Mitigating the mass dependence in the Δν\Delta\nu scaling relation of red-giant stars

The masses and radii of solar-like oscillators can be estimated through the asteroseismic scaling relations. These relations provide a direct link between observables, i.e. effective temperature and characteristics of the oscillation spectra, and stellar properties, i.e. mean density and surface gravity (thus mass and radius). These scaling relations are commonly used to characterize large samples of stars. Usually, the Sun is used as a reference from which the structure is scaled. However, for stars that do not have a similar structure as the Sun, using the Sun as a reference introduces systematic errors as large as 10\% in mass and 5\% in radius. Several alternatives for the reference of the scaling relation involving the large frequency separation (typical frequency difference between modes of the same degree and consecutive radial order) have been suggested in the literature. In a previous paper, we presented a reference function with a dependence on both effective temperature and metallicity. The accuracy of predicted masses and radii improved considerably when using reference values calculated from our reference function. However, the residuals indicated that stars on the red-giant branch possess a mass dependence that was not accounted for. Here, we present a reference function for the scaling relation involving the large frequency separation that includes the mass dependence. This new reference function improves the derived masses and radii significantly by removing the systematic differences and mitigates the trend with $\nu_{\rm max}$ (frequency of maximum oscillation power) that exists when using the solar value as a reference.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Class I Gap-formation in Highly-viscous Glass-ionomer Restorations: Delayed vs Immediate Polishing

This in vitro study evaluated the effects of delayed versus immediate polishing to permit maturation of interfacial gap-formation around highly viscous conventional glass-ionomer cement (HV-GIC) in Class I restorations, together with determining the associated mechanical properties. Cavity preparations were made on the occlusal surfaces of premolars. Three HV-GICs (Fuji IX GP, GlasIonomer FX-II and Ketac Molar) and one conventional glass-ionomer cement (C-GIC, Fuji II, as a control) were studied, with specimen subgroups (n=10) for each property measured. After polishing, either immediately (six minutes) after setting or after 24 hours storage, the restored teeth were sectioned in a mesiodistal direction through the center of the model Class I restorations. The presence or absence of interfacial-gaps was measured at 1000× magnification at 14 points (each 0.5-mm apart) along the cavity restoration interface (n=10; total points measured per group = 140). Marginal gaps were similarly measured in Teflon molds as swelling data, together with shear-bond-strength to enamel and dentin, flexural strength and moduli. For three HV-GICs and one C-GIC, significant differences (p<0.05) in gap-incidence were observed between polishing immediately and after one-day storage. In the former case, 80–100 gaps were found. In the latter case, only 9–21 gaps were observed. For all materials, their shear-bond-strengths, flexural strength and moduli increased significantly after 24-hour storage.</p

Class I Gap-formation in Highly-viscous Glass-ionomer Restorations: Delayed vs Immediate Polishing

This in vitro study evaluated the effects of delayed versus immediate polishing to permit maturation of interfacial gap-formation around highly viscous conventional glass-ionomer cement (HV-GIC) in Class I restorations, together with determining the associated mechanical properties. Cavity preparations were made on the occlusal surfaces of premolars. Three HV-GICs (Fuji IX GP, GlasIonomer FX-II and Ketac Molar) and one conventional glass-ionomer cement (C-GIC, Fuji II, as a control) were studied, with specimen subgroups (n=10) for each property measured. After polishing, either immediately (six minutes) after setting or after 24 hours storage, the restored teeth were sectioned in a mesiodistal direction through the center of the model Class I restorations. The presence or absence of interfacial-gaps was measured at 1000× magnification at 14 points (each 0.5-mm apart) along the cavity restoration interface (n=10; total points measured per group = 140). Marginal gaps were similarly measured in Teflon molds as swelling data, together with shear-bond-strength to enamel and dentin, flexural strength and moduli. For three HV-GICs and one C-GIC, significant differences (p<0.05) in gap-incidence were observed between polishing immediately and after one-day storage. In the former case, 80–100 gaps were found. In the latter case, only 9–21 gaps were observed. For all materials, their shear-bond-strengths, flexural strength and moduli increased significantly after 24-hour storage.</p

Mobilization of phosphorus from secondary minerals by the arbuscular mycorrhiza Rhizophagus irregularis and consequences for carbon sequestration in soils

