bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative unique continuation of solutions to the bi‐Laplace equations
Authors: Fu Xiaoyu , Liao Zhonghua
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we prove a three‐ball inequality for y satisfying an equation of the form

in some open, connected set Ω of
with
and
. The derivation of such estimate relies on a delicate Carleman estimate for the bi‐Laplace equation and some Caccioppoli inequalities to estimate the lower‐terms. Based on three‐ball inequality, we then derive the vanishing order of y is less than
, where | · |∞ means the L∞ norm, which is a quantitative version of the strong unique continuation property for y. Furthermore, under some priori assumptions on Vj and y, we prove that the nontrivial solution y satisfies the decay property
around the point at infinity. In particular, if
, this decaying rate can be improved to
.
A 20‐gauge active needle design with thin‐film printed circuitry for interventional MRI at 0.55T
Authors: Yildirim Dursun Korel , Bruce Christopher , Uzun Dogangun , Rogers Toby , O’Brien Kendall , Ramasawmy Rajiv , Campbell‐Washburn Adrienne , Herzka Daniel A. , Lederman Robert J. , Kocaturk Ozgur
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This work aims to fabricate RF antenna components on metallic needle surfaces using biocompatible polyester tubing and conductive ink to develop an active interventional MRI needle for clinical use at 0.55 Tesla.

Methods

A custom computer numeric control‐based conductive ink printing method was developed. Based on electromagnetic simulation results, thin‐film RF antennas were printed with conductive ink and used to fabricate a medical grade, 20‐gauge (0.87 mm outer diameter), 90‐mm long active interventional MRI needle. The MRI visibility performance of the active needle prototype was tested in vitro in 1 gel phantom and in vivo in 1 swine. A nearly identical active needle constructed using a 44 American Wire Gauge insulated copper wire‐wound RF receiver antenna was a comparator. The RF‐induced heating risk was evaluated in a gel phantom per American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) 2182‐19.

Results

The active needle prototype with printed RF antenna was clearly visible both in vitro and in vivo under MRI. The maximum RF‐induced temperature rise of prototypes with printed RF antenna and insulated copper wire antenna after a 3.96 W/kg, 15 min. long scan were 1.64°C and 8.21°C, respectively. The increase in needle diameter was 98 µm and 264 µm for prototypes with printed RF antenna and copper wire‐wound antenna, respectively.

Conclusion

The active needle prototype with conductive ink printed antenna provides distinct device visibility under MRI. Variations on the needle surface are mitigated compared to use of a 44 American Wire Gauge copper wire. RF‐induced heating tests support device RF safety under MRI. The proposed method enables fabrication of small diameter active interventional MRI devices having complex geometries, something previously difficult using conventional methods.
The pros and cons of teaching soil fertility live versus online
Authors: Mahler Robert L.
Published: April 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020 has changed the way higher education delivers materials to students. The purpose of this study is to compare the pros and cons of teaching Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition (Soils 446), a class with a history of being taught live and online, from both the live and online perspectives. For our comparison, the following data was gathered: (a) history of when and how the class was offered, (b) content of Soils 446, (c) assessment of student achievement, (d) student evaluations of the course conducted by the University of Idaho, and (e) a post‐class survey of online students. Reasons for live classroom teaching being superior include: (a) classroom interaction with the instructor and other students, (b) allowing students to ask questions of the instructor during the lecture, right after class or on a face‐to‐face basis during designated office hours, and (c) the availability of local library resources and other staff to help with questions and projects. Reasons for online teaching being superior include: (a) distance students can take this class, (b) the online course may offer better time management for distance students, and (c) email, bblearn, ZOOM, and SKYPE are tools that allow frequent contact between the student and instructor. Motivated students were successful in both approaches. For less or unmotivated students both delivery methods are equally mediocre.
Blue light‐emitting diodes for disinfection
Authors: Seme Bernd , Günther Kerstin , Winkler Norbert , Wipprich Walter
Published: April 2021

Disinfection processes are currently of particular interest due to growing concerns over illnesses caused by human pathogenic germs. Blue light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) can reduce the microbial load on surfaces, in liquids and in air. The high wall‐plug efficiency of the diodes, their additive‐free antimicrobial effect and the good tolerability of the light enable affordable and safe disinfection systems.
Effect of TiO2 layer thickness of TiO2/NiO transparent photovoltaics
Authors: Kumar Naveen , Patel Malkeshkumar , Nguyen Thanh Tai , Kim Sangho , Kim Joondong
Published: April 2021

The rapid growth in the transparent electronics industry has increased the need for transparent photovoltaic cells (TPCs) and transparent self‐powered devices. To make TPCs and transparent self‐powered devices more efficient, a detailed understanding of device structure is needed. In this study, TiO2/NiO heterojunction‐based TPCs were fabricated with different TiO2 layer thicknesses, and the effect of TiO2 layer thickness on the photovoltage and photocurrent was evaluated. All the fabricated TiO2/NiO heterojunction‐based devices had a high optical transparency (>50%) in the visible–near‐infrared (vis–NIR) region. The fabricated devices were illuminated with different power sources of different wavelengths. If the TiO2 layer was too thick or too thin, the TPC performance deteriorated. By growing the optimal 100‐nm‐thick TiO2 layer, a simultaneous tunability between high optical transparency and high photovoltaic performance was achieved. A TiO2/NiO heterojunction‐based device with an optimal 100‐nm‐thick TiO2 layer had the highest optical transparency (>60%) in the vis–NIR region, with the highest photovoltage of 685.00 ± 68.06 mV and the highest photocurrent of 4.42 ± 1.35 mA under the illumination of a light source with a power density of 70 mW/cm2 at a wavelength of 365 nm. The fabricated TPCs had a high sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) signals and demonstrated self‐powered behavior. This study clarified the role of TiO2 layer thickness optimization in improving the performance of TiO2/NiO heterojunction‐based TPCs.
Proteome reprogramming of endometrial epithelial cells by human trophectodermal small extracellular vesicles reveals key insights into embryo implantation
Authors: Poh Qi Hui , Rai Alin , Carmichael Irena Iśka , Salamonsen Lois A , Greening David W
Published: April 2021

