bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The sialidase inhibitor, DANA, reduces Porphyromonas gingivalis pathogenicity and exerts anti‐inflammatory effects: An in vitro and in vivo experiment
Authors: Yu Shiwen , Fan Xiaomiao , Zheng Shaowen , Lin Li , Liu Jingbo , Pan Yaping , Li Chen
Published: July 2020

Background

Sialidase has an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and Porphyromonas gingivalis is a sialidase‐producing organism implicated in periodontitis development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti‐virulence and anti‐inflammatory properties of the sialidase inhibitor, 2‐deoxy‐2,3‐didehydro‐N‐acetylneuraminic acid (DANA), in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

The effects of DANA on P. gingivalis sialidase and cell viability were determined, and the effects of DANA on P. gingivalis virulence were evaluated by assessment of growth curves, cell morphology, biofilm formation, fimbriae gene expression, and gingipains and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activity. Anti‐inflammatory effects of DANA on LPS‐induced macrophages were assessed by measurement of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL‐1β), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) secretions. The effect of DANA on P. gingivalis–induced periodontitis in rats was analyzed by radiography, stereoscopic microscopy, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Sialidase inhibition rate of 1mM DANA was 72.01%. Compared with untreated controls, treatment with DANA inhibited P. gingivalis growth and biofilm formation, and significantly decreased expression of the fimA, fimR, and fimS genes, as well as gingipains activity. DANA did not influence macrophage viability, but significantly inhibited TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and iNOS production in LPS‐stimulated macrophages. In the periodontitis rat model, DANA prevented alveolar bone absorption and inhibited TNF‐α and IL‐1β production.

Conclusion

DANA can reduce the growth, the biofilm formation and the virulence of P. gingivalis and exhibits anti‐inflammatory effects, as well as effects against rat periodontitis, suggesting that DANA should be considered for development as a new adjunctive treatment for periodontitis.
Feasibility of integrated high‐wavenumber Raman imaging and fingerprint Raman spectroscopy for fast margin assessment in breast cancer surgery
Authors: Liao Zhiyu , Lizio Maria Giovanna , Corden Christopher , Khout Hazem , Rakha Emad , Notingher Ioan
Published: July 2020

Intraoperative assessment of surgical margins remains one of the main challenges in cancer surgery. Raman spectroscopy can detect cancer cells with high accuracy, but it is time‐consuming. In this paper, we investigated a selective‐sampling Raman spectroscopy approach, based on high wavenumber (HW) Raman imaging (spectral range 2,500–3,500 cm−1) and fingerprint Raman spectroscopy (spectral range 600–1,800 cm−1), to reduce the overall tissue analysis time while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy. HW Raman mapping was used as a first step to identify the adipose tissue regions based on the C–H stretching bands at 2,700–2,950 cm−1. As residual tumors are typically found in nonadipose tissue, an algorithm was developed to allocate sampling points for fingerprint Raman spectroscopy at locations corresponding to low intensity in the HW‐Raman maps. Preliminary results show that HW‐Raman imaging based on a 671 nm laser is effective and fast for mapping of adipose tissue in breast resections, with typical imaging times of 2 min for tissue areas as large as 2 × 2 cm2 areas. Albeit the remaining high fluorescence background in the fingerprint region prevents the use of single 671‐nm laser, the HW Raman imaging can be still exploited in combination with 785‐nm excitation Raman spectroscopy for identifying residual tumor. Although this study demonstrates the feasibility of this approach, further improvements, such as using single element detectors for HW Raman imaging, are required to increase the analysis speed further towards intraoperative use in the routine clinical setting.
Effects of Maillard reaction on structural modification and potential allergenicity of peanut 7S globulin (Ara h 1)
Authors: Shi Yunfeng , Wang Minjia , Ding Yanting , Chen Jiahui , Niu Bing , Chen Qin
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Ara h 1 is a major food allergen in peanuts. Recently, many studies have revealed that the Maillard reaction (MR) affects the allergenicity of food proteins.

RESULTS

To investigate the influence of the MR on the allergenicity of Ara h 1, R‐Ara h 1 was processed with glucose in dry heating conditions for different periods. The extent of the MR was assessed by four methods. The changes in secondary and tertiary structures were characterized through spectroscopy assays. Advanced glycation end products (AGE) structures were identified by protein sample dry heating for 60 min, indicating the formation of AGE‐Ara h 1. Simulated gastric fluid (SGF) digestion analysis showed that AGE‐Ara h 1 has higher resistance to peptic digestion than R‐Ara h 1. The BALB/c mouse model was also utilized to explore the effect of the MR on the allergenicity of Ara h 1, and the results showed that the Th2‐type cytokines, antibodies, and histamine content increased, and there was a greater degree of degranulation of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells in the AGE‐Ara h 1 group compared with the R‐Ara h 1 group.

