bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding extinction risk and resilience in an extremely small population facing climate and ecosystem change
Authors: Bakker Victoria J. , Doak Daniel F. , Ferrara Francesca J.
Published: August 2021

San Nicolas Island (SNI) foxes historically had the highest densities of the six subspecies of Channel Island fox, four of which were listed as endangered in the 1990s. As an island species, SNI foxes are inherently vulnerable because they evolved in isolation from many potential threats, and their small range features relatively simple and degraded habitats, limiting their population size and heightening susceptibility to climate‐driven habitat changes. In the past decade, the SNI fox population has decreased by nearly half, spurring concern. Our analyses of 18 yr of trapping data suggest that both drought and density dependence contributed to this decline. Density dependence in survival acted on older individuals and its strength doubled after recent drought‐induced habitat changes. Annual precipitation was a strong driver of pup production, but density dependence moderated precipitation benefits. Using a stochastic model with island‐specific drivers of demography, we developed a risk isocline tool to predict 50‐yr quasi‐extinction risk based on population size and mortality. Predicted extinction risk for SNI foxes is currently <5% and expected to decrease. Compared to the previously listed subspecies, risk isoclines indicate the SNI subspecies is more resistant to quasi‐extinction at moderate population sizes and mortality rates, but quasi‐extinction risk does not decline as rapidly at higher population sizes or lower mortality rates. Thus, limiting human‐caused mortality and monitoring for novel threats such as exotic disease remain important. The ability of SNI foxes to increase pup production following high‐rainfall low‐density years is a key feature stabilizing their dynamics. Habitat‐ and location‐specific dynamics produce substantial portfolio effects, whereby asynchrony in growth rates stabilizes overall population numbers, and restoration efforts that increase food resources and habitat diversity will further enhance the resilience of this population. Although the SNI fox appears to be rebounding, its recent decline may foreshadow future dynamics and serves as a cautionary tale for stewards of island species facing unprecedented climatic conditions, especially those inhabiting small and less diverse systems. Finally, our analyses highlight limitations in applying risk analyses from one population to related species, or even the same species in different habitat settings.
Heterogeneous Olefin Aziridination Reactions Catalyzed by Polymer‐Bound Tris(triazolyl)methane Copper Complexes
Authors: Rodríguez Manuel R. , Molina Francisco , Etayo Pablo , Pericàs Miquel A. , Pérez Pedro J. , Díaz‐Requejo M. Mar
Published: August 2021

Efficient olefin aziridination has been achieved with a tris(triazolyl)methane copper catalyst supported onto polystyrene. Aryl, alkyl and methoxycarbonyl‐substituted olefins are converted into N‐tosylaziridines in good to high yields. The solid catalyst is readily separated by filtration and recycled, allowing its reuse with no significant loss of the catalytic activity.
1,3‐Thiazolium‐4‐aminides: Syntheses and Characterization of Fluorescent Mesoionic Compounds
Authors: Storm Alena Therese , Gjikaj Mimoza , Namyslo Jan C. , Adams Jörg , Schmidt Andreas
Published: August 2021

A series of mesoionic 1,3‐thiazolium‐4‐aminides was synthesized starting from thioamides and chloroacetonitrile via cyanomethylbenzimidothioates which were cyclized by benzoylchloride. Depending on the reaction conditions 4‐amino‐1,3‐thiazolium salts and 4‐N‐benzamido‐1,3‐thiazolium salts were obtained (X‐ray structure analysis). Substitution of the amino groups with benzoyl chloride gave a series of the title mesoionic compounds (X‐ray structure analysis) which were examined spectroscopically. Negative solvatochromism was found and temperature‐dependent as well as time‐resolved fluorescence measurements were made. Long lifetimes of the excited states (30–50 ns) were detected. Calculated frontier orbital profiles gain insight into the characteristics of 1,3‐thiazolium‐4‐aminides as conjugated mesomeric betaines.
A critical review on the variations in anodization parameters toward microstructural formation of TiO2 nanotubes
Authors: David T. Manovah , Dev Priya Ranjan , Wilson P. , Sagayaraj P. , Mathews Tom
Published: August 2021

Over the past couple of decades (2001–2020), titania (TiO2) nanotubes (NTs) have been prepared by anodization techniques. The architecture of TiO2 NTs is predominantly dependent on the potential, current density, electrolyte and time, in addition to other few minor factors. This review is about the state‐of‐the‐art formation of TiO2 NTs involving anodization technique. In fact, the principal motive is to briefly discuss the slight variations involved within the anodization technique in terms of applied potential and/or applied current density and the resultant outcome. An initial overview of the technique is given so as to understand the beauty of the reactions when variations are incorporated. A minute alteration in the conventional anodization technique results in the formation of highly different morphological features. There are about 30 different miniscule modifications in the anodization processes that have been reported, thus, far. The review primarily introduces and outlines the various anodization techniques involved in growing TiO2 NTs and the consequent variations arising from these introduced variations. This review is a tribute to the bountiful and fruitful researches based on modifying anodization that was conducted in the recently passed bi‐decades.
RozinBDouble Helix of Phyllotaxis: Analysis of the geometric model of plant morphogenesisBrownWalker PressIrvine (2020)
Authors: Mayo Simon Joseph
Published: August 2021

