bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementing a Tailored Psychosocial Distress Screening Protocol in a Head and Neck Cancer Program
Authors: Brauer Eden R. , Lazaro Stephanie , Williams Charlene L. , Rapkin David A. , Madnick Amy B. , Dafter Roger , Cheng Guo , Porter Ashleigh , Abemayor Elliot , Chai‐Ho Wanxing , Morasso Elizabeth , Erman Andrew , Chhetri Dinesh , St. John Maie , Wong Deborah J.
Published: December 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

Psychosocial distress is common among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and is associated with poorer quality of life and clinical outcomes. Despite these risks, distress screening is not widely implemented in HNC care. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of psychosocial distress and its related factors in routine care of patients with HNC.

Methods

Data from medical records between September 2017 and March 2020 were analyzed. Psychosocial distress was measured by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's Distress Thermometer (DT), and a modified HNC‐specific problem list; depression and anxiety were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire‐4. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were conducted to report prevalence of distress, depression and anxiety, and factors associated with clinical distress. Implementation outcomes, including rates of referrals and follow‐up for distressed patients, are also reported.

Results

Two hundred and eighty seven HNC patients completed the questionnaire (age 64.3 ± 14.9 years), with a mean distress score of 4.51 ± 3.35. Of those, 57% (n = 163) reported clinical distress (DT ≥ 4). Pain (odds ratio [OR] = 3.31, 95% CI = 1.75–6.26), fatigue (OR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.1.7–5.05), anxiety (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.30–2.05), and depression (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.04–2.18) were significantly associated with clinical distress (P < .05). Of patients identified as distressed, 79% received same‐day psychosocial evaluation.

Conclusions

Clinical distress was identified in 57% of patients who completed the questionnaire, suggesting that an ultra‐brief psychosocial screening protocol can be implemented in routine ambulatory oncology care, and identifies patients whose distress might otherwise go unrecognized.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 132:1600–1608, 2022
Rational Design of Polyphosphorylcholine‐Based Micelles for Superior Anti‐Biofilm Activity
Authors: Zhou Liangqin , Lei Dongqin , Wang Quan , Ouyang Yaowen , Luo Xianglin
Published: December 2021

It's a great challenge to completely eradicate the bacteria in biofilms by antimicrobials, since the cells are wrapped in the dense extracellular polymeric substances. Herein, in order to deliver antibacterial agents into staphylococcal biofilms and to kill the bacteria in the biofilms, an amphiphilic polymer with tertiary amine groups, poly(2‐methacryloyloyethyl phosphorylcholine)‐b‐poly {α‐[4‐(diethylamino)methyl‐1,2,3‐triazol]‐caprolactone‐co‐caprolactone} (PMPC‐PDCL) is synthesized, and its micelles are used as carriers for a model antimicrobial triclosan (TCS) to research the effect of polymeric components on antibiofilm. Polycaprolactone‐b‐poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC‐PCL) and poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐polycaprolactone (PEG‐PCL) are designed as contrast materials. The results demonstrate that PMPC‐PDCL micelles possess the highest drug loading, and the accumulative TCS release rate of PMPC‐PDCL/TCS micelles at pH 5.5+lipase is highest. The minimum bactericidal concentration value of PMPC‐PDCL/TCS micelles is 64 µg mL−1. According to the confocal laser scanning microscopy, the penetration effect of PMPC‐PDCL micelles is the best, followed by PMPC‐PCL and PEG‐PCL micelles. PMPC‐PDCL/TCS micelles display excellent anti‐biofilm both on account of their outstanding penetration effect and drug release behavior in acidic and lipase environments. Thus, PMPC‐PDCL micelles can be used as carriers to deliver the antibacterial agents into biofilms, which has important significance to cure diseases caused by bacterial infection.
The persuasiveness of metaphor in advertising
Authors: Septianto Felix , Pontes Nicolas , Tjiptono Fandy
Published: December 2021

Metaphor—drawing a comparison between two seemingly incompatible concepts in an effort to create symbolism—is frequently used in advertising. This study investigates the persuasiveness of metaphor in advertising and the conditions under which the effectiveness of metaphorical advertisements can be leveraged. Across three experimental studies, the results show that mixed emotional appeals (happiness and sadness) versus positive emotional appeals (happiness) can increase the persuasiveness of an advertising metaphor. Furthermore, cognitive flexibility mediates this effect. This study contributes to the literature on metaphor in advertising by showing the benefits of using mixed emotional appeals and establishing the underlying process. Moreover, the findings can be beneficial for marketers in designing effective marketing communication strategies combining mixed emotions with a metaphor.
The influence of humor in advertising: Explaining the effects of humor in two‐sided messsages
Authors: Eisend Martin
Published: December 2021

