bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abrupt termination of vitamin C from ICU patients may increase mortality: secondary analysis of the LOVIT trial
Authors: Hemilä Harri , Chalker Elizabeth
Published: December 2022

Background

The LOVIT trial examined the effect of vitamin C on sepsis patients, and concluded that in adults with sepsis receiving vasopressor therapy in the ICU, those who received 4-day intravenous vitamin C had a higher risk of death or persistent organ dysfunction at 28 days than those who received placebo. The aim of this study was to determine whether the abrupt termination of vitamin C administration could explain the increased mortality in the vitamin C group.

Methods

We used Cox regression with two time periods to model the distribution of deaths over the first 11 days in the LOVIT trial.

Results

Compared with a uniform difference between vitamin C and placebo groups over the 11-day follow-up period, addition of a separate vitamin C effect starting from day 5 improved the fit of the Cox model (p = 0.026). There was no difference in mortality between the groups during the 4-day vitamin C administration with RR = 0.97 (95% CI: 0.65–1.44). During the week after the sudden termination of vitamin C, there were 57 deaths in the vitamin C group, but only 32 deaths in the placebo group, with RR = 1.9 (95% CI: 1.2–2.9; p = 0.004).

Conclusion

The increased mortality in the vitamin C group in the LOVIT trial is not explained by ongoing vitamin C administration, but by the abrupt termination of vitamin C. The LOVIT trial findings should not be interpreted as evidence against vitamin C therapy for critically ill patients.
National survey of corneal cross-linking (CXL) practice patterns in the United Kingdom during 2019
Authors: Hayes Sally , Jaycock Philip , Rees Nicholas , Figueiredo Francisco C. , O’Brart David P. S. , Meek Keith M.
Published: December 2022

Objective

To provide an insight into trends in corneal cross-linking (CXL) practice in the UK, including criteria for progression of corneal ectasia, identification of patients for CXL, the CXL procedure itself and post-operative management.

Methods

All ophthalmologist members of the UK Cross-linking (UK-CXL) Consortium were invited to complete an online survey about CXL practice for the year 2019. The data collected was anonymised by site and analysed with descriptive statistics.

Results

Responses were received from 16 individual CXL centres (16/38; 42% response rate) and the data represented ~2,000 CXL procedures performed in the UK in 2019. The commonest indication for CXL was progressive keratoconus. Between centres, there were variations in diagnostic evaluation, patient selection for CXL, the CXL procedure and the pre- and post-operative monitoring of patients.

Conclusion

Consistent with the wide number of CXL treatment techniques described in the published literature world-wide, variations in the monitoring of corneal ectasia, indications for CXL, CXL practice and post-CXL follow-up were found to exist between UK-based CXL centres.
Spurious transcription causing innate immune responses is prevented by 5-hydroxymethylcytosine
Authors: Wu Fan , Li Xiang , Looso Mario , Liu Hang , Ding Dong , Günther Stefan , Kuenne Carsten , Liu Shuya , Weissmann Norbert , Boettger Thomas , Atzberger Ann , Kolahian Saeed , Renz Harald , Offermanns Stefan , Gärtner Ulrich , Potente Michael , Zhou Yonggang , Yuan Xuejun , Braun Thomas
Published: December 2022

Generation of functional transcripts requires transcriptional initiation at regular start sites, avoiding production of aberrant and potentially hazardous aberrant RNAs. The mechanisms maintaining transcriptional fidelity and the impact of spurious transcripts on cellular physiology and organ function have not been fully elucidated. Here we show that TET3, which successively oxidizes 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and other derivatives, prevents aberrant intragenic entry of RNA polymerase II pSer5 into highly expressed genes of airway smooth muscle cells, assuring faithful transcriptional initiation at canonical start sites. Loss of TET3-dependent 5hmC production in SMCs results in accumulation of spurious transcripts, which stimulate the endosomal nucleic-acid-sensing TLR7/8 signaling pathway, thereby provoking massive inflammation and airway remodeling resembling human bronchial asthma. Furthermore, we found that 5hmC levels are substantially lower in human asthma airways compared with control samples. Suppression of spurious transcription might be important to prevent chronic inflammation in asthma.
The relationship of Megamonas species with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children and adolescents revealed by metagenomics of gut microbiota
Authors: Zhou Jianli , Zhang Qiao , Zhao Yuzhen , Zou Yu , Chen Moxian , Zhou Shaoming , Wang Zhaoxia
Published: December 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in children and adolescents. The gut microbiota plays an important role in the pathophysiology of NAFLD through the gut–liver axis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the genus and species of gut microbiota and their functions in children and adolescents with NAFLD. From May 2017 to July 2018, a total of 58 children and adolescents, including 27 abnormal weight (AW) (obese) NAFLD patients, 16 AW non-NAFLD children, and 15 healthy children, were enrolled in this study at Shenzhen Children’s Hospital. All of them underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to quantify the liver fat fraction. Stool samples were collected and analysed with metagenomics. According to body mass index (BMI) and MRS proton density fat fraction (MRS-PDFF), we divided the participants into BMI groups, including the AW group (n = 43) and the Lean group (n = 15); MRS groups, including the NAFLD group (n = 27) and the Control group (n = 31); and BMI-MRS 3 groups, including NAFLD_AW (AW children with NAFLD) (n = 27), Ctrl_AW (n = 16) (AW children without NAFLD) and Ctrl_Lean (n = 15). There was no difference in sex or age among those groups (p > 0.05). In the BMI groups, at the genus level, Dialister, Akkermansia, Odoribacter, and Alistipes exhibited a significant decrease in AW children compared with the Lean group. At the species level, Megamonas hypermegale was increased in the AW group, while Akkermansia muciniphila, Dialister invisus, Alistipes putredinis, Bacteroides massiliensis, Odoribacter splanchnicus, and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron were decreased in AW children, compared to the Lean group. Compared with the Control group, the genus Megamonas, the species of Megamonas hypermegale and Megamonas rupellensis, increased in the NAFLD group. Furthermore, the genus Megamonas was enriched in the NAFLD_AW group, while Odoribacter, Alistipes, Dialister, and Akkermansia were depleted compared with the Ctrl_Lean or Ctrl_AW group at the genus level. Megamonas hypermegale and Megamonas rupellensis exhibited a significant increase in NAFLD_AW children compared with the Ctrl_Lean or Ctrl_AW group at the species level. Compared with healthy children, the pathways of P461-PWY contributed by the genus Megamonas were significantly increased in NAFLD_AW. We found that compared to healthy children, the genus Megamonas was enriched, while Megamonas hypermegale and Megamonas rupellensis were enriched at the species level in children and adolescents with NAFLD. This indicates that the NAFLD status and/or diet associated with NAFLD patients might lead to the enrichment of the genus Megamonas or Megamonas species.
Publisher Correction: Opinion amplification causes extreme polarization in social networks
Authors: Lim Soo Ling , Bentley Peter J.
Published: December 2022

