bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Piezoelectric and Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Energy Harvesting and Walking Sensing
Authors: Matin Nazar Ali , Egbe King-James Idala , Jiao Pengcheng
Published: March 2022

With the increasing improvement of wearable gadgets, nanogenerators have received significant attention in recent years. Herein, a hybrid piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators (PTNG) for generating energy and monitoring is developed. The PTNG uses magnetic force to implement the opposing force in the sliding mode between the Kapton and copper/aluminum layers for the triboelectric part and polyvinylidene fluoride strips. The triboelectric part with copper set up in PTNG in mode 2 (capsule with electrode layer) is found with the maximum voltage in the open circuit and the peak power of approximately 12 μW for the triboelectric part. The piezoelectric part in PTNG is found with the maximum voltage in the open circuit and the peak power of approximately 70 μW. In this design, a self‐powered walking sensing system is developed utilizing the PTNG for analyzing behavior of the human by walking on the treadmill. A test is conducted with different speeds of the treadmill, and the maximum hybrid open‐circuit voltage at 8 km h−1 is 21.9 V. This approach may present an innovative purpose for creating high‐performance and manageable energy harvesting gadgets with improved power output from human motions.
Geomorphology of the fluvial–estuarine transition zone, lower Neuse River, North Carolina
Authors: Phillips Jonathan D.
Published: March 2022

The fluvial–estuarine transition zone (FETZ) of the Neuse River, North Carolina features a river corridor that conveys flow in a complex of active, backflooded, and high‐flow channels, floodplain depressions, and wetlands. Hydrological connectivity among these occurs at median discharges and stages, with some connectivity at even lower stages. Water exchange can occur in any direction, and at high stages the complex effectively stores water within the valley bottom and eventually conveys it to the estuary along both slow and more rapid paths. The geomorphology of the FETZ is unique compared to the estuary, or to the fluvial reaches upstream. It has been shaped by Holocene and contemporary sea‐level rise, as shown by signatures of the leading edge of encroaching backwater effects. The FETZ can accommodate extreme flows from upstream, and extraordinary storm surges from downstream (as illustrated by Hurricane Florence). In the lower Neuse—and in fluvial‐to‐estuary transitions of other coastal plain rivers—options for geomorphological adaptation are limited. Landscape slopes and relief are low, channels are close to base level, sediment inputs are low, and banks have high resistance relative to hydraulic forces. Limited potential exists for changes in channel depth, width, or lateral migration. Adaptations are dominated by the formation of multiple channels, water storage in wetlands and floodplain depressions, increased frequency of overbank flow (compared to upstream), and adjustments of roughness via vegetation, woody debris, multiple channels, and flow through wetlands.
Organic radical materials in biomedical applications: State of the art and perspectives
Authors: Cui Xiao , Zhang Zhen , Yang Yuliang , Li Shengliang , Lee Chun‐Sing
Published: March 2022

Owing to their unique chemical reactivities and paramagnetism, organic radicals with unpaired electrons have found widespread exploration in physical, chemical, and biological fields. However, most radicals are too short‐lived to be separated and only a few of them can maintain stable radical forms via stereochemical strategies. How to utilize these raw radicals for developing stable radical‐containing materials have long been a research hotspot for many years. This perspective introduces fundamental characteristics of organic radical materials and highlights their applications in biomedical fields, particularly for bioimaging, biosensing, and photo‐triggered therapies. Molecular design of these radical materials is considered with reference to their outstanding imaging and therapeutic performances. Various challenges currently limiting the wide applications of these organic radical materials and their future development are also discussed.
Periodic hill flow simulations with a parameterized cumulant lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Gehrke Martin , Rung Thomas
Published: March 2022

The article is concerned with the assessment of a cumulant lattice Boltzmann method in wall‐bounded, separated turbulent shear flows. The approach is of interest for its resolution‐spanning success in turbulent channel flows without using a specific turbulence treatment. The assessment focuses upon the flow over a periodic hill, which offers a rich basis of numerical and experimental data, for Reynolds numbers within . The analysis involves the mean flow field, second moments and their invariants, as well as spectral data obtained for a wide range of resolutions with . With the emphasis on a recently published parameterized cumulant collision operator, the universality of the value assigned to a stability preserving regularization parameter is assessed. Reported results guide resolution‐dependent optimized values and indicate a required minimum resolution of . Analog to the findings for attached turbulent shear flows, the approach appears to adequately resolve complex turbulent flows without the need for ad hoc modeling for a range of scale resolving resolutions.
Do I see what you see? Institutional quality, action observability, and multimarket contact in the global mobile phone industry
Authors: Giachetti Claudio , Lampel Joseph , Onoz Ergun
Published: March 2022

Research Summary

Drawing on signaling theory and the international business literature that addresses the role of institutions, we argue that multinational enterprises (MNEs) that use multimarket contact (MMC)—that is, meet the same competitors in multiple countries—to reduce rivalry in a given country, will have their actions and performance influenced by the institutional quality of that country. More specifically, we contend that action observability is the mechanism that explains why institutional quality facilitates an MNE's use of MMC with competitors in a host country. We also contend that an MNE's ability to successfully reduce rivalry with host country competitors via MMC is contingent on the institutional quality distance between the MNE's home and host country. We test our hypotheses with data from the mobile phone industry.

