bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circulating cell‐free messenger RNA enables non‐invasive pan‐tumour monitoring of melanoma therapy independent of the mutational genotype
Authors: Albrecht Lea Jessica , Höwner Anna , Griewank Klaus , Lueong Smiths S. , von Neuhoff Nils , Horn Peter A. , Sucker Antje , Paschen Annette , Livingstone Elisabeth , Ugurel Selma , Zimmer Lisa , Horn Susanne , Siveke Jens T. , Schadendorf Dirk , Váraljai Renáta , Roesch Alexander
Published: November 2022

Background

Plasma‐derived tumour‐specific cell‐free nucleic acids are increasingly utilized as a minimally invasive, real‐time biomarker approach in many solid tumours. Circulating tumour DNA of melanoma‐specific mutations is currently the best studied liquid biopsy biomarker for melanoma. However, the combination of hotspot genetic alterations covers only around 80% of all melanoma patients. Therefore, alternative approaches are needed to enable the follow‐up of all genotypes, including wild‐type.

Methods

We identifiedKPNA2,DTL,BACE2andDTYMKmessenger RNA (mRNA) upregulated in melanoma versus nevi tissues by unsupervised data mining (N = 175 melanoma,N = 20 normal skin,N = 6 benign nevi) and experimentally confirmed differential mRNA expression in vitro (N = 18 melanoma,N = 8 benign nevi). Circulating cell‐free RNA (cfRNA) was analysed in 361 plasma samples (collected before and during therapy) from 100 melanoma patients and 18 healthy donors. Absolute cfRNA copies were quantified on droplet digital PCR.

Results

KPNA2,DTL,BACE2andDTYMKcfRNA demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy between melanoma patients’ and healthy donors’ plasma (AUC > 86%,p < .0001). cfRNA copies increased proportionally with increasing tumour burden independently of demographic variables and even remained elevated in individuals with radiological absence of disease. Re‐analysis of single‐cell transcriptomes revealed a pan‐tumour origin of cfRNA, including endothelial, cancer‐associated fibroblasts, macrophages and B cells beyond melanoma cells as cellular sources. Low baseline cfRNA levels were associated with significantly longer progression‐free survival (PFS) (KPNA2HR = .54,p = .0362;DTLHR = .60,p = .0349) and overall survival (KPNA2HR = .52,p = .0237;BACE2HR = .55,p = .0419;DTYMKHR = .43,p = .0393). Lastly, we found that cfRNA copies significantly increased during therapy in non‐responders compared to responders regardless of therapy and mutational subtypes and that the increase ofKPNA2(HR = 1.73,p = .0441) andDTYMK(HR = 1.82,p = .018) cfRNA during therapy was predictive of shorter PFS.

Conclusions

In sum, we identified a new panel of cfRNAs for a pan‐tumour liquid biopsy approach and demonstrated its utility as a prognostic, therapy‐monitoring tool independent of the melanoma mutational genotype.
Valuation and effective management of the Dal Lake's diverse ecosystem using choice experiment method
Authors: Bhat Mohammad Younus , Ahmad Laraib , Sofi Arfat Ahmad , Kumar Rupesh
Published: November 2022

This study estimates economic values of changes in variegated ecological, social and economic attributes of dominant environmental resource (viz., Dal Lake), proffers to its key stakeholders through choice experiment design selecting relevant attributes for better management. In addition to the conditional logit model, the random logit model and the random logit model with interactions are calculated to account for the heterogeneity of the public prospects for the different purposes of the wetland. Willingness to pay for the selected attributes like preservation of wetland biodiversity turned out to be ₹18.47 ($0.26), improvement in wetland area ₹13.62 ($0.19) and enhancement of research and development estimated to be ₹15.87 ($0.23) per month in the form of increased monthly water rates. Aggregate willingness to pay for the improvement in all the selected attributes turned out to be ₹104,957,309 ($1,490,870). The findings of this study will guide the environmentalists and policymakers to formulate economically optimal strategies for the sustainable maintenance of Dal Lake, with future consequences for other related wetlands in India and the rest of South Asia.
Digital twins for the underwater shake table array facility
Authors: Li Ning , Li Zhong‐Xian
Published: November 2022

In this study, the three‐dimensional six‐degree‐of‐freedom underwater shaking table array facility for seismic simulation, which is built in Tianjin University, China, is taken as the research object. A digital twin of the shaking table is constructed. First, the components of the underwater shaking table array are introduced. And the simplified mechanical property of different components is illustrated. By using the system identification algorithm based on the measured dynamic responses, the basic model parameters, including the dynamics of the servo‐valve, the horizontal and vertical effective mass, the effective stiffness and damping coefficient of the actuators, the accumulators, and the friction of each actuator in the system are identified. The suitability of various experimental data sets used to identify the digital twin's model parameters is described. The prediction of various shaking table testing instances, as well as the comparison of digital twin and real system performance, are then presented. The digital twins shaking table system's performance and accuracy are examined. The shaking table's performance for various reproduction signals is compared to the digital twins model, which validates the suggested model's feasibility. Finally, the digital twins model is adopted and tried to tune the facility offline meanwhile the shaking table facility is configured iteratively. These findings highlight the applicability of the digital twins technique, which is the next research direction.
Mapping rill soil erosion in agricultural fields with UAV‐borne remote sensing data
Authors: Malinowski Radek , Heckrath Goswin , Rybicki Marcin , Eltner Anette
Published: November 2022

