bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of Sentinel-1 offshore winds and average wind power estimation around Ireland
Authors: de Montera Louis , Remmers Tiny , Desmond Cian , O'Connell Ross
Published: September 2019

Abstract. In this paper, surface wind speed and average wind power derived from Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar Level 2 OCN product were validated against four weather buoys and three coastal weather stations around Ireland. A total of 1544 match-up points was obtained over a two-year period running from May 2017 to May 2019. The match-up comparison showed that the satellite underestimated the wind speed compared to in situ devices, with an average bias of 0.4 m/s, which decreased linearly as a function of wind speed. Long-term statistics using all the available data, while assuming a Weibull law for the wind speed, were also produced and resulted in a significant reduction of the bias. Additionally, the average wind power was found to be consistent with in situ data, resulting in an error of 10 % and 5 % for weather buoys and coastal stations, respectively. These results showed that the Sentinel-1 Level 2 OCN product can be used to estimate the wind speed distribution, even in coastal areas. Maps of the average and seasonal wind speed and wind power illustrated that the error was spatially dependent, which should be taken into considerations when working with Sentinel-1 SAR data.
Entre erros e acertos: promovendo a segurança do paciente a partir da insegurança noticiada
Authors: Forte Elaine Cristina Novatzki , Pires Denise Elvira Pires De , Martins Maria Manuela Ferreira Pereira da Silva , Padilha Maria Itayra Coelho de Souza , Schneider Dulcinéia Ghizoni , Trindade Letícia de Lima
Published: September 2019

Estudo qualitativo, documental, interpretativo, com coleta de dados realizada em jornais de dois países, com o objetivo de interpretar o modo como as notícias sobre erros de enfermagem na mídia podem contribuir para a compreensão das questões relacionadas à segurança do paciente. Realizada análise hermenêutica com base no Processo de Trabalho e na Teoria do Agir Comunicativo, com auxílio do software Atlas.ti. Resultaram três categorias temáticas que permitiram compreender os problemas relacionados ao financiamento da saúde, às oportunidades de proporcionar a compreensão do problema à sociedade e às possibilidades de representar e fortalecer a identidade profissional. Conclui-se que os meios de comunicação podem ser importantes aliados da enfermagem na busca por melhores condições de trabalho e para dar visibilidade à problemática em si e ao subfinanciamento da saúde, pois as notícias permitem aproximações e distanciamentos, se inseridas no contexto histórico, político e social dos envolvidos.
The role of corticosteroids in the management of childhood asthma
Authors: Van Asperen Peter P , Mellis Craig M , Sly Peter D
Published: September 2019

Objective

To formulate recommendations for the role of corticosteroid therapy in the management of childhood asthma.

Data sources

The recommendations are based on a review of the available literature and a variety of review articles on the efficacy and safety of corticosteroid therapy supplemented by personal experience in managing children with asthma.

Data synthesis

1. Preventive therapy. Sodium cromoglycate should be considered first‐line treatment. Inhaled corticosteroids are indicated in children who fail to achieve control on this therapy or those with severe disease. An initial dosage of 400‐600 pg/day is recommended with subsequent variation in dosage related to clinical response. Large volume spacers can be used to improve aerosol delivery and minimise side effects. Indications for specialist assessment include: use of inhaled corticosteroids in children under 3 years of age; the requirement for high dose therapy (>600 pg/day); or the need for regular oral corticosteroids.

2. Acute severe asthma. Systemic corticosteroid therapy is a valuable adjunct in the treatment of acute severe asthma and can be used safely in the short term. The efficacy of high dose inhaled corticosteroids in the management of acute severe asthma requires further evaluation. The need for systemic corticosteroid therapy signals the need for reassessment of that child's usual maintenance therapy.

Conclusion

These recommendations are presented as a guide to the use of corticosteroid therapy in childhood asthma. In the individual child, the benefits of therapy need to be weighed against the possible risks, with the aim of maintaining good asthma control with the minimum dose of corticosteroid.
Firearms suicides in Australia
Authors: Snowdon John , Harris Lynne
Published: September 2019

Objective

To examine the rates of suicide by firearms in the five larger Australian States during 1968‐1989, and to relate them to differences between those States. We hypothesised that (i) restrictive gun legislation will have reduced the firearms suicide rate in South Australia after 1980, and (ii) firearms suicides would be shown to be more common in States with larger rurahurban population ratios.

Design

Data supplied by the Australian Bureau of Statistics were analysed by sex, State and year of suicide. Differences between the firearms suicide rates of capital city and rural dwellers, and of different age‐ groups, were recorded.

Results

Firearms suicide rates in South Australia declined significantly after 1980, following proclamation of gun legislation, in contrast to the four other larger States where an increase in firearms suicides was recorded. The firearms suicide rate in Queensland has remained consistently higher than in the other four larger States during 1968‐1989. The number of Australian firearms suicides per year fell by 25% from a peak of 572 in 1987 to 451 in 1989.

