bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy Caused by a Homozygous Splicing Variant of SLC7A6OS
Authors: Mazzola Laure , Oliver Karen L. , Labalme Audrey , Baykan Betül , Muona Mikko , Joensuu Tarja H. , Courage Carolina , Chatron Nicolas , Borsani Giuseppe , Alix Eudeline , Ramond Francis , Touraine Renaud , Bahlo Melanie , Bebek Nerses , Berkovic Samuel F. , Lehesjoki Anna‐Elina , Lesca Gaetan
Published: October 2020

Exome sequencing was performed in 2 unrelated families with progressive myoclonus epilepsy. Affected individuals from both families shared a rare, homozygous c.191A > G variant affecting a splice site in SLC7A6OS. Analysis of cDNA from lymphoblastoid cells demonstrated partial splice site abolition and the creation of an abnormal isoform. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot showed a marked reduction of protein expression. Haplotype analysis identified a ~0.85cM shared genomic region on chromosome 16q encompassing the c.191A > G variant, consistent with a distant ancestor common to both families. Our results suggest that biallelic loss‐of‐function variants in SLC7A6OS are a novel genetic cause of progressive myoclonus epilepsy. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:402–407
A Practical Method for Analysis of Triacylglycerol Isomers Using Supercritical Fluid Chromatography
Authors: Masuda Koji , Abe Kosuke , Murano Yoshihiro
Published: October 2020

Triacylglycerol (TAG) isomers have been reported to have differing physical and nutritional properties. The analysis of TAG isomers is therefore important for understanding the physical properties of lipids as well as their digestion and absorption. However, methods for the quantitative analysis of TAG regioisomers and enantiomers in vegetable oils and biological samples are still under development. Recently, methods using recycle high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and silver ion column‐HPLC have been reported. However the recycle HPLC method requires more than 1 hour, in general, for each sample that is analyzed. Furthermore, existing methods are unable to quantify regioisomers and enantiomers simultaneously. Thus, we aimed to develop a practical method to simultaneously quantify regioisomers and enantiomers of TAG. Three isomers of sn‐POO, OPO, and OOP were separated by supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (SFC/MS/MS) using a CHIRALPAK® IG‐U column with acetonitrile and methanol as mobile phase. The separation was completed in 40 min, which is a shorter run time than the conventional techniques published to date. Linear calibration curves with standards were obtained and used to quantify sn‐OPO, sn‐POO, and sn‐OOP in extra virgin olive oil, refined olive oil, palm oil, palm olein, and interesterified palm olein.
Sure joint feature screening in nonparametric transformation model for right censored data
Authors: Liu Yi , Xu Jinfeng , Li Gang
Published: October 2020

Existing screening procedures for right censored data either posit a specific model or adopt a marginal approach; hence, they are prone to model misspecification or erroneous screening. To address these problems, we develop a joint feature screening method in nonparametric transformation models for censored survival data. A sparsity‐restricted estimator is proposed using a smoothed partial rank objective function and an iterative hard thresholding algorithm. We rigorously show that with probability tending to 1, the proposed method is capable of retaining all relevant features in the model and is more desirable than marginal screening. Furthermore, because the transformation model encompasses many popular models, such as the Cox model, as special cases, the developed joint screening method is more robust than its competitors. Its finite sample performance is illustrated using both simulation studies and a real data example. We have implemented our method using Matlab and made it available through Github https://github.com/yiucla/SPR-SJS.
Why does the place where the allogeneic transplant patient calls home matter?
Authors: Langston Amelia A.
Published: October 2020

Community health factors play a role in determining outcomes for patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. The transplant community, health advocacy groups, insurers, and government agencies must identify and remedy the reversible challenges and barriers to the successful application of this potentially lifesaving procedure for all patients who may benefit.
Community health status and outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in the United States
Authors: Hong Sanghee , Brazauskas Ruta , Hebert Kyle M. , Ganguly Siddhartha , Abdel‐Azim Hisham , Diaz Miguel Angel , Beattie Sara , Ciurea Stefan O. , Szwajcer David , Badawy Sherif M. , Gratwohl Alois A. , LeMaistre Charles , Aljurf Mahmoud D. S. M. , Olsson Richard F. , Bhatt Neel S. , Farhadfar Nosha , Yared Jean A. , Yoshimi Ayami , Seo Sachiko , Gergis Usama , Beitinjaneh Amer M. , Sharma Akshay , Lazarus Hillard , Law Jason , Ulrickson Matthew , Hashem Hasan , Schoemans Hélène , Cerny Jan , Rizzieri David , Savani Bipin N. , Kamble Rammurti T. , Shaw Bronwen E. , Khera Nandita , Wood William A. , Hashmi Shahrukh , Hahn Theresa , Lee Stephanie J. , Rizzo J. Douglas , Majhail Navneet S. , Saber Wael
Published: October 2020

Background

The association of community factors and outcomes after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has not been comprehensively described. Using the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps (CHRR) and the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), this study evaluated the impact of community health status on allogeneic HCT outcomes.

Methods

This study included 18,544 adult allogeneic HCT recipients reported to the CIBMTR by 170 US centers in 2014‐2016. Sociodemographic, environmental, and community indicators were derived from the CHRR, an aggregate community risk score was created, and scores were assigned to each patient (patient community risk score [PCS]) and transplant center (center community risk score [CCS]). Higher scores indicated less healthy communities. The impact of PCS and CCS on patient outcomes after allogeneic HCT was studied.

