bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How ‘Madsen’ has shaped Pacific Northwest wheat and beyond
Authors: Carter A. H. , Allan R. E. , Shelton G. B. , Burke A. B. , Balow K. A. , Hagemeyer K. E. , Chen X. M. , Engle D. , Garland‐Campbell K. A. , Morris C. F. , Murray T. D. , Paulitz T. , Clare S. J. , Klarquist E. F.
Published: May 2020

It is never known how well new cultivars will perform under commercial production until they are released and grown across different environments. Every cultivar released has a different impact on the region for which it was intended. Some cultivars are in commercial production for only a few years, whereas others are cultivated for decades. ‘Madsen’, a soft white winter wheat released in 1988 for production in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), has been in commercial production for 30 years. Once the dominant cultivar grown in the PNW, Madsen was produced mainly because of its high yield potential and excellent biotic stress resistance. Currently, Madsen is grown on limited hectares, replaced by many cultivars with higher yield potential; yet its legacy has gone far beyond commercial production. Madsen has been the parent of over 45 released cultivars, many of which were the lines that replaced it in commercial production. It is used as a parent mainly because of its excellent disease resistance to common diseases of the PNW. Madsen has also been used in research projects to identify disease resistance genes. In some cases Madsen was found to be carrying resistance genes the breeder was not aware of but were discovered later in research or field screenings. In this paper, we review the history of Madsen to determine what made it such a successful cultivar and parental line. Data were collected from multiple field trials and research papers and summarized for review.
Poly{dl‐lactide‐b‐[oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (meth)acrylate)]} block copolymers. Synthesis, characterization, micellization behavior in aqueous solutions and encapsulation of model hydrophobic compounds
Authors: Karanikolopoulos Nikos , Choinopoulos Ioannis , Pitsikalis Marinos
Published: May 2020

A series of well‐defined poly{dl
‐lactide‐b‐[oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (meth)acrylate)]} (PDLLA‐b‐POEG[M]A) functional amphiphilic diblock copolymers was synthesized by employing a multistep procedure involving: (a) ring‐opening polymerization of dl
‐lactide using n‐decanol and stannous octoate as the initiating system, (b) esterification reaction of the PDLLA hydroxyl end groups with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide, (c) atom transfer radical polymerization of OEG(M)A with the newly created bromoisobutyryl initiating site, and (d) incorporation of biotin or folic acid at the POEGA chain ends using click chemistry. The products were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and SEC analysis. The aggregation behavior of the synthesized block copolymers was investigated by dynamic light scattering at 25°C in aqueous solutions. The hydrophobic model compounds Nile red and pyrene were efficiently incorporated into the copolymer aggregates in aqueous solutions. High partition coefficient values were determined by fluorescence spectroscopy.
Study of the plasma–liquid interaction for an argon nonthermal microwave plasma jet from the analysis of benzene degradation
Authors: Casado Enrique , Garcia Maria C. , Krawczyk Dorota A. , Romero‐Salguero Francisco‐José , Rodero Antonio
Published: May 2020

The interaction of an argon microwave plasma jet with a benzene layer on water has been analyzed under different conditions (power, gas flow, plasma‐sample distance, and treatment time) in this study. Main products formed upon treatment are phenol, catechol, and nitrobenzene, which shows that this jet is a source of radicals •OH and •NO2, inducing benzene oxidation and nitration. Excited argon species in the plasma have been proven to play an outstanding role in degradation processes, which mostly occur at the gas phase. Results are compared with those from the direct interaction of the plasma jet with water. For this purpose, aqueous solutions of 3‐coumarin carboxylic acid are treated and the hydroxylation of this compound is studied. The effect of the benzene layer preventing water evaporation is demonstrated.
Indomethacin promotes browning and brown adipogenesis in both murine and human fat cells
Authors: Overby Haley , Yang Yang , Xu Xinyun , Wang Shu , Zhao Ling
Published: May 2020

Indomethacin (Indo), a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, has been shown to promote murine brown adipogenesis both in vitro and in vivo, possibly due to its peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)‐agonist activities. However, it is unclear whether Indo induces browning of white adipocytes from both murine and human origins or induces human brown adipogenesis. To bridge the gap, this study investigated the effects of increasing concentrations of Indo on murine 3T3‐L1, human primary subcutaneous white adipocytes (HPsubQ), and human brown (HBr) adipocytes. The results show that Indo dose‐dependently enhanced 3T3‐L1 adipocyte differentiation and upregulated both mRNA and protein expression of brown and beige adipocyte markers, while simultaneously suppressing white adipocyte‐specific marker mRNA expression. mRNA and protein expression of mitochondrial biogenesis and structural genes were dose‐dependently enhanced in Indo treated 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. This was accompanied by augmented mitochondrial DNA, enhanced oxygen consumption, proton leak, and maximal and spare respiratory capacity. Dose‐dependent transactivation of PPARγ confirmed Indo's PPARγ‐agonist activity in 3T3‐L1 cells. Knockdown of PPARγ significantly attenuated Indo's activities in selective browning genes, demonstrating PPARγ dependence of these effects. Moreover, Indo enhanced mRNA and protein expression of brown markers in HPsubQ adipocytes. Interestingly, Indo‐induced differential effects on individual PPARγ isoforms with significant dose‐dependent induction of PPARγ‐2 and suppression of PPARγ‐1 protein expression. Finally, Indo significantly promoted brown adipogenesis in HBr cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate Indo to be a potent thermogenic compound in both murine and human fat cells and may be explored as a therapeutic agent for obesity treatment and prevention.
Crediting check valves as IPLs? Testing protocol to better understand check valve reliability
Authors: Olsen Jody E.
Published: May 2020

