bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crowding-induced opening of the mechanosensitive Piezo1 channel in silico
Authors: Jiang Wenjuan , Del Rosario John Smith , Botello-Smith Wesley , Zhao Siyuan , Lin Yi-chun , Zhang Han , Lacroix Jérôme , Rohacs Tibor , Luo Yun Lyna
Published: January 2021

Mechanosensitive Piezo1 channels are essential mechanotransduction proteins in eukaryotes. Their curved transmembrane domains, called arms, create a convex membrane deformation, or footprint, which is predicted to flatten in response to increased membrane tension. Here, using a hyperbolic tangent model, we show that, due to the intrinsic bending rigidity of the membrane, the overlap of neighboring Piezo1 footprints produces a flattening of the Piezo1 footprints and arms. Multiple all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of Piezo1 further reveal that this tension-independent flattening is accompanied by gating motions that open an activation gate in the pore. This open state recapitulates experimentally obtained ionic selectivity, unitary conductance, and mutant phenotypes. Tracking ion permeation along the open pore reveals the presence of intracellular and extracellular fenestrations acting as cation-selective sites. Simulations also reveal multiple potential binding sites for phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. We propose that the overlap of Piezo channel footprints may act as a cooperative mechanism to regulate channel activity.
MIND bomb 2 prevents RIPK1 kinase activity-dependent and -independent apoptosis through ubiquitylation of cFLIPL
Authors: Nakabayashi Osamu , Takahashi Hirotaka , Moriwaki Kenta , Komazawa-Sakon Sachiko , Ohtake Fumiaki , Murai Shin , Tsuchiya Yuichi , Koyahara Yuki , Saeki Yasushi , Yoshida Yukiko , Yamazaki Soh , Tokunaga Fuminori , Sawasaki Tatsuya , Nakano Hiroyasu
Published: January 2021

Mind bomb 2 (MIB2) is an E3 ligase involved in Notch signalling and attenuates TNF-induced apoptosis through ubiquitylation of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) and cylindromatosis. Here we show that MIB2 bound and conjugated K48– and K63–linked polyubiquitin chains to a long-form of cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (cFLIPL), a catalytically inactive homologue of caspase 8. Deletion of MIB2 did not impair the TNF-induced complex I formation that mediates NF-κB activation but significantly enhanced formation of cytosolic death-inducing signalling complex II. TNF-induced RIPK1 Ser166 phosphorylation, a hallmark of RIPK1 death-inducing activity, was enhanced in MIB2 knockout cells, as was RIPK1 kinase activity-dependent and -independent apoptosis. Moreover, RIPK1 kinase activity-independent apoptosis was induced in cells expressing cFLIPL mutants lacking MIB2-dependent ubiquitylation. Together, these results suggest that MIB2 suppresses both RIPK1 kinase activity-dependent and -independent apoptosis, through suppression of RIPK1 kinase activity and ubiquitylation of cFLIPL, respectively.
Horseshoe crab genomes reveal the evolution of genes and microRNAs after three rounds of whole genome duplication
Authors: Nong Wenyan , Qu Zhe , Li Yiqian , Barton-Owen Tom , Wong Annette Y. P. , Yip Ho Yin , Lee Hoi Ting , Narayana Satya , Baril Tobias , Swale Thomas , Cao Jianquan , Chan Ting Fung , Kwan Hoi Shan , Ngai Sai Ming , Panagiotou Gianni , Qian Pei-Yuan , Qiu Jian-Wen , Yip Kevin Y. , Ismail Noraznawati , Pati Siddhartha , John Akbar , Tobe Stephen S. , Bendena William G. , Cheung Siu Gin , Hayward Alexander , Hui Jerome H. L.
Published: January 2021

Whole genome duplication (WGD) has occurred in relatively few sexually reproducing invertebrates. Consequently, the WGD that occurred in the common ancestor of horseshoe crabs ~135 million years ago provides a rare opportunity to decipher the evolutionary consequences of a duplicated invertebrate genome. Here, we present a high-quality genome assembly for the mangrove horseshoe crab Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda (1.7 Gb, N50 = 90.2 Mb, with 89.8% sequences anchored to 16 pseudomolecules, 2n = 32), and a resequenced genome of the tri-spine horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus (1.7 Gb, N50 = 109.7 Mb). Analyses of gene families, microRNAs, and synteny show that horseshoe crabs have undergone three rounds (3R) of WGD. Comparison of C. rotundicauda and T. tridentatus genomes from populations from several geographic locations further elucidates the diverse fates of both coding and noncoding genes. Together, the present study represents a cornerstone for improving our understanding of invertebrate WGD events on the evolutionary fates of genes and microRNAs, at both the individual and population level. We also provide improved genomic resources for horseshoe crabs, of applied value for breeding programs and conservation of this fascinating and unusual invertebrate lineage.
Local structure and distortions of mixed methane-carbon dioxide hydrates
Authors: Cladek Bernadette R. , Everett S. Michelle , McDonnell Marshall T. , Tucker Matthew G. , Keffer David J. , Rawn Claudia J.
Published: January 2021

