bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationships between the maternal prenatal diet and epigenetic state in infants: a systematic review of human studies
Authors: Fernando Kathya K. , Craig Jeffrey M. , Dawson Samantha L.
Published: July 2023

Most human studies investigating the relationship between maternal diet in pregnancy and infant epigenetic state have focused on macro- and micro-nutrient intake, rather than the whole diet. This makes it difficult to translate the evidence into practical prenatal dietary recommendations.

To review the evidence on how the prenatal diet relates to the epigenetic state of infants measured in the first year of life via candidate gene or genome-wide approaches.

Following the PRISMA guidelines, this systematic literature search was completed in August 2020, and updated in August 2021 and April 2022. Studies investigating dietary supplementation were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed, and the certainty of results was analysed with consideration of study quality and validity.

Seven studies were included, encompassing 6852 mother-infant dyads. One study was a randomised controlled trial and the remaining six were observational studies. There was heterogeneity in dietary exposure measures. Three studies used an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) design and four focused on candidate genes from cord blood samples. All studies showed inconsistent associations between maternal dietary measures and DNA methylation in infants. Effect sizes of maternal diet on DNA methylation ranged from very low (< 1%) to high (> 10%). All studies had limitations and were assessed as having moderate to high risk of bias.

The evidence presented here provides very low certainty that dietary patterns in pregnancy relate to epigenetic state in infants. We recommend that future studies maximise sample sizes and optimise and harmonise methods of dietary measurement and pipelines of epigenetic analysis.
Topological Characterization of a Fault Network Along the Northern North Sea Rift Margin
Authors: Osagiede Edoseghe E. , Nixon Casey W. , Gawthorpe Rob , Rotevatn Atle , Fossen Haakon , Jackson Christopher A.‐L. , Tillmans Fabian
Published: July 2023

The factors that control the spatial variation of the topological characteristics of normal fault networks at the rift‐scale are poorly understood. Here, we use 3D seismic reflection data from the northern North Sea to investigate the spatial variation of the geometry, topology, and strain heterogeneity of the Late Jurassic normal fault network along the rift margin. Our results show that fault orientation varies spatially along the rift margin. Normal faults within fault blocks that are adjacent to the North Viking Graben exhibits dominant N‐S and NE‐SW strikes that are sub‐parallel to the graben axis and associated step‐over, whereas in fault blocks farther from the graben, there is a dominant NW‐SE strike. Furthermore, we identify two broad topological domains within the fault network: (a) dominated by isolated nodes, partially connected branches, and low fault connectivity, and (b) dominated by abutting nodes, fully connected branches, and moderate to high fault connectivity. These topological domains correlate with previous sub‐division of the rift margin in the northern North Sea into platform and sub‐platform structural domains, respectively. There is also a positive correlation between the spatial variability of the fault orientations and intensity, with the fault network connectivity, highlighting the relationship between normal fault geometry and topology. We conclude that the across and along‐strike variation in strain, presence of pre‐existing structures, and accommodation zone‐related deformation are key factors influencing the spatial variation of fault network properties at the rift scale.
Phase‐Field Simulations of Epitaxial Crystal Growth in Open Fractures With Reactive Lateral Flow
Authors: Späth Michael , Selzer Michael , Busch Benjamin , Schneider Daniel , Hilgers Christoph , Urai Janos L. , Nestler Britta
Published: July 2023

Fluid flow in fracture porosity in the Earth's crust is in general accompanied by crystallization or dissolution depending on the state of saturation. The evolution of the microstructure in turn affects the transport and mechanical properties of the rock, but the understanding of this coupled system is incomplete. Here, we aim to simulate spatio‐temporal observations of laboratory experiments at the grain scale (using potash alumn), where crystals grow in a fracture during reactive flow, and show a varying growth rate along the fracture due to saturation differences. We use a multiphase‐field modeling approach, where reactive fluid flow and crystal growth is computed and couple the chemical driving force for grain growth to the local saturation state of the fluid. The supersaturation of the fluid is characterized by a concentration field which is advected by fluid flow and in turn affects the crystal growth with anisotropic growth kinetics. The simulations exhibit good agreement with the experimental results, providing the basis for upscaling our results to larger scale computations of combined multi‐physical processes in fractured porous media for applications as groundwater protection, geothermal, and hydrocarbon reservoir prediction, water recovery, or storing H2 or CO2 in the subsurface.
Maternal aging increases offspring adult body size via transmission of donut-shaped mitochondria
Authors: Zhang Runshuai , Fang Jinan , Qi Ting , Zhu Shihao , Yao Luxia , Fang Guicun , Li Yunsheng , Zang Xiao , Xu Weina , Hao Wanyu , Liu Shouye , Yang Dan , Chen Di , Yang Jian , Ma Xianjue , Wu Lianfeng
Published: July 2023

