bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The anomalously cold January 2017 in the south‐eastern Europe in a warming climate
Authors: Demirtaş Meral
Published: February 2022

The January 2017 wintry weather spread over the south‐eastern Europe and Turkey ‐which led to extremely low temperatures (−40°C) and snowstorms. This study strived to draw together key prominent dynamical mechanisms governing seasonal temperature variability in a warming climate, which can serve as a recognizable flow pattern and yield insights into their most important triggering mechanisms and maintenance. The connection between cold spells and atmospheric blocking was elucidated by utilizing an objective cold‐wave indicator and a two‐dimensional blocking indicator. The cold‐wave indicator ‐which uses a non‐parametric approach to diagnose a spatiotemporally varying minimum temperature threshold‐ gave an objective account of cold spells of January 2017. An analysis of cold‐wave activities indicated that parts of Europe and Turkey went through very cold weather conditions for approximately 7–12 days. Cold spells were closely related to the position of the blocking and the 500 hPa geopotential height anomalies. The horizontal distribution of surface temperature anomalies indicated that associated temperature anomalies were quite large in the south‐eastern Europe and Turkey. The persistence of the anticyclone over the eastern Atlantic steered the low pressure system towards the south‐eastern Europe and Turkey. The collocation of prominent atmospheric patterns led to the formation of extreme cold spells. Our results of two‐dimensional atmospheric blocking index revealed that blocking lasted for 5 days over the eastern Atlantic ‐which enabled anticyclonic conditions persisting. Diagnostics indicate that the imposed blocking over the north‐east Atlantic alters the direction and strength of the zonal flow in the south‐eastern Europe, which influences the behaviour of synoptic‐scale flow in its downstream. These results are consistent with the inferences drawn from surface temperature analyses, which accentuate the role of blocking imposed circulation on the anomalous low temperature anomalies. Characteristics of blocking at the north‐eastern Atlantic shed light on the winter climate variability over Europe and Turkey.
The marketing‐finance interface and national well‐being: An operant behavioral economics analysis
Authors: Porto Rafael Barreiros , Foxall Gordon Robert
Published: February 2022

The research ascertains which countries' well‐being metrics moderate the effects of marketing investments on corporate financial outcomes. We applied generalized estimating equations to firms in panel data from 131 countries covering 18 years. The results show that marketing investments raise market share regardless of country context, a global pattern. However, their effects are greater when considering economic growth. The impact of marketing on profitability and the companies' value increases when the country improves income distribution. The countries' developments generate higher financial outcomes, regardless of marketing investments. We highlight firsthand the global marketing–finance interface in its macro‐environment, using operant behavioral economics.
The impact of meteorological factors on COVID‐19 of California and its lag effect
Authors: Wei Haitao , Liu Shihao , Liu Yan , Liu Bang , Gong Xiyun
Published: February 2022

As of March 30, 2021, COVID‐19 has been circulating globally for more than 1 year, posing a huge threat to the safety of human life and property. Understanding the relationship between meteorological factors and the COVID‐19 can provide positive help for the prevention and control of the global epidemic. We take California as the research object, use Geodetector to screen out the meteorological factors with the strongest explanatory power for the epidemic, then use partial correlation analysis to study the correlation between the two, and finally construct a distributed lag non‐linear model (DLNM) to further explore the relationship between the dominant factor and COVID‐19 and its lag effect. It turns out that temperature has a greater impact on COVID‐19 and the two have a significant negative correlation. When the temperature is lower than 50°F, it has a significant promotion effect on the epidemic, and the relative risk (RR) increases approximately exponentially as the temperature decreases. The delayed effect of the cold effect on the epidemic can be as long as 15 days. This study has shown that more attention should be paid to epidemic prevention and control when the temperature is low, and the delay effect of temperature on the spread of the epidemic cannot be ignored.
Simultaneous measurement of ammonia and ethylene using hollow waveguide‐based wavelength modulation spectroscopy with a 9.56 μm quantum cascade laser
Authors: Li Jinyi , He Lingui , Tian Xinli , Wei Yingying , Yang Sen , Du Zhenhui
Published: February 2022

Simultaneous measurement of ammonia and ethylene is of great significance for atmospheric environmental monitoring, industrial process controlling and medical respiratory diagnosing. A wavelength modulation spectroscopy based on a 9.56 μm quantum cascade laser (QCL) and a hollow waveguide with a length of 5 m is reported for simultaneous gas sensing of ammonia (NH3) and ethylene (C2H4). The strong absorption lines of NH3 and C2H4 located at 1046.4 and 1045.97 cm−1, respectively, are selected, which can be covered by current tuning of the QCL. Based on the measured frequency modulation characteristics of the QCL, the modulation amplitude is optimized. The sensor performance evaluation shows that it has a sensitivity of 63.2 ppb and 0.775 ppm for NH3 and C2H4 respectively, with time resolution of 1 s. Furthermore, Allan variance analysis shows that the detection limit of NH3 and C2H4 can reach 7 ppb and 45 ppb, respectively, for about 100 s averaging time. The system is stable and robust, thus could be used in real‐time monitoring of atmospheric environment and extended to the field of exhaled breath analysis in the future.
Mapped shape optimization method for the rational design of cellular mechanical metamaterials under large deformation
Authors: Xue Tianju , Mao Sheng
Published: February 2022

