bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boron‐Based Lewis Pairs Catalyzed Living, Regioselective, and Topology‐Controlled Polymerization of (E, E)‐Alkyl Sorbates
Authors: Zhao Wuchao , Wang Qianyi , He Jianghua , Zhang Yuetao
Published: April 2022

It remains as a great challenge to realize living and controlled polymerization of renewable monomers by the boron‐based Lewis pairs. Here, strong nucleophilic N‐heterocyclic olefins (NHOs) or N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) as Lewis bases, and boron‐based compounds as Lewis acids, are employed to construct LPs for polymerization of alkyl sorbates, including (E, E)‐methyl sorbate and (E, E)‐ethyl sorbate. Systematic investigation reveals that the combinations of B(C6F5)3 with appropriate acidity and steric hindrance, and strong nucleophilic NHOs promote living and controlled polymerization of alkyl sorbates in 100% 1,4‐addition manner, furnishing polymers with predicted molecular weight (Mw up to 56.6 kg mol−1) and narrow molecular weight distribution (Đ as low as 1.12). Furthermore, topology analysis shows that NHC1/B(C6F5)3 LP produce PMS possessing cyclic structure.
Redox signaling at the crossroads of human health and disease
Authors: Zuo Jing , Zhang Zhe , Luo Maochao , Zhou Li , Nice Edouard C. , Zhang Wei , Wang Chuang , Huang Canhua
Published: April 2022

Redox biology is at the core of life sciences, accompanied by the close correlation of redox processes with biological activities. Redox homeostasis is a prerequisite for human health, in which the physiological levels of nonradical reactive oxygen species (ROS) function as the primary second messengers to modulate physiological redox signaling by orchestrating multiple redox sensors. However, excessive ROS accumulation, termed oxidative stress (OS), leads to biomolecule damage and subsequent occurrence of various diseases such as type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Herein, starting with the evolution of redox biology, we reveal the roles of ROS as multifaceted physiological modulators to mediate redox signaling and sustain redox homeostasis. In addition, we also emphasize the detailed OS mechanisms involved in the initiation and development of several important diseases. ROS as a double‐edged sword in disease progression suggest two different therapeutic strategies to treat redox‐relevant diseases, in which targeting ROS sources and redox‐related effectors to manipulate redox homeostasis will largely promote precision medicine. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the redox signaling networks under physiological and pathological conditions will facilitate the development of redox medicine and benefit patients with redox‐relevant diseases.
Appellate court reversal in Wit case stuns and saddens advocacy community
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: April 2022

In a largely procedural decision dwarfed by the detail of the original ruling and order from a lower court, a federal appellate panel last month reversed the landmark ruling for insurance plan members in the Wit v. United Behavioral Healthcare lawsuit. The reversal has sent shock waves across a mental health advocacy community concerned that this development could give insurers free rein to use overly strict coverage standards to deny care.
Does Adderall help attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?
Authors: McKenzie Brook
Published: April 2022

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition that affects how people focus, sit still and control their behavior. ADHD typically begins during childhood and can continue into adulthood.
Mental health concerns raised over Parental Rights legislation
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2022

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on March 29 signed into law the “Parental Rights in Education” legislation that is causing concerns among advocates, parents and Democratic opponents who have deemed it the “Don't Say Gay” bill.
Technical assessment of 2D and 3D imaging performance of an IGZO‐based flat‐panel X‐ray detector
Authors: Sheth Niral Milan , Uneri Ali , Helm Patrick A , Zbijewski Wojciech , Siewerdsen Jeffrey H
Published: April 2022

Background

Indirect detection flat‐panel detectors (FPDs) consisting of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) thin‐film transistors (TFTs) are a prevalent technology for digital x‐ray imaging. However, their performance is challenged in applications requiring low exposure levels, high spatial resolution, and high frame rate. Emerging FPD designs using metal oxide TFTs may offer potential performance improvements compared to FPDs based on a‐Si:H TFTs.

Purpose

This work investigates the imaging performance of a new indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) TFT‐based detector in 2D fluoroscopy and 3D cone‐beam CT (CBCT).

Methods

The new FPD consists of a sensor array combining IGZO TFTs with a‐Si:H photodiodes and a 0.7‐mm thick CsI:Tl scintillator. The FPD was implemented on an x‐ray imaging bench with system geometry emulating intraoperative CBCT. A conventional FPD with a‐Si:H TFTs and a 0.6‐mm thick CsI:Tl scintillator was similarly implemented as a basis of comparison. 2D imaging performance was characterized in terms of electronic noise, sensitivity, linearity, lag, spatial resolution (modulation transfer function, MTF), image noise (noise‐power spectrum, NPS), and detective quantum efficiency (DQE) with entrance air kerma (EAK) ranging from 0.3 to 1.2 μGy. 3D imaging performance was evaluated in terms of the 3D MTF and noise‐equivalent quanta (NEQ), soft‐tissue contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), and image quality evident in anthropomorphic phantoms for a range of anatomical sites and dose, with weighted air kerma, , ranging from 0.8 to 4.9 mGy.

