bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental study of PLA thermal behavior during fused filament fabrication
Authors: Vanaei Hamid Reza , Shirinbayan Mohammadali , Costa Sidonie Fernandes , Duarte Fernando Moura , Covas José António , Deligant Michael , Khelladi Sofiane , Tcharkhtchi Abbas
Published: August 2020

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is an additive manufacturing technique that is used to produce prototypes and a gradually more important processing route to obtain final products. Due to the layer‐by‐layer deposition mechanism involved, bonding between adjacent layers is controlled by the thermal energy of the material being printed, which strongly depends on the temperature development of the filaments during the deposition sequence. This study reports experimental measurements of filament temperature during deposition. These temperature profiles were compared to the predictions made by a previously developed model. The two sets of data showed good agreement, particularly concerning the occurrence of reheating peaks when new filaments are deposited onto previously deposited ones. The developed experimental technique is shown to demonstrate its sensitivity to changing operating conditions, namely platform temperature and deposition velocity. The data generated can be valuable to predict more accurately the bond quality achieved in FFF parts.
Do better search engines really equate to better clinical decisions? If not, why not?
Authors: van der Vegt Anton , Zuccon Guido , Koopman Bevan
Published: August 2020

Previous research has found that improved search engine effectiveness—evaluated using a batch‐style approach—does not always translate to significant improvements in user task performance; however, these prior studies focused on simple recall and precision‐based search tasks. We investigated the same relationship, but for realistic, complex search tasks required in clinical decision making. One hundred and nine clinicians and final year medical students answered 16 clinical questions. Although the search engine did improve answer accuracy by 20 percentage points, there was no significant difference when participants used a more effective, state‐of‐the‐art search engine. We also found that the search engine effectiveness difference, identified in the lab, was diminished by around 70% when the search engines were used with real users. Despite the aid of the search engine, half of the clinical questions were answered incorrectly. We further identified the relative contribution of search engine effectiveness to the overall end task success. We found that the ability to interpret documents correctly was a much more important factor impacting task success. If these findings are representative, information retrieval research may need to reorient its emphasis towards helping users to better understand information, rather than just finding it for them.
Medieval Spanish (12th–15th centuries) named entity recognition and attribute annotation system based on contextual information
Authors: Díez Platas Mª Luisa , Ros Muñoz Salvador , González‐Blanco Elena , Ruiz Fabo Pablo , Álvarez Mellado Elena
Published: August 2020

The recognition of named entities in Spanish medieval texts presents great complexity, involving specific challenges: First, the complex morphosyntactic characteristics in proper‐noun use in medieval texts. Second, the lack of strict orthographic standards. Finally, diachronic and geographical variations in Spanish from the 12th to 15th century. In this period, named entities usually appear as complex text structure. For example, it was frequent to add nicknames and information about the persons role in society and geographic origin. To tackle this complexity, named entity recognition and classification system has been implemented. The system uses contextual cues based on semantics to detect entities and assign a type. Given the occurrence of entities with attached attributes, entity contexts are also parsed to determine entity‐type‐specific dependencies for these attributes. Moreover, it uses a variant generator to handle the diachronic evolution of Spanish medieval terms from a phonetic and morphosyntactic viewpoint. The tool iteratively enriches its proper lexica, dictionaries, and gazetteers. The system was evaluated on a corpus of over 3,000 manually annotated entities of different types and periods, obtaining F1 scores between 0.74 and 0.87. Attribute annotation was evaluated for a person and role name attributes with an overall F1 of 0.75.
Framing a discussion on paradigm shift(s) in the field of information
Authors: Tang Rong , Mehra Bharat , Du Jia Tina , Zhao Yuxiang (Chris)
Published: August 2020

In this opinion paper, we frame a discussion on paradigm shift(s) in the field of information. We believe that in this astonishing historical moment of new directions and new opportunities both the existing paradigms and conceptual models in the field of information can benefit from re‐examination to stay current with the times. We propose a framework articulating key narratives associated with the why, what, how, and who dimensions to discuss paradigm shift(s). The purpose of this opinion paper is to initiate dialogues on ground‐breaking ideas and innovative solutions as well as support research that addresses contemporary challenges in the field of information.
Autism Adversely Affects Auditory Joint Engagement During Parent–toddler Interactions
Authors: Adamson Lauren B. , Bakeman Roger , Suma Katharine , Robins Diana L.
Published: August 2020

This study documents the early adverse effects of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on auditory joint engagement—the sharing of sounds during interactions. A total of 141 toddlers (49 typically developing [TD], 46 with ASD, and 46 with non‐ASD developmental disorders [DD]; average age 22.6 months) were observed during a semi‐naturalistic play session with a parent. Reactions to four types of sounds—speech about the child, instrumental music, animal calls, and mechanical noises—were observed before and as parents tried to scaffold joint engagement with the sound. Toddlers with ASD usually appeared aware of a new sound, often alerting to and orienting toward it. But compared to TD toddlers and toddlers with DD, they alerted and oriented less often to speech, a difference not found with the other sounds. Furthermore, toddlers with ASD were far less likely to spontaneously try to share the sound with the parents and to engage with the parent and the sound when parents tried to share it with them. These findings reveal how ASD can have significant effects on shared experiences with nonvisible targets in the environment that attract toddlers' attention. Future studies should address the association between auditory joint engagement difficulties and variations in multimodal joint engagement, sensory profiles, and ASD severity and the reciprocal influence over time of auditory joint engagement experience and language development.

