bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of four unknown impurities in azithromycin and erythromycin imino ether using two‐dimensional liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Jin Yong , Xu Yu , Zhou Jinjin , Zhou Zhikui , Wang Jian
Published: February 2020

Rationale

A simple and sensitive method was developed for the separation and characterization of four unknown impurities in azithromycin and erythromycin imino ether using two‐dimensional liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (2D LC/QTOFMS) with positive and negative electrospray ionization.

Methods

The chromatographic separation in the first dimension was performed with a Waters Xbridge RP18 column in gradient mode using binary mobile phase: (A) phosphate buffer (pH 8.2)–acetonitrile (47:53, v/v) and (B) water–acetonitrile (90:10, v/v). In the second dimension, the chromatographic separation was performed using a Shimadzu Shim‐pack GISS C18 column with volatile mobile phases: (A) ammonium formate solution (10 mM) and (B) methanol.

Results

The molecular formulae and structures of the four impurities were deduced based on the LC/MS/MS data, and further confirmed using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 1H–1H COSY, HSQC and HMBC NMR spectra after semi‐preparative isolation of impurities. In addition, the mechanism for the formation of the impurities was also proposed.

Conclusions

The contradiction between the non‐volatile salt mobile phase and mass spectrometry was solved by means of a multiple heart‐cutting 2D LC approach and on‐line desalination technology. Four impurities were separated and characterized. These results could further improve the method of official monographs in pharmacopoeias and guides to improve the process of reducing impurity content.
Copy‐number analysis of Y‐linked loci in young men with non‐obstructive azoospermia: Implications for the rarity of early onset mosaic loss of chromosome Y
Authors: Suzuki Erina , Kobori Yoshitomo , Katsumi Momori , Ushijima Kikumi , Uchiyama Toru , Okada Hiroshi , Miyado Mami , Fukami Maki
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Mosaic loss of chromosome Y (mLOY) is a common feature in elderly men. If mLOY can also occur in young men, it may lead to spermatogenic failure due to loss of spermatogenic genes. Indeed, previous studies detected the 45,X/46,XY karyotype in a few young men with spermatogenic failure. The present study aimed to clarify the frequency of cryptic mLOY in reproductive‐aged men with spermatogenic failure.

Methods

We studied 198 men at ages 24‐55 years who presented with etiology‐unknown non‐obstructive azoospermia. Prior this study, these patients underwent G‐banding analysis for 20 leukocytes and were found to have 46,XY karyotype. We analyzed copy numbers of chromosome Y in blood cells by using semi‐quantitative multiplex PCR for AMELY/AMELX, array‐based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) for the AMELY locus, and droplet digital PCR for SRY, USP9Y, and UTY.

Results

Multiplex PCR showed borderline low AMELY/AMELX ratios in three patients. However, for the three patients, CGH excluded deletion of the AMELY locus, and droplet digital PCR suggested preserved copy numbers of all tested loci.

Conclusion

This study highlights the rarity of leukocyte mLOY in reproductive‐aged men with spermatogenic failure. In addition, our data imply that standard karyotyping is sufficient to screen early onset mLOY.
Propaganda in an Age of Algorithmic Personalization: Expanding Literacy Research and Practice
Authors: Hobbs Renee
Published: February 2020

In this commentary, the author considers the rise of algorithmic personalization and the power of propaganda as they shift the dynamic landscape of 21st‐century literacy research and practice. Algorithmic personalization uses data from the behaviors, beliefs, interests, and emotions of the target audience to provide filtered digital content, targeted advertising, and differential product pricing to online users. As persuasive genres, advertising and propaganda may demand different types of reading practices than texts whose purpose is primarily informational or argumentative. Understanding the propaganda function of algorithmic personalization may lead to a deeper consideration of texts that activate emotion and tap into audience values for aesthetic, commercial, and political purposes. Increased attention to algorithmic personalization, propaganda, and persuasion in the context of K–12 literacy education may also help people cope with sponsored content, bots, and other forms of propaganda and persuasion that now circulate online.
Fracture performance of concrete incorporating different levels of recycled coarse aggregate
Authors: Chen Wei , Yang Haifeng
Published: March 2020

This study investigated the fracture performance of concrete containing different levels of recycled coarse aggregate (RA; i.e., 0, 30, 70, and 100%) with equivalent compressive strength using three‐point bend tests. In total, 32 beams with different notch depths (i.e., 40, 50, and 60 mm) were fabricated to test the load–deflection (P–δ) curves and load‐cracking mouth opening displacement (P‐CMOD) curves. The effects of RA substitutions on fracture parameters were analyzed and the size effect on fracture energy was also discussed. The results demonstrated that with the incremental of RA, the static elastic modulus continuously decreased, while the splitting tensile strength, fracture energy, fracture toughness, and effective crack length remained mostly unchanged. In contrast, the critical cracking opening displacement (CMODC) and critical tip opening displacement increased first and then deceased with the increase of RA substitution, the maximums appeared at 70%. The characteristic length of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) was entirely less than that of natural aggregate concrete, indicating that RAC presented greater brittleness. Furthermore, increasing cross‐sectional area of ligament gradually increased the fracture energy.
Synthesis of a C(sp2)‐bridged Phosphine‐Borane by Ionic Coupling
Authors: Boudjelel Maxime , Declercq Richard , Mallet‐Ladeira Sonia , Bouhadir Ghenwa , Bourissou Didier
Published: March 2020

