bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain‐responsive corticothalamic stimulation in the pulvinar nucleus for the treatment of regional neocortical epilepsy: A case series
Authors: Burdette David , Mirro Emily A. , Lawrence Michael , Patra Sanjay E.
Published: July 2021

Drug‐resistant focal epilepsy with regional neocortical seizure onsets originating from the posterior quadrant can be particularly difficult to treat with resective surgery due to the overlap with eloquent cortex. Published reports indicate that corticothalamic treatment targeting the anterior or centromedian nucleus of the thalamus with direct brain‐responsive stimulation may be an effective approach to treat regional neocortical epilepsy. The pulvinar has remained largely unstudied as a neurostimulation target to treat refractory epilepsy. Because the pulvinar has connections with the posterior quadrant, neurostimulation may be effective if applied to seizures originating in this area. We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with regional neocortical seizure onsets in the posterior quadrant treated with the RNS System. Demographics, epilepsy history, clinical seizure frequencies, and neuropsychological testing results were obtained from the chart. Electrocorticogram (ECoG) records stored by the RNS System were reviewed to evaluate electrographic seizure onset patterns. Our patients were followed for 10, 12.5, and 15 months. All patients were responders (≥50% seizure reduction), and two of the three patients experienced a ≥90% reduction in seizures at the last follow‐up. Pre‐ and postsurgical neuropsychological evaluations were compared for two of the patients, and there was no evidence of cognitive decline found in either patient. Interestingly, mild cognitive improvements were reported. The third patient had only postimplant neuropsychological testing data available. Findings for this patient suggested executive dysfunction that was present prior to the RNS System which did not worsen with surgery. A visual inspection of ECoGs revealed near‐simultaneous seizure onsets in neocortical and pulvinar leads in two patients. Seizure onsets in the third patient were more variable. This is the first published report of brain‐responsive neurostimulation targeting the pulvinar to treat refractory regional onset epilepsy of posterior quadrant origin.
Reassessment of the Hispanic Disparity: Hepatic Steatosis Is More Prevalent in Mexican Americans Than Other Hispanics
Authors: Shaheen Magda , Pan Deyu , Schrode Katrina M. , Kermah Dulcie , Puri Vishwajeet , Zarrinpar Ali , Elisha David , Najjar Sonia M. , Friedman Theodore C.
Published: July 2021

Hepatic steatosis (HS) is a growing problem in adults worldwide, with racial/ethnic disparity in the prevalence of the disease. The purpose of this study was to characterize the racial/ethnic prevalence of the stages (normal/mild [S0/S1], moderate [S2], and severe [S3]) of HS in Mexican Americans and other Hispanics compared to other racial/ethnic groups. We analyzed data for 5,492 individuals 12 years and older from the newly released National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017‐2018, which is a representative sample of the US adult population. HS was diagnosed by FibroScan using controlled attenuation parameter values: S0, <238; S1, 238‐259; S2, 260‐290; S3, >290. We analyzed the data using the bivariate chi‐squared test and multinomial regression. The prevalence of HS overall was 46.9% (S2,16.6%; S3, 30.3%). The prevalence of S3 was highest among Mexican Americans (42.8%), lowest among Blacks (21.6%), 27.6% in other Hispanics, and 30.6% in Whites (P < 0.05). Mexican Americans were about 2 times more likely than Whites to have S2 and S3, while other Hispanics showed no difference from Whites. In an adjusted model, the common risk factors of S2 and S3 were male sex, older ages, high waist‐to‐hip ratio, body mass index ≥25, and high triglycerides (P < 0.05). Other risk factors for S3 were hemoglobin A1c ≥5.7 and highly sensitive C‐reactive protein ≥10 mg/dL (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study challenges the paradigm that HS is higher in Hispanics overall; rather, our data show that HS is higher in Mexican Americans and not non‐Mexican American Hispanics.
Flow directions of stream‐groundwater exchange in a headwater catchment during the hydrologic year
Authors: Bonanno Enrico , Blöschl Günter , Klaus Julian
Published: July 2021

Understanding near‐stream groundwater dynamics and flow directions is important for predicting hillslope‐stream connectivity, streamflow generation, and hydrologic controls of streamwater quality. To determine the drivers of groundwater flow in the stream corridor (i.e., the stream channel and the adjacent groundwater in footslopes and riparian areas), we observed the water levels of 36 wells and 7 piezometers along a headwater stream section over a period of 18 months. Groundwater dynamics during events were controlled by the initial position of the groundwater table relative to the subsurface structure. The near‐stream groundwater table displayed a fast and pronounced response to precipitation events when lying in fractured bedrock with low storage capacity, and responded less frequently and in a less pronounced way when lying in upper layers with high storage capacity. Precipitation depth, intensity, regolith thickness above the fractured bedrock, and proximity to and elevation above the stream channel also had an effect on the groundwater dynamics, which varied with hydrologic conditions. Our high‐frequency and spatially dense measurements highlight the competing influence of groundwater inflow from upslope locations, streamwater level and bedrock properties on the spatiotemporal dynamics of flowpaths in the stream corridor. Near‐stream groundwater pointed uniformly towards the stream channel when the stream corridor was hydrologically connected to upslope groundwater. However, local interruptions of the water inflow from upslope locations caused flow reversals towards the footslopes. The direction of near‐stream groundwater followed the local fractured bedrock topography during dry hydrologic conditions on a few occasions after events. The outcomes of this research contribute to a better understanding of the drivers controlling spatiotemporal changes in near‐stream groundwater dynamics and flow directions in multiple wetness states of the stream corridor.
Spontaneous versus morcellator‐related benign metastasizing leiomyoma—A retrospective study
Authors: Perri Tamar , Komem Daphna Amitai , Apter Sara , Inbar Yael , Dick‐Necula Daniela , Levin Gabriel , Korach Jacob
Published: July 2021

Objective

To compare characteristics, disease course, and prognosis of spontaneous versus iatrogenic benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study comparing iatrogenic and spontaneous BML.

