bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Parotid Salivary Gland Echo Texture by Ultrasound Examinations and Correlation With Whole‐Body Scintigraphy After Radioiodine Therapy in Patients With Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Simões Lima Graziele Aparecida , López Rossana Verónica Mendoza , de Freitas Ricardo Miguel Costa , Willegaignon Jose , Sapienza Marcelo Tatit , Chammas Maria Christina , Coura‐Filho George Barberio
Published: April 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the echo texture of the parotid salivary glands before and after radioiodine therapy (RIT) using ultrasound (US) images in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer and to evaluate the correlations between post‐RIT whole‐body scintigraphy (WBS) images and US image patterns in salivary and cervical areas.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed with data on demographic and clinical information, US examinations, and WBS images collected through medical recordings.

Results

Comparing the US features before and after RIT, significant echo texture heterogeneity was found in 31.3% of all patients evaluated. When evaluated according to the level of iodine 131 (I‐131) radioactivity (<5.6, 5.6–<9.3, and ≥9.3 GBq), echo texture heterogeneity was significantly associated with the 5.6‐GBq I‐131 radioactivity group (P < .001). No association was found for any level of I‐131 post‐RIT WBS uptake intensity and changes in US feature patterns.

Conclusions

Ultrasound may be a useful tool for evaluating chronic sialadenitis after RIT, and the I‐131 uptake intensity using a routine post‐RIT WBS is not associated with US echo texture changes.
MiR‐370 accelerated cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury via targeting SIRT6 and regulating Nrf2/ARE signal pathway
Authors: Ruan Zhong‐Fan , Xie Ming , Gui Shu‐Jia , Lan Fang , Wan Juan , Li Yan
Published: April 2020

Cerebral ischemia reperfusion (CIR) is one of the highly lethal diseases in the world. MicroRNA‐370 (miR‐370) exerts multiple functions in different diseases. However, further research is needed to investigate the potential role of miR‐370 in CIR injury. The in vivo middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model and in vitro oxygen‐glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) SH‐SY5Y cell model were successfully established to mimic CIR injury. The infarct sizes of brain tissues from rats were evaluated. The relationship between miR‐370 and silencing information regulatory protein 6 (SIRT6) was confirmed by luciferase activity assay. The cell viability and apoptosis were determined by CCK‐8 assay and terminal‐deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling staining. In this study, miR‐370 was upregulated in brain tissues of MCAO rats and knockdown of miR‐370 decreased cerebral infarction volume of MCAO rats and it alleviated CIR injury in vivo. The in vitro experiments indicated that knockdown of miR‐370 promoted cell viability and alleviated OGD/R‐induced SH‐SY5Y cell apoptosis. Additionally, the TargetScan predicted that SIRT6 was a target of miR‐370 and confirmed by luciferase activity assay. Moreover, miR‐370 inhibited SIRT6 expression and regulated Nrf2/ARE signal pathway, whereas overexpression of SIRT6 partly reversed the effect of miR‐370 on OGD/R‐induced SH‐SY5Y cell injury. Thus, we could conclude that miR‐370 accelerated CIR injury via targeting SIRT6 and regulating Nrf2/ARE signal pathway, which might provide novel therapeutic targets for CIR injury treatment.
Multipurpose Degradable Physical Adhesive Based on Poly(d,l‐lactide‐co‐trimethylene Carbonate)
Authors: Fuoco Tiziana , Almas Ria Afifah , Finne‐Wistrand Anna
Published: April 2020

Solutions of amorphous poly(d,l‐lactide‐co‐trimethylene carbonate)s (PDLTMCs) in ethyl acetate work as solvent‐based physical adhesives through diffusion mechanisms for a variety of aliphatic polyester‐based adherents. The random PDLTMCs with a trimethylene carbonate content of 11, 16, and 20 mol% are synthesized in bulk, achieving high molecular weight, Mn, up to 128 kg mol−1 and dispersity around 1.7. The PDLTMCs are amorphous and have a glass transition temperature in the range 34.7 to 43.6 °C and in agreement with the theoretical values calculated using the Fox equation. The mechanical and surface properties of the PDLTMCs are tested preparing solvent cast films, which are soft and tough and, although they have a higher contact angle than the parent homopolymer, they show higher water uptake capacity. The potential application as adhesives of the synthesized PDLTMCs is evaluated by preparing a 20 wt% solution in ethyl acetate and testing them by adhering films with different compositions as well as constructs having different geometries and surface roughness. The results demonstrate that the adhesion strength is higher on adherent films having similar chemical compositions as the adhesives and on surfaces having similar compositions to each other but different roughness. The similar chemical nature of the adhesive and adherent probably favors the diffusion mechanism through which adhesion takes place.
Cost‐reduction innovation under mixed economy
Authors: Nie Pu‐yan , Yang Yong‐cong
Published: April 2020