Lay Summary

Like most toddlers, toddlers with autism spectrum disorder often alert when they hear sounds like a cat's meow or a train's rumble. But they are less likely to alert when they hear their own name, and they are far less likely to share new sounds with their parents. These findings raise important questions about how toddlers with autism spectrum disorder experience their everyday auditory world, including how they share it with parents who can enrich this experience.
New process can help identify qualified recruits
Authors: Siciliano Gene
Published: August 2020

There are two management responsibilities in the nonprofit world that most everyone agrees are of paramount importance—fundraising and board recruiting. They're so important, in fact, that we want the best people available to do them, as long as it's not us.
Working from home? Follow these tips for successful remote work
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: August 2020

So you're asked to work from home as COVID‐19 cases spread. Some jobs lend themselves to remote work better than others, but if your organization says it's time to head home, you can accomplish a lot, no matter what your job responsibilities entail.
Surgical robotic systems: What we have now? A urological perspective
Authors: Almujalhem Ahmad , Rha Koon Ho
Published: August 2020

Introduction

The coming decade will see the emergence of many surgical robotic systems that need to prove their cost‐effectiveness and clinical usability to gain the trust of robotic surgeons worldwide. Herein, we provide a concise review of the currently available robotic systems. Since the da Vinci Surgical System's patent expired and its market monopoly ended, many robotic surgical systems have, and will continue to, enter the market. Central to this is the challenge of gaining the trust of robotic surgeons in a cost‐effective manner. However, the cumulative robotic surgical experience of Intuitive Surgical over these years—which has proven itself clinically and technically—is a great challenge for new surgical robots.

Methods

This was a non‐systematic review of the literature, conducted through the PubMed search engine, using the following words: “Da Vinci,” “robotic surgical system,” and “new robotic surgical device.” Further information was obtained from the robotic system companies’ official websites and press releases.

Conclusions

The open robotic market carries great challenges for new robotic surgical systems, especially when following well‐established da Vinci Surgical System. Surgeons’ trust, clinical publications, technical support, and market distribution all represent separate challenges that require address.
Risk preferences in self–other decisions: The effect of payoff allocation framing
Authors: Li Haihong , Yang Yimo , Liu Dingrui , Xie Xiaofei
Published: August 2020

The effect of framing is well established: Decision makers' preferences are influenced by how outcomes or attributes are phrased. In the financial domain, individuals often make decisions for themselves and for others. Therefore, decisions in a two‐person context with the outcome equally allocated can be framed in two ways defined as the allocation framing: (1) self‐allocation frame: making a decision for oneself, with half the payoffs shared by another person; and (2) other‐allocation frame: making a decision for the other person and sharing half the payoffs. The results of six studies provided consistent evidence that people are more risk seeking in the self‐allocation frame than in the other‐allocation frame, and the effect was only noteworthy in the gain domain—not the loss domain. Our findings on allocation framing provide a meaningful contribution to studies of self–other decision making.
Effects of high-intensity exercise training on physical fitness, quality of life and treatment outcomes after oesophagectomy for cancer of the gastro-oesophageal junction: PRESET pilot study
Authors: Simonsen C , Thorsen-Streit S , Sundberg A , Djurhuus S S , Mortensen C E , Qvortrup C , Pedersen B K , Svendsen L B , Heer P , Christensen J F
Published: August 2020

Background

Treatment for cancer of the gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ) can result in considerable and persistent impairment of physical fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This controlled follow-up study investigated the feasibility and safety of postoperative exercise training.

Methods

Patients with stage I–III GOJ cancer were allocated to 12 weeks of postoperative concurrent aerobic and resistance training (exercise group) or usual care (control group). Changes in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and HRQoL were evaluated. Adherence to adjuvant chemotherapy, hospitalizations and 1-year overall survival were recorded to assess safety.

Results

Some 49 patients were studied. The exercise group attended a mean of 69 per cent of all prescribed sessions. After exercise, muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness were increased and returned to pretreatment levels. At 1-year follow-up, the exercise group had improved HRQoL (+13·5 points, 95 per cent c.i. 2·2 to 24·9), with no change in the control group (+3·7 points, −5·9 to 13·4), but there was no difference between the groups at this time point (+9·8 points, −5·1 to 24·8). Exercise was safe, with no differences in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (14 of 16 versus 16 of 19; relative risk (RR) 1·04, 95 per cent c.i. 0·74 to 1·44), relative dose intensity of adjuvant chemotherapy (mean 57 versus 63 per cent; P = 0·479), hospitalization (7 of 19 versus 6 of 23; RR 1·41, 0·57 to 3·49) or 1-year overall survival (80 versus 79 per cent; P = 0·839) for exercise and usual care respectively.

