bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CHARACTERISTIC IMPEDANCES OF COUPLED SQUARE BARS TRANSMISSION LINE BETWEEN PARALLEL PLATES
Authors: ZENG LING-RU  ,   成都电讯工程学院
Published: November 2020

In this paper, the characteristic impedances of coupled square bar transmission line between parallel plates is solved by method of ref. [3], the formulae of calculating characteristic impedances of this coupled transmission line is obtained. The accuracy is confirmed by comparing the numeral values and theortical analysis. The exact values of characteristic impedances of this coupled transmission line are given in the paper for references.
THE MAGNETO-OPTIC KERR ROTATION OF INDIUM-SUBSTITUTED SINGLE CRYSTAL BCVIG
Authors: ZHANG PENG-XIANG  , LIU YU-LONG  , WANG HUAN-YUAN  , PANG YU-ZHANG  ,   中国科学院物理研究所
Published: November 2020

We have measured the saturated polar Kerr rotation of In-substituted single crystal BCVIG, {Bi3-2xCa2x}[Fc2-yIny] (Fe(3x)Vx)O12, in the spectra range of 0.45-0.80 μm. A rotation peak near 0.47 μm was found. The room temperature dependence of the rotation peak value 2θK(0.47μm) on the composition was obtained by varying the substitution quantity of In3+ and Bi3+. It was found that the Kerr rotation change sign abruptly when varying the composition across the magnetization compensation point, however, the absolute value of the rotation does not reduce when the composition approaches that point, while the total magnetization 4πMs, does decrease, we also found that, with the In3+ content increasing, the Kerr rotation is "enhanced" at first, reaching a maximum at y～0.15, and then reduces. Using a model that the total Kerr rotation is the Bi3+ enhanced superposition of the sublattice Kerr rotation, we explained the "enhancement" of Kerr rotation by indium substitution. From fitting the experiment results, we deduced the ratio of the sublattice rotation coefficients (α4/α8) to be about 1.5, that is, the absolute contribution of every Fe3+ on tetrahedral site to the magneto-optic rotation is about 1.5 times as large as that on octahedral site. The results demonstrated that a good magneto-optic material can be synthesized in x3+ substitution. Considering its low and variable magnetization, high Curie temperature and rather large magneto-optic rotation, the In-BCVIG system, surely, is a promising cadidate in the variety of usage of the magneto-optic devices.
A SIMULATION EXPERIMENT OF PHASE ADJUSTMENT FOR A PHASE-ADJUSTED FOCUSING LASER ACCELERATOR
Authors: DONG BI-ZHEN  , ZHEN SHI-HAI  , YANG GUO-ZHEN  ,   中国科学院物理研究所
Published: November 2020

In this work, a simulation experimental scheme of phase adjustments for a phase-adjusted focusing laser accelerator is discussed, and a method of specific design for the phase plate is given. We have produced the phase plate, and carried out the experiment of phase adjustment. The experimental results are consistent with the theoretical design.
THE PROBLEM OF EIGHT-FOLD MULTIPLE SOLUTION RESULTING FROM THE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT OF HEAVY ATOMS IN CENTROSYMMETRIC CASE
Authors: ZHENG QI-TAI  , FAN HAI-FU  , SONG SHI-YING  , GAO YI-GUI  ,   中国科学院
Published: November 2020

In low symmetry system, eight-fold multiple solution is an extreme case of multiple solutions on the positions of light atoms caused by the special arrangement of a single set of equivalent heavy atoms. This extreme case occured in the determination of the crystal structure of TIP.In this paper, the principle and practical procedure of solving this problem are given in detail.
ON THE SUPERMODULUS EFFECT IN COMPOSITIONALLY MODULATED STRUCTURES
Authors: XIONG SHI-JIE  , CAI JIAN-HUA  ,   南京大学固体物理研究所
Published: November 2020

The departure of electronic distribution from local electrical neutrality and the additional energy due to such a departure in compositionally modulated structures are calculated using a simplified Thomas-Fermi equation. With this energy, we have derived the variation of the biaxial modulus with the modulation period. The result agrees at least qualitatively with experimental findings of supermodulus effect in such structures.
EFFECTS OF HIGH PRESSURE-HIGH TEMPERATURE TREATMENT ON THE STRUCTURE COMPOSITION AND SUPERCONDUCTIVITY OF Nb3(Al, Ge)
Authors: ZHAO YOU-XIANG  , LIU ZHI-YI  , WANG SHOU-ZHENG  , GUO SHU-QUAN  ,   (1)北京大学物理系; (2)中国科学院物理研究所
Published: November 2020

Alloys of different nominal composition Nb3(Al1-xGex) (where x = 0.20, 0.23, 0.25 containing A15 + σ phases) have been heat-treated under high pressure up to 67kbar. With increasing treating pressure, 1) the lattice parameter of A15 phase as well as the I211/I210 of relative integral intensity of X-ray diffraction peak (211) and (210) of A15 phase having some concern with structure composition both exhibits a maximum, 2) the structure composition of A15 phase shifts toward the Nb-rich direction, 3) the superconducting transition temperature Tc decreases, while the width of superconducting transition temperature range shows a maximum. The results were discussed.
POSSIBILITY OF GASEOUS SUPERFLUID AND ITS ACOUSTICAL PROPERTIES IN SPIN POLARIZED HYDROGEN ATOMS (H↓)
Authors: NI WAN-SUN  ,   南京大学物理系及声学研究所
Published: November 2020

