bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of Robust, Lithiophilic, and Flexible Inorganic‐Polymer Protective Layer by Separator Engineering Enables Dendrite‐Free Lithium Metal Batteries with LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 Cathode
Authors: Tan Liwen , Sun Yue , Wei Chuanliang , Tao Yuan , Tian Yuan , An Yongling , Zhang Yuchan , Xiong Shenglin , Feng Jinkui
Published: March 2021

As a promising candidate for the high energy density cells, the practical application of lithium‐metal batteries (LMBs) is still extremely hindered by the uncontrolled growth of lithium (Li) dendrites. Herein, a facile strategy is developed that enables dendrite‐free Li deposition by coating highly‐lithiophilic amorphous SiO microparticles combined with high‐binding polyacrylate acid (SiO@PAA) on polyethylene separators. A lithiated SiO and PAA (lithiated‐SiO/PAA) protective layer with synergistic flexible and robust features is formed on the Li metal anode via the in situ reaction to offer outstanding interfacial stability during long‐term cycles. By suppressing the formation of dead Li and random Li deposition, reducing the side reaction, and buffering the volume changes during the lithium deposition and dissolution, such a protective layer realizes a dendrite‐free morphology of Li metal anode. Furthermore, sufficient ionic conductivity, uniform lithium‐ion flux, and interface adaptability is guaranteed by the lithiated‐SiO and Li polyacrylate acid. As a result, Li metal anodes display significantly enhanced cycling stability and coulombic efficiency in Li||Li and Cu||Li cells. When the composite separator is applied in a full cell with a carbonate‐based electrolyte and LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 cathode, it exhibits three times longer lifespan than control cell at current density of 5 C.
Engineering Oxaliplatin Prodrug Nanoparticles for Second Near‐Infrared Fluorescence Imaging‐Guided Immunotherapy of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Zhu Qiurong , Sun Fang , Li Tianliang , Zhou Mengxue , Ye Jiayi , Ji Aiyan , Wang Hui , Ding Chunyong , Chen Hao , Xu Zhiai , Yu Haijun
Published: March 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third common and the fourth lethal cancer type worldwide. Immune checkpoint blockade therapy demonstrates great efficacy in a subset of metastatic CRC patients, but precise activation of the antitumor immune response at the tumor site is still challenging. Here a versatile prodrug nanoparticle for second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) fluorescence imaging‐guided combinatory immunotherapy of CRC is reported. The prodrug nanoparticles are constructed with a polymeric oxaliplatin prodrug (PBOXA) and a donor–spacer–acceptor–spacer–donor type small molecular fluorophore TQTCD. The later displays large Stokes shift (>300 nm), fluorescence emission over 1000 nm, and excellent photothermal conversion performance for NIR‐II fluorescence imaging‐guided photothermal therapy (PTT). The prodrug nanoparticles show seven times higher intratumoral OXA accumulation than free oxaliplatin. TQTCD‐based PTT and PBOXA‐induced chemotherapy trigger immunogenic cell death of the tumor cells and elicit antitumor immune response in a spatiotemporally controllable manner. Further combination of the prodrug nanoparticle‐based PTT/chemotherapy with programmed death ligand 1 blockade significantly promotes intratumoral infiltration of the cytotoxic T lymphocytes and eradicates the CRC tumors. The NIR‐II fluorescence imaging‐guided immunotherapy may provide a promising approach for CRC treatment.
High‐Performance Piezo‐Phototronic Devices Based on Intersubband Transition of Wurtzite Quantum Well
Authors: Dan Minjiang , Hu Gongwei , Nie Jiaheng , Li Lijie , Zhang Yan
Published: March 2021

III‐nitride semiconductors play much more important roles in the areas of modern photoelectric applications, whereas strong polarization in their heterostructures is always a challenge to restrict the efficiency and performance of photoelectric devices. In this study, piezo‐phototronic effect on near‐infrared intersubband absorption is explored based on polar GaN/AlN quantum wells. The results show that externally applied pressure leads to the redshift of absorption wavelength by reducing polarization field of the quantum well. The sensitivity to estimate pressure‐dependent intersubband absorption wavelength is almost two orders of magnitude higher than interband photoelectric devices. Additionally, such sensitivity is further enhanced by 2.6 times at 20 GPa as a result of piezo‐phototronic effect. This study paves avenue for designing high‐performance near‐infrared piezo‐phototronic devices based on intersubband transition.
Conjugated π Electrons of MOFs Drive Charge Separation at Heterostructures Interface for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation
Authors: Wang Xuewei , Sun Wenming , Tian Yang , Dang Kun , Zhang Qimeng , Shen Zhurui , Zhan Sihui
Published: March 2021

