bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emerging and legacy PFAS and cytokine homeostasis in women of childbearing age
Authors: Nian Min , Zhou Wei , Feng Yan , Wang Yan , Chen Qian , Zhang Jun
Published: April 2022

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread chemicals. Legacy PFAS have been phased out of production in most developed countries and emerging PFAS (short-chain PFAS and polyfluorinated compounds) are used as legacy PFAS alternatives. The effect of legacy and emerging PFAS on cytokine homeostasis in human remains poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between legacy and emerging PFAS and cytokine profiles, and identify the main contributors to the disturbance of cytokine homeostasis. We quantified 21 PFAS in 198 Chinese women of childbearing age from 2015 to 2016. 13 cytokines were measured using the Meso Scale Discovery U-PLEX and V-PLEX platforms. The associations between PFAS exposure and cytokine levels were assessed using multiple linear regression (single-exposure), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models (PFAS mixture exposure). In single PFAS models, legacy and alternative PFAS were positively associated with Th1 and Treg cytokines, and negatively associated with Th2 and Th17 cytokines. For instance, each ln-unit increase in 6:2 chlorinated perfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acid (6:2 Cl-PFESA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was associated with a decrease in IL-10 by − 0.228 (95% CI: − 0.336, − 0.120), − 0.153 (95% CI: − 0.277, − 0.030), and − 0.174 (95% CI: − 0.339, − 0.010), respectively. The BKMR model showed a significantly positive association of PFAS mixture with TGF-β and a negative association with IL-10. Overall, these results indicate that both legacy and emerging PFAS may affect the homeostasis of cytokines.
Pan-cancer prognostic genetic mutations and clinicopathological factors associated with survival outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Gammall Jurgita , Lai Alvina G.
Published: April 2022

Cancer is a leading cause of death, accounting for almost 10 million deaths annually worldwide. Personalised therapies harnessing genetic and clinical information may improve survival outcomes and reduce the side effects of treatments. The aim of this study is to appraise published evidence on clinicopathological factors and genetic mutations (single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) associated with prognosis across 11 cancer types: lung, colorectal, breast, prostate, melanoma, renal, glioma, bladder, leukaemia, endometrial, ovarian. A systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE and Europe PMC was conducted from database inception to July 1, 2021. 2497 publications from PubMed/MEDLINE and 288 preprints from Europe PMC were included. Subsequent reference and citation search was conducted and a further 39 articles added. 2824 articles were reviewed by title/abstract and 247 articles were selected for systematic review. Majority of the articles were retrospective cohort studies focusing on one cancer type, 8 articles were on pan-cancer level and 6 articles were reviews. Studies analysing clinicopathological factors included 908,567 patients and identified 238 factors, including age, gender, stage, grade, size, site, subtype, invasion, lymph nodes. Genetic studies included 210,802 patients and identified 440 gene mutations associated with cancer survival, including genes TP53, BRCA1, BRCA2, BRAF, KRAS, BIRC5. We generated a comprehensive knowledge base of biomarkers that can be used to tailor treatment according to patients’ unique genetic and clinical characteristics. Our pan-cancer investigation uncovers the biomarker landscape and their combined influence that may help guide health practitioners and researchers across the continuum of cancer care from drug development to long-term survivorship.
Machine learning approaches to predicting no-shows in pediatric medical appointment
Authors: Liu Dianbo , Shin Won-Yong , Sprecher Eli , Conroy Kathleen , Santiago Omar , Wachtel Gal , Santillana Mauricio
Published: April 2022

Patients’ no-shows, scheduled but unattended medical appointments, have a direct negative impact on patients’ health, due to discontinuity of treatment and late presentation to care. They also lead to inefficient use of medical resources in hospitals and clinics. The ability to predict a likely no-show in advance could enable the design and implementation of interventions to reduce the risk of it happening, thus improving patients’ care and clinical resource allocation. In this study, we develop a new interpretable deep learning-based approach for predicting the risk of no-shows at the time when a medical appointment is first scheduled. The retrospective study was conducted in an academic pediatric teaching hospital with a 20% no-show rate. Our approach tackles several challenges in the design of a predictive model by (1) adopting a data imputation method for patients with missing information in their records (77% of the population), (2) exploiting local weather information to improve predictive accuracy, and (3) developing an interpretable approach that explains how a prediction is made for each individual patient. Our proposed neural network-based and logistic regression-based methods outperformed persistence baselines. In an unobserved set of patients, our method correctly identified 83% of no-shows at the time of scheduling and led to a false alert rate less than 17%. Our method is capable of producing meaningful predictions even when some information in a patient’s records is missing. We find that patients’ past no-show record is the strongest predictor. Finally, we discuss several potential interventions to reduce no-shows, such as scheduling appointments of high-risk patients at off-peak times, which can serve as starting point for further studies on no-show interventions.
Association between residential greenspace structures and frailty in a cohort of older Chinese adults
Authors: He Qile , Chang Hao-Ting , Wu Chih-da , Ji John S.
Published: April 2022

Background

Frailty is a late-life clinical syndrome resulting from the accumulation of aging-induced decline. Greenspaces measured with normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) are protective of frailty. However, NDVI is not as informative as structure indices in describing greenspaces’ constitution, shape, and connectivity measured by the largest patch index (LPI), shape index, and cohesion index representing larger, more complex, and more dense greenspaces through higher values. We aim to study the association between greenness structures and frailty in a cohort of Chinese older adults.

