bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Leadership and Management Perceptions of Inpatients with Obesity: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Hitch Danielle , Pazsa Fiona , Qvist Alison
Published: November 2020

While obesity is recognized as a key global public health issue, there has been no research to date on the perceptions of care for people with this condition held by individuals in positions of organizational power. The aim of this study was therefore to describe the perceptions and experiences of clinical leaders and managers of providing care to inpatients with obesity at a metropolitan public health service. This study applied an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach to qualitative research, conducting interviews with 17 participants. Their perceptions of care for inpatients with obesity encompassed both their personal understanding as an individual, and their observations about the organizational, patient and carer perspectives. Three overall themes were identified: (1) the problem of inpatients with obesity, (2) inpatients with obesity as sources of risk and (3) personal and professional perceptions of inpatients with obesity. While clinical leaders and managers were aware of the potential impact of stigma and weight bias on care given to this cohort, elements of implicit bias, stereotyping, “othering” and ambivalence were frequently present in the data. Ongoing efforts to improve care for patients with obesity must therefore include efforts to address perceptions and attitudes at all organisational levels of the workforce.
Development of Strategies to Decrease False Positive Results in Newborn Screening
Authors: Malvagia Sabrina , Forni Giulia , Ombrone Daniela , la Marca Giancarlo
Published: November 2020

The expansion of national newborn screening (NBS) programmes has provided significant benefits in the diagnosis and early treatment of several rare, heritable conditions, preventing adverse health outcomes for most affected infants. New technological developments have enabled the implementation of testing panel covering over 50 disorders. Consequently, the increment of false positive rate has led to a high number of healthy infants recalled for expensive and often invasive additional testing, opening a debate about the harm-benefit ratio of the expanded newborn screening. The false-positive rate represents a challenge for healthcare providers working in NBS systems. Here, we give an overview on the most commonly used strategies for decreasing the adverse effects due to inconclusive screening results. The focus is on NBS performance improvement through the implementation of analytical methods, the application of new and more informative biomarkers, and by using post-analytical interpretive tools. These strategies, used as part of the NBS process, can to enhance the positive predictive value of the test and reduce the parental anxiety and healthcare costs related to the unnecessary tests and procedures.
Nutrient Profiling of Romanian Traditional Dishes—Prerequisite for Supporting the Flexitarian Eating Style
Authors: Voinea Lelia , Popescu Dorin Vicențiu , Negrea Teodor Mihai , Dina Răzvan
Published: November 2020

Currently, most countries have to deal with multiple discrepancies that have arisen between the constraints of sustainable development and the return to traditions, involving food producers, as well as consumers, aspects that are also easily noticed in Romania. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional quality of the Romanian traditional diet using a nutrient profiling method based on the Nutri-Score algorithm, applied to several representative Romanian traditional dishes. Because this algorithm has the capacity to highlight the amount (%) of fruits, vegetables, and nuts from a certain dish, it might be considered an indicator of the sustainable valences of the selected meals. The results showed that the traditional menus do not correspond to a balanced and sustainable eating behavior; thus, it is recommended to improve the Romanian pattern of food consumption and to ensure its sustainable basis. In order to achieve this goal, we propose the development of a new paradigm of the contemporary Romanian food style incorporating three main directions of action: acceptance, adaptation, and transformation.
Framework for Design Exploration and Performance Analysis of RF-NoC Manycore Architecture
Authors: Lahdhiri Habiba , Lorandel Jordane , Monteleone Salvatore , Bourdel Emmanuelle , Palesi Maurizio
Published: November 2020

The Network-on-chip (NoC) paradigm has been proposed as a promising solution to enable the handling of a high degree of integration in multi-/many-core architectures. Despite their advantages, wired NoC infrastructures are facing several performance issues regarding multi-hop long-distance communications. RF-NoC is an attractive solution offering high performance and multicast/broadcast capabilities. However, managing RF links is a critical aspect that relies on both application-dependent and architectural parameters. This paper proposes a design space exploration framework for OFDMA-based RF-NoC architecture, which takes advantage of both real application benchmarks simulated using Sniper and RF-NoC architecture modeled using Noxim. We adopted the proposed framework to finely configure a routing algorithm, working with real traffic, achieving up to 45% of delay reduction, compared to a wired NoC setup in similar conditions.
The Management of the Beach-Cast Seagrass Wracks—A Numerical Modelling Approach
Authors: Cucco Andrea , Quattrocchi Giovanni , Brambilla Walter , Navone Augusto , Panzalis Pieraugusto , Simeone Simone
Published: November 2020