Photoanode material with high efficiency and stability is extensively desirable in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting for green/renewable energy source. Herein, novel heterostructures is constructed via coating rutile TiO2 nanorods with metal organic framework (MOF) materials UiO‐66 or UiO‐67 (UiO‐66@TiO2 and UiO‐67@TiO2), respectively. The π electrons in the MOF linkers could increase the local electronegativity near the heterojunction interface due to the conjugation effect, thereby enhancing the internal electric field (IEF) at the heterojunction interface. The IEF could drive charge transfer following Z‐scheme mechanism in the prepared heterostructures, inducing photogenerated charge separation efficiency increasing as 156% and 253% for the UiO‐66@TiO2 and UiO‐67@TiO2, respectively. Correspondingly, the UiO‐66@TiO2 and UiO‐67@TiO2 enhanced the photocurrent density as approximate two‐ and threefolds compared with that of pristine TiO2 for PEC water oxidation in universal pH electrolytes. This work demonstrates an effective method of regulating the IEF of heterojunction toward further improved charge separation.
Recent advances in functional fiber electronics
Authors: Zhang Xiaopei , Lin Huijuan , Shang Huan , Xu Jingsan , Zhu Jixin , Huang Wei
Published: March 2021

Rapid development of wearable electronics with various functionalities has stimulated the demand to construct functional fiber devices due to their merits of mechanical flexibility, weavability, miniaturization, and integrability. To this end, fiber components which can realize the functions of energy storage and conversion, actuating plus sensing have gained increasing concerns. Herein, we summarize the recent progress with respect to fiber material preparation, innovative structure design, and device performance in this review, also highlighting the possibility of integrated fiber electronics as an extension of application, the remaining challenges and future perspectives toward next‐generation smart systems and to facilitate their commercialization.
Carbon dioxide copolymers: Emerging sustainable materials for versatile applications
Authors: Cao Han , Wang Xianhong
Published: March 2021

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is cheap, renewable, abundant, and nontoxic carbon feedstocks in chemical reactions. In the past two decades, utilization of CO2 in polymer science has become a meaningful topic bridging two separate subjects, namely CO2 valorization and sustainable polymer synthesis. This review summarizes the recent progress in CO2 copolymer materials from synthesis to material performance adjustment, focusing on commercialized or potential commodity sustainable materials such as biodegradable polycarbonates and new structure polyurethanes from CO2‐polyol building blocks.
Electrolyte and anode‐electrolyte interphase in solid‐state lithium metal polymer batteries: A perspective
Authors: Zhang Heng , Chen Yuhui , Li Chunmei , Armand Michel
Published: March 2021

The interest for solid‐state lithium metal (Li°) batteries (SSLMBs) has been growing exponentially in recent years in view of their higher energy density and eliminated safety concerns. Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are soft ionic conductors which can be easily processed into thin films at industrial level; these unique features confer solid‐state Li° polymer batteries (SSLMPBs, i.e., SSLMBs utilizing SPEs as electrolytes) distinct advantages compared to SSLMBs containing other electrolytes. In this article, we briefly review recent progresses and achievements in SSLMPBs including the improvement of ionic conductivity of SPEs and their interfacial stability with Li° anode. Moreover, we outline several advanced in‐situ and ex‐situ characterizing techniques which could assist in‐depth understanding of the anode‐electrolyte interphases in SSLMPBs. This article is hoped not only to update the state‐of‐the‐art in the research on SSLMPBs but also to bring intriguing insights that could improve the fundamental properties (e.g., transport, dendrite formation, and growth, etc.) and electrochemical performance of SSLMPBs.
Phylogeny, biogeography and systematics of Dysphanieae (Amaranthaceae)
Authors: Uotila Pertti , Sukhorukov Alexander P. , Bobon Nadine , McDonald John , Krinitsina Anastasiya A. , Kadereit Gudrun
Published: March 2021

After a rather turbulent taxonomic history, Dysphanieae (Chenopodioideae, Amaranthaceae) were established to contain five genera, four of which are monospecific (Cycloloma, Neomonolepis, Suckleya, Teloxys) and geographically restricted, and the fifth genus, Dysphania, having a nearly worldwide distribution and comprising ca. 50 species. This study investigates the phylogeny, biogeography and taxonomy of Dysphanieae. We studied specimens from 32 herbaria to infer morphological differences and distribution areas of the species and sampled 121 accessions representing 39 accepted species of the tribe for molecular phylogenetic analyses. The molecular phylogeny tested generic relationships of the tribe and infrageneric relationships of Dysphania on the basis of two plastid DNA markers (atpB‐rbcL spacer, rpl16 intron) and two nuclear ribosomal markers (ETS, ITS) and was also used for an ancestral area reconstruction with BioGeoBEARS. Three of the monospecific genera (Neomonolepis, Suckleya, Teloxys) form a basal grade and appear to be relictual lineages of the tribe, while Cycloloma is nested within Dysphania. The ancestral area reconstruction favors a widespread ancestry for Dysphanieae, and the relictual lineages in Asia (Teloxys) and North America (Neomonolepis, Suckleya) might be explained by a wide distribution across Beringia during the Late Oligocene/Early Miocene. Dysphania likely originated in North America; however, the simultaneous diversification into three major clades, an Asian/African, an American and an Australian/African clade, indicates a widespread ancestor at the crown node of Dysphania. Our taxonomic revision results in four accepted genera in Dysphanieae, Dysphania, Neomonolepis, Suckleya and Teloxys. The sectional subdivision for Dysphania is revised. We subdivide the genus into five sections, D. sect. Adenois (13 spp.), D. sect. Botryoides (10 spp.), D. sect. Dysphania (17 spp.), D. sect. Incisa (2 spp.) and D. sect. Margaritaria (4 spp.); three strongly deviating species remain unplaced and need further attention.
Looking in the rear‐view mirror—A 35 year retrospective on the Russian automotive industry
Authors: Gurkov Igor , Morley Michael J.
Published: March 2021