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Isolation and identification of Pithomyces sacchari as a leaf spot pathogen of Helianthus annuus from Pakistan
Authors: Shafique Shazia , Javed Alina , Shafique Sobiya , Hussain Abrar , Rafique Rubab , Mubarak Ayesha
Published: December 2022

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important annual crop known for its edible oil. Sunflower is susceptible to many fungal diseases including rusts, rotting, mildews, and leaf spots that result in low crop yield. Presently, infected leaves with leaf spot disease symptoms were collected from Jallo Park, Botanical Garden; University of the Punjab, Canal road, and Johar Town, Lahore for pathogen/s isolation and identification. The identification was executed morphologically as well as genetically by nucleotide sequencing of rDNA using Internal spacer region (ITS) and Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) primers. Morphological characters demonstrated a rapidly growing colony on MEA reaching 5.0–5.5 cm in diameter without zonation. The mycelial growth was rough and cottony white from the front and light pink from the reverse side. Conidia were brown, verruculose, and ellipsoidal with three to five transverse septations and one longitudinal septum ranging from 15 to 30 ± 2 µm in the broadest part. Conidiophores were long, branched, septate, 70–80 × 3–4 µm in size. Based on morphological characteristics, the pathogen was identified as Pithomyces sacchari. In genetic characterization BLAST analysis of the rDNA-ITS region of the pathogen exhibited maximum (100%) homology with other P. sacchari GenBank strains. Similarly, 99% homology was found with partial glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). To confirm the pathogenicity, Koch’s pathogenicity test was performed by inoculating artificial fungal suspension in pots and plate assays. The emergence of similar disease symptoms and re-isolation of the same pathogens verified Koch’s pathogenicity postulates. Conclusively this study confirms the identification of this novel pathogen of sunflowers and necessitates the quick development of management tools.
The novel anti-cancer feature of Brazzein through activating of hTLR5 by integration of biological evaluation: molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Poursalim Maede , Shasaltaneh Marzieh Dehghan , Jafarian Vahab , Salehabadi Hafezeh
Published: December 2022

Many of plant proteins exhibit the properties similar to the antitumor proteins although the anticancer activity of Brazzein on modulating the autophagy signaling pathway has not been determined so far. The present study aimed to develop a simplified system to enable the rational design of the activating extracellular domain of human Toll-like receptor 5 (hTLR5). To identify the anticancer effect of Brazzein, HADDOCK program and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were applied to examine the binding of the wild type (WT) and p.A19K mutant of Brazzein to the TLR5. The expression of MAP1S and TNF-α genes was estimated based on real-time PCR. The results clearly confirmed that the WT of Brazzein activated hTLR5 in the MCF-7 cell line since the genes were more and significantly less expressed in the cells treated with the WT and p.A19K mutant than the control, respectively. The snapshots of MD simulation exhibit the consistent close interactions of hTLR5 with the two helices of Brazzein on its lateral side. The results of per residue-free energy decomposition analysis substantiate those of intermolecular contact analysis perfectly one. We propose that the WT of Brazzein can act as an antitumor drug candidate.
Machine learning prediction of academic collaboration networks
Authors: Resce Giuliano , Zinilli Antonio , Cerulli Giovanni
Published: December 2022

