bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fragments recombination, design, synthesis, safener activity and CoMFA model of novel substituted dichloroacetylphenyl sulfonamide derivatives
Authors: Wang Zi‐Wei , Zhao Li‐Xia , Ma Peng , Ye Tong , Fu Ying , Ye Fei
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Isoxaflutole (IXF), as a kind of 4‐hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitor, has been widely used in many kinds of plants. IXF can cause injury in corn including leaf and stem bleaching, plant height reduction or stunting, and reduced crop stand. Safeners are co‐applied with herbicides to protect crops without compromising weed control efficacy. With the ultimate goal of addressing Zea mays injury caused by IXF, a series of novel substituted dichloroacetylphenyl sulfonamide derivatives was designed on the basis of scaffold hopping and active substructure splicing.

RESULTS

A total of 35 compounds were synthesized via acylation reactions. All the compounds were characterized by infrared (IR), proton and carbon‐13 nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR and 13C‐NMR), and high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The configuration of compound II‐1 was confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The bioassay results showed that all the title compounds displayed remarkable protection against IXF via improved content of carotenoid. Especially compound II‐1 which possessed better glutathione transferases (GSTs) activity and carotenoid content than the contrast safener cyprosulfamide (CSA). All the satisfied parameters suggested that the Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) model was reliable and stable [with a cross‐validated coefficient (q2) = 0.527, r2 = 0.995, r2 pred = 0.931]. The molecular docking simulation indicated that the compound II‐1 and CSA could compete with diketonitrile (DKN) at the active site of HPPD, which is a hydrolyzed product of IXF in plants, causing the herbicide to be ineffective.

CONCLUSIONS

The present work revealed that the compound II‐1 deserves further attention as the candidate structure of safeners. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Investigating the presence of compensatory evolution in dicamba resistant IAA16 mutated kochia (Bassia scoparia)†
Authors: Wu Chenxi , Paciorek Marta , Liu Kang , LeClere Sherry , Perez‐Jones Alejandro , Westra Phil , Sammons R Douglas
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Lack of fitness costs has been reported for multiple herbicide resistance traits, but the underlying evolutionary mechanisms are not well understood. Compensatory evolution that ameliorates resistance costs, has been documented in bacteria and insects but rarely studied in weeds. Dicamba resistant IAA16 (G73N) mutated kochia was previously found to have high fecundity in the absence of competition, regardless of significant vegetative growth defects. To understand if costs of dicamba resistance can be compensated through traits promoting reproductive success in kochia, we thoroughly characterized the reproductive growth and development of different G73N kochia biotypes. Flowering phenology, seed production and reproductive allocation were quantified through greenhouse studies, floral (stigma‐anthers distance) and seed morphology, as well as resulting mating and seed dispersal systems were studied through time‐course microcopy images.

RESULTS

G73N covaried with multiple phenological, morphological and ecological traits that improve reproductive fitness: (i) 16–60% higher reproductive allocation; (ii) longer reproduction phase through early flowering (2–7 days); (iii) smaller stigma‐anthers separation (up to 60% reduction of herkogamy and dichogamy) that can potentially promote selfing and reproductive assurance; (iv) ‘winged’ seeds with 30–70% longer sepals that facilitate long‐distance seed dispersal.

CONCLUSION

The current study demonstrates that costs of herbicide resistance can be ameliorated through coevolution of other fitness penalty alleviating traits. As illustrated in a hypothetical model, the evolution of herbicide resistance is an ongoing fitness maximization process, which poses challenges to contain the spread of resistance. © 2020 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Absolute quantitation of propranolol from 200‐μm regions of mouse brain and liver thin tissues using laser ablation‐dropletProbe‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Kertesz Vilmos , Cahill John F. , Srijanto Bernadeta R. , Collier Charles P. , Vavrek Marissa , Chen Bingming
Published: November 2020

Rationale

The ability to quantify drugs and metabolites in tissue with sub‐mm resolution is a challenging but much needed capability in pharmaceutical research. To fill this void, a novel surface sampling approach combining laser ablation with the commercial dropletProbe automated liquid surface sampling system (LA‐dropletProbe) was developed and is presented here.

Methods

Parylene C‐coated 200 × 200 μm tissue regions of mouse brain and kidney thin tissue sections were analyzed for propranolol by laser ablation of tissue directly into a preformed liquid junction. Propranolol was detected by high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS) in positive electrospray ionization mode. Quantitation was achieved via application of a stable‐isotope‐labeled internal standard and an external calibration curve.

Results

The absolute concentrations of propranolol determined from 200 × 200 μm tissue regions were compared with the propranolol concentrations obtained from 2.3‐mm‐diameter tissue punches of adjacent, non‐coated sections using standard bulk tissue extraction protocols followed by regular HPLC/MS/MS analysis. The average concentration of propranolol in both organs determined by the two employed methods agreed to within ±12%. Furthermore, the relative abundances of phase II hydroxypropranolol glucuronide metabolites were recorded and found to be consistent with previous results.

