bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase 1 study of bendamustine in combination with clofarabine, etoposide, and dexamethasone in pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies
Authors: Jeha Sima , Crews Kristine R. , Pei Deqing , Peyton Melissa , Panetta John C. , Ribeiro Raul C. , Zhao Xujie , Campbell Patrick , Metzger Monika L. , Yang Jun J. , Cheng Cheng , Pui Ching‐Hon , Bhojwani Deepa
Published: February 2021

Background

A phase 1 study was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose of bendamustine when given in combination with clofarabine, etoposide, and dexamethasone daily for 5 days in children and adolescents with relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies.

Methods

Patients younger than 22 years with second or greater relapsed or refractory acute leukemia or lymphoma after 2 or more prior regimens were eligible. With the rolling 6 design, participants received escalating doses of bendamustine (30, 40, or 60 mg/m2/d) in combination with clofarabine (40 mg/m2), etoposide (100 mg/m2), and dexamethasone (8 mg/m2) daily for 5 days. Optional pharmacokinetic studies were performed in cycle 1 on day 1 and day 5.

Results

Sixteen patients were enrolled. Six patients were treated at the dose level of 30 mg/m2/d, 6 were treated at the dose level of 40 mg/m2/d, and 4 were treated at the dose level of 60 mg/m2/d. The dose‐limiting toxicity was prolonged myelosuppression. The combination was otherwise well tolerated. The recommended dose of bendamustine in this combination was 30 mg/m2/d for 5 days. Ten responses were observed after 1 cycle: 6 complete remissions, 1 durable minimal residual disease–negative complete remission without platelet recovery in a patient with early T‐cell precursor leukemia, and 3 partial remissions. Six patients proceeded to transplantation. The event‐free survival rate was 40.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.5%‐63.7%) at 1 year and 33.9% (95% CI, 11.9%‐55.9%) at 3 years.

Conclusions

Bendamustine is well tolerated in combination with clofarabine, etoposide, and dexamethasone. The combination administered over 5 days is effective for multiple relapsed and refractory hematologic malignancies. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01900509).

Lay Summary

Improvements to the existing chemotherapy regimen are still needed for patients who relapse after targeted therapies and immunotherapies and for those who are not eligible for or have no access to such therapies.

A regimen combining cyclophosphamide, clofarabine, and etoposide has been used in relapsed and refractory pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies.

This study shows that substituting bendamustine for cyclophosphamide in combination with clofarabine and etoposide is safe and effective.
Application of the Milan System for Reporting Pediatric Salivary Gland Cytopathology: Analysis of histologic follow‐up, risk of malignancy, and diagnostic accuracy
Authors: Wang Huiying , Weiss Vivian Lee , Borinstein Scott C. , Ely Kim , Johnson Joyce , Coogan Alice , Belcher Ryan , Mannion Kyle , Virgin Frank , Liang Jiancong
Published: February 2021

Background

The diagnosis and management of salivary gland tumors in pediatric patients can be challenging. The utility of fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytopathology and the performance of the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) in this age group have not been systematically assessed. The paucity of data has contributed to the controversial role of FNA cytopathology in the presurgical management of these patients.

Methods

The authors retrospectively analyzed 104 pediatric salivary gland FNAs (2000‐2020). A correlation with the available histopathologic follow‐up (n = 54) was performed. The distribution percentages, the risk of neoplasm (RON), and the risk of malignancy (ROM) were assessed for each category of the MSRSGC.

Results

The overall sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of pediatric salivary gland FNAs were 80%, 97%, and 92%, respectively. The RON values for the nondiagnostic, nonneoplastic, atypia of undetermined significance, benign neoplasm, salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential, suspicious for malignancy, and malignant categories were 60%, 11%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, whereas the ROM values were 0%, 11%, 100%, 6%, 67%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The percentage of nonneoplastic FNAs was greater in comparison with the adult population (52% vs 8%). All neoplasms in patients aged 0 to 10 years were malignant, whereas benign neoplasms occurred only in patients aged ≥11 years; this supported an inverse correlation between age and malignancy rate in salivary gland neoplasms.

Conclusions

FNA cytopathology demonstrates excellent diagnostic performance in differentiating malignant and benign pediatric salivary gland lesions. The MSRSGC is a valuable tool for standardization of the reporting and preoperative risk stratification of these lesions.
Cytopathology practice during the COVID‐19 postlockdown: An Italian experience
Authors: Vigliar Elena , Cepurnaite Rima , Iaccarino Antonino , Pisapia Pasquale , De Luca Caterina , Malapelle Umberto , Bellevicine Claudio , Troncone Giancarlo
Published: February 2021

Background

During the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, the cytopathology workload has decreased remarkably worldwide as all screening and elective procedures have been postponed to prioritize the clinical management of patients at high oncological risk. In the current study, the authors provide data on the lasting impact of COVID‐19 on cytopathology practice during the initial phases of the Italian postlockdown period.

Methods

The percentages of the cytological sample types processed at the University of Naples Federico II during the first 12 weeks of the Italian postlockdown period were compared with those of the same period in 2019. The study period was divided into four 3‐week periods. Differences in the rates of malignant diagnoses were also assessed.

