bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced Nanocomposites for Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewater
Authors: Bhandari Hema , Garg Seema , Gaba Ritu
Published: June 2021

Water pollution is one of the major concerns around the world. Presence of inorganic pollutants such as heavy metals (i.e., Pb2+, Hg2+, Cd2+, As3+, As(V) ions, Cr(VI) ions, Co2+,Cu2+, Ag+, Ni2+, Zn2+, etc.) in water is a severe environmental and public health problem, since the accumulation of these non‐biodegradable heavy metals in human body cause severe diseases. This review systematically summarizes the application of advance nanocomposites based materials for removal of heavy metals from waste water. The review covers the following topics: role of inorganic nanomaterials, polymer based nanocomposites, chitosan based nanocomposites, carbon nanotubes/metal/metal oxide nanocomposites, nanocomposites based on inorganic fillers and graphene/graphene oxide, etc. The goal of this study is to provide the latest and advance analysis as well as references in the area of developing nanotechnology.
A Comparative Study of Fluid Flow in Hemodialyzer using Differential Transform Method
Authors: Singh Pradeep Kumar , Sharma Pankaj
Published: June 2021

In this paper, a series‐based method called differential transform method (DTM) is used (which is relatively simple and high accurate) for solving the differential equations in biofluid problems. Diffusion equation governed during laminar flow of blood in hemodialysis is solved under the view of this method. The problem formulation of the present paper is modeled under the situation where patients are suffering from renal diseases due to the blockage of semi‐permeable membrane in hemodialysis. The problem is modeled as a half channel model of a hemodialyzer (i.e., artificial kidney) and the wall of inner channel model is a semi‐permeable membrane in which impure blood of the body loses waste products. In other words, it is described by a diffusion equation along with boundary conditions and angular displacement. Eigenvalues is obtained after the simplification of diffusion equation with different Sharewood number, Peclet number, and angular displacement using DTM. A significant impact on the concentration of unwanted materials found in the blood is observed . The obtained results show that the angular displacement is an important parameter that may be treated as an indicator for the purity (in medical terms) of the blood. Moreover, such solutions are illustrated by tables and figures.
Miniaturization of CPW‐Fed Patch Antenna by Using Dielectric Materials for 2.4 GHz (WLAN/ISM) Applications
Authors: Singh Sandeep Kr. , Sharan Tripurari , Singh Arvind Kr.
Published: June 2021

This paper presents a miniaturized rectangular CPW‐fed microstrip antenna operating at a frequency of 2.4 GHz covering the bandwidth of 1.4  to 3.1 GHz, suitable for WLAN/ISM application. In this work, the effects of different geometrical shapes and substrate materials on the performances of the antenna have been investigated to select its structural size, shape, and substrate material to achieve their overall reduction in the size of the area, and the desired performance characteristics. The choice of suitable substrate materials and its growth position about ground terminals T1 and T2 affects the performance of the CPW antenna. Appropriate selection of dielectric substrate materials such as Flame‐Retardant Epoxy (FR4), Arlon (AR 600), Aluminum Nitride (AN), and Rogers (RO TMM 10i) for proposed Type‐I, Type‐II, and Type‐III antennas, respectively, are important parameters for designing and implementing a CPW patch antenna. This work investigates the change in antenna performance when the substrate dielectric materials are varied. The achieved miniaturization in terms of area percentage is as high as 55% of a proposed Type‐II (RO TMM 10i) antenna for wireless local area network (WLAN, 2.400–2.484) or industry science and medical (ISM, 2.400–2.480) band application. A detailed study for different dielectric substrate material of different geometrical shape and size has been performed and mentioned in this paper.
Assessment of Heavy Metal in Some Commonly Used Cosmetic Product and Associated Health Risk in Nigeria: Threat to Public Health
Authors: Usman Usman Lawal , Danhauwa Saratu A. , Sajad Samreen , Banerjee Sushmita
Published: June 2021

The desire for beautification is promoting the use of cosmetics by humans despite its potential danger due to the presence of heavy metal. The current study is carried out to examine the heavy metal content and associated health risk in fifty (n = 50) cosmetic products in Nigeria five (5) piece each of face powder, eyeliner, primer, Bio clear, Carl white, mascara, lip gloss, eye shadow, foundation, and lipstick are randomly sampled from various shops within Nigeria, and their level of toxic metals is assessed (lead, nickel, cobalt, copper, and chromium) using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. All the studied cosmetic samples contain a varying quantity of heavy metals of interest. The health risk assessment method established by the USEPA is adopted to evaluate the possible human health hazard of heavy metals in cosmetics. The overall mean concentration for Pb, Ni, Co, Cu, and Cr are 19.46 ± 0.32, 1.42 ± 0.05, 0.81 ± 0.09, 11.92 ± 0.86, and 5.98 ± 0.46 mg kg−1, respectively. The margin of safety (MoS) values obtained is greater than 100. Even though the concentration of the toxic metals in most of the cosmetic products is in trace amount but the gradual penetration of these metals into the human system may be injurious to the biological system if allowed to accumulate over time. Therefore, it is recommended that the level of toxic metals or the long term exposure to cosmetics should be reduced to minimize the health risk.
Ondine's Curse in Frontotemporal Dementia with Parkinsonism Linked to Chromosome 17 Caused by MAPT Variants
Authors: Williams Laura , Olszewska Diana A. , Fearon Conor , Magennis Brian , McCarthy Allan , Rowland Lewis P. , Mayeux Richard , Page Rory , Fahn Stanley , Beausang Alan , Lynch Tim
Published: June 2021

Background

“Ondine's curse” or central hypoventilation, induces an apparently spontaneous failure of automatic respiratory drive, henceforth necessitating a conscious effort to breathe and sleep induced hypoventilation. It is typically seen in congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, but may be acquired.

