bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colossal 3D Electrical Anisotropy of MoAlB Single Crystal
Authors: Huang Yanan , Si Jianguo , Lin Shuai , Lv Hongyan , Song Wenhai , Zhang Ranran , Luo Xuan , Lu Wenjian , Zhu Xuebin , Sun Yuping
Published: November 2021

3D anisotropic functional properties (such as magnetic, electrical, thermal, and optical properties, etc.) in a single material are not only beneficial to the multipurpose of a material, but also helpful to enrich the regulatory dimensionality of functional materials. Herein, a colossal 3D electrical anisotropy of layered MAB‐phase MoAlB single crystal is introduced and dissected. Using high‐temperature metal‐solution method, high‐quality MoAlB single crystals are obtained and a surprisingly strong out‐of‐plane (σa/σb = 1.43 × 105, at 2 K) and in‐plane (σa/σc = 12.12, at 2 K) electrical anisotropies are first observed. After a series of experimental and theoretical investigations, it is demonstrated that the 3D anisotropic crystal structure and chemical bond of MoAlB result in its 3D anisotropic phonon vibration and electronic structure, influence the corresponding electron‐electron as well as electron‐phonon interactions, and finally give rise to its colossal 3D anisotropy of electrical conductivity. This work experimentally and theoretically proves MoAlB single crystal possessing the 3D anisotropies of crystal structure, chemical bond, phonon vibration, electronic structure, and electrical transport, but also provides a promising platform for the future design of functionalized electronic devices as well as synthesis of new and large‐sized in‐plane anisotropic 2D material (MoBene).
Multi‐Layer Printable Lithium Ion Micro‐Batteries with Remarkable Areal Energy Density and Flexibility for Wearable Smart Electronics
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zheng Shuanghao , Zhou Feng , Shi Xiaoyu , Dong Cong , Das Pratteek , Ma Jiaxin , Wang Kai , Wu Zhong‐Shuai
Published: November 2021

Pursuing high areal energy density and developing scalable fabrication strategies of micro‐batteries are the key for the progressive printed microelectronics. Herein, the scalable fabrication of multi‐layer printable lithium ion micro‐batteries (LIMBs) with ultrahigh areal energy density and exceptional flexibility is reported, based on highly conductive and mechanically stable inks by fully incorporating the polyurethane binders in dibasic esters with high‐conducting additives of graphene and carbon nanotubes into active materials to construct a cross‐linked conductive network. Benefiting from relatively higher electrical conductivity (≈7000 mS cm−1) and stably connected network of microelectrodes, the as‐fabricated LIMBs by multi‐layer printing display robust areal capacity of 398 µAh cm−2, and remarkable areal energy density of 695 μWh cm−2, which are much higher than most LIMBs reported. Further, the printed LIMBs show notable capacity retention of 88% after 3000 cycles, and outstanding flexibility without any structure degradation under various torsion states and folding angles. Importantly, a wearable smart bracelet, composed of a serially connected LIMBs pack, a temperature sensor, and a light‐emitting diode, is realized for the automatic detection of body temperature. Therefore, this strategy of fabricating highly conductive and mechanically stable printable ink will open a new avenue for developing high‐performance printable LIMBs for smart microelectronics.
Near‐Infrared‐II Quantum Dots for In Vivo Imaging and Cancer Therapy
Authors: Chen Lu‐Lu , Zhao Liang , Wang Zhi‐Gang , Liu Shu‐Lin , Pang Dai‐Wen
Published: November 2021

In vivo fluorescence imaging can perform real‐time, noninvasive, and high spatiotemporal resolution imaging to accurately obtain the dynamic biological information in vivo, which plays significant roles in the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. However, traditional in vivo fluorescence imaging usually operates in the visible and near‐infrared (NIR)‐I windows, which are severely interfered by the strong tissue absorption, tissue scattering, and autofluorescence. The emergence of NIR‐II imaging at 1000–1700 nm significantly breaks through the imaging limitations in deep tissues, due to less tissue scattering and absorption. Benefiting from the outstanding optical properties of NIR‐II quantum dots (QDs), such as high brightness and good photostability, in vivo fluorescence imaging exhibits excellent temporal‐spatial resolution and large penetration depth, and QDs have become a kind of promising fluorescent biomarkers in the field of in vivo fluorescence imaging. Herein, the authors review NIR‐II QDs from preparation to modification, and summarize recent applications of NIR‐II QDs, including in vivo imaging and imaging‐guided therapies. Finally, they discuss the special concerns when NIR‐II QDs are shifted from in vivo imaging applications to further in‐depth applications.
Multifunctional Flavonoid‐Silica Nanohydrogel Enables Simultaneous Inhibition of Tumor Recurrence and Bacterial Infection in Post‐Surgical Treatment
Authors: Chu Binbin , Wu Sicong , Yang Yunmin , Song Bin , Wang Houyu , He Yao
Published: November 2021

