bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thioether‐Functionalized Quinone‐Based Resorcin[4]arene Cavitands: Electroswitchable Molecular Actuators
Authors: Milić Jovana V. , Schneeberger Thomas , Zalibera Michal , Milowska Karolina Z. , Ong Quy K. , Trapp Nils , Ruhlmann Laurent , Boudon Corinne , Thilgen Carlo , Diederich François
Published: February 2019

The utility of molecular actuators in nanoelectronics requires activation of mechanical motion by electric charge at the interface with conductive surfaces. We functionalized redox‐active resorcin[4]arene‐quinone cavitands with thioethers as surface‐anchoring groups at the lower rim and investigated their propensity to act as electroswitchable actuators that can adopt two different conformations in response to changes in applied potential. Molecular design was assessed by DFT calculations and X‐ray analysis. Electronic properties were experimentally studied in solution and thin films electrochemically, as well as by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy on gold substrates. The redox interconversion between the oxidized (quinone, Q) and the reduced (semiquinone, SQ) state was monitored by UV‐Vis‐NIR spectroelectrochemistry and EPR spectroscopy. Reduction to the SQ state induces a conformational change, providing the basis for potential voltage‐controlled molecular actuating devices.
Anlotinib, a novel small molecular tyrosine kinase inhibitor, suppresses growth and metastasis via dual blockade of VEGFR2 and MET in osteosarcoma
Authors: Wang Gangyang , Sun Mengxiong , Jiang Yafei , Zhang Tao , Sun Wei , Wang Hongsheng , Yin Fei , Wang Zhuoying , Sang Weilin , Xu Jing , Mao Min , Zuo Dongqing , Zhou Zifei , Wang Chongren , Fu Zeze , Wang Zongyi , Duan Zhenfeng , Hua Yingqi , Cai Zhengdong
Published: February 2019

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents, with highly aggressive behavior and early systemic metastasis. The survival rates for osteosarcoma remain unchanged over the past two decades. Studies aiming to find new or alternative therapies for patients with refractory osteosarcoma are urgently needed. Anlotinib, a novel multi‐targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), has exhibited encouraging clinical activity in NSLCC and soft tissue sarcoma, whereas its effect on osteosarcoma has not been studied. In our study, we investigated the anti‐tumor activity and underlying mechanism of anlotinib in osteosarcoma. Various in vitro and in vivo models of human osteosarcoma were used to determine the anti‐proliferative, anti‐angiogenesis and anti‐metastasis efficacy of anlotinib. Our results showed that anlotinib suppressed tumor growth and increased the chemo‐sensitivity of osteosarcoma. In addition, anlotinib inhibited migration and invasion in osteosarcoma cells. Furthermore, in order to explore the anti‐tumor mechanism of anlotinib, phospho‐RTK antibody arrays were performed. These analyses confirmed that anlotinib suppressed the phosphorylation of MET, VEGFR2 and the downstream signaling pathway activation. Moreover, we demonstrated that anlotinib blocked hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)‐induced cell migration, invasion and VEGF‐induced angiogenesis. Notably, a 143B‐Luc orthotopic osteosarcoma model further showed that anlotinib significantly inhibited growth and lung metastasis of implanted tumor cells. Our preclinical work indicates that anlotinib acts as a novel inhibitor of VEGFR2 and MET that blocks tumorigenesis in osteosarcoma, which could be translated into future clinical trials.
Prevalence and clinical outcomes of germline mutations in BRCA1/2 and PALB2 genes in 2769 unselected breast cancer patients in China
Authors: Deng Mei , Chen Hui‐Hui , Zhu Xuan , Luo Meng , Zhang Kun , Xu Chun‐Jing , Hu Kai‐Min , Cheng Pu , Zhou Jiao‐Jiao , Zheng Shu , Chen Yi‐Ding
Published: February 2019

To gain more information on the prevalence of germline mutations in BRCA1/2 and PALB2 genes in the Chinese population, and to explore the effects of the mutation status of these genes on clinical outcomes in patients with breast cancer, we performed a screening for BRCA1/2 and PALB2 mutations in a consecutive series of unselected breast cancer patients in the Chinese population. A total of 2,769 cases were enrolled between June 1993 and September 2017. All of the exons and exon–intron boundaries of the BRCA1/2 and PALB2 genes were screened with next‐generation sequencing. Of the 2,769 breast cancer patients, BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2 mutations accounted for 2.7% (n = 74), 2.7% (n = 76), and 0.9% (n = 24), respectively. The BRCA1 gene had the highest mutation frequency in patients with triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC), which was 9.6% (n = 42), while the BRCA2 gene had the highest mutation frequency in patients with Luminal, which was 3.2% (n = 58). The disease‐free survival (DFS) of BRCA1 mutation carriers was significantly lower than that of noncarriers (adjusted HR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.15–4.18, p = 0.017). The mutation status of the PALB2 gene was significantly associated with the decline in overall survival (OS) (adjusted HR = 8.38, 95% CI = 2.19–32.11, p = 0.002). No significant difference was found between BRCA2 pathogenic mutation carriers and noncarriers. These results demonstrate that BRCA1 mutation status may be associated with a worse disease progression in patients with breast cancer, and women who harbored a PALB2 mutation might be at a higher risk of death due to breast cancer compared to noncarriers.
Immunophenotypes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Meta‐analysis of transcriptional subtypes
Authors: de Santiago Ines , Yau Christopher , Heij Lara , Middleton Mark R. , Markowetz Florian , Grabsch Heike I. , Dustin Michael L. , Sivakumar Shivan
Published: February 2019

