bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rectifying Effect of the Sr3Al2O6/Ga2O3 Heterojunction
Authors: Liu Zeng , Wang Xia , Zhi Yusong , Wang Xiaolong , Chu Xulong , Li Shan , Yan Zuyong , Li Peigang , Tang Weihua
Published: August 2019

Oxide semiconductors, including binary and ternary oxides, are promising to be utilized as active layers in electronics. The heterojunctions based on oxides exhibit many attractive physical and structural properties and are preferably used to fabricate devices. Herein, Sr3Al2O6/Ga2O3 heterojunction is fabricated using radiofrequency magnetron sputtering on silicon substrate, which shows an enhanced current–voltage characteristic under the 254 nm ultraviolet light illumination due to the photogenerated carriers in Ga2O3. In addition, the heterojunction provides evident rectified properties in the dark, and the improved rectified properties can be obtained under the 254 nm UV light illumination due to the electron‐hole pairs separation in the depletion region due to the built‐in electric field, while the rectified ratio decrease from ≈700 at ±0.5 to ≈20 V at ±5 V, which is due to the electron tunneling caused by shrinking depletion layer. Moreover, the band offsets of the heterojunction is determined by the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which suggests a type I alignment with conduction band offset of 0.94 ± 0.02 eV and valence band offset of 0.53 ± 0.02 eV. The interfacial energy band offsets verify the potential implication for their rectifying property.
Rapid and sensitive analytical procedure for biomonitoring of organophosphate pesticide metabolites in human urine samples using a vortex‐assisted salt‐induced liquid–liquid microextraction technique coupled with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Pasupuleti Raghavendra Rao , Tsai Pei‐Chien , Lin Pi‐I D. , Wu Ming‐Tsang , Ponnusamy Vinoth Kumar
Published: August 2019

Rationale

Organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) are the most commonly used insecticides around the world in various agricultural and domestic practices, and humans are frequently exposed to these hazardous insecticides that can lead to several chronic health effects. Therefore, a fast and sensitive analytical method is required for biomonitoring the markers of OPPs in humans for exposure estimation. In this study, a fast and sensitive analytical procedure was developed for the determination of the metabolites of OPPs in human urine samples.

Methods

Metabolites of OPPs were extracted from 2 mL of urine sample using a novel vortex‐assisted salt‐induced liquid–liquid microextraction (VA‐SI‐LLME) technique, and the preconcentrated metabolites were analyzed by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS/MS). Various factors affecting the efficiency of VA‐SI‐LLME were thoroughly investigated.

Results

The metabolites of OPPs exhibited very good linearity over the concentration range between 0.05 and 50 ng mL−1 with coefficient (r2) values ranging between 0.9986 and 0.9999. The method showed excellent sensitivity with detection limits ranging from 0.01 to 0.03 ng mL−1 and quantification limits from 0.03 to 0.05 ng mL−1. The developed method was applied to the analysis of real samples and the recoveries ranged between 85.0 and 114.1% with related standard deviations <5%.

Conclusions

The results showed the VA‐SI‐LLME/UHPLC/MS/MS method to be a simple, rapid, sensitive, and selective analytical procedure for the biomonitoring of the metabolites of OPPs in humans. This efficient and cost‐effective analytical method could be a potential alternative method for the biomonitoring of the metabolites of pesticides in humans.
A novel automated lumen segmentation and classification algorithm for detection of irregular protrusion after stents deployment
Authors: Yang Su , Yoon Hyuck‐Jun , Yazdi Seyed Jamaleddin Mostafavi , Lee Jong‐Ha
Published: August 2019

Background

Clinically, irregular protrusions and blockages after stent deployment can lead to significant adverse outcomes such as thrombotic reocclusion or restenosis. In this study, we propose a novel fully automated method for irregular lumen segmentation and normal/abnormal lumen classification.

Methods

The proposed method consists of a lumen segmentation, feature extraction, and lumen classification. In total, 92 features were extracted to classify normal/abnormal lumen. The lumen classification method is a combination of supervised learning algorithm and feature selection that is a partition‐membership filter method.

Results

As the results, our proposed lumen segmentation method obtained the average of dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and the accuracy of proposed features and the random forest (RF) for normal/abnormal lumen classification as 97.6% and 98.2%, respectively.

Conclusions

Therefore, we can lead to better understanding of the overall vascular status and help to determine cardiovascular diagnosis.
Monitoring of environmental flow outcomes in a large river basin: The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder's long‐term intervention in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia
Authors: Gawne Ben , Hale Jenni , Stewardson Michael J. , Webb James A. , Ryder Darren S. , Brooks Shane S. , Campbell Cherie J. , Capon Samantha J. , Everingham Penny , Grace Mike R. , Guarino Fiorenzo , Stoffels Rick J.
Published: August 2019

