bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of cine imaging during multileaf collimator and gantry motion for real‐time magnetic resonance guided radiation therapy
Authors: Kielbasa Jerrold E. , Meeks Sanford L. , Kelly Patrick , Willoughby Twyla R. , Zeidan Omar , Shah Amish P.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Real‐time magnetic resonance guided radiation therapy (MRgRT) uses 2D cine imaging for target tracking. This work evaluates the percent image uniformity (PIU) and spatial integrity of cine images in the presence of multileaf collimator (MLC) and gantry motion in order to simulate sliding window and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) conditions.

Methods

Percent image uniformity and spatial integrity of cine images were measured (1) during MLC motion, (2) as a function of static gantry position, and (3) during gantry rotation. PIU was calculated according to the ACR MRI Quality Control Manual. Spatial integrity was evaluated by measuring the geometric distortion of 16 measured marker positions (10 cm or 15.225 cm from isocenter).

Results

The PIU of cine images did not vary by more than 1% from static linac conditions during MLC motion and did not vary by more than 3% during gantry rotation. Banding artifacts were present during gantry rotation. The geometric distortion in the cine images was less than 0.88 mm for all points measured throughout MLC motion. For all static gantry positions, the geometric distortion was less than 0.88 mm at 10 cm from isocenter and less than 1.4 mm at 15.225 cm from isocenter. During gantry rotation, the geometric distortion remained less than 0.92 mm at 10 cm from isocenter and less than 1.60 mm at 15.225 cm from isocenter.

Conclusion

During MLC motion, cine images maintained adequate PIU, and the geometric distortion of points within 15.225 cm from isocenter was less than the 1 mm threshold necessary for real‐time target tracking and gating. During gantry rotation, PIU was negatively affected by banding artifacts, and spatial integrity was only maintained within 10 cm from isocenter. Future work should investigate the effects imaging artifacts have on real‐time target tracking during MRgRT.
CD8+ T cell subpopulations and pro‐inflammatory cytokines in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Authors: Shi Ziyan , Qiu Yuhan , Zhao Zhengyang , Wen Dingke , Chen Hongxi , Du Qin , Zhang Ying , Wang Jiancheng , Yan Chao , Yang Mu , Zhou Hongyu
Published: November 2020

Objective

Our study aimed to investigate circulating CD8+ T cell subpopulations and pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Methods

A total of 121 peripheral blood samples were obtained from 57 patients with NMOSD, 34 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and 30 sex‐ and age‐matched healthy controls (HCs) for detection of CD8+ T cell subpopulations, including phenotypes of naïve (TN, CD62LhiCD45RO‐), effector/memory (TE/M, CD62LloCD45RO+), memory precursor (TMP, CD127hiKLRG1lo), and short lived effector (TSLEC, CD127loKLRG1hi). In addition, 36 samples from 18 NMOSD, 12 MS, and 6 sex‐ and age‐matched HCs for detecting pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IFNγ and TNFα) using flow cytometry.

Results

Compared with HCs, we found significantly reduced CD8+ TN and increased CD8+ TE/M in both NMOSD and MS，while decreased CD8+ TMP was only observed in NMOSD. Patients treated with immunotherapy were associated with increased CD8+ TN and decreased CD8+ TE/M in NMOSD. Moreover NMOSD cohort showed significant higher proportions of IFNγ+CD8+ T cells and proportions of TNFα+CD8+ T cells than HC and MS cohorts. On the contrary, obviously decreased IFNγ and TNFα were found in NMOSD patients treated with immunotherapy. Furthermore, Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that age was negatively correlated with CD8+ TN and TMP, and positively associated with TSLEC; however, sex, EDSS scores and disease phase were not significantly associated with CD8+ T subpopulations.

Interpretation

This current study provides an evidence that circulating CD8+ T cell with abnormal subpopulations and increased pro‐inflammatory were associated with pathogenesis of autoimmune demyelinating disease of CNS, especially in NMOSD.
Assessing conservation attitudes and behaviors of Congolese children neighboring the world's first bonobo (Pan paniscus) release site
Authors: Bowie Aleah , Walker Kara , Bunnell Gabrielle , Morel Dominique , Minesi Fanny , Belais Raphael , Hare Brian
Published: November 2020

