bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyphenated high-resolution mass spectrometry—the “all-in-one” device in analytical toxicology?
Authors: Maurer Hans H.
Published: November 2020

This trend article reviews papers with hyphenated high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) approaches applied in analytical toxicology, particularly in clinical and forensic toxicology published since 2016 and referenced in PubMed. The article focuses on the question of whether HRMS has or will become the all-in-one device in these fields as supposed by the increasing number of HRMS presentations at scientific meetings, corresponding original papers, and review articles. Typical examples for the different application fields are discussed such as targeted or untargeted drug screening, quantification, drug metabolism studies, and metabolomics approaches. Considering the reviewed papers, HRMS is currently the only technique that fulfills the criteria of an all-in-one device for the various applications needed in analytical toxicology.

Graphical abstract
Multiscale Shear Forcing of Turbulence in the Nocturnal Boundary Layer: A Statistical Analysis
Authors: Boyko Vyacheslav , Vercauteren Nikki
Published: November 2020

The lower nocturnal boundary layer is governed by intermittent turbulence which is thought to be triggered by sporadic activity of so-called sub-mesoscale motions in a complex way. We analyze intermittent turbulence based on an assumed relation between the vertical gradients of the sub-mean scales and turbulence kinetic energy. We analyze high-resolution nocturnal eddy-correlation data from 30-m tower collected during the Fluxes over Snow Surfaces II field program. The non-turbulent velocity signal is decomposed using a discrete wavelet transform into three ranges of scales interpreted as the mean, jet and sub-mesoscales. The vertical gradients of the sub-mean scales are estimated using finite differences. The turbulence kinetic energy is modelled as a discrete-time autoregressive process with exogenous variables, where the latter ones are the vertical gradients of the sub-mean scales. The parameters of the discrete model evolve in time depending on the locally-dominant turbulence-production scales. The three regimes with averaged model parameters are estimated using a subspace-clustering algorithm which illustrates a weak bimodal distribution in the energy phase space of turbulence and sub-mesoscale motions for the very stable boundary layer. One mode indicates turbulence modulated by sub-mesoscale motions. Furthermore, intermittent turbulence appears if the sub-mesoscale intensity exceeds$$10 \%$$10%of the mean kinetic energy in strong stratification.
Decline of coronary heart disease mortality is strongly effected by changing patterns of underlying causes of death: an analysis of mortality data from 27 countries of the WHO European region 2000 and 2013
Authors: Stolpe Susanne , Kowall Bernd , Stang Andreas
Published: November 2020

Mortality rates for coronary heart disease (CHD) experience a longstanding decline, attributed to progress in prevention, diagnostics and therapy. However, CHD mortality rates vary between countries. To estimate whether national patterns of causes of death impact CHD mortality, data from the WHO “European detailed mortality database” for 2000 and 2013 for populations aged ≥ 80 years was analyzed. We extracted mortality rates for total mortality, cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms, dementia and ill-defined causes. We calculated proportions of selected causes of death among all deaths, and proportions of selected cardiovascular causes among cardiovascular deaths. CHD mortality rates were recalculated after re-coding ill-defined causes of death. Association between CHD mortality rates and proportions of CHD deaths was estimated by population-weighted linear regression. National patterns of causes of death were divers. In 2000, CHD was assigned as cause of death in 13–53% of all cardiovascular deaths. Until 2013, this proportion changed between − 65% (Czech Republic) and + 57% (Georgia). Dementia was increasingly assigned as underlying cause of death in Western Europe, but rarely in eastern European countries. Ill-defined causes accounted for between < 1% and 53% of all cardiovascular deaths. CHD mortality rates were closely linked to a countries’ proportion of cardiovascular deaths assigned to CHD (R2 = 0.95 for 2000 and 0.99 for 2013). We show that CHD mortality is considerably influenced by national particularities in certifying death. Changes in CHD mortality rates reflect changes in certifying competing underlying causes of death. This must be accounted for when discussing reasons for the CHD mortality decline.
Green purchasing: the effect of parenthood and gender
Authors: Migheli Matteo
Published: November 2020

The extant literature has inquired the effect of several socio-economic individual characteristics on green purchasing, showing that education, social status and other individual characteristics may enhance virtuous behaviours, but has paid few attention to parenthood and to the presence of children. Theoretical models of microeconomic choices show that if the parents’ utility includes that of children, then their presence should affect parents’ green purchases. Indeed, parents should desire a sustainable world for their children to have access to enough resources. Using data from 61 countries, this paper inquires whether parenthood and the number of children affect people’s decisions about green consumption; in addition the presence of a gender effect (i.e. mothers being more prone to green choices than fathers) exists. The empirical evidence shows that having children decreases the probability of buying green products; an increasing number of children have the same effect. However, parenthood and number of children have opposite effects on fathers and on mothers. Policymakers and marketing divisions of firms may benefit from this empirical evidence. In addition, analyses are performed on homogeneous clusters of countries to account for possible differences due to different environmental engagement or level of economic development. The results show that, while the gender effect is persistent, that of parenting and the number of children is not statistically significant in affluent countries. This last result suggests that budget constraints are a major factor affecting green purchases.
Ultrasmall gold and silver/gold nanoparticles (2 nm) as autofluorescent labels for poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (140 nm)
Authors: Wey Karolin , Epple Matthias
Published: November 2020

