bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial prescription practices for outpatients with uncomplicated cystitis in Japan
Authors: Takahashi Misa , Hagiya Hideharu , Higashionna Tsukasa , Nakano Yasuhiro , Sato Kota , Haruki Yuto , Haruki Mai , Honda Hiroyuki , Ogawa Hiroko , Ueda Keigo , Otsuka Fumio
Published: April 2022

To promote antimicrobial stewardship, we studied antimicrobial prescription rates for uncomplicated cystitis, a common outpatient disease requiring antibiotic treatment. This multicenter retrospective study was performed from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020, in Japan, targeting outpatients aged ≥ 20 years whose medical records revealed International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes suggesting uncomplicated cystitis (N300). The data of 1445 patients were collected and that of 902 patients were analyzed. The overall median patient age was 71 years and a proportion of those aged less than 50 years was 18.8% with a female dominance (82.6%). Antimicrobials were prescribed for 884 patients (98.0%) and a total of 623 patients (69.1%) were treated with broad-spectrum drugs, including fluoroquinolones (36.0%), third-generation cephalosporins (29.9%) and faropenem (3.1%). A logistic regression model revealed that the broad-spectrum agents were significantly prescribed for the older patients, male patients, and those who visited internists. Recurrence was observed in 37 (4.1%) cases, and the multivariate analysis suggested any of age, sex, or antimicrobial types were not associated with the recurrence. Collectively, approximately two-thirds of antimicrobials prescribed for uncomplicated cystitis were broad-spectrum agents. The present data would be an indicator for antimicrobial prescriptions in uncomplicated cystitis in Japan.
Impact of wait times on late postprocedural mortality after successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Roule Vincent , Rebouh Idir , Lemaitre Adrien , Sabatier Rémi , Blanchart Katrien , Briet Clément , Bignon Mathieu , Beygui Farzin
Published: April 2022

Wait times are associated with mortality on waiting list for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Whether longer wait times are associated with long term mortality after successful TAVR remains unassessed. Consecutive patients successfully treated with elective TAVR in our center between January 2013 and August 2019 were included. The primary end point was one-year all-cause mortality. TAVR wait times were defined as the interval from referral date for valve replacement to the date of TAVR procedure. A total of 383 patients were included with a mean wait time of 144.2 ± 83.87 days. Death occurred in 55 patients (14.4%) at one year. Increased wait times were independently associated with a relative increase of 1-year mortality by 2% per week after referral (Adjusted Hazard Ratio 1.02 [1.002–1.04]; p = 0.02) for TAVR. Chronic kidney disease, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 30%, access site and STS score were other independent correlates of 1-year mortality. Our study shows that wait times are relatively long in routine practice and associated with increased 1-year mortality after successful TAVR. Such findings underscore the need of strategies to minimize delays in access to TAVR.
Antimicrobial effects of microwave plasma-activated water with skin protective effect for novel disinfectants in pandemic era
Authors: Lee Hye Ran , Lee Yun Sang , You Young Suk , Huh Jin Young , Kim Kangil , Hong Yong Cheol , Kim Chul-Ho
Published: April 2022

Skin antiseptics have important implications for public health and medicine. Although conventional antiseptics have considerable antimicrobial activity, skin toxicity and the development of resistance are common problems. Plasma-treated water has sterilization and tissue-regenerative effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify whether plasma-activated water (PAW) manufactured by our microwave plasma system can be used as a novel antiseptic solution for skin protection. PAW was produced by dissolving reactive nitrogen oxide gas using microwave plasma in deionized water. The antibacterial effects of PAW against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, and Salmonella typhimurium and effective concentrations were investigated by a solid agar plate assay. The factors mediating the effects of PAW were evaluated by the addition of reactive species scavengers. Cytotoxicity and cell viability assays were performed to examine the protective effect of PAW on normal skin cells. PAW exhibited excellent sterilization and no toxicity in normal skin cells. Experiments also confirmed the potential of PAW as a sanitizer for SARS-CoV-2. Our findings support the use of PAW as an effective skin disinfectant with good safety in the current situation of a global pandemic.
The burden and trend of gastric cancer and possible risk factors in five Asian countries from 1990 to 2019
Authors: Ning Fei-Long , Lyu Jun , Pei Jun-Peng , Gu Wan-Jie , Zhang Nan-Nan , Cao Shi-Yi , Zeng Yong-Ji , Abe Masanobu , Nishiyama Kazuhiro , Zhang Chun-Dong
Published: April 2022

The burdens and trends of gastric cancer are poorly understood, especially in high-prevalence countries. Based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, we analyzed the incidence, death, and possible risk factors of gastric cancer in five Asian countries, in relation to year, age, sex, and sociodemographic index. The annual percentage change was calculated to estimate the trends in age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized death rate (ASDR). The highest ASIR per 100,000 person-years in 2019 was in Mongolia [44 (95% uncertainty interval (UI), 34 to 55)], while the lowest was in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) [23 (95% UI, 19 to 29)]. The highest ASDR per 100,000 person-years was in Mongolia [46 (95% UI, 37 to 57)], while the lowest was in Japan [14 (95% UI, 12 to 15)]. Despite the increase in the absolute number of cases and deaths from 1990 to 2019, the ASIRs and ASDRs in all five countries decreased with time and improved sociodemographic index but increased with age. Smoking and a high-sodium diet were two possible risk factors for gastric cancer. In 2019, the proportion of age-standardized disability-adjusted life-years attributable to smoking was highest in Japan [23% (95% UI, 19 to 28%)], and the proportions attributable to a high-sodium diet were highest in China [8.8% (95% UI, 0.21 to 33%)], DPRK, and the Republic of Korea. There are substantial variations in the incidence and death of gastric cancer in the five studied Asian countries. This study may be crucial in helping policymakers to make better decisions and allocate appropriate resources.
SARS-CoV-2 Spike S1-specific IgG kinetic profiles following mRNA or vector-based vaccination in the general Dutch population show distinct kinetics
Authors: van den Hoogen Lotus L. , Verheul Marije K. , Vos Eric R. A. , van Hagen Cheyenne C. E. , van Boven Michiel , Wong Denise , Wijmenga-Monsuur Alienke J. , Smits Gaby , Kuijer Marjan , van Rooijen Debbie , Bogaard-van Maurik Marjan , Zutt Ilse , van Vliet Jeffrey , Wolf Janine , van der Klis Fiona R. M. , de Melker Hester E. , van Binnendijk Robert S. , den Hartog Gerco
Published: April 2022

