bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychoanalysis and public health: Potential for integration?
Authors: Holinger Paul C. , Spira Neal E. , Barrett Denia , Barrett Thomas F.
Published: March 2020

Psychoanalysis and public health appear to have an important but uneasy and rarely discussed relationship. Both fields have made significant contributions to mental health, despite major differences in their concepts and methods. Although controversies exist, we suggest that there are important areas of overlap and potential integration, with benefit to both fields and the understanding of human development and mental health. In order to explore these issues, we will first examine some of the early connections between psychoanalysis and public health. Next, we will focus on various assets and liabilities of each field. Third, we will look at one example of this integration, namely, physical punishment and violence. Finally, we will explore the question of resistance to social activism in the two fields.
Evidence for an elongated Achilles tendon inAustralopithecus
Authors: McNutt Ellison J. , DeSilva Jeremy M.
Published: March 2020

Modern humans have the longest Achilles tendon (AT) of all the living primates. It has been proposed that this anatomy increases locomotor efficiency and that its elongation may have played a crucial role in the origin and early evolution of the genusHomo. Unfortunately, determining the length of the AT in extinct hominins has been difficult as tendons do not fossilize. Several methods have been proposed for estimating the length of the AT from calcaneal morphology, but the results have been inconclusive. This study tested the relationship between the area of the superior calcaneal facet and AT length in extant primates. The superior facet is instructive because it anchors the retrocalcaneal bursa, a soft tissue structure which helps to reduce friction between the AT and the calcaneus. Calcanei from 145 extant anthropoid primates from 12 genera were photographed in posterior view and the relative superior facet size quantified. AT lengths were obtained from published sources. The relative area of the superior facet is predictive of AT length in primates (R2= 0.83;p < .001) and differs significantly between the great apes and humans (p < 0.001). When applied to fossilAustralopithecuscalcanei, our results suggest that australopiths possessed a longer, more human‐like, AT than previously thought. These findings have important implications for the locomotor capabilities ofAustralopithecus, including their capacity for endurance running and climbing.
A hybrid model for monthly water demand prediction: A case study of Austin, Texas
Authors: Lu Hongfang , Matthews John , Han Shuai
Published: March 2020

Water demand prediction is an essential prerequisite for urban water resource allocation and pipeline network management. This article uses a hybrid model to improve the accuracy of predicting water demand. The model combines a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm, genetic cross factor (GCF), fruit fly optimization algorithm (FFOA), and support vector machine (SVM) to predict monthly water demand. The monthly water consumption data from 2012 to 2017 in Austin, Texas, are used to develop and test the model. The prediction results are compared with other intelligent algorithms, such as the hybrid model combination particle swarm optimizer with SVM and back‐propagation neural network. The results show that the mean absolute percentage error of FFOA‐GCFSA‐SVM is the smallest, and it is reduced by 16% and 51.17%, respectively, compared with the other two models. Moreover, the influences of kernel function and input variables on prediction results are analyzed, and the effects of sliding window length, data classification, and forecasting period on prediction results are discussed. We concluded that (1) for the city of Austin, the model with a Gaussian kernel function and historical data period of 6 months has higher prediction accuracy; (2) the monthly water demand in Austin is mainly influenced by the local population; and (3) data classification by season can reduce the interference of temperature on prediction.
Risk of local recurrence of rectal cancer and circumferential resection margin: population-based cohort study
Authors: Agger E A , Jörgren F H , Lydrup M-L A , Buchwald P L
Published: March 2020

Background

A circumferential resection margin (CRM) of 1·0 mm or less after rectal cancer surgery is thought to increase the risk of local recurrence (LR). This retrospective population-based study examined how CRM distance affects the LR risk.

Methods

Data from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry were used in a retrospective analysis of rectal cancers resected between 2005 and 2013. The primary endpoint was LR.

Results

A total of 12 146 patients were identified, of whom 8392 were included in the analysis; 739 patients had a CRM of 1·0 mm or less and 7653 had a CRM larger than 1·0 mm. The mean follow-up time was 51 months. There were 66 LRs (8·9 per cent) in the group with a CRM of 1·0 mm or less, and 256 (3·3 per cent) among patients with a CRM larger than 1·0 mm. The LR rate was 17·0 per cent (27 of 159), 6·7 per cent (39 of 580), 1·9 per cent (2 of 103) and 3·4 per cent (254 of 7550) when the CRM was 0, 0·1–1·0, 1·1–1·9 and at least 2·0 mm respectively. The risk of LR among patients with a CRM of 0 mm was higher than that in all other subgroups with a larger CRM (P < 0·050). There was no difference in LR between the subgroups with CRM 1·1–1·9 mm and at least 2·0 mm. LR was diagnosed earlier when the CRM was 1·0 mm or less.

