bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
School–Family Partnerships for Culturally Sustaining Texts
Authors: Jennerjohn Anna
Published: January 2020

Educators of young students who want to invigorate relationships with students’ families and boost student literacy can do so by cocreating culturally sustaining texts. A culturally sustaining text seeks to sustain a reader’s cultures, literacies, and backgrounds. The author shares step‐by‐step instructions on how to make a culturally sustaining text with students and their families using photos from the students’ neighborhoods and a language experience approach. Four major outcomes were found: School personnel increased their understanding of students’ home context, families were more willing to come into school, schools and families built relationships that paved the way for future communication, and students gained a culturally sustaining text to support their literacy learning.
A left-right mirror symmetric model: common origin of neutrino mass, baryon asymmetry and dark matter
Authors: Yang Wei-Min
Published: January 2020

Abstract

I suggest a left-right mirror symmetric particle model as the natural and aes- thetic extension of the SM. As the left-right mirror symmetry breaking, the tiny neutrino mass is generated by the radiative mechanism, the baryon asymmetry through the lepto- genesis arises from the characteristic decay of the TeV-scale mirror charged lepton, and a KeV-mass sterile Dirac fermion eventually becomes the CDM. The model can completely account for the common origin of the neutrino mass, the baryon asymmetry and the dark matter, moreover, profoundly uncover the internal connections among them. Finally, I discuss several feasible approaches to test the model predictions and probe the new physics by near future experiments.
Logarithmic loop corrections, moduli stabilisation and de Sitter vacua in string theory
Authors: Antoniadis Ignatios , Chen Yifan , Leontaris George K.
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We study string loop corrections to the gravity kinetic terms in type IIB com- pactifications on Calabi-Yau threefolds or their orbifold limits, in the presence of D7-branes and orientifold planes. We show that they exhibit in general a logarithmic behaviour in the large volume limit transverse to the D7-branes, induced by a localised four-dimensional Einstein-Hilbert action that appears at a lower order in the closed string sector, found in the past. Here, we compute the coefficient of the logarithmic corrections and use them to provide an explicit realisation of a mechanism for Kähler moduli stabilisation that we have proposed recently, which does not rely on non-perturbative effects and lead to de Sit- ter vacua. Our result avoids no-go theorems of perturbative stabilisation due to runaway potentials, in a way similar to the Coleman-Weinberg mechanism, and provides a counter example to one of the swampland conjectures concerning de Sitter vacua in quantum grav- ity, once string loop effects are taken into account; it thus paves the way for embedding the Standard Model of particle physics and cosmology in string theory.
Childhood type 1 diabetes: an environment-wide association study across England
Authors: Sheehan Annalisa , Freni Sterrantino Anna , Fecht Daniela , Elliott Paul , Hodgson Susan
Published: January 2020

Aims/hypothesis

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease affecting ~400,000 people across the UK. It is likely that environmental factors trigger the disease process in genetically susceptible individuals. We assessed the associations between a wide range of environmental factors and childhood type 1 diabetes incidence in England, using an agnostic, ecological environment-wide association study (EnWAS) approach, to generate hypotheses about environmental triggers.

Methods

We undertook analyses at the local authority district (LAD) level using a national hospital episode statistics-based incident type 1 diabetes dataset comprising 13,948 individuals with diabetes aged 0–9 years over the period April 2000 to March 2011. We compiled LAD level estimates for a range of potential demographic and environmental risk factors including meteorological, land use and environmental pollution variables. The associations between type 1 diabetes incidence and risk factors were assessed via Poisson regression, disease mapping and ecological regression.

Results

Case counts by LAD varied from 1 to 236 (median 33, interquartile range 24–46). Overall type 1 diabetes incidence was 21.2 (95% CI 20.9, 21.6) per 100,000 individuals. The EnWAS and disease mapping indicated that 15 out of 53 demographic and environmental risk factors were significantly associated with diabetes incidence, after adjusting for multiple testing. These included air pollutants (particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide; all inversely associated), as well as lead in soil, radon, outdoor light at night, overcrowding, population density and ethnicity. Disease mapping revealed spatial heterogeneity in type 1 diabetes risk. The ecological regression found an association between type 1 diabetes and the living environment domain of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (RR 0.995; 95% credible interval [CrI] 0.991, 0.998) and radon potential class (RR 1.044; 95% CrI 1.015, 1.074).

Conclusions/interpretation

Our analysis identifies a range of demographic and environmental factors associated with type 1 diabetes in children in England.
C/N ratio and carbon source-dependent lipid production profiling in Rhodotorula toruloides
Authors: Lopes Helberth Júnnior Santos , Bonturi Nemailla , Kerkhoven Eduard Johannes , Miranda Everson Alves , Lahtvee Petri-Jaan
Published: January 2020

