bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of NASA GEOS‐ADAS Modeled Diurnal Warming Through Comparisons to SEVIRI and AMSR2 SST Observations
Authors: Gentemann C. L. , Akella S.
Published: February 2018

An analysis of the ocean skin Sea Surface Temperature (SST) has been included in the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) ‐ Atmospheric Data Assimilation System (ADAS), Version 5 (GEOS‐ADAS). This analysis is based on the GEOS atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) that simulates near‐surface diurnal warming and cool skin effects. Analysis for the skin SST is performed along with the atmospheric state, including Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) satellite radiance observations as part of the data assimilation system. One month (September, 2015) of GEOS‐ADAS SSTs were compared to collocated satellite Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI) and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2) SSTs to examine how the GEOS‐ADAS diurnal warming compares to the satellite measured warming. The spatial distribution of warming compares well to the satellite observed distributions. Specific diurnal events are analyzed to examine variability within a single day. The dependence of diurnal warming on wind speed, time of day, and daily average insolation is also examined. Overall the magnitude of GEOS‐ADAS warming is similar to the warming inferred from satellite retrievals, but several weaknesses in the GEOS‐AGCM simulated diurnal warming are identified and directly related back to specific features in the formulation of the diurnal warming model.
An Examination of the Sea Ice Rheology for Seasonal Ice Zones Based on Ice Drift and Thickness Observations
Authors: Toyota Takenobu , Kimura Noriaki
Published: February 2018

The validity of the sea ice rheological model formulated by Hibler (1979), which is widely used in present numerical sea ice models, is examined for the Sea of Okhotsk as an example of the seasonal ice zone (SIZ), based on satellite‐derived sea ice velocity, concentration and thickness. Our focus was the formulation of the yield curve, the shape of which can be estimated from ice drift pattern based on the energy equation of deformation, while the strength of the ice cover that determines its magnitude was evaluated using ice concentration and thickness data. Ice drift was obtained with a grid spacing of 37.5 km from the AMSR‐E 89 GHz brightness temperature using a maximum cross‐correlation method. The ice thickness was obtained with a spatial resolution of 100 m from a regression of the PALSAR backscatter coefficients with ice thickness. To assess scale dependence, the ice drift data derived from a coastal radar covering a 70 km range in the southernmost Sea of Okhotsk were similarly analyzed. The results obtained were mostly consistent with Hibler's formulation that was based on the Arctic Ocean on both scales with no dependence on a time scale, and justify the treatment of sea ice as a plastic material, with an elliptical shaped yield curve to some extent. However, it also highlights the difficulty in parameterizing sub‐grid scale ridging in the model because grid scale ice velocities reduce the deformation magnitude by half due to the large variation of the deformation field in the SIZ.
Introduction to Special Section on Oceanic Responses and Feedbacks to Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Zhou Lei , Chen Dake , Karnauskas Kristopher B. , Wang Chunzai , Lei Xiaotu , Wang Wei , Wang Guihua , Han Guijun
Published: February 2018

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are among the most destructive natural hazards on Earth. The ocean can have dramatic responses to TCs and further imposes significant feedbacks to the atmosphere. A comprehensive understanding of the ocean‐TC interaction is a challenging hindrance for improving the simulation and prediction of TCs and therefore avoidance of human and economic losses. A special section of JGR‐Oceans was thus organized, in order to have a broad summary of latest progress in ocean‐TC interactions. This introduction presents a brief overview of the contributions found in this collection. We hope it can also shed light on recent advance and future challenges in the studies on the oceanic responses and feedbacks to TCs.
Conjugated Polymers for Flexible Energy Harvesting and Storage
Authors: Zhang Zhitao , Liao Meng , Lou Huiqing , Hu Yajie , Sun Xuemei , Peng Huisheng
Published: February 2018

Since the discovery of conjugated polymers in the 1970s, they have attracted considerable interest in light of their advantages of having a tunable bandgap, high electroactivity, high flexibility, and good processability compared to inorganic conducting materials. The above combined advantages make them promising for effective energy harvesting and storage, which have been widely studied in recent decades. Herein, the key advancements in the use of conjugated polymers for flexible energy harvesting and storage are reviewed. The synthesis, structure, and properties of conjugated polymers are first summarized. Then, their applications in flexible polymer solar cells, thermoelectric generators, supercapacitors, and lithium‐ion batteries are described. The remaining challenges are then discussed to highlight the future direction in the development of conjugated polymers.
Sulfur Immobilizer by Nanoscale TiO2 Trapper Deposited on Hierarchical Porous Carbon and Graphene for Cathodes of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Shang Xiaonan , Guo Pengqian , Qin Tianfeng , Liu Mengting , Lv Mingzhi , Liu Dequan , He Deyan
Published: February 2018

