bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of surface morphology parameters of steel on tribological properties between glass‐fiber‐reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene composites and steel under dry‐friction and oil‐lubrication conditions
Authors: Cheng Ganlin , Guo Fei , E Jiming , Zhao Guanyu , Zhang Zhaoxiang , Jia Xiaohong
Published: December 2021

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites are commonly used engineering materials owing to their good tribological and mechanical properties. In this study, a friction pair was formed by a glass‐fiber‐reinforced PTFE composite and a chromium‐plated nickel‐based stainless steel plate (18Cr2Ni4WA). Under dry‐friction and oil‐lubrication conditions, friction and wear tests were carried out on the metal plate surface in two roughness ranges and three surface‐texture directions. The friction coefficient, wear rate, width and depth of the wear trace, wear morphology, and surface composition were analyzed. The results showed that the 90° texture direction of the steel plate with respect to the moving direction under oil lubrication and the 0° texture direction under dry friction were the texture directions with the best tribological performance. The friction and wear properties of the PTFE composite under dry friction were better than those under oil lubrication. The 0.3–0.5 μm roughness range of the steel plate was the best roughness range for the tribological properties of the matching pairs.
UPLC–MS/MS method for the determination of the herb composition of Tangshen formula and the in vivo pharmacokinetics of its metabolites in rat plasma
Authors: Yao Yu , Yu Ying‐Chao , Cai Meng‐Ru , Zhang Zhi‐Qin , Bai Jie , Wu Hui‐Min , Li Ping , Zhao Ting‐Ting , Ni Jian , Yin Xing‐Bin
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Tangshen formula (TSF) is a traditional Chinese medicine composed of seven medicinal herbs including Astragalus membranaceus, Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch, Citrus aurantium L., etc. which is used to treat diabetic nephropathy III, IV qi and yin deficiency and stasis syndrome. Most of the studies on TSF are pharmacological and pharmacodynamic experiments. There are few basic studies on its chemical substances, and the effective constituents are not clear.

Objective

To analyse the main chemical components of TSF and the absorbed components in rat plasma following oral administration based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Moreover, providing a rapid and valid analytical strategy for simultaneous determination of six components in rat plasma and use it in pharmacokinetic studies.

Results

A total of 132 components were identified in TSF, and 44 components were identified in rat plasma after oral TSF, 35 of which were prototype components and nine were metabolic components. A sensitive and reliable LC–MS/MS method was developed for simultaneous determination of six components in rat plasma. The intra‐day and inter‐day precision relative standard deviation (RSD) was lower than 15%; the accuracy of low, medium and high concentrations ranged from 80% to 120%. The recovery met the requirements and the RSD of the recoveries was less than 15%.

Conclusion

A total of 132 components were identified in TSF. The LC–MS/MS quantitative method for the simultaneous determination of morroniside, loganin, notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rb1 and astragaloside IV in rat plasma was established for the first time. The pharmacokinetic parameters are clarified, which can guide the clinical medication of TSF.
Lack of plastid‐encoded Ycf10, a homolog of the nuclear‐encoded DLDG1 and the cyanobacterial PxcA, enhances the induction of non‐photochemical quenching in tobacco
Authors: Trinh Mai Duy Luu , Hashimoto Akira , Kono Masaru , Takaichi Shinichi , Nakahira Yoichi , Masuda Shinji
Published: December 2021

pH homeostasis in the chloroplast is crucial for the control of photosynthesis and other metabolic processes in plants. Recently, nuclear‐encoded Day‐Length‐dependent Delayed Greening1 (DLDG1) and Fluctuating‐Light Acclimation Protein1 (FLAP1) that are required for the light‐inducible optimization of plastidial pH in Arabidopsis thaliana were identified. DLDG1 and FLAP1 homologs are specifically conserved in oxygenic phototrophs, and a DLDG1 homolog, Ycf10, is encoded in the chloroplast genome in plant cells. However, the function of Ycf10 and its physiological significance are unknown. To address this, we constructed ycf10 tobacco Nicotiana tabacum mutants and characterized their phenotypes. The ycf10 tobacco mutants grown under continuous‐light conditions showed a pale‐green phenotype only in developing leaves, and it was suppressed in short‐day conditions. The ycf10 mutants also induced excessive non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) compared with those in the wild‐type at the induction stage of photosynthesis. These phenotypes resemble those of Arabidopsis dldg1 mutants, suggesting that they have similar functions. However, there are distinct differences between the two mutant phenotypes: The highly induced NPQ in tobacco ycf10 and the Arabidopsis dldg1 mutants are diminished and enhanced, respectively, with increasing duration of the fluctuating actinic‐light illumination. Ycf10 and DLDG1 were previously shown to localize in chloroplast envelope‐membranes, suggesting that Ycf10 and DLDG1 differentially control H+ exchange across these membranes in a light‐dependent manner to control photosynthesis.
Disease characteristics and clinical outcome over two decades from the Swiss pulmonary hypertension registry
Authors: Appenzeller Paula , Lichtblau Mona , Berlier Charlotte , Aubert John‐David , Azzola Andrea , Fellrath Jean‐Marc , Geiser Thomas , Lador Frederic , Pohle Susanne , Opitz Isabelle , Schwerzmann Markus , Stricker Hans , Tamm Michael , Saxer Stéphanie , Ulrich Silvia
Published: December 2021

