bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iodine‐transfer polymerization and CuAAC “click” chemistry: A versatile approach toward poly(vinylidene fluoride)‐based amphiphilic triblock terpolymers
Authors: Patil Yogesh , Zapsas George , Gnanou Yves , Hadjichristidis Nikos
Published: October 2019

This study presents the synthesis and properties of linear PVDF‐based amphiphilic triblock terpolymers with PS and PEO, [PVDF‐b‐PS‐b‐PEO], by adopting a procedure that involves: (a) iodine‐transfer polymerization (ITP) of VDF with 1‐iodoperfluorohexane (C6F13I) serving as chain‐transfer agent (CTA) to afford C6F13‐PVDF‐I, (b) ITP of styrene with the C6F13‐PVDF‐I macromolecular‐CTA to obtain C6F13‐PVDF‐b‐PS‐I diblock copolymer, (c) end‐group exchange from iodo‐ to azido‐group by nucleophilic substitution reaction with NaN3, and (d) copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) with alkyne‐terminated PEO to achieve C6F13‐PVDF‐b‐PS‐b‐PEO triblock terpolymers. The 1H and 19F NMR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of all blocks, while gel permeation chromatography traces showed the living nature of ITP technique. The self‐assembly of these terpolymers was investigated in films (atomic force microscopy and DSC), as well as in aqueous and organic solvents (DLS). The analysis of crystalline phases based on the FTIR spectroscopy indicated the conversion of PVDF α‐phase into α + β‐phases and β + γ‐phases upon the incorporation of PS and PEO blocks, respectively. The synthesized amphiphilic copolymers were evaluated (fluorescence spectroscopy) as carriers of small hydrophobic molecules in water. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. 2020, 58, 163–171
Micro‐/Nanopillars for Micro‐ and Nanotechnologies Using Inductively Coupled Plasmas
Authors: Herth Etienne , Edmond Samson , Bouville David , Cercus Jean Luc , Bayle Fabien , Cambril Edmond
Published: October 2019

Herein, the plasma etching mask transfer of the resistance of e‐beam resists, both negative and positive, as well as nanoparticle masks and hard masks are investigated. Various microscale and nanoscale features are exposed under plasma etching chemistries and are examined through both Bosch and pseudo‐Bosch processes using an inductive‐coupled plasma‐deep reactive ion etching (ICP‐DRIE) system. The selection of masks transfer proposed in this work provides better flexibility and cost‐effective processing. The etch profile depending on plasma etching process and feature size is studied and highlighted. In particular, nanopillars are etched to a length of 10 μm and a diameter of 280 nm with a good aspect ratio (>30) yielding a selectivity of better than 100:1 and a satisfactory vertical profile.
Dual‐Functional Nonvolatile and Volatile Memory in Resistively Switching Indium Tin Oxide/HfOx Devices
Authors: Li Wenxi , Wang Fang , Zhang Jingwei , Li Chuang , Wei Junqing , Shen Jiaqiang , Shan Xin , Ren Tianling , Zhao Jinshi , Song Zhitang , Zhang Kailiang
Published: October 2019

Herein, dual‐functional nonvolatile and volatile memory occurrence in memristor based on oxide heterostructures is shown. The chemical composition of material is investigated and electrical measurements are performed to indicate the resistive switching stability under consecutive voltage sweep. The device shows robust nonvolatile memory switching (greater than 105 sweep cycles) and self‐compliant volatile threshold switching (approximately 105 nonlinearity) functions. Moreover, the underlying mechanism of the phenomenon is investigated to uncover how the two resistive switching modes happen. This work can provide a reference toward the design of dual‐functional memristors based on oxide heterostructures.
A Study on the Catalytic Activity and Service Lifetime of RuO2‐TiO2 Composite Electrode with TNTs as Interlayer
Authors: Cao Huazhen , Zhao Guojun , Hou Guangya , Tang Yiping , Zhang Huibin , Zheng Guoqu
Published: October 2019

Herein, we reported a novel RuO2‐TiO2 composite electrode prepared by thermal decomposition process using TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNTs) as an interlayer. Specifically, the TNTs interlayer was fabricated by anodic oxidation on pure Ti plate, followed by heat‐treatment (450 °C) to transform its amorphous structure to anatase structure. This TNTs interlayer not only has a good protection for Ti substrate, but also has a low resistance. The resultant RuO2‐TiO2 electrode presents superior performance toward chlorine evolution reaction (ClER) and longer service lifetime (132 h) than that without interlayer (59 h). Experimental results show that anodizing time determines the length of TiO2 nanotubes and brings about different catalytic activity and stability. The RuO2‐TiO2/TNTs/Ti electrode with an optimal RuO2‐TiO2 coating (4.5 g m−2) presents a better spatial structure, homogeneous crystal particles, uniformly distribution and more active sites. However, high calcination temperature (>600 °C) has a detrimental impact, i. e. the collapse of TNTs and a “cracked mud” structure, which provide a path for oxygen and electrolyte to penetrate into the substrate and cause the spalling of coating, eventually lead to a serious decline in electrocatalytic activity and stability.
Interfacial Nanoinjection‐Based Nanoliter Single‐Cell Analysis
Authors: Yun Juanli , Zheng Xiaowei , Xu Peng , Zheng Xu , Xu Jingyue , Cao Chen , Fu Yusi , Xu Bingxue , Dai Xin , Wang Yi , Liu Hongtao , Yi Qiaolian , Zhu Yaxin , Wang Jian , Wang Li , Dong Zhiyang , Huang Li , Huang Yanyi , Du Wenbin
Published: October 2019