Results

The median age was 55 years (range, 18‐83 years). The median PCS was –0.21 (range, –1.37 to 2.10; standard deviation [SD], 0.42), and the median CCS was –0.13 (range, –1.04 to 0.96; SD, 0.40). In multivariable analyses, a higher PCS was associated with inferior survival (hazard ratio [HR] per 1 SD increase, 1.04; 99% CI, 1.00‐1.08; P = .0089). Among hematologic malignancies, a tendency toward inferior survival was observed with a higher PCS (HR, 1.04; 99% CI, 1.00‐1.08; P = .0102); a higher PCS was associated with higher nonrelapse mortality (NRM; HR, 1.08; 99% CI, 1.02‐1.15; P = .0004). CCS was not significantly associated with survival, relapse, or NRM.

Conclusions

Patients residing in counties with a worse community health status have inferior survival as a result of an increased risk of NRM after allogeneic HCT. There was no association between the community health status of the transplant center location and allogeneic HCT outcomes.
Cost‐effectiveness of ribociclib as initial treatment for premenopausal women with advanced breast cancer in Singapore
Authors: Loke Lydia , Lee Soo‐Chin , Pearce Fiona , Ng Kwong , Aziz Mohamed Ismail Abdul
Published: October 2020

Background

CDK4/6 inhibitors have shown promising results for treating advanced breast cancer (ABC) and are routinely used in Singapore. In view of their high costs, it is important to assess their relative value compared to existing standards of care in the local setting.

Aims

This study evaluates the cost‐effectiveness of adding ribociclib to goserelin and a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen as initial therapy for premenopausal women with hormone receptor‐positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‐negative (HER2−) ABC in Singapore.

Methods

A partitioned survival model with four health states (progression‐free on first‐line treatment, progression‐free on second‐line treatment, progressed disease, and death) was developed from a healthcare system perspective over a 10‐year time horizon. Key clinical inputs were derived from the MONALEESA‐7 trial, and survival curves were extrapolated beyond the trial period. Health state utilities were derived from the literature and direct medical costs were obtained from local public healthcare institutions. A discount rate of 3% was applied to both costs and outcomes. One‐way deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore uncertainties.

Results

The base‐case analysis resulted in an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) of SGD197, 667 per quality‐adjusted life‐year. Sensitivity analyses showed that the ICER was sensitive to the survival parametric distribution, ribociclib price, time horizon, and utility weights used. Even when these were varied, ICERs remained high and not cost‐effective in the local context.

Conclusion

At its current price, adding ribociclib to endocrine therapy is unlikely to be cost‐effective in Singapore for HR+, HER2− ABC. Results from this study are useful to inform future funding decisions for CDK4/6 inhibitors alongside other factors including clinical effectiveness, safety, and budget impact considerations.
Ex vivo enrichment of PRAME antigen‐specific T cells for adoptive immunotherapy using CD137 activation marker selection
Authors: Lee Koon H , Gowrishankar Kavitha , Street Janine , McGuire Helen M , Luciani Fabio , Hughes Brendan , Singh Mandeep , Clancy Leighton E , Gottlieb David J , Micklethwaite Kenneth P , Blyth Emily
Published: October 2020

Objective

Adoptive immunotherapy with ex vivo expanded tumor‐specific T cells has potential as anticancer therapy. Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) is an attractive target overexpressed in several cancers including melanoma and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), with low expression in normal tissue outside the gonads. We developed a GMP‐compliant manufacturing method for PRAME‐specific T cells from healthy donors for adoptive immunotherapy.

Methods

Mononuclear cells were pulsed with PRAME 15‐mer overlapping peptide mix. After 16 h, activated cells expressing CD137 were isolated with immunomagnetic beads and cocultured with irradiated CD137neg fraction in medium supplemented with interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐7 and IL‐15. Cultured T cells were restimulated with antigen‐pulsed autologous cells after 10 days. Cellular phenotype and cytokine response following antigen re‐exposure were assessed with flow cytometry, enzyme‐linked immunospot (ELISPOT) and supernatant cytokine detection. Detailed phenotypic and functional analysis with mass cytometry and T‐cell receptor (TCR) beta clonality studies were performed on selected cultures.

Results

PRAME‐stimulated cultures (n = 10) had mean expansion of 2500‐fold at day 18. Mean CD3+ percentage was 96% with CD4:CD8 ratio of 4:1. Re‐exposure to PRAME peptide mixture showed enrichment of CD4 cells expressing interferon (IFN)‐γ (mean: 12.2%) and TNF‐α (mean: 19.7%). Central and effector memory cells were 23% and 72%, respectively, with 24% T cells expressing PD1. Mass cytometry showed predominance of Th1 phenotype (CXCR3+/CCR4neg/CCR6neg/Tbet+, mean: 73%) and cytokine production including IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐8, IL‐13 and GM‐CSF (2%, 6%, 8%, 4% and 11%, respectively).