mRNA- and vector-based vaccines are used at a large scale to prevent COVID-19. We compared Spike S1-specific (S1) IgG antibodies after vaccination with mRNA-based (Comirnaty, Spikevax) or vector-based (Janssen, Vaxzevria) vaccines, using samples from a Dutch nationwide cohort. In adults 18–64 years old (n = 2412), the median vaccination interval between the two doses was 77 days for Vaxzevria (interquartile range, IQR: 69–77), 35 days (28–35) for Comirnaty and 33 days (28–35) for Spikevax. mRNA vaccines induced faster inclines and higher S1 antibodies compared to vector-based vaccines. For all vaccines, one dose resulted in boosting of S1 antibodies in adults with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. For Comirnaty, two to four months following the second dose (n = 196), S1 antibodies in adults aged 18–64 years old (436 BAU/mL, IQR: 328–891) were less variable and median concentrations higher compared to those in persons ≥ 80 years old (366, 177–743), but differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.100). Nearly all participants seroconverted following COVID-19 vaccination, including the aging population. These data confirm results from controlled vaccine trials in a general population, including vulnerable groups.
Rearrangement processes and structural variations show evidence of selection in oesophageal adenocarcinomas
Authors: Ng Alvin Wei Tian , Contino Gianmarco , Killcoyne Sarah , Devonshire Ginny , Hsu Ray , Abbas Sujath , Su Jing , Redmond Aisling M. , Weaver Jamie M. J. , Eldridge Matthew D. , Tavaré Simon ,   Oesophageal Cancer Clinical and Molecular Stratification (OCCAMS) Consortium, Grehan Nicola , Nutzinger Barbara , Fidziukiewicz Elwira , Freeman Adam , Smyth Elizabeth C. , O’Donovan Maria , Miremadi Ahmad , Malhotra Shalini , Tripathi Monika , Cheah Calvin , Coles Hannah , Flint Connor , Eldridge Matthew , Secrier Maria , Jammula Sriganesh , Davies Jim , Crichton Charles , Carroll Nick , Hardwick Richard H. , Safranek Peter , Hindmarsh Andrew , Sujendran Vijayendran , Hayes Stephen J. , Ang Yeng , Sharrocks Andrew , Preston Shaun R. , Bagwan Izhar , Save Vicki , Skipworth Richard J. E. , Hupp Ted R. , O’Neill J. Robert , Tucker Olga , Beggs Andrew , Taniere Philippe , Puig Sonia , Underwood Timothy J. , Walker Robert C. , Grace Ben L. , Lagergren Jesper , Gossage James , Davies Andrew , Chang Fuju , Mahadeva Ula , Goh Vicky , Ciccarelli Francesca D. , Sanders Grant , Berrisford Richard , Chan David , Cheong Ed , Kumar Bhaskar , Sreedharan L. , Parsons Simon L. , Soomro Irshad , Kaye Philip , Saunders John , Lovat Laurence , Haidry Rehan , Scott Michael , Sothi Sharmila , Lishman Suzy , Hanna George B. , Peters Christopher J. , Moorthy Krishna , Grabowska Anna , Turkington Richard , McManus Damian , Coleman Helen , Petty Russell D. , Bartlett Freddie , Edwards Paul A. W. , Fitzgerald Rebecca C.
Published: April 2022

Oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) provides an ideal case study to characterize large-scale rearrangements. Using whole genome short-read sequencing of 383 cases, for which 214 had matched whole transcriptomes, we observed structural variations (SV) with a predominance of deletions, tandem duplications and inter-chromosome junctions that could be identified as LINE-1 mobile element (ME) insertions. Complex clusters of rearrangements resembling breakage-fusion-bridge cycles or extrachromosomal circular DNA accounted for 22% of complex SVs affecting known oncogenes. Counting SV events affecting known driver genes substantially increased the recurrence rates of these drivers. After excluding fragile sites, we identified 51 candidate new drivers in genomic regions disrupted by SVs, includingETV5, KAT6BandCLTC. RUNX1was the most recurrently altered gene (24%), with many deletions inactivating the RUNT domain but preserved the reading frame, suggesting an altered protein product. These findings underscore the importance of identification of SV events in OAC with implications for targeted therapies.
Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies identifies ancestry-specific associations underlying circulating total tau levels
Authors: Sarnowski Chloé , Ghanbari Mohsen , Bis Joshua C. , Logue Mark , Fornage Myriam , Mishra Aniket , Ahmad Shahzad , Beiser Alexa S. , Boerwinkle Eric , Bouteloup Vincent , Chouraki Vincent , Cupples L Adrienne , Damotte Vincent , DeCarli Charles S. , DeStefano Anita L. , Djoussé Luc , Fohner Alison E. , Franz Carol E. , Kautz Tiffany F. , Lambert Jean-Charles , Lyons Michael J. , Mosley Thomas H. , Mukamal Kenneth J. , Pase Matthew P. , Portilla Fernandez Eliana C. , Rissman Robert A. , Satizabal Claudia L. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Yaqub Amber , Debette Stephanie , Dufouil Carole , Launer Lenore J. , Kremen William S. , Longstreth William T. , Ikram M Arfan , Seshadri Sudha
Published: April 2022

