bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lung-Specific Risk Factors Associated With Incident Hip Fracture in Current and Former Smokers
Authors: Bon Jessica , Nouraie Seyed Mehdi , Smith Kenneth J , Dransfield Mark T , McDonald Merry-Lynn , Hoffman Eric A , Newell John D , Comellas Alejandro P , Saha Punam K , Bowler Russell P , Regan Elizabeth A
Published: August 2020

Hip fractures are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in smokers with lung disease, but whether lung-specific factors are associated with fracture risk is unknown. Our goal was to determine whether lung-specific factors associate with incident hip fracture and improve risk discrimination of traditional fracture risk models in smokers. The analysis consisted of a convenience sample of 9187 current and former smokers (58,477 participant follow-up years) participating in the Genetic Epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) longitudinal observational cohort study. Participants were enrolled between 2008 and 2011 with follow-up data collection through July 2018. Traditional risk factors associated with incident hip fracture (n = 361) included age, female sex, osteoporosis, prevalent spine and hip fracture, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. Lung-specific risk factors included post-bronchodilator percent forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%) predicted (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92–0.99 for each 10% increase), Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.002–1.19 for each higher stage), presence of CT-determined emphysema (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.06–1.69), symptom scores (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03–1.19 for each higher unit score), 6-min walk distance (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.90–0.95 for each 30-m increase), body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise (BODE) index (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01–1.13 for each higher unit score), total exacerbations (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.10–1.16 per exacerbation), and annual exacerbations (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.21–1.55 per exacerbation). In multivariable modeling, age, black race, osteoporosis, prevalent hip and spine fracture, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes were associated with incident hip fracture. The presence of emphysema, 6-min walk distance, and total number of exacerbations added to traditional models improved risk discrimination (integrated discrimination improvement [IDI] values 0.001 [95% CI, 0.0003–0.002], 0.001 [95% CI, 0.0001–0.002], and 0.008 [95% CI, 0.003–0.013], corresponding to relative IDIs of 12.8%, 6.3%, and 34.6%, respectively). These findings suggest that the incorporation of lung-specific risk factors into fracture risk assessment tools may more accurately predict fracture risk in smokers. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Creditworthiness risk over years: The evolution of credit rating standards
Authors: Cafarelli Alessandro
Published: August 2020

The last financial crisis has increased the attention into the business of credit rating agencies. In this paper, I investigate the evolution of credit rating standards to measure if rating agencies have moved to different standards over years. First, I present a rating regression model where I employ specific explanatory variables to measure how they impact on ratings outcome. Next, I examine long term issuer credit rating from 1985 to 2013 to analyze how the credit rating agencies have modified their standards over years. I focus on the dynamics of the time variable and I find credit rating agencies strengthen their standards over years since they assign more conservative issuer ratings, holding the companies stable characteristics.
Laboratory verification of an RT‐PCR assay for SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Wu Yingping , Xu Wei , Zhu Zhiqiang , Xia Xiaoping
Published: August 2020

Background

Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) is an extremely common clinical method for detecting pathogens, particularly for emerging infectious diseases such as the new coronavirus disease (COVID‐19). Currently, detection of the RNA from the novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 is the gold standard for establishing a COVID‐19 diagnosis. This study evaluates the characteristic performance of the analytical system in a clinical laboratory.

Methods

A commercial SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA RT‐PCR Kit used in a clinical laboratory is assessed based on ISO 15189 verification requirements. A multiple real‐time RT‐PCR assay for the RdRP, N, and E genes in SARS‐CoV‐2 is verified.

Results

The analytical system exhibits good analytical sensitivity (1000 copies/mL) and specificity (100%); however, the values of 86.7% and 100% for analytical accuracy deserved attention, compared with two other types of methods. Overall, the kit is potentially useful for SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnostic testing and meets the verification requirements.

Conclusion

Compliance with international standards, such as ISO 15189, is valuable for clinical laboratories and for improving laboratory medicine quality and safety. Normalization is essential for obtaining reliable results from the SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA RT‐PCR assay. This study aims to develop an improved SARS‐CoV‐2 verification framework compared with traditional molecular diagnostic methods, given the urgency of implementing new assays in clinical laboratories.
Synthesis and characterization of microbial mediated cadmium oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Asghar Mehrina , Habib Sadaf , Zaman Wajid , Hussain Sajjad , Ali Huma , Saqib Saddam
Published: August 2020

Microbial mediated synthesis of metallic nanoparticles constitutes as effective and promising approach for the development of antibacterial materials in the field of bioengineering and biomedicine. We prepared Cadmium oxide nanoaprticles (CdO NPs) utilizingPenicillium oxalicum, and cadmium acetate solution via coprecipitate method. The elemental composition and morphology of these synthesized CdO NPs were examined through X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Furthermore, we evaluated the bactericidal potential of prepared CdO NPs usingEscherichia coli(E.coli),Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus),Bacillus cereus(B.cereus), andPseudomonas aeruginosa(P. aeruginosa). Dimethyl sulfoxide was used as negative control while erythromycin was used as positive control. The XRD spectrum revealed cubic crystalline nanoparticles with 22.94 nm size and UV showed absorbance peak at 297 nm with 2.5 eV band gap energy. FTIR depicted O─H and carboxylic groups along with CdO stretching vibration. EDS showed the presence of organic compounds on Cd and O over NPs surface. SEM results revealed the spherical shape of the CdO NPs. The synthesized NPs exhibited highly potent bactericidal activity against selected strains and demonstrated less optical density of 0.086 after 24 hr. Owing to the significant antibacterial activity of CdO NPs, the broad application prospects of these nanoparticles CdO NPs in extensive biomedical applications is indicated.
Deconstructing the long‐standing a priori assumption that serial homology generally involves ancestral similarity followed by anatomical divergence
Authors: Siomava Natalia , Fuentes Jose S. M. , Diogo Rui
Published: August 2020

