bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the interplay between factors that influence bone mineral density in CF
Authors: Gur Michal , Bar‐Yoseph Ronen , Diab Giselle , Hanna Moneera , Rozen Geila , Daud Faten , Keidar Zohar , Toukan Yazeed , Masarweh Kamal , Nir Vered , Gut Guy , Hakim Fahed , Bentur Lea
Published: June 2020

Background and Objectives

Multiple factors affect bone mineral density (BMD) in cystic fibrosis (CF). Our aim was to perform comprehensive analyses of parameters potentially contributing to BMD.

Methods

A prospective single‐center study assessing BMD, and correlations with multiple parameters including pancreatic status, lung functions, 6‐minute walk test (6MWT), clinical score (modified Shwachman‐Kulczycki [SK] score), vitamin D, nutritional intake, hand grip strength (HGS), habitual physical activity (smart watches), and quality of life (SF‐36 questionnaire).

Results

Forty CF patients, mean age 18.3 ± 8.1 years, forced expiratory volume in 1 second 74.7% ± 17.9% predicted. Fifteen (37.5%) and 11 (27.5%) had osteopenia and osteoporosis, respectively. BMD was similar in pancreatic sufficient (pancreatic sufficient [PS], n = 15) and insufficient (pancreatic insufficient [PI], n = 25); median hip z score −1.5 ((−2.7)−(+0.2)) vs −1.5 ((−3.5)−(+0.7)), P = .79; spine −0.8 ((−2.2)−(+2)) vs −1.2 ((−4.4)−(+1.5)), P = .39 in PS vs PI, respectively. BMD correlated with HGS (r = .72, P < .001 hip; r = .52, P = .001 spine) and fat‐free mass index (r = .81, P < .001 hip; r = .63, P < .001 spine). BMD z score correlated weakly with SK score and moderately with SF‐36 general health. Data from smart watches, nutrition questionnaires, and 6MWT did not correlate with BMD. In a multivariate model, age and SK score predicted spine z score BMD.

Conclusions

A substantial number of CF patients have low BMD. Similar rates in PS and PI suggest that other factors, such as disease severity, may contribute to low BMD. SK and age, which can easily be obtained even with limited resources, were the best predictors of low BMD. Further larger multicenter studies are warranted to evaluate the contribution of multifactorial etiologies to low BMD in CF.
Effect of positive charges in the structural interaction of crabrolin isoforms with lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Cantini Francesca , Luzi Carla , Bouchemal Nadia , Savarin Philippe , Bozzi Argante , Sette Marco
Published: June 2020

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) appear as chemical compounds of increasing interest for their role in killing bacteria and, more recently, for their ability to bind endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) that is released during bacterial infection and that may lead to septic shock. This dual role in the mechanism of action can further be enhanced in a synergistic way when two or more AMPs are combined together. Not all AMPs are able to bind LPS, suggesting that several modes of binding to the bacterial surface may exist. Here we analyze a natural AMP, crabrolin, and two mutated forms, one with increased positive charge (Crabrolin Plus) and the other with null charge (Crabrolin Minus), and compare their binding abilities to LPS. While Crabrolin WT as well Crabrolin Minus do not show binding to LPS, the mutated Crabrolin Plus exhibits binding and forms a well defined structure in the presence of LPS. The results strengthen the importance of positive charges for the binding to LPS and suggest the mutated form with increased positive charge as a promising candidate for antimicrobial and antiseptic activity.
Auxiliary‐information‐based efficient variability control charts for Phase I of SPC
Authors: Abbasi Saddam Akber , Adegoke Nurudeen A.
Published: June 2020

The inclusion of correlated auxiliary variables into the monitoring scheme of quality characteristic of interest has gained notable attention in recent statistical process control (SPC) literature. Several authors have investigated the use of a correlated auxiliary variable for efficient monitoring of variability in Phase II of SPC. This phase is generally used to detect any shifts in the expected behavior of the process parameters which are often estimated from the historical in‐control process in Phase I. However, no study has investigated the performance of auxiliary‐based variability charts in Phase I of SPC. Here, we propose auxiliary‐based dispersion control charts in Phase I of SPC. The auxiliary information is considered in the forms of regression, ratio, exponential, and power‐ratio forms. The performance of the variability charts is evaluated and compared using probability to signal as a performance measure. An illustrative example is also provided to show the application of the charts. This study will provide practitioners with appropriate recommendations on the choice of dispersion charts for Phase I analysis.
An investigation on the structure, spectroscopy, and thermodynamic aspects of clusters: A combined Parallel tempering and DFT based study
Authors: Ghorai Sankar , Naskar Pulak , Chaudhury Pinaki
Published: June 2020

The problem of identifying low‐energy structures of (n = 1‐6) was investigated, and the evaluation of important properties like heat capacity, solvation energy, and vertical detachment energy for each of the clusters was carried out. The problem was handled at two different theoretical levels. First, an adequately chosen empirical potential energy surface was used to account for the major interactions between the constituents of the cluster studied. Once the surface was chosen, the Parallel tempering algorithm was employed to search out the low‐energy critical points on this surface, which gave geometries at this level. To refine the structures further, these pre‐optimized structures were used as inputs for quantum chemical evaluation to complete the final refinement. To check whether the structures found were reasonable, sensitive properties like heat capacity, solvation energy, and vertical detachment energy were calculated. Then, an effort was made to understand and explain the variations in these properties with change in the cluster size. To understand the process of cluster formation further, thermodynamic aspects like △H (298.15 K), △G (298.15 K), and heat capacity (Cv) changes were also evaluated. Infrared spectroscopic features were also studied to see whether the introduction of the ion caused reasonable shifts compared to a pure water cluster.
Evidence for protein misfolding in the presence of nanoplastics
Authors: Hollóczki Oldamur
Published: June 2020