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common malignancy of the pancreas and has one of the highest mortality rates of any cancer type with a 5‐year survival rate of <5%. Recent studies of PDAC have provided several transcriptomic classifications based on separate analyses of individual patient cohorts. There is a need to provide a unified transcriptomic PDAC classification driven by therapeutically relevant biologic rationale to inform future treatment strategies. Here, we used an integrative meta‐analysis of 353 patients from four different studies to derive a PDAC classification based on immunologic parameters. This consensus clustering approach indicated transcriptomic signatures based on immune infiltrate classified as adaptive, innate and immune‐exclusion subtypes. This reveals the existence of microenvironmental interpatient heterogeneity within PDAC and could serve to drive novel therapeutic strategies in PDAC including immune modulation approaches to treating this disease.
Towards an optical diagnostic system for otitis media using a combination of otoscopy and spectroscopy
Authors: Hu Lingna , Li Wansha , Lin Huiying , Li Ying , Zhang Hao , Svanberg Katarina , Svanberg Sune
Published: February 2019

An improved method, where conventional otoscope investigation of human suspicious otitis media is combined with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and gas in scattering media absorption spectroscopy (GASMAS) is being developed. Otitis media is one of the most common infectious diseases in children, whose Eustachian tube connecting the middle ear with the nasal cavity is more horizontal than for adults, which leads to impaired fluid drainage. At present, the use of an otoscope to visually observe possible changes in the tympanic membrane appearance is the main diagnostics method for otitis media. Inaccurate diagnosis related to similar symptoms, and the difficulty for small children to describe the condition experienced, frequently leads to over‐prescription of antibiotics and alarming increase in bacterial resistance development. More accurate diagnostic methods are highly desirable. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is a non‐invasive quantitative spectroscopic technique that enables to objectively quantify changes in the hemoglobin content of the tympanic membrane related to inflammation. If an infection is present, the ventilatory function of the Eustachian tube is frequently impaired and the middle‐ear cavity will be filled with fluid. GASMAS, a non‐invasive detection method, can non‐invasively determine if gas is replaced by fluid in the middle‐ear cavity.
Autobiographical memory specificity across life periods in people with schizophrenia
Authors: Nieto Marta , Latorre José Miguel , García‐Rico María Arantzazu , Hernández‐Viadel José Vicente , Ros Laura , Ricarte Jorge Javier
Published: February 2019

Objective

Because the well‐known relationship between autobiographical memory (AM) with social functioning and psychopathology can manifest itself in a different way for memories of different life periods, the current work assesses AM specificity deficits across different life stages in people with schizophrenia.

Method

This cross‐sectional study compares the performance of specific AM in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (n = 53, 78% male, 39.03 mean age) and controls (
n = 69, 88% male, 36.65 mean age) for four life periods (childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, and the year preceding the assessment) using the Autobiographical Memory Enquiry.

Results

The results revealed worse AM performance in people with schizophrenia, especially for memory of events occurring over the preceding year, and the use of overgeneral memory style for life periods succeeding childhood.

Conclusion

These results highlight the need for systematic assessment of difficulties in retrieving specific memories across life periods in people with schizophrenia.
Exosomes derived from SDF1‐overexpressing mesenchymal stem cells inhibit ischemic myocardial cell apoptosis and promote cardiac endothelial microvascular regeneration in mice with myocardial infarction
Authors: Gong Xu‐He , Liu Hui , Wang Si‐Jia , Liang Si‐Wen , Wang Guo‐Gan
Published: February 2019

Exosomes extracted from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was reported to reduce myocardial ischemia/reperfusion damage. Besides, stromal‐derived factor 1 (SDF1a) functions as cardiac repair after myocardial infarction (MI). Therefore, the present study aims to identify whether exosomes (Exo) released from SDF1‐overexpressing MSCs display a beneficial effect on ischemic myocardial infarction. Initially, a gain‐of‐function study was performed to investigate the function of SDF1 in ischemic myocardial cells and cardiac endothelial cells. Coculture experiments were performed to measure potential exosomic transfer of SDF1 from MSCs to ischemic myocardial cells and cardiac endothelial cells. During the coculture experiments, exosome secretion was disrupted by neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitor GW4869 and upregulated exosomal SDF1 using SDF1 plasmid. Effects of Exo‐SDF1 on cardiac function in MI mice were investigated in vivo. MSCs suppressed myocardial cell apoptosis and promoted microvascular regeneration of endothelial cells through secretion of exosomes. The addition of GW4869 led to increased apoptotic capacity of myocardial cells, decreased microvascular formation ability of endothelial cells, enhanced autophagy ability, and elevated Beclin‐1 level as well as ratio of LC3II/LC3I. Overexpression of SDF1 and Exo‐SDF1 inhibited apoptosis and autophagy of myocardial cells, but promoted tube formation of endothelial cells. The interference of PI3K signaling pathway promoted apoptosis and autophagy of myocardial cells, but inhibited tube formation of endothelial cells. SDF1 activated the PI3K signaling pathway. Exo‐SDF1 protected cardiac function of MI mice and inhibited myocardial tissue damage. This study provided evidence that SDF1 overexpression in MSCs‐derived exosomes inhibited autophagy of ischemic myocardial cells and promoted microvascular production of endothelial cells.
Quality of written record following mock eyewitness testimony: Note taking should be a minimum standard!
Authors: Meise Jessica , Leue Anja
Published: February 2019

