bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In situ and operando characterisation techniques for solid oxide electrochemical cells: recent advances
Authors: Stangl Alexander , Muñoz-Rojas David , Burriel Mónica 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Oxygen activity and surface stability are two key parameters in the search for advanced materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide electrochemical cells, as overall device performance depends critically on them. In particular in situ and operando characterisation techniques have accelerated the understanding of degradation processes and the identification of active sites, motivating the design and synthesis of improved, nanoengineered materials. In this short topical review we report on the latest developments of various sophisticated in situ and operando characterization techniques, including transmission and scanning electron microscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction and synchrotron-based x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy, among others. We focus on their use in three emerging topics, namely: (i) the analysis of general electrochemical reactions and the surface defect chemistry of electrode materials; (ii) the evolution of electrode surfaces achieved by nanoparticle exsolution for enhanced oxygen activity and (iii) the study of surface degradation caused by Sr segregation, leading to reduced durability. For each of these topics we highlight the most remarkable examples recently published. We anticipate that ongoing improvements in the characterisation techniques and especially a complementary use of them by multimodal approaches will lead to improved knowledge of operando processes, hence allowing a significant advancement in cell performance in the near future.
Assessment of pharmacy technician learning preferences and implications for training
Authors: Stanley Erin R , Hafford Amanda , Naseman Ryan , Li Junan , Worley Marcia , Mehta Bella H 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Purpose
To assess pharmacy technician learning preferences using the VARK tool and through self-identification.

Methods
The VARK (visual, aural, read/write, kinesthetic) questionnaire was incorporated into a larger survey, which was distributed during live staff meetings and a continuing education session held by the Ohio Pharmacists Association attended by 204 pharmacy technicians across various practice settings.

Results
A 90% response rate was achieved. Most respondents (78.8%) self-identified a single predominant learning preference, with 60.3% indicating a preference for kinesthetic learning methods. In contrast, after assessment with the VARK questionnaire 37.9% of survey participants were categorized as having a quadmodal learning style incorporating all VARK modalities. With regard to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, a large majority of participants (96.2% of those providing a response) indicated that they had taken the exam in the past, with 17 participants (9.3% of those providing a response) indicating more than 1 attempt to pass the exam. Furthermore, experiential (on-the-job) training was identified by a large majority of survey respondents (79.3%) as the preferred way to learn new information.

Conclusion
Learning preferences of pharmacy technicians vary amongst individuals, with many found to have multiple learning preferences through VARK questionnaire assessment. Incorporating experiential training and establishing learning preferences of pharmacy technicians may aid in development of accredited training programs that cater to the needs of pharmacy technicians.
Functional seed traits and germination patterns predict species coexistence in Northeast Mediterranean foredune communities
Authors: Del Vecchio Silvia , Mattana Efisio , Ulian Tiziana , Buffa Gabriella 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background and Aims
The structure of plant communities, which is based on species abundance ratios, is closely linked to ecosystem functionality. Seed germination niche plays a major role in shaping plant communities, although it has often been neglected when explaining species coexistence. The aim of this work is to link the seed germination niche to community ecology, investigating how functional seed traits contribute to species coexistence.

Methods
Species selection was based on a database of 504 vegetation surveys from the Veneto coast (Italy). Through cluster analysis we identified the foredune community and selected all of its 19 plant species. By using the ‘Phi coefficient’ and frequency values, species were pooled in different categories (foundation species, accidental species of the semi-fixed dune and aliens), then the 19 species were grouped according to their germination responses to temperature and photoperiod through cluster analyses. For each germination cluster, we investigated germination trends against temperature and photoperiod by using generalized linear mixed models.

Key Results
We identified four germination strategies: (1) high germination under all tested conditions (‘high-germinating’); (2) high germination at warm temperatures in the dark (‘dark warm-cued’); (3) high germination at warm temperatures in the light (‘light warm-cued’); and (4) low germination, regardless of conditions (‘low-germinating’). Foredune foundation species showed a narrow germination niche, being ‘low-germinating’ or ‘dark warm-cued’. Annual species of semi-fixed dunes were ‘high-germinating’, while alien species were the only members of the ‘light warm-cued’ cluster.

