bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GDF‐15 at admission predicts cardiovascular death, heart failure, and bleeding outcomes in patients with CAD
Authors: Wang Jiali , Zhang Tao , Xu Feng , Gao Wei , Chen Ming , Zhu Huadong , Xu Jun , Yin Xinxin , Pang Jiaojiao , Zhang Song , Wei Mengke , Chen Jiahao , Liu Ying , Yu Xuezhong , Chew Derek P. , Chen Yuguo
Published: August 2023

Aims

We aimed to investigate the independent associations between growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF‐15) level at admission and cardiovascular (CV) death, thrombotic events, heart failure (HF), and bleeding outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods and results

We measured the plasma concentrations of GDF‐15 centrally in patients from the BIomarker‐based Prognostic Assessment for patients with Stable angina and acute coronary Syndrome (BIPass) registry, which consecutively enrolled patients with CAD from November 2017 to September 2019 at five tertiary hospitals in China. The outcomes included CV death, thrombotic events [myocardial infarction (MI) and ischaemic stroke], HF events [acute HF during hospitalization and hospitalization for HF post‐discharge (A/H HF) and cardiogenic shock], and bleeding outcomes [non‐coronary artery bypass grafting‐related major bleeding and clinically significant bleeding (CSB)] during the 12 month follow‐up period after hospitalization. Among 6322 patients with CAD {65.4% male, median age 63.7 [inter‐quartile range (IQR)] 56.0–70.1 years}, the median concentration of plasma GDF‐15 at admission was 1091 (IQR 790.5–1635.0) ng/L. Higher concentrations of GDF‐15 were associated with an increased risk of CV death [hazard ratio (HR) 1.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35–2.88, P < 0.001], A/H HF (HR 2.69, 95% CI 1.92–3.77, P < 0.001), cardiogenic shock (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.04–2.05, P = 0.029), and CSB (HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.22–1.79, P < 0.001), but not for MI or stroke, after adjusting for clinical risk factors and prognostic biomarkers. Adding GDF‐15 to the model with risk factors and biomarkers improved the net reclassification for CV death, A/H HF, cardiogenic shock, and CSB.

Conclusions

In patients with CAD, admission levels of GDF‐15 were associated with an increased 1 year risk of CV death, HF, and bleeding outcomes, but not with thrombotic events. GDF‐15 may be a prognostic biomarker for CV death, HF, and bleeding outcomes and could be used to refine the risk assessment of these specific clinical outcomes.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04044066
A human immune system (HIS) mouse model that dissociates roles for mouse and human FcR+ cells during antibody‐mediated immune responses
Authors: Thaller Anna Louisa , Jönsson Friederike , Fiquet Oriane , Marie Solenne , Doisne Jean‐Marc , Girelli‐Zubani Giulia , Eri Toshiki , Fernandes Priyanka , Tatirovsky Evgeny , Langa‐Vives Francina , Bruhns Pierre , Strick‐Marchand Hélène , Di Santo James P.
Published: August 2023

Human immune system (HIS) mice provide a model to study human immune responses in vivo. Currently available HIS mouse models may harbor mouse Fc Receptor (FcR)‐expressing cells that exert potent effector functions following administration of human Ig. Previous studies showed that the ablation of the murine FcR gamma chain (FcR‐γ) results in loss of antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity and antibody‐dependent cellular phagocytosis in vivo. We created a new FcR‐γ‐deficient HIS mouse model to compare host (mouse) versus graft (human) effects underlying antibody‐mediated immune responses in vivo. FcR‐γ‐deficient HIS recipients lack expression and function of mouse activating FcRs and can be stably and robustly reconstituted with human immune cells. By screening blood B‐cell depletion by rituximab Ig variants, we found that human FcγRs‐mediated IgG1 effects, whereas mouse activating FcγRs were dominant in IgG4 effects. Complement played a role as an IgG1 variant (IgG1 K322A) lacking complement binding activity was largely ineffective. Finally, we provide evidence that FcγRIIIA on human NK cells could mediate complement‐independent B‐cell depletion by IgG1 K322A. We anticipate that our FcR‐γ‐deficient HIS model will help clarify mechanisms of action of exogenous administered human antibodies in vivo.
Visible‐Light‐Driven Three‐Component Reaction of Unactivated Alkenes Enables Access to Monofluoro γ‐Amino Acids
Authors: Ju Guodong , Huang Zhibin , Liu Jian , Xu Xu , Deng Zefeng , Zhao Yingsheng
Published: August 2023

A strategy for the synthesis of diverse protected α‐monofluoro‐γ‐amino acid derivatives has been developed. This reaction assembles a simple enamide, quinoxalin‐2(1H)‐one, and diethyl 2‐bromo‐2‐fluoromalonate through a three‐component reaction driven by visible light. The advantages of this protocol include the simplicity of its operation, mild conditions, high functional group tolerance, and applicability to a wide variety of substrates. The synthesis of this fluorine‐containing amino acid derivative has significant value for potential applications in medicinal chemistry and chemical biology.
First Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Salinosporamides D and I Using Memory of Chirality and Dynamic Kinetic Resolution
Authors: Park Soojun , Jeong Yeji , Lim Changhyun , Kim Sanghee
Published: August 2023