Ultrasmall metallic nanoparticles show an efficient autofluorescence after excitation in the UV region, combined with a low degree of fluorescent bleaching. Thus, they can be used as fluorescent labels for polymer nanoparticles which are frequently used for drug delivery. A versatile water-in-oil-in-water emulsion-evaporation method was developed to load poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles with autofluorescent ultrasmall gold and silver/gold nanoparticles (diameter 2 nm). The metallic nanoparticles were prepared by reduction of tetrachloroauric acid with sodium borohydride and colloidally stabilised with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid. They were characterised by UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, showing a large Stokes shift of about 370 nm with excitation maxima at 250/270 nm and emission maxima at 620/640 nm for gold and silver/gold nanoparticles, respectively. The labelled PLGA nanoparticles (140 nm) were characterised by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Their uptake by HeLa cells was followed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The metallic nanoparticles remained inside the PLGA particle after cellular uptake, demonstrating the efficient encapsulation and the applicability to label the polymer nanoparticle. In terms of fluorescence, the metallic nanoparticles were comparable to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC).
Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity and compressive strength of a dental cement modified using plant extract mixture
Authors: Singer Lamia , Bierbaum Gabriele , Kehl Katja , Bourauel Christoph
Published: November 2020

Literature lacks sufficient data regarding addition of natural antibacterial agents to glass ionomer cement (GICs). Hence, the aim of the study was to increase the antimicrobial properties of GICs through its modification with mixture of plant extracts to be evaluated along with an 0.5% chlorohexidine-modified GIC (CHX-GIC) with regard to biological and compressive strength properties. Conventional GIC (freeze-dried version) and CHX were used. Alcoholic extract of Salvadora persica, Olea europaea, and Ficus carcia leaves were prepared using a Soxhlet extractor for 12 h. The plant extract mixture (PE) was added in three different proportions to the water used for preparation of the dental cement (Group 1:1 PE, 2:1 PE, and 1:2 PE). Specimens were then prepared and tested against the unmodified GIC (control) and the 0.5% CHX-GIC. Chemical analysis of the extract mixture was performed using Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using agar diffusion assay against Micrococcus luteus and Streptoccocus mutans. Compressive strength was evaluated according to ISO 9917-1:2007 using a Zwick testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Antimicrobial activity against Streptoccocus mutans was significantly increased for all the extract-modified materials compared to the unmodified cement, and the highest concentration was comparable to the CHX-GIC mixture. The activity against Micrococcus luteus was also significantly increased, but only for the material with the highest extract concentration, and here the CHX-GIC group showed statistically the highest antimicrobial activity. Compressive strength results revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the different mixtures and the control except for the highest tested concentration that showed the highest mean values. The plant extracts (PEs) enhanced the antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and also against M. luteus in the higher concentration while compressive strength was improved by addition of the PE at higher concentrations.
Using the Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory to Strengthen Collaborations for Improving Maternal and Child Health
Authors: Wells Rebecca , Yates Lindsey , Morgan Isabel , deRosset Leslie , Cilenti Dorothy
Published: November 2020

Introduction

The Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory is a free, publicly available questionnaire about the quality and context of community collaboration. The purpose of this article is to share lessons from using this questionnaire in a North Carolina maternal and child health initiative.

Methods

In 2015, the State’s General Assembly funded five local health departments to implement evidence-based strategies for improving maternal and child health. Each health department formed a community action team for this purpose. Members of each community action team completed the Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory (Inventory) in the first year of funding and again 1 and 2 years later. Technical assistance coaches also asked community action team conveners to complete a brief questionnaire annually, and used these as well as Inventory results to plan for improvements.

Results

During the first year, community action teams emerged as strong in seeing collaboration in their self-interest. A primary challenge noted by conveners was engaging consumers on the community action teams. Strategies to address this included using social media and compensating consumers for attending meetings. By the second year, teams’ average scores in engaging multiple layers of participation increased, and eight additional factors became strengths, which generally continued in year three. The most consistent challenge was supporting community action teams administratively.

Discussion

The Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory provided a feasible tool for identifying opportunities for improvement in several local, cross-sector partnerships, suggesting promise for other communities seeking to enhance their collective impact on maternal and child health.
RIP1/RIP3/MLKL-mediated necroptosis contributes to vinblastine-induced myocardial damage
Authors: Zhou Huiling , Liu Lijun , Ma Xiaolong , Wang Jian , Yang Jinfu , Zhou Xinmin , Yang Yifeng , Liu Haidan
Published: November 2020

