bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of hydrogen gaseous fuel influence on the thermal condition of a diesel engine
Authors: Dimitrov E , Peychev M , Michaylov Ph , Pantchev S
Published: December 2020

The current article presents experimental results for the thermal condition of a diesel-hydrogen powered engine. The object of the study is an air-cooled single cylinder diesel engine. A quantitative assessment of the engine thermal condition is made. It is based on four engine body part temperatures and the temperatures of exhaust gases and engine oil. The study is carried through by comparing the engine indexes via regulation characteristics as a function of the hydrogen mass content and load characteristics with constant hydrogen content. Experimental results as a function of engine speed at constant engine power are also presented. The data registered during the experiment is for two different diesel injection advance angles. A temperature for one location on the combustion chamber roof (cylinder head) is calculated. The results of the experiment are presented in charts.
Fuel cell electric vehicles. Investigation of the energy balance for optimal reforming process of bio-ethanol
Authors: Dimitrova Zlatina
Published: December 2020

Hydrogen ecosystem and hydrogen economy are relevant topics for the mobility. This article summarizes the ways of production of “green” hydrogen. The hydrogen storage and transportation are discussed as well. The article presents the concept of electric vehicle with serial range extender to extend the vehicle autonomy. Fuel cell system powered by hydrogen produced through reforming of liquid fuel from renewable resources such as bioethanol is considered as a range extender module. Alkaline fuel cell and solid oxide fuel cell are investigated for the use of a variety of liquid fuels instead of traditionally used hydrogen in others types of fuel cells. This article investigates the energy balance of the different types of fuel cells, powered by bio-ethanol. Three variants for ethanol conversion are investigated: variant 1 : reforming of bio-ethanol in external reformer to hydrogen and its conversion in alkaline fuel cell, variant 2: reforming of bio-ethanol in external reformer to hydrogen and its conversion in a solid oxide fuel cell; variant 3 : direct reforming of the bio-ethanol in the solid oxide fuel cell. The chemical processes for each variant are proposed and thermodynamic energy balance is calculated. From the results is visible that the most efficient configuration is the variant 3, the direct reforming of the bio-ethanol by the solid oxide fuel cell. The variant 3 delivers 15 MJ of energy output per kilogram of bio-ethanol, used in the fuel cell.
Energy demand assessment for long term operation of hybrid electric vehicles
Authors: Sitnik Lech J , Ivanov Zdravko D , Sroka Zbigniew J
Published: December 2020

This publication deals with the assessment of fuel demand for long-term operation of hybrid vehicles, because only with this kind of analysis it could be possible to clearly and unequivocally assess the actual progress in achieving the intended goals. The long-term test is the opposite of short-term tests - currently WLTP and RDE or other tests developed mostly by specialized magazines. Long-term car use means mileage measured in thousands of kilometers over a period of several years. The assessment of fuel consumption during long-term operation of HEVs from the presented point of view is new, in which the theory of demand for cumulated energy (as fuel) proved to be very useful. Mathematical models of fuel consumption along with an assessment of its intensity and a description of fuel economy constitute the vehicle’s “energy footprint”. Cumulative fuel consumption increases as mileage increases, but the increase is not a linear function. The discrepancy between fuel consumption in a group of vehicles of the same make and type is significant and increases as mileage increases. The average fuel consumption of the analyzed HEVs during their long-term operation significantly exceeds what is determined by the short tests, e.g. WLTP (and earlier NEDC). The actual fuel consumption is much higher than the one from the short tests.
Random vibration endurance test of automotive component using virtual prototyping
Authors: Todorov Georgi , Kamberov Konstantin
Published: December 2020

Automotive component manufacturers are required to validate their product reliability by assessing their mechanical endurance through predefined by the car manufacturer test procedures. A possible way to avoid (or to decrease their number) failures is to use Virtual Prototyping (VP) techniques. This study aims to present a methodology for random vibration endurance test of automotive component using virtual prototyping, based on common engineering analysis tools. There is a certain number of specialized tools for this type of testing but they require directed investment that are not accessible for every automotive industry subcontractor. This is demonstrated by a case study from the automotive industry - a cluster assembly (dashboard).
Investigation of power split schemes for modern hybrid cars transmissions
Authors: Gigov Boyko , Dimitrov Evgeni
Published: December 2020

