bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating Cycling Aerodynamic Performance Using Anthropometric Measures
Authors: Garimella Raman , Peeters Thomas , Parrilla Eduardo , Uriel Jordi , Sels Seppe , Huysmans Toon , Verwulgen Stijn
Published: December 2020

Aerodynamic drag force and projected frontal area (A) are commonly used indicators of aerodynamic cycling efficiency. This study investigated the accuracy of estimating these quantities using easy-to-acquire anthropometric and pose measures. In the first part, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) drag force calculations and A (m2) values from photogrammetry methods were compared using predicted 3D cycling models for 10 male amateur cyclists. The shape of the 3D models was predicted using anthropometric measures. Subsequently, the models were reposed from a standing to a cycling pose using joint angle data from an optical motion capture (mocap) system. In the second part, a linear regression analysis was performed to predict A using 26 anthropometric measures combined with joint angle data from two sources (optical and inertial mocap, separately). Drag calculations were strongly correlated with benchmark projected frontal area (coefficient of determination R2 = 0.72). A can accurately be predicted using anthropometric data and joint angles from optical mocap (root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.037 m2) or inertial mocap (RMSE = 0.032 m2). This study showed that aerodynamic efficiency can be predicted using anthropometric and joint angle data from commercially available, inexpensive posture tracking methods. The practical relevance for cyclists is to quantify and train posture during cycling for improving aerodynamic efficiency and hence performance.
Mass Extinction Efficiency Approximation for Polydispersed Aerosol Using Harmonic Mean-Type Approximation
Authors: Um Junshik , Jang Seonghyeon , Yoon Young Jun , Lee Seoung Soo , Lee Ji Yi , Han Kyung Man , Choi Won Jun , Kim Yong Pyo , Kim Cheol-Hee , Jung Chang Hoon
Published: December 2020

Among many parameters characterizing atmospheric aerosols, aerosol mass extinction efficiency (MEE) is important for understanding the optical properties of aerosols. MEE is expressed as a function of the refractive indices (i.e., composition) and size distributions of aerosol particles. Aerosol MEE is often considered as a size-independent constant that depends only on the chemical composition of aerosol particles. The famous Malm’s reconstruction equation and subsequent revised methods express the extinction coefficient as a function of aerosol mass concentration and MEE. However, the used constant MEE does not take into account the effect of the size distribution of polydispersed chemical composition. Thus, a simplified expression of size-dependent MEE is required for accurate and conventional calculations of the aerosol extinction coefficient and also other optical properties. In this study, a simple parameterization of MEE of polydispersed aerosol particles was developed. The geometric volume–mean diameters of up to 10 µm with lognormal size distributions and varying geometric standard deviations were used to represent the sizes of various aerosol particles (i.e., ammonium sulfate and nitrate, elemental carbon, and sea salt). Integrating representations of separate small mode and large mode particles using a harmonic mean-type approximation generated the flexible and convenient parameterizations of MEE that can be readily used to process in situ observations and adopted in large-scale numerical models. The calculated MEE and the simple forcing efficiency using the method developed in this study showed high correlations with those calculated using the Mie theory without losing accuracy.
Particle Image Velocimetry Measurements of the Flow-Diverting Effects of a New Generation of the eCLIPs Implant for the Treatment of Intracranial Bifurcation Aneurysms
Authors: G. Yazdi Sina , Mercier Daniel , Bernard Renee , Tynan Adam , Ricci Donald R.
Published: December 2020

Flow diverters (FDs) for the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms are effective for sidewall aneurysms, but their use at a bifurcation is problematic because FDs only partially cover the aneurysm neck and impede flow into a daughter branch; they are thus not employed routinely in this anatomy. eCLIPs was developed as a non-tubular implant to completely cover the neck of an aneurysm and serve as a coil retention device necessary for the adequate treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms. eCLIPs has shown some flow diversion effects in bifurcation anatomy but not equal to those exhibited by clinically accepted flow diverters in sidewall anatomy. A new generation of eCLIPs implant, the eCLIPs bifurcation flow diverter (eBFD), with higher metal coverage, was developed to achieve a similar flow diversion as a Pipeline Embolization Device (PED), a prototypical FD. Particle image velocimetry was used to capture the fluid dynamics and velocity reduction within silicone aneurysm replicas. A circulatory mimicking loop was developed to circulate the flow through the silicone models. All generations of eCLIPs implants had some flow-diverting effect, with increasing metal coverage density of the implant proportionately increasing the flow diversion effect. The eBFD, with a metal density of 35%, showed greater flow diversion than PED, with 30% metal density, for bifurcation anatomy. The eBFD showed similar reduction of flow in a bifurcation anatomy to PED in a sidewall, both sufficient to permit early thrombosis of the aneurysm. Thus, the eBFD can potentially provide sufficient flow diversion for the treatment of bifurcation aneurysms to avoid adjunctive coiling.
A Current Control Algorithm to Improve Command Tracking Performance and Resilience of a Grid-Connected Inverter
Authors: Jeong Horyeong , Choi Jong Hyuk , Lee Jae Suk
Published: December 2020

