bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Midseason cultivation effects on anthracnose of annual bluegrass turf
Authors: Hempfling James W. , Murphy James A. , Clarke Bruce B.
Published: March 2020

Mechanical injury from cultivation practices is reported to enhance anthracnose disease, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum cereale Manns sensu lato Crouch, Clarke, and Hillman, of annual bluegrass (ABG) [Poa annua L. forma reptans (Hausskn.) T. Koyama]. Two field experiments were initiated with the objectives of determining the effects of midseason cultivation practices (Experiment 1) and scarifying depth (Experiment 2) on anthracnose severity of ABG maintained at a 3.2‐mm mowing height on a Nixon sandy loam in North Brunswick, NJ. Experiment 1 treatments consisted of grooming, verticutting, scarifying, and solid‐tining every 21 d as well as weekly grooming and no cultivation over 2 years. Experiment 2 evaluated single treatments of shallow and deep scarifying and a nontreated control in three runs. Verticutting increased the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) compared with no cultivation during the first year, whereas verticutting and scarifying increased AUDPC relative to no cultivation during the second year. No other cultivation treatments differed from the control during either year in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, scarifying did not increase AUDPC during any run at either depth. Results from these experiments indicate that cultivation practices that affect at least 15% of the turf surface area and injure crowns may increase anthracnose severity, whereas practices that affect a smaller turf area or only leaf tissue will not increase disease severity.
Hired helpers at the nest: The association between life‐cycle servants and net fertility in North Orkney, 1851–1911
Authors: Jennings Julia A.
Published: March 2020

Objectives

The presence of kin is often, but not always, associated with higher fertility in historical populations. However, the effect of other household members on fertility is less frequently studied. While not genetically related, life‐cycle servants lived and worked alongside household members and may have provided assistance to reproducing families. Female servants in particular may have helped mothers with small children through direct help with childcare activities or by replacing the economic effort of mothers whose work was not compatible with childcare. This study examines the presence of servants in the households of married women of reproductive age to assess whether households with young children are more likely to also have servants.

Materials and methods

This study uses individual‐level census data from North Orkney, Scotland (1851–1911) to investigate the relationship between the presence of servants in households and a measure of recent net marital fertility, the number of women's own‐children under age 5, using logistic regression models.

Results

Households with young children were more likely to have a female, but not male, servant in the household after controlling for the effects of other possible helpers, including older children, mothers, and mothers‐in‐law.

Discussion

These findings are consistent with prior research that indicates the importance of female labor to smallholder agricultural households and suggests that female servants may have provided support to reproducing families. Life‐cycle servants should be considered one component of biocultural reproduction in historical Northwest Europe. The use of hired help is not restricted to contemporary or elite groups.
Phosphorescence Energy Transfer: Ambient Afterglow Fluorescence from Water‐Processable and Purely Organic Dyes via Delayed Sensitization
Authors: Kuila Suman , George Subi J.
Published: March 2020

Ambient afterglow luminescence from metal‐free organic chromophores would provide a promising alternative to the well‐explored inorganic phosphors. However, the realization of air‐stable and solution‐processable organic afterglow systems with long‐lived triplet or singlet states remains a formidable challenge. In the present study, a delayed sensitization of the singlet state of organic dyes via phosphorescence energy transfer from organic phosphors is proposed as an alternative strategy to realize “afterglow fluorescence”. This concept is demonstrated with a long‐lived phosphor as the energy donor and commercially available fluorescent dyes as the energy acceptor. Triplet‐to‐singlet Förster‐resonance energy‐transfer (TS‐FRET) between donor and acceptor chromophores, which are co‐organized in an amorphous polymer matrix, results in tuneable yellow and red afterglow from the fluorescent acceptors. Moreover, these afterglow fluorescent hybrids are highly solution‐processable and show excellent air‐stability with good quantum yields.
Delocalized aromatic molecules with matched electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing groups enhancing insulating performance of polyethylene blends
Authors: Wei Zuojun , Liu Haiyan , Yu Linwei , Xiao Shuwen , Hou Yaxin , Chen Xiangrong
Published: March 2020

Seven delocalized aromatic molecules with electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing groups are applied as voltage stabilizers to improve the insulation properties of polyethylene blends. Voltage stabilizers 1 wt% are added into the blends (90 wt% low‐density polyethylene and 10 wt% high density polyethylene) by diffusion loading method. Electrical measurements including electrical treeing, space charge distribution, and direct current conductivity are conducted to disclose their effects. The results show that the co‐existence of matched electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing groups in the molecules is favorable for the insulation properties. A 50% increase of tree initiation voltage is achieved with the addition of 3‐aminobenzoic acid, which is also able to inhibit the space charge and decrease the conductivity at lower temperature. Besides, the grafting sample of the optimal molecule is successfully prepared and displayed enhanced electrical properties. Finally, the common internal mechanism of the delocalized molecules on different electrical properties is revealed.
Novel robust observer‐controller synthesis method for Takagi‐Sugeno systems
Authors: Xie Wen‐Bo , Zheng Hua , Li Ming‐Yang , Shen Mou‐Quan
Published: March 2020

