bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural rubber and copper alumina nanocomposite‐based flexible elastomer‐inorganic hybrid systems
Authors: Parvathi K. , Al‐Maghrabi M. A. , Subburaj M. , T. Ramesan M.
Published: June 2021

This work investigates the effect of different loading of copper alumina nanoparticles (Cu‐Al2O3) on the processing characteristics, crystalline, morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of natural rubber (NR). The effective reinforcement of Cu‐Al2O3 nanoparticles into NR was carried out using a simple and efficient two roll mill mixing technique and the structural changes were systematically analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), high‐resolution transmission electron microscope (HR‐TEM), differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The FTIR and XRD of NR/Cu‐Al2O3 showed the characteristic absorption bands and the crystalline peaks of Cu‐Al2O3 in the prepared composites. SEM and HR‐TEM showed the uniform distribution of nano Cu‐Al2O3 in the NR matrix. The processing time of the nanocomposites was significantly decreased with the addition of metal oxide nanoparticles, which indicated the reduction in the cost of the fabrication of elastomer product using Cu‐Al2O3 nanoparticles. Mechanical properties such as modulus, tensile strength, hardness, heat build‐up, glass transition temperature, tear properties, abrasion, and thermal stability were greatly enhanced by the reinforcement of Cu‐Al2O3 into the NR matrix. The swelling behavior of composite with respect to different loading of nano‐filler was also investigated in various aromatic solvents. The addition of nanoparticles reduces the solvent uptake of the composite and the maximum solvent resistance was noted for the composite with 5 phr loading.
slim shady is a novel allele of PHYTOCHROME B present in the T‐DNA line SALK_015201
Authors: Dash Linkan , McEwan Robert E. , Montes Christian , Mejia Ludvin , Walley Justin W. , Dilkes Brian P. , Kelley Dior R.
Published: June 2021

Auxin is a hormone that is required for hypocotyl elongation during seedling development. In response to auxin, rapid changes in transcript and protein abundance occur in hypocotyls, and some auxin responsive gene expression is linked to hypocotyl growth. To functionally validate proteomic studies, a reverse genetics screen was performed on mutants in auxin‐regulated proteins to identify novel regulators of plant growth. This uncovered a long hypocotyl mutant, which we called slim shady, in an annotated insertion line in IMMUNOREGULATORY RNA‐BINDING PROTEIN (IRR). Overexpression of the IRR gene failed to rescue the slim shady phenotype and characterization of a second T‐DNA allele of IRR found that it had a wild‐type (WT) hypocotyl length. The slim shady mutant has an elevated expression of numerous genes associated with the brassinosteroid‐auxin‐phytochrome (BAP) regulatory module compared to WT, including transcription factors that regulate brassinosteroid, auxin, and phytochrome pathways. Additionally, slim shady seedlings fail to exhibit a strong transcriptional response to auxin. Using whole genome sequence data and genetic complementation analysis with SALK_015201C, we determined that a novel single nucleotide polymorphism in PHYTOCHROME B was responsible for the slim shady phenotype. This is predicted to induce a frameshift and premature stop codon at leucine 1125, within the histidine kinase‐related domain of the carboxy terminus of PHYB, which is required for phytochrome signaling and function. Genetic complementation analyses with phyb‐9 confirmed that slim shady is a mutant allele of PHYB. This study advances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms in seedling development, by furthering our understanding of how light signaling is linked to auxin‐dependent cell elongation. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of confirming the genetic identity of research material before attributing phenotypes to known mutations sourced from T‐DNA stocks.
Smart Therapeutic Strategy of pH‐Responsive Gold Nanoparticles for Combating Multidrug Resistance
Authors: Farooq Muhammad U. , Naz Muhammad Y. , Hussain Muhammad I. , Shukrullah Shazia , Makhlouf Mohamed M.
Published: June 2021

As several multi‐target drug delivery approaches are successfully identified through preclinical screening, their clinical success is often hampered by challenges such as poor circulation stability, dissimilarities in the pharmacokinetics of different drugs, as well as targeting inefficiency. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are adopted as promising nanocarriers in the co‐delivery of multiple therapeutic drugs for combination therapy. The pH‐responsive AuNPs are synthesized and incorporated with multiple chemotherapeutic drugs, such as doxorubicin and bleomycin. Such structures can work as drug carriers to treat cervical carcinoma by adopting a quality by design approach. The designed nanocarrier is characterized by adopting a range of physicochemical and morphological techniques. In vitro drug release and cytotoxicity of optimized nanocarriers are assessed to cervical tumor epithelial cells. The results highlight the notable advantages of colloidal AuNPs, including sustained drug release, therapeutic agent delivery with high stability, and biocompatibility for more effective treatment of cervical carcinoma. Furthermore, by improving the biodistribution and/or bioavailability profiles, it is believed that the two‐in‐one approach may therefore give evidence on the fate of co‐loaded nanocarrier as a promising trajectory for successful clinical translation against ovarian carcinoma to achieve maximum therapeutic synergy for an individual patient.
Biochemistry, structure, and cellular internalization of a four nanobody‐bearing Fc dimer
Authors: Chabrol Eric , Fagnen Charline , Landron Sophie , Marcheteau Estelle , Stojko Johann , Guenin Sophie‐Pénélope , Antoine Mathias , Fould Benjamin , Ferry Gilles , Boutin Jean A. , Vénien‐Bryan Catherine
Published: June 2021

