bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
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Authors: Zhang Shu , Pang Jinbo , Cheng Qilin , Yang Feng , Chen Yu , Liu Yu , Li Yufen , Gemming Thomas , Liu Xiaoyan , Ibarlucea Bergoi , Yang Jiali , Liu Hong , Zhou Weijia , Cuniberti Gianaurelio , Rümmeli Mark H.
Published: December 2021

Two‐dimensional van der Waals heterostructures possess potentials of atomic‐layer thick p‐n junctions for ultrathin optoelectronics. The tungsten diselenide becomes one of the most important building blocks because of its p‐type charge carrier conductivity. To date, strict monolayer tungsten diselenide film is still required. Jinbo Pang, Hong Liu, Gianaurelio Cuniberti and Mark H. Rummeli reported a synthesis approach to achieve monolayer tungsten diselenide with sub‐1 cm homogeneity, titled High‐performance electronics and optoelectronics of monolayer tungsten diselenide full film from pre‐seeding strategy (DOI: 10.1002/inf2.12259).

In this cover, tungsten oxides were first deposited over the substrates by dip‐coating methods (top right). Then, tungsten oxides nanoparticles act as heterogeneous nucleation sites, which transform to tungsten diselenide upon selenization and grow to form larger individual grains (Middle left). After the incorporation of tungsten oxides and selenium vapor sources, WSe2 domains continue to increase and coalesce into seamless full‐coverage monolayer film (bottom background), featured self‐limiting mechanism.

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Authors: Liang Kun , Tabassum Anika , Majed Ahmad , Dun Chaochao , Yang Feipeng , Guo Jinghua , Prenger Kaitlyn , Urban Jeffrey J. , Naguib Michael
Published: December 2021

In this article, Michael Naguib and co‐authors (DOI: 10.1002/inf2.12269) report on the successful synthesis and characterization of a new 2D carbonitride MXene, viz. Ti2C0.5N0.5, which is the only second carbonitride MXene. They explore the performance of this new MXene as electrode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) and it outperformed its carbide counterpart (i.e., Ti2C) and all the other reports for multi‐layer MXenes in SIBs and it showed a stable electrochemical performance over 500 cycles.

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Maximizing seedhead suppression of Poa annua L. in Michigan through use of growing degree‐days to predict optimum application timing for ethephon and ethephon plus trinexapac‐ethyl
Authors: Calhoun Ronald N. , Frank Kevin W. , Hathaway Aaron D.
Published: December 2021

Research was conducted from 2002 to 2006 to determine optimum application timings for the chemical seedhead suppression of annual bluegrass (AB) [Poa annua L. var. reptans (Hauskins) Timm.] by single applications of the plant growth regulators ethephon (EP) (2‐chloroethylphosphonic acid) or EP plus trinexapac‐ethyl (TE) [4‐(cyclopropyl‐alpha‐hydroxymethylene)‐3, 5‐dioxo‐cyclohexanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester]. The objectives were to evaluate AB seedhead suppression from single applications of EP and EP plus TE, and to evaluate the simple average‐calculated growing degree‐days (GDD) and Baskerville–Emin GDD models for their reliability to predict best application timing dates from year to year. Plots were established on a 10‐ to 15‐yr‐old AB fairway maintained at 1.5 cm and receiving 0.5 to 0.6 cm daily automatic irrigation throughout the growing season and 120 kg N ha–1 yr–1 from 2002 to 2006. The soil type is a Marlette sandy loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, semiactive, mesic Oxyaquic Glossudalf). Plant growth regulators were applied at 3.74 and 0.08 kg a.i. ha–1 for EP and TE, respectively, between 24 March and 13 May. Ethephon interacted with application timing in 2002 and 2003. Ethephon plus TE interacted with application timing in 2004, but not 2005 or 2006. Ethephon and EP plus TE did not provide less than 10% seedhead cover in 2003 or 2006, respectively. For EP and EP plus TE, application timing affected seedhead control in 3 of 5 yr.
Efficacy of soap and water‐based skin decontamination using in vitro animal models: A systematic review
Authors: Green Maxwell , Kashetsky Nadia , Feschuk Aileen M. , Maibach Howard I.
Published: December 2021

Water and/or soap and water solutions have historically been used as first‐line decontamination strategies for a wide variety of dermal contaminants from workplace exposure, environmental pesticides, and civilian chemical warfare. Although water and/or soap and water solutions are often considered a gold standard of decontamination, many studies have found other decontamination methods to be superior. This systematic review summarizes the available data on in vitro animal models contaminated with a various chemicals and their decontamination with water and/or soap and water solutions using in vitro animal models. A comprehensive literature search was performed using Concordance, Embase, PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to find in vitro animal studies that provided data on dermal decontamination using water and/or soap and water solutions. Five studies were included that analyzed 11 contaminants across two in vitro animal models (rats and pigs). Water alone was used as a decontamination method for 63.6% of the contaminants (n = 7/11) and water and soap solutions for decontamination in 54.6% of contaminants (n = 6/11). Water alone provided incomplete contaminant removal of five of seven contaminants studied; soap and water did not show significant difference in decontamination when compared with other solutions for all four contaminants and was superior to water for both contaminants studied. Water and/or soap and water are used as decontamination strategies for a variety of dermal contamination events, but for many contaminants, they do not provide complete contamination when compared with newer decontamination solutions studied with in vitro animal models.
Improved hemocompatibility of polysulfone hemodialyzers with Endexo® surface modifying molecules
Authors: Fisher Colleen , Shao Hui , Ho Chih‐Hu
Published: December 2021