Conventional process safety wisdom assumes that check valves are not reliable safeguards. Experience indicates that check valves are prone to failure and that they may fail undetected. Therefore, the conservative assumption is that check valves may be listed in process hazard analyses as safeguards, but they are rarely considered to meet the standards required of an independent protection layer (IPL). Independent protection layers must be effective, independent, and auditable. Although independence is readily achievable by check valves, confirming and routinely auditing effectiveness is rarely pursued. And maintenance practices for check valves are often insufficient. Little data is available from operating companies regarding failure and leakage rates for different check valve types in various service applications or at various stages of service life. This paper examines a testing protocol that was put in place in 2014 for the purpose of testing check valves in order to apply layer of protection analysis (LOPA) credit to these valves for reverse flow scenarios. In order to understand check valve performance expectations, leakage allowances for new check valves are reviewed. Industry guidance and standards regarding consideration of check valves as safeguards or IPLs are also discussed. The analysis of new valve standards and the assessment of process safety requirements are the basis for establishing the pass/fail thresholds for the tests. The goal of sharing this information is that the discussion will stimulate others to consider the opportunity and the need to set‐up similar testing and to begin gathering and sharing a larger body of data on check valve performance in various applications. Accumulation of check valve performance data and sharing of that data should lead to better understanding of check valve performance by type, size, age, and service. Better performance may be achieved where maintenance is improved and where learnings are applied to selection and design. In instances where requirements are met and credit is due, check valves may be credited in PHA and LOPA.1
Fungicides may have differential efficacies towards the main causal agents of Fusarium head blight of wheat
Authors: Tini Francesco , Beccari Giovanni , Onofri Andrea , Ciavatta Emiliano , Gardiner Donald M , Covarelli Lorenzo
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a complex disease of wheat and barley caused by several Fusarium species. In recent years, a variation in the composition of the FHB community has been observed in several wheat cultivation areas across the world. In detail, F. avenaceum and F. poae increased their frequencies, while, a lower F. graminearum and F. culmorum incidence was simultaneously observed. These shifts within the FHB complex might have been caused by different factors, including the selective pressure caused by fungicides used to control the disease in the field. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate, both in in vitro experiments and in field trials, the activity of commonly used fungicides of wheat (tebuconazole, metconazole, prothioconazole and prochloraz) towards the above mentioned four Fusarium species.

RESULTS

A preliminary in vitro assay revealed that low concentrations of all tested fungicides caused the incomplete reduction of fungal development. Furthermore, F. poae and F. avenaceum showed, at the same time, a lower sensitivity to all tested fungicides. In field trials, all fungicides showed an activity against the four Fusarium species. However, F. avenaceum exhibited a reduced sensitivity to metconazole. The lower efficacy of metconazole towards F. avenaceum was also confirmed by an additional in vitro experiment on several F. avenaceum and F. graminearum different strains.

CONCLUSION

The selective pressure exerted by the extensive use of certain fungicides may influence population dynamics of Fusarium species due to their different sensitivity. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
First‐Principles Investigation of Antimonene Nanoribbons for Sensing Toxic NO2 Gas
Authors: Srivastava Pankaj , Abhishek  , Sharma Varun , Jaiswal Neeraj K.
Published: May 2020

Herein, based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the antimonene nanoribbons (SbNRs) are systematically investigated to gauge their potential for plausible NO2 sensors. The outcomes suggest that the adsorbed NO2 molecule forms a strong chemical bond with zigzag SbNR (ZSbNR) and armchair SbNR (ASbNR). Also, it is unveiled that each configuration of NO2 adsorption on SbNR is energetically favorable, with O2NZSbNRH and O2NHASbNRHO2N considered as most stable adsorption configuration. NO2 molecule acts as a strong charge acceptor and exhibits reasonable adsorption energy. The electronic structure calculations reflect the transformation of narrow to wide bandgap semiconductors upon adsorption. The obtained transport properties feature the profound change in current magnitude in both ZSbNR and ASbNR after NO2 adsorption. Present findings indicate that ZSbNR and ASbNR are highly selective to detect the presence of NO2 molecules against atmospheric gases.
Simulating Artificial 1D Physics with Ultra‐Cold Fermionic Atoms: Three Exemplary Themes
Authors: Dobrzyniecki Jacek , Sowiński Tomasz
Published: May 2020

