bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparing for translocations of a Critically Endangered petrel through targeted monitoring of nest survival and breeding biology
Authors: Fischer Johannes H. , Wittmer Heiko U. , Taylor Graeme A. , Debski Igor , Armstrong Doug P.
Published: April 2021

The population of the recently-described Whenua Hou diving petrel Pelecanoides whenuahouensis comprises c. 200 adults that all breed in a single 0.018 km2 colony in a dune system vulnerable to erosion. The species would therefore benefit from the establishment of a second breeding population through a translocation. However, given the small size of the source population, it is essential that translocations are informed by carefully targeted monitoring data. We therefore modelled nest survival at the remaining population in relation to potential drivers (distance to sea and burrow density of conspecifics and a competitor) across three breeding seasons with varying climatic conditions as a result of the southern oscillation cycle. We also documented breeding phenology and burrow attendance, and measured chicks, to generate growth curves. We estimated egg survival at 0.686, chick survival at 0.890, overall nest survival at 0.612, and found no indication that nest survival was affected by distance to sea or burrow density. Whenua Hou diving petrels laid eggs in mid October, eggs hatched in late November, and chicks fledged in mid January at c. 86% of adult weight. Burrow attendance (i.e. feeds) decreased from 0.94 to 0.65 visits per night as chicks approached fledging. Nest survival and breeding biology were largely consistent among years despite variation in climate. Nest survival estimates will facilitate predictions about future population trends and suitability of prospective translocation sites. Knowledge of breeding phenology will inform the timing of collection of live chicks for translocation, and patterns of burrow attendance combined with growth curves will structure hand-rearing protocols. A tuhinga whakarāpopoto (te reo Māori abstract) can be found in the Supplementary material.
Legislative Comment: Nursing Home Patients’ Rights in Massachusetts:
Current Protection and Recommendations for Improvement
Authors: Silfen Nina P.
Published: April 2021

Several Massachusetts laws, including the recently enacted Patients’
Bill of Rights, protect the rights of nursing home patients. Although these
laws address many of the problems that such patients face, they do not
adequately meet all of the unique needs of this vulnerable group.

This Comment discusses safeguards afforded by current Massachusetts law
that are particularly important for nursing home patients, and recommends
improvements that would secure more adequate protection for their rights.
The Comment also analyzes some of Massachusetts law’s shortcomings in
implementation and enforcement, in forum selection and in limitations on
standing, and suggests improvements in these areas. Finally, the Comment
proposes the enactment of a comprehensive Bill of Rights for Nursing Home
Patients in order to address their unique needs more adequately, and to
eliminate the duplicative, vague, and confusing provisions contained in
current law.
Use of the Hayami diffusive wave equation to model the relationship infected–recoveries–deaths of Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Moussa Roger , Majdalani Samer
Published: April 2021

Susceptible S-Infected I-Recovered R-Death D (SIRD) compartmental models are often used for modelling of infectious diseases. On the basis of the analogy between SIRD and compartmental models in hydrology, this study makes mathematical formulations developed in hydrology available for modelling in epidemiology. We adapt the Hayami model solution of the diffusive wave equation generally used in hydrological modelling to compartmental I–R–D models in epidemiology by simulating the relationships between the number of infectious I(t), the number of recoveries R(t) and the number of deaths D(t). The Hayami model is easy-to-use, robust and parsimonious. We compare the empirical one-parameter exponential model usually used in SIRD models to the two-parameter Hayami model. Applications were implemented on the recent Covid-19 pandemic. The application on data from 24 countries shows that both models give comparable performances for modelling the I–D relationship. However, for modelling the I–R relationship and the active cases, the exponential model gives fair performances whereas the Hayami model substantially improves the model performances. The Hayami model also presents the advantage that its parameters can be easily estimated from the analysis of the data distributions of I(t), R(t) and D(t). The Hayami model is parsimonious with only two parameters which are useful to compare the temporal evolution of recoveries and deaths in different countries based on different contamination rates and recoveries strategies. This study highlights the interest of knowledge transfer between different scientific disciplines in order to model different processes.
Effects of cereal rye seeding rate on waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) emergence and soybean growth and yield
Authors: Bish Mandy , Dintelmann Brian , Oseland Eric , Vaughn Jacob , Bradley Kevin
Published: April 2021

The evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds has resulted in the necessity to integrate nonchemical control methods with chemicals for effective management in crop production systems. In soybean, control of the pigweed species, particularly herbicide-resistant waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, have become predominant concerns. Cereal rye planted as a winter cover crop can effectively suppress early-season weed emergence in soybean, including waterhemp, when planted at a rate of 123 kg ha−1. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of different cereal rye seeding rates (0, 34, 56, 79, 110, and 123 kg ha−1) on early-season waterhemp suppression and soybean growth and yield. Soybean was planted into fall-seeded cereal rye, which was terminated within 4 d of soybean planting. The experiment was conducted over the 2018, 2019, and 2020 growing seasons in Columbia, Missouri. Effects of cereal rye on early-season waterhemp suppression varied by year and were most consistent at 56 kg ha−1 or higher seeding rates. Linear regression analysis of cereal rye biomass, height, or stand at soybean planting showed inverse relationships with waterhemp emergence. No adverse effects on soybean growth or yield were observed at any of the cereal rye seeding rates relative to plots that lacked cereal rye cover. Result differences among the years suggest that the successfulness of cereal rye on suppression of early-season waterhemp emergence is likely influenced by the amount of waterhemp seed present in the soil seed bank.
Junglerice (Echinochloa colona) control with sequential applications of glyphosate and clethodim to dicamba
Authors: Perkins Clay M. , Mueller Thomas C. , Steckel Lawrence E.
Published: April 2021