CONCLUSION

During the process of dry heating, proteins participated in the MR with changes in secondary and tertiary structures. The condition applying a temperature of 100 °C for 60 min caused the formation of AGE‐Ara h 1. Simulated gastric fluid digestion analysis showed that AGE‐Ara h 1 had a greater resistance to peptic digestion than R‐Ara h 1. The BALB/c mouse model showed that AGE‐Ara h 1 had more allergenicity, indicating that the MR could enhance the allergenicity of Ara h 1. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of a winter savory leaf extract obtained using high hydrostatic pressure on the quality of carrot juice
Authors: Moreira Sílvia A , Pintado Manuela E , Saraiva Jorge A
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

The consumption of vegetable juices has increased due to their characteristics such as freshness/naturalness, high nutritional value, low in calories, and for being a convenient way of consuming bioactive compounds. High hydrostatic pressure (HPP), which has been mainly used to replace thermal processing, is now also being successfully applied as extraction technology to recover bioactive compounds from herbs. The present work aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation of carrot juice with winter savory leaf aqueous extract on the final juice characteristics.

RESULTS

The extract was added to raw carrot juice (1.0 mg mL–1), which was then submitted to HPP and stored for 15 days under refrigeration. Microbial analyses were performed during storage time, as also were analyzed the physicochemical properties such as pH, colour, bioactive compound concentration and antioxidant activity. Supplemented juices presented lower microbial counts than the non‐supplemented ones, and, generally, did not present significant changes (P > 0.05) in pH or colour. Concerning the total phenolics and total flavonoids, as well as antioxidant activity, the values were generally higher (P < 0.05) in supplemented juices, which was proven by the high correlation found between total phenolics and ABTS●+ and FRAP assays.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that the addition of winter savory leaf extract in carrot juice treated with HPP can effectively improve microbial safety throughout refrigerated storage as well as antioxidant activity, without risking other characteristics of the juice, such as the colour or the acidity. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Anthocyanins extraction from Hibiscus sabdariffa and identification of phenolic compounds associated with their stability
Authors: Escobar‐Ortiz Alexandro , Castaño‐Tostado Eduardo , Rocha‐Guzmán Nuria Elizabeth , Gallegos‐Infante José Alberto , Reynoso‐Camacho Rosalía
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

One of the main disadvantages of red pigments used in foods is their low extraction yield and storage stability. Roselle flowers are sources of anthocyanins; however, these are unstable during storage, but this could be improved with phenolic compounds, which establish bonds with the anthocyanins. The aim of this work was to identify conditions to improve the extraction efficiency and color stability of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract and, furthermore, to identify the phenolic compounds associated with color stability of roselle.

RESULTS

The temperature of extraction (35 and 75 °C), the time of extraction (15 and 60 min), type of acid (acetic and citric), percentage of acid (0.5 and 2.0%) and the water:ethanol ratio (20:80 and 80:20) did not affect the yield of anthocyanins; only the solid:solvent ratio had an effect in the anthocyanin extraction yield. The extraction with 80% ethanol decreased up to 50% the anthocyanin degradation in the extracts stored at 4, 25, 35, 45, and 80 °C. Phenolic acids and flavonoids were quantified by ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. These compounds were analyzed using principal component analysis, and the H. sabdariffa extract, with greater stability, was found to be associated with the presence of quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol 3‐O‐glucose, ellagic acid, and rutin.

CONCLUSION

H. sabdariffa extract with increased color stability was extracted with a higher proportion of ethanol and the improvement in the color stability was attributed to the co‐extraction of phenolic compounds, principally flavonoids that could interact with anthocyanins and stabilize them. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of storage on the oxidative stability of acorn oils extracted from three different Quercus species
Authors: Makhlouf Fatima Z , Squeo Giacomo , Difonzo Graziana , Faccia Michele , Pasqualone Antonella , Summo Carmine , Barkat Malika , Caponio Francesco
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Acorn fruit and its components and by‐products are receiving renewed interest due to their nutritional and phytochemical features. In particular, the oil extracted from acorns is recognized for having high nutritional quality and for being rich in bioactive compounds. Despite the growing interest, few papers are available that consider the evolution of acorn‐oil characteristics during storage. Our aim was to investigate the storage‐related changes in acorn oils extracted from three Quercus species grown in Algeria (Q. ilex, Q. suber, and Q. coccifera) 180 days after production, with a focus on polar and volatile compounds, not yet investigated. Basic quality parameters, phenolic content, antioxidant activity and induction time were also monitored.

RESULTS

The oxidation markers (peroxide value and UV absorptions) increased during storage, whereas antioxidants decreased. A distinctive volatile profile was observed at the time of production, which underwent changes during storage. Polar compounds increased, whereas induction time decreased. The oil extracted from Quercus suber L. was the most affected by storage time.