The vinyl carbenoid H2C=CBr(Li) has been used as key precursor to prepare a geminal C(sp2)‐bridged phosphine‐borane. Starting from bromoethene, two sequences of lithiation/electrophilic trapping, with ClPiPr2 and FBMes2 respectively, affords iPr2P–C(=CH2)–BMes2 3 [Mes = 2,4,6‐(H3C)3C6H2]. This new phosphine‐borane 3 was characterized by multi‐nuclear NMR and mass spectroscopy. It adopts a monomeric open structure without P→B interaction. A few crystals of a secondary product 4 were analyzed by X‐ray diffraction, revealing an unusual dimeric structure.
Spectral Properties of Some Complex Jacobi Matrices
Authors: Świderski Grzegorz
Published: February 2020

We study spectral properties of bounded and unbounded complex Jacobi matrices. In particular, we formulate conditions assuring that the spectrum of the studied operators is continuous on some subsets of the complex plane and we provide uniform asymptotics of their generalised eigenvectors. We illustrate our results by considering complex perturbations of real Jacobi matrices belonging to several classes: asymptotically periodic, periodically modulated and the blend of these two. Moreover, we provide conditions implying existence of a unique closed extension. The method of the proof is based on the analysis of a generalisation of shifted Turán determinants to the complex setting.
Der zweite Blick: praktische diagnostische und therapeutische Checks in der rehabilitativen Neurologie
Authors: Knecht S. , Schmidt-Wilcke T.
Published: March 2020

Die Neurorehabilitation versorgt oft Patienten, die schwer und mehrfach erkrankt sind und häufig zuvor durch nichtneurologische Fachdisziplinen behandelt wurden. Medizinisch sind diese Patienten oft noch instabil, sodass die bisherige Diagnostik und Therapien neu bewertet und gegebenenfalls adaptiert oder ergänzt werden müssen. Bestimmte, auch die Neurologie überschreitende diagnostische und therapeutische Probleme – häufig zu antithrombotischer Therapie – tauchen dabei immer wieder auf. Diese werden in Form zu überprüfender Punkte (Checks) vorgestellt, welche Hinweise geben sollen, wann im Einzelfall bisherige Maßnahmen zu hinterfragen und anzupassen sind.
On Weierstrass mock modular forms and a dimension formula for certain vertex operator algebras
Authors: Beneish Lea , Mertens Michael H.
Published: March 2020

Using techniques from the theory of mock modular forms and harmonic Maaß forms, especially Weierstrass mock modular forms, we establish several dimension formulas for certain holomorphic, strongly rational vertex operator algebras, complementing previous work by van Ekeren, Möller, and Scheithauer.
Entwicklung eines neuen Screeninginstruments zum Screening auf Dysphagie bei geriatrischen Patienten: das Dysphagie Screening-Tool Geriatrie
Authors: Jäger Martin , Thiem Ulrich , Stege Holger
Published: March 2020

Hintergrund

Die oropharyngeale Dysphagie ist bei geriatrischen Patienten weit verbreitet und fast immer multikausal bedingt. Sie führt zu schwerwiegenden Komplikationen und wird oft unzureichend detektiert. Alle bekannten und etablierten Screeningmaßnahmen fokussieren sich auf Patienten mit neurologischer Grunderkrankung, insbesondere nach Schlaganfall.

Material und Methoden

In der Arbeitsgruppe „Dysphagie“ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geriatrie (DGG), in der Ärzte, Logopäden und Schlucktherapeuten zusammengeschlossenen sind, erfolgte eine selektive Literaturrecherche zum Dysphagiescreening. Basierend auf Ergebnissen der Literaturrecherche und eigenen Erfahrungen wurde durch eine Konsensgruppe ein neues Screeninginstrument für geriatrische Patienten entwickelt und konsentiert.

Ergebnisse

Das Screeninginstrument zur Erfassung einer oropharyngealen Dysphagie bei geriatrischen Patienten gliedert sich in 3 Teile: 1. Vigilanz und Sitzposition, 2. Speichelschluck, Zungenbeweglichkeit und Hustenstoß sowie 3. Wasserschlucktest. Das Screeninginstrument kann durch geschultes medizinisches Personal angewendet werden und ist einfach in den Arbeitsalltag zu integrieren.

Diskussion

Das neu entwickelte Screeninginstrument ist speziell für die Anwendung bei geriatrischen Patienten vorgesehen. Es hat Vorteile gegenüber bisher empfohlenen Screeningtests. Bisherige Erfahrungen zeigen eine gute Praktikabilität und Akzeptanz im geriatrischen Team. Weitere Studien müssen die Validität des Instruments prüfen.
Physiological mechanisms determining eccrine sweat composition
Authors: Baker Lindsay B. , Wolfe Anthony S.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the physiological mechanisms determining eccrine sweat composition to assess the utility of sweat as a proxy for blood or as a potential biomarker of human health or nutritional/physiological status.