Managerial Summary

MNEs often meet the same rivals simultaneously in multiple countries, a phenomenon known as market overlap or MMC. Prior studies have found that MMC deters rivals from attacking each other in the countries they have in common. However, these studies have not taken into account the heterogeneity of the institutional environments of the countries in which multimarket rivals compete. We contend that the quality of countries' institutions and the institutional quality distance between home and host countries affect the extent to which MNEs can observe each other's actions, which in turn helps rival MNEs to avoid mutually damaging moves for their sales performance in the countries they have in common.
Improving the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease with sodium by incorporating kidney dysfunction types
Authors: Cullaro Giuseppe , Verna Elizabeth C. , McCulloch Charles E. , Lai Jennifer C.
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims

We investigated the impact of the inclusion of kidney dysfunction type on the discrimination and calibration of the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease with sodium (MELD‐Na‐KT) score.

Approach and Results

We included all adults listed for ≥90 days without exception points from January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2018. We defined kidney dysfunction types as follows: acute kidney disease (AKD; an increase of ≥0.3 mg/dL or ≥50% in serum creatinine in the last 7 days or fewer than 72 days of hemodialysis), chronic kidney disease (CKD; an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 for 90 days or ≥72 days of hemodialysis), AKD on CKD (met both definitions), or none (met neither definition). We then developed and validated a multivariable survival model with follow‐up beginning at the first assessment after 90 days from waitlist registration and ending at the time of death, waitlist removal, or 90 days from enrollment in this study. The predictor variables were MELD‐Na and the derived MELD‐Na‐KT model. In the derivation cohort, kidney dysfunction type was significantly associated with waitlist mortality after controlling for MELD‐Na. There was a significant linear interaction between kidney dysfunction type and MELD‐Na score. In the validation cohort, we saw an improvement in the discrimination of the model with an increase in the c‐index from 0.76 with MELD‐Na to 0.78 with MELD‐Na‐KT (p = 0.002) and a net reclassification index of 10.8% (95% CI, 1.9%–11.4%). The newly derived MELD‐Na‐KT model had lower Brier scores (MELD‐Na‐KT 0.042 vs. MELD‐Na 0.053).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the feasibility and the potential for objectively defined kidney dysfunction types to enhance the prognostication of waitlist mortality provided by the MELD‐Na score.
Transport of thermal energy in the magnetohydrodynamic oblique stagnation point flow in a hybrid nanofluid with nanoparticle shape effect
Authors: Kata Sreelakshmi , Ganganapalli Sarojamma , Kuppalapalle Vajravelu
Published: March 2022

In the present paper, the augmented heat characteristics of a hybrid nanofluid which is a blend of Al2O3 (alumina) and Ag (silver) in the host hybrid fluid (C2H6O2‐H2O) (50%–50%) impinging obliquely on an elastic surface with magnetic lines of force are investigated. The properties of the nanofluid are assessed through the computational solutions established with the aid of the popular Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg fifth‐order (RKF 5) numerical technique. Outputs of the analysis reveal that the rate of thermal energy transport in the hybrid (mono) nanofluid is enhanced by 11.5% (5.8%) by using blade‐shaped nanoparticles in comparison to that of the spherical particles. Stream contours of both nanofluids are inclined to the left (right) of the stagnation‐point for positive (negative) values of the stagnation flow parameter.
Versatile role of sirtuins in metabolic disorders: From modulation of mitochondrial function to therapeutic interventions
Authors: Afzaal Ammara , Rehman Kanwal , Kamal Shagufta , Akash Muhammad Sajid Hamid
Published: March 2022

Sirtuins (SIRT1–7) are distinct histone deacetylases (HDACs) whose activity is determined by cellular metabolic status andnicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels. HDACs of class III are the members of the SIRT's protein family. SIRTs are the enzymes that modulate mitochondrial activity and energy metabolism. SIRTs have been linked to a number of clinical and physiological operations, such as energy responses to low‐calorie availability, aging, stress resistance, inflammation, and apoptosis. Mammalian SIRT2 orthologs have been identified as SIRT1−7 that are found in several subcellular sections, including the cytoplasm (SIRT1, 2), mitochondrial matrix (SIRT3, 4, 5), and the core (SIRT1, 2, 6, 7). For their deacetylase or ADP‐ribosyl transferase action, all SIRTs require NAD+ and are linked to cellular energy levels. Evolutionarily, SIRT1 is related to yeast's SIRT2 as well as received primary attention in the circulatory system. An endogenous protein, SIRT1 is involved in the development of heart failure and plays a key role in cell death and survival. SIRT2 downregulation protects against ischemic‐reperfusion damage. Increase in human longevity is caused by an increase in SIRT3 expression. Cardiomyocytes are also protected by SIRT3 from oxidative damage and aging, as well as suppressing cardiac hypertrophy. SIRT4 and SIRT5 perform their roles in the heart. SIRT6 has also been linked to a reduction in heart hypertrophy. SIRT7 is known to be involved in the regulation of stress responses and apoptosis in the heart.
Structure‐based virtual screening and biological evaluation of novel inhibitors of mycobacterium Z‐ring formation
Authors: Alexey Rayevsky , Dariya Samofalova , Liudmyla Ishchenko , Lilia Vygovska , Valeriy Mazur , Dmytro Labudzynskyi , Oleksandr Borysov , Svitlana Spivak , Sergii Ozheredov , Elijah Bulgakov , Mariia Stykhylias , Yaroslav Blume , Pavel Karpov
Published: March 2022