It has long been assumed that serial homologues are ancestrally similar—polysomerism resulting from a “duplication” or “repetition” of forms—and then often diverge—anisomerism, for example, as they become adapted to perform different tasks as is the case with the forelimb and hind limbs of humans. However, such an assumption, with crucial implications for comparative, evolutionary, and developmental biology, and for evolutionary developmental biology, has in general not really been tested by a broad analysis of the available empirical data. Perhaps not surprisingly, more recent anatomical comparisons, as well as molecular knowledge of how, for example, serial appendicular structures are patterned along with different anteroposterior regions of the body axis of bilateral animals, and how “homologous” patterning domains do not necessarily mark “homologous” morphological domains, are putting in question this paradigm. In fact, apart from showing that many so‐called “serial homologues” might not be similar at all, recent works have shown that in at least some cases some “serial” structures are indeed more similar to each other in derived taxa than in phylogenetically more ancestral ones, as pointed out by authors such as Owen. In this article, we are taking a step back to question whether such assumptions are actually correct at all, in the first place. In particular, we review other cases of so‐called “serial homologues” such as insect wings, arthropod walking appendages, Dipteran thoracic bristles, and the vertebrae, ribs, teeth, myomeres, feathers, and hairs of chordate animals. We show that: (a) there are almost never cases of true ancestral similarity; (b) in evolution, such structures—for example, vertebra—and/or their subparts—for example, “transverse processes”—many times display trends toward less similarity while in many others display trends toward more similarity, that is, one cannot say that there is a clear, overall trend to anisomerism.
Endoscopic Incudo‐Malleolar Arthrodesis: A New Surgical Treatment for Incudo‐Malleolar Subluxation
Authors: Bonali Marco , Molinari Giulia , Presutti Livio , Maccarrone Francesco
Published: August 2020

View Video S1 Laryngoscope, 131:E961–E965, 2021
Quantifying Thermoswitchable Carbohydrate‐Mediated Interactions via Soft Colloidal Probe Adhesion Studies
Authors: Strzelczyk Alexander Klaus , Paul Tanja Janine , Schmidt Stephan
Published: August 2020

Thermosensitive polymers enable externally controllable biomolecular interactions but hysteresis effects hamper the reversibility and repeated use of these materials. To quantify the temperature‐dependent interactions and hysteresis effects, an optical adhesion assay based on poly(ethylene glycol) microgels (soft colloidal probes, SCPs) with mannose binding concanavalin A surfaces is used. A series of thermoresponsive glycopolymers is synthesized varying the carbohydrate type, their density, and linker type, and then grafted to the SCPs. The carbohydrate‐mediated adhesion is influenced by the density of sugar ligands and increased above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the glycopolymer. Importantly, a strong hysteresis is observed, i.e., cooling back below the LCST does not reduce the adhesion back to the initial value before heating. The hysteresis is stronger for hydrophobic linkers and for low carbohydrate functionalization degrees suggesting insufficient reswelling of the polymers due to hydrophobic interactions. The results are confirmed by studying the adhesion of Escherichia coli to the SCPs, where an enhanced capture of the bacteria is observed above the LCST while the detachment upon cooling is not possible. Overall, the quantitative data on the switchable adhesion of specifically binding polymers may provide potential avenues for the design of the next‐generation interactive biomaterials.
Natural convection flows of carbon nanotube Prabhakar‐like fractional second‐grade nanofluids over an infinite plate with Newtonian heating
Authors: Elnaqeeb Thanaa , Shah Nehad Ali , Rauf Abdul
Published: August 2020

In this article, the free convection flow of second‐grade nanofluids based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with Prabhakar‐like fractional and Newtonian heating over a vertical plate has been studied. The fractional model of governing equations is defined by the time‐dependent fractional Prabhakar derivative. Using the Laplace transform method, analytical solutions are determined for the dimensionless thermal and velocity profiles. Prabhakar‐like fractional second‐grade fluids with generalized thermal transport velocity and heat transfer are compared with ordinary second‐grade fluids with ordinary thermal transport and ordinary viscous fluids with classical Fourier thermal flux. The effects of fractional and physical parameters are expressed graphically.
Metabolic Inflammation in Obesity—At the Crossroads between Fatty Acid and Cholesterol Metabolism
Authors: Curley Sean , Gall Julie , Byrne Rachel , Yvan‐Charvet Laurent , McGillicuddy Fiona C.
Published: August 2020