Single‐cell analysis offers unprecedented resolution for the investigation of cellular heterogeneity and the capture of rare cells from large populations. Here, described is a simple method named interfacial nanoinjection (INJ), which can miniaturize various single‐cell assays to be performed in nanoliter water‐in‐oil droplets on standard microwell plates. The INJ droplet handler can adjust droplet volumes for multistep reactions on demand with high precision and excellent monodispersity, and consequently enables a wide range of single‐cell assays. Importantly, INJ can be coupled with fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS), which is currently the most effective and accurate single‐cell sorting and isolation method. FACS‐INJ pipelines for high‐throughput plate well‐based single‐cell analyses, including single‐cell proliferation, drug‐resistance testing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse‐transcription PCR, and whole‐genome sequencing are introduced. This FACS‐INJ pipeline is compatible with a wide range of samples and can be extended to various single‐cell analysis applications in microbiology, cell biology, and biomedical diagnostics.
Magneto‐Ionic Switching of Superparamagnetism
Authors: Gößler Markus , Albu Mihaela , Klinser Gregor , Steyskal Eva‐Maria , Krenn Heinz , Würschum Roland
Published: October 2019

Electrochemical reactions represent a promising approach to control magnetization via electric fields. Favorable reaction kinetics have made nanoporous materials particularly interesting for magnetic tuning experiments. A fully reversible ON and OFF switching of magnetism in nanoporous Pd(Co) at room temperature is demonstrated, triggered by electrochemical hydrogen sorption. Comprehensive magnetic characterization in combination with high‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy reveals the presence of Co‐rich, nanometer‐sized clusters in the nanoporous Pd matrix with distinct superparamagnetic behavior. The strong magneto‐ionic effect arises from coupling of the magnetic clusters via a Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yoshida‐type interaction in the Pd matrix which is strengthened upon hydrogen sorption. This approach offers a new pathway for the voltage control of magnetism, for application in spintronic or microelectromagnetic devices.
HPRT and Purine Salvaging Are Critical for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Function
Authors: Vogel Mona , Moehrle Bettina , Brown Andreas , Eiwen Karina , Sakk Vadim , Geiger Hartmut
Published: October 2019

Adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain tissue homeostasis and regenerative capacity of the hematopoietic system through self-renewal and differentiation. Metabolism is recognized as an important regulatory entity controlling stem cells. As purine nucleotides are essential for metabolic functions, we analyzed the role of hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT)-associated purine salvaging in HSCs. Here, we demonstrate that hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) show a strong dependence on HPRT-associated purine salvaging. HSPCs with lower HPRT activity had a severely reduced competitive repopulation ability upon transplantation. Strikingly, HPRT deficiency resulted in altered cell-cycle progression, proliferation kinetics and mitochondrial membrane potential primarily in the HSC compartment, whereas more committed progenitors were less affected. Our data thus imply a unique and important role of HPRT and the purine salvage pathway for HSC function. Stem Cells  2019;37:1606–1614
Electrical Stimulation of pediatric cardiac-derived c-kit+ progenitor cells improves retention and cardiac function in right ventricular heart failure
Authors: Maxwell Joshua T. , Trac David , Shen Ming , Brown Milton E. , Davis Michael E. , Chao Myra S. , Supapannachart Krittin J. , Zaladonis Carly A. , Baker Emily , Li Martin L. , Zhao Jennifer , Jacobs Daniel I.
Published: October 2019

Nearly 1 in every 120 children born has a congenital heart defect. Although surgical therapy has improved survival, many of these children go on to develop right ventricular heart failure (RVHF). The emergence of cardiovascular regenerative medicine as a potential therapeutic strategy for pediatric HF has provided new avenues for treatment with a focus on repairing or regenerating the diseased myocardium to restore cardiac function. Although primarily tried using adult cells and adult disease models, stem cell therapy is relatively untested in the pediatric population. Here, we investigate the ability of electrical stimulation (ES) to enhance the retention and therapeutic function of pediatric cardiac-derived c-kit+ progenitor cells (CPCs) in an animal model of RVHF. Human CPCs isolated from pediatric patients were exposed to chronic ES and implanted into the RV myocardium of rats. Cardiac function and cellular retention analysis showed electrically stimulated CPCs (ES-CPCs) were retained in the heart at a significantly higher level and longer time than control CPCs and also significantly improved right ventricular functional parameters. ES also induced upregulation of extracellular matrix and adhesion genes and increased in vitro survival and adhesion of cells. Specifically, upregulation of β1 and β5 integrins contributed to the increased retention of ES-CPCs. Lastly, we show that ES induces CPCs to release higher levels of pro-reparative factors in vitro. These findings suggest that ES can be used to increase the retention, survival, and therapeutic effect of human c-kit+ progenitor cells and can have implications on a variety of cell-based therapies. Stem Cells  2019;37:1528–1541
Mitochondrial Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase Regulates Osteogenic Differentiation by Modulating AMPK/ULK1-Dependent Autophagy
Authors: Li Zheng , Liu Xuenan , Zhu Yuan , Du Yangge , Liu Xuejiao , Lv Longwei , Zhang Xiao , Liu Yunsong , Zhang Ping , Zhou Yongsheng
Published: October 2019

Mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK2) is a rate-limiting enzyme that plays critical roles in multiple physiological processes. The decompensation of PCK2 leads to various energy metabolic disorders. However, little is known regarding the effects of PCK2 on osteogenesis by human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Here, we report a novel function of PCK2 as a positive regulator of MSCs osteogenic differentiation. In addition to its well-known role in anabolism, we demonstrate that PCK2 regulates autophagy. PCK2 deficiency significantly suppressed autophagy, leading to the impairment of osteogenic capacity of MSCs. On the other hand, autophagy was promoted by PCK2 overexpression; this was accompanied by increased osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Moreover, PCK2 regulated osteogenic differentiation of MSCs via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1(ULK1)-dependent autophagy. Collectively, our present study unveiled a novel role for PCK2 in integrating autophagy and bone formation, providing a potential target for stem cell-based bone tissue engineering that may lead to improved therapies for metabolic bone diseases. Stem Cells  2019;37:1542–1555
Nonlinear finite element model for interface between anchoraged carbon fiber reinforced polymer and concrete surface
Authors: Sakin Shaimaa , Anil Özgür
Published: October 2019

In the current study, a new approach to represent the carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) fan type anchors in finite element analysis is produced. That method is based on increasing the bonding strength between CFRP and concrete over a specific area where the CFRP anchor penetrates the concrete. It was implemented by using new bond‐slip model to represent the interface between CFRP strip and concrete over a specific area where the CFRP anchors penetrate the concrete; the parameters of the proposed bond‐slip model are related to the parameters of the unanchored bond‐slip model proposed by Lu et al. Eng Struct. 2005;27:920–937. These parameters were estimated by fitting of the finite element analysis results to available experimental results from the literature published by one of the authors. The results obtained by using the proposed model showed a good agreement with those from experimental results.
Analyzing the factors affecting environmental risks of projects using a hybrid approach of DEMATEL‐ANP, artificial neural network: A case study
Authors: Ershadi Mohammad Javad , Ashtiyani Fatemeh Karimi
Published: October 2019

The increasing growth of the economy in each country necessitates a great amount of investment in infrastructure. The belief that projects involve various uncertainties, such as technical skills, management quality, and the like, indicates that most projects fail to achieve their aims, interests, costs, as well as their timeframes and space requirements. As the environment can pose significant uncertainty to any project, environmental risks should be deeply studied by project management departments. This study intends to analyze as a case the environmental risk management system within a consulting firm. From this analysis, each aspect of a project's environmental risk management is ranked using a fuzzy analytical network process (ANP), a neural network algorithm, and a decision‐making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) methodology. From the organizational aspect, budget risk is the most significant. From the technical aspect, the risk of regulations is the most important one. Finally, the risk of project failure from poor communication is another identified main risk in this research. By studying high‐ranking items in this hierarchy, it can be understood that these criteria exist in different aspects; therefore, all aspects of the risk should be taken into account to cover and assess risk. A neural network algorithm for validating and reassessment of ranking is employed. Results of this application showed that, based on Spearman's rank correlation method, two different approaches resulted in similar rankings. Finally, some practical implications for responding to the most highly ranked risks are proposed.
The assessment and management of renal and ureteric stones
Authors: Hanna Luke , Bultitude Matthew
Published: October 2019

To address the management of urolithiasis in the UK, NICE has recently published guidance on the assessment and management of renal and ureteric stones (NG118). In this article, the authors consider the impact of new guidelines in an update on the assessment and management of renal and ureteric stone disease.
The athlete's heart
Authors: Arsenaki Elisavet , Sharma Sanjay
Published: October 2019

Athletes undergoing intensive training can exhibit cardiac changes that overlap with cardiomyopathy. Here the authors review cardiac changes that can occur in athletes and how to distinguish between normal adaptations and those that may signal pathology that can result in sudden death.
Advances of functional nanomaterials for cancer immunotherapeutic applications
Authors: Hao Yuhao , Zhou Xingyu , Li Rui , Song Zechenxi , Min Yuanzeng
Published: October 2019

Immunotherapy has made great progress by modulating the body's own immune system to fight against cancer cells. However, the low response rates of related drugs limit the development of immunotherapy strategies. Fortunately, the advantages of nanotechnology can just make up for this shortcoming. Nanocarriers of diverse systems are utilized to co‐deliver antigens and adjuvants, combined with drugs for immunomodulatory, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and photodynamic. Here we review recent studies on immunotherapy with biomimetic, organic, and inorganic nanomaterials. They are going to potentially overcome the drawbacks in cancer immunotherapy with delivering immunomodulatory drugs, delivering cancer vaccine, and monitoring the immune systems.