Soil erosion by water is a main form of land degradation worldwide. The problem has been addressed, among others, in the United Nations Sustainability Goals. However, for mitigation of erosion consequences and adequate management of affected areas, reliable information on the magnitude and spatial patterns of erosion is needed. Although such need is often addressed by erosion modelling, precise erosion monitoring is necessary for the calibration and validation of erosion models and to study erosion patterns in landscapes. Conventional methods for quantification of rill erosion are based on labour‐intensive field measurements. In contrast, remote sensing techniques promise fast, non‐invasive, systematic and larger‐scale surveying. Thus, the main objective of this study was to develop and evaluate automated and transferable methodologies for mapping the spatial extent of erosion rills from a single acquisition of remote sensing data. Data collected by an uncrewed aerial vehicle was used to deliver a highly detailed digital elevation model (DEM) of the analysed area. Rills were classified by two methods with different settings. One approach was based on a series of decision rules applied on DEM‐derived geomorphological terrain attributes. The second approach utilized the random forest machine learning algorithm. The methods were tested on three agricultural fields representing different erosion patterns and vegetation covers. Our study showed that the proposed methods can ensure recognition of rills with accuracies between 80 and 90% depending on rill characteristics. In some cases, however, the methods were sensitive to very small rill incisions and to similar geometry of rills to other features. Additionally, their performance was influenced by the vegetation structure and cover. Besides these challenges, the introduced approach was capable of mapping rills fully automatically at the field scale and can, therefore, support a fast and flexible assessment of erosion magnitudes.
Study of combined effect of natural convection and radiation heat transfer from annular finned vertical cylinder
Authors: Pradhan Satish Ranjan , Behera Vishwa Mohan , Rathore Sushil Kumar , Senapati Jnana Ranjan
Published: November 2022

The present numerical study reports the combined effect of natural convection and radiation heat from a vertical cylinder with annular fins. The study involves simulation for laminar as well as turbulent regimes. For the present study, Rayleigh's number is varied in the range , emissivity in the range , and the fin spacing ratio (s/d) in the range . The radiation heat transfer has been found to share a considerable amount in the total heat transfer of the system for the laminar regime, but in the turbulent regime, its effect is minimal and can be neglected. When the fin spacing ratio is reduced, the total heat transfer increases for both the turbulent and laminar flow conditions. But the radiation heat increases with a reduction in fin spacing ratio for laminar and in case of turbulent flow radiation heat rate reduces with a reduction in s/d ratio. For the range of Rayleigh numbers considered in the present study, the Nusselt number increases with the increment of the fin spacing ratio. Thus, it can be concluded that there is a remarkable enhancement in the heat transfer rate in laminar cases with the fins. For turbulent cases, the fin efficiency lies between 40% and 50%.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for the BRI success
Authors: Chen Yongjun , Guo Chenglong
Published: November 2022

This paper presents a general theoretical framework for understanding the Belt‐and‐Road Initiative (BRI). We begin with an introduction to the connotations of the BRI and a review of the initiative's main achievements since its inception. From these achievements, we identify the existence of a potential match between supply and demand in jointly building the BRI to be the foremost necessary condition for win–win cooperation for participating countries. Several features of China's contemporary economic structure are shown to provide the huge potential of supply that matches the massive demand of many Belt‐and‐Road countries for infrastructure development. To unleash the full potential of the BRI, a series of sufficient conditions must be met so that supply and demand interact in a virtuous manner. In the first stage of jointly building the BRI, the key to turn the initiative's potential into reality is to develop the “Five Links” of policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, and people‐to‐people bond. Now that the BRI has entered the high‐quality development stage, we demonstrate that China has taken or needs to work on policy measures in 10 areas to ensure the continuing and sustainable success of the BRI construction.
Clinicopathological characteristics of advanced gastric cancer after Helicobacter pylori eradication
Authors: Tokura Junki , Namikawa Ken , Nakano Kaoru , Tokai Yoshitaka , Yoshimizu Shoichi , Horiuchi Yusuke , Ishiyama Akiyoshi , Yoshio Toshiyuki , Hirasawa Toshiaki , Nunobe Souya , Yamaguchi Kensei , Kawachi Hiroshi , Fujisaki Junko
Published: November 2022

Background and Aim

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication has become popular as it prevents the development of gastric cancer. There have been no comprehensive studies on advanced gastric cancer (AGC) after eradication; thus, the clinical characteristics remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the characteristics of AGC after eradication and with current H. pylori infection and evaluate the esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) follow‐up after eradication.

Methods

This single‐center, retrospective study included 261 consecutive patients diagnosed with AGC through EGD. The patients were grouped based on their H. pylori status: eradication (n = 48) and infection (n = 213) groups. Univariate analysis was conducted to compare clinicopathological characteristics between groups. The clinical course of the eradication group was analyzed by dividing the patients into three groups according to the interval from the last EGD until AGC detection: short‐interval (<1 year), intermediate‐interval (2–3 years), and long‐interval (4–5 years) groups.

Results

The radical resection (R0) rate was higher in the eradication group. In surgical cases, the median tumor diameter was shorter in the eradication group. Analysis of EGD surveillance after eradication in 36 available cases showed that 24 (66.7%) were detected within 5 years after eradication, and 3 (8.3%) were diagnosed as AGC > 20 years after eradication. The R0 rates in the short‐, intermediate‐, and long‐interval groups were 83.3%, 71.4%, and 60%, respectively.