The first total synthesis of (−)‐salinosporamide D was achieved using d‐serine as the sole chiral source. This approach stands out for its application of the principles of memory of chirality and dynamic kinetic resolution in the intramolecular aldol reaction of serine‐derived oxazolidines. These strategies enabled the rapid construction of a pyrrolidinone core and installation of contiguous stereocenters. The key intermediate was readily obtained, culminating the asymmetric total synthesis of salinosporamide D. The total synthesis of salinosporamides A and I was also achieved using the same chemistry.
Prejudice among egalitarians: The case of values and weight bias
Authors: Souchon Nicolas , Hanel Paul H. P. , Coutte Alexandre , Maio Gregory R.
Published: August 2023

Many domains of research suggest that high favourability to social power and low favourability to egalitarian ideals predict more prejudice against other groups. In the present article, we describe theory and evidence suggesting that the relations between power, egalitarianism and prejudice may be reversed for one group: fat men. Using both implicit and explicit measures, we found across four studies (N = 602) that target gender moderated the relation between values and attitude toward fat people. For male targets, implicitly but not explicitly measured positivity toward power (over egalitarian) values predicted significantly more spontaneous positive attitudes toward fat (over slim) people. Further, implicit attitude toward power (over egalitarian) values predicted the time‐pressured decision to choose a fat male. Together, the implicit evaluation of values allows us to identify processes in inter‐group attitudes and behaviours that would not be possible to detect using explicit measures of values alone.
Joint loan risk prediction based on deep learning‐optimized stacking model
Authors: Wang Yansong , Wang Meng , Pan Yong , Chen Jian
Published: August 2023

In recent years, China's automobile industry has undergone rapid development, creating new opportunities for the auto loan industry. Currently, auto financing companies are actively seeking to expand their cooperation with banks. Therefore, improving the approval rate and scale of joint loan business is of significant practical importance. In this paper, we propose a Stacking‐based financial institution risk approval model and select the optimal stacking model by comparing its performance with other models. Additionally, we construct a bank approval model using deep learning techniques on a biased data set, with feature extraction performed using convolution neural networks (CNN) and feature‐based counterfactual augmentation used for balanced sampling. Finally, we optimize the model of the prediction of auto finance companies by selecting the optimal coefficients of loss function based on the features and results of the bank approval model. The proposed approach leads to an approximately 6% increase in the joint loan approval rate on the actual data set, as demonstrated by experimental results.
Alloplastic reconstruction of the mandible after subtotal mandibulectomy for medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw: An update of the method
Authors: Bräuer Christian , Ullmann Katrin , Lauer Günter , Franke Adrian , McLeod Niall M. H. , Leonhardt Henry
Published: August 2023

Background

Reconstruction of continuity defects following osteonecrosis in multimorbid patients is challenging. In all cases of the predescribed palliative treatment method for alloplastic mandible reconstruction, plate fractures were detected in follow‐up. We hypothesized that a modification could avoid these fractures, leading to stable long‐term results.

Methods

This retrospective study compares the original method with a modification using single, laser‐sintered CAD–CAM plates instead of manually bent miniplates. The predescribed shuttering technique was used to reconstruct the mandible in its original shape with bone cement.

Results

Uneventful wound healing was observed in 86% of the cases after modification of the method. No implant or plate fracture occurred.

Conclusions

The presented method should be considered as a treatment option for mandible reconstruction in elderly, multimorbid patients in palliative situations. The results of this study suggest that the modification of the method leads to significantly improved long‐term stability. Donor site morbidity is avoided with this method of palliative surgery.
Gastrostomy dependence following pharyngolaryngectomy: The effect of preoperative tube insertion
Authors: Milinis Kristijonas , Parikh Chinar , Williams Stephen , Davies Katharine , Fleming Jason C.
Published: August 2023

Background

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of preoperative gastrostomy in patients undergoing pharyngolaryngectomy (PL) on gastrostomy tube dependence at 6 months postoperatively.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients undergoing PL for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma between 2005 and 2019 was performed. Parameters were collected and analyzed within the multivariate models.

Results

Ninety‐three patients (82% male, mean age 63.4 [SD 9.4]) were included. Preoperative tube placement and pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) were associated with an increased likelihood of gastrostomy tube dependence at 6 months (odds ratio 6.43, CI 1.1–38.3, p = 0.041) after adjusting for multiple confounding factors. There was no difference in the incidence of delayed oral feeding, PCF, or hospital stay between the groups.

Conclusions

Preoperative tube and PCF are associated with an increased likelihood of tube dependence at 6 months. Patients for preoperative tube insertion should be carefully selected and early oral feeding reintroduction should be encouraged.
Estimation of the soil hydraulic properties and parameter characteristics of Benggang erosion in granite in southern China
Authors: Lin Zhe , Liao Dalan , Huang Wanxia , Cai Chongfa , Deng Yusong , Duan Xiaoqian
Published: August 2023

