bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the effects of fermented wheat bran extract containing beta‐glucanase on beta‐glucan of cereals used in animal feed
Authors: Heidary Vinche Masoumeh , Khanahmadi Morteza , Ataei Seyed Ahmad , Danafar Firoozeh
Published: February 2021

Background and objectives

Beta‐glucan found in cereals is a non‐nutrient for poultry that would cause some digestion problems. Beta‐glucanase can break down the beta‐glucan. The aim was the production of beta‐glucanase from the fermentation of wheat bran and to investigate its effects on cereals.

Findings

Beta‐glucan contents of cereals, that is, wheat variety Pishtaz, hulless barley variety Loot, and a variety of medium maturity corn, were measured by direct extraction and beta‐glucan measurement kit. Beta‐glucanase was produced by solid‐state cultivation of five strains of Aspergillus on wheat bran. Aspergillus niger CCUG33991 was selected for the production of enzyme extract. Adding the extract enhanced the suspension viscosity reduction for the tested cereals. Barley had the highest amount of beta‐glucan and higher viscosity reduction that can be attributed to beta‐glucan content. Treatment of cereals with the enzyme extract modified their surfaces and made them more digestible.

Conclusions

The study demonstrated that beta‐glucanase can be a profitable animal feed additive especially for the feeds with high beta‐glucan content grains.

Significance and novelty

The effect of produced beta‐glucanase for the first time on the structure and solution viscosity of cereals showed that adding this enzyme is a suitable additive for digestive problems solving in animals.
Financial attributes, financial behaviors,financial‐advisor‐usebeliefs, and investing characteristics associated with having used arobo‐advisor
Authors: Todd Timothy M. , Seay Martin C.
Published: February 2021

This study investigates the financial attributes, financial behaviors, financial‐advisor‐use beliefs, and investing characteristics associated with having used an automated investment solution (i.e., a robo‐advisor). Data are used from the 2015 National Financial Capability Study (both the State‐by‐State Survey and the Investor Survey) to investigate the use of robo‐advisors among 1,393 individuals with non‐retirement investment accounts. Multivariable results indicated that being younger, having low or midrange income, and having lower objective investment‐knowledge scores was positively associated with robo‐advisor use. This study provides important insight for policymakers, financial practitioners, and proprietors of robo‐advisors and other fintech products.
New Noncentrosymmetric Tetrel Pnictides Composed of Square‐Planar Gold(I) with Peculiar Bonding
Authors: Lee Shannon J. , Won Juyeon , Wang Lin‐Lin , Jing Dapeng , Harmer Colin P. , Mark Justin , Akopov Georgiy , Kovnir Kirill
Published: February 2021

Three novel isostructural equiatomic gold tetrel pnictides, AuSiAs, AuGeP, and AuGeAs, were synthesized and characterized. These phases crystallize in the noncentrosymmetric (NCS) monoclinic space groupCc(no. 9), featuring square‐planar Au withincis‐[AuTt2Pn2] units (Tt=tetrel, Si, Ge; Pn=pnictogen, P, As). This is in drastic contrast to the structure of previously reported AuSiP, which exhibits typical linear coordination of Au with Si and P. Chemical bonding analysis through the electron localization function suggests covalent two‐center two‐electron Tt−Pn bonds, and three‐center Au−Tt−Au and Au−Pn−Au bonds with 1.6 e−per bond. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies support the covalent and nonionic nature of Au−Pn and Au−Tt bonds. The title materials were found to ben‐type narrow‐gap semiconductors or semimetals, with nearly temperature‐independent electrical resistivities and low thermal conductivities. A combination of the semimetallic properties with tunable NCS structure provides opportunities for the development of materials based on gold tetrel pnictides.
Antimicrobial Dosing in Specific Populations and Novel Clinical Methodologies: Obesity
Authors: Pai Manjunath P.
Published: February 2021

Obesity and its related comorbidities can negatively influence the outcomes of certain infectious diseases. Specific dosing recommendations are often lacking in the product label for patients with obesity that leads to unclear guidance in practice. Higher rates of therapeutic failure have been reported with some fixed dose antibiotics and pragmatic approaches to dose modification are limited for orally administered agents. For i.v. antimicrobials dosed on weight, alternate body size descriptors (ABSDs) have been used to reduce the risk of overdosing. These ABSDs are mathematical transformations of height and weight that represent fat‐free weight and follow the same principles as body surface area (BSA)‐based dosing of cancer chemotherapy. However, ABSDs are rarely studied in pivotal phase III studies and so can risk the underdosing of antimicrobials in patients with obesity when incorrectly applied in the real‐world setting. Specific case examples are presented to highlight these risks. Although general principles may be considered by clinicians, a universal approach to dose modification in obesity is unlikely. Studies that can better distinguish human body phenotypes may help reduce our reliance on height and weight to define dosing. Simple and complex technologies exist to quantify individual body composition that could improve upon our current approach. Early evidence suggests that body composition parameters repurposed from medical imaging data may improve upon height and weight as covariates of drug clearance and distribution. Clinical trials that can integrate human body phenotyping may help us identify new approaches to optimal dose selection of antimicrobials in patients with obesity.
Kangaroo father care: A pilot feasibility study of physiologic, biologic, and psychosocial measures to capture the effects of father–infant and mother–infant skin‐to‐skin contact in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Vogl Jamie L. , Dunne Emma C. , Liu Claire , Bradley Allison , Rwei Alina , Lonergan Erin K. , Hopkins Bradley S. , Kwak Sung Soo , Simon Clarissa D. , Rand Casey M. , Rogers John A. , Weese‐Mayer Debra E. , Garfield Craig F.
Published: February 2021

