bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethnic disparity in access to the memory assessment service between South Asian and white British older adults in the United Kingdom: A cohort study
Authors: Ogliari Giulia , Turner Zoë , Khalique Javid , Gordon Adam L. , Gladman John R. F. , Chadborn Neil H.
Published: January 2020

Background

Equality of access to memory assessment services by older adults from ethnic minorities is both an ethical imperative and a public health priority.

Objective

To investigate whether timeliness of access to memory assessment service differs between older people of white British and South Asian ethnicity.

Design

Longitudinal cohort.

Setting

Nottingham Memory Study; outpatient secondary mental healthcare.

Subjects

Our cohort comprised 3654 white British and 32 South Asian older outpatients.

Methods

The criterion for timely access to memory assessment service was set at 90 days from referral. Relationships between ethnicity and likelihood of timely access to memory assessment service were analysed using binary logistic regression. Analyses were adjusted for socio‐demographic factors, deprivation and previous access to rapid response mental health services.

Results

Among white British outpatients, 2272 people (62.2%) achieved timely access to memory assessment service. Among South Asian outpatients, fourteen people (43.8%) achieved timely access to memory assessment service. After full adjustment, South Asian outpatients had a 0.47‐fold reduced likelihood of timely access, compared to white British outpatients (odds ratio 0.47, 95% confidence interval 0.23‐0.95, P value = .035). The difference became non‐significant when restricting analyses to outpatients reporting British nationality or English as first language. Older age, lower index of deprivation and previous access to rapid response mental health services were associated with reduced likelihood of timely access, while gender was not.

Conclusions

In a UK mental healthcare service, older South Asian outpatients are less likely to access dementia diagnostic services in a timely way, compared to white British outpatients.
The effects of Joule heating and variable thermal conductivity on peristaltic pumping of Jeffrey nanofluid in the presence of heat transfer
Authors: Abdel‐Hameed Asfour Hanaa
Published: January 2020

This investigation aims to study Hall's current effect on the peristaltic flow of a Jeffrey nanofluid with variable thermal conductivity in an inclined asymmetric channel. Joule heating and oblique magnetic field effects are taken into consideration. A system of ordinary differential equations is obtained under the approximation of low Reynolds number and long wavelength, which consists of momentum, energy, and concentration equations. The influences of penitent physical parameters on the distribution of velocity, temperature, and concentration have been discussed graphically. Streamline graphs are offered in the terminus, which elucidates the trapping bolus phenomenon. The resulting equations are solved numerically using the ND Solver technique. The thermal conductivity parameter causes the pressure gradient to increase while reducing the pressure rise. Our present model can be applied to physiological flow transportation in the veins with heat transfer.
Water age in stormwater management ponds and stormwater management pond‐treated catchments
Authors: Morales Kayla , Oswald Claire
Published: January 2020

Expansion of impervious surface cover results in “flashy” hydrologic response, elevated flood risk, and degraded water quality in urban watersheds. Stormwater management ponds (SWMPs) are often engineered into stream networks to mitigate these issues. A clearer understanding of how water is stored and released from SWMPs and SWMP‐treated catchments is required to better represent these engineered systems in hydrological and water quality models of urban and urbanizing watersheds. Stable water isotopes were used to compare water age in SWMPs and SWMP‐treated catchments in an urbanizing watershed. We sampled water biweekly from two SWMPs and five stream sites with varying land cover and stormwater control in their catchments. Two inverse transit time proxies (damping ratio and young water fraction) were computed along with the mean transit time (MTT) by sine–wave fitting for each SWMP and stream site using the δ18O and δ2H data. Water entering the SWMPs was consistently older (224 and 177 days) than water in or exiting the ponds (ranging from 46 to 91 days and 39 to 67 days, respectively). This finding is likely due to a combination of groundwater infiltration into broken sewer pipes that transport water into the ponds and a bias toward baseflow sampling. At the catchment scale, detention provided by SWMPs was not found to be more significant than the interactive effects of impervious cover, surficial geology, land use proportions, and catchment size in determining MTT. Overall, surficial geology explained the most variation in MTT among the seven sites. This study illustrates the potential for isotope‐based approaches of water age to provide information on individual SWMP functioning and the influence of SWMPs on catchment‐scale water movement.
Saturated areas through the lens: 1. Spatio‐temporal variability of surface saturation documented through thermal infrared imagery
Authors: Antonelli Marta , Glaser Barbara , Teuling Adriaan J. , Klaus Julian , Pfister Laurent
Published: January 2020

Surface saturated areas are key features in generating run‐off. A detailed characterization of the expansion and contraction of surface saturation in riparian zones and its connectivity to the stream is fundamental to improve our understanding of the spatial and temporal variability of streamflow generation processes. In this first contribution of a series of two papers, we used ground‐based thermal infrared imagery for characterizing riparian surface saturation seasonal dynamics of seven different riparian areas in the Weierbach catchment (0.42 km2), a small forested catchment in Luxembourg. We collected biweekly panoramic images of the seven areas over a period of 2 years. We identified the extension of saturation in each collected panoramic image (i.e., percentage of pixels corresponding to saturated surfaces in each riparian area) to generate time series of surface saturation. Riparian surface saturation in all areas was seasonally variable, and its dynamics were in accordance with lower hillslope groundwater level fluctuations. Surface saturation in the different areas related to catchment outlet discharge through power law relationships. Differences in these relationships for different areas could be associated with the location of the areas along the stream network and to a possible influence of local riparian morphology on the development of surface saturation, suggesting a certain degree of intracatchment heterogeneity. This study paves the way for a subsequent investigation of the spatio‐temporal variability of streamflow generation in the catchment, presented in our second contribution.
ENHANCING WATER PRODUCTIVITY WHILE IMPROVING PEANUT KERNEL QUALITY BY WATER REGULATION UNDER DIFFERENT NITROGEN LEVELS†
Authors: Xia Guimin , Wu Qi , Chi Daocai , Chen Junxiu , Wang Shujun
Published: January 2020

