bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dose‐rate considerations for the INTRABEAM electronic brachytherapy system: Report from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine task group no. 292
Authors: Culberson Wesley S. , Davis Stephen D. , Gwe‐Ya Kim Grace , Lowenstein Jessica R. , Ouhib Zoubir , Popovic Marija , Waldron Timothy J. , Safigholi Habib , Simiele Samantha J. , Rivard Mark J.
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this report is to provide detailed guidance on the dosimetry of the INTRABEAM® (Carl Zeiss Medical AG, Jena, Germany) electronic brachytherapy (eBT) system as it stands at the present time. This report has been developed by the members of American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group 292 and endorsed by the AAPM. Members of AAPM Task Group 292 on Electronic‐Brachytherapy Dosimetry have reviewed pertinent publications and user manuals regarding the INTRABEAM system dosimetry and manufacturer‐supplied dose calculation protocols. Formal written correspondence with Zeiss has also provided further clarification. Dose‐rate calculations for the INTRABEAM system are highly dependent on choice of dosimetry protocol. Even with careful protocol selection, large uncertainties remain due to the incomplete characterization of the ionization chambers used for verification with respect to their energy dependence as well as manufacturing variations. There are two distinct sets of dose‐rate data provided by Zeiss for the INTRABEAM system. One dataset (Calibration V4.0) is representative of the physical dose surrounding the source and the other dataset (TARGIT) has been adjusted to be consistent with a clinical trial named TARGIT (TARGeted Intraoperative RadioTherapy). The adjusted TARGIT doses are quite dissimilar to the physical doses, with differences ranging from 14% to 30% at the surface of a spherical applicator, depending on its diameter, and up to a factor of two at closer distances with the smaller needle applicators. In addition, ion chamber selection and associated manufacturing tolerances contribute to significant additional uncertainties. With these substantial differences in dose rates and their associated uncertainties, it is important for users to be aware of how each value is calculated and whether it is appropriate to be used for the intended treatment. If users intend to deliver doses that are the same as they were in 1998 at the onset of the TARGIT trial, then the TARGIT dose‐rate tables should be used. The Calibration V4.0 dose rates may be more appropriate to use for applications other than TARGIT trial treatments, since they more closely represent the physical doses being delivered. Users should also be aware of the substantial uncertainties associated with the provided dose rates, which are due to beam hardening, chamber geometry, and selection of the point‐of‐measurement for a given ionization chamber. This report serves to describe the details and implications of the manufacturer‐recommended dosimetry formalism for users of the INTRABEAM system.
Review of the use of NMR spectroscopy to investigate structure, reactivity, and dynamics of lead soap formation in paintings
Authors: Catalano Jaclyn , Di Tullio Valeria , Wagner Molly , Zumbulyadis Nicholas , Centeno Silvia A. , Dybowski Cecil
Published: April 2020

Heavy metal carboxylate or soap formation is a widespread deterioration problem affecting oil paintings and other works of art bearing oil‐based media. Lead soaps are prevalent in traditional oil paintings because lead white was the white pigment most frequently chosen by old masters for the paints and in some cases for the ground preparations, until the development of other white pigments from approximately the middle of the 18th century on, and because of the wide use of lead‐tin yellow. In the latter part of the 19th century, lead white began to be replaced by zinc white. The factors that influence soap formation have been the focus of intense study starting in the late 1990s. Since 2014, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies have contributed a unique perspective on the issue by providing chemical, structural, and dynamic information about the species involved in the process, as well as the effects of environmental conditions such as relative humidity and temperature on the kinetics of the reaction(s). In this review, we explore recent insights into soap formation gained through solid‐state NMR and single‐sided NMR techniques.
Implications of age and sex determinations of ancient Maya sacrificial victims at Midnight Terror Cave
Authors: Verdugo Cristina , Zhu Kimberly , Prout Michael , Broomandkhoshbacht Nasreen , Galloway Alison , Fehren‐Schmitz Lars , Brady James E.
Published: April 2020

The prurient element in the popular notion of the ancient Maya sacrifice of “beautiful virgins” during the first half of the 20th century appears to have made researchers wary of studying women in human sacrifice. Interest in human sacrifice arose in the 1990s along with the formulation of the warfare hypothesis for the collapse of Maya civilization so that models of human sacrifice often assumed that victims were largely male war captives. The present study reports on the detailed examination of all the pelvises in the Midnight Terror Cave skeletal assemblage, using osteological and paleogenomic techniques to shed light on the age and sex composition of sacrificed individuals. Our analysis demonstrates the presence of both males and females ranging from subadult to older adult ages. All four paleogenomic sex determinations on samples from subadults were determined female. Additionally, results indicate females fall into two age categories suggesting that sacrificed women may have served as deity impersonators in rituals dedicated to female deities.
Intensive Care Unit Delirium in Surgical Patients Is Associated with Upregulation in Tryptophan Metabolism
Authors: Voils Stacy A. , Shoulders Bethany R. , Singh Sonal , Solberg Laurence M. , Garrett Timothy J. , Frye Reginald F.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

In intensive care unit (ICU) patients, delirium is frequent, occurs early in ICU admission, and is associated with poor outcomes. Risk models based on clinical factors have shown variable performance in terms of predictive ability. Identification of a candidate biomarker that associates with delirium may lead to a better understanding of disease mechanism, validation biomarker studies, and the ability to develop targeted interventions for prevention and treatment of delirium. This study analyzed metabolite concentrations early in the course of ICU admission to assess the association with delirium onset.

