bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new strategy for canine visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis based on FTIR spectroscopy and machine learning
Authors: Larios Gustavo , Ribeiro Matheus , Arruda Carla , Oliveira Samuel L. , Canassa Thalita , Baker Matthew J. , Marangoni Bruno , Ramos Carlos , Cena Cícero
Published: August 2021

Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. The successful control of the disease depends on its accurate and early diagnosis, which is usually made by combining clinical symptoms with laboratory tests such as serological, parasitological, and molecular tests. However, early diagnosis based on serological tests may exhibit low accuracy due to lack of specificity caused by cross‐reactivities with other pathogens, and sensitivity issues related, among other reasons, to disease stage, leading to misdiagnosis. In this study was investigated the use of mid‐infrared spectroscopy and multivariate analysis to perform a fast, accurate, and easy canine visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis. Canine blood sera of 20 noninfected, 20 Leishmania infantum, and eight Trypanosoma evansi infected dogs were studied. The data demonstrate that principal component analysis with machine learning algorithms achieved an overall accuracy above 85% in the diagnosis.
Using redox potential as a feasible marker for banked blood quality and the state of oxidative stress in stored red blood cells
Authors: Daniels Rodney C. , Jun Hyesun , Davenport Robertson D. , Collinson Maryanne M. , Ward Kevin R.
Published: August 2021

Background

Stored red blood cells (RBCs) may undergo oxidative stress over time, with functional changes affecting oxygen delivery. Central to these changes are oxidation‐reduction (redox) reactions and redox potential (RP) that must be maintained for cell function. RP imbalance can lead to oxidative stress that may contribute to storage lesions. This study's purpose was to identify changes in RP over time in banked RBCs, and among RBCs of similar age.

Methods

Multiple random RBC segments from RBC units were tested (n = 32), ranging in age from 5 to 40 days, at 5‐day intervals. RP was recorded by measuring open circuit potential of RBCs using nanoporous gold electrodes with Ag/AgCl reference. RP measures were also performed on peripheral venous blood from 10 healthy volunteers. RP measures were compared between RBC groups, and with volunteer blood.

Results

Stored RBCs show time‐dependent RP increases. There were significant differences in Day 5 RP compared to all other groups (p ≤ 0.005), Day 10–15 vs. ages ≥ Day 20 (p ≤ 0.025), Day 20–25 vs. Day 40 (p = 0.039), and all groups compared to healthy volunteers. RP became more positive over time suggesting ongoing oxidation as RBCs age; however, storage time alone was not predictive of RP measured in a particular unit/segment.

Conclusions

There are significant differences in RP between freshly stored RBCs and all others, with RP becoming more positive over time. However, storage time alone does not predict RP, indicating RP screening may be an important measure of RBC oxidative stress and serve as an RBC quality marker.
Estimates of the sensible heat of rainfall in the tropics from reanalysis and observations
Authors: Ramos Camila Gomes Martins , Tan Haochen , Ray Pallav , Dudhia Jimy
Published: August 2021

Precipitation cools the surface because the temperature of raindrops is typically lower than the temperature of the surface. This precipitation‐induced sensible heat flux (QP) due to the temperature difference between the surface and raindrops is thought to be small and is typically ignored in weather and climate models. However, there are many instances in which instantaneous values in QP can be large, especially in extreme rainfall events. In this study, we provide a systematic estimate of QP over the tropics based on in‐situ buoy observations, satellite data, and reanalysis. The results show that the highest climatological QP values (~2 to 3 W m−2) are found over the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ), both associated with higher amount of precipitation. The QP over land, however, is not well correlated with precipitation due to a more complex relationship between the raindrops temperature and surface temperature. Estimation of QP based on in‐situ buoy observations shows that QP can be large at shorter time scales, and can be higher than surface sensible heat flux due to air‐sea temperature difference (QSH), and even surface latent heat flux (QLH), for heavy precipitating events. Implications of these results and possible future research avenues related to QP are discussed.
Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Epoxy/Poly(Styrene‐co‐Acrylonitrile) (SAN)/Organoclay Nanocomposites
Authors: Surendran Anu , Geethamma V. G. , Kalarikkal Nandakumar , Thomas Sabu
Published: August 2021

This article focuses on the investigations on mechanical and thermal properties of the epoxy/poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) (SAN)/cloisite 20A nanocomposites. The analysis is performed in two particular compositions of epoxy/SAN blends to study the effect of nanoclay addition. The compositions of blends, epoxy/5 phr SAN and epoxy/15 phr SAN, are selected based on the difference in phase separation mechanism and microstructure. An increment in tensile strength is observed for epoxy/5 phr SAN/1 wt% cloisite 20A nanocomposite. Young's modulus is increased in epoxy/15 phr SAN/cloisite 20A nanocomposites. A surge in the toughness and impact properties is observed for the nanocomposites. Beneficial increment in activation energy for thermal degradation is observed for epoxy/SAN blends and epoxy/SAN/cloisite 20A nanocomposites. The nanocomposites are suitable for high temperature applications without much compromise in the mechanical properties.
Effect of MWCNTs on the Wetting Behavior of PP/NR Blends
Authors: Nair Sharika T. , K Bicy , George Soney C. , Thomas Sabu
Published: August 2021

