bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison between autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation as salvage therapy for multiple myeloma relapsing/progressing after autologous stem cell transplantation
Authors: Ikeda Takashi , Mori Keita , Kawamura Koji , Mori Takehiko , Hagiwara Shotaro , Ueda Yasunori , Kahata Kaoru , Uchida Naoyuki , Tsukada Nobuhiro , Murakami Satoshi , Yamamoto Masahide , Takahashi Tsutomu , Ichinohe Tatsuo , Onizuka Makoto , Atsuta Yoshiko , Kanda Yoshinobu , Okamoto Shinichiro , Sunami Kazutaka , Takamatsu Hiroyuki
Published: November 2019

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo‐SCT) offers a clinical option to young patients with multiple myeloma (MM) relapsing/progressing after autologous SCT (ASCT); however, this claim remains debatable. Thus, in this retrospective study, we analyzed 526 patients with MM who underwent SCT for MM relapsing/progressing after the prior ASCT using the registry data of the Japan Society for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (2001‐2015) and compared overall survival (OS) between allo‐SCT (n = 192) and autologous stem cell retransplantation groups (ReASCT; n = 334) based on risk factor points. Significant adverse factors for OS in all patients were (1) male sex, (2) less than partial response to SCT, (3) performance status of 2 to 4, and (4) short duration from the prior ASCT. We scored factor 2 as 1 point, factor 3 as 2 points, and factor 4 as 0, 1, or 2 points for more than 30, 9 to 30, or less than 9 months, respectively. We categorized patients into three risk subgroups based on their total points (0, 1‐3, and 4‐5 points), indicating the usefulness of this scoring system for prognosis prediction and treatment selection. Subgroup comparison revealed OS after ReASCT to be higher than that after allo‐SCT in the intermediate‐risk subgroup comprising the largest population (28.2% vs 21.5%, P < .004). We observed no significant advantages of allo‐SCT over ReASCT in the low‐ and high‐risk subgroups. These findings suggest that ReASCT is more advantageous than allo‐SCT in many patients with MM relapsing/progressing after the prior ASCT. However, long‐term survival patients were noted only in the allo‐SCT group, and allo‐SCT could exhibit clinical efficacy, particularly in the low‐risk group. While further examination is warranted, allo‐SCT could be a potential tool for a specific population with MM relapsing/progressing after the prior ASCT.
Stagnation flow of hybrid nanoparticles with MHD and slip effects
Authors: Abbas Nadeem , Malik Muhammad Y. , Nadeem Sohail
Published: November 2019

The flow of hybrid nanoparticles with significant physical parameters with different base fluids in the presence of Biot number, velocity slip, and MHD effects has not been explored so far, particularly for a circular cylinder. Therefore, the current report is presented to offer a numerical solution for hybrid nanoparticles with base fluids (water and ethylene glycerol) via a circular cylinder. The physical situation is interpreted in terms of partial differential equations and is converted into ordinary differential equations after applying the similarity transformation. The results are presented in both tabular and graphical forms. The impact of physical parameters on velocity distribution is examined through graphs. The comparative results of hybrid nanoparticles for distinct base fluids as ethylene glycol and water are proposed and the hybrid nanoparticles with base fluid water seems to be greater than that of the hybrid nanoparticles with base fluid EG. The temperature profile of hybrid nanoparticles is found to be a decreasing function with growth in velocity slip parameter but an opposite trend is noted in case of nanoparticles . The skin friction and Nusselt number augmented for the increase in magnetic field, velocity slip, and nanoparticle while it shows a decreasing trend toward thermal slip parameter. For the both cases, improvement in Biot number helps enhance the heat transfer constantly.
Breast cancer incidence and mortality before and after implementation of the German mammography screening program
Authors: Katalinic Alexander , Eisemann Nora , Kraywinkel Klaus , Noftz Maria R. , Hübner Joachim
Published: November 2019

Effective population‐based mammography screening should impact breast cancer (BC) incidence, age and stage‐specific incidence and BC mortality. We aim to investigate such effects in a time period of 10 years after implementation of the German mammography screening program. Data on 323,719 breast cancer patients from 2003 to 2014 for defined regions covering a population of 30 million inhabitants and official mortality data from 1998 to 2016 for almost the whole of Germany were used. We compared incidence and mortality rates for the prescreening time period (2003/2004) and the latest available data (2013/2014 and 2015/2016, respectively) and performed trend analyses using joinpoint regression models. In the screening exposed age groups (50–59 and 60–69 years), BC incidence showed a typical prevalence peak with the introduction of the mammography screening, mainly driven by an increase of early‐stage BC. For Stage III and IV BC incidence in 2013/2014 was 24.2 and 23.0% (age group 50–59 years) and 28.3 and 24.2% (age group 60–69 years) lower than in the prescreening period. From 2003/2004 to 2015/2016 BC mortality decreased by 25.8 and 21.2%, respectively. As corresponding trends in nonexposed age groups were distinctly unfavorable, the reduction of late‐stage BC incidence and BC mortality in the screening exposed age groups in Germany is most likely to be attributed to the introduction of the national mammography screening program. These positive effects are bought at the cost of a moderate occurrence of overdiagnosis, especially by a sharp increase of in situ cancers.
Self‐assembly of lipid rafts revealed by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy in living breast cancer cells
Authors: Dong Shiqing , Tang Xiaoqiong , Wang Jiao , Zhang Zhenghong , Chen Jianling , Lin Yao , Xie Shusen , Wang Zhengchao , Yang Hongqin
Published: November 2019

