bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sedimentologic and stratigraphic criteria to distinguish between basin‐floor and slope mudstones: Implications for the delivery of mud to deep‐water environments
Authors: Boulesteix Kévin , Poyatos‐Moré Miquel , Flint Stephen S. , Hodgson David M. , Taylor Kevin T. , Brunt Rufus L.
Published: April 2022

Deep‐water mudstones overlying basin‐floor and slope sandstone‐prone deposits are often interpreted as hemipelagic drapes deposited during sand starvation periods. However, mud transport and depositional processes, and resulting facies and architecture of mudstones in deep‐water environments, remain poorly understood. This study documents the sedimentology and stratigraphy of basin‐floor and slope mudstones intercalated with sandstone‐prone deposits of the Laingsburg depocentre (Karoo Basin, South Africa). Sedimentologic and stratigraphic criteria are presented here to distinguish between slope and basin‐floor mudstones, which provide a tool to refine palaeogeographical reconstructions of other deep‐water successions. Several mudstone units were mapped at outcrop for 2500 km2 and investigated using macroscopic and microscopic core descriptions from two research boreholes. Basin‐floor mudstones exhibit a repeated and predictable alternation of bedsets dominated by low‐density turbidites, and massive packages dominated by debrites, with evidence of turbulent‐to‐laminar flow transformations. Slope mudstones exhibit a similar facies assemblage, but the proportion of low‐density turbidites is higher, and no repeated or predictable facies organisation is recognised. The well‐ordered and predictable facies organisation of basin‐floor mudstones suggest local point sources from active slope conduits, responsible for deposition of compensationally stacked muddy lobes. The lack of predictable facies organisation in slope mudstones suggests deposition took place in a more variable range of sub‐environments (i.e. ponded accommodation, minor gully/channel‐fills, levees). However, regional mapping of three mudstone units evidence basinward tapering and similar thicknesses across depositional strike. This geometry is consistent with the distal part of basin margin clinothems, and suggests laterally extensive mud delivery across the shelf edge combined with along‐margin transport processes. Therefore, the sedimentology and geometry of mudstones suggests that mud can be delivered to deep‐water dominantly by sediment gravity flows through point source and distributed regionally, during periods of up‐dip sand storage. These findings challenge the common attribution of deep‐water mudstones to periods of basin‐floor sediment starvation.
Online Courses
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: April 2022

An overview of the key topics faced by disability services providers with citations to noteworthy cases, statutes, regulations, and additional sources.
Hierarchical Fe Doped Co Oxide/Hydroxide Nanosheet Arrays as Highly Efficient Oxygen Evolution Catalysts Prepared by Hydrothermal Etching of FeCo Prussian Blue Analogue
Authors: Xiang Rui , Nong Yunchuan , Song Kejin , Li Maoting , Wang Xingyu
Published: April 2022

Earth‐abundant metal oxides/hydroxides have recently been identified as promising catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media, while the overall efficiency is still limited by the sluggish kinetics. Therefore, searching for facile and effective method to prepare composition and morphology tunable catalyst, as well as understanding its reactivity are urgent tasks. Here, we report a hydrothermal etching strategy for the synthesis of Fe doped Co oxides/hydroxide hybrid catalyst with hierarchical nanosheet array architecture. The as‐obtained catalyst shows an overpotential of 219 mV without iR compensation at 10 mA/cm2 and a low Tafel slope of 46.4 mV/dec, surpassing the other control catalysts in this work and most similar catalysts in literature. Comprehensive studies confirm that both composition and morphology can be rationally tuned by adjusting the hydrothermal etching parameters, and the improvement of activity is attributed to the highly active Fe doped Co oxides/hydroxide species together with the unique 3D hierarchical structure.
Microglia maintain the normal structure and function of the hippocampal astrocyte network
Authors: Du Yixing , Brennan Faith H. , Popovich Phillip G. , Zhou Min
Published: April 2022

Microglial control of activity‐dependent plasticity and synaptic remodeling in neuronal networks has been the subject of intense research in the past several years. Although microglia–neuron interactions have been extensively studied, less is known about how microglia influence astrocyte‐dependent control over neuronal structure and function. Here, we explored a role for microglia in regulating the structure and function of the astrocyte syncytium in mouse hippocampus. After depleting microglia using a CSF1R antagonist (PLX5622, Plexxikon), we observed severe disruption of astrocyte syncytial isopotentiality and dye coupling. A decrease in astrocyte‐specific gap junction connexin (Cx) 30 and 43 expression, at least partially accounts for these microglia‐dependent changes in astrocytes. Because neuronal function requires intact astrocyte coupling, we also evaluated the effects of microglia depletion on synaptic transmission in the hippocampus. Without microglia, the strength of synaptic transmission was reduced at baseline and after long‐term potentiation (LTP). Conversely, priming microglia with systemic injections of lipopolysaccharide enhanced CA3‐CA1 synaptic transmission. This microglia‐induced scaling of synaptic transmission was associated with increased expression of post‐synaptic scaffold proteins (Homer1) in CA1. However, astrocyte network function was not affected by microglia priming, indicating that microglia‐dependent effects on astrocytes and neurons vary across functional states. Through manipulation of microglia in the brain, our results reveal the importance of microglia in homeostatic regulation of the astrocyte syncytium and scaling of synaptic transmission. These novel mechanisms uncover a new direction for future studies interrogating microglia function in various physiological and pathological contexts.
Effective psychological therapy for PTSD changes the dynamics of specific large‐scale brain networks
Authors: Charquero‐Ballester Marina , Kleim Birgit , Vidaurre Diego , Ruff Christian , Stark Eloise , Tuulari Jetro J. , McManners Hugh , Bar‐Haim Yair , Bouquillon Linda , Moseley Allison , Williams Steven C. R. , Woolrich Mark W. , Kringelbach Morten L. , Ehlers Anke
Published: April 2022

In posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), re‐experiencing of the trauma is a hallmark symptom proposed to emerge from a de‐contextualised trauma memory. Cognitive therapy for PTSD (CT‐PTSD) addresses this de‐contextualisation through different strategies. At the brain level, recent research suggests that the dynamics of specific large‐scale brain networks play an essential role in both the healthy response to a threatening situation and the development of PTSD. However, very little is known about how these dynamics are altered in the disorder and rebalanced after treatment and successful recovery. Using a data‐driven approach and fMRI, we detected recurring large‐scale brain functional states with high temporal precision in a population of healthy trauma‐exposed and PTSD participants before and after successful CT‐PTSD. We estimated the total amount of time that each participant spent on each of the states while being exposed to trauma‐related and neutral pictures. We found that PTSD participants spent less time on two default mode subnetworks involved in different forms of self‐referential processing in contrast to PTSD participants after CT‐PTSD (mtDMN+ and dmDMN+) and healthy trauma‐exposed controls (only mtDMN+). Furthermore, re‐experiencing severity was related to decreased time spent on the default mode subnetwork involved in contextualised retrieval of autobiographical memories, and increased time spent on the salience and visual networks. Overall, our results support the hypothesis that PTSD involves an imbalance in the dynamics of specific large‐scale brain network states involved in self‐referential processes and threat detection, and suggest that successful CT‐PTSD might rebalance this dynamic aspect of brain function.
Age‐related change in task‐evoked amygdala—prefrontal circuitry: A multiverse approach with an accelerated longitudinal cohort aged 4–22 years
Authors: Bloom Paul Alexander , VanTieghem Michelle , Gabard‐Durnam Laurel , Gee Dylan G. , Flannery Jessica , Caldera Christina , Goff Bonnie , Telzer Eva H. , Humphreys Kathryn L. , Fareri Dominic S. , Shapiro Mor , Algharazi Sameah , Bolger Niall , Aly Mariam , Tottenham Nim
Published: April 2022

The amygdala and its connections with medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) play central roles in the development of emotional processes. While several studies have suggested that this circuitry exhibits functional changes across the first two decades of life, findings have been mixed ‐ perhaps resulting from differences in analytic choices across studies. Here we used multiverse analyses to examine the robustness of task‐based amygdala—mPFC function findings to analytic choices within the context of an accelerated longitudinal design (4–22 years‐old; N = 98; 183 scans; 1–3 scans/participant). Participants recruited from the greater Los Angeles area completed an event‐related emotional face (fear, neutral) task. Parallel analyses varying in preprocessing and modeling choices found that age‐related change estimates for amygdala reactivity were more robust than task‐evoked amygdala—mPFC functional connectivity to varied analytical choices. Specification curves indicated evidence for age‐related decreases in amygdala reactivity to faces, though within‐participant changes in amygdala reactivity could not be differentiated from between‐participant differences. In contrast, amygdala—mPFC functional connectivity results varied across methods much more, and evidence for age‐related change in amygdala—mPFC connectivity was not consistent. Generalized psychophysiological interaction (gPPI) measurements of connectivity were especially sensitive to whether a deconvolution step was applied. Our findings demonstrate the importance of assessing the robustness of findings to analysis choices, although the age‐related changes in our current work cannot be overinterpreted given low test–retest reliability. Together, these findings highlight both the challenges in estimating developmental change in longitudinal cohorts and the value of multiverse approaches in developmental neuroimaging for assessing robustness of results.
The new generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor improves the survival of chronic myeloid leukemia patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Shimazu Yutaka , Murata Makoto , Kondo Takeshi , Minami Yosuke , Tachibana Takayoshi , Doki Noriko , Uchida Naoyuki , Ozawa Yukiyasu , Yano Shingo , Fukuda Takahiro , Kato Jun , Ara Takahide , Eto Testuya , Ishikawa Jun , Nakamae Hirohisa , Tanaka Junji , Ichinohe Tatsuo , Atsuta Yoshiko , Nagamura‐Inoue Tokiko ,   the working group of the Japan Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
Published: April 2022