Benggang is an erosional landform that forms in granite hills due to coupled hydraulic and gravity erosion, and its unique development makes it difficult to obtain moisture characteristics through direct means. In this study, the soil moisture characteristics were investigated on the collapsing walls with different weathering degrees of two different Benggang types defined as scoop‐shaped Benggang and strip‐shaped Benggang in the typical Benggang erosion areas of southeastern Guangxi. The soil water characteristic curves (SWCCs) of the collapsing wall were measured by the centrifuge method to explore the moisture transport mechanism of Benggang development. The response of moisture characteristics to the Benggang morphology was not significant, but the soil layer changes in the collapsing wall had a significant impact. The Atterberg limits of the surface layer and laterite layer were significantly higher than those of the transition layer and sandy layer, with a liquid limit (LL) value exceeding 55%, indicating high LL clay. The Van Genuchten (VG), Gardner and Fredlund–Xing (FX) models were used to fit the SWCCs, and the results indicated that the VG model had a high fitting accuracy (R2 > 0.984), followed by the FX model (R2 > 0.943); however, the Gardner model had a low fitting accuracy (R2 > 0.891). With the change in matrix suction, the sandy layer had the maximum water release capacity, followed by the transition layer, and finally the surface layer and laterite layer. The variation in equivalent pore size distributions with soil layers showed that the micropores in the laterite layer of the two Benggangs accounted for 44.91% and 44.38% of the total porosity. The macropores of the sandy layer accounted for 35.40% and 36.84% of the total porosity. Both the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity K(θ) and water diffusivity D(θ) exhibited two abrupt changes with increasing soil volumetric water content, and K(θ) and D(θ) of the lower layers were larger than those of the upper layers. The heterogeneity of soil texture and pore conditions among different collapsing wall soil layers can significantly affect the Benggang water conditions. This study provides a database for further investigation of the Benggang development mechanism.
The Federal Reserve's output gap: The unreliability of real‐time reliability tests
Authors: Quast Josefine , Wolters Maik H.
Published: August 2023

Output gap revisions can be large even after many years. Real‐time reliability tests might therefore be sensitive to the choice of the final output gap vintage that the real‐time estimates are compared to. This is the case for the Federal Reserve's output gap. When accounting for revisions in response to the global financial crisis in the final output gap, the improvement in real‐time reliability since the mid‐1990s is much smaller than found by Edge and Rudd (Review of Economics and Statistics, 2016, 98(4), 785–791). The negative bias of real‐time estimates from the 1980s has disappeared, but the size of revisions continues to be as large as the output gap itself. We systematically analyse how the real‐time reliability assessment is affected through varying the final output gap vintage. We find that the largest changes are caused by output gap revisions after recessions. Economists revise their models in response to such events, leading to economically important revisions for not only the most recent years but also reaching back up to two decades. This might improve the understanding of past business cycle dynamics but decreases the reliability of real‐time output gaps ex post.
A case of mild encephalitis associated with COVID‐19
Authors: Nagae Kentaro , Haraguchi Mizuki , Sakoh Takashi , Ishida Keiko , Ogura Sho , Katoh‐Morishima Masayo , Araoka Hideki
Published: August 2023

We report a case of mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) in a 31‐year‐old man. He had been diagnosed with mild COVID‐19 3 days earlier and presented to the emergency department with altered mental status. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a high‐intensity area confined to the splenium of the corpus callosum on diffusion‐weighted imaging, which is consistent with MERS. MERS is characterized by a reversible change in the splenium of the corpus callosum. MERS secondary to COVID‐19 has been reported recently. It is important to consider MERS in COVID‐19 patients with impaired consciousness.
Promoting decanoic acid unveils the transfigure aldehyde carbonyl activation for synthesizing bis(indolyl)methane derivatives
Authors: Merneedi Ravikumar , Singh Mamata , Sinha Pradipta , Anugula Rajender
Published: August 2023

The study presents a streamlined procedure for synthesizing bis(indolyl)methane derivatives using decanoic acid as a promoting medium. The reactions involve the addition of 2‐methyl‐1H‐indole with different aromatic aldehydes at room temperature for 24 h. Decanoic acid is effective for enhancing the reactivity of aromatic aldehydes through electrophilic activation. The new synthetic method yields pure compounds without requiring workup and purification. This method avoids metal‐containing catalysts and provides a simple, cost‐effective procedure with excellent yield. It is suitable for large‐scale synthesis and eliminates the use of corrosive acids.
Viscous Aqueous Gel Illustrating Natural Anatomy: The VAGINA method in gynaecological MRI simulation
Authors: Skehan Kate , Richardson Matthew , O'Connor Laura M , Dickson Samuel , Martin Kate , Govindarajulu Geetha , Sridharan Swetha
Published: August 2023

Accurately defining gross tumour volume (GTV) and organs at risk (OAR) is key to successful radiation therapy (RT) treatment outcomes for patients with gynaecological cancers. With improved access to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for RT simulation and planning, the optimisation and tailoring of proven diagnostic MRI techniques towards RT specific planning goals is fast evolving. Modifying MRI techniques for radiation oncology (RO) with the priority of anatomy visualisation and spatial location over diagnosis and disease characterisation relies heavily on successful collaboration between radiology and radiation oncology staff. This ‘How I Do It’ paper describes a qualitative analysis of the adaptation of a diagnostic MRI vaginal opacification technique into an RT specific MRI simulation procedure using aqueous ultrasound gel for improving natural anatomical visualisation of the vaginal canal. This technique is explained and could be introduced in other RO departments for dedicated RT planning scans in MR‐Sim sessions with minimal difficulty. We found 10‐15 cc of aqueous gel delivered vaginally produced optimal MRI planning images for most patients. With this small amount of gel and careful application technique, the full extent of the vaginal vault and cervix can be well visualised on T2 Weighted (T2W) imaging, while tending not to unfold the natural fornices of the collapsed vagina, representing a significant improvement in image quality from the outdated tampon procedure.
Travelling overseas for proton beam therapy: A retrospective interview study
Authors: Skelton Kelly , Gorayski Peter , Tee Hui , Anderson Nigel , Le Hien
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Travelling for cancer treatment comes with unique challenges, particularly for a young patient and his or her family. The aims of this study were to (1) gain an understanding of the experiences of families and patients who travelled overseas (OS) from Australia for proton beam therapy (PBT) and (2) identify the supportive care needs patients and their families require when living away from home, while having PBT.

