bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in gene expression between high‐grade dysplasia and invasive HPV+ and HPV− tonsillar and base of tongue cancer
Authors: Haeggblom Linnea , Ährlund‐Richter Andreas , Mirzaie Leila , Farrajota Neves da Silva Pedro , Ursu Ramona G. , Ramqvist Torbjörn , Näsman Anders
Published: August 2019

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a causative agent for tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC/BOTSCC), as well as for cervical cancer. Premalignant stages in cervical cancer have been studied extensively, while little is known about premalignant stages in TSCC/BOTSCC and the role of HPV. Here we analyzed differences in gene and protein expression between high‐grade dysplasia and invasive cancer in both HPV‐positive (HPV+) and HPV‐negative (HPV−) TSCC/BOTSCC.

Methods

High‐grade dysplasia and invasive carcinoma were laser microdissected from HPV+ and HPV− TSCC/BOTSCC tumor sections. Differential gene expression was studied utilizing nanoString RNA‐panels and genes of interest were validated on the protein level by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Forty genes in the HPV+ tumors showed significantly different expression between high‐grade dysplasia and invasive cancer and 33 genes in the HPV− tumors. Five out of the nine most significant pathways showed similar increased activity in invasive cancer as compared to high‐grade dysplasia in both HPV+ and HPV− tumors. Lastly, significant differences in protein expression was confirmed for SPARC, psoriasin, type I collagen and galectin‐1 in both HPV+ and HPV− tumors.

Conclusions

This is to our knowledge the first study disclosing differences and similarities in gene expression between dysplastic and invasive HPV+ and HPV− TSCC/BOTSCC.
Contemporary suprasternal transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A multicenter experience using a simple, reliable alternative access approach
Authors: Eudailey Kyle W. , Olds Anna , Lewis Clifton T. , Nazif Tamim N. , Vahl Torsten , Khalique Omar K. , Hahn Rebecca T. , Bapat Vinayak , Borger Michael A. , Leon Martin B. , Ahmed Mustafa I. , Kodali Susheel , George Isaac
Published: August 2019

Objectives

To describe outcomes after suprasternal (SS) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as a new alternative access approach.

Background

There still remains a cohort of the TAVR population who are not suitable for a transfemoral (TF) approach. SS‐TAVR is a safe and effective alternative to TF‐TAVR and has now become our preferred alternative access route.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all patients from New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center and Princeton Baptist Medical Center who underwent SS‐TAVR from 2015 to July 2018. A total of 84 patients were included in the study.

Results

Technical success was achieved in all cases. Thirty‐day survival was 98.8% (n = 83). There were minimal complications. Most notably, there were no transient ischemic attacks or strokes (0%, n = 0). Reexploration for bleeding was 3.6% (n = 3), and major bleeding was 1.7% (n = 1). We also achieved satisfactory results with a mean aortic valve gradient of 6.07 ± 3.79 mmHg and an aortic valve area of 2.21 ± 0.51 cm2. No patients had anything more than mild paravalvular leak. The mean length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit was 1.42 ± 1.23 days, and hospital LOS was 4.20 ± 3.29 days.

Conclusions

SS access for TAVR is an extremely important technique to have in any valve team's alternative access armamentarium. This technique can be safely and reliably reproduced with any standard hybrid operating room setup and no additional equipment, and it can be used with any commercially available valve system. In the current experience, minimal complications and excellent early term results were obtained.
Effect of Neodymium on the Physico‐chemical Properties and N2O Decomposition Activity of Co(Cu)−Al Mixed Oxides
Authors: Ho Phuoc Hoang , Jabłońska Magdalena , Nocuń Marek , Fornasari Giuseppe , Ospitali Francesca , Vaccari Angelo , Benito Patricia , Palkovits Regina
Published: August 2019

Cu−Al and Co−Al (M/Al=0.8/0.2, molar ratio; M=Cu or Co) mixed metal oxides showed a moderate activity in N2O decomposition (deN2O) with full conversion at about 500–550 °C. Addition of Nd modified the physico‐chemical and catalytic properties of both Cu−Al and Co−Al materials, though an optimal Nd loading was required. The addition of Nd in Cu0.8Al0.2 and Co0.8Al0.2 with Nd/Co(Cu)/Al = 0.5/0.8/0.2 molar ratio, improved significantly their catalytic activity. In particular, the temperatures needed for full N2O conversion were 100 °C lower than those of the bare materials. Furthermore, the most active Nd0.5Co0.8Al0.2 catalyst exhibited a stable 60 % N2O conversion at 450 °C for 50 h in presence of NO (200 ppm), O2 (20,000 ppm) and H2O (2500 ppm). The enhancement in the activity of both Cu‐ and Co‐containing materials was related to the formation of CuNd2O4 for Nd0.5Cu0.8Al0.2 and NdCoO3 for Nd0.5Co0.8Al0.2. The presence of CuNd2O4 or NdCoO3 accounted for changes in redox properties, e. g., easier reduction or faster release of oxygen, and in turn an increased catalyst activity in deN2O. The investigation of rare earth‐based catalysts for deN2O is limited in the scientific literature, while a comprehensive understanding of the involved active species may facilitate a knowledge‐based catalyst optimization.
Synthesis of Erythrocyte‐Like P2‐Type Na0.67Mn0.75Co0.25O2 for Sodium Storage
Authors: Cong Xiaotong , Shen Jianxing , Wang Tailin , Chen Pan
Published: August 2019