For over twenty years, ultra‐cold atomic systems have formed an almost perfect arena for simulating different quantum many‐body phenomena and exposing their non‐obvious and very often counterintuitive features. Thanks to extremely precise controllability of different parameters they are able to capture different quantum properties which were previously recognized only as theoretical curiosities. Herein, the current experimental progress in exploring the curious 1D quantum world of fermions is traced from the perspective of three subjectively selected trends being currently under vigorous experimental validation: i) unconventional pairing in attractively interacting fermionic mixtures, ii) fermionic systems subjected to the artificial spin‐orbit coupling, iii) fermionic gases of atoms with high symmetry of internal states.
A simple cryogenic method for efficient analysis of triple oxygen isotopes in silicates
Authors: Ghoshmaulik Sangbaran , Bhattacharya Sourendra Kumar , Roy Pallab , Sarkar Anindya
Published: May 2020

Rationale

Oxygen isotopic ratios of silicates are excellent tools to reconstruct paleotemperature and isotopic composition of the precipitating fluid. However, the measurement of 17O/16O is difficult due to the low abundance of 17O. The present study reports a simplified high‐precision analytical technique for measuring the two oxygen isotope ratios, 17O/16O and 18O/16O, in silicates.

Methods

Silicate samples were ablated by a CO2 laser in a BrF5 environment. The released oxygen (O2) was then cryogenically trapped in a molecular sieve zeolite (MSZ). Associated contaminants such as BrF5, F2, NF3 etc. were cleaned by passing the gas through a NaCl trap followed by a cooled (−25°C) MSZ‐packed U‐tube trap. The purified O2 was analysed in a MAT 253 isotope ratio mass spectrometer for oxygen isotope ratios.

Results

The δδ17O and δ18O values of the working gas were calibrated by NBS‐28 and crosschecked by inter‐laboratory references UWG‐2, SCO and IMAU‐O2. The average analytical precisions (using aliquots of NBS‐28, UWG‐2, SCO, and laboratory internal standards IIT‐KGP‐SQ quartz and IIT‐KGP‐NQ quartz) of the δ17O, δ18O and ∆′17O values were 0.04‰, 0.08‰ and 4 per meg, respectively.

Conclusions

A new cryogenic cleaning technique was developed that does not require GC but efficiently removes NF3‐contaminants from oxygen gas produced by laser fluorination of silicates. The technique is simple, quick and cost‐effective and provides highly precise and accurate δ17O, δ18O and ∆′17O values.
Bioeconomy futures: Expectation patterns of scientists and practitioners on the sustainability of bio‐based transformation
Authors: Biber‐Freudenberger Lisa , Ergeneman Candan , Förster Jan Janosch , Dietz Thomas , Börner Jan
Published: May 2020

Economic sectors relying on the use of biological organisms, processes, and principles to create products and services are expected to experience accelerated growth due to innovation in the bioeconomy. Associated benefits and risks for sustainable development are increasingly subject to societal debate. We compiled expectation patterns from a global survey with bioeconomy experts and a systematic literature review identifying areas of consensus and controversy across dimensions of the sustainable development goals (SDG). Positive connotations dominated in both expert opinions and the scientific literature, but the level of consensus varied across sectors of the bioeconomy and in relation to applied methodological approaches (scientific literature) and type of employer (experts). In both sources, we found more differentiated views on potential impacts of bioeconomic development pathways on sustainability in more established bioeconomy‐related discourses, which indicates that expectation patterns in more recent fields of bio‐based innovation are subject to early “hype cycle” dynamics. Our findings suggest the need to systematically mainstream sustainability risk appraisals across relevant application contexts in technology impact assessments for the bioeconomy.
On permutation tests for comparing restricted mean survival time with small sample from randomized trials
Authors: Horiguchi Miki , Uno Hajime
Published: May 2020

Between‐group comparison based on the restricted mean survival time (RMST) is getting attention as an alternative to the conventional logrank/hazard ratio approach for time‐to‐event outcomes in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The validity of the commonly used nonparametric inference procedure for RMST has been well supported by large sample theories. However, we sometimes encounter cases with a small sample size in practice, where we cannot rely on the large sample properties. Generally, the permutation approach can be useful to handle these situations in RCTs. However, a numerical issue arises when implementing permutation tests for difference or ratio of RMST from two groups. In this article, we discuss the numerical issue and consider six permutation methods for comparing survival time distributions between two groups using RMST in RCTs setting. We conducted extensive numerical studies and assessed type I error rates of these methods. Our numerical studies demonstrated that the inflation of the type I error rate of the asymptotic methods is not negligible when sample size is small, and that all of the six permutation methods are workable solutions. Although some permutation methods became a little conservative, no remarkable inflation of the type I error rates were observed. We recommend using permutation tests instead of the asymptotic tests, especially when the sample size is less than 50 per
arm.
Identifying density‐based local outliers in medical multivariate circular data
Authors: Abuzaid Ali H.
Published: May 2020

This article is considered to be the first to deal with the problem of outlier‐detection in multivariate circular data. The proposed algorithm is an extension of the Local Outlier Factor (LOF) method. Two different circular distances are used; taking into account the close bounded range of circular variables, and testing all possible permutations. The performance of the algorithm is investigated via an extensive simulation study. The performance of the LOF algorithm has a direct relationship with concentration parameter, while it has an inverse relationship with the sample size. For illustrative purposes, the algorithm has been implemented on two medical multivariate circular data, namely, X‐ray beam projectors data and eye data. The extension of the LOF algorithm for other types of directional data such as spherical and cylindrical datasets is worth to be investigated.
Folding‐Unfolding Dynamics of pH‐Assisted Structures of S‐Peptide
Authors: Perumalla D. Sravanakumar , Govind Gokul , Anjukandi Padmesh
Published: May 2020