Robust literature supports the positive effects of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on infant physiologic stability and parent–infant bonding in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Comparatively little is known about kangaroo father care (KFC) in the NICU, and KFC implementation has been limited. Our pilot feasibility study objective was to examine KFC effects on premature infants and fathers as compared to KMC. Parents of preterm NICU infants independently completed a 90‐min Kangaroo Care (KC) session on consecutive days. Infant heart rate variability (HRV) and apnea/periodicity measures were compared (pre‐KC to KC; KFC to KMC). Additionally, we assessed the feasibility of administering three psychosocial questionnaires to fathers and mothers in the NICU and after discharge. Ten preterm infants completed 20 KC sessions (334/7–374/7 weeks post‐menstrual age). Results demonstrated similar infant physiologic responses between KMC and KFC, including significant differences in measures of HRV (p < .05) between KC and non‐KC periods. Eighty‐eight percentage of questionnaires administered were completed, supporting the utilization of these instruments in future research of this population. If confirmed, these preliminary results identify an opportunity to objectively assess KFC effects, supporting the development of empirically based KFC programs benefitting NICU families.
Do individuals with eating disorders dislike exposure therapy? Attitudes from children, adults, and parents toward exposure therapy and other treatments for eating disorders
Authors: Essayli Jamal H. , Webster Aiyana E. , Quaill Marlana A. , Zickgraf Hana F. , Lane‐Loney Susan E.
Published: February 2021

Objective

Exposure therapy appears underutilized in the treatment of eating disorders (EDs), perhaps due to clinicians' concerns that patients will dislike exposure therapy. The present study aims to investigate the attitudes of child patients, adult patients, and parents of child patients with EDs toward exposure therapy relative to four other treatments for EDs.

Method

A questionnaire was administered to patients and parents (N = 126) upon admission to a partial hospitalization program for EDs. Participants read vignettes describing five different treatments for EDs, and answered questions assessing attitudes about each treatment.

Results

At admission, participants reported the most favorable attitudes toward cognitive therapy, and the least favorable attitudes toward psychiatric medication. Exposure therapy generally received similar scores as interpersonal and expressive art therapy, and was perceived as significantly more preferable and effective in the long‐term than psychiatric medication. Relative to child and adult patients, parents reported greater preferences for all treatments except medication, and perceived all treatments as more credible except medication and art therapy. Preliminary findings from a subset of participants who also completed the questionnaire at discharge indicated that positive attitudes toward exposure therapy increased over the course of treatment.

Discussion

Individuals with EDs and their parents may enter treatment with particularly favorable views toward cognitive therapy, and do not appear to have strong attitudes toward exposure therapy one way or the other. Clinicians' concerns that patients with EDs will dislike exposure therapy may be largely unfounded.
Thiosemicarbazone Complexes of Uranium(IV)
Authors: Grödler Dennis , Haseloer Alexander , Tobeck Christian , Bulut Yusuf , Neudörfl Jörg M. , Mathur Sanjay , Ruschewitz Uwe , Klein Axel , Wickleder Mathias S. , Zegke Markus
Published: February 2021

The first homoleptic thiosemicarbazone complexes of uranium were isolated by reacting uranium tetrachloride in a salt metathesis or acid‐base reaction with four equivalents of Na(BzTSC) or H(BzTSC) (BzTSC=benzylthiosemicarbazone), carrying a non‐methylated (L1), monomethylated (L2) or dimethylated (L3) terminal amino group, in moderate yields. [U(BzTSCNH2)4] (1), [U(BzTSCNH(CH3))4] (2) and [U(BzTSCN(CH3)2)4] (3) show a remarkable stability towards air, with oxidation potentials in THF between +0.43 and +0.53 V and reduction potentials between −2.53 and −2.67 V vs. ferrocene/ferrocenium. The simple methylation of the terminal amino group of the ligand allows for controlled changes in the coordination environments of the complexes. Thermogravimetric analyses indicate that the complexes are stable up to 155 °C.
Gas seepage laws based on dual porosity and dual permeability: Numerical simulation and coalbed methane extraction practice
Authors: Xu Chao , Qin Liangliang , Wang Kai , Sun Haoshi , Cao Mingyue
Published: February 2021

