bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced Composites Inspired by Biological Structures and Functions in Nature: Architecture Design, Strengthening Mechanisms, and Mechanical‐Functional Responses
Authors: Dai Hanqing , Dai Wenqing , Hu Zhe , Zhang Wanlu , Zhang Guoqi , Guo Ruiqian
Published: March 2023

The natural design and coupling of biological structures are the root of realizing the high strength, toughness, and unique functional properties of biomaterials. Advanced architecture design is applied to many materials, including metal materials, inorganic nonmetallic materials, polymer materials, and so on. To improve the performance of advanced materials, the designed architecture can be enhanced by bionics of biological structure, optimization of structural parameters, and coupling of multiple types of structures. Herein, the progress of structural materials is reviewed, the strengthening mechanisms of different types of structures are highlighted, and the impact of architecture design on the performance of advanced materials is discussed. Architecture design can improve the properties of materials at the micro level, such as mechanical, electrical, and thermal conductivity. The synergistic effect of structure makes traditional materials move toward advanced functional materials, thus enriching the macroproperties of materials. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of structural innovation of advanced materials in improving material properties are discussed.
The Proof‐of‐Concept of Anode‐Free Rechargeable Mg Batteries
Authors: Mao Minglei , Fan Xueru , Xie Wei , Wang Haoxiang , Suo Liumin , Wang Chengliang
Published: March 2023

The desperate pursuit of high gravimetric specific energy leads to the ignorance of volumetric energy density that is one of the basic requirements for batteries. Due to the high volumetric capacity, less‐prone formation of dendrite, and low reduction potential of Mg metal, rechargeable Mg batteries are considered with innately high volumetric energy density. Nevertheless, the substantial elevation in energy density is compromised by extremely excessive Mg metal anode. Herein, the proof‐of‐concept of anode‐free Mg2Mo6S8‐MgS/Cu batteries is proposed, in which MgS as the premagnesiation additive constantly decomposes to replenish Mg loss by electrolyte corrosion over cycling, while both Mg2Mo6S8 and MgS acts as the active material to reversibly provide high capacities. Besides, Mg2Mo6S8 shows superior catalytic activity on the decomposition of MgS and provides the strong affinity to polysulfides to restrain their dissolution. Consequently, the anode‐free Mg2Mo6S8‐MgS/Cu batteries deliver a high reversible capacity of 190 mAh g−1 with the capacity retention of 92% after 100 cycles, corresponding to the highly competitive energy density of 420 Wh L−1. The proposed anode‐free Mg battery here spotlights the great promise of Mg batteries in achieving high volumetric energy densities, which will significantly expedite the advances of Mg batteries in practice.
Multilayer Arrays for Neurotechnology Applications (MANTA): Chronically Stable Thin‐Film Intracortical Implants
Authors: Böhler Christian , Vomero Maria , Soula Marisol , Vöröslakos Mihály , Porto Cruz Maria , Liljemalm Rickard , Buzsaki György , Stieglitz Thomas , Asplund Maria
Published: March 2023

Flexible implantable neurointerfaces show great promise in addressing one of the major challenges of implantable neurotechnology, namely the loss of signal connected to unfavorable probe tissue interaction. The authors here show how multilayer polyimide probes allow high‐density intracortical recordings to be combined with a reliable long‐term stable tissue interface, thereby progressing toward chronic stability of implantable neurotechnology. The probes could record 10–60 single units over 5 months with a consistent peak‐to‐peak voltage at dimensions that ensure robust handling and insulation longevity. Probes that remain in intimate contact with the signaling tissue over months to years are a game changer for neuroscience and, importantly, open up for broader clinical translation of systems relying on neurotechnology to interface the human brain.
Visualizing Reaction Fronts and Transport Limitations in Solid‐State Li–S Batteries via Operando Neutron Imaging
Authors: Bradbury Robert , Dewald Georg F. , Kraft Marvin A. , Arlt Tobias , Kardjilov Nikolay , Janek Jürgen , Manke Ingo , Zeier Wolfgang G. , Ohno Saneyuki
Published: March 2023

The exploitation of high‐capacity conversion‐type materials such as sulfur in solid‐state secondary batteries is a dream combination for achieving improved battery safety and high energy density in the push toward a sustainable future. However, the exact reason behind the low rate‐capability, bottlenecking further development of solid‐state lithium–sulfur batteries, has not yet been determined. Here, using neutron imaging, the spatial distribution of lithium during cell operation is directly visualized and it is shown that sluggish macroscopic ion transport within the composite cathode is rate‐limiting. Observing a reaction front propagating from the separator side toward the current collector confirms the detrimental influence of a low effective ionic conductivity. Furthermore, irreversibly concentrated lithium in the vicinity of the current collector, revealed via state‐of‐charge‐dependent tomography, highlights a hitherto‐overlooked loss mechanism triggered by sluggish effective ionic transport within a composite cathode. This discovery can be a cornerstone for future research on solid‐state batteries, irrespective of the type of active material.
Fast Solidification and Slow Growth Strategy for High‐Performance Quasi‐2D Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Xu Chang , Cheng Liwei , Li Zexin , Zheng Xiangjun , Shan Shiqi , Chen Tianyi , Fu Weifei , Yang Yingguo , Zuo Lijian , Chen Hongzheng
Published: March 2023

