bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Application of a Mechanistic Population Modeling Approach to Describe Abemaciclib Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Chigutsa Emmanuel , Kambhampati Siva Rama Prasad , Karen Sykes Amanda , Posada Maria M. , van der Walt Jan‐Stefan , Turner P. Kellie
Published: July 2020

Abemaciclib is an oral anticancer drug that inhibits cyclin dependent kinases 4 and 6 and is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A in the intestines and liver to active metabolites. The objectives were (1) to develop a mechanistic model to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) of the active moieties and investigate the effect of patient factors and (2) apply the model to dat from two phase III breast cancer trials of abemaciclib in combination with endocrine therapy. To develop the model, data from seven phase I studies and two phase II studies including 421 patients with cancer and 65 healthy individuals were pooled for nonlinear mixed effects modeling. The PK was similar between patients and healthy subjects, and the effects of diarrhea, formulation, race, and patient covariates on exposure were negligible. Application of the model confirmed its predictive performance and that abemaciclib PK did not change when coadministered with endocrine therapy.
The smallest eating the largest: the oldest mammalian feeding traces on dinosaur bone from the Late Jurassic of the Junggar Basin (northwestern China)
Authors: Augustin Felix J. , Matzke Andreas T. , Maisch Michael W. , Hinz Juliane K. , Pfretzschner Hans-Ulrich
Published: July 2020

Reconstructing trophic interactions in ancient ecosystems is an important and fascinating branch of palaeontological research. Here we describe small bioerosional traces that are preserved on sauropod bone from the early Late Jurassic Qigu Formation (Oxfordian) of Liuhuanggou gorge in the southern Junggar Basin (Xinjiang Province, northwestern China). The most likely producers of these traces are tiny Mesozoic mammals as evinced by the small size of the traces as well as by their paired and opposed arrangement. The feeding traces are only superficially preserved on the bone surface and most likely were inflicted unintentionally during feeding. The occurrence of the bite marks along small ridges and the “gnawed” appearance of the bone surface points to selective feeding on the remaining soft tissues of the dinosaur carcass. The traces represent the oldest direct evidence for mammalian feeding behaviour in the fossil record. Additionally, these traces expand the known range of the early mammalian feeding repertoire significantly and shed light on the palaeobiology and palaeoecology of early mammals, a field that has remained evasive for a long time.
Effect of sweeteners and storage on compositional and sensory properties of blackberry jams
Authors: Benedek Csilla , Bodor Zsanett , Merrill Vanda Tímea , Kókai Zoltán , Gere Attila , Kovacs Zoltan , Dalmadi István , Abrankó László
Published: July 2020

Sweeteners of natural sources, such as sugar alcohols, are in the centre of growing interest. Their impact on the phytochemicals, antioxidant and sensory properties of blackberry jams were investigated during a 9-months storage period. Measurements on jams prepared with different sugars and sugar alcohols (sucrose, fructose, xylitol and erythritol) were performed at the date of preparation and in the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th month.

Total polyphenol content, individual polyphenols, antioxidant properties, anthocyanin content and CIEL*a*b* colour were determined. Sensory profiles were determined by a trained panel. Sensory attributes were compared by the results of the electronic tongue and nose.

Sweeteners had a significant impact on physicochemical properties and sensory attributes. Storage time also affected the sensory and compositional properties of jams. Changes in antioxidant properties did not follow a clear trend during the storage period, and antioxidant capacity was not affected significantly by the sweetening agent, but showed a significant decline from the 6th month. A positive effect of xylitol was observed in terms of a low degradation rate of anthocyanins, while their decomposition was the fastest in the fructose-containing preparation. Jams sweetened with erythritol reached significantly lower values for some sensory attributes (blackberry flavour and general taste intensity), however, they showed more intense red colour. Multiple factor analysis enabled the identification of the effect of sweetener and storage time on the pattern of the sensory data matrix. Classification according to individual sweeteners was performed successfully by the electronic tongue, but not by electronic nose.
A brief bout of exercise in hypoxia reduces ventricular filling rate and stroke volume response during muscle metaboreflex activation
Authors: Mulliri Gabriele , Magnani Sara , Roberto Silvana , Sechi Fabio , Ghiani Giovanna , Sainas Gianmarco , Nughedu Giorgio , Hosseini Kakhak Seyed Alireza , Bassareo Pier Paolo , Crisafulli Antonio
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The hemodynamic consequences of exercise in hypoxia have not been completely investigated. The present investigation aimed at studying the hemodynamic effects of contemporary normobaric hypoxia and metaboreflex activation.

Methods

Eleven physically active, healthy males (age 32.7 ± 7.2 years) completed a cardiopulmonary test on an electromagnetically braked cycle-ergometer to determine their maximum workload (Wmax). On separate days, participants performed two randomly assigned exercise sessions (3 minutes pedalling at 30% of Wmax): (1) one in normoxia (NORMO), and (2) one in normobaric hypoxia with FiO2 set to 13.5% (HYPO). After each session, the following protocol was randomly assigned: either (1) post-exercise muscle ischemia (PEMI) to study the metaboreflex, or (2) a control exercise recovery session, i.e., without metaboreflex activation. Hemodynamics were assessed with impedance cardiography.