Conclusion

Exercise in the postoperative period is safe and may have the potential to improve physical fitness in patients with GOJ cancer. No differences in prognostic endpoints or HRQoL were observed. Registration number: NCT02722785 (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Factors associated with metachronous metastases and survival in locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer
Authors: Baird D L H , Kontovounisios C , Simillis C , Pellino G , Rasheed S , Tekkis P P
Published: August 2020

Background

Better understanding of the impact of metachronous metastases in locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer may improve decision-making. The aim of this study was to investigate factors influencing metachronous metastasis and its impact on survival in patients who have a beyond total mesorectal excision (bTME) operation.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of consecutive patients who had bTME surgery for locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer at a tertiary referral centre between January 2006 and December 2016. The primary outcome was overall survival. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed. The influence of metachronous metastases on survival was investigated.

Results

Of 220 included patients, 171 were treated for locally advanced primary tumours and 49 for recurrent rectal cancer. Some 90·0 per cent had a complete resection with negative margins. Median follow-up was 26·0 (range 1·5–119·6) months. The 5-year overall survival rate was 71·1 per cent. Local recurrence and metachronous metastasis rates were 11·8 and 22·2 per cent respectively. Patients with metachronous metastases had a worse overall survival than patients without metastases (median 52·9 months versus estimated mean 109·4 months respectively; hazard ratio (HR) 6·73, 95 per cent c.i. 3·23 to 14·00). Advancing pT category (HR 2·01, 1·35 to 2·98), pN category (HR 2·43, 1·65 to 3·59), vascular invasion (HR 2·20, 1·22 to 3·97) and increasing numbers of positive lymph nodes (HR 1·19, 1·07 to 1·16) increased the risk of metachronous metastasis. Nine of 17 patients (53 per cent) with curatively treated synchronous metastases at presentation developed metachronous metastases, compared with 40 of 203 (19·7 per cent) without synchronous metastases (P = 0·002). Corresponding median length of disease-free survival was 17·5 versus 90·8 months (P < 0·001).

Conclusion

As metachronous metastases impact negatively on survival after bTME surgery, factors associated with metachronous metastases may serve as selection tools when determining suitability for treatment with curative intent.
Do environmental regulations hamper small enterprises' market entry? Evidence from China
Authors: Li Guangqin , Lu Shiyu , Shao Shuai , Yang Lili , Zhang Ke
Published: August 2020

Due to the serious increase of environmental pollution in China, environmental regulations have become significantly stringent. Such regulations are playing an increasingly important role in the development of small enterprises (SEs) in China, especially in SEs' market entry. However, existing studies pay little attention to this issue. This paper investigates for the first time the effect of environmental regulations on SEs' market entry and the mechanism of environmental regulation effects in China. We consider two sets of panel data for the periods 2003–2010 and 2012–2015 in China. We also use the fixed effect model and the instrumental variable method to explore the role of environmental regulations in SEs' market entry. The results show that, overall, environmental regulations play a significantly positive and robust role in SEs' market entry. However, the mechanisms associated with the effect of environmental regulations on different innovative types of SEs differ. Environmental regulations promote the market entry of SEs with product innovation, but this impact is not significant for SEs with research and development (R&D) activities and R&D institutions. Our findings indicate that China's SEs prefer product innovation, which is a lower level innovative type, over R&D innovation, as a means to avoid the negative impact of stringent environmental regulations.
Optimization of electroporation and other non‐viral gene delivery strategies for T cells
Authors: Harris Emily , Elmer Jacob J.
Published: August 2020

CAR‐T therapy is a particularly effective treatment for some types of cancer that uses retroviruses to deliver the gene for a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) to a patient's T cells ex vivo. The CAR enables the T cells to bind and eradicate cells with a specific surface marker (e.g., CD19+ B cells) after they are transfused back into the patient. This treatment was proven to be particularly effective in treating non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but the current CAR‐T cell manufacturing process has a few significant drawbacks. For example, while lentiviral and gammaretroviral transduction are both relatively effective, the process of producing viral vectors is time‐consuming and costly. Additionally, patients must undergo follow up appointments for several years to monitor them for any unanticipated side effects associated with the virus. Therefore, several studies have endeavored to find alternative non‐viral gene delivery methods that are less expensive, more precise, simple, and safe. This review focuses on the current state of the most promising non‐viral gene delivery techniques, including electroporation and transfection with cationic polymers or lipids.
Effective botulinum neurotoxin injection in treating iliopsoas spasticity
Authors: Yi Kyu‐Ho , Lee Hyung‐Jin , Lee Ji‐Hyun , Lee Kyu‐Lim , Kim Hee‐Jin
Published: August 2020

Introduction

To detect ideal locations for botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection by exploring the intramuscular nerve arborization of the psoas major and iliacus muscles.

Method

A modified Sihler's method was performed on the psoas major and iliacus muscles (16 specimens each). Intramuscular nerve arborization was recorded according to the most prominent point of the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS), the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS), the lesser trochanter (LT), and the transverse process of the 12th thoracic vertebra.

Results

Intramuscular nerve arborization of the psoas major muscle was the largest from 1/5 to 3/5 the distance from the transverse process of the 12th thoracic vertebra to the PSIS, and the tendinous portion of the muscle occupied from 3/5 to 5/5 this distance. In terms of the plane of the ASIS, the PSIS, and the LT, the arborization of the iliacus muscle was the largest from 1/5 to 3/5 the horizontal distance and 0 to 1/3, the distance longitudinally, and from 1/5 to 2/5, the horizontal distance and 1/3 to 2/3, the longitudinal distance.