Coalbed methane (CBM) is the very important unconventional energy resource. Enhancing extraction is the main method to improve the utilization of CBM and prevent coal mine gas disasters. To reveal the laws of gas migration during the underground gas extraction, the paper established the solid‐gas coupling model, regarding coal as the homogeneous elastic medium with dual pore‐fracture structure and dual permeability and considering the gas dynamic diffusion coefficient. Then, the regulations of gas migration in the in‐seam borehole were simulated by the COMSOL Multiphysics software and verified via the field trials of gas extraction. The results revealed that the permeability increased with time due to the coupling of matrix shrinkage and volume compression of coal, in which the matrix shrinkage played a leading role. The gas seepage velocity at the observation points can be divided into three stages: the rapid rise stage, the stable decline stage, and the stable and invariant stage. The gas extraction rate continued decreasing with time and finally tended to a fixed value. In the coal seam #4 of Zhongxing coal mine, the measured flow rates of three in‐seam drilling holes were in good agreement with the simulation results, which verified the correctness of the theoretical coupling model.
Working across space and time: nonstationarity in ecological research and application
Authors: Rollinson Christine R , Finley Andrew O , Alexander M Ross , Banerjee Sudipto , Dixon Hamil Kelly-Ann , Koenig Lauren E , Locke Dexter Henry , DeMarche Megan L , Tingley Morgan W , Wheeler Kathryn , Youngflesh Casey , Zipkin Elise F
Published: February 2021

Ecological research increasingly considers integrative relationships among phenomena at broad spatial and temporal domains. However, such large‐scale inferences are commonly confounded by changing properties in the processes that govern phenomena (termed nonstationarity), which can violate assumptions underlying standard analytical methods. Changing conditions are fundamental and pervasive features in ecology, but their influence on ecological inference and prediction increases with larger spatial and temporal domains for a host of factors. Fortunately, tools for identifying and accommodating potentially confounding spatial or temporal trends are available, and new methods are being rapidly developed. Here, we provide guidance for gaining a better understanding of nonstationarity, its causes, and how it can be addressed. Acknowledging and addressing non‐constant trends in ecological patterns and processes is key to conducting large‐scale research and effectively translating findings to local policies and practices.
Amnesty International’s updated policy on abortion: A resource for medical providers
Authors: Tzaneva Rada , Todd‐Gher Jaime
Published: February 2021

Treating abortion as a matter of reproductive autonomy is essential to promoting health, complying with medical ethics, and advancing human rights. When pregnant people can make autonomous decisions about their pregnancies, their health and human rights outcomes improve. Additionally, medical providers that support autonomous sexual and reproductive health decision‐making can provide care in line with the highest ethical standards and promote pregnant individuals’ human rights. This article highlights Amnesty International's updated institutional abortion policy which uses a reproductive autonomy frame to promote the full realization of human rights for all pregnant people. The policy relies on decades of evidence, the organization's learning from abortion research and advocacy around the world, and evolving human rights law and standards. While not specifically developed for a medical audience, Amnesty International's updated policy can be a useful resource for providers who seek to promote reproductive autonomy and achieve better health outcomes for their patients.
Fibrous biomaterials: Effect of textile topography on foreign body reaction
Authors: Girault Elise , Biguenet Florence , Eidenschenk Antoinette , Dupuis Dominique , Barbet Romain , Heim Frederic
Published: February 2021

Foreign Body Reaction (FBR) is a critical issue to be addressed when polyethylene terephthalate (PET) textile implants are considered in the medical field to treat pathologies involving hernia repair, revascularization strategies in arterial disease, and aneurysm or heart valve replacement. The natural porosity of textile materials tends to induce exaggerated tissue ingrowth which may prevent the implants from remaining flexible. The purpose of this study is to assess the influence of the textile topography of various woven substrates on the wetting properties of these substrates and on their in vitro interaction with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) at 24 and 72 hr. The tests were performed both at yarn and fabric level under forced wetting and ingrowth conditions in order to replicate the mechanisms going on in vivo under blood pressure. Results demonstrate that cell proliferation is influenced by the textile wetting properties, which can be tuned at yarn and fabric level. In particular, it is shown that a satin weave obtained from porous spun yarn limits cell proliferation due to the high porosity of the yarn and the limited saturation index of the weave. Yarn and fabric saturation seems to play a predominant role in cell proliferation on textile substrates.
Morpho‐palynological assessment of some species of family Asteraceae and Lamiaceae of District Bannu, Pakistan on the bases of light microscope & scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Khan Siraj , Jan Gul , Ahmad Mushtaq , Gul Farzana , Zafar Muhammad , Mangi Jamal Ud Din , Bibi Hameeda , Sultana Shazia , Usma Anwer , Majeed Salman
Published: February 2021

Pollen micro‐morphological features have proven to be helpful for the plant taxonomists in the identification and classification of plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the palynological features of family Asteraceae and Lamiaceae from flora of District Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan using both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscope (LM) for their taxonomic importance. Pollen of seven Asteraceous species belonging to four genera and four Lamiaceae species categorized into four genera were collected from different localities of research area. The present research work provides detailed information of diverse morpho‐palynological characters both qualitatively and quantitatively including pollen shape, type, diameter, P/E ratio, exine sculpturing and thickness. Type of pollen in Asteraceae and Lamiaceae was ranged from tricolporate, tricolpate, trizonocolpate and hexazonocolpate. The maximum polar diameter (40.05 μm) and equatorial diameter (37.66 μm) was observed in the Ajuga bracteoosa while minimum polar and equatorial diameter was noted in Isodon rugosus (11.10 μm) and Erigeron canadensis (13.20 μm) respectively. Sculpturing of exine include; echinate, reticulate scabrate, aerolate, reticulate–verrucate, reticulate–scabrate, perforate and reticulate to perforate. Exine thickness was examined maximum 1.50 μm in Helianthus tuberosus, whereas minimum in Conyza Canadensis (0.16 μm). The pollen fertility was found highest in C Canadensis (83.33%) and lowest in Ajuga bracteosa (58.06%). The observed pollen morphology has many valuable qualitative and quantitative attributes for the better understanding of their taxonomy and play significant role in correct identification.
Climate change scenarios at hourly time‐step over Switzerland from an enhanced temporal downscaling approach
Authors: Michel Adrien , Sharma Varun , Lehning Michael , Huwald Hendrik
Published: February 2021