Conclusions

AGC after eradication was more often detected at the phase in which R0 resection was possible. EGD follow‐up with tight intervals of at least 5 years after eradication is advisable.
Prognosis of patients with laryngeal contact granuloma: Development and validation of RCGSG score
Authors: Pan Yufei , Li Jinrang , Wang Xiaoyu , Zhang Jinhong , Zhang Chun , Liu Zhi
Published: November 2022

Objective

This study aimed to develop an objective and simple score for predicting the prognosis of patients with laryngeal contact granuloma (LCG) treated with local glucocorticoid injection combined with oral proton pump inhibitor (GI + PPI).

Methods

Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of baseline variables on the prognosis of 507 patients with LCG treated with GI + PPI. An easy‐to‐apply RCGSG (Reflus, Cough, Gender, and Surgery in GI + PPI therapy) score was developed based on the independent risk factors selected by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The score was internally validated by receiver‐operating characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis.

Results

After univariate and multivariate analyses, male gender (hazard ratio [HR] 0.546, p < .001), laryngopharyngeal reflux (HR 0.702, p = .001), chronic cough (HR 0.709, p = .001), and history of surgical resection (HR 0.433, p < .001) were found to be the independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of LCG. According to the score, the median cure time was 3 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.81–3.19) in the low‐risk group, 4 months (95% CI 3.74–4.26) in the moderate‐risk group, and 5 months (95% CI 4.76–5.24) in the high‐risk group. The bootstrap method was used to plot calibration curves for internal validation.

Conclusion

The RCGSG score, developed based on laryngopharyngeal reflux, chronic cough, gender, and surgical resection history, has been internally verified to be a good predictor of the prognosis of patients with LCG receiving GI + PPI treatment.

Level of evidence

Level 4.
Sentinel node restoration by vascularized lymph node transfer in mice
Authors: Kusajima Erika G. , Yamamoto Yuhei , Ishikawa Kosuke , Miura Takahiro , Funayama Emi , Osawa Masayuki , Takagi Ryo , Maeda Taku
Published: November 2022

Background

Recent reports have indicated that vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) may improve the impaired immunity in lymphedema but there has been no report concerning anti‐cancer immunity. In the early tumor immune response, dendritic cells (DCs) participate in tumor recognition and antigen presentation in local lymphatics. Here, we investigated the impact of VLNT on DC dynamics against cancer in mouse models.

Methods

Forty‐seven 8‐week‐old C57BL/6 N male mice were divided into three surgical groups: a VLNT model in which a vascularized inguinal lymph node (LN) flap was transferred into the ipsilateral fossa after a popliteal LN was removed; a LN dissection (LND) model in which the popliteal LN was dissected; and a control model in which a skin incision was made at the popliteal fossa and an ipsilateral inguinal LN was removed. Postoperative lymphatic flows were observed by indocyanine green lymphography and B16‐F10‐luc2 mouse melanoma were implanted into the ipsilateral footpad. The proportion of DCs in the transplanted nodes was measured by CD11c immunohistochemistry using digital imaging analysis 4 days after cancer implantation. Metastases to the lungs and LNs were quantitatively evaluated by luciferase assay 4 weeks after cancer implantation.

Results

After VLNT, lymphatic reconnection was observed in 59.2% of mice. The proportion of DCs was significantly higher in the VLNT group with lymphatic reconnection (8.6% ± 1.0%) than in the naïve LN (4.3% ± 0.4%) (p < .001). The tumor burden of lung metastases was significantly less in the VLNT group with lymphatic reconnection compared with the LND group (p = .049).

Conclusions

Metastasis decreased in mice with reconnected lymphatics after VLNT. A possible explanation was that lymphatic restoration may have contributed to the tumor immune response by allowing DC migration to LNs.
Nonstationary radiative–conductive heat transfer problem in an absolutely black body with semitransparent inclusions
Authors: Amosov Andrey
Published: November 2022

We consider a nonstationary initial‐boundary value problem governing a radiative–conductive heat transfer in an absolutely black body with semitransparent inclusions. To describe the radiative transfer, the integro‐differential radiative transfer equation is used. We do not take into account the dependence of the radiation intensity and the properties of semitransparent materials on the radiation frequency. We proved at the first time the unique solvability of this problem. In addition, we proved the stability of solutions with respect to data, established a comparison theorem and results on improving the properties of solutions with an increasing on the summability of the data.
A cryogenic 14‐channel 13C receiver array for 3T human head imaging
Authors: Wang Wenjun , Sánchez‐Heredia Juan Diego , Olin Rie Beck , Hansen Esben Søvsø Szocska , Laustsen Christoffer , Zhurbenko Vitaliy , Ardenkjær‐Larsen Jan Henrik
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This article presents a novel 14‐channel receive‐only array for 13C human head imaging at 3 T that explores the SNR gain by operating at cryogenic temperature cooled by liquid nitrogen.

Methods

Cryostats are developed to evaluate single‐coil bench SNR performance and cool the 14‐channel array with liquid nitrogen while having enough thermal insulation between the coils and the sample. The temperature distribution for the coil array is measured. Circuits are adapted to the −189°C environment and implemented in the 14‐channel array. 13C images are acquired with the array at cryogenic and room temperature in a 3T scanner.

Results

Compared with room temperature, the array at cryogenic temperature provides 27%–168% SNR improvement over all voxels and 47% SNR improvement near the image center. The measurements show a decrease of the element noise correlation at cryogenic temperature.

