bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Degradation of silicone‐based materials as a driving force for recyclability
Authors: Rupasinghe Buddhima , Furgal Joseph C
Published: November 2021

Siloxane polymers are an important industrial commodity based on the structure –(R2–Si–O)–. Scission of the siloxane bond is essential, as it is the first step leading to polymerization or the depolymerization of polymers into smaller units for potential recycling. These highly condition‐specific reactions selectively trigger whether polymerization or breakdowns occur and have been extensively studied over the past 80 years. However, studies to recycle siloxanes are still in their infancy. Traditional methods to synthesize silicones involve high capital‐intensive and environmental costs using carbothermal reduction. These reactions cause the excessive release of global warming gases such as CO2 and other pollutants into the environment. Therefore, being able to reuse and recycle them in a meaningful manner is highly sought. As a result, ways to controllably rupture the siloxane bond into known products have been a goal of siloxane researchers since the 1950s. Hydrolysis, catalytic depolymerization, thermal depolymerization and radical extractions are the main approaches to imbue the scission of the siloxane bond, resulting in a slew of products, including new polymers, cyclics or monomeric silanes. The present review summarizes the available published data on the degradation and depolymerization of polysiloxanes published up to July 2021. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Diamide insecticide resistance in transgenic Drosophila and Sf9‐cells expressing a full‐length diamondback moth ryanodine receptor carrying an I4790M mutation
Authors: Richardson Ewan , Homem Rafael A , Troczka Bartlomiej J , George Christopher H , Ebbinghaus‐Kintscher Ulrich , Williamson Martin S , Nauen Ralf , Davies TG Emyr
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Resistance to diamide insecticides in Lepidoptera is known to be caused primarily by amino acid changes on the ryanodine receptor (RyR). Recently, two new target site mutations, G4946V and I4790M, have emerged in populations of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, as well as in other lepidopteran species, and both mutations have been shown empirically to decrease diamide efficacy. Here, we quantify the impact of the I4790M mutation on diamide activation of the receptor, as compared to alterations at the G4946 locus.

RESULTS

I4790M when introduced into P. xylostella RyR expressed in an insect‐derived Sf9 cell line was found to mediate just a ten‐fold reduction in chlorantraniliprole efficacy (compared to 104‐ and 146‐fold reductions for the G4946E and G4946V variants, respectively), whilst in the field its presence is associated with a ≥150‐fold reduction. I4790M‐mediated resistance to flubendiamide was estimated to be >24‐fold. When the entire coding sequence of P. xylostella RyR was integrated into Drosophila melanogaster, the I4790M variant conferred ~4.4‐fold resistance to chlorantraniliprole and 22‐fold resistance to flubendiamide in the 3rd instar larvae, confirming that it imparts only a moderate level of resistance to diamide insecticides. Although the I4790M substitution appears to bear no fitness costs in terms of the flies' reproductive capacity, when assessed in a noncompetitive environment, it does, however, have potentially major impacts on mobility at both the larval and adult stages.

CONCLUSIONS

I4790M imparts only a moderate level of resistance to diamide insecticides and potentially confers significant fitness costs to the insect.
Chemical Functionalization of Ultrathin Tin Layers
Authors: de Oliveira Andre F. P. , da Rosa Andreia Luisa , Frauenheim Thomas
Published: November 2021

The electronic and dielectric properties of functionalized tin monolayers (stanene) using density‐functional theory and GW approximation are investigated. Charge density analysis of organic ligands adsorbed on stanene shows that these groups are able to induce a bandgap with parabolic bands in the originally metallic stanene. Furthermore, GW calculations demonstrate that the dielectric properties of functionalized stanene show adsorption in the visible region which can render stanene suitable for optoelectronic applications.
Improved Scalable Synthesis of Clinical Candidate KZR‐616, a Selective Immunoproteasome Inhibitor
Authors: Almaliti Jehad , Fajtová Pavla , O'Donoghue Anthony J. , AlHindy Momen , Gerwick William H.
Published: November 2021

KZR‐616 is a selective immunoproteasome inhibitor that is under clinical evaluation for the treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). KZR‐616 represents a first‐in‐class drug candidate for the treatment of autoimmune diseases targeting the immunoproteasome. Laboratory replication of the published synthetic route of KZR‐616 resulted in an inseparable mixture of enantiomers and diastereomers. Herein, we describe a stereoselective and scalable synthetic pathway for KZR‐616 that avoids laborious separation of enantiomeric mixtures of amino acids. Moreover, the new route provides KZR‐616 in higher overall yield (42.8 %), did not require a chiral chromatographic purification step, and the final product was obtained in high purity. The synthesized compound was evaluated for inhibition of human immunoproteasome and constitutive proteasome and found to target the β1 and β5 subunits of the immunoproteasome with higher potency than the equivalent subunits of the constitutive proteasome. Therefore, we have confirmed that KZR‐616, synthesized using this new method, is an immunoproteasome selective inhibitor.
Numerical Investigation of Interface Passivation Strategies for Sb2Se3/CdS Solar Cells
Authors: Gon Medaille Axel , Tiwari Kunal J. , Giraldo Sergio , Placidi Marcel , Saucedo Edgardo , Jehl Li-Kao Zacharie
Published: November 2021

