bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A facile strategy for enhancing the fire safety of unsaturated polyester resins through introducing an efficient mono‐component intumescent flame retardant
Authors: Liu Lubin , Xu Yue , He Yintong , Xu Miaojun , Wang Wen , Li Bin
Published: February 2020

Unsaturated polyester resins (UPRs) are usually used in the field of automotive and electronic appliances, but their natural flammability severely constrain their wide application. In this research, a mono‐component intumescent flame retardant piperazine pyrophosphate (PPAP) was incorporated into the UPR matrix and the fire retardancy, thermal properties, combustion performance, and flame‐retarded mechanisms of UPR/PPAP were comprehensively investigated. With as low as 18 wt% PPAP introduced, UPR/18 wt% PPAP thermosets fulfilled UL‐94 V‐0 grade during vertical burning tests and the limiting oxygen index value reached 29.8%. Cone calorimeter tests shown that the peak of heat release and CO production were prominently declined with the decrease of 60.9% and 70.2% compared with those of UPR. The incorporation of PPAP efficaciously enhanced the fire safety of UPR thermosets. The investigation of flame‐retarded mechanisms for UPR/PPAP thermosets indicated that PPAP stimulated UPR thermosets to form sufficient, compact, partially graphitized, and expanded char layer on thermosets surface in advance and the char layer effectively exerted shielding effect in condensed phase. Thus, the total amount of heat of UPR/PPAP was suppressed with the reduction of 42.5% compared with that of UPR. Overall, the excellent fire safety performance promised the flame‐retardant UPR/PPAP thermosets crucial application values in some key areas.
Level of agreement between adolescents’ self‐assessment and parent proxy report of health‐related quality of life in adolescents with sickle cell disease
Authors: Blake Alphanso , Guthrie‐Dixon Natalie , Grindley Marlyn , Barton‐Gooden Antoinette , Knight‐Madden Jennifer , Asnani Monika
Published: February 2020

Background

We aim to assess the levels of agreement between parents, as proxies, and Jamaican adolescents living with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the reporting of the adolescent's quality of life.

Procedures

This cross‐sectional study assessed 102 patient/proxy pairs on quality of life of adolescents with SCD using the PedsQL‐SCD module. The level of agreement among pairs was assessed starting with broad group‐level approaches (the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test augmented by exploring percentage agreement) tapering to individual‐level approaches (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] supplemented with Bland‐Altman plots).

Results

Most patients (76.5%) had homozygous SS disease (45.1% females; mean age 15.2 ± 1.5 years). Median total pediatric quality of life (PedsQL) scores were 79.1 (adolescent report) and 80.2 (parental report) (P = .60). There were 11.8% underestimation and 12.7% overestimation of overall health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) by parents. The highest perfect agreement existed on the “pain and hurt” domain for both male and female adolescents (85.7% and 84.4%, respectively). Overestimation was highest on the “social communication” domain for both male and female adolescents (19.6% and 34.8%, respectively). Parents exhibited good agreement on total PedsQL scores in male adolescents (ICC = 0.70), but moderate agreement (ICC = 0.43) in female adolescents. Generally, parents underestimated their male child's functioning and overestimated the female child's functioning on the various domains.

Conclusions

Parents and adolescents exhibit fair agreement in assessment of the adolescent's overall HRQOL but differ on subjective domains. Agreement varies by sex of the affected teen where girls’ HRQOL is generally overestimated by the parental proxy. Interventions to improve parents’ understanding of their children's psychosocial needs are needed.
From singlet R2Si silylene to triplet R2Si═Si ground state by DFT
Authors: Soleimani Purlak Nahid , Kassaee Mohamad Z.
Published: February 2020

In a quest for triplet silylenes, two sets of singlet monosilylenes (R2Si), including 1,4‐di(R)tetrazol‐5‐silaylidenes (1‐5) and 1,3‐di(R)tetrazol‐5‐silaylidenes (6‐10), are converted to their corresponding triplet R2Si═Si (1′‐10′) by taking advantage of an additional electropositive silicon atom that promotes conversion of singlet to triplet, at B3LYP/6‐311++G** level of theory, where R = H, methyl, ethyl, i‐propyl, and t‐butyl. Interestingly, every triplet 1′t‐10′t (R2Si═Si) is more stable than its corresponding singlet 1′s‐10′s. Also, every singlet R2Si═Si exhibits a higher nucleophilicity (N) and appears with a narrower singlet‐triplet energy difference (ΔES‐T) and smaller band gap (ΔΕHOMO‐LUMO) than its corresponding singlet R2Si. For singlet R2Si═Si, hydrogenation energies (ΔH) and N─Si─N angle increase as the size of R increases. Both asymmetric 6‐10 and 6′‐10′ exhibit higher N than their corresponding symmetric 1‐5 and 1′‐5′, respectively. Also, a wider N1─Si─N4 bond angle is encountered for R2Si═Si compared with R2Si.
Observation of the complex spectra for the supramolecular system involving silver nanoparticles‐biaryl Schiff bases containing the nitro group
Authors: Cao Chao‐Tun , Cheng Shi‐Mao , Cao Chenzhong
Published: February 2020

