bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compressible Ionized Natural 3D Interconnected Loofah Membrane for Salinity Gradient Power Generation
Authors: Luan Pengcheng , Zhao Yuyue , Li Qiang , Cao Daxian , Wang Ying , Sun Xiao , Liu Chao , Zhu Hongli
Published: November 2021

Large‐scale salinity gradient power energy harvesting has generated broad attention in recent years, in which affordable ion‐selective membranes (ISMs) are essential for its practical implementation. In this study, for the first time, ISMs derived from natural loofah sponge are reported, which have features of high hydrophilicity, superior ion conductivity, and 3D interconnected long fibers. The permselectivity and ion conductivity of loofah‐based anion‐selective membranes (ASMs) and cation‐selective membranes (CSMs) are designed by chemical modification of the surface functional groups of loofah fibers and followed with compression and the resin filling. The charged nanochannels inside the ISMs are served as ion conductive and selective channels based on the nanofluidic effects and Donnan exclusion. Meanwhile, the unique isotropic structure endows excellent dimensional stability under the NaCl solution for months. When ISMs are used for salinity gradient power generation from the gradient of artificial seawater and river water, the maximum power density is 18.3 mW m‐2. When ten units of loofah‐based ISMs are stacked in series, a voltage as high as 1.55 V is achieved. The results highlight the great potential of natural fibers for fabricating affordable, durable, and high performance ISMs, paving a sustainable pathway for developing high‐performance, durable, and low‐cost salinity gradient power generators.
Using calcium‐rich precursors to improve the early‐compressive strength of alkali‐activated slag cement at low temperature
Authors: Yang Kai , Yang Yong , Deng Jiaxin , Xiong Deyi , Zhu Xiaohong , Li Qing , Yang Changhui , Basheer Muhammed
Published: November 2021

This study examines the potential of using calcium‐rich precursors to improve the strength of alkali‐activated slag (AAS) cement at low temperature. To achieve this target, the effect of calcium‐rich precursors on the early strength development of AAS mortars cured at 5°C was assessed. The strength development was investigated along with its internal temperature, microstructure and reaction products. It is found that the calcium‐rich precursors can improve the early strength of AAS around 35% and the group with Portland cement clinker gave the highest strength. Calcium oxide can also increase the compressive strength of AAS cement, but its effectiveness is not as good as the sample with clinker. Adding calcium sulfoaluminate can increase the early strength, while no significant contribution to 28‐day strength could be found. The results highlight that compressive strength of modified AAS mortar can reach 15 MPa at 6 h and 20 MPa at 24 h at 5°C, suggesting that this binder could be a valuable alternative for low temperature construction.
Two‐dimensional pseudo‐steady supersonic flow around a sharp corner
Authors: Yao Aidi , Sheng Wancheng
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we study the expansion problem which arises in a two‐dimensional (2D) isentropic pseudo‐steady supersonic flow expanding into vacuum around a sharp corner. The problem catches interaction of an incomplete centered simple wave with a backward planar rarefaction wave as well as interaction of a simple wave with rigid wall boundary of the 2D self‐similar Euler equations. Using the methods of characteristic decompositions and invariant regions, we mainly deal with the interaction of two symmetric non‐planar simple waves of the 2D self‐similar Euler equations to obtain the global existence of the solution for the interaction of the simple wave with rigid wall boundary. It follows the global existence of the solution up to the interface of supersonic flow with vacuum of the expansion problem.
Perioperatives Management der postmortalen Organspende
Authors: Englbrecht Jan Sönke , Lanckohr Christian , Ertmer Christian , Zarbock Alexander
Published: November 2021

Hintergrund

Die Anzahl postmortal gespendeter Organe ist in Deutschland weit geringer als der Bedarf. Dies unterstreicht die Wichtigkeit einer optimalen Versorgung während des gesamten Prozesses der Organspende.

Fragestellung

Es existieren internationale Leitlinien und nationale Empfehlungen zu intensivmedizinischen organprotektiven Maßnahmen beim Organspender. Für das anästhesiologische Management fehlen evidenzbasierte Empfehlungen. Ziel dieser Übersichtsarbeit ist es, anhand der vorhandenen Evidenz die pathophysiologischen Veränderungen des irreversiblen Hirnfunktionsausfalls zu rekapitulieren und sich kritisch mit den empfohlenen Behandlungsstrategien und therapeutischen Zielgrößen auseinanderzusetzen. Auch auf ethische Aspekte der Betreuung des postmortalen Organspenders wird eingegangen.