This article is characterized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
CAOS: CAD as an Adaptive Open-Platform Service for High Performance Reconfigurable Systems
Authors: Rabozzi Marco
Published: October 2019

The increasing demand for computing power in fields such as genomics, image processing and machine learning is pushing towards hardware specialization and heterogeneous systems in order to keep up with the required performance level at sustainable power consumption. Among the available solutions, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), thanks to their advancements, currently represent a very promising candidate, offering a compelling trade-off between efficiency and flexibility. Despite the potential benefits of reconfigurable hardware, one of the main limiting factor to the widespread adoption of FPGAs is complexity in programmability, as well as the effort required to port software solutions to efficient hardware-software implementations. In this chapter, we present CAD as an Adaptive Open-platform Service (CAOS), a platform to guide the application developer in the implementation of efficient hardware-software solutions for high performance reconfigurable systems. The platform assists the designer from the high-level analysis of the code, towards the optimization and implementation of the functionalities to be accelerated on the reconfigurable nodes. Finally, CAOS is designed to facilitate the integration of external contributions and to foster research on Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools for accelerating software applications on FPGA-based systems.
Green turtle diet is dominated by seagrass in the Western Indian Ocean except amongst gravid females
Authors: Stokes Holly J. , Mortimer Jeanne A. , Hays Graeme C. , Unsworth Richard K. F. , Laloë Jacques-Olivier , Esteban Nicole
Published: October 2019

Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are key herbivores of tropical and subtropical neritic habitats and play a major role in structuring seagrass meadows. We present the first detailed assessment of green turtle diet in the Western Indian Ocean using the gut contents of salvaged animals from three atolls in the Republic of Seychelles separated from each other by 400–825 km: Cosmoledo (adults, n = 12), Farquhar (adults, n = 33; immature, n = 1) collected in 1982–1983; and Desroches (immatures, n = 8) in 2016–2018. We report the first comparison of the diets of gravid females (n = 17), males (n = 26) and non-breeding females (n = 2) at sites providing both foraging and breeding habitat. Seagrass (mostly Thalassodendron ciliatum) dominated the diet, accounting for 95% of the mean gut content biomass for males and non-breeding females but only 58% for gravid females, alongside relatively large amounts of substrate (14%) and macroalgae (13%). Satellite tracking of post-nesting green turtles from Chagos Archipelago in 2016 located foraging sites at Farquhar Atoll that coincided with capture locations of 26 of the 33 adult turtles sampled there in 1983. In situ surveys of those sites in 2018 revealed extensive nearly monospecific beds of T. ciliatum. The prominence of seagrass in the diet of green turtles and connectivity between foraging and nesting habitats throughout the region illustrate the need to conserve and monitor seagrass habitats of the Western Indian Ocean especially in the context of changing green turtle population densities.
Understanding Thyroidectomy Cost Variations Among National Cancer Institute‐Designated Cancer Centers
Authors: Wu Si‐Yuan , Terrell John , Park Anne , Perrier Nancy
Published: October 2019

Background

The cost of thyroidectomy varies across the USA, while the causes of this variation are poorly understood. We examined the cost of inpatient thyroidectomy among National Cancer Institute‐designated cancer centers nationwide to determine why it differs.

Methods

A retrospective study of inpatient thyroidectomies was performed using the Vizient Clinical Data Base. Fifty‐two of 70 eligible hospitals were grouped into five geographic regions (Mid‐Atlantic and New England, East Central, South Atlantic, West Central, and Mountain and Pacific). We identified drivers of cost variation in the five geographic regions and used risk adjustment model to evaluate the rationality of cost from each hospital.

Results

Male sex, more extended hospital stays, and occurrence of complications were consistently associated with increased costs in all regions. Also, the cost was significantly lower in the Mid‐Atlantic and New England region. The higher than expected costs did not correlate well with the case mix index among hospitals (p = 0.289), but the lower than expected costs were more common in high‐volume hospitals. The average length of stay was the shortest in high‐volume hospitals, which might account for the lower cost in the Mid‐Atlantic and New England region; however, the overages of costs still varied widely among hospitals in all regions even if the length of stay was adjusted.

Conclusions

Cost variation may result from both patient‐related factors and volume‐related practice pattern differences among hospitals. A more standard of care and charge transparency is still needed for patients seeking affordable care at cancer centers.
SITES: Solar Iterative Temperature Emission Solver for Differential Emission Measure Inversion of EUV Observations
Authors: Morgan Huw , Pickering James
Published: October 2019

