bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new approach to classification of 40 years of Antarctic sea ice concentration data
Authors: Wachter Paul , Reiser Fabian , Friedl Peter , Jacobeit Jucundus
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we present a characterization of Antarctic sea ice based on the classification of annual sea ice concentration (SIC) data from 1979 to 2018. A clustering algorithm was applied to provide a climatological description of significant annual cycles of SIC and their spatial distribution around the Southern Ocean. Based on these classification results, we investigate the variability of SIC cycles on decadal and inter‐annual time scales. First, we discuss significant spatial shifts of SIC cycles during 1979–1998 and 1999–2018. In the Weddell Sea and in large parts of the Ross Sea, we observed higher SIC during the summer season, and an extension of sea ice cover in winter compared to the long‐term average. Second, we introduce the Climatological Sea Ice Anomaly Index (CSIAI), which is an annual measure for year‐round sea ice anomalies of the Southern Ocean and its regional sub‐sectors. By relating selected years of significant sea ice conditions (1981, 2007 and 2014) with atmospheric influences, we demonstrate that the CSIAI is very useful for assessing inter‐annular Antarctic SIC variability. Positive and negative sea ice anomalies can be qualitatively explained by atmospheric circulation anomalies in the years 1981 and 2007. However, in 2014, the year with the largest observed sea ice extent in our time series, we found that this positive sea ice anomaly was surprisingly not associated with a stationary and inter‐seasonally persistent pattern of circulation anomaly. This suggests that sub‐seasonal to seasonal circulation anomalies and ocean‐related processes favoured the formation of the sea ice maximum in 2014. With this study we provide additional information on the long‐term annual SIC variability around Antarctica. Furthermore, our classification approach and its results have potential for application in the evaluation of sea ice model results.
Decorin inhibits nucleus pulposus apoptosis by matrix‐induced autophagy via the mTOR pathway
Authors: Zhang Tai‐Wei , Li Ze‐Fang , Ding Wang , Wang Hui‐Ren , Ding Sheng‐Long , Han Guan‐Jie , Li Xi‐Lei , Dong Jian , Jiang Li‐Bo
Published: October 2020

Decorin (Dcn) is a member of the class I small leucine‐rich proteoglycans, whose expression in the nucleus pulposus (NP) of intervertebral discs (IVDs) has been shown to increase with aging in humans and sheep. Dcn induces autophagy in endothelial cells; however, its precise role in NP and IVD degeneration during aging is not well understood. We addressed this question in the present study by treating rat nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) with different concentrations of Dcn. The Western blot analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay results showed that Dcn treatment induced autophagy and decreased apoptosis caused by interleukin (IL)‐1β application. This effect was dependent on the protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)/p70 S6 kinase signaling. Dcn treatment also decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐3 and ‐13 and decreased the IL‐1β‐induced attenuation of collagen type II and aggrecan levels. The role of Dcn in stimulating autophagy was further supported by the fact that the observed effects were abrogated by knocking down autophagy‐related protein 7 with Atg7 small interfering RNA. Thus, Dcn protects NPCs in IVDs from IL‐1β‐induced apoptosis and degeneration by promoting autophagy through mTOR signaling.
Optimal polynomial stability of a string with locally distributed Kelvin–Voigt damping and nonsmooth coefficient at the interface
Authors: Ghader Mouhammad , Nasser Rayan , Wehbe Ali
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the stabilization of one‐dimensional wave equation with localized internal viscoelastic damping of Kelvin–Voigt type in a bounded domain. In this work, we consider only one damping Kelvin–Voigt mechanism acting in the internal of the body. Using frequency domain arguments combined with the multiplier method, we prove that the energy of the system has the optimal decay of type t−4.
Examining gender diversity growth as a model for inclusion of all underrepresented persons in medical physics
Authors: van Zyl Maxine , Haynes Elijah M. K. , Batchelar Deidre , Jakobi Jennifer M.
Published: October 2020

The labor force of Medical Physics is one of the most gender diverse in the field of Physics, as it has attained the proportional achievement of ~30% women worldwide (Tsapaki et al. Phys Medica. 2018;55:33–39). While great strides have been made toward a gender diverse workforce, women still comprise an underrepresented group. Many strategies have been suggested to increase the participation of underrepresented persons by addressing unconscious biases, increasing opportunities, dedicated hiring policies, and providing support networks in science and medicine (Barabino et al. Sci Eng Ethics. 2019; Coe et al. Lancet. 2019), yet the personnel landscape remains largely uniform. Herein, the conditions, strategies, and approaches that facilitated gender diversity in Medical Physics are considered as a means to further the inclusion of other underrepresented groups through exemplars of mentorship, addressing unconscious biases and the implementation of inclusive practices. Furthermore, the potential for gender diversity to act as a catalyst to create an environment that is more accepting of diversity and supports and encourages inclusive practices for the participation and inclusion of other underrepresented groups in Medical Physics is discussed.
QSM in canine model of acute cerebral ischemia: A pilot study
Authors: Dimov Alexey V. , Christoforidis Gregory A. , Saadat Niloufar , Liu Mira M. , Jeong Yong I. , Roth Steven , Niekrasz Marek , Carroll Timothy J.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

In the present study, we investigated the potential of QSM to assess the physiological state of cortical tissue in the middle cerebral artery occlusion canine model of a cerebral ischemia.