Conclusion

LR risk is related to exact CRM, with the highest risk in patients with a CRM of 0 mm. Close monitoring of patients with no measurable clear margin may allow early detection of LR.
Separation of mononuclear cells and identification of B lymphocytes: A comprehensive experiment for medical students
Authors: Li Jiao , Gao Furong , Jin Caixia , Shi Xiujuan , Zhang Chen , Jia Song , Xu Jie , Lv Lixia , Yang Wenzhuo , Xu Lei
Published: March 2020

In teaching of experiments for medical students, by using the isolation of mononuclear cells and identification of B lymphocytes, an experiment was developed that integrated biochemistry, cytology, and immunology techniques, from which the students performed a series of operations including spleen separation, isolating mononuclear cells, and identifying B lymphocytes. From the immunocytochemistry detection, we included advanced equipment—a flow cytometer—in the experiment, which detected the B lymphocytes more accurately. Moreover, we applied modern information technology to the teaching of experiments by using an internet study platform, micro‐lectures, and adopting “formative teaching and evaluation.” This lab practice aims to increase the ability of medical students to solve problems using flexible scientific methods, to initiate them thinking about clinical and research application.
Tamoxifen is a candidate first‐in‐class inhibitor of acid ceramidase that reduces amitotic division in polyploid giant cancer cells—Unrecognized players in tumorigenesis
Authors: White‐Gilbertson Shai , Lu Ping , Jones Christian M. , Chiodini Stephanie , Hurley Deborah , Das Arabinda , Delaney Joe R. , Norris James S. , Voelkel‐Johnson Christina
Published: March 2020

Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCC) represent a poorly understood, small subpopulation of tumor cells that are increasingly being recognized for their critical role in therapy resistance, metastasis, and cancer recurrence. PGCC have the potential to generate progeny through primitive or cleavage‐like division, which allows them to evade antimitotic insults. We recently demonstrated that the sphingolipid enzyme acid ceramidase (ASAH1) is required for this process. Since specific ASAH1 inhibitors are not clinically available, we investigated whether tamoxifen, which interferes with ASAH1 function via off‐target effects, has a potential clinical benefit independent of estrogen signaling. Our results show that tamoxifen inhibits generation of PGCC offspring in prostate cancer, glioblastoma, and melanoma cells. Analysis of two state‐level cancer registries revealed that tamoxifen improves survival outcomes for second, nonbreast cancers that develop in women with early stage breast cancer. Our results suggest that tamoxifen may have a clinical benefit in a variety of cancers that is independent of estrogen signaling and could be due to its inhibition of acid ceramidase. Thus the distinct application of tamoxifen as potentially a first‐in‐class therapeutic that inhibits the generation of PGCC offspring should be considered in future clinical trials.
Primary drug prevention — stopping use before it starts — under budget threat
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: March 2020

The White House budget request for fiscal year 2021 for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) proposes to zero out a major prevention program — the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant — Partnerships for Success program. This is a cut of $109 million. It recommends using the prevention set‐aside (20%) from the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment block grant instead. But it doesn't give any more money to the block grant.
Maternal alcohol use disorder hurts most offspring: Australian study
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: March 2020

Most children whose mothers have alcohol use disorder (AUD) experience adverse effects — not just a vulnerable subgroup — according to new research published in Pediatrics last month. The study looked at multiple outcomes, including birth, child protection, justice contact and academic outcomes for indigenous and nonindigenous children (the study was conducted in Australia). The adverse effects were higher in the indigenous children. For the study, all women with a birth recorded from 1983 to 2007 and their offspring were included. Fifty‐five percent of the exposed nonindigenous children and 84% of the indigenous children whose mothers had AUD experienced a negative outcome. The odds of experiencing a negative outcome were highest for those children whose mothers were diagnosed while pregnant; however, this was a small number overall. The researchers concluded that universal prevention strategies are needed to reduce harmful alcohol use and to support at‐risk women and children. O'Leary C, Lawrence D, Hafekost K, et al: Maternal alcohol‐use disorder and child outcomes. Pediatrics. 2020 Feb 24. pii: e20191574. doi: 10.1542/peds.2019‐1574. [Epub ahead of print]
Percutaneous coronary intervention for left main stem disease: Impact of diabetes mellitus on mortality
Authors: Bawamia Bilal R. , Egred Mohaned , Jackson Matthew , Purcell Ian , Austin David , Zaman Azfar G.
Published: March 2020

Objectives

We assessed the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for left main stem (LMS) disease. Second, we compared mortality outcomes between non‐insulin treated (NITDM) and insulin treated diabetes (ITDM) in different clinical settings.

Background

There is a paucity of “real world” outcomes data in diabetic patients undergoing LMS PCI.

Methods

We undertook a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing unprotected LMS PCI at 2 high volume tertiary centers. Diabetic status and clinical setting for PCI were recorded. The primary outcome measure was all‐cause 30‐day and long‐term mortality (up to 36 months) post index PCI.

Results

Between 2003 and 2017, 2,675 patients undergoing index LMS PCI were analyzed. Of those, 77.1% were non‐DM, 15.8% NITDM, and 7.1% ITDM. Overall, DM status was not associated with higher 30‐day mortality (OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.89–2.16, p = .15). During a median follow‐up of 36 months, there was a borderline statistical association of DM with long‐term mortality in all PCI settings (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.00–1.71, p = .05). Compared to non‐DM, ITDM but not NITDM was associated with short‐ and long‐term mortality in all clinical presentations.

