bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Promoting Rigorous Research: Generalizability and Qualitative Research
Authors: Hays Danica G. , McKibben W. Bradley
Published: March 2021

Although generalizability is not typically considered a feature or goal of qualitative research, it is an integral part of applying findings to advance knowledge in the counseling profession. First, we describe types of generalizability, the use of trustworthiness criteria, and strategies for maximizing generalizability within and across studies, then we discuss how the research approaches of grounded theory, autoethnography, content analysis, and metasynthesis can yield greater generalizability of findings. We then describe six phases for aggregating qualitative research to conduct a metasynthesis, which can be applied as relevant to the metastudy approaches of formal grounded theory, autoethnography, and content analysis.
Community‐Engaged Research and Evaluation in Counseling: Building Partnerships and Applying Program Evaluation
Authors: Minton Casey A. Barrio , Gibbons Melinda M. , Hightower Jennifer M.
Published: March 2021

Despite potential for rich engagement with community partners, community‐engaged research and evaluation are underutilized in professional counseling publications. This article includes an overview of principles for community‐engaged research and evaluation. Practical suggestions for developing community partnerships are outlined. A general guide for converging program evaluation within the context of community partnerships is provided, and considerations for navigating limitations of the approach are explored.
Nanoantenna‐Enhanced Light‐Emitting Diodes: Fundamental and Recent Progress
Authors: Ma Li , Yu Peng , Wang Wenhao , Kuo Hao‐Chung , Govorov Alexander O. , Sun Song , Wang Zhiming
Published: March 2021

Light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) are a promising solution for energy‐saving illumination, terminal display technology, and visible light communication. Driven by the vast markets of these emergent applications, the everlasting demand for LED devices is to continuously improve the luminous efficiency and lifetime while minimizing costs. The luminous efficiency of LEDs can be improved from various perspectives including materials, nanofabrication, encapsulation, and other fields, mainly to increase the internal quantum efficiency of the active layer, the light extraction efficiency, the directionality of luminous emission, and the photoluminescence of color‐converting layer. A nanoantenna is a delicately designed functional structure with strong capabilities in decay rate enhancement, light regulation, and other unique optical and electrical characteristics, which fully meet the needs of LED emission enhancement. Starting from the mechanism of nanoantennas, how to enhance LEDs by nanoantennas made of metals, dielectrics, and mixtures of both is discussed. By considering some practical cases, the review of the enhanced functionalities of LEDs under the function of nanoantenna are provided. On top of that, the great potential of nanoantennas for the use in micro‐ and nanostructures, layered structures, and other new LED geometries, and for the active control of LEDs using reprogrammable nanoantennas is also put forward.
Association of Donor and Recipient Cytomegalovirus Serostatus on Graft and Patient Survival in Liver Transplant Recipients
Authors: Vutien Philip , Perkins James , Biggins Scott W. , Reyes Jorge , Imlay Hannah , Limaye Ajit P.
Published: March 2021

Among solid organ transplant recipients, donor cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositive (D+) and recipient seronegative (R−) status are associated with an increased risk of graft loss and mortality after kidney or lung transplantation. Whether a similar relationship exists among liver transplant recipients (LTR) is unknown. We assessed graft loss and mortality among adult LTRs from January 1, 2010, to March 14, 2020, in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database. We used multivariable mixed Cox proportional hazards regression to analyze the association of donor and recipient CMV serostatus group with graft loss and mortality, with donor seronegative (D−) and recipient seronegative (R−) as the reference group. Among 54,078 LTRs, the proportion of D−R−, D− and recipient seropositive (R+), D+R−, and D+R+ was 13.4%, 22.5%, 22%, and 42%, respectively. By unadjusted Kaplan‐Meier survival curve estimates, survival by the end of follow‐up was 73.3%, 73.5%, 70.1%, and 69.7%, among the D−R−, D−R+, D+R−, and D+R+ groups, respectively. By multivariable Cox regression, the CMV D+R− serogroup, but not other serogroups, was independently associated with increased risks of graft loss (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05‐1.22) and mortality (aHR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.05‐1.22). The magnitude of the association of the CMV D+R− serostatus group with mortality was similar when the Cox regression analysis was restricted to the first year after transplant and beyond the first year after transplant: aHR, 1.13 (95% CI, 1.01‐1.27) and aHR, 1.13 (95% CI, 1.02‐1.25), respectively. Even in an era of CMV preventive strategies, CMV D+R− serogroup status remains independently associated with increased graft loss and mortality in adult LTRs. Factors in addition to direct CMV‐associated short‐term mortality are likely, and studies to define the underlying mechanism(s) are warranted.
The Kynurenine Pathway Is Upregulated by Methyl‐deficient Diet and Changes Are Averted by Probiotics
Authors: Tillmann Sandra , Awwad Hussain M. , MacPherson Chad W. , Happ Denise F. , Treccani Giulia , Geisel Juergen , Tompkins Thomas A. , Ueland Per Magne , Wegener Gregers , Obeid Rima
Published: March 2021

Scope

Probiotics exert immunomodulatory effects and may influence tryptophan metabolism in the host. Deficiency of nutrients related to C1 metabolism might stimulate inflammation by enhancing the kynurenine pathway. This study used Sprague Dawley rats to investigate whether a methyl‐deficient diet (MDD) may influence tryptophan/kynurenine pathways and cytokines and whether probiotics can mitigate these effects.

