bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcutaneous CO2 Monitoring in Children Undergoing Tonsillectomy for Sleep Disordered Breathing
Authors: Don Debra , Osterbauer Beth , Nour Sameh , Matar Marla , Margolis Rebecca , Bushman Gerald
Published: October 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

Children undergoing tonsillectomy for sleep‐disordered breathing are at risk for respiratory compromise when narcotics are administered. Severe complications resulting from hypoxia can include neuro‐devastation and death. The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, and utility of transcutaneous carbon dioxide (tcPCO2) monitoring during and after adenotonsillectomy.

Study Design

Prospective, Observational study.

Methods

Twenty‐nine children with sleep‐disordered breathing scheduled for adenotonsillectomy were included in the study. Peri‐operative measurements of tcPCO2 were compared against a single venous blood sample (PaCO2) and end‐tidal (ET) CO2. The differences between ETCO2, tcPCO2 measures, and PaCO2 were examined using non‐paired t‐tests and linear regression. Parameters from PSG were recorded and associations with tcPCO2 values were performed using linear regression analysis. Group comparisons were made between pre‐, intra‐, and post‐operative tcPCO2 measurements.

Results

Similar to ETCO2, there was good correlation of tcPCO2 to PaCO2. Children with lower oxygen (O2) saturation nadirs had higher peak CO2 levels during surgery and spent a greater proportion of time with CO2 > 50 mmHg in the recovery room (P < .01 and P < .08). Other PSG measures (apnea‐hypopnea index, O2 desaturation index, and peak CO2) did not have any significant correlation. Frequent episodes of hypercapnia were noted intra‐ and post‐operatively and mean tcPCO2 values during both periods were significantly higher than baseline (P < .001).

Conclusions

tcPCO2 monitoring is viable in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy and can provide a good estimate of hypoventilation. tcPCO2 measurements may have particular benefit in the post‐operative setting and may assist in identifying children at greater risk for respiratory complications.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:1410–1415, 2021
Linkages between anammox and denitrifying bacterial communities and nitrogen loss rates in high‐elevation rivers
Authors: Zhang Sibo , Qin Wei , Bai Yubei , Zhang Zhenrui , Wang Junfeng , Gao Hui , Gu Ji‐Dong , Xia Xinghui
Published: October 2020

Microorganism‐mediated nitrogen (N) cycling and dynamics are important functions of ecosystems, but such information is limited for high‐elevation rivers. This study analyzed the abundance and community structure of anammox and denitrifying bacteria and quantified N loss induced by these bacteria in five high‐elevation river sediments (including the Yellow River source region) on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau using high‐throughput sequencing and 15N‐labeling techniques. Anammox bacterial diversity was limited in these high‐elevation rivers, with Brocadia‐like species averagely accounting for 97.0% of anammox community composition. Several denitrifier nirS phylotypes were distributed across these high‐elevation rivers with high specificity, and the proportion of each of these phylotypes increased with elevation (p < 0.05). Stochastic processes such as dispersal limitation in denitrifying and anammox bacterial community assemblies were more important than environmental selection. Anammox and denitrification rates in the Yellow River source region were at the low end of their reported ranges in the literature on low‐elevation rivers. The high contribution of anammox to nitrogen loss (27% on average) in the Yellow River source region was likely assisted by DNRA (dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium) and nitrification through supplying ammonium and nitrite, respectively, as substrate for the anammox reaction. The contribution of anammox to N2 production was positively related to temperature (p < 0.05). Denitrification rates were more significantly affected by denitrifier community structure than environmental factors. This study suggests that anammox contribution to N loss should not be neglected in high‐elevation rivers, and community diversity should be considered when studying denitrification in high‐elevation rivers.
Synchronization of the nonlinear advection‐diffusion‐reaction processes
Authors: Sari Murat , Ali Tahir Shko
Published: October 2020

This paper presents a dynamical and generalized synchronization (GS) of two dependent chaotic nonlinear advection‐diffusion‐reaction (ADR) processes with forcing term, which is unidirectionally coupled in the master‐slave configuration. By combining backward differentiation formula‐Spline (BDFS) scheme with the Lyapunov direct method, the GS is studied for designing controller function of the coupled nonlinear ADR equations without any linearization. The GS behaviors of the nonlinear coupled ADR problems are obtained to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed technique without losing natural properties and reduce the computational difficulties on capturing numerical solutions at the low value of the viscosity coefficient. This technique utilizes the master configuration to monitor the synchronized motions. The nonlinear coupled model is described by the incompressible fluid flow coupled to thermal dynamics and motivated by the Boussinesq equations. Finally, simulation examples are presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the synchronization of the proposed model.
Surface imaging for real‐time patient respiratory function assessment in intensive care
Authors: Nazir Souha , Pateau Victoire , Bert Julien , Clement Jean‐François , Fayad Hadi , l'Her Erwan , Visvikis Dimitris
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Monitoring of physiological parameters is a major concern in Intensive Care Units (ICU) given their role in the assessment of vital organ function. Within this context, one issue is the lack of efficient noncontact techniques for respiratory monitoring. In this paper, we present a novel noncontact solution for real‐time respiratory monitoring and function assessment of ICU patients.