The major part of commercial prodrugs against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on cell division and inhibition of bacterial growth in vitro. However, further implementation often failed to overcome the compensatory system of interchangeable cascades. This is the most common situation for the compounds, which hit the key enzymes activities involved in all basic stages of the cell cycle. We decided to find more compounds, which could affect a cytoskeleton complex playing important role in sensing the external signals, intracellular transport, and cell division. In general, the bacterial cytoskeleton is crucial for response to the environment and participates in cell‐to‐cell communication. In turn, filamentous temperature‐sensitive Z (FtsZ) protein, a mycobacterial tubulin homolog, is essential for Z‐ring formation and further bacteria cell division. We predicted the most preferable binding‐sites and conducted a high‐throughput virtual screening. Modeling results suggest that some compounds bind in a specific region on the surface Mtb FtsZ, which is absent in human, and other could hit GTPase activity of the FtsZ. Further in vitro studies confirmed that these novel molecules can efficiently bind to these pockets, demonstrating an effect on the polymerization state and kinetics mechanisms. The rescaling of the experiment on the cell line revealed that reported compounds are able to alter the polymerization level of the filamentous and, therefore, prevent mycobacteria reproduction.
Serum hsa_circ_0079480 is a novel prognostic marker for acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Guo Liang , Kou Ru , Song Yanping , Li Guang , Jia Xueyou , Li Zhenzhen , Zhang Yunjie
Published: March 2022

Background

The dysregulated expression of serum circular RNAs (circRNAs) has previously been linked to the prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, but the clinical and prognostic relevance of serum hsa_circ_0079480 levels in this oncogenic setting have yet to be established. Herein, we assessed the putative prognostic relevance of circulating hsa_circ_0079480 levels in AML patient serum.

Methods

Serum was prepared from blood samples collected from 236 AML patients and 160 healthy controls, with hsa_circ_0079480 levels therein being quantified by quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) after which the clinical value of these levels was assessed.

Results

Acute myeloid leukemia patients were found to exhibit significant hsa_circ_0079480 upregulation in their serum as compared to serum from healthy controls, with such upregulation being most profound in individuals with M4/M5 type disease and to be more common in patients with poor cytogenic risk or high white blood cell counts. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated that serum hsa_circ_0079480 levels were able to effectively differentiate between patients with AML and healthy controls. Moreover, the upregulation of serum hsa_circ_0079480 was found to be closely related to clinicopathological findings and to be an independent predictor of reduced overall and relapse‐free survival among individuals diagnosed with AML. Furthermore, serum hsa_circ_0079480 levels were markedly decreased after treatment in this patient population, with these levels being lower in patients that achieved complete remission as compared to those patients that did not.

Conclusion

Levels of hsa_circ_0079480 in patient serum may offer value as a prognostic biomarker in AML.
Assessment of regional sacral bone quality: A step towards patient‐specific fracture fixation
Authors: Mand Simran , Telfer Scott , Battan Shamele , Brunnquell Christina L. , Linnau Ken F. , Zamora David , Kleweno Conor P.
Published: March 2022

Characterizing changes in sacral bone density could help us to inform instrumentation choices for procedures involving the sacrum. The aim of this study is to provide detailed maps of changes in sacral bone density across a series of patients using opportunistic quantitative computed tomography (QCT). We hypothesized that there would be significant differences in local cortical and trabecular bone density associated with age and sex. Fifty‐four three‐dimensional sacral models were segmented from routine clinical computed tomography scans, and detailed bone density estimates were derived for each bone using a calibrated opportunistic QCT approach. The effects of age and sex on cortical and trabecular bone density were determined across the sample. Overall cortical bone loss averaged 2.1 and 0.9 mg/cc per year, and trabecular bone loss was 1.6 and 0.7 mg/cc for female and males, respectively. Several regions had loss rates several times greater. Areas that were significantly affected by age included the vertebral bodies, bilateral ala, apex, and areas adjacent to both the anterior and posterior sacral foramina. Areas that were significantly affected by sex were the anterior sacral promontory, aspects of the ala. Bone density distribution across the sacrum changes nonuniformly due to factors including sex and age. Despite these overall trends, there remains significant variability between individuals. Clinical significance: This study provides detailed bone density information for both cortical and trabecular bone that could assist orthopaedic surgeons in planning surgical approaches to sacral fracture fixation.
Eleutheroside E reduces intestinal fat accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans through neuroendocrine signals
Authors: Liu Mengyao , Gao Xin , Shan Shan , Li Yongzhi , Wang Jiaping , Lu Weihong
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Acanthopanax senticosus, a small woody shrub of the family Araliaceae, can be used as a functional food with multiple biological activities. Eleutheroside E (EE), an important active component of A. senticosus, has significant effects on neurological diseases. However, whether EE can regulate lipid metabolism has not been reported. The brain can mediate communication between neurons and intestinal cells through long‐distance neuroendocrine signals. We speculated that EE might regulate the intestinal lipid metabolism of Caenorhabditis elegans through neuroendocrine signals.

