bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotypic characterization of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) clones using agro‐morphological traits
Authors: Adu‐Gyamfi Paul K. K. , Akpertey Abraham , Barnnor Michael , Ofori Atta , Padi Francis
Published: December 2020

High cropping efficiency implies that high yields are obtained from reasonably sized trees. We studied the general and specific combining ability (GCA and SCA) of selected cashew clones of Brazilian (A), Beninese (BE), and Ghanaian (SG) background for cropping efficiency and nut weight in the early years of bearing. Using North Carolina II mating design, four clones were crossed as males to three best clones recommended for farmers. The 12 F1 progenies were evaluated in the field at Wenchi (2012–2018) for increase in trunk cross‐sectional area at the vegetative (TCSAv) and reproductive (TCSAr) stages, canopy spread in the east‐west (CSew) and north‐south (CSns) directions, nut yield (NY), nut weight (NW), and cropping efficiency (CE) using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Cropping efficiencies were in the range of 30.8–67.4 g/cm2/year while nut weight and nut yield varied from 5.9 to 10.5 g/year and 477.8 to 939.4 kg ha‐1 year‐1 in the fourth to sixth years after planting, respectively. The Beninese progenies outperformed the Brazilian progenies for cropping efficiency. GCA effects were more important than SCA effects. Narrow‐sense heritability ranged from 0.47 (CE) to 0.80 (NW). Canopy spread in the north‐south direction correlated (rg = 0.98; p ≤ .001) strongly with cropping efficiency at the genotypic level. Among males, BE203 showed positive GCA effects for cropping efficiency, TCSAv, and nut yield, whereas A2 and SG273 showed positive GCA effects for nut weight. Among females, SG287 showed negative GCA effects for TCSAr. Our study provides evidence that, cashew tree size and nut quality are under genetic control and the identified clones represent a suitable genetic resource pool to increase productivity.
Evaluation of the Aortopathy in the Ascending Aorta: The Novelty of Using Matrix‐Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging
Authors: Mohamed Salah A. , Taube Eliane T. , Thiele Herbert , Noack Frank , Nebrich Grit , Mohamady Kamal , Hanke Thorsten , Klein Oliver
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Histopathological evaluation presents conflicting reports regarding aortic abnormalities. The authors aim to present proof‐of‐concept study to explore the feasibility of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI‐IMS) in combination with histopathology for characterizing alterations in the aneurysmal ascending formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) aorta tissue.

Experimental design

The authors assess FFPE specimens from patients with a dilated aorta and bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), those with a standard tricuspid aortic valve (TAV), and those with Marfan syndrome (MFS) via histopathology and grade the conditions for elastic fiber fragmentation (EFF) and MALDI‐IMS. The proteins using liquid chromatographic–mass spectrometry are identified and the results are confirmed by immunohistochemistry.

Results

There is significant difference in terms of EFF between MFS and BAV, and TAV and BAV. Characteristic peptide signatures and m/z values in the EFF facilitate the characterization among the aortic specimens of BAV, MFS, and TAV. The m/z values from the aortic alpha smooth muscle actin and myosin heavy chains significantly increase in BAV compared with MFS and TAV. These findings are confirmed by immunohistochemistry.

Conclusion

The results represent a strategy that uses MALDI‐IMS in combination with histopathology as promising approaches to characterize spatial alteration in the structure of the aneurysmal ascending aorta.
Preferred Void Orientation in Uniaxially Pressed PBX 9502
Authors: Mang Joseph T. , Hjelm Rex P.
Published: December 2020

Ultra‐ and small‐angle neutron scattering techniques were used to study the morphology of voids in directions parallel and perpendicular to the compaction plane of a uniaxially pressed cylinder of PBX 9502. Two‐dimensional scattering patterns from samples cut parallel to the compaction plane had circular equal‐intensity contours, implying that along this view the voids are circular or randomly oriented. Identical measurements of samples cut perpendicular to the compaction plane produced elliptical equal‐intensity contours, indicating preferred orientation of voids. Analysis of the two dimensional scattering patterns confirmed that the voids are non‐spherical with an average aspect ratio of 1.20, flattened so that the larger dimensions of the voids lie within the compaction plane. Model analysis of the combined ultra‐ and small‐angle neutron scattering curves revealed that the PBX 9502 porosity is interconnected, in the form of aggregates comprised of non‐spherical, primary voids. The volume dimension was found to be the same in both directions, indicating that the aggregate is randomly oriented throughout the sample, and that it is the primary voids that are preferentially oriented. Void interfaces with the surrounding matrix were found to be rough or polydisperse, with a common roughness dimension or polydispersity in all directions.
Thermal Decomposition of 1,3,5,5‐Tetranitrohexahydro‐Pyrimidine: A New Type of Autocatalysis that Persists at High Temperatures
Authors: Sinditskii Valery P. , Smirnova Anastasia D. , Vu Tuan Q. , Filatov Sergey A. , Serushkin Valery V. , Rudakov Gennady F.
Published: December 2020