Methods

The proposed system uses a Time‐of‐Flight depth sensor to analyze the patient’s chest wall morphological changes in order to estimate multiple respiratory function parameters. The automatic detection of the patient's torso is also proposed using a deep neural network model trained on the COCO dataset. The evaluation of the proposed system was performed on a mannequin and on 16 mechanically ventilated patients (a total of 216 recordings) admitted in the ICU of the Brest University Hospital.

Results

The estimation of respiratory parameters (respiratory rate and tidal volume) showed high correlation with the reference method (r = 0.99; P < 0.001 and r = 0.99; P < 0.001) in the mannequin recordings and (r = 0.95, P < 0.001 and r = 0.90, P < 0.001) for patients.

Conclusion

This study describes and evaluates a novel noncontact monitoring system suitable for continuous monitoring of key respiratory parameters for disease assessment of critically ill patients.
Toll‐like receptor 2 mediates the immune response of the bovine oviductal ampulla to sperm binding
Authors: Morillo Vernadyn A. , Akthar Ihshan , Fiorenza Mariani F. , Takahashi Ken‐ichi , Sasaki Motoki , Marey Mohamed A. , Suarez Susan S. , Miyamoto Akio
Published: October 2020

We previously reported that sperm binding to cultured bovine oviduct epithelial cells induces an anti‐inflammatory immune response. Now we have developed a differentiated explant model to focus on the oviductal ampulla, where fertilization occurs, and to study the effect of sperm capacitation on the immune response. We used heparin to stimulate bovine sperm capacitation. Fluorescence imaging showed that 5,5ʹ,6,6ʹ‐tetrachloro‐1,1ʹ,3,3ʹ‐tetraethylbenzimidazolyl‐carbocyanine iodide‐labeled sperm pretreated with (Hep(+)) or without (Hep(−)) heparin rapidly attached to the explant ciliated epithelium in similar numbers. However, only Hep(+) sperm upregulated explant messenger RNA (mRNA) transcription of TLR2, IL8, TGFB1, and PGES, without changes in TNFA and IL‐10 expression, while Hep(−) sperm only upregulated PGES. The responses were primarily anti‐inflammatory, with a greater response produced by Hep(+) sperm, which also produced a substantial increase in TLR2 protein expression in the epithelium. The addition of TLR1/2 (toll‐like receptor 1/2) antagonist to the Hep(+) and (Hep(−)) sperm‐explant coincubations reduced sperm attachment to the epithelium and inhibited TLR2 protein expression and some of the Hep(+) sperm‐induced mRNA transcription. Our observations suggest that the ampullar epithelium immunologically reacts more strongly to sperm that have undergone heparin stimulation of capacitation. This anti‐inflammatory response could serve to protect capacitated sperm as they approach the oocyte in the ampulla.
Clinical and electrophysiological examination of pinch strength in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Lee John D. , Heshmat Saman , Heggie Susan , Thorpe Kathryn A. , McCombe Pamela A. , Henderson Robert D.
Published: October 2020

Background

The split‐hand concept has highlighted the preferential wasting of the thenar side of the hand in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Our objective is to re‐explore pinch grip strength to assess whether it has the potential to be a practical biomarker of ALS.

Methods

We measured different pinch grip strengths (thumb, index, and fifth) using a pinch gauge from both hands of 54 ALS patients and correlated this with the Medical Research Council (MRC) score, the upper‐limb component of the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale – Revised (ALSFRS‐R) score, and compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) that comprise the split‐hand index.

Results

Pinch grip strength using any of the three fingers showed a positive correlation with its corresponding CMAP, MRC grading, and upper‐limb ALSFRS‐R score. The thumb pinch showed the strongest correlation with the split‐hand index and MRC grading.

Conclusions

Pinch grip strength test using a simple gauge deserves further study as a potentially practical biomarker of ALS.
Quasi‐uniform convergence analysis of a modified penalty finite element method for nonlinear singularly perturbed bi‐wave problem
Authors: Wu Yanmi , Shi Dongyang
Published: October 2020

In this paper, a modified penalty finite element method (FEM) for solving the nonlinear singularly perturbed bi‐wave problem with a rectangular Morley element is presented. The second order term, the nonlinear term, and the source term are approximated by the bilinear interpolation part (conforming part) instead of the whole function on each element, respectively. The well‐posedness of the approximation solution is proved through Brouwer fixed point theorem. Quasi‐uniform optimal error estimate in the energy norm is derived independent of the negative powers of the real perturbation parameter δ appearing in the considered problem, which improves the corresponding result in the existing literature. Finally, some numerical results are given to verify the theoretical analysis.
Condensed generalized finite element method
Authors: Zhang Qinghui , Cui Cu
Published: October 2020

