bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methodology for assessing the aerodynamic imbalance of GTE impellers
Authors: Kudashov E V , Bolotov M A , Grachev I A , Pronichev N D
Published: February 2022

Increased vibration during testing and operation of gas turbine engines may be caused by aerodynamic imbalance. As usual, aerodynamic imbalance is eliminated on stands simulating the operating conditions of the impellers. Existing stands have a high cost of testing or do not allow to make allowances for all the factors during the operation of the impellers. A review of models and techniques has shown the importance of considering operating parameters when calculating aerodynamic imbalance. The paper provides a methodology for calculating the aerodynamic imbalance of the impeller. The methodology is based on the use of finite element modeling (FEM). The proposed method for assessing the aerodynamic imbalance of the impellers makes it possible to take into account the rotational speed, the actual geometry of the blades based on the measurement results, as well as the assembly conditions and the operating conditions of the impeller. The technique was used through the example of a specially designed and manufactured impeller with geometric deflections. Theoretical and experimental studies have been carried out. The discrepancy between theoretical and experimental data did not exceed 15.5%. The developed model can be used at enterprises that manufacture gas turbine engines, gas compressor units, steam turbine plants and wind power plants.
Enhanced performance of electrodeposited Ni-SiC plating as an alternative to electroplated chromium deposits: the effect of pulse duty cycle
Authors: Wang Q W , Huang J L , Liu J N , Yang Y F , Han G F , Li W
Published: February 2022

Ni-SiC composite coating was prepared by the electrodeposition under the pulse current as an alternative for the environment polluted and human cancerogenic hard chromium plating. The microstructure and tribological performance of the composite coating under different duty cycles were studied. The results showed that the mechanical performance of the Ni-SiC can be optimized by adjusting the pulse duty cycle. With the increase of the duty cycle, the grain size of the Ni matrix are refined and the friction coefficient of the coating are decreasing. Composite coating obtained with 80% duty cycle possesses the lowest wear volume during the friction and wear test. The effect of the duty cycle on the microstructure and tribological performance of the composite coating were discussed. Moreover, the co-deposition mechanism of Ni atoms and the SiC particles under the pulse current were discussed.
Controlling transition metal atomic ordering in two-dimensional Mo1−x
W
x
S2 alloys
Authors: Schulpen Jeff J P M , Verheijen Marcel A , Kessels Wilhelmus M M (Erwin) , Vandalon Vincent , Bol Ageeth A
Published: February 2022

The unique optical and electronic properties of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDs) make them promising materials for applications in (opto-)electronics, catalysis and more. Specifically, alloys of 2D TMDs have broad potential applications owing to their composition-controlled properties. Several important challenges remain regarding controllable and scalable fabrication of these alloys, such as achieving control over their atomic ordering (i.e. clustering or random mixing of the transition metal atoms within the 2D layers). In this work, atomic layer deposition is used to synthesize the TMD alloy Mo1−x
W
x
S2 with excellent composition control along the complete composition range 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1. Importantly, this composition control allows us to control the atomic ordering of the alloy from well-mixed to clustered while keeping the alloy composition fixed, as is confirmed directly through atomic-resolution high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron micrography imaging. The control over atomic ordering leads to tuning of the bandgap, as is demonstrated using optical transmission spectroscopy. The relation between this tuning of the electronic structure and the atomic ordering of the alloy was further confirmed through ab-initio calculations. Furthermore, as the atomic ordering modulates from clustered to well-mixed, the typical MoS2 and WS2 A1g vibrational modes converge. Our results demonstrate that atomic ordering is an important parameter that can be tuned experimentally to finely tune the fundamental properties of 2D TMD alloys for specific applications.
Benchmarking ANO-R basis set for multiconfigurational calculations
Authors: Larsson E D , Zobel J P , Veryazov V
Published: February 2022

The selection of basis sets is very important for multiconfigurational wave function calculation, due to a balance between a desired accuracy and computational costs. Recently, the atomic natural orbital-relativistic (ANO-R) basis set was published as a suggested replacement for the ANO-RCC basis set for scalar-relativistic correlated calculations Zobel et al (2021 J. Chem. Theory Comput.
16 278–294). Benchmarking ANO-R basis set against ANO-RCC for atoms (from H to Rn) and their compounds is the goal of this study. Many of these compounds (for instance, diatomic molecules containing transition metals) have open shells, for which reason a multiconfigurational approach is necessary and was primarily used throughout this project. Performance of the ANO-R basis set in multiconfigurational calculations is similar to the ANO-RCC basis set for the ionisation potential of atoms, and the bond distance in diatomic molecules. Deficiencies are noted for atomic electron affinities and dissociation energies of fluoride diatomic molecules. ANO-R basis sets are more compact in comparison to the corresponding ANO-RCC basis sets leading to smaller computational costs, which was demonstrated by chloroiron corrole molecule as an example.
Taguchi optimization of process parameters used for improving tribological behaviour of graphene nanoparticle dispersed nanolubricant
Authors: Raghavulu K Veera , Govindha Rasu N
Published: February 2022

