bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenolic compound abundance in Pak choi leaves is controlled by salinity and dependent on pH of the leaf apoplast
Authors: Meyer Philipp , Förster Nadja , Huyskens‐Keil Susanne , Ulrichs Christian , Geilfus Christoph‐Martin
Published: February 2021

Onset of salinity induces the pH of the leaf apoplast of Pak choi transiently to increase over a period of 2 to 3 hr. This pH event causes protein abundances in leaves to increase. Among them are enzymes that are key for the phenylpropanoid pathway. To answer the questions whether this short‐term salt stress also influences contents of the underlying phenylpropanoids and for clarifying as to whether the apoplastic pH transient plays a role for such a putative effect, Pak choi plants were treated with 37.5 mM CaCl2 against a non‐stressed control. A third experimental group, where the leaf apoplast of plants treated with 37.5 mM CaCl2, was clamped in the acidic range by means of infiltration of 5 mM citric acid/sodium citrate (pH 3.6), enabled validation of pH‐dependent effects. Microscopy‐based live cell imaging was used to quantify leaf apoplastic pH in planta. Phenolics were quantified shortly after the formation of the leaf apoplastic pH transient by means of HPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS. Results showed that different phenolic compounds were modulated at 150 and 200 min after the onset of chloride salinity. A pH‐independent reduction in phenolic acid abundance as well as an accumulation of phenolic acid:malate conjugates was quantified after 200 min of salt stress. However, at 150 min after the onset of salt stress, flavonoids were significantly reduced by salinity in a pH‐dependent manner. These results provided a strong indication that the pH of the apoplast is a relevant component for the short‐term metabolic response to chloride salinity.
Permafrost of the Oka Plateau (Eastern Sayan Ridge)
Authors: Alexeev Sergey V. , Alexeeva Ludmila P. , Vasil'chuk Yurij K. , Svetlakov Artem A. , Kulagina Natalia V.
Published: February 2021

This article presents the results of the first comprehensive study of permafrost and frost mounds in the Sentsa River valley on the Oka Plateau (Eastern Sayan Ridge). The lacustrine‐alluvial deposits are represented by clayey silts and silts with visible ice contents up to 90%. Ground ice mainly comprises bicarbonate calcium or bicarbonate magnesium, enriched in ammonium, aluminium, silicon, phosphorus, iron and zinc. Rare earth element content varies from 0.010 to 0.500 μg/L. The distribution of δ18O and δ2H in the ground ice to a depth of 20 m reflects repeated changes during the freezing of the deposit. The mean annual temperature of frozen rocks is −1.0°C. From 2016, mean annual ground temperatures have been observed to be gradually increasing at a depth of 1.0 m, which correlates with a stable, positive trend of the mean annual air temperatures on the Oka Plateau over the past 60 years. The species and quantitative composition of the palynospectra of the permafrost provides the evidence of repeated changes in the habitat area of forests, as well as changes in the sedimentation regime in the Holocene. According to 14C dating of the soil horizons in the upper parts of the frost mounds, after the emptying of the paleo‐lake, organic material intensely accumulated in the drained areas (from 0.5 to 0.2 ka) and ice‐mineral frost mounds began to form.
SuperGAG biopolymers for treatment of excessive bladder permeability
Authors: Towner Rheal A. , Greenwood‐Van Meerveld Beverley , Mohammadi Ehsan , Saunders Debra , Smith Nataliya , Sant Grannum R. , Shain Harrison C. , Jozefiak Thomas H. , Hurst Robert E.
Published: February 2021

Few therapeutic options exist for treatment of IC/BPS. A novel high MW GAG biopolymer (“SuperGAG”) was synthesized by controlled oligomerization of CS, purified by TFF and characterized by SEC‐MALLS and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy. The modified GAG biopolymer was tested in an OVX female rat model in which bladder permeability was induced by a 10‐minute intravesicular treatment with dilute (1 mg/ml) protamine sulfate and measured by classical Ussing Chamber TEER measurements following treatment with SuperGAG, chondroitin sulfate, or saline. The effect on abrogating the abdominal pain response was assessed using von Frey filaments. The SuperGAG biopolymer was then investigated in a second, genetically modified mouse model (URO‐MCP1) that increasingly is accepted as a model for IC/BPS. Permeability was induced with a brief exposure to a sub‐noxious dose of LPS and was quantified using contrast‐enhanced MRI (CE‐MRI). The SuperGAG biopolymer restored impermeability to normal levels in the OVX rat model as measured by TEER in the Ussing chamber and reduced the abdominal pain response arising from induced permeability. Evaluation in the URO‐MCP1 mouse model also showed restoration of bladder impermeability and showed the utility of CE‐MRI imaging for evaluating the efficacy of agents to restore bladder impermeability. We conclude novel high MW SuperGAG biopolymers are effective in restoring urothelial impermeability and reducing pain produced by loss of the GAG layer on the urothelium. SuperGAG biopolymers could offer a novel and effective new therapy for IC/BPS, particularly if combined with MRI to assess the efficacy of the therapy.
Cross‐resistance, fitness costs, and biochemical mechanism of laboratory‐selected resistance to tenvermectin A in Plutella xylostella
Authors: Zhu Linying , Zhang Shaoyong , Lu Feng , Zhang Kui , Han Qunqi , Ying Qianwen , Zhang Xinwei , Zhang Cuilan , Zhou Shaa , Chen Anliang
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Tenvermectin A is a new avermectin derivative that has good insecticidal and acaricidal effects. In order to study the resistance of Plutella xylostella to tenvermectin A, a sensitive strain (SS) and a laboratory‐selected tenvermectin A‐resistant strain (RS, 33.57‐fold) were used to evaluate cross‐resistance and fitness costs as well as to determine the resistance mechanism.

