bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controlled cationic curing of epoxy composites with photochemically modified silanol encapsulated carbon black
Authors: Atif Muhammad , Hussain Muhammad Asif , Ghani Ambreen , Rani Adila , Muzaffar Saima , Bongiovanni Roberta
Published: February 2022

Epoxy resins have been an inspiration in adhesives and coatings, however, uneven photopolymerization kinetics result in wrinkled surface and filler segregation, causing aesthetic and mechanical damage. Hence a control over curing kinetics is required not only to dodge filler segregation but also to control composite surface smoothness. In this study, photochemical modification of carbon black with mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, has resulted in unique silanol dendrites exterior on carbon black. Kinetic investigation confirmed that Ea for cationic polymerization of modified CB composite is three folds less in comparison to neat matrix, and two folds less in comparison to unmodified CB composite. Silanol dendrites have contributed on epoxy curing kinetics, through activated monomer mechanism. Samples have been characterized through XPS, FTIR, SEM, TGA, DSC, Raman, and EDX.
Clinical significance of CD8‐positive lymphocytes on tumor cell clusters of ascites cell block in ovarian high‐grade serous carcinoma
Authors: Iwahashi Hideki , Miyamoto Morikazu , Ito Tsubasa , Suminokura Jin , Hada Taira , Ishibashi Hiroki , Kakimoto Soichiro , Matsuura Hiroko , Suzuki Rie , Minabe Shinya , Matsukuma Susumu , Tsuda Hitoshi , Takano Masashi
Published: February 2022

Background

The clinical significance of CD8‐positive (CD8+) lymphocytes on tumor cell clusters of ascites cell blocks in patients with ovarian high‐grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) was investigated.

Methods

Among HGSC patients who underwent surgery from January 2014 to December 2019, 38 patients with ascites cell block were selected. Using these cell blocks and primary ovarian tumor tissue, the presence of CD8+ lymphocytes and the expression of PD‐L1 were examined immunohistochemically. Tumor cell clusters were defined as cell clumps consisting of more than 10 malignant cells in cell block. Cases with at least one CD8+ lymphocyte in tumor cell cluster were defined as positive CD8+ lymphocytes (Group A); others were defined as negative CD8+ lymphocytes (Group B). The tumor tissue CD8+ lymphocytes were counted mechanically. Clinicopathological features were retrospectively compared between the two groups.

Results

In total, 38 cases were identified: 25 (65.8%) in Group A and 13 (34.2%) in Group B. More cases in Group A were positive for CD4 (p < 0.01), PD‐L1 (p = 0.02), FoxP3 (p = 0.02) and had a higher number of CD8+ lymphocytes in the tissue (p = 0.03). Patients in Group A had better progression‐free survival (p < 0.01) and overall survival (p = 0.04). In multivariate analysis, Group A was an independent prognostic factor for both progression‐free survival (hazard ratio, 0.24; p < 0.01) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.21; p = 0.03).

Conclusion

The presence of CD8+ lymphocytes in tumor cell clusters of ascites was associated with the status of immune reaction in the tissue and prognosis in patients with HGSC and might be useful information of the immune‐associated therapy.
Consider insights into sexual assault legislation
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: February 2022

To provide insights to guide college athletics administrators in their efforts to help prevent and address issues related to sexual assaults involving student‐athletes, we chatted with Aaron Hernandez, J.D., Director of the Sports Law and Business Program at Arizona State University, and Logan Deen​ey, a 2022 J.D. Candidate at Marquette University Law School. Our conversation was edited for space and clarity.
Learn the 5 universal truths of leadership
Authors: Miles David
Published: February 2022

In this article, I want to examine the following five universal truths of leadership, as proposed by Trevor Cartwright, a writer and a leadership consultant and strategist:
Family with congenital contractural arachnodactyly due to a novel multiexon deletion of the FBN2 gene
Authors: Yagi Hiroki , Takiguchi Hiroshi , Takeda Norifumi , Inuzuka Ryo , Taniguchi Yuki , Porto Kristine Joyce , Ishiura Hiroyuki , Mitsui Jun , Morita Hiroyuki , Komuro Issei
Published: February 2022

Congenital contractural arachnodactyly (CCA) is caused by pathogenic FBN2 variants; however, the contributions of copy number variations (CNVs) to CCA are still unknown. Here, we report on a familial case of CCA, in which a novel multiexon deletion of exons 35–39 in FBN2 was identified after simple CNV prediction.
Successful treatment with bortezomib for refractory fever associated with myelodysplastic syndrome with underlying lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma
Authors: Motomura Yotaro , Umezawa Yoshihiro , Arimatsu Tomoyuki , Okada Keigo , Miura Osamu , Kumagai Takashi
Published: February 2022

We report a case of fever of unknown origin in a patient with MDS associated with IgM‐MGUS. The patient was positive for MYD88 mutation, and chemotherapy for LPL/WM improved the fever. Analysis of MYD88 and the effect of chemotherapy on LPL/WM finally revealed the latent LPL/WM in this case.
Lymphoma with tuberculous granulomas
Authors: Lal Jyoti Mohan , Rashid Anila
Published: February 2022