Methods

Experiments were performed in 8 anesthetized canines. Gradient echo, perfusion, and DWI data of brains at normal and ischemic states were acquired. In the postprocessed susceptibility and quantitative cerebral blood flow maps, changes in values within the middle cerebral artery‐fed cortical territories were quantified both on the ischemic and normal contralateral hemisphere side.

Results

QSM values in critically ischemic tissue were significantly different from contralateral values—namely, susceptibility increase was observed in the cases in which cerebral perfusion was maintained above the threshold of neuronal death. Furthermore, the data indicates presence of a significant correlation between the changes in susceptibility values, cerebral perfusion, and the infarct volume and pial collateral scores. Additionally, our data suggests that difference in cortical susceptibility is prospectively indicative of the infarct growth rate.

Conclusion

In an experimental permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion model, QSM was shown to correlate with the functional parameters characterizing viability of ischemic tissue, thus warranting further research on its ability to provide complementary information during acute stroke MRI examinations in humans.
Symplectic‐preserving Fourier spectral scheme for space fractionalKlein–Gordon–Schrödingerequations
Authors: Wang Junjie
Published: October 2020

In the paper, the symplectic‐preserving Fourier spectral scheme is presented for space fractional Klein–Gordon–Schrödinger equations involving fractional Laplacian. First, we validate space fractional Klein–Gordon–Schrödinger equations that can be expressed as an infinite dimension Hamiltonian system. We apply the Fourier spectral method in space, and the semi‐discrete system preserves the mass and energy conservation laws. Second, by introducing some variables, the semi‐discrete system can be expressed as a large Hamiltonian ordinary differential system. We use the midpoint rule in time to semi‐discrete system, and obtain a symplectic approximation scheme of these equations. Moreover, we can prove that the scheme is convergent. To reduce the computational cost, we introduce the splitting idea for the symplectic integrators. Finally, we give numerical experiments to show the efficiency of the scheme.
Stereoselective Syntheses of all the Possible Stereoisomers of Coronafacic Acid
Authors: Watanabe Raku , Kato Nobuki , Hayashi Kengo , Tozawa Sho , Ogura Yusuke , Kuwahara Shigefumi , Ueda Minoru
Published: October 2020

An efficient and stereoselective syntheses of all the possible stereoisomers of coronafacic acid (CFA) has been developed. The stereochemistries of C3a and C7a were controlled in a diastereoselective Diels‐Alder type cycloaddition using a chiral auxiliary. CFA and 6‐epi‐CFA were synthesized by hydrogenation of a common intermediate. During the synthesis of 6‐epi‐CFA, we established that its cis‐fused configuration is important for the introduction of C4‐C5 double bond by dehydration. This report is the first practical synthesis of both 6‐epi‐CFA, and its enantiomer.
Features and outcome of chronic myeloid leukemia at very young age: Data from the International Pediatric Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Registry
Authors: Meral Günes Adalet , Millot Frédéric , Kalwak Krzysztof , Lausen Birgitte , Sedlacek Petr , Versluys A. Birgitta , Dworzak Michael , De Moerloose Barbara , Suttorp Meinolf
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is rare in the first two decades of life comprising only 3% of newly diagnosed pediatric and adolescent leukemias. We studied the epidemiologic and clinical features of patients with CML diagnosed at younger than 3 years of age and evaluated treatment and long‐term outcome.

Method

Data from the International Pediatric I‐BFM/CML Registry were retrospectively analyzed using the European LeukemiaNet criteria of the year 2006. Characteristics and treatment outcome of patients <3 years old at diagnosis were evaluated from standardized forms.

Results

Twenty‐two patients (n = 22/479; 4.6%, male/female:14/8) were enrolled with a median age of 22 months (range, 10–34 m). Major symptoms comprised asthenia (30%), fever (30%), abdominal pain (20%), extramedullary signs (14%), hemorrhage (5%), and weight loss (5%). The extramedullary signs were specified in eight children: blueberry muffin (n = 1), sudden swollen abdomen (n = 1), sustained vomiting (n = 1), and cervical and inguinal lymph nodes (n = 5). Two of five children with cervical and inguinal lymph nodes were categorized as accelerated phase. Overall, 19 of 22 (86%) children were diagnosed in chronic phase, while the remaining three patients were in advanced phase. Median follow‐up was 78 months (range, 7–196 m). Twenty‐one out of 22 patients initially received imatinib, while one child received IFN + ARA‐C. Imatinib was changed to second‐line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in 29% of cases. During follow‐up, 41% patients underwent stem cell transplantation (SCT). While on TKI, major molecular response (MMR) was achieved in 48% of children. Among the remaining patients, 21% are alive on TKI without MMR and 22% achieved complete molecular response following SCT. Twenty‐one of 22 (95%) children are alive, while one patient died of posttransplant complications.

