bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new dawn for the human rights of international migrants? Protection of migrants’ rights in light of the UN's SDGs and Global Compact for Migration
Authors: Desmond Alan
Published: December 2020

This paper undertakes a sceptical analysis of the significance for the protection of migrants’ rights represented by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and the UN Global Compact for Migration (GCM). Despite the positive view taken by many of these frameworks, I argue that, taken together, the SDGs and the GCM represent an acknowledgement of the failure of the international system of human rights protection to deal effectively with the protection of migrants’ rights. With particular reference to the UN Migrant Workers Convention, I argue that adoption of the GCM underscores a decisive shift from the realm of binding international law to soft law for the purposes of dealing with migrants’ rights. While acknowledging some of the signal benefits of this new regime, I highlight some of the many signs suggesting that these twin international developments do not guarantee progress on the road to the protection of migrants’ rights.
Digit ratio, a proposed marker of the prenatal hormone environment, is not associated with prenatal sex steroids, anogenital distance, or gender-typed play behavior in preschool age children
Authors: Barrett Emily , Thurston Sally W. , Harrington Donald , Bush Nicole R. , Sathyanarayana Sheela , Nguyen Ruby , Zavez Alexis , Wang Christina , Swan Shanna
Published: December 2020

Prenatal hormones have been proposed as key factors impacting child development as well as long-term health and disease. Digit ratio (the ratio of the lengths of the second to fourth digits; 2D:4D) has been proposed as a sexually dimorphic, noninvasive marker of prenatal androgen exposure that can be reliably measured in children and adults. To date, few longitudinal pregnancy cohort studies have examined childhood digit ratio in relation to other relevant measures including prenatal hormones and androgen-sensitive outcomes. To augment the current literature on this topic, we measured right-hand digit ratio in 4-year-old children participating in The Infant Development and the Environment Study, a multicenter longitudinal cohort study that has been following mother–child dyads since the first trimester of pregnancy (n = 321). We assessed sex differences in digit ratio and fit multivariable linear regression models to examine digit ratio in relation to: (1) child sex; (2) maternal sex steroid hormone concentrations in early pregnancy; (3) newborn anogenital distance, another proposed measure of sensitivity to prenatal androgens; and (4) gender-typical play behavior as measured by the Preschool Activities Inventory (PSAI) at age 4. We observed no sex difference in digit ratio; the mean 2D:4D was 0.97 ± 0.05 mm in both sexes. Furthermore, digit ratio was not associated with maternal sex steroid concentrations in early pregnancy, anogenital distance in either sex, or PSAI scores in either sex in covariate-adjusted models. In conclusion, we observed no evidence that early childhood digit ratio was associated with child sex or hormone-sensitive measures in this cohort.
How Bad is it? Elite Influence and the Perceived Seriousness of the Coronavirus Pandemic
Authors: Moniz Philip
Published: December 2020

In spite of its immense global impact, Republicans and Democrats disagree on how serious a problem the coronavirus pandemic is. One likely reason is the political elites to whom partisans listen. As a means of shoring up support, President Trump largely downplayed but at times hyped the severity of the virus. Do these messages influence the perceived seriousness of the virus’s death toll, how the president is evaluated as well as support for and compliance with social distancing guidelines? Results suggest that Republican identifiers had by early June crystallized their views on the virus’s seriousness, the president’s performance, and social distancing policies and behaviors. Unexpectedly, information critical of President Trump’s policy decisions produced a backlash causing people to show less concern about the virus’s death toll and rate the president’s performance even more highly.
Die schönste Zeit des Lebens?
Authors: Weber Rainer , Ehrenthal Johannes C. , Pförtner Timo Kolja , Albus Christian , Stosch Christoph
Published: December 2020

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund. Trotz der gesundheitspolitischen Relevanz ist die Datenlage zu psychischen Erkrankungen und Belastungen von Studierenden in Deutschland im internationalen Vergleich eher schmal. Bestehende Untersuchungen mit größeren Stichproben leiden entweder an methodischen Problemen in der Erfassung von psychischen Störungen oder sind wenig kontrolliert. Fragestellungen: Um einen Überblick über das Ausmaß psychischer Symptome von Studierenden zu bekommen, wurden in einem Screening-Ansatz die Studierenden der Universität zu Köln im Rahmen einer Online-Befragung befragt. Zusätzlich zu den störungsbezogenen Ergebnissen wurden Daten zur Inanspruchnahme von Hilfeleistungen und studienrelevante Informationen und dem Vorliegen des Verdachts einer Persönlichkeitsstörung erfasst. Methodik. 44 299 Studierende der Universität zu Köln wurden zu einer Online-Befragung zum Thema Studieren mit psychischen Belastungen und Erkrankungen eingeladen. Zum Erfassen psychischer Beschwerden und Erkrankungen wurden der Patient-Health-Questionnaire (PHQ-D) und ein Screeningfragebogen für Persönlichkeitsstörungen (Persönlichkeitsstörungs-Screening Kurzform [PSS-K]), eingesetzt. Ergebnisse. Die Rücklaufquote der Befragung lag bei 11.18 % ( N = 4 952; bereinigte Rücklaufquote: N = 4 894; 11,04 %). Bei 53.6 % der Studierenden ( N = 2 657) zeigte sich mindestens ein syndromales Störungsbild (PHQ-D). Der Verdacht auf eine Störung der Persönlichkeitsentwicklung stellt sich bei 14.5 % der Respondentinnen und Respondenten ( N = 708). Schlussfolgerung. Die Ergebnisse bestätigen, dass psychische Belastungen unter Studierenden weit verbreitet sind. Neben behandlungsbedürftigen psychischen Störungen findet sich ein nicht geringer Prozentsatz subklinischer Zustände. Präventions- und Interventionsansätze sollten auf unterschiedliche Schweregrade der Belastung abgestimmt sein. Weiterhin stellen psychische Beschwerden einen Risikofaktor für Studienabbruchgedanken dar.
Intensivierte Exposition zur Förderung des Inhibitionslernens bei Angststörungen
Authors: Heinig Ingmar , Hummel Katrin V.
Published: December 2020

