bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fully automated treatment planning for MLC‐based robotic radiotherapy
Authors: Schipaanboord Bastiaan W.K. , Giżyńska Marta K. , Rossi Linda , de Vries Kim C. , Heijmen Ben J.M. , Breedveld Sebastiaan
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To propose and validate a fully automated multicriterial treatment planning solution for a CyberKnife® equipped with an InCiseTM 2 multileaf collimator.

Methods

The AUTO BAO plans are generated using fully automated prioritized multicriterial optimization (AUTO MCO) of pencil‐beam fluence maps with integrated noncoplanar beam angle optimization (BAO), followed by MLC segment generation. Both the AUTO MCO and segmentation algorithms have been developed in‐house. AUTO MCO generates for each patient a single, high‐quality Pareto‐optimal IMRT plan. The segmentation algorithm then accurately mimics the AUTO MCO 3D dose distribution, while considering all candidate beams simultaneously, rather than replicating the fluence maps. Pencil‐beams, segment dose depositions, and final dose calculations are performed with a stand‐alone version of the clinical dose calculation engine. For validation, AUTO BAO plans were generated for 33 prostate SBRT patients and compared to reference plans (REF) that were manually generated with the commercial treatment planning system (TPS), in absence of time pressure. REF plans were also compared to AUTO RB plans, for which fluence map optimization was performed for the beam angle configuration used in the REF plan, and the segmentation could use all these beams or only a subset, depending on the dosimetry.

Results

AUTO BAO plans were clinically acceptable and dosimetrically similar to REF plans, but had on average reduced numbers of beams ((beams in AUTO BAO)/(beams in REF) (relative improvement): 24.7/48.3 (−49%)), segments (59.5/98.9 (−40%)), and delivery times (17.1/22.3 min. (−23%)). Dosimetry of AUTO RB and REF were also similar, but AUTO RB used on average fewer beams (38.0/48.3 (−21%)) and had on average shorter delivery times (18.6/22.3 min. (−17%)). Delivered Monitor Units (MU) were similar for all three planning approaches.

Conclusions

A new, vendor‐independent optimization workflow for fully automated generation of deliverable high‐quality CyberKnife® plans was proposed, including BAO. Compared to manual planning with the commercial TPS, fraction delivery times were reduced by 5.3 min. (−23%) due to large reductions in beam and segment numbers.
Dominant and recessive congenital myasthenic syndromes caused by SYT2 mutations
Authors: Maselli Ricardo A. , Wei David T. , Hodgson Trent S. , Sampson Jacinda B. , Vazquez Jessica , Smith Heather L. , Pytel Peter , Ferns Michael
Published: May 2021

Introduction/Aims

We studied a patient with a congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) caused by a dominant mutation in the synaptotagmin 2 gene (SYT2) and compared the clinical features of this patient with those of a previously described patient with a recessive mutation in the same gene.

Methods

We performed electrodiagnostic (EDX) studies, genetic studies, muscle biopsy, microelectrode recordings and electron microscopy (EM).

Results

Both patients presented with muscle weakness and bulbar deficits, which were worse in the recessive form. EDX studies showed presynaptic failure, which was more prominent in the recessive form. Microelectrode studies in the dominant form showed a marked reduction of the quantal content, which increased linearly with higher frequencies of nerve stimulation. The MEPP frequencies were normal at rest but increased markedly with higher frequencies of nerve stimulation. The EM demonstrated overdeveloped postsynaptic folding, and abundant endosomes, multivesicular bodies and degenerative lamellar bodies inside small nerve terminals.

Discussion

The recessive form of CMS caused by a SYT2 mutation showed far more severe clinical manifestations than the dominant form. The pathogenesis of the dominant form likely involves a dominant‐negative effect due to disruption of the dual function of synaptotagmin as a Ca2+‐sensor and modulator of synaptic vesicle exocytosis.
Numerical investigation of flow control technology for grouting and blocking of flowing water in karst conduits
Authors: Xu Zhenhao , Pan Dongdong , Lin Peng , Zhang Qingsong , Li Haiyan , Zhang Yichi
Published: May 2021

A sequential flow and solidification method was applied to the numerical investigation of flow control technology for grouting and blocking of flowing water in karst conduits. This method accounted for the temporal‐ and spatial‐evolution characteristics of the viscosity. It achieved the visualization of grouting in flowing water in a conduit, and was used to explore a reasonable and effective method for grouting through flow‐control technology. Firstly, the responses of different water tables and flow‐control intensities were studied by establishing a generalized model of flow control at the outlet of a conduit. Secondly, the initial sedimentation location and the distance of down‐flow and counter‐flow of slurries with different intensities of flow control were compared and analyzed. The outlet flow, the loss rate of the slurry, and the distribution laws of velocity and pressure inside the conduit during plugging were further analyzed. In addition, the mechanism of flow control for the grouting and plugging of large‐flow conduits was revealed. The results showed that the most direct effect of flow control on grouting was to decrease the flow rate of flowing water, and the most essential role was to improve the retention rate of slurry. Moreover, the results were applied to the large‐scale water inrush control project of Hejing Limestone Mine, China. The slurry stop devices improved the retention rate of slurry and optimized the grouting technology, which had a certain guiding significance in the treatment of water‐inrush disasters in karst areas.
Multifrequency magnetic resonance elastography for elasticity quantitation and optimal tissue discrimination: A two‐platform liver fibrosis mimicking phantom study
Authors: Andoh Fatiha , Yue Jin Long , Julea Felicia , Tardieu Marion , Noûs Camille , Pagé Gwenaël , Garteiser Philippe , Van Beers Bernard E. , Maitre Xavier , Pellot‐Barakat Claire
Published: May 2021

