bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cosmopolitanism in exclusionary contexts
Authors: Thiollet Helene , Assaf Laure
Published: July 2020

Although over time mass migration has brought about de facto cosmopolitan situations in Gulf cities, foreign residents continue to experience segregation and endure exclusionary policies and practices on a daily basis. This article unpacks two sets of internal tensions that characterise cosmopolitanism in the Gulf, through a comparison of cosmopolitan discourses and practices in Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Jeddah. The first tension relates to official discourses and policies: Saudi and Emirati governments design and enforce exclusionary policies and, at the same time, publicly endorse cosmopolitan ideals and projects—consisting in Islamic universalism for Saudi cities and the rhetoric of tolerance for the United Arab Emirates. Such cosmopolitan claims are, moreover, reflected in the aspirations and subjectivities of migrants and local citizens while also generating feelings of alienation. We call this discursive paradox cosmopolitanism in denial. The second tension concerns migrants' everyday practices and modes of consumption in urban spaces. We argue that these are best understood as a form of segregated cosmopolitanism, whereby both Gulf citizens and the various migrant communities explicitly acknowledge, and at times consume, urban diversity but also maintain certain boundaries. Drawing on an analysis of both governmental and individual discourses, as well as on ethnographic observations collected over a decade of fieldwork in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, our research engages with theories of cosmopolitanism from a situated perspective. As such, it moves away from the dominant unitary and normative approach to cosmopolitanism and instead emphasises both the resilience and transience of everyday cosmopolitan situations.
Enlarging the Purcell Enhancement by Inserting a Dielectric Film in Dielectric‐Loaded Surface‐Plasmon‐Polariton Waveguides
Authors: Zhang Guorui , Liu Hui , Jia Shangtong , Li Hongyun , Li Zhi , Gong Qihuang , Chen Jianjun
Published: July 2020

The deterministic integration of single‐photon emitters with large Purcell enhancements and waveguides is vital for integrated quantum circuits and quantum chips. Purcell enhancements are not only related to waveguide structures, but are also greatly affected by the position of single‐photon emitters in waveguides. Here, the insertion of a thin dielectric film with a controllable thickness between a dielectric strip and a metal surface to precisely position a single‐photon emitter in a dielectric‐load surface‐plasmon‐polariton (DLSPP) waveguide is proposed, and the Purcell enhancement is greatly enlarged. Simulations show that the vertical position of the single‐photon emitter above the metal surface is more important than its in‐plane position in the DLSPP waveguide for achieving enlarged Purcell enhancements. In the experiment, the vertical position of the single‐photon emitter in the modified DLSPP waveguide is controlled by evaporating a thin MgF2 film, and the in‐plane position is controlled by combining aligned electron beam lithography and photoluminescence imaging. The Purcell factor in the emitter‐waveguide system is measured to be Fp = 22.4, which is greater than those obtained using conventional DLSPP waveguides (Fp ≤ 6.0) in previous studies.
Predictors of COVID‐19 severity: A literature review
Authors: Gallo Marin Benjamin , Aghagoli Ghazal , Lavine Katya , Yang Lanbo , Siff Emily J. , Chiang Silvia S. , Salazar‐Mather Thais P. , Dumenco Luba , Savaria Michael C , Aung Su N. , Flanigan Timothy , Michelow Ian C.
Published: July 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic is a rapidly evolving global emergency that continues to strain healthcare systems. Emerging research describes a plethora of patient factors—including demographic, clinical, immunologic, hematological, biochemical, and radiographic findings—that may be of utility to clinicians to predict COVID‐19 severity and mortality. We present a synthesis of the current literature pertaining to factors predictive of COVID‐19 clinical course and outcomes. Findings associated with increased disease severity and/or mortality include age > 55 years, multiple pre‐existing comorbidities, hypoxia, specific computed tomography findings indicative of extensive lung involvement, diverse laboratory test abnormalities, and biomarkers of end‐organ dysfunction. Hypothesis‐driven research is critical to identify the key evidence‐based prognostic factors that will inform the design of intervention studies to improve the outcomes of patients with COVID‐19 and to appropriately allocate scarce resources.
Recent Advances of Spatial Self‐Phase Modulation in 2D Materials and Passive Photonic Device Applications
Authors: Wu Leiming , Yuan Xixi , Ma Dingtao , Zhang Ye , Huang Weichun , Ge Yanqi , Song Yufeng , Xiang Yuanjiang , Li Jianqing , Zhang Han
Published: July 2020

Optical nonlinearity in 2D materials excited by spatial Gaussian laser beam is a novel and peculiar optical phenomenon, which exhibits many novel and interesting applications in optical nonlinear devices. Passive photonic devices, such as optical switches, optical logical gates, photonic diodes, and optical modulators, are the key compositions in the future all‐optical signal‐processing technologies. Passive photonic devices using 2D materials to achieve the device functionality have attracted widespread concern in the past decade. In this Review, an overview of the spatial self‐phase modulation (SSPM) in 2D materials is summarized, including the operating mechanism, optical parameter measurement, and tuning for 2D materials, and applications in photonic devices. Moreover, some current challenges are also proposed to solve, and some possible applications of SSPM method are predicted for the future. Therefore, it is anticipated that this summary can contribute to the application of 2D material‐based spatial effect in all‐optical signal‐processing technologies.
Microfluidic Skin‐on‐a‐Chip Models: Toward Biomimetic Artificial Skin
Authors: Sutterby Emily , Thurgood Peter , Baratchi Sara , Khoshmanesh Khashayar , Pirogova Elena
Published: July 2020

