bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study on the journey to homicide and offender characteristics in Spain
Authors: Santos‐Hermoso Jorge , Villalba‐García David , Camacho‐Collados Miguel , Tejeiro Ricardo , González‐Álvarez José L.
Published: January 2021

In this study, the displacement of 687 murderers in Spain (2010–2012) is analysed. The Euclidean distance between the offender's residence and the furthest scene related to the event has been calculated. The analyses showed that the murderers registered a displacement of 0.5 km, with 255 cases of non‐traveller homicide (37.1%). The bivariate analysis found that men, young and foreign, with a criminal record and unrelated to the victim, registered a large distance, as well as multi‐offender homicides and were related to criminal activities. Traveller homicide registered a displacement of 4.3 km, with adults unrelated to the victim travelling the farthest. Multi‐offender and crime‐related homicides continued to show the largest distance. Multivariate analyses showed that if the offender is foreign, has no previous relationship with the victim and there are several offenders involved, the distance will be larger. When only traveller homicides were analysed, only the type of relationship showed significant differences.
SARS‐CoV‐2, the pandemic coronavirus: Molecular and structural insights
Authors: Kadam Swapnil B. , Sukhramani Geetika S. , Bishnoi Pratibha , Pable Anupama A. , Barvkar Vitthal T.
Published: January 2021

The outbreak of a novel coronavirus associated with acute respiratory disease, called COVID‐19, marked the introduction of the third spillover of an animal coronavirus (CoV) to humans in the last two decades. The genome analysis with various bioinformatics tools revealed that the causative pathogen (SARS‐CoV‐2) belongs to the subgenus Sarbecovirus of the genus Betacoronavirus, with highly similar genome as bat coronavirus and receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of spike glycoprotein as Malayan pangolin coronavirus. Based on its genetic proximity, SARS‐CoV‐2 is likely to have originated from bat‐derived CoV and transmitted to humans via an unknown intermediate mammalian host, probably Malayan pangolin. Further, spike protein S1/S2 cleavage site of SARS‐CoV‐2 has acquired polybasic furin cleavage site which is absent in bat and pangolin suggesting natural selection either in an animal host before zoonotic transfer or in humans following zoonotic transfer. In the current review, we recapitulate a preliminary opinion about the disease, origin and life cycle of SARS‐CoV‐2, roles of virus proteins in pathogenesis, commonalities, and differences between different corona viruses. Moreover, the crystal structures of SARS‐CoV‐2 proteins with unique characteristics differentiating it from other CoVs are discussed. Our review also provides comprehensive information on the molecular aspects of SARS‐CoV‐2 including secondary structures in the genome and protein–protein interactions which can be useful to understand the aggressive spread of the SARS‐CoV‐2. The mutations and the haplotypes reported in the SARS‐CoV‐2 genome are summarized to understand the virus evolution.
Laser resonance frequency analysis of pedicle screw stability: A cadaveric model bone study
Authors: Nakashima Daisuke , Mikami Katsuhiro , Kikuchi Shunsuke , Nishikino Masaharu , Kitamura Toshiyuki , Hasegawa Noboru , Matsumoto Morio , Nakamura Masaya , Nagura Takeo
Published: January 2021

There is no evaluation method currently available to assess intraoperative pedicle screw fixation (PSF) strength. In this study, we established a laser‐based resonance frequency analysis (RFA) system with high‐speed, noncontact, quantitative measurements of PSF. Clinical investigations in the future can assess surgical failure risk of implants. We investigated the characteristics of the laser RFA and compared them with the conventional methods. We inserted a pedicle screw in the vertebral pedicle of human cadaver or model bone, followed by screw pull‐out, peak torque, implant stability quotient (ISQ) value obtained by the magnetic dental RFA system, and fixation force of laser RFA. We compared the outcomes using best‐fit linear or logarithmic approximations. For the model bone study, the resonance frequency (RF) versus peak torque/pull‐out force (POF) demonstrated strong correlations using logarithmic approximation (vs. peak torque: R = 0.931, p < .001, vs. POF: R = 0.931, p < .001). RF strongly correlated with the ISQ value using linear approximation (R = 0.981, p < .001). For the cadaveric vertebrae study, the correlation coefficients between RF and the peak torque/POF were significant regardless of approximation method (peak torque: logarithmic: R = 0.716 vs. linear: R = 0.811; p < .001) (POF: logarithmic: R = 0.644 vs. linear: R = 0.548; p < .05). Thus, the results of this study revealed a constant correlation between RFA and conventional methods as a measurement validation, predicting favorable support for intraoperative PSF. RFA has the potential to be a new index for evaluating the implant fixation force.
Infrapatellar fat pad volume and Hoffa‐synovitis after ACL reconstruction: Association with early osteoarthritis features and pain over 5 years
Authors: Hart Harvi F. , Culvenor Adam G. , Patterson Brooke E. , Doshi Ankit , Vora Ashish , Guermazi Ali , Birmingham Trevor B. , Crossley Kay M.
Published: January 2021

Infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) morphology and Hoffa‐synovitis may be relevant to the development and progression of post‐traumatic osteoarthritis (OA). We aimed to compare IPFP volume and Hoffa‐synovitis in participants with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and uninjured controls, and to determine their association with prevalent and worsening early knee OA features and pain in participants post‐ACLR. We assessed IPFP volume and Hoffa‐synovitis from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 111 participants 1‐year post‐ACLR and 20 uninjured controls. Patellofemoral and tibiofemoral cartilage and bone marrow lesions (BMLs) were assessed from MRIs at 1 and 5 years post‐ACLR, and worsening defined as any longitudinal increase in lesion size/severity. IPFP volume and Hoffa‐synovitis prevalence were compared between groups with analysis of covariance and χ
2 tests, respectively. Generalized linear models assessed the relation of IPFP volume and Hoffa‐synovitis to prevalent and worsening features of OA and knee pain (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score—Pain Subscale, Anterior Knee Pain Scale). No significant between‐group differences were observed in IPFP volume (ACLR 34.39 ± 7.29cm3, Control 34.27 ± 7.56cm3) and Hoffa‐synovitis (ACLR 61%, Control 80%). Greater IPFP volume at 1‐year post‐ACLR was associated with greater odds of patellofemoral BMLs at 1‐year (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence intervals]: 1.104 [1.016, 1.200]) and worsening tibiofemoral cartilage lesions at 5‐year post‐ACLR (OR: 1.234 [1.026, 1.483]). Hoffa‐synovitis at 1‐year post‐ACLR was associated with greater odds of worsening patellofemoral BMLs at 5‐year post‐ACLR (OR: 7.465 [1.291, 43.169]). In conclusion, IPFP volume and Hoffa‐synovitis prevalence are similar between individuals 1‐year post‐ACLR and controls. Greater IPFP volume and Hoffa‐synovitis appear to be associated with the presence and worsening of some early OA features in those post‐ACLR, but not pain.
Effects of 445‐nm Laser on Vessels of Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane with Implications to Microlaryngeal Laser Surgery
Authors: Nguyen Duy Duong , Pang Jing‐Yin , Madill Catherine , Novakovic Daniel
Published: January 2021

Objective

Previous research has shown that effective application of angiolytic lasers in microlaryngeal surgery is determined by wavelength, pulse width (PW), and fluence. Recently, a 445‐nm (blue) laser (BL) has been developed with a potentially greater hemoglobin absorption than previous lasers. The chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) represents a suitable model for testing various settings to find out the most optimal settings of this laser. This study used the CAM model to examine whether successful photoangiolytic effects could be obtained using BL.

Methods

Seven hundred and ninety three third‐order vascular segments of viable CAM were irradiated using BL via 400‐μm diameter fiber, 1 pulse/second, with PW and power varied systematically at standardized fiber‐to‐vessel distances of 1 and 3 mm. Outcome measures including vessel ablation rate (AR), rupture rate (RR), and visible tissue effects were analyzed using Chi‐square test.

Results

Energy levels of 400, 540, and 600 mJ (per pulse) were most effective for vessel ablation. A working distance of 3 mm resulted in higher ablation and less vessel rupture compared with 1 mm at these optimal energy levels. At 3 mm, a longer PW resulted in higher AR. At 1 mm, AR increased with shorter PW and higher power. The 1‐mm working distance resulted in lower tissue effects than 3 mm.

Conclusion

Findings in this study showed that BL was effective in vessel ablation using relevant combination of working distance, PW, and energy levels. To obtain high AR, longer working distance plus longer PW was required and if working distance was reduced, shorter PW should be set.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 131:E1950–E1956, 2021
Structure and Function of the Vocal Cords after Airway Reconstruction on Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Elders Bernadette B. L. J. , Hakkesteegt Marieke M. , Ciet Pierluigi , Tiddens Harm A. W. M. , Wielopolski Piotr , Pullens Bas
Published: January 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

Dysphonia is a common problem at long‐term follow‐up after airway surgery for laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) with major impact on quality of life. Dysphonia after LTS can be caused by scar tissue from initial stenosis along with anatomical alterations after surgery. There is need for a modality to noninvasively image structure and function of the reconstructed upper airways including the vocal cords to assess voice outcome and possible treatment after LTS. Our objective was to correlate vocal cord structure and function of patients after airway reconstruction for LTS on static and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to voice outcome.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

Voice outcome was assessed by voice questionnaires ((pediatric) Voice Handicap Index (p)VHI)) and the Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI). Postsurgical anatomy, airway lumen, and vocal cord thickness and movement on multiplanar static high‐resolution MRI and dynamic acquisitions during phonation was correlated to voice outcome.

Results

Forty‐eight patients (age 14.4 (range 7.5–30.7) years) and 11 healthy volunteers (15.9 (8.2–28.8) years) were included. Static MRI demonstrated vocal cord thickening in 80.9% of patients, correlated to a decrease in DSI (expected odds 0.75 [C.I. 0.58–0.96] P = .02). Dynamic MRI showed impaired vocal cord adduction during phonation in 61.7% of patients, associated with a lower DSI score (0.65 [C.I. 0.48–0.88] P = .006).

Conclusions

In LTS patients, after airway reconstruction MRI can safely provide excellent structural and functional detail of the vocal cords correlating to DSI, with further usefulness expected from technical refinements. We therefore suggest MRI as a tool for extensive imaging during LTS follow‐up.