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are the promising candidate for future energy storage systems due to their high specific capacities and energy densities. However, shuttle effect of the soluble polysulfides severely affects the cycle stability and thus restricts the application of the batteries. Here, a preparation of the titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles uniformly deposited on hierarchical porous carbon (HPC@TiO2) as an efficient sulfur host is reported. The large specific surface area (1016.5 m2 g−1) and high pore volume of the HPC@TiO2 host can buffer the volume expansion of the loaded sulfur. The HPC@TiO2@S cathode is further wrapped with the TiO2 nanoparticles interspersed graphene sheets (G/TiO2), which can improve the electrical conductivity of the electrode and suppress the dissolution of polysulfides. As a result, polysulfides are well confined in the G/TiO2‐coated HPC@TiO2@S cathode through a synergistic combination of the G/TiO2 coating and the HPC@TiO2 host. The resultant G/TiO2‐coated HPC@TiO2@S cathode with a sulfur loading about 2.4 mg cm−2 delivers a high reversible capacity of ≈919 mAh g−1 after 80 cycles at 0.2 C, and a satisfactory capacity of ≈717 mAh g−1 is retained after 200 cycles at 0.5 C.
Visualizing Photothermal Anisotropy in Black Phosphorus by Total Internal Reflection Pump‐Probe Technique
Authors: Gao Xiao‐Guang , Jiang Wen‐Shuai , Chen Guo‐Xing , Li Xiao‐Kuan , Li De‐Kang , Huang Kai‐Xuan , Xin Wei , Liu Zhi‐Bo , Tian Jian‐Guo
Published: February 2018

Black phosphorus (BP) attracts increasing attention due to its moderate bandgap, high carrier mobility, and striking in‐plane anisotropy. In particular, its high‐extinction coefficient combined with elevated photothermal conversion efficiency and nontoxicity in biological tissues would make BP promising in photothermal therapy. In this study, a new pump‐probe technique for photothermal measurement is developed based on polarization‐dependent absorption of BP under total internal reflection. The photothermal anisotropy of BP is experimentally observed for the first time. The values of photothermal anisotropy reach 2.9, which is stronger than thermal and electrical conductivity anisotropic ratios. The difference in crystal orientations of BP can accurately be distinguished by analyzing the relationship between the polarization of pump light and photothermal signal. Also, it is found that the BP not only exists as heat source yielding changes in refractive index of the photothermal media but also can detect minor photothermal signals as sensing layer. Overall, these findings that BP surface and the media significantly impact the photothermal signal provide not only an accurate way for measuring crystal orientation but also can expand the practical applications of biosensors.
Switching of Giant Lateral Force on Sub‐10 nm Particle Using Phase‐Change Nanoantenna
Authors: Cao Tun , Bao Jiaxin , Mao Libang
Published: February 2018

We numerically show that a giant lateral optical force (LOF) acting on sub‐10 nm non‐chiral particles can be obtained using a dipole‐quadrupole (DQ) Fano resonance (FR). This DQ‐FR is excited by an asymmetric plasmonic bowtie nanoantenna array (BNA), which is based on a Au/Ge2Sb2Te5/Au trilayer. The LOF behaves in a direction in which the incident light has neither a spin‐orbit coupling nor any wave propagation. Analytical theory reveals that the LOF originates from the “hotspot” established by the DQ‐FR in the asymmetric BNA. The direction of DQ‐FR induced LOF is reversibly switched with the phase transition of Ge2Sb2Te5, which in turn pushes the achiral nanoparticle sideways in the opposite direction. A photo thermal model is used to study the temporal variation of the temperature of the Ge2Sb2Te5 film to show the potential for transiting the Ge2Sb2Te5 phase. Particularly, the design of hybrid nanostructure integrating a ground metal mirror can excite a strong magnetic resonance, which enhances the DQ‐FR induced LOF and reduces the Brownian motion effect on the nanoparticles. Hence, our scheme leads to a rapid and stable transportation of nanoparticles with radii as small as 10 nm.
Vanadium‐Catalyzed N‐Benzoylation of 2‐Aminopyridines via Oxidative C(CO)−C(CO) Bond Cleavage of 1,2‐Diketones, N→N′ Aroyl Migration and Hydrolysis of 2‐(Diaroylamino)pyridines
Authors: Digwal Chander Singh , Yadav Upasana , Ramya P. V. Sri , Swain Baijayantimala , Kamal Ahmed
Published: February 2018

A one‐pot route to synthesize pyridylbenzamides has been developed via vanadium‐catalyzed C(CO)−C(CO) bond cleavage of 1,2‐diketones with 2‐aminopyridines, N→N′ aroyl migration, and hydrolysis of in situ generated 2‐(diaroylamino) pyridines. This method offers a simple, neutral, and practical approach to access various medicinally important pyridylbenzamides under base‐, additive‐ and external oxidant‐free conditions.
Generalized Procrustes analysis of an ontogenetic series of modified crania: Evaluating the technique of modification in the Migration Period of Europe (4th–7th century AD)
Authors: Mayall Peter , Pilbrow Varsha
Published: February 2018

Objectives

The arrival of the Huns into Europe in the fourth century AD increased the occurrence of intentional cranial modification among European nomads. It has been postulated that the Huns used a two‐bandage cranial binding technique to differentiate themselves from surrounding nomadic groups, including those from Georgia. This study examines this hypothesis by comparing Migration Period (4th to 7th century AD) juvenile crania, which retain strong impressions of bindings, with adult modified crania from Hungary and Georgia.

Materials and Methods

Twelve surface landmarks and 251 semi‐landmarks were used to study ontogenetic trajectories in 9 juvenile and 16 adult modified skulls from 8 Hungarian sites and 21 adult skulls from two Georgian sites. Generalized Procrustes analysis, linear regression of Procrutes distance on dental age and log centroid size, and warping the principal components (PCs) in shape space helped to identify cranial shape changes.

