bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Polyols and Intensive Sweeteners Blends on the Nutritional Properties and Starch Digestibility of Sugar‐Free Cookies
Authors: Borczak Barbara , Sikora Marek , Kapusta‐Duch Joanna , Kutyła‐Kupidura Edyta M.
Published: September 2021

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of selected polyols and high‐intensity sweetener blends on the nutritional properties of sugar‐free cookies stored for 6 months at room temperature (25°C). Six types of wheat‐flour cookies are tested with the addition of various mixtures in appropriate proportions: (i) saccharose 100% (control); (ii) maltitol (25%) and sucralose (75%); (iii) maltitol (50%) and sucralose (50%); (iv) sorbitol (50%) and steviol glycosides (50%); (v) maltitol (25%) and acesulfame K (75%); (vi) xylitol (25%) and steviol glycosides (75%). The above‐mentioned mixtures of polyols and intensive sweeteners are used in the production of sugar‐free wheat‐flour cookies characterized by chemical composition, antioxidative properties, and starch digestibility. The study observed that the chemical composition, starch digestibility, and total reducing activity of sugar‐free cookies are affected to a statistically significant extent (p < 0.05) by different blends of polyols with intensive sweeteners and that they underwent certain changes upon the storage process.
Residual strength of concrete subjected to fatigue based on machine learning technique
Authors: Zhang Wei , Lee Deuckhang , Lee Jaemin , Lee Changjun
Published: September 2021

This study utilizes the machine learning technique to solve the complex fatigue problem of concrete materials. To this end, several learning algorithms were addressed including the random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and artificial neural networks (ANNs) models. Extensive experimental data were collected from literature to train the machine learning models for estimating the maximum number of cycles at failure (i.e., the so‐called fatigue life). A machine learning model providing the best correlation was chosen through verifications. On this basis, a strength degradation model of concrete under fatigue loading was finally proposed to evaluate the residual strength of concrete after fatigue damage, which is a key factor in determining the remaining service life of concrete structures.
Concrete plasticity—A historical perspective
Authors: Braestrup Mikael W.
Published: September 2021

The paper reviews the development of limit analysis, from Galileo through Coulomb to the Mathematical Theory of Plasticity formulated by Hill and Hodge, Prager and Drucker, and independently by Gvozdev. The application to structural concrete slabs was pioneered by Johansen and Gvozdev and extended to walls (membranes), beam shear, and punching shear by Nielsen and the Copenhagen Shear Group. Simultaneous and subsequent advances were—and are—made by research groups in a.o. Zurich, Cambridge, Toronto, Houston, and Lausanne. The concept of yield lines, essential for the development of solutions, is introduced, and the distinction from the conventional notion of cracks is discussed. An overview of applications is given, focusing on slab flexure, in‐plane and beam shear, and punching shear.
Genetic control and allele variation among soybean maturity groups 000 through IX
Authors: Zimmer Gustavo , Miller Mark J. , Steketee Clinton J. , Jackson Scott A. , de Tunes Lilian Vanussa Madruga , Li Zenglu
Published: September 2021

Soybean [Glycinemax (L.) Merr.] maturity determines the growing region of a given soybean variety and is a primary factor in yield and other agronomic traits. The objectives of this research were to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with maturity groups (MGs) and determine the genetic control of soybean maturity in each MG. Using data from 16,879 soybean accessions, genome‐wide association (GWA) analyses were conducted for each paired MG and across MGs 000 through IX. Genome‐wide association analyses were also performed using 184 genotypes (MGs V–IX) with days to flowering (DTF) and maturity (DTM) collected in the field. A total of 58 QTL were identified to be significantly associated with MGs in individual GWAs, which included 12 reported maturity loci and two stem termination genes. Genome‐wide associations across MGs 000–IX detected a total of 103 QTL and confirmed 54 QTL identified in the individual GWAs. Of significant loci identified, qMG‐5.2 had effects on the highest number (9) of MGs, followed by E2, E3, Dt2, qMG‐15.5, E1, qMG‐13.1, qMG‐7.1, and qMG‐16.1, which affected five to seven MGs. A high number of genetic loci (8–25) that affected MGs 0–V were observed. Stem termination genes Dt1 and Dt2 mainly had significant allele variation in MGs II–V. Genome‐wide associations for DTF, DTM, and reproductive period (RP) in the diversity panel confirmed 15 QTL, of which seven were observed in MGs V–IX. The results generated can help soybean breeders manipulate the maturity loci for genetic improvement of soybean yield.
Experimental evaluation of genomic selection prediction for rust resistance in sugarcane
Authors: Islam Md S. , McCord Per H. , Olatoye Marcus O. , Qin Lifang , Sood Sushma , Lipka Alexander Edward , Todd James R.
Published: September 2021

