bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and automated fluorine‐18 radiolabeling of new PSMA‐617 derivatives with a CuAAC radiosynthetic approach
Authors: Iannone Marco N. , Stucchi Stefano , Turolla Elia A. , Beretta Chiara , Ciceri Samuele , Chinello Clizia , Pagani Lisa , Todde Sergio , Ferraboschi Patrizia
Published: December 2021

In the last decade, the development of new radiopharmaceuticals for the imaging and therapy of prostate cancer has been a highly active and important area of research, especially focusing on the prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA), an antigen which is upregulated in prostate, as well as in other tumor cells. A large variety of PSMA ligands have been radiolabeled, to date. Among the various derivatives, PSMA‐617 resulted to be one of the most interesting in terms of interaction with the antigen and clinical properties, and its lutetium‐177 labeled version has recently been approved by regulatory agencies for therapeutic purposes. For this reasons, the radiolabeling with fluorine‐18 of a PSMA‐617 derivative might be of interest. Beside other methodologies to radiolabel macromolecules with fluorine‐18, the “click‐chemistry” approach resulted to be very useful, and the copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) is considered one of most efficient and reliable. This paper proposes the synthesis of a suitable precursor for the radiolabeling with fluorine‐18 of a new PSMA‐617 derivative. The whole radiosynthetic procedure has been fully automated, and the final product, which proved to be stable in plasma, has been obtained with radiochemical yield and purity suitable for subsequent preclinical studies.
Fatty Acid Composition of Proximal Femur Bone Marrow Adipose Tissue in Subjects With Systemic Lupus Erythematous Using 3 T Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Martel Dimitri , Saxena Amit , Belmont Howard Michael , Honig Stephen , Chang Gregory
Published: December 2021

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, inflammatory disease with common musculoskeletal manifestations, notably reductions in bone quality. Bone marrow adipose tissue composition and quantity has been previously linked to bone quality and may play a role in SLE pathophysiology but has not been thoroughly studied.

Purpose

To use magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to investigate bone marrow adipose tissue quantity and composition in proximal femur subregions of untreated SLE patients compared to controls and treated patients.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

A total of 64 female subjects: 28 SLE, 15 glucocorticoid (GC)‐treated SLE and 21 matched controls.

Field Strength/Sequence

Stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) sequence at 3 T.

Assessment

MRS was performed at multiple echo times in the femoral neck and trochanter regions and fatty acids (FA) composition was computed.

Statistical Tests

Intergroup comparisons were carried out using ANOVA. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

SLE patients had significantly higher saturated FA compared to controls in both the femoral neck (+0.12) and trochanter (+0.11), significantly lower monounsaturated FA in the trochanter compared to controls (−0.05), and significantly lower polyunsaturated FA in the femoral neck compared to both controls (−0.07) and SLE patients on GC therapy (−0.05).

Data Conclusion

SLE patients have altered proximal femur marrow fat metabolism, which may reflect a manifestation of, or play a role in, the altered inflammatory response of these patients.

Evidence Level

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
The Raman Laser Spectrometer: A performance study using ExoMars representative crushed samples
Authors: Perez Canora Carlos , Rodriguez Jose Antonio , Musso Fabio , Moral Andoni , Seoane Laura , Zafra Jesus , Rodriguez Pablo Rodriguez , Ibarmia Sergio , Benito Marina , Veneranda Marco , Manrique Jose Antonio , Ramos Gonzalo , Charro Elena , Lopez Jose Manuel , González Manuel Ángel , Hutchinson Ian , Prieto‐Ballesteros Olga , Rull Fernando , Lopez‐Reyes Guillermo
Published: December 2021

The Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) is one of three key analytical instruments incorporated within the body of the ExoMars 2022 rover. The rover will collect samples from different sites on the Oxia Planum plain, using a drill capable of penetrating the near subsurface and rocky outcrops to a depth of 2 m. Samples are passed to the Analytical Laboratory Drawer (ALD) in the heart of the rover vehicle, where the Sample Preparation and Distribution System (SPDS) processes and transports the crushed material into a refillable container (RC), which is then presented to the analytical instruments for exobiology and geological investigation. The final sample grain distribution of the powder sample following the crushing and flattening processes is a critical aspect of the RLS instrument that has a direct impact on its overall performance, related to its mineral identification and operational capabilities. This paper provides a comparative overview of the performance of a set of Raman instruments, the RLS micro‐Raman Laboratory Equipment, the RLS ExoMars Simulator, and the RLS Engineering and Qualification Model (EQM) using Martian representative crushed samples, along with an evaluation of instrument performance as a function of the operational scenario. The results from the work performed by the RLS team confirm the capability of the RLS instrument performances, by acquiring good‐quality spectra from crushed samples provided by the SPDS, whose science return can be further optimized when improving the RLS instrument operation sequence.
Analysis of cell‐free circulating DNA fragment size and level in patients with lumbar canal stenosis
Authors: Hiyama Akihiko , Sakai Daisuke , Nomura Satoshi , Katoh Hiroyuki , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: December 2021