The thermal stability of 1,3,5,5‐ tetranitrohexahydropyrimidine (TNDA) in liquid phase under isothermal conditions was studied. It was established that the TNDA decomposition (kliq=3.1 ⋅ 1021⋅exp(−26865/T), Ea=223.4 kJ mol−1) is accompanied by strong autocatalysis (kcat=9.8 ⋅ 1014⋅exp(‐18056/T), Ea=150.2 kJ mol−1). The mechanism of autocatalysis was proposed. The essence of autocatalysis is the oxidation of TNDA by decomposition products, followed by the destruction of the molecule. An unusual feature of this autocatalysis is that, in contrast to autocatalysis of nitroesters, the process does not disappear at high temperatures, but rather determines the kinetics of heat release in the combustion wave. The surface temperature and combustion mechanism of TNDA were established through thermocouple studies. It was shown that the autocatalysis reaction at the surface temperature controls the burning rate.
The different resonant modes for the special 2D/1D hybrid structures in the visible‐light region
Authors: Wu Zhen‐Yu , Zhang Hong
Published: December 2020

Low‐dimensional nanostructures have demonstrated abundant novelty characteristics in the quantum field. Inspired by this, we design a 2D/1D hybrid structure based on the graphene‐like material (BC3 cluster) and noble metal (Ag chain) to study its optical response feature. The absorption spectrum illustrates that the structure obtains excellent performance such as high absorption strength and distinguish double peaks in the visible energy range (1.61–3.10 eV). Further calculations of induced charge distribution show that there are obviously resonant surface plasmon mode for the 2D/1D hybrid structure and origin surface plasmon mode mainly come from the 2D structure in the low energy region. To find out the similar characteristics of other 2D/1D hybrid structure, we perform the corresponding calculations of C3N and Ag hybrid structures. The results have proved the uniform performances for the two special hybrid structures in optical response, which provides attractive light‐matter interactions in the low‐dimensional nanostructures and tremendous potential in the developments of photosensor and optical energy devices.
A DFT study on NHC‐catalyzed [4 + 2] annulation of 2H‐azirines with ketones: Mechanism and selectivity
Authors: Li Yan , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: December 2020

To examine the mechanisms and stereoselectivities in the [4 + 2] annulation between an 2H‐Azirine and a ketone catalyzed by a N‐heterocyclic carbine (NHC), M06‐2X density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed. The reaction was found to proceed via five steps: (Step 1) the NHC adds nucleophilically to the 2H‐azirine; (Step 2) 1,2‐proton transfer affording the Breslow intermediate; (Step 3) three‐membered ring opening accompanied by another proton transfer; (Step 4) addition to the ketone and (Step 5) regeneration of the active catalyst to give the [4 + 2] cycloadduct. For Step 2, we investigated both direct and mediators (H2O and HCO3−) assisted proton transfer, and we found that the HCO3− assisted mechanism is preferred. In addition, we found that Step 3 (ring opening) determines the regioselectivity of this reaction and favors the cleavage of the CN bond. Step 4, that is, the CN bond formation step is found to be responsible for the stereoselectivity of the reaction, and the R‐ and S‐configurational products should compete with each other. DFT results agree well with the experimental findings. Moreover, we performed GRI, and NBO analyses to investigate the role the NHC. The mechanistic insights gained herein should be useful for rational designing new NHC‐catalyzed ring opening reactions in the future.
An enhanced dynamic authentication scheme for mobile satellite communication systems
Authors: Chen Yulei , Chen Jianhua
Published: December 2020

Recently, Altaf et al. proposed a novel authentication and key‐agreement scheme for satellite communication network. In this paper, we will prove that Altaf et al.'s scheme cannot provide perfect forward secrecy and resist the off‐line password guessing attack and user impersonation attack. To overcome these weaknesses, we propose an enhanced dynamic authentication scheme for mobile satellite communication systems, making use of the advantages of one‐way hash function and the discrete logarithm problem. We formally prove the security of the proposed scheme under the widely used BPR adversary model, and the heuristic discussion shows that the new scheme has good security and can resist all kinds of known malicious attacks. In addition, by comparing with other related schemes, we find that our scheme has better performance.
Desymmetrization of Cyclopentene‐1,3‐Diones via Alkylation, Arylation, Amidation and Cycloaddition Reactions
Authors: Das Tapas
Published: December 2020

Desymmetrization of prochiral cyclopentene‐1,3‐diones for the synthesis of various natural products and moieties of pharmaceutically active compounds, is a very challenging and competitive area of research in organic synthesis now a days. It is a very powerful strategy to provide quaternary stereocenter having different functionality, which is very difficult to install by other C−C bond‐forming methods. This review describes an elaborative discussion of desymmetrization of cyclopentene‐1,3‐diones (racemic and asymmetric) via different alkylation, arylation, amidation and cycloaddition process for the last decades.
Fluorene‐Labeled 2'‐Deoxyuridine as an Environmentally Sensitive Probe for Detection of an Abasic Site
Authors: Hong Seung Woo , Lee So Young , Hwang Gil Tae
Published: December 2020