We investigate the different roles played by nodes’ network and non-network attributes in explaining the formation of European university collaborations from 2011 to 2016, in three European Research Council (ERC) domains: Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), Physical and Engineering Sciences (PE), Life Sciences (LS), as well as multidisciplinary collaborations. On link formation in collaboration networks, existing research has not yet compared and simultaneously examined both network and non-network attributes. Using four machine learning predictive algorithms (LASSO, Neural Network, Gradient Boosting, and Random Forest) our results show that, over various model specifications: (i) best model link formation accuracy is larger than 80%, (ii) among the non-network attributes, public funding plays an important role in PE and LS, (iii) network attributes count more than non-network attributes for the formation, sensibly increasing accuracy, (iv) feature-importance scores show a different ordering in the four domains, thus signalling different modes of knowledge production and transmission taking place within these different scientific communities.
Solvent-regulated fluorescence off–on signaling of Ni(ii) and Zn(ii) with the formation of two mononuclear complexes with an ATP detection ability by Zn(ii) assembly
Authors: Ray Subham , Laha Soumik , Das Manik , Das Uttam Kumar , Bag Arijit , Choudhuri Indranil , Bhattacharya Nandan , Samanta Bidhan Chandra , Maity Tithi
Published: December 2022

The selective detection of Zn(ii) and Ni(ii) by chemosensor HL leads to the development of two mononuclear metal complexes having ATP detection ability only by Zn complex.
How long are Ga⇆Ga double bonds and Ga–Ga single bonds in dicationic gallium dimers?
Authors: Barthélemy Antoine , Scherer Harald , Weller Hanna , Krossing Ingo
Published: December 2022

We herein present the structures of two novel dicationic gallium dimers, a digallane and a digallene, as well as a detailed bonding analysis of the highly unusual bonding situations.
Rapid access to polycyclic thiopyrylium compounds from unfunctionalized aromatics by thia-APEX reaction
Authors: Kawahara Kou P. , Ito Hideto , Itami Kenichiro
Published: December 2022

We developed a sulfur-embedding annulative π-extension (thia-APEX) reaction that could construct a sulfur-embedding cationic hexagonal aromatic ring, thiopyrylium, onto unfunctionalized aromatics in one step.
Dynamic domain boundaries: chemical dopants carried by moving twin walls
Authors: Salje E. K. H. , Kustov S.
Published: December 2022

Ions along travel preferentially along twin boundaries (black lines in the center with shifted atoms). Moving domain walls carry defects with them, allowing chemical patterning.
Polymersome-based protein drug delivery – quo vadis?
Authors: Gouveia Micael G. , Wesseler Justus P. , Ramaekers Jobbe , Weder Christoph , Scholten Philip B. V. , Bruns Nico
Published: December 2022

Block copolymer vesicles are well suited as nano-sized drug delivery vehicles for therapeutic proteins. However, they have not reached the clinic yet. Why? The review discusses opportunities and obstacles of polymersome-based protein drug delivery.
Frustrated Lewis pair-ligated tetrelenes
Authors: Omaña Alvaro A. , Frenette Brandon L. , Dornsiepen Eike , Kobayashi Ryo , Ferguson Michael J. , Iwamoto Takeaki , Rivard Eric
Published: December 2022

The reactivity of [PB{EX2}] (X = Cl or Br; PB = 1,2-iPr2C6H4BCy2; E = C, Si, Ge) adducts is described.
In situ Hf isotope analysis of cassiterite by LA-MC-ICP-MS: protocol and applications
Authors: Yang Ming , Yang Yue-Heng , Romer Rolf L. , Wu Shi-Tou , Wu Tao , Wang Hao
Published: December 2022

A new method for in situ determination of the Hf isotope ratios in cassiterite samples by LA-MC-ICP-MS.
Dual dielectric-responsive hybrid materials with fluorescent properties
Authors: Xu Ran , Lun Meng-Meng , Zhang Tie , Li Jie , Zou Ke , Zhang Yi , Fu Da-Wei , Guo Qiang
Published: December 2022

We report two dual-step reversible dielectric switching materials with photoluminescence properties.
Cobalt-catalyzed esterification-peroxidation of α-diazoesters: access to α-acyloxy esters
Authors: Chen Rongxiang , Ma Guoyang , Zhang Jinju , Wang Zhan-Yong , Xu Shaohong , Wang Kai-Kai
Published: December 2022

A cobalt-catalyzed three-component reaction of carboxylic acids, diazo reagents andtert-butyl hydroperoxide was realized, which afforded a straightforward synthesis of α-acyloxy esters in good yields.
Structure, photoluminescence properties, and energy transfer phenomenon in Sm3+/Eu3+ co-doped CaTiO3 phosphors
Authors: Singh Priti , Mishra H. , Pandey Praveen C. , Rai Shyam Bahadur
Published: December 2022

The energy transfer from Sm3+ and Eu3+ due to dipole–dipole interaction, variation in emission intensity of Sm3+ and Eu3+ peaks with varying concentration of Eu3+ and thermal stability of 2Sm3+, 2.5Eu3+ and 2Sm3+/2.5Eu3+ co-doped CaTiO3 phosphors.
The action of phytochemicals in biofilm control
Authors: Gonçalves Ariana S. C. , Leitão Miguel M. , Simões Manuel , Borges Anabela
Published: December 2022

Phytochemicals are promising tools to combat/mitigate biofilms individually through different mechanisms of action. Furthermore, they can be used in combination with antibiotics and for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.
Effectively enhanced photocatalytic performance of layered perovskite Bi2NdO4Cl by coupling piezotronic effect
Authors: Lin Kai , Dong Xiaoyi , Xu Liang , Wang Qi , Wang Jiajing , Li Yongjin , Yin Zhaoyi , Han Jin , Qiu Jianbei , Song Zhiguo
Published: December 2022

