bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic management of lateral sphenoid cerebrospinal fluid leaks: Identifying a radiographic parameter for surgical planning
Authors: Maxfield Alice Z. , Mueller Sarina K. , Raquib Aaishah R. , Sedaghat Ahmad R. , Bergmark Regan W. , Metson Ralph B. , Holbrook Eric H. , Bleier Benjamin S. , Gray Stacey T.
Published: June 2020

Objective

Repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks of the lateral recess of the sphenoid (LRS) sinus can be challenging to accomplish via an endoscopic transphenoidal approach. The endoscopic transpterygoid approach can improve surgical access to the lateral recess but requires more extensive surgical dissection. We review our experience with LRS CSF leak repair via both techniques to determine whether preoperative radiologic data can help predict the most appropriate surgical approach.

Methods

Electronic medical records of patients with LRS CSF leaks were retrospectively reviewed at a single tertiary referral center. Radiographic measurements from preoperative computed tomography images were reviewed.

Results

Twenty‐two LRS CSF leaks were identified. The transphenoidal and transpterygoid approach were used in 6 (27.3%) and 16 (72.7%) cases, respectively.

The mean vidian canal to foramen rotundum angle of the repairs accessed transphenoidally as compared to the transptyergoid approach were not significantly different (41.93° ±10.91, 40.72° ±19.49, respectively; P = .63). However, the mean volume of the LRS accessed by the transpterygoid approach was significantly greater compared to those accessed through the transphenoidal approach (0.97 cm3 ± 0.48, 0.39 cm3 ± 0.40, respectively; P = .04). A LRS volume of 0.400 cm3 or greater predicted the use of the transpterygoid approach with 93.3% sensitivity and 60.0% specificity.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that LRS CSF leaks that necessitated repair by the transpterygoid approach, rather than transphenoidal approach, were in the context of significantly larger lateral recess. Assessment of the LRS volume is a quantifiable parameter to aid in preoperative surgical planning.

Level of Evidence

Level 4.
On‐Chip Nanomechanical Filtering of Quantum‐Dot Single‐Photon Sources
Authors: Zhou Xiaoyan , Uppu Ravitej , Liu Zhe , Papon Camille , Schott Rüdiger , Wieck Andreas D. , Ludwig Arne , Lodahl Peter , Midolo Leonardo
Published: June 2020

Semiconductor quantum dots in photonic integrated circuits enable scaling quantum‐information processing to many single photons and quantum‐optical gates. Obtaining high‐purity and coherent single photons from quantum dots requires spectral filtering to select individual excitonic transitions. Here, an on‐chip wavelength‐tunable filter integrated with a single‐photon source, which preserves the optical properties of the emitter, is demonstrated. Nanomechanical motion is used for tuning the resonant wavelength over 10 nm, enabling operation at cryogenic temperatures, and single‐photon emission from a quantum dot under non‐resonant excitation is demonstrated without resorting to free‐space optical filters. These results are key for the development of fully integrated de‐multiplexing, multi‐path photon encoding schemes, and multi‐emitter circuits.
Perpendicular and In‐Plane Conductivity of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Composite Films Filled with Carbon‐Based Fillers Prepared from Solution Casting Process
Authors: Xu Huagen , Schubert Dirk W.
Published: June 2020

In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/carbon black (CB), PMMA/carbon fiber (CF), and PMMA/carbon nanotube (CNT) conductive composite films with different filler concentrations are prepared using the solution casting technique. Both perpendicular and in‐plane direction conductivity of all the binary composite films are investigated, percolation thresholds (ϕc) of both directions of PMMA/CB, PMMA/CF, and PMMA/CNT composite films are investigated and the experimental data are fitted using McLachlan’s equation. For all the three investigated films, the perpendicular ϕc,⊥ and in‐plane ϕc,∥ with different fillers show totally different behaviors. Pristine CB, CF, and CNT as well as PMMA/CB, PMMA/CF, and PMMA/CNT composite films are discussed. The gravity effect of the fillers is found to be most significant in the PMMA/CB system. A schematic diagram of PMMA composite films with CB, CF, and CNT as filler prepared from solution casting process is presented to explain the distribution gradient of the fillers in the perpendicular direction of the film after solution casting. A power law behavior is revealed for different filler types (CB, CF, CNT) correlating the exponent t for McLachlan’s equation and corresponding ϕc for in‐plane and perpendicular directions.
Null screen quasi‐conformal hypersurfaces in semi‐Riemannian manifolds and applications
Authors: Navarro Matias , Palmas Oscar , Solis Didier A.
Published: June 2020

We introduce a class of null hypersurfaces of a semi‐Riemannian manifold, namely, screen quasi‐conformal hypersurfaces, whose geometry may be studied through the geometry of its screen distribution. In particular, this notion allows us to extend some results of previous works to the case in which the sectional curvature of the ambient space is different from zero. As applications, we study umbilical, isoparametric and Einstein null hypersurfaces in Lorentzian space forms and provide several classification results.
Application of exome sequencing to diagnose a novel presentation of the Cornelia de Lange syndrome in an Afro‐Caribbean family
Authors: Thompson Wayne , Carey Patrick Z. , Donald Tyhiesia , Nelson Beverly , Bhoj Elizabeth J. , Li Dong , Hakonarson Hakon , Ramirez Maricela , Elsea Sarah H. , Smith Janice L. , Carey John C. , Sobering Andrew K.
Published: June 2020

Background

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) comprises a recognizable pattern of multiple congenital anomalies caused by variants of the DNA cohesion complex. Affected individuals may display a wide range of phenotypic severity, even within the same family.