Zusammenfassung. Die Wirksamkeit von Expositionsverfahren bei Angststörungen ist hervorragend belegt. Dennoch profitieren viele Patient_innen nicht oder nicht ausreichend, was die Notwendigkeit zur Verbesserung der Verfahren deutlich macht. Vielversprechende Optimierungsstrategien lassen sich aus Modellen des Inhibitionslernens ableiten, andererseits aus der Beobachtung, dass die in expositionsbasierten klinischen Trials erreichten hohen Effektstärken in der Mehrzahl durch deutlich kürzere und intensivere Therapien verglichen mit der Routineversorgung erreicht werden. Der Forschungsverbund PROTECT-AD (Providing Tools for Effective Care and Treatment of Anxiety Disorders) untersucht in einer multizentrischen randomisierten Studie die Effekte einer intensivierten Expositionstherapie (Intensivierte psychotherapeutische Intervention, IPI) mit zeitlich ausgedehnter Selbstmanagementphase im Vergleich zu einem inhaltlich identischen, aber zeitlich gestreckten treatment as ususal (TAU) bei über 600 Patient_innen mit verschiedenen Angststörungen. Hier berichten wir, wie Intensivierung als Optimierungsstrategie therapeutisch umgesetzt werden kann. Unsere Erfahrungen zeigen, dass intensivierte Exposition von den Patient_innen sehr gut angenommen wird und eine Reihe praktischer und gesundheitsökonomischer Vorteile bieten kann.
Dark Ammonium Transformations in the Pearl River Estuary During Summer
Authors: Chen Ling , Zhang Xiao , He Biyan , Liu Jing , Lu Yanhong , Liu Hongbin , Dai Minhan , Gan Jianping , Kao Shuh‐Ji
Published: December 2020

Growing human activities in recent decades have collectively resulted in large amounts of nutrients export into coastal oceans. As the most reactive nitrogen species, ammonium (
) plays the critical role in biogeochemical cycles in estuaries and the coastal ocean. In the highly polluted Pearl River Estuary (PRE),
predominates to be the energy source for nitrification and to be the material source for bacteria and phytoplankton to grow. Both above processes are affected by light, yet in opposite ways. Nevertheless, rare studies paid attention to dual
transformation processes specifically during dark conditions. By using nitrogen isotope tracer technique, we quantitatively and simultaneously differentiated two distinctive
consumption pathways, that is,
oxidation (AOD) and assimilation (AAD) rates, especially under dark conditions along the PRE during the 2015 and 2017 summer cruises when biological activities were the highest. We found the
transformations display a bilayer structure with AAD > AOD in almost all the surface waters and vice versa in all bottom waters, suggesting bacteria and phytoplankton (mainly bacteria) control
consumption in surface during the night while nitrifiers are the major
consumer in the bottom waters. Through redundancy analysis, we found that both processes are mainly driven by
in the PRE during summer. In addition, in the downstream PRE during two cruises, AOD at most contributed 27% and 8% of the water column community dissolved oxygen (DO) consumption assuming the Redfield stoichiometry has no direct effect on hypoxia formation in the PRE during summer.
Understanding Nonideal Paleointensity Recording in Igneous Rocks: Insights From Aging Experiments on Lava Samples and the Causes and Consequences of “Fragile” Curvature in Arai Plots
Authors: Tauxe L. , Santos C.N. , Cych B. , Zhao X. , Roberts A.P. , Nagy L. , Williams W.
Published: December 2020

The theory for recording of thermally blocked remanences predicts a quasilinear relationship between low fields like the Earth's in which rocks cool and acquire a magnetization. This serves as the foundation for estimating ancient magnetic field strengths. Addressing long‐standing questions concerning Earth's magnetic field requires a global paleointensity data set, but recovering the ancient field strength is complicated because the theory only pertains to uniformly magnetized particles. A key requirement of a paleointensity experiment is that a magnetization blocked at a given temperature should be unblocked by zero‐field reheating to the same temperature. However, failure of this requirement occurs frequently and the causes and consequences of failure are understood incompletely. Recent experiments demonstrate that the remanence in many samples typical of those used in paleointensity experiments is unstable, exhibiting an “aging” effect in which the (un)blocking temperature spectra can change over only a few years resulting in nonideal experimental behavior. While a fresh remanence may conform to the requirement of equality of blocking and unblocking temperatures, aged remanences may not. Blocking temperature spectra can be unstable (fragile), which precludes reproduction of the conditions under which the original magnetization was acquired. This limits our ability to acquire accurate and precise ancient magnetic field strength estimates because differences between known and estimated fields can be significant for individual specimens, with a low field bias. Fragility of unblocking temperature spectra may be related to grain sizes with lower energy barriers and may be detected by features observed in first‐order reversal curves.
The Full Extent of El Niño's Precipitation Influence on the United States and the Americas: The Suboptimality of the Niño 3.4 SST Index
Authors: Nigam Sumant , Sengupta Agniv
Published: December 2020