The fluorescence properties of the fluorene‐labeled 2'‐deoxyuridine derivative UF are sensitive to the polarity and viscosity of its solvent. We incorporated this environment‐sensitive unit into the central position of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) and placed various flanking bases (FBs) around the UF residue, then investigated the changes in fluorescence that occurred when these ODN probes encountered DNA targets containing an abasic site. The ODN probe featuring cytosine‐FBs turned on its fluorescence when contacting the fully matched target DNA sequence, but turned off its fluorescence dramatically when the target DNA contained an abasic site.
High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Capacitors Based on Porosity‐Regulated Zirconium Metal−Organic Frameworks
Authors: Yan Wen , Su Jian , Yang Zhi‐Mei , Lv Sen , Jin Zhong , Zuo Jing‐Lin
Published: December 2020

Comprised of a battery anode and a supercapacitor cathode, hybrid lithium‐ion capacitors (HLICs) are found to be an effective solution to realize both high power density and high energy density at the same time. Organic–inorganic hybrid materials with well‐organized framework guided by the reticular chemistry are one of the promising anode materials for HLICs because of rich active sites and ordered porosity. Herein, metal−organic framework consisting of Zr4+ metal ions and tetrathiafulvalene‐based ligands (Zr‐MOF) is proposed as the pseudocapacitive anode of HLICs. The Zr‐MOF possesses high stability, high crystallinity, and multiple meso‐microporous channels favorable for ion transport. The as‐prepared Zr‐MOF||activated carbon HLICs present high energy density (122.5 Wh kg−1), high power density (12.5 kW kg−1), and stable cycling performance (86% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 2000 mA g−1) within the operating voltage range of 1.0–4.0 V. The results expand the direct application of MOF for bridging the performance gap between batteries and supercapacitors.
Effects of Different Ring‐Expanded Strategies for Nonfullerene Acceptors in Organic Photovoltaics under Donor and Acceptor Excitation
Authors: Sui Ming-Yue , Li Ming-Yang , Ren Yue , Sun Guang-Yan
Published: December 2020

The ring‐expanded strategy in nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) with the acceptor–donor–acceptor backbone has been reported to be an effective method to improve the fill factor (FF), open circuit voltage (VOC), and short circuit current (JSC) simultaneously in organic photovoltaics. However, design control is still missing in the ring‐expanded strategy, and is urgently needed to further develop the origins and rules. To give insight into this strategy, a detailed theoretical study of the ring‐expanded mechanism is performed on the systems comprising different 9,9′‐bifluorenylidene‐based cores and 1,1‐dicyanomethylene‐3‐indanone group. Some main parameters involved in photoelectric conversion mechanism under the donor excitation (DE) and/or acceptor excitation (AE) are assessed by changing the position and size of ring‐expanded modes. The results show that the external ring‐expanded modes can not only maintain the original advantage as much as possible, variations in sizes and positions also offer them an opportunity to regulate the aforementioned parameters systematically, leading to better improvement regardless of AE or DE. Thus, the steady improvement in performance mentioned previously is the key to overcoming the negative correlation among FF, VOC, and JSC. This insight and discovery of the ring‐expanded strategy provides new design approaches for the next generation of NFAs.
An analytical method to visualize higher mode effects on yielding cantilever walls
Authors: Kazaz İlker
Published: December 2020

A nonlinear flexural plastic hinge developing at the base of the cantilever wall changes its dynamic properties. In such systems, contribution of higher modes to the total shear force response after yielding may be underestimated when they are assumed to prone same or some nonlinearity as the first mode. In order to calculate the modal properties of a cantilever walls developing a plastic hinge at the base after yielding, the fundamental analytical beam formulation is revisited, and by applying special boundary condition reflecting the nonlinear deformation at the fixed base, that is, plastic hinge rotation, a novel formulation that is able to track changes in the modal properties of yielding cantilever shear wall is derived. The modal properties are effectively calculated depending on the level of nonlinear plastic rotation demand. Derived formulation can be very useful in the analysis of higher mode effects on shear wall systems, where the essential understanding of dynamic shear force amplification in cantilever wall system lays in the variation of the systems dynamic modal properties extending from linear to nonlinear range. A mode superposition method using equivalent nonlinear modal single‐degree‐of‐freedom (SDOF) systems is presented for the estimation of maximum shear force.
Coordination‐Assembled Molecular Cages with Metal Cluster Nodes
Authors: Zhu Zheng‐Zhong , Tian Chong‐Bin , Sun Qing‐Fu
Published: December 2020

Molecular cages have attracted great attention because of their fascinating topological structures and well‐defined functional cavities. These discrete cages were usually fabricated by coordination assembly approach, a process employing directional metal‐ligand coordination bonds due to the nature of the divinable coordination geometry and the required lability to encode dynamic equilibrium/error‐correction. Compared to these coordination molecular cages with mononulcear metal‐nodes, an increasing number of molecular cages featuring dinuclear and then polynuclear metal‐cluster nodes have been synthesized. These metal‐cluster‐based coordination cages (MCCCs) combine the merits of both metal clusters and the cage structure, and exhibit excellent performances in catalysis, separation, host‐guest chemistry and so on. In this review, we highlight the syntheses of MCCCs and their potential functions that is donated by the metal‐cluster nodes.
Filler‐dependent changes in thermal, dielectric, and mechanical properties of epoxy resin nanocomposites
Authors: Nagase Emiri , Iizuka Tomonori , Tatsumi Kohei , Hirai Naoshi , Ohki Yoshimichi , Yoshida Shigeyoshi , Umemoto Takahiro , Muto Hirotaka
Published: December 2020

