bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polyamide composite membranes for enhanced organic solvent nanofiltration performance by metal ions assisted interfacial polymerization method
Authors: Zheng Dayuan , Hua Dan , Cheng Xi , Pan Junyang , Ibrahim Abdul‐Rauf , Hua Haiming , Zhang Peng , Cha Xingwen , Xu Kaiji , Zhan Guowu
Published: August 2022

Herein, thin‐film composite membranes consisting of poly(m‐phenyleneisophthalamide) substrate and polyamide active layer were constructed by transition metal ion‐assisted interfacial polymerization method. As compared to the traditional polyamide membranes, a much thinner polyamide layer (33 vs. 200 nm) can be synthesized with higher permeance (3.2 vs. 0.62 L m−2 h−1 bar−1) in the organic solvent nanofiltration. Similarly, the prepared membranes maintained a high rejection (>99%) for various dyes. Optimal membranes prepared by using Co2+ exhibited strong tolerance to various organic solvents with good long‐term stability. Positron annihilation spectroscopy and other characterization methods were used to investigate the relationships between the membrane microstructures and the enhanced separation performance. Based on molecular dynamics simulation, it was found that the diffusion coefficient of polyethyleneimine monomer decreased by about 18 times after adding Co2+ to the aqueous solution (forming coordination interaction). This procedure has great potential and sustainability for practical organic solvent nanofiltration applications.
Electro‐kinetically enhanced mass transport of charged macro‐solutes through a microchannel with porous walls
Authors: Bhattacharjee Saikat , Mondal Sourav , De Sirshendu
Published: August 2022

Electrokinetics of the solute transport across the porous walls of micro channel is important from its practical application but less explored. Transport of the charged macro‐solutes across perm‐selective walls in a microchannel is investigated. The extended Nernst–Planck equation describes the charged macro‐solutes distribution in the mass transfer boundary layer over the porous wall. The transverse electromigration of the charged macro‐solute either augments or suppresses the concentration polarization and the permeation rate depending on the wall and solute surface potential (attractive or repelling). The wall potential is screened due to the electrical double layer interaction of the wall and charged solute. It is observed that the charged solute concentration over the channel wall enhances by two times in case of oppositely charged interactions (unlike solute and channel wall) compared to like charges. The findings of this study can facilitate understanding of electrokinetic based drug delivery and separation systems involving charged solutes.
The significance of spleen size in children with sickle cell anemia
Authors: Nardo‐Marino Amina , Glenthøj Andreas , Brewin John N. , Petersen Jesper , Braunstein Thomas H. , Kurtzhals Jørgen A. L. , Williams Thomas N. , Rees David C.
Published: August 2022

It is well established that splenic dysfunction occurs in early childhood in sickle cell anemia (SCA), although the determinants and consequences of splenic injury are not fully understood. In this study, we examined spleen size and splenic function in 100 children with SCA aged 0–16 years at King's College Hospital in London. Spleen size was assessed by abdominal ultrasound (US) and splenic function by pitted red blood cells (PIT counts). In our cohort, 5.6% of children aged 6–10 years and 19.4% of children aged 11–16 years had no visible spleen on US (autosplenectomy). Splenomegaly was common in all age groups, with 28% of children overall having larger spleens than the average for their age. Only one child had a PIT count suggesting preserved splenic function. We found no correlation between hemoglobin F levels and spleen size, nor was there any difference in spleen size between children treated with or without hydroxyurea. Although there was a trend toward increased spleen length in children with co‐inherited α‐thalassemia, this did not reach statistical significance. Finally, we found a strong association between erythrocyte deformability measured with oxygen gradient ektacytometry, spleen size, and PIT counts. In conclusion, our results do not agree with the general perception that most children with SCA undergo autosplenectomy within the first decade of life and indicate that loss of erythrocyte deformability contributes to loss of splenic filtration capacity in SCA, as well as phenotypical variations in spleen size.
Efficacy of pp65‐specific TCR‐T cell therapy in treating cytomegalovirus infection after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Liu Guangna , Chen Hua , Cao Xingyu , Jia Lemei , Rui Wei , Zheng Hongli , Huang Daosheng , Liu Fang , Liu Yue , Zhao Xueqiang , Lu Peihua , Lin Xin
Published: August 2022

