bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PVA/SA/MXene dual‐network conductive hydrogel for wearable sensor to monitor human motions
Authors: Wang Tingting , Wang Jinqing , Li Zhangpeng , Yue Mingqiang , Qing Xiaoli , Zhang Pengxia , Liao Xiaozhu , Fan Zengjie , Yang Shengrong
Published: September 2021

Conductive hydrogels with high flexibility, superior formability, good mechanical elasticity, and excellent biocompatibility have emerged as promising materials for broad applications in flexible/wearable electronic devices. In this work, a conductive dual‐network PVA/SA/MXene hydrogel (PSM‐h) composed of polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, and MXene (Ti3C2Tx) is constructed by a green method without using chemical crosslinking agents. The resultant hydrogel with dual‐network feature shows excellent cytocompatibility (no toxicity for human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells), high stretchability (up to 263%), and superior anti‐fatigue ability (stretched up to 1000 cycles). More importantly, PSM‐h based strain sensor presents good sensing sensitivity with a fast response time (62.5 ms) and a low detection limit even under a very slight strain of 0.2%. In terms of the practical application, the PSM‐h based strain sensor can be applied to detect and distinguish various human motions.
The menisci are not shock absorbers: A biomechanical and comparative perspective
Authors: Gecelter Rachel C. , Ilyaguyeva Yaffa , Thompson Nathan E.
Published: September 2021

The lateral and medial menisci are fibrocartilaginous structures in the knee that play a crucial role in normal knee biomechanics. However, one commonly cited role of the menisci is that they function as “shock absorbers.” Here we provide a critique of this notion, drawing upon a review of comparative anatomical and biomechanical data from humans and other tetrapods. We first review those commonly, and often exclusively, cited studies in support of a shock absorption function and show that evidence for a shock absorptive function is dubious. We then review the evolutionary and comparative evidence to show that (1) the human menisci are unremarkable in morphology compared with most other tetrapods, and (2) “shock” during locomotion is uncommon, with humans standing out as one of the only tetrapods that regularly experiences high levels of shock during locomotion. A shock‐absorption function does not explain the origin of menisci, nor are human menisci specialized in any way that would explain a unique shock‐absorbing function during human gait. Finally, we show that (3) the material properties of menisci are distinctly poorly suited for energy dissipation and that (4) estimations of meniscal energy absorption based on published data are negligible, both in their absolute amount and in comparison to other well‐accepted structures which mitigate shock during locomotion. The menisci are evolutionarily ancient structures crucial for joint congruity, load distribution, and stress reduction, among a number of other functions. However, the menisci are not meaningful shock absorbers, neither in tetrapods broadly, nor in humans.
Synthesis and Catalytic Activity of Atrane‐type Hard and Soft Lewis Superacids with a Silyl, Germyl, or Stannyl Cationic Center
Authors: Tanaka Daiki , Konishi Akihito , Yasuda Makoto
Published: September 2021

The synthesis and isolation of atrane‐type molecules 1E+ (E=Si, Ge, or Sn) having a cationic group 14 elemental center are reported. The cations 1E+ act as hard and soft Lewis superacids, which readily interact with various hard and soft Lewis basic substrates. The rigid atrane framework stabilizes the localized positive charge on the elemental center and assists the formation of the well‐defined highly coordinated states of 1E+. The cations were applied to the hydrodefluorination, Friedel‐Crafts reaction, alkyne cyclization, and carbonyl reduction as Lewis acid catalysts. Most notably, [1Si][ClO4] exhibits unique chemoselectivity that depends on a solvent in the competitive reaction of silyl enol ether with a mixture of benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal and benzaldehyde. Our findings indicate the potential of hard and soft Lewis superacids in organic synthesis.
Mimicking the Energy Funnel of the Photosynthetic Unit Using a Dendrimer‐Dye Supramolecular Assembly
Authors: Rama Krishna V. Siva , Adak Soumen , Jana Palash , Bheemireddy Varun , Bandyopadhyay Subhajit
Published: September 2021

Photosynthesis involves light‐harvesting complexes where an array of antenna pigment channels the absorbed solar energy to the reaction centre of a photosystem. This work reports a supramolecular dendrimer‐dye assembly that mimics the natural light‐harvesting mechanism. A dendrimeric molecule based on two‐fluorophores has been constructed with three coumarin units at the end of three long arms and a 7‐diethylaminocoumarin unit at the interior. The molecule self‐aggregates in water into spherical micelles, which can encapsulate a rose‐bengal dye (RB). On excitation, peripheral coumarin units shuttled the energy to the loaded RB dye reaction center via a two‐step cascade resonance energy transfer (RET). The energy absorbed in the periphery is funnelled efficiently, resulting in a strong emission from the dye that resembles an energy funnel. The energy transfer cascade has been studied with both steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Molecular dynamics simulations of the self‐assembled aggregates in water were also in agreement with the experimental observations.
Von der Planung in die Produktion: Vorfertigung für den individualisierten Wohnungsbau
Authors: Kroll Stephan , Dobler Martin , Fauth Rainer , Sturm Caroline
Published: September 2021

