bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanoarchitectonics of Fullerene‐Based Enzyme Mimics for Osteogenic Induction of Stem Cells
Authors: Yeniterzi Dilara , Demirsoy Zeynep , Saylam Aytül , Özçubukçu Salih , Gülseren Gülcihan
Published: June 2022

Enzyme mimicry is a topic of considerable interest in the development of multifunctional biomimetic materials. Mimicking enzyme activity is a major challenge in biomaterials research, and artificial analogs that simultaneously recapitulate the catalytic and metabolic activity of native enzymes are considered to be the ultimate goal of this field. This consensus may be challenged by self‐assembling multifunctional nanostructures to develop close‐to‐fidelity enzyme mimics. Here, the ability of fullerene nanostructures decorated with active units to form enzyme‐like materials that can mimic phosphatases in a metal‐free manner is presented. These nanostructures self‐assemble into nanoclusters forming multiple random active sites that can cleave both phosphomonoesters and phosphodiesters while being more specific for the phosphomonoesters. Moreover, they are reusable and show an increase in catalytic activity over multiple cycles similar to their natural counterparts. In addition to having enzyme‐like catalytic properties, these nanocatalysts imitate the biological functions of their natural analogs by inducing biomineralization and osteoinduction in preosteoblast and mesenchymal stem cells in vitro studies.
Fabrication of Heterostructured BNNS‐g‐P4VP‐AuNPs Hybrid Fillers with Uniform and Dense Au Nanoparticles for Enhancing Thermal Conductivity of the Nanofibrillated Cellulose
Authors: Yin Tingting , Zhang Wenjie , He Yanjie , Shi Ge , Qiao Xiaoguang , Cui Zhe , Pang Xinchang , Liu Minying , Fu Peng , Zhang Xiaomeng
Published: June 2022

Fabrication of the metal nanoparticles decorated boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) is an effective method to reduce the interfacial thermal resistance between fillers and is beneficial to form thermally conductive pathways in the composite. However, due to the chemical inertness of BNNS, a large amount of metal nanoparticles is really difficult to be immobilized onto the surfaces of BNNS. To solve this problem, in this work, poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (P4VP), possessing lots of coordination sites with Au nanoparticles (AuNPs), is applied to modify the BNNS by the self‐initiated photografting and photopolymerization (SIPGP). Then, the heterostructured BNNS‐g‐P4VP‐AuNPs hybrid fillers are prepared through P4VP‐assisted metallization approach. Results demonstrate that a large amount of AuNPs with an average size of 3–5 nm is immobilized onto the surfaces of BNNS‐g‐P4VP successfully. Furthermore, the in‐plane thermal conductivity of the nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC)‐based composite film with 30 wt% BNNS‐g‐P4VP‐AuNPs can reach as high as 14.04 W m−1 K−1, due to the enhanced interfacial thermal conduction. Therefore, the proposed modification method promises opportunities for the fabrication of high‐efficiency thermally conductive fillers and composites.
Mathematical model with time‐delay and delayed controller for a bioreactor
Authors: Villafuerte‐Segura Raúl , Itzá‐Ortiz Benjamín A. , López‐Pérez Pablo A. , Alvarado‐Santos Eduardo
Published: June 2022

In this paper, a fractional Lotka–Volterra mathematical model for a bioreactor is proposed and used to fit the data provided by a bioprocess known as continuous fermentation ofZymomonas mobilis. The model contemplates a time‐delay due to the dead‐time (non‐trivial) that the microbe needed to metabolize the substrate. A Hopf bifurcation analysis is performed to characterize the inherent self oscillatory experimental bioprocess response. As consequence, stability conditions for the equilibrium point together with conditions for limit cycles using the delay as bifurcation parameter are obtained. Under the assumptions that the use of observers, estimators, or extra laboratory measurements are avoided to prevent the rise of computational or monetary costs, for the purpose of control, we will only consider the measurement of the biomass. A simple controller that can be employed is the proportional action controller , which is shown to fail to stabilize the obtained model under the proposed analysis. Another suitable choice is the use of a delayed controller which successfully stabilizes the model even when it is unstable. The delay in the feedback control is due to the dead‐time necessary to obtain the measurement of the biomass in the bioreactor by dry weight. Finally, the proposed theoretical results are corroborated through numerical simulations.
Global existence and large‐time behavior of a parabolic phase‐field model with Neumann boundary conditions
Authors: Tang Yangxin , Zheng Lin
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we continue to study an initial boundary value problems to a model describing the evolution in time of diffusive phase interfaces in sea ice growth. In a previous paper, the global existence and the large‐time behavior of weak solutions in one space was studied under Dirichlet boundary conditions. Here, we show that the global existence of weak solutions and the large‐time behavior are also studied under Neumann boundary condition. In this paper, we study in space dimension lower than or equal to 3.
On closed‐form solutions to the 4D nearest rotation matrix problem
Authors: Sarabandi Soheil , Thomas Federico
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we address the problem of restoring the orthogonality of a numerically noisy 4D rotation matrix by finding its nearest (in Frobenius norm) correct rotation matrix. This problem can be straightforwardly solved using the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). Nevertheless, to avoid numerical methods, we present two new closed‐form methods. One relies on the direct minimization of the mentioned Frobenius norm, and the other on the passage to double quaternion representation. A comparison of these two methods with respect to the SVD reveals that the method based on a double quaternion representation is superior in all aspects.
Development of IoT‐based health monitoring antennafor mid‐band 5G
Authors: Balasubramaniam Murugeshwari , Singaravelu Raghavan
Published: June 2022