The piezoelectricity of Bi2NdO4Cl was first proved by PFM tests, and then the coupling between the mechanical energy of discrete fluids and photoexcitation improved the photocatalytic efficiency of layered perovskite Bi2NdO4Cl.
Total synthesis of the natural (−)-205B alkaloid and its activity toward α7 nAChRs
Authors: Mazeh Sara , Garcia-Fernandez M. Dolores , Pelletier Barbara , Moreau Christophe , Delair Philippe
Published: December 2022

Highly stereoselective synthesis of the (−)-205B alkaloid has been performed from intermediate 3b which was easily prepared from a commercially available chiral secondary alcohol. The behaviour of this alkaloid toward the α7 nicotinic receptor was determined.
Ultrasound-promoted synthesis of a copper–iron-based catalyst for the microwave-assisted acyloxylation of 1,4-dioxane and cyclohexene
Authors: Macías-Benítez Pablo , Sierra-Padilla Alfonso , Yeste M. Pilar , Palacios-Santander José María , Cubillana-Aguilera Laura , Gatica José M. , Vidal Hilario , Guerra Francisco M. , Moreno-Dorado F. Javier
Published: December 2022

A copper–iron-based catalyst has been prepared by a low-temperature co-precipitation and sonication method. The material shows catalytic activity in the acyloxylation reaction of 1,4-dioxane and cyclohexene under microwave irradiation.
A new heteropentacyclic system via coupling sterically crowded o-benzoquinone with o-phenylenediamines
Authors: Ivakhnenko Eugeny , Malay Vasily , Demidov Oleg , Knyazev Pavel , Makarova Nadezhda , Minkin Vladimir
Published: December 2022

A new condensed heteropentacyclic 10H-quinoxalino[3,2,1-kl]phenoxazin-10-one system.
Design and analysis of consequent pole permanent magnet synchronous motor with low torque ripple
Authors: Guo Liyan , Li Qiang , Wang Huimin
Published: December 2022

Permanent magnet (PM) motor with consequent pole (CP) rotor can improve the PM utilisation ratio. However, one group of PMs with the same polarity is replaced by iron core, which deteriorates the electromagnetic performances of the motor, including asymmetric air‐gap magnetic field and larger torque ripple. To solve this problem, this study analyses the relationship between the torque ripple and the stator‐rotor magnetomotive force (MMF) harmonics, determines the harmonic orders causing the torque ripple of the CP PM (CPPM) motor, and proposes an unequal‐turn four‐layer winding structure which can eliminate the determining harmonics in the stator MMF. Furthermore, the electromagnetic performances of the CPPM motors with the proposed winding structure and traditional CPPM motors are investigated by the finite‐element analysis. It is verified that the CPPM motor with the proposed structure has better motor performances.
Virtual composite impedance circulating current suppression strategy with adaptive adjustment capability
Authors: Zhang Jihong , Liu Yunfei , Wei Yili , Zhang Xin , Wu Zhenkui
Published: December 2022

In the process of accessing distributed power sources in microgrid, there will be serious coupling between active power and reactive power, which will lead to significant changes in the inverter outlet voltage and impedance and increase the circulating current phenomenon. The generation of circulating current will accelerate the aging of devices, reduce the inverter efficiency, and threaten the stable operation of the system. In this paper, the mechanism of circulating current generation is analysed, the basic characteristics of circulating current are studied, and an inverter parallel circulating current suppression strategy with adaptive virtual composite impedance and droop control dynamic adjustment algorithm is proposed. The virtual impedance setting can weaken the influence of line difference on system stability, make the system equivalent output impedance resistive, weaken the inductive device characteristics and reduce the circulating current amplitude; the adaptive droop algorithm implantation dynamically correlates the control power with the droop coefficient, enhance the power decoupling accuracy and weaken the circulating current influenced by power changes. The simulation platform and experimental setup established by the large‐scale simulation software PSCAD/EMTDC are used to study the basic scenarios of the inverter under two conditions of equal and unequal capacity, and the rationality of the proposed control strategy is tested.
SACNet: Shuffling atrous convolutional U‐Net for medical image segmentation
Authors: Wang Shaofan , Liu Yukun , Sun Yanfeng , Yin Baocai
Published: December 2022

Medical images exhibit multi‐granularity and high obscurity along boundaries. As representative work, the U‐Net and its variants exhibit two shortcomings on medical image segmentation: (a) they expand the range of reception fields by applying addition or concatenate operators to features with different reception fields, which disrupts the distribution of the essential feature of objects; (b) they utilize the downsampling or atrous convolution to characterize multi‐granular features of objects, which can obtain a large range of reception fields but leads to blur boundaries of objects. A Shuffling Atrous Convolutional U‐Net (SACNet) for circumventing those issues is proposed. The significant component of SACNet is the Shuffling Atrous Convolution (SAC) module, which fuses different atrous convolutional layers together by using a shuffle concatenate operation, so that the features from the same channel (which correspond to the same attribute of objects) are merged together. Besides the SAC modules, SACNet utilizes an EP module during the fine and medium levels to enhance the boundaries of objects, and utilizes a Transformer module during the coarse level to capture an overall correlation of pixels. Experiments on three medical image segmentation tasks: abdominal organ, cardiac, and skin lesion segmentation demonstrate that, SACNet outperforms several state‐of‐the‐art methods and facilitates easy transplant to other semantic segmentation tasks.
Transient stability analysis of the standalone solar‐storage AC supply system based on grid‐forming and grid‐following converters during sudden load variation
Authors: Sun Huiqiang , Lin Xinchun , Chen Songbai , Ji Xiaotong , Liu Dan , Jiang Kezheng
Published: December 2022