Maternal age at childbearing has continued to increase in recent decades. However, whether and how it influences offspring adult traits are largely unknown. Here, using adult body size as the primary readout, we reveal that maternal rather than paternal age has an evolutionarily conserved effect on offspring adult traits in humans,Drosophila, andCaenorhabditis elegans. Elucidating the mechanisms of such effects in humans and other long-lived animals remains challenging due to their long life course and difficulties in conducting in vivo studies. We thus employ the short-lived and genetically tractable nematodeC. elegansto explore the mechanisms underlying the regulation of offspring adult trait by maternal aging. By microscopic analysis, we find that old worms transmit aged mitochondria with a donut-like shape to offspring. These mitochondria are rejuvenated in the offspring’s early life, with their morphology fully restored before adulthood in an AMPK-dependent manner. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that early-life mitochondrial dysfunction activates AMPK, which in turn not only alleviates mitochondrial abnormalities but also activates TGFβ signaling to increase offspring adult size. Together, our findings provide mechanistic insight into the ancient role of maternal aging in shaping the traits of adult offspring.
A fully coupled Hydraulic Mechanical Chemical approach applied to cementitious material damage due to carbonation
Authors: Socié Adrien , Seigneur Nicolas , Bary Benoît , Poyet Stéphane , Touzé Gaëtan
Published: July 2023

Coupled Thermal-Hydraulic-Mechanical-Chemical (THMC) approaches may be important for assessing the long-term durability of cementitious materials. We present a multiphysics approach to overcome past limitations of THMC modelling and validate it based on experimental results of accelerated carbonation tests. Our numerical approach rests on a sequential coupling between Hytec and Cast3m. Hytec computes the evolution of hydraulic and mineralogical fields allowing to compute the micromechanical properties (e.g. Young’s modulus). The mineral reactions generate tensile stresses and Cast3M computes the associated strain tensors and the damage evolution represented by the opening or sealing of cracks, impacting subsequent reactive transport processes. Our approach manages to qualitatively represent the crack patterns and non-uniform degradation depths observed on microtomographic images of carbonated cement samples, which can only be explained by the coupled dynamics of chemical and mechanical processes. Our approach can be extended to a wide range of cement-concrete pathologies and contexts.
Mechanistic neutral models show that sampling biases drive the apparent explosion of early tetrapod diversity
Authors: Dunne Emma M. , Thompson Samuel E. D. , Butler Richard J. , Rosindell James , Close Roger A.
Published: July 2023

Estimates of deep-time biodiversity typically rely on statistical methods to mitigate the impacts of sampling biases in the fossil record. However, these methods are limited by the spatial and temporal scale of the underlying data. Here we use a spatially explicit mechanistic model, based on neutral theory, to test hypotheses of early tetrapod diversity change during the late Carboniferous and early Permian, critical intervals for the diversification of vertebrate life on land. Our simulations suggest that apparent increases in early tetrapod diversity were not driven by local endemism following the ‘Carboniferous rainforest collapse’. Instead, changes in face-value diversity can be explained by variation in sampling intensity through time. Our results further demonstrate the importance of accounting for sampling biases in analyses of the fossil record and highlight the vast potential of mechanistic models, including neutral models, for testing hypotheses in palaeobiology.
Origins of the open-circuit voltage in ternary organic solar cells and design rules for minimized voltage losses
Authors: Wang Yuming , Yu Jianwei , Zhang Rui , Yuan Jun , Hultmark Sandra , Johnson Catherine E. , Gallop Nathaniel P. , Siegmund Bernhard , Qian Deping , Zhang Huotian , Zou Yingping , Kemerink Martijn , Bakulin Artem A. , Müller Christian , Vandewal Koen , Chen Xian-Kai , Gao Feng
Published: July 2023

The power conversion efficiency of ternary organic solar cells (TOSCs), consisting of one host binary blend and one guest component, remains limited by large voltage losses. The fundamental understanding of the open-circuit voltage (VOC) in TOSCs is controversial, limiting rational design of the guest component. In this study, we systematically investigate how the guest component affects the radiative and non-radiative related parts of VOC of a series of TOSCs using the detailed balanced principle. We highlight that the thermal population of charge-transfer and local exciton states provided by the guest binary blend (that is, the guest-component-based binary blend) has a significant influence on the non-radiative voltage losses. Ultimately, we provide two design rules for enhancing the VOC in TOSCs: high emission yield for the guest binary blend and similar charge-transfer-state energies for host/guest binary blends; high miscibility of the guest component with the low gap component in the host binary blend.
Enzyme-less nanopore detection of post-translational modifications within long polypeptides
Authors: Martin-Baniandres Pablo , Lan Wei-Hsuan , Board Stephanie , Romero-Ruiz Mercedes , Garcia-Manyes Sergi , Qing Yujia , Bayley Hagan
Published: July 2023

Means to analyse cellular proteins and their millions of variants at the single-molecule level would uncover substantial information previously unknown to biology. Nanopore technology, which underpins long-read DNA and RNA sequencing, holds potential for full-length proteoform identification. We use electro-osmosis in an engineered charge-selective nanopore for the non-enzymatic capture, unfolding and translocation of individual polypeptides of more than 1,200 residues. Unlabelled thioredoxin polyproteins undergo transport through the nanopore, with directional co-translocational unfolding occurring unit by unit from either the C or N terminus. Chaotropic reagents at non-denaturing concentrations accelerate the analysis. By monitoring the ionic current flowing through the nanopore, we locate post-translational modifications deep within the polypeptide chains, laying the groundwork for compiling inventories of the proteoforms in cells and tissues.
Single-molecule genome-wide mutation profiles of cell-free DNA for non-invasive detection of cancer
Authors: Bruhm Daniel C. , Mathios Dimitrios , Foda Zachariah H. , Annapragada Akshaya V. , Medina Jamie E. , Adleff Vilmos , Chiao Elaine Jiayuee , Ferreira Leonardo , Cristiano Stephen , White James R. , Mazzilli Sarah A. , Billatos Ehab , Spira Avrum , Zaidi Ali H. , Mueller Jeffrey , Kim Amy K. , Anagnostou Valsamo , Phallen Jillian , Scharpf Robert B. , Velculescu Victor E.
Published: July 2023

