bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discrimination of botanical origin of olive oil from selected Greek cultivars by SPME‐GC‐MS and ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics
Authors: Revelou Panagiota‐Kyriaki , Pappa Charis , Kakouri Eleni , Kanakis Charalabos D , Papadopoulos George K , Pappas Christos S , Tarantilis Petros A
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Consumers today wish to know the botanical origin of the olive oil they purchase. The objective of the present study was the development of robust chemometric models based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR) for the purpose of botanical differentiation of three commercial Greek olive oil cultivars.

RESULTS

Using the solid‐phase microextraction technique (SPME), volatile compounds (VC) were obtained and analyzed by GC‐MS. Five hydrocarbons and one ester were selected by the forward stepwise algorithm, which best discriminated the olive oil samples. From ATR‐FTIR analysis, the spectral regions chosen from the forward stepwise algorithm were associated with CO stretching vibration of the esters of triglycerides and the CH bending vibrations of the CH2 aliphatic group and double bonds. Application of the supervised methods of linear and quadratic discriminant cross‐validation analysis, based on VC data, provided a correct classification score of 97.4% and 100.0%, respectively. Corresponding statistical analyses were used in the mid‐infrared spectra, by which 96.1% of samples were discriminated correctly.

CONCLUSION

ATR‐FTIR and SPME‐GC‐MS techniques in conjunction with the appropriate feature selection algorithm and classification methods proved to be powerful tools for the authentication of Greek olive oil. The proposed methodology could be used in an industrial setting for determination of the botanical origin of Greek olive oil. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Caffeic acid modulates methane production and rumen fermentation in an opposite way with high‐forage or high‐concentrate substrate in vitro
Authors: Jin Qing , You Wei , Tan Xiuwen , Liu Guifen , Zhang Xianglun , Liu Xiaomu , Wan Fachun , Wei Chen
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Plant secondary metabolites, including tannins, saponins and phenolic acids, possess potential methane (CH4) inhibition bioactivity. Caffeic acid (CA), as one of the typical phenolic acids, serves as a promising rumen CH4 inhibitor, but the underlying mechanisms and investigations with typical formulated rations are still not well documented. Therefore, a batch culture study was conducted to investigate the effects of CA on methanogenesis, rumen fermentation and growth of ruminal microorganisms when high‐forage or high‐concentrate substrates are fermented.

RESULTS

After 48 h incubations, adding CA up to 40 g kg−1 dry matter linearly reduced (P < 0.05) the disappearance of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber (NDFD), total gas, methanogenesis, total volatile fatty acid and 16S rDNA copy numbers of Ruminococcus albus and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, and increased 16S rDNA copy numbers of methanogens for the high‐forage treatment. For the high‐concentrate treatment, CA exerted opposite effects (P < 0.05) on the above variables, except that CA did not affect (P > 0.05)16S rDNA copy numbers of methanogens or R. albus.

CONCLUSION

Caffeic acid inhibited in vitro methanogenesis and rumen fermentation with high‐forage substrate incubation. Contrarily, CA benefited in vitro fermentation and enhanced methanogenesis with high‐concentrate substrate incubation. It suggests that CA modulates methanogenesis and rumen fermentation mainly by affecting the growth of cellulolytic bacteria in vitro. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Citrate Crosslinked Poly(Glycerol Sebacate) with Tunable Elastomeric Properties
Authors: Risley Brandon B. , Ding Xiaochu , Chen Ying , Miller Paula G. , Wang Yadong
Published: November 2020

Poly(glycerol‐sebacate) (PGS) is a biodegradable elastomer known for its mechanical properties and biocompatibility for soft tissue engineering. However, harsh thermal crosslinking conditions are needed to make PGS devices. To facilitate the thermal crosslinking, citric acid is explored as a crosslinker to form poly(glycerol sebacate citrate) (PGSC) elastomers. The effects of varying citrate contents and curing times are investigated on the mechanical properties, elasticity, degradation, and hydrophilicity. To examine the potential presence of unreacted citric acid, material acidity is monitored in relation to the citrate content and curing times. It is discovered that a low citrate content and a short curing time produce PGSC with tunable mechanical characteristics similar to PGS with enhanced elasticity. The materials demonstrate good cytocompatibility with human umbilical vein endothelial cells similar to the PGS control. The research study suggests that PGSC is a potential candidate for large‐scale biomedical applications because of the quick thermal crosslink and tunable elastomeric properties.
Sustainable Photopolymers in 3D Printing: A Review on Biobased, Biodegradable, and Recyclable Alternatives
Authors: Voet Vincent S. D. , Guit Jarno , Loos Katja
Published: November 2020

The global market for 3D printing materials has grown exponentially in the last decade. Today, photopolymers claim almost half of the material sales worldwide. The lack of sustainable resins, applicable in vat photopolymerization that can compete with commercial materials, however, limits the widespread adoption of this technology. The development of “green” alternatives is of great importance in order to reduce the environmental impact of additive manufacturing. This paper reviews the recent evolutions in the field of sustainable photopolymers for 3D printing. It highlights the synthesis and application of biobased resin components, such as photocurable monomers and oligomers, as well as reinforcing agents derived from natural resources. In addition, the design of biologically degradable and recyclable thermoset products in vat photopolymerization is discussed. Together, those strategies will promote the accurate and waste‐free production of a new generation of 3D materials for a sustainable plastics economy in the near future.
A systematic review of clinical trials affecting anxiety, stress and fear of childbirth in expectant fathers
Authors: Ghaffari Seyedeh Fatemeh , Elyasi Forouzan , Mousavinasab Seyed Nouraddin , Shahhosseini Zohreh
Published: November 2020

Aim

To investigate clinical trials affecting anxiety, stress and fear of childbirth in fathers.