The standalone solar‐storage AC supply system is an efficient form of utilizing renewable energy. The solar‐storage supply system normally includes two types of converters, grid‐forming (GFM) and grid‐following (GFL) converters. Nevertheless, the incompatibility of the dynamic performance between the GFM and GFL converters due to different control schemes may introduce the transient instability risk to the solar‐storage supply system. To address this issue, it is extremely necessary to perform transient stability analysis and stability‐enhanced control for such a system. In this paper, a sixth‐order model of the dc‐link timescale for the solar‐storage supply system is developed, whose accuracy and applicability are verified by comparing with the detailed electromagnetic model. Based on the derived model, the analysis demonstrates that the solar‐storage supply system faces the potential risk of transient instability under large disturbances of sudden load variation, due to the mismatch of the transient response speeds between virtual excitation control of the GFM converter and dc voltage control of the GFL converter. The transient stability boundary of the system is quantitatively investigated, by depicting the basin of attraction of the post‐disturbance equilibrium point. Furthermore, from the perspective of improving the coordination of the transient behaviours between the GFM converter and the GFL converter, the parameters related to virtual excitation control and dc voltage control are designed to enhance the transient stability of the system. Time‐domain simulations and real‐time simulations are conducted to validate the theoretical analysis.

DC–AC power convertors, microgrids, power system control, power system transient stability, renewable energy power conversion
The dust-to-gas mass ratio of luminous galaxies as a function of their metallicity at cosmic noon
Authors: Popping Gergö , Shivaei Irene , Sanders Ryan L. , Jones Tucker , Pope Alexandra , Reddy Naveen A. , Shapley Alice E. , Coil Alison L. , Kriek Mariska
Published: December 2022

Aims. We aim to quantify the relation between the dust-to-gas mass ratio (DTG) and gas-phase metallicity of z = 2.1 − 2.5 luminous galaxies and contrast this high-redshift relation against analogous constraints at z = 0.

Methods. We present a sample of ten star-forming main-sequence galaxies in the redshift range 2.1 < z < 2.5 with rest-optical emission-line information available from the MOSDEF survey and with ALMA 1.2 millimetre and CO J = 3 − 2 follow-up observations. The galaxies have stellar masses ranging from 1010.3 to 1010.6 M⊙ and cover a range in star-formation rate from 35 to 145 M⊙ yr−1. We calculated the gas-phase oxygen abundance of these galaxies from rest-optical nebular emission lines (8.4 < 12 + log(O/H) < 8.8, corresponding to 0.5−1.25 Z⊙). We estimated the dust and H2 masses of the galaxies (using a metallicity-dependent CO-to-H2 conversion factor) from the 1.2 mm and CO J = 3 − 2 observations, respectively, from which we estimated a DTG.

Results. We find that the galaxies in this sample follow the trends already observed between CO line luminosity and dust-continuum luminosity from z = 0 to z = 3, extending such trends to fainter galaxies at 2.1 < z < 2.5 than observed to date. We find no second-order metallicity dependence in the CO – dust-continuum luminosity relation for the galaxies presented in this work. The DTGs of main-sequence galaxies at 2.1 < z < 2.5 are consistent with an increase in the DTG with gas-phase metallicity. The metallicity dependence of the DTG is driven by the metallicity dependence of the CO-to-H2 conversion factor. Galaxies at z = 2.1 − 2.5 are furthermore consistent with the DTG-metallicity relation found at z = 0 (i.e. with no significant evolution), providing relevant constraints for galaxy formation models. These results furthermore imply that the metallicity of galaxies should be taken into account when estimating cold-gas masses from dust-continuum emission, which is especially relevant when studying metal-poor low-mass or high-redshift galaxies.
Progress towards a 3D Monte Carlo radiative transfer code for outflow wind modelling
Authors: Fišák J. , Kubát J. , Kubátová B. , Kromer M. , Krtička J.
Published: December 2022

Context. Radiative transfer modelling of expanding stellar envelopes is an important task in their analysis. To account for inhomogeneities and deviations from spherical symmetry, it is necessary to develop a 3 D approach to radiative transfer modelling.

Aims. We present a 3 D Monte Carlo code for radiative transfer modelling, which is aimed to calculate the plasma ionisation and excitation state with the statistical equilibrium equations, moreover, to implement photon-matter coupling. As a first step, we present our Monte Carlo radiation transfer routines developed and tested from scratch.

Methods. The background model atmosphere (the temperature, density, and velocity structure) can use an arbitrary grid referred to as the modGrid. The radiative transfer was solved using the Monte Carlo method in a Cartesian grid, referred to as the propGrid. This Cartesian grid was created based on the structure of the modGrid; correspondence between these two grids was set at the beginning of the calculations and then kept fixed. The propGrid can be either regular or adaptive; two modes of adaptive grids were tested. The accuracy and calculation speed for different propGrids was analysed. Photon interaction with matter was handled using the Lucy’s macroatom approach. Test calculations using our code were compared with the results obtained by a different Monte Carlo radiative transfer code.