Results

Twenty cases were included, 12 (60%) spontaneous and 8 (40.0%) iatrogenic with a median follow up of 3.4 years. The rate of asymptomatic presentation did not differ between study groups (P = 0.157). When symptoms occurred, dyspnea was more common in the spontaneous group (66.6% vs 0%, P = 0.023) and self‐palpation was more common in the iatrogenic group (57.1% vs 0%, P = 0.023). Intravascular masses were more common in the spontaneous group (66.6% vs 0%, P = 0.029). Rate of BML located in abdominal/pelvic cavity was higher in the iatrogenic group (100.0% vs 41.6%, P = 0.014). Of the 12 women in the spontaneous group, 50% had recurrent disease following surgical resection or unresectable lesions surgical resection was successfully attempted in seven of the eight (87.5%) women in the iatrogenic group, with no residual/recurrent disease. None of the patients died of her disease.

Conclusion

Spontaneous and iatrogenic BML can probably be regarded as two separate etiologies of the same pathologic phenomenon, usually with favorable prognosis. However, spontaneous BML may have a less favorable course.
Interference of quorum sensing regulated bacterial virulence factors and biofilms by Plumbago zeylanica extract
Authors: Qais Faizan Abul , Ahmad Iqbal , Husain Fohad Mabood , Alomar Suliman Y. , Ahmad Naushad , Albalawi Fadwa , Alam Pravej , Albalawi Thamer
Published: July 2021

There has been tremendous spread of antimicrobial resistance globally, mainly due to the excessive and unnecessary use of antibiotics, making the situation alarming. This has created a need for the development of alternative strategies to selectively target the bacterial pathogenicity without exerting selection pressure for the development of antimicrobial resistance. Targeting quorum sensing (QS)‐mediated virulence and biofilms by nontoxic natural products is gaining importance as new control strategy to combat the virulence and biofilms of pathogenic bacteria. In this study, the crude extract of Plumbago zeylanica was fractioned in different solvents using liquid–liquid partitioning to obtain the most bioactive fraction. The inhibitory effect of the bioactive extract of P. zeylanica on QS at sub‐minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) was studied against Chromobacterium violaceum 12472, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, and Serratia marcescens MTCC 97. Biofilm inhibition was studied using microtiter plate assay, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Major phytocompounds detected were cinnamaldehyde dimethyl acetal, plumbagin, asarone, 4‐chromanol, phthalic acid, palmitic acid, ergost‐5‐en‐3‐ol, stigmasterol, and β‐sitosterol. The violacein production in C. violaceum 12472 was reduced by >80% in the presence of P. zeylanica hexane fraction (PZHF; 200 μg/ml). The most active PZHF inhibited QS‐mediated virulence factors of P. aeruginosa PAO1 such as pyocyanin, pyoverdin, rhamnolipid production, motility, etc., significantly at sub‐MICs. Similarly, PZHF showed 59 to 76% inhibition of biofilm formation of above test pathogens. The findings revealed that active fraction of P. zeylanica was effective against the QS‐regulated functions and biofilms development of Gram ‐ve pathogenic bacteria.
Get ready for the CRISPR/Cas system: A beginner's guide to the engineering and design of guide RNAs
Authors: Ma Shufeng , Lv Jie , Feng Zinan , Rong Zhili , Lin Ying
Published: July 2021

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system is a state‐of‐the‐art tool for versatile genome editing that has advanced basic research dramatically, with great potential for clinic applications. The system consists of two key molecules: a CRISPR‐associated (Cas) effector nuclease and a single guide RNA. The simplicity of the system has enabled the development of a wide spectrum of derivative methods. Almost any laboratory can utilize these methods, although new users may initially be confused when faced with the potentially overwhelming abundance of choices. Cas nucleases and their engineering have been systematically reviewed previously. In the present review, we discuss single guide RNA engineering and design strategies that facilitate more efficient, more specific and safer gene editing.
Spatiotemporal characteristics and hydrological implications of downscaled hourly precipitation climate scenarios for South Korea
Authors: Lee Taesam , Kim Jong‐Suk , Chen Jie
Published: July 2021