Vinblastine (VBL) has been considered as a first-line anti-tumor drug for many years. However, vinblastine-caused myocardial damage has been continually reported. The underlying molecular mechanism of the myocardial damage remains unknown. Here, we show that vinblastine induces myocardial damage and necroptosis is involved in the vinblastine-induced myocardial damage both in vitro and in vivo. The results of WST-8 and flow cytometry analysis show that vinblastine causes damage to H9c2 cells, and the results of animal experiments show that vinblastine causes myocardial cell damage. The necrosome components, receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) receptor-interacting protein 3 (RIP3), are significantly increased in vinblastine-treated H9c2 cells, primary neonatal rat ventricular myocytes and rat heart tissues. And the downstream substrate of RIP3, mixed lineage kinase domain like protein (MLKL) was also increased. Pre-treatment with necroptosis inhibitors partially inhibits the necrosome components and MLKL levels and alleviates vinblastine-induced myocardial injury both in vitro and in vivo. This study indicates that necroptosis participated in vinblastine-evoked myocardial cell death partially, which would be a potential target for relieving the chemotherapy-related myocardial damage.
Process design for 5-axis ball end milling using a real-time capable dynamic material removal simulation
Authors: Denkena B. , Pape O. , Krödel A. , Böß V. , Ellersiek L. , Mücke A.
Published: November 2020

For repairing turbine blades or die and mold forms, additive manufacturing processes are commonly used to build-up new material to damaged sections. Afterwards, a subsequent re-contouring process such as 5-axis ball end milling is required to remove the excess material restoring the often complex original geometries. The process design of the re-contouring operation has to be done virtually, because the individuality of the repair cases prevents actual running-in processes. Hard-to-cut materials e.g. titanium or nickel alloys, parts prone to vibration and long tool holders complicate the repair even further. Thus, a fast and flexible material removal simulation is needed. The simulation has to predict suitable processes focusing shape deviations under consideration of process stability for arbitrary complex engagement conditions. In this paper, a dynamic multi-dexel based material removal simulation is presented, which is able to predict high-resolution surface topography and stable parameters for arbitrary processes such as 5-axis ball end milling. In contrast to other works, the simulation is able to simulate an unstable process using discrete cutting edges in real-time.
Gaze Control in Law Enforcement: Comparing a Tactical Police Unit to Patrol Officers
Authors: Heusler Benedikt , Sutter Christine
Published: November 2020

Police officers strongly rely on their ability to visually perceive threats accurately and quickly on a daily basis. Previous studies have shown that training and practical experience improve performance in life-threatening encounters. The present study compared the gaze patterns of highly trained police officers of a tactical unit (TU) to matched patrol officers (MP) and unmatched patrol officers (UP) in realistic video scenarios using a mobile eye tracker and a USB arcade gun. As hypothesized, the TU fixated the tactically crucial hands and hip region of a suspect significantly longer than the MP and UP. Vice versa, the MP and UP fixated the suspect’s face significantly longer than the TU. The results indicate that tactical training enhances efficient gaze control to a greater extent than practical routine. Therefore, the authors recommend regular training and education on this topic for law enforcement personnel to minimize the risk of death or severe injuries in high-stress situations.
Sleep and Memory in Children
Authors: Hoedlmoser Kerstin
Published: November 2020

Purpose of Review

This short review article aims at emphasizing interesting and important new insights about investigating sleep and memory in children aged between 6 and 13 years (middle childhood).

Recent Findings

That sleep in comparison to wakefulness benefits the consolidation of memories is well established—especially for the adult population. However, the underlying theoretical frameworks trying to explain the benefits of sleep for memory still strive for more substantiate findings including biological and physiological correlates.

Based on the most recent literature about sleep-related memory consolidation and its physiological markers during middle childhood, this article provides a review and highlights recent updates in this field.
Developing an inclusive Safe Dates program for sexual and gender minority adolescents: A pilot study
Authors: Wesche Rose , Galletly Carol L. , Shorey Ryan C.
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Despite the prevalence and negative consequences of dating violence among sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents, few prevention programs address dating violence for these groups. We describe the adaptation of the evidence‐based Safe Dates dating violence prevention program to be inclusive of SGM adolescents and the outcome of a pilot trial of the expanded curriculum implemented in mixed settings serving both SGM and cisgender, heterosexual youth.

Methods

Following a published framework of curriculum adaptation, we gathered information on SGM adolescents’ needs and adapted Safe Dates materials to address SGM‐specific risk factors for, and manifestations of, dating violence. We piloted the adapted program in 11 US schools and organizations serving SGM and cisgender, heterosexual youth (N = 156). The average age of participants was 15.11 years (SD = 2.76) at baseline. Participants were diverse with respect to race/ethnicity (26% Black/African American, 24% Hispanic/Latino, 21% White, 7% American Indian/Native Alaskan, 5% Asian/Pacific Islander), gender (56% female), and SGM status (35% SGM). Multi‐level models measured change in scores on a written measure of dating violence knowledge from pre‐test to post‐test.

Results

Dating violence knowledge increased significantly. Improvements did not differ by gender (female‐identified versus not female‐identified) or SGM status.

