bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive value of impulse oscillometry and multiple breath washout parameters in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbation
Authors: Wojsyk‐Banaszak Irena , Więckowska Barbara , Stachowiak Zuzanna , Kycler Maciej , Szczepankiewicz Aleksandra
Published: March 2022

Background

Pulmonary exacerbations (PE) tend to complicate the course of cystic fibrosis (CF) and worsen the disease prognosis. One of the diagnostic criteria for an exacerbation is the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) decline. Not all children, however, are able to perform spirometry. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate alternative lung function tests in the diagnosis of PE.

Methods

We assessed retrospectively the results of impulse oscillometry (IOS) and lung clearance index in multiple breath washout (MBW) during 259 visits in 47 CF paediatric patients. The differences in the results were compared between patients diagnosed with PE (ΔPE) and those in stable condition (ΔS).

Results

Among the whole group of patients, we found significant differences between the changes during exacerbation (ΔPEs) and stable condition (ΔSs) values for lung clearance index (LCI), Sacin, R5Hz, R5‐20Hz, X10Hz, AX, and Fres. The predictive values of Fres and X10Hz in IOS (AUCROC 0.71 both parameters) were higher than those of LCI (AUCROC 0.67).

There was no difference in the predictive values (AUCROC) of Δ LCI and IOS parameters in the subgroups of patients stratified based on FEV1 z‐score cut‐off value of −1.64. In both groups of patients, predictive values of LCI were slightly lower than of IOS parameters (AUC 0.66 for LCI vs. 0.69 for both ΔX10Hz z‐score and Δ Fres z‐score in patients with FEV1 z‐score ≥−1.64 and AUC 0.67 for LCI vs 0.69 for both ΔX10Hz zscore and Δ Fres zscore in patients with FEV1<1.64.

Conclusions

Both IOS and MBW measurements are useful in the assessment of pediatric CF patients with PE. LCI has a similar predictive value to IOS in children with CF independently of their FEV1 value.
Exercising operational agility in virtual training sessions
Authors: Chia Stuart , Ligori Simone , Wu Angelyn
Published: March 2022

As businesses adapt during the recovery phase of COVID‐19, there has been a major reset in the way work activities are prepared, conducted, and delivered. In this challenging environment, it may not be prudent or possible to have face‐to‐face workshops involving key personnel. This certainly applies to the conduct of hazard management training, where personnel would typically learn, apply, and reinforce the required learning competencies in a collegiate environment. It has become evident that facilitators have had to alter the way they organize and deliver content in a virtual environment to ensure that there is no adverse change in quality. The challenge is to maintain engagement and foster a nurturing environment to promote learning and communication among the learners as well as between the learners and facilitator(s). This paper relays the good and bad experiences from Sherpa's delivery of hazard management virtual training to operating facilities located nationally and overseas. Sherpa identified eight key steps in the plan and prepare phase of developing a training session that can be used to equip facilitators with operational agility. Sherpa then developed solutions to overcome the challenges of a virtual environment and ensure that key learning outcomes are successfully delivered.
Utilization of risk assessment tools in management of PAH: A PAH provider survey
Authors: Sahay Sandeep , Balasubramanian Vijay , Memon Humna , Poms Abby , Bossone Eduardo , Highland Kristine , Kay Dana , Levine Deborah J , Mullin Christopher J , Melendres‐Groves Lana , Mathai Stephen C , Soto Francisco J , Shlobin Oksana , Elwing Jean M
Published: March 2022

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronically progressive fatal disease. A goal‐oriented approach to achieve low risk status has been associated with improved survival. A variety of risk stratification tools are available, but use is low. We conducted a survey to assess potential reasons for under‐utilization. We conducted a survey‐based study of global PAH disease specialists with a goal of assessing risk assessment utilization and identifying modifiable barriers to use. The survey was designed by the American College of Chest Physicians’ Pulmonary Vascular Diseases (PVD) NetWork. Respondents were global members of the PVD NetWork and Pulmonary Hypertension Association. Survey invitations were sent electronically to all members. Participation was anonymous and no provider or patient level data was collected. Participants from four countries responded with the majority (84%) being from the United States. Our survey found suboptimal use of any risk stratification tool with 71/112 (63%) reporting use. A total of 85% of the respondents had more than 5 years of experience in managing PAH. REVEAL 2.0 and European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society risk tools were the most commonly used. A total of 44 (65%) surveyed felt that use of risk tools led to change in PAH therapies. Only 6 (9%) felt they prompted additional testing or changed the frequency of follow‐up. A total of 5 (7%) reported they prompted goals of care/palliative care discussions and 2 (3%) that they triggered lung transplant referral. The vast majority indicated that incorporation of risk tools into electronic medical records (EMR) would improve utilization. PAH risk assessment tools remain under‐utilized. Most respondents were experienced PAH clinicians. More than one‐third were not routinely using risk tools. Most felt that risk tools led to PAH therapy changes but few reported impacts on other aspects of care. The most commonly identified barriers to use were time constraints and lack of integration with EMR.
Severe infectious acute respiratory failure mimicking COVID‐19 in a healthy adolescent
Authors: Hashimoto Kohei , Kawaguchi Takako , Yamasaki Kei , Ikegami Hiroaki , Kawanami Toshinori , Yatera Kazuhiro
Published: March 2022

