bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overcoming Adversity and Stress Injury Support (OASIS): Evaluation of Residential Treatment Outcomes for U.S. Service Members with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Walter Kristen H. , Kohen Casey B. , McCabe Cameron T. , Watrous Jessica R. , Campbell Justin S.
Published: January 2021

Research on residential posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment has predominantly focused on the U.S. veteran population, whereas limited research exists regarding active duty service members. The present study evaluated outcomes among service members who received treatment in the Department of Defense's only residential PTSD program, Overcoming Adversity and Stress Injury Support (OASIS). Over a 5‐year period, 289 male service members with combat‐related PTSD received treatment in the program. Service members completed an initial assessment and weekly PTSD and depression self‐report measures during the 10‐week program. Multilevel modeling results demonstrated statistically significant reductions in PTSD. On average, participants reported a 0.76‐point reduction on the PTSD Checklist, B = −0.76, p < .001, for each additional week of treatment. Pretreatment symptom scores and fitness‐for‐duty status predicted PTSD symptoms across time. Weekly changes in depression symptoms were not statistically significant; however, a significant Time × Pretreatment Depression Severity interaction emerged. Service members with higher baseline levels of depression severity showed larger reductions in depression symptom severity than those with lower levels, B = −0.02, p = .020, although a sizeable minority continued to retain symptoms at diagnostic levels. Depression symptom change was not related to any other treatment‐ or service‐related variables. Differing trajectories were found between service members whose symptoms improved over the course of residential treatment and those who did not. The results indicate that there were larger improvements in PTSD than depression symptoms and highlight the need to optimize care provision for service members with severe PTSD or comorbid symptoms.
Contrast‐Enhanced Brain Ultrasound Perfusion Metrics in the EXTra‐Uterine Environment for Neonatal Development (EXTEND): Correlation With Hemodynamic Parameters
Authors: Lawrence Kendall M. , Coons Barbara E. , Sridharan Anush , Davey Marcus G. , Flake Alan W. , Didier Ryne A.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can provide quantitative perfusion metrics and may be useful to detect cerebral pathology in neonates and premature infants, particularly in extrauterine environments. The effect of hemodynamics on cerebral perfusion metrics is unknown, which limits the clinical application of this technology. We aimed to determine associations between systemic hemodynamics and concurrently measured brain perfusion parameters in an animal model of extrauterine support.

Methods

Nine fetal lambs were transferred to an extrauterine support device. Lumason® ultrasound contrast (0.1–0.3 ml) was administered via the umbilical vein and 90‐second cine clips were obtained. Time‐intensity‐curves (TICs) were generated and time‐dependent and area‐under‐curve (AUC) parameters were derived. Associations between brain perfusion metrics and hemodynamics including heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were evaluated by multilevel linear mixed‐effects models.

Results

Eighty‐six ultrasound examinations were performed and 72 examinations were quantifiable. Time‐dependent measurements were independent of all hemodynamic parameters (all p ≥.05). Oxygen delivery and mean blood flow were correlated with AUC measurements (all p ≤.01). Physiologic HR and MAP were not correlated with any measurements (all p ≥.05).

Conclusion

Detected aberrations in time‐dependent CEUS measurements are not correlated with hemodynamic parameters and are thought to reflect the changes in cerebral blood flow, thus providing a promising tool for evaluation of brain perfusion. CEUS brain perfusion parameters are not correlated with physiologic HR and MAP, but AUC‐dependent measurements are correlated with oxygen delivery and blood flow, suggesting that CEUS offers additional value over standard monitoring. Overall, these findings enhance the applicability of this technology.
Hair Removal With Blended 755/1064 nm Laser Energy
Authors: Ross Edward V. , Domankevitz Yacov
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives

The 1064 nm wavelength is optimized for dark skin, but within the range of available fluences for commercially available 1064 nm devices, may not provide effective treatment for lighter hair. The 755 nm alexandrite wavelength can treat a full range of hair colors but is not ideal for darker skin. The hypothesis is that a new laser system capable of emitting 755/1064 nm wavelengths simultaneously allows for safer, effective, and less painful hair reduction over a range of skin and hair types.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

We completed treatment in 36 patients in this institutional review board approved prospective randomized study. Ages ranged from 20 to 55 and the distribution of skin types was: I (14% of patients), II (50% of patients), III (18% of patients), IV (18% of patients). Areas included the axilla and lower extremity. A prototype laser system emitted 755/1064 nm simultaneously. The spot size was 12 mm and the pulse duration was 3 milliseconds. The percentage of each wavelength in the mixture varied from 0% to 100%. Total radiant exposure ranged from 20 to 50 J/cm2. Test spots were performed with escalating doses of light for each category (alexandrite alone, Nd YAG alone, and blended). Patients returned within 1 week for evaluation of side effects. The highest fluence without side effects for each category was then applied in two sessions 1 month apart. Final hair counts were performed 2 months after the final treatment.

