bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entzündung beim Trockenen Auge – Informationen zu Diagnostik und Therapie durch Nutzung der wissenschaftlichen Online-Informationsplattform OSCB-Berlin.org
Authors: Knop Erich , Knop Nadja
Published: May 2020

Das Trockene Auge gilt als häufigste Erkrankung in der Augenheilkunde. Sein pathophysiologisches Verständnis wurde in den letzten Jahrzehnten durch intensive Forschung wissenschaftlich klinisch und experimentell grundlegend erweitert. Das Spektrum der Erkrankung reicht von einer einfachen bis zu einer schwerwiegenden und komplexen Störung der funktionellen Anatomie der Augenoberfläche mit typischer Disparität zwischen den klinischen Befunden und der Symptomatik des Patienten. Die chronische Verletzung des Gewebes treibt verschiedene selbstverstärkende Regelkreise (vicious circles) an, die insgesamt zur progressiven Verschlimmerung des Krankheitsbildes führen. Dies kann Entzündungsvorgänge auslösen, die zur Entstehung einer immunmodulierten Entzündung und eines chronischen Schmerzsyndroms führen können. Beides ist relativ therapieresistent in der üblichen klinischen Praxis. Ein besserer Einblick in die pathophysiologischen Grundlagen hat viele Ansätze für Neuerungen in Diagnostik und Therapie des Trockenen Auges ermöglicht. Dennoch erfordert die Sicca-Praxis typischerweise hohen Zeitaufwand, bietet im Alltag meist nur symptomatische Therapie und ist oft unbefriedigend für den Patienten und auch für seinen Arzt. Daher erscheint das Trockene Auge nicht selten als ein eher schwer überschaubares und schwieriges Krankheitsbild. Die wissenschaftliche Informationsplattform des Berliner Forschungszentrums für die Augenoberfläche (Ocular Surface Center Berlin, OSCB-Berlin.org) hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, das Verständnis der funktionellen Interaktionen an der Augenoberfläche zu verbessern und damit auch der Mechanismen bei der komplexen Pathophysiologie des Trockenen Auges und der chronischen Entzündung. Dies ist die Basis für einen aktuellen Überblick über Diagnostik und Therapie des Trockenen Auges auf verschiedenen Ebenen, die ein Verständnis für Kliniker und auch für Patienten erlauben.
Reduktion des Serum-Phosphat-Wertes bei Hämodialysepatienten
Authors: Janda Esfir
Published: May 2020

Vermutliche Gründe für erhöhte Serum-Phosphat-Werte von HD-Patienten (HD: Hämodialyse) sind mangelnde Kenntnisse über den Phosphat-Gehalt der Lebensmittel und über die Phosphat-Binder-Therapie. In Anbetracht dieser beiden Aspekte ist das Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung, herauszufinden, ob erhöhte Phosphat-Werte sich durch regelmäßige Schulungen zum Thema „phosphatarme Ernährung“ und „korrekte Phosphat-Binder-Einnahme“ senken lassen. Um die Forschungsfrage adäquat zu beantworten, wurden im Dialysezentrum Serum-Phosphat-Werte der ambulanten HD-Patienten ausgewertet. Um die Aussagekraft der Untersuchung zu steigern, wurden alle Patienten mit Serum-Phosphat-Werten von über 4,7 mg/dl in Betracht gezogen. Somit wurden 10 Patienten mit ausreichenden kognitiven und sprachlichen Fähigkeiten selektiert. Nach Absprache mit der ärztlichen und pflegerischen Zentrumsleitung wurde den Patienten die Teilnahmen an den Schulungen zum Thema Phosphat angeboten. In dem Zeitraum des Projektes von 6 Monaten fanden 2 Beratungstermine statt. Weitere regelmäßige Schulungen wurden vorgesehen. Serum-Phosphat-Werte wurden monatlich kontrolliert. Das Schulungsmaterial wurde auf Sachinformationen, gehirngerechtes Lernen, Verständlichkeit und individuelle Zielsetzung abgestimmt. Vor der letzten Blutkontrolle wurden Fragebögen ausgehändigt, sodass die Teilnehmer ihre Fortschritte und das Empfinden des Projekts beurteilen konnten. Es zeigte sich, dass die Schulungen den HD-Patienten wahrscheinlich dabei halfen, niedrigere Serum-Phosphat-Werte zu erreichen. 54 % haben eine Verbesserung erreicht. Auch die Adhärenz bei der Phosphat-Binder-Therapie konnte durch Aufklärung positiv beeinflusst werden. 54 % der Teilnehmer gaben an, nun gewissenhafter und verantwortungsvoller die Empfehlungen zu befolgen. Die Auswertung der Befragung ergab, dass der Grund hierfür wohl ein gesteigertes Wissen in der Thematik war.
Characterization of Maca (Lepidium meyenii/Lepidium peruvianum) Using a Mass Spectral Fingerprinting, Metabolomic Analysis, and Genetic Sequencing Approach
Authors: Geng Ping , Sun Jianghao , Chen Pei , Brand Eric , Frame James , Meissner Henry , Stewart Jeremy , Gafner Stefan , Clark Stephanie , Miller Jesse , Harnly James
Published: May 2020