RESULTS

There was no cross‐resistance with common pesticides except for moderate cross‐resistance with cypermethrin (resistance ratio = 10.26‐fold) observed in RS. The activities of metabolic enzymes were measured, and the results showed that mixed function oxidase (MFO) and carboxylate esterase (CarE) in RS increased significantly by 2.92‐ and 2.86‐fold, respectively, compared with SS. In addition, there was no obvious difference in glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST), which indicated that enhanced MFO and CarE activities may be the main mechanisms of detoxification. In the four typical resistance‐related genes, expression of GluCl (4.86‐fold), ABCC2 (3.85‐fold), and CYP6 (2.94‐fold) in RS were significantly promoted, but expression of GST was not. The clone and sequence of the PxGluClα subunit displayed six mutations that could lead to changes in the amino acid residues.

CONCLUSION

High suitability related to tenvermectin A resistance was observed in RS, and it was found that the developmental stages of RS were significantly shortened and the survival rate of females was reduced. In addition, the mechanism of resistance to tenvermectin A may be regulated by the glutamate‐gated chloride channel, ATP‐binding cassette transporter, and MFO. In general, the study of resistance and biochemical mechanisms can provide beneficial and rational information for the management of resistance in P. xylostella.

© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Representativity of cloud‐profiling radar observations for data assimilation in numerical weather prediction
Authors: Barker Howard W. , Gabriel Philip M. , Qu Zhipeng , Kato Seiji
Published: February 2021

An algorithm is presented that aims to enhance the use of satellite‐based cloud‐profiling radar (CPR) data for the purpose of NWP data assimilation. It resembles the EarthCARE mission's scene construction algorithm: off‐nadir passive radiances get spectrally matched with nadir passive radiances, and the latter's collocated CPR profile gets replicated at the former's location. This process gets repeated until all passive pixels that cover an NWP domain D have a proxy column of CPR data. Only domain‐averaged profiles of CPR reflectivity ⟨ZdB⟩ and cloud fraction Ac are sought after for NWP domains measuring, nominally, 25 × 25 km. If CPR measurements intersect D, then in addition to using just the intersecting values to represent ⟨ZdB⟩ and Ac, the full array of proxy values get used. This is referred to as local estimation. If, however, CPR measurements do not intersect D, but are not too distant, this is referred to as non‐local estimation; estimates of ⟨ZdB⟩ and Ac rest entirely on proxies. Current and planned satellite‐based CPRs have nadir‐pointing narrow fields‐of‐view, so it is difficult to see how to verify the algorithm with anything other than synthetic observations. Thus, it was assessed here with simulated cloudy atmospheres and 2D and 3D distributions of associated passive radiances and CPR reflectivities. In general terms, for local domains the algorithm performs slightly better than simply averaging intersecting CPR profiles. This at least demonstrates that the proxies are not detrimental. For non‐local domains, where there are no intersecting measurements to average, the algorithm appears to perform well enough to include two or three 25 × 25 km NWP domains either side of sequences of local domains.
Rubbing elbows with them: Building capacity in STEM through science and engineering fairs
Authors: Koomen Michele H. , Hedenstrom Mary N. , Moran Molly K.
Published: February 2021

Using social cultural career theory (SCCT) linked with tenets of equity, we examined the role of participation in science and engineering fairs (SEFs) on youth's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational and career choices. We analyzed data for evidence of the SCCT constructs of self‐efficacy, interest, and learning experiences using constructs of Native American (NA), culturally responsive, and rural equitable pedagogies. Qualitative data included semi‐structured interviews, focus groups, practice presentations of SEF prtojects, classroom observations, and mentoring students. Quantitative data consisted of two surveys: STEM Semantics Survey and the Motivation Strategies for Learning Questionnaire. Qualitative results reveal how the teacher built self‐efficacy using equitable pedagogy by putting the students in control of their projects, created a network of experts in various science disciplines, developed a culture of mentorship that promoted belonging, and removed barriers for student participation by blending academics with culture for NA and rural mixed socioeconomic status students. She evoked asset‐based pedagogies that inspired students to further their education and go into STEM fields. Quantitative findings reveal former student's orientation to participation in science fair activities related to their high interests, perceptions of a challenge, curiosity, and emerging mastery, where students demonstrated high dispositions in science and engineering and self‐identified as STEM people. Implications include the use of SCCT, linked with equitable pedagogies to understand interest in STEM fields, mentoring, tapping into the expertise of local professionals to support development of projects, and navigating cultural barriers to provide access for underrepresented youth.
Clinical perspective on the use of human amniotic epithelial cells to treat congenital metabolic diseases with a focus on maple syrup urine disease
Authors: Takano Chika , Grubbs Brendan H. , Ishige Mika , Ogawa Erika , Morioka Ichiro , Hayakawa Satoshi , Miki Toshio
Published: February 2021