By using a video‐based narrative (unidirectional) eyewitness statement of an alleged victim, participants were asked to imagine they were police officers. We compared the quality of mock police officer written records in a between‐subjects design comprising three conditions: (a) a free recall (n = 27), (b) a free recall by using recall strategies of the cognitive interview (n = 27), or (c) note taking while watching the video (n = 26). The quality of the reports was determined by the amount of correctly recalled details, omitted details, added details (commission errors), and changed details (confabulations). As predicted, the number of correct details was higher in the “Note Taking” condition whereas performance in the “Free Recall” and in the “Cognitive Interview” conditions did not differ. Higher verbal memory ability resulted in a better quality of the written records. Our results suggest that note taking facilitates the quality of written records.
Th17 serum cytokines in relation to laboratory‐confirmed respiratory viral infection: A pilot study
Authors: Antalis Emmanouil , Spathis Aris , Kottaridi Christine , Kossyvakis Athanasios , Pastellas Kalliopi , Tsakalos Konstantinos , Mentis Andreas , Kroupis Christos , Tsiodras Sotirios
Published: February 2019

Background

Th17 cytokines are associated with modulation of inflammation and may be beneficial in clearing influenza infection in experimental models. The Th17 cytokine profile was evaluated in a pilot study of respiratory virus infections.

Methods

Consecutive patients with symptoms of respiratory tract infection visiting the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital during the winter influenza season of 2014 to 2015 were evaluated. CLART PneumoVir kit, (GENOMICA, Madrid, Spain) was used for viral detection of all known respiratory viruses. Th17 cytokine profile was evaluated with the MILLIPLEX MAP Human TH17 Magnetic Bead Panel (Millipore Corp., Billerica, MA). Correlation of the TH17 profile with viral detection was performed with univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

Seventy‐six patients were evaluated (median age 56 years, 51.3% female); a respiratory virus was identified in 60 (78.9%) patients; 45% had confirmed influenza. Influenza A (H3N2) correlated with higher levels of granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), interleukin 1β (IL‐1β), IL‐17A, IL‐17E, IL‐17F, IL‐21, IL‐22, and IL‐23 (P < 0.05 by analysis of variance [ANOVA]) compared with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Parainfluenza virus (PIV) similarly had higher levels of GM‐CSF, IL‐1b, IL‐17A, IL‐22 compared with those detected in RSV, influenza B and any other virus infection (
P < 0.05; ANOVA). Increasing age (β‐coefficient = 1.11, 95% CI, 1.04‐1.2,
P < 0.01) as well as IL‐17A levels (β‐coefficient = 1.03, 95% CI, 1.001‐1.05,
P = 0.04) predicted hospital admission.

Conclusion

Main Th17 cell effector cytokines were upregulated in laboratory‐confirmed A(H3N2) influenza and PIV. Excessive amounts of Th17 cytokines may be implicated in the pathogenesis and immune control of acute influenza and PIV infection in humans and may predict the severity of disease.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning in spine research
Authors: Galbusera Fabio , Casaroli Gloria , Bassani Tito
Published: February 2019

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques are revolutionizing several industrial and research fields like computer vision, autonomous driving, natural language processing, and speech recognition. These novel tools are already having a major impact in radiology, diagnostics, and many other fields in which the availability of automated solution may benefit the accuracy and repeatability of the execution of critical tasks. In this narrative review, we first present a brief description of the various techniques that are being developed nowadays, with special focus on those used in spine research. Then, we describe the applications of AI and ML to problems related to the spine which have been published so far, including the localization of vertebrae and discs in radiological images, image segmentation, computer‐aided diagnosis, prediction of clinical outcomes and complications, decision support systems, content‐based image retrieval, biomechanics, and motion analysis. Finally, we briefly discuss major ethical issues related to the use of AI in healthcare, namely, accountability, risk of biased decisions as well as data privacy and security, which are nowadays being debated in the scientific community and by regulatory agencies.
Cost burden and resource utilization in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps
Authors: Bhattacharyya Neil , Villeneuve Sara , Joish Vijay N. , Amand Caroline , Mannent Leda , Amin Nikhil , Rowe Paul , Maroni Jaman , Eckert Laurent , Yang Tony , Khan Asif
Published: February 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

Establish treatment patterns and economic burden in US patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) versus without chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Determine comparative costs of subgroups with high clinical burden.

Study Design

Observational, retrospective, case‐control study.

Methods

This study matched patients with CRSwNP to patients without CRS (1:1) using the Truven Health MarketScan US claims database. Categorical and continuous variables were compared using McNemar test and paired t test (normal distribution) or Wilcoxon signed rank tests (non‐normal distribution). Within subgroups, χ2 and Wilcoxon or t tests were used (normal distribution).

Results

There were 10,841 patients with CRSwNP and 10,841 patients without CRS included. Mean age in the CRSwNP cohort was 45.8 years; 56.2% were male. During follow‐up, patients with CRSwNP had an increased diagnosis of asthma versus patients without CRS (20.8% vs. 8.1%, respectively; P < .001). Annual incremental costs were $11,507 higher for patients with CRSwNP versus those without CRS. Costs were higher in subgroups of patients with CRSwNP undergoing functional endoscopy sinus surgery (FESS), with a comorbid diagnosis of asthma, receiving oral corticosteroids, or macrolides versus the overall CRSwNP group. Patients with CRSwNP undergoing FESS had the highest costs of the four subgroups ($26,724, $22,456, $20,695, and $20,990, respectively).