Methods

Exome sequencing and confirmatory Sanger sequencing showed the same previously described p.Arg629Ter NIPBL variant in two half‐brothers affected with CdLS. Clinical evaluations were obtained in a pro bono genetics clinic.

Results

One brother had relatively mild proportionate limb shortening; the other had complete bilateral hypogenesis of the upper arm with absence of lower arm structures, terminal transverse defects, and no digit remnants. His complex lower limb presentation included long bone deficiency and a deviated left foot. The mother had intellectual disability and microcephaly but lacked facial features diagnostic of the CdLS.

Conclusion

We describe a collaboration between a pediatrics team from a resource‐limited nation and USA‐based medical geneticists. Reports describing individuals of West Indian ancestry are rarely found in the medical literature. Here, we present a family of Afro‐Caribbean ancestry with CdLS presenting with phenotypic variability, including unusual lower limb abnormalities. The observation of this novel family adds to our knowledge of the phenotypic and molecular aspects of CdLS.
Enantiomeric NMR signal separation mechanism and prediction of separation behavior for a praseodymium (III) complex with (S,S)‐ethylenediamine‐N,N‐disuccinate
Authors: Aizawa Sen‐ichi , Okano Masaru
Published: June 2020

Because choice of chiral nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) shift reagents and concentration conditions have been made empirically by trials and errors for chiral NMR analyses, the prediction of NMR signal separation behavior is an urgent issue. In this study, the separation of enantiomeric and enantiotopic 1H and 13C NMR signals for α‐amino acids and tartaric acid was performed by using the praseodymium(III) complex with (S,S)‐ethylenediamine‐N,N′‐disuccinate ((S,S)‐EDDS). All the present D‐amino acids exhibited larger downfield shift of their α‐protons and α‐carbons compared with those for the corresponding L‐amino acids in common. This regularity is applicable to absolute configurational assignment and determination of optical purity of amino acids. The chemical shifts of β‐protons of d‐ and l‐alanine fully bound with the Pr(III) ((S,S)‐EDDS) complex (δbs) and the adduct formation constants of both enantiomers (Ks) were obtained by dependences of the observed downfield shifts of the β‐protons on the total concentrations of the respective enantiomers in the presence of a constant concentration of the Pr(III) complex. The difference in the K values was found to be predominant determining factor for the enantiomeric signal separation. The chemical shifts of both enantiomers (δs) and the enantiomeric signal separations (Δδs) under given conditions could be calculated from the δb and K values. Furthermore, prediction of the signal separation behavior was enabled by using the calculated δ values and the signal broadening obtained by dependences of the half‐height widths of the observed signals on the bound/free substrate concentration ratios for the respective enantiomers.
Many‐scale finite strain computational homogenization via Concentric Interpolation
Authors: Kunc Oliver , Fritzen Felix
Published: June 2020

A method for efficient computational homogenization of hyperelastic materials under finite strains is proposed. Multiple spatial scales are homogenized in a recursive procedure: starting on the smallest scale, few high fidelity FE computations are performed. The resulting fields of deformation gradient fluctuations are processed by a snapshot POD resulting in a reduced basis (RB) model. By means of the computationally efficient RB model, a large set of samples of the homogenized material response is created. This data set serves as the support for the Concentric Interpolation (CI) scheme, interpolating the effective stress and stiffness. Then, the same procedure is invoked on the next larger scale with this CI surrogating the homogenized material law. A three‐scale homogenization process is completed within few hours on a standard workstation. The resulting model is evaluated within minutes on a laptop computer in order to generate fourth‐scale results. Open source code is provided.
Optimal control of nonlinear aeroelastic system with non‐semi‐simple eigenvalues at Hopf bifurcation points
Authors: Wang Licai , Chen Yudong , Pei Chunyan , Liu Lina , Chen Suhuan
Published: June 2020

This study discusses an efficient method of the Hopf bifurcation control for nonlinear aeroelastic system. The nonlinear aeroelastic system whose linear part has multiple non‐semi‐simple eigenvalues at critical point gives rise to Hopf bifurcations. The method of the multiple scales and the well‐known linear quadratic regulator method are used to deal with the optimal control of the nonlinear system at Hopf bifurcation points. The modal optimal control equation and modal Riccati equation of the nonlinear system are developed to simplify the computations. The conventional Potter's algorithm is extended to solve modal Riccati equation for the modal Riccati matrix of the Hopf bifurcation control. The first‐order approximation solutions are developed, which include the gain vectors and inputs. By the way of optimal control, the admissible control input and trajectory of the linear part of the nonlinear aeroelastic system are obtained to minimize the performance measure. Then, we set the appropriate first‐order gain vector to adjust the convergence speed of this nonlinear system.
Reachable set estimation for uncertain nonlinear systems with time delay
Authors: Zhang Zhihao , Wang Xinsheng , Xie Wenbo , Shen Yi
Published: June 2020