Soft cellular mechanical metamaterials (CMMs) have gained increasing attention due to their unique mechanical properties, especially when under large deformation. However, the strong nonlinearities and complex instabilities brought by the large deformation field is a critical challenge for the rational design of soft CMMs. In this work, we propose a mapped shape optimization method as a computational framework for inverse designs of soft CMMs. The core of this method is to introduce a fixed referential configuration. The geometric changes of the cellular structures are reflected by altering a differentiable shape map; and the deformation of the corresponding structures are determined by mapping the finite element computations to the referential configuration. Such formulation avoids the need to alter the background mesh and more importantly, provides an efficient way to compute the gradient of the objective functions with respect to the design variables via the adjoint method. The proposed method is of general purpose, and three distinct yet representative numerical examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method: optimizing unique overall mechanical properties, precise control of the onset of instability, and optimizing phononic band gaps. These examples cover a broad range of important engineering applications of soft CMMs.
The counterbalancing effects of energy expenditure on body weight regulation: Orexigenic versus energy‐consuming mechanisms
Authors: Piaggi Paolo , Basolo Alessio , Martin Corby K. , Redman Leanne M. , Votruba Susanne B. , Krakoff Jonathan
Published: February 2022

Objective

Weight change is a dynamic function of whole‐body energy balance resulting from the interplay between energy intake and energy expenditure (EE). Recent reports have provided evidence for the existence of a causal effect of EE on energy intake, suggesting that increased EE may drive overeating, thereby promoting future weight gain. This study investigated the relationships between ad libitum energy intake and 24‐hour EE (24‐h EE) in sedentary conditions versus long‐term, free‐living weight change using a mediation analysis framework.

Methods

Native American individuals (n = 61, body fat by dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry: 39.7% [SD 9.5%]) were admitted to the clinical inpatient unit and had baseline measurements as follows: 1) 24‐h EE accurately measured in a whole‐room indirect calorimeter during energy balance and weight stability; and 2) ad libitum energy intake objectively assessed for 3 days using computerized vending machines. Free‐living weight change was assessed after a median follow‐up time of 1.7 years (interquartile range: 1.2‐2.9).

Results

The total effect of 24‐h EE on weight change (−0.23 kg per 100‐kcal/d difference in EE at baseline) could be partitioned into the following two independent and counterbalanced effects: higher EE protective against weight gain (−0.46 kg per 100‐kcal/d difference in EE at baseline) and an orexigenic effect promoting overeating, thereby favoring weight gain (+0.23 kg per 100‐kcal/d difference in EE at baseline).

Conclusions

The overall impact of EE on body weight regulation should be evaluated by also considering its collateral effect on energy intake. Any weight loss intervention aimed to induce energy deficits by increasing EE should take into account any potential orexigenic effects that promote compensatory overeating, thereby limiting the efficacy of these obesity therapies.
The influence of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the demand for different shades of green
Authors: Yap Kathleen K. L. , Soh Malcolm C. K. , Sia Angelia , Chin Wei Jun , Araib Sophianne , Ang Wei Ping , Tan Puay Yok , Er Kenneth B. H.
Published: February 2022

COVID‐19 has heightened the dependence of urban dwellers on cultural ecosystem services provided by urban green spaces (UGS), specifically in regard to the provision of recreational opportunities, and psychological and physical health benefits arising from their use.

As different types and levels of cultural ecosystem services are provided by different types of UGS, people may seek out different UGS to satisfy personal needs over various phases of COVID‐19 mobility restrictions imposed by cities. We report on a study that took advantage of the different phases of COVID‐19 mobility restrictions to assess the demand for and perception of different types of UGS in Singapore.

The study utilised four datasets to compare demand for and visitorship patterns of UGS before the pandemic (Pre‐Circuit Breaker), the duration of the strictest mobility restrictions (Circuit Breaker), and after the measures were relaxed (Post‐Circuit Breaker). We used Google Search trends as a proxy for UGS demand, Google mobility data for an overview of population visitorship trends, visitor counts for granular insights on actual visitorship trends, and qualitative data on perception of parks by park visitors after restrictions eased. Parks were categorised as manicured and less manicured UGS for analysis.

Search interest for UGS overall fell by more than 50% from during Circuit Breaker but the post‐Circuit Breaker levels exceeded pre‐Circuit Breaker, with a 70.9% increase for less manicured UGS compared to 20.8% for manicured UGS. This corroborated with Google mobility and visitor counts, which showed a steep decrease in park use followed by a rapid increase in the same periods, and with increased visitorship in the less manicured UGS. The perception study also showed that more than 50% of respondents reported visiting parks that they have never visited before, and there was a greater appreciation and use of UGS after the pandemic and preference for less manicured and more naturalistic landscapes.

