bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation on suppression of melamine polyphosphate on acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene dust explosion
Authors: Song Ning , Luo Taiyu , Yu Yuan , Suo Yifan , Chen Zhongwei , Chen Tingting , Zhang Qingwu , Jiang Juncheng , Zhu Guiming
Published: May 2021

There is a possibility of dust explosion during acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) production including cutting, grinding and machining. The suppression effect of melamine polyphosphate (MPP) on the explosion severity and ignition sensitivity of ABS dust, including maximum explosion pressure (Pmax), maximum explosion index (Kst), minimum ignition energy (MIE) and minimum ignition temperature (MIT), was systematically investigated. MPP had an inhibitory effect on ABS dust explosion, and the explosion suppression effect was proportional to the mass fraction of MPP. Through the analysis on thermal decomposition behavior, gas‐phase products and the explosion residue, the explosion suppression mechanism of MPP on the ABS dust was studied and proposed. According to the thermal analysis and explosion residue analysis results, it could be seen that the addition of MPP improved the thermal stability of the ABS dust and promoted the formation of dense carbon on the surface of ABS particles. Gas‐phase products results showed that thermal decomposition of MPP produced NH3, CO2 and H2O, which consumed and diluted the oxygen concentration in the explosion zone.
Deformation Behaviors of Auxetic Warp Knitted Fabrics Based on Reentrant Geometry
Authors: Zhao Shuaiquan , Chang Yuping , Yang Yadie , Kamrul Hasan , Zhang Minglonghai , Hu Hong
Published: May 2021

A series of auxetic warp knitted fabrics based on reentrant geometry were developed in our previous study and their Poisson's ratio in the wale direction and course direction can be as low as −0.5 and −0.15, respectively. However, the quantitative relationships between structural parameters and auxetic effect, which can offer a guide to the design and manufacture process, are still unknown. Herein, the aim is to find such relationships. Based on the geometrical analysis, two semiempirical equations between Poisson's ratio and tensile strain are established when stretched in the wale direction and course direction, respectively. The study shows that the established semiempirical equations fit well with experimental results and can be used to predict auxetic effect of fabrics made with the same type of materials and similar structures. With the relationships proposed, warp knitted fabrics can be designed and manufactured directly without trials to obtain the desired auxetic effect, which can largely save the time and cost of production.
New Pentaoctite Phase of Group‐V Nanostructures
Authors: da Rosa Andreia Luisa , Pontes Renato Borges , Lima Erika Nascimento , Frauenheim Thomas
Published: May 2021

By performing first‐principles electronic structure calculations, a new 2D pentaoctite phase of group‐V allotropes of antimonene, arsenene, and phosphorene is proposed. By calculating the phonon‐spectra, it is shown that these new materials are stable. In addition, these calculations reveal anisotropic elastic properties. Whereas these nanostructures in the pentaoctite phase exhibit indirect bandgaps, they can be made direct gap materials by applying an external strain. GW calculations of the dielectric function demonstrate that all these structures have an absorption spectrum in the visible region, which can be useful for group‐V optoelectronics.
Corner States in 2D Square Lattice Second‐Order Photonic Topological Insulators Composed of L‐Shaped Sublattices
Authors: Om Kwang-Kwon , Kim Kwang-Hyon
Published: May 2021

Higher‐order photonic topological states have recently attracted great attention due to the realizability of photonic nanocavities with high robustness against structural disorder. Herein, it is revealed that square‐lattice photonic crystals with L‐shaped sublattices exhibit second‐order photonic topological phases. In the approximation considering only the nearest‐neighbor interactions, the photonic system with an expanded sublattice exhibits topologically nontrivial phase represented by the nonzero polarization, approaching in the extreme case, whereas it is trivial for the cases of the shrunken one. Unlike the conventional square lattices with four dielectric rods, the proposed photonic systems have a single corner state for squared topological boundaries, while they exhibit three corner states when they have triangular boundaries. Although the weakly anisotropic systems with the expanded L‐shaped sublattices exhibit different corner states, they disappear for a substantial increase of anisotropy. The results obtained in this work enrich the diversity and understanding of higher‐order photonic topological systems and pave the way for wide applications of higher‐order topological phases in photonics, including coherent nanosources based on nanolasing and nonlinear frequency conversion.
Progress with Defect Engineering in Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells
Authors: Wright Matthew , Stefani Bruno Vicari , Soeriyadi Anastasia , Basnet Rabin , Sun Chang , Weigand William , Yu Zhengshan , Holman Zachary , Macdonald Daniel , Hallam Brett
Published: May 2021

Due to the low temperature processing constraint in silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells, no defect engineering to improve silicon wafer quality is typically incorporated during cell fabrication. This means that high‐quality n‐type Cz wafers are required to produce high‐efficiency cells. Herein, recent demonstrations of incorporating defect engineering approaches, such as gettering and hydrogenation, into the SHJ process flow for both n‐type and p‐type wafers are surveyed. Defect engineering on wafers before cell fabrication can significantly improve the quality of low‐lifetime p‐type wafers, making them much more suitable for SHJ cells. Interestingly, these same approaches are also very effective in improving the cell performance in the n‐type wafers that are conventionally used in industry. Post‐cell illuminated annealing processes have been shown to eliminate boron–oxygen light‐induced degradation (LID) in p‐type wafers, leading to stable V
OC exceeding 735 mV. New results indicate that the hydrogen naturally incorporated during SHJ processing is sufficient to passivate these defects. Similar illuminated annealing processes also lead to substantial improvements in n‐type SHJ cells. With these findings considered, it is demonstrated that a modified SHJ process flow, which includes defect engineering on a wafer level and post‐cell hydrogen passivation, is beneficial for SHJ production, regardless of the wafer type.
Recent Advances in Metal‐Phenolic Networks for Cancer Theranostics
Authors: Zhang Zhan , Xie Lisi , Ju Yi , Dai Yunlu
Published: May 2021