Conclusion

It is demonstrated that higher SNR can be achieved by cryogenically cooling the 14‐channel array. A cryogenic array suitable for clinical imaging can be further developed on the array proposed. The cryogenic coil array is most likely suited for scenarios in which high SNR deep in a head and decent SNR on the periphery are required.
Cerebral 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose metabolism alteration of reward‐ and motivation‐related regions in groups of different BMI classifications
Authors: Duan Yu‐Jie , Zheng Mou‐Xiong , Wu Jia‐Jia , Ma Jie , Xing Xiang‐Xin , Ma Zhen‐Zhen , Li Si‐Si , Li Yu‐Lin , Xue Xin , Hua Xu‐Yun , Xu Jian‐Guang
Published: November 2022

Objective

This study explored the relationship between BMI and regional cerebral glucose metabolism and explicitly detected regions with significant differences in cerebral metabolism using positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging in the resting state.

Methods

Corresponding PET images acquired from 220 participants were sorted into four groups according to Asian BMI standards: underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was performed to assess the association between BMI and standard uptake value. The regional cerebral glucose metabolism was measured in the fasted state. The PET images were analyzed using statistical parameter maps. One‐way ANOVA was used to explore differences in the standard uptake value as an indicator of regional cerebral glucose metabolism.

Results

This study found that lower cerebral glucose metabolism in reward‐ and motivation‐related regions was accompanied by more severe obesity and that regional cerebral glucose metabolism activities were negatively correlated with BMI. In addition, more severe obesity was accompanied by a larger range of areas with significant differences independent of current dietary status.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the reward and motivation circuits may be a factor regulating energy balance and influencing the degree of obesity.
Weight loss between glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists and bariatric surgery in adults with obesity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Sarma Shohinee , Palcu Patricia
Published: November 2022

Objective

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists recently demonstrated 15% to 20% weight loss in adults with obesity, a range which has previously been achieved only with bariatric surgery. This systematic review and meta‐analysis compares weight loss between GLP‐1 receptor agonists and bariatric surgery.

Methods

The databases MEDLINE, MEDLINE In‐Process, MEDLINE Epubs Ahead of Print, Embase Classic + Embase (OvidSP), and Cochrane (Wiley) were searched from inception to April 21, 2021, for randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Two independent reviewers extracted data, reported risk of bias, and graded certainty of evidence. Random‐effects models were used to pool change in weight, BMI, and glycated hemoglobin.

Results

Six studies, encompassing 332 patients, were included. Among randomized controlled trials, mean difference in weight between all bariatric surgery types and GLP‐1 receptor agonists was −22.68 kg (95% CI: −31.41 to −13.96), mean difference in BMI was −8.18 kg/m2 (95% CI: −11.59 to −4.77), and mean difference in glycated hemoglobin was −1.28% (95% CI: −1.94% to −0.61%). Among observational studies, mean difference in weight was −25.11 kg (95% CI: −40.61 to −9.60), and mean difference in BMI was −10.60 kg/m2 (95% CI: −17.22 to −3.98). Only one observational study reported glycemic outcomes.

Conclusion

In adults with obesity, bariatric surgery still confers the highest reductions in weight and BMI but confers similar effects in glycemic control when compared with GLP‐1 receptor agonists.
Multi‐crosslinked, ecofriendly flame‐retardant starch‐based composite aerogels with high compression‐resistance
Authors: Shi Shaokun , Jiang Yingying , Ji Quan , Xing Yacheng , Ma Xiaomei , Xia Yanzhi
Published: November 2022

To achieve ecofriendly aerogels with high mechanics and fire resistance, naturally‐occurring pea starch was employed as the major substrate, and starch‐based composite aerogels were fabricated by freeze–drying method. The corresponding hydrogels were obtained through successive gelatinization/dissolution of pea starch and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), formation of precursor hydrogels via cyclic freeze–thawing, followed by treatment with borax aqueous solution. Borax treatment not only results in aerogels with high mechanics, but also endows the aerogels flame‐retardant property. The final aerogels show high compression‐resistance, with a maximum specific compressive modulus achieved at ~44 MPa and the yield strength 665 kPa, owing to the formation of a multi‐crosslinked hybrid network. The maximum limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the aerogels exceeds 34. The peak heat release rate, the heat release capacity, and the total heat release decrease 74.5%, 76.2%, and 73.8% after borax treatment. Moreover, the obtained aerogels demonstrate good thermal stability and thermal insulation. The good performance is conducive for practical application.
Massereiche Sterne als Geburtshelfer
Authors: Schneider Nicola , Stutzki Jürgen
Published: November 2022

Das SOFIA‐Programm FEEDBACK beobachtet galaktische Sternentstehungsgebiete in den Emissionslinien von ionisiertem Kohlenstoff (C+) bei 158 μ m und neutralem Sauerstoff bei 63 μm. Die Zielsetzung ist es, den Einfluss massereicher Sterne auf das interstellare Medium zu untersuchen. Insbesondere das Einbringen von mechanischer Energie durch Sternwind und die Heizung durch UV‐Strahlung lässt sich so erfassen. Als eines der ersten Ergebnisse haben wir expandierende Halbschalen in galaktischen Blasenregionen gefunden, die durch den Sternwind angetrieben werden. In diesen Gebieten können dann durch Gaskompression sehr schnell neue Sterne entstehen. Diese Beobachtungen liefern eine wichtige Basis für weiterführende Messungen in anderen Spektrallinien mit neuen Teleskopen wie dem JWST, ALMA oder CCAT‐prime.
Licht in Form gebracht
Authors: Droop Ramon , Ehrmanntraut Daniel , Otte Eileen , Denz Cornelia
Published: November 2022

