bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socio-Demographic and Clinical Profiles of Cannabis Abusers Admitted for Treatment in a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Uyo, South-South Nigeria
Authors: Effiong Jombo, Henry , Idung Alphonsus Udo , Iyanam Victory Edet
Published: February 2020

Background: Cannabis is one of the commonly abused psychoactive substances worldwide. The increasing abuse of this psychoactive substance is recognized as a significant public health problem in many developing countries. A proper assessment of the patterns and trends of cannabis use disorders will be useful because of the increasing number of cannabis abusers worldwide and demand for appropriate treatment.

Aims: This study examined the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of cannabis abusers admitted for treatment in a tertiary healthcare institution in the South-South region of Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 105 subjects of cannabis abusers admitted for treatment over a one year period from August 2017 to July 2018. Socio-demographic and clinical variables were obtained from a careful chart review using a 35 item questionnaire. Diagnoses were made according to the International Classification of Disease Criteria (ICD-10).

Results: 105 subjects were included in this study. The mean age of patients was 29.71±8.2. The mean age of initiation of substance use was 19.05±3.0 years. Males were predominantly involved in cannabis abuse practices. The age of initiation of substance use was significantly different between the male and female subjects (t=-2.86, P=.009). The age of initiation and duration of substance use was significantly related to the risk of developing substance dependence and psychotic symptoms.

Conclusion: Cannabis was commonly abused by people who were often unemployed, single, young males involved in multiple drug abuse. The low mean duration of use, multiple substance abuses together with increasing frequency of psychiatric morbidity forms a major challenge for our mental health care services. There is the need for preventive, curative, and rehabilitative strategies to reduce the public health impact of this scourge.
Controllability analysis and controller design for variable‐pitch propeller quadcopters with one propeller failure
Authors: Wang Zhikun , Groß Roderich , Zhao Shiyu
Published: February 2020

This article studies a relatively new type of aerial platform: variable‐pitch propeller (VPP) quadcopters. Unlike conventional fixed‐pitch propellers that can only generate upward thrust forces, a VPP can adjust its pitch angle to generate either upward or downward thrust forces. This provides VPP quadcopter with high agility and strong maneuverability. Although VPP quadcopters have attracted some attention recently, their potential has not been fully explored yet. In this article, we study the fault‐tolerant property of VPP quadcopters when one of the four VPPs fails to provide any forces or torques. We identify the equilibrium state in this case and conduct the controllability analysis based on a linearized model. This shows that the system remains controllable even if one propeller fails. As a result, simple linear‐quadratic regulator controllers can be used to control the platform. Although the controllability analysis and controller are based on the linearized model, numerical simulation incorporating measurement noises and external disturbances verifies the theoretic
findings.
Micromechanical Characterization of Ce0.8Gd0.2O2‐δ–FeCo2O4 Dual Phase Oxygen Transport Membranes
Authors: Zeng Fanlin , Malzbender Jürgen , Baumann Stefan , Schulze-Küppers Falk , Krüger Manja , Nijmeijer Arian , Guillon Olivier , Meulenberg Wilhelm Albert
Published: February 2020

Aiming toward an optimization of dual phase oxygen transport membrane materials for oxygen separation applications, ceramic composites consisting of a Ce1−xGdxO2−δ (0 < x < 0.2) fluorite phase, Gd0.9Ce0.1Fe0.8Co0.2O3 perovskite phase, FexCo3−xO4 (0 < x < 1) spinel phase, and CoO rock salt phase are developed and micromechanical properties (elastic modulus and hardness) of xCe0.8Gd0.2O2−δ: (1−x)FeCo2O4 (50 wt% ≤ x ≤ 90 wt%) composites are characterized via indentation testing at room temperature. The results obtained at low indentation loads indicate that the magnitude of the elastic moduli of the different phases is in the order Gd0.9Ce0.1Fe0.8Co0.2O3 > Ce1−xGdxO2−δ ≈ FexCo3−xO4 > CoO, and furthermore, hardness values are also in the same order. The hardness values of the obtained composites at higher impression loads reveal a stronger dependency on porosity than on composition due to similar hardness values of the main phases. Any compositional effect appears to diminish above a porosity of ≈1%.
Nonlinear observer design for two‐time‐scale systems
Authors: Duan Zhaoyang , Kravaris Costas
Published: February 2020

A two‐time‐scale system involves both fast and slow dynamics. This article studies observer design for general nonlinear two‐time‐scale systems and presents two alternative nonlinear observer design approaches, one full‐order and one reduced‐order. The full‐order observer is designed by following a scheme to systematically select design parameters, so that the fast and slow observer dynamics are assigned to estimate the corresponding system modes. The reduced‐order observer is derived based on a lower dimensional model to reconstruct the slow states, along with the algebraic slow‐motion invariant manifold function to reconstruct the fast states. Through an error analysis, it is shown that the reduced‐order observer is capable of providing accurate estimation of the states for the detailed system with an exponentially decaying estimation error. In the last part of the article, the two proposed observers are designed for an anaerobic digestion process, as an illustrative example to evaluate their performance and convergence properties.
Synthesis of magnetic nanocomposite microparticles for binding of chlorinated organics in contaminated water sources
Authors: Gutierrez Angela M. , Bhandari Rohit , Weng Jiaying , Stromberg Arnold , Dziubla Thomas D. , Hilt J. Zach
Published: February 2020

