bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis: 25 years of observational research
Authors: Konstan Michael W. , Pasta David J. , VanDevanter Donald R. , Wagener Jeffrey S. , Morgan Wayne J. ,   Scientific Advisory Group and the Investigators and Coordinators of ESCF
Published: January 2021

The Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis (ESCF) was a prospective observational study of over 32,000 people with cystic fibrosis (CF) from 250 clinical care sites in North America from 1994 to 2005. Begun as a pharmacovigilance study in connection with the approval of dornase alfa in 1993, ESCF was open to all people with CF treated at any participating site in the United States or Canada. In addition to obtaining safety and effectiveness data on dornase alfa, ESCF collected encounter‐based data to characterize the natural history and management of CF with a special focus on lung disease. During the study, 32,178 patients reported at least one encounter, contributing 869,136 encounters, 622,592 pulmonary function tests, 432,896 cultures, and 118,563 pulmonary exacerbations treated with intravenous antibiotics. Although ESCF data collection concluded in 2005, through a collaboration with the U.S. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry, additional follow‐up data through 2017 was available for two‐thirds of patients. This allowed for updating of CF genotype and survival information. Fifty‐six peer‐reviewed publications (cited over 3600 times) resulted from this study. In this manuscript we summarize the published ESCF manuscripts in thematic groups with key study findings and brief comments, and speculate on how ESCF findings will inform future data registries and patient care practices.
Reduction of pulmonary exacerbations in young children with cystic fibrosis during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Patel Shreya , Thompson Misty D. , Slaven James E. , Sanders Don B. , Ren Clement L.
Published: January 2021

To assess the impact of COVID‐19 restrictions on cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) we performed a retrospective review of PEx events at our CF Center and compared the rate of PEx in 2019 versus 2020. Restrictions on social interaction due to the COVID‐19 pandemic were associated with a lower number of PEx events at our pediatric CF Center, suggesting that these restrictions also reduced exposure to other respiratory viral infection in children with CF.
Novel metabolites from the Cercis chinensis derived endophytic fungus Alternaria alternataZHJG5 and their antibacterial activities
Authors: Zhao Shuangshuang , Wang Biao , Tian Kailin , Ji Wenxia , Zhang Tianyi , Ping Chuan , Yan Wei , Ye Yonghao
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Phytopathogenic bacteria, such as Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs), seriously threaten crop production and are the cause of enormous yield losses. Endophytic fungi are abundant sources of bioactive metabolites that may be potential candidates in the development of new agrochemicals. This work emphasizes the discovery of bioactive polyketides from endophytic Alternaria alternata ZHJG5 and reports their structural elucidation and antibacterial activities in detail.

RESULTS

Five novel polyketide derivatives, isotalaroflavone (2), (+/−)‐5′‐dehydroxytalaroflavone (3a/3b), (+)‐talaroflavone (4b), and bialternacin G (7), along with five known compounds (1, 4a, 5, 6, and 8), were obtained from the Cercis chinensis‐derived fungus A. alternata ZHJG5. The compounds' structures were characterized using spectroscopic methods and X‐ray diffraction. Chiral high‐performance liquid chromatography was used to separate the racemates 3 and 4, whose absolute configurations were unambiguously confirmed by comparing their experimental and calculated electron circular dichroism data. All isolated compounds were tested for antibacterial activity against the phytopathogenic bacteria Xoo, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) and Rs. Compounds 1, 2 and 8 showed pronounced antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria, with minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 64 μg/ml. In addition, compound 1 showed a potent protective effect against rice bacterial leaf blight caused by Xoo with a protective efficacy of 75.1% at a concentration of 200 μg/ml.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the practical potential of antibacterial compounds as candidates for the discovery of novel bactericides. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Insecticide resistance management and industry: the origins and evolution of the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) and the mode of action classification scheme
Authors: Sparks Thomas C , Storer Nicholas , Porter Alan , Slater Russell , Nauen Ralf
Published: January 2021

Insecticide resistance is a long‐standing problem affecting the efficacy and utility of crop protection compounds. Insecticide resistance also impacts the ability and willingness of companies around the world to invest in new crop protection compounds and traits. The Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) was formed in 1984 to provide a coordinated response by the crop protection industry to the problem of insecticide resistance. Since its inception, participation in IRAC has grown from a few agrochemical companies in Europe and the US to a much larger group of companies with global representation and an active presence (IRAC Country Groups) involving an even wider array of companies in more than 20 countries. The focus of IRAC has also evolved from that of defining and documenting cases of insecticide resistance to a pro‐active role in addressing insecticide resistance management (IRM) providing an array of informational and educational tools (videos, posters, pamphlets) on insect pests, bioassay methods, insecticide mode of action and resistance management, all publicly available through its website (https://irac-online.org/). A key tool developed by IRAC is the Insecticide Mode of Action (MoA) Classification Scheme, which has evolved from a relatively simple acaricide classification started in 1998 to the far broader scheme that now includes biologics as well as insecticides and acaricides. A separate MoA Classification Scheme has also been recently developed for nematicides. The IRAC MoA Classification Scheme coupled with expanding use of MoA labeling on insecticide and acaricide product labels provides a straightforward means to implement IRM. An overview of the history of IRAC along with some of its notable accomplishments and future directions are reviewed. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
The role of Desmodium intortum, Brachiaria sp. and Phaseolus vulgaris in the management of fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) in maize cropping systems in Africa
Authors: Scheidegger Laetitia , Niassy Saliou , Midega Charles , Chiriboga Xavier , Delabays Nicolas , Lefort François , Zürcher Roger , Hailu Girma , Khan Zeyaur , Subramanian Sevgan
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is a serious pest of maize. Farming systems such as push‐pull or maize‐legume intercropping have been reported to reduce FAW infestations significantly. However, the exact mechanisms involved in FAW management have not been practically elucidated. We therefore assessed larval host preference, feeding and survival rate when exposed to four host plants commonly used in push‐pull and legume intercropping. We also compared adult moths' oviposition preference between maize and other grasses used as trap crops in push‐pull.

