bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social‐ecological predictors of school functioning in Hispanic children treated for cancer with central nervous system–directed therapies
Authors: Patel Sunita K. , Johansen Christopher , Gold Abigail Onderwyzer , Delgado Nicole , Xu Sandra , Dennis Jessica
Published: July 2020

Background

Children with brain tumor or acute leukemia are at risk for neurotoxic side effects associated with their cancer therapies. These long‐term deficits include poor health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in school and lower educational achievement. Although social‐ecological factors may impact these outcomes, it is not known which factors play a role. Our objective was to evaluate the factors affecting school HRQOL in Hispanic childhood cancer survivors, an important at‐risk group.

Procedure

Multivariable regression analyses examined whether selected social‐ecological factors contribute toward suboptimal school HRQOL in 73 Hispanic children treated with central nervous system (CNS)–directed cancer therapies after accounting for effects associated with established cancer‐related risk factors.

Results

Consistent with expectations from prior research, in our multivariate analysis, the cancer‐related factors of having a brain tumor diagnosis and being younger at cancer diagnosis were significant predictors of reduced parent‐reported school HRQOL (F(2,65) = 5.46, P < .01) and accounted for 14% of the variance. Adding the social‐ecological variables of parent education, child motivation, and parental knowledge accounted for an additional 25% of the variance in school HRQOL, where higher levels were associated with better child school HRQOL. Parenting knowledge was a contributor even after controlling for effects associated with the other variables in the model (F(1,62) = 4.88, P < .05).

Conclusions

Cancer survivorship care should incorporate parent education interventions to enhance the child's school functioning, particularly for Hispanic childhood cancer survivors from predominantly Spanish‐speaking families. Future research should consider other at‐risk groups and incorporate social‐ecological indicators to predict HRQOL outcomes.
Hygrothermal effects on the buckling of soft‐core sandwich plates with composite layered face sheets
Authors: Kamarian Saeed , Bodaghi Mahdi , Song Jung‐il
Published: July 2020

The present work attempts to investigate the influence of hygrothermal environments on the buckling of soft‐core sandwich plates with laminated composite face sheets. The stability equations are derived based on piecewise low‐order shear deformation theory (PLSDT) and then solved using different methods, depending on the boundary conditions. For fully simply supported sandwich plates, an analytical method is developed which results in some closed‐form solutions. For sandwich plates with two parallel simply supported edges and two clamped edges, a semi‐analytical solution is established using one‐dimensional generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) technique. Finally, for fully clamped sandwich plates, two‐dimensional GDQ approach is applied to the governing equations. To validate the results of proposed methods, a comparative study with various examples is carried out verifying that the methods in the present work can accurately predict the buckling load of sandwich plates in hot and wet environments. Then, a comprehensive parametric study is performed to show the effects of temperature and moisture content on the buckling of sandwich plates for different parameters such as length‐to‐thickness ratio, core thickness, and boundary conditions. It is concluded that both temperature and moisture content have significant influences on the buckling behavior of sandwich plates.
Online optical monitoring of polymer melting in a twin‐screw extruder
Authors: Bicalho Luciana Assumpção , Covas José António , Canevarolo Sebastião Vicente
Published: July 2020

An experimental setup containing a sliding online optical device is used to monitor in real‐time the melting process of a commercial polypropylene in a corotating intermeshing twin‐screw extruder. Turbidity and birefringence are measured at several axial locations upstream and along the first restrictive zone of the screw, where melting develops. The experiments are performed using different set barrel temperatures, extruder feed rates, and screw speeds, to generate distinct flow histories and, accordingly, changes in the onset and rate of melting of the polymer. The local flow conditions are characterized in terms of residence time distribution and data equivalent to axial pressure profiles. Turbidity and birefringence are sensitive to changes in the operating conditions providing a coherent description of melting. The onset of melting seems to take place in partially filled conveying elements, and then melting develops quickly as the latter become fully filled, and is completed well before flow through the kneading block.
Reactive Molecular Dynamics Study on the Effect of H2O on the Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Dinitramide
Authors: Zeng Tao , Yang Rongjie , Li Dinghua , Li Jianmin , Guo Xiaoyan , Luo Peng
Published: July 2020

