bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bulk Enthalpy of Melting of Poly (l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) Determined by Fast Scanning Chip Calorimetry
Authors: Jariyavidyanont Katalee , Du Mengxue , Yu Qiang , Thurn‐Albrecht Thomas , Schick Christoph , Androsch René 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe bulk enthalpy of melting of α‐crystals of poly (L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) is evaluated by fast scanning calorimetry (FSC), by correlating the melting enthalpy of samples of different crystallinity with the corresponding heat capacity at 90 °C, that is at a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature of the bulk amorphous phase and lower than the melting temperature. Extrapolation of this relationship for crystals formed at 140 °C towards the heat capacity of fully solid PLLA yields a value of 104.5±6 J g−1 when melting occurs at 180–200 °C. The analysis relies on a two‐phase structure, that is, absence of a vitrified rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) at the temperature of analysis the solid fraction (90 °C). Formation and vitrification of an RAF are suppressed by avoiding continuation of primary crystallization and secondary crystallization during cooling the system from the crystallization temperature of 140 °C to 90 °C, making use of the high cooling capacity of FSC. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) confirmed thickening of initially grown lamellae which only is possible if these lamellae are not surrounded by a glassy RAF. Linear crystallinity values obtained by SAXS and calorimetrically determined enthalpy‐based crystallinities agree close to each other.
Longitudinal analysis of electroencephalography pattern changes in an infant with Schaaf‐Yang syndrome and a novel mutation in melanoma antigen L2 (MAGEL2)
Authors: Mizuno Shinsuke , Yokoyama Koji , Yokoyama Atsushi , Nukata Takayuki , Ikeda Yuka , Hara Shigeto 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundSchaaf‐Yang syndrome (SYS) is a rare hereditary disease caused by truncating point mutations of the paternal allele of melanoma antigen L2 (MAGEL2), one of five protein‐coding genes within the Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS) critical domain. SYS shares many clinical and molecular characteristics with PWS but has some distinct features, such as joint contractures and autism. Patients with PWS show abnormal electroencephalography (EEG) patterns. However, there are very few reports on EEG findings in patients with SYS.MethodsA SYS patient was included in this study. Detailed neurological examinations and EEG were performed from neonate to infant ages. Sanger sequencing was performed.ResultsOur patient presented abnormal EEG findings and had diffuse brain dysfunction symptoms including a reduced level of consciousness, diminished spontaneous movements, hypotonia, feeding difficulties, and hypoventilation from early after birth. As she grew older and her background activity of EEG normalized, her neurodevelopmental symptoms remained but improved. Sanger sequencing of this patient revealed a novel, heterozygous c.2005C > T, truncating mutation in the MEGAL2 gene.ConclusionsWe described an SYS‐associated, time‐dependent, EEG pattern in a patient with SYS. Our findings of longitudinal EEG changes in a patient with SYS revealed a specific pattern of how affected individuals develop brain function.
Validity of equivalent square field concept in small field dosimetry
Authors: Das Indra J. , Dogan Serpil K. , Gopalakrishnan Mahesh , Ding George X. , Longo Mariaconcetta , Franscescon Paolo 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPurposeThe equivalent square (ES) concept has been used for traditional radiation fields defined by the machine collimating system. For small fields, the concept Sclin was introduced based on measuring dosimetric field width (full‐width half maximum, FWHM) of the cardinal axis of the beam profiles. The pros and cons of this concept are evaluated in small fields and compared with the traditional ES using area and perimeter (4A/P) method based on geometric field size settings, for example, light field settings.MethodsOne hundred thirty‐seven square and rectangular fields from 5–50 mm with every possible permutation (keeping one jaw fixed and varying other jaw from 5 to 50 mm) were utilized to measure FWHM for the validation of Sclin. Using a microSilicon detector and a scanning water tank, measurements were performed on an Elekta (Versa) machine with Agility head and a Varian TrueBeam with different MLC/Jaw design to evaluate the Sclin concept and to understand the effect of exchange factor in small fields. Field output factors were also measured for all 137 fields.ResultsThe data fitting for fields ranging from 5–50 mm between the traditional 4A/P method and Sclin shows differences and indicates a linear relationship with distinct separation of slope for Elekta and Varian machines. For Elekta Agility machine ES based on 4A/P < Sclin and for the VarianTrueBeam 4A/P > Sclin for square fields. Our measured data show that both methods are equally valid but does vary by the machine design. The field output factor is dependent on the elongation factor as well as machine design. For fields with sides ≥10 mm, the exchange factor is nearly identical in both machines with magnitude up to 4%, which is close to measurement uncertainty (±3%), but for small fields (< 10 mm), the Elekta machine has higher exchange factors compared to the Varian machine.ConclusionThe results demonstrate that the two concepts for defining equivalent field (Sclin and 4A/P) are equivalent and can be directly related through an empirical equation. This study confirms that 4A/P is still valid for small fields except for very small fields (≤10 mm) where source occlusion is a dominating factor. The Sclin method is potentially sensitive to measurement uncertainty due to measurement of FWHM which is machine‐, detector‐ and user‐dependent, while the 4A/P method relies mainly on geometry of the machine and has less dependency on type of machine, detector, and user. The exchange factors are comparable for both types of machines. The conclusion is based on data from an Elekta with Agility head and a Varian TrueBeam machine that may have potential for bias due to light field/collimator set up and alignment. Care should be taken in extrapolating these data to any other machine.