The role of skin in the human body is indispensable, serving as a barrier, moderating homeostatic balance, and representing a pronounced endpoint for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Despite the extensive achievements of in vitro skin models, they do not recapitulate the complexity of human skin; thus, there remains a dependence on animal models during preclinical drug trials, resulting in expensive drug development with high failure rates. By imparting a fine control over the microenvironment and inducing relevant mechanical cues, skin‐on‐a‐chip (SoC) models have circumvented the limitations of conventional cell studies. Enhanced barrier properties, vascularization, and improved phenotypic differentiation have been achieved by SoC models; however, the successful inclusion of appendages such as hair follicles and sweat glands and pigmentation relevance have yet to be realized. The present Review collates the progress of SoC platforms with a focus on their fabrication and the incorporation of mechanical cues, sensors, and blood vessels.
An In Situ Cross‐Linked Nonaqueous Polymer Electrolyte for Zinc‐Metal Polymer Batteries and Hybrid Supercapacitors
Authors: Vijayakumar Vidyanand , Ghosh Meena , Kurian Maria , Torris Arun , Dilwale Swati , Badiger Manohar V. , Winter Martin , Nair Jijeesh Ravi , Kurungot Sreekumar
Published: July 2020

This work reports the facile synthesis of nonaqueous zinc‐ion conducting polymer electrolyte (ZIP) membranes using an ultraviolet (UV)‐light‐induced photopolymerization technique, with room temperature (RT) ionic conductivity values in the order of 10−3 S cm−1. The ZIP membranes demonstrate excellent physicochemical and electrochemical properties, including an electrochemical stability window of >2.4 V versus Zn|Zn2+ and dendrite‐free plating/stripping processes in symmetric Zn||Zn cells. Besides, a UV‐polymerization‐assisted in situ process is developed to produce ZIP (abbreviated i‐ZIP), which is adopted for the first time to fabricate a nonaqueous zinc‐metal polymer battery (ZMPB; VOPO4|i‐ZIP|Zn) and zinc‐metal hybrid polymer supercapacitor (ZMPS; activated carbon|i‐ZIP|Zn) cells. The VOPO4 cathode employed in ZMPB possesses a layered morphology, exhibiting a high average operating voltage of ≈1.2 V. As compared to the conventional polymer cell assembling approach using the ex situ process, the in situ process is simple and it enhances the overall electrochemical performance, which enables the widespread intrusion of ZMPBs and ZMPSs into the application domain. Indeed, considering the promising aspects of the proposed ZIP and its easy processability, this work opens up a new direction for the emergence of the zinc‐based energy storage technologies.
Self‐healing Polyol/Borax Hydrogels: Fabrications, Properties and Applications
Authors: Seidi Farzad , Jin Yongcan , Han Jingquan , Saeb Mohammad Reza , Akbari Ali , Hosseini Seyed Hassan , Shabanian Meisam , Xiao Huining
Published: July 2020

Self‐healing polyol/borax hydrogels have found great applications in various areas; especially in sensors, flexible electronics and biomedical fields. In this review, fabrication and characteristics of various types of borax‐based hydrogels are discussed. Mechanical properties and self‐healing behaviors of these hydrogels are strongly affected by the types of polyol, ratio of polyol:borax, and concentration of each component. Incorporation of highly polar nanofillers (such as cellulose nanofibers) into hydrogels and fabrication of double‐network structures have been employed as the promising strategies for improving the mechanical properties. Other additives have also been examined to generate nanocomposite hydrogels for a wide variety of uses; e. g. polyphenols for developing adhesives, conducting polymers, and hybrid structures based on carbon nanotubes and graphenes for electroconductivity, Ag and ZnO nanoparticles for antibacterial property, and quantum dots for fluorescence.
Functional organic dyes for health‐related applications
Authors: Cheng Wenyu , Chen Hongtao , Liu Chang , Ji Chendong , Ma Guiping , Yin Meizhen
Published: July 2020

Nowadays, photo‐based diagnosis and treatment techniques have been the focus in health‐related fields. Organic dyes with delicately designed structures and tunable optical properties were used for fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging as well as phototherapy including photodynamic and photothermal therapy. The theranostic agents exhibit better treatment efficacy with minimized invasiveness, which have shown great potential for disease treatment.

