bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lithium Oxygen Battery
Authors: Wong Raymond A. , Byon Hye Ryung , Thomas Morgan L. , Dokko Kaoru , Watanabe Masayoshi
Published: March 2019

Amongst “beyond lithium‐ion battery (LIB)” candidates, lithium–oxygen (Li–O
2
) (or lithium–air) batteries are highly appealing due to the high theoretical specific energy density of ∼3460 Wh kg
−1
, which on a theoretical basis offers an improvement of up to six times that of LIBs. The aim of this article is to disseminate the current state‐of‐the‐art understanding of research‐level Li–O
2
batteries regarding the various chemical and electrochemical phenomena and elaborate upon the key strategies that improve battery performance. We first introduce the fundamentals of O
2
reduction/evolution electrochemistry in Li
+
containing nonaqueous media along with the nucleation and growth process of the solid lithium peroxide (Li
2
O
2
) product occurring during discharge and its subsequent decomposition process during recharge. Owing to the insulating nature of Li
2
O
2
and high reactivity of reduced O
2
species including superoxide, peroxide, and singlet oxygen, significant scientific hurdles still need to be surmounted as highlighted by key challenges relating to the limitation in discharge capacity, high recharge overpotentials, poor cyclability, and the propensity of severe parasitic side reactions with the electrolyte solution and carbonaceous electrode. We elaborate upon these key challenges that are underpinning Li–O
2
batteries and the notable scientific, engineering, and materials science approaches taken to mitigate these challenges. Lastly, as research‐level cells typically operate with a pure O
2
source, we elaborate upon the additional complications and potential solutions associated with the inclusion of additional gases (N
2
, CO
2
, H
2
O, etc.) that would be present if the battery is operated in ambient air.
Application of In Situ Electrochemical‐Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy for the Study of Rechargeable Batteries
Authors: Yao Wentao , Shahbazian‐Yassar Reza
Published: March 2019

With the capability of direct visualizing the solid–liquid reactions at high resolutions, in situ liquid‐cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM) plays an important role in the fundamental studies of rechargeable batteries, including the lithiation behavior of various electrode materials, the striping/plating behavior of lithium metal anode, the formation of solid–electrolyte interfaces, electrolyte degradation behaviors, as well as the formation/dissolution behavior of Li
2
O
2
/NaO
2
in the metal–air battery cathode. This article summarized the recent progress of in situ electrochemical‐cell TEM technique in the battery field by comparing its advantages/disadvantages with traditional open‐cell TEM technique as well as other in situ techniques. With the improvement of the chemical analysis capabilities and new holder designs, in situ liquid‐cell TEM will see further applications in battery systems beyond lithium‐ion.
Surface Chemistry of Alkali‐Ion Battery Cathode Materials
Authors: Rahman Muhammad M. , Lin Feng
Published: March 2019

Layered and spinel transition metal oxides are one of the most technologically important cathode materials for alkali metal ion batteries because of their high energy/power density and excellent electrochemical reversibility. However, similar to many other cathode materials, unstable electrochemical performance on long‐term cycling impacts the cycle life of batteries. Some of the challenges are transition metal dissolution, electrolyte decomposition, surface reconstruction, and chemomechanical breakdown of cathode materials. Most of these degradation phenomena originate from the surface of cathode materials. Owing to different local chemical environments, the surface chemistry of a cathode is distinctively unique from that of the bulk. Even though the surface region of a battery particle only accounts for a small fraction of the entire particle and contributes marginally to the overall capacity, surface‐related chemical and structural transformations can be the major factors in governing the degradation pathway of a cathode material. Herein, we have mechanistically discussed the origin and propagation of these degradation phenomena and their implications in the cycle life of a battery. Moreover, the techniques that mitigate and prevent these degradation pathways are explained. A complete understanding of the instability issues can promote a rational design of stable cathode materials for alkali metal ion batteries.
Incidence and Predictors of Dyspnea on Exertion in a Prospective Cohort of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Sparks Jeffrey A. , Doyle Tracy J. , He Xintong , Pan Beatrice , Iannaccone Christine , Frits Michelle L. , Dellaripa Paul F. , Rosas Ivan O. , Lu Bing , Weinblatt Michael E. , Shadick Nancy A. , Karlson Elizabeth W.
Published: March 2019

Objective

To investigate the incidence and predictors of dyspnea on exertion among subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

We investigated dyspnea on exertion using a prospective cohort, the Brigham RA Sequential Study (BRASS). Clinically significant dyspnea on exertion was defined as a score of ≥ 3 (unable to ambulate without breathlessness or worse) on the validated Medical Research Council (MRC) scale (range 0‐5). We analyzed subjects with MRC score < 3 at BRASS baseline and at ≥ 1 year of follow‐up. The MRC scale was administered annually. We determined the incidence rate (IR) of dyspnea on exertion. We used Cox regression to estimate the hazard ration (HR) for dyspnea on exertion occurring one year after potential predictors were assessed.