Methode

Diese Übersichtsarbeit basiert auf einer selektiven Literaturrecherche in PubMed (Suchwörter: „brain dead donor“, „organ procurement“, „organ protective therapy“, „donor preconditioning“, „perioperative donor management“, „ethical considerations of brain dead donor“). Internationale Leitlinien und nationale Empfehlungen wurden besonders berücksichtigt.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt ist die Evidenz für optimale intensivmedizinische und perioperative organprotektive Maßnahmen beim postmortalen Organspender sehr gering. Nationale und internationale Empfehlungen zu Zielwerten und medikamentösen Behandlungsstrategien unterscheiden sich teilweise erheblich: kontrollierte randomisierte Studien fehlen. Der Stellenwert einer Narkose zur Explantation bleibt sowohl unter pathophysiologischen Gesichtspunkten als auch aus ethischer Sicht ungeklärt.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Kenntnisse über die pathophysiologischen Prozesse im Rahmen des irreversiblen Hirnfunktionsausfalls und die organprotektiven Maßnahmen sind ebenso Grundvoraussetzung wie die ethische Auseinandersetzung mit dem Thema postmortale Organspende. Nur dann kann das Behandlungsteam in dieser herausfordernden Situation sowohl dem Organempfänger als auch dem Organspender und seinen Angehörigen gerecht werden.
Bariatrische Operationen und Schwangerschaft
Authors: Flükiger Laura , Thalheimer Andreas , Vetter Diana , Widmer Jeannette , Joukhadar Ralf , Bueter Marco
Published: November 2021

Hintergrund

Bariatrische Operationen werden weltweit immer häufiger und somit zunehmend an Frauen in reproduktionsfähigem Alter durchgeführt. Das rückt postbariatrische Schwangerschaften mitsamt den damit verbundenen therapeutischen und diagnostischen Besonderheiten automatisch in den Fokus der Gynäkologie.

Fragestellung

Es soll der aktuelle Wissensstand zum Thema bariatrische Chirurgie und Schwangerschaft mit entsprechenden Handlungsempfehlungen gegeben werden.

Material und Methode

Vor dem Hintergrund der verfügbaren Literatur und der klinischen Erfahrung der beteiligten Autoren wurden die wichtigsten Aspekte zusammengefasst.

Resultate

Schwangerschaften nach bariatrischen Operationen kommen immer häufiger vor und erfordern im Falle einer Schwangerschaft gute Kenntnisse der unterschiedlichen Operationstechniken und der sich daraus ergebenden therapeutischen und diagnostischen Konsequenzen. Besonderes Augenmerk sollte dabei auf das engmaschige Monitoring verschiedener Mikronährstoffe gelegt werden, wobei der Zeitpunkt der Schwangerschaft nach bariatrischer Operation eine wichtige Rolle spielt. Die Diagnose einer inneren Hernie nach Magenbypass ist anspruchsvoll und in Verdachtsfällen sollte frühzeitig mit einem erfahrenen adipositaschirurgischen Zentrum Kontakt aufgenommen werden.

Schlussfolgerung

Grundsätzlich ist eine postbariatrische Schwangerschaft für Mutter und Kind unbedenklich, solange eine professionelle und fachgerechte Betreuung der Mütter gewährleistet werden kann.
Efficacy of tocilizumab for refractory Takayasu arteritis: a retrospective study and literature review
Authors: Li Haiyan , Shuai Zongwen
Published: November 2021

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab (TCZ) in the treatment of refractory Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Eleven refractory TAK patients treated with TCZ at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between 2017 July and 2020 December were respectively analyzed. We also respectively analyzed the studies on TCZ efficacy in patients with TAK, from PubMed/MEDLINE, Elsevier Science Direct between January 2010 and April 2021. The median age of 11 patients was 34(19–46) years. After 3 months of TCZ, a significant drop was found in median NIH (3[2–5] at baseline vs 1[0–2] after 6 months; p < 0.05), ITAS-2010 score (8.5[6–11] vs 6[1–10]; p < 0.05). One (9%) patient experienced relapse during TCZ treatment. After withdrawal of TCZ, one patient (9%) underwent relapse and nine patients (81%) were spared of GC use. In literature review, a total of 211 patients (mean age 35 years) were analyzed, including 80 (38%) Chinese and 169 females (80%). Among the 211 patients, (154 patients) 73% achieved remission after the last infusion of TCZ; TAK relapsed in 6% of patients during TCZ treatment and 5% of the TCZ patients after the withdrawal of TCZ. A total of 95 types of adverse events were observed in the literature. Infection was the most common adverse effect, occurring in 50% of patients. TCZ could serve as an efficacious and safe agent for refractory TAK.
Association of dairy intake with all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality in Japanese adults: a 25-year population-based cohort
Authors: Lu Yukai , Sugawara Yumi , Matsuyama Sanae , Fukao Akira , Tsuji Ichiro
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The association between dairy intake and mortality remains uncertain, and evidence for the Japanese population is scarce. We aimed to investigate the association between dairy intake and all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in Japanese adults.

Methods

A total of 34,161 participants (16,565 men and 17,596 women) aged 40–64 years without a history of cancer, myocardial infarction, or stroke at baseline were included in the analysis, using data from the Miyagi Cohort Study initiated in 1990. Milk, yogurt, and cheese intake were obtained using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Total dairy intake was calculated as the sum of milk, yogurt, and cheese intake and then categorized by quartile. The outcomes were all-cause, cancer, and CVD mortality. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality risks.

Results

During 750,016 person-years of follow-up, the total number of deaths was 6498, including 2552 deaths due to cancer and 1693 deaths due to CVD. There was no association between total dairy intake and all-cause, cancer, and CVD mortality for both men and women. We also examined the associations between subgroup dairy products and mortality. For milk and yogurt intake, our results suggest null associations. However, cheese intake was modestly associated with lower all-cause mortality in women; compared with non-consumers, the multivariable HRs (95%CIs) were 0.89 (0.81–0.98) for 1–2 times/month, 0.88 (0.78–1.00) for 1–2 times/week, and 0.89 (0.74–1.07) for 3 times/week or almost daily (p trend = 0.016).

