bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir treatment of COVID‐19 in a high‐risk patient population: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Kane Anna M. , Keenan Erica M. , Lee Kasheng , Hartkopf Katherine J. , Ludwig Trisha A. , Trapskin Philip J. , Vanderloo Joshua P. , Schulz Lucas T
Published: November 2022

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a highly contagious, airborne viral infection that can infect anyone. Those with certain underlying conditions may be at higher risk for infection to develop into a severe disease requiring hospitalization. This report summarizes use of nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir for the treatment of COVID‐19 in high‐risk patients at a single academic medical center through a pharmacist delegation protocol and demonstrates real‐world efficacy and safety of treatment.

Methods

This retrospective, single‐center, observational study analyzed all patients who received nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir ordered by a clinical pharmacist for treatment of COVID‐19 infection. The primary outcomes were safety and efficacy of nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir. Safety was evaluated by analyzing drug interaction management and adverse events. Efficacy was evaluated through hospitalization and death within 28 days of nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir use.

Results

Sixty patients were eligible for inclusion. No patients were hospitalized or died within 28 days after initiation of nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir. Pharmacists identified 101 drug interactions with 60% considered clinically significant, requiring modification of home medications. Adverse outcomes associated with the use of nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir were reported in 13 patients (21.7%).

Conclusions

A comprehensive program to mitigate drug interactions and prescribe nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir ensured timely access to COVID‐19 therapy, which may be associated with the prevention of hospitalization and death.
Dropout intentions in secondary education: Student temperament and achievement motivation as antecedents
Authors: Anttila Satu , Lindfors Heidi , Hirvonen Riikka , Määttä Sami , Kiuru Noona
Published: November 2022

Introduction

As early school leaving and dropping out from education pose a challenge for later life adjustment, it is important to identify antecedent factors for the risk of school dropout to tailor individual support for adolescents. Consequently, this study examines the role of adolescents' motivational beliefs and behaviors (i.e., success expectations, planning, and task‐avoidance) as well as their temperament (i.e., extraversion/surgency, negative affectivity, effortful control, and affiliativeness) in their dropout intentions in the first year of upper secondary education.

Methods

Participants were Finnish adolescents' (n = 536; 57% girls, mean age 12.39 at outset, standard deviation = 0.35) and their motivational beliefs and behaviors were measured in Grades 6 and 9. Their temperament was also measured in Grade 9. As for dropout intentions, they were measured in upper secondary education. The effects of gender, academic achievement, task value, and educational track were controlled for in the analyses.

Results

The results of latent growth modeling showed that, of motivational beliefs and behaviors, high success expectations and low task avoidance independently predicted lower dropout intentions. Success expectations in Grade 6 also mediated the effects of extraversion/surgency, negative affectivity and effortful control on subsequent school dropout intentions, whereas an increase in task avoidance in lower secondary school was a mediator between extraversion/surgency and dropout intentions.

Conclusions

Our study provides novel understanding about how temperament is linked with motivational beliefs and behaviors and what roles they together play in subsequent school dropout intentions. Supporting students with different temperaments and achievement motivations would be important to prevent adverse consequences for both the individual and society.
Effects of a dental Spanish educational intervention among predoctoral students at a US dental school
Authors: McKenzie Carly Timmons , Ospina Ana
Published: November 2022

Purpose/objectives

This study investigated the effects of an online module intended to educate dental students about Spanish terms and phrases relevant to a patient appointment. Effects investigated included perceived value of dental Spanish, confidence utilizing Spanish terms in a patient appointment, and degree of knowledge retention.

Methods

This study utilized pre‐ and postsurvey data collected from three classes at one US dental institution (D2‐D4) via an online measure accompanying the virtual educational module. Questions assessed degree of accurate knowledge retained, level of confidence, perceived value of dental Spanish, language proficiency, and year in school.

Results

Predoctoral dental students in three cohorts participated in the study (97% and 87% pre/post‐test response rate, respectively). Most students reported dental Spanish to be beneficial and necessary. However, the intervention did not influence students’ perceived value of dental Spanish. Students who disagreed that dental Spanish was valuable performed significantly worse on the postintervention knowledge assessment when compared to those students who positively reported value of dental Spanish. The intervention significantly increased confidence levels overall regarding use of dental Spanish in a patient appointment. Significant knowledge acquisition occurred for each of the components assessed.

Conclusion(s)

A brief online educational intervention can effectively increase dental students’ knowledge of and confidence utilizing Spanish terms commonly employed during a patient appointment. Perceived value of dental Spanish is high and impacts students’ knowledge retention but is not affected by education alone.
Improving nitrogen retention of cattle slurry with oxidized biochar: An incubation study with three different soils
Authors: Cao Xinyue , Reichel Rüdiger , Wissel Holger , Brüggemann Nicolas
Published: November 2022