Results

Optimal light doses (in J/cm2) for the range of skin types were as follows: for alexandrite alone, YAG alone, and blended. (Skin type I) 40, 70, 40–10; (II) 40, 70, 40–10; (III) 34, 60, 30–20; (IV) 26, 60, 20–30; (V) 18, 50, 14–36. After 2 months, there was greater than 50% hair reduction in 40%, 24%, and 60% of subjects on the lower extremity for the alexandrite, Nd YAG, and blended groups, respectively, and 20%, 25%, and 24% for the axilla. Our data show that for “challenging” cases, that is, darker skin types or tanned skin with lighter hairs, a 70/30 mixture of Nd:YAG and alexandrite wavelengths tended to produce the greatest hair reduction and least epidermal compromise while maintaining a lower pain level than Nd YAG alone.

Conclusions

Modeling and data suggest that 755/1064 nm mixture is useful in lighter hair removal treatment for darker skin types. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Strategies to Improve the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Photodynamic, Sonodynamic, and Sonophotodynamic Therapies
Authors: Alves Fernanda , Gomes Guimarães Gabriela , Mayumi Inada Natália , Pratavieira Sebastião , Salvador Bagnato Vanderlei , Kurachi Cristina
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives

This work evaluated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT), sonodynamic therapy (SDT), and the association of both therapies (sonophotodynamic therapy [SPDT]), mediated by curcumin (Cur) against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm. Next, additional strategies for these treatments were assessed.

Materials and Methods

S. aureus biofilms received PDT, SDT, and SPDT, mediated by Cur (80 µM), LED light (450 nm), and 1 MHz ultrasound. The same treatments were also performed adding a strategy: Cur with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), Cur with potassium iodide (KI) or a pre‐treatment with ultrasound. Cell viability was determined and biofilm architecture was evaluated under confocal microscopy.

Results

SPDT was more effective to inactivate the bacteria than PDT and SDT. SDS achieved the greatest viability reductions, followed by KI and ultrasound pre‐treatment. Confocal images revealed biofilm disruption and a reduced number of cells in all treatments. However, SPDT exhibited a pronounced effect and it was greater using SDS.

Conclusion

SPDT was more effective and additional strategies potentiated its effectiveness. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC
White Matter Hyperintensities, Dopamine Loss, and Motor Deficits in De Novo Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Jeong Seong Ho , Lee Hye Sun , Jung Jin Ho , Baik Kyoungwon , Lee Yang Hyun , Yoo Han Soo , Sohn Young H. , Chung Seok Jong , Lee Phil Hyu
Published: January 2021

Background

White matter hyperintensities, prevalent in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), significantly affect parkinsonian motor symptoms. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between white matter hyperintensities and nigrostriatal dopamine depletion and their interaction or mediating effects on motor symptoms in patients with drug‐naive early‐stage PD.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study enrolled 501 patients with de novo PD who initially underwent [18F] N‐(3‐fluoropropyl)‐2β‐carbonethoxy‐3β‐(4‐iodophenyl) nortropane positron emission tomography and brain magnetic resonance imaging scans between April 2009 and September 2015 in a tertiary‐care university hospital. We quantified dopamine transporter availability in each striatal subregion and assessed the severity of periventricular and lobar white matter hyperintensities using the Scheltens scale. The relationship between white matter hyperintensities, dopamine transporter availability in the posterior putamen, and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scores was assessed using multivariate linear regression and mediation analyses.

Results

Periventricular and frontal white matter hyperintensities were generally associated with dopamine transporter availability in striatal subregions after adjusting for age at symptom onset, sex, disease duration, and vascular risk factors. There was an interaction effect between periventricular white matter hyperintensities and dopamine transporter availability in the posterior putamen for the axial motor score. The effect of white matter hyperintensities on UPDRS total score and bradykinesia subscore was indirectly mediated by dopamine transporter availability in the posterior putamen, whereas the axial sub‐score was directly affected by white matter hyperintensities.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the detrimental effect of white matter hyperintensities on parkinsonian motor symptoms is more relevant and independent for axial motor impairments in the status of mildly decreased striatal dopamine transporter availability. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Machine learning and registration for automatic seed localization in 3D US images for prostate brachytherapy
Authors: Younes Hatem , Troccaz Jocelyne , Voros Sandrine
Published: January 2021

Purpose

New radiation therapy protocols, in particular adaptive, focal or boost brachytherapy treatments, require determining precisely the position and orientation of the implanted radioactive seeds from real‐time ultrasound (US) images. This is necessary to compare them to the planned one and to adjust automatically the dosimetric plan accordingly for next seeds implantations. The image modality, the small size of the seeds, and the artifacts they produce make it a very challenging problem. The objective of the presented work is to setup and to evaluate a robust and automatic method for seed localization in three‐dimensional (3D) US images.

Methods

The presented method is based on a prelocalization of the needles through which the seeds are injected in the prostate. This prelocalization allows focusing the search on a region of interest (ROI) around the needle tip. Seeds localization starts by binarizing the ROI and removing false positives using, respectively, a Bayesian classifier and a support vector machine (SVM). This is followed by a registration stage using first an iterative closest point (ICP) for localizing the connected set of seeds (named strand) inserted through a needle, and secondly refining each seed position using sum of squared differences (SSD) as a similarity criterion. ICP registers a geometric model of the strand to the candidate voxels while SSD compares an appearance model of a single seed to a subset of the image. The method was evaluated both for 3D images of an Agar‐agar phantom and a dataset of clinical 3D images. It was tested on stranded and on loose seeds.

