bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Solvatochromic Fluorescent Probe for Solvent Polarity Detection Using a Smartphone
Authors: Deng Bing , Guo Feng , Duan Ning , Yang Shaoxiang , Tian Hongyu , Sun Baoguo
Published: July 2022

A solvatochromic fluorescent probe (probe 1) with D‐π‐A molecular configuration was developed. Probe 1 exhibited excellent polarity sensitivity. The ET (30) value of solvents demonstrated a good linear relationship with the Stokes shift of probe 1 except for DMSO. Moreover, the linear correlation coefficient value reached 0.97. The probe demonstrated different colors based on the type of solvents. With the increase in solvent polarity, the color gradually changed from blue to earthy yellow. It has a linear functional relationship between the B value (Blue, the blue primary color of light in RGB) and ET (30) values of the solvent existed. It provided strong support for the rapid determination of solvent polarity. In addition, probe 1 can be used for the determination of alcohol levels in Baijiu by smartphone.
Single Image Capture of Bioactive Ion Crosstalk within Inter‐Organelle Membrane Contacts at Nanometer Resolution
Authors: Fang Guiqian , Chen Huimin , Shao Xintian , Wang Han , Zhan Dongxue , Wang Ran , Meng Peng , Fang Hongbao , Liu Fei , Ling Peixue , Wu Zhongyu , Diao Jiajie , Yao Qingqiang , Chen Qixin
Published: July 2022

Rapid bioactive ion exchange is a form of communication that regulates a wide range of biological processes. Despite advances in super‐resolution optical microscopy, visualizing ion exchange remains challenging due to the extremely fast nature of these events. Here, a “converting a dynamic event into a static image construction” (CDtSC) strategy is developed that uses the color transformation of a single dichromatic molecular probe to visualize bioactive ion inter‐organelle exchange in live cells. As a proof of concept, a reactive sulfur species (RSS) is analyzed at the mitochondria‐lysosome contact sites (MLCs). A non‐toxic and sensitive probe based on coumarin‐hemicyanine structure is designed that responds to RSS localized in both mitochondria and lysosomes while fluorescing different colors. Using this probe, RSS give‐and‐take at MLCs is visualized, thus providing the first evidence that RSS is involved in inter‐organelle contacts and communication. Taken together, the CDtSC provides a strategy to visualize and analyze rapid inter‐organelle ion exchange events in live cells at nanometer resolution.
Experimental Investigation of CO2‐ and Fe3O4‐Assisted Corrosion at the Cement–Casing Interface
Authors: Wang Shuliang , He Xujia , Wang Shidong , Yao Mengjun , Zhang Jiaji , Wu Mingyu , Liu Li , Zhang Xingguo , Xiang Dinghan
Published: July 2022

In this study, CO2‐ and Fe3O4‐assisted corrosion of the cement–casing interface for the magnetite (Fe3O4) high‐density cement–casing steel system in simulated formation water is investigated under the normal and high CO2 pressure conditions. Results show that the degradation of the cement–casing interface is affected by the competition of cement hydration and CO2 corrosion. The migration of CO2 and corrosive species to the cement–casing interface is facilitated under the high pressure condition, resulting in enhanced corrosion rate as compared to the normal pressure condition. The casing steel is in active corrosion state while the corrosion rate gradually increases with time. After long term of immersion, a layer of thick corrosion products with multiple cracks/microgaps forms at the cement–casing interface, which can hardly protect the casing steel from further corrosion. The corrosion products on the steel surface are mainly FeCO3 accompanied by a small amount of CaCO3 and Fe3O4, suggesting the prevalence of CO2 corrosion. The mechanism of the CO2‐ and Fe3O4‐facilitated corrosion of the cement–casing interface for the magnetite high‐density cement–casing system is proposed.
Effect of Reoxidation on Inclusions Characteristic During Casting in Al‐Killed Steel Containing Rare Earth
Authors: Wang Yeguang , Liu Chengjun
Published: July 2022

To investigate the effect of reoxidation on inclusions characteristic during casting in Al‐killed steel containing rare earth, two industrial heats, including one of steady casting and the other of reoxidation, are performed with sampling from Rheinstahl Heratus, tundish, submerged entry nozzle, and slab. In the present study, air absorption occurs at the submerged entry nozzle and caused the reoxidation of molten steel. As a result, the number of inclusions increases significantly, and nearly spherical Ce2O2S inclusions are transformed to clustered‐like CeAlO3, which increases the average size of inclusions from 3.92 to 9.21 μm, thereby resulting in serious nozzle clogging and slab defects. The results of thermodynamic calculation show that Ce2O2S is transformed to CeAlO3 with total oxygen content increases under different Ce additions, and this transformation of inclusions can be inhibited by controlling the value of [Ce]/[O] above 2.12. Based on the experimental results and the theoretical analysis, the evolution mechanism of inclusions during reoxidation is clarified. This study can provide theoretical guidance to alleviate the harm of reoxidation to Al‐killed RE‐steel from the inclusion‐controlling perspective.
Preparation and Mechanisms of Compatible Composite from Water Soluble Starch and Polycaprolactone
Authors: Weng Fangqing , Li Lin , Wu Qiangxian
Published: July 2022