Graphene nanoparticle has gained much attention in recent years as a potential additive to base oil, used for lubrication. In this scenario, the current study is aimed at analyzing the influence of process parameters such as concentration of graphene nanoparticles in Polyolester (POE) oil, sliding velocity and applied load upon the tribological behavior of POE oils with graphene nanoparticle-based additive. A robust Taguchi method was applied to optimize the selected process parameters and identify the best combination of the chosen factors. XRD and SEM analyses were conducted to characterize the graphene nanoparticles. Taguchi method was applied and pin-on-disc type test was conducted to assess the friction and wear properties. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to analyze the significance of control factors considered (R2 = 98%). The average coefficient of friction value was found to be around 0.051, whereas average S/N ratio value was calculated as 26.15. The current study found the optimum control factors to be 0.05% graphene nanoparticles, with 50 N applied load at a sliding velocity of 3.6 m s−1.
Exploring the Anti-professional Turn in English Foster Care: Implications for Policy, Practice and Research
Authors: Kirton Derek
Published: February 2022

Following decades in which professionalisation was widely assumed to be a permanent (and growing) feature of foster care in England, the government signalled a clear anti-professional turn in its 2018 publication Fostering Better Outcomes (FBOs). This rejected the notion that foster carers should be regarded as professionals and indicated that there should be a return to the term foster parent. This article analyses FBO, its feeder reports and evidence submitted by stakeholders to map the shifting debate surrounding professionalisation. This includes both direct commentary on its (de)merits, but also discussion of components such as pay, conditions, motivation, training, expertise, a national college or register and related questions of supporting and valuing foster carers. A number of important flaws are identified within the review process. These include an ahistorical and insular treatment of professionalisation, its conflation with employment, a homogenisation of foster care and deployment of a familial discourse that fails to engage with its complexities and ‘hybrid’ nature between work and family. The consequence is a confused policy stance where professionalisation is rhetorically rejected while many of its core elements are endorsed. Implications of the anti-professional turn for policy, practice and research in England but also internationally, are discussed.
Visuomotor processing is altered after peripheral nerve damage in neuralgic amyotrophy
Authors: Lustenhouwer Renee , Cameron Ian G. M. , Wolfs Elze , van Alfen Nens , Toni Ivan , Geurts Alexander C. H. , van Engelen Baziel G. M. , Groothuis Jan T. , Helmich Rick C.
Published: February 2022

Neuralgic amyotrophy is a common peripheral nerve disorder caused by autoimmune inflammation of the brachial plexus, clinically characterized by acute pain and weakness of the shoulder muscles, followed by motor impairment. Despite recovery of the peripheral nerves, patients often have residual motor dysfunction of the upper extremity, leading to persistent pain related to altered biomechanics of the shoulder region. Building on clinical signs that suggest a role for cerebral mechanisms in these residual complaints, here we show and characterize cerebral alterations following neuralgic amyotrophy. Neuralgic amyotrophy patients often develop alternative motor strategies, which suggests that (mal)adaptations may occur in somatomotor and/or visuomotor brain areas. Here, we tested where changes in cerebral sensorimotor representations occur in neuralgic amyotrophy, while controlling for altered motor execution due to peripheral neuropathy. We additionally explore the relation between potential cerebral alterations in neuralgic amyotrophy and clinical symptoms. During functional MRI scanning, 39 neuralgic amyotrophy patients with persistent, lateralized symptoms in the right upper extremity and 23 matched healthy participants solved a hand laterality judgement task that can activate sensorimotor representations of the upper extremity, across somatomotor and visuomotor brain areas. Behavioural and cerebral responses confirmed the involvement of embodied, sensorimotor processes across groups. Compared with healthy participants, neuralgic amyotrophy patients were slower in hand laterality judgement and had decreased cerebral activity specific to their affected limb in two higher-order visual brain regions: the right extrastriate cortex and the parieto-occipital sulcus. Exploratory analyses revealed that across patients, extrastriate activity specific to the affected limb decreased as persistent pain increased, and affected limb-related parieto-occipital activity decreased as imagery performance of the affected limb became slower. These findings suggest that maladaptive cerebral plasticity in visuomotor areas involved in sensorimotor integration plays a role in residual motor dysfunction and subsequent persistent pain in neuralgic amyotrophy. Rehabilitation interventions that apply visuomotor strategies to improve sensorimotor integration may help to treat neuralgic amyotrophy patients.
Ageing is associated with maladaptive immune response and worse outcome after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Moro Federico , Pischiutta Francesca , Portet Anaïs , Needham Edward J. , Norton Emma J. , Ferdinand John R. , Vegliante Gloria , Sammali Eliana , Pascente Rosaria , Caruso Enrico , Micotti Edoardo , Tolomeo Daniele , di Marco Barros Rafael , Fraunberger Erik , Wang Kevin K. W. , Esser Michael J. , Menon David K. , Clatworthy Menna R. , Zanier Elisa R.
Published: February 2022