In the framework of algebraic inversion, magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) repeatability, reproducibility and robustness were evaluated on extracted shear velocities (or elastic moduli). The same excitation system was implemented at two sites equipped with clinical MR scanners of 1.5 and 3 T. A set of four elastic, isotropic, homogeneous calibrated phantoms of distinct elasticity representing the spectrum of liver fibrosis severity was mechanically characterized. The repeatability of the measurements and the reproducibility between the two platforms were found to be excellent with mean coefficients of variations of 1.62% for the shear velocity mean values and 1.95% for the associated standard deviations. MRE velocities were robust to the amplitude and pattern variations of the displacement field with virtually no difference between outcomes from both magnets at identical excitation frequencies, even when the displacement field amplitude was six times smaller. However, MRE outcomes were very sensitive to the number of voxels per wavelength, s, of the recorded displacement field, with relative biases reaching 62% and precision loss by a factor of up to 23.5. For both magnetic field strengths, MRE accuracy and precision were largely degraded outside of established conditions of validity (6 ≲ s ≲ 9), resulting in estimated shear velocity values not significantly different between phantoms of increasing elasticity. When fulfilling the spatial sampling conditions, either prospectively in the acquisition or retrospectively before the reconstruction, MRE produced quantitative measurements that allowed to unambiguously discriminate, with infinitesimal p values, between the phantoms mimicking increasing severity of liver fibrosis.
Effect of open versus closed endotracheal suctioning on intracranial pressure in severe brain‐injured children: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li Yan , Li Xiaoyan , Wen Zunjia , Zhang Xin , Liu Yingfei , Wei Li
Published: May 2021

Aim

To compare the effects and safety of open and closed endotracheal suction in children with severe brain injury.

Design

A single‐blinding, single‐centre randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Methods

The children with severe brain injury admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from 1 September 2020–31 August 2022 will be included. And a total of 172 children with severe brain injury are expected to be included. The intracranial pressure, SpO2and heart rate before suctioning, at the end of suction, and at 5 and 10 min after suction, the estimated sputum volume for each suction, the incidence of ventilator‐associated pneumonia, the duration of mechanical ventilation and the length of ICU stay will be analysed.

Results

This present RCT has been prospectively registered in China Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2000030963). This present study is expected to provide reliable evidence to the airway management in children with severe brain injury.
Combination of peptides with biological, organic, and inorganic materials for synergistically enhanced diagnostics and therapeutics
Authors: Kim Joo‐Young , Lee Jae Yun , Park Ha Yeon , Kim Hyunji , Kang Jeon Hyeong , Kim Hyun Jin , Jeong Woo‐Jin
Published: May 2021

Armed with the useful properties of small molecules and proteins, peptides hold the potential to be utilized in almost all biomedical research fields. However, the clinical application of peptides has been limited due to their intrinsic drawbacks, such as poor plasma stability and low target binding affinity. The conjugation of peptides to biological, organic (nonbiological), and inorganic materials has recently emerged as a promising strategy to address these problems. Hence, in this article, we provide an overview of the successful outcomes of using peptide‐bio/organic/inorganic conjugates in various biomedical applications, including the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Effects of solar cell group granularity and modern system architectures on partial shading response of crystalline silicon modules and systems
Authors: Sinapis Kostas , Rooijakkers Tom T. H. , Pacheco Bubi Rafael , van Sark Wilfried G. J. H. M.
Published: May 2021

Partial shading is widely considered to be a limiting factor in the performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems applied in urban environments. Modern system architectures combined with per module deployment of power electronics have been used to improve performance especially at heterogeneous irradiance conditions. In this work another approach is used to combine modern system architecture with alternate module designs. The granularity of cell groups in PV modules is investigated together with the so‐called Tessera concept, in which single cells are cut in 16 parts. Typical meteorological year yield calculations show that these alternate module designs in combination with modern system architectures can retrieve up to half the shading losses compared to standard modules and string inverters under identical shading conditions.
Physical decoloration in the concentration process of natural rubber
Authors: Rojruthai Porntip , Pareseecharoen Chayaporn , Sakdapipanich Jitladda
Published: May 2021

Natural rubber (NR) latex contains many components, especially non‐rubber components, which can affect the color of products made from it. There is a growing demand in NR products which are lightly colored or color filled. One way to reduce the yellow color of NR is to remove non‐rubber components, for example, lipids and proteins, from NR. This study focused on several NR latex decoloration techniques, including controlling centrifugation speed and time as well as percentage of total solid content (% TSC) of field latex. It was found that the best condition to reduce yellow color was centrifugation of the field latex containing less than 35% TSC at 12,000 rpm for 30 min. In addition, decoloration of NR latex was very effective by washing the centrifuged latex at least twice. Other factors, such as storage time and drying conditions, promoted coloration of NR due to the oxidation of the non‐rubbers.
Three chemosensory proteins from the sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius, are involved in the perception of host plant volatiles
Authors: Hua Jinfeng , Fu Yujie , Zhou Qiaoling , Huang Yongmei , Li Huifeng , Chen Tianyuan , Ma Daifu , Li Zongyun
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) play important roles in chemical communication, but their precise physiological functions are still unclear. Cylas formicarius is the most serious pest attacking sweet potato around the world. At present, there is no effective way to control this pest.