Generally, biodegradable composites from hydrophilic biomass such as starch and hydrophobic polymers show poor compatibility. In this work, Polycaprolactone (PCL) diol is used to synthesize PCL diol‐based polyurethane prepolymer (PCLPUP), and then the PCLPUP as a compatibilizer is mixed with water soluble starch and PCL in an intensive mixer for preparing compatible starch–PCL composites. Structural and morphological analyses show that the compatibility of the starch–PCL composite is significantly improved due to the existence of the PCLPUP interfacial layer. Consequently, the tensile strength, bending strength, and impact strength of the composite are enhanced greatly. Through the thorough purification and separation of starch–PCL composites, it is found that the compatibility mechanism mainly comes from two aspects. On the one hand, during the melting reaction, the PCLPUP forms PCLPUP interfacial layer and coats the water soluble starch filler tightly through urethane linkages. On the other hand, the PCLPUP interfacial layer interacts strongly with the PCL polymer matrix through PCL–PCL crystallinity. Therefore the PCLPUP interfacial layer plays an important role in the improvement of the compatibility of the composite.
Comparing ultraviolet with chlorine dioxide wipe system for vaginal ultrasound probe cleaning: critical analysis of the term ‘cleaning’
Authors: Swinney P. , Dixon E. , Williams F. , Hardy S.
Published: July 2022

Linked article: This Correspondence comments on Kyriacou et al. Click here to view the article.
Thermoelectric properties of Cu‐Doped Heusler compound Fe2‐xCuxVAl
Authors: Jha Rajveer , Tsujii Naohito , Bourgès Cédric , Gao Weihong , Bauer Ernst , Mori Takao
Published: July 2022

We investigated the effects on thermoelectric properties of Cu doping in Fe2‐xCuxVAl at Fe site of full‐Heusler type compound. It is found that the Cu doping for Fe sites causes a significant increase in the absolute value of Seebeck coefficient |S| and a decrease in thermal conductivity. The Seebeck coefficient (S)=‐148μV/K and the Power factor (PF)=4.0 mWK−2m−1 have been observed for Fe1.9Cu0.1VAl (x=0.1) at 300 K. To further improve it, we fixed the Cu doping level at x=0.1 in Fe2‐xCuxVAl and co‐doped the material with Si at Al site, namely, Fe1.9Cu0.1VAl1‐ySiy. The thermoelectric properties have been improved by Si doping to a certain limit. We observed a decrease in electrical resistivity and lattice thermal conductivity by Si doping for Al. The maximum power factor of 4.5 mWK−2m−1 has been achieved for Fe1.9Cu0.1Al0.9Si0.1 at 350 K. More precisely, the thermoelectric performance has been improved with co‐doping of Cu for Fe sites and Si for Al sites. The largest ZT value is 0.13 for Fe1.9Cu0.1VAl1‐ySiy (y=0.15). Magnetic susceptibility suggests that all the measured compounds are showing paramagnetic behavior. The magnetic character is the most pronounced in Fe1.9Cu0.1VAl among the materials investigated, pointing to a possible correlation between the magnetic character due to electronic correlation and the larger Seebeck coefficient in this sample.
Comparing, Choosing, and Combining Systems Mapping Methods
Authors: Barbrook-Johnson Pete , Penn Alexandra S.
Published: July 2022

This chapter explores (i) a detailed but usable comparison of the system mapping methods in this book; (ii) how we might choose which ones are appropriate given our and our project’s needs, and the nature of the system we are working in; and (iii) how we might combine different sets of methods, both sequentially within a project, and in hybrid forms, to approach problems more holistically, and innovate methodologically.
Rich Pictures
Authors: Barbrook-Johnson Pete , Penn Alexandra S.
Published: July 2022

This chapter introduces readers to Rich Pictures and briefly to Soft Systems Methodology, the broader approach from which Rich Pictures emerged. It overviews what Rich Pictures are, how to use them and the steps in doing so, and the common issues and tricks and tips to overcome them. We also consider what Rich Pictures are good and bad at, give a brief overview of their history, and highlight resources and ways to get started.
Causal Loop Diagrams
Authors: Barbrook-Johnson Pete , Penn Alexandra S.
Published: July 2022

This chapter introduces Causal Loop Diagrams. We explore what exactly Causal Loop Diagrams are, describe how you can use them, take a step back to consider common issues and ‘tricks of the trade’, as well as present a brief history of the development of the method. This chapter can be viewed as a companion to Chap. 10.1007/978-3-031-01919-7_8 on System Dynamics; these two methods are closely related. Causal Loop Diagrams emerged from Systems Dynamics practice, and though it is a systems mapping method in its own right now, it is still often used as a stepping-stone to the development of System Dynamics models.
Participatory Systems Mapping
Authors: Barbrook-Johnson Pete , Penn Alexandra S.
Published: July 2022

