bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semiautomatic Assessment of Fetal Fractional Limb Volume for Weight Prediction in Clinical Praxis
Authors: Gembicki Michael , Offerman David R. , Weichert Jan
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Semiautomatic fractional limb volume (FLV) models have recently produced promising results for fetal birth weight (BW) estimation. We tested those models in a more unselected population hypothesizing that the FLV models would improve accuracy and precision of fetal BW estimation compared to the Hadlock model.

Methods

We compared the performance of different BW prediction models: Hadlock (biparietal diameter [BPD], abdominal circumference (AC), femur diaphysis length) and modified Lee thigh volume (TVol) and arm volume (AVol) (BPD, AC, automated fractional TVol, and AVol). Accuracy (systematic errors, mean percent differences) and precision (random errors, ± 1 SD of percent differences) were calculated.

Results

A total of 75 fetuses were included for final analysis. The Hadlock model showed the most consistent results with accurate BW estimation not significantly different from zero (−0.37 ± 8.53%). The modified fractional thigh and arm volume models were less accurate but trended toward more precise results (−2.63 ± 7.69% and −3.85 ± 7.47%, respectively). In addition, the modified TVol model showed the trend to predict more BWs within ±10% of the actual BW compared to the Hadlock model (81.3 versus 74.67%, ns).

Conclusions

Based on our results, fetal weight estimation using the modified semiautomatic FLV models generates less accurate results in third‐trimester fetuses compared to the Hadlock model. Those models recently published might improve the results of BW prediction by showing a higher precision than conventional models, especially in small and large fetuses. Further studies are needed to investigate the clinical usefulness of the new models.
Sanitary Waste Landfill Effects on an Invasive Wild Pig Population
Authors: Mayer John J. , Edwards Thomas B. , Garabedian James E. , Kilgo John C.
Published: April 2021

Being opportunistic omnivores, wild pigs (Sus scrofa) readily feed on edible garbage. Given the presence of substantial volumes of edible food waste, large multi‐county and regional municipal sanitary waste landfills constitute attractive forage resources for pigs, providing a year‐round anthropogenic source of potentially high‐quality forage. Our objective was to assess the effects that a large regional landfill has on the local pigs foraging in that facility's waste disposal cells. The landfill, located on the United States Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, USA, became operational in 1998 and pigs began foraging there in 2001. By 2009 >100 pigs/night were observed foraging in the landfill, suggesting landfill establishment may have important consequences for population dynamics, public safety, and disease transmission. We evaluated changes in body mass, fetal litter size, numbers of pigs removed, and wild pig‐vehicle collisions (WPVCs) before (1980–2000) and after (2001–2019) pigs began foraging in the landfill on SRS. Body mass during the after period increased to a greater extent for pigs in the vicinity of the landfill compared to pigs on the rest of SRS. Fetal litter size increased for pigs in the vicinity of the landfill, whereas it remained unchanged on the rest of SRS. Our density surrogate (number of pigs harvested) increased around the landfill during the after period by 2.9 times, whereas on the rest of the site it only increased by 53%. No WPVCs occurred adjacent to the landfill before 2001, but WPVCs increased along the 2 major roads bordering the landfill after 2001. Effects of sanitary waste landfills on wild pig populations scavenging there can present unique challenges to population management, control, public safety, and disease transmission. Potential approaches to address these challenges could be exclusion fencing to prevent access to the landfill's waste disposal cells or enhanced placement of waste cell covers to reduce access. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Eastern Hog‐Nosed Snake Habitat Selection at Multiple Spatial Scales in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Robson Laura E. , Blouin‐demers Gabriel
Published: April 2021

Habitat loss is the greatest contributor to the decline of species globally. To prioritize protection of imperiled species, it is important to examine habitat use at multiple spatial scales because the availability of different resources and habitat features is scale dependent. We conducted a radio‐telemetry study in the Long Point region of Ontario, Canada, in 2009 and 2010 to examine habitat selection at multiple spatial scales by eastern hog‐nosed snakes (Heterodon platirhinos), a species at risk in Canada. We documented the habitat composition of home ranges compared to the surrounding landscape, the selection of locations within home ranges based on classified satellite imagery, and the use of microhabitat features based on site characterization in the field. At the scale of the home ranges, hog‐nosed snakes avoided areas of agriculture and selected sand barrens. Within home ranges, hog‐nosed snakes selectively used areas altered by humans (e.g., residential sites, openings in tree plantations). Microhabitats used by hog‐nosed snakes had more woody debris, logs, and lower vegetative coverage than adjoining random sites. Because hog‐nosed snakes prefer open areas and require sandy soils for nesting, management efforts should focus on the conservation and maintenance of sand barrens and patches of early successional forest. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Short‐Term Exposure to Air Pollution and Epiglottitis: A Nested Case–Control Study
Authors: Kim So Young , Min Chanyang , Yoo Dae Myoung , Park Bumjung , Choi Hyo Geun
Published: April 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

This study investigated the impacts of air pollution and meteorological factors on the occurrence of epiglottitis.