Junglerice is becoming more prevalent in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi row crop fields. The evolution of glyphosate-resistant (GR) junglerice populations is one reason for the increase. Another possible explanation is that glyphosate and clethodim grass activity is being antagonized by dicamba. This question has led to research to examine whether sequential applications alleviate antagonism observed with dicamba plus glyphosate and/or clethodim mixtures and determine whether sequential treatments with those herbicides at 24 h, 72 h, or 168 h can improve junglerice control. Glyphosate + clethodim applications provided >90% junglerice control. The observed levels of antagonism varied by whether the location of the test was in the greenhouse or the field, and the timing of applications. In the greenhouse, clethodim + dicamba provided excellent control, whereas in the field, the same treatment showed a greater than 30% reduction in junglerice control compared with clethodim alone. However, control was restored by using a mixture of glyphosate + clethodim without dicamba. The environment at the time of application and relative GR level of the junglerice influenced the overall control of these sequential applications. When clethodim applied first followed by dicamba at 72 h or 168 h, better control was observed compared with applying dicamba followed by clethodim. Overall, mixing glyphosate + clethodim provided the most complete junglerice control regardless of timing. These data confirm that leaving dicamba out of the spray tank will mitigate herbicide antagonism on junglerice control. These data would also indicate that avoiding dicamba and glyphosate mixtures will also improve the consistency of control with glyphosate-susceptible junglerice.
From Open Data to Open Science
Authors: Ramachandran Rahul , Bugbee Kaylin , Murphy Kevin
Published: April 2021

The open science movement continues to gain momentum, attention, and discussion. However, there are a number of different interpretations, viewpoints, and perspectives as to what the term “open science” means. In this study, we define open science as a collaborative culture enabled by technology that empowers the open sharing of data, information, and knowledge within the scientific community and the wider public to accelerate scientific research and understanding. As science has become increasingly data driven, data programs now play a critical role in enabling and accelerating open science.

In this study, we describe specific actions that data programs can take to make the open science paradigm shift a reality. These actions range from implementing open data and software policies to reimaging data systems that move data out of organizational silos and into cyberinfrastructures that enable efficient research processes and accelerate knowledge dissemination. There are still a number of obstacles to be overcome by data programs which range from mitigating the risk of open data misuse to overcoming the inertia of legacy systems. Data programs need to support open science through the thoughtful development of open policies, systematic investment in innovative and collaborative infrastructures, and the promotion of cultural change. On the other hand, individual researchers play an equally important role by serving as advocates for open science principles and by adopting a number of best practices outlined in this study. By working together, a new and more open age of scientific research can be achieved to benefit science and society.
Persistent Occurrence of Strip‐Like Plasma Density Bulges at Conjugate Lower‐Mid Latitudes During the September 8–9, 2017 Geomagnetic Storm
Authors: Wan Xin , Zhong Jiahao , Xiong Chao , Wang Hui , Liu Yiwen , Li Qiaoling , Kuai Jiawei , Weng Libin , Cui Jun
Published: April 2021

During the geomagnetic storm on September 8–9, 2017, shoulder‐like structures were persistently captured in the lower‐mid latitudes at multiple local times, by Swarm and DMSP satellite observations. A more telling terminology of such shoulder‐like structure called strip‐like bulge is proposed in this study, due to its global presence that spanning over 150° in longitude but only over 1°–5° in latitude. The strip‐like bulges can be categorized into sharp and blunt types depending on the sharpness of the density peaks. The blunt type was short‐lived and appeared earlier than the sharp type in the afternoon‐sunset sector. The sharp type was long‐lived and appeared at all the observed local times. Both two types of strip‐like bulges were dominated by the ion composition of the H+/He+, rather than O+. This is the first evidence that the plasmaspheric particles are involved in forming the ionospheric structure at such low latitude. Moreover, the equatorward movement of the bulges shared the same trends with the earthward movement of the plasmapause. These two types of strip‐like bulges showed different longitudinal dependencies controlled by the magnetic declination. We suggest that the combined effects from the plasmaspheric downwelling and disturbance neutral wind were responsible for the appearance of the strip‐like bulges.
Finite-size correction for slab supercell calculations of materials with spontaneous polarization
Authors: Yoo Su-Hyun , Todorova Mira , Wickramaratne Darshana , Weston Leigh , Walle Chris G. Van de , Neugebauer Jörg
Published: April 2021

The repeated slab approach has become a de facto standard to accurately describe surface properties of materials by density functional theory calculations with periodic boundary conditions. For materials exhibiting spontaneous polarization, we show that the conventional scheme of passivation with pseudo hydrogen is unable to realize a charge-neutral surface. The presence of a net surface charge induces via Gauss’s law a macroscopic electric field through the slab and results in poor size convergence with respect to the thickness of the slab. We propose a modified passivation method that accounts for the effect of spontaneous polarization, describes the correct bulk limits and boosts convergence with respect to slab thickness. The robustness, reliability, and superior convergence of energetics and electronic structure achieved by the proposed method are demonstrated using the example of polar ZnO surfaces.
Quality by design modelling to support rapid RNA vaccine production against emerging infectious diseases
Authors: van de Berg Damien , Kis Zoltán , Behmer Carl Fredrik , Samnuan Karnyart , Blakney Anna K. , Kontoravdi Cleo , Shattock Robin , Shah Nilay
Published: April 2021