RESULTS

The larval orientation and settlement study showed that maize was the most preferred host plant followed by bean, desmodium and Brachiaria brizantha cv Mulato II. The larval arrest and dispersal experiment showed that mean number of larvae was significantly higher on maize than on Desmodium or B. brizantha cv Mulato II. However, no significant differences were found between maize and bean after 24 h. Maize was the most consumed plant, followed by bean, desmodium and finally brachiaria. The mean percentage of survival to the pupation stage was significantly higher on maize. The study on FAW oviposition preference showed no significant differences in egg deposited between maize and other grasses. However, B. brizantha cv Xaraes, which received more eggs than maize, could be a promising alternative to B. brizantha cv Mulato II for the control of FAW.

CONCLUSION

The study provides a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the control of fall armyworm under the push‐pull and maize legume intercropping. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Population pharmacokinetic model with time‐varying clearance for lorlatinib using pooled data from patients with non‐small cell lung cancer and healthy participants
Authors: Chen Joseph , Houk Brett , Pithavala Yazdi K. , Ruiz‐Garcia Ana
Published: January 2021

Lorlatinib, a selective inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and c‐ROS oncogene 1 (ROS1) tyrosine kinase, is indicated for the treatment of ALK‐positive metastatic non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following progression on crizotinib and at least one other ALK inhibitor, or alectinib/ceritinib as the first ALK inhibitor therapy for metastatic disease. The population pharmacokinetics (PopPK) of lorlatinib was conducted by nonlinear mixed effects modeling of data from 330 patients with ALK‐positive or ROS1‐positive NSCLC and 95 healthy participants from six phase I studies in healthy volunteers; demographic, metabolizer phenotype, and patient prognostic factors were evaluated as covariates. Lorlatinib plasma PK was well‐characterized by a two‐compartment model with sequential zero‐order and first‐order absorption and a time‐varying induction of clearance. Single dose clearance was estimated to be 9.04 L/h. Assuming that the metabolic auto‐induction of lorlatinib reaches saturation in ~ 5 half‐lives, clearance was estimated to approach a maximum of 14.5 L/h at steady‐state after a period of ~ 7.25 days. The volume of distribution of the central compartment was estimated to be 121 L and the first‐order absorption rate constant was estimated to be 3.1 h−1. Baseline albumin and lorlatinib total daily dose were significant covariates on lorlatinib clearance. Use of proton pump inhibitors was found to be a significant covariate on the lorlatinib absorption rate constant. These factors were assessed to have no clinically meaningful impact on lorlatinib plasma exposure, and no dose adjustments are considered necessary based on the examined covariates.
On the Origin and Structure of the First Sharp Diffraction Peak of Amorphous Silicon
Authors: Dahal Devilal , Warren Hiroka , Biswas Parthapratim
Published: January 2021

The structure of the first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) of amorphous silicon (a‐Si) near 2 Å−1 is addressed with particular emphasis on the position, intensity, and width of the diffraction curve. By studying a number of continuous random network (CRN) models of a‐Si, it is shown that the position and intensity of the FSDP are primarily determined by radial atomic correlations in the amorphous network on the length scale of 15 Å. A shell‐by‐shell analysis of the contribution from different radial shells reveals that key contributions to the FSDP originate from the second and fourth radial shells in the network, which are accompanied by a background contribution from the first shell and small residual corrections from the distant radial shells. The results from numerical calculations are complemented by a phenomenological discussion of the relationship between the peaks in the structure factor in the wavevector space and the reduced pair‐correlation function in the real space. An approximate functional relation between the position of the FSDP and the average radial distance of Si atoms in the second radial shell in the network is derived, which is corroborated by numerical calculations.
Determining sample size for specification limits verification with tolerance intervals
Authors: Vasta Alessandro
Published: January 2021

In the traditional industrial verification process, when the aim is the compliance to assigned specifications, it is difficult to find an affordable statistical method for the purpose. Most data tables in industrial procedures and standards deal with tolerance limits neglecting the potential needs to verify assigned specification limits. A two‐sided tolerance interval, combined with a bivariate statistical hypothesis test can be used to address this problem. The proposed risk‐based approach leads to the determination of the minimum sample size with preestablished probabilities of Type I and Type II errors, that are essential elements for estimating the safety and reliability risk. A novel method is proposed for determination of the tolerance interval testing factors. This approach calculates the testing factors based on the deviation of the mean and the variance from the null hypothesis when a specified value of Type II error is found. The deviations of the mean and variance are determined in such a way that an assigned proportion of the population falls within the specification limits. Additional studies are provided to assess the robustness of the method for nonnormal environments and to compare it with other methods.
A novel solution of using mixed reality in bowel and oral and maxillofacial surgical telepresence: 3D mean value cloning algorithm
Authors: Maharjan Arjina , Alsadoon Abeer , Prasad P.W.C. , AlSallami Nada , Rashid Tarik A. , Alrubaie Ahmad , Haddad Sami
Published: January 2021

