bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methyl Formate: How It Can Be Used as Formyl Group Source for Synthesis of Aldehydes via Hydroformylation?
Authors: Gorbunov Dmitry , Nenasheva Maria , Terenina Maria , Kardasheva Yulia , Maksimov Anton , Karakhanov Eduard
Published: June 2020

For the first time the mixture of methyl formate and water is used as an alternative syngas source for hydroformylation of unsaturated compounds in the presence of rhodium catalysts modified with phosphine ligands to obtain aldehydes. Under reaction conditions, methyl formate decomposes producing methanol and carbon monoxide. The water‐gas shift reaction (WGSR) takes place under the same conditions resulting in carbon dioxide and hydrogen generation. Influence of different parameters (temperature, ratios of reagents, type of the ligand) on the process is observed and the possibility of different olefins to transform to aldehydes with sufficient yields by this procedure is demonstrated. In this system methanol, hydrogen, and CO2 are accumulated. These components can be isolated and used as starting materials for the synthesis of methyl formate, an initial source for gas production. Thus, methyl formate acts as a “workhorse” in the system. In addition, to gain cyclic acetals tandem hydroformylation‐acetalization was performed in the methyl formate/water system for the first time.
Preparation and Kinetics of g‐C3N4/TiO2 Nanomaterials for the Photodegradation of Pyridine Under Solar‐Light Irradiation
Authors: Liu Min , Feng Tian Xue , Long Chang Yan
Published: June 2020

As a high‐efficient photocatalyst, g‐C3N4/TiO2 (PCN) was successfully prepared by thermal polymerization. In addition, the structure and morphological characteristics of the as‐prepared samples were investigated by XRD, BET, XPS, SEM, TEM, and UV‐vis DRS. The results revealed that in the presence of g‐C3N4, the physicochemical properties of the catalyst and the band gap of PCN decreased from 3.09 eV to 2.98 eV, clearly indicative of the enhanced photocatalytic performance relative to pure P25 or g‐C3N4 under sunlight. Furthermore, the photocatalytic properties of PCN were examined by the degradation of pyridine and other nitrogen heterocyclic pollutants under sunlight irradiation. Next, the main factors affecting the photocatalytic activity were investigated in detail, including the initial concentration of the pollutant, the mass of the photocatalyst, the initial pH of the solution, and the doping amount of g‐C3N4, as well as different free‐radical scavengers. On the other hand, the reusability of PCN demonstrated that photocatalysts exhibit outstanding photocatalytic stability after 10 cycles. Hence, high efficiency photocatalysts demonstrate potential for industrial applications such as sewage treatment.
Structurally Reinforced All‐Inorganic CsPbI2Br Perovskite by Nonionic Polymer via Coordination and Hydrogen Bonds
Authors: Peng Huirong , Cai Molang , Zhou Jiyu , Yang Yi , Ding Xihong , Tao Ye , Wu Gao , Liu Xuepeng , Pan Jia Hong , Dai Songyuan
Published: June 2020

The all‐inorganic CsPbI2Br perovskite with superior thermal durability faces challenges of low‐phase stability and high moisture sensitivity. Herein, a nonionic additive of polyethyleneimine (PEI) with multiple amino groups is introduced to form hydrogen bond with I−/Br− ions and coordinate with Pb2+/Cs+ ions simultaneously. The strong interplay between PEI and CsPbI2Br achieves a well‐controlled grain size, reduced defects, and reinforced phase structure of CsPbI2Br film, which boosts the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells to 15.48%. The hydrophobic long alkyl chain of PEI greatly improves the humidity resistance, retaining 81.9% of initial PCE of zjr unsealed device under 20 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) for 500 h. Remarkably, a PCE of 13.37% is achieved by the device based on CsPbI2Br–PEI film processed under ambient condition (≈22% RH, ≈25 °C).
Organization, membership and the formalization of behavioural expectations
Authors: Luhmann Niklas
Published: June 2020

This text is a translation of the first five chapters of Niklas Luhmann's book ‘Funktionen und Folgen formaler Organisation’ [Functions and consequences of formal organization], which originally appeared in German in 1964. In contrast to his later works, which rely crucially on the concept of communication, in this text, Luhmann applies an action‐based approach. He defines social systems as consisting of meaningfully interrelated actions that can be distinguished from their environment. Organizations are a specific type of social systems, that is, a social system that orders actions through the formalization of certain expectations. Formal expectations are those that are bound to the membership role and the acceptance of these is the condition for entry into and exit from the organization. Through the generalized member role, an organization is capable of defining highly generalized expectations. Thus, membership becomes the basis for imposing a broad range of specific yet constantly changeable expectations on members.
Trajectory mapping of human embryonic stem cell cardiogenesis reveals lineage branch points and an ISL1 progenitor-derived cardiac fibroblast lineage
Authors: Mononen Mimmi M. , Leung Chuen Yan , Xu Jiejia , Chien Kenneth R.
Published: June 2020

