bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Status of online sperm donation and sperm bank in Japan
Authors: Nakata Kumiko , Okada Hiroshi , Iwahata Toshiyuki
Published: June 2021

Facilities worldwide offering donor sperm insemination face sperm donor shortages. There are also known dangers of online information about sperm donation and using donated sperm to conceive without the involvement of medical professionals. Therefore, the authors investigated 140 Web sites retrieved by common Japanese search engines using sperm donation‐related keywords. The authors assessed them according to criteria, but most were deemed unsafe (96.4%). Ultimately, 2 personal and 3 company Web sites provided adequate information. However, the personal Web sites lacked representative individual information and the company Web sites had issues including high costs, overseas location of facilities performing insemination, and possible non‐Japanese origin of donated sperm.
A scaling limit for the length of the longest cycle in a sparse random digraph
Authors: Anastos Michael , Frieze Alan
Published: June 2021

We discuss the length of the longest directed cycle in the sparse random digraph , constant. We show that for large there exists a function such that a.s. The function where is a polynomial in . We are only able to explicitly give the values , although we could in principle compute any .
Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of NiMn2O4 Grown on Nickel Foam as Electrode Material for High‐Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Du Xiaomei , Yang Liu , Fu Yingqing , Liu Sen , Huang Naibao , Wang Shusen
Published: June 2021

The spinel NiMn2O4 has been directly grown on 3D nickel foam by combining a simple microwave‐assisted hydrothermal with annealing process at different temperatures (350 °C to 650 °C), which can be used as a binder‐free electrode for high‐performance supercapacitors. The results indicate that the pure NiMn2O4 can be obtained below 550 °C. The as‐prepared NiMn2O4 at 450 °C has the largest specific capacitance of 802 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and excellent cycle stability (61 % capacity retention after 5000 cycles at 10 A g−1) among all the obtained samples. This outstanding electrochemical performance may be attributed to its relatively large grain size, high specific surface area, and appropriate pore structure. This indicates that NiMn2O4 grown on nickel foam shows great potential as an electrode material for supercapacitors.
Conversion of l‐Tryptophan Derivatives into Biologically Active Amino Acid Ionic Liquids
Authors: Szymaniak Daria , Kleiber Tomasz , Wojcieszak Marta , Materna Katarzyna , Pernak Juliusz
Published: June 2021

Natural auxins are a group of plant hormones that affect plant growth and development. The most common auxin is indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), which is mainly synthesized from tryptophan. Since converting synthetic auxins into an ionic liquid increases their herbicidal activity, an attempt was made to synthesize new amino acid ionic liquids (AAILs) with l‐tryptophanate anions. As a result of the synthesis, two homologous series, tetraalkylammonium l‐tryptophanates and dialkyldimethylammonium l‐tryptophanates, were obtained with yields exceeding 95 %. For the obtained AAILs, basic physicochemical properties (solubility in solvents of different polarity, thermal stability, phase changes, and surface activity) were determined, and whether the obtained salts act as growth stimulants for lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was evaluated. The transformation of l‐tryptophan into AAILs improved the physicochemical properties and increased the auxin activity. In addition, the higher content of nutrients (micro‐ and macroelements) made lettuce a healthier food product.
Amidation and Intramolecular Aza‐Michael Reaction: One‐Pot Synthetic Strategy of Isoindolinones
Authors: Asraf Ali Sk , Bera Anirban , Rahaman Molla Mijanur , Samanta Shubhankar
Published: June 2021

Herein, we report one‐pot Cu(I) catalyzed open flask synthetic strategy of 3‐substituted N‐pyridinyl isoindolinones from alkyl (E)‐3‐(2‐formylphenyl)acrylate by oxidative amidation and intramolecular aza‐Michael reaction using cheap air stable Cu(I) single catalyst. We have also established a synthetic route of N‐aryl substituted isoindolinones with acid‐amine coupling reaction of (E)‐2‐(3‐alkoxy‐3‐oxoprop‐1‐en‐1‐yl)benzoic acid followed by aza‐Michael reactions. Unexpected synthetic route of N‐(1H‐inden‐1‐yl)pyridin‐2‐amine derivatives have been documented from the same precursors using Cu(I) catalyst.
Microwave‐Assisted Rapid Synthesis of Urchin‐Like Bimetallic Mn–Co Carbonate Composites for High‐Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Du Xiaomin , Liu Liangyu , Xie Zhengjie , Yu Deyang , Han Leiyun , Zhang Yuwan , Cui Zheng , Xue Ying , Zhao Xudong , Liu Xiaoyang
Published: June 2021

Herein, we developed a novel microwave‐assisted hydrothermal synthetic method for urchin‐like bimetallic manganese‐cobalt carbonate composites. Compared with the traditional process, the microwave‐assisted hydrothermal process is not only environmentally friendly, but also more convenient. The electrode of supercapacitors prepared at 120 °C for 10 min exhibited the best electrochemical performance, which could deliver a high capacitance of 839.58 F g−1 at 1 mA cm−2 and remain 82.12 % of its initial capacitance even after 8,000 successive charge‐discharge cycles at a high current density of 6 mA cm−2. We have found the possibility of using a microwave‐assisted hydrothermal process to synthesize the urchin‐like bimetallic manganese‐cobalt carbonate composites, which is of great importance for the application of bimetallic manganese‐cobalt carbonate composites in the supercapacitor field.
Attoampere Nanoelectrochemistry
Authors: Grall Simon , Alić Ivan , Pavoni Eleonora , Awadein Mohamed , Fujii Teruo , Müllegger Stefan , Farina Marco , Clément Nicolas , Gramse Georg
Published: June 2021