Key features of El Niño's influence on North American winter precipitation are well‐known but we show that this influence has, hitherto, been suboptimally characterized in winter, and especially in fall and spring. The suboptimality has arisen from the historical over‐reliance on regressions on the Niño 3.4 SST index—a widely used marker of El Niño variability. We show that El Niño's full influence is obtained from assembling the regressions on the spatiotemporal modes constituting El Niño variability, rather than from regressions on an SST index keyed just to its mature phase (Niño 3.4 index). The notably different influence of central and eastern Pacific El Niños on Eastern Seaboard is documented. The full influence of El Niño on North American precipitation is shown to be substantially larger than previously recognized and pronounced not just in northern winter but even in fall and spring—enhancing prospects for year‐round seasonal prediction.
The Field Line Resonance in the Three‐Dimensionally Inhomogeneous Magnetosphere: Principal Features
Authors: Mager Pavel N. , Klimushkin Dmitri Yu.
Published: December 2020

The paper is devoted to study of the field line resonance in the three‐dimensionally inhomogeneous model of the magnetosphere taking into account the plasma inhomogeneity across the magnetic shells, along the field lines and in the azimuthal direction. The emphasis is made on the azimuthally small scale modes since they allow approximate analytical investigation. It was found that the Alfvén mode can propagate only in a channel bounded by the toroidal and poloidal surfaces where the wave's frequency matches the toroidal and poloidal eigenfrequency, correspondingly. The resonance surface is located inside the channel. It is a separatrix dividing energy flows from the toroidal and poloidal surfaces. The separatrix is a surface where the wave energy is accumulated. The approach to the separatrix surface is accompanied by decrease of the azimuthal wavelength up to zero, the crossing is accompanied by jump of the wave amplitude. The wave amplitude on the resonance surface remains finite.
Limits and Benefits of the Spatial Autocorrelation Microtremor Array Method Due to the Incoherent Noise, With Special Reference to the Analysis of Long Wavelength Ranges
Authors: Cho I. , Iwata T.
Published: December 2020

To examine the upper limit of the analyzable wavelength ranges (upper limit wavelength, ULW) of the spatial autocorrelation (SPAC) method in microtremor surveys, we have derived a formula evaluating stochastic errors of a phase velocity estimate obtained by the SPAC method. We then followed our previous paper to evaluate biases generated in a phase velocity estimate that come from the presence of the incoherent noise so that we could discuss which is the crucial factor determining the ULW. As a result, the incoherent noise is considered as the crucial factor. In the consequence, we proposed a formula to evaluate signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and to determine phase velocity with the effects of the incoherent noise compensated. We used observed data to validate the above theory. Through the validation procedure, we obtained an approximation equation , where NULW means ULW normalized by array radius and A is a constant. The parameter A took a value from about 1/2 to 2 in the cases of this study. Finally, an additional and simple analysis was executed, which indicates that the incoherent noise not only limits the SPAC analysis but also can provide benefits: they are possibly used for evaluating the attenuation of soils. A microtremor array survey with the traditional SPAC method of Okada (2003, https://doi.org/10.1190/1.9781560801740) can be a mobile tool for evaluating the very local attenuation at a site of interest (i.e., gaining a high spatial resolution), in frequency ranges suited for earthquake engineering and by using simple seismic arrays with short time observations.
The Salty Secrets of Icy Ocean Worlds
Authors: Vance Steven D. , Journaux Baptiste , Hesse Marc , Steinbrügge Gregor
Published: December 2020

As new insights have emerged in recent decades about the dynamics of sea ice, researchers have sought to extend these insights to ice covered oceans in the solar system, where nonicy materials preserved in icy lithospheres may hold clues to solid‐state convection and the possible presence of life. The recent study by Buffo et al. (2020), https://doi.org/10.1029/2020je006394, considers the salt content of the ice covering Jupiter's moon Europa in the context of gravity drainage and mushy layer theory, and makes provocative predictions about the amounts of salts retained in the ice. A major question in such studies is how well the preservation and transport of salts in ice translates to the length and time scales of ices in ocean worlds. This work underlines the fundamental importance of including the role of chemistry in the modeling the structures and dynamics of the ice layers in ocean worlds.
Numerical Simulations of the Geospace Response to the Arrival of an Idealized Perfect Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejection
Authors: Welling Daniel T. , Love Jeffrey J. , Rigler E. Joshua , Oliveira Denny M. , Komar Colin M. , Morley Steven K.
Published: December 2020

Previously, Tsurutani and Lakhina (2014,https://doi.org/10.1002/2013GL058825) created estimates for a “perfect” interplanetary coronal mass ejection and performed simple calculations for the response of geospace, including. In this study, these estimates are used to drive a coupled magnetohydrodynamic‐ring current‐ionosphere model of geospace to obtain more physically accurate estimates of the geospace response to such an event. The sudden impulse phase is examined and compared to the estimations of Tsurutani and Lakhina (2014,https://doi.org/10.1002/2013GL058825). The physics‐based simulation yields similar estimates for Dst rise, magnetopause compression, and equatorialvalues as the previous study. However, results diverge away from the equator.values in excess of 30 nT/s are found as low asmagnetic latitude. Under southward interplanetary magnetic field conditions, magnetopause erosion combines with strong region one Birkeland currents to intensify theresponse. Values obtained here surpass those found in historically recorded events and set the upper threshold of extreme geomagnetically induced current activity at Earth.
Hydrological Dynamics of the Congo Basin From Water Surfaces Based on L‐Band Microwave
Authors: Fatras C. , Parrens M. , Peña Luque S. , Al Bitar A.
Published: December 2020

