bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and predictors of peripheral neuropathy after breast cancer treatment
Authors: Kamgar Mandana , Greenwald Mark K. , Assad Hadeel , Hastert Theresa A. , McLaughlin Eric M. , Reding Kerryn W , Paskett Electra D. , Bea Jennifer W. , Shadyab Aladdin H. , Neuhouser Marian L. , Nassir Rami , Crane Tracy E. , Sreeram Kalyan , Simon Michael S.
Published: August 2021

Background

Many of the 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States experience long‐term side effects of cancer therapy including peripheral neuropathy (PN). We assessed the prevalence and predictors of PN among women with breast cancer followed in the Women's Health Initiative's Life and Longevity After Cancer survivorship cohort.

Methods

The study population included 2420 women with local (79%) or regional (21%) stage disease. Presence of PN was based on the reports of “nerve problems and/or tingling sensations” after treatment and PN severity was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐Gynecologic Oncology Group/Neurotoxicity instrument. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the socio‐demographic and clinical factors associated with PN prevalence and severity.

Results

Initial breast cancer treatment included surgery‐only (21%), surgery and radiation (53%), or surgery and chemotherapy (±radiation) (26%). Overall, 17% of women reported PN occurring within days (30%), months (46%), or years (24%) after treatment and 74% reported ongoing symptoms at a median of 6.5 years since diagnosis. PN was reported by a larger proportion of chemotherapy recipients (33%) compared to those who had surgery alone (12%) or surgery+radiation (11%) (p < 0.0001). PN was reported more commonly by women treated with paclitaxel (52%) and docetaxel (39%), versus other chemotherapy (17%) (p < 0.0001). In multivariable analyses, treatment type (chemotherapy vs. none; OR, 95% CI: 3.31, 2.4–4.6), chemotherapy type (taxane vs. no‐taxane; 4.74, 3.1–7.3), and taxane type (paclitaxel vs. docetaxel; 1.59, 1.0–2.5) were associated with higher odds of PN.

Conclusion

PN is an important long‐term consequence of taxane‐based chemotherapy in breast cancer survivors.
How loyalty extends across product categories
Authors: Grasby Alicia , Corsi Armando , Dawes John , Driesener Carl , Sharp Byron
Published: August 2021

Fifty years ago, Gerald Goodhardt's analysis of audience duplication across television programs led to the discovery of the Duplication of Viewing law. This law was then extended to describe and predict customer sharing within product categories: the Duplication of Purchase Law. Many replications and extensions documented the law‐like status of this generalisation, providing important insight into how brands compete and the composition of consumers' repertoires. In this article we build on that seminal research, using Duplication of Purchase as an analytical method to measure loyalty across categories, or, in other words, the purchasing of brand extensions. Brand extensions are commonly cited as a way to capitalise on brand equity, and when asked, respondents often report high intentions to purchase brand extensions. However, the actual cross category buying of brand extensions has not been systematically examined. In this research we analyse panel data to understand whether purchasing a brand in one category does in fact increase the likelihood of a brand being bought in a second category. The study finds that a consumer who purchases from two categories is on average 2.4 times more likely to purchase a brand extension in the second category if they had purchased the same brand in the other category. This effect is larger for brands spanning similar, or complementary categories. Therefore, for many brand extensions the cross‐category loyalty effect is much more modest.
Mental health in immigration detention: A comparison of foreign national ex‐prisoners and other detainees
Authors: Sen Piyal , Crowley Grace , Moro Claira , Slade Karen , Khan Al Aditya , Katona Cornelius , Forrester Andrew
Published: August 2021

Background

People held in immigration removal centres have a range of vulnerabilities relating both to disappointment at imminent removal from the country of hoped‐for residence and various antecedent difficulties. An important subgroup in the UK is of foreign national ex‐prisoners who have served a period of incarceration there. Prisoners generally have higher rates of mental disorders than the general population. It is, however, not clear whether foreign national ex‐prisoners in UK immigration removal centres have higher rates of mental disorders than other detainees.

Aims

To compare the screened prevalence of mental disorders, levels of unmet needs and time in detention between foreign national ex‐prisoners and others in Immigration Removal Centres in England.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of cross‐sectional survey data from a previously published study in one Immigration Removal Centre.

Results

The 28 foreign national ex‐prisoners had been in immigration detention for longer and reported greater levels of unmet needs than the other 66 detainees. The highest levels of unmet needs among the foreign national ex‐prisoners were in the areas of psychological distress and intimate relationships. After adjusting for time spent in detention, there was evidence to suggest that foreign national ex‐prisoners had a higher screened prevalence of substance use disorders, autism spectrum disorders and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder than the other detainees.

Conclusions/Implications for Clinical Practice

This study supports the view that foreign national ex‐prisoners are a vulnerable group within immigration detention who have needs for enhanced and specialist service provision, including appropriate arrangements for health screening and active consideration to alternatives to their detention.
Diabetes mellitus is independently associated with early stent thrombosis in patients undergoing drug eluting stent implantation: Analysis from the Victorian cardiac outcomes registry
Authors: Nogic Jason , Nerlekar Nitesh , Soon Kean , Freeman Melanie , Chan Jasmine , Roberts Louise , Brennan Angela , Dinh Diem , Lefkovits Jeffrey , Brown Adam J.
Published: August 2021

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a predictor of restenosis and late stent thrombosis (ST) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug‐eluting‐stents (DES). Real‐world data on rates of early ST is lacking. We compared clinical outcomes of patients with and without DM from the Victorian cardiac outcomes registry.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing PCI with DES were analyzed with primary outcome being ST at 30‐days. Secondary outcomes including major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all‐cause mortality.