Results

The 2D imaging performance of the IGZO‐based FPD exhibited up to ∼1.7× lower electronic noise than the a‐Si:H FPD at matched pixel pitch. Furthermore, the IGZO FPD exhibited ∼27% increase in mid‐frequency DQE (1 mm−1) at matched pixel size and dose (EAK ≈ 1.0 μGy) and ∼11% increase after adjusting for differences in scintillator thickness. 2D spatial resolution was limited by the scintillator for each FPD. The IGZO‐based FPD demonstrated improved 3D NEQ at all spatial frequencies in both head (≥25% increase for all dose levels) and body (≥10% increase for ≤2 mGy) imaging scenarios. These characteristics translated to improved low‐contrast visualization in anthropomorphic phantoms, demonstrating ≥10% improvement in CNR and extension of the low‐dose range for which the detector is input‐quantum limited.

Conclusion

The IGZO‐based FPD demonstrated improvements in electronic noise, image lag, and NEQ that translated to measurable improvements in 2D and 3D imaging performance compared to a conventional FPD based on a‐Si:H TFTs. The improvements are most beneficial for 2D or 3D imaging scenarios involving low‐dose and/or high‐frame rate.
Origin, Postrelease Survival, and Imprinting of Pen-Acclimated and Direct-Stocked Chinook Salmon in Lake Ontario
Authors: Connerton Michael J. , Lantry Jana R. , Bronte Charles R. , Lapan Steve R.
Published: April 2022

We determined the stocking origin of the Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha harvest and compared the relative survival and tributary returns of pen-acclimated and direct-stocked salmon at eight sites in Lake Ontario. Chinook Salmon parr were coded-wire-tagged in 2010, 2011, and 2013, and adult salmon were recovered in the lake and tributaries from 2011 to 2017. Lake harvest counts indicated that pen acclimation provided significantly better smolt-to-lake harvest survival, with averages of 1.7, 2.3, and 2.3 times greater contribution (SE = 0.15, 0.21, 0.23), respectively, to the lake fishery than direct stocking. After accounting for lake survival, pen acclimation also provided significantly better smolt-to-adult return rates to tributary harvest than direct stocking at some sites, with average return ratios of 0.8, 1.1, and 1.6 (SE = 0.2, 0.2, 0.3), respectively, for the three year-classes. Port-specific lake harvest from June to August consisted of salmon stocked at sites throughout the lake, indicating a well-mixed population prior to the prespawn staging period. Of the eight lake ports analyzed, a minority of the Chinook Salmon harvested by anglers in June–August were stocked at each site (mean = 13%, SE = 2%) or at nearby sites (mean = 22%, SE = 4%), with most originating from stocking sites greater than 30 km away. In September, stocked Chinook Salmon became more segregated in the lake, with harvest at each site consisting of a higher percentage (mean = 38%, SE = 4%) of salmon stocked at those sites and nearby sites (mean = 29%, SE = 5%), suggesting that salmon began staging in this period. In contrast, most salmon harvested by tributary anglers in October were stocked at those sites (mean = 67%, SE = 4%), indicating good imprinting of both pen-acclimated and direct-stocked Chinook Salmon. Most strays in tributaries were from nearby stocking sites. Increased Chinook Salmon catch rates in the lake fishery coincided with increased use of pen acclimation and a declining prey fish population, underscoring the importance of evaluating outcomes of new stocking policies that may increase predator survival and predation pressure on prey.
One‐Pot Synthesis of 2,5‐Furandicarboxylic Acid from 2‐Furoic Acid by a Pd‐catalyzed Bromination–Hydroxycarbonylation Tandem Reaction in Acetate Buffer
Authors: Yao Yin‐Qing , Zhao Kai‐Chun , Zhuang Yi‐Ying , Chen Xiao‐Chao , Lu Yong , Liu Ye
Published: April 2022

The one‐pot synthesis of 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid from 2‐furoic acid with a yield of 57 % was achieved for the first time using a Pd‐catalyzed bromination‐hydroxycarbonylation tandem reaction in HOAc‐NaOAc buffer. This synthetic protocol shows major improvements compared to previously reported methods, such as using biomass‐based 2‐furoic acid as low‐cost raw material, one‐pot synthesis without isolation of intermediate products, and no need for an acidification procedure. Experiments indicate that the involved Xantphos‐modified Pd‐catalyst and the buffer solution play significant promoting roles for each individual reaction whereas Br2 (as the brominating reagent) had a negative effect on the second hydroxycarbonylation step, while CO was deleterious for the first bromination step. Hence, in this practical one‐pot synthesis, Br2 should be consumed in the first bromination step as fully as possible, and CO is introduced after the first bromination step has been completed.
Emergency preparedness and response in palm oil mill and investigation of the employees' emergency preparedness knowledge and attitude
Authors: Ahmad Naim Nabilah Aliyah , Omar Rozita , Nik Ibrahim Nik Nor Liyana
Published: April 2022