The application of livestock slurry in soils can lead to nitrogen (N) losses through ammonia (NH3) emission or nitrate (NO3−) leaching. Oxidized biochar has great potential to mitigate N losses due to its strong adsorption capacity; however, the effects of oxidized biochar in different soils treated with slurry are currently unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of untreated and oxidized biochar (applied at a rate of 50 kg C m−3 slurry) on reducing N losses in a laboratory experiment with three different soils (loamy sand, sandy loam, loam) amended with cattle slurry at an application rate of 73 kg N ha−1. Oxidized biochar reduced NH3 emissions by 64–75% in all soils, whereas untreated biochar reduced NH3 emissions by 61% only in the loamy sand. Oxidized biochar significantly reduced the NO3− content in the soil solution of the loamy sand in the early phase of the incubation and led to a significantly higher NO3− concentration in the same soil compared with the slurry‐only treatment at the end of the experiment, indicating a significant increase in NO3− retention in this organic C–poor soil. We conclude that oxidized biochar can reduce N losses, both in the form of NH3 emission and NO3− leaching, from cattle slurry applied to soil, particularly in soil with soil organic carbon content <1% and pH <5 (i.e., oxidized biochar can serve as a means for improving the quality of marginal and acidic soils).
Inflammatory bowel disease type influences development of elevated liver enzymes
Authors: Cheng Yao‐Wen , McLean Richard , Sewell Justin L , Huang Chiung‐Yu , Khalili Mandana
Published: November 2022

Background and Aim

Up to a third of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have elevated liver enzymes (ELE). We evaluated the incidence, predictors, and outcomes associated with ELE in a diverse and vulnerable IBD cohort.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 336 IBD patients receiving care at the San Francisco safety net gastroenterology clinics between June 1996 and December 2019. Baseline characteristics were captured at first visit, then patients were followed until last clinic activity or death. Testing and etiology, pattern of ELE defined as transient (<1 month) or persistent (≥1 month), were assessed. Multivariate modeling evaluated predictors of ELE at baseline, new ELE at follow‐up, and pattern of ELE.

Results

Baseline median age was 40.3 years, 62% male, 46% White (13% Black, 19% Asian, and 18% Latino), and 59% had ulcerative colitis (UC). Among those without known liver disease (n = 14), 51.6% (166 of 322; 52 at baseline, 114 during follow‐up) had ELE. In multivariate logistic regression, 5‐aminosalicylic acid use (odds ratio [OR] 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07–4.4, P = 0.03) and higher body mass index (OR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.14, P = 0.01) were associated with baseline ELE. In multivariate Cox regression, UC (vs. Crohn's disease [CD]) had a 34% lower risk of developing new ELE during follow‐up (hazard ratio [HR] 0.66, 95% CI: 0.46–0.95, P = 0.02). Mortality rate was higher for patients with ELE (0% normal vs 2.3% transient ELE vs 6.5% persistent ELE, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

ELE is prevalent in IBD, especially in CD, and associated with higher rates of mortality. Identification and management of ELE particularly when persistent are important to IBD outcomes.
Cartography of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants based on the susceptibility to therapeutic monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Furuse Yuki
Published: November 2022

A comprehensive picture of a phenotypic relationship among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) variants has been poorly studied. Here, this study presents cartography showing how the wild‐type strain of SARS‐CoV‐2 and 14 variants are alike or different from the perspective of the susceptibility to 12 therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. The Alpha variant is close to the wild‐type strain, whereas the Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants diverge from the wild‐type. The map highlights the very unique property of the Omicron variant. Interestingly, sublineages of the Omicron variants, BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/5, differ substantially in the cartography.
Spectrophotometric analysis of theCO2system in aqueous solutions: A freshwater example from the Snake River, Idaho,USA
Authors: Hudson‐Heck Ellie , Byrne Robert H.
Published: November 2022

This work describes a new, generally applicable method to comprehensively characterize the inorganic carbon system of aqueous solutions. The method requires only simple spectrophotometric measurements and is appropriate for not only open‐ocean seawater (where convenient assumptions and approximations may be made) but also the more challenging case of freshwaters. The overall approach is to (1) measure pH in the field at the time of sample collection and (2) measure sample pH, carbonate alkalinity (AC), and total alkalinity (AT) later in the laboratory. All required equipment is inexpensive and portable. The paired laboratory measurements of pH andACcan be used to obtain the concentration of total inorganic carbon (CT). ThisCTcan in turn be paired with the field pH measurements to comprehensively characterize carbon‐system parameters in the sampled water body at in situ conditions. To our knowledge, this method is the first to spectrophotometrically measureACand thus the first to completely characterizeCTand the carbon system of freshwaters using spectrophotometric measurements only. The concurrent measurements ofACandATcan also be used to partition alkalinity into its carbonate and noncarbonate components. This work additionally describes how to quantitatively correct for artifacts that may arise (especially in freshwater samples) from using HgCl2to halt respiration in sample bottles. The use of these methods is illustrated using samples collected from the Snake River (Idaho, USA) before and during the 2020 spring flow.
“Ear of the Lynx” Sign in Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis (HSP) 76
Authors: Agarwal Ayush , Oinam Rahul , Goel Vinay , Sharma Pooja , Faruq Mohd. , Garg Ajay , Srivastava Achal K.
Published: November 2022

Background

Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis (HSP) are a group of genetically inherited disorders, clinically and genetically heterogenous and characterized by degeneration of corticospinal tracts, manifesting with progressive spasticity and lower limbs weakness. Most HSPs have an autosomal dominant inheritance. “Ear of the Lynx” sign describes the characteristic abnormality in the forceps minor region of the corpus callosum (CC) on MRI brain. These bear a striking resemblance to the ears of a lynx. This finding has previously been described with hereditary spastic paraparesis 11 and 15, both of which are autosomal recessive HSPs.