Methods and Results

Rats are fed a control or MDD diet. Animals on the MDD diet received vehicle, probiotics (L. helveticus R0052 and B. longum R0175), choline, or probiotics + choline for 10 weeks (n = 10 per group). Concentrations of plasma kynurenine metabolites and the methylation and inflammatory markers in plasma and liver are measured.

Results

MDD animals (vs controls) show upregulation of plasma kynurenine, kynurenic acid, xanthurenic acid, 3‐hydroxyxanthranilic acid, quinolinic acid, nicotinic acid, and nicotinamide (all p < 0.05). In the MDD rats, the probiotics (vs vehicle) cause lower anthranilic acid and a trend towards lower kynurenic acid and picolinic acid. Compared to probiotics alone, probiotics + choline is associated with a reduced enrichment of the bacterial strains in cecum. The interventions have no effect on inflammatory markers.

Conclusions

Probiotics counterbalance the effect of MDD diet and downregulate downstream metabolites of the kynurenine pathway.
Optimizing multigrid reduction‐in‐time and Parareal coarse‐grid operators for linear advection
Authors: De Sterck Hans , Falgout Robert D. , Friedhoff Stephanie , Krzysik Oliver A. , MacLachlan Scott P.
Published: March 2021

Parallel‐in‐time methods, such as multigrid reduction‐in‐time (MGRIT) and Parareal, provide an attractive option for increasing concurrency when simulating time‐dependent partial differential equations (PDEs) in modern high‐performance computing environments. While these techniques have been very successful for parabolic equations, it has often been observed that their performance suffers dramatically when applied to advection‐dominated problems or purely hyperbolic PDEs using standard rediscretization approaches on coarse grids. In this paper, we apply MGRIT or Parareal to the constant‐coefficient linear advection equation, appealing to existing convergence theory to provide insight into the typically nonscalable or even divergent behavior of these solvers for this problem. To overcome these failings, we replace rediscretization on coarse grids with improved coarse‐grid operators that are computed by applying optimization techniques to approximately minimize error estimates from the convergence theory. One of our main findings is that, in order to obtain fast convergence as for parabolic problems, coarse‐grid operators should take into account the behavior of the hyperbolic problem by tracking the characteristic curves. Our approach is tested for schemes of various orders using explicit or implicit Runge–Kutta methods combined with upwind‐finite‐difference spatial discretizations. In all cases, we obtain scalable convergence in just a handful of iterations, with parallel tests also showing significant speed‐ups over sequential time‐stepping.
Judging a Fish by Its Ability to Climb a Tree? A Call for Novel Endpoints in the Appraisal of Ablative Local Treatments of Oligometastatic Cancer
Authors: Loi Mauro , Alifano Marco , Scorsetti Marta , Nuyttens Joost J. , Livi Lorenzo
Published: March 2021

This commentary addresses the need for novel endpoints in clinical research to assess the added value of local treatment of metastases in oligometastatic patients and in patients experiencing limited metastatic progression during systemic therapy (oligoprogressive). Novel metrics are proposed for future implementation in clinical trials.
FDA Approval Summary: Atezolizumab and Durvalumab in Combination with Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Mathieu Luckson , Shah Sujay , Pai-Scherf Lee , Larkins Erin , Vallejo Jonathon , Li Xiaoxue , Rodriguez Lisa , Mishra-Kalyani Pallavi , Goldberg Kirsten B. , Kluetz Paul G. , Theoret Marc R. , Beaver Julia A. , Pazdur Richard , Singh Harpreet
Published: March 2021

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval to atezolizumab and durvalumab in March of 2019 and 2020, respectively, for use in combination with chemotherapy for first-line treatment of patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer. These approvals were based on data from two randomized controlled trials, IMpower133 (atezolizumab) and CASPIAN (durvalumab). Both trials demonstrated an improvement in overall survival (OS) with anti–programmed death ligand 1 antibodies when added to platinum-based chemotherapy as compared with chemotherapy alone. In IMpower133, patients receiving atezolizumab with etoposide and carboplatin demonstrated improved OS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54–0.91; p = .0069), with median OS of 12.3 months compared with 10.3 months in patients receiving etoposide and carboplatin. In CASPIAN, patients receiving durvalumab with etoposide and either cisplatin or carboplatin also demonstrated improved OS (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.59–0.91; p = .0047) with median OS of 13.0 months compared with 10.3 months in patients receiving etoposide and either cisplatin or carboplatin. The safety profiles of both drugs were generally consistent with known toxicities of immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapies. This review summarizes the FDA perspective and data supporting the approval of these two agents.