Objectives

To highlight Ondine's curse as part of frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP‐17) secondary to microtubule associated protein tau (MAPT) variants.

Methods

We describe the clinical and neuropathological findings in two patients with fatal Ondine's curse associated with FTDP‐17 and secondary to MAPT variants (FTDP‐17t). We discuss neuroanatomical correlates. We review two prior reports of central hypoventilation associated with MAPT variants suggesting that Ondine's curse occurs uncommonly in FTDP‐17t.

Results

Despite variants affecting different regions of MAPT and a degree of heterogeneity in pathological findings, the patients reviewed all experienced central hypoventilation during their disease course.

Conclusion

Tauopathy should be considered in patients with adult‐onset Ondine's curse.
Genetic evaluation of cardiomyopathies in Qatar identifies enrichment of pathogenic sarcomere gene variants and possible founder disease mutations in the Arabs
Authors: Al‐Shafai Kholoud N. , Al‐Hashemi Mohammed , Manickam Chidambaram , Musa Rania , Selvaraj Senthil , Syed Najeeb , Vempalli Fazulur , Ali Muneera , Yacoub Magdi , Estivill Xavier
Published: June 2021

Background

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are serious inherited heart diseases with various causative mutations identified. The full spectrum of causative mutations remains to be discovered, especially in understudied populations.

Methods

Here, we established the DOHA Registry and Biobank for cardiomyopathies in Qatar, followed by sequencing of 174 genes on 51 HCM and 53 DCM patients, and 31 relatives.

Results

In HCM, the analysis of 25 HCM‐associated genes showed that 20% of HCM cases had putative pathogenic variants for cardiomyopathy, mainly in sarcomere genes. Additional 49% of HCM cases had variants of uncertain significance, while 31% of HCM cases had likely benign variant(s) or had no variants identified within the analyzed HCM genes. In DCM, 56 putative DCM genes were analyzed. Eight percent of DCM cases had putative pathogenic variants for DCM, in the TTN gene while 70% of cases had variants of uncertain significance, in the analyzed DCM genes, that will need further pathogenicity assessment. Moreover, 22% of DCM cases remain unexplained, by having likely benign variant(s) or having no variants detected in any of the analyzed DCM genes.

Conclusion

We identified or replicated at least four recurrent variants among cardiomyopathy patients, which could be founder disease mutations in the Arabic population, including a frameshift variant (c.1371_1381dupTATCCAGTTAT) of unknown significance in the FKTN gene which seems to cause DCM in homozygosity, and HCM in heterozygosity. In vivo and/or in vitro functional validation need to be pursued in order to assess the pathogenicity of the identified variants.
Investigation of microcracking behaviors in brittle rock using polygonal grain‐based distinct method
Authors: Wang Zhao , Wang Tiehang , Wu Saisai , Hao Yanzhou
Published: June 2021

The failure process in brittle rocks is an important topic in rock mechanics, whose good understanding assists in predicting the strength and deformation characteristics of rocks. Because it is difficult to directly observe microcracks in laboratory tests, a numerical model is a useful tool for investigating microcracking behaviors. However, the mechanism of microcrack evolution is still unclear at the grain scale considering the microscopic heterogeneities. This paper proposes a polygonal universal distinct element code grain‐based model to solve this problem. Compared with other grain‐based models, this model is different in that mineral grains are subdivided into polygon blocks. The grain size, composition, and bond types of the contacts are incorporated, and both inter‐ and intra‐grain cracks are mimicked. Subsequently, micro‐parameters of the blocks and contacts are carefully calibrated according to the laboratory results. Following this, the calibrated model is employed to study the microcracking behaviors of granite in unconfined compression, confined compression, and Brazilian splitting tests. Both the cumulative numbers and locations of microcracks in different grains are recorded, and the types of macroscopic fractures are identified. The modeling results show that tensile cracks dominate the generated microcracks in the low confined compression tests, and the macroscopic fracture pattern is axial splitting. Shear cracks are dominant in the high confined compression tests, and the macroscopic failure pattern is X‐type shear failure. The simulated results are consistent with those observed in the laboratory tests, and thus, may assist in improving rock acoustic emission monitoring and understanding the damage process of rock.
Deuterium MRSI characterizations of glucose metabolism in orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse models
Authors: Markovic Stefan , Roussel Tangi , Agemy Lilach , Sasson Keren , Preise Dina , Scherz Avigdor , Frydman Lucio
Published: June 2021

