bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Das Ende des Regenbogens – experimentieren mit Ozon
Authors: Czubatinski Lars , Hornung Gabriele , Clausius Christoph , Weisenburger Fabienne
Published: April 2022

Ozongeneratoren sind heute preiswert und produzieren so viel Ozon, dass sie sich in der Schule für Experimente zur Farbstoffchemie eignen. Zwei Beispiele aus dem Alltag, die sich für solche Versuche anbieten, sind Lebensmittelfarben und blauer Jeansstoff.
Intelligent stiffness computation for plate and beam structures by neural network enhanced finite element analysis
Authors: Balkrishna Tandale Saurabh , Markert Bernd , Stoffel Marcus
Published: April 2022

In the present study, new methods are proposed to replace the constitutive law and the entire tangent stiffness matrix in finite element analysis by artificial neural networks (ANNs). By combining the FEM with ANN, so‐called intelligent elements are developed. First, as an extension to recent trends in model‐based material law replacement, we introduce an additional loss term corresponding to the material stiffness. This training procedure is referred to as Sobolev training and ensures that the ANN learns both the function approximating the stress behavior and its first derivative (material stiffness). In a following step, we introduce three methods to replace the entire local stiffness matrix of an element by approximating its generalized force‐displacement relations. These methods also adopt ANNs with Sobolev training procedure to predict the mentioned quantities. Since neural networks (NN) are universal function approximators, they are used to extract the stiffness information for elements undergoing plastic deformation. The focus of this work is to establish a neural network‐based FEM framework (independent of NN topology) to introduce an enhanced‐material law and in a consequent step also approximate stiffness information of truss, beam, and plate elements taking physical non‐linear behavior into account.
Pharmacokinetics of bleomycin sclerotherapy in patients with vascular malformations
Authors: Mack Joana M. , Peterson Eric C. , Crary Shelley E. , Moran Jeffery H. , Neville Kathleen , Pierce C. D'ann , Richter Gresham T.
Published: April 2022

Bleomycin, a chemotherapy agent that inhibits synthesis of DNA, has been increasingly utilized in sclerotherapy for patients with vascular malformations. A serious long‐term risk of intravenous bleomycin is dose‐dependent interstitial pneumonitis. Little is known about absorption and circulating levels of bleomycin when used in sclerotherapy for patients with vascular malformations. This is an Institutional Review Board (IRB)‐approved prospective study on patients receiving bleomycin sclerotherapy in the management of vascular malformations. Depending on the type of vascular malformation, bleomycin was administered either in the lumen or interstitial space of the involved lesion. A bleomycin assay measured serum bleomycin plasma concentrations versus time at seven intervals following treatment. Pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained for each participant and included peak plasma concentration (Cmax), time to reach peak plasma concentration (Tmax), volume of distribution (Vd), elimination half‐life (t1/2), the volume of plasma cleared of the drug per unit time (CL), and total systemic exposure area under the curve (AUC). Fifteen patients were enrolled (5: lymphatic, 4: venous, 6: arteriovenous malformations). Bleomycin was administered interstitially (IS) in 11 patients and intraluminal (IL) in four; median age of 13 years (range: 2–67). Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed terminal elimination half‐life (t1/2λz) of 88.51 (±23.09) and 111.61 (±37.75) minutes for the IS and IL groups, respectively. Vd was 4.86 L (±6.74) and 1.55 L (±0.54) for the IS and IL groups, respectively. AUC was 53.9 (±23.45) and 129.17 (±93.57) mg min/L for the IS and IL groups, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in t1/2λz, Vd, or AUC parameters between groups. Bleomycin is absorbed systemically when used as a sclerosant for vascular malformations when injected either IS or IL.
Local control of parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma: An expert consensus guideline from the International Soft Tissue Sarcoma Consortium (INSTRuCT)
Authors: Casey Dana L. , Mandeville Henry , Bradley Julie A. , Ter Horst Simone A. J. , Sheyn Anthony , Timmermann Beate , Wolden Suzanne L.
Published: April 2022

The International Soft Tissue Sarcoma Database Consortium (INSTRuCT) consists of a collaboration between the Children's Oncology Group (COG) Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee, the European pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG), and the Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS). As part of the larger initiative of INSTRuCT to provide consensus expert opinions for clinical treatment of pediatric soft tissue sarcoma, we sought to provide updated, evidenced‐based consensus guidelines for local treatment of parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma using both existing literature as well as recommendations from the relevant cooperative group clinical trials. Overall, parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma represents a distinctly challenging disease to treat, given its location near many critical structures in the head and neck, frequently advanced local presentation, and predilection for local failure. Definitive chemoradiation remains the standard treatment approach for parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma, with surgery often limited to biopsy or salvage therapy for recurrent disease. In this consensus paper, we specifically discuss consensus guidelines and evidence for definitive local management with radiotherapy, with a focus on imaging for radiotherapy planning, dose and timing of radiation, approach for nodal irradiation, various radiation techniques, including proton therapy, and the limited role of surgical resection.
Novel magnetic carboxymethylcellulose/chitosan bio‐nanocomposites for smart co‐delivery of sunitinib malate anticancer compound and saffron extract
Authors: Alinavaz Samira , Jabbari Parinaz , Mahdavinia GholamReza , Jafari Hessam , Sharifi Sina , Lighvan Zohreh Mehri , Akbari Ali
Published: April 2022