Traumatic brain injury is increasingly common in older individuals. Older age is one of the strongest predictors for poor prognosis after brain trauma, a phenomenon driven by the presence of extra-cranial comorbidities as well as pre-existent pathologies associated with cognitive impairment and brain volume loss (such as cerebrovascular disease or age-related neurodegeneration). Furthermore, ageing is associated with a dysregulated immune response, which includes attenuated responses to infection and vaccination, and a failure to resolve inflammation leading to chronic inflammatory states. In traumatic brain injury, where the immune response is imperative for the clearance of cellular debris and survey of the injured milieu, an appropriate self-limiting response is vital to promote recovery. Currently, our understanding of age-related factors that contribute to the outcome is limited; but a more complete understanding is essential for the development of tailored therapeutic strategies to mitigate the consequences of traumatic brain injury. Here we show greater functional deficits, white matter abnormalities and worse long-term outcomes in aged compared with young C57BL/6J mice after either moderate or severe traumatic brain injury. These effects are associated with altered systemic, meningeal and brain tissue immune response. Importantly, the impaired acute systemic immune response in the mice was similar to the findings observed in our clinical cohort. Traumatic brain-injured patient cohort over 70 years of age showed lower monocyte and lymphocyte counts compared with those under 45 years. In mice, traumatic brain injury was associated with alterations in peripheral immune subsets, which differed in aged compared with adult mice. There was a significant increase in transcription of immune and inflammatory genes in the meninges post-traumatic brain injury, including monocyte/leucocyte-recruiting chemokines. Immune cells were recruited to the region of the dural injury, with a significantly higher number of CD11b+ myeloid cells in aged compared with the adult mice. In brain tissue, when compared with the young adult mice, we observed a more pronounced and widespread reactive astrogliosis 1 month after trauma in aged mice, sustained by an early and persistent induction of proinflammatory astrocytic state. These findings provide important insights regarding age-related exacerbation of neurological damage after brain trauma.
The potential of complaining as reflective practice in mentoring
Authors: Lewis Kristina B , Wagner Santoi
Published: February 2022

While complaining is ubiquitous in everyday interactions, it can seem out of place when a teacher complains within a setting devoted to reflective practice and professional development. In this article, we show examples of a novice teacher’s complaints to her mentor within post-observation meetings, making the case that these complaints raise issues relevant to reflective practice, including teaching beliefs and dealing with critical feedback. We show how the mentor sidesteps the issues raised by the complaints but suggest that mentors could treat complaints as a novice form of reflective practice. Ultimately, we offer practical suggestions for anyone engaged in providing post-observation feedback.
Incidence and predictors of sudden cardiac death in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: a pooled analysis
Authors: Agbaedeng Thomas A , Roberts Kirsty A , Colley Liam , Noubiap Jean Jacques , Oxborough David
Published: February 2022

Aims

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), an inherited heart muscle abnormality, is a major cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD). However, the burden of SCD and risk factors in ARVC are not clearly described. Thus, we estimated the rates and predictors of SCD in ARVC in a meta-analysis.

Methods and results

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched through 7 April 2021. Prospective studies reporting SCD from ARVC cohorts were included. Data were independently extracted by two reviewers and pooled in a random-effects meta-analysis. Fifty-two studies (n = 5485 patients) with moderate-to-low risk of bias were included. The pooled annualized rates of SCD were 0.65 per 1000 [95% confidence interval 0.00–6.43, I2 0.00%] in those with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and 7.21 (2.38–13.79, I2 0.0%) in non-ICD cohorts: 7.14 in probands and 8.44 for 2010 Task Force Criteria (TFC). Multivariable predictors of life-threatening arrhythmic events including SCD were: age at presentation [adjusted hazard ratio 0.98 (0.97–0.99)], male sex [2.08 (1.29–3.36)], right ventricular (RV) dysfunction [6.99 (2.17–22.49)], QRS fragmentation [6.55 (3.33–12.90)], T-wave inversion [1.12 (1.02–1.24)], syncope at presentation [2.83 (2.40–4.08)], previous non-sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia [2.53 (1.44–4.45)], and the TFC score [1.96 (1.02–3.76)], (P < 0.05). Predictors of appropriate ICD therapy were RV dysfunction, syncope, and inducible ventricular arrhythmia (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis demonstrates a high burden of SCD in ARVC patients, especially among probands and ARVC defined by the modified TFC. Better strategies are required to improve patient management and prevent SCD in ARVC. PROSPERO ID: CRD42020211761.
Comparison of Comprehensive Screening Results in Postmortem Blood and Brain Tissue by UHPLC–QTOF-MS
Authors: Hansen Stine Lund , Dalsgaard Petur Weihe , Linnet Kristian , Rasmussen Brian Schou
Published: February 2022

Alternative specimens collected during autopsies can be valuable in postmortem toxicology in cases where peripheral blood is not available. The applicability of brain tissue as an alternative matrix for drug screening by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was investigated in this study. Results of the 50 most frequently detected drugs and metabolites of toxicological interest in blood and brain tissue samples from 1,719 autopsy cases were compared. Examination of the results in paired blood and brain tissue samples revealed that the two matrices were in general comparable, as the majority of the 50 analytes were observed in a high number of the examined cases in both blood and brain tissue. This demonstrates the potential of brain tissue as an alternative matrix for drug screening in postmortem toxicology or as a secondary matrix for confirmation.
EU Trade Sustainability Impact Assessments: Revisiting the Consultation Process
Authors: Hoekman Bernard , Rojas-Romagosa Hugo
Published: February 2022