The possible effect of plastic nanoparticles of waste origin on biological systems is still unclear and could pose a severe threat. Model studies at the molecular level are urgently needed in order to help reveal the interplay between these particles and biological systems, and thereby to indicate the direction of further research. In the present study, simulated annealing molecular dynamics is adjusted and applied to generate an array of conformations for a sample peptide oligoalanine possibly binding to polyethylene and nylon 6,6 nanoplastics. The resulting structures, with a diameter of up to 5 nm, were investigated with the aid of static quantum chemical calculations. The obtained data unequivocally show that both plastic nanoparticles influence the relative stability of α‐helix, β‐hairpin, and other conformations strongly. Polyethylene nanoparticle increases the stability of the helical foldamer. Nylon 6,6 nanoplastic offers strong plastic‐peptide interactions on its surface, making the unfolding of the peptide thermodynamically highly favorable. These results further underscore that nanoplastics can do significant molecular‐level damage to living organisms via facilitating the misfolding and denaturation of proteins. Furthermore, it is apparent that plastics can have very different effects on living matter depending upon their composition, and hence experiments with any single kind of plastics (eg, polystyrene) should not be considered generally valid for all nanoplastics.
Revisiting global development frameworks and research on universal basic education in Ghana and Sub‐Saharan Africa: a review of evidence and gaps for future research
Authors: Nkrumah Rodney Buadi , Sinha Vandna
Published: June 2020

The emergence of global development frameworks such as Education for All, Millennium Development Goals, and Sustainable Development Goals have expanded opportunities for Universal Basic Education (UBE) in Ghana and Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). In the three decades of their implementation, these frameworks have also stimulated a culture of research based on measuring development and educational outcomes through established indicator‐based approaches. Subsequently, research on UBE in Ghana and SSA remains largely dominated by quantitative indicators which concentrate on enrolment and completion numbers in measuring a country’s progress. Yet, emerging literature shows that the expansion in enrolment is accompanied by high rates of drop‐outs, non completion, and low learning outcomes even for those able to complete basic education. Using structured and unstructured procedures to identify both academic and grey literature, this review explores the state of educational expansion and research on UBE in Ghana and SSA. We argue that the current reliance on dominant quantitative, indicator‐based approaches to assessing UBE reveals little about the differential experiences of children, particularly those in rural and marginalised communities, who receive poor quality education. The lack of information about children’s experiences of access reinforces inequalities in education, employment, and upward mobility in later life. Future research should seek to unpack micro‐level experiences which characterise access, as well as the pathways through which factors such as poverty and location create unequal experiences in schooling access, to inform context‐specific policies for UBE.
A comparison between fatty acid methyl ester profiling methods (PLFA and EL‐FAME) as soil health indicators
Authors: Li Chenhui , Cano Amanda , Acosta‐Martinez Veronica , Veum Kristen S. , Moore‐Kucera Jennifer
Published: June 2020

Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiling for characterizing microbial community composition typically is conducted via phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) or ester‐linked fatty acid methyl ester (EL‐FAME) methods. As soil health assessments aim to be utilized across the nation and globe, the robust measurement and interpretation of microbial communities across a range of soils and environments will be necessary. This study compared PLFA and EL‐FAME methods for detecting and interpreting profiles of microbial community composition in croplands across a wide geographic area using a total of 172 soil samples from 14 states representing a wide range of soil properties. Overall, PLFA and EL‐FAME provided comparable biomarkers in terms of microbial community composition. The Spearman's Rank correlation test showed positive correlations (r = 0.37–0.71) between PLFA and EL‐FAME methods for absolute abundance of total FAME and individual microbial groups including fungi (saprophytic fungi [SF], arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi [AMF], and general fungi [F]) and all bacterial groups (Gram positive [GMP], Gram negative [GMN], and Actinobacteria). In both methods, a common set of fatty acids were influential in differentiating samples. The main differences in biomarker abundances between the two methods were that fungal and Actinobacteria biomarkers (e.g., 16:1ω5c [AMF], 18:1ω9c [F], 18:3ω6c [F], and 10Me16:0 [Actinobacteria]) were more abundant or critical in EL‐FAME profiling (large variation among soil samples and sensitive to soil properties), but bacterial biomarkers such as i15:0 (GMP), 16:1ω7c (GMN), 18:1ω7c (GMN), and cy19:0ω7c (GMN) were more dominant and responsive to soil properties in PLFA profiling. The practical advantages of EL‐FAME are lower cost and simpler methodology. Although both methods produced similar microbial profile abundances for important microbial markers, PLFA was more sensitive to the wide range of soil chemical properties in this sample set including pH, clay content, soil organic matter, and active carbon.
Adsorption of heavy metals by layered double hydroxides grown in situ on Al foam
Authors: Kaciulis S. , Bolli E. , Varone A. , Richetta M. , Narducci R. , Di Vona M.L. , Ciotta E. , Pizzoferrato R.
Published: June 2020