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a major cause of mortality after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Current treatments, including antiviral drugs and adoptive cell therapy with CMV‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), only show limited benefits in patients. T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐T cell therapy offers a promising option to treat CMV infections. Here, using tetramer‐based screening and single‐cell TCR cloning technologies, we identified various CMV antigen‐specific TCRs from healthy donors, and generated TCR‐T cells targeting multiple pp65 epitopes corresponding to three major HLA‐A alleles. The TCR‐T cells showed efficient cytotoxicity toward epitope‐expressing target cells in vitro. After transfer into immune‐deficient mice bearing pp65+HLA+ tumor cells, TCR‐T cells induced dramatic tumor regression and exhibited long‐term persistence. In a phase I clinical trial (NCT04153279), CMV TCR‐T cells were applied to treat patients with CMV reactivation after HSCT. Except one patient who withdrew at early treatment stage, all other six patients were well‐tolerated and achieved complete response (CR), no more than grade 2 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and other adverse events were observed. CMV TCR‐T cells persisted up to 3 months. Among them, two patients have survived for more than 1 year. This study demonstrates the great potential in the treatment and prevention of CMV infection following HSCT or other organ transplantation.
Safety and efficacy of jaktinib in the treatment of Janus kinase inhibitor‐naïve patients with myelofibrosis: Results of a phase II trial
Authors: Zhang Yi , Zhou Hu , Jiang Zhongxing , Wu Dengshu , Zhuang Junling , Li Wei , Jiang Qian , Wang Xiuli , Huang Jinwen , Zhu Huanling , Yang Linhua , Du Xin , Li Fei , Xia Ruixiang , Zhang Feng , Hu Jianda , Li Yan , Hu Yu , Liu Jing , Jin Chenghao , Sun Kai , Zhou Zeping , Wu Liqing , Yu Wenjuan , Jin Jie
Published: August 2022

Myelofibrosis (MF) is associated with several constitutional symptoms. Currently, there are few therapeutic options for MF. Jaktinib, a novel, small‐molecule inhibitor of JAK, is currently being studied for its potential to treat MF. This phase 2 trial investigated efficacy and safety of jaktinib in the treatment of MF patients. The primary end point was the proportion of patients with ≥35% reduction in spleen volume (SVR35, proportion of patients with ≥35% reduction in spleen volume) at week 24. The secondary end points included improvement of anemia, rates of symptom response, and safety profile. Between January 8, 2019 and August 29, 2020, 118 patients were recruited and treated with either jaktinib 100 mg BID or 200 mg QD. At week 24, 54.8% (34/62) of patients in the 100 mg BID group and 31.3% (15/48) in the 200 mg QD group achieved SVR35 (p = .0199). Jaktinib treatment increased hemoglobin level to ≥20 g/L in 35.6% (21/59) of patients with hemoglobin ≤100 g/L at baseline. The proportion of patients who achieved a ≥50% improvement in total symptom score at week 24 was 69.6% (39/56) in the BID group and 57.5% (23/40) in the QD group. The most common ≥ grade 3 hematological treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs; ≥ 10%) were anemia (100 mg BID: 24.2%, 200 mg QD: 28.8%), thrombocytopenia (16.7%, 11.5%), and neutropenia (3.0%, 11.5%). All non‐hematological TEAEs were mild. These results indicate that jaktinib can shrink the spleen, improve anemia, and other clinical symptoms with good tolerability.
Career satisfaction among acute care resident physicians in Japan
Authors: Shiga Takashi , Hifumi Toru , Hagiwara Yusuke , Otani Norio , Tanaka Hiroshi , Nakano Minoru , Kuroda Yasuhiro
Published: August 2022

Aim

With the introduction of the new national board certification system, sustainable education of acute care physicians has become an important topic. Prior surveys have addressed the job satisfaction of young acute care physicians. However, there have been limited nationwide surveys. The purpose of this study was to investigate the career satisfaction of senior acute care resident physicians, and to identify factors affecting their career satisfaction.

Methods

An anonymous multiple‐choice questionnaire was administered to candidates at the national board examination in 2018 regarding their career satisfaction. Data were analyzed with factor analysis and multivariable analysis with a logistic regression model to identify factors affecting career satisfaction.

Results

There were 427 respondents and the response rate was 98.2%. There were 332 male respondents (80.8%). Factors that correlated with career satisfaction were training systems, working conditions, personal learning, and stress‐related factors. High job satisfaction was found in 137 (36.6%) of the respondents. Logistic regression analysis showed that the factors significantly associated with high job satisfaction were: training systems (odds ratio [OR] 2.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43–3.33), working conditions (OR 1.78; 95% CI, 1.25–2.53), and personal learning (OR 1.55; 95% CI, 1.02–2.36). There was no significant correlation between high career satisfaction and intention to switch to another specialty.

Conclusion

High job satisfaction in senior acute care residents requires the development of a teaching environment, an optimized work environment, and encouragement of personal learning.
Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production on a sp2‐Carbon‐Linked Covalent Organic Framework
Authors: Ma Si , Deng Tianqi , Li Ziping , Zhang Zhenwei , Jia Ji , Li Qizhen , Wu Gang , Xia Hong , Yang Shuo‐Wang , Liu Xiaoming
Published: August 2022