Microbial oils are lipids produced by oleaginous microorganisms, which can be used as a potential feedstock for oleochemical production. The oleaginous yeast Rhodotorula toruloides can co-produce microbial oils and high-value compounds from low-cost substrates, such as xylose and acetic acid (from hemicellulosic hydrolysates) and raw glycerol (a byproduct of biodiesel production). One step towards economic viability is identifying the best conditions for lipid production, primarily the most suitable carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N). Here, we aimed to identify the best conditions and cultivation mode for lipid production by R. toruloides using various low-cost substrates and a range of C/N ratios (60, 80, 100, and 120). Turbidostat mode was used to achieve a steady state at the maximal specific growth rate and to avoid continuously changing environmental conditions (i.e., C/N ratio) that inherently occur in batch mode. Regardless of the carbon source, higher C/N ratios increased lipid yields (up to 60% on xylose at a C/N of 120) but decreased the specific growth rate. Growth on glycerol resulted in the highest specific growth and lipid production (0.085 g lipids/gDW*h) rates at C/Ns between 60 and 100. We went on to study lipid production using glycerol in both batch and fed-batch modes, which resulted in lower specific lipid production rates compared with turbisdostat, however, fed batch is superior in terms of biomass production and lipid titers. By combining the data we obtained in these experiments with a genome-scale metabolic model of R. toruloides, we identified targets for improvements in lipid production that could be carried out either by metabolic engineering or process optimization.
Evaluation of baseline fracture risk in younger postmenopausal women with breast cancer using different risk assessment methods
Authors: Schaffler-Schaden Dagmar , Kneidinger Christoph , Schweighofer-Zwink Gregor , Flamm Maria , Iglseder Bernhard , Pirich Christian
Published: January 2020

Objective

Controversy exists about the impact of bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk in newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer (BC). It is presumed that there are differences in BMD between women with BC and healthy controls. BMD is therefore considered as a potential marker to predict BC risk. This study was conducted to investigate the association of BMD, trabecular bone score (TBS) and fracture risk in younger postmenopausal women with hormone responsive BC.

Methods

Overall, 343 women were examined. Women with BC were matched to a control group of the general population. Forty-nine women and fifty-nine controls were included in the final analysis. All subjects underwent dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and the total hip to evaluate bone mineral density. The 10-year fracture risk for a major osteoporotic fracture was assessed using the FRAX-score and the TBS-adjusted FRAX-Score, respectively.

Results

Lumbar and femoral neck BMD were similar in BC patients and controls. No difference was found for TBS of the spine (1.38 ± 0.1 vs.1.36 ± 0.09) in the BC and the control group, respectively (p = 0.19). The 10- year probability for a major osteoporotic fracture (MoF) or femoral neck (FN) fracture was 6.1 (± 2.6%) and 0.9 (± 1.2%) in the BC group vs. 6.7 (± 3.5%) (p = 0.33) and 0.9 (± 1.1%) (p = 0.73) in the control group.

Conclusion

Postmenopausal women younger than 60 years with breast cancer do not show any differences in baseline BMD, TBS, or TBS adjusted FRAX in comparison to controls.
Digital pathology-aided assessment of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes in advanced stage, HPV-negative head and neck tumors
Authors: de Ruiter Emma J. , de Roest Reinout H. , Brakenhoff Ruud H. , Leemans C. René , de Bree Remco , Terhaard Chris H. J. , Willems Stefan M.
Published: January 2020

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the presence and prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating T cells in the tumor epithelium in advanced stage, HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with primary chemoradiotherapy using digital pathology.

Methods

Pre-treatment biopsies from 80 oropharyngeal, 52 hypopharyngeal, and 29 laryngeal cancer patients were collected in a tissue microarray (TMA) and immunohistochemically stained for T-cell markers CD3, CD4, CD8, FoxP3, and PD1, and for immune checkpoint PD-L1. For each marker, the number of positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) per mm2 tumor epithelium was digitally quantified and correlated to overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and locoregional control (LRC), as well as to clinicopathological characteristics. Differences in clinical outcome were estimated using Cox proportional hazard analysis and visualized using Kaplan–Meier curves.

Results

The patient cohort had a 3-year OS of 58%, with a median follow-up of 53 months. None of the T-cell markers showed a correlation with OS, DFS or LRC. A low N stage was correlated to a better prognosis (OS: HR 0.39, p = 0.0028, DFS: HR 0.34, p =  < 0.001, LRC: HR 0.24, p = 0.008). High TIL counts were more often observed in PD-L1-positive tumors (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study showed an objective, digital pathology-aided method to assess TILs in the tumor epithelium. However, it did not provide evidence for a prognostic role of the presence of CD3 + , CD4 + , CD8 + , FoxP3 + , and PD1 + TILs in the tumor epithelium of advanced stage, HPV-negative HNSCC patients treated with primary chemoradiotherapy.
First-in-human phase I clinical trial of the NY-ESO-1 protein cancer vaccine with NOD2 and TLR9 stimulants in patients with NY-ESO-1-expressing refractory solid tumors
Authors: Ishihara Mikiya , Tono Yasutaka , Miyahara Yoshihiro , Muraoka Daisuke , Harada Naozumi , Kageyama Shinichi , Sasaki Takeshi , Hori Yasuhide , Soga Norihito , Uchida Katsunori , Shiraishi Taizo , Sato Eiichi , Kanda Hideki , Mizuno Toshiro , Webster Gill A. , Ikeda Hiroaki , Katayama Naoyuki , Sugimura Yoshiki , Shiku Hiroshi
Published: January 2020