The Murray–Darling Basin in south‐eastern Australia contains over 70,000 km2 of wetlands and floodplains, many of which are in poor condition. In response, Australian governments have committed to a major restoration program, the Murray–Darling Basin Plan that includes management of 2,750 Gl of environmental water to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems. The restoration is being undertaken within an adaptive management framework that includes monitoring the outcomes of environmental flows in seven river valleys. This paper provides an overview of the 5‐year monitoring project and some preliminary results. Monitoring design considered the Basin Plan's environmental objectives, conceptual models of ecosystem responses to flow, and an outcomes framework linking flow responses to the environmental objectives. Monitoring indicators includes ecosystem type, vegetation, river metabolism, and fish. Responses are evaluated to identify the contribution of environmental flows to Basin Plan environmental objectives and continual improvements in management. The program is unique in that it seeks to monitor long‐term outcomes of environmental flows at the river basin scale. Despite many challenges, the monitoring has become a key part of the adaptive management of environmental flows in the Murray–Darling Basin.
Chemicals are contaminants too: Teaching appreciation and critique of science in the era of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Authors: Morales‐Doyle Daniel , Childress Price Tiffany , Chappell Mindy J.
Published: August 2019

This article examines the tensions that arose as teachers, scientists, youth, and community organizers worked to develop a curriculum that was responsive to community concerns and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Within the context of urban heavy metal contamination and building on previous critiques of the standards, we identified how the ideological commitments of the NGSS hinder their applicability to community issues. We examine latent ideological commitments in the performance expectations (PEs) and disciplinary core ideas as they relate to historical and present causes and consequences of urban heavy metal contamination. Whereas the scientific enterprise and chemical industry produce harms and benefits, the NGSS focus on benefits and ignore that both harms and benefits of science are unevenly distributed. Given the pressure on teachers to implement the NGSS, this paper presents examples from collaborative curriculum development efforts that meet PEs while pushing students to ask critical questions and engage with their communities to challenge the standards’ alignment with the chemical industry. Ultimately, we argue that the NGSS position teachers as promoters of the status quo of the scientific enterprise and we document possibilities for the role of science teachers in US schools that are more transformative.
Morphology‐Controlled Synthesis of CuO, CuO Rod/MWW Composite for Advanced Oxidation of Indole and Benzothiophene
Authors: Fard Narges Elmi , Fazaeli Reza , Yousefi Mohammad , Abdolmohammadi Shahrzad
Published: August 2019

Various morphologies of copper (II) oxide (CuO) such as dandelion, sea anemone, walnut, leaf, dendrite, rod, fiber, feather, and flake were synthesized and characterized by different methods. The oxidation of indole (IND) and benzothiophene (BT) in mild conditions was studied by various morphologies of CuO. Walnut with the lowest surface area 7.928 (m2g−1) and rod with a high surface area 41.237 (m2g−1) had efficiencies of 5.93% and 91.44% for IND and 0.53% and 88.29% for BT at 4 h, respectively. Zeolite MWW was synthesized by microwave and hydrothermal method on which CuO rod was loaded via wet impregnation method. The results indicated that CuO rod/MWW composite considerably outperformed CuO rod. The oxidations of IND and BT by CuO rod/MWW composite for 75 min was 99.99 and 97.67%, respectively. Based on the results across all experiments, the oxidation of the IND was higher than that of BT. CuO rod/MWW composite was shown to be an efficient catalyst for oxidation of nitrogen and sulfur heterocycles.
Proline‐derived Monodentate Organocatalyst for Asymmetric Reduction of Imine with HSiCl3
Authors: Li Qiang , Li Yuan , Yang Qingbiao , Bai Fuquan
Published: August 2019

An organocatalyst was developed for the reduction of imines with a rational reaction process and new mechanism that the hydrogen proton triggered the reaction other than the nucleophilic hydrogen from HSiCl3 based on extensive theoretical calculations, which was different from the previous study. The Electronic Static Potential and Fukui function indicate that the azobenzene moiety of the catalyst effectively is beneficial to enhance the attraction of electrons and stabilize the π‐π stacking between the catalyst and reactant. Furthermore, the entire catalytic process was simulated by theoretical calculations, which indicated that the single carbonyl ligand of the N–formyl–proline derivative activated HSiCl3, instead of the bidentate ligand. Utilizing the concept of green chemistry, the catalyst could be recycled using Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles through the self‐assembly method with only a slight decrease in activity.
Transport Phenomena in Zeolites in View of Graph Theory and Pseudo‐Phase Transition
Authors: Cai Dali , Xiong Hao , Zhang Chenxi , Wei Fei
Published: August 2019

Transport phenomena play an essential role in catalysis. While zeolite catalysis is widely applied in industrial chemical processes, its efficiency is often limited by the transport rate in the micropores of the zeolite. Experimental and theoretical methods are useful for understanding the transport phenomena on multiscale levels. Traditional diffusion models usually use a linear driving force and an isotropic continuum medium, such that transport in a hierarchical catalyst structure and the occurrence of nonlinear deactivation cannot be well understood. Due to the presence of spatial confinement and an ordered structure, some aspects of the transport in a zeolite cannot be regarded as continuum phenomena and discrete models are being developed to explain these. Graph theory and small‐world networks are powerful tools that have allowed pseudo‐phase transition phenomena and other nontrivial relationships to be clearly revealed. Discrete models that include graph theory can build a bridge between microscopic quantum physics and macroscopic catalyst engineering in both the space and time scales. For a fuller understanding of transport phenomena in diverse fields, several theoretical methods need to be combined for a comprehensive multiscale analysis.
Rapid Production of Cell‐Laden Microspheres Using a Flexible Microfluidic Encapsulation Platform
Authors: Seeto Wen J. , Tian Yuan , Pradhan Shantanu , Kerscher Petra , Lipke Elizabeth A.
Published: August 2019