A family of multipotent heart progenitors plays a central role in the generation of diverse myogenic and nonmyogenic lineages in the heart. Cardiac progenitors in particular play a significant role in lineages involved in disease, and have also emerged to be a strong therapeutic candidate. Based on this premise, we aimed to deeply characterize the progenitor stage of cardiac differentiation at a single-cell resolution. Integrated comparison with an embryonic 5-week human heart transcriptomic dataset validated lineage identities with their late stage in vitro counterparts, highlighting the relevance of an in vitro differentiation for progenitors that are developmentally too early to be accessed in vivo. We utilized trajectory mapping to elucidate progenitor lineage branching points, which are supported by RNA velocity. Nonmyogenic populations, including cardiac fibroblast-like cells and endoderm, were found, and we identified TGFBI as a candidate marker for human cardiac fibroblasts in vivo and in vitro. Both myogenic and nonmyogenic populations express ISL1, and its loss redirected myogenic progenitors into a neural-like fate. Our study provides important insights into processes during early heart development.
Field measurements and wind tunnel experimental investigations of wind effects on Guangzhou West Tower
Authors: Xie Zhuangning , Liu Chunlei , Yu Xianfeng
Published: June 2020

The wind‐induced acceleration responses at the top of the Guangzhou West Tower (GZWT; 432 m) and the wind speed and direction at the top of Guangzhou Tower (532 m), which is located across the GZWT, were measured during the passage of Typhoon Mangkhut. The two buildings are separated by a river. The variation characteristics of the first two natural frequencies and damping ratios of the GZWT under strong vibrations are obtained by using random decrement technique (RDT) and modified Bayesian spectral density approach (MBSDA). Finally, field measurements of the maximum peak accelerations are compared with wind tunnel test results. The damping ratios identified by MBSDA are found to be greater than the results obtained by RDT. The natural frequencies decrease with increasing maximum acceleration of the corresponding acceleration segment. Besides, they decrease firstly and then increase with time elapses, reaching a minimum value at the maximum mean wind speed. The damping ratios are completely discrete, and no obvious linear correlation exists between the damping ratios and maximum acceleration of the corresponding acceleration segment. The peak accelerations at the top of the GZWT obtained from wind tunnel experiment agree well with that of full‐scale measurements.
Machine learning analyses of methylation profiles uncovers tissue‐specific gene expression patterns in wheat
Authors: N'Diaye Amidou , Byrns Brook , Cory Aron T. , Nilsen Kirby T. , Walkowiak Sean , Sharpe Andrew , Robinson Stephen J. , Pozniak Curtis J.
Published: June 2020

DNA methylation is a mechanism of epigenetic modification in eukaryotic organisms. Generally, methylation within genes promoter inhibits regulatory protein binding and represses transcription, whereas gene body methylation is associated with actively transcribed genes. However, it remains unclear whether there is interaction between methylation levels across genic regions and which site has the biggest impact on gene regulation. We investigated and used the methylation patterns of the bread wheat cultivar Chinese Spring to uncover differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between roots and leaves, using six machine learning algorithms and a deep neural network. As anticipated, genes with higher expression in leaves were mainly involved in photosynthesis and pigment biosynthesis processes whereas genes that were not differentially expressed between roots and leaves were involved in protein processes and membrane structures. Methylation occurred preponderantly (60%) in the CG context, whereas 35 and 5% of methylation occurred in CHG and CHH contexts, respectively. Methylation levels were highly correlated (r = 0.7 to 0.9) between all genic regions, except within the promoter (r = 0.4 to 0.5). Machine learning models gave a high (0.81) prediction accuracy of DEGs. There was a strong correlation (p‐value = 9.20×10−10) between all features and gene expression, suggesting that methylation across all genic regions contribute to gene regulation. However, the methylation of the promoter, the CDS and the exon in CG context was the most impactful. Our study provides more insights into the interplay between DNA methylation and gene expression and paves the way for identifying tissue‐specific genes using methylation profiles.
Male preponderance of COVID‐19 risk
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: June 2020

In this editorial, Roger Kirby, Editor‐in‐Chief on Trends in Urology and Men's Health, discusses the discusses the male preponderance of the COVID‐19 mortality risk.
High‐intensity focused ultrasound focal therapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Reddy Deepika , Dudderidge Tim
Published: June 2020

Focal therapy for prostate cancer delivered with high‐intensity focused ultrasound offers benefits such as fewer side‐effects than some other treatments. Ongoing trials will help inform how the therapy can be best used but in the meantime the authors argue for increased availability for suitable men.
Self‐harm and suicide in men: assessment and management
Authors: House Allan
Published: June 2020

Self‐harm in men is a risk factor for suicide but it is not always well recognised as one. All healthcare professionals engaging with men who self‐harm must be aware of the association and be prepared to discuss mental health issues with these patients.
Enhanced electrokinetic remediation (EKR) for heavy metal‐contaminated sediments focusing on treatment of generated effluents from EKR and recovery of EDTA
Authors: Ayyanar Arulpoomalai , Thatikonda Shashidhar
Published: June 2020

Electrokinetic remediation (EKR) is one of the most successful remediation techniques to treat the sediments contaminated with heavy metals. EDTA is the most widely used enhancing agent to improve the transport process in EKR. But often the generated effluents from EKR contains a high concentration of heavy metals, which cannot be disposed of without treatment. The major objective of this study includes the estimation of optimal concentration of chelating agent EDTA, followed by treatment of contaminated sediments by EKR technique for heavy metal removal. The effluents generated from EKR were further studied for recovery and reuse of EDTA and for safe discharge of heavy metals. The optimum concentration of EDTA was found as 0.05 M with a solid‐to‐liquid ratio as 1:10. When fresh EDTA was used as enhancing agent the average removal of heavy metals obtained as 74.8% with EKR, whereas the application of recovered EDTA in treatment process in first, second, and third cycle showed the slight reduction of heavy metals of about 71.1%, 63.5%, and 52.1%, respectively. The heavy metal removal by recovered EDTA was effective in reduction of heavy metals up to three cycles of re‐use while reducing the ecological risk in sediments.