Two‐dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D‐COFs) have emerged as attractive platforms for solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion. In this study, we have implemented a gradient heating strategy to synthesize a sp2‐carbon‐linked triazine‐based COF, COF‐JLU100, exhibiting high crystallinity, large surface area, good durability and carrier mobility for solar‐driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The Pt‐doped COF‐JLU100 demonstrated a high hydrogen evolution rate of over 100 000 μmol g−1 h−1 for water splitting under visible‐light illumination (λ>420 nm). Experimental and theoretical studies corroborate that the cyano‐vinylene segments in COF‐JLU100 extend the π‐delocalization and enable fast charge transfer and separation rates as well as good dispersion in water. Moreover, COF‐JLU100 can be prepared by low‐cost and easily available monomers and has excellent stability, which is desirable for practical solar‐driven hydrogen production.
Tandem Electrochemical Oxidative Azidation/Heterocyclization of Tryptophan‐Containing Peptides under Buffer Conditions
Authors: Weng Yiyi , Xu Xiaobin , Chen Hantao , Zhang Yiyang , Zhuo Xianfeng
Published: August 2022

As the aromatic tryptophan (Trp) side chain plays a pivotal role in influencing the structure and function of peptides and proteins, it has become an attractive target for the late‐stage modification of these important biomolecules. Herein, we report an electrochemical approach for late‐stage functionalization of peptides containing a Trp side chain through manganese‐catalyzed tandem radical azidation/heterocyclization. This electrochemical oxidative strategy provides access to azide‐substituted tetrazolo[1,5‐a]indole‐containing peptides with broad functional group tolerance, high site selectivity, and good yields of products (up to 87 %) under mild buffer conditions. Moreover, the modified Trp‐containing peptides bearing an azide functionality are promising building blocks, paving the way for the construction of various derivatives, such as “click” chemistry products.
Artificial intelligence and clinical anatomical education: Promises and perils
Authors: Lazarus Michelle D. , Truong Mandy , Douglas Peter , Selwyn Neil
Published: August 2022

Anatomy educators are often at the forefront of adopting innovative and advanced technologies for teaching, such as artificial intelligence (AI). While AI offers potential new opportunities for anatomical education, hard lessons learned from the deployment of AI tools in other domains (e.g., criminal justice, healthcare, and finance) suggest that these opportunities are likely to be tempered by disadvantages for at least some learners and within certain educational contexts. From the perspectives of an anatomy educator, public health researcher, medical ethicist, and an educational technology expert, this article examines five tensions between the promises and the perils of integrating AI into anatomy education. These tensions highlight the ways in which AI is currently ill‐suited for incorporating the uncertainties intrinsic to anatomy education in the areas of (1) human variations, (2) healthcare practice, (3) diversity and social justice, (4) student support, and (5) student learning. Practical recommendations for a considered approach to working alongside AI in the contemporary (and future) anatomy education learning environment are provided, including enhanced transparency about how AI is integrated, AI developer diversity, inclusion of uncertainty and anatomical variations within deployed AI, provisions made for educator awareness of AI benefits and limitations, building in curricular “AI‐free” time, and engaging AI to extend human capacities. These recommendations serve as a guiding framework for how the clinical anatomy discipline, and anatomy educators, can work alongside AI, and develop a more nuanced and considered approach to the role of AI in healthcare education.
Developing Rhodococcus opacus and Sphingobium sp. coculture systems for valorization of lignin‐derived dimers
Authors: Cai Chenggu , Xu Zhaoxian , Li Jie , Zhou Huarong , Jin Mingjie
Published: August 2022

Bioconversion is being regarded as a promising way for lignin valorization because it enables funneling diverse lignin components into single compounds, overcoming the heterogeneity of lignin. Although numerous lignin‐derived aromatic monomers have been funneled to target compounds in previous studies, the bioconversion of low‐molecular‐weight lignin (LMW‐lignin) fragments, for example, lignin‐derived dimers, has been rarely systematically studied, impeding further conversion of lignin. In this study, coculture systems were designed and developed to funnel multiple lignin‐derived dimers to cis, cis‐muconate and gallate by combining lignin‐derived dimers cleavage bacterium Sphingobium sp. and monomers conversion bacterium Rhodococcus opacus. With the developed coculture systems, β‐O‐4 type dimer guaiacylglycerol‐β‐guaiacyl ether, 4‐O‐5 type dimer 4,4′‐dihydroxydiphenyl ether, β‐5 type dimer balanophonin, β‐β type dimer pinoresinol, β‐1 type dimer 1,2‐bis(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphehyl)‐1,3‐propanediol and 5‐5 type dimer 5,5′‐dehydrodivanillate were converted to cis, cis‐muconate. Additionally, the developed coculture systems also showed potential in conversion of lignin‐derived dimers to gallate. The application of alkali lignin for cis, cis‐muconate production further demonstrated the effectiveness of the designed coculture systems. Overall, the developed coculture systems are beneficial to lignin biological valorization, and also provide references for the valorization of other bio‐resources.
Development of a kinetic model and figures of merit for formaldehyde carboligations catalyzed by formolase enzymes
Authors: Massad Nadim , Banta Scott
Published: August 2022