The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment has dramatically improved the prognosis of CML patients and reduced the number of patients receiving allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo‐SCT). However, the impact of the newest‐generation TKIs on the overall survival (OS) after allo‐SCT has not been well described. To investigate the beneficial effects of TKIs on the prognosis after allo‐SCT, we conducted a retrospective observational study using the Transplant Registry Unified Management Program database in Japan. We analyzed 1188 patients (male/female: 738/450; median age: 44 years; range: 16–75) who underwent their first allo‐SCT between January 2001 and December 2018. We divided the patients into two groups according to the TKI treatment used before allo‐SCT: group 1 was treated with the first generation TKI imatinib; group 2 was treated with the second generation TKIs nilotinib, dasatinib, or bosutinib and/or the third generation TKI ponatinib. We compared the post allo‐SCT OS between the two groups. The 3‐year OS rates (95%CI) of groups 1 and 2 were 59.3% (54.8%–63.5%) and 65.8% (61.6%–69.6%), respectively (p = 0.017). Multivariate analysis confirmed that group 2 had superior OS after allo‐SCT compared to group 1 (p = 0.002). Other factors associated with superior prognosis were age ≤65, performance status (PS) 0/1, a 6/6 HLA‐matched donor and chronic‐phase (CP) disease status at allo‐SCT. A subgroup analysis showed poor prognoses for patients who could not obtain a molecular response before allo‐SCT and patients with positive T315I mutation in the BCR/ABL gene. In group 2, early allo‐SCT was correlated with superior OS in patients with a blast‐crisis disease status at allo‐SCT (p = 0.001). The cumulative incidence of non‐relapse mortality rate significantly decreased in group 2 (p = 0.0005). The post allo‐SCT OS was improved both by pre‐ and post‐management of allo‐SCT and by the introduction of newer TKIs.
Cover Image
Authors: Cao Jinwei , Liang Fei , Li Huayang , Li Xin , Fan Youjun , Hu Chao , Yu Jing , Xu Jin , Yin Yiming , Li Fali , Xu Dan , Feng Hanfang , Yang Huali , Liu Yiwei , Chen Xiaodong , Zhu Guang , Li Run‐Wei
Published: April 2022

This cover image is a newly created graphic that contains the material's design and applications. The nano‐liquid metal (LM)‐based highly robust stretchable electrode (NHSE) is equipped on a snowboarder for real‐time ECG monitoring (for health), conformable heating (against cold environment), and on‐cloth human‐machine interactions (for intelligent control). The zoom‐in structure of the NHSE before (right) and after (left) activation is composited in a Tai Ji Diagram to present the adaptiveness and robustness of the NHSE. (DOI: 10.1002/inf2.12302)

image
Mode of action and human relevance assessment of male CD‐1 mouse renal adenocarcinoma associated with lifetime exposure to empagliflozin
Authors: Phillips Jonathan A. , Taub Mitchell E. , Bogdanffy Matthew S. , Yuan Jing , Knight Brian , Smith James D. , Ku Warren W.
Published: April 2022

Inhibition of sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) has been shown to be a safe and efficacious approach to support managing Type 2 diabetes. In the 2‐year carcinogenicity study with the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin in CD‐1 mice, an increased incidence of renal tubular adenomas and carcinomas was identified in the male high‐dose group but was not observed in female mice. An integrated review of available nonclinical data was conducted to establish a mode‐of‐action hypothesis for male mouse‐specific tumorigenesis. Five key events were identified through systematic analysis to form the proposed mode‐of‐action: (1) Background kidney pathology in CD‐1 mice sensitizes the strain to (2) pharmacology‐related diuretic effects associated with SGLT2 inhib ition. (3) In male mice, metabolic demand increases with the formation of a sex‐ and species‐specific empagliflozin metabolite. These features converge to (4) deplete oxidative stress handling reserve, driving (5) constitutive cellular proliferation in male CD‐1 mice. The proposed mode of action requires all five key events for empagliflozin to present a carcinogenicity risk in the CD‐1 mouse. Considering that empagliflozin is not genotoxic in the standard battery of genotoxicity tests, and not all five key events are present in the context of female mice, rats, or humans, nor for other osmotic diuretics or other SGLT2 inhibitors, the observed male mouse renal tumors are not considered relevant to humans.
Anatomical changes in descending serotonergic projections from the rostral ventromedial medulla to the spinal dorsal horn following repetitive neonatal painful procedures
Authors: de Kort Anne R. , Joosten Elbert A. , Versantvoort Eline M. , Patijn Jacob , Tibboel Dick , van den Hoogen Nynke J.
Published: April 2022