This paper presents a stationary reference frame grid current control algorithm for a grid-connected inverter (GCI) to improve command tracking performance and resilience in response to disturbances, i.e., a grid voltage incident in a GCI current control system. In the proposed algorithm, disturbance rejection is applied to reduce the overcurrent at the GCI in response to a grid fault. Disturbances to the GCI current control system are estimated using a grid current observer, and the estimate applied to the grid current controller to activate the disturbance rejection. The stationary reference frame current of a GCI system is also controlled to avoid cross-coupling issues at a synchronous reference frame model, reference transformation and dependency to phase locked loop (PLL) performance. However, the phase lead or lag and steady-state response error, which are drawbacks of AC signal control based on stationary reference frame proportional-integral (PI) controller, must be eliminated in order to secure competition with the synchronous reference PI (SRFPI) controller that was mainly used in the GCI system. Hence, to compensate for command tracking the AC current, such as steady-state response error and phase lead or lag, command feedforward control is applied in the proposed control system. The theory behind the proposed GCI current control algorithm is analyzed, and the proposed algorithm is tested via simulation and experimentation.
An Atomic Force Acoustic Microscopy Image Fusion Method Based on Grayscale Inversion and Selection of Best-Fit Intensity
Authors: Chen Zhaozheng , Li Xiaoqing , Ding Mingyue
Published: December 2020

Atomic force acoustic microscopy (AFAM) can provide surface morphology and internal structures of the samples simultaneously, with broad potential in non-destructive imaging of cells. As the output of AFAM, morphology and acoustic images reflect different features of the cells, respectively. However, there are few studies about the fusion of these images. In this paper, a novel method is proposed to fuse these two types of images based on grayscale inversion and selection of best-fit intensity. First, grayscale inversion is used to transform the morphology image into a series of inverted images with different average intensities. Then, the max rule is applied to fuse those inverted images and acoustic images, and a group of pre-fused images is obtained. Finally, a selector is employed to extract and export the expected image with the best-fit intensity among those pre-fused images. The expected image can preserve both the acoustic details of the cells and the background’s gradient information well, which benefits the analysis of the cell’s subcellular structure. The experiments’ results demonstrated that our method could provide the clearest boundaries between the cells and background, and preserve most details from the morphology and acoustic images according to quantitative comparisons, including standard deviation, mutual information, Xydeas and Petrovic metric, feature mutual information, and visual information fidelity fusion.
Deep Learning-Based Timing Offset Estimation for Deep-Sea Vertical Underwater Acoustic Communications
Authors: Wu Yanbo , Yao Yan , Wang Ning , Zhu Min
Published: December 2020

This study proposes a novel receiver structure for underwater vertical acoustic communication in which the bias in the correlation-based estimation for the timing offset is learned and then estimated by a deep neural network (DNN) to an accuracy that renders subsequent use of equalizers unnecessary. For a duration of 7 s, 15 timing offsets of the linear frequency modulation (LFM) signals obtained by the correlation were fed into the DNN. The model was based on the Pierson–Moskowitz (PM) random surface height model with a moderate wind speed and was further verified under various wind speeds and experimental waveforms. This receiver, embedded with the DNN model, demonstrated lower complexity and better performance than the adaptive equalizer-based receiver. The 5000 m depth deep-sea experimental data show the superiority of the proposed combination of DNN-based synchronization and the time-invariant equalizer.
Long Term Soil Gas Monitoring as Tool to Understand Soil Processes
Authors: Maier Martin , Gartiser Valentin , Schengel Alexander , Lang Verena
Published: December 2020

Soils provide many functions as they represent a habitat for flora and fauna, supply water, nutrient, and anchorage for plant growth and more. They can also be considered as large bioreactors in which many processes occur that involve the consumption and production of different gas species. Soils can be a source and sink for greenhouse gases. During the last decades this topic attracted special attention. Most studies on soil-atmosphere gas fluxes used chamber methods or micro-meteorological methods. Soil gas fluxes can also be calculated from vertical soil gas profiles which can provide additional insights into the underlying processes. We present a design for sampling and measuring soil gas concentration profiles that was developed to facilitate long term monitoring. Long term monitoring requires minimization of the impact of repeated measurements on the plot and also minimization of the routine workload while the quality of the measurement needs to be maintained continuously high. We used permanently installed gas wells that allowed passive gas sampling at different depths. Soil gas monitoring set ups were installed on 13 plots at 6 forest sites in South West Germany between 1998 and 2010. Until now, soil gas was sampled monthly and analysed for CO2, N2O, CH4, O2, N2, Ar, and C2H4 using gas chromatography. We present typical time series and profiles of soil gas concentrations and fluxes of a selected site as an example. We discuss the effect of different calculation approaches and conclude that flux estimates of O2, CO2 and CH4 can be considered as highly reliable, whereas N2O flux estimates include a higher uncertainty. We point out the potential of the data and suggest ideas for future research questions for which soil gas monitoring would provide the ideal data basis. Combining and linking the soil gas data with additional environmental data promises new insights and understanding of soil processes.
Flexural Behavior of Continuous Beams Made of Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC)—Experimental and Numerical Analysis
Authors: Petrović Žarko , Milošević Bojan , Zorić Andrija , Ranković Slobodan , Mladenović Biljana , Zlatkov Dragan
Published: December 2020