We investigated the adsorption of heavy metal ions on a nanostructured coating of zinc‐aluminum layered double hydroxides (Zn‐Al LDHs) grown on aluminum foam by one‐step hydrothermal process. This approach aimed to increase the interactive surface and provide a more practical medium for removal of toxic heavy metals from aqueous media. The foam coated with LDH was characterized by using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. After immersion in a copper‐rich water solution, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated the occurrence of adsorbed copper on the LDH‐coated foam with two oxidation states: particles of metallic copper Cu0 with oxidized surface Cu+1. X‐ray diffraction showed the presence of Cu+2 in the LDH structure.
A general presentation on how to carry out aCHARMSanalysis for prognostic multivariate models
Authors: Palazón‐Bru Antonio , Martín‐Pérez Francisco , Mares‐García Emma , Beneyto‐Ripoll Concepción , Gil‐Guillén Vicente Francisco , Pérez‐Sempere Ángel , Carbonell‐Torregrosa María Ángeles
Published: June 2020

The CHARMS (critical appraisal and data extraction for systematic reviews of prediction modelling studies) checklist was created to provide methodological appraisals of predictive models, based on the best available scientific evidence and through systematic reviews. Our purpose is to give a general presentation on how to carry out a CHARMS analysis for prognostic multivariate models, making clear what the steps are and how they are applied individually to the studies included in the systematic review. This tutorial is aimed at providing such a resource. In addition to this explanation, we will apply the method to a real case: predictive models of atrial fibrillation in the community. This methodology could be applied to other predictive models using the steps provided in our review so as to have complete information for each included model and determine whether it can be implemented in daily clinical practice.
High‐Performance Al/PDMS TENG with Novel Complex Morphology of Two‐Height Microneedles Array for High‐Sensitivity Force‐Sensor and Self‐Powered Application
Authors: Ke Kai‐Hong , Chung Chen‐Kuei
Published: June 2020

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are widely applied to self‐powered devices and force sensors. TENGs consist of the electrode‐layer frequently made of high‐cost conductors (Ag, Au, ITO) and the tribo‐layer of rigid negative‐triboelectricity fluoropolymers (PTFE, FEP). The surface morpholoy is studied for enhancing performance. Here, a high‐performance Al/PDMS‐TENG is proposed with a complex morphology of overlapped deep two‐height microneedles (OL‐DTH‐MN) fabricated by the integrated process of low‐cost CO2 laser ablation and PDMS casting for self‐powered devices and high‐sensitivity force/pressure sensors. The high open‐circuit voltage and short‐circuit current of the OL‐DTH‐MN‐TENG are 167 V and 129.3 µA. Also, the sensitivity of the force/pressure sensor of the OL‐DTH‐MN‐TENG is very high, 1.03 V N−1 and about 3.11 V kPa−1, at an area of 30 cm2 that is much higher than the sensitivity of about 0.18–0.414 V N−1 and 0.013–0.29 V kPa−1 of conventional TENG sensors. Meanwhile, the high‐performance OL‐DTH‐MN‐TENG not only exhibits the energy storage capability of charging a 0.1 µF capacitor to 2.75 V at 1.19 s, to maximum 3.22 V, but also activates various self‐powered devices including lighting colorful 226 LEDs connected in series, the “2020‐ME‐NCKU” advertising board, a calculator and a temperature sensor. Numerical simulation is also performed to support the experiments.
Dendritic Cell‐Inspired Designed Architectures toward Highly Efficient Electrocatalysts for Nitrate Reduction Reaction
Authors: Xu Hui , Wu Jing , Luo Wei , Li Qin , Zhang Weixian , Yang Jianping
Published: June 2020

Electrocatalysis for nitrate reduction reaction (NRR) has recently been recognized as a promising technology to convert nitrate to nitrogen. Catalyst support plays an important role in electrocatalytic process. Although porous carbon and metal oxides are considered as common supports for metal‐based catalysts, fabrication of such architecture with high electric conductivity, uniform dispersion of nanoparticles, and long‐term catalytic stability through a simple and feasible approach still remains a significant challenge. Herein, inspired by the signal transfer mode of dendritic cell, an all‐carbon dendritic cell‐like (DCL) architecture comprising mesoporous carbon spheres (MCS) connected by tethered carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with CuPd nanoparticles dispersed throughout (CuPd@DCL‐MCS/CNTs) is reported. An impressive removal capacity as high as 22 500 mg N g−1 CuPd (≈12 times superior to Fe‐based catalysts), high nitrate conversion (>95%) and nitrogen selectivity (>95%) are achieved under a low initial concentration of nitrate (100 mg L−1) when using an optimized‐NRR electrocatalyst (4CuPd@DCL‐MCS/CNTs). Remarkably, nitrate conversion and nitrogen selectivity are both close to 100% in an ultralow concentration of 10 mg L−1, meeting drinking water standard. The present work not only provides high electrocatalytic performance for NRR but also introduces new inspiration for the preparation of other DCL‐based architectures.
Cellular Interactions of Liposomes and PISA Nanoparticles during Human Blood Flow in a Microvascular Network
Authors: Vu Mai N. , Kelly Hannah G. , Wheatley Adam K. , Peng Scott , Pilkington Emily H. , Veldhuis Nicholas A. , Davis Thomas P. , Kent Stephen J. , Truong Nghia P.
Published: June 2020

