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Hypothesis Although protein adsorption at an interface is very common and important in biology and biotechnology, it is still not fully understood – mainly due to the intricate balance of forces that ultimately control it. In food processing (and medicine), controlling and manipulating protein adsorption, as well as avoiding protein adsorption (biofilm formation or membrane fouling) by the production of protein-resistant surfaces is of substantial interest. A major factor conferring resistance towards protein adsorption to a surface is the presence of tightly bound water molecules, as is the case in oligo ethylene glycol (OEG)-terminated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Due to strong attractive protein-protein and protein-surface interactions observed in systems containing trivalent salt ions, we hypothesize that these conditions may lead to a breakdown of protein resistance in OEG SAMs. Experiments We studied the adsorption behavior of BLG in the presence of a lanthanum(III) chloride (LaCl3) at concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.8 and 5.0 mM on normally protein resistant triethylene glycol-termianted (EG3) SAMs on a gold surface. We used quartz-crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) and neutron reflectivity (NR) to characterize the morphology of the interfacial region of the SAM. Findings We demonstrate that the protein resistance of the EG3 SAM breaks down beyond a threshold salt concentration c ∗ and mirrors the bulk behaviour of this system, showing reduced adsorption beyond a second critical salt concentration c ∗ ∗ . These results demonstrate for the first time the controlled switching of the protein-resistant properties of this type of SAM by the addition of trivalent salt.

Background Cardio-oncology is a recently established discipline that focuses on the management of patients with cancer who are at risk for developing cardiovascular complications as a result of their underlying oncologic treatment. In metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor (VEGF-i) therapy is commonly used to improve overall survival. Although these novel anticancer drugs may lead to the development of cardiotoxicity, whether early detection of cardiac dysfunction using serial echocardiography could potentially prevent the development of heart failure in this patient population requires further study. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in the detection of cardiotoxicity due to VEGF-i therapy in patients with mCRC or mRCC. Methods Patients with mRCC or mCRC were evaluated using serial echocardiography at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months following VEGF-i treatment. Results A total of 40 patients (34 men; mean age, 63 ± 9 years) receiving VEGF-i therapy were prospectively recruited at two academic centers: 26 (65%) were receiving sunitinib, eight (20%) pazopanib, and six (15%) bevacizumab. The following observations were made: (1) 8% of patients developed clinically asymptomatic cancer therapeutics–related cardiac dysfunction; (2) 30% of patients developed clinically significant decreases in global longitudinal strain, a marker for early subclinical cardiac dysfunction; (3) baseline abnormalities in global longitudinal strain may identify a subset of patients at higher risk for developing cancer therapeutics–related cardiac dysfunction; and (4) new or worsening hypertension was the most common adverse cardiovascular event, afflicting nearly one third of the study population. Conclusions Cardiac dysfunction defined by serial changes in myocardial strain assessed using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography occurs in patients undergoing treatment with VEGF-i for mCRC or mRCC, which may provide an opportunity for preventive interventions.

Ona Basin, the westernmost oceanic basin in the southern Scotia Sea, is affected by the opposite flows of Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) and Weddell Sea Deep Water (WSDW); thus , it represent s a key location for exploring seafloor morphologies influenced by bottom currents. The present study aims to capture the spatial arrangement of recent subsurface contourite features , assuming a latitudinal influence of water masses and the interactions between along - and downslope processes, in order to contribute to the knowledge of regional deepwater flow pathways and to the sedimentary model of small sediment -starved oceanic basins. To this end, the investigation combine s an interpretation of multibeam bathymetry and parametric echo sounder seismic data complemented with hydrological data. The distribution of morpho -sedimentary features in Ona Basin reveals two major domains. The southern margin of the basin can be regarded as a mixed/hybrid system containing abundant sediment drifts with channels and contourite moats and a lateral continuity interrupted by downslope morphologies. In contrast, the northern abyssal setting comprises relatively homogeneous large sheeted drifts with superimposed sediment waves, mounded drifts , and several scattered erosive features, likely reflecting the more distinct influence of deepwater contourite processes. Our work demonstrates that tectonic features in the southern basin control the interaction between deepwater along - and downslope processes, as the westward flow of the WSDW is deflected, channelized , and intensified along its westward route. In the northern region, the study indicates an overall clockwise rotation of the WSDW flow, with the spatial and vertical variability of CDW and WSDW affecting the distribution of bottom -current features around seamounts and/or structural highs. The results underscore the importance of sloping interphases in the water mass vertical structure, the degree of basin confinement, and the influence of local bathymetric elevations in sedimentation models of small sediment -starved oceanic basins., Sí