We added nanofillers of MgO, Mg(OH)2, SiO2, and TiO2 to epoxy resin by high‐pressure shearing at a content of 1 vol%. The glass transition temperature (Tg), dielectric properties, and mechanical properties were measured for these nanocomposites. As a result, Tg decreases in all the nanocomposites. When the filler is MgO or Mg(OH)2, the increase of the real part (ϵr′) and that of the imaginary part (ϵr″) of complex permittivity are significantly suppressed at high temperatures by the filler loading. On the other hand, when the filler is SiO2 and TiO2, the suppression of the increase in ϵr′ and ϵr″ is not obvious. Furthermore, regardless of the filler material, the addition of nanofiller hardly affects the mechanical storage modulus at 200°C. These results indicate that the difference in filler material gives more significant effects on dielectric properties than on mechanical properties. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Carboxy terminus of HSP70‐interacting protein (CHIP) attenuates the stemness of thyroid cancer cells through decreasing OCT4 protein stability
Authors: Xu Ying , Xu Gang , Dang Huimin , Qu Wei , Chang Dan , He Xin , Li Minmin , Wang Qian
Published: December 2020

Cancer cell stemness results in the occurrence and progression of tumors and Oct4 (octamer‐binding transcription factor) has been confirmed to be a critical contributor and marker of cancer cell stemness. Here, we aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms contributing to Oct4 protein stability, which is necessary for thyroid cancer (TC) cell stemness. We indicated that carboxy terminus of HSP70‐interacting protein (CHIP) protein was lowly expressed in TC tissues and cells, and positively correlated with the overall survival of TC patients. By analyzing the co‐expression network in TC tissues, we found that CHIP and Oct4 expression exhibited a negative correlation. Functional experiments showed that CHIP knockdown promoted the stemness of TC cells, while CHIP overexpression reduced the stemness of TC spheroids formed by TC cells, in which CHIP expression was significantly decreased. Furthermore, CHIP had no effect on TC cell viability. Mechanistic studies revealed that CHIP directly interacted with Oct4 protein and induced Oct4 ubiquitination, whereas a catalytic CHIP mutant (H260Q) did not. And CHIP regulated the stemness of TC cells in an Oct4‐dependent manner. Overall, this work indicates that the CHIP/Oct4 axis is essential for TC cell stemness.
An Iron(II) Spin Crossover Complex with a Maleonitrile Schiff base‐like Ligand and Scan Rate‐dependent Hysteresis above Room Temperature
Authors: Kurz Hannah , Hörner Gerald , Weber Birgit
Published: December 2020

A Schiff base‐like ligand bearing a maleonitrile backbone was synthesized and converted in two steps to an octahedral iron(II) complex with axial imidazole ligands. Single crystal X‐ray structure analysis of this complex revealed a 3D hydrogen bond network based on the NH groups of the axial imidazole ligands that act as donors. Interestingly, temperature‐dependent magnetic measurements showed an abrupt spin crossover with hysteresis above room temperature. Thereby, the hysteresis width features a strong scan rate dependency leading to a 6 K wide hysteresis at a scan rate of 5 K/min and 1 K width when measured in settle mode. This kinetic effect is further investigated by DSC measurements verifying the strong scan rate dependency of the hysteresis width. The small hysteresis was additionally followed using temperature‐dependent PXRD. For comparison, the corresponding pyridine complex was synthesized as well.
Running in the Family: Molecular Factors controlling Spin Crossover of Iron(II) Complexes with Schiff‐base like Ligands
Authors: Schönfeld Sophie , Bauer Wolfgang , Thallmair Sebastian , Hörner Gerald , Weber Birgit
Published: December 2020

Tailoring of spin state energetics of transition metal complexes and even the correct prediction of the resulting spin state is still a challenging task, both for the experimentalist and the theoretician. Apart from the complexity in the solid state imposed by packing effects, molecular factors of the spin state ordering are required to be identified and quantified on equal rights. In this work we experimentally record the spin states and SCO energies within an eight‐member substitution‐series of N4O2 ligated iron(II) complexes both in the solid state (SQUID magnetometry and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography) and in solution (VT‐NMR). The experimental survey is complemented by exhaustive theoretical modelling of the molecular and electronic structure of the open‐chain N4O2 family and its macrocyclic N6 congeners through density‐functional theory methods. Ligand topology is identified as the leading factor defining ground‐state multiplicity of the corresponding iron(II) complexes. Invariably the low‐spin state is sterically trapped in the macrocycles, whereas subtle substitution effects allow for a molecular fine tuning of the spin state in the open‐chain ligands. Factorization of computed relative SCO energies holds promise for directed design of future SCO systems.
Correction to: Brain and Human Body Modeling 2020
Authors: Makarov Sergey N. , Noetscher Gregory M. , Nummenmaa Aapo
Published: December 2020

A chapter was removed from this Open Access volume and three subsequent chapters were moved into sections of the book which was not appropriate. The TOC has now been updated to match the correct order.
Women Seafarers: An Analysis of Barriers to Their Employment
Authors: Kitada Momoko
Published: December 2020

