bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of N‐acylhomoserine lactonase silver nanoparticles on the quorum sensing system of Helicobacter pylori: A potential strategy to combat biofilm formation
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Vinoj , Masanam Esakkirajan , Ramkumar Vijayan S. , Baskaraligam Vaseeharan , Selvaraj Gopinath
Published: January 2020

The treatment of Helicobacter pylori usually fails due to their ability to form biofilms and resistance to antibiotics. This might potentially lead to gastric carcinoma and mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. In the present study, we elucidate the potential role of N‐acylhomoserine lactonase stabilized silver nanoparticles (AiiA‐AgNPs) in treating biofilms produced by H. pylori. AiiA‐AgNPs inhibited quorum sensing (QS) by degradation of QS molecules, thereby reducing biofilm formation, urease production, and altering cell surface hydrophobicity of H. pylori. AiiA‐AgNPs showed no cytotoxic effects on RAW 264.7 macrophages at the effective concentration (1–5 µM) of antibiofilm activity. In addition, AiiA‐AgNP in high concentration (80–100 µM) exhibited cytotoxicity against HCT‐15 carcinoma cells, depicting its therapeutic role in treating cancer.
In situ and ex situ surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) analysis of cell mitochondria
Authors: Yue Jing , Shen Yanting , Liang Lijia , Cong Lili , Guan Xin , Li Zhiyuan , Xu Shuping , Liang Chongyang , Shi Wei , Xu Weiqing
Published: January 2020

As the "powerhouse" of cells, mitochondrion is the main site of cellular aerobic respiration and plays a vital role in performing many important cellular functions. The consequence of mitochondrial dysfunction could lead to a wide range of disorders and diseases. Traditional mitochondria‐related cytobiology methods always require the isolation of organelles for biological components, followed by structural analysis and quantitative analysis. In this study, we tried to assess the feasibility and reliability of the isolation‐based method and the in situ approach from the spectral fingerprint characters. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS) was employed to investigate the molecular information of mitochondria from cancer cells (HepG2 and MCF‐7 cells) in situ with the assistant of mitochondrion‐targeting nanoprobes, which was compared with the isolation‐based ex situ method. The results display two methods, which show high consistency in the spectral profiles of mitochondrion, proving the feasibility of both in bioanalysis. Abundant molecular information such as protein and DNA is disclosed, and protein is one of the main components. From spectral comparison between two cancer cells, differences in protein content are observed. We believe that this comparative study will provide a valuable and recommended reference for the selection of analytical methods for different study purposes.
Type VI secretion system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with biofilm formation but not environmental adaptation
Authors: Chen Lihua , Zou Yaru , Kronfl Asmaa Abbas , Wu Yong
Published: January 2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosa encodes three type VI secretion systems (T6SSs), namely H1‐, H2‐, and H3‐T6SS. P. aeruginosa hemolysin‐coregulated protein (Hcp) is the effector protein and the hallmark of T6SS. Although T6SS is ubiquitous and affects ecology and human health, its general mechanism and physiological role are still not fully understood. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the impact of the P. aeruginosa T6SS on biofilm formation and environmental adaptation. To this end, we collected P. aeruginosa clinical isolates, divided them into strong biofilm formation (SBF) and nonbiofilm formation (NBF) groups based on their biofilm‐forming ability, and compared their associated clinical characteristics. The duration of hospitalization was longer in patients infected with SBF than those infected with NBF strains. The expression levels of T6SS‐related genes (hcp1 and hcp3) and a quorum‐sensing gene (lasR) were higher in the SBF group as compared to those in the NBF group. In addition, the expression level of lasR was negatively associated with that of hcp1, but was positively associated with those of hcp2 and hcp3. Moreover, we evaluated the expression of T6SS‐ and biofilm‐associated genes in planktonic and biofilm cells of the P. aeruginosa strain PAO1, and constructed strain PAO1△clpV1 to study the adaptation characteristics of H1‐T6SS. The expression levels of hcp1, hcp2, hcp3, lasR, and other biofilm‐associated genes were significantly higher in PAO1 biofilm cells as compared to those of planktonic cells. However, except for swarming ability as a vital feature for biofilm formation, there were no significant differences in the biofilm‐forming ability and expression of biofilm‐associated genes, adherence ability, growth characteristics, resistance to acid and osmotic pressure, surface structure, and morphology between the PAO1△clpV1 and PAO1 wild‐type strains. Collectively, our results suggest that T6SS might play a role in biofilm formation and that H1‐T6SS does not contribute to environmental adaptation in P. aeruginosa.
Potential digenic inheritance of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy identified by whole‐exome sequencing
Authors: Ren Ming‐Bao , Chai Xiao‐Rui , Li Lin , Wang Xin , Yin Chenghong
Published: January 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to identify the genetic causes of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) within a family. Most of the previous studies found point mutations as the genetic causes for HCM, whole‐gene deletion was rarely reported.

Methods

Although, clinical genetic testing has been widely used for identifying variants in HCM patients, structural variations are understudied, partly owing to the inadequacy of the available methodology. In the present study, whole‐exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing validation was used to identify the genetic causes in patients with familial HCM.

Results

A genomic deletion in Chromosome 19 containing the whole of troponin I3 gene (TNNI3), and the p.Ile736Thr variant in the myosin heavy chain 7 gene (MYH7) were identified in two patients with familial HCM by WES. The p.Ile736Thr variant is further validated by Sanger sequencing and is predicted as a pathogenic variant by in silico analysis.

