bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KETASER01 protocol: What went right and what went wrong
Authors: Rosati Anna , L’Erario Manuela , Bianchi Roberto , Olivotto Sara , Battaglia Domenica Immacolata , Darra Francesca , Biban Paolo , Biggeri Annibale , Catelan Dolores , Danieli Giacomo , Mondardini Maria Cristina , Cordelli Duccio Maria , Amigoni Angela , Cesaroni Elisabetta , Conio Alessandra , Costa Paola , Lombardini Martina , Meleleo Rosanna , Pugi Alessandra , Tornaboni Elena Eve , Santarone Marta Elena , Vittorini Roberta , Sartori Stefano , Marini Carla , Vigevano Federico , Mastrangelo Massimo , Pulitanò Silvia Maria , Izzo Francesca , Fusco Lucia
Published: July 2022

Objective

To discuss the results of the KETASER01 trial and the reasons for its failure, particularly in view of future studies.

Methods

KETASER01 is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open‐label, sequentially designed, non‐profit Italian study that aimed to assess the efficacy of ketamine compared with conventional anesthetics in the treatment of refractory convulsive status epilepticus (RCSE) in children.

Results

During the 5‐year recruitment phase, a total of 76 RCSEs treated with third‐line therapy were observed in five of the 10 participating Centers; only 10 individuals (five for each study arm; five females, mean age 6.5 ± 6.3 years) were enrolled in the KETASER01 study. Two of the five patients (40%) in the experimental arm were successfully treated with ketamine and two of the five (40%) children in the control arm, where successfully treated with thiopental. In the remaining six (60%) enrolled patients, RCSE was not controlled by the randomized anesthetic(s).

Significance

The KETASER01 study was prematurely halted due to low eligibility of patients and no successful recruitment. No conclusions can be drawn regarding the objectives of the study. Here, we discuss the KETASER01 results and critically analyze the reasons for its failure in view of future trials.
Experimental research on seismic response of split‐type prefabricated utility tunnels through shaking table tests
Authors: Li Zheng , Luo Qingyu , Zhou Rui
Published: July 2022

Due to the advantages of prefabricated structure, its applications in utility tunnels are increasing. However, more connection joints have raised concerns about the vulnerability of prefabricated utility tunnels in earthquake disasters. The main objectives of this research are to analyze the seismic response, vulnerable parts and failure modes of a prefabricated utility tunnel. A pair of twin models of prefabricated utility tunnels with two‐compartment layouts were designed, and then set up to load ground motions synchronously through a large‐scale shaking table of 6 m × 6 m under two different boundary conditions: one buried inside a soil box and its twin laid outside the soil as a comparison. The results show that: the damage of the split‐type prefabricated utility tunnel is mainly concentrated in the connection joints, and the connection joint at the top corner of the compartment with larger cross section is the vulnerable part that needs special attention; the SSI effect has a great influence on the seismic response of the prefabricated utility tunnel, and the model buried inside the soil box shows stronger seismic response than its twin laid outside the soil. The experimental results and analysis in this paper can provide a helpful reference for risk assessment and prevention, seismic design, and structural optimization of prefabricated utility tunnels.
Keeping up with the COVID's—Could siRNA‐based antivirals be a part of the answer?
Authors: Forgham Helen , Kakinen Aleksandr , Qiao Ruirui , Davis Thomas P.
Published: July 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a highly contagious viral disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). This deadly infection has resulted in more than 5.2 million deaths worldwide. The global rollout of COVID‐19 vaccines has without doubt saved countless lives by reducing the severity of symptoms for patients. However, as the virus continues to evolve, there is a risk that the vaccines and antiviral designed to target the infection will no longer be therapeutically viable. Furthermore, there remain fears over both the short and long‐term side effects of repeat exposure to currently available vaccines. In this review, we discuss the pros and cons of the vaccine rollout and promote the idea of a COVID medicinal toolbox made up of different antiviral treatment modalities, and present some of the latest therapeutic strategies that are being explored in this respect to try to combat the COVID‐19 virus and other COVID viruses that are predicted to follow. Lastly, we review current literature on the use of siRNA therapeutics as a way to remain adaptable and in tune with the ever‐evolving mutation rate of the COVID‐19 virus.
“Drugs and alcohol get talked about, why not betting?” Young men's qualitative insights about strategies to prevent gambling harm
Authors: Nyemcsok Christian , Pitt Hannah , Kremer Peter , Thomas Samantha L.
Published: July 2022

Issues addressed

Research is needed to understand young people's perspectives about public health promotion strategies relevant for their health and wellbeing. This study provides suggestions from young male gamblers about sports betting harm prevention and reduction strategies.

Methods

In‐depth interviews were conducted with 16 young men aged 18 to 24 years, from Melbourne, Victoria, who regularly engaged in sports betting. A critical qualitative inquiry approach, using methods of constructivist grounded theory guided the study. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to interpret and construct themes from the data.

Results

Participants indicated three main harm prevention strategies. These were online consumer protection and regulatory strategies, public education campaigns that highlighted sports betting risks and harms and the creation of formal and informal support networks to reduce stigma and encourage help seeking. They also supported being engaged in the development of harm prevention strategies and suggested ways to help reduce barriers to engagement.