Rapid-response vaccine production platform technologies, including RNA vaccines, are being developed to combat viral epidemics and pandemics. A key enabler of rapid response is having quality-oriented disease-agnostic manufacturing protocols ready ahead of outbreaks. We are the first to apply the Quality by Design (QbD) framework to enhance rapid-response RNA vaccine manufacturing against known and future viral pathogens. This QbD framework aims to support the development and consistent production of safe and efficacious RNA vaccines, integrating a novel qualitative methodology and a quantitative bioprocess model. The qualitative methodology identifies and assesses the direction, magnitude and shape of the impact of critical process parameters (CPPs) on critical quality attributes (CQAs). The mechanistic bioprocess model quantifies and maps the effect of four CPPs on the CQA of effective yield of RNA drug substance. Consequently, the first design space of an RNA vaccine synthesis bioreactor is obtained. The cost-yield optimization together with the probabilistic design space contribute towards automation of rapid-response, high-quality RNA vaccine production.
Streptomyces strains modulate dynamics of soil bacterial communities and their efficacy in disease suppression caused by Phytophthora capsici
Authors: Abbasi Sakineh , Spor Ayme , Sadeghi Akram , Safaie Naser
Published: April 2021

The responses of rhizosphere bacterial communities of Streptomyces (SS14 and IT20 stains) treated-pepper plants following inoculation by Phytophthora capsici (PC) was investigated using Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Distinct modulation of the bacteriome composition was found for PC samples with the highest relative abundance (RA) of Chitinophaga (22 ± 0.03%). The RA of several bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was affected and caused changes in alpha and beta-diversity measures. In IT20, the RA of Cyanobacteria was enriched compared to SS14 (72%) and control samples (47%). Phylotypes belonging to Devosia, Promicromonospora, Kribbella, Microbacterium, Amylocolatopsis, and Pseudomonas genera in the rhizosphere were positively responding against the pathogen. Our findings show that the phosphate solubilizing strain IT20 has higher microbial community responders than the melanin-producing strain SS14. Also, positive interactions were identified by comparing bacterial community profiles between treatments that might allow designing synthetic bio-inoculants to solve agronomic problems in an eco-friendly way.
Towards computer-aided severity assessment via deep neural networks for geographic and opacity extent scoring of SARS-CoV-2 chest X-rays
Authors: Wong A. , Lin Z. Q. , Wang L. , Chung A. G. , Shen B. , Abbasi A. , Hoshmand-Kochi M. , Duong T. Q.
Published: April 2021

A critical step in effective care and treatment planning for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, is the assessment of the severity of disease progression. Chest x-rays (CXRs) are often used to assess SARS-CoV-2 severity, with two important assessment metrics being extent of lung involvement and degree of opacity. In this proof-of-concept study, we assess the feasibility of computer-aided scoring of CXRs of SARS-CoV-2 lung disease severity using a deep learning system. Data consisted of 396 CXRs from SARS-CoV-2 positive patient cases. Geographic extent and opacity extent were scored by two board-certified expert chest radiologists (with 20+ years of experience) and a 2nd-year radiology resident. The deep neural networks used in this study, which we name COVID-Net S, are based on a COVID-Net network architecture. 100 versions of the network were independently learned (50 to perform geographic extent scoring and 50 to perform opacity extent scoring) using random subsets of CXRs from the study, and we evaluated the networks using stratified Monte Carlo cross-validation experiments. The COVID-Net S deep neural networks yielded R$$^2$$

2

of $$0.664 \pm 0.032$$

0.664
±
0.032

and $$0.635 \pm 0.044$$

0.635
±
0.044

between predicted scores and radiologist scores for geographic extent and opacity extent, respectively, in stratified Monte Carlo cross-validation experiments. The best performing COVID-Net S networks achieved R$$^2$$

2

of 0.739 and 0.741 between predicted scores and radiologist scores for geographic extent and opacity extent, respectively. The results are promising and suggest that the use of deep neural networks on CXRs could be an effective tool for computer-aided assessment of SARS-CoV-2 lung disease severity, although additional studies are needed before adoption for routine clinical use.
Downregulation of miR-383 reduces depression-like behavior through targeting Wnt family member 2 (Wnt2) in rats
Authors: Liu Shanshan , Liu Qing , Ju Yanjie , Liu Lei
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the role of miR-383 in the regulation of Wnt-2 signaling in the rat model of chronic stress. The male SD rats with depressive-like behaviors were stimulated with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) including ice-water swimming for 5 min, food deprivation for 24 h, water deprivation for 24 h, stimulating tail for 1 min, turning night into day, shaking for 15 min (once/s), and wrap restraint (5 min/time) every day for 21 days. The expression levels of miRNAs were detected by qRT-PCR, and the expression levels of Wnt2, depression-impacted proteins (GFAP, BDNF, CREB), brain neurotransmitters (5-HT, NE, DA) and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax and Bcl-2) were evaluated by qRT-PCR and western blot. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay were performed to determine the relationship between miR-383 and Wnt2. Ethological analysis was evaluated by sugar preference test, refuge island test and open field tests. Rescue experiments including knockdown of miR-383, overexpression and silencing of Wnt2 were performed to determine the role of miR-383. High expression levels of miR-383 were observed in the hippocampus of rats submitted to CUMS model. Downregulation of miR-383 significantly inhibited the apoptosis and inflammatory response of hippocampal neurons, and increased the expression levels of GFAP, BDNF and CREB which were impacted in depression, as well as neurotransmitters, then attenuated neural injury in rats induced by CUMS. Furthermore, Wnt family member 2 (Wnt2) was identified as a target of miR-383, and silencing of Wnt2 obviously attenuated the protective effect of miR-383 inhibitor on the apoptosis and inflammatory response in hippocampal neurons, as well as neural injury in CUMS-induced rats. Downregulation of miR-383 ameliorated the behavioral and neurochemical changes induced by chronic stress in rats by directly targeting Wnt2, indicating that the miR-383/Wnt2 axis might be a potential therapeutic target for MDD.
The Voronoi theory of the normal liver lobular architecture and its applicability in hepatic zonation
Authors: Lau C. , Kalantari B. , Batts K. P. , Ferrell L. D. , Nyberg S. L. , Graham R. P. , Moreira Roger K.
Published: April 2021