Design

A systematic literature search was conducted based on Cochrane Collaboration statement recommendation and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses checklist.

Methods

With assistance of Medical Subject Headings, keywords were employed to search for relevant trials. Articles published between November 2000–November 2019 were searched in five electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus and Cochrane as well as Iranian databases. The risk of bias was assessed by Cochrane Risk of Bias Scale.

Results

A total of eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions were classified into four categories including pre‐natal education, music therapy, massage therapy and relaxation training. The results showed that there is no evidence of a best intervention, but it showed that non‐pharmacological interventions can decrease anxiety, stress and fear of childbirth and increase the positive experience of childbirth in the expectant fathers.
An interpolation method for the optimal control problem governed by the elliptic convection–diffusion equation
Authors: Darehmiraki Majid , Rezazadeh Arezou , Ahmadian Ali , Salahshour Soheil
Published: November 2020

We know that due to the Weierstrass approximation theorem any continuous function over a closed interval can be approximated by a polynomial of sufficiently high degree. Therefore, they are frequently used to approximate functions. We proposed a Lagrange polynomial‐based approach for solving the optimal control problem governed by the elliptic convection–diffusion partial differential equation. This paper solves it by the barycentric interpolation method as a class of strong‐form numerical methods. Thanks to Lagrangian multipliers, optimality system is derived and then the barycentric collocation method is employed to discretize the state variable and adjoint variable. Barycentric interpolation method is a Lagrange polynomial interpolation that is fast and deserves to be known as a method of polynomial interpolation. The convergence of the proposed method is also proved. At the end, numerical experiments are employed to illustrate the theoretical findings.
Diurnal metabolic regulation of isoflavones and soyasaponins in soybean roots
Authors: Matsuda Hinako , Nakayasu Masaru , Aoki Yuichi , Yamazaki Shinichi , Nagano Atsushi J. , Yazaki Kazufumi , Sugiyama Akifumi
Published: November 2020

Isoflavones and soyasaponins are major specialized metabolites accumulated in soybean roots and secreted into the rhizosphere. Unlike the biosynthetic pathway, the transporters involved in metabolite secretion remain unknown. The developmental regulation of isoflavone and soyasaponin secretions has been recently reported, but the diurnal regulation of their biosynthesis and secretion still needs to be further studied. To address these challenges, we conducted transcriptome and metabolite analysis using hydroponically grown soybean plants at 6‐hr intervals for 48 hr in a 12‐hr‐light/12‐hr‐dark condition. Isoflavone and soyasaponin biosynthetic genes showed opposite patterns in the root tissues; that is, the former genes are highly expressed in the daytime, while the latter ones are strongly induced at nighttime. GmMYB176 encoding a transcription factor of isoflavone biosynthesis was upregulated from ZT0 (6:00 a.m.) to ZT6 (12:00 a.m.), followed by the induction of isoflavone biosynthetic genes at ZT6. The isoflavone aglycone content in the roots accordingly increased from ZT6 to ZT18 (0:00 a.m.). The isoflavone aglycone content in root exudates was kept consistent throughout the day, whereas that of glucosides increased at ZT6, which reflected the decreased expression of the gene encoding beta‐glucosidase involved in the hydrolysis of apoplast‐localized isoflavone conjugates. Co‐expression analysis revealed that those isoflavone and soyasaponin biosynthetic genes formed separate clusters, which exhibited a correlation to ABC and MATE transporter genes. In summary, the results in this study indicated the diurnal regulation of isoflavone biosynthesis in soybean roots and the putative transporter genes responsible for isoflavone and soyasaponin transport.
Performance of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of pediatric pneumonia in Mozambique and Pakistan
Authors: Ginsburg Amy Sarah , Lenahan Jennifer L. , Jehan Fyezah , Bila Rubao , Lamorte Alessandro , Hwang Jun , Madrid Lola , Nisar Muhammad Imran , Vitorino Pio , Kanth Neel , Balcells Reyes , Baloch Benazir , May Susanne , Valente Marta , Varo Rosauro , Nadeem Naila , Bassat Quique , Volpicelli Giovanni
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Improved pneumonia diagnostics are needed in low‐resource settings (LRS); lung ultrasound (LUS) is a promising diagnostic technology for pneumonia. The objective was to compare LUS versus chest radiograph (CXR), and among LUS interpreters, to compare expert versus limited training with respect to interrater reliability.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, observational study among children with World Health Organization (WHO) Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) chest‐indrawing pneumonia at two district hospitals in Mozambique and Pakistan, and assessed LUS and CXR examinations. The primary endpoint was interrater reliability between LUS and CXR interpreters for pneumonia diagnosis among children with WHO IMCI chest‐indrawing pneumonia.