Strukturiertes Licht bezeichnet maßgeschneiderte Strahlen, deren Freiheitsgrade wie Amplitude, Phase und Polarisation räumlich modifiziert sind. Ein Lichtstrahl lässt sich beispielweise durch computergesteuerte Modulatoren auf Mikrospiegel‐ oder Flüssigkristallbasis beeinflussen. Somit lassen sich dem Licht Eigenschaften wie Bereiche starker Energie durch Kaustiken in der Intensität, Drehimpuls durch optische Wirbel der Phase oder stabile Informationseinheiten durch topologisch geschützte Knoten in Polarisationszuständen aufprägen. Zukünftig sind allem voran im Bereich der Datenverarbeitung Weiterentwicklungen auf Basis von strukturiertem Licht zu erwarten. So sollte sich die Übertragungsrate in Glasfasern durch orthogonale Zustände oder Moden stark verbessern lassen. Auch in der Medizin könnten strukturierte Laserstrahlen zur Anwendung kommen. Hier bietet die berührungsfreie und äußerst präzise Wechselwirkung mit Materie eine absolut sterile und verlässliche Möglichkeit für Operationen.
Galaktische Protonenkanone
Authors: Fleischhack Henrike , Huentemeyer Petra
Published: November 2022

Schon lange wird nach Pevatronen gesucht, kosmischen Teilchenbeschleunigern, die subatomare Teilchen auf extreme Energien im Bereich von Petaelektronenvolt beschleunigen. Nun gelang der Nachweis, dass der Supernovaüberrest SNR G106.3+2.7 solch ein Pevatron enthält.
„Wir sind verschwenderisch in Sachen Treibstoff …“
Authors: Loos Andreas
Published: November 2022

Der Gesuchte war ein hochbegabter Erfinder, vom Sprechapparat über Sprachübertragung bis zur Lösung unserer Energieprobleme.
Instrumentalklang mit WavePad untersuchen
Authors: Vogt Patrik , Kuhn Jochen , Wilhelm Thomas
Published: November 2022

Es gibt eine Vielzahl verschiedener Oszilloskop‐Apps, doch auch der Audio‐Editor WavePad lässt sich als Speicheroszilloskop einsetzen. Er bietet zwei Vorteile: Die Aufnahmezeit ist nicht auf einen Sekundenbruchteil begrenzt, und das Audiosignal lässt sich vielfältig bearbeiten.
Travel‐related gastrointestinal diseases: Assessment and management
Authors: Butler Dominic , McLoughlin Ramona , Flaherty Gerard T.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Gastrointestinal illnesses are among the most common health problems affecting travellers returning from international travel. Its public health implications include economic healthcare costs and the risk of promoting antimicrobial resistance. This narrative review aims to critically appraise the literature concerning gastrointestinal diseases in travellers and outlines a practical approach to aid clinicians in their assessment and management.

Methods

The Medline (PubMed) and SCOPUS databases were searched for articles relating to gastrointestinal issues in returning travellers. Articles were primarily restricted to those published in the last 5 years. Only studies on human subjects were included.

Results

Diarrhoea is the most common gastrointestinal symptom experienced by approximately 40%–60% of travellers, but abdominal pain, bloating and fatigue are also common. DiarrhoeagenicEscherichia colispecies remain the most common cause of travellers’ diarrhoea (TD), with parasitic diseases predominating in those with persistent symptoms. Molecular diagnostic techniques enable highly sensitive simultaneous testing for a multitude of enteropathogens, though more research is required to confirm the pathogenic significance of organisms identified. Further research into poorly absorbable antibiotics and novel therapies such as phage treatment may help to alleviate the burden of antimicrobial resistance. There is a role for empirical anti‐parasitic therapy in selected cases.

Conclusion

Clinicians across a range of medical specialities should be familiar with the presentation, aetiology and management of gastrointestinal illness in the returning traveller. Efforts to improve destination sanitation and hygiene infrastructure may serve to reduce the burden of preventable illness in this setting.
Preparation of Carbon‐Based Nanodemulsifiers Derived from ZIF‐8 and their Demulsification Performance for Water‐in‐Oil Emulsions
Authors: Liu Chao , Wei Lixin , Zhang Lin , Li Zhe , Jia Xinlei , Geng Xiaoheng
Published: November 2022

In this study, a carbon‐based nanodemulsifier (ZIF‐8@CNS) was prepared in order to lessen the harmful effects of crude oil emulsion on mechanical equipment and the environment and to provide a green and efficient demulsifier. A novel hydrophilic/lipophilic carbon‐based nanodemulsifier ZIF‐8@CNS was prepared by solvothermal method using ZIF‐8 and carbon nanospheres (CNS) as raw materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) showed that ZIF‐8@CNS was successfully compounded. The interfacial activity experiment showed that the carbon nanospheres combined with ZIF‐8 had better hydrophilic and lipophilic balance and were more easily distributed at the oil‐water interface. The demulsification experiment of water‐in‐toluene emulsion with water content of 1 % was carried out. The results showed that when the dosage of ZIF‐8@CNS with 10 % carbon content was 300 mg/L, the residual water content in the emulsion oil phase was only 0.09 % within 15 min at room temperature. In addition, we propose a possible demulsification mechanism of the demulsifier. ZIF‐8@CNS is environmentally friendly and an effective oil‐water phase separation material with broad application prospects.
3D Single‐Layer‐Dominated Graphene Foam for High‐Resolution Strain Sensing and Self‐Monitoring Shape Memory Composite
Authors: Rong Jiasheng , Zhou Jianxin , Zhou Yucheng , Hu Cong , Li Luxian , Guo Wanlin
Published: November 2022