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a type of concrete that is placed in the formwork under its own weight. Although there are many studies showing the behavior of SCC beams, most relate to the behavior of simple supported beams. Unlike those, this is a study of continuous beams made of SCC aimed to analyze their flexural performance as well as to confirm the possibility of using nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) in the design of such structural elements. An experimental study of three two-span continuous beams of a total length of 3400 mm, with the span between supports of 1600 mm, with 150/200 mm cross section made of SCC exposed to short-term loading, was carried out. The parameter that varied is the percentage of tensile reinforcement, with values of 0.65, 0.86 and 0.94 being selected. As all analyzed beams have shown a satisfactory load-bearing capacity and stiffness, the research confirmed the possibility of using SCC in continuous beams in civil engineering practice. Using Abaqus/Standard software, a nonlinear numerical model is proposed, which is validated and verified against experimental research, as there is only a 5% difference in the numerically calculated ultimate load compared to the experimentally measured values.
Special Issue “Composite Materials in Design Processes”
Authors: Minak Giangiacomo
Published: December 2020

Composite materials have been used in design since antiquity, as the description of the Ulises’ arch in the Odyssey suggests [...]
Analysis of the Influence of Surface Roughness on Measurement of Ultrasonic Nonlinearity Parameter Using Contact-Type Transducer
Authors: Kim Jongbeom , Ha Hong-Pil , Kim Kyung-Mo , Jhang Kyung-Young
Published: December 2020

The ultrasonic nonlinearity parameter is used to evaluate the nonlinear elasticity of a material, which is determined from the displacement amplitude of the fundamental and second-order frequencies components in an ultrasonic wave propagating through a material. However, the displacement amplitude of the second-order harmonic component generated during propagation through a material is very weak because it is easily affected by measurement conditions such as surface roughness. In this study, we analyzed the influence of surface roughness on the measurement of the ultrasonic nonlinearity parameter. For this purpose, Al6061-T6 and SUS304 specimens were prepared with different surface roughness ranging from 0.5 to 2.9 μm. Then, the absolute and relative ultrasonic nonlinearity parameter measurements were conducted using a through-transmission technique involving two cases: both surfaces being rough, and one being a rough surface and the other being a smooth surface. The experimental results showed that the surface roughness had a lesser influence on the absolute measurement than on the relative measurement and that the transmission surface was less affected by the reception surface. These results were similar regardless of the types of specimens. Therefore, to perform accurate measurements, it is desirable to measure the nonlinearity parameter after polishing the material surface.
Trajectory Optimization of Industrial Robot Arms Using a Newly Elaborated “Whip-Lashing” Method
Authors: Benotsmane Rabab , Dudás László , Kovács György
Published: December 2020

The application of the Industry 4.0′s elements—e.g., industrial robots—has a key role in the efficiency improvement of manufacturing companies. In order to reduce cycle times and increase productivity, the trajectory optimization of robot arms is essential. The purpose of the study is the elaboration of a new “whip-lashing” method, which, based on the motion of a robot arm, is similar to the motion of a whip. It results in achieving the optimized trajectory of the robot arms in order to increase velocity of the robot arm’s parts, thereby minimizing motion cycle times and to utilize the torque of the joints more effectively. The efficiency of the method was confirmed by a case study, which is relating to the trajectory planning of a five-degree-of-freedom RV-2AJ manipulator arm using SolidWorks and MATLAB software applications. The robot was modelled and two trajectories were created: the original path and path investigate the effects of using the whip-lashing induced robot motion. The application of the method’s algorithm resulted in a cycle time saving of 33% compared to the original path of RV-2AJ robot arm. The main added value of the study is the elaboration and implementation of the newly elaborated “whip-lashing” method which results in minimization of torque consumed; furthermore, there was a reduction of cycle times of manipulator arms’ motion, thus increasing the productivity significantly. The efficiency of the new “whip-lashing” method was confirmed by a simulation case study.
Probing the Analytical Cancellation Factor of Short Scale Gravity Waves Using Na Lidar and Nightglow Data from the Andes Lidar Observatory
Authors: Vargas Fabio , Fuentes Javier , Vega Pedro , Navarro Luis , Swenson Gary
Published: December 2020

The cancellation factor (CF) is a model for the ratio between gravity wave perturbations in the nightglow intensity to those in the ambient temperature. The CF model allows us to estimate the momentum and energy flux of gravity waves seen in nightglow images, as well as the divergence of these fluxes due to waves propagating through the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region, where the nightglow and the Na layers are located. This study uses a set of wind/temperature Na lidar data and zenith nightglow image observations of the OH and O(1S) emissions to test and validate the CF model from the experimental perspective. The dataset analyzed was obtained during campaigns carried out at the Andes Lidar Observatory (ALO), Chile, in 2015, 2016, and 2017. The modeled CF was compared with observed CF values calculated using the ratio of wave amplitude in nightglow images to that seen in lidar temperatures for vertically propagating waves. We show that, in general, the modeled CF underestimates the observed CF results. However, the O(1S) emission line has better agreement with respect to the modeled value due to its supposedly simpler nightglow photochemistry. In contrast, the observed CF for the OH emission deviates by a factor of two from the modeled CF asymptotic value.
How Have Leukocyte In Vitro Chemotaxis Assays Shaped Our Ideas about Macrophage Migration?
Authors: Rumianek Agata N. , Greaves David R.
Published: December 2020

