bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Yttrium Vanadium Oxide–Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) Composite Cathode Material for Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Kumankuma‐Sarpong James , Guo Wei , Fu Yongzhu 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe development of metal ion‐intercalated active materials for excellent electrochemical performance in rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) is challenging. The structure instability and intrinsic electrostatic repulsion of the lattice framework cause structural breakdown and low‐rate performance. In response to these problems, yttrium vanadium oxide–poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT@YVO) composite is reported as stable cathode material for AZIBs. The introduction of PEDOT in YVO nanorods improves the crystalline structure with an enlarged interplanar lattice spacing of 3.4 Å. The PEDOT@YVO composite electrode demonstrates effective electric conductivity and a higher initial specific capacity of 308.5 mAh g−1 than that (125.5 mAh g−1) of the pure YVO at 0.2 C rate. It also features a long‐term stable discharge–charge cycle performance of 4000 cycles with a capacity retention of 79.2% at 1C rate, better than YVO (29.4 mAh g−1). The oxygen vacancies and improved electrical conductivity of the composite account for the invigorated electrochemical performance. Consequently, this work reveals another avenue for constructing unique electrodes to enhance the electrochemical properties of AZIBs.
A Hybrid Nanofiber/Paper Cell Culture Platform for Building a 3D Blood–Brain Barrier Model
Authors: Huang Kaixiang , Castiaux Andre D. , Podicheti Ram , Rusch Douglas B. , Martin R. Scott , Baker Lane A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe blood–brain barrier (BBB) protects the central nervous system from toxins and pathogens in the blood by regulating permeation of molecules through the barrier interface. In vitro BBB models described to date reproduce some aspects of BBB functionality, but also suffer from incomplete phenotypic expression of brain endothelial traits, difficulty in reproducibility and fabrication, or overall cost. To address these limitations, a 3D BBB model based on a hybrid paper/nanofiber scaffold is described. The cell culture platform utilizes lens paper as a framework to accommodate 3D culture of astrocytes. An electrospun nanofiber layer is coated onto one face of the paper to mimic the basement membrane and support growth of an organized 2D layer of endothelial cells (ECs). Human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived ECs and astrocytes are co‐cultured to develop a human BBB model. Morphological and spatial organization of model are validated with confocal microscopy. Measurements of transendothelial resistance and permeability demonstrate the BBB model develops a high‐quality barrier and responds to hyperosmolar treatments. RNA‐sequencing shows introduction of astrocytes both regulates EC tight junction proteins and improves endothelial phenotypes related to vasculogenesis. This model shows promise as a model platform for future in vitro studies of the BBB.
Advanced data integration in banking, financial, and insurance software in the age of COVID‐19
Authors: Maiti Moinak , Vuković Darko , Mukherjee Amrit , Paikarao Pavan D. , Yadav Janardan Krishna 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis study contributes to our understanding of how the emergence of the COVID‐19 pandemic changes the global Banking Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) landscape. Before the COVID‐19 pandemic, BFSIs corporate strategy was solely aligned to the quest for operational efficiency. However, during the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic, global BFSIs are forced to adopt digital transformation in their operations due to a rise in transaction volumes. The ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic already triggers holistic innovations concerning the global BFSI's product, process, concept, trend, or idea. Thus, the BFSI cannot survive without efficient and innovative system software for global operations. The study plots the hype cycle to identify relevant technologies to deal with real‐world business problems. The hype cycle indicates that the need for advanced data integration is growing and COVID‐19 pandemic has already triggered it. The study argues that the incorporation of data integration might be challenging initially for BFSIs but eventually it may result in an efficient model to handle these types of pandemic or unexpected circumstances.
