bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tacrolimus time in therapeutic range and long‐term outcomes in heart transplant recipients
Authors: Adie Sarah K. , Bitar Abbas , Konerman Matthew C. , Dorsch Michael P. , Andrews Chris A. , Pogue Kristen , Park Jeong M.
Published: December 2021

Study Objective

Little is known about the association between tacrolimus time in therapeutic range (TTR) within the guideline‐recommended targets and heart transplant (HT) patient outcomes. This study evaluated the association of early tacrolimus TTR with rejection and other clinical outcomes during an extended follow‐up after HT.

Design

This was a single‐center retrospective cohort study.

Setting

The study was conducted at Michigan Medicine (1/1/2006–12/31/2017).

Patients

HT recipients ≥18 years of age were included.

Measurement

The primary end point was the effect of tacrolimus TTR on time to rejection over the entire follow‐up period.

Main Results

A total of 137 patients were included with a median follow‐up of 53 months. Based on the median TTR of 58%, the patients were divided into the low tacrolimus TTR (n = 68) and high tacrolimus TTR (n = 69) cohort. The high tacrolimus TTR was associated with a significantly lower risk of rejection compared to the low tacrolimus TTR cohort (hazard ratio [HR] 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41–0.98; p = 0.04). A post hoc analysis revealed associations between rejection and TTR when high and low TTR groups were created at different levels. TTR <30% was associated with a 7‐fold higher risk of rejection (HR 7.56; 95% CI 1.76–37.6; p < 0.01) and TTR >75% was associated with a 77% lower risk of rejection (HR 0.23; 95% CI 0.08–0.627; p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Patients in the higher tacrolimus TTR cohort had a lower risk of rejection. We observed correlations between higher risk of rejection with TTR <30% and lower risk of rejection with TTR >75%. Future studies should focus on validating the optimal TTR cutoff while also exploring a cutoff to delineate high‐risk patients for which early interventions to improve tacrolimus TTR may be beneficial.
In‐situ interfacial polymerization endows surface enrichment of COOH groups on anion exchange membranes for efficient Cl−/SO42− separation
Authors: Afsar Noor Ul , Li Xingya , Zhu Yanran , Ge Zijuan , Zhou Yue , Zhao Zhang , Hussain Arif , Ge Liang , Fu Rongqiang , Liu Zhaoming , Xu Tongwen
Published: December 2021

In‐situ interfacial polymerization technique is developed to prepare monovalent anion‐permselective membranes (MAPMs). The introduction of multi‐hydroxyl (OH) and cationic groups in the base membrane provide suitable routes towards the monovalent anion transport. Only trimesoyl chloride is employed to generate a crosslinked polyester layer on membrane surface. The ISIP transforms the surface of anion exchange membranes into a dense and negatively charged layer to promote the ion permselectivity. The modified membranes show a high limiting current density and low membrane resistance of 4.7 Ω cm2. The resultant membranes exhibit a high Cl− flux of 6.3 × 10−8 mol cm−2 s−1 and a high permselectivity of ~60 for Cl−/SO42−. The findings demonstrate the ISIP technique having great potentials for the fabrication of highly permselective MAPMs.
Anlotinib helps alleviate radiation pneumonitis: A case report
Authors: Chen Jiazhen , Wang Cunliang , Hu Xudong
Published: December 2021

Radiation pneumonitis is a serious side effect of thoracic radiotherapy with no established treatment currently. Anlotinib is a small‐molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with anti‐angiogenic effects. The effect of TKIs in the treatment of radiation pneumonitis remains to be elucidated. We investigated whether anlotinib could alleviate radiation pneumonitis. We report a case of a patient with esophageal cancer who received anlotinib for radiation pneumonitis following radiotherapy. We also reviewed related studies to address this issue. The results in this patient suggest that anlotinib may be a valid treatment option for radiation pneumonitis.
Evaluating the lifetime performance index of products based on progressively Type‐II censored Pareto samples: A new Bayesian approach
Authors: Ahmadi Mohammad Vali , Doostparast Mahdi
Published: December 2021

Process capability indices has been widely applied in industry to assess the performance of industrial processes. For the larger‐the‐better lifetimes of products, the lifetime performance index is commonly considered by industrial managers. This paper confines itself to the the Bayesian statistical inferences about under the Pareto distribution with the progressively Type‐II censored samples. The Bayesian inferences are based on a conjugate continuous prior for the scale parameter and a discrete prior for the shape parameter of the distribution under consideration. Two illustrative examples are given to demonstrate the sensitivity of results to the prior hyperparameters and the underlying distribution of the observations. Finally, a Monte Carlo simulation study is done to evaluate the behavior of the lifetime performance index .
Cycle lengths in sparse random graphs
Authors: Alon Yahav , Krivelevich Michael , Lubetzky Eyal
Published: December 2021