Mit einem Erfahrungshorizont von mehr als 25 Jahren gestaltet die Gröner Group GmbH zukunftsgerichtete Immobilienentwicklungen. Im Fokus steht die Schaffung von bezahlbaren Wohn‐ und Lebensräumen, die durch das Tochterunternehmen CG Elementum AG als konzerneigenem Dienstleister für nachhaltiges und digitales Bauen realisiert werden. Maßgeblicher Baustein für die Arbeit der CG Elementum ist die hochautomatisierte Produktion auf Basis des EMC‐Fertigteilbausystems. Die Vorfertigung ermöglicht hier neben ökonomischen Vorteilen die Ausbildung eines ressourceneffizienten Tragsystems. Im Vergleich zu Ortbetondecken und ‐wänden können mit dem EMC‐System bis zu 50 % der Bewehrung eingespart werden. Weitere Ressourcen und Emissionen werden durch geringere Bauteilstärken und CO2‐optimierte Betonrezepturen eingespart. Durch Ergänzung des Bausystems mit vorgefertigten Ausbauelementen und Anwendung von vorprogrammierten Planungsalgorithmen wird ein Vorfertigungsgrad von Bauprojekten von bis zu 50 % angestrebt.
Technologien und Entwicklungen im Segmentbrückenbau
Authors: Rettinger Martin , Hückler Alex , Schlaich Mike
Published: September 2021

Etwa seit der europäischen Nachkriegszeit werden Spannbetonbrücken aus voll vorgefertigten Überbausegmenten ohne zusätzliche Ortbetonverbindung hergestellt. Diese als Segmentbrückenbau bekannte Bauweise ermöglicht durch die Minimierung von Herstellungsschritten auf der Baustelle äußerst wirtschaftliche und schnelle Bauverfahren und wird daher mittlerweile weltweit mit steigender Tendenz angewendet. Der vorliegende Artikel beleuchtet zunächst die zeitliche Entwicklung und weltweite Verbreitung der Segmentbauweise im Brückenbau durch die Auswertung einer internationalen Datenbank für Ingenieurbauwerke. Anschließend werden einige zentrale Technologien bei der Herstellung von Fertigteilsegmenten, der konstruktiven Durchbildung von Segmentfugen und Spanngliedern sowie Montageverfahren von Segmentfertigteilbrücken nach dem derzeitigen Stand der Technik vorgestellt. Mit einem Blick in einige jüngere Forschungsarbeiten werden die Anwendung von innovativen Baumaterialien wie Hochleistungsbetonen und carbonfaserverstärkten Kunststoffen in der Segmentbauweise und die sich damit eröffnenden konstruktiven Möglichkeiten diskutiert. Abschließend wird anhand einiger Ansätze des aktuellen Forschungsprogramms SPP 2187 ein Ausblick in eine mögliche Zukunft des Betonfertigteilbaus in einer digitalisierten Bauindustrie gegeben.
Die HEITKAMP Schnellbaubrücke®: KBE für innovative Brückenwiderlager im Pilotprojekt der Bundesautobahn A 3 Stokkumer Straße
Authors: Balder Thorsten , Girmscheid Michael , Lehmann Felix , Hangen Hartmut
Published: September 2021

Um die Infrastruktur in Deutschland wieder zukunftsfähig zu machen, sind viele marode Bestandsbrücken in Deutschland durch neue Bauwerke mit entsprechend höheren Lastanforderungen zu ersetzen. Diese ambitionierte Aufgabenstellung mit möglichst wenig negativen Auswirkungen auf den Verkehr umzusetzen, erfordert innovative Bauweisen, die eine deutliche Reduzierung der Bauzeit und weniger Eingriffe in den Verkehrsraum ermöglichen. Mit der „HEITKAMP Schnellbaubrücke®” wurden genau diese Aspekte bei einem Pilotprojekt erfolgreich umgesetzt. Eine deutlich reduzierte CO2‐Bilanz und vollständige Rückbaubarkeit bei vollständiger Wiederverwendung der eingesetzten Materialien sind weitere zukunftsweisende Aspekte dieser modernen Bauweise. Für den Ersatzneubau der Brücke „Stokkumer Straße” wurde der Stahlverbundüberbau inklusive Abdichtung und Kappen auf einem benachbarten Parkplatz abseits der Autobahn ohne Verkehrsbehinderungen hergestellt. Der ca. 40 m lange und 400 t schwere Überbau wurde mithilfe von SPMT‐Einsatz in einer Wochenendsperrung in die BAB A 3 eingefahren und auf den Widerlagern abgesetzt. Die große Besonderheit dieses Ersatzneubaus bilden die Widerlager aus geokunststoffbewehrter Erde. Diese Baumethode ermöglicht es, die Widerlager innerhalb von wenigen Tagen herzustellen. Da es sich um eine noch nicht geregelte Bauweise handelt, wurden in enger Abstimmung mit dem BMVI und Straßen.NRW die entsprechenden Anforderungen und Nachweise zum Trag‐ und Verformungsverhalten der bewehrten Erde ausgearbeitet. Um alle zeitlichen Abläufe, technischen Schnittstellen und geometrischen Vorgaben im Vorfeld genau planen zu können, wurde dieses Projekt auch mithilfe der BIM‐Methode geplant und modelliert. Auch in dieser Hinsicht handelte es sich um ein Pilotprojekt bei Brückenbaumaßnahmen im Verantwortungsbereich von Straßen.NRW.
Schnellbausystem „Expressbrücke” – Systematische Entwicklung von Brückenschnellbausystemen als Antwort auf den Sanierungsstau der Verkehrsinfrastruktur und die damit verbundenen Probleme
Authors: Reddemann Theo
Published: September 2021

Der Einsatz des Brückenschnellbausystems „Expressbrücke Echterhoff” führt zur deutlichen Reduzierung von Bauzeiten bei dem dringend notwendigen Ersatzneubau/Umbau unser vorhandenen Verkehrsinfrastruktur und trägt somit zu deutlichen Reduzierungen von Verkehrsstaus sowie der daraus resultierenden Umweltbelastungen bei. Bauzeiten für Brückenbauwerke im Zuge einer sechsstreifigen Autobahn konnten so von 24 Monaten um 66,6 % auf acht Monate reduziert werden.