Cholesteryl pullulan (CHP) is a novel antigen delivery system. CHP and New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 (NY-ESO-1) antigen complexes (CHP-NY-ESO-1) present multiple epitope peptides to the MHC class I and II pathways. Adjuvants are essential for cancer vaccines. MIS416 is a non-toxic microparticle that activates immunity via the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) and TLR9 pathways. However, no reports have explored MIS416 as a cancer vaccine adjuvant. We conducted a first-in-human clinical trial of CHP-NY-ESO-1 with MIS416 in patients with NY-ESO-1-expressing refractory solid tumors. CHP-NY-ESO-1/MIS416 (μg/μg) was administered at 100/200, 200/200, 200/400 or 200/600 (cohorts 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively) every 2 weeks for a total of 6 doses (treatment phase) followed by one vaccination every 4 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity (maintenance phase). The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability, and the secondary endpoint was the immune response. In total, 26 patients were enrolled. Seven patients (38%) continued vaccination in the maintenance phase. Grade 3 drug-related adverse events (AEs) were observed in six patients (23%): anorexia and hypertension were observed in one and five patients, respectively. No grade 4–5 drug-related AEs were observed. Eight patients (31%) had stable disease (SD). Neither augmentation of the NY-ESO-1-specific IFN-γ-secreting CD8+ T cell response nor an increase in the level of anti-NY-ESO-1 IgG1 was observed as the dose of MIS416 was increased. In a preclinical study, adding anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody to CHP-NY-ESO-1 and MIS416 induced significant tumor suppression. This combination therapy is a promising next step.
FHL-1 is not involved in pressure overload-induced maladaptive right ventricular remodeling and dysfunction
Authors: Veith Christine , Neghabian Dariusch , Luitel Himal , Wilhelm Jochen , Egemnazarov Bakytbek , Muntanjohl Caja , Fischer Jan-Hendrik , Dahal Bhola Kumar , Schermuly Ralph Theo , Ghofrani Hossein Ardeschir , Grimminger Friedrich , Fink Ludger , Kwapiszewska Grazyna , Weissmann Norbert , Sydykov Akylbek
Published: January 2020

Aims

The cytoskeletal signaling protein four and-a-half LIM domains 1 (FHL-1) has recently been identified as a novel key player in pulmonary hypertension as well as in left heart diseases. In this regard, FHL-1 has been implicated in dysregulated hypertrophic signaling in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells leading to pulmonary hypertension. In mice, FHL-1-deficiency (FHL-1−/−) led to an attenuated hypertrophic signaling associated with a blunted hypertrophic response of the pressure-overloaded left ventricle (LV). However, the role of FHL-1 in right heart hypertrophy has not yet been addressed.

Methods and results

We investigated FHL-1 expression in C57Bl/6 mice subjected to chronic biomechanical stress and found it to be enhanced in the right ventricle (RV). Next, we subjected FHL-1−/− and corresponding wild-type mice to pressure overload of the RV by pulmonary arterial banding for various time points. However, in contrast to the previously published study in LV-pressure overload, which was confirmed here, RV hypertrophy and hypertrophic signaling was not diminished in FHL-1−/− mice. In detail, right ventricular pressure overload led to hypertrophy, dilatation and fibrosis of the RV from both FHL-1−/− and wild-type mice. RV remodeling was associated with impaired RV function as evidenced by reduced tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion. Additionally, PAB induced upregulation of natriuretic peptides and slight downregulation of phospholamban and ryanodine receptor 2 in the RV. However, there was no difference between genotypes in the degree of expression change.

Conclusion

FHL-1 pathway is not involved in the control of adverse remodeling in the pressure overloaded RV.
Murine sca1/flk1-positive cells are not endothelial progenitor cells, but B2 lymphocytes
Authors: Steffen Eva , Mayer von Wittgenstein Wolfgang Bernd Edziu , Hennig Marie , Niepmann Sven Thomas , Zietzer Andreas , Werner Nikos , Rassaf Tienush , Nickenig Georg , Wassmann Sven , Zimmer Sebastian , Steinmetz Martin
Published: January 2020

Circulating sca1+/flk1+ cells are hypothesized to be endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in mice that contribute to atheroprotection by replacing dysfunctional endothelial cells. Decreased numbers of circulating sca1+/flk1+ cells correlate with increased atherosclerotic lesions and impaired reendothelialization upon electric injury of the common carotid artery. However, legitimate doubts remain about the identity of the putative EPCs and their contribution to endothelial restoration. Hence, our study aimed to establish a phenotype for sca1+/flk1+ cells to gain a better understanding of their role in atherosclerotic disease. In wild-type mice, sca1+/flk1+ cells were mobilized into the peripheral circulation by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment and this movement correlated with improved endothelial regeneration upon carotid artery injury. Multicolor flow cytometry analysis revealed that sca1+/flk1+ cells predominantly co-expressed surface markers of conventional B cells (B2 cells). In RAG2-deficient mice and upon B2 cell depletion, sca1+/flk1+ cells were fully depleted. In the absence of monocytes, sca1+/flk1+ cell levels were unchanged. A PCR array focused on cell surface markers and next-generation sequencing (NGS) of purified sca1+/flk1+ cells confirmed their phenotype to be predominantly that of B cells. Finally, the depletion of B2 cells, including sca1+/flk1+ cells, in G-CSF-treated wild-type mice partly abolished the endothelial regenerating effect of G-CSF, indicating an atheroprotective role for sca1+/flk1+ B2 cells. In summary, we characterized sca1+/flk1+ cells as a subset of predominantly B2 cells, which are apparently involved in endothelial regeneration.
The single-suture technique for anterior cruciate ligament graft preparation provides similar stability as a three-suture technique: a biomechanical in vitro study in a porcine model
Authors: Theopold Jan , Schleifenbaum Stefan , Georgi Alexander , Schmidt Michael , Henkelmann Ralf , Osterhoff Georg , Hepp Pierre
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Numerous techniques have been described for the tibial-sided graft preparation in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The use of less suture material for graft preparation is thought to improve ingrowth and to reduce the risk for infection. At the same time, the suture construct should be strong enough to resist the surgeon’s pull during tensioning of the transplant.