RESULTS

Our results showed that CforCSP1, 5 and 6 genes were highly expressed in the antennae of both sexes of C. formicarius. In addition, results from a fluorescence competitive binding assay showed that the CforCSP1, 5 and 6 proteins had high binding affinities for 17 plant volatiles including eight host plant volatiles. This indicated that the three proteins may be involved in the detection of host plant volatiles. Furthermore, results from four‐arm olfactometer bioassays showed that there was a significant tendency for C. formicarius to be attracted to eucalyptol, β‐carotene, benzaldehyde, vanillin and phenethyl alcohol, while it was repelled by β‐ionone. Finally, the levels of expression of the three CforCSPs in C. formicarius were successfully inhibited by RNA interference (RNAi). Behavioral experiments showed that CforCSP1, 5 and 6‐deficient C. formicarius were partly anosmic to β‐cyclocitral, benzaldehyde, octyl aldehyde, and β‐ionone and exhibited a reduced ability to locate the host plant volatiles β‐carotene and vanillin.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that CforCSP1, 5 and 6 likely are involved in the chemical communication between C. formicarius and host plant volatiles, which may play pivotal roles in oviposition and feeding site preferences. More importantly, these results could provide information for the development of monitoring and push‐pull strategies for the control of C. formicarius. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Calculation of Kapitza Resistance with Kinetic Equation
Authors: Meilakhs Aleksandr , Semak Bogdan
Published: May 2021

A new method for the calculation of interfacial thermal resistance in the case of heat transport through the interface by phonons is introduced herein. The novelty of the suggested approach consists of the consideration of all the consequences of a nonequilibrium character of phonon‐distribution functions during heat transfer. The well‐described diffuse mismatch model is used to introduce a model set of transmission and reflection amplitudes of phonons at the interface. An exact analytical solution for the proposed model is derived. Finally, the problem is solved for a set of transmission and reflection amplitudes characterized by a free parameter.
How Oxygen Absorption Affects the Al2O3‐Encapsulated Blue Phosphorene–Au Alloy
Authors: Faraone Gabriele , Martella Christian , Bonera Emiliano , Molle Alessandro , Grazianetti Carlo
Published: May 2021

The urgent quest to introduce the Xenes, a new family of graphene‐like materials, into everyday technological devices furthers demands for a specific understanding of their reactivity to different environments. Herein, the role of oxygen on blue phosphorene fragments alloyed with the Au(111) substrate, the so‐called BlueP–Au alloy, is investigated both on a microscopic scale and at the interface with Al2O3, commonly used to protect Xenes in ambient conditions. Although molecular oxygen does not affect the BlueP–Au alloy or intercalate below it, the role of oxygen is fundamental to relieve the charging effects at the very interface between Al2O3 and the BlueP–Au alloy when exposed to air. These findings highlight the importance of combining different tools, including microscopy and spectroscopy, to ascertain the stability of 2D materials in device‐ready configurations.
Autophagy inhibition enhances anti‐pituitary adenoma effect of tetrandrine
Authors: Lyu Liang , Hu Yu , Yin Senlin , Wang Li , Ye Feng , Wang Mengmeng , Zhou Yueling , Ma Weichao , Chen Cheng , Jiang Yong , Wang Zeming , Jiang Shu , Zhou Peizhi , Wang Xiujie
Published: May 2021

Pituitary adenoma (PA) is a benign intracranial neoplasm originated from pituitary gland. Surgery is the first‐line therapy for most of PAs, but lead to unsatisfactory prognosis in some cases. Tetrandrine (Tet) has anticancer effect on some cancers. However, growth inhibition effect on PA is unknown. To elucidate the inhibitory effect of Tet on the growth of PA and its potential mechanisms, we validated the in vitro and in vivo anti‐PA effect of Tet and illustrated the cellular and molecular alterations by confocal microscopy observation, flow cytometry, and RNA interference. Tet inhibited PA cell growth in vitro and tumor progression in vivo. Tet induced autophagy and apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner. Low dosage (1.25 μM) of Tet induced PA cell autophagy by down‐regulation of MAPK/STAT3 signal. While, higher dosage (5.0 μM) of Tet partially induced PA cell death through caspase‐dependent apoptosis. Autophagy inhibitors enhanced Tet‐induced caspase activity and apoptotic cell death. These findings demonstrated that Tet has anti‐PA effect by inducing autophagy and apoptosis through MAPK/STAT3 signaling pathway attenuation and autophagy inhibition might enhance its anti‐PA effect, indicating that Tet (or combined with autophagy inhibitor) is a potential therapeutic regimen for PAs.
A unique sequential C–S or N–S inductive cleavage and retro‐Diels‐Alder fragmentation mechanism for alkylsulfonyl piperidine‐ and piperazine‐containing compounds
Authors: Maw Hlaing H. , Teitelbaum Aaron M. , Yu Hongbin
Published: May 2021