Lipids and proteins in the plasma membrane are laterally heterogeneous and formalised as lipid rafts featuring unique biophysical properties. However, the self‐assembly mechanism of lipid raft cannot be revealed even its physical properties and components were determined in specific physiological processes. In this study, two‐photon generalised polarisation imaging and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy were used to study the fusion of lipid rafts through the membrane phase and the lateral diffusion of lipids in living breast cancer cells. A self‐assembly model of lipid rafts associated with lipid diffusion and membrane phase was proposed to demonstrate the lipid sorting ability of lipid rafts in the plasma membrane. The results showed that the increased proportion of slow subdiffusion of GM1‐binding cholera toxin B‐subunit (CT‐B) was accompanied with an increased liquid‐ordered domain during the β‐estradiol‐induced fusion of lipid rafts. And slow subdiffusion of CT‐B was vanished with the depletion of lipid rafts. Whereas the dialkylindocarbocyanine (DiIC18) diffusion was not specifically regulated by lipid rafts. This study will open up a new insight for uncovering the self‐assembly of lipid rafts in specific pathophysiological processes.
Bone Marrow and Muscle Fat Infiltration Are Correlated among Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis: The AMBERS Cohort Study
Authors: Wong Andy K , Chandrakumar Abinaa , Whyte Rachel , Reitsma Shannon , Gillick Hana , Pokhoy Anthony , Papaioannou Alexandra , Adachi Jonathan D
Published: November 2019

Bone and muscle have shown to interact, but little is known about fat within bone and muscle. Clinical studies have isolated fat within bone and muscle using MRI. In this cross-sectional study, we hypothesized that bone marrow adiposity and muscle adiposity are related and that this relationship is associated with osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women aged 60 to 85 years were recruited as part of the Appendicular Muscle and Bone Extension Research Study (AMBERS). Participants completed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the hip and spine to diagnose osteoporosis. Muscle adiposity was measured with MRI at the 66% site of the leg. Fat segmentation was achieved using a semi-automated iterative threshold-optimizing algorithm (error < 5%). Peripheral quantitative computed tomography measured marrow density of the 4% distal tibia (surrogate for marrow fat) by threshold-based, edge-detection segmentations and by examining residuals from trabecular bone density regressed on trabecular tissue mineral density. Muscle adiposity from MRI was regressed on marrow density using linear regression. Models were further examined with an interaction with osteoporosis status. Among 312 women (aged 75.4 ± 5.9 years, body mass index [BMI] 29.5 ± 5.7 kg/m2), a larger amount of muscle fat was associated with lower marrow density at the 66% mid-tibia (B = 84.08 [27.56], p = 0.002) and at the 4% distal tibia (B = 129.17 [55.96], p = 0.022) after accounting for age, height, weight, average daily energy expenditure, hypertension, and diabetes. Interactions of this relationship with osteoporosis status were also significant. Upon probing these interactions, the relationships were significant only in women with osteoporosis but not in those without osteoporosis. Fat from bone marrow and muscle may be related to one another through the same phenomenon, which is likely also responsible for osteoporosis, but independent of hypertension and diabetes. More research should focus on the potential abnormalities in muscle and bone fat metabolism and mesenchymal cell commitment to fat within patients with osteoporosis. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Democracy and tax avoidance: An international study
Authors: Ma Jiameng , Guo Kai , Yu Jiemin
Published: November 2019

We examine the impact of home country democracy on corporate tax avoidance. Specifically, we investigate how two aspects of democracy (political freedom and electoral democracy) are associated with corporate tax avoidance, respectively. Political freedom reduces tax avoidance, as public scrutiny increases financial transparency risk of tax avoidance and participation in political decision‐making process raises willingness to pay taxes. Electoral democracy increases tax avoidance, as election increases tax system complexity which in turn increases tax avoidance. Furthermore, we find that corruption control and social stability strengthen the negative association between political freedom and tax avoidance. Corporate tax complexity as percentage of overall tax complexity strengthens the positive association between electoral democracy and tax avoidance. Additional tests show shareholder protection and being a common law country weaken the negative association between political freedom and tax avoidance, and strengthen the positive association between electoral democracy and tax avoidance. Robustness checks using colony history as instrumental variable confirm the results.
Frontline Science: Cytokine-mediated developmental phenotype of mouse eosinophils: IL-5-associated expression of the Ly6G/Gr1 surface Ag
Authors: Limkar Ajinkya R. , Mai Eric , Sek Albert C. , Percopo Caroline M. , Rosenberg Helene F.
Published: November 2019

