bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stretchable magnesium–air battery based on dual ions conducting hydrogel for intelligent biomedical applications
Authors: Huang Xingcan , Liu Yiming , Park Wooyoung , Zhao Zhao , Li Jiyu , Lim Chee Kent , Wong Tsz Hung , Yiu Chun Ki , Gao Yuyu , Zhou Jingkun , Li Hu , Zhao Ling , Li Jian , Zhang Binbin , Huang Ya , Shi Rui , Li Dengfeng , Mo Jiaying , Wang Jinpei , Zhang Chao , Li Yuhang , Wang Zuankai , Yu Xinge
Published: November 2022

Flexible and bio‐integrated electronics have attracted great attention due to their enormous contributions to personalized medical devices. Power sources, serving as one of the most important components, have been suffering from many problems, including deficient biocompatibility, poor stretchability, and unstable electrical outputs under deformed conditions, which limits the practical applications in flexible and bio‐integrated electronics. Here, we reported a fully stretchable magnesium (Mg)–air battery based on dual‐ions‐conducting hydrogels (SDICH). The high‐performance battery enables long‐term operation with lighting 120 lighting emitting diodes (LEDs) for over 5 h. Benefiting from the advanced materials and mechanical designs, the battery exhibits stability electrical outputs under stretching, which allows to operate ordinarily under various mechanical deformations without performance decay. Furthermore, the great biocompatibility of the battery offers great opportunity for biomedical applications, which is demonstrated by a self‐adaption wound dressing system. The in vitro and in vivo results prove that the self‐adaption wound dressing can effectively prevent wound inflammation and promote wound healing. By exploiting thermal feedback mechanics, the system can adjust antibiotic release rate and dosage spontaneously according to the real‐time wound conditions. The proposed fully stretchable Mg–air battery and self‐adaption wound dressing display great potential in skin‐integrated electronics and personalized medicine.

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Rebuilding from the vacuum: A qualitative study of people with a recent history of incarceration
Authors: Fachilla Frances E.
Published: November 2022

Thirty‐four adults recently released from incarceration and living in transitional homes were interviewed in this qualitative study. An open‐ended approach to interviewing was used to allow participants’ main concerns to emerge. Participants were primarily focused on rebuilding relationships to achieve stability post‐incarceration. Participants who rebuilt stable relationships were able to work on internal goals (e.g., sobriety). Participants who did not rebuild stable relationships returned to existing social networks of unstable connections characterized by drug addiction, abuse, or criminal activity.
Application of compression optical coherence elastography for characterization of human pericardium: A pilot study
Authors: Zaitsev Vladimir Y. , Sovetsky Alexander A. , Matveyev Alexander L. , Matveev Lev A. , Shabanov Dmitry , Salamatova Victoria Y. , Karavaikin Pavel A. , Vassilevski Yuri V.
Published: November 2022

The recent impressive progress in Compression Optical Coherence Elastography (C‐OCE) demonstrated diverse biomedical applications, comprising ophthalmology, oncology, etc. High resolution of C‐OCE enables spatially resolved characterization of elasticity of rather thin (thickness < 1 mm) samples, which previously was impossible. Besides Young's modulus, C‐OCE enables obtaining of nonlinear stress–strain dependences for various tissues. Here, we report the first application of C‐OCE to nondestructively characterize biomechanics of human pericardium, for which data of conventional tensile tests are very limited and controversial. C‐OCE revealed pronounced differences among differently prepared pericardium samples. Ample understanding of the influence of chemo‐mechanical treatment on pericardium biomechanics is very important because of rapidly growing usage of own patients' pericardium for replacement of aortic valve leaflets in cardio‐surgery. The figure demonstrates differences in the tangent Young's modulus after glutaraldehyde‐induced cross‐linking for two pericardium samples. One sample was over‐stretched during the preparation, which caused some damage to the tissue.
Influence of the complete basis set approximation, tight weighted‐core, and diffuse functions on the DLPNO‐CCSD(T1) atomization energies of neutral H,C,O‐compounds
Authors: Minenkov Yury , Cavallo Luigi , Peterson Kirk A.
Published: November 2022

The impact of complete basis set extrapolation schemes (CBS), diffuse functions, and tight weighted‐core functions on enthalpies of formation predicted via the DLPNO‐CCSD(T1) reduced Feller‐Peterson‐Dixon approach has been examined for neutral H,C,O‐compounds. All tested three‐point (TZ/QZ/5Z) extrapolation schemes result in mean unsigned deviation (MUD) below 2 kJ mol−1 relative to the experiment. The two‐point QZ/5Z and TZ/QZ CBS extrapolation schemes are inferior to their inverse power counterpart () by 1.3 and 4.3 kJ mol−1. The CBS extrapolated frozen core atomization energies are insensitive (within 1 kJ mol−1) to augmentation of the basis set with tight weighted core functions. The core‐valence correlation effects converge already at triple‐ζ, although double‐ζ/triple‐ζ CBS extrapolation performs better and is recommended. The effect of diffuse function augmentation converges slowly, and cannot be reproduced with double‐ ζ or triple‐ ζ calculations as these are plagued with basis set superposition and incompleteness errors.
Frailty is characterized by biomarker patterns reflecting inflammation or muscle catabolism in multi‐morbid patients
Authors: Kochlik Bastian , Franz Kristina , Henning Thorsten , Weber Daniela , Wernitz Andreas , Herpich Catrin , Jannasch Franziska , Aykaç Volkan , Müller‐Werdan Ursula , Schulze Matthias B. , Grune Tilman , Norman Kristina
Published: November 2022

Background

Frailty development is partly dependent on multiple factors like low levels of nutrients and high levels of oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation potentially leading to a muscle‐catabolic state. Measures of specific biomarker patterns including nutrients, OS and inflammatory biomarkers as well as muscle related biomarkers like 3‐methylhistidine (3MH) may improve evaluation of mechanisms and the complex networks leading to frailty.

