bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single-particle states spectroscopy in individual carbon nanotubes with an aid of tunneling contacts
Authors: Matyushkin Yakov , Moskotin Maxim , Rogov Yuriy , Kuntsevich Aleksandr , Goltsman Gregory , Fedorov Georgy
Published: February 2022

Recent studies have demonstrated that the band structure of a carbon nanotube (CNT) depends not only on its geometry but also on various factors such as atmosphere chemical composition and dielectric environment. Systematic studies of these effects require an efficient tool for an in situ investigation of a CNT band structure. In this work, we fabricate tunneling contacts to individual semiconducting carbon nanotubes through a thin layer of alumina and perform tunneling spectroscopy measurements. We use field-effect transistor configuration with four probe contacts (two tunnel and two ohmic) and bottom gates. Bandgap values extracted from tunneling measurements match the values estimated from the diameter value within the zone-folding approximation. We also observe the splitting of Van-Hove singularities of the density of states under an axial magnetic field.
In-plane magnetization and electronic structures in BiFeO3/graphene superlattice
Authors: Chen Chen , Zeng Junjie , Ren Yafei , Fang Le , Wu Yabei , Zhang Peihong , Hu Tao , Wang Jian , Qiao Zhenhua , Ren Wei
Published: February 2022

We predict the presence of gapped electronic structures in an artificial superlattice of graphene embedded in (111)-oriented BiFeO3 layers based on first-principles calculations. Due to the electron transfer and the proximity effect at the BiFeO3/graphene interface, we find that magnetic moments of Fe atoms near a graphene layer were slightly less than that of bulk Fe atoms. Regarding the ferromagnetic moment orientation of Fe atoms in perovskite BiFeO3, we reveal that the in-plane magnetization gives the ground state. The bandgap depends on the magnetization direction and the separation between the graphene layer and the perovskite BiFeO3 slab, which might be adjusted by applying external uniaxial stress in an experiment. Our results provide a route for designing hybrid 2D materials with emerging properties that are not available in single materials alone.
Density of states within the bandgap of perovskite thin films studied using the moving grating technique
Authors: Ventosinos F. , Moeini A. , Pérez-del-Rey D. , Bolink H. J. , Schmidt J. A.
Published: February 2022

In this work, we further study the moving grating technique applied to halide perovskite thin-film materials. First, we show some problems that emerge when analyzing the experimental data with the classical formulation, which does not distinguish between free and trapped carriers and hence only gives average quantities for the transport parameters. We show that using a more general framework, taking into account the multiple trapping of carriers within a density of localized states, allows for an accurate description. Since it includes the density of states (DOS) of the material, it enables the possibility to test different DOS models proposed in the past for halide perovskite thin films. We check whether these models give rise to the type of curves we have measured under different experimental conditions. Finally, we propose a new model for the DOS in the forbidden gap, which results in the best fit found for the measurements performed. This allows us to give ranges of values for the parameters that define the DOS, which, as far as we know, are given for the first time.
A co-fired multilayer PMnS-PZT ceramic based linear piezoelectric ultrasonic micromotor with a high-load-density
Authors: Li Zhanmiao , Bian Lang , Yi Xingyu , Zhu Rongqi , Yuan Xiaoting , Dong Shuxiang
Published: February 2022

In this work, we report a cofired-12-layer ceramic based standing-wave linear piezoelectric ultrasonic micromotor (SW-LPUM) with a high-load-density using LiCO3 doped 0.05Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)O3-0.47PbZrO3-0.48PbTiO3 (PMnS-PZT) material. The proposed SW-LPUM features a miniaturized structure (12.45 × 5.3 × 3.5 mm3) and excellent comprehensive actuation performances, such as fast response time (0.05 ms), high resolution (50 nm), and broad adjustable velocity range (from 0.01 to 123.7 mm s−1). Specifically, its high load density (11.0 mN mm−3) under a single-phase voltage drive is higher than that of most reported LPUMs. The elaborate multilayer structure based on hard-type PMnS-PZT ceramic enables the micromotor to continuously operate without obvious temperature rise, showing its practical value for high-precision positioning.
Physics and applications of nanotubes
Authors: Maruyama Shigeo , Arnold Michael S. , Krupke Ralph , Peng Lian-Mao
Published: February 2022

Nanotubes have been pursued aggressively over the last three decades. Significant progress has been made in the selective growth and post-synthetic sorting of highly monodisperse carbon nanotubes, in understanding their physics, and in assembling and integrating them into high-performance devices. These discoveries have led to promising applications in areas such as high-performance CMOS, high-speed RF, thin-film transistors, flexible electronics, thermoelectrics, sensors, and optoelectronics. The rapid development of modern information technology depends on the exploitation of new and novel materials, and nanotubes have emerged as promising candidates for the post-Moore's Law era. This Special Topic on Physics and Applications of Nanotubes provides a valuable forum where researchers studying the fundamentals of nanotubes can share their most recent and novel findings.
Exploring underlying elements of the motivational self system among learners in two instructional contexts
Authors: Ady Fatima , Kartchava Eva , Rodgers Michael
Published: February 2022