CONCLUSION

Floral and fruity volatile compounds detected in the oils’ headspace could explain the pleasant flavor of acorn oils reported by other authors. As with other vegetable oils, storage depletes both volatiles and antioxidants and produces oxidation compounds, such as oxidized triacylglycerols. However, the acorn oils that were studied were quite stable under storage in the dark at room temperature for 6 months. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
In vitro nucleus pulposus tissue model with physicochemical stresses
Authors: Takeoka Yoshiki , Kang James D. , Mizuno Shuichi
Published: July 2020

Intervertebral discs (IVDs) are exposed to changes in physicochemical stresses including hydrostatic and osmotic pressure via diurnal spinal motion. Homeostasis, degeneration, and regeneration in IVDs have been studied using in vitro, ex vivo, and animal models. However, incubation of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells in medium has limited capability to reproduce anabolic turnover and regeneration under physicochemical stresses. We developed a novel pressure/perfusion cell culture system and a semipermeable membrane pouch device for enclosing isolated NP cells for in vitro incubation under physicochemical stresses. We assessed the performance of this system to identify an appropriate stress loading regimen to promote gene expression and consistent accumulation of extracellular matrices by bovine caudal NP cells. Cyclic hydrostatic pressure (HP) for 4 days followed by constant HP for 3 days in high osmolality (HO; 450 mOsm/kg H2O) showed a trend towards upregulated aggrecan expression and dense accumulation of keratan sulfate without gaps by the NP cells. Furthermore, a repetitive regimen of cyclic HP for 2 days followed by constant HP for 1 day in HO (repeated twice) significantly upregulated gene expression of aggrecan (P < .05) compared to no pressure and suppressed matrix metalloproteinase‐13 expression (P < .05) at 6 days. Our culture system and pouches will be useful to reproduce physicochemical stresses in NP cells for simulating anabolic, catabolic, and homeostatic turnover under diurnal spinal motion.
Assessment of depth‐dependent microbial carbon‐use efficiency in long‐term fertilized paddy soil using an 18O–H2O approach
Authors: Zhran Mostafa , Ge Tida , Tong Yaoyao , Deng Yangwu , Wei Xiaomeng , Lynn Tin Mar , Zhu Zhenke , Wu Jinshui , Gunina Anna
Published: July 2020

Activity of microorganisms and their turnover strongly affect soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation. However, what remains unclear is how long‐term fertilization affects the microorganisms growth strategies, and how they change with the soil depth. Thus, microbial carbon‐use efficiency (CUE) and microbial biomass (MB) turnover in paddy soil were determined using a novel substrate‐independent H218O labelling approach, and the effects of long‐term fertilization (>30 years) with mineral (NPK) or combined (NPK + OM [manure]) amendments in 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm depths were investigated. Long‐term fertilization increased microbial C uptake, CUE, and growth rates, and all indexes were the highest in the NPK + OM treatment. The CUE ranged between 0.07 and 0.23 and showed variable behaviour with depth: it reduced in the control treatment, indicating that more C was allocated to energy production than biomass growth, and increased in fertilized soils, showing the shift of C usage for biomass growth. The highest CUE was observed at 20–30 cm in NPK and NPK + OM, and indicated that microorganisms overcome the nutrient deficiency in deep soil layers by keeping high C uptake rates at a constant CUE. The MB turnover was more rapid in NPK (70–10 d) and NPK + OM (65–40 d) compared to the control (80–90 d) and intensified with the depth. These findings highlight that the decrease in C uptake under long‐term fertilization with soil depth compensated by an increase in CUE. These shifts in the strategies of microorganisms functioning can explain the accumulation of SOC in heavily fertilized paddy soils.
Marked spatiotemporal variations in small phytoplankton structure in contrasted waters of the Southern Ocean (Kerguelen area)
Authors: Irion Solène , Jardillier Ludwig , Sassenhagen Ingrid , Christaki Urania
Published: July 2020

In the Southern Ocean, diatom blooms have attracted a lot of attention, while other small nonsilicified phytoplankton groups have been less studied. Here, small phytoplankton (< 20 μm, including small diatoms and nonsilicified small phytoplankton) are focused on in two contrasting areas: the productive Kerguelen plateau and its surrounding low productivity waters. To assess the diversity and spatial structuration of phytoplankton, discrete plankton samples (0–300 m layer) of two size fractions (< 20 and 20–100 μm) were analyzed with 18S rDNA amplicon sequencing in late summer. Phytoplankton seasonal succession was described using flow cytometry, pigments, and environmental data, from two previous cruises (during the onset and decline of the diatom bloom). In the mixed layer, small nonsilicified phytoplankton represented less than 10% of chlorophyll a (Chl a) during the onset and late diatom bloom on the plateau, but they increased on and off the plateau after the bloom (53–70% of Chl a). Phaeocystis antarctica was relatively abundant at all stations after the bloom, but other small phytoplanktonic groups featured marked differences on and off the plateau. Higher concentrations on the plateau appeared to stimulate the presence of Micromonas, while Pelagophytes were enhanced off the plateau. A diverse assemblage of small diatoms was also promoted off the plateau, where silicate concentration was still high. Interestingly, P. antarctica represented up to 25% of all reads at 300 m depth off the plateau in the larger size fraction suggesting a significant contribution to carbon export through aggregation in low productive waters.
Express multi‐element determination in lake sediments by laser ablation mass‐spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS)
Authors: Maslennikova Anna V. , Artemyev Dmitry A. , Shtenberg Mikhail V. , Filippova Ksenya A. , Udachin Valery N.
Published: July 2020

