bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Win statistics (win ratio, win odds, and net benefit) can complement one another to show the strength of the treatment effect on time‐to‐event outcomes
Authors: Dong Gaohong , Huang Bo , Verbeeck Johan , Cui Ying , Song James , Gamalo‐Siebers Margaret , Wang Duolao , Hoaglin David C. , Seifu Yodit , Mütze Tobias , Kolassa John
Published: June 2022

Conventional analyses of a composite of multiple time‐to‐event outcomes use the time to the first event. However, the first event may not be the most important outcome. To address this limitation, generalized pairwise comparisons and win statistics (win ratio, win odds, and net benefit) have become popular and have been applied to clinical trial practice. However, win ratio, win odds, and net benefit have typically been used separately. In this article, we examine the use of these three win statistics jointly for time‐to‐event outcomes. First, we explain the relation of point estimates and variances among the three win statistics, and the relation between the net benefit and the Mann–Whitney U statistic. Then we explain that the three win statistics are based on the same win proportions, and they test the same null hypothesis of equal win probabilities in two groups. We show theoretically that the Z‐values of the corresponding statistical tests are approximately equal; therefore, the three win statistics provide very similarp‐values and statistical powers. Finally, using simulation studies and data from a clinical trial, we demonstrate that, when there is no (or little) censoring, the three win statistics can complement one another to show the strength of the treatment effect. However, when the amount of censoring is not small, and without adjustment for censoring, the win odds and the net benefit may have an advantage for interpreting the treatment effect; with adjustment (e.g., IPCW adjustment) for censoring, the three win statistics can complement one another to show the strength of the treatment effect. For calculations we use the R package WINS, available on the CRAN (Comprehensive R Archive Network).
Real‐Time Feedback‐Driven Single‐Particle Tracking: A Survey and Perspective
Authors: van Heerden Bertus , Vickers Nicholas A. , Krüger Tjaart P. J. , Andersson Sean B.
Published: June 2022

Real‐time feedback‐driven single‐particle tracking (RT‐FD‐SPT) is a class of techniques in the field of single‐particle tracking that uses feedback control to keep a particle of interest in a detection volume. These methods provide high spatiotemporal resolution on particle dynamics and allow for concurrent spectroscopic measurements. This review article begins with a survey of existing techniques and of applications where RT‐FD‐SPT has played an important role. Each of the core components of RT‐FD‐SPT are systematically discussed in order to develop an understanding of the trade‐offs that must be made in algorithm design and to create a clear picture of the important differences, advantages, and drawbacks of existing approaches. These components are feedback tracking and control, ranging from simple proportional‐integral‐derivative control to advanced nonlinear techniques, estimation to determine particle location from the measured data, including both online and offline algorithms, and techniques for calibrating and characterizing different RT‐FD‐SPT methods. Then a collection of metrics for RT‐FD‐SPT is introduced to help guide experimentalists in selecting a method for their particular application and to help reveal where there are gaps in the techniques that represent opportunities for further development. Finally, this review is concluded with a discussion on future perspectives in the field.
Controllable Synthesis of Ultrathin Defect‐Rich LDH Nanoarrays Coupled with MOF‐Derived Co‐NC Microarrays for Efficient Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Guo Tongtian , Chen Liyu , Li Yingwei , Shen Kui
Published: June 2022

Water electrolysis has attracted immense research interest, nevertheless the lack of low‐cost but efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for both hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions greatly hinders its commercial applications. Herein, the controllable synthesis of ultrathin defect‐rich layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoarrays assembled on metal‐organic framework (MOF)‐derived Co‐NC microarrays for boosting overall water splitting is reported. The Co‐NC microarrays can not only provide abundant nucleation sites to produce a large number of LDH nuclei for favoring the growth of ultrathin LDHs, but also help to inhibit their tendency to aggregate. Impressively, five types of ultrathin bimetallic LDH nanoarrays can be electrodeposited on the Co‐NC microarrays, forming desirable nanoarray‐on‐macroarray architectures, which show high uniformity with thicknesses from 1.5 to 1.9 nm. As expected, the electrocatalytic performance is significantly enhanced by exploiting the respective advantages of Co‐NC microarrays and ultrathin LDH nanoarrays as well as the potential synergies between them. Especially, the optimal Co‐NC@Ni2Fe‐LDH as both cathode and anode can afford the lowest cell voltage of 1.55 V at 10 mA cm‐2, making it one of the best earth‐abundant bifunctional electrocatalysts for water electrolysis. This study provides new insights into the rational design of highly‐active and low‐cost electrocatalysts and facilitates their promising applications in the fields of energy storage and conversion.
Assessment of Cell–Material Interactions in Three Dimensions through Dispersed Coaggregation of Microsized Biomaterials into Tissue Spheroids
Authors: Fois Maria G. , Tahmasebi Birgani Zeinab N. , Guttenplan Alexander P. M. , Blitterswijk Clemens A. van , Giselbrecht Stefan , Habibović Pamela , Truckenmüller Roman K.
Published: June 2022