Many physically‐based models for climate change impact studies require sub‐daily temporal resolution of the forcing data to provide meaningful predictions. However, climate scenarios are typically available at daily time step, severely limiting the application of such physically‐based models. In this study, we propose an enhanced delta‐change method for downscaling climate change scenarios from daily to hourly resolution. The approach presented provides objective criteria for assessing the quality of the determined delta and downscaled time series, while also fixing issues of common quantile mapping methods used for spatial downscaling related to the decrease of correlation between different variables. However, this new approach has limitations in correctly representing statistically extreme events and changes in the frequency of discontinuous events such as precipitation. Smoothing of historical and future data is required prior to applying the delta‐change method, and the related parameters are found to have a subtle impact on the correctness of the representation of the seasonal means as well as the resulting (artificial) variability in the scenario data product. This new method is universal and can be applied with smoothing approaches apart from the harmonic fitting used in this work and in the past. In this study, the assessment suggested the use of seven harmonics for the smoothing of the input data as a best choice of this parameter for the data used. The method is applied to a Swiss climate change scenario data set, CH2018, and to a complement of this set to a Swiss alpine measurement network obtained by spatial transfer of CH2018, resulting in a set of 68 climate change scenarios at hourly resolution for 188 stations over Switzerland significantly expanding upon the spatial and temporal resolution of the CH2018 data set. All source code to perform such an analysis and the complete data product are provided open access.
Measurement system analysis on the external standard using an azeotropic mixture of ethylene glycol and detailed uncertainties
Authors: Ahmad Hazmi Ahmad Syafiq , Abd Maurad Zulina , Mohd Noor Mohd Azmil , Nek Mat Din Nik Siti Mariam , Idris Zainab
Published: February 2021

Ethylene glycol is a super commodity chemical and it has vital roles in various applications. Its co‐production with other chemicals, such as ethylene carbonate and glycerol carbonate, has promised cheaper production cost. Its quantification presents a challenge as its contaminants, such as ethylene carbonate, produce a signal‐reducing effect in flame ionized detector. The aim of this study is to evaluate external standard to quantify the composition of glycol mixture. Measurement system analysis was employed on the external standard method. Reliability of the external standard is statistically significant with low p‐values, excellent capability indices, and high F‐values. The external standard is found to have remarkable precision and trueness as both capability indices are mirroring each other. Furthermore, the capability analysis has a strong correlation with quality measurement. Based on capability indices, the limit of detection is recommended at S/N = 25 and the limit of quantification is recommended at S/N = 100 for a reliable measurement. A high degree of reliability is achieved coherently as almost all uncertainties of coefficients of variations are less than 5%. The established method was validated and successfully applied to glycol mixture at azeotropic distillation pilot plant.
Vegetation Structural Attributes Providing Thermal Refugia for Northern Bobwhites
Authors: Palmer Brandon J. , Fulbright Timothy E. , Grahmann Eric D. , HernÁNdez Fidel , Hehman Michael W. , Wester David B.
Published: February 2021

The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; bobwhite) exists at the edge of its thermal tolerance in southern Texas, USA, a region characterized by extreme heat and periodic drought. Extreme heat and drought events are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity in semi‐arid regions, leading biologists to emphasize management of thermal cover. The degree to which temperatures within patches of woody vegetation vary and the specific vegetation structural characteristics that create cooler microclimates within these patches are unknown. We evaluated temperature variation between selected and available sites, vegetation characteristics facilitating cooler microsites, and whether these characteristics in addition to temperature were important predictors of microsite selection within woody patches. We radio‐tracked 83 bobwhites 2–3 times/week during April–August 2017–2018. We recorded operative and ground surface temperatures and measured woody and herbaceous vegetation height, canopy density, and overlapping woody and herbaceous cover at used and paired random locations. Within the same woody patch, 80% of used locations contained operative temperatures lower than or equal to random locations. There was a weak relationship between the vegetation variables we measured and temperature at paired locations, indicating that none of the vegetation variables alone can effectively reduce temperatures. Temperatures within woody patches are likely strongly tied to diurnal variation in solar angle and ability to create shade. Cooler temperatures, dense canopies, and overlapping woody vegetation had the greatest effects on relative probability of microsite use during the middle of the day, whereas warmer temperatures and taller woody vegetation had the greatest relative effects during the morning and evening. Our results suggest that temperature was influential across diurnal periods but foraging and predation avoidance may have also been important. Maintenance and preservation of dense woody vegetation and diverse shrub understories must be prioritized in habitat management for bobwhites in semi‐arid regions. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
The Strategies for High‐Performance Single‐Emissive‐Layer White Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Zou Shi‐Jie , Zeng Xin‐Yi , Li Yan‐Qing , Tang Jian‐Xin
Published: February 2021