Results

We analyzed 829 subjects with RA and no clinically significant dyspnea on exertion during a mean follow‐up period of 3.0 years (SD 1.9). At baseline, mean age was 55.7 years (SD 13.6), 82.4% of subjects were female, and median RA duration was 8 years. During follow‐up, 112 subjects (13.5%) developed incident dyspnea on exertion during 2476 person‐years of follow‐up (incidence rate 45.2 per 1000 person‐years). Independent predictors of incident dyspnea on exertion were older age (HR 1.03 per year, 95% CI, 1.01‐1.04), female sex (HR 2.22, 95% CI, 1.14‐4.29), mild dyspnea (HR 2.62, 95% CI, 1.60‐4.28), and worsened Multi‐Dimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire score (HR 2.36 per unit, 95% CI, 1.54‐3.60). Methotrexate use, RA disease activity, and seropositivity were not associated with incident dyspnea on exertion after accounting for other dyspnea risk factors.

Conclusion

Dyspnea on exertion occurred commonly in patients with RA. Older women with impaired physical function were especially vulnerable to developing dyspnea on exertion.
Race/Ethnicity Moderates the Association Between Psychosocial Resilience and Movement‐Evoked Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Bartley Emily J. , Hossain Nadia I. , Gravlee Clarence C. , Sibille Kimberly T. , Terry Ellen L. , Vaughn Ivana A. , Cardoso Josue S. , Booker Staja Q. , Glover Toni L. , Goodin Burel R. , Sotolongo Adriana , Thompson Kathryn A. , Bulls Hailey W. , Staud Roland , Edberg Jeffrey C. , Bradley Laurence A. , Fillingim Roger B.
Published: March 2019

Objective

Racial/ethnic disparities in pain are well‐recognized, with non‐Hispanic blacks (NHBs) experiencing greater pain severity and pain‐related disability than non‐Hispanic whites (NHWs). Although numerous risk factors are posited as contributors to these disparities, there is limited research addressing how resilience differentially influences pain and functioning across race/ethnicity. Therefore, this study examined associations between measures of psychosocial resilience, clinical pain, and functional performance among adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA), and assessed the moderating role of race/ethnicity on these relationships.

Methods

In a secondary analysis of the Understanding Pain and Limitations in Osteoarthritic Disease (UPLOAD‐2) study, 201 individuals with knee OA (NHB = 105, NHW = 96) completed measures of resilience (ie, trait resilience, optimism, positive well‐being, social support, positive affect) and clinical pain, as well as a performance‐based measure assessing lower‐extremity function and movement‐evoked pain.

Results

Bivariate analyses showed that higher levels of psychosocial resilience were associated with lower clinical pain and disability and more optimal physical functioning. NHBs reported greater pain and disability, poorer lower‐extremity function, and higher movement‐evoked pain compared with NHWs; however, measures of psychosocial resilience were similar across race/ethnicity. In moderation analyses, higher optimism and positive well‐being were protective against movement‐evoked pain in NHBs, whereas higher levels of positive affect were associated with greater movement‐evoked pain in NHWs.

Conclusion

Our findings underscore the importance of psychosocial resilience on OA‐related pain and function and highlight the influence of race/ethnicity on the resilience‐pain relationship. Treatments aimed at targeting resilience may help mitigate racial/ethnic disparities in pain.
Capillary Proliferation in Systemic‐Sclerosis‐Related Pulmonary Fibrosis: Association with Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Seki Atsuko , Anklesaria Zafia , Saggar Rajeev , Dodson Mark W. , Schwab Kristin , Liu Ming‐Chang , Charan Ashana Deepshikha , Miller William D. , Vangala Sitaram , DerHovanessian Ariss , Channick Richard , Shaikh Faisal , Belperio John A. , Weigt Stephen S. , Lynch Joseph P. , Ross David J. , Sullivan Lauren , Khanna Dinesh , Shapiro Shelley S. , Sager Jeffrey , Gargani Luna , Stanziola Anna , Bossone Eduardo , Schraufnagel Dean E. , Fishbein Gregory , Xu Haodong , Fishbein Michael C. , Wallace William D. , Saggar Rajan
Published: March 2019

Objective

We sought to determine if any histopathologic component of the pulmonary microcirculation can distinguish systemic sclerosis (SSc)‐related pulmonary fibrosis (PF) with and without pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Methods

Two pulmonary pathologists blindly evaluated 360 histologic slides from lungs of 31 SSc‐PF explants or autopsies with (n = 22) and without (n = 9) PH. The presence of abnormal small arteries, veins, and capillaries (pulmonary microcirculation) was semiquantitatively assessed in areas of preserved lung architecture. Capillary proliferation (CP) within the alveolar walls was measured by its distribution, extent (CP % involvement), and maximum number of layers (maximum CP). These measures were then evaluated to determine the strength of their association with right heart catheterization–proven PH.

Results

Using consensus measures, all measures of CP were significantly associated with PH. Maximum CP had the strongest association with PH (P = 0.013; C statistic 0.869). Maximum CP 2 or more layers and CP % involvement 10% or greater were the optimal thresholds that predicted PH, both with a sensitivity of 56% and specificity of 91%. The CP was typically multifocal rather than focal or diffuse and was associated with a background pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia. There was a significant but weaker relationship between the presence of abnormal small arteries and veins and PH.