Methods

In 220 multi‐morbid patients (≥ 60 years), classified as non‐frail (n = 104) and frail (n = 116) according to Fried's frailty criteria, we measured serum concentrations of fat‐soluble micronutrients, amino acids (AA), OS, interleukins (IL) 6 and 10, 3MH (biomarker for muscle protein turnover) and serum spectra of fatty acids (FA). We evaluated biomarker patterns by principal component analysis (PCA) and their cross‐sectional associations with frailty by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Two biomarker patterns [principal components (PC)] were identified by PCA. PC1 was characterized by high positive factor loadings (FL) of carotenoids, anti‐inflammatory FA and vitamin D3 together with high negative FL of pro‐inflammatory FA, IL6 and IL6/IL10, reflecting an inflammation‐related pattern. PC2 was characterized by high positive FL of AA together with high negative FL of 3MH‐based biomarkers, reflecting a muscle‐related pattern. Frail patients had significantly lower factor scores than non‐frail patients for both PC1 [median: −0.27 (interquartile range: 1.15) vs. 0.27 (1.23); P = 0.001] and PC2 [median: −0.15 (interquartile range: 1.13) vs. 0.21 (1.38); P = 0.002]. Patients with higher PC1 or PC2 factor scores were less likely to be frail [odds ratio (OR): 0.62, 95% CI: 0.46–0.83, P = 0.001 for PC1; OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.48–0.86, P = 0.003 for PC2] compared with patients with lower PC1 or PC2 factor scores. This indicates that increasing levels of anti‐inflammatory biomarkers and increasing levels of muscle‐anabolic biomarkers are associated with a reduced likelihood (38% and 36%, respectively) for frailty. Significant associations remained after adjusting the regression models for potential confounders.

Conclusions

We conclude that two specific patterns reflecting either inflammation‐related or muscle‐related biomarkers are both significantly associated with frailty among multi‐morbid patients and that these specific biomarker patterns are more informative than single biomarker analyses considering frailty identification.
Trajectories of physical and mental functioning over 25 years before onset of frailty: results from the Whitehall II cohort study
Authors: Landré Benjamin , Ben Hassen Céline , Kivimaki Mika , Bloomberg Mikaela , Dugravot Aline , Schniztler Alexis , Sabia Séverine , Singh‐Manoux Archana
Published: November 2022

Background

Research on frailty, a major contributor to heterogeneity in health, is undertaken on older adults although the processes leading to frailty are likely to begin earlier in the life course. Using repeat data spanning 25 years, we examined changes in physical and mental functioning before the onset of frailty, defined using Fried's frailty phenotype (FFP).

Methods

Functioning was measured using the Short‐Form 36 General Health Survey (SF‐36) on nine occasions from 1991 (age range 40–63 years) to 2015 (age range 63–85 years). The poorest of four FFP scores from 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2015 was used to classify participants as frail, pre‐frail, or robust. We used linear mixed models with a backward timescale such that time 0 was the person‐specific date of frailty classification for frail and pre‐frail participants and the end of follow‐up for robust participants. Analyses adjusted for socio‐demographic factors, health behaviours, body mass index and multi‐morbidity status were used to compare SF‐36 physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores over 25 years before time 0 as a function of FFP classification, with estimates extracted at time 0, −5, −10, −15, −20 and −25 years. We also used illness–death models to examine the prospective association between SF‐36 component summary scores at age 50 and incident FFP‐defined frailty.

Results

Among 7044 participants of the Whitehall II cohort study included in the analysis [29% female, mean age 49.7 (SD = 6.0) at baseline in 1991], 2055 (29%) participants remained robust, and 4476 (64%) became pre‐frail and 513 (7%) frail during follow‐up. Frail compared with robust participants had lower SF‐36 scores at t = −25 before onset of frailty with a difference of 3.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6, 5.1] in PCS and 1.8 (−0.2, 3.8) in MCS. At t = 0, the differences increased to 11.5 (10.5, 12.5) and 9.1 (8.0, 10.2), respectively. The differences in SF‐36 between the robust and pre‐frail groups, although smaller [at t = 0, 1.7 (1.2, 2.2) in PCS and 4.0 (3.4, 4.5) in MCS], were already observed 20 and 25 years, respectively, before the onset of pre‐frailty. Prospective analyses showed that at age 50, scores in the bottom quartiles of PCS [hazard ratio (HR) compared with the top quartile = 2.39, 95% CI 1.85, 3.07] and MCS [HR = 1.49 (1.15, 1.93)] were associated with a higher risk of FFP‐defined frailty at older ages.