Metabolic inflammation is a classic hallmark of obesity that is associated with numerous cardiometabolic complications. Disturbances in fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism are evident in obesity and likely intricately linked to the development and/or sustainment of metabolic inflammation and insulin resistance. Elevations in triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins and reductions in high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol in turn are two major disturbances that accompany obesity. How metabolic dyslipidemia may contribute to metabolic inflammation is discussed. How aberrant cholesterol homeostasis coupled with excessive fatty acid accumulation prime pro‐IL‐1β and the evidence to support a synergistic partnership between cholesterol and fatty acids in driving metabolic inflammation are also discussed. Further, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical strategies aimed at attenuating low‐grade inflammation and implications for cardiometabolic complications of obesity are reviewed. The current literature on the importance of the local tissue microenvironment in activating adipose tissue macrophages within obese adipose tissue and the contribution of these local immune cells to metabolic inflammation is reviewed. Finally, the limitations to current biomarkers of metabolic inflammation and the importance of novel sensitive biomarkers in driving obesity sub‐type characterization to direct personalized medicine approaches to obesity treatment in the future are discussed.
Technical and dosimetric realization of in vivo x‐ray microbeam irradiations at the Munich Compact Light Source
Authors: Burger Karin , Urban Theresa , Dombrowsky Annique C. , Dierolf Martin , Günther Benedikt , Bartzsch Stefan , Achterhold Klaus , Combs Stephanie E. , Schmid Thomas E. , Wilkens Jan J. , Pfeiffer Franz
Published: August 2020

Purpose

X‐ray microbeam radiation therapy is a preclinical concept for tumor treatment promising tissue sparing and enhanced tumor control. With its spatially separated, periodic micrometer‐sized pattern, this method requires a high dose rate and a collimated beam typically available at large synchrotron radiation facilities. To treat small animals with microbeams in a laboratory‐sized environment, we developed a dedicated irradiation system at the Munich Compact Light Source (MuCLS).

Methods

A specially made beam collimation optic allows to increase x‐ray fluence rate at the position of the target. Monte Carlo simulations and measurements were conducted for accurate microbeam dosimetry. The dose during irradiation is determined by a calibrated flux monitoring system. Moreover, a positioning system including mouse monitoring was built.

Results

We successfully commissioned the in vivo microbeam irradiation system for an exemplary xenograft tumor model in the mouse ear. By beam collimation, a dose rate of up to 5.3 Gy/min at 25 keV was achieved. Microbeam irradiations using a tungsten collimator with 50 μm slit size and 350 μm center‐to‐center spacing were performed at a mean dose rate of 0.6 Gy/min showing a high peak‐to‐valley dose ratio of about 200 in the mouse ear. The maximum circular field size of 3.5 mm in diameter can be enlarged using field patching.

Conclusions

This study shows that we can perform in vivo microbeam experiments at the MuCLS with a dedicated dosimetry and positioning system to advance this promising radiation therapy method at commercially available compact microbeam sources. Peak doses of up to 100 Gy per treatment seem feasible considering a recent upgrade for higher photon flux. The system can be adapted for tumor treatment in different animal models, for example, in the hind leg.
Universal nonselective excitation and refocusing pulses with improved robustness to off‐resonance for Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 Tesla with parallel transmission
Authors: Van Damme L. , Mauconduit F. , Chambrion T. , Boulant N. , Gras V.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

In MRI at ultra‐high field, the

‐point and spiral nonselective (SPINS) pulse design techniques can be advantageously combined with the parallel transmission (pTX) and universal pulse techniques to create uniform excitation in a calibration‐free manner. However, in these approaches, pulse duration is typically increased as compared to standard hard pulses, and excitation quality in regions exhibiting large resonance frequency offsets often suffer. This limitation is inherent to structure of

‐point or SPINS pulse, and likely can be mitigated using parameterization‐free pulse design approaches.

Methods

The Gradient Ascent Pulse Engineering (GRAPE) algorithm was used to design parameterization‐free RF and magnetic field gradient (MFG) waveforms for creating

excitation, up to

scalable refocusing and inversion, nonselectively across the brain. Simulations were performed to provide flip angle normalized root‐mean‐squares error (FA‐NRMSE) estimations for the

and the

‐point, SPINS, and GRAPE pulses. GRAPE pulses were tested experimentally with anatomical head scans at 7T.

Results

As compared to

‐points and SPINS, GRAPE provided substantial improvement of excitation, refocusing, and inversion quality at off‐resonance while at least preserving the same global FA‐NRMSE performance. As compared to

‐points, GRAPE allowed for a substantial reduction of the pulse duration for the

excitation and the

refocusing.