VHH stands for the variable regions of heavy chain only of camelid IgGs. The VHH family forms a set of interesting proteins derived from antibodies that maintain their capacity to recognize the antigen, despite their relatively small molecular weight (in the 12,000 Da range). Continuing our exploration of the possibilities of those molecules, we chose to design alternative molecules with maintained antigen recognition, but enhanced capacity, by fusing four VHH with one Fc, the fragment crystallizable region of antibodies. In doing so, we aimed at having a molecule with superior quantitative antigen recognition (×4) while maintaining its size below the 110 kDa. In the present paper, we described the building of those molecules that we coined VHH2‐Fc‐VHH2. The structure of VHH2‐Fc‐VHH2 in complex with HER2 antigen was determined using electronic microscopy and modeling. The molecule is shown to bind four HER2 proteins at the end of its flexible arms. VHH2‐Fc‐VHH2 also shows an internalization capacity via HER2 receptor superior to the reference anti‐HER2 monoclonal antibody, Herceptin®, and to a simple fusion of two VHH with one Fc (VHH2‐Fc). This new type of molecules, VHH2‐Fc‐VHH2, could be an interesting addition to the therapeutic arsenal with multiple applications, from diagnostic to therapy.
Root‐zone enrichment of carbon, nitrogen, and soil‐test biological activity under cotton systems in North Carolina
Authors: Franzluebbers Alan J.
Published: June 2021

Soils of the southeastern United States are generally low in organic matter. Root‐zone enrichment of organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) may be possible with conservation agricultural management, but little is known of how this might be distributed across private farms. A stratified random survey of 120 cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fields from throughout North Carolina characterized root‐zone contents of soil organic C (SOC), total soil N (TSN), and soil‐test biological activity (STBA). Soils were mostly udults and aquults, but included some udepts, aquepts, aqualfs, and psamments. Depth distribution of soil properties at 0–10, 10–30, and 30–60 cm was fitted to a nonlinear regression model for each soil profile to calculate root‐zone enrichment over that of a baseline content estimated from concentration at 30‐cm depth. Continuous conservation tillage was practiced on 23% of fields. Root‐zone enrichment of TSN and STBA was greater with conservation than with disk tillage (1.30 ± 0.10 vs 0.82 ± 0.04 Mg N ha–1, respectively, p < .001; 209 ± 16 vs 144 ± 6 kg CO2–C ha–1 3 d–1, respectively; p < .001) (mean ± standard error). Difference in root‐zone enrichment of SOC between continuous conservation tillage and frequent disk tillage was 8.5 ± 2.5 Mg C ha–1 among eight subregions and was not affected by variations in baseline SOC content, which was greater in the Flatwoods than the Coastal Plain region due to inherent soil formation factors. These on‐farm results confirm that continuous conservation tillage is needed to enrich root‐zone SOC, TSN, and STBA under cotton production.
Cross the Undruggable Barrier, the Development of SHP2 Inhibitors: From Catalytic Site Inhibitors to Allosteric Inhibitors
Authors: Guo Yu , Xu Yaping , Dong Xiaowu , Zhang Jianjun
Published: June 2021

SHP2 (Src homology‐2 domain‐containing protein tyrosine phosphatase‐2) is a unique protein tyrosine phosphatase(PTP)encoded by the PTPN11 gene, which is composed of two SH2 domains (N‐SH2, C‐SH2) and the PTP domain. SHP2 is essential in several oncogenic signaling pathways (especially Ras/Raf/MAPK) and has a wide range of mutations in various cancers. Therefore, the development of inhibitors of SHP2 has become the focus of anticancer research in recent years. Initially, the researchers hoped to directly inhibit SHP2 activity by targeting its catalytic sites like other PTP inhibitors’ development. However, the high homology and strong positivity of PTP catalytic sites bring great difficulties in developing such inhibitors. Finally, in 2015, a compact molecule (SHP099) passed the undruggable barrier of SHP2 through the allosteric tunnel. In this paper, the development of SHP2 inhibitors in recent years will be reviewed to transition from catalytic site inhibitors to allosteric inhibitors to provide suggestions for the development and application of SHP2 inhibitors and other PTP inhibitors.
The Influence of Pressure on Structural, Elastic, Piezoelectric and Dielectric Properties of R3c‐BiAlO3 Based on Ab Initio Calculations
Authors: Almaghbash Zeyad Abdo Ahmed Rashed , Arbouche Omar
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we deal with a theoretical and predictive study of the influence of the applied pressures on the structural, elastic and piezoelectric properties of the rhombohedral BiAlO3 perovskite (R3c space group) phase by combining both the density functional theory (DFT) and the density functional perturbation theory (DFPT) included in the ABINIT code. The results indicate a decrease in structural cell volume and the elastic constants appear to be more intense as the applied pressure increases. Due to the increase in the direct piezoelectric coefficient (e33) and the decrease of the elastic constant (c33), the converse piezoelectric coefficients (d33) tend to improve with increased pressure applied. At a pressure of 10 GPa, the value of the direct piezoelectric constant reached 6.23 C/m2 which becomes an indirect competitor to lead zirconate titanate (PZT). The dielectric constants and born effective charge at high pressure have been calculated. Our results agree well with the available experimental and theoretical results. Our findings, especially piezoelectricity, can help in various applications of high‐pressure devices such ultrasonic transducer.
Deep Hydrogenation Saturation of Naphthalene Facilitated by Enhanced Adsorption of the Reactants on Micro‐Mesoporous Pd/HY
Authors: Li Pengfei , Wang Li , Zhang Xiangwen , Li Guozhu
Published: June 2021

