bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytotoxic Potential of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles of Lampranthus coccineus Extracts, Metabolic Profiling and Molecular Docking Study
Authors: Youssif Khayrya A. , Elshamy Ali M. , Rabeh Mohamed A. , Gabr Nagwan , Afifi Wael M. , Salem Mohamed A. , Albohy Amgad , Abdelmohsen Usama Ramadan , Haggag Eman G.
Published: October 2020

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) using plant extracts has gained great attention due to its unique properties. So, in this study, the aqueous and n‐hexane extracts of Lampranthus coccineus F. Aizoaceae were used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The early signs of SNPs synthesis were detected by a color change from yellow to reddish‐brown color. The formation of SNPs was further confirmed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV‐Visible spectroscopy, and zeta potential. The TEM analysis of SNPs showed spherical nanoparticles with mean size ranges between 8.55 nm to 16.44 nm for Lampranthus coccineus aqueous and hexane extracts. The UV‐Visible spectrophotometric analysis showed an absorption peak at λmax of 417 nm, which confirms the formation of SNPs. Zeta potential results indicated that the particles are negatively charged and fairly stable due to the electrostatic repulsion. The cytotoxic activity of the green synthesized SNPs as well as the four isolated compounds (β‐Sitosterol‐3‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside, P‐methoxy benzoic acid, dibutyl phthalate, and dioctyl phthalate) was evaluated using MTT assay against MCF‐7, HepG‐2, and HCT‐116 cell lines. Metabolic profiling of the annotated twelve compounds from the crude extract of L. coccineus. These compounds, along with the four isolated compounds were subjected to molecular docking study.
α‐Iodonitroalkenes as Potential Antifungal and Antitubercular Agents
Authors: Pamarthi Rambabu , Kumar Ram , Sankara Chennikkayala Siva , Lowe Gabrielle J. , Zuegg Johannes , Singh Sudheer Kumar , Ganesh Madhu
Published: October 2020

β‐Nitrostyrenes undergo one pot sequential addition‐elimination reaction when reacted with finely powdered iodine in presence of sodium bicarbonate as base in water and tetrahydrofuran as solvents to afford seventeen α‐iodonitroalkenes in moderate to good yields (40–88 %). These compounds were tested for activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra and MIC was determined using Rifampicin as positive control. One of the iodo compound 14 b, exhibited promising antimycobacterial activity with MIC values of up to 3.125 μM. Further, twelve α‐Iodonitroalkenes exhibited significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and drug‐reistant Candida auris. with MIC values up to ≤0.25 μM. This opens up the new space in the development of novel pharmacophores for antifungal and antimycobacterial studies.
Concentrated Solar Radiation Aided Green Approach for Preparative Scale and Solvent‐Free Synthesis of 3‐Methyl‐4‐(hetero)arylmethylene Isoxazole‐5(4H)‐ones
Authors: Gadkari Yatin U. , Jadhav Nilesh L. , Hatvate Navnath T. , Telvekar Vikas N.
Published: October 2020

An efficient, clean, and environmentally benign approach for the synthesis of 3‐methyl‐4‐arylmethylene isoxazole‐5(4H)‐ones has been developed using concentrated solar radiations (CSR). One pot, multicomponent synthesis from aromatic / heteroaromatic aldehydes, ethyl acetoacetate and hydroxylamine hydrochloride leads to title compounds in high yields. Notably the reaction has been carried out in under solvent and catalyst‐free conditions within a very short time (3 min). Further, the reaction was scaled up to 50 mmol. The present method is also energy efficient and saves almost more than 87 % of energy as compared to the conventional method.
Smart Porous Core–Shell Cuprous Oxide Nanocatalyst with High Biocompatibility for Acid‐Triggered Chemo/Chemodynamic Synergistic Therapy
Authors: Wu Hongshuai , Chen Fanghui , You Chaoqun , Zhang Yu , Sun Baiwang , Zhu Qing
Published: October 2020

The rational integration of chemotherapy and hydroxyl radical (·OH)‐mediated chemodynamic therapy (CDT) holds great potential for cancer treatment. Herein, a smart biocompatible nanocatalyst based on porous core–shell cuprous oxide nanocrystals (Cu2O‐PEG (polyethylene glycol) NCs) is reported for acid‐triggered chemo/chemodynamic synergistic therapy. The in situ formed high density of hydrophilic PEG outside greatly improves the stability and compatibility of NCs. The porosity of Cu2O‐PEG NCs shows the admirable capacity of doxorubicin (DOX) loading (DOX@Cu2O‐PEG NCs) and delivery. Excitingly, Cu (Cu+/2+) and DOX can be controllably released from DOX@Cu2O‐PEG NCs in a pH‐responsive approach. The released Cu+ exerts Fenton‐like catalytic activity to generate toxic ·OH from intracellular overexpressed hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for CDT via reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐involved oxidative damage. Exactly, DOX can not only induce cell death for chemotherapy but also enhance CDT by self‐supplying endogenous H2O2. After the intravenous injection, Cu2O‐PEG NCs can effectively accumulate in tumor region via passive targeting improved by external high‐density PEG shell. Additionally, the effect of boosted CDT combined with chemotherapy presents excellent in vivo antitumor ability without causing distinct systemic toxicity. It is believed that this smart nanocatalyst responding to the acidity provides a novel paradigm for site‐specific cancer synergetic therapy.
MnS@N,S Co‐Doped Carbon Core/Shell Nanocubes: Sulfur‐Bridged Bonds Enhanced Na‐Storage Properties Revealed by In Situ Raman Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Zhu Jinliang , Wei Pengcheng , Zeng Qingkai , Wang Guifang , Wu Kaipeng , Ma Shaojian , Shen Pei Kang , Wu Xing‐Long
Published: October 2020