A vast source of methane is found in gas hydrate deposits, which form naturally dispersed throughout ocean sediments and arctic permafrost. Methane may be obtained from hydrates by exchange with hydrocarbon byproduct carbon dioxide. It is imperative for the development of safe methane extraction and carbon dioxide sequestration to understand how methane and carbon dioxide co-occupy the same hydrate structure. Pair distribution functions (PDFs) provide atomic-scale structural insight into intermolecular interactions in methane and carbon dioxide hydrates. We present experimental neutron PDFs of methane, carbon dioxide and mixed methane-carbon dioxide hydrates at 10 K analyzed with complementing classical molecular dynamics simulations and Reverse Monte Carlo fitting. Mixed hydrate, which forms during the exchange process, is more locally disordered than methane or carbon dioxide hydrates. The behavior of mixed gas species cannot be interpolated from properties of pure compounds, and PDF measurements provide important understanding of how the guest composition impacts overall order in the hydrate structure.
Single hydrogen atom manipulation for reversible deprotonation of water on a rutile TiO2 (110) surface
Authors: Adachi Yuuki , Sang Hongqian , Sugawara Yasuhiro , Li Yan Jun
Published: January 2021

The discovery of hydrogen atoms on the TiO2 surface is crucial for many practical applications, including photocatalytic water splitting. Electronically activating interfacial hydrogen atoms on the TiO2 surface is a common way to control their reactivity. Modulating the potential landscape is another way, but dedicated studies for such an activation are limited. Here we show the single hydrogen atom manipulation, and on-surface facilitated water deprotonation process on a rutile TiO2 (110) surface using low temperature atomic force microscopy and Kelvin probe force spectroscopy. The configuration of the hydrogen atom is manipulated on this surface step by step using the local field. Furthermore, we quantify the force needed to relocate the hydrogen atom on this surface using force spectroscopy and density functional theory. Reliable control of hydrogen atoms provides a new mechanistic insight of the water molecules on a metal oxide surface.
Extended gate field-effect-transistor for sensing cortisol stress hormone
Authors: Sheibani Shokoofeh , Capua Luca , Kamaei Sadegh , Akbari Sayedeh Shirin Afyouni , Zhang Junrui , Guerin Hoel , Ionescu Adrian M.
Published: January 2021

Cortisol is a hormone released in response to stress and is a major glucocorticoid produced by adrenal glands. Here, we report a wearable sensory electronic chip using label-free detection, based on a platinum/graphene aptamer extended gate field effect transistor (EG-FET) for the recognition of cortisol in biological buffers within the Debye screening length. The device shows promising experimental features for real-time monitoring of the circadian rhythm of cortisol in human sweat. We report a hysteresis-free EG-FET with a voltage sensitivity of the order of 14 mV/decade and current sensitivity up to 80% over the four decades of cortisol concentration. The detection limit is 0.2 nM over a wide range, between 1 nM and 10 µM, of cortisol concentrations in physiological fluid, with negligible drift over time and high selectivity. The dynamic range fully covers those in human sweat. We propose a comprehensive analysis and a unified, predictive analytical mapping of current sensitivity in all regimes of operation.
A mitochondria-targeted dual-functional aggregation-induced emission luminogen for intracellular mitochondrial imaging and photodynamic therapy
Authors: Zhang Yujie , Huang Wendi , Tan Xueying , Wang Jinhui , Zhao Yufen , Hu Jingbo , Wang Shuanghu
Published: January 2021

A mitochondria-targeted dual-functional aggregation-induced emission luminogen, TPP-TPEDCH, was rationally designed and developed for intracellular mitochondrial imaging and photodynamic therapy.
A multicolor DNA tetrahedron nanoprobe for analyzing human telomerase in living cells
Authors: Zhang Ruiyuan , Zhang Ruixue , Jiang Wei , Xu Xiaowen
Published: January 2021

A sequentially lighting-up multicolor DNA tetrahedron nanoprobe is constructed for imaging telomerase activity, real-time monitoring telomerase action and determining product length distribution in living cells.
Tracer diffusion coefficients of Li+ ions in c-axis oriented LixCoO2 thin films measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry
Authors: Hasegawa Gen , Kuwata Naoaki , Tanaka Yoshinori , Miyazaki Takamichi , Ishigaki Norikazu , Takada Kazunori , Kawamura Junichi
Published: January 2021

Lithium diffusion is a key factor in determining the charge/discharge rate of Li-ion batteries. Herein, we study the tracer diffusion coefficient of lithium ions in the c-axis oriented LiCoO2 thin film using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS).
Modelling high performance potassium-ion battery anode materials with two-dimensional vanadium carbide MXene: the role of surface O- and S-terminations
Authors: Wang Shifeng , Wang Yatong , Zhou Qianyu , Li Xin , Li Yong , Liu Yanfang , Sun Yaxun , Wang Tingting , Xu Li-Chun , Wang Yuanhao
Published: January 2021

Due to the low cost, high element abundance and intrinsic safety, potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) have attracted a surge of interest in recent years. Here, 2D O- and S-terminated V2C MXene anode materials are designed to model high performance KIBs.
Long-lived electrets and lack of ferroelectricity in methylammonium lead bromide CH3NH3PbBr3 ferroelastic single crystals
Authors: Lehmann Alessandra Geddo , Congiu Francesco , Marongiu Daniela , Mura Andrea , Filippetti Alessio , Mattoni Alessandro , Saba Michele , Pegna Guido , Sarritzu Valerio , Quochi Francesco , Bongiovanni Giovanni
Published: January 2021

Accumulation of CH3NH3+ and Br− ionic species at the ferroelastic domain boundaries creates a polar electret state in the hybrid perovskite CH3NH3PbBr3 that mimics a ferroelectric P(E) hysteresis loop.
Two-dimensional conjugated metal–organic frameworks (2D c-MOFs): chemistry and function for MOFtronics
Authors: Wang Mingchao , Dong Renhao , Feng Xinliang
Published: January 2021

Two-dimensional conjugated MOFs are emerging for multifunctional electronic devices that brings us “MOFtronics”, such as (opto)electronics, spintronics, energy devices.
In memoriam Paul Kamer (March 13 1960 – November 19 2020)
Authors: van Leeuwen Piet W. N. M. , Pérez-Ramírez Javier
Published: January 2021

