bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution and status of living colonies ofAcroporaspp. in the reef crests of a protected marine area of the Caribbean (Jardines de la Reina National Park, Cuba)
Authors: Hernández-Fernández Leslie , González de Zayas Roberto , Olivera Yunier M. , Pina Amargós Fabián , Bustamante López Claudia , Dulce Sotolongo Lisadys B. , Bretos Fernando , Figueredo Martín Tamara , Lladó Cabrera Dayli , Salmón Moret Francisco
Published: February 2019

The reef crests of the Jardines de la Reina National Park (JRNP) are largely formed byAcropora palmata, but colonies ofA. cervicornisand the hybridA. proliferaare also present. This study shows spatial distribution of colonies, thickets and live fragments of these species in the fore reefs. Snorkeling was used to perform the direct observations. The maximum diameter of 4,399 colonies ofA. palmatawas measured and the health of 3,546 colonies was evaluated. The same was done to 168 colonies ofA. cervicornisand 104 colonies ofA. prolifera. The influence of the location and marine currents on a number of living colonies ofA. palmatawas analyzed. For such purpose, reef crests were divided into segments of 500 m. The marine park was divided into two sectors: East and West. The Caballones Channel was used as the reference dividing line. The park was also divided into five reserve zones. We counted 7,276 live colonies ofAcroporaspp. 1.4% wasA. prolifera, 3.5%A. cervicornisand 95.1%A. palmata. There were 104 thickets ofA. palmata, ranging from eight to 12 colonies, and 3,495 fragments; 0.6% wasA. cervicornisand the restA. palmata(99.4%). In the East sector, 263 colonies (3.8% of the total), six thickets (5.8%) and 32 fragments (1%) ofA. palmatewere recorded. In the same sector, there were 11 fragments (50%) ofA.cervicornisand two (2%) colonies ofA. prolifera. Health ofA. palmatawas evaluated as good and not so good in the study area. Health ofA. cervicorniswas critical and health ofA. proliferawas good in all five reserve zones. There was a significant increase in the number of colonies from east to west (Χ2 = 11.5, gl = 3.0,p= 0.009). This corroborates the existence of an important abundance differences between the eastern and the western region of the JRNP. A negative relationship was observed between the number of colonies and the distance from the channel (Χ2 = 65.0, df = 3.0,p< 0.001). The influence of the channel, for the live colonies ofA. palmatais greater within the first 2,000 m. It then decreases until approximately 6,000 m, and no significant increase beyond. The orientation of the reef crests significantly influenced the abundance of the colonies (Χ2 = 15.5, df = 2.9,p= 0.001). The results presented here provide a baseline for future research on the status of the populations ofAcroporaspp., considering that there has been a certain recovery of the speciesA. palmataduring the last 10–16 years. Given the current status of the populations ofAcroporaspp., conservation actions focusingA. cervicornisshould be prioritized.
A Comparative Study of Microcrystalline Cellulose Isolated from the Pod Husk and Stalk of Fluted Pumpkin
Authors: Nwajiobi C. C. , Otaigbe J. O. E. , Oriji O.
Published: February 2019

Microcrystalline celluloses (MCC) were prepared from α-celluloses obtained from fluted pumpkin stalk and pod. The substrates were subjected to treatment with 2% (w/v) NaOH, 3.5% (w/v) NaOCl and 17.5% (w/v) NaOH solutions respectively to obtain alpha celluloses. Acid hydrolysis of the alpha-celluloses using 2.5 N hydrochloric acid were carried out. The study evaluates and compares the physicochemical properties of microcrystalline cellulose obtained from the pod and stalk of fluted pumpkin. Composition of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin were also determined. Results showed cellulose; hemicellulose and lignin content of the pod husk and stalk were 49%, 26%, 9% and 41%, 24%, 26%, respectively. The morphology of the hydrolyzed MCCs’ were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the results revealed the stalk (FS-MCC) to have an individual rod-like shaped fiber when compared with flat-shaped large aggregated forms of the pod (FP-MCC). The particles sizes were also uneven with FP-MCC (6.689 µm) having larger particle sizes than FS-MCC (5.538 µm). The high cellulose content of the pod husk shows that the applications may be extended in the production of other cellulose derivatives while the high lignin content of the stalk reveals other alternative source of producing lignin in the making of textile dyes, coating and other agricultural chemical. Pod MCC (FP-MCC) had better physicochemical properties than the stalk MCC (FS-MCC).
Field Evaluation of Newer Insecticides against Spotted Pod Borer [Maruca vitrata (Geyer)], on Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Swathi K. , Ramu P. Seetha , Dhurua S. , Suresh M.
Published: February 2019

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of novel insecticides against the spotted pod borer on rice fallow blackgram.

Study Design: Randomised Block Design (RBD) was used in this study.

Place and Duration of Work: The present study was carried out at College farm Agricultural College, Naira during Rabi 2017-2018 season.

Methodology: The spotted pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Geyer) is a serious pest of blackgram through out the growth period especially in flowering and pod development stages in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Management of this pest becomes difficult due to its concealed nature of feeding inside flowers and pods. Different newer insecticides were evaluated for the management of M. vitrata on blackgram cultivar LBG-752 under rice fallow situations with ten treatments replicated thrice.