Embryo implantation into the receptive endometrium is critical in pregnancy establishment, initially requiring reciprocal signalling between outer layer of the blastocyst (trophectoderm cells) and endometrial epithelium; however, factors regulating this crosstalk remain poorly understood. Although endometrial extracellular vesicles (EVs) are known to signal to the embryo during implantation, the role of embryo‐derived EVs remains largely unknown. Here, we provide a comprehensive proteomic characterisation of a major class of EVs, termed small EVs (sEVs), released by human trophectoderm cells (Tsc‐sEVs) and their capacity to reprogram protein landscape of endometrial epithelium in vitro. Highly purified Tsc‐sEVs (30–200 nm, ALIX+, TSG101+, CD9/63/81+) were enriched in known players of implantation (LIFR, ICAM1, TAGLN2, WNT5A, FZD7, ROR2, PRICKLE2), antioxidant activity (SOD1, PRDX1/4/6), tissue integrity (EZR, RAC1, RHOA, TNC), and focal adhesions (FAK, ITGA2/V, ITGB1/3). Functionally, Tsc‐sEVs were taken up by endometrial cells, altered transepithelial electrical resistance, and upregulated proteins implicated in embryo attachment (ITGA2/V, ITGB1/3), immune regulation (CD59, CD276, LGALS3), and antioxidant activity (GPX1/3/4, PRDX1/2/4/5/6): processes that are critical for successful implantation. Collectively, we provide critical insights into Tsc‐sEV‐mediated regulation of endometrial function that contributes to our understanding of the molecular basis of implantation.
In situ generation of Ag nanoparticles during photopolymerization by using newly developed dyes‐based three‐component photoinitiating systems and the related 3D printing applications and their shape change behavior
Authors: Chen Hong , Noirbent Guillaume , Liu Shaohui , Zhang Yijun , Sun Ke , Morlet‐Savary Fabrice , Gigmes Didier , Xiao Pu , Dumur Frédéric , Lalevée Jacques
Published: April 2021

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) play a crucial role in biology and medical research as their extensive and efficient antibacterial activity and high electrical and thermal conductivity. However, the generation of them with a certain morphology under mild conditions (under air, solvent‐free, room temperature, etc.,) is still a huge challenge. Herein, a simple one‐step method is proposed to generate AgNPs in situ at room temperature under air by combining the photopolymerization process with the formation process of AgNPs within a few minutes. In detailed, 12 different dyes based on 2,5‐diethylene‐cyclopentan‐1‐one were first synthesized and used as high‐performance type II photoinitiator. When using in conjunction of bis‐(4‐tert‐butylphenyl) iodonium hexafluorophosphate (Iod) and ethyl 4‐dimethylaminobenzoate (EDB), they can effectively boost the free radical photopolymerization (FRP) of polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEG‐DA) and the cationic photopolymerization (CP) of 3,4‐epoxycyclohexylmethyl‐3,4‐epoxycyclohexane carboxylate (EPOX) upon irradiation with LED@405 nm. Furthermore, all the formulations containing/without AgNPs can be successfully used to perform the direct laser write experiment. However, even if all of the obtained 3D patterns exhibited reversible swelling performance and shape‐memory effects caused by swelling and dehydration for the access to 4D printing, the presence of AgNPs will affect these properties.
Preparation of Fine Ammonium Perchlorate by Employing Dual‐Sonic Premixer: Freeze‐Drying Method
Authors: Togashi Ryoto , Kohga Makoto
Published: April 2021

Ammonium perchlorate (AP)‐based composite propellant is the most widely used solid propellant. Fine AP is required to obtain a propellant with a high burning rate. To prepare fine AP, an emulsion was prepared by emulsifying toluene and the AP solution. The emulsion was frozen rapidly with liquid nitrogen and then freeze‐dried. Fine AP was prepared by this freeze‐drying method. In this study, the emulsion was prepared with the premixer adopted dual‐sonic technology and an attempt was made to prepare finer AP. By using a dual‐sonic premixer, the emulsion was efficiently prepared, and therefore, a fine AP sample was obtained, compared with the homogenizer that is commonly used. It was found that the AP sample could be used as a propellant oxidizer according to its impact and thermal sensitivities.
Development and validation of a rapid liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method to quantitate gabapentin and buprenorphine in human serum
Authors: Phillips Sarah J. , Oliveto Alison , Mancino Michael J. , Hendrickson Howard P.
Published: April 2021

Rationale

Gabapentin has shown initial promise as an opioid‐sparing medication in pain patients as well as a treatment for opioid withdrawal and liquid chriomatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) is often used for clinical monitoring. Despite reports of validated tandem mass spectrometric methods for the determination of gabapentin and buprenorphine, mechanisms for the collision‐induced fragmentation have not been adequetely described.