Nanomedicine integrates different functional materials to realize the customization of carriers, aiming at increasing the cancer therapeutic efficacy and reducing the off‐target toxicity. However, efforts on developing new drug carriers that combine precise diagnosis and accurate treatment have met challenges of uneasy synthesis, poor stability, difficult metabolism, and high cytotoxicity. Metal‐phenolic networks (MPNs), making use of the coordination between phenolic ligands and metal ions, have emerged as promising candidates for nanomedicine, most notably through the service as multifunctional theranostic nanoplatforms. MPNs present unique properties, such as rapid preparation, negligible cytotoxicity, and pH responsiveness. Additionally, MPNs can be further modified and functionalized to meet specific application requirements. Here, the classification of polyphenols is first summarized, followed by the introduction of the properties and preparation strategies of MPNs. Then, their recent advances in biomedical sciences including bioimaging and anti‐tumor therapies are highlighted. Finally, the main limitations, challenges, and outlooks regarding MPNs are raised and discussed.
Air‐Stable Conductive Polymer Ink for Printed Wearable Micro‐Supercapacitors
Authors: Chu Xiang , Chen Guorui , Xiao Xiao , Wang Zixing , Yang Tao , Xu Zhong , Huang Haichao , Wang Yihan , Yan Cheng , Chen Ningjun , Zhang Haitao , Yang Weiqing , Chen Jun
Published: May 2021

Printed electronics are expected to facilitate the widespread distributed wearable electronics in the era of the Internet of things. However, developing cheap and stable electrode inks remains a significant challenge in the printed electronics industry and academic community. Here, overcoming the weak hydrophilicity of polyaniline, a low‐cost, easy‐fabricating, and air‐stable conducting polymer (CP) ink is devised through a facile assemble‐disperse strategy delivering a high conductivity in the order of 10−2 S cm−1 along with a remarkable specific capacitance of 386.9 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 (dehydrated state). The additive‐free CP ink is directly employed to print wearable micro‐supercapacitors (MSCs) via the spray‐coating method, which deliver a high areal capacitance (96.6 mF cm−2) and volumetric capacitance (26.0 F cm−3), outperforming most state‐of‐the‐art CP‐based supercapacitors. This work paves a new approach for achieving scalable MSCs, thus rendering a cost‐effective, environmentally friendly, and pervasive energy solution for next‐generation distributed electronics.
Static and Dynamic Self‐Assembly of Pearl‐Like‐Chains of Magnetic Colloids Confined at Fluid Interfaces
Authors: Martínez‐Pedrero Fernando , González‐Banciella Andrés , Camino Alba , Mateos‐Maroto Ana , Ortega Francisco , Rubio Ramón G. , Pagonabarraga Ignacio , Calero Carles
Published: May 2021

Magnetic colloids adsorbed at a fluid interface are unique model systems to understand self‐assembly in confined environments, both in equilibrium and out of equilibrium, with important potential applications. In this work the pearl‐chain‐like self‐assembled structures of superparamagnetic colloids confined to a fluid–fluid interface under static and time‐dependent actuations are investigated. On the one hand, it is found that the structures generated by static fields transform as the tilt angle of the field with the interface is increased, from 2D crystals to separated pearl‐chains in a process that occurs through a controllable and reversible zip‐like thermally activated mechanism. On the other hand, the actuation with precessing fields about the axis perpendicular to the interface induces dynamic self‐assembled structures with no counterpart in non‐confined systems, generated by the interplay of averaged magnetic interactions, interfacial forces, and hydrodynamics. Finally, how these dynamic structures can be used as remotely activated roller conveyors, able to transport passive colloidal cargos at fluid interfaces and generate parallel viscous flows is shown. The latter can be used in the mixture of adsorbed molecules and the acceleration of surface‐chemical reactions, overcoming diffusion limitations.
Quasi‐Ionic Liquid Enabling Single‐Phase Poly(vinylidene fluoride)‐Based Polymer Electrolytes for Solid‐State LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2||Li Batteries with Rigid‐Flexible Coupling Interphase
Authors: Xu Fanglin , Deng Shungui , Guo Qingya , Zhou Dong , Yao Xiayin
Published: May 2021