Electrochemical microscopy techniques have extended the understanding of surface chemistry to the micrometer and even sub‐micrometer level. However, fundamental questions related to charge transport at the solid‐electrolyte interface, such as catalytic reactions or operation of individual ion channels, require improved spatial resolutions down to the nanoscale. A prerequisite for single‐molecule electrochemical sensitivity is the reliable detection of a few electrons per second, that is, currents in the atto‐Ampere (10−18 A) range, 1000 times below today's electrochemical microscopes. This work reports local cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements at the solid‐liquid interface on ferrocene self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) with sub‐atto‐Ampere sensitivity and simultaneous spatial resolution < 80 nm. Such sensitivity is obtained through measurements of the charging of the local faradaic interface capacitance at GHz frequencies. Nanometer‐scale details of different molecular organizations with a 19% packing density difference are resolved, with an extremely small dispersion of the molecular electrical properties. This is predicted previously based on weak electrostatic interactions between neighboring redox molecules in a SAM configuration. These results open new perspectives for nano‐electrochemistry like the study of quantum mechanical resonance in complex molecules and a wide range of applications from electrochemical catalysis to biophysics.
In vivo three‐dimensional isometry analysis of suture attachment sites for extracapsular suture stabilization of the canine stifle
Authors: Lin Cheng‐Chung , Lu Ming , Wang Shi‐Nuan , Wu Ching‐Ho
Published: June 2021

Background

The study aimed to perform isometry analysis of a selection of suture attachment points for extracapsular stabilization with three‐dimensional (3D) measurements and normal gait kinematics of the stifle joint.

Methods

Thirteen client‐owned dogs were recruited. Fluoroscopic images of the stifle during treadmill walking and computed tomography of the same joint were acquired. Stifle kinematics were reconstructed using 3D model‐based fluoroscopic analysis. Variability of the distance between the femoral and tibial attachment sites across gait cycles was evaluated. The maximum length variation (MLV) and maximum length percent variation (MLPV) were quantified and used to determine the level of isometry of the attachment site combinations.

Results

A selection of combinations with lower mean MLV (<2.5 mm) or MLPV (<8%) was identified from 315 combinations, and all the combinations involved femoral attachment sites near the distal pole of the lateral fabella. The combinations also involving tibial attachment sites near the proximal tibial crest showed improved isometry, with an MLPV < 6%.

Conclusion

Combinations using attachment sites around the distal pole of the lateral fabella and proximal tibial crest or caudal to the long digit extensor groove appeared to have improved isometry.
Synthesis and electrochemistry of remotely thioether‐functionalized disilenes
Authors: Büttner Thomas , Weisshaar Konstantin , Willmes Philipp , Huch Volker , Morgenstern Bernd , Hempelmann Rolf , Scheschkewitz David
Published: June 2021

We report the synthesis of p‐methylthio‐functionalized disilenes with (oligo)phenylene‐linkers of different sizes between the thiomethyl group and the Si=Si moiety. 29Si NMR and UV/vis data suggests that the linker‐size affects the Si=Si moiety only moderately. Cyclic voltammetry reveals an increasing number of reduction events with the number of phenylene rings, which are therefore clearly associated to the oligo(phenylene) linking unit. The exchange current density of the oxidation and reduction reactions as determined by linear sweep voltammetry with a rotating disc electrode also shows significant differences between the prepared disilenes.
Magnesium concentration influences size and pulse rate in the upside‐down jellyfish, Cassiopea andromeda
Authors: Evans Drayke , Millar Zachary , Wolvin Sophie , Pham Phuc H. , LePage Véronique , Lumsden John S.
Published: June 2021

Magnesium is involved in a variety of physiological processes in marine animals and is known to be deleterious in both excess and deficiency. The effects of magnesium concentration ranging from 700 mg/L (low), 1344 mg/L (control), and 2000 mg/L (high) on size and pulse rate in upside‐down jellyfish (Cassiopea andromeda) medusae were examined in two separate 28‐day trials. Exposure to low magnesium resulted in significantly (p < .05) higher pulse rates and decreased bell diameter and also produced oral arm degradation. Exposure to high magnesium resulted in significantly (p < .05) lower pulse rates and decreased bell diameter as well as oral arm cupping. In both low and high magnesium, almost all specimens changed color from pale blue on Day 1, to brown by Day 28, suggesting a loss of zooxanthellae. The decrease in bell diameter and color change was more pronounced and occurred more rapidly in low magnesium. The results of both trials demonstrate the deleterious effects of high and low magnesium on C. andromeda and emphasize the importance of monitoring magnesium concentration to maintain healthy display animals in public aquaria.
Numerical Modeling of Infrasound Energy Radiation by Debris Flow Events
Authors: Coco M. , Marchetti E. , Morandi O.
Published: June 2021