Methods

We included older adults from 2008–2014 China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). We used greenspace indices from satellite to quantify structures (area-edge, shape, proximity) at county-level, and calculated frailty index (FI) as an outcome. We did cross-sectional analyses using linear and logistical regression, and longitudinal analyses using the generalized estimating equations (GEE).

Results

Among 8776 baseline participants, mean LPI, shape, cohesion, and FI are 7.93, 8.11, 97.6, and 0.17. In cross-sectional analyses, we find negative dose-response relationships for greenspace structures and frailty, especially in females, centenarians, illiterate people, city residents, unmarried people, and individuals with increased frailty. Participants living in the highest quartile of LPI, shape, and cohesion have 32% (95%CI: 21–42%), 35% (95%CI: 24–44%), and 37% (95%CI: 26%–46%) lower odds of frailty than the lowest quartile. However, we do not find a significant association in longitudinal analyses.

Conclusions

Higher levels of greenness structures (area-edge, shape, and proximity) might be related to lower frailty, while a clear longitudinal benefit cannot be identified in this analysis.
Regulation of Brønsted acid sites to enhance the decarburization of hexoses to furfural
Authors: Zhang Junbo , Ding Guoqiang , Wang Yueqing , Wang Fei , Wang Hongxing , Liu Yubo , Zhu Yulei , Li Yongwang
Published: April 2022

H-Beta zeolites were employed for hexose decarburization to furfural. Excellent performance was achieved over high-Si H-Beta zeolite due to its high B/(B + L) ratio. The synergetic mechanism between *BEA channel and framework-Al is decisive.
Rational design of hydrogen bonds for driving thermo-responsive phase transition and assembly behavior of block copolymer in water
Authors: Lan Huiling , Liu Yuanyuan , Mao Yanli , Han Juan , Wang Yu , Wang Yun , Wang Lei
Published: April 2022

Hydrogen bonding interactions were intensified in the present study by adjusting the chain architectures, which provided a sufficient driving force for UCST phase transition in pure water.
Quantifying DNA damage on paper sensors via controlled template-independent DNA polymerization
Authors: Xue Wei , Zhang Qiang , Chang Yangyang , Brennan John D. , Li Yingfu , Liu Meng
Published: April 2022

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) catalyzes template-independent DNA synthesis in a well-controllable mode on paper, allowing absolute quantification of polymetric labeling of a single 3′-OH present on genomic DNA.
Mechanochemically designed bismuth-based halide perovskites for efficient photocatalytic oxidation of vanillyl alcohol
Authors: Estrada-Pomares José , Ramos-Terrón Susana , Lasarte-Aragonés Guillermo , Lucena Rafael , Cárdenas Soledad , Rodríguez-Padrón Daily , Luque Rafael , de Miguel Gustavo
Published: April 2022

Mechanochemically synthesized bismuth-based halide perovskites are reported as efficient and stable photocatalytic nanomaterials for vanillyl alcohol oxidation to vanillin.
Plasma-enhanced atomic-layer deposition of active layers of nanolaminated (InOx)n(GaZnOy)m for thin-film transistors
Authors: Jeong Hyun-Jun , Lee Won-Bum , Sheng Jiazhen , Lim Jun Hyung , Park Jin-Seong
Published: April 2022

Vertically nano-laminated InOx and GaZnOy semiconductors exhibited excellent controllability of electron carriers in TFTs via PEALD methods.
Cost-effective Sb-doped SnO2 films as stable and efficient alternative transparent conducting electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Reddy Nandarapu Purushotham , Muniramaiah Reddivari , Santhosh Rompivalasa , Fernandes Jean Maria , Padmanaban Dilli Babu , Maharana Gouranga , Kovendhan M. , Paul Joseph D. , Murali Banavoth
Published: April 2022

Sb Doped SnO2 transperent conducting electrode acting as an efficient alternative for use in DSSCs.
Multistage nanostructures induced by precursor phase spontaneous partitioning lead to an excellent thermoelectric performance in Cu1.8S0.8Se0.2
Authors: Xiang Siqi , Liang Yihan , Zhou Mengcheng , Zhang Xinfang
Published: April 2022

Multiscale nanostructures and nano-defects significantly increase the ZT of Cu1.8S0.8Se0.2 thermoelectric material.
A single-molecular ruthenium(ii) complex-based NIR-II fluorophore for enhanced chemo-photothermal therapy
Authors: Li Qianqian , Liu Yishen , Zhao Bingshan , Lei Jiapeng , Lu Siyu , Gong Wanxia , Liang Ke , Wu Junzhu , Hong Xuechuan , Xiao Yuling
Published: April 2022

Novel NIR-II Ru(ii) polypyridyl fluorophore Ru-1 dots were designed and synthesized for synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy against 4T1 tumors through the cell apoptosis pathway.
Sustainable nitrate production out of thin air: the photocatalytic oxidation of molecular nitrogen
Authors: Pashkova Aneta , Burek Bastien O. , Bloh Jonathan Z.
Published: April 2022

Dinitrogen can be photocatalytically oxidized by TiO2 to nitrogen oxides and nitrates. This enables the sustainable production of fixed nitrogen essentially from thin air using sunlight.
Integrated platform for culture, observation, and parallelized electroporation of spheroids
Authors: Bregigeon Pauline , Rivière Charlotte , Franqueville Laure , Vollaire Christian , Marchalot Julien , Frénéa-Robin Marie
Published: April 2022

