bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive adjusted outcome data are needed to assess the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients with COVID‐19: Results of a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Minkove Samuel J. , Sun Junfeng , Li Yan , Cui Xizhong , Cooper Diane , Eichacker Peter Q. , Torabi‐Parizi Parizad
Published: April 2022

Background

Determining how prior immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy influences outcomes in cancer patients presenting with COVID‐19 is essential for patient management but must account for confounding variables.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies reporting adjusted effects of ICIs on survival, severe events, or hospitalisation in cancer patients with COVID‐19 based on variables including age, gender, diabetes mellitus, hypertension (HTN), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other comorbidities. When adjusted effects were unavailable, unadjusted data were analysed.

Results

Of 42 observational studies (38 retrospective), 7 reported adjusted outcomes for ICIs and 2 provided sufficient individual patient data to calculate adjusted outcomes. In eight studies, adjusted outcomes were based on ≤7 variables. Over all studies, only one included >100 ICI patients while 26 included <10. ICIs did not alter the odds ratio (95%CI) (OR) of death significantly (random effects model), across adjusted (n = 8) [1.31 (0.58–2.95) p = 0.46; I2 = 42%, p = 0.10], unadjusted (n = 30) [1.06 (0.85–1.32) p = 0.58; I2 = 0%, p = 0.76] or combined [1.09 (0.88;1.36) p = 0.41; I2 = 0%, p = 0.5)] studies. Similarly, ICIs did not alter severe events significantly across adjusted (n = 5) [1.20 (0.30–4.74) p = 0.73; I2 = 52%, p = 0.08], unadjusted (n = 19) [(1.23 (0.87–1.75) p = 0.23; I2 = 16%, p = 0.26] or combined [1.26 (0.90–1.77) p = 0.16; I2 = 25%, p = 0.14] studies. Two studies provided adjusted hospitalisation data and when combined with 13 unadjusted studies, ICIs did not alter hospitalisation significantly [1.19 (0.85–1.68) p = 029; I2 = 5%, p = 0.40]. Results of sensitivity analyses examining ICI effects based on 5 variables were inconclusive. Certainty of evidence was very low.

Conclusions

Across studies with adjusted and unadjusted results, ICIs did not alter outcomes significantly. But studies with comprehensive adjusted outcome data controlling for confounding variables are necessary to determine whether ICIs impact COVID‐19 outcomes in cancer patients.
Non‐invasive surface analysis of ancient bronze arrowheads with scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray powder diffractometry
Authors: Duda Michał , Oszajca Marcin , Łasocha Wiesław
Published: April 2022

In this research, surfaces of eight ancient metal arrowheads were investigated regarding chemical composition, homogeneity, and products of corrosion. To perform that, two nondestructive techniques were applied: Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS), and X‐ray powder diffractometry (XRPD). Importantly, both methods did not require sampling, cutting, nor significant cleaning of the historical artifacts, which made the measurements not only nondestructive but noninvasive too. SEM‐EDS measurements provided information on the morphology and elemental composition of the surfaces of the studied objects as well as the distribution of chemical elements on the surfaces and supported crystalline phase analysis. It was revealed that the arrowheads were cast of tin bronze, but some of them contained high amounts of lead and admixtures of antimony and arsenic while copper and tin oxides and lead carbonates were found as the major corrosion products. In some cases, distribution of elements in the surface exhibited serious nonhomogeneity, probably resulting from limited solubility of the casting metals and degradation processes. Based on the obtained results, authenticity and declared provenience of the arrowheads were assessed in reference to the characteristics of similar objects described in literature.
Comparative Study for Removal of Murexide Dye by Adsorption and Photocatalytic Degradation Using Nosean Synthesised from Coal Fly Ash
Authors: Kankrej Sanjay R. , Kulkarni Mayuri S. , Borhade Ashok V. , Patil Rajendra P.
Published: April 2022

Alumino‐silicate sulphate sodalite (Nosean), Na8 [AlSiO4]6(SO4)7H2O, was first time successfully synthesized from waste coal fly ash by alkali fusion followed by hydrothermal method. This synthesized Nosean was characterised by FT‐IR, XRD, TGA/DTA, MAS‐NMR, SEM, TEM and BET surface analysis. This paper first time reports the possibility of competitive removal efficiency of Murexide dye (MD) by adsorption and photocatalytic degradation using Nosean. The removal of Murexide dye by adsorption onto Nosean was tested by applying Langmuir's and Freundlich adsorption isotherm along with evaluating the kinetic parameters. Nosean was successfully used for photocatalytic degradation of MD under UV‐Visible light irradiation. The degradation mechanism for MD was established by HPLC‐MS technique and shows various degradation products. Further the recyclability of the photocatalyst, Nosean, was studied up to five runs.
Stabilized High‐Membered and Phase‐Pure 2D All Inorganic Ruddlesden–Popper Halide Perovskites Nanocrystals as Photocatalysts for the CO2 Reduction Reaction
Authors: Lin Cheng‐Chieh , Li Jia‐Ying , She Nian‐Zu , Huang Shao‐Ku , Huang Chih‐Ying , Wang I‐Ta , Tsai Fu‐Li , Wei Chuan‐Yu , Lee Ting‐Yi , Wang Di‐Yan , Wen Cheng‐Yen , Li Shao‐Sian , Yabushita Atsushi , Luo Chih‐Wei , Chen Chia‐Chun , Chen Chun‐Wei
Published: April 2022