Cell‐free circulating DNA (cfDNA), extracted by liquid biopsy, has been studied as a noninvasive biomarker for various diseases. The potential of cfDNA fragment size and level as a marker in lumbar canal stenosis (LCS) patients has never been studied. We investigated whether cfDNA is a biomarker of low back pain, leg pain, leg numbness severity in patients with an LCS. Blood samples were obtained from patients with LCS (n = 22) before and immediately after spinal surgery. Plasma DNA was isolated and examined for cfDNA fragment size and concentration. A cohort of healthy volunteers (n = 5) constituted the control group. The cfDNA fragment size tended to be shorter in patients than in healthy controls, but this difference was not significant (P = .186). cfDNA level was significantly higher in LCS patients (mean 0.614 ± 0.198 ng/μL, range 0.302‐1.150 ng/μL) than in healthy controls (mean 0.429 ± 0.064 ng/μL, range 0.366‐0.506 ng/μL) (P = .008). cfDNA level correlated positively with average pain (r = .435, P = .026) and leg numbness (r = .451, P = .018). cfDNA fragment size did not differ from before to after surgery, but cfDNA level increased postoperatively in patients with LCS. This was the first study investigating whether cfDNA fragment size and level are associated with pain in patients with LCS. Our findings suggest that cfDNA level may be an objective indicator of pain and surgical invasiveness in patients with LCS.
Dissolved organic carbon as a driver of seasonal and multiyear phytoplankton assembly oscillations in a subtropical monomictic lake
Authors: Sullivan Kristy Lee , Gaiser Evelyn E. , Swain Hilary M.
Published: December 2021

Phytoplankton assembly dynamics in lakes are highly sensitive to variability in climate drivers and resulting physicochemical changes in lake water columns. As climate change increases the frequency of major precipitation events and droughts, many lakes experience increased inputs of colored dissolved organic carbon (CDOC) and nutrients. How these CDOC‐related changes in resources, transparency, and thermal stability affect phytoplankton assemblages, succession, and resilience is understudied, particularly in subtropical lakes. Here, we used time series, multivariate, and trait‐based functional redundancy analyses to elucidate the roles of phytoplankton in ecosystem resilience and determine potential drivers of assemblage shifts in a subtropical monomictic lake with fluctuating CDOC inputs (Lake Annie, Highlands County, Florida, USA). We found that phytoplankton assemblages and successional patterns differed between two dark‐water states (late 2005–mid‐2007, late 2012–2019) bracketing a clear‐water state (mid‐2007–late 2012), caused by shifting CDOC and nutrient concentrations associated with oscillating groundwater levels. Diatoms (Bacillariophyta), which were dominant during the two dark‐water states, nearly disappeared and were replaced by synurophytes during the clear‐water state. Assemblages had greater interannual consistency in the dark‐water states, while mean functional redundancy decreased in the clear‐water state. Seasonal phytoplankton successional changes were also more pronounced and synchronized with seasonal hydrologic shifts in the dark‐water states. Multiyear assemblage shifts occurred more quickly in clear‐to‐dark than dark‐to‐clear state transitions, suggesting phytoplankton in dark‐water states may be more resistant to state transitions or even contribute to dark‐water state resilience via feedback loops.
Inorganic‐Organic Hybrid Anion Conducting Membranes Based on Ammonium‐Functionalized Polyethylene Pyrrole‐Polyethylene Ketone Copolymer
Authors: Alvi Afaaf Rahat , Vezzù Keti , Pagot Gioele , Sgarbossa Paolo , Pace Giuseppe , Di Noto Vito
Published: December 2021

New inorganic‐organic hybrid anion exchange membranes are produced after incorporation of tantalum oxide into trimethylammonium‐functionalized polyethylene pyrrole‐co‐polyethylene ketone (functionalized polyketone, FPK), obtained by the chemical modification of a polyketone polymer. The influence of tantalum oxide fillers on the properties of the synthesized membranes is investigated. The interaction between inorganic fillers and the polymer chains is studied using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR). The thermal analysis of the FPK membranes reveals they are thermally stable at up to 250°C. However, the incorporation of the inorganic fillers reduces the thermal stability. Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC) results indicate that the inclusion of inorganic fillers leads to an increase in crystallinity. This study reports that the properties of the bulk polymer can be tuned by controlling the degree of functionalization and content of inorganic fillers, as confirmed by Near Ambient Pressure X‐Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (NAP‐XPS) studies. Finally, Broadband Electrical Spectroscopy (BES) studies demonstrate that the hybrid membranes are characterized by several polarization phenomena contributing to the overall ion conductivity of the material, which at RT is of 1.46 and 1.61 mS cm−1 for the FPK cast membrane and the hybrid membrane with 5.0 wt.% of Ta2O5 filler, respectively.
Regularity of the inverse mapping in Banach function spaces
Authors: Molchanova Anastasia , Roskovec Tomáš , Soudský Filip
Published: December 2021

We study the regularity properties of the inverse of a bilipschitz mappingfbelonging to , whereXis an arbitrary Banach function space. Namely, we prove that the inverse mapping is also in . Furthermore, the paper shows that the class of bilipschitz mappings in is closed with respect to composition and multiplication.
Photoelectrochemical Polymerization for Solid‐State Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Luo Yiyun , Yang Li , Zhang Jinbao
Published: December 2021