Celebrating the life of Paul Kamer.
A high-performance method for direct determination of ultra-trace REEs in geological samples by ICP-MS using a designed heating-condensing system
Authors: Yu Jiaxin , Zhao He , He Tao , Luo Tao , Zhang Wen , Zong Keqing , Lin Jie , Liu Yongsheng , Hu Zhaochu
Published: January 2021

Our results firstly indicate that the geometry of the skimmer cone has an important effect on signal enhancement when using a heating-condensing system in ICP-MS.
Novel butterfly-shaped organic semiconductor and single-walled carbon nanotube composites for high performance thermoelectric generators
Authors: Wei Lai , Huang Hongfeng , Gao Chunmei , Liu Danqing , Wang Lei
Published: January 2021

Curved organic small molecule and single-walled carbon nanotube composites with enhanced interactions for thermoelectric materials.
Genome-scale mutant fitness reveals versatilec-type cytochromes inShewanella oneidensisMR-1
Authors: Ding Dewu , Wu Meili , Liu Yanfen
Published: January 2021

We used genome-scale mutant fitness data to identify genes that are important across many experimental conditions and revealed versatilec-type cytochromes inShewanella oneidensisMR-1, a typical electrogenic microorganism.
Laser assisted synthesis of anisotropic metal nanocrystals and strong light-matter coupling in decahedral bimetallic nanocrystals
Authors: Balci Fadime Mert , Sarisozen Sema , Polat Nahit , Guvenc C. Meric , Karadeniz Ugur , Tertemiz Ayhan , Balci Sinan
Published: January 2021

The advances in colloid chemistry and nanofabrication allowed us to synthesize noble monometallic and bimetallic nanocrystals with tunable optical properties in the visible and near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Binary and ternary Pt-based clusters grown in a plasma multimagnetron-based gas aggregation source: electrocatalytic evaluation towards glycerol oxidation
Authors: Chamorro-Coral W. , Caillard A. , Brault P. , Baranton S. , Coutanceau C.
Published: January 2021

PtCuBi selective electrooxidation of glycerol to value-added chemicals.
Amphipathic 1,3-oxazolidines from N-alkyl glucamines and benzaldehydes: stereochemical and mechanistic studies
Authors: Matamoros Esther , Cintas Pedro , Palacios Juan C.
Published: January 2021

Chiral N,O-heterocycles appended to a non-reducing carbohydrate chain, which are valuable synthons, reveal further stereodynamic implications.
Insights into flibanserin oxidative stress degradation pathway: in silico – in vitro toxicity assessment of its degradates
Authors: El-Behairy Mohammed F. , Ahmed Rasha M. , Fayed Marwa A. A. , Mowafy Samar , Abdallah Inas A.
Published: January 2021

Characterization of the degradation products of pharmaceutical drugs is essential to assess their safety.
Intercalation–deintercalation of water-in-salt electrolytes in nanoscale hydrophobic confinement
Authors: Dhattarwal Harender S. , Remsing Richard C. , Kashyap Hemant K.
Published: January 2021

Intercalation–deintercalation of water-in-salt (WIS) electrolytes in nanoscale confinement depends on the interplate separation and WIS concentration. Deintercalation of WIS is favoured at lower interplate separations and for lower WIS concentrations.
Surface charge switchable nanoparticles capable of controlled nitric oxide release for the treatment of acidity-associated bacterial infections
Authors: Liu Tuanwei , Wei Jinjian , Fu Guodong , Zhang Ping , Zhang Zhide , Guo Dian-Shun , Yang Xinlin
Published: January 2021

Surface charge switchable nanoparticles for NO-releasing as acidity associated bacterial infection target treatment were described.
A(NH3)xFePS3 (A = Li, K): intercalated Fe thiophosphate via the liquid ammonia method
Authors: Feng Xiaojing , Guo Zhongnan , Yan Xiaoxiao , Deng Jun , Wu Dan , Zhang Zijing , Sun Fan , Yuan Wenxia
Published: January 2021

The liquid ammonia method is shown to be an efficient route to co-intercalate alkali-metals and NH3 molecules in between FePS3 layers, to regulate the crystalline structure and magnetic properties without inducing the Fe vacancy.
Glycerol-assisted tuning of the phase and morphology of iron oxide nanostructures for supercapacitor electrode materials
Authors: Zhu Maiyong , Luo Qiao , Chen Qi , Wei Wenjing , Zhang Quan , Li Songjun
Published: January 2021

Three types of iron-based materials, α-Fe2O3, Fe3O4 and Fe-glycerate, were prepared by adjusting the ratio of glycerol to water, and these iron-based materials could be used as an electrode candidate for supercapacitors.
Second derivative synchronous fluorescence determination of avanafil in the presence of its acid-induced degradation product aided by powerful Lean Six Sigma tools augmented with D-optimal design
Authors: Attia Khalid A. M. , Mohamad Ahmad A. , Emara Mohamed S. , Abdel-Raoof Ahmed M. , Hasan Mohamed A. , Madkour Ahmed W. , El-Desouky Ebrahim A.
Published: January 2021

In this work, the quantitative determination of an erectile dysfunctional drug avanafil in the presence of its acid-induced degradation product was achievedviathe application of a pre-optimized novel spectrofluorimetric method.
UV-assisted synthesis of hydroxyapatite from eggshells at ambient temperature: cytotoxicity, drug delivery and bioactivity
Authors: Sultana Sazia , Hossain Md. Sahadat , Mahmud Monika , Mobarak Mashrafi Bin , Kabir Md Humayun , Sharmin Nahid , Ahmed Samina
Published: January 2021

