bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histopathological correlation of punctate echogenic foci on ultrasonography in papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Hong Min Ji , Noh Byeong‐Joo , Na Dong Gyu , Paik Wooyul
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To investigate the pathological entities of punctate echogenic foci (PEF) by correlating PEF with histopathological features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

This study included 121 consecutive patients who had undergone thyroidectomy for PTC. The inclusion criterion was entire tumor resection with a 3‐mm thickness for histopathological examination. We assessed the presence and number (<5 or ≥5) of PEF defined as punctate hyperechoic foci within the solid component of nodules. All surgical tumor specimens were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of microcalcifications, including the psammomatous calcification, coarse microcalcification, and micro‐ossification, and inspissated colloid.

Results

PEF were detected in 71 (58.7%) PTCs. Psammomatous calcifications, coarse microcalcifications, and inspissated colloids were more frequently found in PTCs with PEF than in those without (74.6%, 42.3%, and 46.5%, respectively, p ≤ 0.024). Any type of microcalcification was found in 90.1% of PTCs with PEF. Psammomatous calcifications, coarse microcalcifications, and inspissated colloids were independently associated with PEF (p ≤ 0.012). Psammomatous calcifications were found in all PTCs with a high number (≥5) of PEF.

Conclusion

Microcalcifications were found in most PTCs with PEF and psammomatous calcification was the main pathological entity of PEF in PTC. Our study validates reliability of PEF as a predictor of microcalcifications in PTC.
Can aldehyde accumulation rates of red wines undergoing oxidation be predicted in accelerated conditions? The controverted role of aldehyde–polyphenol reactivity
Authors: Marrufo‐Curtido Almudena , Ferreira Vicente , Escudero Ana
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

The accumulation of acetaldehyde and Strecker aldehydes during wine oxidation is detrimental to quality and often determines wine shelf‐life. Knowing in advance the specific tendency of a wine to accumulate these compounds would help decision making during winemaking. An accelerated test based on a forced oxidation procedure at 45 °C (5 days) to measure aldehyde accumulation rates (AARs) is proposed and assessed by comparing results with those obtained by oxidation at 25 °C (36 days). Reactivities of aldehydes in those same wines stored in anoxia at both temperatures were also measured.

RESULTS

Wine oxygen consumption rates at 25 °C are poorly correlated with those observed at 45 °C. By contrast, AARs of methional and of 2‐ and 3‐methylbutanals measured during wine oxidation at 25 °C are equivalent to those measured at 45 °C. AARs from isobutanal and acetaldehyde are also correlated, while AARs from phenylacetaldehyde are not. Partial least squares models explaining AARs show intriguing differences regarding the apparent limiting role played by wine anthocyanins and other polyphenols in the ability of wines to accumulate aldehydes. Measured differences in aldehyde pattern are similar to those of the other Strecker aldehydes.

CONCLUSION

The proposed assay makes it possible to obtain a reasonable estimate of a wine's tendency to accumulate aldehydes, with the exception phenylacetaldehyde, in 5 days. Neither differences in aldehyde reactivity between wines nor the change in reactivities with temperature support a major role for reactivity in differentially limiting AARs during wine oxidation. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Preparation and chiral resolution properties of bridged bis(cyclodextrin)s hybrid spheres for high performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Wang Litao , Lv Wenjing , Han Siqi , Yu Qinghua , Pei Dong , Xu Jian , Wang Meixia , Gao Guihua , Lv Mei
Published: December 2021

Selenium‐bridged bis(β‐cyclodextrin)s organic–inorganic hybrid silica material with regular spherical shape as new type of chiral stationary phase was directly synthesized under the one‐pot hydrothermal synthesis method, and the chiral stationary phase was further characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, and elemental analysis. The results of chiral separation showed that eight chiral compounds including various types of chiral alcohols and flavanone were successfully separated in the reversed‐phase separation mode by high performance liquid chromatography, which showed the better chiral resolution effect than that on the C2 position of single β‐cyclodextrin. The mechanism of chiral separation was likely due to multiple interactions such as inclusion, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interaction, dipole–dipole interaction, and the synergistic effect of two cyclodextrins during the chiral resolution process. The synergy of the two cyclodextrins has great potential for development in chiral resolution.
HPLC‐MS/MS based comparative pharmacokinetics of 12 bioactive components in normal and osteoporosis rats after oral administration of You‐Gui‐Wan
Authors: Yin Hua , Wang Yahong , Wang Ling , Bai Xue , Zhang Jianhua
Published: December 2021

You‐Gui‐Wan is a traditional Chinese patent medicine that has been extensively used to treat kidney‐yang deficiency syndrome. An high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to measure contents of 12 components of You‐Gui‐Wan in rat plasma. Considering that pathological changes might directly affect the pharmacokinetic behavior of drugs, this method was further applied to compare pharmacokinetics between normal and osteoporotic animals. The results indicated that osteoporosis significantly altered the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the 12 components. Thus, the pharmacokinetics of You‐Gui‐Wan evaluated under osteoporotic conditions was much closer to clinical practice than that in normal physiological states. Thus, the optimized analytical method, along with the pharmacokinetic evaluation in the osteoporotic model may offer a more comprehensive understanding to elucidate the anti‐osteoporosis mechanism of You‐Gui‐Wan. These findings may aid in developing a more effective treatment plan for osteoporosis.
Online extraction and enrichment coupling with high‐speed counter‐current chromatography for effective and target isolation of antitumor anthraquinones from seeds of Cassia obtusifolia
Authors: Wang Fang , Cheng Li , Cao Yuanxin , Wei Qisheng , Tong Chaoying , Shi Shuyun
Published: December 2021