A 15‐year‐old male presented with headache, high fever and respiratory distress. Chest computed tomography showed bilateral pneumonia, and antimicrobial therapy was initiated. However, his respiratory condition deteriorated, and he developed respiratory failure requiring intubation. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and 16S ribosomal RNA gene analysis were done from his intratracheal secretions to determine the causative pathogens, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae was detected. He was treated with appropriate antimicrobial therapy, systemic corticosteroid therapy and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. He also presented with pulmonary thromboembolism and was treated with anticoagulants, to which he responded well. This patient demonstrates the similarities between severe M. pneumoniae pneumonia with bilateral pneumonitis and thrombosis, and severe coronavirus disease 2019. Therefore, it is important to identify cases of bilateral pneumonia with severe respiratory dysfunction using multiplex PCR tests to provide appropriate medical management and therapeutic interventions.
Leveraging portfolios in professional development for middle school science teachers' assessment and data‐use practice
Authors: Kloser Matthew , Borko Hilda , Wilsey Matthew , Rafanelli Stephanie
Published: March 2022

Using evidence of student thinking and performance is crucial to enacting ambitious science teaching because intimate, formative data can be responsive to student ideas about science. However, narratives and policies about assessment and data use do not always position teachers to draw on the breadth and variety of evidence from the classroom to make instructional decisions that foster sensemaking. Thus, understanding whether, when, and how teachers view and use assessment and other forms of student data is critical to understanding classroom interactions and learning. This study explores teachers' baseline assessment conceptions and practices as well as their changes with relation to assessment and data use across a year‐long intervention using a portfolio of classroom assessment artifacts. Middle school science teachers participated in professional development in which they reflected on assessment artifacts in light of nine dimensions of effective science assessment and data‐use practice. Drawing on interviews, as well as baseline and outcome portfolios from the classroom, we noticed that initial conceptions of practice focused on the variety and frequency of assessment. Nine months later, participants' practice showed growth in several dimensions, but differentially among teachers based on their baseline proficiency. Teachers were more likely to show growth in dimensions related to feedback and data use if they had initially showed proficiency in articulating clear learning goals and had previously aligned their assessments to the stated goals. These findings suggest a possible developmental trajectory for improving teachers' assessment and data use practice.
Fe3O4@Au@Cu2−xS Heterostructures Designed for Tri‐Modal Therapy: Photo‐ Magnetic Hyperthermia and 64Cu Radio‐Insertion
Authors: Fiorito Sergio , Soni Nisarg , Silvestri Niccolo' , Brescia Rosaria , Gavilán Helena , Conteh John S. , Mai Binh T. , Pellegrino Teresa
Published: March 2022

Here, the synthesis and proof of exploitation of three‐material inorganic heterostructures made of iron oxide‐gold‐copper sulfide (Fe3O4@Au@Cu2−xS) are reported. Starting with Fe3O4‐Au dumbbell heterostructure as seeds, a third Cu2−xS domain is selectively grown on the Au domain. The as‐synthesized trimers are transferred to water by a two‐step ligand exchange procedure exploiting thiol‐polyethylene glycol to coordinate Au and Cu2−xS surfaces and polycatechol–polyethylene glycol to bind the Fe3O4 surface. The saline stable trimers possess multi‐functional properties: the Fe3O4 domain, of appropriate size and crystallinity, guarantees optimal heating losses in magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) under magnetic field conditions of clinical use. These trimers have indeed record values of specific adsorption rate among the inorganic‐heterostructures so far reported. The presence of Au and Cu2−xS domains ensures a large adsorption which falls in the first near‐infrared (NIR) biological window and is here exploited, under laser excitation at 808 nm, to produce photo‐thermal heat alone or in combination with MHT obtained from the Fe3O4 domain. Finally, an intercalation protocol with radioactive 64Cu ions is developed on the Cu2−xS domain, reaching high radiochemical yield and specific activity making the Fe3O4@Au@Cu2−xS trimers suitable as carriers for 64Cu in internal radiotherapy (iRT) and traceable by positron emission tomography (PET).
Coevaporation of Doped Inorganic Carrier‐Selective Layers for High‐Performance Inverted Planar Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Jiang Jiexuan , Mavrič Andraž , Pastukhova Nadiia , Valant Matjaz , Zeng Qiugui , Fan Zeyu , Zhang Beibei , Li Yanbo
Published: March 2022

Inorganic carrier‐selective layers (CSLs), whose conductivity can be effectively tuned by doping, offer low‐cost and stable alternatives for their organic counterparts in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a dual‐source electron‐beam co‐evaporation method for the controlled deposition of copper‐doped nickel oxide (Cu:NiO) and tungsten‐doped niobium oxide (W:Nb2O5) as hole and electron transport layers, respectively, is used. The mechanisms for the improved conductivity using dopants are investigated. Owing to the improved conductivity and optimized band alignment of the doped CSLs, the all‐inorganic‐CSLs‐based PSCs achieve a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.47%. Furthermore, a thin titanium buffer layer is inserted between W:Nb2O5 and the silver electrode to prevent halide ingression and improve band alignment. This leads to a further improvement of PCE to 21.32% and long‐term stability (1200 h) after encapsulation. Finally, the large‐scale applicability of the doped CSLs by coevaporation is demonstrated for the device with 1 cm2 area showing a PCE of over 19%. The results demonstrate the potential application of the coevaporated CSLs with controlled doping in PSCs for commercialization.
A General Low‐Temperature Strategy to Prepare High‐Quality Metal Sulfides Charge‐Transporting Layers for All‐Inorganic CsPbI2Br Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Chen Weitao , Sun Zhenxing , Guan Xinyu , Tian Xueying , Wang Binkai , Zhou Jing , Chen Rui , Ren Fumeng , Wang Jianan , Liu Sanwan , Zhang Shasha , Liu Zonghao , Chen Wei
Published: March 2022