Conclusions

Annual incremental costs were higher among patients with CRSwNP versus without CRS. Patients with CRSwNP with high clinical burden had higher overall costs than CRSwNP patients without.

Level of Evidence

NA

Laryngoscope, 129:1969–1975, 2019
Multiple solutions for a class of quasilinear Schrödinger equations
Authors: Li Quanqing , Wang Wenbo , Teng Kaimin , Wu Xian
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we study the following quasilinear Schrödinger equations of the form
urn:x-wiley:0025584X:media:mana201700160:mana201700160-math-0001where , , . Some existence results for positive solutions, negative solutions and sequence of high energy solutions are obtained via a perturbation method.
Glycerol Induced Catalyst‐Free Curing of Epoxy and Vitrimer Preparation
Authors: Liu Tuan , Zhang Shuai , Hao Cheng , Verdi Christina , Liu Wangcheng , Liu Hang , Zhang Jinwen
Published: February 2019

Epoxy vitrimers prepared from anhydride‐cured epoxies exhibit, repairable and reprocessable properties; however, they generally rely on a large amount of catalyst for accelerating the dynamic transesterification (DTER). If the catalyst loading is not enough, the vitrimer properties will be limited. In this work, a preparation method of catalyst‐free epoxy vitrimer is demonstrated by adding glycerol to an epoxy–anhydride curing system. The hydroxyls of glycerol first react with the anhydride to induce the ring‐opening of anhydride and form a carboxylic acid, and the latter attacks the epoxy and form a β‐hydroxyester linkage, so the curing can be performed in the absence of catalyst. A significant amount of hydroxy groups are preserved in the crosslinked network, and they serve as both reacting moiety and catalyst for the DTER, which imparts fast relaxation and satisfactory repairability to the materials. By taking advantage of this mechanism, a catalyst‐free and self‐healing coating is demonstrated. These findings provide a solution to avoid using catalyst in vitrimer preparation and advance the application of vitrimer in coating. However, the addition of glycerol produces a decrease of the T
g of the final materials, which needs to be further addressed in the future study.
Arizona providers plagued with unpaid claims, layoffs after BH transition
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: February 2019

Faced with millions in unpaid claims, credentialing issues, service reductions and staff layoffs, Arizona community mental health providers are struggling to stay afloat amid a major transformation of its Medicaid system to a managed care delivery integrated care system. Some are on the brink of closure, say observers.
Technical Note: In silico and experimental evaluation of two leaf‐fitting algorithms for MLC tracking based on exposure error and plan complexity
Authors: Caillet Vincent , O'Brien Ricky , Moore Douglas , Poulsen Per , Pommer Tobias , Colvill Emma , Sawant Amit , Booth Jeremy , Keall Paul
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Multileaf collimator (MLC) tracking is being clinically pioneered to continuously compensate for thoracic and pelvic motion during radiotherapy. The purpose of this work was to characterize the performance of two MLC leaf‐fitting algorithms, direct optimization and piecewise optimization, for real‐time motion compensation with different plan complexity and tumor trajectories.

Methods

To test the algorithms, both in silico and phantom experiments were performed. The phantom experiments were performed on a Trilogy Varian linac and a HexaMotion programmable motion platform. High and low modulation VMAT plans for lung and prostate cancer cases were used along with eight patient‐measured organ‐specific trajectories. For both MLC leaf‐fitting algorithms, the plans were run with their corresponding patient trajectories. To compare algorithms, the average exposure errors, i.e., the difference in shape between ideal and fitted MLC leaves by the algorithm, plan complexity and system latency of each experiment were calculated.

Results

Comparison of exposure errors for the in silico and phantom experiments showed minor differences between the two algorithms. The average exposure errors for in silico experiments with low/high plan complexity were 0.66/0.88 cm2 for direct optimization and 0.66/0.88 cm2 for piecewise optimization, respectively. The average exposure errors for the phantom experiments with low/high plan complexity were 0.73/1.02 cm2 for direct and 0.73/1.02 cm2 for piecewise optimization, respectively. The measured latency for the direct optimization was 226 ± 10 ms and for the piecewise algorithm was 228 ± 10 ms. In silico and phantom exposure errors quantified for each treatment plan demonstrated that the exposure errors from the high plan complexity (0.96 cm2 mean, 2.88 cm2 95% percentile) were all significantly different from the low plan complexity (0.70 cm2 mean, 2.18 cm2 95% percentile) (P < 0.001, two‐tailed, Mann–Whitney statistical test).

Conclusions

The comparison between the two leaf‐fitting algorithms demonstrated no significant differences in exposure errors, neither in silico nor with phantom experiments. This study revealed that plan complexity impacts the overall exposure errors significantly more than the difference between the algorithms.
Sparsity and locally low rank regularization for MR fingerprinting
Authors: Lima da Cruz Gastão , Bustin Aurélien , Jaubert Oliver , Schneider Torben , Botnar René M. , Prieto Claudia
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Develop a sparse and locally low rank (LLR) regularized reconstruction to accelerate MR fingerprinting (MRF).