Poaching and habitat destruction in the Congo Basin threaten African great apes including the bonobo (Pan paniscus), chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), and gorillas (Gorilla spp.) with extinction. One way to combat extinction is to reintroduce rescued and rehabilitated apes and repopulate native habitats. Reintroduction programs are only successful if they are supported by local populations. Ekolo ya Bonobo, located in Equateur province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is the world's only reintroduction site for rehabilitated bonobos. Here we assess whether children, of the Ilonga‐Pôo, living adjacent to Ekolo ya Bonobo demonstrate more pro‐ape conservation attitudes than children living in, Kinshasa, the capital city. We examined children's attitudes toward great apes because children are typically the focus of conservation education programs. We used the Great Ape Attitude Questionnaire to test the Contact Hypothesis, which posits that proximity to great ape habitat influences pro‐conservation attitudes toward great apes. Ilonga‐Pôo children who live in closer contact with wild bonobos felt greater responsibility to protect great apes compared to those in Kinshasa who live outside the natural habitat of great apes. These results suggest that among participants in the DRC, spatial proximity to a species fosters a greater sense of responsibility to protect and conserve. These results have implications for the successful implementation of great ape reintroduction programs in the Congo Basin. The data analyzed in this study were collected in 2010 and therefore provide a baseline for longitudinal study of this reintroduction site.
Gene‐ and age‐informed screening for preclinical Alzheimer's disease trials
Authors: Spencer Barbara E. , Digma Leonardino A. , Jennings Robin G. , Brewer James B. ,   for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative and the A4 Study Team
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Elevated β‐amyloid is used to enroll individuals into preclinical Alzheimer's disease trials, but the screening process is inefficient and expensive. Novel enrichment methods are needed to improve efficiency of enrollment.

Methods

Alzheimer's disease incidence rates and a polygenic hazard score were used to create a gene‐ and age‐defined ADAge. An ADAge cutpoint was chosen to optimally predict β‐amyloid positivity among clinically normal Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative participants and applied to an independent Alzheimer's Disease Research Center validation cohort. The impact of ADAge enrichment on screening costs was evaluated in the Anti‐Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer's Disease trial data.

Results

In the validation cohort, the ADAge‐enriched sample had a higher proportion of individuals with elevated β‐amyloid (difference [95% CI] 0.19[0.07 to 0.33]) than the unenriched sample. ADAge enrichment lowered screening costs by $4.41 million (31.00%) in the real‐world clinical trial scenario.

Discussion

ADAge enrichment provides for a more efficient and cost‐effective means to enroll clinically normal individuals with elevated β‐amyloid in clinical trials.
Optimal age and outcome measures for Alzheimer's disease prevention trials in people with Down syndrome
Authors: Hithersay Rosalyn , Baksh R. Asaad , Startin Carla M. , Wijeratne Peter , Hamburg Sarah , Carter Ben ,   The LonDownS Consortium, Strydom Andre
Published: November 2020

Introduction

People with Down syndrome (DS) typically develop Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology before age 40, but a lack of outcome measures and longitudinal data have impeded their inclusion in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

Cohort study. Event‐based and dose‐response Emax models were fitted to longitudinal cognitive data, to stage AD and determine the earliest ages of decline. Results informed sample size estimations for hypothetical RCTs of disease‐modifying treatments that reduced decline by 35% or 75%.

Results

Seventy‐five percent of participants progressed or remained stable in the AD staging model; effect sizes varied by age group and tests. Varied treatment effects could be detected with 50‐200 people per arm when using sensitive cognitive outcome measures and targeting recruitment to ages 36 to 45 years.

Discussion

Efficient RCTs of AD preventative treatments can be conducted in the DS population using sensitive outcome measures to monitor early decline. Dose‐response models could help tailor future RCTs.
Ruthenium (II) Catalyzed C(sp2)−H Bond Alkenylation of 2‐Arylbenzo[d]oxazole and 2‐Arylbenzo[d]thiazole with Unactivated Olefins
Authors: Pipaliya Bhavin V. , Seth Kapileswar , Chakraborti Asit K.
Published: November 2020

Functionalization of the bio‐relevant heterocycles 2‐arylbenzo[d]oxazole and 2‐arylbenzo[d]thiazole has been achieved through Ru(II)‐catalyzed alkenylation with unactivated olefins leading to selective formation of the mono‐alkenylated products. This approach has a broad substrate scope with respect to the coupling partners, affords high yields, and works for gram scale synthesis using a readily available Ru‐based catalyst. Mechanistic studies reveal a C−H activation pathway for the dehydrogenative coupling leading to the alkenylation. However, the results of the ESI‐MS‐guided deuterium kinetic isotope effect studies indicate that the C−H activation stage may not be the rate‐determining step of the reaction. The use of a radical scavenging agent such as TEMPO did not show any detrimental effect on the reaction outcome, eliminating the possibility of the involvement of a free‐radical pathway.
Novel enzyme‐based electrochemical and colorimetric biosensors for tetracycline monitoring in milk
Authors: Besharati Maryam , Tabrizi Mahmoud Amouzadeh , Molaabasi Fatemeh , Saber Reza , Shamsipur Mojtaba , Hamedi Javad , Hosseinkhani Saman
Published: November 2020