This chapter introduces Participatory Systems Mapping, a method for building and analysing causal system models in groups, developed by us. The method uses tools from network analysis and focuses on chains of causal connections to develop meaningful and actionable insights with stakeholders. This chapter describes in detail what it is and how to use it, considers what it is good and bad at, as well as describes some of the history of its development. We also point to resources and tips for getting started with the method yourself.
Processes of Decision Making: Report from the Qualitative Interview Study
Authors: Jürgensen Martina , Herzog Madeleine
Published: July 2022

This chapter describes in some detail how complex family decision-making processes were made and how they have been and will be judged by families (members), both at the time of the illness and in retrospect. With one exception, all families said that the decision to conduct a BMT was not experienced as an option but as another step in the therapeutic process, to which there was no alternative. They felt they had no other choice. The decision to have family members typed and, if they match, use them as donors, was not interpreted as a “decision” either, but was considered a matter of course for the family members. Families preferred a sibling donor over an unrelated one. Parents felt that they needed to talk to the (potential) donor about the donation; the child was usually also “officially” asked whether she or he agreed to the donation. However, everyone knew that a negative answer to this question was not possible. In retrospect, only one family (out of 17) doubted that they had taken the right decision.
Deciding About Child Bone Marrow Donation – Procedural Moral Pitfalls
Authors: Henning Tim
Published: July 2022

This chapter focuses on two morally significant procedural issues that arise in decisions about intra-family bone marrow donations. 1.) There is a danger of violating what moral philosophers refer to as the separateness of persons, and of viewing the children as mere “value receptacles.” 2.) There is a special danger to the child’s autonomy – the danger of using the burdens of autonomy to undermine autonomy. These dangers are described, and possible ways to avoid them are explored.
Mapping Responsibilities: Report from the Qualitative Interview Study
Authors: Jürgensen Martina , Herzog Madeleine
Published: July 2022

One of the main themes emerging from the interviews with 17 families about their long-term experiences of bone marrow transplantation was the perception and distribution of responsibilities among the members of the family. Families reported that they felt it was a shared responsibility to help the sick child, and therefore considered donation a matter of course, even a family duty, which contributed to a dynamic differentiation of responsibilities among family members. Donors, for instance, acknowledged a responsibility for the success or failure of the transplant, and some said that their duty extended over time and included more transplants later in life. In retrospect, most donors valued their donation positively.
Responsibility, Care and Illness in Family Relationships
Authors: Ecarius Jutta
Published: July 2022

Family as a relationship of cooperation and solidarity refers to responsibility and education between generations. Often, the intermingling of mutual responsibility of all family members and upbringing within a specific parent-child relationship is not at all obvious. But it is set in motion when a child falls ill with leukaemia and the sibling becomes a donor, because care of the sick child changes the family structure, and thus what parents understand by responsible action and the significance that education has. In the first section, I deal with education, responsible parenthood and family issues. The second part discusses family and illness. This is followed by an analysis of the Kirstein family from the Lübeck project on bone marrow donation between siblings, in which a child has been diagnosed with leukaemia. Finally, I work through the different dimensions of responsibility in education and family interaction in the family structure.
Theoretical Foundations of Reflective Equilibrium
Authors: Rechnitzer Tanja
Published: July 2022

This chapter describes the theoretical foundations of the conception of reflective equilibrium that I adopt for the purpose of this book. According to this conception, reflective equilibrium is an imperfect procedural epistemology which is weakly foundationalist. I argue that there are six criteria that need to be met by an epistemic position to a sufficient degree in order to be in a state of reflective equilibrium.
Specifying the Method of Reflective Equilibrium: A Methodological Framework
Authors: Rechnitzer Tanja
Published: July 2022

This chapter discusses how we can obtain an applicablemethodof reflective equilibrium based on the theoretical foundations described in the previous chapter. It describes a methodological framework which identifies the tasks one has to complete in order to apply reflective equilibrium, the methodological decisions one has to make in order to be able to address these tasks, and the challenges one faces when making these methodological decisions.
Justifying a Precautionary Principle with Reflective Equilibrium: Design of a Case Study
Authors: Rechnitzer Tanja
Published: July 2022

This chapter describes the design of a case study for testing whether reflective equilibrium (RE) can be successfully applied. This includes defining the pragmatic-epistemic objective, specifying the RE criteria and the steps of the process of application, and identifying and describing the input of the RE application.
Case Study, Phase II: Focus on the Process of Adjustments
Authors: Rechnitzer Tanja
Published: July 2022

This chapter describes the second phase of a case study in which reflective equilibrium is applied with the goal of justifying a precautionary principle. It focuses on how the RE criteria can be used to comparatively assess different candidate systems, i.e., theory choice, and to adjust commitments and system with respect to each other.
Results and Discussion: Justifying a Precautionary Principle as a Case Study for Reflective Equilibrium
Authors: Rechnitzer Tanja
Published: July 2022

This chapter summarizes the main points of the book and asks what we can learn for reflective equilibrium (RE) and its use as a method in philosophy. It highlights that (1) reflective equilibrium could be specified as an applicable method which puts real constraints on justification; and (2) applying reflective equilibrium as a method did contribute to the desiderata for justifying a precautionary principle. Taking a step back from the case study, the chapter argues that while RE can be specified as a method, it might often be more fruitful to adopt it as amethodology.
Introduction
Authors: Rohne Till Emelie
Published: July 2022