A series of biaryl Schiff bases containing the nitro groups, 4‐XArCH═NArNO2‐4′ (XBANO2‐4′) and 4‐NO2ArCH═NArY‐4′ (4‐NO2BAY), were synthesized. Also, the fish sperm DNA (fsDNA) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) solutions were prepared. By mixing these compounds with fsDNA or AgNPs solution and determining the ultraviolet absorption spectra of the mixture solutions, an interesting phenomenon was found: a new absorption peak λmax,lim appeared in the (XBANO2‐4′)‐AgNPs solution, which was longer than the wavelength of λmax of XBANO2‐4′ solution. The new absorption peak in the (XBANO2‐4′)‐AgNPs solution was the complex spectrum originating from the electron transfer between XBANO2‐4′ and AgNPs. Whereas this phenomenon was not observed in the (4‐NO2BAY)‐AgNPs solutions, a quantitative correlation analysis was carried out with the measured spectral data, and the results show that the wave number νmax,lim of the λmax,lim is mainly affected by the excited‐state substituent constant
rather than the ground Hammett constant σ of the X group. The redshift magnitude Δνmax,WSL, namely, Δνmax,WSL = (1/λmax) − (1/λmax,lim), of the wavelength λmax,lim is related to the highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of XBANO2‐4′. The discovery of this new phenomenon is helpful to understanding the interaction between AgNPs‐organic compound supramolecular systems.
X‐ray Phase Contrast Imaging of the Impact of Multiple HMX Particles in a Polymeric Matrix
Authors: Kerschen Nicholas E. , Drake Jonathan D. , Sorensen Christian J. , Guo Zherui , Mares Jesus O. , Fezzaa Kamel , Sun Tao , Son Steven F. , Chen Weinong W.
Published: February 2020

The initiation of high explosives (HEs) under shock loading lacks a comprehensive understanding: particularly at the particle scale. One common explanation is the hot spot theory, which suggests that energy in the material resulting from the impact event is localized in a small area causing an increase in temperature that can lead to ignition. This study focuses on the response of HMX particles (a common HE) within a polymer matrix (Sylgard‐184®), a simplified example of a polymer‐bound explosive (PBX). These PBXs consist of multiple HMX particles in a single polymer‐bound sample. A light gas gun was used to load the samples at impact velocities above 400 m/s. The impact events were visualized using X‐ray phase‐contrast imaging (PCI) allowing real‐time observation of the impact event. The experiment used two different types of samples (multi‐particle and two crystals) and found evidence of cracking and debonding in both sample types. In addition, it was found that the multiple particle samples showed similar evidence of damage at lower velocities than that of single particle samples. This is an expected result as the multiple particles add additional interfaces for stress concentration and frictional heating.
Integration of Indocyanine Green Analogs as Near‐Infrared Fluorescent Carrier for Precise Imaging‐Guided Gene Delivery
Authors: Liang Hong , Chen Xiaobing , Jin Rongrong , Ke Bowen , Barz Matthias , Ai Hua , Nie Yu
Published: February 2020

Codelivery of diagnostic probes and therapeutic molecules often suffers from intrinsic complexity and premature leakage from or degradation of the nanocarrier. Inspired by the “Y” shape of indocyanine green (ICG), the dye is integrated in an amphiphilic lipopeptide (RNF). The hydrophilic segment is composed of arginine‐rich dendritic peptides, while cyanine dyes are modified with two long carbon chains and employed as the hydrophobic moiety. They are linked through a disulfide linkage to improve the responsivity in the tumor microenvironment. After formulation with other lipopeptides at an optimized ratio, the theranostic system (RNS‐2) forms lipid‐based nanoparticles with slight positive zeta potential enabling efficient condensation of DNA. The RNS‐2 displays glutathione responded gene release, activatable fluorescence recovery, and up to sevenfold higher in vitro transfection than Lipofectamine 2000. Compared with a Cy3 and Cy5 labeled fluorescence resonance energy transfer indicator for gene release, the “turn‐on” indocyanine green analogs exhibit longer emission wavelength and better positive correlation with the dynamic processes of gene delivery. More importantly, the RNS‐2 system enables efficient near infrared imaging guided gene transfer in tumor‐bearing mice and thus provides more precise and accurate information on location of the cargo gene and synthesized carriers.
Lectotypification of two Linnaean plant names
Authors: Domina Gianniantonio , Di Gristina Emilio , Jarvis Charles E.
Published: February 2020

The typification of two Linnaean names (Asphodelus luteus, Cynomorium coccineum), applicable to species described from Sicily, is discussed. A specimen from L (Herb. Van Royen) and an illustration by Micheli are designated as lectotypes. For Cynomorium coccineum, an interpretative epitype is also designated.
Trends and changes in Thunderbird International Business Review journal: A bibliometric review
Authors: Ratten Vanessa , Pellegrini Massimiliano M. , Fakhar Manesh Mohammad , Dabić Marina
Published: February 2020

Thunderbird International Business Review is amongst the most influential journals in the field of international business studies. It started in 1959 as a result of a collaboration with the Thunderbird School of Global Business Management in the United States. The key objective of the journal is to combine academic and practical issues thereby appealing to international business academics and executives. This approach has led it to be amongst the most well‐read and cited journals due to its ability to incorporate articles on current international business topics. The aim of this article is to analyze how the journal has grown and changed. A bibliometric analysis of the journal is conducted with a specific focus on the last 15‐year time period in order to understand the trends and predict future projections. The most cited articles, authors, and countries are stated. In addition, the topics covered are discussed, which shows the journal shifting from a broad reliance on international business topics such as foreign direct investment, export performance, and multinationals to diversifying into more inter‐disciplinary topic areas such as entrepreneurship and innovation. The role of the journal impacting the topics covered in other journals is also discussed. Future research trends are provided that discuss potential new growth areas that need to be covered in terms of further progressing the field of international business studies.
First record of Grey Gull Leucophaeus modestus in Brazil
Authors: Chupil Henrique , Marques Veronica , Nagaoka Shany , Murro Rafael Sardinha
Published: February 2020