To suit health‐related application, regulating the photophysical properties of functional organic dyes and improving their biocompatibility is the prerequisite for designing efficient optical diagnostic reagents. This review summarizes recent advances in the design, fabrication, and applications of functional organic dye‐based material in health‐related fields. The design and preparation strategies of these dyes mainly include tuning the absorption, emission, photodynamic and photothermal properties of dyes through chemical modification of chromophore scaffold, obtaining water‐soluble macromolecules through peripheral functional modification, constructing nanotheranostic reagents through self‐assembly process or preparing fluorescent detection devices. Based on these materials, functional organic dyes have been used in a variety of cancer treatment methods for bacterial detection and antibacterial fields, in vitro and in vivo disease detection, as well as fluorescence/photoacoustic imaging‐guided cancer therapy, which were summarized in this review. Finally, possible functionalization directions of organic dyes are also proposed to meet the needs of advanced health‐related applications.
A comparative study of acid‐treated, base‐treated, and Fenton‐like reagent‐treated biomass for Cr(VI) sequestration from aqueous solutions
Authors: Nchoe Obakeng B. , Ntuli Themba D. , Klink Michael J. , Mtunzi Fanyana M. , Pakade Vusumzi E.
Published: July 2020

A wide variety of biomass materials have been used for the removal of toxic chromium(VI) by biosorption. The current study investigated the efficacy of Macadamia nutshells treated with sodium hydroxide, nitric acid, and the Fenton‐like reagent in the removal of Cr(VI). The adsorbents were characterized by FTIR, SEM, TGA, and elemental analysis. Effects of functional parameters influencing the adsorption of Cr(VI), solution pH (pH 1–11), contact time (5–250 min), concentration of adsorbent (1–10 g/L), and adsorbate concentration (10–200 mg/L) were investigated. The optimum conditions for biosorption were pH 1.4, adsorbent dose of 5 g/L, and 160 min of contact time. In all cases, the base‐treated adsorbent displayed superior performance compared to others, with highest percent removal of 98%. The adsorbate–adsorbent interactions were better explained by the Freundlich isotherm and the pseudo‐first‐order rate model. The Macadamia‐based adsorbents are potentially useful for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solutions.

Practitioner points

Three different chemical activators were investigated for the modification of Macadamia surface.

The base‐treated material exhibited the highest specific surface area of 12.1 m2/g.

The Cr(VI) adsorption performance for the base‐treated material dwarfed the other materials.

Excellent Cr(VI) removal efficiency in the presence of competitors was achieved.
A retrospective analysis of mortality in captive Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) in the United States, 2008–2018
Authors: Krol Lana , Moore Robert P. , Mutlow Adrian G. , Brady Sean M. , Dorsa Dominick
Published: July 2020

Mortality data for Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) housed in zoos and aquariums in the United States has not previously been published. Necropsy and histopathology records were examined for Magellanic penguins housed at 12 Association of Zoos and Aquariums institutions from 2008 through 2018. If birds lived through the first year, the mean longevity was found to be 18.9 years of age (standard deviation: 7.9). Prefledge chicks and geriatric penguins experienced the highest mortality rates. Aspergillosis was a major cause of death in this species. There was no significant difference in mortality between males and females. Based on these data, recommendations for the husbandry and veterinary care of captive Magellanic penguins can be made.
Out-of-horizon correlations following a quench in a relativistic quantum field theory
Authors: Kukuljan I. , Sotiriadis S. , Takács G.
Published: July 2020

Abstract

One of the manifestations of relativistic invariance in non-equilibrium quantum field theory is the “horizon effect” a.k.a. light-cone spreading of correlations: starting from an initially short-range correlated state, measurements of two observers at distant space-time points are expected to remain independent until their past light-cones overlap. Surprisingly, we find that in the presence of topological excitations correlations can develop outside of horizon and indeed even between infinitely distant points. We demonstrate this effect for a wide class of global quantum quenches to the sine-Gordon model. We point out that besides the maximum velocity bound implied by relativistic invariance, clustering of initial correlations is required to establish the “horizon effect”. We show that quenches in the sine-Gordon model have an interesting property: despite the fact that the initial states have exponentially decaying correlations and cluster in terms of the bosonic fields, they violate the clustering condition for the soliton fields, which is argued to be related to the non-trivial field topology. The nonlinear dynamics governed by the solitons makes the clustering violation manifest also in correlations of the local bosonic fields after the quench.
Three exceptions to the Grossman-Nir bound
Authors: Ziegler Robert , Zupan Jure , Zwicky Roman
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We show that the Grossman-Nir (GN) bound, Br(KL→$$ {\pi}^0\nu \overline{\nu} $$

π
0

ν

ν
¯

) ≤ 4.3 Br(K+→$$ {\pi}^{+}\nu \overline{\nu} $$

π
+

ν

ν
¯

), can be violated in the presence of light new physics with flavor violating couplings. We construct three sample models in which the GN bound can be violated by orders of magnitude, while satisfying all other experimental bounds. In the three models the enhanced branching ratio Br(KL→ π0 + inv) is due to KL→ π0ϕ1, KL→ π0ϕ1ϕ1, KL→$$ {\pi}^0{\psi}_1{\overline{\psi}}_1 $$