In contrast to the 2D organic‐inorganic hybrid Ruddlesden–Popper halide perovskites (RPP), a new class of 2D all inorganic RPP (IRPP) has been recently proposed by substituting the organic spacers with an optimal inorganic alternative of cesium cations (Cs+). Nevertheless, the synthesis of high‐membered 2D IRPPs (n > 1) has been a very challenging task because the Cs+ need to act as both spacers and A‐site cations simultaneously. This work presents the successful synthesis of stable phase‐pure high‐membered 2D IRPPs of Csn+1PbnBr3n+1 nanosheets (NSs) with n = 3 and 4 by employing the strategy of using additional strong binding bidentate ligands. The structures of the 2D IRPPs (n = 3 and 4) NSs are confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction and high‐resolution aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscope measurements. These 2D IRPPs NSs exhibit a strong quantum confinement effect with tunable absorption and emission in the visible light range by varying their n values, attributed to their inherent 2D quantum‐well structure. The superior structural and optical stability of the phase‐pure high‐membered 2D IRPPs make them a promising candidate as photocatalysts in CO2 reduction reactions with outstanding photocatalytic performance and long‐term stability.
Robust, Ultrasmooth Fluorinated Lithium Metal Interphase Feasible via Lithiophilic Graphene Quantum Dots for Dendrite‐Less Batteries
Authors: Senthil Chenrayan , Kim Seung Gyu , Kim Sun‐Sik , Hahm Myung Gwan , Jung Hyun Young
Published: April 2022

Dendrite growth and in‐homogeneous solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) buildup of Li metal anodes hinder the longtime discharge–charge cycling and safety in secondary metal batteries. Here, the authors report an in‐situ restructured artificial lithium/electrolyte SEI exposing an ultrasmooth and thin layer mediated through graphene quantum dots (GQDs). The reformed artificial interphase comprises a mixture of organic/inorganic‐rich compositions alike as mosaic interphase, albeit the synergistic effect mediated via hydroxylated GQDs involving redeposition‐borne lithium, and its accumulated salts, facilitate a homogeneous and ultrasmooth near fluorine‐rich interfacial environment ensuring a facile lithium‐ion (Li‐ion) diffusion and dendritic‐free nature. As a result, symmetrical graphene dots‐lithium cells enable a dendrite‐less operation up to 2000 h with good cycling stability and capacity retention at current densities 1 and 5 mA cm−2 compared to bare lithium. The well‐established fluorinated interface engenders a high reversible capacity and stable performance during the initial and long‐term cycles upon configuring in lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) cells. Thus, the authors’ work illuminates the direction toward achieving dendritic‐free smooth and robust metal anodes through manipulating and restructuring the critical SEI chemical components.
Achieving High Stability and Performance in P2‐Type Mn‐Based Layered Oxides with Tetravalent Cations for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Vanaphuti Panawan , Yao Zeyi , Liu Yangtao , Lin Yulin , Wen Jianguo , Yang Zhenzhen , Feng Zimin , Ma Xiaotu , Zauha Anna C. , Wang Yan , Wang Yan
Published: April 2022

P2‐type sodium‐manganese‐based layered cathodes, owing to their high capacity from both cationic and anionic redox, are a potential candidate for Na‐ion batteries (NIBs) to replace Li‐ion technology in certain applications. Still, the structure instability originating from irreversible oxygen redox at high voltage remains a challenge. Here, a high sustainability cobalt‐free P2‐Na0.72Mn0.75Li0.24X0.01O2 (X = Ti/Si) cathode is developed. The outstanding capacity retention and voltage retention after 150 cycles are obtained in half‐cells. The finding shows that Ti localizes on the surface while Si diffuses to the bulk of the particles. Thus, Ti can act as a protective layer that alleviates side reactions in carbonate‐based electrolyte. Meanwhile, Si can regulate the local electronic structure and suppress oxygen redox activities. Notably, full‐cells with hard carbon (≈300–335 W h kg−1 based on the cathode mass) deliver the capacity retention of 83% for P2‐Na0.72Mn0.75Li0.24Si0.01O2 and 66% for P2‐Na0.72Mn0.75Li0.24Ti0.01O2 after 500 cycles; this electrochemical stability is the best compared to other reported cathodes based on oxygen redox at present. The superior cycle performance also stems from the ability to inhibit microcracking and planar gliding within the particles. Altogether, this finding offers a new composition for developing high‐performance low‐cost cathodes for NIBs and highlights the unique role of Ti/Si ions.
Virus Detection using Second Harmonics of Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Hirota Ryuichi , Murayama Toru , Katsumi Ryota , Kawawaki Tokuhisa , Yabukami Shin , Igarashi Ryuji , Negishi Yuichi , Kusakabe Moriaki , Sekino Masaki , Yatsui Takashi , Kuwahata Akihiro
Published: April 2022