Ammonium dinitramide (ADN) is a halogen‐free green oxidizer, which is widely used in energetic materials because of its positive oxygen balance and low characteristic signal. However, ADN is easy to absorb moisture, which affects its storage and safety performances. It is of great significance to study the effect of water on its thermal decomposition mechanism. In this paper, the thermal decomposition processes of the ADN with water contents of 0 %, 1 %, 2 %, 5 %, and 10 % are simulated by large‐scale reactive molecular dynamics simulations. The reaction pathway and the evolution of the main products are analyzed in detail. The results show that the ADN is not stable and decompose easily, namely ADN
NH3(NH4)+HN3O4(N3O4). The H2O has a significant effect on the thermal decomposition of the ADN. The water contents of 2 % and 5 % can better promote the decomposition of the ADN and the degree of decomposition is also more thorough.
Hazardous Properties of Molten Ammonium Dinitramide
Authors: Comet Marc , Schwartz Cédric , Oudot Franck , Schnell Fabien , Spitzer Denis
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this article is to alert our peers on the danger faced by those who carry out experiments involving molten ammonium dinitramide (ADN). In recent experiments aiming at preparing submicron particles of this compound, a preliminary study of the sensitivity to impact of molten ADN was performed. These first tests have shown that the sensitivity threshold of molten ADN to impact is more than one order of magnitude lower that the one on solid ADN (<0.25 J vs. 4 J) and similar to the one of nitroglycerin (<0.25 J), making liquid ADN extremely hazardous to handle. Detonation tests, which were performed in strong steel sheaths open to one end, have shown that the initiation of the detonation and its subsequent propagation occur both in solid and liquid ADN charges, having a diameter of only 4 mm. The critical diameter of solid ADN which is between 25 and 40 mm according to literature, is therefore decreased by at least an order of magnitude when ADN is placed in strong metallic confinement. On the other hand, the detonation of liquid ADN produces stronger destructive effects than the detonation of solid ADN, meaning that the detonation mechanisms of this explosive are different in its two physical states. In conclusion, liquid ADN must be considered in practice as a more hazardous and powerful explosive than solid ADN. This raises the issue of all experiments in which ADN is likely to be formed in molten state.
Foldability and chameleon propensity of fold‐switching protein sequences
Authors: Mezei Mihaly
Published: July 2020

It has been shown recently by Porter & Looger that a significant number of proteins exist that can form more than one stable fold. This note examines the sequences of these fold‐switching proteins by (a) calculating their foldability scores recently introduced by the present author and (b) comparing the propensity of chameleon sequences in fold switchers and in non fold switchers. It has been found that the average foldability score of the fold switchers indicates weaker foldability. As for the propensity of chameleon sequences of length 5 to 7 it was found, somewhat surprisingly, that there is only a very small difference between the fold switchers and the non fold switchers. Furthermore, when looking at amino acid propensities, for several amino acids there was even an opposing trend in the deviation of their propensities from the overall amino acid propensities.
Innate immune evasion by SARS‐CoV‐2: Comparison with SARS‐CoV
Authors: Bouayad Abdellatif
Published: July 2020

SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, a member of the Coronaviridae family, causes Covid‐19 pandemic disease with severe respiratory illness. Multiple strategies enable SARS‐CoV‐2 to eventually overcome antiviral innate immune mechanisms which are important components of viral pathogenesis. This review considers several mechanisms of SARS‐CoV‐2 innate immune evasion including suppression of IFN‐α/β production at the earliest stage of infection, mechanisms that exhaust natural killer cell‐mediated cytotoxicity, overstimulation of NLRP3 inflammasome and induction of a cytokine storm. A comparison with SARS‐CoV is made. Greater knowledge of these and other immune evasion tactics may provide us with improved possibilities for research into this novel deadly virus.
The role of endogenous retroviruses‐K in human cancer
Authors: Salavatiha Zahra , Soleimani‐Jelodar Rahim , Jalilvand Somayeh
Published: July 2020

It is known that human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) constitute almost 8% of the human genome. Although the expression of HERVs from the human genome is tightly regulated, different exogenous and endogenous factors could trigger HERV activation. Aberrant expression of different HERVs may potentially cause a variety of diseases such as neurological and autoimmune diseases as well as cancer. It is suggested that HERV‐K can induce cancer through different mechanisms that are discussed. The interplay between some tumor viruses and HERV‐K seems to be a key player in progression of viral‐associated cancers because elevated levels of Rec and Np9 proteins are observed in several cancers. The frequent over expression of HERV proteins and some specific antibodies in cancer cells could be considered as suitable prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers in diagnosis and treatment of cancers. The expression of HERV proteins in cancers and development of immune responses against them may also be used as targets for cancer immunotherapy. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the role of HERVs in cancer formation and use of different HERV proteins in developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cancer treatments.
Sustainable development goal interactions: An analysis based on the five pillars of the 2030 agenda
Authors: Tremblay David , Fortier François , Boucher Jean‐François , Riffon Olivier , Villeneuve Claude
Published: July 2020

The 2030 Agenda calls for a change in thinking in order to implement sustainable development goals (SDGs) and targets as a system. To achieve this goal, the 2030 Agenda established five pillars (“5 Ps”): people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership. Here, we present a classification of these SDGs and their targets based on the five pillars. Our aim is to improve our understanding of interactions by assessing whether potential synergies and trade‐offs are related to the classification of the targets. We surveyed 30 people and asked them to associate the content of target labels with the pillars. We classified SDG and targets according to an original quantification system. We determined whether the interactions were linked to similar or different classifications of the targets. We observed that the more similar the targets were in terms of classification, the more positive the interactions. We also noted that synergies exist between targets of different classifications. Our findings are useful for applying a systemic approach for policy coherence in sustainability analysis.
Ascertaining properties of weighting in the estimation of optimal treatment regimes under monotone missingness
Authors: Dong Lin , Laber Eric , Goldberg Yair , Song Rui , Yang Shu
Published: July 2020