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) images of the optically-thin solar corona in multiple spectral channels give information on the emission as a function of temperature through differential emission measure (DEM) inversions. The aim of this paper is to describe, test, and apply a new DEM method named the Solar Iterative Temperature Emission Solver (SITES). The method creates an initial DEM estimate through a direct redistribution of observed intensities across temperatures according to the temperature response function of the measurement, and iteratively improves on this estimate through calculation of intensity residuals. It is simple in concept and implementation, is non-subjective in the sense that no prior constraints are placed on the solutions other than positivity and smoothness, and can process a thousand DEMs a second on a standard desktop computer. The resulting DEMs replicate model DEMs well in tests on Atmospheric Imaging Assembly/Solar Dynamics Observatory (AIA/SDO) synthetic data. The same tests show that SITES performs less well on very narrow DEM peaks, and should not be used for temperature diagnostics below ${\approx\,}0.5~\mbox{MK}$≈0.5MK in the case of AIA observations. The SITES accuracy of inversion compares well with two other established methods. A simple yet powerful new method to visualize DEM maps is introduced, based on a fractional emission measure (FEM). Applied to a set of AIA full-disk images, the SITES method and FEM visualization show very effectively the dominance of certain temperature regimes in different large-scale coronal structures. The method can easily be adapted for any multi-channel observations of optically-thin plasma and, given its simplicity and efficiency, will facilitate the processing of large existing and future datasets.
Invasive mould infections in solid organ transplant patients: modifiers and indicators of disease and treatment response
Authors: Welte Tobias , Len Oscar , Muñoz Patricia , Romani Luigina , Lewis Russell , Perrella Alessandro
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Invasive mould infections, in particular invasive aspergillosis (IA), are comparatively frequent complications of immunosuppression in patients undergoing solid organ transplantation (SOT). Guidelines provide recommendations as to the procedures to be carried out to diagnose and treat IA, but only limited advice for SOT recipients.

Methods

Literature review and expert consensus summarising the existing evidence related to prophylaxis, diagnosis, treatment and assessment of response to IA and infections byMucoralesin SOT patients

Results

Response to therapy should be assessed early and at regular intervals. No indications of improvement should lead to a prompt change of the antifungal treatment, to account for possible infections byMucoralesor other moulds such asScedosporium. Imaging techniques, especially CT scan and possibly angiography carried out at regular intervals during early and long-term follow-up and coupled with a careful clinical diagnostic workout, should be evaluated as diagnostic tools and outcome predictors, and standardised to improve therapy monitoring. The role of biomarkers such as the galactomannan test and PCR, as well as selected inflammation parameters, has not yet been definitively assessed in the SOT population and needs to be studied further. The therapeutic workup should consider a reduction of immunosuppressive therapy.

Conclusions

The role of immunosuppression and immune tolerance mechanisms in the response to invasive fungal infection treatment is an important factor in the SOT population and should not be underestimated. The choice of the antifungal should consider not only their toxicity but also their effects on the immune system, two features that are intertwined.
Smooth Muscle Differentiation of Penile Stem/Progenitor Cells Induced by Microenergy Acoustic Pulses In Vitro
Authors: Peng Dongyi , Yuan Huixing , Liu Tianshu , Wang Tianyu , Reed-Maldonado Amanda B. , Kang Ning , Banie Lia , Wang Guifang , Tang Yuxin , He Leye , Lin Guiting , Lue Tom F.
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Modulating tissue-resident stem and progenitor cells with a non-invasive, mechanobiological intervention is an optimal approach for tissue regeneration. Stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) has been identified as a stem cell marker within many organs but never within the penis.

Aim

To localize and isolate penile stem/progenitor cells (PSPCs) and to evaluate cellular differentiation after exposure to induction medium and microenergy acoustic pulse (MAP) therapy.

Methods

Six male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to isolate PSPCs. Isolation was followed by stem cell characterization and differentiation assays. The PSPCs were then treated with MAP (0.033 mJ/mm2, 1 Hz) at various dosages (25, 50, 100, and 200 pulses) and for different durations (1, 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours) in vitro.

Main Outcome Measure

The PSPCs (Sca-1-positive cells) were isolated using the magnetic-activated cell sorting system. PSPC cellular differentiation was assessed after induction with induction medium and with MAP in vitro. Wnt/β-catenin signaling was also assayed.

Results

The PSPCs were successfully localized within the penile subtunic and perisinusoidal spaces, and they were successfully isolated using magnetic-activated cell sorting. The stemness of the cells was confirmed by stem cell marker characterization and by multiple differentiation into smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, adipocytes, and neurons. MAP-induced PSPCs differentiated into smooth muscle cells by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in a time- and dosage-dependent manner.

Clinical Implications

By modulating resident PSPCs, MAP may have utility in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).

Strengths & Limitations

This study provides solid evidence in support of microenergy therapies, including both MAP and low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy, for the treatment of ED. Additional studies are needed and should include additional stem cells markers. Furthermore, studies exploring the underling mechanisms for PSPC activation and differentiation are required.

Conclusion

PSPCs were successfully identified, localized, and isolated. Additionally, MAP provoked PSPCs to differentiate into smooth muscle cells via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. As such, MAP provides a novel method for activating endogenous tissue-resident stem/progenitor cells and might facilitate stem cell regenerative therapy targeting ED.
Parameter estimation of aircraft using extreme learning machine and Gauss-Newton algorithm
Authors: Verma H. O. , Peyada N. K.
Published: October 2019