Conclusion

We added the notion that not only p.Ile736Thr variant of MYH7, but also TNNI3 deletion might potentially contribute to HCM pathogenesis. Our study also suggested WES was a powerful tool to identify the genetic variants causing HCM.
The Putative Caloric Restriction Mimetic Resveratrol has Moderate Impact on Insulin Sensitivity, Body Composition, and the Metabolome in Mice
Authors: Günther Ilka , Rimbach Gerald , Mack Carina I. , Weinert Christoph H. , Danylec Nicolas , Lüersen Kai , Birringer Marc , Bracher Franz , Soukup Sebastian T. , Kulling Sabine E. , Pallauf Kathrin
Published: January 2020

Scope

Data on resveratrol‐(trans‐3,5,4′‐trihydroxystilbene)‐induced caloric‐restriction‐(CR)‐mimicking effects in mice receiving a high‐fat diet (HFD) are contradictory. It is hypothesized that this can possibly stem from different bioactivities of resveratrol (RSV) microbial metabolites.

Methods and results

C57BL/6Rj mice are fed an ad‐libitum HFD supplemented with RSV or its metabolites, dihydroresveratrol (DHR) and lunularin (LUN) (≈28 mg (dihydro)stilbene kg−1 mouse per day). A 40% CR group was included in the study. While CR mice show robust changes in bodyweight and composition, hormone levels and mRNA expression, slight changes are found (more muscle, less adipose tissue) in body composition, leptin, and insulin levels in RSV‐supplemented mice compared to ad libitum controls. LUN hardly and DHR does not change the hormone levels measured. Metabolome analysis of serum shows changes in CR mice but only slight, if any, changes in RSV‐, DHR‐, or LUN‐supplemented mice compared to the controls. Evaluating the capability of RSV and its metabolites to inhibit carbohydrate‐hydrolyzing enzymes in vitro, it is found that RSV reduced α‐glucosidase activity to a stronger extent than DHR and LUN.

Conclusion

Decelerated carbohydrate breakdown by RSV may have contributed to the moderate impact of dietary RSV on mouse insulin sensitivity (lowered fasting and post‐glucose‐bolus insulin levels).
An optically transparent and flexible microwave absorber for X and Ku bands application
Authors: Tayde Yakeen , Chaudhary Kajal , Singh Gaganpreet , Dhumal Ayushi , Saikia Mondeep , Srivastava Kumar V. , Ramkumar Janakrajan , Ramakrishna Subramaniam A.
Published: January 2020

In this article, an optically transparent and flexible microwave absorber for X and Ku bands application has been presented. The proposed absorber uses optically transparent ITO coated PET sheet for creating ohmic loss and polydimethylsiloxane has been used as a dielectric substrate for optical transparency and flexibility. The novelty of the structure lies in its optical transparency and flexible with increased absorption bandwidth and minimum thickness in comparison to previously reported state of the art absorbers. The proposed absorber exhibits absorptivity (above 90%) in the frequency range from 8.00 to 20.70 GHz under normal incidence. The thickness of the absorber is 0.196λg (where λg correspond to guided wavelength with respect to dielectric constant εr). An equivalent circuit model has been proposed which shows good match with the full wave model.
Simultaneous MRI water‐fat separation and quantitative susceptibility mapping of carotid artery plaque pre‐ and post‐ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide‐uptake
Authors: Ruetten Pascal P. R. , Cluroe Alison D. , Usman Ammara , Priest Andrew N. , Gillard Jonathan H. , Graves Martin J.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Imaging carotid artery plaques to identify features of vulnerability typically requires a multicontrast MRI protocol. The identification of regions of inflammation with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles requires separate pre‐ and postcontrast scans. We propose a method of joint water‐fat separation and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) to aid classification of atherosclerotic plaques and offer a positive contrast mechanism in USPIO‐imaging.

Methods

Ten healthy volunteers (3 women and 7 men; aged, 30.7 ± 10.7 years) were imaged at 1.5T to develop an acquisition and postprocessing protocol. Five patients (1 woman and 4 men; mean age, 71 ± 7.5 years) with moderate to severe luminal stenosis were imaged pre‐ and postadministration of a USPIO contrast agent. We used a multiecho gradient echo acquisition to perform water/fat separation and subsequently QSM. The results were compared with a conventional multicontrast MRI protocol, CT images, and histopathology data.

Results

In the volunteer scans, a multiecho gradient echo acquisition with bipolar readout gradients demonstrated to be a reliable acquisition methodology to produce high‐quality susceptibility maps in conjunction with the proposed postprocessing methodology. In the patient study, water/fat separation provided a tool to identify lipid‐rich necrotic cores and QSM provided a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of plaque features and positive contrast when evaluating USPIO uptake. Plaque calcification could be identified by strong diamagnetism (−1.27 ± 0.71 ppm), while USPIO uptake demonstrated a strong paramagnetism (1.32 ± 0.61 ppm).