This article studies reachable set estimation for parameter uncertain systems with time delay. A new reachable set estimation method is proposed for nonlinear discrete‐time systems with parameter uncertainty and unknown but bounded disturbance. By analyzing Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional, reachable set estimation is formulated to an optimization problem in terms of linear matrix inequalities. The proposed method not only can handle nonzero initial condition but also provide real‐time reachable set estimation. The effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method are illustrated by numerical simulations.
Manufacture of luminescent shape‐memory polymer composites using rare earth organic complex and commercial carboxylated nitrile rubber
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Hu Xin , Liu Wenting , Epaarachchi Jayantha , Tan Bin , Yi Zilin , Fang Liang , Lu Chunhua , Xu Zhongzi
Published: June 2020

Commercial rubber is hardly considered as raw materials to manufacture multifunctional shape‐memory polymers (SMPs) because it is difficult to either tune its glass transition temperature or introduce crystalline domains. Here, we report the manufacture of luminescent SMP composites based on commercial carboxylated nitrile rubber and rare earth organic complex (REOC) with Sm3+ ions. The dispersion of REOC and the properties of the composites were investigated in detail. The increase in the REOC loading did not deteriorate the tensile strength and elongation at break of the composites, when the stresses at low strains were highly improved. The strong filler‐chain interaction increased the glass transition temperature of the rubber composites. Besides, luminescent functions were introduced into such rubber composites, while luminescent intensities and lifetime can also be affected by REOC loadings. Finally, the prepared rubber composites presented a light‐induced shape‐memory effect under the irradiation of near‐infrared light due to the photothermal effect of the REOC.
Improved interfacial adhesion with the help of functional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes in silicone rubber/rayon fiber composites: Physical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties
Authors: Kodal Mehmet , Şirin Hümeyra , Karaağaç Bağdagül , Özkoç Güralp
Published: June 2020

The aim of this article is to improve the interfacial adhesion between silicone rubber (SR) and Rayon fiber by the help of functional hybrid POSS nanoparticles. Two POSS types were compared, octavinyl‐POSS (O‐POSS) and methacryl‐POSS (M‐POSS), having reactive CC double bonds that can impart in peroxide crosslinking. O‐POSS is nonpolar, whereas M‐POSS is polar and is able to make H‐bond with Rayon fibers. POSS type and their concentrations were examined as the experimental parameters. H‐adhesion tests indicated that both POSS types enhanced the adhesion of SR composites to Rayon fibers compared with control recipe. Specifically, slightly higher values were obtained with the use of M‐POSS. It was observed that both O‐POSS and M‐POSS slowed down the curing rate but increased the degree of crosslinking. The cure extent of O‐POSS containing composites was found to be higher than that of M‐POSS containing ones. Thermal gravimetric analyses revealed that thermal stability of SR composites was significantly improved by the addition of POSS particles. Higher char yield and degradation temperatures were obtained with O‐POSS at higher loadings with respect to M‐POSS. The POSS distribution at lower loading levels was found to be homogenous for both POSS types as observed from scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope.
Growing season CO2 exchange and evapotranspiration dynamics among thawing and intact permafrost landforms in the Western Hudson Bay lowlands
Authors: Nwaishi Felix C. , Morison Matthew Q. , Van Huizen Brandon , Khomik Myroslava , Petrone Richard M. , Macrae Merrin L.
Published: June 2020

Warming conditions across Canada's subarctic and arctic regions are causing permafrost landforms to thaw, resulting in rapid land cover change, including conversion of peat plateaus to wetland and thermokarst. These changes have important implications for northern ecosystems, including shifting controls on carbon uptake and release functions, as well as altering evapotranspiration (ET) rates, which form feedbacks with climatic change. Four landforms (peat plateau, sedge lawn, channel fen, and a thermokarst shoreline collapse scar) in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, northern Manitoba, were instrumented for weekly chamber measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor flux over a summer season (May to September 2014). Relative to other landforms, thermokarst CO2 exchange was characterized by high respiration rates early in the season, which decreased and were offset later in the season by CO2 uptake driven by sedge productivity. For all landforms, ET peaked post‐snowmelt during rapid active layer thaw, and decreased throughout the growing season, controlled primarily by atmospheric vapor deficits. This work shows distinct differences in CO2 exchange and ET between intact and thawing permafrost features. While representative of small‐scale processes in a single study region over one growing season, the results presented in this study have important implications for our understanding of ecohydrological and biogeochemical functioning of subarctic landscapes under future climates.
Management of severe pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis in children
Authors: Eckstein Olive S. , Nuchtern Jed G. , Mallory George B. , Guillerman R. Paul , Musick Matthew A. , Barclay Mhairi , Bhatt Jayesh M. , Davies Patrick , Grundy Richard G. , Martin Alice , Hilliard Tom , Lowis Stephen P. , Picton Susan , Nanduri Vasanta , Visser Johannes , Allen Carl E. , McClain Kenneth L.
Published: June 2020