Methods

Recent works have introduced low rank reconstructions to MRF, based on temporal compression operators learned from the MRF dictionary. In other MR applications, LLR regularization has been introduced to exploit temporal redundancy in local regions of the image. Here, we propose to include spatial sparsity and LLR regularization terms in the MRF reconstruction. This approach, so called SLLR‐MRF, further reduces aliasing in the time‐point images and enables higher acceleration factors. The proposed approach was evaluated in simulations, T1/T2 phantom acquisition, and in vivo brain acquisitions in 5 healthy subjects with different undersampling factors. Acceleration was also used in vivo to enable acquisitions with higher in‐plane spatial resolution in comparable scan time.

Results

Simulations, phantom, and in vivo results show that low rank MRF reconstructions with high acceleration factors (<875 time‐point images, 1 radial spoke per time‐point) have residual aliasing artifacts that propagate into the parametric maps. The artifacts are reduced with the proposed SLLR‐MRF resulting in considerable improvements in precision, without changes in accuracy. In vivo results show improved parametric maps for the proposed SLLR‐MRF, potentially enabling MRF acquisitions with 1 radial spoke per time‐point in approximately 2.6 s (~600 time‐point images) for 2 × 2 mm and 9.6 s (1750 time‐point images) for 1 × 1 mm in‐plane resolution.

Conclusion

The proposed SLLR‐MRF reconstruction further improves parametric map quality compared with low rank MRF, enabling shorter scan times and/or increased spatial resolution.
Use of Active Workstations in Individuals with Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review
Authors: Josaphat Kapria‐Jad , Kugathasan Thiffya Arabi , E.R. Reid Ryan , Begon Mickael , Léger Pierre‐Majorique , Labonté‐Lemoyne Elise , Sénécal Sylvain , Arvisais Denis , Mathieu Marie‐Eve
Published: February 2019

Objective

This systematic review aims to collect existing literature and summarize the impact of active workstations on the health and work outcomes of participants with overweight or obesity.

Methods

Five databases were examined (until March 2018), and the keywords “desk,” “workstation,” “work station,” and “work stations” were used with any one of the following terms: “active,” “bik*,” “cycling,” “height adjustable,” “stepping,” “stand up,” “standing,” “treadmill*,” “walk*,” “elliptical,” “bicycl*,” “pedaling,” “stability ball,” “stability balls,” “exercise ball,” “exercise balls,” “swiss ball,” “swiss balls,” “sit‐to‐stand,” and “sit stand.”

Results

Nineteen studies (two with school‐aged children) were included in this review. Nine studies used treadmill, three used cycling, one used stepping, and twelve used standing desks. A decrease in sedentary time and an increase in physical activity level and energy expenditure were observed for most of the active workstations. Both the treadmill and the cycle desk improved glycemic control, but the treadmill desk was the only workstation for which improved work performance and help in body‐weight management (body fat percentage, body weight, waist and hip circumference) were reported.

Conclusions

Active workstations are a promising solution for decreasing occupational sedentariness. Overall, active workstations have a positive impact on energy expenditure and physical activity in individuals with overweight and obesity.
Spina bifida screening in the first trimester using ultrasound biparietal diameter measurement adjusted for crown‐rump length or abdominal circumference
Authors: Suresh Seshadri , Sudarshan Suresh , Rangaraj Arthi , Indrani Suresh , Cuckle Howard
Published: February 2019

Objective

Compare the performance of first trimester ultrasound biparietal diameter (BPD) screening for open spina bifida (OSB) when BPD is adjusted for crown‐rump length (CRL) or abdominal circumference (AC).

Methods

For 63 OSB and 24 265 unaffected pregnancies, BPD was expressed as multiple of the normal median (MoM) based on CRL and on AC, and as the ratio BPD/AC. Screening performance was assessed by the Mahalanobis distance, the observed detection rate with normal fifth and 10th percentile cut‐offs and the area under the receiver‐operator characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

Mahalanobis distance for BPD MoM was considerably higher when based on AC than on CRL: 1.69 versus 1.14. Screening performance was also higher: using a fifth percentile cut‐off, the detection rate was 59% compared with 41%; using a 10th percentile cut‐off, the rates were 63% and 51%. Whilst the false‐positives rates were slightly higher too—5.3% versus 5.1% and 10.8% versus 9.9%—the AUC was statistically significantly higher: 0.872 (95% CI, 0.816‐0.928) compared with 0.735 (95% CI, 0.664‐0.806). BPD/AC had intermediate performance.

Conclusion

The best results are obtained when AC, rather than CRL, is used to express BPD values in MoMs. First trimester OSB screening can detect half to two‐thirds of cases.
Efficient synthesis and properties of soluble aliphatic oligo(spiroorthocarbonate)s from pentaerythritol derivatives
Authors: Mori Yasuyuki , Sudo Atsushi , Endo Takeshi
Published: February 2019

A series of soluble oligo(spiroorthocarbonate)s (OSOCs) were synthesized by polycondensation of tetraethylorthocarbonate with pentaerythritol derivatives. The pentaerythritol derivatives used herein were synthesized from pentaerythritol by attaching substituents on it to improve the solubility of themselves and the resulting OSOCs. The structures of the OSOCs were confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and MALDI‐TOF mass analysis. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 792–798
Current state of the global operational aerosol multi‐model ensemble: An update from the International Cooperative for Aerosol Prediction (ICAP)
Authors: Xian Peng , Reid Jeffrey S. , Hyer Edward J. , Sampson Charles R. , Rubin Juli I. , Ades Melanie , Asencio Nicole , Basart Sara , Benedetti Angela , Bhattacharjee Partha S. , Brooks Malcolm E. , Colarco Peter R. , da Silva Arlindo M. , Eck Tom F. , Guth Jonathan , Jorba Oriol , Kouznetsov Rostislav , Kipling Zak , Sofiev Mikhail , Perez Garcia‐Pando Carlos , Pradhan Yaswant , Tanaka Taichu , Wang Jun , Westphal Douglas L. , Yumimoto Keiya , Zhang Jianglong
Published: February 2019