Chronic granulomatous inflammation is a common finding in lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs), but it is important to exclude coexisting mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) especially in patients from areas of high endemicity. This case emphasizes the relevance of performing MTB culture on bone marrow exhibiting LPD and concomitant granulomas.
Halogen Bond Catalysis on Carbonyl–OlefinRing‐ClosingMetathesis Reaction: Comparison with Lewis Acid Catalysis
Authors: Li Ying , Sun Yuanyuan , Meng Lingpeng , Li Qingzhong , Zeng Yanli
Published: February 2022

Comprehensive Summary

The carbonyl–olefin ring‐closing metathesis reactions have become a powerful tool for carbon‐carbon bond formation. In this work, the halogen bond catalysis and classical Lewis acid catalysis on the carbonyl–olefin ring‐closing metathesis reaction were investigated by density function theory. For both the halogen bond catalysis and classical Lewis acid catalysis, the carbonyl–olefin ring‐closing metathesis reaction occurs by [2 + 2]‐cycloaddition process and [2 + 2]‐cycloreversion process, the reaction energy barriers are low, therefore, it can be performed easily at room temperature. The essential difference of the two kinds of catalysts is that the catalytic mechanism of halogen bond catalysis is mainly contribution of electrostatic interaction, while that of classical Lewis acid catalysis is mainly catalyzed by orbital interaction. The halogen bond donor catalysts (ICl3, IF3) are expected to be efficient catalysts for the reaction and further promote the chemical synthesis of carbonyl–olefin ring‐closing metathesis reaction.
Effect of Pyrolysis Temperature on Mechanistic Transformation for Adsorption of Methylene Blue on Leached Rice‐Straw Biochar
Authors: Bhardwaj Akanksha , Nag Shilpa , Dahiya Amarjeet , Pandey Puneeta , Arora Meenu , Babu J. Nagendra
Published: February 2022

Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) leached biochar is studied for adsorption of methylene blue (MB). Rice straw biochar obtained from slow pyrolysis at 400, 500, and 600 °C, respectively, is TCLP leached to furnish leached biochar, BL4, BL5, and BL6. The leached biochar BL4–6 have been characterized for pH, CHN analysis, ash, zeta potential, surface area morphology and functional groups. Batch adsorption studies are optimized for pH (3–9), adsorbent dose (0.5–4 g L−1), and initial MB concentration (20–135 mg L−1). Nonlinear fitting to Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich‐Peterson adsorption isotherm with due statistical treatment and error function analysis is carried out. Leached biochar, BL4, BL5, and BL6, is characterized by the dominance of carboxylic acid, lactone, and phenols moieties, respectively. The MB adsorption on leached biochar exhibits maximum adsorption of 26.87, 51.34, and 18.83 mg g−1 for BL4, BL5, and BL6, respectively. The underlying mechanism for adsorption of MB using BL5, is characterized by non‐ionic lactone ring opening in presence of MB under alkaline conditions that is supported by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies. Desorption of MB and regeneration from BL5 is studied with methanol and 0.1 m HCl as stripping solvent for four cycles. Recovery of MB is better with methanol in comparison to 0.1 m HCl.
Iron‐Doped Ni−Al Layered Double Hydroxide as an Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalyst
Authors: Zhou Qi , Huang Guanru , Feng Chenchen
Published: February 2022

Two‐dimensional (2D) layered double hydroxide (LDH) is a good alternative to precious metals in terms of oxygen evolution electrocatalysis. The doping of various elements into LDH has been widely investigated in order to further minimize the oxygen evolution overpotential. Herein, by using the cation exchange method, we design and construct a Fe‐doped Ni−Al LDH nanoplatelets (NAF LDH‐25). Fe3+ enter the nickel and aluminum vacancies smoothly as a result of the dual action of corrosion and cation exchange, and iron ion activity is optimized. Meanwhile, strong interaction of Ni and Fe, effect of Al on electronic structure and the structural advantages of two‐dimensional nanoplatelets, as a result, the as‐prepared NAF LDH‐25 exhibits extremely low overpotential (288 mV) at high current density of 100 mA cm−2. The NAF LDH‐25 also showed excellent stability in the 72 h chronopotentiometry test. Therefore, cation exchange strategy provides a new option for the preparation of practical OER catalysts.
Cytologic analysis of a glomus tumor in the left second toe: Case report
Authors: Hwang Jay , McDowell Susan , Cole Bradley , Huber Aaron , Reyes Maria Cecilia D.
Published: February 2022

We present a 66‐year‐old female with a glomus tumor diagnosed by fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) at the subungual region of her left second toe. Cytologic findings include cohesive clusters of round, uniform cells with scant cytoplasm. Nuclei were monotonous with fine chromatin. No cellular atypia, nuclear inclusions, mitotic figures, nor nucleoli were identified. Cells were surrounded by thick wisps of magenta colored myxoid material reminiscent of a pleomorphic adenoma. Few spindle shaped cells could be seen near the border of the tumor clusters. Staining was positive for alpha‐smooth muscle actin. This case report presents one of few FNA diagnosed glomus tumors.
Children's vocabulary and friendships: A comparative study between children with and without Specific Learning Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Kouvava Sofia , Antonopoulou Katerina , Ralli Asimina M. , Kokkinos Constantinos M. , Maridaki‐Kassotaki Katerina
Published: February 2022