Seagrass wrack are commonly found on the beach face of the sandy shore all around the world and often persists in situ during the whole year, favouring the emergence of conflicts for the use of the sandy coasts for bathing or for other recreational purposes. As a consequence, these deposits are often removed from the beach during the summer months, temporary stocked, and relocated on the shore face in the next autumn or winter season. The selection of the sites on the shoreline where the leaves should be released before the storms season is often an issue, considering the optimization needs between the transportation costs and the oceanographic features of the dumping site. In this study, a numerical approach was proposed to identify the most suitable areas for the autumnal repositioning of the seagrass wracks for two beaches of Sardinia, an island located in the Western Mediterranean Sea where Posidonia oceanica (L. Delile, 1813) is the most widespread seagrass species. The method is based on the use of hydrodynamic, wave, and particle tracking models and provides important indications useful for the management of this type of practice that can be extended to all different type of beaches along the Mediterranean coasts.
Fouling of Polymeric Hollow Fiber Heat Exchangers by Air Dust
Authors: Astrouski Ilya , Raudensky Miroslav , Kudelova Tereza , Kroulikova Tereza
Published: November 2020

Currently, liquid-to-gas heat exchangers in buildings, domestic appliances and the automotive industry are mainly made of copper and aluminum. Using plastic instead of metal can be very beneficial from an economic and environmental point of view. However, it is required that a successful plastic design meets all the requirements of metal heat exchangers. The polymeric hollow fiber heat exchanger studied in this work is completive to common metal finned heat exchangers. Due to its unique design (the use of thousands of thin-walled microtubes connected in parallel), it achieves a high level of compactness and thermal performance, low pressure drops and high operation pressure. This paper focuses on an important aspect of heat exchanger operation—its fouling in conditions relevant to building and domestic application. In heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and automotive and domestic appliances, outdoor and domestic dust are the main source of fouling. In this study, a heat exchanger made of polymeric hollow fibers was tested in conditions typical for indoor HVAC equipment, namely with the 20 °C room air flowing through the hot water coil (water inlet 50 °C) with air velocity of 1.5 m/s. ASHRAE test dust was used as a foulant to model domestic dust. A polymeric heat exchanger with fibers with an outer diameter of 0.6 mm (1960 fibers arranged into 14 layers in total) and a heat transfer area of 0.89 m2 was tested. It was proven that the smooth polypropylene surface of hollow fibers has a favorable antifouling characteristic. Fouling evolution on the metallic heat transfer surfaces of a similar surface density was about twice as quick as on the plastic one. The experimental results on the plastic heat exchanger showed a 38% decrease in the heat transfer rate and a 91% increase in pressure drops after eighteen days of the experiment when a total of 4000 g/m2 of the test dust had been injected into the air duct. The decrease in the heat transfer rate of the heat exchanger was influenced mainly by clogging in the frontal area because the first layers were fouled significantly more than the deeper layers.
Computational Micro-Macro Analysis of Impact on Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composites (SHCC) Including Microscopic Inertia
Authors: Tamsen Erik , Curosu Iurie , Mechtcherine Viktor , Balzani Daniel
Published: November 2020

This paper presents a numerical two-scale framework for the simulation of fiber reinforced concrete under impact loading. The numerical homogenization framework considers the full balance of linear momentum at the microscale. This allows for the study of microscopic inertia effects affecting the macroscale. After describing the ideas of the dynamic framework and the material models applied at the microscale, the experimental behavior of the fiber and the fiber–matrix bond under varying loading rates are discussed. To capture the most important features, a simplified matrix cracking and a strain rate sensitive fiber pullout model are utilized at the microscale. A split Hopkinson tension bar test is used as an example to present the capabilities of the framework to analyze different sources of dynamic behavior measured at the macroscale. The induced loading wave is studied and the influence of structural inertia on the measured signals within the simulation are verified. Further parameter studies allow the analysis of the macroscopic response resulting from the rate dependent fiber pullout as well as the direct study of the microscale inertia. Even though the material models and the microscale discretization used within this study are simplified, the value of the numerical two-scale framework to study material behavior under impact loading is demonstrated.
Label-Free DNA Biosensor Using Modified Reduced Graphene Oxide Platform as a DNA Methylation Assay
Authors: Sedlackova Eliska , Bytesnikova Zuzana , Birgusova Eliska , Svec Pavel , Ashrafi Amir M. , Estrela Pedro , Richtera Lukas
Published: November 2020

This work reports the use of modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a platform for a label-free DNA-based electrochemical biosensor as a possible diagnostic tool for a DNA methylation assay. The biosensor sensitivity was enhanced by variously modified rGO. The rGO decorated with three nanoparticles (NPs)—gold (AuNPs), silver (AgNPs), and copper (CuNPs)—was implemented to increase the electrode surface area. Subsequently, the thiolated DNA probe (single-stranded DNA, ssDNA−1) was hybridized with the target DNA sequence (ssDNA-2). After the hybridization, the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) was methylated by M.SssI methyltransferase (MTase) and then digested via a HpaII endonuclease specific site sequence of CpG (5′-CCGG-3′) islands. For monitoring the MTase activity, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used, whereas the best results were obtained by rGO-AuNPs. This assay is rapid, cost-effective, sensitive, selective, highly specific, and displays a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.06 U·mL−1. Lastly, this study was enriched with the real serum sample, where a 0.19 U·mL−1 LOD was achieved. Moreover, the developed biosensor offers excellent potential in future applications in clinical diagnostics, as this approach can be used in the design of other biosensors.
SPR Effect Controlled by an Electric Field in a Tapered Optical Fiber Surrounded by a Low Refractive Index Nematic Liquid Crystal
Authors: Korec Joanna , Stasiewicz Karol A. , Jaroszewicz Leszek R. , Garbat Katarzyna
Published: November 2020