Trade sustainability impact assessments (SIAs) are the main tool used by the European Commission to assess the potential effects of trade policy initiatives and to engage with stakeholders. SIAs have two elements: a model-based quantitative analysis and a consultation process (CP). Both include a focus on a broad range of non-trade issues, many of which are included in sustainable development chapters of EU trade agreements. This paper argues for making CPs a more useful input into the design of trade cooperation. Scaled responses to a survey with closed end questions on a broad range of non-trade policy objectives combined with deliberative polling of a representative sample of survey respondents could help identify what stakeholders in the EU and partner countries perceive to be priority non-trade objectives, as well as issue-specific baselines, performance targets, and appropriate instruments to apply. Building bridges between a revamped ex ante CP and mechanisms that encompass public and private actors to support implementation, resolve problems, and assess progress over time could further help achieve trade and sustainable development goals.
On registration methods for SLAM with low resolution LiDAR sensor
Authors: Aguilar-Moreno Marina , Graña Manuel
Published: February 2022

Affordable light detection and ranging sensors are becoming available for tasks such as simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) in robotics and autonomous driving; however, these sensors offer less quality data of lower resolution that hinders the performance of registration methods. The deep learning based approaches seem to be sensitive to these data flaws. Specifically, a state-of-the-art deep learning-based approach failed to produce meaningful results after several attempts to carry out transfer learning over a dataset collected indoors with one such affordable sensors. The paper introduces a hybrid approach combining two well-established registration techniques, the iterative closest point algorithm and the normal distributions transform that achieves good performance on the SLAM task over the same dataset.
Antibody Responses to SARS-CoV-2 in Children With COVID-19
Authors: Han Mi Seon , Um Jihye , Lee Eun Joo , Kim Kyung Min , Chang Sung Hee , Lee Hyunju , Kim Ye Kyung , Choi Youn Young , Cho Eun Young , Kim Dong Hyun , Choi Jae Hong , Lee Jina , Kim Misuk , Chung Ki-Hyun , Min Hye Sook , Choe Young June , Lim Dong-Gyun , Park Jun-Sun , Choi Eun Hwa
Published: February 2022

Background

The immunologic features of children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are not clearly delineated. This study was conducted to evaluate SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses in children with COVID-19.

Methods

The levels of anti-spike (S) IgG, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, and neutralizing antibody (NAb) were measured during various time points in children <19 years of age with COVID-19 in South Korea from February 2020 to September 2020.

Results

One hundred sixty-five blood samples from 114 children with COVID-19 (43.9% asymptomatic and 56.1% mildly symptomatic) were analyzed. In both asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic children, the positive rates of anti-S IgG, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, and NAb were low within 7 days after onset, but they soon reached 100% 14 to <28 days after onset. In symptomatic children, the geometric mean titers (GMTs) of antibodies were all below the positive cutoff during the first 2 weeks from onset and peaked at 28 to <56 days (5.6 for anti-S IgG, 383.6 for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, and 55.0 for NAb, P < .001, respectively). Antibody levels remained detectable up to 3 months after infection. The antibody GMTs during the period 14 to <56 days after symptom onset were highest in children aged 0-4 years.

Conclusions

These results collectively present the humoral immune responses during SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. A further longitudinal study is needed to thoroughly understand the immune system and for effective vaccine development in children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ScGAIL, a sugarcane N-terminal truncated DELLA-like protein, participates in gibberellin signaling in Arabidopsis
Authors: Chai Zhe , Fang Jinlan , Yao Wei , Zhao Yang , Cheng Guangyuan , Akbar Sehrish , Khan Muhammad Tahir , Chen Baoshan , Zhang Muqing
Published: February 2022

The hormone gibberellin (GA) is crucial for internode elongation in sugarcane. DELLA proteins are critical negative regulators of the GA signaling pathway. ScGAI encodes a DELLA protein that was previously implicated in the regulation of sugarcane culm development. Here, we characterized ScGAI-like (ScGAIL) in sugarcane, which lacked the N-terminal region but was otherwise homologous to ScGAI. ScGAIL differed from ScGAI in its chromosomal location, expression patterns, and cellular localization. Although transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing ScGAIL were insensitive to GAs, GA synthesis was affected in these plants, suggesting that ScGAIL disrupted the GA signaling pathway. After GA treatment, the expression patterns of GA-associated genes differed between ScGAIL-overexpressing and wild-type Arabidopsis, and the degradation of AtDELLA proteins in transgenic lines was significantly inhibited compared with wild-type lines. A sugarcane GID1 gene (ScGID1) encoding a putative GA receptor was isolated and interacted with ScGAIL in a GA-independent manner. Five ScGAIL-interacting proteins were verified by yeast two-hybrid assays, and only one interacted with ScGAI. Therefore, ScGAIL may inhibit plant growth by modulating the GA signaling pathway.
Assessment of Virological Contributions to COVID-19 Outcomes in a Longitudinal Cohort of Hospitalized Adults
Authors: Simons Lacy M , Lorenzo-Redondo Ramon , Gibson Meg , Kinch Sarah L , Vandervaart Jacob P , Reiser Nina L , Eren Mesut , Lux Elizabeth , McNally Elizabeth M , Tambur Anat R , Vaughan Douglas E , Bachta Kelly E R , Demonbreun Alexis R , Satchell Karla J F , Achenbach Chad J , Ozer Egon A , Ison Michael G , Hultquist Judd F
Published: February 2022

Background

While several demographic and clinical correlates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcome have been identified, their relationship to virological and immunological parameters remains poorly defined.