Recently, there has been a growing demand to develop portable devices for the fast detection of contaminants in food safety, healthcare, and environmental fields. Herein, two biosensing methods were designed by the use of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAD(P)H)‐dependent TetX2 enzyme activity and thionine as an excellent electrochemical and colorimetric mediator/probe to monitor tetracycline (TC) in milk. The nanoporous glassy carbon electrode (NPGCE) modified with polythionine was first prepared by electrochemically and then TetX2 was immobilized onto the NPGCE using polyethyleneimine. The prepared biosensor provided a high electrocatalytic response toward NAD(P)H by significantly reducing its overpotential. The proposed biosensor exhibited a detection limit of 40 nM with a linear range of 0.1–0.8 μM for TC determination. Besides, the thionine probe was used to develop a novel colorimetric assay using a simple enzymatic color reaction within a few minutes. The limit of detection for TC was experimentally achieved as 60 nM, which was lower than the safety levels established by the World Health Organization (225 nM). The correlation between change in the color of the solution and the concentration of TC was used for quality control of milk samples, as confirmed by the standard high‐performance liquid chromatography method. The results show the great potential of the proposed assays as portable instruments for on‐site TC measurements.
A novel full symmetric diarylethene‐based ratiometric fluorescent sensor for lysine and the application for a logic circuit
Authors: Zhu Zifan , Wang Yuesong , Ding Haichang , Fan Congbin , Tu Yayi , Liu Gang , Pu Shouzhi
Published: November 2020

A novel diarylethene‐based ratiometric fluorescent sensor with full symmetric structure, 1o, was designed and synthesized successfully. 1o could identify lysine (Lys) with high selectivity and sensitivity and the fluorescence emission peak was red shifted 85 nm upon addition of Lys, which could realize ratio recognition. It exhibited excellent anti‐interference performance in the presence of various amino acids in CH3CN/H2O (7/3, v/v) solution. Moreover, the limit of detection of 1o to Lys could reach 0.019 μM based on a good linear range of 0–40 μM. In addition, the fluorescence emission intensity of 1o could be turned off/on by ultraviolet/visible light due to the special structure of diarylethene. A logic circuit was designed with three inputs. The ratiometric fluorescent sensor 1o could be as a new tool and provide a new method for detection of Lys.
Systemic circular business model application at the company, supply chain and society levels—A view into circular economy native and adopter companies
Authors: Rovanto Ida K. , Bask Anu
Published: November 2020

This study contributes to the conceptualization of a sustainable circular business model (CBM), the application of the circular economy (CE) by companies. The study utilized a three‐level framework adapted from the CE literature with company (micro), supply chain (meso) and society (macro) levels. This multiple‐case study in the textile industry included two types of companies operating in the CE: companies founded on the sustainable principles of a CE (natives) and companies transitioning to a CE from the linear economy (adopters). The findings show that the adopters emphasized long‐term economic sustainability on a company level and implemented CE elements to varying degrees on all three levels. The natives pursued business decisions from environmental and social sustainability standpoints, and the three levels were integral in their systemic approach to a CE. The study highlights two key claims: established operational structures and economic volition hindered adopters in their systemic CE implementation, and an integral part of the CBM for natives was a proactive approach towards the society level.
Transformable Decentral Production for Local Economies with Minimized Carbon Footprint
Authors: Pannok Maik , Finkbeiner Marco , Fasel Henrik , Riese Julia , Lier Stefan
Published: November 2020

Due to high energy‐intensive processes and a dependence on carbon‐based materials, the process industry plays a major role in climate change. Therefore, the substitution of fossil resources by bio‐based resources is indispensable. This leads to challenges arising from accompanying changes of the type, amount and location of resources. At the same time, transformable production systems are currently in the focus of research addressing the required flexibility. These systems which consist of modular production and logistics units offer the possibility to adapt flexibly in volatile conditions within dynamic supply chains. Hence, this work compiles elements for environmental sustainability, which minimize the carbon footprint in the process industry: transformable production systems, the utilization of bio‐based resources, carbon dioxide and renewable energy as well as the application of these elements in decentral production networks. Finally, possible use cases are determined based on the combination of these elements through a multi‐criteria analysis.
Facile Synthesis of Spatially‐Functionalized Core‐Shell Nanocatalysts with 3‐D Mesopore Structure
Authors: von Baeckmann Cornelia , Eisen Constantin , Kählig Hanspeter , Guggenberger Patrick , Kleitz Freddy
Published: November 2020

Hollow mesoporous silica particles (HMSPs) have recently drawn much attention as nanocatalysts, owing to their benefits and potential for greener chemical processes. Here, improved synthesis of HMSPs exhibiting a shell with a 3‐D pore structure is proposed to overcome previous synthetic issues, such as reproducibility, particle size distribution, precise tailoring of size/shell thickness, low yield, etc. Additionally, precisely controlled and selective functionalization with amine groups is achieved owing to careful protection and sequential extraction protocols. To overcome time‐consuming and complex multistep extraction procedures, different methods were optimized towards the most efficient protocol. The obtained materials are characterized in terms of structure, porosity and functions, and the confined catalytic activity was tested in a Knoevenagel reaction. The nanocatalysts were compared before and after the core template was removed to confirm that the only catalytic species are free amines located on the inner external surface of the shell (i. e., the surface exposed towards the hollow core).
Dehydration of lithium dihydrogenphosphate in a ball‐mill rotary‐kiln (BaMRoK) reactor
Authors: Yari Bahman , Sauriol Pierre , Chaouki Jamal
Published: November 2020