Macrophage chemotaxis is crucial during both onset and resolution of inflammation and unique among all leukocytes. Macrophages are able to switch between amoeboid and mesenchymal migration to optimise their migration through 3D environments. This subtle migration phenotype has been underappreciated in the literature, with macrophages often being grouped and discussed together with other leukocytes, possibly due to the limitations of current chemotaxis assays. Transwell assays were originally designed in the 1960s but despite their long-known limitations, they are still one of the most popular methods of studying macrophage migration. This review aims to critically evaluate transwell assays, and other popular chemotaxis assays, comparing their advantages and limitations in macrophage migration studies.
An Improved HRPE-Based Transcriptional Output Reporter to Detect Hypoxia and Anoxia in Plant Tissue
Authors: Panicucci Gabriele , Iacopino Sergio , De Meo Elisa , Perata Pierdomenico , Weits Daan A.
Published: December 2020

Oxygen levels in plant tissues may vary, depending on metabolism, diffusion barriers, and environmental availability. Current techniques to assess the oxic status of plant cells rely primarily on invasive microoptodes or Clark-type electrodes, which are not optimally suited for experiments that require high spatial and temporal resolution. In this case, a genetically encoded oxygen biosensor is required instead. This article reports the design, test, and optimization of a hypoxia-signaling reporter, based on five-time repeated hypoxia-responsive promoter elements (HRPE) driving the expression of different reporter proteins. Specifically, this study aimed to improve its performance as a reporter of hypoxic conditions by testing the effect of different untranslated regions (UTRs) at the 5′ end of the reporter coding sequence. Next, we characterized an optimized version of the HRPE promoter (HRPE-Ω) in terms of hypoxia sensitivity and time responsiveness. We also observed that severe oxygen deficiency counteracted the reporter activity due to inhibition of GFP maturation, which requires molecular oxygen. To overcome this limitation, we therefore employed an oxygen-independent UnaG fluorescent protein-coupled to an O2-dependent mCherry fluorophore under the control of the optimized HRPE-Ω promoter. Remarkably, this sensor, provided a different mCherry/UnaG ratiometric output depending on the externally imposed oxygen concentration, providing a solution to distinguish between different degrees of tissue hypoxia. Moreover, a ubiquitously expressed UnaG-mCherry fusion could be used to image oxygen concentrations directly, albeit at a narrow range. The luminescent and fluorescent hypoxia-reporters described here can readily be used to conduct studies that involve anaerobiosis in plants.
A Comparative Study of Approaches to Improve the Sensitivity of Lateral Flow Immunoassay of the Antibiotic Lincomycin
Authors: Serebrennikova Kseniya V. , Hendrickson Olga D. , Zvereva Elena A. , Popravko Demid S. , Zherdev Anatoly V. , Xu Chuanlai , Dzantiev Boris B.
Published: December 2020

This study provides a comparative assessment of the various nanodispersed markers and related detection techniques used in the immunochromatographic detection of an antibiotic lincomycin (LIN). Improving the sensitivity of the competitive lateral flow immunoassay is important, given the increasing demands for the monitoring of chemical contaminants in food. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were used for the development and comparison of three approaches for the lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) of LIN, namely, colorimetric, fluorescence, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based LFIAs. It was demonstrated that, for colorimetric and fluorescence analysis, the detection limits were comparable at 0.4 and 0.2 ng/mL, respectively. A SERS-based method allowed achieving the gain of five orders of magnitude in the assay sensitivity (1.4 fg/mL) compared to conventional LFIAs. Therefore, an integration of a SERS reporter into the LFIA is a promising tool for extremely sensitive quantitative detection of target analytes. However, implementation of this time-consuming technique requires expensive equipment and skilled personnel. In contrast, conventional AuNP- and QD-based LFIAs can provide simple, rapid, and inexpensive point-of-care testing for practical use.
Recent Progress in Manufacturing Techniques of Printed and Flexible Sensors: A Review
Authors: Maddipatla Dinesh , Narakathu Binu B. , Atashbar Massood
Published: December 2020

This review provides an outlook on some of the significant research work done on printed and flexible sensors. Printed sensors fabricated on flexible platforms such as paper, plastic and textiles have been implemented for wearable applications in the biomedical, defense, food, and environmental industries. This review discusses the materials, characterization methods, and fabrication methods implemented for the development of the printed and flexible sensors. The applications, challenges faced and future opportunities for the printed and flexible sensors are also presented in this review.
Parametrizing the Conditionally Gaussian Prior Model for Source Localization with Reference to the P20/N20 Component of Median Nerve SEP/SEF
Authors: Rezaei Atena , Antonakakis Marios , Piastra MariaCarla , Wolters Carsten H. , Pursiainen Sampsa
Published: December 2020

