bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of local government decision‐making competition on carbon emissions: Evidence from China's three urban agglomerations
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Xu Hengzhou
Published: April 2020

Analyzing the effect of local government decision‐making competition on regional carbon emissions is important for reducing carbon emissions in rapidly urbanizing areas. Taking the energy rebound effect into account, this study analyzes the effect on carbon emissions of competition between local governments in decision making. Focusing on China's three urban agglomerations, this study further discusses how to avoid this influence. The results show that local government decision‐making competition is one of the main causes of the regional “green paradox”; the effect of local government decision‐making competition on carbon emissions has significant regional heterogeneity and spatial dependence, and the short‐term energy rebound effect is greater than the long‐term energy rebound effect; and local government decision‐making competition has three effects on carbon emissions that also have interaction and substitution effects between them: factor market distortion, investment bias, and the “race to the bottom” of environmental policies. However, four measures can reduce the effect of local government decision‐making competition on carbon emissions: one, improving the performance evaluation system of local governments; two, promoting the marketization of factor prices; three, improving both the energy efficiency and upgrading of industrial structures; and four, introducing macro emission reduction policies that allow the central government to intervene directly.
A normal motor development in congenital hydrocephalus after Cuevas Medek Exercises as early intervention: A case report
Authors: de Oliveira Gabriela Ramires , Fabris Vidal Marcelo
Published: April 2020

Cuevas Medek Exercises (CME) harnesses optimal scientific parameters for rehabilitation programs, and this may explain its neuroplastic outcomes. A normal motor development in a high risk of delay hydrocephalus case after CME as early intervention indicates it may be considered as research subject and treatment option to prevent motor delays.
High‐Performance Nitrogen Fixation over Mo Atom Modified Defective α‐MnO2 (001)
Authors: Wang Linxia , Wu Minghui , Lang Xiuyao , Gao Shan , Wang Weichao
Published: April 2020

The production of ammonia under ambient conditions through electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction is significant but challenging. The lack of an available active NRR electrocatalyst with a high selectivity impedes the development of the electrochemical ammonia synthesis. In this work, via first‐principles density functional theory calculations, we investigated various transition metal atoms (Fe, Cr, V, and Mo) substitution modified defective (with an oxygen vacancy) α‐MnO2 (001) as NRR electrocatalyst. It was found that the incorporation of a single Mo atom substituent at Mn site of α‐MnO2 (001) shows the best performance of nitrogen fixation through enzymatic mechanism with a favorable limiting potential of −0.14 V. The superior selectivity for NH3 over H2 is observed with high Faradaic efficiency of 99 %. The
‐like characteristics of occupied states around the Fermi level of Mo active center maximizes the p‐d orbital hybridization and thus promotes the stabilities of *N2 and *N2H, which leads to the superior NRR performance. These findings provide theoretical guidance to the development of highly efficient NRR electrocatalysts via defect engineering.
Laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy applied to the rapid identification of different types of polyethylene used for toy manufacturing
Authors: Costa Vinicius Câmara , Pereira Fabíola Manhas Verbi
Published: April 2020

The identification of plastics is of great importance to recycling companies, as the littering of plastic wastes has rapidly increased because of the extensive use of plastics. To maintain the economics of recycling extremely large volumes of waste materials, rapid and accurate identification of these plastics is crucial. In this study, we demonstrate the efficacy of laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in the rapid identification of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) used for toy manufacturing. For data analysis of the LIBS spectra, multivariate data analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) was utilized. The analyses of the data clearly showed that the elemental and molecular information obtained from LIBS is effective in the identification of three types of polyethylene. The proposed method was successfully applied and can be used as an alternative to the traditional methods used for analyses of plastics.
A Hexabenzocoronene‐Based Helical Nanographene
Authors: Martin Max M. , Hampel Frank , Jux Norbert
Published: April 2020

A synthetic route towards a novel hexabenzocoronene‐based helical nanographene motif was developed. A hexaphenylbenzene precursor was therefore designed, which cannot undergo, due to steric restrictions, a complete planarization reaction. This precursor was transformed under oxidative cyclodehydrogenation conditions to a π‐extended [5]helicene, which was fully characterized including X‐ray diffraction analysis.
A State‐of‐the‐Art Heterogeneous Catalyst for Efficient and General Nitrile Hydrogenation
Authors: Formenti Dario , Mocci Rita , Atia Hanan , Dastgir Sarim , Anwar Muhammad , Bachmann Stephan , Scalone Michelangelo , Junge Kathrin , Beller Matthias
Published: April 2020

Cobalt‐doped hybrid materials consisting of metal oxides and carbon derived from chitin were prepared, characterized and tested for industrially relevant nitrile hydrogenations. The optimal catalyst supported onto MgO showed, after pyrolysis at 700 °C, magnesium oxide nanocubes decorated with carbon‐enveloped Co nanoparticles. This special structure allows for the selective hydrogenation of diverse and demanding nitriles to the corresponding primary amines under mild conditions (e.g. 70 °C, 20 bar H2). The advantage of this novel catalytic material is showcased for industrially important substrates, including adipodinitrile, picolinonitrile, and fatty acid nitriles. Notably, the developed system outperformed all other tested commercial catalysts, for example, Raney Nickel and even noble‐metal‐based systems in these transformations.
Designing a resource‐stratified, phased implementation strategy for breast health care services in India
Authors: Kumar Somesh , Srivastava Ashish , Srivastava Ashish Kumar , Srivastava Vineet , Nair Tapas Sadasivan , Usmanova Gulnoza , Singh Ravikant , Sood Bulbul , Ginsburg Ophira
Published: April 2020

Background

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India. Jhpiego, a not‐for‐profit health organization, is providing technical assistance for developing an evidence‐based model of breast health care in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand in India.