Drawing on foundational arguments from the literature on emerging market institutional strategies, and employing a realist historical analysis, we present a retrospective on the Russian automotive industry. We begin by tracing the origins of the sector and synthesizing salient post World War II developments. We then recount the subsequent expansionary decade of the 1960s, followed by the stagnation of the late 1980s, culminating in the eventual collapse of socialism and the breakup of the USSR. Attracted by both the rapid growth in the local market, and the preferential tax rates that accompanied investments, we then document the swift expansion of production facilities in Russia by major global manufacturers in the 2000s. We show how eventually an ensuing sharp halt in local market growth, and an accompanying rise in spare production capacity, saw most manufacturers pursue institutional strategies aimed at obtaining new tax concessions and leveraging intraindustry cooperation, rather than divesting their recently established production facilities. Overall, our retrospective, in particular, calls attention to how global manufacturers were not only to acquire able and rejuvenate existing production facilities or install new greenfield ones, but also to exercise their agency in shaping the broader policy framework and in fashioning new sectoral institutions designed to buttress and sustain the industry.
Try these strategies for a safe, successful in‐person commencement
Authors: Pavlik Amelia
Published: March 2021

No hooding or handshaking. All music was prerecorded. And after students crossed the stage when their names were called, they exited the arena. In November 2020, this is what the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's first in‐person, pandemic‐ friendly commencement looked like.
Keep a journal for reflection and responsibility
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: March 2021

While scrolling through LinkedIn recently, I happened upon an article from Harvard Business Review entitled “The More Senior Your Job Title, the More You Need to Keep a Journal.” Dan Ciampa wrote, “Journal entries should provide not only a record of what happened but how we reacted emotionally; writing it down brings a certain clarity that puts things in perspective.” He added, “A personal journal should be part of any leader's toolkit.”
The role of COX expression in the prognostication of overall survival of canine and feline cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Gregório Hugo , Magalhães Tomás R. , Pires Isabel , Prada Justina , Carvalho Maria I. , Queiroga Felisbina L.
Published: March 2021

Cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms‐1 and ‐2 have been extensively investigated in cancer. Although COX‐2 is the isoform most studied and has been described in several malignancies associated with histologic criteria of malignancy and worse prognosis, COX‐1 has also been linked to some forms of cancer. With the present review our aim was to summarize the current state of knowledge and clarify if and in which type of tumours COX‐1 and/or COX‐2 expression have real prognostic implications. We searched PubMed database for prognostic studies using predefined inclusion criteria in order to ascertain the prognostic value of COX‐1 and COX‐2 in malignant neoplasia in dogs and cats. Eighteen studies were analysed. COX‐2 was shown to be a negative prognostic factor in canine and feline mammary tumours, canine mast cell tumour, canine melanoma, canine osteosarcoma and canine renal cell carcinoma. COX‐1 showed a negative prognostic value in feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We found high heterogeneity among studies regarding COX immunohistochemical evaluation methodology even in the same type of neoplasia pointing out the need for its standardization at least by tumour type. The available data support the use of COX‐2 as a prognostic factor in canine (mammary carcinoma, mast cell tumour, melanoma, osteosarcoma and renal carcinoma) and feline (mammary carcinoma) cancers. For COX‐1, its use is advised in feline oral SCC.
Effects of Medetomidine, Dexmedetomidine and their combination with Acepromazine on the intraocular pressure (IOP), tear secretion and pupil diameter in dogs
Authors: Aghababaei Ali , Ronagh Ali , Mosallanejad Bahman , Baniadam Ali
Published: March 2021

Background

A great number of sedatives and anaesthetics have been used to perform surgeries or routine ophthalmologic examinations in animals and sometimes the combination of these medicines has more suitable effects than each one alone.

Objectives

This paper aims to explore the main effects of Medetomidine + Acepromazine, Dexmedetomidine + Acepromazine on intraocular pressure, tear secretion and pupil diameter.

Methods

To accomplish the aforementioned aim, 32 adult dogs (aged one‐to‐three‐years‐old) were clinically examined. Dogs were divided into four groups consisting of group DA, Dexmedetomidine (5 µg/kg) + Acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg); Group D, Dexmedetomidine (5 µg/kg); Group M, Medetomidine (10 µg/kg); Group MA, Medetomidine (10 µg/kg) + Acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg). The ocular factors including tear production, pupil diameter and intraocular pressure of both right and left eyes were first measured and then recorded in each dog at time T0 (−15 min). Afterwards, the drugs were administered intramuscularly, based on which the ocular factors were re‐measured at T1 (+5 min), T2 (+15 min) and T3 (+20 min). All four groups showed a reduction in intraocular pressure, which was significant in DA, D and M groups.

Results

Furthermore, there was a fluctuation in the amount of tear secretion in DA and D groups (increase and then decrease), as well as a significant reduction in M and MA groups. Decreasing in pupil diameter also occurred in all four groups, but the reduction was significant only in DA and MA groups.