Debris flows constitute a severe natural hazard in Alpine regions. Studies are performed to understand the event predictability and to identify early warning systems and procedures. These are based both on sensors deployed along the channels or on the amplitude of seismic and infrasound waves radiated by the flow and recorded far away. Despite being very promising, infrasound cannot be used to infer the source characteristics due to the lack of a physical model of the infrasound energy radiated by debris flows. Here the simulation of water flow along a simple channel is presented, experiencing the fall from a dam, performed within the open source simulation code OpenFOAM. The pressure perturbation within the atmosphere produced by the flow is extracted and the infrasound signature of the events as a function of the flow characteristics is defined. Numerical results suggest that infrasound is radiated immediately downstream of the dam with amplitude and period that scale with dam height and water level. Modeled infrasound waveform is interpreted as being produced mostly by waves at the water free surface developing downstream of the dam. Despite the effect of sediments is not considered in this first study and will be implemented in future investigations, numerical results obtained with this simple model are in general agreement with experimental results obtained from array analysis of infrasound data recorded at Illgraben, Switzerland. Results highlight how numerical modeling can provide critical information to define a source mechanism of infrasound energy radiation by debris-flow, that is required also to improve early warning systems.
Orbital floor fractures: epidemiology and outcomes of 1594 reconstructions
Authors: Seifert Lukas Benedikt , Mainka Tim , Herrera-Vizcaino Carlos , Verboket Rene , Sader Robert
Published: June 2021

Objective

The aim of this study was to retrospectively review the midface and orbital floor fractures treated at our institution with regard to epidemiological aspects, surgical treatment options and postoperative complications and discuss this data with the current literature.

Study design

One thousand five hundred and ninety-four patients with midface and orbital fractures treated at the Department of Oral, Cranio-Maxillofacial and Facial Plastic Surgery of the Goethe University Hospital in Frankfurt (Germany) between 2007 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were evaluated by age, gender, etiology, fracture pattern, defect size, surgical treatment and complications.

Results

The average patient age was 46.2 (± 20.8). Most fractures (37.5%) occurred in the age between 16 and 35. Seventy-two percent of patients were male while 28% were female. The most common cause of injury was physical assault (32.0%) followed by falls (30.8%) and traffic accidents (17.0%). The average orbital wall defect size was 297.9 mm2 (± 190.8 mm2). For orbital floor reconstruction polydioxanone sheets (0.15 mm 38.3%, 0.25 mm 36.2%, 0.5 mm 2.8%) were mainly used, followed by titanium meshes (11.5%). Reconstructions with the 0.15 mm polydioxanone sheets showed the least complications (p < 0.01, r = 0.15). Eighteen percent of patients who showed persistent symptoms and post-operative complications: 12.9% suffered from persistent hypoesthesia, 4.4% suffered from post-operative diplopia and 3.9% showed intra-orbital hematoma.

Conclusion

Results of the clinical outcome in our patients show that 0.15 mm resorbable polydioxanone sheets leads to significantly less post-operative complications for orbital floor defects even for defects beyond the recommended 200 mm2.
Kontaktendoskopie mit Narrow Band Imaging zur Erkennung perpendikulärer Gefäßveränderungen bei benignen Läsionen, Dysplasien und Karzinomen der Stimmlippen
Authors: Schöninger L. , Voigt-Zimmermann S. , Kropf S. , Arens C. , Davaris N.
Published: June 2021

Hintergrund

Perpendikuläre Gefäßveränderungen (PGV) sind Marker der tumorinduzierten Neoangiogenese der Stimmlippen. Die Kontaktendoskopie mit Narrow Band Imaging (KE-NBI) ermöglicht eine detaillierte Analyse solcher Gefäßveränderungen.

Ziel der Arbeit

In dieser Arbeit wurde das Potenzial der KE-NBI bei der Diagnostik benigner, dysplastischer und maligner Veränderungen der Stimmlippen untersucht. Außerdem sollte bei der Detektion von PGV die Aussagekraft des KE-NBI im Vergleich zur Weißlichtendoskopie (WLE) und zur alleinigen Narrow-Band-Imaging-Endoskopie (NBI) bestimmt werden.

Material und Methoden

Dazu befundeten 3 Untersucher histopathologisch verifizierte benigne, dysplastische oder maligne Läsionen der Stimmlippen (n = 60) jeweils im Modus WLE, NBI und KE-NBI. Die Läsionen wurden auf PGV hin untersucht und ihre Dignität beurteilt. Ermittelt wurden der Anteil der Läsionen mit detektierten PGV sowie die diagnostische Güte für jeden Modus und die Interratervariabilität bei der Erkennung von höhergradigen Dysplasien und Karzinomen.

Ergebnisse

Die KE-NBI zeigte sich den anderen Modi bei der Detektion von PGV und hinsichtlich Sensitivität und Genauigkeit bei der Erkennung von höhergradigen Dysplasien und Karzinomen überlegen. Die Autoren sahen eine deutliche Assoziation dieser pathologischen Veränderungen mit PGV.

Schlussfolgerung

Mittels KE-NBI werden PGV häufiger und zuverlässiger als mit den anderen Methoden erkannt. Die Assoziation dieser Gefäßveränderungen mit höhergradigen Dysplasien und Karzinomen der Stimmlippen wurde bestätigt. Im Vergleich zu WLE und NBI zeigte sich eine erhöhte diagnostische Güte. Somit kann die KE-NBI durch bessere Detektion der PGV die endoskopische Differenzierung zwischen benignen und malignen Läsionen der Stimmlippen verbessern.
Schnitt-Naht-Zeiten bei der endoskopischen Ohrchirurgie
Authors: Preyer S.
Published: June 2021

Hintergrund

Endoskopische Ohrchirurgie („endoscopic ear surgery“, EES) wird international immer häufiger anstelle der mikroskopischen Ohrchirurgie („microscopic ear surgery“, MES) eingesetzt, hat sich in Deutschland aber als Routineverfahren noch nicht etabliert.