Methods

This narrative review includes the major sweat electrolytes (sodium, chloride, and potassium), other micronutrients (e.g., calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, vitamins), metabolites (e.g., glucose, lactate, ammonia, urea, bicarbonate, amino acids, ethanol), and other compounds (e.g., cytokines and cortisol).

Results

Ion membrane transport mechanisms for sodium and chloride are well established, but the mechanisms of secretion and/or reabsorption for most other sweat solutes are still equivocal. Correlations between sweat and blood have not been established for most constituents, with perhaps the exception of ethanol. With respect to sweat diagnostics, it is well accepted that elevated sweat sodium and chloride is a useful screening tool for cystic fibrosis. However, sweat electrolyte concentrations are not predictive of hydration status or sweating rate. Sweat metabolite concentrations are not a reliable biomarker for exercise intensity or other physiological stressors. To date, glucose, cytokine, and cortisol research is too limited to suggest that sweat is a useful surrogate for blood.

Conclusion

Final sweat composition is not only influenced by extracellular solute concentrations, but also mechanisms of secretion and/or reabsorption, sweat flow rate, byproducts of sweat gland metabolism, skin surface contamination, and sebum secretions, among other factors related to methodology. Future research that accounts for these confounding factors is needed to address the existing gaps in the literature.
Experimental Investigation of Soot Production and Oxidation in a Lab-Scale Rich–Quench–Lean (RQL) Burner
Authors: El Helou Ingrid , Skiba Aaron W. , Mastorakos Epaminondas
Published: March 2020

Swirl-stabilized, turbulent, non-premixed ethylene–air flames at atmospheric pressure with downstream radially-injected dilution air were investigated from the perspective of soot emissions. The velocity and location of the dilution air jets were systematically varied while the global equivalence ratio was kept constant at 0.3. The employed laser diagnostics included 5 kHz planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of OH, 10 Hz PAH-PLIF, and 10 Hz laser-induced incandescence (LII) imaging of soot particles. OH-PLIF images showed that the reaction zone widens with dilution, and that regions with high OH-LIF signal shift from the shear layer to the axis of the burner as dilution increases. Dilution is effective at mitigating soot formation within the central recirculation zone (CRZ), as evident by the smaller PAH-containing regions and the much weaker LII signal. Dilution is also effective at halting PAH and soot propagation downstream of the dilution air injection point. The high momentum dilution air circulates upstream to the root of the flame and reduces fuel penetration lengths, induces fast mixing, and increases velocities within the CRZ. Soot intermittency increased with high dilution velocities and dilution jet distances up to two bluff body diameters from the burner inlet, with detection probabilities of < 5% compared to 50% without dilution. These results reveal that soot formation and oxidation within the RQL are dependant on the amount and location of dilution air injected. This data can be used to validate turbulent combustion models for soot.
PrEP Interest Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Netherlands: Covariates and Differences Across Samples
Authors: van Dijk Mart , Duken Sascha B. , Delabre Rosemary M. , Stranz Richard , Schlegel Vincent , Rojas Castro Daniela , Bernier Adeline , Zantkuijl Paul , Ruiter Robert A. C. , de Wit John B. F. , Jonas Kai J.
Published: March 2020

Despite increased availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), PrEP uptake has remained low. To promote uptake, factors related to PrEP interest among relevant target populations warrant investigation. The aim of this study was to provide an analysis of PrEP interest among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Netherlands, while taking study recruitment strategies into account. We recruited 154 MSM from an LGBT research panel (AmsterdamPinkPanel) and 272 MSM from convenience sampling. Both samples were part of the Flash! PrEP in Europe Survey and were compared on their PrEP interest, usage intentions, and sexual behavior. We conducted logistic regression analyses to discover variables associated with PrEP interest and intentions. Participants from the AmsterdamPinkPanel were less likely to use PrEP, had less knowledge of PrEP, and were less interested in PrEP than participants from convenience sampling. Significant covariates of PrEP interest were being single, more prior PrEP knowledge, sexual risk behaviors, such as not having used a condom during last sex and having ever used drugs in a sexual context, and not participating in the AmsterdamPinkPanel. Adding the recruitment strategy to the regression increased explained variance on top of predictors already described in the literature. Increased sexual risk behavior is related to increased PrEP interest and it helps to identify PrEP target groups. Recruitment strategies have a substantial impact on findings regarding PrEP interest and usage intentions. This study emphasizes the importance of using multiple strategies for recruiting participants to obtain a more comprehensive view of MSM’s attitudes toward PrEP.
Invasion syndromes: a systematic approach for predicting biological invasions and facilitating effective management
Authors: Novoa Ana , Richardson David M. , Pyšek Petr , Meyerson Laura A. , Bacher Sven , Canavan Susan , Catford Jane A. , Čuda Jan , Essl Franz , Foxcroft Llewellyn C. , Genovesi Piero , Hirsch Heidi , Hui Cang , Jackson Michele C. , Kueffer Christoph , Le Roux Johannes J. , Measey John , Mohanty Nitya P. , Moodley Desika , Müller-Schärer Heinz , Packer Jasmin G. , Pergl Jan , Robinson Tamara B. , Saul Wolf-Christian , Shackleton Ross T. , Visser Vernon , Weyl Olaf L. F. , Yannelli Florencia A. , Wilson John R. U.
Published: March 2020