Methods

A situational assessment of breast health care services using validated tools was conducted in the 2 states.

Results

Findings of the assessment were presented to the Breast Health Technical Advisory Committee comprised of subject experts and government functionaries. The committee, guided by Breast Health Global Initiative resource‐stratified guidelines, developed a conceptual framework for integration of breast health services into the existing health system. This conceptual framework was presented to the Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) of the respective state governments. Each TAG then developed an operationally feasible, contextually appropriate implementation plan in alignment with the national guidelines for noncommunicable diseases. This implementation plan guided the rollout of the breast health care program in the Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) and Ranchi (Jharkhand) districts.

Conclusions

Early results from the implementation suggest that it is feasible to integrate the breast health care pathway with the ongoing National Cancer Control Program of India.
Fluorescent Tricyclic Cytidine Analogues as Substrates for Retroviral Reverse Transcriptases
Authors: Turner M. Benjamin , Purse Byron W.
Published: April 2020

We report on the ability of the reverse transcriptases (RTs) from avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV), Moloney murine leukemia virus (M‐MLV), and human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV‐1) to generate labeled DNA using the fluorescent tricyclic cytidine analogues d(tC)TP and d(DEAtC)TP as substrates. Michaelis‐Menten kinetics for the insertion of these analogues show Vmax/KM from 0.09–5 times that of natural dCTP across from G, depending on the polymerase and whether the template is RNA or DNA. The analogues are prone to misinsertion across from adenosine with both RNA and DNA templates. Elongation after analogue insertion is efficient with RNA templates, but the analogues cause stalling after insertion with DNA templates. A model reverse transcription assay using HIV‐1‐RT, including RNA‐dependent DNA synthesis, degradation of the RNA template by the RT's RNase H activity, and synthesis of a second DNA strand to form fluorescently labeled dsDNA, shows that d(tC)TP and d(DEAtC)TP are compatible with a complete reverse transcription cycle in vitro.
Intraguild dynamics of understudied carnivores in a human‐altered landscape
Authors: Easter Tara , Bouley Paola , Carter Neil
Published: April 2020

Mesocarnivores constitute a diverse and often abundant group of species, which are increasingly occupying hweigher trophic levels within multi‐use landscapes. Yet, we know relatively little about their interactions with each other, especially in human‐altered areas. Using camera trap data collected in a forestry concession in the Greater Gorongosa ecosystem of central Mozambique, we examined the spatiotemporal relationships and potential for intraguild competition among three understudied African carnivores: African civets (Civettictis civetta), bushy‐tailed mongooses (Bdeogale crassicauda), and large‐spotted genets (Genetta maculata). After accounting for habitat preferences and tolerance to anthropogenic factors, we found that African civets and bushy‐tailed mongooses avoid each other spatially and temporally. Additionally, civets and mongooses were also both more likely to use sites farther away from human settlements, possibly decreasing the total available habitat for each species if competition is driving this spatial partitioning. In contrast, we did not find evidence for spatial or temporal partitioning between large‐spotted genets and African civets, but bushy‐tailed mongooses altered their activity patterns where they co‐occurred with genets. Our study contributes to scant ecological knowledge of these mesocarnivores and adds to our understanding of community dynamics in human‐altered ecosystems.
Spine and dine: A key defensive trait promotes ecological success in spiny ants
Authors: Blanchard Benjamin D. , Nakamura Akihiro , Cao Min , Chen Stephanie T. , Moreau Corrie S.
Published: April 2020

A key focus of ecologists is explaining the origin and maintenance of morphological diversity and its association with ecological success. We investigate potential benefits and costs of a common and varied morphological trait, cuticular spines, for foraging behavior, interspecific competition, and predator–prey interactions in naturally co‐occurring spiny ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Polyrhachis) in an experimental setting. We expect that a defensive trait like spines might be associated with more conspicuous foraging, a greater number of workers sent out to forage, and potentially increased competitive ability. Alternatively, consistent with the ecological trade‐off hypothesis, we expect that investment in spines for antipredator defense might be negatively correlated with these other ecological traits. We find little evidence for any costs to ecological traits, instead finding that species with longer spines either outperform or do not differ from species with shorter spines for all tested metrics, including resource discovery rate and foraging effort as well as competitive ability and antipredator defense. Spines appear to confer broad antipredator benefits and serve as a form of defense with undetectable costs to key ecological abilities like resource foraging and competitive ability, providing an explanation for both the ecological success of the study genus and the large number of evolutionary origins of this trait across all ants. This study also provides a rare quantitative empirical test of ecological effects related to a morphological trait in ants.
Disturbances drive changes in coral community assemblages and coral calcification capacity
Authors: Courtney Travis A. , Barnes Brian B. , Chollett Iliana , Elahi Robin , Gross Kevin , Guest James R. , Kuffner Ilsa B. , Lenz Elizabeth A. , Nelson Hannah R. , Rogers Caroline S. , Toth Lauren T. , Andersson Andreas J.
Published: April 2020

