bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the Yield Stress in Liquid Polydimethylsiloxane to Allow Its 3D Printing: Hydrogels as Removable Fillers
Authors: Perrinet Clément , Courtial Edwin‐Joffrey , Colly Arthur , Marquette Christophe , Fulchiron René
Published: January 2021

For manufacturing parts of very soft materials by liquid deposition modeling (e.g., to mimic living soft tissues), formulations of 3D‐printable polydimethylsiloxane have been developed, with the aim of increasing the yield stress of the liquid and reducing the final mechanical modulus. In the present work, suspensions of solid‐like hydrogel particles, which are easily 3D‐printable, are prepared in order to generate yield stress, and the suspended phase is removed after manufacturing by taking advantage of the thermo‐reversibility of the hydrogel behavior, resulting in porosity, which reduces the final rigidity. The reported approach is even more efficient than a previous approach based on emulsion formulations.
Mechanistic insights and selected synthetic routes of atomically precise metal nanoclusters
Authors: Gharib Mustafa , Galchenko Michael , Klinke Christian , Parak Wolfgang J. , Chakraborty Indranath
Published: January 2021

During the last few decades, noble metal nanoclusters (NCs) have become an exciting building block in the field of nanoscience. With their ultrasmall size that ranges between 1 and 2 nm, NCs fill the gap between atoms and nanoparticles (NPs), and they show significantly different physicochemical properties compared to their bulk counterparts, such as molecule‐like HOMO‐LUMO discrete electronic transitions, photoluminescence, etc. These properties made NCs potential candidates in various applications, including catalysis, chemical/bioimaging, biomedicine, sensing, and energy conversion. Controlling the size of NPs, which usually exhibit a degree of polydispersity, has been a significant challenge for nano‐scientists. However, metal NCs with atomic precision pave the way to accurately fabricate NPs based on an atom‐by‐atom assembly. This Perspective is directed to the community of nano‐scientists interested in the field of NCs and summarizes the most commonly used synthetic routes of atomically precise metal NCs. Moreover, this Perspective provides an understanding of the different techniques used to control the size of metal NCs with insights on switching the surface ligands from phosphine to thiol. This Perspective also explains the role of physicochemical parameters in different synthetic routes such as high‐temperature route, CO‐directed route, solid‐state route, ligand‐exchange‐induced size/structure transformation (LEIST), etc. We finally give a brief outlook on future challenges of currently used synthetic routes with some suggestions to improve them.
Acceptability and feasibility of survivorship care plans and an accompanying mobile health intervention for adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: King‐Dowling Sara , Psihogios Alexandra M. , Hill‐Kayser Christine , Szalda Dava , O'Hagan Bridget , Darabos Katie , Daniel Lauren C. , Barakat Lamia P. , Fleisher Linda , Maurer Laurie A. , Velázquez‐Martin Blanca , Jacobs Linda A. , Hobbie Wendy , Ginsberg Jill P. , Vachani Carolyn C. , Metz James M. , Schwartz Lisa A.
Published: January 2021

Background

Self‐management interventions for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer are needed. The present study reports on the acceptability and feasibility of delivering survivorship care plans (SCPs) and an accompanying app to AYA.

Procedure

AYA (n = 224) ages 15‐29 who completed treatment for cancer were randomized and received a digital SCP only or an SCP plus a mobile app intended to enhance self‐management. For 16 weeks, the app delivered one to two daily messages complementing information in their SCP and tailored based on age, treatment, and health goal. Data are presented on feasibility, self‐reported acceptability (including satisfaction and perceived benefits) and its relationship to app engagement (for those in app group), and feedback from qualitative interviews conducted with 10 AYA.

Results

The SCP and app proved feasible as evidenced by high recruitment and retention, access to technology, time analysis, moderate app engagement, and minimal technical issues. However, 12% reported never reading the SCP and 8% never used the app. The app and SCP were acceptable to AYA, and SCP acceptability ratings did not differ between groups. For those with the app, acceptability was positively related to message engagement. AYA recommended enhanced individualization and design features of the SCP and app.

Conclusions

Results support the use of tailored SCPs and mobile health interventions for most AYA, as well as the need for further refinement and research. Delivery of SCPs and digital interventions are acceptable and feasible to AYA survivors, and may help promote health‐related knowledge and survivorship self‐management.
Determination of the Critical Temperature of Self‐Ignition of Explosives from the Stability Analysis of the Thermal Conductivity Equation
Authors: Khaneft Alexander
Published: January 2021

The analysis of stability of the heat conductivity equation with exothermic reaction of zero order and volume‐averaged stationary temperature the criteria of thermal explosion of condensed explosive materials (EM) expressions were obtained for parallelepiped, cylinder of finite length and sphere. Estimations of kinetic parameters (frequency factor and thermal decomposition rate activation energy) of HMX and FOX‐12 were performed. The numerical solution of thermal conductivity equation for HMX and FOX‐12 in the form of cubes was done. A good agreement of the EM ignition criterion in the form of a cube with the available experimental results and numerical solutions of the thermal conductivity equation was obtained. We showed that accounting for the decomposition reaction in the thermal conductivity equation leads to a slight increase in the critical ignition temperature for HMX and FOX‐12.
Spirodiclofen ether derivatives: semisynthesis, structural elucidation, and pesticidal activities against Tetranychus cinnabarinusBoisduval, Aphis citricolaVan der Goot and Mythimna separataWalker
Authors: Li Shaochen , Lv Min , Li Tianze , Hao Meng , Xu Hui
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Spirodiclofen is a spirocyclic tetronic acid‐type acaricidal agent. Nowadays, serious pests resistance to spirodiclofen and cross‐resistance to other acaricides has appeared. To overcome pests resistance and discover new potential agrochemicals, a series of ether derivatives were prepared based on spirodiclofen as a lead compound. Their pesticidal activities were investigated against three typically agricultural pests, Mythimna separata Walker, Aphis citricola Van der Goot and Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval.