Congenital metabolic diseases are a group of hereditary disorders caused by the deficiency of a single specific enzyme activity. Without appropriate therapy, affected patients suffer severe neurologic disability and eventual death. The current mainstays of management attempt to slow disease progression, but are not curative. Several of these diseases have demonstrated significant benefits from liver transplantation; however, this approach is limited by the morbidity associated with this invasive procedure and a shortage of donor organs. Therefore, there is a need to establish a new strategy for improving the quality of a life for these patients. One potential solution is regenerative therapy using hepatocytes generated from stem cells. Herein, we discuss pertinent issues necessary for clinical application of the human amniotic epithelial cell, a type of placental stem cell. Focusing on maple syrup urine disease as an example, where liver replacement is an effective therapy, we explore this approach from a clinician's perspective.
Protecting islet functional viability using mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Hubber Ella L. , Rackham Chloe L. , Jones Peter M.
Published: February 2021

Islet transplantation is an emerging treatment for type 1 diabetes which offers the prospect of physiological control of blood glucose and reductions in acute hypoglycaemic episodes. However, current protocols are limited by a rapid decline in islet functional viability during the isolation process, culture period, and post-transplantation. Much of this can be attributed to the deleterious effects of hypoxic and cytokine stressors on β cells. One experimental strategy to improve the functional viability of islets is coculture or cotransplantation with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Numerous studies have shown that MSCs have the capacity to improve islet survival and insulin secretory function, and the mechanisms of these effects are becoming increasingly well understood. In this review, we will focus on recent studies demonstrating the capacity for MSCs to protect islets from hypoxia- and cytokine-induced stress. Islets exposed to acute hypoxia (1%-2% O2) or to inflammatory cytokines (including IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-B) in vitro undergo apoptosis and a rapid decline in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Coculture of islets with MSCs, or with MSC-conditioned medium, protects from these deleterious effects, primarily with secreted factors. These protective effects are distinct from the immunomodulatory and structural support MSCs provide when cotransplanted with islets. Recent studies suggest that MSCs may support secretory function by the physical transfer of functional mitochondria, particularly to metabolically compromised β cells. Understanding how MSCs respond to stressed islets will facilitate the development of MSC secretome based, cell-free approaches to supporting islet graft function during transplantation by protecting or repairing β cells.
Power and sample size for multistate model analysis of longitudinal discrete outcomes in disease prevention trials
Authors: Smith Isabelle L. , Nixon Jane E. , Sharples Linda
Published: February 2021

For clinical trials where participants pass through a number of discrete health states resulting in longitudinal measures over time, there are several potential primary estimands for the treatment effect. Incidence or time to a particular health state are commonly used outcomes but the choice of health state may not be obvious and these estimands do not make full use of the longitudinal assessments. Multistate models have been developed for some diseases and conditions with the purpose of understanding their natural history and have been used for secondary analysis to understand mechanisms of action of treatments. There is little published on the use of multistate models as the primary analysis method and potential implications on design features, such as assessment schedules. We illustrate methods via analysis of data from a motivating example; a Phase III clinical trial of pressure ulcer prevention strategies. We clarify some of the possible estimands that might be considered and we show, via a simulation study, that under some circumstances the sample size could be reduced by half using a multistate model based analysis, without adversely affecting the power of the trial.
Synthesis and Characterization of Sustainable Inverse Vulcanized Copolymers from Non‐Edible Oil
Authors: Ghumman Ali Shaan Manzoor , Shamsuddin Muhammad Rashid , Nasef Mohamed Mahmoud , Yahya Wan Zaireen Nisa , Ayoub Muhammad , Cheah Bryan , Abbasi Amin
Published: February 2021

Inverse vulcanization is a facile solvent‐free process, which offers interesting sustainable copolymers from the reaction of sulfur with petro‐based monomers or edible vegetable oils. However, sulfur reaction with the former contradicts green chemistry, whereas the latter reduces the viability of the product and can contribute to the food crisis. Herein, we report the preparation of sulfur‐based polymer (SBP) by the reaction of rubber seed oil, RSO (a non‐edible oil), to produce a sustainable sulfur‐based copolymer for the first time. The properties of the new polymer were evaluated using different techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X‐rays (SEM‐EDX‐mapping), powdered X‐ray diffractometer (p‐XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The polymer was found to be soluble in tetrahydrofuran, thermally stable to 200 °C, and a low glass transition temperature (−6.41 to −7.85 °C for a polymer with 50 to 70 wt % S). The polymer morphological and DSC analysis demonstrated a uniform surface possessing a small amount of unreacted microscale sulfur particles that is lesser than similar polymers from other oils, which was confirmed by DSC. The P‐XRD analysis revealed the amorphous nature of the copolymer caused by a heavily crosslinked structure. The effect of the post‐polymerization treatment on the properties of the copolymers was also investigated which revealed that increasing the curing temperature or quenching medium temperature increases the glass transition temperature of the copolymer. The polymer properties were dramatically improved by reducing the amount of the unreacted sulfur by the addition of a small amount of 1,3‐diisopropeynyl benzene (crosslinker), leading to 99.75 % sulfur conversion, the highest ever value achieved in such SBPs. It can be concluded that the use of RSO with sulfur enhances the sustainability of SBP and promotes their adding products
Water Sorption Kinetics of Starch Noodles with Different Cross‐Sectional Shapes
Authors: Adachi Shuji , Miyagawa Yayoi , Ariyanto Hermawan Dwi , Kobayashi Takashi , Yoshii Hidefumi
Published: February 2021