The spin polarized hydrogen atoms (H↓) are treated as a weak interacting Bose-Einstein system. On the basis of Isihara's finite temperature theory and hard-sphere approximation, the possibility of gaseous superfluid and two modes of sound have been discussed. The importance of acoustical measurement technique in study on H↓ system is emphasized.
MULTIVARIATE MASTER EQUATION AND IT'S WAVE SOLUTIONS
Authors: CHEN ZHENG-XIONG  , HUO YU-PING  ,   中国科学院等离子体物理研究所,合肥
Published: November 2020

In this article, the wave solutions of multivariate master equation for linear reaction system: A→X have been discussed. Except the density waves which is obtainable from the usual reaction diffusion equation and multiwave solutions, it is not possible to obtain any fluctuation wave branch like that given in ref. [2]. We note that, due to the large difference between the spatial scales of chemical reaction and diffusion, it is doubtful to use the multivariate master equation in analysing the critical behaviour of non-linear system.
SODIUM DEPOSITION IN FAST ION CONDUCTORS
Authors: GUO ZHU-KUN  , LI XIANG-TING  ,   中国科学院上海硅酸盐研究所
Published: November 2020

Sodium deposition in β-, β"-Al2O3 and Nasicon (Na3Zr2Si2PO12) was studied by using EPMA. Based on the mechanism of ion transportation and electrolytic deposition with a diminished carrier concentration, a kinetic equation for sodium deposition has been derived, which can fit well the time dependence of the sodium counts during electron bombardment. Since an abundant source of mobile Na+ ions exists in the large single crystal, the rise of the curve of beta-Al2O3 extends over a long period of time. However, the crystallites in the Nasicon polycrystal are small (+ ion therefore may be provided insufficiently at the electron bombarded point for a prolonged deposition due to the hindrance of the grain boundaries in the ion transport process. The deposition attains its saturation limit rapidly.
THE RESEARCH OF SUPERCONDUCTIVITY IN THE Ti-Pd SYSTEM
Authors: Luo Qi-guang  , Jin Duo  , Liu Zhi-yi  , Ran Qi-ze  , Jin Zuo-wen  , Ma Ming-rong  , Zhao Zhong-xian  , Ni Yong-ming  ,   中国科学院物理研究所
Published: November 2020

This paper gives the relationship between the superconductive critical temperature and the composition of the alloys in Ti-Pd system, and discusses it in connection with the Ti-Pd phase diagram. It is pointed out that the superconductivity in the Ti-Pd system is due to the contribution of the titanium-palladium solid solution. It is also suggested that the limit of the palladium solubility in Ti-Pd system should be relatively large.
ELLIPTIC INCLUSIONS WITH LINEAR EIGEN STRAINS
Authors: ZHANG HONG-TU  , ZHAO XIAO-PENG  ,   兰州大学物理系
Published: November 2020

If the eigen strains εij* of an elliptic inclusion are linear functions of position, the constraint strains εijc in the inclusion will also be linear functions of position. In this paper, all the constraint coefficients of first order are given. For the case β《1, the analytical expressions of stress fields outside the inclusion are found. The results can be used directly to practical problems, such as that of the behavior of a crack under bending stresses and the interaction between a plate-form inclusion and a micro-crack.
THE FORM FACTOR OF RADIATION SCATTERING IN AN ANISOTROPIC PLASMA
Authors: LU QUAN-KANG  , CHEN GUO-RANG  , WANG QIAN  , XIONG XlAO-MING  , JIN YONG  , TANG MING  ,   (1)法国巴黎大学; (2)复旦大学物理系; (3)南京工学院
Published: November 2020

In this paper, the pair density correlation functions in a multicomponent aniso-tropic plasma are derived by BBGKY hierarchy. The form factors of radiation scattering in a bi-maxwellian plasma are obtained.
POSITRON ANNIHILATION STUDY OF ELECTRIC POLARIZA-TION EFFECT IN PIEZOELECTRIC CERAMICS OF PbZrO3-PbTiO3 SYSTEM
Authors: He Yuan-jin  , Li Long-tu  ,   (1)清华大学工程物理系; (2)清华大学化学与化学工程系
Published: November 2020

The electric polarization effect in piezoelectric ceramics of PbZrO3-PbTiO3 system (PZT) was examined by positron lifetime measurements. It was found that the mean lifetime τm increases with the increase of the electric field E. The micromechanism of the increase of τm was discussed, it may be mainly attributed to that the increase of the inner electric field would be energetically in favour of the positrons to form in qPs state. The measurements of the coupling factor K_p, the piezoelectric constant d33, and the dielectric constant ε33T/ε0 were also carried out and the results were compared with that of positron lifetime measurements. It is suggested that there is a possibility to take positrons as a tool for studying the extent of the domain turning and the changes of the energe situation of the electrons during the polarization.A special single sample method was used in the present work. Finally, our method of date analyzing was discussed.
BEHAVIOR OF PLASMONS IN GD-a-SixC1-x:H SAMPLES STUDIED BY XPS
Authors: Chen Guang-hua  , Zhang Fang-qing  , Xu Xi-xiang  ,   兰州大学物理系
Published: November 2020

XPS analyses of the GD-a-SixC1-x:H samples have been made, the results are similar to those of katayama. In this paper, the chemical shifts of Si2p and Cls levels, the observed valence-electron plasmon energy hωp and the atomic density of our samples with various alloy composition x are presented. The results are discussed preliminarily.
A MULTICHANNEL THEORY OF INVERSE TWO-ELECTRON RECOMBINATION
Authors: LI JIA-MING  ,   中国科学院物理研究所
Published: November 2020