In this study, the hydrological dynamics of the Congo River Basin (CRB) have been analyzed. This is achieved using multiangular and dual‐polarization passive L‐band microwave signal from the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite to estimate water surface extent dynamics from 2010 to 2017. The results provide new insights into the poorly characterized wetlands, peatlands, and floodplains dynamics of the CRB. We found that the mean flooded area for the entire CRB is equal to 89,408 ± 20,623 km2 corresponding to 2.39% of the entire basin. The results were compared with three land cover maps (European Space Agency‐Climate Change Initiative [ESA‐CCI], International Geosphere‐Biosphere Programme [IGBP], and Global Surface Water Occurrence [GSWO]) and the SWAMPS global dynamic water surfaces product. More inland waters were detected than the four previous products, except along the rivers. Floods and droughts during the last 10 years were also depicted. The knowledge about the CRB hydrological behavior was improved by analyzing the date of maximum floods, the time lag in days between precipitation, water surface extent, and river water height at the outlet of the nine major Congo subbasin. A lag of 67 ± 3 days between rainfall and inundated areas was found in the Upper Congo (r = 0.89). In the Kasai subbasin, no time lag between rainfall and inundation was found (r = 0.86). The contribution of each floodplain to the Congo discharge was also evaluated. In the future, the fusion of the current surface waters with water heights from the SWOT mission can provide further information to the water volumes of the CRB floodplains.
Non-Māori-speaking New Zealanders have a Māori proto-lexicon
Authors: Oh Y. , Todd S. , Beckner C. , Hay J. , King J. , Needle J.
Published: December 2020

We investigate implicit vocabulary learning by adults who are exposed to a language in their ambient environment. Most New Zealanders do not speak Māori, yet are exposed to it throughout their lifetime. We show that this exposure leads to a large proto-lexicon – implicit knowledge of the existence of words and sub-word units without any associated meaning. Despite not explicitly knowing many Māori words, non-Māori-speaking New Zealanders are able to access this proto-lexicon to distinguish Māori words from Māori-like nonwords. What's more, they are able to generalize over the proto-lexicon to generate sophisticated phonotactic knowledge, which lets them evaluate the well-formedness of Māori-like nonwords just as well as fluent Māori speakers.
Correlation of progesterone levels on the day of oocyte retrieval with basal hormonal status and the outcome of ART
Authors: Tulic L. , Tulic I. , Bila J. , Nikolic Lj , Dotlic J. , Lazarevic-Suntov M , Kalezic I.
Published: December 2020

This study aimed to assess whether basal hormonal levels can predict the levels of progesterone (P4) on the day of oocyte retrieval (OR) and examine the impact of P4 levels on the day of OR on the outcome of assisted reproduction. One hundred sixty-four patients that were enrolled in the assisted reproduction procedure were classified according to their P4 levels on the OR day (< 2 ng/ml vs. ≥ 2 ng/ml). Patients who had P4 levels < 2 ng/ml had significantly higher follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and significantly lower anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels. More than half of patients with P4 levels < 2 ng/ml on the OR day got pregnant and delivered healthy infants. There was a significant correlation between lower FSH values and higher P4 values at OR and between higher AMH values and higher P4 values on the day of OR. Regression analysis showed that high FSH levels are the most important factor that can reliably imply lower P4 levels on OR day. Our study confirmed that lower basal FSH levels can predict the levels of P4 on the OR day. Moreover, lower levels of P4 on the day of OR are associated with a positive outcome in assisted reproduction.
An ultra-high density SNP-based linkage map for enhancing the pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) genome assembly to chromosome-scale
Authors: de los Ríos-Pérez Lidia , Nguinkal Julien A. , Verleih Marieke , Rebl Alexander , Brunner Ronald M. , Klosa Jan , Schäfer Nadine , Stüeken Marcus , Goldammer Tom , Wittenburg Dörte
Published: December 2020

Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) is a fish species with growing economic significance in the aquaculture industry. However, successful positioning of pikeperch in large-scale aquaculture requires advances in our understanding of its genome organization. In this study, an ultra-high density linkage map for pikeperch comprising 24 linkage groups and 1,023,625 single nucleotide polymorphisms markers was constructed after genotyping whole-genome sequencing data from 11 broodstock and 363 progeny, belonging to 6 full-sib families. The sex-specific linkage maps spanned a total of 2985.16 cM in females and 2540.47 cM in males with an average inter-marker distance of 0.0030 and 0.0026 cM, respectively. The sex-averaged map spanned a total of 2725.53 cM with an average inter-marker distance of 0.0028 cM. Furthermore, the sex-averaged map was used for improving the contiguity and accuracy of the current pikeperch genome assembly. Based on 723,360 markers, 706 contigs were anchored and oriented into 24 pseudomolecules, covering a total of 896.48 Mb and accounting for 99.47% of the assembled genome size. The overall contiguity of the assembly improved with a scaffold N50 length of 41.06 Mb. Finally, an updated annotation of protein-coding genes and repetitive elements of the enhanced genome assembly is provided at NCBI.
Scaffold-based 3D cellular models mimicking the heterogeneity of osteosarcoma stem cell niche
Authors: Bassi Giada , Panseri Silvia , Dozio Samuele Maria , Sandri Monica , Campodoni Elisabetta , Dapporto Massimiliano , Sprio Simone , Tampieri Anna , Montesi Monica
Published: December 2020