Maca (Lepidium meyenii, synonym L. peruvianum) was analyzed using a systematic approach employing principal component analysis of flow injection mass spectrometry fingerprints (no chromatographic separation) to guide the selection of samples for metabolite profiling and DNA next generation sequencing. Samples consisted of 39 commercial maca supplements from 11 manufacturers, 31 unprocessed maca tubers grown in Peru and China, and a historic non-tuber maca sample from Peru. Principal component analysis of flow injection mass spectrometry fingerprints initially placed all the maca samples in three classes with similar chemical composition: commercial maca samples, tubers grown in Peru, and tubers grown in China. Metabolite profiling identified 67 compounds in the negative mode and 51 compounds in the positive mode. Compounds identified by metabolite profiling (macamides, glucosinolates, amino acids, fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, saccharides, imidazoles) were then used to identify ions in the flow injection mass spectrometry fingerprints. The tuber fingerprints were analyzed by factorial multivariate analysis of variance revealing that black, red, and yellow maca from Peru and black and yellow maca from China were compositionally different with respect to color and country. Critical ions were identified that allowed for the differentiation of maca between colors from the same country or between two countries with the same color. Genetically, all samples were confirmed to be L. meyenii based on next generation sequencing at three gene regions (ITS2, psbA, and trnL) and comparison to recorded sequences of vouchered standards.
The Value of Video Rasterstereography in the Detection of Alterations in Posture as a Marker of Pain Relief after Targeted Infiltrations of the Lumbar Spine
Authors: Scheidt Sebastian , Winnewisser Julia , Leichtle Carmen , Gesicki Marco , Hofmann Ulf Krister
Published: May 2020

Background Targeted infiltrations to the lumbar spine are used to identify the correct scope for surgery in patients with chronic lumbar back pain (CLBP) and multi-segmental pathologies, where radiologic imaging and clinical presentation do not match. Conclusions from that method have so far been based on individual statements of pain relief. The main principle for the infiltrations is the assumption that by locally administering an analgesic agent to possible surgical target areas, the effect of surgery can be temporarily simulated. The aim was to investigate the use of rasterstereographic posture measurements to substantiate reported pain reduction after infiltrations.

Methods In this case-control study (Level II), rasterstereography was performed on 57 patients and 28 reference subjects to evaluate changes in posture during 1 week of injections under fluoroscopic guidance and correlated with changes in the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS). Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS (α = .05, two-sided) and presented in the form of box, scatter, and Bland-Altman plots.

Results and Conclusion The CLBP patientsʼ trunk inclination (median 6°) and absolute lateral tilt were significantly increased (p < .01 each) compared to the reference group. No significant difference was observed for trunk length, kyphotic/lordotic angle, or lateral deviation. During infiltration, no significant difference in posture could be observed. A subgroup analysis of patients reporting the highest pain improvement indicated no significant difference. No correlation was observed with pain improvement reported by the patients during injections. Subsequent rasterstereography does not seem to be able to verify results of injections in the diagnostics of lumbar spine pathologies, as patientsʼ reported pain relief does not correlate with a relevant alteration in posture. The short-term effect of the targeted infiltrations may not suffice to change false posture being developed over years.
Application of Supersonic Shear Imaging to the Baveno VI Criteria and a Combination Model with Spleen Stiffness Measurement to Rule Out High-Risk Varices in Compensated Advanced Chronic Liver Disease
Authors: Cho Young Seo , Kim Yongsoo , Sohn Joo Hyun
Published: May 2020

Purpose Recently, Colecchia et al. reported that by adding a spleen stiffness (SS) criterion sequentially to the Baveno VI criteria, screening endoscopy could be safely avoided. We aimed to compare the Baveno VI criteria, SS values and a sequential combination of the Baveno VI and SS values, measured by supersonic shear imaging (SSI), as approaches for safely avoiding screening endoscopy for high-risk varices (HRV).

Materials and Methods Between April 2017 and July 2018, we enrolled 274 compensated advanced chronic liver disease patients who had successfully undergone liver stiffness (LS) and SS measurements with SSI and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). 52 HRV patients were included, and we analyzed risk factors for HRV and compared proportions of patients who were spared EGD when Baveno VI criteria, SS cut-off and the combination of the two approaches were used.

Results The AUROC values for estimating HRV by platelet count, LS and SS were 0.701, 0.757 and 0.844, respectively, and all three measures were found to be independent predictors of HRV. The SS cut-off value for excluding HRV was ≤ 27.3 kPa. The percentages of patients spared EGD were 18.6 % for Baveno VI, 28.8 % for SS cut-off and 36.1 % for the sequential combination of Baveno VI and SS cut-off. Less than 2 % of HRV patients were missed when using all of the criteria.

Conclusion The Baveno VI criteria can be applied to LS measurement by SSI. SS measurement by SSI is an excellent predictor of HRV. Screening endoscopy can be safely avoided when Baveno VI criteria and SS cut-off are applied together.
How Variable Is the Volar Subcutaneous Tissue of the Digits on B-Mode and Color Doppler Ultrasound in Non-Psoriatic Individuals and Could It Be Included in a Dactylitis Score?
Authors: Rebollo-Giménez Ana , Martínez-Estupiñán Lina , Olivas-Vergara Otto , Fuensalida-Novo Gema , Garrido Jesús , Mejía Andrés , Herrero-Beaumont Gabriel , Naredo Esperanza
Published: May 2020

Background Digital subcutaneous tissue (SCT) changes are involved in dactylitis, a hallmark feature of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). There are no studies on the ultrasound (US) characteristics of the digital SCT in the general population.