Eosinophils have broad and extensive immunomodulatory capacity; recent studies have focused on the roles of distinct eosinophil subsets in specific tissue microenvironments. Ly6G is a GPI-linked leukocyte surface Ag understood primarily as a marker of mouse neutrophils, although its full function is not known. Here, we show that Ly6G/Gr1, detected by mAbs 1A8 (anti-Ly6G) and RB6-8C5 (anti-Gr1), is detected prominently on a significant fraction of eosinophils from mouse bone marrow and bone marrow-derived culture, with fractions expressing this Ag increasing in IL-5-enriched microenvironments. Among our findings, we identified SiglecF+Gr1+ eosinophils in bone marrow from naïve, allergen-challenged and IL-5 transgenic mice; SiglecF+Gr1+ eosinophils were also prominent ex vivo in bone marrow-derived eosinophils (bmEos) in IL-5-enriched culture. Reducing the IL-5 concentration 20-fold had no impact on the rate of generation of SiglecF+ bmEos but did result in a marked increase in the Gr1− fraction (from 17.4 ± 2% to 30 ± 2.3%, ***P < 0.005). Reducing the IL-5 concentration also enhanced chemotaxis; SiglecF+Gr1− bmEos were considerably more responsive to eotaxin-1 than were their SiglecF+Gr1+ counterparts. These results suggest that (i) IL-5 regulates the expression of Ly6G/Gr1, either directly or indirectly, in cells of the eosinophil lineage, (ii) eosinophils generated in response to high concentrations of IL-5 can be distinguished from those generated under homeostatic conditions by expression of the Ly6G/Gr1 cell surface Ag, and (iii) expression of Ly6G/Gr1 may have an impact on function, directly or indirectly, including the potential to undergo chemotaxis in response to eotaxin-1.
Pretreatment MR‐Based Radiomics Signature as Potential Imaging Biomarker for Assessing the Expression of Topoisomerase II alpha (TOPO‐IIα) in Rectal Cancer
Authors: Chen Jiayou , Chen Ying , Zheng Dechun , Pang Peipei , Lu Jianping , Zheng Xiang
Published: November 2019

Background

Rectal cancer (RC) is one of the most common cancers throughout the world. Chemotherapy or neoadjuvant chemotherapy play an important role in the treatment of advanced RC. Whether to add topoisomerase inhibitor to individualized chemotherapy is a puzzling question for clinicians.

Purpose

To investigate whether pretreatment MR‐based radiomics signature can assess the expression of topoisomerase II alpha (TOPO‐IIα) in RC.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

In all, 122 patients with RC.

Field Strength/Sequence: Pretreatment 3.0T; T2WI turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence.

Assessment

A training group (n = 85) and a test group (n = 37) with pathologically confirmed RC. Patients underwent TOPO‐IIα expression. A total of 180 radiomics features were extracted from oblique axial T2WI TSE images of the entire primary tumor. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model was used to reduce the dimension of the data and select the features.

Statistical Tests

The assessment models were established by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The performance of the model was assessed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, nomogram, and calibration.

Results

The radiomics signature, which consisted of 10 selected optimal features, was significantly associated with TOPO‐IIα expression (P < 0.01 for both training and test groups). The area under the curve (AUC), the sensitivity, and the specificity for assessing TOPO‐IIα expression, were 0.859, 0.872, and 0.739, respectively, in the training group, while they were 0.762, 0.941, and 0.600 in the test group. The nomogram model of the radiomics signature (Rad‐score) had good calibration. Calibration curves were plotted to assess the calibration of the radiomics nomogram that was accompanied with the Hosmer–Lemeshow test (P = 0.52).

Data Conclusion

The proposed pretreatment MR‐based radiomics signature was associated with TOPO‐IIα expression. A radiomics nomogram might be helpful in the individualized assessment of TOPO‐IIα expression in patients with RC.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1881–1889.
Editorial for “Qualitative and Quantitative Reporting of a Unique Biparametric MRI: Towards Biparametric MRI‐Based Nomograms for Prediction of Prostate Biopsy Outcome in Men With a Clinical Suspicion of Prostate Cancer (IMPROD and MULTI‐IMPROD Trials)”
Authors: Hausmann Daniel , Zoellner Frank Gerrit , Kubik‐Huch Rahel A.
Published: November 2019

Level of Evidence: 5

Technical Efficacy Stage: 5

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1568–1569.
Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Breast Lesions on DCE‐MRI by Using Radiomics and Deep Learning With Consideration of Peritumor Tissue
Authors: Zhou Jiejie , Zhang Yang , Chang Kai‐Ting , Lee Kyoung Eun , Wang Ouchen , Li Jiance , Lin Yezhi , Pan Zhifang , Chang Peter , Chow Daniel , Wang Meihao , Su Min‐Ying
Published: November 2019

Background

Computer‐aided methods have been widely applied to diagnose lesions detected on breast MRI, but fully‐automatic diagnosis using deep learning is rarely reported.

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of mass lesions using region of interest (ROI)‐based, radiomics and deep‐learning methods, by taking peritumor tissues into consideration.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

In all, 133 patients with histologically confirmed 91 malignant and 62 benign mass lesions for training (74 patients with 48 malignant and 26 benign lesions for testing).

Field Strength/Sequence

3T, using the volume imaging for breast assessment (VIBRANT) dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) sequence.

Assessment

3D tumor segmentation was done automatically by using fuzzy‐C‐means algorithm with connected‐component labeling. A total of 99 texture and histogram parameters were calculated for each case, and 15 were selected using random forest to build a radiomics model. Deep learning was implemented using ResNet50, evaluated with 10‐fold crossvalidation. The tumor alone, smallest bounding box, and 1.2, 1.5, 2.0 times enlarged boxes were used as inputs.

Statistical Tests

The malignancy probability was calculated using each model, and the threshold of 0.5 was used to make a diagnosis.