This chapter examines the barriers to the employment of women seafarers and identifies problems in the current attempts at addressing the gender imbalance in the maritime industry. Three impediments to female employment will be discussed in the context of modern shipping: occupational cultural barriers; lack of awareness and knowledge about women at sea; and the slow development of effective policies and strategies aimed at recruiting and retaining women seafarers. It draws the conclusion that the employment of women seafarers should be more focused and that the engagement of employers, including shipping companies and crewing agencies, is necessary to improve the situation of women seafarers.
Deterrence in Peace Operations: Look Beyond the Battlefield and Expand the Number of Targets and Influence Mechanisms
Authors: Jakobsen Peter Viggo
Published: December 2020

The peace operations literature suffers from a narrow focus on battlefield deterrence. It ignores the need to deter actors beyond the battlefield from supporting the combatants using force, and analyses the use of military threats and force in peace operations in a vacuum without taking into account the other instruments that deterring actors employ simultaneously to influence the combatants, combatant allies, combatant supporters and bystanders that undermine deterrence in peace operations. Since most peace operation forces lack the capacity and willingness to threaten and use force in accordance with the requirements stipulated by rational deterrence theory, influencing actors beyond the battlefield is more important with respect to deterring violence than the military efforts undertaken by peace operation forces to deter combatants from using force or to compel them to stop doing so. Accordingly, this chapter develops a new analytical framework that will enable peace operation theorists and practitioners to target all the actors that undermine deterrence on the battlefield and beyond with all the tools at their disposal—persuasion, inducement and coercion. The framework will improve both theory and practice by providing a better understanding of the conditions under which peace operations can contribute to deterring and, if need be, compelling combatants from using force as well as identifying the tools that practitioners can employ to this end. It highlights that peace operations merely constitute the top of the deterrence iceberg, and that peace operation forces must be supported by other actors and tools to succeed with respect to deterring violence and facilitating conflict resolution.
The Missing Component in Deterrence Theory: The Legal Framework
Authors: Ducheine Paul , Pijpers Peter
Published: December 2020

This chapter takes the starting point that the power to deter consists of three components: (physical) capacities, concepts (strategy, plans, decision-making procedures) and will (moral, determination, audacity). In case one of these components is underdeveloped or not in place, (coercive) power fails. Modern technologies (e.g. ICT, AI) and strategic insights (e.g. the utility of soft and smart power) urge for a reinterpretation of the ‘physical’ component, and include cyber capacities as well as culture, knowledge or law(fare) as capacities (or power instruments), too. Moreover, and taking cyber capabilities as a test case, these developments put even more weight on the conceptual and moral components of power. This chapter focusses on the legal framework as a key, but underrated, conceptual element of deterrent power. Using cyber threats as a case, it offers a legal framework enabling decision-makers to effectively generate deterrent power by showing which legal bases (should) undergird the employment of the variety of responses available to States. In democratic rule-of-law States, the principles of legitimacy and legality demand that the use of power (instruments) by States must be based on a legal basis and should respect other institutional features too. Through two illustrative vignettes the generic value of the framework will be illustrated for the potential use of power instruments—diplomacy, information, military, economy, culture, legal, knowledge—in its various modalities, including cyber operations. This legal framework, though tailored to cyber capabilities, may be used as a starting point for conceptualising the legal framework for so-called cross domain and cross dimensional, or full spectrum deterrence.
The archetypal equation and its solutions attaining the global extremum
Authors: Sudzik Mariusz
Published: December 2020

Let $$(\Omega , \mathcal {F}, \mathbb {P})$$

(
Ω
,
F
,
P
)

be a probability space and let $$\alpha , \beta : \mathcal {F} \rightarrow ~\mathbb {R}$$

α
,
β
:
F
→

R

be random variables. We provide sufficient conditions under which every bounded continuous solution $$\varphi : \mathbb {R} \rightarrow \mathbb {R}$$

φ
:
R
→
R

of the equation $$ \varphi (x) = \int _{ \Omega } \varphi \left( \alpha (\omega ) (x-\beta (\omega ))\right) \mathbb {P}(d\omega )$$

φ

(
x
)

=

∫
Ω

φ

α
(
ω
)
(
x
-
β
(
ω
)
)

P

(
d
ω
)

is constant. We also show that any non-constant bounded continuous solution of the above equation has to be oscillating at infinity.
Effect of cervical headgear on dental arch area, shape and interarch dimensions
Authors: Heino Toni , Kokko Heta , Vuollo Ville , Pirttiniemi Pertti
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The goal was to study the effects of early cervical headgear treatment on maxillary and mandibular dental arch area, shape and interarch dimensions.

Methods

The total study group comprised 67 children aged 7.6 years (standard deviation 0.3) with Angle class II malocclusion collected between 1992 and 1996. The children were randomly divided into two groups of equal size. In the first group, cervical headgear treatment was started immediately and undertaken for 2 years. The remaining patients served as untreated controls. Dental casts were taken and scanned at the beginning of treatment (T0) and at the 2‑year (T1) and 4‑year follow-up (T2). Three-dimensional landmarks describing the positions of maxillary and mandibular incisors, canines, first and second premolars and first molars were used to calculate and visualize the maxillary and mandibular dental arch area and shape using the polynomial equation y = Ax6 + Bx2.