Conclusion

Young men recognise the need for regulatory, education and engagement responses to counter the risks posed by new gambling products. Young men may be difficult to engage in formal prevention activities, however, youth‐led and informal interactive mechanisms may help to overcome this barrier, and contribute to a comprehensive public health approach to gambling harm prevention.

So what?

Young men can draw upon their lived experiences of gambling to provide insights relevant for public health promotion. Mechanisms should be developed to engage young people in the co‐production of strategies and policies aimed at gambling harm prevention and reduction.
Observations on the cytomorphology and ultrastructure of the peripheral blood cells of native cattle (Zobawng) of Mizoram, India
Authors: Sarkar Rupan , Kalita Arup , Choudhary Om Prakash , Kalita Pranab Chandra , Doley Probal Jyoti , Debroy Swarup
Published: July 2022

This study aims to characterize the cytomorphology and ultrastructure of blood cells of native cattle of Mizoram. Twelve numbers of blood samples (10 ml) were collected from the Zobawng cattle, irrespective of sex. Blood smears were prepared and stained with different stains for cytomorphological study. The standard protocol has been followed for preparing blood samples for electron microscopy. Under a light microscope, erythrocytes of cattle were non‐nucleated and round. The neutrophils were round, and the cytoplasm contained cytoplasmic granules. The eosinophils were rounded in outline with distinct cytoplasmic granules. The presence of basophils was infrequent with distinct blue color cytoplasmic granules. Small, medium, and large types of lymphocytes were recorded. The monocytes were round to oval in outline. Platelets were irregular to round. The reticulocytes were recorded occasionally, like small blue thin rods or granules. The cytoplasm and nucleus of granulocytes fluoresced greenish‐yellow and red, respectively, with supravital stain. Under scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the erythrocytes appeared as biconcave discs. Different leukocytes were observed with their finger‐like, plate‐like, and narrow cell processes on their surface. Platelets were irregular structures. In transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the erythrocytes appeared anucleated biconcave elongated, neutrophils were roughly rounded with small cytoplasmic processes, and eosinophils were roughly circular with small cytoplasmic processes, the basophils were roughly circular with oval to elongated cytoplasmic granules, lymphocytes were roughly circular with centrally placed well‐marked oval indented nucleus and some cytoplasmic processes, monocytes appeared spherical with long thick cytoplasmic processes and the non‐nucleated platelets appeared roughly round to elongated.

Research Highlights

Blood tests are a very good tool for determining animal health and diagnosing hematological illnesses.

This study showed the cytomorphological and ultrastructural features of the blood cells of native cattle (Zobawng) of Mizoram state of India.

The cytomorphological studies revealed that the morphological features of the blood cells of Zobawng cattle resembled to other domestic and wild animals, however, there were some differences in the cellular components.

Nuclear DNA appeared orthochromatically greenish‐yellow, but cytoplasmic RNA was observed to be metachromatically red under the fluorescence microscope.

scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) results revealed that the ultrastructural features of the blood cells of Zobawng cattle contain certain cellular morphological differences as compared to the other domestic and wild animals.
First description of the Burmeister porpoise (Phocoena spinipinnis) electrocardiogram
Authors: Dassis Mariela , De León Carolina , Díaz Alejandro , Faiella Adrian , Olguin Javier , Saubidet Alejandro , Rodríguez Diego H. , Castro Eduardo F.
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study was to make the first characterization of the electrocardiogram (ECG) of the Burmeister porpoise (Phocoena sipinipinnis). A total of three ECGs were made in one, wild juvenile female (body weight = 32.5 kg, Lt = 1.45 m), temporarily held in captivity for rehabilitation at Mar del Plata Aquarium (Argentina). For ECG recordings, the animal was removed from its pool on a stretcher under constant veterinary supervision. A traditional six‐lead system in the frontal plane was used, with the typical four “extremities” electrodes positioned bilaterally. ECGs were readable and all waves were detectable. The QRS complexes were characterized by Q wave absence in all leads. The ECG characteristically displayed distinctly defined STs, with a T wave clearly differentiated from the QRS complex. An STs elevation was detected in leads II and III. The mean electrical axis was −79°, meaning a cranial left axis orientation. The animal showed normal sinus rhythm and heart rate (HR) showed a continuous oscillation between tachycardia and bradycardia. Mean HR from all recordings was 147.02 ± 24.95 bpm (range = 71–176, n = 178). Evidence of the occurrence of respiratory sinus arrhythmia was detected through HR variations and RR interval differences, which suggested an adequate cardiovascular system compensation to handling conditions. This study has reported ECG amplitude and duration measurements of a potentially healthy specimen, which represents the starting point for the determination of normal ECG values for this species. Also, it has confirmed that ECG is a valuable noninvasive tool for rapid cardiac health assessment in small cetaceans.
A cross‐sectional natural history study of aspartylglucosaminuria
Authors: Goodspeed Kimberly , Horton Daniel , Lowden Andrea , Sguigna Peter V. , Booth Timothy , Wang Zhiyue J. , Edgar Veronica Bordes
Published: July 2022

Aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder that causes stagnation of development in adolescence and neurodegeneration in early adulthood. Precision therapies, including gene transfer therapy, are in development with a goal of taking advantage of the slow clinical course. Understanding of disease natural history and identification of disease‐relevant biomarkers are important steps in clinical trial readiness. We describe the clinical features of a diverse population of patients with AGU, including potential imaging and electrophysiological biomarkers. This is a single‐center, cross‐sectional study of the clinical, neuropsychological, electrophysiological, and imaging characteristics of AGU. A comprehensive assessment of eight participants (5 Non‐Finnish) revealed a mean non‐verbal IQ (NVIQ) of 70.25 ± 10.33 which decreased with age (rs = −0.85, p = 0.008). All participants demonstrated deficits in communication and gross/fine motor dysfunction. Auditory and visual evoked potentials demonstrated abnormalities in one or both modalities in 7 of 8 subjects, suggesting sensory pathway dysfunction. Brain imaging demonstrated T2 FLAIR hypointensity in the pulvinar nuclei and cerebral atrophy, as previously shown in the Finnish AGU population. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) showed a 5.1 ppm peak corresponding to the toxic substrate (GlcNAc‐Asn), which accumulates in AGU. Our results showed there was no significant difference between Finnish and Non‐Finnish patients, and performance on standardized cognitive and motor testing was similar to prior studies. Age‐related changes on functional assessments and disease‐relevant abnormalities on surrogate biomarkers, such as MRS, could be used as outcome measures in a clinical trial.
Estimating interactions and subgroup‐specific treatment effects in meta‐analysis without aggregation bias: A within‐trial framework
Authors: Godolphin Peter J. , White Ian R. , Tierney Jayne F. , Fisher David J.
Published: July 2022

Estimation of within‐trial interactions in meta‐analysis is crucial for reliable assessment of how treatment effects vary across participant subgroups. However, current methods have various limitations. Patients, clinicians and policy‐makers need reliable estimates of treatment effects within specific covariate subgroups, on relative and absolute scales, in order to target treatments appropriately—which estimation of an interaction effect does not in itself provide. Also, the focus has been on covariates with only two subgroups, and may exclude relevant data if only a single subgroup is reported. Therefore, in this article we further develop the “within‐trial” framework by providing practical methods to (1) estimate within‐trial interactions across two or more subgroups; (2) estimate subgroup‐specific (“floating”) treatment effects that are compatible with the within‐trial interactions and make maximum use of available data; and (3) clearly present this data using novel implementation of forest plots. We described the steps involved and apply the methods to two examples taken from previously published meta‐analyses, and demonstrate a straightforward implementation in Stata based upon existing code for multivariate meta‐analysis. We discuss how the within‐trial framework and plots can be utilised with aggregate (or “published”) source data, as well as with individual participant data, to effectively demonstrate how treatment effects differ across participant subgroups.
Response surface methodology as a tool to optimize the extraction of bioactive compounds from plant sources
Authors: Weremfo Alexander , Abassah‐Oppong Samuel , Adulley Felix , Dabie Kwabena , Seidu‐Larry Salifu
Published: July 2022

Response surface methodology (RSM) is a widely used mathematical and statistical technique for modeling and optimizing the process for the extraction of bioactive compounds. This review explains the optimization approach through the use of experimental design and empirical models for response prediction and the utilization of the desirability function for multiple response optimization. This paper also reviews recent studies on the application of RSM to optimize bioactive compound extraction processes such as conventional solvent extraction, microwave‐assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and ultrasound‐assisted extraction. Finally, the challenges associated with the use of RSM and the efforts made to improve RSM in the extraction process are also highlighted. Overall, this review informs many aspects of RSM that are occasionally ignored or insufficiently discussed with regard to the optimization of bioactive compound extraction processes, and it summarizes significant applications where RSM proved suitable. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Intraoperative neuromonitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is indispensable during complete endoscopic radical resection of thyroid cancer: A retrospective study
Authors: Fei Yang , Li Yang , Chen Feng , Tian Wen
Published: July 2022

Objective

Complete endoscopic radical resection of thyroid cancer, especially through the areolar approach, can achieve curative and acceptable cosmetic effects in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. However, some inherent characteristics of endoscopic procedures hamper functional protection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) is considered the most important accessory to protect the nerves during conventional radical thyroidectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and necessity of IONM during complete endoscopic radical resection of thyroid cancer.

Methods

A total of 106 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma were enrolled in the study between February 2013 and April 2018. Based on the use of the IONM technique, all patients were divided into the IONM (n = 54) and non‐IONM groups (n = 52). Overall, 66 RLNs were involved in the IONM group, and 61 RLNs were involved in the non‐IONM group. The time and ratio of RLN identification and the number of transient and permanent RLN injuries between both groups were compared.