Conclusion

QSM was able to identify multiple plaque features in a single acquisition, providing positive contrast for plaques demonstrating USPIO uptake and negative contrast for calcification.
Three‐dimensional accelerated acquisition for hyperpolarized 13C MR with blipped stack‐of‐spirals and conjugate‐gradient SENSE
Authors: Olin Rie B. , Sánchez‐Heredia Juan Diego , Schulte Rolf F. , Bøgh Nikolaj , Hansen Esben Søvsø Szocska , Laustsen Christoffer , Hanson Lars G. , Ardenkjær‐Larsen Jan H.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To test a new parallel imaging strategy for acceleration of hyperpolarized 13C MR acquisitions based on a 3D blipped stack‐of‐spirals trajectory and conjugate‐gradient SENSE reconstruction with precalibrated sensitivities.

Methods

The blipped stack‐of‐spirals trajectory was developed for an acceleration factor of 4, based on an undersampled stack‐of‐spirals with gradient blips during spiral readout. The trajectory was developed with volumetric coverage of a large FOV and with high spatial resolution. High temporal resolution was attained through spectral‐spatial excitation and 4 excitations per volume. The blipped stack‐of‐spirals was evaluated in simulations and phantom experiments. Next, the method was evaluated for kidney and cardiac imaging in 2 separate healthy pigs.

Results

Simulation and phantom results showed successful acquisition and reconstruction, but also revealed reconstruction challenges for certain locations and for wide signal sources. For the kidney experiment, the accelerated acquisition showed high similarity to 2 separately acquired fully sampled data sets with matched spatial and temporal resolution, respectively. For the cardiac experiment, the accelerated acquisition proved able to map each metabolite in 3 dimensions within a single cardiac cycle.

Conclusion

The proposed method demonstrated effective mapping of metabolism in both kidneys and the heart of healthy pigs. Limitations seen in phantom experiments, may be irrelevant for most clinical applications, but should be kept in mind as well as reconstruction challenges related to residual aliasing. All in all, we show that the blipped stack‐of‐spirals is a relevant parallel imaging method for hyperpolarized human imaging, facilitating better insights into metabolism compared with nonaccelerated acquisition.
Silent T1 mapping using the variable flip angle method with B1 correction
Authors: Ljungberg Emil , Wood Tobias , Solana Ana Beatriz , Kolind Shannon , Williams Steven C. R. , Wiesinger Florian , Barker Gareth J.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To compare the silent rotating ultrafast imaging sequence (RUFIS) to a traditional Cartesian spoiled gradient‐echo (SPGR) acquisition scheme for variable flip angle (VFA) mapping.

Methods

A two‐point VFA measurement was performed using RUFIS and Cartesian SPGR in a quantitative phantom and healthy volunteers. To correct for errors, a novel silent magnetization prepared map acquisition (SIMBA) was developed, which combined with RUFIS VFA allows for a completely silent mapping protocol.

Results

The silent protocol was found to have comparable repeatability but higher reproducibility in vivo compared to the standard SPGR protocol, and showed no increase in acoustic noise levels above background noise levels compared to a 33 dBA increase for the SPGR acquisition.

Conclusions

VFA mapping using RUFIS is a feasible alternative to SPGR, achieving silent mapping with comparable acquisition time.
Method of limits: Female genital stretch perception thresholds
Authors: Mahoney Charlotte , Chok Sok‐Moi , Bryant Angela , Myers Jenny , Smith Anthony , Reid Fiona
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Women with pelvic organ prolapse describe vaginal laxity and poor sensation of vaginal tone that does not correlate with anatomical findings. This discrepancy could be explained by altered vaginal sensation and a test that could measure sensation of vaginal tone, transmitted via Aα and Aβ nerve fibers, would further our understanding of the pathophysiology of vaginal laxity.

Objective

To develop quantitative sensory testing (QST) for vaginal tone using genital stretch perception thresholds (PT), assess reproducibility, and the association with age and parity.

Study Design

Prospective observational cohort study of healthy women (Canadian task force classification II‐2) who underwent QST method of limits at the vagina and introitus for sensation of first awareness and stretch using a modified anorectal physiology protocol.

Results

Forty women underwent repeatability testing. Intra‐ and inter‐rater repeatability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) was good to excellent for both first awareness and stretch at the vagina and introitus (intra‐rater ICC = 0.93, 0.95, 0.81, and 0.88, respectively; inter‐rater ICC = 0.83, 0.93, 0.71, and 0.86 respectively).

Normative data were collected from 100 women. Log‐linear regression found a significant association between age and PT for first awareness and stretch at the vagina and introitus (P = .020, .008, .002, and <.001, respectively). There was no association with parity and PT. Nomograms were calculated using the 95% confidence limits around the regression line.

Conclusions

Stretch QST is clinically feasible, valid, and reproducible. The test can be used as a tool to measure sensation in women presenting with symptoms of vaginal laxity.
Effect of xanthan gum‐thickened liquid aspiration on the lungs in a mouse model
Authors: Araie Takafumi , Ono Minagi Hitomi , Usami Yu , Ikai Kazuki , Sakai Manabu , Gojo Nao , Nohara Kanji , Sakai Takayoshi
Published: January 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

To modify liquid viscosity is a common practice used in patients with dysphagia to avoid aspiration. Although accidentally aspirating small amount occurs frequently in patient‐care settings, the effect of aspirating a small amount thickened fluids on lungs is not clear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of xanthan gum‐thickened liquid aspiration on the lungs.