Results

Significant changes in the shape and area of both maxillary and mandibular dental arches were induced with cervical headgear. The headgear increased dental arch area, sagittal dimensions at the mid-sagittal line and transversal dimensions at all of the measured levels in both dental arches compared to the control group.

Conclusions

Cervical headgear is an effective treatment device to gain space in both dental arches. Furthermore, when used as an early phase treatment, relapse is relatively small compared to the gained space.
A tunable anthranilate-inducible gene expression system for Pseudomonas species
Authors: Hoffmann Lena , Sugue Michael-Frederick , Brüser Thomas
Published: December 2020

Pseudomonads are among the most common bacteria in soils, limnic ecosystems, and human, animal, or plant host environments, including intensively studied species such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. putida, or P. fluorescens. Various gene expression systems are established for some species, but there is still a need for a simple system that is suitable for a wide range of pseudomonads and that can be used for physiological applications, i.e., with a tuning capacity at lower expression levels. Here, we report the establishment of the anthranilate-dependent PantA promoter for tunable gene expression in pseudomonads. During studies on P. fluorescens, we constructed an anthranilate-inducible AntR/PantA-based expression system, named pUCP20-ANT, and used GFP as reporter to analyze gene expression. This system was compared with the rhamnose-inducible RhaSR/PrhaB-based expression system in an otherwise identical vector background. While the rhamnose-inducible system did not respond to lower inducer concentrations and always reached high levels over time when induced, expression levels of the pUCP20-ANT system could be adjusted to a range of distinct lower or higher levels by variation of anthranilate concentrations in the medium. Importantly, the anthranilate-inducible expression system worked also in strains of P. aeruginosa and P. putida and therefore will be most likely useful for physiological and biotechnological purposes in a wide range of pseudomonads.

Key points

• We established an anthranilate-inducible gene expression system for pseudomonads.

• This system permits tuning of gene expression in a wide range of pseudomonads.

• It will be very useful for physiological and biotechnological applications.
Letermovir prophylaxis is effective in preventing cytomegalovirus reactivation after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: single-center real-world data
Authors: Derigs Patrick , Radujkovic Aleksandar , Schubert Maria-Luisa , Schnitzler Paul , Schöning Tilman , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Hegenbart Ute , Schönland Stefan O. , Luft Thomas , Dreger Peter , Schmitt Michael
Published: December 2020

Morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) are still essentially affected by reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV). We evaluated 80 seropositive patients transplanted consecutively between March 2018 and March 2019 who received letermovir (LET) prophylaxis from engraftment until day +100 and retrospectively compared them with 80 patients without LET allografted between January 2017 and March 2018. The primary endpoint of this study was the cumulative incidence (CI) of clinically significant CMV infection (CS-CMVi) defined as CMV reactivation demanding preemptive treatment or CMV disease. With 14% CI of CS-CMVi at day +100 (11 events) was significantly lower in the LET cohort when compared to the control group (33 events, 41%; HR 0.29; p < 0.001). Whereas therapy with foscarnet could be completely avoided in the LET group, 7 out of 80 patients in the control cohort received foscarnet, resulting in 151 extra in-patient days for foscarnet administration (p = 0.002). One-year overall survival was 72% in the control arm vs 84% in the LET arm (HR 0.75 [95%CI 0.43–1.30]; p < 0.306). This study confirms efficacy and safety of LET for prophylaxis of CS-CMVi after alloHCT in a real-world setting, resulting in a significant patient benefit by reducing hospitalization needs and exposure to potentially toxic antiviral drugs for treatment of CMV reactivation.
Response prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization: unlocking the potential of CT texture analysis through nested decision tree models
Authors: Vosshenrich Jan , Zech Christoph J. , Heye Tobias , Boldanova Tuyana , Fucile Geoffrey , Wieland Stefan , Heim Markus H. , Boll Daniel T.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To investigate if nested multiparametric decision tree models based on tumor size and CT texture parameters from pre-therapeutic imaging can accurately predict hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesion response to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Materials and methods

This retrospective study (January 2011–September 2017) included consecutive pre- and post-therapeutic dynamic CT scans of 37 patients with 92 biopsy-proven HCC lesions treated with drug-eluting bead TACE. Following manual segmentation of lesions according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria on baseline arterial phase CT images, tumor size and quantitative texture parameters were extracted. HCCs were grouped into lesions undergoing primary TACE (VT-lesions) or repeated TACE (RT-lesions). Distinct multiparametric decision tree models to predict complete response (CR) and progressive disease (PD) for the two groups were generated. AUC and model accuracy were assessed.

Results

Thirty-eight of 72 VT-lesions (52.8%) and 8 of 20 RT-lesions (40%) achieved CR. Sixteen VT-lesions (22.2%) and 8 RT-lesions (40%) showed PD on follow-up imaging despite TACE treatment. Mean of positive pixels (MPP) was significantly higher in VT-lesions compared to RT-lesions (180.5 vs 92.8, p = 0.001). The highest AUC in ROC curve analysis and accuracy was observed for the prediction of CR in VT-lesions (AUC 0.96, positive predictive value 96.9%, accuracy 88.9%). Prediction of PD in VT-lesions (AUC 0.88, accuracy 80.6%), CR in RT-lesions (AUC 0.83, accuracy 75.0%), and PD in RT-lesions (AUC 0.86, accuracy 80.0%) was slightly inferior.