Sb2Se3 is an emerging earth‐abundant material praised for its promising optoelectronic properties, although the presence of interfacial defects at the vicinity of the p–n junction limit its performance as photovoltaic absorber. Using a device modeling approach and a realistic set of material parameters, it unravels pathways mitigating the impact of interfacial defects with a baseline Sb2Se3/CdS. Two straightforward strategies are devised and tested against the baseline. First, a thin front surface sulfurization of the Sb2Se3 absorber allowing a local lowering of the valence band and creating a “front surface field,” resulting in an increased carrier selectivity and limiting the density of holes available for interface recombination, leading to a significant efficiency improvement for optimized conditions. Second, the use of an ultrathin insulating Al2O3 layer between the absorber and the buffer layer is considered, helping in preventing detrimental chemical interdiffusion at the junction. This strategy provides a direct interface passivation, though the interlayer thickness needs a fine tuning to balance the benefits of reduced interface recombination and a detrimental Al2O3 low‐conductivity layer. In each case, an analysis covering a broad range of parameters is presented, and conclusions are made in the frame of past numerical and experimental results.
Extracellular Vesicles for the Diagnosis of Cancers
Authors: Xue Yuxiang , Feng Xue , Fan Xianfeng , Zhu Guangyu , McLaughlan James , Zhang Wenjun , Chen Xianfeng
Published: November 2021

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are ultrasmall structures secreted by various types of cells and carry biomarkers such as DNA, RNA, and the protein of the cells that secreted them. Cancer cell‐derived EVs can be detected at the very early stage of cancers, and hence the use of EVs for cancer diagnosis has aroused significant interest. This review summarizes the representative strategies of using EVs as biomarkers to detect different types of cancers, evaluates their advantages and challenges, and discusses their development prospects for cancer early diagnosis.
Hierarchical Carbon Nanofibers@Nickel Phosphide Nanoparticles for High‐Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Xu Jing , Schulte Anna , Schönherr Holger , Jiang Xin , Yang Nianjun
Published: November 2021

The design and synthesis of novel active materials as the capacitor electrodes is of great significance to fabricate high‐performance supercapacitors, namely those with large and stable capacitances as well as high power and energy densities. Herein, binder‐free and hierarchical carbon nanofibers@nickel phosphide nanoparticles are grown in a chemical vapor deposition reactor, where Ni5TiO7 nanowires and a TiO2 outer layer are in situ converted into interconnected nickel phosphide nanoparticles and a TiC layer, respectively. The initially formed hierarchical nickel phosphide nanoparticles boost the catalytic growth of CNFs, leading to the generation of a 3D interconnected texture, which features a high specific surface area and excellent conductivity. The combination of this nanocomposite as a capacitor electrode with redox electrolyte of 0.05 m Fe(CN)63−/4− generates a specific capacitance of 59.3 mF cm−2 at a current density of 5 mA cm−2. This capacitor electrode exhibits 95% of its initial capacitance even after 10 000 charging/discharging cycles. The as‐fabricated supercapacitor device offers an energy density of as high as 27.4 Wh kg−1 accompanied with a power density of 7.25 kW kg−1. The proposed method thus provides an approach to produce binder‐/current‐collector‐free capacitor electrodes, which can be utilized to fabricate high‐performance supercapacitors.
Teaching ‘Register Overlap:’ A Proposal for a Translingual Pedagogy to Support Spanish and English Academic Register Learning
Authors: Phillips Galloway Emily , Meston Heather M. , Aguilar Gladys
Published: November 2021

Classrooms are not always linguistically permeable, and instruction focused on bolstering English reading comprehension too often neglects students’ additional linguistic resources in languages other than English. However, to the task of comprehending English text, multilingual readers bring a host of communicative resources across multiple languages. Indeed, recent studies have found that students educated concurrently in Spanish and English within bilingual schools possess positively correlated Spanish and English academic register resources, with academic register knowledge in each language making unique contributions toward explaining variability in these dual‐language learners’ English reading comprehension. This recent research offers the tantalizing insight that teaching students to notice overlaps in communicative expectations and linguistic patterns—or register overlaps—across Spanish and English academic registers should receive greater focus. Here, to speak to classroom application, we offer suggestions for how educators might use equivalent Spanish and English metalanguages—or language to talk about language—to highlight register overlaps in Spanish and English academic text. We contend that this purposeful noticing of register overlaps can deepen students’ awareness of the linguistic resources available to them for comprehending academic texts and support them in developing critical metalinguistic awareness, or the skills and habits of mind needed to critically consider how registers have been naturalized and are subject to change. This article supports educators to enact one aspect of translingual pedagogy that builds on students’ observations about the language of school in order to increase linguistic flexibility, awareness, and criticality.
The evolving battle between yellow rust and wheat: implications for global food security
Authors: Bouvet Laura , Holdgate Sarah , James Lucy , Thomas Jane , Mackay Ian J. , Cockram James
Published: November 2021