The total sugarcane (Saccharum L.) production has increased worldwide; however, the rate of growth is lower compared with other major crops, mainly due to a plateauing of genetic gain. Genomic selection (GS) has proven to substantially increase the rate of genetic gain in many crops. To investigate the utility of GS in future sugarcane breeding, a field trial was conducted using 432 sugarcane clones using an augmented design with two replications. Two major diseases in sugarcane, brown and orange rust (BR and OR), were screened artificially using whorl inoculation method in the field over two crop cycles. The genotypic data were generated through target enrichment sequencing technologies. After filtering, a set of 8,825 single nucleotide polymorphic markers were used to assess the prediction accuracy of multiple GS models. Using fivefold cross‐validation, we observed GS prediction accuracies for BR and OR that ranged from 0.28 to 0.43 and 0.13 to 0.29, respectively, across two crop cycles and combined cycles. The prediction ability further improved by including a known major gene for resistance to BR as a fixed effect in the GS model. It also substantially reduced the minimum number of markers and training population size required for GS. The nonparametric GS models outperformed the parametric GS suggesting that nonadditive genetic effects could contribute genomic sources underlying BR and OR. This study demonstrated that GS could potentially predict the genomic estimated breeding value for selecting the desired germplasm for sugarcane breeding for disease resistance.
Detection of Campylobacter jejuni diversity by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) from an animal farm
Authors: Yeh Hung‐Yueh , Awad Amal , Rothrock Michael J.
Published: September 2021

Background

Campylobacter jejuni is the leading bacterial pathogen that causes foodborne illness worldwide. Because of genetic diversity and sophisticated growth requirements of C. jejuni, several genotyping methods have been investigated to classify this bacterium during the outbreaks. One of such method is to use clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR).

Objectives

The goal of this study was to explore the diversity of C. jejuni isolates with CRISPR from an animal farm.

Methods

Seventy‐seven C. jejuni isolates from an animal farm were used in this study. The day‐old broilers were reared with other poultry and farm animals, including layer hens, guinea hens, dairy goats and sheep. A small swine herd was also present on an adjacent, but separate plot of land. Isolation and identification of C. jejuni were performed according to the standard procedures. The CRISPR type 1 was PCR amplified from genomic DNA, and the amplicons were sequenced by the Sanger dideoxy method. The direct repeats (DRs) and spacers of the CRISPR sequences were identified using the CRISPRFinder.

Results

The CRISPR sequences were detected in all 77 isolates. One type of DRs was identified in these 77 isolates. The lengths of the CRISPR locus ranged from 100 to 560 nucleotides, whereas the number of spacers ranged from one to eight. The distributions of the numbers of CRISPR spacers from different sources seemed to be random. Overall, 17 out of 77 (22%) C. jejuni isolates had two and five spacers, whereas 14 out of 77 (18%) isolates had three spaces in their genomes. By further analysis of spacer sequences, a total of 266 spacer sequences were identified in 77 C. jejuni isolates. By comparison with known published spacer sequences, we observed that 49 sequences were unique in this study. The CRISPR sequence combination of Nos. 16, 19, 48 and 57 was found among a total of 15 C. jejuni isolates containing various multi‐locus sequence typing (MLST) types (ST‐50, ST‐607, ST‐2231 and ST‐5602). No. 57 spacer sequence was unique from this study, whereas the other three (Nos. 16, 19 and 48) sequences were found in previous reports. Combination of Nos. 5, 9, 15, 30 and 45 was associated with ST‐353. To compare the CRISPR genotyping with other methods, the MLST was selected due to its high discriminatory power to differentiate isolates. Based on calculation of the Simpson's index of diversity, a combination of both methods had higher Simpson's index value than those for CRISPR or MLST, respectively.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the MLST from C. jejuni isolates can be discriminated based on the CRISPR unique spacer sequences and the numbers of spacers. In the future, investigation on the CRISPR resolution for C. jejuni identification in outbreaks is needed. A database that integrates both MLST sequences and CRISPR sequences and is searchable is greatly in demand for tracking outbreaks and evolution of this bacterium.
Molecular identification of Babesia canis canis genotype A in a dog from Iran
Authors: Ghasemzade Milad , Esmaeilnejad Bijan , Asri‐Rezaei Siamak , Hadian Mojtaba
Published: September 2021

Background

Canine babesiosis is a common and clinically significant tick‐borne disease caused by obligate haematozoan parasites of the genus Babesia.

Purpose

To report Babesia canis canis genotype A infection in a dog.

Methods

A 2‐year‐old female Shih Tzu dog was submitted with the history of anorexia and depression for one week and no prior surgery. Fever, anorexia, depression and vomiting as well as mucosal pallor were noticed on physical examination. Microscopic examination of the Giemsa‐stained blood smear disclosed large form of Babesia, and single to four pear‐shaped merozoites within erythrocytes (RBCs). The specific primers were used for detecting Babesia canis.

Results

The result of PCR was confirmed by 18S rRNA gene sequence analyzing and has been registered in GenBank under
following accession numbers for Babesia canis canis (MW199108). The sequences were compared to those in GenBank, and
alignments showed that the B. canis canis isolate belonged to genotype A.

