bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing restoration potential for beaver (Castor canadensis) in the semiarid foothills of the Southern Rockies, USA
Authors: Kornse Zachary , Wohl Ellen
Published: September 2020

We used the Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool (BRAT) developed at Utah State University to develop spatially explicit estimates of maximum beaver‐carrying capacity in a 160 km2 watershed in the foothills of the Southern Rockies. The watershed does not currently have beaver but has extensive evidence of past beaver occupation. BRAT uses input data on stream flow, topography, and vegetation. We compared BRAT results using three different types of vegetation inputs: the default LANDFIRE data at 30‐m spatial resolution and pixel‐based and object‐based image analysis (OBIA) with 1‐m resolution National Agriculture Imagery Program imagery. OBIA produced the most accurate results relative to ground‐based vegetation mapping. Changes in vegetation input data resulted in substantial changes in BRAT estimates of beaver‐carrying capacity. Using historic LANDFIRE vegetation data and field evidence of past beaver activity, contemporary beaver‐carrying capacity is much lower than historical capacity throughout the watershed. These changes are especially pronounced in low‐order stream segments, suggesting that beaver reintroduction in this watershed could be facilitated by measures to restore riparian vegetation along low‐order streams. This case study demonstrates the value of using BRAT as a tool prior to beaver reintroduction and stream restoration.
Turbulent flow structure in a vegetated non‐prismatic compound channel
Authors: Vojoudi Mehrabani Fatemeh , Mohammadi Mirali , Ayyoubzadeh Seyed A. , Fernandes João N. , Ferreira Rui M. L.
Published: September 2020

The presence of vegetation on the floodplains of compound channels affects the structure of mean flow, increases flow resistance and turbulence intensity, and impacts sediment transport. In prismatic compound channels, the shear stress at the interface between the flows in the main channel and lateral floodplains has a strong influence in the cross sectional velocity distribution and thus conveyance of the channel. Due to mass transfer between subsections, these effects are enhanced in non‐prismatic channels. In the present study, the three‐dimensional turbulent flow structure in a vegetated non‐prismatic convergent compound channel is experimentally investigated. The main purpose is to clarify the explicit influence of the combination of two factors (floodplain vegetation and convergent floodplains) on mean flow and large‐scale turbulence. The experiments were conducted for relative depths (i.e., the ratio between floodplain and main channel flow depths) equal to 0.21 and 0.31 and floodplain convergence angles equal to 7.25° and 11.3°. The results obtained in straight compound channel with vegetated floodplains were used as a reference. The analysis of the Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter measurements shows that due to convergent floodplains, a transverse current is directed from the floodplains to the main channel from both sides, generating two helical secondary currents. Investigations of the vegetation influence on Reynolds stresses shows that there is a significant vertical and lateral spreading of the shear region towards the main channel side slope. As the convergence angle increases, the floodplain flow proportion decreases. In this case, the presence of vegetation in the floodplain leads to a suppression of the momentum exchange between main channel and floodplains causing the discharge distribution between sub‐sections to be significantly different from what would be without floodplain vegetation.
Using Context as an Assist in Word Solving: The Contributions of 25 Years of Research on the Interactive Strategies Approach
Authors: Scanlon Donna M. , Anderson Kimberly L.
Published: September 2020

Recently, there has been growing concern about how to most effectively support the literacy development of beginning and struggling readers with regard to helping them learn to effortlessly identify the huge number of words that proficient readers ultimately learn to read with automaticity. Some, noting the critical importance of phonics instruction in learning to read in an alphabetic writing system, take the position that students should attend only to alphabetic information in word‐solving attempts. However, long‐standing theories of the development of word‐reading skills support the value of teaching students to use both alphabetic and contextual information in word solving in interactive and confirmatory ways. The authors summarize 25 years of research in which beginning and struggling readers were taught to use both code‐ and meaning/context‐based strategies for word solving and were provided with explicit, responsive instruction focused on the alphabetic code. The authors present brief summaries of theoretical explanations of the word‐learning process. Then, the authors summarize six experimental studies that, together, included students in kindergarten through fourth grade and involved the implementation of the Interactive Strategies Approach in the primary grades and an extension of the approach with middle elementary students with reading difficulties. The studies resulted in substantially improved reading outcomes among treatment versus business‐as‐usual groups. The authors contend that using both phonics‐ and context‐based information facilitates the ability to build sight vocabulary, which in turn enables readers to turn their attention to the most important goal of literacy learning: meaning construction.
Reading Wars, Reading Science, and English Learners
Authors: Goldenberg Claude
Published: September 2020

Learning and developing as a reader are more complicated in a language the reader is simultaneously learning to speak and understand. This challenge is faced by millions of English learners (ELs) who are in all‐English programs and must therefore learn to read, write, and develop as readers and writers while learning and becoming proficient in English. The author summarizes what is known about teaching ELs beginning and more advanced reading skills, all in English, as they progress through school. Drawing on classroom studies, interventions, and neurolinguistic research, the author focuses on how learning to read in a second language is similar to learning to read in a first language and what differences might exist. These differences, not surprisingly, have to do with ELs’ limited English proficiency. The author’s intent is to begin with the knowledge base of the science of reading, build onto it research on effective literacy instruction for ELs, and then begin articulating what could become a science of reading instruction for students who are learning and progressing as readers in English while learning to speak and understand it. Promoting higher levels of literacy for ELs will require teachers to use what is currently known about effective practices in literacy instruction for students in general and, in addition, help ELs achieve higher levels of English language proficiency. Both English literacy and English oral language proficiency must be priorities if these students are to have adequate and equitable opportunities for success in school and beyond.
Does English Have Useful Syllable Division Patterns?
Authors: Kearns Devin M.
Published: September 2020