Conclusions

Further reductions in the Australian firearms suicide rate might be achieved by tightening gun laws and by a media campaign aimed at reducing easy access by males to guns in rural households.
Landslide Potential Evaluation Using Fragility Curve Model
Authors: Huang Yi-Min , Lei Tsu-Chiang , Lee Bing-Jean , Hsieh Meng-Hsun
Published: September 2019

The geological environment of Taiwan mainly contains steep topography and geologically fragile ground surface. Therefore, the vulnerable environmental conditions are prone to landslides during torrential rainfalls and typhoons. The rainfall-induced shallow landslide has become more common in Taiwan due to the extreme weathers in recent years. To evaluate the potential of landslide and its impacts, an evaluation method using the historical rainfall data (the hazard factor) and the temporal characteristics of landslide fragility curve (LFC, the vulnerability factor) was developed and described in this chapter. The LFC model was based on the geomorphological and vegetation factors using landslides at the Chen-Yu-Lan watershed in Taiwan, during events of Typhoon Sinlaku (September 2009) and Typhoon Morakot (August 2009). The critical hazard potential (Hc) and critical fragility potential (Fc) were introduced to express the probability of exceeding a damage state of landslides under certain conditions of rainfall intensity and accumulated rainfall. Case studies at Shenmu village in Taiwan were applied to illustrate the proposed method of landslide potential assessment and the landslide warning in practice. Finally, the proposed risk assessment for landslides can be implemented in the disaster response system and be extended to take debris flows into consideration altogether.
Revision of the Afrotropical Asobara Foerster, 1863 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae), with the descriptions of twenty five new species
Authors: Peris-Felipo Francisco Javier , Van Achterberg Cornelis , Belokobylskij Sergey
Published: September 2019

The Afrotropical (including Malagasy Subregion) species of the genus Asobara Foerster, 1863, are revised. In addition to the redescribed 15 known species, 25 new species are described and illustrated, viz., Asobara abyssiniensis Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., A. caboverdensis van Achterberg, sp. nov., A. carinata Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., A. cracentis van Achterberg, sp. nov., A. elongitarsis van Achterberg, sp. nov., A. fletcheri Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., A. harrinsmithensis Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., A. kawandensis Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., A. kibalensis van Achterberg, sp. nov., A. laticlypeata van Achterberg, sp. nov., A. mediana van Achterberg, sp. nov., A. mellicephalata van Achterberg, sp. nov., A. natalensis Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., A. notleyi Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., A. robusta van Achterberg, sp. nov., A. sarae Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., A. somersetensis Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., A. stubbsi Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., A. taylori Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., A. vanalpheni van Achterberg, sp. nov., A. vanharteni van Achterberg, sp. nov., A. victoriana Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., A. zaprionae van Achterberg, sp. nov., A. zimbabwana Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., A. zululana Peris-Felipo, sp. nov. Moreover, the following new combination is suggested: Asobara pulchricornis (Szépligeti, 1911) comb. nov. A key to all Afrotropical (including Malagasy) species is provided for the first time.
Geografi kejahatan, teori disorganisasi sosial, dan kajian terhadap kejahatan di ruang perkotaan
Authors: Olii Mohammad Irvan
Published: September 2019

Persebaran kejahatan di ruang perkotaan secara keruangan telah lama menjadi bagian kajian secara geografis.  Salah satu teori yang untuk membahas persebaran tersebut adalah teori disorganisasi sosial. Tulisan ini mengulas pemanfaatan teori disorganisasi sosial dalam sebuah artikel jurnal internasional karya Melo, Andersen dan Matias (2017) yang membahas geografi kejahatan pada sebuah kota di negara Brazil. Hasil ulasan memaparkan sejarah ringkas dari teori disorganisasi dan hubungannya dengan pengkajian permasalahan perkotaan, khususnya kejahatan, termasuk dasar-dasar pemikiran yang ada. Selain itu, hasil ulasan juga memaparkan kritik-kritik terhadap teori disorganisasi sosial. Pada bagian penutup akan dipaparkan perlunya perhatian terhadap adanya perbedaan pemahaman atas ruang kota yang didasarkan teori disorganisasi sosial dengan konteks ruang kota di Indonesia.

Kata Kunci: geografi kejahatan, teori disorganisasi sosial, ruang kota.
Cytoplasmic protein misfolding titrates Hsp70 to activate nuclear Hsf1
Authors: Masser Anna E , Kang Wenjing , Roy Joydeep , Mohanakrishnan Kaimal Jayasankar , Quintana-Cordero Jany , Friedländer Marc R , Andréasson Claes
Published: September 2019

Hsf1 is an ancient transcription factor that responds to protein folding stress by inducing the heat-shock response (HSR) that restore perturbed proteostasis. Hsp70 chaperones negatively regulate the activity of Hsf1 via stress-responsive mechanisms that are poorly understood. Here, we have reconstituted budding yeast Hsf1-Hsp70 activation complexes and find that surplus Hsp70 inhibits Hsf1 DNA-binding activity. Hsp70 binds Hsf1 via its canonical substrate binding domain and Hsp70 regulates Hsf1 DNA-binding activity. During heat shock, Hsp70 is out-titrated by misfolded proteins derived from ongoing translation in the cytosol. Pushing the boundaries of the regulatory system unveils a genetic hyperstress program that is triggered by proteostasis collapse and involves an enlarged Hsf1 regulon. The findings demonstrate how an apparently simple chaperone-titration mechanism produces diversified transcriptional output in response to distinct stress loads.
A tissue-like platform for studying engineered quiescent human T-cells’ interactions with dendritic cells
Authors: Abu-Shah Enas , Demetriou Philippos , Bálint Štefan , Mayya Viveka , Kutuzov Mikhail A , Dushek Omer , Dustin Michael L
Published: September 2019