Conclusions

Overall, DM did not impact on 30‐day mortality and had only a borderline statistical association with long‐term mortality. It did not have an influence on mortality in non‐emergency LMS PCI. The impact of DM on mortality outcomes following LMS PCI was only significant in the insulin treated patients.
Aufbereitung kohlenstofffaserverstärkter Thermoplaste zu Granulat für den Wiedereinsatz in Strukturbauteilen
Authors: Zöllner Mareen , Krampitz Thomas , Lieberwirth Holger
Published: March 2020

Aufgrund des anhaltenden Leichtbautrends fallen insbesondere in Bereichen des Transportwesens, der Energietechnik sowie im Maschinenbau‐ oder Freizeitbereich immer Abfälle aus kohlenstofffaserverstärkten Kunststoffen (CFKs) an. Für CFK‐haltige Abfälle mit thermoplastischer Matrix wird eine geschlossene Kreislaufführung mit Wiedereinsatz der Zerkleinerungsprodukte aufgezeigt. Unter mehrstufiger mechanischer Beanspruchung wurde das CFK‐Material auf eine festgelegte Granulatgröße zerkleinert. Dieses Granulat aus Sekundärmaterial wurde mittels speziellem Verfahren im Spritzgusskomplex zu neuen Bauteilen verarbeitet.
Transgender individuals' cancer survivorship: Results of a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Boehmer Ulrike , Gereige Jessica , Winter Michael , Ozonoff Al , Scout Nfn
Published: March 2020

Background

Transgender individuals' cancer prevalence and transgender cancer survivors' health needs have received scarce attention. The current study compared transgender and cisgender individuals' cancer prevalence and described the health needs of transgender cancer survivors.

Methods

The authors used Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data on 95,800 cisgender and transgender individuals who self‐reported a cancer diagnosis. Using multiple logistic regression, they estimated cancer prevalence and calculated odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals of physical, psychological, overall health, and health behaviors of transgender survivors compared with cisgender survivors.

Results

After adjusting for confounders, transgender men had a significantly higher (>2‐fold) number of cancer diagnoses compared with cisgender men, but not cisgender women. Cancer prevalence among gender nonconforming individuals and transgender women was not significantly different from that of cisgender men and cisgender women. Gender nonconforming survivors had significantly greater physical inactivity, heavy episodic alcohol use, and depression compared with cisgender men and cisgender women. Transgender men survivors were significantly more likely to report poor physical health and greater medical comorbidities and were less likely to report smoking compared with cisgender men and cisgender women. Transgender women survivors were significantly more likely to report diabetes compared with cisgender men and cisgender women and were more likely to report cardiovascular disease compared with cisgender women.

Conclusions

Clinicians should be aware of the higher prevalence of cancer among transgender men and a potential survivorship bias among transgender individuals. Transgender survivors have considerable variation in their risk profile. Clinicians and health services can target gender nonconforming survivors' depression and health behaviors to improve survival and should address the complex comorbidities of transgender men and transgender women.
Using ggtree to Visualize Data on Tree‐Like Structures
Authors: Yu Guangchuang
Published: March 2020

Ggtree is an R/Bioconductor package for visualizing tree‐like structures and associated data. After 5 years of continual development, ggtree has been evolved as a package suite that contains treeio for tree data input and output, tidytree for tree data manipulation, and ggtree for tree data visualization. Ggtree was originally designed to work with phylogenetic trees, and has been expanded to support other tree‐like structures, which extends the application of ggtree to present tree data in other disciplines. This article contains five basic protocols describing how to visualize trees using the grammar of graphics syntax, how to visualize hierarchical clustering results with associated data, how to estimate bootstrap values and visualize the values on the tree, how to estimate continuous and discrete ancestral traits and visualize ancestral states on the tree, and how to visualize a multiple sequence alignment with a phylogenetic tree. The ggtree package is freely available at https://www.bioconductor.org/packages/ggtree. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Basic Protocol 1: Using grammar of graphics for visualizing trees

Basic Protocol 2: Visualizing hierarchical clustering using ggtree

Basic Protocol 3: Visualizing bootstrap values as symbolic points

Basic Protocol 4: Visualizing ancestral status

Basic Protocol 5: Visualizing a multiple sequence alignment with a phylogenetic tree
Translatome Analyses Using Conditional Ribosomal Tagging in GABAergic Interneurons and Other Sparse Cell Types
Authors: Mahadevan Vivek , Peltekian Areg , McBain Chris J.
Published: March 2020

GABAergic interneurons comprise a small but diverse subset of neurons in the mammalian brain that tightly regulate neuronal circuit maturation and information flow and, ultimately, behavior. Because of their centrality in the etiology of numerous neurological disorders, examining the molecular architecture of these neurons under different physiological scenarios has piqued the interest of the broader neuroscience community. The last few years have seen an explosion in next‐generation sequencing (NGS) approaches aimed at identifying genetic and state‐dependent subtypes in neuronal diversity. Although several approaches are employed to address neuronal molecular diversity, ribosomal tagging has emerged at the forefront of identifying the translatomes of neuronal subtypes. This approach primarily relies on Cre recombinase–driven expression of hemagglutinin A (HA)–tagged RiboTag mice exclusively in the neuronal subtype of interest. This allows the immunoprecipitation of cell‐type‐specific, ribosome‐engaged mRNA, expressed both in the soma and the neuronal processes, for targeted quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) or high‐throughput RNA sequencing analyses. Here we detail the typical technical caveats associated with successful application of the RiboTag technique for analyzing GABAergic interneurons, and in theory other sparse cell types, in the central nervous system. Published 2020. U.S. Government.