Methods

A rapid analytical method has been developed to determine gabapentinoid, gabapentin, and the partial opioid agonist, buprenorphine, in 20 μL of human serum using LC/MS/MS with a chromatographic run time of 2 min. A simplified sample cleanup procedure using methanol precipitation of serum proteins/lipids followed by evaporation and reconstitution in mobile phase was demonstrated. Gabapentin and buprenorphine were detected following positive ion electrospray ionization using multiple‐reaction monitoring. The internal standard approach was used for quantitation with labeled gabapentin‐D10 and buprenorphine‐D4 serving as internal standards. Using organic reaction principals and stable isotope labels, collision‐induced fragmentation mechanisms for both gabapentin and buprenorphine are proposed. The method was validated according to the FDA Guidance for Industry – Bioanalytical Method Validation.

Results

Accuracy was demonstrated by error values ≤15% for buprenorphine and ≤6% for gabapentin. The inter‐day precision was ≤4.88% and 15.59% for gabapentin and buprenorphine and the intra‐day precision was ≤5.20% and 11.65% for gabapentin and buprenorphine. The lower limit of quantitation corresponded to 10 ng/mL for gabapentin and 1 ng/mL for buprenorphine in serum. Recoveries were 104 ± 2.55% and 85 ± 2.03% for gabapentin and buprenorphine, respectively.

Conclusions

Concentrations of gabapentin and buprenorphine were determined for five authentic human serum samples to further validate the utility of the method and applicable to therapeutic drug monitoring beyond its use as a drug screening assay. Furthermore, new mechanisms for the collision‐induced dissociation of gabapentin and buprenorphine have been proposed.
The Effects of a Whole‐Class Kindergarten Handwriting Intervention on Early Reading Skills
Authors: Ray Karen , Dally Kerry , Colyvas Kim , Lane Alison E.
Published: April 2021

The ultimate goal of reading is to comprehend written text, and this goal can only be attained if the reader can decode written words and understand their meanings. The science of reading has provided compelling evidence for the subskills that form the foundation of decoding. Decoding words requires understanding of the alphabetic principle and letter–sound, or grapheme–phoneme, correspondence. In the first year of formal schooling (kindergarten), this same understanding is also required for young learners who are learning to write the letters of the alphabet. In this article, we examine the effectiveness of a handwriting intervention, Write Start–K, that emphasizes the recall, retrieval, reproduction, and repetition (the 4Rs model) of grapheme–phoneme relations. We conducted a two‐group, pre/posttest study at two Australian schools across four kindergarten classes (n = 77 students). One school received the intervention, and the other continued with standard teaching. Participants (mean age = 5 years 8.45 months, standard deviation = 4.18 months) at both schools were assessed at baseline, immediately after the eight‐week intervention period, and at 12 weeks following the end of the intervention (follow‐up). We used linear mixed models to determine the statistical significance of effects over three time intervals. We identified statistically significant Group × Time effects for letter name knowledge and word reading, whereas changes in letter sound knowledge and nonsense word–reading fluency approached statistical significance. These results indicate that a handwriting intervention, incorporating repeated practice in recalling and reproducing letter forms, had a statistically significant impact on early reading skills.
Win odds: An adaptation of the win ratio to include ties
Authors: Brunner Edgar , Vandemeulebroecke Marc , Mütze Tobias
Published: April 2021

The win ratio, a recently proposed measure for comparing the benefit of two treatment groups, allows ties in the data but ignores ties in the inference. In this article, we highlight some difficulties that this can lead to, and we propose to focus on the win odds instead, a modification of the win ratio which takes ties into account. We construct hypothesis tests and confidence intervals for the win odds, and we investigate their properties through simulations and in a case study. We conclude that the win odds should be preferred over the win ratio.
Valence‐State Effect of Iridium Dopant in NiFe(OH)2 Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Wang Min , Wang Jia‐Qi , Xi Cong , Cheng Chuan‐Qi , Kuai Chun‐Guang , Zheng Xue‐Li , Zhang Rui , Xie Ya‐Meng , Dong Cun‐Ku , Chen Yong‐Jun , Du Xi‐Wen
Published: April 2021

Engineering high‐performance electrocatalysts is of great importance for energy conversion and storage. As an efficient strategy, element doping has long been adopted to improve catalytic activity, however, it has not been clarified how the valence state of dopant affects the catalytic mechanism and properties. Herein, it is reported that the valence state of a doping element plays a crucial role in improving catalytic performance. Specifically, in the case of iridium doped nickel‐iron layer double hydroxide (NiFe‐LDH), trivalent iridium ions (Ir3+) can boost hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) more efficiently than tetravalent iridium (Ir4+) ions. Ir3+‐doped NiFe‐LDH delivers an ultralow overpotential (19 mV @ 10 mA cm−2) for HER, which is superior to Ir4+ doped NiFe‐LDH (44 mV@10 mA cm−2) and even commercial Pt/C catalyst (40 mV@ 10 mA cm−2), and reaches the highest level ever reported for NiFe‐LDH‐based catalysts. Theoretical and experimental analyses reveal that Ir3+ ions donate more electrons to their neighboring O atoms than Ir4+ ions, which facilitates the water dissociation and hydrogen desorption, eventually boosting HER. The same valence‐state effect is found for Ru and Pt dopants in NiFe‐LDH, implying that chemical valence state should be considered as a common factor in modulating catalytic performance.
Large Hall Signal due to Electrical Switching of an Antiferromagnetic Weyl Semimetal State
Authors: Tsai Hanshen , Higo Tomoya , Kondou Kouta , Sakamoto Shoya , Kobayashi Ayuko , Matsuo Takumi , Miwa Shinji , Otani Yoshichika , Nakatsuji Satoru
Published: April 2021