Programs for teaching English reading, especially for students with dyslexia, and educational practice standards often recommend instruction on dividing polysyllabic words into syllables. Syllable division is effort intensive and could inhibit fluency when reading in text. The division strategies might still be useful if they work so consistently that they will help students decode most unfamiliar polysyllabic words. No study of the English lexicon has confirmed that the pattern is highly consistent. This study addresses this gap in the literature. The utility of the two most frequently taught patterns was examined in a corpus analysis of 14,844 words from texts used in grades 1–8. The VC|CV pattern involves a single vowel (V), two consonants (CC), and another vowel. According to the expected pattern, the first vowel should have a short (lax) sound, such as the a in rabbit. This was true of 70.6% of instances in VCCV words in the corpus. For the V|CV pattern, the first vowel is expected have a long (tense) sound, such as the a in mason. This was true in 30.5% of instances in VCV words in the corpus. The patterns were more consistent for bisyllabic words than longer words (78.8% vs. 62.5% for VCCV words and 47.3% vs. 18.8% for VCV words, respectively). When comparing only short‐ and long‐vowel pronunciations (ignoring other sounds such as schwa), the first vowel followed the expected pattern in 94.3% instances of VCCV words and 53.3% of VCV words. The unreliability of VCV may not justify the effort required to use the strategy. There are implications for the debate about the science of reading.
When Did You Learn It? How Background Knowledge Impacts Attention and Comprehension in Read‐Aloud Activities
Authors: Kaefer Tanya
Published: September 2020

Reading science has reached consensus that background knowledge is essential for reading comprehension. What remains an open question for the science of reading, however, is how and when this background knowledge ought to be developed. Teachers often include activities meant to activate background knowledge immediately prior to read‐alouds. However, these activities also often provide completely new knowledge, the efficacy of which has not been well studied. The goal of the current study was to examine differences in narrative comprehension when background knowledge is activated before reading (i.e., students are reminded of things they already know) versus provided before reading (i.e., students are informed of new information). To that end, 92 participants were tested on familiar information (i.e., activated knowledge), taught novel but relevant information (i.e., provided knowledge), or taught novel but irrelevant information (i.e., neither activated nor provided knowledge) prior to reading a story. Regression analyses showed that whereas students showed basic comprehension no matter when they learned the information, attention and more advanced comprehension skills were more successful when students already knew about a topic and merely had their knowledge activated. This suggests that common prereading activities may not be successful for students who are unfamiliar with the topic. Reading science must continue to explore how to develop this crucial background knowledge.
Rethinking the Role of Knowledge in the Literacy Classroom
Authors: Hattan Courtney , Lupo Sarah M.
Published: September 2020

Knowledge plays an inarguably critical role in reading comprehension. When considering the science of reading, it is important to engage with varying theoretical frameworks and empirical research that inform our collective understanding regarding the intersection of knowledge and literacy in K–12 classrooms. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to consider sociocultural and cognitivist perspectives on the role that knowledge plays throughout the reading process and to examine whose knowledge matters. Then, the authors address three tensions related to the role of knowledge in K–12 literacy instruction and offer research‐based perspectives on how educators, researchers, school leaders, parents, and community leaders can rethink knowledge to support students in learning from texts. First, the authors reframe the knowledge gap and suggest ways that teachers can privilege students’ knowledge as assets during literacy instruction. Second, the authors address the importance of supporting students in activating, integrating, and revising their knowledge during text processing and suggest evidence‐based instructional techniques that support students’ learning from texts. Finally, the authors contend that content knowledge is not the only type of knowledge that matters in reading and suggest how teachers can support readers in using other types of knowledge that are crucial to comprehension.
How the Science of Reading Informs 21st‐Century Education
Authors: Petscher Yaacov , Cabell Sonia Q. , Catts Hugh W. , Compton Donald L. , Foorman Barbara R. , Hart Sara A. , Lonigan Christopher J. , Phillips Beth M. , Schatschneider Christopher , Steacy Laura M. , Terry Nicole Patton , Wagner Richard K.
Published: September 2020

The science of reading should be informed by an evolving evidence base built on the scientific method. Decades of basic research and randomized controlled trials of interventions and instructional routines have formed a substantial evidence base to guide best practices in reading instruction, reading intervention, and the early identification of at‐risk readers. The recent resurfacing of questions about what constitutes the science of reading is leading to misinformation in the public space that may be viewed by educational stakeholders as merely differences of opinion among scientists. The authors’ goals in this article were to revisit the science of reading through an epistemological lens to clarify what constitutes evidence in the science of reading, and to offer a critical evaluation of the evidence provided by the science of reading. To this end, the authors summarize those things that they believe have compelling evidence, promising evidence, or a lack of compelling evidence. The authors conclude with a discussion of areas of focus that they believe will advance the science of reading to meet the needs of all students in the 21st century.
Bayesian estimation of multivariate Gaussian Markov random fields with constraint
Authors: MacNab Ying C.
Published: September 2020

