bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Basic Neuroanatomical Methods
Authors: Paletzki Ronald F. , Gerfen Charles R.
Published: November 2019

This unit covers some basic procedures that are common to a wide range of neuroanatomical protocols for brain tissue. Procedures are provided for preparation of unfixed fresh brain tissue as well as for perfusion fixation of animals to obtain fixed neural tissue. A variety of methods for sectioning are described, including frozen sectioning using a cryostat or microtome and sectioning with a vibratome. The choice of sectioning method depends on how the brain has been prepared and what histochemical method is to be used. A fluorescent immunohistochemical method to localize endogenous molecules as well as induced markers such as green fluorescent protein and red fluorescent protein is also provided. Additionally, three post‐sectioning procedures are described: defatting of slide‐mounted sections, fluorescent Nissl staining, and thionin staining of sections. Finally, support protocols are provided, describing a method for maintaining the correct order of cut tissue, whether rostral to caudal or lateral to medial; a procedure for subbing slides with gelatin, which is necessary in some protocols in order for sections to adhere to slides; and preparation of custom 3D‐printed 10‐ or 20‐well tissue plates and trays for subsequent immunostaining. Published 2019. U.S. Government.

Basic Protocol 1: Preparation of unfixed fresh‐frozen brain tissue

Basic Protocol 2: Perfusion fixation

Basic Protocol 3: Cryostat sectioning of frozen brain tissue

Basic Protocol 4: Sliding‐microtome sectioning of fixed brain tissue

Basic Protocol 5: Vibratome and Compresstome sectioning

Support Protocol 1: Tissue collection in a 1‐in‐10 series

Support Protocol 2: Preparation of gelatin‐subbed microscope slides

Support Protocol 3: Custom 3D‐printed 10‐ and 20‐well tissue plates

Basic Protocol 6: Post‐sectioning procedures I: Fluorescent immunohistochemical localization

Basic Protocol 7: Post‐sectioning procedures II: Defatting

Basic Protocol 8: Post‐sectioning procedures III: Nissl staining

Basic Protocol 9: Post‐sectioning procedures IV: Thionin staining
Ultrasmall 2 D CoxZn2−x(Benzimidazole)4 Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets and their Derived Co Nanodots@Co,N‐Codoped Graphene for Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zhao Kuangmin , Liu Suqin , Ye Guanying , Wei Xianli , Su Yuke , Zhu Weiwei , Zhou Zhi , He Zhen
Published: November 2019

The development of nonprecious metal–nitrogen–carbon (M‐N‐C) materials with efficient metal utilization and abundant active sites for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of great significance for fuel cells and metal–air batteries. Ultrasmall 2 D CoxZn2−x(benzimidazole)4 [CoxZn2−x(bim)4] bimetallic metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets (≈2 nm thick) are synthesized by a novel bottom‐up strategy and then thermally converted into a core–shell structure of sub‐5 nm Co nanodots (NDs) wrapped with 2 to 5 layers of Co,N‐codoped graphene (Co@FLG). The size of the Co NDs in Co@FLG could be precisely controlled by the Co/Zn ratio in the CoxZn2−x(bim)4 nanosheet. As an ORR electrocatalyst, the optimized Co@FLG exhibits an excellent half‐wave potential of 0.841 V (vs. RHE), a high limiting current density of 6.42 mA cm−2, and great stability in alkaline electrolyte. Co@FLG also has great ORR performance in neutral electrolyte, as well as in Mg–air batteries. The experimental studies and DFT calculations reveal that the high performance of Co@FLG is mainly attributed to its great O2 absorptivity, which is endowed by the abundant Co−Nx and pyridinic‐N in the FLG shell and the strong electron‐donating ability from the Co ND core to the FLG shell. This elevates the eg orbital energy of CoII and lowers the activation energy for breaking the O=O/O−O bonds. This work sheds light on the design and fabrication of 2 D MOFs and MOF‐derived M‐N‐C materials for energy storage and conversion applications.
Performance enhancement routing protocols for heterogeneous WSNs
Authors: Mohamed Fathia A. , Hassan Emad S. , Dessouky Moawad I. , Elsafrawey Amir S.
Published: November 2019

One of the main constraints in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is the energy consumption. To mitigate this limitation and to prolong network life‐time, stability period and throughput, this paper proposes new cluster‐heads selection protocols, they based on Stable Election Protocol (SEP) and Distributed Energy‐Efficient Clustering (DEEC). We first propose Enhanced Zonal‐SEP (EZSEP) and Zonal Threshold‐DEEC (ZTDEEC) protocols, the proposed protocols are based on dividing the network field into certain zones, this will improve the connectivity of the far normal nodes with the base station (BS). Several evaluation metrics are used to compare between the proposed protocols and the conventional ZSEP and TDEEC protocols such as: network stability, instability period, life‐time and throughput. Considering the same total initial energy, the obtained results show that the proposed EZSEP slightly outperforms the conventional ZSEP in terms of network stability, instability period and life‐time, it achieves enormous improvements in terms of throughput as more nodes can transmit direct to BS. On the other hand, the proposed ZTDEEC provides huge improvements in terms of all the evaluation metrics mentioned above. To further improve the network life‐time and network throughput, we propose Threshold‐based EZSEP (TE‐ZSEP) and Enhanced‐ZTDEEC (EZ‐TDEEC) protocols, in these two new protocols we redefine the threshold formula used in EZSEP and ZTDEEC to consider both weighted energy and weighted distance parameters. By combining the idea of dividing the network field into certain zones and the new threshold formula, the proposed TE‐ZSEP and EZ‐TDEEC protocols can effectively improve the energy consumption in heterogeneous WSN and prolong its life‐time as proved by the obtained results.
Detection of the myostatin‐neutralizing antibody Domagrozumab in serum by means of Western blotting and LC‐HRMS
Authors: Walpurgis Katja , Thomas Andreas , Thevis Mario
Published: November 2019

