bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling study on the source contribution to aerosol over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhao Min , Dai Tie , Wang Hao , Bao Qing , Liu Yimin , Shi Guangyu
Published: January 2021

Understanding the source of atmospheric aerosol is an essential step in determining the aerosol radiative effect over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). This study aims to clarify the contributions of anthropogenic and natural emission to the aerosols (carbonaceous and sulphate) characteristics inside the TP. An aerosol model named Spectral Radiation Transport Model for Aerosol Species (SPRINTARS) recently coupled to the climate model named Chinese Academy of Sciences Flexible Global Ocean Atmosphere Land System (CAS‐FGOALS‐f3‐L) is used to simulate meteorological conditions and aerosols from 1985 to 2013, given emissions from the sixth phase of the Coupled Models Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). Comparisons between the simulations and ERA5 reanalysis data present that the model can capture the key spatial and temporal features of meteorological elements (2‐m temperature, relative humidity, and wind field at 500 hPa) over the Asia. Subsequently, we conduct six sensitivity studies to quantify the contributions of sources to aerosol surface concentration, burden and aerosol optical depth (AOD) over the TP. Our results illustrate that the outside and local anthropogenic sources contribute about 75.2% (78.9% in summer and 66.6% in winter) and 13.5% (7.4% in summer and 24.0% in winter) to the annual mean aerosols surface concentrations over the TP. The outside anthropogenic sources contribute to AODs in TP up to 87.3% (93.9% in autumn and 80.6% in winter). The ascending air over the TP is conducive to the transportation of the outsource pollutions to the TP. The outside natural sources (refer to biomass burning sources) contribute about 10% to aerosols over TP, and the inside natural sources play minor roles. The black carbon, organic carbon and sulphate (BOCS) induce average radiative forcing of −0.7 W m−2 at the near surface over the TP.
Interaction of multiple ice streams on the Malin Shelf during deglaciation of the last British–Irish Ice Sheet
Authors: Craven Kieran F. , McCarron Stephen , Monteys Xavier , Dove Dayton
Published: January 2021

The Malin Shelf, off north‐west Ireland, was an important zone of confluence for marine‐based ice streams of the former British–Irish Ice Sheet (BIIS). Legacy geophysical datasets are used to construct models of the seismic character, relative age and distribution of shelf sediments and landforms. Buried and surface landform assemblages provide evidence that during deglaciation of the Late Devensian BIIS, the region was occupied not by a single Hebrides Ice Stream as previously proposed, but by four discrete ice streams, here referred to as the Sea of the Hebrides (SHIS), Inner Hebrides, North Channel and Tory Island ice streams. Our observations of stratigraphic relationships between the deposits of these ice streams indicate physical interactions between them during shelf deglaciation. We interpret an initial dominant cross‐shelf flow along the SHIS impeding cross‐shelf ice flow from other ice sheet sectors. Following withdrawal of the SHIS grounding line from the shelf edge to mid‐shelf bathymetric highs during deglaciation, a reconfiguration of ice sheet flow paths allowed the expansion of smaller cross‐shelf ice streams draining central Scotland and north‐western Ireland. This internal dynamic behaviour provides a possible physical analogue for time‐transgressive flow patterns reported for outlets draining the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
The mangrove CO2 pump: Tidally driven pore‐water exchange
Authors: Chen Xiaogang , Santos Isaac R. , Call Mitchell , Reithmaier Gloria M. S. , Maher Damien , Holloway Ceylena , Wadnerkar Praktan D. , Gómez‐Álvarez Paula , Sanders Christian J. , Li Ling
Published: January 2021

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is fixed by mangrove vegetation and stored in its biomass and sediments. Part of the sediment carbon can be exported to coastal waters via tidally driven pore‐water exchange. Here, we quantify pore water‐derived dissolved CO2 export using in situ, high‐resolution observations of 222Rn and CO2 over a spring‐neap tidal cycle in a mangrove‐fringed estuary (Coffs Creek, Australia). 222Rn‐derived pore‐water exchange rates were 11.5–34.9 cm d−1 (23.0 ± 6.7) over 30 tidal cycles. Pore‐water exchange released CO2 from intertidal sediment at rates of 61–213 (136 ± 43) mmol m−2 d−1. This is equivalent to ~ 94% of the total CO2 input into the estuary and approximately two times of the water‐atmosphere CO2 emission. These observations reveal that tidal pumping is a major regulator of both mangrove pore‐water exchange and associated dissolved CO2 export to the ocean. Combining our estimates with literature data, a first‐order global pore water‐derived dissolved CO2 export from mangroves was estimated to be 83 ± 50 Tg C yr−1. This is higher than an earlier estimates of global mangrove CO2 emissions to the atmosphere (34.1 ± 5.4 Tg C yr−1) and carbon burial in sediments (18.4–34.4 Tg C yr−1), implying that pore water‐derived CO2 escapes to the atmosphere within and beyond mangrove waters. Overall, CO2‐rich pore water seems to be a widespread, important pathway of CO2 into mangrove‐dominated estuaries and should be considered in mangrove carbon assessments in the context of global climate change and blue carbon.
Ultrafast Carrier and Lattice Dynamics in Plasmonic Nanocrystalline Copper Sulfide Films
Authors: Bykov Anton Yu. , Shukla Amaresh , van Schilfgaarde Mark , Green Mark A. , Zayats Anatoly V.
Published: January 2021