Lithium dihydrogenphosphate (LHP) needs to be dehydrated to be safely applied for the melt casting process to produce lithium iron phosphate (LFP). The dehydration reaction consists of several consecutive melting, oligomerization, and crystallization steps resulting in a solid product stuck to the reaction vessel at around 400°C. Here we applied an electrical shell‐heated rotary kiln containing grinding media (ball‐mill rotary‐kiln, BaMRoK) to dehydrate LHP at 400°C and recover the ground product without needing any extra processing. The bulk convective heat transfer coefficient of the kiln has been calculated in the presence of the grinding media and the temperature profile has been modelled using COMSOL Multiphysics. The kinetic model of the reaction from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the thermal profile suggest that the dehydration reaction mostly happens on the internal surface of the BaMRoK wall.
Computational analysis of short‐range surface‐directed polymerization‐induced phase separation
Authors: Ghaffari Shima , Chan Philip K. , Mehrvar Mehrab
Published: November 2020

The conventional off‐critical polymerization‐induced phase separation (PIPS) of binary mixtures leads to the fabrication of droplet‐type structure. However, the presence of a surface preferably attracting one of the components while phase separation by spinodal decomposition is occurring can change the configuration of surface energy and result in the formation of wetting layer(s) adjacent to the wall. Farther from the wall, droplets can still form. The method is called surface‐directed spinodal decomposition. The method is applicable in the fabrication of materials with layered morphology and may lead to the enhancement of the surface physical characteristics of mixtures. The current paper theoretically studied short‐range surface‐directed PIPS of a solvent/monomer mixture. The results showed the average diameter of particles in the bulk in the intermediate stage of phase separation grew with time by power‐law function   ∝ t*α, and the exponent (αave ≈ 0.3) was found close to the Lifshitz‐Slyozov growth exponent (1/3) for the diffusivities studied in this paper. The time evolution of the thickness of the wetting layer was found to be logarithmic. The effects of the parameters such as diffusion coefficient, surface potential, and temperature gradient on the morphology development by the short‐range surface‐directed PIPS technique are discussed in this paper.
Structure, Synthesis and Inhibition Mechanism of Nucleoside Analogues as HIV‐1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)
Authors: Yoshida Yuki , Honma Masakazu , Kimura Yasuaki , Abe Hiroshi
Published: November 2020

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although treatments against HIV infection are available, AIDS remains a serious disease that causes many deaths annually. Although a variety of anti‐HIV drugs have been synthesized and marketed to treat HIV‐infected patients, nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), which mimic nucleosides, are used extensively and remain a subject of interest to medicinal chemists. However, HIV has acquired drug resistance against NRTIs, and thus the struggle to find novel therapies continues. In this review, we trace the trajectory of NRTIs, focusing on the synthesis, mechanisms of action and applications of NRTIs that have been developed.
Live Imaging of the Lung
Authors: Brzoska Tomasz , Kaminski Tomasz W. , Bennewitz Margaret F. , Sundd Prithu
Published: November 2020

Live imaging is critical to determining the dynamics and spatial interactions of cells within the tissue environment. In the lung, this has proven to be difficult due to the motion brought about by ventilation and cardiac contractions. A previous version of this Current Protocols in Cytometry article reported protocols for imaging ex vivo live lung slices and the intact mouse lung. Here, we update those protocols by adding new methodologies, new approaches for quantitative image analysis, and new areas of potential application. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Live imaging of lung slices

Support Protocol 1: Staining lung sections with fluorescent antibodies

Basic Protocol 2: Live imaging in the mouse lung

Support Protocol 2: Intratracheal instillations

Support Protocol 3: Intravascular instillations

Support Protocol 4: Monitoring vital signs of the mouse during live lung imaging

Support Protocol 5: Antibodies

Support Protocol 6: Fluorescent reporter mice

Basic Protocol 3: Quantification of neutrophil‐platelet aggregation in pulmonary vasculature

Basic Protocol 4: Quantification of platelet‐dependent pulmonary thrombosis

Basic Protocol 5: Quantification of pulmonary vascular permeability
Does corporate social responsibility affect consumer boycotts? A cost–benefit approach
Authors: Zeng Tian , Audrain‐Pontevia Anne‐Françoise , Durif Fabien
Published: November 2020

Relying on the cognitivist cost–benefit approach, this research investigates the antecedents of consumer boycotts. It examines the effects of poor performance on corporate social responsibility (CSR) dimensions (i.e., respect for the environment, ethics statements, philanthropic activities, respect for consumers, and respect for employees) on consumer intentions to boycott a retailer. A total of 602 consumers were surveyed in the province of Quebec, Canada. The findings of a logistical regression show that consumers are more likely to boycott retailers for abstract ideological motives (respect for the environment, philanthropic activities) than for more concrete purposes (respect for consumers, ethics statements, respect for employees), thereby confirming that consumers do not react in a similar fashion to the different CSR dimensions. This article is of interest to retailers as it provides actionable insights to improve CSR practices (social and environmental policy) to reduce the likelihood of consumer boycotts.
Formate‐Bicarbonate Cycle as a Vehicle for Hydrogen and Energy Storage
Authors: Bahuguna Ashish , Sasson Yoel
Published: November 2020