Methods

ICR mice were randomly divided into three experimental groups: saline, low thickened saline, and high thickened saline. To induce aspiration, we administered each reagent through a single intratracheal instillation at a dose of 0.3 ml kg−1 body weight. The mice were euthanized at specific time points (at 1, 3, and 7 days), and the respiratory clearance of the aspirated materials and the effects of the aspiration on lung tissue, physiological function, inflammatory responses, and alveolar capillary barrier permeability were evaluated.

Results

The results showed that when thickened saline was aspirated, the aspirated material did not spontaneously resolve for at least a week in the lungs, though saline did. In addition, thickened saline aspiration caused short‐term inflammatory responses and a prolonged increase in alveolar capillary barrier permeability. The alterations of the alveolar capillary barrier permeability remained significantly elevated at day 7 in high thickened saline compared with saline. There were no significant differences in the physiological and histological findings between the aspiration of saline and thickened saline.

Conclusions

These results suggest that xanthan gum‐thickened liquid aspiration can extend the duration of lung injury.
Synthesis of Heat‐resistant Polymers by Thiol–Ene Reaction of N‐Allylmaleimide Copolymers Using Glycoluril Crosslinkers with Rigid Molecular Structures
Authors: Kurasaki Yuto , Suzuki Yasuhito , Matsumoto Akikazu
Published: January 2020

We carried out the thermal curing of the copolymers of N‐allylmaleimide (AMI) and 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate (2EHA) using 1,3,4,6‐tetra(2‐mercaproethyl)glycoluril (G1), 1,3,4,6‐tetra(3‐mercaptopropyl)glycoluril (G2), 1,3,4,6‐tetraallylglycoluril (G3), triallylisocyanurate (TAIC), and pentaerythritol tetrakis(3‐mercaptobutyrate) (PEMB) as the crosslinkers. Based on the results for the analysis of thiol–ene reactions monitored by IR spectroscopy, it was confirmed that the curing rate significantly depended on the combination of the used crosslinkers. The insoluble fraction after curing was more than 90% for the systems using the glycoluril crosslinkers, while the conversion of the allyl groups was suppressed due to the rigid structure of these crosslinkers. The heat resistance and the mechanical properties of the crosslinked polymers were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and mechanical tensile tests. For the products cured using the glycoluril crosslinkers, the glass transition temperature (Tg) and the maximum temperature of thermal decomposition (Tmax) were 54–59 °C and 395–409 °C, respectively, being higher than those for the cured product prepared with PEMB and TAIC as the conventional crosslinkers. The elasticity (75–139 MPa), the maximum strength (3.0–4.1 MPa), and the adhesion strength (6.7–10.7 MPa) for the polymers cured with the glycoluril crosslinkers, determined by the mechanical tensile and single lap‐shear adhesion tests, were higher than those for cured materials produced with PEMB. Thus, the thermal and mechanical properties of the maleimide copolymers were efficiently enhanced by crosslinking using the rigid glycoluril compounds. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. 2020, 58, 923–931
Venom α‐amylase of the endoparasitic wasp Pteromalus puparum influences host metabolism
Authors: Wang Beibei , Ren Chaodu , Yang Lei , Fang Qi , Song Qisheng , Ye Gongyin
Published: January 2020

Background

Pteromalus puparum (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is an endoparasitoid wasp that parasitizes many butterfly species, including a Brassicaceae pest, Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), the small white cabbage butterfly. P. puparum females inject venom along with their eggs into hosts to ensure successful parasitism. The venom regulates host development and behavior, suppresses host immunity, and influences host metabolism. It has been shown that the venom contains α‐amylases, a group of hydrolytic enzymes that act in insect sugar metabolism. So far, three α‐amylases have been identified in P. puparum (Pteromalus puparum α‐amylases, PpAmys) and the function of PpAmy1 has been reported. However, the functions of PpAmy2 and PpAmy3 remain unknown.

Results

We studied the functions of an α‐amylase highly expressed in muscle‐rich tissues (PpAmy2) and an α‐amylase highly expressed in venom apparatus (PpAmy3) using RNAi and GC‐TOF‐MS techniques. Knockdown of PpAmy3 by RNAi reduced the body length and weight of 1‐day old larval offspring while there was no significant effect when PpAmy2 was knocked down. Compared to the control injected with siGFP, many metabolites in P. puparum changed when PpAmy2 was knocked down, while the injection of PpAmy3 recombinant protein into host induced metabolite changes in the P. rapae hemolymph.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that PpAmy2 acts in metabolism in the muscles of the parasitoid while PpAmy3 could influence the host metabolism and may support the development of parasitic wasp offspring. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Playing the victim? Human trafficking, African youth, and geographies of structural inequality
Authors: Esson James
Published: January 2020

This article explores the role of agency in determining who is and is not considered to be a legitimate victim of human trafficking. It draws on critical human trafficking scholarship and research on the life chances of West African youth. This is complemented by qualitative data from youth embroiled in football‐related human trafficking. The insights from these analyses are brought into conversation with theoretical work on the geographies of commodities. This results in the concept of “the football trafficking fetish,” which is used to theorise how and why the agency of mobile youthful African male bodies undermines their claims of being trafficked human beings. The findings that emerge are significant in two ways. First, they generate theoretical insights on the coexistence of agency and exploitation in young lives and how young people's aspirations and agency can be (mis)read and work against them. Second, they provide a unique illustration of how human trafficking is a product of capitalism yet can be presented as a form of behaviour that lies outside of capitalist social relations. To centre these social relations and foster new forms of critical dialogue within and beyond population geography, the article concludes by recommending we consider the implications of conceptualising people as susceptible to rather than vulnerable to human trafficking.
Dual multivariate CUSUM charts with auxiliary information for process mean
Authors: Haq Abdul , Munir Tahir , Shah Burhan Ali
Published: January 2020