Results

During the 12‐week study period, the overall cytological sample workload decreased by 41.6% in comparison with 2019. In particular, the workload significantly declined for each sample type: Pap smears, –33.3%; urine, –42.8%; serous fluids, –14.4%; thyroid, –54.5%; breast, –43%; lymph node, –27.3%; and salivary gland, –61%. By contrast, the overall malignancy rate was significantly increased (P = .0011).

Conclusions

The reduction in the cytological sample workload during the postlockdown period still represents an ongoing effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic. On the other hand, the rise in the overall malignancy rate reflects the importance of prioritizing diagnostic procedures for patients at high oncological risk.
Evaluation of stemness properties of cells derived from granulation tissue of peri‐implantitis lesions
Authors: Gousopoulou Evangelia , Bakopoulou Athina , Apatzidou Danae Anastasia , Leyhausen Gabriele , Volk Joachim , Staufenbiel Ingmar , Geurtsen Werner , Adam Knut
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Peri‐implantitis (PI) is an inflammatory disease associated with peri‐implant bone loss and impaired healing potential. There is limited evidence about the presence of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and their regenerative properties within the granulation tissue (GT) of infrabony peri‐implantitis defects. The aim of the present study was to characterize the cells derived from the GT of infrabony PI lesions (peri‐implantitis derived mesenchymal stromal cells—PIMSCs).

Material and Methods

PIMSC cultures were established from GT harvested from PI lesions with a pocket probing depth ≥6 mm, bleeding on probing/suppuration, and radiographic evidence of an infrabony component from four systemically healthy individuals. Cultures were analyzed for embryonic (SSEA4, NANOG, SOX2, OCT4A), mesenchymal (CD90, CD73, CD105, CD146, STRO1) and hematopoietic (CD34, CD45) stem cell markers using flow cytometry. PIMSC cultures were induced for neurogenic, angiogenic and osteogenic differentiation by respective media. Cultures were analyzed for morphological changes and mineralization potential (Alizarin Red S method). Gene expression of neurogenic (NEFL, NCAM1, TUBB3, ENO2), angiogenic (VEGFR1, VEGFR2, PECAM1) and osteogenic (ALPL, BGLAP, BMP2, RUNX2) markers was determined by quantitative RT‐PCR.

Results

PIMSC cultures demonstrated high expression of embryonic and mesenchymal stem cell markers with inter‐individual variability. After exposure to neurogenic, angiogenic and osteogenic conditions, PIMSCs showed pronounced tri‐lineage differentiation potential, as evidenced by their morphology and expression of respective markers. High mineralization potential was observed.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that MSC‐like populations reside within the GT of PI lesions and exhibit a multilineage differentiation potential. Further studies are needed to specify the biological role of these cells in the healing processes of inflamed PI tissues and to provide indications for their potential use in regenerative therapies.
New surgery approaches preserving entire papilla to treat isolated interdental intrabony defects: A narrative review
Authors: Pei Xiyan
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To review novel techniques of preserving the entire papilla to minimize the trauma of fragile papilla in periodontal regeneration surgeries.

Material and methods

Electronic databases (Pubmed) and relevant journals were searched until September 4, 2020. Randomized controlled trials, cross‐sectional and cohort studies in English were included. Three novel approaches of preserving the entire papilla were applied to bone regeneration for intrabony defects, which were entire papilla preservations (EPP), nonincised papillae surgical approach (NIPSA) and modified vestibular incision subperiosteal tunnel access (M‐VISTA).

Results

Randomized control trials of the novel preserving entire papilla techniques were rarely reported. There were only case series or cohort studies. Several papilla preservation techniques (PPT) or minimally invasiveness surgical techniques (MIST) have existed for a long time. However, these techniques still have dissection at the papilla. There were no related RCTs comparing the three novel approaches of keeping the entire papilla with PPT and MIST. All three techniques showed totally primary wound closure. Compared with PPT/MIST, EPP and NIPSA seemed to have better clinical outcomes in reducing probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) gain.

Conclusions

EPP and NIPSA seemed to have advanced results of PD reduction and CAL gain than PPT and MIST. This is needed to be confirmed by further research.
Pollination system and deficit irrigation affect flavonolignan components of sylimarin, oil, and productivity of milk thistle
Authors: Majidi Mohammad Mahdi , Pirnajmedin Fatemeh , Vakili Ziba , Shahidaval Samaneh , Hughes Nia
Published: February 2021

The biosynthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites in plant tissues interact strongly with environmental conditions and breeding systems. Limited knowledge is available on the effects of breeding system (self vs. open pollination) and deficit irrigation on the composition of flavonolignans, seed yield, and oil content of different genotypes of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.). Four ecotypes of Iranian milk thistle collected from diverse geographical regions were each self‐ and open‐pollinated; they were then assessed in the field under both normal and deficit irrigation for seed yield, oil percentage, silymarin, and its components during 2014 and 2015. Deficit irrigation decreased seed yield and silybin A but increased total silymarin content, silybin B, and silydianin. In both moisture environments, seed yield was positively associated with oil percentage and silybin A. Open pollination improved seed yield, oil percentage, total silymarin, and its components in milk thistle ecotypes as compared with self‐pollination. Considerable genetic variability was observed among the evaluated ecotypes in their response to moisture environments and pollination status. Under open pollination, the northern Iranian ecotypes Mashhad and Sari were identified as promising varieties for further studies.
Genome‐wide association analysis of drought adaptive traits in common bean
Authors: Dramadri Isaac O. , Nkalubo Stanley T. , Kramer David M. , Kelly James D.
Published: February 2021