Analytical data on major and trace elements concentrations in lake sediments are frequently applied in a wide range of limnological, paleolimnological, and environmental studies. Conventionally applied methods are characterized by time‐consuming, expensive, and (or) hazardous sample preparation. The proposed express method of simultaneous multi‐element determination in lake sediments by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass‐spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) of pressed powdered pellets comprises a minimal sample preparation, special laser sampling, and calibration strategy aimed at overcoming the problems of the sample heterogeneity and application of non‐matrix‐matched external standards. The optimal sampling strategy, providing the best precision results for our simply pressed powdered pellets, was line scanning ablation with a rate of 10 μm s−1, a laser spot size of 110 μm and a fluence of 8–9 J cm−2. Calibration strategy including external and internal standardization ensured the best precision (<5–10% RSD) and accuracy (within 1–20% of reference values) even with non‐matrix‐matched external standards (GSD‐1g, NIST SRM 612). In comparison with solution ICP‐MS, the method recovered significantly higher range of analytes including 10 major and 49 trace elements and ensured a better accuracy of Zr, Hf, Ti, Nb, Ta, Sn, and Sb measurements. Application of the method to the Urals lake sediments (n = 32) showed that LA‐ICP‐MS results for most trace elements where within 1–30% of the solution ICP‐MS data.
The Potential of Electrospinning/Electrospraying Technology in the Rational Design of Hydrogel Structures
Authors: Li Jinlong , Pan Kai , Tian Huafeng , Yin Lijun
Published: July 2020

Hydrogels are soft materials with 3D cross‐linked networks of polymer chains that can absorb and hold large amounts of water. Hydrogels have attracted great attention of both scientific and industrial communities due to their diverse and fascinating functional properties, as well as their wide range of applications. According to the logic that the “structure determines function,” the structure fabrication plays the key role in hydrogel science. Hence, the rational design of hydrogel structure is a targeted guarantee of functions and applications of hydrogels. Additionally, diverse needs in hydrogel functions and applications require complex, effective, and ingenious hydrogel structures. Hence, in the current review, the potential of electrospinning (E‐spin)/electrospraying (E‐spray) technology in the design of hydrogel structures is comprehensively summarized due to the fact that E‐spin/E‐spray technology has great value for fabricating a wide range of material structures with tunable size and morphologies. This review not only serves as a reference for improving the comprehensive understanding of the structural design ability of E‐spin/E‐spray technology, but also provides forward‐looking ideas for utilizing E‐spin/E‐spray technique to fabricate hydrogels with different structure.
Development of A Thermo‐Responsive Conjugated Polymer with Photobleaching‐Resistance Property and Tunable Photosensitizing Performance
Authors: Xu Qingling , Lv Fengting , Liu Libing , Wang Shu
Published: July 2020

A thermo‐responsive conjugated polymer, PFBT‐gPA is synthesized by grafting the poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) to the side chains of a conjugated polyfluorene derivative through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). PFBT‐gPA undergoes a reversible phase transition in water below and above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and the process is studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and UV/vis absorption spectra. PFBT‐gPA shows a good photostability under UV light irradiation especially above the LCST. Moreover, the photosensitizing performance of PFBT‐gPA could be tuned simply by changing temperature. The unique properties of PFBT‐gPA promise its potential applications in sensing and photodynamic therapy.
Biodegradable 3D porous zinc alloy scaffold for bone fracture fixation devices
Authors: Bobby Kannan M , Chappell Jonathon , Khakbaz Hadis , Taherishargh Mehdi , Fiedler Thomas
Published: July 2020

In this study, a three‐dimensional (3D) porous zinc alloy (Zn‐Al4) scaffold was produced using counter‐gravity infiltration casting method and its in vitro degradation behaviour was evaluated using an electrochemical technique in simulated body fluid (SBF) for potential applications in bone fracture fixation devices. The porous zinc alloy exhibited porosity of ~60% with interconnected pores, and the pore size was 1–2 mm. The in vitro potentiodynamic polarization results showed that the degradation rate of the porous zinc alloy was 0.16 mm/year, which is ~15% higher than that of the non‐porous pure zinc metal (0.14 mm/year). Highly biocompatible calcium phosphate (CaP) was electrochemically deposited on the porous zinc alloy and its in vitro degradation behaviour was also studied. The micrographs of the CaP deposited porous zinc alloy revealed uniformly coverage of CaP particles on the outer surface of the alloy and partial deposition on the inside of the pores. The morphology of the deposited CaP particles was predominantly spherical‐shaped, but flake‐like particles were also evident on the inside of the pores. Interestingly, the degradation rate of the CaP deposited porous zinc alloy (0.5 mm/year) was three times higher than that of the porous zinc alloy. It can be hypothesized that the restricted SBF flow through the partially blocked pores by the CaP particles have locally raised the pH inside the pores and thus increased the degradation.
Prebiotic Oligofructose Prevents Antibiotic‐Induced Obesity Risk and Improves Metabolic and Gut Microbiota Profiles in Rat Dams and Offspring
Authors: Klancic Teja , Laforest‐Lapointe Isabelle , Choo Ashley , Nettleton Jodi E. , Chleilat Faye , Noye Tuplin Erin W. , Alukic Erna , Cho Nicole A. , Nicolucci Alissa C. , Arrieta Marie‐Claire , Reimer Raylene A.
Published: July 2020

Scope

Antibiotics in early life disrupt microbiota and increase obesity risk. Dietary agents such as prebiotics may reduce obesity risk. The authors examine how antibiotics administered with/without prebiotic oligofructose, alter metabolic and microbial outcomes in pregnant rats and their offspring.