The continental shelf of central-east Greenland is shaped by several glacially carved transverse troughs that form the oceanward extension of the major fjord systems. The evolution of these troughs through time, and their relation with the large-scale glaciation of the Northern Hemisphere, is poorly understood. In this study seismostratigraphic analyses have been carried out to determine the morphological and structural development of this important sector of the East Greenland glaciated margin. The age of major stratigraphic discontinuities has been constrained by a direct tie to ODP site 987 drilled in the Greenland Sea basin plain off Scoresby Sund fan system. The areal distribution and internal facies of the identified seismic units reveal the large-scale depositional pattern formed by ice-streams draining a major part of the central-east Greenland ice sheet. Initial sedimentation along the margin was, however, mainly controlled by tectonic processes related to the margin construction, continental uplift, and fluvial processes. From late Miocene to present, progradational and erosional patterns point to repeated glacial advances across the shelf. The evolution of depo-centres suggests that ice sheet advances over the continental shelf have occurred since late Miocene, about 2 Myr earlier than previously assumed. This cross-shelf glaciation is more pronounced during late Miocene and early Pliocene along Blosseville Kyst and around the Pliocene/Pleistocene boundary off Scoresby Sund; indicating a northward migration of the glacial advance. The two main periods of glaciation were separated by a major retreat of the ice sheet to an inland position during middle Pliocene. Mounded-wavy deposits interpreted as current-related deposits suggest the presence of changing along-slope current dynamics in concert with the development of the modern North Atlantic oceanographic pattern.

With the rapidly rising number of patients surviving cancer, often in the setting of new or pre-existing cardiovascular disease and risk factors, a need has arisen for a specialty within the realm of cardiovascular care that can evaluate and manage these patients along with our colleagues in oncology and hematology. By the same token, all health care providers involved in the care of cancer patients with heart disease must be fully aware of the impact of adverse cardiovascular effects on the survival of these patients. Collaboration is required to mitigate the effect of cardiovascular toxicity associated with these necessary life-saving cancer therapies. The cardio-oncologist plays a pivotal role in bridging the 2 specialties, by creating a comprehensive plan to address the comorbidities as well as to provide guidance on the optimal choice of therapy. In this 3-part review, we will outline: a) the significant impact of cancer therapies on the cardiovascular health of patients with cancer and cancer survivors, b) the advantage of a multidisciplinary team in addressing these cardiovascular complications, and c) the delivery of clinical care to patients with cancer and heart disease.

Online measurement of particle size is vital to the development of advanced control systems for comminution processes. Horizontal stirred mills, such as the IsaMill, are designed for more efficient ultrafine grinding and have made significant inroads in the mineral processing industries since their introduction more than a decade ago. Despite their energy efficiency, significant improvement is possible via more efficient control of these mills. Advanced control generally requires online information on the key performance variables of the mill. In this regard, measurement of the particle size in the mill is problematic. However, this problem can be addressed by use of soft sensors, whereby the particle size can be estimated from the measurements of other process variables. In this investigation, such a soft sensor is developed for online estimation of particle size on an industrial IsaMill in Western Australia. The sensor consists of a random forest model that uses operational variables measured online as predictors to estimate the P80 particle size of the mill. Principal component analysis is used in conjunction with the random forest to enable it to assess the similarity of new process measurements to the data in its training data base. When the new data exceed a Hotelling’s T2 or a prediction error or Q-index threshold, recalibration of the model is automatically performed.