π
0

ψ
1

ψ
¯

1

transitions, respectively, where ϕ1(ψ1) is a light scalar (fermion) that escapes the detector. In the three models Br(K+→ π+ + inv) remains very close to the SM value, while Br(KL→ π0 + inv) can saturate the present KOTO bound. Besides invisible particles in the final state (which may account for dark matter) the models require additional light mediators around the GeV-scale.
Anomalies in 8Be nuclear transitions and (g − 2)e,μ: towards a minimal combined explanation
Authors: Hati C. , Kriewald J. , Orloff J. , Teixeira A.M.
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Motivated by a simultaneous explanation of the apparent discrepancies in the light charged lepton anomalous magnetic dipole moments, and the anomalous internal pair creation in 8Be nuclear transitions, we explore a simple New Physics model, based on an extension of the Standard Model gauge group by a U(1)B−L. The model further includes heavy vector-like fermion fields, as well as an extra scalar responsible for the low-scale breaking of U(1)B−L, which gives rise to a light Z′ boson. The new fields and currents allow to explain the anomalous internal pair creation in 8Be while being consistent with various experimental constraints. Interestingly, we find that the contributions of the Z′ and the new U(1)B−L-breaking scalar can also successfully account for both (g −2)e,μ anomalies; the strong phenomenological constraints on the model’s parameter space ultimately render the combined explanation of (g − 2)e and the anomalous internal pair creation in 8Be particularly predictive. The underlying idea of this minimal “prototype model” can be readily incorporated into other protophobic U(1) extensions of the Standard Model.
Extent of Lymph Node Dissection for Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Hallet Julie , Law Calvin ,   The Commonwealth Neuroendocrine Tumours Research Collaborative (CommNETs) Surgical Section
Published: July 2020

The management of nodal disease remains controversial for small bowel neuroendocrine tumors (SB‐NETs). Debates remain regarding the therapeutic role and extent of routine lymph node dissection (LND) for localized SB‐NETs, as well as the need for aggressive resection of advanced loco‐regional SB‐NETs with mesenteric nodal masses. This review will address these questions regarding lymph node dissection for well‐differentiated WHO grade 1 and 2 SB‐NETs. In general, the aggressiveness and radicality of resection should be balanced against the length of bowel resected and post‐operative functional outcomes. In localized SB‐NETs with clinically negative lymph nodes, a nodal harvest of ≥ 8 lymph nodes provides accurate staging, but has not been shown to confer survival benefit. For loco‐regional SB‐NETs with clinically positive lymph nodes identified on imaging, 4 stages of nodal extent have been described: stage 1 nodes are located near to the intestinal border, stage 2 on arterial branches close to the origin of the SMA, stage 3 along the SMA itself, and stage 4 extend in the retroperitoneum under the pancreatic neck. In SB‐NETs, every attempt should be made at resection of the primary tumor and the nodal mesenteric mass for curative‐intent management and to prevent debilitating complications from mesenteric fibrosis. A mesenteric‐sparing approach is favored to allow for resection for complex proximal nodal masses while preserving intestinal length and function. All patients with SB‐NETs with nodal mesenteric mass should be assessed by a surgeon for resection; if deemed unresectable, consideration should be given to assessment in high‐volume NETs centres to confirm proximal mesenteric‐sparing resection is not feasible.
Trends in Appendicitis Among Pregnant Women, the Risk for Cardiac Arrest, and Maternal–Fetal Mortality
Authors: Dongarwar Deepa , Taylor Jalyce , Ajewole Veronica , Anene Nmelichukwu , Omoyele Oladapo , Ogba China , Oluwatoba Abiodun , Giger Dominique , Thuy Au , Argueta Erika , Naik Eknath , Salemi Jason L. , Spooner Kiara , Olaleye Omonike , Salihu Hamisu M.
Published: July 2020

Background

Appendicitis is the most common extra‐uterine surgical emergency requiring immediate intervention during pregnancy. However, risks for mortality and morbidity among pregnant women with appendicitis remain poorly understood. This study was conducted to determine the temporal trends of appendicitis in pregnant women, and to calculate the risk of maternal–fetal mortality and near‐miss marker (i.e., cardiac arrest) among pregnant women in general, and by race/ethnicity.

Methods

We conducted this retrospective study using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2015. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate and describe temporal changes in the rates of all and acute appendicitis during the 14‐year study period. We also estimated the risk of cardiac arrest, maternal, and fetal mortality among mothers of various racial/ethnic groups with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Within each group, patients without acute appendicitis were the referent category.

Results and conclusions

Out of the 58 million pregnancy hospitalizations during the study period, 63,145 cases (10.74 per 10,000 hospitalizations) were for acute appendicitis. There was a 5% decline (95% CI: − 5.1, − 5.0) in the rate of appendicitis hospitalizations over the period of the study. After adjusting for covariates, pregnant mothers with acute appendicitis had increased likelihood when compared to those without acute appendicitis to suffer fetal loss (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.85–2.28) and nearly fivefold increase for inpatient maternal death. In conclusion, appendicitis during pregnancy remains an important cause of in‐hospital maternal–fetal mortality overall and regardless of race/ethnicity.
Signaling pathways in the coral polyp bail-out response
Authors: Chuang Po-Shun , Mitarai Satoshi
Published: July 2020