Nonlinear droop compensation for current waveforms in MRIgradient systems
Authors: Babaloo Reza , Atalar Ergin 
Published: March 2022

PurposeProviding accurate gradient currents is challenging due to the gradient chain nonlinearities, arising from gradient power amplifiers and power supply stages. This work introduces a new characterization approach that takes the amplifier and power supply into account, resulting in a nonlinear model that compensates for the current droop.MethodsThe gradient power amplifier and power supply stage were characterized by a modified state‐space averaging technique. The resulting nonlinear model was inverted and used in feedforward to control the gradient coil current. A custom‐built two‐channelz‐gradient coil was driven by high‐switching (1 MHz), low‐cost amplifiers (<$200) using linear and nonlinear controllers. High‐resolution (<80 ps) pulse‐width‐modulation signals were used to drive the amplifiers. MRI experiments were performed to validate the nonlinear controller's effectiveness.ResultsThe simulation results validated the functionality of the state‐space averaging method in characterizing the gradient system. The performance of linear and nonlinear controllers in generating a trapezoidal current waveform was compared in simulations and experiments. The integral errors between the desired waveform and waveforms generated by linear and nonlinear controllers were 1.9% and 0.13%, respectively, confirming the capability of the nonlinear controller to compensate for the current droop. Phantom images validated the nonlinear controller's ability to correct droop‐induced distortions.ConclusionBenchtop measurements and MRI experiments demonstrated that the proposed nonlinear characterization and digitally implemented feedforward controller could drive gradient coils with droop‐free current waveforms (without a feedback loop). In experiments, the nonlinear controller outperformed the linear controller by a 14‐fold reduction in the integral error of a test waveform.
Prevalence, emotional and follow‐up burden of insulin injection‐related needle‐stick injuries among clinical nurses in Shaanxi Province, west of China: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Li Meng , Huo Lanting , Du Fenjing , Li Wuping , Zhang Huali , Shi Bingyin 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAims and objectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, emotional and follow‐up burden of insulin injection‐related needle‐stick injuries among clinical nurses.Backgroundneedle‐stick injures introduce statistically significant occupational hazards to healthcare workers. Although the large proportion of the needles injuries attributed to insulin injection, research evidence about the prevalence, emotional and follow‐up burden of such injures is lacking.DesignCross‐sectional study.Methods5389 nurses were recruited from 45 hospitals in Shaanxi, China, from November 2018 to July 2019. Participants were administrated with a questionnaire specifically developed for this study. Descriptive statistics were used to present the findings.ResultsAll 5,389 nurses responded to the survey, of which 396 (7.4%) participants experienced 620 insulin injection‐related needle‐stick injuries in the past year, representing an annual prevalence of 115.0 per 1000 nurses. The annual prevalence of infection caused by the injuries was 18.7 per 1000 nurses. The injuries occurred most frequently when nurses were recapping the needle (42.4%). In the majority (98.4%) of the injuries, the hurt nurses took proper immediate actions. However, only 30.3% of nurses reported the injuries to the administrative staff, and in 43.2% of the injuries, the nurses refused or discontinued the suggested follow‐up. A large proportion (58.6%) of the hurt nurses experienced emotional changes. Multivariate logistic regression showed that department, removing and/or setting back needle caps with bare hands, frequency of insulin pen and syringes are associated with the incidence of insulin injection‐related needle‐stick injuries. This paper is reported following the STROBE recommendations.ConclusionsThis survey demonstrated a considerably high prevalence of insulin injection‐related needle‐stick injuries among clinical nurses. Even though the majority of the hurt nurses took proper immediate actions, a large quantity of them failed to report the accidents to the administrative staff and complete the suggested follow‐up. Nurses who suffered from insulin injection‐related needle‐stick injuries were subject to various negative emotional changes. It portends a statistically significant risk to occupational health management for nurses.Relevance to clinical practiceScientific preventive and management strategies are desirable in order to minimize the consequences of insulin injection‐related needle‐stick injuries.