Virus detection methods based on the nonlinear magnetic response of magnetic nanoparticles have been investigated, and magnetic detection methods using the third harmonic have been widely applied on account of their high sensitivity, short measurement‐time, and low cost. In this letter, we propose a virus detection method using the second harmonics to improve the signal intensity. We find that the signal to noise ratio of the second harmonic is approximately three times higher than that of the third harmonic. A comparison of the ratio of the second harmonic to the fourth harmonic (R24) and the ratio of the third harmonic to the fifth harmonic (R35) shows that R24 is more sensitive to identifying changes in virus concentration. Our proposed method has the potential to be utilized for rapid screening on virus detection. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Use of AD Informer Set compounds to explore validity of novel targets in Alzheimer's disease pathology
Authors: Potjewyd Frances M. , Annor‐Gyamfi Joel K. , Aubé Jeffrey , Chu Shaoyou , Conlon Ivie L. , Frankowski Kevin J. , Guduru Shiva K. R. , Hardy Brian P. , Hopkins Megan D. , Kinoshita Chizuru , Kireev Dmitri B. , Mason Emily R. , Moerk Charles T. , Nwogbo Felix , Pearce Kenneth H. , Richardson Timothy I. , Rogers David A. , Soni Disha M. , Stashko Michael , Wang Xiaodong , Wells Carrow , Willson Timothy M. , Frye Stephen V. , Young Jessica E. , Axtman Alison D.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

A chemogenomic set of small molecules with annotated activities and implicated roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD) called the AD Informer Set was recently developed and made available to the AD research community: https://treatad.org/data‐tools/ad‐informer‐set/.

Methods

Small subsets of AD Informer Set compounds were selected for AD‐relevant profiling. Nine compounds targeting proteins expressed by six AD‐implicated genes prioritized for study by Target Enablement to Accelerate Therapy Development for Alzheimer's Disease (TREAT‐AD) teams were selected for G‐protein coupled receptor (GPCR), amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau, and pharmacokinetic (PK) studies. Four non‐overlapping compounds were analyzed in microglial cytotoxicity and phagocytosis assays.

Results

The nine compounds targeting CAPN2, EPHX2, MDK, MerTK/FLT3, or SYK proteins were profiled in 46 to 47 primary GPCR binding assays. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)‐derived neurons were treated with the same nine compounds and secretion of Aβ peptides (Aβ40 and Aβ42) as well as levels of phosphophorylated tau (p‐tau, Thr231) and total tau (t‐tau) peptides measured at two concentrations and two timepoints. Finally, CD1 mice were dosed intravenously to determine preliminary PK and/or brain‐specific penetrance values for these compounds. As a final cell‐based study, a non‐overlapping subset of four compounds was selected based on single‐concentration screening for analysis of both cytotoxicity and phagocytosis in murine and human microglia cells.

Discussion

We have demonstrated the utility of the AD Informer Set in the validation of novel AD hypotheses using biochemical, cellular (primary and immortalized), and in vivo studies. The selectivity for their primary targets versus essential GPCRs in the brain was established for our compounds. Statistical changes in tau, p‐tau, Aβ40, and/or Aβ42 and blood–brain barrier penetrance were observed, solidifying the utility of specific compounds for AD. Single‐concentration phagocytosis results were validated as predictive of dose–response findings. These studies established workflows, validated assays, and illuminated next steps for protein targets and compounds.
The role of public administrations in promoting open municipal markets
Authors: Fava Nadia , Carrasco i Bonet Marta , Garrido i Puig Romà
Published: April 2022

Agroecological transitions require steps to be taken to shorten food circuits that prioritize local food markets and their social dimension. Such a measure would include open municipal markets (OMMs) because of their role in promoting the social nature of the agroecological transitions. In rural areas, OMMs managed by public administrations are facing a major crisis. This paper aims to decipher the claims of the actors involved in the OMM crisis and to focus on strategies that could be taken by municipalities. Semistructured questionnaires, direct observations, and participative workshops with stallholders, consumers, local producers, and the researchers of the university were used to analyze social relationships within the framework of OMMs in the Province of Girona, Catalonia. The actors revealed a lack of connection between collectives and within the same group of stallholders. The absence of shared aspirations, along with the scant interest of public bodies in investing in the markets or recognizing their economic and social role, have all contributed to the current decline in OMMs. Open municipal markets are an active asset that are at risk of being abandoned in remote rural areas. If the actors in the market could collaborate, this would help to encourage the local economy and community cohesion and to actively promote the social dimension of the agroecological transitions.
Repetitive model predictive control for load alleviation on a research wind turbine using trailing edge flaps
Authors: Bartholomay Sirko , Krumbein Sascha , Deichmann Victoria , Gentsch Maik , Perez‐Becker Sebastian , Soto‐Valle Rodrigo , Holst David , Nayeri Christian N. , Paschereit Christian O. , Oberleithner Kilian
Published: April 2022

This paper presents the results of an advanced control strategy that employs active trailing edge flaps to reduce the fatigue loads of an experimental wind turbine. The strategy, called repetitive model predictive control, is a multiple‐input multiple‐output controller that aims at the alleviation of out‐of‐plane blade root bending moments. The strategy incorporates the control commands, output errors, and state deviation from the previous rotation. This way, the time lag in the strain sensor input due to the blade inertia is compensated. Additionally, a strategy to limit the computational costs is presented. The load alleviation performance is evaluated at different yaw cases and compared with different individual flap control strategies. The repetitive model predictive control is able to reduce the fatigue loads by up to 23% compared with the better performing individual flap control strategy. This improvement in load reduction is accompanied by an increase in flap travel of up to 7% compared with the individual flap control strategies.
Yoga and Meditation for Self-Empowered Behavior and Quality of Life
Authors: Kristahn Gerlinde
Published: April 2022