Methods and Results

Pregnant rats are randomized to: 1) Control, 2) Antibiotic (ABT), 3) Prebiotic (PRE), 4) Antibiotic+Prebiotic (ABT+PRE) during the 3rd week of pregnancy and lactation. Offspring were fed a high fat/high sucrose (HFS) diet from 9–17 weeks of age to unmask obesity risk. ABT dams had higher body weight, body fat and leptin during lactation than all other groups. Prebiotics attenuate these outcomes and increase cecal Bifidobacterium. ABT offspring have higher body weight, fat mass, and liver triglycerides after HFS diet, with a stronger phenotype in males; prebiotics attenuate these. At weaning, male ABT offspring have lower Lactobacillus while PRE and ABT+PRE offspring had higher Bifidobacterium and Collinsella. Fecal microbiota transfer of adult offspring cecal matter could not reliably transfer the obese ABT phenotype.

Conclusions

Antibiotic use during pregnancy/lactation increases adiposity and impairs post‐partum weight loss in dams. Co‐administering prebiotics with antibiotics in rat dams prevented obesity risk in offspring and is associated with altered gut microbiota.
Different implementations of material independent multi‐order nearly perfectly matched layers for EM simulations
Authors: Wu Peiyu , Xie Yongjun , Jiang Haolin , Niu Liqiang
Published: July 2020

To deal with EM simulations with the low‐frequency evanescent and propagation waves, multi‐order nearly perfectly matched layers (NPML) with complex frequency shifted factor are presented to terminate finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) domains. By incorporating the digital signal processing techniques including the bilinear Z‐transform, matched Z‐transform, and direct Z‐transform methods, the proposals can not only obtain better performance compared with the original NPMLs but also have considerable efficiency compared with other multi‐order PMLs. Meanwhile, these implementations can terminate arbitrary mediums without changing the field‐updated equations in the PML regions. Based upon the multi‐order concept, the proposals can be switched flexibly between the first order and multi‐order according to different EM simulations by changing the optimized parameters. Numerical results indicate that our proposals can not only enjoy higher computational efficiency but also easier to implement according to different mediums in the EM modeling and simulations.
Principles for including conservation messaging in wildlife‐based tourism
Authors: Fernández‐Llamazares Álvaro , Fraixedas Sara , Brias‐Guinart Aina , Terraube Julien
Published: July 2020

There is growing evidence that wildlife‐based tourism can be a valuable pathway to transform the environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of tourists, if complemented by effective conservation messaging and proactive interpretive experiences.

Yet, such conservation messaging is not always a priority for many wildlife‐based tourism operators, who often avoid exposing happy tourists to the daunting biodiversity crisis. In this paper, we argue that failing to encourage tourists to do more on behalf of wildlife represents a missed opportunity for conservation.

Based on a comprehensive review of the academic literature, we show that conservation messaging is virtually absent from many mainstream wildlife‐based tourism operations, often failing to connect global audiences to conservation issues.

We found that the scholarly literature on the effectiveness of different techniques, approaches and contents of conservation messaging in wildlife‐based tourism is meagre at best. Yet, alternative forms of communicating conservation‐related messages are opening new avenues to broaden the conservation potential of wildlife‐based tourism.

We suggest a set of principles for improving the implementation of conservation messaging in wildlife‐based tourism operations in order to maximize their educational potential. We end by calling for further research efforts on the factors implicated in effective conservation messaging in wildlife‐based tours in order to pave the way for a new era of conservation‐oriented tourism.
Melt impregnation of woven glass fabric reinforced composites in situ modified with short glass fibers in the interlaminar free spacing: Morphology, microstructure and static mechanical properties
Authors: Mörl Stefan , Knorr Daniel , Streinz Maximilian , Mörl Michaela , Altstädt Volker
Published: July 2020

Woven fabric composites with thermoplastic matrices enable superior mechanical properties with low weight for applications in the field of sports, electronics, aviation, and automotive. In this study, the matrix rich areas of glass fabrics which provide an interlaminar free spacing were modified via in situ melt impregnation of Polyamide 6 (PA6) with varying contents of short glass fibers (sGF). The aim is to effectively use the interlaminar free spacing in a fabric to increase stiffness by filling the matrix rich free spacing with short glass fibers of tailored length distribution. It is shown that 2.6 vol% sGF located in the undulations of the fabric are able to increase the tensile modulus in orientation of the short fibers (sF) by 9% and create an even more pronounced anisotropic enhancement of 14% in compression modulus for both 4.1 and 5.7 vol% sGF and 40% in shear modulus for 2.6 vol% sGF.
Char‐Supported Pd Complex of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene: A Novel Recyclable Catalyst for Coupling Reaction
Authors: Sadjadi Samahe , Koohestani Fatemeh
Published: July 2020