Dynamic treatment regimes operationalize precision medicine as a sequence of decision rules, one per stage of clinical intervention, that map up‐to‐date patient information to a recommended intervention. An optimal treatment regime maximizes the mean utility when applied to the population of interest. Methods for estimating an optimal treatment regime assume the data to be fully observed, which rarely occurs in practice. A common approach is to first use multiple imputation and then pool the estimators across imputed datasets. However, this approach requires estimating the joint distribution of patient trajectories, which can be high‐dimensional, especially when there are multiple stages of intervention. We examine the application of inverse probability weighted estimating equations as an alternative to multiple imputation in the context of monotonic missingness. This approach applies to a broad class of estimators of an optimal treatment regime including both Q‐learning and a generalization of outcome weighted learning. We establish consistency under mild regularity conditions and demonstrate its advantages in finite samples using a series of simulation experiments and an application to a schizophrenia study.
Okra‐Like Fe7S8/C@ZnS/N‐C@C with Core–Double‐Shelled Structures as Robust and High‐Rate Sodium Anode
Authors: Cao Dongwei , Kang Wenpei , Wang Wenhong , Sun Kaian , Wang Yuyu , Ma Ping , Sun Daofeng
Published: July 2020

Core–multishelled structures with controlled chemical composition have attracted great interest due to their fascinating electrochemical performance. Herein, a metal–organic framework (MOF)‐on‐MOF self‐templated strategy is used to fabricate okra‐like bimetal sulfide (Fe7S8/C@ZnS/N‐C@C) with core–double‐shelled structure, in which Fe7S8/C is distributed in the cores, and ZnS is embedded in one of the layers. The MOF‐on‐MOF precursor with an MIL‐53 core, a ZIF‐8 shell, and a resorcinol–formaldehyde (RF) layer (MIL‐53@ZIF‐8@RF) is prepared through a layer‐by‐layer assembly method. After calcination with sulfur powder, the resultant structure has a hierarchical carbon matrix, abundant internal interface, and tiered active material distribution. It provides fast sodium‐ion reaction kinetics, a superior pseudocapacitance contribution, good resistance of volume changes, and stepwise sodiation/desodiation reaction mechanism. As an anode material for sodium‐ion batteries, the electrochemical performance of Fe7S8/C@ZnS/N‐C@C is superior to that of Fe7S8/C@ZnS/N‐C, Fe7S8/C, or ZnS/N‐C. It delivers a high and stable capacity of 364.7 mAh g−1 at current density of 5.0 A g−1 with 10 000 cycles, and registers only 0.00135% capacity decay per cycle. This MOF‐on‐MOF self‐templated strategy may provide a method to construct core–multishelled structures with controlled component distributions for the energy conversion and storage.
Stimuli‐Enabled Artificial Synapses for Neuromorphic Perception: Progress and Perspectives
Authors: Pan Xuan , Jin Tengyu , Gao Jing , Han Cheng , Shi Yumeng , Chen Wei
Published: July 2020

Brain‐inspired neuromorphic computing is intended to provide effective emulation of the functionality of the human brain via the integration of electronic components. Recent studies of synaptic plasticity, which represents one of the most significant neurochemical bases of learning and memory, have enhanced the general comprehension of how the brain functions and have thereby eased the development of artificial neuromorphic devices. An understanding of the synaptic plasticity induced by various types of stimuli is essential for neuromorphic system construction. The realization of multiple stimuli‐enabled synapses will be important for future neuromorphic computing applications. In this Review, state‐of‐the‐art synaptic devices with particular emphasis on their synaptic behaviors under excitation by a variety of external stimuli are summarized, including electric fields, light, magnetic fields, pressure, and temperature. The switching mechanisms of these synaptic devices are discussed in detail, including ion migration, electron/hole transfer, phase transition, redox‐based resistive switching, and other mechanisms. This Review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the operating mechanisms of artificial synapses and thus provides the principles required for design of multifunctional neuromorphic systems with parallel processing capabilities.
Redox‐Active Polymers Connecting Living Microbial Cells to an Extracellular Electrical Circuit
Authors: Kaneko Masahiro , Ishihara Kazuhiko , Nakanishi Shuji
Published: July 2020

Microbial electrochemical systems in which metabolic electrons in living microbes have been extracted to or injected from an extracellular electrical circuit have attracted considerable attention as environmentally‐friendly energy conversion systems. Since general microbes cannot exchange electrons with extracellular solids, electron mediators are needed to connect living cells to an extracellular electrode. Although hydrophobic small molecules that can penetrate cell membranes are commonly used as electron mediators, they cannot be dissolved at high concentrations in aqueous media. The use of hydrophobic mediators in combination with small hydrophilic redox molecules can substantially increase the efficiency of the extracellular electron transfer process, but this method has side effects, in some cases, such as cytotoxicity and environmental pollution. In this Review, recently‐developed redox‐active polymers are highlighted as a new type of electron mediator that has less cytotoxicity than many conventional electron mediators. Owing to the design flexibility of polymer structures, important parameters that affect electron transport properties, such as redox potential, the balance of hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity, and electron conductivity, can be systematically regulated.
Crosslinking Strategies for 3D Bioprinting of Polymeric Hydrogels
Authors: GhavamiNejad Amin , Ashammakhi Nureddin , Wu Xiao Yu , Khademhosseini Ali
Published: July 2020