Results: The current study indicated that among all the insecticidal treatments chlorantraniliprole 9.3% + λ cyhalothrin 4.6% @ 0.5 ml l-1 was found to be very effective by recording 75.91 per cent overall mean reduction in M. vitrata larval population with lowest pod damage (7.04%) over control (60.58%) and also recorded highest grain yield (8.31 q ha-1) followed by chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 0.0037% and flubendiamide @ 39.35 SC 0.00787% with 72.04 and 67.30 per cent overall reduction in mean larval population of M. vitrata over untreated control. The cost - benefit (C:B) ratio for all the treatments revealed that chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 0.0037% was highly economical with a C : B of 1: 17.14 followed by spinosad 45 SC with cost - benefit (C:B) ratio 1: 15.28.

Conclusion: Usage of newer insecticides with novel modes of action are highly effective against spotted pod borer with an additional increase in yield of blackgram.
Multicenter Metal–Organic Framework‐Based Ratiometric Fluorescent Sensors
Authors: Wu Shuangyan , Min Hui , Shi Wei , Cheng Peng
Published: February 2019

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with multiple emission centers are newly emerging as ratiometric sensors owing to their high sensitivity and high selectivity toward a wide range of targeted functional species. Energy transfer between the light‐absorbing group and emission centers and between different emission centers is the key to rationally design and synthesize MOF‐based ratiometric sensors. A good match between the energy levels of the light‐absorbing groups and emission centers is the prerequisite for MOF‐based sensors to exhibit multiple emissions, and a good match of the MOF‐based sensors and those of the targeted species can increase the sensitivity and selectivity, but this match is highly challenging to obtain via synthesis. MOFs with multiple emission centers can be produced by functionalizing MOFs with multiple lanthanide centers, organic luminophores, dyes, carbon dots, and other such emissive groups. In this progress report, recent advances in the strategies for synthesizing MOFs with multiple emission centers and their applications for ratiometric sensing of solution conditions, including the pH value, and ion, organic molecule, and biomolecule concentrations, are summarized, as are the related sensing mechanisms.
New Twists of 3D Chiral Metamaterials
Authors: Fernandez‐Corbaton I. , Rockstuhl C. , Ziemke P. , Gumbsch P. , Albiez A. , Schwaiger R. , Frenzel T. , Kadic M. , Wegener M.
Published: February 2019

Rationally designed artificial materials, called metamaterials, allow for tailoring effective material properties beyond (“meta”) the properties of their bulk ingredient materials. This statement is especially true for chiral metamaterials, as unlocking certain degrees of freedom necessarily requires broken centrosymmetry. While the field of chiral electromagnetic/optical metamaterials has become rather mature, the field of elastic/mechanical metamaterials is just emerging and wide open. This research news reviews recent theoretical and experimental progress concerning 3D chiral mechanical and optical metamaterials, with special emphasis on work performed at KIT.
Cr‐Doped FeNi–P Nanoparticles Encapsulated into N‐Doped Carbon Nanotube as a Robust Bifunctional Catalyst for Efficient Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Wu Yiqiang , Tao Xu , Qing Yan , Xu Han , Yang Fan , Luo Sha , Tian Cuihua , Liu Ming , Lu Xihong
Published: February 2019

Exploring high‐efficiency, stable, and cost‐effective bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting is greatly desirable and challenging. Herein, a newly designed hybrid catalyst with Cr‐doped FeNi–P nanoparticles encapsulated into N‐doped carbon nanotubes (Cr‐doped FeNi–P/NCN) with unprecedented electrocatalytic activity is developed by a simple one‐step heating treatment. The as‐synthesized Cr‐doped FeNi–P/NCN with moderate Cr doping exhibits admirable oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction activities with overpotentials of 240 and 190 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in 1 m KOH solution. When used in overall water splitting as a bifunctional catalyst, it needs only 1.50 V to give a current density of 10 mA cm−2, which is superior to its typically integrated Pt/C and RuO2 counterparts (1.54 V @ 10 mA cm−2). Density functional theory calculation confirms that Cr doping into a FeNi‐host can effectively alter the relative Gibbs adsorption energy and reduces the theoretical overpotential. Additionally, the synergetic effects between Cr‐doped FeNi–P nanoparticles and NCNs are regarded as significant contributors to accelerate charge transfer and promote electrocatalytic activity in hybrid catalysts.
Plasmonic Circular Dichroism of Gold Nanoparticle Based Nanostructures
Authors: Hu Zhijian , Meng Dejing , Lin Feng , Zhu Xing , Fang Zheyu , Wu Xiaochun
Published: February 2019