Methods

Within 24 hours of ICU admission, blood samples for global and targeted metabolomics analyses in adult surgical ICU patients were collected prospectively. Metabolites were determined using mass spectrometry/ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography and analyzed in patients with delirium and a group of controls matched on age, sex, and admission Sequential Organ Function Assessment (SOFA) score.

Results

Patients in the study (65 per group) were a mean age of 59 years, had a median SOFA score of 6, and were most commonly admitted to the ICU following major trauma. In the delirium group, median onset of delirium was 3 (interquartile range 1–6) days, and the most common delirium subtype was mixed (56%). Kynurenic acid was significantly increased, and tryptophan concentration was significantly decreased in the delirium group (p=0.04). The ratio of kynurenine‐to‐tryptophan concentration was significantly higher in the delirium group (p=0.005).

Conclusions

Evidence of upregulation was found in the tryptophan metabolic pathway in delirious patients because tryptophan concentrations were lower, tryptophan metabolites were higher, and the kynurenine‐to‐tryptophan ratio was increased. These findings suggest a role of increased inflammation and accumulation of neurotoxic metabolites in the pathogenesis of ICU delirium. Future studies should target this pathway to validate metabolites in the tryptophan pathway as risk biomarkers in patients with ICU delirium.
Initial teacher education and trauma and violence informed care in the classroom: Preliminary results from an online teacher education course
Authors: Rodger Susan , Bird Richelle , Hibbert Kathryn , Johnson Andrew M. , Specht Jacqueline , Wathen C. Nadine
Published: April 2020

A trauma‐and‐violence‐informed‐care (TVIC) system within an educational setting provides a framework of practice that enables schools to become safe and inclusive places for some of the most vulnerable students. Initial teacher education may provide the opportunity to prepare teachers to create classrooms and learning experiences that are safe, equitable, and meet students' needs. A mandatory mental health literacy course for second year teacher candidates in a Bachelor of Education program (n = 287) at a large Canadian university introduced TVIC concepts. A case study approach was used to illustrate both the challenges that students exposed to trauma and/or violence can experience, as well as strategies and knowledge that teachers can use to support these students. This program evaluation used a repeated measures design to survey both attitudes toward trauma informed care for teachers and self‐efficacy for teaching using inclusive practices before and after the course. A significant effect of time on both measures revealed an increase in both participants' attitudes toward TVIC and their self‐efficacy in using inclusive teaching practices. These findings provide support for the inclusion of these important topics for all teacher candidates. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.
Preparation and characterization of a novel controlled‐release nano‐delivery system loaded with pyraclostrobin via high‐pressure homogenization
Authors: Wang Anqi , Cui Jianxia , Wang Yan , Zhu Huaxin , Li Ningjun , Wang Chunxin , Shen Yue , Liu Pengfei , Cui Bo , Sun Changjiao , Zhao Xiang , Wang Chong , Gao Fei , Zeng Zhanghua , Cui Haixin
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

The development of efficient and safe green pesticides is a scientific strategy to alleviate current pesticide residues, environmental pollution, and threats to non‐target organisms. Pesticide controlled‐release formulations (CRFs) have attracted wide attention because they can control the rate of release of active ingredients and prolong the effective duration. In particular, nanoscale pesticide sustained‐release systems have excellent biological activity and distribution performance because of their small particle size. Some technical difficulties remain in obtaining nanoscale CRFs.

RESULTS

We successfully fabricated pyraclostrobin nanosphere CRF by combining high‐pressure homogenization technology and emulsion–solvent evaporation methods. The pyraclostrobin nanospheres had a uniform spherical shape with a mean particle size of 450 nm and polydispersity index of less than 0.3. The pyraclostrobin loading capacity reached 53.6%, with excellent storage stability. The contact angle of nanospheres on cucumber leaf surfaces demonstrated that it had good wettability. Compared with pyraclostrobin technical and commercial formulations, the nanosphere systems showed a significantly sustained release of pyraclostrobin for longer (up to 250 h). A preliminary bioassay against Penicillium ochrochloron showed that the bioactivity and long‐term efficiency of pyraclostrobin nanospheres were superior to those of the commercial formulation.

CONCLUSION

This research introduced a simple, fast, expandable method for preparing pyraclostrobin nanospheres. The results showed that pyraclostrobin nanospheres could prolong the duration of pesticide efficacy and enhance bioactivity. Furthermore, this technology provides a platform for scale‐up production of nano‐scale pesticide CRFs. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis of novel 18β‐glycyrrhetinic piperazine amides displaying significant in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities against intractable plant bacterial diseases
Authors: Xiang Meng , Song Ying‐Lian , Ji Jin , Zhou Xiang , Liu Li‐Wei , Wang Pei‐Yi , Wu Zhi‐Bing , Li Zhong , Yang Song
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

The limited amount of agrochemicals targeting plant bacterial diseases has motivated us to study innovative antibacterial surrogates with fresh modes of action. Notably, fabrication of violent apoptosis inducers to control the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria should be a feasible way to control plant bacterial diseases. To achieve this aim, we constructed a series of novel 18β‐glycyrrhetinic piperazine amides based on the natural bioactive ingredient 18β‐glycyrrhetinic acid to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity and induced apoptosis behaviors on tested pathogens.