This paper analyzes the innovation strategies of mixed duopoly with a (semi‐) public firm and a private firm, and the welfare effects of public ownership are captured. The findings indicate that the private firm is more active in research and development activities than the (semi‐) public firm. Meanwhile, the total production increases with the degree of public ownership, and both firms have to suffer losses in profits. From the viewpoint of social welfare, partial nationalization is the optimal strategy. The policy implication of the findings highlights that partial nationalization should be encouraged under mixed economy.
A nonlocal multi‐point singular fractional integro‐differential problem of Lane–Emden type
Authors: Gouari Yazid , Dahmani Zoubir , Sarikaya Mehmet Zeki
Published: April 2020

In this paper, using Riemann–Liouville integral and Caputo derivative, we study a nonlinear singular integro‐differential equation of Lane–Emden type with nonlocal multi‐point integral conditions. We prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions by application of Banach contraction principle. Also, we prove an existence result using Schaefer fixed point theorem. Then, we present some examples to show the applicability of the main results.
Impact of gradient imperfections on bone water quantification with UTE MRI
Authors: Zhao Xia , Lee Hyunyeol , Song Hee Kwon , Cheng Cheng‐Chieh , Wehrli Felix W.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The impact of gradient imperfections on UTE images and UTE image‐derived bone water quantification was investigated at 3 T field strength.

Methods

The effects of simple gradient time delays and eddy currents on UTE images, as well as the effects of gradient error corrections, were studied with simulation and phantom experiments. The k‐space trajectory was mapped with a 2D sequence with phase encoding on both spatial axes by measuring the phase of the signal in small time increments during ramp‐up of the read gradient. In vivo 3D UTE images were reconstructed with and without gradient error compensation to determine the bias in bone water quantification. Finally, imaging was performed on 2 equally configured Siemens TIM Trio systems (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) to investigate the impact of such gradient imperfections on inter‐scanner measurement bias.

Results

Compared to values derived from UTE images with full gradient error compensation, total bone water was found to deviate substantially with no (up to 17%) or partial (delay‐only) compensation (up to 10.8%). Bound water, obtained with inversion recovery‐prepared UTE, was somewhat less susceptible to gradient errors (up to 2.2% for both correction strategies). Inter‐scanner comparison indicated a statistically significant bias between measurements from the 2 MR systems for both total and bound water, which either vanished or was substantially reduced following gradient error correction.

Conclusion

Gradient imperfections impose spatially dependent artifacts on UTE images, which compromise not only bone water quantification accuracy but also inter‐scanner measurement agreement if left uncompensated.
Limited antitumor activity of combined BET and MEK inhibition in neuroblastoma
Authors: Healy Jason R. , Hart Lori S. , Shazad Alexander L. , Gagliardi Maria E. , Tsang Matthew , Elias Jimmy , Ruden Jacob , Farrel Alvin , Rokita Jo Lynne , Li Yimei , Wyce Anastasia , Barbash Olena , Batra Vandana , Samanta Minu , Maris John M. , Schnepp Robert W.
Published: April 2020

Background

The treatment of high‐risk neuroblastoma continues to present a formidable challenge to pediatric oncology. Previous studies have shown that Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) inhibitors can inhibit MYCN expression and suppress MYCN‐amplified neuroblastoma in vivo. Furthermore, alterations within RAS‐MAPK (mitogen‐activated protein kinase) signaling play significant roles in neuroblastoma initiation, maintenance, and relapse, and mitogen‐activated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (MEK) inhibitors demonstrate efficacy in subsets of neuroblastoma preclinical models. Finally, hyperactivation of RAS‐MAPK signaling has been shown to promote resistance to BET inhibitors. Therefore, we examined the antitumor efficacy of combined BET/MEK inhibition utilizing I‐BET726 or I‐BET762 and trametinib in high‐risk neuroblastoma.

Procedure

Utilizing a panel of genomically annotated neuroblastoma cell line models, we investigated the in vitro effects of combined BET/MEK inhibition on cell proliferation and apoptosis. Furthermore, we evaluated the effects of combined inhibition in neuroblastoma xenograft models.

Results

Combined BET and MEK inhibition demonstrated synergistic effects on the growth and survival of a large panel of neuroblastoma cell lines through augmentation of apoptosis. A combination therapy slowed tumor growth in a non‐MYCN–amplified, NRAS‐mutated neuroblastoma xenograft model, but had no efficacy in an MYCN‐amplified model harboring a loss‐of‐function mutation in NF1.

Conclusions

Combinatorial BET and MEK inhibition was synergistic in the vast majority of neuroblastoma cell lines in the in vitro setting but showed limited antitumor activity in vivo. Collectively, these data do not support clinical development of this combination in high‐risk neuroblastoma.
Authenticity and quality evaluation of different Rhodiola species and commercial products based on NMR‐spectroscopy and HPLC
Authors: Marchev Andrey S. , Koycheva Ivanka K. , Aneva Ina Y. , Georgiev Milen I.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

The main concern regarding the authenticity and quality of Rhodiola rosea L. (Sedum rosea (L.) Scop.) products is their adulteration with other Rhodiola species.

Objective

The aim of the study was the development of a reliable and practical analytical platform for quality and quantity assessment of the characteristic molecules in three Rhodiola species (R. rosea, R. kirilowii (Regel) Maxim and R. crenulata (Hook. f. & Thomson) H. Ohba), commercial products and their possible application as markers for the authentication of R. rosea based products.

