bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3D printing with MRI in pediatric applications
Authors: Parthasarathy Jayanthi , Krishnamurthy Ramkumar , Ostendorf Adam , Shinoka Toshiharu , Krishnamurthy Rajesh
Published: July 2019

3D printing (3DP) applications for clinical evaluation, preoperative planning, patient and trainee education, and simulation has increased in the past decade. Most of the applications are found in cardiovascular, head and neck, orthopedic, neurological, urological, and oncological surgical cases. This review has three parts. The first part discusses the technical pathway to realizing a physical model, 3DP considerations in pediatric MRI image acquisition, data and resolution requirements, and related structural segmentation and postprocessing steps needed to generalize both virtual and physical models. Standard practices and processing software used in these processes will be assessed. The second part discusses complementary examples in pediatric applications, including cases from cardiology, neuroradiology, neurology, and neurosurgery, head and neck, orthopedics, pelvic and urological applications, oncological applications, and fetal imaging. The third part explores other 3D printing applications and considerations such as using 3DP to develop tissue‐specific phantoms and devices for testing in the MR environment, to educate patients and their families, to train clinicians and students, and facility requirements for building a 3DP program.

Level of Evidence: 5

Technical Efficacy: Stage 5

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1641–1658.
Capacity utilization based on contention window management in mobile ad hoc network
Authors: M Abdul Gafur , Ben Saleh Ahmed
Published: July 2019

A major challenge to the mobile ad hoc network (MANET) is the ability to efficiently utilize the available capacity. The exposed terminal problem (ETP) and the hidden terminal problem (HTP) are considered as major concerns in the media access control (MAC) layers of MANET. During transmission, there is an increase in energy consumption, unnecessary delay, overhead, and the number of retransmission due to the request to send (RTS) packet collision. To eliminate these problems, we have developed an algorithm called receiver collision sensing scheme in multiple access control (RCSS‐MAC) for collisions detection by the receiver. This method uses appeal for RTS (ARTS) packet to detect unsuccessful RTS packet. Here, we use only the minimal number of ARTS to reduce unnecessary retransmission, delay, and RTS collision. The performance of this method can be improved using the contention window (CW) management scheme to reset and renovate the failed system. In RCSS‐MAC, an additional field (victory rate) in MAC frame is utilized to control the CW management to reflect the network condition in and around the receiver. Simulation is carried out under the open‐source second version of the network simulator (NS2). As a result, RCSS‐MAC algorithm achieves better performance than conventional techniques in terms of delay, throughput, and energy consumption and network lifetime.
Analysis of urban rainfall from hourly to seasonal scales using high‐resolution radar observations in the Netherlands
Authors: Manola Iris , Steeneveld Gert‐Jan , Uijlenhoet Remko , Holtslag Albert A. M.
Published: July 2019

In this article an analysis of urban rainfall from hourly to seasonal scales is conducted for the Netherlands, with a focus on its capital, Amsterdam. In addition, the potential of synoptic weather types and local wind directions to categorize extreme rainfall in Amsterdam is assessed. An analysis of gauge‐adjusted daily radar rainfall retrievals with 1 km spatial resolution for 10 years shows that rainfall is enhanced over Dutch cities compared to their rural surroundings, with a maximum of a 14.2% increase over the largest cities in winter. The annual cumulative rainfall in Amsterdam appears to be significantly higher compared to its surroundings. This is due both to the higher frequency of occurrence of urban rainfall and to the higher hourly mean intensities. Extreme hourly rainfall rates appear to be affected by urban areas only in summer. Diurnal and weekly rainfall cycles do not reveal any significant urban influence. A wind direction analysis reveals that extreme rainfall events can primarily be attributed to westerly and next to southerly air masses. An analysis of the Jenkinson and Collinson (JC) and the German Weather Service (Deutscher Wetterdienst, DWD) weather types with rainfall and extreme rainfall events reveals that the JC weather types are more indicative of situations associated with rainfall extremes, whereas the DWD weather types are more indicative of situations resulting in higher accumulated rainfall amounts.
Understanding the inter‐decadal variability of autumn precipitation over North Central China using model simulations
Authors: Qin Minhua , Dai Aiguo , Li Dongliang , Hua Wenjian
Published: July 2019

A recent study has shown a robust relationship between the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and inter‐decadal variations in autumn precipitation over North Central China (NCC). However, the physical processes underlying these inter‐decadal precipitation variations are not fully understood. Here we analyse multi‐member ensembles of atmospheric reanalysis and model simulations to examine the atmospheric and precipitation responses to sea surface temperature (SST) forcing. Despite the large inter‐member spread resulting from atmospheric internal variability, the model simulations forced by the observed SSTs show an important role of mid‐latitude atmospheric circulation in influencing the inter‐decadal precipitation variations over NCC. We also analyse the sensitivity experiments using three atmospheric models forced by the Inter‐decadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO)/PDO‐like SST fields. The results suggest that the SST anomalies associated with a negative IPO phase can induce anomalous positive pressure anomalies over the East Asia‐Japan‐North Pacific region, which weakens the East Asian trough (EAT) and produces southerly advection of warm and moist air into NCC, leading to increased precipitation there. This study provides a depiction of how the IPO/PDO‐associated SSTs induce inter‐decadal oscillations in mid‐latitude atmospheric circulations, which in turn cause inter‐decadal precipitation variations over NCC.
Impact of Bacterial Infections on Osteogenesis: Evidence From In Vivo Studies
Authors: Croes Michiel , van der Wal Bart C. H. , Vogely H. Charles
Published: July 2019