Conclusions

Results support initial feasibility and efficacy of dating violence prevention programs that include both SGM and cisgender, heterosexual adolescents. The program normalizes diverse SGM identities and encourages participation of youth who are questioning or choosing not to disclose their gender or sexual identities. Larger‐scale research should examine effects on dating violence experiences.
Popular Conservatism and the Culture of National Government in Inter-War Britain
Authors: Thomas Geraint
Published: November 2020

This radical new reading of British Conservatives' fortunes between the wars explores how the party adapted to the challenges of mass democracy after 1918. Geraint Thomas offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between local and national Conservatives' political strategies for electoral survival, which ensured that Conservative activists, despite their suspicion of coalitions, emerged as champions of the cross-party National Government from 1931 to 1940. By analysing the role of local campaigning in the age of mass broadcasting, Thomas re-casts inter-war Conservatism. Popular Conservatism thus emerges less as the didactic product of Stanley Baldwin's consensual public image, and more concerned with the everyday material interests of the electorate. Exploring the contributions of key Conservative figures in the National Government, including Neville Chamberlain, Walter Elliot, Oliver Stanley, and Kingsley Wood, this study reveals how their pursuit of the 'politics of recovery' enabled the Conservatives to foster a culture of programmatic, activist government that would become prevalent in Britain after the Second World War.
‘Treatable and Changeable’: The Effect of Treatment and Malleability Information on Stigma Towards Children with Behavioural Problems and Their Parents
Authors: Li Sarah , Tully Lucy , Dadds Mark R.
Published: December 2020

Improving knowledge about childhood mental health issues, reducing stigma, and encouraging appropriate treatment-seeking are important goals for public health. This study examined the effect of treatment and malleability information on stigmatisation towards children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and their parents, and on endorsements of causal beliefs. In an experimental study, university students (N = 234) were randomly allocated to receive/not receive treatment information (information on the existence and effectiveness of treatment for ODD) and to receive/not receive malleability information (information emphasising brain malleability and the potential to change). Participants then rated four measures of stigma towards a fictitious child with ODD and mother (blame, incompetence, dangerousness, and social distance), and rated their endorsements of causal explanations for ODD. Neither treatment nor malleability information had significant effects on stigmatisation towards either the child or mother. However, this information did impact upon causal beliefs about ODD as stemming from biological or mixed biological/environmental causes. Implications for the future development of public health initiatives and stigma research on childhood mental health are discussed.
Brian Walker, 'Finding Resilience: Change and Uncertainty in Nature and Society', Melbourne: CSIRO Publishing, 2019, 157 pp., ISBN 9 7814 8631 0777, A$43.75.
Authors: Osborne Natalie
Published: December 2020

Brian Walker, Finding Resilience: Change and Uncertainty in Nature and Society, Melbourne: CSIRO Publishing, 2019, 157 pp., ISBN 9 7814 8631 0777, A$43.75.
Conditions of Loss Cone Filling by Scattering on the Curved Field Lines for 30 keV Protons During Geomagnetic Storm as Inferred From Numerical Trajectory Tracing
Authors: Dubyagin S. , Apatenkov S. , Gordeev E. , Ganushkina N. , Zheng Y.
Published: December 2020

The rate of pitch angle scattering on the curved magnetic field lines is well parameterized by the ratio of the minimum field line curvature radius to the maximum effective particle gyroradius (K = RC/rg). The critical value of this ratio (Kcr) corresponding to the loss cone filling is of special interest since it corresponds to the low altitude isotropic boundaries (IBs). The early theoretical estimates gave Kcr = 8, whereas recent estimations of the K parameter on the field lines corresponding to the observed IBs during the geomagnetic storms revealed KIB values in the range of 3–30. We numerically trace the trajectories of the 30 keV protons in the magnetic field of the global magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the intense storm in order to infer statistical distribution of Kcr. The electric field and effects of nonstationarity are neglected in this study. It is found that although the Kcr values do show some variations during the course of the storm, its range is rather narrow 4 < Kcr < 8. The result suggests that higher KIB values found in the observational studies, if not caused by the magnetosphere‐ionosphere mapping error, should be attributed to some other mechanism of pitch angle scattering. The Kcr values tend to be lower (4–6) during the main phase because the region of low K values approaches the Earth and the equatorial loss cone size becomes larger due to a larger equatorial magnetic field in the near‐earth region. The remaining variation of Kcr is explained by the presence of the guide component of the magnetic field.
LncRNA LINC00998 inhibits the malignant glioma phenotype via the CBX3-mediated c-Met/Akt/mTOR axis
Authors: Cai Haiping , Yu Yanjiao , Ni Xiangrong , Li Cong , Hu Yuanjun , Wang Jing , Chen Furong , Xi Shaoyan , Chen Zhongping
Published: December 2020