Through the lens ofDörnyei’s (2005)Second Language Motivational Self System, this exploratory study focused on two groups of Canadian newcomers learning English in the traditional classroom setting (English as a Second Language [ESL];n = 37) and the workplace (Workplace Language Training [WLT];n = 29) to determine the role of motivation in their integration into Canadian society and development of the ‘Canadian self’. The results, collected by way of a questionnaire and follow-up interviews, show newcomers holding positive attitudes towards English learning and building their Canadian identity in the process. Notably, beliefs concerning the value of employment to fulfill personal obligations and duties promoted the WLT learners’ motivation and willingness to engage with language learning significantly more than those of their ESL counterparts. Pedagogical implications are discussed.
Shifting perspective on indexicals
Authors: Bowker Mark
Published: February 2022

The debate over the meanings of indexical expressions has relied heavily on the method of counterexamples. This paper challenges that method by showing that purported counterexamples can often be explained away by appeal to perspective shifts. For these counterexamples to establish anything about indexical reference, we must identify the conditions under which theorists can legitimately appeal to perspective shifts. Some tests for semantic content are considered and it is argued that none of them can tell us when appeal to perspective shift is admissible. The paper then considers how we should proceed if we become convinced that there is no way to identify the content of indexical expressions, offering reasons in favour of a nihilist conception of character over an epistemicist or pluralist conception.
Particulate ECM biomaterial ink is 3D printed and naturally crosslinked to form structurally-layered and lubricated cartilage tissue mimics
Authors: Barthold Jeanne E , McCreery Kaitlin P , Martinez Jaylene , Bellerjeau Charlotte , Ding Yifu , Bryant Stephanie J , Whiting Gregory L , Neu Corey P
Published: February 2022

Articular cartilage is a layered tissue with a complex, heterogeneous structure and lubricated surface which is challenging to reproduce using traditional tissue engineering methods. Three-dimensional printing techniques have enabled engineering of complex scaffolds for cartilage regeneration, but constructs fail to replicate the unique zonal layers, and limited cytocompatible crosslinkers exist. To address the need for mechanically robust, layered scaffolds, we developed an extracellular matrix particle-based biomaterial ink (pECM biomaterial ink) which can be extruded, polymerizes via disulfide bonding, and restores layered tissue structure and surface lubrication. Our cartilage pECM biomaterial ink utilizes functionalized hyaluronan (HA), a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan, crosslinked directly to decellularized tissue particles (ø40–100 µm). We experimentally determined that HA functionalized with thiol groups (t-HA) forms disulfide bonds with the ECM particles to form a 3D network. We show that two inks can be co-printed to create a layered cartilage scaffold with bulk compressive and surface (friction coefficient, adhesion, and roughness) mechanics approaching values measured on native cartilage. We demonstrate that our printing process enables the addition of macropores throughout the construct, increasing the viability of introduced cells by 10%. The delivery of these 3D printed scaffolds to a defect is straightforward, customizable to any shape, and adheres to surrounding tissue.
Effect of olefin block copolymer on the toughness of microcellular polypropylene composite
Authors: Mao Huajie , Li Hao , Guo Wei , Wu Min , Zeng Fankun
Published: February 2022

Microcellular polypropylene (PP) materials have wide applications in the automotive industry and other fields due to their low density, high heat resistance, and environmental friendliness. To improve the toughness of foamed PP materials, the olefin block copolymer (OBC) toughened foamed PP materials, PP-G-MAH as compatibilizer, were prepared by foaming injection molding (FIM) to study the influence of OBC elastomer on the toughness of foamed PP composites. The crystallization behavior showed that the addition of OBC could increase the crystallinity and reduce the spherulite size of PP0, which benefited the improvement of toughness. The rheological measurement demonstrated that the melt viscosity of various PP0/OBC samples was significantly improved in contrast to those of PP0, which was good for the formation of the cell. The microstructure images showed that the cell sizes of the core layer and transition layer in the vertical section reached respectively 40.4μm and 27.3μm, as the content of OBC was 20 wt%. When 20 wt% OBC was added, the impact toughness of PP composites increased by 2.3 times, and the plastic deformation of the cell wall in the impact profile increased maximum, which could absorb a lot of energy and benefit for toughening. The representative volume element (RVE) model of PP/OBC foamed materials was established to simulate its impact and tensile process, taking into account the effect of elastomers and cells. The simulation results showed that the stress concentration factor of foamed PP under impact load increased from 1.80 to 1.93 by adding 20 wt% OBC content and 15 vol% void fraction, while the stress concentration factor of foamed PP under tensile load increased from 1.6 to 2.07 by adding 15 wt% OBC content and 15 vol% void fraction. The impact toughness of foamed PP composites with 20 wt% OBC and the tensile toughness of that with 15 wt% OBC reached the maximum with a 14.2% void fraction.
Thiophene–furan oligomers: beyond-DFT study of electronic and optical properties
Authors: Bastos V A , da Silva T J , Caldas M J
Published: February 2022

