bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Movement behavior of a threatened native fish informs flow management in a modified floodplain river system
Authors: Tonkin Zeb , Moloney Paul , Lyon Jarod , Kitchingman Adrian , O'Mahony Justin , Raymond Scott , Hackett Graeme , Saddlier Steve , Greenfield Andrew , Wood David , Hale Robin
Published: January 2022

Movement is a key driver of the distribution of animals and the structure of populations, communities, and ecosystems. Habitat loss and fragmentation can compromise movement and contribute to population declines. However, there is often insufficient knowledge about when, why, and where animals move, particularly in highly modified environments. We present results from an 8‐year study on the movement behavior of Murray cod Maccullochella peelii, an Australian freshwater fish species that has undergone major declines due in part to river flow regulations. We studied movement within and between different habitat types in a highly modified floodplain ecosystem in the lower Murray River to (1) identify the key environmental conditions associated with movement, (2) examine how a new regulating structure can be managed to influence movement behavior, and (3) explore movement mediated recovery following a hypoxic event. Movement within and between an anabranch and main river channel habitats increased during the core spawning period and during elevated discharge. The likelihood of Murray cod moving to an anabranch system from the Murray River declined substantially following construction of a new flow regulating structure (a weir and vertical slot fishway). Managed flows delivered through the anabranch after regulator construction in accordance with targeted recommendations (time‐of‐year and magnitude of discharge) increased the movement of adult fish within and between habitats. Finally, a hypoxic event caused not only high mortality but also resulted in a high proportion of fish migrating outside of the study reach, before returning to the system over several years. These results demonstrate how flow management can help a keystone species access habitats required to complete critical life history requirements including recovery from disturbance events. Importantly, the work provides an example of how timely and robust applied research has informed a major intervention program aimed at enhancing ecological outcomes.
Alluvial fan aggradation in low relief, humid‐temperate landscapes, Uwharrie National Forest, North Carolina Piedmont
Authors: Opalka Catherine E. , Eppes Martha‐Cary , Bobyarchick Andy R. , Spatz Andrew A.
Published: January 2022

We describe the soils, stratigraphy, distribution and ages of alluvial fans in the North Carolina Piedmont to understand factors contributing to their formation in this low relief, humid‐temperate setting. We find that those contributing factors (i.e., contributing source basin area and rock type; and climate) parallel, but do not precisely mimic those of arid and semi‐arid climate fans. Digital elevation model (DEM) and field observations revealed that about 25% of 209 mapped basin outlets contain alluvial fans. Fans are all < 0.01 km2 in area, with a contributing basin area threshold of ~0.1km2 above which fans are not commonly observed. Fans issuing from basins underlain by more easily weatherable and erodible argillites are generally larger than those that contain more resistant rhyolites. Radiocarbon dates of fan sediments are dominantly late Holocene (13 ages < 3000 ka; two ages between 7000–10,000 ka), with notably no late‐Pleistocene aged fans. We thus infer that fan aggradation is predicated on watershed characteristics – and climates – that favor high sediment supply to discharge ratios. Detailed soil and sediment descriptions from pits located on 15 fans reveal that approximately half exhibit cumulic over‐thickened soil profiles forming dominantly in sheetflood deposits, providing evidence of ongoing, relatively slow deposition. Low iron ratios measured from those fan soils suggests recycling of more developed soils from basin hillslopes. Occasional matrix‐supported debris flow deposits in some fans provide evidence of much less common, rapid (0.5–1 m) fan accumulation. While acknowledging a paucity of detailed climate records in the Piedmont precludes identifying precise mechanistic relationships, our mapping, soils and sedimentologic data suggest that climates favoring modest hillslope erosion without extreme runoff lead to periods of fan aggradation in this transport‐limited landscape. Overall, this work documents significant rock‐type modulated, climate‐driven Holocene landscape evolution in the south‐eastern US Piedmont predating legacy sediment erosion and deposition that has gone largely underappreciated.
Hot‐electron emission‐driven energy recycling in transparent plasmonic electrode for organic solar cells
Authors: Chen Jing‐De , Li Ling , Qin Chao‐Chao , Ren Hao , Li Yan‐Qing , Ou Qing‐Dong , Guo Jia‐Jia , Zou Shi‐Jie , Xie Feng‐Ming , Liu Xianjie , Tang Jian‐Xin
Published: January 2022

Plasmonic metal electrodes with subwavelength nanostructures are promising for enhancing light harvesting in photovoltaics. However, the nonradiative damping of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) during coupling with sunlight results in the conversion of the excited hot‐electrons to heat, which limits the absorption of light and generation of photocurrent. Herein, an energy recycling strategy driven by hot‐electron emission for recycling the SPP energy trapped in the plasmonic electrodes is proposed. A transparent silver‐based plasmonic metal electrode (A‐PME) with a periodic hexagonal nanopore array is constructed, which is combined with a luminescent organic emitter for radiative recombination of the injected hot‐electrons. Owing to the suppressed SPP energy loss via broadband hot‐electron emission, the A‐PME achieves an optimized optical transmission with an average transmittance of over 80% from 380 to 1200 nm. Moreover, the indium‐tin‐oxide‐free organic solar cells yield an enhanced light harvesting with a power conversion efficiency of 16.1%.
Survey of direct patient care and payment models among pharmacy practice faculty
Authors: Dowling Thomas C. , Thomas Aaron , Gums John G.
Published: January 2022

Introduction

The scope of pharmacy practice continues to expand into comprehensive medication management and direct patient care models, where practice‐based faculty play a central role. The extent to which schools/colleges of pharmacy have faculty embedded in health systems, physician practices, and other value‐based care settings involving practice plans is largely unknown.