Poly(vinylidene fluoride)‐based polymer electrolytes are being intensely investigated for solid‐state lithium metal batteries. However, phase separation and porous structures are still pronounced issues in traditional preparing procedure. Herein, a bottom‐to‐up strategy is employed to design single‐phase and densified polymer electrolytes via incorporating quasi‐ionic liquid with poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene). Due to strong ion/dipole–dipole interaction, the optimized polymer electrolyte delivers high room‐temperature ionic conductivity of 1.55 × 10−3 S cm−1, superior thermal and oxidation stability of 4.97 V, excellent stretchability of over 1500% and toughness of 43 MJ cm−3 as well as desirable self‐extinguishing ability. Furthermore, the superb compatibility toward Li anode enables over 3000 h cycling of Li plating/stripping and ≈98% Coulombic efficiency in Li||Cu test at 0.1 mA cm−2. In particular, lithium metal battery Li||LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 exhibits a room‐temperature discharge retention rate of 96% after 500 cycles under a rate of 0.1 C, which is associated with the rigid‐flexible coupling electrodes/electrolytes interphase. This investigation demonstrates the potential application of quasi‐ionic liquid/polymer electrolytes in safe lithium metal batteries.
Layer‐By‐Layer Printing Strategy for High‐Performance Flexible Electronic Devices with Low‐Temperature Catalyzed Solution‐Processed SiO2
Authors: Sun Qingqing , Gao Tianqi , Li Xiaomeng , Li Wanli , Li Xiaoqian , Sakamoto Kenji , Wang Yong , Li Lingying , Kanehara Masayuki , Liu Chuan , Pang Xinchang , Liu Xuying , Zhao Jianwen , Minari Takeo
Published: May 2021

Additive printing techniques have been widely investigated for fabricating multilayered electronic devices. In this work, a layer‐by‐layer printing strategy is developed to fabricate multilayered electronics including 3D conductive circuits and thin‐film transistors (TFTs) with low‐temperature catalyzed, solution‐processed SiO2 (LCSS) as the dielectric. Ultrafine, ultrasmooth LCSS films can be facilely formed at 90 °C on a wide variety of organic and inorganic substrates, offering a versatile platform to construct complex heterojunction structures with layer‐by‐layer fashion at microscale. The high‐resolution 3D conductive circuits formed with gold nanoparticles inside the LCSS dielectric demonstrate a high‐speed response to the transient voltage in less than 1 µs. The TFTs with semiconducting single‐wall carbon nanotubes can be operated with the accumulation mode at a low voltage of 1 V and exhibit average field‐effect mobility of 70 cm2 V−1 s−1, on/off ratio of 107, small average hysteresis of 0.1 V, and high yield up to 100% as well as long‐term stability, high negative‐gate bias stability, and good mechanical stability. Therefore, the layer‐by‐layer printing strategy with the LCSS film is promising to assemble large‐scale, high‐resolution, and high‐performance flexible electronics and to provide a fundamental understanding for correlating dielectric properties with device performance.
Geoenvironmental evaluation of toxic metals in the sediments of Araromi coastal area, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Ayodele Olusiji Samuel , Madukwe Henry Yemagu , Adelodun Adedeji Adebukola
Published: May 2021

To assess the vulnerability of Araromi residents to toxic (trace) metal pollution, we estimated the ecological risk of the sediments in the coastal area. The concentration of the metals (ppm) followed the trend: Fe (16,265–90,512) > Mn (116.3–1657) > Zn (16.5–338) > Cu (2.62–75.5) > Cr (4.5–29.25) > Pb (2–104.5) > Co (2.5–26) > Ni (1.45–22.75) > Cd (0.0015–1.5). Sediments from Oke Siri‐2, Idi Gbengben‐1, Oke Meji, Idi Gbengben‐3, and Ola Baba evidenced significant or extremely high enrichments. The degree of pollution of the trace metal was Pb > Cd > Zn > Fe > Mn > Co > Cu > Cr > Ni. Furthermore, the derived geoaccumulation index and contamination factor revealed that Pb, Cd, and Zn exhibited low‐high pollution levels. In contrast, Cr, Ni, Cu, Mn, Fe, and Co showed zero potential for ecological risks. The hazard index suggested that children and adults were not susceptible to any potential carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic effects. Also, the consensus‐based sediment quality guidelines revealed no adverse effects caused by toxic metals as the metals have values below the probable effect concentrations.
‘Culture change needed to fix OV shortage’
Authors: Hartwell Charles
Published: May 2021

Following criticism of how the supply of official veterinarians in England and Wales is managed, Josh Loeb talks to Charles Hartwell, CEO of OV provider Eville & Jones, about his view of the market and the company's business model
Emerging strategies of activatable MR imaging probes and their advantages for biomedical applications
Authors: Jin Xiao , Yang Weitao , Xu Yan , Bian Kexin , Zhang Bingbo
Published: May 2021

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a highly valuable diagnostic tool as it is a noninvasive technique that offers high spatial resolution. The use of contrast agents (CAs) can enhance the precision and specificity of MRI for disease diagnosis, but their imaging signals are “always on” regardless of whether they interact with target tissues or cells. Hence, a poor target‐to‐background signal ratio (TBR) is inevitably produced. In contrast, activatable CAs with high performance have been used to significantly improve the TBR, thus these CAs have also received extensive attention and undergone in‐depth research. In this review, we summarized the recent advances in design strategies and principles of activatable MR CAs, including ion conversion, self‐assembly, and disassembly. Additionally, we analyzed the advantages of these strategies in biomedical applications from in vitro biodetection to in vivo disease diagnosis compared to the outcomes of conventional MR CAs. Finally, we discussed the potential limitations, proposed solutions, and future perspectives of these activatable CAs.
Dimensionality effects in high‐performance thermoelectric materials: Computational and experimental progress in energy harvesting applications
Authors: Singh Deobrat , Ahuja Rajeev
Published: May 2021

Thermoelectric (TE) materials can be used in the conversion of heat to electricity and vice versa, which can enhance the efficiency of the fuel, in addition to supplying solid alternative energy in several applications in accumulating waste heat and, as a result, help to find new energy sources. Considering the current environment as well as the energy crisis, the TE modules are a need of the future. The present review focuses on the new strategies and approaches to achieve high‐performance TE materials including materials improvement, structures, and geometry improvement and their applications. Controlling the carrier concentration and the band structures of materials is an effective way to optimize the electrical transport properties, while engineered nanostructures and engineering defects can immensely decrease the thermal conductivity and significantly improved the power factor. The present review gives a better understanding of how the theory is affecting the TE field.