With great advances in wet chemical synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs), plasmonic NPs with various sizes and morphologies are easily available nowadays and demonstrate great potentials in optical, electronic, and biomedical applications. Plasmonic circular dichroism (CD), relating to circular dichroism responses at localized surface plasmon resonance of metal nanostructures, has emerged as a research direction of plasmonics with promising prospects in enantioselective catalysis, chiral separation, and ultrasensitive detections. Herein, plasmonic CD responses of gold nanoparticle based nanostructures are summarized. Two kinds of plasmonic CD phenomena are investigated: structural CD and induced CD. Structural CD is the response from chiral assemblies composed of plasmonic NPs with strong dipole–dipole interactions. Induced CD is the response of nonchiral plasmonic NPs with chiral molecules attached at surface. The weak CD is the result of Coulomb interaction between chiral molecules and plasmonic NPs. Efforts on how to achieve strong CD signals for these two configurations by using chiral molecules and Au nanoparticles are reported. The fabrication of chiral nanostructures, tuning and amplification of CD responses, CD‐based biosensors, chiral catalysis, and future perspectives are presented. The importance of the shape anisotropy of gold nanorods in the generation and amplification of CD signals is especially highlighted.
A Tf2O‐Promoted Synthesis of Functionalized Quinolines from Ketoximes and Alkynes
Authors: Zheng Weiping , Yang Weiguang , Luo Dongping , Min Lin , Wang Xinyan , Hu Yuefei
Published: February 2019

A new general synthesis of quinolines was developed from ketoximes and alkynes in the presence of Tf2O. It offered the first direct synthesis of quinolines by using the nitrilium salts generated in situ from a Tf2O‐promoted Beckmann rearrangement of ketoximes under very easy conditions.

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A decade of flowering phenology of the keystone saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea)
Authors: Renzi Julianna J. , Peachey William D. , Gerst Katharine L.
Published: February 2019

Premise of the Study

Phenology is the study of biological life cycle events, such as flowering and migration. Climate patterns can alter these life history events, having ecosystem‐wide ramifications. For example, warmer springs are associated with earlier leaf‐out for many species, impacting species interactions and growing‐season carbon dynamics. While phenological research has been conducted extensively in temperate regions, relatively little is known about the phenological responses in arid and semi‐arid regions.

Methods

In this study we looked at the flowering phenology of a keystone species in the Sonoran Desert, the saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea). The timing and abundance of flowering was observed on 151 individuals for 10 years at a site near Tucson, Arizona, USA. Using six phenological traits, we explored the relationship between saguaro size and flowering and the climatic drivers of flowering.

Key Results

Our analyses demonstrated how the calculation of phenological traits at the individual versus the population level can yield differing responses to climate variability, suggesting that not all studies examining the same trait (e.g., first day of bloom) are directly comparable. We found that larger cacti began flowering earlier, flowered for longer, and produced more flowers. Warmer temperatures were correlated with advanced onset and higher bloom yields, while increased precipitation appeared to delay onset and reduce bloom yields.

Conclusions

Given that climate models predict that the Southwestern USA will become increasingly warmer with more variable precipitation, saguaros may begin flowering earlier in the season and flower more intensely, which could impact pollen availability and population dynamics.
AnAkania(Akaniaceae) inflorescence with associated pollen from the early Miocene of New Zealand
Authors: Conran John G. , Kaulfuss Uwe , Bannister Jennifer M. , Mildenhall Dallas C. , Lee Daphne E.
Published: February 2019

Premise of the Study

AnAkania‐like inflorescence, including flowers with in situ pollen was recovered from the remarkableKonservat‐Lagerstättelacustrine diatomite deposit at Foulden Maar, Otago indicating the presence of Akaniaceae in southern New Zealand during the early Miocene. The flowers, although slightly smaller than the sole modern Australian species,A. bidwillii, contain pollen grains that are very like that taxon. The pollen also resembles that of the monospecific sister genusBretschneiderafrom Southeast Asia and India, although that taxon has flowers with very different morphology from this genus.

Methods

The floral morphology of the fossil and in situ pollen grains were compared with flowers and pollen grains from extant species of Akaniaceae and related taxa.

Key Results

The fossil inflorescence and associated pollen are referred to a new, extinct species ofAkania:Akania gibsonorum. The floral structures and pollen resemble those of the modern AustralianAkaniaspecies.

Conclusions

The discovery of fossil flowers ofAkaniain an early Miocene lake deposit in New Zealand, coupled with earlier recognition of Akaniaceae leaves from the Paleocene epoch and wood from the Miocene epoch in South America suggests that the genus was once widespread in former Gondwana landmasses. The extinction of Akaniaceae in New Zealand and South America, and its present relictual distribution in eastern Australia, is most likely related to post‐Miocene climatic cooling.
Retinoic acid receptor beta variant‐related colonic hypoganglionosis
Authors: Foster Katharine J. , Zhang Stephanie Q. , Braddock Stephen R. , Torti Erin , Chikarmane Rashmi , Sotelo‐Avila Cirilo , Greenspon Jose
Published: February 2019

Retinoic acid receptor beta (RARB) variants are heavily linked to pathologies of neural crest cell migration. The purpose of this report is to present a 23‐month‐old male with the previously described R387C RARB gain‐of‐function variant whose gastrointestinal issues and long‐term constipation lead to the discovery of colonic hypoganglionosis. This case further delineates the pattern of malformation associated with RARB variants. The findings are also consistent with the known etiology of aganglionic colon due to failed neural crest cell migration.
Rigid polyurethane foams with halogen‐free flame retardants: Thermal insulation, mechanical, and flame retardant properties
Authors: Akdogan Emre , Erdem Murat , Ureyen Mustafa Erdem , Kaya Metin
Published: February 2019

Rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) composites with triphenyl phosphate (TPhP), aluminum trihydrate (ATH), and zinc borate (ZnB) alone, as well as their binary blends, were prepared via a one‐shot process. The amount of flame retardant (FR) or FR blend was varied from 10 to 50% by polyol weight percentage, and the weight fraction of the blends was also fixed at 40%. The effects of additives on thermal insulation, mechanical, and flame retardancy properties of the composites were investigated. Thermal conductivity of the neat foam (RPUF) decreased from 22.53 to 21.04–21.58 mW m−1K−1. The compressive strength of foams displayed an increase with increasing the amount of TPhP, ATH, and ZnB till 40% by weight. The limited oxygen index values of all foams increased and the flame spread rates of all foams significantly decreased. It was also observed that the flame was self‐extinguished in some cases. The cone calorimeter test results indicated that the FR additives improved the flame retardancy of the RPUF. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2020,137, 47611.
Interactions between Unionida and non‐native species: A global meta‐analysis
Authors: Moore Thomas P. , Collier Kevin J. , Duggan Ian C.
Published: February 2019

Understanding the multiple agents of decline is important for the conservation of globally threatened Unionida (Class Bivalvia), but threats from non‐native species have received limited attention. To address this gap, a global meta‐analysis was conducted aimed at identifying known interactions and mechanisms of impact and informing potential effect pathways for the New Zealand unionid fauna.

The main non‐native groups identified as interacting with unionids were fish (38% of published studies), macrophytes (33%), and vertebrate predators (30%), with ~70% of interactions leading to adverse impacts on mussels. Most studies used field surveys (~50%) and were conducted in rivers (~50%).

Impacts occurred across the unionid life cycle (adult, glochidia, host, and juvenile), and primarily affected processes that determine the transitions between life‐cycle stages (fertilization, infestation, settlement, and maturation). The impacts of non‐native macrophytes and fish were predicted to be greater for transitional stages than the impact of vertebrate predators, which mostly affected adult mussels.

New Zealand Unionida are most likely to be affected by interactions with non‐native species in lowland lakes and waterways, where connectivity for diadromous native fish hosts and high bioinvasion potential intersect.
Baculoviral infection reduces the expression of four allergen proteins of silkworm pupa
Authors: Ling Xiao‐Dong , Dong Wei‐Tao , Zhang Yong , Hu Jun‐Jie , Zhang Wang‐Dong , Wu Jin‐Tang , Liu Ji‐Xing , Zhao Xing‐Xu
Published: February 2019

Silkworm (Bombyx mori) larvae are widely used to express exogenous proteins. Moreover, some silkworm pupal proteins can be used as drug‐loading materials for selfexpressed oral tolerance drugs. However, several proteins expressed in silkworm pupae cause severe allergic reactions in humans and animals. Interestingly, some baculovirus vectors have been shown to alter the host gene and its expression in insect cells, but this has not been confirmed in silkworm. Here, we analyzed the effects of infection with an empty B. mori baculovirus (BmNPV) vector on silkworm pupal protein expression. Using a proteomics approach, the allergens thiol peroxiredoxin (Jafrac1), 27‐kDa glycoprotein (p27k), arginine kinase, and paramyosin as well as 32 additional differentially expressed proteins were identified. Downregulation of the messenger RNA expression of the four known allergens was observed after BmNPV infection; subsequent changes in protein expression were confirmed by the western blot analysis using polyclonal antibodies prepared with recombinant proteins of the four allergens. Collectively, these data indicate that the four known allergens of silkworm pupae can be reduced by infection ith an empty BmNPV vector to increase the safety of silkworm pupa‐based exogenous protein expression and drug delivery of oral pharmaceuticals. In addition, the four recombinant allergen proteins may contribute to the diagnosis of allergic diseases of silkworm pupa.
A complete stability analysis for planar delta operator systems subject to state saturation
Authors: Geng Qing , Yang Hongjiu , Xia Yuanqing , Li Li
Published: February 2019

In this paper, stability analysis is investigated for planar delta operator systems subject to state saturation. General properties of limit trajectories are characterized for the planar delta operator systems subject to state saturation. A nontrivial limit trajectory only intersects with two pairs of opposite sides but not neighboring sides of a unit square. Hence, a relation is established between the present intersection of a trajectory with lines x2  =  ±1 and the next intersection. Necessary and sufficient conditions on global asymptotic stability are obtained for the planar delta operator systems with full and partial saturated state. Simulation results are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Event‐triggered robust state estimation for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Liu Huabo , Yu Haisheng
Published: February 2019

Robust state estimation problem subject to a communication constraint is investigated in this paper for a class of wireless sensor networks constituted by multiple remote sensor nodes and a fusion node. An analytical robust fusion estimator using local event‐triggered transmission strategies is derived aiming to reduce energy consumption of the sensor nodes and refrain from network traffic congestion. Some conditions are presented guaranteeing the uniformly bounded estimation errors of the robust state estimator. Several numerical simulations are presented to show the validity of the proposed method.
Mass Balance Model with Donnan Equilibrium Accurately Describes Unusual pH and Excipient Profiles during Diafiltration of Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Baek Youngbin , Singh Nripen , Arunkumar Abhiram , Borwankar Ameya , Zydney Andrew L.
Published: February 2019