We study the set of lengths of all cycles that appear in a random d‐regular graph G on n vertices for fixed, as well as in binomial random graphs on n vertices with a fixed average degree . Fundamental results on the distribution of cycle counts in these models were established in the 1980s and early 1990s, with a focus on the extreme lengths: cycles of fixed length, and cycles of length linear in n. Here we derive, for a random d‐regular graph, the limiting probability that simultaneously contains the entire range for , as an explicit expression which goes to 1 as . For the random graph with , where for some absolute constant , we show the analogous result for the range , where is the length of a longest cycle in G. The limiting probability for coincides with from the d‐regular case when c
is the integer . In addition, for the directed random graph we show results analogous to those on , and for both models we find an interval of consecutive cycle lengths in the slightly supercritical regime .
Electrolyte Salts and Additives Regulation Enables High Performance Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries: A Mini Review
Authors: Du Yixun , Li Yang , Xu Ben Bin , Liu Terence Xiaoteng , Liu Xuqing , Ma Fuyu , Gu Xingxing , Lai Chao
Published: December 2021

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) are regarded as one of the most ideally suited candidates for large‐scale energy storage applications owning to their obvious advantages, that is, low cost, high safety, high ionic conductivity, abundant raw material resources, and eco‐friendliness. Much effort has been devoted to the exploration of cathode materials design, cathode storage mechanisms, anode protection as well as failure mechanisms, while inadequate attentions are paid on the performance enhancement through modifying the electrolyte salts and additives. Herein, to fulfill a comprehensive aqueous ZIBs research database, a range of recently published electrolyte salts and additives research is reviewed and discussed. Furthermore, the remaining challenges and future directions of electrolytes in aqueous ZIBs are also suggested, which can provide insights to push ZIBs’ commercialization.
Applications of Metal‐Organic Frameworks in Water Treatment: A Review
Authors: Yang Feiyu , Du Meng , Yin Kailiang , Qiu Ziming , Zhao Jiawei , Liu Chunli , Zhang Guangxun , Gao Yajun , Pang Huan
Published: December 2021

The ever‐expanding scale of industry and agriculture has led to the gradual increase of pollutants (e.g., heavy metal ions, synthetic dyes, and antibiotics) in water resources, and the ecology and wastewater are grave problems that need to be solved urgently and has attracted widespread attention from the research community and industry in recent years. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are a type of organic–inorganic hybrid material with a distinctive 3D network crystal structure. Lately, MOFs have made striking progress in the fields of adsorption, catalytic degradation, and biomedicine on account of their large specific surface and well‐developed pore structure. This review summarizes the latest research achievements in the preparation of pristine MOFs, MOF composites, and MOF derivatives for various applications including the removal of heavy metal ions, organic dyes, and other harmful substances in sewage. Furthermore, the working mechanisms of utilizing adsorption, photocatalytic degradation, and membrane separation technologies are also briefly described for specific pollutants removal from sewage. It is expected that this review will provide inspiration and references for the synthesis of pristine MOFs as well as their composites and derivatives with excellent water treatment performance.
Manipulating the Zinc Deposition Behavior in Hexagonal Patterns at the Preferential Zn (100) Crystal Plane to Construct Surficial Dendrite‐Free Zinc Metal Anode
Authors: Zhang Yaru , Han Xinpeng , Liu Runze , Yang Zhanxu , Zhang Shaojie , Zhang Yiming , Wang Huili , Cao Yu , Chen Aibing , Sun Jie
Published: December 2021

Zinc metal has a severe dendrite issue caused by the uneven Zn plating/stripping during continual cycles, which hinders the practical application of ZIBs. The surficial atomic structure of zinc anode plays a decisive role in solving dendrites and improving the electrochemical performance. According to the density functional theory results, Zn (100) plane possesses a much stronger adsorption energy of zinc atom compared with the (002), thus zinc atom preferentially nucleates on the (100) surface. It subsequently continues to grow vertically on (100). Herein, the zinc anode is designed with hexagonal‐hole patterns (h‐Zn) through a phosphoric acid etching reaction. An abundance of Zn (100) crystal planes are exposed perpendicularly to the anode surface, while the (002) surfaces are at the bottom of these hexagonal holes. Zinc prefers to deposit in hexagonal holes at the (100) surfaces, favoring the restraining of the surficial dendrite growth and accelerating the Zn deposition kinetics. Thus, the symmetric cell using h‐Zn exhibits a long cycling lifespan for over 1200 h and extremely low polarization voltage of ≈80 mV at 5 mA cm–2 and 1 mAh cm–2. This work provides an insight into the surficial structure design and crystal plane regulation to fabricate brilliant zinc metal anodes.
A Review on the Development of Metal Grids for the Upscaling of Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules
Authors: da Silva Filho José Maria C. , Gonçalves Agnaldo D. , Marques Francisco C. , de Freitas Jilian N.
Published: December 2021

Lab‐scale perovskite solar cells have reached efficiencies as high as the best monocrystalline silicon cells, with expectations that their manufacturing costs could be lower than those of currently commercialized cells. As a result, efforts are now directed to the production of these cells. In this sense, the use of frontal metal grids in large‐area perovskite cells and parallel‐connected modules is imperative due to the low conductivity of the transparent conductive substrate usually employed in these devices. For the insertion of grids, a trade‐off between reduced resistive losses and the increase in shadowed area must be achieved. Assessment of grid parameters is of utmost importance for the assembly of viable large‐scale cells and modules. Furthermore, a direct transfer from grid parameters previously specified for other photovoltaic technologies might not be the best option for perovskite cells. Nonetheless, investigations of grids specifically designed for these cells are still scarce in the literature. Here, grid design, both in terms of metal composition and geometric factors, is discussed, including their development for tandem cells and flexible devices. To provide further insights into the maturity level of this technology, a patent analysis regarding grid designs for perovskite modules is also presented in this review.
Durability performance of self‐compacting concrete made with waste foundry sand
Authors: Sandhu Ravinder Kaur , Siddique Rafat
Published: December 2021