Background and Aim

Most of the mixed reality models used in the surgical telepresence are suffering from the discrepancies in the boundary area and spatial–temporal inconsistency due to the illumination variation in the video frames. The aim behind this work is to propose a new solution that helps produce the composite video by merging the augmented video of the surgery site and virtual hand of the remote expertise surgeon. The purpose of the proposed solution is to decrease the processing time and enhance the accuracy of merged video by decreasing the overlay and visualization error and removing occlusion and artefacts.

Methodology

The proposed system enhanced mean‐value cloning algorithm that helps to maintain the spatial–temporal consistency of the final composite video. The enhanced algorithm includes the three‐dimensional mean‐value coordinates and improvised mean‐value interpolant in the image cloning process, which helps to reduce the sawtooth, smudging and discolouration artefacts around the blending region.

Results

The accuracy in terms of overlay error of the proposed solution is improved from 1.01 to 0.80 mm, whereas the accuracy in terms of visualization error is improved from 98.8% to 99.4%. The processing time is reduced to 0.173 s from 0.211 s. The processing time and the accuracy of the proposed solution are enhanced as compared to the state‐of‐art solution.

Conclusion

Our solution helps make the object of interest consistent with the light intensity of the target image by adding the space distance that helps maintain the spatial consistency in the final merged video.
Design, implementation, and verification of a low‐cost terminal guidance system for small fixed‐wing UAVs
Authors: Yang Yachao , Liu Chang , Li Jie , Yang Yu , Li Juan , Zhang Zhidong , Ye Bobo
Published: January 2021

A terminal guidance control system for small fixed‐wing unmanned aerial vehicles (SUAV, with a wingspan of around 1.5 m) is proposed in this paper based on a visible light strap‐down seeker. The system is implemented using low‐cost, open‐source components with a cost less than $2000 and proved to be feasible, transplantable and effective for different types of SUAVs, achieving a good terminal guidance accuracy (circular error probable = 1.5 m) against a nonmaneuvering target on the ground. Impacts of low‐cost and low‐precision electrical modules mainly include influence on terminal guidance information, measurement of SUAV state values and the presented system's time‐delay. We examine the practical median flow algorithm for target tracking, the attitude pursuit guidance law for terminal guidance control and the pursuit image frame method for large delay interception to eliminate adverse effects. Furthermore, the performance and robustness are evaluated by laboratory tests as well as field flight trials on two different SUAV platforms. This paper provides a robust, effective and proven reference for the development of the aggressive SUAV for SUAV swarms.
Retracted: Multi‐model penalized regression
Authors: Wendelberger Laura J. , Reich Brian J. , Wilson Alyson G.
Published: January 2021

Wendelberger, LJ, Reich, BJ, Wilson, AG. Multi‐model penalized regression. Stat Anal Data Min: The ASA Data Sci Journal. 2021; 1 ‐ 25. https://doi.org/10.1002/sam.11496

The above article from Statistical Analysis and Data Mining, published online on 13 January 2021 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor‐in‐Chief and Wiley Periodicals, LLC. The retraction has been agreed due to inadvertent but substantial overlap with a previously published article in the journal Technometrics.
Mixed Magnetic Dispersive Micro‐Solid Phase–Cloud Point Extraction of Sunset Yellow in Food and Pharmaceutical Samples
Authors: Khani Rouhollah , Irani Majid
Published: January 2021

The simple and green separation/pre‐concentration technique combining magnetic dispersive micro‐solid phase extraction (MD‐μ‐SPE) with cloud point extraction (CPE) was applied for the trace determination of sunset yellow FCF (SY). Reduced graphene oxide‐cobalt oxide nanocomposite (RGO‐Co3O4) with high extraction ability as a suitable adsorbent was synthesized and characterized. In the proposed method, rapid and reproducible extraction is accomplished, lending reduced analysis time and relative inertness to surfactant concentration and equilibration temperature compared to conventional CPE. The influences of solution pH, concentration of sunset yellow, amount of RGO‐Co3O4, and triton X‐35 surfactant (10 % w/v) volume on the extraction performance of SY were investigated and optimized by multivariate optimization strategy. The proposed method, combining two different and effective techniques, offers satisfactory analytical features in terms of the limit of detection (9 ng mL−1), repeatability (1.8 %), and accuracy (89–102 %). Furthermore, the MD‐μ‐SPE/CPE method showed a good ability to analyze SY in food and pharmaceutical samples.
Gemini Surfactants with Different Function Groups as High Efficiency Corrosion Inhibitors for Low Carbon Steel
Authors: Guo Jixiang , Han Tong , Zhao Qing , Zhang HaiPeng
Published: January 2021

