bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation on effectiveness of temperature treatment for fluorine‐based reactive plasma jet machining of N‐BK7®
Authors: Kazemi Faezeh , Boehm Georg , Arnold Thomas
Published: April 2020

In this study, a fluorine‐based reactive plasma jet is investigated as a promising tool for ultraprecise surface machining of N‐BK7®. Plasma‐generated particles react with an N‐BK7 surface to create volatile and nonvolatile compounds. The desorption of volatile compounds results in an etched surface, whereas nonvolatile compounds form a residual layer in the etched area, causing unpredictable effects on the etching rate. Surface temperature treatment is proposed to improve the machining procedure with respect to deterministic material removal, leading to predictable results. It is shown that, at an elevated surface temperature, the residual layer properties are modified in favor of improved etching performance. The etching behavior of N‐BK7 is compared with fused silica to verify the optimality of the obtained results.
Trapped Ion Architecture for Multi‐Dimensional Quantum Simulations
Authors: Warring Ulrich , Hakelberg Frederick , Kiefer Philip , Wittemer Matthias , Schaetz Tobias
Published: April 2020

A rich and powerful toolbox for individually trapped atomic ions is available for quantum information processing, including quantum metrology and quantum simulation, demonstrating control with highest fidelities. Building on this success, a novel architecture for analog quantum simulations aims at setting up fully controlled and reconfigurable quantum lattices by individually trapped ions in multi‐dimensional arrangements. In this article, an overview of recent developments and demonstrations of prototype operations is given. The features and limitations of the architecture are discussed and crucial steps toward mid and long‐term simulation applications are laid out.
A Facile L‐Proline Catalyzed One‐Pot Synthesis of Xanthene and Acridine Based Quinolones via Knoevenagel Condensation Reaction
Authors: Reddy Manne Madhava , Sivaramakrishna Akella
Published: April 2020

A highly efficient, three‐component one‐pot and L‐proline catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation reaction of substituted‐2‐phenoxyquinoline‐3‐carbaldehyde, 1,3‐cyclohexanedione/dimedone or ammonium acetate is described. These reactions afford unexpected products of xanthene and acridine based quinolones in ethanol with good yields. All these isolated products are characterised by spectroscopic and analytical data.
Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles: Advances in Biodistribution, Toxicity, and Preclinical Exploration
Authors: Casals Eudald , Zeng Muling , Parra‐Robert Marina , Fernández‐Varo Guillermo , Morales‐Ruiz Manuel , Jiménez Wladimiro , Puntes Víctor , Casals Gregori
Published: April 2020

Antioxidant nanoparticles have recently gained tremendous attention for their enormous potential in biomedicine. However, discrepant reports of either medical benefits or toxicity, and lack of reproducibility of many studies, generate uncertainties delaying their effective implementation. Herein, the case of cerium oxide is considered, a well‐known catalyst in the petrochemistry industry and one of the first antioxidant nanoparticles proposed for medicine. Like other nanoparticles, it is now described as a promising therapeutic alternative, now as threatening to health. Sources of these discrepancies and how this analysis helps to overcome contradictions found for other nanoparticles are summarized and discussed. For the context of this analysis, what has been reported in the liver is reviewed, where many diseases are related to oxidative stress. Since well‐dispersed nanoparticles passively accumulate in liver, it represents a major testing field for the study of new nanomedicines and their clinical translation. Even more, many contradictory works have reported in liver either cerium‐oxide‐associated toxicity or protection against oxidative stress and inflammation. Based on this, finally, the intention is to propose solutions to design improved nanoparticles that will work more precisely in medicine and safely in society.
KTi2(PO4)3 Electrode with a Long Cycling Stability for Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Voronina Natalia , Jo Jae Hyeon , Konarov Aishuak , Kim Jongsoon , Myung Seung‐Taek
Published: April 2020

In this work, rhombohedral KTi2(PO4)3 is introduced to investigate the related theoretical, structural, and electrochemical properties in K cells. The suggested KTi2(PO4)3 modified by electro‐conducting carbon brings about a flat voltage profile at ≈1.6 V, providing a large capacity of 126 mAh (g‐phosphate)−1, corresponding to 98.5% of the theoretical capacity, with 89% capacity retention for 500 cycles. Structural analyses using electrochemical performance measurements, first‐principles calculations, ex situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and operando X‐ray diffraction provide new insights into the reaction mechanism controlling the (de)intercalation of potassium ions into the host KTi2(PO4)3 structure. It is observed that a biphasic redox process by Ti4+/3+ occurs upon discharge, whereas a single‐phase reaction followed by a biphasic process occurs upon charge. Along with the structural refinement of the electrochemically reduced K3Ti2(PO4)3 phase, these new findings provide insight into the reaction mechanism in Na superionic conductor (NASICON)‐type KTi2(PO4)3. The present approach can also be extended to the investigation of other NASICON‐type materials for potassium‐ion batteries.
Design of Magnetic‐Plasmonic Nanoparticle Assemblies via Interface Engineering of Plasmonic Shells for Targeted Cancer Cell Imaging and Separation
Authors: Kim Myeong Soo , Park Bum Chul , Kim Yu Jin , Lee Ju Hun , Koo Thomas Myeongseok , Ko Min Jun , Kim Young Keun
Published: April 2020