Several legislations and standards have listed emergency preparedness and response (EPR) in palm oil mills as one of the requirements. EPR effectiveness depends on the knowledge and attitude of an individual. This study evaluated the EPR in a palm oil mill (POM) company and investigated the employees' emergency preparedness (EP), knowledge, and attitude. The potential emergency occurrences were identified through hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk control (HIRARC). Meanwhile, the current EPR practices were assessed through the Occupational Safety and Health Management System (OSHMS) emergency management checklist and the EP exercises. A social survey provided the data on the EP knowledge and attitude among the employees. There were two high‐risk level work activities: welding and conveyor maintenance, rated at 12 and 16, respectively. The mill did not provide three elements of the 10 minimum requirements listed in the OSHMS guidelines. The EP exercises were successfully conducted. 63.5% of the respondents scored a moderate level of EP knowledge. A positive attitude toward EPR was found. There was no significant relationship between EP knowledge and attitude. The EPR practices in this POM company need improvement and enhancement, including the EP knowledge and attitude among the employees.
Physicochemical Properties of SnTe Thin Films Dependent on Compositional Ratios
Authors: Yoon Hee-Seung , Lee Jihyeon , Park Juyun , Oh Jin-Woo , Kang Yong-Cheol
Published: April 2022

This study introduces physicochemical properties based on the compositional ratio of the SnTe thin films (TFs) fabricated by radio frequency (RF) magnetron cosputtering. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) results show that the grain sizes decrease with increasing Te content, with pure Te TFs yielding the lowest Rq value (root mean square value of roughness) of 0.76 nm. Contact angle (CA) measurements show that pure Te TFs pertain to the highest total surface free energy. X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) patterns strongly indicate that pure Te TFs exhibit a hexagonal crystal structure and pure Sn TFs exhibit a tetragonal crystal structure. The dominant oxide species on the surface is TeO2 for Te‐rich films, which is deduced by X‐Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results. Pure Te TFs yield a work function value of 4.88 eV when measured with ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and 5.46 eV when measured with a Kelvin probe. SnTe TFs with 70% Te content exhibit the lowest electrical conductivity among the fabricated TFs.
Tracheoesophageal fistula presenting with ventilator air leaks and recurrent pneumonia
Authors: Chiu Hwa‐Yen , Hsu Tsui‐Fen
Published: April 2022

Key message

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a late complication of tracheostomy and may cause fatal pulmonary complications. This case reports a TEF caused by tracheostomy‐cuff‐related pressure necrosis presenting with air leaks and recurrent pneumonia.
Analysis of the Effect of Daily Stress on the Skin and Search for Genetic Loci Involved in the Perceived Stress of an Individual
Authors: Inoue Yu , Hasebe Yuichi , Igarashi Toshio , Kawagishi-Hotta Mika , Okuno Ryosuke , Yamada Takaaki , Hasegawa Seiji
Published: April 2022

Background

Stress may have various effects on our bodies. In particular, the skin may be readily influenced by stress. In addition, there are individual differences in the way we feel stress, suggesting the involvement of genetic factors in such individual differences.

Objectives

In this study, we analysed the influence of stress on skin condition and ageing involving Japanese females, and investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that influence perceived stress of an individual.

Methods

We collected genotype data from 1200 Japanese females. At the same time, a questionnaire was conducted on the degree of stress that each subject feels on a daily basis and the current skin condition. We analysed the effects of stress on skin condition and searched for SNPs related to individual stress susceptibility by genome-wide association studies.

Results

Our data suggested that stress influences skin condition and ageing, as previously reported. And, we found rs74548608 as a SNP that affects perceived stress of an individual. This SNP is located on the upstream of Patched-1, which is a gene that functions as a sonic hedgehog receptor.

Conclusions

Our study has identified new genetic factors for perceived stress of an individual in the Japanese female. The SNP found in this study may be a candidate factor important for understanding the perceived stress of an individual of Japanese.
Reinvestigation of Methoxy‐methoxycarbonylation of Monosubstituted Allenes
Authors: Kusakabe Taichi , Liu Dongwei , Tsuchida Kaori , Okazaki Shun , Hashimoto Tsuyoshi , Mori Akane , Yoshiwaka Kentaro , Sasai Hiroaki , Takahashi Keisuke , Kato Keisuke
Published: April 2022

The palladium‐catalyzed methoxy‐methoxycarbonylation of monosubstituted allenes was reinvestigated. Using arylallenes, methyl 2‐methoxymethylacrylates were obtained in good yield with moderate to good enantioselectivity whereas alkylallenes provided methyl 2‐methoxymethylacrylates regioselectively with low enantioselectivity.
Environment‐Dependent Stability and Mechanical Properties of DNA Origami Six‐Helix Bundles with Different Crossover Spacings
Authors: Xin Yang , Piskunen Petteri , Suma Antonio , Li Changyong , Ijäs Heini , Ojasalo Sofia , Seitz Iris , Kostiainen Mauri A. , Grundmeier Guido , Linko Veikko , Keller Adrian
Published: April 2022

The internal design of DNA nanostructures defines how they behave in different environmental conditions, such as endonuclease‐rich or low‐Mg2+ solutions. Notably, the inter‐helical crossovers that form the core of such DNA objects have a major impact on their mechanical properties and stability. Importantly, crossover design can be used to optimize DNA nanostructures for target applications, especially when developing them for biomedical environments. To elucidate this, two otherwise identical DNA origami designs are presented that have a different number of staple crossovers between neighboring helices, spaced at 42‐ and 21‐ basepair (bp) intervals, respectively. The behavior of these structures is then compared in various buffer conditions, as well as when they are exposed to enzymatic digestion by DNase I. The results show that an increased number of crossovers significantly improves the nuclease resistance of the DNA origami by making it less accessible to digestion enzymes but simultaneously lowers its stability under Mg2+‐free conditions by reducing the malleability of the structures. Therefore, these results represent an important step toward rational, application‐specific DNA nanostructure design.
K‐Functionalized Carbon Quantum Dots‐Induced Interface Assembly of Carbon Nanocages for Ultrastable Potassium Storage Performance
Authors: Hu Yu , Tang Cheng , Lv Fengting , Du Aijun , Wu Zhong‐Shuai , Zhang Haijiao
Published: April 2022