Conclusions

This work illustrates that depositing a thin layer of parylene C onto thin tissue prior to analysis, which seals the surface and prevents direct liquid extraction of the drug from the tissue, coupled to the novel LA‐dropletProbe surface sampling system is a viable approach for sub‐mm resolution quantitative drug distribution analysis.
Corrosion protection of the AA2198‐T8 alloy by environmentally friendly organic‐inorganic sol‐gel coating based on bis‐1,2‐(triethoxysilyl) ethane
Authors: Klumpp Rafael Emil , Donatus Uyime , da Silva Rejane Maria Pereira , Antunes Renato Altobelli , Machado Caruline de Souza Carvalho , Milagre Mariana Xavier , de Sousa Araujo João V. , de Viveiros Bárbara Victoria Gonçalves , Costa Isolda
Published: November 2020

In this work, a surface coating composed of organic‐inorganic hybrid sol‐gel based on bis‐1,2‐(triethoxysilyl) (BTSE) ethane was applied on AA2198‐T8 samples, and its effect on corrosion resistance was investigated and compared with that of a chromate layer formed in a solution with hexavalent chromium ions. The corrosion resistance of BTSE coated samples was evaluated by immersion tests in sodium chloride solution (0.005 mol/L NaCl) and monitored by global electrochemical techniques such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and local electrochemical techniques such as scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The formed coating layers were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results pointed out that the BTSE is an effective alternative coating for corrosion protection of new generation Al‐Cu‐Li alloys and could replace chromates obtained in toxic and carcinogenic CrVI containing solutions leading to improved corrosion protection.
Organ‐on‐a‐Chip: A Preclinical Microfluidic Platform for the Progress of Nanomedicine
Authors: Rodrigues Raquel O. , Sousa Patrícia C. , Gaspar João , Bañobre‐López Manuel , Lima Rui , Minas Graça
Published: November 2020

Despite the progress achieved in nanomedicine during the last decade, the translation of new nanotechnology‐based therapeutic systems into clinical applications has been slow, especially due to the lack of robust preclinical tissue culture platforms able to mimic the in vivo conditions found in the human body and to predict the performance and biotoxicity of the developed nanomaterials. Organ‐on‐a‐chip (OoC) platforms are novel microfluidic tools that mimic complex human organ functions at the microscale level. These integrated microfluidic networks, with 3D tissue engineered models, have been shown high potential to reduce the discrepancies between the results derived from preclinical and clinical trials. However, there are many challenges that still need to be addressed, such as the integration of biosensor modules for long‐time monitoring of different physicochemical and biochemical parameters. In this review, recent advances on OoC platforms, particularly on the preclinical validation of nanomaterials designed for cancer, as well as the current challenges and possible future directions for an end‐use perspective are discussed.
Electrodynamic Force, Casimir Effect, and Stiction Mitigation in Silicon Carbide Nanoelectromechanical Switches
Authors: Yang Rui , Qian Jiang , Feng Philip X.‐L.
Published: November 2020

Logic switches enabled by nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) offer abrupt on/off‐state transition with zero off‐state leakage and minimal subthreshold swing, making them uniquely suited for enhancing mainstream electronics in a range of applications, such as power gating, high‐temperature and high‐voltage logic, and ultralow‐power circuits requiring zero standby leakage. As NEMS switches are scaled with genuinely nanoscale gaps and contacts, quantum mechanical electrodynamic force (EDF) takes an important role and may be the ultimate cause of the plaguing problem of stiction. Here, combined with experiments on three‐terminal silicon carbide (SiC) NEMS switches, a theoretical investigation is performed to elucidate the origin of EDF and Casimir effect leading to stiction, and to develop a stiction‐mitigation design. The EDF calculation with full Lifshitz formula using the actual material and device parameters is provided. Finite element modeling and analytical calculations demonstrate that EDF becomes dominant over elastic restoring force in such SiC NEMS when the switching gap shrinks to a few nanometers, leading to irreversible stiction at contact. Artificially corrugated contact surfaces are designed to reduce the contact area and the EDF, thus evading stiction. This rational surface engineering reduces the EDF down to 4% compared with the case of unengineered, flat contact surfaces.
Highly Reproducible Fabrication of Perovskite Films with an Ultrawide Antisolvent Dripping Window for Large‐Scale Flexible Solar Cells
Authors: Kong Xiangyu , Jiang Yue , Li Zhuoxi , Zhou Youshuang , Xu Zhengjie , Cong Chen , Gao Xingsen , Lu Xubing , Zhou Guofu , Liu Jun-Ming , Kempa Krzysztof , Gao Jinwei
Published: November 2020

Although perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have exhibited a high‐power conversion efficiency, the reproducibility of high‐quality perovskite films is still a big challenge for large‐scale flexible devices. One reason is the super narrow antisolvent dripping window, the other one is the difficulty in controlling the secondary phases. Herein, 18C6 is introduced into the perovskite precursor to achieve a high‐quality and reproducible large‐scale (7 × 7 cm2) flexible perovskite film by enlarging the antisolvent dripping window from 2 to 20 s, with an average efficiency of 13.33% (best 15.80%). Moreover, from the in situ grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering result, the 2H phase perovskite is highly suppressed with the additive of 18C6. The generality of the approach is also demonstrated in other antisolvents such as ethyl acetate. This finding provides an innovative solution to the realization of repeatable, large‐scale solution fabrication of PSCs.
Likelihood‐based inference for generalized linear mixed models: Inference with the R package glmm
Authors: Knudson Christina , Benson Sydney , Geyer Charles , Jones Galin
Published: November 2020