Similar to the concept of general well-being for individuals and societies, researchers have proposed various approaches to the concepts of personal beliefs and quality of life (QoL). In this chapter, QoL is discussed from an individual, subjective, cognitive and behavioral perspective with a focus on personal beliefs. More specifically, we present stress management as an endeavor in which yoga and personal beliefs can be applied to improve QoL. Stress management is recognized as a major health factor influencing an individual’s QoL. Empowered behavior to manage stress is discussed using a four-step model (involving thoughts, beliefs, emotions and behavior), that describes how human behavior is shaped by habits formed through individual experiences that unconsciously influence one’s thoughts, belief systems and emotions. Interventions such as yoga and meditation lead practitioners to question and alter thoughts in ways that can lead to improvements in QoL. Studies have indicated that when yoga and meditation are practiced regularly, the body implements stress-reducing processes automatically and unconsciously when a stressful situation arises. Therefore, this chapter contributes to the literature by demonstrating how yoga and meditation intervene in the mechanisms by which thoughts, beliefs and feelings shape behavior, as have been detailed in recent studies. In addition to the implementation of yoga and meditation, the possible use of technology and other tools for the quantitative assessment of states as a means of facilitating self-empowered behavior is discussed.
Supertranslation-invariant dressed Lorentz charges
Authors: Javadinezhad Reza , Kol Uri , Porrati Massimo
Published: April 2022

Abstract

We present an explicit formula for Lorentz boosts and rotations that commute with BMS supertranslations in asymptotically flat spacetimes. Key to the construction is the use of infrared regularizations and of a unitary transformation that makes observables commute with the soft degrees of freedom. We explicitly verify that our charges satisfy the Lorentz algebra and we check that they are consistent with expectations by evaluating them on the supertranslated Minkowski space and on the boosted Kerr black hole.
Partition functions and entanglement entropy: Weyl graviton and conformal higher spin fields
Authors: Mukherjee Jyotirmoy
Published: April 2022

Abstract

We establish the relation of partition functions of conformal higher spin fields on Weyl equivalent spaces in d = 4 dimension. We express the partition function of Weyl graviton and conformal higher spin fields as an integral over characters on S1× AdS3, S4, and AdS4. We observe that the partition function of conformal higher spins on hyperbolic cylinders differs from the partition function on S4 by the ‘edge’ contribution. The logarithmic coefficient obtained from the character integral of the partition function of conformal higher spins on AdS4 is the half of that obtained from the partition function on S4. We evaluate the entanglement entropy and the conformal dimension of the twist operator from the partition function on the hyperbolic cylinder. The conformal dimension of the co-dimension two twist operator enables us to find a linear relation between Hofman-Maldacena variables which we use to show the non-unitarity of the theory. We observe that the spectrum of the quasinormal modes of conformal higher spins obtained from the bulk character contains additional distinct states compared to the spectrum of unitary massless higher spin fields.
String stars in anti de Sitter space
Authors: Urbach Erez Y.
Published: April 2022

Abstract

We study the ‘string star’ saddle, also known as the Horowitz-Polchinski solution, in the middle of d + 1 dimensional thermal AdS space. We show that there’s a regime of temperatures in which the saddle is very similar to the flat space solution found by Horowitz and Polchinski. This saddle is hypothetically connected at lower temperatures to the small AdS black hole saddle. We also study, numerically and analytically, how the solutions are changed due to the AdS geometry for higher temperatures. Specifically, we describe how the solution joins with the thermal gas phase, and find the leading correction to the Hagedorn temperature due to the AdS curvature. Finally, we study the thermodynamic instabilities of the solution and argue for a Gregory-Laflamme-like instability whenever extra dimensions are present at the AdS curvature scale.
Form follows function in a hyperboloidical cooling Tower
Authors: Bernardello Rachele Angela , Borin Paolo
Published: April 2022

The paper proposes a computational method to study and test the relationship between shape and performance for the built environment, sustaining the use of smart geometry to support design operation. A comprehensive study of the geometry and working principles of a hyperboloidical cooling tower is presented. A case study in Marghera (Venice), built in 1938 is explored. Thanks to knowledge in descriptive geometry and mathematics, scripting procedures, digital survey, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis, the paper demonstrates how hyperboloidical cooling towers represent a reference in shape optimization. Varying the fundamental parameter of the shape, reducing the throat diameter, the simulation shows the enhanced efficiency of the tower in terms of velocity and temperature. Consequently, the proposed method may be applied to other surfaces and structures.
First-line Double Stentriever Thrombectomy for M1/TICA Occlusions
Authors: Vega Pedro , Murias Eduardo , Jimenez Jose Maria , Chaviano Juan , Rodriguez Jose , Calleja Sergio , Delgado Montserrat , Benavente Lorena , Castañon Maria , Puig Josep , Cigarran Helena , Arias Faustino , Chapot Rene
Published: April 2022

Background

Mechanical thrombectomy is the standard of care for acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion; however, mechanical thrombectomy fails to achieve adequate recanalization in nearly one third of these cases. Rescue therapy using two stentrievers simultaneously yields good results in clots refractory to single stentriever treatment. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of first-line double stentriever thrombectomy for acute occlusion of the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery and/or terminal internal carotid artery (TICA).