Flexible intelligent materials are desired to effectively regulate their own deformation and accurately sense their immediate morphology at the same time. Graphene foam is an attractive material for strain sensing and electrical/thermal performance control due to its outstanding mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. However, graphene‐foam‐based materials with both strain sensing and deformation control capabilities are rarely reported. Here, a multiscale design of graphene foam with a single‐layer‐graphene‐dominated microstructure and resilient 3D network architecture, which leads to exceptional strain sensing performance as well as modulation ability of the electrical and thermal conductivity for shape memory polymers, is reported. The graphene foams exhibit a strain detection limit of 0.033%, a rapid response of 53 ms, long‐term stability over 10 000 cycles, significant thermoacoustic effect, and great heat‐generation and heat‐diffusion ability. By combining these advantages, an electro‐activated shape‐memory composite that is capable of monitoring its own shape state during its morphing process, is demonstrated.
A Tin Oxide‐Coated Copper Foam Hybridized with a Gas Diffusion Electrode for Efficient CO2 Reduction to Formate with a Current Density Exceeding 1 A cm−2
Authors: Liu Tengyi , Ohashi Keitaro , Nagita Kaito , Harada Takashi , Nakanishi Shuji , Kamiya Kazuhide
Published: November 2022

The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is a promising strategy for closing the carbon cycle. Increasing the current density (  J) for CO2RR products is a critical requirement for the social implementation of this technology. Herein, nanoscale tin–oxide‐modified copper–oxide foam is hybridized with a carbon‐based gas‐diffusion electrode (GDE). Using the resultant electrode, the Jformate is increased to −1152 mA cm−2 at −1.2 V versus RHE in 1 m KOH, which is the highest value for CO2‐to‐formate electrolysis. The formate faradaic efficiency (FEformate) reaches ≈99% at −0.6 V versus RHE. The achievement of ultra‐high‐rate formate production is attributable to the following factors: i) homogeneously‐modified Sn atoms suppressing H2 evolution and ii) the hydrophobic carbon nanoparticles on GDEs penetrating the macroporous structure of the foam causing the increase in the thickness of triple‐phase interface. Additionally, the FEformate remains at ≈70% under a high J of −1.0 A cm−2 for more than 20 h.
Digitally programmable organic light‐emitting tetrodes
Authors: Ji Junpeng , Yang Biao , Zhang Chaohong , Cai Yulu , Chen Jingwei , Zhao Changbin , Wang Tao , Wu Lijie , Liu Ming , Bai Junwu , Wang Jiangfeng , Wu Zhongbin , Chen Shufen , Ling Haifeng , An Zhongfu , Chen Yonghua , Wang Jianpu , Huang Wei , Meng Hong
Published: November 2022

Limited to the structure of traditional light‐emitting devices, electronic devices that can directly convert machine language into human visual information without introducing any back‐end circuit are still not easy to achieve. Based on a specially designed three‐phase co‐planar electrode structure, a new type of three‐phase alternating current driven organic light‐emitting device with the integration of emission and control functions, full‐color tunability and simple device structure is demonstrated in this study. We integrate the light‐emitting function of color‐tunable light‐emitting devices and the switching of three triodes in a single three phase organic light‐emitting device. The state control of luminous color and luminance intensity merely requires the introduction of a kind of machine language, that is an easy‐to‐program 6‐bit binary number coded digital signals. The color adjustable area covers 66% of the color triangle of the National Television System Committee. Such simple and easy‐to‐integrate light‐emitting system has great potential applications in the next‐generation man‐machine interface.
The Wettstein tesseract: A tool for conceptualising species‐rank decisions and illustrating speciation trajectories
Authors: Oberprieler Christoph
Published: November 2022

Genealogy‐based species‐delimitation approaches resting upon multilocus sequence data aim at arranging organisms into species taxa (the “grouping” step in a classification procedure), but provide no criteria for the subsequent decision of whether these taxa should be acknowledged as species in the Linnaean classification system (the “ranking” step). By integration of genealogical, morphological, ecological, and geographical patterns as proposed by von Wettstein (1898), species‐rank decisions can be conceptualised in a reproducible manner and comprehensibly depicted in a four‐dimensional hypercube (the herewith introduced “Wettstein tesseract”). Additionally, the Wettstein tesseract provides a tool for illustrating and teaching components and properties of speciation pathways realised in nature.
Introduction: African Secondary City Food Systems in Context
Authors: Riley Liam , Crush Jonathan
Published: November 2022