Results

The PCs provide significant separation of the juvenile and adult groups from Georgia and Hungary. Variation in modified cranial shape was limited in Hungary compared to Georgia. There was stronger correlation between juvenile and adult modified cranial shape in Hungary than in Georgia. Warping along the first axis reveals the trajectory from marked flattening of the frontal and occipital regions in juveniles to diminished flattening in the same regions in adult crania, corresponding with one binding. Another depression extending from the post‐bregmatic region to the temporal region, similarly strong in juveniles but diminishing in adults, marks the second binding.

Discussion

Hungarian crania were modified with two bindings with limited shape variation, whereas the Georgian crania had greater variation in shape being also modified with antero‐posterior bindings. The findings from this study alongside contemporary historical sources help to understand the role of intentional cranial modification as a mark of social identity among nomads in the Migration Period of Europe.
A Rapid Method for Simultaneous Analysis of Lignan and γ‐Tocopherol in Sesame Oil by Using Normal‐Phase Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Shi Long‐Kai , Zheng Li , Xiang Yin‐Feng , Liu Rui‐Jie , Chang Ming , Jin Qing‐Zhe , Wang Xing‐Guo
Published: February 2018

A novel method for rapid and simultaneous analysis of three lignans and γ‐tocopherol in sesame oil has been established based on a one‐step solvent extraction followed by normal‐phase liquid chromatography. The briefness of the experimental procedure, use of 5 mL of n‐hexane/isopropanol (98:2, v/v) for extraction without any further cleanup process, short analysis time (10 min), and excellent sensitivity and selectivity demonstrated the advantages of this practical and efficient method. All the analytes exhibited satisfactory recoveries ranging from 95.4 to 103.4% at three spiked levels, with the relative SD ranging from 1.1 to 4.4%. The limits of quantitation of this method for four analytes were in the range of 0.3–1.0 μg g−1. The validated method was successfully applied to the coinstantaneous determination of lignan and γ‐tocopherol in five real sesame oil samples. Furthermore, the results of this study were compared with previously reported method and standard method.
2015 American College of Rheumatology Workforce Study
Authors: Bolster Marcy B. , Bass Anne R. , Hausmann Jonathan S. , Deal Chad , Ditmyer Marcia , Greene Kamilah L. , Monrad Seetha U. , Battafarano Daniel F.
Published: February 2018

Objective

Graduate medical education (GME), through fellowship training, plays a critical role in preparing new rheumatologists for our workforce and is an essential component when addressing the gap of excess demand for adult rheumatology care. This study was undertaken to assess the demographic characteristics and employment trends of new entrants entering the rheumatology workforce and the impact this will have on the supply of rheumatologits over the next 15 years.

Methods

Primary and secondary data sources were used to develop an integrated workforce model. Factors specific to new graduates entering the workforce included available and filled fellowship positions, gender shifts, planned work schedules (part‐time or full‐time), practice settings (academic or non‐academic, private practice), and number of international medical graduates (IMGs) anticipating US practice.

Results

In 2015, there were 113 adult rheumatology programs, with 431 of 468 available positions filled. Using the 215 actual positions available annually in fellowship programs as a starting point, after all factors were applied, the projected clinical full‐time equivalent number entering the workforce each year was 107; this number was affected significantly by gender and generational trends. In addition, 17% of IMGs self‐identified their plan to practice outside the US. Confounding predictions included a large proportion of current rheumatologists planning retirement with substantially reduced patient loads by 2030.

Conclusion

The current US adult rheumatology workforce is in jeopardy of accelerated decline at a time when demands on the workforce face tremendous growth. The current GME training structure cannot support the increased demand. Potential strategies to address this gap include innovative mechanisms for GME funding to increase fellowship training positions, incentives for pursuing rheumatology training (e.g., loan repayment programs), and novel means for recruitment of care to underserved areas of the US.
Effect of parathyroidectomy on quality of life and non-specific symptoms in normocalcaemic primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Bannani S , Christou N , Guérin C , Hamy A , Sebag F , Mathonnet M , Guillot P , Caillard C , Blanchard C , Mirallié E
Published: February 2018

Background

Normocalcaemic primary hyperparathyroidism (NcPHPT) is a new clinical entity being diagnosed increasingly among patients with mild primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of life and non-specific symptoms before and after parathyroidectomy in patients with NcPHPT compared with those with hypercalcaemic mild PHPT (Hc-m-PHPT).

Methods

This was a prospective multicentre study of patients with mild PHPT from four university hospitals. Patients were evaluated before operation, and 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery for quality of life using the SF-36-v2® questionnaire, as well as for 25 non-specific symptoms.

Results

Before operation, the only statistically significant difference between the NcPHPT and Hc-m-PHPT groups was in the mean(s.d.) blood calcium level (2·54 versus 2·73 mmol; P < 0·001). At 1 year after surgery, the blood calcium level had improved significantly in both groups, with no significant difference between them. Quality of life improved significantly in each group compared with its preoperative score, with regard to the physical component summary (P = 0·040 and P = 0·016 respectively), whereas the mental component summary improved significantly in the Hc-m-PHPT group only (P = 0·043). Only two non-specific symptoms improved significantly in the NcPHPT group compared with nine in the Hc-m-PHPT group.

Conclusion

Parathyroidectomy mildly improves quality of life and some non-specific symptoms in patients with NcPHPT.
Systematic review and simulation study of ignoring clustered data in surgical trials
Authors: Dell-Kuster S , Droeser R A , Schäfer J , Gloy V , Ewald H , Schandelmaier S , Hemkens L G , Bucher H C , Young J , Rosenthal R
Published: February 2018

Background

Multiple surgical procedures in a single patient are relatively common and lead to dependent (clustered) data. This dependency needs to be accounted for in study design and data analysis. A systematic review was performed to assess how clustered data were handled in inguinal hernia trials. The impact of ignoring clustered data was estimated using simulations.

