bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Polymorphism in Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Chloride Transport Protein 6 (MTHFR CLCN6) Gene is Associated with Keratinocyte Skin Cancer in a Cohort of Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Griffin L. , Ho L. , Akhurst R. J. , Arron S. T. , Boggs J. M. E. , Conlon P. , O’Kelly P. , Toland A. E. , Epstein E. H. , Balmain A. , Bastian B. C. , Moloney F. J. , Murphy G. M. , Laing M. E.
Published: February 2022

Background

Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) are at increased risk of keratinocyte cancer (KC), especially cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Previous studies identified a genetic variant of the Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) gene, C677T, which conferred a risk for diagnosis of cSCC in Irish RTRs.

Objective

We sought to find further genetic variation in MTHFR and overlap genes that may be associated with a diagnosis of KC in RTRs.

Methods

Genotyping of a combined RTR population (n = 821) from two centres, Ireland (n = 546) and the USA (n = 275), was performed. This included 290 RTRs with KC and 444 without. Eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MTHFR gene and seven in the overlap gene MTHFR Chloride transport protein 6 (CLCN6) were evaluated and association explored by time to event analysis (from transplant to first KC) using Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

Polymorphism at MTHFR CLCN6 (rs9651118) was significantly associated with KC in RTRs (HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.17–1.91, p < 0.00061) and cSCC (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.14–2.34, p = 0.007). A separate SNP, MTHFR C677T, was also significantly associated with KC in the Irish population (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.05–1.63, p = 0.016), but not American RTRs.

Conclusions

We report the association of a SNP in the MTHFR overlap gene, CLCN6 and KC in a combined RTR population. While the exact function of CLCN6 is not known, it is proposed to be involved in folate availability. Future applications could include incorporation in a polygenic risk score for KC in RTRs to help identify those at increased risk beyond traditional risk factor assessment.
Design, Synthesis, Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics and In Vivo Antimalarial Activity of New Dipeptide‐Sulfonamides
Authors: Ezugwu James. A. , Okoro Uchechukwu. C. , Ezeokonkwo Mercy. A. , Hariprasad Kurma. S. , Rudrapal Mithun , Ugwu David. I. , Gogoi Neelutpal , Chetia Dipak , Celik Ismail , Ekoh Ogechi. C.
Published: February 2022

A new series of novel dipeptide sulfonamide analogues were designed, synthesized, and screened for their in silico studies and in vivo antimalarial activities. The synthesized compounds (50 mg/Kg) showed significant activity against P. berghei (NK65) with % inhibition values in (5.9 to 64.7 %) range in when compared with reference drug, artemisinin (66.7 %) in a four day suppressive assay. The in silico studies predicted favorable binding affinity of compounds with target protein residues with high dock score against P. falciparum falcipain 2 (FP‐2) and falcipain 3 (FP‐3) proteins in comparison with the reference ligands. The synthesized compounds showed druggable properties, and the predicted (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicities (ADMET) properties were within the acceptable limits. Molecular dynamics simulation study of the most active compound, 8 e was performed in order to further validate the stability of the protein‐ligand complex and the protein‐ligand interactions.
Goldberg Coupling of Thiazole Substituted Aryl Bromide Demands Stoichiometric Copper Compared to Oxazole
Authors: Ahmad Haseen , Ahmed Waqar , Hassan Abbas
Published: February 2022

The C−N functionalization of thiazole appendant aryl halides using copper mediated transformation has the potential as a strategy for late‐stage Goldberg coupling of carboxamide and heteroaryl halide. The C−N coupling of thiazole scaffold in the presence of copper is highly challenging. The current work presents the C−N coupling of various amides with thiazole derivatives that afforded variety of amide products. The 4‐(4‐bromo‐phenyl)‐2‐methylthiazole, 4‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐2‐pyridiythiazole and 4‐(3‐bromophenyl)‐2‐methylthiazole reacted with aliphatic, aromatic and cyclic amides smoothly in the presence of stoichiometric amount of copper iodide and N,N’‐DMEDA resulting in C−N bond formation in high yields. The reaction optimization attest to the requirement of stoichiometric amount of copper for the thiazolyl aryl bromide. While the corresponding oxazole can easily undergo the amide coupling employing only catalytic amount of copper.
Compositional Features of the Light Fraction from One/Two‐Step Effective Cascade Catalytic Hydroconversion of the Extraction Residue from Naomaohu Lignite
Authors: Yang Zheng , Cong Xing‐Shun , Xie Heng‐Shen , Zhang Min , Wei Xian‐Yong
Published: February 2022