Results

Of 43,209 patients included, 9730 (22.5%) had DM. At 30 days, DM was independently associated with higher rates of early ST (0.7% vs. 0.5%) OR 1.41 (95% confidence interval; 1.05–1.87, p = 0.02), MACE (4.1% vs. 3.5%, p = 0.004) and mortality (1.9% vs. 1.5%, p = 0.01). Increased risk was not simply due to treatment. Patients with DM requiring insulin were equally affected in regard to MACE (4.7% vs. 3.9%, p = 0.069) and mortality (1.9%, vs. 1.8%, p = 0.746). On National Death Index linkage, patients with DM had increased all‐cause mortality over five‐year follow‐up (OR 1.69 CI 1.55–1.83, p = < 0.001).

Conclusion

In this large real‐world‐registry, DM was an independent predictor of early ST, MACE and mortality at 30 days. These data suggest additional therapeutic strategies are required to reduce the risk of early complications in patients with DM undergoing PCI with DES.
Prophylactic permanent pacemaker strategy in patients with right bundle branch block undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Fukutomi Motoki , Hokken Thijmen , Wong Ivan , Bieliauskas Gintautas , Daemen Joost , de Jaegere Peter , Van Mieghem Nicolas , Søndergaard Lars , De Backer Ole
Published: August 2021

Objectives

To report on the experience with a selective prophylactic permanent pacemaker (PPx‐PPM) implantation strategy in patients with pre‐existing right bundle branch block (RBBB) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Background

Pre‐existing RBBB is an independent predictor for PPM after TAVR and has been linked to increased mortality.

Methods

Hospital patient flow and longer‐term clinical endpoints were compared for TAVR patients with pre‐existing RBBB treated in a period with and without selective PPx‐PPM strategy (2013–2020).

Results

A total of 260 patients were included: 170 in the early period without PPx‐PPM strategy and 90 patients in the late period with selective PPx‐PPM strategy. A PPx‐PPM was implanted in 44% of patients in the late period. Overall, 69% versus 80% of all patients in the early versus late period ended up with a PPM (p = .06). Streamlined transfemoral TAVR was routinely used from 2017—in this series of patients, both TAVR procedural time and hospital length of stay (LoS) were significantly shorter in the late versus early period (mean procedural time: 70 vs. 83 min and LoS ≥5 days: 15% vs. 40%; p < .05). No difference in all‐cause/cardiovascular mortality was observed between both strategies, whereas cardiac rehospitalization was significantly higher for patients treated in the early versus late period (hazard ratio 2.33 [1.04–5.26]; p = .042)—this mainly due to (sub)acute PPM‐implantation early after discharge.

Conclusions

Selective prophylactic PPM implantation in TAVR candidates with pre‐existing RBBB results in shorter TAVR procedural time and hospital LoS and prevents early cardiac rehospitalization related to complete heart block.
Next‐generation balloon‐expandable Myval transcatheter heart valve in low‐risk aortic stenosis patients
Authors: García‐Gómez Mario , Delgado‐Arana Jose Raúl , Halim Jonathan , De Marco Federico , Trani Carlo , Martin Pedro , Won‐Keun Kim , Montorfano Matteo , den Heijer Peter , Bedogni Francesco , Sardella Gennaro , IJsselmuiden Alexander J. J. , Campante Teles Rui , Aristizabal‐Duque Christian H. , Gordillo Ximena , Santos‐Martinez Sandra , Barrero Alejandro , Gómez‐Salvador Itziar , Ancona Marco , Redondo Alfredo , Román J. Alberto San , Amat‐Santos Ignacio J.
Published: August 2021

Objectives

We aimed to describe hemodynamic performance and clinical outcomes at 30‐day follow‐up of the balloon‐expandable (BE) Myval transcatheter heart valve (THV) in low‐risk patients.

Background

The results of the next‐generation BE Myval THV in low‐risk aortic stenosis (AS) patients are still unknown.

Methods

Retrospective registry performed in nine European centers including patients with low predicted operative mortality risk according to Society of thoracic surgeons (STS) and European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation (EuroSCORE‐II) scores.

Results

Between September 2019 and February 2021, a total of 100 patients (51% males, mean age 80 ± 6.5 years) were included. Mean STS score and EuroSCORE‐II were 2.4 ± 0.8% and 2.2 ± 0.7%, respectively. Intermediate sizes were used in 39% (21.5 mm: 8%, 24.5 mm: 15%, 27.5 mm: 15%). There were no cases of valve embolization, coronary artery occlusion, annulus rupture, or procedural death. A definitive pacemaker implantation was needed in eight patients (8%). At 30‐day follow‐up aortic valve area (0.7 ± 0.2 vs. 2.1 ± 0.6 cm2) and mean aortic valve gradient (43.4 ± 11.1 vs. 9.0 ± 3.7 mmHg) improved significantly (p < 0.001). Moderate aortic regurgitation occurred in 4%. Endpoints of early safety and clinical efficacy were 3 and 1%, respectively.