Conclusion

Dairy intake was not associated with mortality in Japanese adults, except for limited evidence showing a modest association between cheese intake and a lower all-cause mortality risk in women.
Inter-method reliability of the modified Rankin Scale in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Nobels-Janssen E. , Postma E. N. , Abma I. L. , van Dijk J. M. C. , Haeren R. , Schenck H. , Moojen W. A. , den Hertog M. H. , Nanda D. , Potgieser A. R. E. , Coert B. A. , Verhagen W. I. M. , Bartels R. H. M. A. , van der Wees P. J. , Verbaan D. , Boogaarts H. D.
Published: November 2021

Background and objectives

The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) is one of the most frequently used outcome measures in trials in patients with an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The assessment method of the mRS is often not clearly described in trials, while the method used might influence the mRS score. The aim of this study is to evaluate the inter-method reliability of different assessment methods of the mRS.

Methods

This is a prospective, randomized, multicenter study with follow-up at 6 weeks and 6 months. Patients aged ≥ 18 years with aSAH were randomized to either a structured interview or a self-assessment of the mRS. Patients were seen by a physician who assigned an mRS score, followed by either the structured interview or the self-assessment. Inter-method reliability was assessed with the quadratic weighted kappa score and percentage of agreement. Assessment of feasibility of the self-assessment was done by a feasibility questionnaire.

Results

The quadratic weighted kappa was 0.60 between the assessment of the physician and structured interview and 0.56 between assessment of the physician and self-assessment. Percentage agreement was, respectively, 50.8 and 19.6%. The assessment of the mRS through a structured interview and by self-assessment resulted in systematically higher mRS scores than the mRS scored by the physician. Self-assessment of the mRS was proven feasible.

Discussion

The mRS scores obtained with different assessment methods differ significantly. The agreement between the scores is low, although the reliability between the assessment methods is good. This should be considered when using the mRS in clinical trials.

Trial registration

www.trialregister.nl; Unique identifier: NL7859.
Assessing patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants from standard neonatal intensive care monitoring
Authors: Kotidis Charalampos , Wertheim David , Weindling Michael , Rabe Heike , Turner Mark A.
Published: November 2021

Monitoring patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants is currently performed intermittently using echocardiography which requires considerable expertise. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether PDA status could be assessed from standard neonatal intensive care monitoring. Electrocardiography (ECG) and blood pressure (BP) waveforms were acquired from extremely preterm infants using standard neonatal monitors. We developed software using MATLAB to analyse ECG and BP waveforms and their interrelationships in terms of pulse transit time (PTT) and pulse wave velocity (PWV). The times from peak systolic BP to diastolic trough (BPFt) and from the diastolic trough to peak systolic BP (BPRt) were also calculated. PTT, BPFt and BPRt were normalised for heart rate (HR) termed NPTT, NBPFt and NBPRt, respectively. ECG, invasive aortic BP monitoring and echocardiography were performed in 14 preterm infants < 29 weeks’ gestation in the first 3 days after birth. The median (range) birth weight of the infants was 0.90 (0.48–1.31) kg, gestation 26.6 (24.0–28.7) weeks, PDA diameter 1.6 (0.8–3.6) mm and mean BP 32 (16–40) mmHg. We found a significant positive correlation between PDA diameter and NPTT (r = 0.69,P = 0.007) as well as NBPFt (r = 0.65,P = 0.012) and NBPRt (r = 0.71,P = 0.005). No relationship was found between PDA diameter and pulse pressure.

Conclusions: Interrelationships between ECG and BP traces as well as BP waveform time analysis are straightforward to measure and associated with PDA diameter. The results of this pilot study suggest that this approach may help provide biomarkers for continuous monitoring PDA diameter and function.What is Known:• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants is associated with increased risk of developing chronic lung disease, necrotising enterocolitis and cerebral injury.• Currently PDA is assessed intermittently using echocardiography which requires considerable expertise and sometimes is not well tolerated by critically ill preterm infants.What is New:• Blood pressure (BP) and ECG waveform interrelation and BP trace time analysis, taking account of heart rate, relate to PDA diameter.• ECG and BP waveform phase difference as well as BP waveform time analysis may be useful in the continuous assessment of PDA function.
Adoption of large-scale medical equipment: the impact of competition in the German inpatient sector
Authors: Dreger Marie , Langhoff Hauke , Henschke Cornelia
Published: November 2021

The availability of large-scale medical equipment such as computed tomography (CT), magnet resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scanners has increased rapidly worldwide over the last decades. Among OECD countries, Germany ranks high according to the number of imaging technologies and their applications per inhabitant. In contrast to other countries, there is no active governmental planning of large-scale medical equipment. We therefore investigated whether and how the adoption and distribution of CT, MRI and PET scanners in the German inpatient sector is subject to competition. Using a linear-probability model, we additionally examined the impact of regional, hospital- and population-based factors. In summary, our results indicate that the adoption rate by hospital sites decreases with the number of other sites being already equipped with the respective device and their proximity. However, the effect presumably depends on the technologies’ stage within the diffusion process. No influence regarding the amount of state subsidies could be identified. Furthermore, hospital size and university status strongly affect the adoption.
Trichomonas gallinae infections in the naïve host Montifringilla nivalis subsp. nivalis
Authors: Dirren Sebastian , Borel Stéphanie , Wolfrum Nina , Korner-Nievergelt Fränzi
Published: November 2021