The water sorption process of three types of starch noodles with different cross‐sectional shapes is studied in a temperature range of 30°C–70°C. The process could be expressed by a rate equation based on a linear driving‐force approximation, for all the noodles and at any temperature. The activation energy for water penetration is practically negligible for all the noodles, indicating that there is no energy barrier for water migration. For two noodles with approximately square and rectangular cross‐sections, the equilibrium moisture content shows different degrees of temperature dependence at temperatures higher and lower than the gelatinization temperature of starch. The enthalpy changes for water sorption in the high‐ and low‐temperature regions are greater than 20 kJ mol‐1 and lesser than 10 kJ mol‐1, respectively. It is suggested that the rate‐limiting step of water sorption for gluten‐free noodles was movement of water through the laminar fluid film on the noodle surface. The validity of this suggestion is confirmed by the fact that the water sorption rate increased as the shaking speed during water sorption increased. These findings indicate that increasing the specific surface area is effective in preparing gluten‐free starch noodles with a high water sorption rate.
Distributed Perception: Co‐Operation between Sense‐Able, Actionable, and Accountable Semiotic Agents
Authors: Due Brian L.
Published: February 2021

Perception is not just a cognitive, private experience, but achieved in and through interactive and practical actions in co‐operation with other semiotic agents. This article contributes to work on multisensory perception that is distributed as an interactional phenomenon between agents. Based on video‐ethnographic research conducted among visually impaired people, and an ethnomethodological, conversation‐analytical framework, the article contributes findings about the most basic sensory characteristics of distributed perception: co‐operation between sense‐able, action‐able, accountable semiotic agents that can communicate multisensorial information in order to solve situated and emerging problems together.
Comics Academy: Bringing Student‐Created Stories to Life
Authors: Simonson Noah , Timmermans Karren M.
Published: February 2021

Comics Academy is an after‐school S.T.E.A.M. club in which students learn the history of comics, comic book formatting, the basics of drawing and perspective and, most important, how to collaborate to bring their stories to life through comics.
Big data drive efficient rabies vaccination
Authors: Mills Georgina
Published: February 2021

Georgina Mills describes how interrogation of a large epidemiology dataset led to better delivery of a rabies vaccination campaign
John Hoare
Authors: Bower John
Published: February 2021

A gentle, intelligent man with integrity, he had an infectious smile, a wry sense of humour and a mildly rebellious nature. He was a team player who built up a successful small animal practice with loyal clients.
Walter Fred Loeb
Authors:   The Loeb family
Published: February 2021

A dedicated veterinary pathologist whose enthusiasm for his subject and willingness to mentor trainees touched the careers of many. His body of work also contributed to the development of new drugs.
Thermal cross‐linking and anti‐meltdrop properties of copolyester containing phosphorus/magnesium salt composites by in situ polymerization
Authors: Hu Youxian , Jiang Zhenlin , Zhu Min , Song Shiqiang , Jin Liang , Ji Hong , Wang Chaosheng , Wang Jianhua
Published: February 2021

Polyester is widely used in household products because of its good mechanical properties and wears resistance, but polyester is easy to ignite and inclined to produce droplet, so its application range is limited. The cross‐linkable magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles were incorporated into flame‐retardant polyester, which enables the phosphorus‐containing copolyester with thermal cross‐linking and anti‐meltdrop properties. The nanoparticles were achieved by in situ polymerization and acted as a nucleating agent for improving the crystalline properties of the copolyester. Furthermore, the nanoparticles also enhanced anti‐meltdrop properties and reduced the heat and gas release during the combustion process of the copolyester. The maximum heat release rate and total smoke release reduced by 39.8% and 74.4% compared with pure polyester. Specifically, the combustion products of the nanoparticles and phosphorus flame retardant could act a barrier role by covering the carbon layer to isolate air and heat, thereby resulting in excellent anti‐meltdrop properties. The simple modification method reported here realizes the collaborative modification of flame retardant and anti‐meltdrop properties of phosphorous flame‐retardant copolyesters by thermal cross‐linking.
Integrated condition‐based maintenance modelling and optimisation for offshore wind turbines
Authors: Dao Cuong D. , Kazemtabrizi Behzad , Crabtree Christopher J. , Tavner Peter J.
Published: February 2021