The modes of operation of the transmissions for hybrid cars are studied in this work, using planetary gears for connecting the internal combustion engine (ICE) and the electric machines (motor-generators). The peculiarities of the two-stream variants with an electric branch – a closing block consisting of two electric machines is analysed. This achieves a stepless gear change and an increase in overall efficiency with respect to the efficiency of electrical machines. The theoretical formulation is based on the dependences between the losses of a two-stream circuit, which proves that this increase is a function of the relative share of power transmitted through the electrical branch. The characteristics of typical two-stream circuits with input differential and output differential with one mechanical and one electrical branch are determined. The aim is to evaluate not only the change in the total efficiency, but also the kinematic gear ratio and the ratio of the torques and their ranges for the whole circuit, as a function of the parameters of the electrical branch. The development of the schemes in order to improve their performance in different operating conditions is considered, which allows for combining the variants and modes of operation – serial hybrid and parallel hybrid in two variants, at low speed and high speed. Analytical and graphical methods are used to analyse and illustrate the results, which are more visual and suitable for composite planetary gears with more units. It is expected that cars with such transmissions will have better dynamics compared to conventional automatic transmissions and lower energy consumption or do less damage to the atmosphere, as a result of the optimal combination of the operating modes and dimensions of ICE and electric machines.
Comparison between Model Predictive (MPC) and Model Reference Adaptive Controllers (MRAC) for Electrohydraulic Steering System Implemented as Real-Time Simulink® Program
Authors: Mitov Alexander , Kralev Jordan , Slavov Tsonyo , Angelov Ilcho
Published: December 2020

The purpose of the article is to investigate tracking performance of steering cylinder when controlled with two nonlinear controllers. The system under study is a laboratory electrohydraulic steering test rig. Two controls strategies are examined - model reference adaptive control (MRAC) and model predictive control (MPC). The MPC controller design is based on an identified model from experimental data in open-loop. The model is represented in state-space form and the future values of the state trajectory and output variables are used as optimization objective with respect to the future values of the control signal. Since this optimization procedure have to be performed every sampling interval and involve iterative calculation the implementation of MPC requires considerable computational resources. Hence, we have decided to develop a distributed computational platform, where the controller is executed in real-time as a Simulink model. The control and measurement signals are processed by the PLC and are synchronized with the real-time model over high-speed CAN channel. The process model for the MRAC is assume to be a simple integrator with unknown gain, possibly slowly varying with time due to physical parameter drift. The MRAC is not so computationally intensive as MPC, however for the sake of comparison it is implemented in the same architecture. The structure of the MRAC is selected with respect of the Lyapunov stability criteria to guarantee asymptotic convergence of the cylinder position error.
Fluorination-enhanced photoconductive effect in a wide band gap Ca3Ti2O7-x
F
x
thin films
Authors: Lu Hao , Yang Yang , Luo Zhongshen , Wu Sihui , Ji Yanda , Li Yang , Zhang Jinlei , Liu Guozhen , Jiang Yucheng , Yang Hao , Ma Chunlan , Zhao Run , Gao Ju
Published: December 2020

In this work, Ca3Ti2O7-x
F
x
thin films on (110) SrTiO3 substrates were prepared by two steps as deposited via pulsed laser deposition and fluorinated with polyvinylidene fluoride. Despite the unchanged crystal structure of the fluorinated films, the changed valence state can be used to confirm the incorporation of F−1 and the weakened chemical bond of Ca–O. Furthermore, we found that the photoelectric switch can be observed at a wide range of light wavelength from 405 nm to 808 nm. It is found that the photosensitivity of 4 × 104 (405 nm) in the fluorine has been increased by two orders of magnitude, which is most likely due to the deep energy levels in the reduced band gap of 2.3 eV. This work paves the way for the enhanced photoconductive devices via the anionic defect engineering.
Preparation of novel anisotropic gold nanoplatform as NIR absorbing agents for photothermal therapy of liver cancer and enhanced ultrasound contrast imaging
Authors: Yingxin Wang , Qianqian Zeng
Published: December 2020

Nanoparticles (NPs) with different shape, size, architecture and composition were studied for their application as photo-thermal agents in the area of cancer nanomedicine. Out of them, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) depending on their in vivo biocompatibility provide a simple thermal ablation platform. However, fabrication of these Au NPs showing appropriate properties for photo-thermal function requires complex routes utilizing hazardous chemicals as capping agents which may cause in vivo concerns. In this study, the fabricated Au NPs utilizing biosynthetic approach having near-infrared (NIR) absorbance assisting photo-thermal treatment could be a possible alternative. Herein, anisotropic Au NPs were fabricated utilizing an aqueous extract of Ceratonia siliqua (carob) which acts as both stabilizing and reducing agent. The biosynthesized Au NPs were exposed to density-gradient centrifugation for the optimization of NIR absorption in 800 to 1000 nm wavelength range. Colloidal Au NPs showed outstanding contrast enrichment for ultrasound imaging, and also Au nanoplates were obtained by density gradient centrifugation can function as a NIR absorbing agent for efficient photothermal killing of Hep-G2 liver tumor cells in vitro with negligible cytotoxicity to active cells. Furthermore, the present approach recommends an innovative way for treating theranostic cancer.
Aesthetic Rhinoplasty: Technique, 3-Dimensional Simulation, and Outcome Assessment
Authors: Park Kitae E , Pourtaheri Navid , Maniskas Seija , Allam Omar , Steinbacher Derek M
Published: December 2020