Smooth perovskite film with high crystallinity and vertical orientation is highly favored for high‐performance quasi‐2D perovskite solar cells (PVSCs), yet limited by the critical balance between nucleation and crystal growth. To address this issue, here a fast solidification and slow growth (FSSG) strategy is developed to effectively optimize the film morphology. The fast solidification enables a smooth, pinhole‐free film, while slow growth allows it to further ripen into high‐crystallinity film. This process is enabled by the low‐boiling point solvent system, that is, acetonitrile, with high‐boiling point additives, that is, NH4SCN and CH3NH3Cl. Compared to the traditional method, uniform film with a larger grain/crystallite size as well as better crystallinity can be easily fabricated through this FSSG strategy. As a result, the quasi‐2D PVSCs based on (GA)2(MA)4Pb5I16 processed with the FSSG strategy show a champion power conversion efficiency of 20.44%, as well as 19.08% for large‐area (1 cm2) devices, which suggest the capability of the FSSG strategy for up‐scaled PVSC fabrication. Therefore, this work opens a new avenue toward morphology control of PVSCs for practical applications.
Development of hesperetin methacrylates and their high performance thermosets
Authors: Clay Anthony M. , Mitchell Joshua R. , Boelter Zach R. , Palmese Giuseppe , La Scala John J.
Published: March 2023

Hesperetin based monomers substituted to varying degrees of methacrylate functionality were synthesized namely trimethacrylate, dimethacrylate and monomethacrylated hesperetin monomers, HTM, HDM and HMM respectively. Resins employing reactive diluents 4‐acryloylmorpholine (4AM) and styrene (Sty) were formulated. Resin formulations were determined to be Newtonian fluids with viscosities below 800 cP. Thermosets of hesperetin monomers were produced with glass transition temperature (Tg) values up to 225°C. Ultimate strength up to 20 MPa and tensile modulus of 5.0 GPa were also observed. Additionally, thermosets with char yield near 30% were measured. Char yield, ultimate strength and tensile modulus of hesperetin based thermosets were superior to those derived from the petrochemical bisphenol A dimethacrylate (BPAM). However, thermosets that employed hesperetin derived monomers displayed properties that were less than expected compared to Bicerano model predictions. Also, select HTM:Sty thermosets displayed a noticeable holographic type morphology. Reactivity ratios, spectroscopy, microscopy and structure property relationships indicated that poor copolymerization behavior during cure and high degrees of crosslinking during postcure were responsible for the microcrack formation in the material. This also caused the observed morphology and resulted in reduced properties relative to Bicerano predictions.
Lowering Serum Urate With Urate‐Lowering Therapy to Target and Incident Fracture Among People With Gout
Authors: Wei Jie , Choi Hyon K. , Dalbeth Nicola , Lane Nancy E. , Wu Jing , Lyu Houchen , Zeng Chao , Lei Guanghua , Zhang Yuqing
Published: March 2023

Objective

Gout is associated with a higher risk of fracture; however, findings on the associations of hyperuricemia and urate‐lowering therapy (ULT) with the risk of fracture have been inconsistent. We examined whether lowering serum urate (SU) levels with ULT to a target level (i.e., <360 μmoles/liter) reduces the risk of fracture among individuals with gout.

Methods

We emulated analyses of a hypothetical target trial using a “cloning, censoring, and weighting” approach to examine the association between lowering SU with ULT to the target levels and the risk of fracture using data from The Health Improvement Network, a UK primary care database. Individuals with gout who were age 40 years or older and for whom ULT was initiated were included in the study.

Results

Among 28,554 people with gout, the 5‐year risk of hip fracture was 0.5% for the “achieving the target SU level” arm and 0.8% for the “not achieving the target SU level” arm. The risk difference and hazard ratio for the “achieving the target SU level” arm was –0.3% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] –0.5%, –0.1%) and 0.66 (95% CI 0.46, 0.93), respectively, compared with the “not achieving the target SU level” arm. Similar results were observed when the associations between lowering SU level with ULT to the target levels and the risk of composite fracture, major osteoporotic fracture, vertebral fracture, and nonvertebral fracture were assessed.

Conclusion

In this population‐based study, lowering the SU level with ULT to the guideline‐based target level was associated with a lower risk of incident fracture in people with gout.

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Ultrathin Dendritic Pd‐Ag Nanoplates for Efficient and Durable Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to Formate
Authors: Huang Hui‐Zi , Liu Di , Chen Li‐Wei , Zhu Zhejiaji , Li Jiani , Yu Zi‐Long , Su Xin , Jing Xiaoting , Wu Si‐Qian , Tian Wenjing , Yin An‐Xiang
Published: March 2023

CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RR) powered by renewable electricity can directly convert CO2 to hydrocarbons and fix the sustainable but intermittent energy (e. g., sunlight, wind, etc.) in stable and portable chemical fuels. Advanced catalysts boosting CO2RR with high activity, selectivity, and durability at low overpotentials are of great importance but still elusive. Here, we report that the ultrathin Pd‐Ag dendritic nanoplates (PdAg DNPs) exhibited boosted activity, selectivity, and stability for producing formate from CO2 at a very low overpotential in aqueous solutions under ambient conditions. As a result, the PdAg DNPs exhibited a Faradaic efficiency (FE) for formate of 91% and a cathodic energy efficiency (EE) of ∼90% at the potential of −0.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (vs. RHE), showing significantly enhanced durability as compared with pure Pd catalysts. Our strategy represents a rational catalyst design by engineering the surface geometrical and electronic structures of metal nanocrystals and may find more applicability in future electrocatalysis.
Adaptive fault‐tolerant control for a class of flexible air‐breathing hypersonic vehicles
Authors: Huang Jian , Wang Tianyi , Wang Guan , Song Zhiyi , Yin Zuosheng
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a novel adaptive fault‐tolerant control (FTC) scheme is proposed for a class of flexible air‐breathing hypersonic vehicles with unknown inertial and aerodynamic parameters and even input constraints. The fault model under consideration covers the case that all actuators suffer from unknown time‐varying faults. In the controller design and stability analysis, we introduce new Lyapunov functions, some differentiable auxiliary functions, a bound estimation approach, and a Nussbaum function, which help us successfully circumvent the obstacle caused by the faults, input constraints, and flexible modes. In addition to higher reliability, the proposed scheme is able to ensure that all closed‐loop signals are globally uniformly bounded and to steer the tracking errors of altitude and velocity into predefined arbitrarily small residual sets. As a result, the tracking accuracy can be designated in advance. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
A multi‐omic approach identifies an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) regulatory complex of functional epimutations in placentas from children born preterm
Authors: Freedman Anastasia N. , Clark Jeliyah , Eaves Lauren A. , Roell Kyle , Oran Ali , Koval Lauren , Rager Julia , Santos Hudson P. , Kuban Karl , Joseph Robert M. , Frazier Jean , Marsit Carmen J. , Burt Amber A. , O'Shea T. Michael , Fry Rebecca C.
Published: March 2023

Children born preterm are at heightened risk of neurodevelopmental impairments, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The placenta is a key regulator of neurodevelopmental processes, though the precise underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we employed a multi‐omic approach to identify placental transcriptomic and epigenetic modifications related to ASD diagnosis at age 10, among children born preterm. Working with the extremely low gestational age (ELGAN) cohort, we hypothesized that a pro‐inflammatory placental environment would be predictive of ASD diagnosis at age 10. Placental messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, CpG methylation, and microRNA (miRNA) expression were compared among 368 ELGANs (28 children diagnosed with ASD and 340 children without ASD). A total of 111 genes displayed expression levels in the placenta that were associated with ASD. Within these ASD‐associated genes is an ASD regulatory complex comprising key genes that predicted ASD case status. Genes with expression that predicted ASD case status included Ewing Sarcoma Breakpoint Region 1 (EWSR1) (OR: 6.57 (95% CI: 2.34, 23.58)) and Bromodomain Adjacent To Zinc Finger Domain 2A (BAZ2A) (OR: 0.12 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.35)). Moreover, of the 111 ASD‐associated genes, nine (8.1%) displayed associations with CpG methylation levels, while 14 (12.6%) displayed associations with miRNA expression levels. Among these, LRR Binding FLII Interacting Protein 1 (LRRFIP1) was identified as being under the control of both CpG methylation and miRNAs, displaying an OR of 0.42 (95% CI: 0.17, 0.95). This gene, as well as others identified as having functional epimutations, plays a critical role in immune system regulation and inflammatory response. In summary, a multi‐omic approach was used to identify functional epimutations in the placenta that are associated with the development of ASD in children born preterm, highlighting future avenues for intervention.
Impact of X‐ray irradiation as an equivalent alternative to gamma for sterilization of single‐use bioprocessing polymers
Authors: Grzelak Adam W. , Jeffkins Sarah , Luo Lan , Stilwell James , Hathcock James
Published: March 2023

Irradiation sterilization of polymeric pharmaceutical processing systems and medical devices, an essential healthcare technology, is facing critical business continuity challenges, driving the need to qualify equivalent alternative irradiation technologies, such as X‐ray. Whereas the underlying there is a paucity of cross‐industry published data evaluating X‐ray irradiation effects on plastics as compared to gamma irradiation. That leads to regulatory uncertainty in the levels of costly validation data regulators will require and overall apprehension in the rate of X‐ray irradiation adoption. The present study evaluates the impact of X‐ray versus gamma irradiation on a wide range of polymers with more than 36 single‐use (SU) components, using a comprehensive set of industry aligned methods for characterization of bioprocess polymers. Whereas many of these techniques readily demonstrate changes in polymer properties following irradiation, all of the polymers evaluated demonstrated that the impact of X‐ray irradiation was to the same degree or less as compared to gamma. Increased publication of studies evaluating the impact to polymers of X‐ray versus gamma irradiation is critical to leveraging extensive, existing validation packages on bioprocess systems and medical devices obtained following gamma irradiation, and essential in qualifying X‐ray irradiation as an equivalent technology (i.e., materials are impacted to the same extent or less than gamma) that can overcome business continuity challenges to ensure continued availability of critical patient therapies.
Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada syndrome in the setting of COVID‐19 infection
Authors: Eatz Tiffany , Charles Jude Hassan
Published: March 2023

