach can provide systematic profiling to study the under‐explored phospholipid species.
Using the theory of planned behaviour to determine radiation protection among South African diagnostic radiographers: a cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Lewis Shantel , Downing Charlene , Hayre Christopher M
Published: August 2021

Introduction

The use of ionising radiation in medicine accounts for the majority of radiation exposure from artificial sources. Therefore, all measures to safeguard against unnecessary radiation exposure must be taken. As radiographers are central to radiation protection, this study aimed to determine South African radiographers’ attitude towards radiation protection, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control concerning radiation protection.

Methods

This quantitative cross‐sectional study used an online theory of a planned behaviour radiation protection questionnaire shared through social media platforms from August 2019 to February 2020. Diagnostic radiographers registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and employed at radiology departments in South Africa were invited to participate in the study.

Results

Four hundred and seventeen radiographers in South Africa responded to the questionnaire. The majority of respondents (90%, n = 376) plan to use radiation protection; however, only 16% continuously used radiation protection in the past. Respondents felt that using radiation protection was extremely good (72.2%), pleasant (47%), beneficial (74.1%), rewarding (55.2%) and worth the time (52.5%); 57% of respondents indicated that using radiation protection takes longer to complete the examination. Respondents report that approval from patients (43.5%), patients’ family (32%), radiographer coworkers (31%), radiology managers (47%) and radiologists (43.9%) is very much important to them.

Conclusion

The study shows that even though fewer respondents use radiation protection at present, most respondents plan and intend to use radiation protection measures. Respondents felt that radiation protection was good and beneficial, with some respondents feeling that radiation protection is not worth the time, which coincide with lengthening the examination. Overall, South African radiographers’ attitudes towards radiation protection, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and radiation protection intention were high.
Detection of a novel species A, DS‐1‐like, G4P[6] rotavirus strain from a Brazilian child with gastroenteritis
Authors: Bandeira Renato da Silva , Souto Lizandra Caroline dos Santos , de Souza Layse Costa , Linhares Alexandre C. , Mascarenhas Joana D'Arc Pereira
Published: August 2021

Rotaviruses belonging to species A (RVA) remain among the most common causes of severe gastroenteritis in children aged <5 years, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Genome reassortment events between two human strains or human and animal strains represent one of the mechanisms which appear to generate the broad genetic variability of circulating. According to a nucleotide, sequence‐based classification system, RVA strains are currently classified into three genotype constellations including Wa‐like (genogroup I), DS‐1‐like (genogroup II), and AU‐like (genogroup III). The present study reports the detection of an unusual RVA G4P[6] strain (coded as strain HSE005), which might have originated from a natural reassortment event between human and animal RVA strains. Molecular characterization of this isolate showed that it belonged to genogroup II, genotype G4P[6]. In addition, two genes (VP3 and NSP4) of this strain denoted evidence of reassortment events involving strains of distinct zoonotic evolutionary origins. Therefore, we propose that a new G4P[6] strain was identified, highlighting a possible first zoonotic transmission including a reassortment event that involved the VP3 gene.
Assessment of core and support functions of the communicable disease surveillance system in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Authors: Hamalaw Soran Amin , Bayati Ali Hattem , Babakir‐Mina Muhammed , Benvenuto Domenico , Fabris Silvia , Guarino Michele , Giovanetti Marta , Ciccozzi Massimo
Published: August 2021