Communication of goals and realistic expectations between the surgeon and patient is a crucial step of aesthetic rhinoplasty. Three-dimensional (3D) imaging technology allows for sharing of simulated outcomes in the office setting, thereby facilitating this process. This article highlights the use of 3D rhinoplasty simulation in preoperative assessment and the senior author’s preferred surgical technique in open rhinoplasty.
Migration dynamics of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in western Hudson Bay
Authors: Bohart Alyssa M , Lunn Nicholas J , Derocher Andrew E , McGeachy David
Published: December 2020

Migration is predicted to change both spatially and temporally as climate change alters seasonal resource availability. Species in extreme environments are especially susceptible to climate change; hence, it is important to determine environmental and biological variables that influence their migration. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are an Arctic apex carnivore whose migration phenology has been affected by climate change and is vulnerable to future changes. Here, we used satellite-linked telemetry collar data from adult female polar bears in western Hudson Bay from 2004 to 2016 and multivariate response regression models to demonstrate that 1) spatial and temporal migration metrics are correlated, 2) ice concentration and wind are important environmental variables that influence polar bear migration in seasonal ice areas, and 3) migration did not vary across the years of our study, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring. Specifically, we found that ice concentration, wind speed, and wind direction affected polar bear migration onto ice during freeze-up and ice concentration and wind direction affected migration onto land during breakup. Bears departed from land earlier with increased wind speed and the effect of wind direction on migration may be linked to prey searching and ice drift. Low ice concentration was associated with higher movement during freeze-up and breakup. Our findings suggest that migration movement may increase in response to climate change as ice concentration and access to prey declines, potentially increasing nutritional stress on bears.
Novel CineECG enables anatomical 3D localization and classification of bundle branch blocks
Authors: Boonstra Machteld J , Hilderink Bashar N , Locati Emanuela T , Asselbergs Folkert W , Loh Peter , van Dam Peter M
Published: December 2020

Aims

Ventricular conduction disorders can induce arrhythmias and impair cardiac function. Bundle branch blocks (BBBs) are diagnosed by 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), but discrimination between BBBs and normal tracings can be challenging. CineECG computes the temporo-spatial trajectory of activation waveforms in a 3D heart model from 12-lead ECGs. Recently, in Brugada patients, CineECG has localized the terminal components of ventricular depolarization to right ventricle outflow tract (RVOT), coincident with arrhythmogenic substrate localization detected by epicardial electro-anatomical maps. This abnormality was not found in normal or right BBB (RBBB) patients. This study aimed at exploring whether CineECG can improve the discrimination between left BBB (LBBB)/RBBB, and incomplete RBBB (iRBBB).

Methods and results

We utilized 500 12-lead ECGs from the online Physionet-XL-PTB-Diagnostic ECG Database with a certified ECG diagnosis. The mean temporo-spatial isochrone trajectory was calculated and projected into the anatomical 3D heart model. We established five CineECG classes: ‘Normal’, ‘iRBBB’, ‘RBBB’, ‘LBBB’, and ‘Undetermined’, to which each tracing was allocated. We determined the accuracy of CineECG classification with the gold standard diagnosis. A total of 391 ECGs were analysed (9 ECGs were excluded for noise) and 240/266 were correctly classified as ‘normal’, 14/17 as ‘iRBBB’, 55/55 as ‘RBBB’, 51/51 as ‘LBBB’, and 31 as ‘undetermined’. The terminal mean temporal spatial isochrone contained most information about the BBB localization.

Conclusion

CineECG provided the anatomical localization of different BBBs and accurately differentiated between normal, LBBB and RBBB, and iRBBB. CineECG may aid clinical diagnostic work-up, potentially contributing to the difficult discrimination between normal, iRBBB, and Brugada patients.
Feeling Gratitude Is Associated With Better Well-being Across the Life Span: A Daily Diary Study During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Jiang Da
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Numerous studies have shown that gratitude can improve mental health of people facing stressful events. However, most studies in this area have been based on laboratory experiments and retrospective surveys, rather than actual situations in which people are experiencing stress. Moreover, few studies have examined whether age moderates the benefits of gratitude. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused enormous psychological distress worldwide. Evidence-based strategies are needed to enhance well-being during this stressful time. This study attempted to fill these gaps by examining the benefits of feeling gratitude every day during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Method

A sample of 231 participants from mainland China aged 18–85 years participated in a 14-day daily diary study. After a pretest to collect demographic data, information on gratitude, daily positive and negative affect, perceived stress related to COVID-19, and subjective health were measured using daily questionnaires on 14 consecutive days. One month after the daily diary period, information on affective experiences, life satisfaction, and subjective health was collected as a follow-up survey.

Results

On days when individuals feel more gratitude than usual, they report more positive affect, a lower level of perceived stress related to COVID-19, and better subjective health on the concurrent day (Day N). Individuals also report a lower level of stress related to COVID-19 on the following day (Day N + 1), when they feel more gratitude than usual on Day N. Higher levels of gratitude across the 14-day study period was associated with a higher level of positive affect and a lower level of negative affect, but was not associated with life satisfaction or subjective health at the 1-month follow-up assessment.