The TGF‐β cytokine myostatin is considered to be one of the key regulators of skeletal muscle mass. Consequently, specific inhibitors of the growth factor and its signaling pathways are promising therapeutics for the treatment of muscle wasting disorders as well as potential performance‐enhancing agents in sports. Domagrozumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that neutralizes the circulating cytokine, thus preventing receptor activation. Within this study, two complementary detection assays for Domagrozumab from serum were developed by using ammonium sulfate precipitation and immunoaffinity purification either in combination with tryptic digestion and LC‐HRMS or Western blotting. While the LC‐HRMS assay is highly specific for diagnostic peptides originating from both the heavy and the light chain of the antibody, the second assay is capable of generically detecting intact therapeutic proteins comprising a human Fc domain and exhibiting high specificity for dimeric myostatin/GDF‐11. Following optimization, both assays were comprehensively characterized. They can readily be modified to include further protein drugs and will expand the range of available tests for emerging myostatin inhibitors.
School health class associated with reduced odds of eating disorder symptoms in American adolescents
Authors: Kremer Michael J. , Kremer Kristen P. , Kremer Theodore R.
Published: November 2019

Objective

Eating disorder symptoms, including eating disorder diagnosis, binge eating, and unhealthy weight loss, are associated with health risks, and adolescence may be an optimal time to provide education on healthy alternatives. This research explored whether in‐school health information during adolescence is associated with eating disorder symptoms in young adulthood.

Method

Data were used from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, a nationally representative study of American youth, including information from Wave I, when participants were in Grades 7–12, and from Wave III, when participants were aged 18–26. Logistic regression analyses predicted eating disorder symptoms from in‐school health information, adjusting for demographic and educational covariates. In‐school health information and eating disorder symptoms were based on participant self‐report.

Results

In‐school health information about both diet (the foods you should and should not eat) and the importance of exercise compared to no health information reduced the odds of youth‐reported eating disorder history odds ratio ((OR) = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.11–0.48). Individuals who received information on exercise alone compared to no health information were also less likely to use weight pills to control weight (OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.11–0.61). There was no difference in binge‐eating symptoms based on school health class.

Discussion

Findings from this exploratory research study indicate that in‐school receipt of information on diet and exercise has modest associations with eating disorder symptoms, including lower odds of a self‐reported eating disorder and lower odds of using weight loss pills. Further research is needed to definitely test the role of school health class on eating disorder symptoms.
Soil respiration of four forests along elevation gradient in northern subtropical China
Authors: Ma Mingzhe , Zang Zhenhua , Xie Zongqiang , Chen Quansheng , Xu Wenting , Zhao Changming , shen Guozhen
Published: November 2019

Background and aims

Soil respiration is the second‐largest terrestrial carbon (C) flux, and soil temperature and soil moisture are the main drivers of temporal variation in soil respiration and its components. Here, we quantified the contribution of soil temperature, soil moisture, and their intersection on the variation in soil respiration and its components of the evergreen broad‐leaved forests (EBF), mixed evergreen and deciduous broad‐leaved forests (MF), deciduous broad‐leaved forests (DBF), and subalpine coniferous forests (CF) along an elevation gradient.

Methods

We measured soil respiration of four types of forests along the elevation gradient in Shennongjia, Hubei China based on the trenching experiments. We parameterized the relationships between soil respiration and soil temperature, soil moisture, and quantified the intersection of temperature and moisture on soil respiration and its components.

Results

Total soil respiration (RS), heterotrophic respiration (RH), and autotrophic respiration (RA) were significantly correlated with soil temperature in all four forests. The Q10 value of soil respiration significantly differed among the four types of forest, and the Q10 was 3.06 for EBF, 3.75 for MF, 4.05 for DBF, and 4.49 for CF, respectively. The soil temperature explained 62%–81% of the variation in respiration, while soil temperature and soil moisture together explained 91%–97% of soil respiration variation for the four types of forests. The variation from the intersection of soil temperature and moisture were 12.1%–25.0% in RS, 1.0%–7.0% in RH, and 17.1%–19.6% in RA, respectively.