The assessment of hydrometeorological variables using climate scenario data derived from global climate models (GCMs) is essential for adapting and mitigating climate‐induced changes. However, GCM outputs are too coarse to apply at the basin scale. Therefore, spatial downscaling of GCM outputs has been widely used to assess hydrological changes on the basin scale. Temporal downscaling is also required to obtain hourly precipitation data for small or medium basin analysis because only several hours of data are required to determine peak flows after rainfall. This study presents the spatiotemporal distribution of downscaled hourly precipitation over South Korea for two representative concentration pathway scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), as well as its implications over hydrological responses. Under the RCP8.5 scenario, the mean hourly precipitation significantly increases over the southern part of South Korea, especially during the morning, with a smaller increase at later times of the day. However, this increase is not propagated to the mainland because of mountainous areas in the southern part of the country. Furthermore, the hydrological responses determined by a distributed rainfall‐runoff model reveal a significant increase in the peak flow under the RCP8.5 scenario but a slight decrease under the RCP4.5 scenario. In addition, the observed relation between extreme precipitation and temperature is compared with that under RCP8.5. The results indicate that the downscaled hourly precipitation data adequately reproduce the observed relationship. We conclude that the temporal downscaling method used in this study is suitable for obtaining hourly precipitation data from daily GCM scenarios. In addition, rainfall‐runoff simulations using downscaled hourly precipitation data are useful for investigating hydrological response variability related to future climate scenarios.
Surface‐confined guanidinium ionic liquid as a new type of stationary phase for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography
Authors: Qiao Lizhen , Sun Ruiting , Tao Yuan , Yu Chunmei , Yan Yang
Published: July 2021

Guanidinium‐based ionic liquids possess lower toxicity and greater designability than commonly used species and have presented good performances in liquid‐phase extraction and stationary phase for capillary gas chromatography. In the present work, a novel type of surface‐confined guanidinium ionic liquid stationary phase was developed by bonding a hexaalkylguanidinium ionic liquid N,N,N’,N’‐tetramethyl‐N”,N”‐diallylguanidinium bromide onto the surface of 3‐mercaptopropyl modified silica. The obtained surface‐confined guanidinium ionic liquid silica materials were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, and then packed as a high‐performance liquid chromatography column for the evaluation of chromatographic retention behavior. Typical polar compounds were used to evaluate the separation performances, and the changes of retention with water content in mobile phase further suggested the hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography retention mechanism. Moreover, the effect of different chromatographic factors (salt concentration, mobile phase pH, and column temperature) on retention was investigated with a series of compounds as test solutes to gain insights into the retention mechanism. The results indicated that the surface‐confined guanidinium ionic liquid stationary phase exhibited a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/anion‐exchange mixed‐mode retention behavior and possessed promising potential in separating a wide range of compounds as an alternative stationary phase for high‐performance liquid chromatography.
Ultrasound Assessment of Sarcopenia in Patients With Sarcoidosis
Authors: Eşme Mert , Karcıoğlu Oğuz , Öncel Aslı , Ayçiçek Gözde Şengül , Deniz Olgun , Ulaşlı Sevinç Sarınç , Köksal Deniz , Doğu Burcu Balam , Cankurtaran Mustafa , Halil Meltem
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Sarcoidosis can cause sarcopenia like other chronic diseases. Ultrasonography is a simple method, which has been used frequently in recent years. We aimed to evaluate the sarcoidosis patients with ultrasonography for sarcopenia and to compare the results of ultrasonography with the accepted standard method, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Methods

BIA and handgrip test were applied to all patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis. The patients were classified according to the presence of probable sarcopenia with their handgrip results and the presence of sarcopenia with the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index calculated with using BIA. Ultrasonography was applied to each patient and the thickness of seven different muscle groups of the patients were evaluated. The ability of muscle thickness values measured by ultrasonography to predict sarcopenia was compared with the reference standard test BIA.

Results

Forty patients (women/men = 31/9) were included in our study. The mean age was 53.2 ± 12.5 years. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between handgrip strength and gastrocnemius medialis (GM), rectus femoris (RF) cross‐sectional area, rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), transversus abdominus (TA), and diaphragm thicknesses. Therefore, there was a significant correlation between fat free mass index with RA, EO, and TA muscles. According to the ROC analysis, statistically significant muscle groups predicting sarcopenia were found as GM, RF cross‐sectional area, EO, and IO. Again, according to the ROC analysis, it was seen that the thicknesses of GM, RA, EO, IO, and TA muscles corrected for BMI predicted probable sarcopenia with quite high sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusions

Muscle thicknesses measured by ultrasonography are helpful for the diagnosis of sarcopenia that may develop in chronic diseases such as sarcoidosis. Further studies with higher number of patients are needed to validate the results of the present pilot study.
A spanwise oscillating plate in a crossflow: Implication for mass transfer and locomotion
Authors: Jabbari Aidin , Yanase Kazutaka , Ackerman Josef D.
Published: July 2021