Infectious diseases bear a great risk for populations of naïve host species. In the present article we inform about the first microscopic and molecular detection of the bird pathogen Trichomonas gallinae in the White-winged Snowfinch (Montifringilla nivalis subsp. nivalis). The emergence of trichomonosis in this highly specialised alpine bird species may pose a serious threat to its already declining population. Interspecies transmission of T. gallinae most likely occurred at a bird feeder in a Swiss mountain village. Monitoring of the disease and immediate measures to prevent its spread are urgently needed.
Justice, Transparency and the Guiding Principles of the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Authors: Charlton Victoria
Published: November 2021

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the UK’s primary healthcare priority-setting body, responsible for advising the National Health Service in England on which technologies to fund and which to reject. Until recently, the normative approach underlying this advice was described in a 2008 document entitled ‘Social value judgements: Principles for the development of NICE guidance’ (SVJ). In January 2020, however, NICE replaced SVJ with a new articulation of its guiding principles. Given the significant evolution of NICE’s methods between 2008 and 2020, this study examines whether this new document (‘Principles’) offers a transparent account of NICE’s current normative approach. It finds that it does not, deriving much of its content directly from SVJ and failing to fully acknowledge or explain how and why NICE’s approach has since changed. In particular, Principles is found to offer a largely procedural account of NICE decision-making, despite evidence of the increasing reliance of NICE’s methods on substantive decision-rules and ‘modifiers’ that cannot be justified in purely procedural terms. Thus, while Principles tells NICE’s stakeholders much about how the organisation goes about the process of decision-making, it tells them little about the substantive grounds on which its decisions are now based. It is therefore argued that Principles does not offer a transparent account of NICE’s normative approach (either alone, or alongside other documents) and that, given NICE’s reliance on transparency as a requirement of procedural justice, NICE does not in this respect satisfy its own specification of a just decision-maker.
Thermal stability of polymeric carbon nitride (PCN)-Al2O3–ZrO2 nanocomposites used in photocatalysis
Authors: Koltsov Iwona
Published: November 2021

Polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) was recently found to have extensive applications in the field of photocatalysis. Knowledge about thermal stability of PCN nanocomposites is crucial for this application and designing the final product. In this work, the thermal stability of PCN-Al2O3–ZrO2 nanocomposites was investigated. PCN nanocomposites were obtained in two steps: (1) microwave hydrothermal synthesis of co-precipitated AlOOH and ZrO2 precursors, followed by drying; (2) mixing the nanopowders with melamine powder and annealing in air in a tube furnace at 400, and 450 °C. The PCN nanocomposites were examined by attenuated total reflection technique of Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Also, the evolved gas analysis was performed combining differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectroscopy and FTIR. The results show that only PCN-Al2O3–ZrO2 nanocomposite obtained at 400 °C is stable from room temperature up to 490 °C and during thermal decomposition, in one step releases ammonia (NH3), cyanic acid (HNCO), water (H2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2). The limitation of the PCN-Al2O3–ZrO2 thermal stability and performance is AlOOH–ZrO2 used as a nanocomposite component.
Photovoice-Studie CORONA
Authors: Redlof Saskia , Götz Madlen , Niederberger Marlen
Published: November 2021

Hintergrund

Personen, die der Hockrisikogruppe angehören, sind einem deutlich erhöhten Risiko ausgesetzt bei einer Infektion mit COVID-19 („coronavirus disease 2019“) einen erschwerten Krankheitsverlauf zu entwickeln und daran zu sterben. Um die Verbreitung von COVID-19 in der Bevölkerung einzudämmen, werden situationsangepasste Maßnahmen durchgesetzt, die Änderungen der Alltagsgestaltung bewirken.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die Auseinandersetzung der Hochrisikogruppe mit den Auswirkungen der Coronapandemie, die partizipative Erforschung ihrer Alltagsgestaltung, Sorgen und Gesundheitsressourcen stehen im Zentrum dieser Studie.

Material und Methoden

Zur Analyse der Lebenswelt der Hochrisikogruppe wurde die Photovoice-Methode im Online-Format mit drei Workshops eingesetzt. Sieben Hochrisikopatient:innen mit unterschiedlichen Grunderkrankungen schildern, was Corona für sie im Alltag bedeutet und wofür sie dennoch dankbar sind. Die Rekrutierung erfolgte über persönliche Kontakte des Forschungsteams.

Ergebnisse

Die Co-Forschenden haben neun Geschichten formuliert, anhand derer ihre Dankbarkeit gegenüber des Gesundheitssystems und sozialen Umfelds zum Ausdruck kommt. Die Frage einer gesellschaftlichen Stigmatisierung von Personen mit Grunderkrankungen wird kritisch reflektiert. Die Geschichten zeigen, dass sie gesundheitskompetent handeln und persönliche Gesundheitsressourcen bewusst einsetzen, um negative Folgen auf ihre Gesundheit zu vermeiden und ihr Wohlbefinden zu steigern.