In biomaterials R&D, conventional monolayer cell culture on flat/planar material samples, such as films, is still commonly employed at early stages of the assessment of interactions of cells with candidate materials considered for a biomedical application. In this feasibility study, an approach for the assessment of 3D cell–material interactions through dispersed coaggregation of microparticles from biomaterials into tissue spheroids is presented. Biomaterial microparticles can be created comparatively quickly and easily, allow the miniaturization of the assessment platform, and enable an unhindered remodeling of the dynamic cell–biomaterial system at any time. The aggregation of the microsized biomaterials and the cells is supported by low‐attachment round‐bottom microwells from thin polymer films arranged in densely packed arrays. The study is conducted by the example of MG63 osteoblast‐like and human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, and a small library of model microbiomaterials related to bone repair and regeneration. For the proof of concept, example interactions including cell adhesion to the material, the hybrid spheroids’ morphology, size, and shape, material‐associated cell death, cell metabolic activity, cell proliferation, and (osteogenic) differentiation are investigated. The cells in the spheroids are shown to respond to differences in the microbiomaterials’ properties, their amounts, and the duration of interaction with them.
Mechanically Induced Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution from Water over Piezoelectric SnSe nanosheets
Authors: Li Shun , Zhao Zhicheng , Li Jiabin , Liu Hong , Liu Maosong , Zhang Yuqiao , Su Lizhong , Pérez‐Jiménez Ana Isabel , Guo Yunchang , Yang Fan , Liu Yong , Zhao Jinzhu , Zhang Jianming , Zhao Li‐Dong , Lin Yuanhua
Published: June 2022

Piezoelectric nanomaterials open new avenues in driving green catalysis processes (e.g., H2 evolution from water) through harvesting mechanical energy, but their catalytic efficiency is still limited. The predicted enormous piezoelectricity for 2D SnSe, together with its high charge mobility and excellent flexibility, renders it an ideal candidate for stimulating piezocatalysis redox reactions. In this work, few‐layer piezoelectric SnSe nanosheets (NSs) are utilized for mechanically induced H2 evolution from water. The finite elemental method simulation demonstrates an unprecedent maximal piezoelectric potential of 44.1 V for a single SnSe NS under a pressure of 100 MPa. A record‐breaking piezocurrent density of 0.3 mA cm−2 is obtained for SnSe NSs‐based electrode under ultrasonic excitation (100 W, 45 kHz), which is about three orders of magnitude greater than that of reported piezocatalysts. Moreover, an exceptional H2 production rate of 948.4 µmol g−1 h−1 is achieved over the SnSe NSs without any cocatalyst, far exceeding most of the reported piezocatalysts and competitive with the current photocatalysis technology. The findings not only enrich the potential piezocatalysis materials, but also provide useful guidance toward high‐efficiency mechanically driven chemical reactions such as H2 evolution from water.
Self‐Templating‐Oriented Manipulation of Ultrafine Pt3Cu Alloyed Nanoparticles into Asymmetric Porous Bowl‐Shaped Configuration for High‐Efficiency Methanol Electrooxidation
Authors: Zhang Zhenbo , Li Jing , Liu Shuyun , Zhou Xue , Xu Lin , Tian Xinlong , Yang Jun , Tang Yawen
Published: June 2022

The precise and comprehensive manipulation of the component, size, and geometric nano‐architecture of platinum‐based electrocatalysts into porous and hollow structure can effectively impart the catalysts with substantially improved electrochemical performance, yet remain formidably challenging. Herein, a straightforward fabrication of porous platinum‐copper alloyed nanobowls (abbreviated as Pt3Cu NBs hereafter) assembled by ultrafine nanoparticles (≈2.9 nm) via a one‐pot hydrothermal approach with the assistance of a structure‐directing agent of N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA) is reported. The involvement of MBAA plays a decisive role in the formation of Pt‐MBAA complex solid nanospheres, which serve as the self‐sacrificial reactive template for the deposition/growth of Pt3Cu nanoparticles and the eventual formation of the asymmetric open‐shelled nanobowls. Benefitting from the 3D sufficient accessibility of exterior/interior surfaces, high atom‐utilization efficiency, and PtCu bimetallic alloy synergy, the self‐supported Pt3Cu NBs demonstrate remarkably enhanced activity, better anti‐poisoning capability, and reinforced robustness for the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) as compared with the commercial Pt black benchmark, exhibiting great application promises in practical fuel cell systems. It is envisaged that the innovative self‐templated synthetic strategy outlined here may provide a perspective to design a range of porous bowl‐shaped high‐performance nanocatalysts.
Tailored Inorganic‐Organic Architectures via Metalloligands
Authors: Pachisia Sanya , Gupta Rajeev
Published: June 2022

This article discusses the design principles and strategies and the structural outcome of various supramolecular architectures constructed by utilizing well‐defined coordination complexes as the metalloligands. We have included selected examples of metalloligands, offering either pyridyl or arylcarboxylic acid groups as the appended functional groups, for illustrating the construction of their supramolecular architectures. Both geometrical position and the number of the appended functional groups emerging from a metalloligand were found to critically regulate the structural aspects and dimensionality of the resultant material. The article concludes by delineating the structure‐directing lessions as well as the potential applications of the metalloligand‐based supramolecular architectures for the generation of next‐level materials.
Elemental Two‐Dimensional Materials for Li/Na‐Ion Battery Anode Applications
Authors: Tian Yahui , Chen Ya , Liu Yaoda , Li Hui , Dai Zhengfei
Published: June 2022