RESULTS

First, we found that EE reduced the intestinal fat content of C. elegans, without affecting development, reproduction, food intake or movement. In addition, EE significantly regulated genes and metabolites related to lipid metabolism. EE extensively affected fatty acid synthesis, β‐oxidation and lipolysis processes, and regulated the content of various fatty acid and lipid metabolism intermediates. We finally proved that EE reduced intestinal fat storage through serotonin and neuropeptide flp‐7–npr‐22 pathways in the nervous system.

CONCLUSION

EE is expected to be a functional food that regulates lipid metabolism. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry
Reprogramming the endogenous type I CRISPR‐Cas system for simultaneous gene regulation and editing in Haloarcula hispanica
Authors: Du Kaixin , Gong Luyao , Li Ming , Yu Haiying , Xiang Hua
Published: March 2022

The type I system is the most widely distributed CRISPR‐Cas system identified so far. Recently, we have revealed the natural reprogramming of the type I CRISPR effector for gene regulation with a crRNA‐resembling RNA in halophilic archaea. Here, we conducted a comprehensive study of the impact of redesigned crRNAs with different spacer lengths on gene regulation with the native type I‐B CRISPR system in Haloarcula hispanica. When the spacer targeting the chromosomal gene was shortened from 36 to 28 bp, transformation efficiencies of the spacer‐encoding plasmids were improved by over three orders of magnitude, indicating a significant loss of interference. However, by conducting whole‐genome sequencing and measuring the growth curves of the hosts, we still detected DNA cleavage and its influence on cell growth. Intriguingly, when the spacer was shortened to 24 bp, the transcription of the target gene was downregulated to 10.80%, while both interference and primed adaptation disappeared. By modifying the lengths of the spacers, the expression of the target gene could be suppressed to varying degrees. Significantly, by designing crRNAs with different spacer lengths and targeting different genes, we achieved simultaneous gene editing (cdc6E) and gene regulation (crtB) for the first time with the endogenous type I CRISPR‐Cas system.
A two‐layer stochastic differential investment and reinsurance game with default risk under the bi‐fractional Brownian motion environment
Authors: Hao Wenjing , Qiu Zhijian
Published: March 2022

This paper is concerned with the investment and reinsurance problem between two insurance companies and a reinsurance company by constructing a two‐layer stochastic differential game. Insurance companies invest in a risk‐free asset, a defaultable bond, and a risky asset under the bi‐fractional Brownian motion environment; reinsurance companies invest in a risk‐free asset and a risky asset under the bi‐fractional Brownian motion environment. In order to maximize the expected utility of the insurance companies' relative wealth and the expected utility of the reinsurance company's wealth at the terminal time, we solve the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equations by using the differential game theory and stochastic optimal control theory and obtain the equilibrium investment–reinsurance and reinsurance premium strategies. Finally, we investigate the influence of the parameters on the equilibrium strategy through numerical examples and analyze its economic implications.
Development and validation of the Attention Bias Questionnaire (ABQ)
Authors: Azriel Omer , Britton Jennifer C. , Gober Chelsea D. , Pine Daniel S. , Bar‐Haim Yair
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Various psychopathologies are associated with threat‐related attention biases, which are typically measured using mechanized behavioral tasks. While useful and objective, behavioral measures do not capture the subjective experience of biased attention in daily‐living. To complement extant behavioral measures, we developed and validated a self‐report measure of threat‐related attention bias – the Attention Bias Questionnaire (ABQ).

Methods

The ABQ consists of nine items reflecting the subjective experience of attention bias towards threats. To enable personalized relevance in threat‐content, the general term “threat” was used, and respondents were instructed to refer to specific things that threaten them personally. In a set of five studies, the ABQ was developed and validated. Internal consistency, discriminant validity, test‐retest reliability, and convergent validity were tested.

Results

The ABQ emerged as a coherent and stable measure with two sub‐scales: Engagement with Threat and Difficulty to Disengage from Threat. ABQ scores were positively correlated with trait anxiety, social anxiety, PTSD, and depression, as well as behaviorally measured attention bias.

Conclusion

Assessing the subjective experience of threat‐related attention bias can enrich existing knowledge about the cognitive mechanisms underlying psychopathology and complement extant behavioral bias measures in research and clinical evaluation.
Exercise physiologists use of pain neuroscience education for treating knee osteoarthritis: A qualitative interview study
Authors: Ram Adrian , Booth John , Thom Jeanette M. , Jones Matthew D.
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To explore how Australian exercise physiologists (EPs) utilise pain neuroscience education (PNE) in their management of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods

A semi‐structured interview concerning a knee osteoarthritis vignette was designed to understand each participant's beliefs about physical activity, pain, injury and coping strategies and quantify their use of pain neuroscience concepts. Themes were derived from pre‐determined pain target concepts as well as others that emerged from thematic analysis.