Sodium‐ion batteries are the most promising next‐generation energy storage systems. Nevertheless, low capacity and short cycle life have hindered their industrial production. Herein, we synthesized novel erythrocyte‐like Na0.67Mn0.75Co0.25O2 cathode materials through a simple co‐precipitation and solid‐phase method. The material has an erythrocyte morphology, which is different from the typical angular hexagonal morphology. The Na0.67Mn0.75Co0.25O2 cathode materials have a preeminent discharge capacity of 198 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1 within a voltage range of 1.5–4.3 V and superior cycling and rate performance. The superior performance of the cathode materials is ascribed to the erythrocyte‐like morphology and the layered structure that mitigate the stress and expedite the transfer of sodium ions. The Na0.67Mn0.75Co0.25O2 cathode materials with erythrocyte‐like morphology have great potential for industrial production.
More than Proton Detection—New Avenues for NMR Spectroscopy of RNA
Authors: Schnieders Robbin , Keyhani Sara , Schwalbe Harald , Fürtig Boris
Published: August 2019

Ribonucleic acid oligonucleotides (RNAs) play pivotal roles in cellular function (riboswitches), chemical biology applications (SELEX‐derived aptamers), cell biology and biomedical applications (transcriptomics). Furthermore, a growing number of RNA forms (long non‐coding RNAs, circular RNAs) but also RNA modifications are identified, showing the ever increasing functional diversity of RNAs. To describe and understand this functional diversity, structural studies of RNA are increasingly important. However, they are often more challenging than protein structural studies as RNAs are substantially more dynamic and their function is often linked to their structural transitions between alternative conformations. NMR is a prime technique to characterize these structural dynamics with atomic resolution. To extend the NMR size limitation and to characterize large RNAs and their complexes above 200 nucleotides, new NMR techniques have been developed. This Minireview reports on the development of NMR methods that utilize detection on low‐γ nuclei (heteronuclei like 13C or 15N with lower gyromagnetic ratio than 1H) to obtain unique structural and dynamic information for large RNA molecules in solution. Experiments involve through‐bond correlations of nucleobases and the phosphodiester backbone of RNA for chemical shift assignment and make information on hydrogen bonding uniquely accessible. Previously unobservable NMR resonances of amino groups in RNA nucleobases are now detected in experiments involving conformational exchange‐resistant double‐quantum 1H coherences, detected by 13C NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, 13C and 15N chemical shifts provide valuable information on conformations. All the covered aspects point to the advantages of low‐γ nuclei detection experiments in RNA.
Proton Thermodynamics in a Protic Ionic Liquid, Ethylammonium Nitrate
Authors: Kanzaki Ryo , Kodamatani Hitoshi , Tomiyasu Takashi
Published: August 2019

In order to investigate the proton solvation state in protic ionic liquids (PILs), ten acid dissociation enthalpies and entropies of eight compounds were determined in ethylammonium nitrate (EAN). Regardless of the nature of the compound, 24 kJ mol−1 larger enthalpy and 65 J mol−1 K−1 larger entropy than those in water, respectively, were observed. These values were reasonably explained by the differences in the proton solvation structure in EAN and water. Namely, protons in EAN exist as HNO3, having a higher reaction energy than that of H3O+ in water, undergo entropic stabilization as a result of the less‐structured solvation. As such, the entropic effect of the proton solvation structure on the acid–base property is possibly applicable to all PILs. In addition, based on these proton thermodynamics, enthalpy and entropy windows were proposed as a novel perspective for the characterization of solvents. Use of this concept enabled the visualization of similarities and differences between EAN and water.
Water soluble polymeric nanofibres for rapid flocculation and enhanced dewatering of mature fine tailings
Authors: Afacan Christopher , Narain Ravin , Soares João B. P.
Published: August 2019

Water‐soluble polymer flocculants have been used to efficiently release entrapped water in oil sands tailings by bridging fine particles to create large heavier flocs which can then settle faster and release water more efficiently. Due to their initial interaction with the fine particles suspended in tailings, polymer nanofibres may perform better than their parent polymers because of the entire surface of the nanofibres being fully accessible to the fine particles. In this work, commercially available poly(acrylamide‐co‐diallyl dimethylammonium chloride) was chosen as a basis for this study. Initial settling rate, supernatant turbidity, water recovery, capillary suction time, and solids content were measured to determine the effect of polymer nanofibres on solid‐liquid separation. The solid forms of the polymer (either as nanofibre or powder) perform better than the polymer solution in each test, with optimum dosages of 5 wt% mature fine tailings (MFT) loading. Nanofibres could achieve settling rates of 60 m/h, while the other forms were only able to achieve 42 m/h. Additionally, the turbidity of the supernatant obtained after flocculation with nanofibres was 15 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU), while the polymer solution and powder produced turbidites of 162 NTU and 70 NTU, respectively. In addition, polymer nanofibres and powders generated larger flocs compared to the polymer solution, which produced small, homogenized flocs.
Stakeholder perspectives on addressing adverse events from adjuvant cancer therapy: A qualitative study
Authors: Pettit Syril D. , Silberman Pamela , Hassmiller Lich Kristen , Kirch Rebecca A. , Lipshultz Steven E. , Teal Randall , Basch Ethan
Published: August 2019