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a global commodity, and its production is a key component underpinning worldwide food security. Yellow rust, also known as stripe rust, is a wheat disease caused by the fungus Puccinia striiformis Westend f. sp. tritici (Pst), and results in yield losses in most wheat growing areas. Recently, the rapid global spread of genetically diverse sexually derived Pst races, which have now largely replaced the previous clonally propagated slowly evolving endemic populations, has resulted in further challenges for the protection of global wheat yields. However, advances in the application of genomics approaches, in both the host and pathogen, combined with classical genetic approaches, pathogen and disease monitoring, provide resources to help increase the rate of genetic gain for yellow rust resistance via wheat breeding while reducing the carbon footprint of the crop. Here we review key elements in the evolving battle between the pathogen and host, with a focus on solutions to help protect future wheat production from this globally important disease.
The diagnostic accuracy of MRI in determining the relations between paraclinoid aneurysms and the cavernous sinus
Authors: Fernandes Sérgio Tadeu , Doria-Netto Hugo Leonardo , Alves Raphael Vicente , Lapate Renan Luiz , Ferreira Nelson Paes Fortes Diniz , Teixeira Manoel Jacobsen , Solla Davi Jorge Fontoura , Yamaki Vitor Nagai , Figueiredo Eberval Gadelha
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The location of paraclinoid aneurysms is determinant for evaluation of its intradural compartment and risk of SAH after rupture. Advanced MRI techniques have provided clear visualization of the distal dural ring (DDR) to determine whether an aneurysm is intracavernous, transitional or intradural for decision-making. We analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of MRI in predicting whether a paraclinoid aneurysm is intracavernous, transitional or intradural.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort between January 2014 and December 2018. Patients with paraclinoid aneurysms underwent 3D fast spin-echo MRI sequence before surgical treatment. The DDR was the landmark for MRI characterization of the aneurysms as follow: (i) Intradural; (ii) Transitional; and (iii) Intracavernous. The MRI sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios were determined compared to the intraoperative findings. We also evaluated the intertechnique agreement using the Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ) for dichotomous classifications (cavernous vs non-cavernous).

Results

Twenty patients were included in the cohort. The accuracy of MRI showed a sensitivity of 86.7% (95%CI:59.5–98.3) and specificity of 90.0% (95%CI:55.5–99.8). Analyzing only patients without history of SAH, accuracy test improved with a sensitivity of 92.3% (95%CI:63.9–99.8) and specificity reached 100% (95%CI: 63–100). Values of Cohen’s kappa (κ), intertechnique agreement was considered substantial for dichotomous classifications (κ = 0.754; p < 0.001). For patients without previous SAH, intertechnique agreement was even more coincident for the dichotomous classification (κ = 0.901; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

3D fast spin-echo MRI sequence is a reliable and useful technique for determining the location of paraclinoid aneurysms in relation to the cavernous sinus, particularly for patients with no history of SAH.
Correlation between immune-related adverse events and the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Qian , Wang Wei , Yuan Qi , Li Li , Wang Yu-Chao , Chi Chuan-Zhen , Xu Chun-Hua
Published: November 2021

Objective

Anti-programmed cell death-1 and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors have been proved to have a significant clinical efficacy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Many studies have demonstrated that immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are significantly correlated with clinical efficacy, but the results are not consistent. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the associations between irAEs and efficacy.

Methods

Comprehensive searches were conducted on PubMed and EMBASE database. The HR and 95% CI were used to assess the associations between immune-related adverse events and efficacy of overall survival and progression-free survival. Subgroup analyses were performed based on irAEs type and grade of irAEs. Heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed by Q test, I2, and funnel plot.

Results

Compared with non-irAEs, the development of irAEs was significantly improved PFS and OS (PFS: HR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.51–0.60, p < 0.001; OS: HR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.68–0.81, p < 0.001). In the subgroup analyses, the occurrence of endocrine irAEs, gastrointestinal irAEs, skin lesions and low-grade irAEs was also significantly correlated with the efficacy. Additionally, the association between severe-grade irAEs and survival benefits on PFS was significant, but not on OS.

Conclusions

The results indicated that the occurrence of irAEs was significantly associated with a better efficacy in the treatment of NSCLC, especially endocrine, gastrointestinal, skin and low-grade irAEs.
Robustness of future atmospheric circulation changes over the EURO-CORDEX domain
Authors: Ozturk Tugba , Matte Dominic , Christensen Jens Hesselbjerg
Published: November 2021

European climate is associated with variability and changes in the mid-latitude atmospheric circulation. In this study, we aim to investigate potential future change in circulation over Europe by using the EURO-CORDEX regional climate projections at 0.11° grid mesh. In particular, we analyze future change in 500-hPa geopotential height (Gph), 500-hPa wind speed and mean sea level pressure (MSLP) addressing different warming levels of 1 °C, 2 °C and 3 °C, respectively. Simple scaling with the global mean temperature change is applied to the regional climate projections for monthly mean 500-hPa Gph and 500-hPa wind speed. Results from the ensemble mean of individual models show a robust increase in 500-hPa Gph and MSLP in winter over Mediterranean and Central Europe, indicating an intensification of anticyclonic circulation. This circulation change emerges robustly in most simulations within the coming decade. There are also enhanced westerlies which transport warm and moist air to the Mediterranean and Central Europe in winter and spring. It is also clear that, models showing different responses to circulation depend very much on the global climate model ensemble member in which they are nested. For all seasons, particularly autumn, the ensemble mean is much more correlated with the end of the century than most of the individual models. In general, the emergence of a scaled pattern appears rather quickly.
Blue–Yellow VEP with Projector-Stimulation in Glaucoma
Authors: Dussan Molinos Laura , Huchzermeyer Cord , Lämmer Robert , Kremers Jan , Horn Folkert K.
Published: November 2021

Background and aim

In the past, increased latencies of the blue-on-yellow pattern visually evoked potentials (BY-VEP), which predominantly originate in the koniocellular pathway, have proven to be a sensitive biomarker for early glaucoma. However, a complex experimental setup based on an optical bench was necessary to obtain these measurements because computer screens lack sufficient temporal, spatial, spectral, and luminance resolution. Here, we evaluated the diagnostic value of a novel setup based on a commercially available video projector.