This article concerns with conditionally formulated multivariate Gaussian Markov random fields (MGMRF) for modeling multivariate local dependencies with unknown dependence parameters subject to positivity constraint. In the context of Bayesian hierarchical modeling of lattice data in general and Bayesian disease mapping in particular, analytic and simulation studies provide new insights into various approaches to posterior estimation of dependence parameters under “hard” or “soft” positivity constraint, including the well‐known strictly diagonal dominance criterion and options of hierarchical priors. Hierarchical centering is examined as a means to gain computational efficiency in Bayesian estimation of multivariate generalized linear mixed effects models in the presence of spatial confounding and weakly identified model parameters. Simulated data on irregular or regular lattice, and three datasets from the multivariate and spatiotemporal disease mapping literature, are used for illustration. The present investigation also sheds light on the use of deviance information criterion for model comparison, choice, and interpretation in the context of posterior risk predictions judged by borrowing‐information and bias‐precision tradeoff. The article concludes with a summary discussion and directions of future work. Potential applications of MGMRF in spatial information fusion and image analysis are briefly mentioned.
Synthesis of Axially Chiral Carboxamides via Aminocarbonylation of Aryl and Vinyl Iodides with 2,2’‐Diamino‐1,1’‐binaphthalene in the Presence of Palladium Catalysts
Authors: Pálinkás Noémi , Mikle Gábor , Aranyi Anita , Péter Antal , Kollár László
Published: September 2020

Palladium‐catalysed aminocarbonylation of iodobenzene and 1‐iodocyclohexene with both enantiomerically pure and racemic 2,2’‐diamino‐1,1’‐binaphthalene (BINAM) as N‐nucleophile was carried out. The mono‐ and dicarboxamide enantiomers possessing axial chirality were synthesised using (Sax)‐BINAM. In the possession of these reference compounds the partial chiral kinetic resolution of racemic BINAM was carried out using various optically active bidentate ligands such as (2S,4S)‐BDPP, (2S,3S)‐CHIRAPHOS and (R)‐BINAP. It was revealed by chiral HPLC measurements that up to 10 % enantiomeric excess of carboxamides can be achieved in this way. Although with low enantioselection, enantioselectve aminocarbonylation was carried out for the first time.
Prelude to Molecular Dynamics‐II: Investigation of Potential Energy Surfaces Using Gaussian Charge Models
Authors: Albuquerque Johnross V. , Shirsat Rajendra N.
Published: September 2020

The current work demonstrates the application of topography‐based Gaussian charge models (GCMs) in studying potential energy surfaces of molecular dimers of water, ammonia, acetylene and benzene in addition to water‐ammonia, water‐acetylene, ammonia‐acetylene, water‐benzene, ammonia‐benzene and acetylene‐benzene complexes. Investigations are also carried for trimer systems of water, ammonia and their mixed compositions. The predicted geometries are in good agreement with those derived from quantum mechanical (QM) calculations and the interaction energy values forecasted deviate not more than ±2 kcal/mol from respective QM counterparts.
A Concise Review of Baseline Facts of SARS‐CoV‐2 for Interdisciplinary Research
Authors: Tyagi Adish , Nigam Sandeep , Chauhan Rohit Singh
Published: September 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 is a global health emergency. Investigation covering various aspects of diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine development for COVID‐19 are being attempted globally. Common goal of reducing loss of life requires accelerated and integrated effort from researchers of different fields i. e. chemistry, biology, clinical/medical science etc. Integrated yet timely effort requires the understanding of interdisciplinary key concepts as well as knowledge of major challenges, present status and strategies. Hence, in this article, we present an overview of baseline/key facts of SARS‐CoV‐2 mingled with current status and strategies in a simple, straight forward and coherent manner. In particular, the review attempts to integrate and arrange the key facts at the interface of chemistry and biology. Overview of epidemiology of SARS‐CoV‐2 virus infection, structural characteristics of virus, detection methods and therapeutic agents based on antibodies, therapeutic agents based on traditional drug molecule, drug development based on specific catalytic enzyme inhibitors, vaccine design approaches have been provided. Since enzyme site and catalytic action is the key for biological process, they have been lucidly explained at molecular level. It is believed that accredited information amalgamated in this report will provide a strong rational and lucid groundwork for the coherent interdisciplinary research to countermeasure covid‐19 crisis.
Easily Synthesized Ru Catalyst Efficiently Converts Carbonyl Compounds and Ammonia into Primary Amines
Authors: Pan Jia‐Sheng , Zhang Rui , Ma Shuang‐Shuang , Han Li‐Jun , Xu Bao‐Hua
Published: September 2020

An easily synthesized ruthenium(II) complex was developed for the direct reductive amination of both aldehydes and ketones with H2 and ammonia. The intramolecular carboxylate‐assisted hydrogenation fashion was found compatible with the amination between carbonyl substrates and ammonia, enabling a high selectivity toward primary amines. Varied primary amines were obtained with a turnover numbers (TON) up to 376.
Porphyrinic Metal‐Organic Frameworks Derived Carbon‐Based Nanomaterials for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Mei Hong‐Min , Li Shuai , Dong Ju‐Rong , Zhang Li , Su Cheng‐Yong
Published: September 2020

