bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An update on the ophthalmic features in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome)
Authors: Abdolrahimzadeh Solmaz , Formisano Martina , Marani Carla , Rahimi Siavash
Published: January 2022

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) or Osler-Rendu-Weber syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disease, characterised by systemic angiodysplasia. Dysfunction of the signalling pathway of β transforming growth factor is the main cause of HHT principally owing to mutations of the genes encoding for endoglin (ENG) and activin A receptor type II-like 1 (ACVRL1). Clinical manifestations can range from mucocutaneous telangiectasia to organ arterio-venous malformations and recurrent epistaxis. The early clinical manifestations may sometimes be subtle, and diagnosis may be delayed. The main ophthalmic manifestations historically reported in HHT are haemorrhagic epiphora, and conjunctival telangiectasia present in 45–65% of cases, however, imaging with wide-field fluorescein angiography has recently shown peripheral retinal telangiectasia in 83% of patients. Optimal management of HHT requires both understanding of the clinical presentations and detection of early signs of disease. Advances in imaging methods in ophthalmology such as wide-field fluorescein angiography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and near infrared reflectance promise further insight into the ophthalmic signs of HHT towards improved diagnosis and early management of possible severe complications.
Double perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6 radiation sensor: synthesis and characterization of single crystals
Authors: Murgulov Valeria , Schweinle Catherine , Daub Michael , Hillebrecht Harald , Fiederle Michael , Dědič Václav , Franc Jan
Published: January 2022

Single crystals of lead-free halide double perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6 sensor material manifest a remarkable potential for application in radiation detection and imaging. In this study, the purity and crystallinity of solution-grown Cs2AgBiBr6 single crystals with cubic Fm$$\overline{3}$$

3
¯

m symmetry have been corroborated by powder XRD measurements, while the single crystal XRD patterns reveal the dominant {111} lattice planes parallel to the sample surfaces. A wider range of lower resistivity values (106–109 Ωcm) was obtained from the I-V measurements compared to the 1.55 × 109–6.65 × 1010 Ωcm values from the van der Pauw method, which is typically higher for the Ag than for the carbon paint electrodes. Charge-carrier mobility values estimated from the SCLC method for the carbon paint-Cs2AgBiBr6 (1.90–4.82 cm2V−1 s−1) and the Ag-Cs2AgBiBr6 (0.58–4.54 cm2V−1 s−1) including the density of trap states (109–1010 cm−3) are comparable. Similar values of 1.89 cm2V−1 s−1 and 2.36 cm2V−1 s−1 are derived from the Hall effect measurements for a sample with carbon and Ag electrodes, respectively. The key electrical parameters including the X-ray photoresponse measurements indicate that the Cs2AgBiBr6 samples synthesized in this study satisfy requirements for radiation sensors.

Graphical abstract
Stability Issues of Entropy-Stable and/or Split-form High-order Schemes
Authors: Gassner Gregor J. , Svärd Magnus , Hindenlang Florian J.
Published: January 2022

The focus of the present research is on the analysis of local energy stability of high-order (including split-form) summation-by-parts methods, with e.g. two-point entropy-conserving fluxes, approximating non-linear conservation laws. Our main finding is that local energy stability, i.e., the numerical growth rate does not exceed the growth rate of the continuous problem, is not guaranteed even when the scheme is non-linearly stable and that this may have adverse implications for simulation results. We show that entropy-conserving two-point fluxes are inherently locally energy unstable, as they can be dissipative or anti-dissipative. Unfortunately, these fluxes are at the core of many commonly used high-order entropy-stable extensions, including split-form summation-by-parts discontinuous Galerkin spectral element methods (or spectral collocation methods). For the non-linear Burgers equation, we further demonstrate numerically that such schemes cause exponential growth of errors during the simulation. Furthermore, we encounter a similar abnormal behaviour for the compressible Euler equations, for a smooth exact solution of a density wave. Finally, for the same case, we demonstrate numerically that other commonly known split-forms, such as the Kennedy and Gruber splitting, are also locally energy unstable.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Anatomical adjustment of mature leaves of sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) to increased irradiance
Authors: Wyka Tomasz P. , Robakowski Piotr , Żytkowiak Roma , Oleksyn Jacek
Published: January 2022

Trees regenerating in the understory respond to increased availability of light caused by gap formation by undergoing a range of morphological and physiological adjustments. These adjustments include the production of thick, sun-type leaves containing thicker mesophyll and longer palisade cells than in shade-type leaves. We asked whether in the shade-regenerating tree Acer pseudoplatanus, the increase in leaf thickness and expansion of leaf tissues are possible also in leaves that had been fully formed prior to the increase in irradiance, a response reported so far only for a handful of species. We acclimated potted seedlings to eight levels (from 1 to 100%) of solar irradiance and, in late summer, transferred a subset of them to full sunlight. Within 30 days, the shaded leaves increased leaf mass per area and became thicker mostly due to elongation of palisade cells, except for the most shaded individuals which suffered irreversible photo-oxidative damage. This anatomical acclimation was accompanied by partial degradation of chlorophyll and a transient decline in photosynthetic efficiency of PSII (Fv/FM). These effects were related to the degree of pre-shading. The Fv/FM recovered substantially within the re-acclimation period. However, leaves of transferred plants were shed significantly earlier in the fall, indicating that the acclimation was not fully effective. These results show that A. pseudoplatanus is one of the few known species in which mature leaves may re-acclimate anatomically to increased irradiance. This may be a potentially important mechanism enhancing utilization of gaps created during the growing season.
Can I show my skills? Affective responses to artificial intelligence in the recruitment process
Authors: Köchling Alina , Wehner Marius Claus , Warkocz Josephine
Published: January 2022