Fragestellung

Untersucht wurden die Schnitt-Naht-Zeiten bei der EES und die Praktikabilität der Methode im deutschen Klinik-Setting.

Material und Methoden

In einer retrospektiven Studie wurden 60 konsekutive mikroskopisch operierte Patienten (MES) von 2015 mit 60 konsekutiven endoskopisch operierten Patienten aus dem Jahr 2018 verglichen. Verglichen wurden Hörergebnisse, Trommelfellbefund und Schnitt-Naht-Zeiten nach 3 Wochen.

Ergebnisse

Bei endoskopisch geführten Ohroperationen war der Zugang meistens transmeatal und musste seltener als bei mikroskopisch durchgeführten Operationen die Gehörgangsvorderwand zurückgeschliffen werden. Die Operationszeiten unterschieden sich in den 2 Gruppen statistisch nicht signifikant. Ein Trommelfellverschluss gelang bei 57/60 Patienten in der mikroskopischen Gruppe und bei 59/60 in der endoskopischen Gruppe. Eine Hörverbesserung wurde in beiden Gruppen erreicht. Die Hörverbesserung war in den 2 Gruppen statistisch signifikant nicht unterschiedlich.

Schlussfolgerungen

Endoskopische Ohrchirurgie ist eine zeitökonomische und minimal-invasive Methode und stellt bei vergleichbaren Ergebnissen eine praktikable Alternative zur mikroskopischen Ohrchirurgie dar.
Good to excellent long-term survival of a single-design condylar constrained knee arthroplasty for primary and revision surgery
Authors: Theil C. , Schwarze J. , Gosheger G. , Poggenpohl L. , Ackmann T. , Moellenbeck B. , Schmidt-Braekling T. , Ahrens H.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to determine the long-term survivorship, functional outcomes of a single-design condylar constrained (CCK) TKA in primary and revision cases as well as to assess specific risk factors for failure. It was hypothesized that primary CCK TKA had a better survival than revision knees.

Methods

One hundred and forty three patients who underwent revision TKA (n = 119) or complex primary TKA (n = 24) using a single-design condylar constrained knee system (Genesis CCK, Smith & Nephew) performed at a single institution between 1999 and 2008 were retrospectively included. The median follow-up amounted to 11.8 years (IQR 10.3–14.4). Implant survivorship was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier survival estimates and multivariate Cox regression analysis to identify risk factors for failure. Function was determined using the Oxford Knee Score (OKS).

Results

The implant survival was 86.4% after five, 85.5% after ten and 79.8% at 15 years. A reduced implant survivorship was found in males (HR 5.16, p = 0.001), smokers (HR 6.53, p = 0.004) and in obese patients (HR 2.26, p = 0.095). Patients who underwent primary TKA had a higher revision-free implant survivorship compared to revision TKA at 15 years (100% vs. 76%, p = 0.036). The main cause for re-revision was infection in 10% of all revision TKA performed with the CCK design included, while no case was revised for instability.

The median OKS was 39 (IQR 35–44) in 102 patients available for long-term functional outcome.

Conclusion

CCK implants are associated with excellent long-term survival when used in primary TKA; however, survival was worse when used during revision TKA. Males, smokers, obese patients and are at higher risk for revision. While instability and aseptic loosening were rare, infection remains a major concern.

Level of evidence

Level IV, retrospective observational study.
Differentiation of peach cultivars by image analysis based on the skin, flesh, stone and seed textures
Authors: Ropelewska Ewa , Rutkowski Krzysztof P.
Published: June 2021

The peaches belonging to different cultivars can be characterized by differentiation in properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of individual parts of fruit (skin, flesh, stone and seed) for cultivar discrimination of peaches based on textures determined using image analysis. Discriminant analysis was performed using the classifiers of Bayes net, logistic, SMO, multi-class classifier and random forest based on a set of combined textures selected from all color channels R, G, B, L, a, b, X, Y, Z and for textures selected separately for RGB, Lab and XYZ color spaces. In the case of sets of textures selected from all color channels (R, G, B, L, a, b, X, Y, Z), the accuracy of 100% was observed for flesh, stones and seeds for selected classifiers. The sets of textures selected from RGB color space produced the correctness equal to 100% in the case of flesh and seeds of peaches. In the case of Lab and XYZ color spaces, slightly lower accuracies than for RGB color space were obtained and the accuracy reaching 100% was noted only for the discrimination of seeds of peaches. The research proved the usefulness of selected texture parameters of fruit flesh, stones and seeds for successful discrimination of peach cultivars with an accuracy of 100%. The distinguishing between cultivars may be important for breeders, consumers and the peach industry for ensuring adequate processing conditions and equipment parameters. The cultivar identification of fruit by human may be characterized by large errors. The molecular or chemical methods may require special equipment or be time-consuming. The image analysis may ensure objective, rapid and relatively inexpensive procedure and high accuracy for peach cultivar discrimination.
Erratum zu: Pars-plana-Vitrektomie – von Saug-Schneide-Systemen bis hin zur Ultraschalltechnik
Authors: Deuchler Svenja , Knoch Timo , Papour Asael , Kohnen Thomas , Koch Frank
Published: June 2021

Ein Erratum zu dieser Publikation wurde veröffentlicht: 10.1007/s00347-021-01377-6
Responder analysis for neuropathic impairment and quality-of-life assessment in patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy in the NEURO-TTR study
Authors: Yarlas Aaron , Lovley Andrew , Brown Duncan , Kosinski Mark , Vera-Llonch Montserrat
Published: June 2021

Objective

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) is a rare disease characterized by rapid neuropathic progression. In pivotal studies of gene-silencing treatments, the modified Neuropathy Impairment Score + 7 tests (mNIS + 7) and Norfolk-Quality of Life (QOL)-Diabetic Neuropathy (DN) questionnaire assessed treatment impact on neuropathic progression. Establishing responder definition (RD) thresholds for these measures would enable evaluation of clinically meaningful treatment benefit.