Two‐dimensional (2D) nanostructure is currently the subject in the fields of new energy storage and devices. During the past years, a broad range of 2D materials represented by graphene have been developed and endow with excellent electrochemical properties. Among them, elemental 2D materials (Xenes) are an emerged material family for Li/Na‐ion battery (LIB/SIB) anodes. Compared with other 2D materials and bulk materials, Xenes may exhibit some great superiorities for Li/Na storage, including excellent conductivity, fast ion diffusion and large active sites exposure. In this review, we provide a systematic summary of the recent progress and achievements of Xenes as well as their applications in LIBs/SIBs. The broad categorization of Xenes from group IIIA to VIA has been concisely outlined, and the related details in syntheses, structures and Li/Na‐ion storage properties are reviewed. Further, the latest research progress of Xenes in Li/Na ion batteries are summarized, together with mechanism discussions. Finally, the challenges and prospects of Xenes applied to Li/Na ion battery are proposed based on its current developments.
Glocality Is the Current State of the Art
Authors: Mihr Anja
Published: June 2022

Exogenous and endogenous dynamics and factors determine the level of glocality, and the practice of glocal governance. Climate change, digitalization, and urbanization, the rise of non-state actors and erosion of statehood, and in many cases dysfunctional governments, are calling for a more participatory and multi-stakeholder driven form of governance. Other modes of governance such as public–private partnership engage public and private actors to realize glocal governance. Global mobility will increase, both virtual and in person, and hence people will move in spaces and in territories without clear boundaries, laws, and limits. Glocal governance give guidelines and rules how to organize communities in this borderless world.
Artificial agents’ explainability to support trust: considerations on timing and context
Authors: Papagni Guglielmo , de Pagter Jesse , Zafari Setareh , Filzmoser Michael , Koeszegi Sabine T.
Published: June 2022

Strategies for improving the explainability of artificial agents are a key approach to support the understandability of artificial agents’ decision-making processes and their trustworthiness. However, since explanations are not inclined to standardization, finding solutions that fit the algorithmic-based decision-making processes of artificial agents poses a compelling challenge. This paper addresses the concept of trust in relation to complementary aspects that play a role in interpersonal and human–agent relationships, such as users’ confidence and their perception of artificial agents’ reliability. Particularly, this paper focuses on non-expert users’ perspectives, since users with little technical knowledge are likely to benefit the most from “post-hoc”, everyday explanations. Drawing upon the explainable AI and social sciences literature, this paper investigates how artificial agent’s explainability and trust are interrelated at different stages of an interaction. Specifically, the possibility of implementing explainability as a trust building, trust maintenance and restoration strategy is investigated. To this extent, the paper identifies and discusses the intrinsic limits and fundamental features of explanations, such as structural qualities and communication strategies. Accordingly, this paper contributes to the debate by providing recommendations on how to maximize the effectiveness of explanations for supporting non-expert users’ understanding and trust.
Transient global amnesia: 7 Tesla MRI reveals more hippocampal lesions with diffusion restriction compared to 1.5 and 3 Tesla MRI
Authors: Unsgård Runa Geirmundsdatter , Doan Thanh P. , Nordlid Knut Kristian , Kvistad Kjell Arne , Goa Pål Erik , Berntsen Erik Magnus
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To assess the ability of 7 T MRI to detect hippocampal DWI lesions in the acute phase of TGA compared to 1.5 T/3 T MRI.

Methods

Patients with a clinical diagnosis consistent with TGA and a 1.5/3 T MRI underwent an additional 7 T MRI when the 7 T system was available for clinical use, thus serving as their own controls.

Results

Thirteen TGA patients with a median age of 68.5 years (range 46–77 years) were included and imaged at 1.5/3 T (median 17 h after onset of symptoms, range 3–23 h) and 7 T (median 23 h after onset, range 15–46 h). The 7 T MRIs were performed a median of 15 h after the 1.5/3 T MRIs (range 1–28 h). At 1.5/3 T, six patients (46%) were found to have at least one hippocampal DWI-lesions supporting the TGA diagnosis, which increased to 11 patients (85%) when examined at 7 T (p = 0.03). At 1.5/3 T, nine hippocampal DWI lesions were detected, which increased to 19 at 7 T, giving an increased detection rate of 111% (p = 0.002). Both neuroradiologists found the hippocampal DWI lesions at 7 T to have higher conspicuity and be easier to categorize as true findings compared to 1.5/3 T.