The folded form of S‐Peptide is found to be essential for the activation of RNase‐S complex. Herein the folding‐unfolding dynamics of S‐Peptide and its protonated form in mild acidic conditions are investigated to assess the most favorable folding pathway in physiological conditions. Our results confirm that the pH assisted S‐peptide structures could indeed influence on the binding and collapse of the hydrophobic groups, which in turn can modulate the structural stability of S‐Peptide α‐helix. We affirm that the protonated S‐Peptide has its partially and completely folded states which are readily accessible whereas in the case of non‐protonated S‐Peptide, there exists an energy barrier in attaining the folds. Further, the RNase‐S complex formation could be mostly assisted by mild acidic pH and we also confirm that the folding‐unfolding pathways of S‐Peptide are independent of the pH.
Is It Possible to Achieve Organic Superbases beyond the Basicity Limit Using Tetrahedrane Scaffolds?
Authors: Valadbeigi Younes , Vianello Robert
Published: May 2020

Substituted tetrahedranes offer exceptional carbon bases with the gas‐phase proton affinities (PAs) up to 356 kcal mol−1, due to the strain‐induced ring opening upon protonation. Additional tetrahedrane moieties exert a dramatic basicity amplification to PAs reaching 600 kcal mol−1, being the strongest organic superbases reported, clearly surpassing the proposed limit of achievable basicities (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54, 9262). However, because protonation/deprotonation of these compounds is not reversible, PAs of the opened‐cage isomers were calculated which were lower than the basiciy limit.
Sperm‐Driven Micromotors Moving in Oviduct Fluid and Viscoelastic Media
Authors: Striggow Friedrich , Medina‐Sánchez Mariana , Auernhammer Günter K. , Magdanz Veronika , Friedrich Benjamin M. , Schmidt Oliver G.
Published: May 2020

Biohybrid micromotors propelled by motile cells are fascinating entities for autonomous biomedical operations on the microscale. Their operation under physiological conditions, including highly viscous environments, is an essential prerequisite to be translated to in vivo settings. In this work, a sperm‐driven microswimmer, referred to as a spermbot, is demonstrated to operate in oviduct fluid in vitro. The viscoelastic properties of bovine oviduct fluid (BOF), one of the fluids that sperm cells encounter on their way to the oocyte, are first characterized using passive microrheology. This allows to design an artificial oviduct fluid to match the rheological properties of oviduct fluid for further experiments. Sperm motion is analyzed and it is confirmed that kinetic parameters match in real and artificial oviduct fluids, respectively. It is demonstrated that sperm cells can efficiently couple to magnetic microtubes and propel them forward in media of different viscosities and in BOF. The flagellar beat pattern of coupled as well as of free sperm cells is investigated, revealing an alteration on the regular flagellar beat, presenting an on–off behavior caused by the additional load of the microtube. Finally, a new microcap design is proposed to improve the overall performance of the spermbot in complex biofluids.
Microstructure Design of Carbonaceous Fibers: A Promising Strategy toward High‐Performance Weaveable/Wearable Supercapacitors
Authors: Yu Chenyang , An Jianing , Zhou Ruicong , Xu Hai , Zhou Jinyuan , Chen Qiang , Sun Gengzhi , Huang Wei
Published: May 2020

Fiber‐based supercapacitors (FSCs) possess great potential as an ideal type of power source for future weaveable/wearable electronics and electronic‐textiles. The performance of FSCs is, without doubt, primarily determined by the properties of fibrous electrodes. Carbonaceous fibers, e.g., commercial carbon fibers, newly developed graphene fibers, and carbon nanotube fibers, are deemed as promising materials for weaveable/wearable supercapacitors owing to their exotic properties including high tensile strength and robustness, excellent electrical conductivity, good flexibility, and environmental stability. Nevertheless, bare carbonaceous fiber normally exhibits low capacitance originating from electric double‐layer capacitance, which remains unsatisfactory for efficiently powering wearable and portable devices. Numerous efforts have been devoted to tailoring fiber properties by hybridizing pseudocapacitive materials, and impressive progress has been achieved thus far. Herein, the microstructures of pristine carbonaceous fibers are introduced in detail, and the recent advances in rational nano/microstructure design of their hybrids, which provides the feasibility to achieve the synergistic interaction between conductive agents and pseudocapacitive nanomaterials but are normally overlooked, are comprehensively reviewed. Besides, the challenges in developing high‐performance fibrous electrodes are also elaborately discussed.
Quantitative determination of fructose, glucose, and sucrose in hard ciders and apple juice by LC–MS/MS
Authors: Thacker Jonathan B. , Schug Kevin A.
Published: May 2020