Research in the field of human immunology is restricted by the lack of a system that reconstitutes thein-situactivation dynamics of quiescent human antigen-specific T-cells interacting with dendritic cells. Here we report a tissue-like system that recapitulates the dynamics of engineered primary human immune cell. Our approach facilitates real-time single-cell manipulations, tracking of interactions and functional responses complemented by population-based measurements of cytokines, activation status and proliferation. As a proof of concept, we recapitulate immunological phenomenon such as CD4 T-cells' help to CD8 T-cells through enhanced maturation of DCs and the effect of PD-1 checkpoint blockades. In addition, we characterise unique dynamics of T-cell/DC interactions as a function of antigen affinity.
Behavioural responses of southern mountain caribou to helicopter and skiing activities
Authors: Wilson Steven F. , Wilmshurst John F.
Published: September 2019

Helicopter- and snowcat-supported backcountry skiing is a unique industry that is widespread throughout southern mountain caribou habitat in British Columbia. We analyzed standardized caribou encounter data collected by operators under an agreement between the BC government and Helicat Canada. Average reported encounter rates were low for helicopters (0.6%) and skiing groups (0.1%); however, encounters were likely underreported due to factors that affect caribou sightability. Although helicopters encountered caribou more frequently than skiing groups, caribou were detected from helicopters at greater distances than by skiers. We used Bayesian network models to assess the independent contribution of different factors to the behavioural response of caribou to encounters. Encounter distance was the most important factor in both helicopter and skiing models. Larger groups of caribou responded strongly to skiers but not to helicopters, although the independent effect of this factor was small in both models. Larger helicopters elicited stronger reactions from caribou than smaller machines and was responsible for 25% of the modelled variation in caribou response. Encounters with helicopters at distances of 100–500m had a 78% probability of eliciting a concerned-to-very-alarmedresponse from caribou, while skiers at a similar distance had a 60% probability of eliciting the same response. The probability of concerned-to-very-alarmed responses dropped to <20% at encounter distances of >1000 m. These results indicate that initial encounter distance is the key variable to manage risk to caribou of helicopter and skiing encounters. Ongoing feedback on the effectiveness of management practices is critical to ensure the continued viability of industries operating in caribou habitat.
Stabilization of soluble high‐affinity T‐cell receptor with de novo disulfide bonds
Authors: Sádio Flávio , Stadlmayr Gerhard , Stadlbauer Katharina , Gräf Maximilian , Scharrer Agnes , Rüker Florian , Wozniak‐Knopp Gordana
Published: September 2019

Soluble T‐cell receptors (TCRs) have recently gained visibility as target‐recognition units of anticancer immunotherapeutic agents. Here, we improved the thermal stability of the well‐expressed high‐affinity A6 TCR by introducing pairs of cysteines in the invariable parts of the α‐ and β‐chain. A mutant with a novel intradomain disulfide bond in each chain also tested superior to the wild‐type in the accelerated stability assay. Binding of the mutant to the soluble cognate peptide (cp)–MHC and to the peptide‐loaded T2 cell line was equal to the wild‐type A6 TCR. The same stabilization motif worked efficiently in TCRs with different specificities, such as DMF5 and 1G4. Altogether, the biophysical properties of the soluble TCR molecule could be improved, without affecting its expression level and antigen‐binding specificity.
Ironed Out: A Bacterial Siderophore Primer
Authors: Lakes Andrew L. , Rees Julian A. , Abergel Rebecca J.
Published: September 2019

Nearly all living organisms require iron, the fourth most abundant element in the earth's crust, for survival. However, despite its abundance, ferric ion has extremely low solubility in aerobic environments at physiological pH (10−18M), and the FeII/FeIIIredox couple leads the production of destructive oxygen radicals via Fenton chemistry. To solubilize and regulate iron in biological systems, many organisms rely on proteins and small molecules to chelate iron and make it bioavailable. This tedious management of the distribution of iron has led to an arms race between mammals and microorganisms, each with the purpose to ensure their own supply of iron at the expense of the other. In order to acquire iron, microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi have developed small‐molecule chelators called siderophores that bind environmental iron and are actively reincorporated into the cell via specific receptors. When a bacterial pathogen invades a mammalian host, its ability to steal iron from the host's iron stores is determinant in the success of its pathogenicity. This article seeks to provide a high‐level perspective on the structural variety and coordination properties of siderophores, as well as on the biological relevance of siderophore‐mediated iron acquisition for bacterial survival. The promise of using or altering these iron acquisition pathways for medicinal and theranostic applications is also discussed.
Active‐Site Imprinting: Preparation of Fe–N–C Catalysts from Zinc Ion–Templated Ionothermal Nitrogen‐Doped Carbons
Authors: Menga Davide , Ruiz‐Zepeda Francisco , Moriau Léonard , Šala Martin , Wagner Friedrich , Koyutürk Burak , Bele Marjan , Petek Urša , Hodnik Nejc , Gaberšček Miran , Fellinger Tim‐Patrick
Published: September 2019