Blends of polypropylene (PP) and natural rubber (NR) with different loadings (1, 3, 5, and 7 wt%) of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are prepared by melt blending process. Influence of MWCNT concentration and blend ratio on the surface energy characteristics and wetting behavior of PP/NR/MWCNT nanocomposites are investigated using contact angle measurements with water and dimethyl sulfoxide. The surface energy, work of adhesion, spreading coefficient, interfacial energy, and interaction parameter are measured for all composites. It is understood that contact angle value of nanocomposites increases with the increasing MWCNT content and is attributed to the increase in hydrophobic nature of blends due to the presence of hydrophobic MWCNTs. Similar trend of variation of contact angle is found for nanocomposites with different blend ratio. The study also reveals that contact angle and wetting property of the nanocomposite increases with increase in the surface roughness of the sample. Results of contact angle studies show good agreement with the morphology of nanocomposites obtained by atomic force microscopy techniques.
Non‐ribosomal insights into ribosomal P2 protein in Plasmodium falciparum‐infected erythrocytes
Authors: Das Sudipta , Roy Bhaskar , Chakrabarty Saswata
Published: August 2021

The enormous complexity of the eukaryotic ribosome has been a real challenge in unlocking the mechanistic aspects of its amazing molecular function during mRNA translation and many non‐canonical activities of ribosomal proteins in eukaryotic cells. While exploring the uncanny nature of ribosomal P proteins in malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum, the 60S stalk ribosomal P2 protein has been shown to get exported to the infected erythrocyte (IE) surface as an SDS‐resistant oligomer during the early to the mid‐trophozoite stage. Inhibiting IE surface P2 either by monoclonal antibody or through genetic knockdown resulted in nuclear division arrest of the parasite. This strange and serendipitous finding has led us to explore more about un‐canonical cell biology and the structural involvement of P2 protein in Plasmodium in the search for a novel biochemical role during parasite propagation in the human host.
Structural Biology of LRRK2 and its Interaction with Microtubules
Authors: Leschziner Andres E. , Reck‐Peterson Samara L.
Published: August 2021

Mutations in leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are a major cause of familial Parkinson's disease (PD) and a risk factor for its sporadic form. LRRK2 hyperactivity has also been reported in sporadic PD, making LRRK2 an appealing target for PD small‐molecule therapeutics. At a cellular level, increasing evidence suggests that LRRK2 regulates membrane trafficking. Under some conditions LRRK2 also associates with microtubules, the cellular tracks used by dynein and kinesin motors to move membranes. At a structural level, however, relatively little was known about LRRK2. An important step toward bridging this gap took place last year with the publication of structures of LRRK2's cytosolic and microtubule‐bound forms. Here, we review the main findings from these studies and discuss what we see as the major challenges going forward with a focus on areas that will require structural information. We also introduce the structural techniques—cryo‐electron microscopy and cryo‐electron tomography—that were instrumental to solving the structures of LRRK2. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Current reused CMOS RF‐DAC for IoT applications
Authors: Jeong Gwanghyeon , Hong Songcheol
Published: August 2021

A current reused CMOS RF‐DAC with complementary current control, quadrature LO chain, and adaptive body injection mixer is presented in 0.18‐μm bulk CMOS process. The complementary current control leads to achieve good linearity by reducing the variation of output impedance. The proposed quadrature LO chain can achieve accurate signals in a wideband with constant amplitude and exact phase. The body injection mixer is implemented with simple high‐k resistor. It is measured with 5 and 5.3 GHz continuous‐wave (CW) signal, respectively. The measured constellation has 1024 points with constant current consumption of 73 mA.
Radium-223 Plus Enzalutamide Versus Enzalutamide in Metastatic Castration-Refractory Prostate Cancer: Final Safety and Efficacy Results
Authors: Maughan Benjamin L. , Kessel Adam , McFarland Taylor Ryan , Sayegh Nicolas , Nussenzveig Roberto , Hahn Andrew W. , Hoffman John M. , Morton Kathyrn , Sirohi Deepika , Kohli Manish , Swami Umang , Boucher Kenneth , Haaland Benjamin , Agarwal Neeraj
Published: August 2021

Lessons Learned

Background

Previously, we showed the combination of radium-223 and enzalutamide to be safe and associated with improved efficacy based on a concomitant decline in serum bone metabolism markers compared with enzalutamide alone in a phase II trial of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) [1].

Methods

Secondary endpoints were not included in our initial report, and we include them herein, after a median follow-up of 22 months. These objectives included long-term safety, prostate-specific antigen (PSA)–progression-free survival (PFS), and radiographic progression-free survival; PSA-PFS2 (time from start of protocol therapy to PSA progression on subsequent therapy); time to next therapy (TTNT); and overall survival (OS). Survival analysis and log-rank tests were performed using the R statistical package v.4.0.2 (https://www.r-project.org). Statistical significance was defined as p < .05.

Results

Of 47 patients (median age, 68 years), 35 received the combination and 12 enzalutamide alone. After a median follow-up of 22 months, final safety results did not show any increase in fractures or other adverse events in the combination arm. PSA-PFS2 was significantly improved, and other efficacy parameters were numerically improved in the combination over the enzalutamide arm.

