bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Support Vector Machine‐Based Prediction of Enantioselectivity in Fluorination of Allylic Alcohols
Authors: Yu Xinliang
Published: April 2022

Quantitative structure‐selectivity relationship (QSSR) models in asymmetric catalytic reactions can accelerate catalyst design by predicting enantioselectivity ΔΔG (=−RTln(er), where er is the enantiomeric ratio). Support vector machine (SVM) as the most popular machine learning algorithm, can fit nonlinear relationships between structural feature and enantioselectivities. Three Dragon‐based descriptors were used to develop SVM Model A for enantioselectivities in fluorination of allylic alcohols by using boronic acids and chiral phosphoric acids as catalysts. The training and test sets of SVM Model A, respectively, have determination coefficients R2 of 0.951 and 0.945, which are higher than that (0.870 and 0.884, respectively) from SVM Model B based on four descriptors (non‐covalent interaction, Sterimol parameters, and infrared intensity). Both of the SVM models are proved to be accurate in predicting enantioinduction of fluorination of allylic alcohols with boronic acids and chiral phosphoric acids as catalysts.
Identification of Alkaloids from Terminalia chebula as Potent SARS‐ CoV‐2 Main Protease Inhibitors: An In Silico Perspective
Authors: Ghosh Rajesh , Badavath Vishnu Nayak , Chowdhuri Snehasis , Sen Anik
Published: April 2022

Natural compounds in medicinal plants are best remedies for different diseases and are important to develop new drugs. This work was dedicated to understand the role of different natural compounds of Terminalia Chebula, a well‐known herbal plant, in the treating of Covid 19. In this article, we have investigated interactions of such natural compounds from Terminalia Chebula with the main protease (Mpro) of the SARS‐CoV‐2, which is a key component for cleavage of viral polyprotein, and an important target for the development of drugs towards COVID‐19. We have performed molecular docking study on 22 different molecules of Terminalia Chebula and proposed that 7 of the natural compounds (triterpenoids and sterols) interacts with a comparable or stronger interactions than the inhibitor N3. Molecular dynamics simulations (100 ns) revealed that 7 Mpro‐Terminalia Chebula complexes are stable, conformationally less fluctuated, slightly less compact, and marginally expanded than ligand‐free conformation of Mpro. The intermolecular H‐bonding and detailed MM/PBSA and MM‐GBSA analysis showed Daucosterol interaction to be the most strong, whereas comparable interactions were observed for Arjunetin, Maslinic acid, and Bellericoside. Our study suggested that these natural compounds can act as potent Mpro inhibitors for SARS‐CoV‐2, and may evolve as promising anti‐COVID‐19 drugs in the near future.
The Structural Design of Dual‐Element‐Doped Graphene for Iodine Reduction Reaction: Density Functional Theory Study
Authors: Zhong Yiping , Xu Hanyu , Zhang Qing , Song Xuedan , Hao Ce
Published: April 2022

Dual‐element‐doped graphene has been widely used in the counter electrode due to its enhanced catalytic activity. However, experiments lack a fundamental understanding of the doping effects accounting for the enhanced catalytic activity of dual‐element‐doped graphene. Here, we selected heteroatoms with different electronegativity (e. g., N: 3.0, P: 2.1, Se: 2.4, O: 3.5) based on the C atom with electronegativity of 2.5, then N atoms and heteroatoms co‐doped graphene (N/X‐G, X=P, Se, O) were constructed to investigate the effects of the electronegativity, the doping configuration and position of heteroatoms, the edge structure of graphene on iodine reduction reaction by density functional theory. After a detailed analysis of the electronic structure of N/X‐G, it revealed that the doping of dual‐element could lead to more electrons transfer to the area near heteroatoms, and thus providing more electrons for iodine species. The results of this study indicated that the effects of the dual‐element doping could be divided into three categories, and these principles provide theoretical guidance for further design of the dual‐element‐doped graphene.
Highly Orientational Order Perovskite Induced by In situ‐generated 1D Perovskitoid for Efficient and Stable Printable Photovoltaics
Authors: Wu Jiawen , Li Yaru , Zhang Yong , Li Yan , Huang Yulan , Jiang Zhengyan , Ai Qian , Liu Yanliang , Zhang Luozheng , Peng Yuanjun , Wang Xingzhu , Xu Baomin , Cheng Chun
Published: April 2022

Employing low‐dimensional perovskite has been proven to be a promising approach to enhance the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells. Here, thiopheniformamidine hydrochloride is introduced into CH3NH3PbI3‐based printable mesoscopic perovskite solar cells, to form 1D iodide lead thiophenamidine (TFPbI3) in situ. This judiciously designed low‐dimensional perovskite can effectively passivate the defect of perovskite and induce the perovskite crystals to grow in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. Thus, the obtained 1D@3D perovskite could suppress the charge recombination and promote the charge transfer significantly. Benefiting from its dual effect and robustness, a significantly improved power conversion efficiency of 17.42% is yielded. The authors also develop high‐performance printable mesoscopic perovskite solar cells with a champion efficiency approaching 13% for aperture area about 11.8 cm2, as well as outstanding operational stability, retaining 90% of the original power conversion efficiency after 1000 hours of continuous illumination at the maximum power point in air.
Polymerizable Deep Eutectic Solvent‐Based Skin‐Like Elastomers with Dynamic Schemochrome and Self‐Healing Ability
Authors: Li Xinkai , Liu Jize , Guo Quanquan , Zhang Xinxing , Tian Ming
Published: April 2022