Polyp bail-out is a stress response exhibited by some pocilloporid corals, with mechanisms and consequences distinct from those of bleaching. Although induction of polyp bail-out has been demonstrated in the laboratory, molecular mechanisms underlying this response have rarely been discussed. We conducted genetic analyses of Pocillopora acuta during initiation of hyperosmosis-induced polyp bail-out, using both transcriptomic and qPCR techniques. Beyond upregulation of apoptosis and proteolysis, corals showed significant activation of tumor necrosis factor and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling pathways during induction of polyp bail-out. In our qPCR analysis, a common upregulation profile, peaking at 43.0‰ salinity, was found in the FAS and CASP8 genes, whereas a different profile, showing significant upregulation up to 45.0‰, was displayed by matrix metalloproteinases and genes in the FGF signaling pathway. These results suggest parallel involvement of an extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway and FGF-mediated extracellular matrix degradation in polyp bail-out. Furthermore, in the XIAP, JNK, and NFKB1 genes, we detected a third expression profile showing linear upregulation that becomes maximal at the endpoint salinity level of the experiment (46.0‰), indicating activation of anti-apoptotic and cell survival signals during polyp bail-out. Our results provide new insights into signaling pathways responsible for polyp bail-out and suggest the feasibility of inducing bail-out by specifically triggering these pathways without exerting lethal stresses on the corals, which in turn will facilitate acquisition of viable polyps for possible use in coral reef restoration.
Revealing exhumation of the central Alps during the Early Oligocene by detrital zircon U–Pb age and fission-track double dating in the Taveyannaz Formation
Authors: Lu Gang , Fellin Maria Giuditta , Winkler Wilfried , Rahn Meinert , Guillong Marcel , von Quadt Albrecht , Willett Sean D.
Published: July 2020

The late Eocene-to-early Oligocene Taveyannaz Formation is a turbidite series deposited in the Northern Alpine Foreland Basin (close to the Alpine orogenic front). Double dating of zircons with the fission-track and the U–Pb methods is applied on samples from the Taveyannaz Formation to reconstruct the exhumation history of the Central-Western Alps and to understand the syn-collisional magmatism along the Periadriatic lineament. Three samples from this unit show similar detrital zircon fission-track age populations that center at: 33–40 Ma (20%); 69–92 Ma (30–40%); and 138–239 Ma (40–50%). The youngest population contains both syn-volcanic and basement grains. Combined with zircon U–Pb data, it suggests that the basement rocks of Apulian-affinity nappes (Margna Sesia, Austroalpine) were the major sources of detritus, together with the Ivrea Zone and recycled Prealpine flysch, that contributed debris to the Northern Alpine Foreland Basin. Furthermore, the rocks of the Sesia–Lanzo Zone or of equivalent units exposed at that time presumably provided the youngest basement zircon fission-track ages to the basin. The Biella volcanic suite was the source of volcanogenic zircons. Oligocene sediment pathways from source to sink crossed further crystalline basement units and sedimentary covers before entering the basin from the southeast. The lag times of the youngest basement age populations (volcanic zircons excluded) are about 11 Myr. This constrains average moderate-to-high exhumation rate of 0.5–0.6 km/Myr in the pro-side of the orogenic wedge of the Central Alps during the late Eocene to early Oligocene.
Activation of cell-penetrating peptide fragments by disulfide formation
Authors: Tooyserkani Raheleh , Lipiński Wojciech , Willemsen Bob , Löwik Dennis W. P. M.
Published: July 2020

Three cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), Tat, Pep-3 and penetratin, were split into two parts and each fragment was terminated with a cysteine residue, to allow disulfide bridge formation, as well as a fluorescent label, for visualization and quantitative analysis. After disulfide formation between two complementary CPP fragments, cellular uptake of the resulting conjugates was observed. As confirmed by in vitro experiments, the conjugated peptides showed uptake activity comparable to the native CPP sequences, while the truncated peptides were hardly active. Until now, this split CPP strategy has only been demonstrated for oligo-arginine CPPs, but here we demonstrate that it is also applicable to other cell-penetrating peptides. This wider applicability may help in the design of new activatable cell-penetrating peptides for, e.g., targeted drug delivery.
Open versus minimally invasive total gastrectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: results of a European randomized trial
Authors: van der Wielen Nicole , Straatman Jennifer , Daams Freek , Rosati Riccardo , Parise Paolo , Weitz Jürgen , Reissfelder Christoph , Diez del Val Ismael , Loureiro Carlos , Parada-González Purificación , Pintos-Martínez Elena , Mateo Vallejo Francisco , Medina Achirica Carlos , Sánchez-Pernaute Andrés , Ruano Campos Adriana , Bonavina Luigi , Asti Emanuele L. G. , Alonso Poza Alfredo , Gilsanz Carlos , Nilsson Magnus , Lindblad Mats , Gisbertz Suzanne S. , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I. , Fumagalli Romario Uberto , De Pascale Stefano , Akhtar Khurshid , Jaap Bonjer H. , Cuesta Miguel A. , van der Peet Donald L.
Published: July 2020

Background

Surgical resection with adequate lymphadenectomy is regarded the only curative option for gastric cancer. Regarding minimally invasive techniques, mainly Asian studies showed comparable oncological and short-term postoperative outcomes. The incidence of gastric cancer is lower in the Western population and patients often present with more advanced stages of disease. Therefore, the reproducibility of these Asian results in the Western population remains to be investigated.