Level of evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 131:E2402–E2408, 2021
Opportunities for eTextbook innovations and partnerships: A case study of the Marriott Library at the University of Utah
Authors: Mower Allyson
Published: January 2021

Key points

Establishing business relationships with entities that can naturally and consistently refer others to your content, such as libraries and e‐book distributors, can further your reach and boost resiliency in times of crisis

Many Utah professors were not aware of library‐licensing options for e‐books, but adoption of eBooks because of impacts from the COVID‐19 pandemic is likely to continue in the future

Partnerships between academic librarians, campus bookstores, tutors, and even the Registrar are crucial to delivering agile responses to teaching needs

A worryingly low number of teaching resources are available in digital form – and these are likely to be side‐lined where digital access becomes a requirement

There are higher expectations around access and navigation of e‐books than printed versions, with frustration when they cannot be easily used

Students appreciate lower costs and ease of access but are neither aware nor concerned about the different licensing agreements underpinning their access to materials.
Why openness makes research infrastructure resilient
Authors: Cousijn Helena , Hendricks Ginny , Meadows Alice
Published: January 2021

Key points

Open research infrastructure provides the building blocks of scientific progress, which must be available to everyone, with no barriers to access.

Organizations enabling open research infrastructure must endorse these fundamental principles: equity, value, trust, interoperability, sustainability, and community governance.

Finding ways to invite co‐creation and community participation engenders a strong sense of ‘buy‐in’ and is therefore essential to developing successful research infrastructure.
The impact of COVID‐19 on the UK publishing industry: Findings and opportunity
Authors: Brinton Jeremy
Published: January 2021

Key points

Challenges of the current environment are balanced by opportunities – more digital delivery, more efficient systems, greater collaboration.

Consumption has not reduced, but delivery mechanisms need adaptation to ensure the right products in the right media are offered and delivered.

Changes to the cost base by redeploying staff and rethinking premises are underway and support improved resource allocation.

Leadership is required to accommodate adaptive and flexible remote working.

Ensuring access and implementing licences that permit non‐commercial use is both a moral and a practical response.
The resilience of scientific publication: From elite ancient academies to open access
Authors: Mallett Jonathan J.
Published: January 2021

Key points

Scientific publication has been a key part of the scientific method since the inception of Philosophical Transactions in 1665.

The scientific publications industry has grown exponentially along with science, incorporating technological innovations along the way, and adapting journal processes and practices to changing needs of science as it matured.

Of all the technological innovations over more than 300 years, the move to online journals may be the most significant, making open access to content practical for the first time.

The open‐access movement is disrupting the economics of journal publishing, which is hoped will make the industry more competitive: the ability of the publications industry to adapt to open access will be a measure of its resilience.

The demand for articles published in reputable journals continues to grow as readers trust the credibility of peer reviewed journal articles, and good authors value the prestige of publishing in the best journals.

It is difficult to predict what new functionalities may be included in articles of the future or what additional services publishers and editors will provide, but there is every reason to believe that scientific journal articles are here to stay.
Characteristics of scales and their impacts on under‐deposit corrosion in an oil production well
Authors: Yang Yan , Luo Xuan , Elsayed Yousr E. A. N. , Hong Chuanshi , Yadav Abhijeet , Rogowska Magdalena , Ambat Rajan
Published: January 2021

This study examined the composition and characteristics of scales formed at different depths in an oil production well, which had developed over years of well operation, workovers, and interventions, by the combined use of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The iron‐rich scales consist of several mineral phases, including a dominant portion of akagneite and hibbingite, some barite, silicon dioxide, copper sulfide, and small amounts of iron oxide and calcium carbonate. The scales typically have a layered structure consisting of five to six distinct layers, which impacts steel corrosion processes. The type of corrosion beneath the scale surface was found to be diversified. Pitting morphology corresponding to different stages in the development of scales was observed. The relation between pitting density and the extent of corrosion was analyzed. The effects of environmental factors, including calcium, chlorine, oxygen content, steel microstructure, and multiphase flow, on scale formation and corrosion mechanisms, were discussed. The results provide important insights into the formation of scales and the under‐deposit corrosion processes in the oil production tubes.
Existence of solution to singular Schrödinger systems involving the fractional p‐Laplacian with Trudinger–Moser nonlinearity in ℝN
Authors: Nguyen Thin Van
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we study the existence of weak solution for singular fractional Schrödinger system in
involving Trudinger–Moser nonlinearity as follows:

where N ≥ 1, 0 < s < 1, N = ps, γ ∈ [0, N), and H has exponential growth and does not satisfy the Ambrosetti–Rabinowitz condition. Note that our problem is the lack of compactness. First, we give a version of vanishing lemma due to Lions; using that result and a version of Mountain pass theorem without (PS) condition, we obtain the existence of nontrivial solution to the above system. When H satisfies the Ambrosetti–Rabinowitz condition, motivated by the work of Chen et al., we study the existence of nontrivial solution to singular Schrödinger system involving the fractional (p1, p)‐Laplace and Trudinger–Moser nonlinearity. In our best knowledge, this is the first time the above problems are studied.
Crystallization kinetics, aggregated structure and thermal stability of biodegradable poly(ethylene succinate) manipulated by a biocompatible layered metal phosphonate as an efficient nucleator
Authors: Jia Chunfeng , Zhou Shanshan , Xie Zhanghua , Wang Lukai , Yang Yubin , Sun Xiaoyu , Xie Yuhong , Yang Jinjun
Published: January 2021