For the first time Salvia officinalis plant was applied as a biosource for the fabrication of hydrochar via hydrothermal process. The resultant char was then utilized as a support for the stabilization of N‐heterocyclic carbene‐palladium complex. To this purpose, hydrochar was magnetized and successively functionalized with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane, 2,4,6‐trichloro‐1,3,5‐triazine, and 1‐methylimidazole and then reacted with Pd(OAc)2 . The obtained composite was characterized via XRD, TEM, ICP, BET, VSM, EDS, TGA, FTIR and elemental mapping analysis and then applied for catalyzing Suzuki coupling reaction in aqueous media under mild reaction condition. To optimize the reaction, the influences of the reaction parameters were scrutinized. It was found out that low content of the catalyst could promote the reaction of various starting materials to furnish the products in high yields. Experiments also affirmed high recyclability of the catalyst with unremarkable Pd leaching. The study of the nature of the catalysis established that the catalysis was heterogeneous.
Organizational change and the dynamics of innovation: Formal R&D structure and intrafirm inventor networks
Authors: Argyres Nicholas , Rios Luis A. , Silverman Brian S.
Published: July 2020

Research Abstract

Prior research has argued and shown that firms with more centralized R&D produce broader innovations, but the organizational mechanisms underlying this relationship are underexplored. This gap limits our understanding of whether and how formal R&D structure can be used as a lever to influence research outcomes. To address this question, we study the relationship between formal R&D structure, internal inventor networks, and innovative behavior and outcomes. We find that centralization of R&D budget authority increases the connectedness of internal inventor networks, which in turn increases the breadth of both innovation impact and technological search. Surprisingly, decentralization does not have the opposite effect. Our results suggest that changes in formal structure influence innovation outcomes through changes in inventor networks, with a lag reflecting organizational inertia.

Managerial Abstract

Diversified corporations can organize their R&D functions to be more or less centralized. Prior research has shown that this organizational choice is associated with different types of innovative outcomes. But what happens when a corporation changes its level of R&D centralization? This paper suggests that centralization of R&D gradually leads to new patterns of collaboration among inventors, which in turn will be associated with innovations that draw on and influence a wider range of technologies. However, future work is needed to understand why decentralization does not appear to have the opposite effect.
Challenges with effective representations of heterogeneity in soil hydrology based on local water content measurements
Authors: Bauser Hannes H. , Riedel Lukas , Berg Daniel , Troch Peter A. , Roth Kurt
Published: July 2020

The description of soil water movement at the field scale requires soil hydraulic material properties. These cannot be measured directly and exhibit an intrinsic multiscale heterogeneity. The estimation of soil hydraulic properties through inverse modeling or data assimilation requires measurements of the state of the system. However, these measurements are typically scarce and do not resolve soil heterogeneity leading to effective material properties with limited predictive capabilities. In a synthetic study at the scale of soil profiles, we explore the possibility to estimate an effective reduced one‐dimensional representation based on only four local water content measurements in a vertical profile located in one‐ and two‐dimensional heterogeneous media. We allow the effective material properties to deviate locally to consider the impact of the small‐scale heterogeneity on the water content measurements. In the synthetic experiments, the estimated reduced one‐dimensional representations predict soil water content and fluxes sufficiently well but can fail to predict the accurate timing and magnitude of infiltration fronts. Cumulative fluxes below the water content measurements were predicted correctly even on short time scales, if evaporation was estimated accurately. However, this proved to be challenging if the local evaporation fluxes above the measurement profile deviated strongly from the average evaporation fluxes of the heterogeneous medium. The one‐dimensional estimation leads to soil hydraulic parameters describing effective material properties that differ from the true material properties to compensate the missing representation of heterogeneity and two‐dimensional flow.
Loop Amplitudes and Quantum Homotopy Algebras
Authors: Jurčo Branislav , Macrelli Tommaso , Sämann Christian , Wolf Martin
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We derive a recursion relation for loop-level scattering amplitudes of La- grangian field theories that generalises the tree-level Berends-Giele recursion relation in Yang-Mills theory. The origin of this recursion relation is the homological perturbation lemma, which allows us to compute scattering amplitudes from minimal models of quantum homotopy algebras in a recursive way. As an application of our techniques, we give an alternative proof of the relation between non-planar and planar colour-stripped scattering amplitudes.
High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography in children with osteogenesis imperfecta
Authors: Fennimore David J. , Digby Maria , Paggiosi Margaret , Arundel Paul , Bishop Nick J. , Dimitri Paul , Offiah Amaka C.
Published: July 2020