Thiophene oligomers are an important class of organic materials for photovoltaic applications, owing to their unique optoelectronic properties. Recently it has been suggested that incorporation of furan units to the thiophene chains, maintaining the chain structure, namely thienylfuran linear oligomers, can bring improvements to the final material. In this work, we present a theoretical study of thiophene, furan and thienylfuran short chains, up to 4 units. Structural and electronic properties were obtained using Hartree–Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations plus beyond mean-field methodologies, specifically second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory on HF (HF-MP2) and many-body perturbation theory by the G0W0 approximation on DFT (G0W0@DFT). The optical properties were calculated on top of G0W0@DFT data using the Bethe–Salpeter equation. We investigate properties from the monomers T and F to tetramers with different sequencing of units TT, TF or FF, always bonded through the usual carbon atoms. As well known for the uniform oligothiophene chains, also here for any TT sequencing we find a torsion angle of 150°, while all other sequencing of units result planar, which can be relevant for film producing. Also we find that the first optical transitions for the oligomers reaches a promising threshold of

∼
3

eV at the tetramer length, combined with ionization potentials around ∼6.5–7 eV compatible with usual semiconductor/substrate band alignments, which confirms the relevance of these organic compounds for photovoltaic applications.
Multi-scale deep learning for the imbalanced multi-label protein subcellular localization prediction based on immunohistochemistry images
Authors: Wang Fengsheng , Wei Leyi
Published: February 2022

Motivation

The development of microscopic imaging techniques enables us to study protein subcellular locations from the tissue level down to the cell level, contributing to the rapid development of image-based protein subcellular location prediction approaches. However, existing methods suffer from intrinsic limitations, such as poor feature representation ability, data imbalanced issue, and multi-label classification problem, greatly impacting the model performance and generalization.

Results

In this study, we propose MSTLoc, a novel multi-scale end-to-end deep learning model to identify protein subcellular locations in the imbalanced multi-label immunohistochemistry (IHC) images dataset. In our MSTLoc, we deploy a deep convolution neural network to extract multi-scale features from the IHC images, aggregate the high-level features and low-level features via feature fusion to sufficiently exploit the dependencies amongst various subcellular locations, and utilize Vision Transformer (ViT) to model the relationship amongst the features and enhance the feature representation ability. We demonstrate that the proposed MSTLoc achieves better performance than current state-of-the-art models in multi-label subcellular location prediction. Through feature visualization and interpretation analysis, we demonstrate that as compared with the hand-crafted features, the multi-scale deep features learnt from our model exhibit better ability in capturing discriminative patterns underlying protein subcellular locations, and the features from different scales are complementary for the improvement in performance. Finally, case study results indicate that our MSTLoc can successfully identify some biomarkers from proteins that are closely involved with cancer development.

Availability and implementation

For the convenient use of our method, we establish a user-friendly webserver available at http://server.wei-group.net/MSTLoc.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Perioperative interventions to reduce pancreatic fistula following pancreatoduodenectomy: meta-analysis
Authors:   PARANOIA Study Group:,   Writing group:, Halle-Smith James M , Pande Rupaly , Hall Lewis , Hodson James , Roberts Keith J ,   Steering committee:, Arshad Ali , Connor Saxon , Conlon Kevin C P , Dickson Euan J , Giovinazzo Francesco , Harrison Ewen , de Liguori Carino Nicola , Hore Todd , Knight Stephen R , Loveday Benjamin , Magill Laura , Mirza Darius , Mitta Anubhav , Pandanaboyana Sanjay , Perry Rita J , Pinkney Thomas , Samra Jas , Siriwardena Ajith K , Satoi Sohei , Skipworth James , Stättner Stefan , Sutcliffe Robert P , Tingstedt Bobby , Roberts Keith J
Published: February 2022

Background

Data on interventions to reduce postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) following pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) are conflicting. The aim of this study was to assimilate data from RCTs.

Methods

MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched systematically for RCTs evaluating interventions to reduce all grades of POPF or clinically relevant (CR) POPF after PD. Meta-analysis was undertaken for interventions investigated in multiple studies. A post hoc analysis of negative RCTs assessed whether these had appropriate statistical power.

Results

Among 22 interventions (7512 patients, 55 studies), 12 were assessed by multiple studies, and subjected to meta-analysis. Of these, external pancreatic duct drainage was the only intervention associated with reduced rates of both CR-POPF (odds ratio (OR) 0.40, 95 per cent c.i. 0.20 to 0.80) and all-POPF (OR 0.42, 0.25 to 0.70). Ulinastatin was associated with reduced rates of CR-POPF (OR 0.24, 0.06 to 0.93). Invagination (versus duct-to-mucosa) pancreatojejunostomy was associated with reduced rates of all-POPF (OR 0.60, 0.40 to 0.90). Most negative RCTs were found to be underpowered, with post hoc power calculations indicating that interventions would need to reduce the POPF rate to 1 per cent or less in order to achieve 80 per cent power in 16 of 34 (all-POPF) and 19 of 25 (CR-POPF) studies respectively.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis supports a role for several interventions to reduce POPF after PD. RCTs in this field were often relatively small and underpowered, especially those evaluating CR-POPF.
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors and their effect on the kidney
Authors: Bonilla Marco , Jhaveri Kenar D , Izzedine Hassan
Published: February 2022