A P‐ and Zn‐containing organic/inorganic hybrid layered metal phosphonate (PPZn) as a biocompatible nucleator was incorporated into biodegradable poly(ethylene succinate) (PES) polyester to investigate the effect of the PPZn on the crystallization behavior, crystal and aggregated structure, crystal morphology and thermal stability of the PES. Two traditional inorganic nucleators (Talc and BN) were utilized for comparison with the PPZn. The PPZn exhibited markedly higher nucleation effect than the Talc and BN. The PPZn significantly enhanced the Tc and crystallization rate, and shortened the crystallization time of the PES, as confirmed by the crystallization kinetics. Hydrogen bond interaction exists between the PPZn and PES C=O group and between the PPZn and PES amorphous C–O–C group, which facilitates the uniform dispersion of the PPZn in the PES matrix. The nucleation of the PES is mainly attributed to good crystal lattice matching between the PES and PPZn. The PPZn slightly increased the thermal degradation temperature of the PES below 380 °C. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
In‐depth proteome of perilymph in guinea pig model
Authors: Lee Jung Hun , Hwang Yu‐Jung , Li Hui , Kim Hyeyoon , Suh Myung‐Whan , Han Dohyun , Oh Seung‐Ha
Published: January 2021

The vast majority of sensorineural hearing loss is caused by impairment of the inner ear cells. Proteomic analysis of perilymph may therefore improve our understanding of inner ear diseases and hearing loss. However, the investigation of the human perilymph proteome was limited due to technical difficulties in perilymph sampling. The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) is frequently used as an experimental model in preclinical hearing research. In this study, we analyzed samples of perilymph collected from 12 guinea pigs to overcome limited experimental information regarding its proteome. We identified a total of 1413 proteins, establishing a greatly expanded proteome of the previously inferred guinea pig perilymph. This provides a comprehensive proteomic resource for the research community, which will facilitate future molecular‐phenotypic studies using the guinea pig as an experimental model of relevance to human inner ear biology.
An innovative standard for LC‐MS‐based HCP profiling and accurate quantity assessment: Application to batch consistency in viral vaccine samples
Authors: Trauchessec Mathieu , Hesse Anne Marie , Kraut Alexandra , Berard Yves , Herment Laura , Fortin Tanguy , Bruley Christophe , Ferro Myriam , Manin Catherine
Published: January 2021

Biotherapeutics, molecules produced from biological systems, require rigorous purification steps to remove impurities including host cell proteins (HCPs). Regulatory guidelines require manufacturers to monitor process‐related impurities along the purification workflow. Mass spectrometry (MS) has recently been considered as a complementary method to the well‐established ELISA for HCPs quantification, since it has the advantage of unambiguously identifying individual HCP. In this study, we developed an innovative standard dedicated to MS‐based HCP profiling analysis in order to monitor the consistency of viral vaccine intermediate purification samples. This standard, termed the HCP‐PROFILER standard, is composed of a water‐soluble bead (READYBEADS technology) which, after being added into the sample, releases unlabeled peptides in controlled amounts. The standard meets three desired criteria: (1) it is composed of multiple peptides, at different concentration levels, allowing construction of a calibration curve covering the dynamic range of HCPs present in the target sample, ensuring quantification accuracy; (2) it demonstrates high batch‐to‐batch reproducibility, ensuring quantification robustness and consistency over time; and (3) it is easy to use and avoids user‐induced analytical biases. In this study, we present the use of the HCP‐PROFILER standard for vaccine batches comparison and downstream process performance studies.
The number of satisfying assignments of random 2‐SAT formulas
Authors: Achlioptas Dimitris , Coja‐Oghlan Amin , Hahn‐Klimroth Max , Lee Joon , Müller Noëla , Penschuck Manuel , Zhou Guangyan
Published: January 2021

We show that throughout the satisfiable phase the normalized number of satisfying assignments of a random 2‐SAT formula converges in probability to an expression predicted by the cavity method from statistical physics. The proof is based on showing that the Belief Propagation algorithm renders the correct marginal probability that a variable is set to “true” under a uniformly random satisfying assignment.
Sustainable development scale of housing estates: An economic assessment using machine learning approach
Authors: Tang Bo‐sin , Ho Winky K.O. , Wong Siu Wai
Published: January 2021