Results

Results on phantom and clinical images were compared with a manual localization giving mean errors of 1.09 ± 0.61 mm on phantom image and 1.44 ± 0.45 mm on clinical images. On clinical images, the mean errors of individual seeds orientation was.

Conclusions

The proposed algorithm for radioactive seed localization is robust, tested on different US images, accurate, giving small mean error values, and returns the five cylindrical seeds degrees of freedom.
Recent advances in separator engineering for effective dendrite suppression of Li‐metal anodes
Authors: Boateng Bismark , Zhang Xingyi , Zhen Cheng , Chen Dongjiang , Han Yupei , Feng Chao , Chen Ning , He Weidong
Published: January 2021

Lithium dendrites cause battery failures and safety hazards in liquid‐electrolyte lithium‐based batteries. To address this problem, each component of the battery, such as cathode, anode, electrolyte and separator, should be well matched and engineered for the integrated battery system. The separator plays an increasingly important role owing to its gradual transformation from an inert to an active component in the battery, especially for resolving Li dendrite issues in Li‐metal batteries. Armed with advanced nanotechnology solutions, separator engineering presents a formidable strategy to suppress dendrite growth dynamics by modifying the electrolyte chemistry, regulating/trapping unwanted ionic species and redirecting dendrite growth direction. This review summarizes recent advances in separator engineering for effective dendrite suppression of Li‐metal anodes. We first introduce the challenges that the Li‐metal anode faces and the irreplaceable role of separators in the battery system. The characterization parameters and design principles of separators are also discussed. Then, the mainstream techniques for separator functionalization and their impacts on dendrite suppression are scrutinized and highlighted. Lastly, the conclusion is drawn and the future outlook for separator engineering is presented.
Development and validation of the Japanese version of the team job crafting scale for nurses
Authors: Iida Mako , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Imamura Kotaro , Sakuraya Asuka , Asaoka Hiroki , Sato Nana , Nozawa Kyosuke , Kawakami Norito
Published: January 2021

Team job crafting, which refers to designing the task, relational, and cognitive aspects of a job, is thought to be beneficial for nurses working in the ward. There are no scales to assess team job crafting among nurses. This study aimed to develop and examine the reliability and validity of a scale to measure team job crafting. Based on literature reviews and interviews, potential items were created. A total of 293 nurses working on 19 wards in two hospitals in Japan were asked to complete a questionnaire twice. A series of exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) were conducted to select the final items. For convergent validity, multilevel correlations were calculated. Cronbach's α and intra‐class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated for reliability. A total of 190 participants responded to the baseline survey and 152 responded to the retest. The EFAs yielded a three‐factor structure comprising 13 items. The three factors are task crafting considering the team's growth, cognitive crafting for members' respect and reflection of meaningfulness of work, and relational crafting for smooth information sharing. Cronbach's α ranged from .810 to .831, and test–retest ICCs ranged from 0.571 to 0.710. At the individual level, team job crafting had small‐to‐moderate correlations with individual levels of job crafting, job control, supervisor support, co‐worker support, job satisfaction, workplace social capital, and work engagement. The ICC of the team job crafting scores of 0.125 indicated meaningful variation across wards. At the ward‐level, nonsignificant but strong correlations were found with workplace social capital, job satisfaction, and psychological distress. This scale showed acceptable levels of reliability and validity. It would be useful in monitoring and improving team job crafting to increase team members' well‐being and performance.
Volatility spillover among prices of crude oil, natural gas, exchange rate, gold, and stock market: Fresh evidence from exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic model analysis
Authors: Kumar Suresh , Singh Gurcharan , Kumar Ankit
Published: January 2021

In the era of financial integration, the study of volatility spillover can offer valuable insights. For portfolio investment and risk management, it is important to analyze volatility spillover from one market to another market. This study investigates the volatility spillover among the prices of natural gas (NG), crude oil (CO), exchange rate (EX), gold (GD), and stock market (SM) in the Indian context. We apply the exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic model to explore the volatility linkages among the variables mentioned above. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in the following ways. First, we consider the daily data from January 1997 to December 2019, so that the study can portray a detailed trend about the selected variables. Second, the findings of the study can be helpful for more than a few stakeholders including policymakers. Outcomes show that the volatility of the energy commodities does not affect SM volatility. However, EX has a highly significant impact on SM volatility. Only EX significantly affects GD volatility, rest of the variables do not have any impact on GD volatility. Furthermore, CO and EX volatility do not affect NG volatility rather it is affected by SM and GD price volatility. Several stakeholders of the Indian SM like academicians, policymakers, and investors can take insights from our results.
COVID‐19 impact on stock market: Evidence from the Indian stock market
Authors: Sahoo Manamani
Published: January 2021