A key concept in nanomedicine is encapsulating therapeutic or diagnostic agents inside nanoparticles to prolong blood circulation time and to enhance interactions with targeted cells. During circulation and depending on the selected application (e.g., cancer drug delivery or immune modulators), nanoparticles are required to possess low or high interactions with cells in human blood and blood vessels to minimize side effects or maximize delivery efficiency. However, analysis of cellular interactions in blood vessels is challenging and is not yet realized due to the diverse components of human blood and hemodynamic flow in blood vessels. Here, the first comprehensive method to analyze cellular interactions of both synthetic and commercially available nanoparticles under human blood flow conditions in a microvascular network is developed. Importantly, this method allows to unravel the complex interplay of size, charge, and type of nanoparticles on their cellular associations under the dynamic flow of human blood. This method offers a unique platform to study complex interactions of any type of nanoparticles in human blood flow conditions and serves as a useful guideline for the rational design of liposomes and polymer nanoparticles for diverse applications in nanomedicine.
Porphyrin‐Based Simple and Practical Dopant‐Free Hole‐Transporting Materials for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells Using TiO2 Semiconductors
Authors: Chou Hsien-Hsin , Chiang Yu-Hsien , Chen Yu-Hsuan , Guo Chen-Jing , Zuo Hong-Yi , Cheng Wei-Ting , Lin Pei-Ying , Chiu Yueh-Ya , Chen Peter , Yeh Chen-Yu
Published: June 2020

A new series of structurally simple and easily accessible hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) YZT1–YZT4 using porphyrin backbone is devised for high‐performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with and without the aid of doping. The YZT‐series HTMs have either push–push or push–pull type planar linear molecular geometry with substitution of linear or branched alkylamine. UV–vis absorption, photoluminance (PL) quenching experiments, and theoretical studies all suggest a different pattern of molecular packing induced by molecular geometry and/or substituted chains. Nonetheless, both types of porphyrin HTMs perform well in TiO2‐based PSCs when doped YZT4 with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.95% and undoped YZT1 with a PCE of 13.10%. The results clearly reveal the potential for porphyrin‐based HTMs for use in dopant‐free PSCs.
The epidemiological investigation of co‐infection of major respiratory bacteria with pseudorabies virus in intensive pig farms in China
Authors: Yu Xuexiang , Sun Qi , Ku Xugang , He Dongxian , Li Zhonghua , Ghonaim Ahmed H , Fan Shengxian , He Qigai
Published: June 2020

Porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC), a respiratory disease caused by a variety of factors, is one of the most common problems in the intensive pig farms. To investigate the mixed infection incidence of wild‐type pseudorabies virus (WT PRV) and respiratory bacteria, a total of 1,293 clinical samples were collected from pigs with typical respiratory signs from 14 different provinces of China from September 2016 to February 2018. The WT PRV was detected by ELISA targeting gE antibody while the bacteria were detected by bacterial isolation and serotyping by PCR. The results revealed that the detection rate of A. pleuropneumoniae and B. bronchiseptica infection associated with WT PRV infection were 6.30% and 15.99%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those without WT PRV infection (3.41% and 4.41%) at the farm level (p < .05). There were no significant differences in the detection rate of H. parasuis, S. suis or P. multocida between WT PRV positive and negative farms (p > .05). However, the detection rate of attenuated H. parasuis and S. suis strains were 68.19% and 64.75%, respectively, in WT PRV infected farms, which were significantly higher than those (41.56% and 52.25%) in WT PRV free farms (p < .05). The prevalent serotypes of H. parasuis‐5/12 and S. suis‐2 were also investigated by multiplex PCR. These results indicated that the presence of WT PRV increased the chance of bacterial infection and the number of pathogenic strains in the respiratory system of pigs. Therefore, the eradication of pseudorabies is an effective approach to prevent and control the bacterial respiratory diseases in the intensive pig farms in China.
Expression of platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐α/ß, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2, c‐Abl, and c‐Kit in canine granulomatous meningoencephalitis and necrotizing encephalitis
Authors: Song Joong‐Hyun , Yu Do‐Hyeon , Hwang Tae‐Sung , Seung Byung‐Joon , Sur Jung‐Hyang , Kim Young Joo , Jung Dong‐In
Published: June 2020

Background

Given the active research on targeted therapy using tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors (TKIs) in the field of oncology, further studies have recently been conducted to evaluate their use in autoimmune disorders. Based on immunological investigations, previous studies have suggested that granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME) and necrotizing encephalomyelitis (NE) are similar to multiple sclerosis (MS), which is a human autoimmune demyelinating central nervous system disease.

Objectives

Considering this perspective, we hypothesized that canine GME and NE have significant expression of one or more TKs, which are associated with human MS pathogenesis.

Methods

To determine the possible use of conventional multi‐targeted TKIs as a treatment for canine GME and NE, we characterized the immunohistochemical expression of platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)‐α, PDGFR‐ß, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)‐2, c‐Abl and c‐Kit in GME and NE samples.

Results

Histological samples from four dogs with GME and three with NE were retrieved. All samples stained positive for PDGFR‐ß (7/7 [100%]). PDGFR‐α and c‐Kit were expressed in 3/7 (42.8%) samples each. c‐Abl was identified in 2/7 (28.5%) samples; no sample showed VEGFR‐2 (0%) expression. Co‐expression of TKs was identified in 6/7 (85.7%) dogs.