In this article, we focused on developing the conditionally Gaussian hierarchical Bayesian model (CG-HBM), which forms a superclass of several inversion methods for source localization of brain activity using somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) and field (SEF) measurements. The goal of this proof-of-concept study was to improve the applicability of the CG-HBM as a superclass by proposing a robust approach for the parametrization of focal source scenarios. We aimed at a parametrization that is invariant with respect to altering the noise level and the source space size. The posterior difference between the gamma and inverse gamma hyperprior was minimized by optimizing the shape parameter, while a suitable range for the scale parameter can be obtained via the prior-over-measurement signal-to-noise ratio, which we introduce as a new concept in this study. In the source localization experiments, the primary generator of the P20/N20 component was detected in the Brodmann area 3b using the CG-HBM approach and a parameter range derived from the existing knowledge of the Tikhonov-regularized minimum norm estimate, i.e., the classical Gaussian prior model. Moreover, it seems that the detection of deep thalamic activity simultaneously with the P20/N20 component with the gamma hyperprior can be enhanced while using a close-to-optimal shape parameter value.
Underlying Motives for Selected Adventure Recreation Activities: The Case for Eudaimonics and Hedonics
Authors: Ewert Alan , Zwart Ryan , Davidson Curt
Published: December 2020

One of the interesting behaviors practiced by citizens across the globe is the pursuit of outdoor recreational activities featuring elements of personal risk and danger. These types of activities are now becoming a global mainstay for many individuals, economies, and organizations. This study examined the underlying motivations and subsequent behaviors associated with risk-taking recreational activities and used the concepts of eudaimonics and hedonics to examine the motivations for participation from individuals engaging in three different adventure activities occurring in eight different locations. Recruitment took place in several forms, including in-person solicitation of participants at the activity areas, which consisted of mountain biking trailheads, rock climbing areas, and whitewater sites. Data were collected from three popular outdoor adventure activities (OAAs), including mountain biking, rock climbing, and whitewater boating. This study employed the use of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to investigate the relationship between two independent variable sets, including (1) the activity type, and (2) the level of experience, gender, type of activity, and the dependent variables of the Hedonic and Eudaimonic Motives for Activities (HEMA) scale (eudaimonic and hedonic). In addition, a cumulative odds ordinal logistic regression with proportional odds was utilized to determine the effects of expertise level and activity type on reported eudaimonic and hedonic motivations. A qualitative interview process was utilized to further investigate participant responses surrounding eudaimonic and hedonic motivational perspectives. The results indicated slight variations in experience level in the underlying motivations. Furthermore, qualitative inquiry revealed several motivation categories and diversity in the way those motivations were present throughout the recreation activity.
Process Evaluation of a Personality Targeted Intervention for Addictive Eating in Australian Adults
Authors: Yang Yive , Chai Li Kheng , Collins Rebecca , Leary Mark , Whatnall Megan , Burrows Tracy
Published: December 2020

Addictive eating prevalence is estimated at 15–20% in studied populations, and is associated with concurrent mental health conditions and eating disorders as well as overweight and obesity. However, few evidence-based interventions targeting addictive eating are available. The further development of evidence-based interventions requires assessment of intervention feasibility and efficacy. This study aimed to determine the feasibility, including intervention delivery and program acceptability, of FoodFix; a personality targeted intervention for the treatment of addictive eating behaviours in Australian adults. Participants (n = 52) were randomised to intervention (n = 26) or wait-list control groups (n = 26) and received three personalised telehealth sessions with an Accredited Practising Dietitian over seven weeks. Intervention delivery was assessed by tracking adherence to scheduled timing of intervention sessions. Program acceptability of participants was assessed via an online process evaluation survey and program acceptability of intervention providers was assessed via semi-structured phone interviews. In total, 79% of participants adhered to scheduled timing for session two and 43% for session three, defined as within one week (before/after) of the scheduled date. Further, 21% of participants completed the process evaluation survey (n = 11). The majority of participants were extremely/very satisfied with FoodFix (n = 7, 63%). Intervention providers (n = 2) expressed that they felt adequately trained to deliver the intervention, and that the overall session format, timing, and content of FoodFix was appropriate for participants. These findings highlight the importance of assessing intervention feasibility to further understand intervention efficacy.
Efficacy of Dabrafenib Plus Trametinib Combination in Patients with BRAF V600E-Mutant NSCLC in Real-World Setting: GFPC 01-2019
Authors: Auliac Jean-Bernard , Bayle Sophie , Do Pascal , Le Garff Gwenaëlle , Roa Magali , Falchero Lionel , Huchot Eric , Quéré Gilles , Jeannin Gaëlle , Métivier Anne-Cécile , Hobeika Joëlle , Guisier Florian , Chouaid Christos
Published: December 2020