Atomically dispersed Fe–N–C catalysts are considered the most promising precious‐metal‐free alternative to state‐of‐the‐art Pt‐based oxygen reduction electrocatalysts for proton‐exchange membrane fuel cells. The exceptional progress in the field of research in the last ≈30 years is currently limited by the moderate active site density that can be obtained. Behind this stands the dilemma of metastability of the desired FeN4 sites at the high temperatures that are believed to be a requirement for their formation. It is herein shown that Zn2+ ions can be utilized in the novel concept of active‐site imprinting based on a pyrolytic template ion reaction throughout the formation of nitrogen‐doped carbons. As obtained atomically dispersed Zn–N–Cs comprising ZnN4 sites as well as metal‐free N4 sites can be utilized for the coordination of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions to form atomically dispersed Fe–N–C with Fe loadings as high as 3.12 wt%. The Fe–N–Cs are active electocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in acidic media with an onset potential of E0 = 0.85 V versus RHE in 0.1 m HClO4. Identical location atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy imaging, as well as in situ electrochemical flow cell coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurements, is employed to directly prove the concept of the active‐site imprinting approach.
Artificial Solid‐Electrolyte Interphase Enabled High‐Capacity and Stable Cycling Potassium Metal Batteries
Authors: Wang Huwei , Hu Junyang , Dong Jiahui , Lau Kah Chun , Qin Lei , Lei Yu , Li Baohua , Zhai Dengyun , Wu Yiying , Kang Feiyu
Published: September 2019

Secondary batteries based on earth‐abundant potassium metal anodes are attractive for stationary energy storage. However, suppressing the formation of potassium metal dendrites during cycling is pivotal in the development of future potassium metal‐based battery technology. Herein, a promising artificial solid‐electrolyte interphase (ASEI) design, simply covering a carbon nanotube (CNT) film on the surface of a potassium metal anode, is demonstrated. The results show that the spontaneously potassiated CNT framework with a stable self‐formed solid‐electrolyte interphase layer integrates a quasi‐hosting feature with fast interfacial ion transport, which enables dendrite‐free deposition of potassium at an ultrahigh capacity (20 mAh cm−2). Remarkably, the potassium metal anode exhibits an unprecedented cycle life (over 1000 cycles, over 2000 h) at a high current density of 5 mA cm−2 and a desirable areal capacity of 4 mAh cm−2. Dendrite‐free morphology in carbon‐fiber and carbon‐black‐based ASEI for potassium metal anodes, which indicates a broader promise of this approach, is also observed.
Patterns and effects of heterospecific pollen transfer between an invasive and two native plant species: the importance of pollen arrival time to the stigma
Authors: Suárez‐Mariño Alexander , Arceo‐Gómez Gerardo , Sosenski Paula , Parra‐Tabla Víctor
Published: September 2019

Premise

Invasive plant species can integrate into native plant–pollinator communities, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Competitive interactions between invasive and native plants via heterospecific pollen (HP) and differential invasiveHPeffects depending onHParrival time to the stigma may mediate invasion success, but these have been little studied.

Methods

We evaluated patterns and effects ofHPreceipt on pollen tube growth in two native and one invasive species in the field. We also used hand‐pollination experiments to evaluate the effect of invasiveHPpollen and its arrival time on native reproductive success.

Results

Native species receive smaller and less‐diverseHPloads (5–7 species) compared to invasive species (10 species). The load size ofHPhad a negative effect on the proportion of pollen tubes in both native species but not in the invasive, suggesting higherHPtolerance in the latter. InvasiveHParrival time differentially affected pollen tube success in native species.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the need to study reciprocalHPeffects between invasive and native species and the factors that determine differential responses toHPreceipt to fully understand the mechanisms facilitating invasive species integration into native plant–pollinator communities.
1,10‐Phenanthroline Carboxylic Acids for Preparation of Functionalized Metal‐Organic Frameworks
Authors: Abel Anton S. , Yu Mitrofanov Alexander , Yakushev Aleksei A. , Zenkov Ilya S. , Morozkov Gleb V. , Averin Alexei D. , Beletskaya Irina P. , Michalak Julien , Brandès Stéphane , Bessmertnykh‐Lemeune Alla
Published: September 2019

Synthetic approaches to 1,10‐phenanthroline‐3‐carboxylic acid (2), 1,10‐phenanthroline‐3,8‐dicarboxylic acid (3) and their functionalized derivatives were investigated. Acids 2 and 3 were prepared in good yields from bromophenanthrolines via palladium‐catalyzed alkoxycarbonylation. Moreover, butyl 8‐bromo‐1,10‐phenanthroline‐3‐carboxylate was obtained in acceptable yield (25–35%) by ceasing the carbonylation of the dibromide 5 after 30–70% consumption of the starting compound. To prepare functionalized derivatives of acids 2 and 3, the reactions of butyl 8‐bromo‐1,10‐phenanthroline‐3‐carboxylate and diethyl 4,7‐dichloro‐1,10‐phenanthroline‐3,8‐dicarboxylate with various nucleophiles were investigated. SNAr reactions are suitable for the synthesis of 4,7‐diazido‐, dimethoxy‐ and diamino‐substituted 3,8‐bis(ethoxycarbonyl)phenanthrolines, including the macrocyclic derivatives. The bromine atom at position 8 of the phenanthroline ring reacts with nucleophiles only in the presence of the palladium catalysts. The scope of these reactions was briefly investigated conducting Sonogashira, Suzuki‐Miyaura and Hirao reactions. Hydrolysis of the functionalized esters of phenanthroline leads to corresponding acids in good yields.
Orthologous nuclear markers and new transcriptomes that broadly cover the phylogenetic diversity of Acanthaceae
Authors: Morais Erica B. , Schönenberger Jürg , Conti Elena , Antonelli Alexandre , Szövényi Péter
Published: September 2019

Premise

Information on orthologous groups of genes, their sequence variability, and annotation is required for project design in phylogenetic reconstruction. This resource is unavailable for the flowering plant family Acanthaceae (>4000 species).