Excessive noxious stimulation during the critical neonatal period impacts the nociceptive network lasting into adulthood. As descending serotonergic projections from the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) to the spinal dorsal horn develop postnatally, this study aims to investigate the long‐term effect of repetitive neonatal procedural pain on the descending serotonergic RVM–spinal dorsal horn network. A well‐established rat model of repetitive noxious procedures is used in which neonatal rats received four noxious needle pricks or tactile stimulation with a cotton swab per day in the left hind paw from day of birth to postnatal Day 7. Control animals were left undisturbed. When animals reached adulthood, tissue was collected for quantitative immunohistochemical analysis of serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5‐HT) in the RVM and spinal dorsal horn. Both repetitive noxious and tactile procedures in the neonate decreased the 5‐HT staining intensity in the adult ipsilateral but not contralateral spinal dorsal horn. Repetitive neonatal noxious procedures resulted in an increased area covered with 5‐HT staining in the adult RVM ipsilateral to the side of injury, whereas repetitive neonatal tactile stimulation resulted in increased 5‐HT staining intensity in both the ipsi‐ and contralateral RVM. The number of 5‐HT cells in adult RVM is unaffected by neonatal conditions. This detailed anatomical study shows that not only neonatal noxious procedures but also repetitive tactile procedures result in long‐lasting anatomical changes of the descending serotonergic system within the RVM and spinal dorsal horn. Future studies should investigate whether these anatomical changes translate to functional differences in descending serotonergic modulation after neonatal adverse experiences.
Demographic Disparities in the Federal Drug Approval Process for Allergic Rhinitis Medications
Authors: Liebowitz Andi , Spielman Daniel B. , Schlosser Rodney J. , Stewart Michael G. , Gudis David A.
Published: April 2022

Objective

Demographic minorities are underrepresented in clinical trials. For the approval of new drug applications (NDAs), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asserted that clinical trial enrollment should represent the demographics of patients likely to receive the trial drug. The aim of this study is to assess the demographics of clinical trials included in NDAs and biologics license applications (BLAs) approved by the FDA since 1990 for allergic rhinitis (AR), a condition whose demographic prevalence mirrors the US population.

Methods

Federal Freedom of Information Act requests were submitted to the US government to obtain documents related to all relevant NDAs and BLAs. The Drugs@FDA database was queried for all clinical trial documentation. Demographic data were extracted from clinical trials used to inform FDA approval for AR pharmacotherapies. Demographics were analyzed relative to national US Census data.

Results

Since 1990, 22 drugs have been approved for AR. The racial, ethnic, and sex composition of all included study populations differed significantly (p < 0.05) from the demographics of AR and from US Census data. Most NDAs and BLAs included overrepresentation of White participants and underrepresentation of Black, Asian, Pacific Island, Native American, and Hispanic participants.

Conclusion

The patients enrolled in clinical trials used to inform FDA approval for AR pharmacotherapeutics do not represent the demographics of the United States or the demographics of AR. The clinical significance of unrepresentative demography between study and treatment populations has been examined for several medical disorders, but has not been studied for AR.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 133:755–763, 2023
Stimuli‐Responsive Pickering Emulsions Regulated via Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly Nanoparticles
Authors: Zhou Shuo , Zeng Min , Liu Yanlin , Sui Xiaofeng , Yuan Jinying
Published: April 2022

With the development of reversible deactivated radical polymerization techniques, polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA) is emerging as a facile method to prepare block copolymer nanoparticles in situ with high concentrations, providing wide potential applications in different fields, including nanomedicine, coatings, nanomanufacture, and Pickering emulsions. Polymeric emulsifiers synthesized by PISA have many advantages comparing with conventional nanoparticle emulsifiers. The morphologies, size, and amphiphilicity can be readily regulated via the synthetic process, post‐modification, and external stimuli. By introducing stimulus responsiveness into PISA nanoparticles, Pickering emulsions stabilized with these nanoparticles can be endowed with “smart” behaviors. The emulsions can be regulated in reversible emulsification and demulsification. In this review, the authors focus on recent progress on Pickering emulsions stabilized by PISA nanoparticles with stimuli‐responsiveness. The factors affecting the stability of emulsions during emulsification and demulsification are discussed in details. Furthermore, some viewpoints for preparing stimuli‐responsive emulsions and their applications in antibacterial agents, diphase reaction platforms, and multi‐emulsions are discussed as well. Finally, the future developments and applications of stimuli‐responsive Pickering emulsions stabilized by PISA nanoparticles are highlighted.
Tetrazole as a Carboxylic Acid Isostere and the Synthesis of All Amine‐Based Polyampholytes
Authors: Nguyen Amber , Dallerba Elena , Lowe Andrew B.
Published: April 2022

A new family of polyampholytes (PAMs) is described in which both the basic and acidic groups are based on nitrogen functional groups. Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer‐prepared poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate) is quantitatively modified sequentially with 3‐picolylamine and 5‐aminotetrazole, yielding the new well‐defined statistical PAMs. Successful formation of the PAMs is confirmed via a combination of 19F and 13C NMR spectroscopy and FTIR. Aqueous electrophoresis indicates isoelectric points (pI) between 2.9 and 4.4 depending on copolymer composition. However, the pI is somewhat insensitive to the copolymer composition, a feature attributed to the similarity of the pKas of the acid tetrazole species and the conjugate acid of the pyridyl repeat units.
Supreme Court nominee's support of MH, civil rights applauded
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2022

As the first Black woman to be nominated to the Supreme Court awaits the outcome of the process — and following further advancement of her nomination in a vote last week — disability and mental health advocates continue to celebrate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's nomination to the highest court and her role as a defender of individuals with physical and mental disabilities and of civil rights issues.
APA poll finds adults worried, anxious about climate change
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2022

Assessing the public's views of climate change and the impact it has on their anxiety and mental health more broadly, a new poll released by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) found that more than 50% of adults are anxious about the impact of climate change on their planet.
A Screening of Native (Poly)phenols and Gut‐Related Metabolites on 3D HCT116 Spheroids Reveals Gut Health Benefits of a Flavan‐3‐ol Metabolite
Authors: Rubert Josep , Gatto Pamela , Pancher Michael , Sidarovich Viktoryia , Curti Claudio , Mena Pedro , Del Rio Daniele , Quattrone Alessandro , Mattivi Fulvio
Published: April 2022

Scope

Epidemiological evidence suggests that a reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) is correlated with high consumption of fruits and vegetables, which are major sources of fiber and phytochemicals, such as flavan‐3‐ols. However, it remains unknown how these phytochemicals and their specific gut‐related metabolites may alter cancer cell behavior.