Detecting and mapping metabolism in tissues represents a major step in detecting, characterizing, treating and understanding cancers. Recently introduced deuterium metabolic imaging techniques could offer a noninvasive route for the metabolic imaging of animals and humans, based on using 2H magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) to detect the uptake of deuterated glucose and the fate of its metabolic products. In this study, 2H6,6′‐glucose was administered to mice cohorts that had been orthotopically implanted with two different models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), involving PAN‐02 and KPC cell lines. As the tumors grew, 2H6,6′‐glucose was administered as bolii into the animals' tail veins, and 2H MRSI images were recorded at 15.2 T. 2D phase‐encoded chemical shift imaging experiments could detect a signal from this deuterated glucose immediately after the bolus injection for both the PDAC models, reaching a maximum in the animals' tumors ~ 20 min following administration, and nearly total decay after ~ 40 min. The main metabolic reporter of the cancers was the 2H3,3′‐lactate signal, which MRSI could detect and localize on the tumors when these were 5 mm or more in diameter. Lactate production time traces varied slightly with the animal and tumor model, but in general lactate peaked at times of 60 min or longer following injection, reaching concentrations that were ~ 10‐fold lower than those of the initial glucose injection. This 2H3,3′‐lactate signal was only visible inside the tumors. 2H‐water could also be detected as deuterated glucose's metabolic product, increasing throughout the entire time course of the experiment from its ≈10 mM natural abundance background. This water resonance could be imaged throughout the entire abdomen of the animals, including an enhanced presence in the tumor, but also in other organs like the kidney and bladder. These results suggest that deuterium MRSI may serve as a robust, minimally invasive tool for the monitoring of metabolic activity in pancreatic tumors, capable of undergoing clinical translation and supporting decisions concerning treatment strategies. Comparisons with in vivo metabolic MRI experiments that have been carried out in other animal models are presented and their differences/similarities are discussed.
Resilience personality profiles among Swedish long‐term unemployed
Authors: Granjard Alexandre , Garcia Danilo , Rosenberg Patricia , Jacobsson Christian , Cloninger Kevin M. , Cloninger Claude Robert
Published: June 2021

Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of resilience personality profiles in a sample of Swedish long‐term unemployed in relation to the general Swedish population. We found that only 1.50% (vs. 26% in the general population) in the long‐term unemployed sample had a resilient personality profile, that is, low in harm avoidance (e.g., relaxed and optimistic), high in persistence (e.g., hard‐working), and high in self‐directedness (i.e., goal‐oriented and resourceful).
Does positive workplace gossip help socialize newcomers? A dual‐pathway model based on network ties
Authors: Zong Boqiang , Zhang Lihua , Chu Xixi , Qu Jinzhao
Published: June 2021

Researchers have been interested in discussing negative workplace gossip and its consequences, but have paid little attention to positive workplace gossip and its positive aspects in the workplace. Based on the perspective of social network, this study explores the two‐path mediating mechanisms between positive workplace gossip and the socialization outcomes of newcomers. The data were collected in a multitime and multisource manner. The results show that information ties and friendship ties mediated the relationship between positive workplace gossip and the socialization outcomes of newcomers. Specifically, positive workplace gossip helped newcomers form instrumental and expressive social relationships (viz., informational ties and friendship ties), which in turn contributed to socialization outcomes (viz., role clarity and social integration). Theoretical and management implications are discussed as well.
Nickel‐catalyzed polymerization of a substituted sulfoxonium ylide
Authors: Lu Sherilyn J. , Kang Songsu , Cho Youngsang , Choi Minseok , Bielawski Christopher W.
Published: June 2021

The homopolymerization of (dimethylamino)phenylsulfoxonium ethylide, a substituted sulfoxonium ylide, is reported. Treatment of the monomer with a readily available Ni(II) catalyst afforded poly[(1‐butene)‐ran‐(2‐butene)‐ran‐(ethylene)] in good yield and high molecular weight. Varying the initial monomer‐to‐catalyst feed ratio enabled control over the molecular weights of the polymers produced. The polymerization mechanism appears to proceed in a chain growth fashion that entails the addition of ethylide units to growing polymer chains in conjunction with the expulsion of (dimethylamino)phenyl sulfoxide as a byproduct.
Plasma polymer for enhancing adhesion bonds of a metal/elastomer assembly
Authors: Ji Marisol , Benyahia Lazhar , Poncin‐Epaillard Fabienne
Published: June 2021

Four model plasma coatings obtained with selected parameters and precursors (acetylene, acrylic acid, and maleic anhydride) were developed for the preparation of adhesive joints of a metal/elastomer assembly. One of these layers, pulsed wave (PW), is thin and highly functionalized, while another continuous wave (CW) coated with the same thickness is less functionalized but crosslinked. The other two layers (CW × 2, CW + PW), twice as thick compared with PW and CW, show the same chemical criteria. The adhesion strength of prepared assemblies is increasing, but mostly depends on the precursor type. Moreover, such model layers allow to study the adhesion mechanism between the metal and the elastomer. The thermodynamic adhesion, that is, surface energy closer to the elastomer one, appears to prevail.
Utilization of Waste Lubricant Oil in Fuel Phase of ANFO Explosives: Its Field Applications and Environmental Impact
Authors: Ali Firoj , Roy Murari Prasad , Pingua Braj Mohan Pat , Mukherjee Rajatendu , Agarwal Lalit , Singh Pradeep Kumar
Published: June 2021