Methods

We compared transcriptome sequences spanning the extant diversity of Acanthaceae in order to provide a set of orthologous low‐copy nuclear genes and assess their utility for reconstructing phylogenetic relationships within this group of plants.

Results

We present new transcriptome assemblies for eight species representing all major clades of Acanthaceae. The assemblies of five of these species are entirely based on new sequence data. Of these five species, three are from subfamilies for which no genomic resources were previously available (Nelsonioideae and Thunbergioideae). These five new transcriptomes are more complete than all others from public databases. Furthermore, we provide alignments with sequence information, annotation, and statistics for potential phylogenetic utility of 1619 orthologous low‐copy nuclear markers.

Discussion

Our method of inferring assemblies from multiple pooled tissue samples delivers more complete transcriptomes than any available ones from Acanthaceae. We make available to the community new resources (e.g., sequence information, variability, and annotation of orthologous low‐copy nuclear genes) that will help phylogenetic reconstruction in Acanthaceae.
SnS2/N‐Doped Graphene as a Superior Stability Anode for Potassium‐Ion Batteries by Inhibiting “Shuttle Effect”
Authors: Sheng Chuanchao , Zhang Chaofei , Shen Xiaoxiao , Zhao Shulin , Fu Lijun , Wu Yuping , Wang Jing , Chen Yuhui
Published: September 2019

Potassium‐ion batteries are promising supplements to lithium‐ion batteries considering the abundance of potassium. However, the high reactivity of metallic potassium and low capacity of graphite anode are great challenges. A high capacity anode material is desired. Herein, we synthesize a tin sulfide/N‐doped reduced graphene oxide composite (SnS2/N‐rGO), in which tin sulfide nanoparticles are dispersed on the N‐doped graphene layer. It shows a high reversible capacity of 645.2 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1 and 402 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1. In situ X‐ray powder diffraction of the discharge process is carried out. KSn forms as a final product and K2S5 forms as an important discharge intermediate. Nitrogen‐doping immobilizes the tin sulfide particles and inhibits the loss of polysulfide intermediate. Therefore, 97.3 % of discharge capacity remains after 100 cycles. This result sheds light on the rational design of anode materials with large volume change for potassium ion batteries.
Single‐Ion Conducting Poly(Ethylene Oxide Carbonate) as Solid Polymer Electrolyte for Lithium Batteries
Authors: Meabe Leire , Goujon Nicolas , Li Chunmei , Armand Michel , Forsyth Maria , Mecerreyes David
Published: September 2019

Single‐ion conducting polymer electrolytes (SIPE) have attracted a lot of interest for application in high energy density lithium metal batteries. SIPEs possess lithium transport numbers close to unity, which does not provoke concentration gradients and holds the promise of limiting lithium dendrite formation. In this article, we have optimized a single‐ion polymer incorporating the most successful chemical units in polymer electrolytes, such as ethylene oxide, carbonate, and a lithium sulfonimide. This single‐ion poly(ethylene oxide carbonate) copolymer was synthesized by polycondensation between polyethylene glycol, dimethyl carbonate, and a functional diol including the pendant sulfonamide anionic group and the lithium counter‐cation. By playing with the monomer stoichiometry, the crystallinity and ionic conductivity were optimized. The best copolymer showed high ionic conductivity values of 1.2×10−4 S cm−1 at 70 °C. Lithium interactions and mobility were studied by lithium‐pulsed field gradient, lithium diffusion, NMR relaxation time measurements, and FTIR‐ATR analysis. High lithium mobility is observed, which is due to the weakly coordinating chemical environment in the polymer and also that the sulfonamide in the SIPE adopts to a greater extent the cis conformation, which is known to promote lithium mobility. Finally, the performance of the singe‐ion conducting poly(ethylene oxide carbonate) was compared in lithium symmetric cells versus an analogous conventional salt in polymer electrolyte, showing improved performance in lithium plating and stripping.
Management and intensity of medical end‐of‐life care in people with colorectal cancer during the year before their death in 2015: A French national observational study
Authors: Tanguy‐Melac Audrey , Aguade Anne‐Sophie , Fagot‐Campagna Anne , Gastaldi‐Ménager Christelle , Sabaté Jean‐Marc , Tuppin Philippe
Published: September 2019

The care pathway of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) 1 year prior to death, their causes of death and the healthcare use, and associated expenditure remain poorly described together. People managed for CRC (2014‐2015), covered by the national health insurance general scheme and who died in 2015 were selected from the national health data system. A total of 15 361 individuals (mean age: 75 years, SD: 12.5 years) were included, almost 66% of whom died in short‐stay hospital (SSH), 9% in hospital at home (HaH), 4% in rehabilitation units (Rehab), 6% in skilled nursing homes (SNH), and 15% at home. At least one other cancer was identified for one‐third of these people. Almost one‐half of people presented cardiovascular comorbidity, 21% had chronic respiratory disease, and 13% had a neurological or degenerative disease. During the last month of life, 83% were admitted at least once to SSH, 39% had at least one emergency department admission, 17% were admitted to an intensive care unit, 15% received at least one chemotherapy session (<60 years: 27%), and 5% received oral chemotherapy. Eighty‐eight percent of the 60% of individuals who received hospital palliative care (HPC) vs 75% of those without HPC were admitted to SSH at least once during the last month. Cancer was the main cause of death for 84% (SSH: 85%, home: 77%) and corresponded to CRC for 64% of them. The mean annual expenditure per person during the last year of life was €43 398 (SSH: €48 804). This study suggests a relatively high level of HPC use during the year before death for people with CRC in France. High rates of emergency department, intensive care, and chemotherapy use were observed during the last month of life. However, management is very largely SSH‐based with a small proportion of deaths at home.
Cell‐Wall‐Targeting Antibiotics Cause Lag‐Phase Bacteria to Form Surface‐Mediated Filaments Promoting the Formation of Biofilms and Aggregates
Authors: Jin Yuchen , Zheng Hewen , Ibanez Arizza Chiara S. , Patil Pankaj D. , Lv Suqi , Luo Minrui , Duncan Thomas M. , Luk Yan‐Yeung
Published: September 2019