Material and Methods

The major molecules were identified by one‐dimensional (1D) and two‐dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)‐based metabolomics and quantitatively determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography ultraviolet (HPLC‐UV) analysis. The orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA) revealed the specific patterns in the metabolite profiles of R. rosea and R. crenulata.

Results

The coumarin crenulatin was only identified in R. crenulata and can be used as a marker to detect potential adulteration of the commercial products. Crenulatin was identified in two of the four analysed products by NMR‐spectroscopy. According to the HPLC data, in less than a quarter of all products, the labelled amounts of salidroside and total rosavins were confirmed.

Conclusions

The developed analytical platform was found to be useful in the investigations of the phytochemical diversity of different Rhodiola species, the recognition of the unique metabolites between them and the identification of adulterated products. Therefore, this approach could be applied from the earliest to the latest stages of the value chain in the manufacturing of R. rosea based products.
Size and Shape Effects of Near‐Infrared Light‐Activatable Cu2(OH)PO4 Nanostructures on Phototherapeutic Destruction of Drug‐Resistant Hypoxia Tumors
Authors: Nuthalapati Karthik , Vankayala Raviraj , Chiang Chi‐Shiun , Hwang Kuo Chu
Published: April 2020

Development of simple, robust, and noninvasive therapeutic approaches to treat cancers and improve survival rates is a grand challenge in clinical biomedicine. In particular, the sizes and shape of the nanomaterials play a vital role in dictating their biodistribution and clearance pathways. It remains elusive how the size and shape of a nanomaterial affect its therapeutic efficacy in cancer diagnosis and treatments. To tackle the above problem, the effects of size and shape of Cu2(OH)PO4 nanostructures (nanosheets and quantum dots) on the photodynamic therapy (PDT) in destroying malignant drug‐resistant lung tumors and on combating the tumor hypoxia problem are investigated and compared. The photocatalytic mechanism of Cu2(OH)PO4 nanostructures mainly involves the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydroxyl radical (·OH) and singlet oxygen (1O2). Under an oxygen deprivation condition, Cu2(OH)PO4 nanosheets still can generate OH radicals to kill cancer cells upon near‐infrared (NIR) light irradiation. Overall, in vitro and in vivo experiments show that Cu2(OH)PO4 nanosheets can overcome tumor hypoxia problems and effectively mediate dual modal PDT and photothermal therapeutic (PTT) effects on destruction of NCI‐H23 lung tumors in mice using ultralow doses (350 mW cm−2) of NIR (915 nm) light.
Metabolic resistance to S‐metolachlor in two waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) populations from Illinois, USA
Authors: Strom Seth A , Hager Aaron G , Seiter Nicholas J , Davis Adam S , Riechers Dean E
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Two waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) populations from Illinois demonstrating multiple‐resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐, 4‐hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase, and photosystem II (PSII)‐inhibiting herbicides (designated CHR and SIR) also displayed reduced sensitivity to very‐long‐chain fatty acid‐inhibiting herbicides, including S‐metolachlor. We hypothesized that a physiological mechanism, such as enhanced metabolism, could be responsible for the reduced efficacy of S‐metolachlor.

RESULTS

Metabolism experiments indicated that resistant populations degraded S‐metolachlor more rapidly than sensitive populations and equally as rapidly as corn 2–24 h after treatment (HAT). Resistant waterhemp and corn metabolized 90% (DT90) of absorbed S‐metolachlor in less than 3.2 h whereas DT90 values for sensitive waterhemp exceeded 6 h. The glutathione S‐transferase inhibitor 4‐chloro‐7‐nitrobenzofurazon and cytochrome P450‐inhibitor malathion decreased the amount of S‐metolachlor metabolized in resistant waterhemp at 4 HAT but not in sensitive waterhemp or corn, and altered the abundance of certain metabolites in resistant waterhemp.

CONCLUSION

Results from this research demonstrate that resistance to S‐metolachlor in these waterhemp populations is due to enhanced herbicide metabolism relative to sensitive populations. In addition, our results indicate that resistant waterhemp might utilize metabolic pathway(s) more intricate than either sensitive waterhemp or corn based on their metabolite profiles. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterization of Functional Properties of Biodegradable Films Based on Starches from Different Botanical Sources
Authors: Gómez‐Aldapa Carlos Alberto , Velazquez Gonzalo , Gutierrez Miguel C. , Castro‐Rosas Javier , Jiménez‐Regalado Enrique Javier , Aguirre‐Loredo Rocio Yaneli
Published: April 2020