Prenatal diagnosis and outcome of fetuses with isolated agenesis of septum pellucidum: cohort study and meta‐analysis
Authors: Di Pasquo E. , Kuleva M. , Arthuis C. , Morganelli G. , Ormitti F. , Millischer A.‐E. , Grevent D. , Ville Y. , Ghi T. , Salomon L. J. 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the postnatal outcome of children with a prenatal diagnosis of apparently isolated agenesis of the septum pellucidum (ASP).MethodsA retrospective cohort study of cases of prenatally diagnosed ASP followed in two tertiary centers and a meta‐analysis combining data from the cohort study with data from published studies identified in a systematic review were carried out. Only cases with apparently isolated ASP on antenatal ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging and with available postnatal follow‐up data were considered eligible for inclusion. The following outcomes were analyzed: incidence of chromosomal anomalies, agreement between antenatal and postnatal findings, overall incidence of septo‐optic dysplasia (SOD) and incidence of major neurological disability (motor, language, coordination or behavioral disorder or epilepsy) in non‐SOD children. The incidence of SOD in infants with apparently normal optic pathways on antenatal imaging was also evaluated.ResultsFifteen cases of isolated ASP, with median postnatal follow‐up of 36 months (range, 12–60 months), were selected from the two centers. Six previously published studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review and a total of 78 cases were eligible for the analysis, including the 15 cases from our series. Genetic tests were carried out antenatally in 30 fetuses, of which two had an abnormal result (pooled proportion, 9.0% (95% CI, 1.8–20.7%); I2 = 0%). Additional or discordant imaging findings were noted postnatally in 9/70 (pooled proportion, 13.7% (95% CI, 3.5–29.0%); I2 = 63.9%) cases. Of all 78 neonates with available follow‐up, SOD was diagnosed postnatally in 14 (pooled proportion, 19.4% (95% CI, 8.6–33.2%); I2 = 51.2%). In 60 cases, the optic pathways were considered to be normal on antenatal imaging, and six of these (pooled proportion, 9.1% (95% CI, 1.1–24.0%); I2 = 62.0%) were diagnosed postnatally with SOD. Of the 46 infants with available neurological follow‐up who were not affected by SOD, a major neurological disability was diagnosed in three (pooled proportion, 6.5% (95% CI, 0.5–18.6%); I2 = 40.1%).ConclusionsIn the vast majority of cases with a prenatal diagnosis of apparently isolated ASP, the prognosis is favorable. However, an additional anomaly is detected after birth in about 14% of cases and has a negative impact on clinical outcome. Detailed antenatal assessment of the brain and optic pathways is strongly recommended in order to identify the presence of associated anomalies. Antenatal visualization of apparently normal optic pathways does not rule out SOD. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Longitudinal assessment of spiral artery and intravillous arteriole blood flow and adverse pregnancy outcome
Authors: Odibo A. O. , Kayisli U. , Lu Y. , Kayisli O. , Schatz F. , Odibo L. , Chen H. , Bronsteen R. , Lockwood C. J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveSuperb microvascular imaging (SMI) has been shown to improve visualization of small vessels by suppressing global motions while preserving low‐flow components, such as the microvessels in the placenta. We sought to determine if SMI‐aided visualization of flow velocity waveforms in the spiral arteries (SA) and intravillous fetal arterioles (IVA) could predict fetal growth restriction (FGR), gestational hypertension (GH) and/or pre‐eclampsia (PE).MethodsThis was a prospective longitudinal study of singleton pregnancies without fetal anomaly, receiving prenatal care in one of two medical centers over a 5‐year period. Using SMI‐aided color Doppler, SA and IVA flow velocity was measured at three timepoints: 11 + 0 to 14 + 0, 18 + 0 to 22 + 6 and 28 + 0 to 34 + 6 weeks of gestation. SA and IVA flow velocity waveforms were reported as resistance indices (RI). RI values were analyzed using multilevel modeling; individual regression curves were estimated and combined to obtain the reference intervals for SA‐RI and IVA‐RI in uncomplicated pregnancies. The primary clinical outcome was FGR and secondary outcomes were PE and GH. FGR was defined as estimated fetal weight < 10th percentile. Student's t‐test was used to compare deviation from expected RI between normal and complicated pregnancies.ResultsAmong 540 pregnancies included in the analysis, 18 (3.3%) had FGR, 31 (5.7%) PE and 61 (11.3%) GH. In uncomplicated pregnancies, the SA‐RI decreased