bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
C9orf72 arginine-rich dipeptide repeat proteins disrupt karyopherin-mediated nuclear import
Authors: Hayes Lindsey R , Duan Lauren , Bowen Kelly , Kalab Petr , Rothstein Jeffrey D
Published: March 2020

Disruption of nucleocytoplasmic transport is increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS caused by a C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion. However, the mechanism(s) remain unclear. Karyopherins, including importin β and its cargo adaptors, have been shown to co-precipitate with the C9orf72 arginine-containing dipeptide repeat proteins (R-DPRs), poly-glycine arginine (GR) and poly-proline arginine (PR), and are protective in genetic modifier screens. Here, we show that R-DPRs interact with importin β, disrupt its cargo loading, and inhibit nuclear import of importin β, importin α/β, and transportin cargoes in permeabilized mouse neurons and HeLa cells, in a manner that can be rescued by RNA. Although R-DPRs induce widespread protein aggregation in this in vitro system, transport disruption is not due to nucleocytoplasmic transport protein sequestration, nor blockade of the phenylalanine-glycine (FG)-rich nuclear pore complex. Our results support a model in which R-DPRs interfere with cargo loading on karyopherins.
Effect of Twelve Sessions of Tai Chi Exercise on Static and Dynamic Balance in Young Girls
Authors: Daneshjoo Abdolhamid , Tavakol Aida , Sadeghi Hassan
Published: March 2020

Background: Tai Chi is Chinese martial art strengthening the performance of individuals. Objectives: The purpose of present study is to determine the effect of a Tai Chi exercise period on static and dynamic balance of young girls. Methods: For the purpose of this research, 32 young girls were voluntarily selected and randomly divided into two groups: Tai Chi training group (21 subjects; mean ± SD; age 22.05±2.4 weight 53.67±6.3 kg, height 1.60±0.5 m) and control group (11 subjects; mean ± SD; age 23.37±0.9 weight 53.64±7.8 kg, height 1.62±0.4 m) players. Static and dynamic balance were measured using Biodex Balance System SD three days before and after a 12-session training period with similar conditions in terms of time and place (75 minutes each session). Results: Mixed repeated measure test showed a significant difference between pre and post-tests in open eye single-foot, closed eye single-foot, open eye two-foot, and closed eye two-foot stances (p=0.001). However, no significant difference was revealed in the control group (p0.05). While there was better balance state in all stances of Tai Chi group, no significant difference was observed between the groups in this respect (p0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this research indicated the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercises on static and dynamic balance of young girls. Although there was no significant difference in effect of exercise between training and control groups, mean percentage of changes in training group revealed the effectiveness of exercise in training group compared to control. Therefore, Tai Chi exercises can be recommended to treat and prevent injury due to poor balance. We suggested performing Tai Chi more than 12 session in order to enhance it influences.
Biochemical and Structural Alterations in Skeletal Muscle Following ACL Injury: A Narrative Review
Authors: Reyes Trenton , Willoughby Darryn S.
Published: March 2020

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are some of the most common knee injuries that occur in the US, accounting for around 200,000 documented cases per year. Varying levels of severity can determine whether surgery is required or if physical therapy will suffice. One of the most common complications for patients is that there is significant atrophy of the impacted limb. Yet, there has not been definitive proof explaining this mechanism. Objective: The primary goal for this review was to examine some of the biochemical differences that tend to occur within and surrounding an ACL injury and the mechanisms involved in skeletal muscle atrophy and regenerative capabilities. Outcome: Multiple studies have found a connection between time spent inactive from the injury and the percentage of retained muscle after exercising again. Among decreases in muscle mass and muscle volume changes, analyses have also revealed alterations in alpha-2 macroglobulin, myostatin, heat shock protein-72, mechano GF-C24E, synovial fluid, and histochemical alterations in collagen and cartilaginous states which all seem to be primary factors in regulating effectiveness and speed of recovery from ACL injury. Conclusion: the influx of various cytokines as a response to the initial injury in relation to inflammation change the chemical and physical environment of the knee, making recovery significantly more difficult and time-consuming. Timing of injury, surgery, and re-initiation of movement after surgery are very important factors that can minimize overall damage and reduce recovery time.
An approach for semantic integration of heterogeneous data sources
Authors: Fusco Giuseppe , Aversano Lerina
Published: March 2020

Integrating data from multiple heterogeneous data sources entails dealing with data distributed among heterogeneous information sources, which can be structured, semi-structured or unstructured, and providing the user with a unified view of these data. Thus, in general, gathering information is challenging, and one of the main reasons is that data sources are designed to support specific applications. Very often their structure is unknown to the large part of users. Moreover, the stored data is often redundant, mixed with information only needed to support enterprise processes, and incomplete with respect to the business domain. Collecting, integrating, reconciling and efficiently extracting information from heterogeneous and autonomous data sources is regarded as a major challenge. In this paper, we present an approach for the semantic integration of heterogeneous data sources, DIF (Data Integration Framework), and a software prototype to support all aspects of a complex data integration process. The proposed approach is an ontology-based generalization of both Global-as-View and Local-as-View approaches. In particular, to overcome problems due to semantic heterogeneity and to support interoperability with external systems, ontologies are used as a conceptual schema to represent both data sources to be integrated and the global view.
Vertical distribution of megafauna on the Bering Sea slope based on ROV survey
Authors: Rybakova Elena , Galkin Sergey , Gebruk Andrey , Sanamyan Nadezhda , Martynov Alexander
Published: March 2020