The twenty-first century has seen the concurrent rise of optimism about economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa and the return of the agricultural sector to the top of the development agenda. Ethiopia—with its rapid economic growth for two decades, achieved during a policy focus on the agricultural sector—is at the forefront of both these developments. This chapter introduces the book’s main theme of the role of agriculture in economic development, which is addressed based on a case study of Ethiopia.
Concluding Remarks
Authors: Rohne Till Emelie
Published: July 2022

This chapter sums up the main conclusions based on the book’s three main parts: the theoretical discussion on the role of agriculture in economic growth; the historical account of key aspects of the Ethiopian case study; and the empirical investigation of the relationship between agricultural and aggregate economic growth in Ethiopia during the rapid growth period in 2002–2010. The chapter also outlines some relevant areas of future research, based on the book’s research.
Multimodal Wearable System for Motor Rehabilitation: Usability and Acceptability
Authors: Perego Paolo , Sironi Roberto , Scagnoli Martina , Terraroli Maria , Standoli Carlo Emilio , Andreoni Giuseppe
Published: July 2022

Wearables are one of the most promising technology for easing the transition towards a personalized medicine, bringing healthcare and rehabilitation from hospitals to homes. Wearables inherently carries with them all the problems of small, portable devices and technologists. These problems could be related to the design phase as the real needs of the user are often not taken into consideration. This paper aims to describe the design and application of a new method for usability and acceptability evaluation of wearable devices, which can be applied after the first low fidelity prototype or and the end of development phase in order to evaluate how easy the system is to use, when comfortable and invasive, but above all if it reflects.
Investigating the Usability of Voice Assistant-Based CBT for Age-Related Depression
Authors: Striegl Julian , Gotthardt Marie , Loitsch Claudia , Weber Gerhard
Published: July 2022

To combat the global shortage of mental health services, new solutions - such as computerized therapy options - have to be found. While research in this field has been ongoing for several decades and approaches such as chatbot-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have already shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression for younger adults, voice assistant-based (VA-based) approaches have thus far not been investigated deeply. However, especially for elderly people with depression VA-based systems could yield benefits - such as the avoidance of physical accessibility issues. Therefore, we propose the design of a VA-based system capable of delivering selected methods from CBT to elderly users with depression in order to investigate its usability. To assess the usability of the conceptualized system in comparison to a chatbot-based approach we conducted a randomized controlled A/B testing experiment with 14 participants. Results indicate a good usability and acceptance of the designed system and a preference for the delivery of CBT-methods via voice assistant rather than via chatbot, especially among elderly participants.
Making Person-Centred Health Care Beneficial for People with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Mild Dementia – Results of Interviews with Patients and Their Informal Caregivers
Authors: Gappa Henrike , Mohamad Yehya , Breidenbach Martin , Abizanda Pedro , Schmidt-Barzynski Wolfgang , Steinhoff Antje , Robbins Timothy , Randeva Harpal , Kyrou Ioannis , Cramariuc Oana , Ciobanu Cristiana , Arvanitis Theodoros N. , Keung Sarah N. Lim Choi , Ertürkmen Gokce Banu Laleci , Gencturk Mert , Yüksel Mustafa , Ayadi Jaouhar , Gilardi Luca , Consoli Angelo , Ferrazzini Lionello , Velasco Carlos A.
Published: July 2022

In the health care sector, person-centred treatment approaches have shown the potential to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life of patients. In particular, this applies where patients are living with complex conditions like multimorbid older patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or mild dementia. Such treatment approaches quite often include input from modern health technologies like health/home monitoring platforms which also offer services to patients for self-management of their conditions. This approach is also followed in the research project CAREPATH (An Integrated Solution for Sustainable Care for Multimorbid Patients with Dementia). To achieve acceptance of such complex health technologies, their services must be beneficial in the eyes of target end users which included in the case of CAREPATH, the patient’s informal caregivers. Therefore, understanding the user requirements of patients and their informal caregivers is of utmost importance which was achieved in CAREPATH by interviews. These revealed that patients’ preferences in regard to what services and information shall be provided to them shall be limited to what they deem necessary which is highly personal. Informal caregivers as opposed to patients, are much interested in receiving most possible information about their care-dependent’s health status. Thus, provision of services and information for these user groups need to be highly customizable to their personal preferences and needs.
Displaced neutrino jets at the LHeC
Authors: Cottin Giovanna , Fischer Oliver , Mandal Sanjoy , Mitra Manimala , Padhan Rojalin
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Extending the Standard Model with right-handed neutrinos (RHNs) is well motivated by the observation of neutrino oscillations. In the type-I seesaw model, the RHNs interact with the SM particles via tiny mixings with the active neutrinos, which makes their discovery in the laboratory, and in particular at collider experiments in general challenging. In this work we instead consider an extension of the seesaw model with RHNs with the addition of a leptoquark (LQ), and employ a non-minimal production mechanism of the RHN via LQ decay, which is unsuppressed by neutrino mixing. We focus on relatively light RHN with mass $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(10) GeV and LQ with mass 1.0 TeV, and explore the discovery prospect of the RHN at the proposed Large Hadron electron Collider. In the considered mass range and with the given interaction strength, the RHN is long lived and, due to it stemming from the LQ decay, it is also heavily boosted, resulting in collimated decay products. The unique signature under investigation is thus a displaced fat jet. We use kinematic variables to separate signal from background, and demonstrate that the ratio variables with respect to energy/number of displaced and prompt tracks are useful handles in the identification of displaced decays of the RHN. We also show that employing a positron beam provides order of magnitude enhancement in the detection prospect of this signature.
Meilen- und Grenzsteine der Entwicklung
Authors: Jenni Oskar
Published: July 2022