The precise characterization of the lobular architecture of the liver has been subject of investigation since the earliest historical publications, but an accurate model to describe the hepatic lobular microanatomy is yet to be proposed. Our aim was to evaluate whether Voronoi diagrams can be used to describe the classic liver lobular architecture. We examined the histology of normal porcine and human livers and analyzed the geometric relationships of various microanatomic structures utilizing digital tools. The Voronoi diagram model described the organization of the hepatic classic lobules with overall accuracy nearly 90% based on known histologic landmarks. We have also designed a Voronoi-based algorithm of hepatic zonation, which also showed an overall zonal accuracy of nearly 90%. Therefore, we have presented evidence that Voronoi diagrams represent the basis of the two-dimensional organization of the normal liver and that this concept may have wide applicability in liver pathology and research.
Research on improved evidence theory based on multi-sensor information fusion
Authors: Lin Zhen , Xie Jinye
Published: April 2021

In view of the lack of effective information fusion model for heterogeneous multi-sensor, an improved Dempster/Shafer (DS) evidence theory algorithm is designed to fuse heterogeneous multi-sensor information. The algorithm first introduces the compatibility coefficient to characterize the compatibility between the evidence, obtains the weight matrix of each proposition, and then redistributes the basic probability distribution of each focal element to obtain a new evidence source. Then the concept of credibility is introduced, and the average support of evidence credibility and evidence focal element is used to improve the synthesis rule, so as to obtain the fusion result. Compared with other algorithms, the proposed algorithm can solve the problems existing in DS evidence theory when dealing with highly conflicting evidence to a certain extent, and the fusion results are more reasonable and the convergence speed is faster.
Theileria equi claudin like apicomplexan microneme protein contains neutralization-sensitive epitopes and interacts with components of the equine erythrocyte membrane skeleton
Authors: Onzere Cynthia K. , Fry Lindsay M. , Bishop Richard P. , Silva Marta G. , Bastos Reginaldo G. , Knowles Donald P. , Suarez Carlos E.
Published: April 2021

Theileria equi is a widely distributed apicomplexan parasite that causes severe hemolytic anemia in equid species. There is currently no effective vaccine for control of the parasite and understanding the mechanism that T. equi utilizes to invade host cells may be crucial for vaccine development. Unlike most apicomplexan species studied to date, the role of micronemes in T. equi invasion of host cells is unknown. We therefore assessed the role of the T. equi claudin-like apicomplexan microneme protein (CLAMP) in the invasion of equine erythrocytes as a first step towards understanding the role of this organelle in the parasite. Our findings show that CLAMP is expressed in the merozoite and intra-erythrocytic developmental stages of T. equi and in vitro neutralization experiments suggest that the protein is involved in erythrocyte invasion. Proteomic analyses indicate that CLAMP interacts with the equine erythrocyte α-and β- spectrin chains in the initial stages of T. equi invasion and maintains these interactions while also associating with the anion-exchange protein, tropomyosin 3, band 4.1 and cytoplasmic actin 1 after invasion. Additionally, serological analyses show that T. equi-infected horses mount robust antibody responses against CLAMP indicating that the protein is immunogenic and therefore represents a potential vaccine candidate.
Mechanism of zinc ejection by disulfiram in nonstructural protein 5A
Authors: Rehman Ashfaq Ur , Zhen Guodong , Zhong Bozitao , Ni Duan , Li Jiayi , Nasir Abdul , Gabr Moustafa T. , Rafiq Humaira , Wadood Abdul , Lu Shaoyong , Zhang Jian , Chen Hai-Feng
Published: April 2021

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a notorious member of the Flaviviridae family of enveloped, positive-strand RNA viruses.
The properties of bicyclic and multicyclic hydrocarbons as bio-derived compression ignition fuels that can be preparedviaefficient and scalable routes from biomass
Authors: Cosimbescu Lelia , Campbell Kristen B. , Subramanian Senthil , Swita Marie S. , Hao Naijia , Moore Cameron M. , Ramasamy Karthikeyan K. , Sutton Andrew D. , McEnally Charles S. , Pfefferle Lisa D. , Zhu Junqing
Published: April 2021

A series of multicyclic hydrocarbons were synthesized in high yield and under mild conditions from 2,5-hexanedione, cyclohexanone and cyclopentanone, on a scale of 200 g.
Real-time detection and imaging of exogenous and endogenous Zn2+ in the PC12 cell model of depression with a NIR fluorescent probe
Authors: Feng Jing , Li Ji-Zhen , Mao Xi-Mo , Wang Qi , Li Su-Ping , Wang Cheng-Yun
Published: April 2021

Depression is closely related to overactivation of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors, and Zn2+ is a vital NMDA receptor modulator involved in the pathophysiological and physiological processes of depression.
Nitrite-enhanced copper-based Fenton reactions for biofilm removal
Authors: Wang Li , Peng Rui , Liu Xue , Heng Chendi , Miao Yanni , Wang Wei , Carrier Andrew , Oakes Ken , Zhang Xu
Published: April 2021

Nitrite accelerates Cu-Fenton reaction and produces reactive nitrogen species ˙NO2 that eradicates biofilm and kills planktonic bacteria.
High iodine uptake in two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Zhang Lingyan , Li Jinheng , Zhang Huixin , Liu Yu , Cui Yumeng , Jin Fenchun , Wang Ke , Liu Guiyan , Zhao Yanli , Zeng Yongfei
Published: April 2021