We report the first record of Grey Gull (Leucophaeus modestus) in Brazil. On 21 April 2019 at 08:31 h, the secondcycle bird was photographed walking near a small stream that flows into the sea on Ilha Comprida, state of São Paulo, southeastern coast of Brazil. The occurrence of a single individual on the Atlantic coast of the South American continent lead us to propose that the species is a vagrant in Brazil.
Secondary Products in Supersymmetric Field Theory
Authors: Beem Christopher , Ben-Zvi David , Bullimore Mathew , Dimofte Tudor , Neitzke Andrew
Published: February 2020

The product of local operators in a topological quantum field theory in dimension greater than one is commutative, as is more generally the product of extended operators of codimension greater than one. In theories of cohomological type, these commutative products are accompanied by secondary operations, which capture linking or braiding of operators, and behave as (graded) Poisson brackets with respect to the primary product. We describe the mathematical structures involved and illustrate this general phenomenon in a range of physical examples arising from supersymmetric field theories in spacetime dimension two, three, and four. In the Rozansky–Witten twist of three-dimensional$${\mathcal {N}}=4$$N=4theories, this gives an intrinsic realization of the holomorphic symplectic structure of the moduli space of vacua. We further give a simple mathematical derivation of the assertion that introducing an$$\Omega $$Ω-background precisely deformation quantizes this structure. We then study the secondary product structure of extended operators, which subsumes that of local operators but is often much richer. We calculate interesting cases of secondary brackets of line operators in Rozansky–Witten theories and in four-dimensional$${\mathcal {N}}=4$$N=4super-Yang–Mills theories, measuring the noncommutativity of the spherical category in the geometric Langlands program.
Methodology to estimate ionospheric scintillation risk maps and their contribution to position dilution of precision on the ground
Authors: Koulouri Alexandra , Smith Nathan D. , Vani Bruno C. , Rimpiläinen Ville , Astin Ivan , Forte Biagio
Published: February 2020

Satellite-based communications, navigation systems and many scientific instruments rely on observations of trans-ionospheric signals. The quality of these signals can be deteriorated by ionospheric scintillation which can have detrimental effects on the mentioned applications. Therefore, monitoring of ionospheric scintillation and quantifying its effect on the ground are of significant interest. In this work, we develop a methodology which estimates the scintillation-induced ionospheric uncertainties in the sky and translates their impact to the end users on the ground. First, by using the risk concept from decision theory and by exploiting the intensity and duration of scintillation events (as measured by the $$S_4$$S4 index), we estimate ionospheric risk maps that could readily give an initial impression on the effects of scintillation on the satellite-receiver communication. However, to better understand the influence of scintillation on the positioning accuracy on the ground, we formulate a new weighted dilution of precision (WPDOP) measure that incorporates the ionospheric scintillation risks as weighting factors for the given satellite-receiver constellations. These weights depend implicitly on scintillation intensity and duration thresholds which can be specified by the end user based on the sensitivity of the application, for example. We demonstrate our methodology by using scintillation data from South America and produce ionospheric risk maps which illustrate broad scintillation activity, especially at the equatorial anomaly. Moreover, we construct ground maps of WPDOP over a grid of hypothetical receivers which reveal that ionospheric scintillation can also affect such regions of the continent that are not exactly under the observed ionospheric scintillation structures. Particularly, this is evident in cases when only the global positioning system is available.
A novel variant of the 13C-methacetin liver function breath test that eliminates the confounding effect of individual differences in systemic CO2 kinetics
Authors: Holzhütter Hermann-Georg , Wuensch Tilo , Gajowski Robert , Berndt Nikolaus , Bulik Sascha , Meierhofer David , Stockmann Martin
Published: February 2020

The principle of dynamic liver function breath tests is founded on the administration of a 13C-labeled drug and subsequent monitoring of 13CO2 in the breath, quantified as time series delta over natural baseline 13CO2 (DOB) liberated from the drug during hepatic CYP-dependent detoxification. One confounding factor limiting the diagnostic value of such tests is that only a fraction of the liberated 13CO2 is immediately exhaled, while another fraction is taken up by body compartments from which it returns with delay to the plasma. The aims of this study were to establish a novel variant of the methacetin-based breath test LiMAx that allows to estimate and to eliminate the confounding effect of systemic 13CO2 distribution on the DOB curve and thus enables a more reliable assessment of the hepatic detoxification capacity compared with the conventional LiMAx test. We designed a new test variant (named "2DOB") consisting of two consecutive phases. Phase 1 is initiated by the intravenous administration of 13C-bicarbonate. Phase 2 starts about 30 min later with the intravenous administration of the 13C-labelled test drug. Using compartment modelling, the resulting 2-phasic DOB curve yields the rate constants for the irreversible elimination and the reversible exchange of plasma 13CO2 with body compartments (phase 1) and for the detoxification and exchange of the drug with body compartments (phase 2). We carried out the 2DOB test with the test drug 13C-methacetin in 16 subjects with chronic liver pathologies and 22 normal subjects, who also underwent the conventional LiMAx test. Individual differences in the systemic CO2 kinetics can lead to deviations up to a factor of 2 in the maximum of DOB curves (coefficient of variation CV ≈ 0.2) which, in particular, may hamper the discrimination between subjects with normal or mildly impaired detoxification capacities. The novel test revealed that a significant portion of the drug is not immediately metabolized, but transiently taken up into a storage compartment. Intriguingly, not only the hepatic detoxification rate but also the storage capacity of the drug, turned out to be indicative for a normal liver function. We thus used both parameters to define a scoring function which yielded an excellent disease classification (AUC = 0.95) and a high correlation with the MELD score (RSpearman = 0.92). The novel test variant 2DOB promises a significant improvement in the assessment of impaired hepatic detoxification capacity. The suitability of the test for the reliable characterization of the natural history of chronic liver diseases (fatty liver—fibrosis—cirrhosis) has to be assessed in further studies.
Metabolic Effect of the Hepatic Branch of the Vagal Nerve in One‐Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB)
Authors: Ruiz‐Tovar Jaime , Llavero Carolina
Published: February 2020