Developing a technology to electrically manipulate a Weyl semimetal state is a vital step for designing a nonvolatile memory using topologically robust properties. Recently, such manipulation is realized for the first time in the antiferromagnetic Weyl semimetal Mn3Sn using the readout signal of anomalous Hall effect in the Mn3Sn/heavy metal (Pt, W) heterostructures. Here, it is reported that the switching of Hall signal can be significantly enhanced by 1) removing the buffer layer of Ru to adjust the crystal orientation of Mn3Sn, and 2) annealing after deposition of the heavy metal to change the interfacial condition. The switching of the Hall resistance is 0.35 Ω in the Mn3Sn/W sample, which becomes one order of magnitude larger than the previously reported value using Ru/Mn3Sn/Pt heterostructures. Moreover, by increasing the read current, it is found that the readout voltage may go well beyond 1 mV, a milestone for future applications in memory technology.
Development of derivatization/air‐assisted liquid‐liquid microextraction procedure for analyzing short‐chain fatty acids; assessment of the analytes in fruit juice samples
Authors: Assadi Fatemeh , Afshar Mogaddam Mohammad Reza , Farajzadeh Mir Ali , Shayanfar Ali , Nemati Mahboob
Published: April 2021

An air‐assisted liquid‐liquid microextraction method has been developed by gas chromatography‐flame ionization detection for the extraction, derivatization, and determination of five short chain fatty acids including acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, and caproic acid from different fruit juices. In this method, butyl chloroformate was used as extraction solvent and derivatization agent, simultaneously. For this purpose, sample solution was adjusted at pH 8 and then mixed with picoline (as a catalyst). Next, a few microliters of butyl chloroformate was added to the solution and after performing predetermined extraction cycles, the obtained cloudy solution was centrifuged. An aliquot of the sedimented phase was injected into the determination system. Low limits of detection (3.23–9.63 ng/mL) and quantification (10.8–32.4 ng/mL) were obtained. The method had a proper repeatability (relative standard deviations ≤ 7.38%) for intra‐ (n = 6) and interday (n = 5) precisions at a concentration of 50 ng/mL (each analyte). High enrichment factors (360–415), extraction recoveries (72–93%), and enhancement factors (1126–1852) were obtained. The developed method was successfully used in determination of the analytes in the studied samples.
Spectral analysis of networks with latent space dynamics and signs
Authors: Cape Joshua
Published: April 2021

We pursue the problem of modelling and analysing latent space dynamics in collections of networks. Towards this end, we pose and study latent space generative models for signed networks that are amenable to inference via spectral methods. Permitting signs, rather than restricting to unsigned networks, enables richer latent space structure and permissible dynamic mechanisms that can be provably inferred via low rank truncations of observed adjacency matrices. Our treatment of and ability to recover latent space dynamics holds across different levels of granularity, namely, at the overall graph level, for communities of nodes, and even at the individual node level. We provide synthetic and real data examples to illustrate the effectiveness of methodologies and to corroborate accompanying theory. The contributions set forth in this paper complement an emerging statistical paradigm for random graph inference encompassing random dot product graphs and generalizations thereof.
Effect of Annealing on Structural, Physicochemical, and In Vitro Digestive Properties of Starch from Castanopsis sclerophylla
Authors: Shi Xiaofei , Ding Yueping , Wan Jie , Liu Chengmei , Prakash Sangeeta , Xia Xue
Published: April 2021

Annealing is a hydrothermal treatment that changes the structural and functional properties of starches. This study investigates and compares the effects of one‐step annealing for 24 and 48 h, respectively, and two‐step annealing on the structural, physicochemical, and digestive properties of Castanopsis sclerophylla starch (CaS). Annealing has no effect on CaS morphology, crystalline pattern, and short‐range ordered structures. However, annealing decreases the swelling power, solubility, setback, and peak viscosity of CaS and increases its crystallinity and thermal stability. Post annealing, the rapidly digestible starch (RDS) of CaS decreases, the slowly digestible starch (SDS) increases while the resistant starch (RS) content of CaS remains unchanged. Comparing with One‐step annealing for 24 h, one‐step annealing for 48 h and two‐step annealing does not further change the RDS and SDS content of annealed CaS.
Managing R&D in Chinese listed firms: The interactive effects of ownership concentration and corporate governance
Authors: Wang Junmin
Published: April 2021