Conclusions

This is the first description of B. canis canis genotype A in dog from Iran.
Two Hitherto Unknown Lithium Holmium(III) Ortho‐Thiophosphates(V): Li9Ho2[PS4]5 and Li15Ho7[PS4]12
Authors: Lange Pia L. , Komm Theresa , Schleid Thomas
Published: September 2021

The two hitherto unknown lithium holmium(III) ortho‐thiophosphates(V) Li9Ho2[PS4]5 and Li15Ho7[PS4]12 crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c with the lattice parameters a=1489.43(9) pm, b=979.84(6) pm, c=2051.68(12) pm, β=96.221(3)° for Li9Ho2[PS4]5 (Z=4) and a=2826.73(16) pm, b=1003.25(6) pm, c=3361.46(19) pm, β=113.992(3)° for Li15Ho7[PS4]12 (Z=5). While Li9Ho2[PS4]5 extends the Li9RE2[PS4]5 series, Li15Ho7[PS4]12 can be regarded as a cation‐distribution variant of the Li6RE3[PS4]5 series (Z=12). Both structures feature characteristic [HoS8]13− polyhedra (d(Ho3+−S2−)=275–314 pm) and [PS4]3− tetrahedra (d(P5+−S2−)=202–207 pm), but Li15Ho7[PS4]12 exhibits one Ho3+ position, which is mixed occupied with Li+ and settles with C.N.=6+2. The coordination numbers of all other Li+ cations range from four to six in both new compounds with Li+−S2− distances from 238 to 317 pm.
Convergent finite element based discretization of a stochastic two‐phase flow model
Authors: Deugoué G. , Moghomye B. Jidjou , Tachim Medjo T.
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we propose a fully discrete finite element based discretization for the numerical approximation of the stochastic Allen‐Cahn‐Navier‐Stokes system on a bounded polygonal domain of , . We prove that the proposed numerical scheme is unconditionally solvable, has finite energies and constructs weak martingale solutions of the stochastic Allen‐Cahn‐Navier‐Stokes system when the discretisation step (both in time and in space) tends to zero.
Microbial Community Decision Making Models in Batch and Chemostat Cultures
Authors: Theorell Axel , Stelling Jörg
Published: September 2021

Microbial community simulations using genome scale metabolic networks (GSMs) are relevant for many application areas, such as the analysis of the human microbiome. Such simulations rely on assumptions about the culturing environment, affecting if the culture may reach a metabolically stationary state with constant microbial concentrations. They also require assumptions on decision making by the microbes: metabolic strategies can be in the interest of individual community members or of the whole community. However, the impact of such common assumptions on community simulation results has not been investigated systematically. Here, we investigate four combinations of assumptions, elucidate how they are applied in literature, provide novel mathematical formulations for their simulation, and show how the resulting predictions differ qualitatively. Crucially, our results stress that different assumption combinations give qualitatively different predictions on microbial coexistence by differential substrate utilization. This fundamental mechanism is critically under explored in the steady state GSM literature with its strong focus on coexistence states due to crossfeeding (division of labor).
Testing freeze-in with axial and vector Z′ bosons
Authors: Cosme Catarina , Dutra Maíra , Godfrey Stephen , Gray Taylor
Published: September 2021

Abstract

The freeze-in production of Feebly Interacting Massive Particle (FIMP) dark matter in the early universe is an appealing alternative to the well-known — and constrained — Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) paradigm. Although challenging, the phenomenology of FIMP dark matter has been receiving growing attention and is possible in a few scenarios. In this work, we contribute to this endeavor by considering a Z′ portal to fermionic dark matter, with the Z′ having both vector and axial couplings and a mass ranging from MeV up to PeV. We evaluate the bounds on both freeze-in and freeze-out from direct detection, atomic parity violation, leptonic anomalous magnetic moments, neutrino-electron scattering, collider, and beam dump experiments. We show that FIMPs can already be tested by most of these experiments in a complementary way, whereas WIMPs are especially viable in the Z′ low mass regime, in addition to the Z′ resonance region. We also discuss the role of the axial couplings of Z′ in our results. We therefore hope to motivate specific realizations of this model in the context of FIMPs, as well as searches for these elusive dark matter candidates.
Dark confinement-deconfinement phase transition: a roadmap from Polyakov loop models to gravitational waves
Authors: Kang Zhaofeng , Zhu Jiang , Matsuzaki Shinya
Published: September 2021

Abstract

We explore the confinement-deconfinement phase transition (PT) of the first order (FO) arising in SU(N) pure Yang-Mills theory, based on Polyakov loop models (PLMs), in light of the induced gravitational wave (GW) spectra. We demonstrate that the PLMs with the Haar measure term, involving models successful in QCD with N = 3, are potentially incompatible with the large N scaling for the thermodynamic quantities and the latent heat at around the criticality of the FOPT reported from the lattice simulations. We then propose a couple of models of polynomial form, which we call the 4-6 PLM (with four- and six-point interactions among the basic PL fields which have center charge 1) and 4-8 PLM (with four- and eight-point interactions), and discuss how such models can naturally arise in the presence of a heavy PL with charge 2. We show that those models give the consistent thermodynamic and large N properties at around the criticality. The predicted GW spectra are shown to have high enough sensitivity to be probed in the future prospected interferometers such as BBO and DECIGO.
Quark-hadron duality for heavy meson mixings in the ’t Hooft model
Authors: Umeeda Hiroyuki
Published: September 2021