White organic light‐emitting diodes (WOLEDs) have been regarded as the most promising candidate for full‐color display and solid‐state lighting applications owing to their favorable merits of high efficiency, superior white color balance, simple fabrication, and large‐area manufacturing possibility. Particularly, single‐emissive‐layer WOLEDs (SEL‐WOLEDs) with the reduced structural complexity, lower process cost, and feasible solution processing have drawn particular attentions. Numerous strategies have been proposed in recent years to construct SEL‐WOLEDs with improved device performance. This review focuses on the aspects, including: a) the molecular design methods for achieving a single‐molecule WOLED; b) the energy transfer mechanisms in various multiple‐molecule SEL‐WOLEDs with all‐fluorescence, all‐phosphorescence, and fluorescence‐phosphorescence hybrid structures; c) the combination of exciplex emitters and complementary fluorescent/thermally‐activated delayed fluorescent/phosphorescent emitters to realize SEL‐WOLEDs. Some future prospects on new opportunities and technological challenges in SEL‐WOLEDs are also covered.
Regulating the Supramolecular Polymerization of Fibrous Crystalline Structures in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Xia Hongwei , Fu Hailin , Ren Yuan , Bordett Rosalie , Zhang Yanfeng , Fu Youjun , Lin Yao
Published: February 2021

Inspired by protein polymerizations, much progress has been made in making “polymer‐like” supramolecular structures from small synthetic subunits through non‐covalent bonds. A few regulation mechanisms have also been explored in synthetic platforms to create supramolecular polymers and materials with dynamic properties. Herein, a type of reactive regulator that facilitates the dimerization of the monomer precursors through dynamic bonds to trigger the supramolecular assembly from small molecules in an aqueous solution is described. The supramolecular structures are crystalline in nature and the reaction coupled assembly strategy can be extended to a supramolecular assembly of aromatic amide derivatives formed in‐situ. The method may be instructive for the development of supramolecular nanocrystalline materials with desired physical properties.
Ion mobility mass spectrometry in the omics era: Challenges and opportunities for metabolomics and lipidomics
Authors: Paglia Giuseppe , Smith Andrew J. , Astarita Giuseppe
Published: February 2021

Researchers worldwide are taking advantage of novel, commercially available, technologies, such as ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM‐MS), for metabolomics and lipidomics applications in a variety of fields including life, biomedical, and food sciences. IM‐MS provides three main technical advantages over traditional LC‐MS workflows. Firstly, in addition to mass, IM‐MS allows collision cross‐section values to be measured for metabolites and lipids, a physicochemical identifier related to the chemical shape of an analyte that increases the confidence of identification. Second, IM‐MS increases peak capacity and the signal‐to‐noise, improving fingerprinting as well as quantification, and better defining the spatial localization of metabolites and lipids in biological and food samples. Third, IM‐MS can be coupled with various fragmentation modes, adding new tools to improve structural characterization and molecular annotation. Here, we review the state‐of‐the‐art in IM‐MS technologies and approaches utilized to support metabolomics and lipidomics applications and we assess the challenges and opportunities in this growing field.
Laboratory‐Supported Multiple System Atrophy beyond Autonomic Function Testing and Imaging: A Systematic Review by the MoDiMSA Study Group
Authors: Stankovic Iva , Fanciulli Alessandra , Kostic Vladimir S. , Krismer Florian , Meissner Wassilios G. , Palma Jose Alberto , Panicker Jalesh N. , Seppi Klaus , Wenning Gregor K. ,   The MoDiMSA Study Group
Published: February 2021

Background

Neuroimaging has been used to support a diagnosis of possible multiple system atrophy (MSA). Only blood pressure changes upon standing are included in the second consensus criteria but other autonomic function tests (AFT) are also useful to diagnose widespread and progressive autonomic failure typical of MSA. Additional diagnostic tools are of interest to improve accuracy of MSA diagnosis.

Objectives

To assess the utility of diagnostic tools beyond brain imaging and AFT in enhancing a laboratory‐supported diagnosis of MSA to support the upcoming revision of the consensus criteria.

Methods

The International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society MSA Study Group (MoDiMSA) performed a systematic review of original papers on biomarkers, sleep studies, genetic, neuroendocrine, neurophysiological, neuropsychological and other tests including olfactory testing and acute levodopa challenge test published before August 2019.

Results

Evaluation of history of levodopa responsiveness and olfaction is useful in patients in whom MSA‐parkinsonian subtype is suspected. Neuropsychological testing is useful to exclude dementia at time of diagnosis. Applicability of sphincter EMG is limited. When MSA‐cerebellar subtype is suspected, a screening for the common causes of adult‐onset progressive ataxia is useful, including spinocerebellar ataxias in selected patients. Diagnosing stridor and REM sleep behavior disorder is useful in both MSA subtypes. However, none of these tools are validated in large longitudinal cohorts of postmortem confirmed MSA cases.