In order to improve the water productivity and kernel quality of peanut, a lysimeter experiment was conducted from 2014 to 2015 to evaluate the effects of nitrogen (N1: 75 kg ha−1, N2: 150 kg ha−1, N3: 225 kg ha−1) and irrigation regimes (W1: severe deficit, W2: moderate deficit, W3: full irrigation) on the photosynthetic traits, water productivity and kernel quality of peanut. Results show that optimal N rates enhanced chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration and stomatal conductance, while these traits decreased with an increase of soil water stress. N2W2 treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased water productivity by 52 and 45% relative to W3N3 over the 2 years respectively. Although the N2W2 and N2W3 treatments produced the highest yields, water consumption of the N2W3 treatment was significantly higher than that of N2W2. Protein content (PC), crude fat content (CF) and oleic acid content (OA) increased with N input. However, the N3 treatment significantly lessened the OA/LA (linoleic acid) compared with N1. CF, OA (in 2015) and OA/LA were significantly increased by alleviated W stress which was completely contrary to PC and LA. For maximum economic benefit ($5870  ha−1), W2N2 was recommended as comprehensively improving yield, kernel quality and water productivity of peanut. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Specific Commensal Bacterium Critically Regulates Gut Microbiota Osteoimmunomodulatory Actions During Normal Postpubertal Skeletal Growth and Maturation
Authors: Hathaway‐Schrader Jessica D , Poulides Nicole A , Carson Matthew D , Kirkpatrick Joy E , Warner Amy J , Swanson Brooks A , Taylor Eliza V , Chew Michael E , Reddy Sakamuri V , Liu Bei , Westwater Caroline , Novince Chad M
Published: January 2020

The commensal gut microbiota critically regulates immunomodulatory processes that influence normal skeletal growth and maturation. However, the influence of specific microbes on commensal gut microbiota osteoimmunoregulatory actions is unknown. We have shown previously that the commensal gut microbiota enhances TH17/IL17A immune response effects in marrow and liver that have procatabolic/antianabolic actions in the skeleton. Segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), a specific commensal gut bacterium within phylum Firmicutes, potently induces TH17/IL17A‐mediated immunity. The study purpose was to delineate the influence of SFB on commensal gut microbiota immunomodulatory actions regulating normal postpubertal skeletal development. Two murine models were utilized: SFB‐monoassociated mice versus germ‐free (GF) mice and specific‐pathogen‐free (SPF) mice +/− SFB. SFB colonization was validated by 16S rDNA analysis, and SFB‐induced TH17/IL17A immunity was confirmed by upregulation of Il17a in ileum and IL17A in serum. SFB‐colonized mice had an osteopenic trabecular bone phenotype, which was attributed to SFB actions suppressing osteoblastogenesis and enhancing osteoclastogenesis. Intriguingly, SFB‐colonized mice had increased expression of proinflammatory chemokines and acute‐phase reactants in the liver. Lipocalin‐2 (LCN2), an acute‐phase reactant and antimicrobial peptide, was substantially elevated in the liver and serum of SFB‐colonized mice, which supports the notion that SFB regulation of commensal gut microbiota osteoimmunomodulatory actions are mediated in part through a gut–liver–bone axis. Proinflammatory TH17 and TH1 cells were increased in liver‐draining lymph nodes of SFB‐colonized mice, which further substantiates that SFB osteoimmune‐response effects may be mediated through the liver. SFB‐induction of Il17a in the gut and Lcn2 in the liver resulted in increased circulating levels of IL17A and LCN2. Recognizing that IL17A and LCN2 support osteoclastogenesis/suppress osteoblastogenesis, SFB actions impairing postpubertal skeletal development appear to be mediated through immunomodulatory effects in both the gut and liver. This research reveals that specific microbes critically impact commensal gut microbiota immunomodulatory actions regulating normal postpubertal skeletal growth and maturation. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
MCPIP1 overexpression in human neuroblastoma cell lines causes cell‐cycle arrest by G1/S checkpoint block
Authors: Boratyn Elżbieta , Nowak Iwona , Karnas Elżbieta , Ryszawy Damian , Wnuk Dawid , Polus Anna , Durbas Małgorzata , Horwacik Irena , Rokita Hanna
Published: January 2020

Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1‐induced protein 1 (MCPIP1) has a multidomain structure, which assures its pleiotropic activity. The physiological functions of this protein include repression of inflammatory processes and the prevention of immune disorders. The influence of MCPIP1 on the cell cycle of cancer cells has not been sufficiently elucidated. A previous study by our group reported that overexpression of MCPIP1 affects the cell viability, inhibits the activation of the phosphoinositide‐3 kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin signalling pathway, and reduces the stability of the MYCN oncogene in neuroblastoma (NB) cells. Furthermore, a decrease in expression and phosphorylation levels of cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) 1, which has a key role in the M phase of the cell cycle, was observed. On the basis of these previous results, the purpose of our present study was to elucidate the influence of MCPIP1 on the cell cycle of NB cells. It was confirmed that ectopic overexpression of MCPIP1 in two human NB cell lines, KELLY and BE(2)‐C, inhibited cell proliferation. Furthermore, flow cytometric analyses and imaging of the cell cycle with a fluorescence ubiquitination cell‐cycle indicator test, demonstrated that overexpression of MCPIP1 causes an accumulation of NB cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, while the possibility of an increase in G0 phase due to induction of quiescence or senescence was excluded. Additional assessment of the molecular machinery responsible for the transition between the cell‐cycle phases confirmed that MCPIP1 overexpression reduced the expression of cyclins A2, B1, D1, D3, E1, and E2 and decreased the phosphorylation of CDK2 and CDK4, as well as retinoblastoma protein. In conclusion, the present results indicated a relevant impact of overexpression of MCPIP1 on the cell cycle, namely a block of the G1/S cell‐cycle checkpoint, resulting in arrest of NB cells in the G1 phase.
Positive association between heart dosimetry parameters and a novel cardiac biomarker, solubleST‐2, in thoracic cancer chest radiation
Authors: Zeng Zhi‐min , Xu Peng , Zhou Shan , Du Hai‐yang , Jiang Xiao‐liu , Cai Jing , Huang Long , Liu An‐wen
Published: January 2020

Background

Early screening and diagnosis of radiation‐induced heart disease (RIHD) is difficult in patients with chest radiation exposure. sST‐2 is involved in myocardial stress or injury. We evaluated the relationship between heart dose parameters and sST‐2 changes in chest malignant tumor patients who received chest radiation.

Methods

We prospectively collected thoracic malignancy cancer patients who had received chest radiotherapy. Heart dosimetry parameters were extracted from the treatment planning system. sST‐2 was measured at baseline, the middle stage, and after radiotherapy (recorded as pre‐ST‐2, mid‐ST‐2, and post‐ST‐2). sST‐2 change rate was calculated. Scatter plots showed the relationship between cardiac dose parameters and ST‐2 change rate. Multiple regression was used to analyze the relationship between cardiac dose parameters and ST‐2 change rate.

Results

Totally, 60 patients were enrolled. The mean V5, V10, V20, V30, V40, and MHD was 60.93 ± 27.79%, 51.43 ± 25.44%, 39.17 ± 21.75%, 28.07 ± 17.15%,18.66 ± 12.18%, and 18.60 ± 8.63 Gy, respectively. The median M‐LAD was 11.31 (IQR 3.33‐18.76) Gy. The mean pre‐ST‐2, mid‐ST‐2, and post‐ST‐2 was 5.1 ± 3.8, 6.4 ± 3.9, and 7.6 ± 4.4, respectively. sST‐2 was elevated with thoracic irradiation (P < .001). Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that V5, V10, V20, and MHD were independently and positively associated with ST‐2 change rate (β = .04, .04, .04, and .10, respectively, all P < .05).

Conclusion

Serum sST‐2 levels were elevated over time during radiotherapy. V5, V10, V20 and MHD were independently and positively associated with the elevated ST‐2 change rate.
Nanoparticles containing β‐cyclodextrin potentially useful for the treatment of Niemann‐Pick C
Authors: Donida Bruna , Raabe Marco , Tauffner Bárbara , de Farias Marcelo A. , Machado Andryele Z. , Timm Fernanda , Kessler Rejane G. , Hammerschmidt Tatiane G. , Reinhardt Luiza S. , Brito Verônica B. , Portugal Rodrigo V. , Bernardi Andressa , Frozza Rudimar , Moura Dinara J. , Giugliani Roberto , Poletto Fernanda , Vargas Carmen R.
Published: January 2020

β‐Cyclodextrin (β‐CD) is being considered a promising therapy for Niemann‐Pick C (NPC) disease because of its ability to mobilise the entrapped cholesterol from lysosomes, however, a major limitation is its inability to cross the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) and address the central nervous system (CNS) manifestations of the disease. Considering this, we aimed to design nanoparticles able to cross the BBB and deliver β‐CD into the CNS lysosomes. The physicochemical characteristics of β‐CD‐loaded nanoparticles were evaluated by dynamic light scattering, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The in vitro analyses were performed with NPC dermal fibroblasts and the β‐CD‐loaded nanoparticles were tracked in vivo. The nanoparticles showed a mean diameter around 120 nm with a disordered bicontinuous inner structure. The nanoparticles did not cause decrease in cell viability, impairment in the antioxidant enzymes activity, damage to biomolecules or release of reactive species in NPC dermal fibroblasts; also, they did not induce genotoxicity or alter the mitochondrial function in healthy fibroblasts. The β‐CD‐loaded nanoparticles were taken up by lysosomes reducing the cholesterol accumulated in NPC fibroblasts and reached the CNS of mice more intensely than other organs, demonstrating advantages compared to the free β‐CD. The results demonstrated the potential of the β‐CD‐loaded nanoparticles in reducing the brain impairment of NPC.
Differentiation and activation of eosinophils in the human bone marrow during experimental human endotoxemia
Authors: Hassani Marwan , Leijte Guus , Bruse Niklas , Kox Matthijs , Pickkers Peter , Vrisekoop Nienke , Koenderman Leo
Published: January 2020