Video surveys were carried out during the 75th cruise of the RVAkademik M.A. Lavrentyev(June 2016) along the northern slope of the Volcanologists Massif, in the south-western Bering Sea. The seafloor was explored using the ROVComanche 18. Seven dives were performed in the depth range from 4,278 m to 349 m. Overall, about 180 species of megafauna were recognised. Fifteen types of megafauna communities corresponding to certain depth ranges were distinguished based on the most abundant taxa. Dominance changed with depth in the following order: the holothurianKolga kamchaticaat the maximum depth (4,277–4,278 m); the holothurianScotoplanes kurilensisat 3,610–2,790 m; the ophiuroidOphiura bathybiaat 3,030–2,910 m; benthic shrimps of the family Crangonidae at 2,910–2,290 m; the holothurianPaelopatides soleaat 2,650–2,290 m; benthic jellyfish from the family Rhopalonematidae at 2,470–2,130 m; the enteropneust Torquaratoridae at 2,290–1,830 m; the holothurianSynallactes chuniand the ophiuroid of the generaOphiuraandOphiocanthaat 1,830–1,750 m. At depths 1,750–720 m most of the megafauna was associated with live or dead colonies of the spongeFarreaspp. Depths 720–390 m were dominated by the coralHeteropolypus ritteriand/orCorallimorphus pilatus.At 390–350 m depth, the shallowest depth range, the dominant taxon was the zoantharianEpizoanthussp. Soft sediment megafauna communities dominated by torquaratorid enteropneusts to our knowledge have not been observed before in the deep-sea, the same as communities with a dominance of benthopelagic rhopalonematid jellyfish. The depths of the largest community changes, or the largest turnover of dominant species, were revealed at ∼2,790 m between the bathyal and abyssal zones and ∼1,750 m and ∼720 m within the bathyal zone.
Genetic diversity and SNP’s from the chloroplast coding regions of virus-infected cassava
Authors: Rossitto De Marchi Bruno , Kinene Tonny , Krause-Sakate Renate , Boykin Laura M. , Ndunguru Joseph , Kehoe Monica , Ateka Elijah , Tairo Fred , Amisse Jamisse , Sseruwagi Peter
Published: March 2020

Cassava is a staple food crop in sub-Saharan Africa; it is a rich source of carbohydrates and proteins which currently supports livelihoods of more than 800 million people worldwide. However, its continued production is at stake due to vector-transmitted diseases such as Cassava mosaic disease and Cassava brown streak disease. Currently, the management and control of viral diseases in cassava relies mainly on virus-resistant cultivars of cassava. Thus, the discovery of new target genes for plant virus resistance is essential for the development of more cassava varieties by conventional breeding or genetic engineering. The chloroplast is a common target for plant viruses propagation and is also a potential source for discovering new resistant genes for plant breeding. Non-infected and infected cassava leaf samples were obtained from different locations of East Africa in Tanzania, Kenya and Mozambique. RNA extraction followed by cDNA library preparation and Illumina sequencing was performed. Assembling and mapping of the reads were carried out and 33 partial chloroplast genomes were obtained. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis from 55 chloroplast protein-coding genes of a dataset with 39 taxa was performed and the single nucleotide polymorphisms for the chloroplast dataset were identified. Phylogenetic analysis revealed considerable genetic diversity present in chloroplast partial genome among cultivated cassava of East Africa. The results obtained may supplement data of previously selected resistant materials and aid breeding programs to find diversity and achieve resistance for new cassava varieties.
Evaluation of Different Propagation Methods of Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Richard Munro) in Northwestern Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Gebretsion Kahsu , Abay Kiros
Published: March 2020

Aims: The study was conducted with the aim to identify the appropriate propagation techniques of the Oxytenanthera abyssinica.

Study Design: Four different propagation techniques namely rhizomes, culm cuttings, direct seed sowing and seedlings were used. A randomized complete block design was used for studying different seed and vegetative propagation treatments. Four planting materials were planted in each plot and replicated four times.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was done in Tselemti district northwestern zone of Tigray national regional state from June 2016-January 2018.

Results: The survival rate was higher in the direct seed sowing (56.25%) and seedlings (43.75%) compared to that of the rhizome (12.50%) and culm cutting (0%). The numbers of the culms per clumps were significantly higher in seedlings (15.75), direct seed sowing (22) and rhizome (9) than the culm cutting (0) and also the average height of the culms were higher in rhizomes, seedlings, and direct seed sowings than the culm cutting (P<0.05). Significant lower diameter sizes were recorded in direct sowing and culm cuttings compared to the rhizome and seedlings.

Conclusion: The present study confirmed that the direct sowing and seedlings propagation techniques of Oxytenanthera abyssinica are more appropriate and recommended to use in the study area.
Predicting Public Acceptance of Genetically Modified Crops in Ghana Using the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behaviour
Authors: Ampadu-Ameyaw R. , Owusu-Arthur J.
Published: March 2020