Research on advertising containing negative information, such as two‐sided messages, has neglected the potential of including humor in the advertisements, although both theory and practical examples suggest that humor might help to sell negative information. This paper presents the results from three studies that showed that humor can increase the persuasive influence of two‐sided advertising due to a positive surprise effect. However, it can also reduce this effect for high‐involvement consumers due to a negative distraction effect. Because two‐sided advertising is particularly effective in targeting high‐involvement consumers, this study established humor–product fit as a boundary condition to help mitigate the negative effects on high‐involvement consumers who are exposed to two‐sided advertising messages. When the fit between product and humor is high, the persuasiveness of two‐sided advertising for high‐involvement consumers increases. The study's findings have implications for theory and for the practice of including negative information in advertising. Humor can be applied in two‐sided advertising if consumers are highly involved and the humor is appropriate to the product.
Stretchable Hydrogels with Low Hysteresis and High Fracture Toughness for Flexible Electronics
Authors: Guo Xiwei , Li Jie , Wang Jiaxin , Huang Lingqi , Cheng Guijuan , Zhang Qi , Zhu He , Zhang Mingyue , Zhu Shiping
Published: December 2021

Stretchable materials, especially hydrogels, are emerging in various fields recently. Many applications demand low hysteresis and high fracture toughness of the materials to be used under dynamic mechanical loads. Herein, the authors report a hydrogel with high fracture toughness and low hysteresis through using a strong metal coordination bond and relatively high crosslinking density. This design allows the sacrificial bond to remain intact under normal operation, while fracturing to dissipate mechanical energy in the fracture zone to prevent propagation of the cracks. The obtained hydrogel exhibits a low hysteresis (≈1.5%) and a high fracture toughness (≈2,164 J m−2). Moreover, the hydrogel possesses a high fatigue threshold of ≈141 J m−2 and a reasonable conductivity. This study provides a worth‐adopted approach to synthesize hydrogels with low hysteresis and high fracture toughness.
Sparse representations of random signals
Authors: Qian Tao
Published: December 2021

Sparse (fast) representations of deterministic signals have been well studied. Among other types, there exists one called adaptive Fourier decomposition (AFD) for functions in analytic Hardy spaces. Through the Hardy space decomposition of the L2‐space, the AFD algorithm also gives rise to sparse representations of signals of finite energy. To deal with multivariate signals, the general Hilbert space context comes into play. The multivariate counterpart of AFD in general Hilbert spaces with a dictionary has been named preorthogonal AFD (POAFD). In the present study, we generalize AFD and POAFD to random analytic signals through formulating stochastic analytic Hardy spaces and stochastic Hilbert spaces. To analyze random analytic signals, we work on two models, both being called stochastic AFD, or SAFD in brief. The two models are respectively made for (i) those expressible as the sum of a deterministic signal and an error term (SAFDI) and for (ii) those from different sources obeying certain distributive law (SAFDII). In the later part of the paper, we drop off the analyticity assumption and generalize the SAFDI and SAFDII to what we call stochastic Hilbert spaces with a dictionary. The generalized methods are named as stochastic POAFDs, SPOAFDI and SPOAFDII. Like AFDs and POAFDs for deterministic signals, the developed stochastic POAFD algorithms offer powerful tools to approximate and thus to analyze random signals.
Weak shoulder and arm sparing signs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Hamada Yuichi , Kanbayashi Takamichi , Takahashi Kazusa , Kamiya Hisao , Kobayashi Shunsuke , Sonoo Masahiro
Published: December 2021

Introduction/Aims

Various signs of selective involvement have been reported in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this study, we describe two new signs, “weak shoulder” and “arm sparing” signs.

Methods

Subjects were retrospectively identified from our electrodiagnosis database. Medical Research Council scores of relevant muscles were evaluated. Weak shoulder was defined as the deltoid (Del) muscle being weaker than the biceps brachii (BB)/triceps brachii (TB) muscles; that is, Del was weaker than either or both of the muscles and no stronger than either. Arm sparing was defined as both Del and the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) being weaker than BB/TB. Sensitivities of these signs were compared with other signs of selective involvement. The specificities of these signs were investigated in patients with cervical spondylotic amyotrophy (CSA) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN).

Results

We reviewed 130 patients with ALS, 64 patients with CSA, and 16 patients with MMN. The weak shoulder and the arm sparing signs were observed in 73% and 55% of patients with ALS, 44% and 2% of patients with CSA (93% and 0% of patients with proximal CSA), respectively, and no patients with MMN. The sensitivity of the weak shoulder was higher than with conventional signs, whereas that of the arm sparing sign showed no difference.