The research paper addresses the problem of estimating aerodynamic parameters using a Gauss-Newton-based optimisation method. The process of the optimisation method lies on the principle of minimising the residual error between the measured and simulated responses of the system. Usually, the simulated response is obtained by integrating the dynamic equations of the system, which is found to be susceptible to the initial values, and the integration method. With the advent of the feedforward neural network, the data-driven regression methods have been widely used for identification of the system. Among them, a variant of feedforward neural network, extreme learning machine, which has proven the performance in terms of computational cost, generalisation, and so forth, has been addressed to predict the responses in the present study. The real flight data of longitudinal and lateral-directional motion have been considered to estimate their respective aerodynamic parameters. Furthermore, the estimates have been validated with the values of the classical estimation methods, such as the equation-error and filter-error methods. The sample standard deviations of the estimates demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Lastly, the proof-of-match exercise has been conducted with the other set of flight data to validate the estimated parameters.
Pilot Study on Risk Perceptions and Knowledge of Fentanyl Exposure Among New York State First Responders
Authors: Persaud Eric , Jennings Charles R.
Published: October 2019

Objectives:

The present opioid epidemic and abuse of fentanyl in the United States has led to an increased risk of exposure to first responders. Law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services are receiving misinformation on fentanyl health and safety risks and this has led to miscommunication. Understanding the risk perceptions and knowledge of first responders regarding fentanyl can help identify training gaps.

Methods:

A 15-item 6-point Likert scale online questionnaire was developed and distributed to firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical technicians, regarding perceptions of fentanyl exposure, and additional questions concerning knowledge. The online questionnaire was sent to 15 associations of national and New York State first responders with 3 associations acknowledging and distributing the survey.

Results:

Of the 247 participants, 187 served New York State; 92 worked in law enforcement; and the other 95 worked in either fire, emergency medical service, or both. New York State first responders generally agreed with expert risk perceptions and knowledge of fentanyl exposure in the pilot study. Items pertaining to using hand sanitizer, selecting glove type, and dermal exposure to fentanyl had lower agreement with expert beliefs.

Conclusions:

Risk perceptions and knowledge could be used to evaluate fentanyl response training among first responders.
Orientation of coastal-zone Langmuir cells forced by wind, wave and mean current at variable obliquity
Authors: Shrestha K. , Anderson W. , Tejada-Martinez A. , Kuehl J.
Published: October 2019

Langmuir circulation, a key turbulent process in the upper ocean, is mechanistically driven and sustained by imposed atmospheric wind stress and surface wave drift. In addition, and specifically in coastal zones, the presence of a mean current – whether associated with tidal currents or large-scale eddies – generates bottom-boundary-layer shear, which further modulates the physical attributes of coastal-zone Langmuir turbulence. We show that the presence of bottom-boundary-layer shear generated by oblique forcing between the mean current, atmospheric drag, and monochromatic wave field direction changes the orientation of the resultant, large-scale Langmuir cells. A model to predict this resultant orientation, based on salient parameters defining the forcing obliquity, is proposed. We also perform a systematic parametric study to isolate the ‘turning’ influence of salient parameters, which reveals that the resultant Langmuir cell orientation is always intermediate to the imposed forces. In order to provide a rigorous basis for the results, we study terms responsible for sustenance of streamwise vorticity, and provide a theoretical justification for the observed results.
First occurrence of an Ophiohelidae species in the Mediterranean: the high abundances ofOphiomyces grandisfrom the Mallorca Channel seamounts
Authors: Ordines Francesc , Ramírez-Amaro Sergio , Fernandez-Arcaya Ulla , Marco-Herrero Elena , Massutí Enric
Published: October 2019

The first record of the ophiuroid family Ophiohelidae from the Mediterranean Sea is reported. It consists of the description of the new record ofOphiomyces grandisfrom the Mallorca Channel seamounts in the Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean, where it shows high abundances. We present both the morphological description of the individuals collected and, for the first time, the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence of this species. The morphological traits of our specimens match the available descriptions ofO. grandis. On the other hand, molecular analyses show a large genetic distance betweenO. grandisandOphiomyces delata, the two species being very similar morphologically. Despite the high abundances ofO. grandisreported here, previous surveys in the Mallorca Channel seamounts using ROV did not detect it, emphasizing the importance of beam trawl sampling to improving the biodiversity description of these geomorphological sea bottom features.
Breaking the web: life beyond the at-risk mental state for psychosis
Authors: Perez Jesus , Jones Peter B.
Published: October 2019

Psychiatry's most recent foray into the area of risk and prevention has been spear-headed by work on at-risk mental states for psychotic disorders. Twenty-five years' research and clinical application have led us to reformulate the clinical evolution of these syndromes, blurred unhelpful conceptual boundaries between childhood and adult life by adopting a developmental view and has changed the shape of many mental health services as part of a global movement to increase quality. But there are problems: fragmentary psychotic experiences are common in young people but transition from risk-state to full syndrome is uncommon away from specialist clinics with rarefied referrals and can, anyway, be subtle; diagnostic over-shadowing by the prospect of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders may divert clinical attention from the kaleidoscopic and disabling range of probably treatable psychopathology with which people with risk syndromes present. We use a 19th Century lyric poem, The Lady of Shallot, as an allegory for Psychiatry warning us against regarding these mental states only as pointers towards diagnoses that probably will not occur. Viewed from the fresh perspective of common mental disorders they tell us a great deal about the psychopathological crucible of the second and third decades, the nature of diagnosis, and point towards new treatment paradigms.
Incidental and explicit learning of L2 derivational morphology and the nature of acquired knowledge
Authors: Ishikawa Keiichi
Published: October 2019