Results

Interrater reliability was excellent for expert LUS interpreters, but poor to moderate for expert CXR interpreters and onsite LUS interpreters with limited training.

Conclusions

Among children with WHO IMCI chest‐indrawing pneumonia, expert interpreters may achieve substantially higher interrater reliability for LUS compared to CXR, and LUS showed potential as a preferred reference standard. For point‐of‐care LUS to be successfully implemented for the diagnosis and management of pneumonia in LRS, the clinical environment and amount of appropriate user training will need to be understood and addressed.
The direct regulation of Aalbdsx on AalVgR is indispensable for ovarian development in Aedes albopictus
Authors: Jin Binbin , Zhao Yijie , Liu Peiwen , Sun Yan , Li Xiaocong , Zhang Xin , Chen Xiao‐Guang , Gu Jinbao
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Aedes albopictus is an important vector with an extensive worldwide distribution. Only female mosquitoes play a significant role in the transmission of pathogens. Doublesex (dsx) is a central nexus gene in the insect somatic sex determination hierarchy.

RESULTS

In this study, we characterized the full‐length sex‐specific splicing forms of the Ae. albopictus dsx (Aalbdsx) gene. Then, we identified 15 direct target genes of DSX in adult females using digital gene expression combined with quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) by performing a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay with specific DSX antibodies. Knockdown of Aalbdsx suppressed ovarian development and decreased the transcript levels of the Aalbdsx target vitellogenin receptor (VgR) gene, whereas vitellogenin (Vg) expression showed an increase in the fat body. Genes in the major Vg regulatory pathway were also up‐regulated.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that both Vg and VgR are direct target genes of Aalbdsx and that direct regulation of Aalbdsx on VgR is indispensable for ovarian development in Ae. albopictus, which not only provides a reference for the further elucidation of the evolutionarily conserved role of dsx in Ae. albopictus sexual differentiation but also reveals potential molecular targets for application to the development of sterile male mosquitoes to be released for vector control. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Pharmacogenomics of genetic polymorphism within the genes responsible for SARS‐CoV‐2 susceptibility and the drug‐metabolising genes used in treatment
Authors: AL‐Eitan Laith N. , Alahmad Saif Z.
Published: November 2020

The ongoing outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) represents a significant challenge to international health. Pharmacogenomics aims to identify the different genetic variations that exist between individuals and populations in order to determine appropriate treatment protocols to enhance the efficacy of drugs and reduce their side‐effects. This literature review provides an overview of recent studies of genetic polymorphisms in genes that mediate the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection mechanism (ACE1, ACE2, TMPRSS2 and CD26). In addition, genetic variations in the drug‐metabolising enzyme genes of several selected drugs used in the treatment of COVID‐19 are summarised. This may help construct an effective health protocol based on genetic biomarkers to optimise response to treatment. Potentially, pharmacogenomics could contribute to the development of effective high‐throughput assays to improve patient evaluation, but their use will also create ethical, medical, regulatory, and legal issues, which should now be considered in the era of personalised medicine.
Advances in the heat‐pulse technique: Improvements in measuring soil thermal properties
Authors: Liu Gang , Lu Yili , Wen Minmin , Ren Tusheng , Horton Robert
Published: November 2020

Soil thermal properties, including thermal diffusivity (α), thermal conductivity (λ), and volumetric heat capacity (C), are basic parameters describing the ability and efficiency of a soil to store and transfer heat. Soil thermal properties influence heat and mass transfer in soils and therefore have fundamental effects on the energy balance at the ground surface, water exchange between the soil and atmosphere, and engineered structures. Accurate determination of soil thermal properties is essential for describing thermal regimes that influence the rates of physical, chemical, and biological reactions and processes occurring in soil.
Advances in heat‐pulse methods: Measuring near‐surface soil water content
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Ren Tusheng , Heitman Joshua , Horton Robert
Published: November 2020

Soil water content (θ) influences physical, chemical, and biological processes in the soil. Near‐surface θ (<1‐cm depth) is particularly important for surface energy partitioning, but few techniques are available for near‐surface in situ θ measurements. Heat‐pulse sensors can be used to determine the soil volumetric heat capacity, which is linearly related to θ. Here we describe the principles and procedures of determining near‐surface in situ θ with a heat pulse sensor. The main limitations and potential errors associated with the method are also presented. When ambient soil temperature drift and the soil–air interface effects are addressed, the error in the heat‐pulse‐determined θ is greatly reduced. For an example, data series with θ data determined by gravimetric initial θ and heat‐pulse‐based change in θ (Δθ), results agree well with gravimetric θ values, yielding a coefficient of determination of 0.95. We conclude that heat‐pulse sensors are useful tools for continuously and nondestructively determining near‐surface θ of non‐shrink–swell soils.
Portable X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry analysis of soils
Authors: Weindorf David C. , Chakraborty Somsubhra
Published: November 2020

