bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of the new mechanistic scale‐up of gas‐solid fluidized beds using advanced non‐invasive measurement techniques
Authors: Efhaima Abdelsalam , Al‐Dahhan Muthanna H.
Published: November 2020

This study focuses on the validation of a new mechanistic of scale‐up for hydrodynamics similarity of gas‐solid fluidized bed reactors that was developed in our Multiphase Reactors Engineering and Applications Laboratory (mReal). It is based on maintaining identical or relatively similar time‐averaged radial profiles of gas holdups in two differently sizes gas‐solid fluidized beds to achieve local and global similarities of the dimensionless hydrodynamic parameters. This is because the gas‐dynamic dictates the hydrodynamics of gas‐solid fluidized beds. The new scale‐up method has been successfully validated by assessing for the first time the local hydrodynamic parameters, such as time‐averaged cross‐sectional distributions and radial‐profiles of gas and solids holdups at different axial levels, which were measured by gamma‐ray computed tomography technique. In addition, the particle velocity field and turbulent parameters (shear stress, normal stresses, and turbulent kinetic energy) were measured by radioactive particle tracking technique. The experimental results showed that achieving similarity in the radial profiles of the gas holdup in the geometrically similar beds is essential for ensuring identical or relatively similar local and global hydrodynamics similarity. As the differences increase in terms of magnitude and trend in the gas holdup radial profiles between two beds, the differences increase in the detailed hydrodynamics.
Prey capture in protists utilizing microtubule filled processes and surface motility
Authors: Bloodgood Robert A.
Published: November 2020

Surface motility, which can be visualized by the movement of live prey organisms, polystyrene microspheres or other inert particles, has been shown to occur in a wide variety of microtubule‐filled extensions of the protistan cell surface, although the associated functions remain enigmatic. This article integrates an extensive but poorly known body of literature showing that surface motility, associated with microtubule‐filled cell extensions such as flagella, axopodia, actinopodia, reticulopodia, and haptonema, plays a crucial role in protistan prey capture. Surface motility has been most extensively studied inChlamydomonaswhere it is responsible for flagella‐dependent whole cell gliding motility. The force transduction machinery for gliding motility inChlamydomonasis intraflagellar transport. Other than inChlamydomonas, this field has not moved far beyond the descriptive to the mechanistic because of technical challenges associated with many of the protistan organisms that utilize surface motility for prey capture. The purpose of this article is to rekindle interest in the protistan systems that utilize surface motility for prey capture at a time when newly emerging molecular tools for working with protists are poised to reinvigorate a field that has been quiescent too long.
Vimentin's side gig: Regulating cellular proteostasis in mammalian systems
Authors: Morrow Christopher S. , Moore Darcie L.
Published: November 2020

Intermediate filaments (IFs) perform a diverse set of well‐known functions including providing structural support for the cell and resistance to mechanical stress, yet recent evidence has revealed unexpected roles for IFs as stress response proteins. Previously, it was shown that the type III IF protein vimentin forms cage‐like structures around centrosome‐associated proteins destined for degradation, structures referred to as aggresomes, suggesting a role for vimentin in protein turnover. However, vimentin's function at the aggresome has remained largely understudied. In a recent report, vimentin was shown to be dispensable for aggresome formation, but played a critical role in protein turnover at the aggresome through localizing proteostasis‐related machineries, such as proteasomes, to the aggresome. Here, we review evidence for vimentin's function in proteostasis and highlight the organismal implications of these findings.
Distribution and morphology of P2X3‐immunoreactive subserosal afferent nerve endings in the rat gastric antrum
Authors: Hirakawa Masato , Yokoyama Takuya , Yamamoto Yoshio , Saino Tomoyuki
Published: November 2020

The present study investigated the morphological characteristics of subserosal afferent nerve endings with immunoreactivity for the P2X3 purinoceptor (P2X3) in the rat stomach by immunohistochemistry of whole‐mount preparations using confocal scanning laser microscopy. P2X3 immunoreactivity was observed in subserosal nerve endings proximal and lateral to the gastric sling muscles in the distal antrum of the lesser curvature. Parent axons ramified into several lamellar processes to form net‐like complex structures that extended two‐dimensionally in every direction on the surface of the longitudinal smooth muscle layer. The axon terminals in the periphery of P2X3‐immunoreactive net‐like structures were flat and looped or leaf‐like in shape. Some net‐like lamellar structures and their axon terminals with P2X3 immunoreactivity were also immunoreactive for P2X2. P2X3‐immunoreactive nerve fibers forming net‐like terminal structures were closely surrounded by S100B‐immunoreactive terminal Schwann cells, whereas axon terminals twined around these cells and extended club‐, knob‐, or thread‐like protrusions in the surrounding tissues. Furthermore, a retrograde tracing method using fast blue dye indicated that most of these nerve endings originated from the nodose ganglia of the vagus nerve. These results suggest that P2X3‐immunoreactive subserosal nerve endings have morphological characteristics of mechanoreceptors and contribute to sensation of a mechanical deformation of the distal antral wall associated with antral peristalsis.
Evaluation of a Pilot Vancomycin Precision Dosing Advisory Service on Target Exposure Attainment Using an Interrupted Time Series Analysis
Authors: Stocker Sophie L. , Carland Jane E. , Reuter Stephanie E. , Stacy Alexandra E. , Schaffer Andrea L. , Stefani Maurizio , Lau Cindy , Kirubakaran Ranita , Yang Jennifer J. , Shen Catriona F.J. , Roberts Darren M. , Marriott Deborah J.E. , Day Richard O. , Brett Jonathan
Published: November 2020