Anthropogenic environmental change has increased coral reef disturbance regimes in recent decades, altering the structure and function of many coral reefs globally. In this study, we used coral community survey data collected from 1996 to 2015 to evaluate reef‐scale coral calcification capacity (CCC) dynamics with respect to recorded pulse disturbances for 121 reef sites in the Main Hawaiian Islands and Mo'orea (French Polynesia) in the Pacific and the Florida Keys Reef Tract and St. John (U.S. Virgin Islands) in the western Atlantic. CCC remained relatively high in the Main Hawaiian Islands in the absence of recorded widespread disturbances; declined and subsequently recovered in Mo'orea following a crown‐of‐thorns sea star outbreak, coral bleaching, and major cyclone; decreased and remained low following coral bleaching in the Florida Keys Reef Tract; and decreased following coral bleaching and disease in St. John. Individual coral taxa have variable calcification rates and susceptibility to disturbances because of their differing life‐history strategies. As a result, temporal changes in CCC in this study were driven by shifts in both overall coral cover and coral community composition. Analysis of our results considering coral life‐history strategies showed that weedy corals generally increased their contributions to CCC over time while the contribution of competitive corals decreased. Shifts in contributions by stress‐tolerant and generalist corals to CCC were more variable across regions. The increasing frequency and intensity of disturbances under 21st century global change therefore has the potential to drive lower and more variable CCC because of the increasing dominance of weedy and some stress‐tolerant corals.
Activating genomic alterations in the Gs alpha gene (GNAS) in 274 694 tumors
Authors: Tirosh Amit , Jin Dexter X. , De Marco Luiz , Laitman Yael , Friedman Eitan
Published: April 2020

Activating point mutations in two codons (R201 and Q227) in the alpha subunit of the stimulatory GTP binding protein (GNAS) gene—coined gsp mutations—were originally reported in growth hormone secreting pituitary adenomas. In these tumor types, gsp activating mutations were associated with uncontrolled intracellular cAMP accumulation leading to cellular proliferation and tumor formation. Since the original description of gsp mutations in pituitary and later thyroid neoplasia, many more tumors were genotyped for these specific activating mutations. In this paradigm, GNAS is an oncogene that can be activated by other molecular mechanisms, such as DNA amplification and translocation. Herein, we describe the largest account to date of tumor types that harbor pathogenic GNAS genomic alterations (GAs) including the “classical” gsp activating point mutations, delineate some common features of these tumors, and speculate as to the possible mechanisms whereby GNAS activating GAs are associated with the various stages of tumorigenesis.
Organic geochemistry, hydrocarbon generation, and expulsion characteristics and their impact on tight oil: A case study of the third member of the Upper Palaeogene Shahejie Formation, Nanpu Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, NE China
Authors: Li Changrong , Pang Xiongqi , Wang Enze , Liu Guoyong , Wu Zhuoya
Published: April 2020

In recent years, exploration of tight oil in the Nanpu Sag has made significant progress in the third member of the Upper Palaeogene Shahejie Formation (Es3) in the Nanpu Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, Northeast China, showing excellent prospects. However, owing to insufficient understanding of the hydrocarbon generation and expulsion characteristics of Es3 source rocks and their matching relationship with the reservoir tightening time, the genetic type and resource potential of tight oil systems are not precise, which limits the further exploration of tight oil. In this study, the geological and geochemical characteristics of Es3 source rock are identified through a comprehensive geological and organic geochemistry analysis. In addition, hydrocarbon generation and expulsion patterns are established using a hydrocarbon generation potential model. On the basis of these results, combined with sandstone reservoir evolution histories, we have identified the genetic type and resource potential of the tight oil. The results show that the kerogen types of the Es3 source rocks of the Nanpu Sag, are widely distributed in an area of nearly 1,000 km2 and have a large thickness of more than 700 m, are mainly Types II and III with a high average total organic carbon (TOC) value of 1.63%. Moreover, the source rocks are primarily in the mature stage, with an average vitrinite reflectance (Ro) of 1.06%. The Es3 source rock reached the hydrocarbon expulsion threshold at Ro = 0.7%, and the hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency was approximately 70%. Two hydrocarbon generation and expulsion centres are identified, the Gaoshangpu and Laoyemiao structural belts, with maximum hydrocarbon generation and expulsion intensities of 100 × 106 t/km2 and 80 × 106 t/km2, respectively. In addition, two genetic types of tight oil are identified with accumulation before and after tightening, respectively. The resources of these types are 2.3 × 108 t and 20.4 × 108 t, respectively, with a total of 22.7 × 108 t, which indicates significant prospects for tight oil exploration.
Isotope systematics and fluid inclusion studies of the Hongtaiping Cu–Pb–Zn deposit in Yanbian, NE China: Implications for ore genesis
Authors: Wang Zhi‐Gao , Wan Duo , Wang Ke‐Yong , Konare Yassa , Liang Yi‐Hong
Published: April 2020