Portable X‐ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometry is a proximal sensing technique whereby low‐power X‐rays are used to make elemental determinations in soils. The technique is rapid, portable, and provides multi‐elemental analysis with results generally comparable to traditional laboratory‐based techniques. Elemental data from PXRF can then be either used directly for soil parameter assessment (e.g., total Ca, total Fe) or as a proxy for predicting other soil parameters of interest (e.g., soil cation‐exchange capacity [CEC], soil reaction, soil salinity) via simple or multiple linear regression. Importantly, PXRF does have some limitations that must be considered in the context of soil analysis. Those notwithstanding, PXRF has proven effective in numerous, agronomic, pedological, and environmental quality assessment applications.
Salinity: Electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids
Authors: Corwin Dennis L. , Yemoto Kevin
Published: November 2020

The measurement of soil salinity is a quantification of the total salts present in the liquid portion of the soil. Soil salinity is important in agriculture because salinity reduces crop yields by reducing the osmotic potential, making it more difficult for the plant to extract water, by causing specific‐ion toxicity, by upsetting the nutritional balance of plants, and by affecting the tilth and permeability of a soil. A discussion of the principles, methods, and equipment for measuring soil salinity is presented. The discussion provides a basic knowledge of the background, principles, equipment, and current accepted procedures and methodology for measuring soil salinity in the laboratory using electrical conductivity of aqueous extracts from soil samples and measurement of total dissolved solids in the saturated soil extract. Attention is also given to the use of suction cup extractors, porous matrix or salinity sensors, electrical resistivity, and electromagnetic induction to measure salinity in soil lysimeter columns and small field plots (< 10 by 10 m). Land resource managers, producers, extension specialists, Natural Resource Conservation Service field staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and university, federal, and state researchers are the beneficiaries of the information provided.
Field measurements of soil cracks
Authors: Stewart Ryan D. , Najm Majdi R. Abou
Published: November 2020

Shrink–swell soils, often classified as Vertisols or vertic intergrades, are found world‐wide and are a leading cause of damage to infrastructure such as buildings, roads, and pipelines. Crack networks act as dominant environmental controls on the movement of water, contaminants, and gases. Numerous methods have been proposed to quantify the size (e.g., width, depth, volume) and connectivity of individual cracks and of larger crack networks. To measure and quantify the size and variability of cracks, we focus on two nondestructive methods, called here the tape and rod and displacement approaches, and one destructive method, called here the cast and excavate protocol. The nondestructive methods are relatively inexpensive and can allow repeated measurements, which makes them conducive to use in larger environmental studies such as observing hydrological partitioning between infiltration and surface runoff. However, the nondestructive methods are often biased toward larger cracks (due to physical limitations on the crack sizes that can be measured), require assumptions of crack geometry to determine crack volumes, and typically do not provide information on subsurface connections between cracks. The destructive cast and excavate method is better suited to sample aoftentimes can only be used once (precluding repeated measurements) and is labor intensive. A combination of measurements may therefore be required to best understand crack dynamics in both time and space. Altogether, the methods surveyed here enable accurate measurement and quantification of soil crack characteristics.
Visible and near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy analysis of soils
Authors: Ge Yufeng , Morgan Cristine L.S. , Wijewardane Nuwan K.
Published: November 2020

Visible and near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (VisNIR, 350–2500 nm) is a proximal sensing technique for rapid and nondestructive soil analysis in the laboratory or field. It can be used to estimate multiple soil properties simultaneously and is usually cheaper than conventional soil analysis methods. In addition to many soil constituents (such as clay minerals, organic matter, water, and carbonates) with which VisNIR light energy directly interacts, this method can also estimate soil properties that are related to these directly measured properties, such as cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH, and salinity. Samples are usually air dried, ground, and sieved (passing 2‐mm screens) before being scanned by a VisNIR instrument. Multivariate statistical modeling techniques (such as partial least squares regression) are commonly used to build VisNIR models from a training set. The VisNIR models estimate target soil properties from VisNIR data. The performance of the VisNIR model needs to be objectively evaluated with an independent test set. Visible and near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy has been mainly used in the research domain, with a lot of ongoing efforts to further develop and refine this method for routine soil analysis.
Mediation effect selection in high‐dimensional and compositional microbiome data
Authors: Zhang Haixiang , Chen Jun , Feng Yang , Wang Chan , Li Huilin , Liu Lei
Published: November 2020

The microbiome plays an important role in human health by mediating the path from environmental exposures to health outcomes. The relative abundances of the high‐dimensional microbiome data have an unit‐sum restriction, rendering standard statistical methods in the Euclidean space invalid. To address this problem, we use the isometric log‐ratio transformations of the relative abundances as the mediator variables. To select significant mediators, we consider a closed testing‐based selection procedure with desirable confidence. Simulations are provided to verify the effectiveness of our method. As an illustrative example, we apply the proposed method to study the mediation effects of murine gut microbiome between subtherapeutic antibiotic treatment and body weight gain, and identifyCoprobacillusandAdlercreutziaas two significant mediators.
Solvent‐Induced Growth of Free‐Standing 2D Si Nanosheets
Authors: Wang Fei , Chen Siyu , Song Changsheng , Zhao Baoxun , Du Hongbin , Fang Min
Published: November 2020