Inorganic perovskite solar cells (I‐PSCs) have attracted great attention due to the high thermal stability of inorganic perovskites versus the organic–inorganic perovskites. To ensure the thermal stability of I‐PSCs, using effective and stable inorganic charge‐transporting layers (CTLs) to replace organic ones is quite desirable. The use of low‐temperature‐prepared inorganic CTLs can also lower the total cost of I‐PSCs. Herein, a general strategy to prepare high‐quality inorganic nanoparticles‐based electron transport layers (ETLs) below 70 °C by ligand exchange on top of inorganic perovskites is developed. The ETLs possess a suitable energy‐level structure, favorable conductivity, and chemical stability. Furthermore, all‐inorganic CTLs‐based CsPbI2Br I‐PSCs with p–i–n architecture are fabricated without using any thermally unstable organic components. Consequently, the as‐fabricated I‐PSCs based on CdS ETLs yielded the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 15.04%, among the most efficient CsPbI2Br inverted PSCs. Inspiringly, the unencapsulated all‐layer‐inorganic PSCs present outstanding stabilities, which maintained 94.8% and 95.2% of their initial PCEs after aging at 85 °C in the dark and operating under continuous light illumination at 45 °C for 480 h in N2 atmosphere, respectively.
Toilet paper and food waste in UASB reactors: A contribution to reducing the amount of conventional solid waste disposal
Authors: Gomes Devson P. P. , Figueiras Manuella L. , Machado Simone , Fernandes Bruna , Gavazza Sávia
Published: March 2022

The release of toilet paper (TP) and food waste (FW) in domestic sewage is a common practice in developed countries. Nevertheless, this practice has started to be used in developing countries where anaerobic digestion is applied. Therefore, this work aimed at evaluating the influence of the presence of TP and FW on the anaerobic digestion process in UASB reactors. During the experiment, two UASB reactors (8L) were fed with synthetic domestic sewage with the addition of toilet paper (TPR) and food waste (FWR) residues, respectively. In the first stage of the experiment (S‐I), the reactors operated with an organic load of 0.97 kg COD.m–3.d–1 (TPR) and 0.96 kgCOD.m–3.d–1 (FWR) and, in the second stage (S‐II), the quantities were increased to 1.58 kgCOD.m–3.d–1 (TPR) and 1.35 kgCOD.m–3.d–1 (FWR). In the experimental period of 110 days, the parameters total and filtered COD, series of solids, pH, alkalinity, and VFA were monitored. The mean removal of total COD was of 79±1% (S‐I) and 75±1% (S‐II) for TPR, and of 81±2% (S‐I) and 76±1% (S‐II) for FWR. Regarding VSS, the mean removal was of 94 ± 2% (S‐I) and 97 ± 1% (S‐II) for TPR, and of 95 ± 3% (S‐I) and 96 ± 1% (S‐II) for FWR. The VFA/TA ratio increased from S‐I (0.03 for TPR and FWR) to S‐II (0.17 to TPR and 0.10 to FWR), responding to the organic load increases, but still in the range of process stability. The added toilet paper or food waste were efficiently removed in both stages, reaching removals higher than 75%. In general, both reactors presented a good performance for the anaerobic process even under changes in organic load and influent composition. This experiment showed the feasibility of the combined treatment of TP or FW with domestic sewage in UASB reactors.
Structure–function relationship of long noncoding RNAs: Advances and challenges
Authors: Longkumer Imliyangla , Mishra Seema
Published: March 2022

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an emerging and a promising class of RNAs, and the lncRNA field is an intense research area. Once trashed as the junk regions of the genome, lncRNAs have now proved to be one of the crucial elements of a functional genome. These comprise a major chunk of the transcriptome, and similar to proteins, the sequence–structure–function paradigm holds true for lncRNAs as well. While some of the earliest lncRNAs like Xist and H19 have been well‐characterized, many of the emerging lncRNAs remain in oblivion. The low sequence conservation of lncRNAs has prompted researchers to decipher its conserved structure in order to gain an insight into the functional mechanisms. Here, we explore the concept of the sequence–structure–function relationship of lncRNAs, and the biophysical and biochemical laws governing a lncRNA structure which are just beginning to be understood. Proceeding from specific structures, much of the functions of lncRNAs revolve around their regulatory roles, through myriad modes of action. Throughout this review, we discuss the powerful computational as well as some experimental approaches that are applied in a synergistic fashion and highlight promising studies that have proved crucial towards an understanding of lncRNA structure and functional mechanisms. We also discuss at length, the existing challenges and the possible strategies to circumvent it. Given the unknown realm, the patterns and insights generated from these studies will be extremely useful in deciphering the way nature selects and uses a specific lncRNA to regulate a specific gene or gene sets in health and disease.