Excited carrier dynamics in plasmonic nanostructures determines many important optical properties such as nonlinear optical response and photocatalytic activity. Here it is shown that mesoscopic plasmonic covellite nanocrystals with low free‐carrier concentration exhibit a much faster carrier relaxation than in traditional plasmonic materials. A nonequilibrium hot‐carrier population thermalizes within first 20 fs after photoexcitation. A decreased thermalization time in nanocrystals compared to a bulk covellite is consistent with the reduced Coulomb screening in ultrathin films. The subsequent relaxation of thermalized, equilibrium electron gas is faster than in traditional plasmonic metals due to the lower carrier concentration and agrees well with that in a bulk covellite showing no evidence of quantum confinement or hot‐hole trapping at the surface states. The excitation of coherent optical phonon modes in a covellite is also demonstrated, revealing coherent lattice dynamics in plasmonic materials, which until now was mainly limited to dielectrics, semiconductors, and semimetals. These findings show advantages of this new mesoscopic plasmonic material for active control of optical processes.
Channel Interaction During Infrared Light Stimulation in the Cochlea
Authors: Agarwal Aditi , Tan Xiaodong , Xu Yingyue , Richter Claus‐Peter
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives

The number of perceptually independent channels to encode acoustic information is limited in contemporary cochlear implants (CIs) because of the current spread in the tissue. It has been suggested that neighboring electrodes have to be separated in humans by a distance of more than 2 mm to eliminate significant overlap of the electric current fields and subsequent interaction between the channels. It has also been argued that an increase in the number of independent channels could improve CI user performance in challenging listening environments, such as speech in noise, tonal languages, or music perception. Optical stimulation has been suggested as an alternative modality for neural stimulation because it is spatially selective. This study reports the results of experiments designed to quantify the interaction between neighboring optical sources in the cochlea during stimulation with infrared radiation.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

In seven adult albino guinea pigs, a forward masking method was used to quantify the interaction between two neighboring optical sources during stimulation. Two optical fibers were placed through cochleostomies into the scala tympani of the basal cochlear turn. The radiation beams were directed towards different neuron populations along the spiral ganglion. Optically evoked compound action potentials were recorded for different radiant energies and distances between the optical fibers. The outcome measure was the radiant energy of a masker pulse delivered 3 milliseconds before a probe pulse to reduce the response evoked by the probe pulse by 3 dB. Results were compared for different distances between the fibers placed along the cochlea.

Results

The energy required to reduce the probe's response by 3 dB increased by 20.4 dB/mm and by 26.0 dB/octave. The inhibition was symmetrical for the masker placed basal to the probe (base‐to‐apex) and the masker placed apical to the probe (apex‐to‐base).

Conclusion

The interaction between neighboring optical sources during infrared laser stimulation is less than the interaction between neighboring electrical contacts during electrical stimulation. Previously published data for electrical stimulation reported an average current spread in human and cat cochleae of 2.8 dB/mm. With the increased number of independent channels for optical stimulation, it is anticipated that speech and music performance will improve. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Fiber Bridging during Melt Electrowriting of Poly(ε‐Caprolactone) and the Influence of Fiber Diameter and Wall Height
Authors: Kim Jaehyeon , Bakirci Ezgi , O'Neill Kelly L. , Hrynevich Andrei , Dalton Paul D.
Published: January 2021

Melt electrowriting (MEW) is a direct‐writing technology for small diameter fibers; however, due to electrostatic attraction, the technique is restricted in how close these microfibers can be positioned on the collector. Here, the minimum interfiber distance between parallel poly(ε‐caprolactone) MEW microfibers is determined for different fiber diameters and number of layers on noncoated and star‐shaped poly(ethylene oxide‐stat‐propylene oxide) (sP(EO‐stat‐PO))‐coated glass coverslips. The effect of the fiber diameter, the number of fiber layers, and shape of turning loops affect precision and the minimum interfiber distance. Single fibers with diameter of 5, 10, and 15 µm have a minimum interfiber distance without fiber bridging of 33 ± 2.7, 54 ± 2.2, and 62 ± 2.7 µm, respectively. Increasing the number of layers to ten increases this minimum interfiber distance approximately twofold to 60 ± 3.5, 97 ± 4.5, and 102 ± 2.7 µm for the increasing fiber diameters. The sP(EO‐stat‐PO) slightly increases the minimum interfiber distance for the 15 µm diameter group only, with spacing for the 5 and 10 µm fibers unaffected by the coating. Identifying and determining the fabrication limits for MEW is highly instructional for users working and designing scaffolds with this technology.
Lorentz estimates for quasilinear elliptic double obstacle problems involving a Schrödinger term
Authors: Nguyen Thanh‐Nhan , Tran Minh‐Phuong
Published: January 2021