Conclusion

According to the results obtained, as the changes caused by the systemic administration of the above drug compounds did not exceed the physiological range, it can be concluded that these combinations could be utilized as suitable sedatives or pre‐anaesthetic compounds in the eye surgeries.
Modeling of the spectroscopy of core electrons with density functional theory
Authors: Besley Nicholas A.
Published: March 2021

The availability of X‐ray light sources with increased resolution and intensity has provided a foundation for increasingly sophisticated experimental studies exploiting the spectroscopy of core electrons to probe fundamental chemical, physical, and biological processes. Quantum chemical calculations can play a critical role in the analysis of these experimental measurements. The relatively low computational cost of density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) make them attractive choices for simulating the spectroscopy of core electrons. An overview of current developments to apply DFT and TDDFT to study the key techniques of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, X‐ray emission spectroscopy, and resonant inelastic X‐ray scattering is presented. Insight into the accuracy that can be achieved, in conjunction with an examination of the limitations and challenges to modeling the spectroscopy of core electrons with DFT is provided.

This article is categorized under:

Electronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure Methods

Theoretical and Physical Chemistry > Spectroscopy

Electronic Structure Theory > Density Functional Theory
Winter Habitat Selection by a Declining American Black Duck Population
Authors: MONROE KIRA C. , DAVIS J. BRIAN , MONROE ADRIAN P. , KAMINSKI RICHARD M. , GRAY MATTHEW J. , EVANS DAVID L.
Published: March 2021

An understanding of habitat selection and patterns of use by American black ducks (Anas rubripes; hereafter black ducks) during winter is important ecologically and for conservation of this declining species in the mid‐continent population of its North American range. During winters 2010–2011 and 2011–2012, we obtained 3,816 locations of 111 radiomarked female black ducks captured at Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge (TNWR), a waterfowl sanctuary closed to hunting and a wintering area for a significant portion of Mississippi Flyway black ducks. We determined the influence of diel period, hunting season, refuge, and distance to nearest road on habitat selection in both winters by fitting generalized linear mixed effects models and examining probabilities of selection. Top‐ranked models and habitat selection by black ducks differed somewhat each winter; however, through both winters black ducks used a complex of land cover types, including open water, cropland, and forested, emergent herbaceous, and scrub‐shrub wetlands. Black ducks also had greater probability of selecting: 1) emergent or scrub‐shrub wetlands, especially at night, than other land cover types; 2) areas on TNWR than off the refuge; and 3) areas closer to roads and levees. Our results emphasize the importance of a complex of land cover types and sanctuary with minimal human disturbance at TNWR for black ducks wintering in Tennessee, USA. Managed emergent herbaceous wetlands and croplands and also scrub‐shrub wetlands may be particularly important components of complexes because they provide foraging, roosting, and pairing habitats for wintering black ducks. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Exact WKB analysis of the vacuum pair production by time-dependent electric fields
Authors: Taya Hidetoshi , Fujimori Toshiaki , Misumi Tatsuhiro , Nitta Muneto , Sakai Norisuke
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We study the vacuum pair production by a time-dependent strong electric field based on the exact WKB analysis. We identify the generic structure of a Stokes graph for systems with the vacuum pair production and show that the number of produced pairs is given by a product of connection matrices for Stokes segments connecting pairs of turning points. We derive an explicit formula for the number of produced pairs, assuming the semi-classical limit. The obtained formula can be understood as a generalization of the divergent asymptotic series method by Berry, and is consistent with other semi-classical methods such as the worldline instanton method and the steepest descent evaluation of the Bogoliubov coefficients done by Brezin and Izykson. We also use the formula to discuss effects of time-dependence of the applied strong electric field including the interplay between the perturbative multi-photon pair production and non-peturbative Schwinger mechanism, and the dynamically assisted Schwinger mechanism.
Nitrogen removal processes in lakes of different trophic states from on-site measurements and historic data
Authors: Müller Beat , Thoma Raoul , Baumann Kathrin B. L. , Callbeck Cameron M. , Schubert Carsten J.
Published: March 2021

Freshwater lakes are essential hotspots for the removal of excessive anthropogenic nitrogen (N) loads transported from the land to coastal oceans. The biogeochemical processes responsible for N removal, the corresponding transformation rates and overall removal efficiencies differ between lakes, however, it is unclear what the main controlling factors are. Here, we investigated the factors that moderate the rates of N removal under contrasting trophic states in two lakes located in central Switzerland. In the eutrophic Lake Baldegg and the oligotrophic Lake Sarnen, we specifically examined seasonal sediment porewater chemistry, organic matter sedimentation rates, as well as 33-year of historic water column data. We find that the eutrophic Lake Baldegg, which contributed to the removal of 20 ± 6.6 gN m−2 year−1, effectively removed two-thirds of the total areal N load. In stark contrast, the more oligotrophic Lake Sarnen contributed to 3.2 ± 4.2 gN m−2 year−1, and had removed only one-third of the areal N load. The historic dataset of the eutrophic lake revealed a close linkage between annual loads of dissolved N (DN) and removal rates (NRR = 0.63 × DN load) and a significant correlation of the concentration of bottom water nitrate and removal rates. We further show that the seasonal increase in N removal rates of the eutrophic lake correlated significantly with seasonal oxygen fluxes measured across the water–sediment interface (R2 = 0.75). We suggest that increasing oxygen enhances sediment mineralization and stimulates nitrification, indirectly enhancing denitrification activity.
Mapping and validating stem rust resistance genes directly in self-incompatible genetic resources of winter rye
Authors: Gruner Paul , Schmitt Anne-Kristin , Flath Kerstin , Piepho Hans-Peter , Miedaner Thomas
Published: March 2021

Key message

Individual stem rust resistance genes could be directly mapped within self-incompatible rye populations.