Two 2D COFs with high crystallinity and large specific surface area are constructed using a three-connected distorted building block. High porosity and dense chemisorption sites effectively improved their iodine adsorption capacity.
Pure organic quinacridone dyes as dual sensitizers in tandem photoelectrochemical cells for unassisted total water splitting
Authors: Shen Luze , Zhang Shicong , Ding Haoran , Niu Fushuang , Chu Yanmeng , Wu Wenjun , Hu Yue , Hu Ke , Hua Jianli
Published: April 2021

Tandem photoelectrochemical cells based on pure organic quinacridone-pyridine dicarboxylic acid dye as a dual photosensitizer realized overall water splitting and showed a STH of 0.11% under neutral pH conditions without an external bias.
Transformations of empty CuI4 core to CuI2CuII2O and CuI6S cores via oxide and sulfide insertions
Authors: Fukuda Yosuke , Yoshinari Nobuto , Yamagami Kohei , Konno Takumi
Published: April 2021

A tetrahedral {CuI4}4+ core is reversibly transformed to a mixed-valent {CuI2CuII2O}4+ core via the oxidative insertion and the reductive elimination of an oxide ion.
Modelling the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium spectra of silylene (SiH2)
Authors: Clark Victoria H. J. , Yurchenko Sergei N.
Published: April 2021

Vibrational populations of molecules produced in reactions can be very different from the Boltzmann distribution. These so-called non-LTE populations encode information about the structural reaction dynamics and can manifest in the molecular spectra.
Imidazoline synthesis: mechanistic investigations show that Fe catalysts promote a new multicomponent redox reaction
Authors: Coin Guillaume , Dubourdeaux Patrick , Bayle Pierre-Alain , Lebrun Colette , Maldivi Pascale , Latour Jean-Marc
Published: April 2021

Integrated experimental and computational studies reveal a new mechanism for Fe-catalyzed imidazoline synthesis through combined nitrene transfer and acetonitrile attack of a styrenyl radical intermediate.
A 3D-printed continuous flow platform for the synthesis of methylaluminoxane
Authors: Feng Yirong , Wang Jie , Zhang Haomiao , Wang Jingdai , Yang Yongrong
Published: April 2021

We present the first 3D-printed continuous flow platform for the green synthesis of methylaluminoxane (MAO), the most powerful olefin polymerization co-catalyst with metallocenes.
An insight into the determination of size and number concentration of silver nanoparticles in blood using single particle ICP-MS (spICP-MS): feasibility of application to samples relevant to in vivo toxicology studies
Authors: Abad-Alvaro I. , Leite D. , Bartczak D. , Cuello-Nunez S. , Gomez-Gomez B. , Madrid Y. , Aramendia M. , Resano M. , Goenaga-Infante H.
Published: April 2021

Systematic method development for the determination of number concentration and size of silver nanoparticles in blood for the purpose of application to the typical workflow of an in vivo toxicology study.
Coarse-grained molecular dynamics study of the self-assembly of polyphilic bolaamphiphiles using the SAFT-γ Mie force field
Authors: Fayaz-Torshizi Maziar , Müller Erich A.
Published: April 2021

A methodology is outlined to parametrize coarse grained molecular models for the molecular dynamics simulation of liquid crystals.
Quality and antioxidant activity evaluation of dandelion by HPLC with five-wavelength fusion fingerprint
Authors: Chen Jinyu , Gong Dandan , Liu Xitong , Sun Guoxiang , Sun Wanyang
Published: April 2021

A novel strategy was carried out to evaluate the quality of dandelion, with the combination of fusion fingerprint and antioxidant activity.
An AIE-active dual fluorescent switch with negative photochromism for information display and encryption
Authors: Li Zhize , Liu Lulu , Liu Yifei
Published: April 2021

A negative photochromic molecular switch with AIE and two-color fluorescence conversion properties was synthesized.
Metal-free electrochemical C3-sulfonylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines
Authors: Zhu Jingyun , Chen Ziyue , He Meng , Wang Daoxin , Li Liangsen , Qi Junchao , Shi Renyi , Lei Aiwen
Published: April 2021

An electrochemical C3-sulfonylation of imidazo[1, 2-a]pyridines with sodium benzenesulfinate has been developed, providing an straightforward protocol towards biologically and synthetically useful 3-(arylsulfonyl)imidazo[1, 2-a]pyridine.
Green synthesis of nitrogen-doped multiporous carbons for oxygen reduction reaction using water-caltrop shells and eggshell waste
Authors: Hsu Chun-Han , Pan Zheng-Bang , Qu Hau-Ting , Chen Chuan-Ren , Lin Hong-Ping , Sun I-Wen , Huang Ching-Ying , Li Chun-Han
Published: April 2021

A green synthetic method is proposed for the preparation of nitrogen-doped multiporous carbons (denoted as N-MPCs) from water-caltrop-shell (WCS) biochar by using eggshell waste as both a nitrogen-dopant and an activating agent.
Reflections on the photodissociation of CO in circumstellar envelopes
Authors: Groenewegen M. A. T. , Saberi M.
Published: April 2021