Language skills are important in the formation and maintenance of friendships. Children with specific learning disorder (SLD) or attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience difficulties with their relationships and have language‐related problems. This study aims to examine how expressive and receptive vocabulary may relate to friendships of children with and without SLD or ADHD. Participants were 64 children with SLD, 64 children with ADHD, and 64 typically developing (TD) children, aged 8–12 years (Mage = 9.77 years,SD = 1.22), attending Grades 3 to 6 in inclusive primary schools of Attica, Greece. The Greek versions of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and the expressive vocabulary subscale of the WISC‐III were administered along with the sociometric nominations of friends and the self‐reports of best friendship duration. Results showed that children with SLD and ADHD reported best friendships of shorter duration and had significantly poorer receptive and expressive vocabulary. Children with ADHD had significantly fewer close and best friends than children with SLD, who in turn had significantly fewer close and best friends than the TD children. Children's vocabulary in all three groups was positively correlated with the duration of their best friendships and was found to moderately predict children's close friendships.
Urban net primary production: Concepts, field methods, and Baltimore, Maryland, USA case study
Authors: Sonti Nancy F. , Groffman Peter M. , Nowak David J. , Henning Jason G. , Avolio Meghan L. , Rosi Emma J.
Published: February 2022

Given the large and increasing amount of urban, suburban, and exurban land use on Earth, there is a need to accurately assess net primary productivity (NPP) of urban ecosystems. However, the heterogeneous and dynamic urban mosaic presents challenges to the measurement of NPP, creating landscapes that may appear more similar to a savanna than to the native landscape replaced. Studies of urban biomass have tended to focus on one type of vegetation (e.g., lawns or trees). Yet a focus on the ecology of the city should include the entire urban ecosystem rather than the separate investigation of its parts. Furthermore, few studies have attempted to measure urban aboveground NPP (ANPP) using field‐based methods. Most studies project growth rates from measurements of tree diameter to estimate annual ANPP or use remote sensing approaches. In addition, field‐based methods for measuring NPP do not address any special considerations for adapting such field methods to urban landscapes. Frequent planting and partial or complete removal of herbaceous and woody plants can make it difficult to accurately quantify increments and losses of plant biomass throughout an urban landscape. In this study, we review how ANPP of urban landscapes can be estimated based on field measurements, highlighting the challenges specific to urban areas. We then estimated ANPP of woody and herbaceous vegetation over a 15‐year period for Baltimore, MD, USA using a combination of plot‐based field data and published values from the literature. Baltimore's citywide ANPP was estimated to be 355.8 g m−2, a result that we then put into context through comparison with other North American Long‐Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites and mean annual precipitation. We found our estimate of Baltimore citywide ANPP to be only approximately half as much (or less) than ANPP at forested LTER sites of the eastern United States, and more comparable to grassland, oldfield, desert, or boreal forest ANPP. We also found that Baltimore had low productivity for its level of precipitation. We conclude with a discussion of the significance of accurate assessment of primary productivity of urban ecosystems and critical future research needs.
Characterization of site‐specific vegetation activity in Alaskan wet and dry tundra as related to climate and soil state
Authors: Brown Michael Gregory , McDonald Kyle C. , Zimmermann Reiner , Steiner Nicholas , DeVries Stephanie , Bourgeau‐Chavez Laura
Published: February 2022

We present discrete (2‐h resolution) multi‐year (2008–2017) in situ measurements of seasonal vegetation growth and soil biophysical properties from two sites on Alaska's North Slope, USA, representing dry and wet sedge tundra. We examine measurements of vertical active soil layer temperature and soil moisture profiles (freeze/thaw status), woody shrub vegetation physiological activity, and meteorological site data to assess interrelationships within (and between) these two study sites. Vegetation phenophases (cold de‐hardening start, physiological function start, stem growth start, stem growth end, physiological function end, cold hardening completion) were found to have greater interannual day of year (DOY) occurrence variability at the dry site compared with the wet site. At the dry site, vegetation activity begins on average ~7 days earlier and ends ~11 days earlier. The mean active stem growth window lasts ~54 days for the dry site and ~51 days for the wet site. Vegetation, in both tundra environments, began cold de‐hardening functions (warm season prep) prior to atmospheric temperatures warming above 0°C. Similar results were found related to the critical soil freeze/thaw/transition dates; the dry site had a DOY phenophase occurrence range that was 8 days larger than that of the wet site. A longer continuous summer thaw period was captured at the wet site by ~26 days throughout the active layer. In addition, the dry site was measured to have longer spring and fall soil isothermal conditions than the wet site by ~9 and 5 days throughout the active layer. These results show that the dry site's willow shrub vegetation physiology and soil condition phenology is more variable than the wet site. Alongside the in situ data, a remote sensing product from NASA's MEaSUREs program was utilized; our research indicates that the AMSR‐derived satellite product is more precise over the wet tundra site with critical date alignment between remote sensing observations and in situ measurements ranging from ~4 to 11 days. Furthermore, the AMSR product was shown to preemptively estimate land surface condition change during the spring transition for both tundra types while lagging during the fall transition and freeze‐up periods.
The use of angiotensin II receptor blocker is associated with greater recovery of cardiac function than angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Enzan Nobuyuki , Matsushima Shouji , Ide Tomomi , Tohyama Takeshi , Funakoshi Kouta , Higo Taiki , Tsutsui Hiroyuki
Published: February 2022

Aims

Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) have been shown to be associated with recovery of cardiac function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The aim of this study was to assess comparative effectiveness of ACEis vs. ARBs on recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) among patients with DCM.