Genome‐wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to determine the genetic architecture of yield component and photosynthetic (PS) traits in 256 common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) genotypes from the Andean gene pool. The panel was evaluated under drought stress (DS) and non‐stress (NS) conditions at two locations for two seasons in Uganda and genotyped with 260K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Significant association signals were detected for yield component and PS traits on chromosomes Pv02, Pv03, Pv04, Pv06, Pv09, Pv10, and Pv11. Colocalized GWAS signals were detected for pod weight per plant (PW) and seed yield per plant (SY) on Pv06 with ten significant markers and for PhiNPQ, LEF, Phi2, and PhiNO on Pv11 under DS. Positional candidate genes were identified within the 1.76 Mb common region for PW and SY under DS on Pv06 includingPhvul.006G117500, Phvul.006G119800, andPhvul.006G130500annotated as plant invertase/pectin methylesterase inhibitor (INH/PMEI) superfamily protein, involved in sucrose metabolism and signaling.Phvul.006G121200, 14.9Kb upstream of marker S06_23021418 (23.02Mb) on Pv06, encodes Protein phosphatase 2C family protein involved in ABA signaling pathway. Positional candidate genes for PS traits PhiNPQ, LEF, Phi2, and PhiNO on Pv11 under DS were identified includingPhvul.011G178200, Phvul.011G178250, Phvul.011G178300, andPhvul.011G178500between 48.94–49.96 Mb annotated as “RING/U‐BOX SUPERFAMILY PROTEIN”, ubiquitin ligase (E3) involved in ABA‐mediated responses. Significant markers associated with colocalized GWAS signal for SY and PW on Pv06 identified in this study can be validated for marker assisted breeding to improve drought tolerance in large‐seeded Andean beans.
Structural properties of Li atom under quantum and classical plasmas: A composite variational framework
Authors: Mondal Santanu , Nayek Sujay Kr. , Saha Jayanta K.
Published: February 2021

Structural properties of 1s2nl (2L) [n = 2–5, l = 0–4; where, n and l are the principal quantum number and orbital angular momentum quantum number, respectively] states of Li atom embedded in classical weakly coupled plasma (WCP) and dense quantum plasma (DQP) have been discussed. The Debye‐Hckel potential or the screened‐Coulomb potential (SCP) and exponential‐cosine‐screened Coulomb potential (ECSCP) have been used to mimic the WCP and DQP, respectively. Li atom has been treated as a composite system with a frozen core Li+ ion and a chemically active valence electron. The Rayleigh‐Ritz variational method with Hylleraas‐type basis set has been used to estimate the energy eigenvalue of 1s2 (1S) state of Li+ ion core and a pure exponential basis has been considered to compute the energy of nl (2L) states of the valence electron of Li atom. The influence of ECSCP and SCP on the radial probability distribution of the valence electron of the Li atom has also been studied.
Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of 3′,4′,5′‐trimethoxy evodiamine derivatives as potential antitumor agents
Authors: Peng Yijiao , Xiong Runde , Li Zhen , Peng Junmei , Xie Zhi‐Zhong , Lei Xiao‐Yong , He Dongxiu , Tang Guotao
Published: February 2021

A series of compounds bearing 3′,4′,5′‐trimethoxy module into the core structure of evodiamine were designed and synthesized. The synthesized compounds were screened in vitro for their antitumor potential. MTT results showed that compounds 14a–14c and 14i–14j had significant effects, with compound 14h being the most prominent, with an IC50 value of 3.3 ± 1.5 μM, which was lower than evodiamine and 5‐Fu. Subsequent experiments further confirmed that compound 14h could inhibit cell proliferation and migration, and induce G2/M phase arrest to inhibit the proliferation of HGC‐27 cells, which is consistent with the results of the cytotoxicity experiment. Besides, 14h could inhibit microtubule assembly and might kill tumor cells by inhibiting VEGF and glycolysis. All experimental results indicate that compound 14h might be a potential drug candidate for the treatment of gastric cancer and was worthy of further study.
Using visual encounter data to improve capture–recapture abundance estimates
Authors: Joseph Maxwell B. , Knapp Roland A.
Published: February 2021