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the most abundant molecule after molecular hydrogen and is important for the chemistry in circumstellar envelopes around evolved stars. When modelling the strength and shape of molecular lines, the size of the CO envelope is an input parameter and influences the derived mass-loss rates. In particular the low-J transition CO lines are sensitive to the CO photodissociation radius. Recently, new CO photodissociation radii have been published using different formalisms that differ considerably. One set of calculations is based on an escape-probability formalism that uses numerical approximations derived in the early 1980s. The accuracy of these approximations is investigated and it is shown that they are less accurate than claimed. Improved formalism are derived. Nevertheless, the changes in the CO envelope size are small to moderate and less than 2% for models with 10−7 < Ṁ < 10−4 M⊙ yr−1 and at most 7% for model with Ṁ = 10−8 M⊙ yr−1.
A homogeneous spectroscopic analysis of a Kepler legacy sample of dwarfs for gravity-mode asteroseismology
Authors: Gebruers Sarah , Straumit Ilya , Tkachenko Andrew , Mombarg Joey S. G. , Pedersen May G. , Van Reeth Timothy , Li Gang , Lampens Patricia , Escorza Ana , Bowman Dominic M. , De Cat Peter , Vermeylen Lore , Bodensteiner Julia , Rix Hans-Walter , Aerts Conny
Published: April 2021

Context. Asteroseismic modelling of the internal structure of main-sequence stars born with a convective core has so far been based on homogeneous analyses of space photometric Kepler light curves of four years in duration, to which most often incomplete inhomogeneously-deduced spectroscopic information was added to break degeneracies.

Aims. Our goal is twofold: (1) to compose an optimal sample of gravity-mode pulsators observed by the Kepler space telescope for joint asteroseismic and spectroscopic stellar modelling, and (2) to provide spectroscopic parameters for its members, deduced in a homogeneous way.

Methods. We assembled HERMES high-resolution optical spectroscopy at the 1.2 m Mercator telescope for 111 dwarfs, whose Kepler light curves allowed for the determination of their near-core rotation rates. Our spectroscopic information offers additional observational input to also model the envelope layers of these non-radially pulsating dwarfs.

Results. We determined stellar parameters and surface abundances from atmospheric analysis with spectrum normalisation based on a new machine-learning tool. Our results suggest a systematic overestimation of metallicity ([M/H]) in the literature for the studied F-type dwarfs, presumably due to normalisation limitations caused by the dense line spectrum of these rotating stars. CNO surface abundances were found to be uncorrelated with the rotation properties of the F-type stars. For the B-type stars, we find a hint of deep mixing from C and O abundance ratios; N abundance uncertainties are too great to reveal a correlation of N with the rotation of the stars.

Conclusions. Our spectroscopic stellar parameters and abundance determinations allow for the future joint spectroscopic, astrometric (Gaia), and asteroseismic modelling of this legacy sample of gravity-mode pulsators, with the aim of improving our understanding of transport processes in the core-hydrogen burning phase of stellar evolution.
An ultra-short-period transiting super-Earth orbiting the M3 dwarf TOI-1685
Authors: Bluhm P. , Pallé E. , Molaverdikhani K. , Kemmer J. , Hatzes A. P. , Kossakowski D. , Stock S. , Caballero J. A. , Lillo-Box J. , Béjar V. J. S. , Soto M. G. , Amado P. J. , Brown P. , Cadieux C. , Cloutier R. , Collins K. A. , Collins K. I. , Cortés-Contreras M. , Doyon R. , Dreizler S. , Espinoza N. , Fukui A. , González-Álvarez E. , Henning Th. , Horne K. , Jeffers S. V. , Jenkins J. M. , Jensen E. L. N. , Kaminski A. , Kielkopf J. F. , Kusakabe N. , Kürster M. , Lafrenière D. , Luque R. , Murgas F. , Montes D. , Morales J. C. , Narita N. , Passegger V. M. , Quirrenbach A. , Schöfer P. , Reffert S. , Reiners A. , Ribas I. , Ricker G. R. , Seager S. , Schweitzer A. , Schwarz R. P. , Tamura M. , Trifonov T. , Vanderspek R. , Winn J. , Zechmeister M. , Zapatero Osorio M. R.
Published: April 2021

Dynamical histories of planetary systems, as well as the atmospheric evolution of highly irradiated planets, can be studied by characterizing the ultra-short-period planet population, which the TESS mission is particularly well suited to discover. Here, we report on the follow-up of a transit signal detected in the TESS sector 19 photometric time series of the M3.0 V star TOI-1685 (2MASS J04342248+4302148). We confirm the planetary nature of the transit signal, which has a period ofPb= 0.6691403−0.0000021+0.0000023d, using precise radial velocity measurements taken with the CARMENES spectrograph. From the joint photometry and radial velocity analysis, we estimate the following parameters for TOI-1685 b: a mass ofMb= 3.78−0.63+0.63M⊕, a radius ofRb= 1.70−0.07+0.07R⊕, which together result in a bulk density ofρb= 4.21−0.82+0.95g cm−3, and an equilibrium temperature ofTeq= 1069−16+16K. TOI-1685 b is the least dense ultra-short-period planet around an M dwarf known to date. TOI-1685 b is also one of the hottest transiting super-Earth planets with accurate dynamical mass measurements, which makes it a particularly attractive target for thermal emission spectroscopy. Additionally, we report with moderate evidence an additional non-transiting planet candidate in the system, TOI-1685 [c], which has an orbital period ofPc= 9.02−0.12+0.10d.
Effect of tool offset on microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar copper-brass friction stir welding
Authors: Sadeghi Hamid Reza , Amini Kamran , Gharavi Farhad
Published: April 2021