RESULTS

Screening results suggested that these designed compounds were extremely bioactive against two notorious pathogens, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and X. axonopodis pv. citri. This conclusion was highlighted by the biological effects of compounds A3 and B1, affording the related EC50 values of 2.28 and 0.93 μg mL–1. In vivo trials confirmed the prospective application for managing rice bacterial blight disease with control efficiency within 50.57–53.70% at 200 μg mL–1. In particular, target compounds could induce the generation of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tested pathogens, subsequently leading to a strong apoptotic effect at a very low drug concentration (≤ 10 μg mL–1). This finding was consistent with the observed ROS‐enhanced fluorescent images and morphological changes of pathogens from scanning electron microscopy patterns.

CONCLUSION

Given these features, we anticipate that these novel piperazine‐tailored 18β‐glycyrrhetinic hybrids can provide an perceptible insight for fighting bacterial infections by activation of the apoptosis mechanism.

Novel 18β‐glycyrrhetinic piperazine amides were reported to have excellent antibacterial efficacy toward phytopathogens Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and X. axonopodis pv. citri. A possible apoptosis mechanism was proposed from the remarkable apoptotic behaviors triggered by target compounds. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
The male‐produced aggregation pheromone of the bean flower thrips Megalurothrips usitatus in China: identification and attraction of conspecifics in the laboratory and field
Authors: Liu Pingping , Qin Zifang , Feng Mingyue , Zhang Liu , Huang Xinzheng , Shi Wangpeng
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Thrips, Megalurothrips usitatus, usually display aggregation behavior, which is probably mediated by a male‐produced aggregation pheromone. Aggregation pheromones are species‐specific, and can be used to develop commercial lures for monitoring and mass‐trapping of pests. The active components of the aggregation pheromone for four thrips species have been identified. However, the components of M. usitatus‐produced aggregation pheromone are still not clear.

RESULT

Y‐tube olfactometer assays showed that both male and virgin female M. usitatus were significantly attracted to male but not female volatiles. This was additionally supported by electroantennogram (EAG) assays. Coupled gas chromatography‐electroantennogram detection (GC‐EAD) showed that one component of male‐specific odors elicited a significant electrophysiological response. This compound was characterized as (2E,6E)‐farnesyl acetate, which is structurally different from the active components of the aggregation pheromones of other reported thrips species. Electroantennal responses of M. usitatus increased with increasing doses of synthetic (2E,6E)‐farnesyl acetate. Additionally, this compound significantly attracted adults in laboratory behavioral bioassays. Under field conditions, sticky traps with synthetic (2E,6E)‐farnesyl acetate caught 1.5‐7‐fold more M. usitatus than controls, and this effect of the compound at a dose of 60 μg lasted at least 6 days.

CONCLUSION

(2E,6E)‐Farnesyl acetate was identified as the male‐produced aggregation pheromone of M. usitatus. It could attract this thrips species under laboratory and field conditions, suggesting considerable potential as a commercial application to control M. usitatus populations. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Activated Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes and 2D Nanostructured MoS2 Hybrid Electrode Material for High‐Performance Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Gupta Honey , Mothkuri Sagar , McGlynn Ruairi , Carolan Darragh , Maguire Paul , Mariotti Davide , Jain P. K. , Rao Tata Narasinga , Padmanabham G. , Chakrabarti Supriya
Published: April 2020

Alkali‐activated functionalized carbon nanotubes (AFCNTs) and 2D nanostructured MoS2 are investigated as a novel hybrid material for energy‐storage applications. The nanoflower‐like 2D MoS2 is grown on the surface of AFCNT using the controlled one‐step hydrothermal technique. The activation of functionalized carbon nanotubes results in greater performance due to the improved surface area. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of the AFCNTs is found to be 594.7 m2 g−1 which is almost 30 times of the as‐prepared carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The improved surface area with attached hydroxyl and carboxylic functional groups helps in the attachment of MoS2 nanoflowers onto the AFCNT, thus reducing the interfacial resistance and providing an easy path for electron transfer. The electrochemical analysis shows a high specific capacitance of 516 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 with a corresponding energy density of 71.76 Wh kg−1, which is an encouraging reported value from AFCNT and MoS2 hybrid material. To the best of our knowledge, herein, the first report on AFCNTs and 2D MoS2 nanostructured hybrid electrode material for supercapacitor applications is provided, and promising results in terms of specific capacitance, energy density, and power density by boosting the properties of individual material are explained.
Ultrafast and Local Optoelectronic Transport in Topological Insulators
Authors: Kiemle Jonas , Seifert Paul , Holleitner Alexander W. , Kastl Christoph
Published: April 2020