Methods

PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were reviewed systematically for RCTs published between 2004 and 2013, including patients undergoing unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia repair. Study characteristics determining the appropriateness of handling clustered data were extracted. Using simulations, various statistical methods accounting for clustered data were compared with an analysis ignoring clustering by assuming 100 hernias, with a varying percentage of patients having bilateral hernias.

Results

Of the 50 eligible trials including patients with bilateral hernias, 20 (40 per cent) did not provide information on how they dealt with clustered data and 18 (36 per cent) avoided clustering by assessing the outcome by patient and not by hernia. None of the remaining 12 trials (24 per cent) considered clustering in the design or analysis. In the simulations, ignoring clustering led to an increased type I error rate of up to 12 per cent and to a loss in power of up to 15 per cent, depending on whether the patient or the hernia was the randomization unit.

Conclusion

Clustering was rarely considered in inguinal hernia trials. The simulations underline the importance of considering clustering as part of the statistical analysis to avoid false-positive and false-negative results, and hence inappropriate study conclusions.
Cytologic‐histologic correlation of programmed death‐ligand 1 immunohistochemistry in lung carcinomas
Authors: Russell‐Goldman Eleanor , Kravets Sasha , Dahlberg Suzanne E. , Sholl Lynette M. , Vivero Marina
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors increasingly are being used to treat patients with advanced lung carcinomas. Programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tumor cells (TCs) and tumor‐infiltrating immune cells (ICs) is used to select patients for programmed cell death protein 1 inhibition, but few studies have evaluated PD‐L1 IHC in cytology specimens. The objective of the current study was to compare PD‐L1 IHC in cytology cell blocks and matched surgical specimens.

METHODS

A total of 56 cytology specimens obtained between 2013 and 2016 with matching surgical specimens were stained with anti‐PD‐L1. Membranous positivity was scored as a percentage of the TCs and ICs by 2 pathologists. Results were compared between cytology and surgical specimens, and interobserver concordance was assessed.

RESULTS

The average PD‐L1 positivity rate was 28% in TCs and 5% in ICs in surgical specimens (standard deviations of 37% and 7%, respectively), and 21% in TCs and 8% in ICs in cytology specimens (standard deviations of 33% and 15%, respectively). Interobserver concordance was high for TCs in surgical and cytology specimens (intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.96 and 0.96, respectively), and was moderate for ICs in surgical and cytology specimens (intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.47 and 0.67, respectively). There was moderate to high correlation between PD‐L1 positivity in TCs between surgical and cytology specimens (Spearman correlation coefficient [Spearman r], 0.69), particularly among fine‐needle aspiration specimens (Spearman r, 0.78), but not between PD‐L1 positivity in ICs in surgical and cytology specimens (Spearman r, 0.14), including among fine‐needle aspiration specimens (Spearman r, 0.23).

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor PD‐L1 IHC positivity in cytology specimens appears to correlate strongly with results obtained from matching surgical specimens. PD‐L1 IHC in ICs within cytology specimens does not reflect results in matched surgical specimens and should not be used in clinical decision making. Cancer Cytopathol 2018;126:253‐63. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Peculiarly Structured Janus Nanofibers Display Synchronous and Tuned Trifunctionality of Enhanced Luminescence, Electrical Conduction, and Superparamagnetism
Authors: Xi Xue , Ma Qianli , Dong Xiangting , Li Dan , Yu Wensheng , Wang Jinxian , Liu Guixia
Published: February 2018

Flexible peculiarly structured [(Fe3O4/PVP)@(Tb(BA)3phen/PVP)]//[PANI/PVP] (PVP=polyvinylpyrrolidone, BA=benzoic acid, phen=1,10‐phenanthroline, and PANI=polyaniline) Janus nanofibers synchronously endowed with tuned and enhanced luminescent–magnetic–electrical trifunctionality have been prepared by electrospinning technology by using a homemade coaxis//monoaxis spinneret. It is satisfactorily found that the luminescent intensity of the peculiarly structured Janus nanofibers is higher than those of the counterpart conventional [nanofiber]//[nanofiber] Janus nanofibers and composite nanofibers owing to its peculiar nanostructure. Compared with the counterpart conventional Janus nanofibers of two independent partitions, the coaxial nanocable is used as one side of the peculiarly structured Janus nanofiber instead of nanofiber, and three independent partitions are successfully realized in the peculiarly structured Janus nanofiber, thus the interferences among various functions are further reduced, leading to the fact that excellent multifunctionalities can be obtained. The Janus nanofibers possess excellent green luminescence, superparamagnetism, and electric conductivity, and further, these performances can be, respectively, tunable by modulating the Tb(BA)3phen, Fe3O4, and PANI contents. The design philosophy and construction technique for the peculiarly structured Janus nanofibers provide guidance for fabricating other multifunctional Janus nanofibers with various performances.
Warthins tumor: Cyto histological spectrum with emphasis on diagnostic difficulties
Authors: Sood Neelam , Borah Parismrita
Published: February 2018

Warthins tumour is characterized by the presence of epithelial proliferation in a lymphoid stroma. It has been categorized as Sieferts types: 1‐4, depending on the proportions of the 2 components. Although FNA is fairly accurate in establishing the diagnosis, the cytologic diagnosis of this tumor has potential sources of error.

This retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, of a tertiary care hospital. Cytology and surgical pathology records of past 15 years were screened. A total of 1200 FNAC cases of salivary gland lesions in the past 15 years were retrieved. 36 cases with presumptive cytodiagnosis of WT were identified and histopathological correlation was done. Histopathological correlation could be done in 24 cases. 19 out of 24 cases, were confirmed as WT. The 5 cases with discordance were analyzed for potential diagnostic pitfalls. The most common discordance was in the category of papillary proliferation with minimal lymphoid infiltrate. One case proved as oncocytoma and the other was papillary oncocyticcystadenoma. The other major pitfalls, were the interpretation of atypical squamoid cells. Their presence in a lymphoid background needs consideration of cytologic diagnosis of WT, mucoepidermoid carcinoma and metastatic squamous carcinoma. FNA showed an accuracy of 79% for WT.

Cytological misinterpretation can thus occur in presence of morphology other than classical Siefert type1. An awareness of these potential pitfalls should push the need for avoiding single cytologic interpretation.
Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and excretion of FGF‐21 following subcutaneous administration in rats
Authors: He Yufei , Li Yazhuo , Wei Zihong , Zhang Xingyan , Gao Jing , Wang Xiaojie , Li Xiaokun , Wu Weidang , Li Wei , Yi Xiulin , Zeng Yong , Liu Changxiao
Published: February 2018

As one of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) superfamily, FGF‐21 has been extensively investigated for its functions and roles since its discovery. It has been demonstrated to be one of the key regulators for glucose and lipid metabolism, and exhibits beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease. However, studies focusing on its pharmacokinetic behavior in vivo as a novel therapeutic agent have not been reported. In the present study, rapid and sensitive analytical approaches including radioactivity assay and assay after precipitation/separation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were established to determine the content of FGF‐21 tagged with 125I in plasma, tissue, and excrement. The results indicated that FGF‐21 were quickly absorbed into systematic circulation and slowly eliminated; Cmax and exposure increased in a dose‐dependent manner, exhibiting a typical linear pharmacokinetic pattern. Tissue distribution also confirmed that the kidney is the primary organ for FGF‐21 to be distributed, even though radioactivity of FGF‐21 was recovered in all tissues examined. In addition, the results also supported that urinary excretion was the critical route for FGF‐21 to be eliminated. The study fully clarifies the pharmacokinetic behavior of FGF‐21 and can provide valuable information and support further safety and toxicology development.
Pre‐outbreak forest conditions mediate the effects of spruce beetle outbreaks on fuels in subalpine forests of Colorado
Authors: Mietkiewicz Nathan , Kulakowski Dominik , Veblen Thomas T.
Published: February 2018

Over the past 30 years, forest disturbances have increased in size, intensity, and frequency globally, and are predicted to continue increasing due to climate change, potentially relaxing the constraints of vegetation properties on disturbance regimes. However, the consequences of the potentially declining importance of vegetation in determining future disturbance regimes are not well understood. Historically, bark beetles preferentially attack older trees and stands in later stages of development. However, as climate warming intensifies outbreaks by promoting growth of beetle populations and compromising tree defenses, smaller diameter trees and stands in early stages of development now are being affected by outbreaks. To date, no study has considered how stand age and other pre‐outbreak forest conditions mediate the effects of outbreaks on surface and aerial fuel arrangements. We collected fuels data across a chronosequence of post‐outbreak sites affected by spruce beetle (SB) between the 1940s and the 2010s, stratified by young (<130 yr) and old (>130 yr) post‐fire stands. Canopy and surface fuel loads were calculated for each tree and stand, and available crown fuel load, crown bulk density, and canopy bulk densities were estimated. Canopy bulk density and density of live canopy individuals were reduced in all stands affected by SB, though foliage loss was proportionally greater in old stands as compared to young stands. Fine surface fuel loads in young stands were three times greater shortly (<30 yr) following outbreak as compared to young stands not affected by outbreak, after which the abundance of fine surface fuels decreased to below endemic (i.e., non‐outbreak) levels. In both young and old stands, the net effect of SB outbreaks during the 20th and 21st centuries reduced total canopy fuels and increased stand‐scale spatial heterogeneity of canopy fuels following outbreak. Importantly, the decrease in canopy fuels following outbreaks was greater in young post‐fire stands than in older stands, suggesting that SB outbreaks may more substantially reduce risk of active crown fire when they affect stands in earlier stages of development. The current study shows that the effects of SB outbreaks on forest structure and on fuel profiles are strongly contingent on pre‐outbreak conditions as determined by pre‐outbreak disturbance history.
Estimating abundance of an open population with anN‐mixture model using auxiliary data on animal movements
Authors: Ketz Alison C. , Johnson Therese L. , Monello Ryan J. , Mack John A. , George Janet L. , Kraft Benjamin R. , Wild Margaret A. , Hooten Mevin B. , Hobbs N. Thompson
Published: February 2018