It is customary to increase the sensitivity of a control chart using an efficient estimator of the underlying process parameter which is being monitored. In this paper, using an auxiliary information‐based (AIB) mean estimator, we propose dual multivariate CUSUM (DMCUSUM) and mixed DMCUSUM (MDMCUSUM) charts, called the AIB‐DMCUSUM and AIB‐MDMCUSUM charts, with and without fast initial response features for monitoring the mean vector of a multivariate normally distributed process. The DMCUSUM chart combines two similar‐type multivariate CUSUM (MCUSUM) charts while the MDMCUSUM chart combines two different‐type MCUSUM charts, into a single chart. The objective of two multivariate subcharts in the DMCUSUM/MDMCUSUM chart is to simultaneously detect small‐to‐moderate and moderate‐to‐large shifts in the process mean vector. Monte Carlo simulations are used to compute the run length characteristics, including the average run length (ARL), extra quadratic loss, and integral of the relative ARL. Based on detailed run length comparisons, it turns out that the AIB‐DMCUSUM and AIB‐MDMCUSUM charts uniformly and substantially outperform the DMCUSUM and MDMCUSUM charts when detecting different sizes of shift in the process mean vector. A real dataset is used to explain the implementation of proposed AIB multivariate charts.
An ultrasound‐assisted sample preparation method of carbonatite rock for determination of rare earth elements by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Gatiboni Thais L. , Iop Gabrielle D. , Diehl Lisarb O. , Flores Erico M.M. , Muller Edson I. , Mello Paola A.
Published: January 2020

Rationale

A method for the determination of rare earth elements in carbonatite rocks by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) was developed.

Methods

An alkaline rock, carbonatite, was submitted to ultrasound‐assisted extraction (USAE) using an ultrasound bath, a cup horn system or an ultrasound probe. The main USAE parameters were evaluated, such as extraction time (1 to 30 min), extraction temperature (20 to 100°C) and ultrasound amplitude (10 to 100%). For ICP‐MS, a desolvation system (APEX‐Q) was used to reduce interference in lanthanide determination. To evaluate if the effect of ultrasound improved extraction, experiments were carried out using magnetic stirring (500 rpm) for comparison.

Results

The temperature and ultrasound amplitude optimized for the method were 70°C and 40%, respectively, using dilute nitric acid (3% v/v). Quantitative analyte recoveries were obtained using an ultrasound bath (25 kHz/100 W) which allowed for the simultaneous extraction of twelve replicates.

Conclusions

All the results obtained with the use of ultrasound systems were better than those obtained with mechanical stirring. The extracts were suitable for ICP‐MS analysis and the results were in agreement with those obtained by the reference method (using wet acid digestion). Based on the results, the use of USAE can be considered an alternative method for sample preparation of carbonatite rocks, under milder conditions, for further ICP‐MS analysis.
Towards Visible LED Illumination: ZnO‐ZnS Nanocomposite Particles
Authors: Schmitt Michael , Dietlin Celine , Lalevée Jacques
Published: January 2020

Nowadays photo semiconductors such as ZnO are one of the driving forces of humanity towards economically and ecological safe life. Such semiconductors are used in solar applications and for light emission but also multiple investigations using the material as photocatalysts (water‐splitting), or as photo initiators were published. The combination of the inorganic material with an organic matrix leads to possible interesting hybrid materials. One drawback for ZnO and other photo semiconductors is the short UV wavelength (in the UV−range) which is necessary to photoactivation. We will present the possibility of modified ZnS‐ZnO nanocomposites being reactive towards visible light for example 406 nm LED illumination. Therefore, the particles are used as initiators for free radical polymerization. The simply to handle experimental preparation procedure of the sulphur containing ≈10 nm particles is described in this work for the first time.
Binary Chiral Nanoparticles Exhibit Amplified Optical Activity and Enhanced Refractive Index Sensitivity
Authors: Yang Lin , Nandi Proloy , Ma Yicong , Liu Junjun , Mirsaidov Utkur , Huang Zhifeng
Published: January 2020

Metallic chiral nanoparticles (CNPs) with a nominal helical pitch (P) of sub‐10 nm contain inherent chirality and are promisingly applied to diverse prominent enantiomer‐related applications. However, the sub‐wavelength P physically results in weak optical activity (OA) to prohibit the development of these applications. Herein, a facile method to amplify the CNPs' OA by alloying the host CNPs with metals through a three‐step layer‐by‐layer glancing angle deposition (GLAD) method is devised. Promoted by the GLAD‐induced heating effect, the solute metallic atoms diffuse into the host CNPs to create binary alloy CNPs. Chiral alloying not only induces the plasmonic OA of the diffused solute and the created alloys but also amplifies that of the host CNPs, generally occurring for alloying Ag CNPs with diverse metals (including Cu, Au, Al, and Fe) and alloying Cu CNPs with Ag. Furthermore, the chiral alloying leads to an enhancement of refractive index sensitivity of the CNPs. The alloy CNPs with amplified plasmonic OA pave the way for potentially developing important chirality‐related applications in the fields of heterogeneous asymmetric catalysis, enantiodifferentiation, enantioseparation, biosensing, and bioimaging.
Extraordinary Strong Band‐Edge Absorption in Distorted Chalcogenide Perovskites
Authors: Nishigaki Yukinori , Nagai Takayuki , Nishiwaki Mitsutoshi , Aizawa Takuma , Kozawa Masayuki , Hanzawa Kota , Kato Yoshitsune , Sai Hitoshi , Hiramatsu Hidenori , Hosono Hideo , Fujiwara Hiroyuki
Published: January 2020

