bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repair of Large Nasal Septal Perforations Using the Upper Lateral Cartilage Mucosal Flap
Authors: Bansberg Stephen F. , Taylor Cullen M. , Howard Brittany E. , Courson Andy M. , Miglani Amar
Published: October 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

To describe the surgical technique and closure outcomes of larger septal perforation repair incorporating mucosa from the undersurface of the upper lateral cartilage into a superiorly positioned advancement flap.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

A chart review was performed for patients who underwent perforation repair utilizing bilateral nasal mucosal flaps which incorporated mucosa from the undersurface of the upper lateral cartilage into the superior flap between January 2009 and December 2020.

Results

Sixty‐six patients met study criteria. Prior septal surgery was the most common (28.8%) etiology. Mean perforation length and height were 18.9 and 14.4 mm, respectively. Complete perforation closure was noted in 91.2% of patients followed for a minimum of 6 months (mean follow‐up time 32.1 months). Twelve patients underwent secondary surgery for persistent nasal obstruction. Postoperative loss of dorsal height was noted in seven patients. The NOSE‐perf scores were available for the last 15 repairs and demonstrated significant symptom improvement from a mean score of 26.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.2) to 14.5 (95% CI, 5.2) (P < .0001).

Conclusion

The ventral surface of the upper lateral cartilage can provide additional mucosa for incorporation into a superior advancement flap to achieve successful closure for larger septal perforations. Optimization of surgical outcomes for this challenging condition may require secondary functional or aesthetic procedures.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 132:973–979, 2022
Roles of the micro‐arc oxidation coating on the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of extruded Mg–2Zn–0.5Zr–1.5Dy (mass%) alloy
Authors: Li Huan , Wen Jiuba , Jin Jie , Liu Ya , He Junguang
Published: October 2021

Aiming to enhance the biodegradable magnesium alloys' poor mechanical properties and corrosion resistance in aggressive chloride mediums, micro‐arc oxidation coatings with oxidation times range from 3 to 15 min were prepared on the surface of extruded Mg–2Zn–0.5Zr–1.5Dy (mass%) alloy. Assessments were carried out using electrochemical experiments, hydrogen evolution experiments, and tensile tests, respectively. The results show that the micro‐arc oxidation coating is porous and mainly consists of the MgO phase. When the oxidation time increases from 3 to 15 min, the thickness and the pore size of the coating increase, while the coating's porosity decreases. The coating with the oxidation time of 15 min can effectively prevent the formation of pitting holes on the surface of the alloy, which remarkably reduces the decay rate of ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of the alloy after immersion in simulated body fluid for 0–28 days, and keep the alloy with higher and more stable corrosion resistance. This increases the application possibility of extruded Mg–2Zn–0.5Zr–1.5Dy alloy as a biodegradable material.
Preparation of Tungsten‐Based Polyvinyl Alcohol Waterborne Coating and Development of Photochromic Composite Fabric
Authors: Wang Xinmiao , Wang Wenhao , Li Yunfeng , Wang Yaoyu
Published: October 2021

A kind of tungsten‐based polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) waterborne coating has been synthesized successfully. Two kinds of composite discoloration fabrics are prepared by cotton and polyester with coating method, which have a UV detection function. The color of composite discoloration fabric changes from white to blue under 365 nm UV lamp irradiation for 30 s and sunlight irradiation for 3 s. The influence of PVA concentration on the washability of fabric and the influence of polyurethane seal on discoloration of fabric are studied. In addition, the application of the water‐based coating shortens the preparation time of composite fabric, and greatly improves the preparation efficiency. This work lays a foundation for the development and application of photochromism textiles.
Do travelers' reviews depend on the destination? An analysis in coastal and urban peer‐to‐peer lodgings
Authors: Sánchez‐Franco Manuel J. , Rey‐Moreno Manuel
Published: October 2021

Our research applies a service, feature‐oriented approach to deeply explore the subjective experiences shared publicly by Airbnb guests in their reviews. Our processed data set contains 73,557 reviews of Airbnb stays in coastal and urban destinations between 2017 and 2020. A topic modeling based on the BERTopic approach is applied to detect dense clusters of reviews and identify one highly relevant and interpretable topic per cluster related to core and essential sharing services and surrounding features. Our study, therefore, allows a higher understanding of the relationships between urban versus coastal destinations and guests' preferences. Furthermore, it enables hosts to differentiate the touristic short‐rentals lodgings according to customer experiences.
Cyclic Perfluoropolyether: Distinct Film Formability and Thermostabilization Upon Recyclable Cyclic–Linear Topological Transformation
Authors: Honda Satoshi , Ikuta Naoya , Oka Minami , Yamaguchi Shuhei , Handa Shinya
Published: October 2021

Perfluoropolyether (PFPE) is an industrially important fluoropolymer and has great industrial importance due to its flexible, noncombustible, and chemically robust properties. However, exploration and application of chemically modified homogeneous PFPEs are hampered by their immiscibility against nonfluorine‐containing molecules. Here, the synthesis is reported of cyclic PFPE with hexaarylbiimidazoles (HABIs) in chains from linear PFPE having 2,4,5‐triphenylimidazole (lophine) end groups. While phase separation between the end groups and main chains took place for linear PFPE, HABIs and main chains in cyclic PFPE are miscible to form transparent glass films. The design of cyclic PFPE also enables cyclic to linear topological transformation based on conversion of HABIs into lophines upon mild heating in the glass film state. Sequential linear‐to‐cyclic and cyclic‐to‐linear topological transformations enable fabrication of thermostabilized transparent films derived from PFPE.
Demographic Influences on the Relationship Between Fatigue and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Mantri Sneha , Chahine Lana M. , Nabieva Karina , Feldman Robert , Althouse Andrew , Torsney Benjamin , Albert Steven M. , Kopil Catherine , Marras Connie
Published: October 2021

Background

Fatigue has a major impact on health‐related quality of life (HR‐QOL) in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Objectives

To determine whether demographic characteristics modify the relationship between fatigue and HR‐QOL.