There is extensive experimental data showing that the final pH and buffer composition after protein diafiltration (DF), particularly with monoclonal antibodies, can be considerably different than that in the DF buffer due to electrostatic interactions between the charged protein and the charged ions. Previous models for this behavior have focused on the final (equilibrium) partitioning and are unable to explain the complex pH and concentration profiles during the DF process. The objective of this study is to develop a new model for antibody DF based on solution of the transient mass balance equations, with the permeate concentrations of the charged species evaluated assuming Donnan equilibrium across the semipermeable membrane in combination with electroneutrality constraints. Model predictions are in excellent agreement with experimental data obtained during DF of both acidic and basic monoclonal antibodies, with the protein charge determined from independent electrophoretic mobility measurements. The model is able to predict the entire pH/histidine concentration profiles during DF, providing a framework for the development of DF processes that yield the desired antibody formulation.
Attenuation of dopamine‐induced GABA release in problem gamblers
Authors: Møller Arne , Rømer Thomsen Kristine , Brooks David J. , Mouridsen Kim , Blicher Jakob U. , Hansen Kim V. , Lou Hans C.
Published: February 2019

Introduction

We have previously shown that an interaction between medial prefrontal and parietal cortices is instrumental in promoting self‐awareness via synchronizing oscillations in the gamma range. The synchronization of these oscillations is modulated by dopamine release. Given that such oscillations result from intermittent GABA stimulation of pyramidal cells, it is of interest to determine whether the dopaminergic system regulates GABA release directly in cortical paralimbic regions. Here, we test the hypothesis that the regulation of the GABA‐ergic system by the dopaminergic system becomes attenuated in problem gamblers resulting in addictive behaviors and impaired self‐awareness.

Methods

[11C]Ro15‐4513 PET, a marker of benzodiazepine α1/α5 receptor availability in the GABA receptor complex, was used to detect changes in synaptic GABA levels after oral doses of 100mg L‐dopa in a double‐blind controlled study of male problem gamblers (N = 10) and age‐matched healthy male controls (N = 10).

Results

The mean reduction of cortical gray matter GABA/BDZ receptor availability induced by L‐dopa was significantly attenuated in the problem gambling group compared to the healthy control group (p = 0.0377).

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that: (a) Exogenous dopamine can induce synaptic GABA release in healthy controls. (b) This release is attenuated in frontal cortical areas of males suffering from problem gambling, possibly contributing to their loss of inhibitory control. This suggests that dysfunctional dopamine regulation of GABA release may contribute to problem gambling and gambling disorder.
Success and failure of controlling the real‐time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback signal are reflected in the striatum
Authors: Skottnik Leon , Sorger Bettina , Kamp Tabea , Linden David , Goebel Rainer
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Over the last decades, neurofeedback has been applied in variety of research contexts and therapeutic interventions. Despite this extensive use, its neural mechanisms are still under debate. Several scientific advances have suggested that different networks become jointly active during neurofeedback, including regions generally involved in self‐regulation, regions related to the specific mental task driving the neurofeedback and regions generally involved in feedback learning (Sitaram et al., 2017, Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 18, 86).

Methods

To investigate the neural mechanisms specific to neurofeedback but independent from general effects of self‐regulation, we compared brain activation as measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) across different mental tasks involving gradual self‐regulation with and without providing neurofeedback. Ten participants freely chose one self‐regulation task and underwent two training sessions during fMRI scanning, one with and one without receiving neurofeedback. During neurofeedback sessions, feedback signals were provided in real‐time based on activity in task‐related, individually defined target regions. In both sessions, participants aimed at reaching and holding low, medium, or high brain‐activation levels in the target region.

Results

During gradual self‐regulation with neurofeedback, a network of cortical control regions as well as regions implicated in reward and feedback processing were activated. Self‐regulation with feedback was accompanied by stronger activation within the striatum across different mental tasks. Additional time‐resolved single‐trial analysis revealed that neurofeedback performance was positively correlated with a delayed brain response in the striatum that reflected the accuracy of self‐regulation.

Conclusion

Overall, these findings support that neurofeedback contributes to self‐regulation through task‐general regions involved in feedback and reward processing.
Real impact of liver cirrhosis on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in various liver diseases—meta‐analytic assessment
Authors: Tarao Kazuo , Nozaki Akito , Ikeda Takaaki , Sato Akira , Komatsu Hirokazu , Komatsu Tatsuji , Taguri Masataka , Tanaka Katsuaki
Published: February 2019

Background

It is well known that the incidence of developing hepatocelluler carcinoma (HCC) is increased in liver cirrhosis of different etiologies. However, comparison of HCC incidence in various liver diseases has not yet been estimated. We surveyed this comparison.

Methods

The PubMed database was examined (1989‐2017) for studies published in English language regarding the prospective follow‐up results for the development of HCC in various liver diseases. A meta‐analysis was performed for each liver disease.