Magnetic‐plasmonic nanoparticles have received considerable attention for widespread applications. These nanoparticles (NPs) exhibiting surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activities are developed due to their potential in bio‐sensing applicable in non‐destructive and sensitive analysis with target‐specific separation. However, it is challenging to synthesize these NPs that simultaneously exhibit low remanence, maximized magnetic content, plasmonic coverage with abundant hotspots, and structural uniformity. Here, a method that involves the conjugation of a magnetic template with gold seeds via chemical binding and seed‐mediated growth is proposed, with the objective of obtaining plasmonic nanostructures with abundant hotspots on a magnetic template. To obtain a clean surface for directly functionalizing ligands and enhancing the Raman intensity, an additional growth step of gold (Au) and/or silver (Ag) atoms is proposed after modifying the Raman molecules on the as‐prepared magnetic‐plasmonic nanoparticles. Importantly, one‐sided silver growth occurred in an environment where gold facets are blocked by Raman molecules; otherwise, the gold growth is layer‐by‐layer. Moreover, simultaneous reduction by gold and silver ions allowed for the formation of a uniform bimetallic layer. The enhancement factor of the nanoparticles with a bimetallic layer is approximately 107. The SERS probes functionalized cyclic peptides are employed for targeted cancer‐cell imaging and separation.
Self‐Catalyzed Growth of Co–N–C Nanobrushes for Efficient Rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries
Authors: Luo Hao , Jiang Wen‐Jie , Niu Shuai , Zhang Xing , Zhang Yun , Yuan Lu‐Pan , He Chuanxin , Hu Jin‐Song
Published: April 2020

Highly efficient and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and evolution are essential for aqueous rechargeable Zn–air batteries, which require highly active sites as well as delicate structural design for increasing effective active sites and facilitating mass/electron transfer. Herein, a scalable and facile self‐catalyzed growth strategy is developed to integrate highly active Co–N–C sites with 3D brush‐like nanostructure, achieving Co–N–C nanobrushes with Co,N‐codoped carbon nanotube branches grown on Co,N‐codoped nanoparticle assembled nanowire backbones. Systematic investigations suggest that nanobrushes deliver significantly improved electrocatalytic activity compared with nanowire or nanotube counterparts and the longer nanotube branches give the better performance. Benefiting from the increase of accessible highly active sites and enhanced mass transfer and electron transportation, the present Co–N–C nanobrush exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity and durability when used as a bifunctional oxygen catalyst. It enables a rechargeable Zn–air battery with a high peak power density of 246 mW cm−2 and excellent cycling stability. These results suggest that the reported synthetic strategy may open up possibilities for exploring efficient electrocatalysts for diverse applications.
Spawning Drivers and Frequency of Endangered Atlantic Sturgeon in the York River System
Authors: Hager Christian H. , Watterson J. Carter , Kahn Jason E.
Published: April 2020

Despite over 100 years of commercial exploitation for their eggs, there is limited information about the spawning behavior of Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus. Spawning return intervals for males and females have been estimated in the most general of time spans, and researchers have established only in the last 25 years that Atlantic Sturgeon eggs and larvae are freshwater obligates, dispelling the notion that spawning occurred in estuaries. In this study, capture data from 2013 to 2019 for Atlantic Sturgeon were analyzed to estimate spawning return intervals to the York River system, a tributary to the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. Then, using the data for female capture, we examined the abiotic influences that appear to drive egg deposition. Both males and females return to spawn at more frequent intervals than has been reported in the literature, with males returning once every 1.13 years and females returning once every 2.19 years. Three females were documented returning to spawn in consecutive years—one of them returning 5 out of 6 years. All of the females that were captured on the spawning grounds were gravid, with eggs at stage 5 or further progressed. In all of the years, 105 fall adult females were caught: 73 were at stage 5, 26 at stage 6, and 6 at stage 7. Of the 26 stage‐6 females, 13 were actively releasing eggs when they were captured. Egg deposition was correlated with photoperiod, water temperature, and a drop in barometric pressure in the 24 h prior to capture. Ten of 13 females that were releasing eggs were caught during day lengths that were within 30 min of the autumn equinox. Females that were releasing eggs were only captured at water temperatures that were between 21.5°C and 25.1°C. This information should provide the foundation of predictive models that allow researchers and managers to understand how this endangered species is likely to respond to climate change.
Chemical constituents of chloroform extract from the lichen Ramalina peruviana Arch (Ramalinaceae)
Authors: Linh Nguyen Thi Thuy , Danova Ade , Truong Tuong Lam , Chavasiri Warinthorn , Phung Nguyen Kim Phi , Chi Huynh Bui Linh
Published: April 2020