Discussion

The weak shoulder sign was highly sensitive in ALS, and was specific when compared with MMN. The arm sparing sign was highly specific for ALS. These two new signs are promising as clinical clues in the diagnosis of ALS.
A numerical model of VPS for offshore wind turbine monopiles based on hypoplastic theory
Authors: Xiao Yongjie , Ge Yijun
Published: December 2021

The current research on the penetration of offshore wind turbine monopiles primarily focuses on driving with a vibratory hammer, although there are several smaller studies that focus on the vibrating penetration mechanism. To further the body of research, this paper establishes a numerical model to calculate the vibration penetration speed (VPS) of an offshore wind turbine monopile that considers the soil plugging effect. In this model, a monopile is assumed to be a rigid body. The surrounding soil is divided into a series of circular cylinders of concentric axes. The shear stress at the external soil elements' interfaces and the soil's vertical stress at the monopile toe are calculated using the Gudehus–Bauer hypoplastic constitutive model. The VPS is obtained from the motion equation by compiling it in MATLAB R2012b. Finally, a finite element model is conducted to verify the results, showcasing the rationality of the proposed model. Parameter analyses are also conducted to study the influences of the soil void ratio, soil internal friction angle, vibration frequency, ratio of static load to dynamic load, and monopile diameter on VPS.
Characterization of breast tumors using machine learning based upon multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging features
Authors: Thakran Snekha , Gupta Rakesh Kumar , Singh Anup
Published: December 2021

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is playing an important role in the classification of breast tumors. MRI can be used to obtain multiparametric (mp) information, such as structural, hemodynamic, and physiological information. Quantitative analysis of mp‐MRI data has shown potential in improving the accuracy of breast tumor classification. In general, a large set of quantitative and texture features can be generated depending upon the type of methodology used. A suitable combination of selected quantitative and texture features can further improve the accuracy of tumor classification. Machine learning (ML) classifiers based upon features derived from MRI data have shown potential in tumor classification. There is a need for further research studies on selecting an appropriate combination of features and evaluating the performance of different ML classifiers for accurate classification of breast tumors. The objective of the current study was to develop and optimize an ML framework based upon mp‐MRI features for the characterization of breast tumors (malignant vs. benign and low‐ vs. high‐grade). This study included the breast mp‐MRI data of 60 female patients with histopathology results. A total of 128 features were extracted from the mp‐MRI tumor data followed by features selection. Five ML classifiers were evaluated for tumor classification using 10‐fold crossvalidation with 10 repetitions. The support vector machine (SVM) classifier based on optimum features selected using a wrapper method with an adaptive boosting (AdaBoost) technique provided the highest sensitivity (0.96 ± 0.03), specificity (0.92 ± 0.09), and accuracy (94% ± 2.91%) in the classification of malignant versus benign tumors. This method also provided the highest sensitivity (0.94 ± 0.07), specificity (0.80 ± 0.05), and accuracy (90% ± 5.48%) in the classification of low‐ versus high‐grade tumors. These findings suggest that the SVM classifier outperformed other ML methods in the binary classification of breast tumors.
Improvement in bioavailability of curcumin within the castor‐oil based polyurethane nanocomposite through its conjugation on the surface of graphene oxide nanosheets
Authors: Mohammadi Abbas , Hosseinipour Mahdieh , Abdolvand Hossein , Najafabadi Seyed Ahmad Ayati , Sahraneshin Samani Fazel
Published: December 2021

Recently biocompatible polyurethane (PU) films, made from renewable bioactive compounds have been introduced as a feasible option to accelerate wound healing process. In this work, graphene oxide (GO) nanostructures were applied as a practical nanocarrier system to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin within castor‐oil based PU elastomer nanocomposites. Successfully modification of GO nanosheets with curcumin (C‐GO) were confirmed by FT‐IR, XRD, TGA, Raman spectroscopy, and FE‐SEM microscopy techniques. FE‐SEM images demonstrated a good dispersion quality of C‐GO nanosheets in the PU matrix, demonstrating the enhanced bioavailability of curcumin. Based on XRD diffractograms, PU/C‐GO nanocomposite showed a lower crystallinity and microphase‐separation degree compared to blank PU sample. This finding is probably originated from the amphiphilic properties of C‐GO which provides possibility of good interactions with hard and soft domains in PU backbone. Moreover, compared to PU/GO nanocomposite, the surface modification of GO with curcumin increased the tensile strength and Young's modulus of PU/C‐GO nanocomposite to 4.92 and 44.49 MPa, respectively. The in vitro MTT assay revealed a significant viability for L929 fibroblast cells in exposure with PU/C‐GO film. Besides, the results of in vivo wound healing evaluation on the mouse model indicated that the PU/C‐GO sample could accelerate the healing rate by promoting the proliferation and re‐epithelialization of fibroblast cells in the wound site. Thus, it is suggested that the PU/C‐GO nanocomposite film may has a potential and promising application as a wound dressing.
Metal inserts for performance improvement in glass fiber‐reinforced polymer nanocomposite joints under accelerated aging conditions
Authors: Singh Kulwinder , Kumar Mohit , Saini Jaswinder Singh
Published: December 2021

In the present work, the accelerated aging of glass/epoxy composite bolted joints was carried out for performance evaluation. The woven glass fiber was used as reinforcement and an optimum wt% of nanoclay as filler was used to counter the accelerated aging attack. The bolted joint specimen and its testing fixture were designed as per ASTM D5961 considering width to hole diameter ratio (W/D) and edge to hole diameter ratio (E/D) as 6 and 5, respectively. The specimens were tested with and without the metal inserts. The specimens were given a cyclic exposure of 8 h of ultraviolet radiation (at 60°C) followed by 4 h of condensation (at 50°C), for a maximum of 500 h. The bolt torque of 0, 2, and 4 Nm were used for the failure analysis of the joint. The metal insert and nanoclay particles proved to be positive contributors for the performance of bolted joints under accelerated aging conditions.
Qualitative study on the effects of hydroxyl functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube and silica doped‐epoxy composites
Authors: Yasaroglu Inci , Aras Omur , Kaya Yunus
Published: December 2021