Results

The main result was that the HYPO session impaired the ventricular filling rate (measured as stroke volume/diastolic time) response during PEMI versus control condition in comparison to the NORMO test (31.33 ± 68.03 vs. 81.52 ± 49.23 ml·s−1,respectively, p = 0.003). This caused a reduction in the stroke volume response (1.45 ± 9.49 vs. 10.68 ± 8.21 ml, p = 0.020). As a consequence, cardiac output response was impaired during the HYPO test.

Conclusions

The present investigation suggests that a brief exercise bout in hypoxia is capable of impairing cardiac filling rate as well as stroke volume during the metaboreflex. These results are in good accordance with recent findings showing that among hemodynamic modulators, ventricular filling is the most sensible variable to hypoxic stimuli.
Aberrant DNA methylation results in altered gene expression in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-related hepatocellular carcinomas
Authors: Tian Ying , Arai Eri , Makiuchi Satomi , Tsuda Noboru , Kuramoto Junko , Ohara Kentaro , Takahashi Yoriko , Ito Nanako , Ojima Hidenori , Hiraoka Nobuyoshi , Gotoh Masahiro , Yoshida Teruhiko , Kanai Yae
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate DNA methylation alterations in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).

Methods

Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis was performed using the Infinium Human Methylation 450 K BeadChip, and levels of mRNA expression were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR.

Results

Compared to 36 samples of normal control liver tissue (C), DNA methylation alterations were observed on 19,281 probes in 22 samples of cancerous tissue (T) obtained from patients showing histological features compatible with NASH in their non-cancerous liver tissue (N). Among those probes, 1396 were located within CpG islands or their shores and shelves, designed around the transcription start sites of 726 genes. In representative genes, such as DCAF4L2, CKLF, TRIM4, PRC1, UBE2C and TUBA1B, both DNA hypomethylation and mRNA overexpression were observed in T samples relative to C samples, and the levels of DNA methylation and mRNA expression were inversely correlated with each other. DNA hypomethylation occurred even in N samples at the precancerous NASH stage, and this was inherited by or further strengthened in T samples. DNA hypomethylation of DCAF4L2, CKLF and UBE2C was observed in both NASH-related and viral hepatitis-related HCCs, whereas that of TRIM4, PRC1 and TUBA1B occurred in a NASH-related HCC-specific manner. DNA hypomethylation and/or mRNA overexpression of these genes was frequently associated with the necroinflammatory grade of NASH and was correlated with poorer tumor differentiation.

Conclusion

DNA methylation alterations may occur under the necroinflammatory conditions characteristic of NASH and participate in NASH-related hepatocarcinogenesis through aberrant expression of tumor-related genes.
Do we really need the arterial phase on CT in pelvic trauma patients?
Authors: Godt Johannes Clemens , Eken Torsten , Schulz Anselm , Øye Kjetil , Hagen Thijs , Dormagen Johann Baptist
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To evaluate whether an arterial phase scan improves the diagnostic performance of computed tomography to identify pelvic trauma patients who received angiographic intervention on demand of the trauma surgeon.

Methods

This retrospective single-center study was performed at an academic Scandinavian trauma center with approximately 2000 trauma admissions annually. Pelvic trauma patients with arterial and portal venous phase CT from 2009 to 2015 were included. The patients were identified from the institutional trauma registry. Images were interpreted by two radiologists with more than 10 years of trauma radiology experience. Positive findings for extravasation on portal venous phase alone or on both arterial and portal venous phase were compared, with angiographic intervention as clinical outcome.

Results

One hundred fifty-seven patients (54 females, 103 males) with a median age of 45 years were enrolled. Sixteen patients received angiographic intervention. Positive CT findings on portal venous phase only had a sensitivity and specificity of 62% and 86%, vs. 56% and 93% for simultaneous findings on arterial and portal venous phase. Specificity was significantly higher for positive findings in both phases compared with portal venous phase only. Applying a threshold > 0.9 cm of extravasation diameter to portal venous phase only resulted in sensitivity and specificity identical to those of both phases.

Conclusion

Arterial phase scan in addition to portal venous phase scan did not improve patient selection for angiography. Portal venous phase extravasation size alone may be used as an imaging-based biomarker of the need for angiographic intervention.
Evolutionary diversification of taiwanioid conifers: evidence from a new Upper Cretaceous seed cone from Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Stockey Ruth A. , Nishida Harufumi , Rothwell Gar W.
Published: July 2020