Methods

A randomized trial was performed in thirteen hospitals in Europe. Patients with an indication for total gastrectomy who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were eligible for inclusion and randomized between open total gastrectomy (OTG) or minimally invasive total gastrectomy (MITG). Primary outcome was oncological safety, measured as the number of resected lymph nodes and radicality. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications, recovery and 1-year survival.

Results

Between January 2015 and June 2018, 96 patients were included in this trial. Forty-nine patients were randomized to OTG and 47 to MITG. The mean number of resected lymph nodes was 43.4 ± 17.3 in OTG and 41.7 ± 16.1 in MITG (p = 0.612). Forty-eight patients in the OTG group had a R0 resection and 44 patients in the MITG group (p = 0.617). One-year survival was 90.4% in OTG and 85.5% in MITG (p = 0.701). No significant differences were found regarding postoperative complications and recovery.

Conclusion

These findings provide evidence that MITG after neoadjuvant therapy is not inferior regarding oncological quality of resection in comparison to OTG in Western patients with resectable gastric cancer. In addition, no differences in postoperative complications and recovery were seen.
Regulatory T cells are less sensitive to glucocorticoid hormone induced apoptosis than CD4+ T cells
Authors: Prenek Lilla , Litvai Tímea , Balázs Noémi , Kugyelka Réka , Boldizsár Ferenc , Najbauer József , Németh Péter , Berki Timea
Published: July 2020

Earlier we have reported that thymic regulatory T cells (Treg) are resistant to in vivo glucocorticoid hormone (GC)-induced apoptosis, while the most GC-sensitive DP thymocytes died through the activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Here we analyzed the apoptosis-inducing effect of high dose (10–6 M) in vitro dexamethasone (DX) treatment in mouse thymic- and splenic Tregs and CD4+ T cells. Activation of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways started after 2 h of DX treatment in CD4 SP thymocytes and was 3 × higher than in CD4+ splenocytes, while in Treg cells, weak activation of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway started only after 3 h. We also investigated the expression of 21 apoptosis-related molecules using a protein array and found higher level of both pro-and anti-apoptotic molecules in Tregs compared to CD4+ T cells. 4 h in vitro DX treatment induced upregulation of most apoptosis-related molecules both in Tregs and CD4+ T cells, except for the decrease of Bcl-2 expression in CD4+ T cells. We found high basal cytosolic Ca2+ levels in untreated Treg cells, which further increased after DX treatment, while the specific TCR-induced Ca2+ signal was lower in Tregs than in CD4+ T cells. Our results suggest that in the background of the relative apoptosis resistance of Treg cells to GCs might be their high basal cytosolic Ca2+ level and upregulated Bcl-2 expression. In contrast, downregulation of Bcl-2 expression in CD4+ T cells can explain their higher, DX-induced apoptosis sensitivity.
Scalable time-constrained planning of multi-robot systems
Authors: Nikou Alexandros , Heshmati-alamdari Shahab , Dimarogonas Dimos V.
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a scalable procedure for time-constrained planning of a class of uncertain nonlinear multi-robot systems. In particular, we consider N robotic agents operating in a workspace which contains regions of interest (RoI), in which atomic propositions for each robot are assigned. The main goal is to design decentralized and robust control laws so that each robot meets an individual high-level specification given as a metric interval temporal logic (MITL), while using only local information based on a limited sensing radius. Furthermore, the robots need to fulfill certain desired transient constraints such as collision avoidance between them. The controllers, which guarantee the transition between regions, consist of two terms: a nominal control input, which is computed online and is the solution of a decentralized finite-horizon optimal control problem (DFHOCP); and an additive state feedback law which is computed offline and guarantees that the real trajectories of the system will belong to a hyper-tube centered along the nominal trajectory. The controllers serve as actions for the individual weighted transition system (WTS) of each robot, and the time duration required for the transition between regions is modeled by a weight. The DFHOCP is solved at every sampling time by each robot and then necessary information is exchanged between neighboring robots. The proposed approach is scalable since it does not require a product computation among the WTS of the robots. The proposed framework is experimentally tested and the results show that the proposed framework is promising for solving real-life robotic as well as industrial applications.
Density of Liquid Iridium and Rhenium from Melting up to the Critical Point
Authors: Leitner M. , Pottlacher G.
Published: July 2020

The density as a function of temperature was determined for liquid iridium (Ir) and rhenium (Re) by means of shadow imaging in ohmic pulse-heating experiments. In addition to regular experiments at$$0.23\,\text {MPa}$$0.23MPa, high-pressure experiments at static pressures between$$0.18\,\text {GPa}$$0.18GPato$$0.30\,\text {GPa}$$0.30GPawere performed to increase the metals’ boiling point and thus determine density data at temperatures far exceeding the boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure. By this means, the experimentally accessible liquid range could be extended by roughly$$2000\,\text {K}$$2000K(Ir) and$$6000\,\text {K}$$6000K(Re) compared to data reported in the literature. In a second step, the experimental data were used to estimate critical temperature, critical density, and the complete phase diagram in the density–temperature plane. A comprehensive comparison with literature data was conducted.
Beetle biodiversity in forest habitats in Laos depends on the level of human exploitation
Authors: Chouangthavy Bounsanong , Bouttavong Khankeo , Louangphan Johnny , Phewphanh Phonepadith , Sibounnavong Phoutthasone , Souksavat Seephai , Pinkaew Nantasak , Babendreier Dirk
Published: July 2020