Conclusions
Our research suggests that different categories of species have dissimilar seed germination niches, which contributes to explaining their coexistence. Climatic events, such as rising temperature, could alter germination patterns, favouring seed regeneration of certain categories (i.e. alien and semi-fixed dune species) at the expense of others (i.e. foundation species, pivotal to ecosystem functioning), and hence potentially altering the plant community structure.
Percu-Ax aortic valve implantation with a double arm approach: a case report
Authors: Trani Carlo , Aurigemma Cristina , Romagnoli Enrico , Burzotta Francesco 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Transaxillary route for structural and coronary percutaneous interventions represents a valid alternative access in patients with obstructive peripheral disease. Nevertheless, its widespread use is limited by a less manageable haemostasis procedure.

Case summary
In this case, we describe a minimalistic high-risk transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure (TAVI Score 6.42%) conducted with a double arm approach (radial and axillary accesses) in an 88-year-old patient with severe aortic stenosis and multiple co-morbidities preventing both surgical (Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality 7.9%) and percutaneous transfemoral approach (extensive peripheral artery disease). We also described the successful management of a complicated transaxillary haemostasis with this technique.

Discussion
In our cases, a minimalist double-arm approach was successfully used for TAVI procedure as an alternative to transfemoral approach assuring effective and safe management of vascular access haemostasis.
Novel antisense therapy targeting microRNA-132 in patients with heart failure: results of a first-in-human Phase 1b randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Täubel Jörg , Hauke Wilfried , Rump Steffen , Viereck Janika , Batkai Sandor , Poetzsch Jenny , Rode Laura , Weigt Henning , Genschel Celina , Lorch Ulrike , Theek Carmen , Levin Arthur A , Bauersachs Johann , Solomon Scott D , Thum Thomas 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Aims
Cardiac microRNA-132-3p (miR-132) levels are increased in patients with heart failure (HF) and mechanistically drive cardiac remodelling processes. CDR132L, a specific antisense oligonucleotide, is a first-in-class miR-132 inhibitor that attenuates and even reverses HF in preclinical models. The aim of the current clinical Phase 1b study was to assess safety, pharmacokinetics, target engagement, and exploratory pharmacodynamic effects of CDR132L in patients on standard-of-care therapy for chronic ischaemic HF in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-escalation study (NCT04045405).

Methods and results
Patients had left ventricular ejection fraction between ≥30% and &lt;50% or amino terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) &gt;125 ng/L at screening. Twenty-eight patients were randomized to receive CDR132L (0.32, 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg body weight) or placebo (0.9% saline) in two intravenous infusions, 4 weeks apart in four cohorts of seven (five verum and two placebo) patients each. CDR132L was safe and well tolerated, without apparent dose-limiting toxicity. A pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic dose modelling approach suggested an effective dose level at ≥1 mg/kg CDR132L. CDR132L treatment resulted in a dose-dependent, sustained miR-132 reduction in plasma. Patients given CDR132L ≥1 mg/kg displayed a median 23.3% NT-proBNP reduction, vs. a 0.9% median increase in the control group. CDR132L treatment induced significant QRS narrowing and encouraging positive trends for relevant cardiac fibrosis biomarkers.

Conclusion
This study is the first clinical trial of an antisense drug in HF patients. CDR132L was safe and well tolerated, confirmed linear plasma pharmacokinetics with no signs of accumulation, and suggests cardiac functional improvements. Although this study is limited by the small patient numbers, the indicative efficacy of this drug is very encouraging justifying additional clinical studies to confirm the beneficial CDR132L pharmacodynamic effects for the treatment of HF.
Differences in Influenza-Specific CD4 T-Cell Mediated Immunity Following Acute Infection Versus Inactivated Vaccination in Children
Authors: Shannon Ian , White Chantelle L , Yang Hongmei , Nayak Jennifer L 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Early childhood influenza infections imprint influenza-specific immune memory, with most studies evaluating antibody specificity. In this study, we examined how infection versus inactivated influenza vaccination (IIV) establish pediatric CD4 T-cell mediated immunity to influenza and whether this poises the immune system to respond differently to IIV the following year.