Circulating total-tau levels can be used as an endophenotype to identify genetic risk factors for tauopathies and related neurological disorders. Here, we confirmed and better characterized the association of the 17q21 MAPT locus with circulating total-tau in 14,721 European participants and identified three novel loci in 953 African American participants (4q31, 5p13, and 6q25) at P < 5 × 10−8. We additionally detected 14 novel loci at P < 5 × 10−7, specific to either Europeans or African Americans. Using whole-exome sequence data in 2,279 European participants, we identified ten genes associated with circulating total-tau when aggregating rare variants. Our genetic study sheds light on genes reported to be associated with neurological diseases including stroke, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s (F5, MAP1B, and BCAS3), with Alzheimer’s pathological hallmarks (ADAMTS12, IL15, and FHIT), or with an important function in the brain (PARD3, ELFN2, UBASH3B, SLIT3, and NSD3), and suggests that the genetic architecture of circulating total-tau may differ according to ancestry.
Personalized antibiograms for machine learning driven antibiotic selection
Authors: Corbin Conor K. , Sung Lillian , Chattopadhyay Arhana , Noshad Morteza , Chang Amy , Deresinksi Stanley , Baiocchi Michael , Chen Jonathan H.
Published: April 2022

Background

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identify antibiotic prescribing stewardship as the most important action to combat increasing antibiotic resistance. Clinicians balance broad empiric antibiotic coverage vs. precision coverage targeting only the most likely pathogens. We investigate the utility of machine learning-based clinical decision support for antibiotic prescribing stewardship.

Methods

In this retrospective multi-site study, we developed machine learning models that predict antibiotic susceptibility patterns (personalized antibiograms) using electronic health record data of 8342 infections from Stanford emergency departments and 15,806 uncomplicated urinary tract infections from Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. We assessed the trade-off between broad-spectrum and precise antibiotic prescribing using linear programming.

Results

We find in Stanford data that personalized antibiograms reallocate clinician antibiotic selections with a coverage rate (fraction of infections covered by treatment) of 85.9%; similar to clinician performance (84.3% p = 0.11). In the Boston dataset, the personalized antibiograms coverage rate is 90.4%; a significant improvement over clinicians (88.1% p < 0.0001). Personalized antibiograms achieve similar coverage to the clinician benchmark with narrower antibiotics. With Stanford data, personalized antibiograms maintain clinician coverage rates while narrowing 69% of empiric vancomycin+piperacillin/tazobactam prescriptions to piperacillin/tazobactam. In the Boston dataset, personalized antibiograms maintain clinician coverage rates while narrowing 48% of ciprofloxacin to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.

Conclusions

Precision empiric antibiotic prescribing with personalized antibiograms could improve patient safety and antibiotic stewardship by reducing unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics that breed a growing tide of resistant organisms.
Synergetic ligand and size effects of boron cage based electrolytes in Li-ion batteries
Authors: Li Xiao , Yang Tao , Zhou Jian
Published: April 2022

Through first-principles calculations on the size and ligand effects, highly stable and safe boron cage based electrolytes for Li-ion batteries are screened. Solvent impacts on the electron affinity and Li+ mobility are also evaluated.
Pushing the limits of nanopore transport performance by polymer functionalization
Authors: Pardehkhorram Raheleh , Andrieu-Brunsen Annette
Published: April 2022

Inspired by the design and performance of biological pores, polymer functionalization of nanopores has emerged as an evolving field to advance transport performance within the last few years.
Anomalous large capacitances of porous carbons based on protium adsorption
Authors: Kojima Yoshitsugu , Yamaguchi Masakuni , Sawa Haruo , Kikuchi Katsuhide , Hiramitsu Noriyuki , Kimbara Masahiko , Nakanishi Haruyuki , Takahashi Yasuhiro
Published: April 2022

The capacitances of porous carbon anodes determined using a Ni(OH)2 cathode (PC1000, PC3000) were above 3 times the capacitances of the carbon anodes prepared by electrical double layer formation.
E3 ligase ligand chemistries: from building blocks to protein degraders
Authors: Sosič Izidor , Bricelj Aleša , Steinebach Christian
Published: April 2022

This review comprehensively illustrates chemistries of E3 ligase ligands, which were used successfully in the development of PROTACs.
Assembly of a coordination polymer with sulphate-capped pentamolybdate units and copper: synthesis, structure, magnetic and catalytic studies
Authors: Gupta Yesleen , Zaidi Zakiullah , Mehta Sakshi , Chandewar Pranay R. , Kumar Nikhil , Paul Avijit K. , Shee Debaprasad , Mondal Abhishake , Sorokhaibam Laxmi Gayatri , Banerjee Abhishek
Published: April 2022

The coordination polymer [CuII(C5H5N)4]3[{MoVI5O15(SO4)2}{CuII(C5H5N)3(DMF)(H2O)}][MoVI5O15(SO4)2]·2DMF, with a double-chain structure, exhibits unique nanoporous properties and catalytic activity towards oxidative desulfurization of model oil.
Metal-free, redox-neutral, and visible light-triggered coupling of CO2 with epoxides to cyclic carbonates at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Saini Sandhya , Khan Shafiur Rehman , Gour Nand Kishor , Chandra Deka Ramesh , Jain Suman L.
Published: April 2022