Hap has been developed from eggshell by UV-irradiation for the first time. The negligible cytotoxicity and the efficient delivery of a therapeutic level of ciprofloxacin as well as bioactivity of this UV- Hap supports its use in biomedical fields.
Bis-BODIPY linked-triazole based on catechol core for selective dual detection of Ag+ and Hg2+
Authors: Saiyasombat Worakrit , Kiatisevi Supavadee
Published: January 2021

BODIPY–triazole–catechol combination serves as a “turn-on” fluorescent probe for dual detection and differentiation of Hg2+ and Ag+ ions.
(Me2NH2)10[H2-Dodecatungstate] polymorphs: dodecatungstate cages embedded in a variable dimethylammonium cation + water of crystallization matrix
Authors: Lendvay György , Majzik Eszter , Bereczki Laura , Domján Attila , Trif László , Sajó István E. , Franguelli Fernanda Paiva , Farkas Attila , Klébert Szilvia , Bombicz Petra , Németh Csaba , Szilágyi Imre Miklós , Kótai László
Published: January 2021

Two polymorphs and a solvatomorph of a new dimethylammonium polytungstate—decakis(dimethylammonium) dihydrogendodecatungstate, (Me2NH2)10(W12O42)·nH2O (n = 10 or 11)—have been synthesized.
A neural network-based algorithm for high-throughput characterisation of viscoelastic properties of flowing microcapsules
Authors: Lin Tao , Wang Zhen , Wang Wen , Sui Yi
Published: January 2021

We have developed a high-throughput method, by combining a hybrid neural network with a mechanistic capsule model, to predict membrane elasticity and viscosity of microcapsules from their dynamic deformation in a branched microchannel.
Preparation of chromophore-based polymer films with enhanced lithium ion transport by an electrospinning method
Authors: Gao Lifeng , Zhao Fanghui , Li Wei , Zhan Siqi , Chang Zhen , Duan Lianfeng , Wang Shiwei , Zhang Mingyao
Published: January 2021

We first put forward the orientation of chromophore molecules in an electrospinning process. The oriented chromophore significantly improves the lithium ion transport properties of the electrospinning film, which can reach as high as 56.25 mS cm−1.
Correlation of emission, scintillation and charge trapping properties in Cs2HfCl6 and Cs2ZrCl6 single crystals
Authors: Buryi Maksym , Babin Vladimir , Ligthart Rian A. M. , Nagorny Serge S. , Mikhailik Vitaliy B. , Vaněček Vojtěch , Prouzová Prochazková Lenka , Kandel Ramjee , Nahorna Viktoriia V. , Wang Peng
Published: January 2021

Cs2HfCl6 (CHC) and Cs2ZrCl6 (CZC) single crystals were grown by a vertical Bridgman method.
Heterogeneous catalysis with an organic–inorganic hybrid based on MoO3 chains decorated with 2,2′-biimidazole ligands
Authors: Amarante Tatiana R. , Neves Patrícia , Almeida Paz Filipe A. , Gomes Ana C. , Pillinger Martyn , Valente Anabela A. , Gonçalves Isabel S.
Published: January 2021

Polymeric [MoO3(2,2′-biimidazole)]·H2O outperforms other one-dimensional MoO3-ligand hybrid materials as a heterogeneous and recyclable catalyst for (bio)olefin epoxidation and sulfoxidation.
Implementing Dialogic Reading Intervention Through Community-Based Participatory Research: A Tutorial
Authors: Holt Yolanda , Asagbra Elijah
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This work describes community-based participatory research (CBPR) to support language and literacy development with Pre-K and kindergarten African American boys.

Method

The aim and goals of the project were designed using the CBPR model. Interventionists were trained with researcher-designed videos. Interventionist fidelity to training was assessed. Pre- and posttests of child language were completed after the 12 weeks of dialogic reading intervention.

Results

The CBPR team learned the dialogic reading protocol from the video trainings and provided the lessons with fidelity. Children's postintervention scores of sound-matching and nonword repetition increased significantly. Postintervention changes in lexical diversity and productive syntax were age graded, such that younger children's scores increased over time whereas older children's scores decreased.

Conclusions

CBPR is a viable method for speech-language pathologists seeking to develop language and literacy lessons for low resource communities. Self-paced videos can effectively train interventionists to provide dialogic reading lessons with fidelity. Young children's sound-matching and nonword repetition skills can improve significantly with 12 weeks of dialogic reading lessons.
Reading Comprehension in School-Age Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Examining the Many Components That May Contribute
Authors: Davidson Meghan M.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Reading comprehension is consistently poor in many school-age children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The purpose of this tutorial is to provide an overview from a multicomponent view on the many predictors that may contribute to reading comprehension difficulties in ASD.

Method

This tutorial reviews current literature on profiles and predictors of reading comprehension in ASD. The review is situated from a multicomponent theoretical view based on the “direct and indirect effects of reading” model that builds on the familiar “simple view of reading.” Each component, including word reading, listening comprehension, morphosyntax, vocabulary, working memory, comprehension monitoring, inferencing, and theory of mind, is separately reviewed, with consideration of the current evidence for their contribution to reading comprehension in ASD. At the end of each section, key takeaways are provided. To conclude, a summary with general clinical implications, case examples, and recommendations for future research across all components is offered.