Disposal of used lubricant oil in an ecosystem is a serious environmental threat. In this context, recycling waste lubricant oil into a valuable product has an immense commercial and environmental significance and is a challenging area of research. In this article, we have demonstrated the use of waste lubricant oil as a partial replacement of diesel oil of ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) explosives. Moreover, the effect on detonation properties and rock fragmentation patterns by the use of lubricant oil based ANFO in blasting operation has also been studied. The field trial experiments were carried out with lubricant oil based ANFO explosive to demonstrate the real applicability of the prepared explosive composition at Nimbeti Limestone open‐pit mine of Shree Cement Limited, India. These explosive compositions revealed effective detonation performance. Importantly, air quality was analyzed during blasting operations to indicate that the emitted toxic fumes such as CO, NOx, and fine dust particles (PM2.5 & PM10) were found within the permissible limit at the mining area by the use of lubricant oil based explosives. Further, rock fragmentation analysis indicated that ANFO explosive compositions with 20 %, 30 %, and 40 % (w/w) lubricant oil in diesel oil revealed good rock fragmentation as compared with normal ANFO in the conducted experimental blast.
Host utilization by the pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii): suitability, preference and offspring performance
Authors: Fernández D Catalina , VanLaerhoven Sherah L , Labbé Roselyne
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Host plant selection is a key factor affecting the survival, population establishment, and spread of herbivorous insect pests. The pepper weevil is one of the most important pests of cultivated pepper in North America with a capacity to rapidly expand its geographic range, in part through its ability to switch between cultivated and wild Solanaceous host plants. Towards a better management of this pest, this study examined metrics of pepper weevil host use including oviposition preference, development time, and successful offspring emergence on wild Solanaceous species and cultivated pepper cultivars.

RESULTS

Pepper weevil successfully developed within fruit of several Solanaceous species including eastern black (Solanum ptycanthum) and climbing nightshade (S. dulcamara), in which development time was on average 4 days faster relative to Capsicum annuum cv. jalapeno peppers. Oviposition events occurred in all fruit types assessed and no strong host preference was detected among these. However, the number of emerged offspring was significantly lower than the number of oviposition events in C. chinense cv. habanero pepper fruit.

CONCLUSION

Although not all nightshade species are suitable hosts for pepper weevil development, those permissive to offspring production do allow for faster development than in C. annuum peppers. While host preference was not detected among fruit types tested, low offspring emergence from fruit with high capsaicin content suggests a reduced ability of pepper weevil to tolerate high concentrations of this metabolite. These findings help elucidate the factors influencing pepper weevil bionomics, and their implications on pepper weevil management are discussed. Published 2021. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Development and validation of a cognitive, affective and behaviour questionnaire on pet‐associated zoonotic diseases (CAB‐ZDQ)
Authors: Yong Teresa Sui Mien , Panting Albeny Joslyn , Juatan Nurashma , Perialathan Komathi , Ahmad Masitah , Ahmad Sanusi Nor Haryati , Hassan Latiffah , Jahis Rohani , Shamsudin Norita , Yap Siew Lee , Norshamsul Nur Izzati , Pisol Maryam , Johari Mohammad Zabri
Published: June 2021

Background

Zoonoses among household pets are recognized as disease and infections transmitted between animals and humans. World Health Organization‐estimated zoonotic diseases have contributed about one billion cases of illness and millions of mortalities every year. Despite the emerging and re‐emerging zoonotic disease, most pet owners are unaware of the risks posed by their pets. As there are a lack of studies assessing infections at home, this study aimed to develop and validate a cognitive, affective and behaviour questionnaire (CAB‐ZDQ) to assess household pets’ zoonotic diseases.

Methods

This paper covers detailed explanation on the various developmental and validation process stages of the CAB zoonotic disease questionnaire development. The development phase comprised thorough literature search, focus group discussion, expert panel assessment and review. The validation process included pre‐test and pilot testing, data analysis of results, analysis of internal consistency and the development of the final version of the questionnaire. Participants selected represented main ethnicities, gender, levels of education and population type (urban/rural) in the Klang Valley area.

Results

The items in the questionnaire has undergone various changes in structurally and linguistically. The final refined CAB questionnaire consists of 14 items cognitive (no items removed at pilot phase), nine items affective (one item removed at pilot phase) and five items behaviour (no items removed from pre‐test phase), respectively. Reliability analysis revealed Cronbach's alpha values were 0.700 (cognitive) and 0.606 (affective) which indicated good internal consistency after item reduction.

Conclusions

The developed questionnaire has proved its feasibility in assessing the Malaysian general population cognitive, affective and behavior regarding the household pets’ zoonotic diseases.
$$ T\overline{T} $$ deformations of non-relativistic models
Authors: Esper Chantelle , Frolov Sergey
Published: June 2021

Abstract

The light-cone gauge approach to $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

deformed models is used to derive the $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

deformed matrix nonlinear Schrödinger equation, the Landau-Lifshitz equation, and the Gardner equation. Properties of one-soliton solutions of the $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

deformed nonlinear Schrödinger and Korteweg-de Vries equations are discussed in detail. The NLS soliton exhibits the recently discussed phenomenon of widening/narrowing width of particles under the $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

deformation. However, whether the soliton’s size is increasing or decreasing depends not only on the sign of the deformation parameter but also on soliton and potential parameters. The $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

deformed KdV equation admits a one-parameter family of one-soliton solutions in addition to the usual velocity parameter. The extra parameter modifies the properties of the soliton, in particular, it appears in the dispersion relation.
On the interference of ggH and $$ \overline{\mathrm{c}}\mathrm{cH} $$ Higgs production mechanisms and the determination of charm Yukawa coupling at the LHC
Authors: Bizoń Wojciech , Melnikov Kirill , Quarroz Jérémie
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Higgs boson production in association with a charm-quark jet proceeds through two different mechanisms — one that involves the charm Yukawa coupling and the other that involves direct Higgs coupling to gluons. The interference of the two contributions requires a helicity flip and, therefore, cannot be computed with massless charm quarks. In this paper, we consider QCD corrections to the interference contribution starting from charm-gluon collisions with massive charm quarks and taking the massless limit, mc→ 0. The behavior of QCD cross sections in that limit differs from expectations based on the canonical QCD factorization. This implies that QCD corrections to the interference term necessarily involve logarithms of the ratio MH/mc whose resummation is currently unknown. Although the explicit next-to-leading order QCD computation does confirm the presence of up to two powers of ln(MH/mc) in the interference contribution, their overall impact on the magnitude of QCD corrections to the interference turns out to be moderate due to a cancellation between double and single logarithmic terms.
Quality of orthodontic care—A multicenter cohort study in Germany
Authors: Graf I. , Bock N. C. , Bartzela T. , Röper V. , Schumann U. , Reck K. , Christ H. , Höfer K. , Fritz U. , Wiechmann D. , Jost-Brinkmann P.-G. , Wolf M. , Ruf S. , Braumann B.
Published: June 2021

Aims

Orthodontic care and its effectiveness have increasingly become the focus of political and public attention in the recent past. Therefore, this multicenter cohort study aimed to report about the effectiveness of orthodontic treatments in Germany and to identify potential influencing factors.

Methods

A total of 586 patients from seven German study centers were screened for this cohort study, of which 361 patients were recruited at the end of their orthodontic treatment. Of these, 26 patients had missing study models and/or missing treatment information. Thus, 335 participants were included. The severity of malocclusion was rated using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) Index at baseline (T0) retrospectively and—prospectively—after the retention period (T1). Practitioner-, treatment- and patient-related information were analyzed in order to detect potential predictive factors for treatment effectiveness.

Results

Study participants (202 female and 133 male) were on average 14.8 (standard deviation [SD] ± 6.1) years old at start of active treatment. Average PAR score at T0 was 25.96 (SD ± 10.75) and mean posttreatment PAR score was 3.67 (SD ± 2.98) at T1. An average decrease of total PAR score by 22.30 points (SD ± 10.73) or 83.54% (SD ± 14.58; p < 0.001) was detected. Furthermore, 164 treatments (49.1%) were categorized as ‘greatly improved’ but only 3 treatments (0.9%) as ‘worse or no different’; 81.5% of all cases finished with a high-quality treatment outcome (≤5 PAR points at T1). Logistic regression analyses detected staff experience as a significant predictive factor for high-quality results (odds ratio 1.27, p = 0.001, 95% confidence interval 1.11–1.46).

Conclusion

The improvement rate among this selected German cohort indicated an overall very good standard of orthodontic treatment. Staff experience proved to be a predictive factor for high-quality results.
Head-to-head intra-individual comparison of biodistribution and tumor uptake of 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG PET/CT in cancer patients
Authors: Giesel Frederik L. , Kratochwil Clemens , Schlittenhardt Joel , Dendl Katharina , Eiber Matthias , Staudinger Fabian , Kessler Lukas , Fendler Wolfgang P. , Lindner Thomas , Koerber Stefan A. , Cardinale Jens , Sennung David , Roehrich Manuel , Debus Juergen , Sathekge Mike , Haberkorn Uwe , Calais Jeremie , Serfling Sebastian , Buck Andreas L.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

FAPI ligands (fibroblast activation protein inhibitor), a novel class of radiotracers for PET/CT imaging, demonstrated in previous studies rapid and high tumor uptake. The purpose of this study is the head-to-head intra-individual comparison of 68Ga-FAPI versus standard-of-care 18F-FDG in PET/CT in organ biodistribution and tumor uptake in patients with various cancers.

Material and Methods

This international retrospective multicenter analysis included PET/CT data from 71 patients from 6 centers who underwent both 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG PET/CT within a median time interval of 10 days (range 1–89 days). Volumes of interest (VOIs) were manually drawn in normal organs and tumor lesions to quantify tracer uptake by SUVmax and SUVmean. Furthermore, tumor-to-background ratios (TBR) were generated (SUVmax tumor/ SUVmax organ).

Results

A total of 71 patients were studied of, which 28 were female and 43 male (median age 60). In 41 of 71 patients, the primary tumor was present. Forty-three of 71 patients exhibited 162 metastatic lesions. 68Ga-FAPI uptake in primary tumors and metastases was comparable to 18F-FDG in most cases. The SUVmax was significantly lower for 68Ga-FAPI than 18F-FDG in background tissues such as the brain, oral mucosa, myocardium, blood pool, liver, pancreas, and colon. Thus, 68Ga-FAPI TBRs were significantly higher than 18F-FDG TBRs in some sites, including liver and bone metastases.

Conclusion

Quantitative tumor uptake is comparable between 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG, but lower background uptake in most normal organs results in equal or higher TBRs for 68Ga-FAPI. Thus, 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT may yield improved diagnostic information in various cancers and especially in tumor locations with high physiological 18F-FDG uptake.
Use of Microwave Radiances from Metop-C and Fengyun-3 C/D Satellites for a Northern European Limited-area Data Assimilation System
Authors: Lindskog Magnus , Dybbroe Adam , Randriamampianina Roger
Published: June 2021