To report a case of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease (VKH) in a 27‐year‐old male 2 weeks proceeding COVID‐19 infection onset. Severe complications of VKH can be avoided by early diagnosis and adequate treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. It is possible that COVID‐19 was a potential immunological trigger of VKH in our patient.
Improvement of Plasma Reactor Design for Methane Pyrolysis by Simulation
Authors: Magazova Aliya , Agar David W.
Published: March 2023

Hydrogen generation by plasma reactors from methane is a promising technology. Although, much research is done on accurately describing the plasma, fewer was focused on the reactor design optimization. By altering the design, the velocity profiles and heat transport can be managed in such a way that the conversion of methane can be increased. Through a simplified simulation approach, it was possible to increase the gliding arc reactor conversion from 30 to 50 %, which was tested by experiments. Similar finding resulted from the microwave plasma simulation, where simulations showed a potential rise from 66 % to 84 %.
Use of exotic Nicotiana tabacum germplasm for confronting an inverse genetic correlation in flue‐cured tobacco
Authors: Lewis Ramsey S.
Published: March 2023

Inverse genetic correlations between cured leaf yields and alkaloid accumulation in flue‐cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) complicate the development of higher yielding cultivars while maintaining alkaloids at commercially acceptable levels. Introgression of genomic regions from exotic source material that positively affect alkaloid levels, but with less of a corresponding negative influence on yielding ability, could enhance long‐term efforts to develop improved cultivars. Germplasm accessions “TI 464” and “TI 959” were previously identified as being potentially useful for this purpose. In this study, the relationships between yield and alkaloid accumulation were investigated in BC1F1 populations derived from crosses with these materials and found to be slightly negative or slightly positive. Derived BC1F2 families were used to calculate heritability estimates for alkaloid accumulation on a single plant basis that were low to intermediate in magnitude. The relationships between alkaloid levels of leaves from individual stalk positions and alkaloid levels averaged over all stalk positions were determined. The third stalk position was found to be the most predictive of average alkaloid levels. Selection for alkaloid levels using a single leaf from this stalk position could increase breeding efficiency. BC4F6 lines carrying low genomic contributions from either TI 464 or TI 959 were generated and evaluated as lines per se and in F1 hybrid combinations with a very high‐yielding inbred line with increased leaf number. Performance of these materials indicated that TI 464 and, to a lesser extent TI 959, may be useful for developing higher yielding tobacco cultivars with acceptable alkaloid levels.
Forest edge effects on moss growth are amplified by drought
Authors: Koelemeijer Irena Adia , Ehrlén Johan , De Frenne Pieter , Jönsson Mari , Berg Peter , Hylander Kristoffer
Published: March 2023

Forest fragmentation increases the amount of edges in the landscape. Differences in wind, radiation, and vegetation structure create edge‐to‐interior gradients in forest microclimate, and these gradients are likely to be more pronounced during droughts and heatwaves. Although the effects of climate extremes on edge influences have potentially strong and long‐lasting impacts on forest understory biodiversity, they are not well understood and are not often considered in management and landscape planning. Here we used a novel method of retrospectively quantifying growth to assess biologically relevant edge influences likely caused by microclimate using Hylocomium splendens, a moss with annual segments. We examined how spatio‐temporal variation in drought across 3 years and 46 sites in central Sweden, affected the depth and magnitude of edge influences. We also investigated whether edge effects during drought were influenced by differences in forest structure. Edge effects were almost twice as strong in the drought year compared to the non‐drought years, but we did not find clear evidence that they penetrated deeper into the forest in the drought year. Edge influences were also greater in areas that had fewer days with rain during the drought year. Higher levels of forest canopy cover and tree height buffered the magnitude of edge influence in times of drought. Our results demonstrate that edge effects are amplified by drought, suggesting that fragmentation effects are aggravated when droughts become more frequent and severe. Our results suggest that dense edges and buffer zones with high canopy cover can be important ways to mitigate negative drought impacts in forest edges.
Comparing ant morphology measurements from microscope and online AntWeb.org 2D z‐stacked images
Authors: Csősz Sándor , Báthori Ferenc , Rádai Zoltán , Herczeg Gábor , Fisher Brian L.
Published: March 2023