Recently, topological insulators (TIs) were discovered as a new class of materials representing a subset of topological quantum matter. While a TI possesses a bulk band gap similar to an ordinary insulator, it exhibits gapless states at the surface featuring a spin‐helical Dirac dispersion. Due to this unique surface band structure, TIs may find use in (opto)spintronic applications. Herein, optoelectronic methods are discussed to characterize, control, and read‐out surface state charge and spin transport of 3D TIs. In particular, time‐ and spatially‐resolved photocurrent microscopy at near‐infrared excitation can give fundamental insights into charge carrier dynamics, local electronic properties, and the interplay between bulk and surface currents. Furthermore, possibilities of applying such ultrafast optoelectronic methods to study Berry curvature‐related transport phenomena in topological semimetals are discussed.
Tropical water vapour in the lower stratosphere and its relationship to tropical/extratropical dynamical processes in ERA5
Authors: Wang Tongmei , Zhang Qiong , Hannachi Abdel , Hirooka Toshihiko , Hegglin Michaela I.
Published: April 2020

Stratospheric water vapour (SWV), in spite of its low concentration in the stratosphere as compared to the troposphere, contributes significantly to the surface energy budget and can have an influence on the surface climate. This study investigates the dynamical processes that determine SWV on interannual to decadal time‐scales. First, we evaluate two SWV reanalysis products and show that SWV is better represented in a new‐generation reanalysis product, ERA5, than in its predecessor, ERA‐Interim. In particular, it is shown that SWV in ERA5 is highly consistent with observational data obtained from the SPARC Data Initiative Multi‐Instrument Mean (SDI MIM). Second, we investigate the variability of tropical SWV and its relationship to dynamical stratospheric variables. The analyses show that the interannual variability in the tropical lower‐stratospheric water vapour is closely linked to the tropical Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation (QBO). When westerlies occupy the middle stratosphere and easterlies the lower stratosphere, a decrease is observed in lower‐stratospheric water vapour due to a colder tropical tropopause and a QBO‐induced enhanced residual circulation. On decadal time‐scales, the composite analysis of the boreal winter in two typical periods shows that less SWV is related to a warm anomaly in the North Atlantic sea‐surface temperature, which leads to stronger upward propagation of planetary wave activity at high latitudes, a weaker polar vortex and an enhanced residual circulation. The opposite occurs during periods with higher concentrations of
SWV.
Development and validation of a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method to quantify metabolites of phthalates, including di‐2‐ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHTP) and bisphenol A, in human urine
Authors: Frigerio Gianfranco , Campo Laura , Mercadante Rosa , Santos Patricia Martín , Missineo Pasquale , Polledri Elisa , Fustinoni Silvia
Published: April 2020

Rationale

Several phthalates and bisphenol A are endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Recently, their use has been partially restricted and less toxic compounds, such as di‐2‐ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHTP), have been placed on the market. The aim of this work was to develop and validate a method for the simultaneous quantitation of bisphenol A and urinary metabolites of phthalates, including DEHTP.

Methods

An isotopic dilution high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI‐MS/MS) method for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono‐2‐ethyl‐5‐carboxypentyl phthalate (MECPP), mono‐2‐ethyl‐5‐carboxypentyl terephthalate (MECPTP), mono‐2‐ethyl‐5‐hydroxyhexyl terephthalate (MEHHTP), monoethyl phthalate (MEP), and mono‐n/i‐butyl phthalates (MnBP/MiBP) in human urine was developed. A complete validation was carried out and the method was applied to 36 non‐occupationally exposed adults.

Results

Limits of quantitation ranged from 0.02 (MECPP) to 1 μg/L (MnBP and MiBP). Relative standard deviations below 10% indicated a suitable precision; accuracy, evaluated using a standard reference material, ranged from 74.3% to 117.5%; isotopically labelled internal standards were suitable for correcting the matrix effect. The accuracy was confirmed by the successful participation in an external verification exercise. However, for terephthalates, the validation was incomplete due to the lack of reference materials and external verification. Levels of the investigated chemicals in subjects were in line with those previously reported.

Conclusions

An LC/MS/MS assay for the simultaneous measurement of BPA and phthalate metabolites in human urine was developed and validated; it is useful to investigate exposure in epidemiological studies involving the general population.
Impurity identification and quantification for arginine vasopressin by liquid chromatography/high‐resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Wu Peize , Ye Sijian , Li Ming , Li Hongmei , Kan Ying , Yang Zecheng
Published: April 2020

Rationale

For pharmaceutical quality control, impurities may have unexpected pharmacological or toxicological effects on quality, safety, and efficacy of drugs. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is an important cyclic peptide drug that is mainly used for the treatment of diabetes insipidus and esophageal varices bleeding. With the advancement made in analytical techniques, liquid chromatography/high‐resolution mass spectrometry (LC/HRMS) has emerged as a critical technique for the identification and quantification of structurally related peptide impurities in AVP.

Methods

An LC/HRMS/MS‐based method using a quadrupole ion trap–Orbitrap mass spectrometer operated in the positive ion electrospray ionization mode was developed for the determination and quantification of structurally related peptide impurities in AVP.