This study evaluated the ability of a pilot therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) Advisory Service to facilitate vancomycin therapeutic target attainment within a real‐world clinical setting. The Service provided area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC)–guided vancomycin dose recommendations, using Bayesian forecasting software and clinical expertise, to prescribers at an Australian hospital. A retrospective audit of intravenous vancomycin therapy (> 48 hours) in adults (≥ 18 years old) was undertaken over a 54‐month period to evaluate attainment of established vancomycin pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets (AUC over 24 hours / minimum inhibitory concentration: 400–600) before (36‐month period) and after (18‐month period) Service implementation. Interrupted time series analysis was employed to evaluate monthly measures of the median proportion of therapy spent within the target range. Indices of time to target attainment were also assessed before and after Service implementation. The final cohort comprised 1,142 courses of vancomycin (816 patients); 835 courses (596 patients) and 307 courses (220 patients) administered before and after Service implementation, respectively. Prior to piloting the Service, the median proportion of time in the target range was 40.1% (95% CI, 34.3–46.0%); this increased by 10.4% (95% CI, 1.2–19.6%, P = 0.03) after the Service, and was sustained throughout the post‐Service evaluation period. Post‐Service target attainment at 48–72 hours after initiation of therapy was increased (7.8%, 95% CI, 1.3–14.3%, P = 0.02). The findings of this study provide evidence that a consultative TDM Service can facilitate attainment of vancomycin therapeutic targets; however, optimization of the Service may further improve the use of vancomycin.
Designer Ferrocene Catholyte for Aqueous Organic Flow Batteries
Authors: Chen Qianru , Li Yuanyuan , Liu Yahua , Sun Pan , Yang Zhengjin , Xu Tongwen
Published: November 2020

The aqueous organic flow battery (AOFB) holds enormous potential as an energy storage device for fluctuating renewable electricity by exploiting the redox reactions of water‐soluble organic molecules. The current development is impeded by lack of organic molecules adequate as catholyte, yet how the catholyte structure impacts the battery lifetime remains unexplored. Here, six ferrocene derivatives with deliberately tuned chemical structure were devised. They underwent reversible redox reactions in water, and the redox potentials were inversely related to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy of their energized forms. The stability of the ferrocene derivatives was evaluated in full flow cells and in symmetric cells. Density function theory calculations, along with experimental results, revealed that the localized LUMO density on Fe led to fast capacity fading. BQH−Fc, which has the lowest LUMO density on Fe, showed the highest stability. No capacity loss was observed for the BQH−Fc/BTMAP−Vi cell at 0.1 m, and a high capacity retention rate of 99.993 % h−1 was recorded at 1.5 m, which could be attributed to electrolyte crossover. To facilitate explorations of robust and high capacity catholytes, a method was established to predict the water solubility of ferrocene molecules, and calculations were in good accordance with measured values.
Polyacrylamide‐Mediated Silver Nanoparticles for Selectively Enhancing Electroreduction of CO2 towards CO in Water
Authors: Han Xiaofei , Liu Lin , Yuan Jiayi , Zhang Xinsheng , Niu Dongfang
Published: November 2020

Conversion of the greenhouse gas CO2 to value‐added products is an important challenge for sustainable energy research. Here, a durably nanohybrid composed of Ag nanoparticles and polyacrylamide was constructed for the selectively electroreduction of CO2 to CO. The nanohybrid exhibited an outstanding CO faradaic efficiency of 97.2±0.2 % at −0.89 VRHE (vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode) with a desirable CO partial current density of −22.0±2.3 mA cm−2 and maintained the CO faradaic efficiency above 95 % over a wide potential range (−0.79 to −1.09 VRHE), showing excellent stability during a 48 h prolonged electrolysis. The origins of selective enhancement of CO2 reduction over the nanohybrid stemmed from the activation of CO2 via hydrogen bond and the low basicity of the amide. DFT calculations implied that the synergy of Ag nanoparticles and amide could better stabilize the key intermediate (*COOH) and effectively lower the overpotential of CO2 reduction. These results establish the synergistic effects of organic/inorganic hybrid as a complementary method for tuning selectivity in CO2‐to‐fuels catalysis.
Urbanization mediates the effects of water quality and climate on a model aerial insectivorous bird
Authors: Sullivan S. Mažeika P. , Corra Joseph W. , Hayes Jeffry T.
Published: November 2020