Cases

We describe this finding in two siblings with novel mutations causing HSP76, an extremely rare autosomal recessive HSP (less than 50 cases described worldwide), which has not been reported previously.

Conclusion

This sign suggests the presence of pathogenic genetic mutations and is likely indicative of autosomal recessive HSPs.
Advances on multi‐dimensional high‐entropy alloy nanoarchitectures: Unconventional strategies and prospects
Authors: Pavithra Chokkakula L. P. , Dey Suhash Ranjan
Published: November 2022

High‐entropy alloys (HEAs) inspire exploration toward vast compositional space, enabled through the mixing of multiple elements for the advent of novel materials. Moreover, the unique blend of multiple elements into an alloy form at nanoscale in various morphologies can offer exceptional functionalities with high stability that can significantly tune the physical and chemical properties of the HEAs. However, the combination of multiple elements and their downsizing to multi‐dimensional complex alloy nanostructures with limitless combinations and compositions remains highly rewarding yet intricate. Several strategies have been introduced and demonstrated to widen the scope of multi‐element alloys as zero‐dimensional (0D), one‐dimensional (1D), two‐dimensional (2D), and three‐dimensional (3D) nanostructures and exemplify their potential as promising materials for various applications. Nevertheless, these are few and insufficient in terms of element combinations, which are mainly limited to noble metals, and dimensionality, mainly as 0D nanoparticles (NPs). This review focuses on key developments and overviews elegant strategies for the development of HEA nanoarchitectures. We predict that these developments will inspire researchers to extend their work, beyond 0D HEA NPs, toward various distinct HEA morphologies with unlimited element combinations, which can provide new avenues for emerging applications and unknown technologies. Finally, we believe that this review can offer future directions and scope for the design and development of new families of HEA nanoarchitectures with vast compositional space in distinct shapes for various unattempted applications using many unexplored methodologies.
Off‐resonance artifact correction for MRI: A review
Authors: Haskell Melissa W. , Nielsen Jon‐Fredrik , Noll Douglas C.
Published: November 2022

In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), inhomogeneity in the main magnetic field used for imaging, referred to as off‐resonance, can lead to image artifacts ranging from mild to severe depending on the application. Off‐resonance artifacts, such as signal loss, geometric distortions, and blurring, can compromise the clinical and scientific utility of MR images. In this review, we describe sources of off‐resonance in MRI, how off‐resonance affects images, and strategies to prevent and correct for off‐resonance. Given recent advances and the great potential of low‐field and/or portable MRI, we also highlight the advantages and challenges of imaging at low field with respect to off‐resonance.
Pediatric renal tumor epidemiology: Global perspectives, progress, and challenges
Authors: Libes Jaime , Hol Janna , Neto Joaquim Caetano de Aguirre , Vallance Kelly L. , Tinteren Harm van , Benedetti Daniel J. , Villar Gema Lucia Ramirez , Duncan Catriona , Ehrlich Peter F.
Published: November 2022

Pediatric renal tumors account for 3%–11% of childhood cancers, the most common of which is Wilms tumor or nephroblastoma. Epidemiology plays a key role in cancer prevention and control by describing the distribution of cancer and discovering risk factors for cancer. Large pediatric research consortium trials have led to a clearer understanding of pediatric renal tumors, identification of risk factors, and development of more risk‐adapted therapies. These therapies have improved event‐free and overall survival for children. However, several challenges remain and not all children have benefited from the improved outcomes. In this article, we review the global epidemiology of pediatric renal tumors, including key consortium and global studies. We identify current knowledge gaps and challenges facing both high and low middle‐incomes countries.
Agronomic biofortification increases grain zinc concentration of maize grown under contrasting soil types in Malawi
Authors: Botoman Lester , Chimungu Joseph G. , Bailey Elizabeth H. , Munthali Moses W. , Ander E. Louise , Mossa Abdul‐Wahab , Young Scott D. , Broadley Martin R. , Lark R. Murray , Nalivata Patson C.
Published: November 2022