Objectives

The objectives of this project were to: (1) elucidate the perceptions, barriers, and implementation strategies related to direct patient care models, and (2) to further our understanding of how practice departments are employing practice plans, within schools/colleges of pharmacy.

Methods

A 25‐item survey was distributed via email. Eligible respondents were pharmacy practice department chairs at United States‐based colleges/schools of pharmacy. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize workload allocations, direct patient care activities, and billing/reimbursement trends among practice faculty.

Measurements and Main Results

Survey respondents included 43 institutions (32.6% institutional response rate) representing 1241 practice faculty and nearly 800 faculty involved in direct patient care activities. Faculty at private institutions tended to have a higher degree of effort in direct patient care (26.3% vs 4.3%) and were more involved in billing for services in the clinic setting, when compared with public institutions. Although Collaborative Practice Agreements were widely utilized, very few institutions employed practice revenue plans.

Conclusion

The findings of our study indicate that pharmacy practice faculty provide significant effort in direct patient care that is critical to advancing the profession. These faculty practicing in primary and ambulatory care settings serve as role models to our student trainees, particularly in value‐based care settings. However, practice plan payment models appear to be rarely utilized. Failure to account for and recognize these valuable direct patient care activities may adversely impact the financial sustainability of schools and colleges of pharmacy in the future.
Pharmacy resident third party credentialing and reimbursement in a family medicine clinic
Authors: Richards Brinton Maren E. , Hughes Jonathan C. , Borja‐Hart Nancy
Published: January 2022

Introduction

While numerous studies have proven the impact of pharmacists on clinical outcomes, there is a paucity of data demonstrating successful reimbursement of pharmacist services by commercial and other payors. Furthermore, the level of reimbursement necessary to sustain a pharmacist resident position has not been evaluated and has potential to be a more achievable goal given the lower direct costs of a resident position.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to qualitatively describe reimbursement and credentialing of a Post Graduate Year Two (PGY2) Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Resident in a newly established part‐time resident clinic.

Methods

This was a prospective quality improvement study evaluating credentialing progress and reimbursement data in a resident‐run Family Medicine clinic from 1 July 2020 to 25 June 2021. Patients underwent evaluation and management of chronic diseases by the PGY2 under a collaborative practice agreement. The primary outcome studied was total reimbursement received from resident‐provided pharmacy services. Secondary outcomes included percentage of charges reimbursed, number of billed encounters completed, and the number and type of third party payors with whom the resident was credentialed.

Results

During the study period, the PGY2 was credentialed with 11 third party payors and completed 232 billable encounters. $24 558 was billed during the study, comprising $18 533 and $6025 from evaluation and management and medication therapy management codes, respectively. Total reimbursement received for the resident's services was $13 765, approximately 56% of billed charges and 18.4% of the resident pharmacist's annual salary and benefits. This was primarily collected during the last 3 months of the study period.

Conclusions

The PGY2 was able to successfully become credentialed with various third party payors and receive reimbursement for covered services. This could provide a potential opportunity to fund some, if not all of a PGY2's salary and benefits.
A Tissue Engineered Construct for Laryngeal Regeneration: A Proof‐of‐Concept Device Design Study
Authors: Lott David G. , Shah Manisha , Myers Cheryl , McPhail Michael , Neubauer Juergen , Struthers Jason , Madsen Cathy S. , Grandjean Danielle , Zacharias Stephanie R. C. , Tchoukalova Yourka D.
Published: January 2022

Objectives/Hypothesis

Develop a patient‐specific tissue engineered construct for laryngeal reconstruction following a partial laryngectomy.

Study Design

Bench and animal research.

Methods

A construct made from a porous polyethylene scaffold shaped in a canine‐specific configuration and seeded with autologous canine adipose‐derived stem cells in fibrin glue was implanted in a canine following a partial laryngectomy. After 1 year, the construct was first evaluated in vivo with high‐speed imaging and acoustic–aerodynamic measures. It was then explanted and evaluated histologically.

Results

The canine study at 1 year revealed the construct provided voicing (barking) with acoustic and aerodynamic measures within normal ranges. The canine was able to eat and breathe normally without long‐term support. The construct was integrated with epithelialization of all areas except the medial portion of the vocal fold structure. No anti‐infective agents were needed after the standard perioperative medications were completed.

Conclusion

This study provided a successful first step toward developing a patient‐specific composite construct for patients undergoing partial laryngectomies.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 132:S1–S11, 2022
A CONVERSATION WITH ALAN MULALLY ABOUT HIS “WORKING TOGETHER”© STRATEGIC, OPERATIONAL, AND STAKEHOLDER‐CENTERED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Authors: Mulally Alan , McArthur Sarah
Published: January 2022