Study Design

A nested case‐control study.

Methods

Participants ≥40 years old in the Korean National Health Insurance Service‐Health Screening Cohort were analyzed. A total of 2,615 epiglottitis patients and 10,460 matched control participants were analyzed. The odds ratios (ORs) for epiglottitis associated with meteorological and air pollution factors, including sulfur dioxide (SO2, ppb), nitrogen dioxide (NO2, ppb), ozone (O3, ppb), and carbon monoxide (CO, ppm), after 3, 7, 15, and 30 days of exposure were analyzed using conditional logistic regression adjusted for total cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, prior upper respiratory infection, tonsillectomy, immunocompromise, autoimmune disease, and the Charlson comorbidity index.

Results

The daily temperature range and NO2 exposure after 3 days were associated with increased rates of epiglottitis (OR = 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02–1.05 for temperature range and OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.14–2.77 for NO2, respectively). These results were generally consistent at 7, 15, and 30 days.

Conclusions

The temperature range and NO2 exposure for 3, 7, 15, and 30 days were positively related to the occurrence of adult epiglottitis.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 131:2483–2489, 2021
Monitoring land sensitivity to desertification using the ESAI approach and evaluation of the key indicators: A spatio‐temporal study in India
Authors: Rajbanshi Joy , Das Sharmistha
Published: April 2021

Desertification is one of the primary environmental problems that negatively affect agricultural production leading to poverty, hunger, and economic instability in a country like India. A holistic study is therefore extremely valuable rather than localized ones for addressing this issue and its' further consequences. In this study, the environmentally sensitive area index (ESAI) has been used to identify the areas vulnerable to desertification from 1992 to 2015 in India. In addition to this, the random forest (RF) model was used to identify the drivers with major influence over the phenomenon. The result revealed that the desertification process has extended from the west and spread over the southern region in the Country. Among the states of India, Rajasthan and Ladakh possess the highest mean ESAI values (1.5–1.7), where 87.61% and 83.83% of land, respectively, are critically degraded due to desertification. According to the Mann‐Kendall mutation point detection test, the years of 1996, 2009, and 2014 were identified as the abrupt change of desertification processes over the Country. The most severe form of degradation is observed in the period between 1997 and 2009, where the highly sensitive (Critical‐3) area increased up to 37.44%. Based on variable importance for the RF‐model, drought resistance has the highest importance among all the other inputs that is, 46% followed by erosion protection with 20%. Our study also points out that 33.76% of the land of the Country is still classed under a very high critical zone and without any immediate action; it may result in irreversible loss.
Weekly epistaxis duration as an indicator of epistaxis severity in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia—Preliminary results from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wu Vincent , Lee John M. , Vozoris Nicholas T. , Faughnan Marie E.
Published: April 2021

Objectives

There is great interest in developing and studying novel therapies for epistaxis in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) given its associated morbidity and impact on patients' quality of life. Several recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been negative, likely attributed to poorly characterized outcome measures. This study reported on and evaluated an epistaxis outcome measure, weekly epistaxis duration (WED) in an ongoing RCT, with the aim of better characterizing the measurement of epistaxis for clinical trials.

Materials and methods

Patients were recruited to an ongoing phase II, double‐blind, cross‐over RCTs of oral doxycycline for HHT‐associated epistaxis. Patients were included for the epistaxis measures analysis if they had already completed the initial 3‐month run‐in period, and had received treatment of either study drug doxycycline or placebo for a minimum of 6 months. The primary measure of interest was patient‐reported outcome (PRO)‐WED, captured from prospective daily diaries. Epistaxis severity score (ESS) was collected as a secondary outcome.

Results

Seven patients were included for analysis, with 98% completion of the daily diary. The average PRO‐WED across all patients was 85.0 minutes, SD 93.2 at baseline, and 65.6 minutes, SD 59.5 during treatment/placebo. Coefficient of variance for PRO‐WED at baseline and during treatment/placebo was 0.49, SD 0.1 and 0.58, SD 0.2, respectively. Statistically significant changes in the mean PRO‐WED from baseline to treatment/placebo was noted in six patients (86%). Only two patients (29%) had a significant change in ESS, with both reporting decreased (improved) scores after treatment/placebo as compared to baseline.

Conclusions

PRO‐WED was a feasible clinical trials measure, was reasonably stable during baseline measurement, and appeared to be variable with treatment state, suggesting it may provide a sensitive clinical trials PRO in HHT.
Investment irreversibility and cyclical adversity: Implications for the financial performance of European manufacturing companies
Authors: Kepp Kaido , Männasoo Kadri
Published: April 2021

This investigation shows how the irreversibility constraints of fixed tangible investments conditioned on the debt flows and financial standing of a company affect its financial performance in cyclical adversity. The System General Method of Moments (GMM) estimator evaluates the endogenous link between the investment‐financing flows of companies and the risk‐adjusted returns on assets and invested capital. The detrimental effects on financial returns stem from the ill‐fated timing of irreversible or partially irreversible fixed tangible investment and arise for companies when there is a deep cyclical gap in real value added, where this adverse effect is particularly strong under concomitant high uncertainty in producer prices.
Perception of indigenous people of climate change and its impact on the Everest National Nature Preserve
Authors: Shijin Wang
Published: April 2021