Conclusion

In the setting of advanced SSc‐PF, the histopathologic feature of the pulmonary microcirculation best associated with PH was capillary proliferation in architecturally preserved lung areas.
Patient Perspectives on Switching from Infliximab to Infliximab‐dyyb in Patients with Rheumatologic Diseases in the United States
Authors: Chau Jason , Delate Thomas , Ota Taylor , Bhardwaja Bharati
Published: March 2019

Objective

The introduction of biosimilars for rheumatologic diseases (RDs) has provided a potentially lower‐cost therapy compared with their bio‐originator products; however, adoption of biosimilars may be challenged by patient perceptions. The objective of this study was to describe patients’ perspectives of switching from infliximab to infliximab‐dyyb.

Methods

This was a survey of adult patients with RDs who qualified for switching from infliximab to infliximab‐dyyb therapy between September 1 2017 and January 31 2018. Verbal consent was obtained prior to administration of a telephone survey. Survey questions were focused on the safety, efficacy, and knowledge of biosimilar therapy.

Results

A total of 108 patients were identified with 52 (48%) patients consenting to study participation. Forty (77%) and 12 (23%) patients reported switching and not switching, respectively, to infliximab‐dyyb. Regarding disease control, most respondents (80%) were satisfied to very satisfied with the switch to infliximab‐dyyb. Major concerns reported for switching included not knowing enough about the medication (38%), potential side effects (35%), and loss of disease activity control (35%).

Conclusion

Overall, patients reported satisfaction with switching from infliximab to infliximab‐dyyb, but concerns regarding safety and efficacy were expressed. Patient involvement in the switching decision‐making process may allay concerns and enhance biosimilar uptake.
Clarification on Braeburn's CAM2038/Brixadi/Buvidal
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: March 2019

In our recent article “Sublocade: Why a placebo arm?” (see ADAW, March 11), we referred to the investigational medication CAM2038, an injectable (weekly subcutaneous depot) form of buprenorphine that is competing with Sublocade in the buprenorphine market. To make the terminology clear, the name of the investigational medication, developed by Braeburn in partnership with Camurus (Braeburn's European partner), is Brixadi. In Europe and Australia, however, the product is approved and marketed by Camurus under the trade name Buvidal. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted tentative approval to Brixadi in December 2018, but Sublocade has exclusivity. “Brixadi's clinical development program was designed with input from the FDA,” said Sonnie Kim, Pharm.D., Braeburn vice president and head of medical affairs, in an email to ADAW. CAM2038 was found effective in Phase 2 research (see ADAW, June 26, 2017). The most recent results were published in JAMA Internal Medicine (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article‐abstract/2681061). We regret any confusion. For more information, go to www.braeburnrx.com.
Optical and Mechanical Characterization of Sputtered AlN/Ag Multilayer Films
Authors: Appleget Chelsea D. , Hodge Andrea M.
Published: March 2019

This study explores the synthesis of ceramic/metal multilayers with a wide range of transmittance values while examining their resulting microstructure and mechanical behavior. AlN/Ag nanomultilayers are synthesized by reactive DC magnetron sputtering with either repeated bilayer thicknesses or layer thicknesses optimized for transmittance. Five structures are investigated, and all show agreement with predicted transmittance values. The measured hardness values range from 4.9 to 19.4 GPa, while the failure is brittle‐dominated fracture, independent of the Ag layer thickness. The optically optimized samples exhibit a fourfold increase in hardness and increase optical performance over the repeated bilayer samples, despite the similar deformation behavior.
Flexible, Conformal Organic Synaptic Transistors on Elastomer for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Wang Haiting , Yang Mihua , Tang Qingxin , Zhao Xiaoli , Tong Yanhong , Liu Yichun
Published: March 2019

Bioelectronics in synaptic transistors for future biomedical applications, such as implanted treatments and human–machine interfaces, must be flexible with good mechanical compatibility with biological tissues. The rigid nature and high deposition temperature in conventional inorganic synaptic transistors restrict the development of flexible, conformal synaptic devices. Here, the dinaphtho[2,3‐b:2′,3′‐f]thieno[3,2‐b]‐thiophene organic synaptic transistor on elastic polydimethylsiloxane is demonstrated to avoid these limitations. The unique advantages of organic materials in low Young's modulus and low temperature process enable seamless adherence of organic synaptic transistors on arbitrary‐shaped objects. On 3D curved surfaces, the essential synaptic functions, such as potentiation/depression, short/long‐term synaptic plasticity, and spike voltage–dependent plasticity, are successfully realized. The time‐dependent surface potential characterization reveals the slow polarization of dipoles in the dielectric is responsible for hysteresis and synaptic behaviors. This work represents that organic materials offer a potential platform to realize the flexible, conformal synaptic transistors for the development of wearable and implantable artificial neuromorphic systems.
Delaying Ice and Frost Formation Using Phase‐Switching Liquids
Authors: Chatterjee Rukmava , Beysens Daniel , Anand Sushant
Published: March 2019