Generalized or extended finite element methods (GFEM/XFEM) are in general badly conditioned and have numerous additional degrees of freedom (DOF) compared with the FEM due to introduction of enriched functions. In this paper, we develop an approach to establish a subspace of a conventional GFEM/XFEM approximation space using partition of unity (PU) techniques and local least‐square procedures. The proposed GFEM is referred to as condensed GFEM (CGFEM), which (i) possesses as many DOFs as the preliminary FEM, (ii) enjoys similar approximation properties with the GFEM/XFEM, and (iii) is well‐conditioned in the sense that its conditioning is of the same order as that of the FEM. The fundamental approximation properties of CGFEM are proven mathematically. The CGFEM is applied to a problem of high order polynomial approximations and a Poisson crack problem. The optimal convergence orders of the former are proven rigorously. Numerical experiments and comparisons with the conventional GFEM/XFEM and FEM are presented to verify the theory and effectiveness of CGFEM.
An amputated leg in 18th–19th centuries central Spain
Authors: Dorado‐Fernández Enrique , Herrerín Jesús , Cáceres‐Mollor David , Botella Miguel
Published: October 2020

Amputation was probably one of the oldest surgical procedures of humankind. Most of archaeological examples of amputation are based on full skeletal remains with signs of one or two members removal; however, there are scarce evidences of the cut pieces. Here, we present a unique case and a complete anthropological study of a sectioned leg with unequivocal signs of a surgical amputation below the knee on the superior edges of both the tibia and fibula. In the chapel La Ermita de la Virgen de Vallejo in Alcozar (Soria), a small necropolis with eight complete individuals and a tomb with the amputations of at least another three was discovered. The necropolis was dated between the 18th and 19th centuries. Among the skeletal remains of the individuals recovered was a left leg partially wrapped in bandages that had been inserted into a clay vessel. A detailed study of the skeletal remains recovered was performed, and evidence of a comminuted fracture at the ankle and a reaction of the periosteum on the tibia and fibula were observed. The sex and age of the individual were estimated, and the remains are likely to correspond to an adult woman. All data indicate that the leg was amputated using the standardised surgical methods of the 18th–19th centuries. Moreover, the evolution from initial trauma to amputation can be reconstructed. The patient's survival is assumed because the other exhumed individuals were complete. Additionally, the study of the bone edges has allowed for the identification of the tool used in the operation. All this must be placed in a very poor social and historical context; the leg was found in a small cemetery of an isolated population from the Castilian plateau, suggesting an acceptable level of surgery was performed outside the medical centres of the big cities.
A green and sustainable method for monitoring the chemical composition of soybean: an alternative for quality control
Authors: Borges Maiara S. , Zanatta Ana C. , Souza Otávio A. , Pelissari João H. , Camargo Júlio G.S. , Carneiro Renato L. , Funari Cristiano S. , Bolzani Vanderlan S. , Rinaldo Daniel
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Soybean is one of the most important crops in the world, an important source of isoflavones, and used to treat various chronic diseases. High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), associated with multivariate experiments and green solvents, is increasingly used to develop comprehensive elution methods for quality control of plants and derivatives.

Objective

The work aims to establish a HPLC fingerprinting method for soybean seeds employing Green Chemistry Principles, a sustainable solvent with low toxicity, and a comprehensive experimental design that reduces the number of experiments.

Materials and Methods

The fingerprinting method was optimised through Design of Experiments by evaluating seven chromatographic variables: initial percentage of ethanol (X1), final percentage of ethanol (X2), temperature (X3), percentage of acetic acid in water (X4), flow rate (X5), run time (X6), and stationary phase (X7). The dependent variable was the number of peaks (n).

Results

An initial factorial design for screening purposes indicated that the most significant quantitative parameters to separate soybean metabolites were X1 and X3. The conditions were optimised by a Doehlert design, to obtain a HPLC‐PAD (photodiode array detector) fingerprinting of the polar extract of soybean seeds with the markers identified by liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐ESI‐MS/MS). The optimum fingerprinting method was determined as 5–55% of ethanol in 30 min, at 35°C, and flow rate of 1 mL/min, by employing a phenyl‐hexyl column (150 mm × 4.6 mm).

Conclusion

The developed green method enabled markers of soybean to be separated and identified and could be an eco‐friendlier alternative for soybean quality control that covered seven Green Analytical Chemistry Principles.
Students' perfectionistic profiles: Stability, change, and associations with achievement goal orientations
Authors: Ståhlberg Jenny , Tuominen Heta , Pulkka Antti‐Tuomas , Niemivirta Markku
Published: October 2020

In this study, we examined what kind of perfectionistic profiles (i.e., different patterns of perfectionistic strivings and concerns) can be identified among general upper‐secondary school students, how stable those profiles are over the school year, and how they are connected with students' motivation (i.e., achievement goal orientations). Four distinct profiles were identified. Students with high strivings and low concerns had their focus mainly on mastery, while students with an opposite profile emphasized performance‐avoidance and work‐avoidance orientations. Students with high strivings and concerns favored both performance‐ and mastery‐related goals, whereas students characterized by low strivings and low concerns did not display a dominant tendency toward any orientation. Perfectionistic profiles were relatively stable over time, with the majority of students reporting similar tendencies across the measurements, and with no extreme changes observed. Some indications of more students displaying less adaptive perfectionistic tendencies by the end of the school year were nevertheless found. Our findings demonstrate not only stability in perfectionistic tendencies, but also their motivational relevance in the academic context where students' goals and performance concerns play an important role.
Using botanic gardens and arboreta to help identify urban trees for the future
Authors: Hirons Andrew D. , Watkins J. Harry R. , Baxter Tim J. , Miesbauer Jason W. , Male‐Muñoz Andrew , Martin Kevin W. E. , Bassuk Nina L. , Sjöman Henrik
Published: October 2020

Societal Impact Statement

Diversification of urban forests is essential to enhance their resilience to future biotic threats as well as those posed by a changing climate. Arboreta and botanic gardens host a wide range of plant material that can be evaluated to inform tree selection policy. This study demonstrates that plant functional traits, such as the water potential at leaf turgor loss, can be highly instructive when developing evidence‐based recommendations for urban environments. However, if botanic collections are to fulfil a critical role in understanding plant response to environment, they should not be managed solely as visitor attractions but must have scientific objectives at the forefront of management policy.