Conclusions

Hemodynamic performance and 30‐day clinical outcomes of the BE Myval THV in low‐risk AS patients were favorable. Longer‐term follow‐up is warranted.
Effects of cultivars and fertilization levels on the quality of brown and polished rice
Authors: Coradi Paulo Carteri , Müller Amanda , André Geovane da Silva , Teodoro Paulo Eduardo , Campos Cid Naudi Silva , Anschau Kellen Francine , Flores Erico Marlon Moraes
Published: August 2021

Background and objectives

Adapting production factors and relating them to the effects of rice milling can contribute to obtaining better quality grains in the industry. Thus, the study had an objective to evaluate the effects of cultivars and fertilization levels in the physical, physicochemical, and morphological quality of the polished and brown rice.

Findings

The starch underwent minor changes in its structure with increased fertilization levels, conserving the physicochemical rice composition for cultivar IR 431 Cl in the polished rice. However, the combination of cultivar IR 424 Cl and brown rice demonstrated positive correlations in crude protein and starch. In addition, positive correlations between the physical variables were obtained in full milling. Furthermore, brown rice had the highest percentages of whole rice in the high fertilization levels, whereas the polished grain contained the highest percentage of broken and yellow grains in the low fertilization levels.

Conclusions

The rice cultivar IR 431 Cl produced with high fertilization levels had high protein and starch quality in the polished grains, while the cultivar IR 424 Cl produced high quality in brown rice. We conclude that the association of cultivars and fertilization levels in rice production obtained high rice quality according to milling type.

Significance and novelty

It is possible to define the best way of milling rice in the industry to enhance the final quality, depending on the production factors adopted in the crop, such as the type of cultivar and fertilization levels.
Chronopotentiometric Analysis of Single Histones and Histone Octamer at Charged Surfaces
Authors: Melníková Eva , Galicová Tatiana , Gál Miroslav , Ostatná Veronika
Published: August 2021

Histones play an essential role in the nucleosome structure and organization. The key role of highly positively charged histones is to stabilize negatively charged DNA inside the chromatin. Histones are basic proteins containing a large amount of electroactive residues, namely, arginine and lysine. Additionally, histone H3, on the contrary to other histones, contains cysteine residues. To understand more about the behavior of histones at charged surfaces and the influence of the electroactive amino acid residues content on the catalytic hydrogen evolution reaction, we studied histones using label‐free approaches, namely, chronopotentiometric stripping analysis (CPS) and impedance Cd–t curves. While CPS is sensitive to the structure and stability of proteins and their complexes, Cd–t curves reflect changes of the electrical double layer at the charged surface. Application of both label‐free methods appears useful for analysis of complex systems. Using a combination of these methods, we could discriminate between individual single core histones, their mixture, and their complex (octamer).
Group structure detection for a high‐dimensional panel data model
Authors: Wang Wu , Zhu Zhongyi
Published: August 2021

This article investigates latent group structures in a high‐dimensional panel data model. It is assumed that subjects are classified into unobserved groups, where the fixed effects for each subject are the same within a group but heterogeneous across different groups. A penalized regression approach is proposed to identify latent group structures and significant covariates simultaneously. A new algorithm is proposed to optimize the objective function. When the sample size goes to infinity, it is shown that the proposed estimator recovers latent group structures and important covariates with probability approaching one. The finite sample performance of the proposed estimator is evaluated through Monte Carlo studies and illustrated using a real dataset.
Cellwise outlier detection with false discovery rate control
Authors: Liu Yanhong , Ren Haojie , Guo Xu , Zhou Qin , Zou Changliang
Published: August 2021

This article is concerned with detecting cellwise outliers in large data matrices. We introduce a novel method that is able to fully exploit dependence structures among variables while controlling the false discovery rate (FDR). We reframe cellwise outlier identification into a high‐dimensional variable selection paradigm and construct “binate references” for data screening, estimation and information pooling. With the binate references, the proposed procedure forms a series of statistics that incorporate covariance information and utilizes a global symmetry property of these statistics to approximate the false discovery proportion. We show that the proposed method can control the asymptotic FDR under some mild conditions. Extensive numerical studies demonstrate that our method has reasonable FDR control and satisfactory power in comparison to existing methods.
Manipulating Chemicals at Small‐ and Semimicro‐Scale in Inert Atmosphere
Authors: Lunelli Bruno , Baroncini Massimo
Published: August 2021

The rational use of chemicals requires that their properties be compatible with the planned application. These properties are modified by the interactions to which the chemical substance is subjected, among which particularly relevant are those with the components of the lab atmosphere, collectively labelled air sensitivity. The air sensitivity of chemicals is remarkably amplified in the presently common small‐ and semimicro‐scale samples and operations, due to the increased surface‐to‐mass ratio with respect to the time‐honoured multigram scale. In this note we present ergonomy‐aware procedures implemented in small‐ and semimicro‐scale laboratory operations, which enable to work easily in an inert atmosphere without the need for awkward or expensive apparatuses such as glove box or vacuum line.
Biomechanics of cells and subcellular components: A comprehensive review of computational models and applications
Authors: Wang Chengyuan , Li Si , Ademiloye Adesola S. , Nithiarasu Perumal
Published: August 2021