Pulmonary hypertension (PH), especially pulmonary arterial and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (PAH/CTEPH), are rare and progressive conditions. Despite recent advances in treatment and prognosis, PH is still associated with impaired quality of life and survival. Long‐term PH‐registry data provide information on the changing PH‐epidemiology and may help to direct resources to patient's needs. This retrospective analysis of the Swiss Pulmonary Hypertension Registry includes patients newly diagnosed with PH (mainly PAH/CTEPH) registered from January 2001 to June 2019 at 13 Swiss hospitals. Patient characteristics (age, body mass index, gender, diagnosis), hemodynamics at baseline, treatment, days of follow‐up, and events (death, transplantation, pulmonary endarterectomy, or loss to follow‐up) at last visit were analyzed. Patients were stratified into four time periods according to their date of diagnosis. Survival was analyzed overall and separately for PAH/CTEPH and time periods. 1427 PH patients were included (thereof 560 PAH, 383 CTEPH). Over the years, age at baseline (mean ± SD) significantly increased from 59 ± 14 years in 2001–2005 to 66 ± 14 years in 2016–2019 (p < 0.001) while the gender distribution tended toward equality. Mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance significantly decreased over time (from 46 ± 15 to 41 ± 11 mmHg, respectively, 9 ± 5 to 7 ± 4 WU, p < 0.001). Three‐year survival substantially increased over consecutive periods from 69% to 91% (for PAH 63%–95%, for CTEPH 86%–93%) and was poorer in PAH than CTEPH independently of time period (p < 0.001). Most patients were treated with mono‐ or combination therapy and an increasing number of CTEPH underwent pulmonary endarterectomy (40% 2016–2019 vs. 15% 2001–2005). This long‐term PH registry reveals that over two decades of observation, newly diagnosed patients are older, less predominantly female, have less impaired hemodynamics and a better survival.
Ingenuity pathway analysis of the human cardiac cell Atlas identifies differences between right and left ventricular cardiomyocytes
Authors: Prisco Sasha Z. , Kazmirczak Felipe , Thenappan Thenappan , Prins Kurt W.
Published: December 2021

Pharmaceuticals for left ventricular (LV) dysfunction do not have similar success in right ventricular (RV) failure, which may reflect biological differences between the ventricles. In this study, we performed Ingenuity Pathway Analysis of the Human Cell Atlas to understand how the transcriptomic signatures of the RV and LV differ.
Highly Efficiency Fluorescent Probe for Mercury Ions Based on (N, S)‐Co‐Doped Carbon Dots
Authors: Zhang Wenge , Deng Suqin , Yan Chao , Zhu Zifan , Li Peiying , Li Nian , Chen Yufang , Jin Tao
Published: December 2021

This work demonstrates the preparation of (N, S)‐co‐doped fluorescent carbon dots (N, S‐CDs) for mercury ions (Hg2+) detection. This new fluorescent probe based on N, S‐CDs using dopamine hydrochloride (DA) and L‐cysteine (L‐Cys) as raw materials was reported for the first time. The resulting N, S‐CDs exhibited excellent specificity and selectivity towards Hg2+ and could distinguish them from 26 anions and cations, including Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cr2O72−. The sensor demonstrated high‐intensity fluorescence quenching at ∼457 nm under the Hg2+ presence and the ability to detect Hg2+ in the 0.05‐0.5 μM range with a 9.37 nM detection limit. The innovations of this work are to offer a method for rapid monitoring of Hg2+ in the environment, besides inventing a new fluorescent probe based on N, S‐CDs.
Recent Advances in Direct C−H Trifluoromethylation of N‐Heterocycles
Authors: Baishya Gakul , Dutta Nibedita B.
Published: December 2021

Fluorine chemistry executes a vital role in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, and materials industries. Moreover, introducing fluorine atom and fluorine‐containing groups onto organic compounds can enhance the chemical and physical properties of the parent molecules. Because of this reason, researchers have been putting continuous efforts into developing newer and practical methodologies to incorporate fluorinated groups into organic molecules. Mainly, molecules bearing the trifluoromethyl (−CF3) group show various pharmacological and biological properties. The current review provides comprehensive coverage of the recent development on the direct trifluoromethylation of some essential N‐heterocycles involving CF3radicals.
Comparative Study of Synthesis Parameters of Nanoporous Titania Particles to Improve Structural Properties and Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Hassankhani‐Majd Zahra , Anbia Mansoor
Published: December 2021

Nanoporous materials have been widely used in many fields. However, their synthesis with uniform particle shapes, pore sizes, pore volumes, and surface areas remains a considerable challenge. Thus, choosing a suitable controllable method for synthesizing nanoporous materials is crucial to obtain appropriate properties. Herein, nanoporous titania particles (NPTPs) were prepared via the hydrothermal method. This study investigated how the synthesis parameters such as the type of chelating agent, the hydrolysis method, and the drying technique affected the properties of NPTPs. The NPTPs were characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM, and BET. The results demonstrated that when acetylacetone (ACAC, as the chelating agent), the spray‐hydrolysis (SH) method, and the freeze‐drying (FD) technique were used, NPTPs achieved a more uniform particle shape, a smaller particle size, a larger pore size, a larger pore volume, and a higher surface area. Ultimately, the photocatalytic degradation (PCD) of methylene blue (MB) was examined using improved NPTPs.
Synthesis and Study of Photophysical Properties of 6,12‐Dicyano‐9‐oxa[7]helicene
Authors: Bhalodi Esha H. , Shah Vraj R. , Butcher Raymond J. , Bedekar Ashutosh V.
Published: December 2021