A 12‐session relapse prevention program vs psychoeducation in the treatment of Japanese alcoholic patients: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Harada Takayuki , Aikawa Yuzo , Takahama Mihoko , Yumoto Yosuke , Umeno Mitsuru , Hasegawa Yukako , Ohsawa Shigeo , Asukai Nozomu 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAimAlcoholism is the most prevalent substance use disorder in Japan; the estimated number of patients and high‐risk drinkers is in the millions. Although studies in the West have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatment strategies for alcoholic patients, there is a dearth of efficacy studies of CBT‐based intervention for those patients in the non‐Western setting. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of a 12‐session CBT‐based relapse prevention program for Japanese alcoholic patients.MethodsForty‐eight alcoholic patients (M = 36, F = 12) who were admitted to an addiction treatment unit were randomly allocated either to a 12‐session relapse prevention (RP) program (n = 24) or a 12‐session psychoeducation (PE) program (n = 24). Both treatment programs were conducted in a group format once a week for 12 weeks. Other aspects of inpatient treatment (group meetings, etc) were the same in both groups. Self‐rating scales, which measure behavioral and cognitive coping, coping response, self‐efficacy, and cognition of drinking, were administered at pretreatment, mid‐treatment, and posttreatment periods. The proportion of participants who relapsed at 3 and 6 months after discharge was evaluated.ResultsBoth RP and PE groups showed significant improvement in self‐efficacy and cognition of drinking at posttreatment. However, there were no significant differences in the self‐rating scales between both groups. In addition, there were no significant differences in relapse rate at 3 and 6 months after discharge between both groups.ConclusionsThe 12‐session CBT‐based relapse prevention program and the psychoeducation program may be equally efficacious for alcoholic patients. Several factors that influenced the results are discussed.
LSMPA Sovereignties in New Caledonia and French Polynesia: Territorialities, Alliances and Powers in Oceania
Authors: Dégremont Marlène 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTOver the last decades, the establishment of large‐scale marine protected areas (LSMPA) in the Pacific Ocean has profoundly transformed the region's political geography. Pacific LSMPAs have played a striking role in converting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) into Large Ocean Island States (LOIS), generating a significant shift in regional and international politics. This paper is a new exploration of the ongoing political construction of the Ocean, at multiple scales and through different forms. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, an anthropological approach is used to investigate governance processes involving multiple actors shaping marine environmental policies in New Caledonia and French Polynesia, two French overseas territories. This research interrogates how territorial dynamics and sovereignty issues in the francophone Pacific are being driven and reshaped by the emergence of LSMPAs and offers an overview of current structural changes in Oceania.