Conclusions

Despite limited evidence, additional laboratory work‐up of patients with possible MSA beyond imaging and AFT should be considered to optimize the clinical diagnostic accuracy.
Bullous Pemphigoid Associated with Multiple System Atrophy: Case Series
Authors: Snedden Andrew , Sharif Jennifer , Newsham John , Kobylecki Christopher
Published: February 2021

Background

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune blistering dermatosis associated with a number of neurological conditions, including idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD). Only 1 case of BP in a patient with multiple system atrophy (MSA) has been reported.

Cases

We report 3 cases of men with probable MSA who developed bullous pemphigoid at a latency of 4–6 years from MSA symptom onset.

Conclusions

Skin α‐synuclein deposition in neurodegenerative conditions such as IPD and MSA may be a potential substrate for the exposure of BP‐related antigens. Alternatively, central neurodegeneration may expose antigens as a substrate for cross‐reactivity and BP pathogenesis. Our report suggests an association between BP and MSA, in addition to the previously documented association with IPD.
Festkörperchemie
Authors: Daoud Haneen , Slabon Adam , Zobel Mirijam
Published: February 2021

GaN‐Nanoteilchen, stickstoffsubstituierte Kohlenstoffmaterialien als Energiespeicher, poröse Nanoteilchen, Struktur‐Eigenschaftsbeziehungen und mehr.
Kleinere Akquisitionen
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: February 2021

Die wirtschaftlichen Wirkungen der Pandemie verringern einer Studie zufolge das Transaktionsvolumen und zirkuläres Wirtschaften nimmt zu.
Impfen gegen Covid‐19
Authors: Groß Michael
Published: February 2021

Die eskalierende Covid‐19‐Pandemie hat bewirkt, dass mehrere Impfstoffe gegen die Krankheit in Rekordtempo entwickelt und zugelassen wurden. Dabei setzten Forscher sowohl etablierte als auch neue Strategien ein.
Extra‐appendicular neuroendocrine tumors: A report from the TREP project (2000‐2020)
Authors: Virgone Calogero , Ferrari Andrea , Chiaravalli Stefano , De Pasquale Maria Debora , Inserra Alessandro , D'Angelo Paolo , Ogunleye Martina Funmilayo , Crocoli Alessandro , Vallero Stefano , Cesaro Simone , Alaggio Rita , Bisogno Gianni , Dall'Igna Patrizia
Published: February 2021

Background

Extra‐appendicular neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are very rare tumors. While diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines are well established for adults, data on children and adolescents are lacking.

Patients and Methods

Patients with a diagnosis of extra‐appendicular NET registered on the Tumori Rari in Età Pediatrica ‐ Rare Tumors in Pediatric Age (TREP) from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed. Clinical characteristics including patients’ presentation, tumor features, treatment, and outcome were reviewed.

Results

Twenty‐seven patients with extra‐appendicular NET registered on TREP with a median age of 173 months. The primary site was the pancreas (12) or bronchi (10) in the majority of cases. Other primary sites included the thymus, Meckel's diverticulum, and liver. Thirteen (48%) of tumors extended beyond the organ of origin: four invaded neighboring organs and/or regional nodes and nine involved distant metastases. The 3‐year event‐free survival (EFS) for those with localized disease was superior to those with metastatic disease (66.6% 95% CI 5‐95% vs 33% 95% CI 5‐68%, respectively; P = .005). A complete resection was feasible in 17 patients. The 3‐year EFS in these patients was superior to those with no or incomplete resection (R0 vs R1/R2, respectively; P = .007). Overall, 16 children had no evidence of disease at follow‐up, and one is alive with disease; five died, and five were lost to follow‐up.

Conclusions

Data from our experience demonstrated a wide heterogeneity of presentation and outcome of these tumors. Localized disease and complete surgical resection were the main prognostic factors of good outcome. Other therapies may have a role in prolonging survival in metastatic disease.
Transcranial Doppler screening in Nigerian children with sickle cell disease: A 10‐year longitudinal study on the SPPIBA cohort
Authors: Lagunju IkeOluwa A. , Labaeka Adeyemi , Ibeh Joy N. , Orimadegun Adebola E. , Brown Biobele J. , Sodeinde Olugbemiro O.
Published: February 2021

Background

Primary stroke prevention programmes for children with sickle cell disease (SCD) have been shown to be feasible interventions in resource‐poor countries. Different hydroxyurea (HU) regimens have been utilised in ameliorating the severity of SCD.

Objective

To determine the long‐term outcomes of the stroke prevention programme for children with SCD in Ibadan (SPPIBA), Nigeria.

Methods

A longitudinal study of 396 children with haemoglobin SS disease who had been on the stroke prevention programme for a minimum period of 5 years. All enrollees had nonimaging TCD performed at baseline and thereafter 3‐monthly or annually. Children with TCD velocities ≥170 cm/s were treated with HU by dose‐escalation regimen.

Results

The mean age at first TCD examination was 102 ± 46.7 months and the period of follow‐up ranged from 5 to 10 years (mean = 7.2 ± 1.7). Time to significant decline in TCD velocities ranged from 5 to 35 months, (median = 10.0 months). The minimum dose of HU required to achieve significant decline in TCD velocities ranged from 15 to 31 mg/kg/day, mean 23.7 (±3.9). HU dose escalation beyond 20 mg/kg/day was required to attain significant reductions in the time‐averaged mean of maximal velocities (TAMMV) in 69.1% of the cases. Two stroke events occurred giving a stroke incidence of 0.08 per 100 patient‐years.