Methods

This single-center study prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with a single M1/TICA occlusion to undergo double stentriever thrombectomy between May and October 2020. Outcomes included successful recanalization (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction, TICI 2b/3), first-pass effect, procedure times, number of device passes, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score (NIHSS) at discharge, 90-day functional independence (modified Rankin scale 0–2), and 90-day mortality.

Results

We analyzed 39 patients median age 79 years (range 42–96 years); 23 (58.9%) female; 19 (48.7%) with TICA occlusions; 5 (12.8%) with mRS 3–5 at admission; mean NIHSS at admission, 17 ± 4.39). Mean time from symptom onset to final angiogram was 238.0 ± 94.6 min; mean intervention duration was 36.0 ± 24.2 min. The mean number of device passes was 1.5 ± 1.07. All patients had final TICI 2b/3, and 27 (69%) had TICI 2c/3 after the first pass. We observed 3 (7.9%) cases of intracerebral symptomatic hemorrhages. At 90 days, 16 (41%) patients were functionally independent and 9 (23%) had died. The percentage of patients with good clinical outcome at 90 days was 55.5% in the first-pass subgroup.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that first-line double stentriever thrombectomy is safe and effective for M1/TICA occlusions.
A Class of Variational–Hemivariational Inequalities for Bingham Type Fluids
Authors: Migórski Stanisław , Dudek Sylwia
Published: April 2022

In this paper we investigate a new class of elliptic variational–hemivariational inequalities without the relaxed monotonicity condition of the generalized subgradient. The inequality describes the mathematical model of the steady state flow of incompressible fluid of Bingham type in a bounded domain. The boundary condition represents a generalization of the no leak condition, and a multivalued and nonmonotone version of a nonlinear Navier–Fujita frictional slip condition. The analysis provides results on existence of solution to a variational–hemivariational inequality, continuous dependence of the solution on the data, existence of solutions to optimal control problems, and the dependence of the solution on the yield limit. The proofs profit from results of nonsmooth analysis and the theory of multivalued pseudomontone operators.
Intraoperative High Fraction of Inspiratory Oxygen is Independently Associated with Worse Outcome After Living‐Donor Liver Transplantation: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Miyachi Yosuke , Kaido Toshimi , Hirata Masaaki , Sharshar Mohamed , Macshut Mahmoud , Yao Siyuan , Kamo Naoko , Kai Shinichi , Yagi Shintaro , Uemoto Shinji
Published: April 2022

Background

Ischemia and reperfusion injury is an important factor that determines graft function after liver transplantation, and oxygen plays a crucial role in this process. However, the relationship between the intraoperative high fraction of inspiratory oxygen (FiO2) and living‐donor‐liver‐transplantation (LDLT) outcome remains unclear.

Patients and Methods

A total of 199 primary adult‐to‐adult LDLT cases in Kyoto University Hospital between January 2010 and December 2017 were enrolled in this study. The intraoperative FiO2 was averaged using the total amount of intraoperative oxygen and air and defined as the calculated FiO2 (cFiO2). The cutoff value of cFiO2 was set at 0.5.

Results

Between the cFiO2 <0.5 (n = 156) and ≥0.5 group (n = 43), preoperative recipients’ background, donor factors, and intraoperative parameters were almost comparable. Postoperatively, the cFiO2 ≥0.5 group showed a higher early allograft dysfunction (EAD) rate (P = 0.049) and worse overall graft survival (P = 0.036) than the cFiO2 <0.5 group. Although the cFiO2 ≥0.5 was not an independent risk factor for EAD in multivariable analysis (OR 2.038, 95%CI 0.992–4.186, P = 0.053), it was an independent risk factor for overall graft survival after LDLT (HR 1.897, 95%CI 1.007–3.432, P = 0.048).

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that intraoperative high FiO2 may be associated with worse graft survival after LDLT. Avoiding higher intraoperative FiO2 may be beneficial for LDLT recipients.
Neurophysiological and behavioural correlates of ocrelizumab therapy on manual dexterity in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Dubbioso Raffaele , Bove Marco , Boccia Daniele , D’Ambrosio Vincenzo , Nolano Maria , Manganelli Fiore , Iodice Rosa
Published: April 2022

Background

Hand dexterity impairment is a key feature of disability in people with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). So far, ocrelizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively depletes CD20-expressing B cells, is the only therapy approved for PPMS and recent analysis reported its ability to reduce the risk of upper limb disability progression. However, the neural mechanisms underlying hand impairment in PPMS and the brain networks behind the effect of ocrelizumab on manual dexterity are not fully understood.

Objective

Main aims of our study were: (i) to investigate neurophysiological and behavioural correlates of hand function impairment in subjects with PPMS, and (ii) to use neurophysiologic and behavioural measures to track the effects of ocrelizumab therapy on manual dexterity.

Methods

Seventeen PPMS patients and 17 healthy-controls underwent routine neurophysiological protocols assessing the integrity of cortico-spinal and somatosensory pathways and advanced transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocols evaluating inhibitory (short and long interval intracortical inhibition, short-latency afferent inhibition) and facilitatory (motor thresholds, intracortical facilitation, short-interval intracortical facilitation) circuits in the primary motor cortex. All subjects also underwent behavioural analysis of hand dexterity by means of nine-hole peg test and finger movement analysis, and hand strength with handgrip and three-point pinch test. Neurophysiological and clinical assessments of hand functionality were also performed after 1 year of ocrelizumab therapy.

