bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality Assurance for Flexible Stack Assembly of Lithium‐Ion Cells
Authors: Kollenda Anna , Husseini Kamal , Henschel Sebastian , Schmidgruber Nils , Becker-Koch David , Braunwarth Wolfgang , Fleischer Jürgen , Daub Rüdiger
Published: January 2023

The development and scale‐up of lithium‐ion battery (LIB) production for a sustainable energy supply is advancing very rapidly and in versatile directions. Manufacturing processes and production steps are constantly developed and optimized to improve production efficiency. To integrate new machinery into a production line while conforming to the DIN EN ISO 9001 standards of certification, it is necessary to define the procedures for assuring product quality. Herein, a quality assurance concept is designed for an innovative flexible stacking process currently under development. Critical sources of errors are identified by employing the failure process matrix approach. On this basis, it is described how these errors are either avoided by suitable design of the machine components and its control or by which inspection technology is integrated to detect defective intermediate products. In the resulting quality assurance concept, a digital twin of the stacking machine is employed to constantly surveil process and product properties and also to facilitate the change of the produced products on the machine. Evaluating the quality management already in the design phase of the machine saves resources and enables a deeper understanding of the stacking process.
Partially Lithiated Microscale Silicon Particles as Anode Material for High‐Energy Solid‐State Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Poetke Stephanie , Cangaz Sahin , Hippauf Felix , Haufe Stefan , Dörfler Susanne , Althues Holger , Kaskel Stefan
Published: January 2023

The high gravimetric and volumetric capacity of silicon renders it an attractive anode material for lithium‐ion solid‐state batteries (SSBs). Herein, the partial lithiation (800 mAh g−1) of cost‐attractive silicon microparticles (μm‐Si) in half‐ and full cells versus nickel–rich NCM (LiNi0.9Co0.05Mn0.05O2) with Li6PS5Cl as a solid electrolyte (SE) is investigated. As a consequence of the cathode and anode potential curve evolution determined in a three‐electrode SSB cell, the charge cut‐off potential of the NCM|SE|μm–Si cells is reduced. Thereby, the capacity retention after 50 cycles is more than doubled from 32% to 71% without active pressure control on the cells. This concept addresses both the volume changes and the availability of the anode material on an industrial scale being necessary for the utilization of silicon anodes for electric vehicles and other applications. NCM|SE|μm‐Si cells achieve up to 28% higher volumetric energy densities compared to the conventional graphite anode.
Hybrid data‐driven hazard‐consistent drift models for SMRF
Authors: Zahra Faridah , Macedo Jorge , Málaga‐Chuquitaype Christian
Published: January 2023

The seismic design and assessment of steel moment resisting frames (SMRFs) rely heavily on drifts. It is unsurprising, therefore, that several simplified methods have been proposed to predict lateral deformations in SMRFs, ranging from the purely mechanics‐based to the wholly data‐driven, which aim to alleviate the structural engineer's burden of conducting detailed nonlinear analyses either as part of preliminary design iterations or during regional seismic assessments. While many of these methods have been incorporated in design codes or are commonly used in research, they all suffer from a lack of consideration of the causal link between the seismic hazard level and the ground‐motion suite used for their formulation. In this paper, we propose hybrid data‐driven models that preserve this critical relationship of hazard‐consistency. To this end, we assemble a large database of non‐linear response history analyses (NRHA) on 24 SMRFs of different structural characteristics. These structural models are subjected to 816 ground‐motion records whose occurrence rates and spectral shapes are selected to ensure the hazard consistency of our outputs. Two sites with different seismic hazards are examined to enable comparisons under different seismic demands. An initial examination of the resulting drift hazard curves allows us to re‐visit the influence of salient structural modelling assumptions such as plastic resistance, geometric configurations and joint deterioration modelling. This is followed by a machine learning (ML)‐guided feature selection process that considers structural and seismic parameters as well as key static response features, hence the hybrid nature of our models. New models for inter‐storey drift and roof displacements are then developed. A comparison with currently available formulations highlights the significant levels of overestimation associated with previously proposed non‐hazard consistent models.
Numerical research of biodiesel spray coupled cavitation by different environmental simulations under high injection pressure
Authors: Ni Zhijiang , Zhang Guoqing , Zhang Xuefei , Zhou Chaohui , Dai Yuxing
Published: January 2023

The effects of injection pressure and ambient pressure on biodiesel spray characteristics were studied by coupling the in‐nozzle flow, and a constant‐volume combustion bomb experimental platform was built to verify the accuracy of the coupled numerical model. Spray tip penetration (STP), spray velocity, and droplet size/number distribution of biodiesel were calculated at different injection pressures (200, −250, −300, and −350 MPa) and environmental pressures (0.1, −0.5, −1.0, and −2.0). The sensitivity to injection pressures and environmental pressures was analyzed with particle concentration as the characteristic parameter. With the increase of injection pressure, the STP of biodiesel increased by 5%, which resulted in a faster decrease in the increasing rate of STP (V). Under the same conditions, with the increase of injection pressure, the axial and radial velocities of fuel droplets gradually rose, and the high‐speed area was enlarged, while the number of droplets and Sauter mean diameter (SMD) space generally decreased. Compared with the injection pressure, the environmental pressure significantly inhibited the STP and velocity of biodiesel, and the increasing rate of STP (V) decreased gradually and the number of droplet particles and SMD rose with the increase of the environmental pressure.
Effect of sand and crosswind on the performance of solar chimney power plant
Authors: Zuo Lu , Dai Pengzhan , Yan Huimin , Zhou Ling
Published: January 2023