The failure of the osteosarcoma conventional therapies leads to the growing need for novel therapeutic strategies. The lack of specificity for the Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) population has been recently identified as the main limitation in the current therapies. Moreover, the traditional two-dimensional (2D) in vitro models, employed in the drug testing and screening as well as in the study of cell and molecular biology, are affected by a poor in vitro-in vivo translation ability. To overcome these limitations, this work provides two tumour engineering approaches as new tools to address osteosarcoma and improve therapy outcomes. In detail, two different hydroxyapatite-based bone-mimicking scaffolds were used to recapitulate aspects of the in vivo tumour microenvironment, focusing on CSCs niche. The biological performance of human osteosarcoma cell lines (MG63 and SAOS-2) and enriched-CSCs were deeply analysed in these complex cell culture models. The results highlight the fundamental role of the tumour microenvironment proving the mimicry of osteosarcoma stem cell niche by the use of CSCs together with the biomimetic scaffolds, compared to conventional 2D culture systems. These advanced 3D cell culture in vitro tumour models could improve the predictivity of preclinical studies and strongly enhance the clinical translation.
OctaDist: a tool for calculating distortion parameters in spin crossover and coordination complexes
Authors: Ketkaew Rangsiman , Tantirungrotechai Yuthana , Harding Phimphaka , Chastanet Guillaume , Guionneau Philippe , Marchivie Mathieu , Harding David J.
Published: December 2020

OctaDist, a program for calculating three common octahedral distortion parameters, is presented and the calculation of the trigonal distortion parameter,Θis standardized for the first time.
XAS study of Sn speciation in toothpaste
Authors: Desmau Morgane , Alsina Marco A. , Gaillard Jean-François
Published: December 2020

Study of the evolution of Sn speciation in complex matrices by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and spectral decomposition.
DDQ/FeCl3-mediated tandem oxidative carbon–carbon bond formation for the Synthesis of indole–fluorene hybrid molecules
Authors: Kar Abhishek , Chakraborty Baitan , Kundal Sandip , Rana Gopal , Jana Umasish
Published: December 2020

A series of diverse and complex hybrid structures of indole bearing fluorene were obtained in the presence of DDQ and FeCl3 with high regioselectivity under mild conditions from biaryl tethered 3-(methylene)indoline in good to excellent yields.
Stereoselective syntheses and biological activities of E-series resolvins
Authors: Vik Anders , Hansen Trond Vidar
Published: December 2020

Total syntheses of E-series resolvins are reviewed, along with the most significant bioactions of the E-series resolvins.
Facile access to [1,2]-oxazine derivatives via annulations of aminoxy-tethered 1,7-enynes
Authors: Chada Raji Reddy , Kajare Roshan Chandrakant , Bhandari Mayur C. , Mohammed Siddique Z. , Khatravath Mahender , Warudikar Kamalkishor , Punna Nagender
Published: December 2020

Highly diastereoselective construction of functionalized cyclopenta[d][1,2]oxazines is achieved from 1-aryl propargyl alcohols via sequential oxyamination/annulation reactions.
Protein recognition by cucurbit[6]uril: high affinity N-terminal complexation
Authors: Ramberg Kiefer O. , Engilberge Sylvain , Guagnini Francesca , Crowley Peter B.
Published: December 2020

Cucurbit[6]uril can recognize and bind the N-terminal Met-Lys motif in proteins. However, the intrapeptide Met-Lys feature does not bind the macrocycle.
Rh(iii)-Catalyzed three-component cascade annulation to produce the N-oxopropyl chain of isoquinolone derivatives
Authors: He Yuan , Liao Xian-Zhang , Dong Lin , Chen Fen-Er
Published: December 2020

Developing powerful methods to introduce versatile functional groups at the N-substituents of isoquinolone scaffolds is still a great challenge.
Program elements’ impact on chemistry doctoral students’ professional development: a longitudinal study
Authors: Busby Brittany D. , Harshman Jordan
Published: December 2020

The goal of graduate education has consistently been to produce independent scientists who can advance the knowledge of their fields, which has led to a series of staple elements in graduate components (i.e. research, courses, seminars, etc.) However, criticisms of graduate education in chemistry have been raised, stating that the current structure no longer matches the needs of our changing world, that it fails to prepare students for present and future careers in academia, industry, and government work. Suggestions have been made for improvement, but there is a lack of research investigating how graduate students actually grow professionally given the current common programmatic elements. To that end, a longitudinal, qualitative case study was conducted. Four chemistry graduate students were interviewed about their professional growth every 6 months during their first two years of graduate school based on their personal experiences to determine the impact of programmatic elements on graduate students’ professional development. Socialization theory and cognitive apprenticeship theory provided the lens for the development of the semi-structured interviews. Through the use of iterative thematic coding, evidence of five main themes was found: Career preparation, environment, perceived value, scepticism or faith in the system, and support. These themes bring into question the extent to which chemistry programs (of similar characteristics to those studied) are meeting their ethical responsibility of preparing students for the changing dynamics of careers that chemists assume. It was found that, in certain circumstances, the current chemistry graduate education structure falls short of those goals.
RETRACTED: Research on dispersion compensation using avalanche photodiode and pin photodiode
Authors: Ma Yanxia , Chen Qinghui , Wang Shuyan , Sharma Shalini , Khanna Shaweta
Published: December 2020