In diesem Artikel werden sowohl die grundsätzliche Bauweise als auch weitere Ausführungsbeispiele von bereits durchgeführten Baumaßnahmen am Beispiel einer Bahnbrücke mit 18 Kalendertagen sowie dem Ersatz einer Bundesstraßenbrücke über eine ICE‐Strecke mit 40 Kalendertagen und einer 51‐stündigen Sperrpause für Abbruch und Brückenneubau vorgestellt. Darüber hinaus wird ein im Brückenbau völlig neuartiges Bauelement, die Hybridkappe zur Einsparung von Vollsperrungen, erläutert.
HGF/c‐MET pathway contributes to cisplatin‐mediated PD‐L1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Zhan‐Sheng , Yang Ruo‐Han , Yao Xin , Cheng Yue‐Ying , Shi Hong‐Xiang , Yao Chao‐Yan , Gao Zi‐Xuan , Qi De‐Fei , Zhang Wen‐Ke , Dou Yuan‐Yuan , Guo Juan , Hu Meng‐Wen , Zhao Hui , Fang Dong
Published: September 2021

Cisplatin has been reported to promote the expression of programmed cell death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) in some cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanism through which PD‐L1 is transcriptionally regulated by cisplatin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells remains largely unknown. In the present study, we found that the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), p‐Akt, p‐ERK, and PD‐L1 was increased in cisplatin‐treated SNU‐368 and SNU‐739 cells. HGF stimulation also increased PD‐L1 expression in these cells. Moreover, Inhibition of HGF/c‐MET, PI3K/Akt, and MEK/ERK signaling pathways can dramatically block cisplatin or HGF‐induced PD‐L1 expression in SNU‐368 and SNU‐739 cells. In vivo, combination PHA665752 with cisplatin significantly reduced tumor weight with increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells in the tumor. Taken together, our study suggested that HGF/c‐Met axis‐induced the activation of PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways contributes to cisplatin‐mediated PD‐L1 expression. These findings may provide an alternative avenue for the treatment of HCC.
Long‐term clinical outcomes after drug eluting stent implantation with and without stent overlap
Authors: Coughlan J. J. , Aytekin Alp , Koch Tobias , Wiebe Jens , Lenz Tobias , Cassese Salvatore , Joner Michael , Koppara Tobias , Xhepa Erion , Ibrahim Tareq , Fusaro Massimiliano , Laugwitz Karl‐Ludwig , Schunkert Heribert , Kastrati Adnan , Kufner Sebastian
Published: September 2021

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of drug eluting stent (DES) overlap on clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

While the use of overlapping bare metal stent has been associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical events, the long‐term impact of DES overlap on clinical outcomes is not certain at present. Similarly, the effect of different DES generations and polymer types on DES overlap associated clinical outcomes has not previously been comprehensively elucidated.

Methods

We analyzed the angiographic and clinical outcomes of 5605 patients treated with DES in the setting of the ISAR‐TEST 4 and ISAR‐TEST 5 randomized control trials according to the presence or absence of stent overlap. The clinical endpoints assessed in this study were all‐cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR), and definite or probable stent thrombosis at 10‐years. We also compared rates of binary angiographic restenosis (BAR) at 6–8 months.

Results

At 10 years, all‐cause mortality (Hazard ratios [HR] = 1.05 [0.95–1.16]; p = 0.348) did not differ between the stent overlap and no stent overlap groups. MI (8.4% vs. 5.2%; HR = 1.67 [1.35–2.07], p < 0.001) and TLR (23.7% vs. 16.3%; HR = 1.54 [1.36–1.74], p < 0.001) occurred more frequently in the stent overlap group. For MI, landmark analysis demonstrated that this increase in risk was primarily in the first 30 days post PCI. BAR at 6–8 months was also more frequent in the stent overlap group (16.0% vs. 10.3%; HR = 1.65 [1.41–1.92], p < 0.001).

Conclusion

DES overlap is associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical events post PCI.
Using Plasma Activation to Optimize the Combustion Process and Minimize Harmful Emissions
Authors: Askarova Aliya , Safarik Pavel , Bolegenova Saltanat , Nugymanova Aizhan , Maximov Valeriy , Askarov Nariman , Bolegenova Symbat
Published: September 2021

The possibility of introducing plasma ignition of fuel in combustion chambers of power boilers was investigated by using 3D computer modeling methods. Computational experiments were carried out on operating boilers, and a comparison of the characteristics of the combustion process for traditional fuel combustion and its thermochemical variant was carried out. Plasma technology allows the concentration of carbon and nitrogen oxides at the outlet of the furnace to be reduced. The results obtained showed the efficiency of thermochemical plasma activation of fuel and the possibility of its application in real heat and power facilities to optimize combustion processes and minimize harmful emissions.
Ionic Liquid Membrane Process for Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds from Lab to Industrial Scale
Authors: Yan Xueru , Anguille Stéphane , Bendahan Marc , Moulin Philippe
Published: September 2021