Unprecedented technological advances in digitization and the steadily expanding open‐access digital repositories are yielding new opportunities to quickly and efficiently measure morphological traits without transportation and advanced/expensive microscope machinery. A prime example is the AntWeb.org database, which allows researchers from all over the world to study taxonomic, ecological, or evolutionary questions on the same ant specimens with ease. However, the reproducibility and reliability of morphometric data deduced from AntWeb compared to traditional microscope measurements has not yet been tested. Here, we compared 12 morphological traits of 46 Temnothorax ant specimens measured either directly by stereomicroscope on physical specimens or via the widely used open‐access software tpsDig utilizing AntWeb digital images. We employed a complex statistical framework to test several aspects of reproducibility and reliability between the methods. We estimated (i) the agreement between the measurement methods and (ii) the trait value dependence of the agreement, then (iii) compared the coefficients of variation produced by the different methods, and finally, (iv) tested for systematic bias between the methods in a mixed modeling‐based statistical framework. The stereomicroscope measurements were extremely precise. Our comparisons showed that agreement between the two methods was exceptionally high, without trait value dependence. Furthermore, the coefficients of variation did not differ between the methods. However, we found systematic bias in eight traits: apart from one trait where software measurements overestimated the microscopic measurements, the former underestimated the latter. Our results shed light on the fact that relying solely on the level of agreement between methods can be highly misleading. In our case, even though the software measurements predicted microscope measurements very well, replacing traditional microscope measurements with software measurements, and especially mixing data collected by the different methods, might result in erroneous conclusions. We provide guidance on the best way to utilize virtual specimens (2D z‐stacked images) as a source of morphometric data, emphasizing the method's limitations in certain fields and applications.
Is excessive ventricular irregularity predictive of rehospitalization in patients with permanent AF and HFpEF?
Authors: Chaumont Corentin , Omouri Lisa , Savouré Arnaud , Al Hamoud Raphaël , Fauvel Charles , Godin Bénédicte , Eltchaninoff Hélène , Anselme Frédéric
Published: March 2023

Aims

There are currently limited therapeutic approaches for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) who have developed permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to analyse the impact of ventricular irregularity on heart failure rehospitalization in patients with permanent AF and HFpEF.

Methods and results

All 24 h ambulatory Holter monitoring performed in our centre within a month after a first heart failure hospitalization were screened. Patients with HFpEF and permanent AF were included in the retrospective analysis. The following parameters of ventricular irregularity were calculated over the 24 h recording period: standard deviation of all RR intervals (SDNN), coefficient of variation of SDNN (CV‐SDNN = SDNN/mean RR), root of the mean squared differences of successive RR intervals (RMSSD), and percentage of consecutive RR intervals with difference over 50 ms (pNN50). The primary endpoint was rehospitalization for acute heart failure (HFrH). From 2010 to 2021, 51/216 screened patients were included. During a median follow‐up of 3.13 years, 29/51 patients reached the primary endpoint. HFrH patients had higher SDNN (205 ± 65 vs. 154 ± 46 ms; P < 0.01), CV‐SDNN (26 ± 8% vs. 19 ± 5%, P < 0.01), RMSSD (182 ± 47 vs. 138 ± 65 ms, P = 0.013), and pNN50 (76 ± 9 vs. 58 ± 26, P < 0.001) when compared with patients with no HFrH. In multivariate analysis, all those parameters remained significantly associated with HFrH.

Conclusions

In this pilot study, we found some evidences for a deleterious impact of excessive ventricular irregularity on HFrH in AF patients with HFpEF. Those new findings could pave the way for new prognosis and therapeutic approaches in this patients' population.
“Plok‐plok” syndrome: Posttraumatic stress disorder following an SEEG thermocoagulation and direct electrical stimulation procedure
Authors: Soncin Lisa‐Dounia , Arthuis Marie , Scholly Julia , Carron Romain , McGonigal Aileen , Pizzo Francesca , Trébuchon Agnès , Lagarde Stanislas , Bartolomei Fabrice
Published: March 2023

The psychological impact of intracerebral electroencephalography (stereoelectroencephalography [SEEG]) including the thermocoagulation procedure has not yet been clearly studied. We present a case of a patient who, following an SEEG procedure for presurgical evaluation of intractable focal epilepsy, developed severe symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Such an occurrence may be under‐estimated. Perceived traumatic exposure during SEEG and the development of posttraumatic psychological symptoms should be further studied in order to define risk factors and to improve the monitoring and psychological management of patients during their hospitalization. A careful and systematic procedure of prevention and support before, during, and after SEEG could decrease the risk of development or worsening of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Shades of a channelopathy—Hypoperfusion, excitability, or both: A case video
Authors: Shah Rutul , Gohel Abhishek , Gullapalli Sagari , Mathew Navin , Gopinath Siby
Published: March 2023

Content available: Video
Ictal asystole during epileptic seizures: A case report and narrative review
Authors: Shi Wenyan , Li Jinmei
Published: March 2023

Content available: Video
Normal variants and artifacts: Importance in EEG interpretation
Authors: Amin Ushtar , Nascimento Fábio A. , Karakis Ioannis , Schomer Donald , Benbadis Selim R.
Published: March 2023