progressively with advancing gestation, whereas the IVA‐RI increased with gestational age. In the third trimester, the mean SA‐RI and IVA‐RI values were significantly higher in the FGR group compared with pregnancies that did not develop FGR, while the mean SA‐RI was significantly higher in PE compared with non‐PE pregnancies. There was no significant difference in mean SA‐RI or IVA‐RI between pregnancies with vs those without GH at any gestational age. When all three adverse outcomes were combined, SA‐RI was significantly higher in pregnancies with these outcomes when compared to uncomplicated pregnancies in the third trimester (mean ± SD, 0.29 ± 0.12 vs 0.26 ± 0.12; P = 0.02). In screening for FGR using SA‐RI, the areas under the receiver‐operating‐characteristics curves (AUC) were 0.68, 0.73 and 0.73 in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively. The respective AUCs for IVA‐RI were 0.72, 0.72 and 0.73 for each trimester.ConclusionsSA‐RI and IVA‐RI, measured using SMI technology, were significantly higher in pregnancies at risk for FGR in late gestation. Larger studies are needed to determine if SA and IVA flow are reliable predictors of adverse pregnancy outcome. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Prevalence of supratentorial anomalies assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in fetuses with open spina bifida
Authors: Trigo L. , Eixarch E. , Bottura I. , Dalaqua M. , Barbosa A. A. , De Catte L. , Demaerel P. , Dymarkowski S. , Deprest J. , Lapa D. A. , Aertsen M. , Gratacos E. 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of brain anomalies at the time of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment in fetuses eligible for prenatal open spina bifida (OSB) repair, and to explore the relationship between brain abnormalities and features of the spinal defect.MethodsThis was a retrospective cross‐sectional study, conducted in three fetal medicine centers, of fetuses eligible for OSB fetal surgery repair between January 2009 and December 2019. MRI images obtained as part of the presurgical assessment were re‐evaluated by two independent observers, blinded to perinatal results, to assess: (1) the type and area of the defect and its anatomical level; (2) the presence of any structural central nervous system (CNS) anomaly and abnormal ventricular wall; and (3) fetal head and brain biometry. Binary regression analyses were performed and data were adjusted for type of defect, upper level of the lesion (ULL), gestational age (GA) at MRI and fetal medicine center. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed in order to identify lesion characteristics and brain anomalies associated with a higher risk of presence of abnormal corpus callosum (CC) and/or heterotopia.ResultsOf 115 fetuses included, 91 had myelomeningocele and 24 had myeloschisis. Anatomical level of the lesion was thoracic in seven fetuses, L1–L2 in 13, L3–L5 in 68 and sacral in 27. Median GA at MRI was 24.7 (interquartile range, 23.0–25.7) weeks. Overall, 52.7% of cases had at least one additional brain anomaly. Specifically, abnormal CC was observed in 50.4% of cases and abnormality of the ventricular wall in 19.1%, of which 4.3% had nodular heterotopia. Factors associated independently with higher risk of abnormal CC and/or heterotopia were non‐sacral ULL (odds ratio (OR), 0.51 (95% CI, 0.26–0.97); P = 0.043), larger ventricular width (per mm) (OR, 1.23 (95% CI, 1.07–1.43); P = 0.005) and presence of abnormal cavum septi pellucidi (OR, 3.76 (95% CI, 1.13–12.48); P = 0.031).ConclusionsHalf of the fetuses assessed for OSB repair had an abnormal CC and/or an abnormal ventricular wall prior to prenatal repair. The likelihood of brain abnormalities was increased in cases with a non‐sacral lesion and wider lateral ventricles. These findings highlight the importance of a detailed preoperative CNS evaluation of fetuses with OSB. © 2021 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Influence of fibroids on cell‐free DNA screening accuracy