Preventing water droplets from transitioning to ice is advantageous for numerous applications. It is demonstrated that the use of certain phase‐change materials, which are in liquid state under ambient conditions and have melting point higher than the freezing point of water, referred herein as phase‐switching liquids (PSLs), can impede condensation–frosting lasting up to 300 and 15 times longer in bulk and surface infused state, respectively, compared to conventional surfaces under identical environmental conditions. The freezing delay is primarily a consequence of the release of trapped latent heat due to condensation, but is also affected by the solidified PSL surface morphology and its miscibility in water. Regardless of surface chemistry, PSL‐infused textured surfaces exhibit low droplet adhesion when operated below the corresponding melting point of the solidified PSLs, engendering ice and frost repellency even on hydrophilic substrates. Additionally, solidified PSL surfaces display varying degrees of optical transparency, can repel a variety of liquids, and self‐heal upon physical damage.
Mimicking Localized Surface Plasmons with Structural Dispersion
Authors: Li Zhuo , Liu Liangliang , Fernández‐Domínguez Antonio I. , Shi Jianfeng , Gu Changqing , García‐Vidal Francisco J. , Luo Yu
Published: March 2019

One major obstacle in developing plasmonic devices is dissipative loss. Structural waveguide dispersion offers a route to tackle this problem. Although long range propagation of surface waves using this concept is recently reported, experimental realizations of localized surface plasmon resonances with suppressed dissipative loss still remain elusive. In this paper, effective localized surface plasmons in a bounded waveguide filled with only positive dielectrics are modeled theoretically and demonstrated experimentally. Theoretical analysis based on cylindrical wave expansion shows that the effective surface modes are induced by structural dispersion of transverse electric modes. Owing to dramatically suppressed metallic loss, the designed structure can support multipolar sharp plasmonic resonances, which are difficult to attain with natural plasmons at optical frequencies. To probe the characteristics of these resonances in the experiment, a deep‐subwavelength open resonator is fabricated and the transmission spectrum at the boundary of the structure is measured. The results reveal that structured‐dispersion‐induced localized surface plasmons are quite sensitive to the background refractive index but relatively robust to the size and shape of the resonator. These findings open up a new avenue for designer localized surface waves at low frequencies and may find applications in miniaturization of microwave resonators, filters, and terahertz biosensors.
AZATAX: Acetazolamide safety and efficacy in cerebellar syndrome in PMM2 congenital disorder of glycosylation (PMM2‐CDG)
Authors: Martínez‐Monseny Antonio F. , Bolasell Mercè , Callejón‐Póo Laura , Cuadras Daniel , Freniche Verónica , Itzep Débora C. , Gassiot Susanna , Arango Pedro , Casas‐Alba Didac , de la Morena Eugenia , Corral Javier , Montero Raquel , Pérez‐Cerdá Celia , Pérez Belén , Artuch Rafael , Jaeken Jaak , Serrano Mercedes ,   and the CDG Spanish Consortium
Published: March 2019

Objective

Phosphomannomutase deficiency (PMM2 congenital disorder of glycosylation [PMM2‐CDG]) causes cerebellar syndrome and strokelike episodes (SLEs). SLEs are also described in patients with gain‐of‐function mutations in the CaV2.1 channel, for which acetazolamide therapy is suggested. Impairment in N‐glycosylation of CaV2.1 promotes gain‐of‐function effects and may participate in cerebellar syndrome in PMM2‐CDG. AZATAX was designed to establish whether acetazolamide is safe and improves cerebellar syndrome in PMM2‐CDG.

Methods

A clinical trial included PMM2‐CDG patients, with a 6‐month first‐phase single acetazolamide therapy group, followed by a randomized 5‐week withdrawal phase. Safety was assessed. The primary outcome measure was improvement in the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS). Other measures were the Nijmegen Pediatric CDG Rating Scale (NPCRS), a syllable repetition test (PATA test), and cognitive scores.

Results

Twenty‐four patients (mean age = 12.3 ± 4.5 years) were included, showing no serious adverse events. Thirteen patients required dose adjustment due to low bicarbonate or asthenia. There were improvements on ICARS (34.9 ± 23.2 vs 40.7 ± 24.8, effect size = 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.0–7.6, p < 0.001), detected at 6 weeks in 18 patients among the 20 responders, on NPCRS (95% CI = 0.3–1.6, p = 0.013) and on the PATA test (95% CI = 0.5–3.0, p = 0.006). Acetazolamide improved prothrombin time, factor X, and antithrombin. Clinical severity, epilepsy, and lipodystrophy predicted greater response. The randomized withdrawal phase showed ICARS worsening in the withdrawal group (effect size = 1.46, 95% CI = 2.65–7.52, p = 0.001).

Interpretation

AZATAX is the first clinical trial of PMM2‐CDG. Acetazolamide is well tolerated and effective for motor cerebellar syndrome. Its ability to prevent SLEs and its long‐term effects on kidney function should be addressed in future studies. Ann Neurol 2019;85:740–751
Communication and Self‐Presentation Behavior on Academic Social Networking Sites: An Exploratory Case Study on Profiles and Discussion Threads on ResearchGate
Authors: Ostermaier‐Grabow Anika , Linek Stephanie B.
Published: March 2019