The R package glmm enables likelihood‐based inference for generalized linear mixed models with a canonical link. No other publicly available software accurately conducts likelihood‐based inference for generalized linear mixed models with crossed random effects. glmm is able to do so by approximating the likelihood function and two derivatives using importance sampling. The importance sampling distribution is an essential piece of Monte Carlo likelihood approximation, and developing a good one is the main challenge in implementing it. The package glmm uses the data to tailor the importance sampling distribution and is constructed to ensure finite Monte Carlo standard errors. In the context of the generalized linear mixed model, the salamander model with crossed random effects has become a benchmark example. We use this model to illustrate the complexities of the likelihood function and to demonstrate the use of the R package glmm.
Reproductive organ dysfunction and gene expression after orally administration of ZnO nanoparticles in murine
Authors: Kuang Huijuan , Zhang Wanyi , Yang Lin , Aguilar Zoraida P. , Xu Hengyi
Published: November 2020

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) are among the most manufactured nanoparticles in the consumer products, industries, and researches. An increasing body of evidence indicated that ZnO NPs show toxicological effects in vivo. Sex differences in the toxicity of ZnO NPs are not clear, thus the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ZnO NPs on the female and male reproductive organs (uterus, ovary and testes). ZnO NPs were orally administered to female and male mice at dosages level of 0 and 100 mg/kg body weight. The biological material was sampled 3 days after tube feeding. The results demonstrated that Zinc contents were accumulated in the reproductive organs of treated mice. Furthermore, ZnO NPs administration induced significant decrease in the testes weight, an imbalance of hematological and serum biochemical parameters in male mice. The histopathological examinations showed that structural disorder and the appearance of cell apoptosis and death in the ZnO NPs‐exposed mice. Additionally, the RT‐qPCR data indicated ZnO NPs can activate mitochondrial‐mediated signaling pathway and induce caspase depend damage that ultimately injured the uterus. In the ovary, ZnO NPs induce cell apoptosis in Shh pathway activated ovary cells, and affect the synthesis of steroidogenesis. In the testes, ZnO NPs effectively changed the expression level of genes related to oxidant stress, detox/metabolic process, and apoptosis. It was found that ZnO NPs caused more serious reproductive toxicity in the male mice than female mice. Overall, these findings indicated that ZnO NPs could induce exposure‐related risks to reproductive health, especially in those who are at the occupational level.
Removing crotamiton from reverse osmosis concentrate by using coagulation and a rotating advanced oxidation contactor
Authors: Xiang Qun , Fukahori Shuji , Yamashita Naoyuki , Tanaka Hiroaki , Fujiwara Taku
Published: November 2020

A novel rotating advanced oxidation contactor (RAOC) equipped with a composite titanium dioxide–zeolite sheet was used to remove the antipruritic agent crotamiton from reverse osmosis concentrate with coagulation as a pretreatment. Coagulation was more efficient at pH 5 in terms of reducing total organic carbon and light absorbance, and the efficiency of coagulation improved with an increase in polymeric aluminum dosage from 0 to 6 mmol/L Al3+. The RAOC performed well in adsorbing crotamiton without obvious inhibition by other components in the reverse osmosis concentrate, and a majority of the crotamiton was removed after 6 h, resulting in the purification of the treated solution. With ultraviolet irradiation, crotamiton was simultaneously removed through adsorption and photocatalysis by the RAOC. The behavior of the main degradation intermediates of crotamiton during treatment showed that the degradation intermediates were also captured by the composite sheet. Coagulation followed by treatment with the RAOC was effective in the removal of organic matter in the RO concentrate and in the photocatalytic degradation of crotamiton.
Saccharomyces spores are born prepolarized to outgrow away from spore–spore connections and penetrate the ascus wall
Authors: Heasley Lydia R. , Singer Emily , Cooperman Benjamin J. , McMurray Michael A.
Published: November 2020

How nonspore haploid Saccharomyces cells choose sites of budding and polarize towards pheromone signals in order to mate has been a subject of intense study. Unlike nonspore haploids, sibling spores produced via meiosis and sporulation by a diploid cell are physically interconnected and encased in a sac derived from the old cell wall of the diploid, called the ascus. Nonspore haploids bud adjacent to previous sites of budding, relying on stable cortical landmarks laid down during prior divisions, but because spore membranes are made de novo, it was assumed that, as is known for fission yeast, Saccharomyces spores break symmetry and polarize at random locations. Here, we show that this assumption is incorrect: Saccharomyces cerevisiae spores are born prepolarized to outgrow, prior to budding or mating, away from interspore bridges. Consequently, when spores bud within an intact ascus, their buds locally penetrate the ascus wall, and when they mate, the resulting zygotes adopt a unique morphology reflective of repolarization towards pheromone. Long‐lived cortical foci containing the septin Cdc10 mark polarity sites, but the canonical bud site selection programme is dispensable for spore polarity, thus the origin and molecular composition of these landmarks remain unknown. These findings demand further investigation of previously overlooked mechanisms of polarity establishment and local cell wall digestion and highlight how a key step in the Saccharomyces life cycle has been historically neglected.
Classical algebraic structures in string theory effective actions
Authors: Erbin Harold , Maccaferri Carlo , Schnabl Martin , Vošmera Jakub
Published: November 2020