Animal skin is a huge source of inspiration when it comes to multifunctional sensing materials. Bioinspired sensors integrated with the intriguing performance of skin‐like steady wide‐range strain detection, real‐time dynamic visual cues, and self‐healing ability hold great promise for next‐generation electronic skin materials. Here, inspired by the skins of a chameleon, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) liquid crystal skeleton is embedded into polymerizable deep eutectic solvent (PDES) via in situ polymerization to develop a skin‐like elastomer. Benefiting from the elastic ionic conductive PDES matrix and dynamic interfacial hydrogen bonding, this strategy has broken through the limitations that CNCs‐based cholesteric structure is fragile and its helical pitch is non‐adjustable, endowing the resulting elastomer with strain‐induced wide‐range (0–500%) dynamic structural colors and excellent self‐healing ability (78.9–90.7%). Furthermore, the resulting materials exhibit high stretch‐ability (1163.7%), strain‐sensing and self‐adhesive abilities, which make them well‐suitable for developing widely applicable and highly reliable flexible sensors. The proposed approach of constructing biomimetic skin‐like materials with wide‐range dynamic schemochrome is expected to extend new possibilities in diverse applications including anti‐counterfeit labels, soft foldable displays, and wearable optical devices.
Primary renal histiocytic sarcoma in a dog
Authors: Pitt Kathryn , Tremolada Giovanni
Published: April 2022

A 5‐year‐old, male, neutered, Australian Shepherd mix was presented for evaluation of a left renal mass diagnosed by the primary veterinarian. The dog had a 2‐month history of lethargy, vomiting and hyporexia. Abdominal ultrasound confirmed the presence of a large (9.9 cm [L] × 7.8 cm [H] × 10.7 cm [W]) renal mass involving the entire left kidney causing severe hydronephrosis. A ureteronephrectomy was performed. Histopathology was consistent with renal histiocytic sarcoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy with cyclohexylchloroethylnitrosurea (62 mg/m2every 3 weeks for five treatments) was initiated. The dog had progressive disease upon restaging at the time of the third dose. Single‐agent doxorubicin (25 mg/m2every 2 weeks for five treatments) was started as a rescue protocol but discontinued after one dose due to side effects. The dog was euthanased 185 days after surgery.
High‐output cardiac failure in a dog secondary to hepatic vascular malformation
Authors: Williams Kristina , Hammond Hillary , Pierce Kursten V.
Published: April 2022

A 2‐month‐old, 8.5 kg (18.7 lb), entire, female Chesapeake Bay Retriever presented for increased respiratory effort. Physical examination revealed a V/VI left basilar systolic heart murmur, mild dyspnoea and hepatomegaly. An echocardiogram revealed left‐sided volume overload, evidence of moderate pulmonary hypertension, markedly distended hepatic veins and caudal vena cava, and increased aortic and pulmonary flow velocities in the absence of overt structural heart disease, which was suspicious for high‐output cardiac failure. Thoracic radiographs revealed pulmonary oedema. An abdominal ultrasound revealed a hepatic vascular malformation. Medical management with furosemide was elected. A computed tomography was not pursued. The dog has done well over 9‐month follow‐up, with only one escalation in dose. Treatment of high‐output cardiac failure in a dog secondary to a hepatic vascular malformation has not been previously reported. Intervention to attenuate flow through the hepatic vascular malformation or portocaval shunt could be considered; however, short‐term treatment goals are controlling congestion.
PbTe/PbSe Thermoelectric Nanocomposites: The Impact of Length Modulations on Lowering Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Selli Daniele , Donadio Davide , Leoni Stefano
Published: April 2022

PbTe and PbSe are among the most promising thermoelectric materials used in the mid‐temperature (400–900 K) power generation range. In these materials the efficiency increase in thermoelectric performance is critically related to the lowering of lattice thermal conductivity (κL), without compromising the electronic power factor. By means of state‐of‐the‐art equilibrium molecular dynamics (EMD), we investigate heat transport in several nanostructured PbTe/PbSe models as a function of material morphology. Layered composites show a reduction of the average κL of about 35 % with respect to the bulk. The insertion of PbSe nanoparticles into a PbTe matrix, or viceversa PbTe into PbSe reduces κL by up to 45 % while in more anisotropic nanocomposites the reduction exceeds PbSe/PbTe alloys. Layered composites show the lowest lattice thermal conductivity in the direction of layer stacking, for which an optimal thickness is identified. Along this line we provide a full account of the impact of alloying and (sub)nanostructuring on heat transport for this important class of materials. Particularly anisotropic nano‐dot morphologies and layered (sub)nanocomposites emerge as a paradigm for outstanding thermoelectric materials.
A large-area organic transistor with 3D-printed sensing gate for noninvasive single-molecule detection of pancreatic mucinous cyst markers
Authors: Sarcina Lucia , Viola Fabrizio , Modena Francesco , Picca Rosaria Anna , Bollella Paolo , Di Franco Cinzia , Cioffi Nicola , Caironi Mario , Österbacka Ronald , Esposito Irene , Scamarcio Gaetano , Torsi Luisa , Torricelli Fabrizio , Macchia Eleonora
Published: April 2022