Conclusions

Nested multiparametric decision tree models based on tumor heterogeneity and size can predict HCC lesion response to TACE treatment with high accuracy. They may be used as an additional criterion in the multidisciplinary treatment decision-making process.

Key Points

• HCC lesion response to TACE treatment can be predicted with high accuracy based on baseline tumor heterogeneity and size.

• Complete response of HCC lesions undergoing primary TACE was correctly predicted with 88.9% accuracy and a positive predictive value of 96.9%.

• Progressive disease was correctly predicted with 80.6% accuracy for lesions undergoing primary TACE and 80.0% accuracy for lesions undergoing repeated TACE.
Clinical implementation of accelerated T2 mapping: Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging as a biomarker for annular tear and lumbar disc herniation
Authors: Raudner Marcus , Schreiner Markus M. , Hilbert Tom , Kober Tobias , Weber Michael , Szelényi Anna , Windhager Reinhard , Juras Vladimir , Trattnig Siegfried
Published: December 2020

Objectives

This study evaluates GRAPPATINI, an accelerated T2 mapping sequence combining undersampling and model-based reconstruction to facilitate the clinical implementation of T2 mapping of the lumbar intervertebral disc.

Methods

Fifty-eight individuals (26 females, 32 males, age 23.3 ± 8.0 years) were prospectively examined at 3 T. This cohort study consisted of 19 patients, 20 rowers, and 19 volunteers. GRAPPATINI was conducted with the same parameters as a conventional 2D multi-echo spin-echo (MESE) sequence in 02:27 min instead of 13:18 min. Additional T2 maps were calculated after discarding the first echo (T2-WO1ST) and only using even echoes (T2-EVEN). Segmentation was done on the four most central slices. The resulting T2 values were compared for all four measurements.

Results

T2-GRAPPATINI, T2-MESE, T2-EVEN, and T2-WO1ST of the nucleus pulposus of normal discs differed significantly from those of bulging discs or herniated discs (all p < 0.001). For the posterior annular region, only T2-GRAPPATINI showed a significant difference (p = 0.011) between normal and herniated discs. There was a significant difference between T2-GRAPPATINI, T2-MESE, T2-EVEN, and T2-WO1ST of discs with and without an annular tear for the nucleus pulposus (all p < 0.001). The nucleus pulposus’ T2 at different degeneration states showed significant differences between all group comparisons of Pfirrmann grades for T2-GRAPPATINI (p = 0.000–0.018), T2-MESE (p = 0.000–0.015), T2-EVEN (p = 0.000–0.019), and T2-WO1ST (p = 0.000–0.015).

Conclusions

GRAPPATINI facilitates the use of T2 values as quantitative imaging biomarkers to detect disc pathologies such as degeneration, lumbar disc herniation, and annular tears while simultaneously shortening the acquisition time from 13:18 to 2:27 min.

Key Points

• T2-GRAPPATINI, T2-MESE, T2-EVEN, and T2-WO1STof the nucleus pulposus of normal discs differed significantly from those of discs with bulging or herniation (all p < 0.001).

• The investigated T2mapping techniques differed significantly in discs with and without annular tearing (all p < 0.001).

• The nucleus pulposus’ T2showed significant differences between different stages of degeneration in all group comparisons for T2-GRAPPATINI(p = 0.000–0.018), T2-MESE(p = 0.000–0.015), T2-EVEN(p = 0.000–0.019), and T2-WO1ST(p = 0.000–0.015).
New architectures for micromechanical coupled beam array filters
Authors: Bouchaala A. , Syms R. R. A.
Published: December 2020

Coupled resonator filters implemented as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) offer performance advantages as band-pass filters at MHz frequencies. Here new designs based on resonant cavities for acoustic slow waves are developed to allow alternative frequency responses. Derivation of the lumped element model for coupled beam systems with in-plane motion from Rayleigh–Ritz perturbation theory is first reviewed. Departures from ideal behaviour caused by mechanical and electrostatic detuning are resolved. Slow wave theory is then used to develop linear array topologies with novel responses including band-stop and comb filtering with controlled filter roll-off. A systematic procedure is developed to allow rapid identification of design parameters without the need for lengthy numerical simulation, using the lumped element, stiffness matrix and finite element methods to investigate the layout parameters of initial design concepts, detailed mechanical effects and detailed electrostatic effects, respectively. High performance is demonstrated, with good agreement between the models.
Salivary MRP-8/14 and the presence of periodontitis-associated bacteria in children with bonded maxillary expansion treatment
Authors: Nemec Michael , Mittinger Nina , Bertl Michael , Liu Emanuela , Jonke Erwin , Andrukhov Oleh , Rausch-Fan Xiaohui
Published: December 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in saliva concentration of the inflammatory marker MRP-8/14 and the presence of some periodontitis-associated bacteria in patients with mixed dentition treated with a rigid acrylic, bonded maxillary expander.

Methods

Fifteen patients in mixed dentition treated with a bonded palatal expander were enrolled in this longitudinal study. Saliva samples were taken before the therapy, as well as in 2 weeks and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the beginning of the therapy. In each sample, the levels of MRP-8/14 were determined by ELISA and the presence of 11 bacteria was detected by PCR followed by DNA-DNA hybridization.