We propose here a multichannel theory on inverse two-electron recombination processes (i.e., inverse resonance radiative-recombination processes). As a specific example, we analyze the recent high-resolution laser spectroscopic measurements on excited barium atoms by Safinya and Gallagher, illustrating that accurate experimental spectroscopic data can be utilized to assess the accuracy of theorectical calculations on inverse two-electron recombinations. Through the detailed balance relation, it is equivalent to assess the accuracy of theoretical calculations on two-electron recombination processes- this will be a more basic test on theoretical results for eachappropriate symmetric block in partial-wave expansions.
THE HEXAGONAL METASTABLE PHASE FORMED IN AN AMORPHOUS Ni-P ALLOY DURING CRYSTALLIZATION (II)——TWIN GROWTH RELATIONSHIP
Authors: GUO KE-XIN  , WU YU-KUN  , LIANG JIN-ZHONG  , CHANG XIN  ,   中国科学院金属研究所
Published: November 2020

The hexagonal metastable phase formed in an amophous Ni-P alloy during crystallization exhibits four different orientations. It is shown by SAD that they are four-fold rotation twins around [021]. These four crystals have a common fcc sublattice and their twin relationship may be described by a rotation of 90o about one of the axes of the sublattice.
THE SOLITON INDUCED BY THE FILAMENTARY PERTURBATION ON A FAST ELECTRON BEAM
Authors: HE KAI-FEN  ,   北京师范大学低能核物理研究所
Published: November 2020

The soliton induced by filamentary perturbation is discussed by using the reductive perturbation method. A K-dV equation for the perturbation of beam electrons is derived.
MAGNETIC AND ELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF AMORPHOUS (Fe1-xVx)84B16 ALLOYS
Authors: ZHAN WEN-SHAN  , SHEN BAO-GEN  , ZHAO JIAN-GAO  , ZHANG SHENG-HUA  ,   (1)天津大学物理系; (2)中国科学院物理研究所
Published: November 2020

Experimental results on some amorphous alloys with composition (Fe1-xVx)84B16 are summarized for x= 0 to 0.1 The temperature dependence of saturated magnetization and high temperature resistivity have been studied. The average moment for one magnetic atom decreases almost linearly with x. The calculated average moment are 2.08μB per Fe atom and -5.08μB per V atom. The Curie temperature Tc decreases from 622 (x = 0) to 478K (x = 0.10). Spin wave stiffness constant D is calculated using the relation σ(T)/σ(0) = 1-BT*
OPTICAL PUMPING OF 87Rb ATOMS USING 85Rb LAMP
Authors: YANG FENG  , LIU SHU-QIN  , DONG TAI-QIAN  ,   北京大学
Published: November 2020

An optical pumping device, consisting of only 85Rb lamp and 87Rb absorption bulb, is used. The 0-0 transition resonance signal of 87Rb ground state is found to be greater than that in the conventional optical pumping device, in which the 87Rb lamp, 85Rb filter and 87Rb absorption bulb are used. In a definite temperature range, a negative resonance signal is observed. Up to now, it has not been explained yet. The line-width and optical frequency shift are measured. The possibility of applying this device in 87Rb atomic frequency standard is discussed.
ON CALCULATION AND APPLICATION OF PARTIAL STRUCTURE FACTORS FOR MODELS OF AMORPHOUS BINARY ALLOYS
Authors: WU GUO-AN  ,   西南反应堆工程研究设计院
Published: November 2020

The equation of calculating Faber-Ziman partial structure factors for models of binary alloys is derived from Debye equation. The SFeB(Q) and SNiB(Q) of models for Fe83B17 and Ni64B36 metallic glasses are calculated, and compared with the experimental results and the partial scattering intensities IFeB(Q) and INiB(Q) The partial structure factors of model for Hg2Na liquid alloy are also calculated, and extrapolated to the long wavelength limit. Finally, the behavior of the total structure factors near the long wavelength limit for alloys, which have chemical short range order, is discussed.
THE CRITICAL THICKNESS d0 AND THE CURVES OF THE LONGITUDINAL CRITICAL CURRENT
Authors: JIA YUN-FA  , WU HANG-SHENG  ,   中国科学技术大学
Published: November 2020

The analysis of the present note shows that the curves of the longitudinal critical current of an ideal Type Ⅱ superconducting plate are in the form of an inverted letter U or take such a shape as to show the peak effect, depending on whether the thickness of the plate is larger or smaller than the critical thickness d0.
THE THERMAL DESORPTION SPECTRA STUDY OF HYDROGEN CHEMISORPTION ON Si(100) CLEAN SURFACE
Authors: JIN XIAO-FENG  , FENG YI-QING  , ZHUANG CHENG-QUN  , WANG XUN  ,   复旦大学现代物理研究所
Published: November 2020

The thermal desorption spectra of hydrogen chemisorpted on Si(100) clean surface have been measured by means of flash heating the sample under ultra high vacuum. The result shows that with the low hydrogen exposure at room temperature there is only one desorption peak A, while a second desorption peak B with lower peak temperature appears after increasing the exposure time. If the hydrogen exposures are carried out at elevated temperatures, the peak B does not appear in the desorption spectra at the temperature higher than 230℃, and no peak A appeared at the temperature above 530℃. With heat annealing the sample after room temperature exposure, the peak B will not existed if the annea- ling tempersture is higher than 350℃, and the peak A will also disappeared at 530℃ annealing. From all these features of thermal desorption, we believe that the peak A and B are related to the desorptions of monohydride and dihydride phase on Si (100) surface respectively. The measured activation energies of desorption of these two phases are 52.9 kcal/mol and 14.5 kcal/mol. It could be deduced from the peak asymmetry and the invariance of peak temperature with the initial hydrogen coverage that the desorption of peak A is happened as a first order desorption process. This has been futhur confirmed by the order plot. But the mechanism of hydrogen desorption on Si (100) surface is different from both the ordinary first order and second order desorption.
BAUSCHINGER EFFECT AND COERCIVITY IN DUAL PHASE STEELS
Authors: MA MING-TU  , CHEN DU-XING  ,   冶金工业部钢铁研究总院
Published: November 2020