Objectives To investigate the variability in US-measured thickness (TH) and color Doppler (CD)-detected blood flow of the SCT of the volar aspects of the fingers in a non-psoriatic population and to investigate the impact of the scanning method and demographics and clinical features on these measurements.

Methods SCT TH and semiquantitative (SQD) and quantitative (QD) Doppler signals were measured in the bilateral second finger at the proximal and middle phalanges in 81 non-psoriatic volunteers [49 female, 32 men; 18–78 years]. Two scanning methods with and without (thick gel layer interposition) probe-skin contact were used. Demographics and clinical features were collected.

Results There was high variability of SCT TH and Doppler measurements between individuals. All US measurements obtained without probe-skin contact were significantly greater than their corresponding measurements obtained with the probe contacting the skin (p < 0.001). SCT TH was positively related to dominant hand, age, masculine gender, weight, height, body mass index, and alcohol consumption while Doppler measurements were positively related to age and non-dominant hand.

Conclusions US-measured SCT thickness and Doppler-detected SCT blood flow of the volar aspect of the fingers seem to be highly variable in the non-psoriatic population as well as highly dependent on the US scanning method. This variability is of utmost importance for assessing dactylitis in PsA.
Convenient Synthesis of 2-Thioimidazolone/Menadione Conjugates via a Two-Step Sequence Starting with Direct Amination of Menadione
Authors: Guk Dmitry A. , Krasnovskaya Olga O. , Zyk Nikolai V. , Beloglazkina Elena K.
Published: May 2020

A convenient route to conjugates of 2-thiohydantoins and menadione with linkers of various chemical nature through a two-stage reaction sequence (direct amination of the menadione with a functional amine followed by modification of a functional group) is presented. Optimal conditions for the direct amination of menadione using alkyl amines with substituents such as azide, alkyne, hydroxyl, amine, halogen, and carboxyl have been developed. Further modification of selected functionalities using CuAAC or esterification reactions with 2-thio­hydantoines has been performed.
Twilighted Homegrown Systems: The Experience of Six Traditional Electronic Health Record Developers in the Post–Meaningful Use Era
Authors: Colicchio Tiago K. , Cimino James J.
Published: May 2020

Objectives This study aimed to understand if and how homegrown electronic health record (EHR) systems are used in the post–Meaningful Use (MU) era according to the experience of six traditional EHR developers.

Methods We invited informatics leaders from a convenience sample of six health care organizations that have recently replaced their long used homegrown systems with commercial EHRs. Participants were asked to complete a written questionnaire with open-ended questions designed to explore if and how their homegrown system(s) is being used and maintained after adoption of a commercial EHR. We used snowball sampling to identify other potential respondents and institutions.

Results Participants from all six organizations included in our initial sample completed the questionnaire and provided referrals to four other organizations; from these, two did not respond to our invitations and two had not yet replaced their system and were excluded. Two organizations (Columbia University and University of Alabama at Birmingham) still use their homegrown system for direct patient care and as a downtime system. Four organizations (Intermountain Healthcare, Partners Healthcare, Regenstrief Institute, and Vanderbilt University) kept their systems primarily to access historical data. All organizations reported the need to continue to develop or maintain local applications despite having adopted a commercial EHR. The most common applications developed include display and visualization tools and clinical decision support systems.

Conclusion Homegrown EHR systems continue to be used for different purposes according to the experience of six traditional homegrown EHR developers. The annual cost to maintain these systems varies from $21,000 to over 1 million. The collective experience of these organizations indicates that commercial EHRs have not been able to provide all functionality needed for patient care and local applications are often developed for multiple purposes, which presents opportunities for future research and EHR development.
Finding the Calm in the Chaos: An Institutional Protocol for Anesthetic Management of a Patient for Neurosurgery during Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic
Authors: Nedunchezhian Aishvarya Shree , Ajayan Neeraja , P. Ajay Prasad Hrishi , Prathapadas Unnikrishnan , Sethuraman Manikandan , Koshy Thomas
Published: May 2020

“Coronavirus disease 2019” (COVID-19) transmitted by a novel coronavirus via contact or droplet spread is a highly infectious disease, the containment of which requires vigilance and stringent infection control policies. In the backdrop of hospitals becoming hot zones and an increasing number of health care workers contracting the disease, it is crucial to formulate an approach while administering anesthesia during the testing times of COVID-19 pandemic. In this background, this comprehensive article deals with the perioperative management during this pandemic and includes risk stratification based on an innovative simple scoring system, rationale use of personal protective equipments, and infection prevention protocols. The document of updated literature, though not intended to replace any guidelines, is aimed at providing protocol to health care workers to protect themselves while providing the best care in this pandemic.
XFEL coherent diffraction imaging for weakly scattering particles using heterodyne interference
Authors: Huang Chi-Feng , Chang Wei-Hau , Lee Ting-Kuo , Joti Yasumasa , Nishino Yoshinori , Kimura Takashi , Suzuki Akihiro , Bessho Yoshitaka , Lee Tsung-Tse , Chen Mei-Chun , Yang Shun-Min , Hwu Yeukuang , Huang Shih-Hsin , Li Po-Nan , Chen Peilin , Tseng Yung-Chieh , Ma Che , Hsu Tsui-Ling , Wong Chi-Huey , Tono Kensuke , Ishikawa Tetsuya , Liang Keng S.
Published: May 2020