Dye‐sensitized solar cells represent promising alternative photovoltaic (PV) technologies with the advantages of low material cost, ease of production, and high performance for indoor applications. Solid‐state DSCs (ssDSCs) have been developed to greatly diminish the problems of electrolyte leakage and electrode corrosion. However, the power conversion efficiency of ssDSCs generally is much lower than traditional liquid DSCs, resulting in low conductivity and poor pore infiltration of solid HTMs in mesoporous structures. To overcome these problems, in situ photoelectrochemical polymerization (PEP) approach is developed to synthesize polymer HTMs in the porous electrodes, enabling enhancement of pore infiltration fraction and conductivity. The PEP method offers great opportunities for engineering the HTM interfaces, tuning the charge dynamics, and improving the PV performance of ssDSCs. Here the authors aim to present a coherent review of the recent development of material engineering and interfacial optimization for ssDSCs. The recent advances in the PEP are also summarized, with special emphasis on how the influencing factors control the PEP kinetics, the polymer properties as well as the device performance. This review provides a deep understanding of the mechanism of photopolymerization across different conditions, which serves as a guidebook for further optimization of the PEP process for ssDSCs.
Progress in Utilizing Dynamic Bonds to Fabricate Structurally Adaptive Self‐Healing, Shape Memory, and Liquid Crystal Polymers
Authors: Zhang Chun , Lu Xili , Wang Zhanhua , Xia Hesheng
Published: December 2021

Stimuli‐responsive structurally dynamic polymers are capable of mimicking the biological systems to adapt themselves to the surrounding environmental changes and subsequently exhibiting a wide range of responses ranging from self‐healing to complex shape‐morphing. Dynamic self‐healing polymers (SHPs), shape‐memory polymers (SMPs), and liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), which are three representative examples of stimuli‐responsive structurally dynamic polymers, have been attracting broad and growing interest in recent years because of their potential applications in the fields of electronic skin, sensors, soft robots, artificial muscles, and so on. Recent advances and challenges in the developments toward dynamic SHPs, SMPs, and LCEs are reviewed, focusing on the chemistry strategies and the dynamic reaction mechanisms that enhance the performances of the materials including self‐healing, reprocessing, and reprogramming. The different dynamic chemistries and their mechanisms on the enhanced functions of the materials are compared and discussed, where three summary tables are presented: A library of dynamic bonds and the resulting characteristics of the materials. Finally, a critical outline of the unresolved issues and future perspectives on the emerging developments is provided.
Numerical simulation study of the effects of foehn winds on white head incidences in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Asano Yuki , Kusaka Hiroyuki
Published: December 2021

Numerous studies have elucidated that white heads and chalky rice are caused by hot, dry and strong winds at night. However, these studies have only used synoptic weather charts and near‐surface observation data to confirm the role of foehn in white head occurrences. This study used a high‐resolution three‐dimensional numerical weather prediction model to show that strong foehn effects induced a significant number of white heads in rice in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. The model accurately predicted and represented the location and timing of the observed white heads, occurring only in a limited area (87.1 ha) on the southwest side of Mt. Chokai during the nighttime. Specifically, the simulated nocturnal (transpiration forcing) continuously exceeded 30 at that location. This high was caused by high temperature (>24°C), strong wind speed (>8 m s−1) and low humidity (<65%) caused by the strong foehn winds descending over the southwest slope of the mountain. In the other areas, did not exceed 30 because either wind speed, water vapour deficit or both were insufficiently high.
Convergence estimates of certain gamma type operators
Authors: Mishra Nav Shakti , Deo Naokant
Published: December 2021

The present paper deals with a modified form of gamma type operators that preserve the test functions
and estimation of their approximation properties. We begin by determining the convergence rate of the proposed operators in the sense of the usual modulus of continuity and Peetre's K‐functional. Further, the degree of approximation is also established for the function of bounded variation. We also illustrate via figures and tables that the proposed modification provides a better approximation for preserving the test function e3.
Existence and asymptotic behavior of solutions for a Klein–Gordon system
Authors: Da Silva Cládio O. P. , Louredo Aldo T. , Miranda Manuel Milla
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we study the existence and uniqueness of global solution for a Klein–Gordon equations system with mixed boundary conditions. We, also, analyze the asymptotic behavior of this solution.
Reconstruction of the Strum–Liouville operator with periodic boundary conditions and discontinuity
Authors: Zhang Ran , Yang Chuan‐Fu
Published: December 2021

In this paper we study inverse problems for the Sturm–Liouville operator with periodic conditions and jump conditions inside the interval. We prove that the potential and parameters in the jump conditions can be uniquely determined by two spectra and the sign sets, and give the reconstruction algorithm for the solution of inverse problems.
Formulating the geometric foundation of Clarke, Park, and FBD transformations by means of Clifford's geometric algebra
Authors: Montoya Francisco G. , Eid Ahmad H.
Published: December 2021