Antibiotics are known to promote bacterial formation of enhanced biofilms, the mechanism of which is not well understood. Here, using biolayer interferometry, we have shown that bacterial cultures containing antibiotics that target cell walls cause biomass deposition on surfaces over time with a linear profile rather than the Langmuir‐like profiles exhibited by bacterial adherence in the absence of antibiotics. We observed about three times the initial rate and 12 times the final biomass deposition on surfaces for cultures containing carbenicillin than without. Unexpectedly, in the presence of antibiotics, the rate of biomass deposition inversely correlated with bacterial densities from different stages of a culture. Detailed studies revealed that carbenicillin caused faster growth of filaments that were seeded on surfaces from young bacteria (from lag phase) than those from high‐density fast‐growing bacteria, with rates of filament elongation of about 0.58 and 0.13 μm min−1, respectively. With surfaces that do not support bacterial adherence, few filaments were observed even in solution. These filaments aggregated in solution and formed increased amounts of biofilms on surfaces. These results reveal the lifestyle of antibiotic‐induced filamentous bacteria, as well as one way in which the antibiotics promote biofilm formation.
Comparison of the chemical and textural properties of germ‐remaining soft rice grains from different spikelet positions
Authors: Ma Zhao‐Hui , Chen Heng‐Xue , Lyu Wen‐Yan , Cheng Hai‐Tao , Chen Yun , Wang Yong‐Bing
Published: September 2019

Background and objectives

Rice with very low amylose content tends to have a good taste, while germ‐remaining rice is nutritive because it retains nutrient‐rich embryos. We cultivated a batch of new germ‐remaining rice varieties with very low amylose content, and good nutrition and taste. We tested the differences in taste quality between superior and inferior grains.

Findings

The plumule ratio of superior grain was significantly higher than that of inferior grain. The elasticity of the surface layer and whole layer of superior grains was greatly reduced, whereas quality of balance (stickiness/hardness) and tackiness were increased. The proportion of apparent amylose content (AAC) and amylopectin long‐chain branching (Fb3) decreased, whereas the proportion of medium‐length branches (Fb1+2) increased significantly. Correlation analysis showed that small value of aspect ratio and low proportion Fb3, especially the former, can improve the quality of balance of rice. Moreover, plumule ratio showed a high correlation with grain shape and filling degree.

Conclusions

Therefore, for the specially developed rice, plumule ratio and edibility can be improved by promoting grain plumpness and weight ratio of the embryo, especially the inferior grain.

Significance and novelty

For rice taste improving, the contribution of grain filling was greater than that of chemical changes in the endosperm composition, and breeders should pay attention to grain shape improvement and filling to improve the taste of rice.
Why is prostate cancer incidence rising in young men?
Authors: Sartor Oliver
Published: September 2019

Globally, prostate cancer in young men is increasing in incidence. The reasons for this increase are unclear but may include ascertainment bias caused by increases in prostate‐specific antigen testing.
Rapid and In Situ Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles in Redox Multilayer Film for Biosensor Applications
Authors: Sun Yi‐xin , Ren Ke‐feng , Liu Xiang‐sheng , Ji Jian
Published: September 2019

Ferrocene‐grafted poly(ethyleneimine)/poly(acrylic acid) (PEI‐Fc/PAA) multilayer films were constructed via layer‐by‐layer assembly. When the PEI‐Fc/PAA films were immersed in HAuCl4 solution, Fc and the AuIII were converted to Fc+ and Au0, respectively, via the redox reaction of Fc and HAuCl4, and the PEI‐Fc/PAA@Au nanoparticles (NPs) multilayer films were rapidly fabricated. SEM and TEM results showed Au NPs were distributed homogeneously throughout the thickness of the whole film. The electron transfer behavior of PEI‐Fc/PAA@Au NPs multilayer films was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and AC impedance. The results indicated that the Au NPs greatly improve the conductivity of multilayer films and thus enhance the electrochemical properties of films. The PEI‐Fc/PAA@Au NPs films were further used for the fabrication of a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) sensor, which showed good catalytic ability for the reduction of H2O2. This approach is expected to expand the routes towards rapid fabrication of Au NPs into multilayer films.
Program for students with ASD helps with transition
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: September 2019

The size of a campus such as the University of Alabama's can prove daunting for students with autism spectrum disorder, so the university in 2006 launched the ASD College Transition and Support Program to ease the process of adjusting to college. Program Director Megan Davis, Ph.D., discussed program features that help students with ASD build self‐advocacy, daily living, and social interaction skills.
The demography of hurricane effects on two coral populations differing in dynamics
Authors: Edmunds Peter J.
Published: September 2019