In this work, the development of novel magnetic nanocomposite microparticles (MNMs) via free radical polymerization for their application in the remediation of contaminated water is presented. Acrylated plant‐based polyphenols, curcumin multiacrylate (CMA) and quercetin multiacrylate (QMA), were incorporated as functional monomers to create high affinity binding sites for the capture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as a model pollutant. The MNMs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and UV–visible spectroscopy. The affinity of these novel materials for PCB 126 was evaluated and fitted to the nonlinear Langmuir model to determine binding affinities (KD). The results suggest the presence of the polyphenolic moieties enhances the binding affinity for PCB 126, with KD values comparable to that of antibodies. This demonstrates that these nanocomposite materials have promising potential as environmental remediation adsorbents for harmful contaminants.
Toward community‐inclusive data ecosystems: Challenges and opportunities of open data for community‐based organizations
Authors: Yoon Ayoung , Copeland Andrea
Published: February 2020

The benefits of open data for helping to address societal problems and strengthen communities are well recognized, and unfortunately previous studies found that smaller communities are often excluded from the current data ecosystem because of existing technological, technical, cognitive, and practical barriers. This study aims to investigate the process of communitiesʼ data use for community development and decision‐making—focusing on the opportunities and challenges of data for communities. From the interviews with 25 staff from community‐based organizations (CBOs) in nine small, medium, and large cities in the United States, the findings of this study describe dataʼs role in supporting communitiesʼ development while reporting several major challenges that hinder CBOs data use: difficulty accessing data, limitations of open data (un‐local nature, excluding essential data from being open), limited data capacity (especially in data literacy skills), and difficulties using and accessing existing data infrastructures. Our findings suggest opportunities for addressing these challenges, particularly by creating educational programming, building partnerships within data ecosystems, and bringing community voices forward in current data ecosystems, which are critical to realizing dataʼs potential for all citizens.
Modulation of the Purine Pathway for Riboflavin Production in Flavinogenic Recombinant Strain of the Yeast Candida famata
Authors: Dmytruk Kostyantyn V. , Ruchala Justyna , Fedorovych Daria V. , Ostapiv Roman D. , Sibirny Andriy A.
Published: February 2020

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is an indispensable nutrient for humans and animals, since it is the precursor of the essential coenzymes flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), involved in variety of metabolic reactions. Riboflavin is produced on commercial scale and is used for feed and food fortification purposes, and in medicine. Until recently, the mutant strains of the flavinogenic yeast Candida famata were used in industry for riboflavin production. Guanosine triphosphate is the immediate precursor of riboflavin synthesis. Therefore, the activation of metabolic flux toward purine nucleotide biosynthesis is a promising approach to improve riboflavin production. The phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase and phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase are the rate limiting enzymes in purine biosynthesis. Corresponding genes PRS3 and ADE4 from yeast Debaryomyces hansenii are modified to avoid feedback inhibition and cooverexpressed on the background of a previously constructed riboflavin overproducing strain of C. famata. Constructed strain accumulates twofold more riboflavin when compared to the parental strain.
Understanding the effect of high gas entrance velocity on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture performance and its implications on bioreactor scale‐up and sparger design
Authors: Chaudhary Garima , Luo Robin , George Meena , Tescione Lia , Khetan Anurag , Lin Henry
Published: February 2020

There are three main potential sources for cell shear damage existing in stirred tank bioreactors. One is the potential high energy dissipation in the immediate impeller zones; another from small gas bubble burst; and third is from high gas entrance velocity (GEV) emitting from the sparger. While the first two have been thoroughly addressed for the scale‐up of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture knowing that a wide tolerable agitation range with non‐damaging energy dissipation exists and the use of shear protectants like Pluronic F68 guard against cell damage caused by bubble burst, GEV remains a potential scale‐up problem across scales for the drilled hole or open pipe sparger designs. GEV as high as 170 m/s due to high gas flow rates and relatively small sparger hole diameters was observed to be significantly detrimental to cell culture performance in a 12,000 L bioreactor when compared to a satellite 2 L bioreactor run with GEV of <1 m/s. Small scale study of GEV as high as 265 m/s confirmed this. Based on the results of this study, a critical GEV of >60 m/s for CHO cells is proposed, whereas previously 30 m/s has been reported for NS0 cells by Zhu, Cuenca, Zhou, and Varma (2008. Biotechnol. Bioeng., 101, 751–760). Implementation of new large scale spargers with larger diameter and more holes lowered GEV and helped improve the cell culture performance, closing the scale‐up gap. Design of such new spargers was even more critical when hole plugging was discovered during large scale cultivation hence exacerbating the GEV impact. Furthermore, development of a scale down model based on mimicry of the large scale GEV profile as a function of time was proven to be beneficial for reproducing large scale results.
Optimized CRISPR/Cas9 strategy for homology‐directed multiple targeted integration of transgenes in CHO cells
Authors: Shin Sung Wook , Lee Jae Seong
Published: February 2020