Our ability to predict invasions has been hindered by the seemingly idiosyncratic context-dependency of individual invasions. However, we argue that robust and useful generalisations in invasion science can be made by considering “invasion syndromes” which we define as “a combination of pathways, alien species traits, and characteristics of the recipient ecosystem which collectively result in predictable dynamics and impacts, and that can be managed effectively using specific policy and management actions”. We describe this approach and outline examples that highlight its utility, including: cacti with clonal fragmentation in arid ecosystems; small aquatic organisms introduced through ballast water in harbours; large ranid frogs with frequent secondary transfers; piscivorous freshwater fishes in connected aquatic ecosystems; plant invasions in high-elevation areas; tall-statured grasses; and tree-feeding insects in forests with suitable hosts. We propose a systematic method for identifying and delimiting invasion syndromes. We argue that invasion syndromes can account for the context-dependency of biological invasions while incorporating insights from comparative studies. Adopting this approach will help to structure thinking, identify transferrable risk assessment and management lessons, and highlight similarities among events that were previously considered disparate invasion phenomena.
Exploring Frequency-Dependent Brain Networks from Ongoing EEG Using Spatial ICA During Music Listening
Authors: Zhu Yongjie , Zhang Chi , Poikonen Hanna , Toiviainen Petri , Huotilainen Minna , Mathiak Klaus , Ristaniemi Tapani , Cong Fengyu
Published: March 2020

Recently, exploring brain activity based on functional networks during naturalistic stimuli especially music and video represents an attractive challenge because of the low signal-to-noise ratio in collected brain data. Although most efforts focusing on exploring the listening brain have been made through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), sensor-level electro- or magnetoencephalography (EEG/MEG) technique, little is known about how neural rhythms are involved in the brain network activity under naturalistic stimuli. This study exploited cortical oscillations through analysis of ongoing EEG and musical feature during freely listening to music. We used a data-driven method that combined music information retrieval with spatial Fourier Independent Components Analysis (spatial Fourier–ICA) to probe the interplay between the spatial profiles and the spectral patterns of the brain network emerging from music listening. Correlation analysis was performed between time courses of brain networks extracted from EEG data and musical feature time series extracted from music stimuli to derive the musical feature related oscillatory patterns in the listening brain. We found brain networks of musical feature processing were frequency-dependent. Musical feature time series, especially fluctuation centroid and key feature, were associated with an increased beta activation in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus. An increased alpha oscillation in the bilateral occipital cortex emerged during music listening, which was consistent with alpha functional suppression hypothesis in task-irrelevant regions. We also observed an increased delta–beta oscillatory activity in the prefrontal cortex associated with musical feature processing. In addition to these findings, the proposed method seems valuable for characterizing the large-scale frequency-dependent brain activity engaged in musical feature processing.
PERK-eIF2α-ATF4 signaling contributes to osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells
Authors: Yang Shuangyan , Hu Lihua , Wang Chunling , Wei Fulan
Published: March 2020

Protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) is a type I transmembrane protein located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The PERK-eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α)-activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) pathway has been proved to be involved in osteoblast differentiation, but the involvement of the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4 signaling pathway in osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) has remained unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the role of PERK in osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs and to assess whether PERK-eIF2α-ATF4 contributes to the process of osteogenic differentiation in hPDLSCs. In our study, we constructed PERK-overexpressed and PERK-silenced hPDLSCs by lentiviral transduction. Furthermore, lentivirus-transfected cells were induced to differentiate into osteoblast cells for different days. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and Alizarin Red staining were used to evaluate the mineralization capacity, and the expression levels of related genes-ATF4, ALP, bone sialoprotein, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and osteocalcin were measured to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. The results showed that over-expression of PERK greatly increased ALP activity and the expression levels of related osteogenic genes, which displayed the strongest osteogenesis capacity. However, suppression of PERK caused decreased ALP activity and the weakest osteogenesis capacity, and the levels of ATF4 and p-eIF2α in PERK-silenced hPDLSCs were also decreased. Our results indicated that the PERK gene plays an important role in the differentiation of hPDLSCs to osteoblast-like cells. The PERK-eIF2α-ATF4 signaling pathway contributes to osteoblast differentiation of hPDLSCs.
Expression and Circulating Levels of Perlecan in Breast Cancer - Implications for Oestrogen Dependent Stromal Remodeling
Authors: Jansson Malin , Billing Ola , Herdenberg Carl , Lundin Christina , Tolockiene Egle , Nazemroaya Anoosheh , Sund Malin
Published: March 2020