The study discusses the role of the Hexagonal Complementary Split Ring Resonator (HCSRR) in the construction of an Internet of Things (IoT) antenna for fifth‐generation (5 G) applications. The development of antenna is made up of a circular‐shaped monopole antenna and a partial ground plane; the HCSRR is present to improve resonance at 2.45 GHz. The physical and electrical properties of the antenna are thoroughly investigated. The suggested antenna comprises semi‐flexible RTduroid 5880 substrates (thickness = 0.787 mm) with a permittivity of 2.2. As a result, the loss of features is reduced. The impedance bandwidth (|S11 | −10 dB) with on body state covers the range of 1.0416–6.1660 GHz, resulting in a 209% compactness level. The operating frequency of the antenna is 2.45 GHz, however, the antenna covers Bluetooth (2.4–2.485 GHz), Wireless Fidelity‐Wi‐Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), and 5 G Mid‐bands (1–2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz ‐6 GHz), which can be applicable for IoT‐based health monitoring.
Context is key: Maternal immune responses to pig allogeneic embryos
Authors: Martinez Cristina A. , Rodriguez‐Martinez Heriberto
Published: June 2022

Successful establishment of pregnancy includes the achievement of a state of immune tolerance toward the embryos (and placenta), where the well‐coordinated maternal immune system is capable of recognizing conceptus antigens while maintaining maternal defense against pathogens. In physiological pregnancies, following natural mating or artificial insemination (AI), the maternal immune system is exposed to the presence of hemi‐allogeneic embryos, that is, embryos containing maternal self‐antigens and foreign antigens from the paternal side. In this scenario, the hemi‐allogeneic embryo is recognized by the mother, but the immune system is locally modified to facilitate embryo implantation and pregnancy progression. Pig allogeneic pregnancies (with embryos containing both paternal and maternal material foreign to the recipient female), occur during embryo transfer (ET), with conspicuously high rates of embryonic death. Mortality mainly occurs during the peri‐attachment phase, suggesting that immune responses to allogeneic embryos are more complex and less efficient, hindering the conceptuses to survive to term. Reaching a similar maternal tolerance as in conventional breeding would render ET successful. The present review critically summarizes mechanisms of maternal immune recognition of pregnancy and factors associated with impaired maternal immune response to the presence of allogeneic embryos in the porcine species.
Phase‐based masking for quantitative susceptibility mapping of the human brain at 9.4T
Authors: Hagberg Gisela E. , Eckstein Korbinian , Tuzzi Elisa , Zhou Jiazheng , Robinson Simon , Scheffler Klaus
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To develop improved tissue masks for QSM.

Methods

Masks including voxels at the brain surface were automatically generated from the magnitude alone (MM) or combined with test functions from the first (PG) or second (PB) derivative of the sign of the wrapped phase.

Phase images at 3T and 9.4T were simulated at different TEs and used to generate a mask, PItoh, with between‐voxel phase differences less than π. MM, PG, and PB were compared with PItoh. QSM were generated from 3D multi‐echo gradient‐echo data acquired at 9.4T (21 subjects aged: 20‐56y), and from the QSM2016 challenge 3T data using different masks, unwrapping, background removal, and dipole inversion algorithms. QSM contrast was quantified using age‐based iron concentrations.

Results

Close to air cavities, phase wraps became denser with increasing field and echo time, yielding increased values of the test functions. Compared with PItoh, PB had the highest Dice coefficient, while PG had the lowest and MM the highest percentage of voxels outside PItoh.

Artifacts observed in QSM at 9.4T with MM were mitigated by stronger background filters but yielded a reduced QSM contrast. With PB, QSM contrast was greater and artifacts diminished. Similar results were obtained with challenge data, evidencing larger effects of mask close to air cavities.

Conclusion

Automatic, phase‐based masking founded on the second derivative of the sign of the wrapped phase, including cortical voxels at the brain surface, was able to mitigate artifacts and restore QSM contrast across cortical and subcortical brain regions.
Influence of coupling effect in the chemo‐hydro‐mechanical consolidation of saturated soil layer
Authors: Zheng Xinjiang , Li Xiaoyue , Xu Yongfu , Wang Lei
Published: June 2022