Site‐specific integration has emerged as a promising strategy for precise Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line engineering and predictable cell line development (CLD). CRISPR/Cas9 with the homology‐directed repair (HDR) pathway enables precise integration of transgenes into target genomic sites. However, inherent recalcitrance to HDR‐mediated targeted integration (TI) of transgenes results in low targeting efficiency, thus requiring a selection process to find a targeted integrant in CHO cells. Here, we explored several parameters that influence the targeting efficiency using a promoter‐trap‐based single‐ or double‐knock‐in (KI) monitoring system. A simple change in the donor template design by the addition of single‐guide RNA recognition sequences strongly increased KI efficiency (2.9–36.0 fold), depending on integration sites and cell culture mode, compared to conventional circular donor plasmids. Furthermore, sequential and simultaneous KI strategies enabled us to obtain populations with ~1–4% of double‐KI cells without additional enrichment procedures. Thus, this simple optimized strategy not only allows efficient CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated TI in CHO cells but also paves the way for the applicability of multiplexed KIs in one experimental step without the need for sequential and independent CHO–CLD procedures.
Novel Hybrid Molecules of Epinastine and Mefenamic Acid for Bioactive Assessment as Potential Anti‐inflammatory Agents
Authors: Lee Ju Mi , Damodar Kongara , Lee Yeontaek , Woo Hyeong Ryeol , Suh Hong Won , Jeon Sung Ho , Lee Jeong Tae
Published: February 2020

A set of novel epinastine (1) and mefenamic acid (2) hybrids (3–7) tethered via amide bond were designed and synthesized with the artistry of molecular hybridization. Then their inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS‐induced RAW‐264.7 macrophages and the expression levels of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis regulatory genes were evaluated in vitro. All the hybrids were found to have remarkable NO production inhibitory potential with IC50 values ranging in between 27.69 ± 3.06 and 40.19 ± 5.52 μM without notable cytotoxicity (CC50 ≥ 100 μM) except 6. Comparing the inhibitory effects, cytotoxicity and in vitro efficacy index (iEI), 4 (IC50 = 32.09 ± 4.04 μM; iEI = 6.23) and 7 (IC50 = 27.69 ± 3.06 μM; iEI = 6.40) were better suited than other hybrids as well as their parent compounds EH and MA. This outcome was further harmonized with the reduced microsomal prostaglandin E synthase‐1 expression and unaltered housekeeping COX‐1 expression by hybrids 4 and 7 treatment. Altogether, our findings signify that hybrids 4 and 7 may serve as platforms for continued investigations for the development of more efficient anti‐inflammatory agents.
A self‐adhesive microneedle patch with drug loading capability through swelling effect
Authors: Chew Sharon W. T. , Shah Ankur H. , Zheng Mengjia , Chang Hao , Wiraja Christian , Steele Terry W. J. , Xu Chenjie
Published: February 2020

Microneedles (MNs) offer a rapid method of transdermal drug delivery through penetration of the stratum corneum. However, commercial translation has been limited by fabrication techniques unique to each drug. Herein, a broadly applicable platform is explored by drug‐loading via swelling effect of a hydrogel MN patch. A range of small molecule hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and biomacromolecule therapeutics demonstrate successful loading and burst release from hydrogel MNs fabricated from methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA). The post‐fabrication drug loading process allows MeHA MN patches with drug loadings of 10 μg cm−2. Additional post‐fabrication processes are explored with dendrimer bioadhesives that increase work of adhesion, ensuring stable fixation on skin, and allow for additional drug loading strategies.
Critical aspects of balloon position during final proximal optimization technique (POT) in coronary bifurcation stenting
Authors: Andreasen Lene N. , Holm Niels R. , Webber Bruce , Ormiston John A.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

In a coronary bifurcation bench model, to determine the effects of side branch (SB) wire crossing position and balloon position on the stent scaffolding after the final proximal optimization technique (POT).

Background

POT performed as a final step after SB dilatation or kissing balloon inflation (KBI) has been widely advocated despite limited evidence.

Methods

Thirty‐one stent implantations in bifurcation phantoms were performed using a one‐stent provisional technique with (KBI) (n = 13), with POT‐side‐POT technique (n = 12) or with the two‐stent culotte technique (n = 6). SB wiring was performed through either a proximal or a distal stent cell and confirmed by optical coherence tomography. Final POT was performed with the balloon positioned either across or proximal to the SB takeoff. The area of the opened stent cell in front of the SB was assessed by 3D reconstructed microcomputation tomography scans performed before and after Final POT.

Results

In cases with metallic carina, final POT across the SB takeoff caused SB rejailing. Regardless of stent technique and wire position, a Final POT across the SB takeoff reduced the SB cell opening area by 43% [32%;58%] (n = 15). The largest reduction (54–70%) was found after the POT‐side‐POT technique in procedures with a proximal wiring. Final POT performed proximal to the SB takeoff caused limited or no SB cell opening area reduction (4% [0.6%;6%] [n = 16]).