Starch is the main biopolymer used to develop biodegradable films and coatings, mainly due to its availability in nature and low cost. Therefore, it is important to determine the properties of starch‐based packaging materials, since the characteristics of each material may differ according to the botanical source. In this study, the functional properties of biodegradable films made from starch isolated from four botanical sources, corn, sorghum, potato, and achira are evaluated. The mechanical, water vapor barrier, morphological, thermal, and hydration properties are studied. Obtained films have a homogeneous appearance with no pores or cracks. The potato and achira films present some non‐gelatinized granules on their surface, however, they are the ones that present the highest mechanical properties, where the non‐gelatinized granules function as a reinforcing material for the polymer matrix. The red sorghum starch films present the best barrier for water vapor. The source of starch shows a significant effect on the tensile strength (TS) and percentage of elongation at breaking (%E). The solubility, swelling index, and water vapor adsorption capacity change significantly when comparing the four botanical sources, mainly because of the differences in the morphology of the resulting materials, amylose content and the size of the starch granule.
Comparison of wind‐induced dynamic property of super‐large cooling tower considering different four‐tower interferences
Authors: Wang Hao , Ke Shitang , Wang Tongguang , Ge Yaojun , Zhu Rongkuan
Published: April 2020

Dynamic amplification effects caused by tower‐group interference is the most critical causes of wind‐induced destructions of super‐large cooling tower (SLCT), and four‐tower combinations are the most common tower‐group combining form. However, the dynamic amplification effects of SLCT of different four‐tower arrangements have not been studied systematically so far. The highest (220 m) SLCT in the world was taken as the target to conduct SLCT wind pressure measurement under 320 wind tunnel test conditions. Firstly, the stability performance under the design wind loads was analyzed. Then, the dynamic time‐history analysis was carried out, and the distribution characteristics of peak factors and values of extreme response were discussed. Furthermore, with a new concept parameter “tower‐group wind vibration coefficient” for the wind‐resistance design of SLCT, the distribution laws of two‐dimensional (2D), one‐dimensional (1D), and global tower‐group wind vibration coefficient were revealed under different four‐tower interferences. On these bases, we recommend the design parameters for wind‐resistance study of SLCT and the priority of four‐tower combination forms. The study showed that the dynamic effects of SLCT under different four‐tower arrangements were significantly different from each other and the tower‐group wind vibration coefficients proposed in this paper can reflect the interference effects of tower‐group more efficient than traditional design method. The results may become a useful database for the wind‐resistance design of SLCT and provide clues for the optimization of four‐tower arrangements in power plants.
Exploiting the genome of Thinopyrum elongatum to expand the gene pool of hexaploid wheat
Authors: Baker Lauren , Grewal Surbhi , Yang Cai-yun , Hubbart-Edwards Stella , Scholefield Duncan , Ashling Stephen , Burridge Amanda J. , Przewieslik-Allen Alexandra M. , Wilkinson Paul A. , King Ian P. , King Julie
Published: April 2020

Key message

One hundred and thirty four introgressions from Thinopyrum elongatum have been transferred into a wheat background and were characterised using 263 SNP markers.

Species within the genus Thinopyrum have been shown to carry genetic variation for a very wide range of traits including biotic and abiotic stresses and quality. Research has shown that one of the species within this genus, Th. elongatum, has a close relationship with the genomes of wheat making it a highly suitable candidate to expand the gene pool of wheat. Homoeologous recombination, in the absence of the Ph1 gene, has been exploited to transfer an estimated 134 introgressions from Th. elongatum into a hexaploid wheat background. The introgressions were detected and characterised using 263 single nucleotide polymorphism markers from a 35 K Axiom® Wheat-Relative Genotyping Array, spread across seven linkage groups and validated using genomic in situ hybridisation. The genetic map had a total length of 187.8 cM and the average chromosome length was 26.8 cM. Comparative analyses of the genetic map of Th. elongatum and the physical map of hexaploid wheat confirmed previous work that indicated good synteny at the macro-level, although Th. elongatum does not contain the 4A/5A/7B translocation found in wheat.
Comparison between microcatheter and nebulizer for generating Pressurized IntraPeritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC)
Authors: Toussaint Laura , Sautkin Yaroslav , Illing Barbara , Weinreich Frank-Jürgen , Nadiradze Giorgi , Königsrainer Alfred , Wichmann Dörte
Published: April 2020

Background

This study compares an endoscopic microcatheter and a nebulizer for delivering Pressurized IntraPeritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC).

Methods

This is an in vitro and ex vivo study in an established model (inverted bovine urinary bladder). Four parameters were compared to determine the performance of a micro-perforated endoscopic spray catheter vs. state-of-the art, nozzle technology: (1) surface coverage and pattern with methylene blue on blotting paper at three different distances; (2) median aerodynamic diameter (MAD) of aerosol droplets with three different solutions (H2O, Glc 5% and silicon oil); (3) depth of tissue penetration of doxorubicin (DOX) and (4) tissue concentration of cisplatin (CIS) and DOX using standard clinical solutions.