Conclusion

This report demonstrates for the first time the efficacy and long‐term effects of upfront imatinib in the so far largest cohort of children with CML diagnosed at very young age.
Maternal age in the epidemiology of common autosomal trisomies
Authors: Cuckle Howard , Morris Joan
Published: October 2020

The birth prevalence rate of each common autosomal trisomy generally increases with advancing maternal age and there is a substantial fetal loss rate between late first trimester and term. The literature is reviewed in order to provide the best estimates of these rates, taking account where possible of biases due to prenatal diagnosis and selective termination of pregnancy. There is an almost exponential increase in Down syndrome birth prevalence between ages 15 and 45 but at older ages the curve flattens. There is no evidence of the claimed relatively high birth prevalence at extremely low ages. Gestation‐specific intra‐uterine fetal loss rates are estimated by follow‐up of women declining termination of pregnancy after prenatal diagnosis, comparison of observed rates with those expected from birth prevalence and comparison of age‐specific curves developed for prenatal diagnosis and birth. Down syndrome fetal loss rates reduce with gestation and increase with maternal age. Edwards and Patau syndrome birth prevalence is approximately 1/8 and 1/13 that of Down syndrome overall, although the ratio differs according to maternal age, particularly for Patau syndrome where it reduces steadily from 1/9 to 1/19. Fetal loss rates are higher for Edwards and Patau syndromes than for Down syndrome.
Validation of cardiovascular outcomes and risk factors in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink in the United Kingdom
Authors: Arana Alejandro , Margulis Andrea V , Varas‐Lorenzo Cristina , Bui Christine L , Gilsenan Alicia , McQuay Lisa J , Reynolds Maria , Rebordosa Cristina , Franks Billy , de Vogel Stefan , Appenteng Kwame , Perez‐Gutthann Susana
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Strategies to identify and validate acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke in primary‐care electronic records may impact effect measures, but to an unknown extent. Additionally, the validity of cardiovascular risk factors that could act as confounders in studies on those endpoints has not been thoroughly assessed in the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink's (CPRD's) GOLD database. We explored the validity of algorithms to identify cardiovascular outcomes and risk factors and evaluated different outcome‐identification strategies using these algorithms for estimation of adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs).

Methods

First, we identified AMI, stroke, smoking, obesity, and menopausal status in a cohort treated for overactive bladder by applying computerized algorithms to primary care medical records (2004–2012). We validated these cardiovascular outcomes and risk factors with physician questionnaires (gold standard for this analysis). Second, we estimated IRRs for AMI and stroke using algorithm–identified and questionnaire–confirmed cases, comparing these with IRRs from cases identified through linkage with hospitalization/mortality data (best estimate).

Results

For AMI, the algorithm's positive predictive value (PPV) was >90%. Initial algorithms for stroke performed less well because of inclusion of codes for prevalent stroke; algorithm refinement increased PPV to 80% but decreased sensitivity by 20%. Algorithms for smoking and obesity were considered valid. IRRs based on questionnaire‐confirmed cases only were closer to IRRs estimated from hospitalization/mortality data than IRRs from algorithm‐identified cases.

Conclusions

AMI, stroke, smoking, obesity, and postmenopausal status can be accurately identified in CPRD. Physician questionnaire–validated AMI and stroke cases yield IRRs closest to the best estimate.
Implementation of a protocol‐based strategy for weaning nasal high flow therapy in preterm infants
Authors: Abobakr Marwa , Abdalla Ahmed , Barakat Tarik , Abdel‐Hady Hesham
Published: October 2020

Objective

We compared protocolized weaning versus nonprotocolized weaning practice from nasal high flow therapy (nHFT) in preterm infants.

Study design

A before‐and‐ after observational study.

Methods

The study was conducted in three phases; Phase 1: infants were weaned according to usual practice for 6 months (nonprotocolized), Phase 2: education and training physicians and nursing staff for the protocol for 1 month, and Phase 3: protocol of weaning from nHFT was applied for the following 6 months with specified criteria for readiness to wean, weaning failure and weaning technique. The primary outcome was failure to wean off nHFT.

Results

One hundred and four preterm infants were enrolled, 51 preterm infants in the protocol group and 53 in the nonprotocol group. The groups were similar in demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline. There were significantly lower number of patients who failed weaning from nHFT in the protocol group compared to nonprotocol group (4 [7.8%] versus 15 [28.3%], p = .007]. There was shorter time to reach full enteral feeding in the protocol group compared with nonprotocol group (p = .03). There were no significant differences between groups regarding other outcomes including total durations of respiratory support, nHFT and oxygen therapy, duration of nHFT after decision of weaning, and neonatal mortality and morbidity.

