bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lopinavir/ritonavir and interferon combination therapy may help shorten the duration of viral shedding in patients with COVID‐19: A retrospective study in two designated hospitals in Anhui, China
Authors: Zuo Yan , Liu Yunlei , Zhong Qi , Zhang Ke , Xu Yuanhong , Wang Zhongxin
Published: June 2020

Prolonged viral shedding may pose a threat to the control of coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19), and data on the duration of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) shedding are still limited, with the associated factors being unknown. All adult patients with laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 were included in this retrospective cross‐sectional study in two designated hospitals during 21 January 2020 to 16 March 2020 in Anhui, China. In all patients, data on the duration of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA shedding were analyzed by reviewing all RNA detection results during hospitalization. In addition, demographic, clinical, treatment, laboratory, and outcome data were also collected from electronic medical records. Factors associated with prolonged viral shedding were analyzed with the Cox proportional hazards model. Among 181 patients, the mean age was 44.3 ± 13.2 years, and 55.2% were male. The median duration of viral shedding from illness onset was 18.0 days (interquartile range [IQR], 15.0‐24.0). Prolonged viral shedding was associated with longer hospital stays (P < .001) and higher medical costs (P < .001). The severity of COVID‐19 had nothing to do with prolonged shedding. Moreover, the median time from onset to antiviral treatment initiation was 5.0 days (IQR, 3.0‐7.0). Delayed antiviral treatment (hazard ratio [HR], 0.976; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.962‐0.990]) and lopinavir/ritonavir + interferon‐α (IFN‐α) combination therapy as the initial antiviral treatment (HR 1.649; 95% CI, 1.162‐2.339) were independent factors associated with prolonged SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA shedding. SARS‐CoV‐2 showed prolonged viral shedding, causing increased hospital stays and medical costs. Early initiation of lopinavir/ritonavir +  IFN‐α combination therapy may help shorten the duration of SARS‐CoV‐2 shedding.
Statistical modeling of frequency responses using linear Bayesian vector fitting
Authors: De Ridder Simon , Deschrijver Dirk , Spina Domenico , Vande Ginste Dries , Dhaene Tom
Published: June 2020

This article presents a Bayesian extension of the vector fitting (VF) procedure for rational approximation of frequency‐domain responses. The proposed method treats the linear part of VF in a Bayesian way, while propagating distributions through the nonlinear part by sampling. As such, it is capable of providing data‐driven uncertainty information along with the rational fit. The Bayesian VF technique is applied to two realistic design examples, a double folded stub filter and a RAM memory channel, demonstrating its validity and highlighting three potential applications of this novel framework.
Boldine inhibits the alveolar bone resorption during ligature‐induced periodontitis by modulating the Th17/Treg imbalance
Authors: Cafferata Emilio A. , Castro‐Saavedra Sebastián , Fuentes‐Barros Gonzalo , Melgar‐Rodríguez Samanta , Rivera Felipe , Carvajal Paola , Hernández Marcela , Cortés Bastián I. , Cortez Cristian , Cassels Bruce K. , Vernal Rolando
Published: June 2020

Background

During periodontitis, tooth‐supporting alveolar bone is resorbed when there is an increased expression of the pro‐osteolytic factor termed receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), which is responsible for osteoclast differentiation and activation. In periodontitis‐affected tissues, the imbalance between T‐helper type‐17 (Th17) and T‐regulatory (Treg) lymphocyte activity favors this RANKL overexpression. In this context, immunotherapeutic strategies aimed at modulating this Th17/Treg imbalance could eventually arrest the RANKL‐mediated alveolar bone loss. Boldine has been reported to protect from pathological bone loss during rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis, whose pathogenesis is associated with a Th17/Treg imbalance. However, the effect of boldine on alveolar bone resorption during periodontitis has not been elucidated yet. This study aimed to determine whether boldine inhibits alveolar bone resorption by modulating the Th17/Treg imbalance during periodontitis.

Methods

Mice with ligature‐induced periodontitis were orally treated with boldine (10/20/40 mg/kg) for 15 consecutive days. Non‐treated periodontitis‐affected mice and non‐ligated mice were used as controls. Alveolar bone loss was analyzed by micro‐computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy. Osteoclasts were quantified by histological identification of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase‐positive cells. Production of RANKL and its competitive antagonist osteoprotegerin (OPG) were analyzed by ELISA, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and immunohistochemistry. The Th17 and Treg responses were analyzed by quantifying the T‐cell frequency and number by flow cytometry. Also, the expression of their signature transcription factors and cytokines were quantified by qPCR.

Results

Boldine inhibited the alveolar bone resorption. Consistently, boldine caused a decrease in the osteoclast number and RANKL/OPG ratio in periodontal lesions. Besides, boldine reduced the Th17‐lymphocyte detection and response and increased the Treg‐lymphocyte detection and response in periodontitis‐affected tissues.