Results

The spray area covered by the microcatheter was larger (p < 0.001) but its pattern was inhomogenous than with the nozzle technology. We found that aerosol droplets were larger in the test group than in the control group for all three solutions tested. Median tissue penetration of DOX was lower (980 µm) with the microcatheter than with the nebulizer (1235 µm) and distribution was more heterogeneous ( = 0.003) with the microcatheter. The median tissue concentration of DOX and CIS was lower and concentration of DOX was more heterogeneous with the microcatheter (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

This investigation has revealed that microcatheter technology generates larger aerosol droplet size, less drug tissue penetration and lower drug tissue concentration than the current nozzle technology. In the absence of clinical studies, use of microcatheters for delivering PIPAC can not be recommended at this stage.
Hankel-norm approximation of large-scale descriptor systems
Authors: Benner Peter , Werner Steffen W. R.
Published: April 2020

Hankel-norm approximation is a model reduction method for linear time-invariant systems, which provides the best approximation in the Hankel semi-norm. In this paper, the computation of the optimal Hankel-norm approximation is generalized to the case of linear time-invariant continuous-time descriptor systems. A new algebraic characterization of all-pass descriptor systems is developed and used to construct an efficient algorithm by refining the generalized balanced truncation square root method. For a wide practical usage, adaptations of the introduced algorithm towards stable computations and sparse systems are suggested, as well as an approach for a projection-free algorithm. To show the approximation behavior of the introduced method, numerical examples are presented.
Reliability of non-contrast magnetic resonance angiography-derived aortic diameters in Marfan patients: comparison of inner vs. outer vessel wall measurements
Authors: Weinrich Julius Matthias , Avanesov Maxim , Lenz Alexander , Tahir Enver , Henes Frank-Oliver , Schoennagel Bjoern Philip , Rybczinsky Meike , Adam Gerhard , von Kodolitsch Yskert , Bannas Peter
Published: April 2020

Aortic diameter measurements play a crucial role for the indication of aortic root surgery in Marfan patients. However, for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)-derived measurements, there is no consensus on whether the aortic wall should be included or excluded in the aortic diameter. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the reliability of non-contrast bright blood MRA aortic inner-to-inner and outer-to-outer edge measurements in patients with Marfan syndrome. Forty Marfan patients underwent ECG-gated balanced steady-state free-precession MRA of the aorta at 1.5 T. Two readers independently performed inner and outer measurements at different aortic levels. They rated the image quality of the delineation of both inner and outer vessel wall edges on a four-point scale. MRA-derived diameters of the sinuses of Valsalva were compared with echocardiography-derived diameters. Aortic vessel wall delineation score was rated higher at all levels for inner than for outer vessel walls (p < 0.001). Inter- and intraobserver variances of aortic measurements were smaller for inner-to-inner measurements at the sinuses of Valsalva, sinotubular junction and ascending aorta (p < 0.03). There was a difference of 1.1 ± 2.3 mm for inner MRA measurements (p = 0.014) and 6.9 ± 3.1 mm for outer MRA measurements (p < 0.001) when compared to echocardiographic leading-edge measurements. Inner-to-inner vessel wall diameter measurements in non-contrast bright blood MRA provide more reliable diameters when compared to outer-to-outer vessel wall measurements of the aortic root. Therefore, we propose to rely on inner rather than outer aortic wall measurements in non-contrast-MRA when monitoring aortic diameters in patients with Marfan syndrome.
Influence of thermodisinfection on microstructure of human femoral heads: duration of heat exposition and compressive strength
Authors: Fölsch Christian , Dharma Julian , Fonseca Ulloa Carlos Alfonso , Lips Katrin Susanne , Rickert Markus , Pruss Axel , Jahnke Alexander
Published: April 2020

Allogeneic bone derived from living donors being necessary to match demand for bone transplantation and thermodisinfection of femoral heads is an established sterilization method. During the thermodisinfection the peripheral bone is exposed to maximum 86 °C for 94 min providing 82.5 °C within the center of the femoral head for at least 15 min. This study examined the compression force of the central and representative peripheral regions of native and thermodisinfected human femoral heads to observe wether different duration and intensity of heat exposure might alter mechanic behaviour. Slices from the equatorial region of human femoral heads were taken from each 14 native and thermodisinfected human femoral heads. The central area revealed a significantly higher compression force for native (p ≤ 0.001) and for thermodisinfected bone (p = 0.002 and p = 0.005) compared with peripheral regions since no relevant differences were found between the peripheral and intermediate areas themselves. A small reduction of compression force for thermodisinfected bone was shown since this did not appear significant due to the small number of specimens. The heat exposure did not alter the pre-existing anatomical changes of the microarchitecture of the native femoral heads from the center towards the peripheral regions. The heterogeneity of microstructure of the femoral head might be of interest concerning clinical applications of bone grafts since the difference between native and thermodisinfected bone appears moderate as shown previously. The different quantity of heat exposure did not reveal any significant influence on compression force which might enable thermodisinfection of preformed bone pieces for surgical indications.
Ethical and deontological aspects of pediatric biobanks: the situation in Italy
Authors: Cannovo Nunzia , Guarino Rosa , Fedeli Piergiorgio
Published: April 2020