Results

Compared to the non‐IONM group, the IONM group required less time for RLN identification (3.05 ± 1.58 vs. 9.36 ± 4.82 min, p < .01). The ratio of RLN identification in the IONM group was much higher than that in the non‐IONM group (100.00% vs. 88.52%, p = .01). A significant difference was observed in RLN transient injury between the two groups (one case accounting for 1.51% in the IONM group vs. eight cases accounting for 13.11% in the non‐IONM group; p = .03).

Conclusion

IONM significantly improved RLN identification and reduced transient RLN injuries during complete endoscopic radical resection.

Level of Evidence

3b.
Dynamics and morphology of self‐assembly behavior of polymer‐grafted nanoparticles: a dissipative particle dynamics simulation study
Authors: Song Wen‐Yuan , Lu Hui , He Jing‐Wen , Zhu Zi‐Jie , He Si‐Yi , Liu De‐Huan , Liu Hong , Wang Yan
Published: July 2022

The self‐assembly of polymer‐grafted nanoparticles is increasingly applied in the field of functional materials. However, the corresponding relationship between the intrinsic dynamic transition path and microstructure is still not clear enough, which will lead to an inability to achieve further precise regulation and directional design in experiments and industrial production. In this study, by constructing a coarse‐grained model of polymer‐grafted nanoparticles, the dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation method is used to study the effects of the following three factors on the self‐assembly behavior and structure of polymer‐grafted nanoparticles: solvophobic polymer chain length, solvophilic–solvophobic chain ratio and solvent selectivity. The simulation results show that with an increase of the chain length of the solvophobic chain, the self‐assembled morphological structure presents a process of changing from an onion‐like vesicle structure to a unilamellar vesicle structure; the morphology gradually changes from a higher‐order morphology to a lower‐order morphology with an increase of the ratio of solvophilic to solvophobic chains. In addition, solvent selectivity can also tune the aggregated morphology of polymer‐grafted nanoparticles. When the compatibility of the solvent with solvophobic polymers and solvophilic polymers is quite different, polymer‐grafted nanoparticles tend to form unilamellar vesicles; when the compatibility of the solvent with solvophobic polymer and solvophilic polymer is close, the polymer‐grafted nanoparticles tend to form a multilamellar micelle structure. The use of coarse‐grained DPD simulations to study the effect of various factors on the self‐assembly behavior of polymer‐grafted nanoparticles can achieve precise regulation of specific polymer structures, thereby providing reliable theoretical guidance for laboratory and industrial production of polymer nanocomposites with fewer defects and better performance. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Fusion of two unrelated protein domains in a chimera protein and its 3D prediction: Justification of the x‐ray reference structures as a prediction benchmark
Authors: Vymětal Jiří , Mertová Kateřina , Boušová Kristýna , Šulc Josef , Tripsianes Konstantinos , Vondrasek Jiri
Published: July 2022

Proteins are naturally formed by domains edging their functional and structural properties. A domain out of the context of an entire protein can retain its structure and to some extent also function on its own. These properties rationalize construction of artificial fusion multidomain proteins with unique combination of various functions. Information on the specific functional and structural characteristics of individual domains in the context of new artificial fusion proteins is inevitably encoded in sequential order of composing domains defining their mutual spatial positions. So the challenges in designing new proteins with new domain combinations lie dominantly in structure/function prediction and its context dependency. Despite the enormous body of publications on artificial fusion proteins, the task of their structure/function prediction is complex and nontrivial. The degree of spatial freedom facilitated by a linker between domains and their mutual orientation driven by noncovalent interactions is beyond a simple and straightforward methodology to predict their structure with reasonable accuracy. In the presented manuscript, we tested methodology using available modeling tools and computational methods. We show that the process and methodology of such prediction are not straightforward and must be done with care even when recently introduced AlphaFold II is used. We also addressed a question of benchmarking standards for prediction of multidomain protein structures—x‐ray or Nuclear Magnetic Resonance experiments. On the study of six two‐domain protein chimeras as well as their composing domains and their x‐ray structures selected from PDB, we conclude that the major obstacle for justified prediction is inappropriate sampling of the conformational space by the explored methods. On the other hands, we can still address particular steps of the methodology and improve the process of chimera proteins prediction.
Recent Progress of Novel Organic Near‐Infrared‐Emitting Materials
Authors: Zhuo Ming-Peng , Wang Xue-Dong , Liao Liang-Sheng
Published: July 2022

Organic near‐infrared (NIR) emissive materials integrating the intrinsic NIR light advantages and organic semiconductor characters have generated immense scientific interest in fundamental science and practical application, including optical communications, night vision, surveillance, and biomedical applications. Nevertheless, the intrinsic energy gap law engenders a huge challenge to simultaneously meet longer emission wavelength and higher luminescence efficiency for organic NIR emitters. Herein, it is suggested that the purposefully molecular design and crystal engineering for novel organic NIR materials are urgently studied and explored. Herein, recent advances in novel organic NIR materials, mainly focusing on the hybridized local and charge transfer (HLCT) compounds, thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters, CT cocrystals, neutral π‐radicals, and excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT)‐active materials, are summarized. It is hoped that this perspective can afford a new insight into the fine design and synthesis of the desired organic NIR emitters.
High‐Temperature Properties of High Mn Steel with Al, Si, and C
Authors: Wang Xiaosong , Spitzer Karl-Heinz
Published: July 2022