Discussion

These findings demonstrate the benefits of gratitude in a naturalistic situation that induced stress and anxiety.
Sedimentary structure of the Sichuan Basin derived from seismic ambient noise tomography
Authors: Xia Xin , Li Zhiwei , Bao Feng , Xie Jun , Shi Yutao , You Qingyu , Chen Haopeng
Published: December 2020

Determining a detailed 3-D velocity model with high resolution for the sedimentary layer in the Sichuan Basin is potentially beneficial both to the industrial oil/gas exploration and earthquake hazards’ mitigation. In this study, we apply the ambient noise tomography method to construct a 3-D S-wave velocity model. This model focuses on the sedimentary layer of the Sichuan Basin, with a 0.3° × 0.3° grid precision. Dispersion curves of both group and phase velocities of Rayleigh wave at 4 to 40 s periods are utilized, which are extracted from 87 broad-band stations in the Sichuan Basin and the surrounding areas. The 3-D model reveals a thick sedimentary layer of the Sichuan Basin with S-wave velocity ranging from ∼2.0 to 3.4 km s−1. The sediment thickness in the margins of the Sichuan Basin is generally greater than the typical values of 6–10 km in the central areas due to surrounding orogenic activities, with a maximum depth of ∼13 km in the northwestern margin. Moreover, a prominent low S-wave velocity anomaly in the margins may be caused by the sediment accumulations from large-scale landslides and pronounced denudation of the surrounding orogenic belts. Major geologic units in the sedimentary layer are delineated in this study. The S-wave velocity values within each geologic unit and their bottom interfaces are obtained. Based on our model, we calculate synthetic ground motions for the 2013 Lushan earthquake and obtain the distribution of the peak ground acceleration from the earthquake epicentre to the western Sichuan Basin. The result clearly illustrates the basin amplification effect on the seismic waves.
Clinical Correlates of the NR3C1 Gene Methylation at Various Stages of Psychosis
Authors: Misiak Błażej , Samochowiec Jerzy , Konopka Anna , Gawrońska-Szklarz Barbara , Beszłej Jan Aleksander , Szmida Elżbieta , Karpiński Paweł
Published: December 2020

Background

Dysregulation of epigenetic processes might account for alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis observed in patients with schizophrenia. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) gene in patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, individuals at familial high risk of schizophrenia (FHR-P), and healthy controls with respect to clinical manifestation and a history of psychosocial stressors.

Methods

We recruited 40 first-episode psychosis patients, 45 acutely relapsed schizophrenia (SCZ-AR) patients, 39 FHR-P individuals, and 56 healthy controls. The level of methylation at 9 CpG sites of the NR3C1 gene was determined using pyrosequencing.

Results

The level of NR3C1 methylation was significantly lower in first-episode psychosis patients and significantly higher in SCZ-AR patients compared with other subgroups of participants. Individuals with FHR-P and healthy controls had similar levels of NR3C1 methylation. A history of adverse childhood experiences was associated with significantly lower NR3C1 methylation in all subgroups of participants. Higher methylation of the NR3C1 gene was related to worse performance of attention and immediate memory as well as lower level of general functioning in patients with psychosis.

Conclusions

Patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders show altered levels of NR3C1 methylation that are significantly lower in first-episode psychosis patients and significantly higher in SCZ-AR patients. Higher methylation of the NR3C1 gene might be related to cognitive impairment observed in this clinical population. The association between a history of adverse childhood experiences and lower NR3C1 methylation is not specific to patients with psychosis. Longitudinal studies are needed to establish causal mechanisms underlying these observations.
Identifying the Stateless in Statelessness Determination Procedures and Immigration Detention in the United Kingdom
Authors: Bianchini Katia
Published: December 2020

Stateless persons, not recognized as citizens of any State, have restricted access to identification and travel documents. As they often also do not enjoy the right to enter, leave, or remain in any country, stateless persons can be at great risk of prolonged and arbitrary immigration detention. It is therefore crucial to identify stateless persons in or facing detention. Adopting an access to justice lens, this article explores aspects and legal challenges of the statelessness determination–immigration detention nexus in the United Kingdom. Despite the adoption of a national statelessness determination procedure, stateless persons still experience a plethora of problems. This is especially so for applicants who are in immigration detention. Statelessness is generally not acknowledged due to gaps in the legal framework and a number of interrelated objective, subjective, and physical barriers that prevent tackling the problem of statelessness and concomitant restriction-of-liberty problems. This situation sits uneasily with access to justice principles, which require the guarantee of an effective remedy and a fair solution to the legal problems of every individual. As such, the article ultimately shows that lack of access requires a holistic approach, whereby the special problems and needs of the users must always be taken into consideration.
Psychometric evaluation of the Arabic version of the patient-centered communication instrument for adult cancer patients
Authors: Alshammari Mukhlid , Duff Jed , Guilhermino Michelle
Published: December 2020

Background

This study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of the Arabic version of the patient-centered communication instrument.