Pharmacological risk and economic inefficiency are some of the main shortcomings of the rapid release of drugs from nanocarriers. In the present study, relatively green, magnetic, smart dual‐carrier vehicles based on pH‐sensitive biopolymers, namely carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)/chitosan (CTS), have been developed to enable simultaneously controlled loading or releasing of sunitinib malate (STM) (anticancer) and saffron (SAF) bioactive compounds. Magnetic CMC (mCMC) was prepared by co‐precipitation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions and complexation process via simple electrostatic interactions between mCMC and CTS. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used for characterization. The concentration of mCMC was found to be an important factor affecting the bio‐nanocomposite performances. In vitro release study demonstrated higher release profiles at pH = 4.5 compared to pH = 7.4. Moreover, our data showed that the release percentage of bio‐nanocomposites with a low concentration of mCMC was higher than that of bio‐nanocomposites with a higher mCMC concentration. The kinetic release data were fitted using Higuchi and Korsmeyer–Peppas models. STM‐ and SAF‐loaded mCMC/CTS demonstrated cytotoxic and antibacterial properties against MCF‐7 breast cancer cells and S. aureus bacteria, indicated by MTT assay and disk diffusion method, respectively. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Interfacial deformation of confined photocurable fluid for fabrication of shape‐imprinted microspheres
Authors: Ganguly Reya , Choi Chang‐Hyung , Lee Chang‐Soo
Published: April 2022

This study presents a simple route to fabricate shape imprinted microspheres and their application toward multiplex immunoassay. Specifically, a photocurable fluid (polyethylene glycol diacrylate, [PEGDA]) confined in a micromold results in drop formation due to mold swelling and capillarity upon addition of immiscible wetting fluid; during this formation, part of the photocurable fluid is entrapped at the swollen open end, thereby producing polymeric microspheres with controlled imprinted shapes on their surface upon photopolymerization. This approach is able to produce highly uniform microspheres with different imprinted shapes depending on mold geometry in a consistent manner; their size can also be tuned by varying mold dimensions. Furthermore, we impart amine‐reactive functional groups to the microsphere, which allows them to be functionalized efficiently. Lastly, we conjugate different capture antibodies on microspheres with different imprinted shapes, and these microspheres were demonstrated to be shape‐encoded suspension arrays for multiplex immunoassays. This technique provides high selectivity and a simple decoding method for biosensing applications.
Chemical recycling to monomers: Industrial Bisphenol‐A‐Polycarbonates to novel aliphatic polycarbonate materials
Authors: Liu Ye , Lu Xiao‐Bing
Published: April 2022

The extensive use of commodity polymer materials has led to the depletion of natural resources and caused the undesirable problem of plastic pollution. In this context, the design of novel polymeric structures with unique recyclability characteristics from renewable resources and the recycling of real‐life plastic wastes are critical to address the problems associated with the increasing demand for plastics. Chemical degradation of wastes through polymerization–depolymerization followed by re‐polymerization has already emerged as a long‐term strategy toward the attainment of completely sustainable cycles. Bisphenol‐A‐polycarbonates (BPA–PC) exhibit high thermal resistance, excellent mechanical properties, and high optical transparency, which make them suitable materials for commodity and engineering plastics. This review presents our vision for realizing a circular polymer economy for polycarbonate materials—from the chemical recycling of widely used BPA–PCs to the  novel aliphatic polycarbonates from renewable resources.
Ultra‐highTgand ultra‐low coefficient of thermal expansion polyimide films based on hydrogen bond interaction
Authors: Jiao Long , Zhang Yanna , Du Zhijun , Dai Xuemin , Wang Hanfu , Dong Zhixin , Yao Haibo , Qiu Xuepeng
Published: April 2022

To tolerate high processing temperature during the fabrication of low‐temperature polycrystalline silicon thin‐film transistors (LTPS–TFT) in flexible OLED devices, the polyimide (PI) films, which are used as substrate, should have ultra‐high glass transition temperature (Tg > 450°C) and ultra‐low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE at 0–5 ppm K−1). In this paper, two novel heterocyclic monomers, namely, N,N'‐(xanthone‐2,7‐diyl)bis(4‐aminobenzamide) (p‐DAXBA) and N,N'‐(xanthone‐2,7‐diyl)bis(3‐aminobenzamide) (m‐DAXBA), which contain a xanthone moiety, are prepared and polycondensed with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), respectively. PI films (PIa and PIb) with intrinsic highTgand low CTE are designed from the perspective of rigid conjugate xanthone structure and hydrogen bonding interaction. It is found that the PIa films prepared byp‐DAXBA have better linear structure of molecular chains and show relatively higherTgand lower CTE. TheTgof PIa‐40 is greater than 450°C, and CTE can reach as low as 2.7 ppm K−1, tensile strength of 179 MPa, modulus of 5.67 GPa, indicating potential application prospect as a flexible OLED substrate.
Fluoride‐Ortho Ester Dimer‐Based pH‐Sensitive Nanoparticles for Oxygen Delivery and Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Hou Zhongkai , Li Junnan , Du Jianyong , Cheng Xu , Wang Xin , Tang Rupei
Published: April 2022