Rationale

BI 605906 undergoes a collision‐induced dissociation (CID) fragmentation resulting in the loss of methylsulfinic acid and butadiene to produce a corresponding imine. The fragmentation is hypothesized to occur via inductive cleavage of the C–S bond, generating a six‐membered cyclic ene, followed by the retro‐Diels‐Alder (RDA) reaction. The aim of this study was to provide mechanistic evidence for the proposed fragmentation by investigating the CID spectra of BI 605906 and other alkylsulfonyl piperidine‐ and piperazine‐containing compounds.

Methods

The positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (ESI+‐MS/MS) fragmentations of BI 605906, D9‐BI 605906, GK02935, GK02942, ketoconazole, terazosin, and homopiperazine were investigated. Additionally, incubations of BI 605906 and GK02942 in human liver microsomes (HLM) preparations were conducted. Metabolite identification experiments were performed following these incubations to investigate corresponding in vitro metabolism.

Results

BI 605906, D9‐BI 605906, GK02935, and GK02942 demonstrated the same fragmentation pattern by generating a respective imine ion, supporting the hypothesized inductive cleavage and subsequent RDA mechanism. Ketoconazole and terazosin, which contain either an N‐acetyl or tetrahydrofuranyl piperazine group, respectively, did not demonstrate this mechanism, notably because they do not have the alkylsulfonyl moiety as a good leaving group. Although homopiperazine contains an arylsulfonyl diazepane group, and the initial step produced an unsaturated diazepane ring, the subsequent RDA reaction was unable to proceed due to the absence of a six‐membered cyclic ene intermediate. Additionally, we identified oxidative metabolites of BI 605906 and GK02942 in HLM incubations utilizing the proposed fragmentation pattern.

Conclusions

In the mass spectrometer, compounds containing alkylsulfonyl piperidine or piperazine groups can undergo inductive cleavage, leading to a six‐membered cyclic ene intermediate. This intermediate will then form a corresponding imine ion via the RDA reaction. A practical application of this work is to utilize this fragmentation for elucidating structures of metabolites arising from parent compounds containing alkylsulfonyl piperidine or piperazine moieties.
Investigations of β‐carotene radical cation formation in infrared matrix‐assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization (IR‐MALDESI)
Authors: Bagley M. Caleb , Muddiman David C.
Published: May 2021

Rationale

Radical cationization of endogenous hydrocarbons in cherry tomatoes was previously reported using infrared matrix‐assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization (IR‐MALDESI), a mass spectrometry imaging technique that operates at ambient conditions and requires no sample derivatization. Due to the surprising nature of this odd‐electron ionization, subsequent experiments were performed on β‐carotene to determine the amount of radical cationization across different sampling conditions.

Methods

β‐Carotene was analyzed across a variety of sample states using IR‐MALDESI followed by Orbitrap mass spectrometric analysis: first, as a standard in ethanol in a well plate; second, as particulates on printer paper; and third, as particulates covered by an ice matrix. These techniques were also performed with a β‐carotene standard either in solution with a reducing agent (ascorbic acid) or with ascorbic acid in the electrospray solution.

Results

Tandem mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of the radical cation of β‐carotene by comparing fragments against NIST and METLIN databases. It was always analyzed as a radical cation when sampled from solution, where ascorbic acid increased radical cation abundance when in solution with β‐carotene. Mixed‐mode ionization between radical cationization and proton adduction was observed from dried particulates using IR‐MALDESI.

Conclusions

There are several potential mechanisms for β‐carotene radical cationization prior to IR‐MALDESI analysis, with multiphoton ionization, thermal degradation, and/or reaction with oxygen appearing to be the most logical explanations. Furthermore, although not the primary cause, changing certain aspects of sample conditions can result in significant mixed‐mode ionization with competing protonation.
Pulmonary AL amyloidosis and multiple myeloma presenting as cough with diffuse pulmonary opacities
Authors: Xu Alan , Lawton Emily , Smith Steven , Kalro Akash , Geake James
Published: May 2021

Amyloidosis is an uncommon multisystem disease that can affect many organs. However, interstitial lung involvement is very rare. A 68‐year‐old man presented with long‐standing dyspnoea and productive cough. After extensive investigation, including two non‐diagnostic bronchoscopies, a surgical lung biopsy demonstrated pulmonary amyloidosis. A bone marrow biopsy confirmed multiple myeloma. The patient was treated with chemotherapy and an autologous stem cell transplant.
Pleural effusion secondary to chronic pancreatitis in childhood
Authors: Lim Adeline Y. L. , Gauld Leanne M.
Published: May 2021