This paper presents the influence of a thin metal layer deposition on the surface of a tapered optical fiber surrounded by a low liquid crystal, on light propagation inside the taper structure. In this research, three types of liquid crystal cells were under investigation: orthogonal, parallel, and twist. They differed by the rubbing direction of the electrodes in relation to the fiber axis determining the initial molecule arrangement inside the cell. Gold films with thickness d = 30 nm were deposited on the tapered fiber surface in the tapered waist area. Cells including a tapered optical fiber with no metallic layer were also examined and presented as a reference. All measurements were performed at room temperature for a different steering voltage U from 0 to 200 V, with and without any amplitude modulation with a frequency f = 5 Hz, and the wavelength λ range from 550 to 1200 nm. As a result, the resonant peaks were obtained, which depends on a liquid crystal cell type and steering voltage, as well. This paper shows the possibility of sensing the change of applied voltage by the constructed system. During measurements, additional effects as signal overlapping and intermodal interference were observed reducing measured voltage value. In the future, the improved, similar systems that will have a better response could be used as a sensor of factors to which liquid crystal (LC) will be sensitive, especially temperature and electric field.
When Will a Sequence of Points in a Riemannian Submanifold Converge?
Authors: Truong Tuyen Trung
Published: November 2020

Let X be a Riemannian manifold and xn a sequence of points in X. Assume that we know a priori some properties of the set A of cluster points of xn. The question is under what conditions that xn will converge. An answer to this question serves to understand the convergence behaviour for iterative algorithms for (constrained) optimisation problems, with many applications such as in Deep Learning. We will explore this question, and show by some examples that having X a submanifold (more generally, a metric subspace) of a good Riemannian manifold (even in infinite dimensions) can greatly help.
Universality in Short Intervals of the Riemann Zeta-Function Twisted by Non-Trivial Zeros
Authors: Laurinčikas Antanas , Šiaučiūnas Darius
Published: November 2020

Let 0<γ1<γ2<⋯⩽γk⩽⋯ be the sequence of imaginary parts of non-trivial zeros of the Riemann zeta-function ζ(s). Using a certain estimate on the pair correlation of the sequence {γk} in the intervals [N,N+M] with N1/2+ε⩽M⩽N, we prove that the set of shifts ζ(s+ihγk), h>0, approximating any non-vanishing analytic function defined in the strip {s∈C:1/2<Res<1} with accuracy ε>0 has a positive lower density in [N,N+M] as N→∞. Moreover, this set has a positive density for all but at most countably ε>0. The above approximation property remains valid for certain compositions F(ζ(s)).
Variational Inference over Nonstationary Data Streams for Exponential Family Models
Authors: Masegosa Andrés R. , Ramos-López Darío , Salmerón Antonio , Langseth Helge , Nielsen Thomas D.
Published: November 2020

In many modern data analysis problems, the available data is not static but, instead, comes in a streaming fashion. Performing Bayesian inference on a data stream is challenging for several reasons. First, it requires continuous model updating and the ability to handle a posterior distribution conditioned on an unbounded data set. Secondly, the underlying data distribution may drift from one time step to another, and the classic i.i.d. (independent and identically distributed), or data exchangeability assumption does not hold anymore. In this paper, we present an approximate Bayesian inference approach using variational methods that addresses these issues for conjugate exponential family models with latent variables. Our proposal makes use of a novel scheme based on hierarchical priors to explicitly model temporal changes of the model parameters. We show how this approach induces an exponential forgetting mechanism with adaptive forgetting rates. The method is able to capture the smoothness of the concept drift, ranging from no drift to abrupt drift. The proposed variational inference scheme maintains the computational efficiency of variational methods over conjugate models, which is critical in streaming settings. The approach is validated on four different domains (energy, finance, geolocation, and text) using four real-world data sets.
Hemithyroidectomy for Thyroid Cancer: A Review
Authors: Addasi Noor , Fingeret Abbey , Goldner Whitney
Published: November 2020