From the chloroform extract of the lichen Ramalina peruviana Ach. (Ramalinaceae), collected at Cau Dat farm, Lam Dong province, Vietnam, eight organic compounds had been isolated: nonadecan‐1‐ol (1); nonadecenoic acid (2); (+)‐(12R)‐usnic acid (3); three monophenolic compounds‐ rhizonic acid (4), divarinolmonomethylether (5) and divaricatinic acid (6); and two depsides‐ decarboxy‐2'‐O‐methyldivaricatic acid (7) and sekikaic acid (8). The chemical structure of these compounds was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis as well as high resolution ESI–MS analysis and comparison with those reported in the literature. Among these compounds, (1), (2), (4), (5) and (7) were the first time known in the Ramalina genus. Although compound (7) was detected in the lichen Neofuscelia depsidella by chromatographic comparisons with authentic material that was synthesized by condensation of the benzoic acid and 3‐methoxyl‐5‐propylphenol but it is isolated in the nature for the first time. The results of determining the α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity of four isolated compounds show that the α‐glucosidase inhibitory effect of (8) was the best with IC50 values in 136.62 μg/mL (compared with the control acarbose IC50 93.63 μg/mL).
Characterization of volatile components from ethyl acetate extract of Stixis suaveolens (Roxb.) by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography hyphenated with a time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer
Authors: Anh Ngo Quoc , Thanh Hoang Duc , Yen Tran Thi , Anh Duong Hong , Schmitz Oliver J. , Viet Pham Hung
Published: April 2020

This article established a GC‐MS profile for ethylacetate extract of herbal plant Stixis suaveolens (Roxb.) Pierre (Capparaceae). The plant was extracted with ethanol then partitioned by ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was analyzed using comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography coupling with a time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer (GCxGC/TOF‐MS). Most of high intensity compounds in ethyl acetate extract were identified. 48 compounds out of 106 peaks were detected including fatty acids, esters, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, heterocyclic compounds, etc. Many of them show biological activities in diseases treatment. This result facilitates further studies about herbal plants and development of medicine formulation based on traditional medicine in Vietnam.
Introduction
Authors: MacNeill Timothy
Published: April 2020

This chapter discusses the increased importance of indigenous culture and its potential contribution to sustainable development. Theoretical ideas such as transmodernity and neoliberal multiculturalism are introduced, issues of representation of indigenous ideas are discussed, and the outline of the book is presented.
Andean Indigenous Sustainable Development
Authors: MacNeill Timothy
Published: April 2020

The most politically forceful, and institutionally integrated, form of indigenous sustainable development in Latin America has emerged in the Andean region—especially in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Although this region is home to multiple indigenous cultures, much weight is given to theKechwaconcept ofSumak Kawsay(living well). Owing to the power of the local indigenous movement, the idea has been most completely incorporated in Ecuador—where it is the central theme of the country’s most recent constitution. The Andean case study allows us to observe indigenous sustainable development in its most advanced form. The Ecuadorian example at once provides home for indigenous development, and a cautionary tale of its implementation.
$$ T\overline{T} $$ and EE, with implications for (A)dS subregion encodings
Authors: Lewkowycz Aitor , Liu Junyu , Silverstein Eva , Torroba Gonzalo
Published: April 2020

Abstract

We initiate a study of subregion dualities, entropy, and redundant encoding of bulk points in holographic theories deformed by

$$ T\overline{T} $$

T

T
¯

and its generalizations. This includes both cut off versions of Anti de Sitter spacetime, as well as the generalization to bulk de Sitter spacetime, for which we introduce two additional examples capturing different patches of the bulk and incorporating the second branch of the square root dressed energy formula. We provide new calculations of entanglement entropy (EE) for more general divisions of the system than the symmetric ones previously available. We find precise agreement between the gravity side and deformed-CFT side results to all orders in the deformation parameter at large central charge. An analysis of the fate of strong subadditivity for relatively boosted regions indicates nonlocality reminiscent of string theory. We introduce the structure of operator algebras in these systems. The causal and entanglement wedges generalize to appropriate deformed theories but exhibit qualitatively new behaviors, e.g. the causal wedge may exceed the entanglement wedge. This leads to subtleties which we express in terms of the Hamiltonian and modular Hamiltonian evolution. Finally, we exhibit redundant encoding of bulk points, including the cosmological case.
Quadratic gravity and conformally coupled scalar fields
Authors: Cáceres Nicolás , Figueroa José , Oliva Julio , Oyarzo Marcelo , Stuardo Ricardo
Published: April 2020

Abstract

We construct black hole solutions in four-dimensional quadratic gravity, supported by a scalar field conformally coupled to quadratic terms in the curvature. The conformal matter Lagrangian is constructed with powers of traces of a conformally covariant tensor, which is defined in terms of the metric and a scalar field, and has the symmetries of the Riemann tensor. We find exact, neutral and charged, topological black hole solutions of this theory when the Weyl squared term is absent from the action functional. Including terms beyond quadratic order on the conformally covariant tensor, allows to have asymptotically de Sitter solutions, with a potential that is bounded from below. For generic values of the couplings we also show that static black hole solutions must have a constant Ricci scalar, and provide an analysis of the possible asymptotic behavior of both, the metric as well as the scalar field in the asymptotically AdS case, when the solutions match those of general relativity in vacuum at infinity. In this frame, the spacetime fulfils standard asymptotically AdS boundary conditions, and in spite of the non-standard couplings between the curvature and the scalar field, there is a family of black hole solutions in AdS that can be interpreted as localized objects. We also provide further comments on the extension of these results to higher dimensions.
Characterization of Inner Product Spaces by Strongly Schur-Convex Functions
Authors: Adamek Mirosław
Published: April 2020