Conclusions

Parameterization‐free universal nonselective pTX‐pulses were successfully computed using GRAPE. Performance gains as compared to

‐points were validated numerically and experimentally for three imaging protocols. In its current implementation, the computational burden of GRAPE limits its use to applications where pulse computations are not subject to time constraints.
Electronic Self-Reporting: Angler Attitudes and Behaviors in the Recreational Red Snapper Fishery
Authors: Midway Stephen R. , Adriance Jason , Banks Patrick , Haukebo Sepp , Caffey Rex
Published: August 2020

Managing large multiuser fisheries involves large amounts of data and information, including information directly from anglers. Angler-provided information may come in the form of attitudinal and behavior surveys, in addition to voluntary reporting of catch information. In this study, we wanted to better understand anglers fishing for Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus in the Gulf of Mexico. Toward this end, we conducted an in-season attitudinal survey in 2018 to collect angler opinions in five areas: (1). interests, motivations, and barriers to electronic catch reporting, (2). important aspects of the Red Snapper fishery, (3). reasons why anglers report catch, (4). dockside reporting compared with electronic reporting, and (5). perceptions of fishery management agencies. Concurrently in the summer of 2018, an electronic smartphone app was made available for recreational anglers to voluntarily report their catch. We had 3,016 survey results that represented an 18% reporting rate. The survey results suggested that 84% of respondents already use a variety of smartphone apps in relation to fishing and that at least 80% reported that they were willing to electronically report their catch. Despite this high reported willingness to electronically report their catch, data from electronic reports showed that only about 1% of respondents actually reported. The development and use of electronic reporting applications (i.e., smartphone apps) holds promise to provide a wide variety of timely data to fishery managers; however, as in our study and others, usage rates remain low and challenges remain if self-reporting and other nonprobabilistic sampling methods are to be useful to fishery managers.
Italian electronic personal assessment questionnaire‐pelvic floor (I.ePAQ‐PF): Psychometric validation of the urinary section
Authors: Soligo Marco , Nelva Stellio Leonardo , De Ponti Elena , Turri Alice , Del Popolo Giulio , Finazzi Agrò Enrico , on behalf of the publication committee of the Italian Urodyn
Published: August 2020

Aim

Tools for remote clinical assessment have become increasingly important. Patient‐reported outcome questionnaires are increasingly being considered as the keystones of pelvic floor disorder assessment. An innovative English language multidisciplinary electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire (ePAQ‐PF) was psychometrically validated in 2006. A certified Italian version (I.ePAQ‐PF) has been recently made available by the Italian Society of Urodynamics. In this study, we aimed to test the psychometric properties to validate the urinary dimension of the I.ePAQ‐PF.

Methods

Women complaining of lower urinary tract symptoms were enrolled. After providing informed consent, women filled in the I.ePAQ‐PF via a dedicated touch‐screen display (T0), together with concurrent questionnaires: International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire—Short form, Urgency Severity Scale, Urogenital Distress Inventory, and Patient Global Impression of Improvement. Cronbach's α and Spearman's correlation coefficients were adopted (validity). A test‐retest was performed in 47 cases (reliability), and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was analyzed. I.ePAQ‐PF was also administered after treatment (T1) and compared with baseline data via a Wilcoxon's test and Cohen's effect‐size tests (responsiveness).

Results

Ninety‐three women were included. Internal consistency was confirmed (Cronbach's α >.7). A Spearman's correlation test showed a good correlation (>0.6) between I.ePAQ‐PF and conceptually similar questionnaires. I.ePAQ‐PF seems to be highly reproducible in all domains (ICC >0.86). The questionnaire scored significantly differently (Wilcoxon test P < .003) in all domains after the treatment. Responsiveness was further confirmed by Cohen's effect size of more than 30%.

Conclusions

The Italian ePAQ‐PF (urinary domain) fully satisfies the psychometric properties of validity, reliability, and responsiveness and is ready for clinical application in Italian clinical settings.
Are current clinical guidelines on the use of Peripheral Intravenous Cannula for blood draws supported by evidence? An organizational case study
Authors: Jacob Alycia , Coventry Linda , Davies Hugh , Jacob Elisabeth
Published: August 2020

Aim

To examine the quality of evidence used to inform health policies. Policies on peripheral intravenous cannulas were used as exemplars.

Design

An organizational case study design was used, using the STROBE reporting guidelines.

Methods

Policy guidelines were sourced between June and September 2018 from health departments in Australia. Seven documents were compared regarding intravenous cannula dwell times and blood collection use. Evidence used in the documents was critiqued using assessment guideline from the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine.

Results

Large variations exist between policies regarding blood sampling and dwell time. Evidence used a variety of sources. Few references received an A evidence rating and policies differed in their interpretation of evidence.
Interprofessional learning in social and health care—Learning experiences from large‐group simulation in Finland
Authors: Saaranen Terhi , Silén‐Lipponen Marja , Palkolahti Maria , Mönkkönen Kaarina , Tiihonen Miia , Sormunen Marjorita
Published: August 2020

Aim

This study aimed to describe the learning experiences of social and healthcare students and professionals of an interprofessional large‐group simulation. A simulation on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) was organized in collaboration between a Finnish university, university hospital and university of applied sciences.

Design

A case study.

Methods

The research data were collected at the large‐group simulation with a questionnaire containing variables on a five‐point Likert scale and open questions. The questionnaire was filled out by 350 students and professionals participating in the simulation. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistical methods and the open‐ended questions by inductive content analysis.