Since the first International Cooperative for Aerosol Prediction (ICAP) multi‐model ensemble (MME) study, the number of ICAP global operational aerosol models has increased from five to nine. An update of the current ICAP status is provided, along with an evaluation of the performance of ICAP‐MME over 2012–2017, with a focus on June 2016–May 2017. Evaluated with ground‐based Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) aerosol optical depth (AOD) and data assimilation quality MODerate‐resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) retrieval products, the ICAP‐MME AOD consensus remains the overall top‐scoring and most consistent performer among all models in terms of root‐mean‐square error (RMSE), bias and correlation for total, fine‐ and coarse‐mode AODs as well as dust AOD; this is similar to the first ICAP‐MME study. Further, over the years, the performance of ICAP‐MME is relatively stable and reliable compared to more variability in the individual models. The extent to which the AOD forecast error of ICAP‐MME can be predicted is also examined. Leading predictors are found to be the consensus mean and spread. Regression models of absolute forecast errors were built for AOD forecasts of different lengths for potential applications. ICAP‐MME performance in terms of modal AOD RMSEs of the 21 regionally representative sites over 2012–2017 suggests a general tendency for model improvements in fine‐mode AOD, especially over Asia. No significant improvement in coarse‐mode AOD is found overall for this time period.
Structures and bonding of B4O5 and B4O5− clusters: Emergence of boroxol ring and competition between rhombic B2O2 and hexagonal B3O3 cores
Authors: Li Da‐Zhi , Feng Lin‐Yan , Pei Ling , Song Ming‐Zhi , Zhang Li‐Juan , Wang Hui , Zhai Hua‐Jin
Published: February 2019

Boron oxide clusters are electron‐deficient species with novel structures and bonding, in which the emergence of rhombic and boroxol rings is of interest. We report on computational prediction of the global‐minimum structures for two boron oxide clusters: B4O5 and B4O5−. These structures differ distinctly, as established through global machine searches and electronic structure calculations at B3LYP and single‐point CCSD(T) levels. While B4O5 neutral cluster has a rhombic B2O2 core, the B4O5− anion features a boroxol B3O3 ring. One electron completely changes the potential landscapes. Bonding analyses show that the 4π electron‐counting is crucial for a rhombic BO cluster, in contrast to π sextet for a boroxol ring, which underlies the competition between rhombic and boroxol rings in B4O5/B4O5− clusters. A possible pathway for rhombic‐to‐hexagonal transformation is proposed based on intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations. Anion B4O5− cluster, a new member of the inorganic benzene family, is among the smallest BO species with a free‐standing boroxol ring, governed collectively by composition and electron‐counting.
Geographical traceability of Chinese green tea using stable isotope and multi‐element chemometrics
Authors: Liu Zhi , Yuan Yuwei , Zhang Yongzhi , Shi Yuanzhi , Hu Guixian , Zhu Jiahong , Rogers Karyne M.
Published: February 2019

Rationale

Deliberate and fraudulent origin mislabeling of Chinese green tea motivated by large price differences often brings significant food safety risks and damages consumer trust. Currently, there is no reliable method to verify the origin of green tea produced in China. Stable isotope and multi‐element analyses combined with statistical models are widely acknowledged as useful traceability techniques for many agro‐products, and could be developed to confirm the geographical origin of Chinese green tea and, more importantly, combat illegal green tea mislabeling and fraud.

Methods

An analytical strategy combining elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA/IRMS) and inductively plasma coupled mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) with chemometrics tools was used to confirm the origin of green tea grown in the main tea production provinces around China. Stable C, N, H, O isotope ratios and twenty elements were measured to build mathematical discriminant models using unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) and supervised linear discriminant analysis (LDA). Two main problems: (i) tracing the origin of Chinese green tea from different tea growing provinces (Zhejiang, Shandong, and other provinces); (ii) authentication of high‐value Westlake Longjing tea from the Westlake region and surrounding areas in Zhejiang province, were investigated and assessed.

Results

The results demonstrated that PCA and follow‐up LDA based on stable isotope and multi‐element signatures can verify the geographical origin of Chinese green tea from different provinces, and even localized zones in the same province could be distinguishable, with discrimination accuracies higher than 92.3% and 87.8%, respectively.

Conclusions

Geochemical fingerprinting techniques coupled with chemometric tools offer an accurate and effective verification method for the geographical origin of Chinese green tea, providing a promising tool to combat fraudulent mislabeling of high‐value green tea.
Compound‐specific 13C stable isotope probing confirms synthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate by soil bacteria
Authors: Mason‐Jones Kyle , Banfield Callum C. , Dippold Michaela A.
Published: February 2019

Rationale

Many bacteria synthesize carbon (C) and energy storage compounds, including water‐insoluble polyester lipids composed mainly or entirely of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). Despite the potential significance of C and energy storage for microbial life and C cycling, few measurements of PHB in soil have been reported.

Methods

A new protocol was implemented, based on an earlier sediment extraction and derivatization procedure, with quantification by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and 13C‐isotopic analysis by GC/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS).