Results. Our method and the related code for the 3 D radiative transfer using the Monte Carlo and macroatom methods offer an accurate and reliable solution for the radiative transfer problem, and are especially promising for the inclusion and treatment of 3 D inhomogeneities.
Photochemical escape of atomic C and N on Mars during the X8.2 solar flare on 10 September 2017
Authors: Gu H. , Wu X.-S. , Cui J.
Published: December 2022

Context. Characterizing the response of the upper Martian atmosphere to solar flares could provide important clues as to the climate evolution of the red planet in the early Solar System, when the extreme ultraviolet and soft X-ray radiation was substantially higher than the present-day level and when these events occurred more frequently. A critical process herein is the Martian atmospheric escape in the form of atomic C and N, as mainly driven by CO2/CO and N2 dissociation.

Aims. This study is devoted to evaluating how these escape rates varied on the dayside of Mars during the X8.2 solar flare on 10 September 2017.

Methods. The background Martian atmospheric structures, before, during, and after the flare, are constructed from the Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer measurements made on board the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution spacecraft, from which the hot C and N production rate profiles via different photon and photoelectron impact channels and on different flare stages are obtained. They are combined with the respective escape probability profiles computed using a test particle Monte Carlo approach to derive the atomic C and N escape rates on the dayside of Mars.

Results. Our calculations indicate that the pre-flare C and N escape rates are (1.3−1.4) × 1024 s−1 over the dayside of Mars. During the event, we find a modest decrease in the C escape rate of 8% about 1 h after the flare peak, followed by a recovery to the pre-flare level several hours later. However, an opposite trend is found for the N escape rate during the same period, which shows an increase of 20% followed by a recovery to the pre-flare level.

Conclusions. The distinction between C and N in terms of the variation in the escape rate during the solar flare reflects the competition between two flare-induced effects: enhanced hot atom production via dissociation and enhanced collisional hindrance due to atmospheric expansion.
Solar flare hard X-rays from the anchor points of an eruptive filament
Authors: Zoë Stiefel Muriel , Battaglia Andrea Francesco , Barczynski Krzysztof , Collier Hannah , Volpara Anna , Massa Paolo , Schwanitz Conrad , Tynelius Sofia , Harra Louise , Krucker Säm
Published: December 2022

Context.We present an analysis of a GOES M1.8 flare with excellent observational coverage in UV, extreme-UV (EUV), and X-ray, including observations from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) with the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), from the Hinode/EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS), from the Hinode/X-ray Telescope (XRT), and from Solar Orbiter with the Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX). Hard X-ray emission is often observed at the footpoints of flare loops and is occasionally observed in the corona. In this flare, four nonthermal hard X-ray sources are seen.

Aims.Our aim is to understand why we can observe four individual nonthermal sources in this flare and how we can characterize the physical properties of these four sources.

Methods.We used the multiwavelength approach to analyze the flare and characterize the four sources. To do this, we combined imaging at different wavelengths and spectroscopic fitting in the EUV and X-ray range.

Results.The flare is eruptive with an associated coronal mass ejection, and it shows the classical flare picture of a heated flare loop seen in EUV and X-rays, and two nonthermal hard X-ray footpoints at the loop ends. In addition to the main flare sources, we observed two outer sources in the UV, EUV, and nonthermal X-ray range located away from the main flare loop to the east and west. The two outer sources are clearly correlated in time, and they are only seen during the first two minutes of the impulsive phase, which lasts a total of about four minutes.

Conclusions.Based on the analysis, we determine that the outer sources are the anchor points of an erupting filament. The hard X-ray emission is interpreted as flare-accelerated electrons that are injected upward into the filament and then precipitate along the filament toward the chromosphere, producing Bremsstrahlung. While sources like this have been speculated to exist, this is the first report of their detection.
Image enhancement with wavelet-optimized whitening
Authors: Auchère F. , Soubrié E. , Pelouze G. , Buchlin É.
Published: December 2022

Context. Due to its physical nature, the solar corona exhibits large spatial variations of intensity that make it difficult to simultaneously visualize the features present at all levels and scales. Many general-purpose and specialized filters have been proposed to enhance coronal images. However, most of them require the ad hoc tweaking of parameters to produce subjectively good results.

Aims. Our aim was to develop a general purpose image enhancement technique that would produce equally good results, but based on an objective criterion.

Methods. The underlying principle of the method is the equalization, or whitening, of power in the à trous wavelet spectrum of the input image at all scales and locations. An edge-avoiding modification of the à trous transform that uses bilateral weighting by the local variance in the wavelet planes is used to suppress the undesirable halos otherwise produced by discontinuities in the data.

Results. Results are presented for a variety of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and white light images of the solar corona. The proposed filter produces sharp and contrasted output, without requiring the manual adjustment of parameters. Furthermore, the built-in denoising scheme prevents the explosion of high-frequency noise typical of other enhancement methods, without smoothing statistically significant small-scale features. The standard version of the algorithm is about two times faster than the widely used multiscale Gaussian normalization (MGN). The bilateral version is slower, but provides significantly better results in the presence of spikes or edges. Comparisons with other methods suggest that the whitening principle may correspond to the subjective criterion of most users when adjusting free parameters.
Chemical risk ranking and evaluation: case study in a paint manufacturing company
Authors: Moraru Roland Iosif , Popescu-Stelea Mihai , Bǎbuţ Gabriel Bujor
Published: December 2022