Traditional bioassay‐guided investigation of bioactive compounds from natural products comprises critical steps, such as extraction, repeated column separation, and activity assay. Thus, the development of facile, rapid, and efficient technology is critically important. Here, a HepG2 cell‐based extraction method was first developed to rapidly screen potential antitumor compounds from the seeds ofCassia obtusifolia. Then, an online extraction and enrichment–high‐speed counter‐current chromatography (HSCCC) strategy was fabricated to facilely and efficiently isolate target antitumor compounds, which included direct extraction from solid C. obtusifolia, removal of polar interferences, enrichment of target compounds, and preparative isolation by HSCCC using flow rate stepwise increasing mode. After further purification by Sephadex LH‐20 column, five antitumor anthraquinones, aurantio‐obtusin, 1‐desmethylaurantio‐obtusin, chryso‐obtusin, obtusin, and questin, were obtained for structural characterization and bioassay verification. The results may not only provide new perspectives for facile and rapid investigation of bioactive compounds from complex natural products, but also offer a scientific basis for the potential applications of C. obtusifolia.
Integrated sample‐pretreatment strategy for separation and enrichment of microplastics and primary aromatic amines in the migration of teabag
Authors: Ouyang Xiaoyan , Hu Yuling , Li Gongke
Published: December 2021

In this work, an integrated sample‐pretreatment strategy for the separation and enrichment of microplastics and primary aromatic amines from the migration of teabag was developed. The migration solution of teabag was passed through a homemade device. The microplastics were firstly captured by a silver membrane, and then the primary aromatic amines were enriched by a solid‐phase extraction column. The microplastics migrated from teabag were detected by attenuated total reflection‐Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and Raman spectroscopy. The data showed the character, the number of particles, area ratio, and morphology of microplastics migrated from the teabag. Subsequently, after the enrichment procedure, a sensitive analytical method for primary aromatic amines was established followed by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. The method showed wide linear ranges with R2 greater than 0.9915, low limits of detection (2–18 ng/L), and low limits of quantification (8–50 ng/L). The developed method was adopted to analyze microplastics and primary aromatic amines migrated from nylon and polyethylene terephthalate teabag under different temperatures and times. The integrated sample‐pretreatment strategy displayed promising potentials in the one‐step preparation of the microplastics and hazardous molecules in the sample of environment and food security.
Ultrasound Findings andO‐RADSMalignancy Risk Stratification of Ovarian Collision Tumors
Authors: Guo Yuyang , Zhou Shan , Zhao Baihua , Wen Lieming , Liu Minghui
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To describe the ultrasonographic signs of ovarian collision tumors and evaluate the malignancy risk using the O‐RADS system.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of 25 ovarian collision tumors from 8739 patients between May 2010 and January 2020. All clinical characteristics, ultrasound images, and histological findings were collected and analyzed. Using the O‐RADS lexicon descriptors, the O‐RADS score was determined by two senior doctors. Lesions with O‐RADS scores of 1 to 3 were classified as benign tumors, and lesions with O‐RADS scores of 4 to 5 were classified as malignant tumors.

Results

The mean age of the 25 patients was 30.4 years. Histological findings showed that all tumors were a combination of mature cystic teratomas and cystadenomas/cystadenocarcinomas. There were 11 benign tumors of O‐RADS 2 or 3, including 3 uniocular cysts, 3 dermoid cysts, and 5 dermoid cysts with an anechoic fluid cavity. There were 12 benign tumors of O‐RADS 4, including 3 uniocular–multilocular cysts with solid components, 2 multilocular cysts with irregular walls, and 8 multilocular cysts with dermoid sacs. One borderline tumor of O‐RADS 4 was a multilocular cyst with irregular septation. One malignant tumor of O‐RADS 5 was a multilocular cystic tumor with solid components and ascites.

Conclusions

The most common ovarian collision tumor was the coexistence of a mature cystic teratoma and a cystadenoma. The O‐RADS system was able to sensitively detect malignant tumors in this series. A typical dermoid cyst with an anechoic cavity or a multilocular cyst with a dermoid sac may signify a benign collision tumor.
Limited biogeochemical modification of surface waters by kelp forest canopies: Influence of kelp metabolism and site‐specific hydrodynamics
Authors: Traiger Sarah B. , Cohn Brian , Panos Demetra , Daly Margaret , Hirsh Heidi K. , Martone Maria , Gutierrez Isabella , Mucciarone David A. , Takeshita Yuichiro , Monismith Stephen G. , Dunbar Robert B. , Nickols Kerry J.
Published: December 2021

Climate change is causing decreases in pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) in coastal ecosystems. Canopy‐forming giant kelp can locally increase DO and pH through photosynthesis, with the most pronounced effect expected in surface waters where the bulk of kelp biomass resides. However, limited observations are available from waters in canopies and measurements at depth show limited potential of giant kelp to ameliorate chemical conditions. We quantified spatiotemporal variability of surface biogeochemistry and assessed the role of biological and physical drivers in pH and DO modification at two locations differing in hydrodynamics inside and outside of two kelp forests in Monterey Bay, California in summer 2019. pH, DO, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and temperature were measured at and near the surface, in conjunction with physical parameters (currents and pressure), nutrients, and metrics of phytoplankton and kelp biological processes. DO and pH were highest, with lower DIC, at the surface inside kelp forests. However, differences inside vs. outside of kelp forests were small (DO 6–8%, pH 0.05 higher in kelp). The kelp forest with lower significant wave height and slower currents had greater modification of surface biogeochemistry as indicated by larger diel variation and slightly higher mean DO and pH, despite lower kelp growth rates. Differences between kelp forests and offshore areas were not driven by nutrients or phytoplankton. Although kelp had clear effects on biogeochemistry, which were modulated by hydrodynamics, the small magnitude and spatial extent of the effect limits the potential of kelp forests to mitigate acidification and hypoxia.
Needle‐free jet injection‐induced small‐droplet aerosol formation during intralesional bleomycin therapy
Authors: Bik Liora , Wolkerstorfer Albert , Bekkers Vazula , Prens Errol P. , Haedersdal Merete , Bonn Daniel , van Doorn Martijn B. A.
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Needle‐free jet injectors are frequently used in dermatological practice. Injection‐generated small‐droplet aerosols could be harmful upon inhalation when chemotherapeutics, like bleomycin, are used. Here, we aim to explore jet injector‐induced small‐droplet aerosol formation of bleomycin in relation to air ventilation and to provide safety measures for clinical practice.