Results

The large‐group simulation proved to be a valid teaching and learning method for collaborating with other professionals and interacting with clients and the method can be considered as cost‐effective compared with small‐group simulations. The produced knowledge can be used in planning simulations in basic and in‐service training.
Electroencephalographic characteristics of word finding during phonological and semantic verbal fluency tasks
Authors: Mousavi Najva , Nazari Mohammad Ali , Babapour Jalil , Jahan Ali
Published: August 2020

Aims

Verbal Fluency is sensitive to brain damage and is employed to assess language abilities like the size of vocabulary and the semantic‐lexical networks’ integrity and executive functioning abilities particularly inhibition, working memory, and self‐monitoring. Various studies revealed oscillatory changes related to word retrieval during different tasks. However, there are not enough studies on electroencephalographic characteristics of word retrieval routes (phonological or semantic pathway) during free recall. The purpose of our study was to investigate electroencephalography power relationship with semantic and phonological word finding routes during verbal fluency.

Methods

In this within‐subject study, the electroencephalography of 20 healthy participants was recorded during written category and letter fluency tasks and compared with the rest state. Absolute power of the signals in delta (1‐3.5 Hz), theta (4‐7.5 Hz), alpha (8‐12 Hz), and beta (12.5‐30 Hz) was calculated in three lobes (frontal, parietal, and temporal).

Results

A repeated measures ANOVA showed significant interaction of condition × lobe × frequency × side (P < .001). Post hoc test for each lobe showed significant changes in the absolute power of delta, theta and beta for frontal, delta and theta for parietal, and theta and beta for temporal lobes (P‐values < .05).

Conclusion

Searching the words by phonological entries is associated with decreased beta and increased theta in left frontal lobe. These changes are not necessary for semantic word retrieval strategy.
Pakistan's export performance and trade potential in central Asian region: Analysis based on constant market share (CMS) and stochastic frontier gravity model
Authors: Kamal Muhammad Abdul , Khan Saleem , Gohar Nadia
Published: August 2020

By using statistical tools of revealed comparative advantage, trade complementarity, constant market share, and stochastic frontier gravity model, this study inspects the export performance and trade potential of Pakistan in the Central Asian region. The range of the study is from 2003 to 2017. The study finds that Pakistan has the highest comparative advantage in pharmaceutical merchandises with the central Asian region as a whole, while it has a very low level of trade complementarity. Yet, a massive trade potential is existing between Pakistan and Central Asian countries, especially with Uzbekistan followed by Turkmenistan. The results also show that GDP, trade openness, distance, exchange rate, and tariff rate are the prime determinants of Pakistan's export to the Central Asian region. The empirical analysis also indicated that “behind the border” factors confine the exports of Pakistan from reaching to its potential level. Therefore, Pakistan needs to sign a free trade agreement at the earliest and should focus to secure full tariff concessions on its top exported products.
Targeted values: The relevance of classical Chinese philosophy for illegal wildlife demand reduction campaigns
Authors: Thomas‐Walters Laura , Cheung Hubert , Lee Tien Ming , Wan Anita Kar Yan , Wang Yifu
Published: August 2020

The illegal wildlife trade is a global conservation priority, prompting a rise in interventions aimed at reducing the demand for wildlife products. Research shows that designing campaigns to target the values held by a specific audience is an effective way to alter their behaviour. However, many demand reduction campaigns are grounded in the perspective of Western morality. This is problematic when the recipients of these campaigns frequently reside in East Asia, where they are exposed to the historical and cultural praxis of Confucianism and Daoism.

This paper examines some of the central concepts of classical Chinese philosophy to see how they could be used by practitioners to design effective behaviour change campaigns in the future. Acknowledging that the East Asian cultural sphere has a long history of consumptive wildlife use, reflecting an instrumentalist and anthropocentric approach to wildlife, we still find potential for appealing to a relational ethic. There is a fundamental metaphysics that all of nature is unified, interconnected and interpenetrating. Qi is the vital force of the universe that links inorganic, organic and human life‐forms, creating the basis for a profound reciprocity between humans and the natural world.

We also consider some of the key virtues in Chinese philosophy, and how they could be interpreted through the lens of demand reduction for illegal wildlife products. This includes li, ritual propriety, and ren, the inner moral force which keeps us in balance. Finally, we cover influential scriptures, identifying many historical verses that are relevant to modern conservationists.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Molecular modeling study of the swelling of glycosaminoglycan‐analog biomimetics for intervertebral disc repair
Authors: Knani Dafna , Eylon Moran , Sivan Sarit S.
Published: August 2020