Methods and results

We analysed the clinical personal records of DCM, a national database of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, from 2003 to 2014. Patients with LVEF < 40% and on either ACEis or ARBs were included. Eligible patients were divided into two groups according to the use of ACEis or ARBs. A one‐to‐one propensity case‐matched analysis was used. The primary outcome was defined as LVEF ≥ 40% at 3 years of follow‐up. Out of 4618 eligible patients, 2238 patients received ACEis and 2380 patients received ARBs. Propensity score matching yielded 1341 pairs. Mean age was 56.0 years, 2041 (76.1%) were male, median duration of heart failure was 1 year, and mean LVEF was 27.6%. The primary outcome was observed more frequently in ARB group than in ACEi group (59.8% vs. 54.1%; odds ratio 1.26; 95% confidence interval 1.08–1.47; P = 0.003). The per‐protocol analysis showed similar results (62.0% vs. 54.0%; odds ratio 1.39; 95% confidence interval 1.17–1.66; P < 0.001). The change in LVEF from baseline to 3 years of follow‐up was greater in ARB group than in ACEi group (15.8 ± 0.4% vs. 14.0 ± 0.4%, P = 0.003). The subgroup analysis showed that this effect was observed independently of systolic blood pressure, heart rate, LVEF, chronic kidney disease, and concomitant use of beta‐blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists.

Conclusions

The use of ARBs was associated with LVEF recovery more frequently than ACEis among patients with DCM and reduced LVEF.
Functional improvement following direct interventional leaflet repair of severe tricuspid regurgitation
Authors: Volz Martin J. , Hoerbrand Isabel , Konstandin Mathias H. , Mereles Derliz , Weiss Celine , Warnecke Gregor , Frey Norbert , Aurich Matthias , Raake Philip W.
Published: February 2022

Aims

Several new percutaneous tricuspid repair systems have recently been introduced as new treatment options for severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Clinical improvement following percutaneous tricuspid valve leaflet repair has been demonstrated by recent studies. A possible impact on exercise capacity has not yet been reported.

Methods and results

Eleven patients with at least severe TR and successful tricuspid leaflet repair using the PASCAL Ace implant at our cardiology department were included in this analysis. All patients suffered from symptomatic right‐sided heart failure with compromised exercise capacity. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic parameters were assessed at baseline and 3 months follow‐up. The primary endpoint was the change in maximal oxygen consumption [VO2 max (mL/(min*kg))] at 3 months follow‐up. Secondary endpoints included improvement in TR, cardiac biomarkers, and other clinical outcomes. TR severity at 3 months follow‐up post‐PASCAL Ace implantation was significantly lower than at baseline (P = 0.004). Cardiac biomarkers including high‐sensitivity troponin T and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide as well as right ventricular diameter improved slightly without reaching statistical significance (P = 0.89, P = 0.32, and P = 0.06, respectively). PASCAL Ace implantation resulted in a significant improvement in cardiopulmonary exercise capacity at 3 months follow‐up compared with baseline. Mean VO2 max improved from 9.5 ± 2.8 to 11.4 ± 3.4 mL/(min*kg) (P = 0.006), VO2 max per cent predicted from 42 ± 12% to 50 ± 15% (P = 0.004), peak oxygen uptake from 703 ± 175 to 826 ± 198 mL/min (P = 0.004), and O2 pulse per cent predicted from 67 ± 21% to 81 ± 25% (P = 0.011). Other CPET‐related outcomes did not show any significant change over time.

Conclusions

In this single‐centre retrospective analysis, direct tricuspid valve leaflet repair using the transcatheter PASCAL Ace implant system was associated with a reduced TR severity and improved cardiopulmonary exercise capacity.
The habituation fallacy: Disaster victims who are repeatedly victimised are assumed to suffer less, and they are helped less
Authors: Zagefka Hanna
Published: February 2022