Conclusions

Differences in trajectories of physical and mental functioning in individuals who developed physical frailty at older ages were observable 25 years before onset of FFP‐defined frailty. These findings highlight the need for a life course approach in efforts to prevent frailty.
Toward a better modulus at shallow indentations—Enhanced tip and sample characterization for quantitative atomic force microscopy
Authors: Owen David S.
Published: November 2022

Approximations of the geometry of indenting probes, particularly when using shallow indentations on soft materials, can lead to the erroneous reporting of mechanical data in atomic force microscopy (AFM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) identified a marked change in geometry toward the tip apex where the conical probe assumes a near linear flat‐punch geometry. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a ubiquitous elastomer within the materials and biological sciences. Its elastic modulus is widely characterized but the data are dispersed and can display orders of magnitude disparity. Herein, we compare the moduli gathered from a range of analytical techniques and relate these to the molecular architecture identified with AFM. We present a simple method that considers sub‐100 nm indentations of PDMS using the Hertz and Sneddon contact mechanics models, and how this could be used to improve the output of shallow indentations on similarly soft materials, such as polymers or cells.
Comparison of reconstruction methods used during liver transplantation in case of a graft with replaced or accessory right hepatic artery: A retrospective study
Authors: Wouters Dune , Blondeau Marc , Bos Isabel , Camus Christophe , Jezequel Caroline , Bardou‐Jacquet Edouard , van der Plas Willemijn S. , Nieuwenhuis Lianne M. , de Meijer Vincent E. , Porte Robert J. , Rayar Michel
Published: November 2022

Variations in graft arterial anatomy can increase the risk of postoperative hepatic arterial thrombosis (HAT), especially in presence of a replaced or accessory right hepatic artery (RHA). We retrospectively analyzed 223 cases of liver transplantations with the presence of an RHA on the graft. Patient outcomes were compared according to the four different reconstruction methods used: (i) the re‐implantation of the RHA into the splenic or gastroduodenal artery (n = 106); (ii) the interposition of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) (n = 83); (iii) dual anastomosis (n = 24); (iv) use of an aortic patch including the origins of both the SMA and the coeliac trunk (n = 10). A competing risk analysis and Inverse Probability Weighting (IPW) were used. We found that the interposition of the SMA method was associated with a significantly lower incidence of HAT, at 4.8% compared to the re‐implantation method at 17.9%, dual anastomosis at 12.5%, and aortic patch at 20%, p = .03. In the competing risk analysis with IPW, the only risk factor for RHA thrombosis was the type of reconstruction. Taking the SMA interposition group as the reference, the sub‐hazard ratio (sHR) was 5.05 (CI 95 [1.72; 14.78], p < .01) for the re‐implantation group, sHR = 2.37 (CI 95 [0.51; 11.09], p = .27) for the dual anastomosis group and sHR = 2.24 (CI 95 [0.35; 14.33], p = .40) for the aortic patch group. There were no differences for intraoperative transfusion, hospitalization duration (p = .37) or incidence of severe complications (p = .1). The long‐term graft (p = .69) and patient (p = .52) survival was not different. In conclusion, the SMA interposition method was associated with a lower incidence of RHA thrombosis.
Isolated neurological presentations of mevalonate kinase deficiency
Authors: Hoytema van Konijnenburg Eva M. M. , Oussoren Esmeralda , Frenkel Joost , van Hasselt Peter M.
Published: November 2022

Mevalonate kinase (MK) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the MVK gene with a broad phenotypic spectrum including autoinflammation, developmental delay and ataxia. Typically, neurological symptoms are considered to be part of the severe end of the phenotypical spectrum and are reported to be in addition to the autoinflammatory symptoms. Here, we describe a patient with MK deficiency with severe neurological symptoms but without autoinflammation and we found several similar patients in the literature. Possibly, the non‐inflammatory phenotype is related to a specific genotype: the MVK p.(His20Pro)/p.(Ala334Thr) variant. There is probably an underdetection of the neurological MK deficient phenotype without inflammatory symptoms as clinicians may not test for MK deficiency when patients present with only neurological symptoms. In conclusion, although rare, neurological symptoms without hyperinflammation might be more common than expected in MK deficiency. It seems relevant to consider MK deficiency in patients with psychomotor delay and ataxia, even if there are no inflammatory symptoms.
The “vaccine” hubbub: Viral load comparisons of SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta and Omicron variants against different vaccine–booster vaccine combinations
Authors: Ergoren Mahmut C. , Akan Gokce , Volkan Ender , Kandemis Emine , Evren Emine U. , Evren Hakan , Volkan Eliz , Tuncel Gulten , Suer Kaya , Sanlidag Tamer
Published: November 2022

There is a significant body of evidence showing that efficient vaccination schemes against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is helping control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. However, this goal cannot be achieved without real world data highlighting the impact of vaccines against viral spread. In this study, we have aimed at differentially investigating the impact of COVID‐19 vaccines (CoronaVac, Pfizer/BioNTech, Astra/Zeneca Oxford, Janssen) used in North Cyprus in limiting the viral load of Delta and Omicron variants of SARS‐COV‐2. We have utilized real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold values (Ct values) as a proxy of viral load of the two SARS‐CoV‐2 variants. Our results indicate that the administration of at least two doses of the messenger RNA‐based Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine leads to the lowest viral load (highest Ct values) obtained for both Omicron and Delta variants. Interestingly, regardless of the vaccine type used, our study revealed that Delta variant produced significantly higher viral loads (lower Ct values) compared with the Omicron variant, where the latter was more commonly associated with younger patients. Viral spread is a crucial factor that can help determine the future of the pandemic. Thus, prioritizing vaccines that will play a role in not only preventing severe disease but also in limiting viral load and spread may contribute to infection control strategies.
Significance of barrier membrane on the reconstructive therapy of peri‐implantitis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Monje Alberto , Pons Ramón , Vilarrasa Javi , Nart José , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: November 2022

Background

The objective of this trial was to investigate the clinical and radiographic significance of using a mixture of mineralized and demineralized allografts in combination (M) or not (NM) with a resorbable cross‐linked barrier membrane in the reconstructive therapy of peri‐implantitis defects.