Cells are a fundamental structural, functional and biological unit for all living organisms. Up till now, considerable efforts have been made to study the responses of single cells and subcellular components to an external load, and understand the biophysics underlying cell rheology, mechanotransduction and cell functions using experimental and in silico approaches. In the last decade, computational simulation has become increasingly attractive due to its critical role in interpreting experimental data, analysing complex cellular/subcellular structures, facilitating diagnostic designs and therapeutic techniques, and developing biomimetic materials. Despite the significant progress, developing comprehensive and accurate models of living cells remains a grand challenge in the 21st century. To understand current state of the art, this review summarises and classifies the vast array of computational biomechanical models for cells. The article covers the cellular components at multi‐spatial levels, that is, protein polymers, subcellular components, whole cells and the systems with scale beyond a cell. In addition to the comprehensive review of the topic, this article also provides new insights into the future prospects of developing integrated, active and high‐fidelity cell models that are multiscale, multi‐physics and multi‐disciplinary in nature. This review will be beneficial for the researchers in modelling the biomechanics of subcellular components, cells and multiple cell systems and understanding the cell functions and biological processes from the perspective of cell mechanics.
Chemotherapy is a risk factor of lymphopenia before adjuvant radiotherapy in breast cancer
Authors: Chen Fang , Ma Lingyu , Wang Qian , Zhou Manling , Nong Yaqing , Jing Haiman , Han Ying , Liu Yaya , Hu Yulin , Yu Hao , Fu Pingfu , Kong Feng‐Ming ( Spring)
Published: August 2021

Background

Lymphopenia can decrease immune function of the host and is a known risk factor for poor prognosis in malignant tumors. Radiation induced lymphopenia was common in patients with breast cancer and was also reported to have a negative effect on long‐term outcome.

Aims

Lymphopenia may be associated with baseline immune status before radiotherapy (RT). This study aimed to explore the rate and risk factors of lymphopenia before start of the adjuvant RT in patients with breast cancer.

Methods

Patients with invasive breast cancer treated from March 2015 to February 2020 and with peripheral lymphocyte counts (PLC) available within 7 days from the beginning of RT were eligible for this study. Data were presented as mean and 95% confidence interval unless otherwise specified. The risk factors of low PLC before RT were identified using univariate and multivariable linear regressions.

Results

A total of 1012 consecutive patients met the study criteria. The mean PLC before RT commencement was 1.58*109/L (95%CI: 1.55–1.62*109/L) with 15.2% (95%CI: 13.1%–17.6%) CTCAE defined lymphopenia, rendering 12.3%, 2.6%, 0.3%, and 0% for grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Univariate and multivariable linear regression showed prior chemotherapy was the most significant risk factor (p < .001) for low PLC, while age, menopausal status and lymph node stage were not (all ps > .05). A total of 912 (90.1%, 95%CI: 88.1%–91.9%) patients had chemotherapy before adjuvant RT in this study. In patients with HR+/HER2‐ breast cancer, 69.0% (95%CI: 63.0%–74.5%) N0 and 98.1% (95%CI: 95.1%–99.5%) N1 had also received chemotherapy.

Conclusions

Patients with breast cancer might have lymphopenia from prior chemotherapy at the start of adjuvant RT which could have negative effect on long‐term outcome. It is also noted that most of the patients with HR+/HER2‐, early‐stage breast cancer were treated with aggressive chemotherapy without knowing the risk of chemotherapy induced lymphopenia. Future study on predictive or prognostic multigene assays is warranted to avoid unnecessary chemotherapy and subsequent lymphopenia in patients with low risk breast cancer.
Stability and Catalytic Performance of Single‐Atom Supported on Ti2CO2 for Low‐Temperature CO Oxidation: A First‐Principles Study
Authors: Ali Sajjad , Xie Zijuan , Xu Hu
Published: August 2021

Based on first‐principles calculations, the potential of Ti2CO2 monolayer (MXene) as a single‐atom catalyst (SAC) support for 3d transition metal (TM) atoms (Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) is studied for CO oxidation. We first screen the support effect according to the stability of a single metal atom and find that Sc and Ti supported on Ti2CO2 have stronger adsorption energy than the cohesive energy of their bulk counterparts and therefore, we selected Sc and Ti supported on Ti2CO2 for further catalytic reactions. The stability and the potential catalytic reactivity are verified by electronic structure and charge transfer analysis. Both Eley–Rideal (ER) and Langmuir–Hinshelwood (LH) mechanisms are considered in this study, and lower energy barriers of 0.002 and 0.37 eV were found in the ER mechanism compared to the LH mechanism, which are 0.25 and 0.34 eV for Sc and Ti catalysts, respectively. Moreover, kinetic ER and LH mechanisms are favorable for both Sc‐ and Ti/Ti2CO2 because of the comparable energy barrier to other metals and SAC supported on 2D materials. However, Ti/Ti2CO2 catalyst is thermodynamically unfavorable. Based on these calculations, we propose that Sc supported on Ti2CO2 is the best catalyst for CO‐oxidation. The current study not only broadens the scope of the single‐atom Sc catalyst but also extends the consideration of MXene support for catalyst optimization.
Photoelectron Photoion Coincidence Spectroscopy of NCl3 and NCl2
Authors: Gerlach Marius , Monninger Sophie , Schleier Domenik , Hemberger Patrick , Goettel James T. , Braunschweig Holger , Fischer Ingo
Published: August 2021