The Hongtaiping Cu–Pb–Zn deposit is located in the central part of the Yanbian–Dongning region, NE China, which is the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The Cu–Pb–Zn mineralization occurs in the contact zone of the Lower Permian Miaoling and Kedao formations with tuff lavas, tuffs, and marlstones as the principal host rocks. The orebodies are distributed in stratiform, stratiform‐like and lenticular morphologies, consistent with the host strata. Field investigations indicate three ore facies consisting of stringer–stockwork, massive, and laminated ores in the Hongtaiping deposit, which show apparent variation spatially from bottom to top of sulphide types. A lot of liquid‐rich fluid inclusions were identified in mineral crystals from the three types of ore facies with complete homogenization temperatures varying from 162 to 249°C and salinities in the range of 3.3 to 9.6 wt% NaCl equiv. The δD and values of calcite samples from the stringer or stockwork ores range from −82.0 to −75.1‰ and 3.3 to 3.7‰, respectively, lower than those (δD values of −64.1 to −38.8‰, values of −0.9 to 2.2‰) of the massive and laminated ores. In addition, the calcite samples show restricted δ13C values from −6.8 to −4.0‰. These fluid inclusions and H–O–C isotope geochemistry suggest that ore‐forming fluids of the Hongtaiping deposit were mainly sourced from heated seawater or brine derived, with the carbon from marine carbonates by water–rock interaction. The δ34S values of sulphide separates from the stringer–stockwork, massive and laminated ores range from −15.2 to −9.2‰ with an average value of −12.3‰. The sulphide minerals yield 206Pb/204Pb ratios from 18.025 to 19.758, 207Pb/204Pb ratios from 15.601 to 15.795, and 208Pb/204Pb ratios from 37.202 to 39.305. These S and Pb isotope compositions indicate that the sulphur had an origin in seawater sulphates from which sulphur was most possibly transformed into sulphide by thermochemical reduction, while the lead in ores originated mainly from the Miaoling Formation, with small amounts directly derived from the subvolcanic intrusion. Taken together, the Hongtaiping deposit can be classified as a volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit, for which the possible mineralization process is interpreted in terms of a long‐lived convective circulation of mobile heated seawater mixed with some magmatic fluids along submarine faults and fissures during the Early Permian. The metals were migrated and subsequently enriched in the hydrothermal circulation system by being leached from the underlying volcanic rocks, with the metal‐rich ore‐forming fluids combined with contributions of water–rock reaction, thermochemical sulphate reduction and temperature change leading to the precipitation of polymetallic sulphides.
A latent class approach to inequity in health using biomarker data
Authors: Carrieri Vincenzo , Davillas Apostolos , Jones Andrew M.
Published: April 2020

We adopt an empirical approach to analyse, measure and decompose inequality of opportunity (IOp) in health, based on a latent class model. This addresses some of the limitations that affect earlier work in this literature concerning the definition of types, such as partial observability, the ad hoc selection of circumstances, the curse of dimensionality and unobserved type‐specific heterogeneity that may lead to biased estimates of IOp. We apply our latent class approach to measure IOp in allostatic load, a composite measure of biomarker data. Using data from Understanding Society: The UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), we find that a latent class model with three latent types best fits the data, with the corresponding types characterised in terms of differences in their observed circumstances. Decomposition analysis shows that about two thirds of the total inequalities in allostatic load can be attributed to the direct and indirect contribution of circumstances and that the direct contribution of effort is small. Further analysis conditional on age–sex groups reveals that the relative (percentage) contribution of circumstances to the total inequalities remains mostly unaffected and the direct contribution of effort remains small.
Considerations for head and neck oncology practices during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic: Wuhan and Toronto experience
Authors: Wu Vincent , Noel Christopher W. , Forner David , Zhang Zhi‐Jian , Higgins Kevin M. , Enepekides Danny J. , Lee John M. , Witterick Ian J. , Kim John J. , Waldron John N. , Irish Jonathan C. , Hua Qing‐Quan , Eskander Antoine
Published: April 2020

The practices of head and neck surgical oncologists must evolve to meet the unprecedented needs placed on our health care system by the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Guidelines are emerging to help guide the provision of head and neck cancer care, though in practice, it can be challenging to operationalize such recommendations. Head and neck surgeons at Wuhan University faced significant challenges in providing care for their patients. Similar challenges were faced by the University of Toronto during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) pandemic in 2003. Herein, we outline our combined experience and key practical considerations for maintaining an oncology service in the midst of a pandemic.
Tobacco use and vaping in the COVID‐19 era
Authors: Singh Arjun Gurmeet , Chaturvedi Pankaj
Published: April 2020