Ownership concentration remains a salient institutional feature among public listed firms in emerging and transitional economies. This study examines how a listed firm's ownership concentration interacts with its governance mechanisms in shaping corporate R&D investments. By analyzing panel data of Chinese listed firms between 2010 and 2012, I have three core findings. First, ownership concentration by the largest controlling shareholder negatively affects a firm's R&D intensity, but a small team of shareholders' ownership concentration plays a positive role. Second, a firm's monitoring mechanisms (measured by its sizes of the board and independent directors) and CEO stockholding positively affect the firm's R&D input. Third, CEO stockholding's positive role in promoting firm R&D is stronger in the firms with a more dispersed ownership structure. This study discloses the ways ownership concentration influences corporate governance and, in turn, affects corporate innovation.
Wavefunctions in dS/CFT revisited: principal series and double-trace deformations
Authors: Isono Hiroshi , Liu Hoiki Madison , Noumi Toshifumi
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We study wavefunctions of heavy scalars on de Sitter spacetime and their implications to dS/CFT correspondence. In contrast to light fields in the complementary series, heavy fields in the principal series oscillate outside the cosmological horizon. As a consequence, the quadratic term in the wavefunction does not follow a simple scaling and so it is hard to identify it with a conformal two-point function. In this paper, we demonstrate that it should be interpreted as a two-point function on a cyclic RG flow which is obtained by double-trace deformations of the dual CFT. This is analogous to the situation in nonrelativistic AdS/CFT with a bulk scalar whose mass squared is below the Breitenlohner-Freedman (BF) bound. We also provide a new dS/CFT dictionary relating de Sitter two-point functions and conformal two-point functions in the would-be dual CFT.
On Multimatrix Models Motivated by Random Noncommutative Geometry I: The Functional Renormalization Group as a Flow in the Free Algebra
Authors: Pérez-Sánchez Carlos I.
Published: April 2021

Random noncommutative geometry can be seen as a Euclidean path-integral quantization approach to the theory defined by the Spectral Action in noncommutative geometry (NCG). With the aim of investigating phase transitions in random NCG of arbitrary dimension, we study the nonperturbative Functional Renormalization Group for multimatrix models whose action consists of noncommutative polynomials in Hermitian and anti-Hermitian matrices. Such structure is dictated by the Spectral Action for the Dirac operator in Barrett’s spectral triple formulation of fuzzy spaces. The present mathematically rigorous treatment puts forward “coordinate-free” language that might be useful also elsewhere, all the more so because our approach holds for general multimatrix models. The toolkit is a noncommutative calculus on the free algebra that allows to describe the generator of the renormalization group flow—a noncommutative Laplacian introduced here—in terms of Voiculescu’s cyclic gradient and Rota–Sagan–Stein noncommutative derivative. We explore the algebraic structure of the Functional Renormalization Group equation and, as an application of this formalism, we find the$$\beta $$β-functions, identify the fixed points in the large-Nlimit and obtain the critical exponents of two-dimensional geometries in two different signatures.
Chronisch-obstruktive Lungenerkrankung 2021 – die richtige Therapie für den richtigen Patienten
Authors: Olschewski Horst , Buhl Roland , Funk Georg Christian , Valipour Arschang , Vogelmeier Claus F.
Published: April 2021

In den vergangenen Jahren wurden auf dem Gebiet der chronisch-obstruktiven Lungenerkrankung (COPD) große Therapiestudien publiziert, die 2020 um mehrere Post-hoc-Analysen ergänzt wurden. Die neuen Erkenntnisse flossen in das Update des Global-Initiative-for-Chronic-Obstructive-Lung-Disease(GOLD)-Report 2021 ein. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die aktualisierten Grundlagen und Empfehlungen zur Therapie der COPD beschrieben. Dabei wird auf die Indikationen von inhalativen Kortikosteroiden (ICS), lang wirksamen Muskarinantagonisten (LAMA) und/oder lang wirksamen β‑Mimetika (LABA) eingegangen. Die Therapie der COPD wird der des Asthma bronchiale gegenübergestellt. Diskutiert wird auch, wie sich eine gleichzeitig bestehende Asthmakomponente auf die Behandlungsstrategie bei COPD auswirkt. Ein Schwerpunkt des Beitrags liegt auf der Triple-Therapie mit LAMA, LABA und ICS. In diesem Zusammenhang werden die Studienlage und die Indikationen beschrieben. Die Bronchodilatation bleibt weiterhin die Grundlage der COPD-Therapie. Für Patienten mit gehäuften Exazerbationen bedeutet eine Triple-Therapie mit LAMA + LABA + ICS einen Mortalitätsvorteil. Weitere Analysen oder Studien sollen klären, ob dieser Effekt für spezifische Subgruppen stärker ausgeprägt ist.
Employment status and desire for work in severe mental illness: results from an observational, cross-sectional study
Authors: Gühne Uta , Pabst Alexander , Löbner Margrit , Breilmann Johanna , Hasan Alkomiet , Falkai Peter , Kilian Reinhold , Allgöwer Andreas , Ajayi Klemens , Baumgärtner Jessica , Brieger Peter , Frasch Karel , Heres Stephan , Jäger Markus , Küthmann Andreas , Putzhammer Albert , Schneeweiß Bertram , Schwarz Michael , Becker Thomas , Kösters Markus , Riedel-Heller Steffi G.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

People with a severe mental illness (SMI) are at particular risk of occupational exclusion. Among the approaches to occupational rehabilitation, supported employment (SE) has been proven to be the most effective. A requirement to enter SE-programs is that individuals must want to seek competitive employment. The aim of this work is to investigate the relationship between serious mental illness and the desire to work including potential predictors.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional observational study of patients with SMI aged 18–65 years (n = 397). Patients were interviewed by trained staff using standardised instruments. The relationship between potential predictors and a strong preference for employment were analysed using a hierarchic binary logistic regression model.