This article is a conversation between Leader to Leader's new co‐editor‐in‐chief, Sarah McArthur, and Alan Mulally, former Chief Executive Officer/CEO of Ford Motor Company and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. They discuss what Mulally terms Our “Working Together” management system. There are five elements, which in Mulally's words are (and are described in more depth in the article): “Our principles and practices are the foundation of “Working Together.” Our governance process is how we manage ourselves. Our leadership team includes the leaders of all the functional disciplines. Our creating value roadmap process includes our vision, business environment, strategy, plan, and business plan review. Our business plan review is our weekly meeting where we review the progress on our creating value roadmap and our business plan.”
Highly Stretchable Silicone Elastomer Applied in Soft Actuators
Authors: Hu Pengpeng , Albuquerque Fabio Beco , Madsen Jeppe , Skov Anne Ladegaard
Published: January 2022

In this work, a highly stretchable silicone elastomer is incorporated into dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) in order to decrease operation voltages by applying high prestretches. Results show that the fabricated DEAs (5 mm diameter circle active region) can be actuated to a lateral strain of 30% at 4.3 kV for a 122 µm thick prestretched film, and to a lateral strain of 2.5% at only 250 V for a 6.9 µm thick prestretched film. Due to the significant viscous component of the silicone elastomer, the DEAs respond more slowly (2–14 s to reach 90% of full strain) and show greater strain changes over time compared to conventional silicone‐based DEAs. While this inherent viscosity is not universally favorable, it can be advantageous in applications where actuator damping is desirable. The studied DEAs’ mean lifetimes under DC actuation range significantly—from 0.9 h to more than 123.0 h—depending mainly on initial electrical fields (17.8–36.3 V µm−1). For instance, DEAs with a 150 µm initial thickness and a prestretch ratio of 3 show 1.4–2.6% lateral strains for the mean lifetime (123.0 h) at only 300 V. Given the strains achieved at low voltage, such DEAs show promise for applications that do not require fast response speeds.
Versatile Route for Multifunctional Aerogels Including Flaxseed Mucilage and Nanocrystals
Authors: Abdelmonem Abuelmagd M. , Zámbó Dániel , Rusch Pascal , Schlosser Anja , Klepzig Lars F. , Bigall Nadja C.
Published: January 2022

Preparation of low density monolithic and free‐standing organic‐inorganic hybrid aerogels of various properties is demonstrated using green chemistry from a biosafe natural source (flaxseed mucilage) and freeze‐casting and subsequent freeze drying. Bio‐aerogels, luminescent aerogels, and magneto‐responsive aerogels are obtained by combination of the flaxseed mucilage with different types of nanoparticles. Moreover, the aerogels are investigated as possible drug release systems using curcumin as a model. Various characterization techniques like thermogravimetric analysis, nitrogen physisorption, electron microscopy, UV/Vis absorption, and emission spectroscopy, bulk density, and mechanical measurements, as well as in vitro release profile measurements, are employed to investigate the obtained materials. The flaxseed‐inspired organic‐inorganic hybrid aerogels exhibit ultra‐low densities as low as 5.6 mg cm−3 for 0.5% (w/v) the mucilage polymer, a specific surface area of 4 to 20 m2 g−1, high oil absorption capacity (23 g g−1), and prominent compressibility. The natural biopolymer technique leads to low cost and biocompatible functional lightweight materials with tunable properties (physicochemical and mechanical) and significant potential for applications as supporting or stimuli responsive materials, carriers, reactors, microwave‐ and electromagnetic radiation protective (absorbing)‐materials, as well as in drug delivery and oil absorption.
Tailored magnetic resonance fingerprinting for simultaneous non‐synthetic and quantitative imaging: A repeatability study
Authors: Qian Enlin , Poojar Pavan , Vaughan John Thomas , Jin Zhezhen , Geethanath Sairam
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The goals of this study include: (a) generating tailored magnetic resonance fingerprinting (TMRF) based non‐synthetic imaging; (b) assessing the repeatability of TMRF and deep learning‐based mapping of in vitro ISMRM/NIST phantom and in vivo brain data of healthy human subjects.

Methods

We have acquired qualitative images obtained from the vendor‐supplied gold standard (GS), MRF (synthetic), and TMRF (non‐synthetic) on one representative healthy human brain. We also acquired 30 datasets on the ISMRM/NIST phantom for the in vitro repeatability study on a GE Discovery 3T MR750w scanner using the TMRF sequence. We compared T1 and T2 maps generated from 30 ISMRM/NIST phantom datasets to the spin‐echo (SE) based GS method as part of the in vitro repeatability study. R‐squared coefficient of determination in a simple linear regression and Bland–Altman analysis were computed for 30 datasets of ISMRM/NIST phantom to assess the accuracy of in vitro quantitative TMRF data. The repeatability of T1 and T2 estimates by TMRF was evaluated by calculating the standard deviation (SD) divided by the average of 30 datasets for each sphere, respectively.

We acquired 10 volunteers for the in vivo repeatability study on the same scanner using the same TMRF sequence. These volunteers were imaged five times with two runs per repetition, resulting in 100 in vivo datasets. Five contrasts, T1 and T2 maps of 10 human volunteers acquired over five repetitions, were evaluated in the in vivo repeatability study. We computed the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), signal intensities, T1 and T2 relaxation times in white matter (WM), and gray matter (GM).

Results

The synthetic images generated from MRF show partial volume and flow artifacts compared to non‐synthetic images obtained from TMRF images and the GS. In vitro studies show that TMRF estimates have less than 5% variations except sphere 14 in the T2 array (6.36%). TMRF and SE relaxometry measurements were strongly correlated; R2 values were 0.9958 and 0.9789 for T1 and T2 estimates, respectively. Based on the ICC values, SNR, mean intensity values, and relaxation times of WM and GM for the in vivo studies were consistent. T1 and T2 values of WM and GM were similar to previously published values. The mean ± SD of T1 and T2 for WM for ten subjects and five repeats are 992 ± 41 ms and 99 ± 6 ms, while the corresponding values for T1 and T2 for GM are 1598 ± 73 ms and 152 ± 14 ms.