RESULTS

Four steric structures of compounds 5e, 5f, 5i and 5j were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Against T. cinnabarinus, compounds 5b, 5f and 5l exhibited potent acaricidal activity, and their good control effects in the glasshouse were observed when compared with spirodiclofen, especially the control efficiency of compound 5b was comparable to that of spirodiclofen; against M. separata, compound 5j showed > 1.8‐fold potent insecticidal activity of spirodiclofen; against A. citricola, compounds 5d and 5j displayed > 2.0‐fold potent aphicidal activity of spirodiclofen. The relationships between their structures and agricultural activities were also discussed.

CONCLUSION

Compounds 5b and 5d could be further studied as acaricidal and aphicidal agents, respectively; compound 5j can be considered as a lead compound for the insecticidal and aphicidal activities. This will pave the way for future application of these derivatives as pesticide substitutes for spirodiclofen. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Temperature‐ and Bias‐Dependent Degradation and Regeneration of Perovskite Solar Cells with Organic and Inorganic Hole Transport Layers
Authors: Swartz Craig H. , Khakurel Nischal , Najar Selena R. , Hossain Mohammed I. , Zakhidov Alex
Published: January 2021

Hybrid halide perovskite solar cells have drawn widespread attention with the achievement of high power conversion efficiencies. However, poor stability remains the greatest barrier preventing their commercialization. Performance degradation and recovery have a complicated dependence on the environment and a dependence on the applied bias, which affects ion migration. Herein, solar cells with an organic hole transport layer and cells with an inorganic hole transport layer are compared. A type of degradation of the organic transport layer is examined, which is reversible by applying a forward bias soak, and how the degradation arises from ion migration mechanisms is explained. Experimental current–voltage and capacitance transient measurements are conducted as a function of temperature. The resulting S‐kink and positive capacitance decay are explained in terms of the modeled effects of a changing ion density at the hole transport layer. An irreversible degradation is found upon heating to more than 100 °C. On the contrary, the inorganic hole transport layer is found to eliminate the observable effects of ion migration, even at elevated temperatures, so long as air exposure is avoided.
The role of logistics performance for sustainable development in top Asian countries: Evidence from advance panel estimations
Authors: Suki Norazah Mohd , Suki Norbayah Mohd , Sharif Arshian , Afshan Sahar
Published: January 2021

The logistics played an important role in the economic excellence of any country and region. However, being a major consumer of energy it also has adverse effects. Therefore there is a need to understand the role of logistics from economic and environmental aspects. By grounding on the theoretical foundations of IPAT and STIRPAT, the dataset of the present study is comprised of top Asian countries having 540 observations from the year 2010 to 2018 (quarterly). After applying multiple preliminary tests, including cross‐section dependence, unit root tests, and cointegration, the long run and short‐run relationship among the studied variables are explored by employing the Cross‐sectionally augmented autoregressive distributed lags (CS‐ARDL). The study confirms the significance of logistic performance index (LPI) in complementing economic growth (EG) and countering carbon emission (CE) along with the other theoretical determinants of IPAT and STIRPAT. Based on the findings, the results are discussed whereas policy implications are also proposed which states the transformation of existing logistical infrastructure towards more environment friendly operations. Lastly the limitations are discussed, on which future research directions are also recommended.
Phosphoric Acid: A Key Role in Control of Structure and Properties of Vanadium Phosphorus Oxide Catalysts During Synthesis
Authors: Zhang Ting , Zhang Ruirui , Zhang Yongkang , Xie Zhiqi , Li Yingwei , Wu Hui , Dai Fei , Liu Ruixia
Published: January 2021

The catalytic performance of vanadium phosphorus oxide (VPO) catalysts is closely related to the synthetic conditions of precursors. Herein, the role of phosphoric acid during VPO precursors synthesis process was thoroughly studied by investigating the morphology, crystal phase composition, and surface chemical property of VPO catalysts and their precursors. The H3PO4 concentration, the temperature of reaction system at the time of H3PO4 adding, and H3PO4 adding speed were optimized to prepared efficient VPO catalysts which applied in selective oxidation of n‐butane to produce maleic anhydride (MA). The obtained VPO catalyst by adding 85 % H3PO4 at or above 110 °C with the speed of approximate 1.1 mL/min could exhibit promising catalytic performances, which are 93.8 % of n‐butane conversion and 62.4 % of MA yield at 420 °C. Thus, this study emphasized the role of H3PO4 adding during VPO synthesis process, which is favorable to understand and fabricate the compositional, structural, and morphological properties of VPO catalysts.
Lead‐Less Halide Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Gollino Liam , Pauporté Thierry
Published: January 2021