Capture–recapture studies are widely used in ecology to estimate population sizes and demographic rates. In some capture–recapture studies, individuals may be visually encountered but not identified. For example, if individual identification is only possible upon capture and individuals escape capture, visual encounters can result in failed captures where individual identities are unknown. In such cases, the data consist of capture histories with known individual identities, and counts of failed captures for individuals with unknown identities. These failed captures are ignored in traditional capture–recapture analyses that require known individual identities. Here, we show that if animals can be encountered at most once per sampling occasion, failed captures provide lower bounds on population size that can increase the precision of abundance estimates. Analytical results and simulations indicate that visual encounter data improve abundance estimates when capture probabilities are low, and when there are few repeat surveys. We present a hierarchical Bayesian approach for integrating failed captures and auxiliary encounter data in statistical capture–recapture models. This approach can be integrated with existing capture–recapture models and may prove particularly useful for hard to capture species in data‐limited settings.
The course of patients with Chagas heart disease during episodes of decompensated heart failure
Authors: Issa Victor Sarli , Ayub‐Ferreira Silvia Moreira , Schroyens Matthew , Chizzola Paulo Roberto , Soares Paulo Rogerio , Lage Silvia Helena Gelas , Bocchi Edimar Alcides
Published: February 2021

Aims

This study aimed to analyse the clinical presentation and prognosis of patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy and decompensated heart failure (HF), as compared with other aetiologies.

Methods and results

A prospective cohort of patients admitted with decompensated HF. We included 767 patients (63.9% male), with median age of 58 years [interquartile range 48.2–66.7 years]. Main aetiologies were non‐Chagas/non‐ischaemic cardiomyopathies in 389 (50.7%) patients, ischaemic disease in 209 (27.2%), and Chagas disease in 169 (22%). Median left ventricular ejection fraction was 26% (interquartile range 22–35%). Patients with Chagas differed from both patients with non‐Chagas/non‐ischaemic and ischaemic cardiomyopathies for a higher proportion of cardiogenic shock at admission (17.8%, 11.6%, and 11%, respectively, P < 0.001) and had lower blood pressure at admission (systolic blood pressure 90 [80–102.5], 100 [85–110], and 100 [88.2–120] mmHg, P < 0.001) and lower heart rate (heart rate 71 [60–80], 87 [70–102], and 79 [64–96.5] b.p.m., P < 0.001). Further, patients with Chagas had higher serum BNP level (1544 [734–3148], 1061 [465–239], and 927 [369–1455] pg/mL, P < 0.001), higher serum bilirubin (1.4 [0.922.44], 1.2 [0.77–2.19], and 0.84 [0.49–1.45] mg/dL, P < 0.001), larger left ventricular diameter (68 [63–73], 67 [58–74], and 62 [56.8–68.3] mm, respectively, P < 0.001), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (25 [21–30]%, 26 [22–35]%, and 30 [25–38]%, P < 0.001), and a higher proportion of patients with right ventricular function (48.8%, 40.7%, and 25.9%, P < 0.001). Patients with Chagas disease were more likely to receive inotropes than patients with non‐Chagas/non‐ischaemic and ischaemic cardiomyopathies (77.5%, 67.5%, and 62.5%, respectively, P = 0.007) and also to receive intra‐aortic balloon pumping (30.8%, 16.2%, and 10.5%, P < 0.001). Overall, the rates of death or urgent transplant were higher among patients with Chagas than in other aetiologies, a difference that was driven mostly due to increased rate of heart transplant during hospital admission (20.2%, 10.3%, and 8.1%). The prognosis of patients at 180 days after hospital admission was worse for patients with Chagas disease as compared with other aetiologies. In patients with Chagas, age [odds ratio (OR) = 0.934, confidence interval (CI)95% 0.901–0.982, P = 0.005], right ventricular dysfunction by echocardiography (OR = 2.68, CI95% 1.055–6.81, P = 0.016), and urea (OR = 1.009, CI95% 1.001–1.018, P = 0.038) were significantly associated with prognosis.

Conclusions

Patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy and decompensated HF have a distinct clinical presentation and worse prognosis compared with other aetiologies.
TNFR2 expression is a hallmark of human memory B cells with suppressive function
Authors: Ticha Olga , Slanina Peter , Moos Lukas , Stichova Julie , Vlkova Marcela , Bekeredjian‐Ding Isabelle
Published: February 2021

Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 (TNFR2) expression is increasingly being linked to tolerogenic immune reactions and cells with suppressor function including a subset of T‐regulatory cells. B‐regulatory cells play an important role in control of T‐cell responses and inflammation. Recently, we described TNFR2 as a marker for IL‐10‐producing B cells, a hallmark of this cell subset. Here, we demonstrate that proliferation of T cells is reduced in the presence of TNFR2 positive human memory B cells generated with TLR9 ligand, while TNFR2‐ and TNFR2+CD27‐ B cells display costimulatory activity. Our data further reveal that IL‐10 secretion is characteristic of IgM+ naïve and memory B cells but suppressive activity is not restricted to IL‐10: (i) the inhibitory effect of TNFR2+ switched memory B cells was comparable to that exerted by TNFR2+ IgM+ memory B cells although IL‐10 secretion levels in the cocultures were lower; (ii) supernatants from TNFR2+ memory B cells failed to suppress T‐cell proliferation. Based on our findings, we propose that formation of Breg is a specific characteristic of human memory B cells undergoing terminal differentiation. Our data further corroborate that TNFR2 represents a viable marker for identification of memory B cells with regulatory function.
The “gay agenda:” How the myth of gay affluence impedes the progress toward equality
Authors: Bettinsoli Maria Laura , Napier Jaime L. , Carnaghi Andrea
Published: February 2021