Several of the most fundamental transformations widely used by the power engineering community are strongly based on geometrical considerations. Clifford's geometric algebra (GA) is the natural language for describing concepts in Euclidean geometry. In this work, we show how Clarke, Park, and Depenbrock's FBD transformations can be derived by imposing orthogonality on the voltage and current vectors defined in a Euclidean space by using GA. This paper presents these transformations as spatial‐like rotations and projections by means of the use of special algebraic objects namedGA rotors. We prove that there is no need to use complex numbers nor matrices to perform the mentioned transformations and to provide geometrical intuition for electrical quantities and their transformations. Furthermore, power properties can be described using GA terminology by means of the proposedgeometric power. The manipulation of the geometric power allows a useful current decomposition for a variety of applications such active filtering, frequency estimation, or electrical machinery. We provide in this paper an alternative approach focused on power systems under the paradigm of GA.
Finite‐time parameter identification of fractional‐order uncertain coupling recurrent neural networks based on synchronization
Authors: Qu Xilong , Zhang Yanping , Wei Yanxing , Wei Zhengjun , Zheng Mingwen
Published: December 2021

This paper mainly studies the parameter estimation of fractional‐order uncertain coupling recurrent neural networks(FUCRNNs) in finite time. We construct a feedback controller and update rules to realize the synchronization and parameters identification of the proposed system in finite time. By designing a new Lyapunov function, a simple sufficient condition to ensure successful identification of parameters is derived. In addition, we also get the identification time and analyze the relationship between model parameters and settling time. Two numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method.
Comparison of interpolation methods of predominant cardiomyocyte orientation from in vivo and ex vivo cardiac diffusion tensor imaging data
Authors: Stimm Johanna , Guenthner Christian , Kozerke Sebastian , Stoeck Christian T.
Published: December 2021

Cardiac electrophysiology and cardiac mechanics both depend on the average cardiomyocyte long‐axis orientation. In the realm of personalized medicine, knowledge of the patient‐specific changes in cardiac microstructure plays a crucial role. Patient‐specific computational modelling has emerged as a tool to better understand disease progression. In vivo cardiac diffusion tensor imaging (cDTI) is a vital tool to non‐destructively measure the average cardiomyocyte long‐axis orientation in the heart. However, cDTI suffers from long scan times, rendering volumetric, high‐resolution acquisitions challenging. Consequently, interpolation techniques are needed to populate bio‐mechanical models with patient‐specific average cardiomyocyte long‐axis orientations. In this work, we compare five interpolation techniques applied to in vivo and ex vivo porcine input data. We compare two tensor interpolation approaches, one rule‐based approximation, and two data‐driven, low‐rank models. We demonstrate the advantage of tensor interpolation techniques, resulting in lower interpolation errors than do low‐rank models and rule‐based methods adapted to cDTI data. In an ex vivo comparison, we study the influence of three imaging parameters that can be traded off against acquisition time: in‐plane resolution, signal to noise ratio, and number of acquired short‐axis imaging slices.
High‐resolution neural network‐driven mapping of multiple diffusion metrics leveraging asymmetries in the balanced steady‐state free precession frequency profile
Authors: Birk Florian , Glang Felix , Loktyushin Alexander , Birkl Christoph , Ehses Philipp , Scheffler Klaus , Heule Rahel
Published: December 2021

We propose to utilize the rich information content about microstructural tissue properties entangled in asymmetric balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) profiles to estimate multiple diffusion metrics simultaneously by neural network (NN) parameter quantification. A 12‐point bSSFP phase‐cycling scheme with high‐resolution whole‐brain coverage is employed at 3 and 9.4 T for NN input. Low‐resolution target diffusion data are derived based on diffusion‐weighted spin‐echo echo‐planar‐imaging (SE‐EPI) scans, that is, mean, axial, and radial diffusivity (MD, AD, and RD), fractional anisotropy (FA), as well as the spherical coordinates (azimuth Φ and inclination ϴ) of the principal diffusion eigenvector. A feedforward NN is trained with incorporated probabilistic uncertainty estimation. The NN predictions yielded highly reliable results in white matter (WM) and gray matter structures for MD. The quantification of FA, AD, and RD was overall in good agreement with the reference but the dependence of these parameters on WM anisotropy was somewhat biased (e.g. in corpus callosum). The inclination ϴ was well predicted for anisotropic WM structures, while the azimuth Φ was overall poorly predicted. The findings were highly consistent across both field strengths. Application of the optimized NN to high‐resolution input data provided whole‐brain maps with rich structural details. In conclusion, the proposed NN‐driven approach showed potential to provide distortion‐free high‐resolution whole‐brain maps of multiple diffusion metrics at high to ultrahigh field strengths in clinically relevant scan times.
Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity after cholecystectomy: A population‐based study
Authors: Gan Da , Wang Xiaoyan , Xu Xiaochen , Kang Qingcong , Lu Zhonghua , Jia Menghan , Ru Yuan , He Xi , Mou Yun , He Wei , Zhu Shankuan
Published: December 2021

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate the associations of cholecystectomy with low muscle mass, low muscle strength, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity.

Methods

This population‐based study included data from 4,909 participants aged 18 to 80 years. History of cholecystectomy was diagnosed using abdominal ultrasonography. Muscle mass was evaluated using a dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry scan, and muscle strength was evaluated using an electronic hand dynamometer. Sarcopenia was defined as the presence of both low muscle mass and low muscle strength. Sarcopenic obesity was defined as the presence of both sarcopenia and obesity. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to investigate the associations of cholecystectomy with low muscle mass, low muscle strength, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity.