Three‐dimensional (3D) bioprinting has recently advanced as an important tool to produce viable constructs that can be used for regenerative purposes or as tissue models. To develop biomimetic and sustainable 3D constructs, several important processing aspects need to be considered, among which crosslinking is most important for achieving desirable biomechanical stability of printed structures, which is reflected in subsequent behavior and use of these constructs. In this work, crosslinking methods used in 3D bioprinting studies are reviewed, parameters that affect bioink chemistry are discussed, and the potential toward improving crosslinking outcomes and construct performance is highlighted. Furthermore, current challenges and future prospects are discussed. Due to the direct connection between crosslinking methods and properties of 3D bioprinted structures, this Review can provide a basis for developing necessary modifications to the design and manufacturing process of advanced tissue‐like constructs in future.
Microstructural Alteration of Alloyed Steel in Direct Metal Laser Melting by Powder Bed Deposition System
Authors: Jamshidinia Mahdi , Ghasemi‐Nanesa Hadi , Bocher Philippe , Nuño Natalia , Poorganji Behrang , Habibnejad-Korayem Mahdi
Published: July 2020

Herein, the microstructural alteration of alloyed steel by variation in process parameters is investigated using a powder bed deposition technology commonly available in industry as a direct metal laser melting (DMLM) machine. Two sets of process parameters with high heat and low heat inputs are used to print the specimens. Results show that modifications in the microstructure as a function of process parameters and exposured region shape. Electron back scatter diffraction data confirm that commonly observed epitaxial growth and strong {001} texture in additive manufactured steels can be removed using different set‐ups of process parameters.
Boronia (Rutaceae) is polyphyletic: Reinstating Cyanothamnus and the problems associated with inappropriately defined outgroups
Authors: Duretto Marco F. , Heslewood Margaret M. , Bayly Michael J.
Published: July 2020

The monophyly of Boronia (Rutaceae) was tested using 134 accessions of 120 species belonging to 39 genera from subfamily Amyridoideae. Taxa included representatives of all eight sections of Boronia plus species of most genera in the two main clades related to Boronia that had been identified by earlier studies. These samples included a good representation of genera from both rainforest and sclerophyllous biomes. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses were performed using three plastid markers (psbA‐trnH, trnL‐trnF, rbcL) and two nuclear ribosomal markers (ITS, ETS). Separate analyses of plastid and nuclear sequences using either maximum parsimony or Bayesian inference analyses recovered similar topologies. Apart from Boronia, the broad generic relationships of previous analyses were largely supported. Boronia is polyphyletic with section Cyanothamnus being more closely related to a large clade containing genera found in rainforest, including Melicope, Acronychia and their relatives. The remaining seven sections of Boronia formed a strongly supported and isolated group. Boronia sensu stricto is sister to a clade containing the Cyanothamnus‐Melicope‐Acronychia clade plus a clade containing Euodia, Zieria and other small genera found in rainforest or sclerophyllous communities. Issues with circumscriptions of ingroups and outgroups for previous analyses of Boronia and the complex relationship between Australasian genera found in rainforest and sclerophyllous communities are both discussed. Cyanothamnus is reinstated at generic level. Appropriate nomenclatural changes are made to transfer all currently recognised series, species, subspecies and varieties of Boronia sect. Cyanothamnus to the genus Cyanothamnus.
Fetal head progression and regression on maternal pushing at term and labor outcome
Authors: Youssef A. , Brunelli E. , Azzarone C. , Di Donna G. , Casadio P. , Pilu G.
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The aim of our study was two‐fold. First, to evaluate the association between the change in the angle of progression (AoP) on maternal pushing and labor outcome. Second, to assess the incidence and clinical significance of the reduction of AoP on maternal pushing.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of nulliparous women with singleton pregnancy at term. AoP was measured at rest and on maximum Valsalva maneuver before the onset of labor, and the difference between AoP on maximum Valsalva and that at rest (ΔAoP) was calculated for each woman. Following delivery and data collection, we assessed the association between ΔAoP and various labor outcomes, including Cesarean section (CS), duration of the first, second and active second stages of labor, Apgar score and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The prevalence of women with reduction of AoP on maximum Valsalva maneuver (AoP‐regression group) was calculated and its association with the mode of delivery and duration of different stages of labor was assessed.

Results

Overall, 469 women were included in the analysis. Among these, 273 (58.2%) had spontaneous vaginal birth, 65 (13.9%) had instrumental delivery and 131 (27.9%) underwent CS. Women in the CS group were older, had narrower AoP at rest and on maximum Valsalva, higher rate of epidural administration and lower 1‐min and 5‐min Apgar scores in comparison with the vaginal‐delivery group. ΔAoP was comparable between the two groups. On Pearson's correlation analysis, AoP at rest and on maximum Valsalva maneuver had a significant negative correlation with the duration of the first stage of labor. ΔAoP showed a significant negative correlation with the duration of the active second stage of labor (Pearson's r, −0.125; P = 0.02). Cox regression model analysis showed that ΔAoP was associated independently with the duration of the active second stage (hazard ratio, 1.014 (95% CI, 1.003–1.025); P = 0.012) after adjusting for maternal age and body mass index. AoP reduction on maximum Valsalva was found in 73 (15.6%) women. In comparison with women who showed no change or an increase in AoP on maximum Valsalva, the AoP‐regression group did not demonstrate significant difference in maternal characteristics, mode of delivery, rate of epidural analgesia, duration of the different stages of labor or rate of NICU admission.