Results

Only about one-quarter (27.9%) of SMI patients is in competitive employment. Another quarter is unemployed (25.9%). Results show that the desire for competitive employment is strong among more than half of the SMI patients. Among the unemployed, two-thirds express a strong desire for work. These individuals are an ideal target group for SE interventions. Comorbid chronic physical illness, diagnosis, and the subjectively judged ability to work are associated with the desire for work.

Conclusion

Our data confirm a substantial exclusion of individuals with SMI from the workforce. In general, care needs for workplace interventions are not being met and leave much room for improvement. In addition to employment status, the desire for work should be routinely assessed.

Study registration

The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) (https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00015801) and under the WHO-Platform “International Clinical Trials Registry Platform” (ICTRP) (https://apps.who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=DRKS00015801) under the registration number DRKS00015801 before the start of recruitment (Registration date: 21.02.2019).
Intrapartum pudendal nerve block analgesia and risk of postpartum urinary retention: a cohort study
Authors: Waldum Åsa Henning , Staff Anne Catherine , Lukasse Mirjam , Falk Ragnhild Sørum , Sørbye Ingvil Krarup , Jacobsen Anne Flem
Published: April 2021

Introduction and hypothesis

Pudendal nerve block analgesia (PNB) is used as pain relief in the final stage of childbirth. We hypothesized that PNB is associated with higher rates of postpartum urinary retention.

Methods

We performed a cohort study among primiparous women with a singleton, cephalic vaginal birth at Oslo University Hospital, Norway. Women receiving PNB were included in the exposed group, while the subsequent woman giving birth without PNB was included in the unexposed group. We compared the likelihood of postpartum urinary retention, defined as catheterization within 3 h after birth. Logistic regression analysis stratified by mode of delivery was performed adjusting for epidural analgesia, episiotomy and birth unit.

Results

Of the 1007 included women, 499 were exposed to PNB and 508 were unexposed. In adjusted analyses, women exposed to PNB did not differ in likelihood of postpartum urinary retention compared to women unexposed to PNB in either spontaneous (odds ratio[OR]: 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55–1.22) or instrumental (OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.89–2.39) births. Furthermore, no differences between the groups were observed with excessive residual urine volume or catheterization after > 3 h.

Conclusions

PNB was associated with neither risk of postpartum urinary retention nor excessive residual urine volume and is therefore unlikely to hamper future bladder function.
Free and bound MCPD and glycidyl esters in smoked and thermally treated fishery products of the German market
Authors: Ostermeyer Ute , Merkle Sybille , Karl Horst , Fritsche Jan
Published: April 2021

To provide a comprehensive overview of the amounts of unesterified and bound 2- and 3-monochloropropanediol (MCPD) and glycidyl esters (G–E) in processed fishery products sold in Germany, an analysis of various frequently consumed products was conducted. In total, 258 commercial samples of breaded and pre-fried fishery products (e.g., frozen fish fingers), fried fish products (e.g., products in marinade), canned fish, smoked fish and some smoked spice preparations were examined. In addition, the effect of different kitchen preparation methods (e.g., baking, frying and roasting) on the MCPD and G–E amounts of fish fingers was studied. The mentioned process contaminants, MCPD and G-E, were quantifiable in the majority of the samples. Although pre-fried and fried fishery products predominantly contained MCPD esters (MCPD-E), mainly free MCPD was found in smoked fish. Compared with other types of smoke generation, hot smoked fish prepared in traditional Altona smoking kilns contained, on average, the highest 3-MCPD contents (range: 12–246 µg/kg). The amounts of bound MCPD in the fried fish products (range for 3-MCPD-E: < LOQ-808 µg/kg) were not significantly different from the amounts in the investigated pre-fried fish samples (range for 3-MCPD-E: < LOQ-792 µg/kg). However, they differ significantly from the amounts in unfried products (< LOQ). After preparation in the kitchen, the contents in the ready-to-eat fish fingers depend primarily on the initial contaminant amounts of the frozen product and/or the frying oil, respectively.
Blue–Green Infrastructure for Flood and Water Quality Management in Southeast Asia: Evidence and Knowledge Gaps
Authors: Hamel Perrine , Tan Leanne
Published: April 2021

In Southeast Asia, projections of rapid urban growth coupled with high water-related risks call for large investments in infrastructure—including in blue–green infrastructure (BGI) such as forests, parks, or vegetated engineered systems. However, most of the knowledge on BGI is produced in the global North, overlooking the diversity of urban contexts globally. Here, we review the literature on BGI for flood risk mitigation and water quality improvement in Southeast Asian cities to understand the scope of practical knowledge and identify research needs. We searched for evidence of local types of BGI in peer-reviewed and grey literature and assessed the performance of BGI based on hydrological, societal, and environmental metrics. The body of literature on BGI in Southeast Asia is small and dominated by wealthier countries but we found evidence of uptake among researchers and practitioners in most countries. Bioretention systems, constructed wetlands, and green cover received the most attention in research. Evidence from modelling and laboratory studies confirmed the potential for BGI to address flooding and water quality issues in the region. However, practical knowledge to mainstream the implementation of BGI remains limited, with insufficient primary hydrological data and information on societal and environmental impacts. In addition, the performance of BGI in combination with grey infrastructure, under climate change, or in informal settlements is poorly studied. Future research and practice should focus on producing and sharing empirical data, ultimately increasing the regional knowledge base to promote efficient BGI strategies.
Financial toxicity due to breast cancer treatment in low- and middle-income countries: evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Ngan Tran Thu , Van Minh Hoang , Donnelly Michael , O’Neill Ciaran
Published: April 2021

Background

This study examined the financial toxicity faced by breast cancer (BC) patients in Vietnam and the factors associated with the risk and degree of that toxicity.