Basic Protocol 1: Breeding mice to obtain RiboTag homozygosity

Support Protocol 1: Detection of ectopic Cre recombinase expression

Basic Protocol 2: The RiboTag assay

Support Protocol 2: Real‐time quantitative PCR (qRT‐PCR) assay of RiboTag‐derived cell‐type‐specific RNA

Support Protocol 3: Construction of cell‐type‐specific RNA‐seq library

Support Protocol 4: Secondary analyses of RiboTag‐derived RNA‐seq dataset
Managerial entrenchment, corporate social responsibility, and earnings management
Authors: García‐Sánchez Isabel‐Maria , Hussain Nazim , Khan Sana Akbar , Martínez‐Ferrero Jennifer
Published: March 2020

Many studies have examined the direct relationship between the two corporate practices: corporate social responsibility (CSR) and earnings management (EM); however, the results remain heterogeneous. To achieve the consensus, this study builds upon the classical agency theory and examines the role of managerial entrenchment in creating organizational facades related to CSR and EM. More specifically, it examines the relationship between CSR performance and EM in the presence of managerial entrenchment and the direct effect of managerial entrenchment on CSR decoupling. In doing so, this article provides evidence of a previously underappreciated yet fundamentally important aspect, that is, managerial entrenchment, that may significantly affect the quality of earnings as well as the level of alignment between CSR disclosure and performance. Our analyses of longitudinal data of an international sample for the period of 2007–2016 supports that managerial entrenchment significantly moderates the relationship between CSR performance and EM. Furthermore, our study reveals that entrenched managers decouple CSR disclosure and performance.
Phase synchronization of autonomous AC grid system with passivity‐based control
Authors: Manohar Rutvika , Hikihara Takashi
Published: March 2020

This paper discusses a ring‐coupled buck‐type inverter system to harness energy from direct current (DC) sources of electricity. The DC‐DC buck converter circuit is modified with an H‐bridge to convert the DC input voltage to a usable alternating current (AC) output voltage. Passivity‐based control (PBC) with port‐controlled Hamiltonian modelling (PCHM) is a method where the system is controlled by considering not only the energy properties of the system but also the inherent physical structure. PBC is applied to achieve stabilization of the AC output voltage to a desired amplitude and frequency. Unsynchronized output voltages in terms of phase angle or frequency can cause detrimental effects on the system. Phase‐locked loop (PLL) is employed in the ring structure to maintain synchronization of the AC output voltage of all inverter units in the ring‐coupled system.
Detection of intra‐articular gene therapy in horses using quantitative real time PCR in synovial fluid and plasma
Authors: Haughan Joanne , Jiang Zibin , Stefanovski Darko , Moss Kaitlyn L. , Ortved Kyla F. , Robinson Mary A.
Published: March 2020

Gene therapy promotes the expression of missing or defective genes and can be curative following administration of a single dose. Gene therapy is prohibited in equine athletes by regulatory bodies due to the high potential for abuse and novel analytical methods are needed for detection. The goal of this study was to detect the administration of an experimental gene therapy: a recombinant adeno‐associated viral vector (rAAV) carrying a transgene for the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 (rAAV‐IL10). Twelve horses were randomly assigned to receive an intra‐articular injection of rAAV‐IL10 or phosphate buffered saline (vehicle) into a middle carpal joint. Plasma and synovial fluid were collected on days 0, 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 84. Primer pairs were designed to detect two unique regions of rAAV. Using quantitative real time PCR, both sets of primers detected rAAV for 14–28 days in joints and up to 4 days in plasma, in all six treated horses. In synovial fluid, rAAV was detected on day 56 in 4/6 horses by both primer sets, and on day 84 in 1/6 horses by one primer set. In plasma, rAAV was detected for 7 days in 5/6 horses, 14 days in 2/6 horses, and 28 days in 1/6 horses by one primer set, and was detected for up to 14 days in 1/6 horses by the other primer set. This study is the first to validate that quantitative real time PCR can be used to systemically detect the local administration of a gene therapy product to horses.
Removal of chronic Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae carrier ewes eliminates pneumonia in a bighorn sheep population
Authors: Garwood Tyler J. , Lehman Chadwick P. , Walsh Daniel P. , Cassirer E. Frances , Besser Thomas E. , Jenks Jonathan A.
Published: March 2020

Chronic pathogen carriage is one mechanism that allows diseases to persist in populations. We hypothesized that persistent or recurrent pneumonia in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations may be caused by chronic carriers of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (Mo). Our experimental approach allowed us to address a conservation need while investigating the role of chronic carriage in disease persistence.

We tested our hypothesis in two bighorn sheep populations in South Dakota, USA. We identified and removed Mo chronic carriers from the Custer State Park (treatment) population. Simultaneously, we identified carriers but did not remove them from the Rapid City population (control). We predicted removal would result in decreased pneumonia, mortality, and Mo prevalence. Both population ranges had similar habitat and predator communities but were sufficiently isolated to preclude intermixing.

We classified chronic carriers as adults that consistently tested positive for Mo carriage over a 20‐month sampling period (n = 2 in the treatment population; n = 2 in control population).

We failed to detect Mo or pneumonia in the treatment population after chronic carrier removal, while both remained in the control. Mortality hazard for lambs was reduced by 72% in the treatment population relative to the control (CI = 36%, 91%). There was also a 41% reduction in adult mortality hazard attributable to the treatment, although this was not statistically significant (CI = 82% reduction, 34% increase).