This article is categorized under:

Electronic Structure Theory > Density Functional Theory

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Materials Science
Some Novel High Energy Materials for Improved Performance**
Authors: Agrawal Jai Prakash , Dodke Vishal S.
Published: May 2021

High Energy Materials (HEMs) is a generic/umbrella term which is used for explosives, propellants & pyrotechnics and form an integral part of almost all weapon systems. A large number of HEMs have been reported in the literature in last few decades. This review paper discusses these HEMs in the light of a new classification of explosives proposed by Agrawal: Thermally stable or Heat‐resistant explosives, High performance (high density & high velocity of detonation) explosives, Melt‐Castable explosives, Insensitive high explosives (IHEs), Energetic binders & plasticizers and Novel energetic materials synthesized with the use of dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) technology. This review also critically examines these HEMs from the angles of scalability, processability, safety, reliability and performance in order to ascertain their potential for applications. In the end, problems associated with the use of currently available energetic materials & their likely solutions and areas for further research are also highlighted.
$$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 1 QED in 2 + 1 dimensions: dualities and enhanced symmetries
Authors: Benini Francesco , Benvenuti Sergio
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We consider three-dimensional sQED with 2 flavors and minimal supersymmetry. We discuss various models which are dual to Gross-Neveu-Yukawa theories. The U(2) ultraviolet global symmetry is often enhanced in the infrared, for instance to O(4) or SU(3). This is analogous to the conjectured behaviour of non-supersymmetric QED with 2 flavors. A perturbative analysis of the Gross-Neveu-Yukawa models in the D = 4 − ε expansion shows that the U(2) preserving superpotential deformations of the sQED (mod- ulo tuning mass terms to zero) are irrelevant, therefore the fixed points with enhanced symmetry are stable. We also construct an example of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 sQED with 4 flavors that exhibits enhanced SO(6) symmetry.
Dynamical tadpoles and Weak Gravity Constraints
Authors: Mininno Alessandro , Uranga Angel M.
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Non-supersymmetric string models are plagued with tadpoles for dynamical fields, which signal uncanceled forces sourced by the vacuum. We argue that in certain cases, uncanceled dynamical tadpoles can lead to inconsistencies with quantum gravity, via violation of swampland constraints. We describe an explicit realization in a supersymmetric toroidal Z2 × Z2 orientifold with D7-branes, where the dynamical tadpole generated by displacement of the D7-branes off its minimum leads to violation of the axion Weak Gravity Conjecture. In these examples, cancellation of dynamical tadpoles provides consistency conditions for the configuration, of dynamical nature (as opposed to the topological conditions of topological tadpoles, such as RR tadpole cancellation in compact spaces). We show that this approach provides a re-derivation of the Z-minimization criterion for AdS vacua giving the gravitational dual of a-maximization in 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 toric quiver SCFTs.
Leading nonlinear tidal effects and scattering amplitudes
Authors: Bern Zvi , Parra-Martinez Julio , Roiban Radu , Sawyer Eric , Shen Chia-Hsien
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We present the two-body Hamiltonian and associated eikonal phase, to leading post-Minkowskian order, for infinitely many tidal deformations described by operators with arbitrary powers of the curvature tensor. Scattering amplitudes in momentum and position space provide systematic complementary approaches. For the tidal operators quadratic in curvature, which describe the linear response to an external gravitational field, we work out the leading post-Minkowskian contributions using a basis of operators with arbitrary numbers of derivatives which are in one-to-one correspondence with the worldline multipole operators. Explicit examples are used to show that the same techniques apply to both bodies interacting tidally with a spinning particle, for which we find the leading contributions from quadratic in curvature tidal operators with an arbitrary number of derivatives, and to effective field theory extensions of general relativity. We also note that the leading post-Minkowskian order contributions from higher-dimension operators manifest double-copy relations. Finally, we comment on the structure of higher-order corrections.
Phase diagram of the charged black hole bomb system
Authors: Davey Alex , Dias Oscar J. C. , Rodgers Paul
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We find the phase diagram of solutions of the charged black hole bomb system. In particular, we find the static hairy black holes of Einstein-Maxwell-Scalar theory confined in a Minkowski box. We impose boundary conditions such that the scalar field vanishes at and outside a cavity of constant radius. These hairy black holes are asymptotically flat with a scalar condensate floating above the horizon. We identify four critical scalar charges which mark significant changes in the qualitative features of the phase diagram. When they coexist, hairy black holes always have higher entropy than the Reissner-Nordström black hole with the same quasilocal mass and charge. So hairy black holes are natural candidates for the endpoint of the superradiant/near-horizon instabilities of the black hole bomb system. We also relate hairy black holes to the boson stars of the theory. When it has a zero horizon radius limit, the hairy black hole family terminates on the boson star family. Finally, we find the Israel surface tensor of the box required to confine the scalar condensate and that it can obey suitable energy conditions.
Neutrino beam-dump experiment with FASER at the LHC
Authors: Jodłowski Krzysztof , Trojanowski Sebastian
Published: May 2021