Conclusion

TMRF and deep learning‐based reconstruction produce repeatable, non‐synthetic multi‐contrast images, and parametric maps simultaneously.
A fully convolutional network (FCN) based automated ischemic stroke segment method using chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging
Authors: Zhao Yingcheng , Chen Yibing , Chen Yanrong , Zhang Lihong , Wang Xiaoli , He Xiaowei
Published: January 2022

Background

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is a promising imaging modality in ischemic stroke detection due to its sensitivity in sensing postischemic pH alteration. However, the accurate segmentation of pH‐altered regions remains difficult due to the complicated sources in water signal changes of CEST MRI. Meanwhile, manual localization and quantification of stroke lesions are laborious and time‐consuming, which cannot meet the urgent need for timely therapeutic interventions.

Purpose

The goal of this study was to develop an automatic lesion segmentation approach of the ischemic region based on CEST MR images. A novel segmentation framework based on the fully convolutional neural network was investigated in our task.

Methods

Z‐spectra from 10 rats were manually labeled as ground truth and split into two datasets, where the training dataset including 3 rats was used to generate a segmentation model, and the remaining rats were used as test datasets to evaluate the model's performance. Then a 1D fully convolutional neural network equipped with bottleneck structures was set up, and a Grad‐CAM approach was used to produce a coarse localization map, which can reflect the relevancy to the “ischemia” class of each pixel.

Results

As compared with the ground truth, the proposed network model achieved satisfying segmentation results with high values of evaluation metrics including specificity (SPE), sensitivity (SEN), accuracy (ACC), and Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), especially in some intractable situations where conventional MRI modalities and CEST quantitative method failed to distinguish between ischemic and normal tissues; also the model with augmentation was robust to input perturbations. The Grad‐CAM maps performed clear tissue change distributions and interpreted the segmentations, showed a strong correlation with the quantitative method, and gave extended thinking to the function of networks.

Conclusions

The proposed method can segment ischemia region from CEST images, with the Grad‐CAM maps giving access to interpretative information about the segmentations, which demonstrates great potential in clinical routines.
Childhood focal compressive mononeuropathies during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Brand Patricio , Cejas Claudia P. , Rivero Alberto D.
Published: January 2022

Introduction/Aims

Focal peripheral neuropathies are infrequently seen in pediatric patients. The COVID‐19 pandemic has disrupted normal life for many people, including complete lockdowns and school closing for long periods of time in many countries, which prompted children to stay at home. Our aim is to assess whether there has been an increased incidence of focal compressive peripheral neuropathies in the pediatric population during COVID‐19–associated lockdown.

Methods

Clinical, electrophysiological, and imaging characteristics were reviewed for patients referred to the electrodiagnostic (EDx) laboratory with suspicion of a focal neuropathy. The incidence of focal compressive peripheral neuropathies seen during the period of March to September 2020 was compared with the same time period in 2019.

Results

An increased incidence of focal neuropathies was seen in 2020 (31%) compared with 2019 (6.8%). During 2020, 7 fibular (peroneal) mononeuropathies and 2 ulnar neuropathies were diagnosed. Most patients with focal neuropathies were underweight and acknowledged prolonged screen time periods. Electrophysiological findings consisted of mostly demyelinating lesions with an overall good clinical outcome.

Discussion

In this study we raise awareness about a possible increased incidence of focal compressive peripheral neuropathies in children during COVID‐19–associated lockdown, which may be prevented with changing positions during sedentary activities.
Exploring Helical Folding in Oligomers of Cyclopentane‐Based ϵ‐Amino Acids: A Computational Study
Authors: Park Hae Sook , Kang Young Kee
Published: January 2022

The conformational preferences of oligopeptides of an ϵ‐amino acid (2‐((1R,3S)‐3‐(aminomethyl)cyclopentyl)acetic acid, Amc5a) with a cyclopentane substituent in the Cβ−Cγ−Cδ sequence of the backbone were investigated using DFT methods in chloroform and water. The most preferred conformation of Amc5a oligomers (dimer to hexamer) was the H16 helical structure both in chloroform and water. Four residues were found to be sufficient to induce a substantial H16 helix population in solution. The Amc5a hexamer adopted a stable left‐handed (M)‐2.316 helical conformation with a rise of 4.8 Å per turn. The hexamer of Ampa (an analogue of Amc5a with replacing cyclopentane by pyrrolidine) adopted the right‐handed mixed (P)‐2.918/16 helical conformation in chloroform and the (M)‐2.416 helical conformation in water. Therefore, hexamers of ϵ‐amino acid residues exhibited different preferences of helical structures depending on the substituents in peptide backbone and the solvent polarity as well as the chain length.
Durability of basalt fibers, glass fibers, and their reinforced polymer composites in artificial seawater
Authors: Lu Zhongyu , Jiang Mingchao , Pan Yunfeng , Xian Guijun , Yang Miaomiao
Published: January 2022