Naomaohu lignite (NL) was extracted with isometric acetone/carbon disulfide mixed solvent under ultrasonic irradiation. The extraction residue (ER) was subjected to non‐catalytic hydroconversion (NCHC) and one/two‐step cascade catalytic hydroconversion (CHC) in n‐hexane at 300 °C under 4 MPa of H2 over magnetic solid superacid (MSSA) and superbase (MSSB). The NCHC‐soluble portion from the NCHC (SPNCHC) and CHC‐soluble portion from the one/two‐step cascade CHC (SPA, SPB, SPA‐B, and SPB‐A) were analyzed with a gas chromatograph/ mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The results show that the yields of SPA and SPB are 18.65 % and 16.31 %, respectively, which are much higher than that of SPNCHC (1.26 %). According to the analysis with GC/MS, SPA and SPB are rich in phenol, dimethylnaphthalene, cresol, trimethylphenols, and xylenols, while alkanes are the predominant group component in the SPNCHC, indicating that MSSA selectively catalyzed the cleavage of Car−Calk and Calk−O bridged bonds, whereas MSSB tended to cleave Car−O and Calk−O bridged bonds connecting some aromatic rings in the ER. The yield of SPB‐A was as high as 11.07 % and SPA‐B was only 0.59 %. The results showed that more soluble species in the ER could be further released through the cascade CHC procedures. Benzyloxybenzene was used as a coal‐related model compound to probe the possible mechanisms of one/two‐step cascade CHC of the ER.
Glycerol Electrooxidation on Phosphorus‐Doped Pt‐αNi(OH)2/C Catalysts
Authors: Castagna Rodrigo M. , Alvarez Andrea E. , Sanchez Miguel D. , Sieben Juan Manuel
Published: February 2022

This work investigates the electrooxidation of glycerol in an alkaline environment at non‐doped and P‐doped Pt‐αNi(OH)2 nanoparticles supported on oxidized Vulcan XC‐72R carbon. Pt‐αNi(OH)2 and PtP‐αNi(OH)2 particles with sizes in the range of 3–5 nm were obtained via a one‐step chemical reduction approach. The physicochemical characteristics of the as‐prepared catalysts were studied by inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and x‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. It was determined that the incorporation of phosphorus lead to the formation of amorphous PtP‐αNi(OH)2 deposits. TEM analysis showed that the incorporation of phosphorus into the bimetallic Pt‐αNi(OH)2 catalyst origins a remarkable reduction in the average size of the nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. A substantial improvement in the electrocatalytic properties of the Pt‐αNi(OH)2 system toward the oxidation of glycerol was observed through P doping. The P‐doped electrocatalysts developed a mass current density of 60.3 mA mgPt−1 at 765 mV vs. RHE, which is about 5 and 45 times higher than those of commercial PtRu/C (12.3 mA mgPt−1) and as‐synthesized Pt‐αNi(OH)2/C (1.5 mA mgPt−1), respectively. The temperature‐dependent experiments displayed that the apparent activation energy for the reaction is halved upon the addition of phosphorus.
Tuning the Shape of Gold‐Silver Nanocrystals by Separately Controlling the Metal‐Atom Concentration in a One‐Pot Synthesis
Authors: Yuan Zhuangdong , Zhang Gongguo , Zheng Yiqun , Ma Yanyun , Zhang Haifeng
Published: February 2022

We report a niche synthetic strategy to manipulate the shape of gold‐silver (AuAg) nanocrystals based on kinetics control. The success of current work relies on the use of two syringe pumps to add Au and Ag precursor solutions independently at distinct injection rates, which allows the separate control over the feeding rate of Au and Ag atoms, respectively. Such strategy is validated effective in both one‐pot reduction and seeded growth involving spherical and rod‐likes Au seeds. By conducting orthogonal experiments setting two injection rates at three levels, a set of morphologies are obtained. Interestingly, AuAg alloy nanocrystals in the form of multipod, hollow protruded particles, and branched hollow nanoplate, that are rare to obtain via conventional routes, are successfully screened out, exhibiting the unique advantage of this strategy. The current work provides a feasible approach to applying kinetics control over AuAg bimetallic nanocrystals, which could be extended to other noble metals or material combinations.
Copper‐Catalyzed Thiolation of Terminal Alkynes with N‐Thiosuccinimides to Access Alkynyl Sulfides
Authors: Hu Guo‐Qin , Wang Cai , Zhao Fan , Liu Yao‐Wei , Liu Jing‐Hui , Zhao Bin
Published: February 2022

An efficient copper‐catalyzed thiolation of terminal alkynes with N‐thiosuccinimides was developed. The reaction demonstrated an expanded substrate scope and produced various alkynyl sulfides in moderate to good yields. Gram‐scale synthesis and further transformations confirmed the synthetic utility of this methodology. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed that a Cu(I)/Cu(III) catalytic cycle was probably involved in the process of alkynylthiolation.
Structural Insights into Pyrazoles as Agents against Anti‐inflammatory and Related Disorders
Authors: Priya Deivasigamani , Gopinath Papichettypalle , Dhivya Loganathan Sumathi , Vijaybabu Anandan , Haritha Manoharan , Palaniappan Senthilkumar , Kathiravan Muthu K.
Published: February 2022

Pyrazole moiety is considered as the most important therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammation and inflammation associated cancers. Celecoxib, Ramifenazone, Rimonabant and Lonazolac are some of the commercially available pyrazole moieties which are potent COX‐2 inhibitors and also acts in inhibiting various cancers. Recently there are numerous reviews on the biological significance of pyrazole derivatives. However, this review discusses pyrazole derivatives possessing anti‐inflammatory and anticancer activity (COX inhibition) and also illustrates the recent updates on pyrazole research emphasizing on the medicinal chemistry aspects such as the key structural fragments required for the biological activity. There are series of pyrazoles like di‐substituted, tri‐substituted, tetra‐substituted pyrazoles, pyrazole hydrazones, pyrazoles bearing various other heterocycles, bicyclic fused pyrazoles, tricyclic fused pyrazoles, and miscellaneous class of pyrazoles. All these pyrazoles are being researched as COX inhibitors, anti‐inflammatory and against related disorders like cancer.
The predictors of secondary traumatic stress and psychological resilience in healthcare workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A cross‐sectional study in Turkey
Authors: Yörük Selda , Acikgoz Ayla , Güler Döndü
Published: February 2022