Methods

A total of 309 BC patients/survivors completed an online survey (n=209) or a face-to-face interview (n=100) at two tertiary hospitals. Descriptive statistics and χ2 tests were used to identify and analyse the forms and degree of financial toxicity faced by BC patients/survivors. A Cragg hurdle model assessed variation in risk and the degree of financial toxicity due to treatment.

Results

41% of respondents faced financial toxicity due to BC treatment costs. The mean amount of money that exceeded BC patients/survivors’ ability to pay was 153 million Vietnamese Dong (VND) ($6602) and ranged from 2.42 million VND to 1358 million VND ($104–58,413). A diagnosis at stage II or III of BC was associated with 16.0 and 18.0 million VND (~$690–777) more in the degree of financial toxicity compared with patients who were diagnosed at stage 0/I, respectively. Being retired or married or having full (100%) health insurance was associated with a decrease in the degree of financial toxicity.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of Vietnamese BC patients/survivors face serious financial toxicity due to BC treatment costs. There is a need to consider the introduction of measures that would attenuate this hardship and promote uptake of screening for the reduction in financial toxicity as well as the health gains it may achieve through earlier detection of cancer.
Detection of COVID-19 from CT scan images: A spiking neural network-based approach
Authors: Garain Avishek , Basu Arpan , Giampaolo Fabio , Velasquez Juan D. , Sarkar Ram
Published: April 2021

The outbreak of a global pandemic called coronavirus has created unprecedented circumstances resulting into a large number of deaths and risk of community spreading throughout the world. Desperate times have called for desperate measures to detect the disease at an early stage via various medically proven methods like chest computed tomography (CT) scan, chest X-Ray, etc., in order to prevent the virus from spreading across the community. Developing deep learning models for analysing these kinds of radiological images is a well-known methodology in the domain of computer based medical image analysis. However, doing the same by mimicking the biological models and leveraging the newly developed neuromorphic computing chips might be more economical. These chips have been shown to be more powerful and are more efficient than conventional central and graphics processing units. Additionally, these chips facilitate the implementation of spiking neural networks (SNNs) in real-world scenarios. To this end, in this work, we have tried to simulate the SNNs using various deep learning libraries. We have applied them for the classification of chest CT scan images into COVID and non-COVID classes. Our approach has achieved very high F1 score of 0.99 for the potential-based model and outperforms many state-of-the-art models. The working code associated with our present work can be found here.
Modelling growth curves of the normal infant’s mandible: 3D measurements using computed tomography
Authors: Schipper Jan Aart M. , van Lieshout Manouk J. S. , Böhringer Stefan , Padwa Bonnie L. , Robben Simon G. F. , van Rijn Rick R. , Koudstaal Maarten J. , Lequin Maarten H. , Wolvius Eppo B.
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Data on normal mandibular development in the infant is lacking though essential to understand normal growth patterns and to discriminate abnormal growth. The aim of this study was to provide normal linear measurements of the mandible using computed tomography performed in infants from 0 to 2 years of age.

Material and methods

3D voxel software was used to calculate mandibular body length, mandibular ramus length, bicondylar width, bigonial width and the gonial angle. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was assessed for these measurements. They were found to be sufficient for all distances; intra-class correlation coefficients were all above 0.9. Regression analysis for growth modelling was performed.

Results

In this multi-centre retrospective study, 109 CT scans were found eligible that were performed for various reasons (e.g. trauma, craniosynostosis, craniofacial abscesses). Craniosynostosis patients had larger mandibular measurements compared to non-craniosynostosis patients and were therefore excluded. Fifty-one CT scans were analysed.

Conclusions

Analysis showed that the mandible increases more in size vertically (the mandibular ramus) than horizontally (the mandibular body). Most of the mandibular growth occurs in the first 6 months.

Clinical relevance

These growth models provide insight into normal mandibular development in the first 2 years of life. This reference data facilitates discrimination between normal and abnormal mandibular growth.
Mechanics of nonbuckling interconnects with prestrain for stretchable electronics
Authors: Lu Zixuan , Quo Liang , Zhao Hongyu
Published: April 2021

The performance of the flexibility and stretchability of flexible electronics depends on the mechanical structure design, for which a great progress has been made in past years. The use of prestrain in the substrate, causing the compression of the transferred interconnects, can provide high elastic stretchability. Recently, the nonbuckling interconnects have been designed, where thick bar replaces thin ribbon layout to yield scissor-like in-plane deformation instead of in- or out-of-plane buckling modes. The nonbuckling interconnect design achieves significantly enhanced stretchability. However, combined use of prestrain and nonbuckling interconnects has not been explored. This paper aims to study the mechanical behavior of nonbuckling interconnects bonded to the prestrained substrate analytically and numerically. It is found that larger prestrain, longer straight segment, and smaller arc radius yield smaller strain in the interconnects. On the other hand, larger prestrain can also cause larger strain in the interconnects after releasing the prestrain. Therefore, the optimization of the prestrain needs to be found to achieve favorable stretchability.
Mathematical Indispensability and Arguments from Design
Authors: Jonas Silvia
Published: April 2021

