Detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment From Non-Semantic, Acoustic Voice Features: The Framingham Heart Study.

Background: With the aging global population and the rising burden of Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRDs), there is a growing focus on identifying mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to enable timely interventions that could potentially slow down the onset of clinical dementia. The production of speech by an individual is a cognitively complex task that engages various cognitive domains. The ease of audio data collection highlights the potential cost-effectiveness and noninvasive nature of using human speech as a tool for cognitive assessment.

In situ/operando plug-flow fixed-bed cell for synchrotron PXRD and XAFS investigations at high temperature, pressure, controlled gas atmosphere and ultra-fast heating.

A plug-flow fixed-bed cell for synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) idoneous for the study of heterogeneous catalysts at high temperature, pressure and under gas flow is designed, constructed and demonstrated. The operating conditions up to 1000°C and 50 bar are ensured by a set of mass flow controllers, pressure regulators and two infra-red lamps that constitute a robust and ultra-fast heating and cooling method. The performance of the system and cell for carbon dioxide hydrogenation reactions under specified temperatures, gas flows and pressures is demonstrated both for PXRD and XAFS at the P02.

Zirconium Carbide Mediates Coke-Resistant Methane Dry Reforming on Nickel-Zirconium Catalysts.

Graphitic deposits anti-segregate into Ni nanoparticles to provide restored CH adsorption sites and near-surface/dissolved C atoms, which migrate to the Ni /ZrO interface and induce local Zr C formation. The resulting oxygen-deficient carbidic phase boundary sites assist in the kinetically enhanced CO activation toward CO(g). This interface carbide mechanism allows for enhanced spillover of carbon to the ZrO support, and represents an alternative catalyst regeneration pathway with respect to the reverse oxygen spillover on Ni-CeZr O catalysts.

Atomic-Scale Insights into Nickel Exsolution on LaNiO Catalysts via Electron Microscopy.

Using a combination of bulk and surface characterization techniques, we provide atomic-scale insight into the complex surface and bulk dynamics of a LaNiO perovskite material during heating . Driven by the outstanding activity LaNiO in the methane dry reforming reaction (DRM), attributable to the decomposition of LaNiO during DRM operation into a Ni//LaO composite, we reveal the Ni exsolution dynamics both on a local and global scale by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. To reduce the complexity and disentangle thermal from self-activation and reaction-induced effects, we embarked on a heating experiment in vacuo under comparable experimental conditions in all methods.

Data fusion and 3D visualization for optimized representation of neurovascular relationships in the posterior fossa.

Background: Reliable 3D visualization of neurovascular relationships in the posterior fossa at the surface of the brainstem is still critical due to artifacts of imaging. To assess neurovascular compression syndromes more reliably, a new approach of 3D visualization based on registration and fusion of high-resolution MR data is presented.

Methods: A total of 80 patients received MRI data with 3D-CISS and 3D-TOF at 3.

Photo-exfoliation of MoSquantum dots from nanosheets: antransmission electron microscopy study.

Fabrication of transition metal dichalcogenide quantum dots (QDs) is complex and requires submerging powders in binary solvents and constant tuning of wavelength and pulsed frequency of light to achieve a desired reaction. Instead of liquid state photoexfoliation, we utilize infrared laser irradiation of free-standing MoSflakes in transmission electron microscope (TEM) to achieve solid-state multi-level photoexfoliation of QDs. By investigating the steps involved in photochemical reaction between the surface of MoSand the laser beam, we gain insight into each step of the photoexfoliation mechanism and observe high yield production of QDs, led by an inhomogeneous crystalline size distribution.

Virucidal efficacy of an ozone-generating system for automated room disinfection.

Besides conventional prevention measures, no-touch technologies based on gaseous systems have been introduced in hospital hygiene for room disinfection. The whole-room disinfectant device Sterisafe Pro, which creates ozone as a biocidal agent, was tested for its virucidal efficacy based on Association Française de Normalisation Standard NF T 72-281:2014. All test virus titres were reduced after 150 and 300 min of decontamination, with mean reduction factors ranging from 2.

Virucidal efficacy of different formulations for hand and surface disinfection targeting SARS CoV-2.

In the ongoing SARS CoV-2 pandemic, effective disinfection measures are needed, and guidance based on the methodological framework of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) may enable the choice of effective disinfectants on an immediate basis. This study aimed to elucidate whether disinfectants claiming 'virucidal activity against enveloped viruses' as specified in the European Standard EN 14476 as well as in the German Association for the Control of Viral Diseases/Robert Koch Institute (DVV/RKI) guideline are effectively inactivating SARS-CoV-2. Two commercially available formulations for surface disinfection and one formulation for hand disinfection were studied regarding their virucidal activity.

Comparison of the in-vitro efficacy of different mouthwash solutions targeting SARS-CoV-2 based on the European Standard EN 14476.

The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is triggering a global health emergency alert. Until vaccination becomes available, a bundle of effective preventive measures is desperately needed. Recent research is indicating the relevance of aerosols in the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Virucidal efficacy of glutaraldehyde for instrument disinfection.

Glutaraldehyde (GDA) is an active ingredient in many instrument disinfectants and is effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. In the past, the virus-inactivating properties of these products were mainly claimed based on quantitative suspension tests with different test viruses. Recently, however, a European Norm EN 17111:2018 has been published which allows examination of instrument disinfectants in a surface carrier test, simulating practical conditions.

Ceria-Based Dual-Phase Membranes for High-Temperature Carbon Dioxide Separation: Effect of Iron Doping and Pore Generation with MgO Template.

Dual-phase membranes for high-temperature carbon dioxide separation have emerged as promising technology to mitigate anthropogenic greenhouse gases emissions, especially as a pre- and post-combustion separation technique in coal burning power plants. To implement these membranes industrially, the carbon dioxide permeability must be improved. In this study, CeSmO (SDC) and CeSmFeO (FSDC) ceramic powders were used to form the skeleton in dual-phase membranes.