Localised breast cancer can be cured by surgery and adjuvant treatments, but mortality remains high as some tumours metastasize early. Perlecan is a basement membrane (BM) protein involved in tumour development and progression. Here, mRNA and protein expression of perlecan, and mRNA expression of matrix degrading enzymes were studied in normal breast and invasive breast cancer, and correlated to prognostic risk factors, in particular oestrogen status. Moreover, plasma levels of perlecan were measured in patients with breast cancer and compared with controls. mRNA data was extracted from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Perlecan protein expression was visualized using immunofluorescence and plasma levels measured by ELISA assay. Perlecan mRNA levels were twice as high in normal breast compared with breast cancer tissue. A strong correlation was found between mRNA expression of perlecan and several matrix-degrading enzymes in oestrogen receptor positive (ER+) tumours. Perlecan protein was localized to both epithelial and vascular BMs, but absent in the stroma in normal breast. In breast cancer, the expression of perlecan in epithelial BM was fragmented or completely lost, with a marked upregulation of perlecan expression in the stroma. Significantly higher levels of perlecan were found in plasma of ER+ patients when compared with ER- patients. This study shows that perlecan expression and degradation in breast cancer may be linked to the ER status of the tumour.
Rational requirements for suspended judgment
Authors: Rosa Luis
Published: March 2020

How does rationality bind the agnostic, that is, the one who suspends judgment about whether a given proposition is true? In this paper I explore two alternative ways of establishing what the rational requirements of agnosticism are: the Lockean–Bayesian framework and the doxastic logic framework. Each of these proposals faces strong objections. Fortunately, however, there is a rich kernel of requirements of agnosticism that are vindicated by both of them. One can then endorse the requirements that belong to that kernel without thereby committing oneself to the problematic implications that stem from either of the aforementioned proposals.
unarXive: a large scholarly data set with publications’ full-text, annotated in-text citations, and links to metadata
Authors: Saier Tarek , Färber Michael
Published: March 2020

In recent years, scholarly data sets have been used for various purposes, such as paper recommendation, citation recommendation, citation context analysis, and citation context-based document summarization. The evaluation of approaches to such tasks and their applicability in real-world scenarios heavily depend on the used data set. However, existing scholarly data sets are limited in several regards. In this paper, we propose a new data set based on all publications from all scientific disciplines available on arXiv.org. Apart from providing the papers’ plain text, in-text citations were annotated via global identifiers. Furthermore, citing and cited publications were linked to the Microsoft Academic Graph, providing access to rich metadata. Our data set consists of over one million documents and 29.2 million citation contexts. The data set, which is made freely available for research purposes, not only can enhance the future evaluation of research paper-based and citation context-based approaches, but also serve as a basis for new ways to analyze in-text citations, as we show prototypically in this article.
Die Einführung der Kennzeichnungspflicht für Polizeibeamte: Ein QCA-basierter Bundesländervergleich
Authors: Bandau Frank , Bothner Fabio
Published: March 2020

Wiederholte Vorfälle von Polizeigewalt bei Demonstrationen haben in Deutschland zu Forderungen nach einer individuellen Kennzeichnung von Polizeibeamten bei derartigen Einsätzen geführt. In der Folge hat ein Teil der Bundesländer eine nummerische Kennzeichnung eingeführt, während dies in anderen Bundesländern bisher nicht geschehen ist. Der Artikel geht der Frage nach, wie diese Varianz zwischen den Ländern zu erklären ist, und ermittelt, unter welchen Bedingungen es zur Einführung der Kennzeichnungspflicht kommt. Eine crisp-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (csQCA) dient dabei der Identifizierung von Konfigurationen von Erklärungsfaktoren, die zur Einführung der Kennzeichnung von Polizisten führen. Ergänzt wird die QCA um kurze Fallstudien (Berlin, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Rheinland-Pfalz und Schleswig-Holstein), die dazu dienen, die zuvor proklamierten Kausalmechanismen zu überprüfen. Basierend auf diesem methodischen Vorgehen gelangt die Studie zu dem Ergebnis, dass die Regierungsbeteiligung von Grünen oder Linken als Agenda-Setter eine notwendige Bedingung für die Einführung der Kennzeichnung darstellt. Darüber hinaus zeigt sich, dass das Auftreten eines Agenda-Setters bei gleichzeitigem Fehlen eines Blockierers in Form von CDU/CSU eine günstige Regierungskonstellation für die Kennzeichnungspflicht darstellt. Damit es tatsächlich zur Einführung kommt, müssen aber entsprechende Rahmenbedingungen herrschen. Beim Vorreiter Berlin war dies durch das Auftreten eines Focusing Events der Fall, bei den Nachzüglern begünstigte der resultierende Diffusionsdruck die Durchsetzung der Kennzeichnungspflicht.
Virucidal Efficacy of Olanexidine Gluconate as a Hand Antiseptic Against Human Norovirus
Authors: Imai Kaoru , Hagi Akifumi , Inoue Yasuhide , Amarasiri Mohan , Sano Daisuke
Published: March 2020

Human noroviruses are the major cause of non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Since no therapeutic agent has been proven to prevent human norovirus infection yet, preventive healthcare interventions to block the infection routes play an important role in infection control. One of the possible infection routes of human noroviruses are through contaminated hands, but no hand antiseptics have been proven effective. Olanexidine gluconate is a new biguanide compound that has already been approved for sale as an antiseptic for the surgical field in Japan. A new hand antiseptic was developed using olanexidine gluconate in this study, and its virucidal efficacy against human noroviruses was evaluated using modified RT-qPCR that can account for genome derived from intact viruses using RNase A and photo-reactive intercalators. We tested the virucidal efficacy of five materials; two olanexidine gluconate antiseptics (hand rub formulation and surgical field formulation), two kinds of ethanol solutions at different pH (approx. 3 or 7), and a base component of olanexidine gluconate hand rub formulation against 11 human norovirus genotypes by culture-independent methods. The infectivity of murine norovirus (MNV), a surrogate for human norovirus, was significantly reduced after use of the antiseptics. The olanexidine gluconate hand rub demonstrated the strongest virucidal efficacy against human norovirus among the five tested materials. This study showed that olanexidine gluconate has the potential to become a strong tool for the prevention of human norovirus infection.
Utilization of Municipal Plastic and Wood Waste in Industrial Manufacturing of Wood Plastic Composites
Authors: Basalp Dildare , Tihminlioglu Funda , Sofuoglu Sait C. , Inal Fikret , Sofuoglu Aysun
Published: March 2020