Our goal in this article is to study the global Lorentz estimates for gradient of weak solutions to p‐Laplace double obstacle problems involving the Schrödinger term:
with bound constraints ψ1 ≤ u ≤ ψ2 in nonsmooth domains. This problem has its own interest in mathematics, engineering, physics, and other branches of science. Our approach makes a novel connection between the study of Calderón‐Zygmund theory for nonlinear Schrödinger type equations and variational inequalities for double obstacle problems.
Hausdorff‐Young inequalities and multiplier theorems for quaternionic operator‐valued Fourier transforms
Authors: Lian Pan
Published: January 2021

Due to the non‐commutativity of quaternions, there are three kinds of quaternionic Banach spaces, i.e. the right sided, the left sided, and the two sided ones. For the left and right sided Banach spaces, the quaternion multiplications are only defined on one single side. In this paper, we characterize the quaternionic Banach spaces such that the quaternionic operator valued Fourier transforms satisfy the Hausdorff‐Young inequalities. Then, with these Banach spaces, the vector‐valued Pitt inequalities are generalized to the quaternion setting. We also show that the Mikhlin type multiplier theorems can be transplanted to this setting. All these results are obtained based on the relationship between the complex operator‐valued Fourier transform and the quaternionic operator‐valued Fourier transforms.
Coplanar electrode directly modulated lasers with different cavity length
Authors: Xu Borui , Sun Jiazheng , Xia Shijun , Zhu Sha , Liu Yu , Zhu Ninghua , Sun Wenhui
Published: January 2021

A ridge‐waveguide (RW) directly modulated laser (DML) with a coplanar electrode structure is proposed and measured in this paper. Since utilizing the coplanar electrode can significantly reduce parasitic capacitance, the frequency responses of DMLs exhibit a quite low roll‐off. Shortening the cavity length L is attractive to enhance the high‐speed performance of DMLs, but it will increase the mirror loss and the chip resistance at the same time. We analyzed the static and dynamic characteristics of 200‐μm, 250‐μm, and 300‐μm lasers experimentally and theoretically to investigate the impact of L on the coplanar‐electrode DML. Shortening the cavity length can improve the relaxation oscillation frequency fr effectively. The 200‐μm DML achieves a bandwidth of 15.3 GHz. The fr is the most important limiting factor for the laser to obtain a wide bandwidth. Decreasing L and increasing the differential gain are promising for the further improvement of fr. However, shortening L causes a more severe thermal effect and the deterioration of the linearity. This trade‐off must be considered in the future study.
Effect of distortion corrections on the tractography quality in spinal cord diffusion‐weighted imaging
Authors: Dauleac Corentin , Bannier Elise , Cotton François , Frindel Carole
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To assess the impact of a different distortion correction (DC) method and patient geometry (sagittal balance) on the quality of spinal cord tractography rendering according to different tractography approaches.

Methods

Forty‐four adults free of spinal cord diseases underwent cervical diffusion‐weighted imaging. The phase‐encoding direction was head→foot. Sequence with opposed polarities (foot→head) was acquired to perform DC. Eddy‐current, motion effects, and susceptibility artifact correction methods were used for DC, and two deterministic and one probabilistic tractography approaches were evaluated using MRtrix and DSI Studio tractography software. Fiber length and number of fibers were extracted to evaluate the quality of the tractography rendering. For each subject, cervical lordosis was measured to assess patient geometry. The angle between the main direction of the spinal cord and the orientation of the acquisition box were computed at each spine level to assess acquisition geometry and define an angle threshold for which a tractography of good quality is no longer possible.

Results

There was a significant improvement in tractography quality after performing DC with susceptibility artifact correction using a deterministic approach based on tensor. Before DC, the angle threshold was defined at C6 (15.2°) compared with C7 (21.9°) after corrections, demonstrating the importance of spinal cord angulation for DC.

Conclusion

The impact of DC on tractography quality is greatly impacted by acquisition geometry. To obtain a good‐quality tractography, we propose as a future perspective to adapt the acquisition geometry to that of the patient by automatically adjusting the acquisition box.
Heat transfer in photovoltaic polymers and bulk‐heterojunctions investigated by scanning photothermal deflection technique
Authors: Chiu Ka Lok , Ho Johnny Ka Wai , Zhang Chujun , Cheung Sin Hang , Yin Hang , Chan Mau Hing , So Shu Kong
Published: January 2021