Synthesis and Applications: These results support the hypothesis that Mo is a primary causative agent of persistent or recurrent respiratory disease in bighorn sheep populations and can be maintained by a few chronic carriers. Our findings provide direction for future research and management actions aimed at controlling pneumonia in wild sheep and may apply to other diseases.
Downvalley fining of hillslope sediment in an alpine catchment: implications for downstream fining of sediment flux in mountain rivers
Authors: Sklar Leonard S. , Riebe Clifford S. , Genetti Jennifer , Leclere Shirin , Lukens Claire E.
Published: March 2020

The size distributions of sediment delivered from hillslopes to rivers profoundly influence river morphodynamics, including river incision into bedrock and the quality of aquatic habitat. Yet little is known about the factors that influence size distributions of sediment produced by weathering on hillslopes. We present results of a field study of hillslope sediment size distributions at Inyo Creek, a steep catchment in granitic bedrock of the Sierra Nevada, USA. Particles sampled near the base of hillslopes, adjacent to the trunk stream, show a pronounced decrease in sediment size with decreasing sample elevation across all but the coarsest size classes. Measured size distributions become increasingly bimodal with decreasing elevation, exhibiting a coarse, bouldery mode that does not change with elevation and a more abundant finer mode that shifts from cobbles at the highest elevations to gravel at mid elevations and finally to sand at low elevations. We interpret these altitudinal variations in hillslope sediment size to reflect changes in physical, chemical, and biological weathering that can be explained by the catchment's strong altitudinal gradients in topography, climate, and vegetation cover. Because elevation and travel distance to the outlet are closely coupled, the altitudinal trends in sediment size produce a systematic decrease in sediment size along hillslopes parallel to the trunk stream. We refer to this phenomenon as ‘downvalley fining.’ Forward modeling shows that downvalley fining of hillslope sediment is necessary for downstream fining of the long‐term average flux of coarse sediment in mountain landscapes where hillslopes and channels are coupled and long‐term net sediment deposition is negligible. The model also shows that abrasion plays a secondary role in downstream fining of coarse sediment flux but plays a dominant role in partitioning between the bedload and suspended load. Patterns observed at Inyo Creek may be widespread in mountain ranges around the world. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Effect of particle granularity on smoldering fire in wood chips made from wood waste: An experimental study
Authors: Sesseng Christian , Reitan Nina K. , Storesund Karolina , Mikalsen Ragni F. , Hagen Bjarne C.
Published: March 2020

Fires in wood waste storages cause financial losses, are difficult to extinguish, and emit large amounts of fire effluents. The mechanisms related to fires in wood chip piles are not well elucidated. To find suitable preventive measures for handling such fires in wood waste, a better understanding of the physical properties of wood waste is needed. The present study investigates how granularity affects mechanisms of smoldering fire and transition to flaming in wood chip piles. Eighteen experiments with samples inside a top‐ventilated, vertical cylinder were conducted. Heating from underneath the cylinder induced auto‐ignition and smoldering fire, and temperatures and mass loss of the sample were measured. The results showed that granularity significantly affects the smoldering fire dynamics. Material containing larger wood chips (length 4‐100 mm) demonstrated more irregular temperature development, higher temperatures, faster combustion, and higher mass losses than material of smaller wood chips (length <4 mm). The larger wood chips also underwent transition to flaming fires. Flaming fires were not observed for small wood chips, which instead demonstrated prolonged and steady smoldering propagation. The differences are assumed to be partly due to the different bulk densities of the samples of large and small wood chips affecting the ventilation conditions. Increased knowledge about these combustion processes and transition to flaming is vital to develop risk‐reducing measures when storing wood chips made from wood waste in piles.
Response of brassinosteroids to nitrogen rates and their regulation on rice spikelet degeneration during meiosis
Authors: Zhang Weiyang , Fu Lidong , Men Chuanbao , Yu Jixiang , Yao Jiayu , Sheng Jiayan , Xu Yunji , Wang Zhiqin , Liu Lijun , Yang Jianchang , Zhang Jianhua
Published: March 2020

The plant steroid hormones brassinosteroids (BRs) play pivotal roles in modulating flower and fruit production. Nitrogen (N) is a key factor affecting rice (Oryza sativa L.) production. We hypothesized that BRs would respond to N application rates at spikelet differentiation (SD) and regulate spikelet degeneration in rice. Three rice cultivars were field‐grown and treated with five N rates at SD. Plant N and BRs contents, antioxidant capacity, and energy status were observed during meiosis in young panicles, and their relationships with spikelet degeneration were evaluated. In all the N treatments, the BRs, adenosine triphosphate, and energy charge levels, activities of the enzymes involved in energy metabolism, including cytochrome C oxidase and succinate dehydrogenase, total antioxidant capacity, and grain yield, were the highest, whereas hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content and vacuolar processing enzymes (VPE) genes expression levels, and spikelet degeneration rate were the lowest when plant N content was 2.6% during meiosis. The rice BRs‐deficient mutants showed substantial reduction in BRs levels, antioxidant capacity, and energy status, but great increase in H2O2 content, VPE genes expression levels, and spikelet degeneration rate than the wild type (WT); moreover, these parameters in WT panicles could be regulated, whereas in BRs‐deficient mutant panicles, they were not distinctly affected by N application. The results indicated that BRs mediate the effects of N rates on spikelet degeneration, and elevated BRs levels in rice panicles effectively inhibit spikelet degeneration when plant N content is 2.6% during meiosis by elevating antioxidant capacity and energy status.
Impact of Graphite on Thermomechanical, Mechanical, Thermal, Electrical Properties, and Thermal Conductivity of HDPE/Copper Composites
Authors: Banerjee S. , Pattnayek S. , Kumar R. , Kar K. K.
Published: March 2020