Methods

Patients with PD in the Fox Insight study completed the Parkinson Fatigue Scale (PFS‐16) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS‐15). Linear regression examined the relationship between the PFS‐16 and Parkinson Disease Quality of Life, as modified by age, sex, and GDS‐15.

Results

A total of 1029 participants (44% female, mean age 67.4 years, and mean disease duration 4.6 years) were included in this analysis. Multivariable regression modeling demonstrated a negative effect modification for age (β = −0.07, P < 0.001) and a positive effect modification for the GDS‐15 (β = 0.057, P = 0.002), but not for sex (β = −0.021, P = 0.231).

Conclusion

The association between fatigue and worse HR‐QOL is greater at younger ages and in individuals with more depressive symptoms. Targeted therapeutics for these individuals may provide the greatest impact on fatigue in PD.
Slab boundary artifact correction in multislab imaging using convolutional‐neural‐network–enabled inversion for slab profile encoding
Authors: Zhang Jieying , Liu Simin , Dai Erpeng , Ye Xinyu , Shi Diwei , Wu Yuhsuan , Lu Jie , Guo Hua
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to propose a novel algorithm for slab boundary artifact correction in both single‐band multislab imaging and simultaneous multislab (SMSlab) imaging.

Theory and Methods

In image domain, the formation of slab boundary artifacts can be regarded as modulating the artifact‐free images using the slab profiles and introducing aliasing along the slice direction. Slab boundary artifact correction is the inverse problem of this process. An iterative algorithm based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) is proposed to solve the problem, termed CNN‐enabled inversion for slab profile encoding (CPEN). Diffusion‐weighted SMSlab images and reference images without slab boundary artifacts were acquired in 7 healthy subjects for training. Images of 5 healthy subjects were acquired for testing, including single‐band multislab and SMSlab images with 1.3‐mm or 1‐mm isotropic resolution. CNN‐enabled inversion for slab profile encoding was compared with a previously reported method (i.e., nonlinear inversion for slab profile encoding [NPEN]).

Results

CNN‐enabled inversion for slab profile encoding reduces the slab boundary artifacts in both single‐band multislab and SMSlab images. It also suppresses the slab boundary artifacts in the diffusion metric maps. Compared with NPEN, CPEN shows fewer residual artifacts in different acquisition protocols and more significant improvements in quantitative assessment, and it also accelerates the computation by more than 35 times.

Conclusion

CNN‐enabled inversion for slab profile encoding can reduce the slab boundary artifacts in multislab acquisitions. It shows better slab boundary artifact correction capacity, higher robustness, and computation efficiency when compared with NPEN. It has the potential to improve the accuracy of multislab acquisitions in high‐resolution DWI and functional MRI.
Carpool services for ride‐sharing platforms: Price and welfare implications
Authors: Wang Xuan , Zhang Renyu
Published: October 2021

There has been rapid growth in on‐demand ride‐hailing platforms that serve as an intermediary to match individual service providers (drivers) with consumer demand (riders). Several major players of this market have introduced carpool services that allow passengers heading toward the same direction to share a ride at a discounted fare. In this article, we develop an analytical model to study the pricing issues of ride‐sharing platforms in the presence of carpool services, and their economical and social implications. We show that the carpool service should be provided when its quality and/or the pooling efficiency is high. When the platform finds it optimal to offer the carpool service option, the platform achieves a larger market coverage and the riders are able to enjoy more affordable rides without compromising on service quality. Our analysis reveals that the provision of carpool services benefits the platform and the riders in general, but may hurt the drivers.
The k‐path vertex cover: General bounds and chordal graphs
Authors: Bujtás Csilla , Jakovac Marko , Tuza Zsolt
Published: October 2021

For an integer , a k‐path vertex cover of a graph is a set that shares a vertex with every path subgraph of order k in G. The minimum cardinality of a k‐path vertex cover is denoted by . We give estimates—mostly upper bounds—on in terms of various parameters, including vertex degrees and the number of vertices and edges. The problem is also considered on chordal graphs and planar graphs.
A legally‐informed definition of volunteering in nonprofits and social enterprises: Unpaid work meets profit motives
Authors: Overgaard Charlotte , A. Kerlin Janelle
Published: October 2021