Background

Bariatric surgery is often performed not only to lose weight, but also to improve obesity‐related comorbidities. A certain metabolic effect of the bariatric techniques has been demonstrated, as the improvement or even remission of comorbidities is patent, before having lost a relevant amount of weight. The autonomic innervation of diverse viscera by the vagus nerve has been hypothesized to participate in it. We aimed to evaluate the ponderal and metabolic impact of the preservation of the hepatic branch of the vagus in type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients undergoing one‐anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB).

Patients and methods

We conducted a prospective study on patients with a preoperative diagnosis of morbid obesity and T2D, who underwent an OAGB. Preservation of the hepatic branch of the vagus was carried out in the first 14 patients (Group 1), whereas in another 14 patients it was sectioned. Ponderal and metabolic outcomes were assessed 1 and 2 years after surgery.

Results

The length of the biliary limb was 210 cm in both groups. Postoperative BMI or excess BMI loss was not significantly different between groups. The patients included in Group 1 showed a statistically greater improvement in glycemic and lipid variables.

Conclusion

The preservation of the hepatic branch of the vagus in an OAGB leads to more favorable postoperative glycemic and lipid profiles.
MRI of non-specific low back pain and/or lumbar radiculopathy: do we need T1 when using a sagittal T2-weighted Dixon sequence?
Authors: Zanchi Fabio , Richard Raphaël , Hussami Mahmoud , Monier Arnaud , Knebel Jean-François , Omoumi Patrick
Published: February 2020

Objective

To show that for the MRI workup of non-specific low back pain and/or lumbar radiculopathy, the acquisition of T1-weighted sequences in the sagittal plane could be waived when using an FSE T2-weighted Dixon sequence.

Materials and methods

Three musculoskeletal radiologists retrospectively reviewed fifty lumbar spine MRI examinations performed for non-specific low back pain and/or lumbar radiculopathy. Two protocols were separately analyzed in the sagittal plane: a standard protocol (T1-weighted, in-phase, and water-only images of an FSE T2-weighted Dixon sequence) and a simplified protocol (fat-only, in-phase, and water-only images of an FSE T2-weighted Dixon sequence). Eight items usually assessed on T1-weighted sequences were analyzed for each of the vertebrae (n = 250), vertebral endplates (n = 500), vertebral corners (n = 1000), foramina (n = 500), lamina (n = 500), and facet joints (n = 500). Interchangeability of these protocols was tested using the individual equivalence index. A decrease in interobserver agreement of ≥ 5% when one reader used the simplified protocol compared with when both readers used the standard protocol was considered clinically significant. Interreader and intrareader agreement were assessed using kappa statistics. Rates of findings with each protocol were compared using odd ratios.

Results

The standard and simplified protocols were interchangeable (range of upper bound of the 95%CI of individual equivalence index = 0.25 to 1.38%). Intraprotocol and interprotocol interreader kappa values were similar (0.253–0.671 vs. 0.236–0.723, respectively). Rates of findings were not statistically significantly different (p ≥ 0.074), or were higher with the simplified protocol (p ≤ 0.036).

Conclusion

In our target population, a single sagittal T2-weighted Dixon sequence may replace the recommended combination of T1-, T2-, and fat-suppressed T2-weighted sequences.

Key Points

• In patients with non-specific low back pain or lumbar radiculopathy, spine MRI in the sagittal plane could be limited to a single FSE T2-weighted Dixon sequence, hereby reducing the acquisition time.

• A simplified protocol of spine MRI in the sagittal plane combining FSE T2-weighted Dixon sequence provides the same information as a standard protocol including T1-, T2-, and fat-suppressed T2-weighted sequences for the workup of degenerative lumbar spine lesions.

• For some findings shown on the simplified protocol, such as focal bone marrow replacement lesions or signs of infection, additional sequences including pre- and post-contrast T1-weighted sequences may be required, as is currently the case when using the standard protocol.
Color vision in insects: insights from Drosophila
Authors: Schnaitmann Christopher , Pagni Manuel , Reiff Dierk F.
Published: February 2020