This study aims to investigate the relationship between predictive factors of secondary traumatic stress (STS), that is, sociodemographic and work characteristics, and the psychological resilience of healthcare professionals working in different regions of Turkey. This cross‐sectional study included 1416 healthcare workers (HCWs). An independent sample t‐test and hierarchical regression analysis were performed to analyse the data. The predictor variables for STS included perception of health, fear of contagion, anxiety about infecting family members, psychological resilience, type of work, having a COVID‐19 diagnosis in the family, and experiencing a loss due to COVID‐19 (p < 0.05). The variables that predicted psychological resilience included socioeconomic status, health status, age, marital status, work experience, and type of work (p < 0.05). A low number of resilient HCWs experienced secondary traumatic stress.
Nano‐Sized Niobium Tungsten Oxide Anode for Advanced Fast‐Charge Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Guo Changyuan , Liu Ziang , Han Kang , Zhang Liuyang , Ding Xiaoling , Wang Xuanpeng , Mai Liqiang
Published: February 2022

The further demand for electric vehicles and smart grids prompts that the comprehensive function of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) has been improved greatly. However, due to sluggish Li+ diffusion rate, thermal runway and volume expansion, the commercial graphite as an important part of LIBs is not suitable for fast‐charging. Herein, nano‐sized Nb14W3O44 blocks are effectively synthesized as a fast‐charge anode material. The nano‐sized structure provides shorter Li+ diffusion pathway in the solid phase than micro‐sized materials by several orders of magnitude, corresponding to accelerating the Li+ diffusion rate, which is beneficial for fast‐charge characteristics. Consequently, Nb14W3O44 displays excellent long‐term cycling life (135 mAh g‐1 over 1000 cycles at 10 C) and rate capability at ultra‐high current density (≈103.9 mAh g‐1, 100 C) in half‐cells. In situ X‐ray diffraction and Raman combined with scanning electron microscopy clearly confirms the stability of crystal and microstructure. Furthermore, the fabricated Nb14W3O44||LiFePO4 full cells exhibit a remarkable power density and demonstrate a reversible specific capacity. The pouch cell delivers long cycling life (the capacity retention is as high as 96.6% at 10 C after 5000 cycles) and high‐safety performance. Therefore, nano‐sized Nb14W3O44 could be recognized as a promising fast‐charge anode toward next‐generation practical LIBs.
Dual‐metal single‐atomic catalyst: The challenge in synthesis, characterization, and mechanistic investigation for electrocatalysis
Authors: Chen Changli , Sun Mengru , Wang Kaixuan , Li Yujing
Published: February 2022

Dual‐metal single‐atom catalysts (DACs), featuring high atomic utilization efficiency, excellent selectivity, and stability originating from the atomically dispersed nature, have emerged as a new frontier in heterogeneous electrocatalysis due to the synergistic effect between diversified metal active sites in promoting their catalytic activity. In this review, the recent progress and development on the syntheses, characterizations, theoretical uniqueness, and applications for various catalytic reactions and devices (oxygen reduction reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, CO2 reduction reaction, N2 reduction reaction, proton exchange membrane fuel cells) are summarized and reviewed. Specifically, the synergistic effect between the two metal centers and electronic structures of catalysts is systematically discussed. Moreover, the future challenges and prospects in developing practical DACs are proposed as a possible direction for further investigation.
Enhanced efficiency and stability of triple‐cation perovskite solar cells with CsPbIxBr3 − x QDs “surface patches”
Authors: Yang Guang , Zhang Hengkai , Li Siqi , Ren Zhiwei , Fang Guojia , Lei Dangyuan , Li Gang
Published: February 2022

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with a light‐harvesting three‐dimensional perovskite bulk layer as backbone component have achieved great progress in performance. Nonradiative recombination is one major place to improve efficiency and stability as they cause significant energy loss in PSCs. Additionally, an imperfection in grain boundaries will initiate device degradation. One of the most successful strategies to decrease nonradiative recombination in PSCs is the introduction of reduced dimensional perovskite (e.g., perovskite quantum wells), benefiting the device's efficiency and stability tremendously. Here, instead of quantum wells, mixed‐cation perovskites with ligand‐contained CsPbBrxI3 − x quantum dots (QDs) are prepared, which is shown to function as perovskite healing “surface patches.” Benefiting from the “surface patches” effect, the QDs‐film shows reduced defects and enhancing film quality which lead to the excellent performance of solar cells (enhancing the power conversion efficiency from 19.21% of the control device to 21.71% [22.1% in reverse scan]).
Vanadium‐based metal‐organic frameworks and their derivatives for electrochemical energy conversion and storage
Authors: Zhu Jing , Chen Xiaoyu , Thang Ai Qin , Li Fei‐Long , Chen Dong , Geng Hongbo , Rui Xianhong , Yan Qingyu
Published: February 2022