In this study, Wood Plastic Composites (WPCs) were produced from post-consumer bulky wastes of recycled plastic and wood in order to minimize waste, decrease environmental effects of plastics, reserve natural resources, and support circular economy for sustainable production and consumption. Five different types of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) based recycled plastics and wood obtained from urban household bulky wastes were used in the production of recycled WPC composites, r-WPCs. Virgin WPC (v-WPC) and r-WPC compounds were prepared with wood flour (WF) and maleic anhydride grafted compatibilizer (MAPP or MAPE) to evaluate the effect of recycled polymer type and compatibilizer on the mechanical properties. It was found that tensile strength properties of r-WPCs produced from recycled PP (r-PP) were higher than that of the r-WPCs produced from mixed polyolefins and recycled PE. r-WPCs containing anti-oxidants, UV stabilizers, and compatibilizer with different WF compositions were produced from only recycled garden fraction PP (PPFGF) to determine the optimum composition and processing temperature for pilot scale manufacturing of r-WPCs. Based on tensile, impact, flexural, and water sorption properties of r-WPC compounds with different formulations, the optimum conditions of r-WPC compounds for industrial manufacturing process were determined. Surface morphology of fractured surfaces as well as tensile, flexural and density results of r-WPC compounds revealed the enhancement effect of MAPP on interfacial adhesion in r-WPCs. r-WPC products (crates and table/chair legs) based on bulky wastes were produced using an injection molding process at industrial scale by using 30 wt% WF-filled r-WPC compound. This study demonstrated that r-WPC compounds from recycled bulky plastic and wood wastes can be used as a potential raw material in plastic as well as WPC industry, contributing to circular economy.

Graphic Abstract
Assessment of agricultural potential of a river command using geo-spatial techniques: a case study of Himalayan river project in Northern India
Authors: Akhtar M. P. , Roy L. B. , Vishwakarma K. M.
Published: March 2020

Agriculture and associated sectors are one of the primary sources of living for the global population. Sustainability in agriculture will yield long-term benefits requisite to accomplish development and mitigation of resource scarcity. Hence, realistic assessment of water requirement for agricultural use or alternatively agricultural potential from available water resources is imperative to sustainable water management keeping in view of possible scarce situation in relation to freshwater availability across the Globe. The present study focuses on assessment of the water requirement for potential agricultural use for the command area of a Himalayan river project, namely Gandak river project in Northern India using extensive geo-spatial techniques. Detailed information of extensive canal network is derived from high-resolution satellite images using GIS tools, along with other spatially distributed information for relevant parameters such as rainfall, temperature, soil type, elevation, water-holding capacity and agricultural productivity. The study reasonably identifies the spatial variability in water requirement potential in the project command with rational indication of maximum water demand in north-central section of the study area where the lowest aridity index characterized by very low slope and deep sandy loam soil is recorded. Efficient usage with growing scarcity of this essential natural resource warrants efficiency optimization of water usage with realistic assessment. This approach unlike traditional method uses high-resolution satellite data that are more scientific and accurate and will undoubtedly facilitate development of rational decision support system for efficient management of available surface water use for different purposes in the region.
Exponential finite difference methods for solving Newell–Whitehead–Segel equation
Authors: Hilal Nayrouz , Injrou Sami , Karroum Ramez
Published: March 2020

This work presents two different finite difference methods to compute the numerical solutions for Newell–Whitehead–Segel partial differential equation, which are implicit exponential finite difference method and fully implicit exponential finite difference method. Implicit exponential methods lead to nonlinear systems. Newton method is used to solve the resulting systems. Stability and consistency are discussed. To illustrate the accuracy of the proposed numerical methods, some examples are delivered at the end.
Insecticide resistance management against thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on onion in the central Rift Valley of Ethiopia
Authors: Negash Belete , Azerefegn Ferdu , Ayalew Gashawbeza
Published: March 2020