Early diagnosis in a premalignant (or pre-invasive) state represents the only chance for cure in neoplastic diseases such as pancreatic-biliary cancer, which are otherwise detected at later stages and can only be treated using palliative approaches, with no hope for a cure. Screening methods for the purpose of secondary prevention are not yet available for these cancers. Current diagnostic methods mostly rely on imaging techniques and conventional cytopathology, but they do not display adequate sensitivity to allow valid early diagnosis. Next-generation sequencing can be used to detect DNA markers down to the physical limit; however, this assay requires labeling and is time-consuming. The additional determination of a protein marker that is a predictor of aggressive behavior is a promising innovative approach, which holds the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy. Moreover, the possibility to detect biomarkers in blood serum offers the advantage of a noninvasive diagnosis. In this study, both the DNA and protein markers of pancreatic mucinous cysts were analyzed in human blood serum down to the single-molecule limit using the SiMoT (single-molecule assay with a large transistor) platform. The SiMoT device proposed herein, which exploits an inkjet-printed organic semiconductor on plastic foil, comprises an innovative 3D-printed sensing gate module, consisting of a truncated cone that protrudes from a plastic substrate and is compatible with standard ELISA wells. This 3D gate concept adds tremendous control over the biosensing system stability, along with minimal consumption of the capturing molecules and body fluid samples. The 3D sensing gate modules were extensively characterized from both a material and electrical perspective, successfully proving their suitability as detection interfaces for biosensing applications. KRAS and MUC1 target molecules were successfully analyzed in diluted human blood serum with the 3D sensing gate functionalized with b-KRAS and anti-MUC1, achieving a limit of detection of 10 zM and 40 zM, respectively. These limits of detection correspond to (1 ± 1) KRAS and (2 ± 1) MUC1 molecules in the 100 μL serum sample volume. This study provides a promising application of the 3D SiMoT platform, potentially facilitating the timely, noninvasive, and reliable identification of pancreatic cancer precursor cysts.

Graphical abstract
Analysis of six aromatic amines in the mainstream smoke of tobacco products
Authors: Ji Huihua , Jin Zhenyu
Published: April 2022

Aromatic amines are a class of carcinogenic compounds in tobacco smoke that are listed on the FDA list of harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs). A method using solid-phase microextraction-coupled to gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (SPME headspace GC–MS/MS) was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of six aromatic amines, including 1-aminonaphthalene (1-AN), 2-aminonaphthalene (2-AN), 3-aminobiphenyl (3-ABP), 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP), o-toluidine (o-TOL), and o-anisidine (o-ANI), in the mainstream smoke of cigarettes, cigars, and heated tobacco products. The method developed here combines high sensitivity with simple sample preparation and has demonstrated satisfactory linearity for all six aromatic amines with correlation coefficients greater than 0.9994. The limits of detection range and the limits of quantitation range were 12–96 pg/mL and 41–320 pg/mL, respectively. Their recoveries and coefficients of variation (CV%) were 90–112% and 2.1–6.6%, respectively. The new SPME headspace GC/MS/MS method has been successfully applied to measure the contents of the six aromatic amines in the mainstream smoke of cigarettes, cigars, and heated tobacco products.
Joint EANM, SNMMI and IAEA enabling guide: how to set up a theranostics centre
Authors: Herrmann Ken , Giovanella Luca , Santos Andrea , Gear Jonathan , Kiratli Pinar Ozgen , Kurth Jens , Denis-Bacelar Ana M. , Hustinx Roland , Patt Marianne , Wahl Richard L. , Paez Diana , Giammarile Francesco , Jadvar Hossein , Pandit-Taskar Neeta , Ghesani Munir , Kunikowska Jolanta
Published: April 2022

The theranostics concept using the same target for both imaging and therapy dates back to the middle of the last century, when radioactive iodine was first used to treat thyroid diseases. Since then, radioiodine has become broadly established clinically for diagnostic imaging and therapy of benign and malignant thyroid disease, worldwide. However, only since the approval of SSTR2-targeting theranostics following the NETTER-1 trial in neuroendocrine tumours and the positive outcome of the VISION trial has theranostics gained substantial attention beyond nuclear medicine. The roll-out of radioligand therapy for treating a high-incidence tumour such as prostate cancer requires the expansion of existing and the establishment of new theranostics centres. Despite wide global variation in the regulatory, financial and medical landscapes, this guide attempts to provide valuable information to enable interested stakeholders to safely initiate and operate theranostics centres. This enabling guide does not intend to answer all possible questions, but rather to serve as an overarching framework for multiple, more detailed future initiatives. It recognizes that there are regional differences in the specifics of regulation of radiation safety, but common elements of best practice valid globally.
Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy: Can Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone Monitoring be Omitted?
Authors: Eligal Shalom , Mekel Michal , Weinberger Jeffrey M. , Neymark Mariya , Hirshoren Nir , Mizrahi Ido , Eliashar Ron , Mazeh Haggi
Published: April 2022

Background

Intraoperative PTH (ioPTH) monitoring has become widely accepted in the era of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the need for ioPTH during parathyroidectomy in patients with positive preoperative imaging.

Methods

The charts of patients who underwent parathyroidectomy at three tertiary centers between the years 2012 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were defined as MIP candidates with either concordant preoperative imaging or a single positive imaging. Patients with negative or discordant imaging, concomitant thyroidectomy, or previous neck surgery were excluded.

