bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term functional outcomes and vision-related quality of life after vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Khanna Raoul Kanav , Dorvault Marta , Pasco Jeremy , Cook Ann-Rose , Pichard Tiphanie , Marotte Marie-Thérèse , Pisella Pierre-Jean , Arsene Sophie
Published: February 2022

To investigate the long-term effect of unilateral idiopathic epiretinal membrane (uiERM) removal on monocular and binocular visual function, and on vision-related quality of life (VR-QoL). Prospective, single-center study. The following data were collected before and after surgery: distance monocular and binocular best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), horizontal and vertical metamorphopsia, horizontal and vertical aniseikonia, stereoacuity and National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 item (NEI VFQ-25). Forty-two patients (mean age: 72.7 ± 7.4 years; 24 men) were included. At 6 months postoperatively, distance monocular BCVA (p < 0.001), horizontal metamorphopsia (p = 0.001) and the composite score of NEI VFQ-25 (p < 0.001) significantly improved, in comparison to baseline. At 2 years postoperatively, distance monocular (p < 0.001) and binocular (p = 0.01) BCVA, horizontal (p < 0.001) and vertical (p = 0.02) metamorphopsia, vertical aniseikonia (p = 0.01), stereoacuity (p < 0.001) and 3 subscales scores of the NEI VFQ-25 (p < 0.05) (“general vision”, “mental health”, “driving”) significantly improved in comparison to baseline.
Removal of uiERM improves VR-QoL and achieves good visual outcomes on both monocular and binocular visual parameters over long-term. Visual symptoms induced by macular contraction have different improvement kinetics after surgery. Stereopsis, the highest level of binocular vision, can be improved in some cases.
Social behavior mediates the use of social and personal information in wild jays
Authors: McCune Kelsey B. , Valente Jonathon J. , Jablonski Piotr G. , Lee Sang-im , Ha Renee R.
Published: February 2022

The factors favoring the evolution of certain cognitive abilities in animals remain unclear. Social learning is a cognitive ability that reduces the cost of acquiring personal information and forms the foundation for cultural behavior. Theory predicts the evolutionary pressures to evolve social learning should be greater in more social species. However, research testing this theory has primarily occurred in captivity, where artificial environments can affect performance and yield conflicting results. We compared the use of social and personal information, and the social learning mechanisms used by wild, asocial California scrub-jays and social Mexican jays. We trained demonstrators to solve one door on a multi-door task, then measured the behavior of naïve conspecifics towards the task. If social learning occurs, observations of demonstrators will change the rate that naïve individuals interact with each door. We found both species socially learned, though personal information had a much greater effect on behavior in the asocial species while social information was more important for the social species. Additionally, both species used social information to avoid, rather than copy, conspecifics. Our findings demonstrate that while complex social group structures may be unnecessary for the evolution of social learning, it does affect the use of social versus personal information.
Assessment of photoacoustic tomography contrast for breast tissue imaging using 3D correlative virtual histology
Authors: Sangha Gurneet S. , Hu Bihe , Li Guang , Fox Sharon E. , Sholl Andrew B. , Brown J. Quincy , Goergen Craig J.
Published: February 2022

Current breast tumor margin detection methods are destructive, time-consuming, and result in significant reoperative rates. Dual-modality photoacoustic tomography (PAT) and ultrasound has the potential to enhance breast margin characterization by providing clinically relevant compositional information with high sensitivity and tissue penetration. However, quantitative methods that rigorously compare volumetric PAT and ultrasound images with gold-standard histology are lacking, thus limiting clinical validation and translation. Here, we present a quantitative multimodality workflow that uses inverted Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy (iSPIM) to facilitate image co-registration between volumetric PAT-ultrasound datasets with histology in human invasive ductal carcinoma breast tissue samples. Our ultrasound-PAT system consisted of a tunable Nd:YAG laser coupled with a 40 MHz central frequency ultrasound transducer. A linear stepper motor was used to acquire volumetric PAT and ultrasound breast biopsy datasets using 1100 nm light to identify hemoglobin-rich regions and 1210 nm light to identify lipid-rich regions. Our iSPIM system used 488 nm and 647 nm laser excitation combined with Eosin and DRAQ5, a cell-permeant nucleic acid binding dye, to produce high-resolution volumetric datasets comparable to histology. Image thresholding was applied to PAT and iSPIM images to extract, quantify, and topologically visualize breast biopsy lipid, stroma, hemoglobin, and nuclei distribution. Our lipid-weighted PAT and iSPIM images suggest that low lipid regions strongly correlate with malignant breast tissue. Hemoglobin-weighted PAT images, however, correlated poorly with cancerous regions determined by histology and interpreted by a board-certified pathologist. Nuclei-weighted iSPIM images revealed similar cellular content in cancerous and non-cancerous tissues, suggesting malignant cell migration from the breast ducts to the surrounding tissues. We demonstrate the utility of our nondestructive, volumetric, region-based quantitative method for comprehensive validation of 3D tomographic imaging methods suitable for bedside tumor margin detection.
Effect of substrate stiffness on friction in collective cell migration
Authors: Vazquez Kelly , Saraswathibhatla Aashrith , Notbohm Jacob
Published: February 2022