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality and approximately 5% of non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are positive for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement or fusion with echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4. ALK inhibitors are the mainstay treatment for patients with NSCLC harboring a rearrangement of the ALK gene or the ROS1 oncogenes. With the recent publication of pivotal trials leading to the approval of these compounds in different indications, their toxicity profile warrants an update. Several ALK-1 inhibitors are used in clinical practice, including crizotinib, ceritinib and alectinib. According to the package insert and published literature, treatment with several ALK-1 inhibitors appears to be associated with the development of peripheral edema and rare electrolyte disorders, kidney failure, proteinuria and an increased risk for the development and progression of renal cysts. This review introduces the different types of ALK inhibitors, focusing on their detailed kidney-related side effects in clinical practice.
Two lineages of bivalve transmissible neoplasia affect the blue musselMytilus trossulusGould in the subarctic Sea of Okhotsk
Authors: Skazina Maria , Odintsova Nelly , Maiorova Mariia , Frolova Lidia , Dolganova Irina , Regel Kira , Strelkov Petr
Published: February 2022

There are increasing findings of the bivalve transmissible neoplasia derived from the Pacific mussel Mytilus trossulus (MtrBTN) in populations of different Mytilus species worldwide. The Subarctic is an area where this disease has not yet been sought despite the fact that Mytilus spp. are widespread there, and M. trossulus itself is a boreal species. We used flow cytometry of the hemolymph, hemocytology, and histology to diagnose disseminated neoplasia in a sample of M. trossulus from Magadan in the subarctic Sea of Okhotsk. Neoplasia was identified in 11 of 214 mussels studied. Using mtDNA COI sequencing, we revealed genotypes identical or nearly identical to known MtrBTN ones in the hemolymph of most of the diseased mussels. Both MtrBTN evolutionary lineages have been identified, the widespread MtrBTN2, and MtrBTN1, so far only known from M. trossulus in British Columbia on the other side of the Pacific from Magadan. In addition, MtrBTN2 was represented by 2 common diverged mtDNA haplolineages. These conclusions were confirmed for selected cancerous mussels by molecular cloning of COI and additional nuclear and mtDNA genes. On the background of high genetic diversity, different cancers were similar in terms of ploidy (range 4.0–5.8 n) and nuclear-to-cell ratio. Our study provides the first description of neoplasia and MtrBTN in mussels from the Sea of Okhotsk and from the Subarctic, of both MtrBTN1 and MtrBTN2 in the same mussel population, and the first direct comparison between these transmissible cancers.
Impaired biventricular contractile reserve in patients with diastolic dysfunction: insights from exercise stress echocardiography
Authors: Claeys Mathias , Petit Thibault , La Gerche Andre , Herbots Lieven , Claus Piet , De Bosscher Ruben , Droogne Walter , Van Cleemput Johan , Voigt Jens Uwe , Delcroix Marion , Janssens Stefan , Willems Rik , Verwerft Jan , Claessen Guido
Published: February 2022

Aims

Cardiac output limitation is a fundamental feature of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) but the relative contribution of its determinants in symptomatic vs. asymptomatic stages are not well characterized. We aimed to gain insight into disease mechanisms by performing comprehensive comparative non-invasive exercise imaging in patients across the disease spectrum.

Methods and results

We performed bicycle stress echocardiography in 10 healthy controls, 13 patients with hypertensive left ventricular (LV) concentric remodelling and asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction (HTDD), 15 HFpEF patients, and 15 subjects with isolated right ventricular (RV) dysfunction secondary to chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). During exercise, ventricular performance differed across the groups (all P ≤ 0.01 for interaction). Notably in controls, LV and RV function significantly increased (all P < 0.05) while both LV systolic and diastolic reserve were significantly reduced in HFpEF patients. Likewise, RV systolic reserve was also impaired in HFpEF but not to the extent of CTEPH patients (P < 0.001 between groups). HTDD patients behaved as an intermediary group with borderline LV systolic and diastolic reserve and reduced RV systolic reserve. The increased pulmonary vascular (PV) load in HFpEF and CTEPH patients in combination with impaired RV reserve resulted in RV–pulmonary artery uncoupling during exercise.

Conclusion

The multifaceted decline of cardiac and PV function accompanying disease progression in HFpEF is unmasked by exercise and already emerges in preclinical disease. The revelation of these subtle abnormalities during exercise illustrates the benefit of exercise imaging and creates new prospects for early diagnosis and management.
Pulmonary artery capacitance and pulmonary vascular resistance as prognostic indicators in acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Quintero-Martinez Juan A , Wysokinski Waldemar E , Cordova-Madera Sandra N , Mogollon Renzo J , Garcia-Arango Mariana , Vlazny Danielle T , Houghton Damon E , Casanegra Ana I , Villarraga Hector R
Published: February 2022

Aims

The non-invasive calculation of right ventricular (RV) haemodynamics as pulmonary artery (PA) capacitance (PAC) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) have proved to be feasible, easy to perform, and of high prognostic value. We, therefore, evaluated whether baseline PAC and PVR could predict clinical outcomes for patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods and results