The pandemic has heightened the demand for cultural ecosystem services provided by UGS. Our study showed that this demand is not uniform across different types of UGS, with an increase visitorship and preference for less manicured green spaces.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Improvements in ultra‐light and flexible epitaxial lift‐off GaInP/GaAs/GaInAs solar cells for space applications
Authors: Schön Jonas , Bissels Gunther M. M. W. , Mulder Peter , van Leest Rosalinda H. , Gruginskie Natasha , Vlieg Elias , Chojniak David , Lackner David
Published: February 2022

A thin, lightweight, flexible solar cell is developed that maximizes the power‐to‐mass ratio under AM0 illumination and has a competitive efficiency after typical high energy electron irradiation. The inverted metamorphic triple junction (IMM3J) solar cells with Ga0.51In0.49P/GaAs/Ga0.73In0.27As subcells are grown on GaAs substrates and have a total epitaxy thickness of about 10 μm. After epitaxial growth, the inverted layer stack is metallized, with the metal serving as back‐contact, back reflector and support layer for the ultra‐thin solar cells before the GaAs substrate is separated by an epitaxial lift‐off (ELO) process. The nondestructive nature of the ELO process makes multiple reuses of the GaAs substrate possible. The solar cell structure is optimized for maximum EOL efficiency, that is, after 1‐MeV electron irradiation with a fluence of 1 × 1015 cm−2, by means of simulations that include the irradiation induced defects in the various semiconductor alloys. Assuming realistic charge carrier lifetime in the materials, we predict a near‐term efficiency potential for the IMM3J ELO of 30.9% under AM0 illumination before and 26.7% after irradiation. Several IMM3J ELO solar cells with an area of approximately 20 cm2 from different development stages were tested under AM0 illumination. The newest solar cells (generation III) with a mass density of only 13.2 mg/cm2 reach conversion efficiencies of 30.2% at 25°C. The resulting power‐to‐mass ratio of 3.0 W/g for the bare solar cell is one of the highest published ratios. After irradiation, a conversion efficiency of 25.4% was measured for “generation II” devices under AM0 illumination, which corresponds to a power‐to‐mass ratio of 2.6 W/g. IMM3J ELO solar cells from “generation I” were also tested for mechanical stability as “de‐risking” test of this new cell technology. No degradation of the cell performance was found after dipping the cell in liquid N2 and then heating up to 25°C for five times, despite of strong deformation of the flexible cell during the temperature cycle.
Microbiome therapies: why we are not there yet
Authors: Hassall Jack , Sergaki Chrysi
Published: February 2022

Microbiome therapies have the potential to revolutionise our approach to medicine, but until now, a lack of standardisation and regulation has hampered clinical development. Here, Chrysi Sergaki and Jack Hassall from the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control discuss how they are developing reference reagents to standardise analysis of microbiome samples, and how research is now moving towards the development of more targeted microbiome‐based therapeutics.
Stemness Maintenance and Massproduction of Neural Stem Cells on Poly L‐Lactic Acid Nanofibrous Membrane Based on Piezoelectriceffect
Authors: Lu Xiheng , Sun Chunhui , Chen Lu , Feng Zhichao , Gao Haoyang , Hu Shuang , Dong Mengwei , Wang Jingang , Zhou Weijia , Ren Na , Zhou Hengxing , Liu Hong
Published: February 2022

Neural stem cells (NSCs) therapy is promising for treating neurodegenerative disorders and neural injuries. However, the limited in vitro expansion, spontaneous differentiation, and decrease in stemness obstruct the acquisition of high quantities of NSCs, restricting the clinical application of cell‐based therapies and tissue engineering. This article reports a facile method of promoting NSCs expansion and maintaining stemness using wireless electrical stimulation triggered by piezoelectric nanomaterials. A nanofibrous membrane of poly L‐lactic acid (PLLA) is prepared by electrostatic spinning, and the favorable piezoelectric property of PLLA facilitates the freeing of electrons after transformation. These self‐powered electric signals generated by PLLA significantly enhance NSCs proliferation. Further, an undifferentiated cellular state is maintained in the NSCs cultured on the surfaces of PLLA nanofibers exposed to ultrasonic vibration. In addition, the neural differentiation potencies and functions of NSCs expanded by piezoelectric‐driven localized electricity are not attenuated. Moreover, cell stemness can be maintained by wireless electric stimulation. Taken together, the electronic signals mediated by PLLA nanofibers facilitate NSCs proliferation. This efficient and simple strategy can maintain the stemness of NSCs during proliferation, which is essential for their clinical application, and opens up opportunities for the mass production of NSCs for use in cell therapy.
Recent progress in materials and architectures for capacitive deionization: A comprehensive review
Authors: Datar Shreerang D. , Mane Rupali , Jha Neetu
Published: February 2022

Capacitive deionization is an emerging and rapidly developing electrochemical technique for water desalination across the globe with exponential growth in publications. There are various architectures and materials being explored to obtain utmost electrosorption performance. The symmetric architectures consist of the same material on both electrodes, while asymmetric architectures have electrodes loaded with different materials. Asymmetric architectures possess higher electrosorption performance as compared with that of symmetric architectures owing to the inclusion of either faradaic materials, redox‐active electrolytes, or ion specific pre‐intercalation material. With the materials perspective, faradaic materials have higher electrosorption performance than carbon‐based materials owing to the occurrence of faradaic reactions for electrosorption. Moreover, the architecture and material may be tailored in order to obtain desired selectivity of the target component and heavy metal present in feed water. In this review, we describe recent developments in architectures and materials for capacitive deionization and summarize the characteristics and salt removal performances. Further, we discuss recently reported architectures and materials for the removal of heavy metals and radioactive materials. The factors that affect the electrosorption performance including the synthesis procedure for electrode materials, incorporation of additives, operational modes, and organic foulants are further illustrated. This review concludes with several perspectives to provide directions for further development in the subject of capacitive deionization.