Abstract

The neutrino physics program at the LHC, which will soon be initiated by the FASER experiment, will provide unique opportunities for precision studies of neutrino interaction vertices at high energies. This will also open up the possibility to search for beyond the standard model (BSM) particles produced in such interactions in the specific high-energy neutrino beam-dump experiment. In this study, we illustrate the prospects for such searches in models with the dipole or Z′ portal to GeV-scale heavy neutral leptons. To this end, we employ both the standard signature of new physics that consists of a pair of oppositely-charged tracks appearing in the decay vessel, and the additional types of searches. These include high-energy photons and single scattered electrons. We show that such a variety of experimental signatures could significantly extend the sensitivity reach of the future multi-purpose FASER 2 detector during the High-Luminosity phase of the LHC.
Pomeranchuk instabilities in holographic metals
Authors: Giordano Gastón , Grandi Nicolás , Lugo Adrián
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We develop a method to detect instabilities leading to nematic phases in strongly coupled metallic systems. We do so by adapting the well-known Pomeranchuk technique to a weakly coupled system of fermions in a curved asymptotically AdS bulk. The resulting unstable modes are interpreted as corresponding to instabilities on the dual strongly coupled holographic metal. We apply our technique to a relativistic 3 + 1-dimensional bulk with generic quartic fermionic couplings, and explore the phase diagram at zero temperature for finite values of the fermion mass and chemical potential, varying the couplings. We find a wide region of parameters where the system is stable, which is simply connected and localized around the origin of coupling space.
Osteopontin and Transplantation: Where Are We Now?
Authors: Kaleta Beata
Published: May 2021

Organ transplantation represents the optimal therapeutic tool for patients with end-stage organ failure. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is likewise an effective therapy for a wide range of malignant and non-malignant diseases. Better understanding of transplantation immunology and the use of multi-modal immunosuppression protocols, can decrease the risk of graft failure and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after HSCT. Nevertheless, a major challenge of modern transplantology still seems to be finding non-invasive biomarkers for recipients selection, monitoring of allograft function, and diagnosis of rejection. Since proinflammatory cytokine osteopontin (OPN) is closely involved in regulating both adaptive and innate immune responses, as well as the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, it is likely to play an important role in organ and HSC transplantation. This review is to summarize recent advances in our knowledge about OPN function in the kidney, heart, liver, lung, and HSC transplantation. Most studies found that elevated OPN is associated with poorer graft function in kidney, heart, liver and lung recipients. Moreover, some reports suggested that this protein can play role in GVHD pathogenesis. However, due to relatively small number of similar studies, as well as some inconclusive results, future investigation in this field is needed to verify if OPN can serve as a biomarker of organ and HSC transplantation. The knowledge about such markers will promote our understanding of the mechanisms underlying graft dysfunction and posttransplant mortality. In addition, such knowledge may be helpful in the development of new treatment strategies and identification of recipients with increased risk of allograft failure.
Priority accuracy by dispatch centers and Emergency Medical Services professionals in trauma patients: a cohort study
Authors: Waalwijk Job F. , Lokerman Robin D. , van der Sluijs Rogier , Fiddelers Audrey A. A. , Leenen Luke P. H. , van Heijl Mark , Poeze Martijn ,   the Pre-hospital Trauma Triage Research Collaborative (PTTRC), Lansink Koen W. W. , de Jongh Mariska A. C. , Hartog Dennis den , Halm Jens A. , Giannakópoulos Georgios F. , Edwards Michael J. R. , van Grunsven Pierre M. , Breeman Wim , van Vliet Risco , Verhagen Thijs F. , Hoogeveen Margreet W. M. J. , Sturms Leontien M.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Priority-setting by dispatch centers and Emergency Medical Services professionals has a major impact on pre-hospital triage and times of trauma patients. Patients requiring specialized care benefit from expedited transport to higher-level trauma centers, while transportation of these patients to lower-level trauma centers is associated with higher mortality rates. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of priority-setting by dispatch centers and Emergency Medical Services professionals.

Methods

This observational study included trauma patients transported from the scene of injury to a trauma center. Priority-setting was evaluated in terms of the proportion of patients requiring specialized trauma care assigned with the highest priority (i.e., sensitivity), undertriage, and overtriage. Patients in need of specialized care were defined by a composite resource-based endpoint. An Injury Severity Score ≥ 16 served as a secondary reference standard.

Results

Between January 2015 and December 2017, records of 114,459 trauma patients were collected, of which 3327 (2.9%) patients were in need of specialized care according to the primary reference standard. Dispatch centers and Emergency Medical Services professionals assigned 83.8% and 74.5% of these patients with the highest priority, respectively. Undertriage rates ranged between 22.7 and 65.5% in the different prioritization subgroups. There were differences between dispatch and transport priorities in 17.7% of the patients.