We prospectively followed 373 patients [mean (standard deviation) age, 64.1 (14.9) years; 58.4% were men, and 27.9% had cancer] who had acute PE and transthoracic echocardiography within 1 day of diagnosis from 1 March 2013 through 30 June 2020. Pulmonary artery capacitance was calculated as left ventricular stroke volume/(PA systolic pressure − PA diastolic pressure). Pulmonary vascular resistance was calculated as (tricuspid regurgitant velocity/RV outflow tract velocity time integral) × 10 + 0.16. These two variables were calculated retrospectively from the values obtained with transthoracic echocardiography. Pulmonary artery capacitance was acquired in 99 (27%) patients and PVR in 65 (17%) patients. Univariable and bivariable logistic regression analyses, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the ability of these haemodynamic measurements to predict mortality up to 6 months. After using bivariable models to adjust individually for age, cancer, and pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary vascular resistance was associated with all-cause mortality at 3 months [area under the curve (AUC) 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61–0.86; P = 0.01], and 6 months (AUC 0.81; 95% CI 0.69–0.91; P≤ 0.03). Pulmonary artery capacitance was associated with all-cause mortality at 30 days (AUC 0.95; 95% CI 0.82–0.99; P < 0.001) and 3 months (AUC 0.84; 95% CI 0.65–0.99; P = 0.003).

Conclusion

Non-invasive measurement of RV haemodynamics could provide prognostic information of patients with acute PE. Pulmonary artery capacitance and PVR are potentially important predictors of all-cause mortality in these patients and should be explored in future studies.
Takotsubo syndrome and respiratory diseases: a systematic review
Authors: Li Pengyang , Wang Yanxuan , Liang Jing , Zuo Xinyu , Li Qiuyue , Sherif Akil Adrian , Zhang Jingyi , Xu Yidan , Huang Zirui , Dong Man , Teng Catherine , Pan Su , Dixon Richard A F , Wei Xin , Wu Lingling , Jin Chengyue , Cai Peng , Dai Qiying , Ma Jianjun , Liu Qi
Published: February 2022

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a rare cardiovascular condition characterized by reversible ventricular dysfunction and a presentation resembling that of acute myocardial infarction. An increasing number of studies has shown the association of respiratory diseases with TTS. Here, we comprehensively reviewed the literature and examined the available evidence for this association. After searching PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, two investigators independently reviewed 3117 studies published through May 2021. Of these studies, 99 met the inclusion criteria (n = 108 patients). In patients with coexisting respiratory disease and TTS, the most common TTS symptom was dyspnoea (70.48%), followed by chest pain (24.76%) and syncope (2.86%). The most common type of TTS was apical, accounting for 81.13% of cases, followed by the midventricular (8.49%), basal (8.49%), and biventricular (1.89%) types. Among the TTS cases, 39.82% were associated with obstructive lung disease and 38.89% were associated with pneumonia. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has been increasingly reported in patients with TTS, was identified in 29 of 42 (69.05%) patients with pneumonia. The overall mortality rate for patients admitted for respiratory disease complicated by TTS was 12.50%. Obstructive lung disease and pneumonia are the most frequently identified respiratory triggers of TTS. Medications and invasive procedures utilized in managing respiratory diseases may also contribute to the development of TTS. Furthermore, the diagnosis of TTS triggered by these conditions can be challenging due to its atypical presentation. Future prospective studies are needed to establish appropriate guidelines for managing respiratory disease with concurrent TTS.
Polycaprolactone/polyvinyl pyrrolidone nanofibers developed by solution blow spinning for encapsulation of chlorogenic acid
Authors: Cao Yang , Shen Chaoyi , Yang Zhichao , Cai Zihan , Deng Zian , Wu Di
Published: February 2022

Study on the application of nanofibers in food active packaging has been a research hotspot in recent years. In this work, solution blow spinning (SBS) was applied to rapidly fabricate the polycaprolactone (PCL), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and PCL/PVP nanofibrous films to encapsulate chlorogenic acid (CGA). All films showed uniform and smooth nanofibers, and the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction proved the success of mixed spinning of PCL and PVP. With the increase of PVP content, the thermal stability of the PCL/PVP nanofibrous films improved. The PCL/PVP (weight ratio of 4:1) film possessed better mechanical properties than PCL and PVP films because of the stronger fiber–fiber interactions. The addition of PCL endowed the hydrophobic surfaces to the PCL/PVP films, and the PCL/PVP films had better water vapor barrier ability. The PCL/PVP (4:1) film exhibited the best long-term continuous release of CGA during 72 h. The PVP nanofibrous film exhibited no inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli due to the low encapsulation efficiency, but the PCL and PCL/PVP films exhibited good antimicrobial activity. The above results suggested that the nanofibrous films developed by SBS possess promising prospects in food packaging.
The poplar VQ1 gene confers salt tolerance and pathogen resistance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants via changes in hormonal signaling
Authors: Liu Shifan , Wang Zhaocheng , Wu Jing , Wu Caijuan , Xiong Rui , Xiang Yan , Yan Hanwei
Published: February 2022