Conclusion

Boldine, administered orally, inhibited the alveolar bone resorption and modulated the Th17/Treg imbalance during experimental periodontitis.
Review of the present features and the infection control challenges of COVID‐19 pandemic in dialysis facilities
Authors: Lee Jia‐Jung , Hwang Shang‐Jyh , Huang Jee‐Fu
Published: June 2020

The COVID‐19 has swept the world causing suffering, death, loss, and massive economy damage. The dialysis population is vulnerable and the dialysis facility is critical in maintaining operations and avoiding disease transmission. The present information regarding the clinical features of COVID‐19 infection in the dialysis population was collected, and the useful measures of COVID‐19 infection prevention and infection control in the dialysis facilities were summarized. Leadership, education, preparedness, management, and recovery phase were determined to be the critical procedures. It is hoped this updated interim review might provide information for medical professionals to take proactive action to best prepare and mitigate damage when facing the COVID‐19 pandemic challenge.
Influence of the surface etching on the corrosion behaviour of a three‐dimensional printed Ti–6Al–4V alloy
Authors: Fojt Jaroslav , Kacenka Zdenek , Jablonska Eva , Hybasek Vojtech , Pruchova Eva
Published: June 2020

Recently, there has been an extension of three‐dimensional (3D) printing technology of metal materials in the medical field. Additive technology has made it possible to manufacture customized implants. However, 3D printing products often require surface treatment. The possible treatments include acid etching. This study investigated the effect of surface etching on the corrosion resistance of Ti–6Al–4V alloy concerning biological applications. The samples were etched in a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid. The corrosion behaviour was described by measuring the time dependence of polarization resistance in a saline solution and surface analysis. The results showed that etching creates a fluoride‐rich layer on the surface, which negatively affects the corrosion behaviour of the material for up to 24 hr. Cytocompatibility tests showed that the resulting layer does not affect the biocompatibility of the material.
The “ins” and “outs” of product and services marketing: The influence of consonant wanderings in consumer decision‐making
Authors: Godinho Sandra , Garrido Margarida V.
Published: June 2020

The established preference for words featuring consonants ordered inward in the oral cavity—the in–out effect, may assist marketeers when naming new products and services. To investigate the conditions under which this effect may affect consumer preference we conducted four experiments (N = 818) examining the influence of consonant wanderings in the evaluation of different professionals and food products. While inward articulation direction selectively biased warmth judgments about workers who are perceived as relatively neutral on both warmth and competence, for professionals traditionally associated with either a warmth or a competence dimension inward‐wandering usernames systematically presented a competitive advantage. In the same way, hypothetical food products with inward‐wandering names were judged as more hedonic and more utilitarian. The present evidence supports the potential of the in–out effect to market products and services and highlights the relevance of exploiting this and other oral kinematics phenomena as an asset for managerial practice.
Conditional safety margins for less conservative peak local SAR assessment: A probabilistic approach
Authors: Meliadò Ettore Flavio , Sbrizzi Alessandro , van den Berg Cornelis A. T. , Steensma Bart R. , Luijten Peter R. , Raaijmakers Alexander J. E.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The introduction of a linear safety factor to address peak local specific absorption rate (pSAR10g) uncertainties (eg, intersubject variation, modeling inaccuracies) bears one considerable drawback: It often results in over‐conservative scanning constraints. We present a more efficient approach to define a variable safety margin based on the conditional probability density function of the effectively obtained pSAR10g value, given the estimated pSAR10g value.

Methods

The conditional probability density function can be estimated from previously simulated data. A representative set of true and estimated pSAR10g samples was generated by means of our database of 23 subject‐specific models with an 8‐fractionated dipole array for prostate imaging at 7 T. The conditional probability density function was calculated for each possible estimated pSAR10g value and used to determine the corresponding safety margin with an arbitrary low probability of underestimation. This approach was applied to five state‐of‐the‐art local SAR estimation methods, namely: (1) using just the generic body model “Duke”; (2) using our model library to assess the maximum pSAR10g value over all models; (3) using the most representative “local SAR model”; (4) using the five most representative local SAR models; and (5) using a recently developed deep learning–based method.

Results

Compared with the more conventional safety factor, the conditional safety‐margin approach results in lower (up to 30%) mean overestimation for all investigated local SAR estimation methods.

Conclusion

The proposed probabilistic approach for pSAR10g correction allows more accurate local SAR assessment with much lower overestimation, while a predefined level of underestimation is accepted (eg, 0.1%).
Parametrized reduced order modeling for cracked solids
Authors: Agathos Konstantinos , Bordas Stéphane P. A. , Chatzi Eleni
Published: June 2020

A parametrized reduced order modeling methodology for cracked two dimensional solids is presented, where the parameters correspond to geometric properties of the crack, such as location and size. The method follows the offline‐online paradigm, where in the offline, training phase, solutions are obtained for a set of parameter values, corresponding to specific crack configurations and a basis for a lower dimensional solution space is created. Then in the online phase, this basis is used to obtain solutions for configurations that do not lie in the training set. The use of the same basis for different crack geometries is rendered possible by defining a reference configuration and employing mesh morphing to map the reference to different target configurations. To enable the application to complex geometries, a mesh morphing technique is introduced, based on inverse distance weighting, which increases computational efficiency and allows for special treatment of boundaries. Applications in linear elastic fracture mechanics are considered, with the extended finite element method being used to represent discontinuous and asymptotic fields.
Nonprofit quality: What is it and why should nonprofits care?
Authors: Woodroof Parker J. , Howie Katharine M. , Peasley Michael C.
Published: June 2020