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), once considered to be nonfunctional relics of evolution, are emerging as essential genes in tumor progression. However, the function and underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs in glioma remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of LINC00998 in glioma progression. Through screening using TCGA database, we found that LINC00998 was downregulated in glioblastoma tissues and that low expression of LINC00998 was associated with poor prognosis. Overexpression of LINC00998 inhibited glioma cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo and blocked the G1/S cell cycle transition, which exerted a tumor-suppressive effect on glioma progression. Mechanistically, RNA pull-down and mass spectrometry results showed an interaction between LINC00998 and CBX3. IP assays demonstrated that LINC00998 could stabilize CBX3 and prevent its ubiquitination degradation. GSEA indicated that LINC00998 could regulate the c-Met/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which was further confirmed by a rescue assay using siRNA-mediated knockdown of CBX3 and the Akt inhibitor MK2206. In addition, dual-luciferase assays showed that miR-34c-5p could directly bind to LINC00998 and downregulate its expression. Our results identified LINC00998 as a novel tumor suppressor in glioma, and LINC00998 could be a novel prognostic biomarker, providing a strategy for precision therapy in glioma patients.
High-resolution population-specific recombination rates and their effect on phasing and genotype imputation
Authors: Hassan Shabbeer , Surakka Ida , Taskinen Marja-Riitta , Salomaa Veikko , Palotie Aarno , Wessman Maija , Tukiainen Taru , Pirinen Matti , Palta Priit , Ripatti Samuli
Published: November 2020

Previous research has shown that using population-specific reference panels has a significant effect on downstream population genomic analyses like haplotype phasing, genotype imputation, and association, especially in the context of population isolates. Here, we developed a high-resolution recombination rate mapping at 10 and 50 kb scale using high-coverage (20–30×) whole-genome sequenced data of 55 family trios from Finland and compared it to recombination rates of non-Finnish Europeans (NFE). We tested the downstream effects of the population-specific recombination rates in statistical phasing and genotype imputation in Finns as compared to the same analyses performed by using the NFE-based recombination rates. We found that Finnish recombination rates have a moderately high correlation (Spearman’s ρ = 0.67–0.79) with NFE, although on average (across all autosomal chromosomes), Finnish rates (2.268 ± 0.4209 cM/Mb) are 12–14% lower than NFE (2.641 ± 0.5032 cM/Mb). Finnish recombination map was found to have no significant effect in haplotype phasing accuracy (switch error rates ~2%) and average imputation concordance rates (97–98% for common, 92–96% for low frequency and 78–90% for rare variants). Our results suggest that haplotype phasing and genotype imputation mostly depend on population-specific contexts like appropriate reference panels and their sample size, but not on population-specific recombination maps. Even though recombination rate estimates had some differences between the Finnish and NFE populations, haplotyping and imputation had not been noticeably affected by the recombination map used. Therefore, the currently available HapMap recombination maps seem robust for population-specific phasing and imputation pipelines, even in the context of relatively isolated populations like Finland.
Reflections on dynamic consent in biomedical research: the story so far
Authors: Teare Harriet J. A. , Prictor Megan , Kaye Jane
Published: November 2020

Dynamic consent (DC) was originally developed in response to challenges to the informed consent process presented by participants agreeing to ‘future research’ in biobanking. In the past 12 years, it has been trialled in a number of different projects, and examined as a new approach for consent and to support patient engagement over time. There have been significant societal shifts during this time, namely in our reliance on digital tools and the use of social media, as well as a greater appreciation of the integral role of patients in biomedical research. This paper reflects on the development of DC to understand its importance in an age where digital health is becoming the norm and patients require greater oversight and control of how their data may be used in a range of settings. As well as looking back, it looks forwards to consider how DC could be further utilised to enhance the patient experience and address some of the inequalities caused by the digital divide in society.
A self-healing and recyclable polyurethane-urea Diels–Alder adduct synthesized from carbon dioxide and furfuryl amine
Authors: Wu Peixuan , Cheng Haiyang , Wang Xinchao , Shi Ruhui , Zhang Chao , Arai Masahiko , Zhao Fengyu
Published: November 2020

A green route to synthesize a self-healing polyurethane-urea Diels–Alder adduct (PUUa-DA) using CO2 and furfuryl amine as renewable feedstocks is reported.
Improving the efficiency of exciplex based OLEDs by controlling the different configurations of the donor
Authors: Zhang Ning , Zheng Caijun , Chen Zhipeng , Zhao Juewen , Zhang Ming , Yang Haoyu , He Zeyu , Du Xiaoyang , Tao Silu
Published: November 2020

Two new D–A–D-type donor materials with different molecular conformations, 10,10′-(pyridine-2,4-diyl)bis(9,9-dimethyl-9,10-dihydroacridine) and 10,10′-(pyrimidine-2,4-diyl)bis(9,9-dimethyl-9,10-dihydroacridine), were synthesized and applied in exciplex-based OLEDs.
A review of system integration and current integrity monitoring methods for positioning in intelligent transport systems
Authors: Hassan Tarek , El‐Mowafy Ahmed , Wang Kan
Published: November 2020

Applications of intelligent transportation systems are continuously increasing. Since positioning is a key component in these systems, it is essential to ensure its reliability and robustness, and monitor its integrity so that the required levels of positioning accuracy, integrity, continuity and availability can be maintained. In challenging environments, such as urban areas, a single navigation system is often difficult to fulfil the positioning requirements. Therefore, integrating different navigation sensors becomes intrinsic, which may include the global navigation satellite systems, the inertial navigation systems, the odometers and the light detection and ranging sensors. To bind the positioning errors within a pre‐defined integrity risk, the integrity monitoring is an essential step in the positioning service, which needs to be fulfilled for integrated vehicular navigation systems used in intelligent transportation systems. Developing such innovative integrity monitoring techniques requires knowledge of many relevant aspects including the structure, positioning methodology and different errors affecting the positioning solution of the individual and integrated systems. Moreover, knowledge is needed for the current mitigation techniques of these errors, for possible fault detection and exclusion algorithms and for computation of protection levels. This paper provides an overview and discussion of these aspects with a focus on intelligent transportation systems.
Effects of observer peculiar motion on the isotropic background frequency spectrum: From the monopole to higher multipoles
Authors: Trombetti T. , Burigana C. , Chierici F.
Published: November 2020

Context.The observer peculiar motion produces boosting effects in the anisotropy pattern of the considered background with frequency spectral behaviours related to its frequency spectrum.