We present a new microsystem enabling in vitro culture of hundreds of spheroids in hydrogel support, their monitoring and parallel electroporation. We demonstrate its relevance for electro-chemotherapy assays of increased reproducibility.
Preparation and characterisation of zwitterionic sulfobetaine containing siloxane-based biostable polyurethanes
Authors: Liu Zhi-hua , Xiao Yong-hao , Ma Xiao-yu , Geng Xue , Ye Lin , Zhang Ai-ying , Feng Zeng-guo
Published: April 2022

As potential blood-contact biomaterials, the biocompatibility of siloxane-based PCUs was further improved by inserting sulfobetaine as demonstrated by the markedly retarded fibrinogen absorption on and platelet adhesion to their surface.
Effect of van der Waals stacking in CdS monolayer on enhancing the hydrogen production efficiency of SiH monolayer
Authors: Opoku Francis , Aniagyei Albert , Akoto Osei , Kwaansa-Ansah Edward Ebow , Asare-Donkor Noah Kyame , Adimado Anthony Apeke
Published: April 2022

The bandgap energy and band alignment of the CdS/SiH vdW heterostructure were modified by applying biaxial strain and an external electric field.
CDK9 inhibitors in cancer research
Authors: Huang Zhi , Wang Tianqi , Wang Cheng , Fan Yan
Published: April 2022

This review outlines the representative CDK9 inhibitors in cancer research and application.
Inhibition of MARK4 by serotonin as an attractive therapeutic approach to combat Alzheimer's disease and neuroinflammation
Authors: Shamsi Anas , DasGupta Debarati , Alhumaydhi Fahad A. , Khan Mohd Shahnawaz , Alsagaby Suliman A. , Al Abdulmonem Waleed , Hassan Md. Imtaiyaz , Yadav Dharmendra Kumar
Published: April 2022

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) govern various cellular programs and crucial intermediate pathways in signaling.
Chemiresistive NH3 detection at sub-zero temperatures by polypyrrole- loaded Sn1−xSbxO2 nanocubes
Authors: Chakraborty Nirman , Mondal Swastik
Published: April 2022

First ever case of sub-zero temperature chemiresistive gas sensing using metal oxide nanocube supported in situ polymerized polypyrrole network explained by an exciton-like electron–hole pair formation and breakage mechanism.
A flexible dual-gate hetero-synaptic transistor for spatiotemporal information processing
Authors: Liu Xuerong , Sun Cui , Guo Zhecheng , Zhang Yuejun , Zhang Zheng , Shang Jie , Zhong Zhicheng , Zhu Xiaojian , Yu Xue , Li Run-Wei
Published: April 2022

This work demonstrates a dual-gate P3HT-based electrolyte transistor for the emulation of spatiotemporal signal integration and memory functions of biological hetero-synapses.
Fine-tuning macrocycle cavity to selectively bind guests in water for near-infrared photothermal conversion
Authors: Yang Fei , Li Yunong , Li Ran , Wang Xiaolin , Cui Xiangkun , Wei Wei , Xu Yanqing
Published: April 2022

A class of water-soluble macrocycles with gradually extended cavities were synthesized to selectively bind size-matched guests. One of the host–guest products exhibited excellent near-infrared photothermal activity.
Synthesis of unsymmetrically tetrasubstituted pyrroles and studies of AIEE in pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidine derivatives
Authors: Li Taian , Chiou Mong-Feng , Li Yajun , Ye Changqing , Su Min , Xue Mengyu , Yuan Xiaobin , Wang Chuanchuan , Wan Wen-Ming , Li Daliang , Bao Hongli
Published: April 2022

A novel method for the challenging synthesis of unsymmetrically tetrasubstituted NH-pyrroles from chalcone derivatives is reported. The pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidine derivatives that were synthesized from NH-pyrroles exhibit AIE and AIEE property.
Crystallization induced room-temperature phosphorescence and chiral photoluminescence properties of phosphoramides
Authors: Jena Satyam , Eyyathiyil Jusaina , Behera Santosh Kumar , Kitahara Maho , Imai Yoshitane , Thilagar Pakkirisamy
Published: April 2022

The crystallization-induced room temperature phosphorescence and CPL of phosphoramides are reported. The nonplanar phenothiazine and the tetrahedral geometry of phosphorus curbed the non-radiative deactivation pathways, which led to improved RTP.
Recent advances in Fe-based metal–organic framework derivatives for battery applications
Authors: Zhang Yuze , Huang Qianhong , Liu Jiawei , Zhou Jian-En , Lin Xiaoming , Zeb Akif , Reddy R. Chenna Krishna , Xu Xuan
Published: April 2022

This review summarizes the recent progress and reasonable designs of Fe-MOF derivatives as electrodes and electrocatalysts in various batteries.
Brownmillerite-type Ca2Fe0.75Co1.25O5 as a robust electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction under neutral conditions
Authors: Okada Hiroyuki , Tsuji Etsushi , Hisada Miho , Kitano Sho , Habazaki Hiroki , Suganuma Satoshi , Katada Naonobu
Published: April 2022

Brownmillerite-type Ca2Fe0.75Co1.25O5 showed high activity and remarkable durability for the OER under neutral conditions.
Anionic organo-hydrogel electrolyte with enhanced ionic conductivity and balanced mechanical properties for flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Yang Ye , Wang Kun-Peng , Zang Qian , Shi Qiqi , Wang Yiwei , Xiao Zhenyu , Zhang Qi , Wang Lei
Published: April 2022