This study establishes a novel microfluidic platform for rapid encapsulation of cells at high densities in photocrosslinkable microspherical hydrogels including poly(ethylene glycol)‐diacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol)‐fibrinogen, and gelatin methacrylate. Cell‐laden hydrogel microspheres are advantageous for many applications from drug screening to regenerative medicine. Employing microfluidic systems is considered the most efficient method for scale‐up production of uniform microspheres. However, existing platforms have been constrained by traditional microfabrication techniques for device fabrication, restricting microsphere diameter to below 200 µm and making iterative design changes time‐consuming and costly. Using a new molding technique, the microfluidic device employs a modified T‐junction design with readily adjustable channel sizes, enabling production of highly uniform microspheres with cell densities (10–60 million cells mL−1) and a wide range of diameters (300–1100 µm), which are critical for realizing downstream applications, through rapid photocrosslinking (≈1 s per microsphere). Multiple cell types are encapsulated at rates of up to 1 million cells per min, are evenly distributed throughout the microspheres, and maintain high viability and appropriate cellular activities in long‐term culture. This microfluidic encapsulation platform is a valuable and readily adoptable tool for numerous applications, including supporting injectable cell therapy, bioreactor‐based cell expansion and differentiation, and high throughput tissue sphere‐based drug testing assays.
Bioinspired Peptoid Nanotubes for Targeted Tumor Cell Imaging and Chemo‐Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Luo Yanan , Song Yang , Wang Mingming , Jian Tengyue , Ding Shichao , Mu Peng , Liao Zhihao , Shi Qiurong , Cai Xiaoli , Jin Haibao , Du Dan , Dong Wen‐Ji , Chen Chun‐Long , Lin Yuehe
Published: August 2019

Substantial progress has been made in applying nanotubes in biomedical applications such as bioimaging and drug delivery due to their unique architecture, characterized by very large internal surface areas and high aspect ratios. However, the biomedical applications of organic nanotubes, especially for those assembled from sequence‐defined molecules, are very uncommon. In this paper, the synthesis of two new peptoid nanotubes (PepTs1 and PepTs2) is reported by using sequence‐defined and ligand‐tagged peptoids as building blocks. These nanotubes are highly robust due to sharing a similar structure to those of nontagged ones, and offer great potential to hold guest molecules for biomedical applications. The findings indicate that peptoid nanotubes loaded with doxorubicin drugs are promising candidates for targeted tumor cell imaging and chemo‐photodynamic therapy.
Unconventional Atomic Structure of Graphene Sheets on Solid Substrates
Authors: Zhang Jinjin , Yang Yizhou , Yang Shuo , Song Jie , Wang Ying , Liu Xiaoguo , Yang Qingqing , Shen Yue , Wang Shuo , Yang Haijun , Lü Junhong , Li Bin , Fang Haiping , Lal Ratnesh , Czajkowsky Daniel M. , Hu Jun , Shi Guosheng , Zhang Yi
Published: August 2019

The atomic structure of free‐standing graphene comprises flat hexagonal rings with a 2.5 Å period, which is conventionally considered the only atomic period and determines the unique properties of graphene. Here, an unexpected highly ordered orthorhombic structure of graphene is directly observed with a lattice constant of ≈5 Å, spontaneously formed on various substrates. First‐principles computations show that this unconventional structure can be attributed to the dipole between the graphene surface and substrates, which produces an interfacial electric field and induces atomic rearrangement on the graphene surface. Further, the formation of the orthorhombic structure can be controlled by an artificially generated interfacial electric field. Importantly, the 5 Å crystal can be manipulated and transformed in a continuous and reversible manner. Notably, the orthorhombic lattice can control the epitaxial self‐assembly of amyloids. The findings reveal new insights about the atomic structure of graphene, and open up new avenues to manipulate graphene lattices.
Microfluidics‐Assisted Assembly of Injectable Photonic Hydrogels toward Reflective Cooling
Authors: Zhu Zhijie , Liu Ji‐Dong , Liu Chang , Wu Xingjiang , Li Qing , Chen Su , Zhao Xin , Weitz David A.
Published: August 2019

Development of fast curing and easy modeling of colloidal photonic crystals is highly desirable for various applications. Here, a novel type of injectable photonic hydrogel (IPH) is proposed to achieve self‐healable structural color by integrating microfluidics‐derived photonic supraballs with supramolecular hydrogels. The supramolecular hydrogel is engineered via incorporating β‐cyclodextrin/poly(2‐hydroxypropyl acrylate‐co‐N‐vinylimidazole) (CD/poly(HPA‐co‐VI)) with methacrylated gelatin (GelMA), and serves as a scaffold for colloidal crystal arrays. The photonic supraballs derived from the microfluidics techniques, exhibit excellent compatibility with the hydrogel scaffolds, leading to enhanced assembly efficiency. By virtue of hydrogen bonds and host–guest interactions, a series of self‐healable photonic hydrogels (linear, planar, and spiral assemblies) can be facilely assembled. It is demonstrated that the spherical symmetry of the photonic supraballs endows them with identical optical responses independent of viewing angles. In addition, by taking the advantage of angle independent spectrum characteristics, the IPH presents beneficial effects in reflective cooling, which can achieve up to 17.4 °C in passive solar reflective cooling. The strategy represents an easy‐to‐perform platform for the construction of IPH, providing novel insights into macroscopic self‐assembly toward thermal management applications.
Identifying and predicting key features to support bug reporting
Authors: Karim Md. Rejaul , Ihara Akinori , Choi Eunjong , Iida Hajimu
Published: August 2019