Deep hydrogenation saturation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is of great importance for the production of valuable chemical products, but is hard due to the presence of hardly broken π bond. In this work, micro‐mesoporous HY supported Pd catalysts (Pd/HY‐a) have been prepared by a simple impregnation method following alkali treatment of pristine HY zeolite, which exhibited superior performance for the deep hydrogenation saturation of naphthalene. Pd/HY‐a was systematically characterized and compared with the Pd catalysts supported on pristine HY, ZSM‐5, SBA‐15, and Al2O3. In Pd/HY‐a, abundant mesoporous pore channels together with suitable B acid sites greatly facilitate the adsorption of the reactants (naphthalene and tetralin) and properly tune the electron state of loaded Pd. Therefore, efficient deep hydrogenation saturation of naphthalene has been achieved on Pd/HY‐a. Moreover, the kinetic behaviors of naphthalene hydrogenation on Pd/HY‐a were preliminarily investigated, in which the first‐order kinetic model fitted the experimental data well in the early reaction stage.
Fabrication of FTO/PNIPAm/FTO Electrical‐Thermal Dual‐Response Smart Window for Solar Radiation Management in the Full Temperature Range**
Authors: Zhong Yangyang , Wang Yongjuan , Zhou Yuming , He Qiang , Ge Sujuan , Liu Xiaolin , Xu Ran , Feng Shuangjiang
Published: June 2021

Dual‐response smart window, which can respond to two external stimuli simultaneously or separately, has more solar adjustment modes and a wider range of solar radiation adjustment. In this paper, a double‐layer fluorine‐tin oxide (FTO) electrical‐thermal mold was presented, and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) hydrogel was encapsulated in the mold to form an electric‐thermal dual‐response smart window. The electrical response refers to the electrothermal conversion characteristics of the double‐layer FTO mold used to compensate for the insufficient thermochromic performance of the PNIPAm hydrogel when temperature is between 25 °C and 32 °C, rather than electrochromic properties. Finally, when the applied voltage reaches 5 V, the dual‐response smart window achieves a high solar modulation ability (ΔTsol) of 26.51 %. In addition, it can be concluded that a 5 V of applied voltage is adequate for the dual‐response smart window (25 mm×25 mm×2.2 mm) to exhibit excellent ΔTsol and extremely fast response speed by the test of the electrothermal conversion performance, transparency change during the heating process, and UV‐Vis‐NIR transmittance spectra. Furthermore, the thermal management tests and cyclic stability tests indicate that the smart window has a potential energy saving effect and environmental tolerance. The prepared smart window enables PNIPAm hydrogel to manage solar radiation well in the entire ambient temperature range actively or passively.
Highly Surface Active Anisotropic Silver Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agent Against Human Pathogens,Mycobacterium smegmatisandCandida albicans
Authors: Agnihotri Ananya S. , Fatima Zeeshan , Hameed Saif , Nidhin M.
Published: June 2021

Rapid synthesis of anisotropic silver nanoparticles via cost‐effective, non‐hazardous, and eco‐friendly methods using naturally available gums are of greater significance as their chemical synthesis is associated with high toxicity. This study aims to synthesize highly surface‐active anisotropic silver nanoparticles and evaluate their antimicrobial efficacy against human pathogens,Mycobacterium smegmatisandCandida albicans. Anisotropic silver nanoparticles were synthesized using silver nitrate as the metal precursor and gum arabic as the template. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV‐visible spectroscopy, fourier transformation infra‐red (FTIR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction (HRTEM‐SAED) analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TEM analysis showed the anisotropy and monodispersed nature of silver nanoparticles with an average size of less than 20 nm. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of the anisotropic silver nanoparticles were also studied keeping rifampicin and fluconazole as the reference. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was found to be 1 mM silver nanoparticles for bothM. smegmatisandC. albicans. Synthesized anisotropic silver nanoparticles can be used as an alternative to antibiotics to treat the infections caused byM. smegmatisandC. albicans. Further, the effect of silver nanoparticles on haemolytic activity was also studied.
Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes Using Ni−Fe Alloy Catalysts at Ambient Pressure
Authors: Miyazaki Masayoshi , Ariyama Kei , Furukawa Shinya , Takayama Tomoaki , Komatsu Takayuki
Published: June 2021