Methods

In total, 39 fresh-frozen procine deep flexor tendons were used and prepared as four-strand grafts. In the three-suture group (n = 19), graft preparation was performed using three tibial-sided sutures, with each tendon end sutured separately. In the one-suture group (n = 20), a modified graft preparation using only one tibial-sided suture was applied. Each sample underwent load-to-failure testing (Nmax) after cyclic pre-loading. To estimate intraoperative tension forces acting on the tibial-sided suture constructs, the maximal tension force of 26 volunteers on such a construct was measured using a load cell.

Results

The biomechanical testing of the two different suture constructs showed a significantly higher load-to-failure for the three-suture group (711 N ± 91 N) compared to the one-suture group (347 N ± 24 N) (p = 0.0001). In both groups, the mode of failure was a tear of the suture in all samples. A failure of the suture–tendon interface was not observed in any case. The median maximal tension force on the construct applied by the 26 volunteers was 134 N (range 73–182 N).

Conclusion

The presented single-suture tendon graft preparation resisted to smaller failure loads than the conventional three-suture technique. However, no failures in the suture–tendon interface were seen and the failure loads observed were far beyond the tension forces that can be expected intraoperatively. Hence, the single-suture graft preparation technique may be a valuable alternative to the conventional technique.
Effect of voice therapy with or without transcutaneous electrical stimulation on recovery of injured macroscopically intact recurrent laryngeal nerve after thyroid surgery
Authors: Formánek Martin , Walderová Radana , Baníková Šárka , Chmelová Irina , Formánková Debora , Zeleník Karol , Komínek Pavel
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Electrical stimulation-supported therapy is an often used modality. However, it still belongs to experimental methods in the human larynx. Data are lacking with which to evaluate the real effect in recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. The aim of this study was to investigate whether transcutaneous electrical stimulation added to voice therapy has a beneficial effect compared to voice therapy alone on vocal fold movement recovery in the case of an injured macroscopically intact recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Methods

Adults with unilateral vocal fold paralysis after thyroidectomy, in which the recurrent laryngeal nerve was left macroscopically intact, were included in this case–control study performed in tertiary referral hospital between September 2006 and June 2018. Among 175 eligible participants, 158 were included. Compliance with 6 months follow-up was 94.3%. Interventions: medicament therapy and voice therapy (group 1) vs. medicament therapy and voice therapy and transcutaneous electrical stimulation (group 2). Main outcome: vocal fold movement.

Results

A total of 149 patients were included in the analysis (group 1, 89 patients; group 2, 60 patients). The groups were homogenous. In groups 1 and 2, 64% and 60% of vocal folds, respectively, were improved after 6 months (P = 0.617). No difference was found between patients who improved and patients who did not improve.

Conclusions

Adding transcutaneous electrical stimulation to voice therapy provided no beneficial effect on the recovery of vocal fold movement. Therefore, its indications should be re-evaluated; it is questionable whether stimulation should be routinely recommended.
Tolerability of facial electrostimulation in healthy adults and patients with facial synkinesis
Authors: Volk Gerd Fabian , Thielker Jovanna , Möller Martin Christian , Majcher Daniela , Mastryukova Valeria , Altmann Carolin Susann , Dobel Christian , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To evaluate optimal stimulation parameters with regard to discomfort and tolerability for transcutaneous electrostimulation of facial muscles in healthy participants and patients with postparetic facial synkinesis.

Methods

Two prospective studies were performed. First, single pulse monophasic stimulation with rectangular pulses was compared to triangular pulses in 48 healthy controls. Second, 30 healthy controls were compared to 30 patients with postparetic facial synkinesis with rectangular pulse form. Motor twitch threshold, tolerability threshold, and discomfort were assessed using a numeric rating scale at both thresholds.

Results

Discomfort at motor threshold was significantly lower for rectangular than for triangular pulses. Average motor and tolerability thresholds were higher for patients than for healthy participants. Discomfort at motor threshold was significantly lower for healthy controls compared to patients. Major side effects were not seen.