This manuscript examines a quality‐oriented philosophy in a nonprofit context utilizing semi‐structured interviews with nonprofit executive directors. The findings indicate that nonprofit organizations do seek continuous improvement and value a long‐term focus, consistent with for‐profit quality aspirations. However, factors unique to the structure of nonprofit organizations exist and contribute to organizational quality. The interviews converged to highlight five areas that relate to organizational quality in nonprofit organizations: donor relationships, organizational transparency, board member involvement, talent recruitment, and employee commitment. The findings indicate that a quality‐oriented approach to nonprofit governance affects an organization's ability to secure funding and address the mission of the respective organization more efficiently and effectively. Thus, it is suggested that incorporating a quality‐oriented philosophy creates a competitive advantage for nonprofit organizations in an increasingly saturated market.
HPV16 induces penile intraepithelial neoplasia and squamous cell carcinoma in transgenic mice: first mouse model for HPV‐related penile cancer
Authors: Medeiros‐Fonseca Beatriz , Mestre Verónica F , Estêvão Diogo , Sánchez Diego F , Cañete‐Portillo Sofía , Fernández‐Nestosa María J , Casaca Fátima , Silva Sandra , Brito Haissa , Félix Ana , Medeiros Rui , Colaço Bruno , Oliveira Paula A , Bastos Margarida MSM , Nelson Peter S , Vakar‐Lopez Funda , Gaivão Isabel , Brito Luciane , Lopes Carlos , Cubilla Antonio L , Gil da Costa Rui M
Published: June 2020

Penile cancer is an under‐studied disease that occurs more commonly in developing countries and 30–50% of cases show high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Therapeutic advances are slow, largely due to the absence of animal models for translational research. Here, we report the first mouse model for HPV‐related penile cancer. Ten‐week‐old mice expressing all the HPV16 early genes under control of the cytokeratin 14 (Krt14) gene promoter and matched wild‐type controls were exposed topically to dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) or vehicle for 16 weeks. At 30 weeks of age, mice were sacrificed for histological analysis. Expression of Ki67, cytokeratin 14, and of the HPV16 oncogenes E6 and E7 was confirmed using immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR, respectively. HPV16‐transgenic mice developed intraepithelial lesions including condylomas and penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN). Lesions expressed cytokeratin 14 and the HPV16 oncogenes E6 and E7 and showed deregulated cell proliferation, demonstrated by Ki67‐positive supra‐basal cells. HPV16‐transgenic mice exposed to DMBA showed increased PeIN incidence and squamous cell carcinoma. Malignant lesions showed varied histological features closely resembling those of HPV‐associated human penile cancers. Wild‐type mice showed no malignant or pre‐malignant lesions even when exposed to DMBA. These observations provide the first experimental evidence to support the etiological role of HPV16 in penile carcinogenesis. Importantly, this is the first mouse model to recapitulate key steps of HPV‐related penile carcinogenesis and to reproduce morphological and molecular features of human penile cancer, providing a unique in vivo tool for studying its biology and advancing basic and translational research. © 2020 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liver involvement in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma: A systematic review by an international collaboration on Staging Evaluation and Response Criteria Harmonization (SEARCH) for Children, Adolescent, and Young Adult Hodgkin Lymphoma (CAYAHL)
Authors: Hagleitner Melanie M. , Metzger Monika L. , Flerlage Jamie E. , Kelly Kara M. , Voss Stephan D. , Kluge Regine , Kurch Lars , Cho Steve , Mauz‐Koerholz Christine , Beishuizen Auke
Published: June 2020

Hepatic involvement in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is uncommon (∼5% of patients) but always implies stage IV disease. Accurate staging is mandatory for making the appropriate risk assignment and treatment decisions. The Staging Evaluation and Response Criteria Harmonization for Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Hodgkin Lymphoma (SEARCH for CAYAHL) international working group conducted a systematic literature review of liver involvement in HL patients with the aim to propose a universally acceptable definition for liver involvement in pediatric HL.

Thirty‐three articles describing 6985 pediatric and adult HL patients were reviewed, of which 539 (7.7%) mentioned liver involvement. The literature did not provide a uniform definition of hepatic involvement and we propose consensus criteria derived from the EuroNet and Children's Oncology Group protocols, where liver involvement is defined as any hepatic lesion on computed tomography scan that correlates with 18F‐FDG uptake greater than background liver. A clear definition of liver lesions is necessary to consistently identify liver involvement and compare its impact on outcomes among protocols worldwide.
Chemical characterisation and quantification of the major constituents in the Chinese herbal formula Jian‐Pi‐Yi‐Shen pill by UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS and HPLC‐QQQ‐MS/MS
Authors: Wang Fochang , Huang Shiying , Chen Qiugu , Hu Zhaoliu , Li Zhonggui , Zheng Ping , Liu Xinhui , Li Shunmin , Zhang Shangbin , Chen Jianping
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Jian‐Pi‐Yi‐Shen pill (JPYSP) is a Chinese medicine formula developed for the treatment of anaemic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Objective

To investigate the chemical profile of JPYSP in the treatment of renal anaemia.