A new theoretical model of phyllotactic patterns is presented in this book, based on the geometry of two oppositely twisted spirals or helices. Many of the models previously proposed to explain observations of phyllotactic patterns are thus explained mathematically. The book is abundantly illustrated with computer graphics and supplemented by hyperlinks to many more images and video animations avaiable online, showing the way phyllotactic patterns vary with growth and change in the geometry of the plant axis.
Chemistry and quantum mechanics
Authors: Ogilvie J. F.
Published: August 2021

Of quantum physics, quantum chemistry, and quantum mechanics, the latter is least directly useful for both chemical education and the practice of chemistry as a science concerned with the reactions and properties of chemical substances. We show that quantum mechanics must be viewed as a collection of methods, numbering at least 13, that one might apply to make calculations on a system of an atomic scale. Instead of quantum mechanics, we advocate the quantum laws or laws of discreteness, which have simple roots in laws of conservation and which have practical applications in various areas of observations of chemical phenomena. We conclude that quantum mechanics is largely irrelevant for the general practice of chemistry.
Different Attenuation Models of Diffusion‐Weighted MR Imaging for the Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Musculoskeletal Tumors
Authors: Arslan Sevtap , Ergen Fatma Bilge , Aydın Güzide Burça , Ayvaz Mehmet , Karakaya Jale , Kösemehmetoğlu Kemal , Yıldız Adalet Elçin , Aydıngöz Üstün
Published: August 2021

Background

Several functional imaging techniques, including monoexponential diffusion‐weighted imaging (m‐DWI), intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), and diffusion kurtosis (DK) imaging, have been used in differentiating benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors. Combining all three techniques in the same study population may improve differentiation.

Purpose

To compare the diagnostic performance of m‐DWI, IVIM, and DK models and their combinations in differentiating benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Fifty patients with benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors divided into nonmyxoid and nonchondroid and myxoid and/or chondroid subgroups.

Field strength/Sequence

A 1.5 T/m‐DWI, IVIM, and DK single‐shot spin‐echo echo‐planar sequences.

Assessment

Minimum and volumetric values of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), pure molecular diffusion (Divim), pseudodiffusion (D*), perfusion fraction (f), diffusion coefficient for kurtosis model (DK), and Kurtosis (K) were compared between all benign and malignant tumors. Subgroup analysis was also performed for nonmyxoid and nonchondroid and myxoid and/or chondroid tumors.

Statistical tests

Independent samples t‐test, Mann–Whitney U test, intraclass correlation coefficient, ROC analysis, and logistic regression analysis. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

ADCmin, Divim‐min, D*vol, DK‐min, Kvol, and Kmin values showed statistically significant differences between all benign and malignant tumors and nonmyxoid and nonchondroid tumor subgroup. Kmin showed the highest diagnostic performance in differentiating benign and malignant tumors with AUCs of 0.760 for “all tumors” and 0.825 for the nonmyxoid and nonchondroid tumor subgroup. No significant differences were detected in m‐DWI‐, IVIM‐, and DK‐derived parameters for differentiating benign and malignant myxoid and/or chondroid tumors. Only three of 63 combinations of prediction models demonstrated a higher diagnostic performance than Kmin; however, improvements were not significantly different.

Data conclusion

ADCmin, Divim‐min, D*vol, DK‐min, Kvol, and Kmin values can be used to differentiate benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors. Our findings suggest that the added value of multiparametric approach in such differentiation is not significant.

Evidence Level

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Bias and Precision in Magnetic Resonance Imaging‐Based Estimates of Renal Blood Flow: Assessment by Triangulation
Authors: Alhummiany Bashair A. , Shelley David , Saysell Margaret , Olaru Maria‐Alexandra , Kühn Bernd , Buckley David L. , Bailey Julie , Wroe Kelly , Coupland Cherry , Mansfield Michael W. , Sourbron Steven P. , Sharma Kanishka
Published: August 2021

Background

Renal blood flow (RBF) can be measured with dynamic contrast enhanced‐MRI (DCE‐MRI) and arterial spin labeling (ASL). Unfortunately, individual estimates from both methods vary and reference‐standard methods are not available. A potential solution is to include a third, arbitrating MRI method in the comparison.

Purpose

To compare RBF estimates between ASL, DCE, and phase contrast (PC)‐MRI.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Twenty‐five patients with type‐2 diabetes (36% female) and five healthy volunteers (HV, 80% female).

Field Strength/Sequences

A 3 T; gradient‐echo 2D‐DCE, pseudo‐continuous ASL (pCASL) and cine 2D‐PC.

Assessment

ASL, DCE, and PC were acquired once in all patients. ASL and PC were acquired four times in each HV. RBF was estimated and split‐RBF was derived as (right kidney RBF)/total RBF. Repeatability error (RE) was calculated for each HV, RE = 1.96 × SD, where SD is the standard deviation of repeat scans.

Statistical Tests

Paired t‐tests and one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analysis. The 95% confidence interval (CI) for difference between ASL/PC and DCE/PC was assessed using two‐sample F‐test for variances. Statistical significance level was P < 0.05. Influential outliers were assessed with Cook's distance (Di > 1) and results with outliers removed were presented.