Hybrid processes have received more attention in pollutant removal due to the combination of advantages of each process. A membrane combined with absorption was developed and studied for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from lab to industrial scale. The ionic liquid membrane containing 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl sulfonyl)imide ([Bmim][NTf2]) showed competitive absorption on toluene. An industrial‐length ionic liquid membrane was investigated under optimized conditions based on lab‐scale results for a long time. The arrangement of the membrane modules was also evaluated, including connection in series and parallel. As a result, the proposed ionic liquid membrane is highly promising for industrial applications.
Experimental Study on the Liquid‐Phase Adsorption Equilibrium of n‐Butanol over Amberlyst™15 and Contribution of Diffusion Resistances
Authors: Soto Rodrigo , Oktar Nuray , Fité Carles , Ramírez Eliana , Bringué Roger , Tejero Javier
Published: September 2021

This work investigates the liquid‐phase adsorption of n‐butanol on Amberlyst™15 in the temperature range 295–323 K at different initial adsorbate concentrations. The adsorbent was characterized by N2 physisorption, Fourier transform infrared adsorption of pyridine, scanning electron microscopy, and powder X‐ray diffraction. The data obtained confirmed an adsorbent structure with two porosity levels and amorphous polymer structure. The active sites in Amberlyst™15 are of Brønsted or Brønsted‐Lewis type. The liquid‐phase adsorption equilibrium constants were determined at different temperatures from slurry adsorber experiments. The thermodynamic state functions were estimated and are consistent thermodynamically with physical adsorption. The macropore diffusion coefficients of n‐butanol on Amberlyst™15 were estimated by using the moment technique, and the contribution of surface diffusion to the macropore diffusion coefficients was evaluated.
Metal Ion Adsorption Using Coconut Shell Powder Activated by Chemical and Physical Treatments
Authors: Pinheiro do Nascimento Paula Fabiane , Lins de Barros Neto Eduardo , Fernandes de Sousa João , Trocolli Ribeiro Vitor , de Jesus Nogueira Duarte Lindemberg , Fonseca Melo Ricardo Paulo , Wendell Bezerra Lopes Francisco
Published: September 2021

A comparative evaluation is presented of physical and chemical treatments performed on coconut shell powder, in relation to the adsorption capacity of Cu2+/Cd2+ ions. The chemical treatment consisted of impregnation with monoethanolamine (mass ratio of 1:1) or a microemulsion (composed of 10 wt % sodium octanoate). The physical treatment was through steam explosion (P = 5 bar, T = 210 °C). Treatment efficiency was assessed using physical characterization of the adsorber material. Assessment of the ion adsorption capacity was performed in batch mode. The comparative investigation was carried out based on the Langmuir model constants, kinetic constants, and thermodynamic parameters. The efficiency of the modifications was also evaluated through adsorption‐desorption cycles.
Impact of Surface Defects on LaNiO3 Perovskite Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Arandiyan Hamidreza , Mofarah Sajjad S. , Wang Yuan , Cazorla Claudio , Jampaiah Deshetti , Garbrecht Magnus , Wilson Karen , Lee Adam F. , Zhao Chuan , Maschmeyer Thomas
Published: September 2021

Perovskite oxides are regarded as promising electrocatalysts for water splitting due to their cost‐effectiveness, high efficiency and durability in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Despite these advantages, a fundamental understanding of how critical structural parameters of perovskite electrocatalysts influence their activity and stability is lacking. Here, we investigate the impact of structural defects on OER performance for representative LaNiO3 perovskite electrocatalysts. Hydrogen reduction of 700 °C calcined LaNiO3 induces a high density of surface oxygen vacancies, and confers significantly enhanced OER activity and stability compared to unreduced LaNiO3; the former exhibit a low onset overpotential of 380 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a small Tafel slope of 70.8 mV dec−1. Oxygen vacancy formation is accompanied by mixed Ni2+/Ni3+ valence states, which quantum‐chemical DFT calculations reveal modify the perovskite electronic structure. Further, it reveals that the formation of oxygen vacancies is thermodynamically more favourable on the surface than in the bulk; it increases the electronic conductivity of reduced LaNiO3 in accordance with the enhanced OER activity that is observed.
Janus All‐Cis2,3,4,5,6‐Pentafluorocyclohexyl Building Blocks Applied to Medicinal Chemistry and Bioactives Discovery Chemistry
Authors: Clark Joshua L. , Neyyappadath Rifahath M. , Yu Cihang , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Cordes David B. , O'Hagan David
Published: September 2021

Monoalkylated derivatives of the unusually polar all‐cis2,3,4,5,6‐ pentafluorocyclohexyl (Janus face) motif are prepared starting from an aryl hydrogenation of 2,3,4,5,6‐ pentafluorophenylacetate methyl ester15. The method used Zeng's Rh(CAAC) carbene catalyst4in the hydrogenation following the protocol developed by Glorius. The resultant Janus pentafluorocyclohexylacetate methyl ester16was converted to the corresponding alcohol18, aldehyde13, bromide29and azide14through functional group manipulations, and some of these building blocks were used in Ugi‐multicomponent and Cu‐catalysed click reactions. NBoc protected pentafluoroarylphenylalanine methyl ester35was also subject to an aryl hydrogenation, and then deprotection to generate the Janus face β‐pentafluorocyclohexyl‐alanine amino acid15, which was incorporated into representative members of an emerging class of candidate antiviral compounds. Log P measurements demonstrate that the all‐cis2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorocyclohexyl ring system is more polar than a phenyl ring. In overview the paper introduces new building blocks containing this Janus ring and demonstrates their progression to molecules typically used in bioactives discovery programmes.
L‐cysteine capped silver nanoparticles as chiral recognition sensor for ketoprofen enantiomers
Authors: Obaid Asma , Mohd Jamil Arniza Khairani , Saharin Siti Munirah , Mohamad Sharifah
Published: September 2021