Methods

A method coupling ultra‐performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS) was established to characterise the chemical constituents present in JPYSP. Subsequently, a high‐performance liquid chromatography method coupled with triple‐quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐QQQ‐MS/MS) was developed to quantify the major constituents from the identified compounds related to the treatment of CKD and anaemia.

Results

A total of 71 compounds were tentatively identified from JPYSP, including saponins, flavonoids, sesquiterpenoids, coumarins, phenylpropanoids, anthranones, anthraquinones, tannins, phenolic acids and others. Amongst them, 12 compounds (i.e. astragaloside IV, calycosin, calycosin 7‐O‐glucoside, salvianolic acid A, rosmarinic acid, rhein, liquiritin, formononetin, atractylenolide I, dioscin, tanshinone IIA, and acteoside) were further quantified simultaneously by HPLC‐QQQ‐MS/MS.

Conclusion

The newly developed approach is suitable for the chemical profiling analysis and quality control of JPYSP, and could lead to additional pharmacodynamic studies involving the components of JPYSP.
Improving the picture of atomic structure in nonoriented polymer domains using the pair distribution function: A study of polyamide 6
Authors: Terban Maxwell W. , Pütz Alexander M. , Savasci Gökcen , Heinemeyer Ute , Hinrichsen Bernd , Desbois Philippe , Dinnebier Robert E.
Published: June 2020

Investigations of the atomic structures within polyamides started over 80 years ago and continue today. These weakly ordered materials diffract X‐rays poorly and typically require postprocessing to obtain idealized samples for structural studies. An important goal remains to develop techniques to study the local structure in its natural state, with atomic resolution, and with sensitivity to subtle changes due to synthesis conditions or other technologically relevant processing procedures. Here, we compare the structures of as‐produced, nonoriented polyamide 6 ([C6H11NO]
n) from both hydrolytic and anionic processes. A total scattering pair distribution function approach is used to elucidate information about the atomic bonding, molecular conformation, chain packing, crystallite size, and ratio of ordered to disordered domain content. The results are compared with those from standard analytical methods.
Preparation of polymethyl methacrylate with well‐controlled stereoregularity by anionic polymerization in an ionic liquid solvent
Authors: Otozawa Nobuyuki , Hamajima Rio , Yoshioka Masataka , Kato Raito , Tanaka Arisa , Fukuma Hiroto , Terao Toshiki , Manabe Kei , Fujii Syuji , Nakamura Yoshinobu , Takahara Atsushi , Hirai Tomoyasu
Published: June 2020

This study investigates the effect of ionic liquids (ILs) on the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA). Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), an isotactic polymer, is prepared by anionic polymerization at a high reaction temperature with an IL that acts as both solvent and additive. The most plausible reaction mechanism is determined using 1H NMR and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The electrostatic interaction between MMA and the IL increases the apparent steric hindrance in MMA, resulting in the isotactic PMMA.
Effect of cold atmospheric pressure plasma treatment of eggshells on the total bacterial count inoculated Salmonella Enteritidis and selected quality parameters
Authors: Moritz Maike , Wiacek Claudia , Weihe Thomas , Ehlbeck Jörg , Weltmann Klaus‐Dieter , Braun Peggy G.
Published: June 2020

In the European Union, foodborne outbreaks caused by Salmonella Enteritidis, related to eggs and egg products, have even been reported in 2018. Atmospheric pressure plasma is becoming increasingly important as a decontamination method. A semidirect cold atmospheric pressure plasma, the flexible electrode plasma source, was developed for treating whole hen's eggs. An average reduction of 1.16 and 0.95 log colony‐forming units (CFU)/egg was achieved for the total bacterial count of clean and dirty eggs, respectively. An inactivation of 4.1 log CFU/egg Salmonella Enteritidis was achieved with artificially inoculated eggshells. Selected quality parameters and sensory properties were analysed. Overall, the present study yielded promising results for a realistic implementation of an industrial prototype plasma source.
Resveratrol targeting tau proteins, amyloid‐beta aggregations, and their adverse effects: An updated review
Authors: Ashrafizadeh Milad , Zarrabi Ali , Najafi Masoud , Samarghandian Saeed , Mohammadinejad Reza , Ahn Kwang Seok
Published: June 2020

Resveratrol (Res) is a non‐flavonoid compound with pharmacological actions such as antioxidant, antiinflammatory, hepatoprotective, antidiabetes, and antitumor. This plant‐derived chemical has a long history usage in treatment of diseases. The excellent therapeutic impacts of Res and its capability in penetration into blood–brain barrier have made it an appropriate candidate in the treatment of neurological disorders (NDs). Tau protein aggregations and amyloid‐beta (Aβ) deposits are responsible for the induction of NDs. A variety of studies have elucidated the role of these aggregations in NDs and the underlying molecular pathways in their development. In the present review, based on the recently published articles, we describe that how Res administration could inhibit amyloidogenic pathway and stimulate processes such as autophagy to degrade Aβ aggregations. Besides, we demonstrate that Res supplementation is beneficial in dephosphorylation of tau proteins and suppressing their aggregations. Then, we discuss molecular pathways and relate them to the treatment of NDs.
Mass spectrometric characterisation of the circulating peptidome following oral glucose ingestion in control and gastrectomised patients
Authors: Kay Richard G. , Foreman Rachel E. , Roberts Geoff P. , Hardwick Richard , Reimann Frank , Gribble Fiona M.
Published: June 2020

Rationale

Meal ingestion triggers secretion of a variety of gut and endocrine peptides important in diabetes research which are routinely measured by immunoassays. However, similarities between some peptides (glucagon, oxyntomodulin and glicentin) can cause specificity issues with immunoassays. We used a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) methodology to unambiguously monitor multiple gut peptides in human plasma.