Conclusion

Seven-Tesla MRI showed both a statistically significant increase in the total number of detected hippocampal DWI lesions and the proportion of patients with at least one hippocampal DWI lesion supporting the TGA diagnosis compared to 1.5/3 T. Clinical use of 7 T will increase the number of patients having their TGA diagnosis supported by MRI, which can be especially useful in patients with negative 1.5/3 T MRI and low clinical certainty.
Accelerated strain construction and characterization of C. glutamicum protein secretion by laboratory automation
Authors: Müller Carolin , Bakkes Patrick J. , Lenz Patrick , Waffenschmidt Vera , Helleckes Laura M. , Jaeger Karl-Erich , Wiechert Wolfgang , Knapp Andreas , Freudl Roland , Oldiges Marco
Published: June 2022

Secretion of bacterial proteins into the culture medium simplifies downstream processing by avoiding cell disruption for target protein purification. However, a suitable signal peptide for efficient secretion needs to be identified, and currently, there are no tools available to predict optimal combinations of signal peptides and target proteins. The selection of such a combination is influenced by several factors, including protein biosynthesis efficiency and cultivation conditions, which both can have a significant impact on secretion performance. As a result, a large number of combinations must be tested. Therefore, we have developed automated workflows allowing for targeted strain construction and secretion screening using two platforms. Key advantages of this experimental setup include lowered hands-on time and increased throughput. In this study, the automated workflows were established for the heterologous production of Fusarium solani f. sp. pisi cutinase in Corynebacterium glutamicum. The target protein was monitored in culture supernatants via enzymatic activity and split GFP assay. Varying spacer lengths between the Shine-Dalgarno sequence and the start codon of Bacillus subtilis signal peptides were tested. Consistent with previous work on the secretory cutinase production in B. subtilis, a ribosome binding site with extended spacer length to up to 12 nt, which likely slows down translation initiation, does not necessarily lead to poorer cutinase secretion by C. glutamicum. The best performing signal peptides for cutinase secretion with a standard spacer length were identified in a signal peptide screening. Additional insights into the secretion process were gained by monitoring secretion stress using the C. glutamicum K9 biosensor strain.

Key points

• Automated workflows for strain construction and screening of protein secretion

• Comparison of spacer, signal peptide, and host combinations for cutinase secretion

• Signal peptide screening for secretion by C. glutamicum using the split GFP assay
Survival outcome assessment for triple-negative breast cancer: a nomogram analysis based on integrated clinicopathological, sonographic, and mammographic characteristics
Authors: Sheng Dan-li , Shen Xi-gang , Shi Zhao-ting , Chang Cai , Li Jia-wei
Published: June 2022

Objective

This study aimed to incorporate clinicopathological, sonographic, and mammographic characteristics to construct and validate a nomogram model for predicting disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Methods

Patients diagnosed with TNBC at our institution between 2011 and 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. A nomogram model was generated based on clinicopathological, sonographic, and mammographic variables that were associated with 1-, 3-, and 5-year DFS determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis in the training set. The nomogram model was validated according to the concordance index (C-index) and calibration curves in the validation set.

Results

A total of 636 TNBC patients were enrolled and divided into training cohort (n = 446) and validation cohort (n = 190). Clinical factors including tumor size > 2 cm, axillary dissection, presence of LVI, and sonographic features such as angular/spiculated margins, posterior acoustic shadows, and presence of suspicious lymph nodes on preoperative US showed a tendency towards worse DFS. The multivariate analysis showed that no adjuvant chemotherapy (HR = 6.7, 95% CI: 2.6, 17.5, p < 0.0005), higher axillary tumor burden (HR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.0, 7.1, p = 0.045), and ≥ 3 malignant features on ultrasound (HR = 2.4, CI: 1.1, 5.0, p = 0.021) were identified as independent prognostic factors associated with poorer DFS outcomes. In the nomogram, the C-index was 0.693 for the training cohort and 0.694 for the validation cohort. The calibration plots also exhibited excellent consistency between the nomogram-predicted and actual survival probabilities in both the training and validation cohorts.

Conclusions

Clinical variables and sonographic features were correlated with the prognosis of TNBCs. The nomogram model based on three variables including no adjuvant chemotherapy, higher axillary tumor load, and more malignant sonographic features showed good predictive performance for poor survival outcomes of TNBC.

Key Points

• The absence of adjuvant chemotherapy, heavy axillary tumor load, and malignant-like sonographic features can predict DFS in patients with TNBC.

• Mammographic features of TNBC could not predict the survival outcomes of patients with TNBC.

• The nomogram integrating clinicopathological and sonographic characteristics is a reliable predictive model for the prognostic outcome of TNBC.
Leading modes of wind field variability over the western Tibet Plateau
Authors: Wang Jingzhi , Li Xiao-Feng , Liu Shaofeng , Liu Ting , Dai Yongjiu , Yang Song , Fowler Hayley J.
Published: June 2022

Atmospheric circulations bring moisture from above the ocean to the high mountains of the western Tibet Plateau (TP), thus wind variability is of great importance to the water cycle centered on the western TP. This study therefore examines the leading modes of the wind fields over the western TP. We use the multivariate empirical orthogonal function (MV-EOF) analysis method to detect the dominant wind patterns above the western TP. This method extracts the leading modes of combined meridional and zonal wind variability at 200-hPa in the region of 22° N–50° N, 50° E–92° E. We find the first leading mode of the combined zonal and meridional wind field in the annual mean and in most seasons (spring, summer and autumn) over the western TP shows high similarity to the Western Tibetan Vortex (WTV), a large-scale atmospheric vortex-like pattern recently recognized over the western TP. In winter, the WTV, however, is closer to the second leading mode. We estimate the sensitivity of our results by changing the domain of the MV-EOF analysis region surrounding the western. We find the influence of the WTV is less sensitive to analysis location around the western TP. In short, the WTV generally represents the first leading mode of the wind field in most seasons over the western TP. This study augments our knowledge on wind variability over the western TP.
Changes in patterns of eating habits and food intake during the first German COVID-19 lockdown: results of a cross-sectional online survey
Authors: Bühlmeier Judith , Frölich Stefanie , Ludwig Christine , Knoll-Pientka Nadja , Schmidt Börge , Föcker Manuel , Libuda Lars
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic and public measures have a direct impact on the nutrition situation; studies show changes in food consumption, eating behavior or body weight but complex pattern analyses of changes rarely exist.