Early detection and prompt response are crucial measures to prevent and control outbreaks. Public health agencies, therefore, designed the Communicable Disease Surveillance System (CDSS) to obtain essential data instantaneously to be used for appropriate action. However, a periodic evaluation of CDSS is indispensable to ensure the functionality of the system. For this reason, this study aims to assess the performance of the core and support functions of the CDSS in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. A descriptive cross‐sectional study was used. From a total of 291 health facilities HFs (Primary health care centers and Hospitals) in the Kurdistan region of Iraq that have surveillance activities, 74 HFs were selected using a random stratified sampling approach. The World Health Organization (WHO) generic questionnaire has been used to interview the surveillance staff, together with direct collection of the data. Our analysis shows a lack of surveillance guiding manual in the HFs. Even at the district level, where a surveillance manual existed, case definitions, thresholds, and control measures were still missing. To note, more than 93% of HFs had organized and comprehensive patients registers for the collection of their clinical and secondary data. Also, all HFs had functioning laboratories. The majority of them (almost 93%) were equipped to collect, process, and store blood, stool, and urine specimens. About 72% of these laboratories were also able to transport timely the specimens to more specialized laboratories. At all levels, data reporting to the higher level exceeded the recommended minimum rate of 80%. The reporting system at the district level was based on emails, while in the periphery on hand‐delivered in paper‐based formats (50%), telephone (22%), and social media (22%). Furthermore, our analysis highlights the lack of data analysis: only 3.8% of Primary Health Care Centers conduct simple data analysis regularly, while hospitals do not do any sort of analysis. Also, only a few HFs investigated an outbreak, though using system routine sources to capture these public health events. Our findings show a lack in epidemic preparedness (3%), in feedback (53%), in standard guidelines, training, supervision, and resource allocations in HFs (0%). Taken together, our data show the importance of strengthening the CDSS in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, by reinforcing the surveillance system with continuous feedback, supervision, well‐trained and motivated staff, technical support, and coordination between researchers and physicians.
Autoimmune complications of COVID‐19
Authors: Yazdanpanah Niloufar , Rezaei Nima
Published: August 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is still propagating a year after the start of the pandemic. Besides the complications patients face during the COVID‐19 disease period, there is an accumulating body of evidence concerning the late‐onset complications of COVID‐19, of which autoimmune manifestations have attracted remarkable attention from the first months of the pandemic. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune thyroid diseases, Kawasaki disease, Guillain‐Barre syndrome, and the detection of autoantibodies are the cues to the discovery of the potential of COVID‐19 in inducing autoimmunity. Clarification of the pathophysiology of COVID‐19 injuries to the host, whether it is direct viral injury or autoimmunity, could help to develop appropriate treatment.
Long‐Term Voice Outcomes Following Cricotracheal Resection for Subglottic Stenosis: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Compton Evan C. , Beveridge Shari , Andreassen Meri , Gelfand Gary , McFadden Sean , Bosch Doug , Randall Derrick R.
Published: August 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

Cricotracheal resection (CTR) is an effective treatment for refractory idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) but is associated with persistent dysphonia. Outcomes were measured longitudinally to characterize how patients' voices and self‐perceived voice handicaps changed after CTR.

Study Design

Retrospective case‐series.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with refractory iSGS treated by CTR from 2006 to 2017. Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Consensus Auditory‐Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE‐V), and acoustic analysis were prospectively collected preoperatively and postoperatively at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24‐month intervals. A linear mixed model was used to evaluate temporal change.

Results

Thirty‐three patients (97% female) were included. VHI scores increased significantly from baseline preoperative score (27.2 ± 22.7) to a mean value of 44.3 ± 25.6 (P < .001) 1‐month postoperatively but decreased below preoperative scores after 2 years (18.8 ± 11.9, P = .795). Mean fundamental frequency (F0) values in speech decreased significantly from 192.0 ± 24.9 Hz preoperatively to 167.1 ± 19.8 Hz at a 2‐year follow‐up (P = .002), with a nadir value at 1‐month postoperatively (148.4 ± 20.5, P < .001). CAPE‐V scores increased significantly from preoperative to 1‐month postoperative (3.0 ± 2.3 vs. 21.9 ± 17.3, P < .001) but returned toward baseline values at 24 months after CTR (6.9 ± 4.8, P = .027). CAPE‐V measurements postoperatively were correlated with VHI and F0 (Pearson coefficient = 0.54 (VHI), −0.46 (F0), P < .001).

Conclusions

Following CTR, mean F0 values were significantly and consistently lower but did increase over time, correlating with patients' improving VHI and CAPE‐V scores. VHI values indicate that patient's perception of their voice is not significantly impacted in long term. These results provide a framework to counsel patients about long term voice expectations.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 132:1054–1060, 2022
Reconnecting reef recovery in a world of coral bleaching
Authors: Mumby Peter J. , Mason Robert A. B. , Hock Karlo
Published: August 2021