Methods

To address this, we performed longitudinal collection of nasopharyngeal swabs and blood samples from a cohort of 58 hospitalized adults with COVID-19. Samples were assessed for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral load, viral genotype, viral diversity, and antibody titer. Demographic and clinical information, including patient blood tests and several composite measures of disease severity, was extracted from electronic health records.

Results

Several factors, including male sex, higher age, higher body mass index, higher 4C Mortality score, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels, were associated with intensive care unit admission. Of all measured parameters, only the retrospectively calculated median Deterioration Index score was significantly associated with death. While quantitative polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold (Ct) values and genotype of SARS-CoV-2 were not significantly associated with outcome, Ct value did correlate positively with C-reactive protein levels and negatively with D-dimer, lymphocyte count, and antibody titer. Intrahost viral genetic diversity remained constant through the disease course and resulted in changes in viral genotype in some participants.

Conclusions

Ultimately, these results suggest that worse outcomes are driven by immune dysfunction rather than by viral load and that SARS-CoV-2 evolution in hospital settings is relatively constant over time.
Coinfections in Patients With Cancer and COVID-19: A COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19) Study
Authors: Satyanarayana Gowri , Enriquez Kyle T , Sun Tianyi , Klein Elizabeth J , Abidi Maheen , Advani Shailesh M , Awosika Joy , Bakouny Ziad , Bashir Babar , Berg Stephanie , Bernardes Marilia , Egan Pamela C , Elkrief Arielle , Feldman Lawrence E , Friese Christopher R , Goel Shipra , Gomez Cyndi Gonzalez , Grant Keith L , Griffiths Elizabeth A , Gulati Shuchi , Gupta Shilpa , Hwang Clara , Jain Jayanshu , Jani Chinmay , Kaltsas Anna , Kasi Anup , Khan Hina , Knox Natalie , Koshkin Vadim S , Kwon Daniel H , Labaki Chris , Lyman Gary H , McKay Rana R , McNair Christopher , Nagaraj Gayathri , Nakasone Elizabeth S , Nguyen Ryan , Nonato Taylor K , Olszewski Adam J , Panagiotou Orestis A , Puc Matthew , Razavi Pedram , Robilotti Elizabeth V , Santos-Dutra Miriam , Schmidt Andrew L , Shah Dimpy P , Shah Sumit A , Vieira Kendra , Weissmann Lisa B , Wise-Draper Trisha M , Wu Ulysses , Wu Julie Tsu-Yu , Choueiri Toni K , Mishra Sanjay , Warner Jeremy L , French Benjamin , Farmakiotis Dimitrios
Published: February 2022

Background

The frequency of coinfections and their association with outcomes have not been adequately studied among patients with cancer and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a high-risk group for coinfection.

Methods

We included adult (≥18 years) patients with active or prior hematologic or invasive solid malignancies and laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infection, using data from the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19, NCT04354701). We captured coinfections within ±2 weeks from diagnosis of COVID-19, identified factors cross-sectionally associated with risk of coinfection, and quantified the association of coinfections with 30-day mortality.

Results

Among 8765 patients (hospitalized or not; median age, 65 years; 47.4% male), 16.6% developed coinfections: 12.1% bacterial, 2.1% viral, 0.9% fungal. An additional 6.4% only had clinical diagnosis of a coinfection. The adjusted risk of any coinfection was positively associated with age >50 years, male sex, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal comorbidities, diabetes, hematologic malignancy, multiple malignancies, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status, progressing cancer, recent cytotoxic chemotherapy, and baseline corticosteroids; the adjusted risk of superinfection was positively associated with tocilizumab administration. Among hospitalized patients, high neutrophil count and C-reactive protein were positively associated with bacterial coinfection risk, and high or low neutrophil count with fungal coinfection risk. Adjusted mortality rates were significantly higher among patients with bacterial (odds ratio [OR], 1.61; 95% CI, 1.33–1.95) and fungal (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.28–3.76) coinfections.

Conclusions

Viral and fungal coinfections are infrequent among patients with cancer and COVID-19, with the latter associated with very high mortality rates. Clinical and laboratory parameters can be used to guide early empiric antimicrobial therapy, which may improve clinical outcomes.
Comparative Efficacy of Early COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Therapies: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: San Filippo Savanna , Crovetto Brynna , Bucek John , Nahass Ronald G , Milano Marc , Brunetti Luigi
Published: February 2022

Background

Bamlanivimab and casirivimab/imdevimab are monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments used for mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in high-risk patients. To date, there are few data summarizing real-world evidence comparing the 2 mAbs. Additionally, there are insufficient data to guide administration timing relative to symptom onset. The purpose of this study was to evaluate 30-day failure rates for each agent and to identify the relationship between symptom onset and efficacy.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of a 6-month period at a large community medical center. Consecutive outpatients diagnosed with COVID-19 disease by nasopharyngeal (NP) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing received either bamlanivimab 700 mg or casirivimab/imdevimab 1200 mg/1200 mg. Each patient was followed for a total of 30 days. Three independent, blinded physicians performed adjudication for revisit reasons. The primary outcome was therapy-related failure, defined as COVID-19-related hospital admission within 30 days of infusion. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to adjust for confounders that may have influenced hospital admission in either group.