The aim of the current study was to compare both incidental and explicit auditory learning of second language derivational morphology by measuring the accuracy and the reaction time of a grammaticality judgment task. Furthermore, the study was set up to examine the nature of acquired knowledge using subjective measures of awareness during the testing phases and postexperimental verbal reports. The delayed effects of learning were investigated by testing participants immediately after the learning and 1 week later also. The results showed a significant learning effect for the incidental and explicit learners immediately after exposure, but only the explicit learners maintained the learning effects a week later. Both types of learners showed no significant difference in the reaction time. Incidental learners primarily developed implicit knowledge, while explicit learners relied on explicit knowledge to a large extent, part of which became unconscious later. The differences of learning under incidental and explicit learning conditions are discussed in terms of the maintenance of knowledge.
New Developments in Language Reform
Authors: Milsky Constantin
Published: October 2019

Since 1966, there have been no articles in the Chinese press about
language reform and no specialist journals to provide an alternative forum
for discussion. In 1972, however, the Party's leading political publication,
Hung ch'i (Red
Flag), carried in its April issue a letter on what had
come to be seen as an almost taboo subject, by no less a personality than
Kuo Mo-jo. This letter and its manner of publication are both of great
interest. Language reform is clearly on the agenda for discussion once again
and the letter enables one to look both at its more recent history and at
its future development. Such is the importance of the letter that I have
translated it in full and discuss it section by section (the text being
distinguished by bold type), adding a commentary to each section, rather in
the manner in which commentaries were added to classical Chinese
texts.
Metrical structure in Scottish Gaelic: tonal accent, glottalisation and overlength
Authors: Morrison Donald Alasdair
Published: October 2019

Scottish Gaelic displays a phonological contrast that is realised in different dialects by means of tonal accent, glottalisation or overlength. In line with existing analyses of similar oppositions in languages such as Swedish, Danish, Franconian and Estonian, I show that this contrast reflects a difference in metrical structure. Using the framework of Stratal Optimality Theory, I argue that this metrical contrast is derived, and results from faithfulness to foot structure that is built regularly at the stem level, but rendered opaque by subsequent phonological processes. Scottish Gaelic therefore represents an intermediate stage in the diachronic development of underlyingly contrastive metrical structure. This analysis successfully accounts for the complex properties of svarabhakti, a process of copy epenthesis that is intimately connected to the phonological contrast in question, and also sheds light upon the relationship between the oppositions of tonal accent, glottalisation and overlength found in various languages of northern Europe.
Why metrical approaches to tonal accent are worth pursuing
Authors: Köhnlein Björn
Published: October 2019

Unlike existing analyses with lexical tone, metrical foot-based approaches to tonal accent in Franconian not only focus on an explicit analysis of the tonal contours, but are also equipped to account formally for morphological alternations and other predictable correlates. Examples are interactions of tonal accent with duration, vowel and consonant quality. The existence of such additional correlates is in line with a foot-based analysis, since it mirrors correlates of stress and foot structure found in Germanic languages and elsewhere.
Jean does the dishes while Marie fixes the car: a qualitative and quantitative study of social gender in French syntax articles
Authors: Richy Célia , Burnett Heather
Published: October 2019

This article addresses the question of gender bias observed in constructed examples of French syntax articles. Drawing our inspiration from Macaulay and Brice (1997) and Pabst et al. (2018)’s studies of English, we investigate the way women and men are depicted in constructed examples in syntax articles in French. We looked at grammatical functions, thematic roles and lexical choices and found a strong male bias in the use of gendered noun phrases (i.e. more references to men than to women; men are more likely to be in a subject position as well as being referred to via pronouns, and more likely to be agents and experiencers). Furthermore, women and men are not related to the same lexical choices. Besides, since French is a grammatical gender language where masculine gender can also be intended as gender neutral, we designed a second study to investigate masculine marked noun phrases (ambiguous masculines, AMs). When we compared AM noun phrases to female and male arguments in terms of grammatical functions and thematic roles, we found that, in production, they were different than true masculines. We discuss the implications of our results for the meaning of ‘gender neutral masculines’ and for practices anchoring gender discrimination.
How and why does discretionary food consumption change when we promote fruit and vegetables? Results from the ShopSmart randomised controlled trial
Authors: Opie Rachelle S , McNaughton Sarah A , Crawford David , Abbott Gavin , Ball Kylie
Published: October 2019

Objective:

The present study aimed to identify whether discretionary food consumption declined in an intervention focused primarily on promoting fruit and vegetable consumption. We also aimed to identify potential mediators explaining intervention effects on discretionary food consumption.

Design:

Secondary analysis of data from the ShopSmart study, a randomised controlled trial involving a 6-month intervention promoting fruit and vegetable consumption. Linear regression models examined intervention effects on discretionary food consumption at intervention completion (T2). A half-longitudinal mediator analyses was performed to examine the potential mediating effect of personal and environmental factors on the association between the intervention effects and discretionary food consumption. Indirect (mediated) effects were tested by the product of coefficients method with bootstrappedseusing Andrew Hayes’ PROCESS macro for SPSS.