A single cylindrical seed cone 2 cm long, 1.1 cm wide has been found preserved in a calcium carbonate marine concretion from the Hakobuchi Formation (late Campanian-early Maastrichtian) of Hobetsu, Hokkaido, Japan. The cone, attached to a bent peduncle lacking leaves, has helically arranged bract/scale complexes that arise at right angles from the cone axis in the middle of the cone. The cone axis, ca. 1 mm wide, has a broad cylinder of secondary vascular tissue, and lacks a continuous resin canal system. Bract-scale complexes are laminar, cordate-orbiculate, and upturned distally, consisting primarily of bract tissue with no visible scale tip. The vascular trace to the bract/scale complex originates as a rod that divides laterally into several traces at the level of seed attachment. A single resin canal originates at the base of the bract-scale complex abaxial to the vascular strand, but more distally there are up to ca. 15 large resin canals that form a single row. Two to three inverted winged seeds are attached adaxially near the cone periphery. Cone structure and vascularization are most similar to those in the Cupressaceae, Subfamily Taiwanioideae, differing from living Taiwania cryptomerioides by having up to three seeds/scale rather than two, an abruptly upturned bract tip, in details of bract/scale vasculature, and a cone peduncle lacking leaves. This cone is described as Mukawastrobus satoi Stockey, Nishida and Rothwell. Together with previously described Early to Late Cretaceous taiwanioid seed cones from Mongolia and Hokkaido the new species demonstrates that the taxonomically diagnostic characters of such conifers are as subtle as those of Cretaceous and Cenozoic sequoioid Cupressaceae. This realization emphasizes that evolutionary diversification and turnover among taiwanioid conifers during the Cretaceous and Paleogene are probably far greater than currently recognized.
Developing a Global One Health Workforce: The “Rx One Health Summer Institute” Approach
Authors: Berrian Amanda M. , Wilkes Michael , Gilardi Kirsten , Smith Woutrina , Conrad Patricia A. , Crook Paulina Zielinska , Cullor James , Nyatanyi Thierry , Smith Martin H. , Kazwala Rudovick , Mazet Jonna A. K.
Published: July 2020

The One Health approach has gained support across a range of disciplines; however, training opportunities for professionals seeking to operationalize the interdisciplinary approach are limited. Academic institutions, through the development of high-quality, experiential training programs that focus on the application of professional competencies, can increase accessibility to One Health education. The Rx One Health Summer Institute, jointly led by US and East African partners, provides a model for such a program. In 2017, 21 participants representing five countries completed the Rx One Health program in East Africa. Participants worked collaboratively with communities neighboring wildlife areas to better understand issues impacting human and animal health and welfare, livelihoods, and conservation. One Health topics were explored through community engagement and role-playing exercises, field-based health surveillance activities, laboratories, and discussions with local experts. Educational assessments reflected improvements in participants’ ability to apply the One Health approach to health and disease problem solving, as well as anticipate cross-sectoral challenges to its implementation. The experiential learning method, specifically the opportunity to engage with local communities, proved to be impactful on participants’ cultural awareness. The Rx One Health Summer Institute training model may provide an effective and implementable strategy by which to contribute to the development of a global One Health workforce.
Design of a hybrid refractive-diffractive telescope for observations in UV
Authors: Fluder Grzegorz
Published: July 2020

Telescopes are one of the common types of satellite payloads. They are used both for Earth and astronomical observations. By using space telescopes it is possible to eliminate the negative effect of the atmosphere on image quality. Additionally, observations in some spectral ranges can be performed only from space due to absorption of certain wavelengths in the atmosphere. One such range is UV below 300 nm, which is of particular interest when it comes to the investigation of hot objects. Reflective telescopes are commonly used in this spectral range, although many classical designs are limited in their useful field of view to values below 1°. In this paper a hybrid refractive-diffractive telescope design working in a 200 nm – 300 nm spectral range with a field of view 10°×10° is proposed. Its performance is compared to purely refractive and reflective systems and significant improvement in the imaging quality of the system and decrease of its size is shown. The choice of the diffractive element type is explained. Parameters of the systems are based on the requirements for a proposed Polish mission UVSat which aims to enable long-term observations of a large number of stars exhibiting UV variance.
Image Morphing in Deep Feature Spaces: Theory and Applications
Authors: Effland Alexander , Kobler Erich , Pock Thomas , Rajković Marko , Rumpf Martin
Published: July 2020

This paper combines image metamorphosis with deep features. To this end, images are considered as maps into a high-dimensional feature space and a structure-sensitive, anisotropic flow regularization is incorporated in the metamorphosis model proposed by Miller and Younes (Int J Comput Vis 41(1):61–84, 2001) and Trouvé and Younes (Found Comput Math 5(2):173–198, 2005). For this model, a variational time discretization of the Riemannian path energy is presented and the existence of discrete geodesic paths minimizing this energy is demonstrated. Furthermore, convergence of discrete geodesic paths to geodesic paths in the time continuous model is investigated. The spatial discretization is based on a finite difference approximation in image space and a stable spline approximation in deformation space; the fully discrete model is optimized using the iPALM algorithm. Numerical experiments indicate that the incorporation of semantic deep features is superior to intensity-based approaches.
Oral Health Status, Oral Health Behaviours and Oral Health Care Utilisation Among Migrants Residing in Europe: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pabbla Amandeep , Duijster Denise , Grasveld Alice , Sekundo Caroline , Agyemang Charles , van der Heijden Geert
Published: July 2020