Arboreta and botanic gardens host a multitude of species that can be utilized in research focused on improving diversity within urban forests. Higher tree species diversity will enhance the resilience of urban forests to abiotic and biotic threats and help deliver strategies that foster sustainable communities. Consequently, this study aims to demonstrate the value of botanic collections as a resource for research into tree species selection for more resilient urban landscapes.

As water stress is a major constraint for trees in urban environments, understanding the drought tolerance of species is essential for urban tree selection. This study evaluates a key functional trait relating to drought tolerance. Using vapor pressure osmometry, the water potential at leaf turgor loss was evaluated for 96 species using plant material from seven botanic collections in North America and Europe.

Leaf turgor loss contrasted widely in the temperate deciduous trees evaluated and, in summer, ranged from −1.7 MPa to −3.9 MPa. Significant differences in drought tolerance were also apparent across genera and closely related cultivars. Osmotic adjustment was shown to be a major physiological factor driving leaf turgor loss. A meta‐analysis also demonstrated that leaf turgor loss was closely related to a drought‐tolerance scale based on observations of tree performance under drought.

Arboreta and botanic collections can play a vital role in the evaluation of plant material for urban environments, provided they are curated with scientific objectives at the forefront of management policy and are not managed purely as visitor attractions.
Comparison of Thermally Grown Carbon Nanofiber‐Based and Reduced Graphene Oxide‐Based CMOS‐Compatible Microsupercapacitors
Authors: Vyas Agin , Hajibagher Simin Zare , Li Qi , Haque Mazharul , Smith Anderson , Lundgren Per , Enoksson Peter
Published: October 2020

Microsupercapacitors as miniature energy storage devices require complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) compatible techniques for electrode deposition to be integrated in wireless sensor network sensor systems. Among several processing techniques, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and spin coating, present in CMOS manufacturing facilities, are the two most viable processes for electrode growth and deposition, respectively. To make an argument for choosing either of these techniques to fabricate MSCs utilizable for an on‐chip power supply, we need a comparative assessment of their electrochemical performance. Herein, the evaluation of MSCs with CVD‐grown carbon nanofiber (CNF)‐based and spin‐coated reduced graphene oxide (rGO)‐based electrodes is reported. The devices are compared for their capacitance, energy and power density, charge retention, characteristic frequencies, and ease of fabrication over a large sweep of scan rates, current densities, and frequencies. The rGO‐based MSCs demonstrate 112 μF cm−2 at 100 mV s−1 and a power density of 12.8 mW cm−2. The CNF‐based MSCs show 269.7 μF cm−2 and 30.8 mW cm−2. CVD‐grown CNF outperforms spin‐coated rGO in capacitive storage at low frequencies, whereas the latter is better in terms of charge retention and high‐frequency capacitance response.
A systematic review on phytochemicals for the treatment of dengue
Authors: Ali Faraat , Chorsiya Anushma , Anjum Varisha , Khasimbi Shaik , Ali Asad
Published: October 2020

Dengue fever is prevalent in subtopic regions, producing mortality and morbidity worldwide, which have been of major concern to different governments and World Health Organization. The search of new anti‐dengue agents from phytochemicals was assumed to be highly emergent in past. The phytochemicals have been used in wide distribution of vector ailments such as malaria. The demand of the phytochemicals is based on the medicines which are mostly considered to be safer, less harmful than synthetic drugs and nontoxic. This review mentions majorly about the phytochemicals potentially inhibiting dengue fever around the world. The phytochemicals have been isolated from different species, have potential for the treatment of dengue. Different crude extracts and essential oils obtained from different species showed a broad activity against different phytochemicals. The current studies showed that natural products represent a rich source of medicines toward the dengue fever. Furthermore, ethnobotanical surveys and laboratory investigation established identified natural plants species in the development of drug discovery to control the dengue fever.
Automatic recognition of bladder tumours using deep learning technology and its clinical application
Authors: Yang Rui , Du Yang , Weng Xiaodong , Chen Zhiyuan , Wang Shanshan , Liu Xiuheng
Published: October 2020

Background

Bladder cancer is a kind of tumors with a high recurrence rate. The improvement of the cure rate and prognosis of bladder tumor depends on the accurate recognition of bladder tumor under the cystoscope.

Aims

To verify that deep learning technology can identify bladder cancer images.

Materials and Methods

In this study, 1200 cystoscopic cancer images from 224 patients with bladder cancer and 1150 cystoscopic images from 221 patients with no bladder cancer were collected. Three convolutional neural networks (LeNet, AlexNet and GoogLeNet), and the EasyDL deep learning platform were used to train deep learning models to distinguish images of bladder cancer. The diagnostic efficiency of deep learning model and urology experts was compared.