Synthesis of 6,12‐dicyano‐9‐oxa[7]helicene is achieved from 4‐methoxybenzyl cyanide by several steps, including homocoupling of hydroxyl phenanthrene and cyclization of the diol. The oxa[7]helicene was characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and its photophysical properties were evaluated. Geometry optimization of this helicene was carried out using B3LYP/6‐31G level of theory and its HOMO‐LUMO energy gap was calculated.
The Contribution of the Spatial Restriction for Improvement of Hydrogenation and Water‐tolerant for Cu/SiO2 Catalysts by Varied Pores of Support
Authors: Chen Zheng , Zhang Tao , Zhao Xueying , Zhang Xuelan L. , Wang Dengfeng , Wei Shuwei
Published: December 2021

The effect of spatial restriction f or Cu/SiO2 catalysts on water‐tolerant performance was studied by ethyl acetate containing water hydrogenation. Copper species distributed on pore or surface of supports on the basis of the different pore diameter to produce spatial restriction, which played a vital role in the improvement of water‐tolerant hydrogenation performance. The experimental and characterization results showed the growth of copper particle resulting from water could be suppressed due to the presence of spatial restriction. And the spatial restriction could also provide more chances for reactants to absorb on active sites, so that the negative effects of priority adsorption of water can be eliminated. These advantages improved the water resistance and hydrogenation performance of Cu/SiO2 catalysts. Nonetheless, the oxidation effect was also enhanced at condition containing water due to the spatial restriction, which might have a negative effect on catalytic performance.
Endowing Polyetheretherketone Implants with Osseointegration Properties: In Situ Construction of Patterned Nanorod Arrays
Authors: Zhang Shengmin , Feng Zhichao , Hu Ying , Zhao Dawang , Guo Xu , Du Fengzhi , Wang Ningning , Sun Chunhui , Liu Chao , Liu Hong
Published: December 2021

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is widely used in orthopedic and craniomaxillofacial surgeries as it exhibits excellent biocompatibility, mechanical property, and chemical stability. However, its clinical application is limited by the biological inertness of PEEK. Numerous efforts have been made to improve the bioactivity of this polymer over the years. However, modification methods that can not only promote osteogenesis but also maintain excellent properties are still limited. Hence, a facile hot die formation technique is developed for establishing patterned nanorod arrays on the PEEK surface in situ. This method can maintain the excellent properties of PEEK and can be used in implantation as it can facilitate osteogenic activity in the absence of any organic/inorganic differentiation‐inducing factors. PEEK with 200‐nm patterned nanorod arrays on the surface exhibits excellent osteogenic properties. This result is obtained by assessing the osteogenic differentiation properties of rat adipose‐derived stem cells at the gene and protein levels in vitro. In vivo experimental results reveal that the surface‐modified cylindrical PEEK 200 implants present with excellent osseointegration properties. Moreover, they can tightly bind with the surrounding bone tissue. A practical method for manufacturing single‐component PEEK implants with excellent osseointegration properties is reported, and the materials can be possibly used as orthopedic implants.
Quinary High‐Entropy‐Alloy@Graphite Nanocapsules with Tunable Interfacial Impedance Matching for Optimizing Microwave Absorption
Authors: Li Yixing , Liao Yijun , Ji Lianze , Hu Chenglong , Zhang Zhenhua , Zhang Zhengyu , Zhao Rongzhi , Rong Huawei , Qin Gaowu , Zhang Xuefeng
Published: December 2021

Designing heterogeneous interfaces and components at the nanoscale is proven effective for optimizing electromagnetic wave absorption and shielding properties, which can achieve desirable dielectric polarization and ferromagnetic resonances. However, it remains a challenge for the precise control of components and microstructures via an efficient synthesis approach. Here, the arc‐discharged plasma method is proposed to synthesize core@shell structural high‐entropy‐alloy@graphite nanocapsules (HEA@C‐NPs), in which the HEA nanoparticles are in situ encapsulated within a few layers of graphite through the decomposition of methane. In particular, the HEA cores can be designed via combinations of various transition elements, presenting the optimized interfacial impedance matching. As an example, the FeCoNiTiMn HEA@C‐NPs obtain the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of −33.4 dB at 7.0 GHz (3.34 mm) and the efficient absorption bandwidth (≤−10 dB) of 5.45 GHz ranging from 12.55 to 18.00 GHz with an absorber thickness of 1.9 mm. The present approach can be extended to other carbon‐coated complex components systems for various applications.
Ultrafast Dynamics of Colloidal Copper Nanorods: Intraband versus Interband Excitation
Authors: Diroll Benjamin T. , Jeong Soojin , Ye Xingchen
Published: December 2021