In recent years, hydrogen has been considered a promising energy carrier for a sustainable energy economy in the future. An easy solution for the safer storage of hydrogen is challenging and efficient methods are still being explored in this direction. Despite having some progress in this area, no cost‐effective and easily applicable solutions that fulfill the requirements of industry are yet to be claimed. Currently, the storage of hydrogen is largely limited to high‐pressure compression and liquefaction or in the form of metal hydrides. Formic acid is a good source of hydrogen that also generates CO2 along with hydrogen on decomposition. Moreover, the hydrogenation of CO2 is thermodynamically unfavorable and requires high energy input. Alkali metal formates are alternative mild and noncorrosive sources of hydrogen. On decomposition, these metal formates release hydrogen and generate bicarbonates. The generated bicarbonates can be catalytically charged back to alkali formates under optimized hydrogen pressure. Hence, the formate‐bicarbonate‐based systems being carbon neutral at ambient condition has certain advantages over formic acid. The formate‐bicarbonate cycle can be considered as a vehicle for hydrogen and energy storage. The whole process is carbon‐neutral, reversible, and sustainable. This Review emphasizes the various catalytic systems employed for reversible formate‐bicarbonate conversion. Moreover, a mechanistic investigation, the effect of temperature, pH, kinetics of reversible formate‐bicarbonate conversion, and new insights in the field are also discussed in detail.
A novel 1470 nm radial fiber diode for fat harvesting and liposuction
Authors: Robb Christoper W. , Pozner Jason N.
Published: November 2020

Autologous fat grafting continues to be a challenge in maintaining viability and survival of grafted fat. Laser‐assisted fat harvesting is a novel concept in liposuction. An all‐in‐one platform that optimizes wavelength, fiber design, cannula design, and current concepts in fat collection and preparation is available that may increase viability of harvested adipocytes and simplify the process. Here, the physics and principals of fat collection are reviewed and discussed in context of this device platform.
The plastic genome: The impact of transposable elements on gene functionality and genomic structural variations
Authors: Fambrini Marco , Usai Gabriele , Vangelisti Alberto , Mascagni Flavia , Pugliesi Claudio
Published: November 2020

Transposable elements (TEs) are DNA sequences that can change their position within genomes. TEs are present in most organisms and can be an important genomic component. Their activities are manifold: restructuring of genome size, chromosomal rearrangements, induction of gene mutations, and alteration of gene activity by insertion near or within promoters, intronic regions, or enhancer. There are several examples of mutations and other genetic variations determined by the activity of TEs, associated with the evolution of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and the domestication of plants. Generally, TE mobilization occurs when the organism is subjected to stress, which can include both biotic and abiotic stresses, polyploidy conditions, and interspecific hybridizations, very common events in plants. TEs are widely distributed among organisms. TEs also play essential roles in evolution, but most of them are either dormant or inactive. This is mainly determined by epigenetic silencing mechanisms, regulatory systems, and control systems that aim to limit its proliferation. Furthermore, the host has recruited many genes originated from TEs as transcriptional regulators, especially in defense against pathogens and invasive genetic elements; this phenomenon is called molecular domestication. Therefore, TEs are responsible for horizontal gene transfer and the movement of genetic material between organisms, even phylogenetically distant, with a consequent remixing of their gene pools.
Impacts of COVID‐19 on ecology and evolutionary biology faculty in the United States
Authors: Aubry Lise M. , Laverty Theresa M. , Ma Zhao
Published: November 2020

We surveyed ecologists and evolutionary biologists in American universities to understand how they are coping with the COVID‐19 pandemic. Female respondents, assistant professors, and those who care for at least one child or teenager, were significantly more dissatisfied with their work–life balance during this pandemic than others, and further expected these negative impacts to be long lived. Online teaching support, relaxed expectations on publications, the possibility of pausing the tenure clock, and an acknowledgment of “no business as usual” by administrators were thought to be effective policies in mitigating these negative impacts. This survey serves as a manifesto to what our professional community is currently experiencing, and should be used to inform academic policies directed at improving faculty productivity and welfare.
Compartmentalized organization of ecological niche occupation in insular invertebrate communities
Authors: Steibl Sebastian , Laforsch Christian
Published: November 2020