Methods

This was a retrospective, qualitative study using semi‐structured interviews, conducted with participants aged under 25 years and their families who travelled OS for PBT between 2017 and 2020. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel Software, where key themes were identified and coded based on their responses. A total of 17 participants were included in interviews from seven Australian families who travelled to America or Europe for PBT.

Results

The majority of participants reported a lack of coordination with travel and treatment arrangements prior to arrival OS. Families who stayed in hotel accommodation while OS reported greater feelings of isolation compared with those who stayed in share house‐style accommodation. The acuity of cancer diagnosis played a significant part in patient experience, with those patients requiring the greatest amount of supportive care and availability of service provision at stand‐alone centres reporting a lack of appropriate care provision.

Conclusions

This study has identified services, accommodation provisions and care coordination requirements that are largely missing from the travel and treatment experience in patients travelling OS for PBT. Future use of consumer‐led working groups or committees in creating models of care for families travelling for PBT treatment could be advantageous, with many families willing to share their experiences and provide support to others who are travelling for PBT.
Comparative metabolomic analysis and antigenicity comparison of cow milk and enzymatically treated cow milk
Authors: Liang Xiaona , Diao Enjie , Qian Shiquan , Song Huwei , Xiang Xinran , Gou Xiurong , Hu Xiumin
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Amino acids (AAs) are important protein building blocks that play a critical role in the function of the immune system. However, comprehensive comparative metabolomics and antigenicity analyses of cow milk (CM) and enzymatically treated CM are relatively scarce. This study analyzed the AAs in the CM and Flavourzyme‐treated milk groups (FT), and their antigenicity was also explored.

RESULTS

Overall, 50 AAs were detected in the CM and FT groups, with 23 significantly different AAs. The interaction network of these significantly different AAs was analyzed, and 34 significantly different metabolic pathways were found to be involved. It was also found that the antigenicity of the FT group was significantly reduced in comparison with that of the CM group.

CONCLUSION

These results enhance our understanding of AAs and antigenicity regarding CM and FT, and provide new ideas and directions for the development of high‐quality hypoallergenic dairy products. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Delayed time to radiation and overall survival in Merkel cell carcinoma
Authors: Ma Kevin L. , Sharon Cimarron E. , Tortorello Gabriella N. , Keele Luke , Lukens John N. , Karakousis Giorgos C. , Miura John T.
Published: August 2023

Background

Clinically localized Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is commonly treated with surgical excision and radiotherapy. The relationship between time to adjuvant radiotherapy and overall survival (OS) remains understudied.

Methods

This retrospective study used data from the National Cancer Database (2006–2019). Patients with clinically localized MCC who received surgical excision and adjuvant radiotherapy were included. Multivariate regressions were used to account for various patient and tumor factors. The primary outcome was 5‐year OS, and the secondary outcome was time from diagnosis to adjuvant radiation (TTR).

Results

Of the 1965 patients included, most were male (n = 1242, 63.2%) and white (n = 1915, 97.5%), and the median age was 74 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 66–81). The median TTR was 83 days (IQR: 65–106). A total of 83.6% of patients received radiotherapy to the primary site, 21.3% to the draining nodal basin, 17.1% to both, and 12.2% whose target location of radiotherapy was not recorded in the data. TTR of ≥79 days (the 45th percentile) was associated with worse OS on both univariate and multivariate analyses (log‐rank p = 0.0014; hazard ratio [HR]: 1.258, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.055–1.500, p = 0.010). This persisted on sub‐analyses of patients <80 years old (n = 1407; HR: 1.380, 95% CI: 1.080–1.764, p = 0.010) and of patients with Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) of 0 (n = 1411; HR: 1.284, 95% CI: 1.034–1.595, p = 0.024). Factors associated with delayed TTR included greater age (p = 0.039), male sex (p = 0.04), CCI > 1 (p = 0.036), academic facility (p < 0.001), rural county (p = 0.034), AJCC T2 stage (p = 0.010), negative margins (p = 0.017), 2+ pathologically positive regional nodes (p = 0.011), and margin size >2 cm (p = 0.015).