Epoxy resins have great potential for industrial applications because of their excellent properties such as good adhesion, durability, higher strength, and so forth. But, their high‐viscosity limits industrial usage. Reducing the viscosity with suitable diluents provides an advantage on industrial scale processing, but this also causes a decrease in their chemical and mechanical properties. The production of epoxy‐based composite materials provides good mechanical, heat, and solvent resistance properties. Therefore, determination of additives amount and dilution ratio for specific working area are important for these materials. In this context, this study first includes synthesis of bisphenol A‐based epoxy resin and characterization with fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Second, chemical, mechanical, thermal, and surface properties of the resin were investigated by varying the reactive/nonreactive diluents and additives. Multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT‐modified with triton X‐405 nonionic surfactant) and fumed silica as additives were used in this study. Mechanical and chemical tests were applied to 49 types of materials. In order to see the significance levels and synergistic effects of diluents on tensile strength, 3D graphs were obtained with the experimental and modeled data. ANOVA was also performed for significance levels of the diluents. After that, the effects of silica and carbon nanotube additive on tensile strength were investigated. As a result of the tensile test and TGA analysis of the pure epoxy, the ultimate tensile strength was measured as 59.07 MPa, Tg (°C), and Tm (°C) values were found as 175.5 and 304.0°C. These results increased for the nanocomposite material prepared with 2% fumed silica and 0.1% MWCNT (modified YAM) as 81.64 MPa, 192.2 and 333.3°C. It was also shown that the ultimate tensile strength, which decreased with dilution of pure epoxy, could be increased significantly with the additives.
High‐performance thermal insulator based on polymer foam and silica xerogel
Authors: Chen Xiao Yuan , Nagamine Shinsuke , Ohshima Masahiro , Rodrigue Denis
Published: December 2021

In this work, methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) was used as a precursor, n‐hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a surfactant, and EtOH/H2O as a co‐solvent, while 10 mM HCl and urea were used as acid and base catalysts to prepare silica xerogels and xerogel inside the cells of a polyethylene (PE) foam via a sol–gel process combined with ambient pressure drying. The xerogels and PE‐silica xerogel foams were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method (BET), and thermal conductivity. The results indicate that the xerogels have a three‐dimensional nanoporous structure, and the specific surface areas of the SiO2 xerogel and PE‐xerogel foam are 536 and 377 m2/g, respectively. The PE‐xerogel foam exhibited very low thermal conductivity (22–24 mW/m.K) compared with conventional insulation materials on the market (30–50 mW/m.K). The thermal insulation properties of PE‐silica xerogels were increased by 45% and 49% compared with neat PE foam. Additionally, the compressive modulus and density of the PE‐xerogel foam was increased by the presence of the silica xerogel. These PE‐xerogel foams are believed to be excellent candidates for thermal insulation applications in terms of cost/performance.
Organobase/urea catalyzed ring opening polymerization of 3‐methyl‐1, 4‐dioxan‐2‐one to prepare chemically recyclable poly(ether ester)
Authors: Li Kai , Li Zheng , Duan Shiwei , Shen Yong , Li Zhibo
Published: December 2021

It is greatly desirable to develop degradable polymers from easily accessible chemicals. In addition to well‐known degradable aliphatic polyesters, poly(ether‐ester) prepared from 1, 4‐dioxan‐2‐one with perfectly alternative ether and ester bonds is a new type of degradable polymer. Due to the low strain of six‐membered 1, 4‐dioxan‐2‐one ring, it remains a challenge to realize the effective and controllable ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of 1, 4‐dioxan‐2‐one derived monomers despite several catalysts have been attempted. In recent years, the combination of organobase/(thio)urea binary catalytic system has displayed great activity and versatility in the ROP of cyclic esters. Herein, we studied the ROP of 3‐methyl‐1, 4‐dioxan‐2‐one (MDO) using the combinations of various organobases and ureas as catalysts at relatively low temperature. We found that 1, 8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU)/urea pair showed great overall performance in the ROP of MDO, achieving monomer conversion up to 82% within 7 h at −40 °C. Notably, DBU/urea binary catalytic system achieved higher catalytic activity as well as better control over molecular weights and molecular weight distributions compared to previously reported catalysts. The obtained PMDO can completely depolymerize to recover MDO monomer by simple thermolysis, thus established a close‐loop life cycle.
Erb‐(IL10)2 induces abscopal antitumor effects of radiotherapy through the activation and recruitment of lymph node CD8+ T cells
Authors: Yao Yimin , Qi Ziwei , Zhu Qingqing , Zhao Qi , Zhang Zheng , Fu Shilong , Zhou Liyao , Zhu Jiaxing , Liu Zhenhua , Xu Haiyan , Huang Yuhui , Xue Jiao , Qin Songbing
Published: December 2021

Objective

Although radiotherapy (RT) has been widely used in cancer treatment, it provides limited benefits in patients with metastatic cancers due to rare abscopal antitumor effects. Recent progress in cancer immunotherapy provides a potential new strategy to boost the abscopal antitumor effects of RT.