With the excessive consumption of nonrenewable resources, the exploration of effective and durable materials is highly sought after in the field of sustainable energy conversion and storage system. In this aspect, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are a new class of crystalline porous organic‐inorganic hybrid materials. MOFs have recently been gaining traction in energy‐related fields. Owing to the coordination flexibility and multiple accessible oxidation states of vanadium ions or clusters, vanadium‐MOFs (V‐MOFs) possess unique structural characteristics and satisfactory electrochemical properties. Furthermore, V‐MOFs‐derived materials also exhibit superior electrical conductivity and stability when used as electrocatalysts and electrode materials. This review summarizes the research progress of V‐MOFs (inclusive of pristine V‐MOFs, V/M‐MOFs, and POV‐based MOFs) and their derivatives (vanadium oxides, carbon‐coated vanadium oxide, vanadium phosphate, vanadate, and other vanadium doped nanomaterials) in electrochemical energy conversion (water splitting, oxygen reduction reaction) and energy storage (supercapacitor, rechargeable battery). Future possibilities and challenges for V‐MOFs and their derivatives in terms of design and synthesis are discussed. Lastly, their applications in energy‐related fields are also highlighted.
Cell‐Selective Encapsulation within Metal–Organic Framework Shells via Precursor‐Functionalized Aptamer Identification for Whole‐Cell Cancer Vaccine
Authors: Yang Huihui , Zhang Yanfei , Zeng Leli , Yin Wen , Xu Yuzhi , Chen Jun , Liu Si‐Yang , Zou Xiaoyong , He Zhiyu , Dai Zong
Published: February 2022

Single‐cell encapsulation is an emerging technology to endow cells with various functions, of which developing new applications in vivo is in high demand. Currently, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that are used as nanometric shells to coat living cells, however, have not realized cell‐selective encapsulation. Here, a biocompatible and selective cell encapsulation strategy based on precursor‐functionalized nucleolin aptamer and in situ MOF mineralization on the aptamer‐identified cancer cell surface are developed. After MOF coating, the encapsulated cancer cells undergo immunogenic cell death, which is found associated with the changed cell stiffness (indicated by Young's modulus). The immunogenic dead cancer cells are used as whole‐cell cancer vaccines (WCCVs), forming the integral WCCV‐in‐shell structure with enhanced immunogenicity ascribing from the surface‐exposed calreticulin to promote dendritic cell recruitment, antigen presentation, and T‐cell activation. The major activation pathways in the immune response are identified including tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, and Toll‐like receptor signaling pathway, suggesting the potential adjuvant effect of the MOF shells. After vaccination, WCCV‐in‐shell shows much better tumor immunoprophylaxis than either the imperfectly coated cancer cells or the traditional WCCV. This strategy is promising for the universal and facile development of novel whole‐cell vaccines.
Mechanical and permeability properties on self‐healing of cementitious composites effect of nano silica cure
Authors: Akın Arife
Published: February 2022

The self‐healing behavior of concrete elements with high risk of crack formation under various conditions from the moment of production has become a very important issue. In this study, the effectiveness of nano silica (NS) curing solutions in terms of self‐healing behavior in engineered cementitious composites (ECC) was investigated. For this purpose, precuring was applied to the cementitious composite mixture prepared with four different contents for 7, 28, and 90 days and then half of the specimens were exposed to damage to certain extents of the mechanical strength loads. Half of the specimens were left in a 2% solution of NS for a further period of 7, 30, 60, and 90 days, and another portion was left in curing only in water (W). The mechanical properties of the sound and preloaded specimens were investigated with compressive and flexural tests, and the improvements in permeability were investigated with the help of water absorption and sorptivity tests. As a result of the experimental studies, it was observed that the nano silica solution applied to the specimens during the curing phase caused a more effective and rapid healing in the mechanical and permeability properties of the composites when compared with the water curing.
Does chorionic villus sampling protect against fetal loss in twin pregnancy at high background risk of spontaneous miscarriage?
Authors: Li Y.‐L. , Li D.‐Z.
Published: February 2022

Linked article: This Correspondence comments on Gil et al. Click here to view the article.
Effect of drop‐size parameterization and rain amount on blade‐lifetime calculations considering leading‐edge erosion
Authors: Tilg Anna‐Maria , Skrzypiński Witold R. , Hannesdóttir Ásta , Hasager Charlotte Bay
Published: February 2022

Leading‐edge erosion (LEE) of wind turbine blades is caused by the impact of particles, for example, raindrops, and leads to a loss in the power production and high maintenance cost. Investigations have shown that a reduction in tip speed, so‐called erosion‐safe mode, increases the blade lifetime but the influence of different drop‐size parameterizations and rain amounts on the blade lifetime is unclear. This study compares blade lifetime calculations using two different drop‐size parameterizations, which both describe a characteristic drop size of a rain measurement. Furthermore, changes in blade lifetime in case rain amount is increased or decreased are investigated as well as the effect of different wind shear exponents. The blade‐lifetime calculations are based on a kinetic‐energy model and an accumulated rain model. The results show that a drop‐size parameterization based on rain rate leads to 44 times longer blade lifetime compared with a parameterization using in situ drop‐size measurements. This large difference is probably due to the underestimation of large drops of the first mentioned parameterization. A change in rain amount of about ±17 % results only in a marginal change in blade lifetime. For both cases and models, an extension of blade lifetime was calculated when reducing the tip speed during specific rain events. The change of wind shear exponents caused as well a considerable effect on the lifetime prediction. Overall, blade lifetime is primary depending on the chosen model, where the kinetic‐energy model is highly sensitive to the drop‐size parameterization.
Knowledge, attitude and practice of the local people towards human–carnivore coexistence in Faragosa–Fura Landscape, Gamo Zone, southern Ethiopia
Authors: Gebo Berhanu , Takele Serekebirhan , Shibru Simon
Published: February 2022