Public behaviour is a critical in determining factors influencing technology adoption and use. This study employs the Decomposed theory of planned behaviour to ascertain the factors influencing public behaviour, attitude and perception toward genetically modified crops in Ghana. This paper employs the views of 563 respondents from the media, agricultural extension and farmer groups in various regions of Ghana. The results of the study suggest there are significantly positive correlations between constructs of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and subjective norms leading to possible intention to accept GM technologies in the country. The study revealed that while the public holds a positive view of the technology, some important concerns that could limit the acceptance rate were listed. These include perceived high costs of GM seeds, monopoly of technological rights, health and other environmental risks. In many cases it was found that the understanding of the technology among the respondents was not encouraging. Many perceive the biologically oriented technology to be chemically oriented because the initial development of the product is laboratory oriented. The result, therefore begs for an immediate education and awareness creation on the merits and demerits of the technology in order to allay the fears of the pessimists.
Performance Analysis of the Impact of Rain Attenuated Signal on Mobile Cellular Terrestrial Links in Jos, Nigeria
Authors: Igbekele O. J. , Kwaha B. J. , Ogherohwo E. P. , Zhimwang J. T.
Published: March 2020

The 12 to 18 GHz frequency bands are commonly deployed for mobile network metropolitan microwave radio links using small antennas and low transmit power to deliver high channel capacities. Jos Plateau region with the blend of tropical and temperate climate is characterized with high severe rain impairment on terrestrial links operating at frequencies above 10 GHz, for mobile network backhaul system remaining a big challenge in the design of a microwave radio link. Therefore, this study presents the performance analysis of the impact of rain attenuated signal on mobile cellular terrestrial links in Jos under clear sky and rain condition. The cell site locations were divided in two clusters of Jos lowland and Jos highland. Drive test tools, radio local monitor terminal (LMT) and Davis weather station were employed over radio links interconnecting live 2G/3G nodal network, for the measurement of the mean value of one minute rainfall rates and the corresponding rain-induced signal. The results obtained revealed that more budget provision was obtained by the study calculation in over 60% of the study centers. More so, when the study fade margin estimation was put to test, up to 4.27 Mbps download speed was achieved, the speed almost as high as the highest speed, 4.29 Mbps recorded under the clear sky for ITU-R. More so, as low as 0.7% packet loss was recorded against the study link margin budget under same rain condition causing over 62.3% for PLA010 in Jos lowland cluster. Also, instances of slight under-budgeting were observed in highland clusters PLA064 and PLA025 as 35.01 dB and 34.99 dB respectively when tested with the Study calculated values.
Queer Early Cinema
Authors: Brown Shane
Published: March 2020

In 1894 or 1895, William K. Dickson made one of the very first films to marry visuals with audio. The film, lasting just a few seconds, shows two men dancing together and may well be the first queer image in the movies. The next 40 years of cinema history would include numerous examples of queerness, from the explicitly gay characters in films such as
Anders als die Andern/Different from the Others
(dir. Richard Oswald, 1919) (the first film to fight for gay rights) and
Geschlecht in Fesseln/Sex in Chains
(dir. William Dieterle, 1928) through to iconic images such as the kiss between actors Richard Arlen and Charles “Buddy” Rogers in
Wings
(dir. William A. Wellman, 1927), not to mention the widespread use of codewords such as “pansy” and “lavender” to indicate queerness. This entry discusses queer images (male and female) during the first 40 years of cinema, prior to the enforcement of the production code, and places them within their political, social, and scientific contexts, drawing upon research from within film and gender studies.
Fuzzy adaptive two‐bits‐triggered control for nonlinear uncertain system with input saturation and output constraint
Authors: Chen Zicong , Wang Jianhui , Ma Kemao , Huang Xing , Wang Tao
Published: March 2020

In this work, a fuzzy adaptive two‐bits‐triggered control is investigated for the nonlinear uncertain systems with input saturation and output constraint. The considered systems are more widespread. Without sufficient transmission resources, how to resolve the constraint issues while guarantee the control performance is difficult and challenging. Then, hyperbolic tangent function and barrier Lyapunov function are integrated with the designed auxiliary system to solve input saturation and output constraint. Meanwhile, faced with the transmission resources limitation, this work both considers the triggering condition and the control signal transmission bits. A two‐bits‐triggered control is proposed to economize the transmission resources. Furthermore, improved fuzzy logic systems are established to further promote the control performance. It combines with the time‐varying approximation error for processing. The boundedness of all the system signals can be proved. Simulation results illustrate the validity of the proposed approach.
Design, Data and Liveability: The Role of Technology Within the Future of an Expanded Profession
Authors: van Berkel Ben
Published: March 2020

Ben van Berkel, co‐founder of Amsterdam‐based UNStudio, believes that architectural practice has been invigorated by the myriad of cultural, societal and technologic parameters that a contemporary architect must consider. The practice recently formed a spinoff company, UNSense, to develop and commercialise technologies emerging out of UNStudio's smart city and smart environment projects. Here he describes some of the products, prototypes and startups the studio has developed to help tackle some of the important issues of our time: stress, urban water and climate change.
The Distractions of Disruptions: Technical Supply in an Era of Social Demand
Authors: Bernstein Phil
Published: March 2020

Architect and Associate Dean at the Yale School of Architecture, Phil Bernstein sees a tsunami of change brewing for the architectural profession, conditioned by artificial intelligence, big data, the ubiquitous cloud and robotics. Yet the delivery and procurement of buildings is often inhibited by pre‐digital structures of the construction industry. He argues that architects need to rethink their processes from first principles.
Architects = Innovators (sometimes) Innovators ≠ Entrepreneurs (most of the time)
Authors: Lynn Greg
Published: March 2020