This article presents a definition of volunteering that will help organizations and workers, especially those engaged in commercial activity for a social purpose, determine when U.S. organizations can legally draw on volunteer labor. By drawing on recent U.S. court cases, the intentions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to protect vulnerable workers and the wider framing literature on organizational logics, work, and volunteering, we outline under which circumstances workers are considered employees rather than volunteers and therefore covered by the FLSA and entitled to minimum pay. We show that in order to determine the legalities of work under current law, it is necessary, but not sufficient, to consider whether activities are carried out for commercial purposes. What matters most for a legally‐informed definition is the role performed within organizations and the promises made to individual workers in terms of compensation.
Strain rate effects on the thermomechanical behavior of glass/polyester composite joints
Authors: Tarfaoui Mostapha , Sassi Sonia , Lagdani Oumnia , Nachtane Mourad
Published: October 2021

For several decades, composite materials have been used in different applications due to their multiple advantages. It has become necessary to understand the dynamic behavior of these materials under critical loads. In‐plane (IP) and out‐of‐plane (OP) dynamic compression tests were investigated on a cubic specimen of composite joints under low to high strain rates using the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bars (SHPB) technique. The specimens consist of two adherents (glass/polyester composite) assembled by an adhesive with different thicknesses (1 and 2 mm). During the experimental tests, the high‐speed camera was used to check the damage history and the failure mechanisms on adhesively bonded composite joints. The sample surface temperatures were monitored using an infrared camera (IR). For bonding of two composite substrates, it can be noted that the thickness of the adhesive has a significant effect on the dynamic behavior and the kinetics of the damage. It has been concluded that the damage was localized at the level of the layers in the case of in‐plane loading and the level of the adhesive zone in the case of out‐of‐plane loading. The thermomechanical behavior of cubic specimens of adhesively bonded joints subjected to dynamic compression has been studied. The results underline the sensitivity of the dynamic behavior of the adhesively bonded joints to the strain rate, the loading direction and the appearance of heat dissipation linked to the increase in temperature following the initiation of damage. This rise of temperature can dangerously approach the glass transition temperature of the matrix.
Differences between Spanish students' and teaching professionals' knowledge of and attitudes toward ADHD—Does knowledge influence attitude?
Authors: Cueli Marisol , Areces Débora , Rodríguez Celestino , Cabaleiro Paloma , González‐Castro Paloma
Published: October 2021

This study aims to analyze knowledge and attitudes toward attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in university students (infant education, primary education, teaching, and psychology students) and teachers (elementary, primary and secondary school teachers, and university teachers). A total of 417 university students and 170 teachers took part in the study. All of the participants completed the Questionnaire for the Evaluation of Teachers' Knowledge of ADHD and a scale about specific attitudes toward ADHD. The results indicated differences in knowledge between the teachers and the university students but no differences in attitudes. Teachers had deeper knowledge about ADHD than the university students, with greater knowledge in the dimensions of Treatment and Symptoms/Diagnosis. Furthermore, the levels of knowledge predicted attitudes, reflecting the importance of more educational training programs (for students and professionals) providing information about ADHD.
SARS‐CoV‐2 acute bronchiolitis in hospitalized children: Neither frequent nor more severe
Authors: Andina‐Martinez David , Alonso‐Cadenas Jose A. , Cobos‐Carrascosa Elena , Bodegas Inmaculada , Oltra‐Benavent Manuel , Plazaola Ane , Epalza Cristina , Jimenez‐García Raquel , Moraleda Cinta , Tagarro Alfredo ,   the EPICO‐AEP Working Group
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Endemic coronaviruses have been found in acute bronchiolitis, mainly as a coinfecting virus. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has been responsible for respiratory illness in hospitalized children. The characteristics of patients with bronchiolitis have not been extensively described.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study of patients with bronchiolitis and SARS‐CoV‐2 infection enrolled in a prospective multicenter cohort of children hospitalized with COVID‐19 in Spain from March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021.

Results

Twelve of 666 children infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 who required hospital admission met the diagnostic criteria for bronchiolitis (1.8%). Median age was 1.9 months (range: 0.4–10.1). Six cases had household contact with a confirmed or probable COVID‐19 case. Main complaints were cough (11 patients), rhinorrhea (10), difficulty breathing (8), and fever (8). Eleven cases were classified as mild or moderate and one as severe. Laboratory tests performed in seven patients did not evidence anemia, lymphopenia, or high C‐reactive protein levels. Chest X‐rays were performed in six children, and one case showed remarkable findings. Coinfection with metapneumovirus was detected in the patient with the most severe course; Bordetella pertussis was detected in another patient. Seven patients required oxygen therapy. Albuterol was administered in four patients. One patient was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. Median length of admission was 4 days (range: 3–14). No patient died or showed any sequelae at discharge. Two patients developed recurrent bronchospasms.