Pleural effusion secondary to a pancreatico‐pleural fistula is a very rare presentation in children, with limited reports in the literature. We describe two differing presentations of pleural effusions resulting from chronic pancreatitis (CP) with successful resolution of the pleural effusion. These cases highlight the need for consideration of this rare paediatric diagnosis, and the variety of investigations, management strategies, and complications that can occur in the setting of CP in children.
A robotized handheld smart tool for orthopedic surgery
Authors: Hung Shuo‐Suei , Hsu Alex Shao‐Feng , Ho Tsung‐Han , Chi Chau‐Hwa , Yen Ping‐Lang
Published: May 2021

Background

Handheld surgical robots offer functionalities, such as active guidance, tremor suppression and force reflection, for surgeons to enhance their skill in manipulating surgical tools during medical intervention. In orthopedic surgery, the robot additionally has to offer sufficient rigidity and power for bone machining. The size and weight of the mechanical design, together with the control behaviour associated with involuntary hand motion, navigation and reflected force to the human, all influence the overall performance of an orthopedic handheld robot.

Methods

The paper proposes a miniature and compact design for an embedded robot, which is a similar weight as a handpiece. Then, a shared controller is proposed to address the coupling among involuntary and voluntary hand motions, robot navigation, tool feedback forces and force artefacts from actuation.

Results

The handheld robot is able to stabilize the drill positioning by removing involuntary tremors as well as reduce force artefacts from motor actuation in experiments involving pedicle tunnelling on a porcine spine.

Conclusion

The paper has successfully realized a compact handheld orthopedic robot which provides high performance of usability, tremor suppression and force reflection for bone drilling.
Random triangles in random graphs
Authors: Heckel Annika
Published: May 2021

In a recent paper, Oliver Riordan shows that for and p up to and slightly larger than the threshold for a Kr‐factor, the hypergraph formed by the copies of Kr in G(n, p) contains a copy of the binomial random hypergraph with . For r = 3, he gives a slightly weaker result where the density in the random hypergraph is reduced by a constant factor. Recently, Jeff Kahn announced an asymptotically sharp bound for the threshold in Shamir's hypergraph matching problem for all . With Riordan's result, this immediately implies an asymptotically sharp bound for the threshold of a Kr‐factor in G(n, p) for . In this note, we resolve the missing case r = 3 by modifying Riordan's argument. This means that Kahn's result also implies a sharp bound for triangle factors in G(n, p).
Semiparametric regression analysis of partly interval‐censored failure time data with application to an AIDS clinical trial
Authors: Zhou Qingning , Sun Yanqing , Gilbert Peter B.
Published: May 2021

Failure time data subject to various types of censoring commonly arise in epidemiological and biomedical studies. Motivated by an AIDS clinical trial, we consider regression analysis of failure time data that include exact and left‐, interval‐, and/or right‐censored observations, which are often referred to as partly interval‐censored failure time data. We study the effects of potentially time‐dependent covariates on partly interval‐censored failure time via a class of semiparametric transformation models that includes the widely used proportional hazards model and the proportional odds model as special cases. We propose an EM algorithm for the nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation and show that it unifies some existing approaches developed for traditional right‐censored data or purely interval‐censored data. In particular, the proposed method reduces to the partial likelihood approach in the case of right‐censored data under the proportional hazards model. We establish that the resulting estimator is consistent and asymptotically normal. In addition, we investigate the proposed method via simulation studies and apply it to the motivating AIDS clinical trial.
Fetal loss after chorionic villus sampling in twin pregnancy
Authors: Elger T. , Akolekar R. , Syngelaki A. , De Paco Matallana C. , Molina F. S. , Gallardo Arozena M. , Chaveeva P. , Persico N. , Accurti V. , Kagan K. O. , Prodan N. , Cruz J. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: May 2021

Objective

To estimate the chorionic villus sampling (CVS)‐related risk of fetal loss in twin pregnancy after adjustment for chorionicity, nuchal translucency thickness (NT), intertwin discordance in crown–rump length (CRL), maternal demographic characteristics and serum pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) and free β‐human chorionic gonadotropin (β‐hCG).

Methods

This was a multicenter study from eight fetal medicine units in which the leadership were trained at the Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine in London, UK, and in which the protocols for screening, invasive testing and pregnancy management are similar. Data were obtained prospectively from women with twin pregnancy undergoing routine ultrasound examination at 11–13 weeks' gestation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with backward stepwise elimination was used to examine whether CVS provided a significant independent contribution to the prediction of risk of fetal loss after adjusting for maternal and pregnancy characteristics, including maternal age, racial origin and weight, method of conception, smoking status, parity, chorionicity, intertwin discordance in CRL, fetal NT ≥ 95th percentile and free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A multiples of the median. Similarly, within the CVS group, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the effect of the number of intrauterine needle insertions and size of the needle on the risk of fetal loss.