Overinterpretation of EEG is an important contributor to the misdiagnosis of epilepsy. For the EEG to have a high diagnostic value and high specificity, it is critical to recognize waveforms that can be mistaken for abnormal patterns. This article describes artifacts, normal rhythms, and normal patterns that are prone to being misinterpreted as abnormal. Artifacts are potentials generated outside the brain. They are divided into physiologic and extraphysiologic. Physiologic artifacts arise from the body and include EMG, eyes, various movements, EKG, pulse, and sweat. Some physiologic artifacts can be useful for interpretation such as EMG and eye movements. Extraphysiologic artifacts arise from outside the body, and in turn can be divided into the environments (electrodes, equipment, and cellphones) and devices within the body (pacemakers and neurostimulators). Normal rhythms can be divided into awake patterns (alpha rhythm and its variants, mu rhythm, lambda waves, posterior slow waves of youth, HV‐induced slowing, photic driving, and photomyogenic response) and sleep patterns (POSTS, vertex waves, spindles, K complexes, sleep‐related hypersynchrony, and frontal arousal rhythm). Breach can affect both awake and sleep rhythms. Normal variants or variants of uncertain clinical significance include variants that may have been considered abnormal in the early days of EEG but are now considered normal. These include wicket spikes and wicket rhythms (the most common normal pattern overread as epileptiform), small sharp spikes (aka benign epileptiform transients of sleep), rhythmic midtemporal theta of drowsiness (aka psychomotor variant), Cigánek rhythm (aka midline theta), 6 Hz phantom spike–wave, 14 and 6 Hz positive spikes, subclinical rhythmic epileptiform discharges of adults (SREDA), slow‐fused transients, occipital spikes of blindness, and temporal slowing of the elderly. Correctly identifying artifacts and normal patterns can help avoid overinterpretation and misdiagnosis. This is an educational review paper addressing a learning objective of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) curriculum.
The potential of the Lempel–Ziv complexity of the EEG in diagnosing cognitive impairment in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Ren Zhe , Yue Mengyan , Han Xiong , Zhao Zongya , Wang Bin , Hong Yang , Zhao Ting , Wang Na , Zhao Pan , Hong Yingxing , Wang Qi , Zhao Yibo
Published: March 2023

Aim

To analyze whether the Lempel–Ziv Complexity (LZC) in quantitative electroencephalogram differs between the temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients with or without cognitive impairment (CI) and explore the diagnostic value of LZC for identifying CI in TLE patients.

Methods

Twenty‐two clinical features and 20‐min EEG recordings were collected from 48 TLE patients with CI and 27 cognitively normal (CON) TLE patients. Seventy‐six LZC features were calculated for 19 leads in four frequency bands (alpha, beta, delta, and theta). The clinical and LZC features were compared between the two groups. A support vector machine (SVM) was subsequently constructed using the leave‐one‐out method of cross‐validation for LZC features with statistical differences.

Results

Regarding the clinical features, the level of education (p < .001), hippocampal atrophy and sclerosis (p = .029), and depression (p = .037) were statistically different between the two groups. For the LZC features, there were statistically significant differences in the alpha (Fp1, Fz, Cz, Pz, C3, C4, T3, T4, T5, T6, F3, F4, F7, F8, O1, and O2), beta (Fp2), and theta (F7) oscillations. The mean LZC in the alpha band was higher in the TLE‐CI group than that in the CON group, and there were no differences in the remaining bands. The SVM model showed 74.51% accuracy, 79.63% sensitivity, 84.30% F1 score, 68.75% specificity, and .85 area under the curve scores.

Conclusions

The LZC in the alpha band might have the potential to be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of TLE combined with CI. The TLE‐CI group, on the other hand, exhibited a higher degree of complexity in alpha oscillations, which were widespread and occurred in all brain regions.
Toward a statistical validation of brain signatures as robust measures of behavioral substrates
Authors: Fletcher Evan , Farias Sarah , DeCarli Charles , Gavett Brandon , Widaman Keith , De Leon Fransia , Mungas Dan
Published: March 2023

The “brain signature of cognition” concept has garnered interest as a data‐driven, exploratory approach to better understand key brain regions involved in specific cognitive functions, with the potential to maximally characterize brain substrates of behavioral outcomes. Previously we presented a method for computing signatures of episodic memory. However, to be a robust brain measure, the signature approach requires a rigorous validation of model performance across a variety of cohorts. Here we report validation results and provide an example of extending it to a second behavioral domain. In each of two discovery data cohorts, we derived regional brain gray matter thickness associations for two domains: neuropsychological and everyday cognition memory. We computed regional association to outcome in 40 randomly selected discovery subsets of size 400 in each cohort. We generated spatial overlap frequency maps and defined high‐frequency regions as “consensus” signature masks. Using separate validation datasets, we evaluated replicability of cohort‐based consensus model fits and explanatory power by comparing signature model fits with each other and with competing theory‐based models. Spatial replications produced convergent consensus signature regions. Consensus signature model fits were highly correlated in 50 random subsets of each validation cohort, indicating high replicability. In comparisons over each full cohort, signature models outperformed other models. In this validation study, we produced signature models that replicated model fits to outcome and outperformed other commonly used measures. Signatures in two memory domains suggested strongly shared brain substrates. Robust brain signatures may therefore be achievable, yielding reliable and useful measures for modeling substrates of behavioral domains.
The use of hippocampal grading as a biomarker for preclinical and prodromal Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Morrison Cassandra , Dadar Mahsa , Shafiee Neda , Collins D. Louis ,   For Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: March 2023