Colloidal copper nanorods (NRs) display transverse and longitudinal localized surface plasmon resonances. The longitudinal localized surface plasmon modes are tunable through the near‐infrared electromagnetic radiation energies with NR aspect ratios. Visible and near‐infrared transient optical response of the copper NRs is investigated under excitation conditions spanning intraband and interband excitation (0.79−3.50 eV). In both the visible and near‐infrared regions, the spectral response of the samples under intraband excitation (<2 eV) differs substantially from their response under interband excitation (>2 eV). However, the timescale of the electron−phonon coupling estimated from pump fluence‐dependent measurements (τep) is less sensitive to excitation conditions than reports for gold. τep shortens slightly from ≈616 fs with intraband excitation (at visible probe energies) to ≈565 fs with interband excitation. The observed dynamics correspond to an average sample electron−phonon coupling parameter varying across all conditions from 4.4 × 1016 to 6.4 × 1016 J m−3 K−1, which is similar to bulk copper. Furthermore, coherent acoustic phonons are observed for the longitudinal localized surface plasmon resonance with a range of oscillatory periods reflecting sample size dispersion.
Epidermis‐Inspired Wearable Piezoresistive Pressure Sensors Using Reduced Graphene Oxide Self‐Wrapped Copper Nanowire Networks
Authors: Zhu Yangzhi , Hartel Martin C. , Yu Ning , Garrido Pamela Rosario , Kim Sanggon , Lee Junmin , Bandaru Praveen , Guan Shenghan , Lin Haisong , Emaminejad Sam , de Barros Natan Roberto , Ahadian Samad , Kim Han‐Jun , Sun Wujin , Jucaud Vadim , Dokmeci Mehmet R. , Weiss Paul S. , Yan Ruoxue , Khademhosseini Ali
Published: December 2021

Wearable piezoresistive sensors are being developed as electronic skins (E‐skin) for broad applications in human physiological monitoring and soft robotics. Tactile sensors with sufficient sensitivities, durability, and large dynamic ranges are required to replicate this critical component of the somatosensory system. Multiple micro/nanostructures, materials, and sensing modalities have been reported to address this need. However, a trade‐off arises between device performance and device complexity. Inspired by the microstructure of the spinosum at the dermo epidermal junction in skin, a low‐cost, scalable, and high‐performance piezoresistive sensor is developed with high sensitivity (0.144 kPa‐1), extensive sensing range ( 0.1–15 kPa), fast response time (less than 150 ms), and excellent long‐term stability (over 1000 cycles). Furthermore, the piezoresistive functionality of the device is realized via a flexible transparent electrode (FTE) using a highly stable reduced graphene oxide self‐wrapped copper nanowire network. The developed nanowire‐based spinosum microstructured FTEs are amenable to wearable electronics applications.
Bandgap Tuning and Input Parameter Optimization for Lead‐Free All‐Inorganic Single, Double, and Ternary Perovskite‐Based Solar Cells
Authors: Deepthi Jayan K.
Published: December 2021

A comprehensive device performance optimization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) having the device configurations FTO/IGZO/CsSn0.5Ge0.5I3/CuO/Au, FTO/IGZO/Cs4CuSb2Cl12/CuO/Au, and FTO/IGZO/Cs3Bi2I9/CuO/Au containing the single, double, and ternary perovskites CsSn0.5Ge0.5I3, Cs4CuSb2Cl12, and Cs3Bi2I9, respectively, is done utilizing the SCAPS 1D tool. The bandgap tuning of the perovskite layers and the work function optimization of the rear‐contact metals for the chosen device designs provide an enhanced power conversion efficiency of 23.15%, 17.39%, and 9.75% for the solar cell architecture with the light‐captivating layers CsSn0.5Ge0.5I3, Cs4CuSb2Cl12, and Cs3Bi2I9, respectively. Herein, it is identified the variation of electron affinity of the perovskite layer for the aforementioned device configurations does not produce any significant enhancement in the output parameters of the simulated configurations.
Non-additionality, Overestimation of Supply, and Double Counting in Offset Programs: Insight for the Mexican Carbon Market
Authors: López-Vallejo Marcela
Published: December 2021

Mexico utilizes an emissions trading system as one of its carbon pricing instruments. Mexico’s planning, like that of other countries, includes flexible mechanisms such as offsets. Offsets allow market participants to compensate for their emissions through mitigation projects. Offsetting via participation in the Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation was fundamental to the Kyoto Protocol. In contrast, the Paris Agreement is ambiguous about its use. Other national or regional offset programs, such as the EU, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or Korea, work within emission trading systems. Subnationally, the California-Quebec program has been in effect since 2014. As Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) are global, offsetting allows market participants to compensate for their emissions through mitigation projects, whether domestically or abroad. Given their global scope, such programs present a wide variability in quality. This chapter presents an overview of offset programs worldwide and argues that non-additionality, overestimated supply, and double counting are their three most pressing quality problems. This analysis sheds light upon the nascent Mexican system and its offset program.
Unfolding conformal geometry
Authors: Joung Euihun , Kim Min-gi , Kim Yujin
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Conformal geometry is studied using the unfolded formulation à la Vasiliev. Analyzing the first-order consistency of the unfolded equations, we identify the content of zero-forms as the spin-two off-shell Fradkin-Tseytlin module of $$ \mathfrak{so}\left(2,d\right) $$
so

2
d

. We sketch the nonlinear structure of the equations and explain how Weyl invariant densities, which Type-B Weyl anomaly consist of, could be systematically computed within the unfolded formulation. The unfolded equation for conformal geometry is also shown to be reduced to various on-shell gravitational systems by requiring additional algebraic constraints.
Efficacy and safety of the second in-hospital dose of tranexamic acid after receiving the prehospital dose: double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial in a level 1 trauma center
Authors: El-Menyar Ayman , Ahmed Khalid , Hakim Suhail , Kanbar Ahad , Mathradikkal Saji , Siddiqui Tariq , Jogol Hisham , Younis Basil , Taha Ibrahim , Mahmood Ismail , Ajaj Ahmed , Atique Sajid , Alaieb Abubaker , Bahey Ahmed Abdel-Aziz , Asim Mohammad , Alinier Guillaume , Castle Nicholas R. , Mekkodathil Ahammed , Rizoli Sandro , Al-Thani Hassan
Published: December 2021

Background

Prehospital administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) to injured patients is increasing worldwide. However, optimal TXA dose and need of a second infusion on hospital arrival remain undetermined. We investigated the efficacy and safety of the second in-hospital dose of TXA in injured patients receiving 1 g of TXA in the prehospital setting. We hypothesized that a second in-hospital dose of TXA improves survival of trauma patients.