Background

With increasing survival rates, a growing population of patients with cancer have received or will receive adjuvant therapy to prevent cancer recurrences. Patients and caregivers will confront the complexities of balancing the preventative benefits of adjuvant therapy with possible near‐term or long‐term adverse events (AEs). Adjuvant treatment–related AEs (from minimal to severe) can impact therapeutic adherence, quality of life, emotional and physical health, and survival. However, to the authors' knowledge, limited information is available regarding how stakeholders use or desire to use adjuvant‐related AE information to inform the care of patients with cancer.

Methods

A qualitative, purposeful sampling approach was used to elicit stakeholder feedback via semistructured interviews (24 interviews). Drug development, drug regulatory, clinical, payer, and patient/patient advocacy stakeholders were questioned about the generation, dissemination, and use of adjuvant treatment–related AE information to inform the care of patients with cancer. Transcripts were coded independently by 2 senior health care researchers and reconciled to identify key themes.

Results

All stakeholder groups in the current study identified needed improvements in each of the following 4 areas: 1) improving the accessibility and relevance of AE‐related information; 2) better integrating and implementing available information regarding AEs for decisions; 3) connecting contemporary cultural and economic value systems to the generation and use of information regarding adjuvant treatment–related AEs; and 4) addressing a lack of alignment and ownership of stakeholder efforts to improve the use of AE information in the adjuvant setting.

Conclusions

Despite commonalities in the overall needs identified by the diverse stakeholders in the current study, broad systemic change has been stymied. The current study identified the lack of alignment and the absence of a central “owner” of these diffuse efforts as a previously unrecognized hurdle to realizing the desired systemic improvements. Future initiatives aimed at improving quality of life and outcomes for patients receiving adjuvant therapy through the improved use of AE information must address this challenge through innovative collectives and novel leadership strategies.
Second‐line chemotherapy in advanced biliary cancers: A retrospective, multicenter analysis of outcomes
Authors: Lowery Maeve A. , Goff Laura W. , Keenan Bridget P. , Jordan Emmet , Wang Rui , Bocobo Andrea G. , Chou Joanne F. , O’Reilly Eileen M. , Harding James J. , Kemeny Nancy , Capanu Marianela , Griffin Ann C. , McGuire Joseph , Venook Alan P. , Abou‐Alfa Ghassan K. , Kelley Robin K.
Published: August 2019

Background

Although gemcitabine plus platinum chemotherapy is the established first‐line regimen for advanced biliary cancer (ABC), there is no standard second‐line therapy. This study evaluated current practice and outcomes for second‐line chemotherapy in patients with ABC across 3 US academic medical centers.

Methods

Institutional registries were reviewed to identify patients who had received second‐line chemotherapy for ABC from April 2010 to March 2015 along with their demographics, diagnoses and staging, treatment histories, and clinical outcomes. Overall survival from the initiation of second‐line chemotherapy (OS2) was estimated with Kaplan‐Meier methods.

Results

This study identified 198 patients with cholangiocarcinoma (intrahepatic [61.1%] or extrahepatic [14.1%]) or gallbladder carcinoma (24.8%); 52% received at least 3 lines of systemic chemotherapy. The median OS2 was 11 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.8‐13.1 months). The median OS2 for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was 13.4 months (95% CI, 10.7‐17.8 months), which was longer than that for patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (6.8 months; 95% CI, 5‐10.6 months) or gallbladder carcinoma (9.4 months; 95% CI, 7.2‐12.3 months; P = .018). The median time to second‐line treatment failure was 2.2 months (95% CI, 1.8‐2.7 months), and it was similar across tumor locations (P = .60).

Conclusions

In this large cohort of patients with ABC treated across 3 academic medical centers after the failure of first‐line chemotherapy, the time to treatment failure on standard therapies was short, although the median OS2 was longer than has been reported previously, and more than half of the patients received additional lines of treatment. This multicenter collaboration represents the largest cohort studied to date of second‐line chemotherapy for ABC and provides a contemporary benchmark for future clinical trials.
Late‐onset heart failure after treatment for breast cancer
Authors: Ewer Steven M. , Pham David D.
Published: August 2019

Late‐onset heart failure after breast cancer is a rare event. It is necessary to remain vigilant for cardiac complications after potentially toxic cancer treatments.
Regulation of hippocampal dendritic spines following sleep deprivation
Authors: Gisabella Barbara , Scammell Thomas , Bandaru Sathyajit S. , Saper Clifford B.
Published: August 2019