Conclusion

The majority of Nigerian children with SCD and elevated TCD velocities achieved significant decline in TAMMV within the first year of HU therapy but on higher doses of HU. It might be important to individualise HU doses for optimal outcomes in primary stroke prevention.
Active fault tolerant control based on adaptive interval observer for uncertain systems with sensor faults
Authors: Wang Xianghua , Pin Tan Chee , Wang Youqing , Zhang Ziye
Published: February 2021

In this article, we present an active fault tolerant control scheme based on fault detection and isolation (FDI) for a class of uncertain systems subject to sensor faults. The FDI unit consists of a fault detection (FD) module and a fault isolation (FI) module, to determine when and where the sensor fault happens. It is noted that the FD module is based on a proposed adaptive interval observer where adaptive parameters instead of conservative uncertainty bounds are used, as a result, the sensitivity to faults is improved. When the FD module detects a fault, a compensation controller (CC) and an FI module are activated. The CC is designed to maintain some level of performance assuming all sensors are faulty. After the FI module determines the location of the fault, a reconfigured controller is activated to give improved performance with reduced conservatism. Importantly, the unmeasurable states and faulty output are approximated as a linear combination of their upper and lower bounds, and linear parameter are determined by adaptive laws. Finally, a simulation example is utilized to verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Iron Selenide Microcapsules as Universal Conversion‐Typed Anodes for Alkali Metal‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Lu Shiyao , Wu Hu , Xu Siyuan , Wang Yuankun , Zhao Jianyun , Li Yuhan , Abdelkader Amr M. , Li Jiao , Wang Wei (Alex) , Xi Kai , Guo Yuzheng , Ding Shujiang , Gao Guoxin , Kumar Ramachandran Vasant
Published: February 2021

Rechargeable alkali metal‐ion batteries (AMIBs) are receiving significant attention owing to their high energy density and low weight. The performance of AMIBs is highly dependent on the electrode materials. It is, therefore, quite crucial to explore suitable electrode materials that can fulfil the future requirements of AMIBs. Herein, a hierarchical hybrid yolk–shell structure of carbon‐coated iron selenide microcapsules (FeSe2@C‐3 MCs) is prepared via facile hydrothermal reaction, carbon‐coating, HCl solution etching, and then selenization treatment. When used as the conversion‐typed anode materials (CTAMs) for AMIBs, the yolk–shell FeSe2@C‐3 MCs show advantages. First, the interconnected external carbon shell improves the mechanical strength of electrodes and accelerates ionic migration and electron transmission. Second, the internal electroactive FeSe2 nanoparticles effectively decrease the extent of volume expansion and avoid pulverization when compared with micro‐sized solid FeSe2. Third, the yolk–shell structure provides sufficient inner void to ensure electrolyte infiltration and mobilize the surface and near‐surface reactions of electroactive FeSe2 with alkali metal ions. Consequently, the designed yolk–shell FeSe2@C‐3 MCs demonstrate enhanced electrochemical performance in lithium‐ion batteries, sodium‐ion batteries, and potassium‐ion batteries with high specific capacities, long cyclic stability, and outstanding rate capability, presenting potential application as universal anodes for AMIBs.
Nanostructure of Functional Larotaxel Liposomes Decorated with Guanine‐Rich Quadruplex Nucleotide–Lipid Derivative for Treatment of Resistant Breast Cancer
Authors: Li Xueqi , Li Jianwei , Xu Jiarui , Chen Kun , Zhang Zhan , Duan Jialun , Luo Qian , Du Yafei , Chen Songyue , Xie Ying , Lu Wanliang
Published: February 2021

Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease in women all over the world and its chemotherapy outcome is restricted by multidrug resistance. Here, a nanostructure by functional larotaxel liposomes decorated with guanine‐rich quadruplex nucleotide‐lipid derivative for treatment of resistant breast cancer is developed. The studies are performed on the resistant breast cancer cells and the cancer‐bearing mice. The nucleotide–lipid derivative (DSPE‐PEG2000‐C6‐GT28nt) is synthesized by introducing a hydrophobic hexyl linkage between GT‐28nt (containing 17 guanines and 11 thymidines) and DSPE‐PEG2000‐NHS, and is incorporated on the functional larotaxel liposomes for specific binding with nucleolin receptor on the resistant cancer cells. The studies demonstrate that the liposomes had long circulatory effect, targeted capability, and significant anticancer efficacy in resistant cancer‐bearing mice. The studies further reveal their action mechanism, consisting of blocking depolymerization of microtubules, arresting cell cycle, blocking JAK‐STAT signaling pathway, and inhibiting activity of antiapoptotic proteins. In conclusion, the functional larotaxel liposomes can be used for effective treatment of drug‐resistant breast cancer, and this study also offers a novel targeted nanomedicine based on nucleotide–lipid derivative.
Joint estimation of gradual variance changepoint for panel data with common structures
Authors: Liang Wanfeng , Guo Yunfei , Wu Yue
Published: February 2021