Methods and results

A focused screening using native (poly)phenols and gut microbial metabolites (GMMs) on 3D HCT116 spheroids is carried out using a high‐throughput imaging approach. Dose–responses, IC50, and long‐term exposure are calculated for the most promising native (poly)phenols and GMMs. As a result, this research shows that (poly)phenol catabolites may play a key role in preventing cancer propagation. Indeed, µM concentration levels of (4R)‐5‐(3′,4′‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐γ‐valerolactone significantly decrease spheroid size at early stages of spheroid aggregation and gene expression of matrix metalloproteinases.

Conclusion

A chronic exposure to (4R)‐5‐(3′,4′‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐γ‐valerolactone may lead to a reduced CRC risk. Daily intake of monomeric, oligomeric, and polymeric flavan‐3‐ols may increase the colonic concentrations of this metabolite, and, in turn, this compound may act locally interacting with intestinal epithelial cells, precancerous and cancer cells.
Compact switchable filter with three state modes using simple microstrip structure
Authors: Deng Xida , Dong Ge , Xu Kai‐Da
Published: April 2022

This paper presents a compact multifunctional reconfigurable filter based on double coupled‐line structures with three different filtering modes. Three different working modes of the wideband bandpass filter (BPF), bandstop filter (BSF) and wideband filter with single notch can be switched. One prototype of the reconfigurable filter is constructed and measured. For the wideband BPF mode, the 3‐dB bandwidth is 84.5%with in‐band return loss (RL) higher than 21.5 dB and minimum insertion losses (IL) of 0.9 dB, and rejections for the upper stopband is higher than 22.5 dB. For the wideband filter with single notch mode, the 3‐dB bandwidth is 39.7% and 24.9%, with the minimum in‐band IL of 1.13 dB and 1.5 dB, respectively. The maximum rejections between the two bands are 32 dB, and the upper stop band rejections are higher than 19 dB. For the BSF mode, the 3‐dB bandwidth is 29.6%.
3D computational model of oxygen depletion kinetics in brain vasculature during FLASH RT and its implications for in vivo oximetry experiments
Authors: Cui Sunan , Pratx Guillem
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Ultra‐high‐dose‐rate irradiation, also known as FLASH, has been shown to improve the therapeutic ratio of radiation therapy (RT). The mechanism behind this effect has been partially explained by the radiochemical oxygen depletion (ROD) hypothesis, which attributes the protection of the normal tissue to the induction of transient hypoxia by ROD. To better understand the contribution of oxygen to the FLASH effect, it is necessary to measure oxygen (O2) in vivo during FLASH irradiation. This study's goal is to determine the temporal resolution required to accurately measure the rapidly changing oxygen concentration immediately after FLASH irradiation.

Methods

We conducted a computational simulation of oxygen dynamics using a real vascular model that was constructed from a public fluorescence microscopy dataset. The dynamic distribution of oxygen tension (po2) during and after FLASH RT was modeled by a partial differential equation (PDE) considering oxygen diffusion, metabolism, and ROD. The underestimation of ROD due to oxygen recovery was evaluated assuming either complete or partial depletion, and a range of possible values for parameters such as oxygen diffusion, consumption, vascular po2 and vessel density.

Result

The O2 concentration recovers rapidly after FLASH RT. Assuming a temporal resolution of 0.5 s, the estimated ROD is only 50.7% and 36.7% of its actual value in cases of partial and complete depletion, respectively. Additionally, the underestimation of ROD is highly dependent on the vascular density. To estimate ROD rate with 90% accuracy, temporal resolution on the order of milliseconds is required considering the uncertainty in parameters involved, especially, the diverse vascular density of the tissue.

Conclusion

The rapid recovery of O2 poses a great challenge for in vivo ROD measurements during FLASH RT. Temporal resolution on the order of milliseconds is recommended for ROD measurements in the normal tissue. Further work is warranted to investigate whether the same requirements apply to tumors, given their irregular vasculature.
Smooth‐rough asymmetric PLGA structure made of dip coating membrane and electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds meant to be used for guided tissue regeneration of periodontium
Authors: Nitti Paola , Palazzo Barbara , Gallo Nunzia , Scalera Francesca , Sannino Alessandro , Gervaso Francesca
Published: April 2022