Local people knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) have played an important role in human‐wildlife coexistence and have received increased attention in biodiversity conservation. However, studies on the KAP of local people towards human‐carnivore coexistence (HCC) are scarce, species‐specific or limited to the protected areas. Therefore, we investigated the local people KAP towards carnivore coexistence with humans, the problem of livestock and mitigation practices in a human‐dominated landscape of southern Ethiopia. We collected the data from 352 households interviews using a semi‐structured questionnaire and photographic sampling. The respondents mentioned 13 carnivores coexisting with local people belonging to six families. Eighty‐five percent of the respondents perceived carnivores as problematic species and expressed a negative attitude towards them, primarily due to the damage they caused to their livestock. Respondents who had better knowledge of carnivores also showed a positive attitude towards carnivores. The cluster analysis showed that the spotted hyena, serval, leopard, common genet and black‐backed jackal were grouped under a high‐threat cluster. Chickens and goats were the most threatened livestock reported by respondents. The main predation control methods reported were guarding and fencing for larger livestock and keeping chickens indoors during the night. The regression models predicted that males and literate respondents had better knowledge of carnivores than females and illiterates. The respondents who owned more livestock experienced more damage to livestock, and females showed a negative attitude towards carnivores. Although the study area is the critical conservation value of the 13 carnivore species, livestock predation by carnivores, the local people's negative attitude towards carnivores and lethal predation control methods practiced by local people were affecting HCC in the area. The findings call for conservation actions such as conservation education to raise awareness and develop a positive attitude and non‐lethal predation mitigation measures to promote HCC in consultation with the local community.
Exponential Stability of Evolutionary Equations
Authors: Seifert Christian , Trostorff Sascha , Waurick Marcus
Published: February 2022

In this chapter we study the exponential stability of evolutionary equations. Roughly speaking, exponential stability of a well-posed evolutionary equation
$$\displaystyle \left (\partial _{t,\nu }M(\partial _{t,\nu })+A\right )U=F $$

∂

t
,
ν

M
(

∂

t
,
ν

)
+
A

U
=
F
means that exponentially decaying right-hand sides F lead to exponentially decaying solutions U. The main problem in defining the notion of exponential decay for a solution of an evolutionary equation is the lack of continuity with respect to time, so a pointwise definition would not make sense in this framework. Instead, we will use our exponentially weighted spaces
$$L_{2,\nu }(\mathbb {R};H)$$

L

2
,
ν

(
ℝ
;
H
)
, but this time for negative ν, and define the exponential stability by the invariance of these spaces under the solution operator associated with the evolutionary equation under consideration.
Continuous Dependence on the Coefficients II
Authors: Seifert Christian , Trostorff Sascha , Waurick Marcus
Published: February 2022

This chapter is concerned with the study of problems of the form
$$\displaystyle \left (\partial _{t,\nu }M_{n}(\partial _{t,\nu })+A\right )U_{n}=F $$

∂

t
,
ν

M

n

(

∂

t
,
ν

)
+
A

U

n

=
F
for a suitable sequence of material laws
$$\left (M_{n}\right )_{n}$$

M

n

n

when A ≠ 0. The aim of this chapter will be to provide the conditions required for convergence of the material law sequence to imply the existence of a limit material law M such that the limit U =limn→∞Un exists and satisfies
$$\displaystyle \left (\partial _{t,\nu }M(\partial _{t,\nu })+A\right )U=F. $$

∂

t
,
ν

M
(

∂

t
,
ν

)
+
A

U
=
F
.
ABJM at strong coupling from M-theory, localization, and Lorentzian inversion
Authors: Alday Luis F. , Chester Shai M. , Raj Himanshu
Published: February 2022

Abstract

We study the stress tensor multiplet four-point function in the 3d maximally supersymmetric ABJ(M) theory with Chern-Simons level k = 2, which in the large N limit is holographically dual to weakly coupled M-theory on AdS4 × S7/ℤ2. We use the Lorentzian inversion to compute the 1-loop correction to this holographic correlator coming from Witten diagrams with supergravity R and the first higher derivative correction R4 vertices, up to a finite number of contact terms that contribute to low spins where the inversion formula does not converge. We find a precise match with the corresponding terms in the 11d M-theory S-matrix by taking the flat space limit, which is not sensitive to these contact terms. We then conjecturally fix these contact terms by analytically continuing the inversion formula below its expected range of convergence, and verify this conjecture using supersymmetric localization. Finally, we compare some of the 1-loop CFT data to non-perturbative in N bounds from the numerical conformal bootstrap, which we compute at unprecedently high accuracy, and find that the 1-loop corrections saturate the bounds in the large N regime, which extends the previously observed match at tree level.
On the Shroer–Sauer–Ott–Yorke Predictability Conjecture for Time-Delay Embeddings
Authors: Barański Krzysztof , Gutman Yonatan , Śpiewak Adam
Published: February 2022