Results

During the period from November 2020 to May 2021, 183 patients were treated with bamlanivimab and 270 with casirivimab/imdevimab. The mean age was ~67 years and body mass index 30 kg/m2. Thirty-day admission for therapy-related failure rates were 4.8% and 13.7% for casirivimab/imdevimab and bamlanivimab, respectively (P = .001). No significant differences were found between early (<3 days of symptom onset) and late administration of either mAb.

Conclusions

There was a higher failure rate with bamlanivimab vs casirivimab/imdevimab. No difference in efficacy was found between early vs late administration of either mAb.
A systematic analysis of diagnostic performance for Alzheimer's disease using structural MRI
Authors: Wu Jiangping , Zhao Kun , Li Zhuangzhuang , Wang Dong , Ding Yanhui , Wei Yongbin , Zhang Han , Liu Yong
Published: February 2022

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders in the elderly. Although numerous structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) studies have reported diagnostic models that could distinguish AD from normal controls (NCs) with 80–95% accuracy, limited efforts have been made regarding the clinically practical computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system for AD.

Objective

To explore the potential factors that hinder the clinical translation of the AD-related diagnostic models based on sMRI.

Methods

To systematically review the diagnostic models for AD based on sMRI, we identified relevant studies published in the past 15 years on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Ovid. To evaluate the heterogeneity and publication bias among those studies, we performed subgroup analysis, meta-regression, Begg's test, and Egger's test.

Results

According to our screening criterion, 101 studies were included. Our results demonstrated that high diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing AD from NC was obtained in recently published studies, accompanied by significant heterogeneity. Meta-analysis showed that many factors contributed to the heterogeneity of high diagnostic accuracy of AD using sMRI, which included but was not limited to the following aspects: (i) different datasets; (ii) different machine learning models, e.g. traditional machine learning or deep learning model; (iii) different cross-validation methods, e.g. k-fold cross-validation leads to higher accuracies than leave-one-out cross-validation, but both overestimate the accuracy when compared to validation in independent samples; (iv) different sample sizes; and (v) the publication times. We speculate that these complicated variables might be the adverse factor for developing a clinically applicable system for the early diagnosis of AD.

Conclusions

Our findings proved that previous studies reported promising results for classifying AD from NC with different models using sMRI. However, considering the many factors hindering clinical radiology practice, there would still be a long way to go to improve.
Gapless edge modes in (4+1)-dimensional topologically massive tensor gauge theory and anomaly inflow for subsystem symmetry
Authors: Yamaguchi Satoshi
Published: February 2022

We consider the (4 + 1)D topologically massive tensor gauge theory. This theory is an analog of the (2 + 1)D topologically massive Maxwell–Chern–Simons theory. If the space has a boundary, we find that a (3 + 1)D gapless theory appears at the boundary. This gapless theory is a chiral version of the (3 + 1)D φ theory. This gapless theory is protected by the anomaly inflow mechanism for subsystem symmetry. We also consider the corner of our topologically massive tensor gauge theory, and find that an infinite number of (1 + 1)D chiral bosons appear at the corner.
Emergence and spread of a sub-lineage of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant B.1.1.7 in Europe, and with further evolution of spike mutation accumulations shared with the Beta and Gamma variants
Authors: Stadtmüller Marlena , Laubner Alexa , Rost Fabian , Winkler Sylke , Patrasová Eva , Šimůnková Lenka , Reinhardt Susanne , Beil Johanna , Dalpke Alexander H , Yi Buqing
Published: February 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) evolution plays a significant role in shaping the dynamics of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. To monitor the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants, through international collaborations, we performed genomic epidemiology analyses on a weekly basis with SARS-CoV-2 samples collected from a border region between Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic in a global background. For identified virus mutant variants, active viruses were isolated and functional evaluations were performed to test their replication fitness and neutralization sensitivity against vaccine-elicited serum neutralizing antibodies. Thereby we identified a new B.1.1.7 sub-lineage carrying additional mutations of nucleoprotein G204P and open-reading-frame-8 K68stop. Of note, this B.1.1.7 sub-lineage is the predominant B.1.1.7 variant in several European countries such as Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovakia. The earliest samples belonging to this sub-lineage were detected in November 2020 in a few countries in the European continent, but not in the UK. We have also detected its further evolution with extra spike mutations D138Y and A701V, which are signature mutations shared with the Gamma and Beta variants, respectively. Antibody neutralization assay of virus variant isolations has revealed that the variant with extra spike mutations is 3.2-fold less sensitive to vaccine-elicited antibodies as compared to the other B.1.1.7 variants tested, indicating potential for immune evasion, but it also exhibited reduced replication fitness, suggesting lower transmissibility. The wide spread of this B.1.1.7 sub-lineage was related to the pandemic waves in early 2021 in various European countries. These findings about the emergence, spread, evolution, infection, and transmission abilities of this B.1.1.7 sub-lineage add to our understanding about the pandemic development in Europe and highlight the importance of international collaboration on virus mutant surveillance.
Effect of the COPE Program on Self-Efficacy in Mothers of Preterm Infants
Authors: Hirter Kathrin , Dinten-Schmid Barbara , Avian Alexander , Feinstein Nancy , Spichiger Elisabeth , Nelle Mathias , Stoffel Zurcher Liliane
Published: February 2022