Abstract

We study local quark-hadron duality and its violation for the $$ {D}^0-{\overline{D}}^0 $$

D
0

−

D
¯

0

, $$ {B}_d^0-{\overline{B}}_d^0 $$

B
d
0

−

B
¯

d
0

and $$ {B}_s^0-{\overline{B}}_s^0 $$

B
s
0

−

B
¯

s
0

mixings in the ’t Hooft model, offering a laboratory to test QCD in two-dimensional spacetime together with the large-Nc limit. With the ’t Hooft equation being numerically solved, the width difference is calculated as an exclusive sum over two-body decays. The obtained rate is compared to inclusive one that arises from four-quark operators to check the validity of the heavy quark expansion (HQE). In view of the observation in four-dimensions that the HQE prediction for the width difference in the $$ {D}^0-{\overline{D}}^0 $$

D
0

−

D
¯

0

mixing is four orders of magnitude smaller than the experimental data, in this work we investigate duality violation in the presence of the GIM mechanism. We show that the order of magnitude of the observable in the $$ {D}^0-{\overline{D}}^0 $$

D
0

−

D
¯

0

mixing is enhanced in the exclusive analysis relative to the inclusive counterpart, when the 4D-like phase space function is used for the inclusive analysis. By contrast, it is shown that for the $$ {B}_d^0-{\overline{B}}_d^0 $$

B
d
0

−

B
¯

d
0

and $$ {B}_s^0-{\overline{B}}_s^0 $$

B
s
0

−

B
¯

s
0

mixings, small yet non-negligible corrections to the inclusive result emerge, which are still consistent with what is currently indicated in four-dimensions.
Wobbling double sine-Gordon kinks
Authors: Campos João G. F. , Mohammadi Azadeh
Published: September 2021

Abstract

We study the collision of a kink and an antikink in the double sine-Gordon model with and without the excited vibrational mode. In the latter case, we find that there is a limited range of the parameters where the resonance windows exist, despite the existence of a vibrational mode. Still, when the vibrational mode is initially excited, its energy can turn into translational energy after the collision. This creates one-bounce as well as a rich structure of higher-bounce resonance windows that depend on the wobbling phase being in or out of phase at the collision and the wobbling amplitude being sufficiently large. When the vibrational mode is excited, the modified structure of one-bounce windows is observed in the whole range of the model’s parameters, and the resonant interval with higher-bounce windows gradually increases with the wobbling amplitude. We estimated the center of the one-bounce windows using a simple analytical approximation for the wobbling evolution. The kinks’ final wobbling frequency is Lorentz contracted, which is simply derived from our equations. We also report that the maximum energy density value always has a smooth behavior in the resonance windows.
Dynamics of a lattice 2-group gauge theory model
Authors: Bochniak A. , Hadasz L. , Korcyl P. , Ruba B.
Published: September 2021

Abstract

We study a simple lattice model with local symmetry, whose construction is based on a crossed module of finite groups. Its dynamical degrees of freedom are associated both to links and faces of a four-dimensional lattice. In special limits the discussed model reduces to certain known topological quantum field theories. In this work we focus on its dynamics, which we study both analytically and using Monte Carlo simulations. We prove a factorization theorem which reduces computation of correlation functions of local observables to known, simpler models. This, combined with standard Krammers-Wannier type dualities, allows us to propose a detailed phase diagram, which form is then confirmed in numerical simulations. We describe also topological charges present in the model, its symmetries and symmetry breaking patterns. The corresponding order parameters are the Polyakov loop and its generalization, which we call a Polyakov surface. The latter is particularly interesting, as it is beyond the scope of the factorization theorem. As shown by the numerical results, expectation value of Polyakov surface may serve to detects all phase transitions and is sensitive to a value of the topological charge.
Composite Higgs revealed in Higgs pair photo-production at future colliders
Authors: Bharucha A. , Cacciapaglia G. , Deandrea A. , Gaur N. , Harada D. , Mahmoudi F. , Sridhar K.
Published: September 2021

Abstract

The next generation electron-positron colliders are designed for precision studies of the Standard Model and its extensions, in particular in the Higgs sector. We consider the potential for discovery of composite Higgs models in Higgs pair production through photon collisions. This process is loop-generated, thus it provides access to all Higgs couplings and can show new physics effects in polarized and unpolarized cross-sections starting at relatively low collider energies. It is, therefore, relevant for all electron-positron colliders planned or in preparation. Sizeable deviations from the Standard Model predictions are present in a general class of composite Higgs models, as couplings of one or more Higgs bosons to fermions, or fermionic and scalar resonances, modify the destructive interference present in the Standard Model. In particular, large effects are due to the new quartic coupling of the Higgs to tops and to the presence of a light scalar resonance.
Modeling chemical reactions in porous media: a review
Authors: Detmann Bettina
Published: September 2021