A strategy to synthesize water‐soluble and fluorescent flavonoid‐silica nanocomposites (FSiNCs) simultaneously featuring anti‐tumor and anti‐bacterial abilities is developed. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the therapeutic effects of FSiNCs are associated with the selective accumulation of reactive oxide species in both tumor and bacteria cells. Following that, the resultant FSiNCs are incorporated with thrombin and fibrinogen, being sprayed onto the tumor surgical wound site to in situ form fibrin gel (FSiNCs@Fibrin). Remarkably, such FSiNCs@Fibrin results in an ≈18‐fold reduction in intratumoral bacteria numbers and ≈12‐fold decrease in tumor regrowth compared to equivalent free flavonoid‐loaded gel.
Epitaxial Growth of Step‐Like Cr2S3 Lateral Homojunctions Towards Versatile Conduction Polarities and Enhanced Transistor Performances
Authors: Cui Fangfang , Zhao Xiaoxu , Tang Bin , Zhu Lijie , Huan Yahuan , Chen Qing , Liu Zheng , Zhang Yanfeng
Published: November 2021

For expanding the applications of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), integrating functional devices with diverse conduction polarities in the same parent material is a very promising direction. Improving the contact issue at the metal‐semiconductor interface also holds fundamental significance. To achieve these concurrently, step‐like Cr2S3 vertical stacks with varied thicknesses are achieved via a one‐step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method route. Various types of 2D Cr2S3 lateral homojunctions are thus naturally evolved, that is, pm‐ambipolar/n, p/ambipolar, ambipolar/n, and nm‐ambipolar/n junctions, allowing the integration of diverse conduction polarities in single Cr2S3 homojunctions. Significantly, on‐state current density and field‐effect mobility of the thinner 2D Cr2S3 flakes stacked below are detected to be ≈5 and ≈6 times increased in the lateral homojunctions, respectively. This work should hereby provide insights for designing 2D functional devices with simpler structures, for example, multipolar field‐effect transistors, photodetectors, and inverters, and provide fundamental references for optimizing the electrical performances of 2D materials related devices.
A Novel Strategy in Electromagnetic Wave Absorbing and Shielding Materials Design: Multi‐Responsive Field Effect
Authors: Zhao Yue , Hao Lele , Zhang Xindan , Tan Shujuan , Li Haohang , Zheng Jing , Ji Guangbin
Published: November 2021

The electromagnetic (EM) devices have been widely used in communication, electrical engineering, and medical care. However, EM device is a double‐edged sword for its convenience is followed by signal pollution and radiation. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) combat has brought lots of attention to researchers in this field. Researchers have made great efforts in developing electromagnetic wave absorbing and shielding (EMAS) materials to reduce EM wave power density to solve the above problem. However, the great majority of reported EMAS materials are powders and coatings, which possess merely EMAS property. Modern practical application has abundant multiple scenes, including high temperature, intense light, water flow, etc. Under the circumstances, EMAS materials should be functionalized with outstanding tunable absorption bands. Based on field theory in physics, multiexternal fields‐responsive materials are an effective method to deal with the above urgently unsolved problem. Thus, herein, different external field‐responsive materials, including temperature, light, space–time, electrical, wind, density, and flow fields, are focused on. Various action mechanisms, materials synthesis methods, and different macrostructures are summarized in detail. Meanwhile, the developing trends of novel external field‐responsive materials are also discussed in order. Finally, the challenges of designing new type of EMAS devices are mentioned.
Energy Distribution in Tin Halide Perovskite
Authors: Di Girolamo Diego , Blundo Elena , Folpini Giulia , Ponti Corinna , Li Guixiang , Aldamasy Mahmoud H. , Iqbal Zafar , Pascual Jorge , Nasti Giuseppe , Li Meng , Avolio Roberto , Russina Olga , Latini Alessandro , Alharthi Fahad , Felici Marco , Petrozza Annamaria , Polimeni Antonio , Abate Antonio
Published: December 2021

The power conversion efficiency of the formamidinium tin iodide (FASI) solar cells constantly increases, with the current record power conversion efficiency approaching 15%. The literature reports a broad anomaly distribution of the photoluminescence (PL) peak position. The PL anomaly is particularly relevant to photovoltaic applications since it directly links the material's bandgap and subgap defects energy, which are crucial to extracting its full photovoltaic potential. Herein, the PL of FASI polycrystalline thin film and powder is studied. It is found that a distribution of PL peak positions in line with the distribution available in the literature systematically. The distribution in PL is linked to the octahedral tilting and Sn off‐centering within the perovskite lattice, influenced by the procedure used to prepare the material. Our finding paves the way toward controlling the energy distribution of tin perovskite and thus preparing highly efficient tin halide perovskite solar cells.
Reliable screening of beta2‐adrenoceptor ligands from Rheum palmatum L extract using a paper‐based chromatographic column containing the immobilized receptor
Authors: Xiong Xunyu , Nan Yefei , Yu Hongjiang
Published: December 2021