The spatial resolution of x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) coherent diffraction imaging is currently limited by the fluence of XFELs. Here, we clarify this issue by systematically studying the diffraction with a SPring-8 angstrom compact free electron laser XFEL on gold nanoparticles of size from 10 nm to 80 nm in water solution. The coherent x-ray diffraction patterns obtained from single XFEL pulses were quantitatively analyzed using a small-angle x-ray scattering scheme along with computer simulations. The results show that the detectability of Au nanoparticles can be described by a “master curve” as a function of total electron density, particle size, and x-ray fluence. The difficulty in detecting a small particle under the current XFEL fluence, however, could be largely eliminated by the image enhancement effect through interference from a strong scattering nanoparticle nearby. We investigate this image enhancement effect by quantitatively analyzing the two-particle scattering from Au nanoparticles, and further, applying it to detect a weak biological object of influenza virus with the aid of an Au nanoparticle.
Lithium niobate nanoparticles may enable self-powered cochlear implants
Authors: Mandel Savannah
Published: May 2020

Lithium niobate nanoparticles show promise as an interface material for cochlear implants aimed to enable self-powered and fully implantable devices exploiting piezoelectric materials.
Microfluidic systems for hydrodynamic trapping of cells and clusters
Authors: Luan Qiyue , Macaraniag Celine , Zhou Jian , Papautsky Ian
Published: May 2020

Microfluidic devices have been widely applied to trapping and isolation of cells and clusters for controllable intercellular environments and high-throughput analysis, triggering numerous advances in disease diagnosis and single-cell analysis. Passive hydrodynamic cell trapping is one of the simple and effective methods that has been gaining attention in recent years. Our aim here is to review the existing passive microfluidic trapping approaches, including microposts, microfiltration, microwells, and trapping chambers, with emphasis on design principles and performance. We summarize the remarkable advances that hydrodynamic trapping methods offer, as well as the existing challenges and prospects for development. Finally, we hope that an improved understanding of hydrodynamic trapping approaches can lead to sophisticated and useful platforms to advance medical and biological research.
A multiple-approximation method to calibrate switch capacitive voltage dividers without standard probe in Tesla-type generators
Authors: Zhao Liang
Published: May 2020

When a capacitive voltage divider (CVD) in a component is calibrated, the introduction of a standard high-voltage (HV) probe usually affects the original field distribution of this component. Therefore, the voltage ratio of the CVD is affected, especially when the distance between the HV probe and the CVD is close. A multiple-approximation method to calibrate the CVD of gas switches in Tesla-type generator without a standard HV probe is being put forward. The basic idea is to calculate the theoretical switch voltage uth based on the equivalent circuit of this type of generators and to use uth to substitute the real voltage ur acquired by the standard HV probe to calculate the voltage ratio β for the CVD of a gas switch. Since the gas-gap resistance Rs of the switch is not zero, uth is not equal to ur, and β therefore deviates from the real value β0. To solve this question, two steps are implemented: first, β(d) at different gas-gap distances d is obtained; second, the true voltage ratio β(0) when d = 0 is extrapolated. The theoretical basis of this method was analyzed first. Then, it is verified by experiments. In the end, the uncertainty of this method is evaluated.
Heat and mass transfer together with hybrid nanofluid flow over a rotating disk
Authors: Tassaddiq Asifa , Khan Sadam , Bilal Muhammad , Gul Taza , Mukhtar Safyan , Shah Zahir , Bonyah Ebenezer
Published: May 2020

This article explores an incompressible hybrid nanofluid flow over an infinite impermeable rotating disk. The influence of a magnetic field has been added to better examine the fine point of nanoliquid flow. The main purpose of this work is to enhance our understanding of the exhaustion of energy in industrial and engineering fields. This study is mainly concerned with the von Kármán traditional flow of a rotating disk, involving carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and magnetic ferrite nanoparticles together with a carrier fluid such as water. The nonlinear system of differential equations is transformed to the dimensionless ordinary differential equation by using an appropriate similarity framework, which is further treated with the “homotopy analysis method” for the analytic solution. A mathematical calculation is provided to prove and illustrate why the hybrid nanofluids are advantageous as far as the heat transfer enhancement is concerned. Although the physical features highly rely on CNTs and iron oxide nanoparticles, it is concluded that the heat and mass transfer rate is greatly enhanced by the addition of CNTs and Fe3O4 nanofluids. By increasing the velocity of disk rotation, fluid temperature and velocity are significantly increased. The use of CNT + Fe3O4/H2O influences the performance of thermophysical characteristics of carrier fluids more compared to magnetic ferrite nanomaterials.
Toxic effects of silver nanoparticles on the germination and root development of lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Authors: de Paiva Pinheiro Sergimar K. , de Medeiros Chaves Marlos , Rangel Miguel Thaiz B. A. , de Freitas Barros Francisco Claudio , Farias Camila P. , Ferreira Odair P. , de Castro Miguel Emilio
Published: May 2020