Somatic mutations are a hallmark of tumorigenesis and may be useful for non-invasive diagnosis of cancer. We analyzed whole-genome sequencing data from 2,511 individuals in the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) study as well as 489 individuals from four prospective cohorts and found distinct regional mutation type-specific frequencies in tissue and cell-free DNA from patients with cancer that were associated with replication timing and other chromatin features. A machine-learning model using genome-wide mutational profiles combined with other features and followed by CT imaging detected >90% of patients with lung cancer, including those with stage I and II disease. The fixed model was validated in an independent cohort, detected patients with cancer earlier than standard approaches and could be used to monitor response to therapy. This approach lays the groundwork for non-invasive cancer detection using genome-wide mutation features that may facilitate cancer screening and monitoring.
24-Hour efficacy of single primary selective laser trabeculoplasty versus latanoprost eye drops for Naïve primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients
Authors: Shi Yipeng , Zhang Yan , Sun Wenying , Huang Alex S. , Chen Shuang , Zhang Lixia , Wang Wei , Xie Like , Xie Xiaobin
Published: July 2023

This prospective, observer-masked, randomized clinical trial was conducted between December 2018 and June 2021 at Eye Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. A total of 45 glaucoma patients from Beijing, China, were enrolled in this clinical trial to compare the short-term efficacy of primary single-selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) to 0.005% latanoprost eye drops for the treatment of 24-h intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with newly diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). Both SLT and latanoprost significantly decreased mean 24-h IOP and peak IOP, although the latanoprost group effect was more potent when compared to the SLT group (both Ps < 0.05). Compared with the SLT group, the latanoprost group had a significant and stable decrease in IOP after treatment. The latanoprost group had a more pronounced reduction in IOP at weeks 4 and 12 (P < 0.05) but had no difference at week 1 (P = 0.097). As a first-line treatment, both SLT and latanoprost eye drops are effective in newly diagnosed POAG and OHT patients. However, the latanoprost eye drops may be better in decreasing mean and peak 24-h IOP and thus controlling 24-h IOP fluctuation compared to SLT.
Structural integrity and healing efficiency study of micro-capsule based composite materials via 1H NMR relaxometry
Authors: Orfanidis S. , Kosarli M. , Karagianni M. , Paipetis A. S. , Papavassiliou G. , Fardis M.
Published: July 2023

In this work we present a novel approach utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry to assess the structural stability of microcapsules employed as self-healing agents in advanced aerospace composites both in ambient and harsh environmental conditions. We successfully correlate the amount of the encapsulated self-healing agent with the signal intensity and confirm non-destructively the quantity of the encapsulated self-healing agent mass for the first time in the literature using 1H NMR spin–spin relaxation techniques on urea–formaldehyde (UF) microcapsules of different diameters containing an epoxy healing agent. The amount of self-healing agent is shown to increase by reducing the capsule diameter; however, the reduced shell mass renders the capsules more fragile and prone to failure. Most notably, via NMR experiments conducted during thermal cycling simulating flight conditions, we demonstrate that the microcapsule integrity under thermal fatigue varies according to their size. Especially we experimentally verify that the microcapsules with the most sensitive shells are the 147 nm and 133 nm diameter microcapsules, which are the most commonly used in self-healing systems. Finally, we were able to retrieve the same results using a portable NMR spectrometer developed in-house for in situ microcapsule testing, thus demonstrating the potential of NMR relaxometry as a powerful non-destructive evaluation tool for the microcapsule production line.
Creep in nitroimidazole inhibitory concentration among the Entamoeba histolytica isolates causing amoebic liver abscess and screening of andrographolide as a repurposing drug
Authors: Singh Aradhana , Banerjee Tuhina , Shukla Sunit Kumar , Upadhyay Soumya , Verma Ashish
Published: July 2023

Infections by Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) lead to considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide and treatment is reliant on a single class of drugs, nitroimidazoles. Treatment failures and intermittent reports of relapse from different parts of world indicate towards development of clinical drug resistance. In the present study, susceptibility testing of clinical isolates of E. histolytica was carried against metronidazole and tinidazole. Additionally, anti-amoebic property of active compounds of Andrographis paniculata was also evaluated. Prevalence of metronidazole resistance gene (nim) in patients attending hospital was also done to get comprehensive insight of present situation of drug resistance in E. histolytica. Mean inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) value of E. histolytica isolates against metronidazole and tinidazole was 20.01 and 16.1 µM respectively. Andrographolide showed minimum mean IC50 value (3.06 µM). Significant percentage inhibition of E. histolytica isolates by andrographolide was seen as compared to metronidazole (p = 0.0495). None of E. histolytica isolates showed presence of nim gene. However, in stool samples from hospital attending population, prevalence of nimE gene was found to be 76.6% (69/90) and 62.2% (56/90) in diarrheal and non-diarrheal samples respectively. Inhibitory concentration of commonly used nitroimidazoles against clinical isolates of E. histolytica are on rise. Percentage inhibition of E. histolytica isolates by andrographolide was significantly higher than control drug metronidazole.
A π-extended tercarbazole-core multi-resonance delayed fluorescence emitter exhibiting efficient narrowband yellow electroluminescence
Authors: Konidena Rajendra Kumar , Yang Minlang , Yasuda Takuma
Published: July 2023