The ubiquitous presence of trace organic chemicals in wastewater and surface water leads to a growing demand for novel removal technologies. The use of isolated enzymes has been shown to possess the capability for a targeted application but requires a clearer mechanistic understanding. In this study, the potential of peroxidase from horseradish (HRP) and laccase from Pleurotus ostreatus (LccPO) to transform selected trace organic chemicals was studied using mass spectrometry (MS)-based in vitro enzyme assays. Conversion by HRP appeared to be more efficient compared to LccPO. Diclofenac (DCF) and sotalol (STL) were completely transformed by HRP after 4 h and immediate conversion was observed for acetaminophen (APAP). During treatment with LccPO, 60% of DCF was still detectable after 24 h and no conversion was found for STL. APAP was completely transformed after 20 min. Sulfamethoxazole (SMX), carbamazepine (CBZ), ibuprofen (IBP) and naproxen (NAP) were insusceptible to enzymatic conversion. In pharmaceutical mixtures, HRP exhibited a preference for DCF and APAP and the generally less efficient conversion of STL was enhanced in presence of APAP. Transformation product pattern after treatment with HRP revealed polymerization products for DCF while STL showed cleavage reactions. DCF product formation shifted towards a proposed dimeric iminoquinone product in presence of APAP whereas a generally less pronounced product formation in mixtures was observed for STL. In conclusion, the enzymatic treatment approach worked selectively and efficiently for a few pharmaceuticals. However, for application the investigation and possibly immobilization of multiplex enzymes being able to transform diverse chemical structures is recommended.

Objectives: This study evaluated whether 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) has incremental value for prognosis over traditional clinical, echocardiographic, and serol...

The Scotia Sea is a complex geological area located in the Southern Ocean which evolution is closely linked to the opening of the Drake Passage. Structural highs of continental nature derived from the former continental bridge between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula surround the abyssal plains of the Scotia Sea, restricting small isolated sedimentary basins along its southern margin. Morpho-structural and seismo-stratigraphic analyses of multichannel seismic reflection profiles, and additional geophysical data available in the region, have been conducted, decoding regional and global implications of the basins' evolution. The main aim of this work is to describe the stratigraphic evolution of the southern Scotia Sea basins, from their opening in the back-arc tectonic context of the Scotia Sea, to the last oceanographic changes which have carried on global climatic implications. The evolution of the south Scotia Sea occurred through two major tectonic stages registered in the sedimentary record of the region: 1) the end of the subduction in the northwest part of the Weddell Sea during the early Miocene, which shortened the back-arc subduction trench generating a major change in the regional tectonic field that determined the evolution of the southern basins towards two different types of passive margins: magma-poor and magma-rich; and 2) the full development of the southern Scotia Sea basins during the middle Miocene, that led to the opening of deep oceanic gateways along the South Scotia Ridge. Interplay among tectonics, oceanography and climate is proposed to control the regional sedimentary stacking pattern, with coeval changes globally identified., The first author of this manuscript benefices of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Global Fellowship H2020-MSCA-IFGF-2017 no.: 792773 WAMSISE. This work was funded through the Spanish National Research Program projects CTM2011-30241-C01/ 02ANT and CTM2014-60451-C2-1/2, the special action CTM201113970-E,andisrelatedtotheprojectCTM2012-39599-C03.Thiswork was also partially supported by the COMPASS consortium and performedincollaborationwiththeContinentalMarginsResearchGroup (CMRG)andTheDriftersResearchGroupatRoyalHollowayUniversity of London (UK). We thank the Antarctic Seismic Data Library System for access to some ofthedata interpreted in this study. OuracknowledgetoDr.GerhardKuhn(Alfred-Wegener-Institut)andtheanonymous reviewerthathighlyimprovetheinitialversionofthismanuscript.

The Scan Basin is the easternmost of the southern Scotia Sea basins. It is located in a complex tectonic setting, north of the boundary between the Scotia and Antarctic plates. In addition, Scan Basin is directly to the north of Bruce Passage, which connects the Scotia and Weddell seas through the northward overflow of the Weddell Sea Deep Water (WSDW). Scan Basin has been described as an isolated small oceanic basin, where the fan-shaped abyssal plain is bounded by Bruce and Discovery banks. Sedimentary processes involved in the development of the Scan Basin sediment record during the late Pliocene-Quaternary are discussed here, through the examination of the distribution and morphological and acoustic characteristics of erosional, depositional, gravitational, fluid-escape, and volcanic features in correlation to the geological and oceanographic setting. The abyssal plain reflects the action of high-energy bottom-current circulation along its western side and lower-energy bottom currents along the eastern side. In contrast, Discovery Bank reflects a highly dynamic interplay between bottom-current activity, mass-wasting processes, and processes linked to the water mass interfaces. Variations in the abyssal plain stratigraphy are associated with events that may be related to climate changes since the late Miocene, involving increased bottom-current circulation and variations in the interaction between the WSDW and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. The Scan Basin sector is one example of a contourite depositional system developed downstream of a deep gateway exit, and its major depositional characteristics allow its classification as a contourite fan. These new findings contribute to clarifying the development of contourite fans in regions of significant bottom-water interchange.