Conclusion

The majority of patients that required specialized care were assigned with the highest priority by the dispatch centers and Emergency Medical Services professionals. Highly accurate priority criteria could improve the quality of pre-hospital triage.
Deafness after COVID-19?
Authors: Gerstacker K. , Speck I. , Riemann S. , Aschendorff A. , Knopf A. , Arndt S.
Published: May 2021

This article presents a case of sudden bilateral deafness in the context of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection and resultant coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). After treatment in the intensive care unit for acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute kidney failure, hearing ability had drastically changed. While hearing had been subjectively normal before the infection, deafness was now measured on the left and profound hearing loss on the right ear. The patient was treated with cochlea implants on the left and a hearing aid in the right ear. The hearing loss is most likely a complication of COVID-19.
Targeted 1H NMR metabolomics and immunological phenotyping of human fresh blood and serum samples discriminate between healthy individuals and inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with anti-TNF
Authors: Notararigo Sara , Martín-Pastor Manuel , Viñuela-Roldán Juan E. , Quiroga Adriano , Dominguez-Munoz J. Enrique , Barreiro-de Acosta Manuel
Published: May 2021

Inflammatory bowel disease is a multifactorial etiology, associated with environmental factors that can trigger both debut and relapses. A high level of tumor necrosis factor-α in the gut is the main consequence of immune system imbalance. The aim of treatment is to restore gut homeostasis. In this study, fresh blood and serum samples were used to identify biomarkers and to discriminate between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients under remission treated with anti-TNF. Metabolomics based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) was used to detect unique biomarkers for each class of patients. Blood T lymphocyte repertories were characterized, as well as cytokine and transcription factor profiling, to complement the metabolomics data. Higher levels of homoserine-methionine and isobutyrate were identified as biomarkers of Crohn’s disease with ileocolic localization. For ulcerative colitis, lower levels of creatine-creatinine, proline, and tryptophan were found that reflect a deficit in the absorption of essential amino acids in the gut. T lymphocyte phenotyping and its functional profiling revealed that the overall inflammation was lower in Crohn’s disease patients than in those with ulcerative colitis. These results demonstrated that NMR metabolomics could be introduced as a high-throughput evaluation method in routine clinical practice to stratify both types of patients related to their pathology.

Key messages

NMR metabolomics is a non-invasive tool that could be implemented in the normal clinical practice for IBD to assess beneficial effect of the treatment.

NMR metabolomics is a useful tool for precision medicine, in order to sew a specific treatment to a specific group of patients.

Finding predictors of response to IFX would be desirable to select patients affected by IBD.

Immunological status of inflammations correlates with NMR metabolomics biomarkers.
On band modules and $$\tau $$-tilting finiteness
Authors: Schroll Sibylle , Treffinger Hipolito , Valdivieso Yadira
Published: May 2021

In this paper, motivated by a $$\tau $$
τ
-tilting version of the Brauer-Thrall Conjectures, we study general properties of band modules and their endomorphisms in the module category of a finite dimensional algebra. As an application we describe properties of torsion classes containing band modules. Furthermore, we show that a special biserial algebra is $$\tau $$
τ
-tilting finite if and only if no band module is a brick. We also recover a criterion for the $$\tau $$
τ
-tilting finiteness of Brauer graph algebras in terms of the Brauer graph.
Evaluation of material property estimating methods for n-alkanes, 1-alcohols, and methyl esters for droplet evaporation calculations
Authors: Csemány Dávid , Gujás István , Chong Cheng Tung , Józsa Viktor
Published: May 2021

Modeling of heat and mass transfer in liquid fuel combustion requires several material properties in a wide temperature and pressure range. The unavailable data are commonly patched with various estimation methods. In this paper, group contribution methods (GCM) and law of corresponding states (LCS) were analyzed for estimating material properties of n-alkanes (up to C10H22 and C12H26), 1-alcohols (up to C10H22O), and methyl esters (up to C19H38O2 and C19H36O2). These were compared to reference data to evaluate their applicability. LCS suggested by Poling et al. provides proper estimation for the acentric factor. GCM of Joback accurately estimates normal boiling point, critical properties, and specific heat capacity of the vapor-phase, the latter was corrected for methanol, however, GCM of Constantinou is more accurate for critical pressure of methyl esters. GCM of Ruzicka is suitable for estimating liquid-phase specific heat capacity. This method was updated for methanol. GCM of Elbro gives a proper estimation for liquid-phase density, while LCS of Lucas estimates vapor-phase viscosity properly. LCS of Chung and the modified Eucken method for vapor-phase and GCM of Sastri for liquid-phase thermal conductivity are appropriate. Considering the gas-phase mutual diffusion coefficient, the method of Fuller provides the best estimation, while LCS methods of Riedel and Chen are suitable for the enthalpy of vaporization at the normal boiling point.
Novel FAP ligands enable improved imaging contrast in sarcoma patients due to FAPI-PET/CT
Authors: Koerber Stefan A. , Finck R. , Dendl K. , Uhl M. , Lindner T. , Kratochwil C. , Röhrich M. , Rathke H. , Ungerechts G. , Adeberg S. , Herfarth K. , Jaeger D. , Debus J. , Haberkorn U. , Giesel F. L.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

A high expression of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) was observed in multiple sarcomas, indicating an enormous potential for PET/CT using 68Ga-radiolabeled inhibitors of FAP (FAPI). Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to evaluate the role of the novel hybrid imaging probe for sarcomas as a first clinical evaluation.