Patients with pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) typically have a benign course but may have extensive cystic lung disease with rare life‐threatening complications including multiple and recurrent pneumothoraces and respiratory failure. We report seven severely affected pediatric patients treated with chemotherapy, aggressive chest tube management, and pleurodesis of whom five survived. Patients with extraordinary amounts of pulmonary cystic disease and multiple pneumothoraces due to LCH can have remarkable, curative outcomes with early recognition, optimal LCH‐directed therapy, and supportive care.
Imputation of missing covariate in randomized controlled trials with a continuous outcome: Scoping review and new results
Authors: Kayembe Mutamba T. , Jolani Shahab , Tan Frans E. S. , van Breukelen Gerard J. P.
Published: June 2020

In this article, we first review the literature on dealing with missing values on a covariate in randomized studies and summarize what has been done and what is lacking to date. We then investigate the situation with a continuous outcome and a missing binary covariate in more details through simulations, comparing the performance of multiple imputation (MI) with various simple alternative methods. This is finally extended to the case of time‐to‐event outcome. The simulations consider five different missingness scenarios: missing completely at random (MCAR), at random (MAR) with missingness depending only on the treatment, and missing not at random (MNAR) with missingness depending on the covariate itself (MNAR1), missingness depending on both the treatment and covariate (MNAR2), and missingness depending on the treatment, covariate and their interaction (MNAR3). Here, we distinguish two different cases: (1) when the covariate is measured before randomization (best practice), where only MCAR and MNAR1 are plausible, and (2) when it is measured after randomization but before treatment (which sometimes occurs in nonpharmaceutical research), where the other three missingness mechanisms can also occur. The proposed methods are compared based on the treatment effect estimate and its standard error. The simulation results suggest that the patterns of results are very similar for all missingness scenarios in case (1) and also in case (2) except for MNAR3. Furthermore, in each scenario for continuous outcome, there is at least one simple method that performs at least as well as MI, while for time‐to‐event outcome MI is best.
Proximate sharing of geo data using the credit‐considered mobile edge computing server switching control scheme
Authors: Huang Chung‐Ming , Chen Pin‐Jui
Published: June 2020

This paper proposed a mobile edge computing (MEC)‐based point of interests (POIs) downloading and proximate sharing system for a group of people, who belong to the same mobile social networks in proximity (MSN‐P) and whose handheld devices are connected in a tree‐like structure. Using the proposed system, the root handheld device plays the role of an MEC server and is charge of downloading POIs' contents from the remote cloud server using 4G/5G cellular network and then forwarding POIs' contents to other group members' handheld devices using device‐to‐device (D2D) communication. Since the number of connected handheld devices in each handheld device is limited using D2D communication, this work proposed a control scheme called k‐Connection‐Limited and n‐Hop (kCL‐nH) tree topology's construction scheme to achieve the proximate sharing of POIs' contents. Additionally, since the root handheld device consumes more battery power than others, this work proposed a control scheme that has each group member's handheld device to be the root handheld device alternatively. A credit scheme was thus proposed to denote each handheld device's contribution, which is referred for the selecting of the next root handheld device, to achieve the fairness concern. Then, the control scheme, which is executed in the corresponding MEC server, considering both remaining battery power and credit for the switching of the root handheld device was designed. The proposed method was developed using Wi‐Fi Direct over the iOS system. Experimental results have shown some interested results among power consumption, downloaded data volume and fairness among all handheld devices.
Mixture modelling of categorical sequences with secondary components
Authors: Zhu Xuwen
Published: June 2020

In this paper, the forward selected first‐order Markov mixture (FSFOMM) is proposed for modelling heterogeneous categorical sequences with secondary components capable of detecting outlying sequences within each cluster. Such sequences are assumed to have different transition probabilities in certain states. The model provides an attractive and flexible tool for diagnostics of unusual behaviours and parsimonious modelling of transition probabilities. The algorithm is tested on simulated as well as real‐life datasets with promising results.
Opportunities for Single‐Cell Sequencing in Synthetic Biology
Authors: Wollny Damian
Published: June 2020

Single‐cell sequencing describes the ability to extract information from a single cell among a heterogeneous mix of cell types by sequencing its DNA or RNA. The development of this technology created tremendous excitement in biology. Akin to gaining higher resolution on a microscope, single‐cell sequencing opened our eyes towards previously unknown cellular heterogeneity and the underlying molecular mechanisms. This technology, however, could in principle be applied to any non‐living particle capable of carrying nucleotides. This article proposes the application of single‐cell sequencing in synthetic biology in order to analyze large numbers of artificially‐generated or re‐engineered synthetic cells simultaneously. The high‐throughput nature of this technology provides the opportunity to test multiple hypotheses in parallel and thus accelerate the pace of discovery. Synthetic biology serves as a particularly exciting example of many overlooked non‐canonical applications of single‐cell sequencing.
CircRNA circ_POLA2 promotes lung cancer cell stemness via regulating the miR‐326/GNB1 axis
Authors: Fan Zhaohui , Bai Yongkang , Zhang Qian , Qian Pudong
Published: June 2020