Methods

A self-administered instrument was used over 4 months by 318 participants living with cancer in Saudi Arabia. The instrument contained 36 items assessing patient-centered communication (PCC-36) experiences. The PCC-36 instrument was translated into Arabic following the World Health Organization guidelines for translating instruments before undergoing psychometric evaluation. This involved confirmatory factor analysis for each of the PCC-36 functions and testing the reliability and internal consistency of the PCC-36 measures.

Results

The Arabic-translated PCC-36 version demonstrated a good correlation between items, with confirmatory factor analysis showing a good fit of the data (comparative fit index = 0.922, Tucker–Lewis index = 0.910, root mean square error approximation = 0.059, ${\chi ^2}$ = 1214.4, df = 579, P < 0.001). Internal consistency of the total six PCC-36 functions was confirmed by a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.97.

Conclusions

The study proved that the PCC-36 Arabic version is a valid and reliable instrument for the measurement of patient communication experiences in cancer care in Saudi Arabia, with similar properties to the original, and that this instrument may be used in 22 different Arab countries to measure and improve cancer patients’ communication experiences.
False-Positive Ethanol Level in Urine and Plasma Samples of a Resuscitated Infant
Authors: Lefrère B , Wohrer D , Godefroy C , Soichot M , Mihoubi A , Nivet-Antoine V , Oualha M , Houzé P
Published: December 2020

We report the case of an 11-month-old male infant with a complex congenital heart disease who was admitted in the intensive care unit following cardiorespiratory arrest at home. Toxicological urine screening reported an ethanol concentration of 0.65 g/L using an enzymatic assay, without suspicion of alcohol intake; a significant amount of ethanol concentration was found in two plasma samples using the same enzymatic assay. Plasma and urine ethanol concentrations were below the limit of quantification (LOQ) when tested using a gas chromatography method. Urine ethanol level was also below the LOQ when tested by enzymatic assay after an initial urine ultrafiltration. These results confirmed our suspicion of matrix interference due to elevated lactate and lactate dehydrogenase levels interfering in the enzymatic assay. This analytical interference, well-known in postmortem samples, extensively studied in vitro, has been rarely reported in vivo, especially in children. To the best of our knowledge, this case is only the sixth one reported in an infant’s plasma and the first initially discovered from urine. Indeed, as for ethanol, this last matrix has not been studied in the context of this artifact that may induce false-positive ethanol results while seeking a diagnosis in life-threatening or fatal situations that are potentially subject to forensic scrutiny. In parallel to a synthetic literature review, we propose a simple, informative decision tree, in order to help health professionals suspecting a false-positive result when performing an ethanol assay.
Exploring the Niche ofRickettsia montanensis(Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) Infection of the American Dog Tick (Acari: Ixodidae), Using Multiple Species Distribution Model Approaches
Authors: Lippi Catherine A , Gaff Holly D , White Alexis L , St. John Heidi K , Richards Allen L , Ryan Sadie J
Published: December 2020

The American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say) (Acari: Ixodidae), is a vector for several human disease-causing pathogens such as tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and the understudied spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) infection caused by Rickettsia montanensis. It is important for public health planning and intervention to understand the distribution of this tick and pathogen encounter risk. Risk is often described in terms of vector distribution, but greatest risk may be concentrated where more vectors are positive for a given pathogen. When assessing species distributions, the choice of modeling framework and spatial layers used to make predictions are important. We first updated the modeled distribution of D. variabilis and R. montanensis using maximum entropy (MaxEnt), refining bioclimatic data inputs, and including soil variables. We then compared geospatial predictions from five species distribution modeling frameworks. In contrast to previous work, we additionally assessed whether the R. montanensis positive D. variabilis distribution is nested within a larger overall D. variabilis distribution, representing a fitness cost hypothesis. We found that 1) adding soil layers improved the accuracy of the MaxEnt model; 2) the predicted ‘infected niche’ was smaller than the overall predicted niche across all models; and 3) each model predicted different sizes of suitable niche, at different levels of probability. Importantly, the models were not directly comparable in output style, which could create confusion in interpretation when developing planning tools. The random forest (RF) model had the best measured validity and fit, suggesting it may be most appropriate to these data.
Redescription of TwoPsathyromyiaSpecies (Diptera: Psychodidae), Including Description of the Female ofPsathyromyia pradobarrientosiUsing Molecular and Morphological Approaches
Authors: Costa Glaucilene da Silva , Rocha Douglas de Almeida , Júnior Antonio Marques Pereira , Ferreira Gabriel Eduardo Melim , Medeiros Jansen Fernandes , Gonçalves Rodrigo Gurgel , de Andrade Andrey José
Published: December 2020