Color vision is an important sensory capability that enhances the detection of contrast in retinal images. Monochromatic animals exclusively detect temporal and spatial changes in luminance, whereas two or more types of photoreceptors and neuronal circuitries for the comparison of their responses enable animals to differentiate spectral information independent of intensity. Much of what we know about the cellular and physiological mechanisms underlying color vision comes from research on vertebrates including primates. In insects, many important discoveries have been made, but direct insights into the physiology and circuit implementation of color vision are still limited. Recent advances inDrosophilasystems neuroscience suggest that a complete insect color vision circuitry, from photoreceptors to behavior, including all elements and computations, can be revealed in future. Here, we review fundamental concepts in color vision alongside our current understanding of the neuronal basis of color vision inDrosophila,including side views to selected other insects.
Recovery from postpartum psychosis: a systematic review and metasynthesis of women’s and families’ experiences
Authors: Forde R. , Peters S. , Wittkowski A.
Published: February 2020

Postpartum psychosis is a serious disorder that can result in adverse consequences for the mother and baby. It is important that we understand the experiences of women, to develop effective interventions during this critical period. The aim of this systematic review was to conduct a metasynthesis of qualitative research exploring women’s experiences of postpartum psychosis and factors involved in recovery from the perspective of women and family members. A comprehensive literature search of five databases was conducted and the findings were appraised and synthesised, following a thematic synthesis approach. Fifteen studies, capturing the views of 103 women and 42 family members, met the inclusion criteria. Four main themes incorporating 13 subthemes were identified following synthesis: (1) Experiencing the unspeakable, (2) Loss and disruption, (3) Realigning old self and new self and the integrative theme of (4) Social context. The findings offer new insight into the unique experience of postpartum psychosis and demonstrate that recovery does not follow a linear path. To improve clinical outcomes, a more integrative and individualised approach is needed which incorporates long-term psychological and psychosocial support, and considers the needs of the family. Further areas for staff training, service development and future research are highlighted.
Confidence intervals for robust estimates of measurement uncertainty
Authors: Rostron Peter D. , Fearn Tom , Ramsey Michael H.
Published: February 2020

Uncertainties arising at different stages of a measurement process can be estimated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) on duplicated measurements. In some cases, it is also desirable to calculate confidence intervals for these uncertainties. This can be achieved using probability models that assume the measurement data are normally distributed. However, it is often the case in practice that a set of otherwise normally distributed measurement values is contaminated by a small number of outlying values, which may have a disproportionate effect on the variances calculated using the ‘classical’ form of ANOVA. In this case, robust ANOVA methods are able to provide variance estimates that are much closer to the parameters of the underlying normal distributions. A method using bootstrapping to calculate confidence intervals from robust estimates of variances is proposed and evaluated and is shown to work well when the number of outlying values is small. The method has been implemented in a visual basic program.
Phase 1 study of the MDM2 antagonist RO6839921 in patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Uy Geoffrey L. , Assouline Sarit , Young Anne-Marie , Blotner Steven , Higgins Brian , Chen Lin-Chi , Yee Karen
Published: February 2020

In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), TP53 mutations and dysregulation of wild-type p53 is common and supports an MDM2 antagonist as a therapy. RO6839921 is an inactive pegylated prodrug of the oral MDM2 antagonist idasanutlin (active principle [AP]) that allows for IV administration. This phase 1 monotherapy study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of RO6839921 in patients with AML. Primary objectives identified dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Secondary objectives assessed pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and antileukemic activity. A total of 26 patients received 120–300 mg AP of idasanutlin. The MTD was 200 mg, with DLTs at 250 (2/8 patients) and 300 mg (2/5). Treatment–related adverse events in >20% of patients were diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and fatigue. Six deaths (23.1%) occurred, all unrelated to treatment. Pharmacokinetics showed rapid and near-complete conversion of the prodrug to AP and dose-proportional exposure across doses. Variability ranged from 30%–47% (22%–54% for idasanutlin). TP53 was 21 (87.5%) wild-type and 3 mutant (12.5%). The composite response rate (complete remission [CR], CR with incomplete hematologic recovery/morphological leukemia-free state [CRi/MLFS], or CR without platelet recovery [CRp]) was 7.7%. Antileukemic activity (CR, CRi/MLFS, partial response, hematologic improvement/stable disease) was observed in 11 patients (disease control rate, 42%): 10/11 were TP53 wild-type; 1 had no sample. p53 activation was demonstrated by MIC-1 induction and was associated with AP exposure. There was not sufficient differentiation or improvement in the biologic or safety profile compared with oral idasanutlin to support continued development of RO6839921. NCT02098967.
Design and validation of a nonlinear vibration absorber to attenuate torsional oscillations of propulsion systems
Authors: Haris A. , Alevras P. , Mohammadpour M. , Theodossiades S. , O’ Mahony M.
Published: February 2020

Recent developments in propulsion systems to improve energy efficiency and reduce hazardous emissions often lead to severe torsional oscillations and aggravated noise. Vibration absorbers are typically employed to palliate the untoward effects of powertrain oscillations, with nonetheless an adverse impact on cost and constrained efficacy over a limited frequency range. Recently, the authors proposed the use of nonlinear vibration absorbers to achieve more broadband drivetrain vibration attenuation with low complexity and cost. These lightweight attachments follow the concept of targeted energy transfer, whereby vibration energy is taken off from a primary system without tuning requirements. In this paper, the design and experimental investigation of a prototype absorber is presented. The absorber is installed on a drivetrain experimental rig driven by an electric motor through a universal joint connection placed at an angle, thus inducing the second-order torsional oscillations. Vibration time histories with and without the absorber acting are recorded and compared. Frequency–energy plots are superimposed to the system nonlinear normal modes to verify the previously developed design methodology, whereas the achieved vibration reduction is quantified by comparing the acceleration amplitudes of the primary system and monitoring the distribution of energy damped in the primary system and the absorber. The absorber prototype was found to lead to significant vibration reduction away from resonance and near resonance with the additional feature of activation over a relatively broad frequency range.
Förderung von Präsentationskompetenz: Schrittweise Implementation und Effektivitätsüberprüfung eines Präsentationstrainings für Grundschulkinder
Authors: Herbein Evelin , Golle Jessika , Nagengast Benjamin , Trautwein Ulrich
Published: February 2020