Thyroid cancer incidence is on the rise; however, fortunately, the death rate is stable. Most persons with well-differentiated thyroid cancer have a low risk of recurrence at the time of diagnosis and can expect a normal life expectancy. Over the last two decades, guidelines have recommended less aggressive therapy for low-risk cancer and a more personalized approach to treatment of thyroid cancer overall. The American Thyroid Association (ATA) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) thyroid cancer guidelines recommend hemithyroidectomy as an acceptable surgical treatment option for low-risk thyroid cancer. Given this change in treatment paradigms, an increasing number of people are undergoing hemithyroidectomy rather than total or near-total thyroidectomy as their primary surgical treatment of thyroid cancer. The postoperative follow-up of hemithyroidectomy patients differs from those who have undergone total or near-total thyroidectomy, and the long-term monitoring with imaging and biomarkers can also be different. This article reviews indications for hemithyroidectomy, as well as postoperative considerations and management recommendations for those who have undergone hemithyroidectomy.
Urine Treatment on the International Space Station: Current Practice and Novel Approaches
Authors: Volpin Federico , Badeti Umakant , Wang Chen , Jiang Jiaxi , Vogel Jörg , Freguia Stefano , Fam Dena , Cho Jaeweon , Phuntsho Sherub , Shon Ho Kyong
Published: November 2020

A reliable, robust, and resilient water recovery system is of paramount importance on board the International Space Station (ISS). Such a system must be able to treat all sources of water, thereby reducing resupply costs and allowing for longer-term space missions. As such, technologies able to dewater urine in microgravity have been investigated by different space agencies. However, despite over 50 years of research and advancements on water extraction from human urine, the Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) and the Water Processor Assembly (WPA) now operating on the ISS still achieve suboptimal water recovery rates and require periodic consumables resupply. Additionally, urine brine from the treatment is collected for disposal and not yet reused. These factors, combined with the need for a life support system capable of tolerating even dormant periods of up to one year, make the research in this field ever more critical. As such, in the last decade, extensive research was conducted on the adaptation of existing or emerging technologies for the ISS context. In virtue of having a strong chemical resistance, small footprint, tuneable selectivity and versatility, novel membrane-based processes have been in focus for treating human urine. Their hybridisation with thermal and biological processes as well as the combination with new nanomaterials have been particularly investigated. This article critically reviews the UPA and WPA processes currently in operation on the ISS, summarising the research directions and needs, highlighted by major space agencies, necessary for allowing life support for missions outside the Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Additionally, it reviews the technologies recently proposed to improve the performance of the system as well as new concepts to allow for the valorisation of the nutrients in urine or the brine after urine dewatering.
A Prominent Cell Manipulation Technique in BioMEMS: Dielectrophoresis
Authors: Çağlayan Zeynep , Demircan Yalçın Yağmur , Külah Haluk
Published: November 2020

BioMEMS, the biological and biomedical applications of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), has attracted considerable attention in recent years and has found widespread applications in disease detection, advanced diagnosis, therapy, drug delivery, implantable devices, and tissue engineering. One of the most essential and leading goals of the BioMEMS and biosensor technologies is to develop point-of-care (POC) testing systems to perform rapid prognostic or diagnostic tests at a patient site with high accuracy. Manipulation of particles in the analyte of interest is a vital task for POC and biosensor platforms. Dielectrophoresis (DEP), the induced movement of particles in a non-uniform electrical field due to polarization effects, is an accurate, fast, low-cost, and marker-free manipulation technique. It has been indicated as a promising method to characterize, isolate, transport, and trap various particles. The aim of this review is to provide fundamental theory and principles of DEP technique, to explain its importance for the BioMEMS and biosensor fields with detailed references to readers, and to identify and exemplify the application areas in biosensors and POC devices. Finally, the challenges faced in DEP-based systems and the future prospects are discussed.
Monolithic 1 × 8 DWDM Silicon Optical Transmitter Using an Arrayed-Waveguide Grating and Electro-Absorption Modulators for Switch Fabrics in Intra-Data-Center Interconnects
Authors: Jeong Uiseok , Lee Dong Ho , Lee Kyungwoon , Park Jung Ho
Published: November 2020

In this study, we propose an eight-channel monolithic optical transmitter using silicon electro-absorption modulators (EAMs) based on free-carrier injection by Schottky junctions. The transmitter consists of a 1 × 8 silicon arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) and eight 500-μm-long EAMs on a 5.41 × 2.84 mm2 footprint. It generates eight-channel dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) outputs with 1.33 nm channel spacing (Δλ) in the C-band from a single broadband light source and modulates each channel with over 3 dB modulation depth at 6 V peak-to-peak. The experimental results showed that the feasibility of a homogeneous silicon DWDM transmitter with a single light source for switch fabrics in intra-data-center interconnects over heterogeneous integration with regards to more complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility.
Characterization of the Kenyan Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Gut Microbiota: A First Look at Tropical and Sub-Saharan African Bee Associated Microbiomes
Authors: Tola Yosef Hamba , Waweru Jacqueline Wahura , Hurst Gregory D. D. , Slippers Bernard , Paredes Juan C.
Published: November 2020