We investigate NCl3 and the NCl2 radical by photoelectron‐photoion coincidence spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation. The mass selected threshold photoelectron spectrum (ms‐TPES) of NCl3 is broad and unstructured due to the large geometry change. An ionization energy of 9.7±0.1 eV is estimated from the spectrum and supported by computations. NCl2 is generated by photolysis at 213 nm from NCl3 and its ms‐TPES shows an extended vibrational progression with a 90 meV spacing that is assigned to the symmetric N−Cl stretching mode in the cation. An adiabatic ionization energy of 9.94 ± 0.02 eV is determined.
Gender diversity and sustainability performance in the banking industry
Authors: Galletta Simona , Mazzù Sebastiano , Naciti Valeria , Vermiglio Carlo
Published: August 2021

This study analyses the impact of female directors and managers on sustainability performance in the banking industry. Drawing on prior studies, we attempt to frame gender diversity, its determinants, and its consequences with respect to financial, social, and environmental performance. Our sample includes 880 bank‐year observations from 48 countries over the period 2011–2019. We conduct OLS and probit regressions on the panel data sample. The results show that increasing the proportion of female directors also improves the financial and environmental performance; female managers are keener on the social dimension and in engaging with stakeholders, than female directors. This study extends the current literature in the context of the banking industry, suggesting that banks should focus their efforts on establishing the right combination of female directors and managers. Furthermore, practical implications that encourage gender diversity among policy makers and regulators arise from this research.
Recovery of Arenes from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) over a Co/TiO2 Catalyst
Authors: Hongkailers Surachet , Jing Yaxuan , Wang Yanqin , Hinchiranan Napida , Yan Ning
Published: August 2021

Upcycling of spent plastics has become a more emergent topic than ever before due to the rapid generation of plastic waste associated with the change of lifestyles of the human society. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a major aromatic plastic and herein, the conversion of PET back into arenes was demonstrated in a one‐pot reaction combining depolymerization and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) over a Co/TiO2 catalyst. The effectiveness of the Co/TiO2 catalyst in HDO and the underlining reaction pathway were established using the PET monomer terephthalic acid (TPA) as the substrate. Quantitative TPA conversion together with 75.2 mol% xylene and toluene selectivity under 30 bar initial H2 pressure at 340 °C was achieved after 4 h reaction. More encouragingly, the catalyst induced both depolymerization and HDO reaction via C−O bond cleavage when PET was used as a substrate. 78.9 mol% arenes (toluene and xylene) was obtained under optimized conditions.
Revisiting the memristor concept within basic circuit theory
Authors: Tellini Bernardo , Bologna Mauro , Chandía Kristopher J. , Macucci Massimo
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we revisit the memristor concept within circuit theory. We start from the definition of the basic circuit elements; then, we introduce the original formulation of the memristor concept and summarize some of the controversies on its nature. We also point out the ambiguities resulting from a nonrigorous usage of the flux linkage concept. After concluding that the memristor is not a fourth basic circuit element, prompted by claims in the memristor literature, we look into the application of the memristor concept to electrophysiology, realizing that an approach suitable to explain the observed inductive behavior of the giant squid axon had already been developed in the 1960s, with the introduction of “time‐variant resistors.' We also discuss a recent memristor implementation in which the magnetic flux plays a direct role, concluding that it cannot strictly qualify as a memristor, because its v‐i curve cannot exactly pinch at the origin. Finally, we present numerical simulations of a few memristors and memristive systems, focusing on the behavior in the φ‐q plane. We show that, contrary to what happens for the most basic memristor concept, for general memristive systems, the φ‐q curve is not single‐valued or not even closed.
An efficient VLSI architecture of 2‐D finite impulse response filter using enhanced approximate compressor circuits
Authors: Odugu Venkata Krishna , C Venkata Narasimhulu , K Satya Prasad
Published: August 2021