Implications for Practice

Effective therapeutic options for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are limited, and there has been modest improvement in the overall survival (OS) of patients with SCLC over the past 3 decades. The approvals of atezolizumab and of durvalumab in combination with chemotherapy for first-line treatment of patients with extensive stage SCLC represent the first approved therapies with OS benefit for this patient population since the approval of etoposide in combination with other approved chemotherapeutic agents. Additionally, the efficacy results from IMpower133 and CASPIAN lay the groundwork for possible further evaluation in other treatment settings in this disease.
Natural and synthetic polymeric scaffolds used in peripheral nerve tissue engineering: Advantages and disadvantages
Authors: Amini Shahram , Salehi Hossein , Setayeshmehr Mohsen , Ghorbani Masoud
Published: March 2021

The nervous system is a compound network of nerves, cells and is a vital part of the body. The injuries to this system can occur either via traumatic hurt happening after the accident, disease, tumorous outgrowth, or surgical side results. The regeneration of the nervous system is complex and takes big challenges to researchers. Nerve tissue engineering (NTE) is the most promising approach to repair nerve tissue in human health care. One of the most common solutions widely used for repairing functions in damaged neural tissues utilizes polymeric materials either natural or synthetic in origin. Polymers are able to develop into help structures, such as scaffold, electrospun matrices, and nerve conduit for promoting the regeneration of the damaged neural tissues that many investigations have shown. As usual, synthetic polymers suggest better structural stability and mechanical properties while natural polymers are highly useful for their high biocompatibility and natural biodegradation properties. However, low mechanical characteristics, processing difficulties and, thermal sensitivity that commonly need the use of solvents, limit the efficacy of natural polymers, stimulating researchers to blend them with synthetic or electroconductive polymers. Mostly, the blending of natural and synthetic allows for expanding polymeric conduits that help to mimic the substrate environment of healthy neural tissues. This review represents the most advanced and various recent findings in terms of the forms of natural and Synthetic polymers used in peripheral NTE, advantages, and disadvantages.
Should treatment of ALK‐positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma be stratified according to minimal residual disease?
Authors: Rigaud Charlotte , Abbas Rachid , Grand David , Minard‐Colin Véronique , Aladjidi Nathalie , Buchbinder Nimrod , Garnier Nathalie , Plat Geneviève , Couec Marie‐Laure , Duplan Mylène , Lambilliotte Anne , Schmitt Claudine , Leblanc Thierry , Lamant Laurence , Brugières Laurence
Published: March 2021

In anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)‐positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK+ ALCL), positive minimal residual disease (MRD+) after the first chemotherapy course was proven of strong prognostic significance. We aimed to validate these results in 138 French patients. Eighty‐seven patients had a detectable minimal disseminated disease at diagnosis (MDD+). Early MRD assessment was performed in 33 of 87 patients and was positive in 18 and negative in 15 (MRD−). Three‐year progression‐free survival was significantly correlated with the MDD/MRD status: 81.1% in MDD−, 69.6% in MDD+/MRD−, and 15.2% in MDD+/MRD+ patients. In conclusion, we confirmed on an independent cohort that the MDD/MRD status has strong prognosis significance in ALK+ ALCL.
One‐step creation of hierarchical fractal structures
Authors: Neerincx Peter E. , Hofmann Martin , Gorodetskyi Oleksandr , Feldman Kirill , Vermant Jan , Meijer Han E. H.
Published: March 2021

Relatively recently, we advanced a route to create, in a controlled fashion, combined horizontal and vertical stratified structures by simple and energy‐efficient processing operations employing static mixing elements. While in state‐of‐the‐art static mixing the focus is on layer multiplication, here the aim is to create hierarchical fractal structures. Therefore, the main question addressed in this article is how structures, rather than layers, can be multiplied. The key aspect is the addition of layers on the sides or in the midplane of the flow during the process; every addition step increases the hierarchy by one level. This article derives the general formalism for forming fractal structures with controlled hierarchy, and we develop the language required to design and construct the dies. The main part of the article addresses this main topic and is based on the splitting serpentine static mixer geometry that can be easily made on the parting surfaces of a mold on both the micro‐ and the macroscale. The second part of the article addresses the strategy to minimize the number of mirroring steps, eventually avoiding mirroring completely, and is based on the rotation‐free multiflux static mixer geometry. With the design language derived, complex hierarchical fractal structures can be generated simply by changing the number and sequence of operators within extrusion dies or molds, providing a one‐step solution to produce material structures for potential use in diverse applications ranging from advanced mechanical systems to photovoltaic devices, where controlled assembly of dissimilar materials, and the realization of huge interfaces and genuine cocontinuity throughout the cross section, is critical.
Preparation and Characterization of Nitrocellulose Nanofiber
Authors: Okada Ken , Saito Yasuko , Akiyoshi Miyako , Endo Takashi , Matsunaga Takehiro
Published: March 2021