Conclusions

Delayed radiotherapy (≥79 days) was associated with worse OS of MCC patients. Further study in controlled cohorts is needed to ascertain this relationship.
Stasis dermatitis: A challenging patient journey
Authors: Lebwohl Mark , Kirsner Robert S. , Margolis David J. , Barankin Benjamin , Hashimoto Takashi , Canosa Juliana M. , Cha Amy
Published: August 2023

Stasis dermatitis (SD) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that typically presents with nonspecific signs and symptoms such as pruritic and xerotic skin, aching legs, and areas of dyspigmentation (red or brown in lighter skin tones and brown, purple, gray, or ashen in darker skin tones). These signs and symptoms are often misdiagnosed as other conditions, such as cellulitis. Moreover, within healthcare systems, SD is often overlooked due to a lack of understanding of the magnitude and impact of the condition, as well as incomplete recognition of the various presenting clinical manifestations. Inadequate or inappropriate management may lead to disease progression, including worsening edema, pain, and itch as well as complications such as venous leg ulcers. When patients do seek medical attention (often upon worsening of the condition), a diagnosis of SD is often challenging because of physician lack of expertise and the plethora of disorders that may manifest similarly to SD. Furthermore, upon diagnosis, evidence‐based treatment options are limited, and adherence to SD treatment regimens is often low. SD significantly impacts patient and caregiver quality of life (QoL), with far‐reaching psychosocial and socioeconomic effects. In this review, we describe the patient journey associated with SD and the challenges associated with diagnosis, the burden of disease and impact on patient QoL, and the unmet needs that remain with current therapeutic options.
Spatio‐temporal trend and mitigation of human–elephant conflict in Xishuangbanna, China
Authors: Li Wenwen , Liu Peng , Yang Nian , Pan Han , Chen Shang , Zhang Li
Published: August 2023

With strict enforcement of the legal protection for Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in China, the elephant population has steadily increased from 146 elephants in 1976 to over 300 elephants in 2023. More elephants occur in highly fragmented and human‐dominated landscapes, resulting in serious human–elephant conflicts (HEC). We investigated the temporal and spatial aspects of HEC in Xishuangbanna Prefecture, China, from 2011‒2015 and 2016‒2020. We analyzed the characteristics of crop raiding, property damage, and human injury and death by elephants. Then, we employed a multi‐model ensemble forecasting framework to perform a risk assessment, and compared the changes in HEC hotspots to explore the factors influencing conflict. Our data revealed that 91,311 HEC compensations were recorded from 2011‒2020 with a total compensation amount of 127.01 million yuan (17.40 million USD), 89.75% of which was crop compensation. Areas of risk in 2011‒2015 and 2016‒2020 were 2,505 km2 and 3,157 km2, respectively, with an increase in area of 26.01%. The HEC risk areas were mainly distributed in nature reserves and surrounding areas, and >65% of the risk areas were located in land‐use types dominated by artificial planting. Distance to farmland, distance to sparse wood, and slope had the greatest relative importance in the risk model evaluation. The mitigation measures that we recommend include strengthening the monitoring system for Asian elephants in areas with current and potential HEC risks; improving compensation mechanisms, such as determining accurate annual premiums, establishing a shared loss compensation mechanism, and ensuring a fair, transparent, and timely compensation process; and proposing habitat conservation measures, such as restoring suitable habitats for Asian elephants, establishing ecological corridors between nature reserves, and creating a nature reserve system based on the Asian Elephant National Park to enhance the habitat of Asian elephants.
Divergent responses of foliar functional traits of understory shrubs to different reforested plantations in southern China
Authors: Mo Qifeng , Liu Yue , Yu Yaohong , Peng Zhongtong , He Zhihang , Tao Yuzhu , Zhou Qing
Published: August 2023

Leaf functional traits strongly influence plant growth, reproduction, and survival, which are also associated with ecosystem functions. Understory plants are important components of plantation biodiversity. How plantation type affects the performance of different understory shrubs is still poorly understood. In the present study, to address suitable shrub species for the understory management of mature plantations, three common understory species, including Psychotria rubra, Ilex asprella, and Evodia lepta, were selected to investigate the responses of leaf traits to four plantation types (Acacia auriculiformis, Eucalyptus urophylla, Schima superba, and Pinus massoniana). The results showed that the leaf functional traits of understory shrubs were species‐specific among different plantations. The plantation types significantly influenced the specific leaf area (SLA), leaf N:P ratios, chlorophyll, and starch concentrations of these studied shrubs, which may have contributed to the microclimate rather than the soil nitrogen availability originating from different plantations in P‐limited ecosystems. For individual shrubs, I. asprella had higher SLA and chlorophyll contents, indicating that it adapted to shade environment to increase light capture and maintain high light use efficiency. This can help to increase carbon assimilation to cope with the shaded environment. However, the higher starch and nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) in the leaves of I. asprella also suggested that it had greater carbon assimilation and storage. Additionally, the similar performance of the three shrubs was also found in four mature plantations, suggesting that the nature of the understory plants also, to some extent, determined their growth and survival rate in the shade environment. Therefore, I. asprella can adapt well to the shaded environment of restored mature plantations. Thus, we recommend that I. asprella is a suitable and alternative species for understory regeneration in the reforested mature plantations of southern China.
0D Hybrid Cuprous Halide as an Efficient Light Emitter and X‐Ray Scintillator
Authors: Lin Na , Wang Ri‐Cheng , Zhang Shao‐Ya , Lin Zi‐Han , Chen Xing‐Yu , Li Zi‐Ning , Lei Xiao‐Wu , Wang Yu‐Yin , Yue Cheng‐Yang
Published: August 2023