Greg Lynn, founder‐owner of Greg Lynn FORM and currently a professor at the University of Applied Arts Vienna and at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), has been at the forefront of the architectural digital revolution since the early 1990s. Here he explains why historically architects are not entrepreneurs, and implores them to think outside the box and innovate by stealing back and owning the digitised means of production for architecture, infrastructure and products.
Highly Sensitive and Easily Recoverable Excitonic Piezochromic Fluorescent Materials for Haptic Sensors and Anti‐Counterfeiting Applications
Authors: Man Zhongwei , Lv Zheng , Xu Zhenzhen , Liao Qing , Liu Jiaxin , Liu Yilang , Fu Liyuan , Liu Meihui , Bai Shuming , Fu Hongbing
Published: March 2020

Piezochromic fluorescent (PCF) materials with distinct multicolor switching have attracted wide attention in many fields such as optoelectronic devices and deformation detection. However, few PCF materials with low‐pressure stimuli and good recoverability have been reported. A highly sensitive and easily recoverable PCF molecular system that can switch between green (G) and orange (O) emissions upon an extremely low piezoresponsive (PR) of 0.5 MPa and heating at 120 °C is demonstrated. A mechanistic study combining X‐ray diffraction analysis and the theoretical calculations reveal that a slight change in slipping‐angle of π‐stacks induced by mechanical pressure amplifies the exciton couplings from G to O J‐aggregates, leading to not only distinct PCF switching but also high emission efficiencies >0.5 owing to superradiance of J‐aggregate excitons. Benefiting from low MPa PR, high emission efficiency, and good recoverability applications including haptic sensors and anti‐counterfeiting application are demonstrated. This research introduces the effect of stimuli‐responsive excitonic coupling as new design guidance for developing PCF materials with low‐pressure stimuli, high emission efficiency, and good recoverability.
Metallic n‐Type Mg3Sb2 Single Crystals Demonstrate the Absence of Ionized Impurity Scattering and Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance
Authors: Imasato Kazuki , Fu Chenguang , Pan Yu , Wood Max , Kuo Jimmy Jiahong , Felser Claudia , Snyder G. Jeffrey
Published: March 2020

Mg3(Sb,Bi)2 alloys have recently been discovered as a competitive alternative to the state‐of‐the‐art n‐type Bi2(Te,Se)3 thermoelectric alloys. Previous theoretical studies predict that single crystals Mg3(Sb,Bi)2 can exhibit higher thermoelectric performance near room temperature by eliminating grain boundary resistance. However, the intrinsic Mg defect chemistry makes it challenging to grow n‐type Mg3(Sb,Bi)2 single crystals. Here, the first thermoelectric properties of n‐type Te‐doped Mg3Sb2 single crystals, synthesized by a combination of Sb‐flux method and Mg‐vapor annealing, is reported. The electrical conductivity and carrier mobility of single crystals exhibit a metallic behavior with a typical T−1.5 dependence, indicating that phonon scattering dominates the charge carrier transport. The absence of any evidence of ionized impurity scattering in Te‐doped Mg3Sb2 single crystals proves that the thermally activated mobility previously observed in polycrystalline materials is caused by grain boundary resistance. Eliminating this grain boundary resistance in the single crystals results in a large enhancement of the weighted mobility and figure of merit zT by more than 100% near room temperature. This work experimentally demonstrates the accurate understanding of charge‐carrier scattering is crucial for developing high‐performance thermoelectric materials and indicates that single‐crystalline Mg3(Sb,Bi)2 solid solutions can exhibit higher zT compared to polycrystalline samples.
Biomineral Precursor Formation Is Initiated by Transporting Calcium and Phosphorus Clusters from the Endoplasmic Reticulum to Mitochondria
Authors: Tang Cuizhu , Wei Yan , Gu Lin , Zhang Qinghua , Li Mei , Yuan Guohua , He Yuan , Huang Li , Liu Yan , Zhang Yufeng
Published: March 2020

Mineral granules in the mitochondria of bone‐forming cells are thought to be the origin of biomineral precursors, which are transported to extracellular matrices to initiate cell‐mediated biomineralization. However, no evidence has revealed how mitochondrial granules form. This study indicates that mitochondrial granules are initiated by transporting calcium and phosphorus clusters from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to mitochondria based on detailed observations of the continuous process of mouse parietal bone development as well as in vitro biomineralization in bone‐forming cells. Nanosized biomineral precursors (≈30 nm in diameter), which originate from mitochondrial granules, initiate intrafibrillar mineralization of collagen as early as embryonic day 14.5. Both in vivo and in vitro studies further reveal that formation of mitochondrial granules is induced by the ER. Elevated levels of intracellular calcium or phosphate ions, which can be induced by treatment with ionomycin and black phosphorus, respectively, accelerate formation of the calcium and phosphorus clusters on ER membranes and ultimately promote biomineralization. These findings provide a novel insight into biomineralization and bone formation.
Kentucky bluegrass and bermudagrass rooting response to humic fertilizers during greenhouse establishment
Authors: Lindsey Alex J. , Thoms Adam W. , Christians Nick E.
Published: March 2020