A solar chimney power plant (SCPP) is suitable to be deployed in desert areas, but there are few studies on the impact of desert wind and sand. In this paper, numerical simulations for the Spanish prototype SCPP were conducted to investigate desert environmental parameters, including sand movement, crosswind, and sand deposition, on the output performance of SCPP. The results indicate that the main erosion area of the turbine blade in the SCPP is the leading edge of the blade pressure surface. The erosion area of the suction surface is much less than that of the pressure surface, mainly concentrated on the leading edge. The output power of SCPP is reduced by 73.3% because of the crosswind and it decreases by 16.9% after the windbreak wall is installed. The sand and dust deposition would affect the transmissivity of the solar radiation through the collector cover. In a dusty environment for 1 month, the system output power decreased by 12.9%, and the collector efficiency decreased from 34% to 23% due to the sand deposition. These results show that the sand has a considerable negative effect on the performance of SCPP in ways of sand erosion and deposition. Sand removal is necessary for SCPP.
Advanced strategies to evade the mononuclear phagocyte system clearance of nanomaterials
Authors: Lu Junjie , Gao Xiao , Wang Siyao , He Yuan , Ma Xiaowei , Zhang Tingbin , Liu Xiaoli
Published: January 2023

Nanomaterials are promising carriers to improve the bioavailability and therapeutic efficiency of drugs by providing preferential drug accumulation at their sites of action, but their delivery efficacy is severely limited by a series of biological barriers, especially the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS)—the first and major barrier encountered by systemically administered nanomaterials. Herein, the current strategies for evading the MPS clearance of nanomaterials are summarized. First, engineering nanomaterials methods including surface modification, cell hitchhiking, and physiological environment modulation to reduce the MPS clearance are explored. Second, MPS disabling methods including MPS blockade, suppression of macrophage phagocytosis, and macrophages depletion are examined. Last, challenges and opportunities in this field are further discussed.
New hints for improving sleep: Tea polyphenols mediate gut microbiota to regulate circadian disturbances
Authors: Xiang Qiao , Liu Yanan , Wu Zufang , Wang Rui , Zhang Xin
Published: January 2023

Biological rhythm is a natural physiological phenomenon of the human body, which is regulated by the biological rhythm system, including the sleep cycle, body temperature fluctuation, endocrine level, biological metabolism, and so on. Sleep disturbance is one of the main manifestations of circadian biological rhythm disorder, which has a serious impact on people's work and quality of life. Studies have shown that gut microbiota and circadian rhythms can interact through the brain–gut pathway. Tea polyphenols can effectively modulate the composition of the intestinal microbiota. The interaction between circadian rhythm and the gut microbiota suggests that intervention with tea polyphenols is a possible way for improving sleep. Therefore, through investigating the circadian regulation mechanism of tea polyphenols mediated by gut microbiota, we can shed new light on the relationship between sleep and metabolic disturbances, as well as the beneficial effect of tea polyphenols on sleep improving.
Effects of different levels of egg protein replacement in weaned diets on hematology, kidney functions, and immunity biomarkers
Authors: Rahim Muhammad Abdul , Naeem Muhammad , Khalid Khunsha , Imran Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Kamran , Khan Muhammad Imran , Nisa Mahr Un , Sarwar Muhammad , Awuchi Chinaza Godswill
Published: January 2023

Eggs are good sources of nutrients essential for the growth and development of infants. Introducing eggs as a weaning food can improve dietary adequacy in infants at risk for protein energy malnutrition (PEM). To evaluate the current objective, 72 pups (36 males and 36 females) were used to calculate the impact of various egg protein levels on blood parameters. Nonisonitrogenous and isocaloric pellet diets were offered to pups for 28 days using nine pups with three replicates according to a completely randomized design (CRD). The water intake and ad libitum diet were offered to weaned pups. The pups were randomly assigned to different concentrations of diet, which contained WF0, control diet, 14% of soybean protein; WF1, 14% of egg protein; WF2, 16% of egg protein; and WF3, 18% of egg protein, respectively. After weaning, the intraperitoneal injection with the drug (xylazine with ketamine) was used to anesthetize before killing on the 28th day. Blood samples were used to measure the blood metabolites. The results indicated that the concentration of red blood cells, white blood cells, serum triglycerides, and serum protein was significantly (p ≤ .05) increased in pups fed with high egg protein levels compared to the control. The highest platelet count was observed in the pups fed WF3 diet. In contrast, the amount of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase was significantly (p ≤ .05) reduced with increasing the level of egg protein in the diets of weaned pups. Immunity biomarkers (immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, and immunoglobulin M) and kidney functions (creatinine and blood urine nitrogen) were nonsignificantly (p ≤ .05) increased in the pups fed a high level of protein due to a high biological value of soybean protein. Moreover, the concentration of immunoglobulin E in all pups remained unchanged. Egg protein in infant formula feed can be used for the growth and development of infants.
Evaluation of a 5% dexpanthenol‐containing ointment for the treatment of infant irritant diaper dermatitis through the lens of the caregiver—A real‐world data observational study
Authors: Peltier Erwan , de Salvo Raffaella , Ehret Andreas , Trapp Sonja , Lakomsky Didier , El Shazly Maged A.
Published: January 2023