Results

The efficiency of EasyDL was the highest, and the accuracy was 96.9%. The efficiency of GoogLeNet was the second highest, and the accuracy was 92.54%. Among the 33 bladder cancer nodes and 11 no bladder cancer nodes, the accuracy of the neural network was 83.36% and that of medical experts was 84.09% (p > 0.05).

Discussion

This study used convolutional neural networks to recognize bladder tumor in the clinical. Although these three networks (LeNet, AlexNet and GoogLeNet) had a relatively basic network architecture, they achieved good results in the classification task of cystoscopic images. The deep learning system had a recognition efficiency no less than that of experienced clinical experts.

Conclusion

This study proved the validity of the convolutional neural network for bladder tumor diagnosis based on the cystoscope.
Changing the field: A Bourdieusian analysis of educational practices that support equitable outcomes among minoritized youth on two informal science learning programs
Authors: Archer Louise , Godec Spela , Calabrese Barton Angela , Dawson Emily , Mau Ada , Patel Uma
Published: October 2020

Supporting more equitable participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) remains a key, persistent educational challenge. This paper employs a sociological Bourdieusian lens to explore how equitable youth outcomes might be supported through informal science learning (ISL). Drawing on multimodal, ethnographic data from four case study youth aged 11–14 from two ISL programs, we identify four areas of practice that were enacted to a greater or lesser extent in the programs in support of equitable youth outcomes. We identify how the equitable potential of these practices was realized through a disruption of dominant power relations. It is argued that ISL should focus on changing the field, rather than young people. Affordances and limitations of the Bourdieusian lens are discussed.
High‐Performance Quasi‐2D Perovskite/Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Phototransistors for Low‐Cost and Sensitive Broadband Photodetection
Authors: Liu Chun-Ki , Loi Hok-Leung , Cao Jiupeng , Tang Guanqi , Liu Fang , Huang Qi , Liang Xuelei , Yan Feng
Published: October 2020

Quasi‐2D Ruddlesden–Popper perovskites (RPPs) have emerged as promising functional materials for optoelectronics due to the highly tunable optoelectronic properties and have been considered as alternative candidates for semiconductors in photodetectors. However, RPPs normally show low carrier mobilities, which is unfavorable for the performance of photodetectors. Herein, a solution‐processed hybrid phototransistor based on RPP/single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) heterostructure is reported. A vertical composition gradient is formed upon RPP film preparation, which leads to a gradient type‐II heterojunction in the film. More importantly, the high carrier mobility of SWCNTs can result in ultrahigh responsivity and detectivity of 2 × 106 A W−1 and 7 × 1014 Jones, respectively. In addition, high on/off ratio of ≈103 can be achieved in the phototransistors. Herein, the high potential of RPP/SWCNT hybrid phototransistors as next‐generation photodetectors with superior sensitivity is demonstrated.
Chitosan supplementation reduces oxidative stress in Leiothrix lutea in acute heat stress
Authors: Dai Yi , Zhou Ming‐qiang , He Yun‐qian , Peng Xi , Yuan Shi‐bin
Published: October 2020

In order to assess the effects of chitosan supplementation on immune function, antioxidant enzyme activities and histological changes in Leiothrix lutea exposed to acute heat stress, 80 healthy adult birds were randomly divided into five experimental groups. The normal‐temperature group (NTG) was maintained at 21°C and fed the basic diet. The treatment groups were fed the basic diet supplemented with 0%, 0.1%, 0.5% and 1.0% chitosan, respectively, in normal‐temperature environment for 30 days and then exposed to heat (35°C and 40% relative humidity) for 3 hr. The results showed that the immune function and anti‐oxidative enzyme activities in L. lutea in heat‐stressed environment were enhanced by chitosan supplementation, whereas oxidative damage of tissues and cells were alleviated. The results revealed that addition of 0.5% chitosan to the diet may be optimal, playing a key role in meeting the demands of captive‐bred L. lutea in high‐temperature environments. This may constitute a useful feeding strategy in accordance with the behavioural selection of wild L. lutea, and could effectively promote ex situ conservation.
How to Value Public Science Employing Social Big Data?
Authors: Loureiro Maria L. , Alló Maria
Published: October 2020

Scientific discoveries can be classified as public goods. Arrow [1] discussed properties of knowledge that make it a public good; highlighting in particular, the fact that it cannot be depleted when shared, and once it is made public others cannot easily be excluded from its use. So, public good is a commodity or service that is provided without profit to all members of a society, either by the government or by a private individual or organization. Thus, a global public good is a public good that goes beyond borders, and CERN scientific output is the perfect example of a global public good.
R&D, Innovative Collaborations and the Role of Public Policies
Authors: Crescenzi Riccardo
Published: October 2020

R&D investments have the potential to boost innovation at the local level. However, this only happens where appropriate complementary skills and conditions are available locally to support knowledge generation and absorption. Where major R&D facilities are located in regions that lack the appropriate receptive environment the local mismatch between R&D and skilled labor can persistently hinder innovation and local spillovers. How can this be avoided? Public policies have an important role to play. They should facilitate the development of connections between local teams and those active in the research facility. The presence of star researchers in large research facilities might—for example—be a key factor to facilitate collaboration with local industrial partners offering significant opportunities for technological upgrading.
Epilogue: Productive Collisions—Blue-Sky Science and Today’s Innovations
Authors: Sotiriou Maria
Published: October 2020