Despite the fact that gay men and lesbian women face significant economic disparities compared to their heterosexual counterparts, people appear to believe that the opposite is true, a phenomenon which has been dubbed the “myth of gay affluence.” In the current research (Ntot = 2,162), we address the consequences of this belief. Specifically, we hypothesize and find that believing that gay men and lesbian women are financially well off—either chronically (Study 1) or because of an experimental manipulation (Studies 2–3)—leads participants to deny discrimination against gay men and lesbian women, above and beyond anti‐gay attitudes, and this is mediated by the belief that there is a “gay agenda” that is backed by powerful lobbyists. Thus, perpetuating this myth—either intentionally or inadvertently—could have deleterious effects on efforts for social change and the promotion of rights for sexual minorities.
Influence of elevated temperature and reduced pressure on the degradation of iron nitride compound layer formed by plasma nitriding in AISI D2 tool steels
Authors: Ratayski Ulrike , Schimpf Christian , Wüstefeld Christina , Dalke Anke , Biermann Horst , Rafaja David
Published: February 2021

The stability of an iron nitride compound layer prepared by plasma nitriding of AISI D2 tool steel is investigated using in situ high‐temperature X‐ray diffraction at rising temperature up to 470°C and for an isothermal treatment at 450°C. Both kinds of experiment were carried out in vacuum. For all treatments, the iron nitride compound layer, which consists mainly of ε‐Fe3N, decomposes and forms an α‐Fe ‘black’ layer. The stability of the iron nitride compound layer is discussed in terms of the phase composition, the relative change of the lattice parameter, the nitrogen content and the decomposition kinetic. The decomposition takes place via a phase transition in two steps: (i) the out‐diffusion of nitrogen from ε‐Fe3N above an annealing temperature of 300°C and (ii) the transformation of ε‐Fe3Ny into α‐Fe when the nitrogen content (y) declines below 0.66. The second step is accompanied by the formation of Fe3C precipitates at about 450°C.
Beyond Temperature Glide: The Compressor is Key to Realizing Benefits of Zeotropic Mixtures in Heat Pumps
Authors: Roskosch Dennis , Venzik Valerius , Schilling Johannes , Bardow André , Atakan Burak
Published: February 2021

Zeotropic mixtures are widely discussed as alternative refrigerants for vapor‐compression cooling appliances and heat pumps. Mixtures can increase efficiency due to their nonisothermal phase change. In theoretical studies, zeotropic mixtures show significant benefits for efficiency if the temperature glide of the mixture matches the temperature change in the heat transfer fluids. Such large benefits have never been observed in experiments. First, this article clarifies the gap between simulations and experiments. Second, it is shown how zeotropic mixtures could increase efficiency in real plants. The analysis is based on experimental results from a heat pump with three zeotropic mixtures and on theoretical studies that also include a physical compressor model. The compressor performance is shown to depend strongly on composition. Therefore, the compressor efficiency is the key parameter for large benefits of zeotropic mixtures beyond well‐matching temperature glides. Based on these findings, a fluid database is screened for fluids with well‐matching temperature glides and high compressor efficiencies, utilizing a physical compressor model. As a result of the screening, the zeotropic mixture R152a/R32 is identified. The corresponding simulations show that zeotropic mixtures can achieve large benefits in heat pump efficiency if the pure components have similar and high compressor efficiencies.
Myth and Reality of a Universal Lithium‐Ion Battery Electrode Design Optimum: A Perspective and Case Study
Authors: Witt Daniel , Wilde Dion , Baakes Florian , Belkhir Fethi , Röder Fridolin , Krewer Ulrike
Published: February 2021

The quest toward optimal electrode design for energy‐ and power‐demanding applications involves besides experimental effort also less resource‐intensive model‐based studies. The diversity of optimization objectives and benchmark systems complicates the practical utilization of available methods and gained knowledge. Despite the increasing importance of fast charging, electrode design studies commonly focus only on discharge characteristics. This paper features, besides an overview and perspective of electrode structuring concepts and optimization pathways, a model‐based full cell parameter screening of two‐layered electrodes for charge and discharge. The small fraction of cells with superior performance among the evaluated configurations underlines the importance of a joint experimental and model‐based electrode design optimization. The results further indicate that the performance of cell designs tailored for fast charge or fast discharge differs substantially; the gap widens if charging is terminated below 0 V versus Li/Li+ to prevent lithium plating. The broad parameter screening is complemented by a high‐resolution half cell parameter study. Their comparison underlines that the benefit of electrode structuring depends heavily on the study extent and the chosen benchmark. Furthermore, the importance of the parameter space surrounding an optimal electrode design for production with process tolerances is highlighted.
A unified skew‐normal geostatistical factor model
Authors: Minozzo Marco , Bagnato Luca
Published: February 2021