In geological sites containing chemical pollutants, the clay buffer layer (CBL) is frequently utilized to isolate the pollutants from the external environment. Moreover, hydraulics, mechanics, and chemistry jointly pose impacts on the consolidation of CBL and the diffusion of chemical substances. In order to consider the coupled effect (termed chemo‐hydro‐mechanical‐CHM), a one‐dimensional consolidation model that fully considers CHM coupling (such as convection, ultrafiltration, and osmotic efficiency) is established. In the developed model, the excess pore pressure, chemical concentration, and soil settlement during the consolidation process are calculated via finite Fourier transform and inverse transform. Finally, the CHM coupling effect on consolidation under different conditions is analyzed and discussed. The results indicated that the coupling effect slowed down the entry of chemical substances into the soil layer so that the excess pore pressure dissipated faster, and the negative pore pressure was larger. Furthermore, the coupling effect increased the maximum settlement during consolidation but did not change the final settlement. The coupling effect prolonged the time of consolidation. In addition, the higher the osmotic efficiency, the greater the coupling effect, but the osmotic efficiency did not affect the time of consolidation.
Effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention to reduce social isolation and loneliness in community‐dwelling elders: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Hernández‐Ascanio José , Perula‐de Torres Luis Ángel , Rich‐Ruiz Manuel , González‐Santos Josefa , Mielgo‐Ayuso Juan , González‐Bernal Jerónimo ,   ASyS Study Collaborative Group
Published: June 2022

Aims

To assess the effect of a multicomponent intervention on reducing social isolation and loneliness and improving the quality of life in community‐dwelling older adults.

Design

A cluster‐randomized controlled clinical trial.

Methods

A total of 56 older adults participated in the control group and 63 older adults in the experimental group. The intervention consisted of 6 home‐based face‐to‐face sessions, intercalated with 5 telephone calls and was conducted by nursing students and volunteer staff with experience in the subject. The study was conducted between April 2018 and December 2019. In terms of statistical analysis, several procedures were carried out: a statistical analysis per protocol and intention to treat, considering isolation, loneliness and quality of life as endpoints; a comparison of paired means, to analyse the behaviour of the outcome variables at baseline and the end of the study; and finally, a binary logistic regression analysis, considering social support as a dependent variable.

Results

The study results do not show the effectiveness of the modified CARELINK programme, analysed as a whole, on the decrease in social isolation or loneliness or the improvement in HRQL. However, a detailed analysis of the behaviour of some of the variables during the study indicates some results that deserve to be commented on. Comparing the mean confidential support scores between the experimental and control group at the initial and final stages shows significant differences in the analysis by protocol, and close to statistical significance in the analysis by intention to treat. Comparing the paired means obtained in the experimental group, an improvement in emotional loneliness scores was found. Finally, the variables associated with the social support of the subjects at the end of the follow‐up period were as follows: having people who help them and mobility.

Conclusion

Although the results obtained do not allow us to affirm that the intervention programme is effective, these same results point to improved confidential support and emotional loneliness in older adults participating in the intervention. Having people to help them and a greater degree of mobility are factors favouring the decrease in social isolation.

Impact

This study suggested that modified CARELINK, a multicomponent intervention performed by trained volunteers, could improve confidential support in community‐dwelling older adults. It also reports the importance of considering the level of mobility and support networks as determinants of the improvement caused by the intervention.
‘BARI Masur‐8’: A high‐yielding and biofortified lentil cultivar in Bangladesh
Authors: Shahin Uz Zaman Md , Altaf Hossain Md , Alam Md Jahangir , Mahbubul Alam AKM , Ali Md Omar , Sarker Debasish , Sarker Ashutosh
Published: June 2022

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is a nutritious food for millions of people globally. It plays an important role in Bangladesh as a good source of protein and micronutrients for low‐income populations with less access to animal protein. To enhance nutritional security, a nutrient‐dense lentil line, LR‐9‐25, was identified from a Stemphylium blight (SB) screening population developed at The International Center for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas through a cross between ILLX955‐135 and FLIP92‐52L. The line LR‐9‐25 was rigorously evaluated in diverse agro‐ecological conditions of Bangladesh and released for commercial cultivation by the Pulses Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute as ‘BARI Masur‐8’ (Reg. no. CV‐35, PI 700306) in 2015. BARI Masur‐8 matures in 115–120 d and fits well into existing rice‐based cropping patterns. It is a medium‐height (35 cm) and medium‐seeded (1.94 g 100−1 seed) cultivar having a high level of tolerance to SB and root rot diseases. BARI Masur‐8 showed high yield potential (1,973 kg ha−1) and high concentrations of Fe (74 mg kg−1), Zn (61 mg kg−1), and Se (325 μg kg−1) in seed. Another desirable trait is the late planting potential, with sowing up to the first week of December after the harvest of long‐duration rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars, which is a major area for lentil production in Bangladesh. The cultivation of this improved cultivar will play an important role for enhancing nutritional security by increasing lentil production in Bangladesh, Nepal, and eastern Indian states in South Asia.
Comparison of pneumonia features in children caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 and other viral respiratory pathogens
Authors: del Valle Rut , Ballesteros Álvaro , Calvo Cristina , Sainz Talía , Mendez Ana , Grasa Carlos , Molino Paula R. , Mellado María J. , Sanz‐Santaeufemia Francisco J. , Herrero Blanca , Calleja Lourdes , Soriano‐Arandes Antoni , Melendo Susana , Rincón‐López Elena , Hernánz Alicia , Epalza Cristina , García‐Baeza Carmen , Rupérez‐García E. , Berzosa Arantxa , Ocaña Angustias , Villarroya‐Villalba Alvaro , Barrios Ana , Otheo Enrique , Galán Juan C. , Rodríguez Mario José , Mesa Juan M. , Domínguez‐Rodríguez Sara , Moraleda Cinta , Tagarro Alfredo
Published: June 2022

Background

Pneumonia is a frequent manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in hospitalized children.