Results

In patients, the mean RBF (mL/min/1.73m2) was 618 ± 62 (PC), 526 ± 91 (ASL), and 569 ± 110 (DCE). Differences between measurements were not significant (P = 0.28). Intrasubject agreement was poor for RBF with limits‐of‐agreement (mL/min/1.73m2) [−687, 772] DCE‐ASL, [−482, 580] PC‐DCE, and [−277, 460] PC‐ASL. The difference PC‐ASL was significantly smaller than PC‐DCE, but this was driven by a single‐DCE outlier (P = 0.31, after removing outlier). The difference in split‐RBF was comparatively small. In HVs, mean RE (±95% CI; mL/min/1.73 m2) was significantly smaller for PC (79 ± 41) than for ASL (241 ± 85).

Conclusions

ASL, DCE, and PC RBF show poor agreement in individual subjects but agree well on average. Triangulation with PC suggests that the accuracy of ASL and DCE is comparable.

Evidence Level

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
A multiple‐method comparative study using GC–MS, AMDIS and in‐house‐built software for the detection and identification of “unknown” volatile organic compounds in breath
Authors: Marder Dana , Tzanani Nitzan , Baratz Adva , Drug Eyal , Prihed Hagit , Weiss Shay , Ben‐Chetrit Eli , Eichel Roni , Dagan Shai , Yishai Aviram Lilach
Published: August 2021

The human respiratory system is a highly complex matrix that exhales many volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Breath‐exhaled VOCs are often “unknowns” and possess low concentrations, which make their analysis, peak digging and data processing challenging. We report a new methodology, applied in a proof‐of‐concept experiment, for the detection of VOCs in breath. For this purpose, we developed and compared four complementary analysis methods based on solid‐phase microextraction and thermal desorption (TD) tubes with two GC–mass spectrometer (MS) methods. Using eight model compounds, we obtained an LOD range of 0.02–20 ng/ml. We found that in breath analysis, sampling the exhausted air from Tedlar bags is better when TD tubes are used, not only because of the preconcentration but also due to the stability of analytes in the TD tubes. Data processing (peak picking) was based on two data retrieval approaches with an in‐house script written for comparison and differentiation between two populations: sick and healthy. We found it best to use “raw” AMDIS deconvolution data (.ELU) rather than its NIST (.FIN) identification data for comparison between samples. A successful demonstration of this method was conducted in a pilot study (n = 21) that took place in a closed hospital ward (Covid‐19 ward) with the discovery of four potential markers. These preliminary findings, at the molecular level, demonstrate the capabilities of our method and can be applied in larger and more comprehensive experiments in the omics world.
The effect of perceived organizational politics on responses to job dissatisfaction: The moderating roles of self‐efficacy and political skill
Authors: Atshan Nadia A. , Al‐Abrrow Hadi , Abdullah Hasan Oudah , Khaw Khai Wah , Alnoor Alhamzah , Abbas Sammar
Published: August 2021

A high level of perceived organizational politics can lead to adverse consequences for the organization. This article examines the impact of perceived organizational politics on responses to job dissatisfaction by considering the moderating role of self‐efficacy and political skill using data from a sample of 202 health sector staff in Iraq. The results show that self‐efficacy and political skill are moderators in the relationship between perceived organizational politics and staff responses to job dissatisfaction. Using measures based on four responses to job dissatisfaction–voice, loyalty, neglect, and exit–the study found that there was a moderative role for self‐efficacy related to the dimensions of silence and loyalty, and a moderative role for political skill related to the dimensions of silence, voice, and loyalty. There was no moderating role for the exit dimension. The article concludes with several suggestions for how to deal with the adverse consequences of high levels of perceived organizational politics.
Factors affecting the decision to rehabilitate the posterior maxilla following surgical closure of oroantral communications/fistulae – A cohort study
Authors: Ben‐Zvi Yehonatan , Rosenfeld Eli , Masri Daya , Avishai Gal , Kahn Adrian , Chaushu Liat
Published: August 2021

Background

Search of the English literature yielded no studies assessing the chosen dental treatment following surgical closure of oroantral communication/oroantral fistula (OAC/OAF). The purpose of the present study was to assess factors affecting the decision to rehabilitate the posterior maxilla following surgical closure of OAC/OAF.

Methods

Consecutive patients at a single center. A structured form served to collect the data. The differences between groups (cases with versus cases without restoration) were assessed statistically.

Results

A total of 58/121 responding individuals (62.1% men). Average age 51.57 years. Average waiting time prior to restoration 10.34 months. Most (51.7%) healthy. Most had a dental etiology (60.3%). Thirty‐nine (67.2%) patients had a restoration of the posterior maxilla. Most of the patients responded that the reason not to do any restoration is the fear of failure (65.5%). Most of the patients completed the restoration procedure in a private clinic (87.2%). Only one patient (2.6%) reported a complication. Approximately half of the patients had implant supported prosthesis (ISP) following sinus augmentation (48.3%) with delayed implant placement. Most of the patients responded that the reason not to have ISP was the fear of failure (72.7%), and the rest responded because of financial issues (27.3%). For tooth supported restoration, most of the patients responded removable (90.9%).