Acute infection is characterized by eosinopenia. However, the underlying mechanism(s) are poorly understood and it is unclear whether decreased mobilization/production of eosinophils in the bone marrow (BM) and/or increased homing to the tissues play a role. The objective of this study was to investigate the differentiation and activation status of eosinophils in the human BM and blood upon experimental human endotoxemia, a standardized, controlled, and reproducible model of acute systemic inflammation. A BM aspirate and venous blood was obtained from seven healthy volunteers before, 4 h after, and 1 week after intravenous challenge with 2 ng/kg endotoxin. Early progenitors (CD34+/IL-5Rα+), eosinophil promyelocytes, myelocytes, metamyelocytes, and mature eosinophils were identified and quantified in the bone marrow and blood samples using flowcytometry based on specific eosinophil markers (CD193 and IL-5Rα). Activation status was assessed using antibodies against known markers on eosinophils: Alpha-4 (CD49d), CCR3 (CD193), CR1 (CD35), CEACAM-8 (CD66b), CBRM 1/5 (activation epitope of MAC-1), and by plasma cytokine analysis. Four hours after endotoxin administration, numbers of mature eosinophils in the blood and in the BM markedly declined compared with baseline, whereas numbers of all eosinophil progenitors did not change. The remaining eosinophils did not show signs of activation or degranulation despite significantly increased circulating levels of eotaxin-1. Furthermore, the expression of CD49d and CD193 on eosinophils was lower compared to baseline, but normalized after 7 days. Together these data imply that circulatory eosinopenia after an innate immune challenge is mediated by CD49d-mediated homing of eosinophils to the tissues.
Evaluation of a Workflow to Define Low Specific Absorption Rate MRI Protocols for Patients With Active Implantable Medical Devices
Authors: Martinez Jessica A. , Moulin Kévin , Yoo Bryan , Shi Yu , Kim Hyun J. , Villablanca Pablo J. , Ennis Daniel B.
Published: January 2020

Background

MRI exams for patients with MR‐conditional active implantable medical devices (AIMDs) are contraindicated unless specific conditions are met. This limits the maximum specific absorption rate (SAR, W/kg). Currently, there is no general framework to guide meeting a lower SAR limit.

Purpose

To design and evaluate a workflow for modifying MRI protocols to whole‐body SAR (WB‐SAR ≤0.1 W/kg) and local‐head SAR (LH‐SAR ≤0.3 W/kg) limits while mitigating the impact on image quality and exam time.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Twenty healthy volunteers on head (n = 5), C‐spine (n = 5), T‐spine (n = 5), and L‐spine (n = 5) with IRB consent.

Assessment

Vendor‐provided head, C‐spine, T‐spine, and L‐spine protocols (SARRT) were modified to meet both low SAR targets (SARLOW) using the proposed workflow. in vitro SNR and CNR were evaluated with a T1‐T2 phantom. in vivo image quality and clinical acceptability were scored using a 5‐point Likert scale for two blinded readers.

Field Strength/Sequences

1.5T/spin‐echoes, gradient‐echoes.

Statistical Analysis

In vitro SNR and CNR values were evaluated with a repeated measures general linear model. in vivo image quality and clinical acceptability were evaluated using a generalized estimating equation analysis (GEE). The two reader's level of agreement was analyzed using Cohen's kappa statistical analysis.

Results

Using the workflow, SAR limits were met. LH‐SAR: 0.12 ± 0.02 W/kg, median (SD) values for LH‐SAR were 0.12 (0.02) W/kg and WB‐SAR: 0.09 (0.01) W/kg. Examination time did not increase ≤2x the initial time. SARRT SNR values were higher and significantly different than SARLOW (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between the CNR values (value = 0.21). Median (IQR) CNR values were 14.2 (25.0) vs. 15.1 (9.2) for head, 12.1 (16.9) vs. 25.3 (14.2) for C‐spine, 81.6 (70.1) vs. 71.0 (26.6) for T‐spine, and 51.4 (52.6) vs. 37.7 (27.3) for L‐spine. Image quality scores were not significantly different between SARRT and SARLOW (median [SD] scores were 4.0 [0.01] vs. 4.3 [0.2], P > 0.05).