The metal-free, redox-neutral, photocatalyzed insertion of CO2 into epoxides to give cyclic carbonates under visible light irradiation at atmospheric pressure is demonstrated.
Highly efficient Markovnikov hydroaminocarbonylation of alkenes and alkynes catalyzed by a “soluble” heterogeneous Pd catalyst
Authors: Zhou Xin , Wang Zhaozhan , Yu Bo , Kuang Shaoping , Sun Wei , Yang Yong
Published: April 2022

Ultrafine Pd NPs dispersed in phosphine-built-in porous organic cage exhibited superior activity and Markovnikov regioselectivity for hydroaminocarbonylation of alkenes and alkynes to access a wide arrange of branched amides with strong stability.
Synergistic coupling of FeOOH with Mo-incorporated NiCo LDH towards enhancing the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Luo Hang , Liang Jin , Zhou Jialin , Yin Zhao , Zhang Ziyi , Liu Xiubo
Published: April 2022

FeOOH-modified NiCoMo LDH/NF with excellent OER activity and stability was successfully prepared using a hydrothermal method combined with electrodeposition.
Studies on the interaction between 3-biotinylate-6-benzimidazole B-nor-cholesterol analogs and ct-DNA
Authors: Huang Xiaotong , Zhan Junyan , Huang Yanmin , Chen Hualong , Liang Zhenghui , Gan Chunfang
Published: April 2022

The binding mode of B-norcholesteryl benzimidazole compounds with ct-DNA is the groove mode.
Room-temperature growth of fluorapatite/CaCO3heterogeneous structured composites inspired by human tooth
Authors: Li Yidi , Ping Hang , Lei Liwen , Xie Jingjing , Zou Zhaoyong , Wang Weimin , Wang Kun , Fu Zhengyi
Published: April 2022

Fluorapatite/CaCO3thin films were synthesized by mimicking their biogenic counterparts found in teeth using a biomimetic mineralization method. The synthetic heterostructure composites combine well and exhibit excellent mechanical properties.
Hot spot formation and initial chemical reaction of PETN containing nanoscale spherical voids under high shock loading
Authors: Zhang Yaping , Wang Tao , He Yuanhang
Published: April 2022

The energy released by the void collapse caused by the strong shock accelerates the chemical reactions of the molecules around the hot spot, causing the hot spot region to expand and the central region of the hot spot to evolve into an approximate trigonal cone.
Ti3C2 nanosheets with broad-spectrum antioxidant activity for cytoprotection against oxidative stress
Authors: Geng Hongqi , Ren Yaping , Qin Gang , Wen Tao , Liu Quan , Xu Haiyan , He Weiwei
Published: April 2022

Ti3C2 nanosheets exhibit efficient and broad-spectrum antioxidant activities to scavenge ROS and free radicals, playing a significant role in preventing cell damage against oxidative stress.
Implant failure rate and the prevalence of associated risk factors: a 6-year retrospective observational survey
Authors: Thiebot Nicolas , Hamdani Adel , Blanchet Fabienne , Dame Martine , Tawfik Samy , Mbapou Emery , Kaddouh Alain Ali , Alantar Alp
Published: April 2022

Introduction:The purpose of this monocentric retrospective observational investigation is to evaluate the implant failure rate observed in an oral surgery department and analyze the risk factors associated with them. Preventative measures will be suggested to reduce the incidence of implant failure.Material and method:All implants removed between 2014 and 2020 were analyzed. The main criterion assessed was the overall failure rate over 6 years of activity;the secondary criteria were the risk factors associated with implant failure.Results:12 out of 376 implants placed between 2014 and 2019 in 11 patients (mean age: 55.5 ±11.5 years);sex ratio M/F=5/6) were removed, for an overall failure rate of 3.11%. The majority, 83% (10/12) of the lost implants, were in the maxilla, while only 17% (2/12) were placed in the mandible. The main risk factors identified were: a III−IV bone type density (75%, 9/12), pre-implant sinus lift surgery (42%, 5/12) smoking (8.3%, 1/12), surgical site infection (8.3%, 1/12) and rheumatoid arthritis (8.3%, 1/12).Conclusion:The failure rate observed in this oral surgery unit is consistent with the other international studies, confirming the compliance with good clinical practices of the healthcare team. Pre-implant bone surgery is the major risk factor to consider before implant surgery.
Systeme zur automatisierten Insulinabgabe (AID-Systeme)
Authors: Thomas Andreas , Kolassa Ralf
Published: April 2022

Es war ein langersehnter Traum von Patienten mit Typ-1-Diabetes, automatisierte Insulinabgabesysteme anwenden zu können, die ohne wesentliche Aktivitäten seitens der Anwender den Glukoseverlauf weitgehend im Glukosezielbereich regeln. Bedingt durch die Verfügbarkeit von CGM-Systemen, welche mit hinreichend hoher Genauigkeit und Sicherheit die Glukosekonzentration im Unterhautfettgewebe messen und diese dem Algorithmus einer Insulinpumpe übermitteln, konnten nach der ersten Zulassung der MiniMed 670G im Jahr 2016, besonders aber ab 2020, den Patienten zahlreiche AID-Systeme zur Verfügung gestellt werden. Nachfolgend werden diese Systeme kurz dargestellt und deren Merkmale erläutert. Es wird herausgestellt, dass es aktuell noch keine vollkommen automatisiert das Insulin abgebenden Systeme gibt, sondern Hybrid-Formen, bei denen die Patienten zumindest noch den Mahlzeitenbolus manuell abgeben müssen. Voll-AID-Systeme sind aber in der Entwicklung.
Cochlear Implantation of Auditory Neuropathy
Authors: Trautwein Patricia G. , Sininger Yvonne S. , Nelson Ralph
Published: April 2022