Two field experiments were conducted in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia in the hot and cool dry seasons of 2016/2017 with the objective to develop an insecticide resistance management program on thrips infesting onion. The first experiment dealt with the evaluation of four different insecticides namely profenofos, λ–cyhalothrin, imidacloprid, and spinetoram in different sequences on thrips population and their effect on yield. The second experiment examined the effect of admixing the surfactant organosilicone with imidacloprid, spinetoram and dimethoate. A Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications was used for both experiments. Data on number of thrips, bulb yield and economic returns were collected. The insecticide imidacloprid and spinetoram resulted in fewer numbers of thrips and higher yields than profenofos and λ –cyhalothrin. Application of the more effective insecticides when the thrips population was high followed by less effective insecticides resulted in better control and higher economic return. Surfactant added insecticides gave a fewer numbers of thrips and higher yields than the corresponding insecticides applied without surfactant. The sequential application of spinetoram and imidacloprid with less effective λ-cyhalothrin and profenofos by mixing with adjuvant are recommended for thrips control as an integral component of thrips management in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia.
Acute cocaine treatment enhances the antagonistic allosteric adenosine A2A-dopamine D2 receptor–receptor interactions in rat dorsal striatum without increasing significantly extracellular dopamine levels
Authors: Romero-Fernandez Wilber , Zhou Zilong , Beggiato Sarah , Wydra Karolina , Filip Malgorzata , Tanganelli Sergio , Borroto-Escuela Dasiel O. , Ferraro Luca , Fuxe Kjell
Published: March 2020

Background

Antagonistic adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR)-dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) receptor–receptor interactions have previously been demonstrated in A2AR–D2R heteroreceptor complexes in the rat dorsal striatum. They mainly involve a reduction of affinity in the high-affinity component of the D2R agonist binding site upon activation in vivo of the A2AR by an A2AR agonist. Upon cocaine self-administration, this antagonistic A2AR–D2R interaction disappeared in the dorsal striatum.

Methods

In the current experiments, it was tested whether such modifications in the antagonistic A2AR–D2R receptor–receptor interactions can develop also after an acute systemic injection of a low cocaine dose (1 mg/kg; sc).

Results

Microdialysis experiments indicated that acute cocaine did not significantly alter the extracellular dopamine levels in the dorsal striatum of the awake Wistar rats. Competition dopamine receptor binding experiments demonstrated that in the acute cocaine group, the A2AR agonist CGS-21680 produced significantly larger increases in the D2RKi, Highvalues (reduction of high-affinity) versus the saline-injected (i.e. control) group. Furthermore, in the dorsal striatum membrane preparation from acute cocaine-injected rats, CGS-21680 also produced significant increases in the D2RKi, Lowvalues (reduction of low-affinity) and in the proportion of D2Rs in the high-affinity state (RH). Such significant effects were not observed with CGS-21680 in the control group.

Conclusions

The molecular mechanism involved in the acute cocaine-induced increase in the antagonistic allosteric A2AR–D2R receptor–receptor interactions may be an increased formation of higher-order complexes A2AR–D2R-sigma1R in which cocaine by binding to the sigma1R protomer also allosterically enhances the inhibitory A2AR–D2R interaction in this receptor complex.
UK composites down the line
Authors: Nickels Liz
Published: March 2020

A UK composite parts manufacturer has experienced a 50% growth over six months. Liz Nickels spoke to Rockwood Composites about what prompted the growth, and what the future brings.
The Super-Normativity of International Criminal Law
Authors: Gaeta Paola
Published: March 2020

Nowadays, Prosper Weil's concerns about the emergence of international rules protecting so-called community values, and thus being endowed with special normative force in comparison to “ordinary” international rules, cannot but appear excessive. The existence of such rules as jus cogens or as rules establishing erga omnes obligations is undisputed. And yet Prosper Weil's prediction of their negative impact on the essential functions of international law has not materialized. Weil's concerns acquire instead significance in the field of international criminal law, whose development in the last decades is premised on the need to protect values fundamental to the international community as a whole through the threat of a criminal sanction against individual transgressors.
Coniferous woods from the Upper Triassic of southwestern Gondwana, Tronquimalal Group, Neuquén Basin, Mendoza Province, Argentina
Authors: Gnaedinger Silvia C. , Zavattieri Ana María
Published: March 2020

Late Triassic coniferous species of silicified woods are described from the Tronquimalal Group, Llantenes Depocenter of the Neuquén Basin, southern Mendoza Province, Argentina. The new speciesAgathoxylon cozzoiandAgathoxylon lamaibandianusCrisafulli and Herbst, 2011 described in this study were found in proximal volcaniclastic facies deposited in alluvial fans and proximal braided river plains of the Chihuido Formation, which is the basal unit of the Group. The speciesA.lamaibandianusCrisafulli and Herbst,Protojuniperoxylon ischigualastense(Bonetti, 1966) Bodnar and Artabe, 2007, and the new speciesCupressinoxylon llantenesensealso described in this study were collected from the upper fluvio-deltaic plain and delta-plain deposits that prograded into a large, meromictic and wedge-shaped lake of the overlying Llantenes Formation. The Tronquimalal Group yields abundant and well-known Triassic plant remains of the Southern Gondwana “DicroidiumFlora,” although it also contains typical early Jurassic taxa displaying age affinities with other Argentinean “Florian Stage” communities of Late Triassic (Norian–?Rhaetian). The lignotaxa described from both units of the Tronquimalal Group may all together represent coniferous forests of the extratropical area of the Southwestern Province of Gondwana. Deciduous conifer forests associated with herbaceous and shrub communities dominated by ferns and smaller corystosperms, and other taxa including theLinguifoliumleaves within the Llantenes Depocenter environments, were developed on the western margin of the continent under seasonal temperate-warm and humid to sub-humid climate with a marine influence from the west.
Iconicity in American Sign Language–English translation recognition
Authors: ANIBLE BENJAMIN
Published: March 2020