This paper tests the effects of lay beliefs that disaster victims who have been victimised by other events in the past will cope better with a new adverse event than first‐time victims. It is shown that believing that disaster victims can get habituated to suffering reduces helping intentions towards victims of repeated adversity, because repeatedly victimised victims are perceived to be less traumatised by a new adverse event. In other words, those who buy into habituation beliefs will impute less trauma and suffering to repeated victims compared to first‐time victims, and they will therefore feel less inclined to help those repeatedly victimised victims. This was demonstrated in a series of six studies, two of which were preregistered (total N = 1010). Studies 1, 2, and 3 showed that beliefs that disaster victims become habituated to pain do indeed exist among lay people. Such beliefs are factually inaccurate, because repeated exposure to severe adversity makes it harder, not easier, for disaster victims to cope with a new negative event. Therefore, we call this belief the ‘habituation fallacy’. Studies 2, 3, and 4 demonstrated an indirect negative effect of a belief in the ‘habituation fallacy’ on ‘helping intentions’, via lesser ‘trauma’ ascribed to victims who had previously been victimised. Studies 5 and 6 demonstrated that a belief in the ‘habituation fallacy’ causally affects trauma ascribed to, and helping intentions towards, repeatedly victimised victims, but not first‐time victims. The habituation fallacy can potentially explain reluctance to donate to humanitarian causes in those geographical areas that frequently fall prey to disasters.
Improving Hole Transport and Extraction by Interface Engineering in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Li Lingfeng , Wei Qianwen , Yu Leiming , Wang Juan , Wang Rongfei , Sun Tao , Wang Chong , Yang Yu , Wen Xiaoming
Published: February 2022

Efficient carrier transport and extraction is essentially important for perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, an outstanding organic material tetraphenyldibenzoperiflanthene (DBP) is used to modify the perovskite/spiro‐OMeTAD interface as the intermediate layer. Using time‐resolved photoluminescence technique and dynamic analysis of photogenerated charge carriers, a significantly faster hole extraction and faster hole transport occurring in perovskite/DBP/spiro interface is demonstrated, this is ascribed to an intermixing layer of perovskite and thin DBP layer. The improved mobility has been further confirmed by the Hall measurement. As a consequence, the improved hole extraction and reduced interface recombination result in an improved performance of PSC, including improved conversion efficiency, mitigated J–V hysteresis, and amelioration of stability under humid conditions. This work provides a detailed insight into the transport and extraction of charge carriers improved by the intermediate layer of organic small molecules as an effective strategy for interface engineering by solution spin coating.
Mast cell density and its clinical relevance in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia
Authors: Lemal Richard , Poulain Stéphanie , Ledoux‐Pilon Albane , Veronese Lauren , Tchirkov Andrei , Lebecque Benjamin , Tassin Thomas , Bay Jacques‐Olivier , Charlotte Frédéric , Nguyen‐Khac Florence , Berger Marc , Godfraind Catherine , Ysebaert Loïc , Davi Frédéric , Pereira Bruno , Leblond Véronique , Hermine Olivier , Guièze Romain , Pagès Franck , Tournilhac Olivier
Published: February 2022

The presence of numerous mast cells (MCs) mixed with tumor cells in the bone marrow (BM) is a hallmark of the diagnosis of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). MCs have been shown to support lymphoplasmacytic cell growth, but there is thus far no demonstration of the prognostic impact of BM MC density in WM. We investigated BM MC density by sensitive and specific digital quantification, allowing the analysis of a large area infiltrated by BM tumor cells. A total of 65 WM patients were investigated, including 54 at diagnosis and 11 at relapse. Tryptase and CD20 immunohistochemisty staining was performed on contiguous sections of deparaffinized BM trephine biopsies. After numerization of each section, the BM surface area was manually marked out, excluding the bone framework and adipocytes to limit the analyses to only hematopoietic tissue. MCs were assessed using a digital tool previously used to quantify immune‐cell infiltrates on tumor‐tissue sections. Deep next‐generation sequencing and allele‐specific PCR were used to explore the MYD88 and CXCR4 mutational status. MC density was heterogeneous among the WM patients. An optimal MC density threshold (> 56 MC.mm–2) was defined according to ROC curve analysis of overall survival. A higher MC density (> 56 MC.mm–2) was associated with greater BM involvement by WM lymphoplasmacytic cells and less hepatosplenic involvement (p = 0.023). Furthermore, MC density significantly correlated with a higher ISSWM score (p = 0.0003) in symptomatic patients. Patients with a higher MC density showed shorter median OS (56.5 months vs. nonreached, p = 0.0004), even in multivariate analysis after controlling for other predictive variables, such as age, ISSWM score, and CXCR4 mutational status. In conclusion, MC density can be accurately measured in WM patients using a specific digital tool on well‐outlined hematopoietic tissue surfaces. High MC density is associated with aggressive features and a poor clinical outcome, emphasizing the need for further investigation of the involvement of MCs in the pathophysiology of WM.
Mitigation strategies to safely conduct HIV treatment research in the context of COVID‐19
Authors: Henderson Merle , Fidler Sarah , Mothe Beatriz , Grinsztejn Beatriz , Haire Bridget , Collins Simon , Lau Jillian S. Y. , Luba Maureen , Sanne Ian , Tatoud Roger , Deeks Steve , Lewin Sharon R.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The International AIDS Society convened a multidisciplinary committee of experts in December 2020 to provide guidance and key considerations for the safe and ethical management of clinical trials involving people living with HIV (PLWH) during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic. This consultation did not discuss guidance for the design of prevention studies for people at risk of HIV acquisition, nor for the programmatic delivery of antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Discussion

There is strong ambition to continue with HIV research from both PLWH and the research community despite the ongoing SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic. How to do this safely and justly remains a critical debate. The SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic continues to be highly dynamic. It is expected that with the emergence of effective SARS‐CoV‐2 prevention and treatment strategies, the risk to PLWH in clinical trials will decline over time. However, with the emergence of more contagious and potentially pathogenic SARS‐CoV‐2 variants, the effectiveness of current prevention and treatment strategies may be compromised. Uncertainty exists about how equally SARS‐CoV‐2 prevention and treatment strategies will be available globally, particularly for marginalized populations, many of whom are at high risk of reduced access to ART and/or HIV disease progression. All of these factors must be taken into account when deciding on the feasibility and safety of developing and implementing HIV research.