Isolation and identification of bioactive compounds from complex matrices like traditional Chinese medicines still challengeable because of the low specificity, efficiency and high false positive rate in the current screening methods. Herein, we reported a method for screening ligands of beta2‐adrenoceptor from Rheum palmatum L extract. The method involved in immobilization of beta2‐adrenoceptor on a paper material of polytetrafluoroethylene membrane by a site‐specific covalent method, characterization of the immobilized receptor by X ray photoelectron spectroscopy and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, parallel screening of Rheum palmatum L extract by immobilized beta2‐adrenoceptor column and the control column, identification of the screened compounds by mass spectrometry and the binding mechanism analysis of the screened compounds with beta2‐adrenoceptor by molecular docking. Morphological analysis showed beta2‐adrenoceptor was successfully immobilized. Aloe‐emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion were screened as the potential bioactive compounds binding to the receptor from Rheum palmatum L extract. Van der Waals force and π‐π stacking interactions were the main driving forces for these compounds to bind with the receptor. These results indicated that paper‐based receptor chromatography with a peak‐missing strategy is reliable in screening and identifying bioactive compounds within medicinal plants that bind to G protein coupled receptors.
MEOX1 suppresses the progression of lung cancer cells by inhibiting the cell‐cycle checkpoint gene CCNB1
Authors: Xiao Xie , Rui Bi , Rui Hu , Ju Mei , Hongtao Liu
Published: November 2021

The previous study has shown that transcriptional factor MEOX1 could promote proliferation and sphere formation ability of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, however, we found that MEOX1 mRNA was lowly expressed in lung cancer tissues compared to that in normal adjacent tissues, and MEOX1 mRNA expression was positively correlated with the survival of lung cancer patients, especially in lung adenocarcinoma patients. Functional experiments using in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that stable overexpression of MEOX1 significantly suppressed the proliferation ability, promoted cell cycle arrest in G2 phase, and apoptotic ability of NSCLC cells. Additionally, it was identified that MEOX1 and CCNB1 mRNA expression exhibited a negative correlation in different lung cancer tissues. Mechanistically, we indicated that MEOX1 bound to the transcriptional initiation site of CCNB1 and thus suppressed CCNB1 expression. Notably, CCNB1 overexpression rescued the inhibition of MEOX1 overexpression on NSCLC progression. This study deciphers a novel MEOX1/CCNB1 axis suppressing NSCLC progression.
Conformal blocks from celestial gluon amplitudes. Part II. Single-valued correlators
Authors: Fan Wei , Fotopoulos Angelos , Stieberger Stephan , Taylor Tomasz R. , Zhu Bin
Published: November 2021

Abstract

In a recent paper, here referred to as part I, we considered the celestial four-gluon amplitude with one gluon represented by the shadow transform of the corresponding primary field operator. This correlator is ill-defined because it contains branch points related to the presence of conformal blocks with complex spin. In this work, we adopt a procedure similar to minimal models and construct a single-valued completion of the shadow correlator, in the limit when the shadow is “soft.” By following the approach of Dotsenko and Fateev, we obtain an integral representation of such a single-valued correlator. This allows inverting the shadow transform and constructing a single-valued celestial four-gluon amplitude. This amplitude is drastically different from the original Mellin amplitude. It is defined over the entire complex plane and has correct crossing symmetry, OPE and bootstrap properties. It agrees with all known OPEs of celestial gluon operators. The conformal block spectrum consists of primary fields with dimensions ∆ = m + iλ, with integer m ≥ 1 and various, but always integer spin, in all group representations contained in the product of two adjoint representations.
Mortality risk stratification in isolated severe traumatic brain injury using the revised cardiac risk index
Authors: Forssten Maximilian Peter , Bass Gary Alan , Scheufler Kai-Michael , Mohammad Ismail Ahmad , Cao Yang , Martin Niels Douglas , Sarani Babak , Mohseni Shahin
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) continues to be a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. As cardiovascular events are among the most common extracranial causes of death after a severe TBI, the Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) could potentially aid in the risk stratification of this patient population. This investigation aimed to determine the association between the RCRI and in-hospital deaths among isolated severe TBI patients.

Methods

All adult patients registered in the TQIP database between 2013 and 2017 who suffered an isolated severe TBI, defined as a head AIS ≥ 3 with an AIS ≤ 1 in all other body regions, were included. Patients were excluded if they had a head AIS of 6. The association between different RCRI scores (0, 1, 2, 3, ≥ 4) and in-hospital mortality was analyzed using a Poisson regression model with robust standard errors while adjusting for potential confounders, with RCRI 0 as the reference.

Results

259,399 patients met the study’s inclusion criteria. RCRI 2 was associated with a 6% increase in mortality risk [adjusted IRR (95% CI) 1.06 (1.01–1.12),p = 0.027], RCRI 3 was associated with a 17% increased risk of mortality [adjusted IRR (95% CI) 1.17 (1.05–1.31),p = 0.004], and RCRI ≥ 4 was associated with a 46% increased risk of in-hospital mortality [adjusted IRR(95% CI) 1.46 (1.11–1.90),p = 0.006], compared to RCRI 0.