First, different porous media theories are presented. Some approaches are based on the classical mixture theory for fluids introduced in the 1960s by Truesdell and Coworkers. One of the first researchers who extended the theory to porous media (thus mixtures containing at least one solid constituent) and also accounting for chemical reactions was Bowen. Another important branch of porous media theory goes back to Biot. In the beginning, he dealt with classical geotechnical problems and set up his model empirically. Mathematicians often use reaction–diffusion equations which are limited in comparison with continuum models by several restrictive assumptions and very often only applicable to special problems. In this paper, the focus lies on approaches based on the mixture theory which incorporate chemical reactions. Different strategies to describe the chemical potential for mixtures are presented, and different opinions about the exploitation of the second law of thermodynamics for mixtures are put forward. Finally, several works of different types including chemical reactions in porous media are summarized.
Less hip range of motion is associated with a greater alpha angle in people with longstanding hip and groin pain
Authors: Estberger August , Pålsson Anders , Kostogiannis Ioannis , Ageberg Eva
Published: September 2021

Purpose

A higher alpha angle has been proposed to correlate with lower hip range of motion, but the association in people with longstanding hip and groin pain is currently unclear. The aims were to: (1) assess the association between range of motion and alpha angle in patients with longstanding hip and groin pain; (2) examine if a cut-off value in range of motion variables could identify patients with an alpha angle above or below 60°.

Methods

Seventy-two participants were consecutively recruited from an orthopaedic department after referral for hip- and groin-related pain. Passive hip range of motion was measured in flexion, internal rotation with 90° hip flexion, internal rotation in neutral hip position, external rotation with 90° hip flexion, and abduction. The alpha angle was calculated from a frog-leg lateral radiograph. Linear regression examined the association between range of motion and alpha angle, and an ROC-curve analysis was performed to identify the sensitivity and specificity of range of motion cut-offs.

Results

Lower range of motion in internal rotation in flexion, external rotation, and abduction were associated with higher alpha angle. Internal rotation of 27° or less displayed good sensitivity (81%) and specificity (85%) to detect an alpha angle above 60°, while a cut-off of 41° in external rotation and 27° in abduction showed a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 50% and 60%, respectively.

Conclusion

Less internal rotation in flexion, external rotation, and abduction are associated with a greater alpha angle in a cohort of people with longstanding hip and groin pain. A cut-off of 27° in internal rotation has good sensitivity and specificity to identify people with an alpha angle above or below 60° and have the potential to be used in the clinical setting to identify patients that require further imaging, or that are unlikely to have cam morphology.

Level of evidence

II.
Hierarchical correction of p-values via an ultrametric tree running Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process
Authors: Bichat Antoine , Ambroise Christophe , Mariadassou Mahendra
Published: September 2021

Statistical testing is classically used as an exploratory tool to search for association between a phenotype and many possible explanatory variables. This approach often leads to multiple testing under dependence. We assume a hierarchical structure between tests via an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process on a tree. The process correlation structure is used for smoothing thep-values. We design a penalized estimation of the mean of the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process forp-value computation. The performances of the algorithm are assessed via simulations. Its ability to discover new associations is demonstrated on a metagenomic dataset. The corresponding R package is available fromhttps://github.com/abichat/zazou.
Improved models for operation modes of complex compressor stations
Authors: Hiller Benjamin , Saitenmacher René , Walther Tom
Published: September 2021

We study combinatorial structures in large-scale mixed-integer (nonlinear) programming problems arising in gas network optimization. We propose a preprocessing strategy exploiting the observation that a large part of the combinatorial complexity arises in certain subnetworks. Our approach analyzes these subnetworks and the combinatorial structure of the flows within these subnetworks in order to provide alternative models with a stronger combinatorial structure that can be exploited by off-the-shelve solvers. In particular, we consider the modeling of operation modes for complex compressor stations (i.e., ones with several in- or outlets) in gas networks. We propose a refined model that allows to precompute tighter bounds for each operation mode and a number of model variants based on the refined model exploiting these tighter bounds. We provide a procedure to obtain the refined model from the input data for the original model. This procedure is based on a nontrivial reduction of the graph representing the gas flow through the compressor station in an operation mode. We evaluate our model variants on reference benchmark data, showing that they reduce the average running time between 10% for easy instances and 46% for hard instances. Moreover, for three of four considered networks, the average number of search tree nodes is at least halved, showing the effectivity of our model variants to guide the solver’s search.
Systems analysis of miRNA biomarkers to inform drug safety
Authors: Schofield Amy L. , Brown Joseph P. , Brown Jack , Wilczynska Ania , Bell Catherine , Glaab Warren E. , Hackl Matthias , Howell Lawrence , Lee Stephen , Dear James W. , Remes Mika , Reeves Paul , Zhang Eunice , Allmer Jens , Norris Alan , Falciani Francesco , Takeshita Louise Y. , Seyed Forootan Shiva , Sutton Robert , Park B. Kevin , Goldring Chris
Published: September 2021

microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are short non-coding RNA molecules which have been shown to be dysregulated and released into the extracellular milieu as a result of many drug and non-drug-induced pathologies in different organ systems. Consequently, circulating miRs have been proposed as useful biomarkers of many disease states, including drug-induced tissue injury. miRs have shown potential to support or even replace the existing traditional biomarkers of drug-induced toxicity in terms of sensitivity and specificity, and there is some evidence for their improved diagnostic and prognostic value. However, several pre-analytical and analytical challenges, mainly associated with assay standardization, require solutions before circulating miRs can be successfully translated into the clinic. This review will consider the value and potential for the use of circulating miRs in drug-safety assessment and describe a systems approach to the analysis of the miRNAome in the discovery setting, as well as highlighting standardization issues that at this stage prevent their clinical use as biomarkers. Highlighting these challenges will hopefully drive future research into finding appropriate solutions, and eventually circulating miRs may be translated to the clinic where their undoubted biomarker potential can be used to benefit patients in rapid, easy to use, point-of-care test systems.
Numerical approximation of control problems of non-monotone and non-coercive semilinear elliptic equations
Authors: Casas Eduardo , Mateos Mariano , Rösch Arnd
Published: September 2021

We analyze the numerical approximation of a control problem governed by a non-monotone and non-coercive semilinear elliptic equation. The lack of monotonicity and coercivity is due to the presence of a convection term. First, we study the finite element approximation of the partial differential equation. While we can prove existence of a solution for the discrete equation when the discretization parameter is small enough, the uniqueness is an open problem for us if the nonlinearity is not globally Lipschitz. Nevertheless, we prove the existence and uniqueness of a sequence of solutions bounded in $$L^\infty (\varOmega )$$

L
∞

(
Ω
)

and converging to the solution of the continuous problem. Error estimates for these solutions are obtained. Next, we discretize the control problem. Existence of discrete optimal controls is proved, as well as their convergence to solutions of the continuous problem. The analysis of error estimates is quite involved due to the possible non-uniqueness of the discrete state for a given control. To overcome this difficulty we define an appropriate discrete control-to-state mapping in a neighbourhood of a strict solution of the continuous control problem. This allows us to introduce a reduced functional and obtain first order optimality conditions as well as error estimates. Some numerical experiments are included to illustrate the theoretical results.
Maximal spaces for approximation rates in $$\ell ^1$$-regularization
Authors: Miller Philip , Hohage Thorsten
Published: September 2021

We study Tikhonov regularization for possibly nonlinear inverse problems with weighted $$\ell ^1$$

ℓ
1

-penalization. The forward operator, mapping from a sequence space to an arbitrary Banach space, typically an $$L^2$$

L
2

-space, is assumed to satisfy a two-sided Lipschitz condition with respect to a weighted $$\ell ^2$$

ℓ
2

-norm and the norm of the image space. We show that in this setting approximation rates of arbitrarily high Hölder-type order in the regularization parameter can be achieved, and we characterize maximal subspaces of sequences on which these rates are attained. On these subspaces the method also converges with optimal rates in terms of the noise level with the discrepancy principle as parameter choice rule. Our analysis includes the case that the penalty term is not finite at the exact solution (’oversmoothing’). As a standard example we discuss wavelet regularization in Besov spaces $$B^r_{1,1}$$

B

1
,
1

r

. In this setting we demonstrate in numerical simulations for a parameter identification problem in a differential equation that our theoretical results correctly predict improved rates of convergence for piecewise smooth unknown coefficients.
Genotype by environment interaction for physiological traits in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) parents and hybrids using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model
Authors: Abbasi Zahra , Bocianowski Jan
Published: September 2021

The objective of this study was to assess genotype by environment interaction for 21 physiological traits in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) parents and hybrids grown in Rodasht Agricultural Research Station in Iran by the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model. The study comprised of 51 sugar beet genotypes [10 multigerm pollen parents, four monogerm seed parents and 36 F1 hybrids], evaluated at four environments in a randomized complete block design, with three replicates. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction analyses revealed significant environment main effects with respect to all observed traits, except extraction coefficient of sugar. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction stability values ranged from 0.009 (G17 for leaf Ca2+) to 9.698 (G09 for extraction coefficient of sugar). The parental forms 2 7233-P.29 (G38) and C CMS (G49) as well as hybrids 2(6)*C (G27) and 5*C (G33) are recommended for further inclusion in the breeding programs because of their stability and good average values of observed traits.
First Clinical Results of the Merit WRAPSODY™ Cell-Impermeable Endoprosthesis for Treatment of Access Circuit Stenosis in Haemodialysis Patients
Authors: Gilbert James , Rai Jason , Kingsmore David , Skousen John , Ptohis Nikolaos
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This prospective, observational first in human study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of WRAPSODYTM Cell-impermeable Endoprosthesis (Merit Medical Systems, Inc.) in the treatment of arteriovenous fistula and arteriovenous graft access circuit stenosis.

Materials and Methods

Investigators conducted a prospective analysis of 46 patients with access circuit stenosis from three centres. Treatment sites included the peripheral outflow veins (e.g. cephalic arch, basilic vein swing point; 16 fistula and 10 graft patients); the graft-vein anastomosis (9 patients); and the central veins (up to, but not including the SVC; 11 patients). Primary outcome measures included 30-day freedom from access circuit-related safety events and 30-day target lesion primary patency. Secondary outcome measures included procedural success; device- and procedure-related adverse events; target lesion primary patency; access circuit primary patency; and secondary patency. In-person follow-up was scheduled at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. An independent data monitoring/clinical event committee adjudicated all reinterventions and device/procedure-relatedness for adverse events.