Methods

A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized, clinical trial included adult trauma patients receiving 1 g of TXA in the prehospital settings. Patients were then blindly randomized to Group I (second 1-g TXA) and Group II (placebo) on hospital arrival. The primary outcome was 24-h (early) and 28-day (late) mortality. Secondary outcomes were thromboembolic events, blood transfusions, hospital length of stay (HLOS) and organs failure (MOF).

Results

A total of 220 patients were enrolled, 110 in each group. The TXA and placebo groups had a similar early [OR 1.000 (0.062–16.192); p = 0.47] and late mortality [OR 0.476 (95% CI 0.157–1.442), p = 0.18].The cause of death (n = 15) was traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 12 patients and MOF in 3 patients. The need for blood transfusions in the first 24 h, number of transfused blood units, HLOS, thromboembolic events and multiorgan failure were comparable in the TXA and placebo groups. In seriously injured patients (injury severity score > 24), the MTP activation was higher in the placebo group (31.3% vs 11.10%, p = 0.13), whereas pulmonary embolism (6.9% vs 2.9%, p = 0.44) and late mortality (27.6% vs 14.3%, p = 0.17) were higher in the TXA group but did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

The second TXA dose did not change the mortality rate, need for blood transfusion, thromboembolic complications, organ failure and HLOS compared to a single prehospital dose and thus its routine administration should be revisited in larger and multicenter studies.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03846973.
Statistical model checking for variability-intensive systems: applications to bug detection and minimization
Authors: Cordy Maxime , Lazreg Sami , Papadakis Mike , Legay Axel
Published: December 2021

We propose a new Statistical Model Checking (SMC) method to
identify bugs in variability-intensive systems (VIS). The
state-space of such systems is exponential in the number of
variants, which makes the verification problem harder than for
classical systems. To reduce verification time, we propose to
combine SMC with featured transition systems (FTS)—a
model that represents jointly the state spaces of all variants. Our
new methods allow the sampling of executions from one or more
(potentially all) variants. We investigate their utility in two
complementary use cases. The first case considers the problem of
finding all variants that violate a given property expressed in
Linear-Time Logic (LTL) within a given simulation budget. To achieve
this, we perform random walks in the featured transition system
seeking accepting lassos. We show that our method allows us to find
bugs much faster (up to 16 times according to our experiments) than
exhaustive methods. As any simulation-based approach, however, the
risk of Type-1 error exists. We provide a lower bound and an upper
bound for the number of simulations to perform to achieve the
desired level of confidence. Our empirical study involving 59
properties over three case studies reveals that our method manages
to discover all variants violating 41 of the properties.
This indicates that SMC can act as a coarse-grained
analysis method to quickly identify the set of buggy variants.
The second case complements the first one. In case the
coarse-grained analysis reveals that no variant can guarantee to
satisfy an intended property in all their executions, one should
identify the variant that minimizes the probability of violating
this property. Thus, we propose a fine-grained SMC method that
quickly identifies promising variants and accurately estimates their
violation probability. We evaluate different selection strategies
and reveal that a genetic algorithm combined with elitist selection
yields the best results.
Influence of the manufacturing parameters of an AlMg5 wire–based hybrid production process on quality and mechanical properties
Authors: Möhring Hans-Christian , Becker Dina , Eisseler Rocco , Stehle Thomas , Reeber Tim
Published: December 2021

Hybrid manufacturing processes are known for combining the advantages of additive manufacturing and more traditional manufacturing processes such as machining to create components of complex geometry while minimising material waste. The trend towards lightweight design, especially in view of e-mobility, gives aluminium materials an important role to play. This study examines the use of aluminium alloys in laser metal wire deposition (LMWD) processes with subsequent subtractive machining, which is considerably more difficult due to the different process-related influences. The investigations are focussed on the influence of the differently controlled laser power on the shape accuracy, the microstructure, and the hardness of the AlMg5 test components after the LMWD process with subsequent subtractive machining by turning. The long-term goal of the investigations is to increase the stability of the hybrid production process of AlMg5 components with defined dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties.
Outcomes and costs of ureteroscopy, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the treatment of urolithiasis: an analysis based on health insurance claims data in Germany
Authors: Schulz Claudia , Becker Benedikt , Netsch Christopher , Herrmann Thomas R. W. , Gross Andreas J. , Westphal Jens , Knoll Thomas , König Hans-Helmut
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Comparisons of ureteroscopy (URS), extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for urolithiasis considering long-term health and economic outcomes based on claims data are rare. Our aim was to analyze URS, SWL, and PCNL regarding complications within 30 days, re-intervention, healthcare costs, and sick leave days within 12 months, and to investigate inpatient and outpatient SWL treatment as the latter was introduced in Germany in 2011.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study based on German health insurance claims data included 164,203 urolithiasis cases in 2008–2016. We investigated the number of complications within 30 days, as well as time to re-intervention, number of sick leave days and hospital and ambulatory health care costs within a 12-month follow-up period. We applied negative binomial, Cox proportional hazard, gamma and two-part models and adjusted for patient variables.