Conclusions

It can be assumed for the foreseeable future that SARS‐CoV‐2 will persist and continue to pose challenges to conducting clinical research in PLWH. Guidelines regarding how best to implement HIV treatment studies will evolve accordingly. The risks and benefits of performing an HIV clinical trial must be carefully evaluated in the local context on an ongoing basis. With this document, we hope to provide a broad guidance that should remain viable and relevant even as the nature of the pandemic continues to develop.
Influence on grape aromatic compounds of natural fungicides used for the control of downy mildew
Authors: Pérez‐Álvarez Eva P. , Marinozzi Sofia , Garde‐Cerdán Teresa , Romanazzi Gianfranco
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND

The grape volatile fraction determines to a great extent its aroma, which is one of the most important characteristics influencing wine quality and consumer preferences. Grapevine downy mildew (GDM) is one of the most important and devastating diseases of grapevines worldwide. In this study, the impact on the volatile composition of cv. Verdicchio grapes of classical copper formulations, was compared to that of alternative products. Thus, 11 treatments were foliar applied throughout one grapevine cycle.

RESULTS

Most of the volatile compounds present in the grapes were not affected by the treatments used in order to prevent GDM. In the case of the total C13 norisoprenoids, some differences were found between grapes untreated control and those applied with the grapefruit seed extract. Moreover, the content of alcohols was smaller in grapes from Bordeaux mixture treatment and higher in the samples from chitosan application.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, from the qualitative point of view of the berry, treatment with tested products alternative to copper is recommended, which minimize the environmental and health problems that this heavy metal brings to the soil and in the winery, since it means that their applications did not affect the grape aroma. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry
Overestimation of prokaryotic production by leucine incorporation—and how to avoid it
Authors: Giering Sarah L. C. , Evans Claire
Published: February 2022

Prokaryotes play a central role in aquatic ecosystems by consuming approximately half of the organic matter produced by aquatic primary production, of which a fraction is used for growth. Accurately measuring this prokaryotic biomass production is key to understanding aquatic carbon and nutrient cycles, since it is instrumental in driving biogeochemical processes that control parameters such as atmospheric carbon content. Aquatic prokaryotic biomass production is typically estimated from incorporation rates of the amino acid leucine during radiotracer experiments—a method widely used since the 1980s. Here we evaluate the underlying assumptions of the method with a focus on the associated conversion factors and review them in the context of empirical data. We demonstrate that the commonly used theoretical conversion factors fail to account for leucine's use as precursor for de novo protein synthesis and its respiration. As a consequence, prokaryotic biomass production is likely considerably overestimated when applying the standard conversion factors. Most severely affected are open‐ocean, mesopelagic and benthic environments, where 25% of the estimates are likely to be overestimated by at least a factor of 6.1, 4.9, and 6.5, respectively. We propose a refined carbon‐to‐leucine conversion factor and make recommendations for improving and selecting appropriate experimental protocols.
Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia: Rate of and time to bone union following contralateral vascularized periosteal tibial graft transplantation
Authors: Soldado Francisco , Barrera‐Ochoa Sergi , Romero‐Larrauri Pablo , Nguyen Trong‐Quynh , Diaz‐Gallardo Paula , Guerra Ernesto , Knörr Jorge
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) is one of the most challenging orthopedic disorders. The use of a vascularized tibial periosteal grafts has been recently reported as a powerful tool to obtain bone union. We report its use in CPT.

Patients and Methods

Retrospective short‐term study of 29 children (18 male/11 female, 15 right‐sided/14 left‐sided) of mean age 45 months (range 11–144 months), operated upon after October 2014.

Nonunion site was debrided, and the periosteum of the involved limb was excised. A vascularized tibial periosteal graft (mean length 10.7 cm (range 9–15 cm) with a monitoring skin island (mean length 4.1 cm (range 3–5 cm) and based on the anterior tibial vessels, was obtained from the contralateral tibia. Anterior tibial vessels were always the recipient vessels. Most cases were stabilized with an LCP plate.

The rate of and time to bone union were analyzed. Charts only were evaluated through the first 3 months after bone union was achieved.

Results

The flap survived and bone union was obtained in all cases, through a periosteal callus, in a mean time of 5.1 weeks (range 3–6 weeks). Mean follow‐up was 8.3 months (range 7–19 months). No union failures occurred 3 months after resuming unprotected weight bearing.