For the output feedback control problem of a T‐S fuzzy system, an
observer‐controller synthesis method is proposed. First, with parallel distributed compensation fuzzy observer and controller, an augmented error system is obtained. Based on Lyapunov function approaches, system stability and robust conditions are achieved. Then, by dividing the non‐convex conditions into observer‐dominant and controller dominant parts, the conditions are converted into convex form to facilitate the numerical solving process. Also, input saturation and system measurement disturbance are considered in the synthesis procedure. Finally, a numerical and a vessel control example are adopted to make comparisons with existing methods, with the results clearly showing the conservatism reduction effects and good control performance of the proposed method.
Developmental Transcriptional Enhancers: A Subtle Interplay between Accessibility and Activity
Authors: Bozek Marta , Gompel Nicolas
Published: March 2020

Measurements of open chromatin in specific cell types are widely used to infer the spatiotemporal activity of transcriptional enhancers. How reliable are these predictions? In this review, it is argued that the relationship between the accessibility and activity of an enhancer is insufficiently described by simply considering open versus closed chromatin, or active versus inactive enhancers. Instead, recent studies focusing on the quantitative nature of accessibility signal reveal subtle differences between active enhancers and their different inactive counterparts: the closed silenced state and the accessible primed and repressed states. While the open structure as such is not a specific indicator of enhancer activity, active enhancers display a higher degree of accessibility than the primed and repressed states. Molecular mechanisms that may account for these quantitative differences are discussed. A model that relates molecular events at an enhancer to changes in its activity and accessibility in a developing tissue is also proposed.
Nanobiohybrid Material‐Based Bioelectronic Devices
Authors: Yoon Jinho , Shin Minkyu , Lim Joungpyo , Kim Dong Yeon , Lee Taek , Choi Jeong‐Woo
Published: March 2020

Biomolecules, especially proteins and nucleic acids, have been widely studied to develop biochips for various applications in scientific fields ranging from bioelectronics to stem cell research. However, restrictions exist due to the inherent characteristics of biomolecules, such as instability and the constraint of granting the functionality to the biochip. Introduction of functional nanomaterials, recently being researched and developed, to biomolecules have been widely researched to develop the nanobiohybrid materials because such materials have the potential to enhance and extend the function of biomolecules on a biochip. The potential for applying nanobiohybrid materials is especially high in the field of bioelectronics. Research in bioelectronics is aimed at realizing electronic functions using the inherent properties of biomolecules. To achieve this, various biomolecules possessing unique properties have been combined with novel nanomaterials to develop bioelectronic devices such as highly sensitive electrochemical‐based bioelectronic sensing platforms, logic gates, and biocomputing systems. In this review, recently reported bioelectronic devices based on nanobiohybrid materials are discussed. The authors believe that this review will suggest innovative and creative directions to develop the next generation of multifunctional bioelectronic devices.
Effect of admixtures and supplementary cementitious material on mechanical properties and durability of concrete
Authors: Asadollahfardi Gholamreza , Yahyaei Behnaz , Salehi Amir M. , Ovesi Arash
Published: March 2020

We studied the effects of superplasticizer (SP) (PCE1 and PCE2), air‐entraining admixtures (AEA), and supplementary cementitious material (silica fume and fly ash) on the mechanical and durability properties of concrete samples. Eight concrete mix designs were prepared. The first six concrete mix design contained similar aggregates, PCE2 SP, AEA, 350 kg/m3cement, and water to cement ratio equal to 0.38, and one of the mentioned mix design was selected as control samples with water to cement ratio equal to 0.57, without PCE2 SP and AEA. We used a different quantity of PCE2 SP and AEA and replaced the fly ash or silica fume as part of cement in two of the mentioned mix designs. The last two concrete mix designs studied the effect of PCE1 SP and AEA on freezing and thawing of concrete mix design. Adding PCE2 SP in concrete mix design increased compressive strength at age 11, 42, and 90 days sharply and reduced the depth of water penetration at the age of 28 and 90 days compared to the control sample. Using simultaneous PCE2 and AEA in concrete mix design did not improve compressive strength significantly and increased slightly depth of water penetration compared to only using PCE2. However, increasing the quantity of AEA to 5% improved both compressive strength and reduced depth of water penetration. In the second group of concrete mix design, adding both PCE1 and AEA increased the number of resistible freezing and thawing cycles of concrete. Side chain length and molecular weight of PCE1 and PCE2 SPs had no important effect on the compressive strength and performance properties of concrete.
Mechanism and Origin of MAD‐Induced Ni/N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed Regio‐ and Enantioselective C−H Cyclization of Pyridines with Alkenes
Authors: Zhao Xia , Ma Xuexiang , Zhu Rongxiu , Zhang Dongju
Published: March 2020

This work presents a DFT‐based computational study on the regio‐ and enantioselective C−H functionalization of pyridines with alkenes at the relatively unreactive C4‐position, which was successfully achieved by Shi et al. [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 5628–5634] using Ni0/N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis under the assistance of an aluminum‐based Lewis acid additive (2,6‐tBu2‐4‐Me‐C6H2O)2AlMe (MAD). The calculations indicate that the selective functionalization involves a three‐step mechanism in which a unique H‐migration assisted oxidation metalation (HMAOM) step is identified as the rate‐ and enantioselectivity‐determining step. The newly proposed mechanism can well rationalize the experimental observation that the preferred product is the endo‐type (vs. exo‐type), R‐configuration (vs. S‐configuration) product at the C4 (vs. C2) position, and also unveil the reasons that the NHC ligand and the MAD additive can facilitate the reaction.
Optoelectronic Properties of Carbon‐Bound Boron Difluoride Hydrazone Dimers
Authors: Cappello Daniela , Maar Ryan R. , Staroverov Viktor N. , Gilroy Joe B.
Published: March 2020