An efficient yellow-emissive multi-resonance delayed fluorescence material was developed via ring-fusion π-extension design.
Correction: Catalytically active designer crown-jewel Pd-based nanostructures encapsulated in metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Chen Liyu , Huang Weihao , Wang Xiujun , Chen Zhijie , Yang Xianfeng , Luque Rafael , Li Yingwei
Published: July 2023

Correction for ‘Catalytically active designer crown-jewel Pd-based nanostructures encapsulated in metal–organic frameworks’ by Liyu Chen et al., Chem. Commun., 2017, 53, 1184–1187, https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CC09270E.
A series of novel phosphites/phosphates with deep-ultraviolet cut-off edges from 0D polar to 3D non-polar architectures
Authors: Hao Yucheng , Zhang Yang , Zhang Yuying , Fu Zixiang , Heng Chunyang , Li Junjie , You Jiatian , Hu Kunhong , Lin Yuan , Li Haijian
Published: July 2023

Four new phosphites/phosphates were designed and prepared; three of them exhibit a deep UV cutoff edge of ∼190 nm and NLO material Ca[HPO3] shows a phase-matching behavior.
Induction-heated ball-milling: a promising asset for mechanochemical reactions
Authors: Félix Gautier , Fabregue Nicolas , Leroy César , Métro Thomas-Xavier , Chen Chia-Hsin , Laurencin Danielle
Published: July 2023

This work presents a promising approach for heating up reaction media during ball-milling reactions, using induction heating. Heat can be generated from the outside (jar heating) as well as the inside (bead heating).
Biopolymeric hydrogel electrolytes obtained by using natural polysaccharide–poly(itaconic acid-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) in deep eutectic solvents for rechargeable Zn–air batteries
Authors: Trejo-Caballero M. E. , Díaz-Patiño Lucía , González-Reynac Marlen , Molina Gustavo A. , López-Miranda J. L. , Esparza Rodrigo , España-Sánchez Beatriz Liliana , Arjona Noé , Estevez Miriam
Published: July 2023

We present an affordable biohydrogel that can be used in zinc-air batteries. It's made of eco-friendly materials such as polysaccharides and poly(itaconic acid) and has excellent conductivity properties thanks to the use of deep eutectic solvents.
3D printing aqueous Ti3C2Tx inks for MXene-based energy devices
Authors: Fagade Mofetoluwa , Patil Dhanush , Thummalapalli Sri Vaishnavi , Jambhulkar Sayli , Ravichandran Dharneedar , Kannan Arunachala M. , Song Kenan
Published: July 2023

The in situ HF acid etching of Ti3AlC2 yielded multilayered Ti3C2. Sonication delaminated nanosheets, suspended in DI water, post rheological optimization 3D printed using DIW platform to produce conductive patterns of MXene.
Colorimetric sensing of calcium carbide over banana peels using 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) as a rapid chemoreceptor: a point of care tool for food fraud analysis
Authors: Sonwal Sonam , Shukla Shruti , Alhammadi Munirah , Umapathi Reddicherla , Sudhani Hemanth P. K. , Cho Youngjin , Huh Yun Suk
Published: July 2023

A point of care tool for colorimetric detection of calcium carbide over banana peels.
The fabrication of CuBTC@PW12 with prominent peroxidase-mimicking activity for colorimetric detection of H2O2 and ascorbic acid via “on–off” switch
Authors: Song Wanyu , Sun Peng , Zhou Jihong , Han Xu , Dai Qijun , Chai Fang
Published: July 2023

Schematic illustration of the synthesis of CuBTC@PW12 and its application in H2O2 and AA analysis.
Correction: A graphene/h-BN MEMS varactor for sub-THz and THz applications
Authors: Dróżdż Piotr A. , Haras Maciej , Przewłoka Aleksandra , Krajewska Aleksandra , Filipiak Maciej , Słowikowski Mateusz , Stonio Bartłomiej , Czerniak-Łosiewicz Karolina , Mierczyk Zygmunt , Skotnicki Thomas , Lioubtchenko Dmitri
Published: July 2023

Correction for ‘A graphene/h-BN MEMS varactor for sub-THz and THz applications’ by Piotr A. Dróżdż et al., Nanoscale, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1039/d2nr06863j.
Correction: Unveiling anticancer, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities of novel synthesized bimetallic boron oxide–zinc oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Hashem Amr H. , Rizk Samar H. , Abdel-Maksoud Mostafa A. , Al-Qahtani Wahidah H. , AbdElgawad Hamada , El-Sayyad Gharieb S.
Published: July 2023

Correction for ‘Unveiling anticancer, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities of novel synthesized bimetallic boron oxide–zinc oxide nanoparticles’ by Amr H. Hashem et al., RSC Adv., 2023, 13, 20856–20867, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RA03413E.
Selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-diformylfuran with ZnIn2S4 2D nanosheets and atmospheric O2 under visible light
Authors: Ding Shuoping , Gabriel Filho José Balena , Peppel Tim , Haida Simon , Rabeah Jabor , Steinfeldt Norbert , Strunk Jennifer
Published: July 2023