A “hexagon” organo-hydrogel electrolyte is prepared for flexible supercapacitors with an electrochemical performance, which exhibits superior abilities of conduction, stretchability, anti-freezing, flexibility and thermal stability.
3D printing of resilient, lightweight and conductive MXene/reduced graphene oxide architectures for broadband electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: Dai Yang , Wu Xinyu , Li Lulu , Zhang Yu , Deng Zhiming , Yu Zhong-Zhen , Zhang Hao-Bin
Published: April 2022

The lightweight MXene scaffolds by direct ink writing technique show great structure design flexibility, tunable electromagnetic shielding effectiveness up to ∼100 dB and excellent reversible compressibility of up to 90% strain.
Recent development of pyridine based charge transporting materials for organic light-emitting diodes and perovskite solar cells
Authors: Sheokand Manju , Rout Yogajivan , Misra Rajneesh
Published: April 2022

In recent years, donor-acceptor based pyridine derivatives have significantly been used in organic solar cells (OSCs), thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), perovskite solar cells (PSCs) etc.
Improvement of exciton utilization by suppressing exciton leakage for high efficiency blue and white organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Xie Junhua , Yao Jingwen , Dai Yanfeng , Sun Qian , Yang Dezhi , Qiao Xianfeng , Ma Dongge
Published: April 2022

Improvement of exciton leakage by insertion of DMAC-DPS results in the successful preparation of high-efficiency blue OLEDs and WOLEDs.
Embedded lanthanoid ions modulated the periodic luminescence of transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers prepared from an aqueous orecursor
Authors: Liu Xicai , Wang Huan , Yang Dongcheng , Jing Fangli , Qiu Hailong , Liu Hongjun , Hu Zhanggui
Published: April 2022

Lanthanoid ion-embedded MoS2 monolayers are synthesized via a novel precursor of Na2MoS4 solution. The period trends in the luminescence illustrate the lanthanoids law under considerable Coulomb binding, spin–orbital coupling and a crystal field.
Controllable p-type doping of monolayer MoS2with tantalum by one-step chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Li Mengge , Wu Xiaoxiang , Guo Wenxuan , Liu Yali , Xiao Cong , Ou Tianjian , Zheng Yuan , Wang Yewu
Published: April 2022

The synthesis of controllable pure and p-typein situTa-doped monolayer MoS2with different doping concentrationsviaa one-step salt-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method with systematic characterization studies is reported.
MicroRNA-21 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Wei , Li Xinyao , Liu Chengfei , Zhang Xin , Wu Ying , Diao Mingxin , Tan Siyu , Huang Shubin , Cheng Yin , You Tao
Published: April 2022

Background: The relationship between microRNA-21 (miRNA-21) and pathogenesis of lung cancer is a considerable focus of research interest. However, to our knowledge, no in-depth meta-analyses based on existing evidence to ascertain the value of miRNA-21 in diagnosis and clinical prognosis of lung cancer have been documented.

Methods: We comprehensively searched all the literature pertaining to ‘miRNA-21’ and ‘lung cancer’ from four databases from the period of inception of each database until May 2020. Using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, the literature for inclusion was identified and the necessary data extracted.

Results: In total, 46 articles were included in the meta-analysis, among which 31 focused on diagnostic value and 15 on prognostic value. Combined sensitivity (SEN) of miRNA-21 in diagnosis of lung cancer was 0.77 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72–0.81), specificity (SPE) was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.80–0.90), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was (95% CI: 12–33), and area under the SROC curve (AUC) was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.84–0.90). No significant correlations were observed between abnormal expression of miRNA-21 and gender, smoking habits, pathological type and clinical stage of lung cancer (P>0.05). In terms of overall survival (OS), univariate analysis (hazards ratio (HR) = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.22–1.82) revealed high expression of miRNA-21 as an influencing factor for lung cancer. MiRNA-21 was confirmed as an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in multivariate analysis (HR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.24–2.19).

Conclusion: MiRNA-21 has potential clinical value in the diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer and may serve as an effective diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in the future.
A novel visual classification framework on panoramic attention mechanism network
Authors: Li Wenshu , Li Shenhao , Yin Lingzhi , Guo Xiaoying , Yang Xu
Published: April 2022

Fine‐grained classification is a challenging task due to the difficulty of finding discriminative features and the localization of feature regions. To handle these challenges, a novel visual classification framework on panoramic attention mechanism that combines multiple attention networks to locate and identify features with more semantic interest is proposed. Firstly, based on the classical convolutional neural network, the global information of the image feature is expressed by linear fusion. Secondly, the foreground attention branch is used to further extract the distinguishing details of the salient features. Then, more features are mined from the complementary object area through the background attention branch to learn more perfect fine‐grained feature expression. Finally, three network branches are trained together to enhance the network's ability to express representative features of fine‐grained images. Our model can be viewed as a multi‐branch network, which benefits each other and optimizes the network together. Experiments were conducted on CUB‐200‐2011, Stanford Dogs and FGVC‐Aircraft datasets, and the accuracy was used as the quantitative measurement. Experimental results show that the proposed method has the highest accuracy; the average accuracy is 89.8%. It is effective and superior to the current advanced methods.
A new fast estimating floor region based on image segmentation for smart rovers
Authors: Ahamad Afaroj , Sun Chi‐Chia , Yang Nian‐Jyun , Kuo Wen‐Kai
Published: April 2022