Methods

The study involved 80 hospitals in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) Spanish Pediatric National Cohort. Participants were children <18 years, hospitalized with SARS‐CoV‐2 community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP). We compared the clinical and radiological characteristics of SARS‐CoV‐2‐associated CAP with CAP due to other viral etiologies from ValsDance (retrospective) cohort.

Results

In total, 151 children with SARS‐CoV‐2‐associated CAP and 138 with other viral CAP were included. Main clinical features of SARS‐CoV‐2‐associated CAP were cough, fever, or dyspnea. Lymphopenia was found in 43% patients and 15% required admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Chest X‐ray revealed condensation (42%) and other infiltrates (58%). Compared with CAP from other viral pathogens, COVID‐19 patients were older, with lower C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels, less wheezing, and greater need of mechanical ventilation (MV). There were no differences in the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or HVF, or PICU admission between groups.

Conclusion

SARS‐CoV‐2‐associated CAP in children presents differently to other virus‐associated CAP: children are older and rarely have wheezing or high CRP levels; they need less oxygen but more CPAP or MV. However, several features overlap and differentiating the etiology may be difficult. The overall prognosis is good.
Longitudinal and time‐to‐event modeling for prognostic implications of radical surgery in retroperitoneal sarcoma
Authors: Yao Ye , Wang Zhen , Yong Ling , Yao Qingyu , Tian Xiuyun , Wang Tianyu , Yang Qirui , Hao Chunyi , Zhou Tianyan
Published: June 2022

Retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) is a rare malignancy which can be difficult to manage due to the variety of clinical behaviors. In this study, we aimed to develop a parametric modeling framework to quantify the relationship between postoperative dynamics of several biomarkers and overall/progression‐free survival of RPS. One hundred seventy‐four patients with RPS who received surgical resection with curative intent at the Peking University Cancer Hospital Sarcoma Center were retrospectively included. Potential prognostic factors were preliminarily identified. Longitudinal analyses of body mass index (BMI), serum total protein (TP), and white blood cells (WBCs) were performed using nonlinear mixed effects models. The impacts of time‐varying and time‐invariant predictors on survival were investigated by parametric time‐to‐event (TTE) models. The majority of patients experienced decline in BMI, recovery of TP, as well as transient elevation in WBC counts after surgery, which significantly correlated with survival. An indirect‐response model incorporating surgery effect described the fluctuation in percentage BMI. The recovery of TP was captured by a modified Gompertz model, and a semimechanistic model was selected for WBCs. TTE models estimated that the daily cumulative average of predicted BMI and WBC, the seventh‐day TP, as well as certain baseline variables, were significant predictors of survival. Model‐based simulations were performed to examine the clinical significance of prognostic factors. The current work quantified the individual trajectories of prognostic biomarkers in response to surgery and predicted clinical outcomes, which would constitute an additional strategy for disease monitoring and intervention in postoperative RPS.
An endobronchial hamartoma observed using narrow band imaging under saline injection: A case report
Authors: Kobayashi Misato , Kurimoto Noriaki , Mitarai Yuki , Okuno Takae , Nakao Mika , Hotta Takamasa , Hamaguchi Megumi , Tsubata Yukari , Isobe Takeshi
Published: June 2022

A light blue line (LBL) was observed along the edge of a lesion using narrow band imaging under saline injection during bronchoscopy in an 82‐year‐old patient with a lobulated mass on the left B4. The histopathological diagnosis was hamartoma with ciliated bronchial epithelium, and we speculated that LBL appeared around the ciliated bronchial epithelium.
Rare‐Earth Single‐Atom Catalysts: A New Frontier in Photo/Electrocatalysis
Authors: Wang Xuan , Zhu Yu , Li Hao , Lee Jong‐Min , Tang Yawen , Fu Gengtao
Published: June 2022

Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) provide well‐defined active sites with 100% atom utilization, and can be prepared using a wide range of support materials. Therefore, they are attracting global attention, especially in the fields of energy conversion and storage. To date, research has focused on transition‐metal and precious‐metal‐based SACs. More recently, rare‐earth (RE)‐based SACs have emerged as a new frontier in photo/electrocatalysis owing to their unique electronic structure arising from the spin‐orbit coupling of the 4f and valence orbitals, unsaturated coordination environment, and unique behavior as charge‐transport bridges. However, a systematic review on the role of the RE active sites, catalytic mechanisms, and synthetic methods for RE SACs is lacking. Therefore, in this review, the latest developments in RE SACs having applications in photo/electrocatalysis are summarized and discussed. First, the theoretical advantages of RE SACs for photo/electrocatalysis are briefly introduced, focusing on the roles of the 4f orbitals and coupled energy levels. In addition, the most recent research progress on RE SACs is summarized for several important photo/electrocatalytic reactions and the corresponding catalytic mechanisms are discussed. Further, the synthetic strategies for the production of RE SACs are reported. Finally, challenges for the development of RE SACs are highlighted, along with future research directions and perspectives.
Study on the Improvement of the Performance of AgSnO2 Contact Material for Low‐Voltage Electrical Apparatus with Additive Particle Size
Authors: Wang Haitao , Zheng Shuqing , Zhang Mei
Published: June 2022