Hypoxia is one of the major factors that affect the efficiency of photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, the strategy of using nano‐oxygen carriers to reverse tumor hypoxia still has some drawbacks, which limit its clinical application and translation. Herein, it is reported a method for preparing pH‐sensitive nano‐oxygen carrier for reversing tumor hypoxia and enhancing the efficiency of PDT. Briefly, perfluorocarbons (PFC) with different chain‐lengths (7F or 15F) are linked by acid‐labile ortho ester bonds, then further self‐assembled with Chlorin e6 to form two pH‐sensitive nanodrugs. In vitro tests demonstrate that these nanodrugs possessed good physicochemical properties, including high stability, anti‐adsorption capability, and high oxygen‐loading capacity (24.5 mg L−1). In vivo studies reveal that this system can remarkably alleviate tumor hypoxia and inhibit tumor growth, and 15F@OE dimer particles display the highest antitumor efficiency (84.2%). Overall, this study presents a simple and efficient strategy to deliver oxygen and drugs to tumor tissue, thereby overcoming the limitation of hypoxia‐mediated PDT in cancer treatment.
Two in one: the neotropical mirid predator Macrolophus basicornis increases pest control by feeding on plants
Authors: Silva Diego Bastos , Hanel Aldo , Franco Flavia Pereira , de Castro Silva‐Filho Marcio , Bento José Mauricio Simões
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Plant defenses activated by European zoophytophagous predators trigger behavioral responses in arthropods, benefiting pest management. However, repellence or attraction of pests and beneficial insects seems to be species‐specific. In the neotropical region, the mirid predator Macrolophus basicornis has proved to be a promising biological control agent of important tomato pests; nevertheless, the benefits of its phytophagous behavior have never been explored. Therefore, we investigated if M. basicornis phytophagy activates tomato plant defenses and the consequences for herbivores and natural enemies.

RESULTS

Regardless of the induction period of M. basicornis on tomato plants, Tuta absoluta females showed no preference for the odors emitted by induced or control plants. However, Tuta absoluta oviposited less on plants induced by M. basicornis for 72 h than on control plants. In contrast, induced plants repelled Bemisia tabaci females, and the number of eggs laid was reduced. Although females of Trichogramma pretiosum showed no preference between mirid‐induced or control plants, we observed high attraction of the parasitoid Encarsia inaron and conspecifics to plants induced by M. basicornis. While the mirid‐induced plants down‐regulated the expression of genes involving the salicylic acid (SA) pathway over time, the genes related to the jasmonic acid (JA) pathway were up‐regulated, increasing emissions of fatty‐acid derivatives and terpenes, which might have influenced the arthropods' host/prey choices.

CONCLUSION

Based on both the molecular and behavioral findings, our results indicated that in addition to predation, M. basicornis benefits tomato plant resistance indirectly through its phytophagy. This study is a starting point to pave the way for a novel and sustainable pest‐management strategy in the neotropical region. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
A robust preparation method for the amyloidogenic and intrinsically disordered amyloid‐α peptide
Authors: Kuhn Ariel J. , Raskatov Jevgenij A.
Published: April 2022

Recent findings suggest that amyloid‐β (Aβ) may not be the only peptidic culprit for the cognitive decline observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease. A C‐terminal fragment of Aβ, amyloid‐α (Aα), also known as p3, has been shown to form amyloidogenic oligomers and fibrils more rapidly than Aβ. However, the insolubility and aggregation propensity of this 24–26‐residue peptide make it exceptionally difficult to produce, purify, and subsequently study. This paper reports a reproducible, multi‐step method for the purification and pre‐treatment of Aα and related analogues, yielding 95%–99% pure peptides. We anticipate that the methods described herein will permit previously inaccessible biophysical and biological experiments that may be critical to understanding the role of this too long overlooked peptide in AD disease pathology.
Microstructural/Compositional Regulations and Actuation Properties of Nanoporous Ternary CuMnNi Alloys Fabricated by Electrochemical Dealloying
Authors: Tan Fuquan , Yan Xuejiao , Yang Wanfeng , Sun Yue , Bai Qingguo , Zhang Zhonghua
Published: April 2022

Metallic actuators have received a wide range of attention in the past two decades because of their larger strains than piezoelectric ceramics and higher strength relative to conducting polymers. However, the metallic actuators composed of noble metals are limited to the high material cost for further development and practical applications. Here, nanoporous CuMnNi (np‐CMN) alloys are fabricated from a ternary Mn70Cu20Ni10 precursor through an electrochemical dealloying method, and their microstructures/compositions are further regulated through different electrochemical processes (multi‐step and two‐step). The np‐CMN alloys show good electrochemical actuation properties in 1 m NaOH solution, and the sample obtained from two‐step dealloying exhibits much better actuation performance than that from multi‐step dealloying. The maximum strain amplitude of np‐CMN could reach up to 0.46%, which is comparable to or even better than that of noble metal‐based actuators. Our work indicates that the low‐cost np‐CMN alloy could be a competitive material among electrochemical metallic actuators.
A trial design to maximize knowledge of the effects of rodatristat ethyl in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (ELEVATE 2)
Authors: Lazarus Howard M. , Denning Jill , Wring Stephen , Palacios Michelle , Hoffman Sidra , Crizer Katelyn , Kamau‐Kelley Watiri , Symonds William , Feldman Jeremy
Published: April 2022