Coral bleaching can have widespread impacts on reefs leaving many areas in need of coral recovery. While the long‐term mitigation of bleaching requires transitioning to a low carbon economy, local management has focused on approaches that seek refugia from or tolerance to bleaching stressors, reduce additional stressors, or facilitate coral recovery. Here, we describe a tactical response to coral bleaching events that seeks to identify the most important reefs for driving imminent recovery. A bleaching recovery algorithm is described that identifies those reefs that provide the most important sources of coral larvae that supply many reefs in the early stages of post‐bleaching recovery (i.e., reefs in need of coral larval supply). We describe the algorithm with a simple toy example and then apply it to the Great Barrier Reef, which has experienced three mass bleaching events in the last 5 yr. Once such reefs have been identified it makes practical sense to undertake a vulnerability assessment and if necessary reduce manageable stressors, such as outbreaks of crown‐of‐thorns starfish or anchor damage, so that critical sources of coral recovery are not depleted further. In short, algorithms like this can help managers target finite management resources, including restoration, to where they might be most effective in facilitating natural processes of recovery.
Double Network Hydrogel Sensors with High Sensitivity in Large Strain Range
Authors: Zhang Jingfei , Xue Wei , Dai Yongqiang , Wu Lian , Liao Bing , Zeng Wei , Tao Xiaoming
Published: August 2021

Owing to their preferable flexibility and facilitation to integrate with various apparel products, flexible sensors with high sensitivity are highly favored in the fields of environmental monitoring, health diagnosis, and wearable electronics. However, great challenges still remain in integrating high sensitivity with wide sensing range in one single flexible strain sensor. Herein, a new stretchable conductive gel‐based sensor exhibiting remarkable properties regarding stretchability and sensitivity is developed via improving the ionic conductivity of the PVA/P(AM‐AANa) double network hydrogel. Specifically, the strain sensor developed exhibits an excellent elongation of 549%, good fatigue resistance, and recovery performance. Simultaneously, the hydrogel strain sensor shows a high conductivity of 25 mS cm−1, fast response time of 360 ms, and a linear response (gauge factor = 4.75) to external strain (≈400%), which endow the sensor with accurate and reliable capacities to detect various human movements. Integrating the merits of flexibility, environment friendliness, and high sensitivity, the conductive gel‐based sensor has promising application prospects in human–machine interfaces, touchpads, biosensors, electronic skin, wearable electronic devices, and so on.
Genetic and clinical heterogeneity in Korean patients with Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome
Authors: Choi Naye , Kim Hwa Young , Lim Byung Chan , Chae Jong‐Hee , Kim Soo Yeon , Ko Jung Min
Published: August 2021

Background

Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome (RSTS) is a rare congenital malformation syndrome with clinical characteristics such as hypertrichosis, high arched eyebrows, large beaked nose, and broad thumbs and halluces. RSTS patients showed intellectual disability and health problems such as short stature, ophthalmologic abnormalities, congenital heart defects, genitourinary defects, and variable types of tumors. Although mutations in CREBBP and EP300 genes are associated with RSTS features, genetic causation is still unknown in 30% of patients.

Methods

We present clinical and molecular genetic characteristics of 25 unrelated Korean patients clinically diagnosed with RSTS. Sanger sequencing analysis and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification for CREBBP in 25 patients and exome sequencing of CREBBP‐negative cases were performed in nine patients successively.

Results

Causative variants were identified in 20 (80%) patients: 16 (64%) in CREBBP and 4 (16%) in EP300. All the identified variants predict protein truncation (11 frameshift, 2 nonsense, 1 splicing‐site, and 6 large intragenic deletions); there are no repeatedly identified sequence variants. Four of the CREBBP and all four EP300 variants are novel. Intellectual disability was noted in 24/25 patients (96%); no difference was found between CREBBP and EP300 groups. One patient with a CREBBP variant (4%) had malignant tumor.

Conclusions

To date, this is the largest cohort of patients with RSTS including EP300‐related patients in Korea. Future large‐scale studies to find genetic mutation of molecularly unsolved patients and long‐term prospective studies are required to validate our results.
On development of heat transportation through bioconvection of Maxwell nanofluid flow due to an extendable sheet with radiative heat flux and prescribed surface temperature and prescribed heat flux conditions
Authors: Abdal Sohaib , Siddique Imran , Afzal Saima , Chu Yu‐Ming , Ahmadian Ali , Salahshour Soheil
Published: August 2021