The recognition of striking regularities in the physical world plays a major role in the justification of hypotheses and the development of new theories both in the natural sciences and in philosophy. However, while scientists consider only strictly natural hypotheses as explanations for such regularities, philosophers also explore meta-natural hypotheses. One example is mathematical realism, which proposes the existence of abstract mathematical entities as an explanation for the applicability of mathematics in the sciences. Another example is theism, which offers the existence of a supernatural being as an explanation for the design-like appearance of the physical cosmos. Although all meta-natural hypotheses defy empirical testing, there is a strong intuition that some of them are more warranted than others. The goal of this paper is to sharpen this intuition into a clear criterion for the (in)admissibility of meta-natural explanations for empirical facts. Drawing on recent debates about the indispensability of mathematics and teleological arguments for the existence of God, I argue that a meta-natural explanation is admissible just in case the explanation refers to an entity that, though not itself causally efficacious, guarantees the instantiation of a causally efficacious entity that is an actual cause of the regularity.
Cox2 community barcoding at Prince Edward Island reveals long-distance dispersal of a downy mildew species and potentially marine members of the Saprolegniaceae
Authors: Langer Julia A. F. , Sharma Rahul , Nam Bora , Hanic Louis , Boersma Maarten , Schwenk Klaus , Thines Marco
Published: April 2021

Marine oomycetes are highly diverse, globally distributed, and play key roles in marine food webs as decomposers, food source, and parasites. Despite their potential importance in global ocean ecosystems, marine oomycetes are comparatively little studied. Here, we tested if the primer pair cox2F_Hud and cox2-RC4, which is already well-established for phylogenetic investigations of terrestrial oomycetes, can also be used for high-throughput community barcoding. Community barcoding of a plankton sample from Brudenell River (Prince Edward Island, Canada), revealed six distinct oomycete OTU clusters. Two of these clusters corresponded to members of thePeronosporaceae—one could be assigned toPeronospora verna, an obligate biotrophic pathogen of the terrestrial plantVeronica serpyllifoliaand related species, the other was closely related toGlobisporangium rostratum. While the detection of the former in the sample is likely due to long-distance dispersal from the island, the latter might be a bona fide marine species, as several cultivable species of thePeronosporaceaeare known to withstand high salt concentrations. Two OTU lineages could be assigned to theSaprolegniaceae. While these might represent marine species of the otherwise terrestrial genus, it is also conceivable that they were introduced on detritus from the island. Two additional OTU clusters were grouped with the early-diverging oomycete lineages but could not be assigned to a specific family. This reflects the current underrepresentation ofcox2 sequence data which will hopefully improve with the increasing interest in marine oomycetes.
Avian influenza A (H7N9) virus: from low pathogenic to highly pathogenic
Authors: Liu William J. , Xiao Haixia , Dai Lianpan , Liu Di , Chen Jianjun , Qi Xiaopeng , Bi Yuhai , Shi Yi , Gao George F. , Liu Yingxia
Published: April 2021

The avian influenza A (H7N9) virus is a zoonotic virus that is closely associated with live poultry markets. It has caused infections in humans in China since 2013. Five waves of the H7N9 influenza epidemic occurred in China between March 2013 and September 2017. H7N9 with low-pathogenicity dominated in the first four waves, whereas highly pathogenic H7N9 influenza emerged in poultry and spread to humans during the fifth wave, causing wide concern. Specialists and officials from China and other countries responded quickly, controlled the epidemic well thus far, and characterized the virus by using new technologies and surveillance tools that were made possible by their preparedness efforts. Here, we review the characteristics of the H7N9 viruses that were identified while controlling the spread of the disease. It was summarized and discussed from the perspectives of molecular epidemiology, clinical features, virulence and pathogenesis, receptor binding, T-cell responses, monoclonal antibody development, vaccine development, and disease burden. These data provide tools for minimizing the future threat of H7N9 and other emerging and re-emerging viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2.
Don’t burn our flag: patriotism, perceived threat, and the impact of desecrating a national symbol on intergroup attitudes
Authors: Marinthe Gaëlle , Testé Benoit , Kamiejski Rodolphe
Published: April 2021

Desecration of national symbols is a recurring societal phenomenon that can lead to highly defensive reactions from some citizens, especially on the part of those expressing a strong attachment to the nation. In this paper, we investigated the effects of blind and constructive patriotism when faced with an ingroup (vs. outgroup) national flag burning on ingroup bias, taking into consideration the mediating role of perceived threat. In two studies (N = 252), the level of blind patriotism predicted stronger ingroup bias—due to more negative evaluation of visible minorities and/or more positive evaluation of the ingroup—when another ingroup member burnt an ingroup (vs. outgroup) flag. This effect was partly mediated by a greater threat to the group’s image perceived by blindly patriotic people when the ingroup (vs. outgroup) flag was burnt (Study 2). Study 2 also highlighted a main effect of the symbol: ingroup bias was stronger when the ingroup (vs. outgroup) flag was burnt. We discuss the implications of our findings with respect to the role played by modes of national attachment and the consequences of desecrating symbols.