Companies increasingly use artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic decision-making (ADM) for their recruitment and selection process for cost and efficiency reasons. However, there are concerns about the applicant’s affective response to AI systems in recruitment, and knowledge about the affective responses to the selection process is still limited, especially when AI supports different selection process stages (i.e., preselection, telephone interview, and video interview). Drawing on the affective response model, we propose that affective responses (i.e., opportunity to perform, emotional creepiness) mediate the relationships between an increasing AI-based selection process and organizational attractiveness. In particular, by using a scenario-based between-subject design with German employees (N = 160), we investigate whether and how AI-support during a complete recruitment process diminishes the opportunity to perform and increases emotional creepiness during the process. Moreover, we examine the influence of opportunity to perform and emotional creepiness on organizational attractiveness. We found that AI-support at later stages of the selection process (i.e., telephone and video interview) decreased the opportunity to perform and increased emotional creepiness. In turn, the opportunity to perform and emotional creepiness mediated the association of AI-support in telephone/video interviews on organizational attractiveness. However, we did not find negative affective responses to AI-support earlier stage of the selection process (i.e., during preselection). As we offer evidence for possible adverse reactions to the usage of AI in selection processes, this study provides important practical and theoretical implications.
Frontal Recess Cells in International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification (IFAC); Prevalence, Infection Incidence, and Relation to Frontal Sinus Infection in Chronic Sinusitis Patients
Authors: Nofal Ahmed Abdelfattah Bayomy , El-Anwar Mohammad Waheed
Published: January 2022

Frontal recess cells have many types with different sizes, arrangement, and extend. It plays an important role in successful functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) as most causes of failure are related to it. Outline the prevalence of the frontal recess cells, pathological incidence of each cell regarding to frontal sinus pathology. Prospective study on 100 consecutive patients (200 sides) complaining from nasal and sinus symptoms which did not respond to medical management and indicated for FESS. Anterior group was infected in 30.8%; agger nasi cell (ANC) present in 97% (25.8% infected, 74.2% not infected), supra agger cell (SAC) present in 48% (39.6% infected, 60.4% not infected), supra agger frontal cell (SAFC) present in 11% (36.4% infected, 63.6% not infected). Posterior group was infected in 24.8%; supra bulla cell (SBC) present in 72% (30.6% infected, 69.4% not infected), supra bulla frontal cell (SBFC) present in 23% (17.4% infected, 82.6% not infected), supra orbital ethmoid cell (SOEC) present in 42% of cases (19% infected, 81% not infected). Medial group [frontal septal cell (FSC)] was present in 21% (33.3% infected, 66.7% not infected). FSC, SAC, SAFC, and SBC showed high infection rate in association with infected frontal sinus, while, the SOEC, ANC, and SBFC did not have such high infection rate. Frontal recess cells show no difference in their prevalence either if the frontal sinus infected or not, however their infection rate show significant difference.
Multiphysics coupling study of near-wellbore and reservoir models in ultra-deep natural gas reservoirs
Authors: Cheng Pengda , Shen Weijun , Xu Qingyan , Lu Xiaobing , Qian Chao , Cui Yue
Published: January 2022

Understanding the changes of the near-wellbore pore pressure associated with the reservoir depletion is greatly significant for the development of ultra-deep natural gas reservoirs. However, there is still a great challenge for the fluid flow and geomechanics in the reservoir depletion. In this study, a fully coupled model was developed to simulate the near-wellbore and reservoir physics caused by pore pressure in ultra-deep natural gas reservoirs. The stress-dependent porosity and permeability models as well as geomechanics deformation induced by pore pressure were considered in this model, and the COMSOL Multiphysics was used to implement and solve the problem. The numerical model was validated by the reservoir depletion from Dabei gas field in China, and the effects of reservoir properties and production parameters on gas production, near-wellbore pore pressure and permeability evolution were discussed. The results show that the gas production rate increases nonlinearly with the increase in porosity, permeability and Young’s modulus. The lower reservoir porosity will result in the greater near-wellbore pore pressure and the larger rock deformation. The permeability changes have little effect on geomechanics deformation while it affects greatly the gas production rate in the reservoir depletion. With the increase in the gas production rate, the near-wellbore pore pressure and permeability decrease rapidly and tend to balance with time. The reservoir rocks with higher deformation capacity will cause the greater near-wellbore pore pressure.
Shale gas well productivity potential evaluation based on data-driven methods: case study in the WY block
Authors: Tan Chaodong , Deng Hanwen , Song Wenrong , Niu Huizhao , Wang Chunqiu
Published: January 2022