This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Biochemistry and Biophysics

Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Free Energy Methods

Structure and Mechanism > Molecular Structures
Reciprocity Within Migrant Networks: The Role of Social Support for Employment
Authors: Bilecen Başak
Published: March 2022

This chapter investigates the ways in which migrants’ perceive and mobilize their social relationships to enter into the labor market. Previous literature has ample evidence on the importance of social ties for migrants to find a job usually studying the received job information while underlining ethnicity of ties as if it is the only aspect that matters in the labor market. Going beyond those debates, this chapter argues that not only receiving information on jobs, but also being embedded in a supportive network in other realms such as care is equally significant in explaining the labor market positions of international migrants and their descendants. To this end, based on a qualitative personal network analysis with international migrants and migrant descendants from Turkey living in Germany, this chapter illustrates how such supportive resources are being exchanged in networks as well as their meanings for migrants’ labor market (non-)participation. After all, studying those migrants who found paid employment via their social ties is only one part of the explanation overlooking other factors such as support they receive or (expected to) give.
Form und Formular. Über eine Differenz der Formularisierung lyrischer Texte am Beispiel der Instapoetry
Authors: Penke Niels
Published: March 2022

Form ist für Produktion wie Rezeption gleichermaßen konstitutiv. Bekannte Formen erleichtern die Kommunikation, weil sie Ordnung schaffen und dadurch Anschlüsse ermöglichen. Sie erhöhen die Wahrscheinlichkeit, verstanden zu werden. Die konventionalisierte Form gibt sich bereits im Voraus zu erkennen. Vor diesem Hintergrund beschreibt der Beitrag eine Differenz der Formularisierung lyrischer Texte. Gegenüber den in der literarischen Form begründeten Formularen des Sonetts und anderer strenger Gedichtformen, sind die Texte der Instapoetry von medialen Formularen abhängig, die stark auf die sprachliche Gestaltung und ihre Rezeption einwirken.
Umstrittene Formulare. Der Reisepass in der internationalen Debatte der 1920er Jahre
Authors: Becker Peter
Published: March 2022

Der Reisepass in seiner heutigen Form entstand in den 1920er Jahren in einem Aushandelungsprozess, der vom Völkerbund moderiert wurde. Am Ende standen ein standardisiertes Formular und einheitliche Grundregeln für die Ausstellung und Kontrolle von Reiselegitimationen. Dieser Standard legte Aussehen, aber auch die Materialität des Einheitspasses fest: das Format, die Anzahl der Blätter, die Verbindung zwischen den Blättern, Verwendung von perforiertem Papier zum Verhindern von Fälschungen. Der Einheitspass ist ein besonderes Formular, weil er eine medientechnische Lösung für Verwaltungs - und Kommunikationsprobleme von Staaten mit unterschiedlicher Rechts- und Verwaltungskultur bieten sollte. Die Gestaltung des Formulars war deshalb heftig umstritten. Das Fehlen von ausreichendem Raum für die Eintragung eines Namens oder Berufs konnte staatliche Interessen ebenso gefährden, wie die Gewährung von Zugang zum Territorium für politisch unliebsame Personen.
Flavored ABJM theory on the sphere and holographic F-functions
Authors: Jokela Niko , Kastikainen Jani , Kiritsis Elias , Nitti Francesco
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We study strongly coupled ABJM theory on the 3-sphere with massive quenched flavor using the AdS/CFT correspondence. The holographic dual consists of type IIA supergravity with probe D6-branes. The flavor mass is a relevant deformation driving an RG flow whose IR endpoint is pure ABJM theory. At non-zero mass, we find that the theory on the 3-sphere exhibits a quantum phase transition at a critical value of the sphere radius. The transition corresponds to a topology change in the D6-brane embeddings whose dual interpretation is the meson-melting transition. We perform the holographic computation of the free energy on 3-sphere and we use it to construct various candidate F-functions. These were recently proposed in the context of Einstein-scalar gravity to interpolate monotonically between the values of the sphere free energies of the UV and IR CFTs. We find that while the F-functions of the flavored ABJM theory have the correct UV and IR limits, they are not monotonic. We surmise that the non-monotonicity is related to the presence of the phase transition.
Bootstrapping closed hyperbolic surfaces
Authors: Bonifacio James
Published: March 2022

Abstract

The eigenvalues of the Laplace-Beltrami operator and the integrals of products of eigenfunctions and holomorphic s-differentials satisfy certain consistency conditions on closed hyperbolic surfaces. These consistency conditions can be derived by using spectral decompositions to write quadruple overlap integrals in terms of triple overlap integrals in different ways. We show how to efficiently construct these consistency conditions and use them to derive upper bounds on eigenvalues, following the approach of the conformal bootstrap. As an example of such a bootstrap bound, we find a numerical upper bound on the spectral gap of closed orientable hyperbolic surfaces that is nearly saturated by the Bolza surface.
On the Ultraviolet Limit of the Pauli–Fierz Hamiltonian in the Lieb–Loss Model
Authors: Bach Volker , Hach Alexander
Published: March 2022