Conclusion

Implementation of a standardized protocol for weaning from nHFT in preterm infants reduced weaning failure and reduced the time to full feeds. Larger trials are recommended to detect the impact of weaning protocols on other outcomes.
Optimized Absorption Performance of FeSiCr Nanoparticles by Changing the Shape Anisotropy
Authors: Chen Yang , Wang Lei , Xiong Houdong , Ur Rehman Sajjad , Tan Qiulan , Huang Qingfang , Zhong Zhenchen
Published: October 2020

FeSiCr nanoparticles are prepared by plasma arc discharge and ball milling processes. After ball milling, the surface area and sizes of the FeSiCr nanoparticles become larger, and most of the nanoparticles become uneven. The increasing surface area and sizes of nanoparticles contribute to the electrical conductivity, enhance the space charge polarization between metal ions, and increase the shape anisotropy of FeSiCr nanoparticles. The inhomogeneity of nanoparticles reduces the activation energy () of the FeSiCr nanoparticles. Therefore, the complex permittivity () is improved, and the impedance matching is optimized. The minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of FeSiCr nanoparticles after ball milling for 6 h reaches −41.5 dB at 6.2 GHz and the effective absorbing bandwidth (RL < −10 dB) improves from 4.5 to 8.1 GHz (d = 2.2 mm). The RLmin of FeSiCr nanoparticles after ball milling for 4 h is −40.1 dB at 6.9 GHz, which is slightly less than that of the sample after ball milling for 6 h, whereas the effective absorption bandwidth (RL < −10 dB) is from 5.8 to 9.0 GHz (d = 2.2 mm). It shows that the absorption performance of FeSiCr nanoparticles can be improved by changing the shape anisotropy.
Performance of NO2‐rich multifunctionalized C60 derivatives as new high‐energy‐density nanomaterials
Authors: Manafi Moghadam Maryam , Zamani Mehdi
Published: October 2020

In this study, density functional theory (DFT) with the aid of B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) calculations was used to investigate thermochemical and energetic properties for a set of NO2‐rich multifunctionalized C60 derivatives with 2‐nitrophenyl, 4‐nitrophenyl, 2,4‐dinitrophenyl, and up to six 2,4,6‐trinitrophenyl substituents for the first time. The molecular surface properties derived from electrostatic potential analysis were used to calculate enthalpies of sublimation. The gas‐phase enthalpies of formation were estimated using the isodesmic approach. The crystal densities and solid‐phase enthalpies of formation, which are the main factors for predicting detonation performance of high‐energy‐density materials, were calculated. The appropriate theoretical equations were used to predict heats of detonation, detonation velocities, and detonation pressures. It was found that the NO2‐rich multifunctionalized C60 derivatives are compounds with a large density and very high positive heat of formation. The detonation performance of molecules containing several 2,4,6‐trinitrophenyl substituents is comparable to the conventional explosives such as 1,3,5‐trinitrobenzene and 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene. Therefore, these compounds can be introduced as new high‐energy‐density nanomaterials.
Integral reinforcement learning‐based approximate minimum time‐energy path planning in an unknown environment
Authors: He Chenyuan , Wan Yan , Gu Yixin , Lewis Frank L.
Published: October 2020

Path planning is a fundamental and critical task in many robotic applications. For energy‐constrained robot platforms, path planning solutions are desired with minimum time arrivals and minimal energy consumption. Uncertain environments, such as wind conditions, pose challenges to the design of effective minimum time‐energy path planning solutions. In this article, we develop a minimum time‐energy path planning solution in continuous state and control input spaces using integral reinforcement learning (IRL). To provide a baseline solution for the performance evaluation of the proposed solution, we first develop a theoretical analysis for the minimum time‐energy path planning problem in a known environment using the Pontryagin's minimum principle. We then provide an online adaptive solution in an unknown environment using IRL. This is done through transforming the minimum time‐energy problem to an approximate minimum time‐energy problem and then developing an IRL‐based optimal control strategy. Convergence of the IRL‐based optimal control strategy is proven. Simulation studies are developed to compare the theoretical analysis and the proposed IRL‐based algorithm.
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel and Promising 1,2,4,4‐Tetranitropyrazolidine‐3,5‐dione for High Energy Materials Application†
Authors: Koorella Rajasekhar , Nayudu Raatalu , Gugulothu Ramkoti
Published: October 2020

Novel high energy material 1,2,4,4‐tetranitropyrazolidine‐3,5‐dione has been synthesized from inexpensive and readily available starting material Diethyl malonate. The attractive features of the synthesis involve short synthetic route, use of inexpensive reagents. Furthermore, 1,2,4,4‐tetranitropyrazolidine‐3,5‐dione named as ACRAJONE shows excellent physical properties such as density >2.0 g cm−3, detonation velocity >9 km/s and useful for high energy materials application.
Nanosheets Decorated MoS2 Micro Balls: Effect of 1T/2H Composition
Authors: Gupta Jyoti , Das Dibakar , Borse Pramod H.
Published: October 2020

Nanosheets Decorated Micro Balls (NDMB) of MoS2 have been synthesized using hydrothermal technique for their utilization in electrocatalytic hydrogen generation. A synergetic effect of 2H and 1T phase in NDMB was found to yield efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) for splitting water molecules. NDMB electrode, fabricated by immobilization over transparent conductive substrate yielded lowest tafel slope of 40 mV/dec with smallest onset potential of 90 mV vs. RHE. Superior performance of NDMB for hydrogen evolution reaction can be attributed to synergy of 1T/2H composition and high electrochemical surface area of 170 cm2 as compared to the bulk MoS2.
An Electrodeposited MXene‐Ti3C2Tx Nanosheets Functionalized by Task‐Specific Ionic Liquid for Simultaneous and Multiplexed Detection of Bladder Cancer Biomarkers
Authors: Sharifuzzaman Md. , Barman Sharat Chandra , Zahed Md. Abu , Sharma Sudeep , Yoon Hyosang , Nah Joong San , Kim Hyunsik , Park Jae Yeong
Published: October 2020