Background and Aims

Irritant diaper dermatitis (IDD) is very common in infants and usually managed by the caregiver. Dexpanthenol‐containing ointment (DCO) is a decades‐long established product that has demonstrated efficacy and tolerability in the treatment and prevention of infant IDD in controlled clinical settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of DCO in the treatment of infant IDD from the perspective of the caregiver by collecting data not explored in clinical trials, such as infant quality of life and the speed of action.

Methods

A retrospective observational real‐world data (RWD) study was conducted with French adult caregivers who had used a DCO to treat IDD in their infants within the past 6 months and consented to participate to the study completed a web‐based survey answering questions regarding the severity of their infants' symptoms (intensity/extent of redness and discomfort, rated using Likert scales) before and after DCO application. The speed of onset of symptom relief and product acceptability were also collected.

Results

A total of 500 caregivers of 564 infants completed the survey. Of these, 80% reported that DCO visibly treats IDD. In terms of speed of action, 83% declared that the first signs of symptom relief appeared after 1 day of application and 78% reported full symptom resolution within 2 days of application. Additionally, ≥77% of caregivers agreed that DCO provided overnight relief from the discomfort caused by IDD and reduced sleep disturbance in their children. Finally, 85% of caregivers declared being satisfied with the product overall and considered the product pleasant to use.

Conclusion

This evidence from caregivers' experience confirms that DCO can be considered an adequate medication to self‐manage IDD episode as it provides rapid relief of the signs and symptoms of inflammation, while by being pleasant to be use.
A critical review of key materials and issues in solid oxide cells
Authors: He Shuai , Zou Yuanfeng , Chen Kongfa , Jiang San P.
Published: January 2023

Solid oxide cells (SOCs) are all solid ceramic devices with the dual functionality of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) to convert the chemical energy of fuels like H2, natural gas and other hydrocarbons to electricity and of solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) to store renewable electric energy of sun and wind in hydrogen fuel. Among the electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices, SOCs are the most clean and efficient technology with unique dual functionality. Due to the high operation temperature (typically 600–800°C), SOCs exhibit many advantages over other energy conversion devices, such as low material cost, high efficiency and fuel flexibility. There has been rapid development of SOC technologies over the last decade with significant advantages and progress in key materials and a fundamental understanding of key issues such as an electrode, electrolyte, performance degradation, poisoning, and stack design. The reversible polarization also has a critical effect on the surface segregation and stability of the electrode and electrode/electrolyte interface. This critical review starts with a brief introduction, working principles and thermodynamics of SOC technology to readers with interests in this rapidly developing and emerging field. Then the key materials currently used in SOCs are summarized, followed by the discussion of the most advanced electrode modification methods and critical issues of SOCs, including the surface chemistry, segregation, electrode/electrolyte interface and varying material degradation mechanisms under reversible operations. The challenges and prospects of SOC technology for future developments are discussed.
Dust abraded from thiamethoxam-treated seed during sowing: Refining the risk assessment for native bees in Brazil
Authors: Thompson Helen M. , Cione Ana , Paniago Mario , Artal Mariana , Veiga José S. , Oliveira Adhemar , Mareca Vinícius
Published: January 2023

During sowing using pneumatic machinery, dust may be abraded from pesticide-treated seed and contaminate adjacent bee-attractive off-crop areas. This study quantified the risk to native bees of dust released during sowing of Brazilian crop seeds treated with a thiamethoxam formulation (Cruiser 350FS). To address toxicity to native bees, adult acute contact LD50 data for thiamethoxam were collated from the literature, a species sensitivity distribution generated, and the HD5 calculated. The LD50 HD5 was used to refine the default safety factor applied to the honeybee acute contact LD50 from 10 to 5.45 for thiamethoxam. Crop-specific abraded dust data (Heubach dust and Heubach AI) were generated for seeds treated with Cruiser 350FS sourced from on-farm and industrial facilities. The mean Heubach dust levels was ranked as cotton = maize > sunflower = soybean > drybean. There was no correlation between the measured residues of thiamethoxam (Heubach AI) and those estimated in dust based on the thiamethoxam content of Cruiser 350FS. A hazard quotient (HQ) for each crop (based on application rate, the default dust deposition factor, and the honeybee contact LD50/10) identified risks during sowing for all crops. Refinement of the application rate with the measured 90th percentile Heubach dust (assuming 100% thiamethoxam) resulted in sowing of industrially treated soybean and on-farm treated cotton being identified as risks. Further refinement using either the measured 90th percentile Heubach AI or the acute contact LD50 (HD5) resulted in sowing of all crops treated with Cruiser 350FS as being identified as low risk. Similar high quality seed treatment should be demonstrated for other formulations containing insecticides with high toxicity to bees. Data on dust drift from machinery and crops more representative of those in Brazil may allow further refinement of the default dust deposition value of 17% used in this study. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:1361–1373. © 2023 SETAC
Perioperative outcomes of and predictors for conversion from transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic tubal surgeries: A retrospective cohort study of 619 patients
Authors: Feng Dan , He Li , Li Xin , Zhang Qiang , Peng Jieru , Huang Lu , Liu Tianjiao , Lin Yonghong
Published: January 2023

Objective

To assess the perioperative outcomes of vNOTES tubal surgeries and to identify predictors of surgical conversion.