Carbon nanocages (CNCs), with unique merits of morphology and structure, have attracted increasing attention for energy storage and conversion. However, the synthesis of CNCs reported so far suffers from relatively harsh conditions and expensive raw materials. Herein, porous CNCs are intelligently designed using low‐cost glucose as the carbon precursor via a facile K‐functionalized carbon quantum dots (K‐CQDs)‐induced assembly route under hydrothermal process. The resulting CNCs have a unique cage‐like structure, large surface area, and rich carboxyl groups. With these elegant structural merits, the as‐made CNCs anode shows a high reversible capacity of 270 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 200 cycles and a long‐term cycling stability of 206 mAh g−1 at 2000 mA g−1 after 4000 cycles. An intercalation reaction mechanism with the K+ intercalation compound is further identified through an in‐situ Raman technique. Density functional theory simulations reveal that abundant carboxyl groups inherited from K‐CQDs can significantly promote the potassium storage capacities of the CNCs electrode.
Analysis and Development of a Modular Fault‐Tolerant Multistring Power Converter for Solar Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Filba-Martinez Alber , Cabre-Piqueras Claudia , Trilla Lluís , Paradell Pol , Domínguez-García José L.
Published: April 2022

The increasing solar photovoltaic (PV) generation highlights the importance of PV systems’ scalability, reliability, and cost reduction. Herein, a modular fault‐tolerant PV multistring inverter to address this challenge is proposed. The proposed inverter features a modular dc‐dc conversion stage and a dc–ac conversion stage. This configuration allows scaling the inverter power rating by simply increasing the number of PV strings, associated dc‐dc modules, and dc–ac‐stage heatsink size and output‐filter inductances’ current rating. The fault‐tolerant capability allows for tolerating a first‐switch open‐circuit fault on either stage and continuing operation. This property allows increasing by half the inverter lifetime compared with nonfault‐tolerant solutions (dismissing inverter reparation and degraded mode of operation), with a low impact on the cost increase (3–7%) and an efficiency reduction after a fault occurs of only 0.33–1%, depending on the module count and fault localization. A generalized reliability assessment demonstrates that lifetime increase is achieved regardless of the number of modules. Additionally, it allows reducing the operation and maintenance costs and revenue losses due to unscheduled system shutdowns. To validate the proposed inverter, a lab–scale prototype with two modules is tested under emulated faults, validating the feasibility of the proposed inverter.
Role of N6‐methyladenosine RNA modification in the imbalanced inflammatory homeostasis of arsenic‐induced skin lesions
Authors: Yang Fan , Zhang Aihua
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effect of N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modification in modulating inflammatory homeostasis of arsenic (As)‐induced skin lesions. Our bioinformatic analysis revealed abnormal expression of m6A RNA methylation regulators and cytokines in the arsenic‐exposed population. In human keratinocytes, arsenite increased the levels of m6A methylation by upregulating the RNA methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3), mediating the disordered secretion of indicators that reflect inflammatory homeostasis (IL‐6, IL‐17, and IL‐10). The indicators reflecting arsenic‐induced skin lesions (Krt1 and Krt10) were also significantly elevated, which contributed to the occurrence of skin lesions. Our results also confirmed the association between METTL3 with inflammatory homeostasis and arsenic‐induced skin lesions using arsenic‐exposed human skin samples. In the arsenic‐exposed group, the upregulation of METTL3 exacerbated the increase in cytokine levels (IL‐6, IL‐17, and IL‐10), which was associated with the upregulation of keratins (Krt1 and Krt10). In addition, significant correlations among these factors corroborate the theoretical links. Finally, alteration of the m6A levels via knockdown or enhancement of the METTL3 protein could antagonize or aggravate arsenite‐induced imbalanced inflammatory homeostasis and human keratinocyte damage in HaCaT cells. Collectively, our study reveals some evidence that regulation of m6A modification plays an important role in arsenic‐induced skin lesions, which provide a new perspective on the mechanism of arsenite‐induced imbalanced inflammatory homeostasis in the field of RNA epigenetics.
New classification of placenta accreta spectrum disorders should include presence of Cesarean scar pregnancy
Authors: D'Antonio F. , Timor‐Tritsch I. E. , Khalil A. , Calì G.
Published: April 2022

Linked article: This Correspondence comments on Abinader et al. Click here to view the article.
Sue Mary Hiscock
Authors: Roberts Lesley , Carter Chris
Published: April 2022

A talented and dedicated vet who gave everything her all.
Exploring the Architecture of Policy Knowledge: A Methodological Note
Authors: Pizmony-Levy Oren , Baek Chanwoong
Published: April 2022