Controlled deposition of 2D multilayered nanomaterials onto different electrodes to design a highly sensitive biosensing platform utilizing their active inherent electrochemistry is extremely challenging. Herein, a green, facile, and cost‐effective one‐pot deposition mechanism of 2D MXene‐Ti3C2Tx nanosheets (MXNSs) onto conductive electrodes within few minutes via electroplating (termed electroMXenition) is reported for the first time. The redox reaction in the colloidal MXNS solution under the effect of a constant applied potential generates an electric field, which drives the nanoparticles toward a specific electrode interface such that they are cathodically electroplated. A task‐specific ionic liquid, that is, 4‐amino‐1‐(4‐formyl‐benzyl) pyridinium bromide (AFBPB), is exploited as a multiplex host arena for the substantial immobilization of MXNSs and covalent binding of antibodies. A miniaturized, single‐masked gold dual interdigitated microelectrode (DIDμE) is microfabricated and presented by investigating the benefit of AFBPB coated on MXNSs. The resulting MXNSs‐AFBPB‐film‐modified DIDμE biosensor exhibited a 7× higher redox current than bare electrodes owing to the uniform deposition. Using Apo‐A1 and NMP 22 as model bladder cancer analytes, this newly developed dual immunosensor demonstrated precise and large linear ranges over five orders of significance with limit of detection values as low as 0.3 and 0.7 pg mL−1, respectively.
High Throughput Discovery of Effective Metal Doping in FeVO4 for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Nguyen Thi Hiep , Zhang Mengyuan , Septina Wilman , Ahmed Mahmoud G. , Tay Ying Fan , Abdi Fatwa F. , Wong Lydia Helena
Published: October 2020

FeVO4 is a potential photoanode candidate with favorable bandgap energy for absorbing visible light in the solar spectrum. However, the achieved photocurrents are still much lower than the theoretical photocurrent due to poor bulk carrier separation efficiency. Herein, the aim is to improve FeVO4 charge transport properties by searching for suitable metal doping using combinatorial methods. Thin‐film FeVO4 libraries with different doping ratios of Zn, Ni, Cr, Mo, and W are fabricated on fluorine doped tin oxide substrates using combinatorial inkjet printing and their photoelectrochemical properties screened using photoscanning droplet cell. Mo and W doping show higher current density compared with undoped FeVO4; whereas the photocurrent decreases for Ni‐ and Zn‐doped samples. The best photocurrent is achieved with 7% doping ratio of Cr. Cr is discovered as a promising dopant for the first time, which is more effective than reported Mo or W for FeVO4 photoanode. The replacement of Cr3+ to Fe3+ in FeVO4 crystal lattice helps to mainly improve the catalytic activity for charge transfer, which results in the enhancement of photoresponse of the FeVO4 photoanode.
Effect of organic matter on nitrogen removal through the anammox process
Authors: Nguyen Hanh Thi My , Tran Hoa Thi Hien
Published: October 2020

In the anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process, the anammox bacterial activity is inhibited by high chemical oxygen demand (COD) contents. In this study, the effect of the COD/total nitrogen (TN) ratio and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on the efficiency of the anammox process in a fixed‐bed reactor was assessed via experiments with increasing COD/TN ratios from 0 to 7.0 and different HRTs of 6, 9, and 12 hr. Felibendy cubes were used as the biomass carrier. The presence of organic compounds affects the performance of the treatment process, and the level of influence increases with the increase in influent COD. With COD greater than 300 mg/L, the anammox process was inhibited, TN efficiency was the lowest, and effluent water quality did not yield effluent standards. The kinetic parameters Umax (the maximum substrate removal rate constant) and KB (the saturation constant) of the Stover–Kincannon model corresponding to the different COD/TN ratios were determined in this study. The kinetic parameter values of the ammonium removal process decreased gradually from Umax = 0.685 g/L/day and KB = 0.846 g/L/day, for COD/TN = 0, to Umax = 0.314 g/L/day and KB = 0.498 g/L/day, for COD/TN = 6. The kinetic parameter of the TN removal process also decreased gradually as the COD/TN ratio in wastewater increased gradually. This means that the anammox process was inhibited as much as high organic compounds.

Practitioner points

The higher COD/TN ratios the more anammox activity is affected, especially COD/TN = 7.0 (COD = 350 mg/L).

The tolerance threshold of anammox process about organic matter concentration is 300 mg/L as COD (COD/TN ratio <6).