The clinical impact of bacterial infections on bone regeneration has been incompletely quantified and documented. As a result, controversy exists about the optimal treatment strategy to maximize healing of a contaminated defect. Animal models are extremely useful in this respect, as they can elucidate how a bacterial burden influences quantitative healing of various types of defects relative to non‐infected controls. Moreover, they may demonstrate how antibacterial treatment and/or bone grafting techniques facilitate the osteogenic response in the harsh environment of a bacterial infection. Finally, it a well‐known contradiction that osteomyelitis is characterized by uncontrolled bone remodeling and bone loss, but at the same time, it can be associated with excessive new bone apposition. Animal studies can provide a better understanding of how osteolytic and osteogenic responses are related to each other during infection. This review discusses the in vivo impact of bacterial infection on osteogenesis by addressing the following questions (i) How does osteomyelitis affect the radiographic bone appearance? (ii) What is the influence of bacterial infection on histological bone healing? (iii) How do bacterial infections affect quantitative bone healing? (iv) What is the effect of antibacterial treatment on the healing outcome during infection? (v) What is the efficacy of osteoinductive proteins in infected bones? (vi) What is the balance between the osteoclastic and osteoblastic response during bacterial infections? (vii) What is the mechanism of the observed pro‐osteogenic response as observed in osteomyelitis? © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research© published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Orthopaedic Research Society. J Orthop Res 37:2067–2076, 2019
Enhanced anharmonic phonon coupling and decay dominated by low‐energy phonons in CdS nanowires
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Faisal , Saeed Sara , Wu Lingling , Zhu Peng , Wang Deliang
Published: July 2019

Low‐energy optical phonons with energy in the order of that of acoustic phonons are readily populated at room temperature, and therefore, they play a key role in thermal, electronic, and thermo‐electric fundamental processes in a solid material. High‐quality crystalline cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanowires with a diameter of several tens of nanometer and a length up to several micrometers (3–5 μm) demonstrate strong exciton–phonon coupling. This strong coupling interaction allows us to observe low‐energy optical phonons and their anharmonic couplings to high‐energy phonon modes. In this study, second and higher order multiphonons related to the
phonon were observed in near resonance Raman scattering condition (excitation wavelength of 532 nm). The clear observation of the multiphonon modes makes it possible to study composite phonon anharmonic decay. The experimental results show that low‐energy phonons (both optical and acoustical) dominate anharmonic phonon decay in CdS.
Effect of organic acid on recovery yields and characteristics of rohu (Labeo rohita) protein isolates extracted using pH shift processing
Authors: Surasani Vijay Kumar Reddy , Raju CV , Chandra MV , Shafiq Uzair , Lakshmisha IP
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Proteins recovery using hydrochloric acid (HCl) in acid‐aided solubilization could cause greater loss in its functionality over alkali‐aided solubilization. Moreover, using HCl in edible foods is also a health concern. Replacing HCl with organic acids for acid‐aided solubilization could address these problems. The aim was to study the effect of organic acid (glacial acetic acid) as a replacement for HCl during pH shift processing on the characteristics and functionality of rohu (Labeo rohita) protein isolates. Rohu proteins were obtained by solubilizing at pH 3.0 and pH 11.0 using glacial acetic acid and sodium hydroxide (10 mol L−1).

RESULTS

Results showed that solubilization at pH 11.0 gave higher protein yields (766.8 ± 2.4 g kg−1) compared to solubilization at pH 3.0 (735.7 ± 7.1 g kg−1) (P < 0.05). Isolates from acid‐aided solubilization had higher whiteness and total pigment content over isolates obtained by alkali‐aided solubilization. Rohu isolates recovered by alkaline solubilization showed higher water and oil holding capacity, gel strength, folding scores, foaming and emulsion capacity than acid processed isolates (P < 0.05). Solubilization of rohu proteins using glacial acetic acid produced isolates with low breaking force (149.0 g), low storage modulus (G′) values and low folding test score (1.0) over the alkaline isolates (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Results indicated that, recovering rohu proteins using organic acid (glacial acetic acid) could produce isolates with poor functional properties, while using the organic acid to precipitate the proteins solubilized by alkali‐aided processing could produce proteins with better yields and functionality. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Winter predation patterns of wolves in Northwestern Wyoming
Authors: Woodruff Susannah P. , Jimenez Michael D.
Published: July 2019