High‐manganese steels containing 10 to 30 wt.‐% (weight‐%) Mn exhibit high strength and ductility. This study aims to improve the understanding of mechanisms determining the high‐temperature properties of such steels. A shear test equipment is developed, enabling mechanical testing in an as‐cast state after solidification from melt. This study covers four steel grades of about 13, 15, 17, and 21 wt.‐% Mn, 0.07 up to 0.8 wt.‐% C, and about 2.5 wt.‐% Al and Si each. The results are for 1000 °C and both for as‐cast and annealed states. Annealing is done for 1 h at 1020 °C, corresponding to a testing temperature of 1000 °C. For a better understanding of the material properties, micro‐segregation is investigated. Two types of micro‐segregation are found, type 1 resulting from solidification and type 2 from phase transformation from ferrite to austenite. Type 1 segregation is large, especially for Si and intermediate C‐contents. Type 2 segregation found for lower C‐ and Mn‐contents and predominately in the as‐cast state is associated with an increased ferrite content resulting in embrittlement. Increasing embrittlement is also found at elevated C‐contents mainly due to primary carbide formation. Annealing reduces micro‐segregation and the amount of ferrite and carbide precipitation.
Physical Modeling and Mathematical Modeling Using the Scale‐Adaptive Simulation Model of Nozzle Design Effects on the Flow Structure in a Slab Mold
Authors: González-Solórzano María Guadalupe , Morales Rodolfo Dávila
Published: July 2022

The internal designs of two tundish nozzles A and B to deliver liquid steel in a slab mold are characterized by a full‐scale water model and the scale‐adaptive simulation (SAS) turbulence model. The internal flows in the nozzles determine the flow patterns in the slab mold and their clogging tendency. The SAS model predicts well the sub meniscus velocities measured through ultrasound signals and the unsteady flows of a given nozzle. The turbulence structures in the sub‐meniscus region yield slow descending rates of velocity–time autocorrelations leading to flow turnovers of low frequency using both nozzles. However, nozzle A (a bore with one expansion and one contraction) yields larger power density spectra than nozzle B (designed with internal flow deflectors) in the sub meniscus region, indicating that this latter nozzle dissipates more the turbulent energy, effect due to its internal flow deflectors. Four clogging criteria, wall‐shear, Q, turbulence eddy frequency, ω = ε/k, and the instantaneous velocity in the boundary layer, together with the flow structure, prove to predict the propensity of a given nozzle design to clog by alumina inclusions in a particular region. This analysis reveals that nozzle B has a lower tendency to suffer clogging during industrial operation.
An improved derivation and comprehensive understanding of the equivalent static wind loads of high‐rise buildings with structural eccentricities
Authors: Pan Xiaowang , Song Jie , Qu Wenzhong , Zou Lianghao , Liang Shuguo
Published: July 2022

The trend of constructing high‐rise buildings with irregular structural configurations results in buildings with complicated external wind loads and eccentricities between the mass and stiffness centers, which complicate the assessment of buildings' 3D equivalent static wind load (ESWL). This paper develops an improved method to determine the 3D ESWLs for high‐rise buildings with structural eccentricities. First, the derivation process of each floor's 3D internal force‐based ESWLs, including the mean, background, and resonant components, is described in detail. Then, three typical high‐rise buildings, each with 15 eccentricity cases, are used to demonstrate the proposed method's advantage in the wind resistance design of high‐rise buildings with structural eccentricities, especially in providing reliable along‐height distribution of ESWLs. Finally, systematic analyses are conducted to examine the effects of load‐correlation, structural eccentricity ratio, and building side ratio on the derived 3D ESWLs. The results show that the proposed method provides a reliable along‐height distribution, which helps give an adequate understanding of the ESWLs of high‐rise buildings with structural eccentricities. Some concluding remarks are extracted from the results to show how the load‐correlation, structural eccentricity ratio, and building side ratio affect the ESWLs of high‐rise buildings. The conclusions are valuable references for the wind‐resistant design of high‐rise buildings with structural eccentricities.
Ion Substitution Strategy of Manganese‐Based Layered Oxide Cathodes for Advanced and Low‐Cost Sodium Ion Batteries
Authors: Chang Yu‐Xin , Yu Lianzheng , Xing Xuanxuan , Guo Yu‐Jie , Xie Zhi‐Yu , Xu Sailong
Published: July 2022

Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) have recently been promising in the large‐scale electric energy storage system, due to the low cost, abundant sodium resources. Mn‐based layered oxide cathode materials have been widely investigated, because of the high theoretical specific capacity, low cost, and abundant reserves. However, their development is limited by the problems of Jahn‐Teller distortion, Na+/vacancy ordering, complex phase transitions, and irreversible anionic redox during cycling. Ion substitution strategy is one simple and effective way to regulate the crystal structure and boost sodium‐storage performances of Mn‐based cathode materials. In this review, we summarize the progress and mechanism of ion‐substituted Mn‐based oxides, establish a composition‐crystal structure‐electrochemical performance relationship, and also offer perspectives for guiding the design of high‐performance Mn‐based oxides for SIBs.
A Fresh Look at Literacy Coaching: Employing a Clinical Literacy Coaching Framework to Improve Literacy Instruction and Student Achievement
Authors: Brieske‐Ulenski Adam , Kelley Michelle J.
Published: July 2022