This study pioneered in applying two Gemini surfactants with different spacers to corrosion protection. Bis‐N, N, N,‐hexadecyldimethyl‐p‐biphenylenediammonium dichloride (BHBP) and 1,3‐bis (hexadecyldimethylammonio)‐2‐hydroxypropane dichloride (BHHP) were successfully prepared. In order to study the impact of various spacer functional groups on the performance of corrosion inhibitors, a number of different tests were conducted, including electrochemical experiments, weight loss test, surface analysis and so on. According to the experimental results, BHHP with hydroxyl group has better corrosion protection capacity on P110 steel in HCl than BHBP with biphenyl group, with the maximum efficiency reaching 95.67 % for BHBP, and 76.32 % for BHHP. Meanwhile, the results from quantum chemistry demonstrated that theoretically the hydroxyl spacer is superior to biphenyl spacer, which inspires the development of Gemini inhibitors.
Resourcefulness revisited: Further psychometric evaluation of resourcefulness scale
Authors: Rossetti Kristina G. , Zlomke Kimberly R.
Published: January 2021

Resourcefulness, a collection of problem‐solving, coping, self‐control and emotion regulation skills, has been shown to moderate health outcomes in various caregiver populations. Caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), report higher levels of stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms with poorer health‐related quality of life. The current study replicated and extended psychometric research on the Resourcefulness Scale (RS) among caregivers of children with ASD (n = 287) and a comparison group of caregivers of non‐affected children (n = 207). Results suggest acceptable internal consistency and construct validity when using the RS among caregivers of children with and without ASD. The RS demonstrated poor temporal stability over an average of 4 weeks (r = 0.087, p = 0.434). Caregivers of children with ASD report higher levels of general, social, and personal resourcefulness than non‐affected caregivers. Findings validate the use of the RS within caregiving populations with implications for clinical use and future research in the development of interventions to enhance caregiver QoL.
Unsupervised Machine Learning‐Based Clustering of Nanosized Fluorescent Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Kuypers Sören , Smisdom Nick , Pintelon Isabel , Timmermans Jean‐Pierre , Ameloot Marcel , Michiels Luc , Hendrix Jelle , Hosseinkhani Baharak
Published: January 2021

Extracellular vesicles (EV) are biological nanoparticles that play an important role in cell‐to‐cell communication. The phenotypic profile of EV populations is a promising reporter of disease, with direct clinical diagnostic relevance. Yet, robust methods for quantifying the biomarker content of EV have been critically lacking, and require a single‐particle approach due to their inherent heterogeneous nature. Here, multicolor single‐molecule burst analysis microscopy is used to detect multiple biomarkers present on single EV. The authors classify the recorded signals and apply the machine learning‐based t‐distributed stochastic neighbor embedding algorithm to cluster the resulting multidimensional data. As a proof of principle, the authors use the method to assess both the purity and the inflammatory status of EV, and compare cell culture and plasma‐derived EV isolated via different purification methods. This methodology is then applied to identify intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 specific EV subgroups released by inflamed endothelial cells, and to prove that apolipoprotein‐a1 is an excellent marker to identify the typical lipoprotein contamination in plasma. This methodology can be widely applied on standard confocal microscopes, thereby allowing both standardized quality assessment of patient plasma EV preparations, and diagnostic profiling of multiple EV biomarkers in health and disease.
High‐Performance and Industrially Viable Nanostructured SiOx Layers for Interface Passivation in Thin Film Solar Cells
Authors: Cunha José M. V. , Oliveira Kevin , Lontchi Jackson , Lopes Tomás S. , Curado Marco A. , Barbosa João R. S. , Vinhais Carlos , Chen Wei-Chao , Borme Jérôme , Fonseca Helder , Gaspar João , Flandre Denis , Edoff Marika , Silva Ana G. , Teixeira Jennifer P. , Fernandes Paulo A. , Salomé Pedro M. P.
Published: January 2021

Herein, it is demonstrated, by using industrial techniques, that a passivation layer with nanocontacts based on silicon oxide (SiOx) leads to significant improvements in the optoelectronical performance of ultrathin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells. Two approaches are applied for contact patterning of the passivation layer: point contacts and line contacts. For two CIGS growth conditions, 550 and 500 °C, the SiOx passivation layer demonstrates positive passivation properties, which are supported by electrical simulations. Such positive effects lead to an increase in the light to power conversion efficiency value of 2.6% (absolute value) for passivated devices compared with a nonpassivated reference device. Strikingly, both passivation architectures present similar efficiency values. However, there is a trade‐off between passivation effect and charge extraction, as demonstrated by the trade‐off between open‐circuit voltage (Voc) and short‐circuit current density (Jsc) compared with fill factor (FF). For the first time, a fully industrial upscalable process combining SiOx as rear passivation layer deposited by chemical vapor deposition, with photolithography for line contacts, yields promising results toward high‐performance and low‐cost ultrathin CIGS solar cells with champion devices reaching efficiency values of 12%, demonstrating the potential of SiOx as a passivation material for energy conversion devices.
Functional ZnO/TiO2 Bilayer as Electron Transport Material for Solution‐Processed Sb2S3 Solar Cells
Authors: Baron Jaimes Agustin , Jaramillo-Quintero Oscar Andrés , Miranda Gamboa Ramses Alejandro , Medina-Flores Ariosto , Rincon Marina Elizabeth
Published: January 2021