Initial flow stresses and coercivities during and after tension and tension plus compression in ferrite-martensite dual phase steels have been measured. It was found that both parameters for tension plus compression are smaller than those for tension only. For the flow stress, this phenomenon is called Bauschinger effect. The relative decrease of coercivity is larger than that of flow stress.
Wnt3 distribution in the zebrafish brain is determined by expression, diffusion and multiple molecular interactions
Authors: Veerapathiran Sapthaswaran , Teh Cathleen , Zhu Shiwen , Kartigayen Indira , Korzh Vladimir , Matsudaira Paul T , Wohland Thorsten
Published: November 2020

Wnt3 proteins are lipidated and glycosylated signaling molecules that play an important role in zebrafish neural patterning and brain development. However, the transport mechanism of lipid-modified Wnts through the hydrophilic extracellular environment for long-range action remains unresolved. Here we determine how Wnt3 accomplishes long-range distribution in the zebrafish brain. First, we characterize the Wnt3-producing source and Wnt3-receiving target regions. Subsequently, we analyze Wnt3 mobility at different length scales by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. We demonstrate that Wnt3 spreads extracellularly and interacts with heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG). We then determine the binding affinity of Wnt3 to its receptor, Frizzled1 (Fzd1), using fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy and show that the co-receptor, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (Lrp5), is required for Wnt3-Fzd1 interaction. Our results are consistent with the extracellular distribution of Wnt3 by a diffusive mechanism that is modified by tissue morphology, interactions with HSPG, and Lrp5-mediated receptor binding, to regulate zebrafish brain development.
Structural basis of TRPC4 regulation by calmodulin and pharmacological agents
Authors: Vinayagam Deivanayagabarathy , Quentin Dennis , Yu-Strzelczyk Jing , Sitsel Oleg , Merino Felipe , Stabrin Markus , Hofnagel Oliver , Yu Maolin , Ledeboer Mark W , Nagel Georg , Malojcic Goran , Raunser Stefan
Published: November 2020

Canonical transient receptor potential channels (TRPC) are involved in receptor-operated and/or store-operated Ca2+ signaling. Inhibition of TRPCs by small molecules was shown to be promising in treating renal diseases. In cells, the channels are regulated by calmodulin (CaM). Molecular details of both CaM and drug binding have remained elusive so far. Here, we report structures of TRPC4 in complex with three pyridazinone-based inhibitors and CaM. The structures reveal that all the inhibitors bind to the same cavity of the voltage-sensing-like domain and allow us to describe how structural changes from the ligand-binding site can be transmitted to the central ion-conducting pore of TRPC4. CaM binds to the rib helix of TRPC4, which results in the ordering of a previously disordered region, fixing the channel in its closed conformation. This represents a novel CaM-induced regulatory mechanism of canonical TRP channels.
Efficient mate finding in planktonic copepods swimming in turbulence
Authors: Michalec François-Gaël , Fouxon Itzhak , Souissi Sami , Holzner Markus
Published: November 2020

Zooplankton live in dynamic environments where turbulence may challenge their limited swimming abilities. How this interferes with fundamental behavioral processes remains elusive. We reconstruct simultaneously the trajectories of flow tracers and calanoid copepods and we quantify their ability to find mates when ambient flow imposes physical constrains on their motion and impairs their olfactory orientation. We show that copepods achieve high encounter rates in turbulence due to the contribution of advection and vigorous swimming. Males further convert encounters within the perception radius to contacts and then to mating via directed motion toward nearby organisms within the short time frame of the encounter. Inertial effects do not result in preferential concentration, reducing the geometric collision kernel to the clearance rate, which we model accurately by superposing turbulent velocity and organism motion. This behavioral and physical coupling mechanism may account for the ability of copepods to reproduce in turbulent environments.
Proteomic analysis of young and old mouse hematopoietic stem cells and their progenitors reveals post-transcriptional regulation in stem cells
Authors: Zaro Balyn W , Noh Joseph J , Mascetti Victoria L , Demeter Janos , George Benson , Zukowska Monika , Gulati Gunsagar S , Sinha Rahul , Flynn Ryan A , Banuelos Allison , Zhang Allison , Wilkinson Adam C , Jackson Peter , Weissman Irving L
Published: November 2020

The balance of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal and differentiation is critical for a healthy blood supply; imbalances underlie hematological diseases. The importance of HSCs and their progenitors have led to their extensive characterization at genomic and transcriptomic levels. However, the proteomics of hematopoiesis remains incompletely understood. Here we report a proteomics resource from mass spectrometry of mouse young adult and old adult mouse HSCs, multipotent progenitors and oligopotent progenitors; 12 cell types in total. We validated differential protein levels, including confirmation that Dnmt3a protein levels are undetected in young adult mouse HSCs until forced into cycle. Additionally, through integrating proteomics and RNA-sequencing datasets, we identified a subset of genes with apparent post-transcriptional repression in young adult mouse HSCs. In summary, we report proteomic coverage of young and old mouse HSCs and progenitors, with broader implications for understanding mechanisms for stem cell maintenance, niche interactions and fate determination.
Best practices for ecological model evaluation II
Authors: Planque Benjamin , Aarflot Johanna , Buttay Lucie , Fransner Filippa , Hansen Cecilie , Husson Berengere , Langangen Øystein , Lindstrøm Ulf , Nilsen Ina , Pedersen Torstein , Primicerio Raul , Sivel Elliot , Skogen Morten , Strombom Evelyn , Varpe Øystein
Published: November 2020