Using interviews and surveys of 212 households in villages situated at different elevations in the Everest National Nature Preserve (ENNP), correlations and comparative analyses were employed to reveal the residents’ perceptions and understanding of climate change and its effects on the ENNP. Results showed that: (1) nearly all residents thought that climate warming and ice–snow landscape decrease were very significant, but there was an obvious difference between the residents’ cognition and observations to the change of runoff; (2) higher altitude is, more obvious warming is, and stronger residents’ perception of climate change and its impacts is in the ENNP, for which educational level and age were the main factors affecting their degree of perception; (3) especially, higher altitude is, more frequent the tourism participation of residents is and higher their income is; and (4) because the centralized pollutant treatment facilities have a low efficiency, and because the area receives a large number of tourists whose activities are spatially scattered, the potential risk of environmental pollution has been increasing in recent years. At present there is an urgent need for policy suggestions at the strategic level of national ecological security and interregional equity principles concerning the adaptation to climate and environmental changes in the ENNP.
Genetic variants related to successful migraine prophylaxis with verapamil
Authors: Cutrer Fred Michael , Moyer Ann M. , Atkinson Elizabeth J. , Wang Liguo , Tian Shulan , Wu Yanhong , Garza Ivan , Robertson Carrie E. , Huebert Carey A. , Moore Brenda E. , Klein Christopher J.
Published: April 2021

Background

Currently, there is no biologically based rationale for drug selection in migraine prophylactic treatment.

Methods

To investigate the genetic variation underlying treatment response to verapamil prophylaxis, we selected 225 patients from a longitudinally established, deeply phenotyped migraine database (N = 5983), and collected uninterrupted quantitated verapamil treatment response data and DNA for these 225 cases. We recorded the number of headache days in the four weeks preceding treatment with verapamil and for four weeks, following completion of a treatment period with verapamil lasting at least five weeks. Whole‐exome sequencing (WES) was applied to a discovery cohort consisting of 21 definitive responders and 14 definitive non‐responders, and the identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showing significant association were genotyped in a separate confirmation cohort (185 verapamil treated patients). Statistical analysis of the WES data from the discovery cohort identified 524 SNPs associated with verapamil responsiveness (p < 0.01); among them, 39 SNPs were validated in the confirmatory cohort (n = 185) which included the full range of response to verapamil from highly responsive to not responsive.

Results

Fourteen SNPs were confirmed by both percentage and arithmetic statistical approaches. Pathway and protein network analysis implicated myo‐inositol biosynthetic and phospholipase‐C second messenger pathways in verapamil responsiveness, emphasizing the earlier pathogenic understanding of migraine. No association was found between genetic variation in verapamil metabolic enzymes and treatment response.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that genetic analysis in well‐characterized subpopulations can yield important pharmacogenetic information pertaining to the mechanism of anti‐migraine prophylactic medications.
Theoretical prospects of fractional order weakly singular Volterra Integro differential equations and their approximations with convergence analysis
Authors: Das Pratibhamoy , Rana Subrata
Published: April 2021

In this research, we study a weakly singular Volterra integro differential equation with Caputo‐type fractional derivative. First, we derive a sufficient condition for the existence and uniqueness of the solution of this problem based on the maximum norm. It is observed that the condition depends on the domain of definition of the problem. Thereafter, we show that this condition will be independent of the domain of definition based on an equivalent weighted maximum norm. In addition, we have also provided a procedure to extend the existence and uniqueness of the solution in its domain of definition by partitioning it. We also derive a sufficient condition under which the model problem will provide an analytic solution. Next, we introduce an operator‐based parameterized method to generate an approximate solution of this problem. Convergence analysis of this approach is established here. Next, we have optimized this solution based on least square method. For this, residual minimization is used to obtain the optimal values of the auxiliary parameter. In addition, we have also provided an error bound based on this technique. Several numerical examples are produced to clarify the effective behavior of the convergence of the present method. Comparison of the standard method and optimized method based on residual minimization signify the better accuracy of modified one. In addition, we also consider an equivalent form of weakly singular integro differential equation of Heat transfer problem to show the high effectiveness of the present approach.
Toward more robust and reproducible diffusion kurtosis imaging
Authors: Henriques Rafael N. , Jespersen Sune N. , Jones Derek K. , Veraart Jelle
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The general utility of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) is challenged by its poor robustness to imaging artifacts and thermal noise that often lead to implausible kurtosis values.

Theory and Methods

A robust scalar kurtosis index can be estimated from powder‐averaged diffusion‐weighted data. We introduce a novel DKI estimator that uses this scalar kurtosis index as a proxy for the mean kurtosis to regularize the fit.

Results

The regularized DKI estimator improves the robustness and reproducibility of the kurtosis metrics and results in parameter maps with enhanced quality and contrast.