Bone health in children with osteogenesis imperfecta is monitored using radiographs and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, which have limitations. High-resolution peripheral quantitative CT can non-invasively derive bone microarchitectural data. Children with severe osteogenesis imperfecta have fragile deformed bones, and positioning for this scan can be difficult. We assessed the feasibility of high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT in nine children aged 9–15 years with osteogenesis imperfecta and compared results with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and with healthy controls. All nine recruited children were successfully scanned and showed no preference for either modality. It therefore appears feasible to perform high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT in children with osteogenesis imperfecta aged 9 years and older. Future studies should focus on understanding the clinical implications of the technology in this patient cohort.
What Influences the Patients with Left Atrial Myxoma: From Embolism to Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Xiong Sizheng , Song Lihui , Li Gen , Li Jun
Published: July 2020

Background

Preoperative embolism and postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) are two important factors associated with impaired health conditions and increased economic burden in patients with left atrial (LA) myxoma. The aim of this study was to analyze embolic events, identify predictors of POAF, and evaluate the risk of late‐term survival in patients with LA myxoma.

Methods

From December 2009 to December 2019, 177 consecutive patients with LA myxoma who met the selection criteria were included in the retrospective analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of POAF. Propensity score matching was used for confounder control, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the risk of late‐term mortality.

Results

The study population comprised of 125 patients in non‐POAF group and 52 patients in POAF group. Preoperative embolism was present in 27.1% of the all cases. By multivariate analysis, age, NYHA functional class III, LA diameter, and cross‐clamp time were identified as independent predictors of in‐hospital POAF. The overall survival at 1, 5, and 10 years for the 177 patients was 98.9%, 93.7%, and 84.4%, respectively. There was no statistical difference in late‐term survival between the two groups in the Cox proportion‐adjusted survival curve. After propensity score 1:1 matching, patients with POAF had a longer postoperative hospital stay and Kaplan–Meier survival curve also showed no statistical difference between the two groups.

Conclusions

Patients with LA myxoma after surgical treatment had a favorable prognosis. In‐hospital POAF was not independently associated with late‐term mortality in patients with LA myxoma.
Correction to: Incidence of Incisional Hernia After Emergency Subcostal Unilateral Laparotomy: Does Augmentation Prophylaxis Play a Role?
Authors: Bravo‐Salva A. , González‐Castillo A. M. , Vela‐Polanco F. F. , Membrilla‐Fernández E. , Vila‐Domenech J. , Pera‐Román M. , Sancho‐Insenser J. J. , Pereira‐Rodríguez J. A.
Published: July 2020

In the original article some of the column headings in Tables 1–4 were mislabeled.
Traditional Eastern European diet and mortality: prospective evidence from the HAPIEE study
Authors: Stefler Denes , Brett Daniel , Sarkadi-Nagy Eszter , Kopczynska Ewa , Detchev Stefan , Bati Aniko , Scrob Mircea , Koenker Diane , Aleksov Bojan , Douarin Elodie , Simonova Galina , Malyutina Sofia , Kubinova Ruzena , Pajak Andrzej , Ruiz Milagros , Peasey Anne , Pikhart Hynek , Bobak Martin
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer mortality rates in Eastern Europe are among the highest in the world. Although diet is an important risk factor, traditional eating habits in this region have not yet been explored. This analysis assessed the relationship between traditional dietary pattern and mortality from all-causes, CVD and cancer in Eastern European cohorts.

Methods

Data from the Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors in Eastern Europe prospective cohort were used, including participants from Russia, Poland and the Czech Republic. Based on food frequency questionnaire data, we constructed an Eastern European diet score (EEDS) from nine food groups which can be considered as traditional in this region. The relationship between categorical (low, moderate, high) and continuous (range 0–18) EEDS and mortality was estimated with Cox-regression.

Results

From 18,852 eligible participants, 2234 died during follow-up. In multivariable adjusted models, participants with high adherence to the traditional Eastern European diet had significantly higher risk of all-cause (HR 1.23; 95% CI 1.08–1.42) and CVD (1.34; 1.08–1.66) deaths compared to those with low adherence. The association with cancer mortality was only significant in Poland (high vs. low EEDS: 1.41; 1.00–1.98). From the specific EEDS components, high consumption of lard was significantly positively related to all three mortality outcomes, while preserved fruit and vegetable consumption showed consistent inverse associations.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that traditional eating habits may contribute to the poor health status, particularly the high CVD mortality rates, of populations in Eastern Europe. Adequate public health nutritional interventions in this region are essential.
Two-Sided Matching with Indifferences: Using Heuristics to Improve Properties of Stable Matchings
Authors: Haas Christian
Published: July 2020

Two-Sided Matching is a widely used approach to allocate resources based on preferences. In Two-Sided Matching problems where indifferences are allowed in the preference lists, finding stable matchings with certain properties is known to be NP-hard and, in some instances, even NP-hard to approximate. This article, therefore, considers the use of heuristics in Two-Sided Matching scenarios with indifferences to find and explore potential solutions and their properties. Two heuristics, a Genetic Algorithm and Threshold Accepting, are compared to existing approaches with respect to their ability to generate alternative stable solutions based on initially stable matchings for scenarios with either complete or incomplete preferences. The evaluation shows that using these types of heuristics is a valid approach to obtain matchings with improved properties such as fairness or average matched rank, compared to existing algorithms. Overall, this approach allows for the exploration of alternative stable matchings and subsequent selection of a best solution given selected evaluation criteria.
The Effect of Visual Perceptual Load on Auditory Awareness of Social vs. Non-social Stimuli in Individuals with Autism
Authors: Tillmann Julian , Tuomainen Jyrki , Swettenham John
Published: July 2020