MetCoOp is a Nordic collaboration on operational Numerical Weather Prediction based on a common limited-area km-scale ensemble system. The initial states are produced using a 3-dimensional variational data assimilation scheme utilizing a large amount of observations from conventional in-situ measurements, weather radars, global navigation satellite system, advanced scatterometer data and satellite radiances from various satellite platforms. A version of the forecasting system which is aimed for future operations has been prepared for an enhanced assimilation of microwave radiances. This enhanced data assimilation system will use radiances from the Microwave Humidity Sounder, the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A and the Micro-Wave Humidity Sounder-2 instruments on-board the Metop-C and Fengyun-3 C/D polar orbiting satellites. The implementation process includes channel selection, set-up of an adaptive bias correction procedure, and careful monitoring of data usage and quality control of observations. The benefit of the additional microwave observations in terms of data coverage and impact on analyses, as derived using the degree of freedom of signal approach, is demonstrated. A positive impact on forecast quality is shown, and the effect on the precipitation for a case study is examined. Finally, the role of enhanced data assimilation techniques and adaptions towards nowcasting are discussed.
The erythropoietin receptor expressed in skeletal muscle is essential for mitochondrial biogenesis and physiological exercise
Authors: Nijholt Kirsten T. , Meems Laura M. G. , Ruifrok Willem P. T. , Maass Alexander H. , Yurista Salva R. , Pavez-Giani Mario G. , Mahmoud Belend , Wolters Anouk H. G. , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , van Gilst Wiek H. , Silljé Herman H. W. , de Boer Rudolf A. , Westenbrink B. Daan
Published: June 2021

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a haematopoietic hormone that regulates erythropoiesis, but the EPO-receptor (EpoR) is also expressed in non-haematopoietic tissues. Stimulation of the EpoR in cardiac and skeletal muscle provides protection from various forms of pathological stress, but its relevance for normal muscle physiology remains unclear. We aimed to determine the contribution of the tissue-specific EpoR to exercise-induced remodelling of cardiac and skeletal muscle. Baseline phenotyping was performed on left ventricle and m. gastrocnemius of mice that only express the EpoR in haematopoietic tissues (EpoR-tKO). Subsequently, mice were caged in the presence or absence of a running wheel for 4 weeks and exercise performance, cardiac function and histological and molecular markers for physiological adaptation were assessed. While gross morphology of both muscles was normal in EpoR-tKO mice, mitochondrial content in skeletal muscle was decreased by 50%, associated with similar reductions in mitochondrial biogenesis, while mitophagy was unaltered. When subjected to exercise, EpoR-tKO mice ran slower and covered less distance than wild-type (WT) mice (5.5 ± 0.6 vs. 8.0 ± 0.4 km/day, p < 0.01). The impaired exercise performance was paralleled by reductions in myocyte growth and angiogenesis in both muscle types. Our findings indicate that the endogenous EPO-EpoR system controls mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle. The reductions in mitochondrial content were associated with reduced exercise capacity in response to voluntary exercise, supporting a critical role for the extra-haematopoietic EpoR in exercise performance.
Das Tübinger Modell der „Ethikbeauftragten der Station“: Ein Pilotprojekt zum Aufbau dezentraler Strukturen der Ethikberatung an einem Universitätsklinikum
Authors: Ranisch Robert , Riedel Annette , Bresch Friedemann , Mayer Hiltrud , Pape Klaus-Dieter , Weise Gerda , Renz Petra
Published: June 2021

Ethik-Komitees gehören zum festen Bestandteil des Ethikmanagements und der Organisationsethik in klinischen Einrichtungen des Gesundheitswesens. Entsprechende Ethikstrukturen und die damit verbundenen Angebote stoßen hinsichtlich ihrer Wirksamkeit allerdings an ihre Grenzen. Ihre Arbeitsweisen sind häufig reaktiv und eine Verankerung in den entsprechenden Organisationsebenen fehlt. Ausgehend von diesen Limitationen der klinischen Ethikberatung hat sich die multiprofessionelle „Arbeitsgruppe Ethik“ am Universitätsklinikum Tübingen (UKT) um die Konzeption und Implementierung eines neuen Ansatzes zur nachhaltigen Integration von ethischen Reflexions- und Entscheidungsprozessen auf den Stationen des UKT bemüht. Mit dem Tübinger Modell der Ethikbeauftragten der Station verfolgt sie ein Pilotprojekt, das speziell geschulte Pflegekräfte aus allen Stationen des UKT als AnsprechpartnerInnen für ethische Fragen einsetzt. Damit stellen die Ethikbeauftragten eine Erweiterung zu etablierten Strukturen der Ethikberatung dar und ergänzen vorhandene Top-Down-Strategien. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt die Zielsetzungen des Tübinger Modells dar und schildert erste Erfahrungen in der Umsetzung. Neben der Einbettung in organisationale Strukturen der Ethikberatung werden die stationsinternen und stationsübergreifenden Aufgaben der Ethikbeauftragten dargestellt. Zudem wird das Qualifikationsprogramm für Ethikbeauftragte (Basis- und Aufbauschulung) sowie ein Train-the-Trainer-Konzept vorgestellt, welche eine vertiefende Entwicklung von pflege- und medizinethischer Kompetenzen unterstützen und Sicherheit in den stationsbezogenen Reflexions- und Entscheidungsprozessen vermitteln.
Hi-PoAD technique for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis in Adult: Personal case series
Authors: Faldini Cesare , Barile Francesca , Perna Fabrizio , Pasini Stefano , Fiore Michele , Viroli Giovanni , Di Martino Alberto , Ruffilli Alberto
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The aim of this article is to present an original surgical technique for the treatment of rigid Adult Idiopathic Scoliosis (AdIS) and the results at minimum 2 years follow-up in a cohort of 40 patients.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 40 patients affected by rigid AdIS, older than 40 years and operated with a posterior one stage surgical technique summarized with the acronym Hi-PoAD, (high-density pedicle screws, Ponte osteotomies, asymmetric rods contouring, direct vertebral rotation). The demographic and surgical data were collected, and the improvement of clinical scores and radiologic parameters was obtained after surgery, at 1 and 2 years and at final follow-up, to assess deformity correction, coronal and sagittal balance and clinical outcome.