Setting:

Women were recruited via the Coles FlyBuys loyalty card database in socio-economically disadvantaged suburbs of Melbourne, Australia.

Participants:

Analyses included 225 women (116 intervention and 109 control).

Results:

Compared with controls, intervention participants consumed fewer discretionary foods at T2, after adjusting for key confounders (B= −0·194, 95 % CI −0·378, −0·010 servings/d;P= 0·039). While some mediators were associated with the outcome (taste, outcome expectancies, self-efficacy, time constraints), there was no evidence that they mediated intervention effects.

Conclusions:

The study demonstrated that a behavioural intervention promoting fruit and vegetable consumption among socio-economically disadvantaged participants was effective in reducing discretionary food intake. Although specific mediators were not identified, researchers should continue searching for mechanisms by which interventions have an effect to guide future programme design.
Nutzen der Ernährungstherapie beim älteren medizinischen Patienten – was wissen wir heute?
Authors: Hoskin Katja , Müller Beat , Schütz Philipp
Published: October 2019

Zusammenfassung. Mangelernährung im Alter hat eine hohe Prävalenz und ist ein starker und unabhängiger Risikofaktor für Komplikationen und erhöhte Mortalität. Eine frühzeitige Identifikation von Patienten mit Risiko einer Mangelernährung und frühzeitiger Beginn einer Ernährungsintervention führen bewiesenermassen zu einer Reduktion der Komplikationen und der Morbidität/Mortalität. Die Ernährungstherapie muss individuell abgestimmt und an Ernährungsziele und Patientenpräferenz angepasst werden. Assoziierte Faktoren und Erkrankungen sowie die Krankheitsschwere sind zwingend in die Therapieplanung und Therapieziele einzubeziehen. Es bedarf einer grossen interprofessionellen Anstrengung, um dieses schwierige Problem adäquat anzugehen. Die grosse EFFORT-Studie hat nun aber gezeigt: Der Aufwand lohnt sich!
Spatial Distribution of Random Velocity Inhomogeneities in the Southern Aegean From Inversion of S Wave Peak Delay Times
Authors: Ranjan P. , Konstantinou K.I. , Andinisari R.
Published: October 2019

The southern Aegean is characterized by an ongoing process of oceanic subduction. In this study, 1,718 intermediate depth (>35 km) events recorded in the southern Aegean are used to calculate the peak delay times (tp). The tp are measured as the time difference between S wave onset and the peak of the S wave envelope in 2‐to 4‐, 4‐ to 8‐, 8‐ to 16‐, and 16‐ to 32‐Hz bands. The tp are also inverted to estimate the scattering parameters (κ and εparam) and power spectral density function (P (m)) at large wave numbers (m = 15 km−1 or ml) of the medium modeled as von Kármán type. κ controls frequency dependence of scattering while P (ml) represents the scattering strength in high frequencies for ɑml >> 1 (ɑ = correlation length of inhomogeneities). High P (ml) with low κ across Peloponnese in 0‐ to 20‐km depth may result from intermixing of oceanic material with continental rocks at different levels with a possibility of fluid activity and salt diapirism in northwest Peloponnese. Moderate P (ml) in 0‐ to 60‐km depth across Crete is likely due to a combination of factors including past megathrust earthquakes, sediment underplating, and flow of metamorphosed material in a subduction channel. Cyclades shows low κ in 0‐ to 40‐km depth, indicative of inhomogeneities produced by metamorphic core complexes. Very low κ in 60‐ to 80‐km depth is consistent with the location of mantle magma reservoir in the back‐arc region. Our results suggest that a significant portion of total S wave attenuation (Qs−1) in eastern Cyclades for 20‐ to 80‐km depth may be due to scattering losses.
Genome-wide association study reveals dynamic role of genetic variation in infant and early childhood growth
Authors: Helgeland Øyvind , Vaudel Marc , Juliusson Petur B. , Lingaas Holmen Oddgeir , Juodakis Julius , Bacelis Jonas , Jacobsson Bo , Lindekleiv Haakon , Hveem Kristian , Lie Rolv Terje , Knudsen Gun Peggy , Stoltenberg Camilla , Magnus Per , Sagen Jørn V. , Molven Anders , Johansson Stefan , Njølstad Pål Rasmus
Published: October 2019

Infant and childhood growth are dynamic processes with large changes in BMI during development. By performing genome-wide association studies of BMI at 12 time points from birth to eight years (9286 children, 74,105 measurements) in the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study, replicated in 5235 children, we identify a transient effect in the leptin receptor (LEPR) locus: no effect at birth, increasing effect in infancy, peaking at 6–12 months (rs2767486, P6m = 2.0 × 10−21, β6m = 0.16 sd-BMI), and little effect after age five. We identify a similar transient effect near the leptin gene (LEP), peaking at 1.5 years (rs10487505, P1.5y = 1.3 × 10−8, β1.5y = 0.079 sd-BMI). Both signals are protein quantitative trait loci for soluble-LEPR and LEP in plasma in adults independent from adult traits mapped to the respective genes, suggesting key roles of common variation in the leptin signaling pathway for healthy infant growth.