Methods
We tracked influenza-specific CD4 T-cell responses in 16 H3N2 infected and 28 IIV immunized children following both initial exposure and after cohorts were revaccinated with IIV the following fall. PBMCs were stimulated with peptide pools encompassing the translated regions of the H3 HA and NP proteins and were then stained to assess CD4 T-cell specificity and function.

Results
Compared to IIV, infection primed a greater magnitude CD4 T-cell response specific for the infecting HA and NP proteins, with more robust NP-specific immunity persisting through year 2. Post infection, CD4 T cells preferentially produced combinations of cytokines that included interferon-γ. Interestingly, age-specific patterns in CD4 T-cell reactivity demonstrated the impact of multiple influenza exposures over time.

Conclusions
These data indicate that infection and vaccination differentially prime influenza-specific CD4 T-cell responses in early childhood, with these differences contributing to the lasting immunologic imprinting established following early influenza infection.

Clinical Trials Registration
NCT02559505.
Quality Risk Management-Based AQbD Approach to Development of VEER Chromatography Method for the Estimation of Multiple Combined Formulations of Anti-Hypertensive Drugs
Authors: Prajapati Pintu B , Thakor Mukti A , Bodiwala Kunjan B , Shah Shailesh A 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
A number of chromatography methods for estimating combined dosage forms of telmisartan have been published in the literature, but each combined dosage form needs separate chromatography conditions for analysis.

Objective
The versatile, economical, eco-friendly, and robust chromatographic method has been developed for simultaneous estimation of multiple combined pharmaceutical dosage forms of anti-hypertensive drugs using the analytical quality by design approach based on principles of quality risk management (QRM) and design of experiment (DoE).

Method
Analytical QRM was performed by identifying probable method risk parameters and risk assessment for the development of the method. DoE was performed by Taguchi Orthogonal Array (OA) screening design and Box-Behnken response surface design using Design-Expert software (trial version). Chromatographic separation was performed using silica gel 60 GF254 as stationary phase and toluene–ethyl acetate–methanol–glacial acetic acid (5.5 + 2 + 1 + 0.2, v/v/v/v) as a mobile phase keeping saturation time of 15 min. The developed method was applied for the assay of six combined pharmaceutical dosage forms of anti-hypertensive drugs.

Results
The developed method was found to be validated for accuracy, precision, specificity, linearity, LOD, LOQ, and robustness as per ICH guideline. The results of the assay were found in good agreement with the labelled claim.

Conclusions
The developed method can be applied for analysis and quality control of multiple combined dosage forms of telmisartan.