Accurate assessment of abundance forms a central challenge in population ecology and wildlife management. Many statistical techniques have been developed to estimate population sizes because populations change over time and space and to correct for the bias resulting from animals that are present in a study area but not observed. The mobility of individuals makes it difficult to design sampling procedures that account for movement into and out of areas with fixed jurisdictional boundaries. Aerial surveys are the gold standard used to obtain data of large mobile species in geographic regions with harsh terrain, but these surveys can be prohibitively expensive and dangerous. Estimating abundance with ground‐based census methods have practical advantages, but it can be difficult to simultaneously account for temporary emigration and observer error to avoid biased results. Contemporary research in population ecology increasingly relies on telemetry observations of the states and locations of individuals to gain insight on vital rates, animal movements, and population abundance. Analytical models that use observations of movements to improve estimates of abundance have not been developed. Here we build upon existing multi‐state mark–recapture methods using a hierarchicalN‐mixture model with multiple sources of data, including telemetry data on locations of individuals, to improve estimates of population sizes. We used a state‐space approach to model animal movements to approximate the number of marked animals present within the study area at any observation period, thereby accounting for a frequently changing number of marked individuals. We illustrate the approach using data on a population of elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) in Northern Colorado, USA. We demonstrate substantial improvement compared to existing abundance estimation methods and corroborate our results from the ground based surveys with estimates from aerial surveys during the same seasons. We develop a hierarchical Bayesian N‐mixture model using multiple sources of data on abundance, movement and survival to estimate the population size of a mobile species that uses remote conservation areas. The model improves accuracy of inference relative to previous methods for estimating abundance of open populations.
Axl and MerTK receptor tyrosine kinases maintain human macrophage efferocytic capacity in the presence of viral triggers
Authors: Grabiec Aleksander M , Goenka Anu , Fife Mark E , Fujimori Toshifumi , Hussell Tracy
Published: February 2018

The requirement to remove apoptotic cells is equally important in homeostasis and inflammatory disease. In particular, during viral infections large quantities of infected cells undergo apoptosis and need to be efficiently cleared by phagocytes to prevent secondary necrosis. Although specific roles of several apoptotic cell sensors, such as the TAM (Tyro3, Axl, MerTK) receptor family, have been characterized in mouse models, little is known about their regulation and involvement in apoptotic cell uptake (efferocytosis) by human macrophages under inflammatory conditions. We show that whereas pro‐inflammatory stimuli consistently downregulated MerTK expression in human monocyte‐derived macrophages (MDMs), stimuli indicative of a viral infection, interferon‐α (IFN‐α) and the TLR3 ligand poly(I:C), specifically induced Axl expression and promoted binding of the bridging molecule Gas6. Axl induction by IFN‐α and poly(I:C) was associated with higher MDM efferocytic capacity compared to cells treated with other pro‐inflammatory stimuli, such as LPS and IFN‐γ. While MerTK blocking antibody uniformly suppressed apoptotic cell uptake by MDMs, Axl blocking antibody significantly reduced efferocytosis by poly(I:C)‐stimulated MDMs, but not by resting MDMs. Our observations demonstrate that Axl induction during viral infections contributes to maintaining macrophage capacity to engulf apoptotic cells, which may have important consequences for resolution of anti‐viral immune responses.
Organocatalytic Enantioselective Michael Addition of 3‐Indolinone‐2‐Carboxylates to Maleimides
Authors: Yarlagadda Suresh , Reddy C. Ravikumar , Ramesh Boora , Kumar G. Ravi , Sridhar B. , Reddy B. V. Subba
Published: February 2018

An organocatalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of 2‐substituted 3‐indolinones to maleimides has been developed by using a chiral bifunctional squaramide derived from quinidine to promote the reaction. This method provides easy access to 3‐indolinone‐2‐carboxylate‐succinimide adducts in high yields with excellent diastero and entantioselectivities and is a useful approach for the construction of vicinal quaternary‐tertiary chiral centers. In addition, product 4l was successfully converted into a chiral indoline‐pyrrolidine adduct.
Stereoselective Total Synthesis of the Non‐Contiguous Polyketide Natural Product (–)‐Dolabriferol
Authors: Gantasala Naresh , Borra Suresh , Pabbaraja Srihari
Published: February 2018

The stereoselective total synthesis of the non‐contiguous polypropionate dolabriferol has been accomplished in 17 steps, by an approach that is both divergent and convergent. The key reactions involved are enantioselective cross‐aldol coupling, aldol dimerisation of propionaldehyde, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, regioselective epoxide opening and Yamaguchi esterification. The effects of the protecting groups on the alcohol substrate on differential reactivity in Yamaguchi esterification were noteworthy.
DNA damage‐induced apoptosis and mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway contribute to the toxicity of dronedarone in hepatic cells
Authors: Chen Si , Ren Zhen , Yu Dianke , Ning Baitang , Guo Lei
Published: February 2018

Dronedarone, an antiarrhythmic drug, has been marketed as an alternative to amiodarone. The use of dronedarone has been associated with severe liver injury; however, the mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the possible mechanisms of dronedarone induced liver toxicity were characterized in HepG2 cells. Dronedarone decreased cells viability and induced apoptosis and DNA damage in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner. Pretreatment of the HepG2 cells with apoptosis inhibitors (caspase‐3, ‐8, and ‐9) or the necrosis inhibitor (Necrox‐5), partially, but significantly, reduced the release of lactate dehydrogenase. Dronedarone caused the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol, a prominent feature of apoptosis. In addition, the activation of caspase‐2 was involved in dronedarone induced DNA damage and the activation of JNK and p38 signaling pathways. Inhibition of JNK and p38 by specific inhibitors attenuated dronedarone‐induced cell death, apoptosis, and DNA damage. Additionally, suppression of caspase‐2 decreased the activities of JNK and p38. Dronedarone triggered DNA damage was regulated by downregulation of topoisomerase IIα at both transcriptional and post‐transcriptional levels. Taken together, our data show that DNA damage, apoptosis, and the activation of JNK and p38 contribute to dronedarone‐induced cytotoxicity. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:278–289, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preoperative sarcopenia and post‐operative accelerated muscle loss negatively impact survival after resection of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Choi Moon Hyung , Yoon Seung Bae , Lee Kyungjin , Song Meiying , Lee In Seok , Lee Myung Ah , Hong Tae Ho , Choi Myung‐Gyu
Published: February 2018