Organic semiconductors in electronic devices usually have poor thermal conduction which could trap considerable amount of heat, inducing operational instability and reducing device lifetime, limiting commercialization potential. Despite the technological essence to understand and enhance device heat‐dissipation, related studies on organic semiconductors are very limited. In this study, the authors show that the scanning photothermal deflection technique can be employed to study the thermal transport in thin films of organic photovoltaic (OPV) polymers and bulk‐heterojunctions (BHJs), with a simple empirical correction for the extrinsic experimental configuration. Phonons are identified to dominate the thermal transport due to the low carrier mobility. For OPV semiconductors, the positive correlation between the thermal diffusivity and the molecular planarity, – stacking and crystallinity is demonstrated. High‐performance 2D polymers such as PM6 can possess values comparable to alloys like stainless steel. In BHJs, using a polymeric acceptor can retain high thermal diffusivities compared to fullerene and ITIC acceptors, attributed to the efficient heat transfer within the polymer chains. The results offer not only a simple, highly customizable but sensitive experimental method for thermal transport in OPV systems, but also insights into the phonon dynamics and clinical investigations for thermal stability, pushing forward strategic material design.
Bladder irrigation with povidone‐iodine prevent recurrent urinary tract infections in neurogenic bladder patients on clean intermittent catheterization
Authors: Moussa Mohamad , Chakra Mohamed Abou , Papatsoris Athanasios G. , Dellis Athanasios , Dabboucy Baraa , Fares Youssef
Published: January 2021

Aims

To determine if daily povidone‐iodine (PI) bladder irrigation in neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) patients doing clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) can reduce the rate of symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTIs), emergency department (ED) visit for UTIs, and hospitalization for UTIs.

Methods

We prospectively reviewed the records of patients with NLUTD on CIC who had recurrent symptomatic UTIs and who were placed on daily intravesical instillations of PI. This trial was conducted from January 2014 to January 2020 on 119 patients.

Results

After using daily PI bladder irrigation, the rate of symptomatic UTIs was reduced by 99.2% (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 0.008, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.001–0.059; p < .001), the rate of ED visits was reduced by 99.2%% (IRR: 0.008, 95% CI: 0.001–0.059; p < .001), and the rate of inpatient hospitalizations for UTI was reduced by 99.9% (IRR: 0.0008, 95% CI: 0.0002–0.0035; p < .001). There was also a significant decrease in multidrug resistance in UTI organisms with the use of PI bladder instillation.

Conclusions

Daily intravesical PI instillation is a well‐tolerated approach to prevent UTIs and related ED visits and hospitalizations in NLUTD patients doing CIC.
Readability of English and Spanish forms of two adaptive behavior rating scales
Authors: Wickerd Garry , Tremblay Sarah
Published: January 2021

Adaptive behavior rating scales are widely used assessments that ask teachers and parents to rate how well students care for themselves, interact with others, and exhibit practical and academic skills. While adaptive rating scales have yielded reliable and valid results, it is unclear how the readability of the rating forms may impact the results, especially for parents who may have lower literacy levels. Using three readability indices—the Flesch Reading Ease for English, the Fernández Huerta for Spanish, and the Automated Reading Index for both English and Spanish—the readability of the English and Spanish parent/caregiver forms of the Vineland‐3 and ABAS‐3 was assessed. Results indicated that the reading grade level equivalent of the English and Spanish versions of the ABAS‐3 was on average greater than the recommended sixth grade level. In contrast, the readability of the Spanish and English versions of the Vineland‐3 was on average sixth grade level and below. Based on these results, when using parent/caregiver adaptive behavior rating forms, school psychologists should take precautions to ensure valid results by ascertaining parent/caregiver reading proficiency, providing additional explanations as permitted by the assessment protocols, and using alternative interview forms provided by publishers as needed.
The in vitro structure and functions of the disordered late embryogenesis abundant three proteins
Authors: Singh Karamjeet K. , Graether Steffen P.
Published: January 2021

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are produced during seed embryogenesis and in vegetative tissue in response to various abiotic stressors. A correlation has been established between LEA expression and stress tolerance, yet their precise biochemical mechanism remains elusive. LEA proteins are very rich in hydrophilic amino acids, and they have been found to be intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) in vitro. Here, we perform biochemical and structural analyses of the four LEA3 proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtLEA3). We show that the LEA3 proteins are disordered in solution but have regions with propensity for order. All LEA3 proteins were effective cryoprotectants of LDH in the freeze/thaw assays, while only one member, AtLEA3‐4, was shown to bind Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions with micromolar affinity. As well, only AtLEA3‐4 showed binding and a gain in α‐helicity in the presence of the membrane mimic dodecylphosphocholine (DPC). We explored this interaction in greater detail using 15N‐heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) nuclear magnetic resonance, and demonstrate that two sets of conserved motifs present in AtLEA3‐4 are involved in the interaction with the DPC micelles, which themselves gain α‐helical structure.
Pharmacological inhibition of STAT3 by BP‐1‐102 inhibits intracranial aneurysm formation and rupture in mice through modulating inflammatory response
Authors: Jiang Zhixian , Huang Jiaxin , You Lingtong , Zhang Jinning , Li Bingyu
Published: January 2021