Conclusion

PRAME‐specific T cells for adoptive immunotherapy were enriched from healthy donor mononuclear cells. The products were oligoclonal, exhibited Th1 phenotype and produced multiple cytokines.
Hillslope sediment fence catch efficiencies and particle sorting for post‐fire rain storms
Authors: Wilson Codie , Kampf Stephanie K. , Wagenbrenner Joseph W. , MacDonald Lee H. , Gleason Hunter
Published: October 2020

Sediment fences are often used to monitor hillslope erosion, but these can underestimate sediment yields due to overtopping of runoff and associated sediment. We modified four sediment fences to collect and measure the runoff and sediment that overtopped the fence in addition to the sediment deposited behind the fence. Specific objectives were to: (1) determine the catch efficiency of sediment fences measuring post‐fire hillslope erosion; (2) assess particle sorting of sand, silt/clay, and organic matter from each hillslope through the sediment fence and subsequent runoff collection barrels; (3) evaluate how catch efficiency and particle size sorting relate to site and rainfall‐runoff event characteristics; and (4) use runoff simulations to estimate sediment fence volumes for future post‐fire monitoring.

Catch efficiency ranged from 28 to 100% for events and 38 to 94% per site for the entire sampling season, indicating a relatively large underestimation of sediment yields by sediment fences. Most of the eroded sediment had similar proportions of sand and silt/clay as the hillslope soils, but the sediment behind the fence was significantly enriched in sand while the sediment that overtopped the fence was more strongly enriched in silt/clay. The sediment fences had capacities of 3 m3 for hillslopes of 0.19–0.43 ha, but simulations of runoff for 2‐ to 100‐year storms indicate that the sediment fences would need a capacity of up to 240 m3 to store all of the runoff and associated sediment. More accurate measurements of sediment yields with sediment fences require either increasing the storage capacity of the sediment fence(s) to accommodate the expected volume of runoff and sediment, reducing the size of the contributing area, or directly measuring the runoff and sediment that overtop the fence. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surprising spatiotemporal stability of a multi-peak fitness landscape revealed by independent field experiments measuring hybrid fitness
Authors: Martin Christopher H. , Gould Katelyn J.
Published: October 2020

The effect of the environment on fitness in natural populations is a fundamental question in evolutionary biology. However, experimental manipulations of both environment and phenotype at the same time are rare. Thus, the relative importance of the competitive environment versus intrinsic organismal performance in shaping the location, height, and fluidity of fitness peaks and valleys remains largely unknown. Here, we experimentally tested the effect of competitor frequency on the complex fitness landscape driving adaptive radiation of a generalist and two trophic specialist pupfishes, a scale-eater and molluscivore, endemic to hypersaline lakes on San Salvador Island (SSI), Bahamas. We manipulated phenotypes, by generating 3407 F4/F5 lab-reared hybrids, and competitive environment, by altering the frequency of rare transgressive hybrids between field enclosures in two independent lake populations. We then tracked hybrid survival and growth rates across these four field enclosures for 3–11 months. In contrast to competitive speciation theory, we found no evidence that the frequency of hybrid phenotypes affected their survival. Instead, we observed a strikingly similar fitness landscape to a previous independent field experiment, each supporting multiple fitness peaks for generalist and molluscivore phenotypes and a large fitness valley isolating the divergent scale-eater phenotype. These features of the fitness landscape were stable across manipulated competitive environments, multivariate trait axes, and spatiotemporal heterogeneity. We suggest that absolute performance constraints and divergent gene regulatory networks shape macroevolutionary (interspecific) fitness landscapes in addition to microevolutionary (intraspecific) competitive dynamics. This interplay between organism and environment underlies static and dynamic features of the adaptive landscape.
Stringent immigration enforcement and the mental health and health‐risk behaviors of Hispanic adolescent students in Arizona
Authors: Luo Tianyuan , Escalante Cesar L.
Published: October 2020

This study investigates the impact of the enforcement of SB 1070, a stringent immigration law, on the mental health, health‐risk behaviors, and academic performance of Hispanic adolescent residents in Arizona. Using the difference‐in‐differences method, this study finds that SB 1070 increases their probability of feeling sad and decreases their physical activeness. The impact of SB 1070 on sad feelings and level of physical activity could have serious repercussions while it lasts. In addition, obese male Hispanic adolescents are more likely than their female or non‐obese counterparts to develop mental health problems and engage in health‐risk behaviors attributable to the stringent immigration policy. This study's empirical evidence on adverse mental health repercussions for Hispanic adolescents of state‐level immigration enforcement suggests the need to be careful in formulating and implementing immigration policies.
Quantifying the impacts of climate change and land use on hydrological processes: A comparison between mountain and lowland agricultural watersheds
Authors: Cui Zhen , Huang Jiacong , Tian Feng , Gao Junfeng , Wang Xuesong , Li Jun
Published: October 2020