Conclusions

Surface electrostimulation for selective functional and tolerable facial muscle contractions in patients with postparetic facial synkinesis is feasible.
Hippocampal subfield and amygdala nuclei volumes in schizophrenia patients with a history of violence
Authors: Tesli Natalia , van der Meer Dennis , Rokicki Jaroslav , Storvestre Guttorm , Røsæg Cato , Jensen Arvid , Hjell Gabriela , Bell Christina , Fischer-Vieler Thomas , Tesli Martin , Andreassen Ole A. , Melle Ingrid , Agartz Ingrid , Haukvik Unn K.
Published: January 2020

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is associated with an increased risk of violence compared to the general population. Previous studies have indicated smaller hippocampal and amygdala volumes in violent than non-violent psychotic patients. However, little is known about volumetric differences at the subdivision level of these structures. In the present study, hippocampal subfields and amygdala nuclei volumes were estimated with FreeSurfer from 3 T MRI of SCZ patients with (SCZ-V, n = 24) and without (SCZ-NV, n = 51) a history of severe violence and 90 healthy controls (HC). Volumetric differences between groups were explored with a general linear model covarying for confounders, in addition to follow-up analyses in patient groups controlling for clinical characteristics such as antipsychotic medication, duration of illness and illicit substance use. SCZ-V had smaller total hippocampal volume and smaller CA1, HATA, fimbria, and molecular layer of DG volumes compared to HC. Total amygdala volume together with basal nucleus, accessory basal nucleus, CTA, and paralaminar nucleus volumes were smaller in SCZ-V compared to HC. In SCZ-NV, compared to HC, the observed smaller volumes were limited to basal and paralaminar nucleus. There were no significant differences in hippocampal subfield and amygdala nuclei volumes between SCZ-V and SCZ-NV. Follow-up analyses showed that the results in patient groups were not affected by clinical characteristics. The results suggest that smaller hippocampal subfield and amygdala nuclei volumes may be relevant to violence risk in SCZ. However, the neurobiological signature of violence in SCZ should be further investigated in larger cohorts.
Microalbuminuria: a sentinel of neurocognitive impairment in HIV-infected individuals?
Authors:   The ALCOVE Study Group, Moulignier Antoine , Viret-Vilayphon Anne-Claire , Lescure François-Xavier , Plaisier Emmanuelle , Salomon Laurence , Lamirel Cédric , Pialoux Gilles
Published: January 2020

Background

According to population-based studies, microalbuminuria is associated with subsequent cognitive decline over a 4–6-year period, because of cerebral small-vessel disease (CSVD). This prospective cross-sectional study (NCT02852772) was designed to evaluate whether a history of microalbuminuria is associated with subsequent cognitive decline in combined antiretroviral therapy (cART)-treated persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIVs).

Methods

From our computerized medical database, we identified 30 PLHIVs (median age 52 years), immunovirologically controlled on cART, who had microalbuminuria in 2008 and had undergone, between 2013 and 2015, a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment (NPA) including seven domains (cases): information-processing speed, motor skills, executive functions, attention/working memory, learning/memory, reasoning and verbal fluency. Forty-nine PLHIVs matched for age (median age 48 years; p = 0.19), sex, and year of first HIV-seropositivity without microalbuminuria in 2008 were identified and underwent the same NPA between 2013 and 2015 (controls).

Results

Cases performed less well than controls for information-processing speed (p = 0.01) and motor skills (p = 0.02), but no differences were found for the other cognitive domains and global z-scores. A multivariable linear-regression model adjusted for confounding factors confirmed the microalbuminuria effect for the information-processing-speed z score.

Conclusion

cART-treated PLHIVs with a history of microalbuminuria subsequently had worse cognitive performances for the information-processing-speed domain, possibly because of CSVD. Our observations should be considered preliminary findings of a temporal link between microalbuminuria, CSVD, and subsequent cognitive impairment.
Staged implant placement after defect regeneration using biphasic calcium phosphate materials with different surface topographies in a minipig model
Authors: Mihatovic I. , Schwarz F. , Obreja K. , Becker J. , Sader R. , Dard M. , John G.
Published: January 2020

Objective

To assess the influence of biphasic calcium phosphate materials with different surface topographies on bone formation and osseointegration of titanium implants in standardized alveolar ridge defects.

Materials and methods

Standardized alveolar ridge defects (6 × 6 mm) were created in the mandible of 8 minipigs and filled with three biphasic calcium phosphate materials (BCP1–3, 90% tricalcium phosphate/10% hydroxyapatite) with different surface properties (micro- and macroporosities) as well as a bovine-derived natural bone mineral (NBM) as a control. At 12 weeks, implants were placed into the augmented defects. After further 8 weeks of healing, dissected blocks were processed for histological analysis (e.g., mineralized (MT), residual bone graft material (BS), bone-to-implant contact (BIC)).

Results

All four biomaterials showed well-integrated graft particles and new bone formation within the defect area. MT values were comparable in all groups. BS values were highest in the NBM group (21.25 ± 13.52%) and markedly reduced in the different BCP groups, reaching statistical significance at BCP1-treated sites (9.2 ± 3.28%). All test and control groups investigated revealed comparable and statistically not significant different BIC values, ranging from 73.38 ± 20.5% (BCP2) to 84.11 ± 7.84% (BCP1), respectively.