Results

The annual incidence (%) of HCC in the non‐cirrhotic stage and cirrhotic stage, and the ratio of HCC incidence in the cirrhotic stage/non‐cirrhotic stage were as follows. (a) hepatitis B virus liver disease: 0.37%→3.23% (8.73‐fold), (b) hepatitis C virus liver diseases: 0.68%→4.81% (7.07‐fold), (c) primary biliary cholangitis (0.26%→1.79%, 6.88‐fold), (d) autoimmune hepatitis (0.19%→0.53%, 2.79‐fold), and (e) NASH (0.03%→1.35%, 45.00‐fold). Regarding primary hemochromatosis and alcoholic liver diseases, only follow‐up studies in the cirrhotic stage were presented, 1.20% and 2.06%, respectively.

Conclusions

When the liver diseases advance to cirrhosis, the incidence of HCC is markedly increased. The development of HCC must be closely monitored by ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography, irrespective of the different kinds of liver diseases.
Retrospective efficacy analysis of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with EGFR‐mutated non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yamada Tadaaki , Hirai Soichi , Katayama Yuki , Yoshimura Akihiro , Shiotsu Shinsuke , Watanabe Satoshi , Kikuchi Toshiaki , Hirose Kazuki , Kubota Yutaka , Chihara Yusuke , Harada Taishi , Tanimura Keiko , Takeda Takayuki , Tamiya Nobuyo , Kaneko Yoshiko , Uchino Junji , Takayama Koichi
Published: February 2019

Background

Treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) leads to initial response in most patients with EGFR‐mutated non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In contrast, little is known of the subpopulation of patients with NSCLC with EGFR mutations who exhibit clinical outcomes that require treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Therefore, to identify eligible cases to treat with ICIs, we retrospectively analyzed the correlation between clinical features and the efficacy of ICIs in patients with EGFR mutations.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed patients with advanced NSCLC harboring EGFR mutations who were treated with ICIs after developing resistance to EGFR‐TKIs between February 2016 and April 2018 at 6 institutions in Japan. The association between clinical outcomes and the efficacy of ICIs was investigated.

Results

We enrolled 27 patients who harbored EGFR‐activating mutations. The objective response and disease control rates were higher in patients with uncommon EGFR mutations than in those with common EGFR mutations (71% vs 35.7% and 57% vs 7%, P = 0.14 and P < 0.01, respectively). Patients with uncommon EGFR mutations or without T790M mutations exhibited a significantly longer median progression‐free survival than those with common EGFR mutations or with T790M mutations (P = 0.003 and P = 0.03, respectively).

Conclusion

Patients with uncommon EGFR mutations and without T790M mutations are associated with the best outcomes for treatment with immunotherapy among those with EGFR‐mutated NSCLC, based on retrospective analysis. Further research is needed to validate the clinical biomarkers involved in ICI responders with EGFR mutations.
Cellular responses to ionizing radiation change quickly over time during early development in zebrafish
Authors: Honjo Yasuko , Ichinohe Tatsuo
Published: February 2019

Animal cells constantly receive information about and respond to environmental factors, including ionizing radiation. Although it is crucial for a cell to repair radiation‐induced DNA damage to ensure survival, cellular responses to radiation exposure during early embryonic development remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the effects of ionizing radiation in zebrafish embryos and found that radiation‐induced γH2AX foci formation and cell cycle arrest did not occur until the gastrula stage, despite the presence of major DNA repair‐related gene transcripts, passed on as maternal factors. Interestingly, P21/WAF1 accumulation began ∼6 h post‐fertilization, although p21 mRNA was upregulated by irradiation at 2 or 4 h post‐fertilization. These results suggest that the cellular responses of zebrafish embryos at 2 or 4 h post‐fertilization to radiation failed to overcome P21 protein accumulation and further signaling. Regulation of P21/WAF1 protein stabilization appears to be a key factor in the response to genotoxins during early embryogenesis.
Optical coherence tomography and intravascular ultrasound assessment of the anatomic size and wall thickness of a muscle bridge segment
Authors: Ye Zi , Lai Yan , Yao Yian , Mintz Gary S. , Liu Xuebo
Published: February 2019

Objective

To use optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in assessing myocardial bridging (MB) vessel size and wall thickness.

Background

During stent implantation, MB is associated with complications, especially perforation.

Methods

OCT and IVUS were performed in 56 patients with typical angiographic “milking” from November 2016 to May 2017. The vessel area and thickness in the MB segments and adjacent proximal and distal reference segments were measured and compared with eight normal left anterior descending (LAD) segment (no atherosclerosis in a segment that was at least 20 mm long and that began ~40 mm distal to the LAD ostium).

Results

Compared with the reference vessel size distal to the MB segment (6.3 ± 1.8 mm2), the IVUS‐measured size of the tunneled vessel during diastole was significantly smaller (6.0 ± 1.9 mm2, p < 0.05) (remodeling index = 0.79 ± 0.18). The minimum intramyocardial arterial wall thickness was 0.16 ± 0.02 mm, significantly thinner than that of the mean reference (0.22 ± 0.03 mm, p < 0.001). The location of the thinnest arterial wall was in the distal and middle MB segments in 45 (80.4%) and 11 (19.6%) patients, respectively, and was not related to the degree of systolic compression or remodeling index. The walls of the middle and distal MB subsegments, but not of the proximal MB subsegment, were thinner than that of the comparison group of normal LADs.