Abstract

We study generic properties of string theory effective actions obtained by classically integrating out massive excitations from string field theories based on cyclic homotopy algebras of A∞ or L∞ type. We construct observables in the UV theory and we discuss their fate after integration-out. Furthermore, we discuss how to compose two subsequent integrations of degrees of freedom (horizontal composition) and how to integrate out degrees of freedom after deforming the UV theory with a new consistent interaction (vertical decomposition). We then apply our general results to the open bosonic string using Witten’s open string field theory. There we show how the horizontal composition can be used to systematically integrate out the Nakanishi-Lautrup field from the set of massless excitations, ending with a non-abelian A∞-gauge theory for just the open string gluon. Moreover we show how the vertical decomposition can be used to construct effective open-closed couplings by deforming Witten OSFT with a tadpole given by the Ellwood invariant. Also, we discuss how the effective theory controls the possibility of removing the tadpole in the microscopic theory, giving a new framework for studying D-brane deformations induced by changes in the closed string background.
String defects, supersymmetry and the Swampland
Authors: Angelantonj Carlo , Bonnefoy Quentin , Condeescu Cezar , Dudas Emilian
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Recently, Kim, Shiu and Vafa proposed general consistency conditions for six dimensional supergravity theories with minimal supersymmetry coming from couplings to strings. We test them in explicit perturbative orientifold models in order to unravel the microscopic origin of these constraints. Based on the perturbative data, we conjecture the existence of null charges Q∙Q = 0 for any six-dimensional theory with at least one tensor multiplet, coupling to string defects of charge Q. We then include the new constraint to exclude some six-dimensional supersymmetric anomaly-free examples that have currently no string or F-theory realization. We also investigate the constraints from the couplings to string defects in case where supersymmetry is broken in tachyon free vacua, containing non-BPS configurations of brane supersymmetry breaking type, where the breaking is localized on antibranes. In this case, some conditions have naturally to be changed or relaxed whenever the string defects experience supersymmetry breaking, whereas the constraints are still valid if they are geometrically separated from the supersymmetry breaking source.
Doubly Cabibbo-suppressed decays of antitriplet charmed baryons
Authors: Meng Guanbao , Wong Sam Ming-Yin , Xu Fanrong
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Doubly Cabibbo-suppressed (DCS) nonleptonic weak decays of antitriplet charmed baryons are studied systematically in this work. The factorizable and nonfactorizable contributions can be classified explicitly in the topological-diagram approach and treated separately. In particular, the evaluation of nonfactorizable terms is based on the pole model in conjunction with current algebra. All three types of relevant non- perturbative parameters contributing factorizable and nonfactorizable terms are estimated in the MIT bag model. Branching fractions of all the DCS decays are predicted to be of order 10−4 ∼ 10−6. In particular, we find that the three modes $$ {\Xi}_c^{+}\to {\Sigma}^{+}{K}^0,{\Sigma}^0{K}^{+} $$

Ξ
c
+

→

Σ
+

K
0

,

Σ
0

K
+

and $$ {\Xi}_c^0\to {\Sigma}^{-}{K}^{+} $$

Ξ
c
0

→

Σ
−

K
+

are as large as (1 ∼ 2) × 10−4, which are the most promising DCS channels to be measured. We also point out that the two DCS modes $$ {\Xi}_c^{+}\to {\Sigma}^{+}{K}^0 $$

Ξ
c
+

→

Σ
+

K
0

and $$ {\Xi}_c^0\to {\Sigma}^0{K}^0 $$

Ξ
c
0

→

Σ
0

K
0

are possible to be distinguished from $$ {\Xi}_c^{+}\to {\Sigma}^{+}{K}_S $$

Ξ
c
+

→

Σ
+

K
S

and $$ {\Xi}_c^0\to {\Sigma}^0{K}_S $$

Ξ
c
0

→

Σ
0

K
S

. The decay asymmetries for all the channels with a kaon in their final states are found to be large in magnitude and negative in sign.
Two interacting scalars system in curved spacetime — vacuum stability from the curved spacetime Effective Field Theory (cEFT) perspective
Authors: Lalak Zygmunt , Nakonieczna Anna , Nakonieczny Łukasz
Published: November 2020

Abstract

In this article we investigated the influence of the gravity mediated higher dimensional operators on the issue of vacuum stability in a model containing two interacting scalar fields. As a framework we used the curved spacetime Effective Field Theory (cEFT) applied to the aforementioned system in which one of the scalars is heavy. After integrating out the heavy scalar we used the standard Euclidean approach to the obtained cEFT. Apart from analyzing the influence of standard operators like the non-minimal coupling to gravity and the dimension six contribution to the scalar field potential, we also investigated the rarely discussed dimension six contribution to the kinetic term and the new gravity mediated contribution to the scalar quartic self-interaction.
Hidden sector monopole dark matter with matter domination
Authors: Graesser Michael L. , Osiński Jacek K.
Published: November 2020