Anticoagulation therapy is widely used to reduce clotting during hemodialysis (HD), but may cause adverse effects in end‐stage kidney disease patients. A new hemodialyzer with a membrane modified by surface modifying molecule was developed to improve hemocompatibility that aimed to reduce the need for anticoagulation during dialysis treatments. We compared membrane surface characteristics and in vitro hemocompatibility of the new hemodialyzer to the standard polysulfone (PSF) hemodialyzer membrane. Scanning electron microscopy, contact angle measurement (68° ± 3° test vs. 41.6° ± 6° control), and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometry measurement for fluorine atomic % (7.4% ± 0.4% test vs. not detectable control), showed that the membrane surface was modified with surface modifying macromolecule (SMM1) but maintained membrane structure and surface hydrophilicity. Zeta potential of the blood‐contacting surface showed that the absolute surface charge was reduced at neutral pH (−3.3 mV ± 1.1 mV test vs. −15.6 mV ± 1.0 mV control). Platelet count reduction was significantly less for the SMM1‐modified dialyzer (40.88% ± 21.89%) compared to the standard PSF dialyzer (62.62% ± 34.13%), along with Platelet Factor 4 (1824.10 ng/ml ± 436.26 ng/ml test vs. 2479.00 ng/ml ± 852.96 ng/ml control). These studies demonstrate the successful incorporation of SMM1 into the new hemodialyzer with the expected results. Our in vitro experiments indicate that the SMM1‐modified hemodialyzers could improve hemocompatibility compared to standard PSF hemodialyzers and have the potential to minimize the patient's anticoagulant requirements during HD. Additional research with SMM1 additives incorporated into the entire dialysis circuit and use in a clinical settings are required to confirm these promising findings.
Mechanistic study of cobalt(I)‐catalyzed asymmetric coupling of ethylene and enynes to functionalized cyclobutanes
Authors: Huang Runfeng , Cai Jiali , Yao Lei , Bai Yuna , Guo Kai , Zhao Lili
Published: December 2021

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to gain insight into the reaction mechanism of the Co(I)‐catalyzed asymmetric [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of enyne 1a with ethylene 2 to give the functionalized cyclobutene E‐4a possessing a chiral, all‐carbon quaternary center in the ring framework (Science, 361, 68–72). This study reveals that the whole catalysis can be characterized via three stages: (i) oxidative dimerization followed by reductive elimination gives the intermediate IM3, (ii) the alkenyl‐Co(III) metallacycloheptene IM6 formation with the addition of another equivalent ethylene via an oxidative dimerization process, (iii) β‐Hydrogen elimination and reductive elimination from IM6 to result in the final product E‐4a and regenerate the active speices IM1 for the next catalytic cycle. Each stage is kinetically and thermodynamically feasible for experimental realization under mild conditions, and the formation of the alkenyl‐Co(III) metallacycloheptene IM6, with a barrier of 27.2 kcal mol−1 (i.e., IM2 → TS4), should be the rate‐determining step (RDS) during the whole catalysis. In addition, the origins of enantioselectivity and regioselectivity of the product are discussed.
A novel heterozygous HTRA1 mutation in an Asian family with CADASIL‐like disease
Authors: Cao Hua , Liu Jiahui , Tian Wen , Ji Xiaofei , Wang Qi , Luan Siyu , Dong Xiang , Dong Huijie
Published: December 2021

Background

HTRA1 gene mutations are related to the pathogenesis of cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CARASIL). However, heterozygous HTRA1 mutations at specific sites can also lead to rare autosomal dominant cerebral artery disease (CADASIL‐like disease). To date, 28 heterozygous mutations in the HTRA1 gene have been reported to be related to CADASIL‐like diseases. Only one case of this disease was caused by a heterozygous mutation of c.497G>T in exon 2 of the HTRA1 gene.

Methods

In this case, we report on an Asian family with CADASIL‐like disease caused by a heterozygous mutation of c.497G>T in exon 2 of the HTRA1 gene. The clinical and imaging characteristics of the proband were summarized, and gene mutations were verified by whole‐exome sequencing (WES) and direct Sanger sequencing.

Results

The result of the gene sequencing showed a heterozygous missense mutation at the c.497G>T locus of the HTRA1 gene in the proband of one sick family member, resulting in a change in amino acid (p.arg166leu).

Conclusion

This is the first reported pathogenic mutation at the c.497G>T locus of the HTRA1 gene in an Asian population. It provides an important theoretical basis for the specific gene‐based diagnosis and treatment of CADASIL‐like diseases.
Associations between frailty trajectories and frailty status and adverse outcomes in community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Álvarez‐Bustos Alejandro , Carnicero‐Carreño Jose Antonio , Sanchez‐Sanchez Juan Luis , Garcia‐Garcia Francisco Javier , Alonso‐Bouzón Cristina , Rodríguez‐Mañas Leocadio
Published: December 2021

Background

The association between frailty and adverse outcomes has been clearly defined. Frailty is associated with age, but different frailty evolution patterns might determine the incidence of adverse outcomes at older ages. So far, few observational studies have examined how distinct frailty trajectories could be associated with differences in the risk of adverse events and assessing whether frailty trajectories could define risk of death, hospitalization, worsening, and incident disability better than one‐off assessment. Our hypothesis is that prospective increases in frailty levels are associated with higher risk of adverse events compared with subjects that prospectively decreased frailty levels.