Mountain and lowland watersheds are two distinct geographical units with considerably different hydrological processes. Understanding their hydrological processes in the context of future climate change and land use scenarios is important for water resource management. This study investigated hydrological processes and their driving factors and eco‐hydrological impacts for these two geographical units in the Xitiaoxi watershed, East China, and quantified their differences through hydrological modelling. Hydrological processes in 24 mountain watersheds and 143 lowland watersheds were simulated based on a raster‐based Xin'anjiang model and a Nitrogen Dynamic Polder (NDP) model, respectively. These two models were calibrated and validated with an acceptable performance (Nash‐Sutcliffe efficiency coefficients of 0.81 and 0.50, respectively) for simulating discharge for mountain watersheds and water level for lowland watersheds. Then, an Indicators of Hydrological Alteration (IHA) model was used to help quantify the alterations to the hydrological process and their resulting eco‐hydrological impacts. Based on the validated models, scenario analysis was conducted to evaluate the impacts of climate and land use changes on the hydrological processes. The simulation results revealed that (a) climate change would cause a larger increase in annual runoff than that under land use scenario in the mountain watersheds, with variations of 19.9 and 10.5% for the 2050s, respectively. (b) Land use change was more responsible for the streamflow increment than climate change in the lowland watersheds, causing an annual runoff to increase by 27.4 and 16.2% for the 2050s, respectively. (c) Land use can enhance the response of streamflow to the climatic variation. (d) The above‐mentioned hydrological variations were notable in flood and dry season in the mountain watersheds, and they were significant in rice season in the lowland watersheds. (e) Their resulting degradation of ecological diversity was more susceptible to future climate change in the two watersheds. This study demonstrated that mountain and lowland watersheds showed distinct differences in hydrological processes and their responses to climate and land use changes.
Sustainability Indicators System Based on Multicriteria Analysis: A Tool for the Management of the Sustainability of Offshore Oil and Gas Production Units
Authors: Gaudencio Lucia Maria AL , Oliveira Rui , Curi Wilson F
Published: October 2020

The increasing production of oil and gas in the marine environment and the growing participation of companies of different nationalities and sizes require the use of tools to support the sustainable management of offshore oil and gas production units. This paper presents the results of the application of a sustainability indicator system, developed from the identification of the economic, environmental, social, and operational impacts of the activities of these production units. The sustainability performances of 3 oil and gas production units operating in the Brazilian marine environment were compared to the performance of one considered ideal, through the application of the PROMETHEE II and ordinal COPELAND multicriteria methods. The indicator system applied favored the analysis of the sustainability management of offshore oil and gas production activity in a multidimensional approach, considering the points of view of experts from various areas of knowledge, and proved to be a reliable tool to support the sustainable management of these offshore production units. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:614–625. © 2020 SETAC

KEY POINTS

Offshore oil and gas production requires reliable sustainability indicators, given that they are very distant from ideal sustainable performance. A representative sustainability indicators system must consider a multicriteria approach. The robustness of the sustainability indicator system is demonstrated by its application to different types of oil and gas production units under a variety of operational conditions in the Brazilian marine environment.
Aconitine disrupts serotonin neurotransmission via 5‐hydroxytryptamine receptor in zebrafish embryo
Authors: Chen Hao , Wang Feng , Ni Xuan , Rigui Yi , Bai Yuxia , Xu Liang , Yang Jingfeng , Zhang Xuefu , Deng Jiang , Li Jiawei , Yin Xiaoyu , Ao Wuliji , Kwok Kevin W.H. , Dong Wu
Published: October 2020

Medicinal plants of the genus Aconitum are one of the most commonly used herbs in traditional medicine in East Asia to treat conditions related to the heart, pain, or inflammation. However, these herbs are also dangerous as accidental poisoning due to misuse is a recurring issue. These plants contain a number of diester‐diterpenoid alkaloid compounds and aconitine is the most abundant and active one. This study investigated neurotoxicity of aconitine to zebrafish embryos in early development in relation to serotonin regulation. Experimental results showed that aconitine exposure (1, 10, and 100 μM) increased frequency of coiling behavior in zebrafish embryos in a dose‐dependent manner and this effect can be triggered by either exposure to 5‐hydroxytryptamine 1A (5‐HT1A) receptor agonist (±)‐8‐hydroxy‐2‐(dipropylamino)tetralin (8‐OH‐DPAT) or overexpression of serotonin receptor 5‐htr1ab. At the same time, coiling behavior caused by aconitine exposure could be rescued by co‐exposure to 5‐HT1A receptor antagonist WAY‐100635 Maleate (WAY100635) and knockdown of 5‐htr1ab using morpholino. Exposure to aconitine also significantly increased serotonin receptor 5‐htr1ab and 5‐htr1bd gene expression at 24 h post fertilization (hpf), but decreased their expression and protein expression of the serotonin receptor at 96 hpf with the high dose. These results suggest that neurotoxicity caused by aconitine is mediated through the 5‐HT receptor.
PES electrospun fibrous membrane for oily wastewater treatment: Fabrication condition optimization using response surface methodology
Authors: Bahmani Marzieh , Zarghami Soheil , Mohammadi Toraj , Asadi Amir Atabak , Khanlari Samaneh
Published: October 2020