Diskussion

Die Co-Forschenden erweisen sich als gesundheitskompetent und in der Lage, ihr Wohlbefinden positiv zu beeinflussen. Es deutet sich jedoch an, dass der gesellschaftliche Umgang mit vulnerablen Gemeinschaften weiter zu erforschen ist, insbesondere mit Blick auf Diskriminierungsprozesse und einer bedarfsgerechten Gesundheitsversorgung.
Generalization of prime ideals in $$M_n(N)$$-group $$N^{n}$$
Authors: Tapatee S. , Kedukodi B. S. , Juglal S. , Harikrishnan P. K. , Kuncham S. P.
Published: November 2021

The notion of a matrix nearring over an arbitrary nearring was introduced by (Meldrum and Walt Arch. Math. 47(4): 312–319, 1986). In this paper, we define the notions such as weakly $$\tau$$
τ
-prime $$(\tau =0,c,3,e)$$

(
τ
=
0
,
c
,
3
,
e
)

ideals of an N-group G,  which are the generalization of the classes of $$\tau$$
τ
-prime ideals of G, and provide suitable examples to distinguish between the two classes. We extend the concept to obtain the one-one correspondence between weakly $$\tau$$
τ
-prime ideals $$(\tau =0,c,3,e)$$

(
τ
=
0
,
c
,
3
,
e
)

of N-group (over itself) and those of $$M_n(N)$$

M
n

(
N
)

-group $$N^{n}$$

N
n

, where $$M_n(N)$$

M
n

(
N
)

is the matrix nearring over the nearring N. Further, we prove the correspondence between weakly 2-absorbing ideals of these classes.
The value of immunotherapy in pediatric leukemia and lymphoma
Authors: Salzer Elisabeth , Attarbaschi Andishe
Published: November 2021

Leukemia and lymphoma are a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in children and the prognosis for patients with relapsed or refractory disease remains poor. Standard therapies are associated with a wide array of acute and long-term toxicities. Immunotherapy is changing the treatment landscape for pediatric leukemia and lymphoma patients and has advanced at a tremendous pace over the last decade. Immunotherapies are thought to exhibit fewer long-term toxicities than chemotherapy and radiation, which makes it very appealing in the field of pediatrics. These novel therapeutic concepts may overcome resistance to and decrease side effects of standard therapy. Many therapies are currently being investigated, from immunomodulatory agents to adoptive cell therapy, bispecific T‑cell engagers, oncolytic virotherapy, and checkpoint inhibition. A critical challenge that must be overcome is the identification of biomarker(s) to identify patients who would benefit from immunotherapy.
Creep behavior of cemented sand investigated under cyclic loading
Authors: Chang Kuang-Tsung , Lee Kevin Zeh-Zon , Yeh Po-Tsun , Chang Chia-Ming , Yu Jin-Yi
Published: November 2021

The influence of stress state on the creep behavior of an artificial cemented sand resembling soft rocks was evaluated. The stress state was characterized by a mean stress and a stress ratio. The cyclic stress-induced creep test was adopted in this study, where the cyclic loading involved a constant deviator stress and a cyclic mean stress (or confining pressure) of the same amplitude and period; the test indicated similar trends as the conventional creep test with a shorter time to creep failure at less creep strain. Results showed that when the creep strain is large enough, the greater the creep strain accumulates, the smaller is the post-creep strength. Under the same number of cyclic loads, with the same stress ratio, the creep strain and the steady-state strain rate in the secondary creep stage increase with increasing mean stress; with the same mean stress, the two said parameters also increase with increasing stress ratio. It was also found that the time to reach creep failure decreases with decreasing mean stress and increasing stress ratio. The stress ratio is proposed to account for the tendency of a stress state to cause failure, and the cyclic variation of mean stress, which is equivalent to the effective mean stress with pore water pressure being zero in the tests conducted, reflects the effective stress state of a geomaterial under fluctuations of groundwater table. Under a fixed deviator stress, a soft porous geomaterial subjected to cyclic variation of effective mean stress may yield contraction and could lead to failure if the stress ratio is high. The findings can help explain the mechanism of ground subsidence or slope failure subjected to cyclic fluctuations of groundwater table.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of lung cancer brain metastasis and primary tumor receptor expression discordance
Authors: Tonse Raees , Rubens Muni , Appel Haley , Tom Martin C. , Hall Matthew D. , Odia Yazmin , McDermott Michael W. , Ahluwalia Manmeet S. , Mehta Minesh P. , Kotecha Rupesh
Published: November 2021

Background

Treatment paradigms for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer are increasingly based on biomarker-driven therapies, with the most common alteration being mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Change in expression of such biomarkers could have a profound impact on the choice and efficacy of a selected targeted therapeutic, and hence the objective of this study was to analyze discordance in EGFR status in patients with lung cancer brain metastasis (LCBM).

Methods

Using PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was performed of series in the Medline database of biopsied or resected LCBM published before May, 2020. Key words included “lung cancer” and “brain metastasis” combined with “epidermal growth factor receptor/EGFR,” and “receptor conversion/discordance or concordance.” Weighted random effects models were used to calculate pooled estimates.