Results

Under optimized experimental conditions, three deamidation products, ([Glu4]AVP, [Asp5]AVP, and AVP acid), two amino acid deletion impurities (des‐Pro7‐AVP and des‐Gly9‐AVP), one amino acid insertion impurity (endo‐Gly10a‐AVP), one end chain reaction product (N‐acetyl‐AVP), and one AVP isomer were detected. Subsequent quantification using an external standard method estimated the total mass fraction of all structurally related peptide impurities in the AVP study material to be 30.3 mg/g with an expanded uncertainty of 3.0 mg/g (k = 2).

Conclusions

This study complements the AVP impurity profile and improves the separation and discovery of other potential impurities in vasopressin analogues.
Chemical compositional analysis of soil fulvic acids using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry
Authors: Ikeya Kosuke , Sleighter Rachel L. , Hatcher Patrick G. , Watanabe Akira
Published: April 2020

Rationale

Soil fulvic acids (FAs) are considered to be a highly reactive pool of soil organic matter. The functions of FAs are related to their chemical structures, the details of which are largely unidentified. To better understand them, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR‐MS) must be a useful but generally unused tool.

Methods

The structural properties of the components of five FA samples from a variety of soils were determined using FTICR‐MS with negative‐mode electrospray ionization. The peaks were assigned to molecular formulae, which were categorized into seven compound groups based on the H/C–O/C van Krevelen diagram. Ramp 13C cross polarization/magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra with phase‐adjusted spinning side bands were also recorded to estimate the C composition.

Results

From FTICR‐MS, molecular formulae were assigned to 1746–2605 peaks across the m/z range of 200–700. Those aligned in the lignin‐like, tannin‐like, and condensed aromatic regions of the van Krevelen diagram accounted for 49–58%, 4–20%, and 18–39% of the total peak magnitude, respectively. The proportion of the summed peak magnitudes that were detected in the lignin‐like and condensed aromatic regions correlated positively to the aromatic C% as estimated by 13C NMR. From Kendrick mass defect analysis using a carboxyl group, 94 molecular formulae were assigned to condensed aromatic acids, of which the maximum ring number was 4–7, as potential structures.

Conclusions

A high proportion of lignin‐like formulae and condensed aromatics, including those probably condensed aromatic acids with small ring numbers, as well as the existence of tannin‐like formulae, which were generally lacking in soil humic acids, was suggested as a common feature of soil FAs.
UV post‐ionization laser ablation ionization mass spectrometry for improved nm‐depth profiling resolution on Cr/Ni reference standard
Authors: Grimaudo Valentine , Tulej Marek , Riedo Andreas , Lukmanov Rustam , Ligterink Niels F.W. , de Koning Coenraad , Wurz Peter
Published: April 2020

Rationale

Laser ablation combined with mass spectrometry forms a promising tool for chemical depth profiling of solids. At irradiations near the ablation threshold, high depth resolutions are achieved. However, at these conditions, a large fraction of ablated species is neutral and therefore invisible to the instrument. To compensate for this effect, an additional ionization step can be introduced.

Methods

Double‐pulse laser ablation is frequently used in material sciences to produce shallow craters. We apply double‐pulse UV femtosecond (fs) Laser Ablation Ionization Mass Spectrometry to investigate the depth profiling performance. The first pulse energy is set to gentle ablation conditions, whereas the second pulse is applied at a delay and a pulse energy promoting the highest possible ion yield.

Results

The experiments were performed on a Cr/Ni multi‐layered standard. For a mean ablation rate of ~3 nm/pulse (~72 nJ/pulse), a delay of ~73 ps provided optimal results. By further increasing the energy of the second pulse (5–30% higher with respect to the first pulse) an enhancement of up to 15 times the single pulse intensity was achieved. These conditions resulted in mean depth resolutions of ~37 and ~30 nm for the Cr and Ni layers, respectively.

Conclusions

It is demonstrated on the thin‐film standard that the double‐pulse excitation scheme substantially enhances the chemical depth profiling resolution of LIMS with respect to the single‐pulse scheme. The post‐ionization allows for extraordinarily low ablation rates and for quantitative and stoichiometric analysis of nm‐thick films/coatings.
Continuous cropping of soybean induced a more fluctuating fungal network and intensive pathogenic fungal interactions in a Mollisol of Northeast China
Authors: Hu Xiaojing , Liu Junjie , Yu Zhenhua , Yao Qin , Zhang Wu , Mi Gang , Liang Aizhen , Li Lujun , Chen Xueli , Jin Jian , Liu Xiaobing , Wang Guanghua
Published: April 2020

The effects of continuous cropping and crop rotation of soybean on soil fungal communities have been intensively studied, but we know little about the network structure and interactions among the fungal species impacted by these two cropping systems in the bulk and rhizosphere soils. In this study, through the Molecular Ecological Network Analysis Pipeline (MENAP), we constructed fungal ecological networks for bulk and rhizosphere soils under continuous cropping (CC) of soybean and cropping rotation (CR) with maize. The results showed that the network structures and characteristics were largely different between the two cropping systems in both the bulk and rhizosphere soils. Compared with the CR, the CC had simplified network structures in the bulk and rhizosphere soils. In the bulk soil, compared with the CR, CC formed a more stable network, which was resistant to environmental disturbance, but opposite trend was detected in the rhizosphere soil. More cooperative interactions among fungal species were found in CC than those in CR for both bulk and rhizosphere soils. Some functional fungi annotated to potentially pathogenic modes with highest node degree were found in CC network of rhizosphere soil, which had positive interactions with potentially pathogenic fungi and negative interactions with beneficial fungi. Taken together, continuous cropping of soybean weakened fungal network structure and strengthened the positive interactions among potentially pathogenic fungi in the rhizosphere soil.
Vacuum‐Free, All‐Solution, and All‐Air Processed Organic Photovoltaics with over 11% Efficiency and Promoted Stability Using Layer‐by‐Layer Codoped Polymeric Electrodes
Authors: Fan Xi , Wen Rongjiang , Xia Yonggao , Wang Jinzhao , Liu Xiaohui , Huang Huihui , Li Yuan , Zhu Weiya , Cheng Yajun , Ma Liujia , Fang Junfeng , Tsai Hsinhan , Nie Wanyi
Published: April 2020