Wolf (Canis lupus) diets and potential effects on prey have been a prominent subject of interest to wildlife researchers and managers since reintroduction into Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, in 1995 and 1996. Post‐reintroduction, wolves expanded south and recolonized areas in the southern Yellowstone ecosystem. Elk (Cervus elaphus) in this area are supplementally fed during winter (Dec–Mar) at state‐managed feedgrounds, resulting in high‐density congregations of elk. From December to March 2000–2007, we determined the winter predation patterns of wolves by examining the remains of 289 wolf kills on 3 state‐managed feedgrounds and adjacent winter range near Jackson, Wyoming. During winters 2002–2005, we also monitored the movements of radio‐collared elk on feedgrounds to describe the response of elk to the presence of wolf kills. Thirty‐seven percent (n = 106) of kills were located on elk feedgrounds where elk composition included 49% calves, 42% adult females, 5% adult males, and 5% unknown. Sixty‐three percent (n = 183) of kills were located on winter range adjacent to feedgrounds and prey species consisted of 90% elk (38% calves, 35% adult females, 24% adult males, 2% unknown), 9% moose (Alces alces; 13% calves, 69% adult females, 6% adult males, 1% unknown), 1% mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus; 1 fawn, 1 adult female), and 0.5% adult female bison (Bison bison). Mean age of elk killed on feedgrounds was 4.2 years (range = 0–20) and 4.6 years (range = 0–23) on winter range. Calves were selected more than available in most years with female elk killed less than expected. Adult males were killed more than expected in 2005–2007. Eighty‐eight percent (n = 198) of the time elk remained on the feedground even when wolves made a kill. Less commonly, elk left the feedground, gathered in larger herds on adjacent feedgrounds absent of wolves, and returned within a few days (6%,n = 13) or left the feedground for another feedground and did not return for the rest of the winter (6%;n = 14). Elk were less likely to leave feedgrounds in the presence of a wolf kill when there were more elk on that feedground. Elk left feedgrounds with greater topography and tree cover (Alkali and Fish Creek) and gathered on the flat, open feedgrounds (Patrol Cabin) more frequently than they left flat, open feedgrounds for feedgrounds with greater topography and tree cover. Our results indicate wolves in our study area primarily preyed on elk and exhibited a strong preference for elk calves. High‐density concentrations of elk on feedgrounds will continue to be an attractant for wolves. Although elk leave feedgrounds for reasons other than wolf presence, any displacement of elk from feedgrounds due to wolves will be temporary. State managers have the ability to alter management strategies (e.g., increasing wolf harvest, phasing out elk feeding, increasing the intensity of elk feeding) in an effort to affect predator‐prey relationships. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Advance of sporadic Alzheimer's disease animal models
Authors: Zhang Lili , Chen Chen , Mak Marvin SH , Lu Junfeng , Wu Zeqing , Chen Qiuhe , Han Yifan , Li Yuefeng , Pi Rongbiao
Published: July 2019

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. In the past decades, numbers of promising drug candidates showed significant anti‐AD effects in preclinical studies but failed in clinical trials. One of the major reasons might be the limitation of appropriate animal models for evaluating anti‐AD drugs. More than 95% of AD cases are sporadic AD (sAD). However, the anti‐AD drug candidates were mainly tested in the familial AD (fAD) animal models. The diversity between the sAD and fAD might lead to a high failure rate during the development of anti‐AD drugs. Therefore, an ideal sAD animal model is urgently needed for the development of anti‐AD drugs. Here, we summarized the available sAD animal models, including their methodology, pathologic features, and potential underlying mechanisms. The limitations of these sAD animal models and future trends in the field were also discussed.
Telephone consultation increasing MH services for children
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: July 2019

While the majority of states have adopted child psychiatric telephone consultation programs, allowing pediatric providers who may lack the training to treat children's mental health disorders to consult with a specialist, up until now, no multistate studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of such programs.
Kantorovich‐type generalization of parametric Baskakov operators
Authors: İnce İlarslan Hatice Gül , Erbay Hasan , Aral Ali
Published: July 2019

In this manuscript, we define a Kantorovich generalization of the nonnegative parametric Baskakov operators. After that, the weighted uniform convergence of the generalized operators is proved. Also, we present Voronovskaja‐type asymptotic approximation theorem then establish weighted approximation properties for parametric Kantorovich operator. Numerical results show that depending on the value of the parameter, we obtain a better approximation.
Parameters derived from compound muscle action potential scan for discriminating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis‐related denervation
Authors: Sirin N. Gorkem , Oguz Akarsu Emel , Kocasoy Orhan Elif , Erbas Bahar , Artug Tugrul , Dede H. Ozlem , Baslo M. Baris , Idrisoglu Halil A. , Oge A. Emre
Published: July 2019

Introduction

The objective of this study was to determine compound muscle action potential (CMAP) scan parameters and MScanFit motor unit number estimation (MUNE) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and to compare the results in the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) to those in the abductor digiti minimi (ADM).

Methods

CMAP scans were recorded from the APB and ADM in 35 patients with ALS and 21 controls. MScanFit MUNE, neurophysiological index (NI), step%, returner%, and D50 were calculated.

Results

CMAP scan parameters including the returner%, MScanFit MUNE, and NI can distinguish ALS with high sensitivity and specificity. The electrophysiological parameters, with the exception of D50 (the number of largest consecutive differences of recorded responses generating 50% of maximum CMAP), showed more pronounced changes in the APB than in the ADM, even though most of the patients had normal APB/ADM amplitude ratios.

Discussion

CMAP scan parameters and MScanFit MUNE can be used in the evaluation of denervation and reinnervation and may herald the “split hand” in ALS.
SNR optimized 31P functional MRS to detect mitochondrial and extracellular pH change during visual stimulation
Authors: Hendriks Arjan D. , van der Kemp Wybe J.M. , Luijten Peter R. , Petridou Natalia , Klomp Dennis W.J.
Published: July 2019

Energy metabolism of the human visual cortex was investigated by performing 31P functional MRS.