Results

The study population of 8581 twin pregnancies undergoing ultrasound examination at 11–13 weeks' gestation included 316 dichorionic and 129 monochorionic twins that had CVS. First, in twin pregnancies undergoing CVS, compared to those not undergoing CVS, there was a 2‐fold increased risk of fetal loss at < 24 weeks' gestation and of loss at any stage in pregnancy. Second, the factors providing a significant independent contribution to the prediction of miscarriage or fetal loss in twin pregnancy were increased maternal weight, black racial origin, monochorionicity, and more so monoamnionicity, large intertwin discordance in CRL and increased fetal NT, and, in the case of fetal loss at any stage, there was also a contribution from assisted conception and low serum PAPP‐A. Third, after adjustment for maternal and pregnancy characteristics, CVS did not provide a significant contribution to the risk of fetal loss. Fourth, in twin pregnancies that had CVS, there was no significant contribution to fetal loss from the number of intrauterine needle insertions or needle size.

Conclusion

The 2‐fold increased risk of fetal loss following CVS in twin pregnancy can, to a great extent, be explained by maternal and pregnancy characteristics rather than the invasive procedure itself. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Successful treatment and long‐term outcome of a traumatic urethral laceration in a 3‐week‐old puppy
Authors: Esposito Fabio , Cinti Filippo , Minei Sergio , Pisani Guido
Published: May 2021

A 3‐week‐old male German Shepherd was referred to treat the complications of a first intervention following a bite injury occurring a few hours after birth. Physical examination revealed preputial stenosis, with urine collection in the preputial fornix and deep lacerations of the glans and urethra. Prepuce resection and partial penile amputation followed by prescrotal urethrostomy was performed to treat the clinical condition. The immediate postoperative follow‐up showed good conditions of the surgical wound and normal urinary flow. The dog had a normal stoma size without dysuria at the latest follow‐up examination 4 years post‐operatively. Despite the young age of the patient, the prescrotal urethrostomy treatment was successful at short‐ and long‐term follow‐up, without complications.
MesoSoil v2.0: An updated soil physical property database for the Oklahoma Mesonet
Authors: Wyatt Briana M. , Ochsner Tyson E. , Brown William G. , Diggins D. Cole , Illston Bradley G. , Fiebrich Christopher A.
Published: May 2021

Soil moisture data from the Oklahoma Mesonet have been used in numerous fields within the Earth sciences, including agriculture, hydrology, and meteorology. Soil matric potentials measured by heat dissipation sensors at Oklahoma Mesonet stations have been converted to soil volumetric water content estimates using soil water retention curve parameters estimated by the Rosetta pedotransfer function. Recently, an improved version of Rosetta, Rosetta3, was released. Informed by this new pedotransfer function and soil sampling at additional locations, an improved version of the Oklahoma Mesonet soil physical property database, MesoSoil v2.0, has been created. This article presents this new soil database, compares soil water retention parameters estimated using Rosetta3 with those derived from the original Rosetta model, and describes the effects of changes in those parameters on estimated volumetric water content. Using the Rosetta3 model led to changes in the estimated water retention parameters, most notably decreases in the parameter α, which is related to the inverse of the air‐entry potential. These changes resulted in volumetric water content estimates that differed from those based on Rosetta1, with mean absolute differences averaging 0.02 cm3 cm–3 across all site‐years and the greatest differences occurring during wet periods. The mean volumetric water content estimated using the Rosetta3 parameters across more than 100 sites was not significantly different from that determined by soil sampling. The updated database is publicly available and may be found here: http://soilphysics.okstate.edu/data.
Emerging trends in access to drinking water in Etche Ethnic Nationality of Niger Delta, Nigeria, from pre‐colonial era until now
Authors: Onyeche Lucky Chinyere
Published: May 2021

This paper examines the trends in access to drinking water for the people of the Etche Ethnic Nationality of the Niger Delta, Nigeria from the pre‐colonial era until now. It details the challenges the people had and still have in accessing potable drinking water. The Isu and Ihie communities are used to represent two distinctly different scenarios for Etche communities: those with a natural river on their land; and those without a natural river on their land. The paper reflects on the important role of culture in access to drinking water, especially during festive periods. A baseline survey analysis of Isu and Ihie communities was undertaken to understand and illustrate the functionality of the existing water facilities, and to identify gap in terms of usage, sustainability, and ownership. The paper expresses my lived experience as a community member and as a Technical Assistant under the Office of the Senior Special Assistance on the Millennium Development Goals, where I engaged with communities and developed proposals for new water sources under the Conditional Grants Scheme to Local Government. Hence my overall interest in writing this article is that I am both a community member and someone with personal experience of working within government toward the MDGs in different communities in Etche and other parts of Nigeria. The combined inputs of these lived experiences, interviews of community members, and a baseline survey of Isu and Ihie communities are blended to realize the objective of the article, which is to draw conclusions on the trends in access to drinking water in Etche and make recommendations on how the access can be improved.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Catalytic Performance of a novel Five‐Coordinated Energetic Copper(II) Compound
Authors: Da‐Wei Ren , Meng‐Sen Wei , Jia‐Hui Shi , Bi‐Dong Wu , Ying Li , Jing‐Yu Wang
Published: May 2021