Several Academic Social Networking Sites (ASNSs) have been launched in the last few years and their number of members is growing. Researchers using ASNSs come from very divergent scientific backgrounds and academic levels, prompting one to ask the question, What kind of communication and self‐presentation behaviors occur within these structures? The qualitative study presented in this article analyzed the communication behavior of a selected sample on ResearchGate (RG). It investigates how researchers present themselves on their personal‐profile sites and how they interact with other researchers. Overall, the results show that mostly young male academics without previous connections to each other (for example, faculty colleges) use RG for their scholarly exchanges. In general, communication behavior is characterized by an objective, professional, unemotional choice of words and seldom the use of polite salutations or words of farewell. However, there seems to be a correlation between long discussion and an increased use of colloquial and emotional language. Based on our findings, we derived preliminary practical recommendations for communications on ASNSs to improve the relationships in online academic interactions, to foster inclusiveness of gender and culture, and to reduce insecurity in matters of communication, presentation, and the exchange of scientific data.
Stroke prevention in patients from Latin American countries with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation: Insights from the GARFIELD‐AF registry
Authors: Jerjes‐Sanchez Carlos , Corbalan Ramon , Barretto Antonio C. P. , Luciardi Hector L. , Allu Jagan , Illingworth Laura , Pieper Karen S. , Kayani Gloria ,   for the GARFIELD‐AF Investigators
Published: March 2019

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important preventable cause of stroke. Anticoagulation (AC) therapy can reduce this risk. However, prescribing patterns and outcomes in patients with non‐valvular AF (NVAF) from Latin American countries are poorly described.

Methods

Using data from the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD‐AF (GARFIELD‐AF), we examined the stroke prevention strategies and the 1‐year outcomes in patients from four Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico.

Results

A total of 4162 patients (2010‐2014) were included in this analysis. At the time of AF diagnosis, 39.9% of patients were prescribed vitamin K antagonists (VKA) ± antiplatelet (AP) therapy, 21.8% non‐VKA oral anticoagulant (NOAC) ± AP, 24.1% AP only and 14.1% no antithrombotic treatment. The proportion of moderate‐high risk patients receiving no AC therapy at participating centers was highest in Mexico (46.4%) and lowest in Chile (14.3%). During 1‐year follow‐up, the rates of all‐cause mortality, stroke/SE and major bleeding were: 5.77 (95% CI) (5.06‐6.56), 1.58 (1.23‐2.02), and 0.99 (0.72‐1.36) and per 100 person‐years, respectively, which are higher than the global rates across all countries in GARFIELD‐AF. Unadjusted rates of all‐cause mortality were highest in Argentina, 6.95 (5.43‐8.90), and lowest in Chile, 4.01 (2.92‐5.52).

Conclusions

GARFIELD‐AF results describes the marked variation in the baseline characteristics and patterns of antithrombotic treatments in patients with NVAF in four Latin American countries. Over one‐third of patients with a moderate‐to‐high risk of stroke received no AC therapy, highlighting the need for improved management of patients according to national guideline.

Clinical Trial Registration—URL

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362.
Evolution and Functional Differentiation of the Diaphragm Muscle of Mammals
Authors: Fogarty Matthew J. , Sieck Gary C.
Published: March 2019

Symmorphosis is a concept of economy of biological design, whereby structural properties are matched to functional demands. According to symmorphosis, biological structures are never over designed to exceed functional demands. Based on this concept, the evolution of the diaphragm muscle (DIAm) in mammals is a tale of two structures, a membrane that separates and partitions the primitive coelomic cavity into separate abdominal and thoracic cavities and a muscle that serves as a pump to generate intra‐abdominal (Pab) and intrathoracic (Pth) pressures. The DIAm partition evolved in reptiles from folds of the pleural and peritoneal membranes that was driven by the biological advantage of separating organs in the larger coelomic cavity into separate thoracic and abdominal cavities, especially with the evolution of aspiration breathing. The DIAm pump evolved from the advantage afforded by more effective generation of both a negative Pthfor ventilation of the lungs and a positive Pabfor venous return of blood to the heart and expulsive behaviors such as airway clearance, defecation, micturition, and child birth. © 2019 American Physiological Society.Compr Physiol9:715‐766, 2019.
Mechanosensing and Mechanoregulation of Endothelial Cell Functions
Authors: Fang Yun , Wu David , Birukov Konstantin G.
Published: March 2019

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) form a semiselective barrier for macromolecules and cell elements regulated by dynamic interactions between cytoskeletal elements and cell adhesion complexes. ECs also participate in many other vital processes including innate immune reactions, vascular repair, secretion, and metabolism of bioactive molecules. Moreover, vascular ECs represent a unique cell type exposed to continuous, time‐dependent mechanical forces: different patterns of shear stress imposed by blood flow in macrovasculature and by rolling blood cells in the microvasculature; circumferential cyclic stretch experienced by the arterial vascular bed caused by heart propulsions; mechanical stretch of lung microvascular endothelium at different magnitudes due to spontaneous respiration or mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients. Accumulating evidence suggests that vascular ECs contain mechanosensory complexes, which rapidly react to changes in mechanical loading, process the signal, and develop context‐specific adaptive responses to rebalance the cell homeostatic state. The significance of the interactions between specific mechanical forces in the EC microenvironment together with circulating bioactive molecules in the progression and resolution of vascular pathologies including vascular injury, atherosclerosis, pulmonary edema, and acute respiratory distress syndrome has been only recently recognized. This review will summarize the current understanding of EC mechanosensory mechanisms, modulation of EC responses to humoral factors by surrounding mechanical forces (particularly the cyclic stretch), and discuss recent findings of magnitude‐specific regulation of EC functions by transcriptional, posttranscriptional and epigenetic mechanisms using ‐omics approaches. We also discuss ongoing challenges and future opportunities in developing new therapies targeting dysregulated mechanosensing mechanisms to treat vascular diseases. © 2019 American Physiological Society.Compr Physiol9:873‐904, 2019.
Software‐defined network‐enabled opportunistic offloading and charging scheme in multi‐unmanned aerial vehicle ecosystem
Authors: Vashisht Sahil , Jain Sushma
Published: March 2019