Understanding the mechanisms of species distribution within ecosystems is a fundamental question of ecological research. The current worldwide changes and loss of habitats associated with a decline in species richness render this topic a key element for developing mitigation strategies. Ecological niche theory is a widely accepted concept to describe species distribution along environmental gradients where each taxon occupies its own distinct set of environmental parameters, that is, its niche. Niche occupation has been described in empirical studies for different closely related taxa, like ant, ungulate, or skink species, just to name a few. However, how species assemblages of whole ecosystems across multiple taxa are structured and organized has not been investigated thoroughly, although considering all taxa of a community would be essential when analyzing realized niches. Here, we investigated the organization of niche occupation and species distribution for the whole ground‐associated invertebrate community of small tropical insular ecosystems. By correlating environmental conditions with species occurrences using partial canonical correspondence analysis (pCCA), we demonstrated that the ground‐associated invertebrate community does not spread evenly across the overall niche space, but instead is compartmentalized in four distinct clusters: crustacean and gastropod taxa occurred in one cluster, attributable to the beach habitat, whereas hexapods and spider taxa occurred in three distinct inland clusters, attributable to distinct inland habitats, that is, grassland, open forest, and dense forest. Within the clusters, co‐occurrence pattern analysis suggested only a few negative interactions between the different taxa. By studying ground‐associated insular invertebrate communities, we have shown that species distribution and niche occupation can be, similar to food webs, organized in a compartmentalized way. The compartmentalization of the niche space might thereby be a mechanism to increase ecosystem resilience, as disturbances cascade more slowly throughout the ecosystem.
Meta‐analysis of echocardiographic quantification of left ventricular filling pressure
Authors: Jones Rachel , Varian Frances , Alabed Samer , Morris Paul , Rothman Alexander , Swift Andrew J. , Lewis Nigel , Kyriacou Andreas , Wild James M. , Al‐Mohammad Abdallah , Zhong Liang , Dastidar Amardeep , Storey Robert F. , Swoboda Peter P. , Bax Jeroen J. , Garg Pankaj
Published: November 2020

Aims

The clinical reliability of echocardiographic surrogate markers of left ventricular filling pressures (LVFPs) across different cardiovascular pathologies remains unanswered. The main objective was to evaluate the evidence of how effectively different echocardiographic indices estimate true LVFP.

Methods and results

Design: this is a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Data source: Scopus, PubMed and Embase. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies were those that used echocardiography to predict or estimate pulmonary capillary wedge pressure or left ventricular end‐diastolic pressures. Twenty‐seven studies met criteria. Only eight studies (30%) reported both correlation coefficient and bias between non‐invasive and invasively measured LVFPs. The majority of studies (74%) recorded invasive pulmonary capillary wedge pressure as a surrogate for left ventricular end‐diastolic pressures. The pooled correlation coefficient overall was r = 0.69 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.63–0.75, P < 0.01]. Evaluation by cohort demonstrated varying association: heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (11 studies, n = 575, r = 0.59, 95% CI 0.53–0.64) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (8 studies, n = 381, r = 0.67, 95% CI 0.61–0.72).

Conclusions

Echocardiographic indices show moderate pooled association to invasively measured LVFP; however, this varies widely with disease state. In heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, no single echocardiography‐based metric offers a reliable estimate. In heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, mitral inflow‐derived indices (E/e′, E/A, E/Vp, and EDcT) have reasonable clinical applicability. While an integrated approach of several echocardiographic metrics provides the most promise for estimating LVFP reliably, such strategies need further validation in larger, patient‐specific studies.
Broadly reactive human CD4+ T cells against Enterobacteriaceae are found in the naïve repertoire and are clonally expanded in the memory repertoire
Authors: Cassotta Antonino , Goldstein Jérémie D. , Durini Greta , Jarrossay David , Baggi Menozzi Franca , Venditti Mario , Russo Alessandro , Falcone Marco , Lanzavecchia Antonio , Gagliardi Maria Cristina , Latorre Daniela , Sallusto Federica
Published: November 2020

Enterobacteriaceae are a large family of Gram‐negative bacteria that includes both commensals and opportunistic pathogens. The latter can cause severe nosocomial infections, with outbreaks of multi‐antibiotics resistant strains, thus being a major public health threat. In this study, we report that Enterobacteriaceae‐reactive memory Th cells were highly enriched in a CCR6+CXCR3+ Th1*/17 cell subset and produced IFN‐γ, IL‐17A, and IL‐22. This T cell subset was severely reduced in septic patients with K. pneumoniae bloodstream infection who also selectively lacked circulating K. pneumonie‐reactive T cells. By combining heterologous antigenic stimulation, single cell cloning and TCR Vβ sequencing, we demonstrate that a large fraction of memory Th cell clones was broadly cross‐reactive to several Enterobacteriaceae species. These cross‐reactive Th cell clones were expanded in vivo and a large fraction of them recognized the conserved outer membrane protein A antigen. Interestingly, Enterobacteriaceae broadly cross‐reactive T cells were also prominent among in vitro primed naïve T cells. Collectively, these data point to the existence of immunodominant T cell epitopes shared among different Enterobacteriaceae species and targeted by cross‐reactive T cells that are readily found in the pre‐immune repertoire and are clonally expanded in the memory repertoire.
Adomian decomposition method for the effect of transpiration on natural convection MHD flow in a vertical annulus with heat generation/absorption
Authors: Ajibade Abiodun O. , Gambo Jeremiah J.
Published: November 2020