Conclusions

In nulliparous women at term before the onset of labor, narrower AoP at rest and on maximum Valsalva, reflecting fetal head engagement, is associated with a higher risk of Cesarean delivery. The increase in AoP from rest to Valsalva, reflecting more efficient maternal pushing, is associated with a shorter active second stage of labor. Fetal head regression on maternal pushing is present in about 16% of women and does not appear to have clinical significance. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Perinatal outcome of pregnancies with prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang W. , Geris S. , Al‐Emara N. , Ramadan G. , Sotiriadis A. , Akolekar R.
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To derive accurate estimates of perinatal survival in pregnancies with and without a prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa based on a systematic review of the literature and meta‐analysis.

Methods

A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library was performed to review relevant citations reporting on the perinatal outcomes of pregnancies with vasa previa. We included prospective and retrospective cohort and population studies that provided data on pregnancies with a prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa or cases diagnosed at birth or following postnatal placental examination. Meta‐analysis using a random‐effects model was performed to derive weighted pooled estimates of perinatal survival (excluding stillbirths and neonatal deaths) and intact perinatal survival (additionally excluding hypoxic morbidity). Incidence rate difference (IRD) meta‐analysis was used to estimate the significance of differences in pooled proportions between cases of vasa previa with and those without a prenatal diagnosis. Heterogeneity between studies was estimated using Cochran's Q and the I2 statistic.

Results

We included 21 studies reporting on the perinatal outcomes of 683 pregnancies with a prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa. There were three stillbirths (1.01% (95% CI, 0.40–1.87%)), five neonatal deaths (1.19% (95% CI, 0.52–2.12%)) and 675 surviving neonates, resulting in a pooled estimate for perinatal survival of 98.6% (95% CI, 97.6–99.3%). Based on seven studies that included cases of vasa previa with and without a prenatal diagnosis, the pooled perinatal survival in pregnancies without a prenatal diagnosis (61/118) was 72.1% (95% CI, 50.6–89.4%) vs 98.6% (95% CI, 96.7–99.7%) in cases with a prenatal diagnosis (224/226). Therefore, the risk of perinatal death was 25‐fold higher when a diagnosis of vasa previa was not made antenatally, compared with when it was (odds ratio (OR), 25.39 (95% CI, 7.93–81.31); P < 0.0001). Similarly, the risk of hypoxic morbidity was increased 50‐fold in cases with vasa previa without a prenatal diagnosis compared with those with a prenatal diagnosis (36/61 vs 5/224; OR, 50.09 (95% CI, 17.33–144.79)). The intact perinatal survival rate in cases of vasa previa without a prenatal diagnosis was significantly lower than in those with a prenatal diagnosis (28.1% (95% CI, 14.1–44.7%) vs 96.7% (95% CI, 93.6–98.8%)) (IRD, 73.4% (95% CI, 53.9–92.7%); Z = –7.4066, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa is associated with a high rate of perinatal survival, whereas lack of an antenatal diagnosis significantly increases the risk of perinatal death and hypoxic morbidity. Further research should be undertaken to investigate strategies for incorporating prenatal screening for vasa previa into routine clinical practice. © 2021 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Historical development of rainfall‐runoff modeling
Authors: Peel Murray C. , McMahon Thomas A.
Published: July 2020

Rainfall‐runoff models are used across academia and industry, and the number and type have proliferated over time. In this primer we briefly introduce the key features of these models and provide an overview of their historical development and drivers behind those developments. To complete the discussion there is a brief section on model choice including model intercomparison. We also seek to clarify jargon terms for readers new to this area.

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Hydrological Processes

Science of Water > Methods
Smart Grid Challenges Through the Lens of the European General Data Protection Regulation
Authors: Martinez Jabier , Ruiz Alejandra , Puelles Javier , Arechalde Ibon , Miadzvetskaya Yuliya
Published: July 2020