Serotonin plays a key role in the development and maintenance of the pathobiology associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Platelet‐driven and locally produced serotonin from lung tissue and arterial endothelial cells induce excessive growth of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. The unchecked growth of these cells is a major driver of PAH including the remodeling of pulmonary arteries that dramatically reduces the diameter and flexibility of the arterial lumen. Tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) is the rate‐limiting enzyme for biosynthesis of serotonin and is upregulated in PAH arterial endothelial cells, supporting TPH1 inhibition to treat PAH. Targeting the serotonin pathway via inhibition of peripheral serotonin and local production in diseased tissues, rather than individual receptor‐mediated or receptor‐independent mechanisms, may result in the ability to halt or reverse pulmonary vascular remodeling. Rodatristat ethyl, a prodrug for rodatristat, a potent, peripheral inhibitor of TPH1, has demonstrated efficacy in monocrotaline and SUGEN hypoxia nonclinical models of PAH and robust dose‐dependent reductions of 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid, the major metabolite of serotonin in plasma and urine of healthy human subjects. ELEVATE 2 (NCT04712669) is a Phase 2b, double‐blind, multicenter trial where patients with PAH are randomized to placebo, 300 or 600 mg twice daily of rodatristat ethyl. The trial incorporates endpoints to generate essential clinical efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic data needed to evaluate the ability of rodatristat ethyl to ameliorate PAH by halting or reversing pulmonary vascular remodeling through its unique mechanism of TPH1 inhibition. Herein we describe the experimental design highlighting the trial's unique features.
Ideology in the mirror: A loving (self) critique of our equity and social justice efforts in STEM education
Authors: Basile Vincent , Azevedo Flávio S.
Published: April 2022

This manuscript is born from contemplating and exploring how it is that we see so little systemic change in STEM education after so many years of working toward it, including the insidious persistence of systems of oppression, and historical and generational exploitation that our current critical, social justice efforts in STEM teacher preparation programs are ineffective and ill‐equipped at changing or dismantling. Starting from an explanatory frame of Freire's conundrum of the oppressed, we theorize toward a more complex notion of ideological change. Through the novel reflexive discourse of a loving (self) critique, we interrogate our own individual failures to construct a better theoretical understanding of them. Using self‐reflections and other examples, we theorize an imperative of continued ideological growth and development to more authentically step forward in our STEM education equity and social justice work.
Anomalous Structural Evolution and Glassy Lattice in Mixed‐Halide Hybrid Perovskites
Authors: Shahrokhi Shamim , Dubajic Milos , Dai Zhi‐Zhan , Bhattacharyya Saroj , Mole Richard A. , Rule Kirrily C. , Bhadbhade Mohan , Tian Ruoming , Mussakhanuly Nursultan , Guan Xinwei , Yin Yuewei , Nielsen Michael P. , Hu Long , Lin Chun‐Ho , Chang Shery L. Y. , Wang Danyang , Kabakova Irina V. , Conibeer Gavin , Bremner Stephen , Li Xiao‐Guang , Cazorla Claudio , Wu Tom
Published: April 2022

Hybrid halide perovskites have emerged as highly promising photovoltaic materials because of their exceptional optoelectronic properties, which are often optimized via compositional engineering like mixing halides. It is well established that hybrid perovskites undergo a series of structural phase transitions as temperature varies. In this work, the authors find that phase transitions are substantially suppressed in mixed‐halide hybrid perovskite single crystals of MAPbI3‐xBrx (MA = CH3NH3+ and x = 1 or 2) using a complementary suite of diffraction and spectroscopic techniques. Furthermore, as a general behavior, multiple crystallographic phases coexist in mixed‐halide perovskites over a wide temperature range, and a slightly distorted monoclinic phase, hitherto unreported for hybrid perovskites, is dominant at temperatures above 100 K. The anomalous structural evolution is correlated with the glassy behavior of organic cations and optical phonons in mixed‐halide perovskites. This work demonstrates the complex interplay between composition engineering and lattice dynamics in hybrid perovskites, shedding new light on their unique properties.
Geometrical Optimization and Thermal‐Stability Characterization of Te‐Free Thermoelectric Modules Based on MgAgSb/Mg3(Bi,Sb)2
Authors: Ying Pingjun , Reith Heiko , Nielsch Kornelius , He Ran
Published: April 2022

Solid‐state thermoelectric (TE) technology is a promising approach to harvest low‐grade waste heat (<573 K) and converts it to useful electricity in industrial and civilian settings. After decades of efforts in improving the figure‐of‐merit (zT) of TE materials, the development of advanced modules has started springing up in recent years. Although high‐performance modules have been largely reported based on the successful material improvement, it remains less investigated how and whether the module‐level designs can further increase the conversion efficiency. Herein, following the recent demonstration of a tellurium (Te)‐free TE generator, an increase is demonstrated in the efficiency by reducing both the electrical and thermal energy losses through simply optimizing geometric factors of filling factor and leg‐pair numbers. These module‐level optimizations enable a record conversion efficiency of 8.2% under a ∆T ≈ 260 K, thus fulfilling 90% of the theoretical efficiency of the materials and solidly exceeding the Bi2Te3 modules. Furthermore, module robustness against > 10 160 thermal cycles while preserving a relative efficiency of 95% is demonstrated. These findings highlight the importance of the optimization strategy at the module level and demonstrate the feasibility of using Te‐free thermoelectric compounds to harvest the omnipresent low‐grade heat.
Confining Metal‐Organic Framework in the Pore of Covalent Organic Framework: A Microscale Z‐Scheme System for Boosting Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Deng Yang , Wang Yue , Di Zichen , Xie Mingsen , Dai Fangfang , Zhan Shaoqi , Zhang Zhen
Published: April 2022