Involving the notion of strongly Schur-convex functions we give a new characterization of inner product spaces among norm spaces. We also present a representation theorem for functions which generate strongly Schur-convex sums.
Mid-term results show no significant difference in postoperative clinical outcome, pain and range of motion between a well-established total knee arthroplasty design and its successor: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Hauer Georg , Hörlesberger Nina , Klim Sebastian , Bernhardt Gerwin A. , Leitner Lukas , Glehr Mathias , Leithner Andreas , Sadoghi Patrick
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and functional outcome scores following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with two different systems. The hypothesis was that there is a difference between patients receiving the newer design than those receiving the predecessor.

Methods

Two hundred patients who underwent TKA were randomized into two groups: patients received either Attune TKA or PFC Sigma (both DePuy Synthes, Warsaw, IN). Clinically, the Knee Society Knee and Function Scores (KS and FS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Range of Motion (ROM) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were evaluated and compared between the groups 2 years after surgery. 158 patients (80 in the Attune group and 78 in the PFC Sigma group) were available for follow-up.

Results

Through bivariate analysis using parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, no significant differences in postoperative KS, FS, WOMAC, ROM or VAS between the two groups were detected. Both groups significantly improved regarding all evaluated endpoints 2 years after surgery.

Conclusions

In the current study population, no difference in clinical outcome between the two systems was found. The expected benefits of design modifications could not be observed in clinical outcome scores 2 years postoperatively. Both designs are effective options for improving pain and function in end-stage osteoarthritis.

Level of evidence

I.
Optimization of mass spectrometry settings for steroidomic analysis in young and old killifish
Authors: Dabrowski Rahel , Ripa Roberto , Latza Christian , Annibal Andrea , Antebi Adam
Published: April 2020

Steroids are essential structural components of cell membranes that organize lipid rafts and modulate membrane fluidity. They can also act as signalling molecules that work through nuclear and G protein–coupled receptors to impact health and disease. Notably, changes in steroid levels have been implicated in metabolic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, but how alterations in the steroid pool affect ageing is less well understood. One of the major challenges in steroidomic analysis is the ability to simultaneously detect and distinguish various steroids due to low in vivo concentrations and naturally occurring stereoisomers. Here, we established such a method to study the mass spectrometry behaviour of nine sterols/steroids and related molecules (cholesterol precursors: squalene, lanosterol; sterol metabolites; 7 Dehydrocholesterol, 24, 25 and 27 Hydroxycholesterol; and steroids: progesterone, testosterone, and corticosterone) during ageing in the African turquoise killifish, a new model for studying vertebrate longevity. We find that levels of all tested steroids change significantly with age in multiple tissues, suggesting that specific steroids could be used as biomarkers of ageing. These findings pave the way for use ofNothobranchius furzerias a novel model organism to unravel the role of sterols/steroids in ageing and age-related diseases.
Outcome Measurement at a Ugandan Referral Hospital: Validation of the Mbarara Surgical Services Quality Assurance Database
Authors: Drevin Gustaf , Albutt Katherine , Baluku Moris , Tuhumwiire Caleb , Deng Hao , Musinguzi Nicholas , Modest Vicki , Ngonzi Joseph , Ttendo Stephen , Firth Paul
Published: April 2020

Background

Five billion people lack access to surgery. Accurate and complete data have been identified as essential to the global scale‐up of perioperative care. This study retrospectively validates the Mbarara Surgical Services Quality Assurance Database (SQUAD), an electronic outcomes database at a Ugandan secondary referral hospital.

Methods

SQUAD data were compared to paper records from August 2013 to January 2017. To assess data entry accuracy, two researchers independently extracted 24 patient variables from 170 charts. To assess completeness of patient capture, SQUAD entries were compared to a sample of charts returned to the Medical Records Department, and to a sample of entries in ward and operating room logbooks. Two‐tailed binomial proportions with 95% CI were calculated from the comparative results of patient observations, against a predefined accuracy of 0.85–0.95.

Results

Agreement between completed validation observations from charts and SQUAD data was 91.5% (n = 3734/4080 data points). Binomial tests indicated that 15 variables had higher than 95% accuracy. A total 19 of 24 variables had ≥ 85% accuracy. The completeness of SQUAD patient capture was 98.2% (n = 167/170) of charts returned to the Medical Records Department, 97.5% (n = 198/203) of operating logbook entries, and 100% (n = 111/111) of ward logbook entries, respectively.