Accumulating evidence supports the role of sleep in synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation. One line of investigation, the synaptic homeostasis hypothesis, has emphasized the increase in synaptic strength during waking, and compensatory downsizing of (presumably less frequently used) synapses during sleep. Conversely, other studies have reported downsizing and loss of dendritic spines following sleep deprivation. We wanted to determine the effect of sleep deprivation on dendritic spines of hippocampal CA1 neurons using genetic methods for fluorescent labeling of dendritic spines. Male Vglut2‐Cre mice were injected with an AAV‐DIO‐ChR2‐mCherry reporter in CA1 hippocampus. Gentle handling was used to sleep deprive mice for 5 hr, from lights on (7 am) to 12 noon. Control and sleep‐deprived mice were euthanized at 12 noon and processed for quantification of dendritic spines. We used confocal microscope imaging and three‐dimensional (3D) analysis to quantify thin, mushroom, and stubby spines from CA1 dendrites, distinguishing between branch segments. We observed significantly greater density of spines in CA1 of sleep‐deprived mice, driven primarily by greater numbers of thin spines, and significantly larger spine volume and head diameter. Branch and region‐specific analysis revealed that spine volume was greater in primary dendrites of apical and basal segments, along with proximal segments on both apical and basal dendrites, and spine density was increased in secondary branches and distal segments on apical dendrites following sleep deprivation. Our 3D quantification suggests sleep contributes to region‐ and branch‐specific synaptic downscaling in the hippocampus, supporting the theory of broad but selective synaptic downscaling during sleep.
Analysis of a coupled fluid‐structure interaction model of the left atrium and mitral valve
Authors: Feng Liuyang , Gao Hao , Griffith Boyce , Niederer Steven , Luo Xiaoyu
Published: August 2019

We present a coupled left atrium‐mitral valve model based on computed tomography scans with fibre‐reinforced hyperelastic materials. Fluid‐structure interaction is realised by using an immersed boundary‐finite element framework. Effects of pathological conditions, eg, mitral valve regurgitation and atrial fibrillation, and geometric and structural variations, namely, uniform vs non‐uniform atrial wall thickness and rule‐based vs atlas‐based fibre architectures, on the system are investigated. We show that in the case of atrial fibrillation, pulmonary venous flow reversal at late diastole disappears, and the filling waves at the left atrial appendage orifice during systole have reduced magnitude. In the case of mitral regurgitation, a higher atrial pressure and disturbed flows are seen, especially during systole, when a large regurgitant jet can be found with the suppressed pulmonary venous flow. We also show that both the rule‐based and atlas‐based fibre defining methods lead to similar flow fields and atrial wall deformations. However, the changes in wall thickness from non‐uniform to uniform tend to underestimate the atrial deformation. Using a uniform but thickened wall also lowers the overall strain level. The flow velocity within the left atrial appendage, which is important in terms of appendage thrombosis, increases with the thickness of the left atrial wall. Energy analysis shows that the kinetic and dissipation energies of the flow within the left atrium are altered differently by atrial fibrillation and mitral valve regurgitation, providing a useful indication of the atrial performance in pathological situations.
Facile Post‐Synthetic Modification of Amine‐Functionalized Metal‐Organic Frameworks to Integrate Visible‐Light Responsive Pt Complexes for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Lionet Zakary , Kim Tae‐Ho , Horiuchi Yu , Lee Soo Wohn , Matsuoka Masaya
Published: August 2019

Integration of photocatalytic polypyridyl complexes inside metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) backbone has been so far mostly achieved by utilization of bipyridine dicarboxylic acid as a linker. This fact limits the possibility of hosts that can be used amongst the countless MOFs existing. In this study, by using UiO‐66‐NH2 as a stable platform, postsynthetic modification (PSM) of the amino groups in organic linkers with 2‐pyridinecarboxaldehyde and K2PtCl4 was applied to create a N,N‐chelating ligand and simultaneous coordination of Pt2+ ions in a one‐pot approach. XAFS and 1H NMR analyses confirmed the creation of pyridylimine Pt(II) complexes. The composites showed viable activity towards photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction under visible light irradiation. Recyclability and leaching tests demonstrated their high stability and function as heterogeneous catalysts.
Andean colors: A colorimetric registration in pre‐Columbian textiles from Northern Chile
Authors: Hoces de la Guardia Soledad , Cárdenas Lina M. , Brugnoli Paulina , Jélvez Paulina
Published: August 2019

This article shows the colorimetric data obtained from pre‐Columbian northern Chilean textiles and their subsequent analysis for the construction of a color chart. As part of a more extensive study investigating the fundamental pillars of the textile language associated with pre‐Columbian weaves, a registration of colorimetric data was carried out on 42 textile pieces with a total of 203 colors mostly provided by the Chilean Museum of Pre‐Columbian Art. The results are presented in terms of CIELAB coordinates. The colors obtained showed a considerable percentage of reds and browns. The recorded values can contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage and the esthetics of current Chilean identity as they can be used in new industries, contexts, and applications. Subsequently, the colorimetric data obtained could be transferred to other color systems, so that users from different sectors might have access to this cultural legacy, understanding the limitations of color production in mixed media.
Oxygen‐Tolerant Photochemically Induced Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of the Renewable Monomer Tulipalin A
Authors: Zain Gamal , Bondarev Dmitrij , Doháňošová Jana , Mosnáček Jaroslav
Published: August 2019