Dependence of the polyethersulfone electrospun fibrous membrane (EFM) performance on direct and interactive effects of electrospinning parameters and post heat‐treatment conditions were studied using RSM technique. A designed number of 29 EFM samples with different average fiber thickness and average pore radius were prepared. Modified quadratic models were developed based on the experimental results to predict the membrane performance in oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsion separation. The low error of permeation flux (7.6%) and oil rejection (11.3%) models guaranteed accuracy of the modeling results. The optimum values of the studied parameters resulting in the membrane with promising performance, including polymeric solution flow rate, hot‐pressing duration, temperature, and pressure were 0.8 mL/h, 1.5 hours, 210°C, and 0.14 bar, respectively. The polymeric solution flow rate and hot‐pressing temperature were found as the most effective parameters on water permeation flux and oil rejection, respectively. The maximum predicted permeation flux and oil rejection of this EFM were 708 LMH and 89%, respectively.
Prenatally detected isolated ventricular septum defects and the association with chromosomal aberrations—A nationwide register‐based study from Denmark
Authors: Vedel Cathrine , Rode Line , Jørgensen Finn Stener , Petersen Olav Bjørn , Sundberg Karin , Tabor Ann , Ekelund Charlotte Kvist
Published: October 2020

Objective

To evaluate the association between prenatally detected isolated ventricular septum defects (VSDs) and chromosomal aberrations in a nationwide study in Denmark.

Method

Nationwide, register‐based study with prospectively collected data including all singleton pregnancies from 2014‐2018. From the Danish Fetal Medicine Database, we retrieved data on maternal characteristics, first‐trimester biomarkers, pre‐ and postnatal diagnoses, genetic test results, and pregnancy outcomes. VSDs were considered isolated in the absence of other malformations or soft markers, and with a low first‐trimester risk assessment for trisomies 21, 18 and 13. All cases of an isolated VSD with a chromosomal anomaly were audited. The genetic tests included karyotyping and chromosomal microarray.

Results

We retrieved data on 292 108 singleton pregnancies; 323 registered with a prenatally detected VSD and 697 with a VSD detected postnatally (incidence of 0.35%). Only 1/153 (0.7%, 95% CI 0.02;3.6%) of the isolated prenatally detected VSDs had an abnormal genetic test result (del (8)(q23.1)). Moreover, they had a lower free β‐hCG MoM (0.9 MoM vs 0.99 MoM, P = 0.02), and were more likely born small for gestational age (SGA), defined as birthweight 2 or more SD below the mean, compared with the control population (5.2% vs 2.5%, P = 0.03).

Conclusion

We found a prevalence of chromosomal aberrations of 0.7% in fetuses with a prenatally detected isolated VSD. Moreover, we found an association between isolated VSDs and a larger proportion being born SGA.
Unraveling Complexity: A Strategy for the Characterization of Anisotropic Core Multishell Nanoparticles
Authors: Lin Wei , Greve Christoph , Härtner Sebastian , Götz Klaus , Walter Johannes , Wu Mingjian , Rechberger Stefanie , Spiecker Erdmann , Busch Sebastian , Schmutzler Tilo , Avadhut Yamini , Hartmann Martin , Unruh Tobias , Peukert Wolfgang , Segets Doris
Published: October 2020

In this work, a widely applicable routine to characterize the core, surface, stability, and optical properties of CdSe/CdS/ZnS core–shell–shell nanorods after multiple growth steps is established. First, size, shape, and shell thickness of the nanorods are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), and small angle X‐ray/neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS). In the next step, Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and SANS measurements are applied to determine the surface species of nanorods. Then, the colloidal stability of the nanorods is investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) after different washing cycles. Finally, photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of the nanorods during washing and sample storage is determined. With this highly complementary routine for particle characterization, the core, surface, stability, and optical properties of nanorods after multiple growth steps are resolved. The results demonstrate the importance of the developed toolbox to characterize such highly complex, anisotropic nanorods for a technical environment. This is of major importance for the handling of colloidal quantum materials and their quality control in industrial applications.
Influence of Laser Beam Profiles on the Performance of Laser‐Driven Flyers
Authors: Wang Liang , Tang Duo , Ji Xiangbo , Zhang Wanli , Jiang Hongchuan , Wang Yao , Li Yong , Qin Wenzhi
Published: October 2020

In order to reveal the influence of laser beam profiles on the performance of laser‐driven flyers, three different laser beam profiles including original laser beam, reshaped laser beam and optical fiber output laser beam were used to launch the flyer plates. The original laser beam showed plenty of “hot spots”. A lenslet array was used to reshape the original laser beam and a much smoother intensity distribution was obtained. Both original and reshaped laser beams were coupled to optical fibers. Results showed that the laser energy that a fiber can reliably transmit increased 29 % and reached up to 59 mJ by reshaping the original laser beam. Furthermore, PDV measurements indicated that there was a 68 % increase in flyer velocity when the flyer was driven by a fiber coupled laser instead of the original laser, and the flyer velocity could reach up to 1.5 km/s when irradiated by a 50 mJ laser. Aside from the velocity increase, the fiber coupled laser was proven to be capable of producing controllable planar and intact flyer. A fiber coupled laser initiation system incorporating a laser slapper detonator was developed. The fine grain CL‐20 was successfully initiated using the fiber coupled laser initiation system under 40 mJ laser energy, implicating the fiber coupled system is applicable in high energy explosive initiations.
Fragment Velocity Formula for Reverse Detonation Driving with Opposite Initiation
Authors: Li Yuan , Cheng Li , Wen Yuquan
Published: October 2020