As the reported data on oral health status among the migrants in Europe is fragmented, we systematically reviewed the published literature on the oral health status, behaviours and care utilisation among migrants residing in Europe. For this, we retrieved publications from PubMed and EMBASE, supplemented by manual citation screening and grey literature search on Google scholars. Two independent reviewers screened the studies, extracted data and critically appraised the publications. A total of 69 studies included showed higher dental caries among migrant children. But some studies on adolescents and adults reported similar or even better oral health among migrants compared to the host population, while other reported the opposite. Poor oral health behaviours were generally reported among the migrants and they frequently made use of emergency service utilisation compared to the host population. We shed light on the gaps in dental literature and make some recommendations for the future.
Generation of High Dose Inhalable Effervescent Dispersions against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms
Authors: Mohammed Aram , Zurek Jakub , Madueke Somto , Al-Kassimy Hareir , Yaqoob Muhammad , Houacine Chahinez , Ferraz Amina , Kalgudi Rachith , Zariwala Mohammed Gulrez , Hawkins Nicholas , Al-Obaidi Hisham
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Novel particle engineering approach was used in this study to generate high dose inhalable effervescent particles with synergistic effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms.

Methods

Spray dried co-amorphous salt of ciprofloxacin (CFX) and tartaric acid (TA) was prepared and coated with external layer of sodium bicarbonate and silica coated silver nanobeads. Design of experiments (DOE) was used to optimize physicochemical properties of particles for enhanced lung deposition.

Results

Generated particles were co-amorphous CFX/TA showing that CFX lost its zwitterionic form and exhibiting distinct properties to CFX/HCl as assessed by FTIR and thermal analysis. Particles exhibited mass mean aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 3.3 μm, emitted dose of 78% and fine particle dose of 85%. Particles were further evaluated via antimicrobial assessment of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC). MIC and MBEC results showed that the hybrid particles were around 3–5 times more effective when compared to CFX signifying that synergistic effect was achieved. Diffusing wave spectroscopy results showed that the silver containing particles had a disruptive effect on rheological properties as opposed to silver free particles.

Conclusions

Overall, these results showed the potential to use particle engineering to generate particles that are highly disruptive of bacterial biofilms.
Maass relations for Saito–Kurokawa lifts of higher levels
Authors: Marzec Jolanta
Published: July 2020

It is known that among Siegel modular forms of degree 2 and level 1 the only functions that violate the Ramanujan conjecture are Saito–Kurokawa lifts of modular forms of level 1. These are precisely the functions whose Fourier coefficients satisfy Maass relations. More generally, the Ramanujan conjecture for$$\mathrm {GSp}_4$$GSp4is predicted to fail only in case of CAP representations. It is not known though whether the associated Siegel modular forms (of various levels) still satisfy a version of Maass relations. We show that this is indeed the case for the ones related to P-CAP representations. Our method generalises an approach of Pitale, Saha and Schmidt who employed representation–theoretic techniques to (re)prove this statement in case of level 1. In particular, we compute and express certain values of a global Bessel period in terms of Fourier coefficients of the associated Siegel modular form. Moreover, we derive a local–global relation satisfied by Bessel periods, which allows us to combine those computations with a characterization of local components of CAP representations.
On p-adic valuations of certain m colored p-ary partition functions
Authors: Ulas Maciej , Żmija Błażej
Published: July 2020

Let $$k\in \mathbb {N}_{\ge 2}$$

k
∈

N

≥
2

and for given $$m\in \mathbb {Z}{\setminus }\{0\}$$

m
∈
Z
\
{
0
}

consider the sequence $$(S_{k,m}(n))_{n\in \mathbb {N}}$$

(

S

k
,
m

(
n
)

)

n
∈
N

defined by the power series expansion $$\begin{aligned} \frac{1}{(1-x)^{m}}\prod _{i=0}^{\infty } \frac{1}{(1-x^{k^{i}})^{m(k-1)}}=\sum _{n=0}^{\infty }S_{k,m}(n)x^{n}. \end{aligned}$$

1

(
1
-
x
)

m

∏

i
=
0

∞

1

(
1
-

x

k
i

)

m
(
k
-
1
)

=

∑

n
=
0

∞

S

k
,
m

(
n
)

x
n

.

The number $$S_{k,m}(n)$$

S

k
,
m

(
n
)

for $$m\in \mathbb {N}_{+}$$

m
∈

N
+

has a natural combinatorial interpretation: it counts the number of representations of n as sums of powers of k, where the part equal to 1 takes one among mk colors and each part $$>1$$

>
1

takes $$m(k-1)$$

m
(
k
-
1
)

colors. We concentrate on the case when $$k=p$$

k
=
p

is a prime. Our main result is the computation of the exact value of the p-adic valuation of $$S_{p,m}(n)$$

S

p
,
m

(
n
)

. In particular, in each case the set of values of $$\nu _{p}(S_{p,m}(n))$$

ν
p

(

S

p
,
m

(
n
)

)

is finite and the maximum value is bounded by $${\text {max}}\{\nu _{p}(m)+1,\nu _{p}(m+1)+1\}$$

max
{

ν
p

(
m
)

+
1
,

ν
p

(
m
+
1
)

+
1
}

. Our results can be seen as a generalization of earlier work of Churchhouse and recent work of Gawron, Miska and Ulas, and the present authors.
Characterization of Acid and Basic Sites on Zirconia Surfaces and Nanoparticles by Adsorbed Probe Molecules: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Maleki Farahnaz , Pacchioni Gianfranco
Published: July 2020