Bug reports are the primary means through which developers triage and fix bugs. To achieve this effectively, bug reports need to clearly describe those features that are important for the developers. However, previous studies have found that reporters do not always provide such features. Therefore, we first perform an exploratory study to identify the key features that reporters frequently miss in their initial bug report submissions. Then, we propose an approach that predicts whether reporters should provide certain key features to ensure a good bug report. A case study of the bug reports for Camel, Derby, Wicket, Firefox, and Thunderbird projects shows that Steps to Reproduce, Test Case, Code Example, Stack Trace, and Expected Behavior are the additional features that reporters most often omit from their initial bug report submissions. We also find that these features significantly affect the bug‐fixing process. On the basis of our findings, we build and evaluate classification models using four different text‐classification techniques to predict key features by leveraging historical bug‐fixing knowledge. The evaluation results show that our models can effectively predict the key features. Our comparative study of different text‐classification techniques shows that naïve Bayes multinomial (NBM) outperforms other techniques. Our findings can benefit reporters to improve the contents of bug reports.
A cross‐scale refined damage evolution analysis of large commercial aircraft crashing into a nuclear power plant
Authors: Zou Degao , Sui Yi , Chen Kai , Yu Xiang
Published: August 2019

Since the 9/11 attacks, whether nuclear power plants (NPPs) can withstand the malicious impact of large commercial aircraft has become a question that must be considered in the design phase. Refined model and fine‐scale element reflect more accurately the failure procedure and behaviour. However, due to the exceedingly complex structure of NPP, the traditional meshing method requires a substantial number of geometric operations involving point, line, area, and volume, leading to a tedious modelling process and very high computational costs, as well as making it difficult to modify and optimize the model. This paper combines the scaled boundary finite element method with the octree technique to refine nuclear engineering damage evolution analysis and establish a refined numerical model of the Generation III+ NPP, considering the detailed equipment hatch, air intake, and internal steel containment vessel structures. Subsequently, the refined damage evolution analysis of a large commercial aircraft crashing into an NPP was developed. The mesh size sensitivity, impact region shape comparison, and the influence of different impact heights were discussed. The results indicate that the cross‐scale refined meshing and analysis method provides a high‐quality discrete grid with fewer elements. Furthermore, this method is highly flexible, more accurately simulating the damage evolution and gradual destruction process. We recommend future structural optimization for the air intake and conducting detailed analyses at this location. The cross‐scale analysis method presented in this paper enables a rapid, refined simulation of a malicious impact by a large commercial aircraft. Additionally, it provides technical support for future studies of the responses of NPPs' internal structures, systems, and equipment under extreme earthquake and other disaster conditions.
Generic classification of Amaryllidaceae tribe Hippeastreae
Authors: García Nicolás , Meerow Alan W. , Arroyo‐Leuenberger Silvia , Oliveira Renata S. , Dutilh Julie H. , Soltis Pamela S. , Judd Walter S.
Published: August 2019

A robust generic classification for Amaryllidaceae has remained elusive mainly due to the lack of unequivocal diagnostic characters, a consequence of highly canalized variation and a deeply reticulated evolutionary history. A consensus classification is proposed here, based on recent molecular phylogenetic studies, morphological and cytogenetic variation, and accounting for secondary criteria of classification, such as nomenclatural stability. Using the latest sutribal classification of Hippeastreae (Hippeastrinae and Traubiinae) as a foundation, we propose the recognition of six genera, namely Eremolirion gen. nov., Hippeastrum, Phycella s.l., Rhodolirium s.str., Traubia, and Zephyranthes s.l. A subgeneric classification is suggested for Hippeastrum and Zephyranthes to denote putative subclades. In Hippeastrum, we recognize H. subg. Hippeastrum and H. subg. Tocantinia. In Zephyranthes, Z. subg. Eithea, Z. subg. Habranthus, Z. subg. Myostemma (= core Rhodophiala clade), Z. subg. Neorhodophiala subg. nov., and Z. subg. Zephyranthes are recognized. Descriptions, synonymy, taxonomic keys, and new combinations are provided for each genus and subgenus.
A componovation perspective of innovation in emerging markets: Evidence from Indian organizations
Authors: Dutta Swarup K. , Snehvrat Saurav
Published: August 2019

In todays market landscape firms can effectively compete without the benefit of resource advantages, proprietary technology, or market power but by being more aligned towards creative combination and responsive innovation. This study approaches the concept of componovation from the composition based view (CBV) developed by Luo and Child. The CBV emphasizes how firms with ordinary resource endowments can achieve outstanding results through the creative use of open resources and unique integrating capabilities that result in an enhanced speed and a value‐price ratio that are well suited to large numbers of mass market consumers. Thus componovation is a new approach aimed at innovation in emerging markets.
Microplastic concentrations, size distribution, and polymer types in the surface waters of a northern European lake
Authors: Uurasjärvi Emilia , Hartikainen Samuel , Setälä Outi , Lehtiniemi Maiju , Koistinen Arto
Published: August 2019