Aerial insectivorous birds have experienced alarming population declines in eastern North America. Meanwhile, urbanization continues to increase rapidly, with urban land use comprising 69.4 million acres (1 acre = 0.40 ha), or 3.6% of total land area, in the contiguous United States. Multiple environmental changes are associated with urbanization, including alterations to local climate, changes in habitat structure, and potential shifts in both terrestrial and emergent aquatic flying insects on which aerial insectivorous birds rely. Here, we investigated the linkages between urbanization, water quality, and Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) reproductive success and body condition at seven river‐riparian sites representing urban and protected land use in Columbus, Ohio (USA) over five consecutive years (2014–2018). Tree Swallows at urban and protected sites relied on emergent aquatic insects for 37.4% and 30.8% (SD = 28.4% and 24.1%) of their nutritional subsidies, respectively. Despite the loss of environmental quality generally attributed to cities, Tree Swallows exhibited greater reproductive success in urban settings where climate was more amenable to egg and nestling survival, and the breeding season was longer. Urban‐nesting Tree Swallows initiated laying 7.9 d earlier and fledged 35% more young per nest than those at protected sites. Multiple characteristics of urban sites appeared to drive these patterns, including differences in mean and extreme air temperatures and measures of water quality (e.g., water temperature, nutrient concentrations, turbidity). However, chronic effects of elevated Hg concentrations, which were 482% greater in adult swallow blood at urban sites than at protected sites where swallows exhibited a 17.4% lower trophic position, may disadvantage individuals in other ways. Further, although Tree Swallows are a good model aerial insectivore bird species, characteristics of urban landscapes that benefit Tree Swallows may not advantage other aerial insectivorous birds owing to differences in life‐history and foraging strategies. These findings implicate urbanization, local climate, and water quality as important considerations in the conservation of aerial insectivorous birds.
Extracting ecological metrics from archeological surveys of shipwrecks using submersible video and laser‐line scanning
Authors: Johnson Katrina H. , Paxton Avery B. , Taylor J. Christopher , Hoyt Joseph , McCord John , Hoffman William
Published: November 2020

Ecological metrics derived from habitat surveys can provide information necessary to understand population, community, and ecosystem processes. Here, we present a case study on the feasibility of extracting ecological metrics from archeological studies of shipwrecks. Even though shipwrecks that are the focus of archeological surveys also form habitat for diverse flora and fauna, shipwrecks are often studied separately by archeologists and ecologists. Conducting joint archeological and ecological surveys promises to maximize research resources and outputs, yet this cross‐disciplinary approach is rare. Here, we test the feasibility of extracting ecological metrics from archeological surveys of two historically significant and deep (200 m) shipwrecks, the German U‐boat U‐576 and the Nicaraguan freighter SS Bluefields, which sank in close proximity to one another on the continental shelf of North Carolina, USA during World War II. First, we assessed fish density, community composition, behavior, and spatial distribution on these shipwrecks using video and laser‐line scanning data collected from human‐occupied submersibles during archeological surveys. Second, we examined the ecological benefits and biases of pairing laser‐line scanning and video surveys designed for archeological specifications. Our approach allowed us to pinpoint locations of fish around the shipwrecks and to identify these fish to fine taxonomic levels. The extracted ecological data revealed that both shipwrecks hosted high densities (U‐576 38.2 ± 4.0; SS Bluefields 32.0 ± 18.0 per along‐ship transect) of demersal fishes, including grouper species, and that fish concentrated around high‐relief shipwreck features. More broadly, our findings demonstrate the utility and benefits of collecting multipurpose and cross‐disciplinary data and provide a proof‐of‐concept for conducting joint archeological and ecological studies.
An experimental approach to assessing the impact of ecosystem engineers on biodiversity and ecosystem functions
Authors: Losapio Gianalberto , Schmid Bernhard , Bascompte Jordi , Michalet Richard , Cerretti Pierfilippo , Germann Christoph , Haenni Jean‐Paul , Neumeyer Rainer , Ortiz‐Sánchez Francisco Javier , Pont Adrian C. , Rousse Pascal , Schmid Jürg , Sommaggio Daniele , Schöb Christian
Published: November 2020

Plants acting as ecosystem engineers create habitats and facilitate biodiversity maintenance within plant communities. Furthermore, biodiversity research has demonstrated that plant diversity enhances the productivity and functioning of ecosystems. However, these two fields of research developed in parallel and independent from one another, with the consequence that little is known about the role of ecosystem engineers in the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning across trophic levels. Here, we present an experimental framework to study this relationship. We combine facilitation by plants acting as ecosystem engineers with plant–insect interaction analysis and variance partitioning of biodiversity effects. We present a case‐study experiment in which facilitation by a cushion‐plant species and a dwarf‐shrub species as ecosystem engineers increases positive effects of plant functional diversity (ecosystem engineers and associated plants) on ecosystem functioning (flower visitation rate). The experiment, conducted in the field during a single alpine flowering season, included the following treatments: (1) removal of plant species associated with ecosystem engineers, (2) exclusion (covering) of ecosystem engineer flowers, and (3) control, i.e., natural patches of ecosystem engineers and associated plant species. We found both positive and negative associational effects between plants depending on ecosystem engineer identity, indicating both pollination facilitation and interference. In both cases, patches supported by ecosystem engineers increased phylogenetic and functional diversity of flower visitors. Furthermore, complementarity effects between engineers and associated plants were positive for flower visitation rates. Our study reveals that plant facilitation can enhance the strength of biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships, with complementarity between plants for attracting more and diverse flower visitors being the likely driver. A potential mechanism is that synergy and complementarity between engineers and associated plants increase attractiveness for shared visitors and widen pollination niches. In synthesis, facilitation among plants can scale up to a full network, supporting ecosystem functioning both directly via microhabitat amelioration and indirectly via diversity effects.
Renal profiling based on estimated glomerular filtration rate and spot urine sodium identifies high‐risk acute heart failure patients
Authors: Biegus Jan , Zymliński Robert , Testani Jeffrey , Marciniak Dominik , Zdanowicz Agata , Jankowska Ewa A. , Banasiak Waldemar , Ponikowski Piotr
Published: November 2020