With the COD/TN ratios from 1.0 to 6.0, the values of Umax and KB constants of Stover‐Kincannon model for ammonium removal by Anammox process decrease gradually from 0.685 to 0.314 and from 0.846 to 0.498, respectively.
Genome wide association studies for treatment‐related adverse effects of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Franca Raffaella , Zudeh Giulia , Lucafò Marianna , Rabusin Marco , Decorti Giuliana , Stocco Gabriele
Published: October 2020

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric hematological malignancy; notwithstanding the success of ALL therapy, severe adverse drugs effects represent a serious issue in pediatric oncology, because they could be both an additional life threatening condition for ALL patients per se and a reason to therapy delay or discontinuation with important fallouts on final outcome. Cancer treatment‐related toxicities have generated a significant need of finding predictive pharmacogenomic markers for the a priori identification of at risk patients. In the era of precision medicine, high throughput genomic screening such as genome wide association studies (GWAS) might provide useful markers to tailor therapy intensity on patients' genetic profile. Furthermore, these findings could be useful in basic research for better understanding the mechanistic and regulatory pathways of the biological functions associated with ALL treatment toxicities. The purpose of this review is to give an overview of high throughput genomic screening of the last 10 years that had investigated the landscape of ALL treatment‐associated toxicities.

This article is categorized under:

Cancer > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics
Petz reconstruction in random tensor networks
Authors: Jia Hewei Frederic , Rangamani Mukund
Published: October 2020

Abstract

We illustrate the ideas of bulk reconstruction in the context of random tensor network toy models of holography. Specifically, we demonstrate how the Petz reconstruction map works to obtain bulk operators from the boundary data by exploiting the replica trick. We also take the opportunity to comment on the differences between coarse-graining and random projections.
Size of bulk fermions in the SYK model
Authors: Lensky Yuri D. , Qi Xiao-Liang , Zhang Pengfei
Published: October 2020

Abstract

The study of quantum gravity in the form of the holographic duality has uncovered and motivated the detailed investigation of various diagnostics of quantum chaos. One such measure is the operator size distribution, which characterizes the size of the support region of an operator and its evolution under Heisenberg evolution. In this work, we examine the role of the operator size distribution in holographic duality for the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model. Using an explicit construction of AdS2 bulk fermion operators in a putative dual of the low temperature SYK model, we study the operator size distribution of the boundary and bulk fermions. Our result provides a direct derivation of the relationship between (effective) operator size of both the boundary and bulk fermions and bulk SL(2; ℝ) generators.
3D kidney organoids for bench-to-bedside translation
Authors: Gupta✉ Navin , Dilmen Emre , Morizane Ryuji
Published: October 2020

The kidneys are essential organs that filter the blood, removing urinary waste while maintaining fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Current conventional research models such as static cell cultures and animal models are insufficient to grasp the complex human in vivo situation or lack translational value. To accelerate kidney research, novel research tools are required. Recent developments have allowed the directed differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells to generate kidney organoids. Kidney organoids resemble the human kidney in vitro and can be applied in regenerative medicine and as developmental, toxicity, and disease models. Although current studies have shown great promise, challenges remain including the immaturity, limited reproducibility, and lack of perfusable vascular and collecting duct systems. This review gives an overview of our current understanding of nephrogenesis that enabled the generation of kidney organoids. Next, the potential applications of kidney organoids are discussed followed by future perspectives. This review proposes that advancement in kidney organoid research will be facilitated through our increasing knowledge on nephrogenesis and combining promising techniques such as organ-on-a-chip models.
Mass-selective removal of ions from Paul traps using parametric excitation
Authors: Schmidt Julian , Hönig Daniel , Weckesser Pascal , Thielemann Fabian , Schaetz Tobias , Karpa Leon
Published: October 2020

We study a method for mass-selective removal of ions from a Paul trap by parametric excitation. This can be achieved by applying an oscillating electric quadrupole field at twice the secular frequency $$\omega _{\text {sec}}$$

ω
sec

using pairs of opposing electrodes. While excitation near the resonance with the secular frequency $$\omega _{\text {sec}}$$

ω
sec

only leads to a linear increase of the amplitude with excitation duration, parametric excitation near $$2\, \omega _{\text {sec}}$$

2

ω
sec

results in an exponential increase of the amplitude. This enables efficient removal of ions from the trap with modest excitation voltages and narrow bandwidth, therefore, substantially reducing the disturbance of ions with other charge-to-mass ratios. We numerically study and compare the mass selectivity of the two methods. In addition, we experimentally show that the barium isotopes with 136 and 137 nucleons can be removed from small ion crystals and ejected out of the trap while keeping $$^{138}\text {Ba}^{+}$$

138

Ba
+

ions Doppler cooled, corresponding to a mass selectivity of better than $$\Delta m / m = 1/138$$

Δ
m
/
m
=
1
/
138

. This method can be widely applied to ion trapping experiments without major modifications since it only requires modulating the potential of the ion trap.
Effect of cosolvent on the rheological properties and self-assembled structures from telechelic polyampholytes
Authors: Dyakonova Margarita A. , Li Yanan , Besiri Ioanna N. , Di Zhenyu , Grillo Isabelle , Tsitsilianis Constantinos , Papadakis Christine M.
Published: October 2020