This chapter discusses the theoretical and methodological foundations of the research project. Drawing on research in social network analysis and sociology of knowledge, this chapter explains how bibliometric network analysis can be applied to examine the architecture of policy knowledge in the five Nordic countries. Key concepts such as networks, nodes, edges, centrality, and density are defined, and the rationale and procedures for collecting, analyzing, and presenting data are described in detail. This chapter also acknowledges the limitations in its methodological approach and proposes the direction for future studies.
Theoretischer und empirischer Hintergrund
Authors: Knauf Rhea-Katharina
Published: April 2022

Im ersten Kapitel wird das Phänomen Bullying im Schulkontext sowie im Cyberspace beschrieben, die Bedeutung des Klassenverbands und der Bystander bei der Entstehung von Bullying herausgearbeitet und ein Überblick über die Prävalenz von Bullying gegeben. Dabei werden die verschiedenen Rollen im Bullying-Gefüge (Täter, Pro-Bullying-Bystander, Opfer, Verteidiger und Außenstehende) betrachtet und Geschlechts- und Altersunterschiede beleuchtet. Schließlich wird ein theoretisches Modell zur Erklärung des Bystander-Verhaltens erarbeitet, welches das Bystander-Intervention-Modell der beiden Sozialpsychologen Bibb Latané und John Darley auf Bullying überträgt und relevante sozial-kognitive und affektive Reaktionen einschließt.
Source Camera Attribution from Videos
Authors: Sencar Husrev Taha
Published: April 2022

Photo-response non-uniformity (PRNU) is an intrinsic characteristic of a digital imaging sensor, which manifests as a unique and permanent pattern introduced to all media captured by the sensor. The PRNU of a sensor has been proven to be a viable identifier for source attribution and has been successfully utilized for identification and verification of the source of digital media.
Case-based learning in der Thoraxchirurgie
Authors: Rathberger Katharina , Ried Michael , Hofmann Hans-Stefan
Published: April 2022

Hintergrund

In der modernen medizinischen Lehre wird der klassische Frontalunterricht zunehmend durch innovative Lehrmethoden, wie z. B. „case-based learning“ oder E‑Learning (Electronic-Learning), ergänzt.

Ziel der Arbeit

Konzipierung und Evaluation eines neuen Kurskonzeptes in der Thoraxchirurgie, um Studierende zu motivieren und zugleich Möglichkeiten zu finden, das ärztliche Personal in seiner Lehrtätigkeit zu entlasten.

Material und Methoden

Alle Studierenden des jeweils 3. klinischen Semesters der Universität Regensburg absolvierten im Sommersemester 2016 und Wintersemester 2016/17 im Rahmen des Blockpraktikums Chirurgie ein Seminar nach dem Prinzip des fallbasierten Lernens zum Thema „Pulmonaler Rundherd“. Dabei wurde bei einer Gruppe von Studierenden ein moderiertes Präsenzseminar, bei der anderen eine reine Onlineveranstaltung abgehalten. Der Wissensgewinn und die subjektive Bewertung des Kurses durch die Studierenden wurden über Fragebögen ermittelt.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt nahmen 190 Studierende an den Seminaren teil, davon 88 am Präsenz- und 102 am Onlinekurs. Obwohl beide Gruppen einen deutlichen Wissenszuwachs durch die Kursintervention verzeichneten, zeigten die Studierenden des Präsenzkurses eine deutlich höhere subjektive Zufriedenheit im Vergleich zu ihren KommilitonInnen im Onlinekurs.

Diskussion

Das fallbasierte Lernen erwies sich als Erfolg versprechendes Konzept in der thoraxchirurgischen Lehre, wobei sich die Etablierung von Onlinelernverfahren deutlich schwieriger gestaltete als bei präsenzbasiertem Unterricht.
Conditioning with fludarabine and treosulfan compared to FLAMSA-RIC in allogeneic stem cell transplantation for myeloid malignancies: a retrospective single-center analysis
Authors: Braitsch Krischan , Schwarz Alix , Koch Katrin , Hubbuch Mara , Menzel Helge , Keller Ulrich , Götze Katharina S. , Bassermann Florian , Herhaus Peter , Verbeek Mareike
Published: April 2022

Reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) and reduced toxicity conditioning (RTC) regimens enable allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) to more patients due to reduction in transplant-related mortality (TRM). The conditioning regimens with fludarabine and treosulfan (Flu/Treo) or fludarabine, amsacrine, cytarabine (FLAMSA)-RIC have shown their efficacy and tolerability in various malignancies. So far, no prospective study comparing the two regimens is available. Two studies compared the regimens retrospectively, in which both provided similar outcome. In this retrospective, single-center analysis, these two regimens were compared with regard to outcome, rate of acute and chronic graft versus host disease (GvHD), and engraftment. 113 consecutive patients with myeloid malignancies who received Flu/Treo or FLAMSA-RIC conditioning prior to alloSCT between 2007 and 2019 were included. Except for age, previous therapies, and remission status before alloSCT, patient characteristics were well balanced. The median follow-up time within this analysis was 44 months. There was no significant difference in absolute neutrophil count (ANC) or platelet engraftment between the two conditioning regimens. Overall survival (OS), the relapse-free survival (RFS), and the TRM were not significantly different between the two cohorts. The rate of GvHD did not differ between the two groups. In summary, this retrospective analysis shows that there is no major difference regarding tolerability and survival between the Flu/Treo and FLAMSA-RIC regimens. Despite several limitations due to uneven distribution concerning age and remission status, we demonstrate that Flu/Treo and FLAMSA-RIC provide similar outcomes and are feasible in older and intensively pre-treated patients.
Morphologic and histologic characterization of sheep and porcine TMJ as large animal models for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Lee Jonah D. , Becker Josh I. , Larkin Lisa M. , Almarza Alejandro J. , Kapila Sunil D.
Published: April 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare and characterize the structural and ultrastructural organization of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) between two large animal models for use in the development of tissue engineering strategies.