This paper evaluates thermal output for the flow of Maxwell nanofluid over an extending sheet with bioconvection of micron size self‐motivated organisms. Radiative heat flux and two temperature boundary conditions, namely, prescribed surface temperature (PST) and prescribed heat flux (PHF), are considered. The flow is influenced by a magnetic field and porosity effects of a medium. The motivation pertains to attain an enhancement in thermal transportation via nanoparticle inclusion. The possible settling of the nanoparticles may be avoided by bioconvection of microorganisms. The basic theoretical conservation of mass, concentration, momentum, and energy provides a nonlinear set of partial differential equations which are then transmuted into ordinary differential form. The implementation of Runge–Kutta method with shooting technique in Matlab coding resulted the numerical solution. A deep insight into the problem is inspected by varying the inputs of influential parameters of the dependent functions. It is perceived that the flow speed is hindered by the growing inputs of parameters of buoyancy ratio, magnetic field, Raleigh number, and porosity. The temperature of the fluid attains higher outputs directly with thermophoresis and Brownian movement of nanoparticles. Motile microorganisms χ(η) profile goes down when bioconvection Schmidt number intensified. The current numeric results are validated when compared within existing studies.
Effects of confining‐pressure dependent Lame moduli on the frequency‐dependent amplification of a poro‐viscoelastic soil layer under horizontal cyclic loading
Authors: Ueda Kyohei
Published: August 2021

In this paper, a series of Biot theory‐based analytical solutions are proposed to study the dynamic response of a viscoelastic two‐phase porous medium subjected to horizontal cyclic loading. To investigate the effect of material dynamic properties' depth (or confining‐pressure) dependency, two types of soil stiffness profiles are adopted, along with the constant Lame elastic and loss moduli with depth: the moduli that are linearly increasing with depth and the moduli that are nonlinearly increasing with depth. The influence of the loading frequency, retardation time (or viscous damping), and a newly introduced model parameter that expresses the effect of soil cohesion on the moduli are numerically examined. When the retardation time is small and the dynamic response is periodic, it is demonstrated that the ground surface displacement versus loading frequency is greatly affected by the Lame moduli's depth‐dependency; the peak‐to‐peak period becomes shorter and the amplitude decay tends to be minimal, considering the depth‐dependency, particularly in the linearly increasing condition with depth. In addition, the cohesion‐related parameter affects not only the periodic displacement amplitude but also the phase characteristics. Furthermore, the effect of the Lame moduli's depth‐dependency is investigated on the amplification factor distribution with depth under horizontal loading.
Low fetal fraction in cell‐free DNA testing is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome: Analysis of a subcohort of the TRIDENT‐2 study
Authors: Becking Ellis C. , Wirjosoekarto Soetinah A. M. , Scheffer Peter G. , Huiskes Julia V. M. , Remmelink Marinka J. , Sistermans Erik A. , Bax Caroline J. , Weiss Janneke M. , Henneman Lidewij , Bekker Mireille N.
Published: August 2021

Objectives

To assess the association between low fetal fraction (FF) in prenatal cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) testing and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of participants of the TRIDENT‐2 study (Dutch nationwide government‐supported study offering cfDNA screening for fetal aneuploidies) who received a failed test result due to low FF (<4%) between April 2017 until February 2018. Outcome measures included pregnancy‐induced hypertension (PIH), pre‐eclampsia (PE), small for gestational age neonates (SGA), spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), chromosomal aberrations, and congenital structural anomalies.

Results

Test failure due to low FF occurred in 295 women (1.12% of tests performed). Information regarding pregnancy outcomes was available for 96.3% of these women. The incidence of PIH, PE, SGA, sPTB, and GDM was 11.2%, 4.1%, 7.3%, 5.1%, and 14.8%, respectively. The prevalence of chromosomal aberrations and congenital structural anomalies was 1.4% and 4.1%, respectively. Incidences of PIH, PE ≥ 34 weeks of gestation, GDM, and prevalence of aneuploidy and congenital structural anomalies were higher in women with low FF compared to the general Dutch obstetric population.

Conclusion

Low FF is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The value of FF in the prediction of these outcomes needs to be further established.
Structural lung disease following allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis complicating pediatric cystic fibrosis
Authors: McCashney Angus , Robinson Phil
Published: August 2021

Background

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) complicating cystic fibrosis (CF) is frequently associated with significant structural lung damage as assessed by computed tomography (CT) scanning.

Methods

Using a validated CF scoring system (structural lung disease [SLD] score) we examined the degree of structural lung disease in a group of 25 children with CF who had received steroid therapy for ABPA (CF‐ABPA) and compared our findings to a matched group of CF patients without ABPA (CF‐CON) using both cross‐section and longitudinal analysis. Further, we examined the structure–function correlation between CT findings and lung function.

Results

Mean SLD score (expressed as a percentage of maximal score) was significantly higher (worse) in the CF‐ABPA group than the CF‐CON group (29.3% CF–ABPA vs. 18.7% CF‐CON p < .05). CF‐ABPA patients showed significantly greater rate of development of structural lung disease over time than CF‐CON patients (6.8% per year vs 1.4% p < .01). We found no correlation between lung function and the degree of structural lung disease.