Genetic resources of rye (Secale cereale L.) are cross-pollinating populations that can be highly diverse and are naturally segregating. In this study, we show that this segregation could be used for mapping stem rust resistance. Populations of pre-selected donors from the Russian Federation, the USA and Austria were tested on a single-plant basis for stem rust resistance by a leaf-segment test with three rust isolates. Seventy-four plants per population were genotyped with a 10 K-SNP chip. Using cumulative logit models, significant associations between the ordinal infection score and the marker alleles could be found. Three different loci (Pgs1, Pgs2, Pgs3) in three populations were highly significant, and resistance-linked markers could be validated with field experiments of an independent seed sample from the original population and were used to fix two populations for resistance. We showed that it is possible to map monogenically inherited seedling resistance genes directly in genetic resources, thus providing a competitive alternative to linkage mapping approaches that require a tedious and time-consuming inbreeding over several generations.
The impact of tool point angle and interlayer gap width on interface borehole quality in drilling CFRP/titanium stacks
Authors: Pardo Andrea , Le Gall Julie , Heinemann Robert , Bagshaw Luke
Published: March 2021

Although substantial research work has been conducted in order to understand and improve the drilling of multi-material aerospace stacks, some key aspects related to process and tool parameters and their impact on the interface quality still need to be addressed. This paper reports on the research conducted to investigate the impact of tool point angle and interlayer gap width on borehole quality, focussing on the interface region. A number of drilling tests were carried out using tools with different point angles and CFRP/titanium stacks with different interlayer gap widths. The results show that the damage on the CFRP interlayer surface is caused by the drilling of the titanium layer, as some of the upwards-travelling titanium chips penetrate into the stack interface. An increase in tool point angle results in larger entry burrs on the titanium interlayer surface, which is attributed to the correlation between tool point angle and thrust force and the capability of tools with low point angles to remove damage generated by surface skidding. The introduction of an interlayer gap promotes the ingress of titanium chips into the stack interface, thereby leading to more pronounced interface damage.
A placebo-controlled study of the effects of ayahuasca, set and setting on mental health of participants in ayahuasca group retreats
Authors: Uthaug M. V. , Mason N. L. , Toennes S. W. , Reckweg J. T. , de Sousa Fernandes Perna E. B. , Kuypers K. P. C. , van Oorsouw K. , Riba J. , Ramaekers J. G.
Published: March 2021

Ayahuasca is a plant concoction containing N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and certain β-carboline alkaloids from South America. Previous research in naturalistic settings has suggested that ingestion of ayahuasca can improve mental health and well-being; however, these studies were not placebo controlled and did not control for the possibility of expectation bias. This naturalistic observational study was designed to assess whether mental health changes were produced by ayahuasca or by set and setting. Assessments were made pre- and post-ayahuasca sessions in 30 experienced participants of ayahuasca retreats hosted in the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany. Participants consumed ayahuasca (N = 14) or placebo (N = 16). Analysis revealed a main effect of time on symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Compared to baseline, symptoms reduced in both groups after the ceremony, independent of treatment. There was a main treatment × time interaction on implicit emotional empathy, indicating that ayahuasca increased emotional empathy to negative stimuli. The current findings suggest that improvements in mental health of participants of ayahuasca ceremonies can be driven by non-pharmacological factors that constitute a placebo response but also by pharmacological factors that are related to the use of ayahuasca. These findings stress the importance of placebo-controlled designs in psychedelic research and the need to further explore the contribution of non-pharmacological factors to the psychedelic experience.
Study on intracranial meningioma using PET ligand investigation during follow-up over years (SIMPLIFY)
Authors: Jeltema Hanne-Rinck , Jansen Marnix R. , Potgieser Adriaan R. E. , van Asselt Antoinette D. I. , Heesters Mart A. A. M. , van de Hoorn Anouk , Glaudemans Andor W. J. M. , van Dijk J. Marc C.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Radiologic follow-up of patients with a meningioma at the skull base or near the venous sinuses with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and neurosurgical resection(s) can be difficult to interpret. This study evaluates the addition of 11C-methionine positron emission tomography (MET-PET) to the regular MRI follow-up.

Methods

This prospective pilot study included patients with predominantly WHO grade I meningiomas at the skull base or near large vascular structures. Previous SRT was part of their oncological treatment. A MET-PET in adjunct to their regular MRI follow-up was performed. The standardized uptake value (SUV) was determined for the tumor and the healthy brain, on the pre-SRT target delineation MET-PET and the follow-up MET-PET. Tumor-to-normal ratios were calculated, and 11C-methionine uptake over time was analyzed. Agreement between the combined MRI/MET-PET report and the MRI-only report was determined using Cohen’s κ.