The taxonomic identity of two species of sand flies, Psathyromyia pradobarrientosi (Le Pont, Matias, Martinez & Dujardin, 2004) and Psathyromyia runoides (Fairchild & Hertig, 1953) (Diptera, Psychodidae), was evaluated morphologically and molecularly based upon specimens collected in Brazilian states. The morphological component compared collected specimens with paratypes of Pa. runoides and Pa. pradobarrientosi and their descriptions. Phylogenetic analysis of coI sequences of Pa. pradobarrientosi showed a well-supported group distinct from Pa. runoides. Morphologically, Psathyromyia runoides and Pa. pradobarrientosi males are distinguished by characteristics of the aedeagal ducts and parameral sheath in the genitalia; females are distinguished by the number and shape of the teeth in the cibarium and by the shape of the spermathecae. Given the morphological similarity between the males and the absence of the description of the female of Pa. pradobarrientosi, it is possible that specimens previously identified as Pa. runoides in Brazil are in fact Pa. pradobarrientosi.
International Law in the US Legal System
Authors: Bradley Curtis A
Published: December 2020

International Law in the U.S. Legal System provides a wide-ranging overview of how international law intersects with the domestic legal system of the United States, and points out various unresolved issues and areas of controversy. Curtis Bradley explains the structure of the U.S. legal system and the various separation of powers and federalism considerations implicated by this structure, especially as these considerations relate to the conduct of foreign affairs. Against this backdrop, he covers all of the principal forms of international law: treaties, executive agreements, decisions and orders of international institutions, customary international law, and jus cogens norms. He also explores a number of issues that are implicated by the intersection of U.S. law and international law, such as treaty withdrawal, foreign sovereign immunity, international human rights litigation, war powers, extradition, and extraterritoriality. This book highlights recent decisions and events relating to the topic, including various actions taken during the Trump administration, while also taking into account relevant historical materials, including materials relating to the U.S. Constitutional Founding. Written by one of the most cited international law scholars in the United States, the book is a resource for lawyers, law students, legal scholars, and judges from around the world.
Crimes Against Humanity
Authors: Werle Gerhard , Jeßberger Florian
Published: December 2020

This chapter explains crimes against humanity. Crimes against humanity are mass crimes committed against a civilian population. Most serious is the killing of entire groups of people, which is also characteristic of genocide. Crimes against humanity target fundamental, recognised human rights, in particular life, health, freedom, and dignity. These violations of individual rights become international crimes when they are committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack on a civilian population. The chapter discusses the history and structure of the crime, as well as protected interests. It then presents the contextual element of this crime, which is an attack on a civilian population as defined in the ICC Statute. After this, individual acts committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack on a civilian population are next discussed. Lastly, this chapter explores the multiplicity of offenses within this category.
Treaties of Subjects of the Russian Federation
Authors: Butler William E
Published: December 2020

This chapter looks at how the "treaty" operates as a source of law, both domestic, international, and/or community, in ways that are not traditionally articulated in the classic expositions of sources of law. It considers how, historically, Russia's state-building or community-building enterprises have been bound up in the use of treaties to forge a sense of unity across its vast territory and among its myriad ethnic groups. The Soviet Union itself was a treaty-based federation, or confederation. Furthermore, the treaty is among the key instruments on which the Russian Federation rests, and underlying the treaty relations are principles of statehood, legal personality, autonomy, independence, dependence, and others which some view as constitutional questions and others as matters of international law. Movements in the direction of Eurasian integration presently underway (or not) reflect similar considerations. The treaty is the key vehicle.
Generally-Recognized Principles and Norms of International Law
Authors: Butler William E
Published: December 2020

This chapter studies the generally-recognized principles and norms of international law as an integral part of the Russian legal system. Most international lawyers would "rank" them higher than mere treaties because they are more fundamental, more universal, perhaps more venerable at least in origin. Indeed, in Article 15(4) of the 1993 Russian Constitution they are enumerated ahead of international treaties of the Russian Federation. However, they become important in Russian law and State practice precisely because they are provided for in Article 15(4) and thus are a comparatively recent addition to the repertoire of rules which Russian institutions, officials, and courts must apply, as a rule in priority over Russian normative legal acts. Chronologically, therefore, they appear in the Russian legal system long after treaties.
Conclusions
Authors: Butler William E
Published: December 2020

This concluding chapter reviews the major developments of the Russian treaty. It argues that the legal system of the Russian Federation contains two different kinds of law-international law and domestic law. Here, two distinctions are drawn with respect to international-legal norms: those having direct effect and not requiring domestic legislation in order to implement them, and those not having direct effect precisely because they do require implementing legislation. Although international law requires States acting in good faith to implement international legal obligations, in practice often that implementation never happens or occurs with great delay. Although not without controversy, the better position seems to be that generally-recognized principles and norms of international law enjoy priority over norms of Russian law which provide otherwise.
Interpreting the Energy Charter Treaty
Authors: Hobér Kaj
Published: December 2020