Ni−Fe alloy catalysts have been used to achieve high activity and selectivity toward the hydrogenation of nitroarenes to aminoarenes. 4‐Nitrostyrene hydrogenation using a series of Ni‐based bimetallic alloys and intermetallic compounds supported on SiO2 revealed that Ni−Fe alloy catalysts exhibit higher Turnover frequency (TOF) than Ni monometal catalysts with almost similar nanoparticle size. Furthermore, nitro‐selective hydrogenation under atmospheric hydrogen was observed, which has never been reported using conventional Ni catalysts. XRD and XAFS measurements revealed that both Ni and Fe were reduced to their metallic states by pretreatment under hydrogen flow at 400 °C. Kinetic experiments suggested that the formation of Ni−Fe alloy promoted the adsorption of the nitro group and suppressed the hydrogenation of the vinyl group. TOF and selectivity for 4‐nitrostyrene hydrogenation increased by reducing nanoparticle sizes, indicating that the metal–support interfaces interacted with 4‐nitrostyrene. Theoretical calculations suggested that the addition of Fe enhanced the co‐adsorption of dissociated hydrogen and the nitro group.
Wacker‐Tsuji‐Type Oxidation Reactions of Styrene Derivatives Catalyzed by Ferrate
Authors: Hashimoto Toru , Maruyama Tsubasa , Ishimaru Toshiya , Matsugaki Masaru , Shiota Keisuke , Yamaguchi Yoshitaka
Published: June 2021

We have developed a Wacker‐Tsuji‐Type oxidation reaction of styrene derivatives catalyzed by a bench‐stable ferrate. This oxidation reaction, which uses molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant and 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyldisiloxane (TMDS) as a reductant, can realize the oxidation of styrene derivatives to ketones in good yield. In addition, this ferrate‐based system can achieve the cleavage of the C−C double bond of α‐phenyl‐substituted styrene derivatives, providing the one‐carbon‐degraded ketones in good yield.
Design and Engineering of Hypoxia and Acidic pH Dual‐Stimuli‐Responsive Intelligent Fluorescent Nanoprobe for Precise Tumor Imaging
Authors: Chen Shiya , Chen Mingjian , Yang Jinfeng , Zeng Xianqing , Zhou Yibo , Yang Sheng , Yang Ronghua , Yuan Quan , Zheng Jing
Published: June 2021

Stimulus‐responsive fluorescence imaging modality shows great promise for detection of tumor due to the advantages of high sensitivity, simplicity and noninvasiveness. However, some non‐cancer regions including nodules and inflammation may also exhibit a stimulus‐related characteristic, which cause the problem of nonspecific responsiveness and then cause “false positive” results for tumor recognition. Herein, hypoxia and acidic pH, two typical features strongly associated with tumor invasion, progression and metastasis in tumor microenvironment (TME), are chosen as dual stimuli to fabricate “dual lock‐and‐key” fluorescent nanoprobe for highly specific and precise imaging of tumor cells. Mesoporous silica coated gold nanorods (AuNR@mSiO2) are employed as nanocarrier and nanoquencher to load the pH‐sensitive fluorescent reporter (Rho‐TP). Azobenzene (azo) which can be reduced to amines by the highly expressed azoreductase under hypoxic conditions, is elected as the effective gatekeeper for AuNR@mSiO2 by forming complex with β‐cyclodextrin polymer via host‐guest interaction (azo/β‐CDP). By elaborately combining the hypoxia‐responsive gatekeeper and pH‐responsive fluorescent signal reporter into one nanoprobe, sensitive and specific imaging of tumor cells can be realized. The fabricated dual lock‐and‐key fluorescent nanoprobe successfully further apply in tumor‐bearing mice model, which indicate potential of early diagnosis and assessment of cancer treatment.
Cr‐Doped CoP Nanorod Arrays as High‐Performance Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Catalysts at High Current Density
Authors: Zhang Lipeng , Zhang Juntao , Fang Jinjie , Wang Xin‐Yu , Yin Likun , Zhu Wei , Zhuang Zhongbin
Published: June 2021

Developing highly efficient, low‐cost electrocatalysts with long‐time stability at high current density working conditions for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains a great challenge for the large‐scale commercialization of hydrogen production from water electrolysis. Herein, the Cr‐doped CoP nanorod arrays on carbon cloth (Cr‐CoP‐NR/CC) is reported as high performance HER catalysts with overpotentials of 38 and 209 mV at the HER current densities of 10 and 500 mA cm−2, respectively, outperforming the performance of the commercial Pt/C at high current density. And its HER performance shows almost no loss after 20 h working at 500 mA cm−2. The high performance is attributed to the Cr doping, which optimizes the hydrogen binding energy of CoP and prevents its oxidation. The nanorod array structure helps the escaping of the generated hydrogen gas, which is suitable for working at high current density. The obtained Cr‐CoP‐NR/CC catalyst shows the potential to replace the costly Pt‐based HER catalysts in the water electrolyzer.
Physicochemical, Structural Properties and In Vitro Digestibility of A‐ and B‐type Granules Isolated from Green Wheat and Mature Wheat Starch
Authors: Zhang Kangyi , Zhao Di , Huang Qingrong , Huang Jihong , Wen Qingyu
Published: June 2021

In this study, the compositions, structural properties, and digestive characteristics of green wheat starch (GWS) and its isolated A‐ and B‐type starch granules are analyzed and compared with their mature wheat starch (MWS) counterparts. The proportion of small granules in GWS is higher than that in MWS, as revealed by the particle size distribution curves. The scanning electron microscopy of GWS shows agglomeration of more granules in the presence of B‐type starch. The predicted glycemic index (pGI) ranged from 76.20 to 86.35 for different types of starch, and the lowest and highest pGIs are obtained from B‐type granule in GWS and B‐type granule in MWS, respectively. According to the analysis of differential scanning calorimetry, GWS and its A‐ and B‐starch granules demonstrates higher gelatinization temperatures (To, Tp, and Tc) and enthalpy than those of their MWS counterparts. The X‐ray diffraction pattern reveals the A‐type pattern of crystalline starch for all the starch samples, where the crystallinity index of GWS is higher than that of MWS, which is consistent with the higher relative content of double helices determined by nuclear magnetic resonance.
Chitosan‐Based Materials as Edible Coating of Cheese: A Review
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Waheed , Riaz Tahreem , Yasmin Iqra , Leghari Ali Ahmad , Amin Sabahat , Bilal Muhammad , Qi Xianghui
Published: June 2021