Auditory neuropathy (AN) is a hearing disorder that presents with a grossly abnormal or absent neural response as measured by evoked potentials in the presence of normal outer hair cell function evidenced by present otoacoustic emissions or cochlear microphonics. Rehabilitation for patients with AN is challenging due to abnormal temporal encoding at the auditory nerve leading to severely impaired speech perception. Although patients with AN may demonstrate improvement in thresholds with amplification, temporal encoding dysfunction, and consequently speech perception degradation, is not alleviated by amplification. Another issue is the heterogeneity of the AN population in terms of audiologic and neurologic findings, in addition to uncertain etiology and pathophysiology. For children with prelingual onset of AN, development of auditory and oral communication skills is particularly compromised. All children with hearing loss in the severe-to-profound range who do not benefit from conventional amplification can be considered candidates for a cochlear implant (CI). This paper presents a case study of a child with AN who received a CI. Whereas no synchronous neural response auditory brainstem response could be elicited to acoustic stimuli, an electrically evoked auditory nerve action potential was evident following implantation, suggesting restoration to some degree of neural synchrony. Significant improvement in speech perception was found post-CI. Recommendation to implant all patients with AN would be premature, but these findings suggest that electrical stimulation in some cases of auditory neuropathy can be a viable option.

Abbreviations: AN = auditory neuropathy, CI = cochlear implant, CM = cochlear microphonic, DSL = desired sensation level, EAP = electrically evoked compound action potential, ESP = Early Speech Perception test, IHC = inner hair cells, LTASS = long-term average speech spectrum, NRT = neural response telemetry, OAE = otoacoustic emission, TAC = Test of Auditory Comprehension, TEOAE = transient evoked otoacoustic emission
Just Noticeable and Objectionable Group Delays in Digital Hearing Aids
Authors: Agnew Jeremy , Thornton Jeffrey M.
Published: April 2022

Group delay in a digital signal processing (DSP) hearing aid may be perceived as an echo in the sound heard by a wearer listening to his or her own voice, due to a combination of unprocessed sound received at the ear through head and air pathways and delayed sound reaching the eardrum through the hearing aid. Depending on the amount, this delay may be audible or objectionable and can even result in auditory confusion. This study presents results from 18 subjects listening to their own voices through a DSP hearing aid with a variable group delay. The subjects varied the length of the delay and determined the amounts that were noticeable and objectionable as compared to the undelayed condition, while listening to their own amplified voices. Results indicated that a delay of 3 to 5 msec was noticeable to the listeners in 76 percent of the trials, and a delay of longer than 10 msec was objectionable 90 percent of the time.

Abbreviations: DAF = delayed auditory feedback, DSP = digital signal processing, KEMAR = Knowles Electronics manikin for acoustic research
Klinik Unternehmen: Auf-/Absteiger des Monats
Authors: Schmidt Hartmut
Published: April 2022

Börsenexperte Hartmut Schmidt analysiert für kma die Jahresabschlüsse ausgewählter Kliniken.
Editorial: Die DMEA endlich wieder live
Authors: Doelfs Guntram
Published: April 2022

Das Jahr 2022 steht für die DMEA ganz im Zeichen einer Rückkehr.
Bekämpfung von Cyberangriffen: Schwachstelle Active Directory
Authors: Grillenmeier Guido
Published: April 2022

Krankenhäuser haben einige Möglichkeiten, die Erfolgschance von Cyberangriffen deutlich zu reduzieren. Und zwar, indem sie einen der häufigsten ausgenutzten Angriffsvektoren besonders schützen: das Active Directory. Es regelt kritische Zugänge zu den wertvollen Patientendaten, hinter denen die Angreifer eigentlich her sind.
Human-Centred Security: Unfug Informationssicherheits-Sensibilisierung
Authors: Sasse M. Angela , Hielscher Jonas , Gutfleisch Marco
Published: April 2022

Mit Trainings und simulierten Phishing-Angriffen soll das medizinische Personal sensibilisiert werden, um sich Zeit für die IT-Sicherheit zu nehmen. Angesichts des Zeitdrucks und der Personalknappheit stellt sich die Frage, woher es diese Zeit nehmen soll – zumal die Sicherheitsrichtlinien und Systeme Frust verursachen. Stattdessen sollte man auf die Forschung hören.
Organspende in Deutschland: Es fehlt an Spendern
Authors: Hohnstein Aileen
Published: April 2022

Die Zahlen für Organspenden sind in Deutschland auf stabilem, aber immer noch niedrigem Niveau: Zu viele Patienten warten auf zu wenige Transplantate. Das soll sich ändern. Im März ist ein Gesetz in Kraft getreten, das die Bereitschaft für die Organspende in der Bevölkerung steigern soll.
Xenotransplantation: Schweine als Lebensretter?
Authors: Hohnstein Aileen
Published: April 2022

Für viele schwerstkranke Patienten gibt es keine Alternativen zu einer Transplantation – die Zahl der Organspender ist allerdings zu niedrig. Nach einem Heilversuch in Amerika, bei dem einem Patienten ein Tierorgan eingesetzt wurde, rückt die Xenotransplantation in den Fokus. Ist das eine realistische Option für die Organspende? Ein Überblick über den aktuellen Stand in der deutschen Forschungslandschaft.
TSB-Tagung am 25. und 26. April in Salzburg: Blackout und IT-Sicherheit
Authors: Thalmayr Maria
Published: April 2022