Methods

Participants' data were taken from the Toledo Study of Healthy Ageing. Frailty was evaluated using the Frailty Trait Scale 5 (FTS5), being 0 the lower (the most robust) and 50 the highest (the frailest) score. FTS5 scores at baseline and follow‐up (median 5.04 years) were used to construct frailty trajectories according to group‐based trajectory modelling (GBTM). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard and logistic regression models were used to explore associations between frailty status and trajectory membership and the adverse outcomes. Deaths were ascertained through the Spanish National Death Index. Disability was evaluated through the Katz Index. Hospitalization was defined as first admission to Toledo Hospital.

Results

Nine hundred and seventy‐five older adults (mean age 73.14 ± 4.69; 43.38% men) were included. GBTM identified five FTS5 trajectories: worsening from non‐frailty (WNF), improving to non‐frailty (INF), developing frailty (DF), remaining frail (RF), and increasing frailty (IF). Subjects belonging to trajectories of increasing frailty scores or showing consistently higher frailty levels presented with an increased risk of mortality {DF [hazard ratio (HR), 95% confidence interval (CI)] = 2.01 [1.21–3.32]; RF = 1.92 [1.18–3.12]; IF = 2.67 [1.48–4.81]}, incident [DF (HR, 95% CI) = 2.06 (1.11–3.82); RF = 2.29 (1.30–4.03); IF = 3.55 (1.37–9.24)], and worsening disability [DF (HR, 95% CI) = 2.11 (1.19–3.76); RF = 2.14 (1.26–3.64); IF = 2.21 (1.06–4.62)], compared with subjects prospectively showing decreases in frailty levels or maintaining low FTS5 scores. A secondary result was a significant dose–response relationship between baseline FTS5 score and adverse events.

Conclusions

Belonging to trajectories of prospectively increasing/consistently high frailty scores over time are associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes compared with maintaining low or reducing frailty scores. Our results support the dynamic nature of frailty and the potential benefit of interventions aimed at reducing its levels on relevant and burdensome adverse outcomes.
Muscular sarcoidosis in the eyes of 18F‐FDG PET/CT
Authors: Milojevic Isidora Grozdic , Sobic‐Saranovic Dragana , Milojevic Bogomir , Artiko Vera M.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, symptoms, activity and pattern of muscle sarcoidosis, correlation with laboratory parameters, and to assess its therapy response with 18F‐FDG PET/CT.

Methods

Study included 90 patients with biopsy confirmed sarcoidosis and symptoms/biochemical/imaging findings suggestive of active disease. The exclusion criteria were: presence of cancer or other diseases that resemble sarcoidosis on PET/CT (Wegener syndrome, tuberculosis, aspergillosis), and the glucose level being greater than 11 mmol/L. All patients were screened for muscle sarcoidosis with 18F‐FDG PET/CT examination. Follow‐up examination was done 1 year after the baseline in order to evaluate therapy response.

Results

Disease was very rare and present in only 7/90 patients. Most of the patients had polysymptomatic disease, while muscle pain was less frequent, present only in one‐third of the patients. The disease was usually present in the lower limbs, upper limbs, and skeletal striated muscles. The most common pattern of disease was nodular. Disease activity estimated with SUVmax was not in correlation with the ACE findings, creatine kinase, and aldolase levels (p > 0.05). Follow‐up PET/CT revealed complete remission in one patient and partial remission in two.

Conclusion

18F‐FDG PET/CT can be useful in asymptomatic young patients with nodular pattern of disease, who have easily relapsing form of disease. It can help in further management of these patients and can affect prognosis of the disease, since most of the laboratory parameters in this entity are within normal limits.
Synthetic strategies of phenazine derivatives: A review
Authors: Che Yu‐Xin , Qi Xiao‐Ni , Qu Wen‐Juan , Shi Bing‐Bing , Lin Qi , Yao Hong , Zhang You‐Ming , Wei Tai‐Bao
Published: December 2021

Since the growing importance of phenazine derivatives, the efficient synthetic strategies for the preparation of phenazine derivatives have attracted great attention from organic methodology. Herein, we comprehensively review and summarize a series of sustainable and facile synthetic strategies of phenazine derivatives. Moreover, we further discuss the approach of preparation and the superiority of each strategy.
Unintended consequences of microfinance: Effects on credit access for small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises
Authors: Sommer Christoph
Published: December 2021

While competition in the financial system generally mitigates small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises' (SMEs) financing constraints, this paper theorises that competition by microfinance institutions (MFIs) has adverse effects through aggravating the ‘graduation problem’: Small firms outgrowing microfinance struggle to find financing as conventional financial institutions abstain from downscaling and developing suitable lending instruments for smaller firms if these market segments are narrowed down by upscaling MFIs. Using data from 51 countries between 2002 and 2015, microfinance is found to significantly lower SMEs' access to credit. Credit bureaus can reverse this effect indicating that credit information infrastructure can reconcile a strong microfinance sector with functioning SME finance.
Morphology and seasonality of the sexual segment of the kidney in genus Bothrops snakes
Authors: Silva Karina Maria Pereira , Almeida‐Santos Selma Maria , Lobo Luís Miguel , Bravo‐Vega Carlos Andrés , Rici Rose Eli Grassi , Sasa Mahmood
Published: December 2021