Methods

During the first German lockdown, a web-based survey was conducted among adults. It included 33 questions about changes in food intake, eating habits and physical activity, as well as anthropometrics and sociodemographic factors. Patterns of change were calculated based on changes in food intake and eating habits using two-step cluster analysis. To identify influencing factors for assignment to the patterns of change, binary logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

Data from 2103 participants (81% female, 40 ± 14 years) were considered for analysis. Increased stockpiling, cooking, and variation in preparation was reported by 50–70%. The constant pattern (C-P, 36%) reported little change besides the above. The health-oriented pattern (HO-P; 37%) reported eating more healthy foods, avoiding unhealthy foods, and eating less and less frequently. The emotional-driven pattern (ED-P; 28%) exhibits higher influence of emotions on eating behavior, less avoidance of unhealthy foods, and increased consumption of sweets, pastries, and alcohol. The odds of changing eating behavior either to HO-P or ED-P were higher in women, people with migration background, younger participants, and increased with BMI categories.

Conclusion

Both, the ED-P and HO-P, exhibit distinctive reactions in eating habits and food intake when dealing with a distressing experience. In subgroups, these may lead to disturbances in eating behavior and increase the risk for eating disorders and obesity.
Need for nursing care after laparoscopic and open colorectal cancer surgery: a claims data analysis in German primary care
Authors: Senft Jonas D. , Brück Benedikt B. , Poß-Doering Regina , Bruckner Thomas , Szecsenyi Joachim , Müller-Stich Beat P. , Laux Gunter
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Our study analyzes the influence of minimally invasive vs. open surgery on the postoperative need for nursing care in patients with colorectal carcinoma. Colorectal cancer is an age-related disease, and oncologic surgery is increasingly performed in elderly patients. Long-term effects of the procedural choice on patients’ self-sufficiency and autonomy have not been scientifically addressed so far.

Methods

Multivariable logistic regression models based on claims data from a statutory health insurer (AOK, Baden-Württemberg, Germany) were applied to assess potential risk factors for assignment patients to a nursing care level, a German scale to categorize individual need for nursing care, at 12 and 36 months after colorectal cancer surgery.

Results

A total of 3996 patients were eligible to be included in the analysis. At 36 months postoperatively, 44 of 427 (10.3%) patients after minimally invasive colon cancer surgery and 231 of 1287 (17.9%) patients after open procedure were newly graded into a nursing care level (OR = 0.62, 95%CI = 0.44–0.90, p = 0.010). Thirty-four of 251 (13.5%) patients receiving minimally invasive rectal cancer surgery compared to 142 of 602 (23.6%) patients after open approach were newly assigned to a nursing care level (OR = 0.53, 95%CI = 0.34–0.81, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Laparoscopically assisted resection of colorectal cancer seems to be superior in preserving physical autonomy of elderly patients with colorectal cancer.
Piezoelectric elements subjected to low frequency excitation. Empirical determination of stress and frequency influence on piezoelectric parameters
Authors: Bernat-Maso Ernest , Mercedes Luis E.
Published: June 2022

Designing optimum energy harvesting devices is the aim of several developments based on numerical or analytical studies of different piezoelectric configurations that usually consider constant piezoelectric properties. Experimental tests on bending piezoelectric patches showed that the electrical response depended on the frequency and amplitude of the mechanical excitation for displacement-imposed systems. Analytical and numerical calculations required adapting piezoelectric parameters to properly represent experimental results. A novel formulation to calculate piezoelectric parameters using the mechanical stress and the excitation frequency as inputs is proposed and discussed. A linear dependency on the mechanical stress of the piezoelectric ceramic and a logarithmic dependency on the excitation frequency have been combined to propose a unique calculation procedure. Later, this procedure was applied to compute different piezoelectric parameters to set numerical (2% error) and analytical (1% error) calculations that accurately represented experimental results. Finally, the practical implications of considering or not considering the frequency and stress dependency of the piezoelectric properties was evaluated for a theoretical bimorph cantilever configuration, whose excitation frequency decreased whereas the amplitude was kept constant. Results showed that only 1/3 of the energy production that was predicted with constant piezoelectric properties can be expected when considering frequency and stress influence.
Forcing axioms and the complexity of non-stationary ideals
Authors: Cox Sean , Lücke Philipp
Published: June 2022

We study the influence of strong forcing axioms on the complexity of the non-stationary ideal on $$\omega _2$$

ω
2

and its restrictions to certain cofinalities. Our main result shows that the strengthening $$\mathrm{{MM}}^{++}$$

MM

+
+

of Martin’s Maximum does not decide whether the restriction of the non-stationary ideal on $$\omega _2$$

ω
2

to sets of ordinals of countable cofinality is $$\Delta _1$$

Δ
1

-definable by formulas with parameters in $$\mathrm{{H}}(\omega _3)$$

H
(

ω
3

)