Conclusion

Our novel DKI estimator promotes the wider use of DKI in clinical research and potentially diagnostics by improving the reproducibility and precision of DKI fitting and, as such, enabling enhanced visual, quantitative, and statistical analyses of DKI parameters.
Combining prospective and retrospective motion correction based on a model for fast continuous motion
Authors: Hucker Patrick , Dacko Michael , Zaitsev Maxim
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Prospective motion correction (PMC) and retrospective motion correction (RMC) have different advantages and limitations. The present work aims to combine the advantages of both for rigid body motion, aiming at correcting for faster motions than was previously achievable. Additionally, it provides insights into the effects of motion on pulse sequences and MR signals with a goal of further improving motion correction in the future.

Methods

The effective encoding trajectory and a global phase offset in a moving object are calculated based on complete gradient waveforms of an arbitrary sequence and a continuous motion model. These data are used to feed the forward signal model, which is then used in iterative image reconstruction to suppress the artifacts still present after the PMC.

Results

Verification experiments with a rotation phantom and in vivo were performed. Predictions of simulated motion artifacts for PMC based on sequence waveforms are very accurate. The performance at combined PMC+RMC is limited by Nyquist violations in the sampled k‐space and can be compensated by oversampling.

Conclusion

The combined correction results in better images than pure PMC in the presence of fast motion. The predictions of artifacts are very accurate, allowing for comparing sequences or protocols in simulations. The observed artifacts due to Nyquist violations are expected to be corrected by utilizing parallel imaging.
Stress evolution in elastically heterogeneous and non‐linear fluid‐saturated media with a Green's function approach
Authors: Peres Matheus L. , Mesquita Leonardo C. , Leroy Yves M. , Sotelino Elisa D.
Published: April 2021

Classical analytical solutions of linear elasticity are used as auxiliary solutions to solve non‐linear, and elastically heterogeneous problems on fluid‐saturated media. The 2D Kelvin's solution for a homogeneous space is considered here for simplicity sake. The material non‐linearity could be due to irreversible deformations or non‐linear elasticity response typical of 4D analysis as it is done here. The general procedure relies on a discrete collocation method and a fixed point iterative approach to construct the displacement field. The method is validated by comparing the numerical results with the analytical solution for a layered cylinder embedded in an infinite space. The h‐convergence is checked numerically illustrating the strong influence of the number of facets used to discretize the boundaries. The convergence of the iterative process based on the displacement norm is of a quasi‐quadratic rate for near homogeneous materials and declines to sub‐linear rates as the contrast in elasticity modulus exceeds 15% of the values considered for the Green's function. The method is then applied to a 2D tilted block region where the depleting reservoir has elasticity parameters function of the volumetric strain, to shed some light on the 4D effects. It is shown that the velocity changes are sensitive to the volumetric strain as well as to the strain in the wave propagating direction. Differences, including the anisotropy due to the structural response at the field scale, between the predictions based on this non‐linear isotropic elasticity and the classical R‐factor approach are finally discussed.
A Novel Graphene Quantum Dot‐Based mRNA Delivery Platform
Authors: Liu Ya , Zhao Changhong , Sabirsh Alan , Ye Lilei , Wu Xiaoqiu , Lu Hongbin , Liu Johan
Published: April 2021

Abstract: During the last decades, there has been growing interest in using therapeutic messager RNA (mRNA) together with drug delivery systems. Naked, unformulated mRNA is, however, unable to cross the cell membrane and is susceptible to degradation. Here we use graphene quantum dots (GQDs) functionalized with polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a novel mRNA delivery system. Our results show that these modified GQDs can be used to deliver intact and functional mRNA to Huh‐7 hepatocarcinoma cells at low doses and, that the GQDs are not toxic, although cellular toxicity is a problem for these first‐generation modified particles. Functionalized GQDs represent a potentially interesting delivery system that is easy to manufacture, stable and effective.
Metal Binding Ability of Small Peptides Containing Cysteine Residues
Authors: Lukács Márton , Csilla Pálinkás Dóra , Szunyog Györgyi , Várnagy Katalin
Published: April 2021

The Cd(II)‐, Pb(II)‐, Ni(II)‐ and Zn(II)‐complexes of small terminally protected peptides containing CXXX, XXXC, XCCX, CXnC (n=1–3) sequences have been studied with potentiometric, UV/Vis and CD spectroscopic techniques. The cysteine thiolate group is the primary binding site for all studied metal ions, but the presence of a histidyl or aspartyl side chain in the molecule contributes to the stability of the complexes. For two‐cysteine containing peptides the (S−,S−) coordinated species are formed in the physiological pH range and the stability increases in the Ni(II)<Zn(II)<Pb(II)<Cd(II) order. As a conclusion, the inserting of −CXXC− sequence into the peptide makes the synthesis of peptides with high selectivity to toxic Cd(II) or Pb(II) ion possible. In addition, the spectroscopic characterization of these complexes can contribute to the discovery of the exact binding site and binding mode of longer peptides mimicking the biologically important proteins.
Current controversies in prenatal diagnosis: Expanded NIPT that includes conditions other than trisomies 13, 18, and 21 should be offered
Authors: Christiaens Lieve , Chitty Lyn S. , Langlois Sylvie
Published: April 2021