Evaluating the productivity potential of shale gas well before fracturing reformation is imperative due to the complex fracturing mechanism and high operation investment. However, conventional single-factor analysis method has been unable to meet the demand of productivity potential evaluation due to the numerous and intricate influencing factors. In this paper, a data-driven-based approach is proposed based on the data of 282 shale gas wells in WY block. LightGBM is used to conduct feature ranking, K-means is utilized to classify wells and evaluate gas productivity according to geological features and fracturing operating parameters, and production optimization is realized through random forest. The experimental results show that shale gas productivity potential is basically determined by geological condition for the total influence weights of geologic properties take the proportion of 0.64 and that of engineering attributes is 0.36. The difference between each category of well is more obvious when the cluster number of well is four. Meanwhile, those low production wells with good geological conditions but unreasonable fracturing schemes have the greatest optimization space. The model constructed in this paper can classify shale gas wells according to their productivity differences, help providing suggestions for engineers on productivity evaluation and the design of fracturing operating parameters of shale gas well.
Uniform probability distribution over all density matrices
Authors: Chen Eddy Keming , Tumulka Roderich
Published: January 2022

Let $$\mathscr {H}$$
H
be a finite-dimensional complex Hilbert space and $$\mathscr {D}$$
D
the set of density matrices on $$\mathscr {H}$$
H
, i.e., the positive operators with trace 1. Our goal in this note is to identify a probability measure u on $$\mathscr {D}$$
D
that can be regarded as the uniform distribution over $$\mathscr {D}$$
D
. We propose a measure on $$\mathscr {D}$$
D
, argue that it can be so regarded, discuss its properties, and compute the joint distribution of the eigenvalues of a random density matrix distributed according to this measure.
A decomposition structure learning algorithm in Bayesian network based on a two-stage combination method
Authors: Guo Huiping , Li Hongru
Published: January 2022

Decomposition hybrid algorithms with the recursive framework which recursively decompose the structural task into structural subtasks to reduce computational complexity are employed to learn Bayesian network (BN) structure. Merging rules are commonly adopted as the combination method in the combination step. The direction determination rule of merging rules has problems in using the idea of keeping v-structures unchanged before and after combination to determine directions of edges in the whole structure. It breaks down in one case due to appearances of wrong v-structures, and is hard to operate in practice. Therefore, we adopt a novel approach for direction determination and propose a two-stage combination method. In the first-stage combination method, we determine nodes, links of edges by merging rules and adopt the idea of permutation and combination to determine directions of contradictory edges. In the second-stage combination method, we restrict edges between nodes that do not satisfy the decomposition property and their parent nodes by determining the target domain according to the decomposition property. Simulation experiments on four networks show that the proposed algorithm can obtain BN structure with higher accuracy compared with other algorithms. Finally, the proposed algorithm is applied to the thickening process of gold hydrometallurgy to solve the practical problem.
4,4′-Dimethylazobenzene as a chemical actinometer
Authors: Casimiro Lorenzo , Andreoni Leonardo , Groppi Jessica , Credi Alberto , Métivier Rémi , Silvi Serena
Published: January 2022

Chemical actinometers are a useful tool in photochemistry, which allows to measure the photon flux of a light source to carry out quantitative analysis on photoreactions. The most commonly employed actinometers so far show minor drawbacks, such as difficult data treatment, parasite reactions, low stability or impossible reset. We propose herewith the use of 4,4′-dimethylazobenzene as a chemical actinometer. This compound undergoes a clean and efficient E/Z isomerization, approaching total conversion upon irradiation at 365 nm. Thanks to its properties, it can be used to determine the photon flux in the UV–visible region, with simple experimental methods and data treatment, and with the possibility to be reused after photochemical or thermal reset.

Graphical abstract
Assessment of Sexual Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Thulium Laser Prostate Surgery for Management of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Li Bibo , Hao Lin , Pang Kun , Zang Guanghui , Wang Jian , Yang Chendi , Zhang Jianjun , Cai Longjun , Wang Xitao , Han Conghui
Published: January 2022

Background

Thulium laser (Tm:YAG) prostate surgery is a safe and effective procedure with low morbidity and comparable clinical outcomes to those of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). However, the sexual function outcomes (erectile and ejaculatory function) have been scarcely studied.

Aim

We aimed to assess the impact of Tm:YAG prostate surgery on sexual outcomes (erectile and ejaculatory function) and compare them with those patients undergoing TURP.

Material and Methods

We searched digital databases like PUBMED, SCOPUS, CENTRAL and EMBASE using relevant keywords to identify comparative studies on TURP and non-comparative studies on Tm:YAG prostate surgery that assessed sexual outcomes. We performed qualitative and quantitative analyses with the extracted data. We carried out a meta-analysis to compare postoperative International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) scores and incidences of retrograde ejaculation (RE) in patients undergoing either Tm:YAG or TURP. The pre-operative and post-operative IIEF-5 scores were pooled to estimate overall scores.

Results

We included 5 comparative and 8 non-comparative studies in this review. We found the postoperative IIEF-5 score improvements to be significantly higher in the Tm:YAG prostate surgery group than in the TURP group with a significant mean difference (MD) of 0.45 (95% CI, 0.18 to 0.72; P = .001). We found no significant associations between the procedures. The pooled OR for the association of RE was estimated at 0.90 (95% CI, 0.50 to 1.60; P = .71; I2 = 0%).