Introduction

The human brain is known to be the main glucose demanding organ of the human body and neuronal activity can increase this energy demand. In this study we investigate whether alterations in pH during activation of the brain can be observed with MRS, focusing on the mitochondrial inorganic phosphate (Pi) pool as potential marker of energy demand.

Methods

Six participants were scanned with 16 consecutive 31P‐MRSI scans, which were divided in 4 blocks of 8:36 minutes of either rest or visual stimulation. Since the signals from the mitochondrial compartments of Pi are low, multiple approaches to achieve high SNR 31P measurements were combined. This included: a close fitting 31P RF coil, a 7 T‐field strength, Ernst angle acquisitions and a stimulus with a large visual angle allowing large spectroscopy volumes containing activated tissue.

Results

The targeted resonance downfield of the main Pi peak could be distinguished, indicating the high SNR of the 31P spectra. The peak downfield of the main Pi peak is believed to be connected to mitochondrial performance. In addition, a BOLD effect in the PCr signal was observed as a signal increase of 2–3% during visual stimulation as compared to rest. When averaging data over multiple volunteers, a small subtle shift of about 0.1 ppm of the downfield Pi peak towards the main Pi peak could be observed in the first 4 minutes of visual stimulation, but no longer in the 4 to 8 minute scan window. Indications of a subtle shift during visual stimulation were found, but this effect remains small and should be further validated.

Conclusion

Overall, the downfield peak of Pi could be observed, revealing opportunities and considerations to measure specific acidity (pH) effects in the human visual cortex.
Modeling errors due to Timoshenko approximation in damage identification
Authors: Castello Daniel A. , Kaipio Jari P.
Published: July 2019

The use of accurate computational models for damage identification problems may lead to prohibitive costs. Damage identification problems are often characterized as inverse ill‐posed problems. Thus, the use of approximate models such as simplified physical and/or reduced‐order models typically yields misleading results. In this paper, we carry out a preliminary study on a particular simplified physical model, the Timoshenko beam model in the context of damage identification. The actual beam is a two‐dimensional relatively high aspect ratio (thickness/length) beam with a distributed damage that is modeled as a spatially varying Young modulus. We state the problem in the Bayesian framework for inverse problems and carry out approximative marginalization over the related modeling errors. The numerical experiments suggest that the proposed approach yields more stable results than using the Timoshenko beam model as an accurate model. Due to the severity of the Timoshenko approximation, however, the posterior error estimates of the proposed approach are not always feasible in the probabilistic sense.
Differential Effects of Alternate‐Day Fasting Versus Daily Calorie Restriction on Insulin Resistance
Authors: Gabel Kelsey , Kroeger Cynthia M. , Trepanowski John F. , Hoddy Kristin K. , Cienfuegos Sofia , Kalam Faiza , Varady Krista A.
Published: July 2019

Objective

This study compared the effects of alternate‐day fasting (ADF) with those of daily calorie restriction (CR) on body weight and glucoregulatory factors in adults with overweight or obesity and insulin resistance.

Methods

This secondary analysis examined the data of insulin‐resistant individuals (n = 43) who participated in a 12‐month study that compared ADF (25% energy needs on “fast days”; 125% energy needs on alternating “feast days”) with CR (75% energy needs every day) and a control group regimen.

Results

In insulin‐resistant participants, weight loss was not different between ADF (−8% ± 2%) and CR (−6% ± 1%) by month 12, relative to controls (P < 0.0001). Fat mass and BMI decreased (P < 0.05) similarly from ADF and CR. ADF produced greater decreases (P < 0.05) in fasting insulin (−52% ± 9%) and insulin resistance (−53% ± 9%) compared with CR (−14% ± 9%; −17% ± 11%) and the control regimen by month 12. Lean mass, visceral fat mass, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, C‐reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin 6 values remained unchanged.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that ADF may produce greater reductions in fasting insulin and insulin resistance compared with CR in insulin‐resistant participants despite similar decreases in body weight.
Meal‐Concurrent Media Use is Associated with Increased Dietary Intake with no Evidence of Next Meal Compensation in Free‐Living Adults
Authors: Ellithorpe Morgan E. , Eden Allison , Hahn Lindsay , Ulusoy Ezgi , Yang Chia‐Lun , Tucker Robin M.
Published: July 2019

Objective

This study aimed to determine the effects of concurrent and prior media use on dietary intake and dietary compensation over 3 days in a free‐living population.

Methods

Participants recorded food intake and media use for a 3‐day period. The US Department of Agriculture multiple‐pass method was used to ensure completeness of food records. Energy, protein, fiber, carbohydrates, sugar, added sugar, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium intake were assessed.

Results

Meals consumed while participants used media included 149.3 more calories on average than meals consumed without media. Media meals were higher in protein, carbohydrates, fat, and saturated fat. There was no evidence of dietary compensation at the meal following the media meal.