Conclusions

Surgeons generally wait 6‐12 months following surgical treatment of OAC/OAF prior to reconstruction with ISP. The chance for complications is low. Healthy women after dental induced OAC/OAF have the highest chances to seek for ISP in such circumstances.
Effect of thermal treatment on aroma compound formation in yeast fermented pork hydrolysate supplemented with xylose and cysteine
Authors: Li Xinzhi , Liu Shao‐Quan
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

The present study has revealed an innovative method of coupling enzyme hydrolysis, yeast fermentation and thermal treatment to transform pork trimmings into a seasoning product. The pork trimmings were first enzymatically hydrolysed and fermented into liquid pork hydrolysates, followed by adding xylose and cysteine, then heat treatment.

RESULTS

Approximately 28% of xylose and 7% of glucose were consumed, and amino acids increased by around 31% after thermal treatment. The heated yeast fermented pork hydrolysates possessed a characteristic ‘savoury, roasted‐meat and fruity sweet’ aroma as a result of the formation of thermally induced sulfur‐containing volatiles such as 2‐furfurylthiol, as well as retention of yeast generated esters including isoamyl acetate and hexyl acetate.

CONCLUSION

The heat‐treated fermented pork hydrolysates impart an attractive and innovative aroma because of yeast fermentation and heat treatment. The innovative heated fermented pork hydrolysates could be further processed into a nutritional and savoury pork broth and/or a meat sauce. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Anisotropic Temporal Metasurfaces for Tunable Ultrafast Photoactive Switching Dynamics
Authors: Hu Yuze , Hao Hao , Zhang Jun , Tong Mingyu , Cheng Xiangai , Jiang Tian
Published: August 2021

Recent progress in miniaturized photonic devices has promoted the development of metasurfaces for multidimensional manipulation of optical light fields. One significant example is the polarization multiplexing metadevice, which has earned considerable attention because of its low crosstalk and tremendous polarization‐controlled functionalities for numerous applications, such as wavefront steering, holography, and display. Here, a novel metasurface platform is demonstrated for photoactive terahertz switching by encoding the temporal modulation dynamic into the polarization channels. Coupled plasmonic resonators with four‐fold symmetry are utilized to exhibit an isotropic plasmon‐induced transparency analog resonance. Unlike typical optically tunable metamaterials that are limited to a single switching speed, this temporal modulation is multiplexed into two sets of polarization profiles. Specifically, the switching dynamic can be alternated between a quasi‐steady state with a recovery time larger than 2 ns and an ultrafast transient state with a recovery time of <25 ps in the orthogonal polarization channels. This extraordinary performance is attributed to the high contrast in crystallinity between two photoactive islands embedded in one‐unit cell. The long‐standing bottleneck of invariant switching dynamics in all‐optical metadevices is addressed, which provides a new paradigm for the design of future switchable metamaterial devices.
Room Temperature Synthesis of Stable Zirconia‐Coated CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals for White Light‐Emitting Diodes and Visible Light Communication
Authors: Mo Qionghua , Chen Chen , Cai Wensi , Zhao Shuangyi , Yan Dongdong , Zang Zhigang
Published: August 2021

The photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) prepared by the hot‐injection method can exceed 90%, which have attracted intensive attention for white light‐emitting diodes (WLEDs). However, the whole hot‐injection experiment requires air isolation and relatively high temperature. In addition, the poor stability of CsPbBr3 NCs impedes their applications. Here, a facile method is reported to synthesize CsPbBr3@ZrO2 NCs at room temperature in air. Owing to using ZrO2 coated CsPbBr3 NCs, the prepared CsPbBr3@ZrO2 NCs not only present a PLQY of 80% but also exhibit an enhanced stability to heat and moisture. Furthermore, WLEDs are fabricated with CsPbBr3@ZrO2 NCs and commercial red phosphors (CaAlSiN3:Eu2+) on blue LEDs chips. The fabricated WLEDs exhibit a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 4743 K and luminous efficacy as high as 64.0 Lm W–1. In addition, visible light communication with a high data rate of 33.5 Mbps is achieved using the WLEDs. This work provides a room temperature strategy to coat zirconia for CsPbBr3@ZrO2 NCs, benefiting to enhance the optical performance and stability, as well as the promotion of the great potentials in solid‐state illuminating and visible light communication applications.
Calibration‐free pTx of the human heart at 7T via 3D universal pulses
Authors: Aigner Christoph Stefan , Dietrich Sebastian , Schaeffter Tobias , Schmitter Sebastian
Published: August 2021

Purpose

MRI at ultra‐high fields in the human body is highly challenging and requires lengthy calibration times to compensate for spatially heterogeneous profiles. This study investigates the feasibility of using pre‐computed universal pulses for calibration‐free homogeneous 3D flip angle distribution in the human heart at 7T.

Methods

Twenty‐two channel‐wise 3D data sets were acquired under free‐breathing in 19 subjects to generate a library for an offline universal pulse (UP) design (group 1: 12 males [M] and 7 females [F], 21‐66 years, 19.8‐28.3 kg/m2). Three of these subjects (2M/1F, 21‐33 years, 20.8‐23.6 kg/m2) were re‐scanned on different days. A 4kT‐points UP optimized for the 22 channel‐wise 3D data sets in group 1 (UP22‐4kT) is proposed and applied at 7T in 9 new and unseen subjects (group 2: 4M/5F, 25‐56 years, 19.5‐35.3 kg/m2). Multiple tailored and universal static and dynamic parallel‐transmit (pTx) pulses were designed and evaluated for different permutations of the data sets in group 1 and 2.