There is an increasing interest in the upgrading of inexpensive and abundant C1 feedstocks to higher carbon products. Linear carbon ligation routes are of particular interest due to their simplicity and potential for high carbon efficiencies. The formolase (FLS) enzyme was computationally designed to catalyze the formose reaction, where formaldehyde molecules are coupled to produce a mixture of C2 (glycolaldehyde) and C3 (dihydroxyacetone) molecules. Recent protein engineering efforts have resulted in the introduction of several FLS variants with altered catalytic properties. As is often the case with enzymes catalyzing reactions with complex and/or nonnatural trajectories, there are no mechanistic kinetic models that fully describe the activity of the FLS enzyme. FLS variants are typically evaluated by fitting rate data to empirical rate laws, with some variation of the kcat/KM ratio used to report and rank performances. The apparent parameters estimated in this manner are unlikely to capture the full catalytic performance of these enzymes. In this study, we derive a mechanistic rate law describing FLS activity as well as theory‐based figures of merit to rank FLS performance under relevant conditions. We proceed to fit the rate equation to initial rate data obtained from several FLS mutants, and use the figures of merit to compare the mutations. This study provides a theoretical framework for comparing FLS enzymes which will be essential as novel carbon ligation pathways are devised and implemented.
Should we be paying more attention to firearm threats in ex‐partner stalking cases?
Authors: Logan TK , Landhuis Jennifer
Published: August 2022

This study examined relationship abuse, firearm threats, and threat credibility factors as well as help‐seeking for (ex)partner‐stalking victims with partners who did (n = 153) and did not own guns (n = 263). Victims with (ex)partners who owned guns experienced increased coercive control and physical violence, a longer duration of stalking, and more threats during the relationship and during the course of stalking. Victims reported that (ex)partner gun owners had more extremist beliefs and other risk factors, and more of them believed their (ex)partner was extremely capable of harming them. Most, regardless of partner gun ownership, turned to informal sources of help, while about one‐quarter of victims whose partners did not own guns tried to obtain a protective order or talked to police, compared to about 40% of stalking victims with abusers who owned guns. Fear of harm from guns, coercive control during the relationship, and believing their partner was capable of harming harm them were all associated with an increased number of help‐seeking sources whereas being threatened with a firearm and abuser gun ownership were not.
Clinical implication and immunological landscape analyses of ANLN in pan‐cancer: A new target for cancer research
Authors: Zhang Lan , Wei Yong , He Yan , Wang Xiaping , Huang Zebo , Sun Libing , Chen Jie , Zhu Qingyi , Zhou Xin
Published: August 2022

Background

Anillin is a F‐actin binding protein (ANLN) mainly involved in the process of cytokinesis and known to be dysregulated in diverse cancers. However, the role of ANLN in pan‐cancer prognosis and tumor immunity remains unclear.

Methods

Gene expression profiles of 31 solid tumors were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. ANLN mRNA and protein expression were quantified using quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Protein expression of ANLN was further confirmed in Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database. Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier analysis were utilized to assess the prognostic value of ANLN in pan‐cancer. The correlation between ANLN and different immune gene markers and infiltration cells was analyzed via ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT. A BLCA immunotherapy cohort: IMvigor (210) was used to confirm the role of ANLN in immune response.

Results

ANLN upregulation was detected in 21 types of cancers and was associated with poor overall survival (OS), disease‐free interval (DFI), and progression‐free interval (PFI) in most cancers except in THYM (Thymoma). Additionally, correlation analysis revealed a significantly positive association between ANLN expression and tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), immune cells infiltration. and immune checkpoint genes in various cancers. The BLCA immunotherapy cohort confirmed that patients with higher ANLN level had better immune responses and longer OS.

Conclusion

ANLN may serve as a prognostic biomarker for pan‐cancer. ANLN upregulation is associated with higher TMB, MSI, and immune cell infiltration in multiple types of tumors, shedding new light for cancer treatment.
Psychological and overall well‐being of Italian young adults in transition to adulthood: Evidence from a sequential explanatory mixed‐methods study
Authors: Di Napoli Immacolata , Di Martino Salvatore , Agueli Barbara , Arcidiacono Caterina , Esposito Ciro
Published: August 2022

Transitioning to adulthood is a fundamental yet challenging phase in human development. Despite its relevance, the literature has paid little attention to the impact that transitioning to adulthood has on multiple aspects of individual well‐being. This is one of the few attempts that has employed a sequential explanatory mixed‐methods study to explore how the path to adulthood impacted on the psychological and overall well‐being of Italian young adults. In the quantitative phase, we employed two‐step cluster analysis to assign 45 young adults, who had completed the Italian I COPPE scale of multidimensional well‐being, to three clusters based on their level of change in psychological and overall well‐being. Results from mixed design ANCOVA revealed that participants belonging to the high change cluster showed the highest significant positive change over time with respect to well‐being. In the qualitative phase, 17 individuals took part in focalized narrative interviews, which aimed at exploring significant events, barriers, and facilitators, which had impacted on their well‐being during the transition to adulthood. The textual material was analysed through the Grounded Theory Methodology. It emerged that the state of transition was associated with some triggering events and a temporary negative impact on the interviewees' well‐being. However, findings also revealed that people assigned to different clusters had put in place or learned several resources, skills, and copying strategies, which led to different transitional and well‐being outcomes.
MYH9 is a novel cancer stem cell marker and prognostic indicator in esophageal cancer that promotes oncogenesis through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis
Authors: Kai Jin‐Dan , Cheng Liang‐Hao , Li Bin‐Feng , Kang Kai , Xiong Fei , Fu Jing‐Chun , Wang Sheng
Published: August 2022