In this paper, a new algorithm that hardware acceleration has enabled to estimate floor regions in a single image for unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) robots is presented. In general, the cluttered indoor surroundings patterned floors, shadows, and reflections make it extremely difficult to identify floor regions. The proposed algorithm combines extracting surface texture characteristics with specific geometric areas to determine object boundaries and then uses SVM classification to distinguish between the floor and non‐floor regions. To achieve real‐time performance, the implementation of the proposed algorithm on an SoC FPGA embedded platform gives a heterogeneous hardware acceleration methodology. In experimental results, a public MIT scene dataset and indoor database were used to verify detection accuracy. Compared to other research, the proposed algorithm accuracy can reach up to 94.72% on average without the assistance of any other physical sensors, such as RGB‐D or laser ranger sensors.
Bipolar-II-Störungen
Authors: Karamatskos Evangelos , Gallinat Jürgen
Published: April 2022

Die bipolare affektive Störung (kurz: bipolare Störung) beschreibt
eine Gruppe von affektiven Störungen, die durch depressive sowie
manische/hypomane Episoden gekennzeichnet sind. Der Artikel befasst sich mit
den diagnostischen und therapeutischen Herausforderungen der
Bipolar-II-Störung.
Biotensigrität – ein neuer Denkansatz zur
Förderung der physiologischen Geburt
Authors: Weissenberg Melina , Agel Lena
Published: April 2022

Vorherzusagen, wie und wann eine Frau ihr Kind gebären wird, war schon
immer eine zentrale Frage für Hebammen und Geburtshelfer*innen.
In diesem Kontext wurden Möglichkeiten zur Förderung der
physiologischen Geburt in nationalen und internationalen Guidelines erzielt.
Nach Ansicht der Autorinnen könnte das Überdenken der
Geburtsarbeit aus Perspektive der Biotensigrität ein vielversprechender
Ansatz sein, um das Phänomen des Geburtsprozesses zu
entschlüsseln und zu fördern.
Notwendigkeit von Geburtsreflexion – die Sprechstunde als
Praxismodell
Authors: Garten Daniela
Published: April 2022

Trotz des zunehmenden Wissens um Geburtstraumata und deren Auswirkungen, gibt es
wenige professionelle Hilfsangebote, um betroffenen Frauen zu helfen, das
Erlebte zu verarbeiten. Eine Sprechstunde „Geburtsreflexion“
erweitert das geburtshilfliche Betreuungsangebot und bietet Frauen einen
geschützten Raum, um über die Geburt zu sprechen.
Zusätzlich soll das Angebot als direktes Feedback für die
geburtshilflichen Einrichtungen und zur Datenerhebung dienen. Die Betreuung und
die Qualität der Behandlungen können somit kontinuierlich
verbessert werden.
Gewichtszunahme bei Kindern und Jugendlichen während der Covid-19-Pandemie
Authors: Vogel Mandy , Geserick Mandy , Gausche Ruth , Beger Christoph , Poulain Tanja , Meigen Christoph , Körner Antje , Sobek Carolin , Keller Eberhard , Pfäffle Roland , Kiess Wieland
Published: April 2022

Es wurde viel darüber spekuliert, ob durch Schulschließungen, eingeschränkte soziale Kontakte und den Wegfall sportlicher Aktivitäten während der Covid-19-Pandemie die Adipositasepidemie im Kindesalter verstärkt werden würde. Deshalb haben wir die BMI-Verläufe während der 15 Jahre vor und während der Covid-19-Pandemie untersucht. Der Trend der BMI-Veränderungen (als delta-BMI-SDS) und die Anteile der Kinder, die Gewicht zunahmen bzw. verloren, zwischen 2005 und 2019 sowie entsprechend Daten von 2019 vor der Pandemie und von 2020 nach dem Einsetzen der ersten Pandemiemaßnahmen wurden bei mehr als 150 000 Kindern (ca. 10 000 in der pandemischen Phase) verglichen. Während der Covid-19-Pandemie fand sich eine substanzielle Gewichtszunahme über alle Gewichtsklassen und Altersstufen hinweg. Die Änderung des mittleren BMI-SDS war wesentlich höher als in den Jahren zuvor. Ebenso stieg der Anteil der Kinder, die Gewicht zunahmen. Der Anteil der Kinder, die Gewicht über den Zeitraum verloren, nahm hingegen ab. Außerdem fanden wir ähnliche Trends, der zwar auf eine wesentlich schwächere, aber doch stetige Gewichtszunahme hinweisen, bereits seit 2005. Es ist alarmierend, dass sowohl der langfristige Trend als auch die kurzfristigen, pandemie-bezogenen Effekte bei Kindern, die bereits übergewichtig oder adipös waren, am größten waren.

Die Trends, die wir in mehreren Parametern der Gewichtsveränderung über einen Zeitraum von mehr als 15 Jahren beobachten konnten, weisen auf eine Zunahme des BMI-SDS. Besonders bei adipösen Kindern ist diese Dynamik ausgeprägt. Covid-19-bezogene Maßnahmen verstärken die Effekte und könnten damit die Adipositasepidemie im Kindesalter weiter eskalieren.
Mehr Transparenz, geringe Prozesskosten: Etablierung eines effizienten Prozesses für die digitalisierte Rechnungsverarbeitung
Authors: van der Beek Daniel
Published: April 2022

Im Rahmen eines Pilotprojekts hat das Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf gemeinsam mit GHX eine innovative Lösung für die Integration von elektronischen Rechnungen entwickelt. Durch die Digitalisierung des Rechnungseingangs wurde ein effizienter und schlanker Prozess etabliert, der mehr Transparenz schafft, das Personal entlastet und zu erheblichen Gewinnen bei der Skontoverbuchung führt.
Preissteigerungen: Internationales Sourcing im Krankenhausmarkt
Authors: Schonrath Frank
Published: April 2022