A novel procedure for the preparation of nanosized nitrocellulose (NC) was developed. Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) water suspension was obtained by disk‐milling of cotton powder. CNF was first pretreated using sulfonic acid to enhance the esterification process using HNO3 and H2SO4. The esterification process generated nitrocellulose nanofiber (NCNF) with a nitrogen content of 9.0 %–13.7 %. The Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) specific surface area of NCNF was ten times larger than that of NC, and the burning rate of NCNF was 3.5 times faster than that of NC. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was conducted to assess the difference between the thermal stability of NCNF and NC. NCNF and NC exhibited the same onset exothermic temperature (200 °C), the height of the exothermic peak of NCNF was 20 % higher than that of NC. Thus, NCNF has great potential to be used in explosives due to its high combustion performance.
Estimands in hematologic oncology trials
Authors: Sun Steven , Weber Hans‐Jochen , Butler Emily , Rufibach Kaspar , Roychoudhury Satrajit
Published: March 2021

The estimand framework included in the addendum to the ICH E9 guideline facilitates discussions to ensure alignment between the key question of interest, the analysis, and interpretation. Therapeutic knowledge and drug mechanism play a crucial role in determining the strategy and defining the estimand for clinical trial designs. Clinical trials in patients with hematological malignancies often present unique challenges for trial design due to complexity of treatment options and existence of potential curative but highly risky procedures, for example, stem cell transplant or treatment sequence across different phases (induction, consolidation, maintenance). Here, we illustrate how to apply the estimand framework in hematological clinical trials and how the estimand framework can address potential difficulties in trial result interpretation. This paper is a result of a cross‐industry collaboration to connect the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) E9 addendum concepts to applications. Three randomized phase 3 trials will be used to consider common challenges including intercurrent events in hematologic oncology trials to illustrate different scientific questions and the consequences of the estimand choice for trial design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Template language for describing estimand in both study protocols and statistical analysis plans is suggested for statisticians' reference.
Key parameters for droplet evaporation and mixing at the cloud edge
Authors: Fries J. , Sardina G. , Svensson G. , Mehlig B.
Published: March 2021

The distribution of liquid water in ice‐free clouds determines their radiative properties, a significant source of uncertainty in weather and climate models. Evaporation and turbulent mixing cause a cloud to display large variations in droplet number density, but quite small variations in droplet size (Beals et al., Science, 2015, vol. 350, pp. 87–90). However, direct numerical simulations of the joint effect of evaporation and mixing near the cloud edge predict quite different behaviours, and how to reconcile these results with the experimental findings remains an open question. To infer the history of mixing and evaporation from observational snapshots of droplets in clouds is challenging, because clouds are transient systems. We formulated a statistical model that provides a reliable description of the evaporation–mixing process as seen in direct numerical simulations and allows us to infer important aspects of the history of observed droplet populations, highlighting the key mechanisms at work and explaining the differences between observations and simulations.
A sum of squares triple exponentially weighted moving average control chart
Authors: Chatterjee Kashinath , Koukouvinos Christos , Lappa Angeliki
Published: March 2021

Control charts are widely known quality tools used to detect and control industrial process deviations in statistical process control. In the current paper, we propose a new single memory‐type control chart, called the sum of squares triple exponentially weighted moving average control chart (referred as SS‐TEWMA chart), that simultaneously detects shifts in the process mean and/or process dispersion. The run length performance of the proposed SS‐TEWMA control chart is compared with that of the sum of squares EWMA, sum of squares double EWMA, sum of squares generally weighted moving average, and sum of squares double generally weighted moving average, control charts, through Monte Carlo simulations. The comparisons indicate that the proposed chart is more efficient, than the competing ones, in detecting small shifts in the process mean and/or variability for most of the considered scenarios, while it has comparable performance for some others in identifying large shifts in the process mean and small to large shifts in the process variability. Finally, two illustrative examples are provided to explain the application of the SS‐TEWMA control chart.
Control charts for the shape parameter of reflected power function distribution under classical estimators
Authors: Zaka Azam , Akhter Ahmad Saeed , Jabeen Riffat , Sanaullah Aamir
Published: March 2021

The reflected power function distribution (RPFD) has applications in the fields of reliability engineering and survival analysis. To identify and remove the variation in different reliability processes and also to monitor the reliability of machines where the number of errors follows RPFD, we develop control charts to keep the process in control. A memory less control chart like a Shewhart control chart, and two memory‐based control charts like an exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart and a hybrid exponentially weighted moving average (HEWMA) control chart are discussed and compared with each other. Proposal of these control charts is based on two different estimators, the percentile estimator (PE) and the modified maximum likelihood estimator (MMLE). This study shows that an HEWMA control chart based on PE performs better than PE‐based Shewhart and EWMA control charts, as well as MMLE‐based Shewhart, EWMA, and HEWMA control charts.
Midlife family financial strain, sense of control and pain in later years: An investigation of rural husbands and wives
Authors: Wickrama Kandauda A. S. , Klopack Eric T. , O'Neal Catherine Walker
Published: March 2021