MYH9 encodes the heavy chain of nonmuscle myosin IIA, a ubiquitously expressed cytoplasmic myosin that regulates the actin cytoskeleton, cell migration, cell polarization, and signal transduction in cancer cells. Here, we investigated the role of MYH9 in cancer stem cells (CSCs) associated with esophageal cancer (EC). The subcellular localization of MYH9 was investigated in SKGT‐4 cells through immunofluorescent analysis. MYH9+ and MYH9− spheroid cells were derived from SKGT‐4 cells by flow cytometry and compared for self‐renewal capacity, tumorigenicity, CD133 positivity, cisplatin resistance, and phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) activity. MYH9 messenger RNA expression was assessed in 30 EC patients by quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted to explore the influence of MYH9 on EC survival. MYH9 localized to the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus of SKGT‐4 cells. Spheroid cells displayed higher MYH9 expression and positivity compared to parental SKGT‐4 cells. MYH9+ cells showed strong CSC characteristics, including in vivo tumorigenicity, migration, invasion, cisplatin resistance, and CD133+ positivity. MYH9 activated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis in CSCs and was upregulated in EC patients with poor survival. Collectively, these data show that MYH9 significantly promotes tumorigenesis by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in EC. MYH9 expression remarkably correlates with poor prognosis and represents a novel biomarker and drug target for the diagnosis and treatment of EC.
Zone 0 thoracic endovascular aortic repair in high risk patients: A retrospective case series
Authors: Yen Yu‐Tong , Chen Yen‐Yang , Kao Patrick Hung‐Ju , Lin Chia‐Hsun
Published: August 2022

To report our experience applying endovascular stent graft repair to treat ascending aortic diseases in high‐risk patients and to evaluate the safety and feasibility of this approach. Patients with comorbid conditions or older age are not suitable for open procedures but may be considered suitable for ascending endovascular repair. Eleven high‐risk patients received zone 0 thoracic endovascular aortic repair from September 2014 to May 2020. All patients were followed up until death or December 2021. Primary outcomes were in‐hospital and long‐term all‐cause mortality as well as in‐hospital and long‐term aorta‐related mortality. The mean follow‐up duration of all patients was 35.78 months. The cohort comprised of three pathology subgroups: penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU) (n =6), acute dissection (AD) (n = 3), and chronic dissecting aneurysm (CDA) (n = 2). The in‐hospital all‐cause mortality rates were 0%, 33.33% and 0% for PAU, AD, and CDA groups, respectively. Long‐term all‐cause mortality were 33.33%, 33.33%, and 50% for PAU, AD, and CDA groups, respectively. There was only one in‐hospital death related to acute aortic dissection, and no long‐term aorta‐related deaths occurred during the study period. During the follow‐up time, the majority of patients had good remodeling of ascending aorta, slow progression in cases with endoleak, and no aorta‐related mortality. Ascending endovascular aortic repair appears to be a safe and feasible procedure for emergent aortic repair in carefully selected patients with prohibitive surgical risk who are not candidates for open procedures.
The effect of continuous cooking on the properties of spaghetti and its cooking water
Authors: Diamante Giulia , Deleu Lomme J. , Turrin Daniele , Anese Monica , Delcour Jan A.
Published: August 2022

Background and Objectives

In catering environments, subsequent batches of pasta are cooked in the same water to save water and energy. This results in formation of a foam layer made up by solids leached from the pasta. Here, the effect of cooking up to 13 subsequent batches on spaghetti cooking and foaming of the cooking water was investigated. Cooking at acidic pH was also studied for a single batch.

Findings

Water uptake by dry spaghetti decreases with batch number. The increasingly lower mobility in the network of swollen starch and polymerized protein network reduces the extent to which albumins and globulins are leached out. Evidently, the solid content in the cooking water increases with batch number while its pH drops. Separation of pasta fragments from the cooking water does not significantly affect (p > 0.05) the foam stability.

Significance and Novelty

This study provides additional insights in the composition and foaming properties during the continuous cooking process of pasta.
Distributed strain measurements in thin expansive concrete slabs with biaxial textile reinforcement
Authors: Zdanowicz Katarzyna , Beckmann Birgit , Marx Steffen
Published: August 2022