Despite the extraordinary X‐ray scintillation performance of three‐dimensional (3D) lead perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs), the serious biotoxicity of Pb2+ and luminescent instability in water remain insurmountable obstacles for their applications in medical imaging. To address these drawbacks, herein, the study demonstrates one new lead‐free zero‐dimensional (0D) hybrid cuprous halide of single‐crystalline [BzTPP]2Cu2I4 (BzTPP = Benzyltriphenylphosphonium) as a satisfactory X‐ray scintillator. [BzTPP]2Cu2I4 displays broadband yellowish‐green light emission with a high photoluminescent quantum yield (PLQY) of 44.2% and large Stokes shift of 167 nm upon UV light excitation. High PLQY and negligible self‐absorption enable [BzTPP]2Cu2I4 to display impressive scintillation performance excited by X‐ray with a light yield of 27 706 photons MeV‐1 and low detection limit of 0.352 µGy s−1, surpassing typical 3D PNCs. More importantly, [BzTPP]2Cu2I4 represents extraordinary structural and luminescent stability in water for at least one month. The excellent and stable radioluminescence performance as well as solution growth method ensure a [BzTPP]2Cu2I4‐based screen for fine‐resolution X‐ray imaging with potential in radiography and inspection. This work highlights the multiple merits of low‐toxicity and cost, high light yield, and long‐term water‐stability of 0D hybrid cuprous halides as highly desirable X‐ray scintillators.
Does capacity utilization crowd‐out research activity? Cross‐national evidence from firm‐level data
Authors: Faria Joao R. , Goel Rajeev K. , Nelson Michael A.
Published: August 2023

Focusing on a relatively under‐researched aspect, this paper examines the impact of capacity utilization by firms on their propensities to engage in research and development (R&D). Capacity utilization is related to a firm's current operations, while R&D is forward‐looking, related to the generation of new products and processes. Using a simple theoretical model to set up the hypothesis that greater capacity utilization lowers the incentives of firms to engage in research, our empirical research, based on survey data from thousands of firms across scores of nations, supports this hypothesis. Other results point to the importance of firm characteristics, as well as the perceptions about corruption and the informal sector. Some implications for policy are discussed.
Complementary analysis of specific absorption rate safety for an 8Tx/16Rx array with central symmetry of elements for magnetic resonance imaging of the human heart and abdominopelvic organs at 7 T
Authors: Terekhov Maxim , Elabyad Ibrahim A. , Lohr David , Reiter Theresa , Kögler Carsten , Lanz Titus , Schreiber Laura M.
Published: August 2023

A complementary safety assessment of the specific absorption rate (SAR) of the electromagnetic energy was performed in a prototype 8Tx/16Rx RF array for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 7 T. The study aimed to address two critical aspects of 7‐T SAR safety not always explicitly examined by coil vendors: (i) the influence of an RF‐array position on a peak SAR value, and (ii) the risk of exceeding the permitted maximal SAR in the tissue surrounding conductive passive implants. The full‐wave 3D electromagnetic simulations for the thorax with shifted array position and the whole‐body volume in the presence of a dental retainer, an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD), and a hip joint implant, were performed for two human voxel models. The effect of the array displacement on the SAR was simulated for seven array locations on the thorax shifted from the central position in different directions on 50 mm. The peak SAR values for both models were analyzed for the three phase‐only transmit vectors optimized for B1+ homogeneity and transmit efficiency. Peak SAR values due to the shifts of the array position increase up to ≈50%. The worst‐case peak SAR value for a dental retainer was found to be in the range of 10% of the maximal SAR in the tissue within the array's borders. For the IUD and artificial hip joint implants the effect was found to be negligible (peak SAR < 1% of the SAR within array borders). In addition to simulations for cardiac MRI, we performed a preliminary B1+ shimming and SAR‐safety analysis for the same RF‐array at various positions lower on the body trunk to assess a potential application in imaging abdominopelvic organs (prostate, kidney, and liver). The most promising target for an ad hoc alternative application of the array was found to be the prostate.
Japanese Society of Anxiety and Related Disorders/Japanese Society of Neuropsychopharmacology: Clinical practice guideline for social anxiety disorder (2021)
Authors: Asakura Satoshi , Yoshinaga Naoki , Yamada Hisashi , Fujii Yutaka , Mitsui Nobuyuki , Kanai Yoshihiro , Inoue Takeshi , Shimizu Eiji
Published: August 2023

The development of clinical practice guidelines for social anxiety disorder began in March 2018 when the Joint Clinical Practice Guideline Development Committee for Anxiety and Obsessive–Compulsive Disorders was formed by the Japanese Society of Anxiety and Related Disorders and Japanese Society of Neuropsychopharmacology to jointly develop guidelines for anxiety and obsessive–compulsive disorders. Based on the universal concept of evidence‐based medicine, three clinical questions (CQs) about pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy were developed for clinical guidelines for social anxiety disorder, panic disorders, and obsessive–compulsive disorder in accordance with the Minds Manual for Guidelines Development 2017 by the Japan Council for Quality Health Care: CQ1—“What is the recommended pharmacotherapy for social anxiety disorder in adults?”; CQ2—“What is the recommended psychotherapy (psychological intervention) for social anxiety disorder in adults?”; and CQ3—“What are the recommendations regarding monotherapy and combination therapy for social anxiety disorder in adults in terms of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy (psychological interventions)?” Summarized recommendations for social anxiety disorder in adults are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor for CQ1, cognitive behavioral therapy for CQ2, and there are no recommendations regarding monotherapy and combination therapy for CQ3. These were answered by considering the balance between benefits and harms based on systematic reviews of each. The aim of this brief guideline for the standard‐of‐care (i.e., medical treatment) for social anxiety disorder in adults (18 years and older) was to help “shared decision making,” in which medical professionals, including physicians, and patients share scientific evidence to decide on a course of treatment.
Potential Toxicity of Boric Acid Powder Otic Insufflation
Authors: Smith Samuel H. , Antonelli Patrick J.
Published: August 2023