Conclusion

An elevated RCRI ≥ 2 is significantly associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality among patients with an isolated severe traumatic brain injury. The simplicity and bedside applicability of the index makes it an attractive choice for risk stratification in this patient population.
Exploring thermosonication as non-chemical disinfection technology for strawberries
Authors: Nicolau-Lapeña Iolanda , Aguiló-Aguayo Ingrid , Anguera Marina , Viñas Inmaculada , Abadias Maribel
Published: November 2021

The scope of this work was to study the efficacy of the combination of sonication at 35 or 130 kHz with three temperature treatments: 20, 50 and 55 ºC, on the population of artificially inoculated Listeria innocua in strawberries, and on their overall quality. Prior in vitro results showed that temperature was the main factor in decreasing L. innocua population: a maximum of 3.8 log reductions was obtained with sonication at 130 kHz and 55 ºC for 15 min Treatments combining—or not—sonication at 130 kHz with mild temperatures (50 and 55 ºC) for 5 or 10 min were able to decrease about 3 log units of artificially inoculated L. innocua in strawberries and about 2 log units of total aerobic mesophilic and yeasts and molds populations naturally occurring in strawberries. Thermosonication treatments did not exert a detrimental impact on fruit quality, except for those at the higher temperatures and times, which caused a change in color to more purplish and a little softening of the strawberries, which were proposed to be assessed for further processing other than fresh commercialization. Overall, the impact of sonication in fresh strawberries needs to be further investigated to find the adequate conditions to enhance the effects of temperature itself.
Automated multi-dose dispensing in persons with and without Alzheimer’s disease—impacts on pharmacotherapy
Authors: Vallius Sanna , Taipale Heidi , Koponen Marjaana , Tolppanen Anna-Maija , Tanskanen Antti , Hartikainen Sirpa , Tiihonen Miia
Published: November 2021

Purpose

We investigated the drug use before and after transition to automated multi-dose dispensing (MDD) service among persons with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and compared whether the changes were similar in persons without AD.

Methods

The register-based Finnish nationwide MEDALZ cohort includes 70,718 community-dwelling persons diagnosed with AD during 2005–2011. Each person who initiated MDD was matched in both groups with a comparison person without MDD by age, gender and for persons with AD, also time since AD diagnosis at the start of MDD. The study cohort included 15,604 persons with AD in MDD and 15,604 no-MDD, and 5224 persons without AD in MDD and 5224 no-MDD. Point prevalence of drug use was assessed every 3 months, from 1 year before to 2 years after the start of MDD and compared between persons in MDD to those who did not have MDD.

Results

MDD was started on average 2.9 (SD 2.1) years after AD diagnosis. At the start of MDD, the prevalence of drug use increased especially for antipsychotics, antidepressants, opioids, paracetamol and use of ≥ 10 drugs among persons with and without AD. Prevalence of benzodiazepine use (from 12% 12 months before to 17% at start of MDD), memantine (from 29 to 46%) and ≥ 3 psychotropics (from 3.2 to 6.0%) increased among persons with AD. Decreasing trend was observed for benzodiazepine-related drugs, urinary antispasmodics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Conclusion

MDD seems to be initiated when use of psychotropics is initiated and the number of drugs increases.
The Effect of Size and Asymmetry at Birth on Brain Injury and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Parekh Shalin A. , Cox Stephany M. , Barkovich A. James , Chau Vann , Steurer Martina A. , Xu Duan , Miller Steven P. , McQuillen Patrick S. , Peyvandi Shabnam
Published: December 2021

Poor and asymmetric fetal growth have been associated with neonatal brain injury (BI) and worse neurodevelopmental outcomes (NDO) in the growth-restricted population due to placental insufficiency. We tested the hypothesis that postnatal markers of fetal growth (birthweight (BW), head circumference (HC), and head to body symmetry) are associated with preoperative white matter injury (WMI) and NDO in infants with single ventricle physiology (SVP) and d-transposition of great arteries (TGA). 173 term newborns (106 TGA; 67 SVP) at two sites had pre-operative brain MRI to assess for WMI and measures of microstructural brain development. NDO was assessed at 30 months with the Bayley Scale of Infant Development-II (n = 69). We tested the association between growth parameters at birth with the primary outcome of WMI on the pre-operative brain MRI. Secondary outcomes included measures of NDO. Newborns with TGA were more likely to have growth asymmetry with smaller heads relative to weight while SVP newborns were symmetrically small. There was no association between BW, HC or asymmetry and WMI on preoperative brain MRI or with measures of microstructural brain development. Similarly, growth parameters at birth were not associated with NDO at 30 months. In a multivariable model only cardiac lesion and site were associated with NDO. Unlike other high-risk infant populations, postnatal markers of fetal growth including head to body asymmetry that is common in TGA is not associated with brain injury or NDO. Lesion type appears to play a more important role in NDO in CHD.
Leaf-cutting ants’ critical and voluntary thermal limits show complex responses to size, heating rates, hydration level, and humidity
Authors: Lima Cleverson , Helene André Frazão , Camacho Agustín
Published: November 2021