Results

Compared to URS cases, SWL and PCNL had fewer 30-day complications, time to re-intervention within 12 months was decreased for SWL and PCNL, SWL and PCNL were correlated with a higher number of sick leave days, and SWL and particularly PCNL were associated with higher costs. SWL outpatients had fewer complications, re-interventions and lower costs than inpatients. This study was limited by the available information in claims data.

Conclusion

URS cases showed benefits in terms of fewer re-interventions, fewer sick leave days, and lower healthcare costs. Only regarding complications, SWL was superior. This emphasizes URS as the most frequent treatment choice. Furthermore, SWL outpatients showed less costs, fewer complications, and re-interventions than inpatients.
Cough and cold medicine prescription rates can be significantly reduced by active intervention
Authors: Csonka Péter , Heikkilä Paula , Koskela Sonja , Palmu Sauli , Lajunen Noora , Riihijärvi Sari , Huhtala Heini , Korppi Matti
Published: December 2021

Our aim was to construct and test an intervention programme to eradicate cough and cold medicine (CCM) prescriptions for children treated in a nationwide healthcare service company. The study was carried out in the largest private healthcare service company in Finland with a centralised electronic health record system allowing for real-time, doctor-specific practice monitoring. The step-by-step intervention consisted of company-level dissemination of educational materials to doctors and families, educational staff meetings, continuous monitoring of prescriptions, and targeted feedback. Outreach visits were held in noncompliant units. Finally, those physicians who most often prescribed CCM were directly contacted. During the intervention period (2017–2020), there were more than one million paediatric visits. Prescriptions of CCMs to children were completely eradicated in 41% of units and the total number of CCM prescriptions decreased from 6738 to 744 (89%). During the fourth intervention year, CCMs containing opioid derivatives were prescribed for only 0.2% of children aged < 2 years. The decrease in prescriptions was greatest in general practitioners (5.2 to 1.1%). In paediatricians, the prescription rates decreased from 1.5 to 0.2%. The annual costs of CCMs decreased from €183,996 to €18,899 (89.7%). For the intervention, the developers used 343 h and the attended doctors used 684 h of work time during the 4-year intervention. The costs used for developing, implementing, reporting, evaluating, communicating, and data managing formed approximately 11% of total intervention costs.

Conclusion: The study showed that a nationwide systematic intervention to change cough medicine prescription practices is feasible and requires only modest financial investments.

What is Known:• Cough and cold medicines (CCM) are not effective or safe, especially for children aged 6 years.• Although the use of CCMs has been declining, caregivers continue to administer CCMs to children, and some physicians still prescribe them even for preschool children.

What is New:• A nationwide systematic intervention can significantly and cost effectively change CCM prescription habits of paediatricians, general practitioners, and other specialists.• Electronic health records provide additional tools for operative guideline implementation and real-time quality monitoring, including recommendations of useless or harmful treatments.
Variant-specific effects define the phenotypic spectrum of HNRNPH2-associated neurodevelopmental disorders in males
Authors: Kreienkamp Hans-Jürgen , Wagner Matias , Weigand Heike , McConkie-Rossell Allyn , McDonald Marie , Keren Boris , Mignot Cyril , Gauthier Julie , Soucy Jean-François , Michaud Jacques L. , Dumas Meghan , Smith Rosemarie , Löbel Ulrike , Hempel Maja , Kubisch Christian , Denecke Jonas , Campeau Philippe M. , Bain Jennifer M. , Lessel Davor
Published: December 2021

Bain type of X-linked syndromic intellectual developmental disorder, caused by pathogenic missense variants in HRNRPH2, was initially described in six female individuals affected by moderate-to-severe neurodevelopmental delay. Although it was initially postulated that the condition would not be compatible with life in males, several affected male individuals harboring pathogenic variants in HNRNPH2 have since been documented. However, functional in-vitro analyses of identified variants have not been performed and, therefore, possible genotype–phenotype correlations remain elusive. Here, we present eight male individuals, including a pair of monozygotic twins, harboring pathogenic or likely pathogenic HNRNPH2 variants. Notably, we present the first individuals harboring nonsense or frameshift variants who, similarly to an individual harboring a de novo p.(Arg29Cys) variant within the first quasi-RNA-recognition motif (qRRM), displayed mild developmental delay, and developed mostly autistic features and/or psychiatric co-morbidities. Additionally, we present two individuals harboring a recurrent de novo p.(Arg114Trp), within the second qRRM, who had a severe neurodevelopmental delay with seizures. Functional characterization of the three most common HNRNPH2 missense variants revealed dysfunctional nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of proteins harboring the p.(Arg206Gln) and p.(Pro209Leu) variants, located within the nuclear localization signal, whereas proteins with p.(Arg114Trp) showed reduced interaction with members of the large assembly of splicing regulators (LASR). Moreover, RNA-sequencing of primary fibroblasts of the individual harboring the p.(Arg114Trp) revealed substantial alterations in the regulation of alternative splicing along with global transcriptome changes. Thus, we further expand the clinical and variant spectrum in HNRNPH2-associated disease in males and provide novel molecular insights suggesting the disorder to be a spliceopathy on the molecular level.
Important Key Process Simulations in the Field of Steel Metallurgy
Authors: Ludwig A. , Rodrigues C. M. G. , Zhang Z. , Zhang H. , Karimi-Sibaki E. , Barati H. , Vakhrushev A. , Al-Nasser M. , Wu M. , Kharicha A.
Published: December 2021