Greenhouse research was conducted to examine effects of adding humic products to fertilizers on turfgrass. The objective of this study was to determine if the addition of humic products to fertilizers will increase turfgrass root and shoot morphological parameters. Kentucky bluegrass (KBG; Poa pratensis L.) and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] were established in sand‐filled tubes. Treatments included synthetic fertilizer with black gypsum (22N‐0P‐3.3K, 30% gypsum and 4.7% humic acid), polymer‐coated humic‐coated urea (PCHCU; 2% humic acid), urea with humic dispersing granules (HDG; 70% humic acid), starter fertilizer (18N‐10.5P‐10K) with HDG, starter fertilizer, stabilized nitrogen, urea, and a control group. Fertilizers were applied at 48.8 kg N ha−1 and HDG was applied at 44.4 kg ha−1. Starter fertilizer and starter fertilizer with HDG increased KBG total root length (105 and 112%), root biomass (232 and 244%), and shoot biomass (205 and 204%) compared with urea. In KBG, PCHCU and urea with HDG increased total root length (37 and 20%) compared with urea. In bermudagrass, starter fertilizer and starter fertilizer with HDG increased total root length (241 and 248%), root biomass (672 and 707%), and shoot biomass (821 and 808%) relative to urea. Besides treatments with starter fertilizer, no treatments were different from urea for bermudagrass. These results suggest that starter fertilizer application is critical to turfgrass rooting at establishment. Adding humic products to the starter fertilizer did not increase rooting. In the absence of a starter fertilizer, PCHCU and urea with HDG improved KBG total root length compared with urea.
A rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding: Duodenal arteriovenous malformation
Authors: Su Chang‐Cheng , Yang Tzu‐Wei , Tsai Ming‐Chang
Published: March 2020

Arteriovenous malformations are a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopic examination can result in a variety of findings, and diagnosis and therapeutic management are uniquely challenging. We present an 83‐year‐old man with a history of hypertension and a 1‐month history of intermittent tarry stools. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed one bulging mass with pulsation in the second portion of the duodenum which was confirmed as a duodenal arteriovenous malformation by angiography. The mass was initially embolized successfully, but subsequent surgical intervention was necessary due to recurrent bleeding eight months after the embolization. A relevant review of English medical literature was also performed in the text.
Oscillating flow bioreactors: An enabling technology for sustainable biorefining operations?
Authors: Muster‐Slawitsch Bettina , Buchmaier Judith , Brunner Christoph , Nidetzky Bernd , Gudiminchi Rama K. , Harvey Adam P. , Phan Anh N.
Published: March 2020

In this work a novel reactor is evaluated on its potential to intensify biobased processing via a novel potentially continuous enzymatic hydrolysis process. An oscillatory flow bioreactor is applied in batch and recirculating mode, the latter mimicking the flow pattern of a continuous process. The recirculating mode operation can intensify cellulose conversion to hydrolyzed sugar liquid significantly, namely with enabling high solid processing and reaching >10% higher cellulose conversion than the respective operation in batch mode. Resulting sugar concentrations reach >90 mg/mL with the potential to enable the elimination of further concentration steps in down‐stream processing, having a positive impact on the overall efficiency and sustainability of further processing steps to biofuels or biochemicals.
The nido‐Cage⋅⋅⋅π Bond: A Non‐covalent Interaction between Boron Clusters and Aromatic Rings and Its Applications
Authors: Tu Deshuang , Yan Hong , Poater Jordi , Solà Miquel
Published: March 2020

Non‐covalent interactions involving multicenter multielectron skeletons such as boron clusters are rare. Now, a non‐covalent interaction, the nido‐cage⋅⋅⋅π bond, is discovered based on the boron cluster C2B9H12− and an aromatic π system. The X‐ray diffraction studies indicate that the nido‐cage⋅⋅⋅π bonding presents parallel‐displaced or T‐shaped geometries. The contacting distance between cage and π ring varies with the type and the substituent of the aromatic ring. Theoretical calculations reveal that this nido‐cage⋅⋅⋅π bond shares a similar nature to the conventional anion⋅⋅⋅π or π⋅⋅⋅π bonds found in classical aromatic ring systems. This nido‐cage⋅⋅⋅π interaction induces variable photophysical properties such as aggregation‐induced emission and aggregation‐caused quenching in one molecule. This work offers an overall understanding towards the boron cluster‐based non‐covalent bond and opens a door to investigate its properties.
Polyphenol‐Mediated Assembly of Proteins for Engineering Functional Materials
Authors: Han Yiyuan , Lin Zhixing , Zhou Jiajing , Yun Gyeongwon , Guo Rui , Richardson Joseph J. , Caruso Frank
Published: March 2020

Functional materials composed of proteins have attracted much interest owing to the inherent and diverse functionality of proteins. However, establishing general techniques for assembling proteins into nanomaterials is challenging owing to the complex physicochemical nature and potential denaturation of proteins. Here, a simple, versatile strategy is introduced to fabricate functional protein assemblies through the interfacial assembly of proteins and polyphenols (e.g., tannic acid) on various substrates (organic, inorganic, and biological). The dominant interactions (hydrogen‐bonding, hydrophobic, and ionic) between the proteins and tannic acid were elucidated; most proteins undergo multiple noncovalent stabilizing interactions with polyphenols, which can be used to engineer responsiveness into the assemblies. The proteins retain their structure and function within the assemblies, thereby enabling their use in various applications (e.g., catalysis, fluorescence imaging, and cell targeting).
Event‐triggered stabilization for continuous‐time saturating Markov jump systems with generally uncertain transition rates
Authors: Li Hongchao , Liu Xinzhou , Liu Jiao , Yang Peng
Published: March 2020

This paper is concerned with the stabilization for continuous‐time saturating Markov jump system with generally uncertain transition rates (GUTRs) under event‐triggered strategy. In the GUTRs model, the transition rate could be unknown or only its estimated value and estimated error bound are known. In practical systems, actuator saturation commonly exists, which may lead to instability. Event‐triggered strategy is introduced in Markov jump systems to save communication resources. A stochastic stabilization condition is derived for the underlying system considering event‐triggered control and the lower bound of the inter‐event time interval is calculated to avoid Zeno behavior. To obtain the biggest domain of attraction, an optimization algorithm is formulated. Finally, numerical examples are provided to illustrate the application of the given results.
Bemessung von Stabdübelverbindungen in Buchen‐Brettschichtholz
Authors: Franke Steffen , Franke Bettina
Published: March 2020