Conclusions

Our results show that the temperature sensitivity (Q10) of soil respiration increased with elevation. The intersection between soil temperature and soil moisture had strong effects on soil respiration, especially in RH. We demonstrated that the intersection effects between soil temperature and soil moisture on soil respiration were essential to understand the response of soil respiration and its components to climate change.
Increased water yield and altered water partitioning follow wildfire in a forested catchment in the western United States
Authors: Blount Kyle , Ruybal Christopher J. , Franz Kristie J. , Hogue Terri S.
Published: November 2019

As wildfires in much of the western United States increase in size, frequency, and severity, understanding the impact of these fires on water yield from forested headwater basins is essential to successful management of water resources. The current study examines the changes in partitioning of the hydrologic cycle in the Mill Creek Basin that follow the Chippy Creek Fire in Montana, USA, due to alterations to the vegetative regime. The analysis utilizes remote sensing‐based vegetation indices and evapotranspiration, a model‐interpolated precipitation product, and discharge data to assess annual water budgets and vegetative regimes in the Mill Creek Basin. After being almost 90% burned in the Chippy Creek Fire, vegetation in the catchment has shifted from almost exclusively mixed conifer forest to sagebrush scrubs and grasses. This shift in vegetation is accompanied by abrupt shifts in partitioning of the water budget, resulting in an altered ecohydrologic regime. Post‐fire, evapotranspiration decreases annually by 250 mm (46%), and evaporative fraction decreases by 0.53. However, evapotranspiration product biases may overestimate this decrease from pre‐ to post‐fire. This decrease in evapotranspiration results in an annual increase in streamflow of 136 mm, a 21% increase in the runoff ratio, and a 140% increase in water yield. These changes to the water budget are consistent for 10 years post‐fire and show no trend towards pre‐fire values during the study period. Results will help inform planning and management of water resources downstream of forested catchments that have been impacted by wildfire.
Interspecific competition in bats and diet shifts in response to white‐nose syndrome
Authors: Morningstar Derek E. , Robinson Chloe V. , Shokralla Shadi , Hajibabaei Mehrdad
Published: November 2019

Since the introduction of white‐nose syndrome (WNS) in North America, numerous species of bat have dwindled in numbers. These declines observed are often species‐specific and thus provides opportunity for a natural experiment to test for shifts in diet through relaxed resource partitioning in bat communities post‐introduction of WNS. Acoustic monitoring at locations in Southern Ontario pre‐ (2009–2011) and post‐WNS (2012–2014) introduction showed an increase in activity of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) corresponding to a decline in the activity of little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus). Next‐generation sequencing of bat stomachs and guano in Southern Ontario before and after WNS allowed for the characterization of diet changes of these species. Post‐WNS, E. fuscus consumed a wider breadth of prey and many of the insect species once consumed by M. lucifugus, including several pest insects. These results suggest that the introduction of WNS has resulted in relaxed interspecific competition within these bat communities in Southern Ontario.
Integrated assessment of ecosystem recovery using a multifunctionality approach
Authors: Strobl Katharina , Kollmann Johannes , Teixeira Leonardo H.
Published: November 2019

Ecological restoration has great potential for reversing anthropogenic degradation, as it aims at the simultaneous recovery of several ecosystem functions and services. However, it can be challenging to evaluate multiple restoration targets based on a high number of indicators, and this calls for a multifunctionality approach. Multifunctionality is an integrated measure of the relative supply of multiple ecosystem functions or services. As temporal aspects are of key importance for ecosystem recovery, we analyzed multifunctionality against time since restoration. We used rewetted peatlands in a mountainous region in Central Germany as a study case. Restored peatlands are expected to become multifunctional, while their recovery is rather slow. We investigated to what extent rewetted peatlands recover, and how time since restoration controls the simultaneous development of multiple ecosystem properties. We studied restored peatlands with respect to plant diversity, water table, peat decomposition, water holding capacity, and nutrient level using a chronosequence of 0–18 yr after restoration. We analyzed the development of individual properties and of a combined index. We further compared the recovery of restored sites at different ages to an intact reference peatland and to a theoretical optimum value, defined as the mean of the eleven most desirable values observed. Eleven out of 13 peatland properties and the combined index significantly evolved with time since restoration. Nevertheless, we could not observe a consistent trend of multiple properties if aiming at highest levels of functioning, whereas there was progress with time if low or intermediate functioning is targeted. Our results show that not all functions of restored peatlands can recover to the most desirable extent within 18 yr. However, the average functionality and some individual properties achieved levels comparable to the reference site, highlighting that improvement is possible. While the integrated assessment informs about the degree of ecosystem recovery, an additional analysis of individual properties helps understanding ecosystem‐specific dynamics, which are needed for making decisions on potential future management.
Diastereoconvergent Dehydrative Nucleophilic Substitutions of Diastereomeric Diarylmethanols with 1,3‐Dicarbonyls Catalyzed by SnBr4
Authors: Kubo Rikiya , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Nakata Kenya
Published: November 2019

Diastereoconvergent direct dehydrative nucleophilic substitutions of diastereomeric mixtures of diarylmethanols with 1,3‐dicarbonyls in the presence of SnBr4 as a Lewis acid catalyst are reported. Excellent diastereoselectivities and high yields were achieved by using a chiral auxiliary. The reaction proved applicable to a wide range of substrates, irrespective of aromatic ring substituents tested, and several 1,3‐diketones, and β‐keto esters were utilized as nucleophilic partners. Efficient transformation of selected alkylated products to pyrazoles was achieved by treatment with NH2NH2·H2O. A plausible reaction pathway for the nucleophilic substitution was proposed.
A Sensor for Serotonin and Dopamine Detection in Cancer Cells Line Based on the Conducting Polymer−Pd Complex Composite
Authors: Chung Saeromi , Akhtar Mahmood H. , Benboudiaf A. , Park Deog‐Su , Shim Yoon‐Bo
Published: November 2019