Methods

A simple acetonitrile‐based protein precipitation step, followed by evaporation and solid‐phase extraction, removed high‐abundance proteins from samples prior to nano‐LC/MS/MS analysis on an Orbitrap Q‐Exactive Plus mass spectrometer using a data‐dependent methodology. Database searching using PEAKS identified multiple gut‐derived peptides, including peptides in the mid‐pg/mL range. The relative levels of these and previously characterised peptides were assessed in plasma samples from gastrectomised and control subjects during an oral glucose tolerance test.

Results

Analysis of plasma extracts revealed significantly elevated levels of a number of peptides following glucose ingestion in subjects who had undergone gastrectomy compared with controls. These included GLP‐1(7–36), GLP‐1(9–36), glicentin, oxyntomodulin, GIP(1–42), GIP(3–42), PYY(1–36), PYY(3–36), neurotensin, insulin and C‐peptide. Motilin levels decreased following glucose ingestion. Results showed good correlation with immunoassay‐derived concentrations of some peptides in the same samples. The gastrectomy group also had higher, but non‐glucose‐dependent, circulating levels of peptides from PIGR and DMBT1.

Conclusions

Overall, the approach showed that a fast, generic and reproducible LC/MS/MS methodology requiring only a small volume of plasma was capable of the multiplexed detection of a variety of diabetes‐related peptides.
Finite‐time geometric control for underactuated aerial manipulators with unknown disturbances
Authors: Yu Yushu , Li Ping , Gong Peng
Published: June 2020

In this article, the finite‐time geometric control for underactuated aerial manipulators is investigated. The dynamics of the aerial manipulator with unknown disturbances is analyzed first. The dynamics of the system is decomposed into the locked subsystem and shape subsystem. The finite‐time controller for the aerial manipulator is then designed based on the analyzed dynamics. In the controller, the attitude tracking error of the aircraft base is expressed from the rotation matrix, which makes the controller continuous and almost globally stable on SO(3). A continuous adaptive term is added in the controller to compensate for the unknown disturbances. Finite‐time filters are designed to ensure the smoothness of the commands on each loop. The convergence of the entire controlled system is strictly proved using Lyapunov theory and the definition of finite‐time stability. The results show that the tracking error and the disturbance bound estimation error of the entire system are finite‐time bounded near origin. Finally, comparative simulation results are presented to show the performance of the proposed controller.
XPS chemical state analysis of sputter depth profiling measurements for annealed TiAl‐SiO2 and TiAl‐W layer stacks
Authors: Oswald Steffen , Lattner Eric , Seifert Marietta
Published: June 2020

For the application of surface acoustic wave sensors at high temperatures, both a high‐temperature stable piezoelectric substrate and a suitable metallization for the electrodes are needed. Our current attempt is to use TiAl thin films as metallization because this material is also known to be high temperature stable. In this study, Ti/Al multilayers and Ti‐Al alloy layers were prepared in combination with an SiO2 cover layer or a W barrier layer at the interface to the substrate (thermally oxidized Si or Ca3TaGa3Si2O14) as an oxidation protection. To form the high‐temperature stable γ‐TiAl phase and to test the thermal stability of the layer systems, thermal treatments were done in vacuum at several temperatures. We used X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) sputter depth‐profiling to investigate the film composition and oxidation behavior. In this paper, we demonstrate how the semiautomatic peak fitting can help to extract beside the elemental information also the chemical information from the measured depth profiles.
Comparatively light extra Higgs states as signature of SUSY SO(10) GUTs with 3rd family Yukawa unification
Authors: Antusch Stefan , Hohl Christian , Susič Vasja
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We study 3rd family Yukawa unification in the context of supersymmetric (SUSY) SO (10) GUTs and SO(10)-motivated boundary conditions for the SUSY-breaking soft terms. We consider μ < 0 such that the SUSY loop-threshold effects enable a good fit to all third family masses of the charged Standard Model (SM) fermions. We find that fitting the third family masses together with the mass of the SM-like Higgs particle, the scenario predicts the masses of the superpartner particles and of the extra Higgs states of the MSSM: while the sparticles are predicted to be comparatively heavy (above the present LHC bound but within reach of future colliders), the spectrum has the characteristic feature that the lightest new particles are the extra MSSM Higgses. We show that this effect is rather robust with respect to many deformations of the GUT boundary conditions, but turns out to be sensitive to the exactness of top-bottom Yukawa unification. Nevertheless, with moderate deviations of a few percent from exact top-bottom Yukawa unification (stemming e.g. from GUT-threshold corrections or higher-dimensional operators), the scenario still predicts extra MSSM Higgs particles with masses not much above 1.5 TeV, which could be tested e.g. by future LHC searches for ditau decays H
0/A
0
→ ττ . Finding the extra MSSM Higges before the other new MSSM particles could thus be a smoking gun for a Yukawa unified SO(10) GUT.
Probing lepton flavor violating decays in MSSM with non-holomorphic soft terms
Authors: Chattopadhyay Utpal , Das Debottam , Mukherjee Samadrita
Published: June 2020