Conclusions

Energy and macronutrient intake increased during media‐paired meals. Dietary compensation at the subsequent meal did not occur, suggesting that the effects of media‐paired meals are additive over the short term.
Impact of long‐term institutionalization on experiential pleasure and motivation in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Chu Min‐yi , Hu Hui‐xin , Ni Hua , Lu Wei‐hong , Lui Simon S. Y. , Yi Zhen‐hui , Cheung Eric F. C. , Chan Raymond C. K.
Published: July 2019

Anhedonia and amotivation, the hallmarks of negative symptoms in schizophrenia, are believed to be due to “emotion–behavior decoupling,” a failure in translating pleasure experience into appropriate goal‐directed behavior. A number of studies have reported that long‐term institutionalized schizophrenia patients suffer from more severe negative symptoms than community‐dwelling patients, but few studies have investigated pleasure experience and motivational behavior in schizophrenia patients who have experienced long‐term institutionalization. In this study, we recruited 26 long‐term institutionalized schizophrenia patients, 27 community‐dwelling schizophrenia patients, and 27 healthy controls. Participants were administered two specific computer‐based tasks to assess anhedonia and amotivation. The Anticipatory and Consummatory Pleasure (ACP) Task was used to measure emotion–behavior decoupling and the Effort‐Expenditure for Rewards Task (EEfRT) was used to measure amotivation related to rewards. Findings from the ACP Task showed that compared with healthy controls, the coupling between emotion experience and motivated behavior was significantly weaker in both clinical groups, suggesting that emotion–behavior decoupling could be a stable trait in schizophrenia patients. In the EEfRT, compared with both community‐dwelling patients and healthy controls, institutionalized patients with schizophrenia failed to expend more effort to gain potential rewards even when reward probability increased. These findings further reveal the underlying mechanism of anhedonia and amotivation and their potential relationships with long‐term institutionalization in patients with schizophrenia.
Determining gestational age using genome methylation profile: A novel approach for fetal medicine
Authors: Falick Michaeli Tal , Spiro Adam , Sabag Ofra , Karavani Gilad , Yagel Simha , Eventov‐Friedman Smadar , Cedar Howard , Bergman Yehudit , Gielchinsky Yuval
Published: July 2019

Gestational age determination by traditional tools (last menstrual period, ultrasonography measurements and Ballard Maturational Assessment in newborns) has major limitations and therefore there is a need to find different approaches. In this study, we looked for a molecular marker that can be used to determine the accurate gestational age of the newborn. To this end, we performed reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) on 41 cord blood and matching placenta samples from women between 25 and 40 weeks of gestation and generated an epigenetic clock based on the methylation level at different loci in the genome. We identified a set of 332 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) that undergo demethylation in late gestational age in cord blood cells and can predict the gestational age (r = −.7, P = 2E‐05). Once the set of 411 DMRs that undergo de novo methylation in late gestational age was used in combination with the first set, it generated a more accurate clock (R = .77, P = 1.87E‐05). We have compared gestational age determined by Ballard score assessment with our epigenetic clock and found high concordance. Taken together, this study demonstrates that DNA methylation can accurately predict gestational age and thus may serve as a good clinical predictor.
Signal Transduction in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
Authors: Duchatel Ryan J. , Jackson Evangeline R. , Alvaro Frank , Nixon Brett , Hondermarck Hubert , Dun Matthew D.
Published: July 2019

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is an untreatable, heterogeneous high‐grade glioma (HGG) of the brainstem. This highly aggressive cancer affects mostly young children and is uniformly fatal. Genomic studies show that DIPG is driven by somatic mutations to histone H3, either H3.1 or H3.3 variants (HIST1H3B/C and H3F3A), altering the epigenetic landscape of primitive oligodendrocyte or astrocyte precursor cells of the pontine region of the brainstem. Lysine‐to‐methionine point mutations at amino acid 27 (H3K27M) co‐occur with alterations in signaling genes, including the receptor tyrosine kinases (PDGFR/KIT/VEGFR/MET/EGFR), activin A receptor (ACVR1), intracellular kinases (PI3K/AKT/mTOR), cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDKs1/4/6), transcriptional regulators (MYCN), and tumor suppressors (PTEN/TP53). This cooperation drives gene expression signatures that inhibit cellular differentiation (ID1/2, Hedgehog) and promotes malignant transformation. Unique to DIPG, is the frequency of co‐occurring sets of genomic insults. However, mapping of the oncogenic signaling pathways activated in response to recurring mutations is unresolved. Herein, known oncogenic signal pathways activated in response to recurring somatic mutations and gene amplifications in DIPG are reviewed. Additionally, an important role for high‐resolution quantitative proteomics/phosphoproteomics in the characterization of signaling cascades are highlighted. These regulate the cell cycle, epigenetics and anti‐apoptotic processes, information critical for the development of improved treatment strategies for DIPG.
Variables that Influence Basic Prosthetic Mobility in People With Non‐Vascular Lower Limb Amputation
Authors: Gailey Robert , Clemens Sheila , Sorensen Jeffrey , Kirk‐Sanchez Neva , Gaunaurd Ignacio , Raya Michele , Klute Glenn , Pasquina Paul
Published: July 2019

Background

There exists a dearth of evidence on rehabilitation factors that influence prosthetic mobility in people with lower limb amputation (LLA). Examining variables that contribute to prosthetic mobility can inform rehabilitation interventions, providing guidance in developing more comprehensive care for these individuals.