Hydrogen is a renewable, secure and environmentally friendly source of energy, and thus it is important to find an effective way to prepare hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts. Herein, we report a strategy to prepare noble metal‐decorated porous carbon‐based nanomaterials by direct carbonization of porphyrinic metal‐organic frameworks of M‐PCN‐222(Hf) that are also denoted as M‐PMOF‐2(Hf) (M=Rh, Ir or Pt) at an elevated temperature under an Ar atmosphere. The M‐PCN‐222(Hf) samples with the nanorod shape are synthesized by the self‐assembly of M‐TCPP (TCPP=tetrakis(4‐carboxyphenyl)porphyrin) and HfCl4, and the noble metals within the frameworks are uniformly dispersed at the atomic level. Through pyrolysis at 600, 700 or 800 °C and followed by acid etching with HF, noble metal‐decorated porous carbon‐based nanomaterials that are termed as M‐PCN‐222(Hf)‐T (T is the pyrolysis temperature) are obtained, in which the noble metal nanoparticles are dispersed uniformly within the porphyrin ligand‐derived nitrogen‐doped carbon matrix. Inheriting the structural characteristics of the MOF template, M‐PCN‐222(Hf)‐T display relatively high BET surfaces up to 310 m2⋅g−1 and large mesopores with an average pore diameter around 6 nm. Catalytic results show that the prepared M‐PCN‐222(Hf)‐T samples display high HER catalytic activities in a 0.5 M H2SO4 solution (pH=0.36).
Highly Efficient All‐Polymer Solar Cells Enabled by Random Ternary Copolymer Acceptors with High Tolerance on Molar Ratios
Authors: Wu Yao , Wu Qiang , Wang Wei , Sun Rui , Min Jie
Published: September 2020

Finding effective molecular design strategies and fine tuning the molar ratios of donor/acceptor (D/A) random copolymers to optimize the blend microstructure of the photoactive layer is one of the main long‐standing challenges in developing and fabricating highly efficient all‐polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs). Herein, a random ternary copolymerization strategy to develop four random copolymer acceptors PYEx (x = 10, 20, 30, 40) is used by polymerizing a fused‐ring A–D–A‐type acceptor unit modified from Y5 with a thiophene‐connecting unit and a controlled amount of an ester‐substituted thiophene (EST) unit. Compared with PYT (PYE0) of only Y5‐like units and thiophene units, the ternary copolymers PYEx show slightly down‐shifted lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels, reduced absorption coefficients, and decreased electron mobilities. However, it is also demonstrated that this design approach rationally modifies the molecular aggregations of polymer acceptors, effectively fine tuning the blend morphology and physical mechanisms, and enhances the device performance of the PYEx‐based all‐PSCs. Among them, blends of PYE20 with donor polymer PBDB‐T combine 13.6% power conversion efficiency (PCE). Of particular note is that all of the PYEx‐based devices exhibit the best PCEs of over 13%, indicating the high tolerance on molar ratios.
Synthesis of CdS/MoS2 Nanooctahedrons Heterostructure with a Tight Interface for Enhanced Photocatalytic H2 Evolution and Biomass Upgrading
Authors: Zhao Lili , Dong Tianjiao , Du Jialei , Liu Hui , Yuan Haifeng , Wang Yijie , Jia Jin , Liu Hong , Zhou Weijia
Published: September 2020

With the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental contamination, photocatalytic H2 production has become an essential issue. Co‐catalysts play a critical role in improving photocatalytic H2 generation of photocatalysts. However, co‐catalysts frequently need additional synthesis steps for loading on the surface of photocatalysts, and the interface contact between the co‐catalyst and the photocatalyst is insufficient. Herein, a CdS/MoS2 nanooctahedron heterostructure is prepared through the in situ sulfidation of CdMoO4 nanooctahedrons. MoS2 as the co‐catalyst provides active sites for H2 generation and enhances the separation of photo‐generated carriers. Furthermore, the sulfidation of CdMoO4 precursors ensures a tight contact interface by S atoms between CdS and MoS2, which is beneficial to the electrons transfer from CdS to MoS2, thus markedly improving the photocatalytic H2 evolution activity. The obtained optimum CdS/MoS2 nanooctahedrons exhibit a better photocatalytic H2 generation activity than those of pure CdS, pure MoS2, and even CdS/MoS2 by hydrothermal synthesis under visible light irradiation. In addition, solar‐driven biomass upgrading of furfural alcohol, bacterial cellulose membrane, bioplastic wastes upgrading of polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and their reforming to H2 are also performed and demonstrate an inexpensive route to drive aqueous proton reduction to H2 through waste biomass oxidation.
Selective Growth of High‐Density Anatase {101} Twin Boundaries on High‐Energy {001} Facets
Authors: Lu Yang , Liu Xiaolu , Liu Hongwei , Wang Yun , Liu Porun , Zhu Xiaoguang , Zhang Yunxia , Zhang Haimin , Wang Guozhong , Lin Yue , Diao Hui , Zhao Huijun
Published: September 2020

Crystal lattices with abundant twinning boundaries are rendered with unique electrical, optical, chemical, and mechanical characteristics; however, it is highly challenging to controllably fabricate such material structures in a facile and high‐throughput manner. Herein, a facile feeding‐triggered growth approach to selectively grow high‐density anatase TiO2 {101} twin boundaries (TBs) on the {001} faceted high‐energy surfaces of anatase TiO2 single crystals is reported. The growth of the TB rich structures is found to be highly sensitive to the amount of feeding TiN and HF concentrations. The resultant anatase {101} twinned structures are systematically characterized and analyzed. When compared with the twin structure‐free anatase TiO2 single crystals, the obtained anatase TiO2 single crystals with the densely populated {101} TBs on the {001} faceted surfaces exhibit a significantly enhanced activity toward the photoelectrocatalytic oxidation of water and organic compounds. The demonstrated twin structure growth approach herein is adaptable to grow rich twin structures on other crystals for diversified applications.
Maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnant women with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors:   The WAPM (World Association of Perinatal Medicine) Working Group on COVID‐19
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnancies affected by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.