The London School of Economics (LSE) joins CERN as an established partner of the Future Circular Collider (FCC) Study, a project that touches many fields in and beyond physics. This volume coincides with the first steps of Horizon Europe in hopes of informing research and innovation planning. The challenges and scepticism facing Big Science were discussed but, despite them, we stand firm in support of the society-wide benefit of scientific projects of such magnitude. In concluding this volume, this article sums these perspectives, drawn from the joint CERN-LSE Alumni Association Belgium workshop held in 2019. Earlier, wider and greater benefits flow from Big, multi-disciplinary Science. These benefits are greatest when the core project is developed in open interaction with youth, local and global communities, engaging ecosystems capable of nurturing early spin-off innovation.
Nonperturbative matching between equal-time and lightcone quantization
Authors: Fitzpatrick A. Liam , Katz Emanuel , Walters Matthew T.
Published: October 2020

Abstract

We investigate the nonperturbative relation between lightcone (LC) and standard equal-time (ET) quantization in the context of λϕ4 theory in d = 2. We discuss the perturbative matching between bare parameters and the failure of its naive nonperturbative extension. We argue that they are nevertheless the same theory nonperturbatively, and that furthermore the nonperturbative map between bare parameters can be extracted from ET perturbation theory via Borel resummation of the mass gap. We test this map by using it to compare physical quantities computed using numerical Hamiltonian truncation methods in ET and LC.
Multi-Regge limit of the two-loop five-point amplitudes in $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 super Yang-Mills and $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 8 supergravity
Authors: Caron-Huot Simon , Chicherin Dmitry , Henn Johannes , Zhang Yang , Zoia Simone
Published: October 2020

Abstract

In previous work, the two-loop five-point amplitudes in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super Yang-Mills theory and $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 8 supergravity were computed at symbol level. In this paper, we compute the full functional form. The amplitudes are assembled and simplified using the analytic expressions of the two-loop pentagon integrals in the physical scattering region. We provide the explicit functional expressions, and a numerical reference point in the scattering region. We then calculate the multi-Regge limit of both amplitudes. The result is written in terms of an explicit transcendental function basis. For certain non-planar colour structures of the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super Yang-Mills amplitude, we perform an independent calculation based on the BFKL effective theory. We find perfect agreement. We comment on the analytic properties of the amplitudes.
Small Perturbations for Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations with
Magnetic Potential
Authors: Zhang Youpei , Tang Xianhua , Rădulescu Vicenţiu D.
Published: October 2020

We are concerned with the qualitative analysis of solutions for three
classes of nonlinear problems driven by the magnetic Laplace operator. We are
mainly interested in the perturbation effects created by two reaction terms with
different structure. Two equations are studied on bounded domains (under Dirichlet
boundary condition) while the third problem is on the entire Euclidean space.
Our main results establish that if a certain perturbation is sufficiently small (in
a prescribed sense) then the problems have at least two distinct solutions in a
related magnetic Sobolev space. The proofs combine variational, topological and
analytic methods.
Aurora kinase inhibition sensitizes melanoma cells to T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity
Authors: Punt Simone , Malu Shruti , McKenzie Jodi A. , Manrique Soraya Zorro , Doorduijn Elien M. , Mbofung Rina M. , Williams Leila , Silverman Deborah A. , Ashkin Emily L. , Dominguez Ana Lucía , Wang Zhe , Chen Jie Qing , Maiti Sourindra N. , Tieu Trang N. , Liu Chengwen , Xu Chunyu , Forget Marie-Andrée , Haymaker Cara , Khalili Jahan S. , Satani Nikunj , Muller Florian , Cooper Laurence J. N. , Overwijk Willem W. , Amaria Rodabe N. , Bernatchez Chantale , Heffernan Timothy P. , Peng Weiyi , Roszik Jason , Hwu Patrick
Published: October 2020

Although immunotherapy has achieved impressive durable clinical responses, many cancers respond only temporarily or not at all to immunotherapy. To find novel, targetable mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy, patient-derived melanoma cell lines were transduced with 576 open reading frames, or exposed to arrayed libraries of 850 bioactive compounds, prior to co-culture with autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). The synergy between the targets and TILs to induce apoptosis, and the mechanisms of inhibiting resistance to TILs were interrogated. Gene expression analyses were performed on tumor samples from patients undergoing immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma. Finally, the effect of inhibiting the top targets on the efficacy of immunotherapy was investigated in multiple preclinical models. Aurora kinase was identified as a mediator of melanoma cell resistance to T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity in both complementary screens. Aurora kinase inhibitors were validated to synergize with T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro. The Aurora kinase inhibition-mediated sensitivity to T-cell cytotoxicity was shown to be partially driven by p21-mediated induction of cellular senescence. The expression levels of Aurora kinase and related proteins were inversely correlated with immune infiltration, response to immunotherapy and survival in melanoma patients. Aurora kinase inhibition showed variable responses in combination with immunotherapy in vivo, suggesting its activity is modified by other factors in the tumor microenvironment. These data suggest that Aurora kinase inhibition enhances T-cell cytotoxicity in vitro and can potentiate antitumor immunity in vivo in some but not all settings. Further studies are required to determine the mechanism of primary resistance to this therapeutic intervention.
Macromastia: an economic burden? A disease cost analysis based on real-world data in Germany
Authors: Jud Sebastian M. , Brendle-Behnisch Anne , Hack Carolin C. , Preuss Caroline , Arkudas Andreas , Horch Raymund E. , Beckmann Matthias W. , Lux Michael P.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Symptomatic macromastia causes physical and psychological problems that can lead to restrictions in the patients’ social and working lives and a reduced quality of life. Associated medical treatments also have a considerable impact on health-care costs. Several studies have assessed these costs, but the total disease costs of macromastia have never been evaluated on the basis of real-world data.