Materials and Methods

With a professional particle sensor, we measured airborne aerosol particles (0.2–10.0 µm) after electronic pneumatic injection (EPI), spring‐loaded jet injection (SLI), and needle injection (NI) of bleomycin and saline (100 μl) on ex vivo human skin. Three levels of air ventilation were explored: no ventilation, room ventilation, and room ventilation with an additional smoke evacuator.

Results

EPI and SLI induced significant small‐droplet aerosol formation compared with none after NI (0.2–1.0 µm; no ventilation). The largest bleomycin aerosol generation was observed for the smallest particles (0.2–1.0 µm) with 673.170 (528.802–789.453) aerosol particles/liter air (EPI; no ventilation). Room ventilation and smoke evacuation led to a reduction of ≥99% and 100% of measured aerosols, respectively.

Conclusion

Jet injectors generate a high number of small‐droplet aerosols, potentially introducing harmful effects to patients and healthcare personnel. Room ventilation and smoke evacuation are effective safety measures when chemotherapeutics are used in clinical practice.
Pomegranate Extract Improves Colitis in IL‐10 Knockout Mice Fed a High Fat High Sucrose Diet
Authors: Yang Jieping , Germano Patrizia Maria , Oh Suwan , Wang Sijia , Wang Jing , Lee Rupo , Paige Hayden , Yang Scarlet , Henning Susanne M. , Zhong Jin , Jacobs Jonathan P. , Li Zhaoping
Published: December 2021

Scope

The study tests the hypothesis that dietary pomegranate extract (PomX) supplementation attenuates colitis in a Western diet feed IL‐10 deficient (IL‐10‐/‐) murine model.

Methods and Results

Four‐week‐old male IL‐10‐/‐ mice are randomly assigned to a high fat high sucrose (HFHS) diet or a HFHS diet supplement with 0.25% PomX for 8 weeks. PomX supplementation lead to significantly lower histological score for colitis (2.6 ± 0.5 vs 3.9 ± 1.0), lower spleen weight (0.11 ± 0.01 vs 0.15 ± 0.02), and lower circulating Interleukin 6(IL‐6) levels (15.8±2.2 vs 29.5±5.5) compared with HFHS fed controls. RNAseq analysis of colonic tissues showed 483 downregulated and 263 upregulated genes with PomX supplementation, which are mainly associated with inflammatory responses, defenses, and neutrophil degranulation. In addition, PomX treatment affects the cecal microbiome with increased alpha diversity, altered microbial composition, and increased levels of the tryptophan‐related microbial metabolite indole propionate.

Conclusion

The data demonstrate that dietary PomX supplementation ameliorated colitis and lowered inflammatory markers in HFHS fed IL‐10‐/‐ mice. These data support the anti‐inflammatory effects of dietary PomX supplementation for IBD and a potential mediating role of gut microbiome, suggesting the need for future clinical studies to explore the use of PomX dietary supplementation in IBD patients.
Developing formalin‐based fixative agents for post mortem brain MRI at 9.4 T
Authors: Nazemorroaya Azadeh , Aghaeifar Ali , Shiozawa Thomas , Hirt Bernhard , Schulz Hildegard , Scheffler Klaus , Hagberg Gisela E.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To develop fixative agents for high‐field MRI with suitable dielectric properties and measure MR properties in immersion‐fixed brain tissue.

Methods

Dielectric properties of formalin‐based agents were assessed (100 MHz–4.5 GHz), and four candidate fixatives with/without polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and different salt concentrations were formulated. B1 field and MR properties (T1, , R2, , and magnetic susceptibility [QSM]) were observed in white and gray matter of pig brain samples during 0.5–35 days of immersion fixation. The kinetics were fitted using exponential functions. The immersion time required to reach maximum values at different tissue depths was used to estimate the Medawar coefficient for fixative penetration. The effect of replacing the fixatives with Fluoroinert and phosphate‐buffered saline as embedding media was also evaluated.

Results

The dielectric properties of formalin were nonlinearly modified by increasing amounts of additives. With 5% PVP and 0.04% NaCl, the dielectric properties and B1 field reflected in vivo conditions. The highest B1 values were found in white matter with PVP and varied significantly with tissue depth and embedding media, but not with immersion time. The MR properties depended on PVP yielding lower T1, higher , more paramagnetic QSM values, and a lower Medawar coefficient (0.9 ; without PVP: 1.5). Regardless of fixative, switching to phosphate‐buffered saline as embedder caused a paramagnetic shift in QSM and decreased that progressed during 1 month of storage, whereas no differences were found with Fluorinert.