Conclusion

Final POT with balloon positioned across the SB takeoff in a narrow angle bifurcation reduces largest stent cell area in front of the SB ostium and may cause SB rejailing in cases with metallic carina.
Clinical outcomes following ST‐elevation myocardial infarction secondary to stent thrombosis treated by percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Noaman Samer , O'Brien Jessica , Andrianopoulos Nick , Brennan Angela L. , Dinh Diem , Reid Christopher , Sharma Anand , Chan William , Clark David , Stub Dion , Biswas Sinjini , Freeman Melanie , Ajani Andrew , Yip Thomas , Duffy Stephen J. , Oqueli Ernesto ,   the Melbourne Interventional Group Investigators
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To assess the clinical outcomes of patients presenting with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) secondary to stent thrombosis (ST) compared to those presenting with STEMI secondary to a de novo culprit lesion and treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

ST is an infrequent but serious complication of PCI with substantial associated morbidity and mortality, however with limited data.

Methods

We studied consecutive patients who underwent PCI for STEMI from 2005 to 2013 enrolled prospectively in the Melbourne Interventional Group registry. Patients were divided into two groups: the ST group comprised patients where the STEMI was due to ST and the de novo group formed the remainder of the STEMI cohort and all patients were treated by PCI. The primary endpoint was 30‐day all‐cause mortality.

Results

Compared to the de novo group (n = 3,835), the ST group (n = 128; 3.2% of STEMI) had higher rates of diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia, established cardiovascular diseases, myocardial infarction, and peripheral vascular disease, all p < .01. Within the ST group, very‐late ST was the most common form of ST, followed by late and early ST (64, 19, and 17%, respectively). There was no significant difference in the primary outcome between the ST group and the de novo group (4.7 vs. 7.1%, p = .29). On multivariate analysis, ST was not an independent predictor of 30‐day mortality (odds ratio: 0.62, 95% confidence interval: 0.07–1.09, p = .068).

Conclusion

The short‐term prognosis of patients with STEMI secondary to ST who were treated by PCI was comparable to that of patients with STEMI due to de novo lesions.
Burn‐induced myocardial depression in a pediatric patient leading to fulminant cardiogenic shock and multiorgan failure requiring extracorporeal life support
Authors: Panchal Apurva , Casadonte Joseph
Published: February 2020

Cardiac stress is a critical determinant of outcomes associated with severe thermal injury. The cardiovascular response to a catecholamine‐mediated surge from severe burns passes through two phases. Initial hypovolemia with myocardial depression leads to a low cardiac output, which then progresses to a hyperdynamic‐hypermetabolic phase with increased cardiac output.
Recent Advances in Catalytic Dearomative Hydroboration of N‐Heteroarenes
Authors: Park Sehoon
Published: February 2020

Catalytic dearomative reduction of N‐heteroarenes is of important transformations in organic synthesis as well as medicinal chemistry, since the reduced aza compounds such as dihydropyridines can be synthetic building blocks as well as structural motifs for bioactive natural products and pharmaceuticals. While hydrogenation and hydrosilylation are well‐utilized methods for such dearomative reduction of N‐heteroarenes, the dearomative hydroboration has recently emerged as a competent alternative with high selectivity and good functional group tolerance. This Minireview describes recent advances in the catalytic hydroboration of N‐heteroarenes. A diverse range of new catalytic systems will be detailed with strong emphasis on their unique working modes, which are closely related to chemo‐, regio‐ and stereooutcomes observed in the hydroboration of N‐heteroarenes.
Dehalogenative or Deprotonative? The Preparation Pathway to the Organometallic Monomer for Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Catalyst‐Transfer‐Type Polymerization of Thiophene Derivatives
Authors: Shibuya Yushin , Mori Atsunori
Published: February 2020

Due to a wide range of applications in electronic materials, polythiophenes attract considerable attention in organic and polymer syntheses as well as in materials science. For the purpose of developing the practical synthetic protocol, this review focuses on the deprotonative pathway in the preparation of thiophene organometallic monomer, which was shown to be effective employing 2‐halo‐3‐substituted thiophene as a monomer precursor. The thus metallated thiophene monomer was shown to undergo polymerization by nickel(II) complex catalysis, with which highly regioregular head‐to‐tail (HT)‐type polythiophenes were obtained with controlled molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. Several polythiophene derivatives with modified thiophene‐ring and side‐chain structures were shown to be designed in order to achieve the designed functionality as materials.
Computational prediction of hemodynamical and biomechanical alterations induced by aneurysm dilatation in patient‐specific ascending thoracic aortas
Authors: Jayendiran Raja , Condemi Francesca , Campisi Salvatore , Viallon Magalie , Croisille Pierre , Avril Stéphane
Published: February 2020