An electrochemical sensor based on the conducting polymer composite with a palladium complex (Pd(C2H4N2S2)2) was developed for the detection of serotonin and dopamine simultaneously in the breast cancer cell and human plasma samples. The proposed sensor was fabricated using the Pd(C2H4N2S2)2 complex‐anchored poly2,2 : 5,2‐terthiophene‐3‐(p‐benzoic acid) (pTBA) layer on the AuNPs decorated reduced graphene oxide (AuNPs@rGO) substrate, which revealed the enhanced anodic current of the target species. The sensor probe was characterized by electrochemical and surface analysis methods. The experimental parameters affecting the sensor performance were optimized, in terms of AuNPs@rGO concentration, the number of electropolymerization cycle for pTBA, immobilization time of Pd(C2H4N2S2)2, and pH. The dynamic ranges for serotonin and dopamine were obtained from 0.02 to 200 μM, and from 0.1 to 200 μM with the detection limit of 2.5, and 24.0 nM, respectively. The reliability of proposed sensor was evaluated using cancer cell lines for the clinical applications.
A method based on improved ant lion optimization and support vector regression for remaining useful life estimation of lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Wang Yingzhou , Ni Yulong , Li Na , Lu Shuai , Zhang Shude , Feng Zhongbao , Wang Jianguo
Published: November 2019

Remaining useful life (RUL) prediction of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) plays a very important role in the prognostics and health management (PHM). Accurately predicting RUL of batteries can maintain and replace the batteries in advance to guarantee the safety and stability of the energy storage system (ESS). A method based on improved ant lion optimization and support vector regression (IALO‐SVR) is proposed to accurately predict RUL of LIBs. The ALO algorithm easily falls into the local optimal solution, the levy flight algorithm is utilized to improve the shortcoming of the ALO algorithm. With the mathematical comparison of particle swarm optimization (PSO), differential evolution (DE), and ALO algorithms, the results indicate that the IALO algorithm has higher convergence accuracy. Experimental data simulations were performed using the battery datasets of NASA Prognostics Center of Excellence (PCoE) and the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE) to verify the proposed method. Through comparison with SVR, PSO‐LSSVM, and ALO‐SVR methods, the results indicate that the RUL prediction is more accurate based upon the IALO‐SVR method. Therefore, the proposed method can provide high prediction accuracy in battery health prognosis.
Effect of roof movement on gas flow in an extremely thick coal seam under fully mechanized sublevel caving mining conditions
Authors: Guo Haijun , Li Xianzhang , Cui Hao , Chen Kaixuan , Zhang Yuanyuan
Published: November 2019

The abnormal emission of gas in coals is the main factor that induces serious gas disasters in coal mines. During the coal mining process, roof movement has important effects on the gas emission law and gas flow characteristics. In this study, an extremely thick coal seam under fully mechanized sublevel caving mining conditions from the Tashan coal mine in China was used as an example; the effect of roof weighting on gas emission in the goaf was studied. Then, the large roof weighting step and the small roof weighting step caused by the different thicknesses of lamprophyre breakage were used as the objects and a numerical simulation study on the gas flow characteristics in the goaf was carried out. The results indicate that the mining coal seams, the overlying adjacent unmined coal seams, and the goaf are the main contributors to the large gas emission capacity, and even situations exist where the gas concentration exceeds the limit in the working face. During roof weighting, the gas concentration and emission capacity in the return airway, upper corner, and high drainage roadway increase substantially. The results of the numerical analysis are in good agreement with the observed data, which indicates that it is effective to control the gas in coal seams by designing the location of high drainage roadway according to the mining characteristics of coal seam and the gas emission law.
Development of a Novel Equilibrium Passive Sampling Device for Methylmercury in Sediment and Soil Porewaters
Authors: Sanders James P. , McBurney Alyssa , Gilmour Cynthia C. , Schwartz Grace E. , Washburn Spencer , Kane Driscoll Susan B. , Brown Steven S. , Ghosh Upal
Published: November 2019

We explored the concept of equilibrium passive sampling for methylmercury (MeHg) using the strategy developed for hydrophobic organic chemicals. Passive sampling should allow prediction of the concentration of the chemically labile fraction of MeHg in sediment porewaters based on equilibrium partitioning into the sampler, without modeling diffusion rates through the sampler material. Our goals were to identify sampler materials with the potential to mimic MeHg partitioning into animals and sediments and provide reversible sorption in a time frame appropriate for in situ samplers. Candidate materials tested included a range of polymers embedded with suitable sorbents for MeHg. The most promising were activated carbon (AC) embedded in agarose, thiol–self-assembled monolayers on mesoporous supports embedded in agarose, and cysteine-functionalized polyethylene terephthalate, which yielded log sampler–water partition coefficients of 2.8 to 5 for MeHgOH and MeHg complexed with dissolved organic matter (Suwannee River humic acid). Sampler equilibration time in sediments was approximately 1 to 2 wk. Investigation of the MeHg accumulation mechanism by AC embedded in agarose suggested that sampling was kinetically influenced by MeHg interactions with AC particles and not limited by diffusion through the gel for this material. Also, AC exhibited relatively rapid desorption of Hg and MeHg, indicating that this sorbent is capable of reversible, equilibrium measurements. In sediment:water microcosms, porewater concentrations made with isotherm-calibrated passive samplers agreed within a factor of 2 (unamended sediment) or 4 (AC-amended sediment) with directly measured concentrations. The present study demonstrates a potential new approach to passive sampling of MeHg. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:323–334. © 2019 SETAC