Objective

Boric acid (BA) powder is commonly used to treat otologic conditions, such as mastoid bowl inflammation and chronic otitis externa. Exposure to 50 mg per day is thought to cause systemic toxicity in humans. Inflamed skin and mucosal surfaces readily absorb BA. The aim of this study was to measure the doses of BA commonly used in clinical otology and alert the otolaryngology community to BA's underappreciated potential source of systemic toxicity.

Study Design

Prospective, controlled.

Setting

Laboratory.

Methods

BA dose administration was measured by weighing the BA generated by common insufflators: accordion bellows, House‐Sheehy insufflator, DeVilbiss insufflator, and pneumatic powder blower. Manual insufflation was performed with 3 compressions of the bulb. The pneumatic blower was sprayed for 1 second. Measurements were repeated 10 times.

Results

The DeVilbiss insufflator delivered the lowest mean BA dose, 6.1 mg (SD 3.4, range 2.1‐13.7), followed by the House‐Sheehy 8.9 mg (SD 8.4, range 1.6‐27.8), the pneumatic blower 192.8 mg (SD 38.3, range 150.0‐261.7), and the accordion, 284.1 mg (SD 215.0, range 37.8‐730.8).

Conclusion

BA dose delivery is highly variable by insufflator type, and doses thought to cause systemic toxicity are commonly generated. Awareness of and further investigation into the potential toxicity of otic administration of BA seems warranted.
Transcervical Epiglottopexy: A versatile technique for managing epiglottic prolapse
Authors: Kanotra Sohit Paul , Rand Dayton , Mulanax Catalina
Published: August 2023

Objective

Epiglottic prolapse (EP) presents a unique management challenge. The objective of the present case series is to present clinical outcomes using a novel technique of transcervical epiglottopexy (TCE) in etiologically diverse cases of EP and to discuss the evolution of the surgical technique with technical modifications to optimize the surgical procedure.

Study Design

A retrospective case series review.

Setting

Tertiary care academic setting.

Methods

Pediatric cases with EP over a 3‐year period. Demographic data including age, sex, presenting symptoms, operative details, and polysomnographic indices were collected.

Results

A total of 18 patients with a mean age of 48.88 ± 37.3 months underwent TCE. Sixty‐seven percent of patients had high‐grade EP (grades 3 and 4). A previous endolaryngeal epiglottopexy had been performed in 5 (28%) patients. Fourteen (78%) patients had a concurrent airway procedure performed including 4 undergoing single‐stage laryngotracheal reconstruction. The mean suspension time only for the TCE part ranged from 8 to 17 minutes with a mean of 11.23 ± 3.4 minutes. A stable EP defined as a healed glossoepiglottic adhesion was achieved in all but 1 case with an overall success rate of 95%. All cases with previous failed endoscopic epiglottopexy had a stable epiglottopexy. No immediate complications were noticed. Among the late complications, the most common was the formation of granulation tissue at the site of silastic disc placement which was seen in 3 patients.

Conclusion

TCE using an exo‐endolaryngeal technique can achieve stable epiglottopexy in children with EP and can be adapted for any kind of EP.
Characterisation of damage by means of electrical measurements: Numerical predictions
Authors: Güzel Dilek , Kaiser Tobias , Lücker Lukas , Baak Nikolas , Walther Frank , Menzel Andreas
Published: August 2023

Understanding damage mechanisms and quantifying damage is important in order to optimise structures and to increase their reliability. To achieve this goal, experimental‐ and simulation‐based techniques are to be combined. Different methods exist for the analysis of damage phenomena such as fracture mechanics, phase field models, cohesive zone formulations and continuum damage modelling. Assuming a typical ‐type damage formulation, the governing equations of continua that account for gradient‐enhanced ductile damage under mechanical and electrical loads are derived. The mechanical and electrical sub‐problems give rise to the local form of the balance equation of linear momentum, the micromorphic balance relation and the continuity equation for the electric charge, respectively. Experimental investigations indicate that changes in electrical conductivity arise due to the evolution of the underlying microstructure, for example, of cracks and dislocations. Therefore, motivated by deformation‐induced property changes, the effective electrical conductivity is assumed to be a function of the damage variable. This eventually allows the prediction of experimentally recorded changes in the electrical resistance due to mechanically‐induced damage processes. Interpreting the resistivity as a fingerprint of the material microstructure, the simulation approach proposed in the present work contributes to the development of non‐destructive electrical‐resistance‐based characterisation methods. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed framework, different representative simulations are studied.
Homogenization of plane ring mesh under static loading
Authors: Dries Fabian W. , Wallmersperger Thomas , Kessler Jörg
Published: August 2023