Conclusion

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection does not seem to be a main trigger of severe bronchiolitis, and children with this condition should be managed according to clinical practice guidelines.
One‐Step Fabrication of High‐Performance Energetic Metal‐Organic Framework [Cu(atrz)3[NO3]2]n Films and its Tunable Crystal Structure
Authors: Su Hui , Yan Shi , Zhao Chaofeng , Peng Panpan , Jin Liang , Li Shenghua , Pang Siping
Published: October 2021

Nanoenergetics‐on‐a‐chip (NOC) have been widely used with excellent performance. Nevertheless, the development of simple, convenient, low cost, and environmentally friendly strategies for preparation of energetic metal‐organic framework (E‐MOF) NOC films remains a challenge. In this work, we present a one‐step solvothermal method to deposit three‐dimensional (3‐D) E‐MOF films, [MOFfilm(Cu); [Cu(atrz)3(NO3)2]n (atrz=4,4’‐azo‐1,2,4‐triazole)] on oxidized copper foil. Physicochemical properties, including morphologies, decomposition temperature, sensitivity, laser ignition characteristics, and flame height of the MOFfilm(Cu) films were analysed. With thermal stability up to 243 °C, the resulting MOFfilm(Cu) films exhibit low sensitivity (Impact sensitivity (IS): 16 J; Friction sensitivity (FS): 112 N, and Electrostatic sensitivity (ESD): 24.75 J), combined with laser ignition capability. After laser excitement, MOFfilm(Cu) films can act as an ignition material owing to a remarkable flame height (8 mm) and a violent explosion process (180 μs). More importantly, the energetic properties for MOFfilm(Cu) films are conveniently tunable via a simple anion exchange strategy, and two new energetic MOF films, MOFfilm(Cu) ⋅ SO4 and MOFfilm(Cu) ⋅ BF4, have been prepared. This work provides a simple, safe, convenient, and lower cost strategy for fabricating energetic MOF films that are applicable in NOC technologies, and opens a new field for the application of anion exchange strategy.
Nuclear and Electron Spin Resonance Studies on Skyrmion‐Hosting Lacunar Spinels
Authors: Prinz-Zwick Markus , Szigeti Bertalan G. , Gimpel Thomas , Ehlers Dieter , Tsurkan Vladimir , Leonov Andrey O. , Miksch Björn , Scheffler Marc , Stasinopoulos Ioannis , Grundler Dirk , Kézsmárki István , Büttgen Norbert , Krug von Nidda Hans-Albrecht
Published: October 2021

Magnetic resonance techniques at nuclei and electrons are applied to characterize the electronic structure and collective magnetic excitations throughout the magnetic phase diagrams of the lacunar spinels GaV4S8 and GaV4Se8 showing cycloidal, Néel‐type skyrmion lattice and ferromagnetically polarized phases. 71Ga nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) provides a local probe of the rhombohedral distortion and the resulting uniaxial magnetic anisotropy via the detection of electric field gradients (EFGs) and hyperfine coupling at the gallium sites of these lacunar spinels. Broadband electron spin resonance (ESR) allows identifying clockwise, counterclockwise, and breathing modes of the skyrmion‐lattice phase supported by theoretical simulations.
Depth Distribution of Defects in SiC PiN Diodes Formed Using Ion Implantation or Epitaxial Growth
Authors: Fukaya Shuhei , Yonezawa Yoshiyuki , Kato Tomohisa , Kato Masashi
Published: October 2021

In the development of 4H‐SiC bipolar devices, defect generation during the fabrication process is an important issue for maintaining a long carrier lifetime in the drift layers. Herein, two 4H‐SiC PiN diode structures are produced with a p‐type layer fabricated through epitaxial growth or Al ion implantation; and the current–voltage characteristics and defect distribution observed using deep‐level transient spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence (CL) are compared. The PiN diode fabricated through ion implantation shows higher deep‐level concentrations even at a drift layer depth of ≈6 μm from the junction. In addition, the concentrations at the deep levels decrease with the depth, as does the CL intensity originating from defects. Therefore, defects induced through Al‐ion implantation are distributed into a drift layer with a gradual decrease in the concentration along the depth. These results suggest that drift layers in 4H‐SiC bipolar devices should be fabricated in regions far from the Al‐ion‐implanted regions to induce an efficient conductivity modulation.
Event‐triggered control for discrete‐time multi‐agent average consensus
Authors: Mishra Rajiv Kumar , Ishii Hideaki
Published: October 2021

We consider the average consensus problem for the multi‐agent system in the discrete‐time domain. Three triggering based control protocols are developed, which dictate the broadcast and control update instants of individual agents to alleviate communication and computational burden. Lyapunov‐based design methods prescribe when agents should communicate and update their control so that the network converges to the average of agents' initial states. We start with a static version of the distributed event‐triggering law and then generalize it so that it involves an internal auxiliary variable to regulate the threshold dynamically for each agent. The third protocol uses a self‐triggering algorithm to avoid continuous listening wherein each agent estimates its next triggering time and broadcasts it to its neighbors at the current triggering time. Numerical simulations are shown to validate the efficacy of the proposed algorithms.
Finite‐time adaptive event‐triggered asynchronous state estimation for Markov jump systems with cyber‐attacks
Authors: Zha Lijuan , Liao Rongfei , Liu Jinliang , Xie Xiangpeng , Cao Jinde , Xiong Lianglin
Published: October 2021

This article considers the issue of finite‐time asynchronous state estimation for event‐triggered nonlinear Markovian jump systems subject to cyber‐attacks. An adaptive event‐triggered scheme is introduced to cope with the capacity constraint of the networked resources. It is assumed that the transmitted sensor measurements may experience randomly malicious cyber‐attacks. Considering the effect of the adaptive event‐triggered scheme and the occurrence of cyber‐attacks, we establish a new state estimation error system model. Sufficient conditions of the finite‐time boundedness and the finite‐time boundedness are developed for the augmented system. Then, the design methods of the asynchronous estimator gains are derived, which can ensure the finite‐time boundedness of the estimation error system. Finally, a numerical example is given to show the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Bayesian semiparametric joint modeling of longitudinal explanatory variables of mixed types and a binary outcome
Authors: Lim Woobeen , Pennell Michael L. , Naughton Michelle J. , Paskett Electra D.
Published: October 2021