Impact of graphite on the physicochemical properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE)/copper composites has been investigated at various volume percentages of copper. The two sets of composites are prepared by simple melt blending and injection molding approach. Thermal conductivity increases from 0.5 W m−1 K−1 for pure HDPE to 6.5 and 8 Wm−1 K−1 for 30 and 40 vol.% of copper loading with and without graphite, respectively. A huge increment in synergistic efficiency has been evidenced for the mixed filled polymer composites. Incorporation of graphite has also improved the percolation threshold from 19 to 13 vol.% of copper loading to the HDPE matrix, which indicates the synergistic effect of mixed filler system. Development of leafy morphology of copper promotes large number of inter‐particle contacts and hence improves the percolation threshold of the composites. The corrosion resistive, mechanically robust, electrically and thermally conductive composites with good flexural properties and light in weight than conventional metallic bipolar plates suggest it a material of choice for fuel cell devices.
Methods for in vitro modeling of glioma invasion: Choosing tools to meet the need
Authors: Dundar Bilge , Markwell Steven M. , Sharma Nitya V. , Olson Cheryl L. , Mukherjee Subhas , Brat Daniel J.
Published: March 2020

Widespread tumor cell invasion is a fundamental property of diffuse gliomas and is ultimately responsible for their poor prognosis. A greater understanding of basic mechanisms underlying glioma invasion is needed to provide insights into therapies that could potentially counteract them. While none of the currently available in vitro models can fully recapitulate the complex interactions of glioma cells within the brain tumor microenvironment, if chosen and developed appropriately, these models can provide controlled experimental settings to study molecular and cellular phenomena that are challenging or impossible to model in vivo. Therefore, selecting the most appropriate in vitro model, together with its inherent advantages and limitations, for specific hypotheses and experimental questions achieves primary significance. In this review, we describe and discuss commonly used methods for modeling and studying glioma invasion in vitro, including platforms, matrices, cell culture, and visualization techniques, so that choices for experimental approach are informed and optimal.
A novel scheme for image sharpness using inflection points
Authors: Lin Li‐Hui , Chen Tzong‐Jer
Published: March 2020

It is useful to increase the sharpness in medical images. This improvement can help medical diagnoses and treatment outcomes for patients. Noise overshoot and oversharpening effects are common artifacts of conventional sharpening algorithms. In this work, we propose an adaptive sharpness algorithm that achieves better sharpening effects than standard methods. As the pixel value changes abruptly at an edge, a method that adequately emphasized sudden variations in pixel values is effective for use in the sharpening process. Measurement of the gradient norm value of each pixel is calculated and compared to a threshold value to produce a curve. The curve quickly drops at the initial stage and then decreased more slowly for higher norm values. To distinguish the edge, an inflection point is determined by taking the second derivative of the curve and identifying the turnover point (where the curvature changes sign). Norm values higher than the inflection point are identified as belonging to the edge, and a simple sharpness filter is adaptively applied to these points. The proposed approach yielded better results than global filtering and a conventional unsharp masking approach when evaluated using Pratt's figure of merit.
Superficial photothermal laser ablation of ex vivo sheep esophagus using a cone‐shaped optical fiber tip
Authors: Tozburun Serhat
Published: March 2020

Superficial photothermal laser ablation (SPLA) may be useful as a therapeutic approach producing a depth of injury that is sufficient to eliminate mucosal lesion but not deep enough to induce thermal effects in deeper tissue layers. The purpose of this preliminary study is twofold: (a) to describe design steps of a fiber probe capable of delivering a tightly focused laser beam, including Monte‐Carlo‐based simulations, and (b) to complete the initial testing of the probe in a sheep esophagus model, ex vivo. The cone‐shaped (tapered) fiber tip was obtained by chemical etching of the optical fiber. A 1505 nm diode laser providing power up to 500 mW was operated in continuous wave. The successful SPLA of the sheep mucosa layer was demonstrated for various speed‐power combinations, including 300 mW laser power at a surface scanning rate of 0.5 mm/s and 450 mW laser power at a surface scanning rate of 2.0 mm/s. Upon further development, this probe may be useful for endoscopic photothermal laser ablation of the mucosa layer using relatively low laser power.
Frontline Science: Superior mouse eosinophil depletion in vivo targeting transgenic Siglec-8 instead of endogenous Siglec-F: Mechanisms and pitfalls
Authors: Knuplez Eva , Krier-Burris Rebecca , Cao Yun , Marsche Gunther , O’Sullivan Jeremy , Bochner Bruce S
Published: March 2020

Eosinophils are important multifunctional granulocytes. When studying eosinophil function and its contribution to diseases, mouse models are often used. Mouse eosinophils selectively express sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin (Siglec)-F. Its closest functional paralog on human eosinophils is Siglec-8. These Siglecs are being used to target eosinophils when exploring their mechanistic roles in disease and for potential therapeutic benefit. In order to facilitate preclinical studies of human Siglec-8, we developed transgenic mouse strains expressing human Siglec-8 only on the surface of eosinophils with or without endogenous Siglec-F and have begun characterizing various cellular functions in vitro and in vivo. Eosinophils from Siglec-8+ mice, with or without Siglec-F, responded to Siglec-8 antibody engagement in vitro by up-regulating surface CD11b, whereas Siglec-F antibody had no such effect. Engagement of Siglec-F or Siglec-8 with respective antibodies in vitro resulted in only modest increases in cell death. Administration of rat Siglec-F antibodies to mice led to a significant decrease in Siglec-F surface expression on eosinophils due to internalization, and thus appeared to decrease eosinophil numbers based on Siglec-F+ cells, but with proper gaiting strategies did not in fact result in significant eosinophil depletion. In marked contrast, administration of mouse Siglec-8 antibodies rapidly and effectively depleted eosinophils from blood and spleens of mice, but an F(ab′)2 version did not, indicating an Fc-mediated mechanism for eosinophil depletion in vivo. Siglec-8 expressing mice with or without endogenous Siglec-F will be useful to study Siglec-8-based therapeutics, and may be a preferred approach when acute or chronic eosinophil depletion is needed.
Tomosyn regulates the small RhoA GTPase to control the dendritic stability of neurons and the surface expression of AMPA receptors
Authors: Shen Wenjuan , Kilander Michaela B. C. , Bridi Morgan S. , Frei Jeannine A. , Niescier Robert F. , Huang Shiyong , Lin Yu‐Chih
Published: March 2020