The utilization of waste foundry sand (WFS) has been widely explored in conventional concrete to evaluate strength and durability properties. In this study, durability properties of self‐compacting concrete (SCC) made with various percentages (0%–30%) of WFS as a partial replacement of river sand up to the age of 365 days are investigated. Annually, more than 60 million metric tons of WFS is produced worldwide from the casting industry, creating environmental problems. The scarcity of river sand is another major area of concern that can be addressed with the utilization of WFS in concrete. Tests were conducted for fresh properties, compressive strength, water absorption, sorptivity, rapid chloride permeability, and sulfate resistance. All the SCC mixes exhibited fresh‐state properties as per EFNARC. With the incorporation of WFS up to 30% increased volume of permeable pore space (13.43%–16.67%), water absorption (2.11–3.07 mm), chloride permeability (2119–3553 C), and decreased compressive strength of sulfate‐cured samples by nearly 5% compared to water‐cured samples at 28 days of curing were observed. The concrete samples showed better performance of pore structure, permeation, sulfate attack, and chloride permeability at 90 and 365 days of curing age. It was found that cost‐effective SCC with performance comparable to the control mix could be achieved by using WFS up to 10%.
Emerging quantum computing algorithms for quantum chemistry
Authors: Motta Mario , Rice Julia E.
Published: December 2021

Digital quantum computers provide a computational framework for solving the Schrödinger equation for a variety of many‐particle systems. Quantum computing algorithms for the quantum simulation of these systems have recently witnessed remarkable growth, notwithstanding the limitations of existing quantum hardware, especially as a tool for electronic structure computations in molecules. In this review, we provide a self‐contained introduction to emerging algorithms for the simulation of Hamiltonian dynamics and eigenstates, with emphasis on their applications to the electronic structure in molecular systems. Theoretical foundations and implementation details of the method are discussed, and their strengths, limitations, and recent advances are presented.

This article is categorized under:

Quantum Computing > Algorithms

Electronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure Methods

Quantum Computing > Theory Development
Uncertainty Quantification, Model Calibration and Sensitivity
Authors: Bijak Jakub , Hilton Jason
Published: December 2021

Better understanding of the behaviour of agent-based models, aimed at embedding them in the broader, model-based line of scientific enquiry, requires a comprehensive framework for analysing their results. Seeing models as tools for experimentingin silico, this chapter discusses the basic tenets and techniques of uncertainty quantification and experimental design, both of which can help shed light on the workings of complex systems embedded in computational models. In particular, we look at: relationships between model inputs and outputs, various types of experimental design, methods of analysis of simulation results, assessment of model uncertainty and sensitivity, which helps identify the parts of the model that matter in the experiments, as well as statistical tools for calibrating models to the available data. We focus on the role of emulators, or meta-models – high-level statistical models approximating the behaviour of the agent-based models under study – and in particular, on Gaussian processes (GPs). The theoretical discussion is illustrated by applications to the Routes and Rumours model of migrant route formation introduced before.
Correction to: Contesting the Neoliberal Discourse of the World Class University: ‘Digital Socialism’, Openness and Academic Publishing
Authors: Peters Michael A. , Besley Tina
Published: December 2021

The chapter was inadvertently published with one of the authors’ name incorrectly spelled as “Hazelhorn” instead Hazelkorn in the chapter citation and reference.
W+W− production at NNLO+PS with MINNLOPS
Authors: Lombardi Daniele , Wiesemann Marius , Zanderighi Giulia
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We consider W+W− production in hadronic collisions and present the computation of next-to-next-to-leading order accurate predictions consistently matched to parton showers (NNLO+PS) using the MiNNLOPS method. Spin correlations, interferences and off-shell effects are included by calculating the full process pp → e+νeμ−$$ \overline{\nu} $$

ν
¯

μ. This is the first NNLO+PS calculation for W+W− production that does not require an a-posteriori multi-differential reweighting. The evaluation time of the two-loop contribution has been reduced by more than one order of magnitude through a four-dimensional cubic spline interpolation. We find good agreement with the inclusive and fiducial cross sections measured by ATLAS and CMS. Both NNLO corrections and matching to parton showers are important for an accurate simulation of the W+W− signal, and their matching provides the best description of fully exclusive W+W− events to date.
Worldline description of a bi-adjoint scalar and the zeroth copy
Authors: Bastianelli Fiorenzo , Comberiati Francesco , de la Cruz Leonardo
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Bi-adjoint scalars are helpful in studying properties of color/kinematics duality and the double copy, which relates scattering amplitudes of gauge and gravity theories. Here we study bi-adjoint scalars from a worldline perspective. We show how a globalG×$$ \overset{\sim }{G} $$G~symmetry group may be realized by worldline degrees of freedom. The worldline action gives rise to vertex operators, which are compared to similar ones describing the coupling to gauge fields and gravity, thus exposing the color/kinematics interplay in this framework. The action is quantized by path integrals to find a worldline representation of the one-loop QFT effective action of the bi-adjoint scalar cubic theory. As simple applications, we recover the one-loop beta function of the theory in six dimensions, verifying its vanishing, and compute the self-energy correction to the propagator. The model is easily extendable to that of a particle carrying an arbitrary representation of direct products of global symmetry groups, including the multi-adjoint particle, whose one-loop beta function we reproduce as well.
Seeking SUSY fixed points in the 4 − ϵ expansion
Authors: Liendo Pedro , Rong Junchen
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We use the 4 − ϵ expansion to search for fixed points corresponding to 2 + 1 dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
=1 Wess-Zumino models of NΦ scalar superfields interacting through a cubic superpotential. In the NΦ = 3 case we classify all SUSY fixed points that are perturbatively unitary. In the NΦ = 4 and NΦ = 5 cases, we focus on fixed points where the scalar superfields form a single irreducible representation of the symmetry group (irreducible fixed points). For NΦ = 4 we show that the S5 invariant super Potts model is the only irreducible fixed point where the four scalar superfields are fully interacting. For NΦ = 5, we go through all Lie subgroups of O(5) and use the GAP system for computational discrete algebra to study finite subgroups of O(5) up to order 800. This analysis gives us three fully interacting irreducible fixed points. Of particular interest is a subgroup of O(5) that exhibits O(3)/Z2 symmetry. It turns out this fixed point can be generalized to a new family of models, with NΦ = $$ \frac{\mathrm{N}\left(\mathrm{N}-1\right)}{2} $$