Results

Thirty EPs (57% male, mean clinical experience 7 years (SD 7.1) participated in the semi‐structured interviews. 13 themes emerged. EPs primarily focussed on: (1) active treatment strategies are better than passive, (2) pain and tissue damage rarely relate, and (3) learning about pain can help individuals and society. Other themes included the use of biomedical‐based education, pain during exercise and delivery of PNE. Underutilised themes included the role of the brain in pain, validation that pain is real and personal, the concept of danger sensors as opposed to pain sensors, and pain depends on the balance between safety and danger.

Conclusion

EPs primarily advised on active treatment approaches (e.g. exercise and self‐management). Quality of care is likely to improve through increasing focus on the systemic benefits of exercise in overcoming psychological barriers (e.g. fear avoidance and pain catastrophising) that may prevent exercise treatment engagement. Broadening PNE to reconceptualise knee osteoarthritis pain as a sign of an overprotective nervous system, rather than structural damage, may facilitate greater patient engagement in exercise therapies, thus improving patient outcomes.
OTUP workflow: target specific optimization of the transmitk‐space trajectory for flexible universal parallel transmit RF pulse design
Authors: Geldschläger Ole , Bosch Dario , Henning Anke
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To optimize transmitk‐space trajectories for a wide range of excitation targets and to design “universal pTx RF pulses” based on these trajectories.

Methods

Transmitk‐space trajectories (stack of spirals and SPINS) were optimized to best match different excitation targets using the parameters of the analytical equations of spirals and SPINS. The performances of RF pulses designed based on optimized and non‐optimized trajectories were compared. The optimized trajectories were utilized for universal pulse design. The universal pulse performances were compared with subject specific tailored pulse performances. The OTUP workflow (optimization of transmitk‐space trajectories and universal pulse calculation) was tested on three test target excitation patterns. For one target (local excitation of a central area in the human brain) the pulses were tested in vivo at 9.4 T.

Results

The workflow produced appropriate transmitk‐space trajectories for each test target. Utilization of an optimized trajectory was crucial for the pulse performance. Using unsuited trajectories diminished the performance. It was possible to create target specific universal pulses. However, not every test target is equally well suited for universal pulse design. There was no significant difference in the in vivo performance between subject specific tailored pulses and a universal pulse at 9.4 T.

Conclusions

The proposed workflow further exploited and improved the universal pulse concept by combining it with gradient trajectory optimization for stack of spirals and SPINS. It emphasized the importance of a well suited trajectory for pTx RF pulse design. Universal and tailored pulses performed with a sufficient degree of similarity in simulations and a high degree of similarity in vivo. The implemented OTUP workflow and theB0/B1+map data from 18 subjects measured at 9.4 T are available as open source (https://github.com/ole1965/workflow_OTUP.git).
A cost‐effective and load‐balanced controller placement method in software‐defined networks
Authors: Dhar Mili , Bhattacharyya Bidyut K. , Debbarma Mrinal Kanti , Debbarma Swapan
Published: March 2022

A network incorporates nodes, and each node can communicate with each other through some links. An efficient way to maintain the communication between nodes is to divide a network into several subnetworks, called clusters. We have developed a new clustering algorithm and applied our method for the controller placement in software‐defined networks (SDNs). Placing a controller in its appropriate location by balancing the loads and optimizing the latency even in case of a failure scenario becomes a challenging task. Thus, we have proposed a multi‐controller placement algorithm that can minimize the average (Sw‐Co) latency in such a way that the network switches are fairly distributed over clusters. This distribution helps to balance loads of switches among controllers even in the case of a controller failure scenario. We have also simulated three other existing algorithms for comparison. Experiment results show that our algorithm is a cost‐effective solution as compared with other existing algorithms. We have also shown that our proposed method balanced loads of switches between controllers in a SDN network and generates lower average (Sw‐Co) latency with and without a controller failure.
Antimicrobial polymeric composites in consumer goods and healthcare sector: A healthier way to prevent infection
Authors: Choudhury Mousam , Bindra Harsimran Singh , Singh Karishma , Singh Alok Kumar , Nayak Ranu
Published: March 2022

Polymeric goods have been instrumental due to its versatility, properties like hygienic, lightweight, flexible, and highly durable and hence it accounts for the largest usage of applications worldwide in sectors like electrical, electronic, packaging, automotive, energy generation, furniture, marine, aerospace, military, consumer goods, construction, medical and healthcare, and so forth. However, as the demand for consumer goods continues to grow—from smartphones, smart watches to automobiles, home appliances, food packaging, pharmacy, and so forth; disease transmission (especially during the outbreak of epidemic/pandemic) via tangibility has emerged as a major hurdle to cater the out breaking microbial transmission through touch. The surfaces of these goods/products are required to suffice antimicrobial properties to prevent such contagious surface transmission. Considering the current challenges and need for antimicrobial polymer, a review is presented to collectively enlist the theoretical fundamental; commercial, R&D activities, economic performance, and challenges on large‐scale practice of antimicrobial polymeric products. The review also enumerates the potential antimicrobial nanofillers used for the fabrication of polymer nanocomposites with biostatic and biocidal properties along with expected property enhancement.
Pandemic vaccine testing: Combining conventional and challenge studies
Authors: Gerhard Tobias , Strom Brian L. , Eyal Nir
Published: March 2022

Early into COVID, human challenge trials were considered, but usually as alternatives to conventional randomized controlled trials. Instead, assessment of authorized COVID vaccines, of further COVID vaccines, and of vaccines against future pandemics should combine both designs, in five different ways, including a wholly novel one that we elaborate, Viz., combining data from both designs to answer a single question.
Helium–oxygen in bronchiolitis—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kuitunen Ilari , Kiviranta Panu , Sankilampi Ulla , Salmi Heli , Renko Marjo
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Bronchiolitis is common reason for infant hospitalization. The aim of our systematic review and meta‐analysis was to evaluate helium–oxygen (heliox) in bronchiolitis.