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was conceived to remove the obstacles to the free movement of personal data while ensuring the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of such data. The Smart Grid has similar features as any privacy-critical system but, in comparison to the engineering of other architectures, has the peculiarity of being the source of energy consumption data. Electricity consumption constitutes an indirect means to infer personal information. This work looks at the Smart Grid from the perspective of the GDPR, which is especially relevant now given the current growth and diversification of the Smart Grid ecosystem. We provide a review of existing works highlighting the importance of energy consumption as valuable personal data as well as an analysis of the established Smart Grid Architecture Model and its main challenges from a legal viewpoint, in particular the challenge of sharing data with third parties.
The QCD axion at finite density
Authors: Balkin Reuven , Serra Javi , Springmann Konstantin , Weiler Andreas
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We show how the properties of the QCD axion change in systems at finite baryonic density, such as neutron stars. At nuclear saturation densities, where corrections can be reliably computed, we find a mild reduction of the axion mass and up to an order of magnitude enhancement in the model-independent axion coupling to neutrons. At moderately higher densities, if realized, meson (kaon) condensation can trigger axion condensation. We also study the axion potential at asymptotically large densities, where the color-superconducting phase of QCD potentially leads to axion condensation, and the mass of the axion is generically several orders of magnitude smaller than in vacuum due to the suppressed instantons. Several phenomenological consequences of the axion being sourced by neutron stars are discussed, such as its contribution to their total mass, the presence of an axionic brane, or axion-photon conversion in the magnetosphere.
An alphanumeric classification of osteoporotic pelvic ring injuries
Authors: Krappinger Dietmar , Kaser Verena , Merkel Anke , Neururer Sabrina , Lindtner Richard A.
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Classification and management of osteoporotic pelvic ring injuries (OPRI) continue to pose a considerable challenge to orthopaedic traumatologists. The currently used fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) classification of OPRI has recently been shown to have significant weaknesses. The aim of this study therefore was to propose a new, simple, yet comprehensive alphanumeric classification (ANC) of OPRI and to assess its intra- and interobserver reliability. Furthermore, its potential advantages over the FFP classification are discussed.

Materials and methods

One hundred consecutive CT scans from patients with OPRI were evaluated by three orthopaedic traumatologists with varying levels of experience and one musculoskeletal radiologist. Intra- and interobserver reliability of the proposed classification system was assessed using weighted kappa (κ) statistics and percentage agreement. In addition, the Fleiss’ kappa statistic was computed to assess interobserver agreement among all four raters.

Results

Overall intraobserver reliability of the proposed ANC was substantial [κ ranging from 0.71 to 0.80; percentage agreement: 70% (range, 67–76%)]. Overall interobserver reliability between pairs of raters was substantial as well [κ ranging from 0.61 to 0.68; percentage agreement: 58% (range, 53–61%)]. For ANC types, groups and subgroups, intra- and interobserver reliability were substantial to almost perfect. Interobserver agreement among all four raters was moderate to substantial, with Fleiss’ kappa values of 0.48, 0.69, 0.71 and 0.52 for ANC overall, types, groups and subgroups, respectively.

Conclusion

The proposed ANC of OPRI demonstrated overall reliability comparable to that of the FFP classification. The ANC, however, is simple, more comprehensive, and consistently relates to injury severity.
Single-cell transcriptomics reveals multiple neuronal cell types in human midbrain-specific organoids
Authors: Smits Lisa M. , Magni Stefano , Kinugawa Kaoru , Grzyb Kamil , Luginbühl Joachim , Sabate-Soler Sonia , Bolognin Silvia , Shin Jay W. , Mori Eiichiro , Skupin Alexander , Schwamborn Jens C.
Published: July 2020

Human stem cell-derived organoids have great potential for modelling physiological and pathological processes. They recapitulate in vitro the organization and function of a respective organ or part of an organ. Human midbrain organoids (hMOs) have been described to contain midbrain-specific dopaminergic neurons that release the neurotransmitter dopamine. However, the human midbrain contains also additional neuronal cell types, which are functionally interacting with each other. Here, we analysed hMOs at high-resolution by means of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), imaging and electrophysiology to unravel cell heterogeneity. Our findings demonstrate that hMOs show essential neuronal functional properties as spontaneous electrophysiological activity of different neuronal subtypes, including dopaminergic, GABAergic, glutamatergic and serotonergic neurons. Recapitulating these in vivo features makes hMOs an excellent tool for in vitro disease phenotyping and drug discovery.
How the Josephson Effect Started to Dominate My Life in Physics
Authors: Kleiner Reinhold
Published: July 2020

Dear Brian Josephson, my heartiest congratulations to your 80th birthday!

We actually never met in person, but I can tell you that your great discovery truly dominates my life in physics, perhaps 90% of my publications are related to Josephson junctions. Maybe it is a good occasion to briefly tell you my story.
Free will in the clustered-minds multiverse, and some comments on S. Sarasvathy’s ‘choice matters’
Authors: Schade Christian D.
Published: July 2020

This paper sketches a new version of the multiverse interpretation of quantum mechanics, the clustered-minds multiverse, that has been presented in detail elsewhere (Schade 2018, Springer, New York). It briefly shows why it grants us with free will and reflects upon the (im-)possibilty of singular-universe explanations of free will (e.g., Laskey 2018, J Cogn Sci 19–2:125–163). It also critically comments upon S. Sarasvathy's 'choice matters,' one of the other contributions to this mini symposium.
Agroforestry for sustainable landscape management
Authors: Plieninger Tobias , Muñoz-Rojas José , Buck Louise E. , Scherr Sara J.
Published: July 2020