Umfassende Kenntnisse über Meilen- und Grenzsteine der kindlichen Entwicklung sind für Kinderärztinnen und Kinderärzte unerlässlich. Ein Meilenstein definiert den Zeitpunkt, an dem ein bestimmter Entwicklungsschritt zum ersten Mal von einem Kind vollzogen wurde. Von diesem individuellen Meilenstein abzugrenzen ist der Grenzstein: Er kennzeichnet denjenigen Zeitpunkt, an dem fast alle Kinder (z. B. 90 %) einen bestimmten Entwicklungsschritt erreicht haben. Grenzsteine stellen – ebenso wie Meilensteine – keine qualitativen Aspekte der Entwicklung dar; sie beschreiben nicht die individuellen Entwicklungswege und Entwicklungsvarianten der Kinder, sondern definieren ein bestimmtes Alter, in dem die Mehrheit der Kinder ein vorgegebenes Entwicklungsziel erreicht hat. Grenzsteine sind eine Art Frühwarnsystem und geben Hinweise darauf, dass eine weitere diagnostische Abklärung erfolgen sollte.
Depth estimation from a single SEM image using pixel-wise fine-tuning with multimodal data
Authors: Houben Tim , Huisman Thomas , Pisarenco Maxim , van der Sommen Fons , de With Peter H. N.
Published: July 2022

To support the ongoing size reduction in integrated circuits, the need for accurate depth measurements of on-chip structures becomes increasingly important. Unfortunately, present metrology tools do not offer a practical solution. In the semiconductor industry, critical dimension scanning electron microscopes (CD-SEMs) are predominantly used for 2D imaging at a local scale. The main objective of this work is to investigate whether sufficient 3D information is present in a single SEM image for accurate surface reconstruction of the device topology. In this work, we present a method that is able to produce depth maps from synthetic and experimental SEM images. We demonstrate that the proposed neural network architecture, together with a tailored training procedure, leads to accurate depth predictions. The training procedure includes a weakly supervised domain adaptation step, which is further referred to as pixel-wise fine-tuning. This step employs scatterometry data to address the ground-truth scarcity problem. We have tested this method first on a synthetic contact hole dataset, where a mean relative error smaller than 6.2% is achieved at realistic noise levels. Additionally, it is shown that this method is well suited for other important semiconductor metrics, such as top critical dimension (CD), bottom CD and sidewall angle. To the extent of our knowledge, we are the first to achieve accurate depth estimation results on real experimental data, by combining data from SEM and scatterometry measurements. An experiment on a dense line space dataset yields a mean relative error smaller than 1%.
Everlasting UC Commitments from Fully Malicious PUFs
Authors: Magri Bernardo , Malavolta Giulio , Schröder Dominique , Unruh Dominique
Published: July 2022

Everlasting security models the setting where hardness assumptions hold during the execution of a protocol but may get broken in the future. Due to the strength of this adversarial model, achieving any meaningful security guarantees for composable protocols is impossible without relying on hardware assumptions (Müller-Quade and Unruh, JoC’10). For this reason, a rich line of research has tried to leverage physical assumptions to construct well-known everlasting cryptographic primitives, such as commitment schemes. The only known everlastingly UC secure commitment scheme, due to Müller-Quade and Unruh (JoC’10), assumes honestly generated hardware tokens. The authors leave the possibility of constructing everlastingly UC secure commitments from malicious hardware tokens as an open problem. Goyal et al. (Crypto’10) constructs unconditionally UC-secure commitments and secure computation from malicious hardware tokens, with the caveat that the honest tokens must encapsulate other tokens. This extra restriction rules out interesting classes of hardware tokens, such as physically uncloneable functions (PUFs). In this work, we present the first construction of an everlastingly UC-secure commitment scheme in the fully malicious token modelwithout requiringhonest token encapsulation. Our scheme assumes the existence of PUFs and is secure in the common reference string model. We also show that our results are tight by giving an impossibility proof for everlasting UC-securecomputationfrom non-erasable tokens (such as PUFs), even with trusted setup.
No evidence in support of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in adults with degenerative and nonobstructive meniscal symptoms: a level I evidence-based systematic review
Authors: Migliorini Filippo , Oliva Francesco , Eschweiler Jörg , Cuozzo Francesco , Hildebrand Frank , Maffulli Nicola
Published: July 2022

Purpose

It is unclear whether the results of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) are comparable to a structured physical therapy (PT). This systematic review investigated efficacy of APM in the management of symptomatic meniscal damages in middle aged patients. Current available randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which compared APM performed in isolation or combined with physical therapy versus sham arthroscopy or isolated physical therapy were considered in the present systematic review.