Acid and basic sites on monoclinic and tetragonal zirconia were investigated at the DFT level by computing IR and NMR properties of adsorbed probe molecules. Regular and stepped ZrO2surfaces as well as stoichiometric zirconia nanoparticles have been considered. Acidity and basicity were probed by the adsorption of carbon monoxide and pyrrole, respectively. CO adsorption shows a positive shift of the C–O stretching frequency in IR spectra while the C atom of CO is shielded and13C chemical shifts moves to higher field as a function of the strength of the acid site. For the study of basic sites we used a pyrrole molecule, but the interaction between the pyrrole ring and the surface leads to adsorption modes that cannot be used to titrate the surface basicity. On the other hand, at high coverage the molecule assumes an upright position and the formation of a hydrogen bond of the pyrrole NH group with the oxygen atoms of the surfaces provides a proxy of the basic properties of these sites. In particular, we focus on changes of the N–H IR frequency,1H,15N, and17O NMR chemical shifts and their correlations with the surface basicity. Among the correlations found, that between the N–H stretching frequency of adsorbed pyrrole and the17O NMR chemical shift of the O ion where the molecule is bound show a nice linear correlation. These two properties can provide useful information about the basic character of various O sites on the surface of zirconia.

Graphic Abstract
The impact of official development assistance on the economic growth and carbon dioxide mitigation for the recipient countries
Authors: Lee Sue Kyoung , Choi Gayoung , Lee Eunmi , Jin Taeyoung
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between official development assistance (ODA) on CO2 emissions based on both direct and indirect frameworks, using the annual panel data of 30 recipient countries of Korea from 1993 to 2017. It employs a modified impact, population, affluence, and technology (IPAT) model and a simultaneous equation framework for the direct model and indirect model, respectively. The empirical results suggest that ODA has both a direct and an indirect mitigation impact in the recipient countries. Compared to the direct impact, a small indirect mitigation impact of ODA on CO2 emissions is derived. However, the estimation results of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) equation imply that economic growth has the potential of mitigating the environmental degradation when the economic development in recipient countries of Korea reaches a certain level. Therefore, the bilateral cooperation, through ODA and the supportive policy, should make an effort to promote economic development and mitigation of environmental degradation in developing countries.
Ex ante life cycle assessment of GaAs/Si nanowire–based tandem solar cells: a benchmark for industrialization
Authors: Pallas Georgios , Vijver Martina G. , Peijnenburg Willie J. G. M. , Guinée Jeroen
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The goal of this study is to perform an ex-ante life cycle assessment (LCA) of the emerging gallium-arsenide nanowire tandem solar cells on silicon (GaAs/Si) and to provide a benchmark for the commercialization of the technology. The environmental impacts and energy payback time (EPBT) of the GaAs/Si modules are compared with those of the incumbent single-Si modules. Parameters and efficiencies most relevant to be optimized in order to commercialize the technology are identified and discussed.

Methods

Two production routes for GaAs/Si solar cells are being up-scaled: the growth of GaAs nanowires on a native substrate, peel-off, and transfer to a silicon substrate (transfer route) and the direct growth of GaAs nanowires on a silicon substrate with assistance of a silicon-dioxide (SiO2) nanotube template (direct growth route). Two ex-ante LCAs for the different manufacturing routes and an LCA for the incumbent single-Si technology were conducted. Environmental impacts of the GaAs/Si technology were assessed and compared with the incumbent. Various scenarios regarding sensitive parameters and processes were modeled—such as modeling several industrial scale tools, the energy consumption of sensitive processes, the number of substrate reuses, the frequency of re-polishing the wafer, and benchmarking the scale of improvement of major impact drivers.

Results and discussion

The analysis showed that, if expected process efficiencies are achieved, a 28% efficient GaAs/Si module performs 5 to 20% better (transfer route) and 20 to 30% better (direct growth route, except the ozone depletion impact) compared with an 18% efficient single-Si module, for all impact categories assessed—climate change, land use, acidification, ozone depletion, freshwater, marine, terrestrial ecotoxicity, eutrophication, human toxicity, and photochemical oxidation. Critical hotspots identified include the use of gold, trifluoromethane (CHF3), and a GaAs wafer. The EPBT of the GaAs/Si nanowire tandem module is in between 1.37 (expected process efficiencies achieved) and 1.9 years (worst case scenario), while the EPBT of the single-Si module is 1.84 years. Results can be considered as a benchmark for the successful commercialization of the technology.