Conclusions

ABPA in children with CF is associated with significantly more structural lung disease than that found in children with CF without ABPA. Despite interventive steroid therapy lung disease progresses more rapidly in those patients with ABPA and CF than control patients with CF.
Phonon Anomalies Associated with Spin Reorientation in the Kagome Ferromagnet Fe3Sn2
Authors: He Ge , Peis Leander , Stumberger Ramona , Prodan Lilian , Tsurkan Vladimir , Unglert Nico , Chioncel Liviu , Kézsmárki István , Hackl Rudi
Published: August 2021

Polarization‐ and temperature‐dependent Raman data along with theoretical simulations are presented for the Kagome ferromagnet . Eight out of nine expected phonon modes are identified. The experimental energies compare well with those from the simulations. The analysis of the line widths indicates relatively strong phonon–phonon coupling in the range 0.1–1. The temperature‐dependent frequencies of three modes show weak anomalies at ≈100 K. In contrast, the linewidths of all phonon modes follow the conventional exponential broadening up to room temperature except for the softest mode, whose width exhibits a kink close to 100 K and becomes nearly constant for . These features are indicative of a spin reorientation taking place in the temperature range above 100 K, which might arise from spin–phonon coupling. The low‐energy part of the electronic continuum in symmetry depends strongly on temperature. The possible reasons include particle–hole excitation tracking the resistivity, a spin‐dependent gap, or spin fluctuations.
Pharmacodynamics of Aloe vera and acemannan in therapeutic applications for skin, digestion, and immunomodulation
Authors: Sadgrove Nicholas J. , Simmonds Monique S. J.
Published: August 2021

Scientific studies of Aloe vera have tentatively explained therapeutic claims from a mechanistic perspective. Furthermore, in vitro outcomes demonstrate that the breakage of acemannan chains into smaller fragments enhances biological effects. These fragments can intravenously boost vaccine efficacy or entrain the immune system to attack cancer cells by mannose receptor agonism of macrophage or dendritic cells. With oral consumption, epithelialisation also occurs at injured sites in the small intestine or colon. The main advantage of dietary acemannan is the attenuation of the digestive process, increasing satiety, and slowing the release of sugars from starches. In the colon, acemannan is digested by microbes into short‐chain fatty acids that are absorbed and augment the sensation of satiety and confer a host of other health benefits. In topical applications, an acemannan/chitosan combination accelerates the closure of wounds by promoting granular tissue formation, which creates a barrier between macrophages or neutrophils and the wound dressing. This causes M2 polarisation, reversal of inflammation, and acceleration of the re‐epithelialisation process. This review summarises and explains the current pharmacodynamic paradigm in the context of acemannan in topical, oral, and intravenous applications. However, due to contradictory results in the literature, further research is required to provide scientific evidence to confirm or nullify these claims.
Combination therapy of tanshinone IIA and puerarin for pulmonary fibrosis via targeting IL6‐JAK2‐STAT3/STAT1 signaling pathways
Authors: Xue Zhifeng , Zhao Fangzhe , Sang Xiaoqing , Qiao Yuchuan , Shao Rui , Wang Yuanyuan , Gao Shan , Fan Guanwei , Zhu Yan , Yang Jian
Published: August 2021

Efficient therapy of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is still a major challenge. The current studies with single‐target drug therapy are the pessimistic approaches due to the complex characteristics of IPF. Here, a combination therapy of Tanshinone IIA and Puerarin for IPF was proposed to alleviate IPF due to their antiinflammatory and anti‐fibrotic effects. In vivo, the combination therapy could significantly attenuate the area of ground glass opacification that was presented by 85% percentile density score of the micro‐CT images when compared to single conditions. In addition, the combination therapy enormously improved the survival rate and alleviated pathological changes in bleomycin (BLM)‐induced IPF mice. By using a wide spectrum of infiltration biomarkers in immunofluorescence assay in pathological sections, we demonstrate that fewer IL6 related macrophage infiltration and fibrosis area after this combination therapy, and further proved that IL6‐JAK2‐STAT3/STAT1 is the key mechanism of the combination therapy. In vitro, combination therapy markedly inhibited the fibroblasts activation and migration which was induced by TGF‐β1 or/and IL6 through JAK2‐STAT3/STAT1 signaling pathway. This study demonstrated that combination therapeutic effect of TanIIA and Pue on IPF may be related to the reduced inflammatory response targeting IL6, which could be an optimistic and effective approach for IPF.
Reliability modeling for planetary gear transmission system considering dependent failure processes
Authors: Lyu Hao , Wang Shuai , Ma Li , Zhang Xiaowen , Pecht Michael
Published: August 2021