Coleopteran diversity was compared between more and less disturbed lowland evergreen deciduous forests located in Phou Phanang National protected area, Lao PDR. Using window traps and pitfall traps and collecting beetles from March until December 2018, a total of 6243 specimens were obtained. The number of morphospecies found in the less disturbed forest was significantly higher as compared to the more disturbed forest. Slightly more morphospecies were found in the window traps compared to pitfall traps and a significantly higher number of morphospecies were found in the wet season (June and September collections), compared to the dry season (March and December collections). Similarly, more than twice as many specimens were found in the less disturbed forest, compared to the more disturbed forest and also again more were found in the wet season, in particular predators. The data presented here indicate that so far largely undisturbed forests in Lao PDR need to be better protected from human exploitation such as logging.
Enhanced Capacity to Act: Managers’ Perspectives When Participating in a Dialogue-Based Workplace Intervention for Employee Return to Work
Authors: Eskilsson Therese , Norlund Sofia , Lehti Arja , Wiklund Maria
Published: July 2020

PurposeTo explore if and how a dialogue-based workplace intervention with a convergence dialogue meeting can support a return to work process from the managers’ perspective.MethodsIndividual interviews were conducted with 16 managers (10 women and 6 men) who had an employee on sick leave because of stress-induced exhaustion disorder. The manager and employee participated in a dialogue-based workplace intervention with a convergence dialogue meeting that was guided by a healthcare rehabilitation coordinator. The intervention aimed to facilitate dialogue and find concrete solutions to enable return to work. The interviews were analyzed by the Grounded Theory method.ResultsA theoretical model was developed with the core category enhancing managerial capacity to act in a complex return to work process,where the managers strengthened their agential capacity in three levels (categories). These levels werebuilding competence, making adjustments, andsharing responsibilitywith the employee. The managers also learned to navigate in multiple systems and by balancing demands, control and support for the employee and themselves. An added value was that the managers began to take preventive measures with other employees. When sick leave was caused only by personal or social issues (not work), workplace actions or interventions were difficult to find.ConclusionsFrom the managers’ perspective, dialogue-based workplace interventions with a convergence dialogue meeting and support from a rehabilitation coordinator can strengthen managerial competence and capacity to act in a complex return to work process.
Which Boys and Which Girls Are Falling Behind? Linking Adolescents’ Gender Role Profiles to Motivation, Engagement, and Achievement
Authors: Yu Junlin , McLellan Ros , Winter Liz
Published: July 2020

Research on gender gaps in school tends to focus on average gender differences in academic outcomes, such as motivation, engagement, and achievement. The current study moved beyond a binary perspective to unpack the variations within gender. It identified distinct groups of adolescents based on their patterns of conformity to different gender norms and compared group differences in motivation, engagement, and achievement. Data were collected from 597 English students (aged 14–16 years, 49% girls) on their conformity to traditional masculine and feminine norms, growth mindset, perseverance, self-handicapping, and their English and mathematics performance at the end of secondary school. Latent profile analysis identified seven groups of adolescents (resister boys, cool guys, tough guys, relational girls, modern girls, tomboys, wild girls) and revealed the prevalence of each profile. Within-gender variations show that two thirds of the boys were motivated, engaged, and performed well in school. In contrast, half of the girls showed maladaptive patterns of motivation, engagement, and achievement, and could be considered academically at risk. By shifting the focus from “boys versus girls” to “which boys and which girls”, this study reveals the invisibility of well-performing boys and underachieving girls in educational gender gap research.
New strong convergence method for the sum of two maximal monotone operators
Authors: Shehu Yekini , Dong Qiao-Li , Liu Lu-Lu , Yao Jen-Chih
Published: July 2020

This paper aims to obtain a strong convergence result for a Douglas–Rachford splitting method with inertial extrapolation step for finding a zero of the sum of two set-valued maximal monotone operators without any further assumption of uniform monotonicity on any of the involved maximal monotone operators. Furthermore, our proposed method is easy to implement and the inertial factor in our proposed method is a natural choice. Our method of proof is of independent interest. Finally, some numerical implementations are given to confirm the theoretical analysis.
Dose-Response Mixed Models for Repeated Measures – a New Method for Assessment of Dose-Response
Authors: Wellhagen Gustaf J. , Hamrén Bengt , Kjellsson Maria C. , Åstrand Magnus
Published: July 2020

Purpose

In this paper we investigated a new method for dose-response analysis of longitudinal data in terms of precision and accuracy using simulations.

Methods

The new method, called Dose-Response Mixed Models for Repeated Measures (DR-MMRM), combines conventional Mixed Models for Repeated Measures (MMRM) and dose-response modeling. Conventional MMRM can be applied for highly variable repeated measure data and is a way to estimate the drug effect at each visit and dose, however without any assumptions regarding the dose-response shape. Dose-response modeling, on the other hand, utilizes information across dose arms and describes the drug effect as a function of dose. Drug development in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is complicated by many factors, primarily by the slow progression of the disease and lack of predictive biomarkers. Recently, new approaches and biomarkers are being explored to improve efficiency in CKD drug development. Proteinuria, i.e. urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) is increasingly used in dose finding trials in patients with CKD. We use proteinuria to illustrate the benefits of DR-MMRM.