Practitioner points

Treatment of contaminated sediments with heavy metals achieved by electrokinetic remediation (EKR) technique enhanced with EDTA.

The recovery of EDTA and heavy metal reduction from the generated effluents during EKR treatment were performed by the addition of FeCl3 and Na2PO4, and optimized concentration was evaluated.

This study found that the use of recovered EDTA in EKR treatment has effectively reduced the risk associated with heavy metals.
Intermetallic GaPd2 Thin Films for Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene
Authors: Zimmermann René R. , Siebert Martin , Ibrahimkutty Shyjumon , Dittmeyer Roland , Armbrüster Marc
Published: June 2020

The preparation of single‐phase and catalytically active GaPd2 coatings was accomplished via DC magnetron sputtering using an intermetallic sputter target. Thin and uniform layers were deposited on borosilicate glass, Si(111) and planar as well as micro‐structured stainless steel foils. The specimens were examined regarding their phase composition, film morphology and microstructure. Thin films of different layer thickness were catalytically characterized in the semi‐hydrogenation of acetylene, which was conducted at 473 K and a feed gas composition of 0.5 vol.% C2H2, 5 vol.% H2 as well as 50 vol.% C2H4 in helium. Pre‐reduction of the catalyst was found to be essential to enhance the catalytic selectivity. Sputtered GaPd2 showed a high selectivity of 73 % for the hydrogenation to ethylene at conversion levels above 80 %. The surface‐specific activity was strongly increased to 8.97 molacetylene·(A0·h)–1 compared to bulk‐ or nanoscale GaPd2 (1.93 and 0.30 molacetylene·(A0·h)–1, respectively) caused by the high specific surface area of the thin films.
Confronting dark matter co-annihilation of Inert two Higgs Doublet Model with a compressed mass spectrum
Authors: Tsai Yue-Lin Sming , Lu Chih-Ting , Tran Van Que
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We perform a comprehensive analysis for the light scalar dark matter (DM) in the Inert two Higgs doublet model (i2HDM) with compressed mass spectra, small mass splittings among three ℤ2 odd particles — scalar S, pseudo-scalar A, and charged Higgs H

±
. In such a case, the co-annihilation processes play a significant role to reduce DM relic density. As long as a co-annihilation governs the total interaction rate in the early universe, a small annihilation rate is expected to reach a correct DM relic density and its coupling λ

S
between DM pair and Higgs boson shall be tiny. Consequently, a negligible DM-nucleon elastic scattering cross section is predicted at the tree-level. In this work, we include the one-loop quantum corrections of the DM-nucleon elastic scattering cross section. We found that the quartic self-coupling λ
2 between ℤ2 odd particles indeed contributes the one-loop quantum correction and behaves non-trivially for the co-annihilation scenario. Interestingly, the parameter space, which is allowed by the current constraints considered in this study, can predict the DM mass and annihilation cross section at the present compatible with the AMS-02 antiproton excess. The parameter space can be further probed at the future high luminosity LHC.
QCD axion dark matter from a late time phase transition
Authors: Harigaya Keisuke , Leedom Jacob M.
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We investigate the possibility that the Peccei-Quinn phase transition occurs at a temperature far below the symmetry breaking scale. Low phase transition temperatures are typical in supersymmetric theories, where symmetry breaking fields have small masses. We find that QCD axions are abundantly produced just after the phase transition. The observed dark matter abundance is reproduced even if the decay constant is much lower than 1011 GeV. The produced axions tend to be warm. For some range of the decay constant, the effect of the predicted warmness on structure formation can be confirmed by future observations of 21 cm lines. A portion of parameter space requires a mixing between the Peccei-Quinn symmetry breaking field and the Standard Model Higgs, and predicts an observable rate of rare Kaon decays.
Children’s perceptions of social robots: a study of the robots Pepper, AV1 and Tessa at Norwegian research fairs
Authors: Søraa Roger Andre , Nyvoll Pernille Søderholm , Grønvik Karoline Blix , Serrano J Artur
Published: June 2020