In collective cell migration, the motion results from forces produced by each cell and transmitted to the neighboring cells and to the substrate. Because inertia is negligible and the migration occurs over long time scales, the cell layer exhibits viscous behavior, where force and motion are connected by an apparent friction that results from the breaking and forming of adhesive bonds at the cell–cell and cell–substrate interfaces. Most theoretical models for collective migration include an apparent friction to connect force and motion, with many models making predictions that depend on the ratio of cell–cell and cell–substrate friction. However, little is known about factors that affect friction, leaving predictions of many theoretical models untested. Here, we considered how substrate stiffness and the number of adhesions affected friction at the cell–substrate interface. The experimental data were interpreted through prior theoretical models, which led to the same conclusion, that increased substrate stiffness increased the number of cell–substrate adhesions and caused increased cell–substrate friction. In turn, the friction affected the collective migration by altering the curvature at the edge of the cell layer. By revealing underlying factors affecting friction and demonstrating how friction perturbs the collective migration, this work provides experimental evidence supporting prior theoretical models and motivates the study of other ways to alter the collective migration by changing friction.
The mere sight of loved ones does not inhibit psychophysiological defense mechanisms when threatened
Authors: Bublatzky Florian , Schellhaas Sabine , Guerra Pedro
Published: February 2022

Looking at pictures of loved ones, such as one's romantic partner or good friends, has been shown to alleviate the experience of pain and reduce defensive reactions. However, little is known about such modulatory effects on threat and safety learning and the psychophysiological processes involved. Here, we explored the hypothesis that beloved faces serve as implicit safety cues and attenuate the expression of fear responses and/or accelerate extinction learning in a threatening context. Thirty-two participants viewed pictures of their loved ones (romantic partner, parents, and best friend) as well as of unknown individuals within contextual background colors indicating threat-of-shock or safety. Focusing on the extinction of non-reinforced threat associations (no shocks were given), the experiment was repeated on two more test days while the defensive startle-EMG, SCR, and threat ratings were obtained. Results confirmed pronounced defensive responding to instructed threat-of-shock relative to safety context (e.g., threat-enhanced startle reflex and SCR). Moreover, threat-potentiated startle response slowly declined across test days indicating passive extinction learning in the absence of shocks. Importantly, neither a main effect of face category (loved vs. unknown) nor a significant interaction with threat/safety instructions was observed. Thus, a long-term learning history of beneficial relations (e.g., with supportive parents) did not interfere with verbal threat learning and aversive apprehensions. These findings reflect the effects of worries and apprehensions that persist despite the repeated experience of safety and the pictorial presence of loved ones. How to counter such aversive expectations is key to changing mal-adaptive behaviors (e.g., avoidance or stockpiling), biased risk perceptions, and stereotypes.
Towards a universal and privacy preserving EEG-based authentication system
Authors: Bidgoly Amir Jalaly , Bidgoly Hamed Jalaly , Arezoumand Zeynab
Published: February 2022

EEG-based authentication has gained much interest in recent years. However, despite its growing appeal, there are still various challenges to their practical use, such as lack of universality, lack of privacy-preserving, and lack of ease of use. In this paper, we have tried to provide a model for EEG-based authentication by focusing on these three challenges. The proposed method, employing deep learning methods, can capture the fingerprint of the users’ EEG signals for authentication aim. It is capable of verifying any claimed identity just by having a genuine EEG fingerprint and taking a new EEG sample of the user who has claimed the identity, even those who were not observed during the training. The role of the fingerprint function is similar to the hash functions in password-based authentication and it helps preserve the user’s privacy by storing the fingerprint, rather than the raw EEG signals. Moreover, for targeting the lack of ease of use challenge, Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization process reduces the required number of channels to just three ones. The experiments show that the proposed method can reach around 98% accuracy in the authentication of completely new users with only three channels of Oz, T7, and Cz.
Increased remission with fewer corticosteroids and more biologics in rheumatoid arthritis at 7-year follow-up in real-life conditions
Authors: Larid Guillaume , Vix Justine , Garlantezec Ronan , Loppin Elodie , Gervais Elisabeth
Published: February 2022

Remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an important therapeutic target that is not easy to achieve in real-life conditions. Some prognostic factors have been identified but the literature is variable. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the remission rate and the maintenance of remission in patients with RA over 7 years of follow-up in real-life conditions and to identify prognostic factors of long-term remission. Patients with RA seen at the Poitiers University Hospital were identified and clinical and biological data were collected. Data were analysed after 1 year and 7 years. Twice as many patients were in remission at 7 years than at 1 year of follow-up. 48.6% of patients who were not in remission at 1 year obtained remission at 7 years of follow-up. Patients achieving remission were more often receiving coprescription of csDMARDs and bDMARDs. Patients not in remission at 7 years were given more corticosteroids at higher doses. After 7 years of follow-up, low initial disease activity and use of csDMARDs and bDMARDs appeared to be independent positive predictive factors. Once obtained at one year, remission was maintained for 76% of our patients. As a conclusion, modern management of RA, whatever disease duration, leads to remission rates similar to those of early RA after 7 years of follow-up.
Identification of key genes and pathways between mild-moderate and severe asthmatics via bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Wu Xiaolu , Li Ran , Xu Qu , Liu Feng , Jiang Yue , Zhang Min , Tong Meiling
Published: February 2022