. The techniques developed in the proof of this result also allow us to prove analogous results for the full non-stationary ideal on $$\omega _2$$

ω
2

and strong forcing axioms that are compatible with $$\mathrm{{CH}}$$
CH
. Finally, we answer a question of S. Friedman, Wu and Zdomskyy by showing that the $$\Delta _1$$

Δ
1

-definability of the non-stationary ideal on $$\omega _2$$

ω
2

is compatible with arbitrary large values of the continuum function at $$\omega _2$$

ω
2

.
Interstitial nephritis without glomerulonephritis in ANCA-associated vasculitis: a case series and literature review
Authors: He Xuxia , Wen Yubing , Hu Rongrong , Wu Haiting , Ye Wei , Yue Cai , Qin Yan , Xia Peng , Chen Limeng
Published: June 2022

The typical nephrological presentation of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis (AAV) is rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. AAV-associated interstitial nephritis without apparent glomerular lesions was rare. We reported three local cases of AAV-associated interstitial nephritis without glomerulonephritis confirmed by renal biopsy. Then, a literature search was conducted in PubMed using free text words and MeSH terms related to “AAV and interstitial nephritis”. Fifteen cases were included, and their demographics, clinical manifestations, laboratory data, renal pathological features, and treatment response were summarized. AAV-associated interstitial nephritis usually affects elderly patients. The common symptoms include fever, arthralgias, and edema. These patients were mostly MPO-ANCA positive. Pathological lesions in the kidney showed diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells, edema, tubulitis, and fibrosis in the interstitial area. Various immunosuppressive treatments, including glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and rituximab, were used, and most of the patients achieved clinical remission. AAV-associated interstitial nephritis is rare but shows a characteristic clinical phenotype, serological results, and pathogenic lesions. Immunosuppressive therapy showed good efficacy in these patients.
The effect of informal caregiving on medication: evidence from administrative data
Authors: Stroka-Wetsch Magdalena
Published: June 2022

This study evaluates the mental and physical strain experienced by informal caregivers. Econometric problems due to individuals selecting themselves into informal care provision are tackled using informative and detailed data on more than 2 million insureds from the largest sickness fund in Germany and applying the propensity score matching technique to estimate the average effect of treatment on the treated. This effect indicates how carers have fared relative to a counterfactual situation in which they would have been non-carers. The radius matching is applied in combination with a strict caliper to obtain a high degree of observational similarity between caring and non-caring individuals. The findings suggest that carers take more psychoactive drugs as well as analgesics and gastrointestinal agents. Females consume about 5 daily defined doses of antidepressants more when they care for dependent relatives. In case of tranquilizers and analgesics, the estimated effect for females amounts about 1 daily defined dose. Considering gastrointestinal agents, the effect amounts to 2 daily defined doses. Thus, informal caregiving appears to be a burdensome task with implications for both mental and physical health.
A new machine learning algorithm to explore the CO2 emissions-energy use-economic growth trilemma
Authors: Magazzino Cosimo , Mele Marco
Published: June 2022

The aim of this study is to explore the nexus among CO2 emissions, energy use, and GDP in Russia using annual data ranging from 1970 to 2017. We first conduct time-series analyses (stationarity, structural breaks, and cointegration tests). Then, we present a new D2C algorithm, and we run a Machine Learning experiment. Comparing the results of the two approaches, we conclude that economic growth causes energy use and CO2 emissions. However, the critical analysis underlines how the variance decomposition justifies the qualitative approach of using economic growth to immediately implement expenses for the use of alternative energies able to reduce polluting emissions. Finally, robustness checks to validate the results through a new D2C algorithm are performed. In essence, we demonstrate the existence of causal links in sub-permanent states among these variables.
Improving the thermal properties of aircraft cabin interiors with the integration of vacuum insulation panels
Authors: Latsuzbaya V. , Middendorf P. , Völkle D. , Weber C.
Published: June 2022

Commercial aircrafts require insulation to protect passengers in the cabin from thermal and acoustic loads. The conventional insulation in aircrafts consists of blankets made from layers of glass wool wrapped in foil that keeps the glass wool from being adversely affected by the environment. There is a potential to improve the thermal and acoustic properties of the cabin by replacing the interior panels with conventional secondary insulation by new panels combined with vacuum insulation panels (VIP). This article is focusing on the study of the VIP integration into the interior panels. First, the new structure solutions are defined on the basis of a requirement analysis for interior panels and VIP and theoretical analysis. Second, the manufacturing feasibility study for the new solutions is performed. The results show that the new structures can be manufactured. Third, the thermal properties of the new structure solutions are measured. The test results show a decrease of thermal conductivity of the new panels by a factor of 3–6 compared to the conventional solutions. Finally, the impact of the hot molding press on the vacuum maintaining inside the VIP is investigated. The trials demonstrate that the high barrier films can withstand high-temperature and pressure conditions and that the thermal conductivity of the test specimens didn’t worsen after 1 year.
On diagonal operators between the sequence (LF)-spaces $$l_p({\mathcal {V}})$$
Authors: Mele Claudio
Published: June 2022