As economies grow and the use of chemicals becomes more and more widespread, the adoption of effective control measures allows for safer use of chemicals on an industrial scale. Chemical hazards can have severe negative consequences for both the health of employees, the safety of personnel and facilities (fire and explosion risk) and the environment. To characterize them, it is necessary to combine the inherent hazards associated to chemicals with their conditions of use that may generate emissions and exposures. Various methods, both qualitative and quantitative are available worldwide for chemical risk assessment, but unfortunately in Romania this important aspect is treated in a minimalist manner, which can often be considered as insufficiently rigorous. In this perspective, the present paper aims to validate through a practical case study conducted in a Romanian paint manufacturing company, the application of a simplified method of chemical risks prioritization and assessment. The obtained results allowed the substantiation of the control measures of these risks, being also able to constitute an instrument of raising awareness for all the interested parties (occupational safety and health inspectors, managers, safety officers, supervisors, workers), in the effective management of the chemical risks.
Aspects of explosion risk assessment in the case of bucket elevators
Authors: Popa Cătălin Mihai , Gabor Dan Sorin
Published: December 2022

Many of the technological processes that take place in the installations in which cereal products are transported and / or stored, involve the existence of combustible dusts. These dusts may be suspended in the air, or in the form of accumulations in layers or deposits of dust of various thicknesses, and may lead to fires, explosions or catalytic decomposition in the presence of oxygen.

If the combustible dusts are swirling in the air in appropriate proportions and an effective source of ignition is present, they can burn rapidly and with considerable explosive force.

Given that most of the time, as a result of an explosion of combustible dust, the resulting damage is generally greater than that caused by an explosion of flammable gases, it is necessary to pay special attention to the way in which they are taken. and implemented measures to protect and prevent explosions of combustible dust.

This paper highlights the principles and main factors that must be taken into account when conducting an explosion risk assessment for a bucket elevator carrying grain products, in order to establish and implement the necessary prevention and protection measures to ensure a minimum level. acceptable risk.
Theoretical and experimental research on the double lane change maneuver
Authors: Bîndac Irina-Maria , Bradley Scott , Roșca Petru , Pupăză Cristina , Giurgiu Tiberiu
Published: December 2022

A virtual double lane change test procedure is proposed based on the NATO AVTP 03-160W requirement. This test procedure simulates an emergency maneuver that determines the vehicle's dynamic stability and decisively influences road safety, being one of the most applied methods of performance evaluation. Using Trucksim modeling and simulation software, the virtual vehicle model and test procedure were established. The experimental data obtained with FED Alpha vehicle helped to validate both models. For this purpose, the vehicle dynamic responses such as steering wheel angle, vehicle lateral acceleration, yaw velocity and roll angle were comparatively analyzed. Important and valid conclusions concerning the optimization of the vehicle’s dynamic behavior were drawn. Ultimately, a methodology to predict the maximum speed to successfully pass double lane change is proposed.
Earth-Abundant Transition Metal Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Minimally Functionalized Alkenes
Authors: Lu Zhan , Lu Peng
Published: December 2022

Transition-metal-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation (AH) is a growing field and a fundamental tool for the construction of chiral compounds. The use of earth-abundant transition metals in AH reactions remains generally limited but has received increased attention in recent years due to cost, sustainability, and environmental concerns. Here, we will summarize progress in first row transition metal catalyzed AH of minimally functionalized alkenes, including scope, mechanism, and challenges in this field.

1 Introduction

2 Ti-Catalyzed AH of Minimally Functionalized Alkenes

3 Zr-Catalyzed AH of Minimally Functionalized Alkenes

4 Co-Catalyzed AH of Minimally Functionalized Alkenes

5 Fe-Catalyzed AH of Minimally Functionalized Alkenes

6 Summary and Outlook
Sleep Apnea and Incident Unprovoked Venous Thromboembolism: Data from the Pays de la Loire Sleep Cohort
Authors: Trzepizur Wojciech , Gervès-Pinquié Chloé , Heudes Baptiste , Blanchard Margaux , Meslier Nicole , Jouvenot Marie , Kerbat Sandrine , Mao Raphael Le , Magois Eline , Racineux Jean-Louis , Sabil AbdelKebir , Thereaux Jérémie , Couturaud Francis , Gagnadoux Frédéric ,   on behalf of the Pays de la Loire Cohort Study Group
Published: December 2022

Background Previous studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and incident venous thromboembolism (VTE). More specifically, the association between OSA and unprovoked VTE was barely evaluated. We aimed to evaluate whether apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and nocturnal hypoxemia markers were associated with unprovoked VTE incidence in patients investigated for OSA.

Material and Methods Data from the Pays de la Loire Sleep Cohort were linked to the French health administrative data to identify incident unprovoked VTE in patients suspected for OSA and no previous VTE disease. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association of unprovoked VTE incidence with AHI and nocturnal hypoxemia markers including the time spent under 90% of saturation (T90), oxygen desaturation index, and hypoxic burden (HB), a more specific marker of respiratory events related to hypoxia. The impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was evaluated in the subgroup of patients who were proposed the treatment.

Results After a median [interquartile range] follow-up of 6.3 [4.3–9.0] years, 104 of 7,355 patients developed unprovoked VTE, for an incidence rate of 10.8 per 1,000 patient-years. In a univariate analysis, T90 and HB predicted incident VTE. In the fully adjusted model, T90 was the only independent predictor (hazard ratio: 1.06; 95% confidence interval: [1.01–1.02]; p = 0.02). The CPAP treatment has no significant impact on VTE incidence.