Conclusions

All samples were positive for at least one or more of PDGFR‐α, PDGFR‐ß, c‐Kit and c‐Abl, which are known as the target TKs of conventional multi‐targeted TKIs. Their presence does suggest that these TKs may play a role in the pathogenesis of GME and NE. Therefore, multi‐targeted TKIs may provide benefits in the treatment of canine GME and NE by suppressing the activity of these TKs.
Well‐scaled, a‐posteriori error estimation for model order reduction of large second‐order mechanical systems
Authors: Grunert Dennis , Fehr Jörg , Haasdonk Bernard
Published: June 2020

Model Order Reduction is used to vastly speed up simulations but it also introduces an error to the simulation results, which needs to be controlled. The a‐posteriori error estimator of Ruiner et al. for second‐order systems, which is based on the residual, has the advantage of having provable upper bounds and being usable independently of the reduction method. Nevertheless a bottleneck is found in the offline phase, making it unusable for larger models. We use the spectral theorem, power series expansions, monotonicity properties, and self‐tailored algorithms to largely speed up the offline phase by one polynomial order both in terms of computation time as well as storage complexity. All properties are proven rigorously. This eliminates the aforementioned bottleneck. Hence, the error estimator of Ruiner et al. can finally be used for large, linear, second‐order mechanical systems reduced by any model reduction method based on Petrov–Galerkin reduction. The examples show speedups of up to 28.000 and the ability to compute much larger systems with a fixed amount of memory.
Tumor-dose-rate variations during robotic radiosurgery of oligo and multiple brain metastases
Authors: Wilhelm Maria-Lisa , Chan Mark K. H. , Abel Benedikt , Cremers Florian , Siebert Frank-Andre , Wurster Stefan , Krug David , Wolff Robert , Dunst Jürgen , Hildebrandt Guido , Schweikard Achim , Rades Dirk , Ernst Floris , Blanck Oliver
Published: June 2020

Purpose

For step-and-shoot robotic stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) the dose delivered over time, called local tumor-dose-rate (TDR), may strongly vary during treatment of multiple lesions. The authors sought to evaluate technical parameters influencing TDR and correlate TDR to clinical outcome.

Material and methods

A total of 23 patients with 162 oligo (1–3) and multiple (>3) brain metastases (OBM/MBM) treated in 33 SRS sessions were retrospectively analyzed. Median PTV were 0.11 cc (0.01–6.36 cc) and 0.50 cc (0.12–3.68 cc) for OBM and MBM, respectively. Prescription dose ranged from 16 to 20 Gy prescribed to the median 70% isodose line. The maximum dose-rate for planning target volume (PTV) percentage p in time span s during treatment (TDRs,p) was calculated for various p and s based on treatment log files and in-house software.

Results

TDR60min,98% was 0.30 Gy/min (0.23–0.87 Gy/min) for OBM and 0.22 Gy/min (0.12–0.63 Gy/min) for MBM, respectively, and increased by 0.03 Gy/min per prescribed Gy. TDR60min,98% strongly correlated with treatment time (ρ = −0.717, p < 0.001), monitor units (MU) (ρ = −0.767, p < 0.001), number of beams (ρ = −0.755, p < 0.001) and beam directions (ρ = −0.685, p < 0.001) as well as lesions treated per collimator (ρ = −0.708, P < 0.001). Median overall survival (OS) was 20 months and 1‑ and 2‑year local control (LC) was 98.8% and 90.3%, respectively. LC did not correlate with any TDR, but tumor response (partial response [PR] or complete response [CR]) correlated with all TDR in univariate analysis (e.g., TDR60min,98%: hazard ration [HR] = 0.974, confidence interval [CI] = 0.952–0.996, p = 0.019). In multivariate analysis only concomitant targeted therapy or immunotherapy and breast cancer tumor histology remained a significant factor for tumor response. Local grade ≥2 radiation-induced tissue reactions were noted in 26.3% (OBM) and 5.2% (MBM), respectively, mainly influenced by tumor volume (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Large TDR variations are noted during MBM-SRS which mainly arise from prolonged treatment times. Clinically, low TDR corresponded with decreased local tumor responses, although the main influencing factor was concomitant medication.
Traumatic myositis ossificans: multifocal lesions suggesting malignancy on FDG-PET/CT—a case report
Authors: Sasaki Miho , Hotokezaka Yuka , Ideguchi Reiko , Uetani Masataka , Fujita Shuichi
Published: June 2020