The classical linear model of coregionalization and its simpler counterpart known as the proportional covariance model, or intrinsic correlation model, have become standard tools in many areas of application for the analysis of multivariate spatial data. Despite the merits of this model, it guarantees optimal predictions only in the case of Gaussian data and can lead to erroneous conclusions in all other circumstances, in particular in the presence of skew data. To deal with multivariate geostatistical data showing some degree of skewness, this article proposes a latent spatial factor model in which all finite‐dimensional marginal distributions are multivariate unified skew‐normal. For this model, we can write the log‐likelihood function of the data and implement a maximum likelihood estimation procedure which enables the simultaneous estimation of all parameters of the model. Moreover, we also show how the computational burden involved in the nonlinear mapping of the latent factors can be substantially reduced by exploiting a linearity property of the predictions. The sampling performances of the inferential procedures are investigated in some thorough simulation studies, and an application to radioactive contamination data is presented to show the flexibility of the model. Detailed derivations of our results are available as Supplementary Material.
Long-Term Immunological Alterations in Bottlenose Dolphin a Decade after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Potential for Multigenerational Effects
Authors: De Guise Sylvain , Levin Milton , Jasperse Lindsay , Herrman Jean , Wells Randall S. , Rowles Teresa , Schwacke Lori
Published: February 2021

Health assessments were conducted on bottlenose dolphins in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, USA, during 2011 to 2018, to assess potential health effects following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, compared to the unoiled Sarasota Bay, Florida, USA, reference dolphin population. We previously reported significant increases in T-lymphocyte proliferation, as well as lower T helper 1 (Th1) cytokines, higher Th2 cytokine IL-4, and lower T regulatory (Treg) cytokine IL-10 in Barataria Bay in 2011 compared to Sarasota Bay, consistent with Deepwater Horizon oil exposure. Although values between 2013 and 2016 were more similar to those observed in Sarasota Bay, T-cell proliferation was again elevated and cytokine balance tilted toward Th2 in Barataria Bay during 2017–2018. In 2018, Barataria Bay dolphins had significantly more circulating Treg cells than Sarasota Bay dolphins. Mice experimentally exposed to oil also had significantly increased T-lymphocyte proliferation and circulating Treg cell number, including effects in their unexposed progeny. In vitro stimulation resulted in greater Th2 responsiveness in Barataria Bay compared to Sarasota Bay dolphins, and in vitro oil exposure of Sarasota Bay dolphin cells also resulted in enhanced Th2 responsiveness. Evidence points to Treg cells as a potential target for the immunomodulatory effects of oil exposure. The immunological trends observed in Barataria Bay appeared exaggerated in dolphins born after the spill, suggesting the possibility of continued oil exposure or multigenerational health consequences of exposure to oil, as observed in mice. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1308–1321. © 2021 SETAC

Abstract

Our study presents evidence of long-term immune modulation following oil exposure in dolphins, including an increase in T lymphocyte proliferation and a shift of the cytokine balance toward a T helper 2 response, through the modulation of regulatory T cells, with mechanisms substantiated in a mouse model and via direct exposure of mouse cells to oil. The study also supports the potential for multigenerational immune health effects. Th1 = T helper 1; Treg = T regulatory cell.
Blockchain‐based forgery resilient vehicle registration system
Authors: Benarous Leila , Kadri Benamar , Bouridane Ahmed , Benkhelifa Elhadj
Published: February 2021

Vehicle registration system is an essential process for recording the transfer of vehicles' ownership. Most of existing systems are administratively centralized, semi‐automated, and rely on a formal proof provision. While these systems were initially proposed to preserve the owner's rights, prove their ownerships and legally record used motor‐land transportation means. Unfortunately, these systems also allow the registration of illegally smuggled and stolen vehicles. This is mainly due to inefficient verification methods, long heterogeneous administrative procedures or to corrupt individuals at the motor registration departments. Regardless of the reasons, the fact that the system allows such cases hints on a faulty design. Current systems are centralized and do not perform a double checking until a report is made, which means that this occurs after the fact of registering the forged vehicle. Noting that these reports are not always fruitful, if the vehicle's proofs were properly injected in the system. This paper proposes a system that is transparent where every vehicle registration is done under everyone's watchful eyes. No denying, no alteration, and no unauthorized injection may occur. The proposed system saves the owner's information and the vehicle's descriptions in transactions saved in a public blockchain where all the history of purchases regarding the subject vehicle may be tracked. The use of blockchain technology is motivated by its security, transparency, and traceability as well as its immutability and scalability in terms of users. We have evaluated our proposed solution in terms of its security and resiliency to the injection of forged transactions by the elaboration of the attack tree. The results show our solution's superiority when compared against current registration system.
Association between maternal folate status and gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Yang Yan , Cai Zixin , Zhang Jingjing
Published: February 2021

Studies on the association between maternal folate status and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have yielded inconsistent results. This meta‐analysis was performed to determine whether there may exist some association between maternal folate status and GDM. Unrestricted searches of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase were conducted. All relevant studies on the association between maternal folat status and GDM risk were screened. The standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% CIs was used to determine the association between maternal folate and GDM. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random‐effects models to assess the impact of maternal folate status on GDM risk. 12 studies were included. The overall data revealed that compared with the non‐GDM group, women with GDM had higher level of folate (SMD 0.41, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.21, I2 = 17.2%) in second or third trimester. We also found that maternal high folate status may be associated with increased risk of GDM (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.70 to 2.74, I2 = 0.0%). Compared with non‐GDM group, women with GDM are prone to higher folate level. Moreover, high maternal folate status may predict a higher risk of GDM. As the number of included studies was limited, further large population studies are needed in the future.
Kinetics of dehydration and appreciation of the physicochemical properties of osmo‐dehydrated plum
Authors: Pervin Shahnaj , Aziz Md. Gulzarul , Miaruddin Md.
Published: February 2021