A simple, inexpensive but effective approach for visual chiral recognition of ketoprofen enantiomers was developed using L‐cysteine capped silver nanoparticles (L‐Cys‐AgNPs) as a colorimetric sensor. Upon the addition of R‐ketoprofen to L‐Cys‐AgNPs, rapid aggregation occurred, and the solution changed color from yellow to green. However, the presence of S‐ketoprofen did not induce any color change. The results were characterized using UV‐Vis, FESEM, FT‐IR, SERS, and zeta potential measurements. The chiral assay described in this work is easily distinguished with the naked eyes or using a UV‐Vis spectrometer. The sensor revealed a good linear response to ketoprofen enantiomers in the concentration range of 8.33–33.3 μM with a detection limit of 4.52 μM and relative standard deviation of 3.73%. The proposed method was utilized for the determination of ketoprofen racemic mixtures in water samples and commercial tablets. The method excels by its simplicity, low cost, and good availability of materials.
Does treatment with antidepressants, antipsychotics, or benzodiazepines hamper allergy skin testing?
Authors: Kjaer Henrik Fomsgaard , Mortz Charlotte Gotthard , Bindslev‐Jensen Carsten
Published: September 2021

Background

Treatment with commonly used drugs such as antidepressants (ADs), antipsychotics (APs), and benzodiazepines (BDs) may hamper the use of allergy skin testing due to possible antihistaminic effects.

Objective

To examine the antihistaminic effect of AD, AP, and BD as measured by the ability of these drugs to suppress the normal wheal reaction caused by skin prick test (SPT).

Methods

Skin prick test was performed in patients receiving treatment with AD, AP, and/or BD. Double SPT was performed with histamine solutions of 10, 30, and 100 mg/ml and mean wheal diameter calculated.

Results

A total of 313 patients were included. 236 (75%) patients were treated with one of the examined drugs and 77 (25%) patients with more than one of these drugs. Drugs most frequently used was sertraline (n = 65), citalopram (n = 63), mirtazapine (n = 36), venlafaxine (n = 33), and quetiapine (n = 32). Treatment with mirtazapine and/or quetiapine was associated with negative SPTs in 30/36 (83%) and 22/32 (69%), and the antihistaminic effect of these drugs was dose‐dependent. For patients treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), or BD alone, almost all SPTs were positive (94%, 95%, 100%, and 100%, respectively). Negative SPTs in patients treated with SSRI, TCA, SNRI, or BD and ≥1 other of the examined drugs were associated with simultaneous treatment with mirtazapine or quetiapine in 39/44 (89%) patients.

Conclusion

Skin testing has little meaning in patients treated with mirtazapine or quetiapine. Treatment with SSRI, SNRI, and BD does not seem to affect the results of SPTs, whereas skin tests in patients treated with TCA should be interpreted with caution.
Osteosynthesis of diaphyseal tibia fracture with locking compression plates: A numerical investigation using Taguchi and ANOVA
Authors: Mohandes Yousof , Tahani Masoud , Rouhi Gholamreza
Published: September 2021

Performance of the locking compression plate (LCP) is a multifactorial function. The control parameters of plating, such as geometries, material properties, and physical constraints of the LCP components, affect basic functions associated with the bone fixation, including the extent of stress shielding and subsequent bone remodeling, strength and stability of the bone‐LCP construct, and performance of secondary bone healing. The main objectives of this research were as follows: (1) to find the appropriate values of control parameters of an LCP construct to achieve the optimized performance throughout bone healing; and (2) to unravel relationships between LCP parameters and the LCP's performance. Different values for the plate/screw modulus of elasticity (E), plate width (W), plate thickness (T), screw diameter (D), bone‐plate offset (O), and screw configuration (C), as six control parameters, were considered at five different levels. Taguchi method was adopted to create trial combinations of control parameters and determining the best set of parameters, which can optimize the overall performance of the LCP. All design cases were analyzed using the finite element method. The optimal set of control parameters consisting of 150 GPa, 12 mm, 4 mm, 5.5 mm, 2 mm, and 123,678 were determined for E, W, T, D, O, and C, respectively. Furthermore, ANOVA was used to rank the most influential parameters on each function of the LCP fixation. In the overall performance of the LCP fixation, E, D, T, C, W, and O showed a contribution percentage of 46%, 22%, 10%, 11%, 8%, and 3%, respectively.
A neural network‐based selective harmonic elimination scheme for five‐level inverter
Authors: Toubal Maamar Alla Eddine , Helaimi M'hamed , Taleb Rachid , Kermadi Mostefa , Mekhilef Saad
Published: September 2021