Conclusions

Our novel technique produced a consistent, rapid capacity for CPT union, superior to previously‐reported techniques. However, it cannot be recommended as a standard method of treatment until consistent, long‐term, refracture‐free follow‐up is documented.
On some inequalities involving the function and its fractional derivative
Authors: Aldawish Ibtisam , Jleli Mohamed , Samet Bessem
Published: February 2022

This note is concerned with some inequalities involving the function and its Caputo‐type Erdélyi–Kober fractional derivative. Namely, we establish integral inequalities of Poincaré, Sobolev, and Hilbert–Pachpatte types, with respect to the right‐hand sided Caputo‐type modification of the Erdélyi–Kober fractional derivative. The obtained inequalities are useful in analyzing fractional differential equations, in particular, in obtaining various estimate for the solutions.
A patient with large congenital epulis in the maxillary and mandibular anterior areas accompanied by impaired suckling
Authors: Adachi Keiji , Yamamoto Toshiro , Kishimoto Saki , Takizawa Shigeta , Oseko Fumishige , Kanamura Narisato
Published: February 2022

Background

Congenital epulis is a rare tumor of the newborns.

Case Presentation

We found a case of soft elastic pedunculated masses in the left maxillary anterior (26 × 14 × 11 mm) and left mandibular anterior (55 × 44 × 11 mm) areas, protruding out of the oral cavity. The large multiple masses interfered with suckling. These masses were excised using a carbon dioxide laser under general anesthesia. They were diagnosed histopathologically and immunocamically as congenital granular cell epulis. These were no complication after surgery.

Conclusion

We report a 1‐day old female infant with large congenital epulis in the left anterior deciduous tooth regions of the upper and lower jaws, accompanying impaired suckling. The histopathological finding of masses was congenital granular cell epulis.
Stability of individual dementia diagnoses in routine care: Implications for epidemiological studies
Authors: Riedel Oliver , Braitmaier Malte , Langner Ingo
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Epidemiological and health care research frequently rely on diagnoses from routine care, but the intra‐individual stability of diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VD) or other forms of dementia (oD) in patients over time is understudied. More data on the diagnostic stability is needed to appraise epidemiological findings from such studies.

Methods

Using health claims data of the years 2004–2016 from the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database, 160 273 patients aged ≥50 with incident dementia were identified and followed for 4 years. According to the incident ICD‐10 codes patients were assigned to the categories AD, VD or oD. Changes between categories during follow‐up were calculated.

Results

Overall, 18.8% had incident AD (VD: 21.5%, oD: 59.7%). Fifteen thousand eight hundred forty‐two patients had only one dementia diagnosis during 4 years (AD: 7.4%, VD: 12.4%, oD: 9.8%). Among those with more than one diagnosis, the incident diagnosis matched the last diagnosis in 65.1% (AD), 53.9% (VD) and 73.8% (oD) of patients. Changes in the diagnostic category were higher in patients with AD (mean: 5.1) than in patients with VD (3.6) or oD (3.3). Patients with stable AD diagnoses during the observation period were younger (median: 76 vs. 79 years) and had less inpatient treatment days (median: 14 days) than patients with changes from an AD diagnosis to another category or from another category to AD (27 days).

Conclusions

While health claims data are feasible for estimating the incidence of dementia in general, the substantial number of changes in dementia diagnoses during the course of the disease warrant caution on the interpretation of epidemiological data on specific dementia types.
Investigation of domain structures in monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(caprolactone) grafted poly(acrylic acid) by NMR diffusion studies
Authors: Tiwari Neha , Badiger Manohar Virupax , Rajamohanan Pattuparambil Ramanpillai , Ravindranathan Sapna
Published: February 2022

Associating polymers developed by grafting a block copolymer of monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(caprolactone) (MPEG‐b‐PCL) onto poly(acrylic acid) undergo an irreversible sol–gel transition on heating. The influence of various physicochemical parameters on the thermoresponsive behaviour was examined by rheology and NMR studies. Pulsed field gradient NMR diffusion studies were performed to probe the mechanism of thermally induced gelation. Analysis of the diffusion data reveals the presence of loosely and strongly associated structures which respond differently to variation in temperature. It is observed that the polymer solution, which is visibly homogeneous, is heterogeneous on a mesoscopic scale with a distribution of domains. Detailed investigation of the thermally induced sol–gel transition shows that the mechanism of gelation involves irreversible alterations in the domain structure and size. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Feasibility and safety of the 30‐second sit‐to‐stand test delivered via telehealth: An observational study
Authors: Bowman Amy , Denehy Linda , Benjemaa Aisha , Crowe Jess , Bruns Emma , Hall Travis , Traill Anya , Edbrooke Lara
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Exercise testing is essential to determine the safety and efficacy of prescribing exercise. Limited evidence exists to support remotely supervised exercise testing in oncology literature.

Objective

To determine the feasibility, safety, and convergent validity of the 30‐second sit‐to‐stand test (30STS) delivered via telehealth in an oncology population. Exploratory analyses informed remote test feasibility according to participant and treatment characteristics.

Design

Cross‐sectional, observational study.

Setting

Telehealth outpatient clinic, tertiary metropolitan oncology hospital.