Phosphorus can be a major limiting factor for plant growth due to its slow diffusion and high degree of immobilization in soils. Understanding the strategies evolved by plant-symbiont couples increasing P uptake is crucial, under the aim of adopting the involved mechanisms by modern sustainable agriculture. This study aims to explore whether tomato plants mycorrhized with the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi Rhizophagus irregularis have the ability to mobilize P from secondary minerals and organic sources. Our hypothesis was that AM-bearing plants will invest more carbon to their fungal symbiont in case P must be exploited from less accessible P sources. For this, we carried out a time course experiment (91 days) with split-chamber mesocosms ensuring the mobilization of P by the mycorrhizal partner only. Orthophosphate (OP) and phytic acid (PA) in their free state and adsorbed to goethite (GOE-OP; GOE-PA) have been offered to the host plant. According to our knowledge, this is the first report where an organic P source bonded to a secondary mineral has been tested as a plant P source via the mycorrhizal P uptake pathway. The PLFA 16:1ω5c is known to be part of the membrane constituents and it is considered a good AM biomass estimator (Olsson and Wilhelmsson 2000). In our study it correlated positively with incorporated P and the AM plant root activity (arbuscules %) for all provided P sources. Additionally, those AM plants which accessed OP and GOE-OP also showed a positive significant correlation of the arbuscules percentages, with the incorporated P, the PLFA 18:1ω7c, and in case of GOE-PA also with the PLFA 18:2ω6,9. These two PLFA biomarkers have been previously found in R. irregularis hyphae (Olsson et al. 2002) and might indicate that AM fungi modified their fatty acid composition in the hyphae during the mobilization of P from the different P sources. As fungal energy storage we also measured the NLFA 16:1ω5c. It was significantly higher for both P sources bonded to goethite compared to free OP and PA. These results point towards different C investment to uptake of P though the mycorrhizal pathway having a direct consequence for the carbon sequestration in soils

Genetic analysis of grape berries and raisins using microsatellite markers

Microsatellite markers have been used recently for the identification and pedigree analysis of grapevines with leaves and wood as sources of vine DNA. To identify grapes after harvest and their products, we applied DNA extraction protocols to grape berries and raisins. DNA was obtained from both sources, but that of raisins was highly degraded. The suitability of DNA for PCR amplification of single genetic loci was shown by amplification of 11 microsatellite markers. 18 commercially available table grape samples were genotyped, and 11 (61 %) matched the corresponding genetic profile in our reference database. Four samples were shown to be defined incorrectly and 4 samples did not match any of the generic profiles present in the database. The investigated raisins were found to be cv. Sultanina. The results demonstrate that DNA-based cultivar identification methods can be applied to harvested grapes and raisins

Longitudinal changes of blood parameters and weight in inoperable stage III NSCLC patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by maintenance treatment with durvalumab

Background Investigating dynamic changes in blood-parameters and weight in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving durvalumab maintenance therapy after chemoradiotherapy (cCRT). Laboratory outcomes were determined based on the number of durvalumab administrations received. Methods Twenty-two patients completed platinum-based cCRT followed by maintenance treatment with durvalumab. Different parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb), leukocytes, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), body weight and albumin were analyzed before cCRT, after cCRT, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after starting durvalumab maintenance. Results Sixteen (72.7%) patients were male; twelve (54.5%) and fifteen (68.2%) patients had non-squamous histology and Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage IIIB-C disease, respectively. Median follow-up time was 24.4 months; 12- and 18-months- progression-free and overall-survival rates were 55.0% and 45.0 as well as 90.2 and 85.0%, respectively. During maintenance treatment Hb increased by 1.93 mg/dl (17.53%) after 9 months ( p < 0.001) and 2.02 mg/dl (18.46%) after 12 months compared to the start of durvalumab ( p < 0.001). LDH decreased by 29.86 U/l (− 11.74%) after 3 months ( p = 0.022). Receipt of at least 12 cycles of durvalumab was beneficial in terms of Hb-recovery (Hb 6 months: 12.64 vs. 10.86 [mg/dl]; Hb 9 months: 13.33 vs 11.74 [mg/dl]; ( p = 0.03)). Median weight change [kilogram (kg)] was + 6.06% (range: − 8.89 − + 18.75%) after 12 months. The number of durvalumab cycles significantly correlated with total weight gain [kg] (Spearman-Rho-correlation: r = 0.502*). Conclusion In the investigated cohort, no severe hematologic toxicity occurred by laboratory blood tests within 1 year of durvalumab maintenance therapy after cCRT for unresectable stage III NSCLC. Receiving at least 12 cycles of durvalumab appears to have a significant effect on recovery of hemoglobin levels and body weight

Comparison of different CT metal artifact reduction strategies for standard titanium and carbon-fiber reinforced polymer implants in sheep cadavers