Abstract

The Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) can be extended to include non-holomorphic trilinear soft supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking interactions that may have distinct signatures. We consider non-vanishing off-diagonal entries of the coupling matrices associated with holomorphic (of MSSM) and non-holomorphic trilinear terms corresponding to sleptons with elements

$$ {A}_{ij}^l $$

A
ij
l

and

$$ {A}_{ij}^{\prime l} $$

A
ij

′
l

. We first improve the MSSM charge breaking minima condition of the vacuum to include the off-diagonal entries

$$ {A}_{ij}^l $$

A
ij
l

(with i ≠ j). We further extend this analysis for non-holomorphic trilinear interactions. No other sources of lepton flavor violation like that from charged slepton matrices are considered. We constrain the interaction terms via the experimental limits of processes like charged leptons decaying with lepton flavor violation (LFV) and Higgs boson decaying to charged leptons with LFV. Apart from the leptonic decays we compute all the three neutral LFV Higgs boson decays of MSSM. We find that an analysis with non-vanishing

$$ {A}_{e\mu}^{\prime } $$

A
eμ
′

involving the first two generations of sleptons receives the dominant constraint from μ → eγ. On the other hand,

$$ {A}_{e\tau}^{\prime } $$

A
eτ
′

or

$$ {A}_{\mu \tau}^{\prime } $$

A
μτ
′

can be constrained from the CMS 13 TeV analysis giving limits to the respective Yukawa couplings via considering SM Higgs boson decaying into eτ or μτ final states. Contributions from A

l
is too little to have any significance compared to the large effect from

$$ {A}_{ij}^{\prime l} $$

A
ij

′
l

.
Flavor phenomenology of the leptoquark singlet-triplet model
Authors: Crivellin Andreas , Müller Dario , Saturnino Francesco
Published: June 2020

Abstract

In recent years, experiments revealed intriguing hints for new physics (NP) in semi-leptonic B decays. Both in charged current processes, involving b → cτν transitions, and in the neutral currents b → sℓ
+
ℓ

−
, a preference for NP compared to the standard model (SM) of more that 3σ and 5σ was found, respectively. In addition, there is the long-standing tension between the theory prediction and the measurement of the anomalous magnetic moment (AMM) of the muon (a

μ
) of more than 3σ. Since all these observables are related to the violation of lepton flavor universality (LFU), a common NP explanation seems not only plausible but is even desirable. In this context, leptoquarks (LQs) are especially promising since they give tree-level effects in semi-leptonic B decays, but only loop-suppressed effects in other flavor observables that agree well with their SM predictions. Furthermore, LQs can lead to a m

t
/m

μ
enhanced effect in a

μ
, allowing for an explanation even with (multi) TeV particles. However, a single scalar LQ representation cannot provide a common solution to all three anomalies. In this article we therefore consider a model in which we combine two scalar LQs: the SU(2)
L
singlet and the SU(2)
L
triplet. Within this model we compute all relevant 1-loop effects and perform a comprehensive phenomenological analysis, pointing out various interesting correlations among the observables. Furthermore, we identify benchmark points which are in fact able to explain all three anomalies (b → cτν, b → sℓ
+
ℓ

−
and a

μ
), without violating bounds from other observables, and study their predictions for future measurements.
On exact overlaps in integrable spin chains
Authors: Jiang Yunfeng , Pozsgay Balázs
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We compute the exact overlaps between integrable boundary states and on-shell Bethe states for integrable spin chains. Our method is based on the coordinate Bethe Ansatz and does not rely on the “rotation trick” of the corresponding lattice model. It leads to a rigorous proof of the factorized overlap formulae in a number of cases, some of which were hitherto inaccessible to earlier methods. As concrete examples, we consider the compact XXX and XXZ Heisenberg spin chains, and the non-compact SL(2, ℝ) spin chain.
Bounds on precipitate hardening of line and surface defects in solids
Authors: Courte Luca , Bhattacharya Kaushik , Dondl Patrick
Published: June 2020

The yield behavior of crystalline solids is determined by the motion of defects like dislocations, twin boundaries and coherent phase boundaries. These solids are hardened by introducing precipitates—small particles of a second phase. It is generally observed that the motion of line defects like dislocations are strongly inhibited or pinned by precipitates while the motion of surface defects like twin and phase boundaries are minimally affected. In this article, we provide insight into why line defects are more susceptible to the effect of precipitates than surface defects. Based on mathematical models that describe both types of motion, we show that for small concentrations of a nearly periodic arrangement of precipitates, the critical force that is required for a surface defect to overcome a precipitate is smaller than that required for a line defect. In particular, the critical forces for surface and line defects scale with the radius of precipitates to the second and first power, respectively.
Revisiting the evidence for genotoxicity of acrylamide (AA), key to risk assessment of dietary AA exposure
Authors: Eisenbrand Gerhard
Published: June 2020