This study focused on the durability of basalt fibers, glass fibers, basalt‐fiber‐reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars, and glass‐fiber‐reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars in an artificial seawater. The specimens were immersed in the artificial seawater at 20, 40, and 60°C; the specimen immersed in distilled water at a temperature of 60°C was also used as a reference. The tensile strength of the monofilament basalt fibers and glass fibers immersed in the seawater for 90 days at a temperature of 60°C decreases by 61% and 59% respectively, showing the most significant degradation; the brittleness of the fibers also increases due to the decomposition of their sizing agent. The chloride ions in the seawater are beneficial to enhancing the resistance of the composites to moisture absorption. In addition, the tensile strength retention of the fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) bars is higher than that of the fibers due to the protection by the epoxy resin. The mechanical properties of the FRP bars immersed in the seawater improve after removing their moisture. The mechanical performance of the BFRP bars is inferior to that of the GFRP bars due to their higher water absorption and weak bonding between the basalt fibers and the polymer matrix.
Management of epilepsy in Lebanon: Medication reviews and drug‐related problems
Authors: Mroueh Lara , Al‐Hajje Amal , Salameh Pascale , Preux Pierre‐Marie , Boumediene Farid , Ratsimbazafy Voa , Jost Jeremy
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The goal of epilepsy treatment is to control seizures without drug related problems (DRPs). The evaluation of anti‐seizure drugs (ASD) strategies and identification of DRPs are rarely studied. This study aimed primarily to evaluate the choice of ASD according to international guidelines and secondarily to identify and describe anti‐seizure drug‐related problems.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted during 1 year among Lebanese adults with epilepsy attending neurology clinics. The choice of ASD was compared to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. Drug–drug interactions were evaluated by the Lexicomp database, and the DRP classification was performed using the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe classification.

Results

A total of 404 patients with epilepsy were included. The prescription for an ASD was in accordance with the indication set in guidelines in 75.0% of population, and 1078 DRPs were identified. The main DRPs detected were adverse drug reactions (51.0%), inappropriate combinations of drugs (50.0%), and suboptimal drug regimens (46.3%). Single and divorced patients, who living in Mount Lebanon, and who took the old with the new generation had a less risk to have an inadequate prescription to guidelines. However, female gender, controlled epilepsy, multiple ASDs, and living in a rural region increased DRPs.

Conclusions

This study showed that quarter of the population used ASDs contraindicated according to international guidelines. Since DRPs were related to the number and type of ASD prescribed, it is important to assess the case of each patient by a clinical pharmacist to prevent drug–drug interactions and iatrogenic issues.
Pressure‐dependent heat transfer coefficient measurement for thermoplastic melts
Authors: Zink Béla , Kovács József Gábor
Published: January 2022

A common calculation error of thermal processes in injection molding simulation programs is caused by the inadequate description of the heat transfer between the polymer melt and the wall of the mold. No correct description of the effect of pressure on the heat transfer coefficient is available for the numerical calculations of injection molding yet. During the injection molding cycle, the pressure of the melt can vary from atmospheric pressure to thousands of bars. When such a high pressure is applied, the heat transfer coefficient can change several orders of magnitude. To calculate heat removal accurately, we developed a novel measuring method and based on the measurement data, we created a model that describes the heat transfer coefficient as a function of pressure and temperature. Calculated maximal heat transfer coefficients vary between 250 and 800 W/(mK) at the pressure of 500 bar. The pressure dependence of the heat transfer coefficient can be described with a sigmoid function. The heat transfer coefficient increases as the temperature difference between mold and melt increases and as pressure increases. We determined measurement error and found it to be less than 5%.
Progress in three‐terminal heterojunction bipolar transistor solar cells
Authors: Antolín Elisa , Zehender Marius H. , Svatek Simon A. , Steiner Myles A. , Martínez Mario , García Iván , García‐Linares Pablo , Warren Emily L. , Tamboli Adele C. , Martí Antonio
Published: January 2022

Conventional solar cells, including multijunction solar cells, are based on pn junctions as building blocks. In contrast, the three‐terminal heterojunction bipolar transistor solar cell (3T‐HBTSC) explores the use of a bipolar transistor structure to build a solar cell. The limiting efficiency of this transistor structure equals that of a double‐junction solar cell. However, since the 3T‐HBTSC does not require tunnel junctions, its minimal structure has only three semiconductor layers, while the minimal structure of a double junction solar cell has six. This work reviews the operation principles of this solar cell and the steps carried out towards its practical implementation. Experimental results on a GaInP/GaAs HBTSC prototype with bottom interdigitated contacts are presented.
O‐GlcNAcylation promotes fatty acid synthase activity under nutritional stress as a pro‐survival mechanism in cancer cells
Authors: Wong Yin‐Kwan , Wang Jigang , Lim Teck Kwang , Lin Qingsong , Yap Celestial T. , Shen Han‐Ming
Published: January 2022