Aims.We study how the frequency spectrum of the background isotropic monopole emission is modified and transferred to the frequency spectra at higher multipoles,ℓ. We performed the analysis in terms of spherical harmonic expansion up to a certain value ofℓmax, for various models of background radiation, spanning the range between the radio and the far-infrared.

Methods.We derived a system of linear equations to obtain the spherical harmonic coefficients and provide the explicit solutions up toℓmax = 6. These are written as linear combinations of the signals atN = ℓmax + 1 colatitudes. We take advantage of the symmetry property of the associated Legendre polynomials with respect toπ/2, which allows for the separation of the system into two subsystems: (1) forℓ = 0 and even multipoles and (2) for odd multipoles. This improves the accuracy of the solutions with respect to an arbitrary choice of the adopted colatitudes.

Results.We applied the method to different types of monopole spectra represented in terms of analytical or semi-analytical functions, that is, four types of distortions of the photon distribution function of the cosmic microwave background and four types of extragalactic background signals superimposed onto the cosmic microwave background’s Planckian spectrum, along with several different combinations of these types. We present our results in terms of the spherical harmonic coefficients and of the relationships between the observed and the intrinsic monopole spectra, as well as in terms of the corresponding all-sky maps and angular power spectra. For certain representative cases, we compare the results of the proposed method with those obtained using more computationally demanding numerical integrations or map generation and inversion. The method is generalized to the case of an average map composed by accumulating data taken with sets of different observer velocities, as is necessary when including the effect of the observer motion relative to the Solar System barycentre.

Conclusions.The simplicity and efficiency of the proposed method can significantly alleviate the computational effort required for accurate theoretical predictions and for the analysis of data derived by future projects across a variety of cases of interest. Finally, we discuss the superposition of the cosmic microwave background intrinsic anisotropies and of the effects induced by the observer peculiar motion, exploring the possibility of constraining the intrinsic dipole embedded in the kinematic dipole in the presence of background spectral distortions.
ALMA observations of the early stages of substellar formation in the Lupus 1 and 3 molecular clouds
Authors: Santamaría-Miranda A. , de Gregorio-Monsalvo I. , Plunkett A. L. , Huélamo N. , López C. , Ribas Á. , Schreiber M. R. , Mužić K. , Palau A. , Knee L. B. G. , Bayo A. , Comerón F. , Hales A.
Published: November 2020

Context. The dominant mechanism leading to the formation of brown dwarfs (BDs) remains uncertain. While the census of Class II analogs in the substellar domain continues to grow, the most direct keys to formation, which are obtained from younger objects (pre-BD cores and proto-BDs), are limited by the very low number statistics available.

Aims. We aim to identify and characterize a set of pre- and proto-BDs as well as Class II BDs in the Lupus 1 and 3 molecular clouds to test their formation mechanism.

Methods. We performed ALMA band 6 (1.3 mm) continuum observations of a selection of 64 cores previously identified from AzTEC/ASTE data (1.1 mm), along with previously known Class II BDs in the Lupus 1 and 3 molecular clouds. Surveyed archival data in the optical and infrared were used to complement these observations. We expect these ALMA observations prove efficient in detecting the youngest sources in these regions, since they probe the frequency domain at which these sources emit most of their radiation.

Results. We detected 19 sources from 15 ALMA fields. Considering all the pointings in our observing setup, the ALMA detection rate was ∼23% and the derived masses of the detected sources were between ∼0.18 and 124 MJup. We classified these sources according to their spectral energy distribution as 5 Class II sources, 2 new Class I/0 candidates, and 12 new possible pre-BD or deeply embedded protostellar candidates. We detected a promising candidate for a Class 0/I proto-BD source (ALMA J154229.778−334241.86) and inferred the disk dust mass of a bona fide Class II BD. The pre-BD cores might be the byproduct of an ongoing process of large-scale collapse. The Class II BD disks follow the correlation between disk mass and the mass of the central object that is observed at the low-mass stellar regime.