2D Si nanomaterials draw great interest owing to their fascinating properties and potential applications in electronic devices, catalysts, and energy storage and conversion devices. However, high‐quality and large‐scale synthesis of Si nanosheets remains a big challenge, despite the limited reports on their preparations via chemical exfoliation of layered Zintl silicide, magnesiothermic reduction of layered silicon oxide, and chemical vapor deposition. In this work, a facile, solution method to produce free‐standing Si nanosheets in high yields and low cost, based on the reaction of commercial magnesium powder with trichlorosilane and tripropylamine in dichloromethane under mild conditions, is reported. The prepared Si nanosheets have an average thickness of ≈2 nm and show photoluminescence. Experiments demonstrate that the key to the formation of Si nanosheets is the use of dichloromethane as a solvent. This method can be used to prepare Si nanosheets in large scale for various potential applications and possibly Si crystals with specific crystal morphology.
Seismic performance of precast concrete wall with vertical energy‐dissipating connection
Authors: Dang Longji , Liang Shuting , Zhu Xiaojun , Zhang Ming , Song Yamin
Published: November 2020

A precast concrete wall with vertical energy‐dissipating connection (PCWVEC) was proposed in which X‐shaped metal dampers (XMD) with better energy‐dissipating capacity were installed along the vertical connections between precast wall panels, and the pore‐forming grouted lap‐sliced connector was adopted for the longitudinal steel bars between wall panels and floors. Lateral cyclic loading tests were carried out on two full‐scale specimens, including an assembled monolithic concrete wall (PCWVEC1) and unbonded post‐tensioning (PT) concrete wall (PCWVEC2), where the longitudinal steel bars at wall toes were replaced by PT tendons to provide the self‐centering capacity and bearing capacity. The seismic behavior of PCWVEC was experimentally investigated including failure mode, wall panel and XMD deformation, bearing capacity, ductility, strain, and energy‐dissipating capacity. The test results showed that XMDs used as vertical connection can effectively transfer the internal force and dissipate energy well. The average peak load of specimen PCWVEC2 was smaller than that of specimen PCWVEC1 about 13.67%. In addition, the finite element analysis (FEA) model of specimen PCWVEC2 was established, and the FEA results match well with the test results. Based on a parameter study, specimen PCWVEC2 with proper design parameter can have the same strength, energy‐dissipating capacity, and better self‐centering capacity.
Cell mimicry as a bottom‐up strategy for hierarchical engineering ofnature‐inspiredentities
Authors: Qian Xiaomin , Nymann Westensee Isabella , Brodszkij Edit , Städler Brigitte
Published: November 2020

Artificial biology is an emerging concept that aims to design and engineer the structure and function of natural cells, organelles, or biomolecules with a combination of biological and abiotic building blocks. Cell mimicry focuses on concepts that have the potential to be integrated with mammalian cells and tissue. In this feature article, we will emphasize the advancements in the past 3–4 years (2017‐present) that are dedicated to artificial enzymes, artificial organelles, and artificial mammalian cells. Each aspect will be briefly introduced, followed by highlighting efforts that considered key properties of the different mimics. Finally, the current challenges and opportunities will be outlined.

This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Quantum critical scaling and holographic bound for transport coefficients near Lifshitz points
Authors: Inkof Gian Andrea , Küppers Joachim M. C. , Link Julia M. , Goutéraux Blaise , Schmalian Jörg
Published: November 2020

Abstract

The transport behavior of strongly anisotropic systems is significantly richer compared to isotropic ones. The most dramatic spatial anisotropy at a critical point occurs at a Lifshitz transition, found in systems with merging Dirac or Weyl point or near the superconductor-insulator quantum phase transition. Previous work found that in these systems a famous conjecture on the existence of a lower bound for the ratio of a shear viscosity to entropy is violated, and proposed a generalization of this bound for anisotropic systems near charge neutrality involving the electric conductivities. The present study uses scaling arguments and the gauge-gravity duality to confirm the previous analysis of universal bounds in anisotropic Dirac systems. We investigate the strongly-coupled phase of quantum Lifshitz systems in a gravitational Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton model with a linear massless scalar which breaks translations in the boundary dual field theory and sources the anisotropy. The holographic computation demonstrates that some elements of the viscosity tensor can be related to the ratio of the electric conductivities through a simple geometric ratio of elements of the bulk metric evaluated at the horizon, and thus obey a generalized bound, while others violate it. From the IR critical geometry, we express the charge diffusion constants in terms of the square butterfly velocities. The proportionality factor turns out to be direction-independent, linear in the inverse temperature, and related to the critical exponents which parametrize the anisotropic scaling of the dual field theory.
A New Approach to Transport Coefficients in the Quantum Spin Hall Effect
Authors: Marcelli Giovanna , Panati Gianluca , Teufel Stefan
Published: November 2020