The VQ protein family is plant-specific, and is involved in growth, development, and biotic and abiotic stress responses. In this study, we found that the gene expression of poplar VQ1(Potri.001G029700) from Populus trichocarpa varied remarkably under salt stress and hormones associated with disease. A subcellular localization experiment showed that VQ1 was localized in the nucleus and cytomembrane in tobacco. The overexpression of VQ1 in Arabidopsis thaliana enhanced its resistance to salt stress and disease, and was also responsive to it through abscisic acid. Compared with wild-type, transgenic Arabidopsis lines had significantly increased levels of abscisic acid and salicylic acid. The expression of some stress-related genes, such as MPK6, NPR1, and PDF1.2, was significantly up-regulated by salt in transgenic plants, while WRKY70, ABI1, KUP6, and NCED2 were significantly down-regulated by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 in transgenic plants. Together, these results demonstrate that VQ1 modulates hormonal signaling to confer multiple biotic and abiotic stress responses in transgenic Arabidopsis plants.
A strategy to build a unified data set of moment magnitude estimates for low-to-moderate seismicity regions based on European–Mediterranean data: application to metropolitan France
Authors: Laurendeau A , Clément C , Scotti O
Published: February 2022

Seismic hazard assessment (SHA) requires earthquake events characterized in terms of the moment magnitude (Mw) scale both in the earthquake catalogues and in the ground motion databases (SHA data sets). However, published Mw estimates for the same event may actually differ due to the adoption of different computation methods, input data, or seismic networks. The main objective of this paper is to develop a novel strategy to assign a unique Mw value for each earthquake and unified to an Mw reference data set that can be applied to low-to-moderate seismicity regions (Mw < 4.5) such as Metropolitan France, the target region of our study. The strategy consists of first collecting all Mw estimated directly by spectral or temporal inversion in a large area of the European–Mediterranean zone, including regional and specific studies in our target region. Then, the sources of Mw estimates are ranked in five different categories, from global to specific studies. A GCMT (Global Centroid Moment Tensor project) standard Mw value is recomputed and a quality flag is assigned depending on the level of the information provided by the sources. Mw estimates are then compared at the European–Mediterranean scale with those provided by the CMT services, chosen as reference. Mw estimates are subsequently corrected for their systematic deviations by progressively including lower magnitude estimates as one moves from high ranked categories to lower ones at each step of the unification procedure. In this work, the collected data set contains 6752 Mw estimates of 4454 shallow events (depth < 40 km) that occurred between 1963 and 2019 and computed by 34 sources (bulletins, publications,…, etc). A unified Mw value could be attributed to 185 events (2.36 ≤ Mw ≤ 5.35) in France and neighbouring regions and 3351 events (3.06 ≤ Mw ≤ 7.57) in the European–Mediterranean region. Finally, we showed that this Mw data set is consistent with European SHA data sets but leads to slightly larger Mw values compared to the French SHA data sets. We also noted that some variability still subsist in Mw data set compared to the existing SHA data sets, especially for Mw < 5.0. This new unified Mw data set is a first step toward the building of future catalogues. It will contribute to greatly improve the coherence of Mw definitions in the next generation of SHA data sets for both metropolitan France and Europe.
Reconstruction of phyllotaxis at the example of digitized red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) and application to light interception simulation
Authors: Chi Faustino , Streit Katarína , Tavkhelidze Aleksi , Kurth Winfried
Published: February 2022

The function of the arrangement of leaves (phyllotaxy) in a plant increases its ability to perform photosynthesis by positioning the leaves to maximize the surface area available to intercept sunlight. In mangroves species, phyllotaxis is an unexplored phenomenon with the exception of early work from Tomlinson and Wheat. Available red mangrove models do not provide the needed flexibility in representation of tree architecture, which is needed to analyse and reconstruct the detailed architecture of saplings. The objective of the current study was to generate the phyllotactic pattern for red mangrove saplings (Rhizophora mangle) based on our 3D digitized model, in situ measurements, photographic analysis and using an algorithm. Onsite mangrove saplings (between 1 and 2.5 m) from Turneffe Atoll, Belize, were photographed. The above-ground part was digitized using the electromagnetic digitizing equipment (FASTRAK® Polhemus Inc.), high-resolution photos of the leaf arrangements were taken along with field notes and the model was constructed using the software GroIMP (Growth-grammar-related Interactive Modelling Platform). Our algorithm, enriched by probabilistic approaches for the purpose of handling perturbations in phyllotactic patterns, was able to closely refoliate our 3D model. We then used the resulting hybrid model, composed of the digitized branching structure and the algorithmically generated leaves, to simulate the interception of light by individual leaves, employing the stochastic raytracing-based radiation model. This preliminary result allows us to assess and visualize the photosynthetic contributions of single leaves throughout the canopy. Simulations of other processes (flows in xylem and phloem; mechanical behaviour) could be based on such a model.
Calling in “Sick”: COVID-19, Opportunism, Pretext, and Subnational Autocratization
Authors: Stenberg Matthew , Rocco Philip , Farole Safia Abukar
Published: February 2022