This paper presents the implementation of selective harmonic elimination (SHE) in a five‐level inverter structure using artificial neural networks (ANNs). SHE is an effective low‐frequency modulation technique to eliminate selected harmonics and control multilevel converters. The use of ANN‐SHE requires the calculation of the optimum values of switching angles via the solving system of nonlinear equations for the total harmonic distortion (THD) reduction, where the nonlinear equations are founded by the complex Fourier series analysis of the inverter output voltage. The procured switching angle values are directly implemented by a multilayer perceptron (MLP) algorithm without a lookup table. The ANN model is obtained by training the neural network (NN), taking the modulation index (M) as an input and approximating switching angles as an output. A thorough analysis was carried out to show the programming steps of the proposed ANN‐based SHE using Matlab/Simulink environment. A realized inverter prototype steered by the proposed ANN‐based SHE was tested with various modulation indexes on a real‐time mode using a digital signal processor (DSP) C2000 Delfino–TMS320F28379D‐embedded board. A comparison between the simulation results and the experimental data is presented. The obtained results illustrate that the experimental results match the simulation closely, and the ANN model provides a fast and precise estimate of the switching angles for each value of the modulation index.
SARS‐CoV‐2 sculpts the immune system to induce sustained virus‐specific naïve‐like and memory B‐cell responses
Authors: de Campos‐Mata Leire , Tejedor Vaquero Sonia , Tachó‐Piñot Roser , Piñero Janet , Grasset Emilie K , Arrieta Aldea Itziar , Rodrigo Melero Natalia , Carolis Carlo , Horcajada Juan P , Cerutti Andrea , Villar‐García Judit , Magri Giuliana
Published: September 2021

Objectives

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection induces virus‐reactive memory B cells expressing unmutated antibodies, which hints at their emergence from naïve B cells. Yet, the dynamics of virus‐specific naïve B cells and their impact on immunity and immunopathology remain unclear.

Methods

We longitudinally profiled SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific B‐cell responses in 25 moderate‐to‐severe COVID‐19 patients by high‐dimensional flow cytometry and isotyping and subtyping ELISA. We also explored the relationship of B‐cell responses to SARS‐CoV‐2 with the activation of effector and regulatory cells from the innate or adaptive immune system.

Results

We found a virus‐specific antibody response with a broad spectrum of classes and subclasses during acute infection, which evolved into an IgG1‐dominated response during convalescence. Acute infection was associated with increased mature B‐cell progenitors in the circulation and the unexpected expansion of virus‐targeting naïve‐like B cells. The latter further augmented during convalescence together with virus‐specific memory B cells. In addition to a transitory increase in tissue‐homing CXCR3+ plasmablasts and extrafollicular memory B cells, most COVID‐19 patients showed persistent activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells along with transient or long‐lasting changes of key innate immune cells. Remarkably, virus‐specific antibodies and the frequency of naïve B cells were among the major variables defining distinct immune signatures associated with disease severity and inflammation.

Conclusion

Aside from providing new insights into the complexity of the immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2, our findings indicate that the de novo recruitment of mature B‐cell precursors into the periphery may be central to the induction of antiviral immunity.
Drivers of fire severity shift as landscapes transition to an active fire regime, Klamath Mountains, USA
Authors: Taylor Alan H. , Harris Lucas B. , Drury Stacy A.
Published: September 2021

Fire severity patterns are driven by interactions between fire, vegetation, and terrain, and they generate legacy effects that influence future fire severity. A century of fire exclusion and fuel buildup has eroded legacy effects, and contemporary fire severity patterns may diverge from historical patterns. In recent decades, area burned and area burned at high severity have increased and landscapes are transitioning back to an active fire regime where disturbance legacies will again play a strong role in determining fire severity. Understanding the drivers of fire severity is crucial for anticipating future fire severity patterns as active fire regimes are reestablished. We identified drivers of fire severity in the Klamath Mountains, a landscape with an active fire regime, using two machine learning statistical models: one model for non‐reburns (n = 92) and one model for reburns (n = 61). Both models predicted low better than moderate or high‐severity fire. Fire severity drivers contrasted sharply between non‐reburns and reburns. Fire weather and fuels were dominant controls in non‐reburns, while previous burn severity, fuel characteristics, and time since last fire were drivers for reburns. In reburns, areas initially burned at low (high) severity burned the same way again. This tendency was sufficiently strong that reburn fire severity could be predicted equally well with only severity of the previous fire in the model. Thus, reburn fire severity is more predictable than severity in non‐reburns that are driven by the stochastic influences of fire weather. Reburn severity in aggregate was also higher than non‐reburn severity suggesting a positive feedback effect that could contribute to an upward drift in fire severity as area burned increases. Terrain had low importance in both models. This indicates strong terrain controls in the past may not carry into the future. Low‐ and moderate‐severity fire effects were prevalent in non‐reburns under moderate fire weather and self‐reinforcing behavior maintained these effects in reburns even under more extreme weather, particularly in reburns within 10 yr. Our findings suggest deliberate use of wildfire and prescribed fire under moderate conditions would increase fire resilience in landscapes transitioning to an active fire regime.
Successful percutaneous treatment of late outflow graft failure of the left ventricular assist device: a long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Zajdel Wojciech , Tomala Marek , Bryndza Magdalena , Krupiński Maciej , Kapelak Bogusław , Legutko Jacek , Wierzbicki Karol
Published: September 2021

Continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) outflow graft stenosis constitutes a severe complication. Treatment options include surgical pump exchange, transcatheter procedures, or systemic thrombolysis. We present a case of a spontaneous mechanical twisting of the outflow graft at two distinct points, which was treated by a two‐step percutaneous stent implantation. Self‐expanding stents were used during the first procedure. We also ensured distal bilateral percutaneous neuroprotection against cerebrovascular embolism. During the second, previously unpredicted procedure, we used balloon‐expandable bare‐metal stents to overcome the torque of the graft, because of their higher radial force. It was assumed that the external, self‐expanding layer of the stent might protect the graft from the bare‐metal stents. The effects of the treatment were monitored both clinically and through computed tomography angiography. The check‐up 12 months later revealed nothing of note. Interventional transcatheter procedures are a safe treatment option for outflow graft stenosis, with good long‐term effects. Both self‐expanding and balloon‐expandable stents can be used for transcatheter intervention. Both the incidence of the graft twisting and the radial force of the implanted stent seem to be critical and robust predictors of the long‐term result of percutaneous therapy.
Gender differences in characteristics and outcomes in heart failure patients referred for end‐stage treatment
Authors: Fluschnik Nina , Strangl Felix , Kondziella Christoph , Goßling Alina , Becher Peter Moritz , Schrage Benedikt , Schnabel Renate B. , Bernadyn Julia , Bremer Wiebke , Grahn Hanno , Bernhardt Alexander M. , Reichenspurner Hermann , Rybczynski Meike , Blankenberg Stefan , Kirchhof Paulus , Magnussen Christina , Knappe Dorit
Published: September 2021