Results

All initial procedures were successful. All but one patient was free from safety events through the first 30 days (97.8% (45/46)). This event was not device-related. Over the remainder of the study, one adverse event was adjudicated as possibly device-related. Six- and 12-month target lesion primary patency rates were 97.7% (42/43) and 84.6.% (33/39), respectively. Six- and 12-month access circuit primary patency rates were 84.4% (38/45) and 65.9% (29/44), respectively.

Conclusion

Results suggest that the study device is safe and effective for treatment of stenoses in the peripheral and central veins of arteriovenous access circuits.

Level of Evidence

Level 2b, cohort study.
Spatial scale dependence of the relationship between turbulent surface heat flux and SST
Authors: Sun Xiaoshan , Wu Renguang
Published: September 2021

This study investigates the spatial scale dependence of relationship between turbulent surface heat flux (SHF) and sea surface temperature (SST) variations in the mid-latitude frontal zones, subtropical gyres, and tropical Indo-western Pacific region in winter and summer with daily observational data. A comparison of the SHF and SST/SST tendency correlation between 1° and 4° spatial scale displays a decrease of the positive SHF–SST correlation and an increase of the negative SHF–SST tendency correlation as the spatial scale increases in all the above regions. The lead–lag SHF and SST/SST tendency correlation at different spatial scales illustrates an obvious transition from the oceanic forcing to the atmospheric forcing in the western boundary currents (WBCs) and the Agulhas Return Current (ARC) in both winter and summer. The transition length scale is smaller in summer than in winter, around 2.6°–4.5° in winter and around 0.8°–1.3° in summer based on the OAFlux data. In the subtropical gyres and tropical Indo-western Pacific region, atmospheric forcing dominates up to 10° spatial scale with the magnitude of forcing increasing with the spatial scale in both winter and summer except for the Arabian Sea in summer. The Arabian Sea distinguishes from the other tropical regions in that the SST forcing dominates up to more than 10° spatial scale in summer with the magnitude of forcing decreasing slowly with the spatial scale increase.
Pregnancy-related acute myocardial infarction: a review of the recent literature
Authors: Merlo Andrea Carlo , Rosa Gian Marco , Porto Italo
Published: September 2021

Pregnancy-related acute myocardial infarction is a rare and potentially life-threatening cardiovascular event, the incidence of which is growing due to the heightened prevalence of several risk factors, including increased maternal age. Its main aetiology is spontaneous coronary artery dissection, which particularly occurs in pregnancy and may engender severe clinical scenarios. Therefore, despite frequently atypical and deceptive presentations, early recognition of such a dangerous complication of gestation is paramount. Notwithstanding diagnostic and therapeutic improvements, pregnancy-related acute myocardial infarction often carries unfavourable outcomes, as emergent management is difficult owing to significant limitations in the use of ionising radiation—e.g. during coronary angiography, potentially harmful to the foetus even at low doses. Notably, however, maternal mortality has steadily decreased in recent decades, indicating enhanced awareness and major medical advances in this field. In our paper, we review the recent literature on pregnancy-related acute myocardial infarction and highlight the key points in its management.
Effects of nanocrystalline calcium oxide particles on mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of EPDM rubber
Authors: Mahmood Nashwan Q. , Marossy Kálmán , Baumli Peter
Published: September 2021

In this research, the effect of calcium oxide (CaO) nanocrystalline particles filled ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber composites is investigated, at different weight percentages (1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8 wt%) of CaO nanocrystalline particles using two methods of mixing. In one case conventional mixing on twin roll-mill was used, in the other case ultrasonic mixing as a pre-mixing was applied. CaO particles are synthesized by the precipitation method. The average crystallite size of CaO is 100 ± 20 nm. Adding CaO nanocrystalline particles increases the thermal stability of EPDM and the glass transition temperature. The hardness of EPDM rubber gradually increases with increasing the amount of CaO particles, the maximum hardness 64.2 observed in 8 wt% of CaO particles for both cases almost 26% higher than neat EPDM. Tensile strength decreases, while the maximum % modulus of the ultrasonic mixed sample was 1.48 MPa which is 24% higher than EPDM.
The role of E-Cadherin expression in primary site of breast cancer
Authors: Karsten Nora , Kolben Thomas , Mahner Sven , Beyer Susanne , Meister Sarah , Kuhn Christina , Schmoeckel Elisa , Wuerstlein Rachel , Harbeck Nadia , Ditsch Nina , Jeschke Udo , Friese Klaus , Kolben Theresa Maria
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The tumour’s ability to metastasize is the major cause for fatal outcomes in cancer diseases. In breast cancer, aberrant E-Cadherin expression has been linked to invasiveness and poor prognosis.

Method

We assessed expression of E-Cadherin by immunohistochemistry in primary tumour tissue from 125 female breast cancer patients. Staining intensities were analysed using the immunoreactive score (IRS). We investigated E-Cadherin expression and its associations with clinicopathological parameters (age, tumour size, lymph node status, grade, hormone receptors, Her2 Status) as well as with recurrence and survival.