As an inhibitor of STAT3, BP‐1‐102 can regulate the inflammation response caused by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by inhibiting the JAK/STAT3/NF‐κB pathway, thereby attenuating the symptoms of intracranial aneurysm (IA). IA mouse model was established by stereotactic injection of elastase to evaluate the effect of BP‐1‐102. The expression levels of smooth muscle markers and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were detected by qRT‐PCR, and the levels of inflammatory factors were detected by ELISA and qRT‐PCR. The protein levels of the NF‐κB signaling pathway factors were examined by Western blot. BP‐1‐102 reduced blood pressure in aneurysm mice, up‐regulated smooth muscle cell markers MHC, SMA, and SM22, and down‐regulated the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in vascular tissues. At the same time, BP‐1‐102 also down‐regulated the expression levels of inflammatory response factors and the NF‐κB pathway proteins. In the IA model, BP‐1‐102 can reduce the expression of inflammatory factors and MMPs bound to NF‐κB by inhibiting the activation of the JAK/STAT3/NF‐κB pathway proteins, and then restore the vascular wall elastin to reduce blood pressure, thereby treating aneurysm.
Bempedoic acid for primary hypercholesterolaemia
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: January 2021

Bempedoic acid (Nilemdo) is a new lipid‐lowering therapy for the treatment of primary hypercholesterolaemia and mixed dyslipidaemia. This article summarises its mechanism of action, clinical trial efficacy and side‐effects.
Dependence of the Ferromagnetism on Vacancy Defect in Annealed In2O3 Nanocrystals: A Positron Annihilation Study
Authors: Wang Zihao , Dong Xiumei , Chen Zhiyuan , Xiong Houhua , Gao Jie , Du Jifu , Tang Xiuqin , Zhang Quankun , Qian Libing , Chen Zhiquan
Published: January 2021

In2O3 nanoparticles are fabricated by a sol–gel method, and annealed under air atmosphere from 400 to 1200 °C. X‐ray diffraction patterns display that all samples are the cubic bixbyite structure, grain size remains nearly unchanged below 700 °C, but remarkable increases from 35 to 72 nm after annealing up to 1200 °C. Electron microscopy also confirms the grain growth during high‐temperature annealing, and the transmission electron microscopy characterizes good crystallinity inside the grains. Raman spectroscopy indicates that the crystallinity of annealed samples is improving and the concentration of oxygen vacancies is decreasing with the increase in annealing temperature. Positron annihilation lifetime measurements identify that there are a large number of monovacancies and vacancy clusters on the surface of nanoparticles. With the increase in annealing temperature, the monovacancies keep a slight recovery and their concentration increases, but the vacancy clusters become smaller vacancies and their concentration decreases. Room‐temperature ferromagnetism exists in the samples after annealing at 400–1000 °C, and the magnetization decreases gradually with the increase in annealing temperature, which is in coincidence with the recovery of vacancy clusters after annealing. These findings suggest that ferromagnetism in annealed In2O3 nanocrystals might be due to the indium–oxygen vacancy clusters rather than grain size effects.
Measurement of Biomimetic Deposition of Calcium Phosphate in Real Time Using Complex Capacitance
Authors: Guttenplan Alexander P. M. , Bormans Seppe , Tahmasebi Birgani Zeinab , Schumacher Matthias , Giselbrecht Stefan , Truckenmüller Roman K. , Habibović Pamela , Thoelen Ronald
Published: January 2021

Deposition of minerals, particularly calcium phosphates such as hydroxyapatite, is an important process in the formation of hard tissues such as bone. Herein, a new, affordable, straightforward and nondestructive method based on complex capacitance spectroscopy, an application of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, is described which allows repeated and real‐time measurements of the same sample throughout the calcium phosphate deposition process. In contrast with end‐point assays which require large numbers of samples to obtain useful time‐course data, this method allows the kinetics of deposition to be measured using a single sample by measuring the impedance of a pair of interdigitated electrodes at a range of frequencies as the layer of mineral is deposited. Changes in the complex capacitance curve over time with deposition can be compared with images of the coating deposited on model substrates, and show different behavior depending on the composition of the coating and the conditions of deposition.
Assessing efficacy in important subgroups in confirmatory trials: An example using Bayesian dynamic borrowing
Authors: Best Nicky , Price Robert G. , Pouliquen Isabelle J. , Keene Oliver N.
Published: January 2021

Assessment of efficacy in important subgroups – such as those defined by sex, age, race and region – in confirmatory trials is typically performed using separate analysis of the specific subgroup. This ignores relevant information from the complementary subgroup. Bayesian dynamic borrowing uses an informative prior based on analysis of the complementary subgroup and a weak prior distribution centred on a mean of zero to construct a robust mixture prior. This combination of priors allows for dynamic borrowing of prior information; the analysis learns how much of the complementary subgroup prior information to borrow based on the consistency between the subgroup of interest and the complementary subgroup. A tipping point analysis can be carried out to identify how much prior weight needs to be placed on the complementary subgroup component of the robust mixture prior to establish efficacy in the subgroup of interest. An attractive feature of the tipping point analysis is that it enables the evidence from the source subgroup, the evidence from the target subgroup, and the combined evidence to be displayed alongside each other. This method is illustrated with an example trial in severe asthma where efficacy in the adolescent subgroup was assessed using a mixture prior combining an informative prior from the adult data in the same trial with a non‐informative prior.
A Bayesian adaptive design for biosimilar trials with time‐to‐event endpoint
Authors: Belay Sheferaw Y. , Mu Rongji , Xu Jin
Published: January 2021