This article describes the development and implementation of the Clinical Literacy Coaching Framework (CLCF) as a promising practice that was implemented in a large elementary school in the Southeastern part of the United States. The framework was implemented when the school was improving literacy instruction and student achievement. This article shares how a literacy coach used the CLCF, which includes adapted medical teaching practices and coaching rounds, to enact the roles of the literacy coach more effectively as defined by ILA's 2017 Standards. This article also explains how a literacy coach built leadership capacity in the school to support the implementation of the CLCF. Specific examples are shared throughout the article to illustrate the components of the CLCF, including how medical teaching practices with rounds can be used, and to allow for replication.
Ustekinumab treatment in ulcerative colitis: Real‐world data from the Swedish inflammatory bowel disease quality register
Authors: Thunberg Joel , Björkqvist Olle , Hedin Charlotte R. H. , Forss Anders , Söderman Charlotte , Bergemalm Daniel ,   The SWIBREG Study Group, Olén Ola , Hjortswang Henrik , Strid Hans , Ludvigsson Jonas F. , Eriksson Carl , Halfvarson Jonas
Published: July 2022

Background

Real‐world data on clinical outcomes of ustekinumab in ulcerative colitis are lacking.

Objective

To assess short‐ and long‐term clinical outcomes of ustekinumab in ulcerative colitis.

Methods

Adult ulcerative colitis patients without previous colectomy starting ustekinumab treatment up until 11 December 2020 were identified through the Swedish Inflammatory Bowel Disease Register (SWIBREG). Prospectively recorded data were extracted from the SWIBREG. The primary outcome was persistence to ustekinumab 16 weeks after treatment initiation. Secondary outcomes included drug persistence beyond week 16, clinical remission (defined as a patient‐reported Mayo rectal bleeding subscore = 0 and stool frequency subscore ≤1), biochemical remission (defined as faecal‐calprotectin <250 μg/g) and changes in health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), as measured by the Short Health Scale (SHS). Logistic regression was used to identify potential predictors of ustekinumab persistence at 16 weeks.

Results

Of the 133 patients with ulcerative colitis, only three were naïve to biologics and tofacitinib. The persistence rates of ustekinumab were 115/133 (86%) at 16 weeks and 89/133 (67%) at last follow‐up, that is, after a median follow‐up of 32 (interquartile range 19–56) weeks. The clinical remission rates were 17% at 16 weeks and 32% at the last follow‐up. The corresponding rates for biochemical remission were 14% and 23%. The median faecal‐calprotectin concentration decreased from 740 μg/g at baseline to 98 μg/g at the last follow‐up (p < 0.01, n = 37). Improvement was seen in each dimension of the SHS between baseline and last follow‐up (p < 0.01 for each dimension, n = 46). Male sex was associated with ustekinumab persistence at 16 weeks (adjusted odds ratio = 4.00, 95% confidence interval: 1.35–11.83).

Conclusion

In this nationwide real‐world cohort of ulcerative colitis patients with prior drug failures, including other biologics and tofacitinib, ustekinumab was associated with high drug persistence rates and improvements in clinical, biochemical and HRQoL measures.
Beyond the Traditional: Voluntary Market-Based Initiatives to Promote Land Tenure Security
Authors: Miteva Daniela A. , Fortmann Lea , McNab Roan
Published: July 2022

Tropical forests in developing countries are important for the provision of global ecosystem services, but also tend to be characterized by weak formal governance, high dependence on natural resource use, and, hence, rapid depletion of natural resources. Depending on the context, informal institutions may be insufficient as well. Focusing on native forests and the Forest Stewardship Council forest management certification scheme, we examine the role of markets and global supply chains as a mechanism for overcoming institutional failures and legitimizing rights to natural resources by rural communities. We posit that, in the absence of effective local institutions, voluntary certification, under certain conditions, can be a viable mechanism for the fair delineation, monitoring, and enforcement of forest property rights in developing countries.
Methods to Advance Understanding of Tenure Security: Impact Evaluation for Rigorous Evidence on Tenure Interventions
Authors: Jones Kelly W. , Blackman Allen , Arriagada Rodrigo
Published: July 2022

The impact of land tenure interventions on sustainable development outcomes is affected by political, social, economic, and environmental factors, and as a result, multiple types of evidence are needed to advance our understanding. This chapter discusses the use of counterfactual impact evaluation to identify causal relationships between tenure security and sustainable development outcomes. Rigorous evidence that tenure security leads to better outcomes for nature and people is thin and mixed. Using a theory of change as a conceptual model can help inform hypothesis testing and promote rigorous study design. Careful attention to data collection and use of experimental and quasi-experimental impact evaluation methods can advance understanding of causal connections between tenure security interventions and development outcomes.
Social Responses to Climate Change in a Politically Decentralized Context: A Case Study from East African History
Authors: Fitzsimons William
Published: July 2022