Gut microbiota plays important roles in many physiological processes of the host including digestion, protection, detoxification, and development of immune responses. The honey bee (Apis mellifera) has emerged as model for gut-microbiota host interaction studies due to its gut microbiota being highly conserved and having a simple composition. A key gap in this model is understanding how the microbiome differs regionally, including sampling from the tropics and in particular from Africa. The African region is important from the perspective of the native diversity of the bees, and differences in landscape and bee management. Here, we characterized the honey bee gut microbiota in sub-Saharan Africa using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We confirm the presence of the core gut microbiota members and highlight different compositions of these communities across regions. We found that bees from the coastal regions harbor a higher relative abundance and diversity on core members. Additionally, we showed that Gilliamella, Snodgrassella, and Frischella dominate in all locations, and that altitude and humidity affect Gilliamella abundance. In contrast, we found that Lactobacillus was less common compared temperate regions of the world. This study is a first comprehensive characterization of the gut microbiota of honey bees from sub-Saharan Africa and underscores the need to study microbiome diversity in other indigenous bee species and regions.
Multiple β Forms of Saturated Monoacid Triacylglycerol Crystals
Authors: Takeguchi Seiya , Sato Arisa , Hondoh Hironori , Aoki Mio , Uehara Hidetaka , Ueno Satoru
Published: November 2020

We have investigated the polymorphism of triacylglycerol (TAG) crystals as they affect the qualities such as shelf life, mouth feel, and texture of chocolate and other products. Saturated monoacid TAGs, like trilaurin, are considered as models for TAG crystallization; however, there is still debate about the number of their polymorphs that exist. In this study, we characterized a set of novel polymorphs, β forms of saturated monoacid TAGs, which were obtained via different pathways depending on the crystallization history, by polarized light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. Saturated monoacid TAGs were crystallized as the unstable polymorphs, the α or β’ forms first, and then they were transformed into β forms by solid–solid transformations. The β form that had transformed from β’ changed its morphology by a polymorphic transformation, while the β form made from the α form kept its spherulite morphology. The β forms obtained showed different melting points. Additional heat treatment promoted further polymorphic transformation. Four novel β forms were found for each of the saturated monoacid TAGs, trilaurin, trimyristin, tripalmitin, and tristearin. They showed similar polymorphism with the same subcell packing.
Three Types of Red Beetroot and Sour Cherry Based Marmalades with Enhanced Functional Properties
Authors: Nistor Oana Viorela , Șeremet (Ceclu) Liliana , Mocanu Gabriel Dănuț , Barbu Vasilica , Andronoiu Doina Georgeta , Stănciuc Nicoleta
Published: November 2020

The importance of bioactive compounds such as betalains and anthocyanins was highlighted in the present study by the valorization of red beetroot and sour cherry as an attempt to develop healthy products. The aim of the study was to obtain and characterize three types of marmalade based on red beetroot, sour cherry and both in 1:1 combination, obtained by heating at 95 °C for 30 min. Changes in total phenolic content, total flavonoids, betalains, anthocyanins and antioxidant activity were evaluated before and after the thermal treatment. Several other analyses such as color, rheological and textural analyses and confocal laser microscopy were performed to provide further information about the quality of the added-value food products. A significant decrease of 34% in betalains content was registered in the red beetroot marmalade due to the chemical changes in bioactives induced by the temperature. A satisfactory ABTS radical scavenging activity of 8.12 ± 0.38 mMol Trolox/g dry weight (dw) was obtained for the red beetroot and sour cherry based marmalade. The gelled structure was validated by the rheological and textural characteristics. The results highlighted the potential use of red beetroot and sour cherry as food raw materials, due to their particular profile of bioactive compounds.
Application of Humanized Zebrafish Model in the Suppression of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Induced Pathology by Tri-Herbal Medicine Coronil via Cytokine Modulation
Authors: Balkrishna Acharya , Solleti Siva Kumar , Verma Sudeep , Varshney Anurag
Published: November 2020

Zebrafish has been a reliable model system for studying human viral pathologies. SARS-CoV-2 viral infection has become a global chaos, affecting millions of people. There is an urgent need to contain the pandemic and develop reliable therapies. We report the use of a humanized zebrafish model, xeno-transplanted with human lung epithelial cells, A549, for studying the protective effects of a tri-herbal medicine Coronil. At human relevant doses of 12 and 58 µg/kg, Coronil inhibited SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, induced humanized zebrafish mortality, and rescued from behavioral fever. Morphological and cellular abnormalities along with granulocyte and macrophage accumulation in the swim bladder were restored to normal. Skin hemorrhage, renal cell degeneration, and necrosis were also significantly attenuated by Coronil treatment. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) analysis identified ursolic acid, betulinic acid, withanone, withaferine A, withanoside IV–V, cordifolioside A, magnoflorine, rosmarinic acid, and palmatine as phyto-metabolites present in Coronil. In A549 cells, Coronil attenuated the IL-1β induced IL-6 and TNF-α cytokine secretions, and decreased TNF-α induced NF-κB/AP-1 transcriptional activity. Taken together, we show the disease modifying immunomodulatory properties of Coronil, at human equivalent doses, in rescuing the pathological features induced by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, suggesting its potential use in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.
Magnetotransport Properties of Ferromagnetic Nanoparticles in a Semiconductor Matrix Studied by Precise Size-Selective Cluster Ion Beam Deposition
Authors: Gack Nicolas , Iankevich Gleb , Benel Cahit , Kruk Robert , Wang Di , Hahn Horst , Reisinger Thomas
Published: November 2020