Abstract
Distractor Analysis for Multiple‐Choice Tests: An Empirical Study With International Language Assessment Data
Authors: Haberman Shelby J. , Liu Yang , Lee Yi‐Hsuan
Published: November 2019

Distractor analyses are routinely conducted in educational assessments with multiple‐choice items. In this research report, we focus on three item response models for distractors: (a) the traditional nominal response (NR) model, (b) a combination of a two‐parameter logistic model for item scores and a NR model for selections of incorrect distractors, and (c) a model in which the item score satisfies a two‐parameter logistic model and distractor selection and proficiency are conditionally independent, given that an incorrect response is selected. Model comparisons involve generalized residuals, information measures, scale scores, and reliability estimates. To illustrate the methodology, a study of an international assessment of proficiency of nonnative speakers of a single target language used to make high‐stakes decisions compares the models under study.
Conceptual understanding of complexity, symmetry, and object coherence in young children
Authors: Shuwairi Sarah M. , Tran Annie , Belardo John , Murphy Gregory L.
Published: November 2019

Prior work showed that infants look longer at impossible figures than possible ones, although it is unclear whether they or older children understand “impossibility.” We employed a series of matching and sorting tasks with pictures and objects to evaluate children's knowledge of this dimension. In Experiment 1, nearly all children successfully matched depicted and real objects, detected that possible and impossible objects differed, and identified structure–function relations of possible objects. In Experiment 2, children struggled to identify impossibility as a global characteristic for sorting. Few children sorted by impossibility, with a majority sorting by other shape similarities (e.g., round vs. straight). After receiving instructions, fewer than half sorted by possibility. Many children sorted by symmetry on their own, and the remainder performed perfectly after training. Children readily sorted by complexity. In Experiment 3, children sorted by possibility with few errors after elaborate instructions. Three‐year‐olds made significantly more errors than did older children, suggesting that selective attention to spatial geometry improves with experience. For children and adults, structural incoherence is challenging to recognize as a unifying property for grouping objects. Children may show implicit responses to impossible figures but often do not realize that they are in fact impossible.

Highlights

Infants and children respond with increased interest toward impossible figures, but do they understand that such objects are structurally impossible?

We used matching and sorting tasks with both depicted and real objects to evaluate preschool‐age children's implicit and explicit knowledge of object possibility.

Children may show implicit responses to impossible figures, but they do not spontaneously realize that they are in fact impossible.

If explicitly asked to evaluate figures, children are generally able to identify possible and impossible figures.
Ischemic stroke alters immune cell niche and chemokine profile in mice independent of spontaneous bacterial infection
Authors: Farris Breanne Y. , Monaghan Kelly L. , Zheng Wen , Amend Courtney D. , Hu Heng , Ammer Amanda G. , Coad James E. , Ren Xuefang , Wan Edwin C. K.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Stroke‐associated pneumonia (SAP) is a major cause of mortality in patients who have suffered from severe ischemic stroke. Although multifactorial in nature, stroke‐induced immunosuppression plays a key role in the development of SAP. Previous studies using a murine model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) have shown that focal ischemic stroke induction results in functional defects of lymphocytes in the spleen, thymus, and peripheral blood, leading to spontaneous bacterial infection in the lungs without inoculation. However, how ischemic stroke alters immune cell niche and the expression of cytokines and chemokines in the lungs has not been fully characterized.

Methods

Ischemic stroke was induced in mice by tMCAO. Immune cell profiles in the brain and the lungs at 24‐ and 72‐hour time points were compared by flow cytometric analysis. Cytokine and chemokine expression in the lungs were determined by multiplex bead arrays. Tissue damage and bacterial burden in the lungs following tMCAO were evaluated.

Results

Ischemic stroke increases the percentage of alveolar macrophages, neutrophils, and CD11b+ dendritic cells, but reduces the percentage of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, and eosinophils in the lungs. The alteration of immune cell niche in the lungs coincides with a significant reduction in the levels of multiple chemokines in the lungs, including CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL17, CCL20, CCL22, CXCL5, CXCL9, and CXCL10. Spontaneous bacterial infection and tissue damage following tMCAO, however, were not observed.