Results

The proposed UP22‐4kT provides low variation in all subjects, seen and unseen, without severe signal drops. Experimental data at 7T acquired with UP22‐4kT shows comparable image quality as data acquired with tailored‐4kT pulses and demonstrates successful calibration‐free pTx of the human heart.

Conclusion

UP22‐4kT allows for calibration‐free homogeneous flip angle distributions across the human heart at 7T. Large inter‐subject variations because of sex, age, and body mass index are well tolerated. The proposed universal pulse removes the need for lengthy (10‐15 min) calibration scans and therefore has the potential to bring body imaging at 7T closer to the clinical application.
Mono‐planar T‐Hex: Speed and flexibility for high‐resolution 3D imaging
Authors: Engel Maria , Kasper Lars , Wilm Bertram , Dietrich Benjamin , Patzig Franz , Vionnet Laetitia , Pruessmann Klaas P.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The aim of this work is the reconciliation of high spatial and temporal resolution for MRI. For this purpose, a novel sampling strategy for 3D encoding is proposed, which provides flexible k‐space segmentation along with uniform sampling density and benign filtering effects related to signal decay.

Methods

For time‐critical MRI applications such as functional MRI (fMRI), 3D k‐space is usually sampled by stacking together 2D trajectories such as echo planar imaging (EPI) or spiral readouts, where each shot covers one k‐space plane. For very high temporal and medium to low spatial resolution, tilted hexagonal sampling (T‐Hex) was recently proposed, which allows the acquisition of a larger k‐space volume per excitation than can be covered with a planar readout. Here, T‐Hex is described in a modified version where it instead acquires a smaller k‐space volume per shot for use with medium temporal and high spatial resolution.

Results

Mono‐planar T‐Hex sampling provides flexibility in the choice of speed, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), and contrast for rapid MRI acquisitions. For use with a conventional gradient system, it offers the greatest benefit in a regime of high in‐plane resolution <1 mm. The sampling scheme is combined with spirals for high sampling speed as well as with more conventional EPI trajectories.

Conclusion

Mono‐planar T‐Hex sampling combines fast 3D encoding with SNR efficiency and favorable depiction characteristics regarding noise amplification and filtering effects from decay, thereby providing flexibility in the choice of imaging parameters. It is attractive both for high‐resolution time series such as fMRI and for applications that require rapid anatomical imaging.
The investigation of the stress cracking behavior of PBT by acoustic emission
Authors: Braz Cristiano J. F. , da Silva Jéssica R. M. , Wellen Renate M. R. , Rabello Marcelo S.
Published: August 2021

Despite being a major cause of failure of polymer products under service, environmental stress cracking (ESC) is still a phenomenon poorly investigated and, as consequence, not fully understood. This article aims to contribute to this field in a study of the stress cracking behavior of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) exposed to ethanol (a common fluid, used in several daily situations), by means of two types of mechanical tests (tensile and stress relaxation). During mechanical testing the technique of acoustic emission (AE) was applied to identify certain mechanisms of internal failure. As a non‐destructive technique, AE is widely used with metals to monitor the integrity of components but it is very scarcely applied to polymers. The article, therefore, innovates by using AE as a tool to better understand the ESC behavior of an engineering polymer produced under different conditions. The PBT samples were prepared by injection molding, using different mold temperatures (20°C, 40°C, and 80°C), resulting in different crystallinities. The results showed that the tensile properties were highly dependent on the crosshead speed and that ethanol affected the mechanical performance of the materials, anticipating the necking, but its evaporation during the experiment reduced the actual temperature on the sample bar. This latter effect caused an unexpected behavior, with an increase in tensile strength and reduction of stress relaxation rate, the opposite trends that would be expected from a stress cracking agent. The crystallinity of PBT had some influence on the results, with the more crystalline samples being more resistant to ESC, as observed by both stress relaxation and AE analyses. The technique of AE showed to be a very useful tool to understand the mechanical behavior and to differentiate the various testing conditions, with the detection and quantification of hits and released energy, related to the several stages of deformation and failure, including the formation of shear bands, nucleation and growth of crazes and cracks, and so forth. The fracture surface analyses by scanning electron microscopy were very consistent with the AE experiments, in which rough topography were related to high acoustic activities.
Pulmonary dose tolerance in hemithorax radiotherapy for Ewing sarcoma of the chest wall: Are we overestimating the risk of radiation pneumonitis?
Authors: Parekh Akash D. , Indelicato Daniel J. , Hoppe Bradford S. , Vega Raymond B. Mailhot , Rotondo Ronny L. , Bradley Julie A.
Published: August 2021

Background

Children with chest wall Ewing sarcoma with malignant pulmonary effusion or pleural stranding require hemithorax radiation, often with plans that exceed lung constraints. We investigated disease control and pneumonitis in children requiring hemithorax radiation.

Procedure

Eleven children (median age 13 years) received hemithorax radiotherapy. Symptomatic radiation pneumonitis was considered National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grade 1+ with respiratory symptoms. Mean lung dose (MLD), volume of lung exposed to a dose ≥5 Gy (V5), ≥20 Gy (V20), and ≥35 Gy (V35) were recorded. Adult and pediatric lung constraints were obtained from Quantitative Analysis of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (QUANTEC) guidelines and Children's Oncology Group (COG) protocols, respectively.