Severe asthma is the main reason for death and disability caused by asthma. However, effective biomarkers for severe asthma have not been identified. Here, we aimed to identify potential biomarkers in severe asthma. We identified 202 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between severe asthma and mild-moderate asthma after integrating the results from GSE69683 and GSE27011 datasets. The enrichment analysis indicated that 202 DEGs were associated with metabolism- and immune-related processes. 10 hub genes were identified by Cytoscape and five of these genes’ AUC (area under the curve) values were greater than 0.6 in GSE69683. The AUC value reached to 0.701 when combined SEC61A1 and ALDH18A1 expression. The expression of the five hub genes was verified in an external dataset. The network analysis revealed that transcription factor (TF) WT1, ZEB1, RERE, FOSL1, and miR-20a may be involved in the development of asthma. In addition, we found cyclosporine and acetaminophen could interact with these hub genes and may be negatively associated with most of the five hub genes according to previous reports. Overall, key genes were identified between mild-moderate and severe asthmatics, which contributed to the understanding of the development of asthma.
Design of lead-free BCZT-based ceramics with enhanced piezoelectric energy harvesting performances
Authors: Merselmiz Soukaina , Hanani Zouhair , Prah Uroš , Mezzane Daoud , Hajji Lahoucine , Abkhar Zahra , Spreitzer Matjaž , Vengust Damjan , Uršič Hana , Fabijan David , Razumnaya Anna G. , Shapovalova Olesia , Luk'yanchuk Igor A. , Kutnjak Zdravko
Published: February 2022

The benefits of the multiphase convergence strategy to design ferroelectric ceramics for piezoelectric energy harvesting applications over a broad temperature range.
Controlling Li+transport in ionic liquid electrolytes through salt content and anion asymmetry: a mechanistic understanding gained from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Wettstein Alina , Diddens Diddo , Heuer Andreas
Published: February 2022

In this simulation study, we present a novel characterisation of the lithium transport dynamics in ionic liquid based electrolytes over a broad range of salt concentrations.
Effective medium optical modelling of indium tin oxide nanocrystal films
Authors: Sygletou Maria , Marangi Fabio , Varas Stefano , Chiasera Alessandro , Canepa Maurizio , Scotognella Francesco , Bisio Francesco
Published: February 2022

We measure and model the complex dielectric response of indium tin oxide films fabricated by nanocrystal deposition and sintering.
Competitive nucleation and growth behavior in Li–Se batteries
Authors: Um Ji Hyun , Jin Aihua , Huang Xin , Seok Jeesoo , Park Seong Soo , Moon Janghyuk , Kim Mihyun , Kim So Hee , Kim Hyun Sik , Cho Sung-Pyo , Abruña Héctor D. , Yu Seung-Ho
Published: February 2022

Direct visualization of the dissolution and deposition reactions in Se cathodes resolves the competitive nucleation and growth behaviors dependent on the depletion of electrolyte-soluble polyselenides.
Graphical tools for the planning and interpretation of polyurethane foam based passive air sampling campaigns
Authors: Li Yuening , Armitage James M. , Wania Frank
Published: February 2022

Charts display the length of the linear uptake period, the time to equilibrium, and the loss of depuration compounds for the PUF-PAS. Required are only the length, temperature, and wind speed of deployment and the chemical partitioning properties.
Purification and characterization of hypoglycemic peptides from traditional Chinese soy-fermented douchi
Authors: Yu Songfeng , Liu Ling , Bu Tingting , Zheng Jiexia , Wang Wenjun , Wu Jianping , Liu Donghong
Published: February 2022

Douchi is a popular soy-fermented food that originated in China with documented hypoglycemic effects. Two hypoglycemic peptides from douchi have been characterized.
Conversion of biomass-derived feedstocks into value-added chemicals over single-atom catalysts
Authors: De Sudipta , Burange Anand S. , Luque Rafael
Published: February 2022

The current review article summarizes the recent advances of SACs in the biomass conversion process. A detailed and fundamental discussion is made from the aspects of unique activity, reaction mechanism, and industrial implications of SACs.
Heterostructured Bi–Cu2S nanocrystals for efficient CO2 electroreduction to formate
Authors: Han Xue , Mou Tianyou , Liu Shikai , Ji Mengxia , Gao Qiang , He Qian , Xin Hongliang , Zhu Huiyuan
Published: February 2022

We report the proof-of-concept design of interfacial sites with a selectivity-governing and hydrogen evolution reaction-suppressing domain (Bi) and an electrokinetic-promoting domain (Cu2S) for efficient CO2 electroreduction to formate.
Realizing an aqueous sodium-ion battery with a super-high discharge voltage based on a novel FeSe2@rGO anode
Authors: Li Xuejin , Shen Yanxin , Kong Dongqing , Fan Haodong , Gao Xiuli , Cui Yongpeng , Jiang Tao , Ren Yanguang , zhang Yu , Cai Tonghui , Xing Wei , Yan Zifeng
Published: February 2022

Aqueous sodium-ion batteries (ASIBs) promise particularly increased operational safety and lower manufacturing cost than the current state-of-the-art organic electrolyte-based lithium-ion batteries.
Structural analysis and dye removal behavior of amorphous titania embedded poly(vinyl butyral) hybrid fiber
Authors: Bhuiyan Anamul Hoque , Zakaria Mohammad , Nakane Koji
Published: February 2022