In this paper, the relationship between additive particle size and properties of AgSnO2 contact materials was studied. La2O3 and Bi2O3 were selected as additives for contact materials. AgSnO2 contact materials were successfully prepared by powder metallurgy, the wettability and electrical contact properties of AgSnO2 contact materials with five particle sizes of additives were investigated. The results show that the wettability and electrical contact properties of the two contact materials are better when the particle size of additives is 500 nm and 1000 nm respectively. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Prediction Model of Dissolved Gas in Transformer Oil Based on VMD‐SMA‐LSSVM
Authors: Ding Can , Ding Qingchang , Feng Lu , Wang Zhoulin
Published: June 2022

Dissolved gas analysis in oil is an effective method for early fault diagnosis of transformers. Predicting the concentration of future characteristic gases in the transformer can assist operation and maintenance personnel in judging the operation trend of the transformer and ensure stable operation. In order to improve the prediction accuracy of dissolved gas in transformer oil based on a small number of samples, this paper proposes a VMD‐SMA‐LSSVM combined prediction model by using variational modal decomposition and least square support vector machine optimized by slime mold algorithm. First, use variational modal decomposition to decompose the gas signal. For each subsequence, a combined algorithm based on slime mold optimization and least square support vector machine is used to predict separately. Then the prediction results of each sub‐sequence are superimposed and reconstructed to obtain the final prediction value. The research results show that the prediction results obtained based on this method have better prediction effects than other models of machine learning models, other decomposition methods and optimization methods. The proposed method has good fitting characteristics when predicting seven characteristic gases, which verifies the effectiveness. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Quantum kinetic theory for spin transport of quarks with background chromo-electromagnetic fields
Authors: Yang Di-Lun
Published: June 2022

Abstract

We derive the quantum kinetic equations for massive and massless quarks coupled with the background chromo-electromagnetic fields from the Wigner-function approach with the n expansion and effective power-counting scheme. For each case, one obtains coupled color-singlet and color-octet kinetic equations, which also involve the scalar and axial-vector components for the charge and spin transport. These kinetic equations delineate entangled evolution of the corresponding distribution functions decomposed in color space. At weak coupling, we derive the close form of the color-singlet kinetic equations for spin transport, which incorporates the diffusion term and the source term that triggers dynamical spin polarization led by correlation functions of color fields. Also, the non-dynamical source term is found in the axial Wigner function. The induced spin polarization and axial charge currents by these source terms are discussed under physical assumptions for color-field correlators in near-equilibrium quark gluon plasmas. In the constant-field limit, we further obtain non-vanishing axial Ward identities, from which we extract the pseudo-scalar condensate for massive quarks at finite temperature.
Gaudin models and multipoint conformal blocks III: comb channel coordinates and OPE factorisation
Authors: Burić Ilija , Lacroix Sylvain , Mann Jeremy , Quintavalle Lorenzo , Schomerus Volker
Published: June 2022

Abstract

We continue the exploration of multipoint scalar comb channel blocks for conformal field theories in 3D and 4D. The central goal here is to construct novel comb channel cross ratios that are well adapted to perform projections onto all intermediate primary fields. More concretely, our new set of cross ratios includes three for each intermediate mixed symmetry tensor exchange. These variables are designed such that the associated power series expansion coincides with the sum over descendants. The leading term of this expansion is argued to factorise into a product of lower point blocks. We establish this remarkable factorisation property by studying the limiting behaviour of the Gaudin Hamiltonians that are used to characterise multipoint conformal blocks. For six points we can map the eigenvalue equations for the limiting Gaudin differential operators to Casimir equations of spinning four-point blocks.
Exploration of a Copper Ore Deposit in Elbistan/Turkey Using 2D Inversion of the Time-Domain Induced Polarization Data by Using Unstructured Mesh
Authors: Adrian Juliane , Tezkan Bülent , Candansayar M. Emin
Published: June 2022