The search for building hierarchical porous materials with accelerated photo‐induced electrons and charge‐carrier separation is important because they hold great promise for applications in various fields. Here, a facile strategy of confining metal‐organic framework (MOF) in the 1D channel of the 2D covalent organic framework (COF) to construct a novel COF@MOF micro/nanopore network is proposed. Specifically, a nitrogen‐riched COF (TTA‐BPDA‐COF) is chosen as the platform for in‐situ growth of a Co‐based MOF (ZIF‐L‐Co) to form a TTA‐BPDA‐COF@ZIF‐L‐Co hybrid material. The hierarchical porous structure endows TTA‐BPDA‐COF@ZIF‐L‐Co with superior adsorption capacity. In addition, the integration of TTA‐BPDA‐COF and ZIF‐L‐Co forms a Z‐scheme photocatalytic system, which significantly improved the redox properties and accelerated the separation of photogenerated charges and holes, achieving great improvement in photocatalytic activity. This confinement engineering strategy provides a new idea to construct a versatile molecular‐material photocatalytic platform.
Potential Significance of Low Tempering Treatment in Improving the Mechanical Properties of a Cold‐Rolled and Intercritical Annealed Medium Mn Steel
Authors: Zhang Xiliang , Duan Shichen , Liu Tao , Liu Hongji , Shi Yindong , Zhou Qian , Sun Shengying , Lv Zheng , Wang Yanhui , Yang Xuemei
Published: April 2022

Herein, the effect of tempering at 200 °C for 20 min on the mechanical properties of a cold‐rolled and intercritical annealed medium Mn steel is investigated in this study. This effect is mainly dependent on the original annealing condition. For the sample annealed at a relatively low temperature (660 °C), the austenite stability of this sample is further improved significantly after tempering. Thus, the transformation‐induced plasticity (TRIP) effect is severely inhibited during deformation, which leads to a decrease in the properties of the sample. By contrast, for the sample possessing suitable austenite fraction (≈30%) and heterostructure, that is, the sample annealed at 680 °C for 10 min, the simultaneously increased strength and ductility are significantly intrigued by tempering treatment. Electron probe microanalysis and 3D atom probe results reveal that C concentration in austenite is increased due to the C repartition during tempering, which leads to the persistent TRIP effect in a broad strain range during tensile deformation. In addition, the heterogeneous‐deformation‐induced stress of the heterostructured sample is found to be obviously intensified by tempering treatment. Thus, an excellent strength plastic synergistic effect with a product of ultimate tensile strength and total elongation of approximately 70 GPa% is obtained in the tempered sample.
Fatigue behavior of RC slabs flexurally strengthened with prestressed NSM CFRP laminates
Authors: Mostakhdemin Hosseini M. R. , Dias Salvador J. E. , Barros Joaquim A. O.
Published: April 2022

Some reinforced concrete (RC) structures requiring strengthening intervention are subjected to cyclic loads during their lifetime. To evaluate the effect of this kind of loading on the behavior of flexurally strengthened RC slabs with prestressed near‐surface mounted (NSM) carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates, an experimental program formed by 10 RC slabs was carried out. Four specimens were submitted to monotonic loading and the remaining were submitted to 1 million cycles at a frequency of 1 Hz. Two levels of fatigue loading were applied and, for each one, three prestress levels for the CFRP were tested (0%, 20%, and 40%). Failure during the fatigue loading was occurred only in one specimen (at 752,000 cycles) with a maximum fatigue stress level of 92% (percentage of the maximum load carrying capacity of the equivalent slab tested up the failure under monotonic static loading). The other specimens, submitted to a maximum fatigue stress level between 46% and 82%, did not fail during the fatigue loading process. After 1 million cycles, the NSM strengthened slabs with 0%, 20%, and 40% of prestress presented an increase of 20%, 18%, and 25%, respectively in mid‐span deflection. In general, the strains in the CFRP laminates marginally increased during the fatigue loading. The results of the postfatigue monotonic tests until failure showed that the damage accumulation due the fatigue cycles neither affected the ultimate load capacity of the strengthened NSM CFRP slabs nor the failure mode in which the CFRP rupture.
Remission inductive efficacy of the combination of ARB, MRA, and saireito for nephrotic syndrome of membranous nephropathy
Authors: Ono Takahiko , Nagai Hiroyuki , Suzuki Noriyuki , Nogaki Fumiaki
Published: April 2022

Case

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) effectively reduce urinary protein. An increase in aldosterone after ARB is termed aldosterone breakthrough and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) are useful against this phenomenon. The Japanese traditional medicine saireito has the potential to reduce proteinuria. MRAs may suppress licorice‐induced pseudoaldosteronism.

Outcome

A 25‐year‐old Japanese female with idiopathic membranous nephropathy developed anasarca and a urinary protein/urinary creatinine ratio of 6.07. Her serum albumin level was 1.0 g/dL. Prednisolone, ciclosporin, and the ARB losartan were prescribed. After four months, prednisolone was tapered from 50 to 20 mg, and urinary protein/creatinine mildly decreased to 2.2. Although proteinuria was not reduced after the addition of the MRA eplerenone, further addition of saireito markedly reduced her proteinuria to 0.31. The serum albumin increased to over 3.0 g/dL.