Aims

Despite signals from clinical trials and mechanistic studies implying different resilience to heart failure (HF) depending on gender, the impact of gender on presentation and outcomes in patients with HF remains unclear. This study assessed the impact of gender on clinical presentation and outcomes in patients with HF referred to a specialised tertiary HF service.

Methods and results

Consecutive patients with HF referred to a specialised tertiary HF service offering advanced therapy options including left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) and heart transplantation were prospectively enrolled from August 2015 until March 2018. We assessed clinical characteristics at baseline and performed survival analyses and age‐adjusted Cox regression analyses in men vs. women for all‐cause death and a combined disease‐related endpoint comprising death, heart transplantation, and LVAD implantation. Analyses were performed for the overall study population and for patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Of 356 patients included, 283 (79.5%) were male. The median age was 58 years (interquartile range 50–67). Two hundred and fifty‐one (74.5%) patients had HFrEF. HF aetiology, ejection fraction, functional status measures, and most of the cardiac and non‐cardiac comorbidities did not differ between men and women. In a median follow‐up of 3.2 years, 50 patients died (45 men, 5 women), 15 patients underwent LVAD implantation, and 8 patients heart transplantation. While all‐cause death was not significantly different between both genders in the overall population [16.9 vs. 6.0%, P = 0.065, hazard ratio (HR) 2.29 (95% confidence interval 0.91–5.78), P = 0.078], in the HFrEF subgroup, a significant difference between men and women was observed [20.7% vs. 3.9%, P = 0.017, HR 3.67 (95% confidence interval 1.13–11.91), P = 0.031]. The combined endpoint was more often reached in men than in women in both the overall population [21.6% vs. 9.0%, P = 0.053, HR 2.51 (1.08–5.82), P = 0.032] and the HFrEF subgroup [27.1% vs. 7.7%, P = 0.015, HR 3.58 (1.29–9.94), P = 0.014].

Conclusions

Patients referred to a specialised tertiary HF service showed a similar clinical profile without relevant gender differences. In the mid‐term follow‐up, more male than female patients died or underwent heart transplantation and LVAD implantation. These findings call for independent validation and for further research into gender‐specific drivers of HF progression.
Structural Effects on Dioxygen Evolution from Ru(V)−Oxo Complexes
Authors: Swann Matthew T. , Nicholas Kenneth M.
Published: September 2021

A series of ruthenium(V)−oxo compounds, LRu(V)O(n) [L=bipyridinedicarboxylate (BDA), alpha‐hydroxycarboxylate (AHA), porphyrin (POR), dimethylglyoximate (DMG), and nitrilotriacetate (NTA); n=+1,0, −1] are evaluated by Density Functional Theory for their ability to produce dioxygen through coupling of Ru(V)−oxo species, bimetallic peroxides (LRu(IV)‐O−O−Ru(IV)L), and dioxygen (LRu(IV)‐O2) complexes. Anionic Ru−oxo complexes (AHA)2RuO− (2) and (NTA)Ru(O)Cl− (5 e) have prohibitively large free energies of coupling, while neutral and monocationic species (1 b, 3–5 a–d) show small to moderate free energies of coupling. Transition states for O−O coupling were found for (NTA)RuO (5 a), (NTA)RuO(NH3) (5 c), (NTA)RuO(Pyr) (5 d), (DMG)2ClRu(O) (8) and (POR)RuO(Cl) (9), yielding moderate activation energies in the range of 18–22 kcal/mol. The overall oxygen evolution reaction (OER) free energies decrease in favourability as the coordination number of LRuO decreases, i. e. 7>6>5. The modest activation energies and free energies along the reaction coordinate for (NTA)(L)RuO and (POR)ClRu(O) suggest that these species would undergo kinetically and thermodynamically favorable oxygen evolution.
Dihalogenation of Alkenes Using Combinations of N‐Halosuccinimides and Alkali Metal Halides
Authors: Rubio‐Presa Rubén , García‐Pedrero Olaya , López‐Matanza Pablo , Barrio Pablo , Rodríguez Félix
Published: September 2021

A simple, efficient and eco‐friendly method for the vicinal dihalogenation of alkenes is described. The reaction is performed with a combination of a N‐halosuccinimide and an alkali metal halide using environmentally benign solvents such as acetic acid and ethyl acetate. Purification steps are avoided, and pure products are usually obtained after a simple aqueous workup.
Multi‐omic strategies applied to the study of pharmacoresistance in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Bruxel Estela M. , do Canto Amanda M. , Bruno Danielle C. F. , Geraldis Jaqueline C. , Lopes‐Cendes Iscia
Published: September 2021