Results

At baseline PPMS patients displayed a significant impairment of hand dexterity and strength compared to healthy controls (all p < 0.03). Neurophysiological study disclosed prolonged latencies of standard somatosensory and motor evoked potentials (all p < 0.025) and an overall reduction of intracortical excitability at TMS protocols, involving both excitatory and inhibitory circuits. Importantly, hand dexterity impairment, indexed by delayed 9HPT, correlated with TMS protocols investigating cortical sensorimotor integration (short-latency afferent inhibition, SAI), p = 0.009. Both parameters, 9HPT (p = 0.01) and SAI (p = 0.01), displayed a significant improvement after 1 year of therapy with ocrelizumab.

Conclusion

Intracortical sensorimotor networks are involved in hand dexterity dysfunction of PPMS. Ocrelizumab therapy displays a beneficial effect on hand dexterity impairment most likely through intracortical networks implicated in fast sensorimotor integration.
Symptoms associated with a COVID-19 infection among a non-hospitalized cohort in Vienna
Authors: Munsch Nicolas , Gruarin Stefanie , Nateqi Jama , Lutz Thomas , Binder Michael , Aberle Judith H. , Martin Alistair , Knapp Bernhard
Published: April 2022

Background

Most clinical studies report the symptoms experienced by those infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) via patients already hospitalized. Here we analyzed the symptoms experienced outside of a hospital setting.

Methods

The Vienna Social Fund (FSW; Vienna, Austria), the Public Health Services of the City of Vienna (MA15) and the private company Symptoma collaborated to implement Vienna’s official online COVID-19 symptom checker. Users answered 12 yes/no questions about symptoms to assess their risk for COVID-19. They could also specify their age and sex, and whether they had contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Depending on the assessed risk of COVID-19 positivity, a SARS-CoV‑2 nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) was performed. In this publication, we analyzed which factors (symptoms, sex or age) are associated with COVID-19 positivity. We also trained a classifier to correctly predict COVID-19 positivity from the collected data.

Results

Between 2 November 2020 and 18 November 2021, 9133 people experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms were assessed as high risk by the chatbot and were subsequently tested by a NAAT. Symptoms significantly associated with a positive COVID-19 test were malaise, fatigue, headache, cough, fever, dysgeusia and hyposmia. Our classifier could successfully predict COVID-19 positivity with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.74.

Conclusion

This study provides reliable COVID-19 symptom statistics based on the general population verified by NAATs.
Body mass index at diagnosis of a childhood brain tumor; a reflection of hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction or lifestyle?
Authors: van Roessel I. M. A. A. , van Schaik J. , Meeteren A. Y. N. Schouten-van , Boot A. M. , der Grinten H. L. Claahsen-van , Clement S. C. , van Iersel L. , Han K. S. , van Trotsenburg A. S. P. , Vandertop W. P. , Kremer L. C. M. , van Santen H. M.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Childhood brain tumor survivors (CBTS) are at risk of becoming overweight, which has been shown to be associated with hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) dysfunction during follow-up. Body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis is related to BMI at follow-up. It is uncertain, however, whether aberrant BMI at brain tumor diagnosis reflects early hypothalamic dysfunction or rather reflects genetic and sociodemographic characteristics. We aimed to examine whether BMI at childhood brain tumor diagnosis is associated with HP dysfunction at diagnosis or its development during follow-up.

Methods

The association of BMI at diagnosis of a childhood brain tumor to HP dysfunction at diagnosis or during follow-up was examined in a Dutch cohort of 685 CBTS, excluding children with craniopharyngioma or a pituitary tumor. Individual patient data were retrospectively extracted from patient charts.

Results

Of 685 CTBS, 4.7% were underweight, 14.2% were overweight, and 3.8% were obese at diagnosis. Being overweight or obese at diagnosis was not associated with anterior pituitary deficiency or diabetes insipidus at diagnosis or during follow-up. In children with suprasellar tumors, being obese at diagnosis was associated with central precocious puberty.

Conclusion

Overweight or obesity at diagnosis of a childhood brain tumor seems not to be associated with pituitary deficiencies. These results suggest that genetics and lifestyle may be more important etiologic factors for higher BMI at diagnosis in these children than hypothalamic dysfunction. To improve the long-term outcome of CBTS with regards to overweight and obesity, more attention should be given to lifestyle already at the time of brain tumor treatment.
Effectiveness of adding alarms to flash glucose monitoring in adults with type 1 diabetes under routine care
Authors: Boscari Federico , Ferretto Sara , Cavallin Francesco , Fadini Gian Paolo , Avogaro Angelo , Bruttomesso Daniela
Published: April 2022

Aim

Whether glucose sensor alarms improve metabolic control and are accepted by individuals with diabetes is unclear. Here, we investigated whether switching from a standard flash glucose monitoring system (FGM1) to a system equipped with hypo- and hyperglycemia alarms (FGM2) improves glycemic control and psychological outcomes in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods

Subjects with T1D and > 4% of time in hypoglycemia or > 40% of time in hyperglycemia were studied while wearing FGM1 (4 weeks) and after switching to FGM2 for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in time in range (TIR 70–180 mg/dl [3.9–10.0 mmol/L]) after 4 weeks of FGM2 use. Time below range (TBR), time above range (TAR), mean glucose, coefficient of variation (CV), sensor scans, treatment satisfaction, and hypoglycemia fear were secondary outcomes.