Results

Of a total of 1013 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy, 535 (52.8%) were defined as MIP candidates and were included in the statistical analysis. Surgical success was achieved in all patients. A single adenoma that corresponded to the preoperative imaging was identified and resected in 517 (93.8%) patients. In only 18 (3.3%) patients, the ioPTH correctly changed the operative management where additional pathologic glands were identified and excised. Patients with additional lesions were significantly more likely to have decreased index adenoma size as indicated either by preoperative imaging or by intraoperative findings (15.5 ± 6.6 vs. 8.3 ± 2.5 mm, p < 0.001). None of the patients with an adenoma size greater than 13 mm had an additional pathologic gland.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the routine use of ioPTH in MIP candidates may be omitted in patients with an index adenoma greater than 13 mm, even with only a single positive preoperative imaging study, without compromising surgical success.
„Satellitenlabore“ – ein Projekt zur Förderung informatischer Bildung an weiterführenden Schulen
Authors: Tillmann Jonas , Wegner Claas
Published: April 2022

Das vorliegende Forschungsvorhaben beschäftigt sich mit dem Projekt „Satellitenlabore“ zur Unterstützung und Förderung informatischer Bildung an weiterführenden Schulen als ganzheitlichen Ansatz, welches die unterschiedlichen Akteure (Schulen, außerschulische Einrichtungen und Unternehmen) stärker verknüpfen soll. Gemäß des Design-Based-Research-Modells nach Shavelson et al. werden auf Grundlage des erhobenen Forschungsstandes in einem weiteren Schritt unterschiedliche Interventionsmaßnahmen entwickelt und didaktische Konzepte abgeleitet, die in mehrfachen Erprobungen stetig evaluiert und weiterentwickelt werden sollen.
A new picking algorithm based on the variance piecewise constant models
Authors: D’Angelo Nicoletta , Di Benedetto Andrea , Adelfio Giada , D’Alessandro Antonino , Chiodi Marcello
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we propose a novel picking algorithm for the automatic P- and S-waves onset time determination. Our algorithm is based on the variance piecewise constant models of the earthquake waveforms. The effectiveness and robustness of our picking algorithm are tested both on synthetic seismograms and real data. We simulate seismic events with different magnitudes (between 2 and 5) recorded at different epicentral distances (between 10 and 250 km). For the application to real data, we analyse waveforms from the seismic sequence of L’Aquila (Italy), in 2009. The obtained results are compared with those obtained by the application of the classic STA/LTA picking algorithm. Although the two algorithms lead to similar results in the simulated scenarios, the proposed algorithm results in greater flexibility and automation capacity, as shown in the real data analysis. Indeed, our proposed algorithm does not require testing and optimization phases, resulting potentially very useful in earthquakes routine analysis for novel seismic networks or in regions whose earthquakes characteristics are unknown.
GGS-groups over primary trees: branch structures
Authors: Di Domenico E. , Fernández-Alcober G. A. , Gavioli N.
Published: April 2022

We study branch structures in Grigorchuk–Gupta–Sidki groups (GGS-groups) over primary trees, that is, regular rooted trees of degree $$p^n$$

p
n

for a prime p. Apart from a small set of exceptions for $$p=2$$

p
=
2

, we prove that all these groups are weakly regular branch over $$G''$$

G

′
′

. Furthermore, in most cases they are actually regular branch over $$\gamma _3(G)$$

γ
3

(
G
)

. This is a significant extension of previously known results regarding periodic GGS-groups over primary trees and general GGS-groups in the case $$n=1$$

n
=
1

. We also show that, as in the case $$n=1$$

n
=
1

, a GGS-group generated by a constant vector is not branch.
Retinal thinning in progressive supranuclear palsy: differences with healthy controls and correlation with clinical variables
Authors: Picillo Marina , Salerno Giulio , Tepedino Maria Francesca , Abate Filomena , Cuoco Sofia , Gioia Marco , Coppola Alessia , Erro Roberto , Pellecchia Maria Teresa , Rosa Nicola , Barone Paolo , De Bernardo Maddalena
Published: April 2022

Background

Available evidence reports conflicting data on retinal thickness in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). In studies including healthy controls, PSP showed either the thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer, macular ganglion cell, inner nuclear, or outer retina layer.

Objectives

The goals of the present study were to describe retinal layer thickness in a large cohort of PSP compared to healthy controls and in PSP phenotypes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The additional objective was to verify the relationship between retinal layers thickness and clinical variables in PSP.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional design, we examined retinal structure in 27 PSP patients and 27 controls using standard SD-OCT. Motor and cognitive impairment in PSP was rated with the PSP rating scale and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment battery (MoCA), respectively. Eyes with poor image quality or confounding diseases were excluded. SD-OCT measures of PSP and controls were compared with parametric testing, and correlations between retinal layer thicknesses and disease severity were evaluated.