2D ZnIn2S4 nanosheets were synthesized via a trisodium citrate-assisted hydrothermal method and used for the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-diformylfuran and 5-formyl-2-furan with atmospheric O2 under visible light irradiation.
Surfactant stabilization of vanadium iron oxide derived from Prussian blue analog for lithium-ion battery electrodes
Authors: Bornamehr Behnoosh , El Gaidi Hiba , Arnold Stefanie , Pameté Emmanuel , Presser Volker
Published: July 2023

Derivatisation of iron vanadate from a Prussian blue analogue is reported, and the role of water-based surfactants in its electrochemical stability is studied. The environmental impact of the material is reduced by altering the synthesis, heat treatment and electrode preparation methods.
Correction: Additive manufacturing of barium-doped calcium silicate/poly-ε-caprolactone scaffolds to activate CaSR and AKT signalling and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Chiu Yung-Cheng , Lin Yen-Hong , Chen Yi-Wen , Kuo Ting-You , Shie Ming-You
Published: July 2023

Correction for ‘Additive manufacturing of barium-doped calcium silicate/poly-ε-caprolactone scaffolds to activate CaSR and AKT signalling and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells’ by Yung-Cheng Chiu et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2023, 11, 4666–4676, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB00208J.
It's Never Too Soon! Comparing Intercultural Learning Outcomes of Undergraduate Students via Face-to-Face and Online Teaching Modalities
Authors: Jaiswal Aparajita , Masters Christi , Jin Lan , Inani Tanvi , Schenkel Annika , Sapkota Muna , Krishnan Lata
Published: July 2023

Purpose:

Providing culturally responsive care for a diverse patient population is critical for future speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Prior studies have shown gains in intercultural competence (ICC) from study abroad programs, face-to-face classes, and online courses; however, limited studies have investigated differences between face-to-face and online modes of delivery in speech-language pathology and audiology. The purpose of this study was (a) to evaluate whether there are quantitative differences in development of ICC in a direct comparison of a face-to-face and 100% asynchronous online introductory in communication disorders, and (b) to describe participants learning through the structural intercultural learning activities embedded into the course using a qualitative approach.

Method:

The study used a mixed-methods approach collecting both quantitative (Intercultural Development Inventory) and qualitative (final reflection papers) data. Data analysis included
t
tests and clustering analysis of quantitative data and scoring and thematic analysis of qualitative data.

Results:

Results demonstrated statistically significant increases in IDI scores for participants in both the online and face-to-face classes. Qualitative analysis indicated that all participants, regardless of change in score, demonstrated growth in ICC as seen in their comments.

Conclusions:

Overall, structured intercultural learning activities embedded within a course can be an effective means of facilitating intercultural growth in undergraduate participants in both face-to-face and online instructional modalities. Additionally, participants whose quantitative scores declined had similar qualitative comments suggesting intercultural growth in all participants independent of changes in quantitative scores.
The proto-neutron star inner crust in a multi-component plasma approach
Authors: Dinh Thi H. , Fantina A. F. , Gulminelli F.
Published: July 2023

Context. Proto-neutron stars are born hot, with temperatures exceeding a few times 1010 K. In these conditions, the crust of the proto-neutron star is expected to be made of a Coulomb liquid and composed of an ensemble of different nuclear species.

Aims. In this work, we perform a study of the beta-equilibrated proto-neutron-star crust in the liquid phase in a self-consistent multi-component approach. This also allows us to perform a consistent calculation of the impurity parameter, which is often taken as a free parameter in cooling simulations.

Methods. To this aim, we developed a self-consistent multi-component approach at finite temperature using a compressible liquid-drop description of the ions, with surface parameters adjusted to reproduce experimental masses. The treatment of the ion centre-of-mass motion was included through a translational free-energy term accounting for in-medium effects. The results of the self-consistent calculations of the multi-component plasma are systematically compared with those performed in a perturbative treatment as well as in the one-component plasma approximation.

Results. We show that the inclusion of non-linear mixing terms arising from the ion centre-of-mass motion leads to a breakdown of the ensemble equivalence between the one-component and multi-component approach. Our findings also illustrate that the abundance of light nuclei becomes important and eventually dominates the whole distribution at higher density and temperature in the crust. This is reflected in the impurity parameter, which, in turn, may have a potential impact on neutron-star cooling. For practical application to astrophysical simulations, we also provide a fitting formula for the impurity parameter in the proto-neutron-star inner crust.

Conclusions. Our results obtained within a self-consistent multi-component approach show important differences in the prediction of the proto-neutron-star composition with respect to those obtained with a one-component approximation or a perturbative multi-component approximation, particularly in the deeper region of the crust. This highlights the importance of a full, self-consistent multi-component plasma calculation for reliable predictions of the proto-neutron-star crust composition.
Diffuse emission in microlensed quasars and its implications for accretion-disk physics
Authors: Fian C. , Chelouche D. , Kaspi S.
Published: July 2023

Aims. We investigate the discrepancy between the predicted size of accretion disks (ADs) in quasars and the observed sizes as deduced from gravitational microlensing studies. Specifically, we aim to understand whether the discrepancy is due to an inadequacy of current AD models or whether it can be accounted for by the contribution of diffuse broad-line region (BLR) emission to the observed continuum signal.