Electron transport materials (ETMs) are considered a keystone component of third‐generation solar cells. Among the alternative ETM, metal oxide bilayers have attracted increasing attention due to their easy processing and tunability of cascade energy alignment. Herein, a metal oxide bilayer that combines ZnO and TiO2 compact films (ZnO/TiO2) is implemented as ETM for solution‐processed Sb2S3 planar solar cells. The bilayer ETM achieves the highest photovoltaic performance when compared with devices based on single ETM. Thus, the optimized device based on ZnO/TiO2 ETM yields a champion efficiency of 5.08% with an open‐circuit voltage of 0.58 V and a current density of 16.17 mA cm−2. Using surface photovoltage, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and current density–voltage analyses, it is demonstrated that the use of ZnO/TiO2 promotes charge injection, decreases series resistance and shutting paths, and leads to the reduction of charge recombination at the ETM/Sb2S3 interface.
Multifunctional Hydrothermal‐Carbonized Sugarcane for Highly Efficient Direct Solar Steam Generation
Authors: Wei Anyun , Cui Kewen , Wang Pengfei , Gu Yufei , Wang Xiaoyang , Mu Xiaojiang , Tian Yongzhi , Zhou Jianhua , Sun Zhiqiang , Chen Yulian , Zhang Jiahong , Liu Jing , Miao Lei
Published: January 2021

Solar steam generation is an environmentally friendly water treatment method that produces clean water using solar energy. However, it is still a challenge to effectively prevent the performance deterioration when most photothermal conversion materials are used to evaporate high‐concentration salt‐containing wastewater or strong acid/alkali solution. Herein, a stable and effective solar evaporator is designed using natural sugarcane, where sucrose is simply dehydrated into carbon particles by hydrothermal reaction in sulfuric acid. With a honeycomb structure, it not only enables water transport capacity but also promotes sunlight absorption. Sulfuric acid hydrothermal carbonized sugarcane (SHCSC) can reach up to 95.36% solar absorption in a wide wavelength range (200–2500 nm) and a high evaporation rate of 2.32 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun illumination. More importantly, SHCSC has an excellent adsorption capacity with ion removal rate of 99.9% even under artificial wastewater containing 1000 mg L−1 of mixed metal ions. SHCSC also can perform efficiently and stably at a high evaporation rate above 2.2 kg m−2 h−1 in strong acidic or alkaline wastewater. These findings suggest that SHCSC can be potentially applied to the efficient harvest of clean water from the high‐concentration wastewater containing acid, alkali, and mixed metal ions.
Effect of Microstructure on Hardness and Wear Properties of 45 Steel after Induction Hardening
Authors: Li Jing , Cao Zhongxuan , Liu Lin , Liu Xuedong , Peng Jian
Published: January 2021

Herein, the mechanical properties and microstructural evolution of 45 steel subjected to induction hardening (IH) is studied. To study the strengthening mechanism of IH on the 45 steel, the flow rate (FL) with 50, 60, and 70 L min−1 are chosen to cool the samples. The hardness distribution in the near‐surface layer is measured by a CARAT 930 Vickers hardness tester. The metallographic structures of the 45 steel with and without IH are analyzed by optical microscope (OM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The phase analysis in the surface layer is determined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Combined with OM and hardness distribution, the results indicate that bainite is the reason for the low hardness of the raw material. Also the wear mechanism of 45 steel changes from adhesive wear and delamination to abrasive wear. Moreover, when FL increases from 50 to 70 L min−1, the surface hardness of 45 steel raises by 19.86% and the coefficient of friction reduces from 0.122 to 0.0418. Combined with TEM analysis, the determinate factors of surface hardness and tribological characteristics owes to martensite grain refinement, during the process of transforming austenite to martensite. Dislocations provide conditions for martensite nucleation, the driving force of the phase change generated by thermal deformation and FL drop provides energy for martensite nucleation.
Metabolic and immune dysfunction of glia in neurodegenerative disorders: Focus on iPSC models
Authors: Rõlova Taisia , Lehtonen Šárka , Goldsteins Gundars , Kettunen Pinja , Koistinaho Jari
Published: January 2021

The research on neurodegenerative disorders has long focused on neuronal pathology and used transgenic mice as disease models. However, our understanding of the chronic neurodegenerative process in the human brain is still very limited. It is increasingly recognized that neuronal loss is not caused solely by intrinsic degenerative processes but rather via impaired interactions with surrounding glia and other brain cells. Dysfunctional astrocytes do not provide sufficient nutrients and antioxidants to the neurons, while dysfunctional microglia cannot efficiently clear pathogens and cell debris from extracellular space, thus resulting in chronic inflammatory processes in the brain. Importantly, human glia, especially the astrocytes, differ significantly in morphology and function from their mouse counterparts, and therefore more human-based disease models are needed. Recent advances in stem cell technology make it possible to reprogram human patients' somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and differentiate them further into patient-specific glia and neurons, thus providing a virtually unlimited source of human brain cells. This review summarizes the recent studies using iPSC-derived glial models of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and discusses the applicability of these models to drug testing. This line of research has shown that targeting glial metabolism can improve the survival and function of cocultured neurons and thus provide a basis for future neuroprotective treatments.
Structural Simplicity and Performance Comparison of Magnetic Lead Screws without Spiral Permanent Magnets
Authors: Heya Akira , Nakata Yoshihiro , Ishiguro Hiroshi , Hirata Katsuhiro
Published: January 2021