Conclusion

The combination of enzalutamide and radium-223 was found to be safe and associated with promising efficacy in men with mCRPC. These hypothesis-generating results portend well for the ongoing phase III PEACE III trial in this setting.
Advanced Laser Technology for Quantum Communications (Tutorial Review)
Authors: Paraïso Taofiq K. , Woodward Robert I. , Marangon Davide G. , Lovic Victor , Yuan Zhiliang , Shields Andrew J.
Published: August 2021

Quantum communications is the art of exchanging and manipulating information beyond the capabilities of the conventional technologies using the laws of quantum mechanics. With applications ranging from quantum computing to cryptographic systems with information‐theoretic security, there is strong incentive to introduce quantum communications into many areas of the society. However, an important challenge is to develop viable technologies meeting the stringent requirements of low noise and high coherence for quantum state encoding, of high bit rate and low power for the integration with classical communication networks, and of scalable and low‐cost production for a practical wide‐deployment. This tutorial presents recent advances in laser modulation technologies that have enabled the development of efficient and versatile light sources for quantum communications, with a particular focus on quantum key distribution (QKD). Such approaches have been successfully used to demonstrate several QKD protocols with state‐of‐the‐art performance. The applications and experimental results are reviewed and interpreted in the light of a complete theoretical background, allowing the reader to model and simulate such sources.
Rare cis‐Dioxido Uranyl Framework Crystalline Complexes: Synthesis, Structure, Characterization and Properties
Authors: Qiao. Xue‐Yi , Wang. Yang , You. Zi‐Xin , Wang Chen , Xing Yong‐Heng , Bai Feng‐Ying , Xian Sun Li
Published: August 2021

The trans‐dioxido uranyl frameworks named as [(UO2)(Aip)(DMA)] (1), H[(UO2)(Aib)3] (2) and rare cis‐dioxido [(UO2)Co(Suc)2(H2O)4] (3), and [(UO2)Ni(Suc)2(H2O)4] (4) have been synthesized, which based on 5‐aminoisophthalic acid (H2Aip), 3‐aminobenzoic acid (HAib), and succinic acid (H2Suc) as ligands. They were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared spectra, UV‐vis absorption spectra, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, powder X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetry analysis. It was found that uranium ion of the complex 1 is in the pentagonal bipyramidal coordination environment, while those of the complexes 2–4 are in the hexagonal bipyramidal coordination environment. Complexes 1, 3, and 4 are 3D network structures, 2 is a discrete structure. In particular, geometry of O=U=O for 1 and 2 are trans, ones for 3 and 4 are cis. The highest removal rate of methylene blue was almost to 96 % by complex 1 as an adsorbent, which illustrates that potential application on dye adsorption.
Research on Multi‐morphology Evolution of MoS2 in Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Zang Lingyu , Chen Long , Tan Dongchen , Cao Xuguang , Sun Nan , Jiang Chengming
Published: August 2021

Due to the special structure and excellent performance, the two‐dimensional mono‐layer MoS2 has received extensive attention in recent years. However, due to technical limitations, the morphology of the synthesized MoS2 is unstable. In the CVD process, at least four morphologies of MoS2 are grown on a piece of SiO2/Si substrate. Here, we discuss the reasons for the formation of different MoS2 morphologies via the experiments and the M‐CV model. Then a possible morphology evolution mechanism is proposed. Research on the relationship among the flow rate, concentration and morphology shows that in the middle of the substrate, CVD is more stable and can produce high‐quality mono‐layer MoS2 films. It provides mechanism guidance for improving the stability of CVD and generating the large‐size mono‐layer MoS2 films.
Electrochemical Oxidation of Symmetrical Antioxidant Chicoric Acid in DMSO: Is this a Sequential or a Simultaneous 2ECE Mechanism?
Authors: Astudillo‐Sánchez Pablo D. , Enrique J. Soriano‐Castillo M. S. , Manzanilla Brenda , Rocha‐Ortiz Gilberto , Trujano‐Ortiz Lidia G. , Matus Myrna H. , Domínguez Zaira , Salas‐Reyes Magali
Published: August 2021

Chicoric acid (ChA) is present in various plants, and it is known to have interesting biological properties, e. g., antioxidant activity. In this work, a detailed analysis of the electrochemical oxidation mechanism ofL‐(ChA) in DMSO on glassy carbon is reported, for the first time. Since geometry optimization of ChA using Density Functional Theory, confirms aC2symmetry, three mechanistic routes involving electron transfers (E) and deprotonation reactions (C) were proposed for the simulation work: 1) EECCEECC, 2) ECECECEC, and 3) two simultaneous 2(ECE) steps. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the electrochemical and chemical steps were estimated by fitting the voltammetric simulation with the experimental voltammograms at different scan rates. Results showed that only the ECECECEC mechanism presented an adequate fitting with respect to experimental voltammograms. Homogeneous kinetic constants were close to a diffusion‐limited process (ca. 1×1010 M−1 s−1, for bimolecular reactions) and equilibrium constants, within the range of 1.5–12.0.
New Hybrid Fe‐based MOFs/Polymer Composites for the Photodegradation of Organic Dyes
Authors: Brahmi Chaima , Benltifa Mahmoud , Vaulot Cyril , Michelin Laure , Dumur Frédéric , Gkaniatsou Effrosyni , Sicard Clémence , Airoudj Aissam , Morlet‐Savary Fabrice , Bousselmi Latifa , Lalevée Jacques
Published: August 2021