Abstract

The thermal freeze-out mechanism for relic dark matter heavier than O(10 − 100 TeV) requires cross-sections that violate perturbative unitarity. Yet the existence of dark matter heavier than these scales is certainly plausible from a particle physics perspective, pointing to the need for a non-thermal cosmological history for such theories. Topological dark matter is a well-motivated scenario of this kind. Here the hidden-sector dark matter can be produced in abundance through the Kibble-Zurek mechanism describing the non-equilibrium dynamics of defects produced in a second order phase transition. We revisit the original topological dark matter scenario, focusing on hidden-sector magnetic monopoles, and consider more general cosmological histories. We find that a monopole mass of order (1–105) PeV is generic for the thermal histories considered here, if monopoles are to entirely reproduce the current abundance of dark matter. In particular, in a scenario involving an early era of matter domination, the monopole number density is always less than or equal to that in a pure radiation dominated equivalent provided a certain condition on critical exponents is satisfied. This results in a larger monopole mass needed to account for a fixed relic abundance in such cosmologies.
A generalized Nachtmann theorem in CFT
Authors: Kundu Sandipan
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Correlators of unitary quantum field theories in Lorentzian signature obey certain analyticity and positivity properties. For interacting unitary CFTs in more than two dimensions, we show that these properties impose general constraints on families of minimal twist operators that appear in the OPEs of primary operators. In particular, we rederive and extend the convexity theorem which states that for the family of minimal twist operators with even spins appearing in the reflection-symmetric OPE of any scalar primary, twist must be a monotonically increasing convex function of the spin. Our argument is completely non-perturbative and it also applies to the OPE of nonidentical scalar primaries in unitary CFTs, constraining the twist of spinning operators appearing in the OPE. Finally, we argue that the same methods also impose constraints on the Regge behavior of certain CFT correlators.
Breakdown of Liesegang precipitation bands in a simplified fast reaction limit of the Keller–Rubinow model
Authors: Darbenas Zymantas , Oliver Marcel
Published: November 2020

We study solutions to the integral equation $$\begin{aligned} \omega (x) = \Gamma - x^2 \int \nolimits _{0}^1 K(\theta ) \, H(\omega (x\theta )) \, \mathrm {d}\theta \end{aligned}$$

ω

(
x
)

=
Γ
-

x
2

∫

0

1

K

(
θ
)

H

(
ω

(
x
θ
)

)

d
θ

where $$\Gamma >0$$

Γ
>
0

, K is a weakly degenerate kernel satisfying, among other properties, $$K(\theta ) \sim k \, (1-\theta )^\sigma $$

K

(
θ
)

∼
k

(
1
-
θ
)

σ

as $$\theta \rightarrow 1$$

θ
→
1

for constants $$k>0$$

k
>
0

and $$\sigma \in (0, \log _2 3 -1)$$

σ
∈
(
0
,

log
2

3
-
1
)

, H denotes the Heaviside function, and $$x \in [0,\infty )$$

x
∈
[
0
,
∞
)

. This equation arises from a reaction-diffusion equation describing Liesegang precipitation band patterns under certain simplifying assumptions. We argue that the integral equation is an analytically tractable paradigm for the clustering of precipitation rings observed in the full model. This problem is nontrivial as the right hand side fails a Lipschitz condition so that classical contraction mapping arguments do not apply. Our results are the following. Solutions to the integral equation, which initially feature a sequence of relatively open intervals on which $$\omega $$
ω
is positive (“rings”) or negative (“gaps”) break down beyond a finite interval $$[0,x^*]$$

[
0
,

x
∗

]

in one of two possible ways. Either the sequence of rings accumulates at $$x^*$$

x
∗

(“non-degenerate breakdown”) or the solution cannot be continued past one of its zeroes at all (“degenerate breakdown”). Moreover, we show that degenerate breakdown is possible within the class of kernels considered. Finally, we prove existence of generalized solutions which extend the integral equation past the point of breakdown.
Influence of image analysis strategy, cooling rate, and sample volume on apparent protein cloud-point temperature determination
Authors: Klijn Marieke E. , Hubbuch Jürgen
Published: November 2020