Highlights
A QRM and DoE-based AQbD approach was applied for development of chromatography method for simultaneous estimation of multiple combined dosage forms of telmisartan. The developed method was successfully applied for simultaneous estimation of six different multiple combined dosage forms of temisrtan.
Influence of Trap Color, Type, and Placement on Capture Efficacy forProtaetia brevitarsis(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
Authors: Cai Huanhuan , Zhang Tao , Su Yinghua , Wang Zhongyue , Zhang Xiaofang , Wang Shaoshan , Liu Yongqiang 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn recent years, Protaetia brevitarsis Lewis has gradually become an important pest of several crops including grape (Vitis vinifera L.) and peach (Amygdalus persica L.) in Xinjiang, China. Toward improving trapping efficacy as part of a management program, various colors, types, and placement of traps and the use of an attractant were evaluated in field and laboratory studies. Laboratory color-choice tests and field tests indicated that P. brevitarsis adults preferred red. In trap placement tests, more adults were captured on traps placed 1 or 1.5 m above the ground and on top of the horizontal grape canopy. Before grape ripening, more adults were captured in traps placed in a 0.5-m border around the outside edge of the vineyard; during grape ripening, more were caught within the vineyard. Newly designed traps that were red, with a triangular baffle and a landing plate, were more efficient than traditional bucket-shaped traps. When P. brevitarsis adults were trapped and killed from June to July 2018, the population of P. brevitarsis adults in August to early September 2018 was significantly lower than in August to early September 2017, when adults had not been trapped and killed in the prior 2 mo.
Bayesian Selection of Asset Pricing Factors Using Individual Stocks
Authors: Hwang Soosung , Rubesam Alexandre 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe apply Bayesian variable selection to investigate linear factor asset pricing models for a large set of candidate factors identified in the literature. We extract model and factor posterior probabilities from thousands of individual stocks via Markov Chain Monte Carlo estimation together with the exact distribution of pricing statistics. Our results show that only a small number of factors are relevant and, except for the market and size factors, these are not the factors in widely used linear factor models such as Fama and French (2015, Journal of Financial Economics 116, 1–22) or Hou et al. (2015, The Review of Financial Studies 28, 650–705). Moreover, many different linear factor models achieve similar empirical performance, suggesting that the search for a single linear factor model is unlikely to yield a definitive answer.
Adaptor protein APPL1 links neuronal activity to chromatin remodeling in cultured hippocampal neurons
Authors: Wu Yu , Lv Xinyou , Wang Haiting , Qian Kai , Ding Jinjun , Wang Jiejie , Hua Shushan , Sun Tiancheng , Zhou Yiting , Yu Lina , Qiu Shuang 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLocal signaling events at synapses or axon terminals are communicated to the nucleus to elicit transcriptional responses, and thereby translate information about the external environment into internal neuronal representations. This retrograde signaling is critical to dendritic growth, synapse development, and neuronal plasticity. Here, we demonstrate that neuronal activity induces retrograde translocation and nuclear accumulation of endosomal adaptor APPL1. Disrupting the interaction of APPL1 with Importin α1 abolishes nuclear accumulation of APPL1, which in turn decreases the levels of histone acetylation. We further demonstrate that retrograde translocation of APPL1 is required for the regulation of gene transcription and then maintenance of hippocampal late-phase long-term potentiation. Thus, these results illustrate an APPL1-mediated pathway that contributes to the modulation of synaptic plasticity via coupling neuronal activity with chromatin remodeling.
Presentation, Management, and Outcomes Across the Rural-Urban Continuum for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Kali , Pickering Trevor A , Gainey Christina S , Cockburn Myles , Stern Mariana C , Liu Lihua , Unger Jennifer B , El-Khoueiry Anthony B , Terrault Norah A 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma is 1 of few cancers with rising incidence and mortality in the United States. Little is known about disease presentation and outcomes across the rural-urban continuum.MethodsUsing the population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry, we identified adults with incident hepatocellular carcinoma between 2000 and 2016. Urban, suburban, and rural residence at time of cancer diagnosis were categorized by the Census Bureau’s percent of the population living in nonurban areas. We examined association between place of residence and overall survival. Secondary outcomes were late tumor stage and receipt of therapy.ResultsOf 83 368 incident cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 75.8%, 20.4%, and 3.8% lived in urban, suburban, and rural communities, respectively. Median survival was 7 months (interquartile range = 2-24). All stage and stage-specific survival differed by place of residence, except for distant stage. In adjusted models, rural and suburban residents had a respective 