With the growing demand for usage among Internet users, inventions related to increase in the capacity and bandwidth of transmission channels are more significant nowadays. This continuously growing demand can be fulfilled by using the optical fibre for transmission of signals instead of the wireless mode of transmission, due to the less non‐linearity present in the optical fibre. As every available mode has its own shortcomings so does the optical fibre. It suffers from dispersion and other linearities when long‐distance transmission is considered. Hence, the field of invention is associated with the compensation of dispersion in optical fibre communication at higher bit rates of 50–80 Gbps for longer distances of 120 km. After their compensation, comparison of two photodiodes, that is, pin diode and avalanche photodiode has been done at these distinct bit rates in order to achieve the best suited photodiode. After the complete analysis of simulations in terms of quality factor and bit error rate, it has been observed that at distinct bit rates of 50–80 Gbps, the simulation model using avalanche photodiode exhibits superior performance to that of the pin diode. The comparison results show that the performance of the avalanche photodiode is around 11% better than the pin diode.
Calculation of AC resistance of single‐layer coils using boundary‐element method
Authors: Luo Yao , Theodoulidis Theodoros , Zhou Xinglong , Kyrgiazoglou Athanasios
Published: December 2020

Boundary‐element method (BEM) is applied to the analysis of AC resistance of single‐layer coils. For simplification of the analysis, the coil windings are replaced by a system of parallel straight conductors. Applying the method of images and closed‐form solutions of off‐diagonal matrix elements, and exploiting the symmetry of submatrices, high computational efficiency can be achieved by the proposed approach. As a numerical method, it is suitable for solenoids or pancake coils evenly wound by round or rectangular wires, or other wire shapes with proper symmetry. The proposed method is verified by the numerical results compared with those of finite‐element method (FEM) and measurements, from which it is confirmed that the proposed approach has the same accuracy as the FEM, and the former is much faster and more memory efficient.
Detecting prolonged activity minima in binary stars
Authors: Flores M. , Jaque Arancibia M. , Ibañez Bustos R. V. , Buccino A. P. , Yana Galarza J. , Nuñez N. E. , Miquelarena P. , Alacoria J. , Saffe C. , Mauas P. J. D.
Published: December 2020

Context. It is well known that from 1645 to 1715 solar activity was notably low and the number of sunspots was extremely reduced. This epoch is known as the Maunder minimum (MM). The study of stars in prolonged activity minima such as the MM could help to shed light on this enigmatic epoch. However, to date, it is not easy to identify MM candidates among other stars. An original idea, which has hardly been explored, is to compare the activity levels of both components of binary systems.

Aims. Our goal is to explore if the star ζ2 Ret, which belongs to a binary system, is in (or going to) a state similar to the MM. We have collected more than 430 spectra acquired between 2000 and 2019 with the HARPS, REOSC, UVES, and FEROS spectrographs.

Methods. We performed a detailed long-term activity study of both components using the Mount Wilson index, which is obtained from the Ca II H&K lines. To search for signs of an activity cycle, we analysed the resulting time series with the Generalised Lomb-Scargle and CLEAN periodograms.

Results. Our spectroscopic analysis shows a high activity level for ζ1 Ret and a significant decrease in the magnetic activity cycle amplitude of ζ2 Ret. Thus, the activity difference between both components has slightly increased (Δlog RHK′ ~ 0.24 dex), when compared to the previously reported value. The long series analysed here allowed us to re-calculate and constrain the period of ζ2 Ret to ∼7.9 yr. We also detected a long-term activity cycle of ∼4.2 yr in ζ1 Ret, which has not been reported in the literature yet.

Conclusions. By analogy with the scenario that proposes a weak solar cycle during the MM, we suggest that activity signatures by ζ2 Ret, that is to say a very low activity level when compared to its stellar companion, a notably decreasing amplitude (∼47%), and a cyclic behaviour, are possible evidence that this star could be in an MM state. To our knowledge, it is the first MM candidate star to have been detected through a highly discrepant activity behaviour in a binary system. Finally, we suggest that continuous observations of ζ2 could help to better understand unusual periods such as the MM.
Quelle place pour les experts d’hier et d’aujourd’hui face aux risques de catastrophes ? Dialogue entre générations
Authors: Devès Maud , Le Bars Yves
Published: December 2020

Dans cet article, construit sous la forme d’une conversation, deux spécialistes des risques issus de deux générations d’experts croisent leurs regards et leurs expériences afin d’éclairer les transformations ayant eu lieu à l’interface entre expertise, décisions et opinions publiques depuis la fin des années 1990.
La thèse interdisciplinaire en sciences de l’environnement, des défis à relever et des opportunités à saisir : regards de doctorants
Authors: Chassé Pierre , Cogos Sarah , Fouqueray Timothée
Published: December 2020

Les incitations croissantes à l’interdisciplinarité viennent modifier les pratiques de recherche dès le doctorat. Les doctorants faisant le choix de l’interdisciplinarité peuvent se trouver livrés à eux-mêmes face aux défis méthodologiques et épistémologiques que cette approche peut entraîner. Ce texte témoigne d’un projet initié et conduit par trois doctorants se revendiquant d’une pratique interdisciplinaire des sciences de l’environnement. Il présente et analyse les résultats d’un questionnaire diffusé auprès de doctorants en sciences de l’environnement en France, notamment suite à une conférence organisée sur le thème de la thèse interdisciplinaire. L’article propose aussi des pistes de réflexion pour une meilleure intégration de l’interdisciplinarité dans le parcours doctoral.
Lessons from and perspectives for healthcare student volunteer activities after the Fukushima disaster
Authors: Kawashima M. , Murakami M. , Saito T. , Oyama I. , Tauchi M. , Oikawa K. , Sekine M. , Sekine T. , Ozawa N. , Saito Y. , Yamaji H. , Yagiuchi Y. , Kumagai A. , Otani K.
Published: December 2020