Aims

In acute heart failure (AHF), assessment of renal function comprises estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which does not provide any information about renal sodium/water handling. We describe the interactions between urinary sodium concentration and eGFR to better characterize AHF patients.

Methods and results

In 219 patients with AHF, spot urine sodium (UNa+) and eGFR were assessed on admission, day 1 and day 2 of hospitalization. We found no correlation between UNa+ and eGFR (calculated on each consecutive day, as an average of all three values, and as changes from baseline; all P > 0.05). The population was subsequently divided into four profiles based on eGFR (preserved vs. impaired; cutoff of 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and UNa+ (sodium excreter vs. non‐excreter; cutoff of 60 mmol/L). At day 1, there were 70 (31.9%) patients classified as preserved eGFR/sodium excreter, 37 (16.8%) as impaired eGFR/sodium non‐excreter, 72 (32.9%) as impaired eGFR/sodium excreter, and 40 (18%) as preserved eGFR/sodium non‐excreter. Both sodium non‐excreter profiles were associated with an increased risk of in‐hospital heart failure worsening [odds ratio (OR) 2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3–6.4], inotrope use (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1–6.7) and rehospitalization due to AHF (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.6–6.2; all P < 0.05). The preserved eGFR/sodium non‐excreter profile was associated with highest 1‐year mortality (52.5%) and remained an independent prognosticator after adjustment for other prognosticators (hazard ratio 2.9, 95% CI 1.7–5.2; P < 0.0005).

Conclusions

In AHF, values of spot UNa+ and eGFR are not interrelated. Concomitant assessment of eGFR and spot UNa+ may be useful for better clinical and therapeutic profiling of patients.
Does genetic diversity protect host populations from parasites? A meta-analysis across natural and agricultural systems
Authors: Gibson Amanda Kyle , Nguyen Anna E.
Published: November 2020

If parasites transmit more readily between closely related hosts, then parasite burdens should decrease with increased genetic diversity of host populations. This important hypothesis is often accepted at face value—notorious epidemics of crop monocultures testify to the vulnerability of host populations that have been purged of diversity. Yet the relationship between genetic diversity and parasitism likely varies across contexts, differing between crop and noncrop hosts and between experimental and natural host populations. Here, we used a meta-analytic approach to ask if host diversity confers protection against parasites over the range of contexts in which it has been tested. We synthesized the results of 102 studies, comprising 2004 effect sizes representing a diversity of approaches and host-parasite systems. Our results validate a protective effect of genetic diversity, while revealing significant variation in its strength across biological and empirical contexts. In experimental host populations, genetic diversity reduces parasitism by ∼20% for noncrop hosts and by ∼50% for crop hosts. In contrast, observational studies of natural host populations show no consistent relationship between genetic diversity and parasitism, with both strong negative and positive correlations reported. This result supports the idea that, if parasites preferentially attack close relatives, the correlation of genetic diversity with parasitism could be positive or negative depending upon the potential for host populations to evolve in response to parasite selection. Taken together, these results reinforce genetic diversity as a priority for both conservation and agriculture and emphasize the challenges inherent to drawing comparisons between controlled experimental populations and dynamic natural populations.
The roles of standard cigarettes in assuring the ignition resistance of soft furnishings
Authors: Gann Richard G. , Kim Ickchan , Lund Steven P. , Guthrie William F. , Robbins Amanda P. , Hnetkovsky Edward J. , Davis Rick D.
Published: November 2020

Regulations for cigarette ignition resistance (CIR) of soft furnishings (beds and upholstered furniture) and less fire‐prone cigarettes have contributed substantially to the decrease in losses from cigarette‐initiated fires over time. Two standard reference cigarettes play key roles in mitigating these losses and in sustaining the effectiveness of the fire safety regulations as exogenous changes occur. SRM 1082 provides a uniform, durable supply of cigarettes for use in ASTM E2187 that assures manufacturers and regulators of compliance with regulations for reduced ignition propensity cigarettes; enables quality control of cigarette fire test performance; enables assurance of uniform interlaboratory test results; obviates effects on fire safety as tobacco crops and smokers change over time; and, when the original ASTM E2187 substrate material was no longer available, enabled adding a new, equivalent substrate. SRM 1196 provides a uniform, durable supply of cigarettes for assurance of consistent interlaboratory evaluation of the ignition resistance of soft furnishings using the mandated test methods; obviates possible unknown changes in soft furnishings' CIR due to the evolving ignition strength of the original test cigarette over time; and provided a test cigarette that was stronger than most cigarettes being smoked after manufacture of the original commercial test cigarette ceased.
A new corner boundary condition for the discrete unified gas kinetic scheme
Authors: Guo Wenqiang , Liu Senyun , Hou Guoxiang , Yu Yang
Published: November 2020