Results

Median hemithorax dose was 15 Gy (1.5 Gy/fraction). Median total dose was 51 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction). Most plans delivered both protons and photons. The ipsilateral MLD, V5, and V20 were 27.2 Gy, 100%, and 48.3%; the bilateral MLD, V20, and V35 were 14.1 Gy, 22.8%, and 14.3%, respectively. One hundred percent, 36%, and 91% of treatments exceeded recommended adult ipsilateral lung constraints of V5 <65%, V20 <52%, and MLD of 22 Gy; 64%, 45%, and 82% exceeded COG bilateral lung constraints of V20 <20%, MLD <15 Gy, and MLD <12 Gy, respectively; 82% of treatments exceeded the COG ipsilateral lung constraint of V20 <30%. At a median 36 months (range 12–129), the symptomatic radiation pneumonitis incidence was 0%. Two patients progressed with nonpulmonary metastatic disease and died at a median 12 months following radiotherapy.

Conclusions

Existing guidelines may overestimate pneumonitis risk, even among young children receiving multiagent chemotherapy. For children with chest wall Ewing sarcoma and other thoracic malignancies, more data are needed to refine pediatric dose–effect models for pulmonary toxicity.
Outcomes of surgery for epiblepharon accompanied with lower eyelid retraction secondary to buphthalmos in children
Authors: Cao Wenhong , Wang Yuan , Li Li , Fan Yunwei , Liu Wen , Li Cheng , Liang Tianwei , Zhang Junyan , Wu Qian
Published: August 2021

Importance

In cases of epiblepharon with lower eyelid retraction secondary to glaucoma, correcting epiblepharon alone is ineffective. Combined surgery should be performed to obtain satisfactory outcomes.

Objective

To investigate outcomes after surgery to correct epiblepharon with lower eyelid retraction secondary to buphthalmos in children.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of six eyes in four patients was performed included lower lid retractor recession combined with marginal rotation with tarsal fixation. The margin reflex distance‐2, lagophthalmus, resolution of clinical symptoms, and complications were assessed during 6 to 12 months of follow‐up.

Results

In all cases, epiblepharon and lagophthalmus were corrected, symptoms of photophobia and epiphora were relieved, and the corneal epithelium was repaired. The margin reflex distance‐2 decreased and remained normal during the follow‐up period, but slightly regressed within 6 months postoperatively.

Interpretation

Epiblepharon caused by buphthalmos in children is often associated with lower eyelid retraction. Lower lid retractor recession combined with marginal rotation with tarsal fixation fundamentally solves the problems of high eyelid tension, lower eyelid retraction, and epiblepharon and reduces the recurrence rate.
Multiple imputation for handling missing outcome data in randomized trials involving a mixture of independent and paired data
Authors: Sullivan Thomas R. , Yelland Lisa N. , Moreno‐Betancur Margarita , Lee Katherine J.
Published: August 2021

Randomized trials involving independent and paired observations occur in many areas of health research, for example in paediatrics, where studies can include infants from both single and twin births. Multiple imputation (MI) is often used to address missing outcome data in randomized trials, yet its performance in trials with independent and paired observations, where design effects can be less than or greater than one, remains to be explored. Using simulated data and through application to a trial dataset, we investigated the performance of different methods of MI for a continuous or binary outcome when followed by analysis using generalized estimating equations to account for clustering due to the pairs. We found that imputing data separately for independent and paired data, with paired data imputed in wide format, was the best performing MI method, producing unbiased point and standard error estimates for the treatment effect throughout. Ignoring clustering in the imputation model performed well in settings where the design effect due to the inclusion of paired data was close to one, but otherwise led to moderately biased variance estimates. Including a random cluster effect in the imputation model led to slightly biased point estimates for binary outcome data and variance estimates that were too small in some settings. Based on these results, we recommend researchers impute independent and paired data separately where feasible to do so. The exception is if the design effect due to the inclusion of paired data is close to one, where ignoring clustering may be appropriate.
Thermoelectric Performance Enhancement of Film by Pulse Electric Field and Multi‐Nanocomposite Strategy
Authors: Liu Shiying , Li Guojian , Lan Mingdi , Baba Tetsuya , Baba Takahiro , Mori Takao , Wang Qiang
Published: August 2021

Thermoelectric (TE) film has wide potential application in low‐grade waste heat recovery and TE generation due to its quick response and multifunctional integration. Multi‐nanocomposite is a promising method to solve the difficulty of maintaining temperature difference and achieving a high figure of merit ZT. However, the depletion layer induced by the multi‐nanocomposite typically degrades performance. This study presents a simple and convenient method to solve this problem by pulse electric field (PEF). Prototypical TE Bi2Te3 is selected as the objective film. The strong current density effect of PEF removes the depletion layer among carbon nanotubes (CNT) and Bi2Te3 grains. Thus, the CNT nanocomposite with PEF treatment breaks the trade‐off between electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient, achieving a power factor of 4400 µW m−1 K−2 which stabilizes after annealing effect to 2920 µW m−1 K−2, a record for Bi2Te3 films. Simultaneously, the self‐assembled porosity decreases thermal conductivity via phonon scattering while still maintaining a high electrical conductivity of 3130 S cm−1. Thus, the porosity helps maintain the temperature difference and thereby enables a sharp increase in output power. These results indicate that the combination of PEF and multi‐nanocomposite is a new method to enhance TE performance, which would have a potential application in the commercial field.
Recent Progress of Nanostructured Sensing Materials from 0D to 3D: Overview of Structure–Property‐Application Relationship for Gas Sensors
Authors: Zhou Tingting , Zhang Tong
Published: August 2021