Erfolgreiche Interventionen sind sowohl wirksam als auch implementierbar. Um dies zu erreichen werden idealtypisch mehrere aufeinander aufbauende Phasen der Interventionsentwicklung und -überprüfung durchlaufen. Die damit einhergehenden Standards können jedoch oft nicht uneingeschränkt eingehalten werden, wenn Studien unter Praxisbedingungen durchgeführt werden. Die vorliegende Studie ist die vierte eines Forschungsprogramms, in dem eine Intervention zur Förderung der Präsentationskompetenz (PK) von Grundschulkindern systematisch entwickelt und evaluiert wurde. Sie untersucht, ob (1) das Training wie intendiert, d. h. mit hoher Durchführungstreue, in der Praxis implementierbar ist und (2) ob sich die zuvor beobachteten Effekte auf PK und Sprechangst replizieren lassen. Zehn Kursleitungen und 65 Kinder nahmen an der cluster-randomisierten Studie mit Wartekontrollgruppe und Prä-Post-Messung teil. Die Durchführungstreue wurde über Selbsteinschätzungen der Kursleitungen, PK über Videoratings und Sprechangst über Fragebögen erfasst. Es zeigte sich, dass das Training erneut mit hoher Durchführungstreue durchgeführt wurde. Für die PK fanden sich auf zwei der 18 erfassten Präsentationsfähigkeiten signifikante Effekte: Körperspannung und persönliche Ansprache. Keine signifikanten Effekte fanden sich auf Sprechangst.
Hautmodifikation
Authors: Kronberger L. , Überall F.
Published: February 2020

Aufgrund ihrer variablen Wirkung, aber auch Wechselwirkungen, auf den Körper repräsentieren Hautmodifikationen, insbesondere Tätowierungen, ein kontroverses und komplexes Gesundheitsthema. Der vorliegende Artikel beleuchtet Teilaspekte der potenziellen toxischen und kanzerogenen Wirkungen von Tattoos. Es gilt zu klären, inwieweit Tattoos infolge der Belastung der Tinte mit polzyklischen aromatischen Kohlenwasserstoffen (PAH) als ein weiteres Expositionsmedium zu klassifizieren sind, und deren gesundheitsschädliche Folgen zu erörtern. Additiv werden die resultierenden Alterationen der Struktur und des Metabolismus der Haut behandelt. In Zusammenschau der diversen Folgen des Tätowierens wird deren potenzielle kanzerogene Wirkung beurteilt. Zur Abhandlung des Artikels wurden evidenzbasierte Literatur, fundierte Studien und wissenschaftlich begründete Forschung der Datenbank Pubmed und Researchgate herangezogen. Gemäß der Belastung der Tinte mit PAH und der daraus resultierenden Persistenz dieser in der Dermis und in den Lymphknoten sind Tätowierungen als ein weiteres Expositionsmedium zu spezifizieren. Vornehmlich durch deren Interaktion mit UV-Licht bergen sie toxisches Potenzial für den Körper und bewirken Modifikationen der Strukturkomponenten der Haut. In Summation mit weiteren Faktoren konnten sowohl Veränderungen der Protein- und Lipidstrukturen in der Dermis als auch des dermalen Metabolismus nachgewiesen werden. In puncto Kanzerogenität kann diese bis dato weder fundiert ausgeschlossen noch bestätigt werden. Gemäß der enormen Popularität von Tätowierungen bedarf es einer kritischen Auseinandersetzung mit den Inhaltsstoffen der Tinte, deren PAH-Belastungen sowie dem toxischen und potenziell kanzerogenen Potenzial.
Dynamic structural health monitoring for concrete gravity dams based on the Bayesian inference
Authors: Sevieri Giacomo , De Falco Anna
Published: February 2020

The preservation of concrete dams is a key issue for researchers and practitioners in dam engineering because of the important role played by these infrastructures in the sustainability of our society. Since most of existing concrete dams were designed without considering their dynamic behaviour, monitoring their structural health is fundamental in achieving proper safety levels. Structural Health Monitoring systems based on ambient vibrations are thus crucial. However, the high computational burden related to numerical models and the numerous uncertainties affecting the results have so far prevented structural health monitoring systems for concrete dams from being developed. This study presents a framework for the dynamic structural health monitoring of concrete gravity dams in the Bayesian setting. The proposed approach has a relatively low computational burden, and detects damage and reduces uncertainties in predicting the structural behaviour of dams, thus improving the reliability of the structural health monitoring system itself. The application of the proposed procedure to an Italian concrete gravity dam demonstrates its feasibility in real cases.
On subgraphs of C2k-free graphs and a problem of Kühn and Osthus
Authors: Grósz Dániel , Methuku Abhishek , Tompkins Casey
Published: February 2020

Let c denote the largest constant such that every C6-free graph G contains a bipartite and C4-free subgraph having a fraction c of edges of G. Győri, Kensell and Tompkins showed that 3/8 ⩽ c ⩽ 2/5. We prove that c = 38. More generally, we show that for any ε > 0, and any integer k ⩾ 2, there is a C2k-free graph

$G'$

which does not contain a bipartite subgraph of girth greater than 2k with more than a fraction
$$\Bigl(1-\frac{1}{2^{2k-2}}\Bigr)\frac{2}{2k-1}(1+\varepsilon)$$
of the edges of

$G'$

. There also exists a C2k-free graph

$G''$

which does not contain a bipartite and C4-free subgraph with more than a fraction
$$\Bigl(1-\frac{1}{2^{k-1}}\Bigr)\frac{1}{k-1}(1+\varepsilon)$$
of the edges of

$G''$

.