The second Nansen Legacy workshop on best practices for ecological model evaluation, chaired by Benjamin Planque (IMR) was held at the University of Oslo on the 23-25th September 2019. The objective of the workshop was to develop a protocol for describing the evaluation of ecological models.
“Coming into the World: From Spirits to the Spirit”. The First Childhood Museum in Romania
Authors:   National Museum of the Romanian Peasant, Iuga Anamaria ,   Institute for Advanced Study, Romania
Published: November 2020

The present paper follows the National Museum of the Romanian Peasant (Romania) in its endeavour to display the Virtual Museum of Childhood. The context prior to exhibiting material and intangible heritage related to childhood is analysed, and the curatorial challenges of this project are mentioned. This article also refers to the museum’s activities dedicated to childbirth (exhibitions, cultural activities), from 1990 to the present day, but it especially focuses on the first exhibition of the Museum of Childhood, “Coming into the world: From spirits to the Spirit”, dedicated to birth.
The Response of Fordhook Giant / Swisschard (Beta vulgaris var Cicla) and Mustard (Brassica Juncea) Spinach Vegetables to Irrigation with Saline Water
Authors: Dlamini M. V. , Masarirambi M. T.
Published: November 2020

Saline irrigation water is becoming an important water source as fresh water is fast becoming a scarce resource in many areas of the world, including Eswatini, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.  A study to test the response of two varieties of spinach (fordhook giant and mustard) to salinity was conducted in a field pot experiment at the Faculty of Agriculture at the Luyengo Campus of the University of Eswatini.  The treatments were laid in a randomized block design (RCBD).  The experiment consisted of four treatments, each replicated twelve times.  Treatments were salinity levels of 0.0 dS/m, 1.5 dS/m, 2.0 dS/m and 3.5 dS/m.  All the treatments were subjected to similar agronomic practices. Spinach was grown and observed for a period of five weeks.  Plant height was measured and the number of leaves counted weekly throughout the experiment. Significant differences (P < 0.05) between salinity treatments were obtained for plant height beginning in week 2 but were more pronounced in week 3, 4 and week 5.  No significant differences were obtained for the number of leaves.  There were however, clear significant differences between spinach irrigated with none saline irrigation water compared to saline irrigation water.   It was concluded that irrigating spinach with saline water of more than 2.0 dS/m drastically reduce plant growth but not the number of leaves under the conditions of the experiment.
Evaluation of Host Stinging Behavior of the Larval Ectoparasitoid Diglyphus isaea on Some Selected Host Plants
Authors: Elkhouly Alansary R. , Shafsha Husen A. , Hireereeq Almabruk A. Al
Published: November 2020

Background: In parasitoid insects, beside parasitism, there are two other behaviors that may increase leaf miner mortality: Feeding on the host (host feeding) and, host penalization without oviposition or feeding (host stinging).

Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate (host stinging) behavior of the larval ectoparasitoid D. isaea in field on some selected host plants.

Methods: The present study was carried out in Alejelat region. Four selected host plants were studied, chick pea (Cicer arietinum) and broad bean (Vecia faba) as a Winter host plants and, Cow pea (Vigna unguiculate) and kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) were selected as summer host plants during the growing seasons 2018 and 2019. Samples were kept in plastic bags and transferred to be examined in the laboratory. Number of living L. trifolii larvae, and number of killed larvae according to feeding (no oviposition) by D. isaea were counted and recorded.

Results: On cow pea host stung larvae recorded (156 individuals/ 100 infested leaflets) occurred in 10th of August, with (r = +0.69**) between host stung larvae and the population of L. trifolii recorded). On kidney bean host stung larvae recorded (101 individuals/ 100 infested leaflets) occurred in 24th of August, with (r = + 0.85**) value between host stung larvae and the population of L. trifolii recorded. On the other hand, the percentage of host stung larvae ranged between (5.67% and 28.22%) and (15.88% and 42.30%) for cow pea and kidney bean respectively. On broad bean host stung larvae recorded (159 individuals/ 100 infested leaflets), with (r = +0.59*) between host stung larvae and the population of L. trifolii .On chick pea host stung larvae recorded (82 individuals/ 100 infested leaflets) with (r = +0.20ns) between host stung larvae and the population of L. trifolii. On the other hand, percentages of host stung larvae ranged between (8.45% and 36.60%) and (21.80% and 87.65%) for broad bean and chick pea respectively.

Conclusion: The highest percentage of host stung larvae recorded on chick pea 44.65% followed by kidney bean 24.21%, broad bean 18.45% and cow pea 12.97% respectively. On the other hand, the correlation coefficient value (r) between numbers of L. trifolii larvae and, host stung larvae recorded the highest on kidney bean +0.85** followed by cow pea +0.69**, Broad bean +0.59* and Chick pea +0.20ns  respectively.
Status Dystonicus in Children with Secondary Dystonia: Reporting 3 Cases of Cerebral Palsy, Leigh Disease and Molybodynum Co Factor Deficiency
Authors: Fatema Kanij , Rahman Md Mizanur , Akhter Shaheen
Published: November 2020

Objective: Patients with primary and secondary dystonic syndromes occasionally develop severe episodes of generalized dystonia and rigidity which is known as status dystonicus (SD) or dystonic storm. This is a frightening hyperkinetic movement disorder and it is an emergency. Marked,                rapid exacerbation of dystonia requires prompt intervention and admission in the hospital. It is critical to recognize early and differentiate dystonic storm from other hyperkinetic movement disorder as it may lead to metabolic complications such as rhabdomyolysis, leading to acute            renal failure. This paper has been written to describe three cases of SD, all having secondary dystonia with different etiologies to highlight the mode of presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcome.