Well defined homopolymers and block copolymers from renewable monomer α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone (MBL) were prepared using photochemically induced atom transfer radical polymerization (photoATRP) in the presence of only 50–200 ppm of copper catalyst without the requirement of air removal from the polymerization mixture. The effect of solvent type and volume, ligand‐to‐copper ratio, catalyst concentration, ligand type, and the possible partial replacement of an expensive ligand with cheap simple amines, were investigated. The livingness of the oxygen‐tolerant photoATRP system was investigated by chain extension polymerization and the possibility to prepare block copolymers by chain extension of PMBL‐Br macroinitiator with methyl methacrylate (MMA) as well as by chain extension of PMMA‐Br macroinitiator with PMBL block was studied. It was shown that a concentration of catalyst as low as 50 ppm is sufficient to provide good control over the molecular characteristics and kinetics.
A bibliometric review of approaches to address conflicts in schools: Exploring the intellectual base
Authors: Hakvoort Ilse , Lindahl Jonas , Lundström Agneta
Published: August 2019

Increasing numbers of student teachers, teachers, and teacher educators require training in research‐based knowledge about how to address conflicts in schools. There are also increasing numbers of relevant publications, and hence, a perceived need to map influential theories, methods, and topics that shaped the field of research. To meet this need, a bibliometric study was conducted. The reviewed literature, 608 publications referring to studies by 197 influential authors, was subdivided into two periods: 1996–2010 and 2011–2015. The intellectual structure was examined by author co‐citation analysis. The findings indicate seven clusters of authors from period one and four from period two.
Detection error influences both temporal seroprevalence predictions and risk factors associations in wildlife disease models
Authors: Tabak Michael A. , Pedersen Kerri , Miller Ryan S.
Published: August 2019

Understanding the prevalence of pathogens in invasive species is essential to guide efforts to prevent transmission to agricultural animals, wildlife, and humans. Pathogen prevalence can be difficult to estimate for wild species due to imperfect sampling and testing (pathogens may not be detected in infected individuals and erroneously detected in individuals that are not infected). The invasive wild pig (Sus scrofa, also referred to as wild boar and feral swine) is one of the most widespread hosts of domestic animal and human pathogens in North America.

We developed hierarchical Bayesian models that account for imperfect detection to estimate the seroprevalence of five pathogens (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, pseudorabies virus, Influenza A virus in swine, Hepatitis E virus, and Brucella spp.) in wild pigs in the United States using a dataset of over 50,000 samples across nine years. To assess the effect of incorporating detection error in models, we also evaluated models that ignored detection error. Both sets of models included effects of demographic parameters on seroprevalence. We compared our predictions of seroprevalence to 40 published studies, only one of which accounted for imperfect detection.

We found a range of seroprevalence among the pathogens with a high seroprevalence of pseudorabies virus, indicating significant risk to livestock and wildlife. Demographics had mostly weak effects, indicating that other variables may have greater effects in predicting seroprevalence.

Models that ignored detection error led to different predictions of seroprevalence as well as different inferences on the effects of demographic parameters.

Our results highlight the importance of incorporating detection error in models of seroprevalence and demonstrate that ignoring such error may lead to erroneous conclusions about the risk associated with pathogen transmission. When using opportunistic sampling data to model seroprevalence and evaluate risk factors, detection error should be included.
Urban forest fragments as unexpected sanctuaries for the rare endemic ghost butterfly from the Atlantic forest
Authors: de Andrade Antonio C. , Medeiros William , Adams Matthew
Published: August 2019

Anthropogenic land expansion, particularly urbanization, is pervasive, dramatically modifies the environment and is a major threat to wildlife with its associated environmental stressors. Urban remnant vegetation can help mitigate these impacts and could be vital for species unable to survive in harsh urban environments. Although resembling nonurban habitats, urban vegetation remnants are subject to additional environmental stresses. Here, we evaluate the occurrence and density of the endemic ghost butterfly (Morpho epistrophus nikolajewna) that was once common, in the highly fragmented Atlantic forest of NE Brazil. We tested whether this butterfly would be found at lower densities in urban forest fragments of contrasting sizes as opposed to rural ones, given the number of environmental stressors found in urban areas. We surveyed 14 forest fragments (range 2.8 to over 3,000 ha) of semideciduous Atlantic forest in rural and urban locations using transect based distance sampling. The ghost butterflies showed strong seasonality; flying only from April to June. They were only identified in an urban fragment (515 ha), with an estimate of 720 individuals and a density 1.4 ind/ha. All forest fragments had experienced some level of logging in the past, which might have had an effect in the butterfly population. Nevertheless, rural forest fragments were subject to increased particulate matter concentrations, associated to biomass burning that we suggest might have had a more influential role driving the collapse of rural populations. Our findings show the importance of urban forest remnants to sustain population of this endangered species.
Prokaryotic taxa play keystone roles in the soil microbiome associated with woody perennial plants in the genus Buxus
Authors: LeBlanc Nicholas , Crouch Jo Anne
Published: August 2019