Practitioner Points

Capacitive deionization (CDI) is a rapidly developing electrochemical water desalination technique with exponential growth in publications.

Faradaic materials have higher salt removal capacity (SAC) because of reversible redox reactions or ion‐intercalation processes.

Combination of CDI with other techniques exhibits improved selectivity and removal of heavy metals.

Operational parameters and materials properties affect SAC.

In future, comprehensive experimentation is needed to have better understanding of the performance of CDI architectures and materials.
Frühsyphilis als Ursache einer Orchiektomie
Authors: Koch Lukas , Fink-Puches R. , Cerroni L. , Aigelsreiter A. , Sadoghi B.
Published: February 2022

Granulomatöse und abszedierende Orchitiden sind wichtige Differenzialdiagnosen von Hodenkarzinomen. Eine infektiöse Orchitis sollte bei unklaren testikulären Raumforderungen mit negativen Tumormarkern immer bedacht werden. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird über den Fall eines 45-jährigen Mannes mit abszedierender Orchitis bedingt durch eine Frühsyphilis berichtet. Die Diagnose konnte erst nach Orchiektomie bei Verdacht auf ein Seminom gestellt werden.
Delaunay walk for fast nearest neighbor: accelerating correspondence matching for ICP
Authors: Anderson James D. , Raettig Ryan M. , Larson Josh , Nykl Scott L. , Taylor Clark N. , Wischgoll Thomas
Published: February 2022

Point set registration algorithms such as Iterative Closest Point (ICP) are commonly utilized in time-constrained environments like robotics. Finding the nearest neighbor of a point in a reference 3D point set is a common operation in ICP and frequently consumes at least 90% of the computation time. We introduce a novel approach to performing the distance-based nearest neighbor step based on Delaunay triangulation. This greedy algorithm finds the nearest neighbor of a query point by traversing the edges of the Delaunay triangulation created from a reference 3D point set. Our work integrates the Delaunay traversal into the correspondences search of ICP and exploits the iterative aspect of ICP by caching previous correspondences to expedite each iteration. An algorithmic analysis and comparison is conducted showing an order of magnitude speedup for both serial and vector processor implementation.
Endogene Bildung von n‑Propanol
Authors: Wallendszus Susanne , Gehlen Nicolai , Rothschild Markus A. , Jübner Martin
Published: February 2022

n‑Propanol wird endogen unter Ethanoleinfluss gebildet. Die Quelle des endogenen n‑Propanols ist bislang unbekannt. Mögliche Entstehungsorte sind der Darm oder die Leber. In dem hier dargestellten Pilotversuch wurde einer Testperson (n = 1) Ethanol intravenös (i.v.) verabreicht, um den Magen-Darm-Trakt zu umgehen. Während des Versuchs konnte mit steigender Ethanolkonzentration eine ebenfalls ansteigende n‑Propanol-Konzentration im Blut nachgewiesen werden, vergleichbar mit der n‑Propanol-Bildung bei vorherigen Studien nach oraler Aufnahme begleitstofffreier Alkoholika. In der Nullprobe war n‑Propanol nicht nachweisbar. Die Resultate des Versuches weisen darauf hin, dass endogenes n‑Propanol nicht im Magen-Darm-Trakt gebildet wird. Hinsichtlich der Aufklärung von Ort und Mechanismus der n‑Propanol-Formation sind weitere Experimente notwendig.
Characterization of VOCs and additives in Italian PET bottles and studies on potential functional aldehydes scavengers
Authors: Dattilo Sandro , Gugliuzzo Chiara , Mirabella Emanuele F. , Puglisi Concetto , Scamporrino Andrea A. , Zampino Daniela C. , Samperi Filippo
Published: February 2022

This study focused on characterization of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as contaminants and non-volatile additives in Italian PET bottles, also suggesting potential functional aldehydes scavengers. Several VOCs, such as acetic aldehyde (AA), butanal, 3-methyl butanal, 1,3-dioxolane, pentanal, hexanal, octanal, 5-hepten-2-one, nonanal, and decanal, were identified by Head Space-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (HS-GC/MS) in the PET bottles used for the packaging of six Italian brands mineral waters. AA, 1,3-dioxolane, octanal, 5-hepten-2-one, nonanal, and decanal were the most abundant compounds identified. These contaminants were also identified in the PET-bottled mineral waters. Different experiments using bottle-grade PET pellets (Btlg-PET) and PET bottles’ fragments with and without the addition of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) or erucamide as lubricant/plasticizer additives, poly(m-xylene adipamide) (MXD6), and/or anthranilamide (2-aminobenzamide) as potential aldehydes scavengers were carried out. Mostly VOCs observed in the PET bottles analysed were identified in a neat ESBO sample. The presence of the ESBO additive in the PET-bottle fragments was also observed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry analysis (MALDI–TOF MS). The ESBO sub-products were not observed in the virgin btlg-PET pellets analysed by both HS-GC/MS and MALDI–TOF MS. These results suggest that the VOCs come from an ESBO additive probably loaded during the blow-moulding processes used for the manufacturing of PET bottles. Further studies established that MXD6 (1%w), an efficient oxygen scavenger, could be also used as AA scavenger even in the presence of the commonly used anthranilamide.
Trends in Hip Fracture Incidence, Length of Hospital Stay, and 30-Day Mortality in Sweden from 1998–2017: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Nordström Peter , Bergman Jonathan , Ballin Marcel , Nordström Anna
Published: February 2022