Many mechanical systems are subject to degradation and random shock processes, which are dependent and competing. The two processes are soft failure process and hard failure process, either of which occurs will cause the system to fail. In this paper, a hard failure model of the gear system is established based on the Stress‐Strength Interference model, and a soft failure model of the system is also proposed. To consider the dependence between the two failure processes, the copula function is adopted. Then, the reliability model of the system subject to degradation and shocks is developed, and an expression of the system reliability is derived. Finally, a planetary gear transmission system is taken as a numerical example to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model, which is considered a k‐out‐of‐n system experiencing the processes of degradation and random shocks. Moreover, the effect of model parameters on reliability is evaluated through sensitivity analysis.
A note on minimizing time assurance tests for repairable systems
Authors: Hamada Michael S.
Published: August 2021

We consider assurance testing for repairable systems when supplementary information is available in addition to the data collected in the assurance test. The supplementary information is incorporated using a Bayesian inferential framework. Here we consider assurance testing for a homogeneous Poisson process. In this note we consider an alternative criterion that minimizes the test time while ensuring that the requirements on the producer's and consumer's risks are met. We illustrate the use of this alternative criterion with an example.
Residuals based EWMA control charts with risk adjustments for zero‐inflated Poisson models
Authors: Lai Xin , Liu Ruoyu , Liu Liu , Wang Jiayin , Zhang Xuanping , Zhu Xiaoyan , Chong Ka Chun
Published: August 2021

Count data are widely available in many fields and numerous studies have designed control charts for them to monitor count processes. However, these control charts have limited effect on the ”zero‐inflated” data who have excess zeros. Zero‐inflated Poisson (ZIP) models are important methods to deal with the data and some control charts based on them have been proposed. Unfortunately, there are still some limitations in these works, such as lack of risk adjustments, inability to monitor two parameters of ZIP models simultaneously, or insufficient sensitivity to small shifts. Therefore, in this paper, we propose residuals based exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts with risk adjustments for ZIP models to detect small shifts in zero‐inflated data. With taking Pearson and deviance residuals as targets, the two parameters can be monitored simultaneously. The results of simulation study via Monte Carlo methodology demonstrate that our charts have better performance than the existing charts in detecting the small changes of zero‐inflated processes. In addition, according to the results, we advise that it is best to use the EWMA chart based on deviance residuals (DR‐EWMA) to obtain the optimal monitoring performance when the likelihood function is easy to define; otherwise, that based on Pearson residuals (PR‐EWMA) can still provide better results than the existing charts. Finally, two different real data sets are used to verify the practicability of our charts.
Experimental and ReaxFF‐based molecular dynamics studies of the reaction of oxygen with DR‐2 as a low global warming potential working fluid
Authors: Tao Neng , Cheng Yuan , Lu Song , Xing Haoran , Shahid Muhammad Usman , Lo Siuming , Zhang Heping
Published: August 2021

The cis‐1,1,1,4,4,4‐hexafluoro‐2‐butene (DR‐2 or HFO‐1336mzz(Z)) is a novel environmentally friendly working fluid with appropriate physicochemical characteristics. The present work firstly investigated the decomposition mechanism and thermal stability of DR‐2 in a oxygen (O2)‐containing atmosphere at high temperature experimentally. The oxidative degradation features of DR‐2 were explored at the temperature of 473–1073 K and the products were monitored by GC–MS and IC. The experimental and ReaxFF‐based molecular dynamics results demonstrated the promotion effects of O2 on the DR‐2 decomposition. The participation of O2 molecules was supposed to lower the initial thermal decomposition temperature by 240 K approximately and increase the number of products such as hydrogen fluoride (HF), but the enhancement effect was weakened by the increasing reaction temperature. The reasonable Arrhenius parameters were calculated from the first‐order kinetic analyses‐based reactive molecular dynamics (RMD) simulations. Combined with the density functional theory, the pathways of initial oxidation decomposition product firstly observed in the experiment and RMD simulations were proposed in this study. These results may pave the way for further study of DR‐2 as a working fluid with lower global warming potential.
Analysis of the short‐term outcomes of biportal robot‐assisted lobectomy
Authors: Yang Ning , He Xiaoyang , Bai Qizhou , Cui Baiqiang , Gou Yunjiu
Published: August 2021

Background

The present study aimed to assess the short‐term consequences of biportal robot‐assisted lobectomy, validating its safety and effectiveness.