Authors: Scott F. , Menezes M. , Smet M. E. , Carey K. , Hardy T. , Fullston T. , Rolnik D. L. , McLennan A. 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTObjectiveCell‐free DNA (cfDNA) screening assesses both maternal and placental cfDNA. Fibroids are common and release cfDNA into maternal serum. Genetic abnormality is seen in 50% of fibroids. We aimed to assess the impact of fibroids on the accuracy of genome‐wide cfDNA screening.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies examined at one of two centers in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, between 1 November 2019 and 31 December 2020. All cases underwent pretest ultrasound examination to confirm an ongoing pregnancy of at least 10 weeks' gestation, and, at this stage, the number and volume of any uterine fibroid were documented. Genome‐wide cfDNA screening was performed to detect all copy‐number variants (CNV) > 7 megabases. The incidence of a false‐positive result was compared between cases with and those without fibroids.ResultsOver the 14‐month study period, 13 184 patients underwent cfDNA screening, of whom 1017 (7.7%) had fibroids. Fibroids were not identified in any of the 17 participants who had a false‐positive result for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X or Y. Ninety‐five (0.7%) cases were screen‐positive for subchromosomal aberration (SA), rare autosomal trisomy (RAT) or multiple abnormalities (MA), with 10 of these cases having a fetal genetic abnormality. The incidence of a false‐positive RAT, MA or SA result was significantly higher in participants with fibroids (20/1017 (2.0%)) than in those without fibroids (64/12 167 (0.5%)). Women with fibroids were approximately six times as likely to have a false‐positive result for SA, and this was associated positively with both fibroid number and volume.ConclusionsMost women with fibroids do not have an abnormal result on genome‐wide cfDNA screening. However, CNVs due to fibroids are associated with false‐positive SA findings, although fibroids do not appear to influence cfDNA screening accuracy for the common autosomal trisomies or sex‐chromosomal abnormalities. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Clinical phenotypes for risk stratification in small‐for‐gestational‐age fetuses
Authors: Ruiz‐Martinez S. , Delgado J. L. , Paules C. , Cavallaro A. , De Paco C. , Villar J. , Papageorghiou A. , Oros D. 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate whether clinical phenotypes of small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) fetuses can be identified and used for adverse perinatal outcome risk stratification to facilitate clinical decision‐making.MethodsThis was a multicenter observational cohort study conducted in two tertiary care university hospitals. SGA fetuses were classified according to maternal, fetal and placental conditions using a two‐step cluster algorithm, in which fetuses with more than one condition were assigned to the cluster associated with the highest mortality risk. Delivery and perinatal outcomes were compared using chi‐square test among SGA clusters, and the associations between outcomes and each cluster were evaluated by calculating odds ratios (OR), adjusted for gestational age.ResultsThe study included 17 631 consecutive singleton pregnancies, of which 1274 (7.2%) were defined as SGA at birth according to INTERGROWTH‐21st standards. Nine SGA clinical phenotypes were identified using a predefined conceptual framework. All delivery and perinatal outcomes analyzed were significantly different among the nine phenotypes. The whole SGA cohort had a three‐times higher risk of perinatal mortality compared with non‐SGA fetuses (1.4% vs 0.4%; P < 0.001). SGA clinical phenotypes exhibited three patterns of perinatal mortality risk: the highest risk was associated with congenital anomaly (8.3%; OR, 17.17 (95% CI, 2.17–136.12)) and second‐ or third‐trimester hemorrhage (8.3%; OR, 9.94 (95% CI, 1.23–80.02)) clusters; medium risk was associated with gestational diabetes (3.8%; OR, 9.59 (95% CI, 1.27–72.57)), preterm birth (3.2%; OR, 4.65 (95% CI, 0.62–35.01)) and intrauterine growth restriction (3.1%; OR, 5.93 (95% CI, 3.21–10.95)) clusters; and the lowest risk was associated with the remaining clusters. Perinatal mortality rate did not differ between SGA fetuses without other clinical conditions (54.1% of SGA fetuses) and appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age fetuses (0.1% vs 0.4%; OR, 0.41 (95% CI, 0.06–2.94); P = 0.27). SGA combined with other obstetric pathologies increased significantly the risk of perinatal mortality, as demonstrated by the increased odds of perinatal death in SGA cases with gestational diabetes compared to non‐SGA cases with the same condition (OR, 24.40 (95% CI, 1.31–453.91)).ConclusionsWe identified nine SGA clinical phenotypes associated with different patterns of risk for adverse perinatal outcome. Our findings suggest that considering clinical characteristics in addition to ultrasound findings could improve risk stratification and decision‐making for management of SGA fetuses. Future clinical trials investigating management of fetuses with SGA should take into account clinical information in addition to Doppler parameters and estimated fetal weight. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Moduli stabilisation and the statistics of axion physics in the landscape