This paper considers the problem of detecting the common gradual changepoint in panel data. Given the situation that each panel/series has the common gradual variance changepoint along with a smoothly functional mean, our focus is on improving the changepoint location estimation accuracy assuming a prior that a single change has occurred. We developed an iterative algorithm motivated by the idea of divide‐and‐conquer for tackling this problem. In addition, we have established the rates of convergence for all the parameter estimates. Monte Carlo simulation results illustrate the effectiveness and improvement of the proposed method over the existing methods. The method is also demonstrated through an analysis on the daily returns of S&P 500 Index and NASDAQ‐100 Index over a period of time.
SNHG3 cooperates with ELAVL2 to modulate cell apoptosis and extracellular matrix accumulation by stabilizing SNAI2 in human trabecular meshwork cells under oxidative stress
Authors: Li Sizhen , Yang Qingsong , Zhou Zixiu , Fu Min , Yang Xiaodong , Hao Kuanxiao , Liu Yating
Published: February 2021

Glaucoma is the main reason for irreversible blindness, and pathological increased intraocular pressure is the leading risk factor for glaucoma. It is reported that trabecular meshwork cell injury is closely associated with the elevated intraocular pressure. The current study aimed to investigate the role of small nucleolar RNA host gene 3 (SNHG3) in human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells under oxidative stress. A series of experiments including real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, subcellular fractionation assay, western blot analysis, cell counting kit‐8 assay, RNA pull down, flow cytometry analysis, and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were used to explore the biological function and regulatory mechanism of SNHG3 in HTM cells under oxidative stress. First, we observed that H2O2 induced SNHG3 upregulation in HTM cells. Then, we found that SNHG3 silencing alleviated H2O2‐induced oxidative damage in HTM cells. Moreover, snail family transcriptional repressor 2 (SNAI2) knockdown alleviated the oxidative damage induced by H2O2 in HTM cells. Mechanistically, SNHG3 bound with ELAV like RNA binding protein 2 (ELAVL2) to stabilize SNAI2. Finally, SNAI2 overexpression counteracted the effect of SNHG3 silencing on H2O2‐treated HTM cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that SNHG3 cooperated with ELAVL2 to modulate cell apoptosis and extracellular matrix accumulation by stabilizing SNAI2 in HTM cells under oxidative stress.
Swampland Conjectures for strings and membranes
Authors: Lanza Stefano , Marchesano Fernando , Martucci Luca , Valenzuela Irene
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Swampland criteria like the Weak Gravity Conjecture should not only apply to particles, but also to other lower-codimension charged objects in 4d EFTs like strings and membranes. However, the description of the latter is in general subtle due to their large backreaction effects. In the context of 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 EFTs, we consider $$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

BPS strings and membranes which are fundamental, in the sense that they cannot be resolved within the EFT regime. We argue that, if interpreted from the EFT viewpoint, the 4d backreaction of these objects translates into a classical RG flow of their couplings. Constraints on the UV charges and tensions get then translated to constraints on the axionic kinetic terms and scalar potential of the EFT. This uncovers new relations among the Swampland Conjectures, which become interconnected by the physical properties of low-codimension objects. In particular, using that string RG flows describe infinite field distance limits, we show that the WGC for strings implies the Swampland Distance Conjecture. Similarly, WGC-saturating membranes generate a scalar potential satisfying the de Sitter Conjecture.
Stealth decaying spin-1 dark matter
Authors: Delaunay Cédric , Ma Teng , Soreq Yotam
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We consider models of decaying spin-1 dark matter whose dominant coupling to the standard model sector is through a dark-Higgs Yukawa portal connecting a TeV-scale vector-like lepton to the standard model (right-handed) electron. Below the electron-positron threshold, dark matter has very slow, loop-suppressed decays to photons and (electron) neutrinos, and is stable on cosmological time-scale for sufficiently small gauge coupling values. Its relic abundance is set by in-equilibrium dark lepton decays, through the freeze-in mechanism. We show that this model accommodates the observed dark matter abundance for natural values of its parameters and a dark matter mass in the ∼ 5 keV to 1 MeV range, while evading constraints from direct detection, indirect detection, stellar cooling and cosmology. We also consider the possibility of a nonzero gauge kinetic mixing with the standard model hypercharge field, which is found to yield a mild impact on the model’s phenomenology.
Two-loop five-parton leading-colour finite remainders in the spinor-helicity formalism
Authors: De Laurentis Giuseppe , Maître Daniel
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We present all two-loop five-parton leading-colour finite remainders in the spinor-helicity formalism by analysing numerical evaluations of their known expressions in terms of Mandelstam invariants. Recasting them in terms of spinor-helicity variables allows us to obtain expressions which are more compact, faster to evaluate, numerically more stable and manifestly free from poles of higher order than necessary. At the same time, due to the better scaling of our reconstruction strategy with the complexity of the input, we required one order of magnitude fewer numerical samples to complete the analytical reconstruction than were needed by the authors of ref. [1], albeit using higher numerical working precision. This places our reconstruction technique as an alternative to the finite-field single-numerator reconstruction for future applications.