Results

Participants with history of cholecystectomy were more likely than those without to have low muscle mass, low muscle strength, and sarcopenia. Furthermore, compared with cholecystectomy that occurred within 7 years (7 years is the median interval between cholecystectomy and the physical examination), participants with cholecystectomy that occurred more than 7 years ago had higher odds of sarcopenia. Finally, whether obesity was defined by BMI or body fat percentage, cholecystectomy was positively associated with sarcopenic obesity.

Conclusions

Cholecystectomy is associated with low muscle mass, low muscle strength, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity.
Reducing Alcohol‐Related Violence with Bartenders: A Behavioral Field Experiment
Authors: Ham Andrés , Maldonado Darío , Weintraub Michael , Camacho Andrés Felipe , Gualtero Daniela
Published: December 2021

This paper evaluates the randomized Good Drinks program in four localities of Bogotá, Colombia. The intervention encourages bartenders to adopt standardized practices that promote responsible behavior in terms of alcohol consumption with the goal of reducing alcohol‐related violence and was implemented in cooperation with Colombia's largest brewery and the city's Secretariat of Security, Coexistence, and Justice. Tracing out the relationship between alcohol consumption and violence is useful because alcohol‐related incidents often lead to more serious crimes. Our experimental design allows estimating direct and spillover effects on reported incidents within and around bars. Results show that bartenders in treatment locations sell more water and food, thus contributing to more responsible behavior by patrons. However, we find no direct or spillover effects of these changes in consumption on brawls five months after the program, but some improvement on other alcohol‐related incidents. The experience of the Good Drinks program provides a better understanding of three aspects related to alcohol regulation and policy: (i) the role bartenders can play to curb excessive alcohol consumption and promote good behavior among customers, (ii) a practical experience of using less restrictive interventions for alcohol regulation, and (iii) the value of public‐private partnerships.
Improving mechanical toughness and mold resistance of bamboo/high‐density polyethylene composites by pretreatment with the fungus Trametes versicolor
Authors: Liu Xin , Liang Ganbo , Wu Xianzhang , Wang Wang , Zhu Yuan , Yang Suwen
Published: December 2021

Mechanical toughness and mold resistance of bamboo–plastic composites (BPCs) are essential for the application on structural materials. However, limited work has used biological methods to improve these properties of BPCs. In this study, the white‐rot fungus Trametes versicolor was selected to modify bamboo fibers by short‐term incubation. Modified bamboo fibers were then used to reinforce high‐density polyethylene to prepare BPCs. Compared to the unmodified BPCs, the BPCs pre‐treated with T. versicolor showed increases in elongations at break and impact strength, and these increases became more obvious with the incubation time increased. The improved mechanical toughness was assumed to the selective removal of lignin reduced rigidity of raw materials, and the increase of specific surface areas and pore volumes enhanced mechanical interlocking of the composites. Surfaces of BPC pretreated for 15 days were free of mold spores, yielding mold inhibition efficiency of up to 100%. It suggests that metabolism of reducing sugars would efficiently improve the mold resistance of BPCs. A novel, eco‐friendly bioprocess for modifying the interface between bamboo and plastic was successfully established, and it allows BPCs to be widely applied in the field of outdoor living structures.
Impact on In‐ and Out‐of‐Hospital Drug Prescriptions of Including a More Expensive Me‐Too Antidepressant in a Hospital Drug Formulary: a Controlled Longitudinal Study
Authors: Carracedo‐Martínez Eduardo , Vázquez‐Mourelle Raquel , Figueiras Adolfo , Piñeiro‐Lamas María
Published: December 2021

Background

The effect of the inclusion of a more expensive me‐too medicine in a hospital drug formulary (HDF) on both in‐ and out‐of‐hospital utilization, and the contextual factors which influence this type of induction is rarely studied. Accordingly, this work aimed to quantify the effect of the decision of a hospital of including a more expensive me‐too antidepressant in its HDF.

Methods

A controlled longitudinal study was carried out in a Regional Health Service of Spain. We performed a segmented regression analysis with control group. We used the following dependent variables: defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day, DDD per 100 bed days, and cost per DDD.

Results

At a hospital level, the modification in the formulary led to utilization changes: (1) an increase in immediate consumption of the newly included me‐too drug; and, (2) an annual 25.96% [95% CI: 2.96%–48.95%] decrease in the adjusted trend of the already existing parent antidepressant. The adjusted trend of the cost per DDD of the sum of all medications in the therapeutic group increased by 20.03% annually [95% CI: 3.24%–36.82%]. In the out‐of‐hospital setting utilization changes were: (1) the adjusted trend of the newly included me‐too drug rose by 12.14% annually [95% CI: 4.97%–19.30%]; and, (2) that of the parent drug underwent a negative change in trend of 4.18% annually [95% CI: 0.00%–8.36%].