Results

PSP showed significant thinning of the inner retinal layer (IRL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), and the outer plexiform layer (OPL) compared to healthy controls. PSP phenotypes showed similar retinal layer thicknesses. Retinal layer thickness correlated with MoCA visuospatial subscore (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

We demonstrated PSP patients disclosed thinner IRL, GCL, IPL, and OPL compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between visuospatial abilities and retinal layers suggesting the existence of a mutual relationship between posterior cognitive function and retinal structure.
Microsurgical clipping vs Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device for the management of unruptured wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms
Authors: Chacón-Quesada Tatiana , Mielke Dorothee , Rohde Veit , Hernández-Durán Silvia
Published: April 2022

The Woven EndoBridge device (WEB) was introduced in 2010 to treat wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms (WNBAs). Three landmark studies have been conducted to assess its safety and efficacy: WEBCAST, WEBCAST 2, and French Observatory Study. However, these studies have not compared its safety and efficacy to other treatment modalities. In this study, we compare WEB versus microsurgical clipping in the management of unruptured WNBA. We conducted a retrospective study of unruptured WNBA meeting the morphological criteria to be amenable for WEB treatment operated on at our institution. Surgical morbidity, mortality, and occlusion rates were assessed. We compared our results to those reported in the cumulative population of the three WEB landmark studies at 1 year. A total of 84 patients with 89 WNBA were included. The most common aneurysm location was the middle cerebral artery bifurcation (n = 67/89, 75%). No operative mortality was observed. Morbidity comprised small-vessel vasospasm (n = 1/89, 1%) resulting in hemiparesis vs. 3% morbidity for WEB (p = .324). All but one (n = 1/89, 1%) WNBA were completely occluded vs WEB occlusion rate of 53% at 1 year, statistically significantly worse (p < .001). In our analysis, we were not able to show superiority of WEB in terms of procedural morbidity in comparison to microsurgical clipping, defined as worsening in mRS. Microsurgical clipping achieves statistically significantly higher rates of complete aneurysm occlusion, thus posing the question of whether the WEB should be presented as a viable, comparable alternative to patients amenable to surgical treatment.
As time goes by–developments in surgery for esophageal cancer in the new millennium
Authors: Lindenmann Joerg , Maier Alfred , Fediuk Melanie , Mykoliuk Iurii , Roj Andrej , Anegg Udo , Smolle Josef , Smolle-Juettner Freyja Maria
Published: April 2022

Background

In the last two decades, both treatment options and epidemiological features of cancer have changed. We studied the influence of related parameters on the outcome of patients undergoing resection for esophageal carcinoma.

Methods

We analyzed 499 consecutive patients who underwent esophagectomy for carcinoma since January 2000, comparing 2000–2010 with 2011–2021 and examining changes over time.

Results

The percentage of men (87.9 vs. 86.9%; p = 0.74) in the two groups was unchanged, whereas mean age increased significantly from 60.8 to 65.2 years (p = 0.000). There was a trend towards an increase of adenocarcinoma (gamma = 0.120, ASE = 0.055). Despite significantly increasing use of induction chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.000) from 7.14% in 2000 to 68.9% in 2021 the distribution of pT, pN stage, grading and the rate of positive lateral resection margins remained unchanged. When comparing the two periods, the overall 30-day mortality was 4.4 vs. 4.2% (p = 0.56), recurrence-free survival was 36.9 vs. 38% at 60 months and 33.9 vs. 36.4% at 120 months (p = 0.93). Tumor-associated survival was 41.1 vs. 45% at 60 months and 35.5 vs. 38.7% at 120 months (p = 0.78). None of the survival rates differed significantly. A multivariable analysis of year of surgery, age, sex, histological subtype, grading, pT, pN, lateral resection margin, and induction therapy showed that only higher pT (p = 0.01), positive pN (p = 0.000), positive lateral margin (p = 0.003), squamous cell carcinoma (p = 0.04) and higher grading (p = 0.026) had a statistically significant, independent, negative influence on prognosis.

Conclusion

Optimized noninvasive and invasive therapeutic modalities have produced only marginal improvement in the prognosis of esophageal cancer within the last two decades.
The influence of sociodemographic factors and close relatives at hospital discharge and post hospital care of older people with complex care needs: nurses’ perceptions on health inequity in three Nordic cities
Authors: Liljas A. E. M. , Jensen N. K. , Pulkki J. , Andersen I. , Keskimäki I. , Burström B. , Agerholm J.
Published: April 2022

Hospital discharge of older people in need of both medical and social care following their hospital stay requires extensive coordination. This study aims to examine and compare the views of nurses in three Nordic cities on the influence of sociodemographic factors and having close relatives, for the hospital discharge and post hospital care of older people with complex health and social care needs. Thirty-five semi-structured interviews (Copenhagen n = 11, Tampere n = 8, Stockholm n = 16) with nurses were conducted. The nurses were identified through the researchers’ networks, invitation and snowball sampling, and recruited from hospitals, primary care practices, home care units, home nursing units, and geriatric departments. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Interpretations were discussed and agreed within the team. Four main themes and 13 sub-themes were identified. Across the cities, informants reported that the patient’s health status, rather than their gender or ethnicity, steered the discharge date and further care. Care costs, commonly reported in Tampere but also in Copenhagen and Stockholm including costs for medications and home help, were considered barriers for disadvantaged older people. Home situation, local arrangements and differences in collaboration between healthcare professionals at different sites also influenced the hospital discharge. Generally, the patient’s health status steered the hospital discharge and post-hospital care. Close relatives were regarded important and a potential advantage. Some informants tried to compensate for the absence of close relatives, highlighting the importance of care systems that can compensate for this to minimise avoidable inequity.
Shocks, household consumption, and livelihood diversification: a comparative evidence from panel data in rural Thailand and Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Duy Linh , Nguyen Trung Thanh , Grote Ulrike
Published: April 2022