Methods

BY-VEPs were recorded in 126 participants (42 healthy control participants, 12 patients with ocular hypertension, 17 with “preperimetric” glaucoma, and 55 with perimetric glaucoma). Stimuli were created with a video projector (DLP technology) by rear projection of a blue checkerboard pattern (460 nm) for 200 ms (onset) superimposed on a bright yellow background (574 nm), followed by an offset interval where only the background was active. Thus, predominantly S-cones were stimulated while L- and M-cone responses were suppressed by light adaptation. Times of stimulus onset to VEP onset-trough (N-peak time) and offset-peak (P-peak time) were analyzed after age-correction based on linear regression in the normal participants.

Results

The resulting BY-VEPs were quite similar to those obtained in the past with the optical bench: pattern-onset generated a negative deflection of the VEP, whereas the offset-response was dominated by a positive component. N-peak times were significantly increased in glaucoma patients (preperimetric 136.1 ± 10 ms, p < 0.05; perimetric 153.1 ± 17.8 ms, p < 0.001) compared with normal participants (123.6 ± 7.7 ms). Furthermore, they were significantly correlated with disease severity as determined by visual field losses retinal nerve fiber thinning (Spearman R = –0.7, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Video projectors can be used to create optical stimuli with high temporal and spatial resolution, thus potentially enabling sophisticated electrophysiological measurements in clinical practice. BY-VEPs based on such a projector had a high diagnostic value for detection of early glaucoma.

Registration of study

Registration site: www.clinicaltrials.gov

Trial registration number: NCT00494923.
The role of neural stem cells in regulating glial scar formation and repair
Authors: Nicaise Alexandra M. , D’Angelo Andrea , Ionescu Rosana-Bristena , Krzak Grzegorz , Willis Cory M. , Pluchino Stefano
Published: November 2021

Glial scars are a common pathological occurrence in a variety of central nervous system (CNS) diseases and injuries. They are caused after severe damage and consist of reactive glia that form a barrier around the damaged tissue that leads to a non-permissive microenvironment which prevents proper endogenous regeneration. While there are a number of therapies that are able to address some components of disease, there are none that provide regenerative properties. Within the past decade, neural stem cells (NSCs) have been heavily studied due to their potent anti-inflammatory and reparative capabilities in disease and injury. Exogenously applied NSCs have been found to aid in glial scar healing by reducing inflammation and providing cell replacement. However, endogenous NSCs have also been found to contribute to the reactive environment by different means. Further understanding how NSCs can be leveraged to aid in the resolution of the glial scar is imperative in the use of these cells as regenerative therapies. To do so, humanised 3D model systems have been developed to study the development and maintenance of the glial scar. Herein, we explore the current work on endogenous and exogenous NSCs in the glial scar as well as the novel 3D stem cell–based technologies being used to model this pathology in a dish.
Potenzialabschätzung von Synergieeffekten zur simultanen Rückgewinnung von Wertmetallen aus komplexen, metallhaltigen Reststoffen
Authors: Gerold Eva , Antrekowitsch Helmut
Published: November 2021

Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Abschätzung der Möglichkeiten einer simultanen Aufarbeitung von verschiedenen, metallhaltigen Reststoffströmen aus der Industrie, wobei Synergieeffekte zwischen den herangezogenen Abfällen genutzt werden sollen. Im Gegensatz zur separaten Aufarbeitung dieser Reststoffströme, ermöglicht die Kombination ein erhöhtes Ausbringen an Wertstoffen und die Etablierung von Verfahren in Regionen, in welchen bei ausschließlicher Verwendung eines Abfallstroms keine wirtschaftliche Aufarbeitung aufgrund der anfallenden Mengen möglich wäre. Durch die gezielte und sinnvolle Zusammenführung und Aufarbeitung von komplexen, metallhaltigen Reststoffen wie z. B. Aktivmaterial aus Lithium-Ionen-Batterien und Müllverbrennungsaschen lassen sich flexible, aber dennoch selektive Prozesse zur Wertmetallrückgewinnung realisieren. Durch die Einsparung von langen Transportwegen und der Reduzierung des Energiebedarfs im Bereich der Erzaufbereitung und -verarbeitung können nachhaltige Methoden abgebildet und die Rohstoffverfügbarkeit durch die Erhöhung der Recyclingquote verbessert werden.
First neurological symptoms in degenerative cervical myelopathy: does it predict the outcome?
Authors: Özkan Neriman , Chihi Mehdi , Schoemberg Tobias , Dinger Thiemo Florin , Helsper Moritz , Parlak Ahmet , Jabbarli Ramazan , Ahmadipour Yahya , Sure Ulrich , El Hindy Nicolai , Gembruch Oliver
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the most common non-traumatic cause of spinal cord dysfunction. Prediction of the neurological outcome after surgery is important. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between first symptoms of DCM and the neurological outcome after surgery.