The weight of evidence pro/contra classifying the process-related food contaminant (PRC) acrylamide (AA) as a genotoxic carcinogen is reviewed. Current dietary AA exposure estimates reflect margins of exposure (MOEs) < 500. Several arguments support the view that AA may not act as a genotoxic carcinogen, especially not at consumer-relevant exposure levels: Biotransformation of AA into genotoxic glycidamide (GA) in primary rat hepatocytes is markedly slower than detoxifying coupling to glutathione (GS). Repeated feeding of rats with AA containing foods, bringing about uptake of 100 µg/kg/day of AA, resulted in dose x time-related buildup of AA-hemoglobin (Hb) adducts, whereas GA-Hb adducts remained within the background. Since hepatic oxidative biotransformation of AA into GA was proven by simultaneous urinary mercapturic acid monitoring it can be concluded that at this nutritional intake level any GA formed in the liver from AA is quantitatively coupled to GS to be excreted as mercapturic acid in urine. In an oral single dose–response study in rats, AA induced DNA N7-GA-Gua adducts dose-dependently in the high dose range (> 100 µg/kg b w). At variance, in the dose range below 100 µg/kg b.w. down to levels of average consumers exposure, DNA N7 -Gua lesions were found only sporadically, without dose dependence, and at levels close to the lower bound of similar human background DNA N7-Gua lesions. No DNA damage was detected by the comet assay within this low dose range. GA is a very weak mutagen, known to predominantly induce DNA N7-GA-Gua adducts, especially in the lower dose range. There is consensus that DNA N7-GA-Gua adducts exhibit rather low mutagenic potency. The low mutagenic potential of GA has further been evidenced by comparison to preactivated forms of other process-related contaminants, such as N-Nitroso compounds or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, potent food borne mutagens/carcinogens. Toxicogenomic studies provide no evidence supporting a genotoxic mode of action (MOA), rather indicate effects on calcium signalling and cytoskeletal functions in rodent target organs. Rodent carcinogenicity studies show induction of strain- and species-specific neoplasms, with MOAs not considered likely predictive for human cancer risk. In summary, the overall evidence clearly argues for a nongenotoxic/nonmutagenic MOA underlying the neoplastic effects of AA in rodents. In consequence, a tolerable intake level (TDI) may be defined, guided by mechanistic elucidation of key adverse effects and supported by biomarker-based dosimetry in experimental systems and humans.
31 days of COVID-19—cardiac events during restriction of public life—a comparative study
Authors: Rattka Manuel , Baumhardt Michael , Dreyhaupt Jens , Rothenbacher Dietrich , Thiessen Kevin , Markovic Sinisa , Rottbauer Wolfgang , Imhof Armin
Published: June 2020

Aims

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 outbreak led to the most recent pandemic of the twenty-first century. To contain spread of the virus, many nations introduced a public lockdown. How the pandemic itself and measures of social restriction affect hospital admissions due to acute cardiac events has rarely been evaluated yet.

Methods and Results

German public authorities announced measures of social restriction between March 21st and April 20th, 2020. During this period, all patients suffering from an acute cardiac event admitted to our hospital (N = 94) were assessed and incidence rate ratios (IRR) of admissions for acute cardiac events estimated, and compared with those during the same period in the previous three years (2017–2019, N = 361). Admissions due to cardiac events were reduced by 22% as compared to the previous years (n = 94 vs. an average of n = 120 per year for 2017–2019). Whereas IRR for STEMI 1.20 (95% CI 0.67–2.14) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest IRR 0.82 (95% CI 0.33–2.02) remained similar, overall admissions with an IRR of 0.78 (95% CI 0.62–0.98) and IRR for NSTEMI with 0.46 (95% CI 0.27–0.78) were significantly lower. In STEMI patients, plasma concentrations of high-sensitivity troponin T at admission were significantly higher (644 ng/l, IQR 372–2388) compared to 2017–2019 (195 ng/l, IQR 84–1134; p = 0.02).

Conclusion

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and concomitant social restrictions are associated with reduced cardiac events admissions to our tertiary care center. From a public health perspective, strategies have to be developed to assure patients are seeking and getting medical care and treatment in time during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Inflammation and salt in young adults: the African-PREDICT study
Authors: Crouch Simone H. , Botha-Le Roux Shani , Delles Christian , Graham Lesley A. , Schutte Aletta E.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Low-grade inflammation and a diet high in salt are both established risk factors for cardiovascular disease. High potassium (K+) intake was found to counter increase in blood pressure due to high salt intake and may potentially also have protective anti-inflammatory effects. To better understand these interactions under normal physiological conditions, we investigated the relationships between 22 inflammatory mediators with 24-h urinary K+ in young healthy adults stratified by low, medium and high salt intake (salt tertiles). We stratified by ethnicity due to potential salt sensitivity in black populations.

Methods

In 991 healthy black (N = 457) and white (N = 534) adults, aged 20–30 years, with complete data for 24-h urinary sodium and K+, we analysed blood samples for 22 inflammatory mediators.