The birth of a premature infant and its subsequent hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit are stressful experiences for mothers. Because of uncertainty concerning interactions with a premature baby, mothers often feel helpless and only hesitantly assume their maternal role.

This may have a negative impact on the mother-child interaction and prevents mothers from taking an active part in E46
www.jpnnjournal.com the care for their child. “Creating Opportunities for Parent Empowerment” (COPE) is a 4-phase educational intervention program aiming to systematically involve parents into caring for their premature infant. In this pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study in 2 Swiss university hospitals, we focused on maternal self-efficacy. We compared self-efficacy in mothers receiving the COPE program or standard care alone at baseline and 3 months after estimated delivery date. To measure maternal self-efficacy, we used the “Tool to measure Parenting Self-Efficacy” (TOPSE). While scores for “Emotion and Affection,” “Empathy and Understanding,” as well as “Learning and Knowledge” increased in both groups, only “Learning and Knowledge” scores were significantly higher in the intervention group. Given the intention of improving learning and knowledge, the COPE program might be a promising intervention contributing to enhanced maternal self-efficacy.
Puff bars: a dangerous trend in adolescent disposable e-cigarette use
Authors: Rosenthal Hannah , Chow Nelson , Mehta Setu , Pham Duy , Milanaik Ruth
Published: February 2022

Purpose of review

Puff Bars, a brand of disposable e-cigarettes, have skyrocketed in popularity recently, presenting significant health and safety risks to adolescents. Puff Bars and other disposable e-cigarette products are attractive to children and teenagers because of their vibrant colors and flavors, low cost, and ease of access. This review examines the rise in Puff Bar popularity, describes notable health and safety concerns, and provides advice for parents and pediatricians in identifying and preventing adolescent Puff Bar use.

Recent findings

Puff Bars have increased in popularity as their product design evaded strict regulations imposed on alternate e-cigarette products, such as Juul. In addition, Puff Bars’ sweet and fruit flavors and marketing on social media have made their use pervasive among youth. Puff Bar use can lead to increased risk of e-cigarette product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and potential exposure to carcinogens. Furthermore, the developmental risks of nicotine use during adolescence include negative effects on cognitive function and detriments to short-term memory.

Puff Bars present a significant danger to adolescents, and it is imperative that parents and pediatricians are aware of the health risks involved with vaping. Pediatricians should explore e-cigarette use during patient visits, and parents must communicate these dangers to their children and be able to identify these products to regulate their use.
Autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction surgery for short bowel syndrome: the cornerstone for intestinal rehabilitation
Authors: Gondolesi Gabriel E. , Ortega Mariana , Martinez Maria I. , Rumbo Carolina , Solar Héctor
Published: February 2022

Purpose of review

Intestinal failure (IF) evolved from being the last recognized organ failure, to become one of the most progressive fields in terms of therapeutic alternatives and results. Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is the main cause of IF in adults and children. The use of surgery allowed patients with unfavorable anatomy type and length to be wean off parenteral nutrition. We aim to evaluate its current impact on intestinal rehabilitation.

Recent findings

Autologous gastro-intestinal reconstructive surgery (AGIRS), including bowel lengthening contributes by converting patient's anatomy to a more favorable one, improving quality of life, and modifying the natural history of the disease, allowing to recover intestinal autonomy in approximately 70% of the adults and 50% of the children's with SBS-IF. The current use of postsurgical medical rehabilitation strategies including the use of enterohormones complement the path to sufficiency, increasing the chances of success in both age group of patients.

The development of AGIRS has changed the outcome of SBS-IF patients, becoming the main surgical procedure prescribed in multidisciplinary units, allowing to enhance the number of patients achieving intestinal autonomy throughout rehabilitation, leaving transplantation as the last surgical alternative.
Ex Vivo Normothermic Perfusion of Human Upper Limbs
Authors: Rezaei Majid , Ordenana Carlos , Figueroa Brian A. , Said Sayf A. , Fahradyan Vahe , Dalla Pozza Edoardo , Orfahli Lynn M. , Annunziata Michael J. , Rohde Elizabeth , Madajka Maria , Papay Francis , Rampazzo Antonio , Bassiri Gharb Bahar
Published: February 2022

Background.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury remains a primary concern in upper extremity transplantation. Ex vivo normothermic perfusion (EVNP) enables near-physiological organ preservation, avoiding the deleterious effects of hypoxia and cooling. We investigated the effectiveness of human limb EVNP compared with static cold storage (SCS).