Protein O‐GlcNAcylation is a specific form of protein glycosylation that targets a wide range of proteins with important functions. O‐GlcNAcylation is known to be deregulated in cancer and has been linked to multiple aspects of cancer pathology. Despite its ubiquity and importance, the current understanding of the role of O‐GlcNAcylation in the stress response remains limited. In this study, we performed a quantitative chemical proteomics‐based open study of the O‐GlcNAcome in HeLa cells, and identified 163 differentially‐glycosylated proteins under starvation, involving multiple metabolic pathways. Among them, fatty acid metabolism was found to be targeted and subsequent analysis confirmed that fatty acid synthase (FASN) is O‐GlcNAcylated. O‐GlcNAcylation led to enhanced de novo fatty acid synthesis (FAS) activity, and fatty acids contributed to the cytoprotective effects of O‐GlcNAcylation under starvation. Moreover, dual inhibition of O‐GlcNAcylation and FASN displayed a strong synergistic effect in vitro in inducing cell death in cancer cells. Together, the results from this study provide novel insights into the role of O‐GlcNAcylation in the nutritional stress response and suggest the potential of combining inhibition of O‐GlcNAcylation and FAS in cancer therapy.
Is the EORTC QLQ‐C30 emotional functioning scale appropriate as an initial screening measure to identify brain tumour patients who may possibly have a mood disorder?
Authors: Oort Quirien , Zwinkels Hanneke , Koekkoek Johan A. F. , Vos Maaike J. , Reijneveld Jaap C. , Taphoorn Martin J. B. , Dirven Linda
Published: January 2022

Background

Screening glioma patients regularly for possible mood disorders may facilitate early identification and referral of patients at risk. This study evaluated if the EORTC QLQ‐C30 Emotional Functioning (EF) scale could be used as an initial screening measure to identify patients possibly having a mood disorder.

Methods

EORTC QLQ‐C30 EF and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores were collected as part of a study assessing the impact of timing of patient‐reported outcome assessments on actual health‐related quality of life outcomes (N = 99). Spearman correlations and Mann‐Whitney U tests were used to determine the association between the EF and HADS (sub)scales. Receiver Operating Characteristic analyses were performed to determine optimal cut‐off EF scores to identify patients possibly having a mood disorder (i.e. HADS subscale score ≥8 points).

Results

EF and HADS (sub)scales correlated moderately (HADS‐A: r = −0.65; HADS‐D: r = −0.52). Significant EF score differences were found between patients with HADS ≥8 versus <8 points (HADS‐A: mean difference (MD) = 32 and HADS‐D: MD = 23). The EF scale had excellent (HADS‐A; AUC = 0.88) and borderline excellent (HADS‐D; AUC = 0.78) distinguishing capabilities. A statistically optimal (EF score <80) and a most inclusive (sensitivity of 100%, corresponding to an EF score <97) EF cut‐off score correctly identified 88.0% and 96.0% of patients with a possible mood disorder, respectively.

Conclusion

EORTC QLQ‐C30 EF scale seems to be an appropriate screening measure to identify glioma patients possibly having a mood disorder in need of further assessment.
Improved Preparation of 3‐Oximinooxetane – An Important Precursor to Energetic Oxetanes
Authors: Born Max , Karaghiosoff Konstantin , Klapötke Thomas M.
Published: January 2022

Oximes represent an extremely versatile building block in energetic materials chemistry. While oxidation with peroxy acids affords the corresponding mononitro compounds, tandem oxidation‐nitration reactions such as the Scholl reaction lead to geminal dinitro compounds. Furthermore, the corresponding amines can be obtained by reduction of the oxime group. Accordingly, 3‐oximinooxetane represents a suitable precursor for 3‐nitro‐ and 3,3‐dinitrooxetane as well as 3‐aminooxetane. 3‐Oximinooxetane, which is poorly described in the literature, has now been extensively characterized by vibrational‐, mass‐ and NMR spectroscopy, as well as elemental and thermal analysis. In addition, its synthesis has been significantly improved compared to literature. The molecular structure was elucidated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Since 3‐oximinooxetane is energetic by itself, its performance was calculated using the EXPLO5 V6.04 thermochemical code, and its sensitivity towards external stimuli such as impact, friction, and electrostatic discharge was determined by BAM standard procedures.
Implementation of a prostate cancer‐specific targeted sequencing panel for credentialing of patient‐derived cell lines and genomic characterization of patient samples
Authors: Stover Elizabeth H. , Oh Coyin , Keskula Paula , Choudhury Atish D. , Tseng Yuen‐Yi , Adalsteinsson Viktor A. , Lohr Jens G. , Thorner Aaron R. , Ducar Matthew , Kryukov Gregory V. , Ha Gavin , Rosenberg Mara , Freeman Samuel S. , Zhang Zhenwei , Wu Xiaoyun , Van Allen Eliezer M. , Takeda David Y. , Loda Massimo , Wu Chin‐Lee , Taplin Mary‐Ellen , Garraway Levi A. , Boehm Jesse S. , Huang Franklin W.
Published: January 2022

Background

Primary and metastatic prostate cancers have low mutation rates and recurrent alterations in a small set of genes, enabling targeted sequencing of prostate cancer‐associated genes as an efficient approach to characterizing patient samples (compared to whole‐exome and whole‐genome sequencing). For example, targeted sequencing provides a flexible, rapid, and cost‐effective method for genomic assessment of patient‐derived cell lines to evaluate fidelity to initial patient tumor samples.

Methods

We developed a prostate cancer‐specific targeted next‐generation sequencing (NGS) panel to detect alterations in 62 prostate cancer‐associated genes as well as recurring gene fusions with ETS family members, representing the majority of common alterations in prostate cancer. We tested this panel on primary prostate cancer tissues and blood biopsies from patients with metastatic prostate cancer. We generated patient‐derived cell lines from primary prostate cancers using conditional reprogramming methods and applied targeted sequencing to evaluate the fidelity of these cell lines to the original patient tumors.