The advancement of nanotechnology has increased use of nanoparticles in industrial scale. Among the most used nanoparticles are those silver-based. Large-scale use can raise levels of these nanoparticles in aquatic environments, which, in turn, presents potential risks to aquatic organisms and ecosystems, causing undesired environmental impacts. To evaluate the potential risk of the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) interaction with plants, seeds of Lactuca sativa L. (Asteraceae) were exposed to different concentrations of AgNPs (12.5, 25, 50, 100 ppm), using the percentage of germinated seeds and morphological changes in the root as toxicity criterion. Only at the maximum concentration of AgNPs (100 ppm), there is a negative effect on root growth in relation to the positive control (distilled water). These negative effects may be related to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by the dissolution of Ag0 in Ag+. Other concentrations had a positive effect on root growth, although not significant. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed morphological changes in the root surface exposed to the concentration of 100 ppm of AgNPs, resulting in root deformation. The accumulation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). AgNPs were found in the vacuoles, cell wall, middle lamella and cytoplasm, individualised or forming agglomerates. These results broaden our understanding of the safe levels of nanoparticle use and its impact on the environment. In addition, the nanoparticles used in this study can be used in new product development, since the observed maximum safe amount.
'A balancing act'. Living with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Southern New Zealand: a qualitative study
Authors: Tumilty Emma , Doolan-Noble Fiona , Latu Anna Tiatia Fa'atoese , McAuley Kathryn , Dummer Jack , Baxter Jo , Hannah Debbie , Donlevy Simon , Stokes Tim
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTIONChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic condition managed in primary care.
AIMTo understand how patients with severe COPD living in the Southern Health Region (Otago and Southland) experience and cope with the condition.
METHODSSemi-structured interviews were undertaken with 23 patients with severe COPD (defined using the 2013 GOLD classification). A thematic analysis was conducted.
RESULTSPatients’ accounts of living with severe COPD revealed four themes: loss, adaptation, isolation and social support. All participants discussed their sense of loss in coming to terms with having COPD and the ongoing restrictions or changes that were associated with breathlessness and fatigue. These losses required adaptation in daily living. Some patients struggled to adjust to new limitations and needed to rely on others for support. Others found ways to adapt their surroundings or ways of doing things while trying to maintain the same activities. Isolation was described in two ways – direct (no longer being able to easily socialize because activities often caused breathlessness) and indirect (the feeling of being isolated from others because they do not understand what it is like to live with COPD). Social support, including support provided by group-based pulmonary rehabilitation, helped to address the problems of social isolation.
DISCUSSIONLiving with severe COPD is a ‘balancing act’ between insecurity (loss and isolation) and resilience (adaptation and social support). Health-care providers need to be proactive in identifying and managing patients’ unmet health needs and promote activities that reduce social isolation.
Soil structure characteristics, functional properties and consistency limits response to corn cob biochar particle size and application rates in a 36-month pot experiment
Authors: Obour Peter Bilson , Danso Eric Oppong , Pouladi Nastaran , Abenney-Mickson Stephen , Sabi Edward Benjamin , Monnie Francis , Arthur Emmanuel
Published: May 2020

The particle size (PS) and application rate (RA) of biochar influence soil–biochar interaction with concomitant effects on soil chemical and physical properties. However, limited studies exist that quantify how biochar PS and RA, acting solely or together affect soil structure characteristics and functional properties. This study investigated the effect of PS and RA of corn cob biochar on soil water retention (SWR) and aeration indicators such as relative gas diffusivity, structural characteristics such as pore size distribution and pore organisation, and consistency limits of a tropical sandy clay loam soil. A pot experiment was conducted using two biochar PSs (<2 and 2–4 mm) and four biochar RAs of 0, 20, 40 and 80 Mg ha−1. Both intact soil cores (100 cm3) and disturbed bulk soil samples were collected after 36 months of amendment for measurements of soil chemical and hydraulic properties, and consistency limits. Biochar application of 80 Mg ha−1 significantly (P < 0.05) increased soil organic carbon and SWR. However, plant available water was neither affected by biochar PS nor RA. Further, biochar PS and RA acting solely or together did not significantly modify air permeability, consistency limits and estimated soil pore continuity, organisation and tortuosity. Further studies are needed to confirm whether the overall lack of significant changes in these soil properties after 36 months of amending with corn cob biochar also pertains to other biochar feedstock and soil types. Such information is useful in selecting suitable biochar amendments that improve soil conditions for crop growth.
Turning the body into a clock: Accurate timing is facilitated by simple stereotyped interactions with the environment
Authors: Safaie Mostafa , Jurado-Parras Maria-Teresa , Sarno Stefania , Louis Jordane , Karoutchi Corane , Petit Ludovic F. , Pasquet Matthieu O. , Eloy Christophe , Robbe David
Published: May 2020