The aim of the present work is to propose a robust computational framework combining computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and 4D flow MRI to predict the progressive changes in hemodynamics and wall rupture index (RPI) induced by aortic morphological evolutions in patients harboring ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAAs). An analytical equation has been proposed to predict the aneurysm progression based on age, sex, and body surface area. Parameters such as helicity, wall shear stress (WSS), time‐averaged WSS, oscillatory shear index, relative residence time, and viscosity were evaluated for two patients at different stages of aneurysm growth, and compared with age‐sex‐matched healthy subjects. The study shows that evolution of hemodynamics and RPI, despite being very slow in ATAAs, is strongly affected by morphological alterations and, in turn could impact biomechanical factors and aortic mechanobiology. An aspect of the current work is that the patient‐specific 4D MRI data sets were obtained with a follow‐up of 1 year and the measured time‐averaged velocity maps and flow eccentricity were compared with the CFD simulation for validation. The computational framework presented here is capable of capturing the blood flow patterns and the hemodynamic descriptors during the various stages of aneurysm growth. Further investigations will be conducted in order to verify these results on a larger cohort of patients and with long follow‐up times to finally elucidate the link between deranged hemodynamics, AA geometry, and wall mechanical properties in ATAAs.
Crosslinked Coating Improves the Signal‐to‐Noise Ratio of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI)
Authors: Horvat Sonja , Vogel Patrick , Kampf Thomas , Brandl Andreas , Alshamsan Aws , Alhadlaq Hisham A. , Ahamed Maqusood , Albrecht Krystyna , Behr Volker C. , Beilhack Andreas , Groll Jürgen
Published: February 2020

Magnetic particle imaging is an emerging tomographic method used for evaluation of the spatial distribution of iron‐oxide nanoparticles. In this work, the effect of the polymer coating on the response of particles was studied. Particles with covalently crosslinked coating showed improved signal and image resolution.
To see or not to see: Importance of color perception to color therapy
Authors: Jonauskaite Domicele , Tremea Irina , Bürki Loyse , Diouf Cécile N. , Mohr Christine
Published: February 2020

Color therapy, healing through color, supposedly works through the physical exposure to color. In two studies, we assessed stress and anxiety reduction after color exposure using a commercially available relaxation‐through‐color routine. Participants either completed the routine by looking at the accompanying color disks or at a white patch. In study 1 (longitudinal), 60 participants completed the routine three times, each testing session separated by a week. In study 2 (cross‐sectional), 63 participants completed half of the trials once. In both studies, we recorded a decrease in stress and anxiety levels comparing before‐after scores. In study 1, we recorded incremental decreases with each week. Crucially, decreases were the same whether participants (a) physically saw colors or not, and (b) completed the full or shortened version. We conclude that other factors but physical exposure to color explain changes in affective states associated with this and probably other color therapy routines.
Thorough QT/QTc Study Shows That a Novel 5‐HT4 Receptor Partial Agonist Minesapride Has No Effect on QT Prolongation
Authors: Hamatani Tatsuto , Noda Naoto , Takagaki Takeshi , Yodo Yasuhide , Kawai Hirotaka , Kakuyama Hiroyoshi , Kaji Yoshikazu , Fujio Yasushi
Published: February 2020

Minesapride (drug code: DSP‐6952) is a potential gastrointestinal prokinetic agent with high selectivity for 5‐hydroxytryptamine 4 (5‐HT4) receptor that acts as a partial agonist. Although 5‐HT4 receptor agonists are expected to show efficacy in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, only tegaserod is available for female patients, with limitations, in the United States. Previously, another 5‐HT4 receptor agonist, cisapride, was widely used for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal diseases, but was withdrawn from the market because of arrhythmia with QT prolongation. Chemically, benzamide is one of the most common structures among 5‐HT4 receptor agonists. Some benzamide derivatives, such as cisapride, are responsible for QT prolongation, while some, such as mosapride, are not. Thus, we planned a thorough QT/QTc study to investigate the effects of minesapride, a newly designed benzamide derivative, on the QT/QTc. This was a randomized, placebo‐controlled, 4‐arm, 4‐period, crossover study conducted in healthy adults, with administration of single oral doses of minesapride (40 mg and 120 mg), placebo, and moxifloxacin in the fasted state. Minesapride and placebo were administered in a double‐blind fashion, while the positive control moxifloxacin was administered in an open‐label fashion. Japanese subjects (48 total: 24 males and 24 females) were randomized, and 47 subjects completed all treatment periods. A review of other electrocardiographic data revealed that neither therapeutic (40 mg) nor supratherapeutic (120 mg) doses of minesapride were associated with increased risk of prolonged QT interval.
Top corner gas concentration prediction using t‐distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding and Support Vector Regression algorithms
Authors: Wu Haibo , Shi Shiliang , Lu Yi , Liu Yong , Huang Weihong
Published: February 2020

The excess of gas concentration in the top corner of coal working face has always been the main factor restricting the safe productivity of coal mines. Therefore, the rapid and accurate prediction of top corner gas concentration is an effective method to prevent gas disasters. At the same time, the development of the Internet of things has made the gas monitoring data collected by the coal mine safety monitoring system exhibit nonlinear big data characteristics. In order to mine the characteristic data related to the gas concentration of the top corner from a high‐dimensional and nonlinear monitoring datasets, a model that integrates the t‐distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding algorithm (t‐SNE) and the Support Vector Regression (SVR) algorithm to predict the gas concentration of the top corner on the coal working face is proposed. First, the multidimensional monitoring data are nonlinearly dimension‐reduced by t‐SNE algorithm, which enabled the spatial feature data of the monitoring data to be extracted. After that, the SVR algorithm was used to construct the nonlinear regression model between the spatial feature data and the actual gas concentration of the top corner to predict the gas concentration of the top corner. The experimental results show that the predictive model based on t‐SNE and SVR was better than the multiple linear regression, SVR, Principal Components Analysis (PCA) + SVR. The results show the model based on t‐SNE and SVR was more stable and could provide more accurate predictions, anomaly sensitivity, and the fitness is 0.55628405, which can better fit the actual gas concentration of the top corner.
Pilot randomized controlled trial of a video self‐help intervention for depression based on acceptance and commitment therapy: Feasibility and acceptability
Authors: Gaudiano Brandon A. , Davis Carter H. , Miller Ivan W. , Uebelacker Lisa
Published: February 2020