Many aquatic processes (i.e., organism locomotion, macrophyte response to unsteady flow and mass/heat transfer) involve oscillatory or undulatory movements perpendicular to the direction of flow and perpendicular to the plane of oscillation (i.e., spanwise). The reduction of boundary layer (BL) thickness () and increased turbulence have been identified as the mechanisms for faster heat and mass transfer on these moving surfaces. We examined the hydrodynamics of a submerged spanwise‐oscillating plate in a crossflow within turbulent open channel flow at different oscillation frequencies (f) and channel velocity (U). The BL over the plate was characterized using moving particle image velocimetry to understand the effects of f and U on boundary stress, vorticity, and transfer processes. Changes in the velocity gradient at the plate surface depend on the interactions between spanwise vorticities of opposite directions that reversed downstream along the plate. The vorticity structure reduced shear stress at the surface of the plate resulting in > 65% drag reduction near the upstream edge. Whereas was reduced in comparison to a stationary plate, vorticity increased the diffusive sublayer thickness ) over the oscillating plate (≲1.75 thicker than stationary), which would reduce rather than increase mass transfer based on the film model. Conversely, oscillations would enhance the mass transfer by a factor of ≤ 7 due to periodic renewal of water at the DSL. Similar arguments indicate that renewal would lead to increased convective heat transfer along the plate. Results of this work will increase our understanding of the physical and biological processes that occur in environmental boundary layers.
Patterned Electroconductive Networks in Ag‐Polyamide 6 Composites by Laser Ablation
Authors: Oliveira Filipa M. , Dencheva Nadya , Denchev Zlatan , Silva Filipe S. , Carvalho Óscar , Moura Caroline G.
Published: July 2021

A simple, fast, and cost‐effective method to fabricate conductive paths on insulating Ag‐containing polyamide 6 (PA6) composites by laser beam treatment is presented in this study. First, Ag‐hybrid microparticles (Ag‐MP) with a total metal load of up to 19 wt% are synthesized based on a reactive encapsulation strategy utilizing activated anionic polymerization of ε‐caprolactam in solution, in the presence of Ag nanoparticles. Then, the Ag‐MP are compression molded into plates (Ag‐PL) on which a scanning laser treatment is applied to create conductive paths in their selected parts. A comparison between structural, morphological, and thermal properties of the Ag‐MP and the molded Ag‐PL composites is performed. The electric conductive properties of the Ag‐loaded hybrid materials are investigated before and after laser ablation, and it is concluded that the laser treatment results in selected paths with widths in the range of 500 µm with conductivity values in the range of 1.12 to 8.90 S m−1 while the untreated Ag‐PA6 surface remains isolating with conductivity values of 1.27 × 10−08 S m−1. These results prove that applying laser ablation with controlled parameters on initially insulating Ag‐PL composites can efficiently produce conductive line patterns in composite plates.
Language differences in schizophrenia could uncover diagnostic strategies
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: July 2021

The mental health field continues to rely largely on decades‐old tools for assessment of psychotic disorders, in a diagnostic interview process that can prove time‐consuming and subjective. Yet advances in technology soon might allow mental health professionals and others to utilize more objective measures of diagnosing patients and monitoring their progress in treatment.
A new stationary grid, with grid lines aligned to pixel lines with submicron‐order precision, to suppress grid artifacts
Authors: Kawashima Hiroki , Ichikawa Katsuhiro , Iida Yasuko
Published: July 2021

Purpose

We have developed a new stationary grid named a pixel‐aligned grid (PA grid), in which the grid lines are aligned to the pixel lines with submicron‐order precision. Further, we have evaluated its performance relative to that of a conventional grid combined with grid‐line removal (GLR) processing.

Methods

A flat‐panel detector system of an indirect type, with a pixel pitch of 150 μm, was employed. Four PA grids having a grid ratio of 6:1 associated with abdominal bedside radiography, with the grid‐line pitch (GP) varied around the target value of 150 μm, were produced. Blank images were obtained with four PA grids for measuring the period and amplitude of the grid artifact. In performance evaluation, acrylic and anthropomorphic abdominal phantom images were used with the PA grid, a conventional grid (40 lines/cm, grid ratio 6:1), and no grids. The grid artifacts were evaluated by power spectrum (PS) analysis. Also, the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) improvement factor (KSNR) was measured.

Results

Grid artifacts were hardly recognizable with PA grids with GP errors of 0.3 μm and 0.6 μm because of the prolonged grid artifact periods. The measured artifact amplitudes of these PA grids were less than 0.6%. Furthermore, the PA grids did not produce notable frequency peaks in PS. In contrast, the conventional grid without GLR processing produced two conspicuous peaks. With GLR processing, notable reductions in PS were observed around the two peak frequencies, which caused blurring in bone structures. For the acrylic thickness of 20 cm, the KSNRs for the PA grid were around 1.4, suggesting some SNR improvement in abdominal bedside radiography.

Conclusion

The present study has demonstrated that PA grids with their grid‐line pitches close to the pixel‐line pitch within errors of 0.6 μm produce grid artifact‐free images without any signal losses. Thus, the proposed PA grid will prove to be effective and useful in various clinical applications.
An asymmetrical whole‐body birdcage RF coil without RF shield for hyperpolarized 129Xe lung MR imaging at 1.5 T
Authors: Puddu Claudio , Rao Madhwesha , Xu Xiaojun , Deppe Martin H. , Collier Guilhem , Maunder Adam , Chan Ho‐Fung , De Zanche Nicola , Robb Fraser , Wild Jim M.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study describes the development and testing of an asymmetrical xenon‐129 (129Xe) birdcage radiofrequency (RF) coil for 129Xe lung ventilation imaging at 1.5 Tesla, which allows proton (1H) system body coil transmit–receive functionality.