Methodology: We report 3 cases of severe secondary dystonia culminating in SD necessitating management in hospital setting. All the three cases were admitted in a tertiary care hospital and evaluated.

Results: One patient was treated in intensive care unit. In brief 1st case was a 5 year boy with dyskinetic CP who was treated with trihexiphenidyl (THP), baclofen and midazolam infusion. Second case was a 15 month old boy, diagnosed case of mitochondrial encephalopathy (Leigh disease) who was treated with THP, baclofen, haloperidol, clonazepam and infusion midazolam. The third case was a 13 month old boy, diagnosed case of Molybdenum Cofactor deficiency who was treated with THP, tizanidine but they refused to take midazolam.

Conclusion: In this case series, three cases with SD with different etiology have been described with clinical features, modalities of treatment and outcome.
The Moderation Effect of Resource Implementation Factors on Performance Contracting and Public Service Delivery in Huduma Centres in Kenya
Authors: Nyongesa Wesonga Justus , Ntongai Samson , Ondoro Charles
Published: November 2020

The Kenyan Government has pressures from its citizens to improve on service delivery and be responsive to citizen’s needs. Attempts such as privatization, voluntary early retirement and restructuring failed to improve the service delivery. Performance contracting was introduced to address the decline and is now being used together with Huduma Centres. The centres serve 30,000 customers daily against a target of 60,000 customers. On revenue, the centres collect Kshs 12 billion annually against a target of Kshs 30 billion according to a Government report of 2020. Focus from previous studies in resolving this around performance contracting have majorly been case studies and not surveys. Further from reviewed literature, performance contracting influence service delivery, performance and accountability. However other studies reveal that it does not result in increased customer care activities, effectiveness and efficiency and reduction in the number of customer complaints. These are mixed findings from case studies, an indicator of a moderation effect yet to be tested. Additionally, reviewed studies show that resource factors influence service delivery. The purpose of this research was to establish the moderating effect of resource implementation factors on the relationship between performance contracting and service delivery in the Huduma Centres of Kenya. The study was anchored on Vroom’s Expectancy Theory and Goal Setting Theory and utilized correlational survey research design. The target population was 276 workers at the 5 Huduma Centres in Western Region in a census survey. Pilot results (N=10) revealed 20-item instrument overall mean reliability α=0.898. Validity was checked and confirmed by expert review. Results revealed proportion of variance in the Service delivery explained by the resource implementation factors (∆R2=0.088; p=0.000) positively and significantly moderated the relationship significantly implying the interactive effect of resource implementation factors improved service delivery levels by 8.8%. The study concluded that performance contracting practices are significant predictors of service delivery levels; resource factors has a positive moderating effect (B= 0.197, p=0.000) on the relationship between performance contracting and service delivery. Recommendations were that firms should continue enhancing performance contracting practices by providing resource implementation factors as these efforts enhance service delivery in Huduma Centres in Kenya. The study’s significance is in contributing new literature and in government policy formulation by isolating resource implementation factors as key variables for improving public sector service delivery.
Variability and Trend Analysis of Rainfall Data of Shillong and Agartala Stations of North East India
Authors: Sangma Mirbana Lusick K. , Reang Hamtoiti , Patle G. T. , Dabral P. P.
Published: November 2020

This paper discusses the variability in rainfall and trend analysis of annual and seasonal rainfall time series of Shillong and Agartala stations located in the north-east region of India. Commonly used non-parametric statistical methods namely Mann-Kendall and Sen’s slope estimator was used to analyse the seasonal and annual rainfall time series. Statistical analysis showed less variation in annual and south-west monsoon rainfall for both Shillong and Agartala stations. In the total annual rainfall, the share of south-west (SW) monsoon, north-east (NE) monsoon, winter season and summer season rainfall was observed 64.60%, 13.22%, 1.40% and 20.80%, respectively for Shillong station of Meghalaya state. However, the contribution of SW monsoon, NE monsoon, winter season and summer season rainfall in the total annual rainfall was 59.59%, 9.55%, 1.14% and 29.72%, respectively for Agartala station of Tripura state. Non-significant increasing trends of rainfall was observed by 4.54 mm/year, 2.80 mm/year and 2.54 mm/year for annual, SW monsoon, and summer season, whereas, non-significant decreasing trends in rainfall for NE monsoon and winter season was observed with a magnitude of 1.83 mm/year and 1.63 mm/year for Shillong, Meghalaya during 1992 to 2017. Results also revealed that rainfall increased by 1.07 mm/year and 0.18 mm/year in SW monsoon and winter season whereas, rainfall decreased by 7.64 mm/year, 2.58 mm/year and 1.29 mm/year during annual, NE monsoon and summer season non-significantly during 1995 to 2019 in case of Agartala. The findings of present study will be useful for water management and crop planning in hill agriculture of Meghalaya and Tripura state of India.
Disruption of small molecule transporter systems by Transporter‐Interfering Chemicals (TICs)
Authors: Nicklisch Sascha C.T. , Hamdoun Amro
Published: November 2020