The microbiome associated with ornamental plants has largely been neglected, despite its potential for impacting plant health. This work characterized the composition, diversity, and microbial co‐associations in the soil microbiome associated with species and cultivars of plant in the genus Buxus (common name boxwood), a group of woody perennial shrubs commonly used in residential landscapes and found in native ecosystems. Soil was collected from 82 individual curated boxwood accessions at the U.S. National Arboretum National Boxwood Collection. Amplicon libraries targeting archaea, bacteria, and fungi were generated and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Identification of individual sequence variants resulted in 275 archaeal, 15,580 bacterial, and 7,525 fungal taxa. Neither spatial distance among samples nor association with different types of boxwood were significant predictors of soil microbiome composition. However, archaeal and bacterial diversity was significantly different in soil from distinct types of boxwood. Co‐association networks indicated that archaea and bacteria show greater evidence of being keystone taxa than fungi. Overall, this work demonstrates the potential for targeting specific keystone taxa to shift the soil microbiome associated with these boxwood accessions and that planting different species or cultivars in the landscape may shift the diversity of prokaryotic microorganisms.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed C–H Activation of Naphthamides for the Syntheiss of Substituted 3H‐Benzo[e]isoindolin‐3‐ones
Authors: Large Benjamin , Gigant Nicolas , Joseph Delphine , Prim Damien
Published: August 2019

3H‐benzo[e]isoindolin‐3‐ones were prepared through a two‐step process from naphthamides. The methodology involved efficient and selective mono and bis functionalisation of naphthtalene substrates. The sequence is based on alkoxylation or arylation reactions followed by a alkenylation‐annulation cascade. Our strategy provided the first dual Pd‐ and Rh‐promoted access to diversely substituted angular naphthalene‐based isoindolin‐3‐ones characterized by an unprecedented isomeric molecular arrangement. Such architectures can also be prepared in a more economical manner through a telescoping three‐step process which account for concatenation of arylation, alkenylation and annulation reactions.
Process pH control and improvised cell cultivation during copolymer‐induced pelagic cultivation of benthal Chlorella vulgaris
Authors: Memon Abdul Rehman , Memon Muhammad Jaffar
Published: August 2019

Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) cultivation particularly at exponential stage is proportional to growth limiting pH reduction, which calls for its stabilization beforehand. This research introduced the use of copolymer polyacrylate polyalcohol (PP) for the first time to harvest dual benefits of its application such as in situ pH control as well as corresponding cell suspension at the surface for better growth kinetics. Free and immobilized cultivation of C. vulgaris was carried out in prepared sugar water in a fabricated photo bioreactor. For free cell cultivation lower (20%) and higher (100%) concentration of BG‐11 broth was used without PP. The immobilized cell cultivation entailed different proportions of PP along with the induction of the macronutrients instead of the broth. It was observed that PP introduction in the medium induced an increase of 32% in the pH value irrespective of the PP dosage applied. C. vulgaris immobilized with optimized PP dosage grew at nearly similar rate as well as incurring compatible chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal compared to that obtained with 100% BG‐11 broth during benthic free cell cultivation. The cell cultivation profile also transpired that every 1 g cell growth during log phase was inducing COD decrease of 13% or fixing 2,100 mg of COD.
Quantifying erosional equilibrium across a slowly eroding, soil mantled landscape
Authors: Heimsath Arjun M. , Chadwick Oliver A. , Roering Josh J. , Levick Shaun R.
Published: August 2019

The textbook concept of an equilibrium landscape, which posits that soil production and erosion are balanced and equal channel incision, is rarely quantified for natural systems. In contrast to mountainous, rapidly eroding terrain, low relief and slow‐eroding landscapes are poorly studied despite being widespread and densely inhabited. We use three field sites along a climosequence in South Africa to quantify very slow (2‐5 m/My) soil production rates that do not vary across hillslopes or with climate. We show these rates to be indistinguishable from spatially invariant catchment‐average erosion rates while soil depth and chemical weathering increase strongly with rainfall across our sites. Our analyses imply landscape‐scale equilibrium although the dominant means of denudation varies from physical weathering in dry climates to chemical weathering in wet climates. In the two wetter sites, chemical weathering is so significant that clay translocates both vertically in soil columns and horizontally down hillslope catenas, resulting in particle size variation and the accumulation of buried stone lines at the clay‐rich depth. We infer hundred‐thousand‐year residence times of these stone lines and suggest that bioturbation by termites plays a key role in exhuming sediment into the mobile soil layer from significant depths below the clay layer. Our results suggest how tradeoffs in physical and chemical weathering, potentially modulated by biological processes, shape slowly eroding, equilibrium landscapes. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Buoyancy assist adaptive charging and discharging thermal storage tank
Authors: Oclon Pawel , Taler Jan , Mohamad A.
Published: August 2019