Methods

A single‐center retrospective cohort study was performed on 619 patients who underwent vNOTES tubal surgeries in our institute from December 2018 to October 2021. Patients were categorized into “converted” or “non‐converted” groups based on whether conversion occurred. t‐test and χ2 test were performed on demographic and clinicopathologic data to compare their perioperative outcomes. Logistic regression was built to identify predictors for surgical conversions.

Results

The conversion and complication rates of the vNOTES tubal surgeries in the present study were 3.07% and 4.85%, respectively. The “converted group” has a significantly higher percentage of patients with severe pelvic adhesions (9/19 [47.4%]) and pelvic endometriosis (2/19 [10.5%]), which significantly predicates surgical conversion. The “converted group” also had a longer duration of surgery (140.94 ± 88.73 min, P = 0.002) and an increased proportion of “converted from vNOTES” patients experienced more than 50 ml of intraoperative blood loss (7/19 [36.9%]). Four patients had intraoperative rectal injuries, and no Clavien–Dindo III–V postoperative complications occurred.

Conclusion

vNOTES tubal surgeries are safe due to low conversion and complication rates. Severe pelvic adhesion and endometriosis are predictors for surgical conversions.
The efficiency of genetically modified mesenchymal stromal cells combined with a functionally graded scaffold for bone regeneration in corticosteroid‐induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in rabbits
Authors: Tsubosaka Masanori , Maruyama Masahiro , Lui Elaine , Moeinzadeh Seyedsina , Huang Elijah Ejun , Kushioka Junichi , Hirata Hirohito , Jain Charu , Storaci Hunter W. , Chan Calvin , Toya Masakazu , Gao Qi , Teissier Victoria , Shen Huaishuang , Li Xueping , Zhang Ning , Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Kuroda Ryosuke , Goodman Stuart B. , Yang Yunzhi Peter
Published: January 2023

Core decompression (CD) with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is an effective therapy for early‐stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Preconditioning of MSCs, using inflammatory mediators, is widely used in immunology and various cell therapies. We developed a three‐dimensional printed functionally graded scaffold (FGS), made of β‐TCP and PCL, for cell delivery at a specific location. The present study examined the efficacy of CD treatments with genetically modified (GM) MSCs over‐expressing PDGF‐BB (PDGF‐MSCs) or GM MSCs co‐over‐expressing IL‐4 and PDGF‐BB and preconditioned for three days of exposure to lipopolysaccharide and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (IL‐4‐PDGF‐pMSCs) using the FGS for treating steroid‐induced ONFH in rabbits. We compared CD without cell‐therapy, with IL‐4‐PDGF‐pMSCs alone, and with FGS loaded with PDGF‐MSCs or IL‐4‐PDGF‐pMSCs. For the area inside the CD, the bone volume in the CD alone was higher than in both FGS groups. The IL‐4‐PDGF‐pMSCs alone and FGS + PDGF‐MSCs reduced the occurrence of empty lacunae and improved osteoclastogenesis. There was no significant difference in angiogenesis among the four groups. The combined effect of GM MSCs or pMSCs and the FGS was not superior to the effect of each alone. To establish an important adjunctive therapy for CD for early ONFH in the future, it is necessary and essential to develop an FGS that delivers biologics appropriately and provides structural and mechanical support.
Cost‐effectiveness of broadly neutralizing antibody prophylaxis for HIV‐exposed infants in sub‐Saharan African settings
Authors: Dugdale Caitlin M. , Ufio Ogochukwu , Alba Christopher , Permar Sallie R. , Stranix‐Chibanda Lynda , Cunningham Coleen K. , Fouda Genevieve G. , Myer Landon , Weinstein Milton C. , Leroy Valériane , McFarland Elizabeth J. , Freedberg Kenneth A. , Ciaranello Andrea L.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Infant HIV prophylaxis with broadly neutralizing anti‐HIV antibodies (bNAbs) could provide long‐acting protection against vertical transmission. We sought to estimate the potential clinical impact and cost‐effectiveness of hypothetical bNAb prophylaxis programmes for children known to be HIV exposed at birth in three sub‐Saharan African settings.

Methods

We conducted a cost‐effectiveness analysis using the CEPAC‐Pediatric model, simulating cohorts of infants from birth through death in Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa and Zimbabwe. These settings were selected to reflect a broad range of HIV care cascade characteristics, antenatal HIV prevalence and budgetary constraints. We modelled strategies targeting bNAbs to only WHO‐designated “high‐risk” HIV‐exposed infants (HR‐HIVE) or to all HIV‐exposed infants (HIVE). We compared four prophylaxis approaches within each target population: standard of care oral antiretroviral prophylaxis (SOC), andSOCplus bNAbs at birth (1‐dose), at birth and 3 months (2‐doses), or every 3 months throughout breastfeeding (Extended). Base‐case model inputs included bNAb efficacy (60%/dose), effect duration (3 months/dose) and costs ($60/dose), based on published literature. Outcomes included paediatric HIV incidence and incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) calculated from discounted life expectancy and lifetime HIV‐related costs.