We examined microplastic concentrations, size distributions, and polymer types in surface waters of a northern European dimictic lake. Two sampling methods, a pump sieving water onto filters with different pore sizes (20, 100, and 300 µm) and a common manta trawl (333 µm), were utilized to sample surface water from 12 sites at the vicinity of potential sources for microplastic emissions. The number and polymer types of microplastics in the samples were determined with optical microscopy and μFTIR spectroscopy. The average concentrations were 0.27 ± 0.18 (mean ± SD) microplastics/m3 in manta trawled samples and 1.8 ± 2.3 (>300 μm), 12 ± 17 (100–300 μm) and 155 ± 73 (20–100 μm) microplastics/m3 in pump filtered samples. The majority (64%) of the identified microplastics (n = 168) were fibers, and the rest were fragments. Materials were identified as polymers commonly used in consumer products, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Microplastic concentrations were high near the discharge pipe of a wastewater treatment plant, harbors, and snow dumping site.

Practitioner points

Samples were taken with a manta trawl (333 μm) and a pump filtration system (300/100/20 μm)

With pump filtration, small 20–300 μm particles were more common than >300 μm particles

The average concentration of manta trawled samples was 0.27 ± 0.18 (mean ± SD) microplastics/m3

FTIR analysis revealed PE, PP, PET, and PAN to be the most common polymers
Introduction
Authors: Rowe Peter G. , Hee Limin
Published: August 2019

This book is about Singapore’s development into a city in which water and vegetation, along with associated environmental, technical, social and political aspects have been harnessed and cultivated into a livable sustainable way of life. It is also a story about a unique and thoroughgoing approach to large-scale and potentially transferable water sustainability, within largely urbanized circumstances, which can be achieved, along with complementary roles of environmental conservation, ecology, public open-space management and the greening of buildings, together with infrastructural improvements.
Water Resources and Sustainability
Authors: Rowe Peter G. , Hee Limin
Published: August 2019

In addition to ‘green and clean’ in the service of national identity, equality and attractiveness, sustainability of Singapore with regard to water supply and use is of strategic national concern. Indeed, it is expected to achieve this by 2061 when Singapore’s remaining water agreement with neighboring Malaysia will end, even though imported sources from Malaysia account for 40% or so of overall supply as of 2009. Moreover, sustainability in this regard is so strategically important that all other matters of national concern ‘bend at the knee’, so to speak, in abeyance to this single outcome and issue. At present Singapore is dependent upon what are called its ‘four national taps’ as its supply strategy. In addition to importation, ‘local water catchment’ provides some supply, largely by way of collecting and channeling rainwater to Singapore’s 17 reservoirs via a network of rivers, canals and drains.
A Phase 1 study of BAL101553, a novel tumor checkpoint controller targeting microtubules, administered as 48-h infusion in adult patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Joerger Markus , Stathis Anastasios , Metaxas Yannis , Hess Dagmar , Mantiero Mara , Mark Michael , Volden Matthias , Kaindl Thomas , Engelhardt Marc , Larger Patrice , Lane Heidi , Hafner Peter , Levy Nicole , Stuedeli Silvia , Sessa Cristiana , von Moos Roger
Published: August 2019

Purpose BAL101553, the prodrug of the microtubule-destabilizer BAL27862, previously showed signs of antitumor activity when administered as a 2-h infusion, but its use was limited by vascular toxicity. We investigated an alternative dosing strategy aimed at improving the safety profile of BAL101553. Methods This multicenter, open-label, Phase 1 dose-escalation study used a 3 + 3 design to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity of BAL101553 administered as a 48-h IV infusion on Days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Patients received oral BAL101553 on Days 15–21 of cycle 2 to assess oral bioavailability. Results BAL101553 was well tolerated at doses up to ≤70 mg/m2. Three grade 3 DLTs occurred: hypotension (70 mg/m2), hyponatremia and neutropenia (both 90 mg/m2). The MTD for 48-h IV BAL101553 was 70 mg/m2. At this dose level, the AUC for BAL27862 was 8580 ng.h/mL and the Cmax was 144 ng/mL. No apparent dose-related effects on blood pressure were observed with 48-h BAL101553 IV infusion. BAL27862 oral bioavailability was >80%. Conclusions Continuous 48-h IV BAL101553 infusion achieved higher exposure of the BAL27862 active metabolite than a 2-h infusion at the RP2D and did not cause vascular toxicity. Clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT02895360.
Information Transfer in Generalized Probabilistic Theories Based on Weak Repeatability
Authors: Wu Zhaoqi , Fei Shao-Ming , Li-Jost Xianqing , Zhang Lin
Published: August 2019