Conclusions. We conclude that it is highly probable that the sources in the sample are formed as a scaled-down version of low-mass star formation, although disk fragmentation may be responsible for a considerable fraction of BDs.
Integrated method for production of hydrophobin-type protein and milk-clotting enzyme using Coprinus lagopides mushroom
Authors: Kolesnikov Boris , Vorobeychikov Eugene , Shamtsyan Mark
Published: December 2020

Submerged culture of the mushroomCoprinus lagopideswas studied as a source of surfactant proteins and milk-clotting enzyme. Low molecular fungal proteins called hydrophobins exhibit unusual surfactant properties. They are able to self-assemble at the interface and to change the surface properties. Emulsions formed by these low-molecular proteins are very stable and can be used as stabilizers for edible foams and emulsions. By their taste and mouth feel air emulsions of hydrophobins resemble fats and can be used to substitute up to 50 % of them in large variety of foods. Despite the fact that hydrophobins have great application potential, however, the possibility of their use is currently very limited due to their insufficient output. Screening for new efficient producers of hydrophobins and development of new integrated methods of their production along with other valuable materials can help to overcome this problem. n this paper, we propose a novel producer of highly active surfactant proteins and a novel integrated method of obtaining as a result of a single fermentation surfactant proteins and milk-clotting enzyme.
Inferring depth-dependent plasma motions from surface observations using the DeepVel neural network
Authors: Tremblay Benoit , Cossette Jean-François , Kazachenko Maria D. , Charbonneau Paul , Vincent Alain
Published: November 2020

Coverage of plasma motions is limited to the line-of-sight component at the Sun’s surface. Multiple tracking and inversion methods were developed to infer the transverse motions from observational data. Recently, the DeepVel neural network was trained with computations performed by numerical simulations of the solar photosphere to recover the missing transverse component at the surface and at two additional optical depths simultaneously from the surface white light intensity in the Quiet Sun. We argue that deep learning could provide additional spatial coverage to existing observations in the form of depth-dependent synthetic observations, i.e. estimates generated through the emulation of numerical simulations. We trained different versions of DeepVel using slices from numerical simulations of both the Quiet Sun and Active Region at various optical and geometrical depths in the solar atmosphere, photosphere and upper convection zone to establish the upper and lower limits at which the neural network can generate reliable synthetic observations of plasma motions from surface intensitygrams. Flow fields inferred in the photosphere and low chromosphere τ ∈ [0.1, 1) are comparable to inversions performed at the surface (τ ≈ 1) and are deemed to be suitable for use as synthetic estimates in data assimilation processes and data-driven simulations. This upper limit extends closer to the transition region (τ ≈ 0.01) in the Quiet Sun, but not for Active Regions. Subsurface flows inferred from surface intensitygrams fail to capture the small-scale features of turbulent convective motions as depth crosses a few hundred kilometers. We suggest that these reconstructions could be used as first estimates of a model’s velocity vector in data assimilation processes to nowcast and forecast short term solar activity and space weather.
Der Funktionsregler nach Fränkel
Authors: Köbel Chris
Published: December 2020

Dieser Artikel gibt einen kleinen Überblick über den von Rolf
Fränkel entwickelten Funktionsregler. Das von ihm beschriebene
Behandlungskonzept der orofazialen Orthopädie ist auch heute noch
fester Bestandteil im Repertoire vieler Kieferorthopäden
weltweit.

Von den ursprünglichen 4 Grundtypen finden noch die Typen FR-1 und
FR-2 Anwendung bei der Therapie einer Unterkieferrücklage. Der Typ
FR-3 kommt als Frühbehandlungsgerät bei einem
Missverhältnis im Wachstum beider Kiefer, d. h. bei einer
Unterentwicklung des Oberkiefers und/oder Überentwicklung
des Unterkiefers zum Einsatz.

In diesem Artikel wird der aktuelle Stand der Weiterentwicklungen der
verschiedenen Typen des Funktionsreglers erläutert und die
zwischenzeitlich stattgefundenen Modifikationen dargestellt. Es wird das
klinische Management aufgezeigt. Vorbereitende Maßnahmen, wie
z. B. die Abformung der Kiefer und des Vestibulums oder die
Anfertigung des Konstruktionsbiss werden erläutert und es wird
hierbei auf mögliche Fehlerquellen hingewiesen.

Da insbesondere der Erfolg der Therapie auch von der labortechnischen
Herstellung abhängt, widmet sich dieser Artikel ebenfalls der
Umsetzung der Vorgaben von Rolf Fränkel bei der Fabrikation der
Funktionsregler Typen FR-2 und FR-3.
„Wir sind jetzt auch auf dem Weg dahin“ – Qualitative Untersuchung zu den Perspektiven älterer gesunder Erwachsener über Voraussetzungen, Schwierigkeiten und Nutzen von Gesprächen über das Lebensende
Authors: Nagelschmidt Katharina , Leppin Nico , Seifart Carola , Rief Winfried , von Blanckenburg Pia
Published: November 2020

Hintergrund und Ziel Frühzeitige Gespräche über das Lebensende können zu einer personenzentrierten Versorgung am Lebensende beitragen. Allerdings finden derartige Gespräche oft nicht oder zu spät statt. Im Rahmen einer qualitativen Pilotforschung soll ein Einblick in die Voraussetzungen für eine Gesprächsinitiierung, Schwierigkeiten und Nutzen aus Sicht gesunder Erwachsener ermöglicht werden. Die Ergebnisse können in der psychosomatischen Grundversorgung Berücksichtigung finden, sodass die Kommunikation über das Lebensende bei erkrankten, sowie gesunden älteren Personen frühzeitig initiiert und gefördert werden kann.