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the dehydration kinetics and quantify its effect on the various physicochemical properties of the osmo‐dehydrated plum during storage at an ambient condition. The six treatments with a combination of three different sucrose–sodium chloride concentrations and two peeling conditions were selected in the experiment. Among the treatments, peeled plum dipped into 5% NaCl solution exhibited a faster drying rate. Concerning the rehydration properties of the osmo‐dehydrated plum, the whole plum immersed into 500B sucrose solution showed the highest reconstitution behavior and the lowest moisture content (wb). The highest values of water activity of 0.514 and the lowest values of texture 1.79 N‐mm2 were investigated in 500B sucrose treated whole plum. The peeled plum obtained the highest lightness (L), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) compared to the unpeeled plum. Osmo‐dehydrated plum with high sugar solution contained more sugar and less total phenolic content nevertheless using only 5% NaCl resulted in less sugar and more total phenolic content after the treatment. The osmo‐dehydrated whole plums prepared in 500B sucrose scored the highest overall acceptability (8.0, e.g., like very much) followed by the 500B sucrose with peeled plum envisaged the sensory evaluation analysis. In conclusion, the osmo‐dehydrated plum treated in 500B sucrose and unpeeled condition performed better with a view to the overall plum quality, color, and acceptability judged by the expert panelists even after 12 months of storage at room temperature.
Enhanced Steam Temperature Enabled by a Simple Three‐Tier Solar Evaporation Device
Authors: Guo Zhenzhen , Xu You , Yu Fang , Yin Jiacheng , Wang Xianbao
Published: February 2021

Interfacial water evaporation technology by using solar energy provides one of the promising pathways for freshwater shortage management. However, current research mainly focuses on the improvement of evaporation efficiency by macro or microregulations, ignoring the steam temperature, which is a manifestation of the quality of water. Herein not only is a high‐rate solar evaporation achieved but also steam temperature is enhanced by a simple three‐tier (wet absorber–air gap–dry absorber) device. In a routine interfacial evaporation test, the evaporator achieves a stable evaporation rate up to 2.15 kg m−2 h−1 under one sun, demonstrating a competitive evaporation rate compared with other reports. With the three‐tier device, the steam temperature can increase 33.7%, 41.13%, and 47% without dry absorber under one sun, two sun, and three sun illumination, respectively. At the same time, the steam temperature can be as high as 95.5 °C under three sun intensities. This work provides the possibility of using a simple three‐tier device for high‐temperature steam generation without extra energy input, which contributes to an idea for future research on the production high‐quality water.
Characterising the structural pattern of urban road networks in Ghana using geometric and topological measures
Authors: Dumedah Gift , Garsonu Emmanuel Kofi
Published: February 2021

Road networks are an integral part of any human settlement, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and information. The structural arrangement of a road network can have a profound impact on its performance, mobility and access to critical infrastructure. This study takes advantage of a computational network science approach to examine the structural configuration of road networks using geometric and topological descriptions in districts covering 10 regional capitals in Ghana. The majority of urban road networks were found to follow a radial pattern at the global scale, with either a gridded or a branching configuration at the local scale. Only road networks in Accra and Kumsi are fine grained and of comparable density to other global cities, based on intersection and street densities. Structural indicators such as circuity, clustering, page rank, degree centrality, and betweenness centrality for urban roads in Ghana were found to be comparable to other global cities. Given the lack of adequate infrastructure for traffic monitoring in Ghana, the spatial distribution of betweenness centrality could be part of the critical resource to provide insight for traffic management. These findings provide the basis to inform transportation planning and management on critical issues, particularly, based on the spatial distribution of betweenness centrality it is possible to identify problematic locations within the road network which are most vulnerable to traffic congestion.
Risk assessment of route options for the Hanau–Würzburg/Fulda railway project
Authors: Wilfing Lisa , Michael Joachim , Schütz Dirk
Published: February 2021

In the course of the preliminary planning of the new Gelnhausen–Fulda railway line which is part of the railway project Hanau–Würzburg/Fulda, two route options with tunnels, bridges, cuts and embankments are to be investigated and assessed as efficiently as possible with regard to potential geotechnical risk areas. Due to the geological and hydrogeological conditions within the north‐eastern Hessian Buntsandsteingebirge, several groundwater levels, landslides in tunnel portal areas and karstification structures are to be expected on the two route options, each of which is approx. 45 km long. In order to obtain detailed and, above all, large‐scale knowledge of geotechnical hazards of each route = in the preliminary stage of the exploration programme, geophysical surface investigations are a cost‐ and time‐optimized exploration method in addition to standard drilling. These findings as well as existing subsurface information are combined by means of BIM, so that risk areas can be identified at an early stage of the project and taken into account when selecting the most affordable route.
International and European standards for geotechnical monitoring and instrumentation
Authors: Golser Johann , Steiner Walter
Published: February 2021