One of our proofs uses the following statement, which we prove using probabilistic ideas, generalizing a theorem of Erdős. For any ε > 0, and any integers a, b, k ⩾ 2, there exists an a-uniform hypergraph H of girth greater than k which does not contain any b-colourable subhypergraph with more than a fraction
$$\Bigl(1-\frac{1}{b^{a-1}}\Bigr)(1+\varepsilon)$$
of the hyperedges of H. We also prove further generalizations of this theorem.

In addition, we give a new and very short proof of a result of Kühn and Osthus, which states that every bipartite C2k-free graph G contains a C4-free subgraph with at least a fraction 1/(k−1) of the edges of G. We also answer a question of Kühn and Osthus about C2k-free graphs obtained by pasting together C2l’s (with k >l ⩾ 3).
JOHN STUART MILL AND THE IRISH LAND QUESTION: AN ILLUSTRATION OF HIS VIEW ON SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Authors: de Mattos Laura Valladão
Published: February 2020

John Stuart Mill’s involvement with the Land Question in Ireland is analyzed from the viewpoint of his theory of institutions. I argue that, for Mill, institutions should promote progress without endangering social order. When referring to economic institutions, “progress” meant, essentially, human improvement, a rise in economic productivity, and the increase of social justice. According to Mill, the cottier system did not fulfill any of these requisites and should be abandoned. Mill also rejected transposing to Ireland the “English model” of capitalist agriculture. This institution could eventually solve the economic problem but involved the unjust eviction of tenants and would not regenerate the Irish character. Given the particularities of Ireland, Mill endorsed peasant property as the most suitable form of land appropriation. It would, at the same time, improve the character of the people, enhance productivity, and increase the social justice of the system. It would also mitigate the conflicts that jeopardized social order.
FISCAL ADJUSTMENTS AND THE SHADOW ECONOMY IN AN EMERGING MARKET
Authors: Costa Junior Celso J. , Garcia-Cintado Alejandro C. , Usabiaga Carlos
Published: February 2020

We build an open-economy dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model that allows us to: (i) derive a time series for labor informality in Brazil spanning the period 2004–2018, whose evolution is consistent with the behavior of the main series provided by Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (PNAD); (ii) run dynamic simulations showing that, in the presence of a large informal labor market (around 50% of the total labor force), expenditure-cutting measures lead, at worst, to mild short-run recessions in the formal sector and are likely to foster public debt sustainability. Likewise, adjustments through some kinds of distortionary taxation, mainly the corporate tax, and to a lesser extent, the consumption tax, also seem to improve both public debt dynamics and fiscal collection without a significant cost in terms of output. Thus, in countries with large informal economies experiencing fiscal woes, expenditure-based consolidations, as well as some sorts of tax-based adjustments, should be relied upon.
Traumabehandlung bei Kindern und Jugendlichen
Authors: Vasileva Mira , Petermann Franz
Published: February 2020

Zusammenfassung. In den letzten 30 Jahren wurden große Fortschritte in der Erforschung von Traumafolgestörungen und ihrer Behandlung im Kindes- und Jugendalter gemacht. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Einblick in die aktuellen Entwicklungen der internationalen Forschung zur Diagnostik und Behandlung von Traumafolgestörungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter. In den neuen diagnostischen Systemen (DSM-5 und ICD-11) und bei der Traumabehandlung wird immer stärker berücksichtigt, dass die Traumabewältigung und die Traumareaktionen im Kindes- und Jugendalter stark von dem Entwicklungsstand abhängig sind. Aktuelle Leitlinien zur Traumabehandlung, die auf systematischen Analysen von Evaluationsstudien basieren, bennenen traumafokussierte Verfahren, insbesondere die kognitive Verhaltenstherapie, als wirksam. Neben der ambulanten und stationären psychotherapeutischen Behandlung ist es auch wichtig, effektive Behandlungsansätze für die Jugendhilfe und den Strafvollzug zu entwickeln.
Der Einbezug von Bezugspersonen in die traumatherapeutische Behandlung von Kindern und Jugendlichen am Beispiel der Tf-KVT
Authors: Tewes Alexander
Published: February 2020

Zusammenfassung. In diesem Artikel wird aus Sicht eines Praktikers die therapeutische Einbeziehung erwachsener Bezugspersonen in die traumatherapeutische Behandlung von Kindern und Jugendlichen nach der Methode der Traumafokussierten kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie (Tf-KVT) anhand von Fallbeispielen erläutert. In einer Einleitung werden leitliniengerechte Grundlagen der traumatherapeutischen Behandlung von Kindern und Jugendlichen und die aktuelle Studienlage skizziert. Anschließend folgen eine kurze Darstellung der Tf-KVT und eine Zusammenfassung der aktuellen Studienlage zur Frage, warum der Einbezug von Eltern in die traumatherapeutische Behandlung von Kindern wichtig ist. Schwerpunkt des Artikels sind dann die hieraus resultierenden Herausforderungen in der Elternarbeit, die anhand von Fallbeispielen deutlich gemacht werden. Spezielle Elternthemen, die häufig in der Therapie auftreten, werden verdeutlicht und abschließend wird auf die Arbeit ohne verfügbares Elternteil eingegangen.
Retroperitoneale Fibrose – Fallbeispiel zur Glaubwürdigkeit von Patienten
Authors: Jäckel Kristian , Germer Michael , Knechtle Beat
Published: February 2020