Methods

We screened 463 studies, assessed 22 of them, and included six randomized controlled trials. Primary outcomes were the need for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or intubation, hospitalization duration, and change in the modified Woods Clinical Asthma Scale (M‐WCAS). We calculated mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for continuous outcomes and risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous outcomes.

Results

Six studies (five double‐ and one single‐blinded) with 560 infants were included. The risk of bias was high in one, moderate in four, and low in one. The RR for the need for CPAP (three studies) was 0.87 (CI: 0.56–1.35), and for intubation (four studies) was 1.39 (CI: 0.53–3.63), heliox compared to air–oxygen. The hospital stay (four studies) was 0.25 days longer (CI: −0.22 to 0.71) in the heliox group. The mean decrease in M‐WCAS from the baseline (three studies) was 1.90 points (CI: 1.46–2.34) greater in the heliox group.

Conclusion

We found low‐quality evidence that heliox does not reduce the need for CPAP, intubation, or length of hospitalization for bronchiolitis. Based on the M‐WCAS scores, heliox seems to relieve respiratory distress symptoms rapidly after its initiation. The included studies had high heterogeneity in their methods and included relatively mild cases of bronchiolitis. A larger randomized controlled trial with more severe cases of bronchiolitis with enough power to analyze the need for intubation is needed in the future.
Predictive ability of prebiopsy magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy for side‐specific negative lymph node metastasis at radical prostatectomy
Authors: Fujiwara Motohiro , Numao Noboru , Yamamoto Shinya , Ishikawa Yudai , Fujiwara Ryo , Oguchi Tomohiko , Komai Yoshinobu , Matsuoka Yoh , Yuasa Takeshi , Yonese Junji
Published: March 2022

Background

Prostate cancer localization is reportedly associated with the laterality of lymph node metastasis. Thus, it may be feasible to predict side‐specific lymph node metastasis (LNM) at radical prostatectomy (RP). To investigate whether multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy findings can predict side‐specific negative LNM and to explore the feasibility of unilateral lymph node dissection (LND) at RP.

Methods

A total of 500 patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer with prebiopsy multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate and subsequent prostate biopsy and who underwent RP and extended LND without neoadjuvant treatment were enrolled. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, biopsy findings, and LNM were assessed for each side. The negative predictive value (NPV) of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging or biopsy or both for ipsilateral LNM was examined.

Results

LNM was found in 9.2% (46/500) and 15.6% (28/180) of patients in the overall and high‐risk cohorts, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy findings were negative in 408 and 262 sides, respectively, in the overall cohort and 144 and 100 sides, respectively, in the high‐risk cohort. The NPVs of magnetic resonance imaging, biopsy, and both for ipsilateral LNM were 98.3%, 98.5%, and 99.1%, respectively, in the overall cohort, and 95.8%, 97.1%, and 97.6%, respectively, in the high‐risk cohort.

Conclusions

Unilateral LND may be indicated based on side‐specific LNM risk as assessed by prebiopsy multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy.
In Situ Study of Zinc Peroxide Decomposition to Zinc Oxide by X‐Ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Reverse Monte Carlo Simulations
Authors: Kuzmin Alexei , Pudza Inga , Klementiev Konstantin
Published: March 2022

The Zn K‐edge X‐ray absorption spectroscopy is used to investigate in situ the decomposition of zinc peroxide () to zinc oxide (ZnO). Principal component and linear combination analyses of the extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra are employed to identify the phase composition of the oxide upon heating to 900 °C. Only the phase is found up to 180 °C, whereas only the nanocrystalline ZnO phase is occurring above 250 °C. Detailed structural information on the temperature dependence of the local environment of zinc atoms is obtained using the reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) simulations. A strong increase of disorder is found upon approaching the decomposition temperature, evidenced by the broadening of Zn–O and Zn–Zn pair distribution functions (PDFs) and related mean‐square relative displacements.
Progressive pulmonary fibrosis due to diffuse alveolar damage in a COVID‐19‐infected autopsy case
Authors: Tamura Akiko , Imai Ryosuke , Tomishima Yutaka , Nishimura Naoki
Published: March 2022