A biosimilar drug is a biological product that is highly similar to and at the same time has no clinically meaningful difference from licensed product in terms of safety, purity, and potency. Biosimilar study design is essential to demonstrate the equivalence between biosimilar drug and reference product. However, existing designs and assessment methods are primarily based on binary and continuous endpoints. We propose a Bayesian adaptive design for biosimilarity trials with time‐to‐event endpoint. The features of the proposed design are twofold. First, we employ the calibrated power prior to precisely borrow relevant information from historical data for the reference drug. Second, we propose a two‐stage procedure using the Bayesian biosimilarity index (BBI) to allow early stop and improve the efficiency. Extensive simulations are conducted to demonstrate the operating characteristics of the proposed method in contrast with some naive method. Sensitivity analysis and extension with respect to the assumptions are presented.
Erythropoietin in bone homeostasis—Implications for efficacious anemia therapy
Authors: Lappin Katrina M. , Mills Ken I. , Lappin Terence R.
Published: January 2021

Bone homeostasis and hematopoiesis are irrevocably linked in the hypoxic environment of the bone marrow. Erythropoietin (Epo) regulates erythropoiesis by binding to its receptor, Epor, on erythroid progenitor cells. The continuous process of bone remodeling is achieved by the finely balanced activity of osteoblasts in bone synthesis and osteoclasts in bone resorption. Both osteoblasts and osteoclasts express functional Epors, but the underlying mechanism of Epo-Epor signaling in bone homeostasis is incompletely understood. Two recent publications have provided new insights into the contribution of endogenous Epo to bone homeostasis. Suresh et al examined Epo-Epor signaling in osteoblasts in bone formation in mice and Deshet-Unger et al investigated osteoclastogenesis arising from transdifferentiation of B cells. Both groups also studied bone loss in mice caused by exogenous human recombinant EPO-stimulated erythropoiesis. They found that either deletion of Epor in osteoblasts or conditional knockdown of Epor in B cells attenuates EPO-driven bone loss. These findings have direct clinical implications because patients on long-term treatment for anemia may have an increased risk of bone fractures. Phase 3 trials of small molecule inhibitors of the PHD enzymes (hypoxia inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors [HIF-PHIs]), such as Roxadustat, have shown improved iron metabolism and increased circulating Epo levels in a titratable manner, avoiding the supraphysiologic increases that often accompany intravenous EPO therapy. The new evidence presented by Suresh and Deshet-Unger and their colleagues on the effects of EPO-stimulated erythropoiesis on bone homeostasis seems likely to stimulate discussion on the relative merits and safety of EPO and HIF-PHIs.
Simultaneous quantification of 12 phytoconstituents in the different marketed formulation of Manasamitra Vatakam by high‐performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method
Authors: Srikalyani Vemuri , Ilango Kaliappan
Published: January 2021

Manasamitra Vatakam a classical formulation texted in Sahasrayogam selected for the quantification of possible chemical constituents present in available four marketed preparations. An effective, validated, and comprehensive liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of 12 phytoconstituents namely; Berberine, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Vitexin, Rutin, Myricetin, Andrographolide, Naringenin, Kaempferol, Apigenin, Piperine, and Galangin present in the formulation. The compounds were analyzed using Quadrupole analyzer for determination and photo diode array identification was used as a confirmatory tool. The elution process was executed on Agilent Eclipse C18 column with solvent system of 0.1% acetic acid solution and methanol with gradient elution and flow rate purged at 0.8 mL min–1. The calibration curves of the analytes showed good linearity with r2 ≥ 0.99. The method was validated as per ICH guidelines and parameters were found within the permissible limits. The content of the markers identified were quantified for all the four formulations. Of all the markers identified berberine was found to be in larger quantity, i.e., 129.1–216.8 μg/mg and andrographolide was quantified with least content, i.e., 3.3–7.8 μg/mg. In conclusion, the developed method provides best fit for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of phytoconstituents and thus provide a rapid tool for determination in divergent ayurvedic formulations.
Interfacial properties of CFRP sheets and concrete subjected to variable amplitude fatigue loading
Authors: Yuan Hong , Luo Guangyun , Liu Chang , Zeng Lan
Published: January 2021

In order to better understand the interfacial fatigue behavior of concrete and fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP), bending fatigue tests were conducted on plain concrete beams strengthened with carbon FRP (CFRP) sheets under variable amplitude cyclic loading which deteriorates structural performance in actual projects more dramatically than constant amplitude loading. The test parameters were four types of loading modes including static loading, constant amplitude cyclic loading, alternating amplitude cyclic loading and incremental amplitude cyclic loading. Miner damage rule, modified Miner damage rule and Corten‐Dolan cumulative damage rule were used to predict the fatigue life of specimens. The relationship between loads and deflections, the relationship between strains and cycle times and the crack propagation were analyzed. The results have shown that the fatigue life of specimens under variable amplitude cyclic loading, especially alternating one, is shorter than that of specimens under constant one, and the modified Miner damage rule is more suitable to predict fatigue life. The crack lengths on the lateral faces of beams recorded by digital image correlation (DIC) method developed more slowly than those at the bottom sides recorded by strain gauges. A proposed damage model describing the relationship between the crack lengths and fatigue life for specimens under alternating amplitude fatigue loading is consistent with the experimental results well.
Effects of predamage and load cyclic on compression behavior of fiber reinforced polymer‐confined concrete
Authors: Cao Yu‐Gui , Hou Can , Liu Mu‐Yu , Jiang Cheng
Published: January 2021