Results

The prostate cancer‐specific panel identified biologically and clinically relevant alterations, including point mutations in driver oncogenes and ETS family fusion genes, in tumor tissues from 29 radical prostatectomy samples. The targeted panel also identified genomic alterations in cell‐free DNA and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from patients with metastatic prostate cancer, and in standard prostate cancer cell lines. We used the targeted panel to sequence our set of patient‐derived cell lines; however, no prostate cancer‐specific mutations were identified in the tumor‐derived cell lines, suggesting preferential outgrowth of normal prostate epithelial cells.

Conclusions

We evaluated a prostate cancer‐specific targeted NGS panel to detect common and clinically relevant alterations (including ETS family gene fusions) in prostate cancer. The panel detected driver mutations in a diverse set of clinical samples of prostate cancer, including fresh‐frozen tumors, cell‐free DNA, CTCs, and cell lines. Targeted sequencing of patient‐derived cell lines highlights the challenge of deriving cell lines from primary prostate cancers and the importance of genomic characterization to credential candidate cell lines. Our study supports that a prostate cancer‐specific targeted sequencing panel provides an efficient, clinically feasible approach to identify genetic alterations across a spectrum of prostate cancer samples and cell lines.
Tapentadol shows lower intrinsic efficacy at µ receptor than morphine and oxycodone
Authors: Manandhar Preeti , Connor Mark , Santiago Marina
Published: January 2022

Tapentadol is a centrally acting analgesic with a dual mechanism of action. It acts as an agonist at the µ receptor and inhibitor of noradrenaline reuptake. Clinical trials suggest similar analgesic efficacy of tapentadol, oxycodone, and morphine in acute and chronic pain. Given the limited information about the molecular actions of tapentadol at the µ receptor, we investigated the intrinsic efficacy of tapentadol and compared it with other opioids. β‐chlornaltrexamine (β‐CNA, 100 nM, 20 min) was used to deplete spare receptors in AtT20 cells stably transfected with human µ receptor wild‐type (WT). Opioid‐mediated changes in membrane potential were measured in real‐time using a membrane potential‐sensitive fluorescent dye. Using Black and Leff’s operational model, intrinsic efficacy relative to DAMGO was calculated for each opioid. Tapentadol (0.05 ± 0.01) activated the GIRK channel with lesser intrinsic efficacy than morphine (0.17 ± 0.02) and oxycodone (0.16 ± 0.02). We further assessed the signaling of tapentadol in the common µ receptor variants (N40D and A6V) which are associated with altered receptor signaling. We found no difference in the response of tapentadol between these receptor variants.
Highly Efficient and Bright Quantum‐Dot Light‐Emitting Diodes with Enhanced Charge Balance by Adjusting the Thickness of Zn0.9Mg0.1O Electron Transport Layer
Authors: Hwang Boram , Eun Yebin , Jang Gyeong-Pil , Yang Ji-Hun , Ha Mi-Young , Moon Dae-Gyu , Kim Chang Kyo
Published: January 2022

Herein, the outstanding efficiency of solution‐processed quantum‐dot (QD) light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs) is demonstrated, which is achieved by adjusting the thickness of their Zn0.9Mg0.1O nanoparticle (NP) electron transport layer (ETL).The NPs are prepared by the sol‐gel method. As the thickness increases, the current density of the QLEDs decreases because of the increased resistance of the Zn0.9Mg0.1O NP ETL. As the thickness increases from 10 to 35 nm, the luminance, luminous efficiency, and external quantum efficiency (EQE) also increase because of the improved charge balance between electrons and holes in the QD emissive layer (EML). In contrast, as the thickness increases beyond 35–120 nm, these three variables decrease because of the worsening charge balance, which is attributing to deficient electron injection from the cathode into the QD EML compared with hole injection from the anode into the EML. The QLED with a 35 nm thick Zn0.9Mg0.1O NP ETL exhibits the highest luminance, luminous efficiency, and EQE, with values of 128 084 cd m−2, 88.8 cd A−1, and 21.3%, respectively. The superior device performance and good charge balance to the appropriate ETL thickness are attributed.
Ginsenosides in central nervous system diseases: Pharmacological actions, mechanisms, and therapeutics
Authors: Lu Jing , Wang Xian , Wu Anxin , Cao Yi , Dai Xiaolin , Liang Youdan , Li Xiaofang
Published: January 2022

The nervous system is one of the most complex physiological systems, and central nervous system diseases (CNSDs) are serious diseases that affect human health. Ginseng (Panax L.), the root ofPanaxspecies, are famous Chinese herbs that have been used for various diseases in China, Japan, and Korea since ancient times, and remain a popular natural medicine used worldwide in modern times. Ginsenosides are the main active components of ginseng, and increasing evidence has demonstrated that ginsenosides can prevent CNSDs, including neurodegenerative diseases, memory and cognitive impairment, cerebral ischemia injury, depression, brain glioma, multiple sclerosis, which has been confirmed in numerous studies. Therefore, this review summarizes the potential pathways by which ginsenosides affect the pathogenesis of CNSDs mainly including antioxidant effects, anti‐inflammatory effects, anti‐apoptotic effects, and nerve protection, which provides novel ideas for the treatment of CNSDs.
Proteomics discovery of pulmonary hypertension biomarkers: Insulin‐like growth factor binding proteins are associated with disease severity
Authors: Nies Melanie K. , Yang Jun , Griffiths Megan , Damico Rachel , Zhu Jie , Vaydia Dhananjay , Fu Zongming , Brandal Stephanie , Austin Eric D. , Ivy Dunbar D. , Hassoun Paul M. , Van Eyk Jennifer E. , Everett Allen D.
Published: January 2022