Diagonal (multiplication) operators acting between a particular class of countable inductive spectra of Fréchet sequence spaces, called sequence (LF)-spaces, are investigated. We prove results concerning boundedness, compactness, power boundedness, and mean ergodicity. Furthermore, we determine when a diagonal operator is Montel and reflexive. We analyze the spectra in terms of the system of weights defining the spaces.
Implications of new hyperspectral satellites for raw materials exploration
Authors: Schodlok Martin C. , Frei Michaela , Segl Karl
Published: June 2022

Hyperspectral remote sensing already is important in geoscientific research in the fields of geology, soil, exploration and mining. New hyperspectral satellite systems are already in operation (e.g. PRISMA and DESIS; Caporusso et al. 2020; Alonso et al. (Sensors 19(20):4471–4515, 2019)) and more systems are planned e.g. the European Copernicus Next Generation Hyperspectral Satellite CHIME (Nieke and Rast 2018). The German system EnMAP was successfully launched into space on 1st of April 2022 (DLR 2022). The potential of hyperspectral airborne and satellite borne data for mining-related applications is discussed. Investigated are the information contents of hyperspectral data for exploration target recognition and their dependency on spatial resolutions of different sensor platforms. Airborne data offer high spatial resolution of 2.5 m with limited areal data acquisition, whereas hyperspectral spaceborne sensors guaranty nearly worldwide data availability with the same spectral characteristics but medium spatial resolution (30 m). The aspects of high spectral resolution and high versus medium spatial resolution targeted mineral mapping is investigated. The methodological concept includes processing aspects, standardized data availability for mineral mapping and mineralization targeting for operational application, to maintain/allow application of hyperspectral data even for non-remote sensing experts. Based on hyperspectral airborne data acquired in the Aggeneys region in South Africa, spaceborne hyperspectral data are simulated following the EnMAP specifications, and the concept for targeted mapping of surface alterations of a lead zinc deposit is discussed.
Implementing the Lolli-Method and pooled RT-qPCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in schools: a pilot project
Authors: Kretschmer Alina Chloé , Junker Lena , Dewald Felix , Linne Viktoria , Hennen Lea , Horemheb-Rubio Gibran , Kaiser Rolf , Steger Gertrud , Joachim Alexander , Schönenkorb Jana , Cosgun Zülfü Cem , Mühlhans Neslihan , Heger Eva , Knops Elena , Leisse Charlotte , Kessel Barbora , Heinsohn Torben , Rodiah Isti , Lange Berit , Ritter Anne Lena , Fries Mira , Kossow Annelene , Nießen Johannes , Dötsch Jörg , Klein Florian , Rybniker Jan , Fätkenheuer Gerd , Suárez Isabelle
Published: June 2022

Purpose

School closures have been used as part of lockdown strategies to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2, adversely affecting children’s health and education. To ensure the accessibility of educational institutions without exposing society to the risk of increased transmissions, it is essential to establish SARS-CoV-2 testing strategies that are child-friendly, scalable and implementable in a daily school routine. Self-sampling using non-invasive saliva swabs combined with pooled RT-qPCR testing (Lolli-Method) has been proven to be a sensitive method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods

We conducted a pilot project in Cologne, Germany, designed to determine the feasibility of a large-scale rollout of the Lolli-Method for testing without any additional on-site medical staff in schools. Over a period of three weeks, students from 22 schools were sampled using the Lolli-Method. At the end of the project, teachers were asked to evaluate the overall acceptance of the project.

Results

We analyzed a total of 757 pooled RT-qPCRs obtained from 8,287 individual swabs and detected 7 SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. The Lolli-Method was shown to be a feasible and accepted testing strategy whose application is only slightly disruptive to the daily school routine.

Conclusion

Our observations suggest that the Lolli-Method in combination with pooled RT-qPCR can be implemented for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in daily school routine, applicable on a large scale.
Plasma cytokine levels characterize disease pathogenesis and treatment response in tuberculosis patients
Authors: Vivekanandan Monika M. , Adankwah Ernest , Aniagyei Wilfred , Acheampong Isaac , Yeboah Augustine , Arthur Joseph F. , Lamptey Millicent N. K. , Abass Mohammed K. , Gawusu Amidu , Kumbel Francis , Osei-Yeboah Francis , Debrah Linda Batsa , Owusu Dorcas O. , Debrah Alexander , Mayatepek Ertan , Seyfarth Julia , Phillips Richard O. , Jacobsen Marc
Published: June 2022

Background

Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis-caused immunopathology is characterized by aberrant expression of plasma cytokines in human tuberculosis. Disease severity and long-term anti-mycobacterial treatment are potentially influenced by immunopathology and normalization of plasma cytokine levels during therapy may indicate treatment efficacy and recovery.

Study design and methods

In this study, we analyzed the concentrations of selected plasma cytokines (i.e., IL-6, IP-10, IL-10, IL-22, IFNγ, GM-CSF, IL-8) and M. tuberculosis sputum burden in patients with tuberculosis (n = 76). Cytokine levels were compared to healthy contacts (n = 40) and changes under treatment were monitored (i.e., 6 and 16 weeks after treatment start). According to differences in M. tuberculosis sputum burden and conversion, tuberculosis patients were classified as paucibacillary as well as ‘rapid’ or ‘slow’ treatment responders. A subgroup of tuberculosis patients had fatal disease courses.