Methods

A retrospective analysis evaluated the clinical data and short‐term results of 18 patients in the single medical group of the centre who underwent biportal robot‐assisted lobectomy plus lymph node dissection from November 2020 to March 2021.

Results

Lobectomy and lymph node dissection could be successfully accomplished in all 18 patients with the assistance of a biportal robot; there was no conversion to thoracotomy during the operation. There were 10 males and 8 females with their ages ranging from 37 to 73 (58.83 ± 9.07) years. The total operation time was 74–146 (105.06 ± 18.22) min. Punching time was 2–9 (5.11 ± 1.74) min. Docking time was 8–16 (11.94 ± 2.41) min. Console time was 50–104 (78.06 ± 17.40) min. Chest closing time was 8–17 (10.28 ± 2.74) min. Blood loss was 60–132 (94.11 ± 41.41) ml. The number of lymph nodes dissected was 16–30 (21.78 ± 4.13). Chest tube duration was 2–10 (4.06 ± 1.98) days. Drainage on the first day following surgery was 100–500 (337.22 ± 117.01) ml. Total drainage was 370–1100 (692.78 ± 161.01) ml. Duration of hospital stay was 4–12 (5.89 ± 1.94) days. The median 24 and 72 h visual analogue score scores were 4 (3–7) and 3 (2–5). Total cost (¥) was 51 000–85 000 (68 000 ± 10 000), respectively. There was one case of atrial fibrillation and one case of pulmonary infection. The complication rate was 11.11%. No serious complications were recorded after surgery, and no deaths occurred within 30 days post‐surgery. The final pathological diagnosis revealed 10 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 7 cases of adenocarcinoma and 1 case of benign disease.

Conclusion

The biportal robot‐assisted lobectomy was found to be safe and effective in the treatment of lung cancer.
A Bayesian approach for estimating typhoid fever incidence from large‐scale facility‐based passive surveillance data
Authors: Phillips Maile T. , Meiring James E. , Voysey Merryn , Warren Joshua L. , Baker Stephen , Basnyat Buddha , Clemens John D. , Dolecek Christiane , Dunstan Sarah J. , Dougan Gordon , Gordon Melita A. , Thindwa Deus , Heyderman Robert S. , Holt Kathryn E. , Qadri Firdausi , Pollard Andrew J. , Pitzer Virginia E. ,   the STRATAA Study Group
Published: August 2021

Decisions about typhoid fever prevention and control are based on estimates of typhoid incidence and their uncertainty. Lack of specific clinical diagnostic criteria, poorly sensitive diagnostic tests, and scarcity of accurate and complete datasets contribute to difficulties in calculating age‐specific population‐level typhoid incidence. Using data from the Strategic Typhoid Alliance across Africa and Asia program, we integrated demographic censuses, healthcare utilization surveys, facility‐based surveillance, and serological surveillance from Malawi, Nepal, and Bangladesh to account for under‐detection of cases. We developed a Bayesian approach that adjusts the count of reported blood‐culture‐positive cases for blood culture detection, blood culture collection, and healthcare seeking—and how these factors vary by age—while combining information from prior published studies. We validated the model using simulated data. The ratio of observed to adjusted incidence rates was 7.7 (95% credible interval [CrI]: 6.0‐12.4) in Malawi, 14.4 (95% CrI: 9.3‐24.9) in Nepal, and 7.0 (95% CrI: 5.6‐9.2) in Bangladesh. The probability of blood culture collection led to the largest adjustment in Malawi, while the probability of seeking healthcare contributed the most in Nepal and Bangladesh; adjustment factors varied by age. Adjusted incidence rates were within or below the seroincidence rate limits of typhoid infection. Estimates of blood‐culture‐confirmed typhoid fever without these adjustments results in considerable underestimation of the true incidence of typhoid fever. Our approach allows each phase of the reporting process to be synthesized to estimate the adjusted incidence of typhoid fever while correctly characterizing uncertainty, which can inform decision‐making for typhoid prevention and control.
Nanofiber Composite for Improved Water Retention and Dendrites Suppression in Flexible Zinc‐Air Batteries
Authors: Chen Zhaoyang , Yang Xing , Li Wenqiong , Liang Xiaoguang , Guo Jiaming , Li Haihan , He Yun , Kim Yoonseob
Published: August 2021