Conclusions

The inclusion of a more expensive me‐too drug in the HDF led to increased consumption of this more expensive me‐too drug both in‐ and out‐of‐hospital.
Analytical comparison of absolute quantification strategies to investigate the insulin signaling pathway in fat cells
Authors: Li Tingting , Hentschel Andreas , Ahrends Robert
Published: December 2021

So far, mass spectrometry‐based targeted proteomics is the most sensitive approach to answer and address specific biological questions in an accurate and quantitative fashion. However, the data analysis design used for such quantification varies in the field leading to discrepancies in the reported values. In this study, different quantification strategies based on calibration curves were evaluated and compared. The best accuracy and coefficient of variation was achieved by ratio to ratio calibration curves. We applied the ratio to ratio quantification approach to analyze very low abundant insulin signaling proteins such as PIK3RA (0.10–0.93 fmol/μg), AKT1 (0.1–0.39 fmol/μg), and the insulin receptor (0.22–2.62 fmol/μg) in a fat cell model and demonstrated the adaptation of this pathway at different states of insulin sensitivity.
Corticosteroids in the prevention and treatment of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: Part I. systemic corticosteroids
Authors: Szabó Hajnalka , Baraldi Eugenio , Colin Andrew A.
Published: December 2021

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most significant respiratory complication of prematurity, and its consequences last from birth into adulthood. Unfortunately, the dramatic improvements in the management of premature infants have not led to a decreased incidence of BPD, or to breakthroughs in treatments offered for this long‐lasting chronic respiratory disorder. Over recent decades the pathological picture of BPD has changed from inflammation, interstitial fibrosis and emphysema attributed to volu‐, barotrauma and oxygen toxicity to larger, simplified alveoli and dysmorphic vessels related to arrested alveolarization and vasculogenesis with inflammation maintaining a central role. Corticosteroids (CSs) play a key role in the development of respiratory epithelial cells and lung maturation. These potent anti‐inflammatory agents have long been used for the prevention and treatment of BPD; however, the risk/benefit ratio of their use remains unresolved. CSs administered antenatally have contributed to reduce mortality and respiratory distress syndrome, no such effect on BPD reduction has been observed. Postnatal systemic CSs reduced the rate and severity of BPD, yet their long‐term neurodevelopmental and respiratory consequences markedly limit routine administration. This is the first in a two‐part State‐of‐the‐Art series that reviews the latest relevant clinical trials investigating the short‐term and long‐term effects of CSs in the prevention and treatment of BPD.
MRI‐detectability and histological factors of prostate cancer including intraductal carcinoma and cribriform pattern
Authors: Mikoshi Ayako , Miyai Kosuke , Hamabe Fumiko , Edo Hiromi , Ito Keiichi , Matsukuma Susumu , Tsuda Hitoshi , Shinmoto Hiroshi
Published: December 2021

Background

Histopathological characteristics affecting the detectability of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the histopathology between MRI‐detectable and MRI‐undetectable cancers, emphasizing intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC‐P) and predominant Gleason pattern 4 subtype.

Methods

This single‐center retrospective study enrolled 153 consecutive patients with 191 lesions who underwent preoperative multiparametric MRI and subsequent radical prostatectomy. MRI/histopathological findings and area fractions of histological components (cancer cells, stroma, and luminal spaces) of MRI‐detectable and MRI‐undetectable cancers were compared. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact, independent t, or Mann–Whitney U tests.

Results

Overall, 148 (77%) and 43 (23%) cancers were MRI‐detectable and MRI‐undetectable, respectively. MRI‐detectable cancers were significantly larger than MRI‐undetectable cancers (p = 0.03). The percentage of lesions in Grade Group 3 or higher was significantly higher among MRI‐detectable cancers than among MRI‐undetectable cancers (p = 0.02). MRI detectability of csPCa was associated with increases in relative area fractions of cancer cells (p < 0.001) and decreases in those of stroma (p < 0.001) and luminal spaces (p < 0.001) in prostate cancer (PCa) than the percentage of Gleason pattern 4 (p = 0.09). The percentage of lesions containing IDC‐P was similar for MRI‐detectable and MRI‐undetectable cancers (40% vs. 33%; p = 0.48). The distribution of cribriform gland subtypes was not significantly different between MRI‐detectable and MRI‐undetectable Gleason pattern 4 subtype cancers (p > 0.99). Contrarily, the ratio of fused gland subtype was significantly higher in MRI‐detectable than in MRI‐undetectable cancers (p = 0.03). Furthermore, the ratio of poorly‐formed gland subtype was significantly higher in MRI‐undetectable than in MRI‐detectable cancers (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

MRI detectability of csPCa is strongly associated with the relative area fractions of cancer cells, stroma, and luminal spaces in PCa rather than conventional histopathological parameters. Neither the presence nor the percentage of IDC‐P affected MRI detectability.
In‐depth analysis of amino acid and nucleotide sequences of Hsp60: How conserved is this protein?
Authors: Tikhomirova Tatyana S. , Matyunin Maxim A. , Lobanov Michail Yu , Galzitskaya Oxana V.
Published: December 2021