The combination of magnetic and semiconducting properties in one material system has great potential for integration of emerging spintronics with conventional semiconductor technology. One standard route for the synthesis of magnetic semiconductors is doping of semiconductors with magnetic atoms. In many semiconductor–magnetic–dopant systems, the magnetic atoms form precipitates within the semiconducting matrix. An alternative and controlled way to realize such nanocomposite materials is the assembly by co-deposition of size-selected cluster ions and a semiconductor. Here we follow the latter approach to demonstrate that this fabrication route can be used to independently study the influence of cluster concentration and cluster size on magneto-transport properties. In this case we study Fe clusters composed of approximately 500 or 1000 atoms soft-landed into a thermally evaporated amorphous Ge matrix. The analysis of field and temperature dependent transport shows that tunneling processes affected by Coulomb blockade dominate at low temperatures. The nanocomposites show saturating tunneling magnetoresistance, additionally superimposed by at least one other effect not saturating upon the maximum applied field of 6 T. The nanocomposites’ resistivity and the observed tunneling magnetoresistance depend exponentially on the average distance between cluster surfaces. On the contrary, there is no notable influence of the cluster size on the tunneling magnetoresistance.
Vitamin D in 2020: An Old Pro-Hormone with Potential Effects beyond Mineral Metabolism
Authors: Courbebaisse Marie , Cavalier Etienne
Published: November 2020

Vitamin D is not a vitamin but a pro-hormone. [...]
Molecular Identification of Zoonotic Parasites of the Genus Anisakis (Nematoda: Anisakidae) from Fish of the Southeastern Pacific Ocean (Off Peru Coast)
Authors: Aco Alburqueque Renato , Palomba Marialetizia , Santoro Mario , Mattiucci Simonetta
Published: November 2020

The study aims to perform, for the first time, the molecular identification of anisakid larvae in commercial fish from the Southeastern Pacific Ocean off the Peru coast, and to provide data on their infection level by fishing ground, fish host, and site of infection. Fish specimens (N = 348) from the northern and the central coast of Peru were examined for parasites. The fish fillets were examined by the UV-press method. Anisakis spp. larvae (N = 305) were identified by mtDNA cox2 sequences analysis and by the ARMS-PCR of the locus nas10 nDNA. Two hundred and eighty-eight Anisakis Type I larvae corresponded to Anisakis pegreffii, whereas 17 Anisakis Type II larvae clustered in a phylogenetic lineage distinct from Anisakis physeteris deposited in GenBank, and corresponding to a phylogenetic lineage indicated as Anisakis sp. 2, previously detected in fish from both Pacific and Atlantic waters. Anisakis pegreffii was found to infect both the flesh and viscera, while Anisakis sp. 2 occurred only in the viscera. The average parasitic burden with A. pegreffii in the examined fish species from the two fishing grounds was significantly higher than that observed with Anisakis sp. 2. The results obtained contribute to improve the knowledge on the distribution and occurrence of Anisakis species in Southeastern Pacific waters and their implications in seafood safety for the local human populations.
Bromo-Cyclobutenaminones as New Covalent UDP-N-Acetylglucosamine Enolpyruvyl Transferase (MurA) Inhibitors
Authors: Hamilton David J. , Ábrányi-Balogh Péter , Keeley Aaron , Petri László , Hrast Martina , Imre Tímea , Wijtmans Maikel , Gobec Stanislav , Esch Iwan J. P. de , Keserű György Miklós
Published: November 2020

Drug discovery programs against the antibacterial target UDP-N-acetylglucosamine enolpyruvyl transferase (MurA) have already resulted in covalent inhibitors having small three- and five-membered heterocyclic rings. In the current study, the reactivity of four-membered rings was carefully modulated to obtain a novel family of covalent MurA inhibitors. Screening a small library of cyclobutenone derivatives led to the identification of bromo-cyclobutenaminones as new electrophilic warheads. The electrophilic reactivity and cysteine specificity have been determined in a glutathione (GSH) and an oligopeptide assay, respectively. Investigating the structure-activity relationship for MurA suggests a crucial role for the bromine atom in the ligand. In addition, MS/MS experiments have proven the covalent labelling of MurA at Cys115 and the observed loss of the bromine atom suggests a net nucleophilic substitution as the covalent reaction. This new set of compounds might be considered as a viable chemical starting point for the discovery of new MurA inhibitors.
Pharmacy Students’ Perceptions and Stigma Surrounding Naloxone Use in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder: A Mixed Methods Evaluation
Authors: Cernasev Alina , Veve Michael P. , Talbott Taylor , Hall Elizabeth A. , Hohmeier Kenneth C.
Published: November 2020