Für den weiten Einsatz von Laubholzprodukten, wie Brettschichtholz (BSH) aus Buche, müssen für die Bemessung alle relevanten Eigenschaften der Produkte sowie auch der Verbindungen bekannt sein. Vorhandene normative Regelungen basieren vorrangig auf Untersuchungen an Nadelholz und sind bis dato noch nicht umfassend für Laubholz geprüft. Die hier dargelegten Ergebnisse beziehen sich auf Anschlüsse mit Stabdübeln. Das durchgeführte Prüfprogramm unterteilt sich in Prüfungen zur Festlegung der Vorbohrdurchmesser für ein optimales Einbringverhalten und zur Bewertung der Bemessungsregeln zur Bestimmung der Tragfähigkeit. Das Prüfprogramm gliedert sich in klein‐ und großformatige Prüfserien mit praxisrelevanten Querschnittsgrößen und Beanspruchungen (Mehrschlitzblechverbindungen bis ca. 1 500 kN) mit Variation der Rand‐ und Verbindungsmittelabstände, der Holzdicken, der Anzahl der Verbindungsmittel und der Durchmesser.

Die vorgestellten Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das Tragverhalten dieser Verbindungen in Buchen‐BSH mit den bisher verwendeten Bemessungsansätzen nach SIA 265:2012 oder SN EN 1955‐1‐1:2014 sehr gut korrelieren. Mit Anpassung der verwendeten Materialparameter und Einführung des Seileffekts können so die bisherig rechnerisch unterschätzten Traglasten der Normen ausgeglichen werden. Aus den Ergebnissen konnten Empfehlungen für die Ausführung abgeleitet werden. Basis hierfür war das Einhalten einer hohen Duktilität. Eine Erstveröffentlichung erfolgte in 2019.
Ermüdung von Verbunddübelleisten
Authors: Christou Georgios , Ungermann Jan , Wolters Kevin , Hegger Josef , Claßen Martin
Published: March 2020

Der Einsatz von Verbunddübelleisten gewinnt sowohl im Hoch‐ als auch im Ingenieurbau immer mehr an Bedeutung. Neben der hohen Tragfähigkeit und Steifigkeit der Verbunddübelleisten zählt das gegenüber geschweißten Kopfbolzendübeln deutlich gutmütigere Tragverhalten unter zyklischer Beanspruchung zu ihren wichtigsten Vorteilen. Demzufolge ist der Einsatz dieser innovativen Verbundmittel im Brückenbau besonders vielversprechend. Die bisherigen Regelungen für die Ermüdungsbemessung von Verbunddübelleisten wurden allerdings aufgrund der geringen experimentellen Datenbasis konservativ gewählt, sodass das vorteilhafte zyklische Tragverhalten rechnerisch bisher noch nicht vollständig in Ansatz gebracht werden kann. Im Rahmen dieses Beitrags wird das Tragverhalten von Verbunddübelleisten unter zyklischen Beanspruchungen anhand experimenteller Erkenntnisse detailliert analysiert. Aufbauend hierauf wird ein Modell zur Abschätzung der Lebensdauer der Verbunddübelleisten vorgeschlagen.
Minimalinvasive Fugensanierung
Authors: Mähner Dietmar , Basler Felix , Hausmann Matthias , Lengers Jacob
Published: March 2020

Dieser Beitrag befasst sich mit der minimalinvasiven Fugensanierung, einer neuen Sanierungsmethode für undichte Fugen mit Fugenbändern. Dabei wird ein neu entwickeltes Sanierungswerkzeug („Injektionsbohrnadel“) durch die Fugendichtung gebohrt, über welches im Anschluss eine Dichtmittelinjektion erfolgen kann. In einem Forschungsprojekt wurden dabei diverse Untersuchungen mit Injektionsbohrnadeln an verschiedenen Fugenarten und Fugenbändern durchgeführt. Nachfolgend wird ein kurzer Überblick über die durchgeführten Untersuchungen sowie ermittelte Chancen und Risiken der Injektionsbohrnadeln für die verschiedenen Anwendungsgebiete dargelegt.
Adaptive seamless clinical trials using early outcomes for treatment or subgroup selection: Methods, simulation model and their implementation in R
Authors: Friede Tim , Stallard Nigel , Parsons Nicholas
Published: March 2020

Adaptive seamless designs combine confirmatory testing, a domain of phase III trials, with features such as treatment or subgroup selection, typically associated with phase II trials. They promise to increase the efficiency of development programmes of new drugs, for example, in terms of sample size and/or development time. It is well acknowledged that adaptive designs are more involved from a logistical perspective and require more upfront planning, often in the form of extensive simulation studies, than conventional approaches. Here, we present a framework for adaptive treatment and subgroup selection using the same notation, which links the somewhat disparate literature on treatment selection on one side and on subgroup selection on the other. Furthermore, we introduce a flexible and efficient simulation model that serves both designs. As primary endpoints often take a long time to observe, interim analyses are frequently informed by early outcomes. Therefore, all methods presented accommodate interim analyses informed by either the primary outcome or an early outcome. The R package asd, previously developed to simulate designs with treatment selection, was extended to include subgroup selection (so‐called adaptive enrichment designs). Here, we describe the functionality of the R package asd and use it to present some worked‐up examples motivated by clinical trials in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and oncology. The examples both illustrate various features of the R package and provide insights into the operating characteristics of adaptive seamless studies.
Relevance of liver surface nodularity for preoperative risk assessment in patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hobeika C , Cauchy F , Sartoris R , Beaufrère A , Yoh T , Vilgrain V , Rautou P E , Paradis V , Bouattour M , Ronot M , Soubrane O
Published: March 2020