Small molecule transporters (SMTs) in the ABC and SLC families are important players in disposition of diverse endo‐ and xenobiotics. Interactions of environmental chemicals with these transporters were first postulated in the 1990s, and since validated in numerous in vitro and in vivo scenarios. Recent results on the co‐crystal structure of ABCB1 with the flame‐retardant BDE‐100 demonstrate that a diverse range of man‐made and natural toxic molecules, hereafter termed transporter‐interfering chemicals (TICs), can directly bind to SMTs and interfere with their function. TIC‐binding modes mimic those of substrates, inhibitors, modulators, inducers, and possibly stimulants through direct and allosteric mechanisms. Similarly, the effects could directly or indirectly agonize, antagonize or perhaps even prime the SMT system to alter transport function. Importantly, TICs are distinguished from drugs and pharmaceuticals that interact with transporters in that exposure is unintended and inherently variant. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms of environmental chemical interaction with SMTs, the methodological considerations for their evaluation, and the future directions for TIC discovery.
Patient Perspectives on Gout and Gout Treatments: A Patient Panel Discussion That Informed the 2020 American College of Rheumatology Treatment Guideline
Authors: Singh Jasvinder A. , Neogi Tuhina , FitzGerald John D.
Published: November 2020

Objective

The objective of this study was to understand patient perspectives to inform the voting process for the 2020 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) gout treatment guideline.

Methods

We conducted a panel meeting of eight patients with gout in Birmingham, Alabama. Patients were referred to the project by private and academic rheumatologists in the Birmingham area. All participants received orientation related to the guideline development process and evidence rating at the beginning of the meeting. With the help of a physician moderator, the patient panel reviewed nine key clinical scenarios and the supporting evidence and discussed their views and perspectives related to each. They also provided their preference for one of the two treatment options for each clinical scenario.

Results

The patient panel included eight men with gout. Of these eight participants, seven received their gout care from a rheumatologist and one from a primary care physician. Patients favored more active urate‐lowering therapy (ULT) management and interventional management of gout flares to achieve desired clinical outcomes, resulting in unanimous consensus on choices related to six clinical scenarios: ULT initiation in gout, treat‐to‐target management strategy, use of pegloticase for refractory gout, starting ULT during a gout flare, using injectable treatments (over oral) for acute gout flares, and use of febuxostat in people with cardiovascular disease.

Conclusion

Knowledge of patient preferences and values is valuable and was influential for the development of the 2020 ACR gout treatment guideline.
Investigations on Oxide Particles Formed during Sintering of CrMnNi‐Transformation‐Induced Plasticity (TRIP) Steel Powder Metallurgically Materials Using Automatic Feature Analysis
Authors: Weigelt Christian , Kerber Florian , Baumgart Christine , Krüger Lutz , Aneziris Christos G.
Published: November 2020

The combination of powder metallurgical and ceramics‐derived processing enables the manufacturing of innovative metal components. Using high‐alloyed transformation‐induced plasticity (TRIP) steels facilitates the manufacturing of metal components with outstanding mechanical properties for advanced load applications. The oxygen affinity of some alloying elements promotes the formation of non‐metallic particles during sintering, which deteriorate the mechanical properties. Bulk specimens are prepared from a 17Cr7Mn6Ni‐TRIP steel powder using a ceramics‐derived extrusion process with organic binders at ambient temperature. Processing comprises the thermal binder removal in air and the sintering in pure argon or hydrogen atmospheres. The sintered specimens are analyzed for their amount and composition of non‐metallic particles using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The focus of this article is on the automated particle identification and analysis using an automatic SEM‐EDS‐related device. The automatic feature analysis provides statistical information on the chemistry, size, and morphology. The particles mainly consist of Cr, Mn, Si, and O forming Mn2SiO4 and MnCr2O4. The number of particles mainly depends on the debinding temperature and on the sintering atmosphere. The use of a pure hydrogen sintering atmosphere significantly depresses the formation of MnCr2O4, whereas silicates remain stable under the applied atmospheric and thermal conditions.
Guest Encapsulation within Surface‐Adsorbed Self‐Assembled Cages
Authors: Ryan Hugh P. , Haynes Cally J. E. , Smith Alyssa , Grommet Angela B. , Nitschke Jonathan R.
Published: November 2020

Coordination cages encapsulate a wide variety of guests in the solution state. This ability renders them useful for applications such as catalysis and the sequestration of precious materials. A simple and general method for the immobilization of coordination cages on alumina is reported. Cage loadings are quantified via adsorption isotherms and guest displacement assays demonstrate that the adsorbed cages retain the ability to encapsulate and separate guest and non‐guest molecules. Finally, a system of two cages, adsorbed on to different regions of alumina, stabilizes and separates a pair of Diels–Alder reagents. The addition of a single competitive guest results in the controlled release of the reagents, thus triggering their reaction. This method of coordination cage immobilization on solid phases is envisaged to be applicable to the extensive library of reported cages, enabling new applications based upon selective solid‐phase molecular encapsulation.
Similarities and differences between study designs in short‐ and long‐term outcomes of laparoscopic versus open low anterior resection for rectal cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized, case‐matched, and cohort studies
Authors: Hoshino Nobuaki , Fukui Yudai , Hida Koya , Obama Kazutaka
Published: November 2020

Aim

Randomized controlled trials (RCT) are the gold standard in surgical research, and case‐matched studies, such as studies with propensity score matching, are expected to serve as an alternative to RCT. Both study designs have been used to investigate the potential superiority of laparoscopic surgery to open surgery for rectal cancer, but it remains unclear whether there are any differences in the findings obtained using these study designs. We aimed to examine similarities and differences between findings from different study designs regarding laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer.