Dabrafenib plus trametinib combination is approved in Europe for BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The objective of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of this combination in a real-world setting. This retrospective multicentric study included 40 patients with advanced NSCLC harboring BRAF V600E mutation and receiving dabrafenib plus trametinib. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 17.5 (95% CI 7.1–23.0) months and 25.5 (95% CI 16.6–not reached) months in the entire cohort, respectively. For the 9 patients with first-line treatment, median PFS was 16.8 (95% CI 6.1–23.2) months and median OS was 21.8 (95% CI 1.0–not reached) months; for the 31 patients with second-line or more treatments, median PFS and OS were 16.8 (95% CI 6.1–23.2) months and 25.5 (95% CI 16.6–not reached) months, respectively. Adverse events led to permanent discontinuation in 7 (18%) patients, treatment interruption in 8 (20%) and dose reduction in 12 (30%). In conclusion, these results suggest that efficacy and safety of dabrafenib plus trametinib combination in patients with BRAF V600E metastatic NSCLC are comparable in a real-world setting and in clinical trials for both previously untreated and treated patients.
NRF2 and the Ambiguous Consequences of Its Activation during Initiation and the Subsequent Stages of Tumourigenesis
Authors: Robertson Holly , Dinkova-Kostova Albena T. , Hayes John D.
Published: December 2020

NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2, encoded in the human by NFE2L2) mediates short-term adaptation to thiol-reactive stressors. In normal cells, activation of NRF2 by a thiol-reactive stressor helps prevent, for a limited period of time, the initiation of cancer by chemical carcinogens through induction of genes encoding drug-metabolising enzymes. However, in many tumour types, NRF2 is permanently upregulated. In such cases, its overexpressed target genes support the promotion and progression of cancer by suppressing oxidative stress, because they constitutively increase the capacity to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), and they support cell proliferation by increasing ribonucleotide synthesis, serine biosynthesis and autophagy. Herein, we describe cancer chemoprevention and the discovery of the essential role played by NRF2 in orchestrating protection against chemical carcinogenesis. We similarly describe the discoveries of somatic mutations in NFE2L2 and the gene encoding the principal NRF2 repressor, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) along with that encoding a component of the E3 ubiquitin-ligase complex Cullin 3 (CUL3), which result in permanent activation of NRF2, and the recognition that such mutations occur frequently in many types of cancer. Notably, mutations in NFE2L2, KEAP1 and CUL3 that cause persistent upregulation of NRF2 often co-exist with mutations that activate KRAS and the PI3K-PKB/Akt pathway, suggesting NRF2 supports growth of tumours in which KRAS or PKB/Akt are hyperactive. Besides somatic mutations, NRF2 activation in human tumours can occur by other means, such as alternative splicing that results in a NRF2 protein which lacks the KEAP1-binding domain or overexpression of other KEAP1-binding partners that compete with NRF2. Lastly, as NRF2 upregulation is associated with resistance to cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy, we describe strategies that might be employed to suppress growth and overcome drug resistance in tumours with overactive NRF2.
Graphene Oxide Coated Zinc Oxide Core–Shell Nanofibers for Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance and Durability
Authors: Ji Seong Min , Tiwari Arjun Prasad , Kim Hak Yong
Published: December 2020

Recently, heterogeneous structured semiconductor photocatalysts have received significant interest in promoting global cleaning from the environmental pollution. Herein, we report the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) wrapped zinc oxide (ZnO) core–shell nanofibers (ZnO@G CSNFs) by the simple core–shell electrospinning and subsequent annealing for efficient photocatalytic performance and stability. The heterostructured catalyst consisted of ZnO forming an enclosed core part while the GO was positioned on the surface, serving as a protective shell. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to confirm the synthesis of the desired product. Enhanced photocatalytic activity ZnO@G CSNFs was found compared to the corresponding ZnO NFs. Similarly, incorporation of GO into the ZnO nanofiber in a core–shell format significantly suppressed the photocorrosion. This study highlights the usefulness of using GO as the coating material to boost the photocatalytic performance of ZnO-based photocatalysts.
Progress in Gas/Solid Interface Charging Phenomena
Authors: Akram Shakeel , Castellon Jérôme , Agnel Serge
Published: December 2020

Surface charge accumulation in the spacer modifies local electric fields, which restricts the industrialization of high voltage direct current (HVDC) gas-insulated transmission lines (GILs). In this paper, the state of art in gas/solid interface charging physics and models, covering areas of charge measurement techniques, charge transport mechanisms, charge related DC surface flashover models, and charge control methods, is reviewed and discussed. Key issues that should be considered in future studies are summarized and proposed. The purpose of this work is to provide a brief update on the most important and latest progress in this research area, and to educate readers as to the current state of the gas-solid interface charging phenomenon, which has seen great progress in the past few years.
Characterization of Nematic Liquid Crystals at Microwave Frequencies
Authors: Nova Vicente , Bachiller Carmen , Villacampa Belén , Kronberger Rainer , Boria Vicente E.
Published: December 2020