Methods

The 129Xe RF coil is a whole‐body asymmetrical elliptical birdcage constructed without an outer RF shield to enable 1H imaging. field homogeneity and flip angle mapping of the 129Xe birdcage RF coil and 1H system body RF coil with the 129Xe RF coil in situ were evaluated in the MR scanner. The functionality of the 129Xe birdcage RF coil was demonstrated through hyperpolarized 129Xe lung ventilation imaging with the birdcage in both transceiver configuration and transmit‐only configuration when combined with an 8‐channel 129Xe receive‐only RF coil array. The functionality of 1H system body coil with the 129Xe RF coil in situ was demonstrated by acquiring coregistered 1H lung anatomical MR images.

Results

The asymmetrical birdcage produced a homogeneous field (±10%) in agreement with electromagnetic simulations. Simulations indicated an optimal detuning configuration with 4 diodes. The obtained g‐factor of 1.4 for acceleration factor of R = 2 indicates optimal array configuration. Coregistered 1H anatomical images from the system body coil along with 129Xe lung images demonstrated concurrent and compatible arrangement of the RF coils.

Conclusion

A large asymmetrical birdcage for homogenous transmission with high sensitivity reception for 129Xe lung MRI at 1.5 Tesla has been demonstrated. The unshielded asymmetrical birdcage design enables 1H structural lung MR imaging in the same exam.
MRI with sub‐millisecond temporal resolution over a reduced field of view
Authors: Zhong Zheng , Sun Kaibao , Dan Guangyu , Luo Qingfei , Zhou Xiaohong Joe
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To demonstrate an MRI pulse sequence—Sub‐millisecond Periodic Event Encoded Dynamic Imaging with a reduced field of view (or rFOV‐SPEEDI)—for decreasing the scan times while achieving sub‐millisecond temporal resolution.

Methods

rFOV‐SPEEDI was based on a variation of SPEEDI, known as get‐SPEEDI, which used each echo in an echo‐train to sample a distinct k‐space raster by synchronizing with a cyclic event. This can produce a set of time‐resolved images of the cyclic event with a temporal resolution determined by the echo spacing (typically < 1 ms). rFOV‐SPEEDI incorporated a 2D radiofrequency (RF) pulse into get‐SPEEDI to limit the field of view (FOV), leading to reduction in phase‐encoding steps and subsequently decreased scan times without compromising the spatial resolution. Two experiments were performed at 3T to illustrate rFOV‐SPEEDI’s capability of capturing fast‐changing electric currents in a phantom and the rapid opening and closing of aortic valve in human subjects over reduced FOVs. The results were compared with those from full FOV get‐SPEEDI.

Results

In the first experiment, the rapidly varying currents (50‐200 Hz) were successfully captured with a temporal resolution of 0.8 ms, and agreed well with the applied currents. In the second experiment, the rapid opening and closing processes of aortic valve were clearly visualized with a temporal resolution of 0.6 ms over a reduced FOV (12 × 12 cm2). In both experiments, the acquisition times of rFOV‐SPEEDI were decreased by 33%‐50% relative to full FOV get‐SPEEDI acquisitions and the spatial resolution was maintained.

Conclusion

Reducing the FOV is a viable approach to shortening the scan times in SPEEDI, which is expected to help stimulate SPEEDI applications for studying ultrafast, cyclic physiological and biophysical processes over a focal region.
Fluorinated branched polymer enables Ce6 and IR780 more effective for phototherapy
Authors: Mu Chenglong , Sun Xiaodan , Yan Kai
Published: July 2021

Phototherapy is gradually becoming a primary technique for treating tumors due to increased efficacy and less side effects. It largely depends on the photosensitizers. Nevertheless, most of photosensitizers show poor stability, how to encapsulate or load them, especially multiple ones, for effective delivery is of paramount importance. To address the challenge, a hyperbranched polymer was prepared by a reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, which is composed of 2,2,3,3‐Tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate (TFPMA), bis(2‐methacryloyl)oxyethyl disulfide (DSDMA) and poly(oligo ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA). Benefiting from hydrophobic performance of fluorinated segments, this hyperbranched polymers can load hydrophobic IR780 (9%) and Ce6 (12%) due to self‐assembly and hydrophobic‐hydrophobic interaction. The final formed composite micelles showed good water dispersity, well biocompatibility, and strong stability. Remarkably, they had good photodynamic and photothemal abilities, enabling them to synergistically induce tumor cell apoptosis by oxidative damage and thermal ablation. This work offers a promising composites and strategy for loading photosensitizers stably and effectively towards cancer therapy.
An estimation of the macroeconomic determinants of income poverty in Pakistan? Evidence from a non‐linearARDLapproach
Authors: Chishti Muhammad Zubair , Rehman Abdul , Murshed Muntasir
Published: July 2021

Poverty is considered a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that can be subjected to various socio‐economic factors. This study aims to assess the potential asymmetric influence of foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade openness, controlling for economic growth, health expenditure, and population size on income poverty in Pakistan from 1972 to 2018 by employing the Non‐Linear Autoregressive‐Distributed Lag (NARDL) approach. The results exhibit the presence of long‐run asymmetries among FDI, trade openness, and income poverty. The results also reveal that poverty reacts to the positive and negative trends in FDI and trade openness atypically. Moreover, the findings also confirm that population growth and health expenditures ameliorate the deleterious repercussions of income poverty. For policy‐makers having an interest in asymmetric nexus among FDI, trade openness, and income poverty. As per the findings, relevant policy level suggestions are recommended.
Enhanced in‐plane and through‐plane thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of polyamide 4.6 composites loaded with hybrid carbon fiber, synthetic graphite and graphene
Authors: Seki Yoldas , Kizilkan Elif , İşbilir Akın , Sarikanat Mehmet , Altay Lutfiye
Published: July 2021