Results

We included 38 subjects aged 33.7 ± 12.6 year. During 4 weeks of FGM2 use, TIR increased from 52.8 to 57.0% (p = 0.001), TBR decreased from 6.2 to 3.4% (p < 0.0001) as did time < 54 mg/dl (from 1.4 to 0.3%, p < 0.0001) and CV (from 39.6% to 36.1%, p < 0.0001). These changes were confirmed after 8 weeks of FGM2 use. Treatment satisfaction improved and fear of hypoglycemia decreased.

Subjects who had > 4% of time in hypoglycemia at baseline showed the greatest improvements in glucose control and treatment satisfaction.

Conclusion

Switching from FGM1 to FGM2 improved TIR and treatment satisfaction and reduced fear of hypoglycemia. Participants who benefited most from switching from FGM1 to FGM2 were those prone to hypoglycemia.
Insomnia evaluation and treatment during peripartum: a joint position paper from the European Insomnia Network task force “Sleep and Women,” the Italian Marcè Society and international experts task force for perinatal mental health
Authors: Palagini Laura , Bramante Alessandra , Baglioni Chiara , Tang Nicole , Grassi Luigi , Altena Ellemarije , Johann Anna F. , Geoffroy Pierre Alexis , Biggio Giovanni , Mencacci Claudio , Sharma Verinder , Riemann Dieter
Published: April 2022

Insomnia symptoms are frequent during peripartum and are considered risk factors for peripartum psychopathology. Assessing and treating insomnia and related conditions of sleep loss during peripartum should be a priority in the clinical practice. The aim of this paper was to conduct a systematic review on insomnia evaluation and treatment during peripartum which may be useful for clinicians. The literature review was carried out between January 2000 and May 2021 on the evaluation and treatment of insomnia during the peripartum period. The PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase electronic databases were searched for literature published according to the PRISMA guidance with several combinations of search terms “insomnia” and “perinatal period” or “pregnancy” or “post partum” or “lactation” or “breastfeeding” and “evaluation” and “treatment.” Based on this search, 136 articles about insomnia evaluation and 335 articles on insomnia treatment were found and we conducted at the end a narrative review. According to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 41 articles were selected for the evaluation part and 22 on the treatment part, including the most recent meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Evaluation of insomnia during peripartum, as for insomnia patients, may be conducted at least throughout a clinical interview, but specific rating scales are available and may be useful for assessment. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), as for insomnia patients, should be the preferred treatment choice during peripartum, and it may be useful to also improve mood, anxiety symptoms, and fatigue. Pharmacological treatment may be considered when women who present with severe forms of insomnia symptoms do not respond to nonpharmacologic therapy.
An approach for performance requirements verification and test environments generation
Authors: Abdeen Waleed , Chen Xingru , Unterkalmsteiner Michael
Published: April 2022

Model-based testing (MBT) is a method that supports the design and execution of test cases by models that specify the intended behaviors of a system under test. While systematic literature reviews on MBT in general exist, the state of the art on modeling and testing performance requirements has seen much less attention. Therefore, we conducted a systematic mapping study on model-based performance testing. Then, we studied natural language software requirements specifications in order to understand which and how performance requirements are typically specified. Since none of the identified MBT techniques supported a major benefit of modeling, namely identifying faults in requirements specifications, we developed the Performance Requirements verificatiOn and Test EnvironmentS generaTion approach (PRO-TEST). Finally, we evaluated PRO-TEST on 149 requirements specifications. We found and analyzed 57 primary studies from the systematic mapping study and extracted 50 performance requirements models. However, those models don’t achieve the goals of MBT, which are validating requirements, ensuring their testability, and generating the minimum required test cases. We analyzed 77 Software Requirements Specification (SRS) documents, extracted 149 performance requirements from those SRS, and illustrate that with PRO-TEST we can model performance requirements, find issues in those requirements and detect missing ones. We detected three not-quantifiable requirements, 43 not-quantified requirements, and 180 underspecified parameters in the 149 modeled performance requirements. Furthermore, we generated 96 test environments from those models. By modeling performance requirements with PRO-TEST, we can identify issues in the requirements related to their ambiguity, measurability, and completeness. Additionally, it allows to generate parameters for test environments.
Locomotion and flow speed preferences in natural habitats by large water striders, Ptilomera tigrina, with micro-morphological adaptations for rowing
Authors: Kim Woojoo , Pham Thai Hong , Nguyen Phuong Dung , Tran Anh Duc , Ha Jungmoon , Jablonski Piotr G. , Lee Sang-im
Published: April 2022

Water strider (Gerridae) morphology and behavior have become the focus of interdisciplinary research in biological diversification and bio-inspired technology. However, the diversity of behaviors and morphology of the large-sized Gerridae have not been intensely studied. Here, we provide locomotory behaviors and legs’ micro-morphology of the large South-East Asian water strider,Ptilomera tigrina. Using high-speed videography and experiments in natural habitats, as well as scanning electron microscopy of midlegs, we have determined that (1)P. tigrinaindividuals prefer relatively high flow speeds of 0.15–0.30 m/s, compared to other water striders previously studied, and they are also observed in very high flow speeds of up to 0.6 m/s; (2) they avoid stagnant water, but when on still and very slow flowing water they perform constant back-and-forth rowing using their midlegs; (3) their antipredatory reaction involves repetitive and very fast “protean” movements propelled by the midlegs; (4) their midleg tarsi and tibiae are equipped with brushes of ribbon-like hairs, which are used as paddles for rowing. As the locomotory behaviors and flow-speed preferences byP. tigrinarequire constant use of midlegs for rowing, the presence of special paddle structures on midlegs illustrates a hypothetical adaptive match between midlegs’ locomotory function and their micro-morphology.
Determination of oxygen relaxivity in oxygen nanobubbles at 3 and 7 Tesla
Authors: Bluemke Emma , Young Liam A. J. , Owen Joshua , Smart Sean , Kinchesh Paul , Bulte Daniel P. , Stride Eleanor
Published: April 2022