Conclusions

If 28% efficient GaAs/Si nanowire tandem modules are developed, expected process efficiencies are achieved, and at least 100 reuses of the GaAs substrate (transfer route) are realized; then, the GaAs/Si modules perform better compared with an 18% efficient single-Si module for most impact categories assessed. Conclusions from the ex-ante LCA are conditional (if-then) and can be used as a benchmark, allowing to quantify the efficiencies that need to be achieved to commercialize the technology.
On the use of quantile regression to deal with heterogeneity: the case of multi-block data
Authors: Davino Cristina , Romano Rosaria , Vistocco Domenico
Published: July 2020

The aim of the paper is to propose a quantile regression based strategy to assess heterogeneity in a multi-block type data structure. Specifically, the paper deals with a particular data structure where several blocks of variables are observed on the same units and a structure of relations is assumed between the different blocks. The idea is that quantile regression complements the results of the least squares regression by evaluating the impact of regressors on the entire distribution of the dependent variable, and not only exclusively on the expected value. By taking advantage of this, the proposed approach analyses the relationship among a dependent variable block and a set of regressors blocks but highlighting possible similarities among the statistical units. An empirical analysis is provided in the consumer analysis framework with the aim to cluster groups of consumers according to the similarities in the dependence structure among their overall liking and the liking for different drivers.
Determination of ethylene by field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry
Authors: Chantipmanee Nattapong , Hauser Peter C.
Published: July 2020

The determination of ethylene with a field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer, which can easily be constructed in-house, is described. The device makes use of a Krypton lamp for ionization. A rectangular pulse of 500 Vpp at 1 MHz was employed as separation waveform in the drift tube rather than the commonly used less efficient bisinusoidal waveform. The calibration curve for the range from 670 ppb(V/V) to 67 ppm(V/V) was found to be highly linear with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.9999. The limit of detection was determined as 200 ppb(V/V). The reproducibility was 4% (relative standard deviation). The device was found to be suitable for the determination of ethylene given off by fruit; 6 types of climacteric fruit were tested, namely apples, bananas, kiwi fruit, nectarines, pears and plums.
Influence of surface roughness on cold formability in bending processes: a multiscale modelling approach with the hybrid damage mechanics model
Authors: Wechsuwanmanee Peerapon , Lian Junhe , Shen Fuhui , Münstermann Sebastian
Published: July 2020

Experimental and numerical investigations on the description of cold formability of extra abrasion-resistant steel considering surface roughness effects were performed in this study. A novel multiscale numerical approach to quantitatively evaluate the impacts of surface roughness on the cold formability/bendability of heavy plates was proposed and verified. The macroscopic ductile damage behavior of the investigated steel was described by a hybrid damage mechanics model, whose parameters were calibrated by notched round-bar (NRB) tensile tests and single-edge notched bending (SENB) tests. The surface roughness was characterized by confocal microscopy and statistically incorporated into a two-dimensional representative volume element (RVE) model. For the assessment of the bendability of heavy plates in the component level, the critical ratio between the punch radius and the sample thicknessr/tin three-point bending tests was predicted and compared with experimental results. After the surface roughness effects were taken into consideration, a significant improvement in the predicted results was achieved. A good match between the simulation and experimental results confirmed the indispensable influences of surface roughness on the bendability of steels and validated the efficiency of the multiscale simulation approach in the quantitative description of surface roughness affected ductile damage evolutions.
Perspective and Costing in Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, 1974–2018
Authors: Kim David D. , Silver Madison C. , Kunst Natalia , Cohen Joshua T. , Ollendorf Daniel A. , Neumann Peter J.
Published: July 2020

Objective

Our objective was to examine perspective and costing approaches used in cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) and the distribution of reported incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs).

Methods

We analyzed the Tufts Medical Center’s CEA and Global Health CEA registries, containing 6907 cost-per-quality-adjusted-life-year (QALY) and 698 cost-per-disability-adjusted-life-year (DALY) studies published through 2018. We examined how often published CEAs included non-health consequences and their impact on ICERs. We also reviewed 45 country-specific guidelines to examine recommended analytic perspectives.

Results

Study authors often mis-specified or did not clearly state the perspective used. After re-classification by registry reviewers, a healthcare sector or payer perspective was most prevalent (74%). CEAs rarely included unrelated medical costs and impacts on non-healthcare sectors. The most common non-health consequence included was productivity loss in the cost-per-QALY studies (12%) and patient transportation in the cost-per-DALY studies (21%). Of 19,946 cost-per-QALY ratios, the median ICER was $US26,000/QALY (interquartile range [IQR] 2900–110,000), and 18% were cost saving and QALY increasing. Of 5572 cost-per-DALY ratios, the median ICER was $US430/DALY (IQR 67–3400), and 8% were cost saving and DALY averting. Based on 16 cost-per-QALY studies (2017–2018) reporting 68 ICERs from both the healthcare sector and societal perspectives, the median ICER from a societal perspective ($US22,710/QALY [IQR 11,991–49,603]) was more favorable than from a healthcare sector perspective ($US30,402/QALY [IQR 10,486–77,179]). Most governmental guidelines (67%) recommended either a healthcare sector or a payer perspective.