Nonfullerene organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have achieved a breakthrough in pushing the efficiency beyond 15%. Although this sheds light on OPV commercialization, the high cost associated with the scalable device fabrications remains a giant challenge. Herein, a vacuum‐free, all‐solution and all‐air processed OPV is reported that yields 11.12% efficiency with a fill factor of 0.725, due to the usages of high‐merit polymeric electrodes and modified active blends. The design principle toward the high‐merit electrodes is to induce heavy acid doping into the matrices for a raised carrier concentration and mobility, make a large removal of insulating components in the whole matrices rather than surfaces, and restrain the formation of large‐domain aggregates. A unique layer‐by‐layer doping is developed to enable the polymeric electrodes with record‐high trade‐offs between optical transmittance and electrical conductivity. Moreover, solvent vapor annealing is proposed to boost device efficiency and it has the advantages of finely adjusting the active blend morphology and raising the electron mobility. The resulting devices are highly efficient and most (≈91%) of the initial efficiency are maintained in 30 day storage. This work indicates bright future for making cost‐effective all‐solution processed OPVs in air.
A Thermally Induced Perovskite Crystal Control Strategy for Efficient and Photostable Wide‐Bandgap Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Kim Geunjin , Moon Chan Su , Yang Tae-Youl , Kim Young Yun , Chung Jaehoon , Jung Eui Hyuk , Shin Tae Joo , Jeon Nam Joong , Park Helen Hejin , Seo Jangwon
Published: April 2020

Wide‐bandgap perovskite solar cells (WBG PSCs) have gained attention as promising tandem partners for silicon solar cells due to their complementary absorption, superb open‐circuit voltage, and an easy solution process. Recently, both their performance and stability have been improved by compositional engineering or defect passivation strategies, due to the modulation of perovskite crystal size and reduction of crystal defects. Herein, a report on the thermally induced phase control (TIPC) strategy is provided, which enables efficient and photostable WBG PSCs without compositional engineering by exploring a thermal annealing process window (100–175 °C and 3–60 min) of the WBG perovskite films. Within this window, a key annealing regime is found that produces preferred crystal orientations of lead iodide and the WBG perovskite, suppressing phase segregation and reducing charge recombination in the perovskites. The WBG PSCs (composition of FA0.75MA0.15Cs0.1PbI2Br and Eg of 1.73 eV) optimized by TIPC exhibit an excellent power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.60% and improved operational stability, maintaining >90% of the maximum PCE (during maximum power point tracking) without encapsulation after 12 h of operation (air mass 1.5 global irradiation in ambient air conditions) or after 500 h of operation (white light‐emitting diode irradiation (100 mW cm−2) in N2 conditions).
Estimation and inference for functional linear regression models with partially varying regression coefficients
Authors: Cao Guanqun , Wang Shuoyang , Wang Lily
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we present a class of functional linear regression models with varying coefficients of a functional response on one or multiple functional predictors and scalar predictors. In particular, the approach can accommodate densely or sparsely sampled functional responses as well as multiple scalar and functional predictors. It also allows for the combination of continuous or categorical covariates. Tensor product B‐spline basis is proposed for the estimation of the bivariate coefficient functions. We show that our estimators hold asymptotic consistency and normality. Several numerical examples demonstrate superior performance of the proposed methods against two existing approaches. The proposed method is also applied to a real data example.
Electroweak loops as a probe of new physics in $$ t\overline{t} $$ production at the LHC
Authors: Martini Till , Schulze Markus
Published: April 2020

Abstract

We calculate the

$$ \mathcal{O} $$

O

(α) weak corrections to top quark pair production at the LHC and include anomalous electroweak interactions from dimension-six operators. The loop calculation and renormalization are consistently done within the Standard Model Effective Field Theory. Sensitivity to the involved operators is exposed through the virtual corrections, which receive enhancement from electroweak Sudakov logarithms. We investigate the prospects of using this feature for probing New Physics at the LHC that so far has only been studied in final states with on-shell sensitivity such as

$$ t\overline{t} $$

t

t
¯

+ Z or t → bW. We find that the large

$$ t\overline{t} $$

t

t
¯

production rate and the excellent perturbative control allow compensating the loop suppression and yield remarkably strong constraints that are competitive with those from

$$ t\overline{t} $$

t

t
¯

+ Z.
Specific T-Cell Subsets Can Predict the Efficacy of Anti-TNF Treatment in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Dulic Sonja , Toldi Gergely , Sava Florentina , Kovács László , Molnár Tamás , Milassin Ágnes , Farkas Klaudia , Rutka Mariann , Balog Attila
Published: April 2020