As governments sought to manage the coronavirus pandemic, many pursed temporary increases in centralized authority, a general tactic of crisis management. However, in some countries, public health was not the only motive for centralization. The COVID-19 response coincided with broader worldwide trends toward autocratization. Some of these efforts happened while the world was preoccupied with responding to the pandemic without concretely referencing coronavirus; however, in other cases, public-health rationales are clearly and explicitly invoked as a pretext for actions that instead aid the consolidation of regime authority. This has been especially pernicious in subnational politics, where efforts have been made to undermine the ability of opposition parties to fairly contest local and regional politics. This article examines four cases in which political actors either opportunistically used distraction from the COVID-19 pandemic or explicitly invoked public health while seeking to undermine long-term political contestation in their jurisdictions: Hong Kong, Hungary, Uganda, and the United States. We characterize the use of pandemic response as pretext or opportunity for undermining opposition parties, recentralizing political authority in dominant actors, and inhibiting the fair contestation of elections.
Prediagnostic Serum Vitamin D, Vitamin D Binding Protein Isoforms, and Cancer Survival
Authors: Weinstein Stephanie J , Mondul Alison M , Layne Tracy M , Yu Kai , Huang Jiaqi , Stolzenberg-Solomon Rachael Z , Ziegler Regina G , Purdue Mark P , Huang Wen-Yi , Abnet Christian C , Freedman Neal D , Albanes Demetrius
Published: February 2022

Background

Higher circulating vitamin D has been associated with improved overall cancer survival, but data for organ-specific cancers are mixed.

Methods

We examined the association between prediagnostic serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], the recognized biomarker of vitamin D status, and cancer survival in 4038 men and women diagnosed with 1 of 11 malignancies during 22 years of follow-up (median = 15.6 years) within the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Multivariable-adjusted proportional hazards regression estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between baseline 25(OH)D concentration and subsequent cancer survival; we also stratified on the common vitamin D binding protein isoforms (Gc1f, Gc1s, and Gc2) defined by two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs7041 and rs4588) in the vitamin D binding protein gene GC. All P values were 2-sided.

Results

Higher 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with greater overall cancer survival (HR for cancer mortality = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.70 to 0.98 for highest vs lowest quintile; Ptrend = .05) and lung cancer survival (HR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.44 to 0.90; Ptrend = .03). These associations were limited to cases expressing the Gc2 isoform (HR = 0.38 for Gc2-2, 95% CI = 0.14 to 1.05 for highest vs lowest quintile; Ptrend = .02; and HR = 0.30 for Gc1-2/Gc2-2 combined, 95% CI = 0.16 to 0.56; Ptrend < .001 for overall and lung cancer, respectively).

Conclusions

Higher circulating 25(OH)D was associated with improved overall and lung cancer survival. As this was especially evident among cases with the genetically determined Gc2 isoform of vitamin D binding protein, such individuals may gain a cancer survival advantage by maintaining higher 25(OH)D blood concentrations.
Idiopathic asymptomatic pneumoperitoneum in a patient with ureteric calculus and Crohn’s disease
Authors: Raabe Gitte Grunnet , Schelde-Olesen Benedicte , Bjørsum-Meyer Thomas
Published: February 2022

A 46-year-old male referred to the Emergency Department with pain in the left flank. The patient suffered from Crohn’s disease. He had not experienced any fever, and a urine strip showed signs of blood. A ureteric calculus was suspected and a computed tomography scan was performed, which surprisingly showed free intraperitoneal air (FIA) located along the ascending colon. The patient had no signs indicative of peritonitis and the spontaneous pneumoperitoneum was suspected. Pneumoperitoneum is often associated with severe intraabdominal pathology, such as perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, requiring acute surgical intervention. In ~10% of all cases of FIA, the cause is related to conditions not requiring prompt surgical intervention. Doctors need to recognize the rare condition of spontaneous pneumoperitoneum and correlate these findings to patient complaints to be able to choose the correct conservative strategy and to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures and risks for the patient.
The Birth of Modern Neuroscience in Turin
Authors: Sandrone Stefano , Lorusso Lorenzo
Published: February 2022

This book is a journey in space and time to discover and rediscover famous and lesser known aspects of the birth of modern neuroscience in Turin, from the pre-Enlightenment to the 1980s. From the anatomical drawings by Luigi Rolando to Cesare Lombroso’s controversial stances, from Giulio Bizzozero and Aldo Perroncito’s histological works to Ernesto Lugaro’s contributions to neurology and psychiatry. Also discussed are Angelo Mosso’s pioneering “neuroimaging” experiments, the role of Federico Kiesow in the development of experimental psychology in Europe, the first neurological movies by Camillo Negro and the works and influence of Giuseppe Levi, who mentored three Nobel Laureates, including Rita Levi-Montalcini, who discovered the Nerve Growth Factor. By analyzing the cultural and scientific environment, the pioneering contributions of neuroscientists from Turin and working in Turin and how they shaped the Italian, European, and global community are critically assessed. It is time to put Turin back at the center of the worldwide neuroscience map.
Brief Happy Military-Neurophysiological Stint of Mario Camis in Wartime Turin
Authors: Berlucchi Giovanni
Published: February 2022

After working at the Universities of Pisa and Liverpool, the physiologist Mario Camis was charged with the selection of pilots for air combat in the First World War at the Psycho-Physiological Office of Italian Aviation in Turin. Inspired by the atmosphere of scientific collaboration between physiology and psychology created in Turin by the physiologist Angelo Mosso, Camis produced two original experimental studies, one on the evaluation of emotionality with the reaction time method and the other one on the electrical cerebellar responses to vestibular inputs. Furthermore, by combining physiological, psychological, and literary knowledge under Sherrington and Mosso’s influence, he wrote an erudite book titled The Mechanism of Emotion. Perhaps the most important consequence for Italian neuroscience of Camis’s stay in Turin was that he transmitted the teaching of Sherrington to Italian physiologists and particularly to his pupil Giuseppe Moruzzi, the recognized father of Italian neurophysiology.
Ernesto Lugaro
Authors: Schiffer Davide
Published: February 2022