The use of nematic liquid crystal (LC) mixtures for microwave frequency applications presents a fundamental drawback: many of these mixtures have not been properly characterized at these frequencies, and researchers do not have an a priori clear idea of which behavior they can expect. This work is focused on developing a new procedure for the extraction of the main parameters of a nematic liquid crystal: dielectric permittivity and loss tangent at 11 GHz under different polarization voltages; splay elastic constant K11, which allows calculation of the threshold voltage (Vth); and rotational viscosity γ11, which allows calculating the response time of any arbitrary device. These properties will be calculated by using a resonator-based method, which is implemented with a new topology of substrate integrated transmission line. The LC molecules should be rotated (polarized) by applying an electric field in order to extract the characteristic parameters; thus, the transmission line needs to have two conductors and low electric losses in order to preserve the integrity of the measurements. This method was applied to a well-known liquid crystal mixture (GT3-23002 from MERCK) obtaining the permittivity and loss tangent versus bias voltage curves, the splay elastic constant, and the rotational viscosity of the mixture. The results validate the viability of the proposed method.
Waist Circumference as a Preventive Tool of Atherogenic Dyslipidemia and Obesity-Associated Cardiovascular Risk in Young Adults Males: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study
Authors: Hernández-Reyes Alberto , Vidal Ángela , Moreno-Ortega Alicia , Cámara-Martos Fernando , Moreno-Rojas Rafael
Published: December 2020

Although the correlation coefficient between body mass index (BMI) and poor lipid profile has been reported, representing a cardiovascular risk, the need to find new early detection markers is real. Waist circumference and markers of atherogenic dyslipidemia are not usually measured in medical review appointments. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between central adiposity and cardiovascular risk. This was a cross-sectional pilot study of 57 young males (age: 35.9 ± 10.85, BMI: 32.4 ± 6.08) recruited from community settings and allocated to non-obese or obese attending to their waist circumference. Total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), and low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C) cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) were measured from plasma samples. Patients with at least 100 cm of waist circumference had significantly increased TC, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and triglycerides and lower levels of HDL-C. The three atherogenic ratios TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, and TG/HDL-C were all optimal in non-obese patients. LDL-C/HDL-C and TG/HDL-C were significantly higher and over the limit when assessing for atherogenic dyslipidemia. The number of patients at risk for cardiovascular events increases 2.5 folds in obese compared to non-obese. Measurement of waist circumference could be adopted as a simpler valid alternative to BMI for health promotion, to alert those at risk of atherogenic dyslipidemia.
Characterization of CD147, CA9, and CD70 as Tumor-Specific Markers on Extracellular Vesicles in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Himbert Dirk , Zeuschner Philip , Ayoubian Hiresh , Heinzelmann Joana , Stöckle Michael , Junker Kerstin
Published: December 2020

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted by healthy and tumor cells and are involved in cell–cell communication. Tumor-released EVs could represent a new class of biomarkers from liquid biopsies. The aim of this study was to identify tumor-specific EV markers in clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) using cell lines and patient-derived tissue samples. EVs from ccRCC cell lines (786-O, RCC53, Caki1, and Caki2) and patient tissues were isolated via ultracentrifugation. EVs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and Western blotting using exosome and putative tumor markers (epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), CD70, CD147). The tumor markers were verified using immunohistochemistry. CA9 was expressed in Caki2 cells and EVs, and CD147 was found in the cells and EVs of all tested ccRCC cell lines. In tumor tissues, we found an increased expression of CA9, CD70, and CD147 were increased in cell lysates and EV fractions compared to normal tissues. In contrast, EpCAM was heterogeneously expressed in tumor samples and positive in normal tissue. To conclude, we developed an effective technique to isolate EVs directly from human tissue samples with high purity and high concentration. In contrast to EpCAM, CA9, CD70, and CD147 could represent promising markers to identify tumor-specific EVs in ccRCC.
Rethinking Elective Cataract Surgery Diagnostics, Assessments, and Tools after the COVID-19 Pandemic Experience and Beyond: Insights from the EUROCOVCAT Group
Authors: Tognetto Daniele , Brézin Antoine P. , Cummings Arthur B. , Malyugin Boris E. , Evren Kemer Ozlem , Prieto Isabel , Rejdak Robert , Teus Miguel A. , Törnblom Riikka , Toro Mario D. , Vinciguerra Alex L. , Giglio Rosa , De Giacinto Chiara
Published: December 2020

The progressive deterioration of the visual function in patients on waiting lists for cataract surgery has a negative impact on their quality of life, especially in the elderly population. Patient waiting times for cataract surgeries in many healthcare settings have increased recently due to the prolonged stop or slowdown of elective cataract surgery as a result of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). The aim of this review is to highlight the impact of such a “de-prioritization” of cataract surgery and to summarize some critical issues and useful hints on how to reorganize cataract pathways, with a special focus on perioperative diagnostic tools during the recovery phase and beyond. The experiences of a group of surgeons originating from nine different countries, named the European COVID-19 Cataract Group (EUROCOVCAT), have been combined with the literature and recommendations from scientific ophthalmic societies and healthcare institutions. Key considerations for elective cataract surgery should include the reduction of the number of unnecessary visits and examinations, adoption of precautionary measures, and implementation of telemedicine instruments. New strategies should be adopted to provide an adequate level of assistance and to guarantee safety conditions. Flexibility will be the watchword and regular updates would be necessary following scientific insights and the development of the pandemic.
Predictive Value of Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Symptomatic Patients without Colorectal Cancer: A Post-Hoc Analysis within the COLONPREDICT Cohort
Authors: Pin-Vieito Noel , Iglesias María José , Remedios David , Álvarez-Sánchez Victoria , Fernández-Bañares Fernando , Boadas Jaume , Martínez-Bauer Eva , Campo Rafael , Bujanda Luis , Ferrández Ángel , Piñol Virginia , Rodríguez-Alcalde Daniel , Menéndez-Rodríguez Martín , García-Morales Natalia , Pérez-Mosquera Cristina , Cubiella Joaquín
Published: December 2020