This study reports on the efficient methylene blue (MB) dye removal properties of a polyvinyl butyral (PVB)–amorphous titania (amTiO2) hybrid fiber (PVB–amTiO2F) made by air-gap spinning in acetone solvent.
Silver cluster doped graphyne (GY) with outstanding non-linear optical properties
Authors: Zahid Saba , Rasool Alvina , Ayub Ali Raza , Ayub Khurshid , Iqbal Javed , Al-Buriahi M. S. , Alwadai Norah , Somaily H. H.
Published: February 2022

This research study addresses the computational simulations of optical and nonlinear optical (NLO) characteristics of silver (Ag) cluster doped graphyne complexes.
Selective covalent targeting of SARS-CoV-2 main protease by enantiopure chlorofluoroacetamide
Authors: Yamane Daiki , Onitsuka Satsuki , Re Suyong , Isogai Hikaru , Hamada Rui , Hiramoto Tadanari , Kawanishi Eiji , Mizuguchi Kenji , Shindo Naoya , Ojida Akio
Published: February 2022

Chlorofluoroacetamide (CFA) was used as the warhead for covalent targeting of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. The chirality at CFA showed marked influence on inhibitory activity, suggesting stereospecific activation of CFA for cysteine modification in the protein.
Magnetic field induced alignment of macroradical epoxy for enhanced electrical properties
Authors: Al-Qatatsheh Ahmed , Capricho Jaworski C. , Vongsvivut Jitraporn (Pimm) , Tobin Mark J. , Juodkazis Saulius , Hameed Nishar
Published: February 2022

Improving the electrical performance of macroradical epoxy thermosets to surpass the semiconductor threshold requires a comprehensive understanding of the electrical charge transport mechanisms and characteristics.
Structure–property correlation in oxide-ion and proton conductors for clean energy applications: recent experimental and computational advancements
Authors: Coduri Mauro , Karlsson Maths , Malavasi Lorenzo
Published: February 2022

In the last decade, the field of oxide-ion and proton conductors continued to trigger a significant amount of basic research aimed at improving the properties and the comprehension of actual materials, as well as at discovering novel phases.
Acoustotemplating: rapid synthesis of freestanding quasi-2D MOF/graphene oxide heterostructures for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Ehrnst Yemima , Ahmed Heba , Komljenovic Robert , Massahud Emily , Shepelin Nick A. , Sherrell Peter C. , Ellis Amanda V. , Rezk Amgad R. , Yeo Leslie Y.
Published: February 2022

Quasi two-dimensional MOF/graphene oxide heterostructures are synthesized using a MHz frequency acoustotemplating method. The composite exhibits two-orders of magnitude higher supercapacitance compared to its 3D HKUST-1/graphene oxide counterpart.
Nano dimensions/adjuvants in COVID-19 vaccines
Authors: Alphandéry Edouard
Published: February 2022

A pictural representation showing that the combined contributions from the virology, nanotechnology and oncology fields can lead to an effective nano-vaccine against COVID-19.
A bio-inspired tactile nociceptor constructed by integrating wearable sensing paper and a VO2threshold switching memristor
Authors: Xia Qing , Qin Yuxiang , Qiu Peilun , Zheng Anbo , Zhang Xueshuo
Published: February 2022

A biomimetic nociceptor system with tactile perception was proposed and experimentally demonstrated by integrating a sensing paper with a threshold switching memristor.
Supramolecular J-aggregates of aza-BODIPY by steric and π–π nteractions for NIR-II phototheranostics
Authors: Tian Youliang , Yin Dalong , Cheng Quan , Dang Huiping , Teng Changchang , Yan Lifeng
Published: February 2022

A new aza-BODIPY dye shows J-aggregation after self-assembly with an amphiphilic polypeptide, and the obtained nanoparticles show potential for NIR-II fluorescence imaging-guided photothermal therapy.
1,4-Bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene as a new acceptor for the design and synthesis of emitters exhibiting efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence and electroluminescence: experimental and computational guidance
Authors: Skhirtladze Levani , Lietonas Karolis , Bucinskas Audrius , Volyniuk Dmytro , Mahmoudi Malek , Mukbaniani Omar , Woon Kai Lin , Ariffin Azhar , Grazulevicius Juozas V.
Published: February 2022

Impacts of intramolecular non-covalent interactions of TADF emitters on their electroluminescent performances were investigated using donor-acceptor compounds containing moiety 1,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzene.
Realization of the electric-field driven “one-material”-based magnetic tunnel junction using van der Waals antiferromagnetic MnPX3 (X: S, Se)
Authors: Jin Yichen , Yan Mouhui , Dedkov Yuriy , Voloshina Elena
Published: February 2022

Using electron or hole doping, the top layer of a van der Waals MnPX3 (X: S, Se) material can be converted to the half-metallic ferromagnetic state with the underlying layers remaining in the insulating antiferromagnetic state.
Unprecedented boat-shaped [Mo2O5(IO3)4]2− polyanions induced a strong second harmonic generation response
Authors: Zeng Wei , Dong Xuehua , Tian Yao , Huang Ling , Zeng Hongmei , Lin Zhien , Zou Guohong
Published: February 2022

The first organic–inorganic hybrid guanidine molybdenyl iodate [C(NH2)3]2Mo2O5(IO3)4·2H2O features unprecedented boat-shaped [Mo2O5(IO3)4]2− polyanion clusters, which induce a strong second harmonic generation response.
A TiO2−x nanobelt array with oxygen vacancies: an efficient electrocatalyst toward nitrite conversion to ammonia
Authors: Zhao Donglin , Liang Jie , Li Jun , Zhang Longcheng , Dong Kai , Yue Luchao , Luo Yongsong , Ren Yuchun , Liu Qian , Hamdy Mohamed S. , Li Quan , Kong Qingquan , Sun Xuping
Published: February 2022