Plane ring meshes can be produced in large dimensions for various applications, for example, in architecture or protective systems. The numerical simulation of all individual rings of ring meshes is very costly, which is why methods to abstract the structure have been sought in the past. In this paper, a method for determining the strain parameters of a representative ring mesh section under in‐plane tensile loads is presented. Methods of rigid body analysis and representative volume elements with periodic boundary conditions are used. Green Lagrangian strain tensors are determined for both an exemplary representative ring mesh section under different tensile load cases and an experimental ring mesh under one load case. The comparison of the Green Lagrangian strain tensors of the ring meshes between numerical simulations and experiments shows a very good agreement.
Mass transport in an excavation using a ternary Theory of Porous Media model
Authors: Sunten Julia , Schwarz Alexander , Bluhm Joachim , Schröder Jörg
Published: August 2023

This paper tries to simulate a hydraulic failure by using a ternary, saturated, quasi‐static Theory of Porous Media (TPM) model. The concept of a hydraulic failure is shortly explained and the derivation of the TPM setup including the limitation of the volume fractions is depicted. A schematic excavation with a sheet piling is used to test the created model and prove the general feasibility of the idea.
Determination of the effective conductivities of solid oxide fuel cell electrodes using the first‐order homogenization method
Authors: Langner Eric , Makradi Ahmed , Hachemi Mohamed El , Belouettar Salim , Wallmersperger Thomas
Published: August 2023

Approximately 80% of the world's primary energy supply consists of fossil fuels. In order to reduce the CO2 consumption in the world, fuel cells will be indispensable for the environmentally friendly generation of electrical energy. Many experimental and numerical studies show that the composition and the microstructure morphology of porous electrodes have a great influence on the durability and conversion efficiency of fuel cells. In order to establish a relationship between the specific microstructure of the electrodes and the performance of the overall fuel cell, the macroscopic physical quantities need to be determined. In this work, the first‐order computational homogenization method capable of capturing anisotropic effects is applied in order to estimate different types of homogenized conductivities. The effective conductivities can be used to conduct numerical simulations on the fuel cell level in order to obtain correlations between the microstructure characteristics (e.g., volume fraction of pores, morphology) and the performance.
The evaluation of waste engine oil/old newspaper in recycled low density polyethylene composites
Authors: Boran Torun Sevda , Peşman Emrah , Dönmez Çavdar Ayfer
Published: August 2023

The study investigates changes in the mechanical, thermal, morphological and physical properties of recycled low density polyethylene (LDPE) composites made with percentages (10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30 wt.%) of old newspaper fiber (ONF) and waste engine oil (WEO) (1 wt.%). The composites were manufactured by a single screw extruder. Adding WEO up to 20 wt% of ONF had a positive effect on the flexural properties, while the incorporation of WEO up to 10 wt % of ONF showed an affirmative effect on the tensile properties of the composites. The highest flexural strength was achieved in A3 (13.19 MPa) and B3 (12.3 MPa) samples for ONF added composites and ONF/WEO composites, respectively. Adding to the WEO decreased the water absorption values of the recycled low density polyethylene composites. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the addition of 1% WEO, the crystallinity of the composites decreased to about 30%. In the light of the results, the WEO could be successfully used with old newspaper in a polyethylene matrix.

Highlights

The highest tensile strength was achieved in the B3 sample (with WEO).

The highest flexural strength was achieved in the B3 sample (with WEO).

The highest tensile was obtained from the A3 sample (without WEO).

The highest flexural strength was obtained from the A3 sample (without WEO).

The crystallinity of the composites decreased to about 30%.
Effect of post‐curing temperature on the retention of mechanical strength of phthalonitrile thermosets and composites after a long‐term thermal oxidative aging
Authors: Lobanova Marina , Aleshkevich Vladislav , Babkin Alexander , Kepman Alexey , Avdeev Viktor , Morozov Oleg , Bulgakov Boris
Published: August 2023

This work concerns the thermal‐oxidative aging behavior of phthalonitrile thermosets and composites at 280–350°C. The easy‐to‐process resin containing bis(3‐[3,4‐dicyanophenoxy]phenyl)phenyl phosphate with APB as curing agent and the resin‐based composites post‐cured at 330°C, 350°C, and 375°C were studied. The phthalonitrile thermosets post‐cured at 330°C retained flexural strength of 77 MPa after 200 h of thermal aging at 280°C and 37 MPa (40%) after the same time at 300°C while the resins post‐cured at 350°C and 375°C lost over 80% of the flexural strength in these experiments. The same trend of faster oxidation of the samples post‐cured at higher temperatures was observed for the composites. For the first time, crosslinking reactions were observed during the aging, despite the aging temperatures being below the Tg of thermosets. Thus, the work shows a high long‐term thermal oxidative stability of the studied phthalonitrile resins at temperatures up to 300°C and fast destruction of the materials at 350°C despite the resin decomposition temperatures determined by dynamic TGA being over 500°C. The work has shown the negative effect of high‐temperature post‐curing on the operating properties of the phthalonitrile composites as constructive materials for long‐term application at elevated temperatures.

Highlights

Oxidation of phthalonitrile thermoset occurs at temperatures over 300°C in air.

Increase in post‐curing temperature decreases thermal oxidation resistance.

Thermosets retained up to 77% of flexural strength after 200 h aging at 300°C.

Composites retained over 90% of ILSS after 200 h of aging at 300°C.