We present the results of a direct current (DC) resistivity and time-domain induced polarization (TDIP) survey exploring a copper ore deposit in Elbistan/Turkey. The ore deposit is elongated below a valley and is of disseminated form with sulfide content. DC and IP data were acquired using the pole-dipole array on eight parallel profiles crossing the valley perpendicularly. The length of each profile was 300 m with an inter-profile distance of about 50 m. The data were interpreted by a newly developed 2D DC/TDIP inversion algorithm. The finite element algorithm uses a local smoothness constrained regularization on unstructured meshes. The finite element forward solution, as well as the inverse problem, is solved by an iterative preconditioned conjugate solver. The depth of investigation (DOI) was determined from cumulative sensitivities of the 2D inversion algorithm results. Because of the dissemination of the ore, the 2D inversion of the DC data was ambiguous: However, due to the sulfide content, a strong chargeability anomaly associated with the ore body was detected. We show that chargeability anomalies can generally be detected in the absence or presence of corresponding resistivity anomalies. This highly chargeable structure was confined in lateral direction. Although the lower boundary of the structure could not be resolved by the applied field set-up, a rough estimation of it could be derived at a depth of 90 m using synthetic modeling analyses. The 2D chargeability models are consistent with existing borehole information.
Corbicula incorporation to indicator parameters to assess the ecological status of northwestern Iberian estuaries
Authors: Ferreira-Rodríguez Noé , Pedreira Adrián , Lama Gabriela , Padilla-González Claudio , González Ana , Pardo Isabel
Published: June 2022

Ecological status classification systems based on biological elements (e.g., macroinvertebrate communities) are dependent on their response to different pressures. However, there is a need to determine if invasive species should be incorporated to indicator parameters (i.e. metrics based on measurements of richness and diversity) or as a pressure affecting such parameters. Moreover, because ecosystem classification systems are lacking for northwestern Iberian estuaries, there is even the possibility to develop a new metric penalizing presence or abundance of invasive species. To increase our understanding on this topic, we analyze the taxonomic and functional responses of benthic macroinvertebrates to Corbicula invasion along the environmental gradient of 12 northwestern Iberian estuaries. Macroinvertebrate assemblages were described and compared between invaded and uninvaded sections. Additionally, to assess differences in community structure, macroinvertebrate assemblages’ similarity was examined between two distinct estuarine sections (freshwater and oligohaline vs transitional water and mesohaline) and among water body types, including and excluding Corbicula from the analysis. The salinity gradient was the main driver explaining changes in macroinvertebrate assemblages and in functional group distribution. Freshwater and transitional water sections clearly differed in macroinvertebrate assemblages and functional groups composition. In addition, differences among river types in macroinvertebrate composition were found. Corbicula inclusion or exclusion from multivariate community analysis significantly affected the results in functional feeding group composition in the Cantabric-Atlantic siliceous river axis type. Nevertheless, considering Corbicula as a pressure at the regional scale did not provide different results in diversity indices calculation. Hence, we argue that because Corbicula eradication is virtually impossible, it should be included as an additional metric evidencing its presence as a negative indication, or be included within other indicator metrics used in the assessment of the ecological status, for instance in invertebrate abundance metrics were its dominance should be indicative of invasion impairment.
Social integration of Syrian refugees and their intention to stay in Germany
Authors: Hannafi Cyrine , Marouani Mohamed Ali
Published: June 2022

In this study, we investigate the determinants of social integration of Syrian refugees and the impact of social integration on refugees’ decision to stay in Germany, using the 2016 IAB-BAMF-SOEP Refugee Survey. Our econometric strategy is based on the estimation of a simultaneous equation model for social integration, economic integration, and the decision to stay, handling endogeneity issues through an instrumental variables strategy. Our first contribution is to show that economic integration has an impact on social integration for low- and medium-educated refugees only. Furthermore, language proficiency, having a child in Germany, refugee accommodation, and the number of acquaintances from other countries have a positive impact on social integration, while age has the opposite effect. Our second main result is that social integration affects the intention to stay in Germany, whereas economic integration does not. Moreover, education, English proficiency, and the number of daughters in Germany have a negative impact on the intention to stay.
The endophyte Stenotrophomonas maltophilia EPS modulates endogenous antioxidant defense in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under cadmium stress
Authors: Hagaggi Noura Sh. A. , Abdul-Raouf Usama M.
Published: June 2022

Cadmium (Cd) pollution in agricultural soils induces oxidative stress in plants that in turn is the foremost limiting factor for agricultural productivity. In past few decades, plant–metal–microbe interaction is of great interest as an emerging environmentally friendly technology that can be exploited to alleviate metal stress in plants. Considering these, in the present study an endophytic bacterium strain EPS has been isolated from the roots of common bean. The present strain was identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia based on 16S rRNA gene sequence. The strain showed Cd tolerance and Cd-adsorption potentials. The inoculation of strain EPS in safflower seeds significantly enhanced the antioxidant defense of plants under Cd-stress conditions through increasing the levels of antioxidant molecules like phenolics, flavonoids and carotenoids as well as improving the activities of the antioxidative enzymes including guaiacol peroxidase (POX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The output of this study is that strain EPS inoculation mitigates Cd-induced oxidative stress and consequently it may be beneficial, especially in Cd-contaminated crop fields.
Resource utilization for chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy versus autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation in patients with B cell lymphoma
Authors: Ring Alexander , Grob Björn , Aerts Erik , Ritter Katharina , Volbracht Jörk , Schär Bettina , Greiling Michael , Müller Antonia M. S.
Published: June 2022

CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) have emerged as a highly efficacious treatment for patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) B cell lymphoma (BCL). The value of CAR-T for these patients is indisputable, but one-off production costs are high, and little is known about the ancillary resource consumption associated with CAR-T treatment. Here, we compared the resource use and costs of CAR-T treatment with high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for patients with r/r BCL. Standard operating procedures were used to develop a process model in ClipMedPPM, which comprises all activities and processes to sustain or generate treatment components that together constitute a treatment path. The software allows a graphic representation and the use of standardized linguistic elements for comparison of different treatment paths. Detailed processes involved in CAR-T treatments (n = 1041 processes) and in ASCT (n = 1535) were analyzed for time consumption of treatment phases and personnel. Process costs were calculated using financial controlling data. CAR-T treatment required ~ 30% less staff time than ASCT (primarily nursing staff) due to fewer chemotherapy cycles, less outpatient visits, and shorter hospital stays. For CAR-T, production costs were ~ 8 × higher, but overall treatment time was shorter compared with ASCT (30 vs 48 days), and direct labor and overhead costs were 40% and 10% lower, respectively. Excluding high product costs, CAR-T uses fewer hospital resources than ASCT for r/r BCL. Fewer hospital days for CAR-T compared to ASCT treatment and the conservation of hospital resources are beneficial to patients and the healthcare system.
Werden wir ferngesteuert?
Authors: Portmann Edy
Published: June 2022

Illusion oder Zauberei werden in der indischen Philosophie als Maya bezeichnet. Maya gilt als die geheimnisvolle Kraft, die unsere Welt verkörpert. Sie vereint dazu alle Dualitäten und umfasst sowohl positives Wissen wie auch negatives Unwissen. Edy Portmann verwendet den Begriff in seiner Common-Sense-Kolumne im negativen Sinn, um mögliche Täuschung(en) der Menschen in der digitalisierten Welt aufzuzeigen.
Deep learning–based acceleration of Compressed Sense MR imaging of the ankle
Authors: Foreman Sarah C. , Neumann Jan , Han Jessie , Harrasser Norbert , Weiss Kilian , Peeters Johannes M. , Karampinos Dimitrios C. , Makowski Marcus R. , Gersing Alexandra S. , Woertler Klaus
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To evaluate a compressed sensing artificial intelligence framework (CSAI) to accelerate MRI acquisition of the ankle.

Methods

Thirty patients were scanned at 3T. Axial T2-w, coronal T1-w, and coronal/sagittal intermediate-w scans with fat saturation were acquired using compressed sensing only (12:44 min, CS), CSAI with an acceleration factor of 4.6–5.3 (6:45 min, CSAI2x), and CSAI with an acceleration factor of 6.9–7.7 (4:46 min, CSAI3x). Moreover, a high-resolution axial T2-w scan was obtained using CSAI with a similar scan duration compared to CS. Depiction and presence of abnormalities were graded. Signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise were calculated. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Cohen’s kappa were used to compare CSAI with CS sequences.

Results

The correlation was perfect between CS and CSAI2x (κ = 1.0) and excellent for CS and CSAI3x (κ = 0.86–1.0). No significant differences were found for the depiction of structures between CS and CSAI2x and the same abnormalities were detected in both protocols. For CSAI3x the depiction was graded lower (p ≤ 0.001), though most abnormalities were also detected. For CSAI2x contrast-to-noise fluid/muscle was higher compared to CS (p ≤ 0.05), while no differences were found for other tissues. Signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise were higher for CSAI3x compared to CS (p ≤ 0.05). The high - resolution axial T2-w sequence specifically improved the depiction of tendons and the tibial nerve (p ≤ 0.005).

Conclusions

Acquisition times can be reduced by 47% using CSAI compared to CS without decreasing diagnostic image quality. Reducing acquisition times by 63% is feasible but should be reserved for specific patients. The depiction of specific structures is improved using a high-resolution axial T2-w CSAI scan.

Key Points

• Prospective study showed that CSAI enables reduction in acquisition times by 47% without decreasing diagnostic image quality.

• Reducing acquisition times by 63% still produces images with an acceptable diagnostic accuracy but should be reserved for specific patients.

• CSAI may be implemented to scan at a higher resolution compared to standard CS images without increasing acquisition times.
Development and validation of an ultrasound-based prediction model for differentiating between malignant and benign solid pancreatic lesions
Authors: Huang Jiayan , Yang Jie , Ding Jianming , Zhou Jing , Yang Rui , Li Jiawu , Luo Yan , Lu Qiang
Published: June 2022

Objective

To identify the diagnostic ability of precontrast and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differentiating between malignant and benign solid pancreatic lesions (MSPLs and BSPLs) and to develop an easy-to-use diagnostic nomogram.

Materials and methods

This study was approved by the institutional review board. Patients with pathologically confirmed solid pancreatic lesions were enrolled from one tertiary medical centre from March 2011 to June 2021 and in two tertiary institutions between January 2015 and June 2021. A prediction nomogram model was established in the training set by using precontrast US and CEUS imaging features that were independently associated with MSPLs. The performance of the prediction model was further externally validated.