This paper has been empirically investigated the existence of the day‐of‐the‐week effect by using closing daily data for Nifty 50, Nifty 50 Midcap, Nifty 100, Nifty 100 Midcap, Nifty 100 Smallcap, and Nifty 200 for before and during the COVID‐19 health crisis. This study used secondary data for all indices over the period 1 April 2005–14 May 2020. The present study used both dummy variable regression and the Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model. The total study period is divided into two sub‐periods, that is, during and before the COVID‐19 health crisis. A negative return is found for Mondays when the during‐COVID‐19 health crisis period is examined; in contrast, it was positive for the before COVID‐19 period. Tuesday's effect on index return is found statistically significant and positive for all indices during the COVID‐19 crisis.
Examining mission drift in client targeting among Indian for‐profit microfinance institutions: A multidimensional approach
Authors: Sangwan Sunil , Nayak Narayan Chandra
Published: January 2021

The article examines the incidence of mission drift among the Indian for‐profit microfinance institutions (MFIs) and identifies its underlying factors. The results indicate the possibility of mission drift among the MFIs in their outreach. The MFIs are inclined toward wealthier, younger, and non‐agricultural clients, having longer loan experiences and greater social networks. Loan diversion and women's passive role emerge as yet other critical challenges. The interest rates are higher for the small‐sized loans, indicating the poverty penalty. The financial sustainability with profitability seems to be at the core of the outreach among the for‐profit MFIs, which may be a serious setback to the goal of poverty alleviation.
Effects of inorganic‐organic surface modification on the mechanical and thermal properties of poly(vinyl chloride) composites reinforced with fly‐ash
Authors: Xue Caihong , Nan Hui , Lu Yunhua , Chen Huiyuan , Zhao Chunyan , Xu Shiai
Published: January 2021

Fly ash (FA) derived from the combustion of coal is considered a potential reinforcing filler for polymers, but its application is somewhat limited by the number of hydroxyl groups on the surface. In this study, FA was modified with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) (denoted as OH‐FA), resulting in an increase in the number of OH groups on the surface of FA and thus improvement of the interfacial adhesion between FA and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). OH‐FA was subjected to ball milling to induce mechanochemical activation aided by a new polyether titanate coupling agent (ETi4) (denoted as M‐ETi4‐OH‐FA). The results show that the functional groups of ETi4 can interact with the OH groups on the surface of FA via electrostatic interactions, chemical interactions, intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonds by ball milling, which can increase the compatibility and interfacial bonding between FA and PVC, and improve the mechanical and thermal characteristics of PVC composites. Significantly, the impact strength and yield strength of M‐ETi4‐OH‐FA/PVC composite reaches 6.2 kJ/m2 and 64.9 MPa, which is increased by 86.8% and 13.6% compared with that of PVC, and by 18.2% and 14.6% compared with that of ETi4‐OH‐FA/PVC, respectively. The thermal stability is also higher than that of other PVC composites, and the rapidest degradation temperature reaches 297°C, which is 16°C higher than that of pure PVC.
Hormonal responsiveness in the Trier Social Stress Test and the dexamethasone‐corticotropin releasing hormone test in healthy individuals
Authors: Petrowski Katja , Herhaus Benedict , Conrad Rupert , Bornstein Stefan R.
Published: January 2021

A number of different laboratory procedures investigate the hormonal response in a standardized pharmacological challenge test (dexamethasone‐corticotropin releasing hormone; DEX‐CRH) or in a psychosocial stress induction on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis by the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). However, the magnitude of the response related to the different stressors and the interaction of the responsiveness between the two tests is still unclear. Fifty‐two participants underwent both the DEX‐CRH test and the TSST on two separate days. The cortisol and the plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release were assessed before and after the stress tests. For a specification of the cortisol response to both conditions, subgroups of high‐ and low‐cortisol responders to the TSST and the DEX‐CRH test were formed. The healthy participants showed a substantial increase in the ACTH and the cortisol concentration after the two tests. This increase was 3 times greater in the TSST than the DEX‐CRH test. High responders in both tests demonstrated a higher factor of the cortisol reactivity ratio (TSST/DEX‐CRH test). Psychosocial stress as induced by the TSST was associated with a significantly greater increase in cortisol compared to the DEX‐CRH test, even though the ACTH response displayed no differences. Our findings indicate an interaction of the hormonal responsiveness between the two tests with regard to the cortisol patterns.
Pace of life and perceived stress in international students
Authors: Lippke Sonia , Schalk Torven M. , Kühnen Ulrich , Shang Borui
Published: January 2021