Health crises have become a popular topic of discussion. In the wave of the ongoing pandemic, experts have suggested the role of vaping and other tobacco product use exemplifying the vulnerability of the population to contract the COVID‐19. We discuss some of the events that led up to these conclusions and also offer a unique insight into another form of tobacco use that is potentially propagating its spread especially in the South Asian region—chewed tobacco. Both of these have been a perennial issue that head and neck cancer surgeons have been dealing with. Governments and head and neck cancer care providers now have an opportunity to deal with a common enemy in the midst of this pandemic.
Breath Metabolomics Provides an Accurate and Noninvasive Approach for Screening Cirrhosis, Primary, and Secondary Liver Tumors
Authors: Miller‐Atkins Galen , Acevedo‐Moreno Lou‐Anne , Grove David , Dweik Raed A. , Tonelli Adriano R. , Brown J. Mark , Allende Daniela S. , Aucejo Federico , Rotroff Daniel M.
Published: April 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and secondary liver tumors, such as colorectal cancer liver metastases are significant contributors to the overall burden of cancer‐related morality. Current biomarkers, such as alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) for HCC, result in too many false negatives, necessitating noninvasive approaches with improved sensitivity. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected in the breath of patients can provide valuable insight into disease processes and can differentiate patients by disease status. Here, we investigate whether 22 VOCs from the breath of 296 patients can distinguish those with no liver disease (n = 54), cirrhosis (n = 30), HCC (n = 112), pulmonary hypertension (n = 49), or colorectal cancer liver metastases (n = 51). This work extends previous studies by evaluating the ability for VOC signatures to differentiate multiple diseases in a large cohort of patients. Pairwise disease comparisons demonstrated that most of the VOCs tested are present in significantly different relative abundances (false discovery rateP < 0.1), indicating broad impacts on the breath metabolome across diseases. A predictive model developed using random forest machine learning and cross validation classified patients with 85% classification accuracy and 75% balanced accuracy. Importantly, the model detected HCC with 73% sensitivity compared with 53% for AFP in the same cohort. An added value of this approach is that influential VOCs in the predictive model may provide insight into disease etiology. Acetaldehyde and acetone, both of which have roles in tumor promotion, were considered important VOCs for differentiating disease groups in the predictive model and were increased in patients with cirrhosis and HCC compared to patients with no liver disease (false discovery rateP < 0.1).Conclusion:The use of machine learning and breath VOCs shows promise as an approach to develop improved, noninvasive screening tools for chronic liver disease and primary and secondary liver tumors.
Body size, body composition and endometrial cancer risk among postmenopausal women in UK Biobank
Authors: Omiyale Wemimo , Allen Naomi E. , Sweetland Siân
Published: April 2020

Previous studies on the association of adiposity with endometrial cancer risk have mostly used body mass index (BMI) as the main exposure of interest. Whether more precise measures of body fat, such as body fat percentage and fat mass estimated by bioimpedance analyses, are better indicators of risk than BMI is unknown. The role of central adiposity and fat‐free mass in endometrial cancer development remains unclear. We used Cox regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations of various measures of body size/composition with the risk of endometrial cancer among 135 110 postmenopausal women enrolled in UK Biobank. During a mean follow up of 6.8 years, 706 endometrial cancers were diagnosed, with a mean age at diagnosis of 65.5 years. The HRs (95% CIs) for endometrial cancer per 1 SD increase in BMI, body fat percentage and fat mass were broadly comparable, being 1.71 (1.61‐1.82), 1.92 (1.75‐2.11) and 1.73 (1.63‐1.85), respectively. There was an indication of positive association between central adiposity, as reflected by waist circumference (HRper 1‐SD increase = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.00‐1.17) and waist to hip ratio (HRper 1‐SD increase = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.26), and endometrial cancer risk after accounting for BMI. Fat‐free mass was not an independent predictor of risk in this cohort. These findings suggest that body fat percentage and fat mass are not better indicators of endometrial cancer risk than BMI. Further studies are needed to establish whether central adiposity contributes to risk beyond overall adiposity.
Coralline Skeleton Biomaterial Reduces Phagocytosis in Mouse Blood in vitro
Authors: Gancz Ayala , Zueva Yekaterina , Weiss Orly E. , Hendler Roni M. , Minnes Rafael , Baranes Danny
Published: April 2020

Inflammatory and immunogenic response to foreign bodies presents a challenge in the use of biomaterials as implants for tissue restoration. Therefore, there is a need to understand the interactions between such implants and the blood. One such material, currently in clinical use for bone replacement in humans, is the skeleton of corals, in the form of crystalline aragonite. This biomaterial has been shown to impart a protective and supportive influence on several types of cells ex vivo. The carbonate skeleton activates secretion in phagocytes in vitro, however its effects on these cells in the blood, and on the process of phagocytosis itself, remain unknown. Using 1–500 μm particles of coral skeleton, we show that these particles bind blood proteins and alter the leukocyte population, reducing the proportion of granulocytes by more than 3‐fold with no effect on the proportion of monocytes. In addition, the presence of coral skeleton in the blood causes a reduction in phagocytosis. Specifically, we observed a decrease in the percentage of phagocytic cells by 27 % in the granulocytes and by 73 % in monocyte family, as well as a 41.6 % reduction in the MFI of granulocytes, but with no such effect on monocytes. Taken together, the results suggest that the coral skeleton biomaterial may act as a strong, promotive scaffold for tissue regeneration due to its ability to reduce its rejection by inflammatory reactions such as phagocytosis.
The Science of Adolescent Literacy
Authors: Hruby George G. , Burns Leslie D.
Published: April 2020