Methods

We fused interleukin 10 (IL10) dimer onto the anti‐epidermal growth factor receptor antibody cetuximab (Erbitux) to form a new bispecific protein Erb‐(IL10)2. The antitumor effect and biological activity of Erb‐(IL10)2 were measured in the B16‐EGFR‐OVA tumor model. In vivo cell depletion and flow cytometry analyses were used to assess the mechanism of antitumor effects.

Results

Erb‐(IL10)2 treatment alone showed modest tumor growth inhibition, while local single dose RT (10 Gy) retarded irradiated tumor growth without affecting the growth of nonirradiated tumors. Notably, the combination therapy of RT and Erb‐(IL10)2 not only additively inhibited irradiated tumor growth but also induced abscopal antitumor responses. In vivo depletion of CD8+ T cells abrogated the combinational antitumor effects, while blocking lymphocyte trafficking through FTY720 treatment abolished the abscopal antitumor responses without affecting the antitumor effects on the irradiated tumor sites.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence for the radiosensitive role of Erb‐(IL10)2 in the B16‐EGFR‐OVA tumor model. Our findings suggest a novel strategy to elicit the abscopal antitumor effects of RT by combining tumor‐targeted therapy with IL10.
V101I and R81T mutations in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor β1 subunit are associated with neonicotinoid resistance in Myzus persicae
Authors: Xu Xiao , Ding Qian , Wang Xiu , Wang Ruijie , Ullah Farman , Gao Xiwu , Song Dunlun
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

The peach‐potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a major pest worldwide. The intensive use of insecticides has led to the development of resistance against neonicotinoid insecticides. The R81T mutation in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) beta1 subunit is considered a crucial mechanism adaptation to neonicotinoid resistance in M. persicae and Aphis gossypii.

RESULTS

Resistance‐related mutations (R81T and V101I) were detected in the imidacloprid‐resistant M. persicae AH19 population. The V101I mutation is reported for the first time. The V101I and R81T mutations existed separately, indicating that the two mutations evolved independently. Imidacloprid resistance in the AH19 population was stable without insecticide exposure. Four mutant strains were selected from the population with stable resistance. The resistance of the AH19‐T, AH19‐I, and AH19‐TI strains to imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuran was significantly increased compared with the AH19‐W strain. Synergism bioassays showed that the inhibition of three detoxification enzymes did not affect imidacloprid resistance in the AH19‐T and AH19‐I strains. Expression of nAChR β1 subunits in the AH19‐W, AH19‐T, and AH19‐I strains remained unchanged.

CONCLUSION

The V101I mutation is associated with neonicotinoid resistance in M. persicae. The resistance of the AH19‐T and AH19‐I strains to neonicotinoids appears to be mainly due to the R81T and V101I mutations, whereas these mutations, together with changes in the cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and nAChR expression may be responsible for the development of neonicotinoid resistance in the AH19‐TI strain. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
A systematic review of robotic surgery: From supervised paradigms to fully autonomous robotic approaches
Authors: Han Jinpei , Davids Joseph , Ashrafian Hutan , Darzi Ara , Elson Daniel S. , Sodergren Mikael
Published: December 2021

Background

From traditional open surgery to laparoscopic surgery and robot‐assisted surgery, advances in robotics, machine learning, and imaging are pushing the surgical approach to‐wards better clinical outcomes. Pre‐clinical and clinical evidence suggests that automation may standardise techniques, increase efficiency, and reduce clinical complications.

Methods

A PRISMA‐guided search was conducted across PubMed and OVID.

Results

Of the 89 screened articles, 51 met the inclusion criteria, with 10 included in the final review. Automatic data segmentation, trajectory planning, intra‐operative registration, trajectory drilling, and soft tissue robotic surgery were discussed.

Conclusion

Although automated surgical systems remain conceptual, several research groups have developed supervised autonomous robotic surgical systems with increasing consideration for ethico‐legal issues for automation. Automation paves the way for precision surgery and improved safety and opens new possibilities for deploying more robust artificial intelligence models, better imaging modalities and robotics to improve clinical outcomes.
Building knowledge by mapping model uncertainty in six studies of social and financial performance
Authors: Berchicci Luca , King Andrew A.
Published: December 2021

Research Summary

Many scholars bemoan the difficulty of learning from individual research reports. Replication is often prescribed as a salve, but few replications are conducted, and even fewer allow the formation of a coherent understanding. In this article, we propose a complement to replication that emphasizes the mapping of epistemic uncertainties. We demonstrate our approach by exploring the results of six related studies on the link between social and financial performance. We show that our method allows the synthesis of seemingly conflicting findings, and we propose that it should be used proactively, prior to replication, to speed the growth of knowledge.