How animals adapt their behavior according to regular time intervals between events is not well understood, especially when intervals last several seconds. One possibility is that animals use disembodied internal neuronal representations of time to decide when to initiate a given action at the end of an interval. However, animals rarely remain immobile during time intervals but tend to perform stereotyped behaviors, raising the possibility that motor routines improve timing accuracy. To test this possibility, we used a task in which rats, freely moving on a motorized treadmill, could obtain a reward if they approached it after a fixed interval. Most animals took advantage of the treadmill length and its moving direction to develop, by trial-and-error, the same motor routine whose execution resulted in the precise timing of their reward approaches. Noticeably, when proficient animals did not follow this routine, their temporal accuracy decreased. Then, naïve animals were trained in modified versions of the task designed to prevent the development of this routine. Compared to rats trained in the first protocol, these animals didn’t reach a comparable level of timing accuracy. Altogether, our results indicate that timing accuracy in rats is improved when the environment affords cues that animals can incorporate into motor routines.
Induction of defense in cereals by 4-fluorophenoxyacetic acid suppresses insect pest populations and increases crop yields in the field
Authors: Wang Wanwan , Zhou Pengyong , Mo Xiaochang , Hu Lingfei , Jin Nuo , Chen Xia , Yu Zhuoxian , Meng Jinpeng , Erb Matthias , Shang Zhicai , Gatehouse Angharad M. R. , Wu Jun , Lou Yonggen
Published: May 2020

Synthetic chemical elicitors, so called plant strengtheners, can protect plants from pests and pathogens. Most plant strengtheners act by modifying defense signaling pathways, and little is known about other mechanisms by which they may increase plant resistance. Moreover, whether plant strengtheners that enhance insect resistance actually enhance crop yields is often unclear. Here, we uncover how a mechanism by which 4-fluorophenoxyacetic acid (4-FPA) protects cereals from piercing-sucking insects and thereby increases rice yield in the field. Four-FPA does not stimulate hormonal signaling, but modulates the production of peroxidases, H
2
O
2
, and flavonoids and directly triggers the formation of flavonoid polymers. The increased deposition of phenolic polymers in rice parenchyma cells of 4-FPA-treated plants is associated with a decreased capacity of the white-backed planthopper (WBPH)
Sogatella furcifera
to reach the plant phloem. We demonstrate that application of 4-PFA in the field enhances rice yield by reducing the abundance of, and damage caused by, insect pests. We demonstrate that 4-FPA also increases the resistance of other major cereals such as wheat and barley to piercing-sucking insect pests. This study unravels a mode of action by which plant strengtheners can suppress herbivores and increase crop yield. We postulate that this represents a conserved defense mechanism of plants against piercing-sucking insect pests, at least in cereals.
Semiotic rural landscapes and the performance of community in villages
Authors: Reershemius Gertrud
Published: May 2020

This article analyses the semiotic landscapes of 19 villages in Low German-speaking northern Germany, thus
contributing to the growing body of research in the field of semiotic landscapes in rural settings. Drawing from Blokland’s (2017) typology of community, it analyses the semiotic landscapes of the
villages as material manifestations of communicative practices and performances which create fluid, flexible configurations of
community. The analysis reveals that signage in this particular rural context reflects social processes by which individuals and
communities have constructed new images of themselves by using elements of local tradition, culture, language, and history. In
doing so, they have also carved out a specific approach to tourism for themselves, which is opposed to mass and package
tourism.
Adaptation and validation of the Self-Censorship Orientation (SCO) scale into Spanish (Adaptación y validación de la escala de Orientación a la Autocensura (OAC) al español)
Authors: Lobato Roberto M. , Sainz Mario , García-Sánchez Efraín
Published: May 2020

Self-censorship orientation — that is, the preference to hide truthful information — is determined by multiple individual, group and contextual factors which can either generate negative consequences or subvert information flows. Due to the social relevance that self-censorship can have, this study aims to adapt and provide evidence of validity of the measures provided by the Spanish version of the Self-Censorship Orientation (SCO) scale. To do so, the scale was back-translated, and later its reliability, dimensionality and evidence of validity were evaluated in samples from three Spanish-speaking countries ( N = 1,285): Spain, Colombia and Mexico. The results showed that the adaptation to Spanish fits the two-factor structure originally proposed and that the configural and metric invariance were adequate for all three samples, as well as the relations with other constructs like identity, patriotism, authoritarianism and conformism. Generally speaking, the SCO showed adequate psychometric properties for it to be used in different Spanish-speaking settings.
TRPA1-dependent calcium transients and CGRP release in DRG neurons require extracellular calcium
Authors: Gebhardt Lisa A. , Kichko Tetyana I. , Fischer Michael J.M. , Reeh Peter W.
Published: May 2020

Shang et al. (2016. J. Cell Biol.https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201603081) reported that activation of lysosomal TRPA1 channels led to intracellular calcium transients and CGRP release from DRG neurons. We argue that both findings are more likely due to influx of insufficiently buffered extracellular calcium rather than lysosomal release.
Synthesis of the European ALARA network 18th workshop ‘ALARA for decommissioning and site remediation’
Authors: Andresz Sylvain , Gilchrist Julie , Gimenez Ignacio Calavia , Vermeersch Fernand
Published: May 2020

The European ALARA Network regularly organises workshops on topical issues in radiation protection. The topic of the 18th workshop was ‘ALARA for Decommissioning and Site Remediation’. The workshop was jointly organised with the ISOE Working Group on Decommissioning (ISOE WG-DECOM) and the French Atomic Alternatives Energy and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). The main objective was to examine the conceptual and practical aspects of the implementation of the optimisation principle (or ALARA principle) in the ‘nuclear’ and ‘non-nuclear’ sectors and also for legacy sites. This memorandum presents a synthesis of the presentations and working groups discussion that took place. It also summaries the conclusions from former EAN workshops on the same topic (1997, 2006) to highlight the commonalities and the new topics.