Metals Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are promising crystalline, embrittled materials generally produced in powdering form with varied remarkably functionalities. In contrary, polymers are flexible and processable materials. Therefore, obtaining shaped solids gathering polymer malleability and MOFs properties such as their photocatalytic activities, have attracted many researchers’ attention. This work, reports the successful fruitful incorporation of two different Fe‐based MOFs into a polymer matrix via a facile and cheap photopolymerization process upon mild visible light irradiation at 405 nm. The as‐prepared photocomposites display excellent stability and photocatalytic performance for several Acid Black degradation cycles. Hence, approximatively, 95 % of this model dye is decomposed by the two MIL‐100(Fe)/polymer and MIL‐88 A(Fe)/polymer composites under just 30 min of UV‐Visible lamp irradiation. Incorporation of the MOFs into the polymer is confirmed by several techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy‐Dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X‐ Ray Diffraction analysis (DRX), Fourier‐Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Furthermore, these photocatalysts exhibit a high thermal stability, excellent rigidity and low band gap energy characterized by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and UV‐Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, respectively.
A Novel Electrochemical Immunosensor For Sulfadimidine Detection Based On Staphylococcal Protein A−AuNPs/Ag−GO−Nf Modified Electrode[]**
Authors: Wang Aiping , Zhang Chenyang , You Xiaojuan , Zhou Jingming , Chen Yumei , Liang Chao , Ma Dongdong , Liu Dan , Zhang Gaiping
Published: August 2021

Sulfadimidine (SM2) is a kind of synthetic sulfadiazine antibiotics. Excessive use of SM2 in animal breeding can lead to animal‐derived food residues, which will bring potential risks to human health. Herein, a sensitive label‐free electrochemical immunosensor using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as redox probe was developed for the specific detection of SM2. Firstly, the Ag−GO nanocomposites were prepared by in‐situ reduction of AgNPs on graphene oxide (GO) surface with glucose. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were reduced on the surface of Ag−GO nanocomposites by permanent electrodeposition. Staphylococcal protein A (SPA) was dripped onto the AuNPs modified electrode to absorb antibody (anti‐SM2). Herein, GO provided a large surface area for assembling a large number of AgNPs with redox activity. AuNPs were used to immobilize SPA and amplify the electrochemical signal. In addition, SPA with antibody targeting function was introduced to improve the efficiency of immune response. Under optimal conditions, the label‐free immunosensor showed a linear range of 63 pg/mL to 20 ng/mL with a limit of detection (LOD) of 3 pg/mL (S/N=3). Finally, the developed method showed excellent performance in practical application, which provided a promising possibility for the detection of other veterinary drug residues in animal derived food.
Vanadium Metaphosphate V(PO3)3 Derived from V‐MOF as a Novel Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Qingmeng , Du Jiakai , Chai Jiali , Han Ning , Zhang Wei , Tang Bohejin
Published: August 2021

Electrode material is a decisive component that affects the overall performance of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Therefore, many researchers are committed to developing electrode materials with better performance. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) can provide a metal source for phosphate synthesis due to its composition. In this work, a new conversion anode material, vanadium (III) metaphosphate V(PO3)3, is successfully prepared by adding red phosphorus into the synthesized V‐MOF and calcination. V(PO3)3 can reach a high initial discharge capacity of 1068 mA h g−1 and a high reversible capacity of 475 mA h g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1. Remarkably, the reversible capacity of 430 mA h g−1 was still maintained after the current density returned from 2000 to 100 mA g−1.
Interaction of Grafted Dextrin with a Hematite Surface: Effect of Functional Groups and Molecular Weight
Authors: Saha Biswajit , Patra Abhay S. , Biswas Arijit , Mukherjee Asim K. , Paul Indrajit
Published: August 2021

Reactive force field (ReaxFF) based molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the interaction nature of grafted dextrin with hematite. Nature of interaction further explained by doing periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It was observed that in presence of moisture, the polymer adsorbed on the hematite surface via hydrogen bond formation mediated by water. Upon heating, the interfacial water evaporated and boding interactions with the surface was were established. The oxygens present in the polymer backbone also took part in bonding interactions in addition to −COOH, −OH and −COOCH3 functional groups. The binding energies were estimated as −35.8 (Dextrin), −42.6 (Dextrin grafted with polyacrylic acid) and −38.0 kcal/mol (Dextrin grafted with polyacrylic acid and poly (methyl acrylate)) which indicated chemisorption and effect of molecular weight. Grafted dextrin, having higher molecular weight exhibited stronger interaction and it is anticipated that it will have better thermal stability. Binding energy estimated from DFT calculations as −34.8 kcal/mol. DFT charge density difference calculation showed that the oxygen present in the ring polymer structure also interacted with Fe d‐orbitals.
The invention performance implications of coopetition: How technological, geographical, and product market overlaps shape learning and competitive tension in R&D alliances
Authors: Runge Steffen , Schwens Christian , Schulz Matthias
Published: August 2021

Research Summary

We examine how technological, geographical, and product market overlaps between a firm and its alliance partner influence the firm's invention performance by shaping the learning and competitive tension in an R&D alliance. Drawing on research on learning in alliances and competitive dynamics, we argue that the firm's invention performance is influenced positively by technological and geographical overlaps and negatively by product market overlap. We further argue that product market overlap negatively moderates the positive relationships between technological and geographical overlaps and the firm's invention performance. Testing our theory on a dataset of 215 R&D alliances provides support for most of our hypotheses. We discuss how our theory and findings enrich coopetition and alliance research.