Maintenance is essential in keeping wind energy assets operating efficiently. With the development of advanced condition monitoring, diagnostics and prognostics, condition‐based maintenance has attracted much attention in the offshore wind industry in recent years. This paper models various maintenance activities and their impacts on the degradation and performance of offshore wind turbine components. An integrated maintenance strategy of corrective maintenance, imperfect time‐based preventive maintenance and condition‐based maintenance is proposed and compared with other traditional maintenance strategies. A maintenance simulation programme is developed to simulate the degradation and maintenance of offshore wind turbines and estimate their performance. A case study on a 10‐MW offshore wind turbine (OWT) is presented to analyse the performance of different maintenance strategies. The simulation results reveal that the proposed strategy not only reduces the total maintenance cost but also improves the energy generation by reducing the total downtime and expected energy not supplied. Furthermore, the proposed maintenance strategy is optimised to find the best degradation threshold and balance the trade‐off between the use of condition‐based maintenance and other maintenance activities.
The sector coupling concept: A critical review
Authors: Ramsebner Jasmine , Haas Reinhard , Ajanovic Amela , Wietschel Martin
Published: February 2021

Pursued climate goals require reduced greenhouse gas emissions by substituting fossil fuels with energy from renewable sources in all energy‐consuming processes. On a large‐scale, this can mainly be achieved through electricity from wind and sun, which are subject to intermittency. To efficiently integrate this variable energy, a coupling of the power sector to the residential, transport, industry, and commercial/trade sector is often promoted, called sector coupling (SC). Nevertheless, our literature review indicates that SC is frequently misinterpreted and its scope varies among available research, from exclusively considering the use of excess renewable electricity to a rather holistic view of integrated energy systems, including excess heat or even biomass sources. The core objective of this article is to provide a thorough understanding of the SC concept through an analysis of its origin and its main purpose, as described in the current literature. We provide a structured categorization of SC, derived from our findings, and critically discuss its remaining challenges as well as its value for renewable energy systems. We find that SC is rooted in the increasing use of variable renewable energy sources, and its main assets are the flexibility it provides for renewable energy systems, decarbonization potential for fossil‐fuel‐based end‐consumption sectors, and consequently, reduced dependency on oil and gas extracting countries. However, the enabling technologies face great challenges in their economic feasibility because of the uncertain future development of competing solutions.

This article is categorized under:

Energy Systems Economics > Economics and Policy

Energy Systems Economics > Systems and Infrastructure
Impact of EBUS-TBNA in addition to [18F]FDG-PET/CT imaging on target volume definition for radiochemotherapy in stage III NSCLC
Authors: Guberina Maja , Darwiche Kaid , Hautzel Hubertus , Ploenes Till , Pöttgen Christoph , Guberina Nika , Herrmann Ken , Umutlu Lale , Wetter Axel , Theegarten Dirk , Aigner Clemens , Eberhardt Wilfried Ernst Erich , Schuler Martin , Karpf-Wissel Rüdiger , Stuschke Martin
Published: February 2021

Purpose/introduction

[18F]FDG-PET/CT is the standard imaging-technique for radiation treatment (RT) planning in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of this study was to examine the additional value of endobronchial-ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) to standard PET/CT for mediastinal lymph-node (LN) staging and its impact on clinical target volume (CTV).

Materials and methods

All consecutive patients with primary stage III NSCLC who underwent [18F]FDG-PET/CT and EBUS-TBNA prior to RT were analyzed from 12/2011 to 06/2018. LN-stations were assessed by an expert-radiologist and a nuclear medicine-physician. CTV was evaluated by two independent radiation oncologists. LNs were grouped with increasing distance along the lymphatic chains from primary tumor into echelon-1 (ipsilateral hilum), echelon-2 (LN-station 7 and ipsilateral 4), and echelon-3 (remaining mediastinum and contralateral hilum).

Results

A total of 675 LN-stations of which 291 were positive for tumor-cells, were sampled by EBUS-TBNA in 180 patients. The rate of EBUS-positive LNs was 43% among all sampled LNs. EBUS-positivity in EBUS-probed LNs decreased from 85.8% in echelon-1 LNs to 42.4%/ 9.6% in echelon-2/ -3 LNs, respectively (p < 0.0001, Fisher’s exact test). The false discovery rate of PET in comparison with EBUS results rose from 5.3% in echelon-1 to 32.9%/ 69.1% in echelon-2/ -3 LNs, respectively (p < 0.0001, Fisher’s exact test). Sensitivity and specificity of FDG-PET/CT ranged from 85 to 99% and 67 to 80% for the different echelons. In 22.2% patients, EBUS-TBNA finding triggered changes of the treated CTV, compared with contouring algorithms based on FDG-avidity as the sole criterion for inclusion. CTV was enlarged in 6.7% patients due to EBUS-positivity in PET-negative LN-station and reduced in 15.5% by exclusion of an EBUS-negative but PET-positive LN-station.