We encountered a patient with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)‐related pneumonia, who died of progressive respiratory acidosis after 2 months of treatment with mechanical ventilation. The autopsy revealed diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) without any active signs of fungal or bacterial infections, suggesting prolonged and over‐activated immune responses against COVID‐19 infection. When COVID‐19 patients develop acute respiratory distress syndrome, it is essential to remember that the infection can progress to DAD a few months after the disease onset.
Preparation and Characterization of Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 Nanosheets with Solar Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Wen Puhong , He Qian , Hu Dengwei , Ren Lijun , Zhao Weixing , Wei Fenyan
Published: March 2022

The monoclinic Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanosheets exposed mainly as (010) facet were successfully prepared by a hydrothermal method using orthorhombic phase (NH4)2Mo4O13 nanosheets as the raw materials. The formation mechanism from the layered (NH4)2Mo4O13 nanosheets to the Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanosheets in the reaction was discussed in detail. The crystal structure and morphology of Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanosheets were revealed by XRD, FE‐SEM, TEM, SAED, UV‐vis DRS, EDX, XPS, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, the photocatalytic performance of the Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanosheets as a photocatalyst was evaluated by splitting water under the simulated sunlight. The results showed that the photocurrent density and the generated H2 of the prepared sample Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanosheets are 20.7 μA⋅cm−2 and 154.5 μmol⋅h−1⋅g−1, respectively, which are 0.7 times higher than those generated by the control ST01. The results indicate that the Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanosheets have potential application value in photocatalysts and photovoltaic nanodevices.
Levels of textual cohesion and the meaning‐construction process of advanced second language readers
Authors: Bilki Zeynep , Plakans Lia
Published: March 2022

Academic reading in English requires processing of challenging advanced texts for comprehension. Highly proficient second language (L2) readers, such as graduate students, are expected to interpret complex texts fluently and efficiently for academic success, yet the field has little evidence on how these readers process texts. Through two think‐aloud reading sessions and pre‐ and postreading interviews, this study closely examined nine graduate students' interactions with texts that had low and high levels of discourse cohesion. The focus was on the readers' meaning‐construction process in relation to the texts' cohesion. The researchers analyzed these data qualitatively using a grounded theory approach that revealed text‐processing activities of proficient L2 readers grouped at local and global levels. Although all readers experienced these two levels with both texts, some differences were found in their processing between two texts, especially in reading the low‐cohesive text. The findings of the study provide implications for reading instructors and teacher researchers in understanding how advanced L2 readers construct meaning and draw on text discourse as they read texts in English and potentially in conceptualizing what novice L2 readers must do to progress.
Effect of salinity on the determination of dissolved non‐reactive phosphorus and total dissolved phosphorus in coastal waters
Authors: Hu Nana , Tang Qi , Sheng Yanqing
Published: March 2022

The salinity may affect the phosphorus (P) determination accuracy in coastal waters, especially for the dissolved non‐reactive P (DNRP) and total dissolved P (TDP). In this work, the competition mechanism between NaCl and DNRP for oxidants (K2S2O8, the most commonly used and recognized oxidant) was identified in different DNRP determinations. Furthermore, salinity influences on determinations of tetrasodium pyrophosphate decahydrate, glyphosate, phytic acid sodium salt hydrate, adenosine‐5′‐nomophosphate disodium, and TDP were investigated. The results indicated that approximately 10% IHP6 and AMP would be transferred to dissolved reactive P (DRP) during digestion without K2S2O8. When NaCl increased from 0% to 3.5% with fresh water method, the determination of Gly + K2HPO4 and IHP6 + K2HPO4 decreased by 8.0% ± 0.00% and 24% ± 0.01%, respectively. In addition, the determinations of DNRPs and TDP with different salinities in natural coastal waters by fresh water method and seawater method were performed. It showed that when the salinity >5.0 PSU, the DNRPs and TDP determination results presented deviations. At a salinity of 35.0 PSU, the TDP (KH2PO4 + Gly + IHP6 + AMP) reduction measured by two methods was more than 12.3% ± 0.46%. Furthermore, oxidants with higher digestion efficiency than K2S2O8 should be developed.

Practitioner Points

~10% IHP6 and AMP could be transferred to DRP during digestion without K2S2O8 addition.

Salinity affects the DNRPs determination results mainly due to competition for oxidants and complexation with metal ions.

More than 12.3% TDP in coastal waters could not be measured when the salinity was 35.0 PSU.
To the Undiscovered Country: Facing Death in Early Twentieth-Century Finnish Poorhouses
Authors: Annola Johanna
Published: March 2022

Johanna Annola opens up a view on a modernizing society by analysing the ways in which the experience of a ”good death” was negotiated in two early twentieth-century Finnish poorhouses. In particular, the chapter focuses on procedures that took place in the liminal stage between death and burial. Exploring two different poorhouses, Annola discusses the intersection of a traditional and modern experience of death.
Top-quark mass effects in H+jet and H+2 jets production
Authors: Chen X. , Huss A. , Jones S. P. , Kerner M. , Lang J.-N. , Lindert J. M. , Zhang H.
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We present calculations of Higgs boson production via gluon-gluon fusion in association with one or two additional jets at next-to-leading order in QCD. The calculation of H+jet is exact in the treatment of the top-quark mass, whereas for the H+2 jets calculation the two-loop virtual amplitudes are approximated via a reweighting with leading-order mass effects, while keeping all top-quark mass effects in the real radiation contributions. For H+jet production, this study extends a previous calculation, revealing an error in the previous results. For total and differential cross sections, we present new results and compare the QCD corrections with the infinite top-mass limit, for which we find a strikingly good agreement if all amplitudes are rescaled by the leading-order mass dependence.
Fallbericht: Persistierendes Fieber nach SARS-CoV-2-Infektion
Authors: Kliem T. , Strobel D. , Heinke F. , Pavel M. , Neurath M. F. , Neufert C.
Published: March 2022