The theoretical scheme for applying the ALARA principle is illustrated by the various presentations of decommissioning and remediation (D&R) projects given at the workshop. The theoretical scheme includes, a starting point, the planning and implementation of the D&R strategy (including ALARA analysis) and the definition of an end-state. To lay down the foundations of ALARA, the initial characterisation should be comprehensive; considering not only radiation protection but other risks and circumstances both on site and off site. Decision-making is not trivial because many factors influence the D&R strategy and they can be addressed together using an holistic approach. A general methodology for such an approach in D&R was drafted by the participants.

Techniques are apparently industrially mature and dosimetric data suggest that good control has been achieved, however experience shows that the D&R strategy will go through multiple adaptations along the way. The management of wastes remains a challenge in many cases as well as the decision on the end-state leading to question of what is a ‘sustainable ALARA end-state?’.
The economics of indigenous water claim settlements in the American West
Authors: Sanchez Leslie , Edwards Eric C , Leonard Bryan
Published: May 2020

The American West confronts the challenge of fulfilling indigenous claims to water within the context of increasingly scarce and variable water supplies. 170 of 226 American Indian reservations have unresolved water claims that potentially exceed the region’s hydrological capacity, generating uncertainty for tribes and off-reservation water users. To help resolve key uncertainties about dispute origins and outcomes, we construct a complete and novel dataset on Indian water settlements and reservation characteristics which we then analyze using a bargaining framework from economics. We find that rapid off-reservation population growth, water scarcity, and large anticipated water entitlements catalyze disputes. When more users are involved in the negotiations, transaction costs delay settlement, increasing water insecurity. We use our findings to predict allocations for 25 ongoing water right negotiations. These estimates help bound the uncertainty facing water managers throughout the American West.
Study on the effect of emulsifiers on the pore structures of geopolymer prepared by emulsion templating
Authors: Wang Zhuangzhuang , Lu Duyou
Published: May 2020

The metakaolin-based porous geopolymer were prepared by emulsion templating method with sunflower oil as the template agent. The effects of the type of emulsifiers with different ionic properties, including sodium stearate (SS), polyacrylamide (PAM), and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), which are respectively belonging to anionic, nonionic and cationic emulsifiers, on the paste viscosity, mechanical strength and pore structure of geopolymer were studied. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to characterize the influence of emulsion template on the geopolymerization. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Image-Pro Plus (IPP) software were used to examine the pore structure of geopolymers, including pore size distribution, average size and roundness of pores. Results indicate that geopolymerization is not significantly affected by the incorporation of emulsion template, while the average size, shape and connectivity of pores in geopolymer were significantly influenced by the type of emulsifiers. With the addition of SS, PAM, and CTAB, the average pore size were 18.1, 27.4, and 11.7 μm, respectively, while the control is 18.9 μm. Both the shape regularity and open porosity of pores were increased with SS and PAM, while no significant changes with CTAB. It is promising to make geopolymer with controllable macro pore structure by adjusting the types of emulsifiers in emulsion templating method by adjusting the oil-water interfacial tension and the particle dispersion.
Investigation on the effects of the processing parameters and the number of passes on the flexural properties of polymer nanocomposite fabricated through FSP method
Authors: Farooq Umer , Khan Imran , Asif Muhammad , Hira Fatima , Hussain Ghulam , Ullah Azaz , Ahmad Syed Mukhtar , Umar Muhammad , Alhassan Mohamed Abulgasim
Published: May 2020

Flexural properties calculation helps in designing structural elements like beam, cantilever and shafts. Moreover, the flexural properties are of vital importance in engineering and industrial applications such as joints replacements. The purpose of this investigation is to study for the first time, how the friction stir processing (FSP) parameters affects the flexural properties of UHMW-PE composites reinforced with nano particles. The tool rotational speed (ψ), tool feed rate (ƒ), volume percentage (ν) of nano powder and tool shoulder temperature (τ) are selected as the process parameters. The ultimate flexural strength (UFS) and flexural yield strength (FYS) are calculated from the flexural test stress-strain diagrams. The analysis of variance is conducted which reveals that the selected parameters are significant for both UFS and FYS. Macroscopic and microscopic study shows that the FSP parameters affects the mixing of the strengthening particles and hence the flexural properties of the composite. The combinations of low level of ν with medium level values of other parameters results in the highest flexural properties. Moreover, the combinations of higher levels of τ and ψ results in material degradation. At the end, optimum conditions for the highest flexural properties are sorted out and the effect of increasing the number of passes has been investigated which significantly improve the flexural properties of the composite material.
Quantum geometric tensor away from equilibrium
Authors: Rattacaso Davide , Vitale Patrizia , Hamma Alioscia
Published: May 2020

The manifold of ground states of a family of quantum Hamiltonians can be endowed with a quantum geometric tensor whose singularities signal quantum phase transitions and give a general way to define quantum phases. In this paper, we show that the same information-theoretic and geometrical approach can be used to describe the geometry of quantum states away from equilibrium. We construct the quantum geometric tensor Q