Conclusion

SQUAD closely reflects the primary surgical and anaesthetic data at a Ugandan secondary hospital. Data accuracy of key variables and completeness of population capture were comparable to those of databases in high‐income countries and outperformed those of other low‐ and middle‐income countries.
Pre-transplant FLT3/ITD status predicts outcome in FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia following allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Helbig Grzegorz , Koclęga Anna , Wieczorkiewicz-Kabut Agata , Woźniczka Krzysztof , Kopińska Anna , Boral Kinga , Grygoruk-Wiśniowska Iwona , Stachowicz Małgorzata , Karolczyk Agnieszka
Published: April 2020

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with fetal liver tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) internal tandem duplication (ITD) is associated with poor prognosis, and allogeneic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT) seems to be the preferred therapeutic approach. However, the predictors of post-transplant outcomes were not well-defined. The aim of the study was to evaluate the significance of FLT3/ITD mutation by polymerase chain reaction as minimal residual disease (MRD) marker of outcomes after transplantation. We identified 43 patients (28 females and 15 males) with FLT3-mutated AML at the median age of 45 years who were allografted between 2009 and 2019. Hematological status at transplant was as follows: the first complete remission (CR1) in 29 patients, CR2 in 5, and 9 patients were transplanted in marrow aplasia (MA). Twenty-seven patients were FLT3 MRD negative at transplant. Median time from diagnosis to transplant was 16.7 months. Post-allograft CR rate was 88%. The relapse incidence (RI) was lower for patients who were FLT3 MRD negative at transplant when compared with those with FLT3 MRD positivity (41% vs 59%; p = 0.01). The patients who eradicated FLT3/ITD at day + 30 after transplant had lower RI than those with detectable FLT3/ITD (23% vs 76%; p = <0.001). The 2-year LFS and OS were 53% and 54%, with the median OS and LFS of 28 months and 27 months, respectively. Patients with CR1/2 and FLT3 MRD(−) had a 2-year OS of 80%. The FLT3 MRD negativity at transplant prolonged LFS in multivariate analysis (HR 5.3 95%CI 1.97–14.2); p < 0.001), whereas FLT3 MRD negativity and unrelated donor predicted favorable OS.
Radiation exposure per thrombectomy attempt in modern endovascular stroke treatment in the anterior circulation
Authors: Weyland Charlotte S. , Seker Fatih , Potreck Arne , Hametner Christian , Ringleb Peter A. , Möhlenbruch Markus A. , Bendszus Martin , Pfaff Johannes A. R.
Published: April 2020

Objective

To quantify radiation exposure (RE) of endovascular stroke treatment (EST) in the anterior circulation per thrombectomy attempt and determine causes for interventions associated with high RE.

Methods

A retrospective single-center study of an institutional review board−approved stroke database of patients receiving EST for large vessel occlusions in the anterior circulation between January 2013 and April 2018 to evaluate reference levels (RL) per thrombectomy attempt. ESTs with RE above the RL were analyzed to determine causes for high RE.

Results

Overall, n = 544 patients (occlusion location, M1 and M2 segments of the middle cerebral artery 53.5% and 27.2%, carotid artery 17.6%; successful recanalization rate 85.7%) were analyzed. In the overall population, DAP (in Gy cm2, median (IQR)) was 113.7 (68.9–181.7) with a median fluoroscopy time of 31 min (IQR, 17–53) and a median of 2 (IQR, 1–4) thrombectomy attempts. RE increased significantly with every thrombectomy attempt (DAP1, 68.7 (51.2–106.8); DAP2, 106.4 (84.8–115.6); p value1vs2, < 0.001; DAP3, 130.2 (89.1–183.6); p value2vs3, 0.044; DAP4, 169.9 (128.4–224.1); p value3vs4, 0.001; and DAP5, 227.6 (146.3–294.6); p value4vs5, 0.019). Procedures exceeding the 90th percentile of the attempt-dependent radiation exposure level were associated with procedural complications (n = 17/52, 29.8%) or a difficult vascular access (n = 8/52, 14%).

Conclusions

Radiation exposure in endovascular stroke treatment is depending on the number of thrombectomy attempts. Radiation exposure doubles when three attempts and triples when five attempts are necessary compared with single-maneuver interventions. Procedural complications and difficult vascular access were associated with a high radiation exposure in this collective.

Key Points

• Radiation exposure of endovascular stroke treatment (EST) is dependent on the number of thrombectomy attempts.

• Reference levels as means for quality control in hospitals performing endovascular stroke treatment should be defined by the number of thrombectomy attempts—we suggest 107 Gy cm2, 156 Gy cm2, 184 Gy cm2, 244 Gy cm2, and 295 Gy cm2for 1 to 5 maneuvers, respectively, for EST of the anterior circulation

• Cases with high rates of radiation exposure are associated with periprocedural complications and difficult anatomical access as a probable cause for a high radiation exposure.
Correction to: Unsteady boundary-layer transition measurements and computations on a rotating blade under cyclic pitch conditions
Authors: Weiss Armin , Wolf C. Christian , Kaufmann Kurt , Braukmann Johannes N. , Heineck James T. , Raffel Markus
Published: April 2020

In the published version, graphical abstract was missing. It is given below.
Habitual dietary intake of IBD patients differs from population controls: a case–control study
Authors: Peters Vera , Tigchelaar-Feenstra Ettje F. , Imhann Floris , Dekens Jackie A. M. , Swertz Morris A. , Franke Lude H. , Wijmenga Cisca , Weersma Rinse K. , Alizadeh Behrooz Z. , Dijkstra Gerard , Campmans-Kuijpers Marjo J. E.
Published: April 2020

Background

Since evidence-based dietary guidelines are lacking for IBD patients, they tend to follow “unguided” dietary habits; potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies and detrimental effects on disease course. Therefore, we compared dietary intake of IBD patients with controls.