Research focussing on individual biopsychosocial processes leading to physical pain as a health condition is rare. The present study investigated sense of control as a mechanism linking early midlife stress to later‐life physical pain for husbands and wives in long‐term marriages. Using data from 508 rural husbands and wives over 27 years (1991–2017) with respondents in their early middle years (<42 years on average) in 1991 and in their later years (>67 years on average) in 2017, this study utilized a comprehensive analytical model in an structural equation modelling framework. Family financial stress (FFS) trajectories in early middle years were associated with depleted sense of control, which was related to increased physical pain in later years after controlling for concurrent physical illness, family income and age. In cross‐lagged analyses FFS influenced physical pain over mid‐later years. Physical pain also influenced FFS, suggesting a bi‐directional association between FFS and physical pain. Findings elucidate how early midlife FFS influences the progression of physical pain over mid‐later years through sense of control. Findings suggest effective intervention and prevention programs should focus on FFS in early years of adulthood as well as the maintenance and development of adults' sense of control.
Frequency‐dependent layer‐specific differences in short‐term synaptic plasticity in the dorsal and ventral CA1 hippocampal field
Authors: Koutsoumpa Andriana , Papatheodoropoulos Costas
Published: March 2021

Information from the entorhinal cortex arrives to the hippocampal CA1 microcircuit directly through the temporoammonic path (TA) that terminates in the stratum lacunosum‐moleculare (SLM), and indirectly through Schaffer collateral pathway (SC) that terminates in the stratum radiatum (SR). By virtue of this input convergence, CA1 circuitry may act to compare and integrate incoming cortical information. Although a remarkable dorsal‐ventral difference in short‐term plasticity (STP) has been recently described at SC‐CA1 synapses, the corresponding properties at TA‐CA1 synapses have not been examined. Here, we report that stimulation of TA in the dorsal hippocampus produces significant facilitation of all conditioned responses evoked by 1–30 Hz, peaking at 20–30 Hz, and significant depression of steady‐state responses to 50–100 Hz. Dorsal SC‐CA1 synapses display a similar pattern of responses, yet, facilitation peaked at 10 Hz and depression (at 75–100 Hz) is weaker. Strikingly, stimulation of TA in the ventral hippocampus produces facilitation of steady‐state responses to 1–30 Hz and highly contrasts with the depression of SC‐CA1 synapses. Steady‐state responses to 40–100 Hz in the ventral hippocampus depress in both layers similarly. High‐frequency TA input (40–100 Hz) to the dorsal hippocampus depresses more in proximal than in distal SLM, while low‐frequency (1–3 Hz) TA input to the ventral hippocampus facilitates more in distal than in proximal SLM. The present evidence suggests that direct and indirect entorhinal cortical inputs across the septotemporal extent of hippocampal CA1 field display frequency selectivity both in the radial and transverse axes, and that a rapid information processing may take place through direct ventral hippocampal CA1‐EC circuit interactions independently of trisynaptic circuit.
Fluorescent nanotechnology for in vivo imaging
Authors: Guo Zhengyuan , Cui Zongqiang
Published: March 2021

Fluorescent imaging in living animals gives an intuitive picture of the dynamic processes in the complex environment within a living being. However, animal tissues present a substantial barrier and are opaque to most wavelengths of visible light. Fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) with new photophysical characteristics have shown excellent performance for in vivo imaging. Hence, fluorescent NPs have been widely studied and applied for the detection of molecular and biological processes in living animals. In addition, developments in the area of nanotechnology have allowed materials to be used in intact animals for disease detection, diagnosis, drug delivery, and treatment. This review provides information on the different types of fluorescent particles based on nanotechnology, describing their unique individual properties and applications for detecting vital processes in vivo. The development and application of new fluorescent NPs will provide opportunities for in vivo imaging with better penetration, sensitivity, and resolution.

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > in vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging
Intermediates en Route Towards Tetranitrosyl‐bis(diorganophosphanido)diiron Complexes
Authors: Heinemann Jan , Mayer Tobias , Böttcher Hans‐Christian
Published: March 2021

The reaction of the coordinatively unsaturated complexes [Fe2(CO)5(μ‐PR2)(μ‐PR′2)] (1 a: R=R′=tBu; 1 b: R=tBu, R′=Cy) with nitric oxide was investigated in more detail. Thus, the novel complex [Fe2(CO)3(NO)2(μ‐PtBu2)2] (2) was obtained which can be seen as an intermediate on the way to the already described tetranitrosyl complex [Fe2(NO)4(μ‐PtBu2)2] (3 a). Compound 2 was characterized by spectroscopic means and its molecular structure was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. An additional in situ IR measurement gave insight in the reaction pathway. In addition, the molecular structure of the known mixed phosphanido‐bridged species [Fe2(NO)4(μ‐PCy2)(μ‐PtBu2)] (3 b) was determined.
Restoring Perivascular Adipose Tissue Function in Obesity Using Exercise
Authors: Saxton Sophie N , Toms Lauren K , Aldous Robert G , Withers Sarah B , Ohanian Jacqueline , Heagerty Anthony M
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) exerts an anti-contractile effect which is vital in regulating vascular tone. This effect is mediated via sympathetic nervous stimulation of PVAT by a mechanism which involves noradrenaline uptake through organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3) and β3-adrenoceptor-mediated adiponectin release. In obesity, autonomic dysfunction occurs, which may result in a loss of PVAT function and subsequent vascular disease. Accordingly, we have investigated abnormalities in obese PVAT, and the potential for exercise in restoring function.