The very large‐scale integration (VLSI) design‐based architectures of 2‐D filters must have low power consumption and high speed rather than accuracy for image processing applications. The inexact computations reduce the delay, area, and power in arithmetic architectures, and utilizing this advantage an approximation can be introduced in 2‐D digital filters. In this work, circular symmetry is adopted to optimize the 2‐D finite impulse response (FIR) filter architecture, and it is implemented using imprecise multipliers and approximate compressors with acceptable accuracy. The exact 4:2 compressor is modified into an approximate 4:2 compressor by ignoring few inputs. Hence, hardware requirement and delay parameters are improved. The proposed compressor is designed by mixed logic rather than complete complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor (CMOS) logic. The dual value logic (DVL), transmission gate logic (TGL), and CMOS mixed logic gates are used to decrease the number of transistors in the circuits. The proposed compressors are used in the approximate Dadda multiplier (ADM). The ADMs are utilized to implement the 2‐D FIR filter architecture. The designed filter is coded in Verilog and implemented using field programmable gate array (FPGA). The hardware utilization is analyzed and compared with exact 2‐D FIR filters. Next, the proposed architecture is synthesized using Cadence genus tools, and physical design is carried out by Cadence Innovus tools in 45‐nm CMOS technology. The final physical design layout‐area, power, and delay reports are correlated with existing state‐of‐artworks. It is found that the proposed 2‐D FIR filter outperforms the existing works.
Comparison of five diagnostic flow cytometry scores in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: Diagnostic power and prognostic impact
Authors: Oelschlaegel Uta , Oelschlaeger Lorenz , von Bonin Malte , Kramer Michael , Sockel Katja , Mohr Brigitte , Wagenfuehr Lisa , Kroschinsky Frank , Bornhaeuser Martin , Platzbecker Uwe
Published: August 2021

Background

Flow cytometry (FCM) is a co‐criterion in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) diagnostics according to the WHO classification. The presented study compared diagnostic power and prognostic impact of different FCM‐based scores.

Methods

A total of 807 bone marrow (BM) samples of patients with cytopenia (543 MDS, 153 non‐clonal cytopenias, 111 non‐MDS myeloid malignancies) and 78 healthy controls have been investigated using a standardized 8‐color‐FCM procedure. FCSS, Ogata‐score, iFS, RED‐score, and ELN‐NEC were analyzed for sensitivity and specificity in comparison to standard diagnostic tools. Median follow up for patients was 26 month (range: 0.2–89).

Results

The iFS showed the highest accuracy (80%) with the best balance between sensitivity (79%) and specificity (86%). This was also valid in MDS with very low IPSS‐R and even in MDS without ring sideroblasts, with normal blast count and karyotype, where iFS could confirm diagnosis in 62% and 65% of patients. Besides the high diagnostic power, the established iFS category “consistent with MDS” was associated with inferior overall survival (OS) independent from WHO classification (median: 51 month vs. not reached,p < 0.0001). Remarkably, this iFS category redefined a subgroup of patients with worse OS within IPSS‐R low‐risk category (73 month vs. not reached,p = 0.0433). Finally, multivariable analysis showed that iFS added independent prognostic information regarding OS besides IPSS‐R.

Conclusions

The iFS separates non‐clonal cytopenias and MDS with the highest accuracy, provided information in addition to standard diagnostic procedures, and refined established prognostic tools for outcome prediction.
Disturbance and the (surprising?) role of ecosystem engineering in explaining spatial patterns of non‐native plant establishment
Authors: Root‐Bernstein Meredith , Muñoz César , Armesto Juan J.
Published: August 2021

Different conceptions of disturbance differ in the degree to which they appeal to mechanisms that are general and equivalent, or species‐, functional group‐, or interaction‐specific. Some concepts of disturbance, for example, predict that soil disturbances and herbivory have identical impacts on species richness via identical mechanisms (reduction in biomass and in competition). An alternative hypothesis is that the specific traits of disturbance agents (small mammals) and plants differentially affect the richness or abundance of different plant groups. We tested these hypotheses on a degu (Octodon degus) colony in central Chile. We ask whether native and non‐native forbs respond differently to degu bioturbation on runways versus herbivory on grazing lawns. We ask whether this can explain the increase in non‐native plants on degu colonies. We found that biopedturbation did not explain the locations of non‐native plants. We did not find direct evidence of grazing increasing non‐native herbs either, but a grazing effect appears to be mediated by grass, which is the dominant cover. Further, we provide supplementary evidence to support our interpretation that a key mechanism of non‐native spread is the formation of dry soil conditions on grazing lawns. Thus, ecosystem engineering (alteration of soil qualities) may be an outcome of disturbances, in which each interacts with specific plant traits, to create the observed pattern of non‐native spread in the colony. Based on these results, we propose to extend Jentsch and White (Ecology, 100, 2019, e02734) concept of combined pulse/ disturbance events to the long‐term process duality of ecosystem engineering/ disturbance.
Strong isolation by distance among local populations of an endangered butterfly species (Euphydryas aurinia)
Authors: Pertoldi Cino , Ruiz‐Gonzalez Aritz , Bahrndorff Simon , Renee Lauridsen Nanna , Nisbeth Henriksen Thøger , Eskildsen Anne , Høye Toke Thomas
Published: August 2021

The marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) is a critically endangered butterfly species in Denmark known to be particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation due to its poor dispersal capacity. We identified and genotyped 318 novel SNP loci across 273 individuals obtained from 10 small and fragmented populations in Denmark using a genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) approach to investigate its population genetic structure. Our results showed clear genetic substructuring and highly significant population differentiation based on genetic divergence (FST) among the 10 populations. The populations clustered in three overall clusters, and due to further substructuring among these, it was possible to clearly distinguish six clusters in total. We found highly significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium due to heterozygote deficiency within every population investigated, which indicates substructuring and/or inbreeding (due to mating among closely related individuals). The stringent filtering procedure that we have applied to our genotype quality could have overestimated the heterozygote deficiency and the degree of substructuring of our clusters but is allowing relative comparisons of the genetic parameters among clusters. Genetic divergence increased significantly with geographic distance, suggesting limited gene flow at spatial scales comparable to the dispersal distance of individual butterflies and strong isolation by distance. Altogether, our results clearly indicate that the marsh fritillary populations are genetically isolated. Further, our results highlight that the relevant spatial scale for conservation of rare, low mobile species may be smaller than previously anticipated.
In situ Observation of Li Deposition‐Induced Cracking in Garnet Solid Electrolytes
Authors: Zhao Jun , Tang Yongfu , Dai Qiushi , Du Congcong , Zhang Yin , Xue Dingchuan , Chen Tianwu , Chen Jingzhao , Wang Bo , Yao Jingming , Zhao Ning , Li Yanshuai , Xia Shuman , Guo Xiangxin , Harris Stephen J. , Zhang Liqiang , Zhang Sulin , Zhu Ting , Huang Jianyu
Published: August 2021

Lithium (Li) penetration through solid electrolytes (SEs) induces short circuits in Li solid‐state batteries (SSBs), which is a critical issue that hinders the development of high energy density SSBs. While cracking in ceramic SEs has been often shown to accompany Li penetration, the interplay between Li deposition and cracking remains elusive. Here, we constructed a mesoscale SSB inside a focused ion beam‐scanning electron microscope (FIB‐SEM) for in situ observation of Li deposition‐induced cracking in SEs at nanometer resolution. Our results revealed that Li propagated predominantly along transgranular cracks in a garnet Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO). Cracks appeared to initiate from the interior of LLZTO beneath the electrode surface and then propagated by curving toward the LLZTO surface. The resulting bowl‐shaped cracks resemble those from hydraulic fracture caused by high fluid pressure on the surface of internal cracks, suggesting that the Li deposition‐induced pressure is the major driving force of crack initiation and propagation. The high pressure generated by Li deposition is further supported by in situ observation of the flow of filled Li between the crack flanks, causing crack widening and propagation. This work unveils the dynamic interplay between Li deposition and cracking in SEs and provides insight into the mitigation of Li dendrite penetration in SSBs.
Diffusionless‐Like Transformation Unlocks Pseudocapacitance with Bulk Utilization: Reinventing Fe2O3 in Alkaline Electrolyte
Authors: Dong Taowen , Yi Wencai , Deng Ting , Qin Tingting , Chu Xianyu , Yang He , Zheng Lirong , Yoo Seung Jo , Kim Jin‐Gyu , Wang Zizhun , Wang Yan , Zhang Wei , Zheng Weitao
Published: August 2021

Energy density can be substantially raised and even maximized if the bulk of an electrode material is fully utilized. Transition metal oxides based on conversion reaction mechanism are the imperative choice due to either constructing nanostructure or intercalation pseudocapacitance with their intrinsic limitations. However, the fully bulk utilization of transition metal oxides is hindered by the poor understanding of atomic‐level conversion reaction mechanism, particularly it is largely missing at clarifying how the phase transformation (conversion reaction) determines the electrochemical performance such as power density and cyclic stability. Herein, α‐Fe2O3 is a case provided to claim how the diffusional and diffusionless transformation determine the electrochemical behaviors, as of its conversion reaction mechanism with fully bulk utilization in alkaline electrolyte. Specifically, the discharge product α‐FeOOH diffusional from Fe(OH)2 is structurally identified as the atomic‐level arch criminal for its cyclic stability deterioration, whereas the counterpart δ‐FeOOH is theoretically diffusionless‐like, unlocking the full potential of the pseudocapacitance with fully bulk utilization. Thus, such pseudocapacitance, in proof‐of‐concept and termed as conversion pseudocapacitance, is achieved via diffusionless‐like transformation. This work not only provides an atomic‐level perspective to reassess the potential electrochemical performance of the transition metal oxides electrode materials based on conversion reaction mechanism but also debuts a new paradigm for pseudocapacitance.
A qualitative exploration of participant and investigator perspectives from the TRED‐HF trial
Authors: Papageorgiou Vasiliki , Jones Kathryn , Halliday Brian P. , Mindham Richard , Bruton Jane , Wassall Rebecca , Cleland John G.F. , Prasad Sanjay K. , Ward Helen
Published: August 2021

Aims

We explored the experiences and motivations of participants and staff who took part in the TRED‐HF trial (Therapy withdrawal in REcovered Dilated cardiomyopathy).

Methods and results

We conducted a qualitative study, using semi‐structured interviews, with participants (n = 12) and the research team (n = 4) from the TRED‐HF trial. Interviews were carried out in 2019 and were audio‐recorded and transcribed. Data were managed using NVivo and analysed using framework analysis. A patient representative provided guidance on the interpretation of findings and presentation of themes to ensure these remained meaningful, and an accurate representation, to those living with dilated cardiomyopathy. Three key themes emerged from the data: (i) perception of health; (ii) experiences and relationships with healthcare services and researchers; and (iii) perception of risk. Study participants held differing perceptions of their health; some did not consider themselves to have a heart condition or disagreed with the medical term ‘heart failure’. Relationships between participants, research staff, and clinical management teams influenced participants' experiences and decision making during the trial, including following clinical advice. There were differences in participants' perceptions of risk and their decisions to take heart failure medication after the trial was completed. Although the original TRED‐HF trial did not provide the results many had hoped for, a strong motivator for taking part was the opportunity to withdraw medication in a safely monitored environment which had been previously considered by some participants before. Investigators acknowledged that the insights gained from the study can now be used to support evidence‐based conversations with patients.