Conclusion

Researchers should justify and be transparent about their choice of perspective and costing approaches. The use of the impact inventory and reporting of disaggregate outcomes can reduce inconsistencies and confusion.
Solid State NMR Study of the Mixing Degree Between Ginkgo Biloba Extract and a Soy-Lecithin-Phosphatidylserine in a Composite Prepared by the Phytosome® Method
Authors: Carignani Elisa , Geppi Marco , Lovati Marco , de Combarieu Eric , Borsacchi Silvia
Published: July 2020

Leaves extract of Ginkgo biloba, known in China since the most ancient times, has been widely used in the area of senile dementia thanks to its improving effects on cognitive function. A promising formulation of this botanical ingredient consists in a Ginkgo biloba-soy-lecithin-phosphatidylserine association obtained by the Phytosome® process. The precise assessment of the mixing degree between Ginkgo biloba and soy-lecithin-phosphatidylserine in this formulation is an important piece of information for understanding the reasons of its final performances. To this aim in the present study we carried out for the first time a Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance investigation on Ginkgo biloba-soy-lecithin-phosphatidylserine association, on its constituents and on a mechanical mixture. The analysis of different observables highlighted a very intimate mixing (domains of single components not larger than 60 nm) of Ginkgo biloba and soy-lecithin-phosphatidylserine in their association obtained by Phytosome® process, together with a slight modification of their molecular dynamics, not observed in the case of the mechanical mixture.
Associations between depression, height and body mass index in adolescent and adult population of Penza city and oblast, Russia
Authors: Suchomlinov Andrej , Konstantinov Vsevolod V. , Purlys Petras
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible associations between depression, height and body mass index (BMI) in the adolescent and adult population of Penza city and oblast, Russia. The study included 554 adults aged 16–89 years. The presence and severity of depression was evaluated using Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI-II). The participants self-reported their height (cm) and weight (kg) and these were used to calculate their BMI (kg/m2). Significant correlations were obtained between depression and short stature in young men, depression and short stature in participants with normal BMI and depression and age in overweight participants. Young women aged 16–23 years, and older men aged 60–89 years, presented the highest and very similar depression scores with no statistically significant difference between them. Special attention should be paid in Russia to these groups due to their higher risk of depressive disorders.
Technology-mediated task-based language teaching: A research agenda
Authors: Smith Bryan , González-Lloret Marta
Published: July 2020

This paper discusses key concepts in the emerging field of technology-mediated task-based language teaching (TMTBLT) and provides a research agenda for moving this sub-field forward in a theoretically sound and data-driven way. We first define TMTBLT and discuss the importance of considering technological affordances and specific learning contexts when matching individual technologies with particular tasks. We then explore the notion of task, specifically task complexity and sequencing, and how the introduction of technology may interact and modify tasks' features. Next, we examine the use of mobile apps and social media within a task-based language teaching (TBLT) framework and highlight areas primed for exploration or in need of reconciliation. Finally, we call for TMTBLT studies to capture and evaluate learner process data. Within each area above we propose a series of specific research tasks that incrementally build on previous research in both face-to-face and technology-mediated environments, which may help us better understand how tasks and technologies intersect to promote language learning.
Pseudorandom hypergraph matchings
Authors: Ehard Stefan , Glock Stefan , Joos Felix
Published: July 2020

A celebrated theorem of Pippenger states that any almost regular hypergraph with small codegrees has an almost perfect matching. We show that one can find such an almost perfect matching which is ‘pseudorandom’, meaning that, for instance, the matching contains as many edges from a given set of edges as predicted by a heuristic argument.
Symptomatic type I endoleak following popliteal artery aneurysm repair
Authors: Seiler Rebekka , Turkalj Igor , Gähwiler Roman , Isaak Andrej , Thalhammer Christoph , Rastan Aljoscha
Published: July 2020

Summary: A case of a symptomatic type Ib endoleak following popliteal artery aneurysm repair with successful interventional therapy introduces a short review of the limited literature to this relevant potential complication. Illustration of important factors supporting endoleak formation after endovascular popliteal artery repair and recommendation of a consequent surveillance are discussed.
Petrofabrics and Seismic Properties of Himalayan Amphibolites: Implications for a Thick Anisotropic Deep Crust Beneath Southern Tibet
Authors: Li Wenjing , Zhang Junfeng , Wang Xiong , Wang Yongfeng , Wu Xiang , Hu Zhaochu
Published: July 2020

The bulk composition of overthickened Tibetan deep crust has been generally believed to be mafic granulite with eclogite at the lowermost crust. However, a granulitic/eclogitic deep crust is in contradiction to geological and geophysical observations in southern Tibet. Here we present petrofabrics and seismic properties of amphibolites from exhumed crustal part of the Indian plate in the eastern Himalayan syntaxis. Our results show strong fabrics of amphibole, nearly random fabrics of plagioclase and strong seismic anisotropies of amphibolites (AVp = 5.6–12.0% and Max. AVs = 5.1–7.7%). Comparing to a deep crust composed of nearly isotropic mafic granulite and weakly anisotropic eclogite, a thick amphibolitic layer in the middle‐lower crust would better account for the strong shear wave splitting (0.2–0.5 s in delay times or 4–15% in S wave anisotropy), the suture boundary parallel faster shear wave polarization, and the widespread postcollisional adakite‐like potassic rocks in southern Tibet.
Optimally Oriented Remote Triggering in the Coso Geothermal Region
Authors: Alfaro‐Diaz Richard , Velasco Aaron A. , Pankow Kristine L. , Kilb Debi
Published: July 2020