Results

Twenty patients with stable disease underwent an additional MET-PET, with a median follow-up of 84 months after SRT. Post-SRT SUV T/N ratios ranged between 2.16 and 3.17. When comparing the pre-SRT and the post-SRT MET-PET, five categories of SUV T/N ratios did not change significantly. Only the SUVpeak T/Ncortex decreased significantly from 2.57 (SD 1.02) to 2.20 (SD 0.87) [p = 0.004]. A κ of 0.77 was found, when comparing the MRI/MET-PET report to the MRI-only report, indicating no major change in interpretation of follow-up data.

Conclusion

In this pilot study, 11C-methionine uptake remained remarkably high in meningiomas with long-term follow-up after SRT. Adding MET-PET to the regular MRI follow-up had no impact on the interpretation of follow-up imaging.
The impact of Sjӧgren’s syndrome on the quality of sexual life of female patients in the UK: a controlled analysis
Authors: Al-Ezzi Minan , Tappuni Anwar R. , Khan Khalid Saeed
Published: March 2021

Mucosal dryness and dyspareunia are symptoms that may significantly affect women with primary Sjӧgren syndrome (pSS). We investigated whether vaginal dryness is correlated with sexual function, and the impact may have on the quality of life (QoL) and mental health well-being in pSS patients. Ethically approved comparative cross-sectional study was designed to assess sexual function using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in 65 pSS female patients vs 62 sex-matched controls. The effect of vaginal dryness and fatigue on sexual function was investigated. Vaginal dryness was correlated with oral dryness estimated by salivary flow rate and the Clinical Oral Dryness Score to investigate whether genital dryness is indicative of general mucosal dryness in pSS. Validated questionnaires were used to investigate the effect of sexual function on QoL and mental health well-being. The number of sexually active pSS participants was significantly less than in the control group (28/65 vs 42/62, p < 0.05). The sexual function was significantly impaired in the pSS group (mean FSFI = 19 vs 28.3, p < 0.05). There was no significant association between self-reported vaginal dryness and oral dryness or sexual function. The open-ended questions showed that the most troublesome symptom reported by pSS patients was oral dryness (43%, n = 28/65) followed by fatigue (31%, n = 20/65). Sexual dysfunction had a negative impact on QoL and the mental health well-being of pSS patients in all aspects, especially on the quality of social life (β = 0.7, p = 0.02). Addressing sexual dysfunction can potentially improve the QoL of pSS patients significantly, especially their social well-being.
Upgrading of methylammonium lead halide perovskite layers by thermal imprint
Authors: Mayer Andre , Pourdavoud Neda , Doukkali Zineb , Brinkmann Kai , Rond Johannes , Staabs Johannes , Swertz Ann-Christin , van gen Hassend Frederic , Görrn Patrick , Riedl Thomas , Scheer Hella-Christin
Published: March 2021

The manufacturing of devices from methylammonium-based perovskites asks for reliable and scalable processing. As solvent engineering is not the option of choice to obtain homogeneous layers on large areas, our idea is to ‘upgrade’ a non-perfect pristine layer by recrystallization in a thermal imprint step (called ‘planar hot pressing’) and thus to reduce the demands on the layer formation itself. Recently, imprint has proven both its capability to improve the crystal size of perovskite layers and its usability for large area manufacturing. We start with methylammonium lead bromide layers obtained from a conventional solution-based process. Acetate is used as a competitive lead source; even under perfect conditions the resulting perovskite layer then will contain side-products due to layer formation besides the desired perovskite. Based on the physical properties of the materials involved we discuss the impact of the temperature on the status of the layer both during soft-bake and during thermal imprint. By using a special imprint technique called ‘hot loading’ we are able to visualize the upgrade of the layer with time, namely a growth of the grains and an accumulation of the side-products at the grain boundaries. By means of a subsequent vacuum exposition we reveal the presence of non-perovskite components with a simple inspection of the morphology of the layer; all experiments are supported by X-ray and electron diffraction measurements. Besides degradation, we discuss recrystallization and propose post-crystallization to explain the experimental results. This physical approach towards perovskite layers with large grains by post-processing is a key step towards large-area preparation of high-quality layers for device manufacturing.
Redistribution, power sharing and inequality concern
Authors: Debowicz Dario , Saporiti Alejandro , Wang Yizhi
Published: March 2021

We analyze a political competition model of redistributive policies. We provide an equilibrium existence result and a full characterization of the net transfers to the different income groups. We also derive several testable predictions about the way in which the net group transfers and the after-tax Gini coefficient vary with the main parameters of the model. In accordance with the theory, the empirical evidence from a sample of developed and developing democracies supports a highly statistically significant association between: (i) the net group transfer and the gap between the population and the group mean initial income, and (ii) the net group transfer (and resp., the Gini coefficient) and power sharing disproportionality. In addition, the data also provide some empirical evidence confirming a significant relationship between the net transfers to the poor (and resp., the Gini) and the concern of the political parties with income inequality.
The weakly electric fish, Apteronotus albifrons, actively avoids experimentally induced hypoxia
Authors: Mucha Stefan , Chapman Lauren J. , Krahe Rüdiger
Published: March 2021