Methods

This systematic review was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA statement. All the level I RCTs which investigated the efficacy of AMP were accessed. Studies which included elderlies with severe OA were not eligible, nor were those in which APM was combined with other surgical intervention or in patients with unstable knee or with ligaments insufficiency. The risk of bias was assessed using the software Review Manager 5.3 (The Nordic Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen). To rate the quality of evidence of collected outcomes, the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was used.

Results

Data from 17 studies (2037 patients) were collected. 48.5% (988 of 2037 patients) were women. The mean age of the patients was 52.7 ± 3.9 years, the mean BMI 27.0 ± 1.3 kg/m2. The current evidence suggests no difference in functional PROMs (quality of the evidence: high), clinical PROMs (quality of the evidence: high), pain (quality of the evidence: high), quality of life (quality of the evidence: high), physical performance measures (quality of the evidence: moderate), and OA progression (quality of the evidence: moderate).

Conclusions

The benefits of APM in adults with degenerative and nonobstructive meniscal symptoms are limited. The current evidence reports similarity in the outcome between APM and PT. Further long-term RCTs are required to investigate whether APM and PT produce comparable results using validated and reliable PROMs. Moreover, future RCTs should investigate whether patients who might benefit from APM exist, clarifying proper indications and outcomes. High quality investigations are strongly required to establish the optimal PT regimes.

Level of evidence

Level I.
Fatal adverse events of rivaroxaban combined with aspirin: an analysis using data from VigiBase
Authors: Zhang Qingxia , Ding Qian , Yan Suying , Yue Qun-Ying
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of fatal adverse events (AEs) of rivaroxaban combined with aspirin and to underline the importance of the rational use of drugs.

Methods

The WHO global database of reported potential side effects of medicinal products (VigiBase) was searched for fatal AEs in the combined use of rivaroxaban and aspirin, and the clinical characteristics of those cases with sufficient information (vigiGrade completeness score ≥ 0.80) were analyzed.

Results

By January 19, 2020, 2309 fatal adverse event reports of rivaroxaban combined with aspirin from 21 countries were entered in VigiBase. One hundred and twenty cases contained further information, of which 42 were female (35%) and 78 were male (65%). The median age was 75 (range 34 to 93) years, and 109 cases (91%) were elderly patients (≥ 65 years). The AEs listed in the fatal case reports included bleeding in 114 cases (mainly intracranial hemorrhage and gastrointestinal hemorrhage, 59 and 46 respectively, accounting for 88%) and ischemic events in six cases (ischemic stroke in three, acute myocardial infarction in two, myocardial infarction combined with acute liver failure in one). Among the patients with bleeding events, 108 (95%) had existing risk factors for bleeding or for interacting with aspirin or rivaroxaban. These may be divided into the following: diseases (hypertension, renal impairment, history of stroke, peptic ulcer, or previous bleeding), drugs (high dose aspirin, antiplatelet drugs, anticoagulants, P-gp inhibitors/CYP3A4 inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), or other factors (e.g., elderly, low body weight, or excessive intake of ginger, fish oil, or alcohol). There were 45 cases with two or more of these risk factors in addition to rivaroxaban and aspirin. Patients with ischemic events are often in very high-risk groups of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or self-discontinuation of treated drugs. Medication errors occurred in 24 patients (20%): excessive treatment in 17 cases, contraindication in three, frequency error in two, excessive treatment combined with contraindication in one, and self-discontinuation in one.

Conclusions

Fatal AEs related to rivaroxaban combined with aspirin, including bleeding and ischemic events, have been reported mostly in the elderly, and sometimes involved medication errors. The fatal AEs mainly manifested as serious bleeding, and most of them occurred in patients with concurrent multiple risk factors. Monitoring coagulation during rivaroxaban treatment is recommended in very high-risk ASCVD populations, and attention should be paid to prevention of medication errors.
Enhancement and investigation of biodegradability of poly (methyl methacrylate) and poly (vinyl chloride) by blending with biodegradable polymer
Authors: Sudhakar Yethadka Narahari , Selvakumar Muthu , Bhat Denthaje Krishna
Published: July 2022

Presently, society needs an eco-friendlier alternative for non-biodegradable polymers, nonetheless, synthetic polymers have established the market because of cost and easy to manufacture. To address the challenge of reducing the lifetime of degradation of these polymers, the scope of blending natural biopolymers is effective. This paper focuses on confirming the effectiveness of biodegradation in the molecular level of polymer blends between synthetic polymers and biopolymers. The synthetic polymers such as poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) were blended with varying compositions of biodegradable cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB). Using dimethylformamide (DMF) the films of PMMA/CAB, PVC/CAB blends were prepared by the solution casting method. Four different methods for studying biodegradability of these blends, namely soil burial test, enzymatic degradation, activated sludge degradation followed by microbial degradation were performed. The confirmation of degradation was done by NMR, FTIR, and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) studies. Moreover, degradation analyses were determined by the weight loss method. Sufficient biodegradability was shown with an increase in CAB content in the blend. This work provides an approach for bringing about the degradation of synthetic polymers without much compromise on their properties. Also, the type of microorganisms that effectively degrades these polymer bends can be known.
The vacuolar morphology protein VAC14 plays an important role in sexual development in the filamentous ascomycete Sordaria macrospora
Authors: Groth Anika , Ahlmann Svenja , Werner Antonia , Pöggeler Stefanie
Published: July 2022