Information transfer in generalized probabilistic theories (GPT) is an important problem. We have dealt with the problem based on repeatability postulate, which generalizes Zurek’s result to the GPT framework (Wu et al., Phys. Lett. A 379, 2694, 2015). A natural question arises: can we deduce the information transfer result under weaker assumptions? In this paper, we generalize Zurek’s result to the framework of GPT using weak repeatability postulate. We show that if distinguishable information can be transferred from a physical system to a series of apparatuses under the weak repeatability postulate in GPT, then the initial states of the physical system must be completely distinguishable. Moreover, after each step of invertible transformation, the composite states of the composite system composed of the physical systems and the apparatuses must also be completely distinguishable.
Position Statement on the Use of Medical Cannabis for the Treatment of Epilepsy in Canada
Authors: Appendino Juan Pablo , Boelman Cyrus , Brna Paula M. , Burneo Jorge G. , Claassen Curtis S. , Connolly Mary B. , De Guzman Michael V. T. , Federico Paolo , Floyd Deirdre , Huntsman Richard James , Javidan Manouchehr , Jette Nathalie , Jurasek Laura L , Keezer Mark R. , Lau Jonathan C. , McCoy Bláthnaid , McLachlan Richard S , Ng Marcus C. , Nguyen Dang Khoa , Reid Aylin Y , Rho Jong M. , Snead O. Carter , Téllez-Zenteno José F. , Wang Laura , Zak Maria Martha
Published: August 2019

In Canada, recreational use of cannabis was legalized in October 2018. This policy change along with recent publications evaluating the efficacy of cannabis for the medical treatment of epilepsy and media awareness about its use have increased the public interest about this agent. The Canadian League Against Epilepsy Medical Therapeutics Committee, along with a multidisciplinary group of experts and Canadian Epilepsy Alliance representatives, has developed a position statement about the use of medical cannabis for epilepsy. This article addresses the current Canadian legal framework, recent publications about its efficacy and safety profile, and our understanding of the clinical issues that should be considered when contemplating cannabis use for medical purposes.
Hyperbaric Oxygen for Radiation Necrosis of the Brain
Authors: Co Jayson , De Moraes Marcus Vinicius , Katznelson Rita , Evans A. Wayne , Shultz David , Laperriere Normand , Millar Barbara-Ann , Berlin Alejandro , Kongkham Paul , Tsang Derek S.
Published: August 2019

Introduction:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) shows promising results in treating radionecrosis (RN) but there is limited evidence for its use in brain RN. The purpose of this study is to report the outcomes of using HBOT for symptomatic brain RN at a single institution.

Methods:

This was a retrospective review of patients with symptomatic brain RN between 2008 and 2018 and was treated with HBOT. Demographic data, steroid use, clinical response, radiologic response and toxicities were collected. The index time for analysis was the first day of HBOT. The primary endpoint was clinical improvement of a presenting symptom, including steroid dose reduction.

Results:

Thirteen patients who received HBOT for symptomatic RN were included. The median time from last brain radiation therapy to presenting symptoms of brain RN was 6 months. Twelve patients (92%) had clinical improvement with median time to symptom improvement of 33 days (range 1–109 days). One patient had transient improvement after HBOT but had recurrent symptomatic RN at 12 months. Of the eight patients with evaluable follow-up MRI, four patients had radiological improvement while four had stable necrosis appearance. Two patients had subsequent deterioration in MRI appearances, one each in the background of initial radiologic improvement and stability. Median survival was 15 months with median follow-up of 10 months. Seven patients reported side effects attributable to HBOT (54%), four of which were otologic in origin.

Conclusions:

HBOT is a safe and effective treatment for brain RN. HBOT showed clinical and radiologic improvement or stability in most patients. Prospective studies to further evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of HBOT are needed.
Prolonged postprocedural antimicrobial use: A survey of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America Research Network
Authors: Puig-Asensio Mireia , Perencevich Eli N. , Livorsi Daniel J.
Published: August 2019

Continuing surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis after the incision is closed is not recommended in current guidelines. Our survey found that only 30.8% of hospitals had fully adopted these new recommendations. Feedback on prophylaxis duration was infrequently provided. Promoting guideline-concordant surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis discontinuation is an important target for future stewardship interventions.
Self-Compassion and Compassion Towards One's Partner Mediate the Negative Association Between Insecure Attachment and Relationship Quality
Authors: Bolt Olivia C. , Jones Fergal W. , Rudaz Myriam , Ledermann Thomas , Irons Chris
Published: August 2019

The quality of intimate relationships has been found to be a strong negative predictor for individuals’ mental and physical health problems. A significant predictor of relationship quality is adult attachment insecurity, but the mechanism by which attachment insecurity affects relationship quality needs further investigation. This study investigated whether self-compassion and compassion for one's partner mediated this association. Three hundred and forty-two individuals participated in an online survey assessing attachment anxiety and avoidance, compassionate and uncompassionate attitudes towards self and one's partner, as well as relationship quality and relationship satisfaction. The results showed that low self-compassionate attitude mediated the association between attachment anxiety and poor relationship quality. Further, low compassionate and high uncompassionate attitude towards one's partner mediated the association between attachment avoidance and poor relationship quality. No mediating effect was found for relationship satisfaction. Implications for interventions are discussed.
How to Assess Power Law Behavior Using Stochastic Process Methods: A Note of Caution
Authors: Fatke Matthias
Published: August 2019