Most existing studies on fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) confined concrete have focused on undamaged concrete that is subjected to uniaxial monotonic compression. However, FRP jackets are usually applied to concrete columns with existing material damage and potential future damage. This paper investigates FRP confinement on concrete with damage before and after FRP jacketing. A total of 32 FRP‐confined concrete specimens were tested under axial compression in this work. The prior damage before FRP jacketing was implemented as predamaging by applying preloading and then release on the plain concrete specimens. The post damage after FRP jacketing was performed by applying cyclic axial compression loading on FRP‐confined concrete specimens. The test results reveal that the concrete predamage levels have significant influences on the cyclic stress–strain curve and envelop stress–strain curve for FRP confined concrete under cyclic loading. Existing models on ultimate state, plastic strain, reloading and unloading moduli were evaluated and investigated in this work.
Factors associated with food‐animal producer visit‐specific satisfaction following on‐farm interaction with a veterinarian
Authors: DeGroot Antonia , Coe Jason , Kelton David , Miltenburg Cynthia , Wichtel Jeffrey , Duffield Todd
Published: January 2021

Background: Effective communication has been found to have positive associations with client satisfaction, client adherence and veterinarian satisfaction in companion animal medicine. Better understanding the role of communication on these outcomes, specifically producer satisfaction, is likely to benefit food‐animal medicine. Objectives were to identify factors associated with producer visit‐specific satisfaction following on‐farm veterinarian–producer interactions and evaluate the validity of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire for use in food‐animal medicine.

Methods: A cross‐sectional sample of practicing food‐animal veterinarians and their producer clients were recruited in Ontario, Canada. Immediately following the veterinarian‐producer interaction, producers completed a questionnaire that assessed their visit‐specific satisfaction and their perception of the producer‐centeredness of the interaction. Veterinarians completed a questionnaire that assessed their perception of the interaction's producer‐centeredness. A linear regression model was developed to identify factors associated with producer visit‐specific satisfaction.

Results: Forty‐one veterinarians and 207 producers participated. Factors associated with producer visit‐specific satisfaction included producer age (satisfaction decreased with age), producer gender (males less satisfied) and producer perception of producer‐centeredness score (satisfaction increased with producer perception of producer‐centeredness score).

Conclusion: Findings raise awareness of the importance of a producer's perception of producer‐centeredness in food‐animal practice and encourage its use by food‐animal veterinarians in working towards positive outcomes.
Noninvasive Renal Perfusion Measurement Using Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI: Basic Concept
Authors: Ku Min-Chi , Fernández-Seara María A. , Kober Frank , Niendorf Thoralf
Published: January 2021

The kidney is a complex organ involved in the excretion of metabolic products as well as the regulation of body fluids, osmolarity, and homeostatic status. These functions are influenced in large part by alterations in the regional distribution of blood flow between the renal cortex and medulla. Renal perfusion is therefore a key determinant of glomerular filtration. Therefore the quantification of regional renal perfusion could provide important insights into renal function and renal (patho)physiology. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) based perfusion MRI techniques, can offer a noninvasive and reproducible way of measuring renal perfusion in animal models. This chapter addresses the basic concept of ASL-MRI.

This chapter is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers. This introduction chapter is complemented by two separate chapters describing the experimental procedure and data analysis.
Reversible (Patho)Physiologically Relevant Test Interventions: Rationale and Examples
Authors: Cantow Kathleen , Ladwig-Wiegard Mechthild , Flemming Bert , Fekete Andrea , Hosszu Adam , Seeliger Erdmann
Published: January 2021

Renal tissue hypoperfusion and hypoxia are early key elements in the pathophysiology of acute kidney injury of various origins, and may also promote progression from acute injury to chronic kidney disease. Here we describe test interventions that are used to study the control of renal hemodynamics and oxygenation in experimental animals in the context of kidney-specific control of hemodynamics and oxygenation. The rationale behind the use of the individual tests, the physiological responses of renal hemodynamics and oxygenation, the use in preclinical studies, and the possible application in humans are discussed.

This chapter is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers.
Quantitative Assessment of Renal Perfusion and Oxygenation by Invasive Probes: Basic Concepts
Authors: Cantow Kathleen , Evans Roger G. , Grosenick Dirk , Gladytz Thomas , Niendorf Thoralf , Flemming Bert , Seeliger Erdmann
Published: January 2021

Renal tissue hypoperfusion and hypoxia are early key elements in the pathophysiology of acute kidney injury of various origins, and may also promote progression from acute injury to chronic kidney disease. Here we describe basic principles of methodology to quantify renal hemodynamics and tissue oxygenation by means of invasive probes in experimental animals. Advantages and disadvantages of the various methods are discussed in the context of the heterogeneity of renal tissue perfusion and oxygenation.