Results

In the training dataset, the diagnostic accuracy was 76% using three ROI‐based parameters, 84% using the radiomics model, and 86% using ROI + radiomics model. In deep learning using the per‐slice basis, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was comparable for tumor alone, smallest and 1.2 times box (AUC = 0.97‐0.99), which were significantly higher than 1.5 and 2.0 times box (AUC = 0.86 and 0.71, respectively). For per‐lesion diagnosis, the highest accuracy of 91% was achieved when using the smallest bounding box, and that decreased to 84% for tumor alone and 1.2 times box, and further to 73% for 1.5 times box and 69% for 2.0 times box. In the independent testing dataset, the per‐lesion diagnostic accuracy was also the highest when using the smallest bounding box, 89%.

Data Conclusion

Deep learning using ResNet50 achieved a high diagnostic accuracy. Using the smallest bounding box containing proximal peritumor tissue as input had higher accuracy compared to using tumor alone or larger boxes.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2
Dreams within a dream: Multiple visions and organizational structure
Authors: Lewis Alexander , Clark Jonathan
Published: November 2019

Research has long recognized the potential benefits of vision communicated at all levels of organizations. Despite this recognition, our understanding of the dynamics surrounding suborganizational visions remains limited. In this paper, we aim to explore these dynamics by investigating the role of organizational structure in the use of suborganizational visions. Although research has begun exploring the implications of structure for vision, it has done so on a limited basis in the context of vertical hierarchies. We take a more comprehensive view, exploring the role of both vertical and horizontal dimensions of structure, with specific interest in the relationship between organizational and suborganizational visions. Our findings suggest not only that structural distance moderates the relationship between organizational and suborganizational visions but also that horizontal distance from the organizational core provides the conditions under which suborganizational units communicate distinct visions that are decoupled from the organizational vision. Furthermore, we find a series of coordinating mechanisms that serve to encourage both the vertical nesting and horizontal complementarity of visions, ensuring alignment, even in the presence of decoupling from the organizational vision. Finally, in describing these findings, we elucidate the role of institutions in both providing content for and ensuring the complementarity of suborganizational visions.
Investigating aroma diversity combining purge‐and‐trap, comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry
Authors: Franchina Flavio Antonio , Zanella Delphine , Lazzari Eliane , Stefanuto Pierre‐Hugues , Focant Jean‐François
Published: November 2019

Headspace gas chromatography is frequently used for aroma profiling thanks to its ability to naturally exploit the volatility of aroma compounds, and also to provide chemical information on sample composition. Its main advantages rely on simplicity, no use of solvent, amenability to automation, and the cleanliness of the extract. In the present contribution, the most effective sampling (dynamic extraction), separation (multidimensional gas chromatography), and detection (mass spectrometry) techniques for untargeted analysis are exploited in combination, showing their potential in unraveling aroma profiles in fruit beers. To complete the overall analytical process, a neat workflow for data analysis is discussed and used for the successful characterization and identification of five different beer flavors (berries, cherry, banana, apple, and peach). From the technical viewpoint, the coupling of purge‐and‐trap, comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry makes the global methodology unique, and it is for the first time discussed. A (low‐)flow modulation approach allowed for the full transfer into the second dimension with mass‐spectrometry compatible flow (< 7 mL/min), avoiding the need of splitting before detection and making the overall method sensitive (1.2–5.2‐fold higher signal to noise ratio compared to unmodulated gas chromatography conditions) and selective.
Triazine‐based organic polymers@SiO2 nanospheres for sensitive solid‐phase microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Li Chunying , Sun Min , Ji Xiangping , Han Sen , Feng Jiaqing , Guo Wenjuan , Feng Juanjuan
Published: November 2019

Triazine‐based organic polymers@SiO2 nanospheres were prepared and applied as an extraction coating onto stainless steel wires and the wires were filled into polyetheretherketone tube for in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction. Taking polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as targets, main factors affecting extraction performance of the tube were investigated through coupling to high performance liquid chromatography. Under the optimum conditions, an online analytical method for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was established with large linear ranges (0.010‐20 µg/L), low limits of detection (0.003‐0.010 µg/L), high enrichment factors (533‐2954), and good repeatability (relative standard deviations <1.7% for intraday test, <5.0% for interday test). The analysis method was successfully applied to the detection of trace targets in real water samples and the relative recoveries ranged from 82.9 to 119.9%, which demonstrated the applicability of extraction tube in sample preparation.
Is Fetal Intelligent Navigation Echocardiography Helpful in Screening for d‐Transposition of the Great Arteries?
Authors: Huang Chao , Zhao Bo Wen , Chen Ran , Pang Hai Su , Pan Mei , Peng Xiao Hui , Wang Bei
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To evaluate the performance of fetal intelligent navigation echocardiography (FINE) applied to spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) volumes in generating 3 specific abnormal cardiac views (left ventricular outflow tract, right ventricular outflow tract, and 3‐vessel and trachea) used to screen for d‐transposition of the great arteries (d‐TGA).