Conclusions

For people whose dilated cardiomyopathy is in remission, decisions to continue, reduce, or stop their medication are influenced by perceptions of personal health, perceive risk and the important of work, employment, recreation, relationships, and long‐term plans. The unique relationship between patient and cardiologist provides opportunities to promote honest discussion about adherence to medication and personalized long‐term management.
Determination of Stereoelectronic Properties of NHC Ligands via Ion Pairing and Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Authors: Popov Stepan , Plenio Herbert
Published: August 2021

We present an experimental method, which provides information on the steric and electronic properties of ligands in metal complexes. This approach is based on the equilibrium of ion‐pairing of a cationic [(NHC)Ir(cod)]+ and a fluorescent bodipy‐sulfonate (bdpSO3−). The close ion‐pair of [(NHC)Ir(bdpSO3)(cod)] in toluene solution is weakly fluorescent, but dissociates into solvent‐separated ion pairs upon exposure to slightly more polar solvents. This spatial separation leads to a very pronounced increase of the fluorescence. The separation into distinct ions depends on the polarity of the solvent, but more importantly also on the stereoelectronic properties of the NHC ligand. 26 different NHC ligands with varying steric and electronic properties were probed in 1,2‐dichloroethane solvent. The electronic properties of the ligands were examined via the established descriptors (redox potential and ν(CO)). The systematic variation of NHC donation enables the deconvolution of electronic and steric contributions of the respective ligand.
Glycidol and 3‐MCPD Analysis Methods for Mono‐ and Diglycerides
Authors: Knudsen Helle Lochmann , Miller Rasmus Leth , Jensen Annette Tjørnelund
Published: August 2021

Distilled monoglycerides (DMG) and mono‐di‐glycerides (MDG) are commonly used as emulsifiers in various processed foods, e.g., bread, margarine, and ice cream. DMG and MDG are derived from triacylglyceride (TAG) oils, and thus it is speculated that the harmful substances glycidol and 3‐monochloropropane‐1,2‐diol (MCPD) or their esters can also appear in DMG and MDG as they do in edible oil. However, present analysis methods, often developed for MCPD esters and glycidyl esters in TAG oils are not suitable for many DMG and MDG products. Dissolution of the DMG and MDG is the main problem. In this work a method for quantifying content of glycidol esters (GE) and 3‐MCPD using an indirect method quantifying the compounds with GC‐MS has been tested. The development has been developed based on the American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS) Cd 29c method including the modifications implemented by Axel Semrau in the automated procedure for triglycerides. With the proposed procedure it is shown that the new analysis method produces valid results in the range 1–10 ppm, and acceptable results at 0.5 ppm for both 3‐MCPD and glycidol. The method is an important part of providing safe and healthy emulsifier improved food products to consumers in European Commission and the rest of the world.

Practical Applications: The European Commission (EU) has requested the emulsifier industry to supply data for GE and MCPD content as a first step in making legislation for maximum content as in edible oils and fats. However, there is no analysis method for emulsifiers (e.g., mono‐ and diglycerides). This work is a contribution to development of such an analysis method.
Reactions of Allenes with strong Borane‐Based Lewis Acids
Authors: Gellrich Urs
Published: August 2021

In recent years, reactions of unsaturated organic molecules with strong boron‐based Lewis acids have attracted considerable attention. In this review, reactions of allenes with boron‐based Lewis acids, especially such ones equipped with perfluorophenyl rings, are discussed. It is shown that depending on the substitution pattern of the allene and the borane, a surprisingly broad variety of chemical transformations can be observed. These transformations often include unexpected skeletal rearrangements of the former allene. Furthermore, some transformations require only catalytic amounts of the borane‐based Lewis acid. Within this minireview, emphasis is given to the mechanistic aspects of these transformations, and similarities in the initial reaction steps are outlined.
Light‐Emitting Perovskite Solar Cells: A Tale of Two States
Authors: Yukta  , Satapathi Soumitra
Published: August 2021

Light‐emitting solar cells (LESCs) have tremendous potential in the next‐generation optoelectronics industry due to their excellent photophysical properties and general configurational advantages. The important feature of these LESC devices is that it can reversibly transduce optical energy to electrical energy and vice versa in a single platform. Consequently, they have significant potential in the development of solar light‐emitting diode (LED) street lights in rural, semiurban, and urban areas. However, their commercial development has been limited so far due to the complex device geometry, unfavorable alignment of energy levels, poor quality of transport layers, incomplete coverage of the solar spectrum, and more notably, intrinsic instability of perovskites. Herein, the recent developments in the field are discussed, followed by a critical analysis of major challenges and possible solutions to overcome these challenges. Finally, a roadmap for the successful development of efficient and stable dual‐functioning perovskite‐based LESCs is provided, which can be useful for the energy industry.