While pediatric biobanks are a precious resource for scientific research to improve our understanding of genetic pathologies, the value of these studies should be considered together with the value of the privacy rights of pediatric donors, as they are particularly vulnerable and in many cases unable to discern the meaning of the donation of biological material and the related implications of the research. Thus this work calls for reflection on the numerous ethical and legal issues involved in the development and regulation of these biobanks. In particular, it explores what form of consent best balances the intangible rights of the minor, on the one hand, and the development of technological progress and scientific research, on the other, and examines the implications of the collection of biological material of minors in biobanks. It focuses on solutions to bridge the gaps in current Italian legislation, especially in light of the current lack of attention to the interests of fragile subjects. In addition, this work presents an overview of the pediatric biobanks in Italy.
Quantifying air quality co-benefits of climate policy across sectors and regions
Authors: Vandyck Toon , Keramidas Kimon , Tchung-Ming Stéphane , Weitzel Matthias , Van Dingenen Rita
Published: April 2020

The overlap in sources of greenhouse gas and local air pollutant emissions creates scope for policy measures to limit global warming and improve air quality simultaneously. In a first step, we derive estimates for the air pollution mortality-related component of the social cost of atmospheric release for 6 pollutants and 56 regions in the world. Combining these estimates with emission inventory data highlights that sector contributions to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution health impacts differ widely across regions. Next, simulations of future emission pathways consistent with the 2 °C and 1.5 °C targets illustrate that strengthening climate policy ambition raises the total value of air quality co-benefits despite lower marginal co-benefits per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions abated. Finally, we use results from a multi-model ensemble to quantify and compare the value of health-related ambient air quality co-benefits of climate policy across sectors and regions. On the global level, overall air quality co-benefits range from $8 to $40 per tonne of greenhouse gases abated in 2030, with median across models and scenarios of $18/tCO2e. These results mask strong differentiation across regions and sectors, with median co-benefits from mitigation in the residential and service sectors in India exceeding $500/tCO2e. By taking a sector- and region-specific perspective, the results presented here reveal promising channels to improve human health outcomes and to ratchet up greenhouse gas reduction efforts to bridge the gap between countries’ pledges and the global targets of the Paris Agreement.
Towards a He-buffered laser ablation ion source for collinear laser spectroscopy
Authors: Ratajczyk Tim , Bollinger Philipp , Lellinger Tim , Varentsov Victor , Nörtershäuser Wilfried
Published: April 2020

Laser ablation opens a material-independent method to produce ions from transition metals for laser spectroscopy. To overcome some drawbacks of this process, an ion source is under development at TU Darmstadt. A distinctive feature of this source is that ions are produced via laser ablation in presence of helium buffer gas where they stop and cool in the process of their collisions with the buffer gas atoms and are then extracted by the gas flow into low-pressure conditions through the supersonic nozzle. The compact RF-only funnel ion guide placed on the axis behind the nozzle exit allows for effective extraction of high-quality ion beams into a pressure region below 10− 4 mbar. The extraction is realized by using the gas flow trough a supersonic nozzle and an RF-only funnel ion guide, followed by a second nozzle and an RF+DC funnel representing two differential pumping stages. The technical details of this laser ablation ion source are described and the results of the first tests with the RF-only funnel are presented.
Nanocomposite coatings obtained by electrophoretic co-deposition of poly(etheretherketone)/graphene oxide suspensions
Authors: González-Castillo Eduin I. , Costantini Tommaso , Shaffer Milo S. P. , Boccaccini Aldo R.
Published: April 2020

Nanocomposite coatings were successfully prepared by electrophoretic deposition of poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK)/graphene oxide (GO) suspensions. The GO flakes developed a large-scale co-continuous morphology with the basal plane mainly aligned with the coating surface. However, the PEEK particles were also found to be wrapped by GO nanosheets when deposited on the stainless steel substrate. Both phenomena, the co-continuous morphology and the wrapping effect, were dependent on the initial GO content in the suspension and influenced the final morphological characteristics of the thermally treated coatings. The PEEK matrix developed a dendritic morphology during its cooling from the molten state because of transcrystallinity that was induced by the incorporation of GO. The preparation of suspensions involved tip ultrasonication (TS) to deagglomerate, disperse, and mill the PEEK particles. A detailed study of the microstructure revealed that TS tended not only to reduce PEEK particle size, but also to promote an elongated shape, favourable for the nanocomposite coatings.
The Measurement of Eye Contact in Human Interactions: A Scoping Review
Authors: Jongerius Chiara , Hessels Roy S. , Romijn Johannes A. , Smets Ellen M. A. , Hillen Marij A.
Published: April 2020

Eye contact is a fundamental aspect of nonverbal communication and therefore important for understanding human interaction. Eye contact has been the subject of research in many disciplines, including communication sciences, social psychology, and psychiatry, and a variety of techniques have been used to measure it. The choice of measurement method has consequences for research outcomes and their interpretation. To ensure that research findings align with study aims and populations, it is essential that methodological choices are well substantiated. Therefore, to enhance the effective examination of eye contact, we performed a literature review of the methods used to study eye contact. We searched Medline, PsycINFO and Web of Science for empirical peer-reviewed articles published in English that described quantitative studies on human eye contact and included a methodological description. The identified studies (N = 109) used two approaches to assess eye contact: direct, i.e., assessing eye contact while it is occurring, and indirect, i.e., assessing eye contact retrospectively (e.g., from video recordings). Within these categories, eight specific techniques were distinguished. Variation was found regarding the reciprocity of eye contact between two individuals, the involvement of an assessor and the behavior of participants while being studied. Measures not involving the interactors in assessment of eye contact and have a higher spatial and temporal resolution, such as eye tracking, have gained popularity. Our results show wide methodological diversity regarding the measurement of eye contact. Although studies often define eye contact as gaze towards an exact location, this may not do justice to the subjective character of eye contact. The various methodologies have hardly ever been compared, limiting the ability to compare findings between studies. Future studies should take notice of the controversy surrounding eye contact measures.
The erosion of relational values resulting from landscape simplification
Authors: Riechers Maraja , Balázsi Ágnes , Betz Lydia , Jiren Tolera S. , Fischer Joern
Published: April 2020