Methods

Dietary intake of macronutrients and 25 food groups of 493 patients (207 UC, 286 CD), and 1291 controls was obtained via a food frequency questionnaire.

Results

38.6% of patients in remission had protein intakes below the recommended 0.8 g/kg and 86.7% with active disease below the recommended 1.2 g/kg. Multinomial logistic regression, corrected for age, gender and BMI, showed that (compared to controls) UC patients consumed more meat and spreads, but less alcohol, breads, coffee and dairy; CD patients consumed more non-alcoholic drinks, potatoes, savoury snacks and sugar and sweets but less alcohol, dairy, nuts, pasta and prepared meals. Patients with active disease consumed more meat, soup and sugar and sweets but less alcohol, coffee, dairy, prepared meals and rice; patients in remission consumed more potatoes and spreads but less alcohol, breads, dairy, nuts, pasta and prepared meals.

Conclusions

Patients avoiding potentially favourable foods and gourmandizing potentially unfavourable foods are of concern. Special attention is needed for protein intake in the treatment of these patients.
Empirical relationships of groundwater head–salinity response to variations of sea level and vertical recharge in coastal confined karst aquifers
Authors: Canul-Macario Cesar , Salles Paulo , Hernández-Espriú Antonio , Pacheco-Castro Roger
Published: April 2020

Coastal aquifers are characterized by a mixing zone with freshwater–saltwater interactions, which have a strong relationship with hydrological forcings such as astronomical and storm tides, aquifer recharge and pumping effects. These forcings govern the aquifer hydraulic head, the spatial distribution of groundwater salinity and the saline interface position. This work is an empirical evaluation through time-series analysis between aquifer head and groundwater salinity associated with the sea-level dynamics and the aquifer recharge. Groundwater pressure, temperature and salinity were measured in a confined aquifer in the northwest coast of Yucatan (México) during May 2017–May 2018, along with precipitation. Cross-correlation and linear Pearson correlation (r) analyses were performed with the data time series, separating astronomical and meteorological tides and vertical recharge effects. The results show that the astronomical and meteorological tides are directly correlated with the aquifer head response (0.71 < r < 0.99). Salinity has a direct and strong relationship with the astronomical tide (0.76 < r < 0.98), while the meteorological tide does not (r < 0.5). The vertical recharge showed a moderate correlation with the aquifer head (0.5 < r < 0.7) and a nonsignificant correlation with the groundwater salinity (r < 0.5). In this study, the sea level (r > 0.7) is a more important forcing than the vertical recharge (with 0.5 < r < 0.7). Empirical relationships through time-series analysis and the separation of individual hydrological forcings in the analysis are powerful tools to study, define and validate the conceptual model of the aquifer.
Instance space analysis for a personnel scheduling problem
Authors: Kletzander Lucas , Musliu Nysret , Smith-Miles Kate
Published: April 2020

This paper considers the Rotating Workforce Scheduling Problem, and shows how the strengths and weaknesses of various solution methods can be understood by the in-depth evaluation offered by a recently developed methodology known as Instance Space Analysis. We first present a set of features aiming to describe hardness of test instances. We create a new, more diverse set of instances based on an initial instance space analysis that reveals gaps in the instance space, and offers the opportunity to generate additional instances to add diversity to the test suite. The results of three algorithms on our extended instance set reveal insights based on this visual methodology. We observe different regions of strength and weakness in the instance space for each algorithm, as well as a phase transition from feasible to infeasible instances with more challenging instances at the phase transition boundary. This rigorous and insightful approach to analyzing algorithm performance highlights the critical role played by the choice of test instances, and the importance of ensuring diversity and unbiasedness of test instances to support valid conclusions.
Interdigitated aluminium and titanium sensors for assessing epithelial barrier functionality by electric cell-substrate impedance spectroscopy (ECIS)
Authors: Schmiedinger Thomas , Partel Stefan , Lechleitner Thomas , Eiter Oliver , Hekl Daniel , Kaseman Stephan , Lukas Peter , Edlinger Johannes , Lechner Judith , Seppi Thomas
Published: April 2020