Conclusion

This is the first report to demonstrate a significant reduction of lymphocytes and multiple proinflammatory chemokines in the lungs following ischemic stroke in mice. These findings suggest that ischemic stroke directly impacts pulmonary immunity.
Fully automatic multisegmentation approach for magnetic resonance imaging brain tumor detection using improved region‐growing and quasi‐Monte Carlo‐expectation maximization algorithm
Authors: Hachemi Belkacem , Chama Zouaoui , Alim‐Ferhat Fatiha , Lamini El‐Sedik , Abderrahmane Abdelkader , Anani Macho , Choquet Catherine
Published: November 2019

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in the medical field, especially for detecting serious abnormalities affecting the organs of the human body, such as tumors. Automatic detection of tumors needs high‐performance recognition techniques. In this paper, we have developed a new automatic method based on the multisegmentation of brain tumor region. We used an improved region‐growing algorithm, which is based on quasi‐Monte Carlo and expectation maximization methods to define the desired classes. Several metrics were calculated to evaluate the performance of our technique. The fully automatic multisegmentation approach, developed in this study, showed good performance, and it can offer a new option to replace conventional techniques used for tumor detection in MRI images.
SENSOR EFFECTIVENESS FOR SOIL WATER CONTENT MEASUREMENTS UNDER NORMAL AND EXTREME CONDITIONS
Authors: Louki Ibrahim I. , Al‐Omran Abdulrasoul M. , Aly Anwar A. , Al‐Harbi Abdulaziz R.
Published: November 2019

An environmental sensor (the Decagon 5TE sensor with an EM50 data logger) is a soil salinity, temperature and water content (SWC) sensor that can be used by researchers and farmers around the world. Herein, 22 sensors were tested under different conditions of soil salinity, temperature, organic matter, texture, clay content, bulk density and water content, ranging from normal to extreme. The results indicated that the main issue with this device is that its SWC determinations are only accurate within a limited soil salinity and temperature range. Conversely, the organic matter, texture, clay content and bulk density have no direct impact on the sensors' accuracy. The sensors work best when the soil salinity and temperature are 2.5 dS m−1 and 25 °C, respectively. This sensor can be used appropriately after calibration when the soil salinity and temperatures are within the 1.9–4.0 dS m−1 and 16–30 °C ranges, respectively. When the soil salinity and temperature values are higher or lower than these ranges, the sensors do not work accurately. More investigation is needed to study the effectiveness of the sensors under high values of soil salinity and temperature. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Picosecond laser texturing on titanium alloy for biomedical implants in cell proliferation and vascularization
Authors: Yu Zhou , Yin Shi , Zhang Wenjie , Jiang Xinquan , Hu Jun
Published: November 2019

Introducing specific textures to titanium alloy implant surface is helpful to modify the surface properties of materials. In this article, biomedical TC4 (Ti‐6Al‐4V) alloy was textured by a 10‐ps infrared laser. Laser parameters that directly affected the detailed dimension of textures and its characteristics were optimized within laser power, defocusing amount, and scanning parameters via response surface methodology. These textures consisted of groove array about 30–90 μm in depth and 100 μm in width were prepared and their surface property (including surface morphology, element composition, wetting behavior, and biocompatibility) was analyzed. Surface characteristic analysis indicated that picosecond laser texturing improved surface properties and biocompatibility mainly by altering the microstructure and morphology of materials. In addition, laser textured groove array promoted contact area and hydrophobicity of material surface. Cell culture experiments and animal studies showed that titanium alloy implants with 30‐ and 60‐μm‐deep groove arrays on the surface‐enhanced cell proliferation and adhesion. Meanwhile, compared to the polished samples, these groove arrays promoted the growth of new blood vessels and enhanced the combination of blood vessel and implants in vivo. That is, the deeper groove array was, and the better vascularizing effect the blood vessel exhibited.
Retracted: A new mixed‐ligand coordination polymer based on V‐shape carboxylate and pyridinyl co‐linkers: Crystal structure, molecular docking, and antibladder cancer activity evolution
Authors: Chen Si , Liu Wei‐Juan , Lin Ming‐En , He Xue‐Jun , Hong Ying‐Kai
Published: November 2019

By applying the mixed‐ligand approach, a new Cu(II)‐containing coordination polymer [Cu4(L)4(4,4′‐bpy)(H2O)2]·3H2O (1) was successfully prepared through hydrothermal method using linear 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bpy) and the V‐shape carboxylate ligand 4,4′‐(phenylazanediyl)dibenzoic acid (H2L). The as‐prepared complex 1 was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography and elemental analysis. Furthermore, we use the grinding method to prepare the samples of complex 1 in the nanoscale. In this research, the CCK‐8 was performed first to detect the inhibitory activity of complex 1 on J82 bladder cancer cell viability. The apoptotic effect of complex 1 on J82 cancer cells was evaluated by Annexin V‐FITC/PI staining. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also detected by detection kit in this study after complex 1 treatment. Beyond the experimental results, the molecular docking technique has been used to probe the anticancer activity that originated at the molecular level.
Clinical relevance of the lnc‐HNF1B‐3:1 genetic polymorphisms in Western Chinese tuberculosis patients
Authors: Wu Qian , Zhong Huiyu , Bai Hao , Liu Tangyuheng , Song Jiajia , Wen Yang , Song Xingbo , Ying Binwu
Published: November 2019

Background

Tuberculosis remains a global public health problem. Genetic polymorphisms may affect the susceptibility, clinical characteristics, and adverse drug reactions of patients with TB. The present study aimed to examine the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of lncRNA‐HNF1B‐3:1 with the clinical manifestation of TB in a Western Chinese population.

Method

A total of 526 tuberculosis patients and 561 healthy subjects were recruited in Western China. The correlation between lnc‐HNF1B‐3:1 polymorphism and tuberculosis susceptibility was investigated. Moreover, the influence on adverse drug reactions following treatment was explored. A total of 7 SNPs within the lnc‐HNF1B‐3:1 locus was genotyped by the improved multiplex ligation detection reaction method.