A common setting where depression is identified and treated is in primary care, where there is a need for low‐intensity and cost‐effective interventions to be used as part of a stepped‐care model. The current study involved a pilot, parallel‐group, randomized controlled trial of a video self‐help intervention for primary care patients based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The intervention, called LifeStories, consisted of storytelling vignettes of patients describing their use of ACT‐consistent coping skills for depression. Primary care patients were recruited to determine feasibility, acceptability, and potential clinical effects of the intervention. Twenty‐one participants were assigned to use LifeStories over a period of 4 weeks, and 19 participants were assigned to an attention‐matched comparison group. Qualitative feedback indicated that participants using LifeStories found the intervention to be engaging and useful in transmitting key ACT principles. Furthermore, those receiving LifeStories rated their level of “transportation” or immersion in the videos higher than the control group. Both conditions showed large improvements in levels of depression at a 12‐week follow‐up. There were no significant differences in symptom outcomes between groups; however, because this was a pilot study, it was not powered to detect differences between interventions. Both conditions additionally showed smaller effect size changes in psychological flexibility, a key ACT mechanism. The results suggest LifeStories to be a feasible and acceptable psychological intervention that may improve depression, and further research is warranted to determine its effectiveness as part of a stepped‐care approach to treating depression in primary care.
Solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence and short‐term photosynthetic response to drought
Authors: Helm Levi T. , Shi Hanyu , Lerdau Manuel T. , Yang Xi
Published: February 2020

Drought is among the most damaging climate extremes, potentially causing significant decline in ecosystem functioning and services at the regional to global scale, thus monitoring of drought events is critically important. Solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) has been found to strongly correlate with gross primary production on the global scale. Recent advances in the remote sensing of SIF allow for large‐scale, real‐time estimation of photosynthesis using this relationship. However, several studies have used SIF to quantify the impact of drought with mixed results, and the leaf‐level mechanisms linking SIF and photosynthesis are unclear, particularly how the relationship may change under drought. We conducted a drought experiment with 2‐yr old Populus deltoides. We measured leaf‐level gas exchange, SIF, and pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorescence before and during the 1‐month drought. We found clear responses of net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance to water stress, however, SIF showed a smaller response to drought. Net photosynthesis (Anet) and conductance dropped 94% and 95% on average over the drought, while SIF values only decreased slightly (21%). Electron transport rate dropped 64% when compared to the control over the last week of drought, but the electron transport chain did not completely shut down as Anet approached zero. Additionally, SIF yield (SIFy) was positively correlated with steady‐state fluorescence (Fs) and negatively correlated with non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ; R2 = 0.77). Both Fs and SIFy, after normalization by the minimum fluorescence from a dark‐adapted sample (Fo), showed a more pronounced drought response, although the results suggest the response is complicated by several factors. Leaf‐level experiments can elucidate mechanisms behind large‐scale remote sensing observations of ecosystem functioning. The value of SIF as an accurate estimator of photosynthesis may decrease during mild stress events of short duration, especially when the response is primarily stomatal and not fully coupled with the light reactions of photosynthesis. We discuss potential factors affecting the weak SIF response to drought, including upregulation of NPQ, change in internal leaf structure and chlorophyll concentration, and photorespiration. The results suggest that SIF is mainly controlled by the light reactions of photosynthesis, which operate on different timescales than the stomatal response.
Drivers of global Scolytinae invasion patterns
Authors: Lantschner M. Victoria , Corley Juan C. , Liebhold Andrew M.
Published: February 2020

Biological invasions are affected by characteristics of invading species, strength of pathway connectivity among world regions and habitat characteristics of invaded regions. These factors may interact in complex ways to drive geographical variation in numbers of invasions among world regions. Understanding the role of these drivers provides information that is crucial to the development of effective biosecurity policies. Here we assemble for the first time a global database of historical invasions of Scolytinae species and explore factors explaining geographical variation in numbers of species invading different regions. This insect group includes several pest species with massive economic and ecological impacts and these beetles are known to be accidentally moved with wood packaging in global trade. Candidate explanatory characteristics included in this analysis are cumulative trade among world regions, size of source species pools, forest area, and climatic similarity of the invaded region with source regions. Species capable of sib‐mating comprised the highest proportion on nonnative Scolytines, and these species colonized a higher number of regions than outbreeders. The size of source species pools offered little power in explaining variation in numbers of invasions among world regions nor did climate or forest area. In contrast, cumulative trade had a strong and consistent positive relationship with numbers of Scolytinae species moving from one region to another, and this effect was highest for bark beetles, followed by ambrosia beetles, and was low for seed and twig feeders. We conclude that global variation in Scolytine invasions is primarily driven by variation in trade levels among world regions. Results stress the importance of global trade as the primary driver of historical Scolytinae invasions and we anticipate other hitchhiking species would exhibit similar patterns. One implication of these results is that invasions between certain world regions may be historically low because of past low levels of trade but future economic shifts could result in large numbers of new invasions as a result of increased trade among previously isolated portions of the world. With changing global flow of goods among world regions, it is crucial that biosecurity efforts keep pace to minimize future invasions and their impacts.
Nonlinear variation in clinging performance with surface roughness in geckos
Authors: Pillai Rishab , Nordberg Eric , Riedel Jendrian , Schwarzkopf Lin
Published: February 2020