Tomosyn, a protein encoded by syntaxin‐1‐binding protein 5 (STXBP5) gene, has a well‐established presynaptic role in the inhibition of neurotransmitter release and the reduction of synaptic transmission by its canonical interaction with the soluble N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor attachment protein receptor machinery. However, the postsynaptic role of tomosyn in dendritic arborization, spine stability, and trafficking of ionotropic glutamate receptors remains to be elucidated. We used short hairpin RNA to knock down tomosyn in mouse primary neurons to evaluate the postsynaptic cellular function and molecular signaling regulated by tomosyn. Knockdown of tomosyn led to an increase of RhoA GTPase activity accompanied by compromised dendritic arborization, loss of dendritic spines, decreased surface expression of AMPA receptors, and reduced miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency. Inhibiting RhoA signaling was sufficient to rescue the abnormal dendritic morphology and the surface expression of AMPA receptors. The function of tomosyn regulating RhoA is mediated through the N‐terminal WD40 motif, where two variants each carrying a single nucleotide mutation in this region were found in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We demonstrated that these variants displayed loss‐of‐function phenotypes. Unlike the wild‐type tomosyn, these two variants failed to restore the reduced dendritic complexity, spine density, as well as decreased surface expression of AMPA receptors in tomosyn knockdown neurons. This study uncovers a novel role of tomosyn in maintaining neuronal function by inhibiting RhoA activity. Further analysis of tomosyn variants also provides a potential mechanism for explaining cellular pathology in ASD.
Electrocardiographic features of the presence of occult myocardial disease in patients with VPD‐induced cardiomyopathy
Authors: Im Sung Il , Gwag Hye Bin , Park Youngjun , Park Seung‐Jung , Kim June Soo , On Young Keun , Park Kyoung‐Min
Published: March 2020

Background

Frequent ventricular premature depolarizations (VPDs) can cause reversible cardiomyopathy (CMP). However, many patients maintain a normal left ventricular (LV) function with a high VPD burden. The electrocardiographic characteristics of VPD‐induced CMP have not been elucidated.

Methods

One hundred and eighty (91 men, age; 51 ± 15 years) patients with frequent idiopathic VPDs (>10% VPDs/day or >10 000 VPDs/day) were studied. All patients underwent successful ablation and were then divided into two groups according to the echocardiographic findings before and after the ablation procedure.

Results

Group A (n = 139) had a normal LV function with VPD frequencies, and Group B (n = 41) had reversible LV dysfunction after ablation. The VPD QRS duration (QRSd) was wider in patients with CMP (Group A vs Group B; 137.2 ± 12.0 milliseconds vs 159.7 ± 5.3 milliseconds, P < .001). VPDs with a terminal QRS delay marked by a notch followed by a discrete lower amplitude signal after the peak R wave in any precordial lead were identified. The incidence of terminal signals was higher in the CMP group (Group A vs Group B; 2.1% vs 53.6%, P < .001).

Conclusions

The wider VPD QRSd and terminal QRS delay in patients with VPD‐induced CMP suggest subclinical cell‐to‐cell conduction abnormalities as a potential factor predisposing VPD‐induced CMP.
Graphdiyne‐Polymer Nanocomposite as a Broadband and Robust Saturable Absorber for Ultrafast Photonics
Authors: Guo Jia , Shi Rongchao , Wang Rui , Wang Yunzheng , Zhang Feng , Wang Cong , Chen Hualong , Ma Chunyang , Wang Zhenhong , Ge Yanqi , Song Yufeng , Luo Zhengqian , Fan Dianyuan , Jiang Xiantao , Xu Jialiang , Zhang Han
Published: March 2020