Chitosan is the deacetylated form of chitin, a natural anti‐microbial compound, used in several commercial foods, agriculture, environment, cosmetics, and medicines. However, it has poor mechanical strength, water vapor penetrability, and high molecular weight which can be overcome by blending it with other polymers. The usage of chitosan in the edible coating of cheese is gaining more interest because cheese is a nutrient‐rich dairy food and vulnerable to microbial, chemical, biochemical, and physical spoilage. Various types of cheeses have been tested previously with chitosan coatings to prolong its shelf life. Several cheese coatings made by the combination of chitosan with alginate, starch, gelatin, and essential oils with their potential benefits are discussed here. This review provides knowledge about the health benefits of chitosan along with its antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. It is concluded that a blend of chitosan with other biopolymers (polyamides, gelatin, poly (acrylic acid), and cellulose) may act as an innovative coating and packaging material with antibacterial properties, good water resistance, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and good thermal properties, as well as non‐toxicity. However, further research is still required to expand the applications of chitosan in food coatings and packaging areas.
Anodic Olefin Coupling Reactions: Elucidating Radical Cation Mechanisms and the Interplay between Cyclization and Second Oxidation Steps
Authors: Medcalf Zach , Moeller Kevin D.
Published: June 2021

Anodic olefin coupling reactions generate new bonds and ring skeletons through a net two electron process that reverses the polarity of a known, electron‐rich functional group. While much of the early work on the mechanism of these reactions focused on the initial oxidation and cyclization steps of the process, the second oxidation step also plays a central role in determining the success of the reaction. Evidence supporting this observation is presented, along with evidence that optimization of this second oxidation step is not enough to pull a poor cyclization to the desired product. Successful cyclization reactions require optimization of both processes.
Nucleophilic Neutralization of Organophosphates: Lack of Selectivity or Plenty of Versatility?
Authors: Silva Valmir B. , Campos Renan B. , Pavez Paulina , Medeiros Michelle , Orth Elisa S.
Published: June 2021

Neutralization of organophosphates is an issue of public health and safety, involving agrochemicals and chemical warfare. A promising approach is the nucleophilic neutralization, scope of this review, which focuses on the molecular nucleophiles: hydroxide, imidazole derivatives, alpha nucleophiles, amines and other nucleophiles. A reactivity mapping is given correlating the pathways and reaction efficiency with structural dependence of the nucleophile (basicity) and the organophosphate (electrophilic centers, P=O/P=S shift, leaving and non‐leaving group). Reactions extremely unfavorable (>20 years) can be reduced to seconds with various nucleophiles, some which are catalytic. Although there is no universal nucleophile, a lack of selectivity in some cases accounts for plenty of versatility in other reactions. The ideal neutralization requires a solid mechanistic understanding, together with balancing factors such as milder conditions, fast process, selectivity and less toxic products.
A diagnostic delay of 10 years in the DanEoE cohort calls for focus on education ‐ a population‐based cross‐sectional study of incidence, diagnostic process and complications of eosinophilic oesophagitis in the North Denmark Region
Authors: Melgaard Dorte , Westmark Signe , Laurberg Peter Thaysen , Krarup Anne Lund
Published: June 2021

Background

In the North Denmark Region with a population of 580,000 the awareness of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) increased after 2011 due to a regional biopsy guideline. However, very little was known of the incidence, diagnostic process, or complications of EoE in Denmark.

Objective

The objectives of the study were to establish a cohort of EoE patients and describe the incidence, diagnostic process, and complications of EoE.

Methods

Patient files and histology reports for the 308 DanEoE cohort of patients with eosinophilia in the oesophagus in 2007–2017 identified by the histopathology registry were analyzed.

Results

The incidence of EoE in the North Denmark Region increased to 5.5–8.7/100,000 after 2011, where the regional biopsy guideline was implemented. The diagnostic delay was 10 (12) years for the EoE population. There was an insufficient number of biopsies sampled in 40 % of the patients. At the diagnostic endoscopy, the macroscopic appearance of the oesophagus was often described as normal (24%), and infrequently having one or more macroscopic signs of EoE (43%). Food bolus obstruction was observed in 38%, and strictures in 7.5% of EoE patients. In 22.2% of EoE patient's treatment was not initiated at debut.

Conclusions

The EoE incidence was documented. The diagnostic process was analyzed and showed an unmet need for education among referring physicians and endoscopists: A diagnostic delay of a decade, infrequently noted macroscopic EoE changes and lack of treatment at the debut in one fifth. Strictures in the DanEoE cohort were rare whereas food bolus obstruction was frequent.
Defining the rate of, and factors influencing, radiographic progression of osteoarthritis of the canine hip joint
Authors: Enomoto Masataka , Baines Elizabeth A. , Roe Simon C. , Marcellin‐Little Denis J. , Lascelles B. Duncan X.
Published: June 2021

Background

This study aimed to define the rate of progression of radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) of the canine hip joint and to describe factors affecting this progression.