Non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) based on analysis of cell free DNA circulating in the maternal plasma has been available clinically to screen for chromosomal abnormalities since 2011. There is significant evidence to suggest that NIPT has revolutionised prenatal screening for the common trisomies 13, 18, and 21. However, the evidence in favour of its extended use to screen for conditions other than these trisomies remains a topic of debate with no national or international organisation supporting clinical implementation for these indications. In the debate presented here – "Expanded NIPT that includes conditions other than trisomies 13, 18, and 21 should be offered" – we will see the pros and cons of screening for a wider range of chromosomal problems. The discussion presented swung the vote from 65% in favour and 35% against before the arguments were voiced to 41% in favour and 59% against. This significant swing in the vote indicates that the majority of our community feel more evidence is required before clinical implementation of extended NIPT.
Back from the dead (again): The specter of the Fairness Doctrine and its lesson for social media regulation
Authors: Napoli Philip M.
Published: April 2021

In the United States, debates about political bias in the content curation and moderation practices of social media platforms have spilled over into the policy realm, rekindling conversations about the Fairness Doctrine and its potential utility in possible regulatory approaches to social media. This article revisits the history of the Fairness Doctrine and uses this history as a lens for critically examining current proposals for integrating Fairness Doctrine‐like principles into a regulatory framework for social media. In addressing this topic, the first section of this article provides a brief overview of the history of the Fairness Doctrine and how the Doctrine has informed (and misinformed) subsequent media policy debates in the years since its elimination. The second section describes how the Fairness Doctrine is being brought to bear in the contemporary debates around social media regulation. The third section offers a critical analysis of the applicability of the Fairness Doctrine to the social media context.
Correlative imaging for polymer science
Authors: Wang Yuyang , Friedrich Heiner , Voets Ilja K. , Zijlstra Peter , Albertazzi Lorenzo
Published: April 2021

The characterization of polymeric materials is key towards the understanding of structure–activity relations and therefore for the rational design of novel and improved materials for a myriad of applications. Many microscopy techniques are currently used, with electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and atomic force microscopy being the most relevant. In this perspective paper, we discuss the use of correlative imaging, that is, the combination of multiple imaging methodologies on the same sample, in the field of polymeric materials. This innovative approach is emerging as a powerful tool to unveil the structure and functional properties of biological and synthetic structures. Here we discuss the possibilities of correlative imaging and highlight their potential to answer open questions in polymer science.
Enthalpy of Formation of p(BAMO)‐b‐GAP and Energetic Characteristics of Solid Propellants Based on the Copolymer
Authors: Xu Ruoqian , Li Zhongming , Chen Yanhui , Pei Jiangfeng , Zhang Junlin
Published: April 2021

The block copolymer of 3,3’‐bis(azidomethy) oxetane and glycidyl azide polymer (p(BAMO)‐b‐GAP) is an ideal energetic binder for solid propellants. In this work, the enthalpy of formation of p(BAMO)‐b‐GAP was first investigated by the heat of combustion experimental method and group additivity method. Meanwhile, the energetic characteristics of solid propellants based on the copolymer were systematically calculated. The results proved that the ΔfH of p(BAMO)‐b‐GAP could be estimated accurately by two methods and the positive ΔfH values were obtained. Dual‐oxidant formulas were designed in which AP was replaced gradually by some chlorine‐free high‐energy materials. The calculation results showed when AP was gradually replaced by RDX or HMX, the energy level of propellants based on p(BAMO)‐b‐GAP was improved first but then decreased with AP content further decreased, indicating there was an optimum ratio between AP and its alternative. However, when AP was replaced by CL‐20 or ADN, the values of Isp were improved steadily. When less than 40 % AP was replaced, the contribution to the energy level of propellant by RDX or HMX was even more than that by CL‐20.
Exploring Application of 1,2,4‐Triazole Energetic Salts: Gas Generating Agent, Propellant and Explosive Compositions
Authors: Xue Yu‐bing , Xiong Hua‐lin , Tang Jie , Cheng Guang‐bin , Yang Hong‐wei
Published: April 2021

High‐nitrogen energetic salts as the functional materials could be applied to formulate second explosives, gas‐generating agents, and propellants due to their large gas and energy release after combustion. Herein, a series of the insensitive and highly gas productive 1,2,4‐triazole derivatives including 4,5,5′‐triamine‐3,3′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole (1) and 4,5′‐dinitramino‐5‐amine‐3,3′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole (4) as well as corresponding salts were synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of 4,5,5′‐triamine‐3,3′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole (1), nitrate salt (2), 4,5′‐dinitramino‐5‐amine‐3,3′‐bi‐1,2,4‐triazole (4) and triaminoguanidine salt (9) were determined by X‐ray diffraction. For explosives candidates, energetic salts of ammonium (5), hydrazinium (6), hydroxylammonium (7), and triaminoguanidine (9) not only display the outstanding detonation performance (D, 8657–9120 m s−1, P, 27.78–33.39 GPa), but also show low mechanical sensitivities (IS≥20 J, FS≥216 N). Furthermore, the constant‐volume combustion experiment results reveal that 5, 6, 7, and 9 show excellent gas productivity (Pmax≥12.8 MPa) and pressure‐up rate (dP/dtmax≥164 GPa s−1). These compounds could be the efficient components of gas‐generating agents and propellants based on the calculated combustion parameters from EXPLO 5 software.
Adenosine triphosphate energy‐independently controls protein homeostasis with unique structure and diverse mechanisms
Authors: Song Jianxing
Published: April 2021