The rise and commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is hindered by the toxicity of lead present in the perovskites used as the solar light absorber. To counter this problem, lead (Pb) can be fully (lead‐free) or partially (lead‐less) replaced by diverse elements. The former compounds suffer from poor efficiency and poor stability, whereas the later appear more promising. Herein, a survey of the methods reported in the literature to reduce Pb content in PSCs to fabricate “lead‐less” (also called “lead‐deficient”) PSCs is offered. First, the comparison of Sn and Pb elements and the partial replacement of Pb by Sn are developed. Then, its substitution by either Ge, Sr, or other alkaline‐earth‐metals, transition metals, and elements from columns 12, 13, and 15 of the periodic table are detailed. The new families of perovskites based on the insertion of organic cations to replace lead and halogen units, namely the “lead‐deficient” and “hollow” halide perovskites are then presented and discussed. Finally, atypical ways to reduce the toxicity of PSCs are presented: perovskite layer thickness reduction via optimization of photon collection, integration of photonic structures, and usage of recycled lead. The current achievements and the outlook of those strategies are presented and discussed.
High‐Quality Two‐Dimensional Metal‐Organic Framework Nanofilms for Nonvolatile Memristive Switching
Authors: Liu Lei , Dong Jie , Liu Jie , Liang Qiu , Song Yaru , Li Wanhui , Lei Shengbin , Hu Wenping
Published: January 2021

Metal‐organic framework (MOFs) nanofilm offer new perspectives as active layers in memristor devices due to their large surface area, high chemical and thermal stability, permanent porosity, and tunable structure. Though various methods are reported for the preparation of MOF nanofilms, the development of new methods to improve the quality is still essential toward their broader and large‐scale application. Herein, Cu3(HHTP)2 (HHTP = 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11‐hexahydroxytriphenylene) nanofilms with a large lateral dimension, high homogeneity, and controllable thickness (from 45 to 130 nm) are prepared at the air–liquid interface and further applied in memory devices. The device exhibits a forming‐free, superior retention (1.2 × 104 s) performance with low power consumption and reliability. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) is applied to gain an insight into the switching mechanism. Herein, a facile and effective method for the preparation of MOF nanofilms is provided and the potential application of MOFs in electronic devices is further proved.
A new method to estimate the economic activity supported by offshore wind: A hypothetical extraction study for the United Kingdom
Authors: Allan Grant , Connolly Kevin , McGregor Peter , Ross Andrew G.
Published: January 2021

As well as their role in contributing towards emissions reductions targets, it is increasingly relevant for policymakers to understand the contribution that renewable energy technologies make to the economy. Various methods have been used to quantify impacts, such as job counts, surveys and measures based on economic statistics. Economic modelling approaches on the other hand appear to offer an ability to both provide metrics of interest to policymakers and crucially an understanding of the activities which support that contribution. In this paper, we implement a new method for estimating the activity supported by renewable energy activities; applying a ‘hypothetical extraction’ of offshore wind—to identify the contribution that such activities make to U.K. economic activity, job quality and national emissions. By undertaking the partial extraction of offshore wind from an aggregated input–output (IO) table and then subsequently from one in which we have separated out the offshore wind electricity sector, we highlight the value of more disaggregation and technology‐specific detail in economic accounts. The results from our fullest extraction suggest that in 2010, offshore wind in the United Kingdom supported 10 240 jobs, with 9 in 10 of these jobs either medium or high skill, and contributed £780 million to gross domestic product (GDP). In addition, a significant portion of activity supported by offshore wind is attributable to expansions in capacity rather than operational activities.
Entropy production far from equilibrium in a chiral charged plasma in the presence of external electromagnetic fields
Authors: Cartwright Casey
Published: January 2021

Abstract

We report on the time evolution of a charged strongly coupled N = 4 SYM plasma with an axial anomaly subjected to strong electromagnetic fields. The evolution of this plasma corresponds to a fully backreacted asymptotically AdS5 solution to the Einstein-Maxwell-Chern-Simons theory. We explore the evolution of the axial current and production of axial charges. As an application we show that after a sufficiently long time both the entropy and the holographic entanglement entropy of a strip-like topology (both parallel to and transverse to the flow of axial current) grow linearly in time.
Cellular sources of TSPO expression in healthy and diseased brain
Authors: Nutma Erik , Ceyzériat Kelly , Amor Sandra , Tsartsalis Stergios , Millet Philippe , Owen David R. , Papadopoulos Vassilios , Tournier Benjamin B.
Published: January 2021

The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is a highly conserved protein located in the outer mitochondrial membrane. TSPO binding, as measured with positron emission tomography (PET), is considered an in vivo marker of neuroinflammation. Indeed, TSPO expression is altered in neurodegenerative, neuroinflammatory, and neuropsychiatric diseases. In PET studies, the TSPO signal is often viewed as a marker of microglial cell activity. However, there is little evidence in support of a microglia-specific TSPO expression. This review describes the cellular sources and functions of TSPO in animal models of disease and human studies, in health, and in central nervous system diseases. A discussion of methods of analysis and of quantification of TSPO is also presented. Overall, it appears that the alterations of TSPO binding, their cellular underpinnings, and the functional significance of such alterations depend on many factors, notably the pathology or the animal model under study, the disease stage, and the involved brain regions. Thus, further studies are needed to fully determine how changes in TSPO binding occur at the cellular level with the ultimate goal of revealing potential therapeutic pathways.
Moving from Latent to Manifest Problem: Trajectories Across Scientific and Public Salience of Invasive Alien Species
Authors: Vaas J. , Driessen P. P. J. , Giezen M. , van Laerhoven F. , Wassen M. J.
Published: January 2021