Conclusion

Tm:YAG prostate surgery improves erectile function more than TURP, according to our findings. Tm:YAG prostate aided surgery also outperforms TURP in terms of preserving sexual function following surgery.However, We found similar or no difference in incidence of RE between Tm:YAG prostate surgery and TURP.
Sedimentary and Crustal Structure of the Western United States From Joint Inversion of Multiple Passive Seismic Datasets
Authors: Li Guoliang , Bidgoli Tandis S. , Chen Min , Ma Xiaodan , Li Jiaqi
Published: January 2022

Accurate seismic images of the crust are essential for assessing seismic hazards and elucidating tectonic processes that shape surface landforms. Although California and Nevada have been studied extensively using various seismic datasets and tomographic methods, the region lacks a seismic model that can accurately define both the shallow (<8 km) and deeper crust. We take the advantage of recent increases in seismic data coverage to build a new 3D shear wave speed model by jointly inverting Rayleigh wave ellipticity, phase velocity, and teleseismic P waveforms. In the Great Valley, the new model reveals an asymmetric basement, steeply dipping in the west and gently dipping in the east. Beneath its western margin, in the Coast Ranges, we resolve a wedge‐shaped, low‐velocity zone in the upper‐middle crust, interpreted as Franciscan Complex. Our images confirm that uplift of the western Great Valley and an eastward shift of its depositional center are caused by wedging and underthrusting of the complex during subduction. Across the Basin and Range, the resolved crust has an average thickness of 38 km in the southern half of the northern Basin and Range, about 5 km thicker than neighboring regions. The thickened crust overlaps with major volcanic centers of the mid‐Cenozoic ignimbrite flare‐up. This spatial correlation may suggest magmatic intrusions and underplating contributed to crustal growth and thickening prior to Miocene Basin and Range extension. Overall, the new model is consistent with active source studies in the region but provides a more comprehensive view of shallow and deep structures across this large and tectonically complex region.
Phase Transitions of Fe‐, Al‐ and Ca‐Bearing Orthopyroxenes at High Pressure and High Temperature: Implications for Metastable Orthopyroxenes in Stagnant Slabs
Authors: Xu Jingui , Fan Dawei , Zhang Dongzhou , Ma Maining , Zhou Yi , Tkachev Sergey N. , Zhou Wenge , Dera Przemyslaw K.
Published: January 2022

The phase transitions of natural San Carlos Fe‐, Al‐ and Ca‐bearing orthopyroxene and two synthetic orthopyroxenes containing Al (up to 12 wt. % Al2O3) and Fe (up to 15 wt. % FeO) were investigated at high pressures and temperatures up to ∼30 GPa and 700 K using synchrotron‐based single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. These orthopyroxenes undergo α‐opx → β‐opx → γ‐opx phase transitions with increasing pressure and temperature. We quantitatively described how the composition influences the pressures of the phase transitions. The results indicated that the variations in Mg, Fe, and Al contents do not significantly influence the pressure of the α‐opx → β‐opx transition (Pα‐β). For the β‐opx → γ‐opx phase transition, increasing Fe content decreases the Pβ‐γ while increasing Al content increases the Pβ‐γ. The incorporation of Ca increases the Pα‐β and decreases the Pβ‐γ. The thermal equations of states of α‐opx and β‐opx for these three orthopyroxenes were determined using the unit‐cell volume collected at high pressures and temperatures, which have been used to establish a density model to interpret the cold stagnant slabs. Our experimental results have indicated that β‐opx and γ‐opx are possible metastable phases of natural orthopyroxenes within cold stagnant slabs in the mantle transition zone.
Reanalysis of Polythermal Glacier Thermal Structure Using Radar Diffraction Focusing
Authors: Delf Richard , Bingham Robert G. , Curtis Andrew , Singh Satyan , Giannopoulos Antonios , Schwarz Benjamin , Borstad Chris P.
Published: January 2022

Ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) is widely used on polythermal glaciers to image bed topography and detect internal scatter due to water inclusions in temperate ice. The glaciological importance of this is twofold: bed topography is a primary component for modeling the long‐term evolution of glaciers and ice sheets, and the presence of temperate ice and associated englacial water significantly reduces overall ice viscosity. Englacial water has a direct influence on radar velocity, which can result in incorrect observations of bed topography due to errors in depth conversion. Assessment of radar velocities often requires multi‐offset surveys, yet these are logistically challenging and time consuming to acquire, hence techniques to extract velocity from common‐offset data are required. We calculate englacial radar velocity from common offset GPR data collected on Von Postbreen, a polythermal glacier in Svalbard. We first separate and enhance the diffracted wavefield by systematically assessing data coherence. We then use the focusing metric of negative entropy to deduce a migration velocity field and produce a velocity model which varies spatially across the glacier. We show that this velocity field successfully differentiates between areas of cold and temperate ice and can detect lateral variations in radar velocity close to the glacier bed. This velocity field results in consistently lower ice depths relative to those derived from a commonly assumed constant velocity, with an average difference of 4.9 ± 2.5% of local ice depth. This indicates that diffraction focusing and velocity estimation are crucial in retrieving correct bed topography in the presence of temperate ice.
Automatic modulation classification using techniques from image classification
Authors: Sun Yilin , Ball Edward A
Published: January 2022