Feed screws are used in various industrial machines and robots to convert rotational motions into linear motions. Mechanical screws, such as ball screws and slide screws, transmit force via frictional contacts through which noise and heat are being generated; thus, the drive efficiency is decreased. To address these problems, we have proposed some types of magnetic lead screws (MLSs) without spiral permanent magnets. The design has no spiral permanent magnets and comprises relatively few components. However, the differences in the thrust density and productivity due to the structural differences have not been reported. This paper investigates and discusses the performance and productivity of the MLSs without spiral permanent magnets based on a magnetic field analysis using a three‐dimensional finite element method. The MLSs are designed under the same size and basic design parameters. The analysis results of the thrust and torque characteristics of the MLSs are shown and compared, and their productivity is evaluated by the number of components. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Fetal neurosonography detects differences in cortical development and corpus callosum in late‐onset small fetuses
Authors: Paules C. , Miranda J. , Policiano C. , Crovetto F. , Youssef L. , Hahner N. , Nakaki A. , Crispi F. , Gratacós E. , Eixarch E.
Published: January 2021

Objective

To explore whether neurosonography can detect differences in cortical development and corpus callosal length in late‐onset small fetuses subclassified into small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) or growth restricted (FGR).

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study in singleton pregnancies, including normally grown fetuses (birth weight between the 10th and 90th centiles) and late‐onset small fetuses (estimated fetal weight < 10th centile, diagnosed after 32 weeks of gestation and confirmed by birth weight < 10th centile). Small fetuses were subclassified into SGA (birth weight between the 3rd and 9th centiles and normal fetoplacental Doppler) and FGR (birth weight < 3rd centile and/or abnormal cerebroplacental ratio and/or abnormal uterine artery Doppler). Neurosonography was performed at 33 ± 1 weeks of gestation to assess the depth of the insula, Sylvian fissure and parieto‐occipital sulcus in the axial views and corpus callosal length in the midsagittal plane. Measurements were performed offline using Alma Workstation software and were adjusted by biparietal diameter or cephalic index. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between the neurosonographic variables and study group, adjusting for confounding factors such as gender, gestational age at neurosonography, nulliparity and pre‐eclampsia.

Results

In total, 318 fetuses were included, of which 97 were normally grown and 221 were late‐onset small fetuses that were further subdivided into late‐onset SGA (n = 67) or late‐onset FGR (n = 154). Compared to controls, both SGA and FGR cases showed significantly increased insular depth adjusted for biparietal diameter (median (interquartile range), controls 0.329 (0.312–0.342) vs SGA 0.339 (0.321–0.347) vs FGR 0.336 (0.325–0.349); P = 0.006). A linear tendency to reduced Sylvian fissure depth adjusted for biparietal diameter was also observed across the study groups (mean ± SD, controls 0.148 ± 0.021 vs SGA 0.142 ± 0.025 vs FGR 0.139 ± 0.022; P = 0.003). However, differences were significant only between the FGR and control groups. Corpus callosal length adjusted for cephalic index was significantly reduced in FGR cases compared with both controls and SGA cases, while there was no difference between SGA cases and controls (median (interquartile range), controls 0.500 (0.478–0.531) vs SGA 0.502 (0.487–0.526) vs FGR 0.475 (0.447–0.508); P = 0.005). No differences were found in parieto‐occipital sulcus depth between the three study groups.

Conclusion

Neurosonography seems to be a sensitive tool to detect subtle structural differences in brain development in late‐onset small fetuses. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Measuring nitrate leaching across the critical zone at the field to farm scale
Authors: Gurevich Hanna , Baram Shahar , Harter Thomas
Published: January 2021

Research is lacking monitoring beyond the root zone for programmatic or regulatory assessment and for onsite monitoring of field‐ or farm scale agricultural nitrate leaching to groundwater. Here, we investigate the relationship between measurements of N at the sediment core scale, the groundwater monitoring well scale, and the field or farm management scale. Importantly, we monitor across the vertical continuum of root zone (RZ, to 3 m), deep vadose zone (DVZ, to 7 m), and upper saturated zone (SZ, to 14 m) in a highly heterogeneous alluvial sediment system, common to many agricultural groundwater basins. Twenty 14‐m‐deep sediment cores collected across a 56‐ha commercial almond orchard were characterized for texture, water content, nitrate, and ammonium. Groundwater nitrate samples (GW) were also obtained from monitoring wells installed and screened across the SZ at the coring sites. Measured parameters were found highly variable at the 0.05‐m core sample scale. Monitoring well nitrate concentrations also span over a half order of magnitude despite the uniform agronomic practices across the orchard. Laterally aggregated, orchard‐scale parameter means exhibited significant vertical trends and differed in variability between RZ, DVZ, and SZ. Within the SZ, coarse texture facies nitrate concentrations were most closely correlated to GW nitrate, confirming the significance of preferential flow paths within the SZ. The data also indicate significant correlation between DVZ and GW nitrate concentrations. Our findings have important implications to developing appropriate onsite monitoring tools of field‐ or farm‐scale N emissions to groundwater.
Postzygotic reproductive isolation among three Saccharomyces yeast species
Authors: Toyomura Kousuke , Hisatomi Taisuke
Published: January 2021