Methods

Dogs that underwent unilateral total hip replacement (THR) were reviewed for the evaluation of radiographic appearance of the non‐operated hip joint over time. Standard extended ventrodorsal hip radiographs were taken preoperatively and postoperatively. All images were anonymized, randomized and scored using three different methods. The mean daily change between evaluations was calculated in each individual dog, and the effect of sex, age, body weight, open/closed status of the proximal femoral physis, preoperative severity of OA, time after surgery and their interactions, were investigated as potential influencing factors.

Results

After reviewing the medical records, 163 dogs (468 images) met the inclusion criteria. Consistent across the three scoring systems, radiographic progression of OA was greater in younger (open physis) and spayed female dogs. A subset of seven patients (4.3%) had a faster progression of OA and was considered outliers. No dog was rated as outlier by all three scoring systems.

Conclusion

The rate of progression of radiographically assessed coxofemoral OA varies greatly, but is faster in younger, spayed female dogs. Unusually fast progression occasionally occurs.
The gravitino and the swampland
Authors: Cribiori Niccolò , Lüst Dieter , Scalisi Marco
Published: June 2021

Abstract

We propose a new swampland conjecture stating that the limit of vanishing gravitino mass corresponds to the massless limit of an infinite tower of states and to the consequent breakdown of the effective field theory. We test our proposal in large classes of models coming from compactification of string theory to four dimensions, where we identify the Kaluza-Klein nature of the tower of states becoming light. We point out a general relation between the gravitino mass and abelian gauge coupling in models with extended supersymmetry, which can survive also in examples with minimal supersymmetry. This allows us to connect our conjecture to other well established swampland conjectures, such as the weak gravity conjecture or the absence of global symmetries in quantum gravity. We discuss phenomenological implications of our conjecture in (quasi-)de Sitter backgrounds and extract a lower bound for the gravitino mass in terms of the Hubble parameter.
Dark matter candidates in a type-II radiative neutrino mass model
Authors: Lineros Roberto A. , Pierre Mathias
Published: June 2021

Abstract

We explore the connection between Dark Matter and neutrinos in a model inspired by radiative Type-II seessaw and scotogenic scenarios. In our model, we introduce new electroweakly charged states (scalars and a vector-like fermion) and impose a discrete ℤ2 symmetry. Neutrino masses are generated at the loop level and the lightest ℤ2-odd neutral particle is stable and it can play the role of a Dark Matter candidate. We perform a numerical analysis of the model showing that neutrino masses and flavour structure can be reproduced in addition to the correct dark matter density, with viable DM masses from 700 GeV to 30 TeV. We explore direct and indirect detection signatures and show interesting detection prospects by CTA, Darwin and KM3Net and highlight the complementarity between these observables.
Coadjoint representation of the BMS group on celestial Riemann surfaces
Authors: Barnich Glenn , Ruzziconi Romain
Published: June 2021

Abstract

The coadjoint representation of the BMS group in four dimensions is constructed in a formulation that covers both the sphere and the punctured plane. The structure constants are worked out for different choices of bases. The conserved current algebra of non-radiative asymptotically flat spacetimes is explicitly interpreted in these terms.
Hyperspectral imaging for prediction of surface roughness in laser powder bed fusion
Authors: Gerdes Niklas , Hoff Christian , Hermsdorf Jörg , Kaierle Stefan , Overmeyer Ludger
Published: June 2021

This article discusses the relevance of in situ quality assurance in metal additive manufacturing for cost-efficient product qualification. It presents an approach for monitoring the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process using an area-scan hyperspectral camera to predict the surface roughness Rz with the help of a convolutional neural network. These investigations were carried out during LPBF processing of the magnesium alloy WE43 that, due to its bioresorbability and compatibility, holds significant potential for biomedical implants. A data acquisition and processing methodology has been set up to enable efficient management of the hyperspectral data. The hyperspectral images obtained from the process were labeled with the surface roughness Rz as determined by a confocal microscope. The data was used to train a convolutional neural network whose hyperparameters were optimized in a hyperparameter tuning process. The resulting network was able to predict the surface roughness within a mean absolute error (MAE) of 4.1 μm over samples from three different parameter sets. Since this is significantly smaller than the spread of the actual roughness measured (MAE = 14.3 μm), it indicates that the network identified features in the hyperspectral data linking to the roughness. These results provide the basis for future research aiming to link hyperspectral process images to further part properties relevant for quality assurance.
Influences of powder characteristics and recoating conditions on surface morphology of powder bed in metal additive manufacturing
Authors: Yuasa Kenya , Tagami Masaharu , Yonehara Makiko , Ikeshoji Toshi-Taka , Takeshita Koki , Aoki Hiroshi , Kyogoku Hideki
Published: June 2021