Methods

A retrospective analysis over a period of 10 years was performed. First symptoms such as cervicobrachial neuralgia, sensory and motor deficits and gait disturbances were evaluated regarding the postoperative neurological outcome. The modified Japanese Orthopedic Association Score (mJOA Score) was used to evaluate neurological outcome.

Results

In total, 411 patients (263 males, 64%) with a median age of 62.6 ± 12.1 years were included. Cervicobrachial neuralgia was described in 40.2%, gait disturbance in 31.6%, sensory deficits in 19% and motor deficits in 9.2% as first symptom. Patients with cervicobrachial neuralgia were significantly younger (median age of 58 years, p = 0.0005) than patients with gait disturbances (median age of 68 years, p = 0.0005). Patients with gait disturbances and motor deficits as first symptom showed significantly lower mJOA Scores than other patients (p = 0.0005). Additionally, motor deficits and gait disturbance were negative predictors for postoperative outcome according to the mJOA Score.

Conclusion

Motor deficits and gait disturbances as the first symptom of DCM are negative predictors for postoperative neurological outcome. Nevertheless, patients with motor deficits and gait disturbance significantly profit from the surgical treatment despite poor preoperative mJOA Score.
Carbon dots for virus detection and therapy
Authors: Belza Jan , Opletalová Ariana , Poláková Kateřina
Published: November 2021

Recent experience with the COVID-19 pandemic should be a lesson learnt with respect to the effort we have to invest in the development of new strategies for the treatment of viral diseases, along with their cheap, easy, sensitive, and selective detection. Since we live in a globalized world where just hours can play a crucial role in the spread of a virus, its detection must be as quick as possible. Thanks to their chemical stability, photostability, and superior biocompatibility, carbon dots are a kind of nanomaterial showing great potential in both the detection of various virus strains and a broad-spectrum antiviral therapy. The biosensing and antiviral properties of carbon dots can be tuned by the selection of synthesis precursors as well as by easy post-synthetic functionalization. In this review, we will first summarize current options of virus detection utilizing carbon dots by either electrochemical or optical biosensing approaches. Secondly, we will cover and share the up-to-date knowledge of carbon dots’ antiviral properties, which showed promising activity against various types of viruses including SARS-CoV-2. The mechanisms of their antiviral actions will be further adressed as well. Finally, we will discuss the advantages and distadvantages of the use of carbon dots in the tangled battle against viral infections in order to provide valuable informations for further research and development of new virus biosensors and antiviral therapeutics.

Graphical abstract
Real-time temperature calculation and temperature prediction of wet multi-plate clutches
Authors: Groetsch D. , Voelkel K. , Pflaum H. , Stahl K.
Published: November 2021

Many applications of wet multi-plate clutches are within safety-critical areas since malfunction or failure of the clutch is often equivalent to “loss of drive”.

The main criterion for the estimation of damage and endurance of wet multi-plate clutches is the temperature on the friction interface. Owing to the thin, rotating geometry of the plates, determination of relevant temperatures in operation mode is almost impossible. State of the art is that there is no general applicable model for real-time estimation of clutch temperatures during operation.

This contribution presents a validated parametric real-time temperature model that is applicable to various use cases and operating conditions. The model enables the calculation of the actual clutch temperature during operation and the prediction of temperature for future shifting operations.

The model is validated by comparing temperature measurements from a component test rig and from the KUPSIM thermal clutch design tool with the developed real-time temperature calculation. The validity of the model for serial parts from industry and automotive applications under various load cases (clutch mode, continuous slip, non-steady slip) is demonstrated. The deviation between measurement and calculation are typically very small (< 5 K). The temperature prediction allows a highly accurate (deviations typically < 5 K) conservative prediction of the thermal load for future shifting operations.

The model can thus contribute to the increase of operational safety of wet multi-plate clutches while at the same time facilitating optimal component design by reducing thermal over-dimensioning of clutches.
Einlaufverhalten nasslaufender Lamellenkupplungen im Schlupfbetrieb
Authors: Völkel Katharina , Pflaum Hermann , Stahl Karsten
Published: November 2021

Nasslaufende Lamellenkupplungen weisen zu Betriebsbeginn eine Phase des Einlaufens auf, in der sich das Reibungsverhalten durch Anpassung der Reibflächen signifikant ändern kann. Dieses Einlaufverhalten ist in Anhängigkeit der Charakteristika des Reibsystems bestehend aus Reibbelag, Stahllamelle und Schmierstoff stark unterschiedlich ausgeprägt. Mit dem Ziel einer guten Regelbarkeit und damit hohen Zuverlässigkeit der Kupplung ab der ersten Schaltung sollen Einlaufvorgänge wenig ausgeprägt und schnell abgeschlossen sein.