Methods

In this prospective study, 1 or more STIC volumes were obtained from the 4‐chamber view in 34 second‐ and third‐trimester fetuses with d‐TGA. Each appropriate STIC volume was evaluated by STICLoop (Samsung Medison, Seoul, Korea) before applying the FINE method. One optimal volume per fetus was selected by observers. The visualization rates of the 3 specific abnormal cardiac views of d‐TGA and their diagnostic elements were calculated, and the reliability between 2 observers was verified by the intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

Fetal intelligent navigation echocardiography applied to STIC volume data sets of fetuses with d‐TGA successfully generated the 3 specific abnormal cardiac views in the following manner for 2 observers: 75.0% (n = 21) for the left ventricular outflow tract, 89.2% (n = 25) for the right ventricular outflow tract, and 85.7% (n = 24) for the 3‐vessel and trachea view. Twenty‐four (85.7%) of the STIC volume data sets showed 2 or 3 of the abnormal cardiac views. The interobserver intraclass correlation coefficients between the 2 observers ranged from 0.842 to 1.000 (95% confidence interval), indicating almost perfect reliability for the 2 observers.

Conclusions

In cases of d‐TGA, the FINE method has a high success rate in generating 3 specific abnormal cardiac views and therefore can be performed to screen for this congenital defect.
Melatonin for Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder in Parkinson's disease: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Gilat Moran , Coeytaux Jackson Alessandra , Marshall Nathaniel S. , Hammond Deborah , Mullins Anna E. , Hall Julie M. , Fang Bernard A.M. , Yee Brendon J. , Wong Keith K.H. , Grunstein Ron R. , Lewis Simon J. G.
Published: November 2019

Background

Melatonin may reduce REM‐sleep behavior disorder (RBD) symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), though robust clinical trials are lacking.

Objective

To assess the efficacy of prolonged‐release (PR) melatonin for RBD in PD.

Methods

Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group trial with an 8‐week intervention and 4‐week observation pre‐ and postintervention (ACTRN12613000648729). Thirty PD patients with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder were randomized to 4 mg of prolonged‐release melatonin (Circadin) or matched placebo, ingested orally once‐daily before bedtime. Primary outcome was the aggregate of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder incidents averaged over weeks 5 to 8 of treatment captured by a weekly diary. Data were included in a mixed‐model analysis of variance (n = 15 per group).

Results

No differences between groups at the primary endpoint (3.4 events/week melatonin vs. 3.6 placebo; difference, 0.2; 95% confidence interval = −3.2 to 3.6; P = 0.92). Adverse events included mild headaches, fatigue, and morning sleepiness (n = 4 melatonin; n = 5 placebo).

Conclusion

Prolonged‐release melatonin 4 mg did not reduce rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder in PD. © 2019 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Backward substitution method based on Müntz polynomials for solving the nonlinear space fractional partial differential equations
Authors: Safari Farzaneh , Azarsa Pouya
Published: November 2019

A computational technique based on the Müntz polynomials and meshless method has been presented for the solution of nonlinear and linear space fractional partial differential equations (PDEs). The meshless method that is used in this study is the new version of backward substitution method (BSM). First, the time‐derivative term is discretized by the Crank‐Nicolson method. Then, the approximate solution is given as the separation of the approximation of the boundary data and the correcting functions using the Müntz polynomials. In general form, this approximate solution that does not necessarily satisfy the original equation is shown as the sum of the system basics in which it consists free parameters. Finally, these parameters are determined by the BSM method inside the domain. The main advantage of the method is efficiency and reliability that is examined by six numerical experiments.
Dual‐polarized frequency‐selective absorber with wide transmission band
Authors: Han Ye , Xu Longjie
Published: November 2019

A dual‐polarized frequency‐selective absorber (FSA) with wide transmission band is proposed and designed. First, a three‐layered antenna‐filter‐antenna structure is designed to construct a wide passband. Then, a lossy resonator is introduced to achieve the absorption properties. Therefore, the resultant FSA can achieve one wide passband in higher frequencies and one absorptive band at lower frequencies, and thus can be applied as a radome of an antenna system. In the transmission band (3.51‐5.33 GHz), the signal can transmit through the absorber. Meanwhile, in the absorption band (1.67‐3.10 GHz), the coming wave is absorbed to reduce the radar cross section of the antenna. The total thickness of the FSA is less than 0.1λ
L at the lowest operating frequency.
2.4 GHz wide‐bandwidth inverted‐F antenna for capsule endoscope
Authors: Baek Jong J. , Kim Se W. , Kim Youn T.
Published: November 2019

This article presents an inverted‐F antenna for a capsule endoscope. The antenna presented operates within the 2.4 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical band, and has a wide bandwidth of 151 MHz with an antenna gain of −3.13 dBi. The antenna has a ring shape, and thus the antenna does not obstruct the view of the camera used for a capsule endoscope. The proposed antenna has an advantage in that it can be applied for a capsule endoscope supporting bidirectional photography, and the performance of the antenna is affected less by human tissue.
Sensitivity of fiber‐based modalmetric devices intended for optical detection of acoustic signals
Authors: Freitas Taiane A. M. G. , Silva Viviane H. , Ribeiro Ricardo M.
Published: November 2019