Background

Sarcopenia and post‐operative accelerated muscle loss leading to cachexia are commonly observed in patients with pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to assess the influence of body compositions and post‐operative muscle change on survival of patients with surgically treated pancreatic cancer.

Methods

We analysed data of patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery from 2008 to 2015. Skeletal muscle areas, muscle attenuation, and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue areas were measured from two sets of computed tomography images at L3 vertebral levels. In addition, muscle change was calculated from images obtained before and after cancer resection. We set our own cut‐off values of various body compositions based on sex‐specific tertiles.

Results

A total of 180 patients were analysed. Patients with perioperative sarcopenia (n = 60) showed poorer overall survival than those without perioperative sarcopenia (P = 0.031). Fifty (28.6%) patients with accelerated muscle loss after surgery (>10%/60 days) had poorer survival compared with the others (P = 0.029). Sarcopenia (hazard ratio, 1.79: 95% confidence interval, 1.20–2.65] and post‐operative muscle change (%/60 days) (hazard ratio, 0.94: 95% confidence interval, 0.92–0.96) were identified as significant predictors of survival on multivariable analyses.

Conclusions

Preoperative sarcopenia identified on CT scan was associated with poor overall survival in patients with pancreatic cancer following surgery. Accelerated muscle loss after surgery also negatively impacted survival in pancreatic cancer patients.
Facile Synthesis of New Functionalized Triazacyclopenta[cd]indenones Through a Multicomponent Reaction Followed by an Intramolecular Aminolysis
Authors: Shen Guo‐Bing , Yu Ting , Zhang Yong‐Liang , Ma Lan‐Ping , Chen Lin , Lu Jian‐Jun , Meng Tao
Published: February 2018

An efficient tandem route to the synthesis of triazacyclopenta[cd]indenone derivatives of the cyclazine family has been developed. Target compounds were obtained in moderate to good yields by Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé reaction involving a potassium carbonate promoted intramolecular aminolysis. This in turn will set the stage for a wide application of this useful reaction for the synthesis of structurally diverse polyheterocyclic skeletons containing the imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine ring.
Immunotherapy synergizes with debridement and antibiotic therapy in a murine 1‐stage exchange model of MRSA implant‐associated osteomyelitis
Authors: Yokogawa Noriaki , Ishikawa Masahiro , Nishitani Kohei , Beck Christopher A. , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki , Mesfin Addisu , Kates Stephen L. , Daiss John L. , Xie Chao , Schwarz Edward M.
Published: February 2018

Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) reinfection following revision surgery remains a major orthopaedic problem. Toward the development of immunotherapy with anti‐glucosaminidase monoclonal antibodies (anti‐Gmd), we aimed to: (i) develop a murine 1‐stage exchange model of bioluminescent MRSA (USA300LAC::lux) contaminated femoral implants; and (ii) utilize this model to demonstrate the synergistic effects of combination vancomycin and anti‐Gmd therapy on reinfection and bone healing. Following an infection surgery, the original plate and two screws were removed on day 7, and exchanged with sterile implants. Mice were randomized to five groups: (i) no infection control; (ii) infected placebo; (iii) anti‐Gmd; (iv) vancomycin; and (v) combination therapy. Bioluminescent imaging (BLI) was performed on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, and 14. Mice were euthanized on day 14 (day 7 post‐revision), and efficacy was assessed via colony forming units (CFU) on explanted hardware, micro‐CT, and histology. As monotherapies, anti‐Gmd inhibited Staphylococcus abscess communities, and vancomycin reduced CFU on the implants. However, only combination therapy prevented increased BLI post‐revision surgery, with a significant 6.5‐fold reduction on day 10 (p < 0.05 vs. placebo), and achieved sterile implant levels by day 12. Synergistic effects were also apparent from reduced osteolysis and increased new bone formation around the screws only observed following combination therapy. Taken together, we find that: (i) this murine femoral plate 1‐stage revision model can efficiently evaluate therapies to prevent reinfection; and (ii) immunotherapy plays a distinct role from antibiotics to reduce reinfection following revision surgery, such that synergy to achieve osseointegration is possible. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1590–1598, 2018.
Characterization of Biosurfactant Produced by a Novel Strain ofPseudomonas aeruginosa, Isolate ADMT1
Authors: Tiwary Meenakshi , Dubey Ashok K.
Published: February 2018