The protein cloud-point temperature (TCloud) is a known representative of protein–protein interaction strength and provides valuable information during the development and characterization of protein-based products, such as biopharmaceutics. A high-throughput low volume TCloud detection method was introduced in preceding work, where it was concluded that the extracted value is an apparent TCloud (TCloud,app). As an understanding of the apparent nature is imperative to facilitate inter-study data comparability, the current work was performed to systematically evaluate the influence of 3 image analysis strategies and 2 experimental parameters (sample volume and cooling rate) on TCloud,app detection of lysozyme. Different image analysis strategies showed that TCloud,app is detectable by means of total pixel intensity difference and the total number of white pixels, but the latter is also able to extract the ice nucleation temperature. Experimental parameter variation showed a TCloud,app depression for increasing cooling rates (0.1–0.5 °C/min), and larger sample volumes (5–24 μL). Exploratory thermographic data indicated this resulted from a temperature discrepancy between the measured temperature by the cryogenic device and the actual sample temperature. Literature validation confirmed that the discrepancy does not affect the relative inter-study comparability of the samples, regardless of the image analysis strategy or experimental parameters. Additionally, high measurement precision was demonstrated, as TCloud,app changes were detectable down to a sample volume of only 5 μL and for 0.1 °C/min cooling rate increments. This work explains the apparent nature of the TCloud detection method, showcases its detection precision, and broadens the applicability of the experimental setup.
Movements of Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca fledglings: evidence of a post-fledging home range away from the natal site prior to first migration
Authors: Styles P. , Patchett R. , King J. Robins , Cresswell W.
Published: November 2020

Dispersal to efficiently locate future breeding areas in young animals has important consequences for survival, life history and future breeding success, and therefore population dynamics and evolution. Long-distance migrant birds that have little time immediately pre-breeding may use the post-fledging period to locate their future breeding territory. We radio-tracked 37 juvenile Cyprus Wheatears,Oenanthe cypriaca, a long-distance migrant passerine, to investigate movements for 10 weeks post-fledging. We measured how distance from the nest and distance of consecutive movements changed with age. We tested whether distance from the nest stopped increasing and consecutive movement distance became similar to pre-dispersal distances, consistent with a fledgling adopting a post-fledgling home range that could reflect scoping out a future local breeding territory. Fledglings had a very high survival rate. Directed movements away from the natal territory started at about 18 days until about 45 days when individuals adopted a more fixed location on average about 600 m (range 0–1500) from their natal site, and further movements were at a scale equivalent to movements within an adult-sized breeding territory. Our results suggest dispersal followed by settlement in a fixed home range prior to first migration that could function to identify the breeding site location for the following year.
A practical approach for extracting mechanical properties of microcapsules using a hybrid numerical model
Authors: Rahmat A. , Meng J. , Emerson D. R. , Wu Chuan-Yu , Barigou M. , Alexiadis A.
Published: November 2020

In this paper, the deformation of compliant microcapsules is studied in narrow constrictions using a hybrid particle-based model. The model combines the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamic (SPH) method for modelling fluid flow and the Mass Spring Model (MSM) for simulating deformable membranes. The model is initially validated for the dynamics of microcapsules in shear flow. Then, several quantitative parameters such as the deformation index, frontal tip and rear tail curvatures and the passage time are introduced and their variations are studied with respect to capillary number and constriction size. Subsequently, a dependency analysis is performed on these quantitative parameters and some recommendations are made on fabrication of microfluidic devices and analysis of microcapsules for extracting their mechanical properties. It is revealed that the deformation index and frontal tip and rear tail curvatures are the most suitable parameters for correlating the elastic properties to the dynamics of microcapsules.
Regular perturbation solution of Couette flow (non-Newtonian) between two parallel porous plates: a numerical analysis with irreversibility
Authors: Nazeer M. , Khan M. I. , Kadry S. , Chu Yuming , Ahmad F. , Ali W. , Irfan M. , Shaheen M.
Published: November 2020

The unavailability of wasted energy due to the irreversibility in the process is called the entropy generation. An irreversible process is a process in which the entropy of the system is increased. The second law of thermodynamics is used to define whether the given system is reversible or irreversible. Here, our focus is how to reduce the entropy of the system and maximize the capability of the system. There are many methods for maximizing the capacity of heat transport. The constant pressure gradient or motion of the wall can be used to increase the heat transfer rate and minimize the entropy. The objective of this study is to analyze the heat and mass transfer of an Eyring-Powell fluid in a porous channel. For this, we choose two different fluid models, namely, the plane and generalized Couette flows. The flow is generated in the channel due to a pressure gradient or with the moving of the upper lid. The present analysis shows the effects of the fluid parameters on the velocity, the temperature, the entropy generation, and the Bejan number. The nonlinear boundary value problem of the flow problem is solved with the help of the regular perturbation method. To validate the perturbation solution, a numerical solution is also obtained with the help of the built-in command NDSolve of MATHEMATICA 11.0. The velocity profile shows the shear thickening behavior via first-order Eyring-Powell parameters. It is also observed that the profile of the Bejan number has a decreasing trend against the Brinkman number. When ηi → 0 (i = 1, 2, 3), the Eyring-Powell fluid is transformed into a Newtonian fluid.
Senescent cell accumulation mechanisms inferred from parabiosis
Authors: Karin Omer , Alon Uri
Published: November 2020