The multiprotein Fab1p/PIKfyve-complex regulating the abundance of the phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(3,5)P2) is highly conserved among eukaryotes. In yeast/mammals, it is composed of the phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate 5-kinase Fab1p/PIKfyve, the PtdIns(3,5)P2 phosphatase Fig4p/Sac3 and the scaffolding subunit Vac14p/ArPIKfyve. The complex is located to vacuolar membranes in yeast and to endosomal membranes in mammals, where it controls the synthesis and turnover of PtdIns(3,5)P2. In this study, we analyzed the role and function of the Fab1p/PIKfyve-complex scaffold protein SmVAC14 in the filamentous ascomycete Sordaria macrospora (Sm). We generated the Smvac14 deletion strain ∆vac14 and performed phenotypic analysis of the mutant. Furthermore, we conducted fluorescence microscopic localization studies of fluorescently labeled SmVAC14 with vacuolar and late endosomal marker proteins. Our results revealed that SmVAC14 is important for maintaining vacuolar size and appearance as well as proper sexual development in S. macrospora. In addition, SmVAC14 plays an important role in starvation stress response. Accordingly, our results propose that the turnover of PtdIns(3,5)P2 is of great significance for developmental processes in filamentous fungi.
Association between ultra-processed food consumption and cognitive performance in US older adults: a cross-sectional analysis of the NHANES 2011–2014
Authors: R Cardoso Barbara , Machado Priscila , Steele Euridice Martinez
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study evaluated the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and cognitive performance among older US adults.

Methods

This cross-sectional study assessed 3632 participants aged 60+ years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–14. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD), Word Learning test, Animal Fluency test, and the Digit Symbol Substitution test (DSST). Dietary intake was assessed using two 24-h diet recalls. Food items were classified according to the NOVA system, a classification based on the nature, extent, and purpose of industrial food processing. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the association of dietary share of UPF (% of daily energy intake) (categorized as tertiles) and cognitive test scores, adjusting for socio-demographic variables, physical activity, smoking status, and chronic diseases (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and depression). Models excluding participants with pre-existing diseases were carried out to address potential reverse causality.

Results

On average, UPF accounted for 53% of total energy intake, ranging from 33 to 70% across extreme tertiles. Inverted U-shape association between UPF consumption and Animal fluency and DSST was observed. No significant associations were observed between the UPF intake tertiles and the cognitive test results. Nonetheless, UPF consumption was significantly associated with worse performance in Animal Fluency in older adults without pre-existing diseases (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

UPF consumption was associated with worse performance in Animal Fluency among older people without pre-existing diseases. Decreasing UPF consumption may be a way to improve impaired cognition among older adults.
Utility of the Heat Index in defining the upper limits of thermal balance during light physical activity (PSU HEAT Project)
Authors: Vecellio Daniel J. , Wolf S. Tony , Cottle Rachel M. , Kenney W. Larry
Published: July 2022

Extreme heat events and consequent detrimental heat-health outcomes have been increasing in recent decades and are expected to continue with future climate warming. While many indices have been created to quantify the combined atmospheric contributions to heat, few have been validated to determine how index-defined heat conditions impact human health. However, this subset of indices is likely not valid for all situations and populations nor easily understood and interpreted by health officials and the public. In this study, we compare the ability of thresholds determined from the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Heat Index (HI), the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), and the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) to predict the compensability of human heat stress (upper limits of heat balance) measured as part of the Pennsylvania State University’s Heat Environmental Age Thresholds (PSU HEAT) project. While the WBGT performed the best of the three indices for both minimal activities of daily living (MinAct; 83 W·m−2) and light ambulation (LightAmb; 133 W·m−2) in a cohort of young, healthy subjects, HI was likewise accurate in predicting heat stress compensability in MinAct conditions. HI was significantly correlated with subjects’ perception of temperature and humidity as well as their body core temperature, linking perception of the ambient environment with physiological responses in MinAct conditions. Given the familiarity the public has with HI, it may be better utilized in the expansion of safeguard policies and the issuance of heat warnings during extreme heat events, especially when access to engineered cooling strategies is unavailable.
Subdifferential set of an operator
Authors: K. Rao T. S. S. R.
Published: July 2022

Let X, Y be complex Banach spaces. Let $${\mathcal L}(X,Y)$$

L
(
X
,
Y
)

be the space of bounded operators. An important aspect of understanding differentiability is to study the subdifferential of the norm at a point, say $$x \in X$$

x
∈
X

, this is the set, $$\{f \in X^*:\Vert f\Vert =1~,f(x)=\Vert x\Vert \}$$

{
f
∈

X
∗

:
‖
f
‖
=
1

,
f

(
x
)