In this nationwide cohort study, we investigated trends in hip fracture incidence, hospital length of stay (LOS), and 30-day mortality after admission in Sweden. The cohort included all individuals in Sweden aged ≥ 50 years with a first hip fracture diagnosis during 1998–2017 (N = 313,761). The outcomes were hip fracture incidence and 30-day mortality. The results showed that the incidence of hip fracture decreased from 79.2 to 46.7/10,000 population in women and from 35.7 to 26.5/10,000 population in men. In contrast, 30-day mortality increased from 4.3% to 6.2% in women (P < 0.001) and from 8.4% to 11.1% in men (P < 0.001). Strong risk factors (P < 1 × 10–25 for all) for 30-day mortality were older age, male sex, and shorter LOS. From 1998 to 2017, LOS decreased by on average 4 days and was shorter in both male and female aged ≥ 90 years compared to those aged 80–89 (P < 0.001 for comparisons). In conclusion, despite population aging, hip fracture incidence in Sweden has decreased over the last 20 years. However, short-term mortality has increased, which to some extent may partly be explained by the fact that LOS has decreased without being adapted to important risk factors.
Imaging of neuroinflammation due to repetitive head injury in currently active kickboxers
Authors: Stormezand Gilles N. , Doorduin Janine , Rakers Sandra E. , Spikman Jacoba M. , van der Naalt Joukje , García David Vállez , van der Hoorn Anouk , van der Weijden Chris W. J. , Kremer Berry P. H. , Renken Remco J. , Dierckx Rudi A. J. O.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy refers to a neurodegenerative disease resulting from repetitive head injury of participants in contact sports. Similar to other neurodegenerative diseases, neuroinflammation is thought to play a role in the onset and progression of the disease. Limited knowledge is available regarding the neuroinflammatory consequences of repetitive head injury in currently active contact sports athletes. PET imaging of the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) allows quantification of microglial activation in vivo, a marker of neuroinflammation.

Methods

Eleven rank A kickboxers and 11 age-matched controls underwent TSPO PET using [11C]-PK11195, anatomical MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and neuropsychological testing. Relevant imaging parameters were derived and correlated with the outcomes of the neuropsychological testing.

Results

On a group level, no statistically significant differences were detected in non-displaceable binding potential (BPND) using PET. Individually, 3 kickboxers showed increased BPNDs in widespread regions of the brain without a correlation with other modalities. Increased FA was observed in the superior corona radiata bilaterally. DTI parameters in other regions did not differ between groups.

Conclusion

Despite negative results on a group level, individual results suggest that neuroinflammation may be present as a consequence of repetitive head injury in active kickboxers. Future studies using a longitudinal design may determine whether the observed TSPO upregulation is related to the future development of neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Epidemiology of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in Brazil from 2008 to 2019 and Comprehensive Review of Nationwide Statistics Across the World
Authors: Louzada Andressa Cristina Sposato , da Silva Marcelo Fiorelli Alexandrino , Portugal Maria Fernanda Cassino , Stabellini Nickolas , Zerati Antonio Eduardo , Amaro Edson , Teivelis Marcelo Passos , Wolosker Nelson
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Studying epidemiology of abdominal aortic aneurysms repairs is essential to prevent related deaths. Although outcomes are influenced by socioeconomic factors, there are no nationwide studies on these statistics in low‐and‐middle income countries. Therefore, we designed this study to evaluate abdominal aortic aneurysms repair rates, trends, costs, and in‐hospital mortality in the Brazilian Public Health System, which exclusively insures over 160 million Brazilians.

Material and Methods

Retrospective cross‐sectional population‐based analysis of publicly available data referring to all abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs performed between 2008 and 2019 in Brazilian public hospitals.

Results

We observed a total of 13,506 abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs, of which 32% were emergency endovascular repairs, 20% emergency open repairs, 32% elective endovascular repairs and 16% elective open repairs. There has been a downward trend in total abdominal aortic aneurysms repairs and an increasing predominance of endovascular repair. Elective and endovascular repairs were significantly associated with lower in‐hospital mortality. For ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms, we observed mortality rates of 13.8% after endovascular repair and 52.1% after open repair. For intact abdominal aortic aneurysms, we observed mortalities of 3.8% after endovascular repair and 18.6% after open repair. Procedure and mortality rates varied significantly among the Brazilian regions.