During the last decade, the chair for ‘Simulation and Modelling of Metallurgical Processes’ (SMMP) has worked on different metallurgical processes with the highlights of the following five industrial relevant topics: (i) modelling the as-cast structures of large steel castings; (ii) exploring the formation mechanisms of macrosegregation; (iii) describing magnetohydrodynamic and electrochemical phenomena in remelting processes, (iv) understanding how solidification and flow can be influenced by magnetohydrodynamics during steel continuous casting; and (v) describing nozzle clogging in steelmaking processes. In this contribution, the main achievements from the group on the above five topics are briefly described.
A comparative assessment and unification of bond models in DEM simulations
Authors: Chen Xizhong , Peng Di , Morrissey John P. , Ooi Jin Y.
Published: December 2021

Bonded contact models have been increasingly used in the discrete element method (DEM) to study cemented and sintered particulate materials in recent years. Several popular DEM bond models have been proposed in the literature; thus it is beneficial to assess the similarities and differences between the different bond models before they are used in simulations. This paper identifies and discusses two fundamental types of bond models: the Spring Bond Model where two bonded particles are joined by a set of uniform elastic springs on the bond’s cross-section, and the Beam Bond Model in which a beam is used to connect the centres of two particles. A series of cantilever beam bending simulation cases were carried out to verify the findings and assess the strength and weakness of the bond models. Despite the numerous bond models described in the literature, they can all be considered as a variation of these two fundamental model types. The comparative evaluation in this paper also shows that all the bond models investigated can be unified to a general form given at a predefined contact point location.
Mass spectrometry analysis of the photosystem II assembly factor Psb27 revealed variations in its lipid modification
Authors: Lambertz Jan , Liauw Pasqual , Whitelegge Julian P. , Nowaczyk Marc M.
Published: December 2021

The assembly of large, multi-cofactor membrane protein complexes like photosystem II (PSII) requires a high level of coordination. The process is facilitated by a large network of auxiliary proteins that bind transiently to unassembled subunits, preassembled modules or intermediate states of PSII, which are comprised of a subset of subunits. However, analysis of these immature, partially assembled PSII complexes is hampered by their low abundance and intrinsic instability. In this study, PSII was purified from the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus via Twin-Strep-tagged CP43 and further separated by ion exchange chromatography into mature and immature complexes. Mass spectrometry analysis of the immature Psb27-PSII intermediate revealed six different Psb27 proteoforms with distinct lipid modifications. The maturation and functional role of thylakoid localized lipoproteins are discussed.
Parteiendifferenz in der Waldpolitik. Eine Analyse der deutschen Bundesländer
Authors: Hartung Ulrich , Jankowski Michael , Müller Jochen
Published: December 2021

Welche Bedeutung messen die Landesparteien der Waldpolitik bei? Welche Waldfunktionen priorisieren sie? Inwieweit sind ihre Positionen von Parteiendifferenzen geprägt? Um diese Forschungsfragen zu adressieren, führen wir eine textanalytische Auswertung von Landtagswahlprogrammen durch, die im Zeitraum von 1990 bis 2019 veröffentlicht wurden. Unsere Analysen zeigen, dass die Positionen der Parteien nicht nur vom regionalen Kontext geprägt, sondern auch Ausdruck fundamental unterschiedlicher Perspektiven auf die Waldpolitik sind. Wir stellen fest, dass linke Parteien, insbesondere B’90/Grüne, eine schutzorientierte Politik befürworten, wohingegen CDU/CSU und FDP deren nutzorientierte Ausrichtung unterstützen. Bemerkenswert ist ferner, dass die Parteien sehr unterschiedliches Gewicht auf das Politikfeld legen. Während sich CDU/CSU, FDP und die Grünen umfangreich mit Waldpolitik beschäftigen, messen ihr Die Linke, die SPD und vor allem die AfD weniger Bedeutung bei. Veränderungen im Zeitverlauf zeigen sich nur begrenzt: zwar widmen sich die Parteien dem Thema häufiger, es ist aber keine Positionsverschiebung feststellbar, die eine sich verändernde Perspektive auf die Waldpolitik widerspiegeln würde.
Finding normal modes of a loaded string with the method of Lagrange multipliers
Authors: Jung Dong-Won , Han Wooyong , Kim U-Rae , Lee Jungil , Yu Chaehyun ,   KPOPℰ Collaboration
Published: December 2021

We consider the normal mode problem of a vibrating string loaded with n identical beads of equal spacing, which involves an eigenvalue problem. Unlike the conventional approach to solving this problem by considering the difference equation for the components of the eigenvector, we modify the eigenvalue equation by introducing matrix-valued Lagrange undetermined multipliers, which regularize the secular equation and make the eigenvalue equation non-singular. Then, the eigenvector can be obtained from the regularized eigenvalue equation by multiplying the indeterminate eigenvalue equation by the inverse matrix. We find that the inverse matrix is nothing but the adjugate matrix of the original matrix in the secular determinant up to the determinant of the regularized matrix in the limit that the constraint equation vanishes. The components of the adjugate matrix can be represented in simple factorized forms. Finally, one can directly read off the eigenvector from the adjugate matrix. We expect this new method to be applicable to other eigenvalue problems involving more general forms of the tridiagonal matrices that appear in classical mechanics or quantum physics.
Chromosome morphology and cytomolecular characteristics of the perennial rye cultivar ‘Kriszta’
Authors: Szőke-Pázsi Kitti , Türkösi Edina , Szakács Éva
Published: December 2021