Conclusion

The false discovery rate of [18F]FDG-PET/CT increased markedly with distance from the primary tumor. Inclusion of systematic mediastinal LN mapping by EBUS-TBNA in addition to PET/CT has the potential to increase accuracy of target volume definition, particularly in echelon-3 LNs. EBUS-TBNA is recommended as integral part of staging for radiochemotherapy in stage III NSCLC.
Acute recoordination rather than functional hemodynamic improvement determines reverse remodelling by cardiac resynchronisation therapy
Authors: Wouters Philippe C. , Leenders Geert E. , Cramer Maarten J. , Meine Mathias , Prinzen Frits W. , Doevendans Pieter A. , De Boeck Bart W. L.
Published: February 2021

Purpose: Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) improves left ventricular (LV) function acutely, with further improvements and reverse remodelling during chronic CRT. The current study investigated the relation between acute improvement of LV systolic function, acute mechanical recoordination, and long-term reverse remodelling after CRT.Methods: In 35 patients, LV speckle tracking longitudinal strain, LV volumes & ejection fraction (LVEF) were assessed by echocardiography before, acutely within three days, and 6 months after CRT. A subgroup of 25 patients underwent invasive assessment of the maximal rate of LV pressure rise (dP/dtmax,) during CRT-implantation. The acute change in dP/dtmax, LVEF, systolic discoordination (internal stretch fraction [ISF] and LV systolic rebound stretch [SRSlv]) and systolic dyssynchrony (standard deviation of peak strain times [2DS-SD18]) was studied, and their association with long-term reverse remodelling were determined.Results: CRT induced acute and ongoing recoordination (ISF from 45 ± 18 to 27 ± 11 and 23 ± 12%, p < 0.001; SRS from 2.27 ± 1.33 to 0.74 ± 0.50 and 0.71 ± 0.43%, p < 0.001) and improved LV function (dP/dtmax668 ± 185 vs. 817 ± 198 mmHg/s, p < 0.001; stroke volume 46 ± 15 vs. 54 ± 20 and 52 ± 16 ml; LVEF 19 ± 7 vs. 23 ± 8 and 27 ± 10%, p < 0.001). Acute recoordination related to reverse remodelling (r = 0.601 and r = 0.765 for ISF & SRSlv, respectively, p < 0.001). Acute functional improvements of LV systolic function however, neither related to reverse remodelling nor to the extent of acute recoordination.Conclusion: Long-term reverse remodelling after CRT is likely determined by (acute) recoordination rather than by acute hemodynamic improvements. Discoordination may therefore be a more important CRT-substrate that can be assessed and, acutely restored.
A method for reconstructing past lake water phosphorus concentrations using sediment geochemical records
Authors: Moyle Madeleine , Boyle John F.
Published: February 2021

An existing steady state model of lake phosphorus (P) budgets has been adapted to allow reconstruction of long-term average historic lake water total phosphorus (TP) concentrations using lake sediment records of P burial. This model can be applied without site-specific parameterisation, thus potentially having universal application. In principle, it is applicable at any site where there is both a sediment P burial record and knowledge of the current water budget, although we advise caution applying it to problematic sediment records. Tested at six published case study sites, modelled lake water TP concentrations agree well with water-quality monitoring data, and limited testing finds good agreement with wholly independent diatom inferred lake water TP. Our findings, together with a review of the literature, suggest that well preserved lake sediments can usefully record a long-term average P burial rate from which the long-term mean lake water TP can be reliably estimated. These lake water TP reconstructions can provide meaningful site-specific reference values to support decision making in lake eutrophication management, including establishing targets for lake restoration.
Local Limit Theorems for the Random Conductance Model and Applications to the Ginzburg–Landau $$\nabla \phi $$ Interface Model
Authors: Andres Sebastian , Taylor Peter A.
Published: February 2021

We study a continuous-time random walk on$${\mathbb {Z}}^d$$Zdin an environment of random conductances taking values in$$(0,\infty )$$(0,∞). For a static environment, we extend the quenched local limit theorem to the case of a general speed measure, given suitable ergodicity and moment conditions on the conductances and on the speed measure. Under stronger moment conditions, an annealed local limit theorem is also derived. Furthermore, an annealed local limit theorem is exhibited in the case of time-dependent conductances, under analogous moment and ergodicity assumptions. This dynamic local limit theorem is then applied to prove a scaling limit result for the space-time covariances in the Ginzburg–Landau$$\nabla \phi $$∇ϕmodel. We also show that the associated Gibbs distribution scales to a Gaussian free field. These results apply to convex potentials for which the second derivative may be unbounded.
Innovation effects of universities of applied sciences: an assessment of regional heterogeneity
Authors: Schlegel Tobias , Pfister Curdin , Harhoff Dietmar , Backes-Gellner Uschi
Published: February 2021

The literature on the economics of science and technology shows that academic universities—institutions focusing on basic research—positively affect innovation activities in regional economies. Less is known about the innovation effects of universities of applied sciences (UASs)—bachelor-granting three-year colleges teaching and conducting applied research. Furthermore, the evidence for positive innovation effects is predominantly based on average effects, while heterogeneity in innovation effects due to the economic environment is far less considered. By exploiting a public policy development in Switzerland that led to the quasi-random establishment of UASs, we investigate the regional heterogeneity in innovation effects of these UASs. We rely on patent and business census data and analyze the influence and importance of three economic preconditions—labor market size, labor market density and high tech intensity—on innovation effects of UASs. Our results show that only regions with a large or a dense enough labor market or with an above average high tech intensity experience significant innovation effects of UASs. Comparing the relative importance of the three economic preconditions, we find that labor market size is the most important factor that drives heterogeneity in innovation effects of UASs.
Depression, Deprivation, and Dysbiosis: Polyiatrogenesis in Multiple Chronic Illnesses
Authors: Ecks Stefan
Published: February 2021