Managerial Summary

Any single empirical study provides a weak basis for inference. As a result, scholars advocate repeated analysis of important issues, but evidence from replications can be hard to integrate into a coherent understanding. For example, six important studies of the link between corporate social and financial performance have been published in this journal, but their conflicting results have defied integration. We show that a new approach to empirical research allows their reconciliation: all six suggest that across firms, social and financial performance are correlated but that improvements in social performance seldom precede increased financial performance.
Progress in Ternary Metal Oxides as Photocathodes for Water Splitting Cells: Optimization Strategies
Authors: Díez‐García María Isabel , Gómez Roberto
Published: December 2021

The conversion of solar energy into fuels and, specifically hydrogen, is a critical process for ensuring the sustainability of the future energy system. Among the different ways of converting solar energy into fuels and chemicals, photoelectrochemical tandem cells, containing two photoactive materials, stand out as they have the potential for direct solar‐to‐fuel conversion, thus minimizing cost. The implementation of photoelectrolysis for hydrogen generation is hindered by the lack of suitable electrode materials, particularly photocathodes. Among the candidates for photocathodes, ternary (and multinary) transition metal oxides have the advantage of lower cost and, potentially, higher stability than other metal compounds. Herein, the aim is to provide an overview of the current state of the art for ternary oxides (spinels, delafossites, perovskites, etc.), with a focus on the modification strategies that can optimize their behavior and applicability. Both copper‐based and iron‐based ternary oxides are the most studied and, currently, the most promising. Among the strategies being used for their optimization, doping, the deposition of underlayers and overlayers, and the use of cocatalysts are the most popular. However, it is apparent that both solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiencies and stability will need to be addressed in the future. Some guidelines in this respect are also provided.
Predicting the uniaxial compressive strength of oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete using artificial intelligence‐based algorithms
Authors: Zhu Weixiang , Huang Lihua , Mao Liudan , Esmaeili‐Falak Mahzad
Published: December 2021

Because natural coarse aggregates were depleting rapidly, concrete industry has been trended toward substitute aggregates from industrial by‐products or waste. One of the waste materials is oil palm ash (OPS), which is widely generated in the processing of palm oil in the tropics. Concretes made with OPS to estimate the compressive strength (CS) is cost and time consuming. This study aims to propose novel hybrid models by concepts of extreme gradient boosting (XGB) model optimized with different optimization algorithms such as sine–cosine algorithm, multiverse optimization algorithm (MVO), and particle swarm optimization for predicting the uniaxial CS (UCS) of oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete (OPS). Also, the multivariate adaptive regression spline model is also developed to present a meaningful relationship between input and output variables. To this aim, a data set containing data samples for concrete made with OPS was gathered from the published literature. Results show that all models have acceptable performance in predicting the UCS, representing the admissible correlation between observed and predicted values and models' robustness. In the training step, the value of , the root mean square error, and the variance accounted factor for MVO–XGB are 0.9713, 1.5777, and 97.129. These values in testing phase are 0.9019, 2.6786, and 89.158. Therefore, the MVO–XGB model outperforms others, and the results demonstrate the ability of the MVO algorithm to determine the optimal value of XGB parameters.
Recent Developments and Challenges of Vanadium Oxides (VxOy) Cathodes for Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhou Tao , Han Qing , Xie Lingling , Yang Xinli , Zhu Limin , Cao Xiaoyu
Published: December 2021

The rapid depletion of lithium resources and the increasing demand for electrical energy storage have stimulated the pursuit of emerging electrochemical energy storage. Aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) are highly sought after for their low cost, high safety, and increased environmental compatibility. However, the search for suitable cathode materials is still tricky for a wide range of researchers. Vanadium oxides (VxOy), with their abundant vanadium valence, easily deformable V−O polyhedrons, and tunable chemical compositions, are of significant advantage in developing emerging materials. This work provides a detailed review of different VxOy for the application in aqueous ZIBs. The current problems and optimization strategies of VxOy cathode materials are systematically discussed. Finally, the current challenges and possible directions for future research of VxOy cathode materials in aqueous ZIBs are presented.
Recent Advances in Lewis Base‐Catalysed Chemo‐, Diastereo‐ and Enantiodivergent Reactions of Electron‐Deficient Olefins and Alkynes
Authors: Meng Yinggao , Chen Lihui , Li Er‐Qing
Published: December 2021

Lewis base catalysis provides powerful synthetic strategies for the selective construction of carbon‐carbon and carbon‐heteroatom bonds. Thus continuous efforts have been deployed to develop effective methodologies involving Lewis base catalysis. The nucleophilicity and steric hindrance of Lewis base catalyst often plays a major role in catalytic reactivity and selectivity in the reaction. In the past decades, tremendous progress has been made in the divergent construction of valuable motifs under Lewis base catalysis. In this review, we provide a comprehensive and updated summary of Lewis base‐catalysed chemo‐, diastereo‐ and enantiodivergent reaction, as well as the related mechanism will be highlighted in detail.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography‐related adverse events in Korea: A nationwide assessment
Authors: Jang Dong Kee , Kim Jungmee , Paik Chang Nyol , Kim Jung‐Wook , Lee Tae Hee , Jang Jae‐Young , Yoon Seung Bae , Lee Jun Kyu
Published: December 2021

Background

Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a pivotal procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of pancreatobiliary diseases, it has been known that the risk of procedure‐related adverse events (AEs) is significant.