The effect of TNF-blockers on T-lymphocyte subsets is largely unknown in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). The aim of the present study was to analyze the prevalence of T-cell subtypes and their correlation to therapeutic response. Sixty-eight patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), 46 with ulcerative colitis (UC) were enrolled. (1) The clinical course was followed after the initiation of TNF-blockers (prospective study). (2) The immunophenotype was also compared between long-term anti-TNF treated-responders and non-responders (cross-sectional study). The results were compared with those of therapy-naïve patients with active disease and those in remission with non-biological immunosuppressive therapy, and with healthy controls. Fourteen subtypes of peripheral blood T cells were measured with flow cytometry. The prevalence of Th2 and Th17 cells, of HLA-DR- and CD69-positive CD4 and CD8 cells, was higher, whereas the percentage of CD45RA-positive CD4 and CD8 cells was lower in both IBDs than in controls. CD8CD69 cell frequency was lower in remission, and decreased during anti-TNF therapy in CD responders. CD8CD45RO memory cells had higher prevalence in UC non-responders than in those starting anti-TNF. CD4CD45RO percentage < 49.05 at the initiation of TNF-blockers was predictive of a subsequent therapeutic response in CD, and Th2 and Th17 prevalence correlated with the duration of remission on TNF-blockers in UC. This study provided a detailed description of the T-cell composition in IBDs. CD8CD69 prevalence may be an activity marker in CD, and CD4CD45RO, Th2 and Th17 levels could be predictive for a therapeutic response to anti-TNF.
Liquid biopsies for multiple myeloma in a time of precision medicine
Authors: Ferreira Bruna , Caetano Joana , Barahona Filipa , Lopes Raquel , Carneiro Emilie , Costa-Silva Bruno , João Cristina
Published: April 2020

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a challenging, progressive, and highly heterogeneous hematological malignancy. MM is characterized by multifocal proliferation of neoplastic plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM) and sometimes in extramedullary organs. Despite the availability of novel drugs and the longer median overall survival, some patients survive more than 10 years while others die rapidly. This heterogeneity is mainly driven by biological characteristics of MM cells, including genetic abnormalities. Disease progressions are mainly due to the inability of drugs to overcome refractory disease and inevitable drug-resistant relapse. In clinical practice, a bone marrow biopsy, mostly performed in one site, is still used to access the genetics of MM. However, BM biopsy use is limited by its invasive nature and by often not accurately reflecting the mutational profile of MM. Recent insights into the genetic landscape of MM provide a valuable opportunity to implement precision medicine approaches aiming to enable better patient profiling and selection of targeted therapies. In this review, we explore the use of the emerging field of liquid biopsies in myeloma patients considering current unmet medical needs, such as assessing the dynamic mutational landscape of myeloma, early predictors of treatment response, and a less invasive response monitoring.
The effect of anode potential on current production from complex substrates in bioelectrochemical systems: a case study with glucose
Authors: Zhao Fei , Heidrich Elizabeth S. , Curtis Thomas P. , Dolfing Jan
Published: April 2020

Anode potential can affect the degradation pathway of complex substrates in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs), thereby influencing current production and coulombic efficiency. However, the intricacies behind this interplay are poorly understood. This study used glucose as a model substrate to comprehensively investigate the effect of different anode potentials (− 150 mV, 0 mV and + 200 mV) on the relationship between current production, the electrogenic pathway and the abundance of the electrogenic microorganisms involved in batch mode fed BESs. Current production in glucose-acclimatized reactors was a function of the abundance of Geobacteraceae and of the availability of acetate and formate produced by glucose degradation. Current production was increased by high anode potentials during acclimation (0 mV and + 200 mV), likely due to more Geobacteraceae developing. However, this effect was much weaker than a stimulus from an artificial high acetate supply: acetate was the rate-limiting intermediate in these systems. The supply of acetate could not be influenced by anode potential; altering the flow regime, batch time and management of the upstream fermentation processes may be a greater engineering tool in BES. However, these findings suggest that if high current production is the focus, it will be extremely difficult to achieve success with complex waste streams such as domestic wastewater.
Possible effect of morphological variations of plantaris muscle tendon on harvesting at reconstruction surgery-case report
Authors: Gonera B. , Kurtys K. , Karauda P. , Olewnik Ł. , Polguj M.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Seemingly a well-known, weak, and vestigial plantaris muscle should not be a revelation. However, recent studies have shown that this structure is incredibly underestimated and perceived only as an infirm flexor of the talocrural joint, the knee joint or a great source of graft tissue. Usually, the origin of this inconspicuous muscle begins at the lateral supracondylar line of the femur and the knee joint capsule. It continues distally, forming a long and slender tendon. In most cases, it inserts onto the calcaneal tuberosity on the medial side of the Achilles tendon. However, many morphological variations have been discovered during anatomical dissections and surgical procedures. Nevertheless, according to the present literature, no other studies presented such a complex insertion variant, with indisputable clinical value and significant proof of development of this forgotten muscle.