In Squamata, the sexual segment of the male kidney (SSK) produces secretory granules that are transmitted to the female tract during copulation. Here, we investigate the morphology of SSK in various species of the pitviper‐genus Bothrops, a medically relevant clade of Neotropical snakes, using histology, histochemistry, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. We also evaluated the relationship of SSK hypertrophy with spermatogenesis and storage of sperm. The SSK in Bothrops consists of tall columnar epithelial cells filled with electron‐dense secretory granules. These granules are apparently released into the lumen by an apocrine secretory process. In general, the ultrastructural morphology of SSK in Bothrops is similar to those described for other pitvipers in the genus Agkistrodon. In most Bothrops males, the SSK produces carbohydrates and proteins, and occurs in all lobes of the kidney, occupying most of the kidney mass. In contrast, intersexual females (with male copulatory organs) of Bothrops insularis had a smaller SSK diameter than males and did not show hypertrophy. The seasonal development of SSK in Bothrops species seems to be driven by environmental factors rather than phylogeny, since sister species exhibited periods of hypertrophy at different months. In most Bothrops males, hypertrophy occurs at various seasons of the year (spring, summer, autumn), even in winter, and seasonal changes in SSK do not necessarily accompany spermatogenesis.
Dynamical and thermodynamical interactions in daily precipitation regimes in the Western Himalayas
Authors: Battula Suma Bhanu , Siems Steven , Mondal Arpita
Published: December 2021

The mechanisms by which moisture interacts with the Himalayas largely determine the amount of precipitation in Himalayan basins. While many recent studies have focused on mechanisms of independent precipitation events, climatological studies that are essential for a complete understanding of precipitation‐generating mechanisms are limited. This work presents synoptic regimes, which produced precipitation across all seasons in the Western Himalayas (WH) from 2000 to 2018. Using the k‐means clustering algorithm, seven clusters are employed to define relatively mild, moderate and wet regimes, showing distinct seasonality and a synoptic meteorology. We found positive precipitation anomalies at lower elevations in monsoonal regimes (M1, M2 and M3) but at higher elevations in winter (W1 and W2) and transitional regimes (T1 and T2). Moist monsoonal regimes are associated with dynamical interactions between low‐level tropical cyclonic circulations and mid‐level subtropical troughs. Synchronous primary and secondary cyclonic circulations facilitate tropical moisture influx and obstruct the further northward movement of cyclonic circulations, which results in large magnitudes of precipitation at lower elevations in monsoonal regimes. On the other hand, winter regimes exhibit intense western disturbances, which enable orographic ascent of tropical moisture towards higher elevations. Despite weaker dynamical interactions, a stronger thermodynamical instability and a steeper terrain gradient trigger deep convection at higher elevations in transitional regimes. Overall, monsoonal regimes account for 52% of rainy days, whereas winter and transitional regimes account for 20 and 28%, respectively. We present a methodology that identifies hotspots of anomalous precipitation over vulnerable higher elevations by tracking atmospheric variables in Delhi. Our results illustrate the dynamical and thermodynamical interactions responsible for precipitation and highlight the significant contribution from nonmonsoonal regimes to the precipitation across higher elevations in the WH.
Mechanism of non‐contact ACL injury: OREF Clinical Research Award 2021
Authors: Boden Barry P. , Sheehan Frances T.
Published: December 2021

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures significantly impact athletes in terms of return to play and loss of long‐term quality of life. Before the onset of this study, understanding the mechanism of ACL injury was limited. Thus, the primary focus of this manuscript is to describe our multi‐faceted approach to uncovering the mechanism of noncontact ACL injury (NC‐ACLI) with the goal of developing preventive strategies. The initial qualitative analysis of ACL injury events revealed most (70%) injuries involve minimal to no contact and occurr during landing or deceleration maneuvers in team sports with a minor perturbation before the injury that may disrupt the neuromuscular system leading to poor body dynamics. A series of quantitative videotape studies demonstrated differences in leg and trunk positions at the time of NC‐ACLI in comparison to control subjects. Analysis of the faulty dynamics provoking NC‐ACLI, especially the flat‐footed landing component, supports the theory that an axial compressive force is the critical factor responsible for NC‐ACLI. Our magnetic resonance imaging study demonstrated the NC‐ACLI position was associated with a higher tibial slope, and joint contact occurring on the flat, anterior portion of the lateral femoral condyle versus the round, posterior aspect. Both anatomic conditions favor sliding (pivot shift) over rolling in the presence of an axial compressive force. Subsequent cadaveric studies supported axial compressive forces as the primary component of NC‐ACLI. Both a strong eccentric quadriceps contraction and knee abduction moments may increase the compressive force at the joint thereby lowering the axial threshold to injury. This manuscript summarizes the NC‐ACLI mechanism portion of the 2021 OREF Clinical Research Award.
Perspectives from the Fritz‐Scheffer Awardee 2020—The mutual interactions between roots and soil structure and how these affect rhizosphere processes#
Authors: Lucas Maik
Published: December 2021