Results

No significant associations were noted between TB susceptibility and the presence of all 7 SNPs of the lnc‐HNF1B‐3:1 as determined by single‐locus analysis (All P > .05). The AA genotype of rs12939622 (in the dominant model) and the AA genotype of rs4262994 (in the recessive model) caused increased susceptibility of the subjects to fever (P < .001 and P = .008, respectively). The Rs2542670 G allele was associated with increased risk of thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and chronic kidney damage following drug administration (P = .007, .029, .003, respectively).

Conclusion

The present study reported for the first time that the rs12939622, rs4262994 and rs2542670 genotypes in lnc‐HNF1B‐3:1 locus may influence the clinical manifestations of tuberculosis.
Examining the relationship between intergroup relations and head start use in the south
Authors: Hill Zoelene
Published: November 2019

This study examines how Black and Hispanic parents’ report of intergroup relations measured through group identity, linked fate, competition, and conflict are related to their utilization of Head Start services in a region that experienced Hispanic population growth. Surveys were conducted with 227 Black and 130 Hispanic parents in poverty in a mid‐sized city in the South. For Hispanic parents, a sense of linked fate within their ethnic group is associated with a lower likelihood of enrollment, however, measures of intergroup relations are not related to the Head Start enrollment status of Black parents. Implications for policies on preschool expansion are discussed.
Psychometric properties of the Community Violence‐Prevention Activation Measure (CV‐PAM): Evaluating provider activation toward community violence prevention
Authors: Dinizulu Sonya Mathies , Suarez Liza M. , Simpson David , Abdul‐Adil Jaleel , Jacobson Kristen C.
Published: November 2019

This study reports on the conceptualization of activation, and the development and psychometrics of the Community Violence‐Prevention Activation Measure (CV‐PAM). The CV‐PAM was adapted from the Patient Activation Measure (PAM; Hibbard et al., 2004, Health Serv Res, 39, 1005–1026; Hibbard et al., 2005, Health Serv Res, 40, 1918–1930) for use among a workforce servicing youth exposed to community violence. Activation toward community violence prevention is defined as a process in which community members are activated to prevent violence, believe they have important roles to play in violence prevention and supporting the well‐being of community members. Activated community members have a good understanding of the factors that contribute to violence and they apply skills and strategies that are consistent with prevention efforts. Six hundred and ninety‐four youth providers completed the 18‐item CV‐PAM to describe their level of activation toward community violence. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed and demonstrated that a three factor versus a four factor structure of activation (modeled after PAM) held together. The three factors included (a) belief that an active role is important to address community violence; (b) having the confidence and knowledge to take action around community violence prevention; (c) taking action: frequency of participation and responsiveness to community needs. The proposed fourth factor, staying the course under stress, did not have any qualifying loadings, and thus, could not be interpreted. CV‐PAM performed well in tests of reliability and validity. The CV‐PAM appears to be a precise, valid, reliable, and useful measure. Implications suggest that using this tool is potentially the first step toward understanding activation among engaged providers and a stepping stone toward increased involvement in community violence prevention through implementation and dissemination efforts.
Hemodynamic responses are abnormal in isolated cervical dystonia
Authors: Berman Brian D. , Groth Christopher L. , Shelton Erica , Sillau Stefan H. , Sutton Brianne , Legget Kristina T. , Tregellas Jason R.
Published: November 2019

Neuroimaging studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which measures brain activity by detecting the changes in blood oxygenation levels, are advancing our understanding of the pathophysiology of dystonia. Neurobiological disturbances in dystonia, however, may affect neurovascular coupling and impact the interpretability of fMRI studies. We evaluated here whether the hemodynamic response patterns during a behaviorally matched motor task are altered in isolated cervical dystonia (CD). Twenty‐five CD patients and 25 healthy controls (HCs) underwent fMRI scanning during a paced finger tapping task (nondystonic task in patients). Imaging data were analyzed using a constrained principal component analysis—a statistical method that combines regression analysis and principal component analysis and enables the extraction of task‐related functional networks and determination of the spatial and temporal hemodynamic response patterns associated with the task performance. Data from three patients and two controls were removed due to excessive movement. No significant differences in demographics or motor performance were observed. Three task‐associated functional brain networks were identified. During task performance, reduced hemodynamic responses were seen in a sensorimotor network and in a network that included key nodes of the default mode, executive control and visual networks. During rest, reductions in hemodynamic responses were seen in the cognitive/visual network. Lower hemodynamic responses within the primary sensorimotor network in patients were correlated with the increased dystonia severity. Pathophysiological disturbances in isolated CD, such as alterations in inhibitory signaling and dopaminergic neurotransmission, may impact neurovascular coupling. Not accounting for hemodynamic response differences in fMRI studies of dystonia could lead to inaccurate results and interpretations.
CRISPR/Cas9: Nature's gift to prokaryotes and an auspicious tool in genome editing
Authors: Khanzadi Manzoor N. , Khan Abid A.
Published: November 2019