The implementation of the boundary condition at the corner points is very important. The discontinuities at the corner points propagate in the computational domain and have a great impact on the surrounding points and the global solution in the evolution process, resulting in the poor precision or the unphysical oscillatory behavior. However, it had been a largely under explored domain in the discrete unified gas kinetic scheme (DUGKS) methods. In the last few years, the DUGKS is proposed as a mesoscopic finite volume method with great development potential. In order to improve accuracy and efficiency, this paper proposes a new corner boundary condition for the DUGKS, which is deduced strictly in theory and available to satisfy conservation relations. The new corner boundary condition is validated by three numerical tests: the flow past a square cylinder (external flow), lid‐driven cavity flow (internal flow) and flow past the AUV (nonright angle corner). The results show that the convergence efficiency and accuracy of the DUGKS are improved by the new corner boundary condition.
Data mining combined with experiments to validate CEP55 as a prognostic biomarker in colorectal cancer
Authors: Lin Kang , Zhu Xiaojian , Luo Chen , Bu Fanqin , Zhu Jinfeng , Zhu Zhengming
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common tumor with high morbidity and mortality. Current specific diagnosis regarding CRC remains complicated and costly, and specific diagnostic biomarkers are lacking.

Methods

To find potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for CRC, we screened and analyzed many CRC sequencing data by The Cancer Genome Atlas Program and Gene Expression Omnibus, and validated that CEP55 may be a potential diagnostic biomarker for CRC by molecular cytological experiments and immunohistochemistry, among others.

Results

We found that CEP55 is upregulated in CRC tissues and tumor cells and can promote CRC proliferation and metastasis by activating the p53/p21 axis and that CEP55 mutations in tumor patients result in worse overall survival and disease‐free survival time. Besides, we also found that genes, such as CDK1, CCNB1, NEK2, KIF14, CDCA5, and RFC3 were upregulated in tumors, and their mutations would affect the prognosis of CRC patients, but these results await for more experimental evidence.

Conclusion

Our study validates CEP55 as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for CRC, and we also provide multiple genes and potential molecular mechanisms that may serve as diagnostic and prognostic markers for CRC.
Disentangling social support mobilization via online neighborhood networks
Authors: De Meulenaere Jonas , Baccarne Bastiaan , Courtois Cédric , Ponnet Koen
Published: November 2020

This paper proposes and tests a theoretical model to investigate the mechanism underpinning local social support exchange via online neighborhood networks (ONNs). We drew on community psychology, social support, and social media literature and used a survey conducted in the Dutch‐speaking part of Belgium among 561 ONN users (nfemales = 409; 72.9%) between 18 and 82 years old (Mage = 43.73;SDage = 15.37). We found that engaging in online neighboring behaviors was associated to both online and offline neighborhood sense of community. Subsequently, these provide access to perceived local social support and the intention to mobilize local social support online. The latter was predominantly explained via the path along online sense of community. ONNs facilitate local bridging behavior, connecting otherwise distinct local networks and ties. At the same time, online neighboring behaviors provide the normative context that supports the exchange process.
ACVR2B antagonism as a countermeasure to multi‐organ perturbations in metastatic colorectal cancer cachexia
Authors: Huot Joshua R. , Pin Fabrizio , Narasimhan Ashok , Novinger Leah J. , Keith Austin S. , Zimmers Teresa A. , Willis Monte S. , Bonetto Andrea
Published: November 2020

Background

Advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) is often accompanied by the development of liver metastases, as well as cachexia, a multi‐organ co‐morbidity primarily affecting skeletal (SKM) and cardiac muscles. Activin receptor type 2B (ACVR2B) signalling is known to cause SKM wasting, and its inhibition restores SKM mass and prolongs survival in cancer. Using a recently generated mouse model, here we tested whether ACVR2B blockade could preserve multiple organs, including skeletal and cardiac muscle, in the presence of metastatic CRC.

Methods

NSG male mice (8 weeks old) were injected intrasplenically with HCT116 human CRC cells (mHCT116), while sham‐operated animals received saline (n = 5–10 per group). Sham and tumour‐bearing mice received weekly injections of ACVR2B/Fc, a synthetic peptide inhibitor of ACVR2B.