Methods

This was a multinational retrospective cohort study including women with a singleton pregnancy and laboratory‐confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, conducted in 72 centers in 22 different countries in Europe, the USA, South America, Asia and Australia, between 1 February 2020 and 30 April 2020. Confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was defined as a positive result on real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assay of nasopharyngeal swab specimens. The primary outcome was a composite measure of maternal mortality and morbidity, including admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), use of mechanical ventilation and death.

Results

In total, 388 women with a singleton pregnancy tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 on RT‐PCR of a nasopharyngeal swab and were included in the study. Composite adverse maternal outcome was observed in 47/388 (12.1%) women; 43 (11.1%) women were admitted to the ICU, 36 (9.3%) required mechanical ventilation and three (0.8%) died. Of the 388 women included in the study, 122 (31.4%) were still pregnant at the time of data analysis. Among the other 266 women, six (19.4% of the 31 women with first‐trimester infection) had miscarriage, three (1.1%) had termination of pregnancy, six (2.3%) had stillbirth and 251 (94.4%) delivered a liveborn infant. The rate of preterm birth before 37 weeks' gestation was 26.3% (70/266). Of the 251 liveborn infants, 69/251 (27.5%) were admitted to the neonatal ICU, and there were five (2.0%) neonatal deaths. The overall rate of perinatal death was 4.1% (11/266). Only one (1/251, 0.4%) infant, born to a mother who tested positive during the third trimester, was found to be positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 on RT‐PCR.

Conclusions

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in pregnant women is associated with a 0.8% rate of maternal mortality, but an 11.1% rate of admission to the ICU. The risk of vertical transmission seems to be negligible. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Smart Climate Resilient and Efficient Integrated Waste to Clean Energy System in a Developing Country: Industry 4.0
Authors: Matheri Anthony Njuguna , Mohamed Belaid , Ngila Jane Catherine
Published: September 2020

Climate change impacts a natural and human system on the entire globe. Climate-related extreme weather such as drought, floods, and heat waves alters the ecosystems that society depends on. Climate, land, energy, and water systems (CLEWS) are a critical aspect of high importance on resource availability, distribution, and interconnection. The nexus provides a set of guidelines to South Africa that aims on creating a level playing field for all sectors while achieving the aims of the SDGs that are cross-sectoral and multilevel approaches to climate change. The nexus expressed three domains that included resources, governance, and security. It integrated a smart climate resilient with inclusion of the governance and involvement of the stakeholders. Recognition of spatial and sector interdependencies should inform policies, investment and institutional for enhancing nexus security and climate change towards making transition green carbon deals. The nexus offers an integrated approach that analyzes the trade-offs and synergies between the different sectors in order to maximize the efficiency of using the resources that adapt institutional and optimum policy arrangements. Economic transformation and creation of employment through green economy is one of the COP26 green deal agendas in curbing the carbon emissions (green house emission, industrial processes, fuel combustion, and fugitive emissions) as mitigation to climate change, which is cost-effective and economically efficient. The future climate change policy in the developing countries is likely to be both promoted by climate technology transfer and public-private cooperation (cross-sector partnership) through the technology mechanism of the nexus and inclusion of the gender.
Induction and transmission of oncogene-induced senescence
Authors: Rattanavirotkul Nattaphong , Kirschner Kristina , Chandra Tamir
Published: September 2020

Senescence is a cellular stress response triggered by diverse stressors, including oncogene activation, where it serves as a bona-fide tumour suppressor mechanism. Senescence can be transmitted to neighbouring cells, known as paracrine secondary senescence. Secondary senescence was initially described as a paracrine mechanism, but recent evidence suggests a more complex scenario involving juxtacrine communication between cells. In addition, single-cell studies described differences between primary and secondary senescent end-points, which have thus far not been considered functionally distinct. Here we discuss emerging concepts in senescence transmission and heterogeneity in primary and secondary senescence on a cellular and organ level.
Postpunktioneller Kopfschmerz nach rückenmarknahen Anästhesieverfahren: Inzidenz und Risikofaktoren
Authors: Weinrich J. , von Heymann C. , Henkelmann A. , Balzer F. , Obbarius A. , Ritschl P. V. , Spies C. , Niggemann P. , Kaufner L.
Published: September 2020

Hintergrund/Ziel der Arbeit

Der postpunktionelle Kopfschmerz (PKS) ist eine Komplikation nach rückenmarknahen Verfahren (RA) mit erheblichem Krankheitswert. Ziel der Untersuchung war es, die Inzidenz des PKS in 2 großen operativen Kollektiven zu untersuchen, mögliche Risikofaktoren zu identifizieren und den Einfluss auf die Krankenhausverweildauer zu untersuchen.