Automatic Modulation Classification (AMC) is a rapidly evolving technology, which can be employed in software defined radio structures, especially in 5G and 6G technology. Machine Learning (ML) can provide novel and efficient technology for modulation classification, especially for systems working in low signal to noise ratio (SNR). In this article, two dynamic systems not reliant on received signal phase lock and frequency lock are presented, with both employing ML to classify the modulation types for different received SNR. The first model is developed from the previous existing literatures, which utilises constellation images (CI) and image classification technology. Here, modulation types can be detected in a dynamic way without phase lock and frequency lock. In the second model, a new method named Graphic Representation of Features (GRF) is proposed, which represents the statistical features as a spider graph for ML. The concepts are tested and verified using simulations and RF data using a lab software defined radio (SDR). The results from the two models are compared. With the GRF techniques an overall classification accuracy of 59% is observed for 0 dB SNR and 86% at 10 dB SNR, compared to a random guess accuracy of 25%.
Optimal control strategy for solid oxide fuel cell‐based hybrid energy system using deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Chen Tao , Gao Ciwei , Song Yutong
Published: January 2022

This paper proposes a self‐adaptive control strategy for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) based hybrid energy system using deep reinforcement learning (DRL) techniques. Highly efficient use of hydrogen in a hybrid energy system with the aid of SOFC could create a new paradigm of renewable energy ecosystem and a series of operation principles. Instead of modeling the energy system operation decision‐making process as an optimization problem, a DRL framework is used to seek the optimal control strategy with consideration of various physical constraints in the SOFC components and hybrid energy system operation. Specifically, a deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithm is used to solve the operation problem and provide the optimal policy guiding the control actions of a tubular SOFC stack, which involves various dynamic characteristics besides the electric measurement. The learnt control strategy may not produce the best result every time, but can guarantee the ultimate benefit in a non‐deterministic way in the long‐term operation.
First detection of a magnetic field in low-luminosity B[e] stars
Authors: Korčáková D. , Sestito F. , Manset N. , Kroupa P. , Votruba V. , Šlechta M. , Danford S. , Dvořáková N. , Raj A. , Chojnowski S. D. , Singh H. P.
Published: January 2022

We report the first detection of the magnetic field in a star of FS CMa type, a subgroup of objects characterized by the B[e] phenomenon. The split of magnetically sensitive lines in IRAS 17449+2320 determines the magnetic field modulus of 6.2 ± 0.2 kG. Spectral lines and their variability reveal the presence of a B-type spectrum and a hot continuum source in the visible. The hot source confirms GALEX UV photometry. Because there is a lack of spectral lines for the hot source in the visible, the spectral fitting gives only the lower temperature limit of the hot source, which is 50 000 K, and the upper limit for the B-type star of 11 100 K. The V∕R ratio of the Hα line shows quasiperiodic behavior on timescale of 800 days. We detected a strong red-shifted absorption in the wings of Balmer and O I lines in some of the spectra. The absorption lines of helium and other metals show no, or very small, variations, indicating unusually stable photospheric regions for FS CMa stars. We detected two events of material infall, which were revealed to be discrete absorption components of resonance lines. The discovery of the strong magnetic field together with the Gaia measurements of the proper motion show that the most probable nature of this star is that of a post-merger object created after the binary left its birth cluster. Another possible scenario is a magnetic Ap star around Terminal-Age Main Sequence. On the other hand, the strong magnetic field defies the hypothesis that IRAS 17449+2320 is an extreme classical Be star. Thus, IRAS 17449+2320 provides a pretext for exploring a new explanation of the nature of FS CMa stars or, at least, a group of stars with very similar spectral properties.
Zwitterionic Metal Enolates or Equivalents: Generation and Capture
Authors: Guo Wusheng , Zuo Linhong
Published: January 2022

Functionalized ketones and their derivatives are important building blocks in organic synthesis and materials chemistry. The development of novel methods for the chemo-, regio-, diastereo-, stereo-, and enantioselective synthesis of functionalized ketones and their derivatives is a continuing endeavor of organic chemists. Here, we highlight a new approach recently initiated and developed by our group for the synthesis of (enantioenriched) ketones and related derivatives that is based on zwitterionic metal enolate chemistry.

1 Introduction

2 Annulations through Zwitterionic Palladium Enolate Chemistry for the Synthesis of Functionalized Cyclic Ketones

3 Nucleophilic Capture of Zwitterionic Metal (Palladium or Copper) Enolates or Their Equivalents

4 Conclusion
Multicomponent Reactions Among Alkyl Isocyanides, sp Reactants, and sp2
Carbon Cages
Authors: Rodriguez-Fortea Antonio , Zhang Jianyuan , Li Yanbang , Kopcha William P.
Published: January 2022

We explored the reactivity and substrate scope of the reactions among an alkyl isocyanide, an sp-hybridized reactant (i.e. alkyne or allene), and a carbon cage, as a new approach to functionalize fullerenes and metallofullerenes. This account summarizes the key findings in our recent published work, and some original data for the reaction involving an isocyanide, allenes, and metallofullerene Lu3N@C80.