As a rising star of all‐carbon nanomaterial, graphdiyne (GDY) has a direct natural bandgap and features strong light–matter interaction, large optical absorption, superior chemical and optical stability, indicating its broad prospects in the field of photonics and optoelectronics. Herein, the broadband nonlinear absorption and transient absorption characteristics of GDY from visible to infrared region has been studied for the first time, and its promising application in ultrafast photonics has been explored. The large nonlinear absorption coefficient (> −1 cm GW−1), low saturation intensity (<13 GW cm−2), and ultrafast relaxation time (<30 ps) of GDY are demonstrated, which indicates the outstanding potential of GDY in photonics among the emerging novel nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. The GDY is mixed with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to prepare the GDY–PVP nanocomposite, which further improved the stability of GDY. By using the GDY–PVP nanocomposite as saturable absorption material, ultrashort pulse lasers with pulse duration of 385.5 ps and 688 fs are obtained at 1 and 1.5 µm, respectively. This work reveals the excellent nonlinear optical properties of GDY and lays a foundation for its development in advanced nanophotonic devices.
Direct‐Acting Antivirals and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: No Evidence of Higher Wait‐List Progression or Posttransplant Recurrence
Authors: Piñero Federico , Boin Ilka , Chagas Aline , Quiñonez Emilio , Marciano Sebastián , Vilatobá Mario , Santos Luisa , Anders Margarita , Hoyos Duque Sergio , Soares Lima Agnaldo , Menendez Josemaría , Padilla Martín , Poniachik Jaime , Zapata Rodrigo , Maraschio Martín , Chong Menéndez Ricardo , Muñoz Linda , Arufe Diego , Figueroa Rodrigo , Mendizabal Manuel , Hurtado Gomez Sahara , Stucchi Raquel , Maccali Claudia , Vergara Sandoval Rodrigo , Bermudez Carla , McCormack Lucas , Varón Adriana , Gadano Adrián , Mattera Juan , Rubinstein Fernando , Carrilho Flair , Silva Marcelo
Published: March 2020

The association between direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) wait‐list progression or its recurrence following liver transplantation (LT) remains uncertain. We evaluated the impact of DAAs on HCC wait‐list progression and post‐LT recurrence. This Latin American multicenter retrospective cohort study included HCC patients listed for LT between 2012 and 2018. Patients were grouped according to etiology of liver disease: hepatitis C virus (HCV) negative, HCV+ never treated with DAAs, and HCV+ treated with DAAs either before or after transplantation. Multivariate competing risks models were conducted for both HCC wait‐list progression adjusted by a propensity score matching (pre‐LT DAA effect) and for post‐LT HCC recurrence (pre‐ or post‐LT DAA effect). From 994 included patients, 50.6% were HCV−, 32.9% were HCV+ never treated with DAAs, and 16.5% were HCV+ treated with DAAs either before (n = 66) or after LT (n = 98). Patients treated with DAAs before LT presented similar cumulative incidence of wait‐list tumor progression when compared with those patients who were HCV+ without DAAs (26.2% versus 26.9%; P = 0.47) and a similar HCC‐related dropout rate (12.1% [95% CI, 0.4%‐8.1%] versus 12.9% [95% CI, 3.8%‐27.2%]), adjusted for baseline tumor burden, alpha‐fetoprotein values, HCC diagnosis after listing, bridging therapies, and by the probability of having received or not received DAAs through propensity score matching (subhazard ratio [SHR], 0.9; 95% CI, 0.6‐1.6; P = 0.95). A lower incidence of posttransplant HCC recurrence among HCV+ patients who were treated with pre‐ or post‐LT DAAs was observed (SHR, 0.7%; 95% CI, 0.2%‐4.0%). However, this effect was confounded by the time to DAA initiation after LT. In conclusion, in this multicenter cohort, HCV treatment with DAAs did not appear to be associated with an increased wait‐list tumor progression and HCC recurrence after LT.
Erratum to the paper “Regularized Riesz energies of submanifolds”
Authors: O'Hara Jun , Solanes Gil
Published: March 2020

We give a corrected proof of the last theorem (Theorem 4.11) of Regularized Riesz energies of submanifolds, published in Math. Nachr. 291 (2018), no. 8–9, 1356–1373. Namely, we prove that the Riesz energy of a compact body Ω is Möbius invariant if and only if the dimension of Ω is even and .
EGFR‐ERK pathway regulates CSN6 to contribute to PD‐L1 expression in glioblastoma
Authors: Su Lingrui , Guo Wenli , Lou Lei , Nie Saisai , Zhang Qing , Liu Ying , Chang Ying , Zhang Xianghong , Li Yuehong , Shen Haitao
Published: March 2020

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and malignant brain tumor in adults. Recently, programmed death‐1/programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐1/PD‐L1) checkpoint blockades have been applied for GBM treatment. However, the mechanism of PD‐L1 upregulation in GBM is still unclear. COP9 signalosome 6 (CSN6) is crucial for maintaining the protein stabilization in cancer cells. In this study, we applied human GBM specimens and cell lines to investigate whether the EGFR‐ERK pathway regulates CSN6 for PD‐L1 upregulation. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset showed that high expression of EGFR, CSN6, and PD‐L1 in patients with glioma was associated with poor prognosis. In 47 human GBM specimens, high expression of PD‐L1 was associated with low amount of CD8+ T cell infiltration as well as the poor prognosis of patients. CSN6 was positively correlated with EGFR and PD‐L1 expression in human GBM specimens. We treated two GBM cell lines (U87 and U251) with epidermal growth factor (EGF) in vitro, and found EGF‐upregulated p‐EGFR, p‐ERK, CSN6, and PD‐L1 expression in GBM cells. PD98059, the ERK blocker, inhibited upregulations of CSN6 and PD‐L1 in EGF‐treated cells. Inhibition of CSN6 by small interfering RNA decreased PD‐L1 expression but also increased CHIP expression in GBM cells. When the cells were treated with EGF and cycloheximide (CHX), a protein synthesis inhibitor, EGF‐reduced CHX‐induced CSN6 and PD‐L1 turnover in GBM cells. Furthermore, CSN6‐mediated downregulation of PD‐L1 was inhibited by MG132, a proteasome inhibitor in U87 cells. Thus, these results suggest that the EGFR‐ERK pathway may upregulate CSN6, which may inhibit PD‐L1 degradation and subsequently maintain PD‐L1 stability in GBM.