Over the past 3,000 years, speakers of the Ateker family of languages in East Africa chose various strategies to respond to periods of climate change including the end of the African Humid Period and the Medieval Climate Anomaly. Some Ateker people made wholesale changes to food production, adopting transhumant pastoralism or shifting staple crops, while others migrated to wetter lands. All borrowed new economic and social idea from neighbors. These climate-induced changes in turn had profound social and political ramifications marked by an investment in resilient systems for decentralizing power, such as age-classes and neighborhood congresses. By integrating evidence from historical linguistics and oral traditions with paleoclimatological data, this paper explores how a group of stateless societies responded to climate change. It also considers whether these cases complicate concepts such as “collapse” and “resilience” that are derived from analyses of mostly state-centric climate histories.
Lessons for Modern Environmental and Climate Policy from Iron Age South Central Africa
Authors: de Luna Kathryn , Pawlowicz Matthew , Fleisher Jeffery
Published: July 2022

How do we develop effective environmental and climate policy for regions of the world with few—if any—relevant paleoclimate, vegetation, and hydrological reconstructions and, therefore, impoverished models of the environmental and human impacts of future climate change? What if such regions are in countries with limited financial, institutional, or instrumental infrastructure to generate those records? Research in historical disciplines offer direct and indirect evidence of the relationships between societal change and past environmental and climate change, without resorting to bald instrumentalism, but, as this study shows, we need to broaden our historical toolkit if we are to develop such work in regions of the world where oral cultures and less monumental, less permanent material cultural traditions prevailed.
Success and Failure in the Norse North Atlantic: Origins, Pathway Divergence, Extinction and Survival
Authors: Jackson Rowan , Arneborg Jette , Dugmore Andrew , Harrison Ramona , Hartman Steven , Madsen Christian , Ogilvie Astrid , Simpson Ian , Smiarowski Konrad , McGovern Thomas H.
Published: July 2022

In this chapter, we examine the iconic disappearance of the Medieval Norse Greenlanders and use qualitative scenarios and counterfactual analysis to produce lessons for policymakers. We stress the role that archaeologists and historians have in adding context to contemporary social and environmental challenges and use human-environmental histories as ‘natural experiments’ with which to test scenarios. Rather than drawing direct analogies with discrete historical case studies such as Norse Greenland, such cases form complete experiments with which to ask ‘what if’ questions and learn from a range of real (retrofactual) and alternative (counterfactual) scenarios. By testing a range of scenarios associated with climate impacts and adaptive strategies, evidence from the past might be used to learn from unanticipated changes and build a better understanding of theory and concepts, including adaptation and vulnerability, and their application to the present. The Norse Greenland case study illustrates an important lesson for climate change adaptation scenarios; even a highly adaptive society can, over the course of several centuries, reach limits to adaptation when exposed to unanticipated social and environmental change.
What Stories Should Historians Be Telling at the Dawn of the Anthropocene?
Authors: Izdebski Adam
Published: July 2022

This chapter discusses the ways in which history can contribute to coping with the current planetary crisis. It argues that historians should engage more in interdisciplinary exchange across the humanities-natural sciences divide. Thus they will be able to create historical narratives fitting for the Anthropocene—both in terms of explaining it and shaping our responses to it, in particular to the acute planetary crisis that marks its advent. At the same time, history should not give up its drive to critically dissect and analyse socio-political, economic, cultural and ecological change, contributing to developing balanced and resilient public policy.
The Digital Earth Project: Focus and Agenda
Authors: Ruhnke Roland , Rechid Diana , Dransch Doris , Bouwer Laurens M. , Brix Holger , Dietrich Peter , Frickenhaus Stephan , Greinert Jens , Henkel Daniela , Petzold Andreas , zu Castell Wolfgang
Published: July 2022

Digital Earth is a project funded by the German Helmholtz Association with all centers of the research field Earth and Environment involved. The main goal of the Digital Earth project is to develop and bundle data science methods in extendable and maintainable scientific workflows that enable natural scientists in collaboration with data scientists to achieve a deeper understanding of the Earth system. This has been achieved by developing solutions for data analysis and exploration with visual and computational approaches with data obtained in a SMART monitoring approach and modeling studies, accompanied by a continuous evaluation of the collaboration processes. In this chapter, the history, setup, and focus of the Digital Earth project are described.
Data Analysis and Exploration with Visual Approaches
Authors: González Ávalos Everardo , Dransch Doris , Abraham Nicola , Buck Valentin , Eggert Daniel , Kwasnitschka Tom , Rabe Daniela , Stäbler Flemming , Wichert Viktoria
Published: July 2022