Many prospective biomedical studies collect longitudinal clinical and lifestyle data that are both continuous and discrete. In some studies, there is interest in the association between a binary outcome and the values of these longitudinal measurements at a specific time point. A common problem in these studies is inconsistency in timing of measurements and missing follow‐ups which can lead to few measurements at the time of interest. Some methods have been developed to address this problem, but are only applicable to continuous measurements. To address this limitation, we propose a new class of joint models for a binary outcome and longitudinal explanatory variables of mixed types. The longitudinal model uses a latent normal random variable construction with regression splines to model time‐dependent trends in mean with a Dirichlet Process prior assigned to random effects to relax distribution assumptions. We also standardize timing of the explanatory variables by relating the binary outcome to imputed longitudinal values at a set time point. The proposed model is evaluated through simulation studies and applied to data from a cancer survivor study of participants in the Women's Health Initiative.
Electrocatalytic C–N Coupling for Urea Synthesis
Authors: Chen Chen , He Nihan , Wang Shuangyin
Published: October 2021

The industrial urea synthesis consists of two consecutive processes, nitrogen + hydrogen → ammonia followed by ammonia + carbon dioxide → urea. The electrocatalytic coupling of carbon source (carbon dioxide) and nitrogen source (nitrogen, nitrite, nitrate) by skipping the ammonia synthetic process might be a promising alternative to achieve the efficient urea synthesis; in this case, two industrial steps with high energy consumption and high pollution are optimized into one renewable energy‐driving electrocatalytic process. Herein, the progress of green urea synthesis is summarized, focusing on the electrocatalytic coupling of carbon source and nitrogen source for direct urea synthesis under ambient conditions. The mechanism researches for urea synthesis are also reviewed, and the future development directions of electrocatalytic urea synthesis are prospected. The electrocatalytic C–N coupling reaction realizes the efficient resource utilization and provides guidance and reference for molecular coupling reactions.
ParTransgrid: A scalable parallel preprocessing tool for unstructured‐grid cell‐centered computational fluid dynamics applications
Authors: Zhang Jian , Liu Jie , Zhou Naichun , Tang Jing , He Xie , Chen Jianqiang
Published: October 2021

The development of a basic scalable preprocessing tool is the key routine to accelerate the entire computational fluid dynamics (CFD) workflow toward the exascale computing era. In this work, a parallel preprocessing tool, called ParTransgrid, is developed to translate the general grid format like CFD General Notation System into an efficient distributed mesh data format for large‐scale parallel computing. Through ParTransgrid, a flexible face‐based parallel unstructured mesh data structure designed in Hierarchical Data Format can be obtained to support various cell‐centered unstructured CFD solvers. The whole parallel preprocessing operations include parallel grid I/O, parallel mesh partition, and parallel mesh migration, which are linked together to resolve the run‐time and memory consumption bottlenecks for increasingly large grid size problems. An inverted index search strategy combined with a multi‐master‐slave communication paradigm is proposed to improve the pairwise face matching efficiency and reduce the communication overhead when constructing the distributed sparse graph in the phase of parallel mesh partition. And we present a simplified owner update rule to fast the procedure of raw partition boundaries migration and the building of shared faces/nodes communication mapping list between new sub‐meshes with an order of magnitude of speed‐up. Experiment results reveal that ParTransgrid can be easily scaled to billion‐level grid CFD applications, the preparation time for parallel computing with hundreds of thousands of cores is reduced to a few minutes.
Antibiotic use but not gastrointestinal infection frequently precedes first diagnosis of functional gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Jones Michael P. , Shah Ayesha , Walker Marjorie M. , Koloski Natasha A. , Holtmann Gerald , Talley Nicholas J.
Published: October 2021

Introduction

While the etiopathogenesis of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) is not completely understood, alterations of the intestinal microbiome have been observed. Antibiotics can induce dysbiosis, but whether antibiotics are a risk factor for the onset of FGIDs is uncertain. Antibiotics have been reported as both a risk factor for new onset FGID but also as a therapy for existing FGID. This study aimed to estimate the fraction of cases where antibiotics provoked the onset of FGID.

Method

Electronic medical records were obtained from general practices (primary care) in the United Kingdom. Dates of antibiotic prescription (AP) were compared with first date of FGID diagnosis and contrasted across three prevalent FGIDs and controls without gastrointestinal disorders.

Results

There were 10,926 GI healthy controls, 4326 IBS alone, 3477 FD alone, 340 chronic constipation and 4402 with overlap of multiple conditions. Both the prevalence of AP and rate were higher in FGID patients and increased with diagnosis of multiple FGIDs. 7%–14% of FGID patients were prescribed their first recorded antibiotic in the 12 months prior to their first FGID diagnosis and 20%–33% were prescribed an antibiotic in the same period. Differences between FGID groups were not accounted for by social deprivation and only rate of AP was moderated by social deprivation. In contrast, only 5%–10% of patients ever had a gastrointestinal infection recorded and only 1.5%–3.5% prior to their first FGID diagnosis.