Objective

To determine the influence of modifiable and non‐modifiable variables related to LLA and their impact on prosthetic mobility, using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model. Secondarily, to determine if personal factors and self‐reported balance and mobility are predictive of Component timed‐up‐and‐go (cTUG) performance.

Design

Cross‐sectional study of a convenience sample.

Setting

National conference.

Participants

People (N=68) with non‐vascular causes of unilateral LLA.

Methods

Assessment of anthropometrics, mobility, bilateral hip extensor strength, hip range of motion, single limb balance, and self report measures. Lasso linear regression and extreme gradient boosting analyses were used to determine influence of variables on prosthetic mobility.

Main Outcome Measure

Timed performance of the cTUG.

Results

The following five variables were found to influence basic prosthetic mobility (P ≤ .05) in people with transtibial amputation: hip extensor strength, hip range of motion, single limb balance, waist circumference, and age. In the transfemoral cohort, number of comorbidities and waist circumference primarily influenced prosthetic mobility. Additionally, 66% of the variance in cTUG total time for the entire sample could be explained by simply regressing on level of amputation, number of comorbidities, age and Activities‐specific Balance Confidence scale score, all variables easily collected in a waiting room.

Conclusion

Variables that are modifiable with physical therapy intervention including hip extensor strength, hip range of motion, single limb balance, and waist circumference significantly influenced basic prosthetic mobility. These variables can be affected by targeted rehabilitation interventions and lifestyle changes.

Level of Evidence

II.
Synthesis of methyl‐substituted azobenzene–carbazole conjugated copolymers with photoinduced structural changes
Authors: Otaki Masashi , Kumai Reiji , Goto Hiromasa
Published: July 2019

Azobenzene switches its structure instantaneously by reversible trans‐to‐cis and cis‐to‐trans photoisomerization with light irradiations. Dynamic change in polymer structure is expected via introducing an azobenzene unit into the main chain. In this study, a set of methyl‐substituted azobenzene–carbazole conjugated copolymers is synthesized by the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling method. Introduction of methyl substituents to the azobenzene unit of the monomer, and polymerization in a high‐boiling solvent improve the molecular weight of the polymer. Decrease of effective conjugation length due to the twisted structure of the main chain allows progress of photoisomerization. The microstructure of the polymer was determined with grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction (GIXD) measurements using synchrotron radiation. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1756–1764
Should isolated Pseudo‐Bartter syndrome be considered a CFTR‐related disorder of infancy?
Authors: Poli Piercarlo , De Rose Domenico Umberto , Timpano Silviana , Savoldi Gianfranco , Padoan Rita
Published: July 2019

Background

Infants that are negative to cystic fibrosis (CF) newborn screening (NBS) programs, or in countries without NBS, may present with metabolic alkalosis and severe salt depletion, a well‐known clinical manifestation of CF termed Pseudo‐Bartter syndrome (PBS). Here, we report the cases of three CF‐negative children, who carry rare mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, and, for whom, PBS was the only manifestation of CFTR protein dysfunction. There is no diagnostic label for these cases.

Methods

Medical records of patients followed at our Cystic Fibrosis Centre were revised and data were collected for all patients who presented with an isolated PBS. The syndrome was defined as an episode of dehydration with low levels of serum sodium (<134mmol/L), potassium (
<3.4mmol/L), and chloride (
<100mmol/L), with metabolic alkalosis (bicarbonatemia >27mmol/L) in the absence of renal tubulopathy.

Results

Three out of 73 (4%) CF infants presented with a severe metabolic alkalosis with salt depletion; two of these required admission to the intensive care unit. Two infants had a negative NBS, and one was identified as a CF carrier. Sweat test was repeatedly in the negative/borderline ranges for all patients. Less than two CF causing mutations were identified (F508del/R1070W, F508del; L467F/P5L, R1066H/P5L). During a mean follow‐up of 9 years, the children had no other CF manifestations.

Conclusion

We suggest that PBS as the sole manifestation of CFTR dysfunction might be considered a CFTR‐related disorder of infancy.
Levothyroxine ‐ not all tablets are the same
Authors: Sohail Siddiqui Mohsin , Shotliff Kevin
Published: July 2019

Most patients with hypothyroidism tolerate levothyroxine therapy well, but a significant minority are dissatisfied with treatment. Here, the authors examine whether this could be a result of intolerance to the excipients in the specific levothyroxine product prescribed or dispensed.
Scaling the Equivalent Oxide Thickness by Employing a TiO2 Thin Film on a ZrO2–Al2O3‐Based Dielectric for Further Scaling of Dynamic Random Access Memory
Authors: Cha Soon Hyung , An Cheol Hyun , Cho Seong Tak , Kim Dong-Gun , Kwon Dae Seon , Lim Jun Il , Jeon Woojin , Hwang Cheol Seong
Published: July 2019

A metal–insulator–metal (MIM) capacitor consisting of TiN and ZrO2/Al2O3/TiO2 (ZAT) as electrodes and dielectric layer, respectively, is demonstrated for the development of next‐generation dynamic random access memory. The TiO2 layer deposited on ZrO2–Al2O3 exhibits a highly crystallized structure with an anatase phase and a dielectric constant of 40, resulting in a significant capacitance density enhancement compared with the conventional ZrO2/Al2O3/ZrO2 (ZAZ) film. The leakage current of the ZAT film can be controlled to a level comparable with that of the ZAZ film, and the carrier conduction mechanism is dominated by the thermionic emission mechanism. Consequently, a minimum equivalent oxide thickness scaling by ≈14% can be achieved by employing ZAT, compared with the conventional ZAZ.
Reliability and economic analysis and improvement of complex mechanical products based on DEA: An empirical case study of hydraulic products
Authors: Zhao Xiuxu , Zhang Xiaomin , . Rendy , Liang Xian
Published: July 2019