Zinc (Zn) deficiency remains a public health problem in Malawi, especially among poor and marginalized rural populations, linked with low dietary intake of Zn due to consumption of staple foods that are low in Zn content. The concentration of Zn in staple cereal grain can be increased through application of Zn‐enriched fertilizers, a process called agronomic biofortification or agro‐fortification. Field experiments were conducted at three Agricultural Research Station sites to assess the potential of agronomic biofortification to improve Zn concentration in maize grain in Malawi as described in registered report published previously. The hypotheses of the study were (i) that application of Zn‐enriched fertilizers would increase in the concentration of Zn in maize grain to benefit dietary requirements of Zn and (ii) that Zn concentration in maize grain and the effectiveness of agronomic biofortification would be different between soil types. At each site two different subsites were used, each corresponding to one of two agriculturally important soil types of Malawi, Lixisols and Vertisols. Within each subsite, three Zn fertilizer rates (1, 30, and 90 kg ha−1) were applied to experimental plots, using standard soil application methods, in a randomized complete block design. The experiment had 10 replicates at each of the three sites as informed by a power analysis from a pilot study, published in the registered report for this experiment, designed to detect a 10% increase in grain Zn concentration at 90 kg ha−1, relative to the concentration at 1 kg ha−1. At harvest, maize grain yield and Zn concentration in grain were measured, and Zn uptake by maize grain and Zn harvest index were calculated. At 30 kg ha−1, Zn fertilizer increased maize grain yields by 11% compared with nationally recommended application rate of 1 kg ha−1. Grain Zn concentration increased by 15% and uptake by 23% at the application rate of 30 kg ha−1 relative to the national recommendation rate. The effects of Zn fertilizer application rate on the response variables were not dependent on soil type. The current study demonstrates the importance of increasing the national recommendation rate of Zn fertilizer to improve maize yield and increase the Zn nutritional value of the staple crop.
Functional characterization of developmentally critical genes in the white‐backed planthopper: Efficacy of nanoparticle‐based dsRNA sprays for pest control
Authors: Guo Huan , Liu Xuan‐Zheng , Long Gui‐Jun , Gong Lang‐Lang , Zhang Meng‐Qi , Ma Yun‐Feng , Hull J. Joe , Dewer Youssef , He Ming , He Peng
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), zinc finger homeodomain‐2 (zfh‐2), Abdominal‐A (Abd‐A), and Abdominal‐B (Abd‐B) regulate the growth and development of the insect abdomen. However, their potential roles in pest control have not been fully assessed. The development of insecticide resistance to multiple chemistries in the white‐backed planthopper (WBPH), a major pest of rice, has prompted interest in novel pest control approaches that are ecologically friendly. Although pest management approaches based on double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA)‐mediated RNA interference (RNAi) have potential, their susceptibility to degradation limits large‐scale field applications. These limitations, however, can be overcome with nanoparticle–dsRNA complexes that have greater environmental stability and improved cellular uptake.

RESULTS

In this study, at 5 days post‐injection, transcripts for the four gene targets were reduced relative to controls and all of the experimental groups exhibited significant phenotypic defects and increased mortality. To evaluate the potential of these gene targets for field applications, a nanocarrier–dsRNA spray delivery system was assessed for RNAi efficacy. At 11 days post‐spray, significant phenotypic defects and increased mortality were observed in all experimental groups.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, the results confirm the suitability of the target genes (SfEGFR, Sfzfh‐2, SfAbd‐A, and SfAbd‐B) for pest management and demonstrate the efficacy of the nanocarrier spray system for inducing RNAi‐mediated knockdown. As such, the study lays the foundation for the further development and optimization of this technology for large‐scale field applications. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Fully distributed event‐triggered asymptotic attitude coordination of multiple spacecraft systems with disturbances
Authors: Liu Tianyu , Wang Chenliang , Zhang Jianchun , Qiao Jianzhong
Published: November 2022

This article studies the leader‐following attitude coordination problem of a group of rigid spacecraft subject to communication constraint, disturbances and uncertain control coefficient matrices. A fully distributed adaptive anti‐disturbance attitude coordinated control scheme with event‐triggering mechanism is developed. First, the event‐triggered adaptive distributed observer is designed for each follower to estimate the leader's information without continuous communication requirement. Based on the estimated information, the adaptive anti‐disturbance attitude tracking controller is designed such that asymptotic coordinated tracking can be achieved under additive disturbances and actuators' partial loss of efficiency. The proposed control scheme ensures that all the closed‐loop signals are bounded and the positive lower bound of inter‐event times exists in each subsystem. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness and flexibility of the proposed control scheme.
State‐of‐Play and Emerging Challenges in Photovoltaic Energy Yield Simulations: A Multi‐Case Multi‐Model Benchmarking Study
Authors: Tsanakas Ioannis (John) A. , Lokhat Ismaël , Jay Arnaud , Gregoire Clément , Schnierer Branislav , Rusnak Jozef , Dvonc Lukas , Berthelot Joséphine , Monet Chloé , Garcia Kévin , Lombardero Iván , Leloux Jonathan , Sarr Babacar , Armbruster Alfons , Bor Jefferson
Published: November 2022

In the framework of the H2020 SERENDI‐PV project, it is aspired to tackle challenges in photovoltaic (PV) modeling and yield simulations, that are emerging today, on four interrelated aspects: i) improved modeling of loss/degradation mechanisms, ii) improved modeling of bifacial PV, floating PV, and building integrated photovoltaics systems, iii) solar resource and uncertainties modeling, and iv) financial risks modeling. As groundwork for this effort, a comprehensive 8‐month study is carried out, the results of which are presented in this article. The study has two parts and main objectives: i) a comprehensive survey addressed to multiple stakeholders, to identify and assess today's “best practices” and needs of the PV industry on PV energy yield simulations; ii) a multi‐model multi‐case benchmarking and evaluation study, i.e., of eight state‐of‐the‐art tools/software for PV energy yield simulations of seven real‐life PV systems addressing diverse “scenarios” (different climates, site characteristics, PV typologies, and technologies).
Designed Complex Peptide‐Based Adaptive Systems: A Bottom‐Up Approach
Authors: Kassem Salma , Ulijn Rein V.
Published: November 2022