N

N
−
1

2

− 1 and O(N)/Z2 symmetry, that exists for arbitrary integer N≥3.
Characterisation of a new online nanoLC-CZE-MS platform and application for the glycosylation profiling of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein
Authors: Stolz Alexander , Neusüß Christian
Published: December 2021

The ever-increasing complexity of biological samples to be analysed by mass spectrometry has led to the necessity of sophisticated separation techniques, including multidimensional separation. Despite a high degree of orthogonality, the coupling of liquid chromatography (LC) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) has not gained notable attention in research. Here, we present a heart-cut nanoLC-CZE-ESI-MS platform to analyse intact proteins. NanoLC and CZE-MS are coupled using a four-port valve with an internal nanoliter loop. NanoLC and CZE-MS conditions were optimised independently to find ideal conditions for the combined setup. The valve setup enables an ideal transfer efficiency between the dimensions while maintaining good separation conditions in both dimensions. Due to the higher loadability, the nanoLC-CZE-MS setup exhibits a 280-fold increased concentration sensitivity compared to CZE-MS. The platform was used to characterise intact human alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), an extremely heterogeneous N-glycosylated protein. With the nanoLC-CZE-MS approach, 368 glycoforms can be assigned at a concentration of 50 μg/mL as opposed to the assignment of only 186 glycoforms from 1 mg/mL by CZE-MS. Additionally, we demonstrate that glycosylation profiling is accessible for dried blood spot analysis (25 μg/mL AGP spiked), indicating the general applicability of our setup to biological matrices. The combination of high sensitivity and orthogonal selectivity in both dimensions makes the here-presented nanoLC-CZE-MS approach capable of detailed characterisation of intact proteins and their proteoforms from complex biological samples and in physiologically relevant concentrations.

Graphical abstract
Allgemeine Wirkfaktoren in der schriftbasierten Onlinetherapie und -beratung
Authors: Hintenberger Gerhard
Published: December 2021

Die ständig wachsenden technischen Möglichkeiten führen im Kontext von Onlinetherapie und Onlineberatung zu einer zunehmenden Ausdifferenzierung in unterschiedliche Kommunikationsmedien und verschiedene Settingumgebungen. Verschiedene Klient_innengruppen können so individuell angesprochen und auf deren Problemlagen präziser eingegangen werden. Andererseits wächst dadurch die Gefahr, digitalisierte Interventionen beliebig und eklektisch einzusetzen. Die Settingwahl ist deshalb als bewusste Interventionsstrategie anzusehen und benötigt ein Wissen über allgemeine Wirkfaktoren der unterschiedlichen Kommunikationskanäle, um eine Entscheidungsgrundlage für ein bestimmtes Setting oder einen Settingwechsel innerhalb eines Beratungs- und Therapiegeschehens treffen zu können. In diesem narrativen Review werden allgemeine Wirkfaktoren für die schriftbasierte Onlineberatung und Onlinetherapie identifiziert und als „Wirkfaktor Online-Beziehung“, „Wirkfaktor Sinneskanalreduktion“, „Wirkfaktor Anonymität“, „Wirkfaktor schriftbasierte Nachhaltigkeit“ sowie als „Wirkfaktor selbstreflexives und zeitautonomes Schreiben“ kategorisiert.
Jenseits von Sichardt – empirische Formeln zur Bestimmung der Absenkreichweite eines Brunnens und ein Verbesserungsvorschlag
Authors: Desens Annika , Houben Georg J.
Published: December 2021