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) is a family of DNA direct repeats found in many prokaryotic genomes. It was discovered in bacteria as their (adaptive) immune system against invading viruses. Cas9 is an endonuclease enzyme linked with the CRISPR system in bacteria. Bacteria use the Cas9 enzyme to chop viral DNA sequences by unwinding it and then finding the complementary base pairs to the guide RNA. CRISPR/Cas9 is a modern and powerful molecular biology approach that is widely used in genome engineering (to activate/repress gene expression). It can be used in vivo to cause targeted genome modifications with better efficiency as compared to meganucleases, zinc‐ﬁnger nucleases and transcription activator‐like effector nucleases. CRISPR/Cas9 is a simple, reliable, and rapid method for causing gene alterations that open new horizons of gene editing in a variety of living organisms, including humans, for the treatment of several diseases. In this short review, we explored the basic mechanisms underlying its working principles along with some of its current applications in a number of diverse fields.
A novel exposure maneuver in laparoscopic right hepatectomy
Authors: Shen Zhenhua , Zhang Qiyi , Sun Zhongquan , Jiang Yuancong , Yan Sheng
Published: November 2019

Background and objectives

Laparoscopic access to the posterosuperior and lateral parts of the right liver is difficult for blocked and deep surgical situations. We invented a novel water bag device (WBD) to improve the exposure of the right liver.

Methods

Eighteen consecutive patients with lesions isolated to the posterosuperior or lateral right liver were included in our research. They underwent laparoscopic right hepatectomy with the help of the device and were compared with previous similar laparoscopic cases of our operating surgeon.

Results

The device was successfully employed without related complications and provided enhanced and stable surgical exposure. All patients were operated on without the need for blood transfusions or laparotomy conversion. The median operation time and estimated blood loss were 227 minutes (range, 114‐568) and 88 mL (range, 25‐250), respectively. In all cases, tumor‐free surgical margins were confirmed and no major complications were observed. The results were better than those in previous similar laparoscopic cases.

Conclusions

The WBD is safe and effective for laparoscopic exposure when lesions are located in the posterosuperior and lateral parts of the right liver. With the help of the device, laparoscopic right liver resection is easier to perform instead of undergoing open hepatectomy.
Recurrence of benign phonotraumatic vocal fold lesions after microlaryngoscopy
Authors: Lee Mark , Sulica Lucian
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To determine recurrence rates for benign phonotraumatic vocal fold lesions after microlaryngoscopic surgery.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

Records of adults who underwent microlaryngoscopy between 2006 and 2017 for vocal fold cysts, midfold masses, polyps, pseudocysts, sulcus vocalis (Ford type 3), and varices were reviewed for demographics, medical history, treatment, and lesion recurrence. Patients operated for nonphonotraumatic lesions (e.g., granuloma, keratosis/leukoplakia, papilloma) were excluded. Stroboscopic examinations were re‐reviewed to confirm diagnosis and outcome.

Results

Five hundred ten adults (223 male:287 female; mean age 40.3 ± 14.9 years) were included. Overall, 62 of 510 (12.2%) recurred (median time to recurrence: 70.0 months). Of these, 44 (71.0%) recurred to the same lesion type and 49 (79.0%) to the same side. Recurrence rates by initial lesion type were as follows: cysts, two of 92 (2.2%); midfold masses, four of 18 (22.2%); polyps, 25 of 235 (10.6%); pseudocysts, 30 of 145 (20.7%); sulcus vocalis, one of 18 (5.6%); and varices, zero of two (0%) (χ
2 = 28.7, degrees of freedom [df] = 5, P < 0.001). No significant difference in recurrence existed between males (21 of 223, 9.4%) and females (41 of 287, 14.3%). However, young adults (17 of 86, 19.8%) had significantly higher recurrence rates compared to middle‐aged (12 of 155, 7.7%) and older adults (3/60, 5.0%) (χ
2 = 9.5, df = 3, P = 0.023). Of 62 recurrences, 18 were re‐operated and four re‐recurred.

Conclusion

Benign phonotraumatic vocal fold lesions recur at variable rates. This variation suggests pathophysiologic differences between categories that may not be entirely explained by behavioral factors.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130: 1989–1995, 2020
Study of barriers to the advancement of CNC machining in view of Fiji manufacturing industry using hybrid MCDA approach
Authors: Ananthanarayanan Rajeshkannan , Sharma Jaishneel , Jehanno Nicolas , Rengamani Seenivasagam Devi
Published: November 2019

Any field will strive for continuous development; this is not only in the aspect of economic but also in the technological and environmental standpoint. Nowadays, technological advancement is embedded with environmental concern too; for instance, the computer numerical control (CNC) machining means of manufacture is reported to have more sustainable feature over the conventional machining means of manufacture. However, the field survey across Fiji manufacturing industries revealed that there was less usage of CNC machines. Also, it reveals that there is less awareness on the sustainability standpoint. However, the aim of the study is about identifying the current barriers and understand the nature of those barriers that limits machining industries progress towards CNC usage. Several barriers are identified from the literature survey, which was narrowed down to eight essential barriers by conducting a questionnaire survey with industrial and academic experts. These barriers are analysed using interpretive structural modelling and decision‐making trial and evaluation laboratory hybrid approach. The discussion is made to understand the interrelationship or the cause and effect relationship between the barriers. The outcomes of this study create awareness in education to increase graduates or technicians understanding CNC machines and to align curriculum accordingly for industrial applications.