Thermal storage tanks are extensively used to supply domestic hot water for residential applications. Also, the thermal storage tanks are used in solar energy operated power plant. Since solar energy is intermittent, there is a need for a thermal storage system to accommodate the periods where the solar energy is not enough to keep the working fluid temperature at the desired operational levels. In this work, a novel design of a thermal storage tank is introduced and analyzed. The analyses are performed to understand the effect of the operating parameters on the performance of the proposed tank. The main idea of the tank is to control the fluid flow direction in the tank depending on the charging or discharging temperature without the aid of an external controlling system. The system relies on the buoyancy force to adjust the fluid flow direction. By this adaptive strategy, we can enhance the charging and discharge of the storage tank, which is one of the problems of the conventional storage systems. Lumped capacity method analyses are carried out to understand the temperature distribution of the system and the performance of the system. Sinusoidal variation of the fluid inlet temperature to the tank is assumed, to resemble the solar intensity variation. The fluid outlet temperature from the tank is monitored for a range of the controlling parameters. The results have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed system. Relatively large tank showed that the water in the storage tank could be kept at the average temperature level regardless of the fluctuations in the inlet temperature of the working fluid.
Pedagogic Principles in Digital Pragmatics Learning Materials: Learner Experiences and Perceptions
Authors: Wain Jennifer , Timpe‐Laughlin Veronika , Oh Saerhim
Published: August 2019

This study reports on the development and evaluation of a prototype for an interactive, self‐access computer application titled Words at Work that was developed by the authors. Words at Work aims to raise adult English language learners' (ELLs') pragmatic awareness in the English‐medium workplace. The study focuses in particular on the pedagogic principles of second‐language (L2) instruction underlying the design of the computer‐based learning environment and seeks to explore the perceived usefulness of computer‐assisted language learning (CALL)–mediated L2 pragmatic instruction, responding to this overarching research question: To what extent do learners feel that Words at Work successfully operationalizes the principles of teaching L2 pragmatics as proposed in the research literature? Accordingly, we first review teaching principles for L2 pragmatics instruction and present an overview of existing stand‐alone materials for L2 pragmatics learning and teaching. Then, we outline the development and design features of Words at Work, before presenting the findings of a usability study that was conducted with 19 adult ELLs. We found evidence that users desired immersive learning environments that incorporate authentic audiovisual input, personalized and immediate feedback, and extensive opportunities for interaction and self‐reflection. Implications for the design of computer‐mediated L2 pragmatic learning tools and tasks will be discussed both for instruction and assessment.
A numerical study on the effects of naturally ventilated shaft and fire locations in urban tunnels
Authors: Fan Chuangang , Chen Jian , Mao Zhanli , Zhou Yang , Mao Shaohua
Published: August 2019

In more and more tunnels, natural ventilation mode with vertical shafts has been gradually employed. However, there are few studies investigating the influences of fire and shaft positions on natural ventilation performance currently. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of the transverse distance from fire source to tunnel sidewall, the longitudinal distance from fire source to shaft, and the transverse distance from shaft to sidewall on natural ventilation effectiveness in a tunnel fire by using Fire Dynamics Simulator. The typical characteristic parameters of smoke, such as mass flow rate, temperature distribution, and velocity vector were analyzed; besides, the phenomenon of plug‐holing was discussed. The results have shown that the mass flow rate of gas exhausted by the shaft decreases slightly with the increase of longitudinal distance from fire source to shaft. When the longitudinal distance from fire source to shaft is constant, changing the transverse distance from shaft to sidewall will have a more obvious effect on the effectiveness of exhausting smoke than changing the transverse distance from fire source to sidewall; in addition, the phenomenon of plug‐holing is more serious when the shaft is close to the sidewall.
Development of a distinct submarine depositional system on a topographically complex Niger Delta slope
Authors: Zhao Xiaoming , Li Minghua , Qi Kun , Liu Li , Hu Guangyi , Wu Wei , Zhang Wenbiao , Ge Jiawang
Published: August 2019

The deep‐water Niger Delta continental slope is a prolific petroleum province. A key challenge in unlocking the potential of such petroleum provinces is in understanding the internal architecture and associated controlling factors of deep‐water depositional systems. Here, we used high‐resolution 3D seismic data to analyse the development of a submarine system on the midslope of the Niger continental margin: the Bakama Submarine Depositional System (BSDS). Over 18 km down dip, the BSDS evolves from lobes through straight channels to lobes again.

The fills of intraslope Minibasin I comprised three overlapping lobe complexes varying in size from 1,200 to 4,000 m in width, 15 to 30 m in thickness, and 8 to 11 km in length. During the development of these three lobe complexes, Minibasin I and adjacent growth faults interacted with a variety of deep‐water depositional process, which directly influenced the sediment distribution on this slope and the evolution of whole BSDS. Downstream of Minibasin I, ten straight, sub‐parallel adjacent channels occurred on a significantly increased slope (from <2° to >3°). They deeply incise the underlying strata and are small in scale, 150 to 200 m in width, 30 to 45 m in depth with aspect ratios of 4 to 5. On a more gentle slope section (<2°) within the linked downslope intraslope basin (Minibasin II), these adjacent channels are replaced by two attached lobe complexes that are some 2,100 to 3,100 m in length, 600 to 1,700 m in width, and 10 to 30 m in thickness. Therefore, it could be concluded that localized slope gradients play an important role in the development of straight channels and their attached lobes.
The gold occurrence in pyrite and Te–Bi mineralogy of the Fancha gold deposit, Xiaoqinling gold field, southern margin of the North China Craton: Implication for ore genesis
Authors: Liu Junchen , Wang Yitian , Huang Shikang , Wei Ran , Sun Zhenghao , Hu Qiaoqing , Hao Jiaolong
Published: August 2019