Conclusions

Reading comprehension in ASD may be affected by any one or several components in any given individual. Speech-language pathologists have expertise and play a critical role in assessing and intervening on these components. The age and language status (language impaired or not) of a child are emerging as important factors for what to assess and consider for intervention. However, more research is needed that intentionally examines language status, evaluates reading comprehension at targeted ages or narrower age ranges, and/or examines language and reading development longitudinally.
An Interprofessional Approach to Dialect-Shifting Instruction for Early Elementary School Students
Authors: Byrd Arynn S. , Brown Jennifer A.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Dialect-shifting has shown promise as an effective way to improve academic outcomes of students who speak nonmainstream dialects such as African American English (AAE); however, limited studies have examined the impacts of an interprofessional approach with multiple instructional methods. In this study, we developed a dialect-shifting curriculum for early elementary school students who speak AAE and evaluated the curriculum for feasibility and preliminary impacts.

Method

Forty-one kindergarten, first-, second-, and third-grade students and their teachers in one elementary school participated in a 7-week dialect-shifting instruction co-taught by the classroom teachers and a speech-language pathology graduate clinician. Students' use of dialect-shifting and dialect density was measured by calculating dialect density measures in retells presented in AAE and mainstream American English and responses to situational dialect-shifting and applied dialect-shifting tasks. Teacher surveys and interviews about the feasibility and perceived impacts were conducted.

Results

Initial impacts of the curriculum demonstrated increased dialect awareness for all students, with grade-level differences when students were asked to explicitly dialect-shift. In particular, second- and third-grade students were more proficient at dialect-shifting AAE features included in the curriculum. Additionally, high rates of administrator, teacher, and student satisfaction, teacher generalization, and maintenance of incorporating contrastive analysis instruction into class activities were reported.

Conclusions

Literacy and play-based instruction are feasible methods to create a dialect-shifting curriculum tailored to younger students. Furthermore, the feasibility and effectiveness of the curriculum were supported by an interprofessional approach.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13524317
Introduction to the Forum: Literacy in Autism—Across the Spectrum
Authors: Westerveld Marleen F. , Paynter Jessica
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to introduce the
LSHSS
Forum: Literacy in Autism—Across the Spectrum. The articles in this forum provide an overview of the current evidence related to literacy in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from preschool to adolescence and highlight the high literacy needs of this population.

Method

This introduction provides an overview of some of the reasons why children with ASD are at risk of persistent literacy difficulties and a summary of the six articles included in this forum.

Conclusion

More research is clearly needed to better understand which factors contribute to the high literacy needs in this population. For now, based on the best available evidence, the authors in this forum provide clear clinical implications that should be highly useful for speech-language pathologists and other professionals involved in literacy assessment and intervention for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum.
Fault tolerance in non‐linear systems: A model‐based approach with a robust soft sensor design
Authors: Doraiswami Rajamani , Cheded Lahouari
Published: January 2021

A novel multiple Kalman filtre (KF)‐based scheme is proposed, as a generalisation of conventional gain‐scheduling techniques, for fault diagnosis and tolerance in a large class of multiple‐input and multiple‐output non‐linear systems. The outputs are corrupted by unknown stochastic disturbance and measurement noise. A reliable and computationally efficient, two‐stage identification of a piecewise linear parameter‐varying Box–Jenkins dynamic model that better approximates the non‐linear system, at each operating point, and the design of the associated KFs are proposed. Novel emulators, whose induced parameter changes mimic likely and predictive operating scenarios, are used to provide an accurate model identification and robustness to noise, disturbance, non‐linearity errors and model perturbations. These crucial emulators generate missing representative data, aid predictive analytics, and improve the reliability and accuracy of the identified KF model. A novel formulation of the KF is used for fault isolation, and the Bayes strategy is used to isolate difficult‐to‐detect incipient faults in noisy environments. The proposed scheme leads to the design of a novel robust soft sensor aimed at replacing the maintenance‐prone hardware sensor in practical applications including product quality assessment, performance monitoring, condition‐based maintenance, fault diagnosis and fault‐tolerant control. The proposed soft sensor was successfully evaluated on simulated and laboratory‐scale physical control systems.
24 synoptic maps of average magnetic field in 296 prominences measured by the Hanle effect during the ascending phase of solar cycle 21
Authors: Bommier V. , Leroy J. L. , Sahal-Bréchot S.
Published: January 2021

Aims. We present 24 synoptic maps of solar filaments, in which the average unambiguous magnetic field vectors of 296 prominences were determined with Pic-du-Midi observations between 1974 and 1982. This was the ascending phase of cycle 21.

Methods. The magnetic field was determined by interpreting the Hanle effect, which is observed in the He I D3 line. Previous results for the prominence field polarity and prominence chirality were applied to solve the fundamental ambiguity. The measurements were averaged in each prominence for accuracy reasons.

Results. The result is twofold. First, alternating field directions can be observed from one neutral line to the next. Second, a general field alignment is found along a solar north-south field that is distorted by the differential rotation effect.
Dependence of the dynamical properties of light-cone simulation dark matter halos on their environment
Authors: Chira Maria , Plionis Manolis , Agarwal Shankar
Published: January 2021

Aims. We study the dependence of the dynamical properties of massive (M ≥ 1.5 × 1013 M⊙ h−1) dark matter halos on their environment in a whole-sky ΛCDM light-cone simulation extending to z ∼ 0.65. The properties of interest for this study are the halo shape (parametrized via its principal axes), spin and virialization status, the alignment of halo spin and shape, as well as the shape-shape and spin-spin alignments among halo neighbors.

Methods. We define the halo environment using the notion of halo isolation status determined by the distance to its nearest neighbor. This defines a maximum spherical region around each halo devoid of other halos, above the catalog threshold mass. We consider “close halo pairs” to be pairs separated by a distance that is lower than a specific threshold. In order to decontaminate our results from the known dependence of halo dynamical properties on mass, we used a random sampling procedure to compare properties of similar halo abundance distributions.