Methods

mNIS + 7 and Norfolk-QOL-DN were administered at baseline and week 65 to 165 adults with ATTRv-PN receiving inotersen (n = 106) or placebo (n = 59) in the NEURO-TTR study. Anchor-based approaches for estimating RD thresholds were used for Norfolk QOL-DN, while distribution-based approaches were used for both measures. Responders were patients with a score change < RD, indicating improvement or stabilization (i.e., no clinically meaningful progression). Odds ratios (ORs) and Fisher’s exact tests compared proportions of responders by treatment.

Results

The mean RD estimates were 12.2 points and 8.8 points for mNIS + 7 and Norfolk QOL-DN, respectively. The proportions of patients whose change in score indicated improvement or stabilization were statistically significantly larger for inotersen than placebo for all estimated RD thresholds for mNIS + 7 (64–86% responders for inotersen vs. 27–46% for placebo, ORs = 3.8–7.2, ps < 0.001) and Norfolk QOL-DN (66–81% vs. 35–56%, ORs = 2.4–3.6, ps < 0.05).

Discussion

Establishing RD thresholds for these instruments enables evaluation of clinically relevant and individual-level treatment benefit on neuropathic progression. Across RDs estimated using multiple methods, a higher proportion of patients receiving inotersen than placebo showed improved or stabilized neuropathic progression at week 65.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01737398; Date of registration: November 29, 2012.
Reduction of carbonyl compounds via hydrosilylation catalyzed by well-defined PNP-Mn(I) hydride complexes
Authors: Weber Stefan , Iebed Dina , Glatz Mathias , Kirchner Karl
Published: June 2021

Reduction reactions of unsaturated compounds are fundamental transformations in synthetic chemistry. In this context, the reduction of polarized double bonds such as carbonyl or C=C motifs can be achieved by hydrogenation reactions. We describe here a highly chemoselective Mn(I)-based PNP pincer catalyst for the hydrosilylation of aldehydes and ketones employing polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) as inexpensive hydrogen donor.

Graphic abstract
Modellierung der Strömungsdynamik in einem revitalisierten Küstenmoorgebiet an der Ostsee
Authors: Schreiber Lisa , Munz Matthias , Salzmann Thomas , Oswald Sascha E.
Published: June 2021

Küstennahe Niedermoore wurden durch den Menschen verändert, bspw. durch das Anlegen von Entwässerungsgräben, dem Bau von Küstenschutzdeichen oder aktuell einer Renaturierung. Außerdem ist es wichtig die komplexe Interaktion mit der See zu verstehen, um Aussagen über die zukünftige Entwicklung treffen zu können. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde die ober- und unterirdische Strömung in einem Feuchtgebiet an der mecklenburgischen Ostseeküste nahe Warnemünde (Deutschland) untersucht, um dessen wechselseitigen Austausch mit der Ostsee zu quantifizieren und zu analysieren, wie sich ein Sturmhochwasserereignis auf den Salzeintrag ins Gebiet auswirkt. Hierfür wurde ein dreidimensionales instationäres Grundwassermodell erstellt, mit einem eindimensionalen Modell des Grabensystems gekoppelt und mit Messungen im Gebiet kalibriert und verglichen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass neben der oberirdischen Entwässerung auch der Grundwasserabstrom in Richtung Ostsee eine wesentliche Komponente der Wasserbilanz darstellt. Das Verhalten entlang der Küste wird deutlich durch die Dynamik der Ostseewasserstände geprägt, wobei ein Grundwasserabstrom mit einem Zustrom von Ostseewasser bei hohen Küstenwasserständen innerhalb täglicher bis wöchentlicher Zeitskalen wechselt.
Time-dynamic evaluations under non-monotone information generated by marked point processes
Authors: Christiansen Marcus C.
Published: June 2021

The information dynamics in finance and insurance applications is usually modelled by a filtration. This paper looks at situations where information restrictions apply so that the information dynamics may become non-monotone. A fundamental tool for calculating and managing risks in finance and insurance are martingale representations. We present a general theory that extends classical martingale representations to non-monotone information generated by marked point processes. The central idea is to focus only on those properties that martingales and compensators show on infinitesimally short intervals. While classical martingale representations describe innovations only, our representations have an additional symmetric counterpart that quantifies the effect of information loss. We exemplify the results with examples from life insurance and credit risk.
Thermal modeling of a Swiss urban aquifer and implications for geothermal heat pump systems
Authors: Perego Rodolfo , Pera Sebastian , Boaga Jacopo , Bulgheroni Monica , Dalla Santa Giorgia , Galgaro Antonio
Published: June 2021