Results

We identified 501 patients from 19 full-text articles for inclusion in this study. All patients underwent biopsy or resection of at least one intracranial lesion to compare to the primary tumor. On primary/LCBM comparison, the weighted pooled estimate for overall EGFR receptor discordance was 10% (95% CI 5–17%). The weighted effects model estimated a gain of an EGFR mutation in a brain metastases in patients with negative primary tumors was 7% (95% CI 4–12%). Alternatively, the weighted effects model estimate of loss of an EGFR mutation in patients with detected mutations in the primary tumor was also 7% (95% CI 4–10%). KRAS testing was also performed on both primary tumors and LCBM in a subset of 148 patients. The weighted effects estimate of KRAS-mutation discordance among LCBM compared to primary tumors was 13% (95% CI 5–27%). The weighted effects estimated of KRAS gain and loss in LCBM was 10% (95% CI 6–18%) and 8% (95% CI 4–15%), respectively. Meta-regression analysis did not find any association with any factors that could be associated with discordances.

Conclusions

EGFR and KRAS mutation status discordance between primary tumor and LCBM occurs in approximately 10% and 13% of patients, respectively. Evaluation of LCBM receptor status is key to biomarker-driven targeted therapy for intracranial disease and awareness of subtype switching is critical for those patients treated with systemic therapy alone for intracranial disease.
Design method and application of accurate adjustment scheme for water injection wells around adjustment wells
Authors: Hao Tongchun , Zhong Liguo , Liu Jianbin , Han Xiaodong , Zhu Tianyin , Zhang Xiaocheng , Wang Xiaopeng , Zhang Lei
Published: November 2021

Affected by the surrounding injection and production wells, the formation near the infill adjustment well is in an abnormal pressure state, and drilling and completion operations are prone to complex situations and accidents such as leakage and overflow. The conventional shut-in method is to close all water injection wells around the adjustment well to ensure the safety of the operation, but at the same time reduce the oil field production. This paper proposes a design method for shut-in of water injection wells around adjustment wells based on injection-production data mining. This method uses water injection index and liquid productivity index as target parameters to analyze the correlation between injection and production wells. Select water injection wells with a high correlation and combine other parameters such as wellhead pressure and pressure recovery speed to design accurate adjustment schemes. Low-correlation wells do not take shut-in measures. This method was applied to 20 infill adjustment wells in the Penglai Oilfield. The correlation between injection and production wells was calculated using the data more than 500 injection wells and production wells. After a single adjustment well is drilled, the surrounding injection wells can increase the water injection volume by more than 5000 m3. This method achieves accurate adjustment for water injection wells that are high correlated with the adjustment well. Under the premise of ensuring the safety of drilling operations, the impact of drilling and completion on oilfield development is minimized, and oilfield production efficiency is improved. It has good application and promotion value.
Influence of reservoir lithology on porous flow resistance of gas-bearing tight oil reservoirs and production forecast
Authors: Rao Yuan , Yang Zhengming , Chang Lijing , Zhang Yapu , Wu Zhenkai , Li Haibo
Published: November 2021

The release of dissolved gas during the development of gas-bearing tight oil reservoirs has a great influence on the effect of development. In this article, the high-pressure mercury intrusion experiment was carried out in cores from different regions and lithologies of the Ordos Basin and the Sichuan Basin. The objectives are to study the microscopic characteristics of the porous throat structure of these reservoirs and to analyze the porous flow resistance laws of different lithology by conducting a resistance gradient test experiment. A mathematical model is established and the oil production index is corrected according to the experiment results to predict the oil production. The experimental results show that for tight reservoirs in the same area and lithology, the lower the permeability under the same back pressure, the greater the resistance gradient. And for sandstone reservoirs in different areas, the resistance gradients have little difference and the changes in the resistance coefficients are similar. However, limestone under the same conditions supports a much higher resistance gradient than sandstone reservoirs. Furthermore, the experimental results are consistent with the theoretical analysis indicating that the PVT (pressure–volume-temperature) characteristics in the nanoscale pores are different from those measured in the high-temperature, high-pressure sampler. Only when the pressure is less than a certain value of the bubble point pressure, the dissolved gas will begin to separate and generate resistance. This pressure is lower than the bubble point pressure measured in the high-temperature and pressure sampler. The calculation results show that the heterogeneity of limestone reservoirs and the mismatch of fluid storage and flow space will make the resistance, generated by the separation of dissolved gas, have a greater impact on oil production.
Determination of nanoparticles concentration in solution based on Pickering emulsion destabilization analyses
Authors: Błaszczyk Mariola M. , Przybysz Łukasz
Published: November 2021