Geotechnical monitoring and instrumentation are indispensable parts of the Observational Approach. in tunnel design and construction. They are an essential requirement for a proper risk management. Since 2013 several standards, valid both in Europe under CEN and international under ISO, were developed dealing with geotechnical monitoring. Five standards have been published by 2020, covering general rules, extensometer, inclinometer, piezometer and pressure cells. Further standards on settlement measurements, strain monitoring and load cells are in progress and will be published in the next few years.
Long‐term monitoring of railway tunnels
Authors: Moritz Bernd , Heissenberger Roman , Schachinger Tobias , Lienhart Werner
Published: February 2021

At the large infrastructure projects of the Austrian Federal Railways in the Alpine region geotechnical structures with different characteristics are encountered. Especially heterogeneity and composition of fault zones associated with different stress conditions are a great challenge during tunnelling. Although the system behaviour resulting from ground‐support interaction is measured by monitoring methods, after completion of tunnel works with installation of the inner lining usually the tunnel is no further monitored. The goal of ÖBB‐Infrastructure AG is to apply robust, reliable and durable monitoring systems for the observation of geotechnical relevant structures during a service life of the tunnels of 150 years. Thereby unfavourable tendencies of system behaviour shall be detected early and measures in terms of predictive maintenance planned in due time to ensure high availability of the tunnels during operation. The paper presents the implementation of long‐term monitoring at the projects Koralm Tunnel and Granitztal Tunnel and gives an outlook at the Semmering Base Tunnel.
Exploration of lead‐zinc deposits using electromagnetic method: A case study in Fengtai ore deposits in Western China
Authors: Xue Guoqiang , Zhou Nannan , Wang Ruiting , Liu Hongtao , Guo Wenbo
Published: February 2021

The Fengtai Pb–Zn metallogenic deposits located in China's western region have good minerogenetic conditions and exploration potential. However, the Fengtai mining area passed through complex orogenic process zones, such as subduction, collision, and integration between the Yangtze Plate and the North China Plate. Existing geological research and drilling results showed that the ore bodies of large‐scale Pb–Zn deposits in the ore‐gathering area were steeply inclined, and the detection depths of the majority of the metal deposits were generally less than 300 m. Deep ore‐controlling structures at approximately 500–1,000 m are not well understood. Therefore, high‐precision and large‐depth geophysical detection techniques are necessary to achieve the required accurate detection results. This study revealed that the resistivity values of the ore and host rocks were quite different, which is essential for effective and efficient geophysical prospecting. Based on the petrophysical result, the grounded‐wire transient electromagnetic method system has been found to be one of the better choices for the deep prospecting of the metal deposits and was applied to detect Pb–Zn deposits in the Bafangshan‐Erlihe area. First, the grounded‐wire transient electromagnetic method's effectiveness was verified using results from survey line 1 at a known ore deposit verified by the drilling result. Then, the technique was used to identify deposits in an unexplored area. A deep anticline and ore body were successfully imaged. Most lead‐zinc ore bodies are controlled by the hinge and two wings of the tight anticline, and distributed in the contact zone between limestone and phyllite. The results provide a critical basis for deep prospecting and drilling design.
Age‐related estimates of aggregate g‐ratio of white matter structures assessed using quantitative magnetic resonance neuroimaging
Authors: Bouhrara Mustapha , Kim Richard W. , Khattar Nikkita , Qian Wenshu , Bergeron Christopher M. , Melvin Denise , Zukley Linda M. , Ferrucci Luigi , Resnick Susan M. , Spencer Richard G.
Published: February 2021

The g‐ratio, defined as the inner‐to‐outer diameter of a myelinated axon, is associated with the speed of nerve impulse conduction, and represents an index of axonal myelination and integrity. It has been shown to be a sensitive and specific biomarker of neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration. However, there have been very few magnetic resonance imaging studies of the g‐ratio in the context of normative aging; characterizing regional and time‐dependent cerebral changes in g‐ratio in cognitively normal subjects will be a crucial step in differentiating normal from abnormal microstructural alterations. In the current study, we investigated age‐related differences in aggregate g‐ratio, that is, g‐ratio averaged over all fibers within regions of interest, in several white matter regions in a cohort of 52 cognitively unimpaired participants ranging in age from 21 to 84 years. We found a quadratic, U‐shaped, relationship between aggregate g‐ratio and age in most cerebral regions investigated, suggesting myelin maturation until middle age followed by a decrease at older ages. As expected, we observed that these age‐related differences vary across different brain regions, with the frontal lobes and parietal lobes exhibiting slightly earlier ages of minimum aggregate g‐ratio as compared to more posterior structures such as the occipital lobes and temporal lobes; this agrees with the retrogenesis paradigm. Our results provide evidence for a nonlinear association between age and aggregate g‐ratio in a sample of adults from a highly controlled population. Finally, sex differences in aggregate g‐ratio were observed in several cerebral regions, with women exhibiting overall lower values as compared to men; this likely reflects the greater myelin content in women's brain, in agreement with recent investigations.