Rund 30 Minuten würde das österreichische Mobilfunknetz derzeit bei einem Blackout weiterfunktionieren, schätzt Peter Uher von A1. Das ist nicht viel Zeit, um beispielsweise Mitarbeiter auf ihrem Handy zu erreichen und über nötige Schritte zu unterrichten.
Amplification of pyroelectric device with WSe2 field effect transistor and ferroelectric gating
Authors: Mbisike Stephen C. , Eckart Lutz , Phair John W. , Lomax Peter , Cheung Rebecca
Published: April 2022

A WSe2 field effect transistor integrated with a lead zirconium titanate (PZT) pyroelectric device has been designed, fabricated, and tested and is described as the integrated pyroelectric device. The integrated device has been compared to a standalone pyroelectric device, which consists of PZT sandwiched between platinum electrodes. A pyroelectric coefficient of 1.755 × 10−4 C/m2K has been realized for our thin-film PZT (650 nm). The integrated device amplifies the output of the standalone device by over ten orders of magnitude as the current density calculated for the devices is 16 nA/mm2 and 1 nA/mm2, respectively. The interplay between the pyro- and ferro-induced polarization of the integrated device has been studied. From our observations, the ferroelectric gating controls directly the drain-source current output of the integrated device, showing anti-clockwise hysteresis behavior. The device shows promise for application in infrared sensing.
TriMap thermography with convolutional autoencoder for enhanced defect detection of polymer composites
Authors: Liu Yi , Zheng Mingkai , Liu Kaixin , Yao Yuan , Sfarra Stefano
Published: April 2022

Pulsed thermography data are typically affected by noise and uneven backgrounds, thereby complicating defect identification. Hence, various image analysis methods have been applied to improve defect detectability. However, most of them directly analyze the original images, while the low quality of the data is disregarded. Herein, a thermographic data analysis method named TriMap thermography with convolutional autoencoder (CAE) is proposed to overcome this problem. In this method, a CAE is used to reduce noise and enhance the quality of thermograms. Subsequently, the TriMap algorithm is used to extract features from the enhanced data. Specifically, the TriMap uses triplet information to improve the low-dimensional embedding quality and obtain an abstract representation of high-dimensional data. Finally, defects and uneven backgrounds are effectively distinguished by visualizing the embedding vectors. The test results of a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer specimen validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The role of intermolecular interactions on melt memory and thermal fractionation of semicrystalline polymers
Authors: Sangroniz Leire , Jang Yoon-Jung , Hillmyer Marc A. , Müller Alejandro J.
Published: April 2022

The origin of melt memory effects associated with semicrystalline polymers and the physical parameters involved in this process have been widely studied in the literature. However, a comprehensive understanding of the role of intermolecular interactions on melt memory is still being developed. For this purpose, we have considered aliphatic polyesters and we have incorporated amide and additional ester groups. Inserting these additional functional groups, the strength of the intermolecular interactions increases widening the melt memory effect. Not only the presence of the functional groups but also the position of these groups in the repeating unit plays a role in the melt memory effect as it impacts the strength of the intermolecular interactions in the crystals. The study of the effect of intermolecular interactions has been extended to successive self-nucleation and annealing thermal fractionation experiments to explore for the first time the role of intermolecular forces on the fractionation capacity of linear polymers. We demonstrated that intermolecular interactions act as intrinsic defects interrupting the crystallizable chain length, thus facilitating thermal fractionation. Overall, this work sheds light on the role of intermolecular interactions on the crystallization behavior of a series of aliphatic polyesters.
Photoacoustic and photothermal and the photovoltaic efficiency of solar cells: A tutorial
Authors: Bento A. C. , Cella N. , Lima S. M. , Nunes L. A. O. , Andrade L. H. C. , Silva J. R. , Zanuto V. S. , Astrath N. G. C. , Catunda T. , Medina A. N. , Rohling J. H. , Muniz R. F. , Berrar J. W. , Malacarne L. C. , Weinand W. R. , Sato F. , Belancon M. P. , Schiavon G. J. , Shen J. , Miranda L. C. M. , Vargas H. , Baesso M. L.
Published: April 2022

Optical losses are the major drawback to overcome in the solar energy industry and development. Conversion of solar radiation into heat accounts for over 80% of the incident solar energy, which is driven by several aspects like the chosen design and encapsulation of the devices, built-in materials, and the mismatch between the solar spectrum and the active cell's bandgap energy. Photoacoustic (PA) and photothermal (PT) methods are characterization techniques based on the heat generation after the illumination of a material and respective detection. Since the beginning of the solar panel industrial development, these methods have been successfully applied to evaluate the photovoltaic efficiency of devices and the thermophysical parameters of related materials. Here, we present the state-of-art of application of these PA and PT methods to characterize solar cell devices and their built-in materials. Historical aspects, conceptual mechanisms of the basic phenomena, and perspectives on their application for energy-conversion measurements in the new frontier of solar cell research will be discussed.
Adaptive fitting of potential energy surfaces of small to medium-sized molecules in sum-of-product form: Application to vibrational spectroscopy
Authors: Aerts Antoine , Schäfer Moritz R. , Brown Alex
Published: April 2022

A semi-automatic sampling and fitting procedure for generating sum-of-product (Born–Oppenheimer) potential energy surfaces based on a high-dimensional model representation is presented. The adaptive sampling procedure and subsequent fitting rely on energies only and can be used for re-fitting existing analytic potential energy surfaces in the sum-of-product form or for direct fits from ab initio computations. The method is tested by fitting ground electronic state potential energy surfaces for small to medium sized semi-rigid molecules, i.e., HFCO, HONO, and HCOOH, based on ab initio computations at the coupled-cluster single double and perturbative triples-F12/cc-pVTZ-F12 or MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ levels of theory. Vibrational eigenstates are computed using block improved relaxation in the Heidelberg multi-configurational time dependent Hartree package and compared to available experimental and theoretical data. The new potential energy surfaces are compared to the best ones currently available for these molecules in terms of accuracy, including resulting vibrational states, required number of sampling points, and number of fitting parameters. The present procedure leads to compact expansions and scales well with the number of dimensions for simple potentials such as single or double wells.
Diagnosis of dermatophytes: from microscopy to direct PCR
Authors: Kidd Sarah E. , Weldhagen Gerhard F.
Published: April 2022