Power law distributions have a certain appeal to researchers, not least because they often insinuate a general empirical law. Hence, searching for them in data generated by social and political processes has become popular. In the political science literature, however, power law behavior has rarely been assessed rigorously. Relying mainly on qualitative appraisals of log–log plots, merely a necessary, but no sufficient, condition of power law behavior is tested. This letter therefore seconds the note of caution expressed recently. Moreover, it showcases the use of a principled statistical framework to test power law behavior in a quantitative manner. Applying this method to a seminal case in political science, the results of the analysis invite an empirical as well as theoretical refinement of the claim that changes in public budgets follow a power law. In a more general sense, the letter wishes to contribute to a more thorough practice of stochastic process methods in political science.
Prime amphicheiral knots with free period 2
Authors: Paoluzzi Luisa , Sakuma Makoto
Published: August 2019

We construct prime amphicheiral knots that have free period 2. This settles an open question raised by the second-named author, who proved that amphicheiral hyperbolic knots cannot admit free periods and that prime amphicheiral knots cannot admit free periods of order > 2.
Redescription ofAcanthogyrus(Acanthosentis)maroccanus(Dollfus, 1951) (Acanthocephala: Quadrigyridae), a parasite of the Algerian barbLuciobarbus callensis(Valenciennes) (Cyprinidae) in Algeria, and first molecular data
Authors: Menasria A. , Barčák D. , Kaouachi N. , Bensouilah M. , Scholz T. , Hernández-Orts J.S.
Published: August 2019

Acanthogyrus(Acanthosentis)maroccanus(Dollfus, 1951), an insufficiently described quadrigyrid acanthocephalan of cyprinid fishes from Northwest Africa, is redescribed based on recently collected specimens from the Algerian barbLuciobarbus callensis(Valenciennes) in Algeria. Newly observed morphological features forA.(A.)maroccanusinclude the arrangement of proboscis hooks (not in regular circles), the male reproductive structures extending into the copulatory bursa and the presence of a para-receptacle structure and vaginal sleeve. The mechanism of copulation of this acanthocephalan is described based on several copulating pairs. The phylogenetic position ofA.(A.)maroccanuswithin Eoacanthocephala was assessed based on partial 28S rDNA sequences. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses placedA.(A.)maroccanusin a clade withPalliolisentis(Demidueterospinus)ophiocephalus(Thapar, 1931), both species included in the Quadrigyridae, the only family within the Gyracanthocephala.
America’s Largest Denomination: None
Authors: Norpoth Helmut
Published: August 2019

By a measure of religious affiliation used by Gallup polls for nearly a century, the denomination with the largest following in the United States has always turned out to be “None,” ahead of Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, or any other faith. The existence of such a large flock without religious affiliation might be expected for a country with a Constitution guaranteeing freedom of and from religion. The secular portion of the American electorate has always been big enough to wield, potentially at least, political clout. Its partisan attachments have consistently favored the Democratic over the Republican side. What is limiting the electoral clout of the “Nones” today is that nearly half of them profess no partisan affiliation. They are Independents in matters of both churchandstate.
Exploring the Parameter Space of Point Spread Function Determination for the Scanning Electron Microscope—Part II: Effect on Image Restoration Quality
Authors: Nevins Mandy C. , Hailstone Richard K. , Lifshin Eric
Published: August 2019

Point spread function (PSF) deconvolution is an attractive software-based technique for resolution improvement in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) because it can restore information which has been blurred by challenging operating conditions. In Part 1, we studied a modern PSF determination method for SEM and explored how various parameters affected the method's ability to accurately estimate the PSF. In Part 2, we extend this exploration to PSF deconvolution for image restoration. The parameters include reference particle size, PSF smoothing (K), background correction, and restoration denoising (λ). Image quality was assessed by visual inspection and Fourier analysis. Overall, PSF deconvolution improved image quality. Low λ enhanced image sharpness at the cost of noise, while high λ created smoother restorations with less detail. λ should be chosen to balance feature preservation and denoising based on the application. Reference particle size within ±0.9 nm and K within a reasonable range had little effect on restoration quality. Restorations using background-corrected PSFs had superior quality compared with using no background correction, but if the correction was too high, the PSF was cut off causing blurrier restorations. Future efforts to automatically determine parameters would remove user guesswork, improve this method's consistency, and maximize interpretability of outputs.
Processing Techniques for Scanning Electron Microscopy Imaging of Giant Cells from Giant Cell Tumors of Bone
Authors: Mridha Asit Ranjan , Barwal Indu , Gupta Abhishek , Majeed Abdul , Barwad Adarsh W. , Kumar Venkatesan Sampath , Gamanagatti Shivanand , Yadav Subhash Chandra
Published: August 2019

Giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone is a common benign lesion that causes significant morbidity due to the failure of modern medical and surgical treatment. Surface ultra-structures of giant cells (GCs) may help in distinguishing aggressive tumors from indolent GC lesions. This study aimed to standardize scanning electron microscopic (SEM) imaging of GC from GCT of bone. Fresh GCT collected in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium was washed to remove blood, homogenized, or treated with collagenase to isolate the GCs. Mechanically homogenized and collagenase-digested GCs were imaged on SEM after commonly used drying methodologies such as air-drying, tetramethylsilane (TMS)-drying, freeze-drying, and critical point-drying (CPD) for the optimization of sample processing. The collagenase-treated samples yielded a greater number of isolated GC and showed better surface morphology in comparison to mechanical homogenization. Air-drying was associated with marked cell shrinkage, and freeze-dried samples showed severe cell damage. TMS methodology partially preserved the cell contour and surface structures, although the cell shape was distorted. GC images with optimum surface morphology including membrane folding and microvesicular structures on the surface were observed only in collagenase-treated and critical point-dried samples. Collagenase digestion and critical point/TMS-drying should be performed for optimal SEM imaging of individual GCs.
Sweetpotato tolerance to saflufenacil and rimsulfuron/thifensulfuron-methyl applied pretransplanting
Authors: Meyers Stephen L. , Shankle Mark W. , Garrett Trevor F.
Published: August 2019