Conclusion

In vivo–like B1 fields can be achieved in formalin fixatives using PVP and a low salt concentration, yielding lower T1, higher , and more paramagnetic QSM than without additives. The kinetics of allowed estimation of fixative tissue penetration.
Comparing and combining MRE, T1ρ, SWI, IVIM, and DCE‐MRI for the staging of liver fibrosis in rabbits: Assessment of a predictive model based on multiparametric MRI
Authors: Zou Liqiu , Jiang Jinzhao , Zhang Hao , Zhong Wenxin , Xiao Min , Xin Shunbao , Wang Yang , Xing Wei
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To establish and validate an optimal predictive model based on multiparametric MRI for staging liver fibrosis (LF) in rabbits with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), spin‐lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame (T1ρ imaging), SWI, intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), and DCE‐MRI.

Methods

The LF group included 120 rabbits induced by subcutaneous injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4); 30 normal rabbits served as the control group. Multiparametric MRI was performed, including MRE, T1ρ, SWI, IVIM, and DCE‐MRI. The quantitative parameters were analyzed in two groups, with histopathological results serving as the reference standard. The diagnostic performance of multiparametric MRI and the predictive model established by multivariable logistic regression analysis were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

In total, 32, 67, and 51 rabbits were histologically diagnosed as no fibrosis (stage F0), early‐stage LF (F1–F2), and advanced‐stage LF (F3–F4), respectively. The LF stages presented a strong correlation with liver stiffness (LS) on MRE (r = 0.90), signal‐intensity ratio (SIR) on SWI (r = −0.84), and Ktrans on DCE‐MRI (r = 0.71; p < 0.05 for all). The LS and SIR parameters had higher AUC values for distinguishing early‐stage LF from both no fibrosis (0.94 and 0.93, respectively) and advanced‐stage LF (0.95 and 0.87, respectively). The predictive model showed a slightly higher AUC value of 0.97 (0.90–0.99) than LS and SIR in distinguishing early‐stage LF from no fibrosis (p > 0.05), a significantly higher AUC value of 0.98 (0.93–0.99) than the SIR in distinguishing early‐stage from advanced‐stage LF (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

SWI, DCE‐MRI, and MRE in particular showed improved performance for LF diagnosis and stage. The predictive model based on multiparametric MRI was found to further enhance diagnostic accuracy and could serve as an excellent imaging tool for staging LF.
Hadamard‐encoded dual‐voxel SPECIAL: Short‐TE MRS acquired in two brain regions simultaneously using Hadamard encoding
Authors: Dehghani Masoumeh , Edden Richard A.E. , Near Jamie
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The spin‐echo, full‐intensity acquired localized (SPECIAL) sequence is a method for single‐voxel, localized MRS in vivo with short TEs. In this study we modified the SPECIAL sequence to simultaneously record spectra from two volumes of interest. This new technique is called Hadamard‐encoded dual‐voxel SPECIAL (HD‐SPECIAL).

Methods

The SPECIAL sequence consists of a spin echo localized to a column of tissue, preceded by a slice‐selective inversion pulse in alternating scans to invert a section of the column. Full localization is achieved by subtraction of the inversion‐on scans from the inversion‐off scans. In HD‐SPECIAL, the two‐step inversion scheme is replaced by a four‐step Hadamard‐encoded scheme involving single‐band and dual‐band inversion pulses to select two regions of the spin‐echo column. By appropriate Hadamard combination of the four acquired shots, spectra can be reconstructed from both desired regions. This approach does not rely on parallel imaging reconstruction. Using a 3T scanner, HD‐SPECIAL localization is demonstrated both in phantoms and in the human brain in vivo, and the performance of HD‐SPECIAL is assessed by comparing with the conventional SPECIAL sequence.

Results

Phantom and in vivo measurements show excellent agreement between measures from HD‐SPECIAL and SPECIAL sequences. Relative to consecutive SPECIAL measurements from two regions, HD‐SPECIAL reduces the total scan time 2‐fold with minimal penalty in terms of spectral quality or SNR.

Conclusion

The HD‐SPECIAL sequence enables reliable acquisition of MR spectra simultaneously from two regions at 3 T, offering the potential to study interregional variations in metabolite concentrations.
The Breast Cancer Weight Loss trial (Alliance A011401): A description and evidence for the lifestyle intervention
Authors: Delahanty Linda M. , Wadden Thomas A. , Goodwin Pamela J. , Alfano Catherine M. , Thomson Cynthia A. , Irwin Melinda L. , Neuhouser Marian L. , Crane Tracy E. , Frank Elizabeth , Spears Patricia A. , Gillis Bonnie P. , Hershman Dawn L. , Paskett Electra D. , Hopkins Judith , Bernstein Vanessa , Stearns Vered , White Julia , Hudis Clifford , Winer Eric P. , A. Carey Lisa , Partridge Ann H. , Ligibel Jennifer A.
Published: December 2021

The Breast Cancer Weight Loss (BWEL) trial is a randomized controlled trial designed to determine whether weight loss after a breast cancer diagnosis can reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in women with overweight or obesity. The BWEL trial will compare the efficacy of a telephone‐based weight‐loss intervention plus health education materials versus health education materials alone on invasive disease‐free survival in 3,181 women with stage II or III breast cancer and BMI > 27 kg/m2. This report provides a detailed description of the goals and methods of the lifestyle intervention and the evidence supporting the intervention used in the BWEL trial. The intervention’s primary goal for participants is to achieve and maintain a weight loss ≥ 10% of baseline weight through increased physical activity and caloric restriction. The evidence supporting the diet, physical activity, and behavioral components of this telephone‐based weight‐loss intervention, as well as strategies to promote participant engagement and retention, is described. The intervention is provided through 42 sessions delivered by trained health coaches over a 2‐year period. If the BWEL lifestyle intervention is successful in improving cancer outcomes, then weight loss will be incorporated into the care of thousands of breast cancer patients.
Point‐of‐care lung ultrasound is more reliable than chest X‐ray for ruling out acute chest syndrome in sickle cell pediatric patients: A prospective study
Authors: Preto‐Zamperlini Marcela , Giorno Eliana P.C. , Bou Ghosn Danielle S.N. , Sá Fernanda V.M. , Suzuki Adriana S. , Suzuki Lisa , Farhat Sylvia C. , Weerdenburg Kirstin , Schvartsman Claudio
Published: December 2021

Background

Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sickle cell patients, and it is often challenging to establish its diagnosis.