1 Introduction

2 Isocyanide-Induced Fullerene/EMF Reactions with Substituted Alkynes

3 Isocyanide-Induced Fullerene/EMF Reactions with Substituted Allenes

4 Conclusion
Development of an Aza-Piancatelli-Templated Reaction Manifold from 4-Aminocyclopentenones: Access to Complex Carbocyclic Assemblies
Authors: Saha Jaideep , Jagadeesh Chenna , Mondal Biplab
Published: January 2022

Capitalizing on the propensity of 1,2-amino group migration in γ-aminocyclopentenone with a suitable promoter, gem-diaryl-equipped systems unfolded an unprecedented avenue for the Lewis acid promoted displacement of γ-aniline group with nucleophiles such as indole. Such transformation, besides providing a means for direct γ-functionalization of cyclopentenones, presented innumerable scope for β,γ-annulation. Various tailored indolo bisnucleophiles were explored in the current study that rendered an array of indole alkaloid-like compounds in excellent yields and selectivity through one-pot operation. Analysis of collective experimental observation along with designed control experiments strongly suggested the possibility of a retro aza-Piancatelli rearrangement, which is hitherto unknown in the context. Such repertoire could find potential applications in the synthesis of complex assemblies from the Piancatelli rearrangement and related processes.

1 Introduction

2 Aza-Piancatelli Rearrangement and Related Domino Processes

3 An Unprecedented Aza-Piancatelli-Templated Strategy for Polycyclic Assemblies

4 Summary and Outlook
Inadvertent Insertion of Hemodialysis Catheter into Brachiocephalic Trunk During Cannulation of Internal Jugular Vein: Management Strategies
Authors: Nanda Chinmaya , Garg Vinit , Singh Ajmer , Mehta Yatin
Published: January 2022

Central venous catheter insertion is a commonly performed procedure in the operating room and intensive care unit. It is associated with many complications, some of which may be life-threatening. We report here an accidental insertion of a hemodialysis catheter into the brachiocephalic trunk, which was successfully removed by an endovascular technique.
Myasthenia Gravis and Thymectomy
Authors: Bharath V.
Published: January 2022

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune neuromuscular disorder. Though MG was diagnosed four centuries ago, its rational management started in 1930s. In the present era, MG is managed by multimodality care including pharmacological agents, plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulins, and surgical thymectomy. Thymectomy has evolved from open trans-sternal to video-assisted thoracoscopic and robotic thymectomy. In this article, the concise history of MG, its clinical features, diagnosis, and management are described.
Interpretable Machine Learning–Based Prediction of Intraoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage in Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery: A Pilot Study
Authors: Mattogno Pier Paolo , Caccavella Valerio M. , Giordano Martina , D'Alessandris Quintino G. , Chiloiro Sabrina , Tariciotti Leonardo , Olivi Alessandro , Lauretti Liverana
Published: January 2022

Purpose Transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for pituitary adenomas can be complicated by the occurrence of intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage (IOL). IOL significantly affects the course of surgery predisposing to the development of postoperative CSF leakage, a major source of morbidity and mortality in the postoperative period. The authors trained and internally validated the Random Forest (RF) prediction model to preoperatively identify patients at high risk for IOL. A locally interpretable model-agnostic explanations (LIME) algorithm is employed to elucidate the main drivers behind each machine learning (ML) model prediction.

Methods The data of 210 patients who underwent TSS were collected; first, risk factors for IOL were identified via conventional statistical methods (multivariable logistic regression). Then, the authors trained, optimized, and audited a RF prediction model.

Results IOL reported in 45 patients (21.5%). The recursive feature selection algorithm identified the following variables as the most significant determinants of IOL: Knosp's grade, sellar Hardy's grade, suprasellar Hardy's grade, tumor diameter (on X, Y, and Z axes), intercarotid distance, and secreting status (nonfunctioning and growth hormone [GH] secreting). Leveraging the predictive values of these variables, the RF prediction model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78; 0.86), significantly outperforming the multivariable logistic regression model (AUC = 0.63).

Conclusion A RF model that reliably identifies patients at risk for IOL was successfully trained and internally validated. ML-based prediction models can predict events that were previously judged nearly unpredictable; their deployment in clinical practice may result in improved patient care and reduced postoperative morbidity and healthcare costs.
Modified Skin Incision and Location of Burr-Hole Surgery via a Retrosigmoid Approach: An Anatomical Study
Authors: Sun Lean , Qi Min , Shao Xuefei , Chen Sansong , Fang Xinyun , Zhou Wei , Zhou Wei , Chen Hao , He Guoyuan , Fan Xiran , Sun Yongkang , Di Guangfu , Jiang Xiaochun
Published: January 2022

Objective This study aims to reduce the tissue damage during craniotomy with retrosigmoid approach. A modified sickle-shaped skin incision was developed, and a new burr-hole positioning method was proposed.