The objective of the paper is to analyze the shrinkage and expansion strain development in thin slabs made of expansive concrete and reinforced with carbon textile reinforcement. The symmetrical textile reinforcement grid provided a biaxial restraint for the concrete shrinkage and expansion. Strains of the slabs were measured with distributed fiber optic sensors (DFOS) in both directions so that a 2D visualization of their distribution can be presented and analyzed. Parallel, standard restrained expansion tests (RET) were conducted to assess the expansive concrete mixture and large‐scale beam specimens with uniaxial steel reinforcement were also equipped with DFOS and analyzed. This study aimed to compare the strains in uniaxially restrained elements with steel reinforcement and biaxially restrained textile reinforced concrete elements, in order to assess to what extent the results of the standard RET can be used for evaluation of textile reinforced concrete members.
C. Richard Conti and Chinese cardiology 1989–2022
Authors: Harold John Gordon
Published: August 2022

The death of C. Richard Conti, MD, MACC in February 2022 marked the passing of a global leader in cardiology who played a pivotal role in the history of the American College of Cardiology and the College's outreach to the People's Republic of China.
Comparison of efficacy and safety between VKAs and DOACs in patients with atrial fibrillation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yan Jie , Liu Ming , Zhang Yu , Yang Danning , An Fengshuang
Published: August 2022

In the past decade, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have proven to be the best option for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Nevertheless, evidence for the use of DOACs for anticoagulation in valvular atrial fibrillation, particularly after aortic valve replacement, remains inadequate. Thus, we conducted a meta‐analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and DOACs in patients with atrial fibrillation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We conducted a comprehensive search of online databases, and 11 studies were included in the final analysis. The primary endpoint was all‐cause mortality. Secondary endpoints included stroke and cardiovascular death. The safe endpoint is major and/or life‐threatening bleeding. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to the different follow‐up time of each study. Random‐effects models were used for all outcomes. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using χ2 tests and quantified using I2 statistics. Patients in the DOACs group had a significantly lower risk of all‐cause mortality compared with patients in the VKAs group (relative risk [RR]: 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.43, p = .04). This benefit may be greater with longer follow‐up. In a subgroup analysis based on the length of follow‐up, a significantly lower risk of all‐cause mortality was found in the DOACs group in the subgroup with a follow‐up time of >12 months (RR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.07–2.09, p = .001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in cardiovascular death, stroke, and major and/or life‐threatening bleeding. For patients with atrial fibrillation after TAVR, the use of DOACs may be superior to VKAs, and the benefit may be greater with longer follow‐up. The anticoagulant strategy for atrial fibrillation after TAVR is a valuable direction for future research.
Hybrid adaptive MAC scheme for the broadcast of vehicular safety beacons
Authors: Amira Benaidja
Published: August 2022

Vehicular safety applications are based on broadcasting periodic safety beacons on the IEE802.11p control channel. The CSMA MAC scheme adopted in the IEE802.11p cannot ensure the strict timeline and the high reliability when broadcasting these real time and critical messages since it does not consider the high mobility of vehicles, the limited network resources, and the variant traffic densities. Therefore, the design of an effective MAC scheme that takes in consideration these parameters represents a challenging task. Furthermore, the fixed beaconing rate results an overload on the commination channel and collisions especially in dense situations that delay beacons broadcast. In this paper, we propose a novel hybrid MAC scheme for fast and reliable broadcast of safety beacons. At first, it relies on a time slot reuse policy that considers the mobility features of vehicles while reducing transmission collisions. In addition, it adapts mathematically the beaconing rate to the traffic density based on vehicular velocity at the aim of optimizing the performance of the wireless channel. Simulation results show that our proposal outperforms significantly the IEEE802.11p CSMA MAC scheme and upgrades the performance of vehicular networks in broadcasting periodic safety beacons.
Disentangling the effects of biomass and productivity in plant competition
Authors: Michalet Richard , Delerue Florian , Liancourt Pierre
Published: August 2022

The relationship between competition and productivity in plant communities is unclear, and this is likely to be due to (1) a confusion in the literature between productivity and biomass, (2) the lack of studies assessing variation in competition in all combinations of biomass and productivity. We assessed the outcome of plant–plant interactions by removing the neighbors around five focal species in 14 herbaceous communities with contrasting biomasses and productivities: meadows with high biomass and productivity, heathlands with high biomass and low productivity, understory communities of deciduous forests with low biomass and high productivity and calcareous grasslands with low biomass and low productivity. Competition intensity was quantified with the relative interaction index (RII) calculated for both survival and growth of the transplanted targets assessed with the increase in leaf number. To examine which traits better explain variation in competition and what drives variation in diversity, we also quantified litter decomposition rate, species composition and diversity and six morphological traits related to plant size and growth rate for eight dominant species of each community. Our main questions were: (1) Is competition mostly related to biomass or productivity? (2) Which traits of the community dominants better explain variation in competition? (3) Is variation in competition and related traits correlated with variation in diversity? Competition for survival significantly increased with increasing community biomass (but not productivity). In addition, competition for survival increased with the size traits and competitive effects of the dominant species of the communities, whereas diversity decreased. Competition for growth also increased with increasing productivity, but only for high‐biomass communities. Additionally, the increase in competition for growth with increasing soil fertility, as measured with litter decomposition rate, was only due to an increase in target growth in plots without neighbors and was unrelated to community competitive effects and species diversity. The results of our study illustrate how the confusion between productivity and biomass could have contributed to the long‐standing debate on variation in competition along productivity gradients and its consequence for diversity.
An experimental test of the growth rate hypothesis as a predictive framework for microevolutionary adaptation
Authors: Lemmen Kimberley D. , Zhou Libin , Papakostas Spiros , Declerck Steven A. J.
Published: August 2022