Myositis ossificans (MO) is a benign soft-tissue lesion characterized by the heterotopic formation of the bone in skeletal muscles, usually due to trauma. MO is occasionally difficult to diagnose because of its clinical and radiological similarities with malignancy. We report a case of traumatic MO (TMO) in the masseter and brachial muscles of a 37-year-old man who presented with painless swelling in the left cheek and severe trismus. Due to the absence of a traumatic history at the first consultation and identification of a tumorous lesion in the left masseter muscle by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the lesion was suspected to be a malignant tumor. Subsequently, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) showed multiple regions of high FDG uptake across the whole body, suggestive of multiple metastases or other systemic diseases. However, intramuscular calcifications were also observed in the left masseter and brachial muscles, overlapping the areas with high FDG uptake. Moreover, multiple fractures were seen in the rib and lumbar spine, also overlapping the areas with high FDG uptake. Based on these imaging findings, along with a history of jet-ski trauma, TMO was suspected. The left cheek mass was surgically excised and histologically diagnosed as TMO. In this case report, FDG-PET/CT could detect multiple TMOs across the whole body. To the best of our knowledge, cases of multiple TMOs located far apart in different muscles are rare, and this may be the first report.
A comprehensive study of structural and optical properties of ZnO bulk crystals and polycrystalline films grown by sol-gel method
Authors: Nowak Ewelina , Szybowicz Miroslaw , Stachowiak Alicja , Koczorowski Wojciech , Schulz Detlev , Paprocki Kazimierz , Fabisiak Kazimierz , Los Szymon
Published: June 2020

The presented article concerns the comparison between two different zinc-oxide structures - bulk crystals and polycrystalline thin films. Bulk crystals were grown by a Bridgman method. For thin-film production, a sol-gel spin-coated method was chosen. A part of thin layers samples was annealed in 600 $$^{o}$$

o

C to induce recrystallization. The morphological and structural properties of all samples were investigated using various microscopy techniques, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. Confocal and scanning electron microscopy, as well as XRD, was used to estimate the influence of the recrystallization process on the morphology of the samples. The Raman vibrations in different scattering geometries were determined using polarized Raman spectra. What is more, in the case of the non-annealed sol-gel layer, the localized reorientation of crystallites was observed, using Raman microscopy. The morphology of the samples was compared to their optical properties, which were investigated by exploiting UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Absorption spectroscopy allowed us to estimate the energy bandgap for different types of ZnO layers and to compare the values obtained for the ZnO crystal structure obtained by the Bridgman method. The photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy were used to determine the possible defects correlated with the growth conditions.
Association of 25-hydroxy vitamin D level with the blood pressure response to a maximum exercise test among professional indoor athletes
Authors: Bauer Pascal , Kraushaar Lutz , Dörr Oliver , Bauer Timm , Nef Holger , Hamm Christian W. , Most Astrid
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Low vitamin D levels have been associated with elevated blood pressure (BP) in the general population. However, whether there is an association of vitamin D insufficiency with BP changes during maximum exercise in athletes is currently unclear.

Methods

A total of 120 male professional indoor athletes (age 26 ± 5 years) were examined. BP was measured at rest and during a graded cycling test. We assessed the BP response (BPR) during maximum exercise and the respective load. BP and BPR (peak-baseline BP) were analysed with respect to 25-OH vitamin D levels, with levels < 30 ng/mL defining vitamin D insufficiency.

Results

35 athletes were classified as being vitamin D insufficient. BP was not different between sufficient and insufficient vitamin D groups (122 ± 10/75 ± 7 vs. 120 ± 12/77 ± 9 mmHg). At maximum exercise, however, systolic BP (198 ± 17 vs. 189 ± 19, p = 0.026) and the pulse pressure (118 ± 18 vs. 109 ± 21 mmHg, p = 0.021) were higher in the sufficient group; the BPR was not different between groups (76 ± 20/5 ± 6 vs. 69 ± 22/3 ± 6 mmHg, p = 0.103). Athletes with sufficient levels had a higher maximum power output (3.99 ± 0.82 vs. 3.58 ± 0.78 W/kg, p = 0.015) and achieved higher workloads (367 ± 78 vs. 333 ± 80 W, p = 0.003). The workload-adjusted BPR (maximum systolic BP/MPO) was not different between athletes with sufficient and insufficient vitamin D levels (51 ± 10 vs. 56 ± 14 mmHg × kg/W, p = 0.079).

Conclusion

Athletes with sufficient vitamin D achieved a higher maximum systolic BP and a higher maximum power output. The workload-adjusted BPR was not different between groups, which suggests that this finding reflects a better performance of athletes with sufficient vitamin D.
Semantic segmentation of cerebrospinal fluid and brain volume with a convolutional neural network in pediatric hydrocephalus—transfer learning from existing algorithms
Authors: Grimm Florian , Edl Florian , Kerscher Susanne R. , Nieselt Kay , Gugel Isabel , Schuhmann Martin U.
Published: June 2020

Background

For the segmentation of medical imaging data, a multitude of precise but very specific algorithms exist. In previous studies, we investigated the possibility of segmenting MRI data to determine cerebrospinal fluid and brain volume using a classical machine learning algorithm. It demonstrated good clinical usability and a very accurate correlation of the volumes to the single area determination in a reproducible axial layer. This study aims to investigate whether these established segmentation algorithms can be transferred to new, more generalizable deep learning algorithms employing an extended transfer learning procedure and whether medically meaningful segmentation is possible.

Methods

Ninety-five routinely performed true FISP MRI sequences were retrospectively analyzed in 43 patients with pediatric hydrocephalus. Using a freely available and clinically established segmentation algorithm based on a hidden Markov random field model, four classes of segmentation (brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), background, and tissue) were generated. Fifty-nine randomly selected data sets (10,432 slices) were used as a training data set. Images were augmented for contrast, brightness, and random left/right and X/Y translation. A convolutional neural network (CNN) for semantic image segmentation composed of an encoder and corresponding decoder subnetwork was set up. The network was pre-initialized with layers and weights from a pre-trained VGG 16 model. Following the network was trained with the labeled image data set. A validation data set of 18 scans (3289 slices) was used to monitor the performance as the deep CNN trained. The classification results were tested on 18 randomly allocated labeled data sets (3319 slices) and on a T2-weighted BrainWeb data set with known ground truth.