1.09-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04 to 1.14; P &lt; .001) and 1.08-fold (95% CI = 1.05 to 1.10; P &lt; .001) increased hazard of overall mortality as compared with urban residents. Furthermore, rural and suburban residents had 18% (odds ratio [OR] = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.10 to 1.27; P &lt; .001) and 5% (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.09; P = .003) higher odds of diagnosis at late stage and were 12% (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.80 to 0.94; P &lt; .001) and 8% (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.88 to 0.95; P &lt; .001) less likely to receive treatment, respectively, compared with urban residents.ConclusionsResidence in a suburban and rural community at time of diagnosis was independently associated with worse indicators across the cancer continuum for liver cancer. Further research is needed to elucidate the primary drivers of these rural-urban disparities.
The completed SDSS-IV extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey: BAO and RSD measurements from anisotropic clustering analysis of the quasar sample in configuration space between redshift 0.8 and 2.2
Authors: Hou Jiamin , Sánchez Ariel G , Ross Ashley J , Smith Alex , Neveux Richard , Bautista Julian , Burtin Etienne , Zhao Cheng , Scoccimarro Román , Dawson Kyle S , de Mattia Arnaud , de la Macorra Axel , du Mas des Bourboux Hélion , Eisenstein Daniel J , Gil-Marín Héctor , Lyke Brad W , Mohammad Faizan G , Mueller Eva-Maria , Percival Will J , Rossi Graziano , Vargas Magaña Mariana , Zarrouk Pauline , Zhao Gong-Bo , Brinkmann Jonathan , Brownstein Joel R , Chuang Chia-Hsun , Myers Adam D , Newman Jeffrey A , Schneider Donald P , Vivek M 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACT
We measure the anisotropic clustering of the quasar sample from Data Release 16 (DR16) of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS). A sample of 343 708 spectroscopically confirmed quasars between redshift 0.8 &lt; z &lt; 2.2 are used as tracers of the underlying dark matter field. In comparison with DR14 sample, the final sample doubles the number of objects as well as the survey area. In this paper, we present the analysis in configuration space by measuring the two-point correlation function and decomposing it using the Legendre polynomials. For the full-shape analysis of the Legendre multipole moments, we measure the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) distance and the growth rate of the cosmic structure. At an effective redshift of zeff = 1.48, we measure the comoving angular diameter distance DM(zeff)/rdrag = 30.66 ± 0.88, the Hubble distance DH(zeff)/rdrag = 13.11 ± 0.52, and the product of the linear growth rate and the rms linear mass fluctuation on scales of $8 \, h^{-1}\, {\rm Mpc}$, fσ8(zeff) = 0.439 ± 0.048. The accuracy of these measurements is confirmed using an extensive set of mock simulations developed for the quasar sample. The uncertainties on the distance and growth rate measurements have been reduced substantially (∼45 and ∼30 per cent) with respect to the DR14 results. We also perform a BAO-only analysis to cross check the robustness of the methodology of the full-shape analysis. Combining our analysis with the Fourier-space analysis, we arrive at $D^{{\bf c}}_{\rm M}(z_{\rm eff})/r_{\rm drag} = 30.21 \pm 0.79$, $D^{{\bf c}}_{\rm H}(z_{\rm eff})/r_{\rm drag} = 13.23 \pm 0.47$, and $f\sigma _8^{{\bf c}}(z_{\rm eff}) = 0.462 \pm 0.045$.
Hubble Space Telescope observations of [O iii] emission in nearby QSO2s: physical properties of the ionized outflows
Authors: Trindade Falcão Anna , Kraemer S B , Fischer T C , Crenshaw D M , Revalski M , Schmitt H R , Vestergaard M , Elvis M , Gaskell C M , Hamann F , Ho L C , Hutchings J , Mushotzky R , Netzer H , Storchi-Bergmann T , Turner T J , Ward M J 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACT
We use Hubble Space Telescope/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph long-slit G430M and G750M spectra to analyse the extended [O iii] λ5007 emission in a sample of 12 nearby (z &lt; 0.12) luminous (Lbol &gt; 1.6 × 1045 erg s−1) QSO2s. The purpose of the study is to determine the properties of the mass outflows of ionized gas and their role in active galactic nucleus feedback. We measure fluxes and velocities as functions of radial distances. Using cloudy models and ionizing luminosities derived from [O iii] λ5007, we are able to estimate the densities for the emission-line gas. From these results, we derive masses of [O iii]-emitting gas, mass outflow rates, kinetic energies, kinetic luminosities, momenta, and momentum flow rates as a function of radial distance for each of the targets. For the sample, masses are several times $10^{3}$–$10^{7}\, {\rm M_{\odot }}$ and peak outflow rates are from 9.3 × 10−3 to $10.3\, {\rm M_{\odot }}\, {\rm yr^{-1}}$. The peak kinetic luminosities are (3.4 × 10−8)–(4.9 × 10−4) of the bolometric luminosity, which does not approach the (5.0 × 10−3)–(5.0 × 10−2) range required by some models for efficient feedback. For Mrk 34, which has the largest kinetic luminosity of our sample, in order to produce efficient feedback there would have to be 10 times more [O iii]-emitting gas than that we detected at its position of maximum kinetic luminosity. Three targets show extended [O iii] emission, but compact outflow regions. This may be due to different mass profiles or different evolutionary histories.