Biomedicine tends to treat “mental” illnesses as if they could be isolated from multiple social and somatic problems. Yet mental suffering is inseparable from complex somatosocial relations. Clinical fieldwork in a deprived area of the UK shows that nearly all the people treated for “depression” are chronically multimorbid, both in their bodies and in their social relations. Mental suffering is co-produced by poverty, trauma, and excessive medication use. Patients’ guts are as imbalanced as their moods. Single vertical treatments make them worse rather than better. In the UK, patients in poorer neighbourhoods do not “lack access” to healthcare. If anything, they suffer from taking too many medications with too little integration. I conceptualize the bad effects of excessive interventions in patients with multiple chronic problems as polyiatrogenesis.
Multimedia analysis platform for crime prevention and investigation
Authors: Pérez Francisco J. , Garrido Victor J. , García Alberto , Zambrano Marcelo , Kozik Rafał , Choraś Michał , Mühlenberg Dirk , Pallmer Dirk , Müller Wilmuth
Published: February 2021

Nowadays,the use of digital technologies is promoting three main characteristics of information, i.e. the volume, the modality and the frequency. Due to the amount of information generated by tools and individuals, it has been identified a critical need for the Law Enforcement Agencies to exploit this information and carry out criminal investigations in an effective way. To respond to the increasing challenges of managing huge amounts of heterogeneous data generated at high frequency, the paper outlines a modular approach adopted for the processing of information gathered from different information sources, and the extraction of knowledge to assist criminal investigation. The proposed platform provides novel technologies and efficient components for processing multimedia information in a scalable and distributed way, allowing Law Enforcement Agencies to make the analysis and a multidimensional visualization of criminal information in a single and secure point.
On generalized reversed aging intensity functions
Authors: Buono Francesco , Longobardi Maria , Szymkowiak Magdalena
Published: February 2021

The reversed aging intensity function is defined as the ratio of the instantaneous reversed hazard rate to the baseline value of the reversed hazard rate. It analyzes the aging property quantitatively, the higher the reversed aging intensity, the weaker the tendency of aging. In this paper, a family of generalized reversed aging intensity functions is introduced and studied. Those functions depend on a real parameter. If the parameter is positive they characterize uniquely the distribution functions of univariate positive absolutely continuous random variables, in the opposite case they characterize families of distributions. Furthermore, the generalized reversed aging intensity orders are defined and studied. Finally, several numerical examples are given.
Size Effects of Brittle Particles in Aerosol Deposition—Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Daneshian Bahman , Gaertner Frank , Assadi Hamid , Hoeche Daniel , Weber Wolfgang , Klassen Thomas
Published: February 2021

Up to now, the role of particle sizes on the impact behavior of ceramic particles in aerosol deposition not yet fully understood. Hence, with the aim to supply a more general understanding, modeling series of low strain rate compression and high-speed impact were performed by molecular dynamics on single-crystalline particles in sizes of 10-300 nm that are tuned to match mechanical properties of TiO2-anatase. The modeling results reveal that particles with original diameter of 25-75 nm exhibit three different impact behaviors that could be distinguished as (i) rebounding, (ii) bonding and (iii) fragmentation, depending on their initial impact velocity. In contrast, particles larger than 75 nm do not exhibit the bonding behavior. Detailed stress and strain field distributions reveal that combination of “localized inelastic deformation” along the slip systems and “shear localization” cause bonding of the small and large particles to the substrate. The analyses of associated temperature rise by the inelastic deformation revealed that heat diffusion at these small scales depend on size. Whereas small particles could reach a rather homogeneous temperature distribution, the evolved heat in the larger ones keeps rather localized to areas of highest deformation and may support deformation and the formation of dense layers in aerosol deposition.
In honor of John Bissett: authoritative guidelines on molecular identification of Trichoderma
Authors: Cai Feng , Druzhinina Irina S.
Published: February 2021

Modern taxonomy has developed towards the establishment of global authoritative lists of species that assume the standardized principles of species recognition, at least in a given taxonomic group. However, in fungi, species delimitation is frequently subjective because it depends on the choice of a species concept and the criteria selected by a taxonomist. Contrary to it, identification of fungal species is expected to be accurate and precise because it should predict the properties that are required for applications or that are relevant in pathology. The industrial and plant-beneficial fungi from the genus Trichoderma (Hypocreales) offer a suitable model to address this collision between species delimitation and species identification. A few decades ago, Trichoderma diversity was limited to a few dozen species. The introduction of molecular evolutionary methods resulted in the exponential expansion of Trichoderma taxonomy, with up to 50 new species recognized per year. Here, we have reviewed the genus-wide taxonomy of Trichoderma and compiled a complete inventory of all Trichoderma species and DNA barcoding material deposited in public databases (the inventory is available at the website of the International Subcommission on Taxonomy of Trichodermawww.trichoderma.info). Among the 375 species with valid names as of July 2020, 361 (96%) have been cultivated in vitro and DNA barcoded. Thus, we have developed a protocol for molecular identification of Trichoderma that requires analysis of the three DNA barcodes (ITS, tef1, and rpb2), and it is supported by online tools that are available on www.trichokey.info. We then used all the whole-genome sequenced (WGS) Trichoderma strains that are available in public databases to provide versatile practical examples of molecular identification, reveal shortcomings, and discuss possible ambiguities. Based on the Trichoderma example, this study shows why the identification of a fungal species is an intricate and laborious task that requires a background in mycology, molecular biological skills, training in molecular evolutionary analysis, and knowledge of taxonomic literature. We provide an in-depth discussion of species concepts that are applied in Trichoderma taxonomy, and conclude that these fungi are particularly suitable for the implementation of a polyphasic approach that was first introduced in Trichoderma taxonomy by John Bissett (1948–2020), whose work inspired the current study. We also propose a regulatory and unifying role of international commissions on the taxonomy of particular fungal groups. An important outcome of this work is the demonstration of an urgent need for cooperation between Trichoderma researchers to get prepared to the efficient use of the upcoming wave of Trichoderma genomic data.
Malmquist-Type Theorems for Cubic Hamiltonians
Authors: Steinmetz Norbert
Published: February 2021