Economic sustainability is often addressed from the perspective of economic growth and at the national level. In contrast, this research attempts to examine the question of economic sustainability of human settlement at a local project level. Urban planners need to strike a balance between dispersal and over‐concentration of population in cities. The existing theories suggest that either excessively low or extremely high levels of household concentration is undesirable to a neighborhood. In this study, an economic assessment using machine learning (ML) techniques is used to identify the threshold scale of a housing estate, which comprises many privately owned residential units (like condos) with shared amenities. Using two decades of property transaction data in Hong Kong as our evidence, this study has found that a tipping point exists in the development scale of these housing estates. Housing values initially rise with the number of residential units in a housing estate but gradually fall when it increases beyond a critical limit. This nonlinear economic relationship is attributed to the per household share of common facilities, which does not increase sufficiently to match with the growing population density of the housing estates. The policy implication is that, to optimize housing supply, urban planning should not just focus on increasing the development bulk of housing but should also pay attention to the possible bottlenecks in the provision of shared amenities in the neighborhood.
Model Complexity as Determining Factor for In Vitro Nanosafety Studies: Effects of Silver and Titanium Dioxide Nanomaterials in Intestinal Models
Authors: Kämpfer Angela A. M. , Busch Mathias , Büttner Veronika , Bredeck Gerrit , Stahlmecke Burkhard , Hellack Bryan , Masson Isabelle , Sofranko Adriana , Albrecht Catrin , Schins Roel P. F.
Published: January 2021

With the rising interest in the effects of orally ingested engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), much effort is undertaken to develop and advance intestinal in vitro models. The cytotoxic, proinflammatory, and DNA damaging properties of polyvinylpyrrolidone‐capped silver (Ag‐PVP) and titanium dioxide (TiO2, P25) ENM in four in vitro models of increasing complexity—from proliferating Caco‐2 and HT29‐MTX‐E12 monocultures to long‐term transwell triple cultures including THP‐1 macrophages to reproduce the human intestine in healthy versus inflamed‐like state—are studied. Results are compared against in vivo effects of the same ENM through intestinal tissue analysis from 28‐day oral exposure studies in mice. Adverse responses are only observed in monocultures and suggest toxic potential for both ENM, typically showing stronger effects for Ag‐PVP than for TiO2. By contrast, no adverse effects are observed in either the transwell cultures or the analyzed murine tissues. The data provide further support that monoculture models represent a cost and time efficient tool for early‐phase hazard assessment. However, the observed similarities in morphology and ENM effects in murine intestinal tissue and the in vitro triple culture model suggest that advanced multifacetted research questions concerning oral ENM exposure are more adequately addressed by the more complex and time intensive models.
Single Metal Atom Decorated Carbon Nitride for Efficient Photocatalysis: Synthesis, Structure, and Applications
Authors: Xiao Xudong , Zhang Liping , Meng Huiyuan , Jiang Baojiang , Fu Honggang
Published: January 2021

Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4), as a new type of visible‐light‐responsive photocatalyst, has a unique 2D building unit, excellent chemical stability, and a tunable electronic structure. At the same time, g‐C3N4 has a large number of periodically separated N atoms that can act as anchoring sites for various functional materials, particularly single metal atoms (SMAs). Recently, supported single atoms have attracted much attention in the field of photocatalysis. Also, it has been shown that g‐C3N4 is a wonderful material to support atomically dispersed SMA photocatalysts, such as Pd, Pt, Cu, Co, Ni, and Fe. Herein, the latest progress on g‐C3N4 synthesis strategies and the synergy between this material and SMA catalysts is summarized. The coordination environment and electronic structure of SMAs on g‐C3N4 are discussed, and the available characterization techniques for studying the physiochemical properties are summarized. Applications of g‐C3N4‐supported SMA catalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen production, CO2 reduction, organic synthesis, and nitrogen fixation are reviewed. This review is concluded with a discussion of the remaining challenges and future perspectives. It is hoped that by using SMAs anchored on g‐C3N4 as examples this review will help to elucidate the fundamentals and the great potential of SMA‐based catalysts, and promote their further development.
Impact of phosphate adsorption on the mobility of PANI‐supported nano zero‐valent iron
Authors: Lin Dantong , Bradford Scott , Hu Liming , M. C. Lo Irene
Published: January 2021

Nano zero‐valent iron (nZVI) has been used for in situ groundwater remediation due to its strong adsorption and reaction characteristics. However, oxyanion contaminants in groundwater can ready adsorbed onto the surface of nZVI. This can potentially alter the mobility of nZVI and create a secondary pollution source, but these issues have not yet been systematically investigated. In this study, polyaniline‐supported nZVI (PnZVI) and phosphate‐sorbed PnZVI (PS‐PnZVI) were synthesized in the laboratory. The sedimentation and transport behavior of these two nZVI particles were investigated, compared, and mathematically modeled to better understand the impact of phosphate adsorption on these processes. Results showed that phosphate adsorption can enhance the stability and mobility of PnZVI. Interaction energy calculations that considered van der Waals and magnetic attraction, electrostatic double layer and Born repulsion, and the influence of nanoscale roughness and binary charge heterogeneity were conducted to better infer mechanisms causing nZVI particle sedimentation and retention. Nanoscale roughness and binary charge heterogeneity were found to significantly decrease the energy barrier, but not to low enough levels to explain the observed behavior. The rapid settling of PnZVI was attributed to strong magnetic attraction between particles, which produced rapid aggregation and retention due to straining and/or hydrodynamic bridging. Phosphate adsorption enhanced the mobility of PS‐PnZVI in comparison with PnZVI due to a decrease in particle size and aggregation, and an increase in the energy barrier with the porous media. A potential risk of nZVI particles to facilitate oxyanion contaminant transport was demonstrated for phosphate.
Cellular reprogramming: Mathematics meets medicine
Authors: Dotson Gabrielle A. , Ryan Charles W. , Chen Can , Muir Lindsey , Rajapakse Indika
Published: January 2021