Conclusion

These data indicate that antibiotics are prescribed prior to FGID diagnosis in a significant minority of care‐seeking FGID patients, opening the potential for this medication to contribute to the pathophysiology. APs appears to mostly be for non‐gastrointestinal conditions.
Data‐driven virtual sensing and dynamic strain estimation for fatigue analysis of offshore wind turbine using principal component analysis
Authors: Tarpø Marius , Amador Sandro , Katsanos Evangelos , Skog Mattias , Gjødvad Johan , Brincker Rune
Published: October 2021

Virtual sensing enables estimation of stress in unmeasured locations of a system using a system model, physical sensors and a process model. The system model holds the relationship between the physical sensors and the desired stress response. A process model processes both the physical sensors and the system model to synthesise virtual sensors that ‘measure’ the desired stress response. Thus, virtual sensing enables mapping between the physical sensors (input) and the desired stress response (output). The system model is a mathematical model of the system based on knowledge or data of the system. Here, the data‐driven system model is constructed directly on data analyses for the specific system. In this paper, supervised learning and data‐driven system models are applied to strain estimation of an offshore wind turbine in the dynamic range through a novel use of principal component analysis (PCA); 40 min of training data is used to establish the data‐driven system model that can estimate the dynamic strain response with high precision for 2 months, while the estimated fatigue damage averaged out to −1.76% of the measured strain response.
Repurposing brewery contaminant yeast as production strains for low‐alcohol beer fermentation
Authors: Krogerus Kristoffer , Eerikäinen Ronja , Aisala Heikki , Gibson Brian
Published: October 2021

A number of fungal isolates were recently obtained from a survey of the microbiota of multiple breweries and brewery products. Here, we sought to explore whether any of these brewery contaminants could be repurposed for beneficial use in beer fermentations, with particular focus on low‐alcohol beer. There were 56 yeast strains first screened for the utilization of different carbon sources, ability to ferment brewer's wort, and formation of desirable aroma compounds. A number of strains appeared maltose‐negative and produced desirable aromas without obvious off‐flavours. These were selected for further scaled‐up wort fermentations. The selected strains efficiently reduced wort aldehydes during fermentation, thus eliminating undesirable wort‐like off‐flavours, and produced a diverse volatile aroma profile. Two strains, Trigonopsis cantarellii and Candida sojae, together with a commercial Saccharomycodes ludwigii reference strain, were selected for 30‐L‐scale wort fermentations based on aroma profile and similarity to a commercial reference beer during sensory analysis using projective mapping. Both strains performed comparably to the commercial reference, and the T. cantarellii strain in particular, produced low amounts of off‐flavours and a significantly higher amount of the desirable monoterpene alcohol trans‐geraniol. The strain was also sensitive to common food preservatives and antifungal compounds and unable to grow at 37°C, suggesting it is relatively easily controllable in the brewery, and appears to have low risk of pathogenicity. This study shows how the natural brewery microbiota can be exploited as a source of non‐conventional yeasts for low‐alcohol beer production.
Modular chains in infinite groups
Authors: De Falco Maria , de Giovanni Francesco , Musella Carmela
Published: October 2021

The aim of this paper is to investigate the behaviour of projective images of the groups which are finite over a term of their upper central series. In particular, we prove that for any positive integer k, the class of finitely generated groups in which the k-th term of the upper central series has finite index can be described in terms of lattice invariants, and so it is invariant under projectivities. In this context, we also study groups that have only finitely many maximal subgroups which are not permodular.
Type 2 diabetes risks and determinants in second-generation migrants and mixed ethnicity people of South Asian and African Caribbean descent in the UK
Authors: Farmaki Aliki-Eleni , Garfield Victoria , Eastwood Sophie V. , Farmer Ruth E. , Mathur Rohini , Giannakopoulou Olga , Patalay Praveetha , Kuchenbaecker Karoline , Sattar Naveed , Hughes Alun , Bhaskaran Krishnan , Smeeth Liam , Chaturvedi Nish
Published: October 2021

Aims/hypothesis

Excess risks of type 2 diabetes in UK South Asians (SA) and African Caribbeans (AC) compared with Europeans remain unexplained. We studied risks and determinants of type 2 diabetes in first- and second-generation (born in the UK) migrants, and in those of mixed ethnicity.

Methods

Data from the UK Biobank, a population-based cohort of ~500,000 participants aged 40–69 at recruitment, were used. Type 2 diabetes was assigned using self-report and HbA1c. Ethnicity was both self-reported and genetically assigned using admixture level scores. European, mixed European/South Asian (MixESA), mixed European/African Caribbean (MixEAC), SA and AC groups were analysed, matched for age and sex to enable comparison. In the frames of this cross-sectional study, we compared type 2 diabetes in second- vs first-generation migrants, and mixed ethnicity vs non-mixed groups. Risks and explanations were analysed using logistic regression and mediation analysis, respectively.