Countries across Africa are rapidly transitioning from rural to urban societies. The UN projects that 60% of people living in Africa will be in urban areas by 2050, with the urban population on the continent tripling over the next 50 years. The challenge of building inclusive and sustainable cities in the context of rapid urbanization is arguably the critical development issue of the twenty-first century and creating food secure cities is key to promoting health, prosperity, equity, and ecological sustainability. The expansion of Africa’s urban population is taking place largely in secondary cities. These are broadly defined as cities with fewer than half a million people that are not national political or economic centres. The implications of secondary urbanization have recently been described by the Cities Alliance as “a real knowledge gap,” requiring much additional research not least because it poses new intellectual challenges for academic researchers and governance challenges for policymakers. International researchers coming from multiple points of view, including food studies, urban studies, and sustainability studies, are starting to heed the call for further research into the implications for food security of rapidly growing secondary cities in Africa.
Household Dietary Patterns and Food Security Challenges in Peri-Urban South Africa: A Reflection of High Unemployment in the Wake of Rising Food Prices
Authors: Chakona Gamuchirai
Published: November 2022

Urbanization is one of the major social changes in developing regions. This has influenced urban food insecurity and malnutrition in South Africa where poverty, unemployment and high food prices are dominant and influencing dietary change. The study considered dietary diversities and food security of households in four peri-urban settlements in South Africa through household surveys with 314 randomly selected households. Dietary diversity was generally low with high levels of food insecurity across the peri-urban sites, with male-headed households generally worse off than female-headed households. There was high dependence on food purchasing in all sites, although female-headed households were more likely than male-headed households to supplement food purchases with other food strategies such as urban agriculture, collection from open spaces and receiving donations. Food insecurity was associated with high poverty levels, unemployment and low education levels. A coherent response that effectively addresses food and nutrition insecurity challenges in peri-urban areas is an important component in addressing food insecurity in peri-urban settings of South Africa. Such a response should support localized and diverse “context specific” food systems which are sustainable and healthier and make food more affordable.
Rent as Ransom: Lodging and Food Security in Gweru, Zimbabwe
Authors: Grant Miriam
Published: November 2022

The early 1990s were a crucial turning point in Zimbabwe. Not only was the Structural Adjustment Program (ESAP) initiated in 1990, but the country was also hit with a major drought in 1991/92. We know that the urban poor were (and continue to be) disproportionately impacted by wage cuts, lay-offs and changes to food prices, especially since data from the period indicate that the poor spent a third to twice as much of their expenditures on food and health care than the non-poor. This chapter explores the food security situation of 100 lodgers (private renters) in the medium-sized city of Gweru, located halfway between Harare and Bulawayo. Based on data from diverse types of lodging across all density areas, it discusses the linkages between strength of rural ties, modes of livelihood, household composition, and fixed expenses such as rent and food security.
Spatial Characteristics of Urban Food Systems and Food Retailers in Smaller Urban Areas
Authors: Blekking Jordan , Giroux Stacey , Waldman Kurt , Evans Tom
Published: November 2022

The types of food retailers operating in cities in sub-Saharan Africa and their physical distribution contribute to the spatial characteristics of food systems. As smaller urban areas expand in terms of both population and spatial extent, the importance of ensuring both physical and financial access to food throughout a city is critical for ensuring sustainable food systems. In this chapter, we use data collected from two smaller cities, Mumbwa and Monze, Zambia. Using spatial analysis, we investigate how household food purchasing behaviour differs based on the use of three different types of food retailers: traditional markets, small grocers and street vendors. We find significant hotspots of food purchasing behaviour in both Mumbwa and Monze; specifically, households located in the centre of each city purchase primarily from traditional markets, while households near the periphery use a mixture of street vendors and small grocers. Mumbwa households located in hotspots of street vendor purchases have the worst household food access, while Monze households have relatively similar food access regardless of whether they are in hotspots. Although spatial characteristics are often absent from studies related to food security in sub-Saharan Africa, our case study results suggest that food access not only varies spatially, but so does the relationship between households and the food retailers they purchase from. Our findings contribute to the ongoing discussion surrounding transformation of food systems, the emergence of smaller African urban areas and how spatial analysis methods can be applied to study food access.
‘One Health’ Research Ethics in Emergency, Disaster and Zoonotic Disease Outbreaks: A Case Study from Ethiopia
Authors: Nguta Joseph M. , Belaynehe Kuastros M. , Arruda Andréia G. , Yimer Getnet , O’Mathúna Dónal
Published: November 2022

‘One Health’ is the concept that human health and well-being are linked to the health of animals and the environment. The goals of One Health include addressing potential or existing global and transnational health risks, which require policies that are systematic, coordinated, collaborative, multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral. One Health is particularly well-suited for zoonotic diseasesand emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). Epidemics, emergenciesand disasters raise many ethical issues for all involved, including communities, responders, public healthspecialists and policymakers. Our case study describes ethical dilemmas encountered during an animaldisease outbreak investigation in the Somali region of Ethiopia during the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic with concurrent drought and human conflicts. Outbreak investigations were conducted through systematic collection, analysis and evaluation of pertinent data, and results disseminated to relevant stakeholders. Our observations highlighted the importance of addressing community humanitarian needs and potential risks to responders, including researchers, when responding to animaldisease outbreaks without compromising ethical principles. Community engagement was crucial in resolving technical and ethical issues. Policy gaps related to ethical issues during animalhealth emergencies were observed. Our case study supports the formulation of guidelines and policies for One Health research ethics in Africa and elsewhere to strengthen capacityand ethical decision-making.
Formulating National Standards for Research Ethics Support and Review: The UKRIO/ARMA Case
Authors: Oates John
Published: November 2022