abstract

Reaction times for a translation recognition study are reported where novice to expert English–ASL bilinguals rejected English translation distractors for ASL signs that were related to the correct translations through phonology, semantics, or both form and meaning (diagrammatic iconicity). Imageability ratings of concepts impacted performance in all conditions; when imageability was high, participants showed interference for phonologically related distractors, and when imageability was low participants showed interference for semantically related distractors, regardless of proficiency. For diagrammatically related distractors high imageability caused interference in experts, but low imageability caused interference in novices. These patterns suggest that imageability and diagrammaticity interact with proficiency – experts process diagrammatic related distractors phonologically, but novices process them semantically. This implies that motivated signs are dependent on the entrenchment of language systematicity; rather than decreasing their impact on language processing as proficiency grows, they build on the original benefit conferred by iconic mappings.
Worst average encountered highway velocity
Authors: Switkes Jennifer , Swift Randall
Published: March 2020

A driver’s estimate of the average velocity of vehicles on a highway is biased by the driver’s sampling of those vehicles that pass the driver or are passed by the driver. Surprisingly, the magnitude of the bias does not head towards infinity as the driver’s speed heads towards infinity. Here, we explore these interesting facts.
Matrix zeros of polynomials
Authors: Kobal Damjan
Published: March 2020

The concepts of polynomials and matrices essentially expand and enhance the elementary arithmetic of numbers. Once introduced, polynomials and matrices open up new interesting mathematical challenges which extend to new fields of mathematical explorations within university mathematics. We present an aspect of a rather elementary exploration of polynomials and matrices, which offers a new perspective and an interesting matrix analogue to the concept of a zero of a polynomial. The discussion offers an opportunity for better comprehension of the fundamental concepts of polynomials and matrices. As an application we are led to the meaningful questions of linear algebra and to an easy proof of the otherwise advanced and abstract Cayley-Hamilton theorem.
Effects of contrasted cropping systems on yield and N balance of upland rainfed rice in Madagascar: Inputs from the DSSAT model
Authors: Dusserre Julie , Autfray Patrice , Rakotoarivelo Miora , Rakotoson Tatiana , Raboin Louis-Marie
Published: March 2020

In response to the extensive development of upland rice on the hillsides of the Malagasy highlands, alternative cropping systems have been designed based on conservation agriculture (CA). As the promotion of CA in smallholder farming systems is still the subject of debate, its potential benefits for smallholder farmers require further assessment. In the context of resource-poor farmers and low-input production systems, nitrogen (N) is a major limiting nutrient. The effects of contrasted cropping systems have been studied on upland rice yield and N uptake in rainfed conditions: conventional tillage (CT) and CA with a mulch of maize or a legume (Stylosanthes or velvet bean). Decision Support Systems for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) crop growth model was used to quantify the soil N balance according to the season and the cropping system. The lowest yields were obtained in CA with a mulch of maize and were also associated with the lowest crop N uptake. Upland rice yields were higher or equivalent under CA with a legume mulch than under CT cropping systems. The supply of N was considerably higher in CA with a legume mulch than in CT, but due to higher leaching and immobilization in CA, the final contribution of N from the mulch to the crop was reduced although not negligible. DSSAT has been shown to be sufficiently robust and flexible to simulate the soil N balance in contrasting cropping systems. The challenge is now to evaluate the model in less contrasted experimental conditions in order to validate its use for N uptake and yield prediction in support to the optimization and design of new cropping systems.
Different roughage:concentrate ratios and water supplies to feedlot lambs: carcass characteristics and meat chemical composition
Authors: Silva Moura C. M. , Araújo G. G. L. , Oliveira B. Y. S. , Azevêdo J. A. G. , Pimenta Filho E. C. , Azevedo P. S. , Santos E. M.
Published: March 2020

The current study evaluated the effects of dietary roughage:concentrate (R:C) ratios and water supply on the carcass characteristics and yield of lambs. Forty Santa Inês crossbred lambs with an average body weight (BW) of 19 ± 2.8 kg were evaluated in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of two proportions of roughage and concentrate (30:70 and 70:30) and two levels of water supply (ad libitumand restricted to 0.5). The animals were slaughtered at an average weight of 28 ± 31 kg. Centesimal composition, colour parameters(L*, a* and b*), shear force, cooking losses and pH were determined on theLongissimus lumborummuscle. There was no interaction effect between the R:C ratio and water supply on the evaluated variables. Total BW gain, average daily gain and final BW were affected by water restriction and R:C ratio. Water restriction reduced total BW gain, average daily gain and final BW. No effect of water restriction was detected on slaughter weight, centesimal composition, colour variations, shear force, pH, weight or yield of carcass. No effect of water restriction and diets was observed on the cuts, except for neck weight. Carcass weight and yield were affected by the R:C ratios. Restricting the water supply to 0.5 does not affect the carcass weight or yield of Santa Inês crossbred lambs or their meat quality characteristics (centesimal composition, colour, shear force and pH measurements). A higher proportion of concentrate in the diet results in heavier hot and cold carcass weights.