We aimed to assess the risk of cancer in patients with abdominal symptoms after a complete colonoscopy without colorectal cancer (CRC), according to the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentration, as well as its diagnostic accuracy. For this purpose, we performed a post-hoc analysis within a cohort of 1431 patients from the COLONPREDICT study, prospectively designed to assess the fecal immunochemical test accuracy in detecting CRC. Over 36.5 ± 8.4 months, cancer was detected in 115 (8%) patients. Patients with CEA values higher than 3 ng/mL revealed an increased risk of cancer (HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3–3.1), CRC (HR 4.4, 95% CI 1.1–17.7) and non-gastrointestinal cancer (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0–2.8). A new malignancy was detected in 51 (3.6%) patients during the first year and three variables were independently associated: anemia (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3–5.8), rectal bleeding (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.7) and CEA level >3 ng/mL (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.7–7.1). However, CEA was increased only in 31.8% (95% CI, 16.4–52.7%) and 50% (95% CI, 25.4–74.6%) of patients with and without anemia, respectively, who would be diagnosed with cancer during the first year of follow-up. On the basis of this information, CEA should not be used to assist in the triage of patients presenting with lower bowel symptoms who have recently been ruled out a CRC.
Trends of Liver Stiffness in Inflammatory Bowel Disease with Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Losurdo Giuseppe , Iannone Andrea , Contaldo Antonella , Barone Michele , Ierardi Enzo , Di Leo Alfredo , Principi Mariabeatrice
Published: December 2020

Concomitant inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a relevant comorbidity since IBD itself exposes to a high risk of liver damage. We aimed to evaluate liver stiffness (LS) in IBD-HCV after antiviral treatment. We enrolled IBD patients with HCV. All patients at baseline underwent LS measurement by elastography. Patients who were eligible for antiviral therapy received direct antiviral agents (DAAs) and sustained viral response was evaluated at the 12th week. A control group was selected within IBD patients without HCV. One year later, all IBD-HCV patients and controls repeated LS measurement. Twenty-four IBD-HCV patients and 24 IBD controls entered the study. Only twelve out of 24 received DAAs and all achieved sustained viral response (SVR). All IBD subjects were in remission at enrollment and maintained remission for one year. After one year, IBD patients who eradicated HCV passed from a liver stiffness of 8.5 ± 6.2 kPa to 7.1 ± 3.9, p = 0.13. IBD patients who did not eradicate HCV worsened liver stiffness: from 7.6 ± 4.4 to 8.6 ± 4.6, p = 0.01. In the IBD control group, stiffness decreased from 7.8 ± 4.4 to 6.0 ± 3.1, p < 0.001. In conclusion, HCV eradication is able to stop the evolution of liver fibrosis in IBD, while failure to treat may lead to its progression. A stable IBD remission may improve LS even in non-infected subjects.
Phlegmonous Appearance in the Ipsilateral Paracardiac Fat without Paracardiac Lymph Node Enlargement on Chest CT Favors the Diagnosis of Pleural Tuberculosis over Malignant Pleural Effusion
Authors: Lee Dongjun , Son Min Ji , Yoo Seung Min , Lee Hwa Yeon , White Charles S.
Published: December 2020

This study investigated the potential role of paracardiac fat stranding (FS) interspersed with multiple fluid collections (FC) as a clue to differentiate between pleural tuberculosis (pleural TB) and malignant pleural effusion (MPE). The authors retrospectively analyzed chest computed tomography (CT) findings of 428 patients, 351 with pleural TB and 77 with MPE, focusing on the paracardiac fat, and level of pleural adenosine deaminase (ADA) and blood C-reactive protein (CRP). Two radiologists independently evaluated the chest CT findings regarding the paracardiac fat pad ipsilateral to the effusion, including FS, FC, phlegmonous appearance (a combination of the FS and multiple FC), and the presence of lymph node enlargement (>1 cm in short axis diameter). There were significant differences between patients with pleural TB and those with MPE with respect to the prevalence of phlegmonous appearance in the ipsilateral paracardiac fat (47.6% and 10.4%, p < 0.001, OR = 7.8; 95% CI 3.7–16.8) and paracardiac lymph node enlargement (1.4% and 19.5%, p < 0.001, OR = 0.06; 95% CI 0.02–0.2) on CT. In contrast, there was no difference in the prevalence of isolated FS or multiple FC within the ipsilateral paracardiac fat between the two groups. Median pleural ADA and serum CRP level were higher in patients with pleural TB accompanied by phlegmonous appearance in paracardiac fat compared to those without that appearance (ADA: median 104 IU/L versus 90 IU/L, p < 0.001; CRP: 6.5 mg/dL versus 4.2 mg/dL, p < 0.001). In conclusion, phlegmonous appearance in the ipsilateral paracardiac fat without paracardiac lymph node enlargement on chest CT favors a diagnosis of pleural TB over MPE.