Hippocampal changes are associated with increased age and cognitive decline due to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). These associations are often observed only in the later stages of decline. This study examined if hippocampal grading, a method measuring local morphological similarity of the hippocampus to cognitively normal controls (NCs) and AD participants, is associated with cognition in NCs, subjective cognitive decline (SCD), early (eMCI), late (lMCI), and AD. A total of 1620 Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative participants were examined (495 NC, 262 eMCI, 545 lMCI, and 318 AD) because they had baseline MRIs and Alzheimer's disease Assessment Scale (ADAS‐13) and Clinical Dementia Rating—Sum of Boxes (CDR‐SB) scores. In a sub‐analysis, NCs with episodic memory scores (as measured by Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, RAVLT) were divided into those with subjective cognitive decline (SCD+; 103) and those without (SCD−; 390). Linear regressions evaluated the influence of hippocampal grading on cognition in preclinical and prodromal AD. Lower global cognition, as measured by increased ADAS‐13, was associated with hippocampal grading: NC (p < .001), eMCI (p < .05), lMCI (p < .05), and AD (p = .01). Lower global cognition as measured increased CDR‐SB was associated with hippocampal grading in lMCI (p < .05) and AD (p < .001). Lower RAVLT performance was associated with hippocampal grading in SCD− (p < .05) and SCD+ (p < .05). These findings suggest that hippocampal grading is associated with global cognition in NC, eMCI, lMCI, and AD. Early changes in episodic memory during pre‐clinical AD are associated with changes in hippocampal grading. Hippocampal grading may be sensitive to progressive changes early in the disease course.
High PD‐L1 expression associates with low T‐cadherin expression and poor prognosis in human papillomavirus‐negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Qiuju , Zhao Yanzhen , Chen Yan , Chen Yibo , Song Xiaoyu , Zhang Li , He Qiao , Ye Bo , Wu Lichun , Huang Xinyue , Wang Dongsheng
Published: March 2023

Background

This study aimed at exploring the correlation between T‐cadherin and programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1), as well as their prognostic value in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)‐negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

Immunohistochemical staining was used to identify the protein expression of T‐cadherin and PD‐L1. Spearman linear correlation analysis was used to determine their association. Kaplan–Meier analysis was utilized to plot overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) curves. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to conduct univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

The results showed a negative association between protein expression of T‐cadherin and PD‐L1 (r = −0.760, p < 0.001), positive expression of T‐cadherin was associated with a better OS (p < 0.001) and DFS (p < 0.001), while positive PD‐L1 expression was associated with a worse OS (p = 0.002) and DFS (p < 0.001). The expression of T‐cadherin and PD‐L1 were independent prognostic predictors for OS and DFS.

Conclusions

In conclusion, expression of T‐cadherin and PD‐L1 were largely inversely correlated and independent prognostic factors for patients with HPV‐negative HNSCC.
Stress compensation based on interfacial nanostructures for stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Zhu Cheng , Wang Xi , Li Hangxuan , Wang Chenyue , Gao Ziyan , Zhang Pengxiang , Niu Xiuxiu , Li Nengxu , Xu Zipeng , Su Zhenhuang , Chen Yihua , Zai Huachao , Xie Haipeng , Zhao Yizhou , Yang Ning , Liu Guilin , Wang Xueyun , Zhou Huanping , Hong Jiawang , Gao Xingyu , Bai Yang , Chen Qi
Published: March 2023

The long‐term stability issue of halide perovskite solar cells hinders their commercialization. The residual stress–strain affects device stability, which is derived from the mismatched thermophysical and mechanical properties between adjacent layers. In this work, we introduced the Rb2CO3 layer at the interface of SnO2/perovskite with the hierarchy morphology of snowflake‐like microislands and dendritic nanostructures. With a suitable thermal expansion coefficient, the Rb2CO3 layer benefits the interfacial stress relaxation and results in a compressive stress–strain in the perovskite layer. Moreover, reduced nonradiative recombination losses and optimized band alignment were achieved. An enhancement of open‐circuit voltage from 1.087 to 1.153 V in the resultant device was witnessed, which led to power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.7% (active area of 0.08313 cm2) and 20.6% (1 cm2). Moreover, these devices retained 95% of its initial PCE under the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) after 2700 h. It suggests inorganic materials with high thermal expansion coefficients and specific nanostructures are promising candidates to optimize interfacial mechanics, which improves the operational stability of perovskite cells.
Bringing a mentalizing framework to understanding mothers with addiction: The groundbreaking work of Nancy E. Suchman
Authors: Slade Arietta
Published: March 2023

Nancy Suchman is remembered as a pioneer whose mentalization‐based intervention—Mothering from the Inside Out (MIO)—transformed the treatment of parents struggling with substance use disorders. Specifically, Suchman's work highlighted the neural mechanisms underlying substance use disorders and identified the promotion of parental mentalizing as a key therapeutic focus in enhancing early parent‐child relationships. Her work transformed parenting support models for this population of parents. Several randomized controlled trials (RCT) show the effectiveness of MIO in promoting parental reflective functioning (PRF) and positive relational outcomes in parents with substance use disorders and their children. Suchman's MIO model has since been extended to parenting in many contexts. She is also remembered as a generous colleague, a gifted researcher and clinician, and an inspiration to generations of researchers and practitioners working with parents who aspire to raise healthy, secure children despite multiple challenges and adversities. This special issue compiles the work of researchers inspired by Suchman as they carry on her legacy in examining aspects of parental mentalization. Collectively, the research presented yields confirmation of MIO core assumptions, offers new insights into roles of positive sentiment and savoring in mentalization processes, and presents evaluations of MIO in multiple contexts and with new adaptations.
Sending, receiving, and nonconsensually sharing nude or near‐nude images by youth
Authors: Seto Michael C. , Roche Kailey , Stroebel Melissa , Gonzalez‐Pons Kwynn , Goharian Amanda
Published: March 2023

Introduction

There is growing evidence about the prevalence of sending, receiving, or resharing nude images by youth (sexting). Less is known about the demographic, technology use, and social context correlates of sexting. Using logistic regression, we looked at predictors of sexting behaviors in minors.