Methods

The data for 76 patients who underwent reduction mammoplasty between 2008 and 2016 were collected using a two-part questionnaire (preoperative and postoperative), as well as the patient files. Topics surveyed, besides demographic data, included physician visits, medical imaging, medical procedures, medical treatments, rehabilitation and convalescent measures, drug intake, medical aids, exercise activity, and sick leave days before surgery, to calculate the costs per year of conservative treatment of symptomatic macromastia.

Results

The mean time from start of symptoms to surgery was 11.82 years. The data for this group of patients with symptomatic macromastia show that costs per patient amount to €1677.55 per year. These costs include medical consultation, radiological imaging, medical treatments and procedures, physical therapy and rehabilitation, medication, special brassieres, exercise classes costs for sick leave due to problems with macromastia, and travel expenses.

Conclusions

These results show that considerable health-care costs arise due to macromastia with conservative treatment. Overall, macromastia costs €1677.55 per patient/year. In particular, lost productivity due to sick days and the costs of physiotherapy are factors driving the high costs.
Verringerung des Abfallaufkommens im Convenience-Food-Bereich – Möglichkeiten und Herausforderungen pfandbasierter Mehrwegbehälter
Authors: Kornthaler Dominik , Bockreis Anke
Published: October 2020

Der Convenience-Food-Bereich und die entsprechenden Dienstleistungen nehmen zu. Ein Großteil der entsprechenden Produkte wird in Einwegverpackungen angeboten oder angeliefert. Dementsprechend wächst auch der Abfallberg aus diesen Einwegverpackungen weiter. Beispiele aus der Literatur und anhand von Unternehmen zur Verfügung gestellter oder öffentlich zugänglicher Informationen zeigen dies gleichermaßen auf. Nicht nur Kunststoffe, sondern auch andere Materialien tragen zur Problematik bei. Reglementierungen für Kunststoffeinwegprodukte vernachlässigen also einen großen Teil der Problematik, da auch die Kunststoffalternativen der Einwegprodukte an der zunehmenden Abfallmenge beteiligt sind. Vermeidung von Einwegprodukten stellt im Sinne der nachhaltigen Ressourcen-Nutzung, der Vermeidung des Litterings sowie der hohen Abfallentsorgungs- und Behandlungskosten die effizienteste Zukunftsstrategie dar. Deshalb werden Mehrwegbehälter für verschiedene Anwendungen im Convenience-Food-Bereich als zukunftsträchtige Alternative angesehen. Beispielsweise können pfandbasierte Mehrwegsysteme theoretisch mehr als 90 % des jährlich anfallenden Verpackungsabfalls aus dem Take-away verhindern. In der Praxis sind es jedoch unter 10 %. Zusätzlich können durch die Etablierung solcher kreislaufwirtschaftlicher Systeme Arbeitsplätze generiert werden. Die Potenziale pfandbasierter Mehrwegsysteme in Bezug auf Abfallvermeidung und Arbeitsmarkt stehen den Herausforderungen gegenüber. Diese Herausforderungen betreffen sowohl das Bewusstsein der Konsument*innen und des Verkaufspersonals, als auch systemimmanente Voraussetzungen. So steht zum Beispiel nicht überall genügend Platz für die Reinigung und Lagerung der Mehrwegbehälter zur Verfügung. Für eine erfolgreiche Nutzung pfandbasierter Mehrwegsysteme müssen also einige Voraussetzungen erfüllt werden.

Abschließend ist es das Material der Mehrwegbehälter, das ebenfalls einen großen Einfluss auf die künftige, flächendeckende Nutzung von Mehrweg- statt Einwegbehältern nehmen wird. Insbesondere die Mikroplastikthematik stellt in diesem Zusammenhang eine noch ungeahnte und wenig erforschte Größe dar.
Über theoretische und reale Recyclingfähigkeit
Authors: Pomberger Roland
Published: October 2020

Zukünftig sollte die Recyclingfähigkeit neu definiert werden. Erkennbarkeit und Sortierfähigkeit, aber auch die Eignung der Sammelsysteme sind unbedingt zu berücksichtigen. Die Prüfung der Recyclingfähigkeit soll auch durch experimentelle Tests abgesichert werden. In diesem Artikel werden das Stufenmodell der Recyclingfähigkeit und die Methode der Material-Nutzungszeit vorgestellt.