Thermal variation has complex effects on organisms and they respond to these effects through combined behavioral and physiological mechanisms. However, it is less clear how these traits combine in response to changes in body condition (e.g., size, hydration) and environmental factors that surround the heating process (e.g., relative humidity, start temperatures, heating rates). We tested whether these body conditions and environmental factors influence sequentially measured Voluntary Thermal Maxima (VTmax) and Critical Thermal Maxima, (CTmax) in leaf-cutting ants (Atta sexdens rubropilosa, Forel, 1908). VTmax and CTmax reacted differently to changes in body size and relative humidity, but exhibited similar responses to hydration level, start temperature, and heating rate. Strikingly, the VTmax of average-sized workers was closer to their CTmax than the VTmax of their smaller and bigger sisters, suggesting foragers maintain normal behavior at higher temperatures than sister ants that usually perform tasks within the colony. Previous experiments based on hot plate designs might overestimate ants’ CTmax. VTmax and CTmax may respond concomitantly or not to temperature rises, depending on body condition and environmental factors.
Parental occupational exposures in wood-related jobs and risk of testicular germ cell tumours in offspring in NORD-TEST a registry-based case–control study in Finland, Norway, and Sweden
Authors: Corbin Sara , Togawa Kayo , Schüz Joachim , Le Cornet Charlotte , Fervers Beatrice , Feychting Maria , Wiebert Pernilla , Hansen Johnni , Dalton Susanne Oksbjerg , Kjærheim Kristina , Nordby Karl-Christian , Østrem Ragnhild Strand , Skakkebæk Niels E. , Uuksulainen Sanni , Pukkala Eero , Olsson Ann
Published: December 2021

Objective

We assessed the association between parental prenatal exposures in wood-related jobs and risk of testicular germ cell tumours (TGCT) in offspring.

Methods

NORD-TEST, a registry-based case–control study in Sweden, Finland and Norway, included 8112 TGCT cases diagnosed at ages 14–49 years between 1978 and 2012 with no history of prior cancer, and up to four controls matched to each case on year and country of birth. Parents of cases and controls were identified via linkages with the population registries and their occupational information was retrieved from censuses. The Nordic Occupational Cancer Study Job-Exposure Matrix was used to assign occupational exposures to each parent. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Maternal wood-related job was not associated with the risk of TGCT in offspring (OR 1.08, CI 0.55–2.14), while paternal wood-related job was associated with a decreased risk of TGCT in offspring (OR 0.85, CI 0.75–0.96). None of the specific wood-related jobs, such as upholsterers, sawyers, or construction carpenters, were significantly associated with a risk of TGCT. Only exception was observed in a sensitivity analysis which showed an increased risk in the small group of sons of fathers working as ‘cabinetmakers and joiners’ the year before conception (OR of 2.06, CI 1.00–4.25).

Conclusion

This large-scale NORD-TEST analysis provided no evidence of an association between parental prenatal exposures in wood-related jobs and TGCT in sons.
Effect of climatic oscillations on small pelagic fisheries and its economic profit in the Gulf of Cadiz
Authors: Castro-Gutiérrez Jairo , Cabrera-Castro Remedios , Czerwinski Ivone Alejandra , Báez José Carlos
Published: November 2021

Several studies have shown the effect of climatic oscillations on fisheries. Small pelagic fish are of special global economic importance and very sensitive to fluctuations in the physical environment in which they live. The main goal of this study was to explore the relationship between the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), the East Atlantic pattern (EA), and the Arctic Oscillation (AO) on the landings and first sale prices of the most representative small pelagic commercial species of the purse-seine fisheries in the Gulf of Cadiz (North East Atlantic), the European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and the European sardine Sardine pilchardus. Generalised linear models (GLMs) with different data transformations and distribution errors were generated to analyse these relationships. The best results of the models were obtained by applying a moving average of order 3 to the dataset with a double weighted median. Our results demonstrate relationships between NAO, AO, and EA and European anchovy and sardine landings. These cause an indirect effect on the first sale price in markets through catch variations, which affect the price according to the law of supply and demand. The limitations of this study and management implications are discussed.
A new color image encryption technique using DNA computing and Chaos-based substitution box
Authors: Masood Fawad , Masood Junaid , Zhang Lejun , Jamal Sajjad Shaukat , Boulila Wadii , Rehman Sadaqat Ur , Khan Fadia Ali , Ahmad Jawad
Published: December 2021

In many cases, images contain sensitive information and patterns that require secure processing to avoid risk. It can be accessed by unauthorized users who can illegally exploit them to threaten the safety of people’s life and property. Protecting the privacies of the images has quickly become one of the biggest obstacles that prevent further exploration of image data. In this paper, we propose a novel privacy-preserving scheme to protect sensitive information within images. The proposed approach combines deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing code, Arnold transformation (AT), and a chaotic dynamical system to construct an initial S-box. Various tests have been conducted to validate the randomness of this newly constructed S-box. These tests include National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) analysis, histogram analysis (HA), nonlinearity analysis (NL), strict avalanche criterion (SAC), bit independence criterion (BIC), bit independence criterion strict avalanche criterion (BIC-SAC), bit independence criterion nonlinearity (BIC-NL), equiprobable input/output XOR distribution, and linear approximation probability (LP). The proposed scheme possesses higher security wit NL = 103.75, SAC ≈ 0.5 and LP = 0.1560. Other tests such as BIC-SAC and BIC-NL calculated values are 0.4960 and 112.35, respectively. The results show that the proposed scheme has a strong ability to resist many attacks. Furthermore, the achieved results are compared to existing state-of-the-art methods. The comparison results further demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Oncology care providers’ awareness and practice related to physical activity promotion for breast cancer survivors and barriers and facilitators to such promotion: a nationwide cross-sectional web-based survey
Authors: Shimizu Yoichi , Tsuji Katsunori , Ochi Eisuke , Okubo Ryo , Kuchiba Aya , Shimazu Taichi , Tatematsu Noriatsu , Sakurai Naomi , Iwata Hiroji , Matsuoka Yutaka J.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

A known barrier to getting breast cancer survivors (BCSs) to engage in habitual exercise is a lack of information on recommended physical activity levels provided to them by oncology care providers (OCPs). However, the actual situation in Japan remains unclear. This study sought to clarify OCPs’ awareness and practice related to Japan’s physical activity recommendation for BCSs and to ascertain barriers to routine information provision.