The creation of dimeric boron difluoride complexes of chelating N‐donor ligands is a proven strategy for the enhancement of the optoelectronic properties of fluorescent dyes. We report dimers based on the boron difluoride hydrazone (BODIHY) framework, which offer unique and sometimes unexpected substituent‐dependent absorption, emission, and electrochemical properties. BODIHY dimers have low‐energy absorption bands (λmax=421 to 479 nm, ϵ=17 200 to 39 900 m−1 cm−1) that are red‐shifted relative to monomeric analogues. THF solutions of these dimers exhibit aggregation‐induced emission upon addition of water, with emission enhancement factors ranging from 5 to 18. Thin films of BODIHY dimers are weakly emissive as a result of the inner‐filter effect, attributed to intermolecular π‐type interactions. BODIHY dimers are redox‐active and display two one‐electron oxidation and two one‐electron reduction waves that strongly depend on the N‐aryl substituents. These properties are rationalized using density‐functional theory calculations and X‐ray crystallography experiments.
Robust multivariate change point analysis based on data depth
Authors: Chenouri Shojaeddin , Mozaffari Ahmad , Rice Gregory
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Modern methods for detecting changes in the scale or covariance of multivariate distributions rely primarily on testing for the constancy of the covariance matrix. These depend on higher‐order moment conditions, and also do not work well when the dimension of the data is large or even moderate relative to the sample size. In this paper, we propose a nonparametric change point test for multivariate data using rankings obtained from data depth measures. As the data depth of an observation measures its centrality relative to the sample, changes in data depth may signify a change of scale of the underlying distribution, and the proposed test is particularly responsive to detecting such changes. We provide a full asymptotic theory for the proposed test statistic under the null hypothesis that the observations are stable, and natural conditions under which the test is consistent. The finite sample properties are investigated by means of a Monte Carlo simulation, and these along with the theoretical results confirm that the test is robust to heavy tails, skewness and high dimensionality. The proposed methods are demonstrated with an application to structural break detection in the rate of change of pollutants linked to acid rain measured in Turkey lake, a lake in central Ontario, Canada. Our test suggests a change in the rate of acid rain in the late 1980s/early 1990s, which coincides with clean air legislation in Canada and the US.The Canadian Journal of Statistics48: 417–446; 2020 © 2020 Statistical Society of Canada
Learners’ conceptions about the chemical equilibrium – A systematic Review
Authors: Heeg Julian , Bittorf Robert M. , Schanze Sascha
Published: March 2020

Das chemische Gleichgewicht ist ein wichtiger und zugleich schwieriger Themenbereich für Lernende wie Lehrende. Eine kategoriengestützte Übersicht von Lernendenvorstellungen kann einerseits als Planungshilfe verwendet werden, um an den Vorstellungen anzuknüpfen und sie gezielt als Lernmittel einzusetzen. Andererseits kann er Forschenden dazu dienen, Forschungsbedarfe zu identifizieren. Ergänzend ist es möglich die Ergebnisse eines solchen systematischen Überblicks als Ausgangspunkt für die fachdidaktische Lehre und die damit verbundenen Professionalisierungsprozesse von angehenden Lehrkräften zu nutzen. Der vorliegende Beitrag hat daher das Ziel, einen systematischen Überblick über dokumentierte Lernendenvorstellungen zum Themenbereich des chemischen Gleichgewichts zu geben. Hierfür wurden systematisch aus 284 Studien 18 Studien ausgewählt und untersucht, die explizit Lernendenvorstellungen zum chemischen Gleichgewicht formulieren. Die erfassten 239 Vorstellungen wurden ins Deutsche übersetzt und anschließend den folgenden fünf fachbezogenen Kategorien zugeordnet: (1) Zeitraum der Einstellung des dynamischen Gleichgewichts, (2) Charakteristika des chemischen Gleichgewichts, (3) Änderung der Reaktionsbedingungen, (4) Beeinflussung des chemischen Gleichgewichts durch Zugabe eines Katalysators und/oder inerten Gases und (5) Heterogene Gleichgewichtssysteme. Abschließend werden Implikationen für die fachdidaktische Forschung und Lehre skizziert.
Hippocampus‐avoidance whole‐brain radiation therapy with a simultaneous integrated boost for multiple brain metastases
Authors: Popp Ilinca , Rau Stephan , Hintz Mandy , Schneider Julius , Bilger Angelika , Fennell Jamina Tara , Heiland Dieter Henrik , Rothe Thomas , Egger Karl , Nieder Carsten , Urbach Horst , Grosu Anca Ligia
Published: March 2020

Background

The current study was aimed at investigating the feasibility of hippocampus‐avoidance whole‐brain radiation therapy with a simultaneous integrated boost (HA‐WBRT+SIB) for metastases and at assessing tumor control in comparison with conventional whole‐brain radiation therapy (WBRT) in patients with multiple brain metastases.