Who worries first about an invasive alien species: scientists or the general public, or do both become concerned simultaneously? Taking thirteen invasive alien species in the Netherlands, this article reconstructs the development of their public and scientific salience: the attention they attracted and the knowledge about them. Salience was assessed from the number of publications from 1997 onwards in the LexisNexis newspaper database and Scopus scientific database. Three trajectories were derived for a species to move from being a latent problem with low salience toward a manifest status with high public and scientific salience. In the most common trajectory, scientific salience increased first, followed by an increase in public salience. We probed the merit of this concept of trajectories by examining the action undertaken for a representative species of the trajectories. We assigned each of these three species a code for inertia and inaction based on the content of a hundred newspaper articles and all available government documents. Knowing the scientific and public salience of these species clarifies why the actions to deal with them differed even though from an ecological perspective they warranted similar attention. The typology of public and scientific salience and the problem trajectories developed in this article together offer a structured approach for understanding an invasive alien species and provide pointers for engaging a community in managing that species.
An Innovative National Programme for Comprehensive Chronic Wound Therapy and Its Impact on Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Mitura Kryspin
Published: January 2021

Background

Although the lifetime prevalence of chronic ulcers tends to be approximately 2.2–10 per 1000 population, no systemic solutions for this problem have been implemented in many countries. It is still not fully agreed whether treatment of chronic wounds requires hospitalization, which incurs high costs, or whether the therapy can be carried out entirely in an outpatient setting. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the 5‐year activity and effectiveness of a national programme for the comprehensive treatment of chronic wounds based on hybrid care for patients. Treatment of nonhealing chronic wounds begins in the hospital, where necessary diagnostic actions are carried out, followed by surgical cleansing of the wound and selection of appropriate dressings. Then, the treatment is continued in the outpatient setting with a continuous patient education. The programme is divided into four subsequent stages. In addition, the present study compared the effectiveness of chronic wound treatment with that in the period before implementation of the programme.

Methods

From January 2015 to December 2019, 383 patients were treated at a centre for chronic wounds. We analysed the outcomes in 227 individuals with chronic venous ulceration or diabetic foot syndrome.

Results

The mean wound area at the time of introduction of treatment was 36 cm2 (1–290; SD 34). After three stages of treatment, wounds were completely healed in 139 patients (61.2%), 78 patients with venous ulcers (55.3%) and 61 patients with diabetic foot (70.9%). In an additional 67 cases (29.5%), a significant reduction in wound area and depth was achieved, and the treatment was continued beyond the actual treatment programme. No significant effect was achieved in 21 patients (9.2%). In the group of patients treated without systematic application of the guidelines of the programme, wound healing occurred only in 19 cases (26.8%), reduction in the wound area occurred in 27 patients (38.0%), and lack of any healing progress or even worsening of the wound status was found in the remaining 25 cases (35.2%); these differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Treatment of chronic wounds based on a systematic dedicated programme using an experienced multidisciplinary team of professionals allows to obtain better results in terms of reduction in wound area and might be an effective procedure. The combination of frequent, scheduled outpatient visits, access to inpatient treatment, and regular education of patients based on a standard form improves treatment outcomes.
Basale Wirkmodelle in der Psychotherapie
Authors: Flückiger Christoph
Published: January 2021

Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über verschiedene Ansätze, wie die Wirkungsweise von Psychotherapie erklärt werden kann. Basierend auf dem biopsychosozialen Rahmenmodell postuliert die evidenzbasierte Praxis einen Rahmen des professionellen psychotherapeutischen Handelns. Grundsätzlich haben alle an der Therapie beteiligten Personen aktive Mitwirkung. Allgemeine Wirkfaktoren wie beispielsweise die Bereitschaft der Patient*innen zur Veränderung, die Qualität der gemeinsamen Arbeitsallianz oder die Auseinandersetzung der Therapeut*innen mit systematischem Feedback werden dabei als übergeordnete störungs- und therapieschulenübergreifende Wirkkomponenten verstanden.
Relating model bias and prediction skill in the equatorial Atlantic
Authors: Counillon François , Keenlyside Noel , Toniazzo Thomas , Koseki Shunya , Demissie Teferi , Bethke Ingo , Wang Yiguo
Published: January 2021