Results

Type 2 diabetes prevalence was markedly elevated in SA (599/3317 = 18%) and AC (534/4180 = 13%) compared with Europeans (140/3324 = 4%). Prevalence was lower in second- vs first-generation SA (124/1115 = 11% vs 155/1115 = 14%) and AC (163/2200 = 7% vs 227/2200 = 10%). Favourable adiposity (i.e. lower waist/hip ratio or BMI) contributed to lower risk in second-generation migrants. Type 2 diabetes in mixed populations (MixESA: 52/831 = 6%, MixEAC: 70/1045 = 7%) was lower than in comparator ethnic groups (SA: 18%, AC: 13%) and higher than in Europeans (4%). Greater socioeconomic deprivation accounted for 17% and 42% of the excess type 2 diabetes risk in MixESA and MixEAC compared with Europeans, respectively. Replacing self-reported with genetically assigned ethnicity corroborated the mixed ethnicity analysis.

Conclusions/interpretation

Type 2 diabetes risks in second-generation SA and AC migrants are a fifth lower than in first-generation migrants. Mixed ethnicity risks were markedly lower than SA and AC groups, though remaining higher than in Europeans. Distribution of environmental risk factors, largely obesity and socioeconomic status, appears to play a key role in accounting for ethnic differences in type 2 diabetes risk.

Graphical abstract
The EANM guideline for radiosynoviorthesis
Authors: Kampen W.U. , Boddenberg-Pätzold B. , Fischer M. , Gabriel M. , Klett R. , Konijnenberg M. , Kresnik E. , Lellouche H. , Paycha F. , Terslev L. , Turkmen C. , van der Zant F. , Antunovic L. , Panagiotidis E. , Gnanasegaran G. , Kuwert T. , Van den Wyngaert T. ,   the EANM Bone & Joint Committee, the Dosimetry Committee, the Oncology & Theranostics Committee
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Radiosynoviorthesis (RSO) using the intraarticular application of beta-particle emitting radiocolloids has for decades been used for the local treatment of inflammatory joint diseases. The injected radiopharmaceuticals are phagocytized by the superficial macrophages of the synovial membrane, resulting in sclerosis and fibrosis of the formerly inflamed tissue, finally leading to reduced joint effusion and alleviation of joint pain.

Methods

The European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) has written and approved these guidelines in tight collaboration with an international team of clinical experts, including rheumatologists. Besides clinical and procedural aspects, different national legislative issues, dosimetric considerations, possible complications, and side effects are addressed.

Conclusion

These guidelines will assist nuclear medicine physicians in performing radiosynoviorthesis. Since there are differences regarding the radiopharmaceuticals approved for RSO and the official indications between several European countries, this guideline can only give a framework that must be adopted individually.
Allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients admitted to the intensive care unit during the peri-transplant period have unfavorable outcomes—results of a retrospective analysis from a German university hospital
Authors: Garcia Borrega Jorge , Heger Jan-Michel , Koehler Philipp , Holtick Udo , Hallek Michael , Scheid Christof , Böll Boris , Shimabukuro-Vornhagen Alexander , Kochanek Matthias , Eichenauer Dennis A.
Published: October 2021

The prognosis of allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) has improved over the last decades. However, data focusing on patients treated in the ICU during the peri-transplant period are scarce. We therefore conducted an analysis comprising 70 patients who had allogeneic stem cell transplantation at the University Hospital Cologne between 2014 and 2020 and were admitted to the ICU between the initiation of conditioning therapy and day 30 after transplantation. The median age was 59 years (range: 18 − 72 years). 50% of patients were female. Sepsis was the most common cause for ICU admission (49%). Mechanical ventilation (MV) was required in 56% of patients, 27% had renal replacement therapy (RRT), and 64% needed vasopressors. The ICU, hospital, 90-day, and 1-year survival rates were 48.6%, 38.6%, 35.7%, and 16.2%, respectively. MV and/or RRT during the ICU stay were associated with an impaired survival (p < 0.0001). The same was true for the use of vasopressors (p < 0.0001). In contrast, baseline characteristics did not impact the outcome. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed in 17% of patients. None of the patients undergoing CPR was alive at 1 year. Among patients who died after discharge from the ICU (n = 23), sepsis and other infectious complications represented the major causes of death (48%). Taken together, the present analysis indicates unfavorable outcomes for allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients admitted to the ICU during the peri-transplant period. The data may help to make informed decisions with patients and their families.
adesso: Über das Entwickeln von Software und IT-Unternehmen
Authors: Striemer Rüdiger , von Hayn Andreas
Published: October 2021