Results

mHCT116 hosts displayed losses in fat mass ( − 79%, P < 0.0001), bone mass ( − 39%, P < 0.05), and SKM mass (quadriceps: − 22%, P < 0.001), in line with reduced muscle cross‐sectional area ( − 24%, P < 0.01) and plantarflexion force ( − 28%, P < 0.05). Further, despite only moderately affected heart size, cardiac function was significantly impaired (ejection fraction %: − 16%, P < 0.0001; fractional shortening %: − 25%, P < 0.0001) in the mHCT116 hosts. Conversely, ACVR2B/Fc preserved fat mass ( + 238%, P < 0.001), bone mass ( + 124%, P < 0.0001), SKM mass (quadriceps: + 31%, P < 0.0001), size (cross‐sectional area: + 43%, P < 0.0001) and plantarflexion force ( + 28%, P < 0.05) in tumour hosts. Cardiac function was also completely preserved in tumour hosts receiving ACVR2B/Fc (ejection fraction %: + 19%, P < 0.0001), despite no effect on heart size. RNA sequencing analysis of heart muscle revealed rescue of genes related to cardiac development and contraction in tumour hosts treated with ACVR2B/Fc.

Conclusions

Our metastatic CRC model recapitulates the multi‐systemic derangements of cachexia by displaying loss of fat, bone, and SKM along with decreased muscle strength in mHCT116 hosts. Additionally, with evidence of severe cardiac dysfunction, our data support the development of cardiac cachexia in the occurrence of metastatic CRC. Notably, ACVR2B antagonism preserved adipose tissue, bone, and SKM, whereas muscle and cardiac functions were completely maintained upon treatment. Altogether, our observations implicate ACVR2B signalling in the development of multi‐organ perturbations in metastatic CRC and further dictate that ACVR2B represents a promising therapeutic target to preserve body composition and functionality in cancer cachexia.
Morphology of the male and female reproductive tracts of virgin and mated Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)
Authors: Dantas Priscylla Costa , Santos Helen Cristina Pinto , Bozdoğan Hakan , Serrão José Eduardo , Carvalho Geraldo Andrade
Published: November 2020

Predatory insects have reproductive organs rich in complex changes that may be responsible for the success of their population growth. The species Chrysoperla externa is a predator used in biological control programs in Latin America. However, there is no morphological data about the morphology of the reproductive tract in this insect. This study describes the morphology of the reproductive organs of virgin and mated C. externa male and female. The male has a pair of testes yellow in color and five pairs of accessory glands closely associated with the seminal vesicles. The testis follicles are twisted filled with cysts in different developmental stages. The pair of ovaries in the females shows asymmetry with 9–11 ovarioles per ovary with oocytes in different developmental stages and a spherical spermatheca. Virgin and mated males have no differences in the size of the testes, seminal vesicle, and accessory glands. C. externa females show morphological changes in the reproductive tract according to sexual maturation, which is triggered by mating. The ovary activation occurs after female mating. The ovaries are of merotistic polytrophic type. The spermathecal reservoir is lined by a flattened epithelium with a thin cuticular intima and associated with well‐developed muscles. It is concluded that the reproductive tract of C. externa is similar in virgin and mated males and females. Egg production is activated only after mating and the development of reproductive tract structures is faster in mated females.
Association between transient appetite loss and vitamin B1 deficiency in elderly patients with suspected deficiency
Authors: Ohta Ryuichi , Ryu Yoshinori , Hattori Shuzo
Published: November 2020

Background

There is scarce evidence associating vitamin B1 levels and appetite loss duration in elderly patients with suspected B1 deficiency. We aimed to investigate this association in elderly hospitalized patients with suspected vitamin B1 deficiency in rural Japan.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study evaluated 309 elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 years) admitted to one rural Hospital between April 2017 and March 2019. We collected data on vitamin B1 level, age, sex, body mass index, albumin levels, area of residence, long‐term care, dependent conditions, activities of daily living, Charlson comorbidity index, and appetite loss from the patients' electronic medical records. Vitamin B1 deficiency was defined as serum vitamin B1 levels <20 μg/dL. Data were analyzed using the Mann‐Whitney U, Student's t, and chi‐square tests, followed by multivariable logistic regression, to examine the association between vitamin B1 deficiency and appetite loss.

Results

Eighty‐eight (28.5%) patients had vitamin B1 deficiency. In multivariable logistic regression, appetite loss (for both < 1 and > 1 week) before admission to the hospital showed a significant association with vitamin B1 deficiency (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =10.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.16‐22.00, P < .001; and AOR = 5.77, 95% CI: 2.88‐11.50, P < .001, respectively).

Conclusions

Appetite loss is associated with vitamin B1 deficiency in elderly Japanese patients living in rural areas. Therefore, physicians should be aware of the possibility of vitamin B1 deficiency in elderly patients with appetite loss and focus on early intervention.
Tocilizumab in hospitalized patients with COVID‐19: Clinical outcomes, inflammatory marker kinetics, and safety
Authors: Hill Joshua A. , Menon Manoj P. , Dhanireddy Shireesha , Wurfel Mark M. , Green Margaret , Jain Rupali , Chan Jeannie D. , Huang Joanne , Bethune Danika , Turtle Cameron , Johnston Christine , Xie Hu , Leisenring Wendy M. , Nina Kim H. , Cheng Guang‐Shing
Published: November 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) due to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 causes substantial morbidity. Tocilizumab, an interleukin‐6 receptor antagonist, might improve outcomes by mitigating inflammation. We conducted a retrospective study of patients admitted to the University of Washington Hospital system with COVID‐19 and requiring supplemental oxygen. Outcomes included clinical improvement, defined as a two‐point reduction in severity on a six‐point ordinal scale or discharge, and mortality within 28 days. We used Cox proportional‐hazards models with propensity score inverse probability weighting to compare outcomes in patients who did and did not receive tocilizumab. We evaluated 43 patients who received tocilizumab and 45 who did not. Patients receiving tocilizumab were younger with fewer comorbidities but higher baseline oxygen requirements. Tocilizumab treatment was associated with reduced C‐reactive protein, fibrinogen, and temperature, but there were no meaningful differences in time to clinical improvement (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38–2.22) or mortality (aHR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.21–1.52). A numerically higher proportion of tocilizumab‐treated patients had subsequent infections, transaminitis, and cytopenias. Tocilizumab did not improve outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID‐19. However, this study was not powered to detect small differences, and there remains the possibility for a survival benefit.
Indirect optimal tuning rules for fractional order proportional integral derivative controller
Authors: Trivedi Rishika , Verma Bharat , Padhy Prabin K.
Published: November 2020