Circular RNAs (CircRNAs) are a group of noncoding RNAs that have essential function in the development and progression of various cancers. The expression pattern and function of circRNA in lung cancer is not fully understood. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the expression profiles and underlying mechanism of circRNA circ_POLA2 in lung cancer cell stemness. Circ_POLA2 was highly expressed in lung cancer tissues and predicted a poor prognosis in lung cancer patients. Knockdown of circ_POLA2 inhibited the stemness of lung cancer cells, which is evident by the decreased sphere‐formation ability, ALDH1 activity, and stemness marker expression, but had no effects on cell viability. Mechanistically, circ_POLA2 functioned as a ceRNA by sponging miR‐326. Furthermore, miR‐326 negatively regulated G protein subunit beta 1 (GNB1) expression by targeting its 3′‐UTR (untranslated region). Intriguingly, we found that GNB1 was overexpressed and associated with poor prognosis in lung cancer patients. Overexpression of GNB1 could antagonize the inhibitory effect of circ_POLA2 knockdown on lung cancer cell stemness. In conclusion, circ_POLA2 promotes lung cancer cell stemness and progression via regulating the miR‐326/GNB1 axis, which might serve as a novel therapeutic target for lung cancer patients.
Promising features for poly(vinyl chloride) enriched with Moringa oleifera: Photostability, rheological, mechanical, thermal and antibacterial properties
Authors: Khalil Ahmed M. , Abdel‐Monem Reham A. , Rabie Samira T.
Published: June 2020

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was loaded with various contents of Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves extract. The changes in the structure arising after loading MO into the polymeric matrix were monitored. In addition, their rheological and mechanical properties were investigated. Some thermal analyses techniques were performed to demonstrate any change in the thermal stability of PVC before and after adding MO. PVC/MO exhibited noticeable antibacterial efficiency when evaluated against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. A favorable antibacterial efficiency of PVC/MO boosted with increasing of MO content from 5% to 25% by weight when introduced into PVC. The photostability of PVC enriched with MO was investigated. The change in the rate of dehydrochlorination for PVC was detected. It was indicated with liberating HCl from the polymeric matrix.
The Fukushima effect at home: The changing role of domestic actors in Japanese energy policy
Authors: Fraser Timothy , Aldrich Daniel P.
Published: June 2020

This paper reviews the changing role of domestic political institutions, including local governments and courts, in Japan's energy policy over the 8 years since the Fukushima disaster, focusing on the nuclear and renewable power industries. We explain how a variety of hidden subsidies created financial dependency in communities hosting nuclear power plants and led to local officials hoping to restart nuclear power plants after the meltdowns despite wide‐scale opposition. Later, the introduction of a feed‐in tariff (FiT) brought a wider range of towns into the field of renewable energy, but vulnerable towns with weaker social networks continue to bear a large share of Japan's energy infrastructure. Courts, prefectures, and local firms have become intervening agents in the renewable energy market, but utilities have pushed back, encouraging the state to overturn the FiT and create auctions for renewable power contracts instead. With subnational governments and courts more powerful in energy policy since the meltdowns, and a variety of new actors involved in renewable energy, post‐Fukushima energy policy has become more democratized.

This article is categorized under:

The Carbon Economy and Climate Mitigation > Decarbonizing Energy and/or Reducing Demand
Unusually large 254 Atoms Counter‐Ion for 5 Atoms [Ge5]2– Cluster
Authors: Zavalij Peter Y. , Li Ai‐Min , Eichhorn Bryan W.
Published: June 2020

Abstract. With the attempt to synthesize Nb‐enclosed germanium Zintl cluster ion in ethylenediamine (en) / toluene solution, the reaction of K4Ge9/Na4Ge9 with Nb(mes)2 (mes = mesitylene) gives unexpected 18‐crown‐6 cleavage product of [K14Na2(NbO2)2(C8H16O5)8](Ge5) (en)·solv in the form of very air‐sensitive, light‐brown, plate‐like crystals. This unique compound crystallizes in monoclinic Pn (No. 7) space group, the cleavage of crown linked the 14 potassium, 2 sodium, and 2 niobium atoms into the bulky 2+ charged cation, which balances the [Ge5]2– anion. This compound represents the rare example of heteronuclear metal alkoxide / Zintl ion hybrid.
The Tocantins-Araguaia Basin as a migratory route and a wintering area of Falco peregrinus (Aves, Falconidae)
Authors: Dornas Túlio , Menq Willian , Junqueira Tiago , Santos Estevão F.
Published: June 2020