We examine the roles of land and labor diversification in mitigating the effects of covariate and idiosyncratic shocks in the two middle-income countries Thailand and Vietnam. We use an unbalanced panel dataset of rural households obtained from five survey waves during 2007–2016 (9291 households for Thailand and 9255 households for Vietnam). We employ the System-Generalized Method of Moments estimators to control for endogeneity. Our study finds that (i) rural households in both countries are able to maintain per capita consumption in the face of idiosyncratic shocks but not covariate shocks; (ii) labor diversification in Thailand and land diversification in Vietnam are used as ex-post coping strategies against covariate shocks but their shock-mitigating roles are insignificant; and (iii) land diversification in Thailand and labor diversification in Vietnam are helpful in improving per capita consumption when households face covariate shocks. Our findings suggest that facilitating access to credit, enhancing farm mechanization, and improving road quality in Thailand as well as promoting the development of local rural nonfarm sectors in Vietnam would benefit rural households in dealing with covariate shocks.
See you soon: fixed-term contracts, unemployment and recalls in Germany—a linked employer–employee analysis
Authors: Jost Oskar
Published: April 2022

Almost 20% of all male employees in Germany who become unemployed return to their previous employers. Such temporary layoffs and the subsequent recalls are often used by firms to shift their labor costs onto society and the unemployment benefit system, which has led to various legislation aimed at prohibiting or reducing this undesired instrument in Germany. I analyze the interplay between fixed-term contracts, which can be used to undermine legal regulations, and temporary layoffs for men. For this purpose, I use comprehensive administrative data at individual level, complemented by various firm characteristics. My results show that unemployed workers who had previously worked on fixed-term contracts are more often recalled by their previous firms than workers who had permanent contracts. Moreover, older and low-skilled employees as well as migrants are particularly affected by the interplay between fixed-term contracts and temporary layoffs. This is also confirmed for women in an additional robustness analysis.
Application of Confocal Raman Microscopy for the Characterization of Topical Semisolid Formulations and their Penetration into Human Skin Ex Vivo
Authors: Jung Nathalie , Namjoshi Sarika , Mohammed Yousuf , Grice Jeffrey E. , Benson Heather A. E. , Raney Sam G. , Roberts Michael S. , Windbergs Maike
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The quality testing and approval procedure for most pharmaceutical products is a streamlined process with standardized procedures for the determination of critical quality attributes. However, the evaluation of semisolid dosage forms for topical drug delivery remains a challenging task. The work presented here highlights confocal Raman microscopy (CRM) as a valuable tool for the characterization of such products.

Methods

CRM, a laser-based method, combining chemically-selective analysis and high resolution imaging, is used for the evaluation of different commercially available topical acyclovir creams.

Results

We show that CRM enables the spatially resolved analysis of microstructural features of semisolid products and provides insights into drug distribution and polymorphic state as well as the composition and arrangement of excipients. Further, we explore how CRM can be used to monitor phase separation and to study skin penetration and the interaction with fresh and cryopreserved excised human skin tissue.

Conclusion

This study presents a comprehensive overview and illustration of how CRM can facilitate several types of key analyses of semisolid topical formulations and of their interaction with their biological target site, illustrating that CRM is a useful tool for research, development as well as for quality testing in the pharmaceutical industry.

Graphical abstract
Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 and its interaction with temperature and nitrogen on yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.): a meta-analysis
Authors: Gardi Mekides Woldegiorgis , Haussmann Bettina I. G. , Malik Waqas Ahmed , Högy Petra
Published: April 2022

Aims

The general aim of this meta-analysis is to synthesize and summarize the mean response of barley yield variables to elevated CO2 (eCO2) and how temperature and nitrogen (N) affect the CO2-induced yield responses of barley.

Methods

A meta-analysis procedure was used to analyze five yield variables of barley extracted from 22 studies to determine the effect size and the magnitude concerning eCO2 and its interaction with temperature and N.

Results

CO2 enrichment increased aboveground biomass (23.8%), grain number (24.8%), and grain yield (27.4%). The magnitude of the responses to eCO2 was affected by genotype, temperature, nitrogen, and CO2 exposure methods. Genotype “Anakin” shows the highest CO2 response of aboveground biomass (47.1%), while “Bambina” had the highest grain number (58.4%). Grain yield response was observed to be higher for genotypes “Alexis” (38.1%) and “Atem” (33.7%) under eCO2. The increase of aboveground biomass and grain yield was higher when plants were grown under eCO2 in combination with higher N (151–200 kg ha−1). The interaction between eCO2 and three different temperature levels was analyzed to identify the impacts on barley yield components. The results revealed that the CO2-induced increase in grain number and grain yield was higher in combination with a temperature level of 21–25 °C as compared to lower levels (< 15 and 16–20 ℃). The response of barley yield to eCO2 was higher in growth chambers than in other CO2 exposure methods. Moreover, a higher response of aboveground biomass and grain yield to eCO2 was observed for pot-grown plants compared to field-grown.