We investigate some foundational issues in the quantum theory of spin transport, in the general case when the unperturbed Hamiltonian operator$$H_0$$H0does not commute with the spin operator in view of Rashba interactions, as in the typical models for the quantum spin Hall effect. A gapped periodic one-particle Hamiltonian$$H_0$$H0is perturbed by adding a constant electric field of intensity$$\varepsilon \ll 1$$ε≪1in thej-th direction, and the linear response in terms of aS-current in thei-th direction is computed, whereSis a generalized spin operator. We derive a general formula for the spin conductivity that covers both the choice of the conventional and of the proper spin current operator. We investigate the independence of the spin conductivity from the choice of the fundamental cell (unit cell consistency), and we isolate a subclass of discrete periodic models where the conventional and the properS-conductivity agree, thus showing that the controversy about the choice of the spin current operator is immaterial as far as models in this class are concerned. As a consequence of the general theory, we obtain that whenever the spin is (almost) conserved, the spin conductivity is (approximately) equal to the spin-Chern number. The method relies on the characterization of anon-equilibrium almost-stationary state(NEASS), which well approximates the physical state of the system (in the sense of space-adiabatic perturbation theory) and allows moreover to compute the response of the adiabaticS-current as the trace per unit volume of theS-current operator times the NEASS. This technique can be applied in a general framework, which includes both discrete and continuum models.
Arzneimittel für neuartige Therapien – Perspektiven, Chancen, Herausforderungen
Authors:   Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin e. V. (DGKJ), Rascher Wolfgang , Klingebiel Thomas , Herting Egbert , Hoffmann Georg F. , Berner Reinhard , Krägeloh-Mann Ingeborg , Gärtner Jutta , Zepp Fred , Schara Ulrike
Published: November 2020

Arzneimittel für neuartige Therapien (ATMP) wie somatische Gentherapie und Zelltherapie besitzen ein hohes therapeutisches Potenzial für Krankheiten, die sehr früh im Leben beginnen, und die bisher nicht behandelbar waren. Sie werden oft in einem sehr frühen Entwicklungsstadium zugelassen, wenn an wenigen Betroffenen die Wirksamkeit gezeigt wurde und sich ein bisher nie dagewesener Therapieerfolg auftut, vor allem, wenn die Therapie vor Eintritt von Organschäden greift. Dadurch ergeben sich für Pädiater neue arzneimittelrechtliche und ethische Fragen.

Um die neuen Behandlungsmöglichkeiten adäquat einzusetzen, muss die Diagnose früher als bisher gestellt werden, oder neue Screeningmethoden müssen zur Verfügung stehen. Denkbar ist, dass das Neugeborenenscreening in zeitkritische Krankheiten in den ersten 72 h nach Geburt und ein genetisches Screening (z. B. in der 4. bis 5. Lebenswoche) aufgeteilt wird.

ATMP sind bei ihrer Zulassung noch nicht in ausreichender Anzahl angewendet worden, sodass die notwendigen Erkenntnisse für Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit noch nicht vorliegen (Nutzen-Risiko-Verhältnis). Deswegen werden sie unter strengen Auflagen in spezialisierten Behandlungszentren nach Qualitätskriterien eingesetzt, die der Gemeinsame Bundesausschuss (G-BA) nach Beratung mit den Fachgesellschaften festlegt. Der Aufwand der Therapie und der Dokumentation des Verlaufes in Registern ist erheblich und muss entsprechend vergütet werden.

Der Wert eines ATMP wird erst mit seiner breiteren Anwendung nach der Zulassung klar, ähnlich wie die Sicherheit eines Arzneimittels nicht mit der Zulassung vollumfänglich bekannt ist. Für die Pädiatrie ergeben sich neue Herausforderungen und Chancen.
Uncovering the invisible—prevalence, characteristics, and radiomics feature–based detection of visually undetectable intraprostatic tumor lesions in 68GaPSMA-11 PET images of patients with primary prostate cancer
Authors: Zamboglou Constantinos , Bettermann Alisa S. , Gratzke Christian , Mix Michael , Ruf Juri , Kiefer Selina , Jilg Cordula A. , Benndorf Matthias , Spohn Simon , Fassbender Thomas F. , Bronsert Peter , Chen Mengxia , Guo Hongqian , Wang Feng , Qiu Xuefeng , Grosu Anca-Ligia
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Primary prostate cancer (PCa) can be visualized on prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) with high accuracy. However, intraprostatic lesions may be missed by visual PSMA-PET interpretation. In this work, we quantified and characterized the intraprostatic lesions which have been missed by visual PSMA-PET image interpretation. In addition, we investigated whether PSMA-PET-derived radiomics features (RFs) could detect these lesions.

Methodology

This study consists of two cohorts of primary PCa patients: a prospective training cohort (n = 20) and an external validation cohort (n = 52). All patients underwent 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and histology sections were obtained after surgery. PCa lesions missed by visual PET image interpretation were counted and their International Society of Urological Pathology score (ISUP) was obtained. Finally, 154 RFs were derived from the PET images and the discriminative power to differentiate between prostates with or without visually undetectable lesions was assessed and areas under the receiver-operating curve (ROC-AUC) as well as sensitivities/specificities were calculated.

Results

In the training cohort, visual PET image interpretation missed 134 tumor lesions in 60% (12/20) of the patients, and of these patients, 75% had clinically significant (ISUP > 1) PCa. The median diameter of the missed lesions was 2.2 mm (range: 1–6). Standard clinical parameters like the NCCN risk group were equally distributed between patients with and without visually missed lesions (p < 0.05). Two RFs (local binary pattern (LBP) size-zone non-uniformality normalized and LBP small-area emphasis) were found to perform excellently in visually unknown PCa detection (Mann-Whitney U: p < 0.01, ROC-AUC: ≥ 0.93). In the validation cohort, PCa was missed in 50% (26/52) of the patients and 77% of these patients possessed clinically significant PCa. The sensitivities of both RFs in the validation cohort were ≥ 0.8.