Shroer, Sauer, Ott and Yorke conjectured in 1998 that the Takens delay embedding theorem can be improved in a probabilistic context. More precisely, their conjecture states that if $$\mu $$
μ
is a natural measure for a smooth diffeomorphism of a Riemannian manifold and k is greater than the information dimension of $$\mu $$
μ
, then k time-delayed measurements of a one-dimensional observable h are generically sufficient for a predictable reconstruction of $$\mu $$
μ
-almost every initial point of the original system. This reduces by half the number of required measurements, compared to the standard (deterministic) setup. We prove the conjecture for ergodic measures and show that it holds for a generic smooth diffeomorphism, if the information dimension is replaced by the Hausdorff one. To this aim, we prove a general version of predictable embedding theorem for injective Lipschitz maps on compact sets and arbitrary Borel probability measures. We also construct an example of a $$C^\infty $$

C
∞

-smooth diffeomorphism with a natural measure, for which the conjecture does not hold in its original formulation.
An Ecological Accounting System for Integrated Aquatic Planning and Habitat Banking with Case Study on the Toronto Waterfront, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Doka Susan E. , Minns Charles K. , Valere Brent G. , Cooke Steven J. , Portiss Rick J. , Sciscione Thomas F. , Rose Alwyn
Published: February 2022

A key aspect of contemporary fish habitat management is the need to account for losses and gains associated with development and offsetting measures while protecting high quality features. We propose an ecological accounting framework for aquatic ecosystems using habitat equivalents scaled to aquatic productivity, and using fish-to-habitat associations by life stage, based on local fish community needs. The framework uses both landscape-scale and site-level evaluations of pre- and post-project habitat changes to assign and track habitat parcels, using ecological baselines and fish-habitat target setting. Concepts of natural capital reserves and productivity-based ecotypes are used for trading losses and gains between impacts from development projects and offsets, including restoration actions, while maintaining ecologically important areas intact. Traditional accounting terms such as deposits, withdrawals, and transfers are defined using scaled habitat-equivalents as the currency. Other key features of the framework include setting a service area that is ecologically meaningful, and conducting habitat transactions guided by habitat conservation, protection, and restoration (habitat CPR) principles. The nearshore area of the Toronto and Region is used as a case study to illustrate the eco-accounting framework and how habitat banking could be incorporated along with planned restoration to remediate this degraded but continually developed area. The framework represents significant advances in managing cumulative habitat effects in an integrated way, moving away from a focus on only project- or site-level assessments. We feel this approach could be adapted to other ecosystem types in addition to the lake, nearshore area example provided here.
Thylakoid fatty acid composition and response to short-term cold and heat stress in high-latitude Symbiodiniaceae
Authors: Oakley Clinton A. , Pontasch Stefanie , Fisher Paul L. , Wilkinson Shaun P. , Keyzers Robert A. , Krueger Thomas , Dove Sophie , Hoegh-Guldberg Ove , Leggat William , Davy Simon K.
Published: February 2022

Coral reefs are restricted to warm waters, but are increasingly threatened by coral bleaching induced by sustained high sea surface temperatures. Coral endosymbiont thermal resilience has been proposed to depend, at least in part, on the lipid composition of their thylakoid membranes, which influences photosynthetic performance under sub- and super-optimal thermal conditions in photosynthetic organisms. Dinoflagellate symbionts of high-latitude coral reefs experience large seasonal changes in temperature, requiring a wide range of thermal tolerance, and so the thermal responses of their membrane lipids are of particular interest. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, we investigated the composition and response to high- and low-temperature stress of thylakoid fatty acids of dinoflagellate symbionts isolated from corals of Lord Howe Island, the world’s southernmost coral reef. We detected genotype-specific differences in the quality of thylakoid fatty acids of two Cladocopium ITS2 consortia/genotypes, C100/118 and C111*, common local symbionts of the corals Pocillopora damicornis and Porites heronensis. The capability to adjust thylakoid fatty acid composition in response to temperature differed between distinct Cladocopium genotypes, and between the same Cladocopium consortium (C100/118) in the same coral species from different locations. Fatty acid adjustments were highly similar in response to short-term cold and heat stresses, with substantial increases in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and a corresponding increase in the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids, but these changes did not correlate with the quantum yield of photosystem II. The response of thylakoid fatty acid composition to changes in temperature was a function of symbiont genotype, coral host species and, potentially, environmental history. Our data suggest the existence of common responses to high- and low-temperature stresses and that thylakoid fatty acid saturation is an unreliable predictor of photosystem efficiency under thermal stress in dinoflagellate symbionts.
Experimental investigation of the pre–Darcy regime
Authors: Boettcher Konrad E. R. , Fischer Michael-David , Neumann Tim , Ehrhard Peter
Published: February 2022

The validity of Darcy’s law at very low Reynolds numbers is discussed controversially in literature, as some authors propose a pre–Darcy flow regime below some critical Reynolds number. The scope of this work is to investigate this problem experimentally. Therefore, a packing of glass spheres is perfused by different glycerin–water solutions. A linear behaviour between the flow velocity and the pressure drop through the packed spheres is found in the complete investigated range of Reynolds number $${Re}_{d'}$$

Re

d
′

, based on the mean-pore diameter $$d'$$

d
′

and mean-pore velocity $$v'$$

v
′

with $$10^{-9} \le {Re}_{d'} \le 10^{-1}$$

10

-
9

≤

Re

d
′

≤

10

-
1

. This contradicts the results of different authors like Fand et al. (1987) or Kececioglu and Jiang (1994), postulating a pre–Darcy regime for $${Re}_{d'} \le 2.8 \cdot 10^{-6}$$

Re

d
′

≤
2.8
·

10

-
6

or $${Re}_{d'} \le 0.13$$

Re

d
′

≤
0.13

, respectively.