Eine Vielzahl großer Anbieter organisiert den lokalen Vertrieb in Deutschland zentral. Dadurch gestaltete sich der Beschaffungsprozess für den Einkauf im deutschen Krankenhausmarkt in den letzten Jahrzehnten verhältnismäßig praktisch. Die pandemiebedingten Störungen der Lieferketten beschleunigen bedingt durch kontinuierliche Preissteigerungen am deutschen Markt den Trend zum Global Sourcing im Gesundheitsmarkt.
Konfliktpunkt: Digitalisierungsprojekte im Beschaffungswesen
Authors: Merkel Martin
Published: April 2022

Divergenzen zwischen Anforderungen, Agilität und Realität: Der Run auf Digitalisierungsprojekte in deutschen Krankenhäusern ist so hoch wie noch nie. Doch wie können Anforderungen in einem überschaubaren Zeitmanagement in Lösungen überführt werden, welche langfristig und konsistent angelegt sind?
The evolution of fixed-supply and variable-supply currencies
Authors: Wang Guizhou , Hausken Kjell
Published: April 2022

Competition is analyzed between a fixed-supply currency (e.g. Bitcoin) and a variable-supply currency (e.g. a fiat currency). Two kinds of players support the currencies differently and choose their volume fractions of transactions in each currency. The variable-supply currency enables money printing/withdrawal and inflation/deflation, which counteract each other in each player’s utility. The exponentially increasing 1959–2021 US M2 money supply and the positive inflation cause this utility to increase over time with high weight assigned to money printing/withdrawal, and decrease otherwise. Three replicator equations determine each player’s volume fraction of transactions in each currency, and which kind of player each player prefers to be. High weight assigned to money supply relative to inflation induces players to prefer the variable-supply currency. A player’s utility of transacting in each currency is proportional to the player’s support of that currency, the volume fraction of all players’ transactions in that currency, and the fraction of players of the same kind as the given player. A player’s utility of transacting in the variable-supply currency is additionally proportional to two ratios. The first is the initial money supply plus the accumulative money printing/withdrawal divided by the initial money supply. The second is the inverse of the accumulative inflation/deflation. The players’ fractions of transactions in each currency may be inverse U shaped or U shaped before typically converging towards preferring one or the other currency. If each player can choose which kind of player to be, it may choose to be the kind with the highest support of a given currency. If a player’s utility of transacting in a given currency depends more on the fraction of players being of one kind than the other kind, the player prefers to be of the first kind, thus assigning less weight to its support of that currency and the volume fractions of transactions in that currency.
A battery-powered over-voltage triggering method for two-electrode spark gaps in Marx generator
Authors: Liu Xuedi , Zhang Huibo , Zhang Zicheng , Liu Shifei , Zhang Haoran
Published: April 2022

Triggered gas switches with trigger electrodes, such as three-electrode spark switches and trigatron type spark switches, have been widely used in repetitive operating Marx generators due to their large current flowing capability. However, the ablation of trigger electrodes during repetitive operation is inevitable, which reduces the working life of triggered gas switches. In this paper, we introduced an over-voltage triggering method for two-electrode spark switches by replacing one of the charging inductors of the Marx generator with a pulse generator. The experimental results showed that a high-voltage trigger pulse with an amplitude of 60 kV and a rising speed of 7.65 kV/100 ns was obtained from a single stackable module with a 12 V lithium battery pack as the energy source. Due to the absence of trigger electrodes, the triggering method is beneficial to extend the lifetime of switches and realize a maintenance-free repetitive operating Marx generator.
New directional spectral emissivity measurement apparatus simultaneously collecting the blackbody and sample radiation
Authors: Yuan Zeye , Yu Kun , Li Longfei , Wang Gangquan , Zhang Kaihua , Liu Yufang
Published: April 2022

A new apparatus simultaneously and rapidly measuring the sample radiation and the blackbody radiation by one detector without moving any experimental component is designed to measure the directional spectral emissivity of solid samples in a controlled environment. The effect of multiple reflections in the sample chamber on the measurement result is evaluated. The temperature distribution of the sample surface is measured by using a thermal imager. In order to validate the experimental apparatus, the directional spectral emissivity of silicon is measured in a nitrogen environment and that of iron is measured in vacuum, and the normal spectral emissivity of pure copper is measured during the oxidation process. Good agreement between the measured results and the reported data proves the reliability of the designed apparatus. The expanded uncertainty of the measurement system is estimated to be less than 5.3% when the emission angle is 86°.
Design and numerical simulation analysis of three multifunctional microfluidic chips in isolation of CTCs
Authors: Chen Hongmei , Huang Zhengwu , Peng Guosheng , Li Yong , Wang Shuangshou , Lin Changming
Published: April 2022

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are tumor cells that dissociate from the origin tumors and disseminate in the bloodstream and lymphatic circulation systems. CTCs carry a remarkably similar constituent to the original tumor, which makes CTCs have a significant value in the biological molecular analysis of cancer. However, CTCs are extremely rare and heterogeneous in blood. Therefore, CTC separation is highly challenging. In the present work, we designed a fan-shaped symmetric microfluidic chip, a multifunctional capturing and co-culture chip, and an immunomagnetic chip in isolation of CTCs. The first chip is composed of two-faced fans placed symmetrically. Inside, there are arc-shaped arrays composed of numerable circular microposts. CTCs could be captured by antibody-modified microposts, and blood constituents flow away. Pressure, velocity, streamline, and shear stress simulations were performed theoretically. The second chip is a multifunctional capturing and co-culture chip. Patient blood samples are filtered by a W-shaped structure, and isolated viable CTCs could co-culture with several normal cells of the same type to mimic the real microenvironment. The third microfluidic chip is a combination of both immunomagnetic and physical-based. Many electronic coils are wound around the chip to produce a strong magnetic field when electrified. CTCs are incubated with magnetic beads. Magnetized CTCs would be oriented to be enriched. Those CTCs without conjugating beads would be captured by two interlace arrays of square microposts. These three delicate designs and theoretical explanation clarify feasibility for further experiments of CTC enumeration, clinical analysis, and evaluation of cancer therapy.
High blocking temperature of Fe nanoparticles embedded in diamond thin films
Authors: Kawano M. , Hirama K. , Kumakura K.
Published: April 2022