Proteins function in the crowded cellular environments with high salt concentrations, thus facing tremendous challenges of misfolding/aggregation which represents a pathological hallmark of aging and an increasing spectrum of human diseases. Recently, intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) were recognized to drive liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), a common principle for organizing cellular membraneless organelles (MLOs). ATP, the universal energy currency for all living cells, mysteriously has concentrations of 2–12 mM, much higher than required for its previously‐known functions. Only recently, ATP was decoded to behave as a biological hydrotrope to inhibit protein LLPS and aggregation at mM. We further revealed that ATP also acts as a bivalent binder, which not only biphasically modulates LLPS driven by IDRs of human and viral proteins, but also bind to the conserved nucleic‐acid‐binding surfaces of the folded proteins. Most unexpectedly, ATP appears to act as a hydration mediator to antagonize the crowding‐induced destabilization as well as to enhance folding of proteins without significant binding. Here, this review focuses on summarizing the results of these biophysical studies and discussing their implications in an evolutionary context. By linking triphosphate with unique hydration property to adenosine, ATP appears to couple the ability for establishing hydrophobic, π‐π, π‐cation and electrostatic interactions to the capacity in mediating hydration of proteins, which is at the heart of folding, dynamics, stability, phase separation and aggregation. Consequently, ATP acquired a category of functions at ~mM to energy‐independently control protein homeostasis with diverse mechanisms, thus implying a link between cellular ATP concentrations and protein‐aggregation diseases.
Calcium oxide, potassium phosphite and a Trichoderma enriched compost water suspension protect Capsicum annuum against Phytophthora capsici by priming the immune system
Authors: Bellini Alessio , Pugliese Massimo , Guarnaccia Vladimiro , Meloni Giovanna Roberta , Gullino Lodovica Maria
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Proper management of Phytophthora capsici in pepper cultivation is extremely important, since Phytophthora blight is the main disease of this crop worldwide. In the past, the main strategy adopted had been the use of fungicides, causing, in some cases, the development of P. capsici resistant strains. In this work three different treatments selected from previous studies (potassium phosphite, calcium oxide and a water suspension from Trichoderma sp. TW2 enriched compost) were tested to prove their ability to activate the systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in pepper against P. capsici; acibenzolar‐s‐methyl was used as positive control. Two independent growth chamber pot experiments were performed, spatially dividing the site of treatments application (as radical drench) and the site of inoculation (as agar plug on the third leaf).

RESULTS

Leaf lesions were measured, showing a significant reduction on all treated plants compared to the untreated control. To further confirm this hypothesis, the expression levels of three SAR key genes (CaPBR1, CaPO1 and CaDEF1) were evaluated though RT‐Real Time PCR at the three end‐point times: T0, T6 and T24. A significant increase of target genes expression at least in one end‐point time in each treated plant was observed. Eventually, statistical overaccumulation of salicylic acid was observed in the upper leaves at the same end‐point times, through HPLC‐MS/MS analysis.

CONCLUSION

This work confirmed the hypothesis that the three treatments tested have the ability to prime the plant immune system, leading pepper to an alert status able to confer a better defence against P. capsici. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Enhanced Curie Temperature and Critical Exponents of Fe‐Substituted NiCu Alloy
Authors: Jacob G. Antilen , Joseyphus R. Justin
Published: April 2021

The magnetic moment and the Curie temperature of the NiCu alloy decrease to a large extent with Cu. A Ni60Cu40 alloy with Fe substitutions up to 2 at% using a polyol‐mediated synthesis process resulting in enhanced magnetic properties is obtained. The Ni60Cu39Fe1 and Ni60Cu38Fe2 alloys show fcc phase with the Curie temperatures of 237 and 266 K, respectively. The room temperature magnetization measurement shows paramagnetic behavior, whereas, at 15 K, the 1 at% Fe‐substituted alloy exhibits a saturation magnetization of 20 emu g−1 that increases by 25% with 2 at% Fe. The positive slope in the Arrott plot confirms the second‐order phase transition in the alloys. The maximum magnetic entropy change (MCE) is observed as 0.101 J kg−1 K−1 for the Ni60Cu39Fe1 alloy with the peak temperature of 238 K in an applied magnetic field of 0.5 T. The critical exponent (β) calculated using the MCE method is in the range of 0.576(3)–0.587(3) for the alloys, whereas the values obtained using the Kouvel‐Fisher (KF) method are 0.523(3)–0.565(2). The extracted β values are slightly greater than the mean‐field model suggesting clustering behavior in the alloys.
Predictors and prediction skill for marine cold‐air outbreaks over the Barents Sea
Authors: Polkova* Iuliia , Afargan‐Gerstman Hilla , Domeisen Daniela I. V. , King Martin P. , Ruggieri Paolo , Athanasiadis Panos , Dobrynin Mikhail , Aarnes Øivin , Kretschmer Marlene , Baehr Johanna
Published: April 2021