Methods.

Twenty human upper extremities were procured. Ten were perfused at 38 °C with an oxygenated red blood cell–based solution, and contralateral limbs served as SCS control (4 °C). EVNP was terminated with systolic arterial pressure ≥115 mm Hg, compartment fullness, or a 20% decline in oxygen saturation. Weight, contractility, compartment pressure, tissue oxygen saturation, and uptake rates were assessed. Perfusate fluid dynamics, gases, electrolytes, and metabolites were measured. Myocyte injury scores and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis were performed.

Results.

EVNP duration was 41.6 ± 9.4 h. Vascular resistance averaged 173.0 ± 29.4 mm Hg × min/L. Weight change and compartment pressures were 0.4 ± 12.2% (P = 0.21) and 21.7 ± 15.58 mm Hg (P = 0.003), respectively. Arterial and venous carbon dioxide partial pressure, oxygen saturation, and pH were 509.5 ± 91.4 mm Hg, 15.7 ± 30.2 mm Hg, 87.4 ± 11.4%, and 7.3 ± 0.2, respectively. Oxygen uptake rates averaged 5.7 ± 2.8 mL/min/g. Lactate reached 20 mmol/L after 15 (interquartile range = 6) h. Limb contractility was preserved for 30.5 (interquartile range = 15.8) h (P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with perfusate potassium (ρ = –0.7, P < 0.001). Endpoint myocyte injury scores were 28.9 ± 11.5% (EVNP) and 90.2 ± 11.8% (SCS) (P < 0.001). A significant increase in taurine (P = 0.002) and decrease in tryptophan (P = 0.002) were detected. Infrared thermography and indocyanine green angiography confirmed the presence of peripheral perfusion.

Conclusions.

EVNP can overcome the limitations of cold preservation by extending preservation times, enabling limb quality assessment, and allowing limb reconditioning before transplantation.
Serious mental illness in women
Authors: Almeida Marcela , Fletcher Sun J.
Published: February 2022

Purpose of review

Psychiatric illnesses are very prevalent in the United States and impact women and men differently. In this review, we will explore some gender differences in the expression of psychopathology, discuss the most common serious mental illnesses (SMI) affecting women, and review treatment options according to specific life stages. We hope to raise awareness of these issues and consequently improve outcomes for women with serious mental illness.

Recent findings

SMI have different rates and are manifested differently in women and men because of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors. Some SMI are more prevalent in women whereas others uniquely affect them during particular life stages. Even in disorders that have a similar prevalence in men and women or are more prevalent in men, the presentation, course, management, and repercussions can vary significantly between the two genders. Medical and psychiatric comorbidities, which directly influence treatment, prognosis, and disability, are more common in women.

Several differences in the gender expression of SMI have not yet been fully described. It is important to become familiar with important characteristics of SMI in women, including biological determinants, treatment differences, and psychosocial aspects. Recognizing gender biases, cultural considerations, and adaptive responses can help identify women at risk, promote early recognition of symptoms, and prompt interventions that may lead to improved outcomes.
At the molecular resolution with MINFLUX?
Authors: Prakash Kirti
Published: February 2022

MINFLUX is purported as the next revolutionary fluorescence microscopy technique claiming a spatial resolution in the range of 1–3 nm in fixed and living cells. Though the claim of molecular resolution is attractive, I am concerned whether true 1 nm resolution has been attained. Here, I compare the performance with other super-resolution methods focusing particularly on spatial resolution claims, subjective filtering of localizations, detection versus labelling efficiency and the possible limitations when imaging biological samples containing densely labelled structures. I hope the analysis and evaluation parameters presented here are not only useful for future research directions for single-molecule techniques but also microscope users, developers and core facility managers when deciding on an investment for the next ‘state-of-the-art’ instrument.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (part 2)’.
Enabling single-molecule localization microscopy in turbid food emulsions
Authors: Jabermoradi Abbas , Yang Suyeon , Gobes Martijn I. , van Duynhoven John P. M. , Hohlbein Johannes
Published: February 2022

Turbidity poses a major challenge for the microscopic characterization of food systems. Local mismatches in refractive indices, for example, lead to significant image deterioration along sample depth. To mitigate the issue of turbidity and to increase the accessible optical resolution in food microscopy, we added adaptive optics (AO) and flat-field illumination to our previously published open microscopy framework, the miCube. In the detection path, we implemented AO via a deformable mirror to compensate aberrations and to modulate the emission wavefront enabling the engineering of point spread functions (PSFs) for single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) in three dimensions. As a model system for a non-transparent food colloid such as mayonnaise, we designed an oil-in-water emulsion containing the ferric ion binding protein phosvitin commonly present in egg yolk. We targeted phosvitin with fluorescently labelled primary antibodies and used PSF engineering to obtain two- and three-dimensional images of phosvitin covered oil droplets with sub 100 nm resolution. Our data indicated that phosvitin is homogeneously distributed at the interface. With the possibility to obtain super-resolved images in depth, our work paves the way for localizing biomacromolecules at heterogeneous colloidal interfaces in food emulsions.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (part 2)’.