Methods

A cohort of 15 patients underwent 68Ga-FAPI-PET/CT for staging or restaging. The acquisition of PET scans was performed 60 min after administration of 127 to 308 MBq of the tracer. The uptake of 68Ga-FAPI in malignant tissue as well as in healthy organs was quantified by standardized uptake values SUVmean and SUVmax.

Results

Excellent tumor-to-background ratios (> 7) could be achieved due to low background activity and high SUVmax in primary tumors (median 7.16), local relapses (median 11.47), and metastases (median 6.29). The highest uptake was found for liposarcomas and high-grade disease (range 18.86–33.61). A high SUVmax (> 10) was observed for clinically more aggressive disease.

Conclusion

These preliminary findings suggest a high potential for the clinical use of 68Ga-FAPI-PET/CT for patients diagnosed with sarcoma.
Efficacy and safety of the Miethke programmable differential pressure valve (proGAV®2.0): a single-centre retrospective analysis
Authors: Hall Benjamin J. , S. Gillespie Conor , Hennigan Dawn , Bagga Veejay , Mallucci Conor , Pettorini Benedetta
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Achieving decompression without CSF over-drainage remains a challenge in hydrocephalus. Differential pressure valves are a popular treatment modality, with evidence suggesting that incorporation of gravitational units helps minimise over-drainage. This study seeks to describe the utility of the proGAV®2.0 programmable valve in a paediatric population.

Methods

Clinical records and imaging of all patients fitted with proGAV®2.0 valves and Miethke fixed-pressure valves between 2014 and 2019 at our tertiary centre were analysed. Patient demographics, indication for shunt and valve insertion/revision and time to shunt/valve revision were collected. Ventricular linear metrics (fronto-occipital horn ratio (FOHR) and fronto-occipital horn width ratio (FOHWR)) were collected pre- and post-valve insertion. Microsoft Excel and SPSS v24 were used for data collection and statistical analysis.

Results

Eighty-eight proGAV®2.0 valves were inserted in a population of 77 patients (n = 45 males (58%), mean age 5.1 years (IQR: 0.4–11.0 years)). A total of 102 Miethke fixed-pressure valves were inserted over the same time period. Median follow-up was 17.5 months (1.0–47.3). One (1.1%) proGAV®2.0 was revised due to over-drainage, compared to 2 (1.9%) fixed-pressure valves (p > 0.05). ProGAV®2.0 insertion resulted in a significant decrease in the mean number of revisions per patient per year (1.77 vs 0.25; p = 0.01). Overall shunt system survival with the proGAV®2.0 was 80.4% at 12 months, and mean time to revision was 37.1 months, compared to 31.0 months (95%CI: 25.7–36.3) and 58.3% in fixed-pressure valves (p < 0.01). Significant decreases were seen following proGAV®2.0 insertion in both FOHR and FOHWR, by 0.014 (95%CI: 0.006–0.023, p = 0.002) and 0.037 (95%CI: 0.005–0.069, p = 0.024) respectively.

Conclusion

The proGAV®2.0 provides effective decompression of hydrocephalic patients, significantly reduces the number of valve revisions per patient and had a significantly greater mean time to revision than fixed-pressure valves.
A reduction in the sea surface warming rate in the South China Sea during 1999–2010
Authors: Jiang Guo-Qing , Jin Qinjian , Wei Jun , Malanotte-Rizzoli Paola , Gordon Arnold L. , Li Mingting
Published: May 2021

The South China Sea (SCS) experienced a significant reduction in warming rate (− 0.01 °C decade−1, $$p>0.10$$

p
>
0.10

) during 1999–2010 following an accelerated and unprecedented warming (+ 0.15 °C decade−1, $$p<0.01$$

p
<
0.01

) in the last three decades (1970–1998). However, most global climate models of the CMIP5 RCP4.5 scenario failed to capture this SCS warming slowdown. In this study, we identify two drivers through numerical simulations by using a regional high-resolution, ocean–atmosphere coupled climate model: the major variance (75%) in the sea surface warming slowdown could be explained by the strengthened winter monsoon over the SCS, and the minor variance (12%) could be explained by the changes in the upper ocean circulations. The winter monsoon over the SCS is likely linked to the La Niña-like SST pattern in the eastern tropical Pacific, which strengthens the Walker circulation and results in anticyclonic circulation over the northwestern Pacific. This enhanced winter monsoon is the atmospheric driver that slows down the SCS basin-scale warming, while the largest reduction of the warming rate occurs in the northern SCS that can be attributed to the oceanic throughflow via the Luzon Strait. These findings could have important implications for future climate projections over the SCS and adjacent oceans.
Cross-sectional adherence with the multi-target stool DNA test for colorectal cancer screening in a large, nationally insured cohort
Authors: Miller-Wilson Lesley-Ann , Rutten Lila J Finney , Van Thomme Jack , Ozbay A Burak , Limburg Paul J
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most deadly cancer in the USA. Early detection can improve CRC outcomes, but recent national screening rates (62%) remain below the 80% goal set by the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable. Multiple options are endorsed for average-risk CRC screening, including the multi-target stool DNA (mt-sDNA) test. We evaluated cross-sectional mt-sDNA test completion in a population of commercially and Medicare-insured patients.