Material und Methoden

In einer retrospektiven Analyse des Zeitraums 2010–2012 wurden 341 unfallchirurgische (UCH) und 2113 geburtsmedizinische (GEB) Patient*innen nach Spinalanästhesie (SPA) analysiert. In der statistischen Auswertung (SPSS-23) kamen univariate Analysen mittels Mann-Whitney-U-, Chi2- und Student’s t‑Test sowie logistische Regressionsanalysen zur Anwendung.

Ergebnisse

Die Inzidenz des PKS betrug in der UCH-Gruppe 5,9 % und in der GEB-Gruppe 1,8 %. Patient*innen mit PKS in der UCH wiesen ein jüngeres Patientenalter (38 vs. 47 Jahre, p = 0,011), einen geringeren BMI (23,5 vs. 25,2, p = 0,037) sowie ein niedrigeres Köpergewicht (70,5 kg vs. 77 kg, p = 0,006) als Patient*innen ohne PKS auf. Dabei konnten das Alter mit einer „odds ratio“ (OR 97,5 % Konfidenzintervall [KI]) von 0,963 (97,5% KI 0,932–0,991, p = 0,015) und das Köpergewicht mit einer OR von 0,956 (97,5 % KI 0,920–0,989, p = 0,014) als unabhängige Risikofaktoren für die Entstehung eines PKS identifiziert werden. In der GEB wies die SPA eine höhere Inzidenz des PKS auf als die kombinierte Spinalepiduralanästhesie (CSE) (8,6 % vs. 1,2 %, p < 0,001). Dabei erwies sich das Verfahren mit einer OR von 0,049 (97,5 % KI 0,023–0,106, p < 0,001) als unabhängiger Risikofaktor für die Entstehung eines PKS. In beiden Gruppen war der PKS mit einem verlängerten Krankenhausaufenthalt assoziiert (UCH-Gruppe 4 vs. 2 Tage, p = 0,001; GEB-Gruppe 6 vs. 4 Tage, p < 0.0005).

Diskussion

Die Inzidenz des PKS nach SPA/CSE war in unserer Untersuchung in den beschriebenen Patientengruppen unterschiedlich, mit einem deutlich höheren Anteil in der UCH-Gruppe. Alter, Konstitution und Verfahren waren hinweisgebende Risikofaktoren eines PKS. In Anbetracht der funktionellen Einschränkungen (Mobilisation, Versorgung des Neugeborenen) und des verlängerten Krankenhausaufenthalts, sollten zukünftige Studien eine frühe Behandlung des PKS untersuchen.
On the existence of Kobayashi and Bergman metrics for Model domains
Authors: Shcherbina Nikolay
Published: September 2020

We prove that for a pseudoconvex domain of the form $${\mathfrak {A}} = \{(z, w) \in {\mathbb {C}}^2 : v > F(z, u)\}$$

A
=
{

(
z
,
w
)

∈

C

2

:
v
>
F

(
z
,
u
)

}

, where $$w = u + iv$$

w
=
u
+
i
v

and F is a continuous function on $${\mathbb {C}}_z \times {\mathbb {R}}_u$$

C
z

×

R
u

, the following conditions are equivalent:

The domain $$\mathfrak {A}$$
A
is Kobayashi hyperbolic.

The domain $$\mathfrak {A}$$
A
is Brody hyperbolic.

The domain $$\mathfrak {A}$$
A
possesses a Bergman metric.

The domain $$\mathfrak {A}$$
A
possesses a bounded smooth strictly plurisubharmonic function, i.e. the core $$\mathfrak {c}(\mathfrak {A})$$

c
(
A
)

of $$\mathfrak {A}$$
A
is empty.

The graph $$\Gamma (F)$$

Γ
(
F
)

of F can not be represented as a foliation by holomorphic curves of a very special form, namely, as a foliation by translations of the graph $$\Gamma ({\mathcal H})$$

Γ
(
H
)

of just one entire function $${\mathcal {H}} : {\mathbb {C}}_z \rightarrow {\mathbb {C}}_w$$

H
:

C
z

→

C
w

.
(+)-[18F]Flubatine as a novel α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor PET ligand—results of the first-in-human brain imaging application in patients with β-amyloid PET-confirmed Alzheimer’s disease and healthy controls
Authors: Tiepolt Solveig , Becker Georg-Alexander , Wilke Stephan , Cecchin Diego , Rullmann Michael , Meyer Philipp M. , Barthel Henryk , Hesse Swen , Patt Marianne , Luthardt Julia , Wagenknecht Gudrun , Sattler Bernhard , Deuther-Conrad Winnie , Ludwig Friedrich-Alexander , Fischer Steffen , Gertz Hermann-Josef , Smits René , Hoepping Alexander , Steinbach Jörg , Brust Peter , Sabri Osama
Published: September 2020

Purposes

We present the first in-human brain PET imaging data of the new α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)–targeting radioligand (+)-[18F]Flubatine. Aims were to develop a kinetic modeling-based approach to quantify (+)-[18F]Flubatine and compare the data of healthy controls (HCs) and patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD); to investigate the partial volume effect (PVE) on regional (+)-[18F]Flubatine binding; and whether (+)-[18F]Flubatine binding and cognitive test data respective β-amyloid radiotracer accumulation were correlated.