Graphical abstract
Needs and preferences of patients regarding atopic dermatitis care in the era of new therapeutic options: a qualitative study
Authors: de Wijs Linde E. M. , van Egmond Sven , Devillers Arjan C. A. , Nijsten Tamar , Hijnen DirkJan , Lugtenberg Marjolein
Published: February 2022

To optimally tailor atopic dermatitis (AD) care to patients’ needs, especially considering the many emerging therapeutic options, insight into patients’ needs and preferences regarding AD care is needed. To explore patients’ needs and preferences regarding AD care, a qualitative study consisting of three focus groups with a total of 20 adult AD patients was conducted. All sessions were transcribed verbatim and inductively analyzed using several phases of coding to create an overview of patients’ needs and preferences. AD patients emphasized the need for a patient-tailored approach in all identified aspects of AD care. With regard to consultations, patients stressed the need for a personal approach and increased recognition of the disease impact, which should mainly be determined by patients. With regard to the organization of AD care, the need for psychosocial and medical supportive care as well as quick access to health-care providers during disease flares was emphasized. Within the decision-making process, patients indicated that the provided information, the role of the patient and physician, whether or not treatment goals should be set, and decisive factors for indication and feasibility of novel therapies should be patient dependent. AD care should be patient tailored with increased attention for the psychosocial burden, as well as better access to health care during disease flares. To provide patient-tailored care, the personal situation, needs, and preferences of the patient should be taken into account in the therapeutic decision-making process, with respect for the autonomy of the patient.
A critical appraisal of MAO-B inhibitors in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Jost Wolfgang H.
Published: February 2022

Since the 1980s, the MAO-B inhibitors have gained considerable status in the therapy of the Parkinson’s disease. In addition to the symptomatic effect in mono- and combination therapies, a neuroprotective effect has repeatedly been a matter of some discussion, which has unfortunately led to a good many misunderstandings. Due to potential interactions, selegiline has declined in significance in the field. For the MAO-B inhibitor safinamide, recently introduced to the market, an additional inhibition of pathological release of glutamate has been postulated. At present, rasagiline and selegiline are being administered in early therapy as well as in combination with levodopa. Safinamide has been approved only for combination therapy with levodopa when motor fluctuations have occurred. MAO-B inhibitors are a significant therapeutic option for Parkinson’s disease, an option which is too often not appreciated properly.
Affektregulation und soziale Kognition bei Psychose
Authors: Steinmair D. , Masic N. , Schwigon D. , Löffler-Stastka H.
Published: February 2022

Gelingende soziale Interaktionen sind für das Wohlbefinden eine entscheidende Komponente; Sozialität ist ein Merkmal menschlicher Gruppen. Psychose und Begegnung im sozialen Umfeld stellen eine Herausforderung an die Beziehungsgestaltung dar. Subtile Interventionen von TherapeutInnenseite können eine erfolgreiche Interaktion bewirken. Entscheidend ist die Berücksichtigung der Affektregulation.
Hair androgen concentrations and depressive disorders in adolescents from the general population
Authors: Kische Hanna , Voss Catharina , Haring Robin , Ollmann Theresa Magdalena , Pieper Lars , Kirschbaum Clemens , Beesdo-Baum Katja
Published: February 2022

Although the link between androgens and depression is well established in adults, the effects of cofactors on this association are less clearly understood, particularly in youth. Epidemiological cohort study of adolescents in Dresden, Germany. Analyses comprised data of 985 individuals assessed at baseline and of 512 individuals at 1-year follow-up. We investigated multivariable regression models for cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of hair testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and their cortisol ratios with 12-month diagnoses of major depressive disorder (MDD) and MDD without any anxiety disorder assessed with standardized diagnostic interview (DIA-X-5), and with dimensional depression scores (PHQ-9, PROMIS), separately for males and females. The potential moderating effect of social support was determined. Cross-sectional analyses yielded inverse associations of testosterone and DHEA with MDD and MDD without any anxiety disorders in males. In cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, baseline ratio cortisol/DHEA was significantly, inversely associated to PROMIS-depression in males. Only cross-sectional associations for ratio cortisol/DHEA and PROMIS-depression remained significant after Bonferroni-Holm correction. No robust associations were observed in female participants. Social support exerted no consistent moderating effect on the investigated association. The present observational cohort study showed no consistent association of hair androgen concentrations with depressive disorders in adolescents. However, findings provide some support for the association between the cortisol/DHEA ratio and depression in males. Longitudinal research designs in large samples are needed to understand the interplay between androgens, depression, and developmental and social factors in youth.
K-adaptability in stochastic optimization
Authors: Malaguti Enrico , Monaci Michele , Pruente Jonas
Published: February 2022