Markers of cognitive resilience and a framework for investigating clinical heterogeneity in ALS†
Authors: Mehta Puja R , Lashley Tammaryn , Fratta Pietro , Bampton Alexander 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Despite the unifying pathological hallmark of TDP‐43 proteinopathy, ALS is clinically a highly heterogeneous disease, and little is known about the underlying mechanisms driving this phenotypic diversity. In a recent issue of The Journal of Pathology, Banerjee, Elliott et al use region‐specific transcriptomic profiling in postmortem brains from a deeply phenotyped clinical cohort of ALS patients to detect molecular signatures differentiating cognitively affected and unaffected patients. They identified differential expression of specific genes, including upregulation of pro‐inflammatory IL‐6 in the cognitively affected group and anti‐inflammatory IL‐1 in the cognitively unaffected group. They then utilised BaseScope™ in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry to validate upregulation of NLRP3, an activator of the inflammasome, in the cognitively affected group, and upregulation of SIRT2, an inhibitor of NLRP3, in the cognitively unaffected group. In summary, Banerjee, Elliott et al demonstrate the usefulness of combining a well‐curated clinical cohort with transcriptomic analysis of pathological samples to identify a perturbed pathway (e.g., the inflammasome), offering opportunities for novel therapeutic targets in ALS. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
A composite electrode of 2D‐Ti3C2 (MXene) and polyemeraldine salt of polyaniline for supercapacitor with high areal capacitance
Authors: Sarma Yallapragada Sai Swaroop , Gupta Nisha , Bhattacharya Pallab 
Published: March 2022

AbstractHere, we propose a composite system made of 2D‐Ti3C2 and two different chemical forms of polyaniline (PANI) like polyemeraldine base (EB) and polyemeraldine salt (ES) to investigate their electrochemical performances as supercapacitor electrode material. Fundamentally, EB and ES are having different functionalities and electrical conductivities to affect their electrochemical performances. Thus, synthesis and electrochemical performances of the composites made of Ti3C2 and ES or EB with different compositions is discussed where Ti3C2/ES form of PANI appears as best performing supercapacitor electrode with the areal capacitance of 1.85 Fcm−2 at 5 mVs−1. A capacitance enhancement of 5.4 times was observed for Ti3C2/PANI‐ES while compared to the same for bare Ti3C2 with capacity retention of 91.70% after 500 cycles at 1 Ag−1. This work has also explored the effect of composite compositions by varying the stoichiometric weight ratios of Ti3C2 and different forms of PANI to achieve high‐performing supercapacitor electrode materials.
Geometric approaches to assessing the numerical feasibility for conducting matching‐adjusted indirect comparisons
Authors: Glimm Ekkehard , Yau Lillian 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe discuss how to handle matching‐adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) from a data analyst's perspective. We introduce several multivariate data analysis methods to assess the appropriateness of MAIC for a given set of baseline characteristics. These methods focus on comparing the baseline variables used in the matching of a study that provides the summary statistics or aggregated data (AD) and a study that provides individual patient level data (IPD). The methods identify situations when no numerical solutions are possible with the MAIC method. This helps to avoid misleading results being produced. Moreover, it has been observed that sometimes contradicting results are reported by two sets of MAIC analyses produced by two teams, each having their own IPD and applying MAIC using the AD published by the other team. We show that an intrinsic property of the MAIC estimated weights can be a contributing factor for this phenomenon.
Two cases of COVID‐19‐associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA)
Authors: Lim Jin Lee , Khor Inn Shih , Moh Cheng Keat , Chan Yi Min , Lam Yoke Fong , Lachmanan Kumaresh Raj 
Published: March 2022

AbstractCOVID‐19‐associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is a recently recognized entity associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic and known post‐viral pneumonia complications. More data are awaited and there has been a recent consensus criteria published hoping to generate more research and registries to inform clinical decision‐making. Nevertheless, it is clear that CAPA imposes a worsening disease course of COVID‐19 pneumonia with added morbidity and mortality. We present two cases with differing outcomes managed within the limitations of our institute and make reference to the recent consensus criteria. We hope to highlight the importance of considering empirical treatment in the correct clinical context while awaiting the results of microbiological workup as ascertaining the diagnosis of proven CAPA is challenging in the real‐world setting.