A surgical procedure for the repair of damaged periodontal tissue is Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR), which involves the use of a barrier membrane to prevent soft tissue ingrowth and create a space for slow regeneration of periodontium and bone. GTR membrane should have pores able to facilitate the diffusion of fluids, oxygen, nutrients, and bioactive substances for cell growth, but also be impermeable to epithelial cells or gingival fibroblasts, which could overpopulate the defect space and inhibit infiltration and activity of bone‐forming cells. In this paper, a bilayer PLGA membrane was realized by coupling the dip coating and electrospinning techniques. The rough layer of the double‐sided structure was electrospun on the previously prepared smooth dip‐coated membrane. A rotating drum collector at two rotating speeds was used to generate different fibers orientation. The bilayer membrane with different superimposed surfaces was successfully fabricated and characterized from a morphological, physicochemical, and the mechanical point of view. Performed analyses revealed that the membrane possesses suitable properties, especially from mechanical point of view, for its possible use as a scaffold for the GTR of periodontum. A high fiber alignment and improved mechanical properties with respect to available GTR membranes characterized the product resulting from this study.
Anonymous Bitcoin transaction: A solution using secure multiparty computation
Authors: Mardi Dhaneshwar , Howlader Jaydeep
Published: April 2022

Bitcoin is a popular form of cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin provides users' anonymity through cryptographic pseudonyms. Bitcoin operates on a peer‐to‐peer network that maintains a public ledger, calledblockchain, to log all transactions from one pseudonym to other, thereby hides the identity of the users. A transaction graph from theblockchainmay unveil certain users' identities. To sustain with users' anonymity, mixing is often applied.CoinJoin,MixCoin,CoinShuffle,CoinPartyandSecureCoinare some of the Bitcoin protocols that applymixnet.Mixnethas certain limitations. Firstly, protocols assume “escrow addressee” that collects the coins, and performsmixing. The “escrow addressee” must be trustworthy. Secondly, protocols which do not assume “escrow addressee,” often usemixnet.Mixnetrequires every participant must sign all others transactions. This incurs large volume of multi‐signature. Presently, Bitcoin protocol can include at most 15 multi‐signatures. Therefore, the protocols are not scalable. Finally,mixnetis “all‐or‐nothing.” That is, if all mixnodes are active then only the output is guaranteed. We present a multiparty shuffling protocol to anonymize the Bitcoin transactions. Our protocol is free from “escrow addressee” and multi‐signature. The protocol executes in multiple rounds. The protocol is not “all‐or‐nothing.” That means, every round guarantees some degree of anonymity.
Pulmonary and laryngeal oedema before induction of anaesthesia in a sheep
Authors: Ruíz‐López Patricia , Martens Ann , Chantillon Laurens , Schauvliege Stijn
Published: April 2022

This case report describes the anaesthesia of a ram undergoing an exploratory laparotomy, which suffered from respiratory distress during the perioperative period. On the morning of surgery, the animal presented with oedematous ears, most likely caused by a tight‐fitting muzzle that had been used for preoperative fasting. After sedation, a mild stridor was heard. During endotracheal intubation, a swollen larynx was observed, and a frothy discharge emerged through the endotracheal tube after placement. Most likely, the tight muzzle caused a partial obstruction of the nostrils, increasing the respiratory effort and causing an increase in the pressure gradient, which provoked laryngeal and pulmonary oedema. Treatment consisted of repeated suctioning of fluid from the endotracheal tube, furosemide, dexamethasone, mechanical ventilation with 100% oxygen during anaesthesia and oxygen supplementation during recovery. Despite moderately low arterial oxygen tension during anaesthesia, the animal recovered uneventfully and did not show further signs of respiratory distress.
Erratum to: The boostless bootstrap: amplitudes without Lorentz boosts
Authors: Pajer Enrico , Stefanyszyn David , Supeł Jakub
Published: April 2022

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP12(2020)198
Leading-color two-loop amplitudes for four partons and a W boson in QCD
Authors: Abreu S. , Cordero F. Febres , Ita H. , Klinkert M. , Page B. , Sotnikov V.
Published: April 2022

Abstract

We present the leading-color two-loop QCD corrections for the scattering of four partons and a W boson, including its leptonic decay. The amplitudes are assembled from the planar two-loop helicity amplitudes for four partons and a vector boson decaying to a lepton pair, which are also used to determine the planar two-loop amplitudes for four partons and a Z/γ∗ boson with a leptonic decay. The analytic expressions are obtained by setting up a dedicated Ansatz and constraining the free parameters from numerical samples obtained within the framework of numerical unitarity. The large linear systems that must be solved to determine the analytic expressions are constructed to be in Vandermonde form. Such systems can be very efficiently solved, bypassing the bottleneck of Gaussian elimination. Our results are expressed in a basis of one-mass pentagon functions, which opens the possibility of their efficient numerical evaluation.
Strong Sard conjecture and regularity of singular minimizing geodesics for analytic sub-Riemannian structures in dimension 3
Authors: da Silva A. Belotto , Figalli A. , Parusiński A. , Rifford L.
Published: April 2022