Conclusion

The combination of ARB, MRA, and saireito may exert a therapeutic effect and reduce the proteinuria due to nephrotic syndrome in membranous nephropathy.
Cornering the Two Higgs Doublet Model Type II
Authors: Atkinson Oliver , Black Matthew , Lenz Alexander , Rusov Aleksey , Wynne James
Published: April 2022

Abstract

We perform a comprehensive study of the allowed parameter space of the Two Higgs Doublet Model of Type II (2HDM-II). Using the theoretical framework flavio we combine the most recent flavour, collider and electroweak precision observables with theoretical constraints to obtain bounds on the mass spectrum of the theory. In particular we find that the 2HDM-II fits the data slightly better than the Standard Model (SM) with best fit values of the heavy Higgs masses around 2 TeV and a value of tan β ≈ 4. Moreover, we conclude that the wrong-sign limit is disfavoured by Higgs signal strengths and excluded by the global fit by more than five standard deviations and potential deviations from the alignment limit can only be tiny. Finally we test the consequences of our study on electroweak baryogenesis via the program package BSMPT and we find that the allowed parameter space strongly discourages a strong first order phase transition within the 2HDM-II.
An Augmented Lagrangian Model for Signal Segmentation
Authors: Moll Salvador , Pallardó Vicent
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we provide a new insight to the two-phase signal segmentation problem. We propose an augmented Lagrangian variational model based on Chan–Vese’s original one. Using both energy methods and PDE methods, we show, in the one-dimensional case, that the set of minimizers to the proposed functional contains only binary functions and it coincides with the set of minimizers to Chan–Vese’s one. This fact allows us to obtain two important features of the minimizers as a by-product of our analysis. First of all, for a piecewise constant initial signal, the jump set of any minimizer is a subset of the jump set of the given signal. Second, all of the jump points of the minimizer belong to the same level set of the signal, in a multivalued sense. This last property permits to design a trivial algorithm for computing the minimizers.
Multistage Vertex Cover
Authors: Fluschnik Till , Niedermeier Rolf , Rohm Valentin , Zschoche Philipp
Published: April 2022

The NP-complete Vertex Cover problem asks to cover all edges of a graph by a small (given) number of vertices. It is among the most prominent graph-algorithmic problems. Following a recent trend in studying temporal graphs (a sequence of graphs, so-called layers, over the same vertex set but, over time, changing edge sets), we initiate the study of Multistage Vertex Cover. Herein, given a temporal graph, the goal is to find for each layer of the temporal graph a small vertex cover and to guarantee that two vertex cover sets of every two consecutive layers differ not too much (specified by a given parameter). We show that, different from classic Vertex Cover and some other dynamic or temporal variants of it, Multistage Vertex Cover is computationally hard even in fairly restricted settings. On the positive side, however, we also spot several fixed-parameter tractability results based on some of themost natural parameterizations.
Severe Dysphagia is Rare After Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation
Authors: Bologheanu Milena , Matic Aleksa , Feka Joy , Asari Reza , Bologheanu Razvan , Riegler Franz M. , Gensthaler Lisa , Osmokrovic Bogdan , Schoppmann Sebastian F.
Published: April 2022

Background

Dysphagia remains the most significant concern after anti‐reflux surgery, including magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA). The aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative dysphagia rates, its risk factors, and management after MSA.

Methods

From a prospectively collected database of all 357 patients that underwent MSA at our institution, a total of 268 patients were included in our retrospective study. Postoperative dysphagia score, gastrointestinal symptoms, proton pump inhibitor intake, GERD‐HRQL, Alimentary Satisfaction, and serial contrast swallow imaging were evaluated within standardized follow‐up appointments. To determine patients’ characteristics and surgical factors associated with postoperative dysphagia, a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed.

Results

At a median follow‐up of 23 months, none of the patients presented with severe dysphagia, defined as the inability to swallow solids or/and liquids. 1% of the patients underwent endoscopic dilatation, and 1% had been treated conservatively for dysphagia. 2% of the patients needed re‐operation, most commonly due to recurrent hiatal hernia. Two patients underwent device removal due to unspecific discomfort and pain. No migration of the device or erosion by the device was seen. The LINX® device size ≤ 13 was found to be the only factor associated with postoperative dysphagia (OR 5.90 (95% CI 1.4–24.8)). The postoperative total GERD‐HRQL score was significantly lower than preoperative total score (2 vs. 19; p = 0.001), and daily heartburn, regurgitations, and respiratory complains improved in 228/241 (95%), 131/138 (95%) and 92/97 (95%) of patients, respectively.

Conclusions

Dysphagia requiring endoscopic or surgical intervention was rare after MSA in a large case series. LINX® devices with a size < 13 were shown to be an independent risk factor for developing postoperative dysphagia.
Treatment trends for muscle-invasive bladder cancer in Germany from 2006 to 2019
Authors: Flegar Luka , Kraywinkel K. , Zacharis A. , Aksoy C. , Koch R. , Eisenmenger N. , Groeben C. , Huber J.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To examine national treatment trends of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) in Germany with a special focus on radical cystectomy (RC).

Patients and methods

Population-based data were derived from the nationwide hospital billing database of the German Federal Statistical Office and institution-related information from the reimbursement.INFO tool based on hospitals’ quality reports from 2006 to 2019. Additionally, we used the German National Center for Cancer Registry data to analyze all cases of bladder cancer with stage ≥ T2 who received RC, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination from 2006 to 2017.