Objective

We conducted this nationwide cohort study since there have been few reports on the real‐world data regarding ERCP‐related AEs.

Methods

Patients who underwent ERCP were identified between 2012 and 2015 using Health Insurance Review and Assessment database generated by the Korea government. Incidence, annual trends, demographics, characteristics according to the types of procedures, and the risk factors of AEs were assessed.

Results

A total of 114,757 patients with male gender of 54.2% and the mean age of 65.0 ± 15.2 years were included. The most common indication was choledocholithiasis (49.4%) and the second malignant biliary obstruction (22.8%). Biliary drainage (33.9%) was the most commonly performed procedure, followed by endoscopic sphincterotomy (27.4%), and stone removal (22.0%). The overall incidence of ERCP‐related AEs was 4.7% consisting of post‐ERCP pancreatitis (PEP; 4.6%), perforation (0.06%), and hemorrhage (0.02%), which gradually increased from 2012 to 2015. According to the type of procedures, ERCP‐related AEs developed the most commonly after pancreatic stent insertion (11.4%), followed by diagnostic ERCP (5.9%) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (5.7%). Younger age and diagnostic ERCP turned out to be independent risk factors of PEP.

Conclusions

ERCP‐related AEs developed the most commonly after pancreatic stent insertion, diagnostic ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy. Special caution should be used for young patients receiving diagnostic ERCP due to increased risk of PEP.
Serological and molecular survey of tick‐borne zoonotic pathogens including severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in wild boars in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Kirino Yumi , Yamamoto Seigo , Nomachi Taro , Mai Thi Ngan , Sato Yukiko , Sudaryatma Putu Eka , Norimine Junzo , Fujii Yoshinori , Ando Shuji , Okabayashi Tamaki
Published: December 2021

Background

Miyazaki Prefecture is one of the hotspots of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) cases and related deaths in Japan since 2013 and other pathogens of tick‐borne diseases (TBDs). Japanese spotted fever and scrub typhus are also endemic in this region.

Objectives

A total of 105 wild boars, hunted in 2009, were serologically examined as sentinels for TBDs to indirectly demonstrate the potential hazard of ticks transmitting pathogens to humans in the studied area.

Methods

The collected blood and spleens of the wild boars underwent serological and molecular tests for SFTSV, Rickettsia japonica (Rj) [antibody to spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) were tested by using species‐common antigen], and Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot).

Results

Seroprevalences of SFTSV, SFGR, and Ot were 41.9%, 29.5%, and 33.3%, respectively. SFTS viral RNA was identified in 7.6% of the sera, whereas DNA of Rj or Ot was not detected in any sample. In total, 43.8% of the boars possessed an infection history with SFTSV (viral gene and/or antibody). Of these, 23.8% had multiple‐infection history with SFGR and/or Ot.

Conclusions

The high prevalence of SFTSV in wild boars might reflect the high risk of exposure to the virus in the studied areas. In addition, SFTSV infection was significantly correlated with Ot infection, and so were SFGR infection and Ot infection, indicating that these pathogens have common factors for infection or transmission. These data caution of the higher risk of SFTSV infection in areas with reported cases of other TBDs.
Hormonal implant‐associated soft tissue sarcoma in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo)
Authors: Hollwarth Ashton J. , Froelich Fiona , Stidworthy Mark F
Published: December 2021

A 6‐year‐old entire female domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was presented with a rapidly growing soft tissue mass between the scapulae. The mass was surgically removed and several parts of a previously placed deslorelin acetate hormonal implant were identified within the growth. Histopathological examination revealed an implant‐associated spindle cell sarcoma with a number of histological features similar to those identified in feline injection‐site sarcoma and microchip‐associated sarcomas, such as poorly differentiated spindle cells, areas of necrosis, pleomorphic elongated nuclei with a high mitotic rate and atypical mitoses. This is the first report of a soft tissue sarcoma apparently associated with a hormonal implant.
Effective Field Theory for the perturbations of a slowly rotating black hole
Authors: Hui Lam , Podo Alessandro , Santoni Luca , Trincherini Enrico
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We develop the effective theory for perturbations around black holes with scalar hair, in two directions. First, we show that the scalar-Gauss-Bonnet theory, often used as an example exhibiting scalar black hole hair, can be deformed by galileon operators leading to order unity changes to its predictions. The effective theory for perturbations thus provides an efficient framework for describing and constraining broad classes of scalar-tensor theories, of which the addition of galileon operators is an example. Second, we extend the effective theory to perturbations around an axisymmetric, slowly rotating black hole, at linear order in the black hole spin. We also discuss the inclusion of parity-breaking operators in the effective theory.
Note on the bundle geometry of field space, variational connections, the dressing field method, & presymplectic structures of gauge theories over bounded regions
Authors: François J. , Parrini N. , Boulanger N.
Published: December 2021