Methods

A two‐arm randomized clinical trial was performed in patients diagnosed with peri‐implantitis that exhibited contained defects. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline (T0), 6 months (T1), and 12 months (T2). Radiographic parameters were recorded at T0 and T2. A composite criterion for disease resolution was defined a priori. A generalized linear model of repeated measures with generalized estimation equation statistical methods was used.

Results

Overall, 33 patients (nimplants = 48) completed the study. At T2, mean disease resolution was 77.1%. The use of a barrier membrane did not enhance the probability of disease resolution at T2 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.55, p = 0.737). Conversely, the odds of disease resolution were statistically associated with the modified plaque index recorded at T0 (OR = 0.13, p = 0.006) and keratinized mucosa width (OR = 2.10, p = 0.035). Moreover, women exhibited greater odds to show disease resolution (OR = 5.56, p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Reconstructive therapy by means of a mixture of mineralized and demineralized allografts is effective in clinically resolving peri‐implantitis and in gaining radiographic marginal bone level. The addition of a barrier membrane to reconstructive therapy of peri‐implantitis does not seem to enhance the outcomes of contained bone defects (NCT05282667).
Psychotropic medicines are frequently dosed outside recommended ranges: a clinical audit in an Australian mental health hospital
Authors: Soliman Ghadir , LaCaze Adam
Published: November 2022

Background

Compliance with psychotropic dosage guidelines has been shown to improve mental health status, reduce severity of symptoms, and decrease adverse effects. However, guideline recommendations are not always implemented. While deviation from dosage recommendations may be clinically appropriate in some patients, variation can cause a lack of efficacy or patient harm.

Aim

To evaluate the incidence of antidepressant and antipsychotic prescribing at doses outside the recommended range provided by local guidelines, Therapeutic Guidelines: Psychotropic.

Method

This study is a retrospective clinical audit of 793 patients admitted to hospital between August 2018 and July 2019. Data were collected through extensive file and chart reviews of patients treated with any of the antidepressant and antipsychotic medications listed in the Psychotropic Dosage Guidelines. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed to determine frequencies and proportions.

Results

The audit identified that 38.0% of patients received doses of antidepressants or antipsychotics outside the recommended range. Most antidepressants were prescribed within recommended doses (83.0%), with 10.5% above the recommended dose, and 6.2% below. Fewer antipsychotics were prescribed within the recommended range (56.8%), 2.8% were prescribed at doses above the recommended range, and 40.3% were prescribed at doses below the recommendation range. Quetiapine was frequently prescribed at doses lower than recommended.

Conclusion

The audit revealed a substantial amount of prescribing outside the recommended dosage ranges. It also highlighted the necessity of reviewing policies to limit the use of off‐label, low‐dose quetiapine. Audit and feedback could target psychiatrists who seem to have the highest propensity to prescribe outside the recommended dosage ranges.
A new Raman spectroscopy‐based method for monitoring the crystallinity ratio of polyethylene terephthalate
Authors: Bouita Mouad , Tinnes Jean‐Philippe , Bourson Patrice , Malfois Marc , Ponçot Marc
Published: November 2022

Tracking the Raman scattering bands of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) during thermal heating has allowed to establish criteria for monitoring the crystallinity ratio within a few seconds. The existing criteria, based on Raman bands at 998 cm−1and at 1096 cm−1, present certain disparities from the crystallinity ratio given by the total heat flow in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Based on the evolution of the Raman bands, a newfound method allowing the effective calculation of crystallinity ratio is proposed. For the same, the band at 1727 cm−1, which is characteristic of the C=O carbonyl bonds of the ester group of PET, is used. The new criterion, designatedr1727,2, was compared and validated by DSC and XRD. This novel approach also provides access to information on the various conformational states of the bonds under study, that is, their proportions and positions with respect to the plane of the macromolecule aromatic rings. Evidently, this allows to reveal the characteristic thermal behavior of the PET microstructure such as the glass transition, crystallization, and melting. This method can be useful for the close detection, quantification, understanding, and tracing of the micromechanisms involved at the macromolecular conformations scale during thermal cycles.
‘Long term impacts of a mega event: Case study Weymouth (London 2012)’
Authors: Sadd Debbie , Nguyen Hai
Published: November 2022

This paper investigates the long‐term impacts of a mega event, using the case of the London 2012 Olympics' impacts on Weymouth and Portland (as a joint destination in Southern England). The study used the 2 sets of data, collected in 2003 and 2017, containing the residents' perceptions before and after the event. The findings revealed important changes in terms of residents' perceptions towards the impacts of the London 2012 Olympics over the 14 years, such as an improvement in perceived positive impacts, a higher level of tourism involvement, the better perception of destination attributes, the relationship between destination nature attributes and the perceived negative impacts, and the more significant role of the perceived negative impacts. Different implications for the UK tourism industry, in particular British seaside resorts, and a wider context are also discussed.