Understanding the challenges faced by organisms moving within their environment is essential to comprehending the evolution of locomotor morphology and habitat use. Geckos have developed adhesive toe pads that enable exploitation of a wide range of microhabitats. These toe pads, and their adhesive mechanisms, have typically been studied using a range of artificial substrates, usually significantly smoother than those available in nature. Although these studies have been fundamental in understanding the mechanisms of attachment in geckos, it is unclear whether gecko attachment simply gradually declines with increased roughness as some researchers have suggested, or whether the interaction between the gekkotan adhesive system and surface roughness produces nonlinear relationships. To understand ecological challenges faced in their natural habitats, it is essential to use test surfaces that are more like surfaces used by geckos in nature. We tested gecko shear force (i.e., frictional force) generation as a measure of clinging performance on three artificial substrates. We selected substrates that exhibit microtopographies with peak‐to‐valley heights similar to those of substrates used in nature, to investigate performance on a range of smooth surfaces (glass), and fine‐grained (fine sandpaper) to rough (coarse sandpaper). We found that shear force did not decline monotonically with roughness, but varied nonlinearly among substrates. Clinging performance was greater on glass and coarse sandpaper than on fine sandpaper, and clinging performance was not significantly different between glass and coarse sandpaper. Our results demonstrate that performance on different substrates varies, probably depending on the underlying mechanisms of the adhesive apparatus in geckos.
Gene dose matters: Considerations for the use of inducible CD4‐CreERT2 mouse lines
Authors: Zeiträg Julia , Alterauge Dominik , Dahlström Frank , Baumjohann Dirk
Published: February 2020

A growing body of evidence suggests that Cre recombinase can be toxic to immune cells in various experimental settings. Cre recombinase toxicity is dependent on the level of Cre activity and may also interfere with cell proliferation. Here, we compared two different published tamoxifen‐inducible CD4‐CreERT2 mouse lines for their suitability to study the dynamics of T‐follicular helper cell responses in vivo. Our data underscore that under certain circumstances inducible Cre toxicity (tamoxifen application results in translocation of preformed CreERT2 to the nucleus) interferes with cell survival and, therefore, necessitates careful interpretation of experimental data and the inclusion of appropriate controls. Interestingly, our data indicate that low expression of CreERT2 can still allow for efficient recombination in proliferating lymphocytes without causing excessive cell loss due to Cre toxicity.
Dry Reforming of Methane under Mild Conditions Using Radio Frequency Plasma
Authors: Devid Edwin , Zhang Diyu , Wang Dongping , Ronda-Lloret Maria , Huang Qiang , Rothenberg Gadi , Shiju N. Raveendran , Kleyn Aart W.
Published: February 2020

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is a challenging process wherein methane reacts with CO2 to give syngas. This reaction is strongly endothermic, typically requiring temperatures higher than 500 °C. Catalysts can be used, but the high temperatures (which are a thermodynamic requirement) often lead to catalyst deactivation. Herein, the reaction from another conceptual direction is approached, using low‐power radio frequency inductively coupled plasma (RF‐ICP). It is demonstrated that this system can give high conversions of methane and CO2 at near‐ambient temperatures. Importantly, the energy costs in this system are considerably lower compared with other plasma‐driven DRM processes. Furthermore, it is shown that the yield of hydrogen can be increased by minimizing the C2 compound formation. The factors that govern the DRM process and discuss Hα emission and its influence on H atom recycling in the process are examined.
Modeling study on the influence of the strip filling mining sequence on mining‐induced failure
Authors: Jiang Ning , Wang Changxiang , Pan Haiyang , Yin Dawei , Ma Junbiao
Published: February 2020