The growth rate hypothesis (GRH) posits that the relative body phosphorus content of an organism is positively related to somatic growth rate, as protein synthesis, which is necessary for growth, requires P‐rich rRNA. This hypothesis has strong support at the interspecific level. Here, we explore the use of the GRH to predict microevolutionary responses in consumer body stoichiometry. For this, we subjected populations of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus to selection for fast population growth rate (PGR) in P‐rich (HPF) and P‐poor (LPF) food environments. With common garden transplant experiments, we demonstrate that in HP populations evolution toward increased PGR was concomitant with an increase in relative phosphorus content. In contrast, LP populations evolved higher PGR without an increase in relative phosphorus content. We conclude that the GRH has the potential to predict microevolutionary change, but that its application is contingent on the environmental context. Our results highlight the potential of cryptic evolution in determining the performance response of populations to elemental limitation of their food resources.
Efficiency characteristics for changes in amplitude and power factor of diode‐clamped linear amplifier unequally divided voltage power supply
Authors: Haruna Junnosuke , Matano Yusuke , Funato Hirohito
Published: August 2022

A diode‐clamped linear amplifier (DCLA) is proposed to realize low electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by switching operations. A new concept of the DCLA, namely the higher efficiency unequally divided voltage power supply DCLA (DCLA‐UeDV), is proposed. In previous studies, the optimal voltage ratio was derived, and a 1.7% points improvement in efficiency was realized for a rated unity power factor load. However, it has not been examined whether the conversion efficiency can be improved, except during the rated operation. In this study, operation of the DCLA is analyzed for changes in the amplitude of the output voltage and load power factor. Then, the advantageous operating region of the DCLA‐UeDV against DCLA‐eDV is clarified.
Numerical investigation of field‐effect control on hybrid electrokinetics for continuous and position‐tunable nanoparticle concentration in microfluidics
Authors: Tao Ye , Liu Weiyu , Song Chunlei , Ge Zhenyou , Li Zhaokai , Li Yanbo , Ren Yukun
Published: August 2022

We introduce herein an effective way for continuous delivery and position‐switchable trapping of nanoparticles via field‐effect control on hybrid electrokinetics (HEK). Flow field‐effect transistor exploiting HEK delicately combines horizontal linear electroosmosis and transversal nonlinear electroosmosis of a shiftable flow stagnation line (FSL) on gate terminals under DC‐biased AC forcing. The microfluidic nanoparticle concentrator proposed herein makes use of a simple device geometry, in which an individual or a series of planar metal strips serving as gate electrode (GE) are subjected to a hybrid gate voltage signal and arranged in parallel between a pair of 3D driving electrodes. On the application of a DC‐biased AC electric field across channel length direction, all the GE are electrochemically polarized, and the action of imposed hybrid electric field on the multiple‐frequency bipolar counterions within the composite‐induced double layer generates two counter‐rotating induced‐charge electroosmotic (ICEO) micro‐vortices on top of each GE. Symmetry breaking in ICEO flow profile occurs once the gate voltage deviates from natural floating potential of corresponding GE. The gate voltage offset not only results in an additional pump motion of working fluid for enhanced electroosmotic transport but also directly changes the location of FSL where nanoparticles are preferentially collected by field‐effect HEK. Our results of field‐effect control on HEK are supposed to guide an elaborate design of flexible electrokinetic frameworks embedding coplanar metal strips for a high degree of freedom analyte manipulation in modern micro‐total‐analytical systems.
Modelling interactions between waves and diffused interfaces
Authors: Schmidmayer Kevin , Cazé Joris , Petitpas Fabien , Daniel Éric , Favrie Nicolas
Published: August 2022

When simulating multiphase compressible flows using the diffuse‐interface methods, the test cases presented in the literature to validate the modellings with regard to interface problems are always textbook cases: interfaces are sharp and the simulations therefore easily converge to the exact solutions. In real problems, it is rather different because the waves encounter moving interfaces which consequently have already undergone the effects of numerical diffusion. Numerical solutions resulting from the interactions of waves with diffused interfaces have never been precisely investigated and for good reasons, the results obtained are extremely dependent on the model used. Precisely, well‐posed models present similar and important issues when such an interaction occurs, coming from the appearance of a wave‐trapping phenomenon. To circumvent those issues, we propose to use a thermodynamically‐consistent pressure‐disequilibrium model with finite, instead of infinite, pressure‐relaxation rate to overcome the difficulties inherent in the computation of these interactions. Because the original method to solve this model only enables infinite relaxation, we propose a new numerical method allowing infinite as well as finite relaxation rates. Solutions of the new modeling are examined and compared to literature, in particular we propose the study of a shock on a water–air interface, but also for problems of helium–air and water–air shock tubes, spherical and nonspherical bubble collapses.
A semi‐implicit finite volume scheme for a simplified hydrostatic model for fluid‐structure interaction
Authors: Brutto Cristian , Dumbser Michael
Published: August 2022