Energetic copper (II) compound was synthesized based on 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzoic acid (TNBA) and imidazole (IMI), which characterized by elemental analysis and FT‐IR characterization. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that [Cu(IMI)2(H2O)(TNBA)2] (1) belongs to monoclinic, pertains to P21/c space group, β=95.230(2)° and Dc=1.790 g cm−3. The five bonds formed by the central copper atom are derived from the two oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms in the two TNBA and IMI ligands, and the oxygen atom in the water molecule, which present a novel five‐coordination model and a unique pyramid structure and show a typical single tooth coordination pattern. Catalytic effects on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP), RDX and HMX of complexe 1 were investigated in detail by employing the DSC technique. Complex 1 shows an outstanding catalytic activity. The non‐isothermal kinetics parameters were calculated by the Kissinger's, Ozawa's and Starink's method, respectively. In the end, impact sensitivity was also determined by standard method. All the experimental data results supported the potential applications of the energetic complexes as additives of solid rocket propellants.
Mastering Model Uncertainty by Transfer from Virtual to Real System
Authors: Brötz Nicolas , Rexer Manuel , Pelz Peter F.
Published: May 2021

Two chassis components were developed at the Technische Universität Darmstadt that are used to isolate the body and to reduce wheel load fluctuation.

The frequency responses of the components were identified with a stochastic foot point excitation in a hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) simulation environment at the hydropulser. The modelling of the transmission behaviour influence of the testing machine on the frequency response was approximately represented with a time delay of$$10\,\mathrm {ms}$$10msin the frequency range up to$$25\,\mathrm {Hz}$$25Hz. This is considered by a Padé approximation. It can be seen that the dynamics of the testing machine have an influence on the wheel load fluctuation and the body acceleration, especially in the natural frequency of the unsprung mass. Therefor, the HiL stability is analysed by mapping the poles of the system in the complex plane, influenced by the time delay and virtual damping.

This paper presents the transfer from virtual to real quarter car to quantify the model uncertainty of the component, since the time delay impact does not occur in the real quarter car test rig. The base point excitation directly is provided by the testing machine and not like in the case of the HiL test rig, the compression of the spring damper calculated in the real-time simulation.
Perioperative Schmerztherapie mit Nichtopioidanalgetika
Authors: Stamer Ulrike M. , Erlenwein Joachim , Freys Stephan M. , Stammschulte Thomas , Stichtenoth Dirk , Wirz Stefan
Published: May 2021

Hintergrund

Nichtopioidanalgetika werden bei vielen Patienten zur perioperativen Analgesie eingesetzt. Zu einigen praktischen Fragen beim Einsatz von Nichtopioidanalgetika liegen z. T. nur wenig Informationen aus Studien vor, und in Krankenhäusern existieren häufig keine Konzepte zum Vorgehen, z. B. zur Patientenaufklärung und zum Zeitpunkt der perioperativen Gabe.

Methodik

Eine Expertengruppe der beteiligten Fachgesellschaften hat konsensbasierte Empfehlungen zum perioperativen Einsatz von Nichtopioidanalgetika erarbeitet und in einem strukturierten formalen Konsensusprozess verabschiedet.

Ergebnisse

Die Arbeitsgruppe stimmt überein, dass Nichtopioidanalgetika Bestandteil eines perioperativen multimodalen Analgesiekonzepts sein sollen und Patienten präoperativ über Nutzen, Risiken und alternative Behandlungsmöglichkeiten aufgeklärt werden sollen. Die präoperative Patienteninformation und -edukation soll auch eine Schmerz- und Analgetikaanamnese umfassen und Patienten mit Risikofaktoren für starke Schmerzen und eine Schmerzchronifizierung sollen identifiziert werden. Unter Berücksichtigung von Kontraindikationen können Nichtopioidanalgetika abhängig von der Operationsdauer auch schon prä- oder intraoperativ gegeben werden, um nach Beendigung der Anästhesie ausreichende Plasmakonzentrationen zu erzielen. Nichtopioidanalgetika oder Kombinationen von (Nichtopioid‑)Analgetika sollen nur für einen begrenzten Zeitraum gegeben werden. Ein gemeinsam erarbeiteter abteilungsübergreifender Behandlungsstandard mit dem Nichtopioidanalgetikum erster Wahl, weiteren Therapieoptionen sowie adäquaten Dosierungen, ergänzt durch eingriffsspezifische Konzepte, soll schriftlich hinterlegt werden. Bei Entlassung aus dem Krankenhaus soll der nachbehandelnde Arzt zu perioperativ gegebenen und aktuell noch eingenommenen Analgetika schriftliche Informationen erhalten. Patienten sollen zu möglichen Nebenwirkungen der Analgetika und ihrer Symptome, die auch nach Krankenhausentlassung auftreten können, und die befristete Einnahmedauer informiert werden.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Anwendung von Nichtopioidanalgetika soll als Bestandteil eines perioperativen multimodalen Analgesiekonzepts mit klaren Vorgaben zu Indikationen, Kontraindikationen, Dosierungen und Behandlungsdauer in einem abteilungsübergreifenden Behandlungsstandard schriftlich hinterlegt werden.
Age-related differences in negative cognitive empathy but similarities in positive affective empathy
Authors: Ziaei Maryam , Oestreich Lena , Reutens David C. , Ebner Natalie C.
Published: May 2021