This chapter is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers. This introduction chapter is complemented by a separate chapter describing the experimental procedure and data analysis.
Resetting the African Smallholder Farming System: Potentials to Cope with Climate Change
Authors: Freyer Bernhard , Bingen Jim
Published: January 2021

Agricultural production systems, for example, conservation agriculture, climate smart agriculture, organic agriculture, sustainable landuse management, and others, summarized under the term “sustainable intensification,” have been introduced in African countries to increase productivity and to adapt/mitigate CC (CCAM). But the productivity of smallholder farming systems in Africa remains low. High erosion, contaminated water, threatened human health, reduced soil water, and natural resources functionality, that is, ecosystems services, and decreased biodiversity dominate. Low support in the farm environment is also responsible for this situation.

It is hypothesized, based on the huge body of literature on CCAM, that the implementation of already existing arable and plant cultivation methods like crop diversity, alley crops, forage legume-based crop rotations, mulching, organic matter recycling, and reduced tillage intensity will increase CCAM performance and also farm productivity and income. Based on a brief analysis of CCAM relevant arable and plant cultivation methods and agricultural production systems potentials and challenges, this chapter offers guidance for further transforming climate robust African farming systems.
Can Teachers’ Instruction Increase Low-SES Students’ Motivation to Learn Mathematics?
Authors: Bergem Ole Kristian , Nilsen Trude , Mittal Oleksandra , Ræder Henrik Galligani
Published: January 2021

Students’ motivation in mathematics has been shown to predict their achievement and whether they pursue a later career in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). To sustain equity in education, it is important that students are motivated for the STEM fields, independent of their background characteristics (e.g., gender and SES). Previous research has revealed that students’ motivation declines from primary to secondary school. The present study investigates whether this unwanted development may be related to students’ SES, and more importantly, what aspects of teachers’ instruction are related to student motivation for low, medium, and high-SES student groups in grade 5 and 9. We use data from students in grades 5 and 9 and their teachers who participated in TIMSS 2015 in Norway. Multilevel (students and classes), multi-group structural equation modelling is used to answer the research questions. In line with previous research from Germany and the USA, the results showed that SES is more important to student motivation in secondary than primary school, that low SES students’ motivation depends more on their teachers’ instructional quality than high SES students and that this dependency is stronger in secondary school than in primary school. The implications and contributions of the study are discussed.
Resilient and Nonresilient Students in Sweden and Norway—Investigating the Interplay Between Their Self-Beliefs and the School Environment
Authors: Radišić Jelena , Pettersen Andreas
Published: January 2021

Using TIMSS 2015 data and a person-centred approach, the chapter focuses on academically resilient students in Norway and Sweden in grade eight. The self-belief profiles of academically resilient students compared with the nonresilient groups (i.e., low SES/low achievement, high SES/low achievement and high SES/high achievement) are investigated. Further, we evaluated the characteristics of the classroom environment for each of the profiles. After accounting for student SES and achievement, personal characteristics, advantages and disadvantages in the classroom and the school environment, we identified distinctive student profiles that might be more prone to risk. In the context of the equality–inequality paradigm, recognition of these profiles can strengthen the possibility to reduce the gap in battling different aspects of inequality across social groups. Concurrently, although we distinguish the same student groups across Sweden and Norway, their distribution within the countries differs. The latter results contribute to the ongoing debate on the dissolution/unification of the Nordic model, especially regarding particular trends within the Swedish education system.
Equity and Diversity in Reading Comprehension—A Case Study of PISA 2000–2018
Authors: Frønes Tove Stjern , Rasmusson Maria , Bremholm Jesper
Published: January 2021

This chapter studies equity in reading performance in PISA 2000–2018 in three Nordic countries: Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Using regression analyses, the study investigates how the reading performance trend for groups of students with different genders, home backgrounds and minorities has developed. The study is contextualised through an up-to-date description of reading comprehension instruction in the countries. In addition to trend analyses of general reading performance, the study examines if the differences between groups of students are consistent across different text formats in the digital version of the PISA test, distinguishing between static text types (e.g., articles, letters, stories) and dynamic text types (e.g., websites, forums and e-mails, etc.). We find a consistently high reading literacy performance in all Scandinavian countries compared with international development. There are large gender differences in the average reading performance in all three countries, disfavouring boys, especially low-performing boys from low SES home backgrounds. We find a huge and stable gap between minority and majority students’ reading achievement, even when corrected for SES. Taking these findings into account, we assert that there is no basis for concluding that the school systems give more equitable learning conditions for groups of students now than when the PISA assessments started. However, it appears that the new online text formats in PISA 2018 might shrink the differences between student groups. Based on our findings, we argue that it is highly doubtful if one can still speak of a Nordic model of education, both as an idea of equity and fairness and as a model that is united across the Nordic countries.