Chaperonin Hsp60, as a protein found in all organisms, is of great interest in medicine, since it is present in many tissues and can be used both as a drug and as an object of targeted therapy. Hence, Hsp60 deserves a fundamental comparative analysis to assess its evolutionary characteristics. It was found that the percent identity of Hsp60 amino acid sequences both within and between phyla was not high enough to identify Hsp60s as highly conserved proteins. However, their ATP binding sites are largely conserved. The amino acid composition of Hsp60s remained relatively constant. At the same time, the analysis of the nucleotide sequences showed that GC content in the Hsp60 genes was comparable to or greater than the genomic values, which may indicate a high resistance to mutations due to tight control of the nucleotide composition by DNA repair systems. Natural selection plays a dominant role in the evolution of Hsp60 genes. The degree of mutational pressure affecting the Hsp60 genes is quite low, and its direction does not depend on taxonomy. Interestingly, for the Hsp60 genes from Chordata, Arthropoda, and Proteobacteria the exact direction of mutational pressure could not be determined. However, upon further division into classes, it was found that the direction of the mutational pressure for Hsp60 genes from Fish differs from that for other chordates. The direction of the mutational pressure affects the synonymous codon usage bias. The number of high and low represented codons increases with increasing GC content, which can improve codon usage. Special server has been created for bioinformatics analysis of Hsp60: http://oka.protres.ru:4202/.
Hooded broadcast sprayer for particle drift reduction
Authors: Canella Vieira Bruno , Coura Oliveira Maxwel , Sousa Alves Guilherme , Golus Jeffrey A , Schroeder Kasey , Smeda Reid J , Rector Ryan J , Kruger Greg R , Werle Rodrigo
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

There is renewed interest amongst crop protection professionals and regulators in the adoption of spray hoods to further reduce pesticide off‐target movement during applications. Although the benefits of sprayer hoods have been reported since the early 1950s, adoption has been relatively low among farmers and applicators. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of spray hoods in reducing pesticide drift of spray solutions from nozzles typically used for herbicide applications in row crops with tolerance to dicamba or 2,4‐D.

RESULTS

Hooded applications substantially reduced spray drift potential across all treatment scenarios compared to conventional applications. Hooded applications using the AIXR nozzle without drift‐reducing adjuvant (DRA) had a similar area under the drift curve (31.5) compared to conventional applications (open sprayer) using the TTI nozzle with DRA (27.7), despite the major droplet size differences between these treatments (DV50 = 447.5 and 985 μm, respectively).

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the adoption of spray hoods combined with proper nozzle selection, and the use of DRAs can substantially reduce spray drift potential during pesticide applications. The use of this technology can be complementary to other drift‐reducing technologies. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Availability and security analysis of business‐critical systems: A case study of e‐commerce business process
Authors: Mamdikar Mohan Rao , Kumar Vinay , Singh Pooja , Chandra Subhash
Published: December 2021

Business critical systems (BCS) are those systems whose failure may lead to loss of business or damage to reputation in the market. This is often due to the interruption of service caused by the system being unusable. Therefore, non functional requirements (NFRs) such as availability and security play a crucial role during the development of BCS to mitigate impact to the risk. Nowadays, E‐commerce businesses contribute a significant amount to the GDP of any country. Availability of such systems should be high as well as these systems should be secured against threats. Therefore, in this work, a framework is proposed for the availability analysis during the design phase of the BCS. Also, an approach is used for the security analysis of BCS. A case study of the E‐commerce business system is taken to illustrate our framework.
The influence of Ti plasma etching pre‐treatment on mechanical properties of DLC film on cemented carbide
Authors: Li Chao , Huang Lei , Yuan Juntang , Zhou Di
Published: December 2021

The pre‐treatment of substrate surface had been a key part of DLC film preparation to improve mechanical and tribological properties. Ti plasma etching pre‐treatment was investigated in this paper as a new effective surface pre‐treatment method to substitute transition layer. This pre‐treatment used high‐energy Ti plasma to impact substrate surface. Ti plasma etched the substrate to a depth of 407 nm and increased the roughness from 1.36 to 40.39 nm. A trace layer of substrate, together with cobalt, oxides, and other impurities, was removed. Ti plasma broke some top WC crystals and combined with the free carbon ions separating from the substrate. A DLC film was deposited on the etched surface. Compared with DLC films deposited on the untreated substrate and Ti transition layer, the DLC film on the Ti plasma etched substrate had best adhesion strength of 34.14 N. The three DLC films had the same sp3 bonding carbon content, but Ti plasma etching treatment could promote the formation of sp3 bonds on the interface of substrate and DLC film. This DLC film had low friction coefficient of 0.12 and low wear rate of 5.11 × 10−7 mm3/m·N. In summary, Ti plasma etching pre‐treatment could significantly improve the adhesion of DLC film and keep its excellent tribological properties.
In‐Orbit Performance Analysis of Solar Array for Chang'e‐4 Relay Satellite in an Earth–Moon Lagrangian Point 2 Halo Orbit
Authors: Yang Ning , Xiao Shaolong , Yu Zhenhai , Yin Maoshu , Chen Shiwen , Shen Yi , Liu Guangming , Xu Jun , Liang Yilin
Published: December 2021