Along with the progress of nanoscience and nanotechnology, nanomaterials with attractive structural and functional properties have gained more attention than ever before, especially in the field of electronic sensors. In recent years, the gas sensing devices have made great achievement and also created wide application prospects, which leads to a new wave of research for designing advanced sensing materials. There is no doubt that the characteristics are highly governed by the sensitive layers. For this reason, important advances for the outstanding, novel sensing materials with different dimensional structures including 0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D are reported and summarized systematically. The sensing materials cover noble metals, metal oxide semiconductors, carbon nanomaterials, metal dichalcogenides, g‐C3N4, MXenes, and complex composites. Discussion is also extended to the relation between sensing performances and their structure, electronic properties, and surface chemistry. In addition, some gas sensing related applications are also highlighted, including environment monitoring, breath analysis, food quality and safety, and flexible wearable electronics, from current situation and the facing challenges to the future research perspectives.
A model reduction approach for inverse problems with operator valued data
Authors: Dölz Jürgen , Egger Herbert , Schlottbom Matthias
Published: August 2021

We study the efficient numerical solution of linear inverse problems with operator valued data which arise, e.g., in seismic exploration, inverse scattering, or tomographic imaging. The high-dimensionality of the data space implies extremely high computational cost already for the evaluation of the forward operator which makes a numerical solution of the inverse problem, e.g., by iterative regularization methods, practically infeasible. To overcome this obstacle, we take advantage of the underlying tensor product structure of the problem and propose a strategy for constructing low-dimensional certified reduced order models of quasi-optimal rank for the forward operator which can be computed much more efficiently than the truncated singular value decomposition. A complete analysis of the proposed model reduction approach is given in a functional analytic setting and the efficient numerical construction of the reduced order models as well as of their application for the numerical solution of the inverse problem is discussed. In summary, the setup of a low-rank approximation can be achieved in an offline stage at essentially the same cost as a single evaluation of the forward operator, while the actual solution of the inverse problem in the online phase can be done with extremely high efficiency. The theoretical results are illustrated by application to a typical model problem in fluorescence optical tomography.
Preparing the playing field: climate club governance of the G20, Climate and Clean Air Coalition, and Under2 Coalition
Authors: Unger Charlotte , Thielges Sonja
Published: August 2021

International climate policy is increasingly shaped by alternative forms of governance. Coalitions of national, subnational, and/or non-state actors have the potential to address the global challenge of climate change beyond the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process. While initially such “clubs” spurred hope that they could be an option to achieve climate action more effectively than the UNFCCC, more recently, their role has been seen as preparing and orchestrating climate policy. In spite of its conceptual proliferation, literature on climate clubs stops short in examining practical evidence and conducting analyses beyond categorization and labelling of climate clubs. This article aims at contributing to filling this gap with a comparative perspective on three specific governance initiatives that act on different governance levels: the G20, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), and the Under2 Coalition. What contribution do these club-like initiatives make to global climate governance and how does it relate to existing structures such as the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC process? Our paper applies central aspects of clubs research, namely,membership,public goods, and theprovision of additional benefitsas an analytical framework to examine the three cases. We find that these club initiatives, though highly diverse in their origin and membership, make a similar contribution to international climate governance. Their largest contribution lies in preparing emissions reductions through raising awareness, orchestrating different actors and actions, and establishing a large cooperation network. They complement the UNFCCC and especially the Paris Agreement.
Background of fatal pulmonary embolism: an analysis of all diagnosed fatal pulmonary embolism in 2015–2018 from Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa
Authors: Antero Sane Markus
Published: August 2021

Pulmonary embolism (PE) mortality has decreased in the last decades but acute PE is still associated with significant fatality. Specific information on fatal PE patients could guide how to efficiently improve PE management but to date this information has been scarce. All the individuals with PE defined as an immediate or underlying cause of death were collected from the death certificate archive of the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, Finland, including approximately 1.7 million inhabitants (2015–2018). Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates and proportional mortality were calculated, and the distribution of comorbidities at death and death location (in-hospital, palliative care, or out-of-hospital) was analyzed. In total, 451 individuals with fatal PE were identified (238 females) with a mean age of 72 years (SD 13.5 year). Most of the fatal PEs (n = 264, 54.5%) occurred out-of-hospital and surprisingly, 70 (26.5%) of these individuals s had a history of mental illness or substance abuse. The out-of-hospital resuscitation was attempted in 108 (40.1%) individuals but only 7 (6.5%) received thrombolysis during resuscitation. Fatal PE occurred during hospitalization in 98 individuals and in 54 (55.1%), the diagnosis was only made postmortem. Majority of the fatal PEs occurred out-of-hospital and were diagnosed postmortem whereas only small proportion of deaths occurred to in-hospital PE patients. The earlier diagnosis of PE, which may be accomplished by raising the general awareness of PE, is necessary to prevent these sudden deaths of whom many occurred to individuals with history of mental illnesses or substance abuse.
The rhythm of effective entrepreneurs’ decision-making process. The pathways of alertness scanning and search and cognitive style. A mediation model
Authors: Sassetti Sara , Cavaliere Vincenzo , Lombardi Sara
Published: August 2021