Dermatophyte fungi are a common cause of skin, nail and hair infections globally, ranging from mild to cosmetically disfiguring, or even invasive infections in rare cases. Specimens requiring fungal microscopy and culture for suspected dermatophyte infection make up a significant portion of the workload in diagnostic microbiology laboratories. Whilst still considered the gold standard, a dermatophyte culture-based method is labour intensive, has poor sensitivity, slow result turnaround time and requires significant expertise for identification of the fungi. Molecular diagnostics, especially real-time PCR, have the potential to improve diagnostic sensitivity, reduce labour requirements and decrease result turnaround times. Despite these advantages, a PCR-based approach may present some difficulties and disadvantages, most notably its diagnostic range and incompatibility with oral therapy prescribing requirements under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Here we review current best practices and future prospects for laboratory diagnosis of dermatophyte infections, including the role of microscopy, culture and direct PCR.
「粵語語法學習概覽」的建構
Authors: Tam Hugo Wing-Yu
Published: April 2022

隨著亞洲經濟崛起和全球人口流動的持續增長，近年來粵語作為第二語言的教學開始受到重視。粵語學習者大多認為缺乏有系統的教材，使得要長期地學習粵語變得非常困難。本文的研究目的是建構出「粵語語法學習概覽」（Cantonese
Grammar
Profile），步驟如下：一、抽取現有教材中的語法點；二、參照語法工具書和參考書，對語法點進行分類；三、判斷現有教材中的語法點是否符合教學語法理論中對語法點的定義；四、討論是否有必要進一步把語法學習目標整併或刪除。本文除了提出了新的語法點判斷原則，也制訂出涵蓋歐洲共同語言參考架構中A1和A2級的語法點，共246項語法能力描述（grammatical
competence descriptor）。本文亦呼籲專家學者和香港政府盡快成立研發小組，針對香港和其他粵語區的多語多文環境，制訂粵語粵文能力標準體系，以期使課程規劃者、教材編者和考評人員有更全面的共同參照依據。
Fatigue related changes in rearfoot eversion: a means of functionally grouping runners?
Authors: Langley Ben
Published: April 2022

Fatigue alters rearfoot kinematics on an individual basis and may offer a means of functionally grouping runners. This proof of concept study aimed to determine whether fatigue related changes in rearfoot eversion could be used to functionally group runners. Sixteen male recreational runners had their frontal plane rearfoot kinematics recorded by a three‐dimensional motion capture system before and after a 5km run. The magnitude of change in frontal plane rearfoot kinematics pre‐ to post‐fatigue was calculated and K‐means clustering used to identify functional groups based upon these changes. T‐tests with statistical parametric mapping were used to compare fatigue related changes both within and between clusters. Two clusters or functional groups were evident within the data set. Nine participants were allocated to cluster 1 and displayed small and insignificant changes in frontal plane rearfoot motion post‐fatigue. In contrast, the remaining seven participants were assigned to cluster 2 and displayed significant increases in rearfoot eversion between 3 and 84% of the stance phase post‐fatigue. These findings prove the concept that fatigue related changes in rearfoot eversion can be used to functionally group participants. Additionally, the differing fatigue related changes reported by each group may alter the injury risk, training and footwear needs of each group.

Highlights

Fatigue related changes in frontal plane rearfoot motion can be used to functionally group individuals.

Cluster 1 display small and insignificant fatigue related changes, which suggests they can maintain their habitual movement pathway.

Cluster 2 displayed significant increases in rearfoot eversion for the majority of the stance phase, suggesting an inability to maintain their habitual movement pathway, which may increase injury risk.
Image convolution-based experimental technique for flame front detection and dimension estimation: a case study on laminar-to-transition jet diffusion flame height measurement
Authors: De León-Ruiz J E , Carvajal-Mariscal I , De La Cruz-Ávila M , Klapp J , Guzmán J E V
Published: April 2022

A computationally-supported experimental technique is presented, to measure height of luminous flames, using convolution and density-based spatial clustering for image processing. The experimental setup employs a high-definition camera array to capture flame imagery from 0°, 45° and 90° visualization planes. The volumetric fuel flow was ranged from 350 to 1800 cc min−1 and images of the resulting flame structure were captured and measured. Results show that output measurements are affected by both the volumetric fuel flow and the visualization plane. Whilst the former is evidently the most significant factor, the latter was found to be relevant, since several flame features, particularly, flame tilt and flickering, are only perceivable through specific visualization planes; attributed to uneven flame structure due non-homogeneous thermal stress. The experimental technique proposed yields an overall statistical tolerance of 1.29 cm and an expanded uncertainty of 0.609 cm (∼11.5%). From these results, the test is considered successful and the proposed experimental technique is deemed to be on par with the already existing ones. The utilization of spatial density clustering of image gridded data has only been tested for this implementation; being severely constrained by the sample size and density variability of the data. Consequently, care should be exercised. Nonetheless, this approach was found to inherently recognize flame front edge, and mitigate variations of pixel value due change in flame intensity, normalizing image processing, hence, it is proposed as a viable alternative for flame feature/structure visualization and estimation, and further research is encouraged.
Genomic profile of radiation-induced early-onset mouse B-cell lymphoma recapitulates features of Philadelphia chromosome-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia in humans
Authors: Tachibana Hirotaka , Daino Kazuhiro , Ishikawa Atsuko , Morioka Takamitsu , Shang Yi , Ogawa Mari , Matsuura Akira , Shimada Yoshiya , Kakinuma Shizuko
Published: April 2022