Healthcare students are key resources after nuclear disasters. Healthcare students at Fukushima Medical University volunteered after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima nuclear accident. At the time of the disaster, healthcare students, who were in a position between medical and non-medical people, listened to the various concerns and worries of victims. Specifically, they established the Fukushima WILL – a disaster medical club. These activities have continued for about 10 years after the Fukushima disaster. In this paper, we introduce lessons from and perspectives for healthcare student volunteer activities during disasters. When volunteering, healthcare students needed to acquire sufficient medical knowledge and skills as well as display effective communication skills considering the background of the affected people. In addition, to respond to potential future disasters, healthcare students need to proactively, independently, and repeatedly learn about diseases that are likely to occur in shelters and how to prevent them. Seminars and workshops should be implemented to ensure students are taught these lessons and provided daily training on disaster response.
Substanzklasse kann Dialysepflichtigkeit bei Patienten mit chronischer Nierenkrankheit hinausschieben
Authors: Albers Bettina
Published: December 2020

Seit Jahrzehnten konnte neben der Blockade des RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosteron-System) keine Therapie Eingang in den klinischen Alltag finden, um die Progredienz der chronischen Nierenkrankheit aufzuhalten. Ende August 2020 wurden 2 Studien publiziert, welche die Evidenz erhärten, dass SGLT2-Inhibitoren effektiv das Fortschreiten einer Nierenerkrankung verlangsamen können – bei Diabetikern wie bei Nicht-Diabetikern.
Wundheilungsstörungen nach Exzision und offener Behandlung eines Sinus pilonidalis
Authors: Petersen Sven , Ommer Andreas , Iesalnieks Igors , Doll Dietrich
Published: December 2020

Einleitung Der Sinus pilonidalis ist eine meist chronische punktuelle Infektion der behaarten Haut im Bereich von Hautfalten, überwiegend im Bereich der Rima ani. Die offene Wundbehandlung stellt hierbei nach wie vor die am häufigsten durchgeführte Therapiemaßnahme dar. Dennoch kann es im Rahmen der offenen Wundbehandlung zu Heilungsstörungen kommen, die den Verlauf erheblich komplizieren können.

Methoden Im Folgenden wird eine Übersicht über Wundheilungsstörungen nach Exzision eines Sinus pilonidalis gegeben. Dabei werden die Heilungsdauer und Häufigkeit anhand aktueller Daten ermittelt und die Ursachen der Heilungsstörungen evaluiert. Des Weiteren werden mögliche Behandlungsoptionen dargestellt und Behandlungsempfehlungen abgegeben.

Ergebnisse Die Auswertung publizierter Daten zur Wundheilungsdauer ergab, dass die Wunden nach durchschnittlich 2 Monaten verheilt sind. Die Ergebnisse der Bundeswehrkohortenstudie zeigen exemplarisch, dass im Zeitraum bis zu 3 Monaten nahezu alle Wunden verheilt sind. Es verbleibt jedoch ein geringer Prozentsatz an nicht verheilenden Wunden. Die Häufigkeit von erheblich verzögerter Wundheilung wird in der Literatur mit 2 – 5% angegeben. Die Einflussfaktoren auf die Wundheilung nach Sinus-pilonidalis-Exzision sind neben der Größe und Symmetrie der Exzisionswunde auch weitere Details der offenen Wundbehandlung. Als Therapieoptionen bei ausbleibender Wundheilung werden neben Intensivierung der vormaligen offenen Wundbehandlung die neuerliche Exzision und Anfrischung der Wunde genannt. Des Weiteren werden aber auch Strategiewechsel zur plastisch-rekonstruktiven Versorgung bzw. zu einer anderen Oberflächenbehandlung empfohlen.

Schlussfolgerung Die Exzisionswunde eines Sinus pilonidalis sollte spätestens nach 3 – 4 Monaten verheilt sein, danach kann die Wunde als signifikant verzögert heilende Wunde bzw. als Wundheilungsstörung angesehen werden. Etwa zu diesem Zeitpunkt sollte der Befund erneut evaluiert und ggf. ein Wechsel des Behandlungskonzeptes vorgenommen werden.
Positive Daten zur Kombination von Immun- und Chemotherapie
Authors: Arnheim Katharina
Published: December 2020

Die Checkpoint-Blockade hat sich jetzt auch beim Magenkarzinom als erfolgreich erwiesen. Der PD-L1-Status scheint für die Effektivität nicht von Bedeutung zu sein, so aktuelle Auswertungen der Studien CheckMate 649 und Keynote 590, die auf dem virtuellen ESMO 2020 vorgestellt wurden.
Metastasiertes Harnblasenkarzinom
Authors: Arnheim Katharina
Published: December 2020

Die präzise PD-L1-Bestimmung ist beim Urothelkarzinom (UC) unverzichtbar, um nicht-Cisplatin-geeignete Patienten einer Checkpoint-Blockade zuführen zu können. Die Ermittlung der mRNA-Expression von FGFR2/3 erlaubt die Identifizierung einer Hochrisikogruppe mit schlechtem Outcome trotz immunonkologischer Therapie. Diese Patienten können von einer Therapie mit FGFR-Inhibitoren profitieren.
Zentrales Thema auf dem Hybridkongress „Nephrologie 2020“ der DGfN
Authors: Albers Bettina
Published: December 2020