Results

The model projects that bNAbs would reduce absolute infant HIV incidence by 0.3–2.2% (9.6–34.9% relative reduction), varying by country, prophylaxis approach and target population. In all three settings,HR‐HIVE–1‐dosewould be cost‐saving compared toSOC. Using a 50% GDP per capita ICER threshold,HIVE‐Extendedwould be cost‐effective in all three settings with ICERs of $497/YLS in Côte d'Ivoire, $464/YLS in South Africa and $455/YLS in Zimbabwe. In all three settings, bNAb strategies would remain cost‐effective at costs up to $200/dose if efficacy is ≥30%. If the bNAb effect duration were reduced to 1 month, the cost‐effective strategy would becomeHR‐HIVE–1‐dosein Côte d'Ivoire and Zimbabwe andHR‐HIVE–2‐dosesin South Africa. Findings regarding the cost‐effectiveness of bNAb implementation strategies remained robust in sensitivity analyses regarding breastfeeding duration, maternal engagement in postpartum care, early infant diagnosis uptake and antiretroviral treatment costs.

Conclusions

At current efficacy and cost estimates, bNAb prophylaxis for HIV‐exposed children in sub‐Saharan African settings would be a cost‐effective intervention to reduce vertical HIV transmission.
A Faster Prostate MRI: Comparing a Novel Denoised, Single‐Average T2 Sequence to the Conventional Multiaverage T2 Sequence Regarding Lesion Detection and PI‐RADS Score Assessment
Authors: Kelleher Colm B. , Macdonald Jacob , Jaffe Tracy A. , Allen Brian C. , Kalisz Kevin R. , Kauffman Travis H. , Smith Jordan D. , Maurer Kimberly R. , Thomas Sarah P. , Coleman Aaron D. , Zaki Islam H. , Kannengiesser Stephan , Lafata Kyle , Gupta Rajan T. , Bashir Mustafa R.
Published: January 2023

Background

The T2w sequence is a standard component of a prostate MRI examination; however, it is time‐consuming, requiring multiple signal averages to achieve acceptable image quality.

Purpose/Hypothesis

To determine whether a denoised, single‐average T2 sequence (T2‐R) is noninferior to the standard multiaverage T2 sequence (T2‐S) in terms of lesion detection and PI‐RADS score assessment.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

A total of 45 males (age range 60–75 years) who underwent clinically indicated prostate MRI examinations, 21 of whom had pathologically proven prostate cancer.

Field Strength/Sequence

A 3 T; T2w FSE, DWI with ADC maps, and dynamic contrast‐enhanced images with color‐coded perfusion maps. T2‐R images were created from the raw data utilizing a single “average” with iterative denoising.

Assessment

Nine readers randomly assessed complete exams including T2‐R and T2‐S images in separate sessions. PI‐RADS version 2.1 was used. All readers then compared the T2‐R and T2‐S images side by side to evaluate subjective preference. An additional detailed image quality assessment was performed by three senior level readers.

Statistical Tests

Generalized linear mixed effects models for differences in lesion detection, image quality features, and overall preference between T2‐R and T2‐S sequences. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to assess reader agreement for all comparisons. A significance threshold of P = 0.05 was used for all statistical tests.

Results

There was no significant difference between sequences regarding identification of lesions with PI‐RADS ≥3 (P = 0.10) or PI‐RADS score (P = 0.77). Reader agreement was excellent for lesion identification (ICC = 0.84). There was no significant overall preference between the two sequences regarding image quality (P = 0.07, 95% CI: [−0.23, 0.01]). Reader agreement was good regarding sequence preference (ICC = 0.62).

Data Conclusion

Use of single‐average, denoised T2‐weighted images was noninferior in prostate lesion detection or PI‐RADS scoring when compared to standard multiaverage T2‐weighted images.

Evidence Level

3.

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3.
Collimation and cropping in diagnostic radiography: How concerned are we?
Authors: Hayre Christopher , Makanjee Chandra , Lewis Shantel
Published: January 2023

This editorial examines current collimation and cropping practices in general radiography. We critically reflect on whether we are concerned by the practice of collimation creep amongst radiographers. Discussions around policy, evidence‐based practice and potential hypocrisies are outlined in this editorial piece.
Change of the wintertime multidecadal land precipitation variability in the mid‐1970s in the observation and CMIP6 simulations
Authors: Chen Hua , Xu Zhenchen , Jiang Yeyan , Zhu Zhiwei
Published: January 2023