Abstracta

Este artículo investiga los impactos a largo plazo de un megaevento, utilizando el caso de los impactos de los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres 2012 en Weymouth y Portland (como destino conjunto en el sur de Inglaterra). El estudio utilizó los 2 conjuntos de datos, recopilados en 2003 y 2017, que contenían las percepciones de los residentes antes y después del evento. Los hallazgos revelaron cambios importantes en cuanto a las percepciones de los residentes sobre los impactos de los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres 2012 durante los 14 años, como una mejora en los impactos positivos percibidos, un mayor nivel de participación en el turismo, una mejor percepción de los atributos del destino, la relación entre atributos de la naturaleza del destino y los impactos negativos percibidos, y el papel más significativo de los impactos negativos percibidos. También se analizan diferentes implicaciones para la industria del turismo del Reino Unido, en particular los balnearios británicos, y un contexto más amplio.
Using DIMPACT to calculate the carbon impact of digital publishing at Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Authors: Johnston Andri , Pickett William
Published: November 2022

Key points

Digital emissions of Cambridge University Press & Assessment's Academic division were calculated to be 81.2 tons CO2e in 2020 and 64.4 CO2e tons in 2019.

CUP&A ran a trial with DIMPACT that calculated carbon emissions of the ALPSP Redux 2022 Virtual Conference resulted in a greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of 14.8 kg of CO2e.

The carbon footprint of digital publishing can only be partially controlled by publishers with user behaviours, equipment and international differences in power sources having substantial impact.

Digital publishing releases fewer carbon emissions, but increasing video and audio content may limit possible reductions in output.
A model of algal‐virus population dynamics reveals underlying controls on material transfer
Authors: Hinson Audra , Papoulis Spiro , Fiet Lucas , Knight Margaret , Cho Priscilla , Szeltner Brielle , Sgouralis Ioannis , Talmy David
Published: November 2022

The influence of viruses on nutrient cycles and energy transfer in aquatic systems is important, yet still being determined. We developed a dynamic model to capture the population dynamics of algal hosts and their viruses. The model was fitted to literature data of population dynamics during laboratory one‐step infection experiments. Model parameters that underlie population dynamics were quantified in diverse algal groups, covering 7 different algal classes, 14 different host genera, and 32 different virus genotypes. The hypothesis that trade‐offs exist between traits that underlie population dynamics was evaluated. We report a possible virus size‐dependent trade‐off between the rate at which viruses can initiate infection, and the efficiency of carbon transfer from hosts to viruses upon lysis. We hypothesize that slower rates of infection in large viruses, due to slower rates of molecular diffusion, are compensated by enhanced utilization of host resources. Our approach provides a quantitative trait‐framework for understanding and quantifying virus activity in diverse natural communities.
Novel High‐Resolution and Large‐Bandwidth Micro‐Spectrometer Using Multi‐Input Counter‐Propagating Arrayed Waveguide Grating and Dual‐Wavelength Grating Coupler on Silicon on Insulator
Authors: Zou Jun , Li Lingfeng , Wang Changhui , Zhuang Yuan , Wang Xuyang , Hu Jinhua , Luo Shaobo , He Jian‐Jun
Published: November 2022

Miniaturized micro‐spectrometers with high‐resolution and large‐bandwidth are of great importance for on‐site spectroscopic analysis applications. Here, a novel high‐resolution and large‐bandwidth micro‐spectrometer is presented, which operates at dual‐wavelength band by utilizing a (N+ 3) × (N+ 3) arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) and three dual‐wavelength grating couplers on a silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) platform. The AWG working in a counter‐propagating manner can be viewed as two 3 ×NAWGs, and the dual‐wavelength grating coupler acts as a prefilter. Three time‐division‐multiplexing inputs with wavelength spacings of 4/3 times that ofN output waveguides are employed to improve the resolution of the micro‐spectrometer. Combining the corresponding outputs of three inputs, a micro‐spectrometer with resolution enhanced to one‐third wavelength spacing of output waveguides and effective channel number enlarged to 3 × (N− 2) is achieved, only usingNoutput channels at each wavelength band. A micro‐spectrometer with 63 effective channels and resolutions of 0.5 and 0.442 nm at 1550 and 1310 nm bands, respectively, is experimentally demonstrated. The footprint of the fabricated micro‐spectrometer is 2 × 0.81 mm2, with measured on‐chip losses of −4.6 to −2.8 dB (−7.0 to −3.1 dB) and crosstalk levels < −18.5 (−16.8) dB at the 1550 (1310) nm band.
Development of Sequence‐Controlled, Degradable, and Cytocompatible Oligomers with Explicit Fragmentation Pathways
Authors: Yang Yili , Yu Keman , Xing Feiyue , Zhou Yingshan , Xiao Pu
Published: November 2022