Methods

We conducted a web-based survey involving members of the Japanese Breast Cancer Society (JBCS) and the Japanese Association of Cancer Rehabilitation between Dec. 2018 and Feb. 2019.

Results

Of 10,830 members, 1,029 (9.5%) responded. Only 19.1% were aware of the details of the JBCS physical activity recommendation, and only 21.2% routinely provided physical activity information to BCSs. Factors related to being aware of the recommendation details were 1) availability of the guidelines, 2) experience reading relevant parts of the guidelines, and 3) involvement in multidisciplinary team case meetings. Barriers to routine information provision were 1) absence of perceived work responsibility, 2) underestimation of survivors’ needs, 3) lack of resources, 4) lack of self-efficacy about the recommendation, and 5) poor knowledge of the recommendation.

Conclusions

Only one fifth of the OCPs routinely provided physical activity information. Barriers to provision were poor awareness, self-efficacy, and attitudes and unavailable resources. The physical activity recommendation needs to be disseminated to all OCPs and an information delivery system needs to be established for BCSs to receive appropriate information and support to promote their engagement in habitual physical activity.
Reuniting the Ötztal Nappe: the tectonic evolution of the Schneeberg Complex
Authors: Klug Linus , Froitzheim Nikolaus
Published: November 2021

The Ötztal Nappe in the Eastern Alps is a thrust sheet of Variscan metamorphic basement rocks and their Mesozoic sediment cover. It has been argued that the main part of the Ötztal Nappe and its southeastern part, the Texel Complex, belong to two different Austroalpine nappe systems and are separated by a major tectonic contact. Different locations have been proposed for this boundary. We use microprobe mapping of garnet and structural field geology to test the hypothesis of such a tectonic separation. The Pre-Mesozoic rocks in the area include several lithotectonic units: Ötztal Complex s.str., Texel Complex, Laas Complex, Schneeberg Complex, and Schneeberg Frame Zone. With the exception of the Schneeberg Complex which contains only single-phased (Eoalpine, i.e. Late Cretaceous) garnet, all these units have two-phased garnet with Variscan cores and Eoalpine rims. The Schneeberg Complex represents Paleozoic sediments with only low-grade (sub-garnet-grade) Variscan metamorphism which was thrust over the other units and their Mesozoic cover (Brenner Mesozoic) during an early stage of the Eoalpine orogeny, before the peak of Eoalpine metamorphism and garnet growth. Folding of the thrust later modified the structural setting so that the Schneeberg Thrust was locally inverted and the Schneeberg Complex came to lie under the Ötztal Complex s.str. The hypothesized Ötztal/Texel boundaries of earlier authors either cut across undisturbed lithological layering or are unsupported by any structural evidence. Our results support the existence of one coherent Ötztal Nappe, including the Texel Complex, and showing a southeastward increase of Eoalpine metamorphism which resulted from southeastward subduction.
Prediction of outcome after spinal surgery—using The Dialogue Support based on the Swedish national quality register
Authors: Fritzell Peter , Mesterton Johan , Hagg Olle
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the predictive precision of the Dialogue Support, a tool for additional help in shared decision-making before surgery of the degenerative spine.

Methods

Data in Swespine (Swedish national quality registry) of patients operated between 2007 and 2019 found the development of prediction algorithms based on logistic regression analyses, where socio-demographic and baseline variables were included. The algorithms were tested in four diagnostic groups: lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and cervical radiculopathy. By random selection, 80% of the study population was used for the prediction of outcome and then tested against the actual outcome of the remaining 20%. Outcome measures were global assessment of pain (GA), and satisfaction with outcome.

Results

Calibration plots demonstrated a high degree of concordance on a group level. On an individual level, ROC curves showed moderate predictive capacity with AUC (area under the curve) values 0.67–0.68 for global assessment and 0.6–0.67 for satisfaction.

Conclusion

The Dialogue Support can serve as an aid to both patient and surgeon when discussing and deciding on surgical treatment of degenerative conditions in the lumbar and cervical spine.

Level of evidence

I.
Laminectomy alone versus laminectomy with fusion for degenerative cervical myelopathy: a long-term study of a national cohort
Authors: de Dios Eddie , Heary Robert F. , Lindhagen Lars , MacDowall Anna
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To compare patient-reported 5-year clinical outcomes between laminectomy alone versus laminectomy with instrumented fusion in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy in a population-based cohort.

Methods

All patients in the national Swedish Spine Register (Swespine) from January 2006 until March 2019, with degenerative cervical myelopathy, were assessed. Multiple imputation and propensity score matching based on clinicodemographic and radiographic parameters were used to compare patients treated with laminectomy alone with patients treated with laminectomy plus posterior-lateral instrumented fusion. The primary outcome measure was the European Myelopathy Score, a validated patient-reported outcome measure. The scale ranges from 5 to 18, with lower scores reflecting more severe myelopathy.