SARS-CoV-2 (Schweres Akutes Respiratorisches Syndrom Coronavirus 2) geht an die Nieren. Viele zuvor nierengesunde Patienten weisen bereits zu Beginn einer COVID-19-Erkrankung (COVID-19: Coronavirus Disease 2019) Urinauffälligkeiten auf, bei schweren Verläufen entwickelt sich oft ein akutes Nierenversagen. Wie die Chancen aussehen und was getan werden muss, damit diese Patienten nach einer COVID-19-Erkrankung keine dauerhaften Nierenschäden davontragen, wurde auf dem Hybridkongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Nephrologie (DGfN) vom 01.–04.10.2020 in Berlin diskutiert. Ein weiteres Thema ist die Frage, wie gefährdet Dialysepatienten und transplantierte Menschen bei einer COVID-19-Erkrankung sind – hierzu kann eine Auswertung von DGfN-Registerdaten Antworten liefern.
Neue KfH-Broschüre für Dialysepatienten
Authors: Brandt Claudia
Published: December 2020

„Gesund genießen. Gut leben.“ ist der Titel der neuen KfH-Patientenbroschüre, die sich an Dialysepatienten richtet.
Time interval between self-expandable metal stent placement or creation of a decompressing stoma and elective resection of left-sided obstructive colon cancer
Authors: van Hooft Jeanin E. , Tanis Pieter Job , Veld Joyce Valerie , Kumcu Aydan , Amelung Femke Julie , Borstlap Wernard Aat Antoine , Consten Esther Catharina Josephina , Dekker Jan Willem Teunis , van Westreenen Henderik Leendert , Siersema Peter D. , ter Borg Frank , Kusters Miranda , Bemelman Wilhelmus Adrianus , de Wilt Johannes Hendrik Willem ,   on behalf of the Dutch Snapshot Research Group
Published: December 2020

Background The optimal timing of resection after decompression of left-sided obstructive colon cancer is unknown. Revised expert-based guideline recommendations have shifted from an interval of 5 – 10 days to approximately 2 weeks following self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement, and recommendations after decompressing stoma are lacking. We aimed to evaluate the recommended bridging intervals after SEMS and explore the timing of resection after decompressing stoma.

Methods This nationwide study included patients registered between 2009 and 2016 in the prospective, mandatory Dutch ColoRectal Audit. Additional data were collected through patient records in 75 hospitals. Only patients who underwent either SEMS placement or decompressing stoma as a bridge to surgery were selected. Technical SEMS failure and unsuccessful decompression within 48 hours were exclusion criteria.

Results 510 patients were included (182 SEMS, 328 decompressing stoma). Median bridging interval was 23 days (interquartile range [IQR] 13 – 31) for SEMS and 36 days (IQR 22 – 65) for decompressing stoma. Following SEMS placement, no significant differences in post-resection complications, hospital stay, or laparoscopic resections were observed with resection after 11 – 17 days compared with 5 – 10 days. Of SEMS-related complications, 48 % occurred in patients operated on beyond 17 days. Compared with resection within 14 days, an interval of 14 – 28 days following decompressing stoma resulted in significantly more laparoscopic resections, more primary anastomoses, and shorter hospital stays. No impact of bridging interval on mortality, disease-free survival, or overall survival was demonstrated.

Conclusions Based on an overview of the data with balancing of surgical outcomes and timing of adverse events, a bridging interval of approximately 2 weeks seems appropriate after SEMS placement, while waiting 2 – 4 weeks after decompressing stoma further optimizes surgical conditions for laparoscopic resection with restoration of bowel continuity.
Fortgeschrittene systemische Mastozytose
Authors: Klein Friederike
Published: December 2020

Nach einer aktuellen Auswertung des deutschen Referenzzentrums für Mastozytose in Mannheim ist die fortgeschrittene systemische Mastozytose (AdvSM) häufiger als bisher angenommen. Dabei wird insbesondere der häufigste Subtyp, der zusammen mit anderen hämatologischen Neoplasien auftritt, häufig übersehen.
Mammakarzinom
Authors: Schmale Ine
Published: December 2020

Mit zielgerichteten Therapien sind bei Brustkrebspatientinnen gute Erfolge erbracht worden. Neue Studien zeigen, dass eine doppelte HER2-Blockade nach HER2-gerichteter Antikörpertherapie vielversprechende Ansprechraten erzielen kann. Für das Tripel-negative Mammakarzinom (TNBC) gab es bislang nur wenige zielgerichtete Ansatzpunkte. Beim ESMO wurden nun Auswertungen zu tumorinfiltrierenden Lymphozyten als prognostischem Biomarker und zu Trop2 als vielversprechender Zielstruktur präsentiert.
Kombinationsstudien beim Melanom
Authors: Arnheim Katharina
Published: December 2020

Die Immuntherapie mit Checkpoint-Inhibitoren (CPI) und zielgerichtete Substanzen gegen BRAF und MEK haben das Management beim fortgeschrittenen Melanom revolutioniert. Dennoch sind Progresse nicht zu vermeiden, so dass weitere Strategien benötigt werden. Ein möglicher Ansatz ist die Kombination von zielgerichteter und Immuntherapie, die in der Phase-III-Studie COMBI-i bei 532 nicht vorbehandelten Patienten mit inoperablem oder metastasiertem BRAF V600-mutiertem Melanom geprüft wird.