Electric cell-substrate impedance spectroscopy (ECIS) enables non-invasive and continuous read-out of electrical parameters of living tissue. The aim of the current study was to investigate the performance of interdigitated sensors with 50 μm electrode width and 50 μm inter-electrode distance made of gold, aluminium, and titanium for monitoring the barrier properties of epithelial cells in tissue culture. At first, the measurement performance of the photolithographic fabricated sensors was characterized by defined reference electrolytes. The sensors were used to monitor the electrical properties of two adherent epithelial barrier tissue models: renal proximal tubularLLC-PK1cells, representing a normal functional transporting epithelium, and human cervical cancer-derivedHeLacells, forming non-transporting cancerous epithelial tissue. Then, the impedance spectra obtained were analysed by numerically fitting the parameters of the two different models to the measured impedance spectrum. Aluminium sensors proved to be as sensitive and consistent in repeated online-recordings for continuous cell growth and differentiation monitoring as sensors made of gold, the standard electrode material. Titanium electrodes exhibited an elevated intrinsic ohmic resistance in comparison to gold reflecting its lower electric conductivity. Analysis of impedance spectra through applying models and numerical data fitting enabled the detailed investigation of the development and properties of a functional transporting epithelial tissue using either gold or aluminium sensors. The result of the data obtained, supports the consideration of aluminium and titanium sensor materials as potential alternatives to gold sensors for advanced application of ECIS spectroscopy.
The influence of maternal mental illness on vaccination uptake in children: a UK population-based cohort study
Authors: Osam Cemre Su , Pierce Matthias , Hope Holly , Ashcroft Darren M. , Abel Kathryn M.
Published: April 2020

Reduced vaccination uptake is a growing and global public health concern. There is limited knowledge about the effect of maternal mental illness (MMI) on rates of childhood vaccination. This retrospective cohort study examined 479,949 mother-baby pairs born between 1993 and 2015 in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD GOLD), a UK-based, primary health-care database. The influence of MMI on children’s vaccination status at two and five years of age was investigated using logistic regression adjusting for sex of the child, child ethnicity, delivery year, maternal age, practice level deprivation quintile and region. The vaccinations were: 5-in-1 (DTaP/IPV/Hib) and first dose MMR by the age of two; and all three doses of 5-in-1, first and second dose of MMR vaccines by the age of five. Exposure to MMI was defined using recorded clinical events for: depression, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorder, personality disorder and alcohol and substance misuse disorders. The likelihood that a child completed their recommended vaccinations by the age of two and five was significantly lower among children with MMI compared to children with mothers without mental illness [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.86, 95% CI 0.84–0.88, p < 0.001]. The strongest effect was observed for children exposed to maternal alcohol or substance misuse (at two years aOR 0.50, 95% CI 0.44–0.58, p < 0.001). In the UK, an estimated five thousand more children per year would be vaccinated if children with MMI had the same vaccination rates as children with well mothers. Maternal mental illness is a hitherto largely unrecognised reason that children may be missing vital vaccinations at two and five years of age. This risk is highest for those children living with maternal alcohol or substance misuse.
Exploring solutions to the privacy paradox in the context of e-assessment: informed consent revisited
Authors: Muravyeva Ekaterina , Janssen José , Specht Marcus , Custers Bart
Published: April 2020

Personal data use is increasingly permeating our everyday life. Informed consent for personal data use is a central instrument for ensuring the protection of personal data. However, current informed consent practices often fail to actually inform data subjects about the use of personal data. This article presents the results of a requirements analysis for informed consent from both a legal and usability perspective, considering the application context of educational assessment. The requirements analysis is based on European Union (EU) law and a review of current practices. As the main outcome, the article presents a blueprint which will be the basis for the development of an informed consent template that supports data controllers in establishing an effective and efficient informed consent form. Because the blueprint, and subsequently, the template, distinguishes between legal and usability requirements, it also provides the basis for the mapping of legal requirements in other (non-European) contexts.
Development of Fireground Exposure Simulator (FES) Prop for PPE Testing and Evaluation
Authors: Horn Gavin P. , Kerber Steve , Lattz Jeffery , Kesler Richard M. , Smith Denise L. , Mayer Alex , Fent Kenneth W.
Published: April 2020

Research on the performance of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Fire Service is challenged by the ability to repeatedly and feasibly test new designs, interventions and wear trials in realistic conditions that appropriately simulate end use environments. To support firefighter PPE research and firefighter PPE acclimation/training, a multidisciplinary team has developed a low cost, easily replicable approach for simulating conditions commonly encountered by firefighters operating on the interior of a residential structure fire. The testing enclosure can be used with either stationary mannequins or firefighters conducting typical fireground activities, providing a method to study a wide range of PPE and physiological studies as well as training activities that may support developing new technologies and standardized testing opportunities. Environmental gas concentrations and firefighters’ local temperatures were measured during trials and compared to data collected from simulated fireground activities and fireground responses with good agreement.
A comparison of different approaches to detect the transitions from regular to chaotic motions in SMA oscillator
Authors: Syta Arkadiusz , Bernardini Davide , Litak Grzegorz , Savi Marcelo A. , Jonak Kamil
Published: April 2020