An accelerated pace of life greatly impacts individuals' health and lifestyles. However, this imposition has not been systematically researched within a culturally diverse sample. Thus, this study aimed to explore the subjective experience of the pace of life and its correlates in a culturally diverse sample within a German university context. This was done to test whether students (N = 156) with a migration background from other countries (n = 105) differ from students without migration background (n = 51). The pace of life, life satisfaction, stress, work–life balance, and health were measured on an individual level along with sociodemographic variables through online questionnaires. The pace of life was found to be invariant across students from different cultural backgrounds and unrelated to the length of stay at the current university. Interrelations were found between pace of life and work–life balance, r = .21, p < .05. While this study revealed perceived stress to be generally prevalent among students, the relationship between a slower pace of life and increased stress levels, ß = −.17, p < .05, disappears when controlling for health, ß = −.26, p < .01, work–life balance, ß = −.28, p < .01, and life satisfaction, ß = −.25, p < .01, as well as sociodemographic variables (only gender and medium length of stay were significant.) Furthermore, a mediation effect, b = −1.89, 95% CI [−3.598, −0.463], revealed that students cope with a faster pace of life by effective time management, which also leads to better work–life balance and in turn reduces the experienced level of stress. Future research should examine psychological mechanisms more extensively in longitudinal research and apply interventional designs to help students prevent and manage stress in the era of a fast‐paced life.
Unveiling the high regioselectivity and stereoselectivity within the synthesis of spirooxindolenitropyrrolidine: A molecular electron density theory perspective
Authors: Acharjee Nivedita , Mohammad‐Salim Haydar A. , Chakraborty Mrinmoy , Rao Madhuri P. , Ganesh Madhu
Published: January 2021

A molecular electron density theory (MEDT) study for the [3 + 2] cycloaddition (32CA) reaction of indoledione and N‐methyl glycine with (E)‐1‐bromonitrostyrene leading to the spirooxindole‐pyrrolidine adduct is presented. Electron localisation function (ELF) study of the in situ generated azomethine ylide classifies a pseudodiradical electronic structure associated with low activation energies. This 32CA reaction is a polar process with electronic flux from the strongly nucleophilic azomethine ylide to the strongly electrophilic nitrostyrene, confirmed from the global electron density transfer (GEDT) above 0.20 e at the transition states (TSs). Parr function analysis predicts the correct regioselectivity from the two‐centre interactions. The reaction is kinetically controlled with negative free energy of reaction which makes it irreversible. The activation enthalpy of the favoured TS is lowered by 3.4, 6.3 and 9.3 kcal mol−1 in methanol relative to the other feasible reaction paths, consistent with the experimentally observed complete regioselectivity and stereoselectivity. ELF topological characterisation along the reaction path predicts a two‐stage one‐step molecular mechanism, and bond formation is controlled by the nucleophilic character of the azomethine ylide. ELF study, Laplacian of electron density and independent gradient model (IGM) analysis predict non‐covalent interactions at the TSs, where the new C–C bond formation has not been started.
Soil physical and hydrological properties as affected by a five‐year history of poultry litter applied to a cotton–corn–soybean rotation system
Authors: Feng Gary , Tewolde Haile , Zhang Bangbang , Buehring Normie , Adeli Ardeshir
Published: January 2021

Few studies were conducted to ascertain poultry litter (PL) and its residual influence on soil physical and hydrological properties. A field study was conducted on a sandy loam soil for 8 yr in corn (Zea mays L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotations at Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station in Verona, MS. Poultry litter treatment was applied to the three crops at an average of 7.6 Mg ha–1 yr–1 in the first 5 yr. The inorganic fertilizer treatment was 224 and 100 kg ha–1 yr–1 for corn and cotton. Inorganic P and K fertilizers applied were based on soil analysis, but no synthetic N was applied to soybean. Soil properties and yields were measured in the first year (2015) and third years (2017) after stopping PL application and planting all plots with soybean. Applying PL for 5 yr significantly improved soil aggregate stability by 17%. Infiltration rate and saturated hydraulic conductivity was two to three times greater in soil amended with PL than with inorganic fertilizer. Poultry litter addition significantly increased field capacity and plant available water content by 20%. Those soil properties were not affected by the rotation treatments. Total soil C did not differ between PL and fertilizer treatment. Soybean yield was continuously increased by 8% in 2015 and 11% in 2017 after stopping PL application. Poultry litter application is capable of improving soil physical and hydrological properties, and its residual could sustain soybean yield for 3 yr after stopping applications.
Evaluating three calibration transfer methods for predictions of soil properties using mid‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Pittaki‐Chrysodonta Zampela , Hartemink Alfred E. , Sanderman Jonathan , Ge Yufeng , Huang Jingyi
Published: January 2021

Mid‐infrared (MIR) spectroscopy models have been developed for rapid assessment of soils but are often soil and instrument specific because of differences in laboratory conditions and sensor setup. Calibration transfer is required to apply a spectral model such as partial least squares (PLS) regression developed from a primary instrument to a spectral dataset measured by a secondary instrument with statistically retained accuracy and precision. The study aimed to compare the performance of three transfer methods (i.e., direct standardization [DS], piecewise direct standardization [PDS], and spectral space transfer [SST]) and investigate the effects of transfer sample size and sample selection methods. The transfer methods were developed for predicting total C, clay, silt, and sand contents, cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH in water (pHW) and CaCl2, CaCO3equivalent, and −1,500‐kPa water retention using spectral measurements of a secondary instrument. Calibration transfer methods of three PLS models for estimating soil properties with a high (total C), intermediate (clay content), and low (pHW) predictability were discussed. The effect of sample size required for the development of the calibration transfer and the selection method of the transferred samples were investigated. It was found that SST was most favorable for a relatively small sample size used in calibration transfer (≤12 samples). The performance of transfer methods was optimal when the transfer samples accounted for the variability of MIR spectra from the secondary instrument. We conclude that SST and PDS have the potential to be applied in spectroscopy for predicting soil properties using secondary instruments.
Graphene Quantum Dots with Pyrrole N and Pyridine N: Superior Reactive Oxygen Species Generation Efficiency for Metal‐Free Sonodynamic Tumor Therapy
Authors: Yang Siwei , Wang Xuelian , He Peng , Xu Anli , Wang Gang , Duan Junli , Shi Yiqin , Ding Guqiao
Published: January 2021