Roots growing into soil interact with soil structure in numerous ways. They can grow into the soil matrix and leave elongated macropores after decomposition, that is, biopores. Conversely, the soil may already have a large and connected macropore system through which the roots can expand, and thus reach deeper soil layers. Both, the formation of new biopores or the reuse and occupation of existing macropore systems are expected to affect major soil processes like water and gas flow through the soil profile, as well as water flow toward the root. Despite the increasing research interest in the limitation of root growth by soil structure, as well as the modification of soil structure by roots, the mutual interactions between the two are largely overlooked. This study highlights new methodological developments which enable describing interactions between roots and soil structure with X‐ray computed microtomography. It further shows how roots affect the pore system and can create a massive biopore system in less than a decade. After this, it is evaluated how the mutual interaction of roots and structure determines the physical properties of the rhizosphere. It is outlined that this has implications for major rhizosphere processes. Thus, it is emphasized, that the role of structure needs to be considered in future experiments with plants, in particular if extrapolation of results from laboratory experiment with sieved, homogenized substrates to field conditions with well‐established soil structure is intended. Lastly, in this study, research gaps are outlined remaining in respect to the dynamics of biopore creation and destruction and their consequences for processes in rhizospheres like carbon storage. These reveal the need for novel research approaches that consider the mutual interactions of root growth and soil structure.
Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a U.S. Veterans Affairs PTSD clinic
Authors: Pukay‐Martin Nicole D. , Fredman Steffany J. , Martin Colleen E. , Le Yunying , Haney Alison , Sullivan Connor , Monson Candice M. , Chard Kathleen M.
Published: December 2021

Cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy (CBCT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a 15‐session conjoint treatment for PTSD designed to improve PTSD symptoms and enhance intimate relationship functioning. Numerous studies of CBCT for PTSD document improvements in patient PTSD and comorbid symptoms, partner mental health, and relationship adjustment. However, little is known about its effectiveness in real‐world clinical settings. Using an intention‐to‐treat sample of couples who participated in CBCT for PTSD in an outpatient U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA) PTSD clinic (N = 113), trajectories of session‐by‐session reports of veterans’ PTSD symptoms and both partners’ relationship happiness were examined. Across sessions, there were significant reductions in veteran‐rated PTSD symptoms, d = −0.69, and significant increases in veteran‐ and partner‐rated relationship happiness, ds = 0.36 and 0.35, respectively. Partner ratings of veterans’ PTSD symptoms increased before significantly decreasing, d = −0.24. Secondary outcomes of veteran and partner relationship satisfaction, ds = 0.30 and 0.42, respectively; veteran and partner depressive symptoms, ds = −0.75 and −0.29, respectively; and partner accommodation of PTSD symptoms, d = −0.44, also significantly improved from pre‐ to posttreatment. The findings suggest that CBCT for PTSD was effective for decreasing PTSD and comorbid symptoms in veterans, as well as for improving relationship functioning and partners’ mental health, among a sample of real‐world couples seeking treatment in a VA PTSD specialty clinic.
Coral heat tolerance under variable temperatures: Effects of different variability regimes and past environmental history vs. current exposure
Authors: Schoepf Verena , Sanderson Hermione , Larcombe Ellis
Published: December 2021

Exposure to high‐frequency temperature variability often but not always enhances coral heat tolerance, raising the question of whether this depends on the type of variability regime and past vs. current exposure. We collected corals from a macrotidal, highly fluctuating temperature environment and preconditioned them to either constant or variable daily temperatures for ~ 1.5 yr. Corals were then exposed to three new temperature variability regimes for ~ 1 month (constant control, symmetric variability, and tidal variability) to assess the effect of short‐term environmental history, followed by a 12‐d heat stress test. Measurements of visual coral health, photophysiology, photosynthesis, respiration, and calcification rates showed that preconditioning to constant vs. variable temperatures for 1.5 yr did not significantly impact coral physiology and heat tolerance. In contrast, environmental history experienced in the month prior to the heat stress test significantly influenced the physiological responses, with corals exposed to both types of variability having lower heat tolerance. Interestingly, corals in the tidal variability regime suffered greater health declines than in the symmetric variability regime although both treatments had the same cumulative heat exposure. Since heating rate and temperature amplitude were higher in the tidal variability regime (but time spent above the bleaching threshold was shorter), this suggests that short, extreme heat pulses may be more deleterious than longer but more moderate ones, though other factors likely also played a role. Overall, our findings demonstrate that daily temperature variability has significant potential to alter coral heat tolerance but only certain types of variability may enhance coral adaptive capacity.
Business model innovation risk factors based on grounded theory: A multiple‐case analysis of cold chain logistics companies in China
Authors: Zhao Xuan , Peng Benhong , Zheng Chaoyu , Wan Anxia
Published: December 2021

The article focuses on the risk factors of the business model innovation, and the interaction mechanism between risk factors and business model innovation. The grounded theory was used to analyze the business model innovation of four cold chain logistics enterprises. Results reveal that the main risk factors of business model innovation in cold chain logistics are management, technical, and environmental risks. The risk factors suggest that cold chain logistics enterprises need to optimize the internal management to improve the innovation ability and strengthen the development of cold chain technology to improve market competitive.
College football attendance in the long run: The Football Championship Subdivision
Authors: Falls Gregory A. , Natke Paul A. , Xiao Linlan
Published: December 2021