Methods

Between August 2012 and December 2016, 66 patients were treated within a monocentric feasibility trial with HA‐WBRT+SIB: hippocampus‐avoidance WBRT (30 Gy in 12 fractions, dose to 98% of the hippocampal volume ≤ 9 Gy) and a simultaneous integrated boost (51 or 42 Gy in 12 fractions) for metastases/resection cavities. Intracranial tumor control, hippocampal failure, and survival were subsequently compared with a retrospective cohort treated with WBRT via propensity score matching analysis.

Results

After 1:1 propensity score matching, there were 62 HA‐WBRT+SIB patients and 62 WBRT patients. Local tumor control (LTC) of existing metastases was significantly higher after HA‐WBRT+SIB (98% vs 82% at 1 year; P = .007), whereas distant intracranial tumor control was significantly higher after WBRT (82% vs 69% at 1 year; P = .016); this corresponded to higher biologically effective doses. Intracranial progression‐free survival (PFS; 13.5 vs 6.4 months; P = .03) and overall survival (9.9 vs 6.2 months; P = .001) were significantly better in the HA‐WBRT+SIB cohort. Four patients (6.5%) developed hippocampal metastases after hippocampus avoidance. The neurologic death rate after HA‐WBRT+SIB was 27.4%.

Conclusions

HA‐WBRT+SIB can be an efficient therapeutic option for patients with multiple brain metastases and is associated with improved LTC of existing metastases, higher intracranial PFS, a reduction of the neurologic death rate, and an acceptable risk of radiation necrosis. The therapy has the potential to prevent neurocognitive adverse effects, which will be further evaluated in the multicenter, phase 2 HIPPORAD trial.
SDCCP: Control the network using software‐defined networking and end‐to‐end congestion control
Authors: Lin Jiashuo , Liao Liping , Wang Tao , Zhang Jun , Cheng Lianglun
Published: March 2020

The Internet of Things is becoming widely popular in the past decade, which comes with huge amount of data. These magnanimous data, stored in data centers, put forward the new demand for the efficient management of the network. In this article, we propose Software‐Defined Congestion Control Plane (SDCCP), a hybrid network control architecture that aims to fully utilize the network while avoiding congestion. SDCCP is based on Software‐Defined Networking and CCP, in which the controller collects the network statistics and specifies the behavior of the end‐to‐end hosts by sending feedback or modifying their transport layer parameters directly. It can also be used to mitigate Distributed Denial of Service attacks and other security problems. In addition, we propose FCA, a Feedback‐based Congestion Avoidance algorithm running on SDCCP, which adapts the congestion window based on the feedback from the remote controller. We evaluate SDCCP and FCA in Mininet and the result shows that FCA can achieve high network utilization while keeping the queue length of the routers in a low level. Also, FCA is robust to noncongestion loss, and outperforms other algorithms at high loss rate.
How to Anticipate Pests from Cover Crops Migrating into Cash Crops
Authors: Winsor Susan
Published: March 2020

Cover crops have been proven to reduce soil erosion and weeds and to improve soil structure, moisture drainage, and storage. On the negative side of the ledger, they can be attractive environments for pests to lay eggs or overwinter. This article provides some general tips to reduce pest problems as well as advice specific to controlling stink bugs, slugs, and bean leaf beetles. Earn 1 CEU in Integrated Pest Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/697.
Weedy Conversation: What Weeds Are Saying to Your Crops May Make Them ‘Scream’ on the Inside
Authors: Korzekwa Kaine
Published: March 2020

Decades of weed science research have pieced together how weeds communicate with crops and can have permanent and non‐reversible effects that result in rapid yield loss when the weeds emerge with the crops. This work has provided valuable information to CCAs to make recommendations to farmers and attracted attention to the ultimate goal of breeding crop plants less susceptible to this kind of damage. Earn 0.5 CEUs in Integrated Pest Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education/classroom/classes/691.
Drosophila suzukii wing spot size is robust to developmental temperature
Authors: Varón‐González Ceferino , Fraimout Antoine , Debat Vincent
Published: March 2020

Phenotypic plasticity is an important mechanism allowing adaptation to new environments and as such it has been suggested to facilitate biological invasions. Under this assumption, invasive populations are predicted to exhibit stronger plastic responses than native populations. Drosophila suzukii is an invasive species whose males harbor a spot on the wing tip. In this study, by manipulating developmental temperature, we compare the phenotypic plasticity of wing spot size of two invasive populations with that of a native population. We then compare the results with data obtained from wild‐caught flies from different natural populations. While both wing size and spot size are plastic to temperature, no difference in plasticity was detected between native and invasive populations, rejecting the hypothesis of a role of the wing‐spot plasticity in the invasion success. In contrast, we observed a remarkable stability in the spot‐to‐wing ratio across temperatures, as well as among geographic populations. This stability suggests either that the spot relative size is under stabilizing selection, or that its variation might be constrained by a tight developmental correlation between spot size and wing size. Our data show that this correlation was lost at high temperature, leading to an increased variation in the relative spot size, particularly marked in the two invasive populations. This suggests: (a) that D. suzukii's development is impaired by hot temperatures, in agreement with the cold‐adapted status of this species; (b) that the spot size can be decoupled from wing size, rejecting the hypothesis of an absolute constraint and suggesting that the wing color pattern might be under stabilizing (sexual) selection; and (c) that such sexual selection might be relaxed in the invasive populations. Finally, a subtle but consistent directional asymmetry in spot size was detected in favor of the right side in all populations and temperatures, possibly indicative of a lateralized sexual behavior.
Inter‐ and intraspecific variation of spider mite susceptibility to fungal infections: Implications for the long‐term success of biological control
Authors: Zélé Flore , Altıntaş Mustafa , Santos Inês , Cakmak Ibrahim , Magalhães Sara
Published: March 2020