Conclusion

Visual PSMA-PET image interpretation may miss small but clinically significant PCa in a relevant number of patients and RFs can be implemented to uncover them. This could be used for guiding personalized treatments.
MRI-induced artifact by a cochlear implant with a novel magnet system: an experimental cadaver study
Authors: Canzi Pietro , Aprile Federico , Simoncelli Anna , Manfrin Marco , Magnetto Marianna , Lafe Elvis , Minervini Domenico , Avato Irene , Terrani Simone , Scribante Andrea , Gazibegovic Dzemal , Benazzo Marco
Published: November 2020

Purposes

To primarily evaluate MRI-induced effects for Ultra 3D cochlear implantation in human cadavers in terms of artifact generation and MR image quality.

Methods

Three human cadaveric heads were submitted to imaging after unilateral and bilateral cochlear implantation. The 1.5 T MR examination protocol was chosen in accordance with our institutional protocol for the assessment of brain pathology. The maximal signal void size was measured according to each sequence and plane. Two experienced neuro-radiologists and one experienced otoneurosurgeon independently evaluated the MR image quality findings. A 4-point scale was used to describe the diagnostic usefulness of 14 brain structures.

Results

Shape and size of the artifacts were found to be highly related to MRI sequences and acquisition planes. MRI sequences and processing algorithms affected the ability to assess anatomical visibility. Image quality appeared either high or assessable for diagnostic purposes in 9 out of 14 of the ipsilateral structures, in at least one plane. Anatomical structures contralateral to the cochlear implant were highly visible in all conditions. Artifact intrusion clearly improved after application of metal artifact-reduction techniques. In the case of bilateral cochlear implant, a mutual interaction between the two implant magnets produced an additional artifact.

Conclusions

We performed the first cadaver study aimed at systematically evaluating the MRI-induced artifacts produced by a cochlear implant with a novel four bar magnet system. Specific brain structures can be assessable for diagnostic purposes under 1.5 T MRI, with the cochlear implant magnet in place.
Characterization of metal concentration, heavy metal elution, and desalination behavior of municipal solid waste incineration bottom and grate sifting deposition ash based on particle size
Authors: Iino Shigenori , Tatsuichi Sukehisa , Miyawaki Kentaro
Published: November 2020

Resource and environmental safety protocols of incineration residues were evaluated by analyzing the metal concentration, heavy metal elution, desalination behavior, and chlorine removal ratio owing to particle size differences between bottom ash (BA) and grate sifting deposition ash (GA). In the total content test, Cl, Zn, and Cr in the incinerator BA exceeded the cement acceptance standard (Cl: 1000 mg/kg; Zn: 1700 mg/kg, and Cr: 170 mg/kg) at almost all of the particle sizes, while Au, Ag, Pd, and Zn had high contents in the GA. When using BA as a construction material, heavy metal elution values and contents are restricted as per the product quality standards based on the Japanese soil pollution control law. Lead within the BA and GA exceeded the standard values for most particle sizes. We predicted that there would be a limit on the elution of K by only washing with water. The removal ratio of total chlorine by particle size was approximately 20–70%, where the effect of the particle size on the removal ratio was small, suggesting that the elution of chlorine was complete in approximately 6 hours. These results contribute to information on the recycling of BA and GA.
Stochastic Multi-objective Optimisation of Exoskeleton Structures
Authors: Reggio Anna , Greco Rita , Marano Giuseppe Carlo , Ferro Giuseppe Andrea
Published: November 2020

In this study, a structural optimisation problem, addressed through a stochastic multi-objective approach, is formulated and solved. The problem deals with the optimal design of exoskeleton structures, conceived as vibration control systems under seismic loading. The exoskeleton structure is assumed to be coupled to an existing primary inner structure for seismic retrofit: the aim is to limit the dynamic response of the primary structure to prevent structural damage. A non-stationary filtered Gaussian white noise stochastic process is taken as the seismic input. Design variables pertain to the mechanical properties (stiffness, damping) of the exoskeleton structure. Two concurrent and competing objective functions are introduced, in order to take into account not only safety performance but also economic cost considerations. The resulting trade-off is solved searching the Pareto front by way of a controlled elitist genetic algorithm, derived from the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II. Sensitivities of Pareto fronts and Pareto optimal sets to different system parameters are finally investigated by way of a numerical application.
Pancreas-on-a-Chip Technology for Transplantation Applications
Authors: Abadpour Shadab , Aizenshtadt Aleksandra , Olsen Petter Angell , Shoji Kayoko , Wilson Steven Ray , Krauss Stefan , Scholz Hanne
Published: November 2020

Purpose of Review

Human pancreas-on-a-chip (PoC) technology is quickly advancing as a platform for complex in vitro modeling of islet physiology. This review summarizes the current progress and evaluates the possibility of using this technology for clinical islet transplantation.

Recent Findings

PoC microfluidic platforms have mainly shown proof of principle for long-term culturing of islets to study islet function in a standardized format. Advancement in microfluidic design by using imaging-compatible biomaterials and biosensor technology might provide a novel future tool for predicting islet transplantation outcome. Progress in combining islets with other tissue types gives a possibility to study diabetic interventions in a minimal equivalent in vitro environment.