Discussion

These results suggest that an injection of BoNT to the psoas major and iliacus muscle should be applied in specific areas. Additionally, the posterior approach is an ideal method for targeting only the psoas major because the injection point is above the PSIS. However, when treating both the psoas major and iliacus muscles, the proximal anterior approach is an ideal method according to the arborization patterns.
Metabolic syndrome predicts postoperative complications after gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients: Development of an individualized usable nomogram and rating model
Authors: Chen Xiaodong , Zhang Weiteng , Sun Xiangwei , Shi Mingming , Xu Libin , Cai Yiqi , Chen Wenjing , Mao Chenchen , Shen Xian
Published: August 2020

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a public health problem, is reportedly related to an increased risk of postoperative complications after surgery. However, whether MetS have an effect on complications after gastric cancer (GC) surgery are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of preoperative MetS on complications after gastrectomy.

Methods

Altogether, 718 gastric cancer patients who planned to receive radical gastrectomy between June 2014 and December 2016 were enrolled, demographic and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify potential risk factors for postoperative complications. A predictive model for postoperative complications was constructed in the form of a nomogram, and its clinical usefulness was assessed.

Results

Of the 628 patients ultimately included in the study (mean age 62.92 years, 450 men and 178 women), 84 were diagnosed with MetS preoperatively. Severe postoperative complications (Clavien‐Dindo grade ≥II) were significantly more common in patients with MetS (41.7% versus 23.7%, P < .001). Predictors of postoperative complications included MetS (odds ratio [OR] = 1.800, P = .023), age (OR = 1.418, P = .050), Charlson score (OR = 1.787, P = .004 for 1‐2 points) and anastomosis type (OR = 1.746, P = .007 for Billroth II reconstruction). The high‐risk rating had a high AUC (ROC I = 0.503, ROC Ib = 0.544, ROC IIa = 0.601, ROC IIb = 0.612, ROC IIc = 0.638, ROC III = 0.735), indicating that the risk‐rating model has good discriminative capacity and clinical usefulness.

Conclusions

MetS was an independent risk factor for complications after gastrectomy. The nomogram and rating model incorporating MetS, Billroth II anastomosis, age, and Charlson score was useful for individualized prediction of postoperative complications.
COVID‐19 and Oncology: Service transformation during pandemic
Authors: Leung Marco Shiu Tsun , Lin Shangzhe George , Chow Jason , Harky Amer
Published: August 2020

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has challenged healthcare systems around the world, where resources have refocused on increasing critical bed capacity to prepare for the peak in incidence of COVID‐19. Oncology faces an unprecedented challenge as patients require multidisciplinary care and are more likely to be immunosuppressed. Services in oncology have been transformed using minimal resources over a short period of time. This transformation continues and telemedicine is playing a key role.

Aims

We explore how services in oncology have transformed to deliver services including consultations, systemic anticancer therapy, and surgery for patients, while shielding them from contracting COVID‐19. We assess the risks and benefits of the service transformation in the immediate, interim, and long term, and how telemedicine supports the process.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive review of the literature using suitable keywords on the search engines of PubMed, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and latest official data from May to June 2020.

Results

Through the published literature on this topic, we discuss the transformations in oncology and the impact on patients and healthcare workers due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. We reflect on the lessions from COVID‐19 and assess the role of telemedicine in the future of oncology services.

Conclusion

Transformation of services in oncology effectively shields patients from COVID‐19 infections, and telemedicine plays a role in virtual consultations. The long‐term effects are yet to be seen, such as safety of home‐based treatment, and effectiveness of virtual communication on patient care. As oncology requires a multidisciplinary approach, telemedicine will play a key role to improve patient‐centered cancer care in the future.
Assessment of harms, benefits, and cost‐effectiveness of prostate cancer screening: A micro‐simulation study of 230 scenarios
Authors: Getaneh Abraham M. , Heijnsdijk Eveline A. M. , Roobol Monique J. , de Koning Harry J.
Published: August 2020

Background

Prostate cancer screening incurs a high risk of overdiagnosis and overtreatment. An organized and age‐targeted screening strategy may reduce the associated harms while retaining or enhancing the benefits.

Methods

Using a micro‐simulation analysis (MISCAN) model, we assessed the harms, benefits, and cost‐effectiveness of 230 prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) screening strategies in a Dutch population. Screening strategies were varied by screening start age (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55), stop age (51‐69), and intervals (1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and single test). Costs and effects of each screening strategy were compared with a no‐screening scenario.

Results

The most optimum strategy would be screening with 3‐year intervals at ages 55–64 resulting in an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) of €19 733 per QALY. This strategy predicted a 27% prostate cancer mortality reduction and 28 life years gained (LYG) per 1000 men; 36% of screen‐detected men were overdiagnosed. Sensitivity analyses did not substantially alter the optimal screening strategy.