Die Charakterisierung des Einlaufverhaltens im Schlupfbetrieb erfolgt experimentell an Kupplungen mit Carbonreibbelag aus den Anwendungen Verteilergetriebe und Sperrdifferential im Instationärschlupf. Eine neu entwickelte Versuchsmethode erlaubt es, das Einlaufverhalten für mehrere anwendungstypische Lastniveaus zu untersuchen. Relevante Lastniveaus werden aus Fahrzeugmessungen abgeleitet. Des Weiteren wird eine Auswertemethode vorgestellt, die über die Definition spezifischer Kennwerte für Schlupfbetrieb eine quantitative Beurteilung von Ausprägung und Dauer der Einlaufvorgänge realisiert. Das Einlaufverhalten von Kupplungen mit unterschiedlichen Reibsystemen wird im Zuge einer Systembewertung gegenübergestellt, Einflüsse von Schmierstoff, Stahllamelle und Reibbelag sowie Wechselwirkungen werden systematisch charakterisiert.
Modellierung einer Einscheibentrockenkupplung mithilfe des C&C2-Ansatzes zur Identifikation von kritischen Gestalt-Funktion-Zusammenhängen bezüglich des Schwingungsphänomens zwangserregtes Kupplungsrupfen
Authors: Tröster Peter M. , Klotz Thomas , Rapp Simon , Wessels Holger , Ott Sascha , Albers Albert
Published: November 2021

In diesem Beitrag wird ein systematisches Vorgehen zur Identifikation von kritischen Gestalt-Funktion-Zusammenhängen mit Einfluss auf zwangserregtes Kupplungsrupfen entwickelt. Dazu wird am Beispiel einer Einscheibentrockenkupplung ein Modell mit dem C&C2-Ansatz erstellt und analysiert. Dadurch werden Entwickler bei der Auswahl kritischer Einflussfaktoren für das zwangserregte Kupplungsrupfen unterstützt. Zudem werden bisher vorhandene Lücken bei der Erklärung der Wirkzusammenhänge zwischen den Einflussfaktoren und zwangserregtem Kupplungsrupfen geschlossen. Hierzu werden C&C2-Modelle zur Erklärung dieser Wirkzusammenhänge über verschiedene Systemebenen hinweg gebildet und die Kritikalität von Modellelementen bezüglich Kupplungsrupfen eingeschätzt. Einflussfaktoren aus der Systemumgebung werden konsistent in die erstellten Modelle integriert, um die Wirkzusammenhänge systemebenenübergreifend darzustellen. Auf Basis der Modelle werden Hypothesen zu den Wirkzusammenhängen der Einflussfaktoren gebildet. Die Hypothesen legen die Grundlage für die Konzipierung eines Prüfaufbaus, mit dessen Hilfe die qualitativen Modelle validiert und im weiteren Verlauf des Forschungsvorhabens quantifiziert werden. Auf Basis der Modelle werden zukünftig systematisch Ideen zur Reduzierung von Kupplungsrupfen mit Elementen aus dem Modell der PGE abgeleitet und bezüglich ihres Potenzials bewertet.
Neural correlates and predictors of subjective cognitive decline in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Ophey Anja , Krohm Fabian , Kalbe Elke , Greuel Andrea , Drzezga Alexander , Tittgemeyer Marc , Timmermann Lars , Jessen Frank , Eggers Carsten , Maier Franziska
Published: November 2021

Background

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may occur very early in the course of Parkinson’s disease (PD) before the onset of objective cognitive decline. Data on neural correlates and determinants of SCD in PD are rare.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to identify neural correlates as well as sociodemographic, clinical, and neuropsychological predictors of SCD in patients with PD.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 30 patients with PD without cognitive impairment (23% female, 66.90 ± 7.20 years, UPDRS-III: 19.83 ± 9.29), of which n = 12 patients were classified as having no SCD (control group, PD-CG) and n = 18 as having SCD (PD-SCD). Neuropsychological testing and 18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) were conducted. SCD was assessed using a questionnaire covering multiple cognitive domains.

Results

SCD subscores differed significantly between PD-CG and PD-SCD and correlated significantly with other scales measuring related concepts. FDG-PET whole-brain voxel-wise regression analysis revealed hypometabolism in middle frontal, middle temporal, and occipital areas, and the angular gyrus as neural correlates of SCD in PD. Next to this hypometabolism, depressive symptoms were an independent significant determinant of SCD in a stepwise regression analysis (adjusted R2 = 50.3%).

Conclusion

This study strengthens the hypothesis of SCD being an early manifestation of future cognitive decline in PD and, more generally, early pathological changes in PD. The early identification of the vulnerability for future cognitive decline constitutes the basis for successful prevention and delay of this non-motor symptom.
A pluralist approach to epistemic dilemmas in event attribution science
Authors: Thorén Henrik , Persson Johannes , Olsson Lennart
Published: November 2021

In recent years, a dispute has arisen within detection and attribution science concerning the appropriate methodology for associating individual weather events with anthropogenic climate change. In recent contributions, it has been highlighted that this conflict is seemingly misconstrued even by those participating in it and actually concerns a mixture of first and second order so-called inductive risk considerations—in short, it is about values and the role values should have in science. In this paper, we analyze this methodological conflict and examine the inductive risk considerations and argue that there is also another dimension to consider with respect to values that have to do with what detection and attribution science is for. We suggest a framework for understanding this as a kind of problem-feeding situation and thus an issue of problem–solution coordination between different contexts, where the problem is solved versus where the solution is put to use. This has important implications, not least for whether we should understand this conflict as a genuine methodological one or not.
Detection of Ramularia collo-cygni DMI- and SDHI-resistant field populations in Austria and the effect of fungicides on the population and genetic diversity
Authors: Assinger Thomas , Fountaine James , Torriani Stefano , Accardo Salvatore , Bernhard-Frey Regula , Gottula John , Steinkellner Siegrid
Published: November 2021

Winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is the third most cultivated crop after corn and wheat in Austria but one of the most challenging for disease control. The foliar pathogen Ramularia collo-cygni B. Sutton and J.M. Waller, causing Ramularia leaf spots (RLS), is one of the most important diseases in barley. In the recent years, control has only been achieved using fungicide mixtures including the multi-site inhibitor chlorothalonil, however this compound is totally banned in the EU. The objective of this study was to assess fungicide dose-rates and spray mixtures for RLS control. Furthermore, a field monitoring within the main barley growing areas of Austria was carried out, to analyse the current resistance situation to DMI and SDHI fungicides, which are still the backbone in RLS control. The results indicate that only the mixture with chlorothalonil achieved a good RLS control. Prothioconazole or benzovindiflupyr (alone or additively) decrease the severity of RLS but increase the local frequency of Cyp51 and sdhC mutations, especially the high dose rates. Based on a low Cyp51 mutation frequency of 16% in untreated control this frequency increased over 3.8 times following an application with 300 g ha−1 prothioconazole. The cumulative-sdhC mutations were even more increased after an application with benzovindiflupyr. This study showed that Ramularia collo-cygni is present in 91% of barley fields presented in this field survey. Widespread use of chlorothalonil fungicide maintained a low to moderate mutation frequency (Cyp51-I325T, Cyp51-I328L, sdhC-H146R and sdhC-H153R) in Austrian barley regions with no increase between 2017 and 2019.
Which Methods Are Useful to Justify Public Policies? An Analysis of Cost–Benefit Analysis, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis, and Non-Aggregate Indicator Systems
Authors: Hirsch Hadorn Gertrude
Published: November 2021

Science-based methods for assessing the practical rationality of a proposed public policy typically represent assumed future outcomes of policies and values attributed to these outcomes in an idealized, that is, intentionally distorted way and abstracted from aspects that are deemed irrelevant. Different types of methods do so in different ways. As a consequence, they instantiate the properties that result from abstraction and idealization such as conceptual simplicity versus complexity, or comprehensiveness versus selectivity of the values under consideration to different degrees. I hold that none of these methods is best in general. Instead, I opt for the valuation method that is useful for the policy issue in question both in terms of its relevance and in terms of its practicability. Relevance requires that the method can represent and account for what is at stake in the policy issue. Practicability refers to aspects such as easy versus difficult handling of the method. To argue for the claim, I evaluate three types of valuation methods: (1) cost–benefit analysis that rests on unidimensional measurement and ranking, (2) multi-criteria decision analysis that applies multi-dimensional measurement but unidimensional ranking, and (3) non-aggregate indicator systems that operate with multi-dimensional measurement and sometimes also multi-dimensional ranking. Second-order justification indicating whether and how the valuation method chosen is capable of accounting for the substantive value considerations that constitute the real-world policy issue in question renders the conditions on which the results of a proposed policy evaluation rest transparent.
Origin of the Solar Rotation Harmonics Seen in the EUV and UV Irradiance
Authors: Giono G. , Zender J. J. , Kariyappa R. , Damé L.
Published: November 2021

Long-term periodicities in the solar irradiance are often observed with periods proportional to the solar rotational period of 27 days. These periods are linked either to some internal mechanism in the Sun or said to be higher harmonics of the rotation without further discussion of their origin. In this article, the origin of the peaks in periodicities seen in the solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and ultraviolet (UV) irradiance around the 7, 9, and 14 days periods is discussed. Maps of the active regions and coronal holes are produced from six images per day using the Spatial Possibilistic Clustering Algorithm (SPoCA), a segmentation algorithm. Spectral irradiance at coronal, transition-region/chromospheric, and photospheric levels are extracted for each feature as well as for the full disk by applying the maps to full-disk images (at 19.3, 30.4, and 170 nm sampling in the corona/hot flare plasma, the chromosphere/transition region, and the photosphere, respectively) from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) from January 2011 to December 2018. The peaks in periodicities at 7, 9, and 14 days as well as the solar rotation around 27 days can be seen in almost all of the solar irradiance time series. The segmentation also provided time series of the active regions and coronal holes visible area (i.e. in the area observed in the AIA images, not corrected for the line-of-sight effect with respect to the solar surface), which also show similar peaks in periodicities, indicating that the periodicities are due to the change in area of the features on the solar disk rather than to their absolute irradiance. A simple model was created to reproduce the power spectral density of the area covered by active regions also showing the same peaks in periodicities. Segmentation of solar images allows us to determine that the peaks in periodicities seen in solar EUV/UV irradiance from a few days to a month are due to the change in area of the solar features, in particular, active regions, as they are the main contributors to the total full-disk irradiance variability. The higher harmonics of the solar rotation are caused by the clipping of the area signal as the regions rotate behind the solar limb.
Allicin protects against renal ischemia–reperfusion injury by attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis
Authors: Li Maolin , Ning Jinzhuo , Huang Houbao , Jiang Shuchuan , Zhuo Dong
Published: November 2021

Background

Studies have demonstrated that allicin may play critical roles in the procession of ischemia–reperfusion(I/R) injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of allicin on renal I/R injury by attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Methods

To establish a model of renal I/R, the right kidney underwent 12 h reperfusion after 45 min ischemia, allicin was administered intraperitoneally at concentrations of 40, 50 or 60 mg/kg. NRK-52E cells were treated with allicin at concentrations of 1, 3 or 5 μM in 24 h hypoxia/ 6 h reoxygenation(H/R) treatments. Indicators of HE, oxidative stress, apoptosis were measured to evaluate the effect of aliicin on renal I/R injury.