Data Conclusion

The proposed workflow provides guidance for modifying routine MRI exams to achieve low SAR limits. This can benefit patients referred for an MRI exam with low SAR MR‐conditional AIMDs.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy Stage: 5

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:91–102.
What could be My Next Job? Using Flat Information Structures to Generate Creative Future Career Ideas
Authors: Schilling Anna , Celik Pinar , Storme Martin
Published: January 2020

In a dynamic labor market, it is important to help people combine information and generate creative solutions to cope with complex career challenges. In the present research, we apply the theory of information structure to creative career idea generation and hypothesize that flat information structures—that is, structures in which the information is disorganized—are more conducive to creativity than hierarchical information structures—that is, structures in which information is organized in higher‐order categories. In two experimental studies, participants had to combine career information related to self and work preferences that was presented either in flat or hierarchical structures. We found that flat information structures, compared with hierarchical information structures, led to future career ideas that were more creative on average. Our results suggest that cognitive flexibility explains the effect of information structure on the creativity of career ideas. Theoretical implications and suggestions for career management practices are discussed.
Raman spectroscopy analysis of molecular configuration forms of the macular xanthophylls
Authors: Sek A. , Welc R. , Mendes‐Pinto M.M. , Reszczynska E. , Grudzinski W. , Luchowski R. , Gruszecki W.I.
Published: January 2020

Macula lutea, the yellow spot of the retina of the human eye, comprises three xanthophyll pigments: lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso‐zeaxanthin, playing numerous important biological functions. Macular xanthophylls are exposed to relatively strong illumination in the eye, owing to the fact that the yellow spot is localized on the optical axis, in the frontal layer with respect to photoreceptors. In the present work, we address the problem of photostability and possible photoisomerization of macular xanthophylls with the application of resonance Raman spectroscopy. The results show photostability of the two major isomers of the macular xanthophylls, all‐trans and 9‐cis, and efficient photoconversion of the 13‐cis isomer to the 9‐cis and mostly to the all‐trans form. We report the Raman spectra of the main molecular configuration forms of the macular xanthophylls, opening an avenue for the examination of their possible presence and photoconversion in natural systems.
A simulation study to compare robust tests for linear mixed‐effects meta‐regression
Authors: Welz Thilo , Pauly Markus
Published: January 2020

The explanation of heterogeneity when synthesizing different studies is an important issue in meta‐analysis. Besides including a heterogeneity parameter in the statistical model, it is also important to understand possible causes of between‐study heterogeneity. One possibility is to incorporate study‐specific covariates in the model that account for between‐study variability. This leads to linear mixed‐effects meta‐regression models. A number of alternative methods have been proposed to estimate the (co)variance of the estimated regression coefficients in these models, which subsequently drives differences in the results of statistical methods. To quantify this, we compare the performance of hypothesis tests for moderator effects based upon different heteroscedasticity consistent covariance matrix estimators and the (untruncated) Knapp‐Hartung method in an extensive simulation study. In particular, we investigate type 1 error and power under varying conditions regarding the underlying distributions, heterogeneity, effect sizes, number of independent studies, and their sample sizes. Based upon these results, we give recommendations for suitable inference choices in different scenarios and highlight the danger of using tests regarding the study‐specific moderators based on inappropriate covariance estimators.
Refining the indications for neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with HER2+ breast cancer: A single institution experience
Authors: Pomponio Maria K. , Burkbauer Laura , Goldbach Macy , Nazarian Susanna M. , Xie Fei , Clark Amy S. , Matro Jennifer M. , Fox Kevin R. , Shulman Lawrence N. , Keele Luke J. , Tchou Julia
Published: January 2020

Background

We aim to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with early‐stage HER2+ breast cancer treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC).

Methods

Patients with non‐metastatic HER2+ breast cancer treated from 2009 to 2018 at our institution comprised our study cohort (n = 1254). Pathologic complete response (pCR) was defined as the absence of invasive disease in the breast and axilla after NAC. Log‐rank, Kaplan–Meier, and inverse probability of treatment weighting were used to assess differences in disease‐free and overall survival between groups stratified by AC vs. NAC and pCR vs. non‐pCR.

Results

The majority received AC (n = 787 or 62.8%) while 467 (37.2%) patients received NAC. Median follow up for AC and NAC groups was 46 and 28 months, respectively. The crude disease‐free survival and overall survival of our study cohort were 92.2% and 89.1% for AC, 89.1% and 82.2% for NAC pCR, and 68.1% and 60.0% for NAC non‐pCR, respectively. For clinical stage ≥IIB patients, NAC conferred a positive but statistically nonsignificant treatment effect over AC in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

After adjusting for imbalances in our subgroups, we found that, regardless of the sequence of chemotherapy (AC vs. NAC), patients with early‐stage HER2+ breast cancer had excellent outcomes.
Impact of minimally invasive gastrectomy on use of and time to adjuvant chemotherapy for gastric adenocarcinoma
Authors: Farrow Norma E. , Freischlag Kyle W. , Adam Mohamed A. , Blazer Dan G.
Published: January 2020

Background

Chemotherapy improves outcomes in patients with resectable gastric cancer. Minimally invasive gastrectomy (MIS) rates are increasing, though the impact of MIS on postoperative chemotherapy remains uncertain. This study examines the impact of MIS vs open gastrectomy (OG) on utilization of adjuvant chemotherapy for high‐risk gastric cancer.

Methods

Patients in the National Cancer Database who underwent resection for high‐risk gastric adenocarcinoma between 2010 and 2015 were included. Patients were stratified by surgical approach (MIS vs OG) and analyzed using multivariable regression modeling. Primary endpoints were utilization of and time to initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Results

Overall, 23 071 patients were included; 16 595 (71.9%) underwent OG and 6476 (28.1%) underwent MIS. After adjusting for patient and tumor characteristics, MIS was not associated with increased use of adjuvant chemotherapy (odds ratio [OR]: 1.027, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95 to 1.11, P = .50), and time to initiation of chemotherapy was similar (−2% change, 95% CI: −5% to +1%, P = .27). MIS was associated with shorter hospital stays (−1 day). Thirty‐day readmission rates, 90‐day mortality, and overall survival were similar between groups.