The basic structure of fiber‐based modalmetric devices consists of a single‐mode fiber (SMF) spliced to a sensitive multimode fiber (s‐MMF) strand. The aim of this article, is to show and compare the sensitivity measurement results amongst of distinct implementations of lumped multimode interference fiber‐optic reflecting (R‐MMI) and transmitting (T‐MMI) modalmetric detectors, and a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) device, each one working as uncalibrated detector of ultrasound acoustic‐signals. All experiments were performed at 42.9 kHz carrier frequency and most of them were at 1551.5 nm wavelength. In all cases, the interaction length of the s‐MMF for a single traveling was kept at 50 mm and the fiber ends of R‐MMI samples were not mirrored. The sensitivity was observed to increase when: the modalmetric device was used instead of the FBG; the core diameter of s‐MMF was increased from 50 μm to 62.5 μm; the SMF/s‐MMF connection was angularly misaligned from 0° to 8°; the feeding optical power level was increased; the interaction length of s‐MMF was doubled and the wavelength probe was reduced from 1551.5 nm to 1520 nm. The dependence of the modalmetric devices' transmission with the length of the s‐MMF and wavelength was numerically calculated. It was concluded that modalmetric devices are highly sensitive and can be further improved yet, but have a stochastic nature in their present implementation.
Gute wissenschaftliche Praxis: Sei frei und glücklich
Authors: Seidl‐Nigsch Markus
Published: November 2019

Bei Ethik in der Wissenschaft geht es um mehr als um das, was ein Forscher im Labor tut und wie. Staunen, Ehrfurcht, Sorgfalt und innere Distanz charakterisieren das wissenschaftliche Ethos. Warum ist das so?
Hochschullehre: Anleiten, beraten, begleiten
Authors: Lindenstruth Philipp
Published: November 2019

Masterstudenten und Doktoranden, die als Assistenten Studierende in den Laborpraktika betreuen, werden in der Regel nicht speziell auf ihre Aufgaben vorbereitet. An der Universität Marburg hat sich das nun geändert.
Große Leuchten mit Pillararenen
Authors: Cao Derong , Meier Herbert
Published: November 2019

Pillar[n]arene bilden mit organischen Molekülen Komplexe. Manche von ihnen eignen sich als Chemosensoren – und das nicht nur für Zwischenprodukte.
Eine Frau an der Spitze
Authors: Janus Lara
Published: November 2019

Die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft hat nun erstmals eine Präsidentin, und die Organisation ordnet sich neu.
Jahrestagung der Chinesischen Chemiker in Deutschland
Authors: Liu Wenlan
Published: November 2019

Anfang Mai fand die 31. Jahrestagung der Gemeinschaft Chinesischer Chemiker und Chemieingenieure in Deutschland (Chinese German Chemical Association, CGCA) im Helmholtz‐Zentrum für Umweltforschung (UFZ) in Leipzig statt. An der zweitägigen Veranstaltung beteiligten sich etwa 70 Wissenschaftler aus der Chemie und angrenzenden Forschungsgebieten. Organisiert wurde die Tagung von der CGCA und dem UFZ, finanziell unterstützten Unternehmen wie Eutech‐Consulting, Springer, Sinojobs, Jindun‐Chemie, das Institut für Bioenergie und Bioverfahrenstechnik der Chinesischen Akademie der Wissenschaften in Qingdao, die Universität Schanghai, AcaBridge.edu.cn sowie die Bildungsabteilung der chinesischen Botschaft in Deutschland.
Serotonin Prevents Differentiation of Brown Adipocytes by Interfering with Their Clock
Authors: Rozenblit‐Susan Sigal , Chapnik Nava , Froy Oren
Published: November 2019

Objective

Serotonin was shown to interfere with the differentiation of brown adipocytes. In addition, clock components inhibit brown adipogenesis through direct transcriptional control of key components of the transforming growth factor β pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serotonin abrogates brown adipogenesis by affecting clock functionality.

Methods

Nondifferentiated and differentiated HIB1B brown adipocytes were treated with serotonin, and their clock expression and functionality and differentiation state were examined.

Results

Nondifferentiated HIB1B brown adipocytes treated with serotonin showed increased brown adipocyte markers alongside increased brain‐muscle Arnt‐like protein 1 (Bmal1) and RAR related orphan receptor A (Rora) but decreased nuclear receptor Rev‐erbα mRNA levels. BMAL1 overexpression together with serotonin led to significantly lower brown adipocyte markers. Serotonin in the differentiation cocktail led to reduced brown adipocyte markers as well as clock gene expression. After differentiation, serotonin treatment significantly decreased brown adipocyte markers and reduced BMAL1 and RORα but increased REV‐ERBα protein levels. Addition of serotonin to the differentiation medium or addition after differentiation reduced activity of calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase type II subunit gamma, which interferes with circadian locomoter output cycles protein kaput (CLOCK):BMAL1 dimerization and transactivation.

Conclusions

Clock expression is required at the early stages of differentiation to brown adipocytes, and serotonin interferes with this process by modulating clock functionality. Serotonin interferes with clock functionality by reducing the levels of the active form of calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase type II subunit gamma.
Childhood Obesity and the Food Environment: A Population‐Based Sample of Public School Children in New York City
Authors: Elbel Brian , Tamura Kosuke , McDermott Zachary T. , Wu Erilia , Schwartz Amy Ellen
Published: November 2019

Objective

This study aimed to examine the relationship between proximity to healthy and unhealthy food outlets around children’s homes and their weight outcomes.

Methods

A total of 3,507,542 student‐year observations of height and weight data from the 2009‐2013 annual FitnessGram assessment of New York City public school students were used. BMI z scores were calculated, student obesity or obesity/overweight was determined using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts, and these data were combined with the locations of four food outlet types (fast‐food restaurants, wait‐service restaurants, corner stores, and supermarkets) to calculate distance to the nearest outlet. Associations between weight status outcomes and distance to these food outlet types were examined using neighborhood (census tract) fixed effects.