The estimated global hard cider market is over $10 billion. Methods for determining their sugar content would have important implications in their quality assurance and nutritional values. In this study, the concentrations of fructose, glucose, and sucrose were determined in commercial hard cider and apple juice samples by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The optimized sample preparation method consisted of sonication, a 1:10 dilution to 70:30 acetonitrile:water, centrifugation, filtration, and an additional 1:100 dilution to a final solvent composition of 80:20 acetonitrile:water. This method was validated with respect to selectivity, linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, accuracy, and precision. Limits of detection and quantitation ranged from 0.01 to 0.1 and 0.05 to 0.5 mg/L, respectively, and linear ranges spanned at least a factor of 500 with excellent linearities (R2 > 0.999). Accuracy ranged from 81.7 to 107%. The relative standard deviations for all measurements were <7%. The method was applied to 11 different cider samples, one apple ale sample, and three different apple juice samples. Among the cider samples, a correlation between the fructose and glucose concentrations was found (R2 = 0.81).
The Role of Self‐Talk in Downgrading a Teacher’s Certainty About Grammar Matters
Authors: Hall Joan Kelly , Looney Stephen Daniel
Published: May 2020

Second language (L2) teaching is complex interactional work. Although how teachers teach is known to be significant to student engagement and learning, the specialized nature of teaching is typically represented as knowledge and beliefs about teaching. This is changing, however, as the number of studies drawing on ethnomethodology and conversation analysis to illuminate the intricacies of L2 teaching is rapidly growing. This study adds to this research. Its specific focus is on an English as a second language teacher’s use of self‐talk to downgrade her certainty about the appropriate use of particular linguistic constructions that are the focus of instruction. The authors argue that, rather than displaying ineptitude at these moments, the use of self‐talk displays the teacher’s skilled willingness to make public her thinking processes as she works through her uncertainty and models for students ways they might deal with similar challenges. Shifting the focus to what teachers do, the study offers insight into the complex, embodied work of teaching, which, in turn, contributes to a practice‐based understanding of teaching. For both novice and experienced teachers, the instructive descriptions of teacher self‐talk can help them develop a reflective capacity for understanding and dealing with the contingencies of L2 teaching.
Chrysin ameliorates aluminum phosphide‐induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial damages in rat cardiomyocytes and isolated mitochondria
Authors: Khezri Saleh , Sabzalipour Towhid , Jahedsani Asal , Azizian Sepideh , Atashbar Saman , Salimi Ahmad
Published: May 2020

Apart from the anticancer, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory effects, and inhibition of aromatase, chrysin is involved in the protection of cardiovascular disorders. Cardiovascular complications are the main cause of death induced by aluminum phosphide (AlP) which is related to oxidative stress and mitochondrial damages. For this purpose, we investigated the effect of chrysin as an antioxidant and mitochondrial protective agent against AlP‐induced toxicity in isolated cardiomyocytes and mitochondria obtained from rat heart ventricular. Using by biochemical and flow cytometry, cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, mitochondria membrane potential (MMP), lysosomal membrane integrity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) content were measured in isolated cardiomyocytes. Also, mitochondrial toxicity parameters such as mitochondrial NADH/succinate dehydrogenase activity, mitochondrial swelling, ROS formation, MMP collapse, and lipid peroxidation were analyzed in isolated mitochondria. Our results showed that the administration of chrysin (up to 10 μM) efficiently decreased (P < 0.05) cytotoxicity, oxidative, lysosomal, and mitochondrial damages induced by AlP, in isolated cardiomyocytes. Also, our finding in isolated mitochondria showed that chrysin (up to 10 μM) significantly (P < 0.05) decreased AlP‐induced mitochondrial toxicity. These findings demonstrated that chrysin as an antioxidant and mitochondrial protective agent exert protective effect in wild‐type cardiomyocyte treated with AlP. It was concluded that chrysin significantly reduced the toxicity of AlP in isolated cardiomyocytes and mitochondria. Due to the very low toxicity of chrysin for humans, it could be a promising agent in treatment of AlP poisoning.
Nanoparticles weaponized with built‐in functions for imaging‐guided cancer therapy
Authors: Jing Lihong , Yang Chen , Zhang Peisen , Zeng Jianfeng , Li Zhen , Gao Mingyuan
Published: May 2020

Imaging‐guided cancer therapy (IGCT) is rapidly emerging as a powerful precision cancer theranostic paradigm, as it can offer both diagnostic information and therapeutic benefits. But it relies on advanced theranostic agents that are largely constructed on top of nanomaterials. Conventionally, such theranostic agents are constructed by integrating different functional units, which will unnecessarily increase the size of the multi‐functional agents and inevitably encounter unwanted disassociation of the functional units in vivo, leading to false diagnosis and poor therapeutic efficacy. In this review, we highlight the state‐of‐the‐art progresses in biomedical applications of nanomaterials possessing built‐in functions suitable for cancer theranostic applications, particularly those who can convert near‐infrared (NIR) light into heat or radicals, as phototherapy holds remarkable promise for high‐precision cancer therapy. In addition, phototherapy can naturally be combined with photoacoustic imaging for realizing imaging‐guided therapy. In this context, the interactions between NIR and nanomaterials are classified and outlined. Then, different approaches for boosting imaging sensitivity and therapeutic efficacy, by improving the utilization of NIR light through different mechanisms, are discussed. Through examples on delineation and treatment of tumors in vivo, the opportunities and benefits of the theranostic nanoprobes for IGCT are highlighted. Moreover, the current challenges and future perspectives regarding both fundamental studies and clinical translation of the NIR‐mediated cancer theranostic agents are discussed.
The Southern Annular Mode: Variability, trends, and climate impacts across the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: Fogt Ryan L. , Marshall Gareth J.
Published: May 2020