Conclusions

We observed a low and decreasing rate of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Most repairs were emergency and endovascular and there was an increasing predominance of endovascular repair. Endovascular and elective repairs were associated with lower mortality.
Sensor-based gait analyses of the six-minute walk test identify qualitative improvement in gait parameters of people with multiple sclerosis after rehabilitation
Authors: Berg-Hansen Pål , Moen Stine Marit , Austeng Andreas , Gonzales Victor , Klyve Thomas Dahl , Negård Henrik , Seeberg Trine Margrethe , Celius Elisabeth Gulowsen , Meyer Frédéric
Published: February 2022

The aim of this work was to determine whether wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) could detect gait improvements across different disability groups of people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) by the six-minute walk test (6MWT) during a rehabilitation stay in a specialized rehabilitation center. Forty-six pwMS and 20 healthy controls (HC) were included in the study. They performed the 6MWT with two inertial measurement units (IMUs) placed on the feet. Thirty-two of the pwMS were retested at the end of the stay. PwMS were divided in a mild-disability and a moderate-disability group. The 6MWT was divided in six sections of 1 min each for technical analysis, and linear mixed models were used for statistical analyses. The comparison between the two disability groups and HC highlighted significant differences for each gait parameter (all p < 0.001). The crossing effect between the test–retest and the two disability groups showed greater improvement for the moderate-disability group. Finally, the gait parameter with the higher effect size, allowing the best differentiation between the disability groups, was the foot flat ratio (R2 = 0.53). Gait analyses from wearable sensors identified different evolutions of gait patterns during the 6MWT in pwMS with different physical disability. The measured effect of a short-time rehabilitation on gait with 6MWT was higher for pwMS with higher degree of disability. Using IMUs in a clinical setting allowed to identify significant changes in inter-stride gait patterns. Wearable sensors and key parameters have the potential as useful clinical tools for focusing on gait in pwMS.
Surufatinib plus toripalimab in patients with advanced solid tumors: a single-arm, open-label, phase 1 trial
Authors: Cao Yanshuo , Lu Ming , Sun Yu , Gong Jifang , Li Jie , Lu Zhihao , Li Jian , Zhang Xiaotian , Li Yan , Peng Zhi , Zhou Jun , Wang Xicheng , Shen Lin
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This phase 1 trial evaluated the safety, preliminary efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of surufatinib, a small molecular tyrosine kinase inhibitor, combined with toripalimab, a programmed cell death protein-1 antibody, in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Methods

This is an open-label, dose-escalation and expansion study in patients with solid tumors who had failed standard therapies or had no effective treatment. In the dose-escalation stage, patients were treated with surufatinib, at dose levels of 200, 250, or 300 mg once daily (QD) in combination with toripalimab 240 mg, every 3 weeks (Q3W), to estimate maximum tolerated dose. Additional patients were enrolled in the dose expansion stage to further assess the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics profile. Recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) was determined based on the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy from dose-escalation and expansion stages.

Results

From Feb 14, 2019 to Dec 20, 2020, 33 patients were screened, of which 30 patients were enrolled. One patient in the 300 mg cohort experienced dose limited toxicity, a grade 3 hyperthyroidism. The most frequent treatment-related adverse events of grade ≥ 3 were hypertension (20.0%), transaminases increased (13.3%), and blood bilirubin increased (13.3%). No treatment-related death or treatment discontinuation was identified. The RP2D was determined to be surufatinib 250 mg QD plus toripalimab 240 mg Q3W. Objective response rate was 24.1% (95% confidence interval 10.3‒43.5%) in this study.

Conclusions

Surufatinib plus toripalimab was well tolerated, with no unexpected safety signals, and showed preliminary anti-tumor activity in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03879057; registration date: March 18, 2019.
Open-vent volcanoes fuelled by depth-integrated magma degassing
Authors: Edmonds M. , Liu E.J. , Cashman K.V.
Published: February 2022

Open-vent, persistently degassing volcanoes—such as Stromboli and Etna (Italy), Villarrica (Chile), Bagana and Manam (Papua New Guinea), Fuego and Pacaya (Guatemala) volcanoes—produce high gas fluxes and infrequent violent strombolian or ‘paroxysmal’ eruptions that erupt very little magma. Here we draw on examples of open-vent volcanic systems to highlight the principal characteristics of their degassing regimes and develop a generic model to explain open-vent degassing in both high and low viscosity magmas and across a range of tectonic settings. Importantly, gas fluxes from open-vent volcanoes are far higher than can be supplied by erupting magma and independent migration of exsolved volatiles is integral to the dynamics of such systems. The composition of volcanic gases emitted from open-vent volcanoes is consistent with its derivation from magma stored over a range of crustal depths that in general requires contributions from both magma decompression (magma ascent and/or convection) and iso- and polybaric second boiling processes. Prolonged crystallisation of water-rich basalts in crustal reservoirs produces a segregated exsolved hydrous volatile phase that may flux through overlying shallow magma reservoirs, modulating heat flux and generating overpressure in the shallow conduit. Small fraction water-rich melts generated in the lower and mid-crust may play an important role in advecting volatiles to subvolcanic reservoirs. Excessive gas fluxes at the surface are linked to extensive intrusive magmatic activity and endogenous crustal growth, aided in many cases by extensional tectonics in the crust, which may control the longevity and activity of open-vent volcanoes. There is emerging abundant geophysical evidence for the existence of a segregated exsolved magmatic volatile phase in magma storage regions in the crust. Here we provide a conceptual picture of gas-dominated volcanoes driven by magmatic intrusion and degassing throughout the crust.
On 3-Coloring of ($$2P_4,C_5$$)-Free Graphs
Authors: Jelínek Vít , Klimošová Tereza , Masařík Tomáš , Novotná Jana , Pokorná Aneta
Published: February 2022