Results

The PHB content was 4.3 μg C g−1 in an agricultural soil and 1.2 μg C g−1 in a forest topsoil. This was an order of magnitude more PHB than obtained by the existing extraction method, suggesting that native PHB in soil has been previously underestimated. Addition of glucose increased the PHB content by 135% and 1,215% over 5 days, with the largest increase in the relatively nutrient‐poor forest soil. In the agricultural soil, 68% of the increase was derived from added 13C‐labeled glucose, confirming synthesis of PHB from glucose for the first time in soil.

Conclusions

The presence and responsiveness of PHB in both these contrasting soils show that PHB could provide a useful indicator of bacterial nutritional status and unbalanced growth. Microbial storage could be important to C and nutrient cycling and be a widespread strategy in the life of soil bacteria. The presented method offers new insight into the significance of this compound in soil.
Risk‐adjusted CUSUM charts under model error
Authors: Knoth Sven , Wittenberg Philipp , Gan Fah Fatt
Published: February 2019

In recent years, quality control charts have been increasingly applied in the healthcare environment, for example, to monitor surgical performance. Risk‐adjusted cumulative (CUSUM) charts that utilize risk scores like the Parsonnet score to estimate the probability of death of a patient from an operation turn out to be susceptible to misfitted risk models causing deterioration of the charts' properties, in particular, the false alarm behavior. Our approach considers the application of power transformations in the logistic regression model to improve the fit to the binary outcome data. We propose two different approaches of estimating the power exponent δ. The average run length (ARL) to false alarm is calculated with the popular Markov chain approximation in a more efficient way by utilizing the Toeplitz structure of the transition matrix. A sensitivity analysis of the in‐control ARL against the true value δ shows potential effects of incorrect choice of δ. Depending on the underlying patient mix, the results vary from robustness to severe impact (doubling of false alarm rate).
Influenceof Vinyl Acetate Content on the Surface Hydrophobic Recovery of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer after Plasma Modification
Authors: Chen Xingxing , Huang Long , Dong Changji , Niu Lihui , Zhang Yong , Chen Zhe
Published: February 2019

In this paper, two kinds of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA) with different vinyl acetate (VA) contents were modified by plasma technique. The surface hydrophobic recovery and the nanostructure of the samples were evaluated by water contact angle measurement and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, respectively. The water contact angle results indicated that higher VA content would result in faster hydrophobic recovery after plasma modification. The positron annihilation results indicated that two kinds of EVA samples exhibited similar o‐Ps lifetime, and EVA with higher VA content showed higher o‐Ps intensity. The results implied that the faster hydrophobic recovery after plasma modification should be contributed to the easier relaxation of chain segments for the EVA with higher VA content.
Sox2 Expression Marks Castration-Resistant Progenitor Cells in the Adult Murine Prostate
Authors: McAuley Erin , Moline Daniel , VanOpstall Calvin , Lamperis Sophia , Brown Ryan , Vander Griend Donald J.
Published: February 2019

Identification of defined epithelial cell populations with progenitor properties is critical for understanding prostatic development and disease. Here, we demonstrate that Sox2 expression is enriched in the epithelial cells of the proximal prostate adjacent to the urethra. We use lineage tracing of Sox2-positive cells during prostatic development, homeostasis, and regeneration to show that the Sox2 lineage is capable of self-renewal and contributes to prostatic regeneration. Persisting luminal cells express Sox2 after castration, highlighting a potential role for Sox2 in cell survival and castration-resistance. In addition to revealing a novel progenitor population in the prostate, these data implicate Sox2 as a regulatory factor of adult prostate epithelial stem cells. Stem Cells  2019;37:690–700
Extracellular Vesicle-Educated Macrophages Promote Early Achilles Tendon Healing
Authors: Chamberlain Connie S. , Clements Anna E. B. , Kink John A. , Choi Ugeun , Baer Geoffrey S. , Halanski Matthew A. , Hematti Peiman , Vanderby Ray
Published: February 2019

Tendon healing follows a complex series of coordinated events, which ultimately produces a mechanically inferior tissue more scar-like than native tendon. More regenerative healing occurs when anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages play a more dominant role. Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are able to polarize macrophages to an M2 immunophenotype via paracrine mechanisms. We previously reported that coculture of CD14+ macrophages (MQs) with MSCs resulted in a unique M2-like macrophage. More recently, we generated M2-like macrophages using only extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from MSCs creating “EV-educated macrophages” (also called exosome-educated macrophages [EEMs]), thereby foregoing direct use of MSCs. For the current study, we hypothesized that cell therapy with EEMs would improve in vivo tendon healing by modulating tissue inflammation and endogenous macrophage immunophenotypes. We evaluated effects of EEMs using a mouse Achilles tendon rupture model and compared results to normal tendon healing (without any biologic intervention), MSCs, MQs, or EVs. We found that exogenous administration of EEMs directly into the wound promoted a healing response that was significantly more functional and more regenerative. Injured tendons treated with exogenous EEMs exhibited (a) improved mechanical properties, (b) reduced inflammation, and (c) earlier angiogenesis. Treatment with MSC-derived EVs alone were less effective functionally but stimulated a biological response as evidenced by an increased number of endothelial cells and decreased M1/M2 ratio. Because of their regenerative and immunomodulatory effects, EEM treament could provide a novel strategy to promote wound healing in this and various other musculoskeletal injuries or pathologies where inflammation and inadequate healing is problematic. Stem Cells  2019;37:652–662
In this issue of Weather
Authors: Galvin Jim
Published: February 2019

We begin the new year of Weather with a fascinating examination of oceanic salinity and its measurement from space in ‘Salinity from space’ by M Srokosz and C Banks. Most important in the process of oceanic circulation and analogous to humidity in the atmosphere, creating water masses with particular characteristics, is its salt content. The proportion and absolute amount of salt is variable, but until recently it has not been possible to sense this variation in near‐real time, the most readily available data being the system of Argo floats. This paper shows the value of the recently launched European Space Agency Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity satellites, which measure the salinity of all the world's oceans, every three days.