Procedure

This was a prospective observational study conducted in a pediatric emergency (PEM) department. We aimed to investigate the performance characteristics of point‐of‐care lung ultrasound (LUS) for diagnosing ACS in sickle cell children. LUS by trained PEM physicians was performed and interpreted as either positive or negative for consolidation. LUS results were compared to chest X‐ray (CXR) and discharge diagnosis as reference standards.

Results

Four PEM physicians performed the LUS studies in 79 suspected ACS cases. The median age was 8 years (range 1–17 years). Fourteen cases (18%) received a diagnosis of ACS based on CXR and 21 (26.5%) had ACS discharge diagnosis. Comparing to CXR interpretation as the reference standard, LUS had a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 77%–100%), specificity of 68% (95% CI: 56%–79%), positive predictive value of 40% (95% CI: 24%–56%), and negative predictive value of 100% (95% CI: 92%–100%). Overall LUS accuracy was 73.42% (95% CI: 62%–83%). Using discharge diagnosis as the endpoint for both CXR and LUS, LUS had significantly higher sensitivity (100% vs. 62%, p = .0047) and lower specificity (76% vs.100%, p = .0002). LUS also had lower positive (60% vs.100%, p < .0001) and higher negative (100% vs.77%, p = .0025) predictive values. The overall accuracy was similar for both tests (82% vs. 88%, p = .2593).

Conclusion

The high negative predictive value, with narrow CIs, makes LUS an excellent ruling‐out tool for ACS.
Factors impacting surgical decision making between prenatal and postnatal repair for myelomeningocele
Authors: Fabelo Corrie , He Hua , Lim Foong‐Yen , Atzinger Carrie , Wong Beatrix
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To determine factors influencing patients to choose prenatal or postnatal repair of their child's myelomeningocele (MMC) when both treatment options are offered.

Methods

We distributed a retrospective survey via email and social media to parents of children with MMC who were offered both prenatal and postnatal surgery as intervention options.

Results

A total of 127 surveys met all inclusion criteria. The majority of responders considered partner's opinion (85%), maternal risks of prenatal surgery (71%), and risk for preterm labor (76%) as influencers. Financially, the costs of childcare (39.4% postnatal, 13.8% prenatal, p = 0.002), relocation (57.6% postnatal, 36.2% prenatal, p = 0.019), and travel (51.5% postnatal, 33% prenatal, p = 0.033) were more influential for the postnatal group while insurance coverage (36.4% postnatal, 68.1% prenatal, p = 0.003) was more influential to the prenatal group. Of the medical factors, the consideration of maternal risk for transfusion was different between surgical groups (39.4% postnatal, 18.1% prenatal, p = 0.015). The open responses suggest that both surgical groups found the quality of life for the baby to be significant to their decision‐making.

Conclusions

These findings should guide providers to tailor counseling to patient's needs. Comprehensive counseling should include information on financial resources, referral to financial counselors, and psychosocial support services.
Numerical Estimation of Variation of Pressure and Temperature of Expanding Blast Wave with Time due to Detonation of High Explosives in Air
Authors: Srinivas Kumar A. , Satyavani T. V. S. L , Dharma Rao V.
Published: December 2021

High explosives on detonation generate high pressure shock waves moving initially at very high velocities in the ambient medium and damage the encountered targets. The expanding hot gases in blast waves are also responsible for the damage. The extent of damage to a target depends on the magnitude of pressure or impulse and also on temperature due to explosion. A theoretical analysis is carried out to predict the temperature produced in the expanding blast as a function of distance and time by solving analytically the governing equations. The initial peak pressure and temperature of a blast wave, which are required in the theoretical analysis, were calculated making use of the blast wave theory. Results obtained for blast pressures at different distances using this theory were published by the authors earlier. The same numerical analysis is used for obtaining variation of pressure and temperature with time and presented in this paper. High explosives namely TNT, Composition ‘B’, PBX, and Hexolite of varying weights are considered in the present study.
Substrate plasticity of dehydratase SpaKC from the biosynthesis of thiosparsoamide
Authors: Wang Ciji , Lu Jingxia , Zhang Yingying , Zheng Jie , Sun Shuaishuai , Huang Shanqing , Wang Huan
Published: December 2021

Thioamitides are a group of ribosomally synthesized and post‐translationally modified peptides that possess diverse bioactivities and are usually featured by thioamide and 2‐aminovinyl‐cysteine (AviCys) motifs. In natural product thiosparsoamide, the AviCys motif is formed by an enzyme cascade formed by the flavin‐dependent decarboxylase SpaD and dehydratase SpaKC. SpaKC is a lanthipeptide synthetase homolog located outside the thiosparsoamide biosynthetic gene cluster. In this study, we show that SpaKC does not strictly require the N‐terminal leader peptide of precursor peptide SpaA for substrate recognition and dehydration. The C‐terminal seven residues serve as a minimal structural element for enzyme recognition. Through a systematic mutagenesis experiments, our study demonstrates the relaxed substrate specificity of SpaKC as a dehydratase and potentially as an enzymatic tool to install dehydroalanine or dehydrobutyrine motifs in peptides.
Specifics of Spectroscopic Features of Yb3+‐Doped Lu2O3 Laser Transparent Ceramics
Authors: Boulon Georges , Guyot Yannick , Guzik Malgorzata , Toci Guido , Pirri Angela , Patrizi Barbara , Vannini Matteo , Yoshikawa Akira , Kurosawa Shunsuke , Ikesue Akio
Published: December 2021