Pharmacists represent a key group of healthcare professionals that can increase awareness and destigmatize naloxone use. The objective of this study was to investigate pharmacy student perceptions of the use, dispensing, and stigma surrounding naloxone. An electronic survey was administered to pharmacy students that included questions about demographics, work history, naloxone use, and naloxone stigma. Separate qualitative interviews were performed to identify themes surrounding naloxone use. Two-hundred sixty-two participants completed the survey. The majority of participants were “highly willing” (74%) to fill a naloxone prescription for a patient and “somewhat comfortable” (38%) in counseling on naloxone; most were “somewhat comfortable” (38%) administering naloxone. Naloxone is “very rarely” (87%) recommended in community workplace settings, and the majority (64%) reported that patients never request information about naloxone availability. Seventy-six percent of respondents reported that naloxone-associated interactions have an influence on the way they communicate with patients in community pharmacy settings. Thematic analyses found that pharmacy students identify the importance of naloxone as a life-saving medication and the need for naloxone training, but patient-perceived stigma and limited access to naloxone remain prevalent. Pharmacy students are generally well-versed and inclined toward distributing, counseling on, and administering naloxone. Naloxone is rarely dispensed and patient conversations involving naloxone are infrequent in community settings. Future efforts focused on approaches toward difficult patient conversations and normalization of naloxone are needed to destigmatize and facilitate use.
Staff and Users’ Experiences of Pharmacy-Based Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: A Qualitative Interview Study from the UK
Authors: Gauly Julia , Ross Jonathan , Parsons Joanne , Atherton Helen
Published: November 2020

Since August 2015, a large range of sexual health and reproductive health services have been provided in more than 120 pharmacies across Birmingham (England). Our study aimed to explore how pharmacy staff and pharmacy users experience delivering or being provided with sexual health and reproductive health services. Between March and September 2019, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 pharmacy staff delivering sexual and reproductive health services and 15 people who had used a sexual and reproductive health service at the pharmacy. Interviews were analysed thematically. Pharmacy users found services convenient to use and were largely satisfied with pharmacy staff consultation skills. Staff were motivated to deliver the services, although some felt that they did not receive sufficient recognition for their work. Barriers to pharmacy-based sexual and reproductive health services were identified, including lack of privacy for users, lack of staff and user awareness of the services, lack of trained staff to deliver services and lack of capacity for copper coil insertions in females presenting for emergency contraception. The identification of barriers to effective service provision can be used to improve the delivery of sexual and reproductive health services in pharmacies and lead to a greater uptake.
Size-Dependent Phagocytic Uptake and Immunogenicity of Gliadin Nanoparticles
Authors: Alqahtani Mohammed S. , Syed Rabbani , Alshehri Meshal
Published: November 2020

The main objective of the present study was to investigate the hemo and immune compatibility of gliadin nanoparticles as a function of particle size. Gliadin nanoparticles of different size were prepared using a modified antisolvent nanoprecipitation method. The hemolytic potential of gliadin nanoparticles was evaluated using in vitro hemolysis assay. Phagocytic uptake of gliadin nanoparticles was studied using rat polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes and murine alveolar peritoneal macrophage (J774) cells. In vivo immunogenicity of gliadin nanoparticles was studied following subcutaneous administration in mice. Gliadin nanoparticles were non-hemolytic irrespective of particle size and hence compatible with blood components. In comparison to positive control zymosan, gliadin nanoparticles with a size greater than 406 ± 11 nm showed higher phagocytic uptake in PMN cells, while the uptake was minimal with smaller nanoparticles (127 ± 8 nm). Similar uptake of gliadin nanoparticles was observed in murine alveolar peritoneal macrophages. Anti-gliadin IgG antibody titers subsequent to primary and secondary immunization of gliadin nanoparticles in mice were in the increasing order of 406 ± 11 nm < 848 ± 20 nm < coarse suspension). On the other hand, gliadin nanoparticles of 127 ± 8 nm in size did not elicit immunogenic response. Phagocytosis and immunogenicity of gliadin nanoparticles are strongly influenced by particle size. The results of this study can provide useful information for rational design of protein-based nanomaterials in drug delivery applications.
Moving toward Smart Cities: Evaluation of the Self-Cleaning Properties of Si-Based Consolidants Containing Nanocrystalline TiO2 Activated by Either UV-A or UV-B Radiation
Authors: Pozo-Antonio José Santiago , Noya-Pintos Daniel , Sanmartín Patricia
Published: November 2020

This study evaluated the self-cleaning ability and durability of Si-based consolidants (an ethyl silicate consolidant and a consolidant based on nanosized silica) spiked with nanocrystalline TiO2 activated by either UV-A radiation (spectral region between 340 and 400 nm, and main peak at 365 nm) or UV-B radiation (spectral region between 270 and 420 nm, and main peak at 310 nm). Granite samples were coated with consolidant, to which nanocrystalline TiO2 was added at different concentrations (0.5, 1, and 3%, by wt.). Diesel soot was then applied to the coated surfaces, and the samples were exposed to UV-A or UV-B radiation for 1650 h. The surface color changes, relative to the color of untreated granite, were determined every 330 h by color spectrophotometry. Slight color changes indicated a recovery of the reference color due to the degradation of the soot. The final surfaces of both the untreated and treated surfaces were compared by stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The main findings were that: (1) In general, the consolidant containing nanosized silica induced the most intense photocatalytic activity. In the more compact xerogel coating formed by the nanosized silica, more TiO2 nanoparticles were available to interact with the radiation. (2) For all consolidant mixtures, soot degradation remained constant or decreased over time, except with ethyl silicate with 0.5 wt % TiO2 (no self-cleaning capacity). (3) Soot degradation increased with the concentration of TiO2. (4) The UV-B radiation was the most effective in terms of soot degradation, except for the surface coated with the ethyl silicate and 3% wt. TiO2.
The Culture of Life and the New Maternity
Authors: Krohn Anna
Published: November 2020