The wintertime multidecadal land precipitation (WMLP) variability is obtained using the ensemble empirical mode decomposition, and then the leading spatial pattern and temporal evolution of the WMLP in the northern hemisphere during the period of 1891–2014 are investigated. The time series shows a pronounced enhancement of the variability since the mid‐1970s, coincident with the 1976/1977 climate transition, with the variance increasing from 0.33 in the former period (P1) to 2.57 in the latter period (P2). The spatial structure in P2 resembles that in the entire period. The precipitation anomaly is positive in the North America between 30° and 50°N, South America and southern Europe; while it is negative in the southern North America, majority of Russia, Arabian Peninsula, Iran and South China. However, the spatial pattern in P1 differs from the entire period. An Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO)‐like sea surface temperature (SST) variability in cold phase and an Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO)‐like SST variability in warm phase are associated with the leading mode of WMLP in P2 and the entire period. Yet, the relationship of IPO and AMO on the WMLP is barely found in P1. The in‐phase change of IPO and AMO in P1 may contribute to the smaller amplitude of WMLP variability in P1. In the end, the coupled models from CMIP6 historical runs are evaluated. The good‐models average is superior to any single good model in capturing the observed spatial features of WMLP in both P1 and P2. The poor‐models average performs better than any single poor model. Both good‐ and poor‐models averages are able to reproduce the IPO‐ and AMO‐like SST variabilities in P2.
Force‐amplifying implant to improve key pinch strength in tendon transfer surgery: Cadaver model proof‐of‐concept
Authors: Ling Hantao , Roberts Kai L. , Kao Dennis , Balasubramanian Ravi
Published: January 2023

The brachioradialis (BR) to flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendon transfer surgery is a common procedure used to restore key pinch grip for incomplete spinal cord injury patients. However, the procedure only restores 22% of the physiological grip strength, which is important for successfully grasping objects and minimizing fatigue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of using a novel force‐amplifying pulley implant to modify the standard BR to FPL tendon transfer surgery to improve key pinch grip strength in a human cadaver forearm model. A total of eight cadaveric specimens were mounted onto a custom testbed where a torque‐controlled motor actuated the BR tendon to produce key pinch grip. In each cadaver, two experimental groups were examined: a standard and an implant‐modified BR to FPL tendon transfer surgery. A force sensor mounted to the thumb recorded isometric key pinch grip forces over a range of input BR forces (2 N–25 N) applied in a ramp‐and‐hold protocol. Across the range of input BR forces, the average improvement in key pinch grip strength in the implant‐modified surgery compared to the standard surgery was 58 ± 7.1% (ranging from 41% to 64% improvement). Throughout the experiments, we observed that the implant did not hinder the movement of the BR or FPL tendons. These results suggest that a BR to FPL tendon transfer surgery utilizing a force‐amplifying pulley implant to augment force transmission can provide additional functional strength restoration over the standard procedure that directly sutures two tendons together.
The influence of plant residues on soil aggregation and carbon content: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Husain Hana , Dijkstra Feike A.
Published: January 2023

Background

Soil aggregation and organic carbon (OC) content are important indicators of soil quality that can be improved with plant residue amendments. The extent of the effects of plant residue amendments on soil aggregation and OC content across different plant residue and soil types is not fully understood.

Aim

In this meta‐analysis, we evaluated the effects of plant residue amendments on soil aggregation and OC content for different plant residues (fresh, charred) and soil types varying in clay content, initial OC content, and pH.

Methods

Our meta‐analysis included 50 published studies (total of 299 paired observations). We estimated the response ratios of mean weight diameter (MWD) and separate aggregate size classes, total soil OC (TSC), and aggregate‐associated OC. We also considered the effect of experimental factors (study duration, residue type, residue amount, initial soil OC, clay content, and pH).

Results

The benefit of plant residue amendment on soil aggregation was larger in soils with initially low OC content and neutral pH. Initial soil OC content and pH were more important than soil clay content for OC storage in soil aggregates. Both fresh and charred plant residue amendments were effective in forming aggregates, whereas charred residues were more effective in increasing TSC. We found only a weak positive relationship between the response ratio of TSC and MWD indicating that other factors besides soil aggregation contributed to the increase in soil C storage.

Conclusions

While plant residue amendments can enhance soil aggregation and TSC, these effects are likely governed by the type of plant residue and soil properties such as the initial soil pH and OC content.
Treatment and survival of patients with metachronous colorectal lung metastases
Authors: Hansdotter Pernilla , Scherman Peter , Nikberg Maziar , Petersen Sune H. , Holmberg Erik , Rizell Magnus , Naredi Peter , Syk Ingvar ,   The COLOFOL study group
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The lungs are the second most common site for metachronous metastases in colorectal cancer. No treatment algorithm is established, and the role of adjuvant chemotherapy is unclear. This study aimed to map pulmonary recurrences in a modern multimodal treated population, and to evaluate survival depending on management.

Methods

Retrospective study based on the COLOFOL‐trial population of 2442 patients, radically resected for colorectal cancer stage II–III. All recurrences within 5 years were identified and medical records were scrutinized.

Results

Of 165 (6.8%) patients developing lung metastases as first recurrence, 89 (54%) were confined to the lungs. Potentially curative treatment was possible in 62 (37%) cases, of which 33 with surgery only and 29 with surgery and chemotherapy combined. The 5‐year overall survival (5‐year OS) for all lung recurrences was 28%. In patients treated with chemotherapy only the 5‐year OS was 7.5%, compared with 55% in patients treated with surgery, and 72% when surgery was combined with chemotherapy. Hazard ratio for mortality was 2.9 (95% confidence interval 1.40–6.10) for chemotherapy only compared to surgery.