The 3-coloring of hereditary graph classes has been a deeply-researched problem in the last decade. A hereditary graph class is characterized by a (possibly infinite) list of minimal forbidden induced subgraphs $$H_1,H_2,\ldots $$

H
1

,

H
2

,
…

; the graphs in the class are called $$(H_1,H_2,\ldots )$$

(

H
1

,

H
2

,
…
)

-free. The complexity of 3-coloring is far from being understood, even for classes defined by a few small forbidden induced subgraphs. For H-free graphs, the complexity is settled for any H on up to seven vertices. There are only two unsolved cases on eight vertices, namely $$2P_4$$

2

P
4

and $$P_8$$

P
8

. For $$P_8$$

P
8

-free graphs, some partial results are known, but to the best of our knowledge, $$2P_4$$

2

P
4

-free graphs have not been explored yet. In this paper, we show that the 3-coloring problem is polynomial-time solvable on $$(2P_4,C_5)$$

(
2

P
4

,

C
5

)

-free graphs.
Electrolysis energy efficiency of highly concentrated FeCl2 solutions for power-to-solid energy storage technology
Authors: Luin Uroš , Valant Matjaž
Published: February 2022

An electrochemical cycle for the grid energy storage in the redox potential of Fe involves the electrolysis of a highly concentrated aqueous FeCl2solution yielding solid iron deposits. For the high overall energy efficiency of the cycle, it is crucial to maximize the energy efficiency of the electrolysis process. Here we present a study of the influence of electrolysis parameters on the energy efficiency of such electrolysis, performed in an industrial-type electrolyzer. We studied the conductivity of the FeCl2solution as a function of concentration and temperature and correlated it with the electrolysis energy efficiency. The deviation from the correlation indicated an important contribution from the conductivity of the ion-exchange membrane. Another important studied parameter was the applied current density. We quantitatively showed how the contribution of the resistance polarization increases with the current density, causing a decrease in overall energy efficiency. The highest energy efficiency of 89 ± 3% was achieved using 2.5 mol L−1FeCl2solution at 70 °C and a current density of 0.1 kA m−2. In terms of the energy input per Fe mass, this means 1.88 Wh g−1. The limiting energy input per mass of the Fe deposit was found to be 1.76 Wh g−1.

Graphical abstract
Two Mechanisms Drive Changes in Boreal Peatland Photosynthesis Following Long-Term Water Level Drawdown: Species Turnover and Altered Photosynthetic Capacity
Authors: Kokkonen Nicola , Laine Anna M. , Männistö Elisa , Mehtätalo Lauri , Korrensalo Aino , Tuittila Eeva-Stiina
Published: February 2022

Climate change and the related increases in evapotranspiration threaten to make northern peatlands drier. The carbon sink function in peatlands is based on the delicate balance between the photosynthesis and decomposition. However, little is known about how existing and invading plant species will photosynthesize under drier conditions. The aim of this study is to quantify the long-term consequences of climate change-induced drying for peatland photosynthesis in the level of individual species and vegetation community. We measured the species-level photosynthesis of vascular plants and mosses characteristic for the three peatland types (rich fen, poor fen, bog) within a 16-year water level drawdown (WLD) experiment. Measurements were made in the laboratory from mesocosms collected from the field within the same day. We applied nonlinear mixed-effects models to test the impact of WLD on hyperbolic photosynthetic light response curve parameters. The model was then used to upscale photosynthesis to site-level. WLD impacted site-level photosynthesis through two mechanisms: species turnover and changes in species-level photosynthesis rate. The rich fen was the most sensitive and underwent major changes through both mechanisms; the vascular plant community shifted to woody plant dominance with higher rate of photosynthesis than the pre-treatment vegetation, and the rate of species-level photosynthesis increased significantly. The bog had a stable plant community with little change in photosynthesis, while the poor fen was an intermediate of the three peatland types. Our results suggest that vascular plants are the main drivers of site-level productivity changes, while mosses are more resistant to change. The change seems proportional to the availability of mineral nutrients, with higher nutrient status supporting vascular plant expansion.
Prevalence, Response and Management of Self-harm in School Children Under 13 Years of Age: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Townsend Michelle L. , Jain Alisha , Miller Caitlin E. , Grenyer Brin F. S.
Published: February 2022