Rational structure and morphology design are of great significance to realize excellent Na storage for advanced electrode materials in sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, a cube‐like core/shell composite of single MnS nanocubes (≈50 nm) encapsulated in N, S co‐doped carbon (MnS@NSC) with strong CSMn bond interactions is successfully prepared as outstanding anode material for SIBs. The carbon shell significantly restricts the expansion of the MnS volume in successive sodiation/desodiation processes, as demonstrated by in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of one single MnS@NSC nanocube. Moreover, the in situ generated CSMn bonds between the MnS core and carbon shell play a significant role in improving the Na‐storage stability and reversibility of MnS@NSC, as revealed by in situ Raman and TEM. As a result, MnS@NSC exhibits a high reversible specific capacity of 594.2 mAh g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 and an excellent rate performance. It also achieves a remarkable cycling stability of 329.1 mAh g−1 after 3000 charge/discharge cycles at 1 A g−1 corresponding to a low capacity attenuation rate of 0.0068% per cycle, which is superior to that of pristine MnS and most of the reported Mn‐based anode materials in SIBs.
QD/2D Hybrid Nanoscrolls: A New Class of Materials for High‐Performance Polarized Photodetection and Ultralow Threshold Laser Action
Authors: Ghosh Rapti , Lin Hung‐I , Chen Yu‐Siang , Singh Mukesh , Yen Zhi‐Long , Chiu Shengkuei , Lin Hsia‐Yu , Bera Krishna P. , Liao Yu‐Ming , Hofmann Mario , Hsieh Ya‐Ping , Chen Yang‐Fang
Published: October 2020

Nanoscrolls are a class of nanostructures where atomic layers of 2D materials are stacked consecutively in a coaxial manner to form a 1D spiral topography. Self‐assembly of chemical vapor deposition grown 2D WS2 monolayer into quasi‐1D van der Waals scroll structure instigates a plethora of unique physiochemical properties significantly different from its 2D counterparts. The physical properties of such nanoscrolls can be greatly manipulated upon hybridizing them with high‐quantum‐yield colloidal quantum dots, forming 0D/2D structures. The efficient dissociation of excitons at the heterojunctions of QD/2D hybridized nanoscrolls exhibits a 3000‐fold increased photosensitivity compared to the pristine 2D‐material‐based nanoscroll. The synergistic effects of confined geometry and efficient QD scatterers produce a nanocavity with multiple feedback loops, resulting in coherent lasing action with an unprecedentedly low lasing threshold. Predominant localization of the excitons along the circumference of this helical scroll results in a 12‐fold brighter emission for the parallel‐polarized transition compared to the perpendicular one, as confirmed by finite‐difference time‐domain simulation. The versatility of hybridized nanoscrolls and their unique properties opens up a powerful route for not‐yet‐realized devices toward practical applications.
Controlled Electron‐Induced Fabrication of Metallic Nanostructures on 1 nm Thick Membranes
Authors: Preischl Christian , Le Linh Hoang , Bilgilisoy Elif , Vollnhals Florian , Gölzhäuser Armin , Marbach Hubertus
Published: October 2020

Functional hybrids comprising metallic nanostructures connected and protected by nonmetallic 2D materials are envisioned as miniaturized components for applications in optics, electronics, and magnetics. A promising strategy to build such elements is the direct writing of metallic nanostructures by focused electron beam induced processing (FEBIP) onto insulating 2D materials. Carbon nanomembranes (CNMs), produced via electron‐induced crosslinking of self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs), are ultrathin and flexible films; their thickness as well as their mechanical and electrical properties are determined by the specific choice of self‐assembling molecules. In this work, functionalized CNMs are produced via electron beam induced deposition of Fe(CO)5 onto terphenylthiol SAMs. Clean iron nanostructures of arbitrary size and shape are deposited on the SAMs, and the SAMs are then crosslinked into CNMs. The functionalized CNMs are then transferred onto either solid substrates or onto grids to obtain freestanding metal/CNM hybrid structures. Iron nanostructures with predefined shapes on top of 1 nm thin freestanding CNMs are realized; they stay intact during the fabrication procedures and remain mechanically stable. Combining the ease and versatility of SAMs with the flexibility of FEBIP thus leads to a route for the fabrication of functional hybrid nanostructures.
Scale‐Enhanced Magnetism in Exfoliated Atomically Thin Magnetite Sheets
Authors: Puthirath Anand B. , Shirodkar Sharmila N. , Gao Guanhui , Hernandez Francisco C. Robles , Deng Liangzi , Dahal Rabin , Apte Amey , Costin Gelu , Chakingal Nithya , Balan Aravind Puthirath , Sassi Lucas M. , Tiwary Chandra Sekhar , Vajtai Robert , Chu Ching‐Wu , Yakobson Boris I. , Ajayan Pulickel M.
Published: October 2020