Results. We find that: (a) there is a strong dependence on the part of the halo properties with regard to their environment, confirming that isolated halos are more aspherical and more prolate with lower spin values; (b) correlations between halo properties exist and are mostly independent of the halo environment; (c) halo spins are aligned with the minor axis, regardless of halo shape; and (d) close halo neighbors have their major axes statistically aligned, while they show a slight but statistically significant preference for anti-parallel spin directions. The latter result is enhanced for the case of close halo pairs in low-density environments. Furthermore, we find a tendency for the spin vectors to be oriented perpendicular to the line that connects such close halo pairs.
Hyperbolic dispersion metamaterials and metasurfaces
Authors: Palermo Giovanna , Sreekanth Kandammathe Valiyaveedu , Strangi Giuseppe
Published: January 2021

In recent years a wide interest has been spurred by the inverse design of artificial materials for nano-biophotonic applications. In particular, the extreme optical properties of artificial hyperbolic dispersion nanomaterials allowed to access new physical effects and mechanisms. The unbound isofrequency surfaces of hyperbolic metamaterials and metasurfaces allow to access virtually infinite photonic density of states, ultrahigh confinement of electromagnetic fields and anomalous wave propagation. Here, we report the most relevant physical properties of different hyperbolic dispersion material geometries and how they allow to control light-matter interaction at the single nanometer scale, in biological matter.
Carbon fiber skeleton/silver nanowires composites with tunable negative permittivity behavior
Authors: An Yan , Qin Jinyuan , Sun Kai , Tian Jiahong , Wang Zhongyang , Zhao Yaman , Li Xiaofeng , Fan Runhua
Published: January 2021

With the development of periodic metamaterials, more attention has been paid to negative permittivity behavior due to great potential applications. In this paper, silver nanowires (AgNWs) were introduced to the porous carbon fibers (CFS) by an impregnation process to prepare CFS/AgNWs composites with different content of AgNWs and the dielectric property was investigated. With the formation of conductive network, the Drude-like negative permittivity was observed in CFS/AgNWs composites. With the increase of AgNWs, the connectivity of conductive network became enhanced, the conductivity gradually increases, and the absolute value of the negative dielectric constant also increases to 8.9 × 104, which was ascribed to the enhancement of electron density of the composite material. Further investigation revealed that the inductive characteristic was responsible for the negative permittivity.
Owner-Intruder contests with information asymmetry
Authors: Bisen Jay , Farooq Faheem , Hasan Manaeil , Patel Akhil , Rychtář Jan , Taylor Dewey
Published: January 2021

We consider kleptoparasitic interactions between two individuals – the Owner and the Intruder – and model the situation as a sequential game in an extensive form. The Owner is in possession of a resource when another individual, the Intruder, comes along and may try to steal it. If the Intruder makes such a stealing attempt, the Owner has to decide whether to defend the resource; if the Owner defends, the Intruder can withdraw or continue with the stealing attempt. The individuals may value the resource differently and we distinguish three information cases: (a) both individuals know resource values to both of them, (b) individuals know only their own valuation, (c) individuals do not know the value at all. We solve the game in all three cases. We identify scenarios when it is beneficial for the individuals to know as much information as possible. We also identify several scenarios where knowing less seems better as well as show that an individual may not benefit from their opponent knowing less. Finally, we consider the same kind of interactions but without the option for the Intruder to withdraw. We find that, surprisingly, the Intruder typically fares better in that case.
Optimal strategies for a capital constrained contract-farming supply chain with yield insurance
Authors: Shi Ligang , Pang Tao , Peng Hongjun
Published: January 2021

We consider a capital-constrained contract-farming supply chain with a risk-averse farmer and a risk-neutral agro-dealer, where the farmer faces some yield uncertainty that can be covered by insurance. Using the Stackelberg model, we derive the optimal strategies on the insured level, production and wholesale price. The result shows that farmers with low risk aversion tend not to be insured, while those with high risk aversion tend to insure. Further analysis indicates that, as the degree of the farmer’s risk aversion increases, the farm size decreases, but the yield per unit area and the wholesale price of the agricultural product increases. In addition, yield insurance and premium subsidies can lead to a decrease of the yield per unit area. However, the expansion of the farm size can compensate for the inhibitory effect of the decrease of yield per unit area on the total yield, and thus the total yield increases. We also find that when the premium subsidy rate is low, the yield insurance’s value to farmers is negative. Moreover, the yield insurance’s value to farmers increases with respect to the bank’s interest rate.
Price and capacity strategies in the express delivery supply chain: advanced payment, penalty or time insurance contracts
Authors: Wang Kun , Qin Juanjuan , Xia Liangjie
Published: January 2021

In the Business to Consumer (B2C) environment, it is important to alleviate the mismatch between delivery capacity and demand in the express delivery supply chain. To do this, we propose three contracts to improve supply chain performance: the advanced payment contract, penalty contract, and time insurance contract. To assess these contracts, we considered the supply chain of one e-retailer and one express delivery provider. We discussed which contract is better for the supply chain partners when the three contracts can coordinate the supply chain. We found that when its unit cost of delayed orders is lower, the e-retailer will choose the advance payment contract among three contracts. When its unit cost of delayed orders is medium, the e-retailer will opt for the time insurance contract. When its unit cost of delayed orders is high, the e-retailer will not choose the advanced payment contract. In this case, whether the e-retailer chooses the time insurance contract and penalty contract depends on the value of wholesale price.
Adaptiertes Medianusgleiten bei Karpaltunnelsyndrom
Authors: Zander Andrea
Published: January 2021