Those responsible for the development of sonosensitizers are faced with a dilemma between high sonosensitization efficacy and good biosecurity that limited the development of sonodynamic therapy (SDT). Herein, inspired by the intriguing therapeutic features of SDT and the potential catalytic activity of graphene quantum dots, the potential of N‐doped graphene quantum dots (N‐GQDs) to act as a sonosensitizer is demonstrated. The superior sonosensitization effect of N‐GQDs is believed to be three to five times higher than that of traditional sonosensitizers (such as porphyrin, porphyrin Mn, porphyrin Zn, TiO2, etc.). More importantly, the sonochemical mechanism of N‐GQDs is revealed. Pyrrole N and pyridine N are believed to form catalytic centers in sonochemical processing of N‐GQDs. This knowledge is important from the perspective of understanding the structure‐dependent SDT enhancement of carbon nanostructure. Moreover, N‐GQDs modified by folic acid (FA‐N‐GQDs) show a high marker rate for tumor cells (greater than 96%). Both in vitro and in vivo therapeutic results have exhibited high tumor inhibition efficiency (greater than 90%) of FA‐N‐GQDs as sonosensitizers while the oxidative stress response of tumor cells is activated through the PEX pathway and induced apoptosis via the p53 pathway.
Site‐Specific Electronic Properties of [Ag25(SR)18]− Nanoclusters by X‐Ray Spectroscopy
Authors: Chen Ziyi , Walsh Andrew G. , Wei Xiao , Zhu Manzhou , Zhang Peng
Published: January 2021

Silver nanoclusters (NCs) are of significant interest owing to their interesting structural, electronic, and catalytic properties. Among these NCs, Ag25(SR)18 is particularly attractive due to its identical geometry as its Au counterpart, Au25(SR)18. Herein, the site‐specific electronic properties of Ag25(SR)18 and Au25(SR)18 using X‐ray spectroscopy experiments and quantum simulations are presented. To overcome the final state effect observed in X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), a unique method is developed to reliably analyze the charge transfer behavior of the NCs. Density functional theory calculations are combined with XPS to provide more insight into the electronic properties of the NCs. The differences in the XPS valence bands of these two NCs are further compared and interpreted using the relativistic effect. The first derivative of the X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectrum is further used as a tool to sensitively probe the bonding properties of Ag25(SR)18. By combining the experimental XANES data and their site‐specific quantum simulations, the large impact of the staple motif on the bonding properties of the NC is demonstrated. These findings highlight the unique electronic properties of each atomic site in Ag25(SR)18; the effective X‐ray analysis techniques developed here can offer new opportunities for the site‐specific study of other NCs.
Discovery and Facile Synthesis of a New Silicon Based Family as Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Catalysts: A Computational and Experimental Investigation of Metal Monosilicides
Authors: He Yuan , Wang Tan‐Ling , Zhang Man , Wang Ta‐Wei , Wu Li‐Fan , Zeng Lingyong , Wang Xiaopeng , Boubeche Mebrouka , Wang Shu , Yan Kai , Lin Shi‐Hsin , Luo Huixia
Published: January 2021

A new family of transition‐metal monosilicides (MSi, M = Ti, Mn, Fe, Ru, Ni, Pd, Co, and Rh) electrocatalysts with superior electrocatalytic performance of hydrogen evolution is reported, based on the computational and experimental results. It is proposed that these MSi can be synthesized within several minutes by adopting the arc‐melting method. The previously reported RuSi is not only fabricated more readily but eventually explored 8 MSi that can be good hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts. Silicides then can be another promising electrocatalysts family as carbides, wherein carbon has the same electronic configuration as silicon. All explored silicides electrodes exhibited low overpotentials (34–54 mV at 10 mA cm−2) with Tafel slopes from 23.6 to 32.3 mV dec−1, which are comparable to that of the commercial 20 wt% Pt/C (37 mV, 26.1 mV dec−1). First‐principles calculations demonstrated that the superior performance can be attributed to the high catalytic reactivity per site that can even function at high hydrogen coverages (≈100%) on multiple low surface energy facets. The work sheds light on a new class of electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution, with earth‐abundant and inexpensive silicon‐based compounds.
The impact of smiling cues on social cooperation
Authors: Drouvelis Michalis , Grosskopf Brit
Published: January 2021