Results

The average follow-up was 2.9 years (range 2–3.5). Average coronal Cobb angle decreased from 65.0° ± 8.4 to 18.9° ± 3.9 (p < 0.01). Rotation sagittal angle decreased from 26.2° ± 4.4° to 12.4° ± 2.8° (p < 0.01). Mean thoracic kyphosis improved from 23.1° ± 3.6° to 36.0° ± 3.9°. SRS-22 improved form 2.9 ± 0.4 to 3.7 ± 0.6 (p < 0.01). Four early post-operative deep wound infections were observed, all healed after debridement and implant retention. No mechanical complication, junctional kyphosis, deformity progression or non-union were recorded at the last follow-up.

Conclusions

Hi-PoAD technique proved to be safe and effective in the treatment of rigid Adult Idiopathic Scoliosis. The reason for the success is related to the combined strategies adopted, that dissipates corrective forces over several levels, reducing mechanical stress at the screw–bone interface and optimizing corrective potential.
Correction to: Hyperglycemia at admission, comorbidities, and in-hospital mortality in elderly patients hospitalized in internal medicine wards: data from the RePoSI Registry
Authors: Corrao Salvatore , Nobili Alessandro , Natoli Giuseppe , Mannucci Pier Mannuccio , Perticone Francesco , Pietrangelo Antonello , Argano Christiano ,   the REPOSI Investigators
Published: June 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00592-021-01749-z
Vorkommen künstlicher Süßstoffe in deutschen Grundwässern
Authors: Schödl Isabel , Hilliges Falk
Published: June 2021

Künstliche Süßstoffe werden als Zuckeraustauschstoffe in der Lebensmittelindustrie und Landwirtschaft verwendet. Es gibt keine abschließende Bewertung über das Vorkommen in und die Auswirkungen auf Gewässer. Für künstliche Süßstoffe liegen bisher keine Grenzwerte für aquatische Umweltmedien vor. Um das Vorkommen im Grundwasser in Deutschland zu analysieren, konnten im Rahmen dieser Studie Monitoringdaten aus sieben Bundesländern und insgesamt 3311 Messstellen ausgewertet werden. Am häufigsten wurde Acesulfam, gefolgt von Cyclamat, Sucralose und Saccharin bestimmt. Acesulfam wurde mit den höchsten Konzentrationen gemessen. Für die anderen drei Süßstoffe lagen die Maximalwerte deutlich unter den Werten für Acesulfam. Für Acesulfam konnte in den letzten Jahren ein Rückgang der Konzentrationen festgestellt werden. Dies lässt sich durch den vermehrten Abbau von Acesulfam in Kläranlagen erklären. Eine Zunahme an Messwerten über der Bestimmungsgrenze, und somit ein gegenteiliger Trend, zeigte sich für Sucralose. Insgesamt ist für Deutschland die Datenlage für eine flächendeckende Zustandsbeschreibung der Belastungssituation mit Süßstoffen noch nicht ausreichend.
Prognose des Schadstoffaustrags aus mehrphasigen DNAPL-Pools mittels semi-analytischem Berechnungsmodell
Authors: Steding Svenja , Schneider Wilfried
Published: June 2021

Mehrphasige DNAPL-Pools zählen zu den häufigsten Ursachen für Grundwasserkontaminationen und sind bekannt für ihre Langlebigkeit. Obwohl Untersuchungen bereits gezeigt haben, dass die Phasen sich in ihrer Wasserlöslichkeit gegenseitig beeinflussen, werden diese Interaktionen von bisherigen Modellen vernachlässigt. Aus diesem Grund wurde ein semi-analytisches Berechnungsmodell entwickelt, welches die Poolzusammensetzung als zeitlich variabel behandelt. Basierend auf dem Raoult’schen Gesetz werden für jede Komponente Molanteil, effektive Wasserlöslichkeit und schließlich der Schadstoffaustrag infolge Advektion, Dispersion und Diffusion bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse unterscheiden sich deutlich von Studien an einphasigen Pools. So wird gezeigt, dass Schadstofffrachten über die Zeit sowohl zu- als auch abnehmen können und dass ohne Berücksichtigung des Raoult’schen Gesetzes sowohl die Langlebigkeit von DNAPL-Pools als auch die Dauer bis zur Unterschreitung von Grenzwerten teils deutlich unterschätzt wird. Eine Sensitivitätsanalyse zeigt zudem, dass schwer lösliche Nebenbestandteile nicht vernachlässigt werden dürfen, leicht lösliche hingegen schon.
Creative leaps in theory: the might of abduction
Authors: Veen Mario
Published: June 2021

This paper argues that abductive reasoning has a central place in theorizing Health Professions Education. At the root of abduction lies a fundamental debate: How do we connect practice, which is always singular and unique, with theory, which describes the world in terms of rules, generalizations, and universals? While abduction was initially seen as the ‘poor cousin’ of deduction and induction, ultimately it has something important to tell us about the role of imagination and humility in theorizing Health Professions Education. It is that which makes theory possible, because it allows us to ask whatmightbe the case and calls attention to the role of creative leaps in theory. Becoming aware of the abductive reasoning we already perform in our research allows us to take the role of imagination—something rarely associated with theory—seriously.
Simplification of gel point characterization of cellulose nano and microfiber suspensions
Authors: Sanchez-Salvador Jose Luis , Monte M. Concepcion , Negro Carlos , Batchelor Warren , Garnier Gil , Blanco Angeles
Published: June 2021

Nanocellulose is an emerging material that needs to be well characterized to control its performance during industrial applications. Gel point (Øg) is a convenient parameter commonly used to estimate the aspect ratio (AR) of cellulose nano/microfibers (CNFs/CMFs), providing critical information on the nanofiber network. However, its estimation requires many sedimentation experiments, tedious and time consuming. In this study, a simpler and faster technique is presented to estimate Øg, based on one or two sedimentation experiments, reducing the experiments by a factor of at least 2.5. Here, this new methodology is successfully validated by using the Øgof different CNF/CMF hydrogels calculated with the traditional methodology, showing an error lower than 7%. The error in the estimation of the AR is lower than 3% in all cases. Furthermore, the two mathematical models currently used to estimate Øg, the smoothing spline and the quadratic fit, are compared and the mathematical assumptions improved.