We investigate the magnetic properties of Fe nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in diamond (111) thin films. The Fe NPs have body-centered cubic structures with median particle diameters in the range of 9–26 nm. Magnetization measurements revealed that they have large magnetic anisotropy and show a transition from a ferromagnetic to superparamagnetic state at a blocking temperature between 480 and around 1000 K depending on their particle diameters. These magnetic properties are well explained by coherent magnetization rotation models proposed by Stoner–Wohlfarth and Néel.
Nonlinear optical detection of mesoscopic magnetic toroidal dipoles
Authors: Sekine Daiki , Sato Yoshifumi , Matsubara Masakazu
Published: April 2022

A vortex-like magnetic state with zero net magnetization—called a magnetic toroidal dipole (MTD)—exhibits a variety of fascinating magnetoelectric (ME) cross-coupling functionalities. However, designing and controlling MTDs in conventional crystals remains challenging. Here, we fabricated a model system of mesoscopic MTDs using planar patterned nanomagnets. By exploiting a symmetry-resolved nonlinear optical technique, we directly detected mesoscopic MTDs whose magnitude and direction are well-controlled using external magnetic fields. This approach may provide a guide for the design and control of nanoscopic-to-mesoscopic functional ME materials working at room temperature.
Exploring local meaning-making resources
Authors: Jiang Yaqian , Vásquez Camilla
Published: April 2022

This study examines various combinations of visual and textual meaningmaking resources in a popular Chinese meme. The meme features an exogenous image – the grinning facial expression of a U.S. wrestler, D’Angelo Dinero – that has been recontextualized into numerous other visual texts, to create semiotic ensembles with local meanings, which are then distributed across Chinese social media platforms. We analyzed 60 of these image macros, and our findings show that local meanings are created when Dinero’s facial expression is blended with visual references to Chinese digital culture, Chinese popular culture, Chinese social class issues, Chinese politics, and Chinese institutions. The majority of textual elements in the image macros are Chinese; however, the handful of examples that also include other languages typically involve multilingual wordplay and carnivalesque themes. We argue that although the multivalency of the wrestlers’ facial expression invites interpretations of a wide range of affective meanings, an overarching rebellious or transgressive stance is consistent across individual texts.
Internet memes as multilayered re‑contextualization vehicles in lay-political online
discourse
Authors: Kirner-Ludwig Monika
Published: April 2022

It is well established that the internet meme has come to represent a highly creative discursive device used to “facilitate the […] communication of one’s own political beliefs, attitudes and orientations” (Ross and Rivers 2017: 1). Although internet memes and political internet memes in particular have been addressed to many communicative situations such as participatory culture (e.g., Jenkins 2006; Shifman 2014; Theocharis 2015), one aspect that has not been paid enough attention to concerns the forms in which users refer to individual political figures and events in political memes. This being said, the present paper focuses on referring strategies (see Kirner-Ludwig and Zimmermann 2015; Kirner-Ludwig 2020) as employed in political internet memes on Reddit, including direct and indirect quotes, citations and allusions. A specific focus is going to be on such political internet memes that employ pop-cultural and telecinematic reference points and recontextualize them from their original into new target contexts (see Bublitz 2015; Gruber 2019). As shall be shown, practices such as combining constructed speech elements into recontextualized elements in political internet memes create multiple intertextual references that may enhance visibility, saliency and, thus, the ‘lifetime’ of a political meme.
Weaving gender into sustainable intensification interventions.
Authors: Fischer Gundula
Published: April 2022

Sustainable intensification (SI) is understood as increasing productivity without causing harm to the environment. SI can be achieved by introducing more or different inputs (e.g., new knowledge and skills, labor, chemicals, and machinery); a change to higher-yielding crops or varieties, and more productive livestock breeds; a conversion to more productive farming systems (e.g., through irrigation); or a combination of these. This chapter introduces gender concepts in agricultural development and discusses the ways in which gender concerns can be woven into SI interventions to produce more equitable outcomes. Referring to Africa RISING experiences, the chapter describes activities that can enhance women's participation in SI, measure the benefits, and transform gender relations.
Taking technologies to a greater scale.
Authors: Sseguya Haroon , Chikowo Regis , Chimonyo Vimbayi , Chipungu Felistus , Groot Jeroen , Muthoni Francis , Ngulu Festo , Thierfelder Christian
Published: April 2022

This chapter presents a definition of 'scaling' and outlines the key elements for success based on the experiences gained from Africa RISING research and dissemination in East and Southern Africa (ESA). Three examples are presented: (a) research and development partnerships; (b) community based scaling through seed systems; and (c) outdoor advertising for orange-fleshed sweet potato. It presents experiences and lessons learned from using these approaches to transfer and scale the technologies.
Work hardening under shear and tensile deformation modes
Authors: Azizi N. , Roumina R. , Abdiyan F. , Mahmudi R.
Published: April 2022