While there is a plethora of experimental studies on the effects of preplay communication on economic behavior, little is known about the impact of simple cues, such as smiling, on pro‐sociality. This article presents a comprehensive analysis exploring how the presence of a smiling opportunity affects pro‐social behavior as measured by a one‐shot linear public goods game. Our design varies (i) whether smiling is costly or costless and (ii) whether one or both members in a group are given the opportunity to smile. To test for the robustness of our results, we consider two versions of smiling cues: (i) a smiling label and (ii) a smiling face (emoji). Our findings indicate that introducing a cost for smiling has detrimental behavioral consequences regardless of the cue. Specifically, when smiling is costly, only a small minority of subjects are willing to smile as opposed to when smiling is costless. As a result, subjects contribute significantly less. These results remain the same regardless of the type of smiling cue that subjects can send. Overall, our findings provide new evidence that simple cues such as smiles embody information that influences pro‐social behavior in social interactions.
Telomerase expression marks transitional growth-associated skeletal progenitor/stem cells
Authors: Carlone Diana L. , Riba-Wolman Rebecca D. , Deary Luke T. , Tovaglieri Alessio , Jiang Lijie , Ambruzs Dana M. , Mead Benjamin E. , Shah Manasvi S. , Lengner Christopher J. , Jaenisch Rudolf , Breault David T.
Published: January 2021

Skeletal progenitor/stem cells (SSCs) play a critical role in postnatal bone growth and maintenance. Telomerase (Tert) activity prevents cellular senescence and is required for maintenance of stem cells in self-renewing tissues. Here we investigated the role of mTert-expressing cells in postnatal mouse long bone and found that mTert expression is enriched at the time of adolescent bone growth. mTert-GFP+ cells were identified in regions known to house SSCs, including the metaphyseal stroma, growth plate, and the bone marrow. We also show that mTert-expressing cells are a distinct SSC population with enriched colony-forming capacity and contribute to multiple mesenchymal lineages, in vitro. In contrast, in vivo lineage-tracing studies identified mTert+ cells as osteochondral progenitors and contribute to the bone-forming cell pool during endochondral bone growth with a subset persisting into adulthood. Taken together, our results show that mTert expression is temporally regulated and marks SSCs during a discrete phase of transitional growth between rapid bone growth and maintenance.
The UK Dangerous Dogs Act: Improved, but legally and ethically flawed
Authors: Allcock Toby , Campbell Madeleine LH
Published: January 2021

Background: The Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) is considered among the most controversial pieces of legislation ever passed in the UK. Its effectiveness and how it works in practice, up until a dog and its owner are charged, has been subjected to considerable analysis. However, there has been little examination of how the DDA works after charging, nor of how courts are interpreting it.

Method: We accessed legal cases from 1992 to 2019, the period in which the DDA has been in force. Each case was examined from a legal and ethical perspective, using doctrinal legal methodology and the principlism approach to ethics described by Beauchamp and Childress.

Results: Analysis showed that while improvements to the function of the act have been made, substantial legal and ethical failings remain, particularly with Section 1 and the therein breed specific legislation (BSL).

Conclusion: Legal failings could be partially resolved by removing the reversed burden of proof placed on dog owners and allowing a change of ownership for banned breeds. However, ethical failings could only be resolved through the abolition of BSL. Further study into whether judicial bias exists against certain breeds found to be dangerously out of control is warranted.
Low‐field magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of multifocal vertebral lesions in dogs
Authors: Furtado Ana Rita Ramalho , Moris Laura Muñiz , Esmieu Shanti , Cherubini Giunio Bruto , Mantis Panagiotis
Published: January 2021

Background: There is a lack of information regarding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of polyostotic vertebral lesions in dogs. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify and differenciate low‐field MRI features of aggressive versus benign multifocal vertebral diseases in dogs.

Methods: MRI examinations from 49 dogs with polyostotic vertebral lesions were reviewed. Images were evaluated for vertebral intensity changes, expansile lesions, new bone formation, cortical bone interruption, paravertebral musculature changes, lymphadenomegaly, spinal cord compression and spinal cord signal changes.

Results: Twenty‐nine dogs with non‐aggressive bone lesions and 20 dogs with aggressive vertebral lesions were included. Non‐aggressive lesions had variable T2‐weighted fast spin‐echo (T2W) signal intensity and the majority displayed low signal intensity on short tau inversion recovery (STIR). Aggressive lesions predominantly had high T2W and STIR signal intensity, with variable signal intensity on T1‐weighted spin‐echo and contrast enhancement. Aggressive lesions were associated with spinal pain (p < 0.01), new bone formation (p = 0.02), spinal cord compression (p < 0.01) and lymphadenomegaly (p < 0.01). Cortical interruption (p < 0.01) and paravertebral musculature changes (p < 0.01) were the strongest indicative imaging features for aggressive lesions.