Epidemiological studies have revealed a radiation-related increase in the risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Our recent study revealed early induction and increased risk of precursor B-cell (pB) lymphomas in mice after radiation exposure. However, the genomic landscape of radiation-induced B-cell lymphomas remains unclear. To identify the relevant genetic alterations in mice, whole-exome sequencing was performed on both early-onset and late-onset B-cell lymphomas that developed spontaneously or after gamma-irradiation. In addition to multiple driver mutations, the data revealed that interstitial deletion of chromosome 4, including Pax5, and missense mutations in Jak3 are unique genomic alterations in radiation-induced, early-onset B-cell lymphomas. RNA sequencing revealed a pB-cell-type gene-expression profile with no involvement of known fusion genes for human ALLs in the early-onset B-cell lymphomas. Activation of Jak3/Stat5 signaling in early-onset B-cell lymphomas was validated using western capillary electrophoresis. Those features were similar to those of Philadelphia chromosome-like ALL. Our data suggest a critical role for Pax5 loss-of-function mutations in initiating B-cell leukemogenesis coupled with activation of Jak3/Stat5 signaling as a basis for the rapid development of radiation-induced pB-ALL. These molecular signatures for radiation-induced cancers will inform both risk assessment and potential targeted therapies for pB-ALL.
The impact of pausing the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on uptake in Europe: a difference-in-differences analysis
Authors: Jain Vageesh , Lorgelly Paula
Published: April 2022

Background

Several countries paused their rollouts of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccine in mid-March 2021 due to concerns about vaccine-induced thrombosis and thrombocytopenia. Many warned that this risked damaging public confidence during a critical period of pandemic response. This study investigated whether the pause in the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine had an impact on subsequent vaccine uptake in European countries.

Methods

We used a difference-in-differences approach capitalizing on the fact that some countries halted their rollouts whilst others did not. A longitudinal panel was constructed for European Economic Area countries spanning 15 weeks in early 2021. Media reports were used to identify countries that paused the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and the timing of this. Data on vaccine uptake were available through the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker. Difference-in-differences linear regression models controlled for key confounders that could influence vaccine uptake, and country and week fixed effects. Further models and robustness checks were performed.

Results

The panel included 28 countries, with 19 in the intervention group and 9 in the control group. Pausing the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was associated with a 0.52% decrease in uptake for the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and a 1.49% decrease in the uptake for both doses, comparing countries that paused to those that did not. These estimates are not statistically significant (P = 0.86 and 0.39, respectively). For the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine only, the pause was associated with a 0.56% increase in uptake for the first dose and a 0.07% decrease in uptake for both doses. These estimates are also not statistically significant (P = 0.56 and 0.51, respectively). All our findings are robust to sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

As new COVID-19 vaccines emerge, regulators should be cautious to deviate from usual protocols if further investigation on clinical or epidemiological grounds is warranted.
FRAND for Dominant Digital Platforms: Enhancing the Way Essential Inputs are Accessed, Transferred and Shared
Authors: Matos Tarcila , Torres-Sarmiento Carolina
Published: April 2022

Dominant digital platforms (DDPs) are dynamic and can control the market with the aid of features such as network externalities, economies of scale and scope and the accumulation of inputs including data and algorithms. In this competitive imbalance, new companies face a greater challenge to enter the market, which in turn reinforces concentration. Different policy proposals have been discussed to address these issues and to enhance access to as well as transfer and sharing of essential inputs between DDPs and other market players. One proposal has been to apply the fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) model, traditionally used in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector in the context of DDPs. Considering the evolving nature of digital markets and the peculiarities of DDPs, the paper analyses the role of FRAND in providing access to crucial data and other essential inputs among digital market players.
Comprehensive analysis of DNA replication timing across 184 cell lines suggests a role forMCM10in replication timing regulation
Authors: Caballero Madison , Ge Tiffany , Rebelo Ana Rita , Seo Seungmae , Kim Sean , Brooks Kayla , Zuccaro Michael , Kanagaraj Radhakrishnan , Vershkov Dan , Kim Dongsung , Smogorzewska Agata , Smolka Marcus , Benvenisty Nissim , West Stephen C , Egli Dieter , Mace Emily M , Koren Amnon
Published: April 2022

Cellular proliferation depends on the accurate and timely replication of the genome. Several genetic diseases are caused by mutations in key DNA replication genes; however, it remains unclear whether these genes influence the normal program of DNA replication timing. Similarly, the factors that regulate DNA replication dynamics are poorly understood. To systematically identify trans-acting modulators of replication timing, we profiled replication in 184 cell lines from three cell types, encompassing 60 different gene knockouts or genetic diseases. Through a rigorous approach that considers the background variability of replication timing, we concluded that most samples displayed normal replication timing. However, mutations in two genes showed consistently abnormal replication timing. The first gene was RIF1, a known modulator of replication timing. The second was MCM10, a highly conserved member of the pre-replication complex. Cells from a single patient carrying MCM10 mutations demonstrated replication timing variability comprising 46% of the genome and at different locations than RIF1 knockouts. Replication timing alterations in the mutated MCM10 cells were predominantly comprised of replication delays and initiation site gains and losses. Taken together, this study demonstrates the remarkable robustness of the human replication timing program and reveals MCM10 as a novel candidate modulator of DNA replication timing.