Systems chemistry represents a shift from studying molecules in isolation to studying the collective behavior of mixtures or ensembles of reacting and interacting molecules. This research direction provides new ways to build and understand collective chemical properties and emergent functions that are inaccessible using conventional, reductionist, chemistry approaches. This field exemplifies fundamental connections between chemistry and biology, and has the potential to give rise to completely new ways for chemists to approach and resolve wide‐ranging issues related to all aspects of living systems, that themselves are complex systems. Short peptides, while simple in design, carry rich and versatile information encoded in sequence specific side‐chain interactions, that makes it possible to access a high level of complex, information rich systems with emergent properties from Life's simplified building blocks. This review focuses on recent developments in the synthesis of complex adaptive systems based on peptides, where multiple components are designed to cooperatively interact, react and collectively adapt to their context.
Biological elemental analysis: A cute‐meet of microfluidic device to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Bai Junjie , Wang Rui , Wei Xing , Chen Mingli , Yang Ting , Wang Jianhua
Published: November 2022

The elemental analysis in disease diagnosis and biomedicine screening generally aims at alleviating the difficulties of sample pretreatment techniques, elucidating the distribution and speciation information of elements in bio‐samples as well as elevating resolution of multidimensional elemental profiling. The integration of microfluidic techniques with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) has been demonstrated to possess great potential in these aspects due to the versatile microstructure design, rapid sample pretreatment, extremely low sample consumption, and high‐sensitivity/high‐throughput elemental detection capability. Herein, an overview of the advancements in microfluidic‐based ICP‐MS for precise biological elemental determination is provided. A few microfluidic approaches for multiplex and effective manipulation of clinical samples followed by detection with ICP‐MS are highlighted, that is, high spatiotemporal resolution sampling, high‐purity elemental microextraction device, and high signal‐to‐noise ratio elemental analysis. In addition, other front‐end techniques are discussed for converting various types of samples into a suitable form for detection, for example, laser ablation and time of flight MS. The opportunities and outstanding challenges of microfluidic‐based ICP‐MS elemental investigations in clinical diagnosis and biomedical studies are also depicted.
Ampullary carcinoma in a sloth bear (Melursus ursinus)
Authors: McLean Kanyon , Pope Jenny P.
Published: November 2022

A 26‐year‐old, 126‐kg (277‐lb), entire, female sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) was evaluated following a 2‐week history of hyporexia and lethargy. Diagnostic work‐up revealed peritoneal effusion and elevated liver enzymes. Abdominal exploratory surgery revealed a firm omental mass, a focal lesion within the wall of the pyloric outflow tract and a uniformly thickened gall bladder. Biopsy results were indicative of carcinomatosis with an undetermined primary. These results along with the patient's quick deterioration led to humane euthanasia. Postmortem histopathological examination supported the diagnosis of ampullary carcinoma with carcinomatosis, extensive lymphatic invasion and lymph node, hepatic and pulmonary metastasis. Further investigation is needed to determine best diagnostic modalities and treatment options in ursids diagnosed with ampullary carcinoma. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first documented report of carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater in an ursid.
Soziales Wohlbefinden Geflüchteter als Voraussetzung für das Bleiben in ländlichen Regionen
Authors: Glorius Birgit , Bürer Miriam , Kordel Stefan , Schammann Hannes , Schneider Hanne , Weidinger Tobias , Younso Christin
Published: November 2022

Dieses Kapitel thematisiert den Faktor des sozialen Wohlbefindens als Voraussetzung zum Aufbau von positiven Bindungen, welche wiederum den längerfristigen Verbleib an dem ländlichen Wohnort fördern können. Soziales Wohlbefinden steht in einem dialektischen Verhältnis zwischen der Erfüllung der eigenen Wünsche und der Einordnung in einen spezifischen sozialen Kontext. Damit verbunden ist auch die Reflexion der Außenwahrnehmung, d. h. insbesondere die wahrgenommene Bewertung der eigenen Person bzw. Gruppe. Die hier vorgestellten Ergebnisse widmen sich der Frage, wie das soziale Wohlbefinden von Geflüchteten gefördert werden kann, bzw. wodurch es behindert wird. Das Kapitel untersucht diese Frage aus der Perspektive verschiedener Akteursgruppen, diskutiert Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede der Betrachtung sowie die Konsequenzen, die daraus resultieren.
Metric reconstruction from celestial multipoles
Authors: Compère Geoffrey , Oliveri Roberto , Seraj Ali
Published: November 2022