adesso ist heute ein internationaler IT-Dienstleister mit über 5000 Mitarbeitenden und Niederlassungen in ganz Deutschland sowie zahlreichen europäischen Ländern. Vor gut 25 Jahren war adesso die Idee von zwei Personen. Die Gründer wollten das wirtschaftliche Potenzial von IT für Unternehmen einfacher nutzbar machen. Von der Ursprungsidee – Prozesse in Softwareentwicklungsprojekten möglich exakt zu modellieren – blieb nicht viel übrig. Was blieb, ist die Leidenschaft für Software. Und ein großer Pragmatismus im Umgang mit Entscheidungen und Problemen. Der Erfolg von Java war entscheidend für den Erfolg des IT-Dienstleisters. Das erste Java-Projekt setzte adesso für Versicherungen um. Auf die Versicherungsindustrie folgten weitere Branchen. Aus reinen Softwareentwicklungsaufträgen wurden häufiger Projekte, in denen Beratung bei der IT-Strategie eine Rolle spielte. Aber im Kern ging es immer darum, wirtschaftliches Potenzial, ausgewiesene Fachleute und die richtigen Technologien zusammenzubringen. Eine der Herausforderungen für adesso ist das Managen des Wachstums. So ist das Finden geeigneter Expertinnen und Experten ein zentrales Thema. Es gilt, Menschen an Bord zu holen, die Fachwissen mitbringen und den adesso-Stil zu schätzen wissen.
Selection and evaluation of preoperative systemic inflammatory response biomarkers model prior to cytoreductive nephrectomy using a machine-learning approach
Authors: Laukhtina Ekaterina , Schuettfort Victor M. , D’Andrea David , Pradere Benjamin , Quhal Fahad , Mori Keiichiro , Sari Motlagh Reza , Mostafaei Hadi , Katayama Satoshi , Grossmann Nico C. , Rajwa Pawel , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Schmidinger Manuela , Fajkovic Harun , Enikeev Dmitry , Shariat Shahrokh F.
Published: October 2021

Introduction

This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of a panel of SIR-biomarkers, relative to standard clinicopathological variables, to improve mRCC patient selection for cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN).

Material and methods

A panel of preoperative SIR-biomarkers, including the albumin–globulin ratio (AGR), De Ritis ratio (DRR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), was assessed in 613 patients treated with CN for mRCC. Patients were randomly divided into training and testing cohorts (65/35%). A machine learning-based variable selection approach (LASSO regression) was used for the fitting of the most informative, yet parsimonious multivariable models with respect to prognosis of cancer-specific survival (CSS). The discriminatory ability of the model was quantified using the C-index. After validation and calibration of the model, a nomogram was created, and decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the clinical net benefit.

Results

SIR-biomarkers were selected by the machine-learning process to be of high discriminatory power during the fitting of the model. Low AGR remained significantly associated with CSS in both training (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.07–1.82, p = 0.01) and testing (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.26–2.51, p = 0.01) cohorts. High levels of SII (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.10–2.08, p = 0.01) and DRR (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.01–1.96, p = 0.04) were associated with CSS only in the testing cohort. The exclusion of the SIR-biomarkers for the prognosis of CSS did not result in a significant decrease in C-index (− 0.9%) for the training cohort, while the exclusion of SIR-biomarkers led to a reduction in C-index in the testing cohort (− 5.8%). However, SIR-biomarkers only marginally increased the discriminatory ability of the respective model in comparison to the standard model.

Conclusion

Despite the high discriminatory ability during the fitting of the model with machine-learning approach, the panel of readily available blood-based SIR-biomarkers failed to add a clinical benefit beyond the standard model.
First experiences with the Spectrum Compact CE System
Authors: Burgardt Nastasja , Weissenberger Melanie
Published: October 2021

The newly released Spectrum Compact CE System by Promega is a capillary electrophoresis instrument developed for DNA-fragment separation and sequencing. In this study, its compatibility to 8 commercial short tandem repeat (STR) kits from 4 different manufacturers, reproducibility (sizing precision, accuracy and concordance) and robustness (sensitivity and mixture resolution) were tested and compared to the ABI PRISM® 310 Genetic Analyzer. The instrument was able to successfully analyse amplicons of all tested kits, proved to be as precise as claimed by manufacturer specifications and was shown to be more robust than the ABI PRISM® 310 Genetic Analyzer in some aspects. Analyses on the Spectrum Compact CE System were able to resolve peaks with length differences of 1-basepair in the short and long fragment range and mixtures of mixture ratios down to 1:30. We describe the advantages and limitations we have observed so far working with this instrument in our forensic genetics laboratory.
Sensory equipment and adaptations to the fire habitat of the antennae of the Australian ´firebeetle´ Merimna atrata (Coleoptera; Buprestidae)
Authors: Schmitz Anke , Schmitz Helmut
Published: October 2021

The ‘Australian firebeetle’ Merimna atrata approaches fires in Eucalyptus forests for reproduction. Beetles stay on a postfire area as long as burning wood or hot ashes emit heat and smoke. Abdominal infrared receptors protect the beetles from landing on hot spots; however, until now fire-specific adaptations of the antennae have not been investigated in more detail. This affects the localization of olfactory sensilla used for the perception of smoke and in addition mechanisms to protect delicate sensilla against desiccation and pollution. Moreover, nothing was known about antennal thermo-/hygroreceptors in Merimna atrata. We found strong evidence for a functional grouping of the sensilla into receptors used on the ground or in flight, respectively. A first group comprises the outer visible sensilla, i.e. mechanosensory bristles, short gustatory sensilla and a small field of very short olfactory sensilla. They are used when the beetle is running around on the fireground on burnt bark or ashes. A second group of sensilla is hidden in closeable cavities on antennomeres 4–11. If the cavities are closed, the sensilla inside are fully protected. If the cavities are opened in flight, the beetles can make use of many multiporous basiconic sensilla and multiporous basiconic grooved peg sensilla for smoke detection. Minute modified sensilla coelocapitula occurring in small numbers in the cavities too, most probably serve as thermoreceptors. As a result the placing of sensilla deserving protection in closeable cavities and the reduction in number and length of the external sensilla can be interpreted as adaptations to the fire habitat.