Conclusions

PSA screening beyond age 64 is not cost‐effective and associated with a higher risk of overdiagnosis. Similarly, starting screening before age 55 is not a favored strategy based on our cost‐effectiveness analysis.
Impact of genetic alterations on outcomes of patients with stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer: An analysis of the cancer genome atlas data
Authors: Xu Song , Wang Yanye , Ren Fan , Li Xiongfei , Ren Dian , Dong Ming , Chen Gang , Song Zuoqing , Chen Jun
Published: August 2020

Background

The prognostic factors for early‐stage nonsmall cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) are not well defined. This study aimed to investigate the effect of highly frequent mutations on the outcomes patients with early‐stage NSCLC, particularly those with surgically resected stage I disease.

Methods

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets for Lung Adenocarcinoma (LUAD), Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LUSC), and Pan‐Lung Cancer (PLC) were accessed via cBioportal and searched to identify patients with stage I NSCLC. We identified candidate genes with a high (>10%) frequency of mutations and copy‐number alterations and examined their effect on overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS). The details of clinicopathologic features were analyzed with the Fisher's exact， Mann‐Whitney U test and Cox regression analysis. Survival was analyzed with Kaplan‐Meier curves, and differences were compared with the log‐rank and chi‐square test.

Results

We identified 408 patients with stage I NSCLC from the PLC dataset. Of the 41 candidate genes with high‐frequency mutation rates, six genes were significantly associated with OS: TP53, LPP, MAP3K13, FGF12, BCL6, and TP63. Further stratified analysis in PLC, LUAD, and LUSC datasets, we only identified that TP53 was significantly associated with OS in patients with surgically resected stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

Conclusions

TP53 mutations are potentially markers of poor prognosis for stage I lung adenocarcinoma patients. The mutation status of this gene may contribute to clinical decision‐making with respect to selecting patients who may benefit from adjuvant therapy.
Animating turbulent fluid with a robust and efficient high‐order advection method
Authors: Zhu Jian , Li Silong , Cai Ruichu , Hao Zhifeng , Huang Guoheng , Sheng Bin , Wu Enhua
Published: August 2020

The accuracy of advection has a great influence on the visual effect of fluid simulation. Constrained interpolation profile (CIP) method has been an important advection scheme because of its third‐order accuracy and the fact that it only needs to be performed over a compact stencil, but extending it to high‐dimensional advection equations is not easy, because it involves complex calculations and large memory overheads, and is usually unstable. In this article, we propose a stable and efficient three‐dimensional (3D) CIP scheme which can maintain high accuracy but requires low computation and memory cost. We first construct an efficient two‐dimensional (2D) CIP scheme based on dimensional splitting and local Taylor expansions, and then propose an effective way to extend it for 3D applications without decreasing the computational accuracy or affecting the stability. The experimental results show the advantages of our method over the state‐of‐the‐art advection schemes.
Reverse remodeling after percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation in severe but asymptomatic LVOT obstruction (RASTA) study: Rationale and design of transcatheter septal reduction in asymptomatic patients with severe hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
Authors: Arslan Fatih , Akdim Fatima , ten Berg Jurriën M.
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) on remodeling in asymptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) and severe left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction.

Background

Symptoms justify invasive treatment in HOCM patients with LVOT obstruction. Adverse structural and functional changes (remodeling) in the heart occur preceding heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Early invasive treatment in asymptomatic patients may reverse adverse remodeling to the same extent as in symptomatic patients.

Methods

Reverse remodeling after PTSMA in severe but asymptomatic LVOT obstruction (RASTA) study is a prospective single‐blind randomized trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT04230551). Ten asymptomatic HOCM patients with an exertional LVOT gradient ≥50 mmHg (or >30 mmHg in rest) are randomized 1:1 to PTSMA versus conservative therapy, in the absence of mitral valve disease or other indications for cardiac surgery. Five symptomatic (reference group) will undergo PTSMA according to the current guidelines.

Results

Remodeling is assessed using extensive cardiac imaging with transthoracic echocardiography and late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance at baseline and during follow‐up at 1, 12, and 24 months. Extracellular volume fraction, global, and regional strain analysis, geometry, pressure gradients and changes in four‐dimensional velocity mapping are primary parameters to study (reversal of) adverse remodeling.

Conclusions

The RASTA study gives insight in cardiac remodeling that may occur in asymptomatic patients after PTSMA. It will provide arguments whether to pursue (or not) a larger trial with clinical endpoints in asymptomatic HOCM patients with severe LVOT obstruction.
Percutaneous treatment of left ventricular assist device outflow graft obstruction
Authors: Raza Munis , Williams Nina , Barry Neil , Singh Vikas
Published: August 2020

Owing to the growing population with end stage heart failure, the use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have become more widely accepted. Although survival has improved with newer generation LVADs, multiple complications including pump failure due to outflow graft obstruction have become more clinically relevant. Patients with this complication will present with heart failure symptoms due to inadequate unloading of the left ventricle by LVAD. This rare complication often requires open surgical repair in an already high‐risk patient population. Alternative means to relieve the obstruction via percutaneous intervention has been described in rare cases. We present two unique cases of LVAD outflow graft obstruction which were percutaneously treated successfully. This article illustrates a potential treatment strategy for outflow graft obstruction with stenting as an alternative to open‐heart surgery.
Effects of different hydrocolloids on physicochemical properties of high‐moisture fermented rice cake during storage
Authors: Meng Ling‐Wei , Kim Sang Moo
Published: August 2020

Background and objectives

In order to improve the quality of high‐moisture fermented rice cake (FRC) and analyze its staling mechanism, the texture, amylopectin retrogradation, water status and microstructure of FRCs with carrageenan (CA), locust bean gum (LBG), arabic gum (AG), xanthan gum (XT), and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) during 4 days of storage at 25°C were analyzed.