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterized by sustained elevations of pulmonary artery pressure. To date, we lack circulating, diagnostic, and prognostic markers that correlate to clinical and functional parameters. In this study, we performed mass spectrometry‐based proteomics analysis to identify circulating biomarkers of PAH. Plasma samples from patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH, N = 9) and matched normal controls (N = 9) were digested with trypsin and analyzed using data‐dependent acquisition on an Orbitrap mass spectrometer. A total of 826 (false discovery rate [FDR] 0.047) and 461 (FDR 0.087) proteins were identified across all plasma samples obtained from IPAH and control subjects, respectively. Of these, 153 proteins showed >2 folds change (p < 0.05) between groups. Circulating levels of carbonic anhydrase 2 (CA2), plasma kallikrein (KLKB1), and the insulin‐like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP1‐7) were quantified by immunoassay in an independent verification cohort (N = 36 PAH and N = 35 controls). CA2 and KLKB1 were significantly different in PAH versus control but were not associated with any functional or hemodynamic measurements. Whereas, IGFBP1 and 2 were associated with higher pulmonary vascular resistance, IGFBP2, 4, and 7 with decreased 6‐min walk distance (6MWD), and IGFBP1, 2, 4, and 7 with worse survival. This plasma proteomic discovery analysis suggests the IGF axis may serve as important new biomarkers for PAH and play an important role in PAH pathogenesis.
A case of acquired von Willebrand disease in severe pediatric pulmonary hypertension contributing to bleeding following reverse Potts shunt
Authors: Sullivan Rachel T. , Lo Clara , Martin Elisabeth , Kameny Rebecca J. , Hopper Rachel K.
Published: January 2022

The reverse Potts shunt is increasingly used as a palliative measure for end‐stage pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) as a means to offload the right ventricle and improve functional status. This case report describes a child who developed significant hemothorax after reverse Potts shunt that required surgical exploration, blood product administration, and prolonged intensive care hospitalization. Despite lack of preoperative bleeding symptoms, testing revealed acquired von Willebrand disease (aVWD), with subsequent resolution of bleeding. Alterations in von Willebrand factor, including aVWD, have been reported in children with severe PAH but have not previously been associated with bleeding after reverse Potts shunt procedure. As bleeding is a recognized postoperative morbidity in PAH patients undergoing reverse Potts shunt, we highlight a potential role for preoperative testing for aVWD as perioperative factor replacement therapy may improve postoperative outcomes.
Utility of plasma volume status in ambulatory patients with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Sternberg Michael E. , Grinnan Daniel , Gertz Zachary M.
Published: January 2022

Plasma volume status (PVS) is a noninvasive estimate of intravascular volume status. We studied the utility of PVS to predict short‐term outcomes in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Patients with lower PVS had decreased risk of hospitalization and death within 90 days of clinic visit, compared to those with higher PVS.
First report of Lophomonas infection in a patient with AML‐2 from Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf, southern Iran
Authors: Sharifpour Ali , Zarrinfar Hossein , Fakhar Mahdi , Zakariaei Zakaria , Soleymani Mostafa , Banimostafavi Elham Sadat , Nakhaei Maryam
Published: January 2022

Immunocompromised patients are frequently more susceptible to pathogens such as protozoa. For the first time, we report a case of pulmonary lophomoniasis in a known case of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML‐2) from Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf, southern Iran. Diagnosis of lophomoniasis was confirmed using microscopy and molecular examinations of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. She was completely treated with metronidazole (500 mg three times a day for 3 weeks). We conclude that immunocompromised patients with unjustified respiratory disorders should be screened for Lophomonas infection.
Approximate likelihood‐based estimation method of multiple‐type pathogen interactions: An application to longitudinal pneumococcal carriage data
Authors: Man Irene , Bogaards Johannes A. , Makwana Kishan , Trzciński Krzysztof , Auranen Kari
Published: January 2022

While the serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae are known to compete during colonization in human hosts, our knowledge of how competition occurs is still incomplete. New insights of pneumococcal between‐type competition could be generated from carriage data obtained by molecular‐based detection methods, which record more complete sets of serotypes involved in co‐carriage than when detection is done by culture. Here, we develop a Bayesian estimation method for inferring between‐type interactions from longitudinal data recording the presence/absence of the types at discrete observation times. It allows inference from data containing co‐carriage of two or more serotypes, which is often the case when pneumococcal presence is determined by molecular‐based methods. The computational burden posed by the increased number of types detected in co‐carriage is addressed by approximating the likelihood under a multi‐state model with the likelihood of only those trajectories with minimum number of acquisition and clearance events between observation times. The proposed method's performance was validated on simulated data. The estimates of the interaction parameters of acquisition and clearance were unbiased in settings with short sampling intervals between observation times. With less frequent sampling, the estimates of the interaction parameters became more biased, but their ratio, which summarizes the total interaction, remained unbiased. Confounding due to unobserved heterogeneity in exposure could be corrected by including individual‐level random effects. In an application to empirical data about pneumococcal carriage in infants, we found new evidence for between‐serotype competition in clearance, although the effect size was small.