Methods. We employed state-of-the-art emission models for quasars and high-resolution microlensing magnification maps and compared the attributes of their magnification-distribution functions to those obtained for pure Shakura-Sunyaev disk models. We tested the validity of our detailed model predictions by examining their agreement with published microlensing estimates of the half-light radius of the continuum-emitting region in a sample of lensed quasars.

Results. Our findings suggest that the steep disk temperature profiles found by microlensing studies are erroneous as the data are largely affected by the BLR, which does not obey a temperature-wavelength relation. We show with a sample of 12 lenses that the mere contribution of the BLR to the continuum signal is able to account for the deduced overestimation factors as well as the implied size-wavelength relation.

Conclusions. Our study points to a likely solution to the AD size conundrum in lensed quasars, which is related to the interpretation of the observed signals rather than to disk physics. Our findings significantly weaken the tension between AD theory and observations, and suggest that microlensing can provide a new means to probe the hitherto poorly constrained diffuse BLR emission around accreting black holes.
From Diagnosis to Melioration of Sustainable Development in SMEs: The SME-Sustainability Compass
Authors: Labelle François , Le Dinh Thang
Published: July 2023

The paper presents the Sustainability compass, which aims at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve the performance of their sustainable development; hereafter called the SME Sustainable compass (SME-SC). Firstly, the paper introduces the result of the first step of the project that proposes the Sustainability compass as an online diagnostic tool. Thus, the paper continues with the second step of the project, which uses the data captured in the previous step to develop a recommender system to suggest the models to follow, and specific recommendations of those role models. Accordingly, a general architecture for the SME-SC is presented. Finally, the paper ends with a discussion, conclusion, and further research directions.
Esmolol Corrects Severe Hypoxemia in Patients with Femoro-Femoral Venoarterial Extracorporeal Life Support for Lung Transplantation
Authors: Ghalayini Mohamed , Brun Pierre-Yves , Augustin Pascal , Guivarch Elise , Dilly Marie Pierre , Provenchere Sophie , Mordant Pierre , Castier Yves , Montravers Philippe , Longrois Dan
Published: July 2023

Competitive flows syndrome result in severe regional hypoxemia when the deoxygenated flow from the native left ventricle (LV) competes with oxygenated flow from extracorporeal life support (ECLS) pump with potentially severe consequences for the cerebral and coronary circulations. Fast correction of hypoxemia could be obtained by decreasing native LV flow by infusion of a short-acting beta-blocker (esmolol). Our purpose was to retrospectively review the efficacy of esmolol in this situation and hypothesize on the potential mechanisms of action and the associated risks. This is a retrospective analysis of five clinical cases, who underwent lung transplantation and a femoro-femoral venoarterial (VA) ECLS. The patients presented severe hypoxemia (SpO2< 85%) measured through photoplethysmography on a right hand finger. From the patients' medical records and anesthesia flowcharts, hemodynamic, right heart catheterization, echocardiography variables, and arterial blood gas results were noted before and after injection of esmolol. Mechanical ventilation and VA ECLS function variables were optimized and unchanged before and after esmolol injection. All patients had terminal respiratory failure with pulmonary hypertension and conserved LV systolic function. Immediately following esmolol injection (1.3 ± .7 mg/kg; mean ± 1 SD), SpO2increased from 73% ± 12 to 95% ± 6; blood to arterial partial pressure in CO2(PaCO2) decreased from 52 ± 18 to 35 ± 7 mmHg systolic pulmonary artery pressure decreased from 61 ± 8 to 50 ± 12 mmHg; the pulmonary artery oxygen saturation (SvO2); increased from 51% ± 24 to 77% ± 12; systemic arterial pressure or catecholamine requirements were unchanged. In conclusion, these results suggest that injection of esmolol allowed rapid correction of regional hypoxemia occurring during lung transplantation despite femoro-femoral VA ECLS. The mechanism is probably a decreased cardiac output of the native LV due to esmolol-induced negative inotropic and chronotropic effects without significant adverse effects on systemic tissue perfusion.
Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest vs. Antegrade Cerebral Perfusion in Cerebral Protection during the Surgical Treatment of Chronic Dissection of the Ascending and Arch Aorta
Authors: Kamenskaya Oksana Vasilyevna , Klinkova Asya Stanislavovna , Chernyavsky Alexander Mikhailovich , Lomivorotov Vladimir Vladimirovich , Meshkov Ivan Olegovich , Karaskov Alexander Mikhailovich
Published: July 2023

Circulatory arrest during aortic surgery presents a risk of neurological complications. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) vs. antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) in cerebral protection during the surgical treatment of chronic dissection of the ascending and arch aorta and to assess the quality-of-life (QoL) in the long-term postoperative period with respect to the used cerebral protection method. In a prospective, randomized study, 58 patients with chronic type I aortic dissection who underwent ascending aorta and aortic arch replacement surgery were included. Patients were allocated in two groups: 29 patients who underwent surgery under moderate hypothermia (24°C) combined with ACP and 29 patients who underwent surgery under DHCA (18°C) with craniocerebral hypothermia. The regional hemoglobin oxygen saturation (rSO2, %) were compared during surgery, neurological complications were analyzed during the early postoperative period, QoL was compared in the long-term postoperative period (1-year follow-up). During the early postoperative period, 37.9% of patients in the DHCA group exhibited neurological complications, compared with 13.8% of those in the ACP group (p< .05). The risk of neurological complications in the early postoperative period was dependent on the extent of rSO2decrease during circulatory arrest. In the ACP group, rSO2decreased by ≤17% from baseline during circulatory arrest. In the DHCA group, a more profound decrease in rSO2(>30%) was recorded (p< .05). QoL in the long-term period after surgery improved, but it was not dependent on the cerebral protection method used during surgery. ACP during aortic replacement demonstrated the most advanced properties of cerebral protection that can be evidenced by a lesser degree of neurological complications, compared with patients who underwent surgery under conditions of DHCA. QoL after surgery was not dependent on the cerebral protection method used during surgery.
The TEG®6s on Shaky Ground? A Novel Assessment of the TEG®6s Performance under a Challenging Condition
Authors: Gill Martin
Published: July 2023