Abstract

In this note, we consider how the bundle geometry of field space interplays with the covariant phase space methods so as to allow to write results of some generality on the presymplectic structure of invariant gauge theories coupled to matter. We obtain in particular the generic form of Noether charges associated with field-independent and field-dependent gauge parameters, as well as their Poisson bracket. We also provide the general field-dependent gauge transformations of the presymplectic potential and 2-form, which clearly highlights the problem posed by boundaries in generic situations. We then conduct a comparative analysis of two strategies recently considered to evade the boundary problem and associate a modified symplectic structure to a gauge theory over a bounded region: namely the use of edge modes on the one hand, and of variational connections on the other. To do so, we first try to give the clearest geometric account of both, showing in particular that edge modes are a special case of a differential geometric tool of gauge symmetry reduction known as the “dressing field method”. Applications to Yang-Mills theory and General Relativity reproduce or generalise several results of the recent literature.
Suizide in Deutschland: Ergebnisse der amtlichen Todesursachenstatistik
Authors: Schelhase Torsten
Published: December 2021

Die Todesursachenstatistik ist die elementare Basis zur Ermittlung von wichtigen Indikatoren wie Sterbeziffern, verlorenen Lebensjahren und vermeidbaren Sterbefällen sowie deren Veränderungen im Laufe der Zeit. Ihre Ergebnisse fließen in die epidemiologische und medizinische Forschung ein und geben wichtige Hinweise für notwendige Präventionsprogramme und die Gesundheitspolitik im Allgemeinen.

In diesem Beitrag wird zunächst ein Überblick über die Historie, die Rechtsgrundlage und die Methodik der Todesursachenstatistik gegeben. Daran schließt die Darstellung der Daten zu Suiziden in Deutschland mit Schwerpunkt auf das Jahr 2019 an. Diese werden in Abhängigkeit von den Merkmalen Alter, Geschlecht, Region und Methode abgebildet. Vergleiche mit älteren vorliegenden Daten seit 1980 werden herangezogen. In einem Ausblick auf die Weiterentwicklung der Todesursachenstatistik werden die Gründe für aktuelle Schwachstellen im Ablauf der Datenerhebung und Lösungsmöglichkeiten aufgezeigt.
The degeneration formula for stable log maps
Authors: Kim Bumsig , Lho Hyenho , Ruddat Helge
Published: December 2021

We give a direct proof for the degeneration formula of Gromov–Witten invariants including its cycle version for degenerations with smooth singular locus in the setting of stable log maps of Abramovich-Chen, Chen, Gross–Siebert.
Population specific annual cycles and migration strategies in a leap-frog migrant
Authors: Hedh Linus , Dänhardt Juliana , Hedenström Anders
Published: December 2021

A common migratory pattern in birds is that northerly breeding populations migrate to more southerly non-breeding sites compared to southerly breeding populations (leap-frog migration). Not only do populations experience differences in migration distances, but also different environmental conditions, which may vary spatiotemporally within their annual cycles, creating distinctive selective pressures and migratory strategies. Information about such adaptations is important to understand migratory drivers and evolution of migration patterns. We use light-level geolocators and citizen science data on regional spring arrivals to compare two populations of common ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula breeding at different latitudes. We (1) describe and characterize the annual cycles and (2) test predictions regarding speed and timing of migration. The northern breeding population (NBP) wintered in Africa and the southern (SBP) mainly in Europe. The annual cycles were shifted temporally so that the NBP was always later in all stages. The SBP spent more than twice as long time in the breeding area, but there was no difference in winter. The NBP spent more time on migration in general. Spring migration speed was lower in the SBP compared to autumn speed of both populations, and there was no difference in autumn and spring speed in the NBP. We also found a larger variation in spring arrival times across years in the SBP. This suggests that a complex interaction of population specific timing and variation of breeding onset, length of breeding season, and proximity to the breeding area shape the annual cycle and migratory strategies.

Significance statement

Migration distance, climate, and the resulting composition of the annual cycle are expected to influence migration strategies and timing in birds. Testing theories regarding migration behaviours are challenging, and intraspecific comparisons over the full annual cycle are still rare. Here we compare the spatiotemporal distributions of two latitudinally separated populations of common ringed plovers using light-level geolocators. We found that there was a larger long-term variation in first arrival dates and that migration speed was slower only in spring in a temperate, short-distance migratory population, compared to an Arctic, long-distance migratory population. This suggests that a complex interaction of population specific timing and variation of breeding onset, length of breeding season and proximity to the breeding area shape the annual cycle and migratory behaviours.