The discovery of ferromagnetism in atomically thin layers at room temperature widens the prospects of 2D materials for device applications. Recently, two independent experiments demonstrated magnetic ordering in two dissimilar 2D systems, CrI3 and Cr2Ge2Te6, at low temperatures and in VSe2 at room temperature, but observation of intrinsic room‐temperature magnetism in 2D materials is still a challenge. Here a transition at room temperature that increases the magnetization in magnetite while thinning down the bulk material to a few atom‐thick sheets is reported. DC magnetization measurements prove ferrimagnetic ordering with increased magnetization and density functional theory calculations ascribe their origin to the low dimensionality of the magnetite layers. In addition, surface energy calculations for different cleavage planes in passivated magnetite crystal agree with the experimental observations of obtaining 2D sheets from non‐van der Waals crystals.
Investigating the Mechanism of Cyclodextrins in the Treatment of Niemann‐Pick Disease Type C Using Crosslinked 2‐Hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin
Authors: Carradori Dario , Chen Hsintsung , Werner Beat , Shah Aagam S. , Leonardi Chiara , Usuelli Mattia , Mezzenga Raffaele , Platt Frances , Leroux Jean‐Christophe
Published: October 2020

Niemann‐Pick disease type C (NPC) is a severe disorder that is characterized by intracellular transport abnormalities leading to cytoplasmic accumulation of lipids such as cholesterol and sphingolipids. The compound 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HPβCD) has high cholesterol complexation capacity and is currently under clinical investigation for the NPC treatment. However, due to its short blood half‐life, high doses are required to produce a therapeutic effect. In this work, stable polymerized HPβCD is generated to investigate their in vitro mechanisms of action and in vivo effects. Crosslinked CDs (8–312 kDa) display a ninefold greater cholesterol complexation capacity than monomeric HPβCD but are taken up to a lower extent, resulting in an overall comparable in vitro effect. In vivo, the 19.3 kDa HPβCD exhibits a longer half‐life than the monomeric HPβCD but it does not increase the life span of Npc1 mice, possibly due to reduced brain penetration. This is circumvented by the application of magnetic resonance imaging‐guided low intensity‐pulsed focused ultrasound (MRIg‐FUS), which increases the brain penetration of the CD. In conclusion, stable polymerized HPβCDs can elucidate CDs’ mechanism of action while the use of MRIg‐FUS warrants further investigation, as it may be key to harnessing CDs full therapeutic potential in the NPC treatment.
Osteoblastic Wntless deletion differentially regulates the fate and functions of bone marrow-derived stem cells in relation to age
Authors: Poudel Sher Bahadur , So Han-Sol , Sim Hyun-Jaung , Cho Joon-Seok , Cho Eui-Sic , Jeon Young-Mi , Kook Sung-Ho , Lee Jeong-Chae
Published: October 2020

Although functional association between Wnt signaling and bone homeostasis has been well described through genetic ablation of Wntless (Wls), the mechanisms of how osteoblastic Wls regulates the fate of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in relation to age are not yet understood. Here, we generated Col2.3-Cre;Wlsfl/fl mice that were free from premature lethality and investigated age-related impacts of osteoblastic Wls deficiency on hematopoiesis, BM microenvironment, and maintenance of BMSCs (also known as BM-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells) and HSCs. Ablation of osteoblastic Wls deteriorated BM microenvironment and bone mass accrual along with age-independent effects on functions of BMSCs. Osteoblastic Wls deletion impaired HSC repopulation and progeny with skewing toward myeloid lineage cells only at old stage. As proven by hallmarks of stem cell senescence, osteoblastic Wls ablation differentially induced senescence of BMSCs and HSCs in relation to age without alteration in their BM frequency. Our findings support that deletion of Wls in Col2.3-expressing cells induces senescence of BMSCs and impairs BM microenvironment in age-independent manner. Overall, long-term deterioration in BM microenvironment contributes to age-related HSC senescence with impaired progeny and hematopoiesis, which also suggests possible roles of osteoblastic Wls on the maintenance of BM HSCs.
Stages, Phases, Repertoires, and Waves: Learning to Spell and Read Words
Authors: Templeton Shane
Published: October 2020

Competing theories are quite common in education. In spelling research, two general perspectives have emerged over the years: stage theory and repertoire/alternative theories. Exploring these perspectives is important because teachers need to understand how spelling knowledge is critical for learning to read words and to write them. Stage theory suggests that learners follow a developmental progression that reflects the increasing complexity of the spelling system itself. Alternative theorists suggest that learners do not follow a linear progression but are able to understand much more information about the spelling system throughout their development. The author explores the debate between these two conceptions, identifying not only important differences but also where there is common ground. Implications for spelling, word analysis, and vocabulary instruction are provided.
Simulation of oscillating trailing edge flaps on wind turbine blades using ranging fidelity tools
Authors: Prospathopoulos John M. , Riziotis Vasilis A. , Schwarz Eva , Barlas Thanasis , Aparicio‐Sanchez Maria , Papadakis George , Manolas Dimitris , Pirrung Georg , Lutz Thorsten
Published: October 2020