Polyamide 4.6 has excellent properties, such as high temperature resistance, crystallinity, fatigue resistance, melting temperature, excellent creep resistance, toughness, and good wear properties, but low thermal conductivity values. For this reason, its use in thermal applications has been limited. In this study, its use in thermal applications can be increased by increasing its thermal conductivity with carbon‐based fillers and reinforcements added to the PA46 structure. The aim of this study is to examine the carbon fiber (CF), synthetic graphite (SG) and graphene nanoplatelet (G) loading on the mechanical, thermal, physical, and electrical properties of polyamide 4.6, which are produced using co‐ rotating twin‐screw extrusion. Tensile and flexural strength of polyamide 4.6 increased with the addition of CF at all weight fractions. The highest electrical conductivity value was measured as 4.01 S/cm in PA46‐20CF‐20SG‐3G composite material. The highest in‐plane thermal conductivity achieved in this study at 20 wt% CF, 20 wt% synthetic graphite, and 5 wt% graphene loading was 20.43 W/mK. However, the highest through‐plane thermal conductivity value was obtained to be 4.19 W/mK at 20 wt% CF. Graphene and synthetic graphite are more efficient to increase the in‐plane thermal conductivity, while CF is more efficient to increase the through‐plane thermal conductivity.
The role of fetal echocardiogram after detection of extracardiac anomalies in utero (fetal echocardiogram for extracardiac malformations)
Authors: Barris David M. , Brailovschi Yaniv , Shah Amee , Levasseur Stéphanie , Nhan‐Chang Chia‐Ling , Miller Russell , Simpson Lynn , Freud Lindsay R.
Published: July 2021

Objective

We aimed to investigate the utility of comprehensive screening fetal echocardiography (FE) for patients diagnosed with any type of fetal extracardiac malformation (ECM) at a single multidisciplinary fetal center.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all patients presenting to our referral center for FE due to a prenatal diagnosis of ECM (January 2013–December 2018).

Results

Among 641 patients with ≥1 ECM referred for FE, 78 (12.2%) had CHD diagnosed at 25.6 ± 0.5 weeks. The frequency of CHD by type of ECM ranged from 35.1% for craniofacial to 9.8% for thoracic. Increasing number of fetal ECMs was strongly associated with CHD: odds ratio 2.01 (95% confidence interval: 1.06–3.69) for two ECMs, 9.57 (2.00–49.05) for three ECMs, and 11.68 (3.84–37.15) for more than three ECMs. Of fetuses with ECM and an abnormal genetic finding, 33.3% had CHD as compared to 10.9% of those without (p < 0.0001). Obstetric anatomy sonogram detected 43.6% of CHD.

Conclusion

CHD was commonly diagnosed among fetuses with any type of ECM at our center but was not always detected on obstetric sonogram. As the presence of CHD may impact decision‐making and perinatal care, patients with a diagnosis of any fetal ECM should be considered for FE.
Disruption of long‐chain base hydroxylation alters growth and impacts sphingolipid synthesis in Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Steinberger Abraham R. , Merino William Oscar , Cahoon Rebecca E. , Cahoon Edgar B. , Lynch Daniel V.
Published: July 2021

Sphingolipids have roles as membrane structural components and as bioactive molecules in plants. In Physcomitrella patens, 4‐hydroxysphinganine (phytosphingosine, t18:0) is the predominant sphingolipid long‐chain base (LCB). To assess the functional significance of t18:0, CRISPR‐Cas9 mutagenesis was used to generate mutant lines lacking the sole SPHINGOID BASE HYDROXYLASE (SBH) gene encoding the hydroxylase responsible for converting sphinganine (d18:0) to t18:0. Total sphingolipid content in sbh protonemata was 2.4‐fold higher than in wild‐type. Modest changes in glycosyl inositolphosphorylceramide (GIPC) glycosylation patterns occurred. Sphingolipidomic analyses of mutants lacking t18:0 indicated modest alterations in acyl‐chain pairing with d18:0 in GIPCs and ceramides, but dramatic alterations in acyl‐chain pairing in glucosylceramides, in which 4,8‐sphingadienine (d18:2) was the principal LCB. A striking accumulation of free and phosphorylated LCBs accompanied loss of the hydroxylase. The sbh lines exhibited altered morphology, including smaller chloronemal cell size, irregular cell shape, reduced gametophore size, and increased pigmentation. In the presence of the synthetic trihydroxy LCB t17:0, the endogenous sphingolipid content of sbh lines decreased to wild‐type levels, and the mutants exhibited phenotypes more similar to wild‐type plants. These results demonstrate the importance of sphingolipid content and composition to Physcomitrella growth. They also illuminate similarities in regulating sphingolipid content but differences in regulating sphingolipid species composition between the bryophyte P. patens and angiosperm A. thaliana.
A unified approach for evaluating the prediction of treatment effect across different types of endpoints
Authors: Qu Yongming , Park So Young , Wu Qiwei , Shen Wei
Published: July 2021