Self‐Healable and Stretchable Ionic‐Liquid‐Based Thermoelectric Composites with High Ionic Seebeck Coefficient
Authors: Akbar Zico Alaia , Malik Yoga Trianzar , Kim Dong‐Hu , Cho Sangho , Jang Sung‐Yeon , Jeon Ju‐Won 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe advancement of wearable electronics, particularly self‐powered wearable electronic devices, necessitates the development of efficient energy conversion technologies with flexible mechanical properties. Recently, ionic thermoelectric (TE) materials have attracted great attention because of their enormous thermopower, which can operate capacitors or supercapacitors by harvesting low‐grade heat. This study presents self‐healable, stretchable, and flexible ionic TE composites comprising an ionic liquid (IL), 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (EMIM:OTf); a polymer matrix, poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP); and a fluoro‐surfactant (FS). The self‐healability of the IL‐based composites originates from dynamic ion–dipole interactions between the IL, the PVDF‐HFP, and the FS. The composites demonstrate excellent ionic TE properties with an ionic Seebeck coefficient (Si) of ≈38.3 mV K−1 and an ionic figure of merit of ZTi = 2.34 at 90% relative humidity, which are higher than the values reported for other IL‐based TE materials. The IL‐based ionic TE composites developed in this study can maintain excellent ionic TE properties under harsh conditions, including severe strain (75%) and multiple cutting–healing cycles.
Live microalgal cells modified by L‐cys/Au@carbon dots/bilirubin oxidase layers for enhanced oxygen reduction in a membrane‐less biofuel cell
Authors: Qing Sili , Wang Lin‐Lin , Jiang Li‐Ping , Wu Xiaoge , Zhu Jun‐Jie 
Published: March 2022

AbstractElectrochemical oxygen reduced reaction (ORR) is a critical element in clean energy development. Despite efforts to enhance gas transfer to the reaction interface, the low solubility of O2 molecules and slow diffusion rate in liquid electrolyte is still a significant challenge. Herein, we design an artificial outer membrane on microalgal cells, which consists of a carbon dots/bilirubin oxidase (CDs/BOD) ORR catalyst layer and a L‐cystine/Au nanoporous O2 supply layer. O2 generated by photosynthesis from microalgal cells then can be directly transported to the CDs/BOD catalytic interfaces, overcoming the sluggish gas transfer in the electrolyte. Thus, the cathode constructed by the fabricated microalgal cells realizes an ORR current density of 655.2 μA/cm2 with fast ORR kinetics, which is 2.68 times higher than that of a BOD cathode fed with pure O2. A membrane‐less glucose/O2 biofuel cell is further developed using the hybrid artificial cells as the cathode, and the power density is 2.39 times higher than that of a BOD cathode biofuel cell in O2 saturated solution. This biomimetic design supplies O2 directly to the carbon dots/BOD catalyst layer from the microalgae membrane through a nanoporous L‐cys/Au layer, providing an alternative solution for the transfer barrier of O2 in the electrolyte.
Versatile Thermal‐Solidifying Direct‐Write Assembly towards Heat‐Resistant 3D‐Printed Ceramic Aerogels for Thermal Insulation
Authors: Wang Lukai , Feng Junzong , Luo Yi , Jiang Yonggang , Zhang Guojie , Feng Jian 
Published: March 2022

AbstractCeramic aerogels have great potential in the areas of thermal insulation, catalysis, filtration, environmental remediation, energy storage, etc. However, the conventional shaping and post‐processing of ceramic aerogels are plagued by their brittleness due to the inefficient neck connection of oxide ceramic nanoparticles. Here a versatile thermal‐solidifying direct‐ink‐writing has been proposed for fabricating heat‐resistant ceramic aerogels. The versatility lies in the good compatibility and designability of ceramic inks, which makes it possible to print silica aerogels, alumina‐silica aerogels, and titania‐silica aerogels. 3D‐printed ceramic aerogels show excellent high‐temperature stability up to 1000 °C in air (linear shrinkage less than 5%) when compared to conventional silica aerogels. This improved heat resistance is attributed to the existence of a refractory fumed silica phase, which restrains the microstructure destruction of ceramic aerogels in high‐temperature environments. Benefiting from low density (0.21 g cm–3), high surface area (284 m2 g–1), and well‐distributed mesopores, 3D‐printed ceramic aerogels possess a low thermal conductivity (30.87 mW m–1 K–1) and are considered as ideal thermal insulators. The combination of ceramic aerogels with 3D printing technology would open up new opportunities to tailor the geometry of porous materials for specific applications.