In this article, the tuning rules of fractional order PID controller are derived using Indirect Design Approach‐1. In Indirect Design Approach‐1, the plant is shifted in the frequency domain using the shifting parameter ψ. The tuning rules of stochastically optimized fractional order PID controllers exist in literature for the fixed values of maximum sensitivity. Maximum Sensitivity or robustness of the process is application dependent. Due to complex fractional order mathematics, the design of fractional order PID controller is complex. Therefore, in this article, new optimal tuning rules for FOPID controller are proposed using the shifted version of the plant. The adjustable robustness is achieved by varying tuning variable ψ which has a linear relation with the Maximum Sensitivity, Gain margin and Phase Margin. The range of ψ within which it can be varied is also proposed for both stable and unstable processes. Simulation is carried out in the MALTAB environment for validating the proposed methodology. A stable and an unstable first order process with time delay is considered for simulation. For the practical viability and novelty, a real‐time experiment on the level control of Canonical Tank using the proposed methodology is shown.
Burden and impact of arrhythmias in asthma‐related hospitalizations: Insight from the national inpatient sample
Authors: Taha Muhanad , Mishra Tushar , Shokr Mohamed , Sharma Aditi , Taha Mazen , Samavati Lobelia
Published: November 2020

Background

This study aimed to analyze the burden and impact of cardiac arrhythmias in adult patients hospitalized with asthma exacerbation using the nationwide inpatient database.

Methods

We used the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database (2010‐2014) to identify arrhythmias in asthma‐related hospitalization and its impact on inpatient mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), and hospitalization charges. We also used multivariable analysis to identify predictors of in‐hospital arrhythmia and mortality.

Results

We identified 12,988,129 patients hospitalized with primary diagnosis of asthma; among them, 2,014,459(16%) patients had cardiac arrhythmia. The most frequent arrhythmia identified is atrial fibrillation (AFib) (8.95%). The AFib and non‐AFib arrhythmia group had higher mortality (3.40% & 2.22% vs 0.74%), mean length of stay (LOS) (5.9 & 5.4 vs 4.2 days), and hospital charges ($53,172 & $51,105 vs $34,585) as compared to the non‐arrhythmia group (P < .005). Predictors of arrhythmia in asthma‐related hospitalization were history of PCI or CABG, valvular heart disease, congestive heart failure (CHF), and acute respiratory failure. Predictors of higher mortality in arrhythmia group were acute respiratory failure, sepsis, and acute myocardial infarction.

Conclusions

Around 16% of adult patients hospitalized with asthma exacerbation experience arrythmia (mostly AFib 8.95%). The presence of arrhythmias was associated with higher in‐hospital mortality, LOS, and hospital charges in hospitalized asthmatics.
Rethinking of the UK strategic public decision: Outsourcing, accountability, and governance perspectives
Authors: Alkaraan Fadi , Floyd David
Published: November 2020

The expectation gap of strategic public decision outcomes remains continued. Rising costs and lower service quality have frequently marked the outcomes. The government's information about contracts and their performance has also been criticized in recent years. Successful public decisions require effective strategic control mechanisms that link inputs, processes, outputs and outcomes straightforward and uncontroversial. This article reviews public decision outcomes from accountability and governance perspectives. It articulates the rationale regarding the rethinking of the UK strategic public decision—outsourcing.
Capitalism and colonial approach reborn? Chinese economic involvement in Africa
Authors: Jaworski Piotr Marek , Lu Xiaoming , Gertsch David
Published: November 2020

Chinese investment in Africa has stimulated debate. Africa needs foreign investment for its economic development. China assists other developing economies. However, Chinese investment focuses more on expropriating colonized wealth and failed to provide the same legal property.
New evidence on value creation through hedge fund activism: A qualitative comparative analysis
Authors: Ben Arfa Nouha , Ammari Aymen , Boussaada Rim
Published: November 2020