Aggrecan, one of the main components of the intervertebral disc, belongs to the family of proteoglycans (PGs) that are composed of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains covalently attached to a core protein. Its primary function is to maintain tissue hydration, and hence disc height under the high loads imposed by muscle activity and body weight. Significant PG loss is one of the first indications of disc degeneration. A possible solution to recover disc functions is by injecting a synthetic hydrogel, into the joint cavity, hence mimicking the role of PGs. One of the hydrogels proposed is GAG analogs, based on sulfate‐containing polymers, which are responsible for hydration in disc tissue. In the present work, we used molecular dynamics (MD) to study the effect of the hydrogel crosslinking (type and degree) on the swelling behavior of the suggested GAG‐analog biomimetics, by calculation of cohesive energy density (CED), solubility (δ), enthalpy of mixing (ΔEmix), and the interactions between the molecules at pure form and as mixture with water. The simulation results showed that hydrophobicity plays an important role in the swelling of the hydrogel, as indicated by the linear correlation observed between solubility parameter values of the copolymers and crosslinker weight ratio (w/w); this correlation was found useful in predicting the amount of polyethylene glycol diacrylate needed for the desirable hydration behavior of (CS)4‐peptide. Enthalpy of mixing calculations showed that all the GAG analogs, (CS)4 and (CS)4‐peptide are water soluble; radial distribution function analysis revealed that they form interactions with water molecules, which is important for the hydration process. To conclude, our simulation results, beyond supporting the experimental data, can be used as a useful predictive tool in future development of biomaterials, such as disc replacement.
Mechanical, ballistic impact, and water absorption behavior of luffa/graphene reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: K. G. Ashok , K. Kalaichelvan
Published: August 2020

The mechanical, ballistic, and moisture intake properties of luffa fiber reinforced with graphene‐modified epoxy composites were experimentally investigated. The nanofiller graphene particles were modified with a matrix using the mechanical stirring process. The filler (graphene) of size 20 nm is modified with the matrix of different weight percentages 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. The samples for various testings were prepared with different compositions using a hand layup technique followed by compression molding. The results show that tensile, impact, and flexural strength were enhanced with the modification of the filler graphene up to 2 wt%. The ballistic impact results show that energy absorption increases with nanofiller modification. Minimum water intake behavior is observed for the composite samples incorporated with fillers. Failure mechanisms were studied on tensile tested specimens using a scanning electron microscopy. The morphological images showed defects like interfacial behavior, fiber pull out, voids, and internal cracks on the tested specimens.
Ultrasound‐Guided Injection of the Sternocleidomastoid Muscle: A Cadaveric Study with Implications for Chemodenervation
Authors: Kim Beom Suk , Kim Da Som , Kang Seok , Kim Jae Young , Kang Byungheon , Rhyu Im Joo , Yoon Joon Shik
Published: August 2020

Background

Ultrasound guidance may improve the accuracy of botulinum toxin injection, but studies of its potential for cervical dystonia treatment are lacking.

Objective

To determine the accuracy of ultrasound‐guided injection in the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM).

Design

Observational study.

Setting

Tertiary care university hospital.

Participants

Eighteen embalmed cadavers.

Interventions

In total, 36 SCMs from 18 embalmed cadavers were examined. One physician performed ultrasound scans to divide each SCM into quarters and evaluated its cross‐sectional area (CSA) and thickness at each of three meeting points between adjacent quarters. Under ultrasound guidance, another experienced physician injected methylene blue solution at one of the three points, using the in‐plane technique (12 specimens per point; right SCM 3 mL, left SCM 5 mL). One anatomist dissected all cadavers and measured the distance of dye dispersion along the longitudinal axis of each muscle. Dispersion ratio was calculated as longitudinal dye dispersion divided by SCM length.

Main Outcome Measures

SCM thickness and CSA; dye dispersion patterns (dispersion distance and dispersion ratio).

Results

SCM thickness and CSA were greatest at the middle injection point (mean ± SD of 6.6 ± 2.0 mm and 1.4 ± 0.6 cm2, respectively). All injections were successful, except in one case where the SCM was thin and the dye reached the omohyoid muscle. Mean longitudinal dye dispersion and dispersion ratio were significantly greater when the volume was 5 mL. There were no statistically significant differences in dispersion patterns among the three injection points.

Conclusions

Ultrasound‐guided intramuscular injection can be performed with good accuracy in the SCM, as ultrasound can be used to evaluate SCM thickness and CSA. Higher volumes of injection solution appear to diffuse better, but further clinical studies are required to determine optimal injection volume.
Magnetic Resonance Study of p‐Type 3C SiC Microparticles
Authors: Savchenko Dariya , Yukhymchuk Volodymyr , Skoryk Mykola , Ubyivovk Evgeniy , Mokhov Evgenii , Lančok Jan , Shanina Bela , Kalabukhova Ekaterina
Published: August 2020

The silicon carbide (SiC) 3C polytype microparticles with p‐type conductivity are investigated by X‐band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique in a wide temperature interval. Morphological and Raman studies show that the mean particle diameter is ≈8 μm, and the SiC polytype is purely 3C. At T = 10 K, the EPR spectrum of the shallow boron acceptor substituting cubic site (BK), with C3V symmetry and anisotropic g‐ and A‐tensors resulting from static Jahn–Teller effect, is observed. At T > 30 K, a continuous transition from static to dynamic Jahn–Teller effect for BK is detected. The temperature‐dependent BK principal g‐values are explained by the transitions between the ground and excited vibronic states of BK. At T = 130–150 K, the BK center is characterized by Td symmetry and isotropic g‐ and A‐tensors. At T = 60–190 K, an additional single EPR Lorentzian line with short spin relaxation times and isotropic g‐value close to BK average g‐value is observed. It was explained by averaging the anisotropic spectrum caused by rapid transitions between the boron ground and excited vibronic states split by Jahn–Teller potential. In addition, the EPR signal from carbon vacancy with characteristic superhyperfine structure is observed at T = 10–298 K.
Magnetic Properties of 1D Iron–Sulfur Compounds Formed Inside Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Okotrub Alexander V. , Chernov Alexander I. , Lavrov Alexander N. , Gurova Olga A. , Shubin Yury V. , Palyanov Yuri N. , Borzdov Yuri M. , Zvezdin Anatoly K. , Lähderanta Erkki , Bulusheva Lyubov G. , Sedelnikova Olga V.
Published: August 2020