The Southern Annular Mode (SAM) is the leading mode of extratropical Southern Hemisphere climate variability, associated with changes in the strength and position of the polar jet around Antarctica. This variability in the polar jet drives large fluctuations in the Southern Hemisphere climate, from the lower stratosphere into the troposphere, and stretching from the midlatitudes across the Southern Ocean to Antarctica. Notably, the SAM index has displayed marked positive trends in the austral summer season (stronger and poleward shifted westerlies), associated with stratospheric ozone loss. Historical reconstructions demonstrate that these recent positive SAM index values are unprecedented in the last millennia, and fall outside the range of natural climate variability. Despite these advances in the understanding of the SAM behavior, several areas of active research are identified that highlight gaps in our present knowledge.

This article is categorized under:

Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Earth System Behavior
Emerging Reception Economies: A View from Southern Europe
Authors: Bartolini Laura , Mantanika Regina , Triandafyllidou Anna
Published: May 2020

This chapter explores how the recent surge in irregular flows across the Mediterranean has fostered the emergence of new economies of reception that transforms irregular migration from a challenge for border regions to an opportunity or even a strategy for survival. The chapter starts by discussing the available literature on the economies of migration control and the interlinked aspect that can be conceived as the economies of reception. The second section looks at the different types of emergency and longer-term EU funding destined to the reception and processing of migrants arrived by sea and by land in Italy and Greece, and explores the interplay between the different levels of governance and the related challenges that arise. Section three turns to the related emergence of local reception economies, discussing the reception system structures in Greece and Italy, the further impact in local contexts through the employment of reception-related professionals and the ‘refugeeization” of local labour mark, through the (often informal) insertion of migrants with different combinations of residence and work statuses. It is the authors’ contention that, through the channelling of local and regional resources, migrants arrived through irregular channels create a whole set of economic activities, occupations, and professional types and increase or transform the employment of both locals and settled migrants. The chapter is not the outcome of exhaustive empirical research, but map outs the main components of the economies of reception and presents few case studies for Greece and Italy, which are opening a new strand for further research in this field.
Holographic RG flows for Kondo-like impurities
Authors: Erdmenger Johanna , Melby-Thompson Charles M. , Northe Christian
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Boundary, defect, and interface RG flows, as exemplified by the famous Kondo model, play a significant role in the theory of quantum fields. We study in detail the holographic dual of a non-conformal supersymmetric impurity in the D1/D5 CFT. Its RG flow bears similarities to the Kondo model, although unlike the Kondo model the CFT is strongly coupled in the holographic regime. The interface we study preserves d = 1

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 4 supersymmetry and flows to conformal fixed points in both the UV and IR. The interface’s UV fixed point is described by d = 1 fermionic degrees of freedom, coupled to a gauge connection on the CFT target space that is induced by the ADHM construction. We briefly discuss its field-theoretic properties before shifting our focus to its holographic dual. We analyze the supergravity dual of this interface RG flow, first in the probe limit and then including gravitational backreaction. In the probe limit, the flow is realized by the puffing up of probe branes on an internal S3 via the Myers effect. We further identify the backreacted supergravity configurations dual to the interface fixed points. These supergravity solutions provide a geometric realization of critical screening of the defect degrees of freedom. This critical screening arises in a way similar to the original Kondo model. We compute the g-factor both in the probe brane approximation and using backreacted supergravity solutions, and show that it decreases from the UV to the IR as required by the g-theorem.
Rational terms of UV origin at two loops
Authors: Pozzorini Stefano , Zhang Hantian , Zoller Max F.
Published: May 2020

Abstract

The advent of efficient numerical algorithms for the construction of one-loop amplitudes has played a crucial role in the automation of NLO calculations, and the development of similar algorithms at two loops is a natural strategy for NNLO automation. Within a numerical framework the numerator of loop integrals is usually constructed in four dimensions, and the missing rational terms, which arise from the interplay of the (D − 4)-dimensional parts of the loop numerator with 1/(D − 4) poles in D dimensions, are reconstructed separately. At one loop, such rational terms arise only from UV divergences and can be restored through process-independent local counterterms. In this paper we investigate the behaviour of rational terms of UV origin at two loops. The main result is a general formula that combines the subtraction of UV poles with the reconstruction of the associated rational parts at two loops. This formula has the same structure as the R-operation, and all poles and rational parts are described through a finite set of process-independent local counterterms. We also present a general formula for the calculation of all relevant two-loop rational counterterms in any renormalisable theory based on one-scale tadpole integrals. As a first application, we derive the full set of two-loop rational counterterms for QED in the R

ξ
-gauge.
The one-loop amplitudes for Higgs + 4 partons with full mass effects
Authors: Budge Lucy , Campbell John M. , De Laurentis Giuseppe , Ellis R. Keith , Seth Satyajit
Published: May 2020