Phase 2 and 3 development failure is one of the key factors for high drug development cost. Robust prediction of a candidate drug's efficacy and safety profile could potentially improve the success rate of the drug development. Therefore, systematic evaluation of the prediction is important for learning and continuous improvement of the prediction. In this article, we proposed a set of unified criteria that allow to evaluate the predictions across different endpoints, indications and development stages: standardized bias (SB), standardized mean squared errors (SMSE), and credibility of prediction. We applied the SB and SMSE to the predicted treatment effects for 54 comparisons in 5 compounds in immunology and diabetes.
Online detection of cyber‐incidents in additive manufacturing systems via analyzing multimedia signals
Authors: Yang Wei , Chen Jialei , Zhang Chuck , Paynabar Kamran
Published: July 2021

Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing is an emerging manufacturing technology that plays a growing role in both industrial and consumer settings. However, security concerns of AM systems have been raised among researchers. In this paper, we present an online detection mechanism for the malicious attempts on AM systems, which taps into both audio and video signals collected during the printing process. For audio signals, we propose to monitor the shift of patterns in the spectrogram and dominant frequencies via a control chart designed based on the Wasserstein metric. For video signals, we propose to monitor the change in the reconstructed path of the extruder via a Hausdorff metric. We then show the effectiveness of our methods in a case study using an Ender 3D printer, where the cyber‐incidence of altering the internal fill density can be easily identified in an online manner.
Stress at work: Self‐monitoring of stressors and resources to support employees
Authors: van Herpen Merel Marjolein , te Brake Hans , Olff Miranda
Published: July 2021

High levels of stress at work may have serious consequences for employee functioning and mental health. By providing employees with an easily accessible instrument to regularly evaluate stressors and resources, employee self‐monitoring and guidance to support can be accommodated. We evaluated an online self‐monitoring tool Brief Assessment of Stress and Energy (BASE). Through their organization, 139 railway emergency services employees were invited to complete BASE and six wellbeing measures. We assessed BASE in two ways: using multiple regression analysis (N = 102, 73.4%), as well as by telephone follow‐up interviews during which experts and respondents evaluated the BASE outcome (N = 67, 65.7%). Explained variances of BASE on the six wellbeing measures ranged between 26.6% and 49.9%. Telephone interviews confirmed the BASE outcome. The results indicate that BASE is associated with several measures of wellbeing and accurately refers respondents to counseling. This study shows that BASE is a promising instrument to encourage employees to self‐monitor stressors and resources and identify those who need counseling.
Automated Safety Verification of Programs Invoking Neural Networks
Authors: Christakis Maria , Eniser Hasan Ferit , Hermanns Holger , Hoffmann Jörg , Kothari Yugesh , Li Jianlin , Navas Jorge A. , Wüstholz Valentin
Published: July 2021

State-of-the-art program-analysis techniques are not yet able to effectively verify safety properties of heterogeneous systems, that is, systems with components implemented using diverse technologies. This shortcoming is pinpointed by programs invoking neural networks despite their acclaimed role as innovation drivers across many application areas. In this paper, we embark on the verification of system-level properties for systems characterized by interaction between programs and neural networks. Our technique provides a tight two-way integration of a program and a neural-network analysis and is formalized in a general framework based on abstract interpretation. We evaluate its effectiveness on 26 variants of a widely used, restricted autonomous-driving benchmark.
Theory Exploration Powered by Deductive Synthesis
Authors: Singher Eytan , Itzhaky Shachar
Published: July 2021

This paper presents a symbolic method for automatic theorem generation based on deductive inference. Many software verification and reasoning tasks require proving complex logical properties; coping with this complexity is generally done by declaring and proving relevant sub-properties. This gives rise to the challenge of discovering useful sub-properties that can assist the automated proof process. This is known as the theory exploration problem, and so far, predominant solutions that emerged rely on evaluation using concrete values. This limits the applicability of these theory exploration techniques to complex programs and properties.