This study has investigated the effect of tool offset on the mechanical behavior and microstructure of dissimilar copper and brass joints by friction stir welding (FSW). In this regard, the FSW method was used for joint with three different tool offset positions, namely center line (no offset), the copper side, and the brass alloy side. Microstructure and fracture surfaces of the specimens were examined by optical (OM) and scanning electron microscopies (SEM), respectively. Tensile, micro-hardness and bending tests were also utilized to evaluate the joints mechanical behavior. The results showed that an onion ring-shaped zone was formed with the tool offset towards the copper side, but this zone was not observed with the tool offset towards the brass alloy side. In addition, compared with the tool without offset, the tensile strength with the tool offset to copper side of 1 mm (Cu+1) increased by 33.33% and with the tool offset to brass alloy side of 1 mm (Brass+1) increased by 57.47%. The results of bending test showed that in the Brass+1 specimen, bending strength increased by approximately 5% compared with the specimen without offset. Finally, it was found that the best mechanical and microstructural properties were obtained by the tool offset of 1 mm towards the brass alloy side.
Idiopathische ventrale Rückenmarksherniation
Authors: Beck Jürgen , Klingler Jan-Helge , Shah Mukesch Johannes , Hubbe Ulrich , Jesse Christopher Marvin , Ulrich Christian , Raabe Andreas
Published: April 2021

Bei der idiopathischen ventralen Rückenmarksherniation handelt es sich um einen sehr seltenen Defekt der thorakalen ventralen Dura, am häufigsten zwischen BWK 2 und BWK 8, mit konsekutivem Prolaps des Myelons in diesen Duradefekt hinein. Klinisch führt dies oft nach jahrelanger Anamnese zu einer progredienten, mehr oder weniger stark ausgeprägten Myelopathie, z. B. einem Brown-Séquard Syndrom oder einer Paraparese. Die Ursache des Duradefekts und der Mechanismus der Herniation sind nicht geklärt. Diskutiert werden Bandscheibenpathologien wie verkalkte Mikrosporne, Trauma, Entzündung, eine Bindegewebsschwäche und angeborene Dura-Duplikaturen. Die wichtigsten Differentialdiagnosen sind arachnoidale Zysten und arachnoidale Netze (arachnoidal web), die das Myelon bei jedoch intakter Dura nach ventral verlagern, Tumore sowie ischämische und traumatische Myelomalazien. Trotz exzellenter Bildgebung gelingt manchmal die sichere Diagnose einer Myelonhernie samt Duradefekt letztendlich erst intraoperativ. Die operative Versorgung ist, einschließlich auch der nur leicht symptomatischen Patienten, die Therapie der Wahl und stellt eine neurochirurgische Herausforderung dar. Ziel ist das Lösen des Rückenmarks mit, je nach Größe und Lage, entweder Verschluss, Augmentation oder Erweiterung des Duradefekts. Das Risiko für postoperative Defizite beträgt 5–12%. Von einem Behandlungserfolg wird meist bei einem Stopp der klinischen Progression ausgegangen, wobei bis zu 3/4 der Patienten eine Chance auf postoperative Besserung haben. Die operative Behandlung sollte mit intraoperativem Neuromonitoring (SSEP, MEP, D-Welle) in Zentren mit entsprechender Erfahrung erfolgen. Patienten, bei denen noch keine Operationsindikation gestellt wurde, sollten engmaschig angebunden werden, da der natürliche Krankheitsverlauf der idiopathischen ventralen Rückenmarksherniation meist progredient ist.
Metastasierte Gallengangskarzinome
Authors: Arnheim Katharina
Published: April 2021

Bei den relativ seltenen Gallengangskarzinomen gibt es bislang nur wenige effektive Therapieoptionen. Zielgerichtet an genomischen Aberrationen angreifende Substanzen könnten diese Situation zukünftig ändern, wie auf dem ASCO-GI vorgestellte Studien zeigen.
Neutrophilen:Lymphozyten-Verhältnis als Überlebens-Prädiktor
Authors: Kretzschmar Alexander
Published: April 2021

Ein niedriges Neutrophilen:Lymphozyten-Verhältnis (derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; dNLR) wird für Patienten mit metastasiertem nicht kleinzelligem Bronchialkarzinom (NSCLC) als unabhängiger Prädiktor für das Überleben unter einer Therapie mit einem Immuncheckpoint-Inhibitor diskutiert. Inzwischen mehrt sich die Evidenz für den Einsatz dieser einfach durchführbaren Bestimmung dieses nichtinvasiven Biomarkers als Zusatzinformation.
Der allumfassende Schmerz und was daraus folgt
Authors: Kloke Marianne
Published: April 2021

Ein im Rahmen einer rasch fortschreitenden und zum Tode führenden Erkrankung auftretendes komplexes Symptomgeschehen indiziert eine spezialisierte Palliativversorgung. Ihre Philosophie basiert auf einer ganzheitlichen Sicht der Menschen und seiner Familie. So kann das multiprofessionelle Team die physische, psychische, soziale und spirituelle Ebene des Leidens gezielt adressieren und für den Patienten ein umfassendes Behandlungs- und Begleitungskonzept erstellen. Wird das bio-psycho-soziale-spirituelle Konzept dessen, was Leiden ausmacht, missachtet, besteht die Gefahr unwirksamer und u. U. sogar gefährlicher Behandlungen. Wie aufwändig und langwierig der Weg zu einer den Bedürfnissen des Patienten entsprechenden Versorgung sein kann und wie viel Empathie und Geduld er seitens der Behandler erfordert, wird an Hand einer Kasuistik einer 57-jährigen Patientin mit einem rasch progredienten Zervixkarzinom dargestellt.
Diabetes und nicht-alkoholische Fettleber-Erkrankungen
Authors: Birkenfeld Andreas , Stefan Norbert , Roden Michael
Published: April 2021