Abstract

We present compact analytic formulae for the one-loop amplitudes for Higgs + 4 parton scattering, 0 → ggggh, 0 →

$$ \overline{q} $$

q
¯

qggh and 0 →

$$ \overline{q} $$

q
¯

q

$$ {\overline{q}}^{\prime } $$

q
¯

′

q′h, mediated by a loop of massive coloured quarks. We exploit the correspondence with a theory in which a massive coloured scalar circulates in the loop to avoid a proliferation in the number of terms in the result. In addition, we use momentum twistors and high precision numerical evaluations to simplify the expressions. The analytic results in this paper, in terms of spinor products, allow construction of an efficient numerical program to calculate the amplitude.
Relaxion fluctuations (self-stopping relaxion) and overview of relaxion stopping mechanisms
Authors: Fonseca Nayara , Morgante Enrico , Sato Ryosuke , Servant Géraldine
Published: May 2020

Abstract

In implementations of the electroweak scale cosmological relaxation mechanism proposed so far, the effect of the quantum fluctuations of the homogeneous relaxion field has been ignored. We show that they can grow during the classical cosmological evolution of the relaxion field passing through its many potential barriers. The resulting production of relaxion particles can act as an efficient stopping mechanism for the relaxion. We revisit the original relaxion proposal and determine under which conditions inflation may no longer be needed as a source of friction. We review alternative stopping mechanisms and determine in detail the allowed parameter space for each of them (whether happening before, during and after inflation), also considering and severely constraining the case of friction from electroweak gauge boson production in models with large and Higgs-independent barriers.
Time dependence of reflected entropy in rational and holographic conformal field theories
Authors: Moosa Mudassir
Published: May 2020

Abstract

We calculate the time dependence of the reflected entropy of two disconnected regions after a global quench in (1 + 1)-dimensional conformal field theories and the large temperature limit. For rational conformal field theories, we find that the time evolution of the reflected entropy is the same as that of the mutual information. We get the same result for holographic theories in the limit where the separation between disconnected regions is much smaller than their respective sizes. We discuss how this result is consistent with the quasi-particle picture of Calabrese and Cardy [1].
Starshaped sets
Authors: Hansen G. , Herburt I. , Martini H. , Moszyńska M.
Published: May 2020

This is an expository paper about the fundamental mathematical notion of starshapedness, emphasizing the geometric, analytical, combinatorial, and topological properties of starshaped sets and their broad applicability in many mathematical fields. The authors decided to approach the topic in a very broad way since they are not aware of any related survey-like publications dealing with this natural notion. The concept of starshapedness is very close to that of convexity, and it is needed in fields like classical convexity, convex analysis, functional analysis, discrete, combinatorial and computational geometry, differential geometry, approximation theory, PDE, and optimization; it is strongly related to notions like radial functions, section functions, visibility, (support) cones, kernels, duality, and many others. We present in a detailed way many definitions of and theorems on the basic properties of starshaped sets, followed by survey-like discussions of related results. At the end of the article, we additionally survey a broad spectrum of applications in some of the above mentioned disciplines.
Unintended and Accidental Exposures, Significant Dose Events and Trigger Levels in Interventional Radiology
Authors: Jaschke Werner , Bartal Gabriel , Martin Colin J. , Vano Eliseo
Published: May 2020

Over recent years, an increasing number of fluoroscopically guided interventions (FGIs) have been performed by radiologists and non-radiologists. Also, the number of complex interventional procedures has increased. In the late nineties, first reports of skin injuries appeared in the literature. The medical community responded through increased awareness for radiation protection and public authorities by recommendations and legislation, for example, the European Basic Safety Standards (EU-BSS) which were published in 2014, or the international Basic Safety Standards (BSS). Implementation of the EU-BSS requires concerted action from interventionalists, radiographers, medical physics experts and competent national authorities. Interventionalists should play an important role in this project since implementation of the EU-BSS will affect their daily practice. This paper discusses some important issues of the EU-BSS such as unintended and accidental radiation exposures of patients, the meaning of significant dose events and how to deal with patients who were exposed to a substantial radiation dose with the risk of tissue injuries. In addition, this paper provides practical advice on how to implement alert and trigger levels in daily practice of FGIs in order to increase patient safety.
Seismic velocity variations associated with the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea, Hawaiʻi
Authors: Flinders Ashton F. , Caudron Corentin , Johanson Ingrid A. , Taira Taka’aki , Shiro Brian , Haney Matthew
Published: May 2020