Defining the nature of faulting, the stress needed to trigger earthquakes, and the stress state of faults remains fundamental to understanding the earthquake cycle. Studying remote dynamic triggering allows us to probe faults to systemically address the fundamental physical mechanisms of faulting. Using 13 years of data (2004–2016) from the EarthScope USArray Transportable Array and the Southern California Seismic Network, we search for remotely triggered seismicity in an extended region encompassing the Coso Geothermal Field (CGF+), California. We first apply a short term to long‐term average ratio detector to high‐pass (5 Hz) filtered waveforms spanning ±5 hr encompassing 211 M ≥ 7 global earthquakes. We visually inspect these waveforms to identify uncatalogued local earthquakes. We use the augmented local earthquake catalog to investigate remote earthquake triggering in the CGF+ region. Of the 211 remote mainshocks, we find 32 (15%) produce a statistically significant increase in seismicity following the P wave arrival in CGF+. An additional nine mainshocks had local earthquakes coincident with the surface waves passage but lacked a significant rate increase. Of the 41 (19%) triggering mainshocks, 28 and 13 exhibit instantaneous and delayed triggering, respectively. We find no correlation between triggering and mainshock depth, peak dynamic stress, nor mainshock focal mechanism type. Instead, results suggest the CGF+ may be optimally oriented for remote triggering from mainshocks in the West Pacific and South America and propose the reason for this is that the transient dynamic stresses align favorably with the local stress field (most compressive horizontal stress, SHmax) to promote triggering.
Salt Marsh Dynamics in a Period of Accelerated Sea Level Rise
Authors: Fagherazzi Sergio , Mariotti Giulio , Leonardi Nicoletta , Canestrelli Alberto , Nardin William , Kearney William S.
Published: July 2020

Salt marshes are dynamic systems able to laterally expand, contract, and vertically accrete in response to sea level rise. Here, we present the grand challenges that need to be addressed to fully characterize marsh morphodynamics. The review focuses on physical processes and quantitative models. Without predictive models, it is impossible to determine the future marsh evolution under accelerated sea level rise. In these models, one of the challenges is to resolve both horizontal and vertical dynamics within the same framework. Vertically, the marsh has to accumulate enough material to contrast rising water levels. Horizontally, marsh erosion at the ocean side must be compensated by landward expansion in forests, lawns, and agricultural fields. The dynamics of the marsh‐upland boundary are still not fully understood and will require more research in the upcoming years. The complexity of marsh vegetation is seldom captured in predictive models of marsh evolution. More research is needed to understand the effects of each species or species assemblages on hydrodynamics and sediment transport. Here, we further advocate that a sediment budget resolving all sediment fluxes in a marsh complex is the most important metric of marsh resilience. Characterization of these fluxes will enable to connect salt marshes to other landforms and to unravel feedbacks controlling the evolution of the entire coastal system. Current models of marsh evolution rely on sparse data sets collected at few locations. Novel remote sensing techniques will provide high‐resolution spatial data that will inform a new generation of computer models.
Podcast: Escape from Thera
Authors: Lester Liza
Published: July 2020

A colossal volcanic eruption at Santorini, Greece, 3,600 years ago sent the island’s Bronze Age population fleeing for their lives. Where did the people go?
Immune status is prognostic for poor survival in colorectal cancer patients and is associated with tumour hypoxia
Authors: Craig Stephanie G. , Humphries Matthew P. , Alderdice Matthew , Bingham Victoria , Richman Susan D. , Loughrey Maurice B. , Coleman Helen G. , Viratham-Pulsawatdi Amelie , McCombe Kris , Murray Graeme I. , Blake Andrew , Domingo Enric , Robineau James , Brown Louise , Fisher David , Seymour Matthew T. , Quirke Phil , Bankhead Peter , McQuaid Stephen , Lawler Mark , McArt Darragh G. , Maughan Tim S. , James Jacqueline A. , Salto-Tellez Manuel
Published: July 2020

Background

Immunohistochemical quantification of the immune response is prognostic for colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we evaluate the suitability of alternative immune classifiers on prognosis and assess whether they relate to biological features amenable to targeted therapy.

Methods

Overall survival by immune (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20 and FOXP3) and immune-checkpoint (ICOS, IDO-1 and PD-L1) biomarkers in independent CRC cohorts was evaluated. Matched mutational and transcriptomic data were interrogated to identify associated biology.

Results

Determination of immune-cold tumours by combined low-density cell counts of CD3, CD4 and CD8 immunohistochemistry constituted the best prognosticator across stage II–IV CRC, particularly in patients with stage IV disease (HR 1.98 [95% CI: 1.47–2.67]). These immune-cold CRCs were associated with tumour hypoxia, confirmed using CAIX immunohistochemistry (P = 0.0009), which may mediate disease progression through common biology (KRAS mutations, CRIS-B subtype and SPP1 mRNA overexpression).

Conclusions

Given the significantly poorer survival of immune-cold CRC patients, these data illustrate that assessment of CD4-expressing cells complements low CD3 and CD8 immunohistochemical quantification in the tumour bulk, potentially facilitating immunophenotyping of patient biopsies to predict prognosis. In addition, we found immune-cold CRCs to associate with a difficult-to-treat, poor prognosis hypoxia signature, indicating that these patients may benefit from hypoxia-targeting clinical trials.