The flow and work hardening behaviour of pure copper (FCC), interstitial-free steel (BCC) and AZ31 magnesium (HCP) sheets were investigated under tensile and shear deformation modes. The sheets were deformed via tensile and shear punch testing (SPT) at room and 0.4 Tm temperatures. The work hardening rate of sheet metals quantified by the Kocks–Mecking modelling approach was found to be significantly lower in the shear mode than in tension. Taylor factor values for the deformed samples were computed from the measured textures after tensile and shear tests to reveal the role of textural evolution on the work hardening rate. The difference in the work hardening under two strain paths was proposed to be associated with the lower Taylor factor values.
Real-World Study of Multiple Naloxone Administrations for Opioid Overdose Reversal among Emergency Medical Service Providers
Authors: Abdelal Randa , Banerjee A. Raja , Carlberg-Racich Suzanne , Cebollero Christopher , Darwaza Neyla , Kim Chong , Ito Diane , Epstein Josh
Published: April 2022

Background: The increasing rates of highly potent, illicit synthetic opioids (i.e., fentanyl) in the US is exacerbating the ongoing opioid epidemic. Multiple naloxone administrations (MNA) may be required to successfully reverse opioid overdoses. We conducted a real-world study to assess the rate of MNA for opioid overdose and identify factors associated with MNA. Methods: Data from the 2015–2020 National Emergency Medical Services Information System was examined to determine trends in events requiring MNA. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with MNA. Results: The percentage of individuals receiving MNA increased from 18.4% in 2015 to 28.4% in 2020. The odds of an event requiring MNA significantly increased by 11% annually. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for MNA were greatest among males, when advanced life support (ALS) was provided, and when the dispatch complaint indicated there was a drug poisoning event. Conclusions: The 54% increase in MNA since 2015 parallels the rise in overdose deaths attributable to synthetic opioids. This growth is visible in all regions of the country, including the West, where the prevalence of illicitly manufactured synthetic opioids is intensifying. Given this phenomenon, higher naloxone formulations may fulfill an unmet need in addressing the opioid overdose crisis.
Galaxy Spectra Neural Networks (GaSNets). I. Searching for Strong Lens Candidates in eBOSS Spectra Using Deep Learning
Authors: Zhong Fucheng , Li Rui , Napolitano Nicola R.
Published: April 2022

With the advent of new spectroscopic surveys from ground and space, observing up to hundreds of millions of galaxies, spectra classification will become overwhelming for standard analysis techniques. To prepare for this challenge, we introduce a family of deep learning tools to classify features in one-dimensional spectra. As the first application of these Galaxy Spectra neural Networks (GaSNets), we focus on tools specialized in identifying emission lines from strongly lensed star-forming galaxies in the eBOSS spectra. We first discuss the training and testing of these networks and define a threshold probability, P

L
, of 95% for the high-quality event detection. Then, using a previous set of spectroscopically selected strong lenses from eBOSS, confirmed with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), we estimate a completeness of ∼80% as the fraction of lenses recovered above the adopted P

L
. We finally apply the GaSNets to ∼1.3M eBOSS spectra to collect the first list of ∼430 new high-quality candidates identified with deep learning from spectroscopy and visually graded as highly probable real events. A preliminary check against ground-based observations tentatively shows that this sample has a confirmation rate of 38%, in line with previous samples selected with standard (no deep learning) classification tools and confirmed by the HST. This first test shows that machine learning can be efficiently extended to feature recognition in the wavelength space, which will be crucial for future surveys like 4MOST, DESI, Euclid, and the China Space Station Telescope.
Environmental impacts associated with hydrogen production in La Guajira, Colombia
Authors: Ullman Amanda N , Kittner Noah
Published: April 2022

The global push to decarbonize sectors of the economy and phase-out coal use has attracted a renewed interest in hydrogen. At the forefront of this debate, Colombia, the world’s 6th largest coal exporter, must consider strategies to support a just transition for regions that depend economically on coal exports. However, the role of hydrogen as a part of the energy transition has yet to be examined from an environmental justice lens. A full-chain life-cycle assessment of hydrogen production is yet to be considered in Colombia. Using life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, we examine the greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and trace metal emissions associated with six potential Colombian liquid hydrogen production strategies: (1) electrolysis powered by the country’s national electricity grid, (2) on-site electrolysis powered by electricity produced by a wind farm, (3) off-site electrolysis powered by electricity produced by a wind farm, (4) electrolysis powered by electricity produced from a coal-fired power plant, (5) coal gasification without carbon capture and storage (CCS), and (6) coal gasification with CCS. Upstream conversion has an outsized influence on the sustainability of a hydrogen transition in Colombia. Impact levels for wind-powered electrolysis are lower than those of the coal- and grid-powered scenarios for every impact category analyzed, apart from emissions of aluminum to air, nitrogen emissions to water, and phosphorous, nitrate, and nitrite emissions to soil. The grid-based electrolysis scenario is found to consume the largest amount of water, while coal-fueled scenarios pathways raise concerns of greater life-cycle mercury, nickel, and arsenic emissions. While coal gasification with CCS reduced gasification CO2 emissions by 35%, the CCS scenario’s VOC emissions were 37% greater than gasification without CCS, given that increased levels of coal inputs were required to account for the loss of efficiency associated with the addition of CCS technology. For Colombia to benefit most from a hydrogen-based decarbonization transition with minimal environmental impacts, community-focused planning and wind-based hydrogen systems should be prioritized.