Methods

Vascular contractility to electrical field stimulation (EFS) was assessed ex vivo in the presence of pharmacological tools in ±PVAT vessels from obese and exercised obese mice. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect changes in expression of β3-adrenoceptors, OCT3 and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα) in PVAT.

Results

High fat feeding induced hypertension, hyperglycaemia, and hyperinsulinaemia, which was reversed using exercise, independent of weight loss. Obesity induced a loss of the PVAT anti-contractile effect, which could not be restored via β3-adrenoceptor activation. Moreover, adiponectin no longer exerts vasodilation. Additionally, exercise reversed PVAT dysfunction in obesity by reducing inflammation of PVAT and increasing β3-adrenoceptor and OCT3 expression, which were downregulated in obesity. Furthermore, the vasodilator effects of adiponectin were restored.

Conclusion

Loss of neutrally mediated PVAT anti-contractile function in obesity will contribute to the development of hypertension and type II diabetes. Exercise training will restore function and treat the vascular complications of obesity.
Two conceptions of fraction equivalence
Authors: Pedersen Pernille Ladegaard , Bjerre Mette
Published: March 2021

In this study, we present a mathematical analysis distinguishing two conceptions of equivalence: proportional equivalence and unit equivalence. These two conceptions have distinct meanings in relation to equivalent fractions: one is grounded in proportionality, while the other is grounded in equal wholes. We argue that (a) the distinction of equivalence gives a unified framework of equal fractions that has not previously been described in the literature; (b) a conceptual understanding of both fraction equivalences is integral to understanding rational numbers; and (c) knowledge of both conceptions of equivalence is important for developing a conceptual understanding of fraction arithmetic. Past research has largely overlooked the distinction between the two types of equivalence. However, this may provide an important foundation for central topics that build on equivalence, and a better understanding of these two types of equivalence may support a more flexible understanding of fractions. Last, we propose future directions for teaching equivalence in mathematics.
Detecting the gravito-magnetic field of the dark halo of the Milky Way - the LaDaHaD mission concept
Authors: Tartaglia Angelo , Bassan Massimo , Casalino Lorenzo , Crosta Mariateresa , Lattanzi Mario , Lorenzini Enrico , Lucchesi David , Peron Roberto , Pucacco Giuseppe , Ruggiero Matteo Luca , Santoli Francesco , Valko Pavol , Vecchiato Alberto , Vespe Francesco , Visco Massimo
Published: March 2021

We propose to locate transponders and atomic clocks in at least three of the Lagrange points of the Sun-Earth pair, with the aim of exploiting the time of flight asymmetry between electromagnetic signals travelling in opposite directions along polygonal loops having the Lagrange points at their vertices. The asymmetry is due to the presence of a gravito-magnetic field partly caused by the angular momentum of the Sun, partly originating from the angular momentum of the galactic dark halo in which the Milky Way is embedded. We list also various opportunities which could be associated with the main objective of this Lagrange Dark Halo Detector (LaDaHaD).
Nitrogen-use efficiency of organic and conventional arable and dairy farming systems in Germany
Authors: Chmelíková Lucie , Schmid Harald , Anke Sandra , Hülsbergen Kurt-Jürgen
Published: March 2021

Optimising nitrogen (N) management improves soil fertility and reduces negative environmental impacts. Mineral N fertilizers are of key importance in intensive conventional farming (CF). In contrast, organic farming (OF) is highly dependent on closed nutrient cycles, biological N fixation and crop rotations. However, both systems need to minimise N balances and maximise nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE). NUE of organic and conventional crop production systems was evaluated in three regions in Germany by analysing N input, N output and N balance of 30 pairs of one OF and one CF farm each from the network of pilot farms for the period 2009–2011; indicators were calculated using the farm management system REPRO. CF had higher N input in all farm pairs. In 90% of the comparisons, N output of CF was higher than OF, in 7% it was the same and in 3% lower. NUE was higher in 60% of the OF, the same in 37% and lower in only 3%. The NUE of crop production in OF was 91% (arable farms: 83%; mixed/dairy farms: 95%) and the NUE in CF was 79% (arable farms: 77%; dairy farms: 80%). N balance was lower in 90% of the OF. The yearly average N balance was four times higher in CF (59 kg N ha−1 a−1) than in OF (15 kg N ha−1 a−1). The results show a huge individual variability within OF and CF. Organic mixed/dairy farms had the lowest N balances and the highest NUE. A further expansion of OF area can help to reduce high N balances and increase the NUE of crop production.
Fibre Optic Methods of Prospecting: A Comprehensive and Modern Branch of Geophysics
Authors: Fenta Mulugeta C. , Potter David K. , Szanyi János
Published: March 2021