The PeregrineFalco peregrinus, is an Nearctic migrant to Brazil where its status in central Brazil is still poorly known. Herein we present a compilation of records of the species from the state of Tocantins and comment on its use of a wintering site in the state of Goiás. These records show that the Tocantins-Araguaia River Basin is a migration route for the species, and therefore a mid-continental migration route through the interior of South America.
Glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 haplodeficiency in mice: consequences of postweaning social isolation on behavior and changes in brain neurochemical systems
Authors: Nullmeier Sven , Elmers Christoph , D’Hanis Wolfgang , Sandhu Kiran Veer Kaur , Stork Oliver , Yanagawa Yuchio , Panther Patricia , Schwegler Herbert
Published: June 2020

Reductions of glutamate acid decarboxylase (GAD67) and subsequent GABA levels have been consistently observed in neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and depression, but it has remained unclear how GABAergic dysfunction contributes to different symptoms of the diseases. To address this issue, we investigated male mice haplodeficient for GAD67 (GAD67+/GFP mice), which showed a reduced social interaction, social dominance and increased immobility in the forced swim test. No differences were found in rotarod performance and sensorimotor gating. We also addressed potential effects of social deprivation, which is known, during early life, to affect GABAergic function and induces behavioral abnormalities similar to the symptoms found in psychiatric disorders. Indeed, social isolation of GAD67+/GFP mice provoked increased rearing activity in the social interaction test and hyperlocomotion on elevated plus maze. Since GABA closely interacts with the dopaminergic, serotonergic and cholinergic neurotransmitter systems, we investigated GAD67+/GFP and GAD67+/+ mice for morphological markers of the latter systems and found increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-IR fiber densities in CA1 of dorsal hippocampus. By contrast, no differences in numbers and densities of TH-positive neurons of the midbrain dopamine regions, serotonin (5-HT) neurons of the raphe nuclei, or choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-expressing neurons of basal forebrain and their respective terminal fields were observed. Our results indicate that GAD67 haplodeficiency impairs sociability and increases vulnerability to social stress, provokes depressive-like behavior and alters the catecholaminergic innervation in brain areas associated with schizophrenia. GAD67+/GFP mice may provide a useful model for studying the impact of GABAergic dysfunction as related to neuropsychiatric disorders.
Industrielle Energietechnik
Authors: Berger Gregor , Holzer Alexandra , Raupenstrauch Harald
Published: June 2020

Energieeffizienz, Prozessoptimierung und die damit einhergehende Ressourcenschonung sind in Hinblick auf ökonomische, ökologische und sozioökonomische Aspekte ein zentrales Thema der energieintensiven Industrie. Die Arbeitsgruppe „Industrielle Energietechnik“ am Lehrstuhl für Thermoprozesstechnik (TPT) beschäftigt sich in diesem Zusammenhang mit der Bewertung von Prozessen und Erarbeitung von technisch-wirtschaftlichen Maßnahmen mit dem Ziel einer Energieeffizienzsteigerung. Im Speziellen handelt es sich um die energetische Optimierung von thermischen Prozessen und Anlagen im Hochtemperaturbereich (z. B. Industrieöfen, Hochtemperaturreaktoren, etc.) und deren Einbindung in den Gesamtprozess.

Neben der Bilanzierung von Energie- und Stoffströmen sowie der Bewertung der Energieeffizienz verfügt die Arbeitsgruppe über Kompetenzen im Bereich der Erfassung wichtiger Betriebsparameter in Prozessen. So wurden mittels geeigneter Ausstattungen in der Vergangenheit zahlreiche Temperaturerfassungen bis hin zu In-situ-Messungen durchgeführt.
Functional ecology of wild bees in cities: towards a better understanding of trait-urbanization relationships
Authors: Buchholz Sascha , Egerer Monika H.
Published: June 2020

A functional ecological understanding of urban wild bee communities is of growing importance especially in regard to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem service maintenance and effective conservation programmes. In this paper, we review and summarize the published literature aiming to inform future research investigations in the growing field of wild bee functional ecology. Specifically, we: (1) review which functional trait-based analyses have been carried out on wild bees in cities thus far; (2) summarize which wild bee species traits have been considered; (3) evaluate any consistent wild bee trait–environment relationships (i.e. urbanization) across studies; and (4) synthesize findings and limitations to inform future research recommendations. We reviewed 48 studies based on a systematic Web of Knowledge search. We found consistent trait characteristics for ‘nesting type’, ‘diet’, ‘body size’, ‘sociality’ and ‘phenology’ across studies. More than one third of the studies were descriptive and the majority of studies were located in urban gardens in temperate Europe and North America, calling for more research from underrepresented geographic regions and from the entire spectrum of urban habitat types. Of these studies, only five analyzed functional diversity indices and three studies applied statistics to relate urban wild bee traits to urbanization factors. Future studies should consider trait-based statistics, and could incorporate functional trait-based ecological networks to examine network shifts across urbanization gradients. Our review suggests that we lack generalizable information about wild bee trait and urbanization relationships yet, making conservation recommendations challenging. Therefore, we propose more research that considers methodological recommendations to develop a comparable and comprehensive understanding of how urbanization affects the functional ecology of urban wild bees to link with specific urban conservation measures.
Star Clusters Near and Far
Authors: Adamo Angela , Zeidler Peter , Kruijssen J. M. Diederik , Chevance Mélanie , Gieles Mark , Calzetti Daniela , Charbonnel Corinne , Zinnecker Hans , Krause Martin G. H.
Published: June 2020