Water loss of the gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) and dendrites growth on Zn anode are overriding obstacles to applying flexible zinc‐air batteries (ZABs) for wearable electronic devices. Nearly all previous efforts aim at developing novel GPEs with enhanced water retention and therefore elongate their lifespan. Herein, a facile interface engineering strategy is proposed to retard the water loss of GPE from the half‐open structured air cathode. In detail, the poly(ethylene vinyl acetate)/carbon powder (PEVA‐C) nanofiber composite interface layer with features of hydrophobicity, high conductivity, air permeability, and flexibility are prepared on the carbon cloth and set up between the GPE and electrode. The as‐assembled ZAB with simple alkaline PVA GPE exhibits an impressive cycle life of 230 h, which outperforms ZAB without the PEVA‐C nanofibers interface layer by 14 times. Additionally, the growth of Zn dendrites can be suppressed due to the tardy water loss of GPE.
The Effect of Long‐Term Ageing on Microstructural Properties and Laves Phase Precipitation of Welded P91 and P92 Steels
Authors: Junek Michal , Svobodova Marie , Horvath Jakub , Mara Vladimir
Published: August 2021

Creep resistant 9% Cr steels are frequently used in civil engineering projects of supercritical coal‐fired power plants operating at temperatures of superheated steam around 610 °C. This work focus on analysis of microstructure degradation and degradation of mechanical properties of orbital narrow‐gap welding of P91 and P92 steels. Nowadays welding technology of orbital narrow‐gap using tungsten inert gas is not limited to welding of high‐pressure steam pipelines. This method is highly productive and efficient and leads to an increase in productivity, quality, and repeatability of welding process. It replaces the original method of manual welding with coated electrode into a standard bevel, which is a time‐consuming process that costs a high amount of weld metal. Welds are degraded at 650 °C/30 000 h without applied stress and the effect of degradation is evaluated across the weld based on the observed changes in microstructure and hardness. Attention is focused mainly on precipitation and coarsening of Laves phase in the main areas of heat affected zone (HAZ): coarse grain HAZ, fine grain HAZ, and intercritical HAZ. The results show that frequency and rate of Laves phase coarsening in the fine grain and coarse grain HAZ are higher than in the base material.
Expansion of Additive‐Manufactured Tubes: Deformation and Metallurgical Analysis
Authors: Pragana João P.M. , Rosa Luís G. , Bragança Ivo M.F. , Silva Carlos M.A. , Martins Paulo A.F.
Published: August 2021

Herein, the mechanical and metallurgical feasibility of integrating tube end‐forming operations with additive manufacturing is investigated. The work makes use of wire‐arc additively manufactured AISI 316L stainless steel preforms that are subsequently machined into tubes and expanded with a tapered conical punch. Experimental measurements of force, surface strains, thickness, and microhardness combined with microstructure observations and fractography of the fractured surfaces are utilized to characterize plastic deformation and formability limits of the additively manufactured tubes and understand the main differences against the results obtained from commercial wrought tubes of the same material. Results show that the material deformation characteristics, namely, the evolution of microhardness along the expanded tube length, and the formability limits by necking and fracture, are strongly influenced by the columnar microstructure originated by a noncyclic dendritic growth aligned with the building direction. Still, results demonstrate that the additively manufactured AISI 316L tubes are ductile enough to be successfully included in hybrid additive manufacturing routes.
Metal–Organic Framework‐Based Electrocatalysts for CO2 Reduction
Authors: Shah Syed Shoaib Ahmad , Najam Tayyaba , Wen Ming , Zang Shuang-Quan , Waseem Amir , Jiang Hai-Long
Published: August 2021

The increasing concentration of CO2 is alarming for modern society and the reduction of CO2 into valuable products is the unique solution. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), constructed by organic linkers interconnected with metal (oxide) nodes, with high porosity and large surface area, have become an emerging class of electrocatalysts for reduction of CO2. Herein, the recent advancements in MOF‐based electrocatalysts for the reduction of CO2, abridged the recent strategies to enhance the performance are summarized and the structure–activity relationship is discussed to provide a comprehensive route for the rational design of novel catalysts. Moreover, the specially focused aspect is to summarize recent strategies of structure tuning, manipulating the electronic structure and enhancing the active site density to well exposed single‐atom active sites. In addition, some demerits and proposed future perspectives are also discussed.