In situ grown TiO2 nanobelt array with oxygen vacancies on Ti plate acts as a high-efficiency and stable catalyst for electrochemical NO2− reduction to NH3, attaining a large NH3 yield of 7898 μg h−1 cm−2 with a high faradaic efficiency of 92.7%.
New phthalonitrile/metal phthalocyanine–gold nanoparticle conjugates for biological applications
Authors: Aftab Javaria , Farajzadeh Nazli , Yenilmez H. Yasemin , Özdemir Sadin , Gonca Serpil , Altuntaş Bayır Zehra
Published: February 2022

This study compares the biological behaviors of a series of new aniline-containing metal phthalocyanines and their nanogold hybrids.
A multifunctional coating with modified calcium phosphate/chitosan for biodegradable magnesium alloys of implants
Authors: Ma Yucong , Talha Mohd , Wang Qi , Zhou Niantao , Li Zhonghui , Lin Yuanhua
Published: February 2022

A novel CaP/CTS coating was prepared for enhanced corrosion resistance, cytocompatibility and antibacterial property of the biodegradable Mg alloys.
Correction: Metallo-boranes: a class of unconventional superhalogens defying electron counting rules
Authors: Banjade Huta , Fang Hong , Jena Puru
Published: February 2022

Correction for ‘Metallo-boranes: a class of unconventional superhalogens defying electron counting rules’ by Huta Banjade et al., Nanoscale, 2022, 14, 1767–1778, DOI: 10.1039/D1NR06929B.
Metal-free oxidative formal C(sp2)–H arylation of cyclopentene-1,3-diones with β-naphthols
Authors: Maurya Sundaram , Jadhav Sandip B. , Chegondi Rambabu
Published: February 2022

An efficient, mild, and transition-metal free formal C(sp2)–H arylation of prochiral 2,2-disubstituted cyclopentene-1,3-diones is reported.
A tunable synthesis of indigoids: targeting indirubin through temperature
Authors: Shriver James A. , Kaller Kaylie S. , Kinsey Ally L. , Wang Katelyn R. , Sterrenberg Summer R. , Van Vors Madison K. , Cheek Joshua T. , Horner John S.
Published: February 2022

Selectivity of indigoid synthesis shifts from indigo to indirubin at reduced temperatures across a range of substrates.
Indolocarbazole-core linked triphenylamine as an interfacial passivation layer for perovskite solar cells
Authors: Tan Yulin , Cheng Haoliang , Zhao Yang , Wan Li , Wang Zhong-Sheng
Published: February 2022

Two P-type organic molecules containing indolocarbazole and methoxy (or methylthio) substituted triphenylamine are designed and synthesized as interface layers to passivate surface defects and meanwhile protect perovskite films from water.
Recent advances in Pr3+-activated persistent phosphors
Authors: Wang Xianli , Mao Yuanbing
Published: February 2022

We concisely summarized Pr3+-activated visible, infrared, and UV persistent luminescence in different types of host matrices to provide some guidelines for the future development of persistent phosphors and to expand their potential applications.
Introduction to Organic Electronics – Ecofriendly and/or sustainable materials, processes, devices, and applications
Authors: Welch Gregory C.
Published: February 2022

Professor Gregory C. Welch introduces the Journal of Materials Chemistry C and Materials Advances joint themed collection on Organic Electronics – Ecofriendly and/or sustainable materials, processes, devices, and applications.
A proteomic perspective on TNF-mediated signalling and cell death
Authors: Tanzer Maria C.
Published: February 2022

The tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is the most potent inducer of cell death amongst cytokines. It is crucial for processes including homeostasis, the development of the immune system and fighting infections. However, high levels of TNF due to genetic disorders or persistent infections can contribute to autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases or life-threatening conditions like sepsis. These diseases generally display increased levels of cell death, which, downstream of the TNF receptor, can either be caspase-dependent (apoptosis) or caspase-independent (necroptosis). Significant efforts have been invested in unravelling and manipulating signalling mechanisms regulating these two different types of cell death. Here I discuss how modern proteomic approaches like phosphoproteomics and secretomics provide a novel perspective on this central cytokine and its effect on inflammation and cell survival.
Examining the Associations Between Parent Concerns and School-Age Children's Language and Reading Abilities: A Comparison of Samples Recruited for In-School Versus Online Participation
Authors: Chan Jessica , Adlof Suzanne M. , Duff Dawna , Mitchell Alexis , Ragunathan Maalavika , Ehrhorn Anna M.
Published: February 2022

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parent concerns about children's oral language, reading, and related skills and their children's performance on standardized assessments of language and reading, with a particular focus on whether those relationships differed between children recruited for in-school versus online participation.

Method:

This study used data from a larger, longitudinal project focused on children with and without developmental language disorder (DLD) and/or dyslexia. The “in-school” sample (
n
= 133) completed assessments in-person before school closures, and the “online” sample (
n
= 84) recruited via advertisements completed assessments online. Parents completed a checklist of concerns. All children completed norm-referenced assessments of language and reading.