The aim of this paper is to classify the cubic polynomials $$\begin{aligned} H(z,x,y)=\sum _{j+k\le 3}a_{jk}(z)x^jy^k \end{aligned}$$

H

(
z
,
x
,
y
)

=

∑

j
+
k
≤
3

a

jk

(
z
)

x
j

y
k

over the field of algebraic functions such that the corresponding Hamiltonian system $$x'=H_y,$$

x
′

=

H
y

,

$$y'=-H_x$$

y
′

=
-

H
x

has at least one transcendental algebroid solution. Ignoring trivial subcases, the investigations essentially lead to several non-trivial Hamiltonians which are closely related to Painlevé’s equations $$\mathrm{P_{I}}$$

P
I

, $$\mathrm{P_{II}}$$

P
II

, $$\mathrm{P_{34}}$$

P
34

, and $$\mathrm{P_{IV}}$$

P
IV

. Up to normalisation of the leading coefficients, common Hamiltonians are $$\begin{aligned} \begin{array}{rl} \mathrm{H_I}:&{}-2y^3+\frac{1}{2}x^2-zy\\ \mathrm{H_{II/34}}:&{} x^2y-\frac{1}{2}y^2+\frac{1}{2}zy+\kappa x\\ \mathrm{H_{IV}}:&{}\begin{array}{l} x^2y+xy^2+2zxy+2\kappa x+2\lambda y\\ \frac{1}{3}(x^3+y^3)+zxy+\kappa x+\lambda y,\end{array} \end{array} \end{aligned}$$

H
I

:

-
2

y
3

+

1
2

x
2

-
z
y

H

II
/
34

:

x
2

y
-

1
2

y
2

+

1
2

z
y
+
κ
x

H
IV

:

x
2

y
+
x

y
2

+
2
z
x
y
+
2
κ
x
+
2
λ
y

1
3

(

x
3

+

y
3

)

+
z
x
y
+
κ
x
+
λ
y
,

but the zoo of non-equivalent Hamiltonians turns out to be much larger.
The Political Economy of Development
Authors: Bates Robert H.
Published: February 2021

Those studying development often address the impact of government policies, but rarely the politics that generate these policies. A culmination of several decades of work by Robert Bates, among the most respected comparativists in political science, this compact volume seeks to rectify that omission. Bates addresses the political origins of prosperity and security and uncovers the root causes of under-development. Without the state there can be no development, but those who are endowed with the power of the state often use its power to appropriate the wealth and property of those they rule. When do those with power use it to safeguard rather than to despoil? Bates explores this question by analyzing motivations behind the behaviour of governments in the developing world, drawing on historical and anthropological insights, game theory, and his own field research in developing nations.
Tariff Elimination and the Competitiveness of Wine-Exporting Countries in Japan
Authors: Greear Emily K. , Muhammad Andrew
Published: February 2021

Bilateral trade agreements between Japan and major wine-exporting countries have resulted in tariff eliminations in Japan. This raises questions about how tariffs affect the competitiveness of wine-exporting countries. The generalized dynamic Rotterdam model was used in estimating Japanese wine demand by source. Estimates were then used to project the impact of tariffs on imports of Australian, Chilean, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and U.S. wine. Tariff reductions primarily benefit affected countries, with limited adverse effects on competing countries. The elimination of tariffs on U.S. wine should offset any losses from competing trade agreements.
AN ANALOGUE OF HUPPERT’S CONJECTURE FOR CHARACTER CODEGREES
Authors: BAHRI A. , AKHLAGHI Z. , KHOSRAVI B.
Published: February 2021

Let G be a finite group, let

${\mathrm{Irr}}(G)$
be the set of all irreducible complex characters of G and let

$\chi \in {\mathrm{Irr}}(G)$
. Define the codegrees,

${\mathrm{cod}}(\chi ) = |G: {\mathrm{ker}}\chi |/\chi (1)$
and

${\mathrm{cod}}(G) = \{{\mathrm{cod}}(\chi ) \mid \chi \in {\mathrm{Irr}}(G)\} $
. We show that the simple group

${\mathrm{PSL}}(2,q)$
, for a prime power

$q>3$
, is uniquely determined by the set of its codegrees.