Over the past decades, the development of fibre optic cables, which pass light waves carrying data guided by total internal reflection, has led to advances in high-speed and long-distance communication, large data transmission, optical imaging, and sensing applications. Thus far, fibre optic sensors (FOSs) have primarily been employed in engineering, biomedicine, and basic sciences, with few reports of their usage in geophysics as point and distributed sensors. This work aimed at reviewing the studies on the use of FOSs in geophysical applications with their fundamental principles and technological improvements. FOSs based on Rayleigh, Brillouin, and Raman scatterings and fibre Bragg grating sensors are reviewed based on their sensing performance comprising sensing range, spatial resolution, and measurement parameters. The recent progress in applying distributed FOSs to detect acoustic, temperature, pressure, and strain changes, as either single or multiple parameters simultaneously on surface and borehole survey environments with their cable deployment techniques, has been systematically reviewed. Despite the development of fibre optic sensor technology and corresponding experimental reports of applications in geophysics, there have not been attempts to summarise and synthesise fibre optic methods for prospecting as a comprehensive and modern branch of geophysics. Therefore, this paper outlines the fibre optic prospecting methods, with an emphasis on their advantages, as a guide for the geophysical community. The potential of the new outlined fibre optic prospecting methods to revolutionise conventional geophysical approaches is discussed. Finally, the future challenges and limitations of the new prospecting methods for geophysical applications are elucidated.
How does career guidance at schools encounter migrant young people? Interactional practices that hinder socially just guidance
Authors: Vehviläinen Sanna , Souto Anne-Mari
Published: March 2021

The aim of this article is to show how interaction research can contribute to the understanding and praxis of socially just guidance. The article is theoretical, but it makes use of our previous empirical studies. We combine the ethnographic study of school and racism, and interactional research on guidance. We define guidance for social justice, explaining how this translates to the level of interactional practices. We show two empirical examples of interactional phenomena hindering socially just praxis. We lastly discuss our practical conclusions on how to help school career counsellors change their interactional practices.
Estimation of cardiac output variations induced by hemodynamic interventions using multi-beat analysis of arterial waveform: a comparative off-line study with transesophageal Doppler method during non-cardiac surgery
Authors: Le Gall Arthur , Vallée Fabrice , Joachim Jona , Hong Alex , Matéo Joaquim , Mebazaa Alexandre , Gayat Etienne
Published: March 2021

Multi-beat analysis (MBA) of the radial arterial pressure (AP) waveform is a new method that may improve cardiac output (CO) estimation via modelling of the confounding arterial wave reflection. We evaluated the precision and accuracy using the trending ability of the MBA method to estimate absolute CO and variations (ΔCO) during hemodynamic challenges. We reviewed the hemodynamic challenges (fluid challenge or vasopressors) performed when intra-operative hypotension occurred during non-cardiac surgery. The CO was calculated offline using transesophageal Doppler (TED) waveform (COTED) or via application of the MBA algorithm onto the AP waveform (COMBA) before and after hemodynamic challenges. We evaluated the precision and the accuracy according to the Bland & Altman method. We also assessed the trending ability of the MBA by evaluating the percentage of concordance with 15% exclusion zone between ΔCOMBA and ΔCOTED. A non-inferiority margin was set at 87.5%. Among the 58 patients included, 23 (40%) received at least 1 fluid challenge, and 46 (81%) received at least 1 bolus of vasopressors. Before treatment, the COTED was 5.3 (IQR [4.1–8.1]) l min−1, and the COMBA was 4.1 (IQR [3–5.4]) l min−1. The agreement between COTED and COMBA was poor with a 70% percentage error. The bias and lower and upper limits of agreement between COTED and COMBA were 0.9 (CI95 = 0.82 to 1.07) l min−1, −2.8 (CI95 = −2.71 to−2.96) l min−1 and 4.7 (CI95 = 4.61 to 4.86) l min−1, respectively. After hemodynamic challenge, the percentage of concordance (PC) with 15% exclusion zone for ΔCO was 93 (CI97.5 = 90 to 97)%. In this retrospective offline analysis, the accuracy, limits of agreements and percentage error between TED and MBA for the absolute estimation of CO were poor, but the MBA could adequately track induced CO variations measured by TED. The MBA needs further evaluation in prospective studies to confirm those results in clinical practice conditions.
Minimum-Time Spacecraft Attitude Motion Planning Using Objective Alternation in Derivative-Free Optimization
Authors: Celani Fabio , Bruni Renato
Published: March 2021

This work presents an approach to spacecraft attitude motion planning which guarantees rest-to-rest maneuvers while satisfying pointing constraints. Attitude is represented on the group of three dimensional rotations. The angular velocity is expressed as weighted sum of some basis functions, and the weights are obtained by solving a constrained minimization problem in which the objective is the maneuvering time. However, the analytic expressions of objective and constraints of this minimization problem are not available. To solve the problem despite this obstacle, we propose to use a derivative-free approach based on sequential penalty. Moreover, to avoid local minima traps during the search, we propose to alternate phases in which two different objective functions are pursued. The control torque derived from the spacecraft inverse dynamics is continuously differentiable and vanishes at its endpoints. Results on practical cases taken from the literature demonstrate advantages over existing approaches.
‘Deep brain stimulation is no ON/OFF-switch’: an ethnography of clinical expertise in psychiatric practice
Authors: van Westen Maarten , Rietveld Erik , van Hout Annemarie , Denys Damiaan
Published: March 2021