Recent research developments have indicated that substantial reduction of both the fatigue and ultimate loads can be achieved by adopting trailing edge (TE) flap control strategies. Their aeroelastic tools employ blade element momentum (BEM) aerodynamic models enhanced with a sectional 2D treatment of the TE flap, neglecting the 3D effect of the trailed vorticity in the vicinity of the moving flap. In the present paper, a cross comparison of the BEM‐based models used in the aeroelastic analysis tools against higher fidelity, free‐wake lifting line, and fully resolved CFD models is performed, with the aim to highlight limitations of the first. A second level of comparison assesses the differences among tools of the same level of fidelity from different research groups. Moreover, a number of engineering‐based correction models that are used in conjunction with BEM and account for the complex 3D trailed vorticity effect are assessed. Simulations of a stiff rotor configuration of the DTU 10 MW Reference Wind Turbine are performed for a prescribed, harmonic TE flap motion, and aerodynamic loads are compared at the sectional and rotor‐integrated level. For the studied stiff rotor with the chosen flaps configuration, the results of the code‐to‐code comparisons indicate that low‐fidelity BEM tools consistently predict 1P variations of the rotor thrust due to the TE flap motion, but fail to reproduce the details of the load distributions especially in the vicinity of the flap section. BEM‐based corrected models, which account for 3D‐induced velocity effects, provide load distribution predictions closer to higher fidelity free‐wake and CFD models.
A historical perspective of explainable Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Confalonieri Roberto , Coba Ludovik , Wagner Benedikt , Besold Tarek R.
Published: October 2020

Explainability in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been revived as a topic of active research by the need of conveying safety and trust to users in the “how” and “why” of automated decision‐making in different applications such as autonomous driving, medical diagnosis, or banking and finance. While explainability in AI has recently received significant attention, the origins of this line of work go back several decades to when AI systems were mainly developed as (knowledge‐based) expert systems. Since then, the definition, understanding, and implementation of explainability have been picked up in several lines of research work, namely, expert systems, machine learning, recommender systems, and in approaches to neural‐symbolic learning and reasoning, mostly happening during different periods of AI history. In this article, we present a historical perspective of Explainable Artificial Intelligence. We discuss how explainability was mainly conceived in the past, how it is understood in the present and, how it might be understood in the future. We conclude the article by proposing criteria for explanations that we believe will play a crucial role in the development of human‐understandable explainable systems.

This article is categorized under:

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Explainable AI

Technologies > Artificial Intelligence
Constraints on the charged currents in general neutrino interactions with sterile neutrinos
Authors: Li Tong , Ma Xiao-Dong , Schmidt Michael A.
Published: October 2020

Abstract

In this work we investigate the implication of low-energy precision measurements on the quark-lepton charged currents in general neutrino interactions with sterile neutrinos in effective field theories. The physics in low-energy measurements is described by the low-energy effective field theory extended with sterile neutrinos (LNEFT) defined below the electroweak scale. We also take into account renormalization group running and match the LNEFT onto the Standard Model (SM) effective field theory with sterile neutrinos (SMNEFT) to constrain new physics (NP) above the electroweak scale. The most sensitive low-energy probes are from leptonic decays of pseudoscalar mesons and hadronic tau lepton decays in terms of precise decay branching fractions, the lepton flavor universality and the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) unitarity. We also consider other constraints including nuclear beta decay. The constraints on charged current operators are generally stronger than the ones for quark-neutrino neutral current operators. We find that the most stringent bounds on the NP scale of lepton-number-conserving and lepton- number-violating operators in SMNEFT are 74 (110) TeV and 9.8 (13) TeV, respectively, for the operators with down (strange) quark.
Boundary states, overlaps, nesting and bootstrapping AdS/dCFT
Authors: Gombor Tamas , Bajnok Zoltan
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Integrable boundary states can be built up from pair annihilation amplitudes called K-matrices. These amplitudes are related to mirror reflections and they both satisfy Yang Baxter equations, which can be twisted or untwisted. We relate these two notions to each other and show how they are fixed by the unbroken symmetries, which, together with the full symmetry, must form symmetric pairs. We show that the twisted nature of the K-matrix implies specific selection rules for the overlaps. If the Bethe roots of the same type are paired the overlap is called chiral, otherwise it is achiral and they correspond to untwisted and twisted K-matrices, respectively. We use these findings to develop a nesting procedure for K-matrices, which provides the factorizing overlaps for higher rank algebras automatically. We apply these methods for the calculation of the simplest asymptotic all-loop 1-point functions in AdS/dCFT. In doing so we classify the solutions of the YBE for the K-matrices with centrally extended $$ \mathfrak{su} $$
su
(2|2)c symmetry and calculate the generic overlaps in terms of Bethe roots and ratio of Gaudin determinants.
Symbol alphabets from plabic graphs
Authors: Mago Jorge , Schreiber Anders , Spradlin Marcus , Volovich Anastasia
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Symbol alphabets of n-particle amplitudes in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super-Yang-Mills theory are known to contain certain cluster variables of Gr(4, n) as well as certain algebraic functions of cluster variables. In this paper we suggest an algorithm for computing these symbol alphabets from plabic graphs by solving matrix equations of the form C ∙ Z = 0 to associate functions on Gr(m, n) to parameterizations of certain cells of Gr(k, n) indexed by plabic graphs. For m = 4 and n = 8 we show that this association precisely reproduces the 18 algebraic symbol letters of the two-loop NMHV eight-particle amplitude from four plabic graphs.
Correction to: Effect of fracturoscopy on the incidence of surgical site infections post tibial plateau fracture surgery
Authors: Henkelmann Ralf , Krause Matthias , Alm Lena , Glaab Richard , Mende Meinhard , Ull Christopher , Braun Philipp-Johannes , Katthagen Christoph , Gensior Tobias J. , Frosch Karl-Heinz , Hepp Pierre
Published: October 2020