A comprehensive study of the Earth system and its related processes requires a holistic examination and understanding of multidimensional data acquired with a large number of different sensors or produced by various models. To this end, the Digital Earth project developed a set of software solutions to study environmental data sets using visual approaches. In the following chapter, we present three data visualization products developed to deal with the challenges of the analysis and exploration of environmental data.
Data Analysis and Exploration with Scientific Workflows
Authors: Dransch Doris , Eggert Daniel , Abraham Nicola , Bouwer Laurens M. , Brix Holger , Callies Ulrich , Kalbacher Thomas , Lüdtke Stefan , Merz Bruno , Nam Christine , Nixdorf Erik , Rabe Daniela , Rechid Diana , Schröter Kai , Tiedje Bente , Wendi Dadiyorto , Wichert Viktoria
Published: July 2022

Geoscientific data analysis has to face some challenges regarding seamless data analysis chains, reuse of methods and tools, interdisciplinary approaches and digitalization. Computer science and data science offer concepts to face these challenges. We took the concepts of scientific workflows and component-based software engineering and adapted it to the field of geoscience. In close collaboration of computer and geo-experts, we set up an expedient approach and technology to develop and implement scientific workflows on a conceptual and digital level. We applied the approach in the showcase “Cross-disciplinary Investigation of Flood Events” to introduce and prove the concepts in our geoscientific work environment, and assess how the approach tackles the posed challenges. This is exemplarily demonstrated with the Flood Event Explorer which has been developed in Digital Earth.
The Digital Earth Smart Monitoring Concept and Tools
Authors: Koedel Uta , Dietrich Peter , Fischer Philipp , Greinert Jens , Bundke Ulrich , Burwicz-Galerne Ewa , Haas Antonie , Herrarte Isabel , Haroon Amir , Jegen Marion , Kalbacher Thomas , Kennert Marcel , Korf Tobias , Kunkel Ralf , Kwok Ching Yin , Mahnke Christoph , Nixdorf Erik , Paasche Hendrik , González Ávalos Everardo , Petzold Andreas , Rohs Susanne , Wagner Robert , Walter Andreas
Published: July 2022

Reliable data are the base of all scientific analyses, interpretations and conclusions. Evaluating data in a smart way speeds up the process of interpretation and conclusion and highlights where, when and how additionally acquired data in the field will support knowledge gain. An extended SMART monitoring concept is introduced which includes SMART sensors, DataFlows, MetaData and Sampling approaches and tools. In the course of the Digital Earth project, the meaning of SMART monitoring has significantly evolved. It stands for a combination of hard- and software tools enhancing the traditional monitoring approach where a SMART monitoring DataFlow is processed and analyzed sequentially on the way from the sensor to a repository into an integrated analysis approach. The measured values itself, its metadata, and the status of the sensor, and additional auxiliary data can be made available in real time and analyzed to enhance the sensor output concerning accuracy and precision. Although several parts of the four tools are known, technically feasible and sometimes applied in Earth science studies, there is a large discrepancy between knowledge and our derived ambitions and what is feasible and commonly done in the reality and in the field.
Orchestrating Heterogeneous Applications: Motivation and State of the Art
Authors: Di Nitto Elisabetta , Vladušič Daniel
Published: July 2022

This chapter presents the motivation for SODALITE highlighting the difficulties faced by developers of complex applications when they need to deploy such applications in execution contexts where the usage of heterogeneous resources (HPC, Cloud and Edge) coexist. An overview of the state of the art to highlight gaps and open issues is also presented.
SODALITE Use Cases
Authors: Pita Costa Joao , Fraternali Piero , Meth Kalman , Mundt Paul , Quattrocchi Giovanni , Schneider Ralf , Tokmakov Kamil , Torres Rocio Nahime
Published: July 2022

This chapter describes the various use cases of the SODALITE project in more detail. Each use case is representative of a unique infrastructure and operational environment supported by SODALITE: Snow (Cloud/OpenStack), Clinical Trials (HPC/Torque), and Vehicle IoT (Cloud + Edge / Kubernetes). Each section includes an overview of the specific challenges faced by the use case, an overview of the use case system architecture, target infrastructure, and operational environment, followed by ways in which the SODALITE approach was successfully applied to address the unique challenges of the use case. Each section concludes with a brief review of the benefits that the use case achieved through the application of SODALITE.
The Wilson loop — large spin OPE dictionary
Authors: Bercini Carlos , Gonçalves Vasco , Homrich Alexandre , Vieira Pedro
Published: July 2022

Abstract

We work out the map between null polygonal hexagonal Wilson loops and spinning three point functions in large N conformal gauge theories by mapping the variables describing the two different physical quantities and by working out the precise normalization factors entering this duality. By fixing all the kinematics we open the ground for a precise study of the dynamics underlying these dualities — most notably through integrability in the case of planar maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory.
$${\text {UMD}}$$-Extensions of Calderón–Zygmund Operators with Mild Kernel Regularity
Authors: Airta Emil , Martikainen Henri , Vuorinen Emil
Published: July 2022

Armed with new methods we revisit a result of Figiel concerning the $${\text {UMD}}$$
UMD
-extensions of linear Calderón–Zygmund operators with mild kernel regularity and then extend our new proof to the multilinear setting improving recent $${\text {UMD}}$$
UMD
-valued estimates of multilinear singular integrals.