Methods Five adult cadaveric heads (10 sides) were used in this study. The sickle-shaped skin incision was performed during craniotomy. The nerves, blood vessels, and muscles were observed and measured under a microscope. Additionally, 62 dry adult skull specimens (left sided, n = 35; right sided, n = 27) were used to measure the distance between the most commonly used locating point (asterion [Ast] point) and the posteroinferior point of the transverse sigmoid sinus junction (PSTS) (Ast-PSTS), as well as the distance between the new locating O point and the PSTS (O-PSTS). Then, the reliability of the new locating O point was validated on the same five adult cadaveric heads (10 sides) used for the sickle-shaped skin incision.

Results The sickle-shaped skin incision reduced the damage to the occipital nerves, blood vessels, and muscles during the surgery via a retrosigmoid approach. The dispersion and variability of O-PSTS were smaller than those of Ast-PSTS.

Conclusion The sickle-shaped skin incision of the retrosigmoid approach can reduce the tissue damage and can completely expose the structures in the cerebellopontine angle. The modified O point is a more reliable locating point for a burr-hole surgery than the Ast point.
Responses by Australian pharmacologists to respiratory depression caused by opiates and barbiturates
Authors: Rae Ian D.
Published: January 2022

In the middle of the last century, pharmacologists at the University of Melbourne led by Professor Frank Shaw inadvertently discovered that an amino-acridine they were using in other experiments reversed the respiratory depressive effects of morphine. They widened their search for such activity, experimenting with a range of heterocyclic substances and achieving success with a thiazole derivative, provided to them by the Professor of Organic Chemistry at the university, that countered the effects of morphine. Working with chemists and pharmacologists at a company with which Shaw had close links, Nicholas Pty Ltd, they discovered a glutarimide that offered the same benefit in cases of barbiturate intoxication. While this collaboration between pharmacologists and chemists, in industry and university, promised much, neither of these drugs survived into modern medical practice. The reasons for this include the development of better drugs or more appropriate patient care, Shaw’s withdrawal from the work because of illness, and decisions in the company that might have been influenced by increasingly stringent requirements for the registration of new drugs. Nonetheless this was important research that drew on the depth of expertise in pharmacology and chemistry among university researchers and a major Australian company with whom they collaborated and exchanged personnel.
Phylotranscriptomics of Theaceae: generic-level relationships, reticulation and whole-genome duplication
Authors: Zhang Qiong , Zhao Lei , Folk Ryan A , Zhao Jian-Li , Zamora Nelson A , Yang Shi-Xiong , Soltis Douglas E , Soltis Pamela S , Gao Lian-Ming , Peng Hua , Yu Xiang-Qin
Published: January 2022

Background and Aims

Theaceae, with three tribes, nine genera and more than 200 species, are of great economic and ecological importance. Recent phylogenetic analyses based on plastomic data resolved the relationships among the three tribes and the intergeneric relationships within two of those tribes. However, generic-level relationships within the largest tribe, Theeae, were not fully resolved. The role of putative whole-genome duplication (WGD) events in the family and possible hybridization events among genera within Theeae also remain to be tested further.

Methods

Transcriptomes or low-depth whole-genome sequencing of 57 species of Theaceae, as well as additional plastome sequence data, were generated. Using a dataset of low-copy nuclear genes, we reconstructed phylogenetic relationships using concatenated, species tree and phylogenetic network approaches. We further conducted molecular dating analyses and inferred possible WGD events by examining the distribution of the number of synonymous substitutions per synonymous site (Ks) for paralogues in each species. For plastid protein-coding sequences , phylogenies were reconstructed for comparison with the results obtained from analysis of the nuclear dataset.

Results

Based on the 610 low-copy nuclear genes (858 606 bp in length) investigated, Stewartieae was resolved as sister to the other two tribes. Within Theeae, the Apterosperma–Laplacea clade grouped with Pyrenaria, leaving Camellia and Polyspora as sister. The estimated ages within Theaceae were largely consistent with previous studies based mainly on plastome data. Two reticulation events within Camellia and one between the common ancestor of Gordonia and Schima were found. All members of the tea family shared two WGD events, an older At-γ and a recent Ad-β; both events were also shared with the outgroups (Diapensiaceae, Pentaphylacaceae, Styracaceae and Symplocaceae).

Conclusions

Our analyses using low-copy nuclear genes improved understanding of phylogenetic relationships at the tribal and generic levels previously proposed based on plastome data, but the phylogenetic position of the Apterosperma–Laplacea clade needs more attention. There is no evidence for extensive intergeneric hybridization within Theeae or for a Theaceae-specific WGD event. Land bridges (e.g. the Bering land bridge) during the Late Oligocene may have permitted the intercontinental plant movements that facilitated the putative ancient introgression between the common ancestor of Gordonia and Schima.
Dedifferentiation of Human Adipocytes After Fat Transplantation
Authors: Chai Yimeng , Chen Yuanjing , Yin Bo , Zhang Xinyu , Han Xuefeng , Cai Lei , Yin Ningbei , Li Facheng
Published: January 2022

Background

Fat transplantation is a common method employed to treat soft-tissue defects. The dedifferentiation of mature adipocytes has been well documented, but whether it occurs after fat transplantation remains unclear.