Agroforestry and sustainable landscape management are key strategies for implementing the UN-Sustainable Development Goals across the world’s production landscapes. However, both strategies have so far been studied in isolation from each other. This editorial introduces a special feature dedicated to scrutinizing the role of agroforestry in sustainable landscape management strategies. The special feature comprises eleven studies that adopt inter- and transdisciplinary perspectives, integrating ecological, agricultural, and socio-economic sciences, and in some cases also practical knowledge. The studies relate to a range of different ecosystem goods and services, and to a diversity of societal sectors (e.g., agriculture, forestry, nature conservation, urban planning, landscape protection) and demands, including their mutual synergies and trade-offs. They inform land-use policy and practice by conceptualizing agroforestry as a set of “nature-based solutions” useful to help tackle multiple societal challenges. The studies encompass four themes: social-ecological drivers, processes, and impacts of changes of agroforestry landscapes; the sustainability outcomes of agroforestry at landscape scale; scaling up agroforestry through multi-stakeholder landscape strategies; and development of conceptual and operational tools for stakeholder analysis in agroforestry landscape transitions. Key steps to harness agroforestry for sustainable landscape management comprise: (i) moving towards an “agroforestry sustainability science”; (ii) understanding local land-use trajectories, histories, and traditions; (iii) upscaling agroforestry for landscape-scale benefits; (iv) promoting the multiple economic, environmental, social, and cultural values of agroforestry; (v) fostering inclusive forms of landscape governance; and (vi) supporting the innovation process of agroforestry system analysis and design.
The activity of β-glucosidase and guaiacol peroxidase in different genotypes of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) infected by Alternaria black spot fungi
Authors: Pieczul Katarzyna , Dobrzycka Agnieszka , Wolko Joanna , Perek Agnieszka , Zielezińska Małgorzata , Bocianowski Jan , Rybus-Zając Magdalena
Published: July 2020

The plants have developed several defense mechanisms to counteract pathogens. Among others, it includes activation of antioxidant enzymes likeβ-glucosidase and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX). These proteins participate in the oxidation of phenolic compounds, contributing to their increased fungitoxicity. The study aimed to analyze changes in the activity ofβ-glucosidase and GPX in four genotypes of winter oilseed rape (Mendel, Monolit, Polka, line L1425) inoculated with seven isolates:Alternaria brassicicola,Alternaria brassicae,Alternaria alternata(3 strains),Ulocladium chartarum(syn.A. chartarum), andCladosporium cladosporioides. We noted that the varieties of oilseed rape, tested fungal species, and time of the plant material collection had significant (P < 0.001) effect on the activity ofβ-glucosidase and GPX per protein and fresh matter content comparing to the control group.A. brassicicolacaused the highest mean increase inβ-glucosidase and GPX activity in all examined genotypes, while other pathogens had a lower impact. Significantly lowerβ-glucosidase activity inoculated by various pathogens was noted between the L 1425 line and other varieties. GPX activity was in the opposite, the lowest activity was recorded in the Mendel variety, and the highest in the L 1425 line.
An economic analysis of Iranian petroleum contract
Authors: Farimani Fazel M. , Mu Xiaoyi , Sahebhonar Hamed , Taherifard Ali
Published: July 2020

Following three generations of buyback contracts, the new model of Iranian petroleum contracts (IPC) was introduced by the Iranian cabinet to incentivize investments in the country. This paper analyzes the fiscal terms of the contract with technical information from one of the candidate fields for licensing. The financial simulation shows that, in general, the IPC resembles more a service contract than a production sharing contract as the contractor’s take is relatively low—below 5% across different scenarios of crude oil price. Second, the IPC is progressive in that as the overall profitability of the project improves the government takes an increasing share of the economic rent. The results are confirmed in a sensitivity analysis of each party’s profitability and takes on oil price, CAPEX, OPEX and the fee.
Validating the combination Centaurea benedicta var. kotschyi (Compositae: Cynareae)
Authors: Ghazanfar Shahina A.
Published: July 2020

A new combination, Centaurea benedicta var. kotschyi, invalidly published in Flora of Iraq Volume 6, is here validated.
Effect of land use and land cover changes on water quality in the Nawuni Catchment of the White Volta Basin, Northern Region, Ghana
Authors: Tahiru Abdulai A. , Doke Dzigbodi A. , Baatuuwie Bernard N.
Published: July 2020

Pollution of freshwater resources is gaining global attention due to increasing freshwater stress and scarcity. This study assessed land use and land cover changes (LULCC) in the Nawuni Catchment of the White Volta Basin and how the change affects water quality in the area. Satellite images from Landsat Thematic Mapper and Landsat 8 Operational land imager of the Nawuni Catchment of the White Volta Basin were acquired and used for this study. These images were analysed to ascertain the influence of land use and land cover changes on water quality parameters such as turbidity, ammonia and total coliform counts for a 10-year period (2007 to 2017). The results of LULCC revealed an increased expanse of grassland/farmland (4.1%), settlement (0.1%), bare land (9.4%) and closed savannah (1.2%), whilst opened savannah (14.7%) and water body (0.1%) recorded a decreasing trend. The study showed an increase in the levels of turbidity and ammonia and a decrease in total coliforms over the study period (2007 to 2017). The study also revealed a positive relationship between LULC categories and water quality parameters, implying that LULCC contribute to the change in water quality in the area. The study therefore recommends frequent water quality monitoring and LULC planning and management to curb pollution of the river basin.
Incorporating Pharmacometrics into Pharmacoeconomic Models: Applications from Drug Development
Authors: Srinivasan Meenakshi , White Annesha , Chaturvedula Ayyappa , Vozmediano Valvanera , Schmidt Stephan , Plouffe Leo , Wingate La’Marcus T.
Published: July 2020