Results

The segmentation of clinical test data provided reliable results (global accuracy 0.90, Dice coefficient 0.86), while the CNN segmentation of data from the BrainWeb data set showed comparable results (global accuracy 0.89, Dice coefficient 0.84). The segmentation of the BrainWeb data set with the classical FAST algorithm produced consistent findings (global accuracy 0.90, Dice coefficient 0.87). Likewise, the area development of brain and CSF in the long-term clinical course of three patients was presented.

Conclusion

Using the presented methods, we showed that conventional segmentation algorithms can be transferred to new advances in deep learning with comparable accuracy, generating a large number of training data sets with relatively little effort. A clinically meaningful segmentation possibility was demonstrated.
Towards more meaningful scenarios of biodiversity responses to land-use change in Central Asia
Authors: Kamp Johannes , Freitag Martin , Hölzel Norbert
Published: June 2020

We here respond to Nunez et al. (Reg Environ Chang 20:39, 2020), recently published in Regional Environmental Change. Nunez et al. project biodiversity responses to land-use and climate change in Central Asia. Their projections are based on scenarios of changing socio-economic and environmental conditions for the years 2040, 2070, and 2100. We suggest that the predicted magnitude of biodiversity loss might be biased high, due to four shortfalls in the data used and the methods employed. These are (i) the use of an inadequate measure of “biodiversity intactness,” (ii) a failure to acknowledge for large spatial variation in land-use trends across the five considered Central Asian countries, (iii) the assumption of a strictly linear, negative relationship between livestock grazing intensity and the abundance of animals and plants, and (iv) the extrapolation of grazing-related biodiversity responses into areas of cropland. We conclude that future scenarios of biodiversity response to regional environmental change in Central Asia will benefit from using regional, not global, spatial data on livestock distribution and land-use patterns. The use of extra-regional data on the relationships between biodiversity and land-use or climate should be avoided.
Survey on evaluation methods for dialogue systems
Authors: Deriu Jan , Rodrigo Alvaro , Otegi Arantxa , Echegoyen Guillermo , Rosset Sophie , Agirre Eneko , Cieliebak Mark
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we survey the methods and concepts developed for the evaluation of dialogue systems. Evaluation, in and of itself, is a crucial part during the development process. Often, dialogue systems are evaluated by means of human evaluations and questionnaires. However, this tends to be very cost- and time-intensive. Thus, much work has been put into finding methods which allow a reduction in involvement of human labour. In this survey, we present the main concepts and methods. For this, we differentiate between the various classes of dialogue systems (task-oriented, conversational, and question-answering dialogue systems). We cover each class by introducing the main technologies developed for the dialogue systems and then present the evaluation methods regarding that class.
Maioricimonas rarisocia gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel planctomycete isolated from marine sediments close to Mallorca Island
Authors: Rivas-Marin Elena , Wiegand Sandra , Kallscheuer Nicolai , Jogler Mareike , Peeters Stijn H. , Heuer Anja , Jetten Mike S. M. , Boedeker Christian , Rohde Manfred , Devos Damien P. , Jogler Christian
Published: June 2020

Planctomycetes are ubiquitous bacteria with environmental and biotechnological relevance. Axenic cultures of planctomycetal strains are the basis to analyse their unusual biology and largely uncharacterised metabolism in more detail. Here, we describe strain Mal4T isolated from marine sediments close to Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Strain Mal4T displays common planctomycetal features, such as division by polar budding and the presence of fimbriae and crateriform structures on the cell surface. Cell growth was observed at ranges of 10–39 °C (optimum at 31 °C) and pH 6.5–9.0 (optimum at 7.5). The novel strain shows as pear-shaped cells of 2.0 ± 0.2 × 1.4 ± 0.1 µm and is one of the rare examples of orange colony-forming Planctomycetes. Its genome has a size of 7.7 Mb with a G+C content of 63.4%. Phylogenetically, we conclude that strain Mal4T (= DSM 100296T = LMG 29133T) is the type strain representing the type species of a novel genus, for which we propose the name Maioricimonas rarisocia gen. nov., sp. nov.
Toxicity of binary mixtures of Cu, Cr and As to the earthworm Eisenia andrei
Authors: Kilpi-Koski Johanna , Penttinen Olli-Pekka , Väisänen Ari O. , van Gestel Cornelis A. M.
Published: June 2020

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) mixtures were used in the past for wood preservation, leading to large scale soil contamination. This study aimed at contributing to the risk assessment of CCA-contaminated soils by assessing the toxicity of binary mixtures of copper, chromium and arsenic to the earthwormEisenia andreiin OECD artificial soil. Mixture effects were related to reference models of Concentration Addition (CA) and Independent Action (IA) using the MIXTOX model, with effects being related to total and available (H2O and 0.01 M CaCl2extractable) concentrations in the soil. Since only in mixtures with arsenic dose-related mortality occurred (LC5092.5 mg/kg dry soil), it was not possible to analyze the mixture effects on earthworm survival with the MIXTOX model. EC50s for effects of Cu, Cr and As on earthworm reproduction, based on total soil concentrations, were 154, 449 and 9.1 mg/kg dry soil, respectively. Effects of mixtures were mainly antagonistic when related to the CA model but additive related to the IA model. This was the case when mixture effects were based on total and H2O-extractable concentrations; when based on CaCl2-extractable concentrations effects mainly were additive related to the CA model except for the Cr–As mixture which acted antagonistically. These results suggest that the CCA components do interact leading to a reduced toxicity when present in a mixture.
Termite-killing components in Serratia marcescens (SM1)
Authors: Fu Renjie , Luo Jian , Feng Kai , Lu Xiaoyu , Tang Fang
Published: June 2020