μν
for ensembles of states that evolve in time and study its phase diagram and equilibration properties. If the initial ensemble is the manifold of ground states, we show that the phase diagram is conserved, that the geometric tensor equilibrates after a quantum quench, and that its time behavior is governed by out-of-time-order commutators (OTOCs). We finally demonstrate our results in the exactly solvable Cluster-XY model.
Wrack and ruin: Legacy hydrologic effects of hurricane-deposited wrack on hardwood-hammock coastal islands
Authors: Van Stan John T , Allen Scott T , Swanson Travis , Skinner Melissa , Gordon D Alex
Published: May 2020

Hurricanes can cause immediate catastrophic destruction of marsh vegetation and erosion of soils; however, they also have long-lasting ecological impacts. Those impacts include the deposition of tremendous amounts of saltmarsh litter (‘wrack’) onto upland ecosystems, the hydrologic effects of which have not previously been investigated. When Hurricane Irma battered the southeastern US coastline, widespread wrack deposition was reported (often exceeding 0.5 m depth), especially in vulnerable coastal hammock ecosystems: locally-elevated forests within the saltmarshes that rely on freshwater inputs from rain. We report the impacts of this deposited wrack, which has persisted for 2 years, on effective precipitation inputs to coastal hammock soils. At a coastal hammock site, wrack deposits of 22–38 cm depth were estimated to store 10.2–19.9 mm of rain, reducing net rainfall to the surface by 66% over the study period (Oct 2018–Jun 2019). Three months of calibration data collected from wrack lysimeters in the field supported this interception estimate, as only 49 mm of the total 170 mm (29%) of rain that fell on the wrack was transmitted through to the soil surface. These litter interception effects on precipitation inputs far exceed those that have been described in other ecosystems and we hypothesized that they alter the growing conditions of these precipitation-dependent trees. The marshgrass (Spartina alterniflora), from which the wrack that was studied originates, is a globally abundant native and often invasive plant; thus, understanding the duration and extent of those effects on ecohydrological processes may be crucial to managing and conserving these ecosystems, especially given rising sea levels and changing hurricane regimes.
A general approach to maximise information density in neutron reflectometry analysis
Authors: McCluskey Andrew R , Cooper Joshaniel F K , Arnold Tom , Snow Tim
Published: May 2020

Neutron and x-ray reflectometry are powerful techniques facilitating the study of the structure of interfacial materials. The analysis of these techniques is ill-posed in nature requiring the application of model-dependent methods. This can lead to the over- and under- analysis of experimental data when too many or too few parameters are allowed to vary in the model. In this work, we outline a robust and generic framework for the determination of the set of free parameters that are capable of maximising the information density of the model. This framework involves the determination of the Bayesian evidence for each permutation of free parameters; and is applied to a simple phospholipid monolayer. We believe this framework should become an important component in reflectometry data analysis and hope others more regularly consider the relative evidence for their analytical models.
Algorithms for tensor network contraction ordering
Authors: Schindler Frank , Jermyn Adam S
Published: May 2020

Contracting tensor networks is often computationally demanding. Well-designed contraction sequences can dramatically reduce the contraction cost. We explore the performance of simulated annealing and genetic algorithms, two common discrete optimization techniques, to this ordering problem. We benchmark their performance as well as that of the commonly-used greedy search on physically relevant tensor networks. Where computationally feasible, we also compare them with the optimal contraction sequence obtained by an exhaustive search. Furthermore, we present a systematic comparison with state-of-the-art tree decomposition and graph partitioning algorithms in the context of random regular graph tensor networks. We find that the algorithms we consider consistently outperform a greedy search given equal computational resources, with an advantage that scales with tensor network size. We compare the obtained contraction sequences and identify signs of highly non-local optimization, with the more sophisticated algorithms sacrificing run-time early in the contraction for better overall performance.
A Newton-type algorithm for the tensor eigenvalue complementarity problem and some applications
Authors: Zhang Liping , Chen Chiyu
Published: May 2020

We focus on establishing an algorithm to solve the tensor eigenvalue complementarity problem (TEiCP), and we have two contributions in this paper. First, a smoothing Newton-type algorithm is proposed for the TEiCP based on the CHKS smoothing function. Its global convergence is established under some mild conditions. Numerical experiments are reported to show that the proposed algorithm is efficient and could detect more solutions than some existing methods. Second, we apply the proposed algorithm to solve the eigenvalue problem of nonnegative tensors. We analyze the relationship between the TEiCP and the H-eigenpair and Z-eigenpair problems of an irreducible nonnegative tensor. We show that the TEiCP with an irreducible nonnegative tensor and unit tensor has a unique solution, which is just the unique positive H-eigenpair of the irreducible nonnegative tensor. We also show that the solution set of the TEiCP with an irreducible nonnegative tensor and identity tensor is nonempty and its solutions are positive. Moreover, we can obtain positive Z-eigenpairs of the irreducible nonnegative tensor from these solutions. Finally, we also apply the proposed algorithm to find the unique positive H-eigenpair and a positive Z-eigenpair of an irreducible nonnegative tensor; the numerical results indicate its efficiency and promising performance.