This department explores critical perspectives on issues at the intersection of policy and practice in order to generate fresh questions about enduring dilemmas, new challenges, and debates.
Culturally Sustaining Pedagogies in the Current Moment: A Conversation With Django Paris and H. Samy Alim
Authors: Caraballo Limarys , Martinez Danny C. , Paris Django , Alim H. Samy
Published: April 2020

This department explores how teachers can sustain students’ multilingual literacies and reimagine literacy learning across multiple contexts in conversation with researchers, practitioners, and communities.
Advances on the role of the deleted in breast cancer (DBC1) in cancer and autoimmune diseases
Authors: Fang Qiannan , Bellanti Joseph A , Zheng Song Guo
Published: April 2020

DBC1 (deleted in breast cancer 1) is a human nuclear protein that modulates the activities of various proteins. Most of the research on DBC1 has focused on metabolism and epigenetics because it is a crucial endogenic inhibitor of deacetylase Sirtuin1 (SIRT1). In this review, we have discussed and summarized the new advances in DBC1 research, mostly focusing on its structure, regulatory function, and significance in cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Direct Quantification of Intervertebral Disc Water Content Using MRI
Authors: Yang Bo , Wendland Michael F. , O'Connell Grace D.
Published: April 2020

Background

Water content is a key parameter for simulating tissue swelling and nutrient diffusion. Accurately measuring water content throughout the intervertebral disc (NP = nucleus pulposus; AF = annulus fibrosus) is important for developing patient‐specific models. Water content is measured using destructive techniques, Quantitative MRI has been used to estimate water content and detect early degeneration, but it is dependent on scan parameters, concentration of free water molecules, and fiber architecture.

Purpose

To directly measure disc‐tissue water content using quantitative MRI and compare MRI‐based measurements with biochemical assays, and to quantify changes in disc geometry due to compression.

Study Type

Basic science, controlled.

Specimen

Twenty bone‐disc‐bone motion segments from skeletally mature bovines.

Field Strength/Sequence

7T/3D fast low angle shot (FLASH) pulse sequence and a T2 rapid imaging with refocused echoes (RARE) sequence.

Assessment

Disc volumes, NP and AF volumetric water content, and T2 relaxation times were measured through MRI; NP and AF tissue gravimetric water content, mass density, and glycosaminoglycan content were measured through a biochemical assay.

Statistical Tests

Correlations between MRI‐based measurement and biochemical composition were evaluated using Pearson's linear regression.

Results

Mechanical dehydration resulted in a decrease in disc volume by up to 20% and a decrease in disc height by up to 35%. Direct water content measurements for the NP was achieved by normalizing MRI‐based spin density by NP mass density (1.10 ± 0.03 g/cm3). However, the same approach underestimated water content in the AF by ~10%, which may be due to a higher concentration of collagen fibers and bound water molecules.

Data Conclusion

Spin density or spin density normalized by mass density to estimate NP and AF water content was more accurate than correlations between water content and relaxation times. Mechanical dehydration decreased disc volume and disc height, and increased maximum cross‐sectional area.

Level of Evidence

 

Technical Efficacy Stage

  J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:1152–1162.
Tropical cyclone precipitation regimes since 1750 and the Great Suppression of 1843–1876 along coastal North Carolina, USA
Authors: Knapp Paul A. , Soulé Peter T. , Maxwell Justin T. , Ortegren Jason T. , Mitchell Tyler J.
Published: April 2020

Latewood ring widths of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) are effective recorders of annual variability of tropical cyclone (TC) precipitation (TCP), accounting for approximately half of the explained variance. Based on a regional chronology comprised of data from five sites in coastal North Carolina, we reconstructed TCP during 1750–2015 to examine temporal variability of multidecadal dry and wet TCP regimes, the synoptic controls that contributed to an exceptionally dry phase in 1843–1876, and the effectiveness of using latewood to identify droughts independent of TCP. We found six phases of alternating dry/wet phases occurred during the 250+ years in the reconstruction (duration range = 17–62 years) and the 1843–1876 period of exceptionally narrow latewood widths and low TCP values (i.e., the Great Suppression) was unique during the past quarter millennium. The Great Suppression coincided with a period of anomalously low pressure (relative mean hPa deviation = −60 DAM) over the eastern USA at 500 hPa heights, which strongly affects the steering of TCs. We found that while each dry phase was characterized by a persistence of these steering lows, including the most recent (2006–2016) period absent of major landfalling TCs in the United States, the Great Suppression was unmatched in intensity. Finally, we determined that variability in longleaf pine latewood widths do not reflect overall soil‐moisture conditions, as neither narrow nor wide latewood widths are coincident with variations in non‐TC‐related precipitation. Rather, latewood growth flushes are associated with ephemeral periods of elevated water tables following high‐intensity TC‐related rainfall events.
Trace Elements’ Contamination of Pediatric Parenteral Nutrition Solutions in Canada: A Cause for Concern
Authors: Srikrishnaraj Arjuna , Chambers Kathryn , South Courtney , Arppe Robertson Megan , Vresk Laura , Tedesco‐Bruce Anna , Haliburton Beth , Yanchis Dianna , Belza Christina , Zietsma Jordan , Benec Joanna , Carricato Megan , Kean Penni , Avitzur Yaron , Wales Paul W. , Harrison Debra , Courtney‐Martin Glenda
Published: April 2020

Background

Trace elements' (TEs) contamination of parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions is an ongoing concern. The aims of this study were 1) to measure actual TE concentrations in PN admixtures compared with ordered concentrations and 2) compare TE intake with current recommendations.