Managerial Summary

Prominent R&D alliances, such as between BioNtech and Pfizer or Samsung and Sony, typify coopetition—the collaboration between competing firms. In this context of coopetition, we study how a firm's invention performance is influenced by the technological, geographical, and product market overlaps it has with its R&D alliance partner. Empirical results from a sample of 215 R&D alliances formed between U.S. pharmaceutical firms confirm our theory that product market overlap is distinct from the other types of overlap: it changes the thrust of the alliance from joint value creation toward private value appropriation. This way, product market overlap not only decreases a firm's invention performance, but also weakens the positive impacts of technological and geographical overlaps on a firm's invention performance.
Round robin test to compare flexural strength test methods for steel fiber‐reinforced sprayed concretes
Authors: Youn‐Čale Bou‐Young , Plückelmann Sven , Breitenbücher Rolf
Published: August 2021

According to the current European standard EN 14487‐1 (residual) flexural strengths of steel fiber‐reinforced sprayed concrete are determined by performing a four‐point bending test on beams according to EN 14488‐3. Controversial to this test method, a three‐point bending test on notched square panels is recommended by EFNARC. According to EFNARC, one substantial advantage of this test method is the minor scattering of the test results. Against this background, a round robin test was performed at European level. The aim was to investigate the comparability and correlation on the one hand, on the other hand to assess the precision of both test methods. The results shall provide initial pointers for the classification of the residual strengths for steel fiber‐reinforced sprayed concrete with two different test methods. The results showed that the scattering of the residual strengths is marginally smaller with the test method on panels in comparison to the test method on beams. As a result, a slightly higher precision was achieved. Therefore, the EFNARC test shall be included as an alternative test procedure in EN 14487‐1 in future.
Dressed for Death: Gender, Respectability, and Resistance at the Gallows
Authors: Linders Annulla , Casanova Erynn Masi de , Shupe Kyle
Published: August 2021

In this paper we examine the dress of execution victims. Executions provide both the convict and the state with an opportunity to claim honor and respectability. Drawing on newspaper accounts of executions conducted between 1840 and 1940, we demonstrate that convict attire reveals an important tension between the convicts' gendered character claims and the efforts by execution managers to arrange a credible execution. But whereas displays of masculinity reinforce more than challenge the propriety of executions, women's femininity displays challenge not only the propriety of executions, but also the respectability of those tasked with their killing. We conclude that the subversive potential of clothing is found not only in the garments themselves, nor only on the wearers' intentions, but also on the institutional settings in which they are presented.
Pregnancy outcome after in‐vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection in women with congenital uterus didelphys
Authors: Cai P. , Ouyang Y. , Lin G. , Peng Y. , Qin J. , Li X. , Gong F.
Published: August 2021

Objective

To investigate the pregnancy and obstetric outcomes of patients with congenital uterus didelphys who achieved clinical pregnancy after in‐vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Methods

This was a retrospective matched‐cohort study of 83 infertile patients with uterus didelphys who underwent IVF/ICSI and achieved clinical pregnancy from January 2005 to December 2018 at our center. For each patient in the study group, three control patients with normal uterine morphology who underwent IVF/ICSI in 2018 were selected randomly. Patients in the two groups were matched for number of gestational sacs, maternal age, infertility type, cause of infertility, fertilization method, endometrial thickness 1 day before embryo transfer and number of embryos transferred. The classification of congenital uterine anomalies was based on the American Fertility Society system (1988). The pregnancy and obstetric outcomes of the didelphic and control groups were compared separately for singleton and twin pregnancies, and for all pregnancies combined.

Results

In singleton pregnancies, women with uterus didelphys had increased risk of preterm birth (odds ratio (OR), 4.68; rate difference (RD), 0.14; P < 0.001), Cesarean section (OR, 2.80; RD, 0.17; P = 0.016) and birth weight < 2500 g (OR, 4.06; RD, 0.10; P = 0.017) compared to women with normal uterine morphology. In twin pregnancies, the presence of uterus didelphys was associated with increased risk of preterm delivery (OR, 4.79; RD, 0.37; P = 0.006), perinatal mortality (OR, 3.16; RD, 0.19; P = 0.043) and birth weight < 2500 g (OR, 9.57; RD, 0.35; P = 0.001).

Conclusions

The presence of uterus didelphys was associated with significantly increased risk of some adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to pregnancies with normal uterine morphology in women who underwent IVF/ICSI. A twin pregnancy in women with uterus didelphys was associated with worse perinatal outcome. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
HPPMS tool coatings: Chip formation and friction
Authors: Bobzin K. , Brögelmann T. , Kruppe N.C. , Carlet M. , Hoffmann D.C. , Breidenstein B. , Krödel A. , Beblein S.
Published: August 2021