We consider stochastic problems in which both the objective function and the feasible set are affected by uncertainty. We address these problems using a K-adaptability approach, in which K solutions for a given problem are computed before the uncertainty dissolves and afterwards the best of them can be chosen for the realized scenario. We analyze the complexity of the resulting problem from a theoretical viewpoint, showing that, even in case the deterministic problem can be solved in polynomial time, deciding if a feasible solution exists is $$\mathcal {NP}$$
NP
-hard for discrete probability distributions. Besides that, we prove that an approximation factor for the underlying problem can be carried over to our problem. Finally, we present exact approaches including a branch-and-price algorithm. An extensive computational analysis compares the performances of the proposed algorithms on a large set of randomly generated instances.
Positivity for the clamped plate equation under high tension
Authors: Eichmann Sascha , Schätzle Reiner M.
Published: February 2022

In this article, we consider positivity issues for the clamped plate equation with high tension $$\gamma >0$$

γ
>
0

. This equation is given by $$\Delta ^2u - \gamma \Delta u=f$$

Δ
2

u
-
γ
Δ
u
=
f

under clamped boundary conditions. Here, we show that given a positive f, i.e. upwards pushing, we find a $$\gamma _0>0$$

γ
0

>
0

such that for all $$\gamma \ge \gamma _0$$

γ
≥

γ
0

the bending u is indeed positive. This $$\gamma _0$$

γ
0

only depends on the domain and the ratio of the $$L^1$$

L
1

and $$L^\infty $$

L
∞

norm of f. In contrast to a recent result by Cassani and Tarsia, our approach is valid in all dimensions.
Invasive Ableitung der Insel
Authors: Dorfer Christian , Herta Johannes , Roessler Karl
Published: February 2022

Für die Implantation von Elektroden bei Verdacht auf insuläre Epilepsie stehen verschiedene Zugänge zur Verfügung: 1) offen über eine Kraniotomie, 2) stereotaktisch, wobei die Elektroden orthogonal oder schräg über den Frontallappen und Parietallappen implantiert werden. Die stereotaktische Implantation wird rahmenbasiert, navigationsbasiert oder roboterunterstützt durchgeführt. Die unterschiedlichen Zugänge haben jeweils Vor- und Nachteile in Bezug auf die Anatomie, Funktion und Abdeckung des Inselkortex. Diese Aspekte werden in dieser Übersichtsarbeit ausgeführt.
Essentials of numerical nonsmooth optimization
Authors: Gaudioso Manlio , Giallombardo Giovanni , Miglionico Giovanna
Published: February 2022

Approximately sixty years ago two seminal findings, the cutting plane and the subgradient methods, radically changed the landscape of mathematical programming. They provided, for the first time, the practical chance to optimize real functions of several variables characterized by kinks, namely by discontinuities in their derivatives. Convex functions, for which a superb body of theoretical research was growing in parallel, naturally became the main application field of choice. The aim of the paper is to give a concise survey of the key ideas underlying successive development of the area, which took the name of numerical nonsmooth optimization. The focus will be, in particular, on the research mainstreams generated under the impulse of the two initial discoveries.
Naked mole-rats maintain cardiac function and body composition well into their fourth decade of life
Authors: Can Emine , Smith Megan , Boukens Bastiaan J. , Coronel Ruben , Buffenstein Rochelle , Riegler Johannes
Published: February 2022

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease increases exponentially with age, highlighting the contribution of aging mechanisms to cardiac diseases. Although model organisms which share human disease pathologies can elucidate mechanisms driving disease, they do not provide us with innate examples how cardiac aging might be slowed or attenuated. The identification of animal models that preserve cardiac function throughout most of life offers an alternative approach to study mechanisms which might slow cardiac aging. One such species may be the naked mole-rat (NMR), a mouse-sized (40 g) rodent with extraordinary longevity (> 37 years), and constant mortality hazard over its four decades of life. We used a cross-sectional study design to measure a range of physiological parameters in NMRs between 2 and 34 years of age and compared these findings with those of mice aged between 3 months and 2.5 years. We observed a rapid decline in body fat content and bone mineral density in old mice, but no changes in NMRs. Similarly, rhythm disorders (premature atrial and ventricular complexes) occurred in aged mice but not in NMRs. Magnetic resonance and ultrasound imaging showed age-dependent increases in cardiac hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in mice which were absent in NMRs. Finally, cardiac stress tests showed an age-dependent decline in normalized cardiac output in mice, which was absent in NMRs. Unlike mice, that manifest several aspects of human cardiac aging, NMRs maintain cardiac function and reserve capacity throughout their long lives and may offer insights on how to delay or prevent cardiac aging.
The Effects of Temperature and Solute Diffusion on Volume Change in Sn-Bi Solder Alloys
Authors: Hao Qichao , Tan Xin F. , Gu Qinfen , Sweatman Keith , McDonald Stuart D. , Nogita Kazuhiro
Published: February 2022

The different rates of thermal expansion of the many materials that make up an electronic assembly combined with temperature fluctuations are the driver of the thermal fatigue failure of solder joints. A characteristic of the Sn-Bi system, which provided the basis for many of the low process temperature solder alloys that the electronics industry is now adopting, is the very temperature-sensitive solubility of Bi and Sn in the other phase. In this study, in situ synchrotron powder x-ray diffraction was used to characterize the temperature dependence of the lattice parameters of the βSn and Bi phases in Sn-57wt%Bi and Sn-37wt%Bi. The effects of temperature and solute were separated by comparing with the data from pure βSn and pure Bi and verified using density functional theory calculations. Furthermore, the coefficients of thermal expansion of βSn and Bi during heating were also derived to reveal the thermal expansion behavior.