Results

Among 967 eligible patients, 717 (74%) patients were included. Laminectomy alone was performed on 412 patients (mean age 68 years; 149 women [36%]), whereas instrumented fusion was added for 305 patients (mean age 68 years; 119 women [39%]). After imputation, the propensity for smoking, worse myelopathy scores, spondylolisthesis, and kyphosis was slightly higher in the fusion group. After imputation and propensity score matching, there were on average 212 pairs patients with a 5-year follow-up in each group. There were no important differences in patient-reported clinical outcomes between the methods after 5 years. Due to longer hospitalization times and implant-related costs, the mean cost increase per instrumented patient was approximately $4700 US.

Conclusions

Instrumented fusions generated higher costs and were not associated with superior long-term clinical outcomes. These findings are based on a national cohort and can thus be regarded as generalizable.
Spontaneous angiogram-negative subarachnoid hemorrhage: a retrospective single center cohort study
Authors: Achrén Alexander , Raj Rahul , Siironen Jari , Laakso Aki , Marjamaa Johan
Published: December 2021

Background

Spontaneous angiogram-negative subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is considered a benign illness with little of the aneurysmal SAH-related complications. We describe the clinical course, SAH-related complications, and outcome of patients with angiogram-negative SAH.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all adult patients admitted to a neurosurgical intensive care unit during 2004–2018 due to spontaneous angiogram-negative SAH. Our primary outcome was a dichotomized Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 3 months. We assessed factors that associated with outcome using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

Of the 108 patients included, 84% had a favorable outcome (GOS 4–5), and mortality was 5% within 1 year. The median age was 58 years, 51% were female, and 93% had a low-grade SAH (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grading I–III). The median number of angiograms performed per patient was two. Thirty percent of patients showed radiological signs of acute hydrocephalus, 28% were acutely treated with an external ventricular drain, 13% received active vasospasm treatment and 17% received a permanent shunt. In the multivariable logistic regression model, only acute hydrocephalus associated with unfavorable outcome (odds ratio = 4.05, 95% confidence interval = 1.05–15.73). Two patients had a new bleeding episode.

Conclusion

SAH-related complications such as hydrocephalus and vasospasm are common after angiogram-negative SAH. Still, most patients had a favorable outcome. Only acute hydrocephalus was associated with unfavorable outcome. The high rate of SAH-related complications highlights the need for neurosurgical care in these patients.
Diagnosing selective mutism: a critical review of measures for clinical practice and research
Authors: Rodrigues Pereira Chaya , Ensink Judith B. M. , Güldner† Max G. , Lindauer Ramón J. L. , De Jonge Maretha V. , Utens Elisabeth M. W. J.
Published: December 2021

Selective mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder (prevalence 1–2%), characterized by the consistent absence of speaking in specific situations (e.g., in school), while adequately speaking in other situations (e.g., at home). SM can have a debilitating impact on the psychosocial and academic functioning in childhood. The use of psychometrically sound and cross-culturally valid instruments is urgently needed.

The aim of this paper is to identify and review the available assessment instruments for screening or diagnosing the core SM symptomatology. We conducted a systematic search in 6 databases. We identified 1469 studies from the last decade and investigated the measures having been used in a diagnostic assessment of SM. Studies were included if original data on the assessment or treatment of SM were reported. It was found that 38% of published studies on SM reporting original data did not report the use of any standardized or objective measure to investigate the core symptomatology. The results showed that many different questionnaires, interviews and observational instruments were used, many of these only once. The Selective Mutism Questionnaire (SMQ), Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (ADIS) and School Speech Questionnaire (SSQ) were used most often. Psychometric data on these instruments are emerging. Beyond these commonly used instruments, more recent developed instruments, such as the Frankfurt Scale of SM (FSSM) and the Teacher Telephone Interview for SM (TTI-SM), are described, as well as several interesting observational measures. The strengths and weaknesses of the instruments are discussed and recommendations are made for their use in clinical practice and research.
Treatment outcome of an intensive psychiatric home treatment for children and adolescents: a non-randomized controlled pilot evaluation
Authors: Graf Daniel , Lerch Stefan , Böhnke Ulrich , Reichl Corinna , Kindler Jochen , Koenig Julian , Kaess Michael
Published: December 2021

Home treatment (HT) may offer an effective and cost-efficient alternative to inpatient treatment for children and adolescents with acute mental disorders. This study introduces and evaluates a pilot HT project from Bern, Switzerland, with HT completely replacing an inpatient treatment. A total ofn = 133 children and adolescents with acute mental disorders and inpatient treatment needs were treated either in the new HT program (n = 37) or in an active control group with inpatient treatment as usual (I-TAU,n = 96). Psychopathological burden was assessed by the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale for Children and Adolescents clinician-rated (HoNOSCA) and self-rated (HoNOSCA-SR) at the time of admission and at discharge. Treatment effects were assessed and compared using Augmented Inverse Probability Weights to adjust for baseline differences and to control for treatment duration. Participants ranged in age from 6 to 17 years (M = 13.71 years,SD = 2.93), 54% were female. HT resulted in significant improvements in the HoNOSCA (d = 0.79,p < .001) and HoNOSCA-SR (d = 0.63,p = .006). No significant differences on treatment effects were observed between HT and the reference group I-TAU in the HoNOSCA (d = 0.01,p = .96) or the HoNOSCA-SR (d = 0.11,p = .63). Overall, results indicate HT to be an effective alternative for children and adolescents with acute mental health disorders instead of hospitalization. Further evaluation with random group allocation and long-term follow-up should attempt to replicate and extend the current findings.
Interrelation between weight and weight stigma in youth: is there evidence for an obesogenic vicious cycle?
Authors: Gmeiner Michaela Silvia , Warschburger Petra
Published: December 2021