We investigate the impact of large climatological biases in the tropical Atlantic on reanalysis and seasonal prediction performance using the Norwegian Climate Prediction Model (NorCPM) in a standard and an anomaly coupled configuration. Anomaly coupling corrects the climatological surface wind and sea surface temperature (SST) fields exchanged between oceanic and atmospheric models, and thereby significantly reduces the climatological model biases of precipitation and SST. NorCPM combines the Norwegian Earth system model with the ensemble Kalman filter and assimilates SST and hydrographic profiles. We perform a reanalysis for the period 1980–2010 and a set of seasonal predictions for the period 1985–2010 with both model configurations. Anomaly coupling improves the accuracy and the reliability of the reanalysis in the tropical Atlantic, because the corrected model enables a dynamical reconstruction that satisfies better the observations and their uncertainty. Anomaly coupling also enhances seasonal prediction skill in the equatorial Atlantic to the level of the best models of the North American multi-model ensemble, while the standard model is among the worst. However, anomaly coupling slightly damps the amplitude of Atlantic Niño and Niña events. The skill enhancements achieved by anomaly coupling are largest for forecast started from August and February. There is strong spring predictability barrier, with little skill in predicting conditions in June. The anomaly coupled system show some skill in predicting the secondary Atlantic Niño-II SST variability that peaks in November–December from August 1st.
Concomitant tricuspid regurgitation severity and its secondary reduction determine long-term prognosis after transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair
Authors: Geyer Martin , Keller Karsten , Bachmann Kevin , Born Sonja , Tamm Alexander R. , Ruf Tobias Friedrich , Kreidel Felix , Hahad Omar , Petrescu Aniela , Hell Michaela , Beiras-Fernandez Andres , Kornberger Angela , Schulz Eberhard , Münzel Thomas , von Bardeleben Ralph Stephan
Published: January 2021

Background

Concomitant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common finding in mitral regurgitation (MR). Transcatheter repair (TMVR) is a favorable treatment option in patients at elevated surgical risk. To date, evidence on long-term prognosis and the prognostic impact of TR after TMVR is limited.

Methods

Long-term survival data of patients undergoing isolated edge-to-edge repair from June 2010 to March 2018 (combinations with other forms of TMVR or tricuspid valve therapy excluded) were analyzed in a retrospective monocentric study. TR severity was categorized and the impact of TR on survival was analysed.

Results

Overall, 606 patients [46.5% female, 56.4% functional MR (FMR)] were enrolled in this study. TR at baseline was categorized severe/medium/mild/no or trace in 23.2/34.3/36.3/6.3% of the cases. At 30-day follow-up, improvement of at least one TR-grade was documented in 34.9%. Severe TR at baseline was identified as predictor of 1-year survival [65.2% vs. 77.0%, p = 0.030; HR for death 1.68 (95% CI 1.12–2.54), p = 0.013] and in FMR-patients also regarding long-term prognosis [adjusted HR for long-term mortality 1.57 (95% CI 1.00–2.45), p = 0.049]. Missing post-interventional reduction of TR severity was predictive for poor prognosis, especially in the FMR-subgroup [1-year survival: 92.9% vs. 78.3%, p = 0.025; HR for death at 1-year follow-up 3.31 (95% CI 1.15–9.58), p = 0.027]. While BNP levels decreased in both subgroups, TR reduction was associated with improved symptomatic benefit (NYHA-class-reduction 78.6 vs. 65.9%, p = 0.021).

Conclusion

In this large study, both, severe TR at baseline as well as missing secondary reduction were predictive for impaired long-term prognosis, especially in patients with FMR etiology. TR reduction was associated with increased symptomatic benefit.

Graphic abstract
Towards developing an organotypic model for the preclinical study and manipulation of human hair matrix-dermal papilla interactions
Authors: Platt Christopher I. , Chéret Jeremy , Paus Ralf
Published: January 2021

Organ culture of microdissected scalp hair follicles (HFs) has become the gold standard for human ex vivo hair research; however, availability is becoming very limited. Although various simplistic “HF-equivalent” in vitro models have been developed to overcome this limitation, they often fail to sufficiently mimic the complex cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal cell populations that underlie the specific growth processes occurring in a native HF. Here, we have attempted to overcome these limitations by developing a novel human hair research model that combines dermal papilla (DP) fibroblasts, cultured as 3-dimensional (3D) spheroids (DPS), with plucked anagen hair shafts (HS). We show that DPS express HF inductivity markers, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), versican and noggin, while plucked HSs retain substantial remnants of the anagen hair matrix. When cultured together, DPS adhere to and surround the plucked HS (HS-DPS), and significantly enhance HS expression of the differentiation marker keratin-85 (K85; p < 0.0001), while simultaneously decreasing the percentage of TUNEL + cells in the proximal HS (p = 0.0508). This simple model may offer a physiologically relevant first step toward evaluating HF differentiation in the human anagen hair matrix.
Effectiveness of progesterone-primed ovarian stimulation in assisted reproductive technology: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cui Ling , Lin Yonghong , Wang Fang , Chen Chen
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) is a new ovarian stimulation protocol that has been used over the last decade to enhance reproductive function. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether PPOS is as effective as conventional protocols (without GnRHa downregulation).

Method

Search terms included “medroxyprogesterone”, “dydrogesterone”, “progestin-primed ovarian stimulation”, “PPOS”, “oocyte retrieval”, “in vitro fertilization”, “IVF”, “ICSI”, “ART”, and “reproductive”. The selection criteria were nonrandomized studies and randomized controlled studies. For data collection and analysis, the Review Manager software, Newcastle–Ottowa Quality Assessment Scale and GRADE approach were used.