Background Intraplaque neovascularization is considered an important indicator of plaque vulnerability. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of carotid arteries improves imaging of carotid intima-media thickness and permits real-time visualization of neovascularization of the atherosclerotic plaque. The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of CEUS-detected carotid atherosclerotic plaque. Methods A systematic search was performed to identify studies published in the MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from 2004 to June 2015. Studies evaluating the accuracy of quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis (visual interpretation) for the diagnosis of intraplaque neovascularization compared with histologic specimens and/or clinical diagnosis of symptomatic plaque were included. Parameters evaluated were plaque quantitative CEUS intensity and the visual grading of plaque CEUS. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool the likelihood ratios (LRs), diagnostic odds ratios, and summary receiver operating characteristic curves. Corresponding areas under the curves were calculated. Results The literature search identified 203 studies, 20 of which were selected for systematic review; the final meta-analysis included seven studies. For qualitative CEUS, pooled sensitivity was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.72–0.87), pooled specificity was 0.83 (95% CI, 0.76–0.89), the pooled positive LR was 3.22 (95% CI, 1.67–6.18), the pooled negative LR was 0.24 (95% CI, 0.09–0.64), the pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 15.57 (95% CI, 4.94–49.03), and area under the curve was 0.894. For quantitative CEUS, pooled sensitivity was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.71–0.83), pooled specificity was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.62–0.73), the pooled positive LR was 2.34 (95% CI, 1.69–3.23), the pooled negative LR was 0.34 (95% CI, 0.25–0.47), the pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 7.06 (95% CI, 3.6–13.82), and area under the curve was 0.888. Conclusions CEUS is a promising noninvasive diagnostic modality for detecting intraplaque neovascularization. Standardization of quantitative analysis and visual grading classification is needed to increase reliability and reduce technical heterogeneity.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of myocardial perfusion (MP) and wall motion (WM) analysis obtained with real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RTMCE) and two widely used contrast agents in detecting coronary artery disease after injection of the vasodilator regadenoson.One hundred fifty patients were studied at two academic centers using regadenoson (400-μg intravenous bolus) vasodilator stress RTMCE (7.5% Optison infusion [n = 50] or 1.5% Definity infusion [n = 100]). Both MP and WM with RTMCE were analyzed at rest and after regadenoson bolus. Comparisons of WM and MP sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were made. Quantitative angiography was performed in all patients within 1 month of the regadenoson stress study (50% and70% diameter stenosis was considered significant). Reviewers were blinded to all clinical and quantitative angiographic data.Rate-pressure product after regadenoson was higher in Optison than Definity patients (P = .004). Using a 50% diameter stenosis on quantitative angiography as a reference standard, overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for combined WM and MP analysis were not different for both agents (Optison, 77%, 64%, and 73%; Definity, 80%, 74%, and 78%; P = NS). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of WM analysis alone for Optison were 68%, 71%, and 69% compared with 60%, 72%, and 66% for Definity (P = NS). Adding MP analysis improved the sensitivity and accuracy of Definity for detecting both50% and70% stenoses (P.001 vs WM), while MP analysis did not improve the sensitivity of Optison for detecting either50 or70% stenoses.RTMCE during regadenoson stress using either Optison or Definity is a rapid and effective method for the detection of coronary artery disease. The ability of MP imaging to improve WM accuracy may depend on the rate-pressure product achieved.

The first step for any company when it starts producing a new product is to identify its target customers and to understand and satisfy their actual needs. Recently, customers have been taking into consideration the societal, economic and environmental issues when examining a product. To keep up with these important issues, this research focuses on identifying the eco-friendly customers for sustainable design, profiling the target customers, and making it clear who the eco-friendly customers are and what characteristics they share. This was achieved by employing survey questionnaires and interviews, investigating not only environmental requirements but also sustainable ones (environmental, social and economic). The data was analyzed by using the Process macro and two-way interaction effect method. The research resulted in developing and adjusting the analysis method for identifying eco-friendly customers for sustainable design, as opposed to only identifying eco-friendly customers. This research enables companies to effectively target eco-friendly consumer markets by the utilization of segmentation analysis for promoting companies’ marketing strategies. The findings of this study show that eco-friendly customers are most likely people with higher educational levels and higher income. Moreover, the study proposes that additional research should be done exploring effective ways to increase students’ knowledge and awareness about environmental issues.