Metal additive manufacturing technology requires a real-time monitoring and feedback control system to assure the quality of the final products. In particular, it is essential to reveal the phenomena of recoating and melting-solidification processes in laser powder bed fusion using a real-time monitoring system because they influence strongly the occurrence of defects. This study was conducted to elucidate the correlation among the powder characteristics, recoating conditions, and surface morphology of a powder bed in the recoating process to determine the relationship between the surface morphology of the powder bed and the final product quality. To this end, a surface morphology measurement system composed of a powder recoating test bench and a layer surface morphology measurement apparatus was first designed and fabricated. Then, it was used to quantify the surface morphology of the powder bed. Specifically, the influences of the different powder characteristics and the recoating parameters of the powder supply ratio and recoating speed on the surface morphology of the powder bed were investigated using various powders of Al-10Si-0.4Mg (AlSi10Mg) alloy and Inconel 718 (IN718) alloy. The surface morphology of the powder bed was measured as the value of 2σ at a resolution of 30 μm in height. It was found that the angle of repose and the basic flow energy of the bulk powder are promising parameters for evaluating the surface morphology. The surface morphology was significantly affected by the powder characteristics and recoating speed. The value of 2σ for the AlSi10Mg powder increased rapidly over a recoating speed of 50 mm/s for all powders. The value of 2σ for the irregularly shaped AlSi10Mg powder was approximately 19 μm, and the 2σ values for the other powders were approximately 17 μm at a recoating speed of 15 mm/s. However, at a recoating speed greater than 300 mm/s, the irregularly shaped powder exhibited better surface morphology than did the spherical powder. The recycling process deteriorated the flowability of the new powder. However, the surface morphology of the spherical recycled powder was similar to that of the spherical powder. Consequently, the correlation among the powder characteristics, recoating conditions, and surface morphology of the powder bed was revealed by employing the surface morphology measurement system. Quantification of the surface morphology of the powder bed using the monitoring system facilitates control of the recoating process to prevent the occurrence of defects.
A New Approach to the Rayleigh–Taylor Instability
Authors: Gebhard Björn , Kolumbán József J. , Székelyhidi László
Published: June 2021

In this article we consider the inhomogeneous incompressible Euler equations describing two fluids with different constant densities under the influence of gravity as a differential inclusion. By considering the relaxation of the constitutive laws we formulate a general criterion for the existence of infinitely many weak solutions which reflect the turbulent mixing of the two fluids. Our criterion can be verified in the case that initially the fluids are at rest and separated by a flat interface with the heavier one being above the lighter one—the classical configuration giving rise to the Rayleigh–Taylor instability. We construct specific examples when the Atwood number is in the ultra high range, for which the zone in which the mixing occurs grows quadratically in time.
Deletion of Coagulation Factor IX Compromises Bone Mass and Strength: Murine Model of Hemophilia B (Christmas Disease)
Authors: Larson Emily A. , Larson Hillary J. , Taylor Jason A. , Klein Robert F.
Published: June 2021

Osteopenia and osteoporosis have increasingly become a recognized morbidity in those persons with hemophilia (PwH) receiving inadequate prophylactic clotting factor replacement. Animal models can control or eliminate genetic and environmental factors and allow for invasive testing not clinically permissible. Here, we describe the skeletal phenotype of juvenile and adult male mice with a genetically engineered deficiency in coagulation factor IX (FIX KO). Although the somatic growth of FIX KO mice matched that of their wild-type (WT) littermates at 10 and 20 weeks of age, the FIX KO mice displayed reduced bone mineral density (BMD), reduced cortical and cancellous bone mass, and diminished whole bone fracture resistance. These findings coupled with parallel observations in a murine model of hemophilia A (FVIII deficiency) point to an effector downstream of the coagulation cascade that is necessary for normal skeletal development. Further study of potential mechanisms underlying the bone disease observed in rare clotting factor deficiency syndromes may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic insights for metabolic bone diseases in general.
How does artificial intelligence in radiology improve efficiency and health outcomes?
Authors: van Leeuwen Kicky G. , de Rooij Maarten , Schalekamp Steven , van Ginneken Bram , Rutten Matthieu J. C. M.
Published: June 2021

Since the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiology, the promise has been that it will improve health care and reduce costs. Has AI been able to fulfill that promise? We describe six clinical objectives that can be supported by AI: a more efficient workflow, shortened reading time, a reduction of dose and contrast agents, earlier detection of disease, improved diagnostic accuracy and more personalized diagnostics. We provide examples of use cases including the available scientific evidence for its impact based on a hierarchical model of efficacy. We conclude that the market is still maturing and little is known about the contribution of AI to clinical practice. More real-world monitoring of AI in clinical practice is expected to aid in determining the value of AI and making informed decisions on development, procurement and reimbursement.
PSMA radioligand therapy for solid tumors other than prostate cancer: background, opportunities, challenges, and first clinical reports
Authors: Uijen M. J. M. , Derks Y. H. W. , Merkx R. I. J. , Schilham M. G. M. , Roosen J. , Privé B. M. , van Lith S. A. M. , van Herpen C. M. L. , Gotthardt M. , Heskamp S. , van Gemert W. A. M. , Nagarajah J.
Published: June 2021