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are autonomous fliers, which can play different roles in modern day applications. In one of the important role, UAVs can act as aerial data forwarding nodes for communication range enhancement in remote areas. UAVs form a web of drones, which can be geo‐distributed across a large area to serve various applications. However, the two major contradicting challenges with respect to multi‐UAV networks are channel congestion and flight time enhancement. The use of effective data transmission techniques to handle congestion can lead to higher battery dissipation, which in turn end up in the reduction in flight time. However, it is utmost necessity to provide an effective framework, which can provide a viable solution for handling congestion in multi‐UAV networks while enhancing the flight time of UAVs. To handle these issues, software‐defined network (SDN)–enabled opportunistic offloading and charging scheme (SOOCS) in multi‐UAV ecosystem is designed in this paper. In this scheme, an opportunistic offloading scheme is proposed, which uses an SDN‐based control model to handle congestion issues. Apart from this, an opportunistic energy‐charging scheme is designed, wherein the UAVS can either replenish their batteries using solar plates or they can wirelessly charge energy from charging points deployed at various geo‐distributed locations. The proposed scheme is evaluated using a simulation‐based study over the realistic deployment of charging points in Chandigarh City, India. The results obtained show the superiority of SOOCS over other variants of its category in terms of end‐to‐end delay, throughput, and hand‐over latency.
Immature beach/dune sands along a passive continental margin: Composition, grain size and hydraulic properties of coastal sands, Parque del Plata and Las Vegas, Uruguay
Authors: Missimer Thomas M. , Goso César , Maliva Robert G. , Hegy Michael C.
Published: March 2019

The modal composition of sandstones has long been used as a tool for palaeotectonic and palaeoenvironmental analyses. Herein it is demonstrated that caution must be used when beach sand composition is utilized to assess tectonic provenances at both the local and continental scales. The occurrence of quartz arenites and compositionally mature sands along the coast of Brazil corresponds well to their passive margin location. However, modern sands from some beach locations in coastal Uruguay are less compositionally mature compared to the quartz arenites found in coastal Brazil. Along the beaches of Las Vegas and Parque del Plata, the composition of the beach and dune sands is impacted by the transport of continental outwash sediments derived from the Palaeozoic and Precambrian rocks in the interior to the beach by a low‐gradient stream, Arroyo Solis Chico, and the erosion of Pleistocene‐age formations that crop out on the beach and along an erosional scrap. The mean beach composition ratio of monocrystalline quartz to feldspar to rock fragments plus composite quartz grains is 67.5/8.0/24.5 compared to the ratio along the coast of Brazil at 86/4/10. The beach and coastal dunes environment studied is representative of about 35% of coastal Uruguay. At the smaller scale, changes in the textural properties of the beach and dune sands (grain‐size distribution and roundness) are caused by the addition of the sediment derived from erosion and stream transport. Porosity values show little influence and range between 0.35 and 0.36, but hydraulic conductivity is influenced to a greater degree, ranging from 18.5 to 31 m/day. Within one kilometre down‐drift of the river, the mean grain diameter and the mean hydraulic conductivity increase to the same values found in the up‐gradient area before influence of the sediment flux, due to the offshore transport of the finer sediment fraction during down‐gradient movement along the beach. The Arroyo Solis Chico area demonstrates that abrupt changes in composition and hydraulic properties can occur over short distances in sands deposited in passive margin environments. The potential for this local variability in sand composition and hydraulic properties should be considered in the analyses of ancient marine sandstones deposited in beach and coastal dunes environments.
Navigating the university transition among women who self‐report an eating disorder: A qualitative study
Authors: Goldschen Lauren , Lundblad Wynne , Fertig Alexis M. , Auster Lauren S. , Schwarzbach Hannah L. , Chang Judy C.
Published: March 2019

Objective

Although developmental milestones have been observed to alter eating disorder (ED) symptom burden, it remains unknown how the transition to university affects symptomatology. To address this gap, we designed a qualitative study to elucidate how students with an ED perceive their general university experience and to describe how the university environment shapes their ED.

Method

Undergraduate students who self‐reported an ED were recruited through fliers, an undergraduate advocacy organization, and local treatment centers. We conducted audio‐recorded semi‐structured individual interviews. Two investigators separately coded verbatim transcripts using an editing approach, and final themes emerged from the pattern of descriptors.

Results

Fifteen undergraduate students participated. Participants endorsed a variety of ED symptoms and sought various levels of treatment. Most participants transitioned to university with an already‐established diagnosis. Participants described that ED symptoms tended to worsen in university for a variety of reasons including (a) minimization of ED severity, (b) loss of external accountability, (c) use of ED symptoms as a coping mechanism, and (d) glorification of ED behaviors in campus diet culture. Subsequently, the ED disrupted the university experience by (e) hindering participants' ability to focus on academic responsibilities and (f) leading to social isolation on campus.