Results

The clinical pregnancy rates were not significantly different in either RCTs or NRCTs [RR 0.96, 95% CI (0.69–1.33), I2 = 71%, P = 0.81]; [RR 0.99, 95% CI (0.83–1.17), I2 = 38%, P = 0.88]. The live birth rates of RCTs and NRCTs did not differ [RCT: RR 1.08, 95% CI (0.74, 1.57), I2 = 66%, P = 0.69; NRCT: OR 1.03 95% CI 0.84–1.26), I2 = 50%, P = 0.79]. The PPOS protocol had a lower rate of OHSS [RR 0.52, 95% CI (0.36–0.75), I2 = 0%, P = 0.0006]. The secondary results showed that compared to the control protocol, the endometrium was thicker [95% CI (0.00–0.78), I2 = 0%, P = 0.05], the number of obtained embryos was higher [95% CI (0.04–0.65), I2 = 17%, P = 0.03] and more hMG was needed [in NRCT: 95% CI (307.44, 572.73), I2 = 0%, P < 0.00001] with the PPOS protocol.

Conclusion

The PPOS protocol produces more obtained embryos and a thicker endometrium than the control protocol, with a lower rate of OHSS and an equal live birth rate. The PPOS protocol could be a safe option as a personalized protocol for infertile patients.

Trial registration

Registration at PROSPERO: CRD42020176577.
Central and peripheral nervous system complications of COVID-19: a prospective tertiary center cohort with 3-month follow-up
Authors: Nersesjan Vardan , Amiri Moshgan , Lebech Anne-Mette , Roed Casper , Mens Helene , Russell Lene , Fonsmark Lise , Berntsen Marianne , Sigurdsson Sigurdur Thor , Carlsen Jonathan , Langkilde Annika Reynberg , Martens Pernille , Lund Eva Løbner , Hansen Klaus , Jespersen Bo , Folke Marie Norsker , Meden Per , Hejl Anne-Mette , Wamberg Christian , Benros Michael E. , Kondziella Daniel
Published: January 2021

Objective

To systematically describe central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous system complications in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, consecutive, observational study of adult patients from a tertiary referral center with confirmed COVID-19. All patients were screened daily for neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms during admission and discharge. Three-month follow-up data were collected using electronic health records. We classified complications as caused by SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism, immune-mediated or critical illness-related.

Results

From April to September 2020, we enrolled 61 consecutively admitted COVID-19 patients, 35 (57%) of whom required intensive care (ICU) management for respiratory failure. Forty-one CNS/PNS complications were identified in 28 of 61 (45.9%) patients and were more frequent in ICU compared to non-ICU patients. The most common CNS complication was encephalopathy (n = 19, 31.1%), which was severe in 13 patients (GCS ≤ 12), including 8 with akinetic mutism. Length of ICU admission was independently associated with encephalopathy (OR = 1.22). Other CNS complications included ischemic stroke, a biopsy-proven acute necrotizing encephalitis, and transverse myelitis. The most common PNS complication was critical illness polyneuromyopathy (13.1%), with prolonged ICU stay as independent predictor (OR = 1.14). Treatment-related PNS complications included meralgia paresthetica. Of 41 complications in total, 3 were para/post-infectious, 34 were secondary to critical illness or other causes, and 4 remained unresolved. Cerebrospinal fluid was negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in all 5 patients investigated.

Conclusion

CNS and PNS complications were common in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, particularly in the ICU, and often attributable to critical illness. When COVID-19 was the primary cause for neurological disease, no signs of viral neurotropism were detected, but laboratory changes suggested autoimmune-mediated mechanisms.
Prognostic impact of rapid reduction of involved free light chains in multiple myeloma patients under first-line treatment with Bendamustine, Prednisone, and Bortezomib (BPV)
Authors: Holzhey Tanja , Pönisch Wolfram , Wang Song-Yau , Holzvogt Madlen , Holzvogt Bruno , Andrea Marc , Zehrfeld Thomas , Hammerschmidt Doreen , Hoffmann Franz Albert , Becker Cornelia , Schwarzer Andreas , Schwarz Maik , Schönfelder-Fricke Uta , Edelmann Thomas , Braunert Leanthe , Franke Georg-Nikolaus , Jentzsch Madlen , Schwind Sebastian , Bill Markus , Grimm Juliane , Remane Yvonne , Platzbecker Uwe , Scholz Markus
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Light chain involvement is observed in almost every patient (pt) with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Owing to a relatively short half-life, rapid reduction in the involved free light chain (iFLC) is of potential prognostic value.

Methods

This retrospective analysis included 92 pts with newly diagnosed MM treated with bendamustine, prednisone, and bortezomib (BPV).