Research suggests that the incidents of self-harm among young people are increasing and age of onset of self-harm is decreasing. There is limited understanding of how widespread the problem of self-harm among younger school students is, and how schools respond to these incidents. This study used an in-depth qualitative approach to understand self-harm in children under 13, and how elementary schools respond including typical actions, support for the child and parental involvement. School psychologists in New South Wales, Australia (n = 17; 78% females), completed in-depth interviews detailing types of self-harm, prevalence and frequency, and how these incidents were managed, including student intervention approaches and participation of parents. Thematic analysis of interviews was conducted. Psychologists estimated the prevalence of self-harm in their schools was 6.5% and was increasing, with an average age of onset of 10.8 years. Self-harm was most often understood as a coping mechanism associated with anxiety, stress and being bullied. Six themes emerged from the interviews. School psychologists reported that self-harm occurs less frequently in primary school children than high school children, but noted these behaviours still require early intervention. Participants felt they were limited in the support they can provide students who self-harm, and wanted more training for all school staff and parents in identifying and responding to student self-harm. School psychologists are important in identification and management of self-harm, and they report they need further support in helping children who are engaging in self-harm behaviours. Upskilling teachers and parents may assist in reducing rates of self-harm among children.
Application of benchtop humidity and temperature chamber in the measurement of water vapor sorption in US shales from Mancos, Marcellus, Eagle Ford and Wolfcamp formations
Authors: Abdulelah Hesham , Negash Berihun Mamo , Yaw Atta Dennis , Al-Shami Tareq M. , Al-Yaseri Ahmed , Padmanabhan Eswaran
Published: February 2022

A benchtop humidity and temperature chamber was used to assess water vapor sorption in four US shale samples at 90 °C. Water sorption isotherms were measured at relative humidity ranging from 10 to 99% and temperature of 90 °C. Shale fractal properties were then evaluated, and capillary pressure (ranging from 1.70 to 386 MPa) was obtained using Kelvin relationship. The results show that Mancos shale, from the US, adsorbed more absorbed water due to its high clay concentration and low TOC. However, Wolfcamp shale, from the US, has the lowest TOC and clay concentration, adsorbing the lowest amount of water. There is little hysteresis between adsorption and desorption isotherms explaining water retention phenomenon in some shales. The obtained fractal dimension values ranged between 2.45 and 2.76 and average of 2.56 indicating irregular pore surface and complex pore structure. All shale sample's capillary curves were fitted to Brooks & Corey and van Genuchten models with nonlinear regression. The fitting coefficient, R2, which represents the proportion of variance for Brooks & Corey fits ranged from 0.90 to 0.97 for imbibition and 0.85 to 0.98 for drainage, while R2 for the van Genuchten model ranged from 0.94 to 0.99 for both imbibition and drainage. Thus, the proposed method can be used to measure capillary pressure–saturation relationships in gas shales.
A new integrated HPHT experimental apparatus to measure interfacial tension, swelling factor, and viscosity simultaneously
Authors: Hakim Andri Luthfi L. , Permadi Asep K. , Bae Wisup , Ryoo Won S.
Published: February 2022

An experimental apparatus has been designed to investigate interaction among CO2injection parameters. It is an integrated-closed system of measurement kits that aimed to obtain interfacial tension, swelling factor, and viscosity data simultaneously. The apparatus had been successfully tested to measure properties of dead and live oils mixed with CO2in high-pressure and high-temperature environment. An experimental study was completed using samples from real fields. Results showed consistency and coherency among the parameters that can be utilized to estimate the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) graphically. The MMP is taken as the pressure at the intersection between two straight lines.
A Comparative Study of an Anti-Thrombotic Small-Diameter Vascular Graft with Commercially Available e-PTFE Graft in a Porcine Carotid Model
Authors: Lee Kyo Seon , Kayumov Mukhammad , Emechebe Gladys A. , Kim Do-Wan , Cho Hwa-Jin , Jeong Yun-Jin , Lee Dong-Weon , Park Jun-Kyu , Park Chan-Hee , Kim Cheol-Sang , Obiweluozor Francis O. , Jeong In-Seok
Published: February 2022

Background:

We have designed a reinforced drug-loaded vascular graft composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polydioxanone (PDO) via a combination of electrospinning/3D printing approaches. To evaluate its potential for clinical application, we compared the in vivo blood compatibility and performance of PCL/PDO + 10%DY grafts doped with an antithrombotic drug (dipyridamole) with a commercial expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) graft in a porcine model.

Methods:

A total of 10 pigs (weight: 25–35 kg) were used in this study. We made a new 5-mm graft with PCL/PDO composite nanofiber via the electrospinning technique. We simultaneously implanted a commercially available e-PTFE graft (n = 5) and our PCL/PDO + 10%DY graft (n = 5) into the carotid arteries of the pigs. No anticoagulant/antiplatelet agent was administered during the follow-up period, and ultrasonography was performed weekly to confirm the patency of the two grafts in vivo. Four weeks later, we explanted and compared the performance of the two grafts by histological analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Results:

No complications, such as sweating on the graft or significant bleeding from the needle hole site, were seen in the PCL/PDO + 10%DY graft immediately after implantation. Serial ultrasonographic examination and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that PCL/PDO + 10%DY grafts showed normal physiological blood flow and minimal lumen reduction, and pulsed synchronously with the native artery at 4 weeks after implantation. However, all e-PTFE grafts occluded within the study period. The luminal surface of the PCL/PDO + 10%DY graft in the transitional zone was fully covered with endothelial cells as observed by SEM.

Conclusion:

The PCL/PDO + 10%DY graft was well tolerated, and no adverse tissue reaction was observed in porcine carotid models during the short-term follow-up. Colonization of the graft by host endothelial and smooth muscle cells coupled with substantial extracellular matrix production marked the regenerative capability. Thus, this material may be an ideal substitute for vascular reconstruction and bypass surgeries. Long-term observations will be necessary to determine the anti-thrombotic and remodeling potential of this device.