Wenn wir zukünftig mehr und besser recyclingfähige Produkte in unseren abfallwirtschaftlichen Anlagen finden, werden wir technisch auch in der Lage sein, diese zu separieren und zu verwerten. Der Gesetzgeber ist aufgerufen, für diese Privilegierung von recyclingfähigen Produkten die geeigneten Rahmenbedingungen und Anreizsysteme zu schaffen. Ökomodulation ist dazu ein wirksames Mittel.
Scutellarin is Highly Likely to be Responsible for Drug-Drug Interactions Mediated by Hepatic Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide1B3
Authors: Liu Jianming , Guo Yongmei , Xu Yanqi , Yuan Li , Zhu Huiting
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Scutellarin, a flavonoid derived from the plant Erigeron breviscapus, is currently widely used to treat cerebrovascular diseases, liver-related diseases, and hyperlipidemia in china and other East Asian countries. This study was to investigate the effect of scutellarin on the uptake of rosuvastatin in HEK293T cells expressing human organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B3 (hOATP1B3) and rat OATP1B2 (rOATP1B2), respectively, and the effect of scutellarin on the pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin in rats.

Methods

The newly established HEK293T cells expressing hOATP1B3 and rOATP1B2 were used to examine the effects of scutellarin and positive controls on in vitro rosuvastatin transport. After co-feeding with scutellarin, the rosuvastatin area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0–24h), the peak plasma drug concentration (Cmax), elimination half-life (t1/2), time to reach Cmax (tmax), clearance (CL) and apparent clearance (CL/F) of rosuvastatin were determined in rats.

Results

Scutellarin inhibited hOATP1B3- and rOATP1B2-mediated rosuvastatin uptake (IC50: 45.54 ± 6.67 μM and 27.58 ± 3.97 μM) in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. After co-feeding with scutellarin, the AUC0–24h and Cmax of rosuvastatin in rats increased to 27.4% and 37.7%, respectively. The t1/2 and tmax of rosuvastatin showed no significant change. Moreover, scutellarin caused 29.2% and 28.1% decrease in the CL and CL/F of rosuvastatin.

Conclusion

Scutellarin may inhibit the hOATP1B3- and rOATP1B2-mediated transport of rosuvastatin in vitro, and exerts a moderate inhibitory effect on the pharmacokinetics of rosuvastatin in rats. Scutellarin is highly likely to participate in drug-drug interactions, as mediated by OATP1B3 in humans.
Oxygen Adsorption, Subsurface Oxygen Layer Formation and Reaction with Hydrogen on Surfaces of a Pt–Rh Alloy Nanocrystal
Authors: Owczarek Sylwia , Lambeets Sten V. , Bryl Robert , Barroo Cédric , Croquet Olivier , Markowski Leszek , Visart de Bocarmé Thierry
Published: October 2020

The oxygen adsorption and its catalytic reaction with hydrogen on Pt–Rh single crystals were studied at the nanoscale by Field Emission Microscopy (FEM) and Field Ion Microscopy (FIM) techniques at 700 K. Both FEM and FIM use samples prepared as sharp tips, apexes of which mimic a single nanoparticle of catalyst considering their similar size and morphology. Oxygen adsorption on Pt-17.4 at.%Rh samples leads to the formation of subsurface oxygen, which is manifested in the field emission (FE) patterns: for O2exposure of ~3 Langmuir (L), {113} planes appear bright in the emission pattern, while for higher oxygen doses, i.e. 84 L, the bright regions correspond to the high index planes between the {012} and {011} planes. Formation of subsurface oxygen is probably accompanied by a surface reconstruction of the nanocrystal. The subsurface oxygen can be effectively reacted off by subsequent exposure of the sample to hydrogen gas at 700 K. The hydrogenation reaction was observed as a sudden, eruptive change of the brightness seen on the FE pattern. This reaction resulted in the recovery of the initial field emission pattern characteristic of a clean tip, with {012} facets being the most visible. It was shown that the oxygen accumulation-reduction process is completely reversible. The obtained results indicate that the presence of subsurface species must be considered in the description of reactive processes on Pt–Rh catalysts.
A detection dog for obstructive sleep apnea: could it work in diagnostics?
Authors: Vaarno Jenni , Myller Jyri , Bachour Adel , Koskinen Heli , Bäck Leif , Klockars Tuomas , Koskinen Anni
Published: October 2020

Purpose

We have previously demonstrated that dogs can be trained to distinguish the urine of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) from that of healthy controls based on olfaction. Encouraged by these promising results, we wanted to investigate if a detection dog could work as a screening tool for OSA. The objective of this study was to prospectively assess the dogs’ ability to identify sleep apnea in patients with OSA suspicion.

Methods

Urine samples were collected from 50 patients suspected of having OSA. The urine sample was classified as positive for OSA when the patient had a respiratory event index of 5/h or more. The accuracy of two trained dogs in identifying OSA was tested in a prospective blinded setting.

Results

Both of the dogs correctly detected approximately half of the positive and negative samples. There were no statistically significant differences in the dogs’ ability to recognize more severe cases of OSA, as compared to milder cases.

Conclusion

According to our study, dogs cannot be used to screen for OSA in clinical settings, most likely due to the heterogenic nature of OSA.