Conclusion

All bone graft materials facilitated new bone formation and osseointegration after 12 + 8 weeks of healing.
Nanoemulsions as delivery systems for lipophilic nutraceuticals: strategies for improving their formulation, stability, functionality and bioavailability
Authors: Choi Seung Jun , McClements David Julian
Published: January 2020

The food and beverage industry often need to encapsulate hydrophobic functional ingredients in their products, including colors, flavors, lipids, nutraceuticals preservatives, and vitamins. Encapsulation can improve the handling, water-dispersibility, chemically stability, and efficacy of these functional ingredients. In this review article, we focus on the design of nanoemulsion-based delivery systems to encapsulate, protect, and deliver non-polar bioactive agents, such as vitamin A, D and E, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, curcumin, resveratrol, and coenzyme Q10. Initially, the challenges associated with incorporating these different bioactives into foods are highlighted. The relative merits and drawbacks of different nanoemulsion fabrication methods are then discussed. Finally, examples of the application of nanoemulsions for improving the stability and bioavailability of various kinds of hydrophobic vitamins and nutraceuticals are provided.
Temperate-zone cultivation of Oedogonium in municipal wastewater effluent to produce cellulose and oxygen
Authors: Piotrowski Michael J , Graham Linda E , Graham James M
Published: January 2020

Cultivation of the filamentous chlorophyte Oedogonium in municipal wastewater effluent is known to improve water quality and yield lipid- and protein-rich biomass for industrial applications. Chlorophyte celluloses, whose molecular organization and physical traits differ from those of plants, represent yet another valuable extractive, and algal oxygen production is of economic value in wastewater treatment. Consequently, we explored cellulose and oxygen production from Oedogonium biomass batch-cultivated in treated secondary municipal wastewater effluent. We compared biomass, cellulose, and oxygen production outside and within an adjacent greenhouse, under differing dissolved CO2 and pH conditions, and during temperate-zone seasonal change from summer through fall. Overall production did not differ within or outside the greenhouse, but outside production was higher in summer and lower in fall as air temperatures declined. Batch cultivation offered advantages, but high levels of mixing and CO2 were essential to maintain neutral pH for optimal algal growth and oxygen production.
Walleye growth declines following zebra mussel and Bythotrephes invasion
Authors: Hansen Gretchen J. A. , Ahrenstorff Tyler D. , Bethke Bethany J. , Dumke Joshua D. , Hirsch Jodie , Kovalenko Katya E. , LeDuc Jaime F. , Maki Ryan P. , Rantala Heidi M. , Wagner Tyler
Published: January 2020

Invasive species represent a threat to aquatic ecosystems globally; however, impacts can be heterogenous across systems. Documented impacts of invasive zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and spiny water fleas (Bythotrephes cederströmii; hereafterBythotrephes) on native fishes are variable and context dependent across locations and time periods. Here, we use a hierarchical Bayesian analysis of a 35-year dataset on two fish species from 9 lakes to demonstrate that early life growth of ecologically important fishes are influenced by these aquatic invasive species. Walleye (Sander vitreus) in their first year of life grew more slowly in the presence of either invader after correcting for temperature (measured by degree days), and were on average 12 or 14% smaller at the end of their first summer following invasion byBythotrephesor zebra mussels, respectively. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) growth was less affected by invasion. Yellow perch on average grew more slowly in their first year of life following invasion by zebra mussels, although this effect was not statistically distinguishable from zero. Early life growth of both walleye and yellow perch was less tightly coupled to degree days in invaded systems, as demonstrated by increased variance surrounding the degree day-length relationship. Smaller first-year size is related to walleye survival and recruitment to later life stages and has important implications for lake food webs and fisheries management. Future research quantifying effects of zebra mussels andBythotrepheson other population-level processes and across a wider gradient of lake types is needed to understand the mechanisms driving observed changes in walleye growth.
Constellations of Transdisciplinary Practices: A Map and Research Agenda for the Responsible Management Learning Field
Authors: Laasch Oliver , Moosmayer Dirk , Antonacopoulou Elena , Schaltegger Stefan
Published: January 2020

The emerging field of responsible management learning is characterized by an urgent need for transdisciplinary practices. We conceptualize constellations of transdisciplinary practices by building up on a social practice perspective. From this perspective, knowledge and learning are ‘done’ in interrelated practices that may span multiple fields like the professional, educational, and research field. Such practices integrate knowledge across disciplines (interdisciplinarity) and sectors (intersectorality) in order to learn to enact, educate, and research complex responsible management. Accordingly, constellations of collaborative transdisciplinary practices span the three layers of the responsible management field: Professional responsible management, responsible management education, and responsible management research. We apply this framework to map both recent responsible management learning publications and contributions to this special issue. We notice that although the responsible management field’s aspiration for transdisciplinarity is high the degree to which it has been realized is low. This results in our proposal for a research agenda, which points out impediments to transdisciplinary, and research directions for the responsible management learning field. We also highlight theoretical implications of our conceptual framework for the larger transdisciplinarity discussion.
Insulin Exacerbates Inflammation in Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes
Authors: Qiao Li , Li Yi , Sun Shui
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered the most frequent degenerative disease and is characterized by cartilage degradation and synovial inflammation. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) are vital to synovial inflammation in OA. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia (HINS) and has been demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for OA. Autophagy is involved in the processes of various inflammatory diseases, and autophagy inhibition can stimulate OA development. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of insulin in the inflammatory phenotype and autophagy of FLSs in OA. The data showed that cell viability and proinflammatory cytokine production in FLSs were both increased after insulin stimulation. We also found that high insulin could promote macrophage infiltration and chemokine production but inhibited autophagy in FLSs. To further explore the potential mechanisms, the effects of insulin on PI3K/Akt/mTOR and NF-ĸB signaling activation were evaluated. The results indicated that insulin activated PI3K/Akt/mTOR/NF-ĸB signaling, and the above-mentioned inflammatory responses, including autophagy inhibition, were notably attenuated by specific signaling inhibitors in the presence of high insulin. Moreover, the data showed that a positive feedback loop existed between proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and PI3K/mTOR/Akt/NF-ĸB signaling in FLSs, and insulin enhanced this feedback loop to accelerate OA progression. Our study suggests that insulin may be a novel therapeutic strategy for OA prevention and treatment in the future.
Development of Flat Silicon-Based Mesh Lens Arrays for Millimeter and Sub-millimeter Wave Astronomy
Authors: Pisano Giampaolo , Austermann Jason , Beall James , Halverson Nils , Hubmayr Johannes , Jaehnig Gregory , McKenney Christopher M. , Raymond Benjamin , Suzuki Aritoki
Published: January 2020