Herein, the filling of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with sulfur is performed, and the magnetic properties of the formed nanomaterials are studied. Encapsulation of sulfur species results in the appearance of a specific magnetic ordering in the system due to the formation of nanoscopic grains composed of sulfur and residual catalytic Fe nanoparticles contained in the SWCNTs. The magnetic character of the obtained 1D nanostructures is studied using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer and a sequential ferromagnetic–antiferromagnetic ordering in the material is revealed. Magnetic and optical properties are strongly dependent on the synthesis protocols. A significant Raman intensity increase related to the encapsulated nanostructures is obtained when filling is performed at high‐pressure high‐temperature conditions. Simultaneously, the magnetic susceptibility gets strongly reduced for high‐pressure filling, which is related to the escape of iron particles from the nanotube interior, and the magnetic properties of the material are governed by a weak ferromagnetic ordering of Fe–S structures remained inside SWCNTs. Sulfur encapsulation provides the new route for controlling the magnetic properties in 1D nanomaterials that pave the way for advanced magneto‐optical applications.
Field observations of the lethality characteristics of endangered and endemic fish under the stress of total dissolved gas supersaturation
Authors: Yuan Quan , Wang Yuanming , Liang Ruifeng , Feng Jingjie , Li Yong , An Ruidong , Li Kefeng
Published: August 2020

Total dissolved gas supersaturation (TDGS) caused by high dam discharge may threaten the survival of fish downstream. This study investigated the TDGS of Dadu River in the first 3 years (2016–2018) after the operation of Dagangshan hydropower station. The effect of TDGS on endemic fish was also evaluated for the first time in this study.Schizothoracin prenanti,Schizothorax davidiandLeptobotia elongata, which are endangered and endemic species in the Dadu River, were selected to evaluate the adverse effects of supersaturation on fish. We found that the supersaturation level varied from 115% to 127% in 2016, from 111% to 121% in 2017, and from 103% to 112% in 2018. The average water levels in these 3 years were 2.99, 2.34 and 1.14 m, respectively. The mortality of fish was positively correlated with TDGS and negatively correlated with water depth. The mortality of juvenile fish was highest in 2016, and increased TDGS had a greater contribution to fish mortality than the other factors. The highest mortality of adults occurred in 2017, and inadequate water depth was an important factor that caused fish mortality. The lowest mortality of both adults and juveniles occurred in 2018, and gas bubble disease in fish was almost never found. Even at shallow water depths, low TDGS (103%–112%) did not cause fish mortality.
A novel method to evaluate stream connectivity using trail cameras
Authors: Bellucci Christopher J. , Becker Mary E. , Czarnowski Melissa , Fitting Corinne
Published: August 2020

Stream connectivity is important for the ecological health of the stream and downstream waters. In this study, we use the term stream connectivity to mean hydrologically connected pools and riffles that link stream habitat along a longitudinal continuum (upstream to downstream), while also recognizing the lateral dimension (connection to flood plain) and vertical connection to groundwater. There are thousands of man‐made structures (i.e. dams, culverts, surface and groundwater withdrawal locations) in Connecticut which negatively impact stream connectivity and can result in aquatic habitat fragmentation. Cost‐effective techniques are needed to assess human alteration to streams in order to prioritize management actions to restore stream connectivity. We developed a method to characterize stream connectivity using commercially available trail cameras that cost less than approximately $500 per deployment. We developed a six‐category system to describe the variations in stream connectivity observed using the trail camera images. We then used the categorical data to calculate metrics that quantify stream connectivity. To pilot this approach, we evaluated reference locations with minimal anthropogenic influence on stream connectivity in comparison with stream reaches likely to be impacted by nearby groundwater wells. We found that metrics derived from trail camera images were useful to quantify stream connectivity. We anticipate that the methods outlined herein is a useful stream connectivity assessment tool that can be effectively communicated to scientists and non‐scientists. All source code and data for this project are freely available and open source at: https://github.com/marybecker/streamconnectivitymetrics.
Flux intensity and diurnal variability of soil N2O emissions in a highly fertilized cropping system
Authors: Francis Clar Jordi T , Anex Robert P.
Published: August 2020