Some specifics of spectroscopic and laser properties of Yb3+ dopant are shown in Yb3+‐doped Lu2O3 cubic sesquioxide transparent ceramics, a very important laser material, fabricated by Akio Ikesue using the method based on solid‐state mixing of oxides and sintering by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) technique. For instance, despite the simplicity of Yb3+ electronic configuration, it is emphasized that a lot of precautions need to be considered during the evaluation and the assignment of Yb3+ experimental data in this sample and also in all Yb3+‐doped materials. First, we focus our discussion on the position of 2F7/2 (ground state) and 2F5/2 (excited state) Stark levels of the most populated C2 symmetry site, and on the presence of the magnetic dipole transitions from the C3i (S6) inversion symmetry site. Then, we point out the strong influence of the self‐trapping and the self‐quenching processes on the measurement of the 2F5/2(5) upper level decay time which needs the pin‐hole method. Finally, we comment on the spectrum of the tuneable laser emission behaviour near 1033 nm with respect to the losses of the laser cavity without the laser emission near 1080 nm, as observed in other laser materials.
An assessment of radiative impacts of CO2 on baroclinic instability using idealized life cycles
Authors: Kaviani Mahshid , Ahmadi‐Givi Farhang , Mohebalhojeh Ali R. , Yazgi Daniel
Published: December 2021

Interaction between CO2 and atmospheric radiation has a significant part in changing horizontal and vertical temperature distributions, through which it can affect the midlatitude atmospheric dynamics. Baroclinic instability, which is the energy source of large‐scale eddy formation in midlatitudes, depends on meridional and vertical eddy fluxes of heat. While several studies have been devoted to the impact of CO2 concentration present in the atmosphere on baroclinic eddies in climate time‐scales, the current work aims to determine the corresponding impact over a period of 10 to 20 days relevant to the duration of baroclinic life cycles when the flow is deterministically predictable. To this end, the radiative parametrization scheme called RRTMG (Rapid Radiative Transfer Model for General Circulation Models) has been coupled with the Diabatic Contour‐Advective Semi‐Lagrangian (DCASL) dynamical core. Except for parametrization of radiation as well as surface processes to represent radiative interaction with the surface, no other physics parametrizations are included in the model. The idealized life‐cycle experiments are carried out for both the predominantly anticyclonic (LC1) and cyclonic (LC2) Rossby wave breaking with the same initialization but five different CO2 concentrations (0, 250, 500, 750 and 1,000 ppmv). The impacts of different CO2 concentrations on eddy growth, mean flow and eddy–mean flow interaction are discussed. Results show that the presence of CO2 has a damping effect on instability in the baroclinic growth stage, amounting to about 7% and 4% reduction in the peak value of domain area‐average eddy kinetic energy for LC1 and LC2, respectively. In addition, increase in CO2 concentration has a small negative impact on the growth rate, vertical eddy propagation and jet intensification.
Asymptotic behavior of some factorizations of random words
Authors: Zohoorian Azad Elahe , Chassaing Philippe
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we consider the normalized lengths of the factors of some factorizations of random words. First, for theLyndon factorizationof finite random words withnindependent letters drawn from a finite or infinite totally ordered alphabet according to a general probability distribution, we prove that the limit law of the normalized lengths of the smallest Lyndon factors is a variant of the stickbreaking process. Convergence of the distribution of the lengths of the longest factors to a Poisson–Dirichlet distribution follows. Second, we consider thestandard factorizationof randomLyndon word: we prove that the distribution of the normalized length of the standard right factor of a randomn‐letters long Lyndon word, derived from such an alphabet, converges, whennis large, to:in whichdenotes the probability of the smallest letter of the alphabet.
Numerical Modeling of the Mechanical Reliability of Multicoated Nanoencapsulated Phase‐Change Materials with Improved Thermal Performance
Authors: Forner-Escrig Josep , Navarrete Nuria , Palma Roberto , La Zara Damiano , Goulas Aristeidis , Valdesueiro David , van Ommen J. Ruud , Hernández Leonor , Mondragón Rosa
Published: December 2021

Nanoencapsulated phase‐change materials (nePCMs) are investigated for enhancing thermal energy storage. However, the shell of these nanocapsules may fail due to stress developed during thermal processes, leading to melting enthalpy loss. To overcome this problem, SiO2 and Al2O3 coatings on Sn nanoparticles are synthesized by atomic layer deposition (ALD). To study the influence of shell thickness and composition on the probability of failure (POF) of nePCM shells in single‐ and multicoated nePCMs, a probabilistic numerical tool combining Monte Carlo techniques and a thermomechanical finite‐element model with phase change are used. The uncertainties of the material and geometrical properties of nePCMs are included in the analysis. Both deterministic and probabilistic failure criteria are taken into account to consider the effect of dispersion on tensile strength. The results indicate that multicoated nePCMs enhance thermomechanical performance in relation to their single‐coated counterparts. Both the numerical simulations and experiments confirm that the POF of nePCM shells and melting enthalpy loss in multicoated nePCMs lower with shell thickness. The results after 50 ALD cycles indicate that Al2O3 coatings exhibit better performance because a POF of 1.66% is obtained with 1.1% enthalpy loss, while the POF for SiO2 is 72.38% with 3.5% enthalpy loss.
Effect of Quencher, Geometry, and Light Outcoupling on the Determination of Exciton Diffusion Length in Nonfullerene Acceptors
Authors: Belova Valentina , Perevedentsev Aleksandr , Gorenflot Julien , De Castro Catherine S. P. , Casademont-Viñas Miquel , Paleti Sri H. K. , Karuthedath Safakath , Baran Derya , Laquai Frédéric , Campoy-Quiles Mariano
Published: December 2021