The
dynamic development of nanotechnology research has contributed to the fact that various types of nanoparticles are increasingly used on a large scale both for medical and biological purposes, but above all in many industrial fields. Such a wide application of nanoparticles is often connected with the need to estimate their characteristic parameters, such as size, size distribution or concentration. Existing instruments are usually quite expensive and not always available. Therefore, other cheaper and simpler methods based on analytical techniques are sought. In this paper, we have proposed a method to estimate the concentration of nanoparticles in solutions based on destabilization analyses of Pickering emulsions produced with their use. The fact of mutual relationship between emulsion concentration, nanoparticle concentration and emulsion stability was used here. The study was carried out using silica nanoparticles. It was presented how to apply the method and what are its limitations. Moreover, an example of its application for the determination of nanoparticle concentration in an unknown sample, obtained after analysis of the permeability of membranes in diffusion chambers, has been presented. The method can become a useful alternative for the determination of nanoparticle concentration in solution in places where no specialized equipment is available.
Brain tumor detection and classification using machine learning: a comprehensive survey
Authors: Amin Javaria , Sharif Muhammad , Haldorai Anandakumar , Yasmin Mussarat , Nayak Ramesh Sundar
Published: November 2021

Brain tumor occurs owing to uncontrolled and rapid growth of cells. If not treated at an initial phase, it may lead to death. Despite many significant efforts and promising outcomes in this domain, accurate segmentation and classification remain a challenging task. A major challenge for brain tumor detection arises from the variations in tumor location, shape, and size. The objective of this survey is to deliver a comprehensive literature on brain tumor detection through magnetic resonance imaging to help the researchers. This survey covered the anatomy of brain tumors, publicly available datasets, enhancement techniques, segmentation, feature extraction, classification, and deep learning, transfer learning and quantum machine learning for brain tumors analysis. Finally, this survey provides all important literature for the detection of brain tumors with their advantages, limitations, developments, and future trends.
An electromagnetic arrayed pump to create arbitrary velocity profiles in fluid
Authors: Hashemi Seyed Peyman , Karafi Mohammad Reza , Sadeghi Mohammad Hossein , Esfedan Vahid Rezaei
Published: November 2021

The present paper is conducted to develop a new structure of an electromagnetic pump capable of controlling the magnetic field in a rectangular channel. Common electromagnetic pumps do not create uniform velocity profiles in the cross-section of the channel. In these pumps, an M-shape profile is created since the fluid velocity in the vicinity of the walls is higher than that in its center. Herein, the arbitrary velocity profiles in the electromagnetic pump are generated by introducing an arrayed structure of the coils in the electromagnetic pump and implementing 3D numerical simulation in the finite element software COMSOL. The dimensions of the rectangular channel are 5.5 × 150 mm2. Moreover, the magnetic field is provided using a core with an arrayed structure made of low-carbon iron, as well as five couples of coils. 20% NaoH solution is utilized as the fluid (conductivity: 40 S/m). The arrayed pump is fabricated and experimentally created an arbitrary velocity profile. The pressure of the pump in every single array is 12 Pa and the flow rate is equal to 3375 mm3/s. According to the results, there is a good agreement between the experimental test carried out herein and the simulated models.

Article highlights

This is the first time that the idea of arrayed electromagnetic pump is presented. This pump uses a special arrayed core with coils; by controlling the current of each coil and the direction of the currents, the magnetic field under the core could be adjusted. By changing the magnetic field at any position in the width of the channel, the Lorentz force alters, which leads to different velocity and pressure profiles.

Using COMSOL multiphysics software, the electromagnetic pump was simulated in real size compared to the experimental model. Subsequently, the simulation model was verified and different velocity profiles were generated by activation and deactivation of different coils. The pressure and velocity curves and contours were extracted.

The experimental setup was manufactured and assembled. NaOH solution was utilized as the fluid. Afterwards, different modes of coil activations were investigated and the pressure and velocity profiles of the pump were calculated.
A Risk Model for Predicting Fetuses with Trisomy 21 Using Alpha-Fetoprotein Variants L2 Combined with Maternal Serum Biomarkers in Early Pregnancy
Authors: Chen Yiming , Wu Bin , Chen Yijie , Ning Wenwen , Zhang Huimin
Published: November 2021

To establish a risk prediction model and the clinical value of trisomy 21 using alpha-fetoprotein variants L2 (AFP-L2) combined with maternal serum biomarkers and nuchal translucency (NT) thickness in early pregnancy. A retrospective case–control study was conducted. The subjects were divided into the case group (n = 40) or the control group (n = 40). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the maternal serum AFP-L2 level in both groups. The AFP-L2 single-index or multi-index combined risk model was used to predict the efficiency of trisomy 21. The best cut-off value and area under the curve (AUC) were determined to evaluate the predictive efficacy of different risk models constructed by AFP-L2. The maternal serum AFP-L2 level in the case group was 1.59 (0.61–3.61) Multiple of medium (MoM), which was higher than 1.00 (0.39–2.12) MoM in the control group (P < 0.001). The free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (free β-hCG) level and NT in the case group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.001). The pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) level in the case group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.001). The AUC of AFP-L2 in predicting trisomy 21 was 0.797. After considering the maternal serum AFP-L2 level, the AUC, detection rate (DR), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), falsepositive rate (FPR), false negative rate (FNR), positive likelihood ratio (+LR), and negative likelihood ratio (-LR) were significantly improved. In this study, PAPP-A + free β-hCG + NT + AFP-L2 and PAPP-A + free β-hCG + AFP-L2 increased the integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) and net classification improvement (NRI) of predicting fetuses with trisomy 21 (1.10% and 5.27%; 11.07% and 2.78%)  (1.10% and 5.27%; 11.07% and 2.78%), respectively, after considering the maternal serum AFP-L2 level. The maternal serum AFP-L2 level in early pregnancy had high sensitivity and specificity, and it was a good biomarker to predict fetuses with trisomy 21.
Real World Evidence in Medical Cannabis Research
Authors: Banerjee Rishi , Erridge Simon , Salazar Oliver , Mangal Nagina , Couch Daniel , Pacchetti Barbara , Sodergren Mikael Hans
Published: November 2021

Background

Whilst access to cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) has increased globally subject to relaxation of scheduling laws globally, one of the main barriers to appropriate patient access remains a paucity of high-quality evidence surrounding their clinical effects.