This article studies perceptual differences of three social robots by elementary school children of ages 6–13 years (n = 107) at research fairs. The autonomous humanoid robot Pepper, an advanced social robot primarily designed as a personal assistant with movement and mobility, is compared to the teleoperated AV1 robot—designed to help elementary school children who cannot attend school to have a telepresence through the robot—and the flowerpot robot Tessa, used in the eWare system as an avatar for a home sensor system and dedicated to people with dementia living alone. These three robots were shown at the Norwegian national research fair, held in every major Norwegian city annually, where children were able to interact with the robots. Our analysis is based on quantitative survey data of the school children concerning the robots and qualitative discussions with them. By comparing three different types of social robots, we found that presence can be differently understood and conceptualized with different robots, especially relating to their function and “aliveness.” Additionally, we found a strong difference when relating robots to personal relations to one’s own grandparents versus older adults in general. We found children’s perceptions of robots to be relatively positive, curious and exploratory and that they were quite reflective on their own grandparent having a robot.
The role of perception and action on the use of allocentric information in a large-scale virtual environment
Authors: Karimpur Harun , Kurz Johannes , Fiehler Katja
Published: June 2020

In everyday life, our brain constantly builds spatial representations of the objects surrounding us. Many studies have investigated the nature of these spatial representations. It is well established that we use allocentric information in real-time and memory-guided movements. Most studies relied on small-scale and static experiments, leaving it unclear whether similar paradigms yield the same results on a larger scale using dynamic objects. We created a virtual reality task that required participants to encode the landing position of a virtual ball thrown by an avatar. Encoding differed in the nature of the task in that it was either purely perceptual (“view where the ball landed while standing still”—Experiment 1) or involved an action (“intercept the ball with the foot just before it lands”—Experiment 2). After encoding, participants were asked to place a real ball at the remembered landing position in the virtual scene. In some trials, we subtly shifted either the thrower or the midfield line on a soccer field to manipulate allocentric coding of the ball’s landing position. In both experiments, we were able to replicate classic findings from small-scale experiments and to generalize these results to different encoding tasks (perception vs. action) and response modes (reaching vs. walking-and-placing). Moreover, we found that participants preferably encoded the ball relative to the thrower when they had to intercept the ball, suggesting that the use of allocentric information is determined by the encoding task by enhancing task-relevant allocentric information. Our findings indicate that results previously obtained from memory-guided reaching are not restricted to small-scale movements, but generalize to whole-body movements in large-scale dynamic scenes.
Masur–Veech volumes and intersection theory on moduli spaces of Abelian differentials
Authors: Chen Dawei , Möller Martin , Sauvaget Adrien , Zagier Don
Published: June 2020

We show that the Masur–Veech volumes and area Siegel–Veech constants can be obtained using intersection theory on strata of Abelian differentials with prescribed orders of zeros. As applications, we evaluate their large genus limits and compute the saddle connection Siegel–Veech constants for all strata. We also show that the same results hold for the spin and hyperelliptic components of the strata.
Microplastics provide new microbial niches in aquatic environments
Authors: Yang Yuyi , Liu Wenzhi , Zhang Zulin , Grossart Hans-Peter , Gadd Geoffrey Michael
Published: June 2020

Microplastics in the biosphere are currently of great environmental concern because of their potential toxicity for aquatic biota and human health and association with pathogenic microbiota. Microplastics can occur in high abundance in all aquatic environments, including oceans, rivers and lakes. Recent findings have highlighted the role of microplastics as important vectors for microorganisms, which can form fully developed biofilms on this artificial substrate. Microplastics therefore provide new microbial niches in the aquatic environment, and the developing biofilms may significantly differ in microbial composition compared to natural free-living or particle-associated microbial populations in the surrounding water. In this article, we discuss the composition and ecological function of the microbial communities found in microplastic biofilms. The potential factors that influence the richness and diversity of such microbial microplastic communities are also evaluated. Microbe-microbe and microbe-substrate interactions in microplastic biofilms have been little studied and are not well understood. Multiomics tools together with morphological, physiological and biochemical analyses should be combined to provide a more comprehensive overview on the ecological role of microplastic biofilms. These new microbial niches have so far unknown consequences for microbial ecology and environmental processes in aquatic ecosystems. More knowledge is required on the microbial community composition of microplastic biofilms and their ecological functions in order to better evaluate consequences for the environment and animal health, including humans, especially since the worldwide abundance of microplastics is predicted to dramatically increase.Key Points• Bacteria are mainly studied in community analyses: fungi are neglected.• Microbial colonization of microplastics depends on substrate, location and time.• Community ecology is a promising approach to investigate microbial colonization.• Biodegradable plastics, and ecological roles of microplastic biofilms, need analysis.
Exploratory open-label clinical study to determine the S-588410 cancer peptide vaccine-induced tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and changes in the tumor microenvironment in esophageal cancer patients
Authors: Daiko H. , Marafioti T. , Fujiwara T. , Shirakawa Y. , Nakatsura T. , Kato K. , Puccio I. , Hikichi T. , Yoshimura S. , Nakagawa T. , Furukawa M. , Stoeber K. , Nagira M. , Ide N. , Kojima T.
Published: June 2020