Generating needed cell types using cellular reprogramming is a promising strategy for restoring tissue function in injury or disease. A common method for reprogramming is addition of one or more transcription factors that confer a new function or identity. Advancements in transcription factor selection and delivery have culminated in successful grafting of autologous reprogrammed cells, an early demonstration of their clinical utility. Though cellular reprogramming has been successful in a number of settings, identification of appropriate transcription factors for a particular transformation has been challenging. Computational methods enable more sophisticated prediction of relevant transcription factors for reprogramming by leveraging gene expression data of initial and target cell types, and are built on mathematical frameworks ranging from information theory to control theory. This review highlights the utility and impact of these mathematical frameworks in the field of cellular reprogramming.

This article is categorized under:

Reproductive System Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics

Reproductive System Diseases > Stem Cells and Development

Reproductive System Diseases > Computational Models
Metathesis and Redetermination of the Crystal Structure of Cadmium Carbodiimide, CdNCN
Authors: Qiao Xianji , Mroz Damian , Corkett Alex J. , Bisswanger Timo , Dronskowski Richard
Published: January 2021

Cadmium carbodiimide, CdNCN, was synthesized by a solid‐state metathesis reaction between CdCl2 and Na2NCN in a 1 : 1 molar ratio at 500 °C, and its crystal structure was redetermined from Rietveld refinement of powder X‐ray data, aiming to clarify prior uncertainties as regards the carbodiimide vs. cyanamide shape. CdNCN adopts the centrosymmetric space group R
m and is isostructural with MgNCN, the lattice parameters being a=3.536 Å and c=14.518 Å, the C−N double bond arriving at 1.23 Å. Both IR and Raman spectroscopy as well as DFT phonon calculations were carried out, and they corroborate the crystallographic result.
Research on the Development Route of International Communication Accesses
Authors: Yang Tianpu , Gao Junshi , Chen Xiaoming , Guo Yanchun , Sun Shuo
Published: January 2021

With the implementation of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a new wave of globalization is taking shape, promoting the growth of international service requirements, which requires pre-deployment of international infrastructure. The construction of international communications infrastructure is an important guarantee for China’s major international activities, external communication activities, and the normal operation of global and regional economies. International Communication Accesses is an important part of international infrastructure. The development and construction of international accesses is not an intrinsic mode, which involves many factors. It needs long-term planning and local adaptation; it relies on both the policy environment and basic network resources; it should consider both return on investment and convenience services. This document puts forward the future construction route of international communication accesses based on the analysis of factors including macro policies, geographical environments, service requirements, circuit quality improvement, transmission resources, fund support, and security assurance.
A Secure Ranked Search Model Over Encrypted Data in Hybrid Cloud Computing
Authors: Zhang Jiuling , Shen Shijun , Huang Daochao
Published: January 2021

The security issue is becoming more and more prominent since user’s private information being outsourced to the somewhat untrustworthy cloud. Encrypting the information before uploading them to the cloud is one of ultimate solutions. Secure searchable encryption schemes and secure ranking schemes have been proposed to help retrieving the most relevant documents over the cloud. However the present methods are encumbered by the huge computing and communicating occupation of the cipher text. In this paper, a fully homomorphic encryption based secure ranked search model over the hybrid cloud is proposed. By introducing hybrid cloud, which typically composed by private cloud and public cloud, the high cost of computing and communicating of the cipher text is transferred to the trustworthy private cloud, in which the decrypting are performed. The client does not need to perform any heavy computations, thence making the secure ranking practical from the client’s point of view.
Research on Industrial Internet Security Emergency Management Framework Based on Blockchain: Take China as an Example
Authors: Huang Haibo , Gao Yuxi , Yan Min , Zhang Xiaofan
Published: January 2021

Building a national unified ISEMS (industrial internet security emergency management system) plays an important role in industrial cybersecurity defense. However, due to technical and management constraints, the current ISEMS has problems such as scattered security organizations, poor sharing channels, and fails to form an overall security guarantee capability for threat reporting, analyzing, warning, and disposing. The blockchain technology has the characters of decentralized trust construction, inter-organizational data sharing, data integrity assurance, data traceability, which just meets the requirements of the emergency management process. This paper analyzes the situation and challenges of ISEMS, describes the system architecture and organizational structure based on the blockchain, and describes the key implementation processes of blockchain-based ISEMS, including threat report, risk analysis, warning release and emergency response.
Hydrogen defects in feldspars: defect properties and implications for water solubility in feldspar
Authors: Behrens Harald
Published: January 2021