On most tropical coral reefs, decades of disturbances have ratcheted down coral cover to create low abundance communities. In such a state, the reefs of St. John, US Virgin Islands, were hit by two Category 5 hurricanes in September 2017, yet the effects on two sites dominated by Orbicella annularis were minor in terms of coral cover. To explore the implications of this outcome, the fates of O. annularis colonies were determined from photoquadrats and used to prepare size‐based matrix models for the year preceding the storms and the four months bracketing the storms. The populations displayed contrasting dynamics from 1988 to July 2017, with coral cover declining from 43% to 5% at Yawzi Point but remaining at ~30% at Tektite. Over this period, colony sizes declined, with ≥82% having planar areas ≤50 cm2 (i.e., the smallest size class) by July 2017, and while densities declined from 47 to 8 colonies/m2 at Yawzi Point, they increased from 36 to 51 colonies/m2 at Tektite. Hurricanes Irma and Maria depressed coral cover by 1–4%, transitioned colonies into the smallest size class (>87% by November), killed 27% and 5% of the colonies in the smallest size class at Yawzi Point and Tektite, respectively, and depressed the 5‐yr intrinsic rate of population growth (λ) to 0.53–0.87. Twenty‐year projections suggested these demographic effects will not have ecologically meaningful impacts on population size, at least compared to projections initiated assuming Hurricanes Irma and Maria had not occurred. With low cover of O. annularis distributed among many small colonies, future disturbances may play more important roles in winnowing the few remaining host genotypes rather than further depressing coral cover.
Grasshopper phenological responses to climate gradients, variability, and change
Authors: Nufio César R. , Buckley Lauren B.
Published: September 2019

Species have responded to recent climate change via pronounced, but often variable, shifts in seasonal timing (phenology). Can this variability be accounted for by comparing responses along an elevational gradient and among species differing in seasonal timing and traits? We resurveyed montane grasshopper communities along a 1300‐m elevational gradient to examine phenological responses to ~50 yr of climate warming. Phenological responses were elevation dependent, influenced by relative warming (which was more pronounced at higher elevations) and by substantial interannual variability in available growing degree‐days (GDDs). The total number of GDDs available for development within a season declines with elevation, and correspondingly high‐elevation populations required fewer GDDs to reach adulthood. Although phenological advancements were particularly pronounced at higher elevations, consistent with a greater magnitude of climate warming, species as a whole initiated and completed development earlier in warmer years. During warm years, phenological advances were most pronounced early in development, and the timing of adulthood tended to occur earlier (at a similar or greater accumulation of GDDs). Phenological advancement was also more pronounced in early season species, which exhibit developmental plasticity to capitalize on warming. Interactions with elevation were also strongest for the early season species. Our study shows the importance of incorporating developmental information to understand the environmental and organismal mechanisms that drive variable phenological responses and suggests that the phenological impacts of warming will be concentrated early in development, among early season species, and at high elevations. Considering these drivers of phenological variability can aid understanding and predicting climate‐induced changes to community and ecosystem structure.
Designing multi‐scale hierarchical monitoring frameworks for wildlife to support management: a sage‐grouse case study
Authors: O'Donnell Michael S. , Edmunds David R. , Aldridge Cameron L. , Heinrichs Julie A. , Coates Peter S. , Prochazka Brian G. , Hanser Steve E.
Published: September 2019

Population monitoring is integral to the conservation and management of wildlife; yet, analyses of population demographic data rarely consider processes occurring across spatial scales, potentially limiting the effectiveness of adaptive management. Therefore, we developed a method to identify hierarchical levels of organization (i.e., populations) to define multiple spatial scales, specifically intended to help guide appropriate conservation and management actions. This approach can support mobile species with high site fidelity where surveys occur on birthing/breeding grounds or migratory stopovers. Our approach used a graph‐based clustering algorithm (Spatial K'luster Analysis by Tree Edge Removal) that explicitly included habitat selection information at multiple scales and further refined with constraint‐based rules. We applied these concepts to greater sage‐grouse leks (breeding grounds), a species of conservation concern, in two different ecological contexts (Nevada and Wyoming, USA). The constraint‐based rules accounted for inter‐lek movement distances based on literature and field studies in Nevada from 2012 to 2016, included methods to support a spatially balanced monitoring design, and identified barriers to movements among leks based on resistance surfaces. We evaluated the performance of our hierarchical clusters in Nevada using independent data from radio‐marked sage‐grouse, and we found the finest‐scaled cluster level captured ~90% of sage‐grouse movements and mid‐level scales captured ~97–99% of movements. We expected comparable performance for Wyoming, where we lacked radio‐marked sage‐grouse for an evaluation, because genetic studies estimate similar dispersal distances to our ~15 km inter‐lek movement distance in Nevada. For sage‐grouse and other mobile species with high site fidelity, our approach to defining these frameworks could prove valuable for conservation and management applications, such as improving estimation of scale‐dependent population trends and guiding the prescription of management actions at spatial scales that align with identified threats. Specific to sage‐grouse, our analysis sets the stage for designing a monitoring framework that relies on comparison of short‐ and long‐term population trends across our defined spatial scales and identifies and disentangles factors driving local (e.g., habitat quality) and regional (e.g., climate) population changes, thereby supporting scale‐dependent management and research needs for adaptive management practices.
Recreational water monitoring: Nanofluidic qRT‐PCR chip for assessing beach water safety
Authors: Shahraki Abdolrazagh Hashemi , Heath Daniel , Chaganti Subba Rao
Published: September 2019