Context

The global trend of landscape simplification for industrial agriculture is known to cause losses in biodiversity and ecosystem service diversity. Despite these problems being widely known, status quo trajectories driven by global economic growth and changing diets continue to lead to further landscape simplification.

Objectives

In this perspective article, we argue that landscape simplification has negative consequences for a range of relational values, affecting the social-ecological relationships between people and nature, as well as the social relationships among people. A focus on relational values has been proposed to overcome the divide between intrinsic and instrumental values that people gain from nature.

Results

We use a landscape sustainability science framing to examine the interconnections between ecological and social changes taking place in rural landscapes. We propose that increasingly rapid and extreme landscape simplification erodes human-nature connectedness, social relations, and the sense of agency of inhabitants—potentially to the point of severe erosion of relational values in extreme cases. We illustrate these hypothesized changes through four case studies from across the globe. Leaving the links between ecological, social-ecological and social dimensions of landscape change unattended could exacerbate disconnection from nature.

Conclusion

A relational values perspective can shed new light on managing and restoring landscapes. Landscape sustainability science is ideally placed as an integrative space that can connect relevant insights from landscape ecology and work on relational values. We see local agency as a likely key ingredient to landscape sustainability that should be actively fostered in conservation and restoration projects.
Pruning of genetic programming trees using permutation tests
Authors: Rockett Peter
Published: April 2020

We present a novel approach based on statistical permutation tests for pruning redundant subtrees from genetic programming (GP) trees that allows us to explore the extent of effective redundancy . We observe that over a range of regression problems, median tree sizes are reduced by around 20% largely independent of test function, and that while some large subtrees are removed, the median pruned subtree comprises just three nodes; most take the form of an exact algebraic simplification. Our statistically-based pruning technique has allowed us to explore the hypothesis that a given subtree can be replaced with a constant if this substitution results in no statistical change to the behavior of the parent tree—what we term approximate simplification. In the eventuality, we infer that more than 95% of the accepted pruning proposals are the result of algebraic simplifications, which provides some practical insight into the scope of removing redundancies in GP trees.
SEM-EBSD Analysis of Broad Ion Beam Polished Rock Thin Sections – The MFAL Protocol
Authors: Mamtani Manish A. , Chakraborty Ritwik , Biswas Santu , Suryawanshi Abhijeet , Goswami Shalini , Bhatt Sandeep
Published: April 2020

A protocol is presented to perform Broad Ion Beam Polishing (BIBP) of rock thin sections to obtain a surface that can yield high quality crystallographic preferred orientation data using SEM-EBSD. The modus operandi, referred to as Mamtani’s Fabric Analysis Lab (MFAL) protocol, involves flat milling of a rotating rock thin section using a triple ion beam milling system (Leica EM TIC 3X) in which tilt angle of sample (degree) with reference to ion beam (Argon), acceleration voltage (kV) and source current (mA) can be controlled along with lateral and rotary movements. The protocol has been developed after >90 hours of BIBP experiments on various rock samples under different experimental settings (tilt angle/kV/mA) followed by SEM-EBSD analysis. Each experiment was performed at medium rotation speed (7 rpm) with a lateral movement of upto ±7 mm on rectangular rock thin sections (long dimension <25 mm). The best surface for SEM-EBSD analysis of rock thin sections is obtained in two steps of BIBP. In step-1, cleaning of thin section is done for 5 minutes (1.5°/4 kV/1.5 mA). In step-2, polishing is done for 30 minutes (1.5°/4 kV/3 mA). BIBP following MFAL protocol yields very good SEM-EBSD data from hard and soft mineral phases in rocks that enable (a) determination of mineral slip systems, (b) kinematics and (c) EBSD data-based mapping of grain boundaries of soft mineral phases (like hornblende) for petrofabric analysis in a polymineralic rock, which has always remained a challenge from mechanically polished samples. It is concluded that the MFAL protocol saves more than 5 hours of sample preparation time over other sample preparation methods for SEM-EBSD studies.
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction at Five: Lessons from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
Authors: Maly Elizabeth , Suppasri Anawat
Published: April 2020