A balanced panel (61 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) football teams over 38 years) is used to estimate four regression models using time series and panel methods and identify variables that drive per‐game season attendance. Variables are either stationary or co‐integrated. Most coefficients are consistent across models: season win percentage, lifetime win percentage, undergraduate enrollment, and real gas price per mile driven were positive while real state per capita income exerted a negative impact. Unexpectedly, FCS games are inferior goods and greater travel costs raise attendance. Other coefficients displayed inconsistent results: playoff appearances in the last 10 years, county population, and state unemployment rate.
Prophylactic lymphaticovenous anastomoses for resection of soft tissue tumors of the thigh to prevent secondary lymphedema–a retrospective comparative cohort analysis
Authors: Wagner Johannes Maximilian , Dadras Mehran , Ufton Dominic , Huber Julika , Wallner Christoph , Sogorski Alexander , von Glinski Maxi , Hong Joon Pio , Lehnhardt Marcus , Behr Björn
Published: December 2021

Background

Patients with soft tissue tumors of extremities are at risk to develop secondary lymphedema after tumor resection caused by disruption of lymphatic vessels and sclerosis. Subsequently, this study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of lymphaticovenous anastomoses (LVAs) after soft tissue tumor resection of the thigh in a prophylactic approach.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study, we compared eight patients with a median age of 68.5 years (49–80) who received LVAs in combination with tumor resection for treatment of soft tissue tumors of the thigh region with a prior cohort of 20 patients with a median age of 63.0 years (23–84) who received soft tissue sarcoma resection of the thigh region. All patients of LVA cohort received 1–2 LVAs (mean 1.25 ± 0.49) at the dorsum of the foot and three patients at the SEKI‐point (mean 0.375 ± 0.51). Mean maximum tumor diameter of LVA group was 19.5 ± 5.2 cm and 12.3 ± 6.6 cm of control group. All patients receiving LVA were assessed for development of lymphedema via bilateral measurements of circumference and assessment of lymphedema quality of life index (LyQLI).

Results

One of the eight patients who received LVAs showed moderate impairment in the LyQLI at a follow‐up of 12 months while 45% of the control cohort complained about symptoms of secondary lymphedema at a median follow‐up of 22 months (p‐values LyQLI: p = .018 [physical domain]; p = .018 [psychosocial domain]; p = .020 [practical domain]).

Conclusion

LVAs performed in combination with tumor resection of thigh soft tissue tumors reduce negative consequences of lymph stasis and prevent development of secondary lymphedema.
Performance evaluation of dual‐energy CT and differential phase contrast CT in quantitative imaging applications
Authors: Zhang Xin , Su Ting , Yang Jiecheng , Zhu Jiongtao , Xia Dongmei , Zheng Hairong , Liang Dong , Ge Yongshuai
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the quantitative material decomposition performance of the dual‐energy CT (DECT) and differential phase contrast CT (DPCT) via numerical observer studies.

Methods

The electron density () and the effective atomic number () are selected as the decomposition bases. The image domain based decomposition algorithms with certain noise suppression are used to extract the and information under three different spatial resolutions (0.3 mm, 0.1 mm, and 0.03 mm). The contrast‐to‐noise‐ratio (CNR) and the numerical human observer model which is sensitive to the noise textures are investigated to compare the quantitative imaging performance of DECT and DPCT under varied radiation dose levels.

Results

The model observer results show that the DECT is superior to DPCT at 0.3 mm spatial resolution (300 mm object size); the DECT and DPCT show similar quantitative imaging performance at 0.1 mm spatial resolution (100 mm object size); and the DPCT outperforms the DECT by approximately 1.5 times for the 0.3 mm sized imaging target at 0.03 mm spatial resolution (30 mm object size).

Conclusions

In conclusion, the DECT would be recommended to obtain and for the low spatial resolution quantitative imaging applications such as the diagnostic CT imaging. Whereas, the DPCT would be recommended for ultra high spatial resolution imaging tasks of small objects such as the micro‐CT imaging. This study provides a reference to determine the most appropriate quantitative X‐ray CT imaging method for a certain radiation dose level.
TransDIR: Deformable imaging registration network based on transformer to improve the feature extraction ability
Authors: Yang Tiejun , Bai Xinhao , Cui Xiaojuan , Gong Yuehong , Li Lei
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Imaging registration has a significant contribution to guide and support physicians in the process of decision‐making for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. However, existing registration methods based on the convolutional neural network cannot extract global features effectively, which significantly influences registration performance. Moreover, the smoothness of the displacement vector field (DVF) fails to be ensured due to the miss folding penalty.

Methods

In order to capture abundant global information as well as local information, we have proposed a novel 3D deformable image registration network based on Transformer (TransDIR). In the encoding phase, the transformer with the atrous reduction attention block is designed to capture the long‐distance dependencies that are crucial for extracting global information. A zero‐padding position encoder is embedded into the transformer to capture the local information. In the decoding phase, an up‐sampling module based on an attention mechanism is designed to increase the significance of ROIs. Because of adding folding penalty term into loss function, the smoothness of DVF is improved.