It is well known that dynamical systems that include devices based on shape memory alloys (SMA) can exhibit a wide spectrum of responses: periodic, quasi-periodic and chaotic motions. In view of the different types of possible applications, it is important to recognize the qualitative features of the system vibrations. To this end, various methods have been proposed in the literature and evaluated in different conditions. In this work, a comparison between some of the available methods is proposed, focusing attention on their ability to detect the regular–chaotic and chaotic–regular transitions. The specific system under consideration is a thermomechanical SMA oscillator with superelastic behavior subject to harmonic excitation. The diagnostic methods compared are 0–1 test, maximum Lyapunov exponent and the recurrence indicators. The obtained results show that each method used is suitable for distinguishing between the regular and non-regular response of the SMA oscillator, so one of them can be chosen, taking into account, for example, the length and a sampling of the collected data.
Communicating treatment risks and benefits to cancer patients: a systematic review of communication methods
Authors: van de Water L. F. , van Kleef J. J. , Dijksterhuis W. P. M. , Henselmans I. , van den Boorn H. G. , Vaarzon Morel N. M. , Schut K. F. , Daams J. G. , Smets E. M. A. , van Laarhoven H. W. M.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Cancer patients are increasingly involved in decision-making processes. Hence, clinicians need to inform patients about the risks and benefits of different treatment options in order for patients to make well informed decisions. The aim of this review is to determine the effects of methods of communicating prognostic information about (1) disease progression (survival, progression, recurrence and remission), (2) side effects and complications and (3) health-related quality of life (HRQL) on cognitive, affective and behavioral outcomes in cancer patients.

Methods

A literature search was performed to select articles that were published up to  November 2019 and that examined verbal and/or visual risk communication interventions in an oncological clinical setting.

Results

The search yielded 14,875 studies; 28 studies were ultimately included. For disease progression information, we found that framing affects treatment choice. Furthermore, limiting the amount of progression information in a graphical display could benefit patients’ understanding of risks and benefits. For prognostic information about side effects and complications, precise and defined risk information was better understood than information presented in words. When displaying HRQL data, no consensus was found on which graph type to use.

Conclusion

Great heterogeneity in the results and methodology and in the compared communication formats precluded us from drawing any further conclusions. Practical implications for clinicians are to consider the effects that different types of framing might have on the patient and to not rely exclusively on words to describe risks, but rather include at least some form of numbers or visualization.
The Effect of Filtration with Natural Esker Sand on the Removal of Organic Carbon and Suspended Solids from the Effluent of Experimental Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
Authors: Lindroos Antti-Jussi , Lindholm-Lehto Petra , Pulkkinen Jani , Kiuru Tapio , Vielma Jouni
Published: April 2020

We studied the effect of sand filtration with natural esker material on the removal of total organic carbon (TOC), total suspended solids (TSS), and turbidity from the effluent of an experimental recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) farm. Separate experiments were performed with the same esker sand: (1) a soil column experiment in 2017 where the effluent (mean TOC 8.14 mg L−1) was percolated vertically through a 50-cm-thick sand column with the infiltration 1 m day−1; (2) a sand filtration experiment with water-saturated conditions in 2018 where the effluent from the woodchip denitrification (mean TOC 26.84 mg L−1) was infiltrated through a sand layer with the retention time of 1.2 days. In experiment 2, infiltration of 25 L day−1 through a 31-cm sand layer and 40 L day−1 through a 50-cm sand layer were studied. Both experiments were performed in association with rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) grow-out trials. In sand filtration with vertical water flow through a soil column, the removal of TSS was 40%, while of TOC 6%, partly due to the small thickness of the soil column and coarse sand material. In water-saturated conditions, mean removal of TOC (3 mg L−1 1.2 day−1), TSS (1.2 mg L−1 1.2 day−1), and turbidity (0.4 FTU 1.2 day−1) reached 11% (TOC), 18% (TSS), and 15% (turbidity), even with the retention time of only 1.2 days. The removal of TOC in water-saturated conditions correlated with the removal of TSS and turbidity.
Multimodal mixed reality visualisation for intraoperative surgical guidance
Authors: Cartucho João , Shapira David , Ashrafian Hutan , Giannarou Stamatia
Published: April 2020

Purpose

In the last decade, there has been a great effort to bring mixed reality (MR) into the operating room to assist surgeons intraoperatively. However, progress towards this goal is still at an early stage. The aim of this paper is to propose a MR visualisation platform which projects multiple imaging modalities to assist intraoperative surgical guidance.

Methodology

In this work, a MR visualisation platform has been developed for the Microsoft HoloLens. The platform contains three visualisation components, namely a 3D organ model, volumetric data, and tissue morphology captured with intraoperative imaging modalities. Furthermore, a set of novel interactive functionalities have been designed including scrolling through volumetric data and adjustment of the virtual objects’ transparency. A pilot user study has been conducted to evaluate the usability of the proposed platform in the operating room. The participants were allowed to interact with the visualisation components and test the different functionalities. Each surgeon answered a questionnaire on the usability of the platform and provided their feedback and suggestions.

Results

The analysis of the surgeons’ scores showed that the 3D model is the most popular MR visualisation component and neurosurgery is the most relevant speciality for this platform. The majority of the surgeons found the proposed visualisation platform intuitive and would use it in their operating rooms for intraoperative surgical guidance. Our platform has several promising potential clinical applications, including vascular neurosurgery.

Conclusion

The presented pilot study verified the potential of the proposed visualisation platform and its usability in the operating room. Our future work will focus on enhancing the platform by incorporating the surgeons’ suggestions and conducting extensive evaluation on a large group of surgeons.