Graphical abstract
Man is a “Rope” Stretched Between Virosphere and Humanoid Robots: On the Urgent Need of an Ethical Code for Ecosystem Survival
Authors: Agnati Luigi F. , Anderlini Deanna , Guidolin Diego , Marcoli Manuela , Maura Guido
Published: June 2021

In this paper we compare the strategies applied by two successful biological components of the ecosystem, the viruses and the human beings, to interact with the environment. Viruses have had and still exert deep and vast actions on the ecosystem especially at the genome level of most of its biotic components. We discuss on the importance of the human being as contraptions maker in particular of robots, hence of machines capable of automatically carrying out complex series of actions. Beside the relevance of designing and assembling these contraptions, it is of basic importance the goal for which they are assembled and future scenarios of their possible impact on the ecosystem. We can’t procrastinate the development and implementation of a highly inspired and stringent “ethical code” for human beings and humanoid robots because it will be a crucial aspect for the wellbeing of the mankind and of the entire ecosystem.
Values and Beliefs That Shape Cattle Breeding in Southwestern Burkina Faso
Authors: Zoma-Traoré Bienvenue , Ouédraogo-Koné Salifou , Soudré Albert , Ouédraogo Dominique , Yougbaré Bernadette , Traoré Amadou , Khayatzadeh Negar , Mészáros Gábor , Burger Pamela Anna , Mwai Okeyo Ally , Sölkner Johann , Wurzinger Maria , Probst Lorenz
Published: June 2021

Cattle production in southwestern Burkina Faso is under pressure because of resource scarcity, changing climate, and cattle diseases. Well-adapted local breeds, such as Lobi taurine cattle, are increasingly replaced by more productive exotic breeds. Community-based breeding programs (CBBPs) could be a viable option for preserving the breed and improving its productivity. Presuming that CBBPs would succeed only if they align with producers’ beliefs and values, we relied on a combination of conceptual frameworks (theory of basic values, rural livelihood transitions) to explore the values and beliefs of cattle producers. Security was the respondents’ dominant value in their aim to mitigate threats to livelihood, and it was closely linked to achievement in terms of harvest and animal quantity. Livestock-oriented respondents particularly valued conformity with accepted social roles, while achievement and power were more pronounced among crop-oriented respondents. We conclude that CBBPs, to be successful, will need to reduce threats to participants’ livelihood and make benefits of participation immediately visible. We consider the emergence of trusted leadership from the community to be pivotal for creating momentum for novel arrangements in cattle keeping and feeding.
2-D08 treatment regulates C2C12 myoblast proliferation and differentiation via the Erk1/2 and proteasome signaling pathways
Authors: Liu Hyunju , Lee Su-Mi , Joung Hosouk
Published: June 2021

SUMOylation is one of the post-translational modifications that involves the covalent attachment of the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) to the substrate. SUMOylation regulates multiple biological processes, including myoblast proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. 2-D08 is a synthetically available flavone, which acts as a potent cell-permeable SUMOylation inhibitor. Its mechanism of action involves preventing the transfer of SUMO from the E2 thioester to the substrate without influencing SUMO-activating enzyme E1 (SAE-1/2) or E2 Ubc9-SUMO thioester formation. However, both the effects and mechanisms of 2-D08 on C2C12 myoblast cells remain unclear. In the present study, we found that treatment with 2-D08 inhibits C2C12 cell proliferation and differentiation. We confirmed that 2-D08 significantly hampers the viability of C2C12 cells. Additionally, it inhibited myogenic differentiation, decreasing myosin heavy chain (MHC), MyoD, and myogenin expression. Furthermore, we confirmed that 2-D08-mediated anti-myogenic effects impair myoblast differentiation and myotube formation, reducing the number of MHC-positive C2C12 cells. In addition, we found that 2-D08 induces the activation of ErK1/2 and the degradation of MyoD and myogenin in C2C12 cells. Taken together, these results indicated that 2-D08 treatment results in the deregulated proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts. However, further research is needed to investigate the long-term effects of 2-D08 on skeletal muscles.
Believing on eggshells: epistemic injustice through pragmatic encroachment
Authors: Schönherr Julius , Perez Gomez Javiera
Published: June 2021

This paper defends the claim that pragmatic encroachment—the idea that knowledge is sensitive to the practical stakes of believing—can explain a distinctive kind of epistemic injustice: the injustice that occurs when prejudice causes someone to know less than they otherwise would. Thisencroachment injustice, as we call it, occurs when the threat of being met with prejudice raises the stakes for someone to rely on her belief when acting, by raising the level of evidential support required for knowledge. We explain this notion of encroachment injustice, connect it to the empirical literature on implicit bias, and defend it against important objections.