The strip filling mining method can solve the problems related to mining under structures, under aquifers, and under infrastructure (3U coal seams), while the reasonable selection of the mining and filling sequence still requires further investigation. The current study was conducted to investigate the stress and surface subsidence of a filling body (or coal pillar) under two filling sequences through theoretical analysis, similar simulation tests, and numerical simulations. To achieve optimal filling materials for the Liudong Coal Mine, a low‐strength similar paste filling material composed of fly ash, gypsum, and sand was developed. The relationships between the strength and the cement ratio and between the strength and the sand‐binder ratio were discussed. Similar simulation tests showed that mining scheme 1 (mining before filling) could lead to the formation of an isolated island coal pillar in the mining process, mining scheme 2 (filling before mining) had less influence on surface subsidence, and the stress on the filling body was smaller for scheme 2 than for scheme 1. The distributions of the stress and plastic zone in the two different mining and filling sequences were obtained through numerical simulations. The method of first filling and then mining could greatly reduce the stress concentration and plastic zone during the mining process. In summary, mining scheme 2 (filling before mining) can avoid the formation of isolated island coal pillars in the process of mining, and without considering other factors, scheme 2 should be adopted as much as possible.
Effect of the addition of microcapsules with avocado peel extract and nisin on the quality of ground beef
Authors: Calderón‐Oliver Mariel , Escalona‐Buendía Héctor B. , Ponce‐Alquicira Edith
Published: February 2020

This study evaluated the incorporation of microcapsules containing nisin and avocado peel extract on the shelf life of ground beef. Ten treatments were studied and divided into two groups: one packaged under vacuum and the other in permeable packaging. Each group contained: (a) control, (b) extract, (c) nisin, (d) empty microcapsules (only wall microcapsule system), and (e) microcapsules with extract and nisin. The samples containing the microcapsules presented lower bacterial growth and less oxidation. On day 10, the vacuum‐packaged samples with microencapsulated preservative presented a reduction in the oxidation of proteins of approximately 45%, of 30% in the growth of mesophiles, and of 38% in the growth of coliforms, as well as a reduction in the changes in the pH and ɑW that occur during storage, compared with the permeable control. The combination of microcapsules with vacuum packaging reduced the physicochemical and microbiological changes that occur in the controls.
Paleogene vegetation changes in Primorye, Far East of Russia: A study based on diversity of plant functional types
Authors: Bondarenko Olesya V. , Blokhina Nadezhda I. , Henrot Alexandra‐J. , Utescher Torsten
Published: February 2020

Paleogene vegetation changes in Primorye (Far East of Russia) are studied using the Plant Functional Types (PFT) Approach, for the first time applied on the large palaeobotanical records of this region. The palaeobotanical data for this reconstruction are based on the analysis of 30 palynofloras and 24 leaf floras covering the Early Palaeocene to Late Oligocene. The vegetation reconstruction at the level of PFTs in general points to the presence of mesophytic forest vegetation in Primorye throughout the Paleogene. While in the Palaeocene vegetation of Primorye was of temperate deciduous type, warm temperate‐mixed evergreen‐deciduous forests dominated in the Eocene and Early Oligocene. In the Late Oligocene, the vegetation of Primorye was again primarily deciduous, mixed evergreen‐deciduous forests persisted at places. The observed vegetation patterns and their changes through time in many cases can be correlated with spatial climate patterns and the overall continental palaeoclimate evolution, as recently reconstructed from the same palaeobotanical record. The higher‐than‐present spatial homogeneity of Paleogene vegetation coincides with shallow temperature gradients and a significantly more humid regional rainfall pattern over Primorye during the Paleogene.
Alterations and test–retest reliability of functional connectivity network measures in cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Gesierich Benno , Tuladhar Anil Man , ter Telgte Annemieke , Wiegertjes Kim , Konieczny Marek J. , Finsterwalder Sofia , Hübner Mathias , Pirpamer Lukas , Koini Marisa , Abdulkadir Ahmed , Franzmeier Nicolai , Norris David G. , Marques José P. , zu Eulenburg Peter , Ewers Michael , Schmidt Reinhold , de Leeuw Frank‐Erik , Duering Marco
Published: February 2020

While structural network analysis consolidated the hypothesis of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) being a disconnection syndrome, little is known about functional changes on the level of brain networks. In patients with genetically defined SVD (CADASIL, n = 41) and sporadic SVD (n = 46), we independently tested the hypothesis that functional networks change with SVD burden and mediate the effect of disease burden on cognitive performance, in particular slowing of processing speed. We further determined test–retest reliability of functional network measures in sporadic SVD patients participating in a high‐frequency (monthly) serial imaging study (RUN DMC—InTENse, median: 8 MRIs per participant). Functional networks for the whole brain and major subsystems (i.e., default mode network, DMN; fronto‐parietal task control network, FPCN; visual network, VN; hand somatosensory‐motor network, HSMN) were constructed based on resting‐state multi‐band functional MRI. In CADASIL, global efficiency (a graph metric capturing network integration) of the DMN was lower in patients with high disease burden (standardized beta = −.44; p [corrected] = .035) and mediated the negative effect of disease burden on processing speed (indirect path: std. beta = −.20, p = .047; direct path: std. beta = −.19, p = .25; total effect: std. beta = −.39, p = .02). The corresponding analyses in sporadic SVD showed no effect. Intraclass correlations in the high‐frequency serial MRI dataset of the sporadic SVD patients revealed poor test–retest reliability and analysis of individual variability suggested an influence of age, but not disease burden, on global efficiency. In conclusion, our results suggest that changes in functional connectivity networks mediate the effect of SVD‐related brain damage on cognitive deficits. However, limited reliability of functional network measures, possibly due to age‐related comorbidities, impedes the analysis in elderly SVD patients.