Methods

Participants were a market panel sample of 394 youths aged 9–12 and 602 youths aged 13–17 (Mage = 13.5, SD = 2.50, 60.3% females) recruited for an anonymous online survey in the United States. The survey comprised questions about demographic characteristics, sexting behaviors, technology use, attitudes, and perceived norms. The four outcomes were sending nude or near‐nude images or videos (images), receiving images sent without the depicted person's knowledge, nonconsensually resharing images, or having one's own images nonconsensually reshared.

Results

Regression analyses showed gender, gender/sexual minority status, use of dating apps and particular online platforms, self‐sharing and resharing attitudes, and friend norms predicted sending images. Age, resharing attitudes, and friend norms all predicted receiving nude images of other youths. Household income, geographic location, some online platforms, resharing attitudes, and friend norms all predicted nonconsensual resharing of nudes. Age, use of encrypted apps, and friend norms predicted having one's own image nonconsensually reshared.

Conclusions

We partially replicated prior research by finding associations between age and gender. Further, we identified technology use factors including the use of dating apps and particular platforms. Attitudes about sexting and perceived friend norms were robust across sexting behaviors, suggesting these factors are potentially important for intervention.
Process optimization of metabolically engineered Escherichia coliNSK015 fermentation for progressive improvement of 1,3‐propanediol production
Authors: Wong Nonthaporn , Jantama Kaemwich , Cassan Claire Joannis , Taillandier Patricia
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Previously, Escherichia coli NSK015 was developed for high yield of 1,3‐propanediol (1,3‐PDO) production. To further improve 1,3‐PDO concentration, parameters including kLa values with different agitations and impeller numbers, concentrations of coenzyme B12 and feeding strategies during fed‐batch fermentation were investigated.

RESULTS

In this study, aerobic conditions at 300 rpm agitation and 1 vvm aeration with two Rushton turbine impellers (kLa = 33.6 h−1) and the concentration of coenzyme B12 at 7.5 μmol L−1 were identified as the best optimized conditions to improve 1,3‐PDO production by the strain. With a two‐pulsed continuous feeding, E. coli NSK015 produced 1,3‐PDO up to 60.3 g L−1 with the 1,3‐PDO yield approaching a theoretical maximum of 0.97 g g−1 and productivity of 0.42 g L−1 h−1 in fed‐batch fermentation, in which concentration was improved about 60% compared to that of batch fermentation.

CONCLUSION

The result indicated the efficiency of E. coli NSK015 in producing 1,3‐PDO under optimal aerobic conditions. The strain could even enhance growth and maintain enzymatic activities involved in the 1,3‐PDO pathway without utilizing antibiotics, isopropyl β‐d‐1‐thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) or enriching nutrients. Plasmid instability, high production cost related to medium preparation and purification, and waste disposal were not of concern. This may provide a new insight for large‐scale 1,3‐PDO production by E. coli NSK015. Additionally, E. coli NSK015 could be a microbial host model for further developing new 1,3‐PDO‐producing microorganisms regardless of plasmid, inducer, antibiotics and rich nutrients in fermentation medium. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Crowned dens syndrome: A case series of 72 patients at eight teaching hospitals in Japan
Authors: Isono Hiroki , Kuno Haruka , Hozumi Takunori , Emoto Ken , Nishiguchi Sho , Sakai Masahiro , Ito Madoka , Kitamura Koichi , Hirose Kazuhito , Hiraoka Eiji , Ishimaru Naoto , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Tokuda Yasuharu
Published: March 2023

Background

Crowned dens syndrome (CDS) is characterized by calcification around the odontoid process, accompanied by neck pain. Although CDS is supposedly rare, we regularly diagnose and manage this condition, indicating a perception gap between previous studies and our experience. The purpose of this study was to determine the annual incidence of CDS, time to diagnosis in CDS, as well as the features of CDS.

Methods

The study design was a retrospective case series study conducted at eight teaching hospitals in Japan. We identified CDS cases from April 2013–March 2015. CDS was diagnosed when patients had acute onset of neck pain and CT showed calcification around the dens and when other diagnoses were unlikely.

Results

Seventy‐two CDS cases were identified. Mean annual incidence was 4.6 ± 2.3 cases at each hospital. Among those with available data, 57 of 64 had limited rotation (89.1%). The diagnosis of CDS was made in general internal medicine or the emergency medicine department in 61 cases (84.7%). A total of 62 cases (86.1%) were diagnosed within 1 day of presentation, and the median time from initial presentation at the hospital to diagnosis was 0.0 days (25th–75th percentiles, 0.0–1.0). For treatment, NSAIDs were used in 56cases (77.8%) and acetaminophen in 20 cases (27.8%).

Conclusion

CDS might be more common than has been reported to date. Time to diagnosis of CDS was within 1 day of visiting a teaching hospital. Cervical motion restriction is common in CDS and may be useful in establishing the diagnosis.