Abstract

The most general vacuum solution to Einstein’s field equations with no incoming radiation can be constructed perturbatively from two infinite sets of canonical multipole moments, which are found to be mapped into each other under gravitational electric-magnetic duality at the non-linear level. We demonstrate that in non-radiative regions such spacetimes are completely characterized by a set of conserved celestial charges that consist of the Geroch-Hansen multipole moments, the generalized BMS charges and additional celestial multipoles accounting for subleading memory effects. Transitions among non-radiative regions, induced by radiative processes, are therefore labelled by celestial charges, which are identified in terms of canonical multipole moments of the linearized gravitational field. The dictionary between celestial charges and canonical multipole moments allows to holographically reconstruct the metric in de Donder, Newman-Unti or Bondi gauge outside of sources.
Bootstrapping conformal QED3 and deconfined quantum critical point
Authors: Li Zhijin
Published: November 2022

Abstract

We bootstrap the deconfined quantum critical point (DQCP) and 3D Quantum Electrodynamics (QED3) coupled to Nf flavors of two-component Dirac fermions. We show the lattice and perturbative results on the SO(5) symmetric DQCP are excluded by the bootstrap bounds with an assumption that the lowest singlet scalar is irrelevant. Remarkably, we discover a new family of kinks in the 3D SO(N) vector bootstrap bounds with N ⩾ 6. We demonstrate coincidences between SU(Nf) adjoint and $$ \textrm{SO}\left({N}_f^2-1\right) $$
SO

N
f
2

−
1

vector bootstrap bounds due to a novel algebraic relation between the crossing equations. By introducing gap assumptions breaking the $$ \textrm{SO}\left({N}_f^2-1\right) $$
SO

N
f
2

−
1

symmetry, the SU(Nf) adjoint bootstrap bounds with large Nf converge to the 1/Nf perturbative results of QED3. Our results provide strong evidence that the SO(5) DQCP is not continuous and the critical flavor number of QED3 is slightly above 2: $$ {N}_f^{\ast}\in \left(2,4\right) $$

N
f
∗

∈

2
4

. Bootstrap results near $$ {N}_f^{\ast } $$

N
f
∗

are well consistent with the merger and annihilation mechanism for the loss of conformality in QED3.
Identifying the mechanisms of DO-scale oscillations in a GCM: a salt oscillator triggered by the Laurentide ice sheet
Authors: Armstrong Edward , Izumi Kenji , Valdes Paul
Published: November 2022

The driver mechanisms of Dansgaard-Oeschger (DO) events remain uncertain, in part because many climate models do not show similar oscillatory behaviour. Here we present results from glacial simulations of the HadCM3B coupled atmosphere–ocean-vegetation model that show stochastic, quasi-periodical variability on a similar scale to the DO events. This variability is driven by variations in the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation in response to North Atlantic salinity fluctuations. The mechanism represents a salt oscillator driven by the salinity gradient between the tropics and the Northern North Atlantic. Utilising a full set of model salinity diagnostics, we identify a complex ocean–atmosphere-sea-ice feedback mechanism that maintains this oscillator, driven by the interplay between surface freshwater fluxes (tropical P-E balance and sea-ice), advection, and convection. The key trigger is the extent of the Laurentide ice sheet, which alters atmospheric and ocean circulation patterns, highlighting the sensitivity of the climate system to land-ice extent. This, in addition to the background climate state, pushes the climate beyond a tipping point and into an oscillatory mode on a timescale comparable to the DO events.
Network meta-analysis of sacubitril/valsartan for the treatment of essential hypertension
Authors: Zhang Yaling , Zhao Xiaoyu , Huang Hao , Li Ming
Published: November 2022

Aim

Sacubitril/valsartan has been demonstrated to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients, but the best dose remains unclear. We performed this network meta-analysis to determine the comparative efficacy and safety of three available doses of sacubitril/valsartan (i.e., 100, 200, and 400 mg).

Methods and results

We searched four databases for relevant studies published before January 2022. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the sitting position (msSBP and msDBP) and ambulatory condition (24-h maSBP and maDBP) and adverse events (AEs) were assessed. Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 5474 patients were included. Sacubitril/valsartan 200 mg once daily was slightly better than 400 mg once daily in lowering 24-h maDBP (MD, 1.31 mmHg; 95% CI 0.61–2.01 mmHg), slightly better than 100 mg once daily in lowering 24-h maSBP (MD, − 3.70 mmHg; 95% CI  − 6.22 to − 1.18 mmHg) and 24-h maDBP (MD, − 2.98; 95% CI − 5.11 to − 0.85), and slightly better than Valsartan 160 mg once daily in lowering 24-h maSBP (MD, − 3.23 mmHg; 95% CI, − 5.25 to − 1.21). 400 mg once daily of sacubitril/valsartan was better than 200 mg once daily in lowering msDBP (MD, − 9.38 mmHg; 95% CI − 17.79 to − 0.97 mmHg). Interestingly, 400 mg once daily of sacubitril/valsartan had fewer trial-specified AEs than 200 mg once daily (OR, 0.74; 95%CI 0.55–0.99). There was no statistical difference for the remaining comparisons.

Conclusions

In hypertensive patients, 200 mg once daily of sacubitril/valsartan may exert a greater reduction in ambulatory blood pressure than 100 mg once daily and 200 mg once daily may not be inferior to 400 mg once daily. Moreover, it is not clear that sacubitril/valsartan lowers blood pressure more than an angiotensin receptor blocker. Further trials are required to determine the incremental value of sacubitril/valsartan as an anti-hypertensive agent.