Spider mites are severe pests of several annual and perennial crops worldwide, often causing important economic damages. As rapid evolution of pesticide resistance in this group hampers the efficiency of chemical control, alternative control strategies, such as the use of entomopathogenic fungi, are being developed. However, while several studies have focused on the evaluation of the control potential of different fungal species and/or isolates as well as their compatibility with other control methods (e.g., predators or chemical pesticides), knowledge on the extent of inter‐ and intraspecific variation in spider mite susceptibility to fungal infection is as yet incipient. Here, we measured the mortality induced by two generalist fungi,Beauveria bassianaandMetarhizium brunneum, in 12 spider mite populations belonging to differentTetranychusspecies:T. evansi,T. ludeni, andT. urticae(green and red form), within a full factorial experiment. We found that spider mite species differed in their susceptibility to infection by both fungal species. Moreover, we also found important intraspecific variation for this trait. These results draw caution on the development of single strains as biocontrol agents. Indeed, the high level of intraspecific variation suggests that (a) the one‐size‐fits‐all strategy may fail to control spider mite populations and (b) hosts resistance to infection may evolve at a rapid pace. Finally, we propose future directions to better understand this system and improve the long‐term success of spider mite control strategies based on entomopathogenic fungi.
Multiple ecological processes underpin the eruptive dynamics of small mammals: House mice in a semi‐arid agricultural environment
Authors: Brown Peter R. , Arthur Anthony D. , Jones Dean A. , Davies Micah J. , Grice David , Pech Roger P.
Published: March 2020

Mouse plagues are a regular feature of grain‐growing regions, particularly in southern and eastern Australia, yet it is not clear what role various ecological processes play in the eruptive dynamics generating these outbreaks.

This research was designed to assess the impact of adding food, water, and cover in all combinations on breeding performance, abundance, and survival of mouse populations on a typical cereal growing farm in northwestern Victoria.

Supplementary food, water, and cover were applied in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design to 240 m sections of internal fence lines between wheat or barley crops and stubble/pasture fields over an 11‐month period to assess the impact on mouse populations.

We confirmed that mice were eating the additional food and were accessing the water provided. We did not generate an outbreak of mice, but there were some significant effects from the experimental treatments. Additional food increased population size twofold and improved apparent survival. Both water and cover improved breeding performance. Food and cover increased apparent survival.

Our findings confirm that access to food, water, and cover are necessary for outbreaks, but are not sufficient. There remain additional factors that are important in generating mouse plagues, particularly in a climatically variable agricultural environment.
Mortal consequences of a cooperative action between Takotsubo syndrome and increased intracranial pressure
Authors: Alfano Gennaro , Ciervo Deasy , Migliore Teresa , Sorbo Antonia , Ariello Manuela , Vitale Andrea , Laukkanen Mikko O. , Del Gaudio Salvatore
Published: March 2020

An elderly patient with head injury was registered to the emergency room. Because the patient arrived to the hospital unconscious, her cranial, cerebrovascular, and cardiac function was studied. The cardiac function measurements were (i) heart rate, (ii) blood pressure, (iii) oxygen saturation level, (iv) electrocardiogram (ECG), (v) coronary angiogram, (vi) chest computerized tomography (CT), and (vii) echocardiogram. The head damage was studied by cerebral CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The serum ischemia and inflammatory biomarkers were analysed. For the immediate treatment, the patient received cardiovascular system supporting medication. The cardiac diagnostic results were (i) the ECG suggested an elevation in the left ventricular systolic function, (ii) the blood test showed neutrophilia, increased creatine and increased troponin I kinase values, and (iii) the coronary angiogram and ECG analysis demonstrated a lack of a myocardial infarction but identified apical akinesia. The patient did not have previous symptoms of cardiovascular disease. The brain imaging demonstrated (iv) an acute ischemia in the left occipital area and (v) increased intracranial pressure. Brain MRI indicated (vi) aqueductal stenosis and (vii) multiple gliomatotic foci demonstrating hydrocephalus caused by gliomatosis cerebri. A chest CT indicated (viii) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). One week later, the patient died because of cardiac arrest. The diagnosis was Takotsubo syndrome enforced by gliomatosis cerebri and COPD. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in which the cardiac dysfunction of the patient is associated with gliomatosis cerebri‐derived hydrocephalus and increased intracranial pressure that together with COPD may have enhanced the negative clinical outcome.
A Biosilification Fusion Protein for a ‘Self‐immobilising’ Sarcosine Oxidase Amperometric Enzyme Biosensor
Authors: Chen Si , Hall Elizabeth A. H.
Published: March 2020