Methods

We examined 11 HCs and 9 mild AD patients. All subjects underwent neuropsychological testing and [11C]PiB PET/MRI examination. (+)-[18F]Flubatine PET data were evaluated using full kinetic modeling and regional as well as voxel-based analyses.

Results

With 270-min p.i., the unchanged parent compound amounted to 97 ± 2%. Adequate fits of the time-activity curves were obtained with the 1 tissue compartment model (1TCM). (+)-[18F]Flubatine distribution volume (binding) was significantly reduced in bilateral mesial temporal cortex in AD patients compared with HCs (right 10.6 ± 1.1 vs 11.6 ± 1.4, p = 0.049; left 11.0 ± 1.1 vs 12.2 ± 1.8, p = 0.046; one-sided t tests each). PVE correction increased not only (+)-[18F]Flubatine binding of approximately 15% but also standard deviation of 0.4–70%. Cognitive test data and (+)-[18F]Flubatine binding were significantly correlated in the left anterior cingulate, right posterior cingulate, and right parietal cortex (r > 0.5, p < 0.05 each). In AD patients, (+)-[18F]Flubatine binding and [11C]PiB standardized uptake value ratios were negatively correlated in several regions; whereas in HCs, a positive correlation between cortical (+)-[18F]Flubatine binding and [11C]PiB accumulation in the white matter was found. No adverse event related to (+)-[18F]Flubatine occurred.

Conclusion

(+)-[18F]Flubatine is a safe and stable PET ligand. Full kinetic modeling can be realized by 1TCM without metabolite correction. (+)-[18F]Flubatine binding affinity was high enough to detect group differences. Of interest, correlation between white matter β-amyloid PET uptake and (+)-[18F]Flubatine binding indicated an association between white matter integrity and availability of α4β2 nAChRs. Overall, (+)-[18F]Flubatine showed favorable characteristics and has therefore the potential to serve as α4β2 nAChR–targeting PET ligand in further clinical trials.
Injection of Aquafilling® for Breast Augmentation Causes Inflammatory Responses Independent of Visible Symptoms
Authors: Chalcarz Michał , Żurawski Jakub
Published: September 2020

Background

A major concern related to modern surgery is to evaluate and address the complications associated with breast enlargement using Aquafilling® injection. This study aimed to assess the effect of Aquafilling® injection on immune response in such patients.

Methods

For four patients who consulted a surgeon after receiving Aquafilling® injection, medical history of the patients was taken; based on imaging examinations, Aquafilling® was removed. Samples were processed for histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. For detecting tissue antigens in histopathological samples, monoclonal antibodies against CD3 (lymphocytes T), CD 20 (lymphocytes B), and CD68 (macrophages) were used. By analyzing the images, the number of immune cells (lymphocytes T, lymphocytes B, and macrophages) and immunohistochemical reaction area were semiquantitatively evaluated.

Results

Different clinical features were observed in each patient after receiving Aquafilling® injection. In samples obtained from four patients, lymphocytes T (CD3), lymphocytes B (CD20), and macrophages (CD68) tissue expressions were observed. Statistically significant variations in the number of lymphocytes B (CD20) and macrophages (CD68), and differentiation of immunohistochemical reaction area for lymphocytes T (CD3) and lymphocytes B (CD20) were observed.

Conclusions

Inflammation is elevated in patients who received Aquafilling® injection. Medical imaging should be carried out in all such patients even if there are no visible symptoms. Removal of Aquafilling® can reduce the inflammation and risk of neoplastic progression in the patients. The influence of time elapsed since Aquafilling® injection and intensity of immune response requires further validation.

Level of Evidence IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Therapeuteneffekte bei der ambulanten Behandlung sozialer Ängste
Authors: Altmann Uwe , Schwartz Brian , Schönherr Desiree , Rubel Julian , Stangier Ulrich , Lutz Wolfgang , Strauß Bernhard
Published: September 2020

Hintergrund

Die Studie untersuchte Therapeuteneffekte bei der Psychotherapie der sozialen Angststörung unter Verwendung von 3 methodischen Ansätzen: 1. Varianzen zufälliger Effekte, 2. Effekte soziodemografischer Variablen und 3. eine Disaggregation von therapeutischer Beziehung und nonverbaler Synchronisation in einen „Between“- und einen „Within“-Anteil der Therapeutenvarianz sowie deren Vorhersage des Outcome.

Material und Methoden

Die Patienten wurden mit manualisierter supportiver-expressiver Therapie (n = 54), manualisierter kognitiver Verhaltenstherapie (n = 102) oder naturalistischer kognitiver Verhaltenstherapie (n = 111) behandelt (insgesamt n = 267). Es wurden Patientenbeurteilungen interpersonaler Probleme (Inventar zur Erfassung interpersonaler Probleme, IIP-32), von Depressionssymptomen (Beck-Depressions-Inventar, BDI) und der therapeutischen Beziehung (Helping Alliance Questionnaire, HAQ) erfasst. Die nonverbale Synchronisation wurde mithilfe der Motion Energy Analysis und zeitreihenanalytischer Verfahren quantifiziert. Die Zusammenhangsanalysen erfolgten mit Mehrebenenmodellen.