Cancer vaccines induce cancer-specific T-cells capable of eradicating cancer cells. The impact of cancer peptide vaccines (CPV) on the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unclear. S-588410 is a CPV comprising five human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*24:02-restricted peptides derived from five cancer testis antigens, DEPDC1, MPHOSPH1, URLC10, CDCA1 and KOC1, which are overexpressed in esophageal cancer. This exploratory study investigated the immunologic mechanism of action of subcutaneous S-588410 emulsified with MONTANIDE ISA51VG adjuvant (median: 5 doses) by analyzing the expression of immune-related molecules, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response and T-lymphocytes bearing peptide-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing in tumor tissue or blood samples from 15 participants with HLA-A*24:02-positive esophageal cancer. Densities of CD8+, CD8+ Granzyme B+, CD8+ programmed death-1-positive (PD-1+) and programmed death-ligand 1-positive (PD-L1+) cells were higher in post- versus pre-vaccination tumor tissue. CTL response was induced in all patients for at least one of five peptides. The same sequences of peptide-specific TCRs were identified in post-vaccination T-lymphocytes derived from both tumor tissue and blood, suggesting that functional peptide-specific CTLs infiltrate tumor tissue after vaccination. Twelve (80%) participants had treatment-related adverse events (AEs). Injection site reaction was the most frequently reported AE (grade 1, n = 1; grade 2, n = 11). In conclusion, S-588410 induces a tumor immune response in esophageal cancer. Induction of CD8+ PD-1+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and PD-L1 expression in the TME by vaccination suggests S-588410 in combination with anti-PD-(L)1 antibodies may offer a clinically useful therapy.

Trial registration UMIN-CTR registration identifier: UMIN000023324.
The association between patellar tendon stiffness measured with shear-wave elastography and patellar tendinopathy—a case-control study
Authors: Breda Stephan J. , van der Vlist Arco , de Vos Robert-Jan , Krestin Gabriel P. , Oei Edwin H. G.
Published: June 2020

Objectives

(1) To determine the association between patellar tendon stiffness and the presence of patellar tendinopathy (PT). (2) To evaluate the reliability of shear-wave elastography (SWE).

Methods

Participants were consecutively enrolled between January 2017 and June 2019. PT was diagnosed clinically and confirmed by either grayscale US or power Doppler US, or both. Controls had no history of anterior knee pain and no clinical signs of PT. Patellar tendon stiffness (kilopascal, kPa) was assessed using SWE. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Reliability analyses included coefficients-of-variation (CV), coefficients-of-repeatability (CR), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for intraobserver and interobserver reliability, and Bland-Altman analysis.

Results

In total, 76 participants with PT (58 men, mean age 24.4 ± 3.8 years) and 35 asymptomatic controls (16 men, mean age 21.5 ± 3.8 years) were included. Univariate analyses (OR 1.094, 95% CI 1.061–1.128, p < .001) and adjusted multivariate analyses (OR 1.294, 95% CI 1.044–1.605, p = .018) showed that athletes with PT had significantly increased patellar tendon stiffness. ICC for intraobserver reliability was 0.95 (95% CI 0.92–0.97), CR (CV) 12 kPa (10%) and 0.79 (95% CI 0.65–0.88), CR (CV) 18 kPa (21%) for interobserver reliability. Mean differences from Bland-Altman analysis were 5.6 kPa (95% CI 3.1–8.1, p < .001) for intraobserver reliability and 4.6 kPa (95% CI 1.9–7.2, p < .001) for interobserver reliability.

Conclusions

PT is associated with significantly higher patellar tendon stiffness. SWE measurements demonstrate excellent intraobserver reliability and good interobserver reliability. Therefore, SWE is a promising tool to implement in longitudinal studies and future studies should evaluate its prognostic value and utility as a monitoring tool in athletes with PT.

Key Points

• Patellar tendon stiffness measured with shear-wave elastography (SWE) is higher in athletes with patellar tendinopathy than in healthy controls, also after adjusting for potential confounders.

• Excellent intraobserver reliability and good interobserver reliability were found for the quantitative assessment of patellar tendon stiffness using SWE.
Outcome prediction of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by MRI radiomic signatures
Authors: Mes Steven W. , van Velden Floris H. P. , Peltenburg Boris , Peeters Carel F. W. , te Beest Dennis E. , van de Wiel Mark A. , Mekke Joost , Mulder Doriene C. , Martens Roland M. , Castelijns Jonas A. , Pameijer Frank A. , de Bree Remco , Boellaard Ronald , Leemans C. René , Brakenhoff Ruud H. , de Graaf Pim
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) shows a remarkable heterogeneity between tumors, which may be captured by a variety of quantitative features extracted from diagnostic images, termed radiomics. The aim of this study was to develop and validate MRI-based radiomic prognostic models in oral and oropharyngeal cancer.

Materials and Methods

Native T1-weighted images of four independent, retrospective (2005–2013), patient cohorts (n = 102, n = 76, n = 89, and n = 56) were used to delineate primary tumors, and to extract 545 quantitative features from. Subsequently, redundancy filtering and factor analysis were performed to handle collinearity in the data. Next, radiomic prognostic models were trained and validated to predict overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). Radiomic features were compared to and combined with prognostic models based on standard clinical parameters. Performance was assessed by integrated area under the curve (iAUC).