Conclusion

A high proportion of metachronous lung metastases after colorectal surgery were possible to resect, yielding good survival. The combination of surgery and chemotherapy might be advantageous for survival.
Lycorine weakens tamoxifen resistance of breast cancer via abrogating HAGLR‐mediated epigenetic suppression on VGLL4 by DNMT1
Authors: Zhai Jing , Jiang Jun‐Feng , Shi Lei
Published: January 2023

Much is known about the significance of lycorine, a natural alkaloid, in combating various types of cancer, including breast cancer (BC), but whether it participates in regulating tamoxifen (TAM) resistance and its underlying mechanism remain to be elucidated. Tamoxifen‐resistant (TAMR) BC cells were first established by continuously exposed to increasing concentrations of TAM. Levels of targeted gene including HOXD antisense growth‐associated lncRNA (HAGLR) and Vestigial like family member 4 (VGLL4) were analyzed by qRT‐PCR and western blot, respectively. Cell proliferation ability was assessed by MTT and EdU assays. Flow cytometry was carried out to evaluate the apoptosis. VGLL4 promoter methylation was examined using methylation specific PCR (MSP). The role of HAGLR acting on the expression of VGLL4 via DNA hypermethylation was confirmed by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP). Here, we reported that lycorine administration reduced the survival ratio of TAMR BC cells, decreased the IC50 of TAM, and strengthened TAM‐induced apoptosis. HAGLR, observed to be highly expressed in TAMR BC cells, was identified to be a downstream effector of lycorine, of which overexpression abolished lycorine‐mediated TAMR inhibition. VGLL4 served as a target of HAGLR in regulating lycorine‐mediated suppression on tamoxifen resistance of TAMR BC cells. Mechanistically, HAGLR epigenetically suppressed VGLL4 expression via DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1)‐mediated DNA hypermethylation. Taken together, our data highlights the pivotal role of lycorine in TAM resistance of BC, which may provide a potential agent for improving the effectiveness and efficacy of BC resistance.
Patient Reported Outcome Measures for Salivary Function: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gulati Arushi , Kidane Joseph , Chang Jolie L.
Published: January 2023

Objective

A number of patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) assess quality of life and symptom severity in patients with salivary gland dysfunction, but many vary in the extent of validation and domain types addressed. We identified PROMs validated to measure salivary gland function and analyzed key properties.

Data Sources

PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, PsycInfo, and CINAHL.

Review Methods

A systematic review was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Validated instruments with >1 item to assess salivary gland‐related symptoms were included. PROMs were evaluated for developmental methodology, structure, validity, and reliability using Consensus‐based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) criteria.

Results

A total of 2059 abstracts were retrieved, and 133 full‐text articles were reviewed. Sixteen PROMs assessing xerostomia (n = 7), sialadenitis (n = 4), Sjogren's syndrome (n = 2), Parkinson's‐associated sialorrhea (n = 2), and oral systemic sclerosis (n = 1) were identified. Most (n = 15) were developed de novo, one was adapted from a pre‐existing questionnaire. Eleven PROMs demonstrated “very good” analysis of internal consistency per COSMIN criteria, and 10 included test–retest data. Regarding content validity, four PROMs were developed with both patient and physician input, but none were rated as “adequate.” All included comparisons against other questionnaires (n = 7), salivary flow rate (n = 9), and/or healthy controls (n = 3). The most rigorously developed PROM, the Xerostomia Inventory, was rated adequate in 6 out of 7 domains.

Conclusions

Several PROMs evaluate salivary function. The abilties of these PROMs to meet design and validation standards were variable, with notable limitations in content validity for all tools. New and updated PROMs assessing obstructive and inflammatory salivary symptoms should  utilize patient and provider input.

Level of Evidence

N/A Laryngoscope, 133:1796–1805, 2023
Hollow, pH‐Sensitive Microgels as Nanocontainers for the Encapsulation of Proteins
Authors: Wypysek Sarah K. , Centeno Silvia P. , Gronemann Till , Wöll Dominik , Richtering Walter
Published: January 2023

Depending on their architectural and chemical design, microgels can selectively take up and release small molecules by changing the environmental properties, or capture and protect their cargo from the surrounding conditions. These outstanding properties make them promising candidates for use in biomedical applications as delivery or carrier systems. In this study, hollow anionic p(N‐isopropylacrylamid‐e‐co‐itaconic acid) microgels are synthesized and analyzed regarding their size, charge, and charge distribution. Furthermore, interactions between these microgels and the model protein cytochrome c are investigated as a function of pH. In this system, pH serves as a switch for the electrostatic interactions to alternate between no interaction, attraction, and repulsion. UV–vis spectroscopy is used to quantitatively study the encapsulation of cytochrome c and possible leakage. Additionally, fluorescence‐lifetime images unravel the spatial distribution of the protein within the hollow microgels as a function of pH. These analyses show that cytochrome c mainly remains entrapped in the microgel, with pH controlling the localization of the protein – either in the microgel's cavity or in its network. This significantly differentiates these hollow microgels from microgels with similar chemical composition but without a solvent filled cavity.
Pathological Validation of the MDS Criteria for the Diagnosis of Multiple System Atrophy
Authors: Virameteekul Sasivimol , Revesz Tamas , Jaunmuktane Zane , Warner Thomas T. , De Pablo‐Fernández Eduardo
Published: January 2023

Background

The recent International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society diagnostic criteria for multiple system atrophy (MDS‐MSA) have been developed to improve diagnostic accuracy although their diagnostic properties have not been evaluated.