Discussion

Whilst randomised controlled trials (RCTs) remain the gold-standard for clinical evaluation, there are notable barriers to their implementation. Development of CBMPs requires novel approaches of evidence collection to address these challenges. Real world evidence (RWE) presents a solution to not only both provide immediate impact on clinical care, but also inform well-conducted RCTs. RWE is defined as evidence derived from health data sourced from non-interventional studies, registries, electronic health records and insurance data. Currently it is used mostly to monitor post-approval safety requirements allowing for long-term pharmacovigilance. However, RWE has the potential to be used in conjunction or as an extension to RCTs to both broaden and streamline the process of evidence generation.

Conclusion

Novel approaches of data collection and analysis will be integral to improving clinical evidence on CBMPs. RWE can be used in conjunction or as an extension to RCTs to increase the speed of evidence generation, as well as reduce costs. Currently, there is an abundance of potential data however, whilst a number of platforms now exist to capture real world data it is important the right tools and analysis are utilised to unlock potential insights from these.
Foregrounding Daily Data Collection on Archaeological Fieldwork
Authors: Petrosyan Artur , Azizbekyan Hayk , Gasparyan Boris , Dan Roberto , Bobokhyan Arsen , Amiryan Mariam
Published: November 2021

Overview

Daily data collection during archaeological fieldwork forms the basis for later interpretation and analysis. Across the world, we observe a wide variety of digital data collection methods and tools employed during fieldwork. Here, we detail the daily practices at four recent survey and excavation projects in the South Caucasian country of Armenia. As archaeology continues to become ever more digital, it is useful to consider these day-to-day recording processes at a typical field project. We provide details on both the types of data collected and the ways they are collected so as to foreground these topics. Finally, we reflect on how our work is currently impacted by digital changes and how it may continue to change in the future.
Multiple System Atrophy Caregivers’ Experience: A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Langford Beth , Zhou Yiling , Miyasaki Janis M.
Published: November 2021

Background:

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare Parkinson-plus syndrome with rapid progression and a high symptom burden. The experience of caregivers of people with MSA has not been closely examined. We therefore sought to document the impact of MSA on caregivers using a mixed methods approach.

Methods:

Patients and caregivers were recruited from a movement disorders program in Edmonton, Canada. Participants completed the following survey instruments based on their own or their loved one’s symptoms: 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Multiple System Atrophy health-related Quality of Life scale (MSA-QoL), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Caregivers also completed the Zarit Burden Interview and HADS based on their own experience. Qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews.

Results:

Nine people with MSA (PwMSA) (age range: 48–78 years) and 11 caregivers (49–76 years) participated. All completed surveys; 7 PwMSA and 10 caregivers were interviewed. Eight PwMSA had the parkinsonian type of MSA (MSA-P) and one a mixed type. Caregivers had on average mild-moderate caregiver burden and mild anxiety. Caregiver burden and anxiety were correlated. Qualitative subthemes under the caregiving theme included keeping the patient safe, caregivers’ own health, and communication symptoms cause frustration. The rapid progression of illness was bewildering to caregivers and increased their workload. Public home care services were invaluable to caregivers’ maintaining their loved ones at home. Caregivers were inventive in finding sources of hope and quality of life for their loved ones.

Conclusion:

Publicly funded home care was essential for caregivers of PwMSA in this study. Caregiver support is needed to provide this unrecognized workforce with information and resources to face this challenging condition.
Spatial variability and regional trends of Antarctic ice shelf surface melt duration over 1979–2020 derived from passive microwave data
Authors: Johnson Andrew , Hock Regine , Fahnestock Mark
Published: November 2021

Passive microwave satellite observations are used to identify the presence of surface meltwater across Antarctica at daily intervals from July 1979 to June 2020, with a focus on ice shelves. Antarctic Peninsula ice shelves have the highest number of annual days of melt, with a maximum of 89 days. Over the entire time period, there are few significant linear trends in days of melt per year. High melt years can be split into two distinct categories, those with high melt days in Dronning Maud Land and Wilkes Land, and those with high melt days in the Antarctic Peninsula and the Bellingshausen Sea sector of West Antarctica. The first pattern coincides with significant negative correlations between melt days and spring and summer Southern Annular Mode. Both patterns also form the primary modes of spatial and annual variability in the dataset observed by Principal Component Analysis. Areas experiencing extended melt for the first time in years tend to show large decreases in subsequent winter microwave emissions due to structural changes in the firn. We use this to identify the impact of novel melt events, particularly over the austral summers of 1991/92 and 2015/16 on the Ross Ice Shelf.