This chapter describes and analyses the background to and development of a national guidance framework for research ethics review that was commissioned by the United Kingdom Research Integrity Officeand the Association of Research Managers and Administrators, and launched in 2020. Unlike the centrally-controlled UK Health Research Authority research ethics review system for health and social care research, ethics review of research outside these fields is not nationally controlled and is conducted within a wide variety of organisational structures. The development process had to adopt an approach that consulted widely and sought to ensure broad take-up of the guidance by offering a flexible approach to compliance with a set of superordinate principles, while meeting the expectations of the governmentfunding body for the higher education sector as well as those of the UK research councils.
Are Mini-Grid Projects in Tanzania Financially Sustainable?
Authors: Zigah Elias , Barry Mamadou , Creti Anna
Published: November 2022

While it is commonly acknowledged that mini-grids are the new pathway to bridging the high electricity access deficit in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), comparably few studies have assessed how existing regulations and tariff policies in SSA affect their potentials to attract the number of private investments required to scale-up deployments. Private investors’ participation is particularly crucial to meet the annual electrification investment needs of $120 billons in SSA. We study the regulatory framework, the tariff structure, and the subsidy schemes for mini-grids in Tanzania. Additionally, using an optimization technique, we assess the profitability of a mini-grid electrification project in Tanzania from a private investment perspective. We find that the approved standardized small power producers’ tariffs and subsidy scheme in Tanzania still do not allow mini-grid for rural electrification projects to be profitable. A further study is required to identify successful business models and strategies to improve mini-grids profitability.
Digitalisierung, hybride Wertschöpfung und Arbeitsgestaltung
Authors: Jeske Tim
Published: November 2022

Die Digitalisierung bietet Unternehmen umfassende Möglichkeiten, sich weiterzuentwickeln und ihre Wettbewerbsfähigkeit zu steigern. Unter anderem erlaubt sie die Verknüpfung physischer Produkte mit datenbasierten Zusatzleistungen als hybride Wertschöpfung. Für deren erfolgreiche Umsetzung sind entsprechende Geschäftsmodelle und eine passende Arbeitsgestaltung erforderlich. Vor diesem Hintergrund werden grundlegende Begriffe erläutert, das Forschungsprojekt AnGeWaNt beschrieben und die Struktur des vorliegenden Buchs dargestellt: Von der Entwicklung hybrider Geschäftsmodelle über Änderungsbedarfe an Organisationsstrukturen, Zusammenarbeitsformen und Kompetenzprofilen bis hin zur digitalen Unterstützung hoheitlicher Prozesse.
Zusammenarbeit und Führung für hybride Wertschöpfung
Authors: Ottersböck Nicole , Frost Martina , Helming Klaus
Published: November 2022

Hybridisierung und die damit einhergehende Digitalisierung haben Auswirkungen auf Zusammenarbeit und Führung in Unternehmen. Es bedarf geeigneter Strukturen sowie einer Führungs- und Unternehmenskultur, die eine erfolgreiche Hybridisierung und Digitalisierung unterstützen. Neben geeigneten Führungsstrukturen und -leitbildern betrifft dies die Kollaboration und Kooperation innerhalb und zwischen Teams sowie betriebsübergreifend. Herausforderungen bestehen im Veränderungsprozess beispielsweise, wenn neue Technologien eingeführt werden oder bei der Zusammenarbeit und Führung auf Distanz. Es werden flache Hierarchien nötig, die ein hohes Maß an Agilität ermöglichen, um möglichst schnell auf sich wandelnde Märkte und Bedarfe reagieren zu können. Zusammen mit allen Arbeits- und Prozessbeteiligten bzw. bei einer sozialpartnerschaftlichen Gestaltung sorgt dies für eine resiliente und wandlungsfähige Gesamtorganisation, die wesentlich für erfolgreiche Innovationsprozesse ist. Im Projekt wurden mögliche Veränderungen der Zusammenarbeit sowie der Führung analysiert und Maßnahmen abgeleitet, die einen erfolgreichen Veränderungsprozess im Zuge der Hybridisierung unterstützen. Der Beitrag thematisiert das Vorgehen und fokussiert die ausgewählten Handlungsfelder und die konzipierten sowie in der Praxis erprobten Maßnahmen.
Digitale Plattform für metrologische Dienstleistungen
Authors: Oppermann Alexander , Eickelberg Samuel , Exner John
Published: November 2022

Dieser Beitrag beschreibt das Vorgehen und die Ergebnisse im Forschungsprojekt AnGeWaNt (Arbeit an geeichten Waagen für hybride Wiegeleistungen an Nutzfahrzeugen), das an der Schnittstelle zwischen Forschung, Industrie und öffentlichen Dienstleistungen agiert und dabei konstruktive Ansätze in einer agilen Arbeitsweise entwickelt und umsetzt. Der Beitrag dokumentiert die erfolgreiche Vorgehensweise beispielhaft an den Anwendungsfällen des Digitalen Eichantrags und des Softwareupdate-Antrags, wie eine digitale Transformation papierbasierter Prozesse für den hoheitlichen Bereich geplant und umgesetzt werden kann. Die Plattform für metrologische Dienstleistungen schließt dabei die Lücke zwischen den hybriden Geschäftsmodellen der Privatwirtschaft und der digitalen Transformation der Prozesse in der öffentlichen Verwaltung. Darüber hinaus werden technische Designentscheidungen der entstandenen Plattform und deren Software-Implementation erläutert und besprochen.