Results

Salivary concentration of MRP-8/14 and the amount ofTannerella forsythia,Treponema denticola, andEikenella corrodenswere significantly increased during treatment with bonded maxillary expander. These changes were transient and the maximal levels of MRP-8/14 and periodontitis-associated pathogens were observed 6–9 months after the beginning of the therapy.

Conclusion

Therapy with bonded maxillary results in higher MRP-8/14 levels and increased prevalence of some periodontitis-associated bacteria, namelyT. forsythia,T. denticola, andE. corrodens. The results suggest the detection of salivary MRP-8/14 levels may be a potential tool to reflect the oral health status in children with fixed orthodontic treatment.

Clinical relevance

Our data suggest that the treatment with bonded maxillary expander might influence the oral health status and should be accompanied by the careful control of the oral health during the therapy.
Differences in circulating corticosterone levels associated with elevation of breeding sites in Rufous-collared Sparrows Zonotrichia capensis
Authors: Poblete Yanina , Gutierrez Victor , González-Gómez Paulina L. , Wingfield John C. , Vásquez Rodrigo A.
Published: December 2020

To facilitate breeding and any energetically costly activity, individuals of the same species can substantially vary their circulating corticosterone (CORT) levels to cope with local environmental conditions at different elevations. We compared baseline and the stress-induced plasma CORT levels during the parental care stage between free-living Rufous-collared Sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis) that breed at high (~ 2500 m) and low (~ 500 m) elevations in central Chile. We found that baseline CORT levels at different elevations were similar and that stress-induced levels were significantly lower in birds breeding at high elevation; however, we detected no sexual dimorphism in CORT levels related to elevation. We found that larger individuals had higher stress-induced CORT levels at low elevation regardless of sex. Our results show that environmental conditions at high elevation seem to be not severe enough to promote more elevated baseline CORT levels. However, breeding Rufous-collared Sparrow must still deal with both shorter breeding seasons and increased exposure to unpredictable events. Thus, a reduced stress response during the parental care stage would be more favorable for supporting breeding activities at high elevations. Future studies should focus on describing the life-history traits of these populations and the effects that other stressors, such as predation pressure and food availability, may have on the adrenocortical response in these environments to evaluate the consequences for survival and reproductive success. This information is important for enhancing our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that modulate variation in the adrenocortical response among populations of the same species.
Mono-specific forest plantations are valuable bat habitats: implications for wind energy development
Authors: Buchholz Sascha , Kelm Volker , Ghanem Simon J.
Published: December 2020

Near-natural or semi-natural forests such as relatively undisturbed and old deciduous or mixed woodland are considered worth protecting and ecologically valuable habitats for bat conservation. In contrast, mono-specific forest plantations are considered ecologically less valuable; thus, decision-makers recommend these plantations as suitable locations for wind power stations and therefore want to further expand wind turbines in these habitats. This is expected to have a strong negative impact on the landscape because forests would be cleared for wind turbine pads and access roads and wind turbines rise above the trees with adverse impacts for bats. Therefore, we argue that, in light of bat conservation, the suitability of forest plantations for wind energy development is not, per se, warranted and that implications of wind power stations, even in mono-specific forest plantations, should be assessed and evaluated. We conducted long-term bat activity monitoring and recorded bat echolocation calls above the canopies of different forest sites (coniferous monoculture plantations and semi-natural mixed deciduous forests) in Germany and compared different forest types in terms of species richness, total bat activity, activity of the three bat species groups and species composition. Generalised linear models revealed that forest type and the amount of forest biotopes did not enhance bat activity. Ordination showed that species composition was not affected by forest type, location and connectivity. Mono-specific forest plantations can harbour a diverse bat fauna with high species activity and are, therefore, valuable bat habitats just as near-natural or semi-natural woodlands are. Environmental impact assessment and mitigation measures are vital in all forest types before and after planning for wind energy turbines. In particular, future planning and approval processes must consider the importance of mono-specific forest plantations for bat species protection.
Live longer, retire later? Developments of healthy life expectancies and working life expectancies between age 50–59 and age 60–69 in Europe
Authors: Weber Daniela , Loichinger Elke
Published: December 2020

Europe’s population is ageing. Statutory retirement ages are commonly raised to account for continuous increases in life expectancy. In order to estimate the potential to increase statutory and consequently effective retirement ages further, in this study, we investigate the relationship between partial working life expectancy (WLE) and three health expectancies that represent health aspects important for work ability and employability between ages 50 and 59 as well as 60 and 69 for women and men in Europe. We also explore the association between these four indicators and the highest level of educational attainment. We apply Sullivan’s method to estimate WLE and three selected measures that capture general, physical, and cognitive health status of older adults for 26 European countries since 2004. Over time, WLEs increased significantly in the younger age group for women and in the older age group for both sexes. The expected number of years in good physical health have continuously been higher than any of the other three indicators, while the expected number of years in good cognitive health have shown a noticeable increase over time. The investigation of the relationship between education and each life expectancy confirms the well-established positive correlation between education and economic activity as well as good health. Our results indicate potential to extend working lives beyond current levels. However, significant differences in the expected number of years in good health between persons with different levels of education require policies that account for this heterogeneity.