Monomeric sarcosine oxidase (mSOx) fusion with the silaffin peptide, R5, designed previously for easy protein production in low resource areas, was used in a biosilification process to form an enzyme layer electrode biosensor. mSOx is a low activity enzyme (10–20 U/mg) requiring high amounts of enzyme to obtain an amperometric biosensor signal, in the clinically useful range <1 mM sarcosine, especially since the Km is >10 mM. An amperometric biosensor model was fitted to experimental data to investigate dynamic range. mSOx constructs were designed with 6H (6×histidine) and R5 (silaffin) peptide tags and compared with native mSOx. Glutaraldehyde (GA) cross‐linked proteins retained ∼5 % activity for mSOx and mSOx‐6H and only 0.5 % for mSOx‐R5. In contrast R5 catalysed biosilification on (3‐mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) particles created a ‘self‐immobilisation’ matrix retaining 40 % and 76 % activity respectively. The TMOS matrix produced a thick layer (>500 μm) on a glassy carbon electrode with a mediated current due to sarcosine in the clinical range for sarcosinemia (0–1 mM). The mSOx‐R5 fusion protein was also used to catalyse biosilification in the presence of creatinase and creatininase, entrapping all three enzymes. A mediated GC enzyme linked current was obtained with dynamic range available for creatinine determination of 0.1–2 mM for an enzyme layer ∼800 nm.
Intelligent design optimization of battery pack enclosure for electric vehicle by considering cold‐spraying as an additive manufacturing technology
Authors: Pal Santanu Kumar , Singh Surinder , Singh Harpreet , Le Phung My Loan , Yooyen Somaseak , Sleesongsom Suwin
Published: March 2020

Vibrations shocks induced during working conditions cause stresses and deformations of the battery case parts and heating may cause fire, which affects vehicle safety. Hence, the battery case and its parts should be of better mechanical features and lightweight to make the vehicle more efficient and safer. To achieve all the requirements, cold spraying found to be the potential technology for additive manufacturing the parts with better conductivities and lesser porosities as compared to the parts produced by conventional methods. Therefore, this article has proposed a consideration of the cold spray technology to improve the mechanical performances of the battery casing, including maximizing the minimum natural frequency, and minimizing the maximum deformation. ANSYS Workbench has been used for finite element modeling of battery pack enclosures. The model of the battery pack enclosures has been analyzed by obtaining the natural frequencies of the order 10. Further, static analysis has been performed to get the maximum deformation. Finally, a parametric model has been established and multiobjective optimization has been performed. The results obtained with the cold sprayed process show that the value of maximum deformation is being lowered by 59.49% and has a much higher value of natural frequency than that obtained with conventional methods.
Socio‐economic and dietary diversity characteristics are associated with anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care services in public health centers of Kembata Tembaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Samuel Semalign , Darebo Teshale , Desta Derese Tamiru , Mulugeta Afework
Published: March 2020

Anemia affects every country in the world including Ethiopia. It costs the socio‐economic developments due to its health impacts. This study was aimed to determine socio‐demographic and dietary diversity and other factors associated with anemia among pregnant women in Kembata Tembaro Zone. Institution‐based cross‐sectional study design was employed. Data were collected from 423 pregnant women. Hemoglobin level was measured by Hemocue. Pretested interviewer‐administered close‐ended questionnaire was used to collect the data. Analysis was done using SPSS for windows version 20. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted. We found that overall prevalence of anemia was 18%. Less than half (43.3%) of the respondents visited the health centers for antenatal care follow‐up at least once during their pregnancy time. Only 20.1% consumed more than five food preceding 24 hr. 59.3% of the respondents were taking iron supplements during data collection time. Anemia was significantly associated with the lowest wealth index, formal education, women's occupation, husband occupation, low dietary diversity, and inadequate intake of iron‐rich foods, history of malaria infection, maternal age, and parity. Anemia was of mild public health concern in the study area. The uptake of antenatal care service for the recommended number of visits and iron folic acid supplementation and the diet diversity was low in the pregnant women. The prevalence of anemia was mild public health concern. The early and timely uptake of iron folic acid supplementation was poor. Dietary diversity and consumption of iron‐rich foods was found to be low. Thus, community mobilization and health education to improve the uptake of the antenatal care services, increase micronutrient intake through food based and control of infections are recommended.
Insurance status and head and neck radiotherapy interruption disparities in the Mid‐Southern United States
Authors: Yarn Charles , Wakefield Daniel V. , Spencer Sharon , Martin Michelle Y. , Pisu Maria , Schwartz David L.
Published: March 2020

Background

Relationships between health insurance coverage and radiotherapy (RT) interruption rates in patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer remain unclear.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study at our academic center. Days of RT interruption for individual patients were tabulated, analyzed for explanatory variables, and geographically mapped.

Results

894 of 7526 (11.9%) scheduled treatment days were interrupted, impacting 149 of 216 (69%) patients. Medicaid/uninsured patients experienced a 7.3 day mean interruption (SD = 9.9) vs 3.4 days (SD = 5.2) for Medicare/private patients (P < .001). RT interruption was predicted by insurance status in multivariate analysis (P = .008). Higher RT interruption rates overlapped geospatially with low predicted median household income and racial minority neighborhoods.