Results

In oral cancer, the radiomic model showed an iAUC of 0.69 (OS) and 0.70 (RFS) in the validation cohort, whereas the iAUC in the oropharyngeal cancer validation cohort was 0.71 (OS) and 0.74 (RFS). By integration of radiomic and clinical variables, the most accurate models were defined (iAUC oral cavity, 0.72 (OS) and 0.74 (RFS); iAUC oropharynx, 0.81 (OS) and 0.78 (RFS)), and these combined models outperformed prognostic models based on standard clinical variables only (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

MRI radiomics is feasible in HNSCC despite the known variability in MRI vendors and acquisition protocols, and radiomic features added information to prognostic models based on clinical parameters.

Key Points

• MRI radiomics can predict overall survival and relapse-free survival in oral and HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer.

• MRI radiomics provides additional prognostic information to known clinical variables, with the best performance of the combined models.

• Variation in MRI vendors and acquisition protocols did not influence performance of radiomic prognostic models.
Chance or challenge, spoilt for choice? New recommendations on diagnostic and therapeutic considerations in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy: the German/Austrian position and review of the literature
Authors: Dohrn Maike F. , Auer-Grumbach Michaela , Baron Ralf , Birklein Frank , Escolano-Lozano Fabiola , Geber Christian , Grether Nicolai , Hagenacker Tim , Hund Ernst , Sachau Juliane , Schilling Matthias , Schmidt Jens , Schulte-Mattler Wilhelm , Sommer Claudia , Weiler Markus , Wunderlich Gilbert , Hahn Katrin
Published: June 2020

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis is caused by pathogenic variants (ATTRv) in the TTR gene. Alongside cardiac dysfunction, the disease typically manifests with a severely progressive sensorimotor and autonomic polyneuropathy. Three different drugs, tafamidis, patisiran, and inotersen, are approved in several countries, including the European Union and the United States of America. By stabilizing the TTR protein or degrading its mRNA, all types of treatment aim at preventing amyloid deposition and stopping the otherwise fatal course. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to recognize both onset and progression of neuropathy as early as possible. To establish recommendations for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the follow-up of both pre-symptomatic mutation carriers and patients with manifest ATTRv amyloidosis with polyneuropathy, German and Austrian experts elaborated a harmonized position. This paper is further based on a systematic review of the literature. Potential challenges in the early recognition of disease onset and progression are the clinical heterogeneity and the subjectivity of sensory and autonomic symptoms. Progression cannot be defined by a single test or score alone but has to be evaluated considering various disease aspects and their dynamics over time. The first-line therapy should be chosen based on individual symptom constellations and contra-indications. If symptoms worsen, this should promptly implicate to consider optimizing treatment. Due to the rareness and variability of ATTRv amyloidosis, the clinical course is most importantly directive in doubtful cases. Therefore, a systematic follow-up at an experienced center is crucial to identify progression and reassure patients and carriers.
Emulsified silicone oil is taken up by and induces pro-inflammatory response in primary retinal microglia
Authors: Klettner Alexa , Harms Antonia , Waetzig Vicki , Tode Jan , Purtskhvanidze Konstantine , Roider Johann
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Silicone oil is used as endotamponade in combination with vitrectomy. Thinning of retinal layers and loss of retinal cells under silicone oil use have been found. Here, we investigate the influence of silicone oil on primary microglia cells.

Methods

Primary microglia cells were prepared from the porcine retina. Microglia identity was assessed with Iba1 staining. Silicone oil was emulsified by sonification. Cell morphology and silicone oil uptake were evaluated by light microscopy after Coomassie blue staining. Cytokine secretion was evaluated with ELISA. Toxicity of silicone oil on microglia and toxic effect of silicone oil–treated microglia on neuronal cell line PC12 were evaluated by MTT or WST assay, respectively.

Results

Microglia took up silicone oil droplets after 72 h of incubation. Silicone oil induced no toxicity but increased the metabolism in microglial cells. In addition, the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8, but not of IL-1ß or TNF-α, was induced. Silicone oil–treated microglia did not exert any neurotoxic effect on differentiated PC12 cells but induced an increase in metabolism.

Conclusion

Emulsified silicone oil changes the activity level of microglia and induces the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8. Neurotoxicity is not induced. Further experiments are required to investigate the long-term effect of silicone oil on microglia and their consequent effect on neuronal cells.
The patient needs assessment in cancer care: identifying barriers and facilitators to implementation in the UK and Canada
Authors: Williamson Susan , Hack Thomas F. , Bangee Munirah , Benedetto Valerio , Beaver Kinta
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Personalised information and support can be provided to cancer survivors using a structured approach. Needs assessment tools such as the Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) in the UK and the Comprehensive Problem and Symptom Screening (COMPASS) questionnaire in Canada are recommended for use in practice; however, they are not widely embedded into practice. The study aimed to determine the extent to which nurses working in cancer care in the UK and Manitoba value NA and identify any barriers and facilitators they experience.

Method

Oncology nurses involved in the care of cancer patients in the UK (n = 110) and Manitoba (n = 221) were emailed a link to an online survey by lead cancer nurses in the participating institutions. A snowball technique was used to increase participation across the UK resulting in 306 oncology nurses completing the survey in the UK and 116 in Canada.

Results

Participants expressed concerns that these assessments were becoming bureaucratic “tick-box exercises” which did not meet patients’ needs. Barriers to completion were time, staff shortages, lack of confidence, privacy, and resources. Facilitators were privacy for confidential discussions, training, confidence in knowledge and skills, and referral to resources.