Results:

The two recruitment strategies yielded samples that differed in racial diversity (higher in the in-school sample), caregiver education levels (higher in the online sample), and word reading test scores (higher in the online sample). Parents in both samples reported higher levels of concerns about literacy skills than oral language skills, and the correlation between parent concerns about literacy and children's word reading test scores was stronger than the correlation between parent concerns about oral language and children's language test scores.

Conclusions:

Researchers and clinicians should be aware of how recruitment strategies and assessment modalities (e.g., in-person vs. tele-assessment) may impact participation in studies and clinical service. A reliance on parent concerns about oral language to prompt a language evaluation may contribute to low rates of identification of children who meet criteria for DLD. Future research can consider parent concerns about literacy, attention, and executive functions as indicators of a need for language evaluation, especially considering the high comorbidity between language and other developmental disorders.
ASL Assessment in Practice: Assessing American Sign Language Across Clinical Settings
Authors: Secora Kristen , Welch Addison , Parks Eva
Published: February 2022

Purpose:

This exploratory research investigates the assessment tools currently used by professionals to measure receptive and expressive American Sign Language (ASL) abilities in students who are deaf/hard of hearing (DHH). Few standardized assessment tools are available for ASL and, of the limited number of tools that exist, even fewer are commercially available for professionals in the schools and clinical settings.

Method:

Thirty-one professionals (including speech-language pathologists, teachers of students who are DHH, ASL specialists, etc.) completed an online survey about their assessment tools and practices.

Results:

Most practitioners reported using a variety of assessment tools, some standardized/normed for students who are DHH and others modified from English-based assessments. The Visual Communication and Sign Language Checklist was the most popular ASL assessment followed by the Kendall Conversational Proficiency Levels, Social Communication Skills—Pragmatics Checklist, and Language Development Scale (part of the SKI-HI curriculum). More than 80% of practitioners reported relying on elicited language samples and/or observational language samples.

Conclusions:

Practitioners reported variable access to and knowledge of appropriate measurement tools for measuring students’ ASL abilities. Continued dissemination of knowledge and better access to assessments are critically needed for professionals who assess these students.
Semantic‐aware spatial regularization correlation filter for visual tracking
Authors: Zha Yufei , Zhang Peng , Pu Lei , Zhang Lichao
Published: February 2022

Correlation filters with convolutional neural network (CNN) features have been successfully applied to visual tracking owing to their impressive combined capability for object representation. Unfortunately, further performance improvement is limited due to unwanted boundary effects of the circular structure. In this work, through an in‐depth study of the features’ characteristics, the authors propose a novel tracking strategy to achieve simultaneous filter matching and regularization with CNN features when tracking is on the fly. With a feature decomposed transform matrix, a spatial semantic regularization is generated to reduce the boundary effect effectively during filter optimization. Before each output, the regularized filter is then back performed to match with the extracted features of a search region to find the optimum candidate. Specifically, the most important advantage of the proposed spatial semantic map is to initialize only in the first frame as all the other tracking strategies. Besides, the authors design a novel updating strategy to tackle the cases where the object is occluded or disappeared in the scene. At this time, the maximum of the map is small, even negative. A substantial experiment has been carried out on the popular benchmark tracking datasets; the reliable results have demonstrated that the authors’ method is able to outperform most of the state‐of‐the‐art tracking works in both accuracy and robustness.
The local ternary pattern encoder–decoder neural network for dental image segmentation
Authors: Salih Omran , Duffy Kevin Jan
Published: February 2022

Recent advances in medical imaging analyses, especially the use of deep learning, are helping to identify, detect, classify, and quantify patterns in radiographs. At the centre of these advances is the ability to explore hierarchical feature representations learned from data. Deep learning is invaluably becoming the most sought out technique, leading to enhanced performances in the analysis of medical applications and systems. Deep learning techniques have achieved improved performance results in dental image segmentation. Segmentation of dental radiographs is a crucial step that helps dentists to diagnose dental caries. However, the performance of the deep networks used for these analyses are restrained by various challenging features found in dental carious lesions. Segmentation of dental images is often difficult due to the vast variety of types of topology, intricacies of medical structure and poor image quality caused by conditions such as low contrast, noise, irregular, and fuzzy border edges. These issues are exacerbated by low numbers of data images available for any particular analysis. A robust local ternary pattern encoder–decoder network (LTPEDN) is proposed to overcome dental image segmentation challenges and minimise the computational resources required. This new architecture is a modification of existing methods using an LTP. Images are preprocessed via augmentation and normalisation techniques to increase and prepare the datasets. Thereafter, the dataset input is sent to the LTPEDN for training and testing the model. Segmentation is performed using the non‐learnable layers (the LTP layers) and the learnable layers (standard convolution layers), to extract the ROI of the teeth. The method was evaluated on an augmented dataset of 11, 000 dental images. It was trained on 8, 800 training set images and tested on 2, 200 testing set images. The new method is shown to be 94.32% accurate.
Performance of both‐way communications using a magnetic dipole near the sea surface
Authors: Wang Honglei , Ren Yingda
Published: February 2022