This chapter discusses the interpretation of the Energy Charter Treaty. The ECT is a multilateral treaty during the negotiation of which approximately fifty States participated, albeit to varying degrees. It goes without saying that in such a setting, there are many competing interests to take into account, often resulting in ambiguous treaty provisions. Indeed, almost every dispute based on the ECT involves issues of treaty interpretation. The law applicable to the interpretation of treaties is international law, unless the parties to the treaty in question have agreed otherwise. For all practical purposes, the most important international document when it comes to treaty interpretation is the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. Article 2(1)(a) of the Vienna Convention defines ‘treaty’ as ‘an international agreement concluded between States in written form and governed by international law, whether embodied in a single instrument or in two or more related instruments and whatever its particular designation’. There is little doubt that the ECT is covered by this definition. Article 26(6) of the ECT provides that disputes under it are to be resolved on the basis of its provisions and ‘applicable rules and principles of international law’. The chapter then considers Articles 31—3 of the Vienna Convention, which deal with the interpretation of treaties.
Part V: Dispute Settlement
Authors: Hobér Kaj
Published: December 2020

This chapter highlights Part V of the Energy Charter Treaty, which deals with the settlement of disputes under the Treaty. Article 26 addresses investor-State disputes. It is central to the enforcement of the investment protection standards set out in Part III of the ECT. Article 26 offers an investor different options as to the method of settling disputes, including court proceedings and international arbitration. Meanwhile, Article 27 deals with disputes between Contracting Parties, i.e. inter-State disputes. It covers any dispute concerning the application or interpretation of the ECT, save for disputes concerning Articles 6 and 19 and for some Contracting Parties disputes concerning Article 10(1), last sentence of the Treaty. The dispute settlement method foreseen in Article 27 is ad hoc arbitration, provided that the disputing parties have been unable to settle the dispute through diplomatic channels. Article 28 exempts certain disputes from Article 27, namely disputes concerning the application and interpretation of Articles 5 and 29.
Part VI: Transitional Provisions
Authors: Hobér Kaj
Published: December 2020

This chapter discusses Part VI of the Energy Charter Treaty, which concerns transitional provisions. The present text of Article 29 of the ECT, entitled ‘Interim Provisions on Trade-Related Matters’, provides for a best endeavours tariff commitment for both Energy Materials and Products and Energy-Related Equipment. This is complemented by the possibility to move to a future, legally binding commitment for agreed items which are presently subject to the best endeavours commitment (paragraphs (6) and (7)). Article 30, entitled ‘Developments in International Trading Arrangements’, refers to the Trade Amendment in 1988 which entered into force in 2010. This article is therefore no longer relevant. Similarly, Article 31, entitled ‘Energy-Related Equipment’, is no longer applicable. Energy-Related Equipment was included in the provisions of the ECT by virtue of the Trade Amendment. Moreover, the transitional arrangements provided for in Article 32 were terminated on July 1, 2001, which means that the article is no longer applicable as well.
BIOM-07. EXPRESSION OF ANDROGEN RECEPTOR AND PROGRAMMED DEATH-LIGAND 1 IN BREAST-TO-BRAIN-METASTASES.
Authors: Qazi Maleeha , Jerzak Katarzyna , Nofech-Mozes Sharon
Published: December 2020

INTRODUCTION

Therapies targeting androgen receptors (AR) and programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) have demonstrated intracranial activity. In this study, we analyzed the expression of AR and PD-L1 in breast cancer brain metastases (BrM) to identify patients who may benefit from anti-androgenic or anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapies.

METHODS

Consecutive BrM resected in our institution (July 1999-June 2013) that were signed out as breast origin were identified and included from the Anatomic Pathology departmental database. A tissue microarray of BrMs was studied by immunohistochemistry for AR, PD-L1, ER, PR and HER2 (SP107, SP142, SP1, IE2, 4B5; Ventana Medical Systems). HER2 gene amplification was determined by INFORM HER2 DNA and Chromosome 17 (Ventana Medical Systems). Immunohistochemistry was used as a surrogate to determine intrinsic subtypes.

RESULTS

Among 61 breast cancer BrM with available tissue blocks, AR was expressed in 38 (62%) cases and PD-L1 was expressed in 9 (15%) cases. Among BrMs of luminal A subtype (ER+PR+/-HER2-Ki67< 16%; n=2), 50% expressed AR and none expressed PD-L1. Within the luminal B subtype (ER+/PR+/-), all 15 HER2+ BrM expressed AR (100%), while only 1 expressed PD-L1 (7%). Among HER2- luminal B subtype BrMs (n=16), 50% and 12.5% of cases expressed AR and PD-L1, respectively. In BrM of HER2+ subtype (ER-/PR-; n=14), 71% expressed AR and 14% expressed PD-L1. The frequency of AR+ (30%) and PD-L1+ (30%) cases was equivalent in triple negative BrM (ER-/PR-/HER2-; n=14).