Materials and methods

Whole TMJs from sheep and pigs were evaluated with micro-computed tomography (μCT) for morphology and quantitative analyses of bone parameters. Histological examination was performed on the TMJ disc and its attachments to investigate regional distribution of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs).

Results

μCT analyses demonstrate higher bone mineral density (BMD) in the temporal fossa compared to the mandibular condyle in both species, with this variable being significantly higher in sheep than pig. Quantitative morphometry of the trabecular condyle reveals no statistical differences between the species. Histology demonstrates similar structural organization of collagen and elastin between species. Elastin staining was nearly twofold greater in sheep than in the pig disc. Finally, Safranin-O staining for GAGs in the TMJ disc was localized to the intermediate zone in the sheep but was absent from the porcine disc.

Conclusions

Our findings show some important differences in the pig and sheep TMJ μCT variables and histology and composition of the disc and discal attachment. These disparities likely reflect differences in masticatory and TMJ functional loading patterns between the two species and provide insights into large animal models towards human applications.

Clinical relevance

As with the established pig model, the sheep is a suitable large animal model for TMJ research such as regenerative strategies, with specific considerations for design parameters appropriate for human-analog applications.
Intentional gestural communication amongst red-capped mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus)
Authors: Schel Anne Marijke , Bono Axelle , Aychet Juliette , Pika Simone , Lemasson Alban
Published: April 2022

Apes, human’s closest living relatives, are renowned for their intentional and highly flexible use of gestural communication. In stark contrast, evidence for flexible and intentional gestural communication in monkeys is scarce. Here, we investigated the intentionality and flexibility of spontaneous gesture use in red-capped mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus). We applied established methods used in ape gesture research to analyse whether the body acts produced by a total of 17 individuals living in three different groups in captivity qualified as intentionally produced gesture instances. Results showed that signallers showed all hallmarks of intentionality during the production of 20 out of a total of 21 different types of body acts. These were only produced in the presence of other individuals, and the monkeys showed audience checking, sensitivity to the attentional states of recipients, adjustment of signal modality, and response waiting relative to their production. Moreover, in case of communication failure, the monkeys showed goal persistence, and regarding the production contexts they showed some signs of means–ends dissociation. Therefore, these monkeys are capable of flexible and intentional gestural communication and use this to communicate with conspecifics. Our results corroborate recent findings showing that intentional gestural communication was already present in the monkey lineage of catarrhine primates. We discuss our results in light of the comparative approach towards human language evolution and highlight our finding that these monkeys also showed flexible and intentional use of four ‘free’ manual gesture types.
A multiobjective prediction model with incremental learning ability by developing a multi-source filter neural network for the electrolytic aluminium process
Authors: Yao Lizhong , Ding Wei , He Tiantian , Liu Shouxin , Nie Ling
Published: April 2022

Improving current efficiency and reducing energy consumption are two important technical goals of the electrolytic aluminum process (EAP). However, because the process involves complex noise characteristics (i.e., unknown types, redundant distributions and variable forms), it is very difficult to accurately develop a multiobjective prediction model. To overcome this problem, in this paper, a novel framework of multiobjective incremental learning based on a multi-source filter neural network (MSFNN) is presented. The proposed framework first presents a “multi-source filter” (MSF) technique that utilizes the mean and variance in the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) to guide the importance function of the particle filter (PF) based on a density kernel estimation method. Then, the MSF is embedded in the mutated neural network to adjust weights in real time. Third, weights are calculated and normalized by a modified importance function, which is the basis for further optimizing a secondary sampling based on sampling importance resampling (SIR). Finally, the incremental learning model with two objectives (i.e., process power consumption and current efficiency) based on the MSFNN in the EAP is established. The presented framework has been verified by the real-world EAP and some closely related methods. All test results indicate that the MSFNN’s relative prediction errors of the above two objectives are controlled within 0.51% and 0.38%, respectively and prove that MSFNN has significant competitive advantages over other recent filtering network models. Successfully establishment of the proposed framework provides a model foundation for multiobjective optimization problems in the EAP.
Efficacy of an Adaptive Game-Based Math Learning App to Support Personalized Learning and Improve Early Elementary School Students’ Learning
Authors: Bang Hee Jin , Li Linlin , Flynn Kylie
Published: April 2022