Objectives

The major purpose of this project was to investigate the dedifferentiation of mature adipocytes after fat transplantation.

Methods

Human lipoaspirate tissue was obtained from 6 female patients who underwent esthetic liposuction. Mature adipocytes were extracted and labeled with PKH26, mixed with lipoaspirate, and injected into nude mice. In addition, PKH26+ adipocytes were subjected to a ceiling culture. Grafted fat was harvested from nude mice, and stromal vascular fragment cells were isolated. The immunophenotype of PKH26+ cells was detected by flow cytometry analysis at 2 days and 1 week. The PKH26+ cells were sorted and counted at 2 and 4 weeks to verify their proliferation and multilineage differentiation abilities.

Results

Two days after transplantation, almost no PKH26+ cells were found in the stromal vascular fragment cells. The PKH26+ cells found 1 week after transplantation showed a positive expression of cluster of differentiation (CD) 90 (CD90) and CD105 and a negative expression of CD45. This indicates that the labeled adipocytes were dedifferentiated. Its pluripotency was further demonstrated by fluorescent cell sorting and differentiation culture in vitro. In addition, the number of live PKH26+ cells at week 4 [(6.83 ± 1.67) × 104] was similar with that at week 2 [(7.11 ± 1.82) × 104].

Conclusions

Human mature adipocytes can dedifferentiate into stem cell-like cells in vivo after fat transplantation.
Deep structural clustering for single-cell RNA-seq data jointly through autoencoder and graph neural network
Authors: Gan Yanglan , Huang Xingyu , Zou Guobing , Zhou Shuigeng , Guan Jihong
Published: January 2022

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) permits researchers to study the complex mechanisms of cell heterogeneity and diversity. Unsupervised clustering is of central importance for the analysis of the scRNA-seq data, as it can be used to identify putative cell types. However, due to noise impacts, high dimensionality and pervasive dropout events, clustering analysis of scRNA-seq data remains a computational challenge. Here, we propose a new deep structural clustering method for scRNA-seq data, named scDSC, which integrate the structural information into deep clustering of single cells. The proposed scDSC consists of a Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial (ZINB) model-based autoencoder, a graph neural network (GNN) module and a mutual-supervised module. To learn the data representation from the sparse and zero-inflated scRNA-seq data, we add a ZINB model to the basic autoencoder. The GNN module is introduced to capture the structural information among cells. By joining the ZINB-based autoencoder with the GNN module, the model transfers the data representation learned by autoencoder to the corresponding GNN layer. Furthermore, we adopt a mutual supervised strategy to unify these two different deep neural architectures and to guide the clustering task. Extensive experimental results on six real scRNA-seq datasets demonstrate that scDSC outperforms state-of-the-art methods in terms of clustering accuracy and scalability. Our method scDSC is implemented in Python using the Pytorch machine-learning library, and it is freely available at https://github.com/DHUDBlab/scDSC.
ptairMS: real-time processing and analysis of PTR-TOF-MS data for biomarker discovery in exhaled breath
Authors: Roquencourt Camille , Grassin-Delyle Stanislas , Thévenot Etienne A
Published: January 2022

Motivation

Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath by proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS) is of increasing interest for real-time, non-invasive diagnosis, phenotyping and therapeutic drug monitoring in the clinics. However, there is currently a lack of methods and software tools for the processing of PTR-TOF-MS data from cohorts and suited for biomarker discovery studies.

Results

We developed a comprehensive suite of algorithms that process raw data from patient acquisitions and generate the table of feature intensities. Notably, we included an innovative two-dimensional peak deconvolution model based on penalized splines signal regression for accurate estimation of the temporal profile and feature quantification, as well as a method to specifically select the VOCs from exhaled breath. The workflow was implemented as the ptairMS software, which contains a graphical interface to facilitate cohort management and data analysis. The approach was validated on both simulated and experimental datasets, and we showed that the sensitivity and specificity of the VOC detection reached 99% and 98.4%, respectively, and that the error of quantification was below 8.1% for concentrations down to 19 ppb.

Availability and implementation

The ptairMS software is publicly available as an R package on Bioconductor (doi: 10.18129/B9.bioc.ptairMS), as well as its companion experiment package ptairData (doi: 10.18129/B9.bioc.ptairData).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Do prisons cause radicalization? Order, leadership, political charge and violence in two maximum security prisons
Authors: Williams Ryan , Liebling Alison
Published: January 2022

Sociological studies of prisons require expanded methodologies and interdisciplinary concepts to address challenges posed by changing prisoner demographics and transformed geopolitics. We aim to revitalize sociological inquiry on prisons and prisoner leadership by focussing on the question of whether prisons cause radicalization. Our findings support those of the most persuasive original studies: distinct prison climates generate different hierarchies, only some of which are violent. Through extensive fieldwork we explore the differences between a prison with high levels of ‘political charge’, or anger, and another with less, drawing on extremist events that unfolded over time. We contrast the dangerous dynamics of prison 1 with the more fluid, prosocial religious explorations facilitated by prison 2, considering the implications for prison radicalization studies.