Complex mechanical products involve many specialized fields such as machinery, electronics, hydraulics, and computers, so their initial cost is usually higher. In addition, regular and irregular maintenance are also needed to extend their service life, so that the cost of the product in its life cycle will be increased. Therefore, for the manufacturing enterprises of complex mechanical products, it is very important to achieve the best matching between reliability and economy. In order to survive in the fierce market competition, it is necessary to compare with other similar products in the market, so as to clearly understand the level of their products, find out the gap, and improve it. However, the existing product reliability assessment methods based on probability and statistics theory cannot provide such help for them to solve this problem. Therefore, this paper puts forward a method to evaluate and improve complex mechanical products by using a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model considering the reliability and economy of product comprehensively. Through the relative effectiveness of DEA, the same type of products on the market can be compared, providing specific method for enterprises to evaluate and improve their own product level to achieve the best matching of economy and reliability. This paper introduces the principle and steps of this method and takes the hydraulic component manufacturing enterprise as an example to carry out practical research, which verifies the feasibility and effectiveness of this method.
Combustion Process Using Plant‐Based Fuels for the Synthesis of Metal‐ Oxide Nanostructures
Authors: Vivekanandhan Singaravelu
Published: July 2019

Metal oxide nanostructures receive great interest due to their unique size and shape dependent physicochemical and functional properties. With the rapid growth of metal oxide nanotechnology, their chemical synthesis processes have become the most promising one due to their simplicity and versatility. Among the various available chemical processes such as sol‐gel, hydrothermal, polyol and precipitation, the combustion process receives significant attention. In particular, the combustion process has been extensively explored for the synthesis of various nanostructured materials including metal oxides, which involves in the exothermic reaction upon thermal heating of precursor chemicals. Recently, the combustion process has been reinvented by using the various renewable resource‐based organic fuels, which receives increasing interest among global researchers. A wide range of plant/ leaf, fruit, flower, seed, peel, latex and tuber extracts along with the plant‐derived products have been explored in combustion process for the synthesis of various metal oxides. Hence, the present review is aimed to focus the recent advances in the combustion process by using renewable fuels for the synthesis of metal oxide nanostructures and also the emerging opportunities.
SnO2/Graphene Nanocomposite Coated by Carbonized Polyacrylic Acid Hydrogel as a High‐Performance Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Fei , Cheng Tingting , Zong Jingui , Zhao Mingshu , Yang Sen , Song Xiaoping
Published: July 2019

Tin oxide is regarded as one of the most promising anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries. However, the large volume change and low electrical conductivity during charge‐discharge process hinder its practical application. In this work, carbon‐coated SnO2/graphene nanocomposite is synthesized by in‐situ polymerization of acrylic acid monomer and in‐situ carbonization of polyacrylic acid hydrogel on the surface of three‐dimensional porous structure SnO2/graphene. This unique structure ensures the stable combination of SnO2 nanoparticles with graphene and simultaneously avoids the agglomeration of SnO2 nanoparticles. Thus, the nanocomposite exhibits stable structure and excellent ionic/electronic conductivity during long‐term lithiation/delithiation process. The discharge capacity of carbon‐coated SnO2/graphene nanocomposite remains at 968 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles at 100 mA g−1 and 480 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 1000 mA g−1, which exhibits a significant improvement in both cyclability and rate capability for SnO2‐based anode materials.
The Side‐Chain Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Polymer Grafted Nanoparticles for the Thermal and Mechanical Enhancement of Epoxy Nanocomposites
Authors: Shen Yu , Cong Yue‐hua , Zhang Bao‐yan , Lang Qing‐you
Published: July 2019

In order to enhance the dispersion and the interface in epoxy nanocomposites filled nanoparticles, a novel side‐chain liquid crystalline epoxy polymer (SLCEP) was synthesized. The SLCEP grafted to alumina (Al2O3) surfaces via the carboxyl group for dispersing nanoparticles, bonded covalently with the epoxy matrix by the epoxy group for interface improvement and maintained good liquid crystal properties by the mesogenic unit. The dispersity of Al2O3in Al2O3‐SLCEP and epoxy nanocomposites were studied by Fourier transform infrared imaging system and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The interface of epoxy nanocomposites was researched by observing the fracture morphology. By preventing the agglomeration of Al2O3and strengthening its interfacial bonding with the matrix, the glass transition temperature and thermal stability of Al2O3‐SLCEP/epoxy nanocomposites were improved distinctly, and Al2O3‐SLCEP/epoxy nanocomposites were much superior to neat epoxy in mechanical properties. The excellent performance of SLCEP modified nanoparticles in epoxy demonstrates that is an effective general approach for nanoparticle/polymer.
Nickel Ammine Complex‐derived NiO Modified g‐C3N4 Composites with Enhanced Visible‐light Photocatalytic H2 Evolution Performance
Authors: Shi Huilei , Bi Jingce , Bai Chunpeng , Wu Junbiao , Xu Yan , Han Yide , Zhang Xia
Published: July 2019