Simulating fluid‐structure interaction problems usually requires a considerable computational effort. In this article, a novel semi‐implicit finite volume scheme is developed for the coupled solution of free surface shallow water flow and the movement of one or more floating rigid structures. The model is well‐suited for geophysical flows, as it is based on the hydrostatic pressure assumption and the shallow water equations. The coupling is achieved via a nonlinear volume function in the mass conservation equation that depends on the coordinates of the floating structures. Furthermore, the nonlinear volume function allows for the simultaneous existence of wet, dry and pressurized cells in the computational domain. The resulting mildly nonlinear pressure system is solved using a nested Newton method. The accuracy of the volume computation is improved by using a subgrid, and time accuracy is increased via the application of the theta method. Additionally, mass is always conserved to machine precision. At each time step, the volume function is updated in each cell according to the position of the floating objects, whose dynamics is computed by solving a set of ordinary differential equations for their six degrees of freedom. The simulated moving objects may for example represent ships, and the forces considered here are simply gravity and the hydrostatic pressure on the hull. For a set of test cases, the model has been applied and compared with available exact solutions to verify the correctness and accuracy of the proposed algorithm. The model is able to treat fluid‐structure interaction in the context of hydrostatic geophysical free surface flows in an efficient and flexible way, and the employed nested Newton method rapidly converges to a solution. The proposed algorithm may be useful for hydraulic engineering, such as for the simulation of ships moving in inland waterways and coastal regions.
An edge‐based interface‐tracking method for multiphase flows
Authors: Chirco Leonardo , Zaleski Stéphane
Published: August 2022

We propose a novel class of edge‐based interface‐tracking (EBIT) methods in the field of multiphase flows for advecting the interface. The position of the interface is tracked by marker points located on the edges of the underlying grid, making the method flexible with respect to the choice of spatial discretization and suitable for parallel computation. In this article we present a simple EBIT method based on two‐dimensional Cartesian grids and on a linear interface representation.
Comparing healthcare quality: A common framework for both ordinal and cardinal data with an application to primary care variation in England
Authors: Allanson Paul , Cookson Richard
Published: August 2022

The paper proposes a framework for comparing the quality of healthcare providers and assessing the variation in quality between them, which is directly applicable to both ordinal and cardinal quality data on a comparable basis. The resultant measures are sensitive to the full distribution of quality scores for each provider, not just the mean or the proportion meeting some binary quality threshold, thereby making full use of the multicategory response data increasingly available from patient experience surveys. The measures can also be standardized for factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, health and deprivation using a distribution regression model. We illustrate by measuring the quality of primary care services in England in 2019 using three different sources of publicly available, general practice‐level information: multicategory response patient experience data, ordinal inspection ratings and cardinal clinical achievement scores. We find considerable variation at both local and regional levels using all three data sources. However, the correlation between the comparative quality indices calculated using the alternative data sources is weak, suggesting that they capture different aspects of general practice quality.
A randomised experimental study comparing perceptions of two energy drink health warning labels
Authors: Caruso Joanna , Miller Caroline , Turnbull Deborah , Ettridge Kerry
Published: August 2022

Issue addressed

Consumption of energy drinks is a public health concern, particularly in adolescents and young adults. This study explored energy drink consumers' reactions to an energy drink‐specific warning label (risk of cardiac effects) and a more general sugary drink warning label (risk of obesity).

Methods

An online experimental study randomly allocated Australian energy drink consumers aged 18‐39 years (N = 435) to view one of two label conditions (cardiac effects or obesity). Participants were assessed on: intention to reduce energy drink consumption, perceived health threat, perceived label effectiveness and policy support for energy drink warning labels.

Results

Mean intentions to reduce consumption scores were similar across the two label conditions (Mobesity = 2.5, Mcardiac = 2.6) overall; and were higher for the cardiac label (compared to obesity label) for some subgroups: females (Mobesity = 2.3, Mcardiac = 2.8; p = .037), older (25‐39 years; Mobesity = 2.4, Mcardiac = 2.8; p = .016); and higher education level (Mobesity = 1.9, Mcardiac = 2.7; p = .004). While perceived health threat measures were higher for obesity than cardiac effects, perceived label effectiveness measures of ‘believable’ and ‘relevant to me’ were higher for the cardiac label than the obesity label (believable: 71.0% vs 56.1%; relevant: 42.5% vs 29.4%). Participants who viewed the cardiac label were more likely to support policy than those shown the obesity label (OR = 1.6, 95%CI [1.1, 2.3], p = .02).

Conclusions

Health effect warnings labels were perceived by energy drink consumers to be impactful and are supported. Labels with energy drink‐specific health effects may offer additional benefit.

So what?

Policy makers can feel confident that warning labels on energy drinks will confer public health benefit.