Conclusions

In this study, while MIS for gastric adenocarcinoma was associated with shorter hospital stays and comparable survival, it was not associated with improved utilization or time to initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Why I value non‐profit society scholarly publishing
Authors: Dodenhoff Richard
Published: January 2020

Key points

The job of society publishers is to carry out the directives and achieve the goals set by the organization's elected and volunteer leaders.

Society journals form an integral part of the work and outreach of the society and its mission.

Scholarly societies help develop new findings and individual careers, and a publications outlet supports both of these activities.
Worth the effort: Why societies should make room for books
Authors: Compton Dana , Cochran Angela
Published: January 2020

Key points

With increased pressure on longstanding society business models, society journal publishers must pursue more aggressive growth strategies to remain competitive.

A practitioner‐focused book portfolio that translates research into practice offers an opportunity to establish an alternative revenue stream and an additional path for society member engagement.

Societies are in a unique position to capitalize on their existing connections to industry via their membership base.

Brief, easy‐to‐consume content and interactive tools are of the greatest appeal to the practitioner audience.

Focusing on shorter, template‐driven formats and more frequent updates allows society publishers to develop content more rapidly and at lower cost.

Challenges include incentivizing society members to author and review the content, identifying individuals who are capable of doing so, and obtaining adequate internal resources.
NLRB Directs Dismissal of McDonald's Joint‐Employer Case
Authors: Wich Scott
Published: January 2020

Recently, the National Labor Relations Board has been on a fast‐paced program to continue undoing decisions from the Obama‐era Board that employers view as pro‐labor. One of the most important was the dismissal of a long‐standing effort by labor to make McDonald's liable for any unfair labor practices by its franchisees. Another new case concerned collection of union dues after a bargaining contract expires. The Board also changed the rules on whether employers may lawfully forbid employees from discussing confidential workplace investigations. In addition, the Board has made new rules on whether employers must permit employees to use their employer's company email for union organizing.
Developing normal number of small segments‐activity clouds of the electromyography interference pattern
Authors: Li Chuqiao , Jiang Anqi , Wu Minyi , Wang Yao , Tian Ge , Wang Honghao , Pan Suyue , Peng Yu
Published: January 2020

Background

Number of small segments (NSS) and activity analysis is a mature method for electromyographic automatic interference pattern analysis (IPA), but there are few reports on the application of this technique. Our objective was to establish normal reference values of NSS‐activity clouds.

Methods

The NSS and activity data of the sternocleidomastoid, deltoid, biceps brachii (long head), extensor digitorum communis, abductor digiti minimi, vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius (lateral head) muscles were obtained from 34 men and 25 women, aged 15–80 years, using concentric needle electrodes. A linear regression of log(NSS) vs log(activity) was performed and the slope, intercept and standard deviation were calculated for each muscle. These variables were transformed back to the original parameters to yield clouds.

Results

Normal NSS‐activity clouds for the above eight muscles were obtained.

Conclusions

Normal reference values of NSS‐activity may facilitate detection of early and mild neurogenic and myogenic abnormalities.
Evaluation of Practical Diets for Juvenile Lost River Suckers
Authors: Barron James M. , Twibell Ronald G. , Wing Kieslana M. , Gannam Ann L.
Published: January 2020

A 9‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate one custom formulation and six commercially available diets when fed to juveniles of the endangered Lost River Sucker Deltistes luxatus. The seven treatments included the following: two catfish Ictalurus spp. diets, a tilapia Oreochromis spp. diet, a shrimp diet, a general warmwater fish diet, a general fish diet, and a feed formulated at the Abernathy Fish Technology Center (Abernathy sucker diet). The general fish diet produced fish that were significantly larger than the fish fed the other diets. The Lost River Suckers fed the general fish diet or the Abernathy sucker diet averaged 99.0% survival for the duration of the trial, which was significantly higher than in Lost River Suckers fed all other diets except for one catfish diet. Spinal deformities were significantly less frequent in fish fed the general fish diet and the Abernathy sucker diet. Whole‐body proximate and fatty acid composition were affected by diet. Whole‐body fatty acid profiles generally mirrored the diet profiles. The general fish diet appears to be an effective diet for juvenile Lost River Suckers, although the Abernathy sucker diet should be considered for further development as it yielded high survival and no incidence of spinal deformity.
Magnetic and conducting composites of cobalt ferrite nanorods in a polyaniline matrix
Authors: García Saggión Nicolás A. , Antonel Paula S. , Molina Fernando V.
Published: January 2020

Composites of cobalt ferrite nanorods in a polyaniline matrix have been synthesized and characterized by electron microscopy observation, X‐ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, electrical conductivity, and DC magnetization measurements. The composites were prepared using dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid both as a particle protector and as acid media. In the magnetic experiments, hysteresis loops were observed, revealing ferromagnetism for both particles and composites. The results indicate that the magnetic properties of the particles were preserved in the composites, and on the other hand, the conductivity was almost independent on the polymer/particle ratio. These composites are new materials that show easily tunable magnetic properties, and are expected to be candidates for applications such as microwave shields. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:597–606, 2020. © 2020 Society of Plastics Engineers
Non‐Standard Cosmological Models and The Trans‐Planckian Censorship Conjecture
Authors: Torabian Mahdi
Published: January 2020