Field studies were conducted at the Pontotoc Ridge–Flatwoods Branch Experiment Station in Pontotoc, MS, in 2016 and 2017 to determine sweetpotato crop response to saflufenacil and rimsulfuron/thifensulfuron-methyl. Saflufenacil treatments consisted of a factorial of two rates (25 or 50 g ai ha–1) by three application timings [0, 3, or 6 wk before transplanting (WBP)]. Rimsulfuron/thifensulfuron-methyl treatments consisted of a factorial of two rates (18/18 or 35/35 g ai ha–1) by two application timings (3 or 6 WBP). A nontreated check was included for comparison. Saflufenacil resulted in as much as 20% stunting injury in 2016, but ≤4% crop injury in 2017. Compared to the nontreated check, saflufenacil did not reduce yield of any sweetpotato grade regardless of application rate or timing. Findings from this trial indicate that saflufenacil applied in pre-transplanting burndown and field preparation procedures did not have a negative impact on the subsequent sweetpotato crop and that the current plant-back interval (4 to 5 mo) may be excessive. Applications of rimsulfuron/thifensulfuron-methyl at 35/35 g ha–1 made 3 WBP resulted in significant crop injury but did not reduce yield of any sweetpotato grade. Findings from this trial suggest that rimsulfuron/thifensulfuron-methyl applications up to 35/35 g ha–1 applied at least 6 WBP and 18/18 g ha–1 applied at least 3 WBP had little impact on sweetpotato crop growth and may be a safe preplant burndown option.
Integrated management of glyphosate-resistant horseweed (Erigeron canadensis) with tillage and herbicides in soybean
Authors: Chahal Parminder S. , Jhala Amit J.
Published: August 2019

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) horseweed is one of the most common and troublesome weeds in soybean production fields in several states in the United States, including Nebraska. The evolution of horseweed resistant to several herbicide sites of action has prioritized an integrated approach, including tillage, for effective management of this problem weed. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of tillage or herbicide applied in fall or spring followed by a PRE, POST, and PRE followed by a POST herbicide program for GR horseweed control as well as GR soybean injury and yield in Nebraska. Field studies were established in the fall 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 growing seasons using a factorial randomized complete block design with shallow tillage or herbicide applied at different timings as two factors. Shallow tillage was accomplished using a 50-cm-wide rototiller operated at a depth of 10 cm. At soybean harvest, tillage applied the previous year in fall or spring without any follow-up herbicide treatment provided 79% to 88% horseweed control compared with 27% and 56% control with 2,4-D plus carfentrazone applied in fall and spring, respectively. Tillage or herbicide applied in fall or spring followed by a PRE, POST, or PRE and POST herbicide provided 82% to 99% GR horseweed control at soybean harvest. Soybean yield in this study was similar in most treatments. Tillage or herbicide applied in fall or spring provided similar horseweed control and soybean yield when followed by a PRE, POST, or PRE and POST herbicide; therefore, fall- or spring-applied herbicides can be rotated with shallow tillage for integrated season-long horseweed management.
Toward Realistic Nonstationarity of Semidiurnal Baroclinic Tides in a Hydrodynamic Model
Authors: Nelson Arin D. , Arbic Brian K. , Zaron Edward D. , Savage Anna C. , Richman James G. , Buijsman Maarten C. , Shriver Jay F.
Published: August 2019

Semidiurnal baroclinic tide sea surface height (SSH) variance and semidiurnal nonstationary variance fraction (SNVF) are compared between a hydrodynamic model and altimetry for the low‐ to middle‐latitude global ocean. Tidal frequencies are aliased by ∼10‐day altimeter sampling, which makes it impossible to unambiguously identify nonstationary tidal signals from the observations. In order to better understand altimeter sampling artifacts, the model was analyzed using its native hourly outputs and by subsampling it in the same manner as altimeters. Different estimates of the semidiurnal nonstationary and total SSH variance are obtained with the model depending on whether they are identified in the frequency domain or wavenumber domain and depending on the temporal sampling of the model output. Five sources of ambiguity in the interpretation of the altimetry are identified and briefly discussed. When the model and altimetry are analyzed in the same manner, they display qualitatively similar spatial patterns of semidiurnal baroclinic tides. The SNVF typically correlates above 80% at all latitudes between the different analysis methods and above 60% between the model and altimetry. The choice of analysis methodology was found to have a profound effect on estimates of the semidiurnal baroclinic SSH variance with the wavenumber domain methodology underestimating the semidiurnal nonstationary and total SSH variances by 68% and 66%, respectively. These results produce a SNVF estimate from altimetry that is biased low by a factor of 0.92. This bias is primarily a consequence of the ambiguity in the separation of tidal and mesoscale signals in the wavenumber domain.