Authors: Broeckel Igor , Cicoli Michele , Maharana Anshuman , Singh Kajal , Sinha Kuver 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
String theory realisations of the QCD axion are often said to belong to the anthropic window where the decay constant is around the GUT scale and the initial misalignment angle has to be tuned close to zero. In this paper we revisit this statement by studying the statistics of axion physics in the string landscape. We take moduli stabilisation properly into account since the stabilisation of the saxions is crucial to determine the physical properties of the corresponding axionic partners. We focus on the model-independent case of closed string axions in type IIB flux compactifications and find that their decay constants and mass spectrum feature a logarithmic, instead of a power-law, distribution. In the regime where the effective field theory is under control, most of these closed string axions are ultra-light axion-like particles, while axions associated to blow-up modes can naturally play the role of the QCD axion. Hence, the number of type IIB flux vacua with a closed string QCD axion with an intermediate scale decay constant and a natural value of the misalignment angle is only logarithmically suppressed. In a recent paper we found that this correlates also with a logarithmic distribution of the supersymmetry breaking scale, providing the intriguing indication that most, if not all, of the phenomenologically interesting quantities in the string landscape might feature a logarithmic distribution.
Vectorial integer bootstrapping: flexible integer estimation with application to GNSS
Authors: Teunissen P. J. G. , Massarweh L. , Verhagen S. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this contribution, we extend the principle of integer bootstrapping (IB) to a vectorial form (VIB). The mathematical definition of the class of VIB-estimators is introduced together with their pull-in regions and other properties such as probability bounds and success rate approximations. The vectorial formulation allows sequential block-by-block processing of the ambiguities based on a user-chosen partitioning. In this way, flexibility is created, where for specific choices of partitioning, tailored VIB-estimators can be designed. This wide range of possibilities is discussed, supported by numerical simulations and analytical examples. Further guidelines are provided, as well as the possible extension to other classes of estimators.
CD16xCD33 Bispecific Killer Cell Engager (BiKE) as potential immunotherapeutic in pediatric patients with AML and biphenotypic ALL
Authors: Reusing Sarah B. , Vallera Dan A. , Manser Angela R. , Vatrin Titus , Bhatia Sanil , Felices Martin , Miller Jeffrey S. , Uhrberg Markus , Babor Florian 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSimilar to pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) the subgroup of biphenotypic acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a rare complex entity with adverse outcome, characterized by the surface expression of CD33. Despite novel and promising anti-CD19 targeted immunotherapies such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells and bispecific anti-CD19/CD3 antibodies, relapse and resistance remain a major challenge in about 30% to 60% of patients. To investigate the potential role of the fully humanized bispecific antibody CD16 × CD33 (BiKE) in children with CD33+ acute leukemia, we tested whether the reagent was able to boost NK cell effector functions against CD33+ AML and biphenotypic ALL blasts. Stimulation of primary NK cells from healthy volunteers with 16 × 33 BiKE led to increased cytotoxicity, degranulation and cytokine production against CD33+ cell lines. Moreover, BiKE treatment significantly increased degranulation, IFN-γ and TNF-α production against primary ALL and AML targets. Importantly, also NK cells from leukemic patients profited from restoration of effector functions by BiKE treatment, albeit to a lesser extent than NK cells from healthy donors. In particular, those patients with low perforin and granzyme expression showed compromised cytotoxic function even in the presence of BiKE. In patients with intrinsic NK cell deficiency, combination therapy of CD16xCD33 BiKE and allogeneic NK cells might thus be a promising therapeutic approach. Taken together, CD16xCD33 BiKE successfully increased NK cell effector functions against pediatric AML and biphenotypic ALL blasts and constitutes a promising new option for supporting maintenance therapy or “bridging” consolidation chemotherapy before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.