Empathy, among other social-cognitive processes, changes across adulthood. More specifically, cognitive components of empathy (understanding another’s perspective) appear to decline with age, while findings for affective empathy (sharing another’s emotional state) are rather mixed. Structural and functional correlates underlying cognitive and affective empathy in aging and the extent to which valence affects empathic response in brain and behavior are not well understood yet. To fill these research gaps, younger and older adults completed a modified version of the Multifaceted Empathy Test, which measures both cognitive and affective empathy as well as empathic responding to both positive and negative stimuli (i.e., positive vs. negative empathy). Adopting a multimodal imaging approach and applying multivariate analysis, the study found that for cognitive empathy to negative emotions, regions of the salience network including the anterior insula and anterior cingulate were more involved in older than younger adults. For affective empathy to positive emotions, in contrast, younger and older adults recruited a similar brain network including main nodes of the default mode network. Additionally, increased structural microstructure (fractional anisotropy values) of the posterior cingulum bundle (right henisphere) was related to activation of default mode regions during affective empathy for positive emotions in both age groups. These findings provide novel insights into the functional networks subserving cognitive and affective empathy in younger and older adults and highlight the importance of considering valence in empathic response in aging research. Further this study, for the first time, underscores the role of the posterior cingulum bundle in higher-order social-cognitive processes such as empathy, specifically for positive emotions, in aging.
A thermo-chemo-mechanically coupled model for cathode particles in lithium–ion batteries
Authors: Nateghi A. , Keip M.-A.
Published: May 2021

As the demand for lithium-ion batteries increases, a better understanding of the complex phenomena involved in their operation becomes crucial. In this work, we propose a coupled thermo-chemo-mechanical model for electrode particles of Li–ion batteries. To this end, we start with a general finite strain continuum framework for the coupled thermo-chemo-mechanical problem and then narrow it down to cathode active particles of Li–ion batteries, particularly to lithium manganese oxide particles. Electrochemical kinetics at the surface of the particle and also heat generation due to current exchange are taken into account. Next, the numerical treatment of the problem using the finite element method is presented. Specific line elements are needed to evaluate the flux of ions at the surface of the particle. Finally, the performance of the proposed model is evaluated using a few representative boundary value problems.
Canopy Disturbances Catalyse Tree Species Shifts in Swiss Forests
Authors: Scherrer Daniel , Ascoli Davide , Conedera Marco , Fischer Christoph , Maringer Janet , Moser Barbara , Nikolova Petia Simeonova , Rigling Andreas , Wohlgemuth Thomas
Published: May 2021

Widely observed inertia of forest communities contrasts with climate change projections that suggest dramatic alterations of forest composition for the coming decades. Disturbances might be a key process to catalyse changes in tree species composition under environmental change by creating opportunities for ‘new’ species to establish. To test this assumption, we compared two assessments (1993–1995, 2009–2017) from the Swiss National Forest Inventory to evaluate which forests were opened by natural canopy disturbance (that is, wind, insect outbreaks, fire and drought) and if these disturbances altered tree species composition both in terms of species-specific basal area and recruitment densities. Natural disturbances affected 14% of the Swiss forests within 25 years, with wind and insect outbreaks being the most frequent (75%) and fire and drought being rare (< 1.5%). Disturbances led to a shift from conifer to broadleaf tree species at low elevation, in particular in densePicea abiesstands, but no change was observed at higher elevations. The composition of undisturbed sites persisted during the same period. Our results demonstrate that undisturbed forests widely resist changes in tree species composition as an effect of direct ingrowth by stand-forming species. Disturbance events seem necessary to create opportunities for climatically ‘better suited and site-adapted’ species to (re-)establish and therefore potentially catalyse tree species turnover under environmental changes. We detected a reduction of tree species that were—centuries ago—cultivated outside their primary natural range, in particularP. abies, or depended on traditional management practices (Pinus sylvestris,Castanea sativa), which may inform us on how the projected increase in disturbance frequency and severity might filter tree species composition and hereby alter forest structure.
An empirical test of bet-hedging polyandry hypothesis in the field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus
Authors: Yasui Yukio , Yamamoto Yuto
Published: May 2021

Theory shows that polyandry (mating with multiple males within a reproductive season) works as bet-hedging to increase the geometric mean fitness (GMF) of polyandrous genotype over generations and avoid extinction but it was rarely tested empirically. In this study, we distributed the eggs ofGryllus bimaculatusfemales mated with 1–4 males (mating treatment) into 4 petri dishes with different conditions: 25 °C/fresh water, 37 °C/fresh water, 25 °C/salt water, 37 °C/salt water, simulating 4 clutches laid at the different sites are suffered environmental change. The egg hatching rate was obtained over 7 blocks with different females for each mating treatment. In general, significantly more eggs hatched in 25 °C than 37 °C and in fresh water than salt water. The reproductive failure (no hatched eggs per petri dish) frequently occurred in monandry and 2-male polyandry. Next, we considered 7 blocks as the successive 7 virtual generations and calculated the within-generation arithmetic mean fitness (AMF) among females of the same treatment and the between-generation GMF of the AMF across 7 generations. Randomization test shows that the GMF of 3- and 4-male polyandry were significantly higher than monandry. This study shows that the risk from mating only once can be avoided by polyandrous mating as bet-hedging.