In detonation driving problems, the explosive charge is typically initiated on one side of the charge and the fragment or plate is located on the other side. Many studies have been conducted on this driving style, which has numerous practical applications. However, few studies have been conducted on reverse detonation driving, wherein the initiation point is located on the same side as that of the fragment. Reverse detonation driving can lower the shock pressure in the fragment and solve the problem of spallation. In this study, the model of opposite initiation of cylindrical charge is used to investigate the reverse detonation driving style. A long element is considered along the direction of the initiation points and the warhead center, and a fragment velocity formula is established according to the one‐dimensional gas dynamics. Then, based on the influences of the assumptions, such as the rigid constraint of the element, three experimentally verified numerical models are used to validate the established formula. The ratios of the formula computations and the corresponding modeling results exhibit similar trends. Therefore, these trends are fitted together and used as a correction factor for the established formula. The corrected formula is further validated through two‐dimensional modeling with a different casing material model and three‐dimensional modeling of the verified experimental configuration. The established formula can be used as a reference for the problem of reverse detonation driving.
Unique Thermoelectric Properties Induced by Intrinsic Nanostructuring in a Polycrystalline Thin‐Film Two‐Dimensional Metal–Organic Framework, Copper Benzenehexathiol
Authors: Tsuchikawa Ryuichi , Lotfizadeh Neda , Lahiri Nabajit , Liu Shuwan , Lach Mackenzie , Slam Celine , Louie Janis , Deshpande Vikram V.
Published: October 2020

Electrically conductive two‐dimensional (2D) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as good candidates for thermoelectric applications due to their high electrical and low thermal conductivities. This work studies the microscopic origin of the thermoelectric properties of copper benzenehexathiol (Cu‐BHT), a highly electrically conductive 2D MOF. 2D MOFs usually have polycrystalline domains because of the bottom‐up synthesis, and the polycrystallinity makes it challenging to understand the intrinsic properties of 2D MOFs. Mesoscopic‐scale devices are fabricated to measure the thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and Seebeck coefficient of Cu‐BHT by exfoliating the synthesized Cu‐BHT samples into thin films of thickness ranging from 30 to 400 nm. It is verified that the low thermal conductivity of Cu‐BHT originates from the unique intrinsic structure of 2D MOFs, while our data indicates that the electrical conductivity is largely controlled by the polycrystallinity. The Seebeck effect measurement reveals the presence of robust electronic bands arising from definite crystallinity, which differentiates 2D MOFs from conductive polymers. This work points to opportunities in optimizing the thermoelectric figure of merit of 2D MOFs through the appropriate combination of metal ions and organic ligands.
Intense Anti‐Stokes Emission from Erbium Ions in Gallium Lanthanum Sulphide–Oxide Glass in the Visible Spectral Range
Authors: Voronov Michail M. , Pevtsov Alexander B. , Skvortsov Alexander P. , Koughia Cyril , Craig Chris , Hewak Dan W. , Kasap Safa , Golubev Valery G.
Published: October 2020

Photoluminescence spectra are investigated in erbium‐doped GaLaS(O) glasses. Under optical pumping by a semiconductor laser diode operating at 808 nm, the samples demonstrate intense “green” emission bands centered at around 525 and 550 nm as well as much weaker “red” emission band centered at around 664 nm. The intensities of “green” and “red” emission bands are investigated as a function of pumping intensity. The cascade mechanism of generation of radiation from higher lying levels of the 4f‐shell ions is discussed to interpret these experimental results and the theoretical description of the phenomenon is developed.
Novel Epitaxy for Nitride Semiconductors Using Plasma Technology
Authors: Oda Osamu , Hori Masaru
Published: October 2020

For the production of nitride‐based optical and power devices, it is known that metal organics chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) is an industrial method which is used worldwide. However, MOCVD has disadvantages: 1) a lot of ammonia gas is consumed; 2) the sublimation of GaN is not negligible at growth temperature and these increase the production cost; 3) the growth of in‐containing nitrides is difficult because the growth temperature is too high; and 4) using large Si substrates of 150–300 mm diameter for industrial production, wafer breakage and bowing occur. It is therefore important to develop novel epitaxial growth methods that can replace the MOCVD method. Recently, high‐density radical source (HDRS) is developed by combining inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) which can be applied to molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) in order to increase the growth rate of nitrides. Another novel method, the radical enhanced MOCVD (REMOCVD) method with using very high frequency (VHF) plasma, has also been developed. This REMOCVD allows the low growth temperature without using any ammonia gas. These novel methods are promising for replacing the MOCVD method from the viewpoint of production cost without ammonia gas usage.
Preparation of flower‐like Cu2O/ZnO for removal of dyes from aqueous medium
Authors: Dat Le Tien , Hung Nguyen Thanh , Tuan Vu Anh
Published: October 2020

Flower‐like Cu2O/ZnO was prepared by hydrothermal method with the reducing agent of glucose for removal of dyes in aqueous medium. As‐prepared samples were characterized by FE‐SEM, XRD, and TEM. Flower‐like Cu2O/ZnO could both photodegrade Tartrazine (TA) under UV and visible lights with the removal efficiencies of 85.3 and 96.1 %, respectively, and adsorbed TA with the removal efficiency of 77.5 %. The effects of adsorbent dosage, dye concentration, and pH solution on adsorption of dyes were investigated. The kinetic adsorption of TA on flower‐like Cu2O/ZnO was studied by pseudo‐first‐order and pseudo‐second‐order models. In addition, the performance of as‐prepared material was evaluated by cyclic test and adsorption of other dyes such as methylene blue, Janus green B and Congo red.
𝒩 = 2 dualities and Z-extremization in three dimensions
Authors: Willett Brian , Yaakov Itamar
Published: October 2020