Graphical abstract
Cough Characteristics and Healthcare Journeys of Chronic Cough Patients in Community-Based Populations in South Korea and Taiwan
Authors: Song Woo-Jung , Yu Chong-Jen , Kang Suk Hyun
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to understand the cough characteristics and health journeys among community-based chronic cough (CC) patients, and their characteristics associated with healthcare visits.

Methods

A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020, using the South Korea and Taiwan National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS) and CC surveys. Patients with current CC were defined by daily coughing for > 8 weeks in the past 12 months and currently coughing at the time of survey. The survey items pertained to CC patients’ treatment journey and cough characteristics.

Results

Patients with current CC in South Korea and Taiwan, respectively, had cough duration for 3.45 ± 5.13 years and 5.75 ± 7.28 years and cough severity visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of 4.50 ± 2.15 and 4.46 ± 1.92 out of 0–10 scale, with 70.3% and 57.9% having spoken with a physician about cough. Compared to CC patients who had not visited healthcare professionals for cough, those who visited reported more severe cough (VAS: 3.89 ± 1.71 vs. 4.6 ± 2.02; p = 0.009), worse cough-specific quality of life (Leicester Cough Questionnaire: 16.20 ± 3.23 vs.13.45 ± 2.68, p < 0.001), greater symptom severity (Hull Airway Reflux Questionnaire: 16.73 ± 15.16 vs. 24.57 ± 13.38; p < 0.001), and more urinary incontinence (13.6 vs. 26.5%, p = 0.027). More than 50% of patients perceived cough medication(s) as not or a little useful and 25% felt their physicians did not well understand how CC impacts their life.

Conclusion

Cough is frequently severe and persistent among community-based CC patients. They experience several issues in their health journey, including treatment ineffectiveness and physician’s understanding. Further efforts are warranted to reduce CC burden in the community.
Clothing air gaps in various postures in firefighters’ work
Authors: Psikuta Agnes , Sherif Fawzy , Mert Emel , Mandal Sumit , Annaheim Simon
Published: November 2022

Both the physical properties of the fabric materials used in clothing and the effective design of the clothing, primarily in terms of the air gap thickness, restrict the transmission of the thermal energy from the heat source to the firefighter’s body. The air gap distribution over the body in real deployment conditions of firefighters will vary, and is likely to be different from the air gap distribution in standardised manikin tests in standing upright posture. In this study, we investigated differences in the distribution of air layers in firefighters' clothing in three postures reflecting realistic on-duty exposure conditions (crawling, hose-holding, and standing upright used in laboratory tests) using 3D body scanning technology. The body posture induced substantial changes in the air gap thickness on the upper body (chest and back) and lower body. These changes were reflected in both the thermal and evaporative resistance of the ensemble, and consequently, in their potential thermal performance in the field. Therefore, it is recommended to consider body postures during the evaluation of clothing protective performance. Secondly, the knowledge of local clothing properties in real-life exposure provides a true protection mapping and gives design inputs to improve the local protective properties of firefighters' clothing.
Characteristics associated with decrements in objective measures of physical function in older patients with cancer during chemotherapy
Authors: Torstveit Ann Helen , Miaskowski Christine , Løyland Borghild , Grov Ellen Karine , Ritchie Christine Seel , Paul Steven M. , Engh Anna Marie Ellström , Utne Inger
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Study purposes were to evaluate for inter-individual variability in the trajectories of three objective measures of physical function (PF) in older patients receiving chemotherapy (n = 112) and determine which characteristics were associated with worse PF.

Methods

Balance, gait speed, and chair-stand test were evaluated at initiation and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months following chemotherapy. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to assess inter-individual variability in the trajectories of the three tests. Demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics, and levels of cognitive function associated with initial levels and changes over time in each of the tests were determined.

Results

Gait speed and chair-stand tests improved over time. Balance declined until month 6, then increased. Characteristics associated with decreases in balance scores at initiation of chemotherapy were lower level of education and lower Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score. For initial levels of poorer gait speed, older age, poorer Trail Making Test B (TMTB), and worse Attentional Function Index scores were the associated characteristics. Lower KPS scores, higher body mass index, and poorer TMTB scores were associated with poorer chair-stand times at initiation of chemotherapy. Worse trajectories of chair-stand times were associated with poorer chair-stand time at enrollment. Characteristic associated with lower initial levels and improved trajectories of balance was older age at enrollment.