Results

After a median number of two (range 1–5) BPV cycles, the majority of pts (n = 86; 93%) responded with either sCR (n = 21), CR (n = 1), nCR (n = 25), VGPR (n = 20), or PR (n = 19). PFS and OS at 48 months were 39% and 67%, respectively. At baseline, 79 out of 92 pts (86%) had iFLC levels above the upper standard level and an abnormal ratio of involved to uninvolved free light chain ≥ 8. In a subgroup analysis of these pts, we evaluated the prognostic importance of an early reduction of the iFLC during the first two BPV cycles. A reduction ≥ 50% of the iFLC on day 8 of the first cycle was observed in 31 of 69 pts. These pts had a significantly better median PFS of 49 months as compared to 20 months in 38 pts with a lower iFLC reduction (p = 0.002). In contrast, OS did not differ significantly with a 48 months survival of 77% vs 69% (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

These results indicate that a rapid decrease in the iFLC on day 8 is an early prognostic marker for newly diagnosed MM pts undergoing BPV treatment.
On quasisymmetric embeddings of the Brownian map and continuum trees
Authors: Troscheit Sascha
Published: January 2021

The Brownian map is a model of random geometry on the sphere and as such an important object in probability theory and physics. It has been linked to Liouville Quantum Gravity and much research has been devoted to it. One open question asks for a canonical embedding of the Brownian map into the sphere or other, more abstract, metric spaces. Similarly, Liouville Quantum Gravity has been shown to be “equivalent” to the Brownian map but the exact nature of the correspondence (i.e. embedding) is still unknown. In this article we show that any embedding of the Brownian map or continuum random tree into$${{\,\mathrm{\mathbb {R}}\,}}^d$$Rd,$${{\,\mathrm{\mathbb {S}}\,}}^d$$Sd,$${{\,\mathrm{\mathbb {T}}\,}}^d$$Td, or more generally any doubling metric space, cannot be quasisymmetric. We achieve this with the aid of dimension theory by identifying a metric structure that is invariant under quasisymmetric mappings (such as isometries) and which implies infinite Assouad dimension. We show, using elementary methods, that this structure is almost surely present in the Brownian continuum random tree and the Brownian map. We further show that snowflaking the metric is not sufficient to find an embedding and discuss continuum trees as a tool to studying “fractal functions”.
Lysosome function in glomerular health and disease
Authors: Meyer-Schwesinger Catherine
Published: January 2021

The lysosome represents an important regulatory platform within numerous vesicle trafficking pathways including the endocytic, phagocytic, and autophagic pathways. Its ability to fuse with endosomes, phagosomes, and autophagosomes enables the lysosome to break down a wide range of both endogenous and exogenous cargo, including macromolecules, certain pathogens, and old or damaged organelles. Due to its center position in an intricate network of trafficking events, the lysosome has emerged as a central signaling node for sensing and orchestrating the cells metabolism and immune response, for inter-organelle and inter-cellular signaling and in membrane repair. This review highlights the current knowledge of general lysosome function and discusses these findings in their implication for renal glomerular cell types in health and disease including the involvement of glomerular cells in lysosomal storage diseases and the role of lysosomes in nongenetic glomerular injuries.
Soil frost affects stem diameter growth of Norway spruce with delay
Authors: Repo Tapani , Domisch Timo , Kilpeläinen Jouni , Mäkinen Harri
Published: January 2021

Key message

A lack of snow cover and increased soil freezing may not only have short-term impacts on trees but longer-lasting lagged effects on radial growth.

Soil temperature and soil frost intensity are affected by the depth of insulating snow cover and the timing of snowmelt which are predicted to change by climate warming. This may increase tree growth if there is less soil freezing or decrease growth if there is no insulating snow cover, but frost temperatures still exist. Previously, we showed that the changes in soil frost by snow manipulations in a ~ 50-year-old stand of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] in eastern Finland in two winters (2005/2006 and 2006/2007) led to short-term changes in physiology, morphology, and the growth of the shoots and roots. The treatments were: (1) control with natural insulating snow accumulation and melting; (2) snow removal during winter; and (3) snow removal in winter and insulation at the top of the forest floor in late winter to delay soil thawing. In this study, we examined the lagged effects of those treatments by radial trunk increment cores during the nine-year recovery period after the termination of the treatments. Annual ring width index (AWI) was calculated for each year by normalization of the ring width in the respective year in proportion to the ring width in the last year (2005) before the treatments. No differences in AWI were found between the treatments before or during the snow manipulation period. However, differences started to appear 1 year after the treatments were finished, became significant 4 years later in 2011 and lasted for 3 years. The radial increment was lower in the treatment with snow removed than in the control and in the treatment with insulation to delay soil thawing, but there were no differences between the latter two treatments. The results indicate that a lack of snow cover may not only have short-term impacts but longer-lasting consequences on the radial growth of trees. The positive effects of prolonged growing season by the increasing summer temperatures on forest growth predicted for the boreal region may therefore not be fully realised due to the negative effects of decreased snow cover and increasing soil freezing.
Self-Expanders of the Mean Curvature Flow
Authors: Smoczyk Knut
Published: January 2021

We study self-expanding solutions $M^{m}\subset \mathbb {R}^{n}$

M

m

⊂

ℝ

n

of the mean curvature flow. One of our main results is, that complete mean convex self-expanding hypersurfaces are products of self-expanding curves and flat subspaces, if and only if the function |A|2/|H|2 attains a local maximum, where A denotes the second fundamental form and H the mean curvature vector of M. If the principal normal ξ = H/|H| is parallel in the normal bundle, then a similar result holds in higher codimension for the function |Aξ|2/|H|2, where Aξ is the second fundamental form with respect to ξ. As a corollary we obtain that complete mean convex self-expanders attain strictly positive scalar curvature, if they are smoothly asymptotic to cones of non-negative scalar curvature. In particular, in dimension 2 any mean convex self-expander that is asymptotic to a cone must be strictly convex.
Point-of-care lung ultrasound for the assessment of pneumonia: a narrative review in the COVID-19 era
Authors: Kameda Toru , Mizuma Yoshihiro , Taniguchi Hayato , Fujita Masato , Taniguchi Nobuyuki
Published: January 2021