Adipositas und Typ-2-Diabetes (T2D) erhöhen das Risiko für nicht-alkoholische Fettleber-Erkrankungen (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD) und andere Komorbiditäten. In Deutschland leiden etwa 18 Mio. Menschen an NAFLD, davon haben etwa 3,3 Mio. eine nicht-alkoholische Steatohepatitis (NASH). Zu viel Fett in der Leber hat aber auch einen negativen Einfluss auf den Glukosestoffwechsel und kann zur Entwicklung eines T2D beitragen. Um den Zusammenhang zwischen NAFLD und T2D zielgerichtet zu untersuchen, hat das Deutsche Zentrum für Diabetesforschung (DZD) einen Forschungsschwerpunkt ("Akademie") zu Diabetes und NAFLD aufgebaut. Interdisziplinäre Teams suchen nach Biomarkern zur Verbesserung der Diagnose und Risikostratifizierung sowie nach Mechanismen, die zur Pathogenese und Progression der NAFLD und ihrer Komorbiditäten beitragen. Zudem werden neue Strategien entwickelt, um die NAFLD zu verhindern bzw. besser behandeln zu können. Dabei arbeiten die Forschenden sowohl an medikamentösen Ansätzen als auch an Ernährungsumstellungen.
Veränderungsmessung mit der Kurzform des OPD-Strukturfragebogens (OPD-SFK)
Authors: Lübke Laura , Flemming Eva , Mestel Robert , Masuhr Oliver , Jaeger Ulrich , Spitzer Carsten
Published: April 2021

Das transdiagnostische Konzept der Ich- bzw. Persönlichkeitsstruktur spielt in der psychodynamischen Krankheitslehre eine zentrale Rolle, gelten doch viele psychische und psychoso-matische Störungen als Ausdruck struktureller Vulnerabilitäten und Defizite. Daher kommt der Strukturdiagnostik eine besondere Bedeutung zu, gerade unter differenzialindikatorischen und behandlungstechnischen Aspekten. Weil Veränderungen der Persönlichkeitsstruktur auch als Therapieziel immer mehr Beachtung finden, sollten strukturdiagnostische Verfahren änderungssensitiv sein, um diese angemessen zu erfassen. Die Kurzform des OPD-Strukturfragebogens (OPD-SFK) wird zwar aufgrund ihrer Anwendungsökonomie klinisch und wissenschaftlich vielfach eingesetzt, ist bisher jedoch nicht auf ihre Eignung zur Veränderungsmessung analysiert worden. Zwei große, unabhängige und diagnostisch heterogene Stichproben stationärer Psychotherapiepatienten (N=1183 bzw. 967) wurden bei Aufnahme und Entlassung mit dem OPD-SFK untersucht. Als Indikatoren der Änderungssensitivität wurden die Standardized Effect Size (SES), der Standardized Response Mean (SRM) sowie die Smallest Real Difference (SRD) berechnet. Für den OPD-SFK Gesamtwert sowie die Subskalen wurden in beiden Stichproben Veränderungseffekte in niedriger Größenordnung gefunden (SES zwischen 0,23 und 0,48 sowie SRM zwischen 0,27 und 0,53). Zudem wurde gezeigt, dass mit dem OPD-SFK größere Veränderungen für Patienten mit strukturellen Störungen nachweisbar sind als für jene mit geringen Strukturdefiziten und dass die Gruppenunterschiede signifikant sind. Mittels der SRD wurde in beiden Stichproben ein Anteil von 22% signifikant strukturell verbesserter Patienten ermittelt. Trotz einiger methodenkritischer Aspekte legen die Befunde nahe, dass sich der OPD-SFK bei stationären Psychotherapiepatienten eignet, um Veränderungen persönlichkeitsstruktureller Fähigkeiten zwischen Beginn und Abschluss der Behandlung abzubilden. Da Untersuchungen zur Änderungssensitivität anderer strukturdiagnostischer Verfahren ausstehen, können bislang keine empirisch abgesicherten Empfehlungen formuliert werden, welches Instrument am besten therapeutisch induzierte Veränderungen in der Persönlichkeitsstruktur erfasst.
Deutsches Zentrum für Diabetesforschung (DZD)
Authors: Niesing Birgit
Published: April 2021

Diabetes präziser behandeln oder die Stoffwechselerkrankung gar zu vermeiden – das sind die ehrgeizigen Ziele des Deutschen Zentrums für Diabetesforschung (DZD). Im DZD arbeiten mehr als 400 exzellente universitäre und außeruniversitäre Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler zusammen, um Erkenntnisse und Ergebnisse aus der Diabetesforschung möglichst schnell vom Labor in klinische Studien und dann zum Patienten zu bringen.
Neurofibromatosis Type 2: A Pandora’s Box of Variable Presentations
Authors: Gandhi Ashok , Gandhi Swarup Sohan , Jain Surendra , Jain Shashikant , Sukhani Paresh
Published: April 2021

Introduction Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) also known as MISME syndrome stands for multiple inherited schwannomas, meningiomas, and ependymomas in the peripheral and central nervous system. It is a rare disorder of autosomal dominant inheritance due to mutations of a tumor-suppressor gene on the chromosome 22q12. Clinically, it is characterized by multiple benign tumors arising in both the central and peripheral nervous system, particularly from the bilateral vestibular nerve, in more than 90% of the patients, with more than two thirds of them developing spinal tumors.

Materials and Methods Here, we studied the variable presentations of cases of NF2, and thorough evaluation of patients was done by contrast MRI of brain and spine. Also, evaluation of ocular manifestations and cutaneous features was done in cases of NF2, and a follow-up was done for a period of 18 months with monitoring of cranial and spinal lesions.

Conclusion We studied the various presentations of NF2 and found that a significant proportion of the patients presented with nonvestibular tumors as the initial presentation, with bilateral cerebellopontine angle lesions being an incidental finding; also, the age of presentation in half of the patients was less than 30 years, and so we can conclude that in young patients with spinal tumors or multiple meningiomas, a thorough evaluation regarding family history and various features of NF2 should be done, so that early identification of the disease could be done and patients can be benefitted from timely interventions.