Results

The annual number of RC cases in Germany increased by 28% from 5627 cases in 2006 to 7292 cases in 2019 (p = 0.001). The proportion of patients undergoing RC remained constant at about 75% in all age groups between 2006 and 2017 (p = 0.3). Relative to all performed RC, the proportion of patients > 75 years increased from 25% in 2006 to 38% in 2019 (p = 0.03). The proportion of patients receiving a combination of RC and chemotherapy increased from 9% in 2006 to 13% in 2017 (p = 0.005). In 2006, 8 of 299 urology departments (2.7%) performed more than 50 RCs per year, which increased to 17 of 360 (4.7%) in 2019. In 2019, 107 departments (29%) performed 25–49 RCs and 236 (66%) departments performed < 25 RCs.

Conclusion

In Germany, three out of four patients with MIBC receive RC and the proportion of patients > 75 years is increasing. The combination of surgery and chemotherapy is increasingly used. With overall increasing case numbers, there is a slight tendency towards centralization.
Establishing a robotic-assisted PCI program: experiences at a large tertiary referral center
Authors: Brunner Fabian J. , Waldeyer Christoph , Zengin-Sahm Elvin , Kondziella Christoph , Schrage Benedikt , Clemmensen Peter , Westermann Dirk , Blankenberg Stefan , Seiffert Moritz
Published: April 2022

Robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary interventions (rPCI) have proven feasible and safe while reducing radiation exposure for the operator. Recently, rPCI systems have been refined to facilitate the treatment of complex lesions. The aim of the current study was to evaluate challenges and opportunities of establishing an rPCI program at a tertiary referral center. rPCI was performed using the CorPath GRX Vascular Robotic System (Corindus Inc., a Siemens Healthineers Company, Waltham, USA). Baseline, procedural, and in-hospital follow-up data were prospectively assessed. rPCI success was defined as completion of the PCI without or with partial manual assistance. The safety endpoint was the composite of missing angiographic success or procedure-related adverse events during hospital stay. Overall, 86 coronary lesions were treated in 71 patients (28.2% female) from January to April 2021. Median age was 71.0 years (IQR 60.3; 79.8). Indications for rPCI were stable angina pectoris (71.8%), unstable angina (12.7%) and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (15.5%). Most lesions were complex (type B2/C: 88.4%) and included 7 cases of rPCI for chronic total occlusions. Angiographic and rPCI success were achieved in 100.0% and 94.2%, respectively. Partial manual assistance was used in 25.6%. Conversion to manual PCI was required in 5.8%. The safety endpoint occurred in 7.0% of patients. rPCI when applied as clinical routine for complex coronary lesions is effective with good immediate angiographic and clinical results. Future investigations should focus on the identification of patients that particularly benefit from robotic-assisted vs. manual PCI despite higher resource utilization.
Das Dorf – ein unterschätzter Wirtschaftsstandort? Standortfaktoren von Dörfern in Südniedersachsen
Authors: Behnen Tobias , Harteisen Ulrich
Published: April 2022

Dörfer standen als Wirtschaftsstandort in der fachlichen und öffentlichen Diskussion lange im Schatten der urbanen Räume. Dies hat sich durch drängende sozioökonomische Wandlungsprozesse in ländlichen Räumen geändert. Aktuelle Erkenntnisse zu Unternehmen in Dörfern und deren konkrete Standortbedürfnisse liegen aber kaum vor. Die in 3 Beispielgemeinden in Südniedersachsen durchgeführte Untersuchung konnte empirisch ermitteln, dass es mit der Breitbandanbindung und der Fachkräfteverfügbarkeit 2 große Problemkomplexe gibt, die Unternehmen in Dörfern klar benennen. Gleichzeitig verfügt der Wirtschaftsstandort Dorf aber auch über eine Reihe positiv wirkender weicher Standortfaktoren. Eine Besonderheit ist, dass Unternehmerinnen und Unternehmern oft in den Dörfern leben, in denen sie tätig sind. Daraus ergibt sich eine spezielle soziale Dimension, die sich etwa im Engagement bei lokalen Veranstaltungen widerspiegelt. Zur optimierten Wirtschaftsförderung wird neben einer besseren Vernetzung besonders eine Stärkung der Scharnierfunktion von Bürgermeisterinnen und Bürgermeistern und der Gemeindeverwaltung empfohlen.
Maternal mental health in the first year postpartum in a large Irish population cohort: the MAMMI study
Authors: Hannon Susan , Gartland Deirdre , Higgins Agnes , Brown Stephanie J. , Carroll Margaret , Begley Cecily , Daly Déirdre
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The international perinatal literature focuses on depression in the postpartum period. Prevalence and pathways of depression, anxiety and stress from pregnancy through the first postpartum year are seldom investigated.

Methods

MAMMI is a prospective cohort study of 3009 first-time mothers recruited in pregnancy. Depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms measured using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS 21) in pregnancy and at 3-, 6-, 9- and/or 12-months postpartum.

Results

Prevalence of depressive and stress symptoms was lowest in pregnancy, increasing to 12-months postpartum. Anxiety symptoms remained relatively stable over time. In the first year after having their first baby, one in ten women reported moderate/severe anxiety symptoms (9.5%), 14.2% reported depression symptoms, and one in five stress symptoms (19.2%). Sociodemographic factors associated with increased odds of postpartum depression, anxiety and stress symptoms were younger age and being born in a non-EU country; socioeconomic factors were not living with a partner, not having postgraduate education and being unemployed during pregnancy. Retrospective reporting of poor mental health in the year prior to pregnancy and symptoms during pregnancy were strongly associated with poor postpartum mental health.