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake.
Toxicity of anticancer drugs in human placental tissue explants and trophoblast cell lines
Authors: Eliesen Gaby A. M. , van Hove Hedwig , Meijer Maartje H. , van den Broek Petra H. H. , Pertijs Jeanne , Roeleveld Nel , van Drongelen Joris , Russel Frans G. M. , Greupink Rick
Published: October 2020

The application of anticancer drugs during pregnancy is associated with placenta-related adverse pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, it is important to study placental toxicity of anticancer drugs. The aim of this study was to compare effects on viability and steroidogenesis in placental tissue explants and trophoblast cell lines. Third trimester placental tissue explants were exposed for 72 h (culture day 4–7) to a concentration range of doxorubicin, paclitaxel, cisplatin, carboplatin, crizotinib, gefitinib, imatinib, or sunitinib. JEG-3, undifferentiated BeWo, and syncytialised BeWo cells were exposed for 48 h to the same drugs and concentrations. After exposure, tissue and cell viability were assessed and progesterone and estrone levels were quantified in culture medium. Apart from paclitaxel, all compounds affected both cell and tissue viability at clinically relevant concentrations. Paclitaxel affected explant viability moderately, while it reduced cell viability by 50% or more in all cell lines, at 3–10 nM. Doxorubicin (1 µM) reduced viability in explants to 83 ± 7% of control values, whereas it fully inhibited viability in all cell types. Interference with steroid release in explants was difficult to study due to large variability in measurements, but syncytialised BeWo cells proved suitable for this purpose. We found that 1 µM sunitinib reduced progesterone release to 76 ± 6% of control values, without affecting cell viability. While we observed differences between the models for paclitaxel and doxorubicin, most anticancer drugs affected viability significantly in both placental explants and trophoblast cell lines. Taken together, the placenta should be recognized as a potential target organ for toxicity of anticancer drugs.
Intraspecific variability overlays abiotic site effects on some quality parameters of walnut (Juglans regia L.) fruits from Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Meisen Sabrina Alica , Smanalieva Jamila , Oskonbaeva Zhyldyz , Iskakova Janyl , Darr Dietrich , Wichern Florian
Published: October 2020

Kyrgyz walnut-fruit forests harbour a unique walnut diversity, which has rarely been investigated concerning nut properties and the influence of environmental conditions on these. We evaluated the influence of soil properties and altitude on physical and some chemical walnut properties at three sampling sites differing in altitude by 200 m. Walnut samples were collected from 15 randomly chosen trees. Soil samples from two depths under each tree were analysed for plant available mineral nutrients and soil chemical properties. In contrast to our hypothesis, physical nut and chemical kernel quality parameters did not differ between sampling sites at different altitude and were not affected by soil properties. Only pH showed a relationship with manganese availability in soil and kernel content, and was related to amino acid content of kernels. Tree and site-specific variability overrides abiotic influence caused by different altitude or soil properties and reflect the high genetic variability in these forests.
Functional and prognostic implications of cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking-derived remote myocardial strain analyses in patients following acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Lange Torben , Stiermaier Thomas , Backhaus Sören J. , Boom Patricia C. , Kowallick Johannes T. , de Waha-Thiele Suzanne , Lotz Joachim , Kutty Shelby , Bigalke Boris , Gutberlet Matthias , Feistritzer Hans-Josef , Desch Steffen , Hasenfuß Gerd , Thiele Holger , Eitel Ingo , Schuster Andreas
Published: October 2020

Background

Cardiac magnetic resonance myocardial feature tracking (CMR-FT)-derived global strain assessments provide incremental prognostic information in patients following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Functional analyses of the remote myocardium (RM) are scarce and whether they provide an additional prognostic value in these patients is unknown.

Methods

1034 patients following acute myocardial infarction were included. CMR imaging and strain analyses as well as infarct size quantification were performed after reperfusion by primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) within 12 months after the index event was defined as primary clinical endpoint.