Conclusion

The coronary vessel involved in an MB is both smaller and thinner than that of the adjacent non‐MB segment. This may explain the increased frequency and severity of coronary perforation during stent implantation.
Hemodynamic characterization of aortic stenosis states
Authors: Abbas Amr E. , Pibarot Philippe
Published: February 2019

Aortic stenosis (AS) has become an increasingly prevalent clinical condition, as a result of the “greying of the population”, the widespread application of sophisticated diagnostic tools including non‐invasive imaging and invasive techniques, and the advent of minimally invasive surgical and percutaneous valve therapies. The diagnosis of severe AS traditionally has relied on the assessment of the mean transvalvular gradient (ΔPmean) and aortic valve area (AVA) by either echocardiography or catheterization. However, other hemodynamic variables as flow, pressure recovery, and jet eccentricity also play a major role in determining the final hemodynamic state of AS. Moreover, mismatch between ΔPmean and AVA as in low flow low gradient AS and discordance between catheterization and echocardiographic studies in grading severity of AS have increased the complexity of AS diagnosis. The present case‐based treatise emphasizes a multi‐modality approach to delineation of the hemodynamic pathophysiology of different AS states.

Key points

Reduction in the aortic valve area, flow across the aortic valve, and direction of the aortic stenosis jet determine the pressure gradient generated across the aortic valve in patients with aortic stenosis.

Discordance between echo and catheterization maximum gradients is related to the inherent temporal differences between the times of their acquisition.

Discordance between echo and catheterization mean gradients is related to pressure recovery and assumptions in the application of Bernoulli equation to estimate the aortic valve gradient.

Pressure recovery relates to the ratio of the aortic valve area and ascending aortic diameter as well as the jet direction.

Mismatch between area and gradient criteria for aortic stenosis severity may occur with or without concordance between echocardiographic and catheterization data.

Errors of measurement should be excluded prior to assuming any mismatch or discordance between the data.

Area gradient mismatch occurs when the aortic valve area is in the severe range, while the gradient is in the non‐severe range as in low flow low gradient aortic stenosis.

Reverse area gradient mismatch occurs when the gradient is in the severe range, while the aortic valve area is in the non‐severe range as in congenital aortic stenosis with an eccentric jet.
Electrochemically Fabricated Ni−P, Ni−S and Ni−Se Materials for Overall Water Splitting: Investigating the Concept of Bifunctional Electrocatalysis
Authors: Sultana Ummul K. , O'Mullane Anthony P.
Published: February 2019

Transition‐metal‐based electrocatalysts containing chalcogenides (S and Se) or phosphorous have been extensively reported as bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting. However, there remains the question as to whether the pristine material is truly bifunctional with regards to inherent activity for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution (OER), which has implications for their use in commercial electrolyzers when coupled with renewable energy sources. Herein, we present a case study on electrochemically synthesized NiSx, NiPx and NiSex films by using a cyclic voltammetric deposition technique. The HER and OER performances of these electrocatalysts were evaluated in 1 M NaOH, where good activity was observed. Post‐OER catalysis analysis with scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that structural changes are limited to the surface of the materials, but that extensive oxidation occurs. Subsequent HER experiments revealed a significant deterioration in performance in all cases. This raises the question if materials of this type in their pristine state can truly be regarded as bifunctional for overall electrochemical water splitting?
SnS2/SnO2 Heterostructures towards Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Wang Maoxu , Fan Lishuang , Wu Xian , Qiu Yue , Wang Yan , Zhang Naiqing , Sun Kening
Published: February 2019

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have been recognized as outstanding candidates for energy storage systems due to their superiority in terms of energy density. To meet the requirements for practical use, it is necessary to develop an effective method to realize Li–S batteries with high sulfur utilization and cycle stability. Here, a strategy to construct heterostructure composites as cathodes for high performance Li–S batteries is presented. Taking the SnS2/SnO2 couple as an example, SnS2/SnO2 nanosheet heterostructures on carbon nanofibers (CNFs), named C@SnS2/SnO2, were designed and synthesized. Considering the electrochemical performance of SnS2/SnO2 heterostructures, it is interesting to note that the existence of heterointerfaces could efficiently improve lithium ion diffusion rate so as to accelerate the redox reaction significantly, thus leading to the enhanced sulfur utilization and more excellent rate performance. Benefiting from the unique structure and heterointerfaces of C@SnS2/SnO2 materials, the battery exhibited excellent cyclic stability and high sulfur utilization. This work may provide a powerful strategy for guiding the design of sulfur hosts from selecting the material composition to constructing of microstructure.
Intramolecular Phosphacyclization: Polyaromatic Phosphonium P‐Heterocycles with Wide‐Tuning Optical Properties
Authors: Belyaev Andrey , Chen Yi‐Ting , Liu Zong‐Ying , Hindenberg Philip , Wu Cheng‐Ham , Chou Pi‐Tai , Romero‐Nieto Carlos , Koshevoy Igor O.
Published: February 2019