All existing solar cell materials including hybrid perovskites show rather small absorption coefficient (α) of ≈104 cm−1 in the bandgap (Eg) transition region. The weak band‐edge light absorption is an essential problem, limiting conversion efficiency particularly in a tandem solar cell. Herein, all distorted chalcogenide perovskites (BaZrS3, SrZrS3, BaHfS3, and SrHfS3) are found experimentally to exhibit extraordinary high α exceeding 105 cm−1 near Eg, indicating the highest band‐edge α among all known solar cell materials. The giant absorption in the Eg region, which is consistent with the first principles, arises from the intense p–d interband transition enabled by dense S 3p valence states. For solar cell application, low‐gap BaZrS3 derivatives, Ba(Zr,Ti)S3 and BaZr(S,Se)3, are further synthesized. Among the possible candidates of top‐cell materials, an earth‐abundant and nontoxic Ba(Zr,Ti)S3 alloy shows great potential, reaching a maximum potential efficiency exceeding 38% in a chalcogenide perovskite/crystalline Si tandem architecture.
Chemometric applications in fire debris analysis
Authors: Sigman Michael E. , Williams Mary R.
Published: January 2020

Chemometric applications related to the analysis of ignitable liquids (ILs) and fire debris samples have evolved over the last 30 years. Most older papers focused on the use of chemometrics for classification of ILs by manufacturer, grade or into classes defined by the American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) standard test method ASTM E1618. More recently, chemometric studies in fire debris analysis have focused on estimating the strength of the evidence in the form of a likelihood ratio (LR). The progression of chemometric methods from simple classification tasks to the calculation of LRs and statements of evidentiary value has implications across all disciplines of forensic science. Most of the data analyzed by chemometric methods in forensic fire debris analysis come from gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, although several studies have examined data from head space‐mass spectrometry and other sensors. Retention time alignment is a challenge that must be addressed if chemometric methods are intended to have interlaboratory applicability. Several of the reports reviewed here rely on data representations that avoid retention time alignment issues. Attempts to apply chemometric methods to the analysis of ILs and fire debris samples has for the most part been an academic exercise and the results have not made their way into accredited forensic laboratories and established protocols. The chemometric methods are well‐founded in statistical principles and they can provide a means of strengthening forensic fire debris analysis in the future.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Fire Debris Analysis

Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Trace Evidence

Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Presentation and Evaluation of Forensic Science Output
Coscattering in next-to-minimal dark matter and split supersymmetry
Authors: Brümmer F.
Published: January 2020

Abstract

In some models of thermal relic dark matter, the relic abundance may be set by inelastic scattering processes (rather than annihilations) becoming inefficient as the universe cools down. This effect has been called coscattering. We present a procedure to numerically solve the full momentum-dependent Boltzmann equations in coscattering, which allows for a precise calculation of the dark matter relic density including the effects of early kinetic decoupling. We apply our method to a simple model, containing a fermionic SU(2) triplet and a fermionic singlet with electroweak-scale masses, at small triplet-singlet mixing. The relic density can be set by either coannihilation or, at values of the mixing angle θ ≲ 10
−5, by coscattering. We identify the parameter ranges which give rise to the observed relic abundance. As a special case, we study bino-like dark matter in split supersymmetry at large μ.
Is tomorrow’s car appealing today? Ethical issues and user attitudes beyond automation
Authors: Vrščaj Darja , Nyholm Sven , Verbong Geert P. J.
Published: January 2020

The literature on ethics and user attitudes towards AVs discusses user concerns in relation to automation; however, we show that there are additional relevant issues at stake. To assess adolescents’ attitudes regarding the ‘car of the future’ as presented by car manufacturers, we conducted two studies with over 400 participants altogether. We used a mixed methods approach in which we combined qualitative and quantitative methods. In the first study, our respondents appeared to be more concerned about other aspects of AVs than automation. Instead, their most commonly raised concerns were the extensive use of AI, recommender systems, and related issues of autonomy, invasiveness and personal privacy. The second study confirmed that several AV impacts were negatively perceived. The responses were, however, ambivalent. This confirms previous research on AV attitudes. On one hand, the AV features were perceived as useful, while on the other hand, their impacts were negatively assessed. We followed theoretical insights form futures studies and responsible research and innovation, which helped to identify that there are additional user concerns than what has been previously discussed in the literature on public attitudes and ethics of AVs, as well what has been envisioned by car manufactures.
Secondary somatosensory cortex of primates: beyond body maps, toward conscious self-in-the-world maps
Authors: Bretas Rafael V. , Taoka Miki , Suzuki Hiroaki , Iriki Atsushi
Published: January 2020