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 (SFDRR) represents an inclusive approach to disaster risk reduction, linked to development and recovery. Building on previous international guidelines, the SFDRR promotes practical and measurable outcomes for reducing disaster losses, including indicators to measure progress towards seven specific global targets. Evaluated in the context of the priorities and global targets of the SFDRR, the article considers the case of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011 to illustrate advances and limitations in pre-disaster tsunami hazard engineering and post-disaster recovery. With respect to the targets set out in the Sendai Framework related to risk reduction and tsunami engineering, especially Priority 1, understanding disaster risk, there have been significant advances in hazard assessment and systems for tsunami detection and warning. Although the SFDRR emphasizes actions in the recovery phase through Priority 4, enhancing disaster preparedness with an emphasis on the concept of build back better, on its own this does not function as a clear directive for guiding recovery. However, the overall people-centered and inclusive approach of the SFDRR, as well as the global targets and several sub-priorities, can be a useful way to shape good practices in recovery and evaluate recovery progress.
Fertility intention and related factors in China: findings from the 2017 National Fertility Survey
Authors: Zhuang Yaer , Jiang Yu , Li Bohua
Published: April 2020

This paper reports the fertility intension of women based on data from the national fertility survey in 2017 in China (CFS 2017), after implementation of the universal two-child policy, and analyses major related factors. The reported ideal number of children is 1.96 in average, and the intended number of children is 1.76, with obvious differences among different regions. The ideal number of children is highly correlated with the intended number of children, and intended number of children is related to number of children women already have. Women who have had one child intend to have fewer children than women who have not yet had a child. Women who have not yet had any child intend to have 1.60 children in average. The preference of boy varies by intended number of children.
Students Are Stakeholders in On-Campus Archaeology
Authors: Kroot Matthew V. , Panich Lee M.
Published: April 2020

A consistent challenge in community and collaborative archaeologies has been the appropriate identification and understanding of project constituencies. A key step in stakeholder analysis is understanding and harmonizing the goals of archaeological work to the social role of the institutions for which we work. To illustrate the value of such a stance, we examine on-campus archaeology programs at colleges and universities, arguing that treating students as vital stakeholders is an important ethical obligation for both researchers and administrators. Including students as stakeholders in campus archaeology provides pedagogical benefits and a meaningful way to instill an appreciation of archaeology in an important constituency of potential voters and future decision-makers. We present a case study from Santa Clara University (SCU), reporting results of an online survey of undergraduates that was intended to gauge community interests in campus archaeology and heritage. We also detail activities undertaken by SCU's Community Heritage Lab in response to survey findings in order to raise the profile of the archaeological and other heritage resources on our campus.
New fossil stilt-legged mites ofNeophyllobiusBerlese, 1886 (Acariformes, Camerobiidae) from Eocene Baltic amber
Authors: Zmudzinski Mateusz
Published: April 2020

The fossil record of the family Camerobiidae has been represented by only one species,Neophyllobius succineusBolland and Magowski, 1990, described from Eocene Baltic amber. These prostigmatan mites are distinguishable by their distinctly long and slender stilt-like legs, and they are associated with aboveground vegetation where they hunt for other small invertebrates. This paper enhances the knowledge of fossil stilt-legged mites. Two new fossil species,N. electrusnew species andN. glaesusnew species, are described from samples of Baltic amber, and remarks on their morphology and taphonomy are provided. The discovery is complemented with a discussion on morphological singularities (the shape of the prodorsum, the location of setaeh1andh2in living specimens, and lengths of genual setae), an anomaly of hypertrophied seta (found in theN. glaesusholotype), and some biogeographical issues.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/d1602384-ae4f-4f90-b4a1-6cdedd77c9e1
Postcolonial Critique in Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther
Authors: Adéẹ̀kọ́ Adélékè
Published: April 2020

The article addresses two aspects of postcolonial critique in Black Panther: first, its portrayal of the allure of grand statements in the cultivation of conspicuous and persistent self-regard in societies that wish to be recognizably independent, and second the centrality of repeatedly embodied material gestures and motions for the sustenance of enduring communal self-regard. These two prominent features of storytelling in the film, it will be argued, offer a powerful criticism of indifferent, ideology free, and barely disguised fatalism that has driven notions of freedom across the world since the collapse of the old Soviet Union. Storytelling in Black Panther enjoys global acclaim because it revivifies the life-affirming value of high stakes, unabashedly teleological grand narratives, even as it upholds the political valency of strident, non-oppositional difference.
Plaided or Dusky Forms: Highland Landscape in Scotland and Kenya
Authors: Kumar M. Mahavir
Published: April 2020

Accounts of empire in postcolonial critique largely remain silent on colonial relations internal to the United Kingdom, tending to elide the work of Scots, Irish, and Welsh within a solely English imperial enterprise. This article draws on recent reevaluations of the Scottish role in empire to outline the ambivalent place of Britain’s “Celtic Fringe” in its global hegemony. Focusing on eighteenth-century cartography and Scottish accounts of African exploration, it argues that the aesthetic practice of colonial control developed in Scotland established a pattern imperial agents could repeat in overseas territories. The colonization of the “White Highlands” in Kenya, it suggests, relied on aesthetic forms that originated in the landscape of the Scottish Highlands. By focusing on landscape's influence in a constellation of fields—in aesthetics, cartography, and natural history—this article also moves toward an understanding of landscape as a form of aisthesis, a “regime of sense perception.”