Several biosurfactant‐producing bacterial strains were isolated from petroleum‐contaminated soil. The isolate ADMT1, identified as a new strain ofPseudomonas aeruginosa, was selected for further studies on the basis of oil displacement test and emulsification index (E24). The optimal parameters for production, determined by employing Box–Behnken design, were temperature 36.5 °C and pH 7. The environmental isolate ADMT1 produced significant amount of biosurfactant (1.7 g L−1in 72 h) in minimal salt medium (MSM) using dextrose as the sole carbon source. The E24 value and critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the biosurfactant was 100% and 150 mg L−1, respectively. At CMC, the surface tension of water was reduced to 28.4 mN m−1. The biosurfactant exhibited hemolytic activity and antibacterial activity against 8 reference strains of pathogenic bacteria, including 2 methicillin‐resistantStaphylococcus aureusstrains (MRSA ATCC 562 and MRSA ATCC 43300), with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.4 and 0.2 mg mL−1, respectively. The structure of biosurfactant was characterized by FTIR,1H, and13C NMR spectroscopy. 7 di‐rhamnolipid (RL) congeners were identified in the biosurfactant by ultraperformance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The major congeners, which constituted 67% of the RL mixture, included Rha‐Rha‐C10‐C10, Rha‐Rha‐C12‐C10, and Rha‐Rha‐C12:1‐C10. The minor congeners were Rha‐Rha‐C10‐C8, Rha‐Rha‐C10:1‐C10, Rha‐Rha‐C10‐C14:1, and Rha‐Rha‐C10‐C14. The congener Rha‐Rha‐C10‐C14is being reported for the first time from any species ofPseudomonas. The high surface activity and E24 value make the ADMT1‐RL a potential candidate for its use in detergents, environmental bioremediation, and as an emulsifier in the food industry.
Resolution of a Low‐Lying Placenta and Placenta Previa Diagnosed at the Midtrimester Anatomy Scan
Authors: Durst Jennifer K. , Tuuli Methodius G. , Temming Lorene A. , Hamilton Owen , Dicke Jeffrey M.
Published: February 2018

Objectives

To identify the incidence and resolution rates of a low‐lying placenta or placenta previa and to assess the optimal time to perform follow‐up ultrasonography (US) to assess for resolution.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women with a diagnosis of a low‐lying placenta or placenta previa at routine anatomic screening. Follow‐up US examinations were reviewed to estimate the proportion of women who had resolution. A Kaplan‐Meier survival curve was generated to estimate the median time to resolution. The distance of the placental edge from the internal cervical os was used to categorize the placenta as previa or low‐lying (0.1–10 or ≥ 10–20 mm). A time‐to‐event analysis was used to estimate predictive factors and the time to resolution by distance from the os.

Results

A total of 1663 (8.7%) women had a diagnosis of a low‐lying placenta or placenta previa. The cumulative resolution for women who completed 1 or more additional US examinations was 91.9% (95% confidence interval, 90.2%‐93.3%). The median time to resolution was 10 (interquartile range [IQR], 7–13) weeks. The distance from the internal cervical os was known for 658 (51.0%) women. The probability of resolution was inversely proportional to the distance from the internal os: 99.5% (≥10–20 mm), 95.4% (0.1–10 mm), and 72.3% (placenta previa; P < .001). The median times to resolution were 9 (IQR, 7–12) weeks for 10 to 20 mm, 10 (IQR, 7–13) weeks for 0.1 to 10 mm, and 12 (IQR, 9–15) weeks for placenta previa (P = .0003, log rank test).

Conclusions

A low‐lying placenta or placenta previa diagnosed at the midtrimester anatomy survey resolves in most patients. Resolution is near universal in patients with an initial distance from the internal os of 10 mm or greater.
Reproducibility of Lung‐to‐Head Ratio Ultrasound Measurements in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Novoa y Novoa Victoria Arruga , Sutton Laura F. , Neis Allan E. , Marroquin Amber M. , Freimund Tamara A. , Coleman Tracey M. , Praska Kathleen A. , Ruka Krystal L. , Warzala Vicki L. , Sangi‐Haghpeykar Haleh , Ruano Rodrigo
Published: February 2018

Objectives

This study investigated the reproducibility of standardization of lung‐to‐head ratio measurements in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) at our center among sonographers after we standardized the method.

Methods

We reviewed ultrasound images of 12 fetuses with CDH at Mayo Clinic from 2010 to 2016. Nine operators (1 maternal‐fetal medicine specialist with experience in measuring the lung‐to‐head ratio and 8 sonographers), who were blinded to previous findings, reviewed 33 selected images from 12 fetuses with left CDH. The method for lung‐to‐head ratio measurement was standardized before starting the measurements. The lung‐to‐head ratio was assessed by different methods to obtain the lung areas: anteroposterior, longest, and area tracing. We evaluated the correlation between operators using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). We also compared agreement between the sonographers and a physician with experience in measuring the lung‐to‐head ratio using a Bland‐Altman analysis.

Results

The methods with the best interoperator reproducibility were the standardized anteroposterior lung‐to‐head ratio (ICC, 0.69) and the standardized lung‐to‐head ratio tracing (ICC, 0.65) compared to the longest lung‐to‐head ratio (ICC, 0.56). The standardized lung‐to‐head ratio tracing had the best agreement among sonographers and the physician (bias, 0.11; limits of agreement, −0.27 to +0.49) than the anteroposterior lung‐to‐head ratio (bias, 0.35; limits of agreement, −0.13 to + 0.83) and the longest lung‐to‐head ratio (bias, 0.27; limits of agreement, −0.35 to +0.89).

Conclusions

We demonstrated that the lung‐to‐head ratio tracing method has high interoperator reproducibility and the best agreement among the operators at our center. Further multicenter studies are necessary to confirm our results.