The perennial Secale cereanum cultivar ‘Kriszta’ is an artificial hybrid of S. cereale and S. strictum ssp. anatolicum. From the cross between the wheat line Mv9kr1 and ‘Kriszta’, which aimed the transfer of beneficial traits from rye to wheat, numerous translocation lines have been produced. For the identification of the translocated chromosomes, the unambiguous differentiation between chromosome arms of ‘Kriszta’ is essential. The identification of its short chromosome arms using conventional FISH probes is easy, but because of their similar hybridization patterns, its long arms cannot be distinguished. The present study aimed to create the detailed karyotype of ‘Kriszta’, especially that of long arms, by both chromosome measurements and FISH using highly repetitive, as well as subtelomeric tandem repeat, and synthetic microsatellite DNA sequences. Our results indicate that the chromosome complement of ‘Kriszta’ is not a simple combination of the chromosomes of the parental rye species but is composed of rearranged chromosomes. It is also showed that an adequate pair-wise combination of the DNA sequences pSc119.2, pSc200, pSc250, and (AAC)5 makes it possible to identify any of the long arms of S. cereanum cv. Kriszta chromosomes. The future usability of the identified wheat- ‘Kriszta’ translocated chromosomes is also discussed.
A physical education/environmental education nexus: Transdisciplinary approaches to curriculum for a sense of belonging
Authors: Riley Kathryn , Proctor Lynden
Published: December 2021

Physical education (PE) is a site that brings categories of difference under erasure, presenting a wicked problem for how a sense of belonging is cultivated for all learners to foster physical activity, health and wellbeing across the lifespan. This article explores how, we, as two teachers of PE, turned to postqualitative and ‘new’ materialist inquiry to generate a sense of belonging within a PE/environmental education nexus. Taking up Karen Barad’s agential realism and Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari’s rhizome, we conceptualise this PE/environmental education nexus as a transdisciplinary approach to curriculum that enacts a knowing/being/thinking/doing between, and across, borders, boundaries, categories, fields and practices. We then show how this nexus was actualised in our teaching practices through two vignettes. As transdisciplinary approaches to curriculum are grounded in the lived, embodied and embedded (micro) politics of location, individuals are imbued with affective obligation to enact affirmative patterns of relating moment-to-moment. This means that a sense of belonging is always imminent, invented and co-created, bringing attention to situated obligations to enact good relations with ourselves, each other and wider planetary systems.
Dural Venous Sinus Thrombosis and Papilledema Related to JAK2 Mutation: A Case Series
Authors: Donaldson Laura , Dhoot Arjan S. , Margolin Edward
Published: December 2021

Background:

Dural venous sinus thrombosis (DVST) is an important cause of papilledema. Patients diagnosed with DVST should undergo work-up for underlying hypercoagulable state, including genetic causes. One important prothrombotic mutation is in the JAK2 gene, which is a driver of myeloproliferative neoplasms including polycythemia vera (PV). We aimed to determine the prevalence of JAK2 mutation in patients in presenting to neuro-ophthalmology clinic with DVST and papilledema.

Methods:

Retrospective case series of patients seen in a tertiary neuro-ophthalmology practice who presented with papilledema due to DVST and were investigated for presence of JAK2 mutation.

Results:

Four out of 15 patients with DVST (26%) were found to have JAK2 V617F mutation which led to subsequent diagnosis of PV in 2. One additional patient had a known diagnosis of essential thrombocytosis. We describe the clinical presentation of these four patients with papilledema and JAK2 mutation.

Conclusions:

A significant proportion of patients with papilledema secondary to DVST will harbor mutations in the JAK2 gene. Clinicians should be aware of this mutation as early testing will facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment of myeloproliferative disease to improve prognosis and reduce risk of recurrent thrombotic events.
Dieudonné theory via cohomology of classifying stacks
Authors: Mondal Shubhodip
Published: December 2021

We prove that if G is a finite flat group scheme of p-power rank over a perfect field of characteristic p, then the second crystalline cohomology of its classifying stack

$H^2_{\text {crys}}(BG)$

recovers the Dieudonné module of G. We also provide a calculation of the crystalline cohomology of the classifying stack of an abelian variety. We use this to prove that the crystalline cohomology of the classifying stack of a p-divisible group is a symmetric algebra (in degree

$2$

) on its Dieudonné module. We also prove mixed-characteristic analogues of some of these results using prismatic cohomology.
SCORING THE JOURNEY: LISTENING TO CLAUDIA MOLITOR'S SONORAMA
Authors: Packham Jonathan
Published: December 2021

Sonorama is a 2015 sonic artwork by Claudia Molitor, consisting of a number of audio files designed for listening on a train journey between London St Pancras and Margate, and a graphic score based on the composer's own ‘reading’ of this journey. This article analyses the relationship between the sonic and the spatial in the work, exploring how Molitor's site-specific composition interacts with its environment on multiple scales. By drawing on the strategy of ‘situated listening’ developed by Gascia Ouzounian, as well as urbanist language introduced by Richard Sennett, this article seeks to elucidate the relationship between a number of ‘nested’ spaces, present across varying realisations, and the political agenda that energises the work. Written in the midst of summer 2015's European refugee crisis, the work brings into sharp focus themes of British exceptionalism, immigration and inclusion.