The Fancha lode gold deposit is hosted in the Neoarchean Taihua Group metamorphic rocks in the Xiaoqinling gold field, on the southern margin of the North China Craton. Pyrite, as the predominant sulphide mineral and Au‐hosting mineral, was investigated using a combination of ore microscopy and in‐situ laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS). Three types of pyrite were identified during the ore‐forming process, that is, the coarse euhedral grains in milky quartz veins (Py1), the fine to medium, euhedral to subhedral grains in light grey quartz (Py2), and the fine grains intergrown with abundant sulphide minerals in light grey quartz (Py3). The trace elements exhibit systematic different concentrations among three types of pyrite, implying different crystallization processes. The Py1 grains have the lowest concentrations of Au and other accompanying elements such as Ag, Te, Bi, Cu, Pb, and Zn, and the trace elements of pyrite in wall rock are similar to those of Py1. The Py2 and Py3 grains show consistently high contents of Au, Ag, Te, Bi, Cu, Pb, and Zn. The uneven distribution of gold and positive correlation between Au, Ag, Te, and Bi within Py2 and Py3 grains, indicating that gold mainly occurs as submicroscopic inclusions of Au–Ag–Te–Bi assemblages in the pyrite. This interpretation is supported by the microscopic observation that large quantities of telluride and Bi‐sulfosalt minerals contact directly with gold. Observed Te–Bi minerals include petzite, sylvanite, hessite, calaverite, rucklidgeite, altaite, volynskite, tellurobismuthite, buckhornite, tetradymite, krupkaite, and bismuthinite, and native bismuth is also found. Bi (Te) melts, as an excellent gold scavenger, have played a certain role in governing gold distribution patterns and leading to high concentrations during the mineralization process in the Fancha gold deposit. The Te–Bi mineral assemblages also reveal that the gold was precipitated under variable redox conditions with logfTe2ranged from <−11.0 to −6.4, and logfS2ranged from <−11.8 to −8.6 at 300°C, vertically upward from the deep fluid source. Combined with available geochronological and geochemical data, enrichment of Te and Bi indicates that the ore‐forming fluids and metals might be stemed from a mantle‐derived magmatic system.
Cerebral perfusion of the left reading network predicts recovery of reading in subacute to chronic stroke
Authors: Boukrina Olga , Barrett A. M. , Graves William W.
Published: August 2019

Better understanding of cerebral blood flow (CBF) perfusion in stroke recovery can help inform decisions about optimal timing and targets of restorative treatments. In this study, we examined the relationship between cerebral perfusion and recovery from stroke‐induced reading deficits. Left stroke patients were tested with a noninvasive CBF measure (arterial spin labeling) <5 weeks post‐stroke, and a subset had follow up testing >3 months post‐stroke. We measured blood flow perfusion within the left and right sides of the brain, in areas surrounding the lesion, and areas belonging to the reading network. Two hypotheses were tested. The first was that recovery of reading function depends on increased perfusion around the stroke lesion. This hypothesis was not supported by our findings. The second hypothesis was that increased perfusion of intact areas within the reading circuit is tightly coupled with recovery. Our findings are consistent with this hypothesis. Specifically, higher perfusion in the left reading network measured during the subacute stroke period predicted better reading ability and phonology competence in the chronic period. In contrast, higher perfusion of the right homologous regions was associated with decreased reading accuracy and phonology competence in the subacute and chronic periods. These findings suggest that recovery of reading and language competence may rely on improved blood flow in the reading network of the language‐dominant hemisphere.
Dorsal hippocampus not always necessary in a radial arm maze delayed win‐shift task
Authors: Layfield Dylan , Sidell Nathan , Abdullahi Afnan , Newman Ehren L.
Published: August 2019

Spatial working memory is important for foraging and navigating the environment. However, its neural underpinnings remain poorly understood. The hippocampus, known for its spatial coding and involvement in spatial memory, is widely understood to be necessary for spatial working memory when retention intervals increase beyond seconds into minutes. Here, we describe new evidence that the dorsal hippocampus is not always necessary for spatial working memory for retention intervals of 8 min. Rats were trained to perform a delayed spatial win shift radial arm maze task with an 8‐min delay between study and test phases. We then tested whether bilateral inactivation of the dorsal hippocampus between the study and test phases impaired behavioral performance at test. Inactivation was achieved through a bilateral infusion of lidocaine. Performance following lidocaine was compared to control trials, in which, sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was infused. Test performance did not differ between the lidocaine and PBS conditions, remaining high in each. To explore the possibility that this insensitivity to inactivation was a result of overtraining, a second cohort of animals received substantially less training prior to the infusions. In this second cohort, lidocaine infusions did significantly impair task performance. These data indicate that successful performance of a spatial win‐shift task on the 8‐arm maze need not always be hippocampally dependent.