Manually sampling N2O soil fluxes is labor‐intensive and sampling frequencies are often insufficient to capture daily variation in N2O soil flux, compromising the accuracy of emission estimates. Knowledge of the diurnal fluctuations in N2O flux has been used to choose a sampling time that maximizes the accuracy of N2O flux estimates, thereby reducing the sampling frequency required, but results from previous studies are inconsistent. We analyzed N2O soil emissions measured quasi‐continuously over 3 yr in a highly fertilized (>200 kg N ha−1) corn (Zea mays L.) system grown in southern Wisconsin. This is the first study of temporal variability in N2O flux that includes multiple difficult to measure peak emission events (“hot moments”) and estimates the relative contribution of hot moments to cumulative emissions. The relationship between the observed hourly average flux and the mean daily flux was assessed via linear regression of all measured data (≈22,000 fluxes) and data subsets grouped by magnitude. Diurnal variation in flux was closely associated with normalized flux size. During low‐emission periods, fluxes exhibited a diurnal pattern, where N2O flux measured at particular times of day, named “Preferred Measuring Times” (PMTs), were not significantly different from the mean daily flux. During high‐emission periods, N2O flux did not exhibit a diurnal pattern and there was no PMT. High‐emission periods included difficult to measure hot moments that did not exhibit a PMT and contributed up to 50% of the cumulative emissions; therefore, flux measurements with high temporal resolution were required to estimate cumulative emissions.
On the Proton Shuttle Motion in Protonated Acetylene: An Electronic Structure Perspective
Authors: Banik Subrata , Sansi Ankit Kumar , Nandan Shiv , Roy Tapta Kanchan
Published: August 2020

The Grothus like hydrogen motion in the inter‐conversion of classical to non‐classical conformation of protonated acetylene is studied in the purview of the electronic structure perspective. The reorganization of electrons during the proton transfer is explored by means of the changes in structural features, partial charges, natural bond orbital and normal mode analysis following an intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) connecting classical and non‐classical structures. It is found that conversion of classical to non‐classical structures along the IRC occurs due to the charge donation to the vacant non‐bonding p‐orbital of a sp hybridized carbon from the adjacent C–H
‐bond which facilitates the delocalization of electron and leads to gain in stabilization energy. This interaction continues till post transition state, gradually weakens and is finally decomposed to two non‐bonding orbitals, one p‐orbital on sp2 carbon and one s‐orbital on migrating hydrogen. From this point, the migrating hydrogen in turn accepts and donates electrons simultaneously from the p‐orbital on sp2 carbon and non‐bonding p‐orbital of sp hybridized carbon, respectively, to finally arrive at the non‐classical structure.
Recent Progress on Activatable Nanomedicines for Immunometabolic Combinational Cancer Therapy
Authors: Zhang Chi , Pu Kanyi
Published: August 2020

Tumor metabolism generally involves the generation of immunosuppressive metabolites, which contribute to the dysfunction of immune cells. Thus, immunometabolic interventions targeting the metabolic circuits and reducing immunosuppressive metabolites have been developed to invigorate antitumor immunity and attenuate cancer immune evasion. Although several clinical trials have been launched to develop metabolic agents for immunotherapy, they have the issues of potential immune‐related adverse events and low response rate. Smart nanomedicines integrated with physiological stimuli‐activatable action hold great promise to improve the therapeutic effectiveness and reduce systemic side effects for clinical translation. In this review, the recent progress on smart nanosystems for immunometabolic cancer therapy is summarized and their synergistic effects by combining immunometabolic intervention with multiple therapeutic modalities are highlighted, focusing on the molecular design and nanoengineering fabrication of these physiological stimuli‐activatable nanomedicines. These nanomedicines recover their activity of immunometabolic intervention in response to the specific physiological stimuli in the tumor microenvironment. This greatly reinforces their therapeutic action and reduces the off‐target side effects via local reprogramming of tumor metabolism. In addition to highlighting the synergistic therapeutic potential by combining immunometabolic therapy with multiple therapeutic modalities, current challenges and prospects of these activatable nanomedicines are discussed.
DNA damage, immunotoxicity, and neurotoxicity induced by deltamethrin on the freshwater crayfish, Procambarus clarkii
Authors: Hong Yuhang , Huang Yi , Yan Guangwen , Yin Hongmei , Huang Zhiqiu
Published: August 2020

Pyrethroid pesticides are applied to both agricultural and aquacultural industries for pest control. However, information of their impact on the commercial important freshwater crayfish, Procambarus clarkii is scarce. Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize to effects of a commonly used pyrethroid pesticide, deltamethrin on DNA damage, immune response, and neurotoxicity in P. clarkii. Animals were exposed to 7, 14, and 28 ng/L of deltamethrin, which correspond to 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 of the LC50 (96 hours) of this pyrethroid to P. clarkii. Significant increase of olive tail moment (OTM) and 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) was found after deltamethrin exposure in a dose‐dependent way. Total hemocyte counts (THC) and activities of immune‐related enzymes including acid phosphatase (ACP), lysozyme (LZM), and phenoloxidase (PO) were all decreased and significantly lower than control at concentration of 28 ng/L after 96 hours exposure. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, an indicator of neurotoxic effect was investigated and it was decreased significantly in muscles at 14 and 28 ng/L after 24 hours exposure. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hemocytes was also measured and the significant increase of ROS was found at 14 and 28 ng/L concentrations. The results revealed that deltamethrin induced DNA damage, immunotoxicity, and neurotoxicity in P. clarkii by excessive generation of ROS. Because of the dose‐dependent responses of all parameters under exposure of deltamethrin at environmentally realistic concentrations, these parameters could be used as sensitive biomarkers for risk assessment of deltamethrin in aquaculture area.