The trans‐Planckian censorship conjecture (TCC) puts an upper bound on the life‐time of de Sitter spacetimes. It has immediate consequences for inflationary cosmology. In the standard paradigm, the universe has experienced a single stage of inflation and follows a thermal history. Then, the TCC puts an upper bound on the Hubble parameter during inflation Hinf around 0.1 GeV. Consequently, it implies a severe fine‐tuning in initial condition for inflation and non‐detection of primordial gravitational waves. In this note, we study non‐standard cosmological paradigms with non‐thermal history and/or multiple stages of inflations. It is motivated by string theory compactifications and axiverse scenarios in which the modulus/axion fields are effective in the early universe. In early matter domination the TCC bound on Hinf can be raised up to 3 orders of magnitude. In multiple inflationary scenarios the upper bound on the observable inflation can be raised up 1014 GeV to touch the Planck 2018 bound.
Enhanced parallelization of the incremental 4D‐Var data assimilation algorithm using the Randomized Incremental Optimal Technique
Authors: Bousserez Nicolas , Guerrette Jonathan J. , Henze Daven K.
Published: January 2020

Incremental 4D‐Var is a data assimilation algorithm used routinely at operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) centres worldwide. The algorithm solves a series of quadratic minimization problems (inner‐loops) obtained from linear approximations of the forward model around nonlinear trajectories (outer‐loops). Since most of the computational burden is associated with the inner‐loops, many studies have focused on developing computationally efficient algorithms to solve the least‐square quadratic minimization problem, in particular through time parallelization. This paper presents the first implementation and testing of a recently proposed method for parallelizing incremental 4D‐Var, the Randomized Incremental Optimal Technique (RIOT), which replaces the traditional sequential conjugate gradient (CG) iterations in the inner‐loop of the minimization with fully parallel randomized singular value decomposition (RSVD) of the preconditioned Hessian of the cost function. RIOT is tested using the standard Lorenz‐96 model (L‐96) as well as two realistic high‐dimensional atmospheric source inversion problems based on aircraft observations of black carbon concentrations. A new outer‐loop preconditioning technique tailored to RSVD was introduced to improve convergence stability and performance. Results obtained with the L‐96 system show that the performance improvement from RIOT compared to standard CG algorithms increases significantly with nonlinearities. Overall, in the realistic black carbon source inversion experiments, RIOT reduces the wall‐clock time of the 4D‐Var minimization by a factor of 2 to 3, at the cost of a factor of 4 to 10 increase in energy cost due to the large number of parallel cores used. Furthermore, RIOT enables reduction of the wall‐clock time computation of the analysis‐error covariance matrix by a factor of 40 compared to a standard iterative Lanczos approach. Finally, as evidenced in this study, implementation of RIOT in an operational NWP system will require a better understanding of its convergence properties as a function of the Hessian characteristics and, in particular, the degree of freedom for signal of the inverse problem.
Mesoscale marine tropical precipitation varies independently from the spatial arrangement of its convective cells
Authors: Brueck Matthias , Hohenegger Cathy , Stevens Bjorn
Published: January 2020

The relationship between mesoscale convective organization, quantified by the spatial arrangement of convection, and oceanic precipitation in the tropical belt is examined using the output of a global storm‐resolving simulation. The analysis uses a 2D watershed segmentation algorithm based on local precipitation maxima to isolate individual precipitation cells and derive their properties. 10° by 10° scenes are analyzed using a phase‐space representation made of the number of cells per scene and the mean area of the cells per scene to understand the controls on the spatial arrangement of convection and its precipitation. The presence of few and large cells in a scene indicates the presence of a more clustered distribution of cells, whereas many small cells in a scene tend to be randomly distributed. In general, the degree of clustering of a scene (Iorg) is positively correlated to the mean area of the cells and negatively correlated to the number of cells. Strikingly, the degree of clustering, whether the cells are randomly distributed or closely spaced, to a first order does not matter for the precipitation amounts produced. Scenes of similar precipitation amounts appear as hyperbolae in our phase‐space representation, hyperbolae that follow the contours of the precipitating area fraction. Finally, including the scene‐averaged water vapour path (WVP) in our phase‐space analysis reveals that scenes with larger WVP contain more cells than drier scenes, whereas the mean area of the cells only weakly varies with WVP. Dry scenes can contain both small and large cells, but they can contain only few cells of each category.
Prethermalization and Nonreciprocal Phonon Transport in a Levitated Optomechanical Array
Authors: Liu Shengyan , Yin Zhang‐qi , Li Tongcang
Published: January 2020