Conclusion

Many busy oncology nurses completed this survey demonstrating the importance they attach to HNAs and COMPASS. The challenges faced with implementing these assessments into everyday practice require training, time, support services, and an appropriate environment. It is vital that the HNA and COMPASS are conducted at optimum times for patients to fully utilise time and resources.
Implant removal using thermal necrosis—an in vitro pilot study
Authors: Kniha Kristian , Buhl Eva Miriam , Hermanns-Sachweh Benita , Al-Sibai Faruk , Bock Anna , Peters Florian , Hölzle Frank , Modabber Ali
Published: June 2020

Objectives

The purpose of this pilot porcine cadaver study was to evaluate the feasible temperature thresholds, which affect osteocyte viability and bone matrix in a preclinical setup, assessing the potential of thermal necrosis for implant removal for further in vivo investigations.

Materials and methods

After implant bed preparation in the upper and lower jaw, temperature effects on the bone were determined, using two tempering pistons with integrated thermocouples. To evaluate threshold temperature and time intervals leading to bone necrosis, one piston generated warm temperatures at 49 to 56 °C for 10 s and the other generated cold temperatures at 5 to 1 °C for 30 s. Effects were assessed by a semi-quantitative, histomorphometrical scoring system, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results

The bone matrix was significantly degenerated starting at 51 °C for 10 s and 5 °C for 30 s. The osteocyte condition indicated significant bone damage beginning at cold temperatures of 2 °C. Temperature inputs starting at 53 °C led to decalcification and swollen mitochondria, which lost the structure of their inner cristae.

Conclusions

This study identified temperatures and durations, in both heat and cold, so that the number of samples may be kept low in further studies regarding temperature-induced bone necrosis. Levels of 51 °C for 10 s and 5 °C for 30 s have presented significant matrix degeneration.

Clinical relevance

Temperature thresholds, potentially leading to thermo-explantation of dental implants and other osseointegrated devices, were identified.
Incidence of cleft-related speech problems in children with an isolated cleft lip
Authors: Smarius B. J. A. , Haverkamp S. , de Wilde H. , van Wijck-Warnaar A. , Mink van der Molen A. B. , Breugem C. C.
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Clinicians agree that children with isolated cleft lip have fewer cleft-associated problems than children with cleft lip and palate. Unfortunately, for isolated cleft lip children, the risk of cleft-associated problems is unknown and maybe underestimated. Often, these children do not get the required follow-up by a multidisciplinary team and thereby not the known benefits in supporting their development. This study examines the incidence of cleft-related speech problems and ear problems in children with isolated cleft lip.

Materials and methods

A prospective study was performed on all children born with an isolated cleft lip and treated at the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital in Utrecht between January 2007 and April 2014. Data were collected for sex, date of birth, genetics, cleft lip type, date of cleft lip repair, type of repair, speech/language problems, and ear problems.

Results

This study included 75 patients (59% male). The mean age of the children at the moment of speech examination was 32.5 months (SD 6.1). Eighteen of the 75 children (24%) needed speech and language therapy; however, only one child (1.3%) had a cleft-related speech problem. Sixteen of the 75 patients (21%) reported a history of one or more episodes of acute otitis media (AOM)/otitis media with effusion (OME) during the first 6 years.

Conclusion/clinical relevance

This is the first prospective study analyzing the incidence of cleft-related speech problems in children with an isolated cleft lip. These children do not have a higher risk of cleft-related speech problems or AOM/OME when compared to the general population. However, children with an isolated cleft do have a higher incidence of speech therapy.
Pondering Privies: Construction, Use, Reuse, and Other Speculations About Cesspits in the Archaeological Record
Authors: Smith David
Published: June 2020

Should cesspits be excavated and recorded in detail? In the UK, cesspits often are considered ‘mundane’ and frequently overlooked during excavation or only half-heartedly recorded. This paper explores the biography of cesspits—their construction, use, reuse, and closure/abandonment, as well as their archaeological investigation and interpretation. What does a cesspit look like? How might we better recognise cesspits archaeologically? By exploring modern NGO guidance and high-quality archaeological studies of cesspits and latrines, we can begin to understand something of the common biography of these features. Comparison between the approach to the excavation/recording of cesspits in the USA with that of the UK also may inform our collective approach to these features at any archaeological site. Perhaps our own assumptions and approaches to the archaeological interpretation of these features may be hindering our understanding of their significance as important records of status and societal behaviour? This paper will conclude by exploring the interpretation of cesspits from two different chronological periods in the UK, outlining entirely different approaches to quite similar data.
Evolution of the Mammalian Neck from Developmental, Morpho-Functional, and Paleontological Perspectives
Authors: Arnold Patrick
Published: June 2020