Discussion

We identified challenges unique to the university experience that can be addressed by ED treatment teams in order to provide anticipatory guidance and patient‐centered care. Study limitations include lack of formal diagnostic ED assessment by research team and sampling of students from one university.
A novel approach to understanding bird communities using informed diversity estimates at local and regional scales in northern California and southern Oregon
Authors: Wolfe Jared D. , Alexander John D. , Stephens Jaime L. , Ralph C. John
Published: March 2019

Assessment and preservation of biodiversity has been a central theme of conservation biology since the discipline's inception. However, when diversity estimates are based purely on measures of presence–absence, or even abundance, they do not directly assess in what way focal habitats support the life history needs of individual species making up biological communities. Here, we move beyond naïve measures of occurrence and introduce the concept of “informed diversity” indices which scale estimates of avian species richness and community assemblage by two critical phases of their life cycle: breeding and molt. We tested the validity of the “informed diversity” concept using bird capture data from multiple locations in northern California and southern Oregon to examine patterns of species richness among breeding, molting, and naïve (based solely on occurrence) bird communities at the landscape and local scales using linear regression, community similarity indices, and a Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA). At the landscape scale, we found a striking pattern of increased species richness for breeding, molting, and naïve bird communities further inland and at higher elevations throughout the study area. At the local scale, we found that some sites with species‐rich naïve communities were in fact species‐poor when informed by breeding status, indicating that naïve richness may mask more biologically meaningful patterns of diversity. We suggest that land managers use informed diversity estimates instead of naïve measures of diversity to identify ecologically valuable wildlife habitat.
Increased snowfall weakens complementarity of summer water use by different plant functional groups
Authors: Chi Yonggang , Zhou Lei , Yang Qingpeng , Li Shao‐peng , Zheng Shuxia
Published: March 2019

Winter snowfall is an important water source for plants during summer in semiarid regions. Snow, rain, soil water, and plant water were sampled for hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes analyses under control and increased snowfall conditions in the temperate steppe of Inner Mongolia, China. Our study showed that the snowfall contribution to plant water uptake continued throughout the growing season and was detectable even in the late growing season. Snowfall versus rainfall accounted for 30% and 70%, respectively, of the water source for plants, on the basis of hydrogen stable isotope signature (δD) analysis, and accounted for 12% and 88%, respectively, on the basis of oxygen stable isotope signature (δ18O) analysis. Water use partitioning between topsoil and subsoil was found among species with different rooting depths. Increased snowfall weakened complementarity of plant water use during summer. Our study provides insights into the relationships between precipitation regimes and species interactions in semiarid regions.
Relative humidity versus moisture content relationship for several commercial wood species and its potential effect on flame spread
Authors: Hasburgh Laura E. , Craft Steven T. , Van Zeeland Ineke , Zelinka Samuel L.
Published: March 2019

Recently, measured flame spread indices on commercial wood species tested per ASTM E84 were found to be lower than previously published data. One reason for this may be that the hygrothermal conditioning of the red oak calibrant required by the test standards for measuring flame spread was changed between 1973 and 1981. This paper examines how much variability there is in the moisture content of commercially important wood species at 50% relative humidity by collecting water vapor sorption isotherms. Additionally, the effect of moisture content on the flame spread was evaluated after conducting 14 tests with eastern white pine in accordance with CAN/ULC‐S102 and four in accordance with ASTM E84 at four commercial test laboratories. For the sorption isotherms, it was found that the moisture contents at 50% relative humidity ranged from 6.8% to 11.4% moisture content and depended on the species and whether the specimens had been conditioned in absorption or desorption. The flame spread indices, as measured as different laboratories, also varied from 37% at 10.4% reported moisture content to 200% at 6.5% reported moisture content. The findings suggest that the wood moisture content and conditioning requirements of the standards are important test variables that affect the flame spread results.
Spermidine Confers Liver Protection by Enhancing NRF2 Signaling Through a MAP1S‐Mediated Noncanonical Mechanism
Authors: Liu Pengfei , de la Vega Montserrat Rojo , Dodson Matthew , Yue Fei , Shi Boyun , Fang Deyu , Chapman Eli , Liu Leyuan , Zhang Donna D.
Published: March 2019

Spermidine (SPD), a naturally occurring polyamine, has been recognized as a caloric restriction mimetic that confers health benefits, presumably by inducing autophagy. Recent studies have reported that oral administration of SPD protects against liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis through activation of microtubule associated protein 1S (MAP1S)–mediated autophagy. Nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that mediates cellular protection by maintaining the cell's redox, metabolic, and proteostatic balance. In this study, we demonstrate that SPD is a noncanonical NRF2 inducer, and that MAP1S is a component of this noncanonical pathway of NRF2 activation. Mechanistically, MAP1S induces NRF2 signaling through two parallel mechanisms, both resulting in NRF2 stabilization: (1) MAP1S competes with Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (KEAP1) for NRF2 binding through an ETGE motif, and (2) MAP1S accelerates p62‐dependent degradation of KEAP1 by the autophagy pathway. We further demonstrate that SPD confers liver protection by enhancing NRF2 signaling. The importance of both NRF2 and p62‐dependent autophagy in SPD‐mediated liver protection was confirmed using a carbon tetrachloride–induced liver fibrosis model in wild‐type, Nrf2‐/‐
, p62‐/‐
and Nrf2‐/‐;p62‐/‐
mice, as the protective effect of SPD was significantly reduced in NRF2 or p62 single knockout mice, and completely abolished in the double knockout mice. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the pivotal role of NRF2 in mediating the health benefit of SPD, particularly in the context of liver pathologies.
Experimental evaluation of matching via a commercially available basketball video game
Authors: Schenk Merritt J. , Reed Derek D.
Published: March 2019