Wireless data transmission near the sea surface can be realized by electromagnetic (EM) waves. The transmitting antenna is one of the most important parts of the EM communication system. The optimal antenna form can greatly improve communication performance. In this work, theoretical and experimental studies were presented for analysing the communication performance of magnetic dipoles near the sea surface. The influence of the seabed on the EM waves propagation near the sea surface was analysed. The model based on vector potential was built to study the radiation of magnetic dipoles in three‐layered conducting media. The experiments on the sea were conducted to comprehensively verify the EM waves propagation from seawater to seawater, seawater to air, air to air, and air to seawater. The good agreement of the theoretical and experimental results indicates that the performance of a horizontal magnetic dipole is superior to that of a vertical magnetic dipole in both‐way communications between seawater and air. The studies in this work are helpful for antenna design and system development in wireless data transmission near the sea surface.
Common patterns in pulse profiles of high-mass X-ray binaries
Authors: Alonso-Hernández J. , Fürst F. , Kretschmar P. , Caballero I. , Joyce A. M.
Published: February 2022

Context.X-ray pulsars are binary systems which consist of a neutron star in orbit with a mass donor (companion). In these systems the neutron accretes matter from the companion star, which creates accretion columns or hot spots on the neutron star surface and gives rise to pulsations in the X-ray light curve. The pulse profiles carry information about the accretion and magnetic field geometry. Here we present a study and classification of energy-resolved pulse profiles of a sample of X-ray pulsars, focusing on high-mass X-ray binaries.

Aims.Our goal is to perform a classification of X-ray pulsars based on their observed pulse profiles and look for correlations between this classification and their principle physical observables. The analysis pipeline is available online.

Methods.We analysed the pulse profiles of a sample of X-ray pulsars using data obtained with the X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR). We fitted the energy-resolved pulse profiles with a Fourier series of up to five harmonics. We then used the energy evolution of the different Fourier components to classify the pulse profiles into groups. We investigated relationships between the pulse profile properties and other observables of the systems (e.g. orbital period, magnetic field strength, and luminosity) to study the extreme physics of these systems.

Results.The sources were divided into three groups using a classification based on the shape, the dominance of the fitted Fourier harmonics, and their respective evolution with energy. We do not find a conclusive correlation between the pulse profile shapes or groups and other parameters of the systems. However, a weak trend was found when comparing our classification to the sources’ locations in the spin period-orbital period diagram. Further studies are required to confirm this trend.

Conclusions.Despite the large variety of pulse profiles of the X-ray pulsars, we found that with our approach clear categories emerge which we use to classify their behaviour as a function of energy. As we do not find a clear relationship between our classification scheme and other parameters, like the luminosity, the magnetic field strength, or the orbital and spin periods, we conclude that X-ray pulse profiles are influenced by other hidden variables.
Anforderungen für den 3-D-Druck von Implantaten
Authors: Andress Sebastian , Kuehlein Titus , Kußmaul Adrian Cavalcanti , Becker Christopher A. , Linhart Christoph , Böcker Wolfgang , Weidert Simon
Published: February 2022

3-D-Druck wird in der Unfallchirurgie und Orthopädie zunehmend für die Herstellung patientenspezifischer Implantate verwendet. Ziel dieses strukturierten Reviews ist es, aktuelle Merkmale
und Fähigkeiten zu ermitteln und hieraus Anforderungen an das Implantatdesign und den -druck abzuleiten. Hierzu wurden 98 Veröffentlichungen der letzten 5 Jahre analysiert.

Neben Kunststoffen und Metallen können auch biologisches Material und Medikamentensuspensionen zum Druck verwendet werden. Der 3-D-Druck bietet den Vorteil, dass die Implantate individuell
an die Anatomie und Pathologie des Patienten angepasst werden können, also auch bewusst Einfluss auf biomechanischen und -mimetischen Eigenschaften genommen werden kann. Beispielsweise kann
die Oberfläche der Implantate gezielt so optimiert werden, dass eine Osteoinduktivität bewirkt wird. Angewandt wird das Verfahren zum Gelenk- und Knochenersatz sowie für Knorpel- und
Weichteilrekonstruktionen.

Somit ergeben sich diverse Anforderungen an das Design und die Herstellung. Da es sich um ein sehr zeit- und kostenintensives Verfahren handelt, sollte eine klare Überlegenheit zu
herkömmlichen Behandlungsmethoden bestehen. Aufgrund der Komplexität des Prozesses ist eine Qualitätssicherung unabdingbar, um die Sicherheit des Patienten zu gewährleisten.

Bei komplexen oder von der Norm abweichenden Fällen wird der 3-D-Druck sich zunehmend durchsetzen. Um Qualität zu gewährleisten und effiziente Prozesse zu etablieren, ist eine engere
Verzahnung zwischen Behandlern und Herstellern unabdingbar.
Splenic injury is an under-recognized adverse event of in-patient colonoscopy: a nationwide analysis
Authors: Cortés Pedro , Corral Juan E. , Umar Shifa , Bilal Mohammad , Brahmbhatt Bhaumik , Farraye Francis A. , Kroner Paul T.
Published: February 2022

Background and study aims Splenic injury (SI) during colonoscopy is an underappreciated adverse event. Our aim was to examine the occurrence and outcomes of patients who developed SI after inpatient colonoscopy using a nationwide dataset.

Patients and methods Retrospective, observational study using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) between 2012 and 2018. All patients with ICD9/10CM procedural codes for colonoscopy with or without SI were included. The primary outcome was the association between SI and inpatient colonoscopy. Secondary outcomes were inpatient morbidity, mortality, resource utilization, splenectomy rates, hospital length of stay and total hospital costs and charges. Comparative analyses were performed between patients with and without SI. Multivariate regression analyses were utilized.