The psychiatrist Ernesto Lugaro (1870–1940) can be considered the founder of the Turin neurological school. He began his career as a neuropathology student in Palermo, the same city where, in 1895, he joined the team led by Eugenio Tanzi, with whom he wrote the pioneering book, Treatise of Mental Diseases. He relocated to Florence when Tanzi moved to Tuscany. After his academic stays in Sassari and Messina as a professor of psychiatry, Lugaro moved to Turin in 1911. Lugaro succeeded Cesare Lombroso and, in 1927, was appointed as a professor of neuropathology. In 1935, he became professor of the Clinic of Nervous and Mental Diseases. This chapter analyses the role that neurology and psychiatry had in Lugaro’s life, and examines how his breakthrough ideas and discoveries funded and continuously shaped the Turin neurological school, pushing both disciplines toward new frontiers.
General approach to sleep disorders
Authors: Muza Rexford
Published: February 2022

Sleep represents a behavioural state of mental and physical arrest, associated with disconnection from the outside world. Yet underlying this apparent state of quiescence exist a highly active and dynamic series of brain states, tightly regulated and with a range of specific functions. In this chapter, sleep and its stages are described, as are the neuroanatomical and neurotransmitter basis of sleep. The importance of sleep in the regulation of brain function, in the form of memory, learning and the glymphatic system are also described.
Sleep-disordered breathing
Authors: Steier Joerg , Kent Brian
Published: February 2022

Treatment of insomnia often requires medication. The range of licensed hypnotics differ from country to country but there are generally only a few drugs specifically licensed for insomnia. As a result, it is not uncommon for unlicensed medications to be used as well. The evidence base for the long-term use of hypnotics and the use of unlicensed medications in insomnia is scant, but clinical experience and an understanding of the underlying pharmacology can fill in some of the gaps in the scientific literature.
Circadian rhythm sleep–wake disorders
Authors: Nesbitt Alexander D.
Published: February 2022

Beyond narcolepsy, there are other, rarer, hypersomnias of central origin. These are less well-defined, with a vaguer understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, but remain in the differential diagnosis for the excessively sleepy patient. The include both idiopathic hypersomnia and recurrent hypersomnia (Kleine-Levin syndrome). A knowledge of these disorders, their diagnosis and management, is therefore helpful for any clinician regularly seeing patients with sleep complaints.
Sleep and epilepsy
Authors: Eriksson Sofia
Published: February 2022

Sleep problems and headache are amongst the most common symptoms we experience. It is no surprise that some co-associations between the two exist, although quite how the interactions occur are complex, and quite elusive. There are many layers of considerable overlap in terms of the anatomy, physiology and pharmacology of the brain systems involved in headache and sleep-wake.
This chapter describes what is known about the bidirectional relationship between sleep and various headache syndromes, including migraine, cluster headache, and hypnic headache, as well as related conditions such as exploding head syndrome.
Sleep and psychiatric disorders
Authors: Rosenzweig Ivana , Osorio Ricardo S.
Published: February 2022

Chronic pain affects 10% of the population, and 50-75% of people with chronic pain report sleep difficulties. Pain disrupts sleep continuity and quality via many different mechanisms, and conversely, poor sleep, short sleep, and prolonged sleep, can amplify chronic pain, in an often bi-directional relationship.
These interactions relate to numerous disorders causing chronic pain, and are not necessarily specific to any particular one.
Sleep-related symptoms can include insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, restless legs syndrome, snoring, and more unusually, abnormal sleep behaviours. Sleep behavioural (‘hygiene’) practices are often poor, and provide an opportunity for intervention.
Ringworm and Irradiation
Authors: Shvarts Shifra , Sadetzki Siegal
Published: February 2022

The practice of using x-rays for the medical treatment of benign diseases began in the 1920s and peaked in the 1940s and 1950s. Radiation therapy was considered good medical practice during the first decades of the 20th century and was very effective at controlling and eliminating ringworm (tinea capitis), an epidemic that was spread mainly among children. Results were often immediate. In the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and North Africa, hundreds of thousands of children were treated with radiation therapy for ringworm of the scalp. X-ray treatment gradually came to an end in the 1960s when other effective oral treatments were developed (e.g., griseofulvin for ringworm). In parallel, studies started to suggest that radiation exposure, especially in childhood, might increase the risk for developing blood malignancies, benign and malignant tumors of the thyroid gland, and leukemia. This volume discusses the use of irradiation for the treatment of ringworm in different countries in the first half of the 20th century; the latent risk for the development of tumors, malignancies, thyroid cancer, brain tumors, and other health effects among the exposed population; media coverage; and the initiatives of the National Cancer Institute to launch a nationwide campaign warning the medical community and public about the late health effects of ionizing radiation