This study investigates whether using My Math Academy, which provides personalized content and adaptive embedded assessments to support existing curricula, can improve learning outcomes and engagement for kindergarten and first grade students (N = 505 treatment, 481 control). Findings indicate that students using My Math Academy made significant learning gains in math relative to children who did not. More skills mastered in My Math Academy was associated with greater learning gains on the external assessment, with the greatest impacts among students with lower levels of math knowledge, where there was more room for growth and on the most difficult skills. Teachers surveyed found My Math Academy easy to use in their classrooms and recognized it as a valuable learning resource that supplemented their existing curricula to improve students’ engagement, motivation, and confidence in learning math.
Study Burnout and Engagement During COVID-19 Among University Students: The Role of Demands, Resources, and Psychological Needs
Authors: Salmela-Aro Katariina , Upadyaya Katja , Ronkainen Inka , Hietajärvi Lauri
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic forced most universities to switch from in-person to remote teaching from May 2020 to May 2021. This period covered three semesters of studies, and due to these changes students experienced fundamental changes in their learning. The present research was carried out 3 times during the pandemic (e.g., May 2020, December 2020, and April 2021) to investigate study engagement and burnout, and their associations with various demands, resources, and psychological needs among university students. Self-reports were collected from 1501, 1526, and 1685 university students in Helsinki. The results showed that study burnout increased across the time points, being the highest in April 2021, whereas study engagement was the lowest in December 2020. Further, at the beginning of the pandemic the explanatory power of study-related demands and resources on study burnout and engagement was stronger, whereas in April 2021 the role of psychological needs increased. These results inform strategies to promote students’ engagement through distance-learning, mitigating negative effects of the situation.
L1 Grammatical Gender Variation through the Representation in the Lexicon
Authors: Klassen Rachel , Lundquist Björn , Westergaard Marit
Published: April 2022

In most studies on gender processing, native speakers of the same language are treated as a homogeneous group. The current study investigates to what extent an ongoing change in the gender system of Norwegian (a development from three to two genders, involving the loss of feminine) may be reflected in processing. We carried out a gender decision task in which speakers were presented with 32 nouns of each gender (masculine, feminine, neuter) and asked to select the corresponding indefinite article. Based on these results, we identified three different groups: three-gender speakers, two-gender speakers, and an unstable gender use group that used feminine gender to varying degrees. This division corresponded with clear differences in RTs, the two-gender speakers being faster overall with no difference across conditions, the three-gender group being slower with masculine, and the unstable group being slower with both masculine and feminine. Thus, our results indicate that native speakers of the same language can in fact have different underlying representations of gender in the lexicon.
Bioinspired silica-based sol–gel micropatterns on aluminium for humid air condensation
Authors: Basso Maria , Colusso Elena , Sacco Alessandro , Tancon Marco , Bortolin Stefano , Mirafiori Matteo , Guglielmi Massimo , Martucci Alessandro
Published: April 2022

Several patterned coatings with a hybrid organic-inorganic nature were deposited on metallic substrates by exploiting the dewetting of a sol–gel bilayer. The hybrid coatings, inspired by the exoskeleton of a desert beetle, consisted of hydrophilic silica droplets on a hydrophobic CH3-silica bottom layer. The patterned morphology was tuned by changing the initial solution concentration, which resulted in substantial changes in the size and the density of distribution of the hydrophilic droplets. The reproducibility of the dewetting process on metallic substrates was confirmed, together with its scalability over large area substrates. The real-life application of the patterned coating for atmospheric water harvesting was tested in a custom-made apparatus, which demonstrated that the patterned coating led to a higher collected mass during condensation from humid air compared to the bare aluminium substrate. The patterned coating was proven to maintain its structure after the humid air exposure, confirming the robustness of the sol–gel-based materials.
Acromegaly and male sexual health
Authors: Salvio Gianmaria , Martino Marianna , Balercia Giancarlo , Arnaldi Giorgio
Published: April 2022

Acromegaly is a rare pathology characterized by chronic hypersecretion of Growth Hormone (GH) and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) that causes somatic, metabolic, and systemic changes. The somatotropic axis acts physiologically favoring gonadal function, but when GH is produced in excess it has deleterious effects on many aspects of male sexuality. It is widely demonstrated, in fact, that acromegaly induces hypogonadism through different mechanisms, both through direct mass effect on gonadotropic cells and through increased plasma levels of prolactin. Moreover, hypogonadism is also one of the factors linking acromegaly to erectile dysfunction (ED), but also metabolic complications of acromegaly and, probably, GH itself contribute to the genesis of this disorder. There are few data in the literature on the impact of the disease on fertility and testicular volume. Finally, knowledge of the role of GH hypersecretion on the occurrence of prostatic diseases such as benign prostatic hypertrophy and prostatic cancer appears to be of fundamental clinical importance in the long-term management of these patients.
Climate refugia for Pinus spp. in topographic and bioclimatic environments of the Madrean sky islands of México and the United States
Authors: Haire Sandra L. , Villarreal Miguel L. , Cortés-Montaño Citlali , Flesch Aaron D. , Iniguez José M. , Romo-Leon Jose Raul , Sanderlin Jamie S.
Published: April 2022