Rationally designed cationic phospha‐polyaromatic fluorophores were prepared through intramolecular cyclization of the tertiary ortho‐(acene)phenylene‐phosphines mediated by CuII triflate. As a result of phosphorus quaternization, heterocyclic phosphonium salts 1 c–3 c, derived from naphthalene, phenanthrene, and anthracene cores, exhibited very intense blue to green fluorescence (Φem=0.38–0.99) and high photostability in aqueous medium. The structure–emission relationship was further investigated by tailoring the electron‐donating functions to the anthracene moiety to give dyes 4 c–6 c with charge‐transfer character. The latter significantly decreases the emission energy to reach near‐IR region. Thus, the intramolecular phosphacyclization renders an ultra‐wide tuning of fluorescence from 420 nm (1 c) to 780 nm (6 c) in solution, extended to 825 nm for 6 c in the solid state with quantum efficiency of approximately 0.07. The physical behavior of these new dyes was studied spectroscopically, crystallographically, and electrochemically, whereas computational analysis was used to correlate the experimental data with molecular electronic structures. The excellent stability, water solubility, and attractive photophysical characteristics make these phosphonium heterocycles powerful tools in cell imaging.
A Phase 1, Open‐Label, Pharmacokinetic Trial to Investigate Possible Drug‐Drug Interactions Between Clobazam, Stiripentol, or Valproate and Cannabidiol in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Morrison Gilmour , Crockett Julie , Blakey Graham , Sommerville Kenneth
Published: February 2019

GW Pharmaceuticals’ formulation of highly purified cannabidiol oral solution is approved in the United States for seizures associated with Lennox‐Gastaut and Dravet syndromes in patients aged ≥2 years, for which clobazam, stiripentol, and valproate are commonly used antiepileptic drugs. This open‐label, fixed‐sequence, drug‐drug interaction, healthy volunteer trial investigated the impact of cannabidiol on steady‐state pharmacokinetics of clobazam (and N‐desmethylclobazam), stiripentol, and valproate; the reciprocal effect of clobazam, stiripentol, and valproate on cannabidiol and its major metabolites (7‐hydroxy‐cannabidiol [7‐OH‐CBD] and 7‐carboxy‐cannabidiol [7‐COOH‐CBD]); and cannabidiol safety and tolerability when coadministered with each antiepileptic drug. Concomitant cannabidiol had little effect on clobazam exposure (maximum concentration [Cmax] and area under the concentration‐time curve [AUC], 1.2‐fold), N‐desmethylclobazam exposure increased (Cmax and AUC, 3.4‐fold), stiripentol exposure increased slightly (Cmax, 1.3‐fold; AUC, 1.6‐fold), while no clinically relevant effect on valproate exposure was observed. Concomitant clobazam with cannabidiol increased 7‐OH‐CBD exposure (Cmax, 1.7‐fold; AUC, 1.5‐fold), without notable 7‐COOH‐CBD or cannabidiol increases. Stiripentol decreased 7‐OH‐CBD exposure by 29% and 7‐COOH‐CBD exposure by 13%. There was no effect of valproate on cannabidiol or its metabolites. Cannabidiol was moderately well tolerated, with similar incidences of adverse events reported when coadministered with clobazam, stiripentol, or valproate. There were no deaths, serious adverse events, pregnancies, or other clinically significant safety findings.
AVPredictor: Comprehensive prediction and detection of atomicity violations
Authors: Wang Pengfei , Krinke Jens , Zhou Xu , Lu Kai
Published: February 2019

Concurrency bugs, such as atomicity‐violation bugs, are difficult to detect due to the uncertainty of thread‐scheduling. It is particularly difficult to conduct a thorough bug fix when an atomicity‐violation bug can be triggered by different buggy interleavings. This paper proposes a prediction‐based approach to comprehensively detect atomicity‐violation bugs. A bug fix can be incomplete when the developer cannot have all the buggy interleavings. Based on the candidate interleavings, this approach can predict unmanifested atomicity‐violation bugs from a non‐buggy execution and comprehensively display all the buggy interleavings for the same bug to assist a thorough fix. We use a monitored execution to record execution traces and predict potential buggy interleavings based on the candidate interleavings identified from the trace. Then, we use controlled executions to verify the predicted buggy interleavings by controlling the thread‐scheduling. We implemented a prototype tool called AVPredictor and evaluated it with real‐world tests. Experiments show that AVPredictor can effectively find all the known atomicity‐violation bugs as well as a previously unknown bug together with all the buggy interleavings for each bug. The runtime overhead is 13x for the monitored execution and 18x for the controlled execution.
Deep learning for EEG data analytics: A survey
Authors: Li Gen , Lee Chang Ha , Jung Jason J. , Youn Young Chul , Camacho David
Published: February 2019

In this work, we conducted a literature review about deep learning (DNN, RNN, CNN, and so on) for analyzing EEG data for decoding the activity of human's brain and diagnosing disease and explained details about various architectures for understanding the details of CNN and RNN. It has analyzed a word, which presented a model based on CNN and LSTM methods, and how these methods can be used to both optimize and set up the hyper parameters of deep learning architecture. Later, it is studied how semi‐supervised learning on EEG data analytics can be applied. We review some studies about different methods of semi‐supervised learning on EEG data analytics and discussing the importance of semi‐supervised learning for analyzing EEG data. In this paper, we also discuss the most common applications for human EEG research and review some papers about the application of EEG data analytics such as Neuromarketing, human factors, social interaction, and BCI. Finally, some future trends of development and research in this area, according to the theoretical background on deep learning, are given.