Hydrogen defects can strongly affect mechanical and chemical properties of feldspars. To get insight into the behavior of such defects, alkali feldspar and plagioclase of igneous origin were studied combining IR spectroscopy with heating experiments under well-controlled conditions. Near-infrared spectra show that OH groups are the predominant hydrous species in these feldspars but presence of minor amounts of molecular H2O cannot be excluded. Short-term annealing at 400–800 °C produces a small but significant irreversible change in the OH stretching vibration band which is attributed to relaxation of the feldspar structure. Polarized mid-infrared spectra of sanidine, adularia, and plagioclase recorded in situ at temperatures up to 600 °C show reversible shifts of maxima toward higher wavenumber and an overall decrease in integrated intensities. The pleochroic features of the OH vibration bands, i.e., the predominant orientation of OH dipoles along the crystallographic a axis in all feldspars and the additional band component perpendicular to the (010) plane in sanidine are still present in the high-temperature spectra. Different behavior during long-term annealing at high temperature was found for the alkali feldspars and the plagioclases. At 900–1000 °C, the Eifel sanidines rapidly lost about one quarter of the initial water content which is attributed to a weakly bound hydrogen species in the feldspar structure. The remaining hydrogen is very strongly bound and was still detectable in 0.7–0.9 mm thick sections after annealing for 108 days at 1000 °C in air dried by phosphorus pentoxide. In contrast, a 1-mm-thick section of plagioclase completely lost hydrogen during heating in air within 8 days at 1000 °C. After partial dehydration, the pleochroic behavior of the OH absorption bands of the feldspars was basically preserved except that the 3050 cm−1 band of the sanidine, oriented perpendicular to (010), becomes more pronounced than the 3400 cm−1 band, oriented parallel to the a direction. Annealing experiments at 1000 °C under controlled water pressures indicate equilibrium solubilities of several tens of ppm H2O in the plagioclases and more than 100 ppm H2O in the alkali feldspars already at 1 bar water pressure. The variation of the water content with H2O pressure and spectroscopic observations indicates that the water content in the feldspars is determined not only by the water pressure but also by already existing defects. Vacancies on alkali sites (VA1) may accommodate H2O molecules, possibly with subsequent hydrolysis of network bonds to minimize local stress. A likely explanation for the strongly bound hydrogen in the sanidine is a coupled substitution of H+  + Al3+ for Si4+ (AlOH defect) where the protons are located on interstitial sites. This incorporation model is supported by the complete recovery of the defects in H2O vapor after previous proton/alkali exchange in alkali chloride vapor at 1000 °C.
Diagnosis and treatment of cardiac amyloidosis: position statement of the German Cardiac Society (DGK)
Authors: Yilmaz A. , Bauersachs J. , Bengel F. , Büchel R. , Kindermann I. , Klingel K. , Knebel F. , Meder B. , Morbach C. , Nagel E. , Schulze-Bahr E. , aus dem Siepen F. , Frey N.
Published: January 2021

Systemic forms of amyloidosis affecting the heart are mostly light-chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidoses. The latter is caused by deposition of misfolded transthyretin, either in wild-type (ATTRwt) or mutant (ATTRv) conformation. For diagnostics, specific serum biomarkers and modern non-invasive imaging techniques, such as cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and scintigraphic methods, are available today. These imaging techniques do not only complement conventional echocardiography, but also allow for accurate assessment of the extent of cardiac involvement, in addition to diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis. Endomyocardial biopsy still plays a major role in the histopathological diagnosis and subtyping of cardiac amyloidosis. The main objective of the diagnostic algorithm outlined in this position statement is to detect cardiac amyloidosis as reliably and early as possible, to accurately determine its extent, and to reliably identify the underlying subtype of amyloidosis, thereby enabling subsequent targeted treatment.
Characterization of novel pollen-expressed transcripts reveals their potential roles in pollen heat stress response in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Rutley Nicholas , Poidevin Laetitia , Doniger Tirza , Tillett Richard L. , Rath Abhishek , Forment Javier , Luria Gilad , Schlauch Karen A. , Ferrando Alejandro , Harper Jeffery F. , Miller Gad
Published: January 2021

Key message

Arabidopsis pollen transcriptome analysis revealed new intergenic transcripts of unknown function, many of which are long non-coding RNAs, that may function in pollen-specific processes, including the heat stress response.

The male gametophyte is the most heat sensitive of all plant tissues. In recent years, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important components of cellular regulatory networks involved in most biological processes, including response to stress. While examining RNAseq datasets of developing and germinating Arabidopsis thaliana pollen exposed to heat stress (HS), we identified 66 novel and 246 recently annotated intergenic expressed loci (XLOCs) of unknown function, with the majority encoding lncRNAs. Comparison with HS in cauline leaves and other RNAseq experiments indicated that 74% of the 312 XLOCs are pollen-specific, and at least 42% are HS-responsive. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 96% of the genes evolved recently in Brassicaceae. We found that 50 genes are putative targets of microRNAs and that 30% of the XLOCs contain small open reading frames (ORFs) with homology to protein sequences. Finally, RNAseq of ribosome-protected RNA fragments together with predictions of periodic footprint of the ribosome P-sites indicated that 23 of these ORFs are likely to be translated. Our findings indicate that many of the 312 unknown genes might be functional and play a significant role in pollen biology, including the HS response.
Facing the digital divide into a dementia clinic during COVID-19 pandemic: caregiver age matters
Authors: Arighi Andrea , Fumagalli Giorgio Giulio , Carandini Tiziana , Pietroboni Anna Margherita , De Riz Milena Alessandra , Galimberti Daniela , Scarpini Elio
Published: January 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically stressed the health care system and has provoked changes in population use of digital technologies. Digital divide is any uneven distribution in Information and Communications Technologies between people.