This study examined the effect of increasing visual perceptual load on auditory awareness for social and non-social stimuli in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD, n = 63) and typically developing (TD, n = 62) adolescents. Using an inattentional deafness paradigm, a socially meaningful (‘Hi’) or a non-social (neutral tone) critical stimulus (CS) was unexpectedly presented under high and low load. For the social CS both groups continued to show high awareness rates as load increased. Awareness rates for the non-social stimulus were reduced when load increased for the TD, but not the ASD group. The findings indicate enhanced capacity for non-social stimuli in ASD compared to TD, and a special attentional status for social stimuli in the TD group.
Matching Psychosocial Support Needs of Parents of a Child with a Chronic Illness to a Feasible Intervention
Authors: Douma Miriam , Bouman Charlotte P. , van Oers Hedy A. , Maurice-Stam Heleen , Haverman Lotte , Grootenhuis Martha A. , Scholten Linde
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Parents of children with a chronic illness (CI) are at risk for psychosocial problems. The aim of this study was to refine an existing face-to-face intervention into an online psychosocial group intervention for parents by (1) exploring which themes are important, (2) determine what type of intervention parents would like and (3) assess parents’ practical preferences.

Methods

Parents of children with a CI (0–18 years) were invited to complete an online questionnaire. To acquire more in-depth information, focus groups and telephone interviews were conducted. Descriptive statistics were used.

Results

272 parents (mean age = 43.1 years, 85% female) participated. Three focus groups (15 parents) and seven telephone interviews were conducted. Most important themes were: the CI of the child, family functioning, taking care of yourself, relationships with others and practical support. Parents preferred a group with parents of children in the same age category. At first, parents preferred face-to-face contact. After an explanation and demonstration of an online intervention, parents became more positive about online support, mostly because they could participate from home.

Conclusions for Practice

Parents have a need for psychosocial support focusing on different themes. Professionals should explain and demonstrate an online intervention to parents. Based on these results, Op Koers Online for parents was developed. An RCT to assess feasibility and effectiveness of the intervention is currently running.
Pressure drop analysis on the positive half-cell of a cerium redox flow battery using computational fluid dynamics: Mathematical and modelling aspects of porous media
Authors: Rivera Fernando F. , Miranda-Alcántara Berenice , Orozco Germán , Ponce de León Carlos , Arenas Luis F.
Published: July 2020

Description of electrolyte fluid dynamics in the electrode compartments by mathematical models can be a powerful tool in the development of redox flow batteries (RFBs) and other electrochemical reactors. In order to determine their predictive capability, turbulent Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and free flow plus porous media (Brinkman) models were applied to compute local fluid velocities taking place in a rectangular channel electrochemical flow cell used as the positive half-cell of a cerium-based RFB for laboratory studies. Two different platinized titanium electrodes were considered, a plate plus a turbulence promoter and an expanded metal mesh. Calculated pressure drop was validated against experimental data obtained with typical cerium electrolytes. It was found that the pressure drop values were better described by the RANS approach, whereas the validity of Brinkman equations was strongly dependent on porosity and permeability values of the porous media.
Role-Playing Computer Ethics: Designing and Evaluating the Privacy by Design (PbD) Simulation
Authors: Shilton Katie , Heidenblad Donal , Porter Adam , Winter Susan , Kendig Mary
Published: July 2020

There is growing consensus that teaching computer ethics is important, but there is little consensus on how to do so. One unmet challenge is increasing the capacity of computing students to make decisions about the ethical challenges embedded in their technical work. This paper reports on the design, testing, and evaluation of an educational simulation to meet this challenge. The privacy by design simulation enables more relevant and effective computer ethics education by letting students experience and make decisions about common ethical challenges encountered in real-world work environments. This paper describes the process of incorporating empirical observations of ethical questions in computing into an online simulation and an in-person board game. We employed the Values at Play framework to transform empirical observations of design into a playable educational experience. First, we conducted qualitative research to discover when and how values levers—practices that encourage values discussions during technology development—occur during the design of new mobile applications. We then translated these findings into gameplay elements, including the goals, roles, and elements of surprise incorporated into a simulation. We ran the online simulation in five undergraduate computer and information science classes. Based on this experience, we created a more accessible board game, which we tested in two undergraduate classes and two professional workshops. We evaluated the effectiveness of both the online simulation and the board game using two methods: a pre/post-test of moral sensitivity based on the Defining Issues Test, and a questionnaire evaluating student experience. We found that converting real-world ethical challenges into a playable simulation increased student’s reported interest in ethical issues in technology, and that students identified the role-playing activity as relevant to their technical coursework. This demonstrates that roleplaying can emphasize ethical decision-making as a relevant component of technical work.