Objective

Oxygen-loaded nanobubbles have shown potential for reducing tumour hypoxia and improving treatment outcomes, however, it remains difficult to noninvasively measure the changes in partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) in vivo. The linear relationship between PO2 and longitudinal relaxation rate (R1) has been used to noninvasively infer PO2 in vitreous and cerebrospinal fluid, and therefore, this experiment aimed to investigate whether R1 is a suitable measurement to study oxygen delivery from such oxygen carriers.

Methods

T1 mapping was used to measure R1 in phantoms containing nanobubbles with varied PO2 to measure the relaxivity of oxygen (r1Ox) in the phantoms at 7 and 3 T. These measurements were used to estimate the limit of detection (LOD) in two experimental settings: preclinical 7 T and clinical 3 T MRI.

Results

The r1Ox in the nanobubble solution was 0.00057 and 0.000235 s−1/mmHg, corresponding to a LOD of 111 and 103 mmHg with 95% confidence at 7 and 3 T, respectively.

Conclusion

This suggests that T1 mapping could provide a noninvasive method of measuring a > 100 mmHg oxygen delivery from therapeutic nanobubbles.
The Protective Performance of Modern Motorcycle Helmets Under Oblique Impacts
Authors: Yu Xiancheng , Logan Ingrid , de Pedro Sarasola Itziar , Dasaratha Atulit , Ghajari Mazdak
Published: April 2022

Motorcyclists are at high risk of head injuries, including skull fractures, focal brain injuries, intracranial bleeding and diffuse brain injuries. New helmet technologies have been developed to mitigate head injuries in motorcycle collisions, but there is limited information on their performance under commonly occurring oblique impacts. We used an oblique impact method to assess the performance of seven modern motorcycle helmets at five impact locations. Four helmets were fitted with rotational management technologies: a low friction layer (MIPS), three-layer liner system (Flex) and dampers-connected liner system (ODS). Helmets were dropped onto a 45° anvil at 8 m/s at five locations. We determined peak translational and rotational accelerations (PTA and PRA), peak rotational velocity (PRV) and brain injury criteria (BrIC). In addition, we used a human head finite element model to predict strain distribution across the brain and in corpus callosum and sulci. We found that the impact location affected the injury metrics and brain strain, but this effect was not consistent. The rear impact produced lowest PTAs but highest PRAs. This impact produced highest strain in corpus callosum. The front impact produced the highest PRV and BrIC. The side impact produced the lowest PRV, BrIC and strain across the brain, sulci and corpus callosum. Among helmet technologies, MIPS reduced all injury metrics and brain strain compared with conventional helmets. Flex however was effective in reducing PRA only and ODS was not effective in reducing any injury metrics in comparison with conventional helmets. This study shows the importance of using different impact locations and injury metrics when assessing head protection effects of helmets. It also provides new data on the performance of modern motorcycle helmets. These results can help with improving helmet design and standard and rating test methods.
“Engaging the Enemy”: Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio) Conservation in Human Modified Environments in the Kinabatangan floodplain of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
Authors: Oram Felicity , Kapar Mohamed Daisah , Saharon Abdul Rajak , Elahan Hamisah , Segaran Pravind , Poloi Shernytta , Saidal Haslan , Abulani Ahbam , Lackman Isabelle , Ancrenaz Marc
Published: April 2022

Throughout the equatorial tropics, forest conversion to agriculture often fragments crucial primate habitat. In 30 years, 80% of the alluvial lowland forests along the Kinabatangan River in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, have been supplanted by oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) plantations. Today, only about 20% of the former orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio) population remains in the region. Because most of the land is now under the tenure of agribusiness companies, we used a pragmatic approach of mixed biosocial methods and citizen science engagement of oil palm growers (N = 6) as active conservation partners to study orangutan use of the privately administered landscape between protected forest fragments. We found that 22 of 25 remanent forest patches (0.5 to 242 hectares) surveyed within plantations contained food or shelter resources useful for orangutans. Of these, 20 are in regular transitory use by wider-ranging adult male orangutans, and in 9 patches, females are resident and raising offspring isolated within oil palm plantations. These findings indicate that orangutans retain a measure of normal metapopulation dynamics necessary for viability at the landscape level despite drastic habitat modification. We found that barriers to in situ conservation in these agroforest matrices were due to the following misconceptions across sectors: 1) Good farming practices require exclusion of wildlife; 2) Orangutans seen in plantations must be “rescued” by people; and 3) Translocation is an appropriate conservation strategy, and nondetrimental to orangutans. Our exploratory study exemplifies the value of biosocial methods and collaboration with industrial-scale farmers to support primate resilience in forests fragmented by agriculture.