HPPMS‐Werkzeugbeschichtungen: Spanbildung und Reibung

In der vorliegenden Studie wurden drei verschiedene mittels HPPMS abgeschiedene Verschleißschutzschichten – CrAlN+Mo:S, CrAlON und TiAlCrSiN – mit einem speziellen Hobelversuchsaufbau untersucht. Dabei wurden die Kontaktlänge zwischen Span und Spanfläche, die Spandicke und der Reibungskoeffizient beim Hobeln gleichzeitige gemessen. Anhand von Hochgeschwindigkeitsaufnahmen können die Prozesskräfte und die Spanbildung analysiert werden. Der Einfluss der Beschichtung auf Kontaktlänge, Spandicke und Reibungskoeffizienten beim Hobeln sowie der Einfluss der Schnittgeschwindigkeit wurden bestimmt. Das CrAlON‐beschichtete Werkzeug zeigte im Vergleich zu den CrAlN+Mo:S‐ und TiAlCrSiN‐beschichteten Werkzeugen bei allen untersuchten Schnittgeschwindigkeiten eine geringere Adhäsionsneigung gegenüber dem Stahlwerkstück. Dies verhindert adhäsiven Verschleiß und reduziert die Reibung, wodurch die Spandicke beim Hobeln verringert wird. Außerdem zeigte das CrAlON‐beschichtete Werkzeug eine reduzierte Kontaktlänge. Eine verringerte Reibung und eine reduzierte Kontaktlänge gehen in der Regel mit einer verringerten thermischen Werkzeugbelastung einher und verbessern somit die Schnittleistung.
Characterization of Minimizers of Aviles–Giga Functionals in Special Domains
Authors: Marconi Elio
Published: August 2021

We consider the singularly perturbed problem$$F_\varepsilon (u,\Omega ):=\int _\Omega \varepsilon |\nabla ^2u|^2 + \varepsilon ^{-1}|1-|\nabla u|^2|^2$$Fε(u,Ω):=∫Ωε|∇2u|2+ε-1|1-|∇u|2|2on bounded domains$$\Omega \subset {\mathbb {R}}^2$$Ω⊂R2. Under appropriate boundary conditions, we prove that if$$\Omega $$Ωis an ellipse, then the minimizers of$$F_\varepsilon (\cdot ,\Omega )$$Fε(·,Ω)converge to the viscosity solution of the eikonal equation$$|\nabla u|=1$$|∇u|=1as$$\varepsilon \rightarrow 0$$ε→0.
Exploring personalized postoperative non-invasive tissue oximetry in DIEP flap breast reconstruction
Authors: Lindelauf Anouk A. M. A. , Vranken Nousjka P. A. , Schols Rutger M. , Bouman Esther A. C. , Weerwind Patrick W. , van der Hulst René R. W. J.
Published: August 2021

Early detection of vascular compromise after autologous breast reconstruction is crucial to enable timely re-exploration for flap salvage. Several studies proposed non-invasive tissue oximetry for early identification of ischemia of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps. The present study aimed to explore the utility of non-invasive tissue oximetry following DIEP flap surgery using a personalized oxygenation threshold.

Methods

Patients undergoing immediate/delayed DIEP flap surgery were included in this prospective observational study. DIEP flap tissue oxygenation (StO2) was monitored continuously using near-infrared spectroscopy. A baseline measurement was performed by positioning one sensor at the marked position of the major inferior epigastric perforator on the abdomen. A new sensor was positioned postoperatively on the transplanted tissue. In unilateral procedures, postoperative StO2 values of the native breast were also obtained. Measurements were continued for 24 h.

Results

Thirty patients (42 flaps) were included. Fourteen patients (46.7%) had an uncomplicated postoperative course. A minor complication was observed in thirteen patients; in five patients, at least one major complication occurred, requiring re-exploration. Median StO2 readings were significantly lower in patients with major complications compared to uncomplicated cases. In fourteen unilateral DIEP flap procedures, StO2 values of the native breast were similar to the preoperative baseline measurement (92%; p = 0.452).

Conclusions

Non-invasive tissue oximetry following DIEP flap surgery could aid in early detection of vascular compromise. StO2 values of the native breast and abdominal wall preoperatively can be used interchangeably and can serve as personalized reference value.

Level of evidence: Level IV, diagnostic / prognostic study.
Risk Factors for Postoperative Urinary Retention After Endoscopic Hernia Repair: Age and Unilateral Operation make the Difference
Authors: Di Natale S. , Slieker J. , Soppe S. , Bieri U. , Keerl A. , Nocito A.
Published: August 2021

Background

Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a common complication after inguinal hernia repair that may result in catheter‐related infections or injuries, longer hospital stays, and thus, higher overall costs. Our aim was to assess the incidence of POUR after endoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair and identify its risk factors.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed all data that were included in a prospective Hernia Database for patients undergoing a TEP inguinal hernia repair at our institution between July 2012 and May 2018. POUR was defined as the inability to urinate spontaneously after surgery, thus requiring a bladder catheter.

Results

Data from 1570 patients were included. Sixty‐five patients developed POUR, which was an incidence of 4.1%. In the univariate analysis, patients over 50 years of age (1.6% vs. 5.5%), patients with higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (ASA‐1 2.7% vs. ASA‐3 12.5%), previous prostate surgery (3.9% vs. 10.9%), unilateral operation (1.9% vs. 6.0%), and intraoperative drain placement (2.1% vs. 4.9%) developed POUR more often than younger patients. After multivariate adjustment, advanced age and unilateral surgery remained risk factors for POUR.