Results

We found no differences in inflammatory mediators between low-, mid- and high-sodium tertiles in either the black or white groups. In multivariable-adjusted regression analyses in white adults, we found only in the lowest salt tertile that K+ associated negatively with pro-inflammatory mediators, namely interferon gamma, interleukin (IL) -7, IL-12, IL-17A, IL-23 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (all p ≤ 0.046). In the black population, we found no independent associations between K+ and any inflammatory mediator.

Conclusion

In healthy white adults, 24-h urinary K+ associated independently and negatively with specific pro-inflammatory mediators, but only in those with a daily salt intake less than 6.31 g, suggesting K+ to play a protective, anti-inflammatory role in a low-sodium environment. No similar associations were found in young healthy black adults.
Porous polymers via emulsion templating: pore deformation during solidification cannot be explained by an osmotic transport!
Authors: Koch Lukas , Drenckhan Wiebke , Stubenrauch Cosima
Published: June 2020

Using microfluidics, we were able to synthesize monodisperse water-in-monomer emulsions with styrene and divinylbenzene (DVB) as monomers. When polymerizing and drying these emulsions, we found that the structure of the resulting macroporous polymer strongly depends on the type of initiator. With the oil-soluble azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), an open-cell structure with spherical pores was obtained. However, with the water-soluble potassium peroxydisulfate (KPS), a closed-cell structure with rhombic dodecahedron-shaped pores and thick, layered pore walls was formed. In the latter case, a yet unexplained mechanism counteracts the capillary pressure arising from surface minimization: the surface area of a rhombic dodecahedron is ~ 10% larger than that of a sphere. In our previous work, we suggested that the underlying mechanism may be osmotic transport of DVB from the plateau borders to the films. We argued that this transport also explains the layered pore walls, i.e., the formation of two outer poly-DVB-rich layers and one inner polystyrene-rich layer. In order to prove or disprove this mechanism, we carried out additional experiments. However, none of those experiments corroborated our hypothesis of osmotic transport! This study provides clear experimental evidence that our previously suggested mechanism via which spherical droplets become polyhedral pores is incorrect. We will describe (a) the rationale behind the additional experiments, (b) our expectations, and (c) our findings. Last but not least, we will discuss all of this in the light of the proposed osmotic transport.
Comparison of gaze accuracy and precision in real-world and virtual reality
Authors: Pastel Stefan , Chen Chien-Hsi , Martin Luca , Naujoks Mats , Petri Katharina , Witte Kerstin
Published: June 2020

Virtual reality (VR) is popular across many fields and is increasingly used in sports as a training tool. The reason, therefore, is recently improved display technologies, more powerful computation capacity, and lower costs of head-mounted displays for VR. As in the real-world (R), visual effects are the most important stimulus provided by VR. However, it has not been demonstrated whether the gaze behavior would achieve the same level in VR as in R. This information will be important for the development of applications or software in VR. Therefore, several tasks were designed to analyze the gaze accuracy and gaze precision using eye-tracking devices in R and VR. 21 participants conducted three eye-movement tasks in sequence: gaze at static targets, tracking a moving target, and gaze at targets at different distances. To analyze the data, an averaged distance with root mean square was calculated between the coordinates of each target and the recorded gaze points for each task. In gaze accuracy, the results showed no significant differences between R and VR in gaze at static targets (1 m distance, p > 0.05) and small significant differences at targets placed at different distances (p < 0.05), as well as large differences in tracking the moving target (p < 0.05). The precision in VR is significantly worse compared to R in all tasks with static gaze targets (p < 0.05). On the whole, this study gives a first insight into comparing foveal vision, especially gaze accuracy and precision between R and VR, and can, therefore, serve as a reference for the development of VR applications in the future.
Qualitative description of the submission and agonistic behavior of the Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii, Spix 1824), with special reference to the displacement displays
Authors: Marcuk Vladislav , Purchase Cromwell , de Boer Donovan , Bürkle Marcellus , Scholtyssek Katrin
Published: June 2020

The Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) represents one of the four avian taxa, in which its global population is entirely captively managed. The species was declared “extinct in the wild” after several attempts failed to rediscover any remaining individuals in the wild since 2000. As an integral part of the ongoing ex situ conservation efforts, a long-term ethological study was conducted at the ACTP facility to investigate the behavioral repertoire of the largest subpopulation of this species in captivity. In this paper we provide an illustrated comprehensive ethogram with detailed description of the submission, displacement and agonistic behavior. The agonistic behavior is categorized in two subcategories, where qualitative aspects for distinct behavior elements for the intimidatory and conflict behavior are given. In addition, displacement displays are described in detail for the first time for a species of the genera. In total, 35 distinct behavior elements of the agonistic, displacement and submission behavioral repertoire are covered. Digital video images related to the article are available at http://www.momo-p.com/index-e.html, movieid:momo200417sm05a, momo200416sm01a, momo200417sm06a, momo200416sm06a, momo200416sm04a, momo200417sm03a, momo200417sm02a, momo200416sm05a, momo200417sm04a, momo200416sm02a, momo200416sm03a, and momo200417sm01a.