Herein, the in‐orbit performance of the solar array for Chang'e‐4 Relay Satellite in an Earth–Moon Lagrangian point 2 (EML2) Halo orbit is analyzed. The daily degradation coefficient of the photovoltaic current is calculated to be 0.99989 independent of whether the relay antenna outspreads, indicating an annual degradation coefficient of 3.94%. However, due to the shading effect of the antenna and the electrical performance degradation, the output voltage of the solar array dissatisfies the requirement of the power controller on around the 700th day, resulting in an abrupt decrease of the photovoltaic current. In addition, the in‐orbit working temperature of the solar array for Chang'e‐4 Relay Satellite is also studied. The working temperature mainly ranges from 52.3 to 76.8 °C, while the working temperature decreases to the range of 0–25 °C once the relay antenna outspreads. The present work is helpful to a deepen the understanding of EML2 Halo orbit and provide reference to the solar array design for a deep space exploration aircraft.
Bone‐bearing coprolites from the Upper Triassic of India: ichnotaxonomy, probable producers and predator–prey relationships
Authors: Rakshit Nibedita , Ray Sanghamitra
Published: December 2021

Multiple spiral and non‐spiral cylindrical coprolites with profuse bone inclusions were recovered from a metoposaurid‐dominated bonebed in the Upper Triassic Tiki Formation of India. The spiral coprolites are assigned to two new ichnotaxa based on amphipolar and heteropolar micropolar coilings. The non‐spiral coprolites are internally devoid of any spiral structure, mostly cylindrical, except for a few, which are ellipsoidal. All of these coprolites contain randomly scattered inclusions of partly digested and undigested skeletal fragments. Based on external and internal morphology, and the type of inclusions, the probable producers of these coprolites are considered to have been carnivorous and/or piscivorous, and included different types of chondrichthyans, dipnoans and actinopterygians, as well as various semiaquatic and terrestrial tetrapods. A web‐like interconnectedness is evident, which highlights dynamic and highly diverse animal communities inhabiting the terrestrial, semiaquatic and aquatic realms and dissolution of the inter‐realm boundaries in the Upper Triassic Tiki palaeoecosystem.
Becoming a JEDI statistician
Authors: Ziliak Stephen T.
Published: December 2021

JEDI stands for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. JEDI is a global movement, with networks connecting academic, business and grass roots organizations. A definition of ‘JEDI statistics’ and ‘impermissible inequality’ is proposed and illustrated with stories from government work, university teaching and academic research regarding race, ethics and social justice in statistics. I recently had the pleasure of discussing these ideas on a panel with Wendy Martinez, Safiya Umoja Noble, Donna LaLonde and participants in a plenary session of SDSS 2021, ‘Equitable and Inclusive Data and Technology’. I thank them for their comments, and Wendy Martinez, notably (https://ww2.amstat.org/meetings/sdss/2021/onlineprogram/AbstractDetails.cfm?AbstractID=309823). There are in front of us unlimited possibilities for good by exploring the Venn diagram‐overlaps of JEDI philosophy and statistics, JEDI and economic statistics, JEDI and department culture; JEDI medicine, JEDI coding, JEDI wealth and ownership, JEDI history and the historians of statistics, and so forth, striding towards our future for an antiracist and inclusive statistics and society. (To explain a little more, in 1996, I earned a PhD Certificate in the Rhetoric of the Human Sciences at the same time I completed the PhD in Economics. I teach Rhetoric and Moral Philosophy, too, and since 2007, I have taught annually a course on ‘Theories of Justice in Economics and Philosophy’ to PhD, MA and BA students at Roosevelt University and in short courses at several universities in Europe.)
Science students' social bonds and knowledge construction
Authors: Bellocchi Alberto
Published: December 2021

Emerging research is beginning to explore the role of social bonds in science learning. In this study, I develop a novel conceptual framework extending recent science education research that has adopted Scheff's social bond theory in understanding science learning. I use microsociological methods to understand social bonds and knowledge construction as contemporaneous phenomena through analysis of interactional dynamics. Drawing on ethnomethodology and an interpretive paradigm, I analyze multiple data sources including video recordings of group interactions, social bond diaries, reflective discussions, and social bond quizzes to understand how a student group cocreates science knowledge and how the same social practices co‐construct social bond status within the group. Complexity in the nature of trio's interactions highlights the need for researchers to produce holistic understandings of knowledge construction and social bonds. Implications for future research on social bonds and their role in science learning experiences are offered.
Low‐Speed Control Experiment of Motorcycles Using SPACAR Model
Authors: Hara Susumu , Tsuchiya Mitsuo , Kimura Tetsuya , Akai Naoki
Published: December 2021

The main stream of development of autonomous driving technology (ADT) is for four‐wheel motor vehicles. ADT for motorcycles has received scant attention. The motorcycle stability tends to diminish when being driven at extremely low speed. This study addresses how a motorcycle should be stabilized under low‐speed driving. To obtain a linearized motorcycle model without skidding, we introduce a model based on SPACAR, a finite element method computation program. Moreover, velocity‐dependent gain‐scheduling linear quadratic regulator (LQR) is applied. The experimental results demonstrate stabilized driving responses at 1.5 km/h, which is slower than a person's typical walking speed. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.