Findings

The addition of 0.2% AG and 0.2% HPMC increased the softness of FRCs during storage. The specific gravity and pH values of rice batters were not affected by hydrocolloid, but their apparent viscosities were higher than that of the control. LBG and CA led greater effects on specific volume than AG, XT, and HPMC. AG and HPMC decreased the firming rate of the FRC crumb, retarded the amylopectin retrogradation, and effectively inhibited the increase of bound water in FRC for 4 days of storage.

Conclusions

The selection of hydrocolloids as ingredients that can improve the physical properties of FRC. Additionally, high water‐binding strength and water content could decrease significantly the firming rate of FRC during storage.

Significance and novelty

Arabic gum was the most effective in reducing the amount of bound water in the FRC. The reduction in firming rate of FRC was mainly due to the decrease in bound water.
MgO−SiO2 Catalysts for the Ethanol to Butadiene Reaction: The Effect of Lewis Acid Promoters
Authors: Szabó Blanka , Novodárszki Gyula , Pászti Zoltán , Domján Attila , Valyon József , Hancsók Jenő , Barthos Róbert
Published: August 2020

MgO−SiO2 samples, having the composition of natural talc (NT), were obtained by co‐precipitation (CP) and wet kneading (WK) methods. The materials were used as catalysts of the ethanol‐to‐1,3‐butadiene reaction. ZnO, Ga2O3 and In2O3 were tested as promoters. The catalyst WK gave the highest 1,3‐Butadiene (BD) yield among the non‐promoted catalysts because of the high specific surface area and strong basicity. Results suggested that over the neat WK catalyst the acetaldehyde coupling to crotonaldehyde was the rate‐determining process step. Formation of crotyl alcohol intermediate was substantiated to proceed by the hydrogen transfer reaction between crotonaldehyde and ethanol. The crotyl alcohol intermediate becomes dehydrated to BD or, in a disproportionation side reaction, it forms crotonaldehyde and butanol. The promoter was found to increase the surface concentration of the reactant and reaction intermediates, thereby increases the rates of conversion and BD formation. The order of promoting efficiency was Zn>In>Ga.
Uncommon overoxidative catalytic activity in a new halo‐tolerant alcohol dehydrogenase
Authors: Contente Martina L. , Fiore Noemi , Cannazza Pietro , Roura Padrosa David , Molinari Francesco , Gourlay Louise , Paradisi Francesca
Published: August 2020

Alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) are versatile and useful enzymes employed as biocatalysts, especially for the selective oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols, and for the reduction of carbonyl moieties. A new alcohol dehydrogenase (HeADH‐II) has been identified from the genome of the halo‐adapted bacterium Halomonas elongata, which proved stable in the presence of polar organic solvents and salt exposure. Unusual for this class of enzymes, HeADH‐II lacks enantiopreference and is capable of oxidizing both alcohols and aldehydes, enabling a direct overoxidation of primary alcohols to carboxylic acids. HeADH‐II was coupled with a NADH‐oxidase from Lactobacillus pentosus (LpNOX) to increase the process yields and allowing recycling of the cofactor. The enzymatic oxidation of primary alcohols was also paired with in situ condensation of the intermediate aldehydes with hydroxylamine to prepare the corresponding aldoximes, with particular attention to perillartine (a powerful sweetener), whose enzymatic synthesis starting from natural sources, leads to an equally natural product.
Microscale Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet as a Source for Plasma‐Driven Biocatalysis
Authors: Yayci Abdulkadir , Dirks Tim , Kogelheide Friederike , Alcalde Miguel , Hollmann Frank , Awakowicz Peter , Bandow Julia E.
Published: August 2020

The use of a microscale atmospheric pressure plasma jet (μAPPJ) was investigated for its potential to supply hydrogen peroxide in biocatalysis. Compared to a previously employed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), the μAPPJ offered significantly higher H2O2 production rates and better handling of larger reaction volumes. The performance of the μAPPJ was evaluated with recombinant unspecific peroxygenase from Agrocybe aegerita (rAaeUPO). Using plasma‐treated buffer, no side reactions with other plasma‐generated species were detected. For long‐term treatment, rAaeUPO was immobilized, transferred to a rotating bed reactor, and reactions performed using the μAPPJ. The enzyme had a turnover of 36,415 mol mol−1 and retained almost full activity even after prolonged plasma treatment. Overall, the μAPPJ presents a promising plasma source for plasma‐driven biocatalysis.
Modeling and Optimization for a Comprehensive Gas Processing Plant with Sensitivity Analysis and Economic Evaluation
Authors: Mazumder Mozammel , Xu Qiang
Published: August 2020