Conclusions

Overall, results suggest that the maximal barley production under eCO2 will be obtained in combination with high N fertilizer and temperature levels (21–25 °C).
Universal Infinitesimal Hilbertianity of Sub-Riemannian Manifolds
Authors: Le Donne Enrico , Lučić Danka , Pasqualetto Enrico
Published: April 2022

We prove that sub-Riemannian manifolds are infinitesimally Hilbertian (i.e., the associated Sobolev space is Hilbert) when equipped with an arbitrary Radon measure. The result follows from an embedding of metric derivations into the space of square-integrable sections of the horizontal bundle, which we obtain on all weighted sub-Finsler manifolds. As an intermediate tool, of independent interest, we show that any sub-Finsler distance can be monotonically approximated from below by Finsler ones. All the results are obtained in the general setting of possibly rank-varying structures.
The Prouhet–Tarry–Escott problem, indecomposability of polynomials and Diophantine equations
Authors: Hajdu L. , Papp Á. , Tijdeman R.
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we show how the subjects mentioned in the title are related. First we study the structure of partitions of$$A \subseteq \{1, \dots , n\}$$A⊆{1,⋯,n}ink-sets such that the first$$k-1$$k-1symmetric polynomials of the elements of thek-sets coincide. Then we apply this result to derive a decomposability result for the polynomial$$f_A(x) := \prod _{x \in A} (x-a)$$fA(x):=∏x∈A(x-a). Finally we prove two theorems on the structure of the solutions (x, y) of the Diophantine equation$$f_A(x)=P(y)$$fA(x)=P(y)where$$P(y)\in \mathbb {Q}[y]$$P(y)∈Q[y]and on shifted power values of$$f_A(x)$$fA(x).
Sharing with the vulnerable? The Vulnerability Objection and Vanderschraaf’s theory of justice as mutual advantage
Authors: Eriksson Lina
Published: April 2022

The most recent major contribution to the literature on justice as mutual advantage is Peter Vanderschraaf’s book Strategic Justice. In this book, he develops a theory of justice as convention, where justice is those principles that rational, self-interested agents would choose to solve problems of partially conflicting interest. His theory is thus a kind of theory of justice as mutual advantage. A common criticism of theories of justice as mutual advantage is the Vulnerability Objection: if the principles of justice require that resources are only shared with those that are net-contributors to a cooperative surplus, then those that are not net-contributors to that cooperative surplus (so-called vulnerable people) have no claim of justice to any share of the resources. But, the objection states, surely justice cannot exclude people simply because they are vulnerable. Vanderschraaf argues that his theory of justice as convention successfully answers the Vulnerability Objection. However, in this paper, I argue that although Vanderschraaf’s theory successfully demonstrates that it can be to the mutual advantage of rational, self-interested people to agree to share equally even when some people contribute more than others, the problem remains of why such people would share with those that can never contribute more to the cooperative surplus than what they would withdraw from it. Vanderschraaf’s solution is to weaken the requirement that people actually contribute. But that, I argue, undermines the claim that his theory is a theory of justice as mutual advantage.
Characterizing affine $${\mathcal {C}}$$-semigroups
Authors: Díaz-Ramírez J. D. , García-García J. I. , Marín-Aragón D. , Vigneron-Tenorio A.
Published: April 2022

Let $${\mathcal {C}} \subset {\mathbb {N}}^p$$

C
⊂

N

p

be a finitely generated integer cone and $$S\subset {\mathcal {C}}$$

S
⊂
C

be an affine semigroup such that the real cones generated by $${\mathcal {C}}$$
C
and by S are equal. The semigroup S is called $${\mathcal {C}}$$
C
-semigroup if $${\mathcal {C}}\setminus S$$

C
\
S

is a finite set. In this paper, we characterize the $${\mathcal {C}}$$
C
-semigroups from their minimal generating sets, and we give an algorithm to check if S is a $${\mathcal {C}}$$
C
-semigroup and to compute its set of gaps. We also study the embedding dimension of $${\mathcal {C}}$$
C
-semigroups obtaining a lower bound for it, and introduce some families of $${\mathcal {C}}$$
C
-semigroups whose embedding dimension reaches our bound. In the last section, we present a method to obtain a decomposition of a $${\mathcal {C}}$$
C
-semigroup into irreducible $${\mathcal {C}}$$
C
-semigroups.
Community Health Worker Perspectives on Engaging Unhoused Peer Ambassadors for COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach in Homeless Encampments and Shelters
Authors: Choi Kristen , Romero Ruby , Guha Priyanka , Sixx Gunner , Rosen Allison D. , Frederes Ashley , Beltran Jacqueline , Alvarado Julissa , Robie Brooke , Richard Lindsey , Coleman Anthony , Rice Adam , Rosales Marisol , Baez Angel , Thomas Emily , Shover Chelsea L.
Published: April 2022

Background

COVID-19 vaccination is a priority for people experiencing homelessness. However, there are barriers to vaccine access driven in part by mistrust towards clinicians and healthcare. Community health workers (CHWs) and Peer Ambassadors (PAs) may be able to overcome mistrust in COVID-19 vaccine outreach. An unhoused PA program for COVID-19 vaccine outreach by CHWs was implemented in Los Angeles using a participatory academic-community partnership.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate CHW perspectives on an unhoused PA COVID-19 vaccine outreach program in Los Angeles.

Design

This study used a participatory community conference and qualitative focus groups to understand CHW perspectives on the PA program. The one-day conference was held in November 2021.

Participants

Of the 42 conference participants, 19 CHWs participated in focus groups for two-way knowledge exchange between CHWs and researchers.