Despite technological innovations, clinical expertise remains the cornerstone of psychiatry. A clinical expert does not only have general textbook knowledge, but is sensitive to what is demanded for the individual patient in a particular situation. A method that can do justice to the subjective and situation-specific nature of clinical expertise is ethnography. Effective deep brain stimulation (DBS) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves an interpretive, evaluative process of optimizing stimulation parameters, which makes it an interesting case to study clinical expertise. The aim of this study is to explore the role of clinical expertise through an ethnography of the particular case of DBS optimization in OCD. In line with the topic of the special issue this article is a part of, we will also use our findings to reflect on ethnography as a method to study complex phenomena like clinical expertise. This ethnography of DBS optimization is based on 18 months of participant observation and nine in-depth interviews with a team of expert clinicians who have been treating over 80 OCD patients since 2005. By repeatedly observing particular situations for an extended period of time, we found that there are recurrent patterns in the ways clinicians interact with patients. These patterns of clinical practice shape the possibilities clinicians have for making sense of DBS-induced changes in patients’ lived experience and behavior. Collective established patterns of clinical practice are dynamic and change under the influence of individual learning experiences in particular situations, opening up new possibilities and challenges. We conclude that patterns of clinical practice and particular situations are mutually constitutive. Ethnography is ideally suited to bring this relation into view thanks to its broad temporal scope and focus on the life-world. Based on our findings, we argue that clinical expertise not only implies skillful engagement with a concrete situation but also with the patterns of clinical practice that shape what is possible in this specific situation. Given this constraining and enabling role of practices, it is important to investigate them in order to find ways to improve diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities.
Hydraulic redistribution by hybrid poplars (Populus nigra x Populus maximowiczii) in a greenhouse soil column experiment
Authors: Gerjets Rowena , Richter Falk , Jansen Martin , Carminati Andrea
Published: March 2021

Aims

Hydraulic redistribution (HR) enhances water resources for neighboring crops in silvopastoral agroforestry (AF). Here, we tested whether and to what extent water stressed shallow-rooted neighboring plants benefit from water redistributed by deep-rooted poplar plants.

Methods

We conducted trace experiments with deuterated water (2H2O) in greenhouse soil column experiments. We measured hydraulic lift (HL) by poplars grown at two levels of soil drying and estimated the amount of hydraulically lifted water. In a parallel experiment we grew poplars and barley (Hordeum vulgare) in two columns connected via a small cross-rooting segment.

Results

Soil moisture measurements and stable isotope signatures of soil and xylem water proved the occurrence of HL in poplar. Additionally, stable isotopes proved the transport of water from deep roots of poplars to shallow roots of barley.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the experiments showed that poplars are capable to redistribute water during drought spells and that this water can facilitate plant growth of shallow-rooted crops. This result implies evidence for an enhanced soil water supply of plants in agroforest systems under drought conditions.
Correction to: Earnings beta
Authors: Ellahie Atif
Published: March 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s11142-021-09585-w
Rational preference in transformative experiences
Authors: Khan Saira
Published: March 2021

L. A. Paul’s Transformative Experience makes the claim that many important life decisions are epistemically and personally transformative in a way that does not allow us to assign subjective values to their outcomes. As a result, we cannot use normative decision theory to make such decisions rationally, or when we modify it to do so, decision theory leads us to choose in a way that is in tension with our authenticity. This paper examines Paul’s version of decision theory, and whether this version in fact admits of the challenge she wants to raise. I focus on her psychological realist view of utilities and beliefs and her notion of rational, authentic preferences as informed by imaginative acquaintance. I argue that Paul fails to engage critically with traditional accounts of decision theory and, on closer inspection, it is not clear that her version of decision theory entails a tension between rational and authentic choice. More importantly, I argue that if her contribution is instead to bring to light the importance of authenticity alongside rational decision-making, the definition she provides of authenticity in fact undermines her argument.
A bibliometric analysis of cash holdings literature: current status, development, and agenda for future research
Authors: Khatib Saleh F. A. , Abdullah Dewi Fariha , Hendrawaty Ernie , Elamer Ahmed A.
Published: March 2021

Despite the growing interest in exploring the cash holding aspects among scholars, systematic reviews and comprehensive evaluation in this area has been limited. Also, there is only a fragmented understanding about how the cash holdings concept is formed among researchers and experts. We fill this gap in the literature by identifying and evaluating the research development of cash holdings topic. Using 874 articles from the Scopus database that were published between 1947 and early 2020, bibliometric and content analyses were employed to assess the patterns of global cash holdings research. We find that previous studies have substantially enriched our knowledge of the antecedents and consequences of cash holdings. Yet, there are still several opportunities to make significant contributions in this area. The contribution of this research is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the development of cash holdings research (using a sizeable archival database). It identifies the current joint development and potential opportunities for future work directions on cash holdings association with payout policy, corporate social responsibility, and corporate governance. Our results are likely to be of interest to academics, practitioners, and educators in related business and finance fields.