Sequence‐defined and degradable polymers can mimic biopolymers, such as peptides and DNA, to undertake life‐supporting functions in a chemical way. The design and development of well‐structured oligomers/polymers is the most concern for the public, even to further uncover their degradation process illustrating the degraded products and their properties. However, seldom investigation has been reported on the aforementioned aspects. In this work, the alternating photo‐reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (photo‐RAFT) single unit monomer insertion (SUMI) of different N‐substituted maleimides and thermal radical ring‐opening SUMI of a cyclic ketene acetal monomer (i.e., 5,6‐benzo‐2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxepane (BMDO)) is adopted, to produce two degradable pentamers owing to the conversion of the exo‐methylene group of BMDO into ester bonds along the main chains of the prepared products. Moreover, the possible degraded approach of pentamers is studied by combining high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) for the first time. This work also sheds light on the precise structures and cytotoxicity of SUMI products and their degraded compounds, proposing a detailed and credible outlook for biomedical applications.
Synthesis and Properties of Polyol Copolymer with Alternating Methacrylate–Vinyl Ether Backbone
Authors: Cao Min , Deng Hai
Published: November 2022

Radical polymerization of a tailored diphenylsilane‐bridged bi‐functional monomer consisting of methacrylate and vinyl ether moieties is conducted in diluted monomer concentration, in which both two moieties are consumed at almost the same rate despite their huge difference in monomer reactivity ratio. The vinyl ether content in the backbone is quantified as 45% by 1H NMR after removal of the silane bridge. Since vinyl ether alone cannot be polymerized in such radical polymerization, it should be incorporated in an alternating fashion with methacrylate into the copolymer main chain. The cleavage of silane bridge also yields a series of polyol materials composed of ethylene glycol monovinyl ether (EGVE) and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and the EGVE content in the backbone can be regulated from 45% to 18% by increasing the bi‐functional monomer concentration. Interestingly, although containing more than 50% HEMA units, the alternating copolymer exhibits new properties totally different from poly(HEMA), but more similar to poly(EGVE), e.g., good water solubility and a markedly low glass transition temperature (Tg) of –31 °C, which is attributed to the major HEMA‐EGVE repeating unit that replaced HEMA‐HEMA consecutive segments so that the properties of poly(HEMA) such as 95 °C Tg are completely altered.
Preference reversals in dynamic decision‐making under uncertainty based on regret theory
Authors: Guo Sainan , Vetschera Rudolf
Published: November 2022

This research aims at preference reversals in dynamic adjusting decisions made by decision‐makers who have regretful emotions. Our model incorporates a utility function that includes the regretful feeling into outcomes under uncertainty. Then, by using the process of backward induction, it analyzes differences in the decisions of three types of decision‐makers with perfect rationality, partially anticipated regret, and fully anticipated regret. Finally, we apply this dynamic adjusting model to emergency plans in which decision‐makers need to choose the best action from multiple selections quickly to reduce the loss caused by disaster incidents and uncertainty. This model allows to compare decisions made by rational and irrational agents, which is a more realistic estimate and measure of several applications in the real life, such as medical services and emergency management.
BEST1 novel mutation causes Bestrophinopathies in six families with distinct phenotypic diversity
Authors: Yang Shangying , Li Zhen , Cheng Wanyu , Ma Meijiao , Qi Rui , Rui Xue , Ren Yinghua , Sheng Xunlun , Rong Weining
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To report novel BEST1 variants in six Chinese families with bestrophinopathies of two different inheritance modes and analyze the intrafamilial phenotypic diversity.

Method

A total of 25 participants including 13 patients and 12 healthy family members from 6 Chinese families with bestrophinopathies were available for genetic and clinical analysis. All of the patients were subjected to comprehensive ophthalmic evaluations and exome sequencing was performed on the probands to detect the causative variants. The pathogenicity of gene variants was predicted using silico analysis and evaluated according to ACMG guidelines. All (likely) pathogenic variants were determined by Sanger sequencing and co‐segregation analyses were performed on available family members. The relevant original literature previously reported was retrieved to explore the relationship between BEST1‐related gene variants and clinical features.

Results

In the 6 families, 3 families (10 patients) were assigned as autosomal dominant bestrophinopathies (VMD) and 3 families (3 patients) were assigned as Autosomal recessive Bestrophinopathies (ARB). A total of 9 variants on the BEST1 gene were identified, containing 7 missense variants, 1 nonsense variant, and 1 frameshift variant, respectively, of which 3 variants c.88A > G (p.Lys30Glu), c.764G > A (p.Arg255Gln) and c.233dupT (p.Ser79Phefs*153) were novel variants. Three families with ARB were detected with heterozygous variants on the BEST1 gene.2 families (8 patients) with BVMD showed markedly irregular dominant inheritance, and the severity of macular lesions varies greatly among individuals of the same family. Among them, the probands showed typical vitelliform lesions in the macula, while the other six patients had no visible signs of the disease by fundus photography (ophthalmoscopy) and minor lesions could be detected on OCT in two patients, the continuity of the ellipsoidal band was interrupted with the chimeric band. The phenotypes of the patients in the three ARB families ranged from typical/atypical vitelliform lesions to extensive extramacular deposits (peripheral spots).