Results

Increased, rather than aberrant E-Cadherin expression was found and was associated with poor outcome (p = 0.046). Our data show an association between elevated E-Cadherin in primary tumour tissue and an unfavourable negative prognosis in patients.

Conclusion

This association was somehow unexpected as loss of E-Cadherin has long been regarded as a prerequisite for development of invasiveness and metastases. Our findings support the notion that E-Cadherin promotes, rather than suppresses, development of metastasis and invasiveness.
Fatal outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection (B1.1.7) in a 4-year-old child
Authors: Menger Johanna , Apostolidou Sofia , Edler Carolin , Kniep Inga , Kobbe Robin , Singer Dominique , Sperhake Jan-Peter
Published: September 2021

This case report highlights details of a case of critical acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with B1.1.7 variant in a 4-year-old girl who died due to pneumonia and pulmonary hemorrhage. The girl was referred to our University ECMO Center from another University hospital for veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). In the clinical course, superinfection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected. Virological evidence of herpes simplex sepsis was also obtained in blood samples on her day of death. Transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung tissue. Postmortem computed tomography showed pulmonary hemorrhage with inhomogeneous density values in both lungs. Lung tissue showed no ventilated areas. Autopsy revealed a massively congested lung with evidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pneumonia with multiple abscesses. Histopathology showed a mixture of diffuse alveolar injury with hyaline membranes, massive hemorrhage, and bronchopneumonia with multiple granulocytic abscesses. Cardiac examination revealed pericarditis. Suspicion of myocarditis or myocardial infarction could not be confirmed microscopically. To our knowledge, this is the first autopsy-based case report of the death of a previously healthy child due to the new variant B 1.1.7 in Germany.
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related acute lobar intra-cerebral hemorrhage: diagnostic value of plain CT
Authors: Baron Jean-Claude , Boulouis Grégoire , Benzakoun Joseph , Schwall Corentin , Oppenheim Catherine , Turc Guillaume , Varlet Pascale
Published: September 2021

Background

Diagnosing probable cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) after lobar intra-cerebral hemorrhage (l-ICH) currently relies on the MR-based modified Boston criteria (mBC). However, MRI has limited availability and the mBC have moderate sensitivity, with isolated l-ICH being classified as “possible CAA”. A recent autopsy-based study reported potential value of finger-like projections (FLP) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) on acute CT. Here we assessed these markers’ performance in a cohort most of whom survived the index episode.

Methods

We included all patients from a prospective pathology database with non-traumatic l-ICH, admission CT and available tissue sample showing no alternative cause. CT was assessed by two blinded independent neuroradiologists. Interobserver reproducibility was almost perfect for SAH and substantial for FLP.

Results

Sixteen patients were eligible [age 65.8 ± 7.2 yrs; hematoma volume: 39(26, 71)mls; hematoma evacuation sample 15 patients; autopsy one patient]. MRI was available in 11 patients. ICH-related death affected six patients. Aβ40–42 immunohistochemistry revealed CAA in seven patients (44%). SAH and FLP were present in 12/16 (75%) and 10/16 (62%) patients, respectively. SAH had 100% sensitivity for CAA but low specificity; FLP had lower performance. Using either pathology or MRI as reference standard yielded essentially similar results. All patients with possible CAA on MRI but CAA on pathology had SAH.

Conclusions

In patients with moderate-size l-ICH who mostly survived the index event, SAH had perfect sensitivity and better performance than FLP. In addition, SAH appeared to add onto MRI in possible CAA, the clinically most relevant scenario. Studies in larger samples are however warranted.
Zika virus replication in glioblastoma cells: electron microscopic tomography shows 3D arrangement of endoplasmic reticulum, replication organelles, and viral ribonucleoproteins
Authors: Wieland Johannes , Frey Stefan , Rupp Ulrich , Essbauer Sandra , Groß Rüdiger , Münch Jan , Walther Paul
Published: September 2021

Structural changes of two patient-derived glioblastoma cell lines after Zika virus infection were investigated using scanning transmission electron tomography on high-pressure-frozen, freeze-substituted samples. In Zika-virus-infected cells, Golgi structures were barely visible under an electron microscope, and viral factories appeared. The cytosol outside of the viral factories resembled the cytosol of uninfected cells. The viral factories contained largely deranged endoplasmic reticulum (ER), filled with many so-called replication organelles consisting of a luminal vesicle surrounded by the ER membrane. Viral capsids were observed in the vicinity of the replication organelles (cell line #12537 GB) or in ER cisternae at large distance from the replication organelles (cell line #15747 GB). Near the replication organelles, we observed many about 100-nm-long filaments that may represent viral ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs), which consist of the RNA genome and N protein oligomers. In addition, we compared Zika-virus-infected cells with cells infected with a phlebovirus (sandfly fever Turkey virus). Zika virions are formed in the ER, whereas phlebovirus virions are assembled in the Golgi apparatus. Our findings will help to understand the replication cycle in the virus factories and the building of the replication organelles in glioblastoma cells.