Results

Patients with MACE had significantly lower RM circumferential strain (CS) compared to those without MACE. A cutoff value for RM CS of − 25.8% best identified high-risk patients (p < 0.001 on log-rank testing) and impaired RM CS was a strong predictor of MACE (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.07–1.14,p = 0.003). RM CS provided further risk stratification among patients considered at risk according to established CMR parameters for (1) patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35% (p = 0.038 on log-rank testing), (2) patients with reduced global circumferential strain (GCS) > −  18.3% (p = 0.015 on log-rank testing), and (3) patients with large microvascular obstruction ≥ 1.46% (p = 0.002 on log-rank testing).

Conclusion

CMR-FT-derived RM CS is a useful parameter to characterize the response of the remote myocardium and allows improved stratification following AMI beyond commonly used parameters, especially of high-risk patients.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00712101 and NCT01612312

Graphic abstract

Defining remote segments (R) in the presence of infarct areas (I) for the analysis of remote circumferential strain (CS). Remote CS was significantly lower in patients who suffered major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and a cutoff value for remote CS of − 25.8% best identified high-risk patients. In addition, impaired remote CS ≥ − 25.8 % (Remote −) and preserved remote CS < − 25.8 % (Remote +) enabled further risk stratification when added to established parameters like left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), global circumferential strain (GCS) or microvascular obstruction (MVO).
Reproductive outcomes in women and men using complementary and alternative medicine treatment and not receiving artificial reproductive technology: a systematic review
Authors: Yogasundram Hannah M. , Hui Andrew J. O. , Sia Clifford Y. S. , Chui Anthea C. , Waldock William J. , Quenby Siobhan , Brown Elizabeth , Oliver-Williams Clare
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Infertility is a global problem, but only a minority of couples access assisted reproductive technologies due to financial and sociocultural barriers. Complementary and alternative medicine are seen as another option. We aimed to determine the impact of complementary and alternative medicine on conception, miscarriage and live birth rates in couples not receiving assisted reproductive technology treatments.

Methods

The electronic databases EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science and the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database were systematically searched before March 24th 2020. Reference lists of eligible studies were searched for relevant studies. Eligible studies included trials and observational studies that assessed a complementary or alternative medicine and conception, miscarriage or live births in men or women not undergoing fertility treatment. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers using a pre-designed data collection form. The study protocol was published in the PROSPERO database (CRD42018086980).

Results

Twenty randomized controlled trials were identified, including 2748 individuals. Most studies did not demonstrate any effect of a complementary or alternative medicine on pregnancy, live birth or miscarriage rates. Limited evidence was found for a positive effect of herbal therapies taken by women on conception rates. There was substantial diversity in quality across the studies.

Conclusion

There is limited evidence of the effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine on improving the chances of conception and live births, or increasing miscarriage risk. Owing to the generally sub-optimal quality and heterogeneous nature of the evidence, rigorous studies are needed to determine the impact of complementary and alternative medicine on fertility.
Introduction to the symposium: seed as a commons—exploring innovative concepts and practices of governing seed and varieties
Authors: Sievers-Glotzbach Stefanie , Christinck Anja
Published: October 2020

This Symposium explores how the theory of commons can be used to study, conceptualize and transform governance models for seed and plant varieties to counter ongoing trends towards agrobiodiversity loss and concentration of economic and political power in farming and food systems. Contributions to the Symposium present case studies from a range of geographical and socio-cultural contexts from the Global North and South. They show how seed and varieties relate to various known commons categories, including natural resource commons, knowledge and cultural commons, and global commons. Elements of these categories need to be integrated to gain a deeper understanding of Seed Commons, including the specific challenges that arise from the fact that seed, although a biological asset, is at least partly shaped by human selection driven by values, knowledge and needs of users. Collective responsibility, sharing of knowledge and seed, protection from private enclosure, and distributed, polycentric governance are key features of Seed Commons. The notion of ‘commoning’ focuses on the social practices and processes that create and sustain commons. Conceptualizing Seed Commons in their complexity offers initial starting points for policies and legal frameworks conducive to releasing the transformative power of Seed Commons for advancing sustainable farming and food systems.
Swedish Adolescent Female Offenders with Limited Delinquency: Exploring Family-Related Narratives from a Developmental Perspective
Authors: Ginner Hau Hanna , Azad Azade
Published: October 2020

Family factors are central both for adolescent development in general and for the development of delinquency. For female delinquency they appear to be particularly important. The aim of this study was to explore family-related statements in adolescent females’ delinquency narratives from a developmental perspective. Interviews with nine female adolescent offenders were analysed using consensual qualitative research (CQR). The main findings consisted of five themes concerning the family in relation to the participants’ delinquency. In the delinquency narratives, families were described as being involved in the entire process of delinquency. Urges both for proximity and distance in family relations were expressed in the narratives. Delinquency was also found to be related to transactions between participants and their families. Our findings indicate that the developmental perspective on family factors for females with limited delinquency is a meaningful way to further investigate this group of offenders. Furthermore, this perspective could in the long-term also potentially contribute to the design of adequate community-based measures for this yet under-researched group of young offenders.
Comparativism and the Measurement of Partial Belief
Authors: Elliott Edward
Published: October 2020