In this paper we prove the strong Sard conjecture for sub-Riemannian structures on 3-dimensional analytic manifolds. More precisely, given a totally nonholonomic analytic distribution of rank 2 on a 3-dimensional analytic manifold, we investigate the size of the set of points that can be reached by singular horizontal paths starting from a given point and prove that it has Hausdorff dimension at most 1. In fact, provided that the lengths of the singular curves under consideration are bounded with respect to a given complete Riemannian metric, we demonstrate that such a set is a semianalytic curve. As a consequence, combining our techniques with recent developments on the regularity of sub-Riemannian minimizing geodesics, we prove that minimizing sub-Riemannian geodesics in 3-dimensional analytic manifolds are always of class $$C^1$$

C
1

, and actually they are analytic outside of a finite set of points.
Reactive bisimulation semantics for a process algebra with timeouts
Authors: van Glabbeek Rob
Published: April 2022

This paper introduces the counterpart of strong bisimilarity for labelled transition systems extended with timeout transitions. It supports this concept through a modal characterisation, congruence results for a standard process algebra with recursion, and a complete axiomatisation.
Impact of Sex and Obesity on Echocardiographic Parameters in Children and Adolescents
Authors: von der Born Jeannine , Baberowski Sarah , Memaran Nima , Grams Lena , Homeyer Denise , Borchert-Mörlins Bianca , Sugianto Rizky Indrameikha , Paulsen Mira , Bauer Elena , Grabitz Carl , Schmidt Bernhard M. W. , Kerling Arno , Beerbaum Philipp , Stiesch Meike , Tegtbur Uwe , Melk Anette
Published: April 2022

Subclinical alterations in left ventricular structure and function are detectable in adolescents with hypertension or obesity. However, data on early echocardiographic abnormalities in seemingly healthy children are lacking. Sex differences in cardiac structure and function have been previously reported, but sex-specific reference values are not available. Specifically, the potential interaction of sex and overweight has not been addressed at all. Anthropometric data, blood pressure and exercise tests were obtained in 356 healthy children. Echocardiographic parameters comprised peak early (E) and late (A) mitral inflow Doppler velocities,E/A ratio, tissue Doppler peak velocities of early (e′) and late diastolic (a′) excursion of mitral/septal annulus and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT). Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and LVMIz-score were calculated. Interaction terms between BMI and sex and stratification by sex were used for analysis. We provide values for echocardiographic parameters for children of two age groups separated by BMI. Overweight/obese children had a significant higher LVMI, lowerE/A ratio, higherE/e′ ratios and a longer IVRT. For a given BMI in the upper ranges we demonstrated a higher LVMI in girls than in boys, the IVRT extended significantly more in girls than in boys with increasing BMI. There are sex differences in structural and functional echocardiographic parameters in children and adolescents. Our data not only confirms the importance of overweight and obesity, but demonstrates important interactions between sex and overweight. The greater susceptibility of overweight girls toward echocardiographic changes associated with potential long-term functional impairment needs further exploration and follow-up.

Trial registration number DRKS00012371; Date 18.08.2017.
Fixation of platelet-rich plasma and fibrin gels on knee cartilage defects after microfracture with arthroscopy
Authors: Wang Mingjun , Gao Wenxiang
Published: April 2022

Purpose

An investigation of arthroscopic surgery combined with coverage of the microfractured wound surface with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and fibrin gels (FG) to treat knee cartilage defects.

Methods

Between February 2017 and February 2020, 145 patients with knee cartilage defects were treated. Only isolated full-thickness cartilage defects were included, and 28 patients (12 men and 16 women) were included in this study. They were all treated with arthroscopic surgery on subchondral bones, filled with PRP and thrombin, and sealed with FG. The knee pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were measured after the patients climbed ten stairs up and down, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index and the area of cartilage defects were measured through the pre-operative and post-operative follow-up. The complication incidences were also observed.

Results

All patients were followed up for ten to 15 months (median 12 months). The knee pain VAS scores decreased from 6.57 ± 1.07 pre-operatively to 2.09 ± 1.35 at the last follow-up. The WOMAC osteoarthritis index decreased from 44.32 ± 3.95 (mean ± sd) pre-operatively to 16.57 ± 2.20 by the last follow-up. The cartilage defect decreased from 2.93 ± 0.65 cm2 pre-operatively to 1.09 ± 0.69 cm2 at the last follow-up. All scores showed statistically significant improvements after surgery (p < 0.05). No complications were observed.

Conclusion

The combination therapy of arthroscopic surgery and covering the microfractured wound surface with PRP and FG can repair knee cartilage defects, relieve pain, and improve function, and is a safe and effective treatment.
The Inflation Surge of 2021–22: Scarcity of Goods and Commodities, Strong Labor Markets and Anchored Inflation Expectations
Authors: Ubide Ángel
Published: April 2022

The key to understanding the series of supply shocks that have hit inflation is the nature of the COVID-19 recession.
Genomics outperforms genetics to manage mistakes in fisheries stocking of threatened species
Authors: Attard Catherine R. M. , Sandoval-Castillo Jonathan , Gilligan Dean M. , Unmack Peter J. , Faulks Leanne K. , Beheregaray Luciano B.
Published: April 2022