Ein 44-jähriger Patient hatte anhaltendes Fieber und eine deutliche Erhöhung des C-reaktiven Proteins (CRP) nach einer Infektion mit dem severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Bei zunehmender Sinustachykardie erfolgte die Bestimmung der Schilddrüsenhormone, welche eine Hyperthyreose zeigten. Sonographisch fand sich eine Vergrößerung der Schilddrüse mit unscharf begrenzten echoarmen Arealen. Wir stellten die Diagnose einer SARS-CoV-2-Infektions-assoziierten subakuten Thyreoiditis und leiteten eine Therapie mit Prednisolon ein. Diese Therapie führte kurzfristig zu einer Besserung des klinischen Zustands und zu einer vollständigen Ausheilung binnen drei Monaten.
Anatomic evaluation of the triceps tendon insertion at the proximal olecranon regarding placement of fracture fixation devices
Authors: Wegmann Sebastian , Rausch V. , Hackl M. , Leschinger T. , Scaal M. , Müller L. P. , Wegmann K.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Olecranon fractures, especially with a small proximal fragment, remain a surgical challenge. Soft tissue irritation and affection of the triceps muscle bear a risk of complications. In order to find an area for a soft-tissue sparing placement of implants in the treatment of olecranon fractures, we aimed to define and measure the segments of the proximal olecranon and evaluate them regarding possible plate placement.

Methods

We investigated 82 elbow joints. Ethical approval was obtained from the local ethics committee, After positioning in an arm holder and a posterior approach we described the morphology of the triceps footprint, evaluated and measured the surface area of the triceps and posterior capsule and correlated the results to easily measurable anatomical landmarks.

Results

We found a bipartite insertional footprint with a superficial tendinous triceps insertion of 218.2 mm2 (± 41.2, range 124.7–343.2), a capsular insertion of 159.3 mm2 (± 30.2, range 99.0–232.1) and a deep, muscular triceps insertion area of 138.1 mm2 (± 30.2, range 79.9–227.5). Olecranon height was 26.7 mm (± 2.3, range 20.5–32.2), and olecranon width was 25.3 mm (± 2.4, range 20.9–30.4). Average correlation between the size of the deep insertion and ulnar (r = 0.314) and radial length (r = 0.298) was obtained.

Conclusions

We demonstrated the bipartite morphology of the distal triceps footprint and that the deep muscular triceps insertion area by its measured size could be a possible site for the placement of fracture fixations devices. The size correlates with ulnar and radial length.
How to design a multi-stage tournament when some results are carried over?
Authors: Csató László
Published: March 2022

The paper discusses the strategy-proofness of sports tournaments with multiple group stages, where the results of matches already played in the previous round against teams in the same group are carried over. These tournaments, widely used in handball and other sports, are shown to be incentive incompatible in the sense that a team can be strictly better off by not exerting full effort in a game. Historical examples are presented when a team was ex ante disinterested in winning by a high margin. We propose a family of incentive compatible designs. Their main characteristics are compared to the original format via simulations. Carrying over half of the points scored in the previous round turns out to be a promising policy.
Visualization and image analysis of droplet puffing and micro-explosion in spray-flame synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Jüngst N. , Smallwood G. J. , Kaiser S. A.
Published: March 2022

Combusting metal precursor-laden droplets, required in spray-flame synthesis of nanomaterials, are known to undergo a rapid and disruptive disintegration, i.e., puffing and micro-explosion. In this work, imaging with high spatiotemporal resolution and image-analysis routines were developed to investigate droplet disruption in spray-flame synthesis of metal oxides. Droplet shadowgraphs were imaged on a high-speed camera. The solvent was a mixture of 35 vol% ethanol and 65 vol% 2-ethylhexanoic acid which (in some cases) was mixed with a 0.2 mol/l iron(III) nitrate nonahydrate precursor. Photometric and morphological processing identified in-focus features, estimated their size, velocity, and circularity, and discriminated regular, spherical droplets from disrupting ones. While solely regular droplets were found in the spray flame of pure solvent, with the precursor/solvent mixture, disrupting droplets were found in addition to the regular droplets. Disruption events were phenomenologically classified into puffing, comprising droplet deformation and local eruption, and micro-explosion, the violent disintegration of the droplet into multiple fragments. Puffing was found to occur much more frequently than micro-explosions. Disrupting droplets had a 32% smaller Sauter mean diameter than regular droplets, indicating that disruptions are beneficial for rapid spray evaporation. At 40 and 50 mm heights above the burner, about 8 and 6%, respectively, of the in-focus droplets are disrupting per millimeter axial distance. Thus, throughout their lifetime in the spray flame, all precursor-laden droplets are expected to experience disruption.

Graphical abstract