Marine cold‐air outbreaks (MCAOs) create conditions for hazardous maritime mesocyclones (polar lows) posing risks to marine infrastructure. For marine management, skilful predictions of MCAOs would be highly beneficial. For this reason, we investigate (a) the ability of a seasonal prediction system to predict MCAOs and (b) the possibilities to improve predictions through large‐scale causal drivers. Our results show that the seasonal ensemble predictions have high prediction skill for MCAOs over the Nordic Seas for about 20 days starting from November initial conditions. To study causal drivers of MCAOs, we utilize a causal effect network approach applied to the atmospheric reanalysis ERA‐Interim and identify local sea surface temperature and atmospheric circulation patterns over Scandinavia as valuable predictors. Prediction skill for MCAOs is further improved up to 40 days by including MCAO predictors in the analysis.
Detection of an appropriate pharmaceutical company to get a suitable vaccine against COVID‐19 with minimum cost under the quality control process
Authors: El‐Hadidy Mohamed Abd Allah , Alfreedi Ajab A.
Published: April 2021

Some international pharmaceutical companies have succeeded in producing vaccines against COVID‐19. Countries all over the world have aimed to obtain these vaccines with minimum cost. We consider a set of K‐independent Markovian waiting lists. Each list contains a set of countries, where each one of them has an exponential service time and a Poisson arrival process. These companies differ in some characteristics such as the vaccine production cost and the speed of the required quantity delivery. We present a new detection model that helps in providing an appropriate decision to choose a suitable company. Moreover, the concept of balking and the retention of reneged countries is taken into consideration under the quality control process of each waiting list. Under steady state, we face an interesting and difficult discrete stochastic optimization problem. Its solution gives an optimal distribution of the searching effort, which is bounded by a known probability distribution. A simulation study has been derived to get the minimum value of the paid cost random values. The highest service rate, the total expected profit of each queuing system, and the optimum performance measures, which depend on this cost, have been obtained to show the effectiveness of this model.
Automated detection of Hainan gibbon calls for passive acoustic monitoring
Authors: Dufourq Emmanuel , Durbach Ian , Hansford James P. , Hoepfner Amanda , Ma Heidi , Bryant Jessica V. , Stender Christina S. , Li Wenyong , Liu Zhiwei , Chen Qing , Zhou Zhaoli , Turvey Samuel T.
Published: April 2021

Extracting species calls from passive acoustic recordings is a common preliminary step to ecological analysis. For many species, particularly those occupying noisy, acoustically variable habitats, the call extraction process continues to be largely manual, a time‐consuming and increasingly unsustainable process. Deep neural networks have been shown to offer excellent performance across a range of acoustic classification applications, but are relatively underused in ecology. We describe the steps involved in developing an automated classifier for a passive acoustic monitoring project, using the identification of calls of the Hainan gibbon Nomascus hainanus, one of the world's rarest mammal species, as a case study. This includes preprocessing—selecting a temporal resolution, windowing and annotation; data augmentation; processing—choosing and fitting appropriate neural network models; and post‐processing—linking model predictions to replace, or more likely facilitate, manual labelling. Our best model converted acoustic recordings into spectrogram images on the mel frequency scale, using these to train a convolutional neural network. Model predictions were highly accurate, with per‐second false positive and false negative rates of 1.5% and 22.3%. Nearly all false negatives were at the fringes of calls, adjacent to segments where the call was correctly identified, so that very few calls were missed altogether. A post‐processing step identifying intervals of repeated calling reduced an 8‐h recording to, on average, 22 min for manual processing, and did not miss any calling bouts over 72 h of test recordings. Gibbon calling bouts were detected regularly in multi‐month recordings from all selected survey points within Bawangling National Nature Reserve, Hainan. We demonstrate that passive acoustic monitoring incorporating an automated classifier represents an effective tool for remote detection of one of the world's rarest and most threatened species. Our study highlights the viability of using neural networks to automate or greatly assist the manual labelling of data collected by passive acoustic monitoring projects. We emphasize that model development and implementation be informed and guided by ecological objectives, and increase accessibility of these tools with a series of notebooks that allow users to build and deploy their own acoustic classifiers.
Effect of Physical Pretreatments on the Hydrolysis Kinetic, Structural, and Thermal Properties of Pinhão Starch Nanocrystals
Authors: Pinto Vânia Zanella , Moomand Khalid , Deon Vinicius Goncalves , Biduski Barbara , Zavareze Elessandra da Rosa , Lenhani Gabriela Caroline , Fidelis dos Santos Gustavo Henrique , Lim Loong‐Tak , Dias Alvaro Renato Guerra
Published: April 2021