How can entrepreneurs be effective when making decisions? To enrich current research on entrepreneurship and cognition, the present study shows how alertness and decision making are closely related. Prompted by the scant attention that scholars have paid to the link between alertness and the pathways of entrepreneurs’ thought, it proposes that being alert by adequately scanning and searching for information is likely to increase decision-making effectiveness. Distinguishing between rational and intuitive cognitive styles and based on a sample of 98 Italian entrepreneurs from small and medium manufacturing companies, the analysis shows that while a rational cognitive style significantly mediated the relationship, intuition did not play a role in shaping entrepreneurial decision-making effectiveness. The results suggest that developing individual alertness might not be sufficient for entrepreneurs to make effective decisions; a rational cognitive style might also be a key mechanism shaping this association.
Perfectionism Patterns, Dark Personality, and Exercise Addiction Trend in High-Intensity Sports
Authors: González-Hernández J. , Baños R. , Morquecho-Sánchez R. , Pineda-Espejel H. A. , Chamorro J. L.
Published: August 2021

The present work tries to describe the relationships among perfectionism, dark traits of personality, and exercise addiction and according to highly intense sports. Following research on perfectionism in sport, its dysfunctional facet is based on a continuous and negative cognitive-evaluative judgement about the difficulties to achieve the accomplishment of tasks or behaviors that improve their sport performance, describing how athletes configure altered thoughts or cognitive resources in their sport experiences. The Spanish versions of the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Short Dark Triad Scale, and the Exercise Addiction Inventory were applied in a sample of 462 Spanish amateur athletes (39.6% women and 60.4% men). The findings show that a more maladaptive perfectionist pattern (concern over mistakes and external criticism) is related to higher levels of dark personality traits and a greater risk of exercise addiction. However, there are no differences between runners and CrossFit users on the subject of perfectionism, dark traits, and exercise addiction scores.
Top 3 abstracts concerning hormone-receptor-positive early breast cancer
Authors: Gampenrieder Simon Peter , Rinnerthaler Gabriel , Greil Richard
Published: August 2021

The three top abstracts at the 2020 virtual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium regarding hormone-receptor-positive early breast cancer, from our point of view, were the long-awaited results from PenelopeBand RxPONDER as well as the data from the ADAPT trial of the West German Study Group. PenelopeBfailed to show any benefit by adjuvant palbociclib when added to standard endocrine therapy in patients without pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. RxPONDER demonstrated that postmenopausal patients with early hormone receptor positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2−) breast cancer, 1–3 positive lymph nodes and an Oncotype DX Recurrence Score of less than 26 can safely be treated with endocrine therapy alone. In contrast, in premenopausal women with positive nodes, adjuvant chemotherapy plays still a role even in case of low genomic risk. Whether the benefit by chemotherapy is mainly an indirect endocrine effect and if ovarian function suppression would be similarly effective, is still a matter of debate. The HR+/HER2− part of the ADAPT umbrella trial investigated the role of a Ki-67 response to a short endocrine therapy before surgery in addition to Oncotype DX—performed on the pretreatment biopsy—to identify low-risk patients who can safely forgo adjuvant chemotherapy irrespective of menopausal status.
Assessment of oil-producing wells by means of stimulation approach through matrix acidizing: a case study in the Azraq region
Authors: Al-Mahasneh Mehaysen , Al Rabadi Said , Khaswaneh Hussam
Published: August 2021

The acidizing approach belongs to the well workover operations, where acid mixtures are initially implemented to treat damage near the wellbore area after drilling operations have been completed. Acidizing treatment is characterized by removal of fine particles and debris from the porous media of the damaged zone, hence leading to improve oil production from wells. This study evaluates the assessment of the acidizing treatment in vertical oil-producing wells. Gradually, the damage formation was reduced and then eliminated, and to a great extent, was compensated with the better performance of oil production from reservoirs. Target candidate wells were enriched by environmentally friendly additives and special chemicals, in predefined amounts, to achieve enhanced oil production rates from wells. A semi-analytical model was formulated for extrapolating the skin magnitude, depending on the damage formation’s permeability parameter as well as on the physical characteristics and reservoir depth. The figures of skin magnitude for all target wells were decreased, and oil production rates were enhanced after performing the matrix acidizing process. These findings are valid for diverse geological settings of different formations, as all treated intervals within the investigated wells have shown an objective response to the matrix acidizing approach. Eventually, productivity rates are imperative to increase potential economic outcomes.
Update zur Einschätzung des Anti-Müller-Hormons (AMH) als Marker der ovariellen Reserve
Authors: Rebhan D. , Bachmann A.
Published: August 2021

Das Anti-Müller-Hormon (AMH) wird in der klinischen Praxis immer häufiger auch isoliert als Marker für die ovarielle Reserve bestimmt. Für die richtige Interpretation der Werte ist es wichtig, Einflussfaktoren zu kennen und zu unterscheiden, was der Wert aussagen kann und was nicht.