Thromboelastography® (TEG®) is used to guide clinical decision-making across many medical and surgical subspecialties. Advances in this field have resulted in analyzers becoming increasingly user friendly, and have led to a reduction in the possibility of user error. The new TEG®6s does not come with the warnings of vibration and movement avoidance of its predecessor. It was decided to test the capability of this device while being subject to motion. TEG®6s machine 1 was placed in an environment free from motion. TEG®6s machine 2 was placed on a flatbed platelet agitator, which would expose the device to sudden and continual motion. Blood from the same healthy volunteer was pipetted into cartridges and inserted into both machines. Testing was commenced on machine 2 simultaneously with the agitator being activated. Visual and numerical data were collected. All measured parameters were significantly different (p < .05) between the motion and motion-free groups apart from CK R-Time, CRT R-Time, CRT Angle, and CRT Ly30. The TEG®6s results differ significantly when the analyzer is exposed to a set amount of motion. Such motion should be avoided if results are to be relied upon.
Complex Cardiac Surgery on Patients with a Body Weight of Less Than 5 kg without Donor Blood Transfusion
Authors: Boettcher Wolfgang , Dehmel Frank , Redlin Mathias , Miera Oliver , Musci Michele , Cho Mi-Young , Photiadis Joachim
Published: July 2023

Performing safe cardiac surgery in neonates or infants whose parents are Jehovah's Witnesses is only possible in a coordinated team approach. An unconditional prerequisite is a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit with a very low priming volume to minimize hemodilution. In the past decade, we have developed a functional blood-sparing approach at our institution. The extracorporeal circuit was miniaturized. This had to be recently adapted, faced with a challenge associated with the switch to high-volume crystalloid cardioplegia. A filtration circuit was added. Here, we report an open heart surgery on three consecutive children of Jehovah's Witness parents with a body weight of 2.7, 4.5, and 4.8 kg, respectively. Procedures consisted of one arterial switch operation and two repairs of complete atrioventricular septal defects. Our static priming volume of less than 90 mL resulted in a nadir hematocrit during CPB of 27.7% (Hb 8.9 g/dL) in a patient which happened to have the lowest body weight of 2.7 kg. The two other patients had their lowest hematocrit at 31.4% (Hb 10.2 g/dL). The three children could be treated without any kind of transfusion of blood which had left the circulation or its extensions, in accordance with the parents' wishes, and enjoy favorable outcomes without transfusion of blood products during their entire hospital stay.
Low-Flow Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal Using the Hemolung Respiratory Dialysis System® to Facilitate Lung-Protective Mechanical Ventilation in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Akkanti Bindu , Rajagopal Keshava , Patel Kirti P. , Aravind Sangeeta , Nunez-Centanu Emmanuel , Hussain Rahat , Shabari Farshad Raissi , Hofstetter Wayne L. , Vaporciyan Ara A. , Banjac Igor S. , Kar Biswajit , Gregoric Igor D. , Loyalka Pranav
Published: July 2023

Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) permits reductions in alveolar ventilation requirements that the lungs would otherwise have to provide. This concept was applied to a case of hypercapnia refractory to high-level invasive mechanical ventilator support. We present a case of an 18-year-old man who developed post-pneumonectomy acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after resection of a mediastinal germ cell tumor involving the left lung hilum. Hypercapnia and hypoxemia persisted despite ventilator support even at traumatic levels. ECCO2R using a miniaturized system was instituted and provided effective carbon dioxide elimination. This facilitated establishment of lung-protective ventilator settings and lung function recovery. Extracorporeal lung support increasingly is being applied to treat ARDS. However, conventional extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) generally involves using large cannulae capable of carrying high flow rates. A subset of patients with ARDS has mixed hypercapnia and hypoxemia despite high-level ventilator support. In the absence of profound hypoxemia, ECCO2R may be used to reduce ventilator support requirements to lung-protective levels, while avoiding risks associated with conventional ECMO.
A 2015–2016 Survey of American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion Certified Clinical Perfusionists: Perfusion Profile and Clinical Trends
Authors: Turnage Casey , DeLaney Edward , Kulat Bradley , Guercio Ann , Palmer David , Ann Rosenberg Carol , Spear Kyle , Boyne David , Johnson Charles , Riley William
Published: July 2023