Die Kenntnis der Absenkreichweite eines Brunnens ist eine für viele Anwendungen in der Hydrogeologie wichtige, aber nicht immer einfach zu bestimmende Größe. Häufig werden daher empirische Formeln zur Berechnung genutzt, im deutschen Sprachraum besonders die Formel von Sichardt. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit konnte durch einen Vergleich mit einem analytischen Modell der Brunnenzuströmung zunächst festgestellt werden, in welchem Bereich die Sichardt-Formel am besten funktioniert, nämlich bei sandig-kiesigen Grundwasserleitern mit einer Porosität um 30 % und einer Mächtigkeit von ca. 15 m. Um die Anwendbarkeit der Gleichung über diesen Bereich hinaus zu erweitern, d. h. für abweichende Porositäten und Mächtigkeiten, wurde ein Korrekturfaktor entwickelt, der einfach berechnet oder aus einem Nomogramm abgelesen werden kann. Da empirische Verfahren naturgemäß limitiert sind, kann für komplexere Aufgaben die Anwendung mathematisch anspruchsvollerer Modelle erforderlich werden.
A new generation of cable grade poly(vinyl chloride) containing heavy metal free modifier
Authors: I.Al-Mosawi Ali
Published: December 2021

Many additives are used to improve the performance of cables in terms of increasing their flame retardancy, thermal stability, thermal conductivity, and other characteristics. Unfortunately, most of these additives contain heavy metals. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to introduce a material representing a new generation of environmentally friendly heavy metal-free stabilizers for cable grade poly(vinyl chloride) that can compete with traditional materials in terms of performance and distinctive properties. This unique additive is Oxydtron, a synthetic silicate or simply nanocement. The tests performed are rheological properties represented by a capillary rheometry analysis, limiting oxygen index, and volume resistivity. The most significant improvement in Bagley correction measurements was 14.61%; 18.13%; and 27.20% more than poly(vinyl chloride) basic formulation when using 5wt.% Oxydtron at 160 °C, 170 °C, and 180 °C, respectively. Also, the mean increases in relaxation time were 3.200 times, 8.825 times, and 12.458 times more than poly(vinyl chloride) basic formulation with 1wt.%, 3wt.%, and 5wt.% of Oxydtron, respectively. Furthermore, the Oxydtron lowered the value of the accompanying thermal gradient of the L.O.I test, reducing the heat-affected zone. The best result was with the extrusion processing method due to the uniformity of the processing conditions. However, the thermal gradient analysis showed residual heat stress in the test samples after cutting the burning layer and re-testing the samples again; this causes them to burn faster. This situation requires caution for designs that are exposed to high temperatures without burning. The optimum improvement in volume resistivity value was 14.71% and 38.24% more than poly(vinyl chloride) basic formulation after adding 5wt.% and 7wt.% of Oxydtron, respectively.
Elevated baseline C-reactive protein levels predict poor progression-free survival in sporadic vestibular schwannoma
Authors: Wach Johannes , Güresir Ági , Borger Valeri , Schuss Patrick , Becker Albert , Coch Christoph , Schmitz Marie-Therese , Hölzel Michael , Toma Marieta , Herrlinger Ulrich , Vatter Hartmut , Güresir Erdem
Published: December 2021

Background

Recent investigations showed emerging evidence of the role of inflammation in the growth of sporadic vestibular schwannoma (VS). The present retrospective study investigated the impact of systemic inflammation on tumor progression using serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in a series of 87 surgically treated sporadic VS patients.

Methods

The optimal cut-off value for CRP was defined as 3.14 mg/dl according to the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC: 0.70, 95% CI 0.47–0.92). Patient cohort was dichotomized into normal (n = 66; < 3.14 mg/dl) and high baseline (n = 21; ≥ 3.14 mg/dl) CRP groups.

Results

No significant differences in age, sex, comorbidities influencing the systemic inflammatory state, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), tumor size, extent of resection, or MIB-1 index were identified between the two groups defined by the baseline CRP levels. Univariable analysis demonstrated that a high CRP level (≥ 3.14 mg/dl) is significantly associated with a shortened progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio (HR): 6.05, 95% CI 1.15–31.95, p = 0.03). Multivariable Cox regression analysis considering age, extent of resection, KPS, tumor size, and baseline CRP confirmed that an elevated CRP level (≥ 3.14 mg/dl) is an independent predictor of shortened PFS (HR: 7.20, 95% CI 1.08–48.14, p = 0.04).

Conclusions

The baseline CRP level thus serves as an independent predictor of PFS. Further investigations of the role of inflammation and tumor inflammatory microenvironment in the prediction of prognosis in sporadic VS are needed.

Graphical abstract
Influence of Potable Water Origin on the Physicochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Plasma Activated Water
Authors: Simon Stephane , Salgado Breno , Hasan Mohammad I. , Sivertsvik Morten , Fernández Estefania Noriega , Walsh James L.
Published: December 2021

The interaction between a cold gas plasma and water creates a plasma activated liquid, a solution rich in highly reactive chemical species. Such liquids have garnered considerable attention due to their powerful antimicrobial properties and ease of production. In this contribution, air plasma was used to activate potable water samples from five different countries, including the UK, France, Norway, Slovenia and Palestine. All water samples had an initial pH in the range of 7.9 to 8.2, following plasma activation samples from the UK and Norway reached a pH below 3, whereas water from France and Palestine remained stable at 8. The concentration of NO3− increased in all samples, reaching a maximum concentration of 3 mM after 25 min plasma exposure; whereas the concentration of NO2− showed a non-linear dependence with exposure time, reaching between 10 and 25 µM after 25 min of exposure. To demonstrate the impact of water origin on the antimicrobial potential of each solution, the inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was considered. It was found that activated water from the UK was capable of achieving > 6 log reduction, whereas water from Palestine was only able to achieve a 0.4 log reduction, despite both liquids receiving an identical plasma exposure. The study demonstrates the importance of initial water composition on the level of plasma activation, indicating that additional purification steps prior to activation may be necessary to ensure efficacy and repeatability.
How are social origin, destination and mobility linked to physical, mental, and self-rated health? Evidence from the United States
Authors: Bulczak Grzegorz , Gugushvili Alexi , Zelinska Olga
Published: December 2021