Results

Finally, we carried out experiments on OASIS, LPBA40, MGH10, and MM‐WHS open datasets to validate the effectiveness of TransDIR. Compared with LapIRN, the DSC score is improved by 1.1% and 0.9% on OASIS and LPBA40, separately. In addition, compared with VoxelMorph, the DSC score is improved by 2.8% on the basis of the folding index decreased by hundreds of times on MM‐WHS.

Conclusions

The results show that the TransDIR achieves robust registration and promising generalizability compared with LapIRN and VoxelMorph.
Volumetric segmentation of ground glass nodule based on 3D attentional cascaded residual U‐Net and conditional random field
Authors: Chen Hui , Liu Jiyu , Lu Liangjian , Wang Ting , Xu Xiaomin , Chu Aina , Peng Weijun , Gong Jing , Tang Wei , Gu Yajia
Published: December 2021

Background

Ground glass nodule (GGN) segmentation is one of the important and challenging tasks in diagnosing early‐stage lung adenocarcinomas. Manually delineating of 3D GGN in a computed tomography (CT) image is a subjective, laborious, and tedious task, which presents poor repeatability.

Purpose

To reduce the annotation burden and improve the segmentation performance, this study proposes a 3D deep learning‐based volumetric segmentation model to segment the GGN in CT images.

Methods

A total of 379 GGNs were retrospectively collected from the public database, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital (SHPH), and Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC). First, a series of image preprocessing techniques involving image resampling, intensity normalization, 3D nodule patch cropping, and data augmentation, were adopted to generate the input images for the deep learning model by using CT scans. Then, a 3D attentional cascaded residual network (ACRU‐Net) was proposed to develop the deep learning‐based segmentation model by using the residual network and the atrous spatial pyramid pooling module. To improve the model performance, a voxel‐based conditional random field (CRF) method was used to optimize the segmentation results. Finally, a balanced cross‐entropy and Dice combined loss function was applied to train and build the segmentation model.

Results

Testing on SHPH and FUSCC datasets, the proposed method generates the Dice coefficients of 0.721 ± 0.167 and 0.733 ± 0.100, respectively, which are higher than those of 3D residual U‐Net and ACRU‐Net without CRF optimization.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated that combining 3D ACRU‐Net and CRF effectively improved the GGN segmentation performance. The proposed segmentation model may provide a potential tool to help the radiologist in the segmentation and diagnosis of 3D GGN.
Synthesis of turbostratic nanoscale graphene via chamber detonation of oxygen/acetylene mixtures
Authors: Wright Justin P. , Sigdel Shusil , Corkill Stephen , Covarrubias Jose , LeBan Levon , Nepal Arjun , Li Jun , Divigalpitiya Ranjith , Bossmann Stefan H. , Sorensen Christopher M.
Published: December 2021

A study of the detonation synthesis method to make graphene and the properties of the resulting graphene is presented. The gaseous precursors are mixtures of oxygen and acetylene with oxygen/carbon molar ratios of O/C = 0.25 to 0.75. Chamber pressure and temperature data indicate pressures ≤ 300 psi and temperatures of 2550 ± 100K after initiation of the reaction mixture. The graphene material collected from the chamber after the detonation was characterized by Raman, XRD (X‐ray diffraction), BET, SEM (scanning electron microscopy), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), and so on. The material properties divide into two groups: low O/C (≤ 0.45) and high O/C (≥ 0.5). Low O/C graphene appears as a low density, aerosol gel with ∼8 weakly associated, disordered turbostratic layers with a lateral extent of 20 to 30 nm. High O/C graphene appears as a denser powder with ∼30 weakly associated turbostratic layers, with a lateral extent of 100 to 200 nm. We conclude, as we have previously, that the high detonation temperature during the reaction is the primary reason that graphene is formed rather than soot. Differentiation into two types of graphene products is hypothesized to be a result of aggregation kinetics to form a static gel that pre‐empts layering (stacking) when O/C is low.
The golden ratio as an ecological affordance leading to aesthetic attractiveness
Authors: De Bartolo Daniela , De Luca Maria , Antonucci Gabriella , Schuster Stefan , Morone Giovanni , Paolucci Stefano , Iosa Marco
Published: December 2021

The golden ratio (GR) is an irrational number (close to 1.618) that repeatedly occurs in nature as well as in masterpieces of art. The GR has been considered a proportion perfectly representing beauty since ancient times, and it was investigated in several scientific fields, but with conflicting results. This study aims at investigating if this proportion is associated with a judgment of beauty independently of the type of the stimulus, and the factors that may affect this aesthetic preference. In Experiment 1, an online psychophysical questionnaire was administered to 256 volunteers asked to choose among three possible proportions between the parts of the same stimulus (GR, 1.5, and 1.8). In Experiment 2, we recorded eye movements in 15 participants who had to express an aesthetic judgment on the same stimuli of Experiment 1. The results revealed a slight overall preference for GR (53%, p < .001), with higher preferences for stimuli representing humans, anthropomorphic sculptures, and paintings, regardless of the cultural level. In Experiment 2, a shorter dwell time was significantly associated with a better aesthetic judgment (p = .005), suggesting the possibility that GR could be associated with easier visual processing, and it could be hence considered as a visual affordance.
Quantitative proteomics revealed new functions of ALKBH4
Authors: Yu Kailin , Qi Tianyu F. , Miao Weili , Liu Xiaochuan , Wang Yinsheng
Published: December 2021