Although the field of PoC is still in its infancy, considerable progress in the development of functional systems has brought the technology on the verge of a general applicable tool that may be used to study islet quality and to replace animal testing in the development of diabetes interventions.
Minimising risk to thoracic surgical teams in an era of COVID-19: exploring possible preventative measures
Authors: Patel Akshay Jatin , Mohamed Saifullah , Caruana Edward Joseph , Naidu Babu
Published: November 2020

The demands of curtailing the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic have disrupted the world’s ability to care for patients with thoracic pathologies. Those who undergo thoracic surgical therapeutic procedures are a high-risk category, likely to have impaired lung function but also high risk for exposing clinical teams to aerosolised viral loads. In light of this global pandemic, thorough pre-procedural planning, adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), experienced personnel and judicious anaesthetic and intra-operative measures will serve to be instrumental in ensuring positive patient outcomes whilst still protecting the safety of healthcare workers.
The “Gray Spacing” of Market Vendors and Their Associations and Vendors’ Collective Agency in the Zambian City of Kitwe
Authors: Jongh Lennert
Published: November 2020

Market vendors are often marginalized in urban spaces—they may be harassed, face threats to their workplace security, or lack opportunities to influence urban policy-making. Associations of market vendors have been identified as a potential means to represent vendors’ interests, offering vendors possibilities to improve their working conditions. Fieldwork has been conducted in 2013, 2016, and 2018 to understand the struggles of market vendors and those of their associations in the Zambian city of Kitwe. The paper explores how both market vendors and their associations are positioned in a “gray space” between legality and illegality, unaware if their existence will be approved or sanctioned by the (local) government. The paper argues that the “gray space” in which many market vendors are positioned is a consequence of a lack of suitable alternative and more secure marketspaces. Associations are considered in relation to the political environment in which they operate and their future existence is particularly threatened by a regulation criminalizing them. Not only has this led to the abolishment of a well-known association, but it has also protected some associations whereas others are sidelined. Findings indicate that “gray spacing” and the accompanied changes in the associations jeopardize market vendors’ efforts to organize more autonomously and have isolated their struggles from attempts to organize all informal economy workers under a Zambian umbrella association.
Functional Alterations in Cerebellar Functional Connectivity in Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Lee Yoon Ji , Guell Xavier , Hubbard Nicholas A. , Siless Viviana , Frosch Isabelle R. , Goncalves Mathias , Lo Nicole , Nair Atira , Ghosh Satrajit S. , Hofmann Stefan G. , Auerbach Randy P. , Pizzagalli Diego A. , Yendiki Anastasia , Gabrieli John D.E. , Whitfield-Gabrieli Susan , Anteraper Sheeba Arnold
Published: November 2020

Adolescents with anxiety disorders exhibit excessive emotional and somatic arousal. Neuroimaging studies have shown abnormal cerebral cortical activation and connectivity in this patient population. The specific role of cerebellar output circuitry, specifically the dentate nuclei (DN), in adolescent anxiety disorders remains largely unexplored. Resting-state functional connectivity analyses have parcellated the DN, the major output nuclei of the cerebellum, into three functional territories (FTs) that include default-mode, salience-motor, and visual networks. The objective of this study was to understand whether FTs of the DN are implicated in adolescent anxiety disorders. Forty-one adolescents (mean age 15.19 ± 0.82, 26 females) with one or more anxiety disorders and 55 age- and gender-matched healthy controls completed resting-state fMRI scans and a self-report survey on anxiety symptoms. Seed-to-voxel functional connectivity analyses were performed using the FTs from DN parcellation. Brain connectivity metrics were then correlated with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) measures within each group. Adolescents with an anxiety disorder showed significant hyperconnectivity between salience-motor DN FT and cerebral cortical salience-motor regions compared to controls. Salience-motor FT connectivity with cerebral cortical sensorimotor regions was significantly correlated with STAI-trait scores in HC (R2 = 0.41). Here, we report DN functional connectivity differences in adolescents diagnosed with anxiety, as well as in HC with variable degrees of anxiety traits. These observations highlight the relevance of DN as a potential clinical and sub-clinical marker of anxiety.
Locoregional Management of Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Authors: Baker Jennifer L. , Hegde John , Thompson Carlie K. , Lee Minna K. , DiNome Maggie L.
Published: November 2020

Purpose of Review

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a biologically aggressive subtype with a high risk for rapid local progression and early distant metastasis. We review the updated data for optimal locoregional management of IBC, including areas of active controversy.

Recent Findings

Advancements in tri-modality therapies have improved survival among IBC patients in recent years; however, the risk of locoregional and distant recurrence remains high, particularly in triple-negative IBC. Data to support de-escalation of surgery or radiotherapy is limited, and the recommended treatment approach for non-metastatic IBC remains preoperative systemic therapy (PST), modified radical mastectomy (MRM), and adjuvant radiotherapy in all patients. For patients with de novo metastatic disease, locoregional intervention may be appropriate.

Optimal locoregional management of IBC remains PST followed by MRM and adjuvant radiotherapy. With increasingly effective systemic therapies, research to identify a subset of patients who may benefit from de-escalation of locoregional therapies is warranted.