The correct determination of the exciton diffusion length (LD) in novel organic photovoltaics (OPV) materials is an important, albeit challenging, task required to understand these systems. Herein, a high‐throughput approach to probe LD in nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) is reported, that builds upon the conventional photoluminescence (PL) surface quenching method using NFA layers with a graded thickness variation in combination with spectroscopic PL mapping. The method is explored for two archetypal NFAs, namely, ITIC and IT‐4F, using PEDOT:PSS and the donor polymer PM6 as two distinct and practically relevant quencher materials. Interestingly, conventional analysis of quenching efficiency as a function of acceptor layer thickness results in a threefold difference in LD values depending on the specific quencher. This discrepancy can be reconciled by accounting for the differences in light in‐ and outcoupling efficiency for different multilayer architectures. In particular, it is shown that the analysis of glass/acceptor/PM6 structures results in a major overestimation of LD, whereas glass/acceptor/PEDOT:PSS structures give no significant contribution to outcoupling, yielding LD values of 6−12 and 8−18 nm for ITIC and IT‐4F, respectively. Hence, practical guidelines for quencher choice, sample geometries, and analysis approach for the accurate assessment of LD are provided.
Mixed Dimensional Perovskites Heterostructure for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ge Chuangye , Lu Jian-Fang , Singh Mriganka , Ng Annie , Yu Wei , Lin Haoran , Satapathi Soumitra , Hu Hanlin
Published: December 2021

Heterojunctions constructed upon multidimensional perovskites (1D/3D or 2D/3D) has emerged as an effective approach to improve the photovoltaic performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, 1D trimethyl sulfonium lead triiodide (Me3SPbI3) 1D Me3SPbI3 nanoarrays are successfully synthesized via a two‐step method in aqueous condition, which reflects excellent water resistivity and environmental stability. By incorporating this 1D Me3SPbI3 into lead halide 3D perovskites, heterostructural 1D/3D perovskite photoactive layer with improved morphology, crystallinity, enhanced photoluminescence lifetime, and reduced carrier recombination in comparison to its 3D counterpart is obtained. Moreover, an efficient and stable 1D/3D PSCs with power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.06% by using this 1D/3D perovskite are demonstrated. It noticeably maintained 97% of their initial efficiency after 1000 h storage under ambient condition (RH≈50%) without encapsulation. Our study opens up the design protocol for the development of next‐generation highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.
Behavior of steel‐fiber‐reinforced concrete‐filled square steel tube stub columns under eccentric compression
Authors: Huang Dongming , Liu Zhenzhen , Lu Yiyan , Yan Bo
Published: December 2021

Concrete‐filled square steel tube (CFSST) stub columns are vital to structural engineering owing to their excellent mechanical properties and architectural benefits. In this study, 42 steel‐fiber‐reinforced CFSST stub columns with different variables are designed to investigate their eccentric compression performance. The variables include the eccentricity ratio (0.08, 0.20, and 0.32), steel fiber volume content (0.0%, 0.6%, 1.2%, and 1.8%), concrete strength (40, 50, and 60 MPa), and square steel tube thickness (3, 3.75, and 4.5 mm). The failure mode, load–lateral deformation characteristics, load–bending moment interaction relationship, and relative load–strain response are investigated experimentally. It is discovered that the use of steel fibers can increase the bearing capacity and improve the ductility of CFSST stub columns. The ABAQUS software is applied to establish and calculate finite element models, and the results of which are consistent with the experimental results. Moreover, a simplified formula to calculate the eccentric ultimate bearing capacity of CFSST stub columns is derived. Under a certain safety margin, the predicted results agree well with the experimental results.
Semi-classical thermodynamics of quantum extremal surfaces in Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity
Authors: Pedraza Juan F. , Svesko Andrew , Sybesma Watse , Visser Manus R.
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Quantum extremal surfaces (QES), codimension-2 spacelike regions which extremize the generalized entropy of a gravity-matter system, play a key role in the study of the black hole information problem. The thermodynamics of QESs, however, has been largely unexplored, as a proper interpretation requires a detailed understanding of backreaction due to quantum fields. We investigate this problem in semi-classical Jackiw-Teitelboim (JT) gravity, where the spacetime is the eternal two-dimensional Anti-de Sitter (AdS2) black hole, Hawking radiation is described by a conformal field theory with central charge c, and backreaction effects may be analyzed exactly. We show the Wald entropy of the semi-classical JT theory entirely encapsulates the generalized entropy — including time-dependent von Neumann entropy contributions — whose extremization leads to a QES lying just outside of the black hole horizon. Consequently, the QES defines a Rindler wedge nested inside the enveloping black hole. We use covariant phase space techniques on a time-reflection symmetric slice to derive a Smarr relation and first law of nested Rindler wedge thermodynamics, regularized using local counterterms, and intrinsically including semi-classical effects. Moreover, in the microcanonical ensemble the semi-classical first law implies the generalized entropy of the QES is stationary at fixed energy. Thus, the thermodynamics of the nested Rindler wedge is equivalent to the thermodynamics of the QES in the microcanonical ensemble.
Complexity of scalar collapse in anti-de Sitter spacetime
Authors: Frey Andrew R. , Grehan Michael P. , Srivastava Manu
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We calculate the volume and action forms of holographic complexity for the gravitational collapse of scalar field matter in asymptotically anti-de Sitter spacetime, using numerical methods to reproduce the geometry responding to the oscillating field over multiple crossing times. Like the scalar field pulse, the volume complexity oscillates quasiperiodically before horizon formation. It also shows a scaling symmetry with the amplitude of the scalar field. The action complexity is also quasiperiodic with spikes of increasing amplitude.
Die Virushepatitiden A bis E: Prävalenz, Erregermerkmale und Pathogenese
Authors: Bender Daniela , Glitscher Mirco , Hildt Eberhard
Published: December 2021