Hedge funds' engagements do not cause value‐enhancing as acknowledged by previous research; new insights highlight how distinct strategies combine into configurational causes of value improvement of the two common short‐run and long‐run forms of market reactions. Qualitative comparative analysis is applied and uncovers several equifinal configurations associated with value creation. The results reveal that the hostility of hedge funds' tactics is a necessary condition or, in other words, a prerequisite for high short/long term abnormal returns. Corporate governance changes, financial restructurings and hostility of tactics are sufficient conditions or, in other words, a guarantee for high‐value enhancement. The findings indicate substitutive and complimentary relationships between different tactics and high short/long‐run market reaction, suggesting the complexities of value creation.
BRAC's Water, Sanitation and Hygiene program looks beyond the MDG 7C goals: The case of empowering rural sanitation entrepreneurs in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Mizan , Haque Shamim E.
Published: November 2020

BRAC, the largest non‐government organization (NGO) of the world, empowers the rural community underserved by the capitalistic market environment. It is an important phenomenon, especially in the case of serving the very poor in developing countries.
Experience versus youth: An exploratory study of the motivations of older entrepreneurs
Authors: Gray Gillian , Smith Helen Lawton
Published: November 2020

The decision of someone over the age of 50 to switch from traditional employment to being an entrepreneur was found to arise from a complex mix of personal motivation, access to resources, and environmental determinants. When beginning their careers, people over 50 who became entrepreneurs only ever considered traditional employment with corporate companies and did not consider or even believe that entrepreneurship was a viable option. Advances in technology have been a significant enabler for their ability to have their businesses due to lowering the barriers to entry. Attitudes to work have changed twofold: entrepreneurship is now a viable career choice, and the traditional job for life no longer exists.
Millennials' preference of hedonic value over utilitarian value: Evidence from a developing country
Authors: Alam Mirza Mohammad Didarul , Babu Mujahid Mohiuddin , Noor Nor Azila Mohd , Rahman Syed Abidur , Alam Mohammad Zahedul
Published: November 2020

The philosophy of a free‐market economy has encouraged enormous consumption, which has redefined the customers' perception of value (hedonic and utilitarian) and loyalty even in a developing country. To maximize their consumption level, customers, in many instances, prefer hedonic value to utilitarian value and demonstrate limited loyalty to any brand. This study investigated the Millennials customers' preference between hedonic value and utilitarian value and its impact on loyalty, in the context of a developing country which adopts a combination of capitalist and control economy. Data were collected from customers from the retail industry and were analyzed with PLS‐SEM technique. The findings suggest that, in the developing economy, Millennials prefer hedonic consumption value, which is related to their loyalty and corporate image of the store.
Interest rate and income disparity: Evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Husain Shaiara , Sohag Kazi , Hasan Rajibul , Shams S. M. Riad
Published: November 2020

We highlight the most adverse impact of capitalism on inequality through the channel of the interest rate. The interest rate has been an instrument of capitalism which aggravates the accumulation of wealth in the hands of very few people and thereby worsens inequality. To this end, this article scrutinises the dynamic impact of financial development on income inequality in the context of Indonesia, applying DOLS and FMOLS approach by analysing time series data over the years of 1984 to 2018. Rising income inequalities has been a common perpetuating trend of East Asian countries among which we find the case of Indonesia worth interesting to study while filling up the gap in the existing literature. We provide evidence that interest rate exacerbates income inequality in the long‐run economy of Indonesia. Financial development in the early phases of development favours economic activity in the urban sector based on capital intensive technology which does not help absorb excess rural labour. The empirical finding of this study profoundly demonstrates one of the substantial drawbacks of capitalism in terms of income disparity.
Internal Auditory Canal Diverticula in Children: A Congenital Variant
Authors: Muelleman Thomas J. , Kavookjian Hannah , Asmar Julia , Patel Kirang , Nielsen David , Summers Kyle , Tracy Meghan , Noel‐MacDonnell Janelle , Staecker Hinrich , Ledbetter Luke , Weatherly Robert
Published: November 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

Internal auditory diverticula in adults have been found to exist independent of otosclerosis, and in the presence of otosclerosis. We sought to determine the prevalence of internal auditory canal (IAC) diverticula in a pediatric cohort, to assess whether IAC diverticula are a risk factor for hearing loss, and the co‐occurrence of otic capsule hypoattenuation.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

A single‐site retrospective review of high‐resolution temporal bones computed tomography (CT) scans including the presence and size of diverticula and hypoattenuation of the otic capsule. Demographic, imaging, and audiometric data were collected and descriptively analyzed. Bivariate analysis of collected variables was conducted. Comparisons between sides in unilateral cases were also performed.

Results

16/600 (2.7%; 95% CI [2.0%, 3.4%]) were found to have IAC diverticula. Six were bilateral. Thirty‐one patients (5.2%) were found to have hypoattenuation of the otic capsule. There were no coincident cases of IAC diverticulum and hypoattenuation of the otic capsule. There was no association between the presence of IAC diverticula and age (P = .13). In six patients with unilateral diverticula, pure tone average (P = .42), and word recognition (P = .27) scores were not significantly different when compared to the normal, contralateral side.

Conclusions

The prevalence of IAC diverticula in children is lower than the prevalence in adults. IAC diverticula in children likely represent congenital variants of temporal bone anatomy. Similar to adult populations, there is evidence that IAC diverticula in children are likely not an independent risk factor for hearing loss.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1683–E1687, 2021