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is the most common type of focal epilepsy in adults, and hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is a frequent histopathological feature in patients with MTLE. Pharmacoresistance is present in at least one‐third of patients with MTLE with HS (MTLE+HS). Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the mechanisms of pharmacoresistance in epilepsy, including the effect of genetic and molecular factors. In recent years, the increased knowledge generated by high‐throughput omic technologies has significantly improved the power of molecular genetic studies to discover new mechanisms leading to disease and response to treatment. In this review, we present and discuss the contribution of different omic modalities to understand the basic mechanisms determining pharmacoresistance in patients with MTLE+HS. We provide an overview and a critical discussion of the findings, limitations, new approaches, and future directions of these studies to improve the understanding of pharmacoresistance in MTLE+HS. However, it is important to point out that, as with other complex traits, pharmacoresistance to anti‐seizure medications is likely a multifactorial condition in which gene‐gene and gene‐environment interactions play an important role. Thus, studies using multidimensional approaches are more likely to unravel these intricate biological processes.
Experimental evaluation of a practical methodology for assessing the seismic demand from acceleration‐sensitive secondary systems installed in R.C. buildings
Authors: Pardalopoulos Stylianos I. , Lekidis Vassilios A.
Published: September 2021

The increased vulnerability against moderate and strong earthquake excitations of acceleration–sensitive secondary systems, serving many important functions within a structure, highlights the need for simple and dependable procedures for the determination of the seismic demand placed upon this category of systems. This study presents a methodology for estimating the peak absolute acceleration developing in acceleration–sensitive secondary systems installed in multistorey reinforced concrete buildings with a mass lower than 1% of the total mass of the supporting structure. The proposed methodology departs from the current state–of–practice on the design of secondary systems in that it uses the deformed shape of the supporting structure at the instant of its peak roof displacement for determining both the distribution and the magnitude of absolute accelerations developing at the installation points. The deformed shape of the supporting building is determined considering the prevalent failure modes of the load bearing components of the structure, applying both to new constructions and to constructions designed to past standards that fall short of modern practice. The methodology uses simple steps, easy to follow by practitioners. The accuracy of the presented methodology is demonstrated through comparison of the estimated seismic demand from acceleration–sensitive secondary systems with the recorded responses deriving from the network of accelerometers of an instrumented reinforced concrete building during a series of strong earthquake excitations.
Organic petrology and geochemistry of Early Permian shales from the Krishna‐Godavari Basin, India: Implications for Gondwana palaeoenvironment and climate
Authors: Kala Shubhangi , Devaraju Javaregowda , Tiwari Devleena Mani , Rasheed Mohammed Abdul , Lakhan Nongmaithem
Published: September 2021

Lower Gondwana Kommugudem Formation of the Krishna‐Godavari (KG) Basin in the eastern coast of India records the deglaciation sequences of the Early Permian and is characterized by well‐preserved sandstone—shale—coal cyclothems. Kommugudem shales from six deep borewells of the KG Basin were studied for the organic petrological and geochemical compositions. The objective was to elucidate its source rock properties and depositional settings, which provide significant insights on the shifts in the Gondwanan palaeoenvironment and its climatic controls during the Early Permian. Maceral identification reveals the abundance of vitrinite that is distinctive to organic‐rich Permian Gondwana sediments. SiO2 enrichment with the dominance of quartz and clay minerals suggests moderate to strong weathering with palaeoclimate shift from cold, arid to hot, and semi‐arid during the Early Permian. The occurrence of higher short and mid‐chain alkanes with predominant n‐C18 and important biomarker ratios suggest a transitional fluvio‐marine environment of deposition, which is also supported by the enrichment of redox‐sensitive trace elements. Prevailing anoxia enhanced the preservation of organic matter, despite reduced primary productivity, as indicated by low P/Ti ratios. A depleted δ13Corg (mean = −21.55‰) in the shales, distinct to the interglacial period, reflects the changes in pCO2 of the Early Permian atmosphere. Sedimentary biomarkers, carbon isotopes, and trace elements explicate the palaeoceanographic conditions and sea‐level changes, indicative of marine influence in the dominantly fluvial regime. The deposition and preservation of organic‐rich sediments under anoxic (possibly euxinic) water‐column took place, forming the prolific Pre‐trappean Lower Gondwana Kommugudem source rock in the KG Basin.
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Authors: Wang Ruobing , Song Zhitang , Song Wenxiong , Xin Tianjiao , Lv Shilong , Song Sannian , Liu Jun
Published: September 2021

A new phase change material designed by three matched octahedrons has robust thermal stability and enhanced electrical properties and can be used for three‐dimensional phase change memory. (DOI: 10.1002/inf2.12233)

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Authors: Shan Lutong , Wang Yiren , Liang Shuquan , Tang Boya , Yang Yongqiang , Wang Ziqing , Lu Bingan , Zhou Jiang
Published: September 2021

Authors reported the biphasic vanadate, i.e., Na1.2V3O8/K2V6O16·1.5H2O (designated as Na0.5K0.5VO), and detected the interfacial Adsorption‐Insertion mechanism induced by phase boundaries (DOI: 10.1002/inf2.12223).

First‐principles calculations indicated that large amount of Zn2+ and H+ ions would be absorbed by the phase boundaries and most of them would insert into the host structure, which not only promote the specific capacity, but also effectively reduce diffusion energy barrier towards faster reaction kinetics. As a result, the aqueous Zn/Na0.5K0.5VO performs excellent rate capability as well as long‐term cycling performance, for example, a stable capacity of 267 mA h g‐1 after 800 cycles at 5 A g‐1 can be achieved.

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