The high sensitivity requirements set by future cosmic microwave background instruments are pushing the current technologies to produce highly performant focal plane arrays with thousands of detectors. The coupling of the detectors to the telescope optics is a challenging task. Current implemented solutions include phased-array antenna-coupled detectors, platelet horn arrays, and lenslet-coupled planar antennas. There are also recent developments of flat graded-index lenses based on etched silicon. However, there are strong requirements in terms of electromagnetic performance, such as coupling efficiency and bandwidth, as well as requirements in terms of easy manufacturing and scalability, and it is very challenging to meet all these requirements with one of the above solutions. Here, we present a novel approach for producing flat metal-mesh lenslet arrays based on devices previously realized using the mesh-filter technology. We have now adapted the polypropylene-based mesh lens design to silicon substrates, thus providing a good mechanical match to the silicon-based detector arrays. The measured performance of prototype pixels operating at millimeter wavelengths is presented.
Validation of Motion Tracking Software for Evaluation of Surgical Performance in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Ganni Sandeep , Botden Sanne M. B. I. , Chmarra Magdalena , Li Meng , Goossens Richard H. M. , Jakimowicz Jack J.
Published: January 2020

Motion tracking software for assessing laparoscopic surgical proficiency has been proven to be effective in differentiating between expert and novice performances. However, with several indices that can be generated from the software, there is no set threshold that can be used to benchmark performances. The aim of this study was to identify the best possible algorithm that can be used to benchmark expert, intermediate and novice performances for objective evaluation of psychomotor skills. 12 video recordings of various surgeons were collected in a blinded fashion. Data from our previous study of 6 experts and 23 novices was also included in the analysis to determine thresholds for performance. Video recording were analyzed both by the Kinovea 0.8.15 software and a blinded expert observer using the CAT form. Multiple algorithms were tested to accurately identify expert and novice performances. ½ L + $$ \raisebox{1ex}{$1$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$3$}\right. $$13 A + $$ \raisebox{1ex}{$1$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$6$}\right. $$16 J scoring of path length, average movement and jerk index respectively resulted in identifying 23/24 performances. Comparing the algorithm to CAT assessment yielded in a linear regression coefficient R2 of 0.844. The value of motion tracking software in providing objective clinical evaluation and retrospective analysis is evident. Given the prospective use of this tool the algorithm developed in this study proves to be effective in benchmarking performances for psychomotor skills evaluation.
Entrepreneurs’ age, institutions, and social value creation goals: A multi-country study
Authors: Brieger Steven A. , Bäro Anne , Criaco Giuseppe , Terjesen Siri A.
Published: January 2020

This study explores the relationship between an entrepreneur's age and his/her social value creation goals. Building on the lifespan developmental psychology literature and institutional theory, we hypothesize a U-shaped relationship between entrepreneurs’ age and their choice to create social value through their ventures, such that younger and older entrepreneurs create more social value with their businesses while middle age entrepreneurs are relatively more economically and less socially oriented with their ventures. We further hypothesize that the quality of a country’s formal institutions in terms of economic, social, and political freedom steepen the U-shaped relationship between entrepreneurs’ age and their choice to pursue social value creation as supportive institutional environments allow entrepreneurs to follow their age-based preferences. We confirm our predictions using multilevel mixed-effects linear regressions on a sample of over 15,000 entrepreneurs (aged between 18 and 64 years) in 45 countries from Global Entrepreneurship Monitor data. The findings are robust to several alternative specifications. Based on our findings, we discuss implications for theory and practice, and we propose future research directions.
Immobilization of Chromium in Stainless Steel Slag Using Low Zinc Electric Arc Furnace Dusts
Authors: Lin Yong , Yan Baijun , Fabritius Timo , Shu Qifeng
Published: January 2020