Bei der viralen Hepatitis handelt es sich um eine akute oder chronische Entzündung der Leber, die durch verschiedene Viren verursacht wird. Weltweit leiden derzeit ca. 325 Mio. Menschen an der chronischen Form. Jährlich versterben insgesamt ca. 1,6 Mio. an den Folgen einer viralen Hepatitis. Die Hepatitisviren werden in 5 Erregergruppen unterteilt, die mit den Buchstaben A bis E bezeichnet werden (HAV–HEV). Diese unterscheiden sich in Phylogenie, Übertragung, Epidemiologie, Wirtsspezifität, Lebenszyklus, Struktur und in speziellen Aspekten der Pathogenese.

Das strikt humanpathogene HAV, Teil der Familie Picornaviridae, induziert meist nur akute Hepatitiden und ist primär in Entwicklungsländern verbreitet. Das den Hepeviridae zugeordnete HEV beschreibt eine ähnliche Epidemiologie, ist jedoch durch sein zoonotisches Potenzial auch in Industrienationen weitverbreitet und kann zusätzlich eine chronische Erkrankung induzieren. Eine Chronifizierung tritt ebenso bei dem weltweit verbreiteten HBV (Hepadnaviridae) auf, dessen Satellitenvirus HDV (Kolmioviridae) das vorhandene kanzerogene Potenzial noch einmal erhöht. Das ebenfalls weltweit verbreitete HCV (Flaviviridae) birgt ein äußerst hohes Risiko der Chronifizierung und somit ebenfalls ein stark erhöhtes, kanzerogenes Potenzial.

Die Erreger der viralen Hepatitis unterscheiden sich in ihren Eigenschaften und Lebenszyklen. Eine differenzierte Betrachtung im Hinblick auf Epidemiologie, Nachweismethoden und Prävention ist daher angezeigt. Obwohl robuste Therapien, und im Falle einzelner Erreger auch Vakzine, vorhanden sind, muss die Forschung insbesondere in Hinblick auf die armutsassoziierten Erreger erheblich vorangetrieben werden.
Positionspapier Schlaganfallnachsorge der Deutschen Schlaganfall-Gesellschaft – Teil 3: Strukturelle Konzepte für zukünftige Versorgungsformen der Schlaganfallnachsorge
Authors: Schwarzbach Christopher J. , Michalski Dominik , Wagner Markus , Winkler Tobias , Kaendler Stephen , Elstner Matthias , Dreßing Andrea , Claßen Joseph , Meisel Andreas , Grau Armin ,   Mitglieder Kommission Nachsorge der Deutschen Schlaganfall-Gesellschaft
Published: December 2021

Hintergrund

Ungeachtet der großen gesamtgesellschaftlichen Bedeutung des Schlaganfalls sowie der Fortschritte in der Akutversorgung und Rehabilitation konnten bisher keine flächendeckenden Versorgungsstrukturen zur strukturierten ambulanten Nachsorge in Deutschland etabliert werden.

Ziel der Arbeit und Methode

Vor dem Hintergrund der bestehenden Versorgungslücken wurde im Mai 2020 die Kommission Schlaganfallnachsorge der Deutschen Schlaganfall-Gesellschaft (DSG) gegründet. Das Positionspapier diskutiert strukturelle Konzepte für zukünftige Versorgungsformen der Schlaganfallnachsorge.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Eine neurologische Betreuung sollte zentraler Bestandteil einer multidisziplinären, interprofessionellen und sektorenübergreifenden Behandlungsplanung sein. Strukturelle Konzepte zur Schlaganfallnachsorge müssen sowohl regionale Strukturunterschiede als auch den Aspekt der Qualitätssicherung berücksichtigen. Zertifizierungsprozesse und die angemessene Finanzierung von Nachsorgeregistern auf Landes- und Bundesebene können den Weg hierhin mittelfristig ebnen. Das Angebot zur strukturierten Schlaganfallnachsorge sollte allen Subgruppen von Schlaganfallpatienten offenstehen. Auch innovative Technologien können einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Schlaganfallnachsorge leisten. Die Einführung und Umsetzung einer strukturierten Schlaganfallnachsorge bedarf in jedem Fall einer ausreichenden Finanzierung und eigener finanzieller Anreize für die Leistungsträger. Die Vor- und Nachteile der spezifischen Versorgungs- und Finanzierungsmodelle müssen dabei kritisch gegeneinander abgewogen werden. Die Diskussion neuer Versorgungsformen zur Schlaganfallnachsorge erfährt gegenwärtig ein neues Momentum und eröffnet Perspektiven für eine Verbesserung der aktuell noch unzureichenden Versorgungslösung.