The progressive electrification of the building conditioning sector in recent years has greatly contributed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy sources, particularly shallow geothermal energy. This energy can be exploited through open and closed shallow geothermal systems (SGS), and their performances greatly depend on the ground/groundwater temperature, which can be affected by both natural and anthropogenic phenomena. The present study proposes an approach to characterize aquifers affected by high SGS exploitation (not simulated in this work). Characterization of the potential hydro/thermogeological natural state is necessary to understand the regional flow and heat transport, and to identify local thermal anomalies. Passive microseismic and groundwater monitoring were used to assess the shape and thermal status of the aquifer; numerical modeling in both steady-state and transient conditions allowed understanding of the flow and heat transport patterns. Two significant thermal anomalies were detected in a fluvio-glacial aquifer in southern Switzerland, one created by river water exfiltration and one of anthropogenic nature. A favorable time lag of 110 days between river and groundwater temperature and an urban hot plume produced by underground structures were observed. These thermal anomalies greatly affect the local thermal status of the aquifer and consequently the design and efficiency of current and future SGS. Results show that the correct characterization of the natural thermo-hydrogeological status of an aquifer is a fundamental basis for determining the impact of boundary conditions and to provide initial conditions required to perform reliable local thermal sustainability assessments, especially where high SGS exploitation occurs.
Envy effects on conflict dynamics in supervised work groups
Authors: Dal Forno Arianna , Merlone Ugo
Published: June 2021

At the end of the last century, chaos theory principles have helped organizational theorists to analyze several aspects of organizations and to account for their dynamic evolution. However, most of contributions remained relegated as qualitative discussions of organizational phenomena. In this paper, starting from effort allocations of subordinates in supervised work groups which were observed in a human participants interaction, we found evidence of nonlinear relation between the colleagues’ effort. In order to explain the large variability of behavior we observed, we consider those activated by unfavorable social comparison and propose a dynamical model. A theoretical dynamic model based on the empirical results appears to be powerful for modeling repeated interactions in a work group. Research and intervention design should focus on individual intolerance and beliefs about the reciprocal capacities between subordinates, which, according to our study, appear to play a key role in the inefficiency of equilibria observed in supervised work groups.
Convergence of Energy Minimizers of a MEMS Model in the Reinforced Limit
Authors: Laurençot Philippe , Nik Katerina , Walker Christoph
Published: June 2021

Energy minimizers to a MEMS model with an insulating layer are shown to converge in its reinforced limit to the minimizer of the limiting model as the thickness of the layer tends to zero. The proof relies on the identification of the $\Gamma $
Γ
-limit of the energy in this limit.
Epistemic Blame and the Normativity of Evidence
Authors: Schmidt Sebastian
Published: June 2021

The normative force of evidence can seem puzzling. It seems that having conclusive evidence for a proposition does not, by itself, make it true that one ought to believe the proposition. But spelling out the condition that evidence must meet in order to provide us with genuine normative reasons for belief seems to lead us into a dilemma: the condition either fails to explain the normative significance of epistemic reasons or it renders the content of epistemic norms practical. The first aim of this paper is to spell out this challenge for the normativity of evidence. I argue that the challenge rests on a plausible assumption about the conceptual connection between normative reasons and blameworthiness. The second aim of the paper is to show how we can meet the challenge by spelling out a concept of epistemic blameworthiness. Drawing on recent accounts of doxastic responsibility and epistemic blame, I suggest that the normativity of evidence is revealed in our practice of suspending epistemic trust in response to impaired epistemic relationships. Recognizing suspension of trust as a form of epistemic blame allows us to make sense of a purely epistemic kind of normativity the existence of which has recently been called into doubt by certain versions of pragmatism and instrumentalism.
In vitro targeting and selective killing of mcf-7 and colo320dm cells by 5-fluorouracil anchored to carboxylated SWCNTs and MWCNTs
Authors: Kamble Rutuja V. , Bhinge Somnath D. , Mohite Shrinivas K. , Randive Dheeraj S. , Bhutkar Mangesh A.
Published: June 2021

The intention of the present work was to synthesize the f-MWCNT and f-SWCNT terminated with proper functional group, loading of 5-Flurouracil and to perform cytotoxic activity. Functionalization of MWCNTs and SWCNTs was achieved through the acid treatment (H2SO4 + HNO3). 5-flurouracil was loaded into the prepared functionalized CNTs, thereafter; in vitro drug loading capacity and % drug release were calculated. Also the prepared f-CNTs, 5-flurouracil loaded CNTs were distinguished by using SEM, TGA, DSC, X-ray diffraction, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. MCF-7 and COLO320DM cells were treated with selected concentrations of 5-FU loaded f-MWCNTs and f-SWCNTs to estimate the cytotoxic activity. It was observed that 5-FU loaded f-SWCNTs showed good activity against selected cell lines than others. Moreover, apoptosis percentage was reported to be 84.46 ± 4.3515 and 92.78 ± 2.6549 for 5-FU loaded f-SWCNTs against MCF-7 and COLO320DM cells respectively. It is evident from the results that the prepared drug loaded CNTs have comparable antitumor activity in cancer cell lines.
A Comparative Review of the Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Genetics of Lactose Synthesis
Authors: Sadovnikova Anna , Garcia Sergio C. , Hovey Russell C.
Published: June 2021

Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in the milk of most mammals and is unique in that it is only synthesized by epithelial cells in the mammary glands. Lactose is also essential for the development and nutrition of infants. Across species, the concentration of lactose in milk holds a strong positive correlation with overall milk volume. Additionally, there is a range of examples where the onset of lactose synthesis as well as the content of lactose in milk varies between species and throughout a lactation. Despite this diversity, the precursors, genes, proteins and ions that regulate lactose synthesis have not received the depth of study they likely deserve relative to the significance of this simple and abundant molecule. Through this review, our objective is to highlight the requirements for lactose synthesis at the biochemical, cellular and temporal levels through a comparative approach. This overview also serves as the prelude to a companion review describing the dietary, hormonal, molecular, and genetic factors that regulate lactose synthesis.
Symmetric matrix ensemble and integrable hydrodynamic chains
Authors: Benassi Costanza , Dell’Atti Marta , Moro Antonio
Published: June 2021

The partition function of the Symmetric Matrix Ensemble is identified with the $$\tau $$
τ
-function of a particular solution of the Pfaff Lattice. We show that, in the case of even power interactions, in the thermodynamic limit, the $$\tau $$
τ
-function corresponds to the solution of an integrable chain of hydrodynamic type. We prove that the hydrodynamic chain so obtained is diagonalisable and admits hydrodynamic reductions in Riemann invariants in an arbitrary number of components.
Beyond feasibility—the role of motivation to implement measures to enhance resilience
Authors: Messmer Luzian , Thom Braida , Kruetli Pius , Dawoe Evans , Assefa Kebebew , Six Johan , Joerin Jonas
Published: June 2021

Many regions around the world are experiencing an increase in climate-related shocks, such as drought. This poses serious threats to farming activities and has major implications for sustaining rural livelihoods and food security. Farmers’ ability to respond to and withstand the increasing incidence of drought events needs to be strengthened and their resilience enhanced. Implementation of measures to enhance resilience is determined by decisions of farmers and it is important to understand the reasons behind their behavior. We assessed the viability of measures to enhance resilience of farmers to drought, by developing a general framework that covers economic-technical and psychological-cognitive aspects, here summarized under the terms (1) motivation and (2) feasibility. The conceptual framework was applied to cocoa farmers in Ghana and tef farmers in Ethiopia by using questionnaire-based surveys. A portfolio of five specific measures to build resilience (i.e., irrigation, shade trees, fire belts, bookkeeping, mulching, early mature varieties, weather forecast, reduced tillage, improved harvesting) in each country was evaluated with a closed-ended questionnaire that covered the various aspects of motivation and feasibility whereby farmers were asked to (dis)agree on a 5-point Likert scale. The results show that if the motivation mean score is increased by 0.1 units, the probability of implementation increases by 16.9% in Ghana and by 7.7% in Ethiopia. If the feasibility mean score is increased by 0.1 units, the probability of implementation increases by 24.9% in Ghana and by 11.9% in Ethiopia. We can conclude that motivation and feasibility matter, and we improve our understanding of measure implementation if we include both feasibility and motivation into viability assessments.
A theoretically informed, mixed-methods study of pharmacists’ aspirations and readiness to implement pharmacist prescribing
Authors: Stewart Derek , Pallivalapila Abdulrouf , Thomas Binny , Hanssens Yolande , El Kassem Wessam , Nazar Zachariah , Al Hail Moza
Published: June 2021

Background Studies have highlighted advancing clinical pharmacy practice in Qatar. Objective To explore pharmacists’ aspirations and readiness to implement pharmacist prescribing. Setting Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the main provider of secondary and tertiary care. Method A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. Questionnaire items were derived from the Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research (CFIR), in domains of: awareness/support; readiness; implementation; and facilitators and barriers. Following piloting, all pharmacists (n = 554) were invited to participate. Questionnaire data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with principal component analysis of attitudinal items. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed and analysed using the Framework Approach. Main outcome measure Aspirations and readiness to implement pharmacist prescribing. Results The response rate was 62.8% (n = 348), with respondents highly supportive of implementation in Qatar (median 4, scale 0–5, extremely supportive). The majority (64.9%, n = 226) considered themselves ready, particularly those more senior (p < 0.05) and classifying themselves innovative (p < 0.01). Outpatient (72.9%, n = 221 agreeing) and inpatient (71.1%, n = 218 agreeing) HMC settings were those perceived as being most ready. PCA identified 2 components, with ‘personal attributes’ being more positive than ‘prescribing support’. Facilitators were access to records, organizational/management support and the practice environment, with physician resistance and scope of practice as barriers. Focus groups provided explanation, with themes in CFIR domains of innovation characteristics, characteristics of individuals and the inner setting. Conclusion HMC pharmacists largely aspire, and consider themselves ready, to be prescribers with inpatient and outpatient settings most ready. CFIR domains and constructs identified as facilitators and barriers should be focus for implementation.
Luck egalitarianism without moral tyranny
Authors: Spafford Jesse
Published: June 2021

Luck egalitarians contend that, while each person starts out with a claim to an equal quantity of advantage, she can forfeit this claim by making certain choices. The appeal of luck egalitarianism is that it seems to satisfy what this paper calls the moral tyranny constraint. According to this constraint, any acceptable theory of justice must preclude the possibility of an agent unilaterally, discretionarily, and foreseeably leaving others with less advantage under conditions of full compliance with the theory. This paper argues that claim forfeiture is built into luck egalitarianism specifically to preclude such moral tyranny. However, it contends that the dominant interpretation of luck egalitarianism fails to fully satisfy the moral tyranny constraint. It offers an alternative interpretation that both eliminates the possibility of moral tyranny and rescues the position from two other prominent objections that have been directed against luck egalitarianism.
Electron and proton transport in wheat exposed to salt stress: is the increase of the thylakoid membrane proton conductivity responsible for decreasing the photosynthetic activity in sensitive genotypes?
Authors: Ibrahimova Ulkar , Zivcak Marek , Gasparovic Kristina , Rastogi Anshu , Allakhverdiev Suleyman I. , Yang Xinghong , Brestic Marian
Published: June 2021