Background

Quantification of liver surface nodularity (LSN) on routine preoperative CT images allows detection of cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension. This study aimed to assess the relevance of LSN in preoperative assessment of operative risks for patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

All patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCC between 2012 and 2017 were analysed retrospectively. LSN was assessed at the liver–fat interface on the left liver lobe on preoperative CT images. The feasibility of LSN quantification was assessed. The association between LSN and outcomes (severe complications and posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF)) was evaluated by multivariable analysis and after propensity score matching.

Results

Among 210 patients, LSN measurement was successful in 187 (89·0 per cent). Among these, the median LSN score was 2·42 (i.q.r. 2·21–2·66) and 52·9 per cent had severe fibrosis, including 33·7 per cent with cirrhosis. LSN score increased with hepatic venous pressure gradient (P = 0·048), severity of steatosis (P = 0·011) and fibrosis grade (P = 0·001). LSN score was independently associated with severe complications (odds ratio (OR) 5·25; P = 0·006) and PHLF (OR 6·78; P = 0·003). After matching with respect to model for end-stage liver disease, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index and fibrosis-4 score, patients with a LSN score of 2·63 or higher retained an increased risk of PHLF (OR 5·81; P = 0·018). In the subgroup of patients without severe fibrosis, LSN was accurate in predicting severe complications (P = 0·005). Patients with (P = 0·039) or without (P = 0·018) severe fibrosis with increased LSN score had a higher comprehensive complication index score. Among patients with cirrhosis who had clinically significant portal hypertension, a LSN value below 2·63 ruled out the risk of PHLF.

Conclusion

LSN measurement represents a practical tool that may allow improvement in the preoperative evaluation and management of patients with HCC.
Glucose challenge metabolomics implicates the change of organic acid profiles in hyperlipidemic subjects
Authors: Liu Xiaowei , Yu Jiaying , Zhao Jinhui , Guo Jing , Zhang Mingjia , Liu Liyan
Published: March 2020

Hyperlipidemia (HLP) is a major risk factor of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Here, we applied gas chromatography–mass spectrometry to study differences in postprandial organic acid profiles in healthy and HLP subjects. In fasting status, six intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle showed significant differences in HLP and healthy controls (P < 0.05). The percentage changes of 17 metabolites including three intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle were significantly different during the oral glucose tolerance test. Postprandial changes in ethylmalonic acid and pimelic acid were negatively associated with HOMA‐IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; all P < 0.05) in the HLP group. Postprandial metabolism of organic acid profiles revealed energy metabolism perturbations in HLP. Our findings provide new insights into the complex physiological regulation of HLP postprandial metabolism.
Analysis of spinal cord blood supply combining vascular corrosion casting and fluorescence microsphere technique: A feasibility study in an aortic surgical large animal model
Authors: Saravi Babak , Wittmann Karin , Krause Sonja , Puttfarcken Luisa , Siepe Matthias , Göbel Ulrich , Beyersdorf Friedhelm , Kari Fabian A.
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Spinal cord ischemia after cardiovascular interventions continues to be a devastating problem in modern surgery. The role of intraspinal vascular networks and anterior radiculomedullary arteries (ARMA) in preventing spinal cord ischemia is poorly understood.

Materials and methods

Landrace pigs (n = 30, 35.1 ± 3.9 kg) underwent a lateral thoracotomy. Fluorescent microspheres were injected into the left atrium and a reference sample was aspirated from the descending aorta. Repeated measurements of spinal cord and renal cortical blood flow from the left and right kidneys with three different microsphere colors in five pigs were taken to validate reproducibility. Spinal cord blood flow to the upper thoracic (T1–T4), mid‐thoracic (T5–T8), lower thoracic (T9–T13), and lumbar (L1–L3) levels were determined. After euthanasia, we carried out selective vascular corrosion cast and counted the left and right ARMAs from levels T1–T13.

Results

Blood flow analysis of the left and right kidneys revealed a strong correlation (r = .94, p < .001). We detected more left than right ARMAs, with the highest prevalence at T4 (p < .05). The mean number of ARMAs was 8 ± 2. Their number in the upper thoracic region ranged from 2 to 7 (mean of 5 ± 1), while in the lower thoracic region they ranged from 0 to 5 (mean of 3 ± 1 [p < .001]).