Many recent nonlaboratory‐based quantitative analyses of behavior have relied on archival competitive sporting data. However, the ratio‐based reinforcement schedules in most athletic competitions and the correlational nature of archival data analyses raise concern over the contributions of such findings to the behavior analytic literature. The current experiment evaluated whether matching in a human operant paradigm would approximate matching observed in nonlaboratory‐based sports data. To this end, we used in‐game attributes to parametrically manipulate 2‐ and 3‐point shooting in a commercially available basketball video game. The behavior of 6 of 9 participants conformed to the generalized matching equation. These results suggest matching in sporting contexts may be a product of restricted nonindependent concurrent random‐ratio schedules. Implications of this experiment, including those in applied behavior analysis and potential influence on gamification, are discussed.
Epigenetic‐Based Mechanisms of Osteoblast Suppression in Multiple Myeloma Bone Disease
Authors: Adamik Juraj , Roodman G David , Galson Deborah L
Published: March 2019

Multiple myeloma (MM) bone disease is characterized by the development of osteolytic lesions, which cause severe complications affecting the morbidity, mortality, and treatment of myeloma patients. Myeloma tumors seeded within the bone microenvironment promote hyperactivation of osteoclasts and suppression of osteoblast differentiation. Because of this prolonged suppression of bone marrow stromal cells’ (BMSCs) differentiation into functioning osteoblasts, bone lesions in patients persist even in the absence of active disease. Current antiresorptive therapy provides insufficient bone anabolic effects to reliably repair MM lesions. It has become widely accepted that myeloma‐exposed BMSCs have an altered phenotype with pro‐inflammatory, immune‐modulatory, anti‐osteogenic, and pro‐adipogenic properties. In this review, we focus on the role of epigenetic‐based modalities in the establishment and maintenance of myeloma‐induced suppression of osteogenic commitment of BMSCs. We will focus on recent studies demonstrating the involvement of chromatin‐modifying enzymes in transcriptional repression of osteogenic genes in MM‐BMSCs. We will further address the epigenetic plasticity in the differentiation commitment of osteoprogenitor cells and assess the involvement of chromatin modifiers in MSC‐lineage switching from osteogenic to adipogenic in the context of the inflammatory myeloma microenvironment. Lastly, we will discuss the potential of employing small molecule epigenetic inhibitors currently used in the MM research as therapeutics and bone anabolic agents in the prevention or repair of osteolytic lesions in MM. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Modulation of Fexofenadine Pharmacokinetics by Osimertinib in Patients With Advanced EGFR‐Mutated Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Calvo Emiliano , Lee Jong‐Seok , Kim Sang‐We , Moreno Victor , deCastro Carpeno Javier , Weilert Doris , Laus Gianluca , Mann Helen , Vishwanathan Karthick
Published: March 2019

Osimertinib is a potent, third‐generation, irreversible, central nervous system active epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that selectively inhibits EGFR‐TKI sensitizing and EGFR T790M resistance mutations. It is approved for first‐line treatment of patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations, and for patients with T790M‐positive advanced NSCLC whose disease has progressed on or after EGFR‐TKI therapy. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics (PK) of fexofenadine (P‐glycoprotein substrate) following single‐ and multiple‐dose osimertinib in patients with advanced NSCLC who have progressed on prior EGFR‐TKI therapy. This open‐label, phase 1 study (NCT02908750) comprised the PK phase and continued access phase. The former comprised 2 distinct periods with a 3‐ to 7‐day washout: treatment period 1 (n = 24, fexofenadine 120 mg, day 1) and treatment period 2 (fexofenadine 120 mg + osimertinib 80 mg single dose on days 1 and 39 and osimertinib 80 mg once daily from days 4 to 41). Patients could continue osimertinib 80 mg once daily based on investigator's discretion in the continued access phase. Fexofenadine area under the plasma concentration–time curve and maximum concentration increased by 56% (90% confidence interval [CI], 35.4–78.6) and 76% (90%CI, 49.3–108.3) following coadministration with osimertinib single dose, and by 27% (90%CI, 11.2–45.8) and 25% (90%CI, 5.6–48.1) when given with osimertinib at steady state, respectively. Following osimertinib coadministration, median fexofenadine time to maximum concentration increased by approximately 30 minutes compared with time to maximum concentration following fexofenadine alone. No new osimertinib safety findings were observed. The increase in fexofenadine exposure following osimertinib coadministration shows osimertinib as a weak P‐glycoprotein inhibitor.