Sweetening, dehydration, natural gas liquid (NGL) recovery, and sale gas compression are four major treatment stages for the general natural gas processing. Here, a comprehensive gas processing plant (CGPP) coupling sweetening, dehydration, NGL recovery, and compression subsystems have been conceptually designed, modeled, and optimized based on field data. The development includes four major stages of work: (i) CGPP process development with Aspen HYSYS simulator; (ii) sensitivity studies for all distillation columns involved in the CGPP process to optimize their performances; (iii) sizing of major equipment of the CGPP; and (iv) economic evaluations with Aspen process economic analyzer to calculate the expected capital and operating expenditures for the developed CGPP process. Valuable insights of natural gas monetization from the viewpoint of large‐scale process system integration, modeling, and optimization are provided.
Diazonium Electrografting vs. Physical Adsorption of Azure A at Carbon Nanotubes for Mediated Glucose Oxidation with FAD‐GDH
Authors: Gross Andrew J. , Tanaka Shunya , Colomies Clara , Giroud Fabien , Nishina Yuta , Cosnier Serge , Tsujimura Seiya , Holzinger Michael
Published: August 2020

The electrochemical reduction of aryldiazonium salts is a versatile and direct route to obtain robust covalently modified electrodes. We report here a comparative study of Azure A modified carbon nanotube electrodes prepared by diazonium electrografting and by physical adsorption for bioelectrocatalytic glucose oxidation with fungal FAD‐glucose dehydrogenase from Aspergillus sp. The electrografted and adsorbed electrodes exhibited different reversible electroactivity consistent with polymer‐type and monomer‐type phenothiazine surface assemblies, respectively. The electrografted Azure A electrodes exhibited superior mediated bioelectrocatalysis compared to the adsorbed Azure A electrodes. A more than 10‐fold higher catalytic current up to 2 mA cm−2 at 0.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl together with a similarly low onset potential of −0.05 V vs. Ag/AgCl was observed at the electrografted electrodes. Faster estimated electron transfer kinetics and a +200 mV potential shift for the polymer‐type redox couple vs. the adsorbed monomer‐type couple underlines the favourable driving force for mediated electron transfer with the buried FAD active site for the diazonium‐derived bioelectrode.
The electrolyte comprising more robust water and superhalides transforms Zn‐metal anode reversibly and dendrite‐free
Authors: Zhang Chong , Shin Woochul , Zhu Liangdong , Chen Cheng , Neuefeind Joerg C. , Xu Yunkai , Allec Sarah I. , Liu Cong , Wei Zhixuan , Daniyar Aigerim , Jiang Jia‐Xing , Fang Chong , Alex Greaney P. , Ji Xiulei
Published: August 2020

A great challenge for all aqueous batteries, including Zn‐metal batteries, is the parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction on the low‐potential anode. Herein, we report the formula of a highly concentrated aqueous electrolyte that mitigates hydrogen evolution by transforming water molecules more inert. The electrolyte comprises primarily ZnCl2 and LiCl as an additive, both of which are inexpensive salts. The O–H covalent bonds in water get strengthened in a chemical environment that has fewer hydrogen bonding interactions and a greater number of Zn–Cl superhalides, as suggested by integrated characterization and simulation. As a result, the average Coulombic efficiency of zinc‐metal anode is raised to an unprecedented >99.7% at 1 mA cm−2. In the new electrolyte, the plating/stripping processes leave the zinc‐metal anode dendrite‐free, and the zinc‐metal anode delivers stable plating/stripping cycles for 4000 hours with an areal capacity of 4 mAh cm−2 at 2 mA cm−2. Furthermore, the high Coulombic efficiency of zinc‐metal anode in the ZnCl2‐LiCl mixture electrolyte is demonstrated in full cells with a limited anode. The V2O5·H2O||Zn full cell with an N/P mass ratio of 1.2 delivers a stable life of more than 2500 cycles, and the LiMn2O4||Zn hybrid cell with an N/P mass ratio of 0.6 exhibits 1500 cycles in its stable life.
Creeping bentgrass seed germination in growth chambers at optimal and suboptimal temperatures
Authors: Carroll Devon E. , Kaminski John E. , Landschoot Peter J.
Published: August 2020

Turfgrass managers attempting to establish creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) from seed following winterkill episodes may benefit from cultivars that germinate and establish quickly during cold temperature periods. The purpose of this study was to identify the percentage and time until germination of different cultivars of creeping bentgrass under a suboptimal temperature regime. Twenty‐seven seed samples showing ≥90% germination under the optimal temperature regime of 77:59 °F on an 8:16‐hour light–dark cycle were selected for germination tests at the suboptimal temperature of 50 °F on an 8:16‐hour light–dark cycle. The results show differences among creeping bentgrass samples with respect to cumulative germination percentages (CGP) and days to germination when incubated at 50 °F. Seed samples of ‘Pure Select’, ‘Penn A’‐4, ‘Crystal BlueLinks’, and ‘007’ were most consistent with respect to high germination percentages and days to germination at 50 °F. However, where multiple seed samples of the same cultivar were examined, variation in CGP and days to germination were detected among samples. Cultivars with superior germination characteristics at low temperatures may improve creeping bentgrass establishment from seed following winterkill episodes. However, practitioners should be aware that germination at low temperatures may vary among seed samples or seed lots of individual cultivars because of factors associated with seed vigor, such as seed age, preharvest environmental conditions, seed storage methods, and other factors, which could result in variable rates of establishment in early spring.
Kommunikationsprozesse digitalisieren
Authors: Eschbach Andreas
Published: August 2020