To document the current perfusion workforce status and to anticipate the future demands of an ever-changing perfusion workplace environment, a valid survey is needed to help guide the future of the perfusion workforce. The American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) sponsored a survey of Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP) demographic and clinical trends that was linked electronically to the 2015–2016 ABCP online recertification process. Of 3,875 eligible CCP’s, 3,056 (78.9%) responded to the survey. The 12 survey questions covered the topics of gender, age, education levels, years of clinical experience, annual clinical activity exposure, high fidelity simulation experience, recertification requirement satisfaction and professional activity requirement contentment. The results of the ABCP annual survey are being published in accordance with the ABCP’s commitment to establish and maintain interactive communication with the community of CCPs. The goal of this survey is to present the perfusion and health-care community with important statistics related to the current field of perfusion and establish trends to guide the future of perfusion.
Heparin: Effects upon the Glycocalyx and Endothelial Cells
Authors: Spiess Bruce D.
Published: July 2023

Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is the most widely used injectable medication in the United States. UFH is a poly-dispersed, relatively impure combination of many polysaccharides known as a glycosaminoglycan. It is used as the primary anticoagulant for heart surgery as well as for active treatment of deep venous thrombosis, vascular thrombosis, stroke, and many other potentially catastrophic clotting syndromes. Many perfusionists and cardiac team members know little of the biology of UFH other than its use for cardiopulmonary bypass. UFH is very similar to heparin sulfate, found on the surface of endothelial cells. Heparan sulfate protects endothelial surfaces from inflammatory attack and serves as a mechano-transducer for vascular shear. UFH and all glycosaminoglycans have far reaching pleotropic actions. This review elaborates on some of fascinating unique biology of these polysaccharides. Perhaps a number of the complex complications attributed to CPB are either caused by, or set up to occur by the complicated biology of UFH?
Left Ventricular Unloading during Peripheral Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator Support: A Bridge To Life In Profound Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Centofanti Paolo , Attisani Matteo , La Torre Michele , Ricci Davide , Boffini Massimo , Baronetto Andrea , Simonato Erika , Clerici Alberto , Rinaldi Mauro
Published: July 2023

A limit of peripheral veno-arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxigenator (VA-ECMO) is the inadequate unloading of the left ventricle. The increase of end-diastolic pressure reduces the possibility of a recovery and may cause severe pulmonary edema. In this study, we evaluate our results after implantation of VA-ECMO and Transapical Left Ventricular Vent (TLVV) as a bridge to recovery, heart transplantation or long-term left ventricular assit devices (LVAD). From 2011 to 2014, 24 consecutive patients with profound cardiogenic shock were supported by peripheral VA-ECMO as bridge to decision. In all cases, TLVV was implanted after a mean period of 12.2 ± 3.4 hours through a left mini-thoracotomy and connected to the venous inflow line of the VA-ECMO. Thirty-day mortality was 37.5% (9/24). In all patients, hemodynamics improved after TLVV implantation with an increased cardiac output, mixed venous saturation and a significant reduced heart filling pressures (p < .05). Recovery of the cardiac function was observed in 11 patients (11/24; 45.8%). Three patients were transplanted (3/24; 12.5%) and three patients (3/24; 12.5%) underwent LVAD implantation as destination therapy, all these patients were discharged from the hospital in good clinical conditions. In these critical patients, systematic TLVV improved hemodynamic seemed to provide better in hospital survival and chance of recovery, compared to VA-ECMO results in the treatment of cardiogenic shock reported in the literature . TLVV is a viable alternative to standard VA-ECMO to identify the appropriate long-term strategy (heart transplantation or long-term VAD) reducing the risk of treatment failure. A larger and multicenter experience is mandatory to validate these hypothesis.
Does the Type of Cardioplegic Technique Influence Hemodilution and Transfusion Requirements in Adult Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery?
Authors: Stammers Alfred H. , Tesdahl Eric A. , Mongero Linda B. , Stasko Andrew J. , Weinstein Samuel
Published: July 2023

During cardiac surgery, myocardial protection is performed using diverse cardioplegic (CP) solutions with and without the presence of blood. New CP formulations extend ischemic intervals but use high-volume, crystalloid-based solutions. The present study evaluated four commonly used CP solutions and their effect on hemodilution during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Records from 16,670 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB between February 2016 and January 2017 were reviewed. Patients were classified into one of four groups according to CP type: 4–1 blood to crystalloid (4:1), microplegia (MP), del Nido (DN) and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK). Covariate-adjusted estimates of group differences were calculated using multivariable logistic and linear mixed effects regression models. The primary end point was intraoperative transfusion of allogeneic red blood cells (RBCs), with a secondary end point of intraoperative hematocrit change. Among all patients, 8,350 (50.1%) received 4:1, 4,606 (27.6%) MP, 3,344 (20.1%) DN, and 370 (2.2%) HTK. Both 4:1 and MP were more likely to be used in patients undergoing coronary revascularization surgery, whereas DN and HTK were seen more often in patients undergoing valve surgery (p< .001). The highest volume of crystalloid CP solution was seen in the HTK group, 2,000 [1,754, 2200], whereas MP had the lowest, 50 [32, 67],p< .001. Ultrafiltration usage was as follows: HTK—84.9%. DN—83.7%, MP—40.1%, and 4:1—34.0%,p< .001. There were no statistically significant differences on the primary outcome risk of intraoperative RBC transfusion. However, statistically significant differences among all but one of the pair-wise comparisons of CP methods on hematocrit change (p< .05 or smaller), with MP having the lowest predicted drift (−7.8%) and HTK having the highest (−9.4%). During cardiac surgery, the administration of different CP formulations results in varying intraoperative hematocrit changes related to the volume of crystalloid solution administered.