Participants

Thirty‐two consecutive outpatients attending telehealth exercise appointments were screened for inclusion.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

A pre‐test safety screening questionnaire included the Australia‐modified Karnofsky Performance Status (AKPS) and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Following one practice, one 30STS test was completed using a standardized protocol modified for telehealth assessment. Secondary measures: International Physical Activity Questionnaire‐Short Form (IPAQ‐SF) and pre/post‐test Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE).

Results

Thirty participants were deemed as being safe using the screening questionnaire and completed the remote 30STS. Participants were a median (interquartile range [IQR]) 62.5 (51.8 to 66.5) years old, 59% male, 72% undergoing cancer treatment, 34% with metastatic disease, and 56% met current exercise guidelines. Moderate correlation was found between 30STS and IPAQ‐SF (rho = 0.49, p = .006), providing evidence of convergent validity. Correlations between 30STS and AKPS (rho = 0.26, p = .161), and CFS (rho = −0.23, p = .214), were fair. Chair‐height standardization was poor (range 43 to 60 cm). The clinician could visualize the participant's whole body in 2 of 30 tests. No significant difference in test performance was found for participants with metastatic disease, higher age, or body mass index. No adverse events occurred.

Conclusion

With screening, the 30STS, performed by telehealth, is a safe and feasible measure of function and lower limb strength. Telehealth exercise testing presents challenges in standardizing the environment and ensuring participant safety. Minimal space and equipment requirements and moderate convergent validity with physical activity provide good clinical utility in this setting.
An application of fault tree analysis for computing the bounds on system failure probability through qualitative data in intuitionistic fuzzy environment
Authors: Kaushik Manvi , Kumar Mohit
Published: February 2022

For the safety assessment of complex engineering systems, fault tree analysis (FTA) is a widely used method and can be performed only when all its basic events (BEs) have their corresponding failure data. However, in many applications, obtaining precise quantitative failure data of all the components of the system is not feasible due to changing environment, insufficient data or new components. The present research develops a novel FTA to identify the best estimate and bounds of system failure probability through qualitative data processing. The failure data of BEs are uncertain therefore expert elicitation method is used incorporating intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) set theory to evaluate the top event failure probabilities. The novelty of the proposed work comes with the use of linguistic values as failure possibilities of the system components and utilizing triangular intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (TIFNs) to quantify the linguistic terms into mathematical form to assess the best‐estimated value of the system failure probability, and also the lower bound and the upper bound of the system failure probability. To exemplify the appropriateness of the proposed study, the case studies Combustion Engineering Reactor Protection System (CERPS) and Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) are carried out and a comparison between computed results and outcomes from the previous methods is demonstrated. The results are exceptionally near to the outcomes of conventional FTA, which confirms that the proposed procedure is a real substitute in the IF environment when components have imprecise quantitative failure data.
Losing sleep over work: A self‐determination theory view on need frustration, sleep disturbance, and mental ill health
Authors: Niemiec Christopher P. , Olafsen Anja H. , Halvari Hallgeir , Williams Geoffrey C.
Published: February 2022

Given the centrality of sleep and work in most individuals' lives, it is interesting to note that an empirical understanding of the association between what happens in the workplace and how well people sleep is in an early stage of development, at least relative to other topics that are of interest in the literature on stress and health. Using self‐determination theory, the current study examined how maladaptive motivational processes at work relate to sleep disturbance and mental ill health. In line with hypotheses, the results of a cross‐sectional analysis and analyses using data from two time points over 15 months revealed that employees are more likely to report sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depressive symptoms when they experience frustration of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness in the workplace. Additional results revealed an indirect effect of change in basic psychological need frustration on change in anxiety—but not on change in depressive symptoms—through change in sleep disturbance. Taken together, these findings add to the burgeoning literature on the maladaptive motivational origins of ill health and dysfunction in the workplace.
Effect of Carbide Precipitation on “Precipitation Plasticity” and Residual Stress during Tempering
Authors: Ding Wenhong , Wu Ting , Sun Li , Yan Chengbo , Lu Xiaoxuan , Lei Xiaoling
Published: February 2022

Materials with residual stress can experience irreversible plastic strains as carbides precipitate during the tempering process, thereby relaxing the residual stress. In previous studies, this plastic behavior is named “precipitation plasticity.” Although precipitation plasticity plays a key role in the relaxation of the residual stress, the micromechanism involved is not yet elucidated. Here in this study, experiments are performed on low‐carbon steel to study precipitation plasticity and the residual stress during tempering. The results show that precipitation plasticity is mainly produced by the generation of interfacial vacancies at the carbide–matrix interface and the diffusion and evolution of these vacancies under temperature and stress fields. Two precipitation plasticity regimes are observed, namely, Precipitation Plasticity I, which is associated with vacancy diffusion, and Precipitation Plasticity II, which is associated with dislocation proliferation. Precipitation Plasticity I is found to be controlled by the volume mismatch and carbide size and is the main cause of residual stress relaxation. The finer and more dispersed the carbide precipitates are, the more significant the precipitation plasticity is. Precipitation Plasticity II causes a slight increase in the residual stress, which, however, is considerably smaller than the stress relaxation corresponding to Precipitation Plasticity I.