Conclusion: Spinal pain, spinal cord compression, new bone formation, lymphadenomegaly and especially cortical interruption and paravertebral musculature signal intensity changes were the best discriminators for differentiating malignant from benign vertebral lesions.
Ultrasound evaluation of adrenal gland size in clinically healthy dogs and in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism
Authors: Melián Carlos , Pérez‐López Laura , Saavedra Pedro , Ravelo‐García Antonio G. , Santos Yaiza , Jaber José Raduan
Published: January 2021

Background: Precise reference intervals of adrenal gland thickness are required for detection of adrenomegaly in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC).

Methods: Eighty‐six clinically healthy dogs were prospectively included, and 91 dogs with untreated HAC were retrospectively evaluated. Dorso‐ventral adrenal gland thickness was ultrasonographically measured on the sagittal plane. Dogs were classified into four body weight categories, and those with HAC were also ultrasonographically classified as consistent with pituitary‐dependent HAC (PDH), adrenal‐dependent HAC (FAT), equivocal adrenal asymmetry (EAA), or normal adrenal thickness.

Results: The upper limits for left adrenal gland in clinically healthy dogs were 5.1 mm (≥2.5–5 kg), 5.5 mm (>5–10 kg), 6.4 mm (>10–20 kg), and 7.3 mm (>20–40 kg), and for right adrenal gland the upper limits were 5.3 mm (≥2.5–5 kg), 6.8 mm (>5–10 kg), 7.5 mm (>10–20 kg), and 8.7 mm (>20–40 kg). The sensitivity of ultrasound to detect adrenomegaly in dogs with HAC was 95.6%. Most dogs with HAC (56.0%) had ultrasound findings consistent with either PDH or FAT; however, EAA was commonly occurring in 39.6% of dogs with HAC.

Conclusions: The sensitivity of ultrasonography to detect adrenomegaly in dogs with HAC is high when using four weight categories. EAA is common in dogs with HAC.
Hydrodynamic characterization of soil compaction using integrated electrical resistivity and X‐ray computed tomography
Authors: Cimpoiaşu Mihai O. , Kuras Oliver , Wilkinson Paul B. , Pridmore Tony , Mooney Sacha J.
Published: January 2021

Modern agricultural practices can cause significant stress on soil, which ultimately has degrading effects, such as compaction. There is an urgent need for fast, noninvasive methods to characterize and monitor compaction and its impact on hydraulic processes. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is a well‐established method used for the assessment of soil hydraulic properties due to its high temporal resolution and sensitivity to changes in moisture content and salinity, whereas X‐ray computed tomography (CT) can be used for high‐spatial‐resolution imaging of soil structure. We used the combined strengths of both methods to study soil under three different levels of compaction. The soils were X‐ray scanned and electrically monitored after the application of a saline solution to the soil surface. The scans revealed the pore network architecture and allowed us to compute its size and connectivity. The ERT models revealed inhibited percolation rates for soils with a lower bulk density, but also how resistivity changes are spatiotemporally distributed within the soil columns. Furthermore, we obtained a quantitative link between the two methods, by which voxels more densely populated with pores were associated with higher temporal variations in electrical resistivity. Building on this, we established a spatial collocation between pore structure and distribution of solution during percolation. This demonstrates the potential of the combined strengths of the two tomographic methods to obtain an enhanced characterization of soil hydrodynamic properties.
Public Finance
Authors: Färber Gisela
Published: January 2021

This chapter gives an overview of public finance in Germany. In the first part, it describes the process of public budgeting, the main principles, and the budget cycle. Finally, it reports on budget reforms. Subsequently, it delivers information on the volume and structure of expenditure and revenue, the latter with a special focus on the tax system, the system of multilevel tax distribution among the levels of government and on public debt. The chapter refers also to the legal framework for public budgeting and accounting standards that differ between the levels of the Federation and the states. Some special information on local finance in Germany is also included.
Transformation of Public Administration in East Germany Following Unification
Authors: Wollmann Hellmut
Published: January 2021

After 1990, the rupture of the politico-administrative system and transformation of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was essentially shaped by the process of German unification and the GDR’s integration into the ‘old’ Federal Republic. Thus, basic constitutional and institutional issues, such as legal rule (Rechtsstaat)-based administration, inclusion in the European Union, were (‘exogenously’) pre-determined by the GDR’s accession to the ‘old’ Federal Republic. The chapter highlights East Germany’s politico-administrative transformation after 1990 by addressing the organisational and personnel dimensions of the remoulding and rebuilding of the administrative structures at the new Länder and local levels. Finally, notwithstanding the particularities of the ‘East German case’, it raises question whether there are lessons which other countries facing transition or transformation can draw from East Germany’s experience.
Institutional Differentiation of Public Service Provision in Germany: Corporatisation, Privatisation and Re-Municipalisation
Authors: Friedländer Benjamin , Röber Manfred , Schaefer Christina
Published: January 2021

In recent decades, the provision of public services in Germany has increasingly been transferred to institutions outside the core administration. The process has resulted in a considerably changed institutional landscape with multiple effects on its steering, governance and management. The aim of this chapter is to highlight experiences with the four different institutional arrangements of corporatisation, outsourcing, privatisation and re-municipalisation in Germany. Against this background, we provide some lessons learnt for public administration and finally shift attention to the discussion on public versus private service provision.