Star clusters are fundamental units of stellar feedback and unique tracers of their host galactic properties. In this review, we will first focus on their constituents, i.e. detailed insight into their stellar populations and their surrounding ionised, warm, neutral, and molecular gas. We, then, move beyond the Local Group to review star cluster populations at various evolutionary stages, and in diverse galactic environmental conditions accessible in the local Universe. At high redshift, where conditions for cluster formation and evolution are more extreme, we are only able to observe the integrated light of a handful of objects that we believe will become globular clusters. We therefore discuss how numerical and analytical methods, informed by the observed properties of cluster populations in the local Universe, are used to develop sophisticated simulations potentially capable of disentangling the genetic map of galaxy formation and assembly that is carried by globular cluster populations.
Structural uncertainty through the lens of model building
Authors: Baldissera Pacchetti Marina
Published: June 2020

An important epistemic issue in climate modelling concerns structural uncertainty: uncertainty about whether the mathematical structure of a model accurately represents its target. How does structural uncertainty affect our knowledge and predictions about the climate? How can we identify sources of structural uncertainty? Can we manage the effect of structural uncertainty on our knowledge claims? These are some of the questions that an epistemology of structural uncertainty faces, and these questions are also important for climate scientists and policymakers. I develop three desiderata for an epistemological account of structural uncertainty. In my view, an account of structural uncertainty should (1) identify sources of structural uncertainty, (2) explain how these sources limit the applicability of a model, and (3) show how the severity of structural uncertainty depends on the questions that can be asked of a model. I argue that analyzing structural uncertainty by paying attention to the details of model building can satisfy these desiderata. I focus on parametrizations, which are representations of important processes occurring at scales that are not resolved by climate models. Parametrizations are often thought to be ad-hoc, but I show that some important parametrizations are theoretically justified by explicit or implicit scale separation assumptions. These assumptions can also be supported empirically. Analyzing these theoretical and empirical justificatory roles of the scale separation assumptions can provide insights into how parametrizations contribute to structural uncertainty. I conclude by sketching how my approach can satisfy the desiderata I set out at the beginning, highlighting its importance for policy-relevant scientific statements about the climate.
Clinical Practice Guidelines on Ordering Echocardiography before Hip Fracture Repair Perform Differently from One Another
Authors: Swart Eric , Adair Chris , Seymour Rachel B. , Karunakar Madhav A.
Published: June 2020

Background

Osteoporotic hip fractures typically occur in frail elderly patients with multiple comorbidities, and repair of the fracture within 48 h is recommended. Pre-operative evaluation sometimes involves transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) to screen for heart disease that would alter peri-operative management, yet TTE can delay surgery and is resource intensive. Evidence suggests that the use of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) can improve care. It is unclear which guidelines are most useful in hip fracture patients.

Questions/Purposes

We sought to evaluate the performance of the five commonly used CPGs in determining which patients with acute fragility hip fracture require TTE and to identify common features among high-performing CPGs that could be incorporated into care pathways.

Patients and Methods

We performed a retrospective study of medical records taken from an institutional database of osteoporotic hip fracture patients to identify those who underwent pre-operative TTE. History and physical examination findings were recorded; listed indications for TTE were compared against those given in five commonly used CPGs: those from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA), the British Society of Echocardiography (BSE), the European Society of Cardiology and the European Society of Anaesthesiology(ESC/ESA), the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI), and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). We then calculated the performance (sensitivity and specificity) of the CPGs in identifying patients with TTE results that had the potential to change peri-operative management.

Results

We identified 100 patients who underwent pre-operative TTE. Among those, the patients met criteria for TTE 32 to 66% of the time, depending on the CPG used. In 14% of those receiving TTE, the test revealed new information with the potential to change management. The sensitivity of the CPGs ranged from 71% (ESC/ESA and AAGBI) to 100% (ACC/AHA and SIGN). The CPGs’ specificity ranged from 37% (BSE) to 74% (ESC/ESA). The more sensitive guidelines focused on a change in clinical status in patients with known disease or clinical concern regarding new-onset disease.