Hatchery production and fisheries stocking is a widespread and high profile management practice because it allows recreational fisheries to continue in threatened species. Human-mediated transfer of fish across the geographic boundaries of intraspecies lineages or closely related species can cause introgression and occasionally outbreeding depression. Hybridization can be difficult to detect due to limited morphological differences among close lineages and the relatively low power of traditional genetic datasets. Here we showcase the use of genomic techniques to detect admixture of the economically important and threatened golden perch (Macquaria ambigua) in the Murray-Darling Basin, southeast Australia. We detected admixture through a genome-wide dataset of 6,862 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 174 Murray-Darling sourced fish and 15 fish from each of two neighbouring basins: the Lake Eyre and Fitzroy basins. Individuals with partial ancestry from both neighboring basins were detected using genomics throughout the Murray-Darling, suggesting the release of individuals and introgression into the Murray-Darling Basin. Importantly, a traditional microsatellite dataset was unreliable for identifying admixed individuals. The SNP-detected admixed individuals were also found in Murray-Darling impoundments, where fish are solely sourced from government-managed hatcheries, suggesting that some broodstock in hatcheries might have non-endemic ancestry. Stocking programs for golden perch release over one million fingerlings each year, and so could impact the genetic variation in the wild. We advocate for using genomics to check the ancestry of broodstock and for increasing collaboration between managers and academics—as done here—to better integrate the power of genomics into biodiversity management and conservation.
The Resilience of FDI to Natural Disasters Through Industrial Linkages
Authors: Kato Hayato , Okubo Toshihiro
Published: April 2022

When do multinationals show resilience during natural disasters? To answer this, we develop a simple model in which foreign multinationals and local firms in the host country are interacted through input-output linkages. When natural disasters seriously hit local firms and thus increase the cost of sourcing local intermediate inputs, most multinationals may leave the host country. However, they are likely to stay if they are tightly linked with local suppliers and face low trade costs of importing foreign intermediates. We further provide a number of extensions of the basic model to incorporate, for example, multinationals with heterogeneous productivity and disaster reconstruction.
How Strongly Is Personality Associated With Burnout Among Teachers? A Meta-analysis
Authors: Roloff Janina , Kirstges Janine , Grund Simon , Klusmann Uta
Published: April 2022

Teachers’ burnout has severe consequences for themselves and their students. The identification of factors related to burnout can provide valuable information about the relevance of interindividual differences. Beyond work-related factors, burnout is assumed to be affected by individuals’ personality traits, and several empirical studies already exist that have investigated this association in teachers. However, a comprehensive meta-analytical examination is missing so far. The current meta-analysis, including 18 primary studies with 19 samples (total N = 4,724), aimed to examine the relation between burnout dimensions (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment) and the Big Five personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness) in teachers. In addition, moderating effects of teachers’ professional level were investigated. In line with our expectations, neuroticism was positively related to all three burnout dimensions, with medium-sized effects found for emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and a small effect size found for reduced personal accomplishment. The other significant associations between personality traits and burnout dimensions were negative. Apart from a nonsignificant association between emotional exhaustion and openness, all associations were rated as small to medium. The moderator analyses did not show any support for moderating effects of teachers’ professional level concerning the associations between burnout dimensions and personality traits.
International Predictors of Contract Cheating in Higher Education
Authors: Awdry R. , Ives B.
Published: April 2022

Prevalence of contract cheating and outsourcing through organised methods has received interest in research studies aiming to determine the most suitable strategies to reduce the problem. Few studies have presented an international approach or tested which variables could be correlated with contract cheating. As a result, strategies to reduce contract cheating may be founded on data from other countries, or demographics/situations which may not align to variables most strongly connected to engagement in outsourcing. This paper presents the results of a series of statistical analyses aimed at testing which variables were found to be predictors of students’ self-reported formal outsourcing behaviours. The data are derived from an international research study conducted in 22 languages, with higher education students (from Europe, the Americas and Australasia. Analyses found that country and discipline of study as well as the rate at which respondents n = 7806) believed other students to be cheating, were positively correlated to their cheating behaviours. Demographic variables did not show strong statistical significance to predicting contract cheating.
Topology optimization using the discrete element method. Part 1: Methodology, validation, and geometric nonlinearity
Authors: O’Shaughnessy Connor , Masoero Enrico , Gosling Peter D.
Published: April 2022

Structural Topology optimization is attracting increasing attention as a complement to additive manufacturing techniques. The optimization algorithms usually employ continuum-based Finite Element analyses, but some important materials and processes are better described by discrete models, for example granular materials, powder-based 3D printing, or structural collapse. To address these systems, we adapt the established framework of SIMP Topology optimization to address a system modelled with the Discrete Element Method. We consider a typical problem of stiffness maximization for which we define objective function and related sensitivity for the Discrete Element framework. The method is validated for simply supported beams discretized as interacting particles, whose predicted optimum solutions match those from a classical continuum-based algorithm. A parametric study then highlights the effects of mesh dependence and filtering. An advantage of the Discrete Element Method is that geometric nonlinearity is captured without additional complexity; this is illustrated when changing the beam supports from rollers to hinges, which indeed generates different optimum structures. The proposed Discrete Element Topology Optimization method enables future incorporation of nonlinear interactions, as well as discontinuous processes such as during fracture or collapse.