Pharmacometrics is the science of quantifying the relationship between the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs in combination with disease models and trial information to aid in drug development and dosing optimization for clinical practice. Considering the variability in the dose–concentration–effect relationship of drugs, an opportunity exists in linking pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic model-based estimates with pharmacoeconomic models. This link may provide early estimates of the cost effectiveness of drug therapies, thus informing late-stage drug development, pricing, and reimbursement decisions. Published case studies have demonstrated how integrated pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic–pharmacoeconomic models can complement traditional pharmacoeconomic analyses by identifying the impact of specific patient sub-groups, dose, dosing schedules, and adherence on the cost effectiveness of drugs, thus providing a mechanistic basis to predict the economic value of new drugs. Greater collaboration between the pharmacoeconomics and pharmacometrics community can enable methodological improvements in pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic–pharmacoeconomic models to support drug development.
Mode transition from adsorption removal to bombardment removal induced by nanoparticle-surface collisions in fluid jet polishing
Authors: Zhao Xuechu , Ma Liran , Xu Xuefeng
Published: July 2020

The effects of impacting particles from a jet of liquid on the removal of a surface material (on the impacted workpiece) were investigated. Experimental observations show that the cross section of the material removed changed from ‘W’-shaped to ‘U’-shaped as the size of abrasive particles was increased. Comparisons between removed material profiles and particle collision distributions indicate that the particle-surface collisions are the main reason for the material removal. The deduced number of atoms removed by a single collision implies that a transition occurs in the removal mode. For nanoscale particles, the polished surface is likely to be removed in an atom-by-atom manner, possibly due to the chemisorption of the impacting particles on the impacted surface. Contrarily, for the case of microscale particles, bulk material removal produced by particle bombardment is more likely to occur. The present mechanism of material removal for particle-surface collisions is further corroborated experimentally.
Hot-Casting Large-Grain Perovskite Film for Efficient Solar Cells: Film Formation and Device Performance
Authors: Liao Kejun , Li Chengbo , Xie Lisha , Yuan Yuan , Wang Shurong , Cao Zhiyuan , Ding Liming , Hao Feng
Published: July 2020

Organic–inorganic metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have recently been considered as one of the most competitive contenders to commercial silicon solar cells in the photovoltaic field. The deposition process of a perovskite film is one of the most critical factors affecting the quality of the film formation and the photovoltaic performance. A hot-casting technique has been widely implemented to deposit high-quality perovskite films with large grain size, uniform thickness, and preferred crystalline orientation. In this review, we first review the classical nucleation and crystal growth theory and discuss those factors affecting the hot-casted perovskite film formation. Meanwhile, the effects of the deposition parameters such as temperature, thermal annealing, precursor chemistry, and atmosphere on the preparation of high-quality perovskite films and high-efficiency PSC devices are comprehensively discussed. The excellent stability of hot-casted perovskite films and integration with scalable deposition technology are conducive to the commercialization of PSCs. Finally, some open questions and future perspectives on the maturity of this technology toward the upscaling deposition of perovskite film for related optoelectronic devices are presented.
Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis of High Purity Libyan Desert Sandstone Silica Sand
Authors: Zreiba Nuri A. , Dweiby Reda M.
Published: July 2020

High purity silica sand is an important commodity used for the processing of photovoltaic silicon for solar cells. The sand must meet very closely defined specifications related to its impurity content and particle size distribution. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is one of essential techniques used to characterize trace amounts of impurities and their distribution within individual sand particles. The objective of this work is to characterize the impurities present in high purity sandstone silica sand withdrawn from a deposit site located in southern part of Libyan Desert called Al-Shibat using imaging and analytical capabilities of SEM.
Mentalisieren als schützende Ressource bei angehenden Erzieherinnen und Erziehern
Authors: Schwarzer Nicola-Hans , Gingelmaier Stephan
Published: July 2020

Zusammenfassung. Unter Verweis auf das hohe Belastungserleben von angehenden Erzieherinnen und Erziehern untersuchte die vorliegende Studie die potentiell schützende Funktion der Mentalisierungsfähigkeit an 264 Auszubildenden. Es zeigte sich, dass die Mentalisierungsfähigkeit nicht nur positiv mit dem Wohlbefinden der Stichprobe assoziiert war, sondern dass diese einen zum Stress- und Beschwerdeerleben gegenläufigen, förderlichen Effekt auf das Wohlbefinden verübte. Überdies wurde der Einfluss der Gesamtbelastung auf das Wohlbefinden über die Mentalisierungsfähigkeit partiell vermittelt. Die Daten zeigten, dass die Fähigkeit der Auszubildenden, eigenes und fremdes Verhalten auf Basis mentaler Zustände wahrzunehmen, deren Wohlbefinden förderlich beeinflusst.