Conclusions

In patients requiring fixation of osteoporotic hip fractures, TTE can be useful for identifying pathologies that could directly change peri-operative management. Our data suggest that established CPGs can be safely used to identify which patients should undergo pre-operative TTE with low risk of missed pathology.
Managing anticoagulation in the COVID-19 era between lockdown and reopening phases
Authors: Poli Daniela , Tosetto Alberto , Palareti Gulatiero , Barcellona Doris , Ciampa Antonio , Grandone Elvira , Manotti Cesare , Moia Marco , Squizzato Alessandro , Toschi Vincenzo , Testa Sophie ,   On the behalf of Italian Federation of Anticoagulation Clinics (FCSA)
Published: June 2020

Patients on anticoagulant treatment are constantly increasing, with an estimated prevalence in Italy of 2% of the total population. The recent spreadout of the COVID-19 pandemic requires a re-organization of Anticoagulation Clinics to prevent person-to-person viral diffusion and continue to offer the highest possible quality of assistance to patients. In this paper, based on the Italian Federation of Anticoagulation Clinics statements, we offer some advice aimed at improving patient care during COVID-19 pandemic, with particular regard to the lockdown and reopening periods. We give practical guidance regarding the following points: (1) re-thinking the AC organization, (2) managing patients on anticoagulants when they become infected by the virus, (3) managing anticoagulation surveillance in non-infected patients during the lockdown period, and (4) organizing the activities during the reopening phases.
Influence of the fly ash fraction after grinding process on the hydrothermal synthesis efficiency of Na-A, Na-P1, Na-X and sodalite zeolite types
Authors: Kunecki Piotr , Panek Rafał , Wdowin Magdalena , Bień Tomasz , Franus Wojciech
Published: June 2020

The fly ashes (Class F and C) have been successfully used as the main substrates in the hydrothermal syntheses of Na-A, Na-P1, Na-X and sodalite zeolites. Both ashes and their derivatives after milling with magnetic field grinder were used. The paper investigates the effect of fly ash fraction size on the syntheses efficiency and physicochemical properties of the obtained zeolites. The starting material and obtained zeolites were subjected to physicochemical characteristics using X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, particle size analysis, and scanning electron microscopy methods. The paper showed a significant effect of the used fly ash fractions on the quantity, purity, quality and level of crystallinity of the zeolites phase obtained. The application of the grinding process prior to the syntheses of zeolites, with a relatively small financial outlay, significantly increases their application potential. Obtained zeolites are a promising material in the context of their use, inter alia, in environmental protection.

Graphic abstract
Hydrodynamics of core-collapse supernovae and their progenitors
Authors: Müller Bernhard
Published: June 2020

Multi-dimensional fluid flow plays a paramount role in the explosions of massive stars as core-collapse supernovae. In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) simulations of these phenomena have matured significantly. Considerable progress has been made towards identifying the ingredients for shock revival by the neutrino-driven mechanism, and successful explosions have already been obtained in a number of self-consistent 3D models. These advances also bring new challenges, however. Prompted by a need for increased physical realism and meaningful model validation, supernova theory is now moving towards a more integrated view that connects multi-dimensional phenomena in the late convective burning stages prior to collapse, the explosion engine, and mixing instabilities in the supernova envelope. Here we review our current understanding of multi-D fluid flow in core-collapse supernovae and their progenitors. We start by outlining specific challenges faced by hydrodynamic simulations of core-collapse supernovae and of the late convective burning stages. We then discuss recent advances and open questions in theory and simulations.
Companies, COVID-19 and Respect for Human Rights
Authors: TRIPATHI Salil
Published: June 2020

The relentless spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)1 has been exponential, with an alarming number of deaths2 putting health systems under severe strain. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared COVID-19 a pandemic3 and health experts cannot predict when a vaccine may be available, or when the spread will slow.
What should be the goal of public policies?
Authors: DURAND MARTINE
Published: June 2020

Should subjective wellbeing, as measured by life evaluation, be the sole criterion for policies? This article answers this question negatively based on three arguments. First, it is important to distinguish between people's life evaluations, their emotional experiences and their sense of purpose; each has different drivers and consequences, implying that no single measure can adequately subsume the others. Second, while subjective wellbeing provides information missed by more conventional measures, the reverse is also true. This implies that information on the intrinsic importance of other key wellbeing dimensions cannot be derived from just looking at their instrumental value in raising subjective wellbeing. Third, the ‘utilitarian calculus’ implicit in subjective wellbeing regressions shines little light on normative decisions such as the attention we should focus on the worst off or on future generations. In contrast to the ‘automatic pilot’ approach to policies advocated by Frijters et al., this article favours an approach based on dashboards of indicators used to inform all of the stages of the policy cycles, as recently implemented by several OECD countries.
The Kyogle line: '12 Edmondstone Street', hospitality and memories of home
Authors: Gibson Suzie
Published: June 2020

The spaces of our childhood maintain a particularly enduring hold when they cease to exist or are so reconstructed that the previous version is effectively obliterated. Recollections of an early home that no longer exists provide the framework for David Malouf’s celebrated 12 Edmondstone Street. In this article, I juxtapose Malouf’s experiences with recollections of my own family home in Kyogle, coincidentally situated at the other end of the old railway line that began just a couple of hundred metres from Malouf’s childhood dwelling. In addressing both the similarities and differences between Malouf’s and my own example, the discussion will develop around the fact that in contrast to the physical non-existence of the address of 12 Edmonstone Street, my own family home in Kyogle has not been extinguished; instead, it is today a disfigured ‘renovation’ of its former self. Ultimately, 12 Edmondstone Street – a piece of writing whose poetic power and mnemonic resonance go beyond the mortal limits of physical space – will operate as a literary shelter through which the power of memories of former living spaces can be articulated.