Methods

PN admixtures from discarded bags were collected from patients receiving home PN and on inpatient wards. Samples were collected from 72 patients (39 inpatients, 33 receiving home PN). Age, percentage energy intake from PN, and PN orders were collected from patients' charts. PN samples were analyzed for TEs, including chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn), and concentration measurements compared with ordered concentrations and current recommendations.

Results

Measured Cr and Mn concentrations were higher than ordered concentrations: 5.3 ± 1.7 vs 2.8 ± 1.5 µg/L; P < 0.0001 and 11.9 ± 5.9 vs 0.00 µg/L; P < 0.0001, respectively. Chromium contamination alone accounted for over 100% of current recommendations for patients 0–12 months and between 63% and 92% for children >1 year. Contamination of Mn provided all the measured Mn in PN admixtures, since Mn is excluded from PN orders at our institution. Between 70% and 120% of current Mn recommendations were met from contamination.

Conclusions

Cr should be excluded from PN admixtures for children 0–12 months and only one‐fourth the current recommendation should be added for pediatric patients >1 year. Manganese should also be excluded from PN admixture for pediatric patients but plasms monitoring 2–3 times per year is recommended for those on long‐term PN.
Reduced retort processing time improves canning quality of fast‐cooking dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: Bassett Amber , Dolan Kirk D , Cichy Karen
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

While it is generally accepted that fast‐cooking germplasm benefits consumers, benefits to the canning industry have not been established. Genotypes with good canning quality withstand the canning process while remaining intact with good appearance, but canning protocols used by breeders typically involve long processing times that may overcook some genotypes. The goal of this study was to identify whether cooking time influences canning quality in dry beans and whether reducing processing time could improve canning quality of fast‐cooking genotypes.

RESULTS

A set of 20 yellow bean genotypes including Ervilha, PI527538 and 18 derived recombinant inbred lines were selected for their varied cooking times. By comparing the genotypes processed across five retort times, differences in canning quality were identified. All genotypes performed better when processed for less time than the standard 45 min, but canning quality was highest at 10 min for fast‐ and medium‐cooking genotypes and 15 min for slow‐cooking genotypes. Cooking time was correlated positively with texture and intactness and negatively with washed‐drained weights, indicating that slower cooking beans have higher canning quality. Color changed with retort processing such that longer times produced darker beans with more red and yellow.

CONCLUSIONS

While fast‐cooking beans exhibited lower canning quality at standard processing times, reduced retort processing time allowed them to meet quality standards while still maintaining food safety. By accounting for cooking time as a component of canning quality, breeders can develop varieties that are convenient and cost efficient for preparation for both consumers and the canning industry. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Effects of granule size on physicochemical and digestive properties of potato powder
Authors: Hu Chun , Xiong Zhouyi , Xiong Hanguo , Chen Lei , Zhang Mengchao , Wang Pengkai , Nawaz Asad , Walayat Noman
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Potato powder, a rich source of high‐quality protein and starch, plays an important role in the production of functional foods. In this study, ball‐mill processed potato powders with different particle sizes (278, 208, 129, and 62 μm) were analyzed in terms of physicochemical, pasting, rheological, and digestive properties.

RESULTS

Scanning electron microscopy and laser diffraction analysis of the samples revealed mono‐model particle‐size distributions. X‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed structure destruction of starch pellets. Proximate composition and physical property analysis showed an increase in the water, ash, protein, and starch content. Meanwhile, the water solubility index and swelling power values were found to increase with decreasing grain size, and so were the brightness (L*) and redness (b*) values of the potato powders. With particle size reduced to 129 μm, large changes were observed in gelatinization properties, such as peak viscosity, trough viscosity, breakdown viscosity, and final viscosity. Oscillatory rheology results also showed that, with the decrease in particle size, the storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) improved, with highest storage modulus (G′) observed in the 129 μm particle size. The hydrolysis rate and glycemic index also increased in the 129 μm potato powder.