Two decades ago, Lieb and Loss (Self-energy of electrons in non-perturbative QED. PreprintarXiv:math-ph/9908020and mp-arc #99–305, 1999) approximated the ground state energy of a free, nonrelativistic electron coupled to the quantized radiation field by the infimum$$E_{\alpha , \Lambda }$$Eα,Λof all expectation values$$\langle \phi _{el} \otimes \psi _{ph} | H_{\alpha , \Lambda } (\phi _{el} \otimes \psi _{ph}) \rangle $$⟨ϕel⊗ψph|Hα,Λ(ϕel⊗ψph)⟩, where$$H_{\alpha , \Lambda }$$Hα,Λis the corresponding Hamiltonian with fine structure constant$$\alpha >0$$α>0and ultraviolet cutoff$$\Lambda < \infty $$Λ<∞, and$$\phi _{el}$$ϕeland$$\psi _{ph}$$ψphare normalized electron and photon wave functions, respectively. Lieb and Loss showed that$$c \alpha ^{1/2} \Lambda ^{3/2} \le E_{\alpha , \Lambda } \le c^{-1} \alpha ^{2/7} \Lambda ^{12/7}$$cα1/2Λ3/2≤Eα,Λ≤c-1α2/7Λ12/7for some constant$$c >0$$c>0. In the present paper, we prove the existence of a constant$$C < \infty $$C<∞, such that$$\begin{aligned} \bigg | \frac{E_{\alpha , \Lambda }}{F_1 \, \alpha ^{2/7} \, \Lambda ^{12/7}} - 1 \bigg | \ \le \ C \, \alpha ^{4/105} \, \Lambda ^{-4/105} \end{aligned}$$|Eα,ΛF1α2/7Λ12/7-1|≤Cα4/105Λ-4/105holds true, where$$F_1 >0$$F1>0is an explicit universal number. This result shows that Lieb and Loss’ upper bound is actually sharp and gives the asymptotics of$$E_{\alpha , \Lambda }$$Eα,Λuniformly in the limit$$\alpha \rightarrow 0$$α→0and in the ultraviolet limit$$\Lambda \rightarrow \infty $$Λ→∞.
Wundbehandlung ohne kurative Zielsetzung: Ein Positionspapier der Initiative Chronische Wunden (ICW) e. V.
Authors: Dissemond Joachim , Protz Kerstin , Erfurt-Berge Cornelia , Kröger Knut , Kottner Jan
Published: March 2022

Patienten mit chronischen Wunden werden heute in vielen unterschiedlichen Bereichen der Medizin behandelt. Trotz dieser großen interdisziplinären und interprofessionellen Bedeutung, fehlt es weiterhin an einheitlich akzeptierten Definitionen und Einteilungen. Eine Expertengruppe der Fachgesellschaft Initiative Chronische Wunden (ICW) e. V. hat daher auf der Basis international publizierter Literatur eine Einteilung chronischer Wunden in heilende, schwer heilende und nicht heilbare Wunden vorgenommen. Hieraus ergeben sich für den klinischen Alltag sehr wichtigen übergeordneten Ziele einer kurativen, bedingt bzw. nicht kurativen oder palliativen Wundversorgung. Es wird somit deutlich, dass der vollständige Wundverschluss nicht immer das zentral wichtige Ziel der Wundbehandlung ist. Bei vielen Patienten mit chronischen Wunden stehen daher andere Aspekte wie beispielsweise die bestmögliche Lebensqualität und die Förderung des gesundheitsbezogenen Selbstmanagements sowie die Vermeidung von Komplikationen im Vordergrund der Behandlungskonzepte. Diese Therapieziele sollten möglichst frühzeitig gemeinsam mit den Patienten differenziert und individuell festgelegt werden.
Projection micro-stereolithography versus master–slave approach to manufacture a micro-optofluidic device for slug flow detection
Authors: Saitta Lorena , Celano Giovanni , Cicala Gianluca , Fragalà Maria Elena , Stella Giovanna , Barcellona Matteo , Tosto Claudio , Bucolo Maide
Published: March 2022

In this work, the use of projection micro-stereolithography (PμSL) to 3D print a micro-optofluidic device for slug flow detection is presented. For comparison purposes, a poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS)–based device was also manufactured by a novel master–slave 3D printing approach. The micro-optofluidic device has a microfluidic T-junction with a micro-optical section that consists of two optical fiber insertions used for slug flow detection. The design of the device also includes two micro-channels for the optical fiber’s insertion, needed to acquire a light signal, which give a direct information about the microfluidic channel inner flow by exploiting the absorption phenomenon. The working principle in the detection is based on a different light transmission correlated to the fluid interfering with the laser beam in a micro-channel section. The two materials used for the two manufacturing approaches were fully characterized in terms of their surface properties via both Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and angle of contact measure.

The process within the two micro-channels was monitored optically and a signal correlated to the slug passage was analyzed for the flow tracking. A wide experimental campaign was done for the device manufactured through the PμSL technique in different operative conditions. Thus, the optimal one was identified through the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Then, a detailed comparison between the slug process detected inside the HTL resin device and the PDMS device was carried out to evaluate the pros and cons of using different materials and fabrication techniques. The analysis run on the two devices revealed that the HTL resin device can be used for slug flow detection, but future research is still needed to obtain a resin allowing to outperform the PDMS device.
Inter-individual variation in chlorpyrifos toxicokinetics characterized by physiologically based kinetic (PBK) and Monte Carlo simulation comparing human liver microsome and Supersome™ cytochromes P450 (CYP)-specific kinetic data as model input
Authors: Zhao Shensheng , Wesseling Sebastiaan , Rietjens Ivonne. M. C. M. , Strikwold Marije
Published: March 2022