Anthropogenic environmental degradation has led to an increase in the frequency and prevalence of aquatic hypoxia (low dissolved oxygen concentration, DO), which may affect habitat quality for water-breathing fishes. The weakly electric black ghost knifefish,Apteronotus albifrons, is typically found in well-oxygenated freshwater habitats in South America. Using a shuttle-box design, we exposed juvenileA. albifronsto a stepwise decline in DO from normoxia (> 95% air saturation) to extreme hypoxia (10% air saturation) in one compartment and chronic normoxia in the other. On average,A. albifronsactively avoided the hypoxic compartment below 22% air saturation. Hypoxia avoidance was correlated with upregulated swimming activity. Following avoidance, fish regularly ventured back briefly into deep hypoxia. Hypoxia did not affect the frequency of their electric organ discharges. Our results show thatA. albifronsis able to sense hypoxia at non-lethal levels and uses active avoidance to mitigate its adverse effects.
Serum NGAL, BNP, PTH, and albumin do not improve glomerular filtration rate estimating formulas in children
Authors: Mouron-Hryciuk Julie , Cachat François , Parvex Paloma , Perneger Thomas , Chehade Hassib
Published: March 2021

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is difficult to measure, and estimating formulas are notorious for lacking precision. This study aims to assess if the inclusion of additional biomarkers improves the performance of eGFR formulas. A hundred and sixteen children with renal diseases were enrolled. Data for age, weight, height, inulin clearance (iGFR), serum creatinine, cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), parathyroid hormone (PTH), albumin, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were collected. These variables were added to the revised and combined (serum creatinine and cystatin C) Schwartz formulas, and the quadratic and combined quadratic formulas. We calculated the adjusted r-square (r2) in relation to iGFR and tested the improvement in variance explained by means of the likelihood ratio test. The combined Schwartz and the combined quadratic formulas yielded best results with an r2 of 0.676 and 0.730, respectively. The addition of BNP and PTH to the combined Schwartz and quadratic formulas improved the variance slightly. NGAL and albumin failed to improve the prediction of GFR further. These study results also confirm that the addition of cystatin C improves the performance of estimating GFR formulas, in particular the Schwartz formula.

Conclusion: The addition of serum NGAL, BNP, PTH, and albumin to the combined Schwartz and quadratic formulas for estimating GFR did not improve GFR prediction in our population.

What is Known:• Estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) formulas include serum creatinine and/or cystatin C but lack precision when compared to measured GFR.• The serum concentrations of some biological parameters such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), parathyroid hormone (PTH), albumin, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) vary with the level of renal function.

What is New:• The addition of BNP and PTH to the combined quadratic formula improved its performance only slightly. NGAL and albumin failed to improve the prediction of GFR further.
Endovascular embolization versus surgical clipping in a single surgeon series of basilar artery aneurysms: a complementary approach in the endovascular era
Authors: Winkler Ethan A. , Lee Anthony , Yue John K. , Raygor Kunal P. , Rutledge W. Caleb , Rubio Roberto R. , Josephson S. Andrew , Berger Mitchel S. , Raper Daniel M. S. , Abla Adib A.
Published: March 2021

Background

Currently, most basilar artery aneurysms (BAAs) are treated endovascularly. Surgery remains an appropriate therapy for a subset of all intracranial aneurysms. Whether open microsurgery would be required or utilized, and to what extent, for BAAs treated by a surgeon who performs both endovascular and open procedures has not been reported.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained, single-surgeon series of BAAs treated with endovascular or open surgery from the first 5 years of practice.

Results

Forty-two procedures were performed in 34 patients to treat BAAs—including aneurysms arising from basilar artery apex, trunk, and perforators. Unruptured BAAs accounted for 35/42 cases (83.3%), and the mean aneurysm diameter was 8.4 ± 5.4 mm. Endovascular coiling—including stent-assisted coiling—accounted for 26/42 (61.9%) treatments and led to complete obliteration in 76.9% of cases. Four patients in the endovascular cohort required re-treatment. Surgical clip reconstruction accounted for 16/42 (38.1%) treatments and led to complete obliteration in 88.5% of cases. Good neurologic outcome (mRS ≤ 2) was achieved in 88.5% and 75.0% of patients in endovascular and open surgical cohorts, respectively (p = 0.40). Univariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that advanced age (OR 1.11[95% CI 1.01–1.23]) or peri-procedural adverse event (OR 85.0 [95% CI 6.5–118.9]), but not treatment modality (OR 0.39[95% CI 0.08–2.04]), was the predictor of poor neurologic outcome.