Conclusion Patients with more severe nocturnal hypoxia are more likely to have incident unprovoked VTE.
A Convergent Synthesis of Tetracyclic Indole Compounds by a ­Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling and Tandem Cyclization ­Reaction
Authors: Nishikawa Toshio , Ono Yoshiki , Higuchi Keiko , Yamaguchi Masashi , Sugino Kumi , Nakazaki Atsuo , Adachi Masaatsu
Published: December 2022

A new strategy for the convergent synthesis of the ABCD ring system of indole terpene alkaloids has been developed based on a Sonogashira coupling of an o-iodoaniline (the A ring) with an alkyne bearing the D ring. After a tandem palladium-catalyzed cyclization, the tetracyclic ABCD ring structure found in the terpene indole alkaloids was obtained in good yield.
Rotator Cuff Injury and Repair
Authors: Fitzpatrick Laura A. , Atinga Angela , White Lawrence , Henry Patrick D.G. , Probyn Linda
Published: December 2022

Rotator cuff pathology is a commonly encountered clinical and radiologic entity that can manifest as tendinopathy or tearing. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography offer similar sensitivity and specificity for the evaluation of the native rotator cuff, and the chosen modality may vary, depending on local practice and accessibility. MR arthrography is frequently used in the postoperative setting as a problem-solving tool. Key findings to include in the preoperative MRI report include the size and location of the tear, thickness of the tendon involved (partial versus full thickness), and overall tendon quality. The report should also address features associated with poor surgical outcomes, such as fatty atrophy, a decreased acromiohumeral interval, and evidence of rotator cuff arthropathy. Musculoskeletal radiologists should be familiar with the various surgical techniques and expected postoperative imaging appearance of rotator cuff repairs. Imaging also plays a role in identifying recurrent tearing, graft failure, hardware loosening, infection, and other complications.
Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty Has Lower Infection, Conversion, and Complication Rates Compared to High Tibial Osteotomy
Authors: Kahan Michael E. , Chen Zhongming , Angerett Nathan R. , Sax Oliver C. , Bains Sandeep S. , Assayag Michael J. , Delanois Ronald E. , Nace James
Published: December 2022

Introduction Isolated medial knee osteoarthritis can be surgically treated with either unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) or high tibial osteotomy (HTO). Proponents of UKA suggest superior survivorship, while HTO offers theoretically improved alignment and joint preservation delaying total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Therefore, we compared complications in a large population of patients undergoing UKAs or HTOs. We specifically assessed 90 days, 1 year, and 2 years: (1) periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) rates, (2) conversion to TKA rates, as well as (3) complication rates.

Methods A review of an administrative claims database was used to identify patients undergoing primary UKA (n = 13,674) or HTO (n = 1,096) from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019. Complication rates at 90 days, 1 year, and 2 years were compared between groups using unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals. Subsequently, multivariate logistic regressions were performed for PJI and conversion to TKA rates.

Results At all time points, patients who underwent UKA were associated with lower rates of infection compared with those who underwent HTOs (all OR ≤ 0.51, all p ≤ 0.010). After 1 year, patients who received UKAs were found to have lower risk of requiring a conversion to a TKA versus those who received HTOs (all OR ≤ 0.55, all p < 0.001). Complications such as dislocations, periprosthetic fractures, and surgical site infections were found at lower odds in UKA compared with HTO patients.

Conclusion This study provides large-scale analyses demonstrating that UKA is associated with lower infection rates and fewer conversions to TKA compared with patients who have undergone HTO. Dislocations, periprosthetic fractures, and surgical site infections were also found to be lower among UKA patients. However, with careful patient selection, good results and preservation of the native knee are achieved with HTOs. Therefore, UKA versus HTO may be an important discussion to have with patients in an effort to lower the incidence of postoperative infections and complications.
Pelvic Venous Disorders (PeVD)
Authors: Ford Robert W. , Winokur Ronald S.
Published: December 2022

Pelvic venous disorders (PeVDs) have replaced the concept of pelvic congestion syndrome encompassing venous origin chronic pelvic pain (VO-CPP) in women. The evaluation of women with VO-CPP includes the assessment for other causes of pelvic pain as well as imaging evaluation for pelvic varicosities measuring greater than 5 mm diameter, ovarian vein diameter, and flow direction, as well as iliac vein diameter and signs of compression. Proper identification of these patients can lead to high degrees of success eliminating chronic pelvic pain following ovarian vein embolization and/or iliac vein stenting. Strong encouragement is provided to use the symptoms, varices, pathophysiology classification for these patients and upcoming research studies on the specific symptoms of patients with VO-CPP will help elucidate patient selection for intervention. Additional future randomized controlled trials are also upcoming to evaluate for outcomes of ovarian vein embolization and iliac vein.
Role of Interventional Radiology in the Management of Venous Trauma
Authors: Kumari Divya , Kwak Daniel H. , Fergus Jonathan
Published: December 2022

Traumatic injury to the large, central venous vasculature, although rare, is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Conventional open surgical treatment by repair or ligation can be technically challenging in anatomically difficult areas to expose. Furthermore, open surgical approach can release tension on the venous injury and result in uncontrollable bleeding. Endovascular techniques such as stenting and embolization can be used effectively for the treatment of traumatic venous injury. This article will discuss the morbidity and mortality associated with traumatic venous injuries, venous anatomy, endovascular treatment options, and management of traumatic venous injury.