Effects of salinity caused by 150 mM NaCl on primary photochemical reactions and some physiological and biochemical parameters (K+/Na+ ratio, soluble sugars, proline, MDA) have been studied in five Triticum aestivum L. genotypes with contrasting salt tolerance. It was found that 150 mM NaCl significantly decreased the photosynthetic efficiency of two sensitive genotypes. The K+/Na+ ratio decreased in all genotypes exposed to salinity stress when compared with the control. Salinity stress also caused lipid peroxidation and accumulation of soluble sugars and proline. The amounts of soluble sugars and proline were higher in tolerant genotypes than sensitive ones, and lipid peroxidation was higher in sensitive genotypes. The noninvasive measurements of photosynthesis-related parameters indicated the genotype-dependent effects of salinity stress on the photosynthetic apparatus. The significant decrease of chlorophyll content (SPAD values) or adverse effects on photosynthetic functions at the PSII level (measured by the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters) were observed in the two sensitive genotypes only. Although the information obtained by different fast noninvasive techniques were consistent, the correlation analyses identified the highest correlation of the noninvasive records with MDA, K+/Na+ ratio, and free proline content. The lower correlation levels were found for chlorophyll content (SPAD) and Fv/Fm values derived from chlorophyll fluorescence. Performance index (PIabs) derived from fast fluorescence kinetics, and F735/F685 ratio correlated well with MDA and Na+ content. The most promising were the results of linear electron flow measured by MultispeQ sensor, in which we found a highly significant correlation with all parameters assessed. Moreover, the noninvasive simultaneous measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence and electrochromic band shift using this sensor indicated the apparent proton leakage at the thylakoid membranes resulting in a high proton conductivity (gH+), present in sensitive genotypes only. The possible consequences for the photosynthetic functions and the photoprotection are discussed.
A closed-form filter for binary time series
Authors: Fasano Augusto , Rebaudo Giovanni , Durante Daniele , Petrone Sonia
Published: June 2021

Non-Gaussian state-space models arise in several applications, and within this framework the binary time series setting provides a relevant example. However, unlike for Gaussian state-space models — where filtering, predictive and smoothing distributions are available in closed form — binary state-space models require approximations or sequential Monte Carlo strategies for inference and prediction. This is due to the apparent absence of conjugacy between the Gaussian states and the likelihood induced by the observation equation for the binary data. In this article we prove that the filtering, predictive and smoothing distributions in dynamic probit models with Gaussian state variables are, in fact, available and belong to a class of unified skew-normals (sun) whose parameters can be updated recursively in time via analytical expressions. Also the key functionals of these distributions are, in principle, available, but their calculation requires the evaluation of multivariate Gaussian cumulative distribution functions. Leveragingsunproperties, we address this issue via novel Monte Carlo methods based on independent samples from the smoothing distribution, that can easily be adapted to the filtering and predictive case, thus improving state-of-the-art approximate and sequential Monte Carlo inference in small-to-moderate dimensional studies. Novel sequential Monte Carlo procedures that exploit thesunproperties are also developed to deal with online inference in high dimensions. Performance gains over competitors are outlined in a financial application.
Determination of Suitable Extractant for Estimating Plant Available Arsenic in Relation to Soil Properties and Predictability by Solubility-FIAM
Authors: Raj Akanksha , Mandal Jajati , Golui Debasis , Sihi Debjani , Dari Biswanath , Kumari Preety Bala , Ghosh Mainak , Ganguly Pritam
Published: June 2021

Extractant for estimating plant available arsenic (As) in soil has not been universally established. Moreover, to assess and monitor the complex chemical behaviour of arsenic (As) in soil and subsequently its transfer in crops, a suitable extraction protocol considering the soil properties in relation to crop uptake is required. For this purpose, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the suitability of the extractants for determination of extractable As in soil and risk assessment by solubility-free ion activity model (FIAM) with rice (variety: Sushk Samrat) as the test crop. Soil in bulk was collected from six locations of Indo-Gangetic Plain of Bihar, India, varying in physicochemical properties to conduct the pot experiment using five doses of As (0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg kg−1). Six extractants namely 0.2 (M) NH4-oxalate, 0.05 (N) HCl + 0.025 (N) H2SO4, 0.5 (M) KH2PO4, 0.5 (N) NH4F, 0.5 (M) NaHCO3 and 0.5 (M) EDTA were used. The results revealed that 0.5 (M) KH2PO4 gave the best correlation with the soil properties and crop uptake and can be considered a suitable extractant of As. Regardless of the As dose and the soil type used, in rice tissue, concentration of As followed the order root > straw > leaf and grain. As high as 94% variation in As content in rice grain could be explained, when 0.5 (M) KH2PO4 extractable As is being used as input for solubility-FIAM. Extractable As cannot be determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) coupled with vapour generation accessory (VGA) when 0.5 (M) EDTA was used as an extractant.