We have previously isolated heterothallic haploid strains from original homothallic diploids of two yeast species in the family Saccharomycetaceae. In this study, heterothallic haploid strains were isolated from an original homothallic diploid of Saccharomyces kudriavzevii type strain, followed by investigation of sexual interactions among these yeast strains, in addition to S. cerevisiae laboratory strains. It has been shown that prezygotic reproductive isolation was observed between Kazachstania naganishii and S. cerevisiae with α‐factor mating pheromones representing crossaction with each other beyond the genus boundary. Using heterothallic strains, postzygotic reproductive isolation system was shown to reside in the genus Saccharomyces by mass mating and cell–cell contact experiments. In mass mating experiments, crossaction of α‐factor and a‐factor mating pheromones and sexual agglutination effectively occurred beyond species boundaries among S. kudriavzevii, S. paradoxus, and S. cerevisiae. When the fates of cell–cell pairs from these Saccharomyces yeast species were systematically chased one by one, interspecific F1 hybrids were effectively produced, while sporulations were partially prohibited, with spore germination perfectly blocked in the hybrids. These results indicated that postzygotic reproductive isolation definitively resides among these Saccharomyces yeast species and that disorder of chromosome organization had to some extent occurred in interspecific F1 hybrids.
Crystal Structure and Physical Properties of the Lanthanum Chalcoantimonate TlLa2Sb3Se9
Authors: Menezes Luke T. , Richter‐Bisson Zoltan W. , Assoud Abdeljalil , Kuropatwa Bryan A. , Kleinke Holger
Published: January 2021

The new lanthanum chalcoantimonate TlLa2Sb3Se9 has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined. TlLa2Sb3Se9 crystallizes in an ordered variant of the KLa2Sb3S9 type, space group P212121 with the lattice parameters a=4.2621(2) Å, b=15.155(5) Å, c=25.505(9) Å. The band gap of TlLa2Sb3Se9 was calculated to be 0.47 eV, and experimentally determined to be 0.68 eV. Its thermoelectric properties were optimized via doping with Ca2+; samples with the compositions TlLa2‐xCaxSb3Se9 (x=0.01, 0.03, 0.05) were synthesized. Despite ultralow thermal conductivity, the maximum thermoelectric figure‐of‐merit of the undoped sample was only zT=0.031 at 623 K, which was increased to 0.078 for the sample with the nominal composition of TlLa1.95Ca0.05Sb3Se9. These low values are a consequence of the uncompetitively low electrical conductivity.
Hydrazone‐Based Ligand with Pyrrolidine Donor and Its Molybdenum(VI) Complex: Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity
Authors: Nica Simona , Buchholz Axel , Görls Helmar , Plass Winfried
Published: January 2021

The Schiff‐base condensation of salicylaldehyde and 4‐aminobutanehydrazide hydrochloride leads to the hydrazone‐based ligand H2salhyab containing an amino side chain. The reaction of H2salhyab ⋅ HCl with bis(acetylacetonato)dioxidomolybdenum leads to the formation of [MoO2(salhycab)(MeOH)] (H2salhycab=2‐((pyrrolidine‐2‐ylidenehydrazineylidene)methyl)phenol), whereby the amino side chain reacted with the hydrazide carbonyl group to form a cyclic amidine with a pyrrolidine ring leading a new type of tridentate hydrazone ligand with [NNO] donor set. X‐ray crystallography revealed the additional coordination of a methanol molecule at the molybdenum(VI) center which leads to the formation of hydrogen‐bonded dimers of the neutral complex in the crystal structure. The complex [MoO2(salhycab)(MeOH)] was found to be an efficient catalyst for the peroxidic oxidation of phenyl methyl sulfide.
BMI and BMI change following incident type 2 diabetes and risk of microvascular and macrovascular complications: the EPIC-Potsdam study
Authors: Polemiti Elli , Baudry Julia , Kuxhaus Olga , Jäger Susanne , Bergmann Manuela M. , Weikert Cornelia , Schulze Matthias B.
Published: January 2021

Aims/hypothesis

Studies suggest decreased mortality risk among people who are overweight or obese compared with individuals with normal weight in type 2 diabetes (obesity paradox). However, the relationship between body weight or weight change and microvascular vs macrovascular complications of type 2 diabetes remains unresolved. We investigated the association between BMI and BMI change with long-term risk of microvascular and macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes in a prospective cohort study.

Methods

We studied participants with incident type 2 diabetes from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Potsdam cohort, who were free of cancer, cardiovascular disease and microvascular disease at diagnosis (n = 1083). Pre-diagnosis BMI and relative annual change between pre- and post-diagnosis BMI were evaluated in multivariable-adjusted Cox models.