For decades, scholars have been exploring persistent inequalities in health by studying the roles of origin and destination socioeconomic positions (SEP), and the importance of social mobility trajectories from childhood to adult life in individuals’ wellbeing. However, this literature does not produce consistent and systematic findings on the relative importance of origin and destination SEP and independent social mobility effects. One of the main reasons for this is a set of methodological choices and decisions which researchers make. Arguably, one of the most critical aspects of research design is the operationalisation of SEP and the selection of health outcomes, usually without accounting for initial values of the health indicators employed. Using a nationally representative longitudinal dataset (Add Health) for the United States and diagonal reference models, in the present study, we examine how the choice of SEP in terms of educational, occupational, and income attainment, and the choice of health measures in terms of obesity, depressive symptoms, and self-rated health, influence findings on the origin and destination effects, as well as the health implications of social mobility. We also address the health selection problem by explicitly accounting for adolescents’ health in terms of each health outcome considered. Our results indicate that both choosing SEP and health measures, and accounting for social mobility and adolescent health have a noticeable impact on the relative importance of social origin and destination positions for health outcomes. We do not find evidence that social mobility has an independent effect on health, or that individuals’ previous health status moderates this association.
Altered Aortic Hemodynamics and Relative Pressure in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Marlevi David , Mariscal-Harana Jorge , Burris Nicholas S. , Sotelo Julio , Ruijsink Bram , Hadjicharalambous Myrianthi , Asner Liya , Sammut Eva , Chabiniok Radomir , Uribe Sergio , Winter Reidar , Lamata Pablo , Alastruey Jordi , Nordsletten David
Published: December 2021

Ventricular-vascular interaction is central in the adaptation to cardiovascular disease. However, cardiomyopathy patients are predominantly monitored using cardiac biomarkers. The aim of this study is therefore to explore aortic function in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Fourteen idiopathic DCM patients and 16 controls underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, with aortic relative pressure derived using physics-based image processing and a virtual cohort utilized to assess the impact of cardiovascular properties on aortic behaviour. Subjects with reduced left ventricular systolic function had significantly reduced aortic relative pressure, increased aortic stiffness, and significantly delayed time-to-pressure peak duration. From the virtual cohort, aortic stiffness and aortic volumetric size were identified as key determinants of aortic relative pressure. As such, this study shows how advanced flow imaging and aortic hemodynamic evaluation could provide novel insights into the manifestation of DCM, with signs of both altered aortic structure and function derived in DCM using our proposed imaging protocol.

Graphic Abstractr
Pigments—Arsenic-based yellows and reds
Authors: Gliozzo Elisabetta , Burgio Lucia
Published: December 2021

This review offers an update on arsenic-bearing minerals and pigments with the aim of serving as a guide for the study of Cultural Heritage materials in which these materials can be found.

The different As-bearing mineral phases (realgar, pararealgar, orpiment, anorpiment, alacranite, dimorphite, bonazziite, uzonite, wakabayashilite, duranusite, arsenolite and claudetite) and some of their light-induced products are examined. The occurrence of As-sulfides and their trade, use, alteration and degradation are also reviewed. Finally, the analytical techniques commonly used for the identification of arsenic-containing pigments are discussed. The manuscript concludes with a good-practice guide and a summary of key concepts for use by those working in the field of cultural heritage.
Fabricating Na/In/C Composite Anode with Natrophilic Na–In Alloy Enables Superior Na Ion Deposition in the EC/PC Electrolyte
Authors: Wang Hui , Wu Yan , Wang Ye , Xu Tingting , Kong Dezhi , Jiang Yang , Wu Di , Tang Yongbing , Li Xinjian , Lee Chun-Sing
Published: December 2021

In conventional ethylene carbonate (EC)/propylene carbonate (PC) electrolyte, sodium metal reacts spontaneously and deleteriously with solvent molecules. This significantly limits the practical feasibility of high-voltage sodium metal batteries based on Na metal chemistry. Herein, we present a sodium metal alloy strategy via introducing NaIn and Na2In phases in a Na/In/C composite, aiming at boosting Na ion deposition stability in the common EC/PC electrolyte. Symmetric cells with Na/In/C electrodes achieve an impressive long-term cycling capability at 1 mA cm−2 (> 870 h) and 5 mA cm−2 (> 560 h), respectively, with a capacity of 1 mAh cm−2. In situ optical microscopy clearly unravels a stable Na ion dynamic deposition process on the Na/In/C composite electrode surface, attributing to a dendrite-free and smooth morphology. Furthermore, theoretical simulations reveal intrinsic mechanism for the reversible Na ion deposition behavior with the composite Na/In/C electrode. Upon pairing with a high-voltage NaVPOF cathode, Na/In/C anode illustrates a better suitability in SMBs. This work promises an alternative alloying strategy for enhancing Na metal interfacial stability in the common EC/PC electrolyte for their future applications.
High-Porosity Foam-Based Iontronic Pressure Sensor with Superhigh Sensitivity of 9280 kPa−1
Authors: Liu Qingxian , Liu Yuan , Shi Junli , Liu Zhiguang , Wang Quan , Guo Chuan Fei
Published: December 2021