=
‖
x
‖
}

. See page 7 in Deville et al. (Pitman Monographs and Surveys in Pure and Applied Mathematics. 64. Harlow: Longman Scientific and Technical. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 1993). Motivated by recent results of Singla (Singla in Linear Alg. Appl. 629:208–218, 2021) in the context of Hilbert spaces, for $$T \in {{\mathcal {L}}}(X,Y)$$

T
∈
L
(
X
,
Y
)

, we determine the subdifferential of the operator norm at T, $$\partial _T = \{\Lambda \in {{\mathcal {L}}}(X,Y)^*: \Lambda (T) = \Vert T\Vert ~,~\Vert \Lambda \Vert =1\}$$

∂
T

=
{
Λ
∈
L

(
X
,
Y
)

∗

:
Λ

(
T
)

=
‖
T
‖

,

‖
Λ
‖
=
1
}

. Our approach is based on the ‘position’ of the space of compact operators and the Calkin norm of T. Our ideas give a unified approach and extend several results from Singla (Linear Alg. Appl. 629:208–218, 2021) to the case of $$\ell ^p$$

ℓ
p

-spaces for $$1<p<\infty $$

1
<
p
<
∞

. We also investigate the converse, using the structure of the subdifferential set to decide when the Calkin norm is a strict contraction. As an application of these ideas, we partially solve the open problem of relating the subdifferential of the operator norm at a compact operator T to that of $$T(x_0)$$

T
(

x
0

)

, where $$x_0$$

x
0

is a unit vector where T attains its norm.
Enhanced tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism via indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 induction in dermatomyositis
Authors: Wu Dan , Chen Mengya , Chen Shile , Zhang Shimin , Chen Yongheng , Zhao Qian , Xue Ke , Xue Feng , Chen Xiaosong , Zhou Min , Li Hao , Zheng Jie , Le Yunchen , Cao Hua
Published: July 2022

Objectives

Extrahepatic tryptophan (Trp)-kynurenine (Kyn) metabolism via indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) induction was found to be associated with intrinsic immune regulation. However, the Trp-Kyn metabolism–associated immune regulation in dermatomyositis (DM) remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of the Trp-Kyn metabolism via IDO1 induction in DM.

Methods

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS) was used to examine the serum Kyn and Trp concentrations in DM. In addition, we used X-tile software to determine the optimal cutoff value of the Kyn/Trp ratio, a surrogate marker for Trp-Kyn metabolism. Spearman analysis was performed to evaluate the association of Trp-Kyn metabolism with muscle enzymes and inflammatory markers.

Results

DM patients had significantly higher serum Kyn/Trp ratio (× 10−3) when compared with the healthy controls. The serum Kyn/Trp ratio was positively correlated with the levels of muscle enzymes and inflammatory markers. In addition, the serum Kyn/Trp ratio significantly decreased (36.89 (26.00–54.00) vs. 25.00 (18.00–37.00), P = 0.0006) after treatment. DM patients with high serum Kyn/Trp ratio had a significantly higher percentage of muscle weakness symptoms (62.5% vs. 20.0%, P = 0.019) and higher levels of LDH (316.0 (236.0–467.0) vs. 198.0 (144.0–256.0), P = 0.004) and AST (56.5 (35.0–92.2) vs. 23.0 (20.0–36.0), P = 0.002)) than those with low serum Kyn/Trp ratio. Multiple Cox regression analyses identified ln(Kyn/Trp) (HR 4.874, 95% CI 1.105–21.499, P = 0.036) as an independent prognostic predictor of mortality in DM.

Conclusions

DM patients with enhanced Trp-Kyn metabolism at disease onset are characterized by more severe disease status and poor prognosis. Intrinsic immune regulation function via enhanced Trp-Kyn metabolism by IDO1 induction may be a potential therapeutic target in DM.

Key Points• HPLC–MS identified increased serum Kyn/Trp ratio in DM patients, which positively correlated with levels of muscle enzymes and inflammatory markers and was downregulated upon treatment.• Cox regression analyses identified ln(Kyn/Trp) as an independent prognostic predictor of mortality in DM.• Monitoring intrinsic immune regulation function should be considered a potential therapeutic target in DM patients.
Evidence for the Role of State-Level Economic Policy in HIV Risk Reduction: State Earned Income Tax Credit Generosity and HIV Risk Behavior Among Single Mothers
Authors: Narain Kimberly Danae Cauley , Harawa Nina
Published: July 2022

We investigated the impact of State-level Earned Income Tax Credit (SEITC) generosity on HIV risk behavior among single mothers with low education. We merged individual-level data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2002–2018) with state-level data from the University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research and conducted a multi-state, multi-year difference-in-differences (DID) analysis. We found that a refundable SEITC ≥ 10% of the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit was associated with 21% relative risk reduction in reporting any high-risk behavior for HIV in the last year, relative to no SEITC. We also found that a 10-percentage point increase in SEITC generosity was associated with 38% relative risk reduction in reporting any high-risk HIV behavior in the last year. SEITC policy may be an important strategy to reduce the burden of HIV infections among women with low socioeconomic status, particularly single mothers.