According to comparativism, degrees of belief are reducible to a system of purely ordinal comparisons of relative confidence. (For example, being more confident that P than that Q, or being equally confident that P and that Q.) In this paper, I raise several general challenges for comparativism, relating to (1) its capacity to illuminate apparently meaningful claims regarding intervals and ratios of strengths of belief, (2) its capacity to draw enough intuitively meaningful and theoretically relevant distinctions between doxastic states, and (3) its capacity to handle common instances of irrationality.
Corona pan(dem)ic: gateway to global surveillance
Authors: Surber Regina Sibylle
Published: October 2020

The essay reviews the digital emergency measures many governments have adopted in an attempt to curb Covid-19. It argues that those ‘virologically legitimized’ measures may infringe the human right to privacy and mark the transition into a world of global surveillance. At this possible turning point in human history, panic and latent fear seem to fog much needed farsightedness. Leaving the current state of emotional paralysis and restarting to critically assess the digital pandemic management can serve as an emergency break against drifting into a new era of digital monitoring.
Liberalism Versus Communitarianism in Cultural Heritage Law
Authors: Zeidler Kamil , Łągiewska Magdalena
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study is to investigate the important role of liberal-communitarian debate in cultural heritage law and politics. Derek Gillman in the book titled “The Idea of Cultural Heritage” stressed that “During recent decades, two parallel debates have occurred with respect to public policy and heritage”, and mentioned above is the second one, which “takes place between political philosophers, especially liberal and communitarian thinkers of various shades.” The following study brings attention to the external perspective. That is, these philosophical concepts which appeared beyond legal sciences, but they have the impact on both law and almost all aspects of social life. Liberalism and communitarianism, despite their differences, are particularly useful lens through which to consider law and its functions within contemporary society. Therefore, this begs the question as to what is their approach to the cultural heritage law and practice. While much has been written about liberalism and communitarianism, their impact on cultural heritage still remains shrouded in mystery. We do accept and stress that cultural heritage law is nowadays recognised as the multilevel legal instruments for safeguarding, protection, preservation and maintenance of cultural heritage, cultural property, or even cultural rights. It is not only “multilevel”, but also “multivalued”, and for that reason many theoretical and practical problems are noticed. Liberalism versus communitarianism is one of the most significant debate. As a result, the main aim of this article is to outline the influence of liberalism and communitarianism on cultural heritage law.
Inactivation of Escherichia coli enhanced by anaerobic microbial iron reduction
Authors: Kim Lavane , Yan Tao , Pham Van Toan
Published: October 2020

Microbial iron reduction (MIR) is an important and ubiquitous natural process in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and carbon in anaerobic sedimentary and subsurface environments. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine if the MIR process can enhance the inactivation of Escherichia coli cells under anaerobic conditions and (2) to identify potential inactivation mechanisms. Laboratory microcosm experiments showed that the presence of MIR activity significantly enhanced E. coli inactivation, and the inactivation rate under the MIR condition was significantly larger than those under other anaerobic redox conditions. Under anoxic condition, higher Fe2+concentrations exhibited a linear function to larger E. coli inactivation rates, indicating that the production of Fe2+by MIR was one of the important roles in E. coli inactivation. When E. coli cells were amended as the sole electron source to the MIR process, increased Fe2+ production was observed, which corresponded to decreasing TOC concentration. Together, the results suggest that MIR enhanced E. coli inactivation through the production of Fe2+ as metabolic waste, and the inactivation benefited the MIR process as the inactivated cells were used as an electron source, which represents a potential new mechanism for bacterial inter-species competition. This knowledge could further improve our understanding of the fate of fecal bacteria in natural environments where the MIR process is prevalent, and may also be explored for enhanced removal of bacterial pathogens in engineering processes.
Sociodrama as a “potential stage” for creating participative and transformative research on social work with families living in vulnerable situations
Authors: Ius Marco
Published: October 2020

This article of the Zeitschrift für Psychodrama und Soziometrie aims to explore how Morenian sociodrama and its techniques represent valuable tools for participative research with social professionals and teachers working with children and their families in vulnerable situations. After introducing the Canon of Creativity by Moreno and its connection to art-based research, sociodrama is theoretically introduced and proposed as a research tool. This is followed by a description of an experience of participative research with a group of roughly 40 professionals within the national Italian programme P.I.P.P.I. The process of the session is described and discussed, in order to demonstrate how sociodrama can be an interesting tool for social research. The conclusion provides connections between practice and research, proposing the involvement of families in future activities, and highlighting possible future theoretical explorations in order to examine the topic in greater depth.
Biological traits and life history of Pagiophloeus tsushimanus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a weevil pest on camphor trees in China
Authors: Chen Cong , Zhang Congcong , Li Shouyin , Zhu Han , Fan Binqi , Wang Yan , Su Peng , Han Yangyang , Hao Dejun
Published: October 2020