Flexible pressure sensors with high sensitivity are desired in the fields of electronic skins, human–machine interfaces, and health monitoring. Employing ionic soft materials with microstructured architectures in the functional layer is an effective way that can enhance the amplitude of capacitance signal due to generated electron double layer and thus improve the sensitivity of capacitive-type pressure sensors. However, the requirement of specific apparatus and the complex fabrication process to build such microstructures lead to high cost and low productivity. Here, we report a simple strategy that uses open-cell polyurethane foams with high porosity as a continuous three-dimensional network skeleton to load with ionic liquid in a one-step soak process, serving as the ionic layer in iontronic pressure sensors. The high porosity (95.4%) of PU-IL composite foam shows a pretty low Young’s modulus of 3.4 kPa and good compressibility. A superhigh maximum sensitivity of 9,280 kPa−1 in the pressure regime and a high pressure resolution of 0.125% are observed in this foam-based pressure sensor. The device also exhibits remarkable mechanical stability over 5,000 compression-release or bending-release cycles. Such high porosity of composite structure provides a simple, cost-effective and scalable way to fabricate super sensitive pressure sensor, which has prominent capability in applications of water wave detection, underwater vibration sensing, and mechanical fault monitoring.
Fabrication of High-Density Out-of-Plane Microneedle Arrays with Various Heights and Diverse Cross-Sectional Shapes
Authors: Roh Hyeonhee , Yoon Young Jun , Park Jin Soo , Kang Dong-Hyun , Kwak Seung Min , Lee Byung Chul , Im Maesoon
Published: December 2021

Out-of-plane microneedle structures are widely used in various applications such as transcutaneous drug delivery and neural signal recording for brain machine interface. This work presents a novel but simple method to fabricate high-density silicon (Si) microneedle arrays with various heights and diverse cross-sectional shapes depending on photomask pattern designs. The proposed fabrication method is composed of a single photolithography and two subsequent deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) steps. First, a photoresist layer was patterned on a Si substrate to define areas to be etched, which will eventually determine the final location and shape of each individual microneedle. Then, the 1st DRIE step created deep trenches with a highly anisotropic etching of the Si substrate. Subsequently, the photoresist was removed for more isotropic etching; the 2nd DRIE isolated and sharpened microneedles from the predefined trench structures. Depending on diverse photomask designs, the 2nd DRIE formed arrays of microneedles that have various height distributions, as well as diverse cross-sectional shapes across the substrate. With these simple steps, high-aspect ratio microneedles were created in the high density of up to 625 microneedles mm−2 on a Si wafer. Insertion tests showed a small force as low as ~ 172 µN/microneedle is required for microneedle arrays to penetrate the dura mater of a mouse brain. To demonstrate a feasibility of drug delivery application, we also implemented silk microneedle arrays using molding processes. The fabrication method of the present study is expected to be broadly applicable to create microneedle structures for drug delivery, neuroprosthetic devices, and so on.
Übernahmeaufforderungen beim hochautomatisierten Fahren mit fahrfremden Tätigkeiten – welche Modalitäten sind geeignet?
Authors: Müller Andreas Lars , Abendroth Bettina
Published: December 2021

Hochautomatisierte Fahrzeuge werden in der Lage sein, die Fahrzeugführung selbständig zu übernehmen, während sich die Fahrer_innen mit fahrfremden Tätigkeiten beschäftigen können. In kritischen Situationen, die das Automatisierungssystem nicht allein bewältigen kann, wird es jedoch weiterhin Übernahmeaufforderungen an den Fahrer/die Fahrerin geben. In diesem Beitrag wird untersucht, welche Modalitäten für Übernahmeaufforderungen entsprechend einer Reiz-Reaktions-Kompatibilität geeignet sind. Dazu wurden drei unterschiedliche Schnittstellen-Varianten entwickelt und mit insgesamt 126 Proband_innen in zwei unabhängigen Fahrsimulator-Studien überprüft. Innerhalb der ersten Studie wurden eine visuelle, eine vibrotaktile oder eine multimodale (Kombination aus visueller, vibrotaktiler und akustischer) Übernahmeaufforderung untersucht. Die zweite Studie konzentrierte sich auf die mentale Beanspruchung und die Rückübernahmefähigkeit bei Ausführung verschiedener fahrfremder Tätigkeiten während hochautomatisierter Fahrt. Diese Studie ergab, dass die Dauer der Kontrollübernahme nach einer multimodalen Rückübernahmeaufforderung mit der mentalen Beanspruchung der fahrfremden Tätigkeiten korreliert.