Conclusion

Advanced age and unilateral inguinal hernia repair, possibly due to a lack of catheterization, were risk factors for POUR. Due to increasing outpatient inguinal hernia repairs worldwide, it is imperative to identify patients who are at risk of POUR to apply prophylactic measures and reduce readmission, and thus, reduce health‐care costs.
Error estimation on extracorporeal trajectory determination from body scans
Authors: Riva F. , Buck U. , Buße K. , Hermsen R. , Mattijssen E. J. A. T. , Kerkhoff W.
Published: August 2021

This study explores the magnitude of two sources of error that are introduced when extracorporeal bullet trajectories are based on post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) and/or surface scanning of a body. The first source of error is caused by an altered gravitational pull on soft tissue, which is introduced when a body is scanned in another position than it had when hit. The second source of error is introduced when scanned images are translated into a virtual representation of the victim’s body. To study the combined magnitude of these errors, virtual shooting trajectories with known vertical angles through five “victims” (live test persons) were simulated. The positions of the simulated wounds on the bodies were marked, with the victims in upright positions. Next, the victims were scanned in supine position, using 3D surface scanning, similar to a body’s position when scanned during a PMCT. Seven experts, used to working with 3D data, were asked to determine the bullet trajectories based on the virtual representations of the bodies. The errors between the known and determined trajectories were analysed and discussed. The results of this study give a feel for the magnitude of the introduced errors and can be used to reconstruct actual shooting incidents using PMCT data.
The fetus in the age of the genome
Authors: Schmitz Dagmar , Henn Wolfram
Published: August 2021

Due to a number of recent achievements, the field of prenatal medicine is now on the verge of a profound transformation into prenatal genomic medicine. This transformation is expected to not only substantially expand the spectrum of prenatal diagnostic and screening possibilities, but finally also to advance fetal care and the prenatal management of certain fetal diseases and malformations. It will come along with new and profound challenges for the normative framework and clinical care pathways in prenatal (and reproductive) medicine. To adequately address the potential ethically challenging aspects without discarding the obvious benefits, several agents are required to engage in different debates. The permissibility of the sequencing of the whole fetal exome or genome will have to be examined from a philosophical and legal point of view, in particular with regard to conflicts with potential rights of future children. A second requirement is a societal debate on the question of priority setting and justice in relation to prenatal genomic testing. Third, a professional-ethical debate and positioning on the goal of prenatal genomic testing and a consequential re-structuring of clinical care pathways seems to be important. In all these efforts, it might be helpful to envisage the unborn rather not as a fetus, not as a separate moral subject and a second “patient”, but in its unique physical connection with the pregnant woman, and to accept the moral quandaries implicitly given in this situation.
Quantitative sensorische Testung im Rahmen neuropathischer Schmerzen und ihre Bedeutung für die Physiotherapie
Authors: Adler Magdalena , Taxer Bernhard
Published: August 2021

Hintergrund

Neuropathische Schmerzsyndrome zeichnen sich durch hohe Chronifizierungsraten sowie lange und intensive Schmerzepisoden aus. Ein treffsicheres Erkennen stellt eine Grundkompetenz von Physiotherapeuten dar, ermöglicht eine ursachengerechte Therapie und kann die Entstehung von Folgeschäden verhindern. Die quantitative sensorische Testung (QST) wird im medizinischen Rahmen als Ergänzung zur klinischen Sensibilitätsprüfung eingesetzt, konnte inzwischen eine beachtliche Stellung in der Forschung einnehmen, wird in der klinischen Praxis jedoch weniger häufig eingesetzt.

Fragestellung

Welchen Mehrwert hat die QST in der Untersuchung neuropathischer Schmerzen? Was sind die Ursachen für die begrenzte klinische Anwendung der QST? Was sind potenzielle Wege für einen erfolgreichen Übertrag der QST in die physiotherapeutische Praxis?

Methode

Literaturrecherche im Zuge einer Bachelorarbeit Physiotherapie.

Ergebnisse

Als valides Untersuchungsinstrument, das zur Evaluierung des gesamten somatosensorischen Profils geeignet ist, bietet die QST vor allem im Bereich der Small-fibre-Neuropathien einen erheblichen Vorteil gegenüber konventionellen Testverfahren. Diese kleinen Fasern scheinen insbesondere in der Frühphase von Neuropathien betroffen zu sein und können über konventionelle Testverfahren nicht evaluiert werden. Das macht den Einsatz von Teilaspekten der QST zu einem nützlichen Instrument für Physiotherapeuten und medizinisches Personal, was besonders in der Früherkennung von Neuropathien von großem Nutzen ist.

Diskussion

Trotz des bestehenden großen Nutzens existieren bis dato noch Limitationen, die den klinischen Routineeinsatz der QST behindern. Einige davon können durch exakte Testausführungen und Vorkehrungen bis zu einem gewissen Grad überwunden werden, andere, für die Klinik hochrelevante Bereiche wie die hohen Anschaffungskosten der Geräte und der hohe zeitliche Aufwand der Durchführung konnten bislang noch nicht zufriedenstellend gelöst werden. Weniger umfassende Testprotokolle sowie die Entwicklung handlicher und kostengünstiger Testgeräte könnten diesbezüglich erste Lösungsansätze darstellen. Die Ergänzung der konventionellen Bedside-Untersuchung um Testungen zur Wärmesensibilität und Schmerzschwellenbestimmung kann eine weitere Möglichkeit darstellen, um den dargestellten Mehrwert der QST in den klinischen Alltag zu integrieren.