The present study compares two approaches to evaluate the effects of inter-individual differences in the biotransformation of chlorpyrifos (CPF) on the sensitivity towards in vivo red blood cell (RBC) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and to calculate a chemical-specific adjustment factor (CSAF) to account for inter-individual differences in kinetics (HKAF). These approaches included use of a Supersome™ cytochromes P450 (CYP)-based and a human liver microsome (HLM)-based physiologically based kinetic (PBK) model, both combined with Monte Carlo simulations. The results revealed that bioactivation of CPF exhibits biphasic kinetics caused by distinct differences in the Km of CYPs involved, which was elucidated by Supersome™ CYP rather than by HLM. Use of Supersome™ CYP-derived kinetic data was influenced by the accuracy of the intersystem extrapolation factors (ISEFs) required to scale CYP isoform activity of Supersome™ to HLMs. The predicted dose–response curves for average, 99th percentile and 1st percentile sensitive individuals were found to be similar in the two approaches when biphasic kinetics was included in the HLM-based approach, resulting in similar benchmark dose lower confidence limits for 10% inhibition (BMDL10) and HKAF values. The variation in metabolism-related kinetic parameters resulted in HKAF values at the 99th percentile that were slightly higher than the default uncertainty factor of 3.16. While HKAF values up to 6.9 were obtained when including also the variability in other influential PBK model parameters. It is concluded that the Supersome™ CYP-based approach appeared most adequate for identifying inter-individual variation in biotransformation of CPF and its resulting RBC AChE inhibition.
Diagnosis of acute heart failure in CT pulmonary angiography: feasibility and accuracy
Authors: Vittoria de Martini Ilaria , Kobe Adrian Raoul , Roeren Christian , Manka Robert , Euler André , Keller Dagmar I. , Ruschitzka Frank , Alkadhi Hatem , Eberhard Matthias
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of diagnosing acute heart failure (HF) with CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in emergency department patients.

Methods

In this retrospective single-center study, we evaluated 150 emergency department patients (mean age 65 ± 17 years) undergoing CTPA with a fixed scan (100 kVp) and contrast media protocol (60 mL, 4 mL/s) who had no pulmonary embolism (PE). Patients were subdivided into training cohort (n = 100) and test cohort (n = 50). Three independent, blinded readers measured the attenuation in the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) on axial images. The ratio (HUratio) and difference (HUdiff) between RV and LV attenuation were calculated. Diagnosis of acute HF was made on the basis of clinical, laboratory, and echocardiography data. Optimal thresholds, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated using the area under the curve (AUC) from receiver operating characteristics analysis.

Results

Fifty-nine of the 150 patients (40%) were diagnosed with acute HF. Attenuation measurements showed an almost perfect interobserver agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.986, 95%CI: 0.980–0.991). NT-pro BNP exhibited moderate correlations with HUratio (r = 0.50, p < 0.001) and HUdiff (r = 0.50, p < 0.001). In the training cohort, HUratio (AUC: 0.89, 95%CI: 0.82–0.95) and HUdiff (AUC: 0.88, 95%CI: 0.81–0.95) showed a very good performance to diagnose HF. Optimal cutoff values were 1.42 for HUratio (sensitivity 93%; specificity 75%) and 113 for HUdiff (sensitivity 93%; specificity 73%). Applying these thresholds to the test cohort yielded a sensitivity of 89% and 89% and a specificity of 69% and 63% for HUratio and HUdiff, respectively.

Conclusion

In emergency department patients undergoing CTPA and showing no PE, both HUratio and HUdiff have a high sensitivity for diagnosing acute HF.

Key Points

• Heart failure is a common differential diagnosis in patients undergoing CT pulmonary angiography.

• In emergency department patients undergoing CT pulmonary angiography and showing no pulmonary embolism, attenuation differences of the left and right ventricle have a high sensitivity for diagnosing acute heart failure.
Severe Basilar impression in osteogenesis imperfecta treated with halo gravity traction, occipitocervicothoracic fusion, foramen magnum and upper cervical decompression and expansive duroplasty: a technical note
Authors: Jannelli Gianpaolo , Moiraghi Alessandro , Paun Luca , Tessitore Enrico , Dayer Romain , Bartoli Andrea
Published: March 2022

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare bone disease due to an abnormal synthesis of 1-type collagen. OI is frequently associated with basilar impression (BI), defined by the elevation of the clivus and floor of the posterior fossa with subsequent migration of the upper cervical spine and the odontoid peg into the base of the skull. Bone intrinsic fragility leading to fractures and deformity, brainstem compression and impaired CSF circulation at cranio-vertebral junction (CVJ) makes the management of these conditions particularly challenging. Different surgical strategies, including posterior fossa decompression with or without instrumentation, transoral or endonasal decompression with posterior occipito-cervical fusion, or halo gravity traction with posterior instrumentation have been reported, but evidence about best modalities treatment is still debated. In this technical note, we present a case of a 16-years-old patient, diagnosed with OI and BI, treated with halo traction, occipito-cervico-thoracic fixation, foramen magnum and upper cervical decompression, and expansive duroplasty. We focus on technical aspects, preoperative work up and postoperative follow up. We also discuss advantages and limitations of this strategy compared to other surgical techniques.
The effect of Oceanic South Atlantic Convergence Zone episodes on regional SST anomalies: the roles of heat fluxes and upper-ocean dynamics
Authors: Pezzi Luciano P. , Quadro Mario F. L. , Lorenzzetti João A. , Miller Arthur J. , Rosa Eliana B. , Lima Leonardo N. , Sutil Ueslei A.
Published: March 2022