CONCLUSION

The results provide information that could be useful for improving quality characteristics by using specific grain sizes in the development of potato‐based products such as gluten‐free products and ethnic food products with particular functional and rheological properties. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
The Impact of Common Psychiatric and Behavioral Comorbidities on Functional Disability Across Time and Individuals in Post‐9/11 Veterans
Authors: Fortenbaugh Francesca C. , Fonda Jennifer R. , Fortier Catherine B. , Amick Melissa M. , Milberg William P. , McGlinchey Regina E.
Published: April 2020

Returning veterans often face multiple concurrent psychiatric and behavioral conditions that negatively impact reintegration into civilian life and are associated with functional disability. Understanding how conditions interact to negatively impact functioning is an important step toward developing holistic treatment approaches optimized for this population. This study utilized a cross‐sectional and prospective longitudinal cohort design, applying regression algorithms to understand the relative contribution of common clinical issues to functional disability in U.S. veterans who served after the September 11, 2001 (9/11), terror attacks. Community‐dwelling post‐9/11 veterans (N = 397) completed detailed assessments, including common clinical condition diagnoses, combat experience, and demographics, which were used to predict functional disability (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule); 205 participants were reassessed approximately 1–2 years after enrollment. Regression analyses showed a strong association between the predictor variables and functional disability, f 2 = 1.488. Validation analyses showed a high prediction ability of functional disability to independent samples, r = .719, and across time in the same individuals, r = .780. The strongest predictors included current posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive disorder, sleep disturbance, and pain diagnoses. These results demonstrate the importance of considering multiple common co‐occurring conditions when assessing functional disability in post‐9/11 veterans and suggest that certain syndromes contribute the most unique information to predicting functional disability with high confidence. As most U.S. veterans utilize private healthcare systems, these results have clinical utility for both Veterans Affairs and civilian healthcare practitioners in assessing and monitoring functional disability in post‐9/11 veterans over time.
Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of the Malignant Ultrasound Features of Triple‐Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Tian Lu , Wang Longlun , Qin Yong , Cai Jinhua
Published: April 2020

Objectives

The malignant ultrasound (US) features of breast cancer are known to include an irregular shape, a noncircumscribed margin, an echogenic halo, a nonparallel orientation, posterior acoustic attenuation, microcalcification, and others. However, these US features are uncertain and controversial for the diagnosis of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). This study aimed to analyze the diagnostic value of malignant US features for TNBC by a systematic review and meta‐analysis, analyze the US characteristics of TNBC, and provide US evidence for clinical diagnosis.

Methods

A comprehensive search was performed to identify relevant English articles concerning the US diagnosis of TNBC (from the date of database establishment to November 2019). The pooled sensitivity, pooled specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio with 95% confidence interval, summary receiver operating characteristic curve, and area under the curve for the different malignant US features were calculated.

Results

Ten studies (620 patients) met the eligibility criteria. The sensitivity (range, 0.14–0.68) and specificity (range, 0.19–0.66) of the malignant US features were not high. Summary receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the area under the curve (range, 0.25–0.47) of the malignant US features was low, demonstrating that these features have poor diagnostic value for TNBC. The positive likelihood ratio (range, 0.4–to 0.9) of the malignant US features was low, and the negative likelihood ratio (range, 1.09–2.02) was not low, revealing that these features had a poor ability to confirm or exclude TNBC.

Conclusions

Triple‐negative breast cancer lacks the typical malignant US features of breast cancer and has its own US features.
Cochlear Implantation in Neurological Patients: Case Report and Literature Survey
Authors: Barbara Maurizio , Margani Valerio , Costanzo Rocco , Salvetti Marco , Bozzao Alessandro , Monini Simonetta , Covelli Edoardo
Published: April 2020

Cochlear implant (CI) is a reliable solution to restore hearing in people with severe‐to‐profound hearing loss. The device is made up of internal and external components linked transcutaneously through a magnet that may rise specific issues in people who must undergo brain magnetic resonance (MRI) due to neurological diseases. The description of a case of a CI implantee needing MRI has given us the opportunity to highlight the differences that can be encountered among different neuropathies, either acute or chronic, with the aim of shedding some light for finding a common protocol when facing this important and frequent clinical issue. In particular, the removal of the magnet prior to performing an MRI exam is mandatory for brain diseases ipsilateral to the implanted side, whereas for contralateral side lesions it is less important when using apposite bandage kits. Laryngoscope, 131:E576–E580, 2021
Silicon‐Waveguide‐Integrated High‐Quality Metagrating Supporting Bound State in the Continuum
Authors: Xu Hongnan , Shi Yaocheng
Published: April 2020

The photonic bound state in the continuum (BIC) is a spatially bounded eigen state that can be realized in the form of a supercavity mode with an ultrahigh quality factor. The high‐quality supercavity resonance can be supported by photonic crystal slabs, asymmetric metasurfaces, and high‐contrast gratings. However, these schemes all suffer from bulky device size and complex experimental setup. Herein, a silicon‐waveguide‐integrated high‐quality metagrating is proposed and demonstrated as a new platform to manipulate the supercavity mode. The shallow‐ridge metagrating is directly embedded in the silicon slab waveguide, so the input slab mode can be coupled into the resonant ridge mode, which can be further transformed into the supercavity mode by utilizing the intra‐waveguide Fabry–Perot interference. Such an effect has been experimentally verified by the fabricated devices. The metagrating operating near the supercavity regime is also experimentally realized with a high quality factor ≈5200. As an application, such high‐quality metagrating is exploited to realize the temperature sensing with a high temperature sensitivity ≈77 pm K−1. The proposed integrated metagrating provides a novel approach to harness the BIC, paving ways for a new class of BIC‐based nanophotonic devices with high performance, chip‐scale footprint, and long‐term stability.