Objectives

The aims were to validate the MDS‐MSA diagnostic criteria against neuropathological diagnosis and compare their diagnostic performance to previous criteria and diagnosis in clinical practice.

Methods

Consecutive patients with sporadic, progressive, adult‐onset parkinsonism, or cerebellar ataxia from the Queen Square Brain Bank between 2009 and 2019 were selected and divided based on neuropathological diagnosis into MSA and non‐MSA. Medical records were systematically reviewed, and clinical diagnosis was documented by retrospectively applying the MDS‐MSA criteria, second consensus criteria, and diagnosis according to treating clinicians at early (within 3 years of symptom onset) and final stages. Diagnostic parameters (sensitivity, specificity, positive/negative predictive value, and accuracy) were calculated using neuropathological diagnosis as gold standard and compared between different criteria.

Results

Three hundred eighteen patients (103 MSA and 215 non‐MSA) were included, comprising 248 patients with parkinsonism and 70 with cerebellar ataxia. Clinically probable MDS‐MSA showed excellent sensitivity (95.1%), specificity (94.0%), and accuracy (94.3%), although their sensitivity at early stages was modest (62.1%). Clinically probable MDS‐MSA outperformed diagnosis by clinicians and by second consensus criteria. Clinically established MDS‐MSA showed perfect specificity (100%) even at early stages although to the detriment of low sensitivity. MDS‐MSA diagnostic accuracy did not differ according to clinical presentation (ataxia vs. parkinsonism).

Conclusions

MDS‐MSA criteria demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance against neuropathological diagnosis and are useful diagnostic tools for clinical practice and research. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
French dispatch: GTM‐based analysis of the Chimiothèque Nationale Chemical Space
Authors: Oleneva Polina , Zabolotna Yuliana , Horvath Dragos , Marcou Gilles , Bonachera Fanny , Varnek Alexandre
Published: January 2023

In order to analyze the Chimiothèque Nationale (CN) – The French National Compound Library – in the context of screening and biologically relevant compounds, the library was compared with ZINC in‐stock collection and ChEMBL. This includes the study of chemical space coverage, physicochemical properties and Bemis‐Murcko (BM) scaffold populations. More than 5 K CN‐unique scaffolds (relative to ZINC and ChEMBL collections) were identified. Generative Topographic Maps (GTMs) accommodating those libraries were generated and used to compare the compound populations. Hierarchical GTM («zooming») was applied to generate an ensemble of maps at various resolution levels, from global overview to precise mapping of individual structures. The respective maps were added to the ChemSpace Atlas website. The analysis of synthetic accessibility in the context of combinatorial chemistry showed that only 29,7 % of CN compounds can be fully synthesized using commercially available building blocks.
Image feature index: A novel metric for quantifying chest radiographic image quality
Authors: Liang Zejun , Tang Jing , Xu Peng , Zeng Wen , Zhang Jiye , Zhang Yu , Zeng Lingming , Wang Hairong , Xia Chunchao , Li Zhenlin
Published: January 2023

Background

Radiographic X‐ray imaging is a common clinical examination. Current objective methods for quantifying image quality for radiographs struggle to capture the combined impact of factors throughout the imaging chain on the perceived image quality. Therefore, there is a need to further develop metrics that correlate with image quality as perceived by the observer.

Objectives

We proposed the image feature index (IFI) to comprehensively quantify radiographic X‐ray image quality. We also aimed to study the correlation between IFI and observer‐perceived image quality for chest radiographs.

Materials and methods

The IFI algorithm was developed, which measured the amount of information, textural features, and noise in the image. A total of 70 chest phantom radiographs were generated under 60–120 kV and 0.2–80 mAs. A vendor‐proprietary exposure index (EI) and dose area product (DAP) were extracted from the DICOM header in addition to calculating IFI for each image to investigate the relationships between IFI, EI and DAP. The quality of the images was rated by three observers, and the correlation between IFI and subjective score of image quality was tested. Next, a retrospective study using a random sample of 50 clinical chest radiographs was performed, and the correlation between IFI and subjective score was tested. The correlation was determined by the Spearman test.

Results

The curves of IFI versus DAP and IFI versus EI both demonstrated a similar three‐stage form where IFI is above zero: in the first stage, IFI increases rapidly with increased DAP or EI, whereas in the second stage, the slope of the curves decreased towards an asymptote, that is, minimal gain in IFI with increased DAP or EI—until they hit the inflection point and then descended sharply in the third stage. For both phantom and clinical chest images, IFI demonstrated good correlation with subjective score (r = 0.9084 for phantom images, r = 0.8153 for clinical images).

Conclusions

IFI is a feasible and efficient descriptor for image quality for chest radiographs. Future studies with larger sample sizes and sample types are needed to confirm the feasibility of IFI for other exam types and anatomical views, thus fulfilling and extending the potential applications of IFI in quality control and radiation dose reduction.