Improved recreational water monitoring using rapid molecular genetic methods would decrease both public health risks and unnecessary beach closures. Hence, we developed a novel nanofluidic quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) in the OpenArray platform to (a) detect and quantify fecal indicator bacteria (FIBs; N = 2), (b) identify contaminant sources (microbial source tracking (MST); N = 7), and (c) detect human virulent pathogens (virulence gene markers; N = 15). Our water monitoring OpenArray plate reliably detects as few as two template copies/hole (OpenArray® well), with some marker sensitivities as low as single‐copy detection. The OpenArray plate showed high target sequence specificity and returned expected patterns of contaminants for fecal and sewage samples. We found Canada geese and seagulls were the leading causes of contamination at beaches that tested positive for coliforms. When we incorporated robotic DNA extraction, we were able to process samples from water to FIBs, MST, and waterborne pathogen detection and quantification within four hours. Our monitoring TaqMan qPCR assays in the OpenArray platform is uniquely valuable for regulatory agencies charged with beach water safety as well as for researchers interested in human health implications of aquatic microbial community structure.
Hyperpolarized Metabolic Imaging Detects Latent Hepatocellular Carcinoma Domains Surviving Locoregional Therapy
Authors: Perkons Nicholas R. , Kiefer Ryan M. , Noji Michael C. , Pourfathi Mehrdad , Ackerman Daniel , Siddiqui Sarmad , Tischfield David , Profka Enri , Johnson Omar , Pickup Stephen , Mancuso Anthony , Pantel Austin , Denburg Michelle R. , Nadolski Gregory J. , Hunt Stephen J. , Furth Emma E. , Kadlecek Stephen , Gade Terence P. F.
Published: September 2019

Background and Aims

Advances in cancer treatment have improved survival; however, local recurrence and metastatic disease—the principal causes of cancer mortality—have limited the ability to achieve durable remissions. Local recurrences arise from latent tumor cells that survive therapy and are often not detectable by conventional clinical imaging techniques. Local recurrence after transarterial embolization (TAE) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provides a compelling clinical correlate of this phenomenon. In response to TAE‐induced ischemia, HCC cells adapt their growth program to effect a latent phenotype that precedes local recurrence.

Approach and Results

In this study, we characterized and leveraged the metabolic reprogramming demonstrated by latent HCC cells in response to TAE‐induced ischemia to enable their detection in vivo using dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) of 13carbon‐labeled substrates. Under TAE‐induced ischemia, latent HCC cells demonstrated reduced metabolism and developed a dependence on glycolytic flux to lactate. Despite the hypometabolic state of these cells, DNP‐MRSI of 1‐13C‐pyruvate and its downstream metabolites, 1‐13C‐lactate and 1‐13C‐alanine, predicted histological viability.

Conclusions

These studies provide a paradigm for imaging latent, treatment‐refractory cancer cells, suggesting that DNP‐MRSI provides a technology for this application.
Functional roles of norCB in Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 under aerobic conditions
Authors: Zhou Gang , Wang Ying‐Si , Peng Hong , Shen Peng‐Fei , Xie Xiao‐Bao , Shi Qing‐Shan
Published: September 2019

Nitric oxide (NO) reductase (NorCB) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an essential enzyme that metabolizes NO and alleviates anaerobic NO toxicity during denitrification processes under anaerobic conditions. However, the molecular functions of norCB in the presence of oxygen are poorly understood. This study utilized norCB knockout from P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027 to analyze the resulting phenotypic changes of ΔnorCB in comparison to the wild‐type parental strain (WT) and the complementary strain (ΔnorCB‐com). The results demonstrated an increase in planktonic growth and biofilm formation by ΔnorCB compared to WT and ΔnorCB‐com in the presence of isothiazolones under aerobic conditions. Deletion of norCB led to increased swimming ability and decreased pyocyanin production. Inactivation of norCB also led to an increase of cellular H2O2 concentration due to decreased activity of its catalases. In addition, the deletion of norCB also influenced the relative expressions of several other genes, including norD, nirS, hmgA, and hpd. These findings provide preliminary evidence that norCB in P. aeruginosa plays an essential role in bacterial life process under aerobic conditions and improves the application of denitrification in the next step.
Investigating the Association Between Parental Absence and Developmental Trauma Disorder Symptoms
Authors: Zhang Yan , Zhang Jingqiu , Ding Cody
Published: September 2019

The importance of parent‐child relationships in social and emotional development is well established. The current study examined the vulnerability to developmental trauma disorder (DTD) symptoms for children who were left behind by their parents due to migration. Using samples from China, we investigated the change pattern of DTD symptoms with respect to scales for affect–physical dysregulation, self‐dysregulation, and behavioral dysregulation among left‐behind children in comparison to their peers. The results of a hierarchical linear model analysis indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in affect‐physical dysregulation, self‐dysregulation, or behavioral dysregulation between left‐behind children and their counterparts at age 13, ηp2 = .00–.013. However, DTD symptoms worsened over time for left‐behind children, with a larger mean score difference in DTD symptoms at 18 years of age, ηp2 = .24–.43. The results suggest a possible link between impaired caregiving systems and DTD symptoms. Early prevention efforts would benefit these children before they develop more serious psychosocial problems in the future.