Conclusion

Unplanned treatment interruptions are a key source for H&N RT quality shortfalls in Medicaid/uninsured patients. This is the first geographic benchmarking of H&N RT delivery disparities across a complete metropolitan region, and will guide interventions studies to reduce interruption risk.
Hurdles to debt relief for “no income no assets” debtors in Germany: A case study of failed consumer bankruptcy law reforms
Authors: Heuer Jan‐Ocko
Published: March 2020

Given that many overindebted households have low or no assets and income, governments have increasingly tried to adapt their consumer bankruptcy regimes to the needs and capacities of these NINA (“no income, no assets”) debtors. Most notably, since the mid‐2000s, some countries from the Anglosphere have created low‐cost, means‐tested, and administrative (i.e., nonjudicial) debt relief procedures as alternative to traditional bankruptcy for NINA debtors. By contrast, in some European countries such as Germany, legislators have tried—but until today failed—to create efficient debt relief measures for NINA debtors. This contribution aims to make English‐speaking readers familiar with the history of consumer insolvency law in Germany, with a focus on legislative developments regarding NINA debtors, and to identify actors, institutions, and ideas that have contributed—especially during the 2000s—to the failure of consumer bankruptcy reforms addressing the main problems of NINA cases in Germany (i.e., high hurdles to relief for debtors, high administrative efforts for trustees and courts, high costs for the public purse, and yet very few payments to creditors). The German case is relevant not only because it is a striking case of failure to adapt a debt relief regime to NINA debtors but also because German consumer bankruptcy law—despite its shortcomings—continues to serve as a template for insolvency law reforms in European and other countries.
A population‐based study of testicular cancer risk among children and young adults from Norway and Utah, USA
Authors: Kollerud Ruby Del Risco , Haugnes Hege S. , Claussen Bjørgulf , Thoresen Magne , Nafstad Per , Farnham James M. , Blaasaas Karl G. , Næss Øyvind , Cannon‐Albright Lisa A.
Published: March 2020

Similar family‐based cancer and genealogy data from Norway and Utah allowed comparisons of the incidence of testicular cancer (TC), and exploration of the role of Scandinavian ancestry and family history of TC in TC risk. Our study utilizes data from the Utah Population Database and Norwegian Population Registers. All males born during 1951–2015 were followed for TC until the age of 29 years. A total of 1,974,287 and 832,836 males were born in Norway and Utah, respectively, of whom 2,686 individuals were diagnosed with TC in Norway and 531 in Utah. The incidence per year of TC in Norway (10.6) was twice that observed in Utah (5.1) for males born in the last period (1980–1984). The incidence rates of TC in Utah did not differ according to the presence or absence of Scandinavian ancestry (p = 0.669). Having a brother diagnosed with TC was a strong risk factor for TC among children born in Norway and Utah, with HR = 9.87 (95% CI 5.68–17.16) and 6.02 (95% CI 4.80–7.55), respectively; with even higher HR observed among the subset of children in Utah with Scandinavian ancestry (HR = 12.30, 95% CI 6.78–22.31). A clear difference in TC incidence among individuals born in Norway and descendants of Scandinavian people born in Utah was observed. These differences in TC rates point to the possibility of environmental influence. Family history of TC is a strong risk factor for developing TC in both populations.
Macromolecular Superstructures: A Future Beyond Single Chain Nanoparticles
Authors: Frisch Hendrik , Tuten Bryan T. , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher
Published: March 2020

Over the last 100 years polymer chemistry has flourished in all areas and enabled control over synthetic polymer architectures – including chain lengths, dispersity and monomer sequences. Compared to the architectures of biomacromolecules, these scientific achievements mainly took place on the level of primary structures. The plethora of functions carried out by proteins in nature, however, does not only result from their primary structure, but from its folding into perfectly defined 3D structures. Striving towards a similar architectural control and function in synthetic polymers, the field of single chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) emerged. In this review, we analyze the state of the art and identify what is currently standing between polymer chemistry and perfectly controlled synthetic macromolecular architectures. Based on the current challenges in the field of SCNPs, we discuss potential avenues to break today's barriers and explore future applications reaching beyond the current‐state‐of‐the‐art.
Enantioselective Catalysis of an Anionic Oxy‐Cope Rearrangement Enabled by Synergistic Ion Binding
Authors: Kennedy C. Rose , Choi Bo Young , Reeves Mary‐Grace R. , Jacobsen Eric N.
Published: March 2020

Charge‐accelerated rearrangements present interesting challenges to enantioselective catalysis, due in large part to the competing requirements for maximizing reactivity (ion‐pair separation) and stereochemical communication. Herein, we describe application of a synergistic ion‐binding strategy to catalyze the anionic oxy‐Cope rearrangement of a symmetric bis‐styrenyl allyl alcohol in up to 75 : 25 e.r. Structure‐reactivity‐selectivity relationship studies, including linear free‐energy‐relationship analyses, with bifunctional urea catalysts indicate that H‐bonding and cation‐binding interactions act cooperatively to promote the chemo‐ and enantioselective [3,3]‐rearrangement. Implications for catalyst designs applicable to other transformations involving oxyanionic intermediates are discussed.
Lessons learned from immunoadsorption for hyperviscosity in IgM multiple myeloma—A case report
Authors: Gauckler Philipp , Leierer Johannes , Kocher Florian , Feistritzer Clemens , Willenbacher Wolfgang , Gunsilius Eberhard , Wolf Dominik , Neuwirt Hannes , Mayer Gert , Kronbichler Andreas
Published: March 2020