Results

There were 85 macrovascular (myocardial infarction and stroke) and 347 microvascular events (kidney disease, neuropathy and retinopathy) over a median follow-up of 10.8 years. Median pre-diagnosis BMI was 29.9 kg/m2 (IQR 27.4–33.2), and the median relative annual BMI change was −0.4% (IQR −2.1 to 0.9). Higher pre-diagnosis BMI was positively associated with total microvascular complications (multivariable-adjusted HR per 5 kg/m2 [95% CI]: 1.21 [1.07, 1.36], kidney disease 1.39 [1.21, 1.60] and neuropathy 1.12 [0.96, 1.31]) but not with macrovascular complications (HR 1.05 [95% CI 0.81, 1.36]). Analyses according to BMI categories corroborated these findings. Effect modification was not evident by sex, smoking status or age groups. In analyses according to BMI change categories, BMI loss of more than 1% indicated a decreased risk of total microvascular complications (HR 0.62 [95% CI 0.47, 0.80]), kidney disease (HR 0.57 [95% CI 0.40, 0.81]) and neuropathy (HR 0.73 [95% CI 0.52, 1.03]), compared with participants with a stable BMI; no clear association was observed for macrovascular complications (HR 1.04 [95% CI 0.62, 1.74]). The associations between BMI gain compared with stable BMI and diabetes-related vascular complications were less apparent. Associations were consistent across strata of sex, age, pre-diagnosis BMI or medication but appeared to be stronger among never-smokers compared with current or former smokers.

Conclusions/interpretation

Among people with incident type 2 diabetes, pre-diagnosis BMI was positively associated with microvascular complications, while a reduced risk was observed with weight loss when compared with stable weight. The relationships with macrovascular disease were less clear.

Graphical abstract
Association between newly initiated thiazide diuretics and hospitalization due to hyponatremia
Authors: Mannheimer Buster , Bergh Cecilia Fahlén , Falhammar Henrik , Calissendorff Jan , Skov Jakob , Lindh Jonatan D.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Thiazide diuretics are the most common origin of drug-induced hyponatremia. However, population-based studies on clinical outcomes are lacking. We therefore explored the time course and absolute risk of thiazide-associated hospitalization due to hyponatremia in Sweden.

Methods

Population-based case-control study including patients hospitalized with a principal diagnosis of hyponatremia (n = 11,213) compared with controls (n = 44,801). Linkage of registers was used to acquire data. Multivariable regression was applied to explore time-dependent associations between thiazide diuretics and hospitalization due to hyponatremia. Attributable risks were calculated assessing the disease burden attributable to thiazides.

Results

Individuals initiating thiazide treatment were exposed to an immediate increase in risk for hospitalization with adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (95% CI) of 48 (28–89). The associations gradually declined reaching an aOR of 2.9 (2.7–3.1) for individuals treated for longer than 13 weeks. The attributable risk of hyponatremia-associated hospitalization due to thiazides of any treatment length was 27% (3095/11,213). Among 806 patients initiating treatment < 90 days before hospitalization, hyponatremia could be attributed to thiazides in 754. Based on nationwide data, 616,678 individuals were initiated on thiazides during the 8-year study period suggesting an absolute risk of 0.12% (754/661,678) for subsequent hospitalization with a main diagnosis of hyponatremia.

Conclusions

Thiazide diuretics attributed to more than one in four individuals hospitalized due to hyponatremia. The risk increase was very pronounced during the first month of treatment and then gradually declined, without returning to normal. However, the absolute risk for the development of hyponatremia demanding hospitalization may for most individuals be modest.
Retinal venous pressure is decreased after anti-VEGF therapy in patients with retinal vein occlusion–related macular edema
Authors: Kida Teruyo , Flammer Josef , Konieczka Katarzyna , Ikeda Tsunehiko
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The pathomechanism leading to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is unclear. Mechanical compression, thrombosis, and functional contractions of veins are discussed as the reasons for the increased resistance of venous outflow. We evaluated changes in the retinal venous pressure (RVP) following intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent to determine the effect on RVO-related macular edema.

Methods

Twenty-six patients with RVO-related macular edema (16 branch RVOs [BRVOs] and 10 central RVOs [CRVOs], age 72.5 ± 8.8 years) who visited our hospital were included in this prospective study. Visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), central retinal thickness (CRT) determined by macular optical coherence tomography, and RVP measured using an ophthalmodynamometer were obtained before intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) and 1 month later.

Results

Comparison of the BRVOs and CRVOs showed that VA was significantly improved by a single injection in BRVOs (P < 0.0001; P = 0.1087 for CRVOs), but CRT and RVP were significantly decreased without significant difference in IOP after the treatment in both groups (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The anti-VEGF treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the RVP, but the RVP remained significantly higher than the IOP. An increased RVP plays a decisive role in the formation of macula edema, and reducing it is desirable.
Rigid commutators and a normalizer chain
Authors: Aragona Riccardo , Civino Roberto , Gavioli Norberto , Scoppola Carlo Maria
Published: January 2021

The notion of rigid commutators is introduced to determine the sequence of the logarithms of the indices of a certain normalizer chain in the Sylow 2-subgroup of the symmetric group on$$2^n$$2nletters. The terms of this sequence are proved to be those of the partial sums of the partitions of an integer into at least two distinct parts, that relates to a famous Euler’s partition theorem.