This article studies the effect of transpiration on a fully developed natural convection MHD flow in a vertical annulus with heat generation/absorption. The governing coupled differential equations are solved by an estimated analytical method identified as the Adomian decomposition method with initial conditions and an appropriate initial guess condition. Furthermore, the effect of several parameters illustrating the flow phenomena is considered through graphs and the numerical computations are obtained and presented through tables. However, it is observed that there is a decrease in velocity due to the effect of the suction of fluid on the heated porous wall with concurrent injection. Also, heat generation parameter enhances the temperature of the fluid on both the isothermal and constant heat flux.
Randomized clinical trial of pembrolizumab vs chemotherapy for previously untreated Chinese patients with PD‐L1‐positive locally advanced or metastatic non–small‐cell lung cancer: KEYNOTE‐042 China Study
Authors: Wu Yi‐Long , Zhang Li , Fan Yun , Zhou JianYing , Zhang Li , Zhou Qing , Li Wei , Hu ChengPing , Chen GongYan , Zhang Xin , Zhou CaiCun , Dang Thao , Sadowski Sara , Kush Debra A. , Zhou Yu , Li Ben , Mok Tony
Published: November 2020

In the global KEYNOTE‐042 study (Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02220894), pembrolizumab significantly improved overall survival (OS) vs chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1)‐positive locally advanced/metastatic non–small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without EGFR/ALK alterations. We present results from patients in KEYNOTE‐042 enrolled from China in the global or extension study (NCT03850444; protocol identical to global study). Patients were randomized 1:1 (stratified by ECOG performance status 0 vs 1, squamous vs nonsquamous histology and PD‐L1 tumor proportion score [TPS] ≥50% vs 1%‐49%) to 35 cycles of pembrolizumab 200 mg every 3 weeks (Q3W) or investigator's choice of 4 to 6 cycles of carboplatin plus paclitaxel or pemetrexed Q3W with optional pemetrexed maintenance for nonsquamous tumors. Primary endpoints were OS in patients with PD‐L1 TPS ≥50%, ≥20% or ≥1%. Two hundred sixty‐two patients (pembrolizumab, n = 128; chemotherapy, n = 134) were enrolled from China. At data cutoff (February 21, 2020; median follow‐up, 33.0 [range, 25.6‐41.9] months), pembrolizumab was shown to improve OS vs chemotherapy in patients with PD‐L1 TPS ≥50% (hazard ratio [95% CI], 0.63 [0.43‐0.94]), TPS ≥20% (0.66 [0.47‐0.92]) and TPS ≥1% (0.67 [0.50‐0.89]). Grade 3 to 5 treatment‐related adverse events occurred less frequently with pembrolizumab vs chemotherapy (19.5% vs 68.8%). In 22 patients who completed 35 cycles of pembrolizumab, objective response rate was 77.3% and median duration of response was 27.6 months. Consistent with the global KEYNOTE‐042 study, pembrolizumab improved OS vs chemotherapy in this study of Chinese patients with locally advanced/metastatic NSCLC and PD‐L1 TPS ≥1%, supporting first‐line pembrolizumab monotherapy for PD‐L1‐positive advanced/metastatic NSCLC in China.
Debt maturity structure and cost stickiness
Authors: Habib Ahsan , Costa Mabel D.
Published: November 2020

This paper investigates the association between debt maturity structure and cost stickiness. One view in the cost stickiness literature suggests that managers deliberately continue to expand resources for their own private benefit, despite a decrease in the activity level. We examine whether short‐maturity debt constrains such opportunistic cost stickiness. We find evidence supporting this hypothesis. We further document that availability of free cash flows, earnings management incentive, and the structure of executive compensation all exacerbate the agency problem‐induced cost stickiness, but that short‐maturity debt constrains those sources of cost stickiness. We contribute to the scant body of empirical research that explores the potential factors that could attenuate cost stickiness.
Electrical remodeling and cardiotoxicity precedes structural and functional remodeling of mouse hearts under hyperoxia treatment
Authors: Rodgers Jennifer L. , Vanthenapalli Sahit , Panguluri Siva K.
Published: November 2020