Conclusion

This study provided evidence that the phenotype of BVMD manifested irregular dominant inheritance, with patients carrying a pathogenic heterozygous variant of BEST1 to develop obvious intrafamilial phenotypic diversity, and the patients who harbor two pathogenic alleles showed recessive inheritance bestrophinopathies with distinct phenotypic diversity. Our study also emphasized the importance of comprehensive genetic analysis in patients with bestrophinopathies, and in such challenging families with distinct intrafamilial phenotypic diversity, it shall provide novel insights into phenotypic assessments of bestrophinopathies, and contribute to better diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment for these patients.
Deep learning‐based internal gross target volume definition in 4D CT images of lung cancer patients
Authors: Ma Yuanyuan , Mao Jingfang , Liu Xinguo , Dai Zhongying , Zhang Hui , Zhang Xinyang , Li Qiang
Published: November 2022

Background

Contouring of internal gross target volume (iGTV) is an essential part of treatment planning in radiotherapy to mitigate the impact of intra‐fractional target motion. However, it is usually time‐consuming and easily subjected to intra‐observer and inter‐observer variability. So far, few studies have been explored to directly predict iGTV by deep learning technique, because the iGTV contains not only the gross target volume (GTV) but also the motion information of the GTV.

Purpose

This work was an exploratory study to present a deep learning‐based framework to segment iGTV rapidly and accurately in 4D CT images for lung cancers.

Methods

Five models, including 3D UNet, mmUNet with point‐wise add merging approach (mmUNet‐add), mmUNet with concatenate fusion strategy (mmUNet‐cat), gruUNet with point‐wise add fusion approach (gruUNet‐add), and gruUNet with concatenate method (gruUNet‐cat), were adopted for iGTV segmentation. All the models originated from the 3D UNet network, with multi‐channel multi‐path and convolutional gated recurrent unit (GRU) added in the mmUNet and gruUNet networks, respectively. Seventy patients with lung cancers were collected and 55 cases were randomly selected as the training set, and 15 cases as the testing set. In addition, the segmentation results of the five models were compared with the ground truths qualitatively and quantitatively.

Results

In terms of Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC), the proposed four networks (mmUNet‐add, mmUNet‐cat, gruUNet‐add, and gruUNet‐cat) increased the DSC score of 3D UNet from 0.6945 to 0.7342, 0.7253, 0.7405, and 0.7365, respectively. However, the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). After a simple post‐processing to remove the small isolated connected regions, the mean 95th percentile Hausdorff distances (HD_95s) of the 3D UNet, mmUNet‐add, mmUNet‐cat, gruUNet‐add, and gruUNet‐cat networks were 19.70, 15.75, 15.84, 15.61, and 15.83 mm, respectively, corresponding to 25.35, 25.96, 25.11, 28.23, and 24.47 mm before the post‐processing. With regard to runtime, significant elapsed time growths (about 70s and 230s) were observed both in the mmUNet and gruUNet architectures due to the increasing parameters. But the mmUNet structure showed less growth.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated the ability of the deep learning technique to predict iGTVs directly. With the introduction of multi‐channel multi‐path and convolutional GRU, the segmentation accuracy was improved under certain conditions with a reduced segmentation efficiency and a further research topic when the 3D UNet network would lead to poor performance is elicited. Less efficiency degradation was observed in the mmUNet structure. Besides, the element‐wise add fusing strategy was favorable to increase DSC, whereas HD_95 benefited from the concentrate merging approach. Nevertheless, the segmentation accuracy by deep learning still remains to be improved.
Thanks for a Great Year
Authors: Atwood Stephen P.
Published: November 2022

As 2022 nears conclusion, we are finalizing this year‐end issue of Information Display (ID). The past 12 months seem like they have flown by. I don't relish the thought of growing older, but there are some years, like 2020, when I was happy to see the end. Others, like this year, I wish I could hold onto for much longer.
Highly Reliable Dielectric Interlayers for Flexible Displays and E‐paper
Authors: Yamamoto Atsuko , Yokoyama Daishi , Takahashi Megumi , Fuke Takashi , Shibayama Seishi , Yamasaki Akira , Lin Cho‐Yin
Published: November 2022

Flexible, foldable, and rollable displays aim to serve emerging user's needs.
ID Asks/Helge Seetzen
Authors: Peruvemba Sri
Published: November 2022

Technologist, entrepreneur, inventor, CEO, SID President, problem solver, mentor, and unassuming reformer.
Displacement‐pseudostress formulation for the linear elasticity spectral problem
Authors: Inzunza Daniel , Lepe Felipe , Rivera Gonzalo
Published: November 2022

In this paper we analyze a mixed displacement‐pseudostress formulation for the elasticity eigenvalue problem. We propose a finite element method to approximate the pseudostress tensor with Raviart–Thomas elements and the displacement with piecewise polynomials. With the aid of the classic theory for compact operators, we prove that our method is convergent and does not introduce spurious modes. Error estimates for the proposed method are derived. Finally, we report some numerical tests supporting the theoretical results.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Labor Market Outcomes for Transition‐Age Youth with Disabilities in Maine
Authors: Yin Michelle , Siwach Garima , Lin Dajun
Published: November 2022

Using administrative data from Maine to quantify the effect of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services on employment outcomes for transition‐age youth with disabilities, we exploited the variation in VR counselors’ propensity to develop Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs) for VR youth as an instrument for service receipt. We found that among the estimated 36 percent of VR clients on the margin of service receipt, having an IPE implemented increases quarterly employment rate by 15.4 percentage points and quarterly earnings by $1,442 (2018 dollars). We found heterogeneous program effects with individuals 18 or younger benefiting significantly more than those older than age 18 at the time of VR application. We estimate the annual real rate of return to be 10.2 percent for two years after VR case closure.
Differences in palliative opportunities across diagnosis groups in children with cancer
Authors: Ebelhar Jonathan , DeGroote Nicholas P. , Massie A. McCauley , Labudde Emily , Allen Kristen E. , Castellino Sharon M. , Wasilewski‐Masker Karen , Brock Katharine E.
Published: November 2022

Background

Childhood cancer causes significant physical and emotional stress. Patients and families benefit from palliative care (PC) to reduce symptom burden, improve quality of life, and enhance family‐centered care. We evaluated palliative opportunities across leukemia/lymphoma (LL), solid tumors (ST), and central nervous system (CNS) tumor groups.