Eine häufig angewandte Maßnahme zur Behandlung des Karpaltunnelsyndroms ist das neurodynamische Gleiten des N. medianus. Gleichzeitig gibt es viel Diskussion über die Wirksamkeit dieser Behandlungsmethode. Eine Studie ergibt: Zusätzliche Ab- und Adduktion der Langfinger erhöhen das Längsgleiten des N. medianus im gesamten Arm. Der Artikel zeigt, wie diese Erkenntnis in die Behandlung integriert werden kann.
Komplexes regionales Schmerzsyndrom
Authors: Veit Katrin , Zumhasch Rainer , Seyhan Harun
Published: January 2021

Schmerz, Schwellung, Bewegungseinschränkung: Das komplexe regionale Schmerzsyndrom ist eine ernste Komplikation nach Handverletzungen und -operationen. Es stellt eine große Herausforderung für Handchirurgen, Handtherapeuten und Patienten dar. Der Artikel beschreibt das Krankheitsbild, seine Diagnostik und die umfassende Therapie auf Grundlage der aktuellen Leitlinienempfehlungen.
Case Report: 7-Year-Old Boy with Incarcerated Internal Hernia Leading to Extensive Intestinal Necrosis Due to a Large Congenital Mesenteric Defect
Authors: Deeg Susanne , Krickeberg Sophie , Nisar Tauseef , Schwarz-Bundy Bogata Dora , Wessel Lucas
Published: January 2021

We present a case of a 7-year-old boy with acute abdominal symptoms initially misdiagnosed as constipation. Delayed imaging diagnostics revealed an ileus with contorted small intestine, so laparotomy was indicated. An acute bowel obstruction was found based on an incarcerated internal hernia. Small and large bowel segments were incarcerated into a large mesenteric defect leading to extended intestinal necrosis. About 30 cm of necrotic small bowel and 15 cm of large intestine were resected, two primary anastomoses were performed. The mesenteric defect was closed with two running sutures. The boy’s clinical outcome was very good. Two aspects are discussed: the initial clinical misdiagnosis of acute bowel obstruction in a child leading to a delay of diagnostics and therapy on the one hand and the origin of mesenteric defects on the other. In children with abdominal pain, ultrasound must be performed as soon as possible and pediatric surgeons have to be involved early. There should be an awareness of the fact, that mesenteric defects and other congenital malformations can occur more often than we suspect it. In the case of an internal hernia, a misjudgement of the clinical condition may be very harmful for the patient and can lead to a short bowel syndrome or even death.
Outpatient Induction of Labor – Are Balloon Catheters an Appropriate Method?
Authors: Rath Werner , Stelzl Patrick , Kehl Sven
Published: January 2021

As the number of labor inductions in high-income countries has steadily risen, hospital costs and the additional burden on obstetric staff have also increased. Outpatient induction of labor is therefore becoming increasingly important. It has been estimated that 20 – 50% of all pregnant women requiring induction would be eligible for outpatient induction. The use of balloon catheters in patients with an unripe cervix has been shown to be an effective and safe method of cervical priming. Balloon catheters are as effective as the vaginal administration of prostaglandin E2 or oral misoprostol. The advantage of using a balloon catheter is that it avoids uterine hyperstimulation and monitoring is less expensive. This makes balloon catheters a suitable option for outpatient cervical ripening. Admittedly, intravenous administration of oxytocin to induce or augment labor is required in approximately 75% of cases. Balloon catheters are not associated with a higher risk
of maternal and neonatal infection compared to vaginal PGE2. Low-risk pregnancies (e.g., post-term pregnancies, gestational diabetes) are suitable for outpatient cervical ripening with a balloon catheter. The data for high-risk pregnancies are still insufficient. The following conditions are recommended when considering an outpatient approach: strict selection of appropriate patients (singleton pregnancy, cephalic presentation, intact membranes), CTG monitoring for 20 – 40 minutes after balloon placement, the patient must be given detailed instructions about the indications for immediate readmission to hospital, and 24-hour phone access to the hospital must be ensured. According to reviewed studies, the balloon catheter remained in place between 12 hours (“overnight”) and 24 hours. The most common reason for readmission to hospital was expulsion of the balloon catheter. The advantages of outpatient versus inpatient induction of cervical ripening with a balloon
catheter were the significantly shorter hospital stay, the lower costs, and higher patient satisfaction, with both procedures having been shown to be equally effective. Complication rates (e.g., vaginal bleeding, severe pain, uterine hyperstimulation syndrome) during the cervical ripening phase are low (0.3 – 1.5%); severe adverse outcomes (e.g., placental abruption) have not been reported. Compared to inpatient induction of labor using vaginal PGE2, outpatient cervical ripening using a balloon catheter had a lower rate of deliveries/24 hours and a significantly higher need for oxytocin; however, hospital stay was significantly shorter, frequency of pain during the cervical ripening phase was significantly lower, and patientsʼ duration of sleep was longer. A randomized controlled study comparing outpatient cervical priming with a balloon catheter with outpatient or inpatient induction of labor with oral misoprostol would be of clinical interest.
Covid-19: Herausforderung und Chance
Authors: Gerstenhöfer Anna , Jahn Stefanie
Published: January 2021

Weltweit gibt es verschiedene Untersuchungen zur Anwendung von Homöopathie bei SARS-CoV-2-Infektionen. Historische Quellen zur Spanischen Grippe lassen keine eindeutigen Rückschlüsse auf die Behandlungserfolge zu. Über einen der Corona-Pandemie zugehörigen Genius epidemicus – der prophylaktisch und therapeutisch eingesetzt werden könnte – gibt es divergierende Meinungen.