Conclusions

This study shows that combining fluorescence microsphere technique and vascular corrosion cast is well suited for assessing the blood flow and visualizing the arteries at the same time.
Multivariate Analysis of Coupled Operando EPR/XANES/EXAFS/UV–Vis/ATR‐IR Spectroscopy: A New Dimension for Mechanistic Studies of Catalytic Gas‐Liquid Phase Reactions
Authors: Rabeah Jabor , Briois Valérie , Adomeit Sven , La Fontaine Camille , Bentrup Ursula , Brückner Angelika
Published: March 2020

Operando EPR, XANES/EXAFS, UV‐Vis and ATR‐IR spectroscopic methods have been coupled for the first time in the same experimental setup for investigation of unclear mechanistic aspects of selective aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol by a Cu/TEMPO catalytic system (TEMPO=2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl). By multivariate curve resolution with alternating least‐squares fitting (MCR‐ALS) of simultaneously recorded XAS and UV‐Vis data sets, it was found that an initially formed (bpy)(NMI)CuI‐ complex (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, NMI=N‐methylimidazole ) is converted to two different CuII species, a mononuclear (bpy)(NMI)(CH3CN)CuII‐OOH species detectable by EPR and ESI‐MS, and an EPR‐silent dinuclear (CH3CN)(bpy)(NMI)CuII(μ‐OH)2⋅CuII (bpy)(NMI) complex. The latter is cleaved in the further course of reaction into (bpy)(NMI)(HOO)CuII‐TEMPO monomers that are also EPR‐silent due to dipolar interaction with bound TEMPO. Both Cu monomers and the Cu dimer are catalytically active in the initial phase of the reaction, yet the dimer is definitely not a major active species nor a resting state since it is irreversibly cleaved in the course of the reaction while catalytic activity is maintained. Gradual formation of non‐reducible CuII leads to slight deactivation at extended reaction times.
Furoic acid derivatives from the endophytic fungus Coniothyrium sp.
Authors: Tran‐Cong Nam Michael , Mándi Attila , Király Sándor Balázs , Kurtán Tibor , Lin Wenhan , Liu Zhen , Proksch Peter
Published: March 2020

The endophytic fungus Coniothyrium sp. was isolated from leaves of Quercus robur. Fermentation of this fungus on solid rice medium yielded two new furoic acid derivatives (1 and 2) and two additional known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive analysis of 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectra as well as high‐resolution mass spectrometry data. Compound 1, containing three aromatic chromophores attached by rotatable sigma bonds and a chirality center in benzylic position, was found to be a scalemic mixture with an excess of the (S) enantiomer, the absolute configuration of which was elucidated as by the solution time‐dependent density functional theory‐electronic circular dichroism approach. The ωB97X/TZVP PCM/MeCN and SOGGA11‐X/TZVP SMD/MeCN methods were used for geometry reoptimization to reproduce the solution conformational ensemble. All isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity but proved to be inactive.
Potential of Lagrangian Analysis Methods in the Study of Chemical Reactors
Authors: Llamas Cristina Garcia , Spille Claas , Kastens Sven , Paz Daniel Garaboa , Schlüter Michael , von Kameke Alexandra
Published: March 2020

In most chemical reactors the homogeneous distribution of reactants is a desired prerequisite for guaranteed product quality and purity. However, oftentimes, especially in new reactor concepts this condition may not be met due to evolving or existing structures in the transport patterns. In this article the usage of Lagrangian analysis techniques in order to analyze chemical and biochemical reactors regarding the behavior of Lagrangian tracers is explored. A Lagrangian analysis on two different datasets is performed trying to show the large versatility of the concepts. The Lagrangian analysis techniques allow new insights into the reactor dynamics and could be a valuable tool to identify and characterize areas of different mixing performance.
The Elusive Ketene (H2CCO) Channel in the Infrared Multiphoton Dissociation of Solid 1,3,5‐Trinitro‐1,3,5‐Triazinane (RDX)
Authors: Singh Santosh K. , La Jeunesse Jesse , Vuppuluri Vasant , Son Steven F. , Sun Bing‐Jian , Chen Yue‐Lin , Chang Agnes H. H. , Mebel Alexander M. , Kaiser Ralf I.
Published: March 2020

Understanding of the fundamental mechanisms involved in the decomposition of 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazinane (RDX) still represents a major challenge for the energetic materials and physical (organic) chemistry communities mainly because multiple competing dissociation channels are likely involved and previous detection methods of the products are not isomer selective. In this study we exploited a microsecond pulsed infrared laser to decompose thin RDX films at 5 K under mild conditions to limit the fragmentation channels. The subliming decomposition products during the temperature programed desorption phase are detected using isomer selective single photoionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (PI‐ReTOF‐MS). This technique enables us to assign a product signal at m/z=42 to ketene (H2CCO), but not to diazomethane (H2CNN; 42 amu) as speculated previously. Electronic structure calculations support our experimental observations and unravel the decomposition mechanisms of RDX leading eventually to the elusive ketene (H2CCO) via an exotic, four‐membered ring intermediate. This study highlights the necessity to exploit isomer‐selective detection schemes to probe the true decomposition products of nitramine‐based energetic materials.
Improving Quality of Material by Reducing Its Interaction with Fused Silica Container During Processing
Authors: Su Ching‐Hua
Published: March 2020

During the processing of electronic and optical materials at elevated temperature, the sample has the tendency to interact with the fused silica container and form chemical bonding, the so‐called “wetting”, which makes the surface section of the sample attaching to the ampoule wall. When the sample is cooled down to room temperature after the processing, as the bulk of the sample goes through thermal contraction, the wetting area remains attached to the fused silica wall and, consequently, causes the sample to separate apart which causes cracks and other structural defects. These defects are detrimental to the electronic/optic performance of materials, especially on the applications of high‐quality compound semiconductors. It is demonstrated, in this paper, that by adding a simple procedure of hydrofluoride acid etching of empty ampoule, the wetting of the sample can be reduced during the high temperature processing of crystal growth and, as a result, the structural quality of the semiconductors can be significantly improved.