Recent human imaging studies have revealed the involvement of the secondary somatosensory cortex (SII) in processes that require high-level information integration, such as self-consciousness, social relations, whole body representation, and metaphorical extrapolations. These functions are far beyond its known role in the formation of body maps (even in their most complex forms), requiring the integration of different information modalities in addition to somatosensory information. However, no evidence of such complex processing seems to have been detected at the neuronal level in animal experiments, which would constitute a major discrepancy between human and non-human animals. This article scrutinizes this gap, introducing experimental evidence of human and non-human primates’ SII functions set in context with their evolutionary significance and mechanisms, functionally situating the human SII as a primate brain. Based on the presented data, a new concept of a somatocentric holistic self is proposed, represented as a more comprehensive body-in-the-world map in the primate SII, taking into account evolutionary aspects that characterize the human SII and its implication in the emergence of self-consciousness. Finally, the idea of projection is introduced from the viewpoint of cognitive science, providing a logical explanation to bridge this gap between observed behavior and neurophysiological data.
Macroscopic characteristics facilitate identification of common Antarctic glass sponges (Porifera, Hexactinellida, Rossellidae)
Authors: Federwisch Luisa , Janussen Dorte , Richter Claudio
Published: January 2020

Glass sponges (Porifera, Hexactinellida) are conspicuous habitat-forming members of many Antarctic shelf communities. Despite their ecological importance, in-situ species identification remains problematic as it is traditionally based on microscopic analysis of spicules. External morphological features, in contrast, have largely been disregarded, so that different species have been mislabeled or lumped together when their identification was based on image material. In this paper, we provide a straight-forward guideline for in-situ identification of the most common rossellid sponges of the Antarctic shelf based on macroscopic characteristics. To determine diagnostic macroscopic characteristics of Anoxycalyx (Scolymastra) joubini and eight Rossella species, we combined examination of trawl-collected specimens, previous species descriptions and in-situ image material from the eastern Weddell Sea. Our study revealed that the smooth-walled species A. joubini, R. nuda and R. vanhoeffeni, previously often mixed up, can be distinguished by the form of their basal spicule tuft, their surface structure and their overall body form. The previously synonymized species R. racovitzae and R. podagrosa can be distinguished by their markedly different habitus. Based on our results, the so-called ‘R. racovitzae budding type’ in fact refers to R. podagrosa which occurs regularly in the eastern Weddell Sea. The species R. villosa, R. levis, R. fibulata and R. antarctica can be distinguished by the appearance of their conules, protruding spicules and overall body form. We conclude that macroscopic characteristics are helpful means for identification of Antarctic rossellid sponge species. This approach enables species-specific quantitative studies of Antarctic glass sponge grounds based on increasingly used non-invasive imaging technology.
The relationship between glucose homeostasis status and prostate size in aging Chinese males with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Wu Y. , Ding Y. , Cao Q. F. , Qian S. B. , Wang C. , Duan H. Q. , Gu J. , Shen H. B.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Increasing evidence shows that many metabolic factors are involved in the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We aimed to assess the relationship between the status of glucose homeostasis and prostate size in aging Chinese males undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for BPH.

Methods

A total of 1006 medical records of BPH patients undergoing TURP were reviewed. Prostate size was measured by transrectal ultrasound. Annual total prostate (TP) and transitional zone (TZ) growth rates were calculated. According to the American Diabetes Association criteria, the patients were categorized as normoglycemic, prediabetic, or diabetic. Levels of glucose homeostasis and other variables were considered independent variables in an effort to evaluate any potential correlations using non-adjusted and multivariate-adjusted regression models.

Results

A total of 659 individuals were included in the study. BPH patients < 70 years old and ≥ 70 years old in the normoglycemic group had a stable prostate growth rate. The change in prostate size in those younger than 70 years, however, was faster in the prediabetic and diabetic group. Further analysis revealed that abnormal glucose homeostasis was positively correlated with prostate size. In those younger than 70 years, compared with the normal glucose group, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for TP and TZ enlargement in the prediabetic group was 2.27 (95%CI 1.29–4.00) and 3.19 (95%CI 1.78–5.72), respectively, and the adjusted ORs were 4.74 (95%CI 2.18–10.30) and 6.16 (95%CI 2.70–14.06), respectively, for men with diabetes. However there was no significant difference among men aged ≥ 70 years.

Conclusions

Among patients undergoing TURP, the prostate volume and growth rate were affected by different status of glucose homeostasis. Hyperglycemia may play an important role in prostate growth.
Slingshot homolog-1 expression is a poor prognostic factor of pT1 bladder urothelial carcinoma after transurethral resection
Authors: Luo Qiang , Liu Yanxia , Zhao Hu , Guo Peng , Wang Qianwen , Li Wenjun , Li Gang , Wu Bin
Published: January 2020

Objective

Slingshot homolog-1 (SSH-1) shows an important role in the occurrence and development in various tumors. While, the expression and prognostic implications of SSH-1 in bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC) remain unclear and thus were addressed in this study.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on tissue microarrays composed of 624 bladder UC specimens after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT) to detect SSH-1 expression. The clinic-pathological features were compared between SSH-1( +) and SSH-1(−) subgroups. The Kaplan–Meier curve with log-rank test and univariate/multivariate Cox regression model with stepwise backward elimination methods were performed for survival analyses.