In this work, we introduce a new symbolic technique for theory exploration, capable of (offline) generation of a library of lemmas from a base set of inductive data types and recursive definitions. Our approach introduces a new method for using abstraction to overcome the above limitations, combining it with deductive synthesis to reason about abstract values. Our implementation has shown to find more lemmas than prior art, avoiding redundant lemmas (in terms of provability), while being faster in most cases. This new abstraction-based theory exploration method is a step toward applying theory exploration to software verification and synthesis.
Electric dipole moment constraints on CP-violating heavy-quark Yukawas at next-to-leading order
Authors: Brod Joachim , Stamou Emmanuel
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Electric dipole moments are sensitive probes of new phases in the Higgs Yukawa couplings. We calculate the complete two-loop QCD anomalous dimension matrix for the mixing of CP-odd scalar and tensor operators and apply our results for a phenomenological study of CP violation in the bottom and charm Yukawa couplings. We find large shifts of the induced Wilson coefficients at next-to-leading-logarithmic order. Using the experimental bound on the electric dipole moments of the neutron and mercury, we update the constraints on CP-violating phases in the bottom and charm quark Yukawas.
A complete effective field theory for dark matter
Authors: Criado Juan Carlos , Djouadi Abdelhak , Pérez-Victoria Manuel , Santiago José
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We present an effective field theory describing the relevant interactions of the Standard Model with an electrically neutral particle that can account for the dark matter in the Universe. The possible mediators of these interactions are assumed to be heavy. The dark matter candidates that we consider have spin 0, 1/2 or 1, belong to an electroweak multiplet with arbitrary isospin and hypercharge and their stability at cosmological scales is guaranteed by imposing a ℤ2 symmetry. We present the most general framework for describing the interaction of the dark matter with standard particles, and construct a general non-redundant basis of the gauge-invariant operators up to dimension six. The basis includes multiplets with non-vanishing hypercharge, which can also be viable DM candidates. We give two examples illustrating the phenomenological use of such a general effective framework. First, we consider the case of a scalar singlet, provide convenient semi-analytical expressions for the relevant dark matter observables, use present experimental data to set constraints on the Wilson coefficients of the operators, and show how the interplay of different operators can open new allowed windows in the parameter space of the model. Then we study the case of a lepton isodoublet, which involves coannihilation processes, and we discuss the impact of the operators on the particle mass splitting and direct detection cross sections. These examples highlight the importance of the contribution of the various non-renormalizable operators, which can even dominate over the gauge interactions in certain cases.
Four-dimensional de Sitter space is a Glauber-Sudarshan state in string theory
Authors: Brahma Suddhasattwa , Dasgupta Keshav , Tatar Radu
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We show that four-dimensional de Sitter space is a Glauber-Sudarshan state, i.e. a coherent state, over a supersymmetric solitonic background in full string theory. We argue that such a state is only realized in the presence of temporally varying degrees of freedom and after including quantum corrections, with supersymmetry being broken spontaneously. On the other hand, fluctuations over the resulting de Sitter space is governed by the Agarwal-Tara state, which is a graviton (and flux)-added coherent state. Once de Sitter space is realized as a coherent state, and not as a vacuum, its ability to remain out of the swampland as well as issues regarding its (meta)stability, vacuum energy, and finite entropy appear to have clear resolutions.
Ingestion von Knopfzellen – Spannung für alle Beteiligten
Authors: Sanders M. , Wunsch R. , Seul R.
Published: July 2021

Es werden 3 klinische Fälle im Ösophagus feststeckender Knopfzellen mit endoskopischer Entfernung 5 h sowie 3 und 12 Monate nach Ingestion präsentiert. Bei zunehmender Verweildauer der Knopfzelle kam es zu immer stärker ausgeprägten ösophagealen Kolliquationsnekrosen bis hin zu fast vollständiger Stenose des Ösophagus mit Verdrängung der Trachea.
Sind die Ergebnisse von Knietotalendoprothesen nach Tibiakopfumstellungsosteotomie schlechter?
Authors: Mäder Marcel , Beyer Franziska , Lützner Cornelia , Lützner Jörg
Published: July 2021

Hintergrund

Bei einem Teil der Patienten nach Tibiakopfumstellungsosteotomie (HTO) wird die Implantation einer Knietotalendoprothese (Knie-TEP) notwendig. Durch die HTO kann die Anatomie ungünstig verändert und die Knie-TEP-Operation erschwert sein. Ziel dieser Studie war es zu untersuchen, ob Patienten nach HTO gegenüber denjenigen mit primärer Gonarthrose in gleichem Maße von einer Knie-TEP profitieren.

Material und Methoden

Im lokalen Register konnten insgesamt 44 Patienten nach HTO und 1703 Patienten mit primärer Gonarthrose identifiziert werden. Zur Reduktion von Confoundern erfolgte eine 1:1 „propensity score matched-pair“-Analyse (Alter, Geschlecht, BMI, Komorbiditäten) bei Patienten mit einem 5‑Jahres-Follow-up. Es resultierten 35 gematchte Paare, welche hinsichtlich Kniefunktion, Schmerzniveau, Zufriedenheit mit dem Operationsergebnis sowie perioperativen Daten (Schnitt-Naht-Zeit, Implantattyp, Komplikationen) und Revisionen verglichen wurden.

Ergebnisse

Patienten mit vorangegangener HTO hatten prä- und 5 Jahre postoperativ eine vergleichbare Kniefunktion, jedoch ein signifikant höheres prä- und postoperatives Schmerzniveau. Trotz des höheren Schmerzniveaus zeigte sich eine vergleichbare Zufriedenheit mit dem Operationsergebnis. Die Schnitt-Naht-Zeit für die Knie-TEP nach HTO war signifikant länger und es wurden signifikant häufiger modulare Endoprothesen mit Stielverankerung implantiert. Hinsichtlich postoperativer Komplikationen innerhalb der ersten 3 Monate nach Operation unterschieden sich beide Kohorten nicht signifikant. Die Revisionsrate innerhalb von 5 Jahren war bei Patienten nach HTO nicht erhöht.

Schlussfolgerung

Fünf Jahre nach der Knie-TEP zeigten Patienten mit vorangegangener HTO eine vergleichbare Kniefunktion wie Patienten mit primärer Gonarthrose. Jedoch war bei Patienten nach HTO ein höheres Schmerzniveau zu verzeichnen. Der Operationsaufwand der Knie-TEP nach HTO war deutlich höher.