Cinnamomum camphora(L.) J. Presl. (Laurales: Lauraceae) is widely cultivated as an important landscape tree species in many urban areas in South China, especially in Shanghai City.Pagiophloeus tsushimanusMorimoto has become a destructive insect pest ofC.camphoraplantations in Shanghai, but the biological and ecological traits of this pest remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the damage and life history and determined the larval instar ofP.tsushimanus. The results indicated thatP.tsushimanusis a monophagous weevil pest, andC.camphorais the unique host tree species.C.camphoraplantations in all administrative districts of Shanghai have been seriously damaged byP.tsushimanus. Adults often aggregate for feeding on the tender bark of twigs and occasionally on newly emerged buds. After experiencing damage, the twigs shrink and crack and the buds will shrink. Adults tend to repeatedly mate and oviposit, and all females lay single eggs at a time. Eggs will be covered with a mixture of secretions and wood chips by female adults. Larvae (1st–2nd instar) feed on the phloem, while 3rd–5th instar can bore into the phloem and the cambium. Massive tunnels, including three shapes (inverted “L”, inverted “T”, and inverted “Z”), were observed in the trunk of each tree, and resulted in swelling of the outer bark.P.tsushimanushas one life cycle per year in Shanghai. Both adults and larvae (3rd–5th instar) overwinter from early November to early April. Adults overwinter in grooves on the underside of branches or at branch nodes, and larvae overwinter in tunnels. Five larval instars ofP.tsushimanuswere determined according to Dyar's and Crosby's rules. The biological traits and life history ofP.tsushimanushave been identified and can provide guidance in terms of pest control and plantation management.
Electrochemical, spectroscopic and theoretical studies for acid corrosion of zinc using glycogen
Authors: Pais Mikitha , Rao Padmalatha
Published: October 2020

The objective of the work is to introduce and establish anticorrosion capabilities of a novel biopolymer glycogen (GLY) against sulfamic acid (NH2SO3H) induced corrosion of zinc. The corrosion and inhibition studies were done by electrochemical techniques such as potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique (EIS). Conditions were optimized to get maximum inhibition efficiency by varying the concentration of the inhibitor in the temperature range of 303–323 K. Activation and thermodynamic parameters were evaluated and discussed in detail. Suitable adsorption isotherm was proposed to fit the experimental results. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies were performed before and after the addition of inhibitor. Adsorption of inhibitor was further confirmed by UV–Visible spectroscopy. Quantum chemical calculations were done to establish the correlation between the structure of the inhibitor and its inhibition efficiency. Energy of HOMO, LUMO, energy gap ∆E, dipole moment (µ) Mullikan charges were calculated. Different theoretical factor descriptors like the hardness (η), and softness (σ) electronegativity (χ), global electrophilicity (ω), nucleophilicity (ε) and fraction of electron transferred (ΔN) were calculated. Inhibition efficiency of glycogen increased with increase in its concentration and with temperature. Maximum efficiency of 72% could be achieved for the addition of 0.05 g L−1of GLY at 323 K. Results were fitted into Langmuir adsorption iostherm. The surface of the metal turned visibly smoother in the presence of GLY. In addition the EDX studies showed increase in carbon content which re-affirmed the adsorption of GLY on the metal surface. The density functional theory (DFT) based theoretical studies supported the experimental observations.
Clinical profile and outcome of patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Cioffi Giovanni , Viapiana Ombretta , Tarantini Luigi , Orsolini Giovanni , Idolazzi Luca , Sonographer Federica Ognibeni , Dalbeni Andrea , Gatti Davide , Fassio Angelo , Rossini Maurizio , Giollo Alessandro
Published: October 2020

Systemic chronic inflammation may favor the onset of metabolic syndrome (MetS) which represents a risk factor for CV events. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are disorders with high prevalence of MetS. We assessed the factors associated with MetS and its prognostic role in non-selected RA/AS/PsA patients. Between March 2014 and April 2016, 458 patients (228 RA, 134 PsA, 96 AS) selected for a primary prevention program for cardiovascular diseases were analyzed. Primary and co-primary end points were a composite of all-cause death/all-cause hospitalization and CV death/CV hospitalization, respectively. MetS was diagnosed according to the IDF Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention. Patients were divided into MetS + (73 = 16%) and MetS − (385 = 84%). At multivariate logistic analysis, cancer, moderate/high disease activity, higher LV mass (LVM) and degree of LV diastolic dysfunction were independently associated with MetS. At 36-month follow-up, the event rate for primary/co-primary end point was 52/15% in MetS + vs 23/7% in MetS − (both p < 0.001). At multivariate Cox regression analysis, MetS was related to primary end point (HR 1.52 [CI 1.01–2.47], p = 0.04) together with higher LVM, disease duration and higher prevalence of biologic DMARDs refractoriness, and to co-primary end point (HR 2.05 [CI 1.16–3.60], p = 0.01) together with older age and higher LVM. The RA/AS/PsA phenotype MetS + is a subject with moderate/high disease activity, LV structural and functional abnormalities at increased risk for cancer. MetS + identifies RA/AS/PsA patients at higher risk for CV and non-CV events, independently of traditional CV risk factors analyzed individually and traditional indexes of inflammation.