We report the case of a 63‐year‐old Caucasian woman with multiple relapsed IgM multiple myeloma (MM) and elevated free kappa light chains (fκLC). Due to hyperviscosity syndrome with visual impairment, regular plasma exchanges were performed. As part of her 11th line of therapy, an experimental protocol consisting of pembrolizumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone was initiated. To reduce fκLC and immunoglobulin (Ig) M, we performed immunoadsorption (IA) using columns containing recombinant single domain camelid antibody fragments as ligands. We measured pembrolizumab (humanized IgG4 kappa anti‐PD1 antibody) levels before and after each IA session and found a 98.1% reduction from baseline with five sessions of IA. Comparable elimination kinetics were observed for serum IgG, whereas fκLC and IgM were eliminated to a substantially lesser extent. These findings highlight that in hyperviscosity syndrome due to IgM MM, broad spectrum IA columns might be only moderately effective compared to total plasma exchange or double filtration plasmapheresis. Monoclonal antibodies are efficiently reduced by extracorporeal therapies and re‐dosing is necessary to provide sufficient efficacy. In the case of serious adverse events such as immune‐related adverse events, IA might be used to eliminate the monoclonal antibody. Measuring IgG levels might be a reasonable strategy for monitoring drug levels of monoclonal antibodies during IA.
Identification of two CUL7 variants in two Chinese families with 3‐M syndrome by whole‐exome sequencing
Authors: Hu Li , Wang Xike , Jin Tingting , Han Yuanyuan , Liu Juan , Jiang Minmin , Yan Shujuan , Fu Xiaoling , An Bangquan , Huang Shengwen
Published: March 2020

Background

3‐M syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by primordial growth retardation, large head circumference, characteristic facial features, and mild skeletal changes, which is associated with the exclusive variants in three genes, namely CUL7, OBSL1, and CCDC8. Only a few 3‐M syndrome patients have been reported in Chinese population.

Methods

Children with unexplained severe short stature, facial dysmorphism, and normal intelligence in two Chinese families and their relatives were enrolled. Trio‐whole‐exome sequencing (trio‐WES) and pathogenicity prediction analysis were conducted on the recruited patients. A conservative analysis of the mutant amino acid sequences and function prediction analysis of the wild‐type (WT) and mutant CUL7 protein were performed.

Results

We identified a homozygous missense variant (NM_014780.4: c.4898C > T, p.Thr1633Met) in CUL7 gene in a 6‐month‐old female infant from a non‐consanguineous family, and a homozygous frameshift variant (NM_014780.4: c.3722_3749 dup GGCTGGCACAGCTGCAGCAATGCCTGCA, p. Val1252Glyfs*23) in CUL7 gene in two affected siblings from a consanguinity family. These two variants may affect the properties and structure of CUL7 protein.

Conclusion

These two rare variants were observed in Chinese population for the first time and have not been reported in the literature. Our findings expand the variant spectrum of 3‐M syndrome in Chinese population and provide valuable insights into the early clinical manifestations and pathogenesis of 3‐M syndrome for pediatricians and endocrinologists.
Cancer cachexia and its pathophysiology: links with sarcopenia, anorexia and asthenia
Authors: Peixoto da Silva Sara , Santos Joana M.O. , Costa e Silva Maria Paula , Gil da Costa Rui M. , Medeiros Rui
Published: March 2020

Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, along with adipose tissue wasting, systemic inflammation and other metabolic abnormalities leading to functional impairment. Cancer cachexia has long been recognized as a direct cause of complications in cancer patients, reducing quality of life and worsening disease outcomes. Some related conditions, like sarcopenia (age‐related muscle wasting), anorexia (appetite loss) and asthenia (reduced muscular strength and fatigue), share some key features with cancer cachexia, such as weakness and systemic inflammation. Understanding the interplay and the differences between these conditions is critical to advance basic and translational research in this field, improving the accuracy of diagnosis and contributing to finally achieve effective therapies for affected patients.
White matter disturbances in phenylketonuria: Possible underlying mechanisms
Authors: Ferreira Bruna Klippel , Rodrigues Melissa Torres , Streck Emilio Luiz , Ferreira Gustavo Costa , Schuck Patricia Fernanda
Published: March 2020

White matter pathologies, as well as intellectual disability, microcephaly, and other central nervous system injuries, are clinical traits commonly ascribed to classic phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU is an inherited metabolic disease elicited by the deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase. Accumulation of l‐phenylalanine (Phe) and its metabolites is found in tissues and body fluids in phenylketonuric patients. In order to mitigate the clinical findings, rigorous dietary Phe restriction constitutes the core of therapeutic management in PKU. Myelination is the process whereby the oligodendrocytes wrap myelin sheaths around the axons, supporting the conduction of action potentials. White matter injuries are implicated in the brain damage related to PKU, especially in untreated or poorly treated patients. The present review summarizes evidence toward putative mechanisms driving the white matter pathology in PKU patients.