Climate refugia, or places where habitats are expected to remain relatively buffered from regional climate extremes, provide an important focus for science and conservation planning. Within high-priority, multi-jurisdictional landscapes like the Madrean sky islands of the United States and México, efforts to identify and manage climate refugia are hindered by the lack of high-quality and consistent transboundary datasets. To fill these data gaps, we assembled a bi-national field dataset (n = 1416) for five pine species (Pinusspp.) and used generalized boosted regression to model pine habitats in relation to topographic variability as a basis for identifying potential microrefugia at local scales in the context of current species’ distribution patterns. We developed additional models to quantify climatic refugial attributes using coarse scale bioclimatic variables and finer scale seasonal remote sensing indices. Terrain metrics including ruggedness, slope position, and aspect defined microrefugia for pines within elevation ranges preferred by each species. Response to bioclimatic variables indicated that small shifts in climate were important to some species (e.g.,P. chihuahuana, P. strobiformis), but others exhibited a broader tolerance (e.g.,P. arizonica). Response to seasonal climate was particularly important in modeling microrefugia for species with open canopy structure and where regular fires occur (e.g.,P. engelmanniiandP. chihuahuana). Hotspots of microrefugia differed among species and were either limited to northern islands or occurred across central or southern latitudes. Mapping and validation of refugia and their ecological functions are necessary steps in developing regional conservation strategies that cross jurisdictional boundaries. A salient application will be incorporation of climate refugia in management of fire to restore and maintain pine ecology. Una versión en español de este artículo está disponible como descarga.
Semi-Supervised Discovery of DNN-Based Outcome Predictors from Scarcely-Labeled Process Logs
Authors: Folino Francesco , Folino Gianluigi , Guarascio Massimo , Pontieri Luigi
Published: April 2022

Predicting the final outcome of an ongoing process instance is a key problem in many real-life contexts. This problem has been addressed mainly by discovering a prediction model by using traditional machine learning methods and, more recently, deep learning methods, exploiting the supervision coming from outcome-class labels associated with historical log traces. However, a supervised learning strategy is unsuitable for important application scenarios where the outcome labels are known only for a small fraction of log traces. In order to address these challenging scenarios, a semi-supervised learning approach is proposed here, which leverages a multi-target DNN model supporting both outcome prediction and the additional auxiliary task of next-activity prediction. The latter task helps the DNN model avoid spurious trace embeddings and overfitting behaviors. In extensive experimentation, this approach is shown to outperform both fully-supervised and semi-supervised discovery methods using similar DNN architectures across different real-life datasets and label-scarce settings.
Risk Assessment of Tsunamis Along the Chinese Coast Due to Earthquakes
Authors: Hui Chun , Ning Lixin , Cheng Changxiu
Published: April 2022

China’s coastal areas are densely populated, economically developed, and located in close proximity to several potential tsunami sources; therefore, tsunami risk cannot be ignored. This study assessed tsunami risk in coastal areas of China by developing a framework for tsunami risk assessment from the perspectives of hazards, vulnerability, and exposure. First, a probabilistic tsunami hazard assessment (PTHA) model was applied to estimate the potential tsunami sources in both local crustal faults and circum-Pacific subduction zones based on numerical simulations. The output of the PTHA includes tsunami wave height distributions along the coast. Then, an indicator system reflecting exposure and vulnerability to tsunamis in the coastal areas of China was established by using the entropy method and analytic hierarchy process. The PTHA findings show that the tsunami wave height is close to 3 m on the southern coast of the Bohai Sea, the Pearl River Estuary, and the Yangtze River Delta and exceeds 2 m near the Taiwan Strait for the 2000-year return period. The results of the tsunami risk assessment show that the cities at the highest risk level (level I) include Tangshan, Yantai, and Hong Kong, while cities at the high risk level (level II) include Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Quanzhou near the Taiwan Strait and many cities on the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Estuary, and the southern coast of the Bohai Sea. Our findings can provide an understanding of differences in tsunami risk between Chinese coastal cities that may be affected by tsunamis in the future.
Time-sequential hesitant fuzzy set and its application to multi-attribute decision making
Authors: Meng Lingyu , Li Liangqun
Published: April 2022

The hesitant fuzzy set has been an important tool to address problems of decision making. There are several various improved hesitant fuzzy sets, such as dual hesitant fuzzy set, hesitant interval-valued fuzzy set, and intuitionistic hesitant fuzzy set, however, no one kind of improved fuzzy sets could reflect attitude characteristics of decision makers on time-sequences. In reality, time-sequence is one important sector to reflect hesitant situations as decision makers might have different knowledges of the same alternative at different moments. To perfect the description of such hesitant situations and obtain more reasonable results of decision making, we define a new kind of hesitant fuzzy set, namely, time-sequential hesitant fuzzy set. Meanwhile, its corresponding basic operators, score function and distance measures are proposed. We also propose the concept of fluctuated hesitant information to describe hesitant degrees of decision makers on time-sequences. By comprehensively utilizing the score function, fluctuated hesitant information and distance measures under time-sequential hesitant fuzzy set, a synthetic decision model is proposed. Two illustrated examples and one real-application are utilized to illustrate the effectiveness and advantage of the synthetic decision model under time-sequential hesitant fuzzy set.
A Perspective for Developing Polymer-Based Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Composites
Authors: Zhang Yali , Gu Junwei
Published: April 2022

The rapid development of aerospace weapons and equipment, wireless base stations and 5G communication technologies has put forward newer and higher requirements for the comprehensive performances of polymer-based electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding composites. However, most of currently prepared polymer-based EMI shielding composites are still difficult to combine high performance and multi-functionality. In response to this, based on the research works of relevant researchers as well as our research group, three possible directions to break through the above bottlenecks are proposed, including construction of efficient conductive networks, optimization of multi-interfaces for lightweight and multifunction compatibility design. The future development trends in three directions are prospected, and it is hoped to provide certain theoretical basis and technical guidance for the preparation, research and development of polymer-based EMI shielding composites.