Conclusions

The current findings suggest that the current model of 6-week postpartum care in Ireland is insufficient to detect and provide adequate support for women’s mental health needs, with long-term implications for women and children.
Identifikation von Stoffeinträgen aus dem Alterzbergbau in die Freiberger Mulde
Authors: Reumann Gesche , Grundmann Jens , Burghardt Diana , Hauffe Corina , Stevens Christine , Jahns Christin
Published: April 2022

Die Freiberger Mulde, die einen Teil des Freiberger Reviers entwässert, weist hohe Schwermetall‑, Arsen- und Sulfatbelastungen auf. Besonders der Abschnitt zwischen Berthelsdorf und Siebenlehn ist stark durch den Alterzbergbau sowie die Bunt- und Edelmetallurgie geprägt. Das Ziel von zwei Messkampagnen war die Identifikation aller punktueller Einleiter in diesem Abschnitt, um mittels einer Frachtbilanzierung die wesentlichen punktuellen Einleiter sowie mögliche diffuse Zutritte von Arsen, Blei, Cadmium, Kupfer, Eisen, Nickel, Nitrat, Sulfat und Zink zu identifizieren. Hierbei wurden acht punktuelle Einleiter identifiziert, die maßgeblich für eine entsprechende Frachtzunahme im Untersuchungsgebiet verantwortlich sind. Die Aufstellung der Frachtbilanzen erfolgte nach einem vereinfachten Ansatz, der Rückschlüsse auf mögliche diffuse Zutritte oder Verluste durch z. B. Rückhalt, Abbau und Versickerung erlaubt. Dabei zeigte eine Bilanzierung über das gesamte Untersuchungsgebiet nur eine geringe Aussagekraft. Erst durch eine abschnittsweise Bilanzierung entlang des Untersuchungsgebietes wird ersichtlich, dass sich Eintrags- und Rückhalteprozesse abwechseln und möglicherweise innerhalb der Abschnitte überlagern. Dies liefert nützliche Erkenntnisse für weitere Betrachtungen der Belastungsursachen und die Umsetzung der Wasserrahmenrichtlinie im Einzugsgebiet der Freiberger Mulde.
RAB GTPases and SNAREs at the trans-Golgi network in plants
Authors: Ito Emi , Uemura Tomohiro
Published: April 2022

Membrane traffic is a fundamental cellular system to exchange proteins and membrane lipids among single membrane-bound organelles or between an organelle and the plasma membrane in order to keep integrity of the endomembrane system. RAB GTPases and SNARE proteins, the key regulators of membrane traffic, are conserved broadly among eukaryotic species. However, genome-wide analyses showed that organization of RABs and SNAREs that regulate the post-Golgi transport pathways is greatly diversified in plants compared to other model eukaryotes. Furthermore, some organelles acquired unique properties in plant lineages. Like in other eukaryotic systems, the trans-Golgi network of plants coordinates secretion and vacuolar transport; however, uniquely in plants, it also acts as a platform for endocytic transport and recycling. In this review, we focus on RAB GTPases and SNAREs that function at the TGN, and summarize how these regulators perform to control different transport pathways at the plant TGN. We also highlight the current knowledge of RABs and SNAREs’ role in regulation of plant development and plant responses to environmental stimuli.
Changing Metacognitive Appraisal Bias in High-Worriers Through Reappraisal Training
Authors: Ikani Nessa , Radix Anne K. , Rinck Mike , Becker Eni S.
Published: April 2022

Background and Objectives

Worry-related negative metacognitive beliefs about worrying maintain and predict pathological worry. For the current proof-of-principle study, we developed a computerized cognitive bias modification based—reappraisal training (RT), to modify the appraisal of negative metacognitive beliefs in a high-worrying sample. A functional and dysfunctional RT were pitted against each other to investigate whether appraisals of one’s thinking and coping changed following training. Moreover, training effects on the number of negative thoughts and interpretations of the worry content were examined.

Methods

Participants (N = 81) were trained to adopt a functional (disconfirmation of negative metacognitive beliefs) or dysfunctional (confirmation of negative metacognitive beliefs) appraisal style using a series of vignettes that had to be completed in line with the intended training direction. Changes in negative thoughts from pre- to post-RT were assessed with a behavioral state worry task, and transfer to interpretations with an open-ended stem sentence task.

Results

Findings support the use of the RT to alter a metacognitive appraisal bias, as participants receiving the functional RT reported fewer negative appraisals of one’s thinking and coping than participants in the dysfunctional RT group. Number of negative thoughts and interpretations were not directly affected by training.

Limitations

This study employed an analog sample and future research should replicate findings in a clinical sample for which negative metacognitions are more relevant.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the potential of metacognitive RT for future translational studies with (clinical) samples characterized by repetitive negative thinking and/or negative metacognitive beliefs.
Paraconsistent Belief Revision: An Algebraic Investigation
Authors: Carrara Massimiliano , Fazio Davide , Pra Baldi Michele
Published: April 2022

This paper offers a logico-algebraic investigation of AGM belief revision based on the logic of paradox ($$\mathrm {LP}$$
LP
). First, we define a concrete belief revision operator for $$\mathrm {LP}$$
LP
, proving that it satisfies a generalised version of the traditional AGM postulates. Moreover, we investigate to what extent the Levi and Harper identities, in their classical formulation, can be applied to a paraconsistent account of revision. We show that a generalised Levi-type identity still yields paraconsistent-based revisions that are fully compatible with the AGM postulates. The main outcome is that, once the classical AGM framework is lifted up to an appropriate level of generality, it still appears as a regulative ideal for treating of paraconsistent-based epistemic operators.