The South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ) is an atmospheric system occurring in austral summer on the South America continent and sometimes extending over the adjacent South Atlantic. It is characterized by a persistent and very large, northwest-southeast-oriented, cloud band. Its presence over the ocean causes sea surface cooling that some past studies indicated as being produced by a decrease of incoming solar heat flux induced by the extensive cloud cover. Here we investigate ocean–atmosphere interaction processes in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SWA) during SACZ oceanic episodes, as well as the resulting modulations occurring in the oceanic mixed layer and their possible feedbacks on the marine atmospheric boundary layer. Our main interests and novel results are on verifying how the oceanic SACZ acts on dynamic and thermodynamic mechanisms and contributes to the sea surface thermal balance in that region. In our oceanic SACZ episodes simulations we confirm an ocean surface cooling. Model results indicate that surface atmospheric circulation and the presence of an extensive cloud cover band over the SWA promote sea surface cooling via a combined effect of dynamic and thermodynamic mechanisms, which are of the same order of magnitude. The sea surface temperature (SST) decreases in regions underneath oceanic SACZ positions, near Southeast Brazilian coast, in the South Brazil Bight (SBB) and offshore. This cooling is the result of a complex combination of factors caused by the decrease of solar shortwave radiation reaching the sea surface and the reduction of horizontal heat advection in the Brazil Current (BC) region. The weakened southward BC and adjacent offshore region heat advection seems to be associated with the surface atmospheric circulation caused by oceanic SACZ episodes, which rotate the surface wind and strengthen cyclonic oceanic mesoscale eddy. Another singular feature found in this study is the presence of an atmospheric cyclonic vortex Southwest of the SACZ (CVSS), both at the surface and aloft at 850 hPa near 24°S and 45°W. The CVSS induces an SST decrease southwestward from the SACZ position by inducing divergent Ekman transport and consequent offshore upwelling. This shows that the dynamical effects of atmospheric surface circulation associated with the oceanic SACZ are not restricted only to the region underneath the cloud band, but that they extend southwestward where the CVSS presence supports the oceanic SACZ convective activity and concomitantly modifies the ocean dynamics. Therefore, the changes produced in the oceanic dynamics by these SACZ events may be important to many areas of scientific and applied climate research. For example, episodes of oceanic SACZ may influence the pathways of pollutants as well as fish larvae dispersion in the region.
Underground emissions and miners’ personal exposure to diesel and renewable diesel exhaust in a Swedish iron ore mine
Authors: Gren Louise , Krais Annette M. , Assarsson Eva , Broberg Karin , Engfeldt Malin , Lindh Christian , Strandberg Bo , Pagels Joakim , Hedmer Maria
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Underground diesel exhaust exposure is an occupational health risk. It is not known how recent intensified emission legislation and use of renewable fuels have reduced or altered occupational exposures. We characterized these effects on multipollutant personal exposure to diesel exhaust and underground ambient air concentrations in an underground iron ore mine.

Methods

Full-shift personal sampling (12 workers) of elemental carbon (EC), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and equivalent black carbon (eBC) was performed. The study used and validated eBC as an online proxy for occupational exposure to EC. Ambient air sampling of these pollutants and particle number size distribution and concentration were performed in the vicinity of the workers. Urine samples (27 workers) were collected after 8 h exposure and analyzed for PAH metabolites and effect biomarkers (8-oxodG for DNA oxidative damage, 4-HNE-MA for lipid peroxidation, 3-HPMA for acrolein).

Results

The personal exposures (geometric mean; GM) of the participating miners were 7 µg EC m−3 and 153 µg NO2 m−3, which are below the EU occupational exposure limits. However, exposures up to 94 µg EC m−3 and 1200 µg NO2 m−3 were observed. There was a tendency that the operators of vehicles complying with sharpened emission legislation had lower exposure of EC. eBC and NO2 correlated with EC, R = 0.94 and R = 0.66, respectively. No correlation was found between EC and the sum of 16 priority PAHs (GM 1790 ng m−3). Ratios between personal exposures and ambient concentrations were similar and close to 1 for EC and NO2, but significantly higher for PAHs. Semi-volatile PAHs may not be effectively reduced by the aftertreatment systems, and ambient area sampling did not predict the personal airborne PAHs exposure well, neither did the slightly elevated concentration of urinary PAH metabolites correlate with airborne PAH exposure.

Conclusion

Miners’ exposures to EC and NO2 were lower than those in older studies indicating the effect of sharpened emission legislation and new technologies. Using modern vehicles with diesel particulate filter (DPF) may have contributed to the lower ambient underground PM concentration and exposures. The semi-volatile behavior of the PAHs might have led to inefficient removal in the engines aftertreatment systems and delayed removal by the workplace ventilation system due to partitioning to indoor surfaces. The results indicate that secondary emissions can be an important source of gaseous PAH exposure in the mine.
Risk communication about work-related stress disorders in healthcare workers: a scoping review
Authors: Emal Lima M. , Tamminga Sietske J. , Daams Joost G. , Kezic Sanja , Timmermans Danielle R. M. , Schaafsma Frederieke G. , van der Molen Henk F.
Published: March 2022

Purposes

Healthcare workers are at risk of stress-related disorders. Risk communication can be an effective preventive health measure for some health risks, but is not yet common in the prevention of stress-related disorders in an occupational healthcare setting. The overall aim is to examine whether risk communication was part of interventions aimed at the prevention of stress-related disorders in healthcare workers.

Method

We performed a scoping review using the framework of Arksey and O’Malley. We searched in Medline, Web of Science and PsychInfo for studies reporting on preventive interventions of stress-related disorders in healthcare workers between 2005 and December 2020. Studies were included when the intervention reported on at least one element of risk communication and one goal. We predefined four elements of risk communication: risk perception, communication of early stress symptoms, risk factors and prevention; and three goals: inform, stimulate informed decision-making and motivate action.