Aims

The purpose of this work was to describe the digital divide of a population of patients with dementia contacted by telemedicine during Italian lockdown for COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

One hundred eight patients with cognitive impairment were contacted by video call to perform a telemedicine neurological evaluation. Information on patients and caregivers attending the televisit were recorded.

Results

Seventy-four patients connected with neurologist (successful televisit, 68.5%) and 34 patients were not able to perform televisit and were contacted by phone (failed televisit, 31.5%). No significant differences were observed among the two groups concerning age, gender, and education, but the prevalence of successful televisit was higher in the presence of younger caregivers: televisits performed in the presence of subjects of younger generation (sons and grandsons) had a successful rate higher (86% successful, 14% failed) than the group without younger generation caregiver (49% successful, 51% failed). This difference is mainly due to the ability of technological use among younger people.

Discussion

The most impacting factors on digital divide in our population are the social support networks and the experience with the technology: the presence of a digital native caregiver. The COVID-19 pandemic is unmasking an emerging form of technology-related social inequalities: political and community interventions are needed to support the most socially vulnerable population and prevent social health inequalities.
Healthcare resource utilization and associated cost of patients with bone metastases from solid tumors who are naïve to bone-targeting agents: a comparative analysis of patients with and without skeletal-related events
Authors: Hardtstock Fränce , Kocaata Zeki , Wilke Thomas , Dittmar Axel , Ghiani Marco , Belozeroff Vasily , Harrison David J. , Maywald Ulf , Tesch Hans
Published: January 2021

Background

This study analyzes the impact of skeletal-related events (SRE) on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs incurred by patients with bone metastases (BM) from solid tumors (ST), who are therapy-naïve to bone targeting agents (BTAs).

Methods

German claims data from 01/01/2010 to 30/06/2018 were used to conduct a retrospective comparative cohort analysis of BTA-naive patients with a BM diagnosis and preceding ST diagnosis. HCRU and treatment-related costs were compared in two matched cohorts of patients with and without a history of SREs, defined as pathological fracture, spinal cord compression, surgery to bone and radiation to bone. The first SRE was defined as the patient-individual index date. Conversely, for the non-SRE patients, index dates were assigned randomly.

Results

In total, 45.20% of 9,832 patients reported experiencing at least one SRE (n = 4444) while 54.80% experienced none (n = 5388); 2,434 pairs of SRE and non-SRE patients were finally matched (mean age: 70.87/71.07 years; females: 39.07%/38.58%). Between SRE and non-SRE cohorts, significant differences in the average number of hospitalization days per patient-year (35.80/30.80) and associated inpatient-care costs (14,199.27€/10,787.31€) were observed. The total cost ratio was 1.16 (p < 0.001) with an average cost breakdown of 23,689.54€ and 20,403.27€ per patient-year in SRE and non-SRE patients.

Conclusion

The underutilization of BTAs within a clinical setting poses an ongoing challenge in the real-world treatment of BM patients throughout Germany. Ultimately, the economic burden of treating SREs in patients with BM from ST was found to be considerable, resulting in higher direct healthcare costs and increased utilization of inpatient care facilities.
Geriatric syndromes and subsequent health-care utilization among older community dwellers in Stockholm
Authors: Möller Jette , Rausch Christian , Laflamme Lucie , Liang Yajun
Published: January 2021

Little is known about the long-term effect of geriatric syndromes on health-care utilization. This study aims to determine the association between geriatric syndromes and health-care utilization during a four-year period among older community dwellers. Based on the Stockholm Public Health Cohort study, a total number of 6700 community dwellers aged ≥65 years were included. From a baseline survey in 2006, geriatric syndromes were defined as having at least one of the following: insomnia, functional decline, urinary incontinence, depressive symptoms and vision impairment. Health-care utilization was identified by linkages at individual level with register data with a four-year follow-up. Cox regression was performed to estimate the associations. Compared to those without geriatric syndromes, participants with any geriatric syndromes had a higher prevalence of frequent hospitalizations, long hospital stays, frequent outpatient visits and polypharmacy in each of the follow-up years. After controlling for covariates, having any geriatric syndromes was associated with higher levels of utilization of inpatient and outpatient care as well as polypharmacy. The association was stable over time, and the fully adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) remained stable in frequent hospitalizations (from 1.89 [1.31, 2.73] in year 1 to 1.70 [1.23, 2.35] in year 4), long hospital stay (from 1.75 [1.41, 2.16] to 1.49 [1.24, 1.78]), frequent outpatient visits (from 1.40 [1.26, 1.54] to 1.33 [1.22, 1.46]) and polypharmacy (from 1.63 [1.46, 1.83] to 1.53 [1.37, 1.71]). Having any geriatric syndromes is associated with higher levels of health-care utilization among older community dwellers, and the impact of geriatric syndromes is stable over a four-year period.