Schlussfolgerung

Die QST steuert einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur Untersuchung und Diagnose von Neuropathien bei. Physiotherapeuten sind dazu angehalten, Teilaspekte aus der QST in eine standardmäßige Untersuchung zu implementieren, um sowohl in der Früherkennung als auch in der Behandlung positiv einzuwirken.
Online and transparent self-adaptation of stream parallel patterns
Authors: Vogel Adriano , Mencagli Gabriele , Griebler Dalvan , Danelutto Marco , Fernandes Luiz Gustavo
Published: August 2021

Several real-world parallel applications are becoming more dynamic and long-running, demanding online (at run-time) adaptations. Stream processing is a representative scenario that computes data items arriving in real-time and where parallel executions are necessary. However, it is challenging for humans to monitor and manually self-optimize complex and long-running parallel executions continuously. Moreover, although high-level and structured parallel programming aims to facilitate parallelism, several issues still need to be addressed for improving the existing abstractions. In this paper, we extend self-adaptiveness for supporting autonomous and online changes of the parallel pattern compositions. Online self-adaptation is achieved with an online profiler that characterizes the applications, which is combined with a new self-adaptive strategy and a model for smooth transitions on reconfigurations. The solution provides a new abstraction layer that enables application programmers to define non-functional requirements instead of hand-tuning complex configurations. Hence, we contribute with additional abstractions and flexible self-adaptation for responsiveness at run-time. The proposed solution is evaluated with applications having different processing characteristics, workloads, and configurations. The results show that it is possible to provide additional abstractions, flexibility, and responsiveness while achieving performance comparable to the best static configuration executions.
Do delusions have and give meaning?
Authors: Ritunnano Rosa , Bortolotti Lisa
Published: August 2021

Delusions are often portrayed as paradigmatic instances of incomprehensibility and meaninglessness. Here we investigate the relationship between delusions and meaning from a philosophical perspective, integrating arguments and evidence from cognitive psychology and phenomenological psychopathology. We review some of the empirical and philosophical literature relevant to two claims about delusions and meaning: (1) delusions are meaningful, despite being described as irrational and implausible beliefs; (2) some delusions can also enhance the sense that one’s life is meaningful, supporting agency and creativity in some circumstances. Delusions are not incomprehensible representations of reality. Rather, they can help make sense of one’s unusual experiences and in some circumstances even support one’s endeavours, albeit temporarily and imperfectly. Acknowledging that delusions have meaning and can also give meaning to people’s lives has implications for our understanding of psychotic symptoms and for addressing the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions.
Characterization of Tribological and Mechanical Properties of the Si3N4 Coating Fabricated by Duplex Surface Treatment of Pack Siliconizing and Plasma Nitriding on AISI D2 Tool Steel
Authors: Najafizadeh Mojtaba , Ghasempour-Mouziraji Mehran , Sadeghi Behzad , Cavaliere Pasquale
Published: August 2021

Silicon nitride (Si3N4) coating was deposited on AISI D2 tool steel through employing duplex surface treatments—pack siliconizing followed by plasma nitriding. Pack cementation was performed at 650 °C, 800 °C, and 950 °C for 2 and 3 hours by using various mixtures to realize the silicon coating. X-ray diffraction analyses and scanning electron microscopy observations were employed for demonstrating the optimal process conditions leading to high coating adhesion, uniform thickness, and composition. The optimized conditions belonging to siliconizing were employed to produce samples to be further processed via plasma nitriding. This treatment was performed with a gas mixture of 75 pct H2-25 pct N2, at the temperature of 550 °C for 7 hours. The results showed that different nitride phases such as Si3N4-β, Si3N4-γ, Fe4N, and Fe3N can be recognized as coatings reinforcements. It was demonstrated that the described composite coating procedure allowed to obtain a remarkable increase in hardness (80 pct higher with respect to the substrate) and wear resistance (30 pct decrease of weight loss) of the tool steel.
Immunotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Fulgenzi Claudia A. M. , Talbot Thomas , Murray Sam M. , Silletta Marianna , Vincenzi Bruno , Cortellini Alessio , Pinato David J.
Published: August 2021

Opinion statement

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been traditionally deprived from highly effective systemic therapy options in the past decades. The multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib, approved in 2008, remained the only treatment option for advanced HCC for over a decade. A number of molecularly targeted therapies such as lenvatinib, regorafenib, cabozantinib, and ramucirumab have significantly widened treatment options in patients with advanced HCC. However, emergence of resistance and long-term toxicity from treatment are barriers to long-term survivorship. Immunotherapy is at the focus of intense research efforts in HCC. Whilst targeting of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte 4 (CTLA-4) is associated with radiologically measurable disease-modulating effects in HCC, monotherapies fell short of demonstrating evidence of significant survival extension in advanced disease. Atezolizumab and bevacizumab were the first immunotherapy regimen to demonstrate clear superiority in improving the survival of patients with unresectable HCC compared to sorafenib, paving the way for immunotherapy combinations. As the treatment landscape of HCC rapidly evolves, with immunotherapy integrating within early- and intermediate-stage disease treatment algorithms, lack of level 1 evidence on sequencing of therapeutic strategies and lack of head-to-head comparisons across immunotherapy combinations will affect prescribing of immunotherapy in routine practice. In the absence of predictive biomarkers, choice of immunotherapy over kinase inhibitors will continue to remain an empirical exercise, guided by balancing anti-tumour efficacy with toxicity considerations in the individual patient.