Results

Living farther than 0.025 mile (about half of a city block) from the nearest fast‐food restaurant was associated with lower obesity and obesity/overweight risk and lower BMI z scores. Results ranged from 2.5% to 4.4% decreased obesity. Beyond this distance, there were generally no impacts of the food environment and little to no impact of other food outlet types.

Conclusions

Proximity to fast‐food restaurants was inversely related to childhood obesity, but no relationships beyond that were seen. These findings can help better inform policies focused on food access, which could, in turn, reduce childhood obesity.
Prostate epithelial‐specific expression of activated PI3K drives stromal collagen production and accumulation
Authors: Wegner Kyle A , Mueller Brett R , Unterberger Christopher J , Avila Enrique J , Ruetten Hannah , Turco Anne E , Oakes Steven R , Girardi Nicholas M , Halberg Richard B , Swanson Steven M , Marker Paul C , Vezina Chad M
Published: November 2019

We genetically engineered expression of an activated form of P110 alpha, the catalytic subunit of PI3K, in mouse prostate epithelium to create a mouse model of direct PI3K activation (Pbsn‐cre4Prb;PI3KGOF/+). We hypothesized that direct activation would cause rapid neoplasia and cancer progression. Pbsn‐cre4Prb;PI3KGOF/+ mice developed widespread prostate intraepithelial hyperplasia, but stromal invasion was limited and overall progression was slower than anticipated. However, the model produced profound and progressive stromal remodeling prior to explicit epithelial neoplasia. Increased stromal cellularity and inflammatory infiltrate were evident as early as 4 months of age and progressively increased through 12 months of age, the terminal endpoint of this study. Prostatic collagen density and phosphorylated SMAD2‐positive prostatic stromal cells were expansive and accumulated with age, consistent with pro‐fibrotic TGF‐β pathway activation. Few reported mouse models accumulate prostate‐specific collagen to the degree observed in Pbsn‐cre4Prb;PI3KGOF/+. Our results indicate a signaling process beginning with prostatic epithelial PI3K and TGF‐β signaling that drives prostatic stromal hypertrophy and collagen accumulation. These mice afford a unique opportunity to explore molecular mechanisms of prostatic collagen accumulation that is relevant to cancer progression, metastasis, inflammation and urinary dysfunction. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fracture and Orientation of Long‐Glass‐Fiber‐Reinforced Polypropylene During Injection Molding
Authors: Hou Xu‐Qin , Chen Xing‐Yuan , Liu Bao‐Chen , Chen Sheng‐Chao , Li Hai‐Mei , Cao Wei
Published: November 2019

Injection processing parameters directly influence the final fiber length and may have a negative effect on the mechanical properties of a part. The aim of the work is to investigate and quantify the effects of the injection rate (2/10/50 cm3/s) on the fiber length, the distribution, and orientation during injection molding and the mechanical properties of long‐glass‐fiber‐reinforced polypropylene (LGF/PP) by experimental and simulated methods. When the injection rate increases from 2 to 10 cm3/s, the fiber length sharply decreases from the original 11 mm to 3.43 mm at the nozzle and 1.30 mm at the filling end, and almost 88% of the fibers are less than 3 mm when the injection rate is 50 cm3/s. A distinct hierarchical orientation (skin‐shear‐core) for the fiber distribution in the thickness is obtained via a metallographic microscope, which shows that the shear layer (here the shear stress is larger and the fiber is more inclined to oriented along the flow direction) decreases with increasing injection rate. Moreover, the numerical results of the residual fiber length and orientation at different injection rates are in accord with the trend of the measured results. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:13–21, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effects of histatin 5 modifications on antifungal activity and kinetics of proteolysis
Authors: Ikonomova Svetlana P. , Moghaddam‐Taaheri Parisa , Wang Yan , Doolin Mary T. , Stroka Kimberly M. , Hube Bernhard , Karlsson Amy J.
Published: November 2019

Histatin 5 (Hst‐5) is an antimicrobial peptide with strong antifungal activity against Candida albicans, an opportunistic pathogen that is a common cause of oral thrush. The peptide is natively secreted by human salivary glands and shows promise as an alternative therapeutic against infections caused by C. albicans. However, Hst‐5 can be cleaved and inactivated by a family of secreted aspartic proteases (Saps) produced by C. albicans. Single‐residue substitutions can significantly affect the proteolytic resistance of Hst‐5 to Saps and its antifungal activity; the K17R substitution increases resistance to proteolysis, while the K11R substitution enhances antifungal activity. In this work, we showed that the positive effects of these two single‐residue modifications can be combined in a single peptide, K11R–K17R, with improved proteolytic resistance and antifungal activity. We also investigated the effect of additional single‐residue substitutions, with a focus on the effect of addition or removal of negatively charged residues, and found Sap‐dependent effects on degradation. Both single‐ and double‐substitutions affected the kinetics of proteolytic degradation of the intact peptide and of the fragments formed during degradation. Our results demonstrate the importance of considering proteolytic stability and not just antimicrobial activity when designing peptides for potential therapeutic applications.
Metal‐Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition of Aluminum Scandium Nitride
Authors: Leone Stefano , Ligl Jana , Manz Christian , Kirste Lutz , Fuchs Theodor , Menner Hanspeter , Prescher Mario , Wiegert Joachim , Žukauskaitė Agnė , Quay Ruediger , Ambacher Oliver
Published: November 2019