Conclusions

Complementary implementation of both endovascular and open surgery facilitates individualized treatment planning of BAAs. By leveraging strengths of both techniques, equivalent clinical outcomes and technical proficiency may be achieved with both modalities.
PU14, a Novel Matrix Protein, Participates in Pearl Oyster, Pinctada Fucata, Shell Formation
Authors: Ji Yinghui , Yang Xue , Yang Dong , Zhang Rongqing
Published: March 2021

Biomineralization is a widespread biological process, involved in the formation of shells, teeth, and bones. Shell matrix proteins have been widely studied for their importance during shell formation. In 2015, our group identified 72 unique shell matrix proteins inPinctada fucata, among which PU14 is a matrix protein detected in the soluble fraction that solely exists in the prismatic layer. However, the function of PU14 is still unclear. In this study, the full-length cDNA sequence of PU14 was obtained and functional analyses of PU14 protein during shell formation were performed. The deduced protein has a molecular mass of 77.8 kDa and an isoelectric point of 11.34. The primary protein structure contains Gln-rich and random repeat units, which are typical characteristics of matrix protein and indicate its potential function during shell formation. In vivo and in vitro experiments indicated PU14 has prismatic layer functions during shell formation. The tissue expression patterns showed thatPU14was mainly expressed in the mantle tissue, which is consistent with prismatic layer formation. Notching experiments suggested thatPU14responded to repair and regenerate the injured shell. After inhibiting gene expression by injecting PU14-specific double-stranded RNA, the inner surface of the prismatic layer changed significantly and became rougher. Further, in vitro experiments showed that recombinant protein rPU14 impacted calcite crystal morphology. Taken together, characterization and functional analyses of a novel matrix protein, PU14, provide new insights about basic matrix proteins and their functions during shell formation.
Explanatory Styles of Counsellors in Training
Authors: Boyer Wanda , Jerry Paul , Rempel Gwen R. , Sanders James
Published: March 2021

Explanatory style is based on how one explains good and bad events according to three dimensions: personalization, permanence, and pervasiveness. With an optimistic explanatory style, good events are explained as personal, permanent, and pervasive, whereas bad events are explained as external, temporary, and specific. For counsellors, an optimistic explanatory style creates positive expectancy judgments about the possibilities and opportunities for successful client outcomes. In this research study, we explored the explanatory styles expressed in 400 events (200 good events and 200 bad events) extracted from 38,013 writing samples of first year and final year graduate level counsellors in training. Across the three optimism dimensions and within good and bad events, there was one occurrence of a positive relationship between counsellor training time and the amount of expressed optimism. The implications of this study include the need to cultivate optimistic explanatory styles of counsellors in training and practicing counsellors.
Mediators of the Disparities in Depression Between Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Individuals: A Systematic Review
Authors: Argyriou Angeliki , Goldsmith Kimberley A. , Rimes Katharine A.
Published: March 2021

Evidence suggests that sexual minorities (e.g., those identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual) experience increased rates of depression compared to heterosexual individuals. Minority stress theory suggests that this disparity is due to stigma experienced by sexual minorities. Stigma processes are proposed to contribute to reduced coping/support resources and increased vulnerability processes for mental health problems. This review provided a systematic examination of research assessing the evidence for mediating factors that help explain such disparities. A literature search was conducted using the databases PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. The review included 40 identified studies that examined mediators of sexual minority status and depressive outcomes using a between-group design (i.e., heterosexual versus sexual minority participants). Studies of adolescents and adult samples were both included. The most common findings were consistent with the suggestion that stressors such as victimization, harassment, abuse, and increased stress, as well as lower social and family support, may contribute to differing depression rates in sexual minority compared to heterosexual individuals. Differences in psychological processes such as self-esteem and rumination may also play a role but have had insufficient research attention so far. However, caution is needed because many papers had important methodological shortcomings such as the use of cross-sectional designs, inferior statistical analyses for mediation, or measures that had not been properly validated. Although firm conclusions cannot be drawn, the current evidence base highlights many factors potentially suitable for further exploration in high-quality longitudinal research or randomized studies intervening with the potential mediators.
Imitation learning-based framework for learning 6-D linear compliant motions
Authors: Suomalainen Markku , Abu-dakka Fares J. , Kyrki Ville
Published: March 2021

We present a novel method for learning from demonstration 6-D tasks that can be modeled as a sequence of linear motions and compliances. The focus of this paper is the learning of a single linear primitive, many of which can be sequenced to perform more complex tasks. The presented method learns from demonstrations how to take advantage of mechanical gradients in in-contact tasks, such as assembly, both for translations and rotations, without any prior information. The method assumes there exists a desired linear direction in 6-D which, if followed by the manipulator, leads the robot’s end-effector to the goal area shown in the demonstration, either in free space or by leveraging contact through compliance. First, demonstrations are gathered where the teacher explicitly shows the robot how the mechanical gradients can be used as guidance towards the goal. From the demonstrations, a set of directions is computed which would result in the observed motion at each timestep during a demonstration of a single primitive. By observing which direction is included in all these sets, we find a single desired direction which can reproduce the demonstrated motion. Finding the number of compliant axes and their directions in both rotation and translation is based on the assumption that in the presence of a desired direction of motion, all other observed motion is caused by the contact force of the environment, signalling the need for compliance. We evaluate the method on a KUKA LWR4+ robot with test setups imitating typical tasks where a human would use compliance to cope with positional uncertainty. Results show that the method can successfully learn and reproduce compliant motions by taking advantage of the geometry of the task, therefore reducing the need for localization accuracy.