Senescent cells are growth-arrested cells that cause inflammation and play a causal role in aging. They accumulate with age, and preventing this accumulation delays age-related diseases. However, the mechanism for senescent cell accumulation is not fully understood. Accumulation can result from increasing production or decreasing removal of senescent cells with age, or both. To distinguish between these possibilities, we analyze data from parabiosis, the surgical conjoining of two mice so that they share circulation. Parabiosis between a young and old mouse, called heterochronic parabiosis, reduces senescent cell levels in the old mouse, while raising senescent cell levels in the young mouse. We show that parabiosis data can reject mechanisms for senescent cell accumulation in which only production rises with age or only removal decreases with age; both must vary with age. Since removal drops with age, senescent cell half-life rises with age. This matches a recent model for senescent cell accumulation developed from independent data on senescent cell dynamics, called the SR model, in which production rises linearly with age and senescent cells inhibit their own removal. The SR model further explains the timescales and mechanism of rejuvenation in parabiosis, based on transfer of spare removal capacity from the young mouse to the old. The present quantitative understanding can help design optimal treatments that remove senescent cells, by matching the time between treatments to the time it takes senescent cells to re-accumulate.
Globaler flexibilisierter Kapitalismus und prozessuale Intersektionalität: Die Veränderungen nach Geschlecht und Migration in den Berufsrängen in Deutschland
Authors: Lenz Ilse
Published: November 2020

Der Kapitalismus macht gegenwärtig weltweit eine Transformation durch und zugleich verschieben und differenzieren sich die intersektionalen Ungleichheiten nach Geschlecht, Klasse und Migration. Der Beitrag fasst zunächst wesentliche Veränderungen des Kapitalismus aus intersektionaler Sicht zusammen. Dann diskutiert er verschiedene Ansätze von Intersektionalität und bringt das Konzept prozessualer Intersektionalität ein, um die Veränderungen zu erfassen.

Darauf werden in der ersten empirischen Langzeituntersuchung für Deutschland die Veränderungen der beruflichen Ungleichheit nach Geschlecht und Migration von 1996–2011 untersucht. Während um 1996 EinwanderInnen und einheimische Frauen aus Führungspositionen weitgehend ausgeschlossen waren, waren 2011 männliche Einwanderer mit deutschem Pass dort inkorporiert. Akademische Berufe und das berufliche Mittelfeld haben sich für EinwanderInnen vor allem mit deutschem Pass geöffnet. Jedoch wird ein Drittel der Frauen mit ausländischem Pass aus Osteuropa und der Türkei in Einfacharbeit segmentiert. Geschlecht und Migration haben sich intern differenziert und wirken nun komplex in der Zuweisung von Ungleichheiten zusammen. Diese Veränderungen sollten in der Intersektionalitätsdebatte reflektiert werden.
Liability for environmental damage and insurance coverage under German law
Authors: Wandt Manfred
Published: November 2020

“Protection of the environment“ and “sustainability“ are more significant than ever. The legal system contributes an important share to the protection of the environment. However, an overview of the German private environmental liability law shows that conventional tort law is not a suitable basis for civil liability for the environmental consequences of officially approved emissions of greenhouse gases. In general, one of the main problems of private environmental liability law lies in proving the individual causality of the conduct of an emitter, as the lawsuit of a Peruvian homeowner against a German energy company pending before the Higher Regional Court of Hamm illustratively demonstrates. The outcome of this lawsuit, which may have an outstanding significance for the status and development of private environmental liability law in Germany, is awaited with great anticipation. The article also briefly examines recent developments in private environmental liability law outside Germany and the question to what extent insurance can be an instrument to protect the environment.
Graphite-based solid lubricant for high-temperature lubrication
Authors: Huai Wenjuan , Zhang Chenhui , Wen Shizhu
Published: November 2020

High-temperature solid lubricants play a significant role in the hot metal forming process. However, preparing high-temperature solid lubricant is formidably challenging due to the stern working conditions. Here we successfully develop a new type of eco-friendly high-temperature graphite-based solid lubricant by using amorphous silica dioxide, aluminum dihydrogen phosphate, and solid lubricant graphite. The solid lubricating coating exhibits excellent tribological properties with a very low friction coefficient and good wear protection for workpiece at high temperature under the air atmosphere. An array of analytical techniques reveals the existence of solid lubricant graphite in the lubricating coating after the high-temperature friction test. A synergistic effect between the protective surface film and the solid lubricant graphite is proposed to account for such superior lubricating performance. This work highlights the synergistic effect between the protection layer and the lubricant graphite and further provides the insight in designing the high-temperature solid lubricant.
Fosterage in Medieval Ireland
Authors: O'Donnell Thomas
Published: November 2020

Fosterage was a central feature of medieval Irish society, yet the widespread practice of sending children to another family to be cared for until they reached adulthood is a surprisingly neglected topic. Where it has been discussed, fosterage is usually conceptualised and treated as a purely legal institution. This work seeks to outline the emotional impact of growing up within another family. What emerges is a complex picture of deeply felt emotional ties binding the foster family together. These emotions are unique to the social practice of fosterage, and we see the language and feelings originating within the foster family being used to describe other relationships such as those in the monastery or between humans and animals. This book argues that the more we understand how people felt in fosterage, the more we understand medieval Ireland.
Evaluation of Connecticut medical providers’ concordance with 2017 IDSA/SHEA Clostridioides difficile treatment guidelines in New Haven County, 2018–2019
Authors: Luc Casey Morgan , Olson Danyel , Banach David B. , Clogher Paula , Hadler James
Published: November 2020

Objectives:

To assess Connecticut medical providers’ concordance (2018–2019) with the 2017 Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) treatment update by the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). The effect of guideline concordance on CDI recurrence risk was also assessed.