Evaluation of the virucidal efficacy of disinfectant wipes with a test method simulating practical conditions.

Background: The use of disinfectant wipes in hospitals is increasing over the last years. These wipes should be able to inactivate microorganisms including viruses on environmental surfaces and to prevent their transfer to clean areas.The European norm (EN) 16615:2015 describes a wiping process over four fields starting on the contaminated field 1 followed by fields 2-4 and back to the starting point (4-field test).

Impact of severe left ventricular outflow tract calcification on device failure and short-term mortality in patients undergoing TAVI.

Background: To investigate the impact of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) calcification on the incidence of device failure and mortality in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods: Of 690 consecutive patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI in our center from January 2013 to December 2015, 600 presented with non-severe (NSCA) and 90 (13.0%) with severe (SCA) LVOT calcification.

A critical comparison between the semisitting and the supine positioning in vestibular schwannoma surgery: subgroup analysis of a randomized, multicenter trial.

Objective: Patient positioning in vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery is a matter of ongoing discussion. Factors to consider include preservation of cranial nerve functions, extent of tumor resection, and complications. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal patient positioning in VS surgery.

Time course of pain response and toxicity after whole-nerve-encompassing LINAC-based stereotactic radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia-a prospective observational study.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the time course of pain response and toxicity after linear accelerator-based whole-nerve-encompassing radiosurgery (LINAC-SRS) using a uniform treatment schedule for dosing and target volume definition in patients with refractory trigeminal neuralgia.

Methods: From December 2012 to December 2016, 21 patients were treated using a standardized protocol. Patients received LINAC-SRS with 70 Gy to the cisternal portion while aiming for the 90% isodose to fully envelope the nerve in one cross-sectional plane.

6th vital sign app: Testing validity and reliability for measuring gait speed.

Background: Gait speed tests are useful predictors of different health outcomes in people. These tests can be administered by the convenience of one's smartphone.

Research Question: Is the 6th Vital Sign app valid and reliable for measuring gait speed?

Methods: The study used a prospective test-retest design.

Numerical Quadrature for Probabilistic Policy Search.

Learning control policies has become an appealing alternative to the derivation of control laws based on classic control theory. Model-based approaches have proven an outstanding data efficiency, especially when combined with probabilistic models to eliminate model bias. However, a major difficulty for these methods is that multi-step-ahead predictions typically become intractable for larger planning horizons and can only poorly be approximated.

Surface-Engineered Inorganic Nanoporous Membranes for Vapor and Pervaporative Separations of Water⁻Ethanol Mixtures.

Surface wettability-tailored porous ceramic/metallic membranes (in the tubular and planar disc form) were prepared and studied for both vapor-phase separation and liquid pervaporative separations of water-ethanol mixtures. Superhydrophobic nanoceramic membranes demonstrated more selective permeation of ethanol (relative to water) by cross-flow pervaporation of liquid ethanol⁻water mixture (10 wt % ethanol feed at 80 °C). In addition, both superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic membranes were tested for the vapor-phase separations of water⁻ethanol mixtures.

Virucidal efficacy of peracetic acid for instrument disinfection.

Background: Various peracetic-acid (PAA)-based products for processing flexible endoscopes on the market are often based on a two-component system including a cleaning step before the addition of PAA as disinfectant. The peracetic acid concentrations in these formulations from different manufacturers are ranging from 400 to 1500 ppm (part per million). These products are used at temperatures between 20 °C and 37 °C.

Intraoperative Vascular Neuromonitoring in Patients with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Pilot Study Using Combined Laser-Doppler Spectrophotometry.

Background: Intraoperative monitoring of cerebral microcirculation in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may predict the postoperative neurologic outcome. In this pilot study, we examined the value of a novel noninvasive real-time measurement technique for detecting changes in local microcirculation.

Methods: We used the O2C (Oxygen to see) laser-Doppler spectrophotometry system in 14 patients with Hunt & Hess grade 2-5 SAH who underwent microsurgical cerebral aneurysm clipping.

Prophylactic nimodipine treatment and improvement in hearing outcome after vestibular schwannoma surgery: a combined analysis of a randomized, multicenter, Phase III trial and its pilot study.

OBJECTIVE In clinical routines, neuroprotective strategies in neurosurgical interventions are still missing. A pilot study (n = 30) and an analogously performed Phase III trial (n = 112) pointed to a beneficial effect of prophylactic nimodipine and hydroxyethyl starch (HES) in vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery. Considering the small sample size, the data from both studies were pooled.

Interobserver variability of the House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system for the analysis of a randomized multi-center phase III trial.

Background: Evidence of a high interobserver variability of the subjective House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system (HBGS) would justify cost- and time-consuming technological enhancements of objective classifications for facial nerve paresis.

Method: A total of 112 patients were recruited for a randomized multi-center trial to investigate the efficacy of prophylactic nimodipine treatment in vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery. For the present investigation both treatment groups were pooled for the assessment of facial nerve function preoperatively, in the early postoperative course and 1 year after the surgery.

Virucidal efficacy of a sonicated hydrogen peroxide system (trophon EPR) following European and German test methods.

The virucidal efficacy of an automated ultrasound probe disinfector (trophon EPR) was evaluated in a three step procedure according to European and German test methods. This system uses sonicated hydrogen peroxide mist (35%) at elevated temperature (50°C) in a closed chamber with control of all parameters within a 7 minute cycle. In the first step of examination, the peroxide solution was tested in a quantitative suspension assay according to the Guideline of Deutsche Vereinigung zur Bekämpfung der Viruskrankheiten (DVV) e.