Within the divergent streams of late-modern and largely Western feminism, the experience and ethos (and ethics) of motherhood and the significance of the “maternal body” have been hotly contested and problematic. What might be called “the maternal problematic” is also evident in the highly flammable touchpoints between Catholic magisterial teaching and secular feminism—especially in relation to women’s work, vocation and perhaps most contentiously, in relation to women’s fertility and pregnancy. This article mines Pope Saint John Paul II’s major encyclical letter of 1995, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) and his intervention into this charged milieu. The Encyclical is rightly viewed as an important exegesis and expansion on the traditional Catholic magisterial teaching upon the ethics of the “sanctity of life”. This article aims to demonstrate that the Encyclical also attempts a fresh line of departure, by weaving into the ethical discussion the importance of “the maternal” as a distinctive interpersonal experience and awareness. This enriches the pastoral and ethical voice of the Church’s witness to human dignity and human life. The Encyclical contains the seeds of what this article will call “a new maternity”, a type of meta-ethos, integral to the development of a “new feminism” which is also aligned and pivotal to the formation of “a culture of life The article will suggest that far from presenting a reductive, oppressive or constructivist view of women and maternity, Evangelium Vitae, when read in synthesis with the Polish Pope’s wider ressourcement of “theological anthropology,” explores three original themes: (a) the importance of maternal “creational contemplation” in women as a force for a humane societal ethos; (b) the invitational dramatics of the maternal in understanding the Catholic ethos surrounding procreation; (c) the personal solidarity and iconic role of the Virgin Mary’s maternity in all expressions of women’s maternal vocation whether physical, existential and/or mystical.
Towards Circular Economy in the Household Appliance Industry: An Overview of Cases
Authors: Bressanelli Gianmarco , Saccani Nicola , Perona Marco , Baccanelli Irene
Published: November 2020

Circular Economy is a means to ensure sustainable production and consumption patterns. However, it is still at an embryonic stage of implementation in manufacturing companies. Given its potential, the household appliance industry is a promising arena for the adoption of Circular Economy. Thus, this study aims to investigate and systematize how Circular Economy has been adopted in the household appliance industry, through a multiple case study research. Twenty cases are analyzed following a Research Framework, to map: (i) the Circular Economy 4R strategies of reduce, reuse, remanufacture and recycle; (ii) the Circular Economy levers, i.e., whether circular product design practices, servitized business models or supply chain management actions are undertaken; (iii) the role of digital 4.0 technologies as enablers; (iv) the benefits achieved. The analysis showed that servitized business models and supply chain management actions are widely used levers, while little attention is devoted to circular product design practices. Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and Cloud emerged as powerful enablers of servitized business models. Two main patterns of Circular Economy adoption in the household appliance industry emerged from cases: incremental and radical adoption patterns. Incremental adoption patterns are based on design strategies focused on reduce and recycle, mainly led by manufacturers. Radical adoption patterns are instead focused on disruptive practices based on reuse, remanufacture, servitization and sharing, where digital 4.0 technologies serve as enablers. Overall, this exploratory research lays the foundation for a stronger and more systemic understanding of the adoption of Circular Economy in the household appliance industry.
Remote Estimation of Target Height from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Images
Authors: Tonini Andrea , Redweik Paula , Painho Marco , Castelli Mauro
Published: November 2020

This paper focuses on how the height of a target can be swiftly estimated using images acquired by a digital camera installed into moving platforms, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A pinhole camera model after distortion compensation was considered for this purpose since it does not need extensive processing nor vanishing lines. The pinhole model has been extensively employed for similar purposes in past studies but mainly focusing on fixed camera installations. This study analyzes how to tailor the pinhole model for gimballed cameras mounted into UAVs, considering camera parameters and flight parameters. Moreover, it indicates a solution that foresees correcting only a few needed pixels to limit the processing overload. Finally, an extensive analysis was conducted to define the uncertainty associated with the height estimation. The results of this analysis highlighted interesting relationships between UAV-to-target relative distance, camera pose, and height uncertainty that allow practical exploitations of the proposed approach. The model was tested with real data in both controlled and uncontrolled environments, the results confirmed the suitability of the proposed method and outcomes of the uncertainty analysis. Finally, this research can open consumer UAVs to innovative applications for urban surveillance.