Results

Allicin protected renal I/R injury by ameliorating histological injury and decreasing the oxidative stress in renal tissues. Meanwhile, allicin significantly downregulated the expression of Bax and caspase-3, upregulated the expression of Bcl-2 in I/R renal tissues and H/R treated NRK-52E cells.

Conclusions

Allicin may exert anti-apoptotic and antioxidative effects to promote renal function recovery in I/R renal tissues and H/R treated NRK-52E cells. Taken together, allicin may be a potential novel therapy option for future renal injury protection.
Metabonomics study of the effects of single copy mutant KRAS in the presence or absence of WT allele using human HCT116 isogenic cell lines
Authors: Varshavi Dorna , Varshavi Dorsa , McCarthy Nicola , Veselkov Kirill , Keun Hector C. , Everett Jeremy R.
Published: November 2021

Introduction

KRAS was one of the earliest human oncogenes to be described and is one of the most commonly mutated genes in different human cancers, including colorectal cancer. Despite KRAS mutants being known driver mutations, KRAS has proved difficult to target therapeutically, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying KRAS-driven cellular transformation.

Objectives

To investigate the metabolic signatures associated with single copy mutant KRAS in isogenic human colorectal cancer cells and to determine what metabolic pathways are affected.

Methods

Using NMR-based metabonomics, we compared wildtype (WT)-KRAS and mutant KRAS effects on cancer cell metabolism using metabolic profiling of the parental KRASG13D/+ HCT116 cell line and its isogenic, derivative cell lines KRAS+/– and KRASG13D/–.

Results

Mutation in the KRAS oncogene leads to a general metabolic remodelling to sustain growth and counter stress, including alterations in the metabolism of amino acids and enhanced glutathione biosynthesis. Additionally, we show that KRASG13D/+ and KRASG13D/− cells have a distinct metabolic profile characterized by dysregulation of TCA cycle, up-regulation of glycolysis and glutathione metabolism pathway as well as increased glutamine uptake and acetate utilization.

Conclusions

Our study showed the effect of a single point mutation in one KRAS allele and KRAS allele loss in an isogenic genetic background, hence avoiding confounding genetic factors. Metabolic differences among different KRAS mutations might play a role in their different responses to anticancer treatments and hence could be exploited as novel metabolic vulnerabilities to develop more effective therapies against oncogenic KRAS.

Graphical abstract
An optimal designed experiment for the alkaline hydrolysis of feather keratin
Authors: Dąbrowska Małgorzata , Sommer Agata , Sinkiewicz Izabela , Taraszkiewicz Antoni , Staroszczyk Hanna
Published: November 2021

Feathers, burdensome waste from the poultry industry, can be a cheap source of keratin, a protein with excellent physicochemical, biological, and mechanical properties. Acid and alkaline hydrolyses are usually adopted for isolation of keratin from its natural resources. This study aimed at assessing the statistically significant effect of input variables in the alkaline hydrolysis of keratin from chicken feathers on the process yield and on the molecular weight of peptides obtained. The effect of the volume ratio of 1M NaOH to the feathers’ mass, the hydrolysis time, and the shaking speed of the reaction mixture on the process yield were analyzed. The use of statistical analysis at the design step of experiment allowed reducing the trial number from 27 to 9. Among the input variables analyzed, only the volume ratio of 1M NaOH to the feathers’ mass had a significant effect on the process yield, while none of them significantly affected the molecular weight of the peptides obtained. All hydrolysates were dominated by two peptides’ fractions, with molecular weights of ca. 130 and 250 kDa, and mixture of many peptides of weight close to 10 kDa and smaller. Alkaline hydrolysis of feather keratin yielded protein hydrolysates soluble over a wide pH range.
Personalized prediction of rehabilitation outcomes in multiple sclerosis: a proof-of-concept using clinical data, digital health metrics, and machine learning
Authors: Kanzler Christoph M. , Lamers Ilse , Feys Peter , Gassert Roger , Lambercy Olivier
Published: November 2021

Predicting upper limb neurorehabilitation outcomes in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) is essential to optimize therapy allocation. Previous research identified population-level predictors through linear models and clinical data. This work explores the feasibility of predicting individual neurorehabilitation outcomes using machine learning, clinical data, and digital health metrics. Machine learning models were trained on clinical data and digital health metrics recorded pre-intervention in 11 pwMS. The dependent variables indicated whether pwMS considerably improved across the intervention, as defined by the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Box and Block Test (BBT), or Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT). Improvements in ARAT or BBT could be accurately predicted (88% and 83% accuracy) using only patient master data. Improvements in NHPT could be predicted with moderate accuracy (73%) and required knowledge about sensorimotor impairments. Assessing these with digital health metrics over clinical scales increased accuracy by 10%. Non-linear models improved accuracy for the BBT (+ 9%), but not for the ARAT (-1%) and NHPT (-2%). This work demonstrates the feasibility of predicting upper limb neurorehabilitation outcomes in pwMS, which justifies the development of more representative prediction models in the future. Digital health metrics improved the prediction of changes in hand control, thereby underlining their advanced sensitivity.