Results A total of 2,258,040 of inpatient colonoscopies were included. Of these, 240 had associated SI and 25 patients required splenectomy (10.4 %). The incidence of colonoscopy-associated SI remained relatively stable between 2012 and 2018 (0.033 % versus 0.020 %, respectively). The mean age of patients with and without SI was 63.7 and 64.1 years, respectively. The occurrence of SI was calculated as 10.63 cases per 100,000 inpatient colonoscopies. Patients who had associated SI displayed significantly higher odds of inpatient mortality (aOR: 14.45) and ICU stay (aOR: 10.11) compared to those without SI.

Conclusions Splenic injury confers significantly higher odds of inpatient mortality, and resource utilization. The incidence of SI related to colonoscopy remained stable during the study period. Although uncommon, SI should be considered when encountering patients with abdominal pain after colonoscopy.
Long-term results of an endoscopic screening program for superficial esophageal cancer in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Nobre Moura Renata , Kuboki Yeda , Baba Elisa Ryoka , Safatle-Ribeiro Adriana , Martins Bruno , de Paulo Gustavo Andrade , Tolentino Luciano Lenz , de Lima Marcelo Simas , Kulcsar Marco Aurelio , Sallum Rubens Antonio Aissar , Ribeiro Ulysses , Maluf-Filho Fauze
Published: February 2022

Background and study aims Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are at risk of a second primary tumor in the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly in the esophagus. Screening these patients for esophageal carcinoma may help detect asymptomatic dysplasia and early cancer, thus allowing curative treatment and more prolonged survival, but the impact of endoscopic screening remains uncertain. Here we aimed to describe the long-term results of an esophageal SCC screening program in patients with head and neck cancer in terms of prevalence, associated risk factors, and survival.

Patients and methods We performed an observational study of a prospectively collected database including patients with HNSCC who had undergone high-definition endoscopy with chromoscopy between 2010 and 2018 at a Brazilian tertiary academic center.

Results The study included 1,888 patients. The esophageal SCC prevalence was 7.9 %, with the majority (77.8 %) being superficial lesions. Significant risk factors for esophageal high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and invasive cancer included tumors of the oral cavity and oropharynx and the presence of low-grade dysplasia (LGD). Overall survival (OS) was significantly shorter among patients in whom esophageal cancer was diagnosed at an advanced stage (P < .001). OS did not significantly differ between patients with HGD and early esophageal cancer versus those without esophageal cancer (P = .210)

Conclusions Endoscopic screening for superficial esophageal neoplasia in patients with HNSCC improves esophageal cancer detection. Screening could potentially benefit patients with primary cancer located at the oropharynx or oral cavity. In addition, the detection of esophageal LGD indicates a need for endoscopic surveillance.
Radical Heteroarylation of Alkenes and Alkanes via Heteroaryl ­Migration
Authors: Zhu Chen , Wei Yunlong , Wu Xinxin
Published: February 2022

Heteroarenes are important units in organic chemistry and are ubiquitous in natural products, pharmaceuticals, and numerous artificial molecules. Despite great efforts devoted to accessing heteroarenes, the development of new methods to efficiently produce heteroarenes remains a long-term interest. Recently, the strategy of radical-mediated heteroaryl migration has supplied a robust toolkit for the synthesis of a diversity of heteroaryl-containing compounds. This Account summarizes our recent achievements in this field and provides insight into the incorporation of heteroarenes into organic skeletons.

1 Introduction

2 Radical-Mediated Heteroarylation of Alkanes and Alkenes via Intramolecular Heteroaryl Migration

2.1 C(sp3)–H Heteroarylation via Intramolecular Heteroaryl Migration

2.2 Difunctionalization of Alkenes via Intramolecular Heteroaryl Migration

3 Intermolecular Difunctionalization of Alkenes via ‘Docking-Migration’ Strategy

3.1 Sulfone-Based Bifunctional Reagents for Difunctionalization of Alkenes by Docking Migration

3.2 Sulfone-Based Reagents for the Synthesis of N-Fused Heteroarenes by Docking Migration

3.3 Tertiary Alcohol Based Bifunctional Reagents for Difunctionalization of Alkenes by Docking Migration

3.4 Diaryl Ether Based Bifunctional Reagents for Difunctionalization of Alkenes by Docking Migration

3.5 Conclusion
Fabrication and transport properties of two dimensional Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+δ micro-bridge
Authors: Yu A. B. , Huang Z. , Peng W. , Li H. , Lin C. T. , Zhang X. F. , You L. X.
Published: February 2022

Ultra-thin high-temperature superconducting films have attracted continuous interest due to their potential electronic applications, which also provide a unique platform of novel physics and properties in the two-dimensional limit. We, here, realized fabrication of two-unit-cell-thick micro-bridges from mechanically exfoliated ultra-thin Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+δ (Bi2223) single crystals and systematically investigated their transport properties. The two-dimensional superconducting nature is verified by the existence of the Berezinskii–Kosterlitz–Thouless transition, which is simultaneously revealed by current-voltage properties and the zero-field temperature dependence of resistance. Comparing with Bi2223 bulk crystal, a Bi2223 micro-bridge shows a slight lower upper critical field but pronounced improvement in the critical current density. Our findings indicate that the ultra-thin Bi2223 single crystal is highly prospective for both scientific investigations of unconventional superconductivity and applications of high Tc superconducting devices.