Many children and adolescents are confronted with weight stigma, which can cause psychological and physical burden. While theoretical frameworks postulate a vicious cycle linking stigma and weight status, there is a lack of empirical evidence. The aim was to analyze the longitudinal bidirectional relationship between body weight and weight stigma among children and adolescents. The sample consisted of 1381 children and adolescents, aged 9–19 years at baseline (49.2% female; 78% normal weight), from a prospective study encompassing three measurement points over 6 years. Participants provided self-reported data on experienced weight-related teasing and weight/height (as indicators for weight status). Latent structural equation modelling was used to examine the relationship between weight-related teasing experiences and weight. Additionally, gender-related differences were analyzed. Between the first two waves, there was evidence for a bidirectional relationship between weight and weight-related teasing. Between the last two waves, teasing predicted weight, but there was no reverse association. No gender-related differences were found. The data indicate a reciprocal association between weight stigma and body weight across weight groups and independent of gender. To prevent vicious cycles, approaches that simultaneously promote healthy weight and reduce weight stigma are required.
Visual aspect-oriented modeling of explorable extended reality environments
Authors: Flotyński Jakub
Published: November 2021

The availability of various extended reality (XR) systems for tracking users’ and objects’ behavior opens new opportunities for analyzing users’ and objects’ interactions and autonomous actions. Such analysis can be especially useful and attainable to domain experts when it is based on domain knowledge related to a particular application, liberating the analysts from going into technical details of 3D content. Analysis of XR users’ and objects’ behavior can provide knowledge about the users’ experience, interests and preferences, as well as objects’ features, which may be valuable in various domains, e.g., training, design and marketing. However, the available methods and tools for building XR focus on 3D modeling and programming rather than knowledge representation, making them unsuitable for domain-oriented analysis. In this paper, a new visual approach to modeling explorable XR environments is proposed. It is based on a semantic representation of aspects, which extend the primary code of XR environments to register their behavior in a form explorable with reasoning and queries, appropriate for high-level analysis in arbitrary domains. It permits domain experts to comprehend and analyze what happened in an XR environment regarding users’ and objects’ actions and interactions. The approach has been implemented as an extension to MS Visual Studio and demonstrated in an explorable immersive service guide for household appliances. The evaluation results show that the approach enables efficient development of explorable XR and may be useful for people with limited technical skills.
Efficient Semidefinite Programming with Approximate ADMM
Authors: Rontsis Nikitas , Goulart Paul , Nakatsukasa Yuji
Published: November 2021

Tenfold improvements in computation speed can be brought to the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) for Semidefinite Programming with virtually no decrease in robustness and provable convergence simply by projecting approximately to the Semidefinite cone. Instead of computing the projections via “exact” eigendecompositions that scale cubically with the matrix size and cannot be warm-started, we suggest using state-of-the-art factorization-free, approximate eigensolvers, thus achieving almost quadratic scaling and the crucial ability of warm-starting. Using a recent result from Goulart et al. (Linear Algebra Appl 594:177–192, 2020.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.laa.2020.02.014), we are able to circumvent the numerical instability of the eigendecomposition and thus maintain tight control on the projection accuracy. This in turn guarantees convergence, either to a solution or a certificate of infeasibility, of the ADMM algorithm. To achieve this, we extend recent results from Banjac et al. (J Optim Theory Appl 183(2):490–519, 2019.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10957-019-01575-y) to prove that reliable infeasibility detection can be performed with ADMM even in the presence of approximation errors. In all of the considered problems of SDPLIB that “exact” ADMM can solve in a few thousand iterations, our approach brings a significant, up to 20x, speedup without a noticeable increase in ADMM’s iterations.
Partisan political connections, ethnic tribalism, and firm performance
Authors: Tawiah Vincent , Zakari Abdulrasheed , Wang Yan
Published: November 2021

This paper investigates the impact of partisan political connections and ethnic tribalism on firm performance in a hyper-partisan political environment. Although existing literature generally shows that political connections improve firm performance, we argue that under the theory of electoral competition, political connections can be a double-edged sword because of the tension of partisan politics. Hence, we expect that changes in government can affect firm performance. Using a unique dataset from Nigeria, we find that political connections are valuable when a firm's patron party is in power, whereas they are detrimental to firm value when their patron party is in opposition. Furthermore, we find that CEO ethnic tribal affiliation with the President improves firm performance even when the firm's patron party is in opposition. This paper extends the literature on political connections and helps managers and policymakers understand the timely use of political connections in a hyper-partisan environment.