Methods

Systematic review and meta‐analyses. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane. RCT, case‐matched studies, and cohort studies comparing laparoscopic low anterior resection and open low anterior resection for rectal cancer were included. In total, 8 short‐term outcomes and 3 long‐term outcomes were assessed. Meta‐analysis was conducted stratified by study design using a random‐effects model.

Results

Thirty‐five studies were included in this review. Findings did not differ between RCT and case‐matched studies for most outcomes. However, the estimated treatment effect was largest in cohort studies, intermediate in case‐matched studies, and smallest in RCT for overall postoperative complications and 3‐year local recurrence.

Conclusion

Findings from case‐matched studies were similar to those from RCT in laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer. However, findings from case‐matched studies were sometimes intermediate between those of RCT and unadjusted cohort studies, and case‐matched studies and cohort studies have a potential to overestimate the treatment effect compared with RCT.
Development and Validation of the Pediatric Charcot–Marie–Tooth Disease Quality of Life Outcome Measure
Authors: Ramchandren Sindhu , Wu Tong Tong , Finkel Richard S. , Siskind Carly E. , Feely Shawna M. E. , Burns Joshua , Reilly Mary M. , Estilow Timothy , Shy Michael E. ,   Childhood CMT Study Group
Published: November 2020

Objective

Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) reduces health‐related quality of life (QOL), especially in children. Defining QOL in pediatric CMT can help physicians monitor disease burden clinically and in trials. We identified items pertaining to QOL in children with CMT and conducted validation studies to develop a pediatric CMT‐specific QOL outcome measure (pCMT‐QOL).

Methods

Development and validation of the pCMT‐QOL patient‐reported outcome measure were iterative, involving identifying relevant domains, item pool generation, prospective pilot testing and clinical assessments, structured focus‐group interviews, and psychometric testing. Testing was conducted in children with CMT seen at participating sites from the USA, United Kingdom, and Australia.

Results

We conducted systematic literature reviews and analysis of generic QOL measures to identify 6 domains relevant to QOL in children with CMT. Sixty items corresponding to those domains were developed de novo, or identified from literature review and CMT‐specific modification of items from the pediatric Neuro‐QOL measures. The draft version underwent prospective feasibility and face content validity assessments to develop a working version of the pCMT‐QOL measure. From 2010 to 2016, the pCMT‐QOL working version was administered to 398 children aged 8 to 18 years seen at the participating study sites of the Inherited Neuropathies Consortium. The resulting data underwent rigorous psychometric analysis, including factor analysis, test–retest reliability, internal consistency, convergent validity, item response theory analysis, and longitudinal analysis, to develop the final pCMT‐QOL patient‐reported outcome measure.

Interpretation

The pCMT‐QOL patient‐reported outcome measure is a reliable, valid, and sensitive measure of health‐related QOL for children with CMT. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:369–379
Multicenter Validation of the max‐ICH Score in Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Sembill Jochen A. , Castello Juan P. , Sprügel Maximilian I. , Gerner Stefan T. , Hoelter Philip , Lücking Hannes , Doerfler Arnd , Schwab Stefan , Huttner Hagen B. , Biffi Alessandro , Kuramatsu Joji B.
Published: November 2020

Objective

Outcome prognostication unbiased by early care limitations (ECL) is essential for guiding treatment in patients presenting with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The aim of this study was to determine whether the max‐ICH (maximally treated ICH) Score provides improved and clinically useful prognostic estimation of functional long‐term outcomes after ICH.

Methods

This multicenter validation study compared the prognostication of the max‐ICH Score versus the ICH Score regarding diagnostic accuracy (discrimination and calibration) and clinical utility using decision curve analysis. We performed a joint investigation of individual participant data of consecutive spontaneous ICH patients (n = 4,677) from 2 retrospective German‐wide studies (RETRACE I + II; anticoagulation‐associated ICH only) conducted at 22 participating centers, one German prospective single‐center study (UKER‐ICH; nonanticoagulation‐associated ICH only), and 1 US‐based prospective longitudinal single‐center study (MGH; both anticoagulation‐ and nonanticoagulation‐associated ICH), treated between January 2006 and December 2015.

Results

Of 4,677 included ICH patients, 1,017 (21.7%) were affected by ECL (German cohort: 15.6% [440 of 2,377]; MGH: 31.0% [577 of 1,283]). Validation of long‐term functional outcome prognostication by the max‐ICH Score provided good and superior discrimination in patients without ECL compared with the ICH Score (area under the receiver operating curve [AUROC], German cohort: 0.81 [0.78–0.83] vs 0.74 [0.72–0.77], p < 0.01; MGH: 0.85 [0.81–0.89] vs 0.78 [0.74–0.82], p < 0.01), and for the entire cohort (AUROC, German cohort: 0.84 [0.82–0.86] vs 0.80 [0.77–0.82], p < 0.01; MGH: 0.83 [0.81–0.85] vs 0.77 [0.75–0.79], p < 0.01). Both scores showed no evidence of poor calibration. The clinical utility investigated by decision curve analysis showed, at high threshold probabilities (0.8, aiming to avoid false‐positive poor outcome attribution), that the max‐ICH Score provided a clinical net benefit compared with the ICH Score (14.1 vs 2.1 net predicted poor outcomes per 100 patients).

Interpretation

The max‐ICH Score provides valid and improved prognostication of functional outcome after ICH. The associated clinical net benefit in minimizing false poor outcome attribution might potentially prevent unwarranted care limitations in patients with ICH. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:474–484