Zusammenfassung. Die von in diesem Praxis-Fall vorgestellten Patienten geschilderten Rückenschmerzen müssten – trotz negativer Bildgebung – eine klare somatische Ursache haben, so die Vermutung des Hausarztes aufgrund der Glaubwürdigkeit des Patienten. Die Klinik, die histopathologische Analyse der von den Chirurgen entnommenen Biopsien und das Serum-IgG4 führten zur Diagnose einer Retroperitonealfibrose. Auf eine Therapie mit Glukokortikoiden und Rituximab hin bildeten sich die Fibrosierungen zurück und der Patient wurde beschwerdefrei.
CME-Sonografie 89: Differenzialdiagnose von Nierenraumforderungen
Authors: Tuma Jan , Baumgartner Martin , Moch Holger , Serra Andreas
Published: February 2020

Zusammenfassung. Zystische und solide Veränderungen der Nieren sind in der Ultraschalldiagnostik häufig. Der solide Pseudotumor der Niere, der sog. Nierenparenchymzapfen, wird in bis 50 % der Patienten gefunden. Pathologisch-anatomisch handelt es sich entweder um einer Hypertrophie der Columna Bertini oder um einen ganzen Renkulus, der in den Sinus renalis hineingeruscht ist. Nierenzysten wurden in einem Sektionsgut bei 50 % der über 50-Jährigen gefunden. Die zystischen Veränderungen werden mit der Bosniak-Klassifikation in fünf Kategorien unterteilt. Diese Klassifikation ist mit CECT, CEMR und CEUS möglich. Die soliden Veränderungen werden ebenso mit diesen Verfahren beurteilt, die Unterscheidung ist hier jedoch schwieriger. Mit Messung der Echodichte im Ultraschall gelingt die Differenzierung der echoreichen Angiomyolipome von übrigen soliden Tumoren und Pseudotumoren. In der farbkodierten Doppler-Sonografie (FKDS) wird oft das klarzellige Nierenzellkarzinom mit vielen Tumorgefässen dargestellt, die übrigen Tumoren mit wenigen oder nur einzelnen Gefässen. In CEUS und TIC wird das klarzellige Nierenzellkarzinom als sehr stark perfundiert dargestellt, die Anflutung in der TIC ist oft schneller und stärker als in der umliegenden gesunden Nierenrinde. Die übrigen Tumoren sind meist schwächer perfundiert, besonders die papillären Karzinome sind deutlich schwächer als die Nierenrinde.
Competition Is the Underlying Mechanism Controlling Viscous Fingering and Wormhole Growth
Authors: Cabeza Yoar , Hidalgo Juan J. , Carrera Jesus
Published: February 2020

Viscous fingering and wormhole growth are complex nonlinear unstable phenomena. We view both as the result of competition for water in which the capacity of an instability to grow depends on its ability to carry water. We derive empirical solutions to quantify the finger/wormhole flow rate in single‐, two‐, and multiple‐finger systems. We use these solutions to show that fingering and wormhole patterns are a deterministic result of competition. For wormhole growth, controlled by dissolution, we solve reactive transport analytically within each wormhole to compute dissolution at the wormhole walls and tip. The generated patterns (both for viscous fingering and wormhole growth under moderate Damköhler number values) follow a power law decay of the number of fingers/wormholes with depth with an exponent of −1 consistent with field observations.
Plasmids persist in a microbial community by providing fitness benefit to multiple phylotypes
Authors: Li Liguan , Dechesne Arnaud , Madsen Jonas Stenløkke , Nesme Joseph , Sørensen Søren J , Smets Barth F
Published: February 2020

The current epidemic of antibiotic resistance has been facilitated by the wide and rapid horizontal dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in microbial communities. Indeed, ARGs are often located on plasmids, which can efficiently shuttle genes across diverse taxa. While the existence conditions of plasmids have been extensively studied in a few model bacterial populations, their fate in complex bacterial communities is poorly understood. Here, we coupled plasmid transfer assays with serial growth experiments to investigate the persistence of the broad-host-range IncP-1 plasmid pKJK5 in microbial communities derived from a sewage treatment plant. The cultivation conditions combined different nutrient and oxygen levels, and were non-selective and non-conducive for liquid-phase conjugal transfer. Following initial transfer, the plasmid persisted in almost all conditions during a 10-day serial growth experiment (equivalent to 60 generations), with a transient transconjugant incidence up to 30%. By combining cell enumeration and sorting with amplicon sequencing, we mapped plasmid fitness effects across taxa of the microbial community. Unexpected plasmid fitness benefits were observed in multiple phylotypes of Aeromonas, Enterobacteriaceae, and Pseudomonas, which resulted in community-level plasmid persistence. We demonstrate, for the first time, that plasmid fitness effects across community members can be estimated in high-throughput without prior isolation. By gaining a fitness benefit when carrying plasmids, members within complex microbial communities might have a hitherto unrecognised potential to maintain plasmids for long-term community-wide access.