Procedure

A priori, nine palliative opportunities were defined: disease progression/relapse, hematopoietic stem cell transplant, phase 1 trial enrollment, admission for severe symptoms, social concerns or end‐of‐life (EOL) care, intensive care admission, do‐not‐resuscitate (DNR) status, and hospice enrollment. A single‐center retrospective review was completed on 0–18‐year olds with cancer who died from January 1, 2012 to November 30, 2017. Demographic, disease, and treatment data were collected. Descriptive statistics were performed. Opportunities were evaluated from diagnosis to death and across disease groups.

Results

Included patients (n = 296) had LL (n = 87), ST (n = 114), or CNS tumors (n = 95). Palliative opportunities were more frequent in patients with ST (median 8) and CNS tumors (median 7) versus LL (median 5, p = .0005). While patients with ST had more progression/relapse opportunities (p < .0001), patients with CNS tumors had more EOL opportunities (p < .0001), earlier PC consultation, DNR status, and hospice enrollment. Palliative opportunities increased toward the EOL in all diseases (p < .0001). PC was consulted in 108 (36%) patients: LL (48%), ST (30%), and CNS (34%, p = .02).

Conclusions

All children with cancer incur many events warranting PC support. Patients with ST and CNS tumors had more palliative opportunities than LL, yet received less subspecialty PC. Understanding palliative opportunities within each disease group can guide PC utilization to ease patient and family stress.
A review of the fabrication methods and mechanical behavior of continuous thermoplastic polymer fiber–thermoplastic polymer matrix composites
Authors: Qiao Yao , Fring Lisa D. , Pallaka Madhusudhan R. , Simmons Kevin L.
Published: November 2022

Thermoplastic polymer fiber–thermoplastic polymer matrix composites (PPCs or PRFPs), often recognized as self‐reinforced or single polymer composites, are potential candidates for future advanced polymer composites because of various advantages(e.g., recyclability, formability, low‐cost, ultra‐lightweight, environmental friendliness, etc.). The manufacturability and mechanical behavior of these composites compared to conventional carbon‐/glass‐/aramid‐fiber‐reinforced polymers is of great interest to the composites community, but there are a limited number of studies in this area. To this end, this paper reviewed fabrication methods with different processing parameters and mechanical behavior of uni‐/multi‐directional thermoplastic PPCs featuring continuous thermoplastic polymer fibers from limited data in the literature. It was shown that most specific behaviors (normalized by density) of these materials in various loading conditions (e.g., quasi‐static tension/shear/flexure, tension‐tension fatigue, and out‐of‐plane impacting, etc.) are comparable to or better than glass‐/aramid‐fiber‐reinforced polymers. Particularly, the specific ductility in the foregoing conditions outperforms all the carbon‐/glass‐/aramid‐fiber‐reinforced polymers. Thermoplastic PPCs with remarkable performance can be achieved through several uncomplicated methods (e.g., film stacking, hot compaction, powder and solution impregnations, matrix infusion and injection molding, additive manufacturing, etc.), which have some similarities to the methods used for carbon‐/glass‐/aramid‐fiber‐reinforced polymers. Moreover, several opportunities and challenging problems of thermoplastic PPCs were summarized at the end of this review paper. Efficient solutions may require countless efforts in the composites community to further strengthen the performance and understanding of thermoplastic PPCs for wide applications in various engineering fields in the future.
Enhanced dielectric, energy storage, and actuated performance of TPU/BaTiO3 dielectric elastomer composites by thermal treatment
Authors: Xue Rui , He Shifeng , He Yongqing , Huang Yan , Wu Yibo , Shi Qisong , Liang Yongri
Published: November 2022

In this paper, barium titanate nanoparticles (BaTiO3, BT) were incorporated into the polyurethane (TPU) matrix to prepare dielectric elastomer composites. Then, the composites were thermal treated to improve the interfacial compatibility between TPU and BT, enhance the interface polarization, and improve the dielectric properties. The results showed that the dielectric constant of the composites after thermal treatment at 150°C reached to 7.3 at 1 kHz, the elongation at break remained 1934%, and the elastic modulus (Y) dropped to 4.4 MPa. In addition, the discharge energy density reached 73 mJ/cm3 under an electric field of 300 kV/cm, and charge–discharge energy conversion efficiency was up to 84%. More importantly, the electrically actuated displacement of 2.61 mm at electric field of 160 kV/cm was 1.7 times greater than that of untreated composites. The composites worked stably under the action of the circulating electric field. This study provided a new strategy for obtaining high‐performance dielectric elastomer actuators, which were expected to be applied to biomimetic robots, human skin, or dielectric energy storage devices.