The bacteria, Serratia marcescens (SM1) was previously obtained from the black-winged termite, Odontotermes formosanus Shiraki. SM1 was highly toxic to O. formosanus, however, the mechanism of toxicity is unclear. In this study, toxicity test results showed that the main components that affected O. formosanus were in a supernatant and that the insecticidal protease in the supernatant resulted in the death of O. formosanus. In addition, zinc sulphate recovery experiments indicated that the metalloproteinases in the supernatant were more harmful. These results provide a theoretical foundation for the future biological control of termites, the basis for the development of pest control technology and the discovery of new pesticides.
Mitral valve surgery for ischemic papillary muscle rupture: outcomes from the Japan cardiovascular surgery database
Authors: Fujita Tomoyuki , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Kobayashi Junjiro , Fukushima Satsuki , Miyata Hiroaki , Yamashita Kizuku , Motomura Noboru
Published: June 2020

Background

Ischemic papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is a catastrophic complication following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We evaluated early outcomes of PMR by using data from the Japan Cardiovascular Surgery Database, a nationwide Japanese registry.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 196 patients diagnosed with PMR following AMI in Japan between January 2014 and December 2017. Risk factors for operative mortality and severe complications following mitral valve surgery were analyzed.

Results

The 30-day and hospital mortality rates were 20% and 26%, respectively. Chronic hemodialysis, abrupt rupture after AMI, resuscitation before surgery, and preoperative venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were associated with mortality. Mitral valve replacement was chosen mainly (90%) for surgical correction of mitral regurgitation in these patients. There was no significant difference in short-term outcomes between mitral valve replacement versus mitral valve repair, despite non-matched characteristics in background between the treatment groups. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting had no impact on short-term outcomes.

Conclusions

Information derived from the nationwide database of patients with AMI-associated PMR show that PMR is a rare condition in the modern era. However, PMR is a severe disease with a mortality rate as high as 26%. The severity of the condition is associated with the risk for poor outcomes.
How we use Facebook to achieve our goals: a priming study regarding emotion regulation, social comparison orientation, and unaccomplished goals
Authors: Ozimek Phillip , Bierhoff Hans-Werner , Hamm Katharina M.
Published: June 2020

On the basis of recent findings in the context of the Social Online Self-Regulation Theory it is assumed that intensity of social Facebook use (i.e., a higher intensity and more time spend on Facebook focusing on social activities) serves the purpose of self-regulation. A priming of unfulfilled goals was used to increase participants’ intensity of social Facebook use in order to regulate the negative emotions and the self-discrepancy which should be caused by the priming. High social comparison orientation as well as difficulties in emotion regulation were assumed to moderate that effect. 355 people took part in an online survey. As expected, difficulties in emotion regulation as well as social comparison orientation were positively correlated with intensity of social Facebook use. However, the priming effect was moderated by difficulties in emotion regulation. Our research follows propositions derived from self-regulation theory and is, therefore, integrated into a broader theoretical approach focusing on the goal-setting of the self. Finally, possible applications of this research on the explanation of dysfunctional social Facebook use are outlined.
Weiterempfehlungsprogramme: Die Wirkung des Akquisitionskanals und der Prämienaufteilung auf den Erfolg von Weiterempfehlungen
Authors: Klopfer Lisa-Marie , Steul-Fischer Martina
Published: June 2020

Weiterempfehlungsprogramme haben sich in der Versicherungsbranche als Marketinginstrument etabliert, da sie sich als effektive und kosteneffiziente Alternative zu herkömmlichen Maßnahmen der Kundenakquise und -bindung, wie beispielsweise Direktmarketing, erweisen. Der Fokus der bisherigen Forschung zu Weiterempfehlungen und Weiterempfehlungsprogrammen lag primär auf der Weiterempfehlungsbereitschaft des Bestandskunden. Einer erfolgreichen Weiterempfehlung bedarf es jedoch auch der Bereitschaft zur Empfehlungsannahme des Empfehlungsempfängers. Diese empirische Studie rückt daher den Empfehlungsempfänger und die Determinanten der Annahme einer Weiterempfehlung in den Vordergrund. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Kunden, die selbst über das Weiterempfehlungsprogramm eines Unternehmens akquiriert wurden, im Vergleich zu anderweitig gewonnenen Kunden (z. B. Direktmarketing) eine höhere Erfolgswahrscheinlichkeit generieren (Akquisitionskanal). Weiterhin führt das Teilen der Weiterempfehlungsprämie zu einer höheren Erfolgswahrscheinlichkeit als das alleinige Entlohnen des Empfehlungsgebers (Prämienaufteilung). Dieser Wirkungszusammenhang wird durch die wahrgenommene Fairness der Prämienaufteilung mediiert.