The 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea (Hawai‘i) marked a dramatic change in the volcano’s 35-year-long rift zone eruption. The collapse of the middle East Rift Zone vent Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō was followed by one of the volcano’s most voluminous eruptions in 500 years. Over the course of this 3-month eruption, the draining of summit-stored magma led to near-daily collapses of a portion of the caldera and ultimately up to 500 m of summit subsidence. While deformation data indicated that the summit and middle East Rift Zone were inflating for the previous several years, why Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō collapsed and what initiated down-rift dike propagation remains unclear. Using ambient noise seismic interferometry, we show that a Ml5.3 decollement earthquake beneath Kīlauea’s south flank in June 2017 induced a coseismic decrease of up to 0.30% in seismic velocity throughout the volcano. This velocity decrease may have been caused by dynamic stress–induced shallow crustal fracture, i.e., weakening to dilatant crack growth, and was greatest near Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. Additionally, we verify a pre-eruptive increase in seismic velocity, consistent with increasing pressurization in the volcano’s shallow summit magma reservoir. This velocity increase occurred coincident with the first in a series of lower-crustal earthquake swarms, 6 days before a 2-month period of rapid summit and middle East Rift Zone inflation. The increase in up-rift magma-static pressure, combined with the pre-existing weakness from the June 2017 earthquake, may have facilitated down-rift dike propagation and the devastating 2018 eruption.
Influence of intraoral scanning on the quality of preparations for all-ceramic single crowns
Authors: Schubert Oliver , Erdelt Kurt-Jürgen , Tittenhofer Roland , Hajtó Jan , Bergmann Alexander , Güth Jan-Frederik
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the influence of intraoral scanning on the quality of preparations for all-ceramic single crowns.

Material and methods

A total of 690 randomly selected and anonymized in vivo single crown preparations were examined. Three hundred twenty-three preparations were directly recorded with an intraoral scanner (group IS). Data from plaster casts digitized by a laboratory scanner (group ID; N = 367) served as control. Comparisons included convergence angle, marginal design, marginal substance reduction, homogeneity of the finish line, and undercuts. Evaluation was performed using fully automated specialized software. Data were analyzed applying Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney U test, and Fisher’s exact test. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Convergence angle was above optimum in both groups, but significantly larger for group IS (p < 0.001). Marginal design was more ideal in group IS concerning the absence of featheredge design (p < 0.001) and reverse bevel (p = 0.211). Marginal substance reduction was closer to prerequisites for all-ceramic restorations in group IS (p < 0.001). Finish lines were more homogeneous in group IS regarding the uniformity of their course (p < 0.001). Undercuts were more frequently found in group ID than in group IS (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Intraoral scanning of prepared teeth has positive impact on the quality of preparations for all-ceramic single crowns regarding marginal substance reduction, marginal design, homogeneity of the finish line, and undercuts.

Clinical relevance

Accurate preparation design represents a fundamental condition for success of ceramic crowns. Since there is potential for optimization, intraoral scanning might enhance preparation quality providing instant visual feedback.
COVID-19, Grippewellen und ökonomische Aktivität — die Perspektive der Wirkungsanalyse
Authors: Winkler Adalbert
Published: May 2020

Die öffentliche Diskussion zur Corona-Krise nimmt an Schärfe zu. Dabei stehen die Letalitätsrate sowie die Wirkungen staatlicher Maßnahmen in Hinblick auf ihre epidemiologischen und ökonomischen Wirkungen im Mittelpunkt. Der Streit ließe sich klären, wenn man an randomisierte, kontrollierte Studien angelehnte Wirkungsanalysen durchführen könnte. Dies ist mangels Kontrollgruppe aber nicht möglich. So ist eine weiter zunehmende Polarisierung zu erwarten, gerade wenn die Todeszahlen niedrig bleiben.
Der steuerliche Umgang mit Verlusten: Reformoptionen für die Corona-Krise
Authors: Koch Reinald , Langenmayr Dominika
Published: May 2020

Zussamenfassung

Im Jahr 2020 werden viele Unternehmen durch die Corona-Pandemie Verluste erleiden. Das deutsche Steuersystem behandelt Gewinne und Verluste asymmetrisch: Während Gewinne sofort versteuert werden müssen, führen Verluste oft nicht zu direkten Steuererstattungen. Dieser Beitrag diskutiert verschiedene Möglichkeiten, wie die steuerliche Behandlung von Unternehmen in Verlustsituationen verbessert werden kann. Eine Mikrosimulation der Reformoptionen zeigt, dass eine betragsmäßige Ausweitung der Verlustrücktragsmöglichkeiten eine deutlich größere Wirkung entfaltet als ein längerer Rücktragszeitraum. Bessere Verlustrücktragsmöglichkeiten setzen zudem starke Investitionsanreize.
Eine Bodenwertsteuer als Grundsteuer?
Authors: Büttner Thiess , Zimmermann Horst
Published: May 2020

Zussamenfassung

Nach dem Kompromiss von Bundestag und Bundesrat über die Reform der Grundsteuer Ende 2019 erhalten die Länder Entscheidungsspielraum darüber, ob sie sich dem Bundesmodell anschließen oder ein eigenes Steuermodell entwickeln. Ein baden-württembergischer Gesetzentwurf sieht eine Bodenwertsteuer als alleinige Grundsteuer vor. Er verzichtet auf einen Gebäudeteil in der Grundsteuer, der in anderen Modellen und im Bundesvorschlag enthalten ist. Eine reine Bodenwertsteuer weist gegenüber dem Bundesvorschlag und anderen Vorschlägen deutliche Vorteile bei den Erhebungskosten auf. Allerdings führt der Verzicht auf den Gebäudeteil dazu, dass die Nutzung der Grundstücke nicht erfasst wird. Zudem ergeben sich aus der einseitigen Belastung der Grundstückseigentümer politische Risiken, die durch Vorgabe eines Höchsthebesatzes begrenzt werden sollten.