The mammalian neck adopts a variety of postures during daily life and generates numerous head trajectories. Despite its functional diversity, the neck is constrained to seven cervical vertebrae in (almost) all mammals. Given this low number, an unexpectedly high degree of modularity of the mammalian neck has more recently been uncovered. This work aims to review neck modularity in mammals from a developmental, morpho-functional, and paleontological perspective and how high functional diversity evolved in the mammalian neck after the occurrence of meristic limitations. The fixed number of cervical vertebrae and the developmental modularity of the mammalian neck are closely linked to anterior Hox genes expression and strong developmental integration between the neck and other body regions. In addition, basic neck biomechanics promote morpho-functional modularity due to preferred motion axes in the cranio-cervical and cervico-thoracic junction. These developmental and biomechanical determinants result in the characteristic and highly conserved shape variation among the vertebrae that delimits morphological modules. The step-wise acquisition of these unique cervical traits can be traced in the fossil record. The increasing functional specialization of neck modules, however, did not evolve all at once but started much earlier in the upper than in the lower neck. Overall, the strongly conserved modularity in the mammalian neck represents an evolutionary trade-off between the meristic constraints and functional diversity. Although a morpho-functional partition of the neck is common among amniotes, the degree of modularity and the way neck disparity is realized is unique in mammals.
Building Community Partnership to Sustain the Minnesota Student Parent Support Initiative
Authors: Amenumey Sheila E. , Gardner Elizabeth A. , Linde Kathryn M. , Margolis Amy L.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Considerable attention has been given to the sustainability of adolescent health programs as federal funds have become limited. This article describes important steps and lessons learned in seeking buy-in from stakeholders to promote sustainability and secure non-federal funds to maintain the Minnesota Student Parent Support Initiative (MSPSI) after federal funding ended.

Description

MSPSI was established in 2010 to address the academic and health needs of expectant and parenting postsecondary students. MSPSI provided coordinated case management and referrals to health, education, and social services for expectant and parenting adolescents, as well as for their children, through Student Parent Centers (SPCs). Six important actions sustained the SPCs after the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) grant funds ended in November 2017: (1) preparing and planning for sustainability, (2) creating and engaging a sustainability committee, (3) assessing sustainability needs and creating a sustainability plan, (4) creating a data system to collect relevant data, (5) building capacity to support communication with decision makers, and (6) sharing data and success stories.

Assessment

The implementation of the sustainability plan resulted in ongoing communications and data sharing with key partners that helped secure additional funds for continuing the program after OPA funding ended.

Conclusion

Implementing the MSPSI sustainability plan developed from OPA’s sustainability framework was effective in sustaining the SPCs after federal funding ended. The sustainability planning, the ability to secure funds, the attempt at passing legislation, and the lessons shared in this article provide valuable guidance to organizations seeking strategies to sustain adolescent health programs.
Characterization of lauryl betaine foam in the Hele-Shaw cell at high foam qualities (80%–98%)
Authors: Syed Asad Hassan , Yekeen Nurudeen , Padmanabhan Eswaran , Idris Ahmad Kamal , Mohshim Dzeti Farhah
Published: June 2020

Lauryl betaine (LB) as an amphoteric surfactant carries both positive and negative charges and should be able to generate stable foam through electrostatic interaction with nanoparticles and co-surfactants. However, no previous attempts have been made to investigate the influence of nanoparticles and other co-surfactants on the stability and apparent viscosity of LB-stabilized foam. In this study, a thorough investigation on the influence of silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles, alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), on foam stability and apparent viscosity was carried out. The experiments were conducted with the 2D Hele-Shaw cell at high foam qualities (80%–98%). Influence of AOS on the interaction between the LB foam and oil was also investigated. Results showed that the SiO2-LB foam apparent viscosity decreased with increasing surfactant concentration from 0.1 wt% to 0.3 wt%. 0.1 wt% SiO2 was the optimum concentration and increased the 0.1 wt% LB foam stability by 108.65% at 96% foam quality. In the presence of co-surfactants, the most stable foam, with the highest apparent viscosity, was generated by AOS/LB solution at a ratio of 9:1. The emulsified crude oil did not imbibe into AOS-LB foam lamellae. Instead, oil was redirected into the plateau borders where the accumulated oil drops delayed the rate of film thinning, bubble coalescence and coarsening.
Flexible development of location-based mobile augmented reality applications with AREA
Authors: Schickler Marc , Reichert Manfred , Geiger Philip , Winkler Jens , Funk Thomas , Weilbach Micha , Pryss Rüdiger
Published: June 2020

Mobile applications have garnered a lot of attention in the last years. The computational capabilities of mobile devices are the mainstay to develop completely new application types. The provision of augmented reality experiences on mobile devices paves one alley in this field. For example, in the automotive domain, augmented reality applications are used to experience, inter alia, the interior of a car by moving a mobile device around. The device’s camera then detects interior parts and shows additional information to the customer within the camera view. Another application type that is increasingly utilized is related to the combination of serious games with mobile augmented reality functions. Although the latter combination is promising for many scenarios, technically, it is a complex endeavor. In theAREA(Augmented Reality Engine Application) project, a kernel was implemented that enables location-based mobile augmented reality applications. Importantly, this kernel provides a flexible architecture that fosters the development of individual location-based mobile augmented reality applications. The work at hand shows the flexibility ofAREAbased on a developed serious game. Furthermore, the algorithm framework and major features of it are presented. As the conclusion of this paper, it is shown that mobile augmented reality applications require high development efforts. Therefore, flexible frameworks likeAREAare crucial to develop respective applications in a reasonable time.