In this paper, NiO/g‐C3N4 (NiO/CN) composites were successfully prepared by the wetness impregnation method using nickel ammine complex solution as NiO source. As photocatalysts, NiO/CN composites showed enhanced visible‐light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activities in the presence of triethanolamine as sacrificial agent. The effects of NiO content and annealing temperature for NiO/CN composites on the photocatalytic H2 evolution activities were investigated. Furthermore, NiO/CN composite with 10.0% NiO content after annealing at 450 °C exhibited optimal photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of 90.05 μmol⋅h−1⋅g−1 which is about 17 times higher than that of pristine CN (5.22 μmol⋅h−1⋅g−1). Moreover, the experimental results demonstrated that amorphous NiO as co‐catalyst not only offered active sites for H2 evolution but also benefited the efficient separation of the photogenerated charge carries. In addition, NiO/CN composite displayed the superior photocatalytic stability during the photocatalytic process.
2,4,7‐Triaminofluorenone as a Multi‐Analyte Colorimetric Sensor of Fluoride, Acetone Vapor, and Other Harmful Compounds
Authors: Mohar Mrittika
Published: July 2019

2,4,7‐Triaminofluorenone, a fluorenone derived multi‐analyte colorimetric chemosensor, has been synthesized via an extremely cost‐effective synthetic pathway. The sensor molecule can detect various analytes such as fluoride ion, acetone vapor, and picric acid. The violet solution of the sensor molecule becomes deep blue in the presence of fluoride ion. It can detect fluoride down to 120 ppb level. The compound in the solid state shows vapochromism only in the presence of acetone. The grey colored solid coating of the sensor molecule becomes blue in the presence of acetone vapor. This property was utilized to sense acetone vapor. Color Grab, an android based app, was utilized to detect acetone in real time down to 10 ppm level. Apart from that, the same sensor molecule was also tested for sensing different electron deficient nitro aromatic compounds due to its electron rich framework. The sensor was found to detect picric acid selectively. The sensor compound also shows acid‐base induced color change. The violet solution of the sensor molecule becomes brown in the presence of carboxylic as well as mineral acid. This reaction is reversible. Hence, the brown solution becomes violet again in the presence of aliphatic amines as well as ammonia. Utilizing this property, a method has been described to detect two widely used highly volatile chemicals HCl and NH3 in different industries.
How the severity gap influences the effect of top actor performance on outcomes following a violation
Authors: Busenbark John R. , Marshall Nathan T. , Miller Brian P. , Pfarrer Michael D.
Published: July 2019

Research Summary

Violation severity represents an important contextual factor in explaining the extent to which top actor performance is a benefit or burden following a negative event. Research often conflates how observers perceive an event with its objective severity, however, while ignoring the potential divergence between both types. We therefore introduce the severity gap, which reflects the degree to which perceived and objective violation severity diverge, and we theorize about how it informs the degree to which top actor performance offers benefits or burdens for these actors. We hypothesize and find that internal stakeholders shield strong performing top actors when the severity gap is high, but that performance is less salient to external stakeholders who distance themselves from these top actors.

Managerial Summary

Organizations embroiled in violations are often subject to formal assessments of the severity of the event as well as the court of public opinion. Yet researchers have largely conceptualized objective and perceived violation severity as mirrors of each another. We question if this captures what actually unfolds in the marketplace, particularly given the myriad examples of when violations resonate more strongly with observers than the objective severity would suggest, or vice versa. We examine how the gap between perceived and objective violation severity influences how much insiders and outsiders are concerned with top actor performance when considering which outcomes top actors encounter after the negative event. Our results suggest that insiders shield top performers as the severity gap increases, but that outsiders remain increasingly skeptical.
Bio‐Derived Co2P Nanoparticles Supported on Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon as Promising Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalyst for Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Lee Dong Wook , Jang Jue‐Hyuk , Jang Injoon , Kang Yun Sik , Jang Seguen , Lee Kwan Young , Jang Jong Hyun , Kim Hyung‐Juhn , Yoo Sung Jong
Published: July 2019

Recently, nonnoble‐metal catalysts such as a metal coordinated to nitrogen doped in a carbon matrix have been reported to exhibit superior oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity in alkaline media. In this work, Co2P nanoparticles supported on heteroatom‐doped carbon catalysts (NBSCP) are developed with an eco‐friendly synthesis method using bean sprouts. NBSCP can be easily synthesized through metal precursor absorption and carbonization at a high temperature. It shows a very large specific surface area with various dopants such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur derived from small organic molecules. The catalyst can exhibit activity in various electrochemical reactions. In particular, excellent performance is noted for the ORR. Compared to the commercial Pt/C, NBSCP exhibits a lower onset potential, higher current density, and superior durability. This excellent ORR activity and durability is attributable to the synergistic effect between Co2P nanoparticles and nitrogen‐doped carbon. In addition, superior performance is noted on applying NBSCP to a practical anion exchange membrane fuel cell system. Through this work, the possibility of applying an easily obtained bio‐derived material to energy conversion and storage systems is demonstrated.