Methoden Die Interviews entstammen einer experimentellen Untersuchung zum Umgang mit Gesprächen über das Lebensende bei gesunden Probanden des höheren Erwachsenenalters, die über Aushänge rekrutiert wurden. Sechs Transkripte von 2 männlichen und 4 weiblichen Teilnehmerinnen (65–78 Jahre) wurden mithilfe der Thematischen Analyse nach Braun & Clarke ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse Voraussetzungen für eine Gesprächsinitiierung ließen sich in Überzeugungen und Einstellungen, intrinsische Motivation, Erfahrung, familiäre Kommunikation und praktische Umsetzung einteilen. Schwierigkeiten zeigten sich in den Bereichen kognitive Barrieren, praktische Umsetzung, emotionale Barrieren, Beziehungsebene, und Umgebungsbedingungen. Die Befragten sahen den Nutzen auf der Beziehungsebene, in den Bereichen Organisatorisches und Wertvorstellungen, sowie den kognitiven und emotionalen Nutzen.

Diskussion Die Ergebnisse knüpfen an die bisherige Forschung insofern an, dass es aus Sicht älterer Gesunder einen zu späten Zeitpunkt für familiäre Gespräche über das Lebensende gibt. Es wird deutlich, dass bestimmte Barrieren frühzeitige Kommunikation verhindern können. Die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse liefern Anstöße für weitere Forschung und können zur Entwicklung von Interventionen zur Erhöhung der Bereitschaft, rechtzeitig das Thema Lebensendeplanung anzusprechen, verwendet werden.

Schlussfolgerung Frühzeitige Gespräche über das Lebensende sollten im Sinne der präventiven Gesundheitsvorsorge niedrigschwellig angeboten werden. Behandelnde in der psychosomatischen Grundversorgung können Gesprächsbedarf erkennen, Informationen vermitteln, Barrieren abbauen und strukturierte Gesprächsbegleitung anbieten.
Photochemical internalization and gemcitabine combined with first-line chemotherapy in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: observations in three patients
Authors: Dechêne Alexander , Kasper Stefan , Olivecrona Hans , Schirra Joerg , Trojan Joerg
Published: November 2020

Photochemical internalization (PCI) is a technology to induce a localized, intracellular enhancement of therapeutics that are processed through endosomal pathways, including gemcitabine in malignant cells. In addition to a direct phototoxic and tumoricidal effect, PCI specifically disrupts endosomal membranes and, thereby, the compartmentalization of certain cytotoxic compounds to enhance a drug’s intended intracellular target reach within the tissue treated.

Non-resectable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA) is a common primary tumor and gemcitabine/cisplatin chemotherapy is widely considered standard of care for it. PCI is well suited as an endoscopic intervention, and clinical observations in three subjects participating in a phase I/IIa dose escalation safety trial are described. The trial included patients with perihilar, non-resectable CCA suitable for standard-of-care chemotherapy. Per protocol, a single endoscopic PCI procedure with gemcitabine was conducted at the initiation of standard gemcitabine/cisplatin therapy. Sixteen patients enrolled in the initial dose escalation phase of the trial, which later was extended to explore the safety of a second PCI procedure during chemotherapy.

While limited to a case series, the various clinical observations described here serve to illustrate the effects of localized, perihilar tumor targeting in appropriate patients by any safe methodology, including PCI. As previously indicated by clinical data using other localized treatment modalities, adding a directed, tumor-targeting treatment to systemic therapy to ameliorate the progressively expanding extrahepatic tumor burden can have important effects on the overall outcome of systemic treatment in many patients who have incurable eCCA.
Long-term follow-up after fetal radiation exposure during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Authors: Laudanno Oscar , Garrido Jose , Ahumarán Gabrial , Gollo Pablo , Khoury Marina
Published: November 2020

Background and study aims The main concern about endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) during pregnancy is the risk of radiation exposure to the fetus. The potential exists not only in the short-term, but also in the long-term and includes growth and development problems and the possibility of childhood cancer. Little is known about the long-term effects of fetal radiation exposure at the time of ERCP. The aim of the study was to report the long-term outcome of babies born after radiation exposure to mothers who underwent ERCP during pregnancy.

Patients and methods This was a single-center retrospective cohort study. We included 24 consecutive pregnant patients who underwent ERCP due to choledocholithiasis and their children, between June 1997 and June 2015. All patients and their babies were followed up until birth to assess their short-term outcome. To assess long-term outcomes, from September 2014 to September 2015, a comprehensive medical interview was conducted with the mothers and their children. We also evaluated medical records, lab tests, school report cards, and the families completed a questionnaire inquiring about perceived health status of the children.

Results Fifteen patients had full-term pregnancies. One patient had a preterm delivery (32 weeks) due to preeclampsia. There were no cases of miscarriage, stillbirth or fetal malformations. Long-term follow-up was performed at a mean age of 11.08 years (range 1–18) for the children, with no developmental delays, poor school performance, or malignancies found.

Conclusions Long-term outcome in children born after radiation exposure during ERCP was unremarkable.