Auch wenn Unternehmen über Notfallpläne für zahlreiche Situationen verfügen, so hat kaum jemand ein Szenario wie das neue Corona‐Virus in Betracht gezogen. Persönliche Besprechungen, Schichtübergaben, KVP‐ und Lean Meetings oder Frühbesprechungen – nichts
Totaloxidation
Authors: Stützel Rainer
Published: August 2020

Viele Industriebranchen verlangen für sensible Anwendungen ölfreie und keimfreie Druckluft höchster Qualität. Dafür hat der Druckluftspezialist Beko Technologies aus Neuss jetzt die nächste Generation ihrer Katalysetechnik Bekokat vorgestellt.
Rohrwände durchschallen
Authors: Betz Oliver
Published: August 2020

Clamp‐on‐Durchflussmesser funktionieren bei Flüssigkeitsleitungen in 90% aller industriellen Anwendungen problemlos. Es gibt also immer noch etwa 10% Anwendungen, die laut Spezifikation funktionieren sollten, aber dann doch keine zuverlässigen Messergebni
Wenn Software die Fantasie beflügelt
Authors: Stolz Christian
Published: August 2020

Ordnerweise Dokumentation ist Anlagenbetreibern und denen, die Anlagen in Betrieb nehmen, nach wie vor nicht fremd. Komplexe Anlagen allein mit Papierdokumentation zu verwalten oder einzurichten ist aber nahezu unmöglich. Auf der Baustelle unter Stress vo
Techniker auf Service‐Missionen
Authors: Grenacher Manuel
Published: August 2020

Schneller und präziser Informationsfluss, zeitsparende Abläufe und effizienter Ressourceneinsatz – bei der Koordinierung von Servicetechnikern in der Industrie zeigt sich, wo die Digitalisierung noch Potenzial für Verbesserungen bereithält. Der internatio
Maniok – nach Entgiften eine nahrhafte Wurzel
Authors: Sicker Dieter
Published: August 2020

Reisen Sie gern? Oft hat man dabei unerwartete Erlebnisse, die irgendwie mit Chemie zu tun haben und chemisches Lehrbuchwissen wird ungeahnt erweitert. Es verknüpft sich mit Geschichte und Geschichten, unbekannten Anwendungen, praktischen Handgriffen und dem realen Leben anderer Menschen. Man staunt über etwas, in dem man gar nichts Staunenswertes vermutete. Über solche kleinen Wunder soll diese Serie berichten. Mehr als sonst wollen wir dazu Fotos benutzen. Diesmal besuchen wir in Brasilien und Java den „Maniokgürtel“ der Erde (Abbildung 1).
Adaptive Self‐Assembly and Induced‐Fit Interconversions between Molecular Borromean Rings, Russian Dolls and Ring‐in‐Ring Complexes†
Authors: Lu Ye , Liu Dong , Cui Zheng , Lin Yue‐Jian , Jin Guo‐Xin
Published: August 2020

Main observation and conclusion

Herein, we report an artificially assembled interlocked system that features adaptive self‐assembly and induced‐fit transformation properties in the presence of appropriate guest molecules. By careful choice of solvent and guests, a molecular Borromean rings complex based on organometallic half‐sandwich units could be transformed in a stepwise manner to a ring‐in‐ring complex and a monomeric rectangle, leading to a conversion cycle between these structures. This adaptive self‐assembly method was further applied to the construction of a Russian dolls complex, forming another conversion cycle composed of a molecular Borromean rings complex, a Russian dolls complex and a monomeric rectangle. A comprehensive map showing all of the structural transformations between these metallarectangles and interlocked species is drawn up, representing a recoverable and recyclable transformation mechanism.
Recent Advancement in the Search of Innovative Antiprotozoal Agents Targeting Trypanothione Metabolism
Authors: Saccoliti Francesco , Di Santo Roberto , Costi Roberta
Published: August 2020

Leishmania and Trypanosoma parasites are responsible for the challenging neglected tropical diseases leishmaniases, Chagas disease, and human African trypanosomiasis, which account for up to 40,000 deaths annually mainly in developing countries. Current chemotherapy relies on drugs with significant limitations in efficacy and safety, prompting the urgent need to explore innovative approaches to improve the drug discovery pipeline. The unique trypanothione‐based redox pathway, which is absent in human hosts, is vital for all trypanosomatids and offers valuable opportunities to guide the rational development of specific, broad‐spectrum and innovative anti‐trypanosomatid agents. Major efforts focused on the key metabolic enzymes trypanothione synthetase‐amidase and trypanothione reductase, whose inhibition should affect the entire pathway and, finally, parasite survival. Herein, we will report and comment on the most recent studies in the search for enzyme inhibitors, underlining the promising opportunities that have emerged so far to drive the exploration of future successful therapeutic approaches.