Methods

Participants included individuals ages 50 years and older with commercial insurance or Medicare, with a valid mt-sDNA test shipped by Exact Sciences Laboratories LLC between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2018 (n = 1,420,460). In 2020, we analyzed cross-sectional adherence, as the percent of successfully completed tests within 365 days of shipment date.

Results

Overall cross-sectional adherence was 66.8%. Adherence was 72.1% in participants with Traditional Medicare, 69.1% in participants with Medicare Advantage, and 61.9% in participants with commercial insurance. Adherence increased with age: 60.8% for ages 50–64, 71.3% for ages 65–75, and 74.7% for ages 76 + years. Participants with mt-sDNA tests ordered by gastroenterologists had a higher adherence rate (78.3%) than those with orders by primary care clinicians (67.2%). Geographically, adherence rates were highest among highly rural patients (70.8%) and ordering providers in the Pacific region (71.4%).

Conclusions

Data from this large, national sample of insured patients demonstrate high cross-sectional adherence with the mt-sDNA test, supporting its role as an accepted, noninvasive option for average-risk CRC screening. Attributes of mt-sDNA screening, including home-based convenience and accompanying navigation support, likely contributed to high completion rates.
How reliable is anamnestic data in predicting the clinical relevance of house dust mite sensitization?
Authors: Englhard Anna S. , Holzer Martin , Eder Katharina , Gellrich Donata , Gröger Moritz
Published: May 2021

Purpose

For perennial inhalant allergens such as house dust mite (HDM), the German guideline on allergen-specific immunotherapy explicitly recommends provocation testing. This procedure is time-consuming, expensive, and potentially dangerous for the patient. Recently it has been discussed whether provocation tests are really necessary for diagnosing allergy to Dermatophagoides species. Thus, our study aimed to analyze the concordance between nasal provocation tests with Dermatophagoides species and anamnestic data.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the concordance between patients’ histories including self-reported symptom scores and the results of provocation testing in 471 individuals with proven sensitization to Dermatophagoides species.

Results

248 patients had a positive nasal provocation test (NPT) result to Dermatophagoides species and 223 individuals a negative NPT result. Patients allergic to HSM suffered significantly more often from atopic dermatitis (14% vs. 7%, p = 0.046) and more from asthma (20% vs. 19%, p = 0.851). Moreover, individuals with clinically silent sensitization complained less about nasal secretion (37% vs. 45%, p = 0.244) but significantly more about nasal dryness (46% vs. 34%, p = 0.046) whereas rates of nasal airway obstruction, ocular complaints and sleep quality were comparable in both groups. Allergic patients reported more often perennial (34% vs. 30%, p = 0.374) and location-dependent (39% vs. 31%, p = 0.090) symptoms. However, the discrepant prevalence of atopic dermatitis was the only statistically significant difference between both groups.

Conclusion

Despite slight differences between both patient groups, clinical data are not sufficient to distinguish between silent sensitization and clinically relevant allergic rhinitis to HDM. Therefore, nasal provocation testing remains the gold standard for assessing clinical relevance in patients sensitized to Dermatophagoides species.
The neurophysiological lesson from the Italian CIDP database
Authors: Spina Emanuele , Doneddu Pietro Emiliano , Liberatore Giuseppe , Cocito Dario , Fazio Raffaella , Briani Chiara , Filosto Massimiliano , Benedetti Luana , Antonini Giovanni , Cosentino Giuseppe , Jann Stefano , Mazzeo Anna , Cortese Andrea , Marfia Girolama Alessandra , Clerici Angelo Maurizio , Siciliano Gabriele , Carpo Marinella , Luigetti Marco , Lauria Giuseppe , Rosso Tiziana , Cavaletti Guido , Peci Erdita , Tronci Stefano , Ruiz Marta , Piccinelli Stefano Cotti , Schenone Angelo , Leonardi Luca , Gentile Luca , Piccolo Laura , Mataluni Giorgia , Santoro Lucio , Nobile-Orazio Eduardo , Manganelli Fiore ,   on the behalf of the Italian CIDP Database Study Group
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Electrophysiological diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) may be challenging. Thus, with the aim ofproviding some practical advice in electrophysiological approach to a patient with suspected CIDP, we analyzed electrophysiological data from 499 patients enrolled inthe Italian CIDP Database.

Methods

We calculated the rate of each demyelinating feature, the rate of demyelinating features per nerve, the diagnostic rate for upper andlower limb nerves, and, using a ROC curve analysis, the diagnostic accuracy of each couple of nerves and each demyelinating feature, for every CIDP subtype.Moreover, we compared the electrophysiological data of definite and probable CIDP patients with those of possible and not-fulfilling CIDP patients, and by a logisticregression analysis, we estimated the odds ratio (OR) to make an electrophysiological diagnosis of definite or probable CIDP.

Results

The ulnar nerve had the highestrate of demyelinating features and, when tested bilaterally, had the highest diagnostic accuracy except for DADS in which peroneal nerves were the most informative.In possible and not-fulfilling CIDP patients, a lower number of nerves and proximal temporal dispersion (TD) measurements had been performed compared to definiteand probable CIDP patients. Importantly, OR for each tested motor nerve and each TD measurement was 1.59 and 1.33, respectively.

Conclusion

Our findingsdemonstrated that the diagnosis of CIDP may be missed due to inadequate or incomplete electrophysiological examination or interpretation. At the same time, thesedata taken together could be useful to draw a thoughtful electrophysiological approach to patients suspected of CIDP.