BACKGROUND CT artifacts induced by orthopedic implants can limit image quality and diagnostic yield. As a number of different strategies to reduce artifact extent exist, the aim of this study was to systematically compare ex vivo the impact of different CT metal artifact reduction (MAR) strategies on spine implants made of either standard titanium or carbon-fiber-reinforced-polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK). METHODS Spine surgeons fluoroscopically-guided prepared six sheep spine cadavers with pedicle screws and rods of either titanium or CFR-PEEK. Samples were subjected to single- and dual-energy (DE) CT-imaging. Different tube voltages (80, DE mixed, 120 and tin-filtered 150 kVp) at comparable radiation dose and iterative reconstruction versus monoenergetic extrapolation (ME) techniques were compared. Also, the influence of image reconstruction kernels (soft vs. bone tissue) was investigated. Qualitative (Likert scores) and quantitative parameters (attenuation changes induced by implant artifact, implant diameter and image noise) were evaluated by two independent radiologists. Artifact degree of different MAR-strategies and implant materials were compared by multiple ANOVA analysis. RESULTS CFR-PEEK implants induced markedly less artifacts than standard titanium implants (p < .001). This effect was substantially larger than any other tested MAR technique. Reconstruction algorithms had small impact in CFR-PEEK implants and differed significantly in MAR efficiency (p < .001) with best MAR performance for DECT ME 130 keV (bone kernel). Significant differences in image noise between reconstruction kernels were seen (p < .001) with minor impact on artifact degree. CONCLUSIONS CFR-PEEK spine implants induce significantly less artifacts than standard titanium compositions with higher MAR efficiency than any alternate scanning or image reconstruction strategy. DECT ME 130 keV image reconstructions showed least metal artifacts. Reconstruction kernels primarily modulate image noise with minor impact on artifact degree

Interaktionen von gelöstem organischem Kohlenstoff mit adsorbierter organischer Substanz in ungestörten Bodensäulen

In der organischen Auflage von Waldböden werden große Mengen gelösten organischen Kohlenstoffs (DOC) gebildet. Die DOC-Konzentrationen im Sickerwasser nehmen allerdings im Mineralboden mit zunehmender Tiefe auf Grund von Adsorption an reaktiven Mineraloberflächen stark ab und die Zusammensetzung der gelösten organischen Substanz (DOM) ändert sich von vorwiegend pflanzenbürtigen Stoffen zu Stoffen mikrobieller Herkunft. Damit einhergehend nimmt der Anteil aromatischer Verbindungen ab. Der Transport von DOM wird daher als Resultat einer Kaskade von Adsorption und Rücklösung bzw. Desorption organischer Stoffe betrachtet, bei der die weniger bindungsaffinen Substanzen von jüngerer organischer Substanz von den Bindungsplätzen verdrängt und mit dem Sickerwasser in größere Tiefe verlagert werden. Um diese komplexen Prozesse nachzuvollziehen, wurde ein Säulenexperiment durchgeführt, in dem ungestörte Bodensäulen mit zunehmender Entnahmetiefe nacheinander mit der jeweils aus der darüber liegenden Säule austretenden Bodenlösung perkoliert wurden. In jede dieser Säulen wurde Goethit integriert, der mit C-13 markierter natürlicher organischer Substanz belegt war. Dies ermöglichte, die Austauschprozesse an der Mineraloberfläche zu quantifizieren und den Transport des ausgetauschten Kohlenstoffs (angereichert mit C-13) mit der Tiefe zu verfolgen. Die Belegung der Oberfläche des Goethites wurde anhand von NanoSIMS Messungen quantifiziert, die eine ungleichmäßige, punktuelle Anlagerung des Kohlenstoffs zeigten. Die einzelnen Bereiche unterschieden sich in ihrer Abundanz von C-13, und es konnten so Flächen mit unterschiedlich intensiven Interaktionen mit der Bodenlösung identifiziert werden. Die Ergebnisse dieses Experiments bestätigen das Kaskaden-Modell. Zum einen hat sich die Bodenlösung vergleichbar mit Feldexperimenten in ihrer Aromatizität verringert und zum anderen wurde in jeder der drei Tiefenstufen ein größerer Gehalt an C-13 in den Lösungen gemessen. Folglich fungierte der Goethit in allen drei Tiefen gleichzeitig als C-Senke (Adsorption von DOC) und C-Quelle, was ohne den Einsatz stabiler Isotope nicht hätte nachgewiesen werden können. Selbst in diesem stark verkürzten Tiefenprofil (27 cm kumulierte Säulenlänge simulierten 100cm Bodenprofil) kam es zu einer deutlichen Mobilisierung von zuvor an Fe-Oxiden adsorptiv gebundener organischer Substanz, die von einer starken Veränderung in der DOM Zusammensetzung begleitet wurde