Ergebnisse

Alter und Geschlecht des Therapeuten waren nicht prädiktiv für die zum Therapieende gemessenen IIP-32- und BDI-Werte. Therapeuteneffekte in Form zufälliger Effekte (Intra-Klassen-Korrelation [ICC] = 23,4 % bzw. 30,1 %) erklärten ein Vielfaches mehr an Outcome-Varianz als das Therapieverfahren (ICC = 6 % bzw. ICC = 1,6 %). Bei der nonverbalen Synchronisation waren Between-therapist- und Within-therapist-Anteil mit der Reduktion des IIP-32 assoziiert. Der Between-therapist-Anteil des HAQ sagte eine Reduktion des BDI vorher.

Schlussfolgerung

Bei der Behandlung sozialer Ängste sind Therapeuteneffekte bedeutsamer als das Therapieverfahren. Desgleichen waren die Therapeutenanteile bei den prozessrelevanten Variablen therapeutische Beziehung und nonverbale Synchronisation bedeutsamer als die patienten- bzw. dyadenspezifischen Anteile.
Effect of lateral reinforcements on the adhesion and friction of micropillar adhesives
Authors: van Assenbergh Peter , Zhang Kai , Buijnsters Josephus G. , Dodou Dimitra
Published: September 2020

Micropillar adhesives have gained increasing attention because they generate high pull-off forces. The generation of high friction, however, has been proven difficult with such geometries, because micropillars tend to buckle under shear loading. Here, we fabricated orthogonal arrays of composite poly-dimethoxysiloxane (PDMS) micropillars with a stiff core and spin-coated them with PDMS solutions to form a soft coating, as well as bridges between neighboring micropillars. We used 10 wt% and 5 wt% PDMS solution to obtain thick or thin bridges, respectively. The micropillars had an average height of about 60 µm and a diameter of 40 µm. Adhesion and friction measurements were performed with three types of adhesives (i.e., without bridges and with either thin or thick bridges) as well as unpatterned samples as reference, on stiff glass substrates and on deformable PDMS substrates. We found that, on PDMS substrates, bridging resulted in increased friction, compared to non-bridged micropillars. Friction increased with increasing bridge thickness, presumably due to buckling prevention. The adhesives were also subjected to 99 repeating friction cycles to test the effect of micropillar bridging on the durability of the adhesives. The results showed that adhesives with thick micropillar bridges preserved their friction performance over the cycles, whereas adhesives with no bridges or thin bridges exhibited a gradual decay of friction.
Atmospheric dynamics of extreme discharge events from 1979 to 2016 in the southern Central Andes
Authors: Castino F. , Bookhagen B. , de la Torre A.
Published: September 2020

During the South-American Monsoon season, deep convective systems occur at the eastern flank of the Central Andes leading to heavy rainfall and flooding. We investigate the large- and meso-scale atmospheric dynamics associated with extreme discharge events (> 99.9th percentile) observed in two major river catchments meridionally stretching from humid to semi-arid conditions in the southern Central Andes. Based on daily gauge time series and ERA-Interim reanalysis, we made the following three key observations: (1) for the period 1940–2016 daily discharge exhibits more pronounced variability in the southern, semi-arid than in the northern, humid catchments. This is due to a smaller ratio of discharge magnitudes between intermediate (0.2 year return period) and rare events (20 year return period) in the semi-arid compared to the humid areas; (2) The climatological composites of the 40 largest discharge events showed characteristic atmospheric features of cold surges based on 5-day time-lagged sequences of geopotential height at different levels in the troposphere; (3) A subjective classification revealed that 80% of the 40 largest discharge events are mainly associated with the north-northeastward migration of frontal systems and 2/3 of these are cold fronts, i.e. cold surges. This work highlights the importance of cold surges and their related atmospheric processes for the generation of heavy rainfall events and floods in the southern Central Andes.
Patient perspectives on the therapeutic profile of botulinum neurotoxin type A in cervical dystonia
Authors: Comella Cynthia , Ferreira Joaquim J. , Pain Emilie , Azoulai Marion , Om Savary
Published: September 2020

Background

Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) is an effective pharmacological treatment for the management of cervical dystonia (CD) that requires repeated administration at variable intervals. We explored patient perceptions of the impact of CD and the waning of BoNT-A therapeutic effects.

Methods

An internet-based survey was conducted through Carenity, a global online patient community, from May to September 2019. Eligible respondents were adults with CD who had ≥ 2 previous BoNT-A injections.

Results

209 respondents (81% females; mean age of 49.7 years) met the screening criteria. The mean BoNT-A injection frequency was 3.9 injections/year. The mean reported onset of BoNT-A therapeutic effect was 11.7 days and the time to peak effect was 4.5 weeks. Symptom re-emergence between injections was common (88%); the time from injection to symptom re-emergence was 73.6 days (~ 10.5 weeks). Treatment was not reported to completely abolish symptoms, even at peak effect. However, symptom severity was rated (0 = no symptoms; 10 = very strong symptoms) as lowest at the peak of treatment effects (mean scores ~ 3/10), increasing as the effects of treatment start waning (~ 5.5/10) and was strongest one day before the next session (~ 7–8/10). The impact of CD on quality of life followed the same ‘rollercoaster’ pattern.

Conclusions

This survey highlights the burden of CD symptoms, even in patients undergoing regular treatment. Symptom re-emergence is common and has significant impact on daily activities and quality of life. Greater awareness of the therapeutic profile of BoNT-A treatment should lead to better informed therapeutic discussions and planning.