Results

We included 23 studies that described 17 interventions. None of the included interventions were primarily developed as risk communication interventions, but all addressed the goals. Two interventions used all four elements of risk communication. The prominent mode of delivery was face to face, mostly delivered by researchers. Early stress symptoms and risk factors were measured by surveys.

Conclusions

Risk communication on risk factors and early signs of stress-related disorders is not that well studied and evaluated in an occupational healthcare setting. Overall, the content of the communication was not based on the risk perception of the healthcare workers, which limited the likelihood of them taking action.
Insect abundance patterns on vertebrate remains reveal carrion resource quality variation
Authors: Dawson Blake M. , Wallman James F. , Evans Maldwyn J. , Barton Philip S.
Published: March 2022

Resource quality is a key driver of species abundance and community structure. Carrion is unique among resources due to its high nutritional quality, rapidly changing nature, and the diverse community of organisms it supports. Yet the role resource quality plays in driving variation in abundance patterns of carrion-associated species remains poorly studied. Here we investigate how species abundances change with a measure of resource change, and interpret these findings to determine how species differ in their association with carrion that changes in quality over time. We conducted field succession experiments using pigs and humans over two winters and one summer. We quantified the effect of total body score, an objective measure of resource change, on adult insect abundance using generalised additive models. For each species, phases of increasing abundance likely indicated attraction to a high-quality resource, and length of abundance maxima indicated optimal oviposition and feeding time. Some species such as the beetle Necrobia rufipes had a rapid spike in abundance, suggesting a narrow window of opportunity for carrion resource exploitation, while species like the wasp Nasonia vitripennis had a gradual change in abundance, indicating a wide window of resource exploitation. Different abundance patterns were also observed between species occurring on pigs and humans, suggesting cadaver type is an important aspect of resource quality. Our findings show that species abundances, unlike species occurrences, can reveal additional detail about species exploitation of carrion and provide information about how resource quality may drive competition and variation in insect community succession.
Evaluation of a newly proposed indirect efficiency determination method for permanent magnet synchronous machines
Authors: Deusinger Björn , Binder Andreas
Published: March 2022

This paper evaluates the applicability of a newly proposed method for the indirect efficiency determination of permanent magnet synchronous machines by measuring individual losses. Similar methods are well-known and standardized for other kinds of electrical machines, but for permanent magnet synchronous machines, only the direct measurement of input and output power is standardized for efficiency determination according to IEC 60034-2‑1. Measurements and finite element simulations are carried out for four selected test machines with a rated power range between 45 kW and 90 kW and with different stator and rotor topologies. It is shown that the proposed method is well applicable for permanent magnet synchronous machines with a distributed integer-slot stator winding. For machine designs with more rotor losses such as motors with tooth coil windings and open stator slots, larger deviations between the direct and indirect efficiency values of up to one percentage point are determined at rated load conditions.
Steigerung der Leistungsdichte und des Wirkungsgrades von Straßenbahnantrieben durch den Einsatz hochdrehender Maschinen
Authors: Heckele Leonie , Tesar Markus , Igelspacher Jakob , Brunner Jürgen , Gratzfeld Peter
Published: March 2022

Der Einsatz einer hochdrehenden Antriebsmaschine in einem Straßenbahnfahrzeug ermöglicht die Steigerung des Wirkungsgrades und der Leistungsdichte. Aus einem Referenzsystem werden die Anforderungen an den hochdrehenden Motor abgeleitet. Das Referenzsystem bildet ein Bestandsstraßenbahnfahrzeug ab, welches in Zürich eingesetzt wird. Mittels einer systematischen Technologieauswahl werden verschiedene Antriebskonzepte hinsichtlich ihrer Eignung für die Anwendung verglichen. Dabei werden verschiedene Maschinenkonzepte, Konstruktionslösungen sowie Kühlkonzepte betrachtet. Ausgewählt wird eine Asynchronmaschine mit einer Maximaldrehzahl von 20.000 min−1 und einer S1-Dauerleistung von 75 kW. Die Asynchronmaschine ist als Innenläufermaschine mit Flüssigkeitskühlung ausgeführt, basierend auf dem Anforderungskatalog. Anschließend wird ein Vergleich mit dem Referenzantrieb durchgeführt und zum Schluss ein Prototyp gefertigt.
Correction to: Clinical guidelines for primary sclerosing cholangitis 2017
Authors: Isayama Hiroyuki , Tazuma Susumu , Kokudo Norihiro , Tanaka Atsushi , Tsuyuguchi Toshio , Nakazawa Takahiro , Notohara Kenji , Mizuno Suguru , Akamatsu Nobuhisa , Serikawa Masahiro , Naitoh Itaru , Hirooka Yoshiki , Wakai Toshifumi , Itoi Takao , Ebata Tomoki , Okaniwa Shinji , Kamisawa Terumi , Kawashima Hiroki , Kanno Atsushi , Kubota Keiichi , Tabata Masami , Unno Michiaki , Takikawa Hajime ,   PSC guideline committee Members: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) Research Project, The Intractable Hepatobiliary Disease Study Group
Published: March 2022

The article “Clinical guidelines for primary sclerosing cholangitis 2017”, written by Hiroyuki Isayama, Susumu Tazuma, Norihiro Kokudo, Atsushi Tanaka, Toshio Tsuyuguchi, Takahiro Nakazawa, Kenji Notohara, Suguru Mizuno.