A triblock copolymer with hydrophobic end blocks and a polyampholytic middle block is investigated in a mixture of water and acetone with a focus on the dependence of the rheological properties and of the micellar structure and correlation on the content of acetone. The polymer under study is PMMA86-b-P(DEA190-co-MAA96)-b-PMMA86, where PMMA stands for poly(methyl methacrylate) and P(DEA-co-MAA) for poly(2-(diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid). The pH is chosen at 3. Rheological measurements reveal a transition from a viscoelastic solid over a viscoelastic liquid to a freely flowing liquid upon addition of 5 or 10 wt% of acetone to a 3 wt% aqueous polymer solution, respectively. Using small-angle neutron scattering on 0.5 wt% polymer solutions in water/acetone with the content of the latter ranging between 0 and 30 wt%, significant structural changes are observed as well, such as a decrease of the distance between the PMMA cross-links and of the size of the network clusters upon increasing acetone constant. These changes are attributed to the reduction of the dielectric constant by the addition of the cosolvent acetone, enhancing the flexibility of the middle blocks and their tendency to backfolding, as well as to the decrease of the solvent selectivity, inducing significant exchange rate enhancement of the core-forming PMMA blocks.
Hypothyroidism after radiation exposure: brief narrative review
Authors: Reiners Christoph , Drozd Valentina , Yamashita Shunichi
Published: October 2020

The thyroid gland is among the organs at the greatest risk of cancer from ionizing radiation. Epidemiological evidence from survivors of radiation therapy, atomic bombing, and the Chernobyl reactor accident, clearly shows that radiation exposure in childhood can cause thyroid cancer and benign thyroid nodules. Radiation exposure also may induce hypothyroidism and autoimmune reactions against the thyroid, but these effects are less well-documented. The literature includes only a few, methodologically weak animal studies regarding genetic/molecular mechanisms underlying hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity after radiation exposure. Rather, evidence about radiation-induced hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity derives mainly from follow-up studies in patients treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) or iodine-131, and from epidemiological studies in the atomic bombing or nuclear accident survivors. Historically, hypothyroidism after external irradiation of the thyroid in adulthood was considered not to develop below a 10–20 Gy dose threshold. Newer data suggest a 10 Gy threshold after EBRT. By contrast, data from patients after iodine-131 “internal radiation therapy” of Graves´ disease indicate that hypothyroidism rarely occurs below thyroid doses of 50 Gy. Studies in children affected by the Chernobyl accident indicate that the dose threshold for hypothyroidism may be considerably lower, 3–5 Gy, aligning with observations in A-bomb survivors exposed as children. The reasons for these dose differences in radiosensitivity are not fully understood. Other important questions about the development of hypothyroidism after radiation exposure e.g., in utero, about the interaction between autoimmunity and hypofunction, and about the different effects of internal and external irradiation still must be answered.
Fungal brain infection—no longer a death sentence
Authors: Lange Nicole , Wantia Nina , Jörger Ann-Kathrin , Wagner Arthur , Liesche Friederike , Meyer Bernhard , Gempt Jens
Published: October 2020

The aim of this case series was to provide a modern cohort of patients with cerebral aspergillosis and show the effectiveness of modern treatment concepts. In a 10-year period from January 2009 to January 2019, we identified 10 patients (6 male, 4 female) who received surgery or frameless stereotactic drainage of a cerebral aspergilloma at our center. Patients’ and disease characteristics were recorded. The median age was 65 (range 45 to 83). We conducted 133 cranial surgeries in 100 patients due to cerebral brain abscess (BA) during that time, which leads to a percentage of 10% of aspergilloma within BAs in our patient sample. We performed 3.1 surgeries per patient followed by antifungal treatment for 6 months (= median) according to the microbiological findings. Regarding comorbidities, the mean Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) at the time of admission was 5, representing an estimated 10-year survival of 21%. Six (60%) of 10 patients showed conditions of immunosuppression, one suffered endocarditis after replacement of aortic valves. Four patients showed associated frontobasal bone destruction, mycotic aneurysms, or thromboses. The mean duration of hospital stay was 37 days. Mortality was much lower than in literature. Sixty percent of the patients died during the follow-up period. The outcome of the two immunocompetent patients was more favorable. Cerebral aspergillosis is a rare, but still life-threatening, condition, which predominantly occurs in immunosuppressive conditions. Due to radical surgical and antifungal therapy for several months, mortality can be reduced dramatically.
Sugar transport for enhanced xylose utilization in Ashbya gossypii
Authors: Díaz-Fernández David , Muñoz-Fernández Gloria , Martín Victoria Isabel , Revuelta José Luis , Jiménez Alberto
Published: October 2020

The co-utilization of mixed (pentose/hexose) sugars constitutes a challenge for microbial fermentations. The fungus Ashbya gossypii, which is currently exploited for the industrial production of riboflavin, has been presented as an efficient biocatalyst for the production of biolipids using xylose-rich substrates. However, the utilization of xylose in A. gossypii is hindered by hexose sugars. Three A. gossypii homologs (AFL204C, AFL205C and AFL207C) of the yeast HXT genes that code for hexose transporters have been identified and characterized by gene-targeting approaches. Significant differences in the expression profile of the HXT homologs were found in response to different concentrations of sugars. More importantly, an amino acid replacement (N355V) in AFL205Cp, introduced by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genomic edition, notably enhanced the utilization of xylose in the presence of glucose. Hence, the introduction of the afl205c-N355V allele in engineered strains of A. gossypii will further benefit the utilization of mixed sugars in this fungus.
Machine learning-accelerated quantum mechanics-based atomistic simulations for industrial applications
Authors: Morawietz Tobias , Artrith Nongnuch
Published: October 2020