Praktische Relevanz: Die Untersuchung unterschiedlicher Modalitäten für die Informationsübermittlung bei einer Rückübernahmeaufforderung trägt dazu bei, dass in automatisierten Fahrzeugen Modalitäten gewählt werden, die zum einen eine kurze Reaktionszeit der Fahrer_innen unterstützen und zum anderen eine subjektiv positive Bewertung hervorrufen.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: A technology review on treatment of acid mine drainage with bentonite–steel slag composite
Authors: Tong Le , Fan Ronggui , Yang Shuangchun , Zhang Qiushi , Pan Yi
Published: December 2021

Acid mine drainage (AMD) which produced in the process of mining seriously pollutes the water resources and endangers the ecological environment due to its physicochemical characteristics, such as low pH, high salinity and high heavy metal concentrations. In recent decades, the treatment of AMD has become a key issue in the field of environmental protection. One important method of AMD treatment is adsorption method, and the selection of adsorbent is the key of this technique. Bentonite and steel slag are usually sintered at high temperatures to prepare bentonite–steel slag composite. AMD treatment with bentonite–steel slag composite, as a new adsorbent, is emerging as a promising treatment method by physical adsorption, ion exchange and chemical neutralization. The bentonite–steel slag composites mainly include bicomponent composite with bentonite–steel slag and multicomponent composite with bentonite–steel slag modifier. The author found that this important research question was rarely paid attention to, therefore, and the author combined with previous research and theories to promote the explanation of this problem. In this review, the technology of treatment of AMD with bentonite–steel slag composite is comprehensively discussed. Also, the role of its mechanism is also discussed in-depth. This paper provides a scientific reference on the remediation of contaminated environments.
Numerical studies on the heat dissipation process in elastomers under rotating loading direction
Authors: Abdelmoniem M. , Yagimli B.
Published: December 2021

Elastomeric components such as car bearings and vibration dampers are subjected to dynamic loads with various amplitudes and loading directions during operation. To better understand the lifetime expectancy of these components it is required to implement a material model that sufficiently accounts for the material thermo-mechanical behaviour. This paper implements a finite viscoelastic model which includes heat dissipation and addresses the effect of inelasticity on the self-heating and the applied loading conditions. The material model is implemented in a user subroutine and finite element calculations are carried out on a simple shear loading with rotating directions. The self-heating effect and the resulting variation of the dissipation induced forces are shown and discussed. With the aid of the presented material model, thermo-mechanically coupled simulations can be performed. Based on the results, the required loading limits and boundary conditions for the mechanical fatigue tests can be defined to minimise the thermal fatigue effects.
On the risk of confusing interpretability with explicability
Authors: Herzog Christian
Published: December 2021

﻿This Comment explores the implications of a lack of tools that facilitate an explicable utilization of epistemologically richer, but also more involved white-box approaches in AI. In contrast, advances in explainable artificial intelligence for black-box approaches have led to the availability of semi-standardized and attractive toolchains that offer a seemingly competitive edge over inherently interpretable white-box models in terms of intelligibility towards users. Consequently, there is a need for research on efficient tools for rendering interpretable white-box approaches in AI explicable to facilitate responsible use.
Beach and Dune Restoration
Authors: Nordstrom Karl F. , Jackson Nancy L.
Published: December 2021

This new edition - now with Nancy Jackson as a co-author - continues the themes of the first edition: the need to restore the biodiversity, ecosystem health, and ecosystem services provided by coastal landforms and habitats, especially in the light of climate change. The second edition reports on progress made on practices identified in the first edition, presents additional case studies, and addresses new and emerging issues. It analyzes the tradeoffs involved in restoring beaches and dunes - especially on developed coasts - the most effective approaches to use, and how stakeholders can play an active role. The concept of restoration is broad, and includes physical, ecological, economic, social, and ethical principles and ideals. The book will be valuable for coastal scientists, engineers, planners, and managers, as well as shorefront residents. It will also serve as a useful supplementary reference textbook in courses dealing with issues of coastal management and ecology.
Functional Responsibility of International Organisations
Authors: Leinarte Emilija
Published: December 2021

This book provides a novel approach to the allocation of international responsibility in a multilayered structure like the European Union. Introducing a new concept of functional international responsibility, this study finds that in international economic law the focus of international dispute settlement bodies is not on the responsible party, but on a party best placed to bear responsibility. The book offers a comprehensive analysis of international rules of responsibility and international dispute settlement practice, primarily that of the World Trade Organization and investment arbitration. The study offers a practically applicable approach to questions of international responsibility which will assist international adjudicators, EU and Member States' officials and third country government agents who negotiate economic agreements and are involved in international economic disputes. The book is also relevant to those interested in the governance and accountability questions under the new EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Climate-Driven Dietary Change on the Colorado Plateau, USA, and Implications for Gender-Specific Foraging Patterns
Authors: Louderback Lisbeth A.
Published: December 2021

Complementary archaeological and paleoenvironmental datasets from North Creek Shelter (Colorado Plateau, Utah, USA) are analyzed using the diet breadth model, revealing human dietary patterns during the early and middle Holocene. Abundance indices are derived from botanical and faunal datasets and, along with stone tools, are used to test the prediction that increasing aridity caused the decline of high-return resources. This prediction appears valid with respect to botanical resources, given that high-ranked plants drop out of the diet after 9800 cal BP and are replaced with low-ranked, small seeds. The prediction is not met, however, with respect to faunal resources: high-ranked artiodactyls are consistently abundant in the diet. The effects of climate change on dietary choices are also examined. Findings show that increased aridity coincides with greater use of small seeds and ground stone tools but not with increases in low-ranked fauna, such as leporids. The patterns observed from the North Creek Shelter botanical and faunal datasets may reflect different foraging strategies between men and women. This would explain why low-ranked plant resources became increasingly abundant in the diet without a corresponding decrease in abundance of high-ranked artiodactyls. If so, then archaeological records with similar datasets should be reexamined with this perspective.