Recent advances in levitated optomechanics have brought new opportunities for the study of macroscopic quantum mechanics and precision measurement. Previous studies have mainly focused on the single levitated nanoparticle, the systems of multiple levitated nanoparticles were rarely involved. Here an array of optically levitated nanospheres in vacuum is considered and nontrivial phonon transport in this system is investigated. The levitated nanospheres are coupled by optical binding. Key parameters of this system, such as the interaction range, trapping frequencies, and mechanical dissipation, are highly tunable. Due to these advantages, counter‐intuitive phenomena such as prethermalization and nonreciprocal phonon transport can be achieved by tuning the spacing between neighboring spheres, the mechanical dissipation, and the trapping frequency of each sphere. The system provides a great platform to investigate novel phonon transport and thermal energy transfer.
Base‐Mediated Reductive Coupling of Indole‐3‐tosylhydrazone with Thiols/Boronic Acids: Facile Synthesis of 3‐(phenylthio)methyl/benzyl Indole Derivatives
Authors: Khan Imran , Sharma Aanchal , Kamboj Priya , Maity Banibrata , Tyagi Vikas
Published: January 2020

A transition‐metal free base‐mediated reductive coupling of indole‐3‐tosylhydrazone with thiols/boronic acids to afford biologically important 3‐(phenylthio)methyl/benzyl indole derivatives has been developed. A number of advantages such as low cost, broad substrates scope and operational simplicity make it a potential method for the synthesis of 3‐ phenylthiomethyl/benzyl indole derivatives. Further, six derivatives were selected based on their electronic effects to study the photophysical properties in different solvents. The studied compounds exhibited strong solvatochromic shift and faces solvent dependent polarity in UV‐Visible absorption as well as in fluorescence emission techniques. In addition, one derivative having –CN functionality exhibited most astonishing observation in fluorescence such as significant bathochromic shifting in the emission peak position as well as enhancing the fluorescence quantum yield in CH3CN compared to water.
Electrochemical, Surface Morphological and Spectral Studies of A Polyoxometalate‐Ionic Liquid Hybrid
Authors: Eavani Sara , Rafiee Ezzat , Farjami Fatemeh
Published: January 2020

In the present work, a polyoxometalate‐ionic liquid hybrid, [PhPyPS]PW, has been synthesized using (3‐sulfonic acid) propyl‐4‐phenylpyridine as an organic and 12‐tungstophosphoric acid (PW) as an inorganic part. Cyclic voltammetric studies were performed in DMSO solution. The fourth reduction wave of PW is irreversible since PWVI8WV4O40−7 is not stable species in non‐aqueous media. In the case of [PhPyPS]PW hybrid, the existence of organic cation seems to lead to the stability of PWVI8WV4O40−7 and thus, appearance of oxidation peak in −1.09 V. Also, cyclic voltammograms were recorded upon the addition of various amounts of organic cation to the solution of PW. The results showed that the condensation and self‐assembly of organic and inorganic parts led to the formation of ion cluster forms (versus ion pair) in the solution. As a result, the existence of the strong electrostatic interaction between the organic cation and inorganic anion in solution and their dissolution as ion crystal form influenced the electron transfer of the redox process. The present work provide useful information for a suitable choice of organic and inorganic parts in polyoxometalate‐ionic liquid hybrids.
Generation of Strong Basic Site on Hypercrosslinked Porous Polymers as Catalyst for the Catalytic Oxidation of Methylene Compounds
Authors: Lu Xia , Shi Song , Zhu Guozhi , Zhao Li , Wang Min , Gao Jin , Du Zhongtian , Xu Jie
Published: January 2020

Solid base is a kind of important heterogeneous catalyst for the transformation of various chemicals. Although many different novel solid bases have reported, it is a still challenging process to generate strong basic site on many functional supports due to the high temperature treatment of strong base preparation. In this paper, the strong basic site was successfully generated on hypercrosslinked porous polymers (HCPs) via a reducing group strategy. With the reducing groups on HCPs, the decomposition temperature of base precursor KNO3 could be as low as 320 °C. Further investigation illustrated the reducing groups participated in the KNO3 decomposition through a redox strategy. The obtained solid base catalysts showed good oxidation capacity of methylene compounds.
Post‐traumatic stress disorder's relation with positive and negative emotional avoidance: The moderating role of gender
Authors: Schick Melissa R. , Weiss Nicole H. , Contractor Ateka A. , Suazo Nazaret C. , Spillane Nichea S.
Published: January 2020

Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by avoidance of trauma‐related emotions. Research indicates that this avoidance may extend to any emotional experience that elicits distress, including those that are unrelated to the trauma. Literature in this area has been limited in its exclusive focus on negative emotions. Despite evidence of gender differences in PTSD and emotional avoidance separately, no studies to date have examined gender as a moderator of their association. The goal of the current study was to extend research by exploring the moderating role of gender in the relation between PTSD symptom severity and positive and negative emotional avoidance. Participants were 276 trauma‐exposed individuals (65.9% female, 65.6% White, Mage = 19.24) from a university in the north‐eastern United States. Moderation results indicated a main effect for PTSD symptom severity on both positive (b = 0.07, p < .001) and negative (b = 0.04, p = .03) emotional avoidance. The interaction of gender and PTSD symptom severity was significant for positive emotion avoidance (b = 0.97, p = .01). Analysis of simple slopes revealed that PTSD symptom severity was significantly associated with positive emotional avoidance for males (b = 0.13, p < .001) but not females (b = 0.03, p = .08). Results suggest the importance of gender‐sensitive recommendations for assessment and treatment of emotional avoidance in PTSD.