CONCLUSION

Almost two-thirds of breast cancer BrM expressed AR, while only 15% expressed PD-L1. HER2+ luminal B and HER2+ subtypes were most likely to be AR+. Meanwhile, PD-L1 expression was predominant in the triple negative subgroup. Our data suggests that certain subtypes of breast cancer BrM are more likely to be AR+ or PD-L1+; intracranial efficacy of AR-antagonists and immunotherapy warrants investigation for breast cancer BrM, particularly in biomarker-positive subtypes.
BIOM-26. MOLECULAR PREDICTORS OF RESPONSE TO SELINEXOR IN RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA (GBM)
Authors: Walker Christopher , Shen Yao , Mau-Soerensen Morten , Wen Patrick , van den Bent Martin , Plotkin Scott , Walenkamp Annemiek , Green Adam , Califano Andrea , Chang Hua , Tamir Sharon , Henegar Leah , Shacham Sharon , Alvarez Mariano , Landesman Yosef , Lassman Andrew
Published: December 2020

The nuclear export protein exportin 1 (XPO1) is overexpressed in many cancers, including GBM. Selinexor is an inhibitor of XPO1 that crosses the blood-brain-barrier and targets cancer cells by sequestering tumor suppressor proteins and oncoprotein mRNAs in the nucleus, inducing cancer cell apoptosis. We previously reported encouraging results from a phase II trial of selinexor for molecularly unselected patients with recurrent GBM (ASCO 2019). Pre-treatment tumors from 57 patients were exome and RNA sequenced to explore molecular correlates of response, in a hypothesis generating, post-hoc, exploratory analysis. We compared overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) between mutated and wild-type patients. Two mutated genes were associated with longer survival in selinexor treated patients: DOCK8 (n=7; PFS, P=0.013, hazard ratio [HR]=3.75 [1.32–10.62]; overall survival, P=0.009, HR=15.39 [2.00–118.34]) and PDX1 (n=5, PFS, P=0.014, HR=4.468 [1.361–14.670]). Other commonly mutated genes in glioma, including IDH1 (n=9) were observed but not associated with survival. RNAseq data were used to infer differential protein activities, which were input into a machine learning model that compared patients with selinexor sensitive disease (best response of partial or complete response, n=7) and resistant disease (best response of progressive disease, n=23). We found the inferred activities of three proteins emerged as the most associated with response and could be combined in a model to accurately predict benefit from selinexor treatment (area under the ROC curve from leave one out cross validation = 0.89 permutation test P< 0.04). The three proteins were ZC3H12A (also called MCPIP-1), a negative regulator of inflammation; RAB43, a member of the RAS family that binds GTP and regulates vesicle trafficking, and SOCS3, a suppressor of cytokine signaling that can antagonize JAK/STAT signaling. Together these data identified mutations and proteins activities for identifying patients most likely to benefit from selinexor treatment. Further studies are required for validation. ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT01986348.
BIOM-27. PREDICTIVE EVALUATION OF QUANTITATIVE SPATIAL PROFILING OF THE TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT BY MULTIPLEX IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE IN RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA TREATED WITH PD-1 INHIBITORS
Authors: Cieremans David , Kim Ju Young , Valencia Ariana , Santos Justin Mercado , Bordeaux Jennifer , Tran Thai , Vaupel Christine , Dakappagari Naveen , Tangri Shabnam , Iwamoto Fabio
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

PD-1 inhibitors have shown limited efficacy in glioblastoma (GBM) due to microenvironment immunosuppression and low tumor mutational burden. In GBM, PD-L1 expression is not a predictive marker for response to PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors. Multiplex immunostaining panel technology allows for detailed analyses of tumor microenvironment cells and their interaction.

METHODS

Pre-treatment tumor tissue was collected retrospectively from 27 patients in our neurooncology database at Columbia University Irving Medical Center with primary glioblastoma who were diagnosed within the past three years, had surgery here, and were either treated with SOC therapy (n= 8) or PD-1 inhibitors at recurrence (n= 19). Multiplex immunofluorescence was done for 1) CD11b/IDO1/HLADR/GFAP, 2) PD1/PD-L1/GFAP, and 3) CD4/CD8/CD25/FoxP3/Ki67/GFAP.

RESULTS

Multiplex immunofluorescence panels did not show any correlation with outcomes in patients treated with SOC therapy (non-immunotherapy). Among the 19 patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors, those with more HLA-DR positive cells had worse outcomes (p= 0.02). PD-L1 expression on tumor cells was not predictive of outcomes. There was a correlation trend between PD-1/PD-L1 interaction score (p= 0.08), which measures density of PD-1-positive cells in proximity to PD-L1-positive cells, and outcomes. PTEN loss was correlated with higher Ki67 expression in both tumor cells (p= 0.05) and non-tumors cells (p= 0.03); however, this relationship was not found when looking at Ki67 in CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, or CD4+CD8+ cells combined. This assay allowed us to evaluate tumor- associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, CD8+ lymphocytes, and CD4+ T regulatory cells; however, none of these were significant predictive markers for outcome.

CONCLUSION

Quantitative spatial profiling by multiplex immunofluorescence is feasible in FFPE glioblastoma tissue. More refined and extensive quantitative and spatial microenvironment analyses may allow for the development of biomarkers for immunotherapy in GBM.