Abstract

We use localization techniques to study duality in 𝒩 = 2 supersymmetric gauge theories in three dimensions. Specifically, we consider a duality due to Aharony involving unitary and symplectic gauge groups, which is similar to Seiberg duality in four dimensions, as well as related dualities involving Chern-Simons terms. These theories have the possibility of non trivial anomalous dimensions for the chiral multiplets and were previously difficult to examine. We use a matrix model to compute the partition functions on both sides of the duality, deformed by real mass and FI terms. The results provide strong evidence for the validity of the proposed dualities. We also comment on a recent proposal for recovering the exact IR conformal dimensions in such theories using localization.
Kombinationstherapien in der Immunonkologie: Differenzierte regulatorische Herangehensweisen
Authors: Müller-Berghaus Jan , Sarac Sinan B. , Schüssler-Lenz Martina
Published: October 2020

Kombinationstherapien von unterschiedlichen Arzneimitteln sind fester Bestandteil der Medizin. Wissenschaftlich und regulatorisch gilt jedoch der Anspruch, den Beitrag jedes Arzneimittels zum Gesamteffekt zu verstehen. Deshalb müssen nichtklinische und klinische Entwicklungsprogramme diese Aspekte berücksichtigen und entsprechend gestaltet werden. Derzeit befinden sich viele Arzneimittel in Entwicklung, die versuchen durch Verwendung und Aktivierung von Komponenten des Immunsystems des Patienten bösartige Erkrankungen langfristig zu kontrollieren. Oft wird hier der Begriff Immunonkologie verwendet. Arzneimittel, die für die Immunonkologie entwickelt und verwendet werden, können völlig unterschiedlichen Arzneimittelklassen zugeordnet werden.

In diesem Beitrag erfolgt eine Analyse von Kombinationstherapien in der Immunonkologie mit biotechnologisch hergestellten Arzneimitteln auf Basis von regulatorischen Gesichtspunkten und Erfordernissen. Dies beinhaltet Checkpointinhibitoren, genetisch modifizierte Zelltherapien, Tumorvakzinen und onkolytische Viren. Anhand dieser heterogenen Gruppe von immunonkologischen Arzneimitteln, die in Kombinationstherapien zugelassen wurden, werden die Herausforderungen in der klinischen Entwicklung erarbeitet. Wegen der unterschiedlichen Charakteristika und Anzahl der Kombinationspartner muss für jede Entwicklung ein individuell zugeschnittenes Programm entwickelt werden, d. h., es gibt keine für alle Entwicklungen anwendbare Standardlösung.
The utilization of a recursive algorithm to determine trends of soil moisture deficits in the Mid-Atlantic United States
Authors: Smith Robert Kennedy , Chang Der-Chen
Published: October 2020

Climate change models project declining soil moisture levels across the continental US, even in regions with expected increases in annual average precipitation. Although warmer air has been shown to result in more frequent and severe precipitation events, higher vapor pressure deficits are anticipated to result in evapotranspiration rates that exceed the amount of water hitting the soil surface. Numerous analyses have shown rising degrees of aridity in many US locations, even without declining rainfall. The Mid-Atlantic region has less annual rainfall variability and seasonality relative to other areas, and an analysis is presented here examining trends from 1980 to 2019 to determine if the region has become more arid as temperatures have warmed. A comparison of evapotranspiration and precipitation trends cannot adequately answer this question, as the timing of rainfall and soil moisture levels determines how much water is absorbed into the ground and utilized by vegetation. A recursive algorithm is developed to calculate water deficits based on the previous day’s conditions and amount of precipitation received during that day, excluding rainwater falling on saturated soils from being eligible to recharge the water supply available to vegetation. Trends from the algorithm show that soil moisture levels have increased over the past four decades. This equates to lower overall water demand per hectare in the municipal and agricultural sectors. While the trends may change in coming decades, unlike other US regions, the Mid-Atlantic has become wetter as defined within an agricultural and meteorological context.
The Supergene Mn-minerals in Gangpur Group, Eastern India and their Genesis
Authors: Dash Nilima , Nayak Bibhuranjan , Mohapatra Birendra Kumar
Published: October 2020