Atomistic simulations have become an invaluable tool for industrial applications ranging from the optimization of protein-ligand interactions for drug discovery to the design of new materials for energy applications. Here we review recent advances in the use of machine learning (ML) methods for accelerated simulations based on a quantum mechanical (QM) description of the system. We show how recent progress in ML methods has dramatically extended the applicability range of conventional QM-based simulations, allowing to calculate industrially relevant properties with enhanced accuracy, at reduced computational cost, and for length and time scales that would have otherwise not been accessible. We illustrate the benefits of ML-accelerated atomistic simulations for industrial R&D processes by showcasing relevant applications from two very different areas, drug discovery (pharmaceuticals) and energy materials. Writing from the perspective of both a molecular and a materials modeling scientist, this review aims to provide a unified picture of the impact of ML-accelerated atomistic simulations on the pharmaceutical, chemical, and materials industries and gives an outlook on the exciting opportunities that could emerge in the future.
Evaluation of the use of untargeted metabolomics in the safety assessment of genetically modified crops
Authors: Bedair Mohamed , Glenn Kevin C.
Published: October 2020

Background

The safety assessment of foods and feeds from genetically modified (GM) crops includes the comparison of key characteristics, such as crop composition, agronomic phenotype and observations from animal feeding studies compared to conventional counterpart varieties that have a history of safe consumption, often including a near isogenic variety. The comparative compositional analysis of GM crops has been based on targeted, validated, quantitative analytical methods for the key food and feed nutrients and antinutrients for each crop, as identified by Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OCED). As technologies for untargeted metabolomic methods have evolved, proposals have emerged for their use to complement or replace targeted compositional analytical methods in regulatory risk assessments of GM crops to increase the number of analyzed metabolites.

Aim of Review

The technical opportunities, challenges and strategies of including untargeted metabolomics analysis in the comparative safety assessment of GM crops are reviewed. The results from metabolomics studies of GM and conventional crops published over the last eight years provide context to enable the discussion of whether metabolomics can materially improve the risk assessment of food and feed from GM crops beyond that possible by the Codex-defined practices used worldwide for more than 25 years.

Key Scientific Concepts of Review

Published studies to date show that environmental and genetic factors affect plant metabolomics profiles. In contrast, the plant biotechnology process used to make GM crops has little, if any consequence, unless the inserted GM trait is intended to alter food or feed composition. The nutritional value and safety of food and feed from GM crops is well informed by the quantitative, validated compositional methods for list of key analytes defined by crop-specific OECD consensus documents. Untargeted metabolic profiling has yet to provide data that better informs the safety assessment of GM crops than the already rigorous Codex-defined quantitative comparative assessment. Furthermore, technical challenges limit the implementation of untargeted metabolomics for regulatory purposes: no single extraction method or analytical technique captures the complete plant metabolome; a large percentage of metabolites features are unknown, requiring additional research to understand if differences for such unknowns affect food/feed safety; and standardized methods are needed to provide reproducible data over time and laboratories.
Assessment of tectonic control on the development of low mountains moderate relief in the Outer Carpathians (Southern Poland)
Authors: Godziek Janusz , Gaidzik Krzysztof
Published: October 2020

Inherited tectonic structures, ongoing tectonic deformation, and variations in relative rock uplift rates play an important role in conditioning the processes of relief development. Their influence among other factors, such as climate and lithology, can be quantified using landscape analysis, and geomorphometric indices, in particular. The usage of landscape analysis in recent years is increasing systematically due to the constant improvement of the digital elevation models and GIS software that significantly facilitate this approach. In this study, we aim to recognize the influence of tectonic structures and processes on relief development in the low mountains with moderate relief of the Soła River catchment in the Western Outer Carpathians. To this end, we calculated geomorphometric indices (river longitudinal profile, stream-length gradient index, minimum bulk erosion, relief ratio, circulatory ratio, elongation ratio, and hypsometric integral) for the Sola River and its 47 sub-catchments using a 25-m spatial resolution Digital Terrain Elevation Data Level 2. Additionally, we identified lineaments and knickpoints and correlated the computed results with local and regional fault networks, variations in lithology, and climate fluctuations. Obtained results indicate a significant impact of inherited tectonic structures on the relief development of the Soła River catchment, i.e., directions of principal ridges and valleys follow the orientation of main folds and faults recorded in this area. Anomalously high values of minimum bulk erosion, river gradient, and stream-length gradient index allowed us to define two areas with higher relative uplift rates: 1) the Sola Gorge and 2) the Beskid Żywiecki Mts. Polish Outer Carpathians are generally considered as an area of low strain rate and low seismic activity. However, the possibility of neotectonic processes should be considered in geohazard estimations. Observed bends in the direction of river valleys that do not correspond with changes in lithology could be related to active strike-slip faults. These are probably the reactivated basement structures, copied in the thin-skinned nappe cover, as a result of the accommodation of the Mur-Žilina Fault Zone resulting from the tectonic push of the Alcapa (Alpine-Carpathian-Pannonian) microplate against the European plate. Thus, the role of recent tectonic activity in relief development of the Sola River catchment even though appears to be subsidiary at the most, should not be excluded.