A new synergistic treatment of stainless steel slag and low zinc content electric arc furnace (EAF) dusts is proposed to immobilize harmful chromium in stainless steel slag. The effects of ZnFe2O4 addition on the mineralogic phase and chromium leachability of CaO-SiO2-MgO-Al2O3-Cr2O3 synthetic slag were investigated to explore the feasibility of this method. The mineralogic phases in stainless steel slag were investigated by scanning microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The leaching concentration values of chromium and zinc were evaluated according to an alkaline digestion for the hexavalent chromium (US-EPA-3060A) and toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP, US-EPA-1311) method, respectively. It was found that all synthetic slags mainly contain α-Ca2SiO4, merwinite and spinel phase, in line with the calculation results by FactSage. The crystallization of spinel and merwinite phases was enhanced by the addition of ZnFe2O4 but suppressed the precipitation of α-Ca2SiO4. It was revealed that the leaching concentration of chromium was depressed by adding ZnFe2O4 and was far below the chemical limits defined in the French proposal for a criterion and evaluation methods for waste ecotoxicity (0.1 mg L−1). In addition, the zinc leaching concentration meets the sanitary landfill standard. The proposed synergistic treatment method was further validated on industrial stainless steel slags and EAF dusts. Experimental results indicated that the synergistic treatment method can immobilize chromium effectively and the final slags can be disposed of by sanitary landfilling or recycling as constructional materials. A schematic technologic route diagram of the synergistic treatment was also proposed.
Working toward Global Justice: Confucian and Christian Ethics in Dialogue
Authors: Rauhut Andreas
Published: January 2020

Faced with the ongoing tragedy of poverty in our world today, many have long called for a common standard of global justice. Such a standard should not be tied to any one particular strand of justice conceptualizations and it should yet be in harmony with the central motivating beliefs of the various concerned moral worldviews. The article reframes global justice thinking by approaching a core problem, namely motivating people to care for distant needy strangers, in a concrete intercultural manner: it sets out to study and compare the motivational underpinnings for an expansion of social justice, in an exemplary fashion, within two long-standing worldview traditions, namely Christian social ethics and contemporary Confucian ethics, in order to gain a more realistic impression of what a commonly shared and motivationally backed notion of global justice may look like. While the former expresses a universal concern for the poor, the latter has recently attracted interest, since Southeast Asian countries managed to lift millions of people out of abject poverty. As both traditions consider loving communal relationships to constitute the foundation of all justice considerations, the article inquires how this quest shapes each tradition’s way to motivate their adherents’ compliance with a vision of global justice.
Fachdidaktisches Wissen von angehenden Sportlehrkräften messen
Authors: Heemsoth Tim , Wibowo Jonas
Published: January 2020

Das fachdidaktische Wissen gilt in der lehrkraftbezogenen Professionsforschung als zentrale Komponente professioneller Kompetenz, durch die die Qualität der Unterrichtshandlungen und das Erreichen von Unterrichtszielen vorhergesagt werden kann. Für das Fach Sport liegen zwar vereinzelt empirische Ansätze zur Erfassung des fachdidaktischen Wissens vor, gleichwohl fehlt es bis dato an einem Instrument, dessen faktorielle Struktur empirisch geprüft wurde. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird das fachdidaktische Wissen über 40 Items erhoben, in denen im Rahmen realistischer Unterrichtsszenarios bezogen auf acht Bewegungsfelder dazu aufgefordert wird, Lernende zu unterstützen, Schwierigkeiten zu erklären oder Vorgehensweisen zu formulieren. Nach einer zufriedenstellenden Expert*innen-Befragung wurden die Items von 290 Sportlehramtsstudierenden beantwortet. Die Befunde deuten darauf hin, dass sich das fachdidaktische Wissen zufriedenstellend über die drei FaktorenLernende unterstützen, Schwierigkeiten erklärensowieVorgehensweisen formulierenabbilden lässt. Sie korrelieren im mittleren bis hohen Bereich. Darüber hinaus wird das fachdidaktische Wissen bedeutsam durch die Anzahl der Studiensemester, nicht aber durch die Abiturnote vorhergesagt, was die Qualifikationshypothese bekräftigt. Insgesamt liegt eines der wenigen empirisch überprüfen Instrumente für das fachdidaktische Wissen angehender Sportlehrkräfte vor.
Adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution on graphene oxide (GO) prepared from graphite: equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies
Authors: Mondal Naba Kumar , Chakraborty Samarpita
Published: January 2020

The present work demonstrated the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions on synthesized graphene oxide (GO) from graphite. The prepared GO was characterized by various analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron micrograph, Fourier transformed infrared and zero point change. The entire metal adsorption study was conducted through batch mode with keeping constant stirring rate (150 rpm). The operating variables such as pH (2–8), contact time (1–60 min), adsorbent dose (0.005 g–0.01 g L−1) and initial concentration (5–80 µg L−1) were considered, and optimized variables were fixed at maximum percentage of removal. The studied results ascertained that the maximum removal (92.8%) was achieved at acidic pH(4). The equilibrium of Cr(VI) adsorption data was nicely fitted with Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacity (qm) 1.222 µg g−1. The sorption kinetics was nicely explained with pseudo-first-order and intraparticle diffusion mechanism. Thermodynamics of Cr(VI) adsorption revealed that the adsorption was spontaneous, endothermic and entropy-driven process. Therefore, it is concluded that graphene oxide could be an effective and efficient alternative toward removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution.