bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obstacles to reconciliation and forgiveness among victim groups of unacknowledged past trauma and genocide
Authors: Uluğ Özden Melis , Bilali Rezarta , Karasu Mehmet , Malo Leah
Published: February 2021

Groups in conflict often resist efforts toward reconciliation with the outgroups. Despite the growing research examining processes underlying support for reconciliation, we know little about how resentment might drive members of victim groups that have experienced violence and atrocities to oppose reconciliation and reduce their willingness to forgive the perpetrator group. Using the context of the Turkish–Armenian conflict, the present research investigated the association of ingroup identification, ingroup glorification, and resentment with willingness to reconcile and forgive among Armenians in their homeland context (Armenia; Study 1) and Armenian‐Americans in the hostland context (the United States; Study 2). In Study 1, stronger Armenian identification and Armenian glorification predicted more resentment toward the Turks, which in turn predicted less forgiveness and less support for reconciliation. Study 2 replicated the findings of Study 1 regarding the associations of ingroup glorification but not ingroup identification. However, Study 2 also demonstrated that identification with diaspora identity (i.e., American identity) predicted positive intergroup outcomes. Results point to the important relationship between different modes of identification both in the homeland and in hostland countries and intergroup‐related outcomes through resentment, and to the obstacles to reconciliation and forgiveness among victim groups of unacknowledged past trauma and genocide.
Chemotherapy‐based approach is the preferred treatment for sporadic late‐onset nemaline myopathy with a monoclonal protein
Authors: Kotchetkov Rouslan , Susman David , Bhutani Divaya , Broch Kaspar , Dispenzieri Angela , Buadi Francis K.
Published: February 2021

Sporadic late‐onset nemaline myopathy (SLONM) associated with monoclonal protein (MP) is a rare disease with an aggressive, and often fatal course. Whether SLONM + MP represents a malignancy or dysimmune disease remains unclear. Currently, two main approaches are used to treat SLONM + MP: nonchemotherapy‐based treatment (immunosuppression, intravenous immunoglobulins, plasmapheresis and plasma exchange) or chemotherapy with or without autologous stem cell transplantation. Due to the rare occurrence of the disease, the best treatment modality is unknown. We analyzed treatment and outcomes in a large cohort of 53 patients with SLONM + MP: four our own patients and 49 cases from published literature. Neurological improvement in the nonchemotherapy group (N = 25) was observed in 52% of patients: 8% reached marked improvement, 8% moderate response, 36% mild response; none reached complete remission (CR). In the chemotherapy group (N = 28), neurological improvement was seen in 86% of patients: 46% reached CR, 25% marked response, 11% moderate response and 4% mild response. The best neurological improvement correlated with deep hematological remission. Mean time to best response in the chemotherapy group was 8 months versus 21 months in the nonchemotherapy group (P < .001). Overall survival was higher in patients in the chemotherapy group. A chemotherapy approach should be the preferred treatment for patients with SLOMN + MP with the goal to reach complete hematologic remission. Based on the clinical, morphological peculiarities, aggressive disease course and superior clinical benefits of chemotherapy over nonchemotherapy, SLONM + MP should be considered as a hematological malignancy with the presence of MP of clinical rather than undetermined significance.
Transcervical fibroid ablation with the Sonata™ system for treatment of submucous and large uterine fibroids
Authors: Shifrin Gregory , Engelhardt Matthias , Gee Phyllis , Pschadka Gregor
Published: February 2021

Objective

To examine the role and benefits of transcervical fibroid ablation (TFA) in the treatment of submucous and large uterine fibroids.

Methods

A subgroup of patients with submucous or large fibroids were analyzed from two prospective clinical trials (FAST‐EU and SONATA) of sonography‐guided TFA with the Sonata® system. Key outcomes were changes in menstrual blood loss, symptom severity and health‐related quality of life on the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality‐of‐Life Questionnaire, health‐related quality of life on the EQ‐5D questionnaire, and surgical reinterventions for heavy menstrual bleeding.

Results

Among 197 women (534 treated fibroids), 86% of women with only submucous fibroids and 81% of women with large fibroids (>5 cm) experienced bleeding reduction within 3 months post‐ablation. Overall symptom severity and health‐related quality of life showed sustained, significant improvements over 12 months. Additional fibroid mapping of large fibroids with magnetic resonance imaging in the FAST‐EU trial showed an average volume reduction of 68%. Among women with only submucous fibroids, the rate of surgical reintervention through 1 year of follow up was 3.7% in FAST‐EU and 0.0% in SONATA.

Conclusion

With the Sonata system, TFA is an effective single‐stage treatment option for non‐pedunculated submucous myomata, and larger or deeper uterine fibroids (including fibroid clusters) for which hysteroscopic treatment is not suitable.

ClinicalTrials.gov: FAST‐EU, NCT01226290; SONATA, NCT02228174.
Gli1 Defines a Subset of Fibro-adipogenic Progenitors that Promote Skeletal Muscle Regeneration With Less Fat Accumulation
Authors: Yao Lutian , Tichy Elisia D , Zhong Leilei , Mohanty Sarthak , Wang Luqiang , Ai Emily , Yang Shuying , Mourkioti Foteini , Qin Ling
Published: February 2021

Skeletal muscle has remarkable regenerative ability after injury. Mesenchymal fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are necessary, active participants during this repair process, but the molecular signatures of these cells and their functional relevance remain largely unexplored. Here, using a lineage tracing mouse model (Gli1-CreER Tomato), we demonstrate that Gli1 marks a small subset of muscle-resident FAPs with elevated Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Upon notexin muscle injury, these cells preferentially and rapidly expanded within FAPs. Ablation of Gli1+ cells using a DTA mouse model drastically reduced fibroblastic colony-forming unit (CFU-F) colonies generated by muscle cells and impaired muscle repair at 28 days. Pharmacologic manipulation revealed that Gli1+ FAPs rely on Hh signaling to increase the size of regenerating myofiber. Sorted Gli1+ FAPs displayed superior clonogenicity and reduced adipogenic differentiation ability in culture compared to sorted Gli1− FAPs. In a glycerol injury model, Gli1+ FAPs were less likely to give rise to muscle adipocytes compared to other FAPs. Further cell ablation and Hh activator/inhibitor treatments demonstrated their dual actions in enhancing myogenesis and reducing adipogenesis after injury. Examining single-cell RNA-sequencing dataset of FAPs from normal mice indicated that Gli1+ FAPs with increased Hh signaling provide trophic signals to myogenic cells while restrict their own adipogenic differentiation. Collectively, our findings identified a subpopulation of FAPs that play an essential role in skeletal muscle repair. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Advancement in synthetic strategies of bisdimedones: Two decades study
Authors: Teli Pankaj , Sahiba Nusrat , Sethiya Ayushi , Soni Jay , Agarwal Shikha
Published: February 2021

Bisdimedones have emerged as an important and versatile moiety in the field of synthetic and medicinal chemistry. It is screened as a precursor for the synthesis of several heterocycles such as acridinediones, xanthenediones, thioxanthenes, and benzopyrans that exhibited immense pharmacological as well as industrial applications. Its extensive characteristics have attracted the scientists to develop various protocols for the synthesis of bisdimedones and their derivatives from the reaction of dimedone with several aldehydes under different environmental conditions using various types of catalysts. This review encapsulates the recent progress in the synthesis of bisdimedone derivatives under several reaction protocols such as the use of nanoparticles, ionic liquids, metal salts, simple organic compounds, and catalyst‐free conditions, and so forth in the last 20 years.
Impacts of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation on the intensity and spatial extent of heavy precipitation events in northern Northeast Brazil
Authors: Vasconcelos Junior Francisco das Chagas , Jones Charles , Gandu Adilson W. , Martins Eduardo Sávio P. R.
Published: February 2021

This paper investigates the spatiotemporal variability of Contiguous Extreme Precipitation Events (CEPE) related to Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) activity during the pre‐wet season and wet season in northern Northeast Brazil for 30 years (1979–2010). Inherent differences in rainy season regimes are associated with northern Northeast Brazil precipitation systems; these are isolated during pre‐wet and wet season and analyse the intensity and the spatial area covered by the CEPE. A daily index of MJO activity and its life cycle were used to identify activity phases during heavy rainfall events. Composite analysis was performed for days with CEPE during the most frequent MJO phases in the pre‐wet and wet seasons. The analysis shows the influence of the MJO on the occurrence of CEPE in northern Northeast Brazil. In the pre‐wet season, the MJO phases 8‐1‐2 affect the occurrence of heavy rainfall events, modifying the atmospheric circulation and water vapour transport over northern South America. Indications of Rossby wave propagation over the South Pacific associated with MJO were found, suggesting tropic‐extratropic teleconnection during occurrences of CEPE in the pre‐wet season. In the wet season, CEPE events are more frequent during MJO phases 8‐2‐3. Conversely, no wave propagation over the South Pacific is observed in the wet season, changes in wind anomalies at high and low atmospheric levels only point to the influence of the MJO via tropical teleconnection. This study may help monitoring and forecasting of very heavy rainfall events in northern Northeast Brazil in pre‐wet season and wet season.
Morphological and physiological responses and plasticity in Robinia pseudoacacia to the coupling of water, nitrogen and phosphorus
Authors: Su Bingqian , Wang Lifang , Shangguan Zhouping
Published: February 2021

Background: Under the background of drought and nitrogen deposition, global climate change is changing the supply of resources and environmental conditions that are crucial to plant growth, and plants respond to climate change by environmentally induced phenotypic changes.

Aims: The objective of this study was to assess the differences in the plasticity responses of the morphological, photosynthetic, fluorescence and antioxidant parameters of Robinia pseudoacacia seedlings under water, nitrogen and phosphorus interaction conditions.

Methods: We analyzed the above parameters of R. pseudoacacia seedlings using methods of morphological measurements, gas exchanges, fluorescence emission and antioxidant assays under two water levels (75% and 55% of field capacity), four nitrogen levels (no urea; 0.2 g kg−1, 0.4 g kg−1, 0.8 g kg−1), and two phosphorus levels (no superphosphate, 0.6 g kg−1).

Results: The results showed that drought stress significantly reduced the morphological parameters, actual photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (ΦPSII), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, peroxidase (POD) activity and catalase (CAT) activity of R. pseudoacacia seedlings, and significantly increased nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Excessive application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer inhibited plant growth, and phosphorus (P) deficiency significantly weakened the positive effect of the high nitrogen treatment on morphological parameters under drought stress. The high nitrogen treatment effectively weakened the inhibitory effect of drought and phosphorus deficiency on chlorophyll formation. Proper N and P fertilizers increased the SOD, POD and CAT activities and decreased the MDA content under drought stress. The mean plasticity index of POD and CAT activities in response to water, nitrogen and phosphorus was the highest, which indicated that R. pseudoacacia seedlings can adapt to changes in water and nutrients mainly by adjusting their POD and CAT activities.

Conclusions: These results may explain the better survival of R. pseudoacacia under the condition of limited water and nutrient resources, which is helpful for understanding the response mechanism of R. pseudoacacia to changes in environmental factors in the future. The results also provide scientific data and a theoretical basis for vegetation restoration and sustainable development of the regional ecological environment.
An evidence‐splitting approach to evaluation of direct‐indirect evidence inconsistency in network meta‐analysis
Authors: Shih Ming‐Chieh , Tu Yu‐Kang
Published: February 2021

Network meta‐analysis (NMA) compares the efficacy and harm between several treatments by combining direct and indirect evidence. The validity of NMA requires that all available evidence form a coherent network. Failure to meet such requirement is known as inconsistency. The most popular approach to inconsistency detection is to compare the direct and indirect evidence for each treatment contrast. Although several models have been proposed to evaluate direct‐indirect evidence inconsistency, there is no comprehensive study on the implications of how these models separate direct from indirect evidence. The main objective of this study is to show that evidence is not properly split into direct and indirect evidence in current inconsistency models, and to propose a novel approach to inconsistency evaluation based on the principle of independence between direct and indirect evidence. We further demonstrated that current models for direct‐indirect evidence inconsistency can potentially lead to misleading conclusions in inconsistency detection and NMA quality appraisal, while our proposed evidence‐splitting model satisfies the principle of independence when splitting the direct from indirect evidence in multi‐arm trials. Moreover, we showed that all these direct‐indirect evidence inconsistency models differ in how the weight of the inconsistency parameter is split between the treatments of interest, yet only the evidence‐splitting model assigns satisfying weights. Finally, we demonstrated how the evidence‐splitting model can be implemented within the structural equation modeling framework. The evidence‐splitting model may be a valuable tool to assess the inconsistency within NMA and evaluate the quality of its evidence.
Anti‐hyperuricemic and nephroprotective effects of whey protein hydrolysate in potassium oxonate induced hyperuricemic rats
Authors: Qi Xiaofen , Chen Haoran , Guan Kaifang , Wang Rongchun , Ma Ying
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a serious public health concern globally that needs to be solved. It is closely related to gout and other metabolic diseases. To develop a safe and effective dietary supplementation for alleviating HUA, we investigated the effects of whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) on HUA and associated renal dysfunction and explored their underlying mechanism.

RESULTS

Potassium oxonate was used to induce HUA in model rats, who were then administered WPH for 21 days. The results showed that WPH significantly inhibited xanthine oxidase and adenosine deaminase activity in serum and liver, decreased uric acid (UA), creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels in serum, and increased the UA excretion in urine. In addition, WPH downregulated the expression of urate transporter 1 and upregulated the expression of organic anion transporter 1, adenosine triphosphate binding cassette subfamily G member 2, organic cation/carnitine transporters 1 and 2, and organic cation transporter 1 in kidneys.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrated for the first time that WPH could alleviate HUA by inhibiting UA production and promoting UA excretion, and improve the renal dysfunction caused by HUA. Thus, WPH may be a potential functional ingredient for the prevention and treatment of HUA and associated renal dysfunction. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of ultrahigh‐pressure treatment on the functional properties of poly(lactic acid)/ZnO nanocomposite food packaging film
Authors: Cui Rui , Fan Chunli , Dong Xuelan , Fang Ke , Li Lin , Qin Yuyue
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Our living environment is being increasingly polluted by petroleum‐based plastics and there is an increasing demand for biodegradable food packaging. In this study, the effect of various ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) treatments (0, 200 and 400 MPa) on the microstructure and thermal, barrier and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/ZnO nanocomposite films was studied.

RESULTS

The film‐forming solution was processed using UHP technology. The crystallinity, strength and stiffness of the composite film after UHP treatment increased. In addition, barrier property analysis showed that the UHP treatment significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the oxygen permeability and water vapor permeability (WVP) coefficient of the PLA/ZnO nanocomposite film. Furthermore, the WVP value of the film treated at 400 MPa (50 g kg−1 nano‐ZnO content) was the lowest and reduced by 47.3% compared with that of pure PLA film. The improvement in these properties might be due to the interaction between nano‐ZnO and PLA matrix promoted by UHP treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, the application of UHP technology on the film‐forming solution could improve the crystallinity and functional properties of the nanocomposite film, and has great potential in the production of food packaging films with ideal functions. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Responses of soil gross nitrogen transformations to three vegetation restoration strategies in a subtropical karst region
Authors: Li Dejun , Wen Li , Xiao Kongcao , Song Tongqing , Wang Kelin
Published: February 2021

Investigation of soil internal nitrogen cycles is useful for unravelling the mechanisms responsible for soil nitrogen availability change. Here, gross nitrogen transformations were investigated in a subtropical karst area after 16 years of vegetation restoration. The experiment included four treatments with one control and three restoration strategies, that is: (i) maize‐soybean rotation field (CR, control); (ii) restoration with Toona sinensis (TS); (iii) restoration with Guimu‐1 hybrid elephant grass (GG, Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke × Pennisetum purpureum Schumach); and (iv) restoration with Guimu‐1 hybrid elephant grass and Zenia insignis as a mixture (ZG). Soil NH4+ and NO3− responded differentially to three restoration strategies, resulting in no significant change of total inorganic N content following vegetation restoration. Gross nitrogen mineralization (GNM) rate increased by 124.0%, 96.8%, and 60.3% in TS, GG, and ZG, respectively, relative to CR (2.88 ± 0.05 mg N kg−1 d−1). The strongest explanatory variable was microbial biomass carbon for both GNM (R2 = 0.82) and gross nitrification (R2 = 0.66). Dissimilatory NO3− reduction to NH4+ (DNRA) rate in TS or ZG, which was significantly greater than that in CR, was significantly correlated with SOC: NO3− ratio (R2 = 0.61), implying that DNRA was limited by SOC availability. Gross NH4+ immobilization rate, which was highest in GG, and lowest in CR, was best predicted by carbon to nitrogen ratio (R2 = 0.65). However, gross NO3− immobilization rate could not be well predicted by the measured soil properties. Our results suggest that vegetation restoration especially TS significantly enhanced soil N availability as reflected by gross N mineralization rate.
Enhancing diagnostic accuracy using a side‐to‐side cross‐sectional area ratio for the diagnosis of unilateral ulnar mononeuropathy at the elbow
Authors: Mamarabadi Mansoureh , Morren John A. , Shook Steven J.
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Neuromuscular ultrasonography (NMUS) is a valuable adjunct to electrodiagnostic testing for the diagnosis of entrapment neuropathy. The aim of this study was to determine whether diagnostic accuracy of NMUS could be enhanced in patients with unilateral ulnar mononeuropathy at the elbow (UNE) by utilizing side‐to‐side ulnar nerve cross‐sectional area (CSA) ratios.

Methods

Retrospective case‐control analysis of unilateral UNE cases identified cutoff values for elbow segment ulnar nerve maximum CSA (MCSA) of the symptomatic/asymptomatic limb (M ratio), as well as side‐to‐side ratios comparing MCSA with ipsilateral CSA at the Guyon canal (E/G), middle forearm (E/F), and middle humerus (E/H). Diagnostic accuracy values were calculated.

Results

The optimal M‐ratio cut‐off was 1.22 (sensitivity, 92.9%; specificity, 97.8%; accuracy, 95.4%). Optimal cutoffs for inter‐E/G, ‐E/F, and ‐E/H ratios were 1.07 (sensitivity, 98%; specificity, 78%; accuracy, 87.7%), 1.11 (sensitivity, 95%; specificity, 80%; accuracy, 87.2%), and 1.18 (sensitivity, 95%; specificity, 93%; accuracy, 94%), respectively.

Discussion

The M ratio and inter‐E/H ratio exhibited high diagnostic accuracy for unilateral UNE. Prospective studies are needed to compare the accuracy of the new measures with a single MCSA measurement.
Proportions of Hatchery Fish in Escapements of Summer-Run Chum Salmon in Southeast Alaska, 2013–2015
Authors: Josephson Ronald , Wertheimer Alex , Gaudet David , Knudsen E. Eric , Adams Benjamin , Bernard David R. , Heinl Steven C. , Piston Andrew W. , Templin William D.
Published: February 2021

The Alaska salmon hatchery program is intended to supplement salmon fisheries without supplanting wild stocks. Hatchery-origin Chum Salmon Oncorhynchus keta spend most of their lives interacting with wild salmon, including some degree of straying to spawning streams. Our study was designed and implemented to measure the extent and annual variability of straying by hatchery-produced, summer-run Chum Salmon in Southeast Alaska from 2013 to 2015 by sampling in individual streams to estimate the proportion of hatchery strays. In the sampled index streams, the proportion ranged from 0.000 to 0.854 over the 3 years. Unbiased estimates of the proportions of hatchery-origin fish spawning in each of the three management units ranged from 0.016 to 0.081, and the estimated hatchery proportions spawning across Southeast Alaska ranged from 0.032 to 0.060. The proportion of hatchery strays decreased as the distance from hatchery release sites increased; proportions were highest at streams located within 50 km of the nearest release site. The proportion of hatchery-origin spawners was negatively related to the index of spawning escapement in a stream. A hatchery donor stray rate of 0.8–4.8% was estimated. Hatchery-origin Chum Salmon occur at low levels in most Chum Salmon systems in Southeast Alaska and at higher levels in systems close to hatchery release sites.
Localized Plasmonic Vortex Printing Technology Based on the Metaparticle and Spoof Surface Plasmon Polaritons
Authors: Yuan Li , Wang Jun , Wang Shiji , Li Xiaolong , Han Jianfei , Shen Xiaopeng , Hao Zhang-Cheng , Zhao Lei
Published: February 2021

Plasmonic structures based on Archimedes spiral (AS) architectures have attracted great interest to generate plasmonic vortices (PVs) carrying controllable orbital angular momentum (OAM). Recently, researches based on the single deep‐subwavelength metaparticle have provided various methods to realize PVs. However, most of the PVs structures just realize single topological charge and only a few works have implemented vortex waves with multiple topological charges. Hence, it is still a big challenge to excite localized electromagnetic (EM) vortices with multimodal topological charges in single structure simultaneously. A potential design idea to create localized EM vortices with multimodal topological charges in single structure is proposed, which is called the printing technology for localized PVs. Taking advantages of the coplanar waveguide‐based spoof surface plasmon polaritons (CPW‐based SSPPs), localized multiple PVs modes that are strongly confined in the metaparticles can be excited simultaneously. The physical explanations and experiments are conducted to confirm this unique phenomenon. This localized PVs printing technology may be used for future microwave integrated elements and devices operating.
3D‐Printed Multiband Absorber Based on Stereo Frequency Selective Structures
Authors: Deng Guangsheng , Sun Hanxiao , Lv Kun , Yang Jun , Yin Zhiping , Chi Baihong
Published: February 2021

A multiband absorber fabricated from stereo frequency selective structures (FSSs) is presented herein. The proposed absorber is composed of a lateral spilt loop intersected by four standing closed loops. The absorber exhibits pentaband electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption at normal incidence, as well as an angle‐dependent multiband absorption with high absorptivity at large incident angles (>80°) for both transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarizations. The complicated structure, including the stereo resonators and dielectric substrate, is fabricated using one‐step forming method of multimaterial hybrid microdroplet jetting modeling (MHMJM) technology. The results suggest that this design strategy has great potential in constructing stereo FSSs with unique characteristics.
High‐Current‐Density Enhancement‐Mode Ultrawide‐Bandgap AlGaN Channel Metal–Insulator–Semiconductor Heterojunction Field‐Effect Transistors with a Threshold Voltage of 5 V
Authors: Xue Hao , Hussain Kamal , Talesara Vishank , Razzak Towhidur , Gaevski Mikhail , Mollah Shahab , Rajan Siddharth , Khan Asif , Lu Wu
Published: February 2021

Enhancement‐mode ultrawide‐bandgap Al0.65Ga0.35N/Al0.4Ga0.6N metal–insulator–semiconductor heterojunction field‐effect transistors are demonstrated using fluorine‐plasma treatment for threshold voltage control and Al2O3 as gate dielectric. The device exhibits a threshold voltage of 5 V, a maximum drain current density of 105 mA mm−1, and a transconductance of 19 mS mm−1. In addition, the capability to achieve low off‐state current density at 3–4 × 10−9 mA mm−1, an exceptionally low gate leakage current density of 1.4 × 10−8 mA mm−1 even at a high forward gate bias of VGS = 12 V, and a current on/off ratio >1010 is shown. Small signal measurement shows that the device has a unity current gain cutoff frequency fT of 3.8 GHz and power gain cutoff frequency fmax of 4.5 GHz.
Negative Differential Resistance Characteristics in Forming‐Free NbOx with Crystalline NbO2 Phase
Authors: Lee Jimin , Kim Jaeyeon , Kim Taeho , Sohn Hyunchul
Published: February 2021

Negative differential resistance (NDR) in NbOx films attracts attention for potential application in neuromorphic computing. A continuous S‐type and abrupt snapback NDR characteristics are reported for NbOx devices. The NDR characteristics are expected to depend on the nature of the switching path in NbOx. Previous NDR studies have been performed mainly on amorphous NbOx films with an electroforming process to create a switching path. Herein, the NDR characteristics of a forming‐free NbOx device with crystalline NbO2 phases are investigated and these are compared with those of an amorphous NbOx device with forming. The forming‐free NbOx device exhibits a secondary abrupt snapback NDR in addition to the initial S‐type NDR, possibly due to a metal–insulator transition in the NbO2 phases. Meanwhile, the amorphous NbOx devices only show a continuous S‐type behavior.
Vibration‐based drilling depth estimation of bone
Authors: Dai Yu , Armand Mehran
Published: February 2021

Drilling is one of the most common forms of tissue removal procedures, and drilling to a desired depth contributes to avoid injury to the soft tissue beyond and ensure implant stability. The deformation of the human musculoskeletal system has been a common problem in many drilling processes, making it difficult to achieve accurate estimation of the drilling depth. To remedy this problem, a dynamic model is presented to describe the relationship between the axial vibration of the drill and the feed rate. During drilling process, the amplitude of the main harmonic is estimated from the high‐frequency component of the acceleration signal, while the short‐time integral of the low‐frequency part is calculated. Both the initial contact of the drilling tool to the bone and breakthrough are identified by comparing either the harmonic amplitude or the short‐time integral. The harmonic amplitude is mapped to the data from a non‐contact position sensor tracking the feed rate of the drill. Multiple drilling experiments on both a handheld device and a robotic cutting system demonstrated the effectiveness, stability and accuracy of the method when estimating depth. The mean maximum error for drilling depth estimation is less than 15% of the simulated bone thickness when using the handheld device, while the mean maximum error is less than 5% for the robotic cutting system.
An Individual Amino Acid as a Possible Prebiotic Catalyst
Authors: Agazani Omer , Tulpin Alon , Reches Meital
Published: February 2021

Better understanding how reactions have been catalyzed in the prebiotic world is important for better realizing how enzymes have evolved. The dominant hypothesis is that the first catalyst was an RNA molecule. It was also assumed that amyloid fibrils, self‐assembled by peptides or proteins, served as the first catalysts. However, debate still exists regarding which process occurred first: the polymerization of RNA or the synthesis of proteins. Here, we show that an individual amino acid, L‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), can act as a catalyst. This amino acid is the main constituent of mussel adhesion proteins that function in harsh conditions very similar to plausible prebiotic conditions. By tracing the hydrolysis of two compounds, p‐nitrophenylacetate and acetylcholine, we showed that DOPA catalyzes a reaction; we suggest its role as a prebiotic catalyst.
pH regulation of the first phase could enhance the energy recovery from two‐phase anaerobic digestion of food waste
Authors: Zhao Qing , Arhin Samuel Gyebi , Yang Ziyi , Liu Haopeng , Li Zongye , Anwar Naveed , Papadakis Vagelis G. , Liu Guangqing , Wang Wen
Published: February 2021

The effect of pH regulation in phase I on hydrolysis and acidogenesis rate, metabolites production, microbial community, and the overall energy recovery efficiency during two‐phase anaerobic digestion (AD) of food waste (FW) was investigated. pH strongly affected the acidogenesis rate and the yield of the fermentation products. The highest acidogenesis efficiency (60.4%) and total volatile fatty acids (VFA)/ethanol concentration (12.4 g/L) were obtained at pH 8 during phase I. Microbial community analysis revealed that Clostridium IV was enriched at pH 8, relating to the accumulation of butyrate. Also, Clostridium sensu stricto played a crucial role in hydrogen production and was abundant at pH 6, resulting in the highest hydrogen yield (212.2 ml/g VS). In phase II, the highest cumulative methane yield (412.6 ml/g VS) was obtained at pH 8. By considering the hydrogen and methane production stages, the highest energy yield (22.8 kJ/g VS, corresponding to a 76.4% recovery efficiency) was generated at pH 8, which indicates that pH 8 was optimal for energy recovery during two‐phase AD of FW. Overall, the results demonstrated the possibility of increasing the energy recovery from FW by regulating the pH in the hydrolysis/acidogenesis phase based on the two‐phase AD system.

Practitioner points

pH 8 was suitable for hydrolysis, acidogenesis, and methanogenesis.

High hydrogen yields were obtained at pH 5–8 (about 200 ml/d).

Clostridium sensu stricto might have played a crucial role in hydrogen production.

High methane production (about 400 ml/g VS) was obtained at pH 7–9.

pH 8 was optimal for energy recovery from FW with an efficiency of 76.4% (22.8 kJ/g VS).
On thio‐substituted N‐heterocyclic arsines
Authors: Bender Johannes , Skowrońska Agnieszka , Dołęga Anna , Nieger Martin , Gudat Dietrich
Published: February 2021

Metathesis of N‐heterocyclic chloroarsines with sulfur‐based nucleophiles furnished thio‐substituted 1,3,2‐diazarsolidines and 1,3,2‐diazarsolenes. Crystallographic and NMR spectroscopic studies revealed that a thiocyanato‐diazarsolene exhibits a salt‐like structure composed of weakly interacting thiocyanate and arsenium ions, while the remaining products formed neutral molecules. The structural data indicate that the heterocyclic framework induces an elongation of exocyclic As−S bonds that is more prominent in diazarsolenes than in diazarsolidines and parallels the bond polarisation effect established for N‐heterocyclic phosphines. The NMR data suggest that diazarsolenes undergo facile inversion of the pyramidal configuration at arsenic, which was successfully modelled by DFT studies.
Heart and brain interactions
Authors: Schnabel Renate B. , Hasenfuß Gert , Buchmann Sylvia , Kahl Kai G. , Aeschbacher Stefanie , Osswald Stefan , Angermann Christiane E.
Published: February 2021

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and mental health disorders (MHD; e.g. depression, anxiety and cognitive dysfunction) are highly prevalent and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and impaired quality of life. Currently, possible interactions between pathophysiological mechanisms in MHD and CVD are rarely considered during the diagnostic work-up, prognostic assessment and treatment planning in patients with CVD, and research addressing bidirectional disease mechanisms in a systematic fashion is scarce. Besides some overarching pathogenetic principles shared by CVD and MHD, there are specific syndromes in which pre-existing neurological or psychiatric illness predisposes and contributes to CVD development (as in Takotsubo syndrome), or in which the distorted interplay between innate immune and central nervous systems and/or pre-existing CVD leads to secondary MHD and brain damage (as in peripartum cardiomyopathy or atrial fibrillation). Clinical manifestations and phenotypes of cardio-psycho-neurological diseases depend on the individual somatic, psychosocial, and genetic risk profile as well as on personal resilience, and differ in many respects between men and women. In this article, we provide arguments on why, in such conditions, multidisciplinary collaborations should be established to allow for more comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology as well as appropriate and targeted diagnosis and treatment. In addition, we summarize current knowledge on the complex interactions between the cardiovascular and central nervous systems in Takotsubo syndrome and peripartum cardiomyopathy, and on the neurological and psychiatric complications of atrial fibrillation.
Therapieoptionen beim oligometastasierten Magenkarzinom
Authors: Jung Minoa Karin , Ott Katja , Chevallay Mickael , Mönig Stefan Paul
Published: February 2021

Hintergrund

Zum Zeitpunkt der Diagnosestellung des Magenkarzinoms haben ca. zwei Drittel der Patienten bereits Metastasen. Wichtig ist es, die Oligometastasierung von der diffus metastasierten Situation abzugrenzen. Die S3-Leitlinie hat die Definition der Oligometastasierung erstmals in die Leitlinie aufgenommen.

Fragestellung

Kann das Überleben von Patienten mit Oligometastasierung mittels Resektion des Tumors und der Metastase kombiniert mit perioperativer Chemotherapie verbessert werden?

Material und Methoden

In dieser Übersichtsarbeit wird die Datenlage der aktuellen Literatur dargestellt.

Ergebnisse

Die holländische Magenkarzinomstudie stellte ein verbessertes medianes Überleben für Patienten mit singulären Metastasen fest, wenn diese reseziert wurden. Aufgrund der Resultate der deutschen AIO-FLOT3-Studie, in der sich das mediane Überleben von Patienten mit Oligometastasen mit multimodaler Therapie verdoppelte, wurde die AIO-FLOT5(RENAISSANCE)-Studie initiiert. Diese randomisiert limitiert metastatische Patienten nach neoadjuvanter Chemotherapie entweder zu Resektion gefolgt von Chemotherapie oder zu definitiver Chemotherapie. Weitere randomisierende Studien untersuchen den Nutzen von Antikörpern und Immun-Checkpoint-Inhibitoren beim lokoregionalen und metastasierten Magenkarzinom mit vielversprechenden Resultaten.

Diskussion

Die Resultate der aktuellen Studien werden zeigen, ob Patienten mit Oligometastasierung von einer multimodalen Therapie mit Resektion profitieren. Die eindeutige Definition der Oligometastasierung, eine Beurteilung des Ansprechens nach neoadjuvanter Chemotherapie und eine realistische Einschätzung der R0-Resektion werden bei der entsprechenden Patientenselektion hilfreich sein.
Protuberances are organized distinct regions of long-term callus: histological and transcriptomic analyses in kiwifruit
Authors: Czernicka Małgorzata , Chłosta Iwona , Kęska Kinga , Kozieradzka-Kiszkurno Małgorzata , Abdullah Mohib , Popielarska-Konieczna Marzena
Published: February 2021

Key message

Macroscopic, ultrastructural, and molecular features—like a ball shape, the presence of starch granules, and the up-regulation of genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and secondary metabolite biosynthesis—distinguish PT regions within a callus.

The modification of the mass of pluripotent cells into de novo shoot bud regeneration is highly relevant to developmental biology and for agriculture and biotechnology. This study deals with protuberances (PT), structures that appear during the organogenic long-term culturing of callus (OC) in kiwifruit. These ball-shaped regions of callus might be considered the first morphological sign of the subsequent shoot bud development. Sections of PT show the regular arrangement of some cells, especially on the surface, in contrast to the regions of OC beyond the PT. The cells of OC possess chloroplasts; however, starch granules were observed only in PTs’ plastids. Transcriptomic data revealed unique gene expression for each kind of sample: OC, PT, and PT with visible shoot buds (PT–SH). Higher expression of the gene involved in lipid (glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 5 [GPAT5]), carbohydrate (granule-bound starch synthase 1 [GBSS1]), and secondary metabolite (beta-glucosidase 45 [BGL45]) pathways were detected in PT and could be proposed as the markers of these structures. The up-regulation of the regulatory associated protein of TOR (RAPTOR1) was found in PT–SH. The highest expression of the actinidain gene in leaves from two-year-old regenerated plants suggests that the synthesis of this protein takes place in fully developed organs. The findings indicate that PT and PT–SH are specific structures within OC but have more features in common with callus tissue than with organs.
The electrophysiological footprint of CACNA1A disorders
Authors: Indelicato Elisabetta , Unterberger Iris , Nachbauer Wolfgang , Eigentler Andreas , Amprosi Matthias , Zeiner Fiona , Haberlandt Edda , Kaml Manuela , Gizewski Elke , Boesch Sylvia
Published: February 2021

Objectives

CACNA1A variants underlie three neurological disorders: familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 (FHM1), episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2) and spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6). EEG is applied to study their episodic manifestations, but findings in the intervals did not gain attention up to date.

Methods

We analyzed repeated EEG recordings performed between 1994 and 2019 in a large cohort of genetically confirmed CACNA1A patients. EEG findings were compared with those of CACNA1A-negative phenocopies. A review of the related literature was performed.

Results

85 EEG recordings from 38 patients (19 EA2, 14 FHM1, 5 SCA6) were analyzed. Baseline EEG was abnormal in 55% of cases (12 EA2, 9 FHM1). The most common finding was a lateralized intermittent slowing, mainly affecting the temporal region. Slowing was more pronounced after a recent attack but was consistently detected in the majority of patients also during the follow-up. Interictal epileptic discharges (IEDs) were detected in eight patients (7 EA2,1 FHM1). EEG abnormalities and especially IEDs were significantly associated with younger age at examination (16 ± 9 vs 43 ± 21 years in those without epileptic changes, p = 0.003) and with earlier onset of disease (1 (1–2) vs 12 (5–45) years, p = 0.0009). EEG findings in CACNA1A-negative phenocopies (n = 15) were largely unremarkable (p = 0.03 in the comparison with CACNA1A patients).

Conclusions

EEG abnormalities between attacks are highly prevalent in episodic CACNA1A disorders and especially associated with younger age at examination and earlier disease onset. Our findings underpin an age-dependent effect of CACNA1A variants, with a more severe impairment when P/Q channel dysfunction manifests early in life.
Effects of Levodopa on quality of sleep and nocturnal movements in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Schaeffer Eva , Vaterrodt Thomas , Zaunbrecher Laura , Liepelt-Scarfone Inga , Emmert Kirsten , Roeben Benjamin , Elshehabi Morad , Hansen Clint , Becker Sara , Nussbaum Susanne , Busch Jan-Hinrich , Synofzik Matthis , Berg Daniela , Maetzler Walter
Published: February 2021

Background

Sleep disturbances are common in Parkinson’s Disease (PD), with nocturnal akinesia being one of the most burdensome. Levodopa is frequently used in clinical routine to improve nocturnal akinesia, although evidence is not well proven.

Methods

We assessed associations of Levodopa intake with quality of sleep and perception of nocturnal akinesia in three PD cohorts, using the Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS-2) in two cohorts and a question on nocturnal immobility in one cohort. In one cohort also objective assessment of mobility during sleep was performed, using mobile health technology.

Results

In an independent analysis of all three cohorts (in total n = 1124 PD patients), patients taking Levodopa CR reported a significantly higher burden by nocturnal akinesia than patients without Levodopa. Higher Levodopa intake and MDS-UPDRS part IV scores (indicating motor fluctuations) predicted worse PDSS-2 and higher subjective nocturnal immobility scores, while disease duration and severity were not predictive. Levodopa intake was not associated with objectively changed mobility during sleep.

Conclusion

Our results showed an association of higher Levodopa intake with perception of worse quality of sleep and nocturnal immobility in PD, indicating that Levodopa alone might not be suitable to improve subjective feeling of nocturnal akinesia in PD. In contrast, Levodopa intake was not relevantly associated with objectively measured mobility during sleep. PD patients with motor fluctuations may be particularly affected by subjective perception of nocturnal mobility. This study should motivate further pathophysiological and clinical investigations on the cause of perception of immobility during sleep in PD.
Quail-chick grafting experiments corroborate that Tbr1-positive eminential prethalamic neurons migrate along three streams into hypothalamus, subpallium and septocommissural areas
Authors: Alonso Antonia , Trujillo Carmen María , Puelles Luis
Published: February 2021

The prethalamic eminence (PThE), a diencephalic caudal neighbor of the telencephalon and alar hypothalamus, is frequently described in mammals and birds as a transient embryonic structure, undetectable in the adult brain. Based on descriptive developmental analysis ofTbr1gene brain expression in chick embryos, we previously reported that three migratory cellular streams exit the PThE rostralward, targeting multiple sites in the hypothalamus, subpallium and septocommissural area, where eminential cells form distinct nuclei or disperse populations. These conclusions needed experimental corroboration. In this work, we used the homotopic quail-chick chimeric grafting procedure at stages HH10/HH11 to demonstrate by fate-mapping the three predicted tangential migration streams. Some chimeric brains were processed forTbr1in situ hybridization, for correlation with our previous approach. Evidence supporting all three postulated migration streams is presented. The results suggested a slight heterochrony among the juxtapeduncular (first), the peripeduncular (next), and the eminentio-septal (last) streams, each of which followed differential routes. A possible effect of such heterochrony on the differential selection of medial to lateral habenular hodologic targets by the migrated neurons is discussed.
Tropical cyclones over the western north Pacific since the mid-nineteenth century
Authors: Kubota Hisayuki , Matsumoto Jun , Zaiki Masumi , Tsukahara Togo , Mikami Takehiko , Allan Rob , Wilkinson Clive , Wilkinson Sally , Wood Kevin , Mollan Mark
Published: February 2021

Tropical cyclone (TC) activities over the western North Pacific (WNP) and TC landfall in Japan are investigated by collecting historical TC track data and meteorological observation data starting from the mid-nineteenth century. Historical TC track data and TC best track data are merged over the WNP from 1884 to 2018. The quality of historical TC data is not sufficient to count the TC numbers over the WNP due to the lack of spatial coverage and different TC criteria before the 1950s. We focus on TC landfall in Japan using a combination of TC track data and meteorological data observed at weather stations and lighthouses from 1877 to 2019. A unified TC definition is applied to obtain equivalent quality during the whole analysis period. We identify lower annual TC landfall numbers during the 1970s to the 2000s and find other periods have more TC landfall numbers including the nineteenth century. No trend in TC landfall number is detected. TC intensity is estimated by an annual power dissipation index (APDI). High APDI periods are found to be around 1900, in the 1910s, from the 1930s to 1960s, and after the 1990s. When we focus on the period from 1977 to 2019, a significant increasing trend of ADPI is seen, and significant northeastward shift of TC landfall location is detected. On the other hand, TC landfall location shifts northeastward and then southwestward in about 100-year interval. European and US ships sailed through East and Southeast Asian waters before the weather station network was established in the late nineteenth century. Then, we focus on TC events in July 1853 observed by the US Naval Japan Expedition of Perry’s fleet and August 1863 by a UK Navy ship that participated in two wars in Japan. A TC moved slowly westward over the East China Sea south of the Okinawa Islands from 21 to 25 July 1853. Another TC was detected in the East China Sea on 15–16 August 1863 during the bombardment of Kagoshima in southern Japan. Pressure data are evaluated by comparing the observations made by 10 naval ships in Yokohama, central Japan during 1863–1864. The deviation of each ship pressure data from the 10 ships mean is about 2.7–2.8 hPa.