Homöopathisch arbeitende Ärztinnen und Ärzte
in Deutschland haben anhand eines Dokumentationsbogens insgesamt 25 Fallberichte über an SARS-CoV-2 Infizierte und an Covid-19 erkrankte Patientinnen und Patienten anonymisiert eingereicht (Stand: 24.10.2020), in denen von insgesamt 53 Arzneigaben berichtet wird. Durch eine vierköpfige Expertengruppe homöopathischer Ärzte wurde der Mitteleffekt nach 10 der Arzneigaben als deutlich positiv eingestuft. Bei 6 von diesen bestätigte eine am Gesundheitsamt tätige und mit den üblichen SARS-CoV-2/Covid-19-Fallverläufen vertraute Ärztin eine deutliche Besserung gegenüber dem zu erwartenden Spontanverlauf. Bei Anwendung der MONARCH-Kriterien ergeben sich bei 6 der 10 Fälle Werte von 5 und mehr, was die Korrelation des positiven Krankheitsverlaufs und der Arzneigabe als sehr wahrscheinlich ausweist.

Bei 24 Arzneigaben blieb unklar, ob ein positiver Effekt durch die Arzneigabe erzielt wurde, weil dies aus der Dokumentation nicht ersichtlich war. Nach 19 Arzneigaben zeigte sich keine Besserung des Krankheitsverlaufs. Keine der homöopathischen Arzneigaben verursachte eine Zustandsverschlechterung oder relevante unerwünschte Reaktionen. In allen 25 Fällen erfolgten Diagnostik und Therapie leitlinien- und zeitgerecht.

Ein durch individualisierte Arzneiwahl anhand auffälliger Symptome und Modalitäten bestimmtes Simile kann den Spontanverlauf der Infektion abmildern und abkürzen. Aussagen zu einem möglichen Genius epidemicus können aus den vorliegenden Informationen nicht getroffen werden. Wichtige Voraussetzung für die Weiterentwicklung der Homöopathie ist eine aussagekräftige und eindeutige Dokumentation der Fälle, vor allem der Verlaufsbeobachtung. Wünschenswert wäre eine umfangreichere Beteiligung und eine optimierte Dokumentation.
Gedanken zur Corona-Pandemie
Authors: Pfanzelt Ingrid
Published: January 2021

Die emotionale Belastung der Corona-Pandemie kann verschiedene psychische und psychosomatische Symptome hervorrufen. In manchen Fällen kann auch eine Traumaerfahrung dadurch angetriggert werden. Eine psychotherapeutische Intervention kombiniert mit einer homöopathischen Behandlung kann hilfreich sein. 2 Fallbeispiele verdeutlichen dieses Vorgehen.
Different Effects of Two Protocols for Pre-Procedural Analgosedation on Vital Signs in Neonates during and after Endotracheal Intubation
Authors: Zemlin Michael , Buxmann Horst , Felgentreff Sabine , Wittekindt Boris , Goedicke-Fritz Sybelle , Rogosch Tobias , Göbert Pia , Meyer Sascha , Sauer Harald , Greene Brandon H , Schloesser Rolf L. , Maier Rolf Felix
Published: January 2021

Background Analgosedation is often used for endotracheal intubation in neonates, but no consensus exists on the optimal pre-procedural medication.

Aims To compare the time to intubation and vital signs during and after intubation in 2 NICUs using different premedication protocols.

Methods Prospective observational study in 2 tertiary NICUs, comparing fentanyl and optional vecuronium for elective neonatal endotracheal intubation (NICU-1) with atropine, morphine, midazolam and optional pancuronium (NICU-2). Primary endpoints were: time to intubate and number of intubation attempts; secondary endpoints were: deviations of heart rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure from baseline until 20 min post intubation.

Results 45 and 30 intubations were analyzed in NICU-1 and NICU-2. Time to intubation was longer in NICU-1 (7 min) than in NICU-2 (4 min; p=0.029), but the mean number of intubation attempts did not differ significantly. Bradycardias (34 vs. 1, p<0.001) and hypoxemias (136 vs. 48, p<0.001) were more frequent in NICU-1, and tachycardias (59 vs. 72, p<0.001) more frequent in NICU-2. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) increased in NICU-1 (+6.18 mmHg) and decreased in NICU-2 (−5.83 mmHg), whereas mean heart rates (HR) decreased in NICU-1 (−19.29 bpm) and increased in NICU-2 (+15.93 bpm). MAP and HR returned to baseline 6–10 min after intubation in NICU-1 and after 11–15 min and 16–20 min in NICU-2, respectively.

Conclusions The two protocols yielded significant differences in the time to intubation and in the extent and duration of physiologic changes during and post-intubation. Short acting drugs should be preferred and vital signs should be closely monitored at least 20 min post intubation. More studies are required to identify analgosedation protocols that minimize potentially harmful events during endotracheal intubation.
Zn(OTf)2-Catalyzed 1,6-Conjugate Addition of Benzoxazinones to p-Quinone Methides: Access to 3,3-Diaryl-2-(2-oxo-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3-yl)propanoic Acid Esters
Authors: Peddinti Rama Krishna , Dua Neha , Ghosh Sonali
Published: January 2021

An effective method for the synthesis of 3,3-diaryl-2-(2-oxo-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3-yl)propanoic acid esters is reported. A novel zinc triflate-catalyzed regioselective 1,6-conjugate addition of vinylogous carbamates to p-quinone methides for accessing the title compounds has been developed. This protocol furnished the hybrid compounds in good to excellent yields. The reaction is rapid and has a broad substrate scope.