Design:

Prospective, population-based study.

Setting:

New Haven County, Connecticut, from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019.

Patients:

CDI incident case (no positive tests in the prior 8 weeks), not limited by care setting.

Methods:

Using data from the Emerging Infections Program’s CDI surveillance, severity and concordance were defined. Presence of megacolon and/or ileus defined fulminant disease; absence defined nonsevere/severe disease. Using 2017 treatment as baseline, 2018–2019 concordance was defined as receiving the recommended first-line antibiotic (ie, vancomycin or fidaxomicin for adult patients, vancomycin or metronidazole for pediatric patients) for exactly 10 days. For all analyses, significance was P < .05.

Results:

Among 990 cases, concordance increased from 24.8% in 2018 to 37.0% in 2019. First-line antibiotic concordance increased from 61.2% in 2018 to 79.9% in 2019. Recurrence risk was significantly associated with patients aged ≥65 years and was highest for those aged 75–84 years, but this factor was not significantly associated with concordance.

Conclusions:

From 2018 through 2019, CDI treatment in New Haven County increasingly was concordant with the 2017 treatment update but remained low in 2019. Although concordance with treatment guidelines did not affect recurrence risk, close attention should be paid by medical providers to patients aged ≥65 years, specifically those aged 75–84 years because they are at an increased risk for recurrence.
‘Grandpa’ or ‘opera’? Production and perception of unstressed /a/ and /əʁ/ in German
Authors: Rathcke Tamara , Mooshammer Christine
Published: November 2020

In the description of German phonology, two distinct phonetic symbols are currently recommended for the transcription of the vowels [a] (a central low vowel, phonemically /a/) and [ɐ] (phonemically /əʁ/) in word-final, unstressed positions. The present study examines whether differences between these two vowels exist in production and perception of Standard German speakers from the north of Germany. In Experiment 1, six speakers produced a series of minimal pairs that were embedded in meaningful sentences and varied with respect to their accentuation and position within a prosodic phrase. In Experiment 2, the minimal pairs produced by the six speakers of the first experiment were extracted from their respective contexts and tested with 44 native German listeners in a forced-choice identification task. Perceptual results showed a better-than-chance performance for one male speaker of the corpus only. Phonetic analyses also confirmed that only this male speaker produced subtle, but consistent F2/F3 differences between [a] and [ɐ] while the contrast was completely neutralised in the rest of the corpus. We discuss the role of prosody in vowel neutralisation with a specific focus on unstressed vowels and make suggestions for phonetic and phonological accounts of Standard German.
Growth ofStegophiura nodosa(Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea) in the Pechora Sea
Authors: Stratanenko Ekaterina A. , Denisenko Stanislav G.
Published: November 2020

The brittle starStegophiura nodosais one of the most abundant ophiuroid species living in Arctic seas and serves as a food resource for demersal fish. The study of autecological and biological patterns ofS. nodosais important for understanding the species reaction to environmental change. The growth features and growth rate of this brittle star from the Pechora Sea were estimated using the Gompertz equation as the basic mathematical model and compared with Bertalanffy equation parameters. Individual age was evaluated by counting the ring-shaped growth marks in the calcite structure of the animal's vertebral ossicle, where each visible ring was considered to be an annual growth mark. The calculations indicated: the theoretical limiting radius of the brittle star's ossicle (R∞) averages 318 ± 18 μm, and the exponential deceleration of the specific growth rate (g) is found to be 0.46 ± 0.02. The initial hidden growth marks were found to vary from 1–3, and the maximum lifespan ofS. nodosain the Pechora Sea (SE of the Barents Sea) is evaluated to be 9–10 years.
The transmissibility of hepatitis C virus: a modelling study in Xiamen City, China
Authors: Wang Yao , Zhao Zeyu , Wang Mingzhai , Hannah Mikah Ngwanguong , Hu Qingqing , Rui Jia , Liu Xingchun , Zhu Yuanzhao , Xu Jingwen , Yang Meng , Cui Jing-An , Su Yanhua , Zhao Benhua , Chen Tianmu
Published: November 2020

This study aimed at estimating the transmissibility of hepatitis C. The data for hepatitis C cases were collected in six districts in Xiamen City, China from 2004 to 2018. A population-mixed susceptible-infectious-chronic-recovered (SICR) model was used to fit the data and the parameters of the model were calculated. The basic reproduction number (R0) and the number of newly transmitted cases by a primary case per month (MNI) were adopted to quantitatively assess the transmissibility of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Eleven curve estimation models were employed to predict the trends of R0 and MNI in the city. The SICR model fits the reported HCV data well (P < 0.01). The median R0 of each district in Xiamen is 0.4059. R0 follows the cubic model curve, the compound curve and the power function curve. The median MNI of each district in Xiamen is 0.0020. MNI follows the cubic model curve, the compound curve and the power function curve. The transmissibility of HCV follows a decreasing trend, which reveals that under the current policy for prevention and control, there would be a high feasibility to eliminate the transmission of HCV in the city.