Starch nanocrystals (SNCs) are insoluble platelet particles with multifunctional properties. SNCs production is mainly based on acid hydrolysis of cornstarch with low yield. This study focuses on investigating the effect of pretreatments (heat‐moisture‐treatment [HMT], annealing [ANN], and sonication [SNT]) on unconventional pinhão starch to produce SNCs by acid hydrolysis to improve the yield and SNCs properties. All starches hydrolysis is described by a first‐order model reaction and shown two phases related at k values. The faster hydrolysis is from SNT (k = 0.61 day−1) and the slower one is at ANN (k = 0.40 day−1). Furthermore, the acid hydrolysis is described by a rapid (0–2 days) phase, followed by a slow phase lasing 3–7 days. The HMT increases the yield of the SNCs (14.7%) but promotes losses in the RC (47.34%) as compared with the native starch (yield 10.23%; RC 52.23%). The ANN improves crystallites perfection, protecting them from acid attack. The pretreatments allow pinhão starch to be used as promising feedstock to produce SNCs with good yield and RC. In addition, ANN can be useful to improve the thermal stability and SNT to speeding up the hydrolysis for SNCs production, while HMT can increase the hydrolysis yield.
New Insights into Physical, Morphological, Thermal, and Pasting Properties of HHP‐Treated Starches: Effect of Starch Type and Industry‐Scale Concentration
Authors: Heydari Ali , Razavi Seyed Mohammad Ali , Hesarinejad Mohammad Ali , Farahnaky Asgar
Published: April 2021

The impact of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) (600 MPa‐20 min) on the physical, morphological, pasting, and thermal properties of waxy corn starch (WCS), normal corn starch (NCS), and wheat starch (WS) at different concentrations (10%, 15%, and 20% w/w) was examined. By applying the HHP, water absorption capacity (WAC) and oil absorption capacity (OAC) of the native starches increased tremendously; however, augmenting the concentration of starches from 10% to 20% w/w cause a slight decrease (for WS and NCS) or increase (for WCS) in WAC and a considerable increase in OAC of the HHP‐treated starches. Morphological analysis shows that by increasing the concentration of HHP‐treated starches, the destruction of starch granules is quite detectable; however, this destruction is lower for NCS and the granules show high resistance to degradation and higher inflation than that of WCS and WS. By employing HHP and augmenting the concentration, the zeta potential of the selected starches increased considerably. Rapid visco analysis revealed that HHP and increasing starch concentration from 10% to 20% caused a remarkable decrease in peak, trough, breakdown, final, and setback viscosities of the starches. The native starches depict higher gelatinization, peak, and conclusion temperatures likewise gelatinization enthalpy than the HHP‐treated starches.
Discrimination Across Social Domains
Authors: Fibbi Rosita , Midtbøen Arnfinn H. , Simon Patrick
Published: April 2021

Discrimination can take place in all spaces and places where people interact. However, both the forms of discrimination and how it can be measured vary across social domains, depending on whether the domain in question is based primarily on what we coin “systems of differentiation” or “systems of equality”. Social domains that involve some kind of market transaction are heavily dominated by processes of selection and differentiation. By contrast, social domains such as schools, health systems or public services should, in essence, provide all individuals with equal assistance. This chapter builds on the distinction between systems of differentiation and systems of equality, reviewing a selection of studies of discrimination in various social domains. This way of categorizing research demonstrates that there is an interesting interplay between social domains and their respective rationale (differentiation/equality), the types of methods employed and the forms of discrimination detected. The chapter concludes by a critical reflection on the ability of social science research to capture forms of discrimination that are less easy to spot.
Labour Mobility from Eastern European Welfare States: Zooming in on Romania and Slovakia
Authors: Rogoz Mădălina , Sekulova Martina
Published: April 2021

In the last two decades, care deficits in Western Europe have been fuelled by demographic and social transformations, such as population ageing, changes in household structures, welfare programme reforms and an altogether lesser involvement of the state in care provision. These care deficits, particularly in high-income countries, have been addressed through migrant labour which, in turn, contributes to increasing care needs in the migrants’ sending countries. Through the example of Romanian and Slovak caregivers working in 2- and 4-week shifts in Austria, this chapter explores the linkages between care workers’ strategies to address the care deficits in their families, the features of relevant welfare provisions in their respective countries of origin and the workers’ mobility patterns. The chapter argues that existing (limited) care needs in their respective families allow carers to engage in transnational work, while extensive care needs at home are a hindrance for working abroad. In other words, there seems to be a tipping point in the care needs of workers’ families, which results in care workers no longer wanting to work abroad but needing to remain in their countries of origin and care for family members instead. Furthermore, the chapter argues that labour mobility patterns are also influenced by the ‘familialistic’ orientation of relevant welfare provisions in sending countries. As limited formal services put pressure on families to continue providing care informally, institutional frameworks for childcare and care for the elderly also influence care workers’ mobility strategies.