Results

Six of seven cytokines were significantly higher in tuberculosis patients as compared to contacts and four of these (i.e., IL-6, IP-10, IL-10, and IL-22) were detectable in the majority of tuberculosis patients. IL-6 showed the strongest discriminating capacity for tuberculosis disease and in combination with IL-10 concentrations efficiently classified paucibacillary tuberculosis cases as well as those with fatal disease outcome. In addition, IL-6 and IP-10 levels decreased significantly after 6 weeks of treatment and analyses of subgroups with differential treatment response showed delayed decline of IL-6 levels in slow treatment responders.

Conclusions

Combinations of different plasma cytokine (namely, IL-6, IL-10, and IP-10) efficiently classified tuberculosis patients with differential mycobacterial burden and especially IL-6 qualified as a biomarker candidate for early treatment response.
Improved PSPNet-based water shoreline detection in complex inland river scenarios
Authors: Yin Yuheng , Guo Yangang , Deng Liwei , Chai Borong
Published: June 2022

The water shoreline is essential for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to navigate autonomously. Many existing traditional water shoreline detections approaches not only fail to overcome the effects of water reflections, image inversions, and other factors but are also unsuitable for water shoreline detection in a variety of weather conditions and in complex inland river scenarios. Therefore, we propose a water shoreline detection approach based on an enhanced Pyramid Scene Parsing Network (PSPNet). We introduce a migration learning approach to the PSPNet feature backbone extraction network Resnet50 to improve training efficiency and add a Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) attention mechanism module to improve the robustness of training. In addition, the pyramid pooling module adds the branch of the atrous convolution module. Finally, the waterfront segmentation map is processed by the Canny edge detection method, which detects the water shorelines. For the network's training and validation, we use the USVInland dataset, the world's first urban inland driverless dataset. The experimental results show that the segmentation accuracy MIou of this paper is 96.87% and Accuracy is 98.41, which are higher than some mainstream algorithms. It is capable of detecting water shorelines accurately in a variety of interior river situations.
Unemployment and labour market recovery policies
Authors: Dhingra Swati , Kondirolli Fjolla
Published: June 2022

Evidence shows long-term unemployment (LTU) can have life-long scarring impacts on the future employment and earning prospects of individuals and lead to an overall deterioration in the wellbeing of communities. This article examines long-term unemployment in India, providing some of the first estimates from a panel of individuals before and during the pandemic. It shows that LTU makes up a substantial proportion of unemployment among the working-age population, particularly among young workers who have fared even worse since the pandemic. Existing benefits have proven inadequate in addressing long-term unemployment and young workers have a strong desire for active labour market policies from the government to address the worklessness crisis. A national-level commitment to active labour market policies could prevent a lost generation of young workers from falling into long-term unemployment and the ills that accompany it.
Failure pressure analysis of pipe repaired by composite sleeve subjected to thermal and mechanical loadings
Authors: Savari Ardeshir , Rashed Gholamreza , Eskandari Hadi
Published: June 2022

During the lifetime of a corroded metallic pipe, it may be exposed to a wide range of temperatures (− 50–130 °C). This study deals with the impacts of temperature and moisture on the effectiveness of a composite sleeve applied to the damaged metallic pipe employing a theoretical methodology supported by FE simulations. For this purpose, a theoretical method has been developed to obtain the failure pressure, with the repaired pipe being under thermal loading as well as internal pressure. Then, the effects of various parameters on the burst pressure of the repaired pipe have been investigated. According to the findings, studying the impact of temperature on both GFRP and thermo-wrap composites employed to repair the metallic pipe suggests that the latter could be used in exposure to a high range of temperatures, as opposed to the former, with its strength being suitable for low-temperature applications. Investigating the partially bonded condition between components revealed that the surface preparation before applying the filler material is necessary unless a partially bonded sleeve could not remarkably restore the pipe strength.
Adaptations in the Context of COVID-19: Application of an Implementation Science FRAMEwork
Authors: Albrecht Erin C. , Sherman Lindsay , Fixsen Amanda , Steffen Julie
Published: June 2022

Invest in Kids (IIK) is a Denver, Colorado, USA-based intermediary organization that works to bridge the research-to-practice gap for programs that support Colorado’s youngest children and their families. IIK supports evidence-based programs (EBPs) including three universal, prevention programs from The Incredible Years® (IY)—Dinosaur School (a classroom curriculum), Teacher Classroom Management (teacher professional development training), and Parent Program (parent training). IIK employs staff (the IIK–IY Team) to deliver implementation supports such as training, coaching, and managing implementation teams with professionals at schools and community agencies who deliver IY programs throughout Colorado. The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges and opportunities for practitioners using EBPs, and for the IIK–IY Team. The Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications—Expanded, known as the FRAME (Stirman et al., 2019), was identified as a useful tool for documenting information about COVID-19-related adaptations to local sites’ delivery of the programs, IIK’s implementation supports, and IIK’s annual statewide evaluation of IY. This case study includes an in-depth description of the various adaptations made by the IIK–IY Team, highlighting specific examples that demonstrate how the FRAME can be used to support adaptations for numerous sites in a geographic region or state. This case study provides important lessons about what successful IY delivery and implementation supports looked like in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including a description of IY fidelity and program outcomes.