On p. 8, Alan Hisscott describes the use of a microwave sensor of the lower troposphere on the Isle of Man to explore atmospheric characteristics and weather features in ‘Exploiting wind profiler information’ using seven examples of data from the instrument.

Personal weather stations have become very popular in recent years and sharing the information gathered a useful adjunct to official weather observations. However, systems to allow this data to be seen on the Internet vary, as outlined by Michael Butler in ‘Personal weather stations and sharing weather data via the Internet’ on p. 22.

On p. 30, we have the third in our irregular series of Climate Change Shorts, this one asking ‘How is sea ice in the Arctic and Antarctic changing?’ by Dan Jones, Emily Shuckburgh and Ed Hawkins.

Our final paper this month looks at rainfall in north‐eastern India in ‘Spatial trends in rainfall seasonality: a case study in Jharkhand, India’ by Shonam Sharma and Prasoon Kumar Singh on p. 31.
Crystal Growth and Structure Determination of Pigment Orange 82
Authors: Kaiser Martin , Wosylus Aron , Gerke Birgit , Pöttgen Rainer , Prokeš Karel , Ruck Michael , Doert Thomas
Published: February 2019

The crystal structure of the important industrial orange pigment PO82, major part of the BASF Colors & Effects® product Sicopal® Orange K/L 2430, was solved from combined X‐ray single crystal, X‐ray and neutron powder diffraction, 119Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and chemical analyses. The structure contains Keggin type clusters composed of four [M3O13] trimers consisting each of three MO6 octahedra that share edges and one common oxygen atom connecting the trimers to the central ZnO4 tetrahedron. The octahedrally coordinated metal atom position is mixed occupied by Ti4+, Sn4+, and Zn2+. Adjacent Keggin clusters share vertices and are further interconnected to four ZnO4 tetrahedra. This framework of interconnected MO6 octahedra and ZnO4 tetrahedra contains channels along [110], in which the Sn2+ cations are located.
Hunger and socioeconomic background additively predict impulsivity in humans
Authors: Allen C. , Nettle D.
Published: February 2019

Impulsivity refers to the valuation of future rewards relative to immediate ones. From an evolutionary perspective, we should expect impulsivity to be sensitive to the current state of the organism (for example, hunger), and also its long-term developmental history. There is evidence that both current hunger and childhood socioeconomic deprivation are individually associated with impulsivity, but it is not known how these combine. For example, acute hunger might over-ride social gradients in baseline impulsivity, or alternatively, individuals who have experienced greater deprivation might respond more strongly to acute hunger. We aimed to investigate whether hunger and childhood socioeconomic deprivation act additively or interactively in three studies utilising delay discounting tasks. Childhood socioeconomic deprivation was measured using childhood postcode and a self-report measure. In two studies hunger was experimentally manipulated (n = 95 & n = 93 respectively), and in the third we simply measured natural variation. We employed a standard hypothetical delay discounting task in two studies, and a behavioural task with experienced delays in the third (n = 330). Although the individual studies varied in which predictors were statistically significant, when we meta-analysed them, a clear pattern emerged. Hunger predicted greater impulsivity; childhood socioeconomic deprivation predicted greater impulsivity; and these two effects were additive rather than interactive.
ALGEBRAIC NEW FOUNDATIONS
Authors: GORBOW PAUL K.
Published: February 2019

This paper consists in the formulation of a novel categorical set theory, MLCat, which is proved to be equiconsistent to New Foundations (NF), and which can be modulated to correspond to intuitionistic (denoted with an “I” on the left) or classical NF, with atoms (denoted with a “U” on the right) or not:
Estimating effective population size for a cestode parasite infecting three-spined sticklebacks
Authors: Strobel Hannah M. , Hays Sara J. , Moody Kristine N. , Blum Michael J. , Heins David C.
Published: February 2019

Remarkably few attempts have been made to estimate contemporary effective population size (Ne) for parasitic species, despite the valuable perspectives it can offer on the tempo and pace of parasite evolution as well as coevolutionary dynamics of host–parasite interactions. In this study, we utilized multi-locus microsatellite data to derive single-sample and temporal estimates of contemporaryNefor a cestode parasite (Schistocephalus solidus) as well as three-spined stickleback hosts (Gasterosteus aculeatus) in lakes across Alaska. Consistent with prior studies, both approaches recovered small and highly variable estimates of parasite and hostNe. We also found that estimates of hostNeand parasiteNewere sensitive to assumptions about population genetic structure and connectivity. And, while prior work on the stickleback–cestode system indicates that physiographic factors external to stickleback hosts largely govern genetic variation inS. solidus, our findings indicate that stickleback host attributes and factors internal to the host – namely body length, genetic diversity and infection – shape contemporaryNeof cestode parasites.