Methods

The dissection of the right thigh, knee, crural and talocrural region was performed using standard techniques according to a strictly specified protocol.

Results

Four different insertion points were observed. The first band (A) inserted near to the tarsal canal flexor retinaculum. The second band (B) bifurcates into two branches—B1 and B2. B1 is located on the medial side and B2 is located on the lateral side of the calcaneal tuberosity. The third band (C) is inserted into the superior nonarticular calcaneal surface of the calcaneus anteriorly to the Achilles tendon.

Conclusion

A differently shaped plantaris tendon could be considered a cause of harvesting procedure failure. In the light of new case reports perhaps what we are now witnessing is remodeling and transformation of the Plantaris muscle. If so, the awareness of the influence on the onset of Achilles midportion tendinopathy or a potential role in tibialis posterior conflict can be crucial for every clinician.
Acceleration of 2D-MR fingerprinting by reducing the number of echoes with increased in-plane resolution: a volunteer study
Authors: Yokota Yusuke , Okada Tomohisa , Fushimi Yasutaka , Yamamoto Akira , Nakajima Satoshi , Fujimoto Koji , Oshima Sonoko , Koerzdoerfer Gregor , Nittka Mathias , Pfeuffer Josef , Togashi Kaori
Published: April 2020

Objective

To compare the absolute values and repeatability of magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) with 3000 and 1500 echoes/slice acquired in 41 s and 20 s (MRF3k and MRF1.5k, respectively).

Materials and methods

MRF3k and MRF1.5k scans based on fast imaging with steady precession (FISP) were conducted using a 3 T scanner. Inter-scan agreement and intra-scan repeatability were investigated in 41 and 28 subjects, respectively. Region-of-interest (ROI) analysis was conducted on T1 values of MRF3k by two raters, and their agreement was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Between MRF3k and MRF1.5k, differences in T1 and T2 values and inter-measurement correlation coefficients (CCs) were investigated. Intra-measurement repeatability was evaluated using coefficients of variation (CVs). A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The ICCs of ROI measurements were 0.77–0.96. Differences were observed between the two MRF scans, but the CCs of the overall ROIs were 0.99 and 0.97 for the T1 and T2 values, respectively. The mean and median CVs of repeatability were equal to or less than 1.58% and 3.13% in each of the ROIs for T1 and T2, respectively; there were some significant differences between MRF3k and MRF1.5k, but they were small, measuring less than 1%.

Discussion

Both MRF3k and MRF1.5k had high repeatability, and a strong to very strong correlation was observed, with a trend toward slightly higher values in MRF1.5k.
Synergistic interaction between carvacrol and Bacillus thuringiensis crystalline proteins against Cydia pomonella and Spodoptera exigua
Authors: Konecka Edyta , Kaznowski Adam , Grzesiek Weronika , Nowicki Patryk , Czarniewska Elżbieta , Baranek Jakub
Published: April 2020

The aim of our study was to determine the usefulness of mixtures of carvacrol andBacillus thuringiensiscrystalline proteins Cry against pests of two different species:Cydia pomonellaL. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) andSpodoptera exiguaHübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The novelty of our work lies in showing the interactions between carvacrol and bacterial toxins against insect pests. Moreover, we have demonstrated that carvacrol applied via ingestion exerts toxicity against lepidopteran caterpillars. We have shown that the botanical compound and Cry proteins act in synergy and their mixtures are most effective in reducing the number of L1 and L3 larvae whenB. thuringiensistoxins constitute up to 0.1% and 0.05% of the mixtures, respectively. Carvacrol and crystalline proteins act in synergy in these combinations and have the potential to be effective in protecting crops against lepidopteran pests. The nature of the interaction between the components depended on the proportion of their concentrations in the mixture. Mixtures containing Cry toxin concentrations equal or higher than 20% caused lower observed mortality of insects compared to the expected one. Furthermore, we showed that crystalline proteins ofB. thuringiensisMPU B9, carvacrol and their mixture did not affect the morphology of insect haemocytes, and additionally, had no effect on the immune system.
The state of adoption and the challenges of systematic variability management in industry
Authors: Berger Thorsten , Steghöfer Jan-Philipp , Ziadi Tewfik , Robin Jacques , Martinez Jabier
Published: April 2020

Handling large-scale software variability is still a challenge for many organizations. After decades of research on variability management concepts, many industrial organizations have introduced techniques known from research, but still lament that pure textbook approaches are not applicable or efficient. For instance, software product line engineering—an approach to systematically develop portfolios of products—is difficult to adopt given the high upfront investments; and even when adopted, organizations are challenged by evolving their complex product lines. Consequently, the research community now mainly focuses on re-engineering and evolution techniques for product lines; yet, understanding the current state of adoption and the industrial challenges for organizations is necessary to conceive effective techniques. In this multiple-case study, we analyze the current adoption of variability management techniques in twelve medium- to large-scale industrial cases in domains such as automotive, aerospace or railway systems. We identify the current state of variability management, emphasizing the techniques and concepts they adopted. We elicit the needs and challenges expressed for these cases, triangulated with results from a literature review. We believe our results help to understand the current state of adoption and shed light on gaps to address in industrial practice.