Manganese mineralization in the Precambrian Gangpur Group of rocks in Sundargarh district of Odisha occur as pockets or small ore bodies associated with metapelites and metapsamites. Different varieties of hypogene metamorphic manganese minerals belonging to Mn-oxides, Mn-carbonates, Mn-silicates, Mn-titanates have been reported from this Group. Although the Mn-bearing rocks and the Mn-ores host several supergene Mn-minerals, no detailed and comprehensive study on these minerals has been carried out so far. The present paper describes the microstructural and microchemical characteristics of the supergene Mn-minerals viz., vernadite, manganite, cryptomelane, romanechite, Fe-Mn sepiolite, nsutite, pyrolusite, and lithiophorite with a view to establish their paragenetic sequence and genetic evolution. These minerals have formed due to solution-remobilization-precipitation, oxidation and/or hydration, diagenesis and as a product of direct alteration. It is inferred that only one variety of manganite is formed due to retrograde metamorphism. While vernadite, cryptomelane and romanechite precipitated from Mn-rich solutions at low temperatures, Fe-Mn sepiolite formed as a direct alteration product of tephroite. Manganite and nsutite formed both as solution-precipitates as well as oxidation products of other Mn-minerals. While further oxidation leads to the formation of pyrolusite at a later stage, lithiophorite is the last mineral to form during weathering and lateritization.
BMI, functional and cognitive status in a cohort of nonagenarians: results from the Mugello study
Authors: Dinu Monica , Colombini Barbara , Pagliai Giuditta , Vannetti Federica , Pasquini Guido , Molino Lova Raffaello , Cecchi Francesca , Sorbi Sandro , Sofi Francesco , Macchi Claudio ,   The Mugello Study Working Group, Boni Roberta , Castagnoli Chiara , Gori Annamaria , Paperini Anita , Razzolini Lorenzo , Turcan Nona , Valecchi Debora , Gensini Gianfranco , Abbate Rosanna
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The study of the relationship between body weight and health in old age has attracted increasing interest. The aim of the present study is to investigate the association of body mass index (BMI) with functional and cognitive status in a group of nonagenarians.

Methods

We analyzed 475 participants (348 women, 127 men; median age 92 years) from the Mugello study. Participants were evaluated through laboratory, instrumental examinations and questionnaires.

Results

By grouping the participants according to BMI categories, a better perception of health and nutritional status and a lower prevalence of sarcopenia (p < 0.05) were observed in participants with overweight and obesity compared to participants with normal weight or underweight. Concerning functional and cognitive measures, overweight and obese participants showed significantly worse performance on short physical performance battery and timed up and go tests and better performance on the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). As regards the other tests performed, no statistically significant differences were observed. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for possible confounding factors, participants with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 showed lower probability to achieve poor performance on the MMSE (OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.19–0.94; p = 0.035).

Conclusion

Our results support the hypothesis that in nonagenarians, a higher BMI is associated with better cognitive ability. Further studies are needed to explore the mechanisms underlying this association.
Multi-fluid modelling of bubbly channel flows with an adaptive multi-group population balance method
Authors: Papoulias D. , Vichansky A. , Tandon M.
Published: October 2020

Mass, momentum, and energy transfer in bubbly flows strongly depends on the bubble’s size distribution, which determines the contact area between the interacting phases. Characterization of bubble sizes in polydisperse flows requires empirical modelling of sub-grid physical mechanisms such as break-up and coalescence. In the present work an adaptive multiple size-group (A-MuSiG) method is incorporated into the Eulerian multiphase solver available in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ in order to model polydisperse bubbly flows in horizontal and vertical channels. The disperse phasespace is discretized into multiple size-groups each represented by its own size, number-density, and velocity field. The diameter of the bubbles in each of the size-groups varies in time and space, dynamically adapting to the local flow conditions. The interphase momentum transfer between the continuous phase and polydisperse bubbles is modelled through drag, virtual mass, turbulent dispersion, and lift forces. For modelling sub-grid bubble break-up and coalescence processes, different phenomenological kernels are evaluated. The empirical parameters of the adopted kernels are calibrated in two steps. The initial stage of the analysis considers experimental channel flows at low Reynolds number and zero-gravity conditions, under which the bubble size distribution is solely dependent on coalescence. As part of the second phase of the evaluation, additional parametric simulations in turbulent channel flows are performed in order to calibrate the break-up models, assuming the coalescence scaling constants derived in the previous step. The obtained results demonstrate that in flows with high turbulent mixing the ensuing bubble dynamics are strongly coupled to the internal properties of the population, which in turn influence the developing multiphase interactions in a transient manner.
A Branch-and-Price Algorithm for the Liner Shipping Network Design Problem
Authors: Thun Kristian , Andersson Henrik , Stålhane Magnus
Published: October 2020

Maritime transportation is the backbone of the global economy and one of its most important segments is liner shipping. To design a liner shipping network is notoriously difficult but also very important since an efficient network can be the difference between prosperity and bankruptcy. In this paper, we propose a branch-and-price algorithm for the liner shipping network design problem, which is the problem of designing a set of cyclic services and to deploy a specific class of vessels to each service so that all demand can flow through the network at minimal cost. The proposed model can create services with a complex structure and correctly calculate the transshipment cost. The formulation of the master problem strengthens a known formulation with valid inequalities. Because of multiple dependencies between ports that are not necessarily adjacent and no defining state at any of the ports, the subproblem is formulated and solved as a mixed integer linear program. Strategies to improve the solution time of the subproblem are proposed. The computational study shows that the algorithm provides significantly tighter lower bounds in the root node than existing methods on a set of small instances.
Raphael's Platonic Vision
Authors: BIGELOW JOHN , LECKEY MARTIN
Published: October 2020

The four frescoes by Raphael in the Stanza della Segnatura in the Vatican Museum visually embody close approximations of several numerical ratios that are of deep significance in the material grounding of musical harmonies in the physics of natural harmonics. Of special significance is the Pythagorean musical frequency ratio of 9:8, the (discordant) whole tone interval, which in Plato's Timaeus is called the epogdoôn (‘and an eighth’).