Results

A total of 155 patients (mean age, 55 ± 14.6 years, M/F = 84/71) and 78 patients (mean age, 59 ± 13.4 years, M/F = 36/42) were included in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. In the training set, an ill-defined border and dilated main pancreatic duct on precontrast ultrasound, CEUS patterns of hypoenhancement in both the arterial and venous phases of CEUS, and hyperenhancement/isoenhancement followed by washout were independently associated with MSPLs. The prediction nomogram model developed with the aforementioned variables showed good performance in differentiating MSPLs from BSPLs with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.938 in the training set and 0.906 in the validation set.

Conclusion

Hypoenhancement in all phases, hyperenhancement/isoenhancement followed by washout on CEUS, an ill-defined border, and a dilated main pancreatic duct were independent risk factors for MSPLs. The nomogram constructed based on these predictors can be used to diagnose MSPLs.

Key Points

• An ill-defined border and dilated main pancreatic duct on precontrast ultrasound, hypoenhancement in all phases of CEUS, and hyperenhancement/isoenhancement followed by washout were independently associated with MSPLs.

• The ultrasound-based prediction model showed good performance in differentiating MSPLs from BSPLs with an AUC of 0.938 in the training set and 0.906 in the external validation set.

• An ultrasound-based nomogram is an easy-to-use tool to differentiate between MSPLs and BSPLs with high efficacy.
Multiclass classification by Min–Max ECOC with Hamming distance optimization
Authors: Szűcs Gábor
Published: June 2022

Two questions often arise in the field of the ensemble in multiclass classification problems, (i) how to combine base classifiers and (ii) how to design possible binary classifiers. Error-correcting output codes (ECOC) methods answer these questions, but they focused on only the general goodness of the classifier. The main purpose of our research was to strengthen the bottleneck of the ensemble method, i.e., to minimize the largest values of two types of error ratios in the deep neural network-based classifier. The research was theoretical and experimental, the proposed Min–Max ECOC method suggests a theoretically proven optimal solution, which was verified by experiments on image datasets. The optimal solution was based on the maximization of the lowest value in the Hamming matrix coming from the ECOC matrix. The largest ECOC matrix, the so-called full matrix is always a Min–Max ECOC matrix, but smaller matrices generally do not reach the optimal Hamming distance value, and a recursive construction algorithm was proposed to get closer to it. It is not easy to calculate optimal values for large ECOC matrices, but an interval with upper and lower limits was constructed by two theorems, and they were proved. Convolutional Neural Networks with Min–Max ECOC matrix were tested on four real datasets and compared with OVA (one versus all) and variants of ECOC methods in terms of known and two new indicators. The experimental results show that the suggested method surpasses the others, thus our method is promising in the ensemble learning literature.
Profiling the neurovascular unit unveils detrimental effects of osteopontin on the blood–brain barrier in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Spitzer Daniel , Guérit Sylvaine , Puetz Tim , Khel Maryam I. , Armbrust Moritz , Dunst Maika , Macas Jadranka , Zinke Jenny , Devraj Gayatri , Jia Xiaoxiong , Croll Florian , Sommer Kathleen , Filipski Katharina , Freiman Thomas M. , Looso Mario , Günther Stefan , Di Tacchio Mariangela , Plate Karl-Heinz , Reiss Yvonne , Liebner Stefan , Harter Patrick N. , Devraj Kavi
Published: June 2022

Blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, characterized by degradation of BBB junctional proteins and increased permeability, is a crucial pathophysiological feature of acute ischemic stroke. Dysregulation of multiple neurovascular unit (NVU) cell types is involved in BBB breakdown in ischemic stroke that may be further aggravated by reperfusion therapy. Therefore, therapeutic co-targeting of dysregulated NVU cell types in acute ischemic stroke constitutes a promising strategy to preserve BBB function and improve clinical outcome. However, methods for simultaneous isolation of multiple NVU cell types from the same diseased central nervous system (CNS) tissue, crucial for the identification of therapeutic targets in dysregulated NVU cells, are lacking. Here, we present the EPAM-ia method, that facilitates simultaneous isolation and analysis of the major NVU cell types (endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes and microglia) for the identification of therapeutic targets in dysregulated NVU cells to improve the BBB function. Applying this method, we obtained a high yield of pure NVU cells from murine ischemic brain tissue, and generated a valuable NVU transcriptome database (https://bioinformatics.mpi-bn.mpg.de/SGD_Stroke). Dissection of the NVU transcriptome revealed Spp1, encoding for osteopontin, to be highly upregulated in all NVU cells 24 h after ischemic stroke. Upregulation of osteopontin was confirmed in stroke patients by immunostaining, which was comparable with that in mice. Therapeutic targeting by subcutaneous injection of an anti-osteopontin antibody post-ischemic stroke in mice resulted in neutralization of osteopontin expression in the NVU cell types investigated. Apart from attenuated glial activation, osteopontin neutralization was associated with BBB preservation along with decreased brain edema and reduced risk for hemorrhagic transformation, resulting in improved neurological outcome and survival. This was supported by BBB-impairing effects of osteopontin in vitro. The clinical significance of these findings is that anti-osteopontin antibody therapy might augment current approved reperfusion therapies in acute ischemic stroke by minimizing deleterious effects of ischemia-induced BBB disruption.