ALKBH4 is a versatile demethylase capable of catalyzing the demethylation of monomethylated lysine‐84 on actin and N6‐methyladenine in DNA. In this study, we conducted a quantitative proteomic experiment to reveal the altered expression of proteins in HEK293T cells upon genetic ablation of ALKBH4. Our results showed markedly diminished levels of GSTP1 and HSPB1 proteins in ALKBH4‐depleted cells, which emanate from an augmented expression level of DNA (cytosine‐5)‐methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and the ensuing elevated cytosine methylation in the promoter regions of GSTP1 and HSPB1 genes. Together, our results revealed a role of ALKBH4 in modulating DNA cytosine methylation through regulating the expression level of DNMT1 protein.
Efficacy of topical lidocaine‐prilocaine (EMLA®) for management of infant pain during pneumococcal vaccination: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Olsson Duse Beatrice , Sporrong Ylva , Bartocci Marco , Skoglund Karin
Published: December 2021

Few studies have evaluated whether topical anesthetic cream reduces pain during pneumococcal vaccination. This is crucial, since effective pain management should be evidence‐based. Previous studies have shown that topical lidocaine‐prilocaine (EMLA®) reduces vaccination‐related pain, measured using pain‐rating instruments and observation of crying time. This intervention study aimed to compare the efficacy of topical lidocaine‐prilocaine cream with that of the standard of care on the expression of pain during the first pneumococcal vaccination administered at age 3 months under the Swedish national vaccination program. A randomized controlled trial included 72 infants receiving their first pneumococcal vaccination (Prevenar 13®). The study showed that topical lidocaine‐prilocaine before pneumococcal vaccination significantly reduced infants’ expression of pain according to the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) score (P = .006) and increased latency to cry (P = .001). There were no statistically significant differences in the total crying time (P = .146) between the groups. Topical lidocaine‐prilocaine cream reduced pain expression and increased latency to cry in infants receiving their first pneumococcal vaccine. Systematic efforts are needed to successfully implement the use of topical anesthetic cream and other effective non‐pharmacological pain‐relieving strategies during infant vaccination procedures.
Tailoring electric field signals of nonequilibrium discharges by the deep learning method and physical corrections
Authors: Zhu Yifei , Bo Yin , Chen Xiancong , Wu Yun
Published: December 2021

Smart modulation of discharges is necessary to generate specific reactive species in an energy‐efficient way. A physics corrected plasma + deep learning framework, the DeePlaskin, is proposed. This framework can be used for the nonequilibrium plasma systems that can be described by a global chemistry model (assuming global uniformity, e.g., in spark channels or the early afterglow of the fast ionization wave discharges). Knowing the kinetics scheme and the predefined temporal evolution of target species, we will be able to reconstruct the temporal profile of the reduced electric field and all the other species. To generate the same concentration of O atom at the end of the discharge, the electric field profiles customized by the DeePlaskin differ significantly depending on the predefined evolution, resulting in different energy consumption. The combination of the deep learning method and plasma physics/chemistry model shows great potential in optimizing the design of plasma sources in practical applications.
The return of RSV during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Ferrero Fernando , Ossorio Maria F. , Rial Maria J.
Published: December 2021

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalizations practically disappeared in 2020. Now, with Southern Hemisphere 2021 winter behind us, RSV has returned. Despite it is difficult to weigh the impact of pandemic mitigation measures on common respiratory virus circulation, it appears that acute respiratory infections in children are returning to their usual epidemiology
Genomic analyses of the metastasis‐derived prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, VCaP, and PC3‐AR
Authors: Sienkiewicz Karolina , Yang Chunsong , Paschal Bryce M. , Ratan Aakrosh
Published: December 2021

Background

The lymph node metastasis‐derived LNCaP, the bone metastasis‐derived PC3 (skull), and VCaP (vertebral) cell lines are widely used as preclinical models of human prostate cancer (CaP) and have been described in more than 19,000 publications. Here, we report on short‐read whole‐genome sequencing and genomic analyses of LNCaP, VCaP, and PC3 cells stably transduced with WT AR (PC3‐AR).

Methods

LNCaP, VCaP, and PC3‐AR cell lines were sequenced to an average depth of more than 30‐fold using Illumina short‐read sequencing. Using various computational methods, we identified and compared the single‐nucleotide variants, copy‐number profiles, and the structural variants observed in the three cell lines.

Results

LNCaP cells are composed of multiple subpopulations, which results in nonintegral copy number states and a high mutational load when the data is analyzed in bulk. All three cell lines contain pathogenic mutations and homozygous deletions in genes involved in DNA mismatch repair, along with deleterious mutations in cell‐cycle, Wnt signaling, and other critical cellular processes. PC3‐AR cells have a truncating mutation in TP53 and do not express the p53 protein. The VCaP cells contain a homozygous gain‐of‐function mutation in TP53 (p.R248W) that promotes cancer invasion, metastasis, and progression and has also been observed in prostate adenocarcinomas. In addition, we detect the signatures of chromothripsis of the q arms of chromosome 5 in both PC3‐AR and VCaP cells, strengthening the association of TP53 inactivation with chromothripsis reported in other systems.

Conclusions

Our work provides a resource for genetic, genomic, and biological studies employing these commonly‐used prostate cancer cell lines.