Results

The DR-MMRM had higher precision than conventional MMRM and less bias than a dose-response model on UACR change from baseline to end-of-study (DR-EOS).

Conclusions

DR-MMRM is a promising method for dose-response analysis.
Enhancement of Naphthalene Degradation by a Sequential Sulfate Injection Scenario in a (Semi)-Arid Coastal Soil: a Flow-Through Reactor Experiment
Authors: Shafieiyoun Saeid , Al-Raoush Riyadh I. , Ngueleu Stephane K. , Rezanezhad Fereidoun , Van Cappellen Philippe
Published: July 2020

Engineered sulfate injection has been introduced as an effective technology to enhance the remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons. While some studies indicate that sulfate injection is a promising method for the treatment of hydrocarbon-contaminated subsurface systems, its application in the brackish soil environments is unknown. In this study, we explored related geochemical indicators along with soil adsorption and dissolved phase concentrations to provide an improved understanding of the hydrocarbon-contaminated subsurface responses to the sulfate injection in brackish environments. A series of flow-through experiments representing in situ groundwater anaerobic bioremediation were conducted and two sulfate injection episodes were applied to examine the degradation of dissolved naphthalene under low salinity and brackish conditions. As opposed to the substantial body of previous studies that salinity restricts biodegradation, the results from this study showed that naphthalene anaerobic degradation was more stable once the salinity was as high as that at the sampling location in the coastal brackish environment. While increasing naphthalene concentration from 4 to 12 mg L−1 did not limit biodegradation efficiency under brackish condition similar to the sampling location, it adversely restricted the developed reducing conditions and biodegradation process under low salinity conditions. This highlights the adaption of the microbial communities within the soil to the brackish environment at the sampling location suggesting that changing the salinity during engineered sulfate application can make the remediation process more susceptible against the environmental stresses and substrate toxicity. The results of this study provide insight into the engineered sulfate application as a remediation strategy for potential removal of dissolved naphthalene from the contaminated brackish groundwater.
On practical problems in precise estimation of 5F-ADB in urine samples
Authors: Dybowski Michal P. , Typek Rafal , Dawidowicz Andrzej L. , Holowinski Piotr
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to establish if there are any problems in precise quantitation of methyl 2-[1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamido]-3,3-dimethylbutanoate (5F-ADB) in human urine by QuEChERS extraction coupled with gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS).

Methods

To establish the method for quantifying 5F-ADB in human urine samples, QuEChERS extraction coupled with GC–MS/MS was applied. To elucidate 5F-ADB degradation products, liquid chromatography coupled with linear trap quadrupole-orbitrap hybrid MS (LC–MS) was used.

Results

The applied QuEChERS GC–MS/MS procedure appeared to be satisfactory for 5F-ADB estimation in acidic and alkaline urine samples. Its validation parameters were the following: good linearity (R2 = 0.9988), high detection (limit of detection = 0.33 ng/mL) and quantitation (limit of quantitation = 1.1 ng/mL) sensitivities and satisfactory inter- and intraday precisions (% relative standard deviation below 5.6%). 5F-ADB recovery from acidic urine by QuEChERS procedure was slightly lower than that from urine sample with neutral pH; however, the difference in the recovery was not statistically significant. The recovery of the drug from alkaline urine is extremely low. LC–MS analysis proved the presence of 5F-ADB hydrolysis products in alkaline urine and in alkaline solution of the drug.

Conclusions

The presented studies indicate that the validated QuEChERS technique can be successfully used in routine analyses of 5F-ADB in urine. Yet, due to hydrolytical instability of 5F-ADB, the medical diagnosis of the health condition of the patient suspected of 5F-ADB abuse on the basis of the drug concentration in his/her urine may be incorrect, especially when the urine is alkaline.
Modulation of Insulin Sensitivity by Exercise Training: Implications for Cardiovascular Prevention
Authors: Iaccarino Guido , Franco Danilo , Sorriento Daniela , Strisciuglio Teresa , Barbato Emanuele , Morisco Carmine
Published: July 2020

The beneficial effects of physical activity on the cardiovascular system nowadays have achieved the relevance of clinical evidence. In fact, several studies have documented the benefits of exercise training in the prevention of the cardiovascular risk. Abnormalities of insulin signaling transduction account for the impairment of insulin sensitivity and development of insulin resistance, which, in turn, is responsible for the enhancement of cardiovascular risk. Insulin sensitivity is related to the degree of physical activity, and physical training has been shown to ameliorate insulin action in insulin-resistant subjects. This effect is mediated by the improvement of the molecular abnormalities that are responsible of the insulin resistance, contributing in this way to restore the physiological insulin sensitivity. However, it should be underlined that mechanisms that account for this phenomenon are extremely complex and still unclear. Further studies are required to better clarify the molecular basis of the exercise-evoked improvement of insulin signal.