Results

In this study, 359 (57.53%) specimens were detected with SSH-1 expression. SSH-1 positivity was significantly associated with higher pathological grade (p = 0.020), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.006), tumor recurrence (p < 0.001) and progression (p < 0.001) in bladder UC. Besides, SSH-1 positivity predicted a shorter overall survival (OS, p = 0.024), recurrence-free survival (RFS, p < 0.001), progression-free survival (PFS, p = 0.002) and cancer-specific survival (CSS, p = 0.047). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that tumor size (p = 0.007), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.003), recurrence (p < 0.001), progression (p < 0.001) and SSH-1 expression (p = 0.015) were predictors of poor prognosis in bladder UC patients.

Conclusions

SSH-1 expression was associated with undesirable clinic-pathological characteristics and poor post-operative prognosis in bladder UC patients. SSH-1 might play an important role in bladder UC and serve as a promising predictor of oncological outcomes in patients with bladder UC.
Suizidalität bei Krebspatienten
Authors: Rabe A. , van Oorschot B. , Jentschke E.
Published: January 2020

Hintergrund

Die Diagnose Krebs und ihre Behandlung kann eine große Belastung für die Betroffenen darstellen. Neben körperlichen Beschwerden kann auch die Psyche in Mitleidenschaft gezogen werden. Fehlt es an entsprechenden Bewältigungsstrategien, kann der selbstbestimmte Tod als einziger Ausweg erscheinen.

Ziel und Fragestellung

Die vorliegende Übersichtsarbeit zur Suizidalität bei Krebspatienten befasst sich mit einem Thema, das in der Forschung und Praxis in Deutschland nur wenig Aufmerksamkeit findet.

Material und Methoden

Eine themenbezogene Literaturrecherche stellt die Basis der Arbeit dar.

Ergebnisse

Todeswünsche unter Krebspatienten sind nicht selten und können Suizidgedanken/-absichten beinhalten. Psychische Beschwerden, insbesondere Hoffnungslosigkeit und Depression, sind ernstzunehmende Risikofaktoren. Das Erkennen einer hohen psychischen Belastung/von Todeswünschen ist ein wichtiger Aspekt für die Suizidprävention. Für die Praxis empfiehlt sich zunächst die Verwendung von Fragebögen. Bei auffälligen Werten muss die Suizidalität proaktiv in einem persönlichen Gespräch exploriert werden. Betroffene sind meist ambivalent bezüglich ihrer Entscheidung für oder gegen das Leben. Dies stellt eine große Chance für Interventionen dar.

Schlussfolgerungen

Suizidalität kann verhindert werden, wenn die hohe Belastung erkannt wird. Bereits das Gespräch zwischen Arzt und Patient über Todeswünsche kann eine erste Entlastung darstellen.
Convergence analysis of a Lasserre hierarchy of upper bounds for polynomial minimization on the sphere
Authors: de Klerk Etienne , Laurent Monique
Published: January 2020

We study the convergence rate of a hierarchy of upper bounds for polynomial minimization problems, proposed by Lasserre (SIAM J Optim 21(3):864–885, 2011), for the special case when the feasible set is the unit (hyper)sphere. The upper bound at level $$r \in {\mathbb {N}}$$

r
∈
N

of the hierarchy is defined as the minimal expected value of the polynomial over all probability distributions on the sphere, when the probability density function is a sum-of-squares polynomial of degree at most 2r with respect to the surface measure. We show that the rate of convergence is $$O(1/r^2)$$

O
(
1
/

r
2

)

and we give a class of polynomials of any positive degree for which this rate is tight. In addition, we explore the implications for the related rate of convergence for the generalized problem of moments on the sphere.
Predicting the potential distribution of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) infestation in New Zealand, using maximum entropy-based ecological niche modelling
Authors: Raghavan R. K. , Heath A. C. G. , Lawrence K. E. , Ganta R. R. , Peterson A. T. , Pomroy W. E.
Published: January 2020

Although currently exotic to New Zealand, the potential geographic distribution ofAmblyomma americanum(L.), the lone star tick, was modelled using maximum entropy (MaxEnt). The MaxEnt model was calibrated across the native range ofA. americanumin North America using present-day climatic conditions and occurrence data from museum collections. The resulting model was then projected onto New Zealand using both present-day and future climates modelled under two greenhouse gas emission scenarios, representative concentration pathways (RCP) 4.5 (low) and RCP 8.5 (high). Three sets of WorldClim bioclimatic variables were chosen using the jackknife method and tested in MaxEnt using different combinations of model feature class functions and regularization multiplier values. The preferred model was selected based on partial receiver operating characteristic tests, the omission rate and the lowest Akaike information criterion. The final model had four bioclimatic variables, Annual Mean Temperature (BIO1), Annual Precipitation (BIO12), Precipitation Seasonality (BIO15) and Precipitation of Driest Quarter (BIO17), and the projected New Zealand distribution was broadly similar to that ofHaemaphysalis longicornisNeumann, New Zealand’s only livestock tick, but with a more extensive predicted suitability. The climate change predictions for the year 2050 under both low and high RCP scenarios projected only moderate increases in habitat suitability along the mountain valleys in the South Island. In conclusion, this analysis shows that given the opportunity and licenseA. americanumcould and would successfully establish in New Zealand and could provide another vector for theileriosis organisms.