Alloys of scandium with AlN exhibit an enhanced piezoelectric coefficient that can boost the performance of nitride‐based electronic and optoelectronic devices such as high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). Consequently, there is increasing interest in the epitaxial growth of high‐quality AlScN/GaN heterostructures. So far, only very recent reports on AlScN HEMT structures grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) have been published. Herein, the motivation for depositing AlScN epitaxial layers by metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) as well as the challenges associated with this approach are explained. For the first time, the successful deposition of epitaxial layers with a Sc content up to 30% (Al0.7Sc0.3N) is reported. It is shown that the deposited films consist of wurtzite‐type AlScN with high crystalline quality, demonstrating that MOCVD is suitable for the growth of HEMT structures with Sc‐based ternary nitrides.
A novel enhanced intensity‐based automatic registration: Augmented reality for visualization and localization cancer tumors
Authors: Tan Wilvertson , Alsadoon Abeer , Prasad P.W.C. , Al‐Janabi Shahd , Haddad Sami , Venkata Haritha Sallepalli , Alrubaie Ahmad
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study is to replace the manual process (selecting the landmarks on mesh and anchor points on the video) by Intensity‐based Automatic Registration method to reach registration accuracy and low processing time. The proposed system consists of an Enhanced Intensity‐based Automatic Registration (EIbAR) using Modified Zero Normalized Cross Correlation (MZNCC) algorithm. The proposed system was implemented on videos of breast cancer tumors. Results showed that the proposed algorithm—as compared to a reference—improved registration accuracy by an average of 2 mm. In addition, the proposed algorithm—as compared to a reference—reduced the number of pixel matching, thereby reducing processing time on the video by an average of 22 ms/frame. The proposed system can, thus, provide an acceptable accuracy and processing time during scene augmentation of videos, which provides a seamless use of augmented‐reality for surgeons in visualizing cancer tumors.
Effect of backlash hysteresis of surgical tool bending joints on task performance in teleoperated flexible endoscopic robot
Authors: Kim Hansoul , Hwang Minho , Kim Joonhwan , You Jae Min , Lim Chan‐Soon , Kwon Dong‐Soo
Published: November 2019

Background

The tendon‐sheath mechanism provides flexibility but degrades the task performance of the flexible endoscopic robot because of the inherent backlash hysteresis problem. Previous studies have only focused on reducing backlash hysteresis. The goal of this study is to identify the backlash hysteresis criteria of surgical tool bending joints to maintain efficient surgical performance.

Methods

A test platform for a surgical tool has been developed that has initial backlash hysteresis under 5° and can adjust the backlash hysteresis intentionally. Performance variation has been investigated in three bench‐top endoscopic tasks in which various backlash hysteresis conditions were intentionally adjusted.

Results

A clear drop‐off in task performance has been observed when the backlash hysteresis of the bending joints was greater than 10° regardless of the type of task and link length.

Conclusions

The backlash hysteresis of surgical tool bending joints should be reduced to at least 10° to maintain efficient performance in robotic endoscopic surgery.
Alopecia universalis successfully treated with kenchuto groups in a pediatric patient
Authors: Irie Yasuhito , Nakae Hajime , Hasunuma Naoko , Hebiguchi Miwa , Hiroshima Yuko , Okada Yuko , Ito Hiroaki
Published: November 2019

Case

The patient was an initially healthy girl aged 1 year and 5 months. She developed alopecia when she was 11 months old. At hospital visit, she was found to have alopecia universalis. Her hands and feet were cold, and her nails appeared dry.

Outcome

Her symptoms were considered to indicate blood deficiency, and she received tokikenchuto. Six months later, multiple spots of alopecia were noted. Nine months later, the alopecia spots decreased and her nails were normalized and we changed tokikenchuto to shokenchuto. One year and 7 months later, the alopecia spots were no longer prominent.

Conclusion

For alopecia in children, regional immunotherapy has been recommended in the treatment guidelines. However, the condition can recur after discontinuation of treatment and there is no treatment uniformity. The present findings suggest that Kampo medicine might be appropriate for alopecia universalis considering treatment continuity and safety.
Di‐2‐ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) induces apoptosis and autophagy of mouse GC‐1 spg cells
Authors: Gan Yu , Yang Dan , Yang Si , Wang Jinglei , Wei Jie , Chen Jiaxiang
Published: November 2019

As a widely used plasticizer in industry, di‐2‐ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) can cause testicular toxicity, yet little is known about the potential mechanism. In this study, DEHP exposure dramatically inhibited cellviability and induced apoptosis of mouse GC‐1 spg cells. Furthermore, DEHP significantly increased the levels of autophagy proteins LC3‐II, Beclin1 and Atg5, as well as the ratio ofLC3‐II/LC3‐I. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further confirmed that DEHP induced autophagy of mouse GC‐1 spg cells. DEHP was also shown to induceoxidative stress; while inhibition of oxidative stress with NAC could increase cell viability and inhibit DEHP‐induced apoptosis and autophagy. These results suggested that DEHP induced apoptosis and autophagy of mouse GC‐1 spg cells via oxidative stress. 3‐MA, an inhibitor of autophagy, could rescue DEHP‐induced apoptosis. In summary, DEHP induced apoptosis and autophagy of mouse GC‐1 spg cells via oxidative stress, and autophagy might exert a cytotoxic effect on DEHP‐induced apoptosis.