In the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) era, point-of-care lung ultrasound (LUS) has attracted increased attention. Prospective studies on LUS for the assessment of pneumonia in adult patients were extensively carried out for more than 10 years before this era. None of these prospective studies attempted to differentiate bacterial and viral pneumonia in adult patients using LUS. The majority of studies considered the LUS examination to be positive if sonographic consolidations or multiple B-lines were observed. Significant differences existed in the accuracy of these studies. Some studies revealed that LUS showed superior sensitivity to chest X-ray. These results indicate that point-of-care LUS has the potential to be an initial imaging modality for the diagnosis of pneumonia. The LUS diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care units is more challenging in comparison with the diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia in emergency departments due to the limited access to the mechanically ventilated patients and the high prevalence of atelectasis. However, several studies have demonstrated that the combination of LUS findings with other clinical markers improved the diagnostic accuracy. In the COVID-19 era, many case reports and small observational studies on COVID-19 pneumonia have been published in a short period. Multiple B-lines were the most common and consistent finding in COVID-19 pneumonia. Serial LUS showed the deterioration of the disease. The knowledge and ideas on the application of LUS in the management of pneumonia that are expected to accumulate in the COVID-19 era may provide us with clues regarding more appropriate management.
Stochastic proximal gradient methods for nonconvex problems in Hilbert spaces
Authors: Geiersbach Caroline , Scarinci Teresa
Published: January 2021

For finite-dimensional problems, stochastic approximation methods have long been used to solve stochastic optimization problems. Their application to infinite-dimensional problems is less understood, particularly for nonconvex objectives. This paper presents convergence results for the stochastic proximal gradient method applied to Hilbert spaces, motivated by optimization problems with partial differential equation (PDE) constraints with random inputs and coefficients. We study stochastic algorithms for nonconvex and nonsmooth problems, where the nonsmooth part is convex and the nonconvex part is the expectation, which is assumed to have a Lipschitz continuous gradient. The optimization variable is an element of a Hilbert space. We show almost sure convergence of strong limit points of the random sequence generated by the algorithm to stationary points. We demonstrate the stochastic proximal gradient algorithm on a tracking-type functional with a$$L^1$$L1-penalty term constrained by a semilinear PDE and box constraints, where input terms and coefficients are subject to uncertainty. We verify conditions for ensuring convergence of the algorithm and show a simulation.
Nitrogen dioxide reductions from satellite and surface observations during COVID-19 mitigation in Rome (Italy)
Authors: Bassani Cristiana , Vichi Francesca , Esposito Giulio , Montagnoli Mauro , Giusto Marco , Ianniello Antonietta
Published: January 2021

Lockdown restrictions were implemented in Italy from 10 March 2020 to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study aims to evaluate air pollution changes, with focus on nitrogen dioxide (NO2), before and during the lockdown in Rome and in the surroundings. Significant NO2 declines were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic with reductions of − 50%, − 34%, and − 20% at urban traffic, urban background, and rural background stations, respectively. Tropospheric NO2 vertical column density (VCD) from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) was used to evaluate the spatial-temporal variations of the NO2 before and during the lockdown for the entire area where the surface stations are located. The evaluation is concerned with the pixels including one or more air quality stations to explore the capability of the unprecedented high spatial resolution to monitor urban and rural sites from space with relation to the surface measurements. Good agreement between surface concentration and TROPOMI VCD was obtained in Rome (R = 0.64 in 2019, R = 0.77 in 2020) and in rural sites (R = 0.71 in 2019). Inversely, a slight correlation (R = 0.20) was observed in rural areas during the lockdown due to very low levels of NO2. Finally, the TROPOMI VCD showed a sharp decline in NO2, larger in urban (− 43%) than in rural sites (− 17%) as retrieved with the concurrent surface measurements averaging all the traffic and urban background (− 44%) and all the rural background stations (− 20%). These results suggest air pollution improvement in Rome gained from implementing lockdown restrictions.
Are migrants in/from emerging economies more entrepreneurial than natives?
Authors: Guerrero Maribel , Mandakovic Vesna , Apablaza Mauricio , Arriagada Veronica
Published: January 2021

The academic debate in migrant entrepreneurship has mainly focused on movements from emerging economies into developed economies. Anecdotal evidence has suggested that the highest impact is generated by migrants in/from emerging economies. To extend this academic discussion in the Latin-American context, this study investigates why migrants are more entrepreneurial than natives. By adopting the human capital and the institutional approach, we theorize that individual and environmental conditions produce selection/discrimination effects in the host labour market. Consequently, these effects influence migrants’ decision to become entrepreneurs. We tested our hypotheses using a sample of 13,368 adults between the ages of 18–64 based across the 16 Chilean regions. Our results showed that being a high-skilled migrant in a dynamic emerging economy is not a guarantee of success in the labour market, but it is a determinant of international and necessity-driven entrepreneurship. Several implications and a provocative discussion emerged from these findings.