In the past decade, a growing body of literature has reported promising results for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radionuclide imaging and therapy in prostate cancer. First clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA radioligand therapy (PSMA-RLT) demonstrated favorable results in prostate cancer patients. [177Lu]Lu-PSMA is generally well tolerated due to its limited side effects. While PSMA is highly overexpressed in prostate cancer cells, varying degrees of PSMA expression have been reported in other malignancies as well, particularly in the tumor-associated neovasculature. Hence, it is anticipated that PSMA-RLT could be explored for other solid cancers. Here, we describe the current knowledge of PSMA expression in other solid cancers and define a perspective towards broader clinical implementation of PSMA-RLT. This review focuses specifically on salivary gland cancer, glioblastoma, thyroid cancer, renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer, and breast cancer. An overview of the (pre)clinical data on PSMA immunohistochemistry and PSMA PET/CT imaging is provided and summarized. Furthermore, the first clinical reports of non-prostate cancer patients treated with PSMA-RLT are described.
Oral mucositis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in relation to the conditioning used prior to transplantation
Authors: Wysocka-Słowik Aleksandra , Gil Lidia , Ślebioda Zuzanna , Kręgielczak Agnieszka , Dorocka-Bobkowska Barbara
Published: June 2021

This study was designed to investigate the frequency and severity of oral mucositis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, in relation to the type of conditioning used. Eighty patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia were assigned to two groups based on the conditioning regimen used before transplantation. The intensity of oral inflammatory lesions induced by chemotherapy (oral mucositis) was evaluated according to a 5-point scale recommended by World Health Organization. Oral mucosa was investigated in all patients before the transplantation and during two subsequent stages of the post-transplantation procedure in relation to the conditioning regimen used. Mucositis in the oral cavity was observed in the majority of patients (66%) in the first week after transplantation, whereas the largest percentage of patients suffering oral lesions (74%) occurred in the second week after transplantation. A significantly higher percentage of patients with mucositis was observed in the group which underwent myeloablation therapy (74% of MAC and 50% of RIC patients in the first week; 83% of MAC and 53% of RIC patients in the second examination).The severity of mucositis after transplantation was higher in the MAC patients compared to the RIC patients. The highest mean value of the mucositis index was recorded in the second week in the MAC group (1.59). In AML sufferers receiving allo-HSCT, oral mucositis is a significant complication of the transplantation. This condition is more frequent and more severe in patients after treatment with myeloablation therapy.
Impact of Tibetan Plateau on North African precipitation
Authors: Chen Zhihong , Wen Qin , Yang Haijun
Published: June 2021

The Tibetan Plateau (TP) plays an important role in regulating the global hydrologic cycle. Using a fully coupled climate model, we conduct sensitivity experiments to quantify the impact of the TP on North Africa precipitation. Removing the TP in the model can enhance North African precipitation. Specifically, North Africa precipitation increases substantially during the rainy season (from May to October) though it remains unchanged during the dry season (from November to April). During the rainy season, the TP’s absence in the model causes an anomalous moisture transport from the Indian Ocean and tropical Atlantic to North Africa, which enhances the moisture convergence over North Africa and increases precipitation there. Later on, the change in the Atlantic, that is, cooling (warming) in the North (South) Atlantic forces a southward cross-equatorial moisture transport anomaly from North Africa to the equatorial Atlantic, decreasing the moisture convergence over North Africa and thus precipitation. In general, the moisture convergence is strengthened in most regions of North Africa due to the TP removal, so the resultant precipitation is increased. During the dry season, atmospheric convection center over the Africa continent is located mainly south of the equator, and there is almost no anomalous moisture transport toward North Africa in response to the TP removal. These results suggest that the uplift of the TP may have led to North African aridity.
Treatment of juvenile recurrent parotitis with irrigation therapy without anesthesia
Authors: Geisthoff Urban W. , Droege Freya , Schulze Cathrin , Birk Richard , Rudhart Stefan , Maune Steffen , Stuck Boris A. , Hoch Stephan
Published: June 2021

Purpose

No standardized treatment regimen exists for juvenile recurrent parotitis (JRP). The investigators hypothesized that irrigation with saline only without local anesthesia will be an effective and beneficial option.

Methods

Using a retrospective study design, a series of children with typical symptoms of JRP who were treated with at least one irrigation therapy were evaluated. This treatment consisted of irrigation of the affected gland with 3–10 ml saline solution without any type of anesthesia. The outcome variables were patient/parent satisfaction, frequency and duration of acute JRP episodes, and the need for antibiotics before and after irrigation therapy.

Results

The case series was composed of six boys aged 3.3–7.7 years who experienced one to eight sessions of irrigation therapy. The period of follow-up was 9–64 months. We observed a total resolution of symptoms in two children and an improvement in the other four. No relevant side effects were seen.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that irrigation therapy is a reasonable, simple, and minimally invasive treatment alternative for JRP. In contrast to sialendoscopy or sialography, there is no need for general anesthesia or radiation exposure.
Examining the effect of Libet clock stimulus parameters on temporal binding
Authors: Ivanof Bianca E. , Terhune Devin B. , Coyle David , Gottero Marta , Moore James W.
Published: June 2021

Temporal binding refers to the subjective temporal compression between actions and their outcomes. It is widely used as an implicit measure of sense of agency, that is, the experience of controlling our actions and their consequences. One of the most common measures of temporal binding is the paradigm developed by Haggard, Clark and Kalogeras (2002) based on the Libet clock stimulus. Although widely used, it is not clear how sensitive the temporal binding effect is to the parameters of the clock stimulus. Here, we present five experiments examining the effects of clock speed, number of clock markings and length of the clock hand on binding. Our results show that the magnitude of temporal binding increases with faster clock speeds, whereas clock markings and clock hand length do not significantly influence temporal binding. We discuss the implications of these results.