Approach

Four focus groups were held during the conference, with 4-6 CHWs per group. Each group had a facilitator and two notetakers. Focus group notes were then analyzed using content analysis to derive categories of findings. CHWs reviewed the qualitative analysis to ensure that findings represented their experiences with the PA program.

Key Results

The five categories of findings from focus groups were as follows: (1) PAs were effective liaisons to their peers to promote COVID-19 vaccines; (2) CHWs recognized the importance of establishing genuine trust and equitable working relationships within CHW/PA teams; (3) there were tradeoffs of integrating unhoused PAs into the existing CHW workflow; (4) CHWs had initial misgivings about the research process; and (5) there were lingering questions about the ethics of “exploiting” the invaluable trust unhoused PAs have with unhoused communities.

Conclusions

CHWs were in a unique position to empower unhoused PAs to take a leadership role in reaching their peers with COVID-19 vaccines and advocate for long-term employment and housing needs.
Breast Cancer Survivorship: the Role of Rehabilitation According to the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health—a Scoping Review
Authors: Pinto Monica , Calafiore Dario , Piccirillo Maria Carmela , Costa Massimo , Taskiran Ozden Ozyemisci , de Sire Alessandro
Published: April 2022

Purpose of Review

The population of breast cancer (BC) survivors is growing due to earlier diagnosis and effective combined treatments. A scoping review was performed to explore the role of rehabilitation in BC survivorship and the major issues in BC survivors with International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) perspective.

Recent Findings

The authors searched PubMed from January 1, 2018, up until November 9, 2021. The 65 selected publications were analyzed with the Comprehensive ICF BC Core Set (CCS) perspective and assigned to the categories of the CCS components along with the 3 areas of health (physical, mental, and social health). The multidimensional aspects of BC survivor disability are evident, whereas the topics of the articles concern several categories of the ICF BC CCS and all 3 areas of health. However, the current ICF BC CCS does not include certain categories related to emerging issues of BC survivorship recurring in the papers.

Rehabilitation is crucial in BC survivorship management to give personalized answers to women beyond BC, and the ICF BC CCS remains an essential tool in rehabilitation assessment for BC survivors although it needs updating.
Being a (Female) Child in Baku: Social Order and Understandings of Well-Being
Authors: Hunner-Kreisel Christine , Nasrullayeva Nigar , Kreisel Stefan , Sultan Aysel , Bühler-Niederberger Doris
Published: April 2022

What does it mean to be a (female) child in the city of Baku, Azerbaijan? How can we critically interpret the girls’ understandings of well-being considering different forms of compliance with unequal social orders? What conclusions may be drawn from understandings of well- being about the nature of welfare state structures and there-in children’s specific positioning? To answer this question, we conducted qualitative interviews with 13 girls during their various leisure activities. The study shows that parents and in particular mothers are children’s key reference persons, while there are hardly any spaces the girls can explore or reference persons outside their immediate families. The article reconstructs how the 13 girls view the social practices of adults and how they relate these practices to their own perceptions of well-being. We inductively reconstruct different forms of compliance, i.e., the extent to which social practices are consistent with the symbolic representations (norms and values) of a specific social order and specific relations of power and hegemony. The analysis shows how girls make differentiations between adult social practices based on their knowledge orders: some practices they justify through a sort of complicity with adultist structures (competent compliance), others they must accept due to their own vulnerabilities as children (compliance and constitutive vulnerability), still others irritate, are rejected, or sabotaged (fragile compliance).
Two new species of Goniopteris (Thelypteridaceae) from Ecuador and Peru
Authors: Fawcett Susan , Moran Robbin C. , Smith Alan R.
Published: April 2022

Two new species ofGoniopterisare described from Ecuador and Peru:G. deltataandG. yanachagae. Both are illustrated and compared with similar species.
Response of wheat to combined application of nitrogen and phosphorus along with compost
Authors: Kabato Wogene , Ergudo Tagesse , Mutum Lamnganbi , Janda Tibor , Molnár Zoltán
Published: April 2022

To achieve food security and increase crop productivity in a sustainable way, keeping soil fertile and balanced fertilization is vital. Soil fertility declining and unbalanced fertilization is one of the bottlenecks to sustainable agricultural production. To overcome these problems, a field experiment was investigated, with the aim of exploring the potential of organic and inorganic nutrient sources with their optimal application and integration for sustainable wheat production. The experiment was conducted in a factorial approach with three replications, where one factor was the level of the NP (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) fertilizer and the other compost, set in a randomized complete block design. Four levels of the N:P fertilizer (control, 27.6%:18.4%, 41.4%:32.2% and 55.2%:46%) were combined with three levels of compost (0, 3 ton/ha and 6 ton/ha), giving 12 treatments combination. From the data collected and analyzed, integrated application of the NP fertilizer and compost significantly increased soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus but had no effect on soil pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Application of 6 ton/ha compost was higher with plant height, spike length, number of seeds per spike, 1000 seeds weight, and biological yield. The sole application of the NP (55.2%:46%) produced (6.19 ton/ha) grain yield whereas combined application of the NP (55.2%:46%) along with the compost (6 ton/ha) produced the higher grain yield (8.16 ton/ha). This clearly revealed that application of 75% recommended inorganic NP fertilizers combined with compost resulted in increased wheat yield by 27.45% over sole application of inorganic fertilizer indicated that the integrated approach could enable to save up to 25% of commercial fertilizers and increase the yield of wheat.