Conclusions

Determination of characteristics associated with decrements in balance, gait speed, and chair-stand can assist clinicians to identify older oncology patients at risk for decrements in PF. Interventions to maintain and improve PF need to be implemented with higher risk patients.
Stoichiometry of reactions of ozone and hypochlorous acid with lignin and hexenuronic acid and its chlorination
Authors: Ferro Estefania Isaza , Ruuttunen Kyösti , Koivisto Jari J. , Perrin Jordan , Vuorinen Tapani
Published: November 2022

The stoichiometry of ozone and hypochlorous acid reactions with lignin and hexenuronic acid (HexA) was measured in bleaching experiments of Eucalyptus sp. kraft pulp. The progress of the reactions was followed by UV Resonance Raman spectroscopy that can quantify lignin and HexA based on the Raman scattering intensities of the carbon–carbon double bond in HexA and the aromatic ring in lignin. Here, one mol of ozone converted 0.16 mol of lignin (C9 monomer units) and 0.28 mol of HexA, whereas 1 mol of hypochlorous acid converted 0.09 mol of lignin and 0.23 mol of HexA. The use of a tertiary amine catalyst with the hypochlorous acid treatments did not affect these stoichiometries. The stoichiometric ratios showed that ozone was more efficient in oxidizing lignin than hypochlorous acid, while both electrophiles reacted with HexA to a similar extent. HexA reaction by hypochlorous acid was concluded to involve initial electrophilic chlorination of the carbon–carbon double bond, contributing to significant organochlorine (OX) formation in the pulp. Evidence on this was the linear correlation between the initial HexA content and OX (0.59 mol OX per mol HexA) and the high OX content in the xylan extracted from the bleached pulp. The 2D NMR HSQC and TOCSY spectra of the isolated xylans showed the disappearance of HexA signals after the treatment with hypochlorous acid and the appearance of a new spin system, yet to be fully identified.
Academic intrapreneurship for health care innovation: the importance of influence, perception, and time management in knowledge commercialization at a University’s Medical Centre
Authors: Burkholder Paul , Hulsink Willem
Published: November 2022

Academic intrapreneurship refers to the individual behaviours of scientists who depart from their customary research and education initiatives and become involved in knowledge commercialization without leaving academia. This paper aims to examine how academic intrapreneurs perceive and respond to organizational factors set by departments, faculties, schools, and university boards that influence knowledge transfer, the initiation of an internal project, and the collaboration with societal stakeholders. We employ an embedded case study approach to examine the role of perceived control and influence within the internal work environment of a knowledge commercialization process within the DiabetesStation, a healthcare innovation at the Erasmus Medical Center (MC), a university hospital in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. We used a semi-structured interview strategy and analyzed 12 individual respondent interviews. The results show that the relationship between academics and the Knowledge Commercialization Process within the DS at Erasmus MC was influenced by six factors (i.e., external collaboration, product quality, time availability, external financing, internal financing, and rewards and reinforcement). Our study highlights that the perception of- the academic intrapreneur’s control and influence seems to impact effectively transferring academic knowledge from academic institutions to the private sector for economic and societal benefit. The research results highlight three controllable areas of an academic institution’s internal work environment that can enhance the relationship between knowledge valorization and academic intrapreneurship—time availability, rewards and reinforcement, and internal financing.
Microscopic and radioanalytical investigation of asbestos-containing decommissioning waste
Authors: Köhler Fabian , Heule Martin , Jäggi Maya , Dutheil Paul , Brand Andreas , Walter Nick , Mayer Sabine
Published: November 2022

During decommissioning of nuclear facilities, possibly contaminated asbestos containing materials (ACM) emerge. In this work, we propose an analytical method to characterize ACM contaminated with alpha and beta nuclides by microscopic (light and electron microscopy) and radioanalytical techniques. For this purpose, a chromatographic separation is applied after decomposition of ACM by a lithium borate fusion at 1065 °C. The subsequent separation is performed with UTEVA-TRU-Sr chromatographic resins. Recovery rates for analyzed radionuclides were on an average of 80–90% for Am, Cm, Pu isotopes, and Sr-90. Compared to sample pre-treatment with hydrofluoric acid, the lithium borate fusion proves more suitable, while providing higher working safety.
High end-of-life incidence of seizures and status epilepticus in patients with primary and secondary brain tumors
Authors: Brauchitsch Sophie von , Strzelczyk Adam , Rosenow Felix , Neuhaus Elisabeth , Dubinski Daniel , Steinbach Joachim P. , Voss Martin
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Seizures pose a significant burden in patients with primary and secondary brain tumors during the end-of-life period. A wide range of 6 to 56% of clinically observed epileptic seizures at the end of life has been reported. We aimed to analyse the incidence of epileptic seizures at the end of life in brain tumor patients more accurately using not only clinical but also electrophysiological findings.

Methods

This retrospective, single center study included brain tumor patients who died during the stay on the ward or within 7 days after discharge between 01/2015 and 08/2020. Clinical observation of seizures derived from the original medical records and EEG findings (within 45 days prior to death) were analyzed to determine the incidence of seizures in that period.

Results

Of the 68 eligible patients, 50 patients (73.5%) suffered from seizures within 45 days prior to death, of which n = 24 had a status epilepticus. The diagnosis of seizures/ status epilepticus was determined either by the presentation of clinical signs in 45 patients and if not, by the detection of a (possible) non-convulsive status epilepticus in the EEG of five patients.

Conclusion

In the presence of neurologically trained staff and with the frequent use of routine EEG, we were able to identify seizures and to distinguish status epilepticus from encephalopathy/ hypoactive delirium. We detected a higher incidence of seizures and status epilepticus at the end of life in neurooncological patients than previously reported.