Clinical reports suggest a high incidence of ICU mortality with the use of hyperoxia during mechanical ventilation in patients. Our laboratory is pioneer in studying effect of hyperoxia on cardiac pathophysiology. In this study for the first time, we are reporting the sequence of cardiac pathophysiological events in mice under hyperoxic conditions in time‐dependent manner. C57BL/6J male mice, aged 8–10 weeks, were treated with either normal air or >90% oxygen for 24, 48, and 72 h. Following normal air or hyperoxia treatment, physical, biochemical, functional, electrical, and molecular parameters were analyzed. Our data showed that significant reduction of body weight observed as early as 24 h hyperoxia treatment, whereas, no significant changes in heart weight until 72 h. Although we do not see any fibrosis in these hearts, but observed significant increase in cardiomyocyte size with hyperoxia treatment in time‐dependent manner. Our data also demonstrated that arrhythmias were present in mice at 24 h hyperoxia, and worsened comparatively after 48 and 72 h. Echocardiogram data confirmed cardiac dysfunction in time‐dependent manner. Dysregulation of ion channels such as Kv4.2 and KChIP2; and serum cardiac markers confirmed that hyperoxia‐induced effects worsen with each time point. From these observations, it is evident that electrical remodeling precedes structural remodeling, both of which gets worse with length of hyperoxia exposure, therefore shorter periods of hyperoxia exposure is always beneficial for better outcome in ICU/critical care units.
Nitrile hydratase‐mediated conversion of acrylonitrile by Rhodococcus rhodochrous (RS‐6)
Authors: Sahu Ruchi , Meghavarnam Anil K , Janakiraman Savitha
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Acrylamide is an important monomer for the synthesis of polyacrylamide, which has wide applications in industries. This molecule can be produced by the hydration of acrylonitrile, catalyzed by the enzyme nitrile hydratase (NHase) secreted by microorganisms. Herein, synthesis of acrylamide was carried out by soil isolate Rhodococcus rhodochrous (RS‐6) contains NHase. The critical parameters affecting the bioconversion process such as pH, temperature, substrate concentration, resting cell concentration and acrylamide concentration were optimized by changing one parameter at a time.

RESULTS

The optimum conditions for acrylonitrile conversion to acrylamide were observed at pH 7.0, temperature 15 °C, substrate concentration 1250 mmol L–1 and 1.4 mg dcw mL–1 concentration of resting cells. Under these improved conditions the entire bioconversion of acrylonitrile to acrylamide was observed within 75 min of incubation. The NHase of resting cells of R. rhodochrous (RS‐6) showed tolerance to acrylonitrile (7% w/v) and acrylamide up to 30%. Laboratory‐scale production by fed‐batch method resulted in an accumulation of 574 g L−1 acrylamide in 9 h.

CONCLUSION

The NHase‐containing resting cells of R. rhodochrous (RS‐6) catalyzed the maximum conversion of acrylonitrile to acrylamide under optimized conditions. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Prognosis of late elderly patients with chronic hepatitis C after achieving a sustained viral response by direct‐acting antivirals
Authors: Takakusagi Satoshi , Takagi Hitoshi , Kosone Takashi , Sato Ken , Kakizaki Satoru , Uraoka Toshio
Published: November 2020

Background and Aim

We investigated the prognosis of late elderly patients (≥75 years old) after the achievement of a sustained viral response (SVR) by direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs).

Methods

One hundred and four late elderly patients and 251 young patients (≤74 years old) who had achieved an SVR were included. We compared the cumulative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence rates and survival rates after DAA administration. Furthermore, the factors associated with HCC incidence and the causes of death after DAA administration were also investigated.

Results

The cumulative HCC incidence rates for 1 and 3 years were 2.9% and 11.7% in the late elderly patients and 2.4% and 5.4% in the young patients, respectively. The cumulative survival rates for 1 and 3 years were 100% and 95.6% in the late elderly patients and 100% and 96.4% in the young patients, respectively, with no significant differences in those rates noted (P = 0.133, P = 0.322, respectively). In the late elderly patients, only a history of HCC was a significant factor associated with HCC incidence after DAA administration. Five late elderly patients died after achieving an SVR, and malignant liver tumor was the cause of death in three of those patients.

Conclusions

The prognosis did not differ markedly between late elderly patients and young patients. The factor most strongly influencing the prognosis of late elderly patients was likely liver disease, including HCC. DAAs should be introduced even in late elderly patients who can be expected to have a relative long‐term survival.
Perfect matchings in random subgraphs of regular bipartite graphs
Authors: Glebov Roman , Luria Zur , Simkin Michael
Published: November 2020

Consider the random process in which the edges of a graph are added one by one in a random order. A classical result states that if is the complete graph or the complete bipartite graph , then typically a perfect matching appears at the moment at which the last isolated vertex disappears. We extend this result to arbitrary ‐regular bipartite graphs on vertices for all . Surprisingly, this is not the case for smaller values of . Using a construction due to Goel, Kapralov, and Khanna, we show that there exist bipartite ‐regular graphs in which the last isolated vertex disappears long before a perfect matching appears.
Rethinking Implicit Leadership Theories: Tomorrow's Leaders are Collective, Generative, and Adaptive
Authors: Wilson Josh , North Malcolm , Morris Duston , McClellan Rhonda
Published: November 2020

Despite the importance of implicit leadership theories (ILTs) and the prevalence of egalitarian leadership models, few studies address the lack of collective leadership constructs in ILTs. Given the dominance of leadership instruments using leader‐centric measurements, a popular ILT questionnaire was augmented with 16 new items that represented collective, emerging, and egalitarian constructs. A principal components analysis was conducted on a 37‐item questionnaire with 528 university faculty, staff, and students. The five‐component solution explained 52.5% of the total variance. The model retained two previous ILT components (dedication and intellectual) and found three new ones. These were identified as collective, generative, and integrative and consisted of 12 items that represent collective ILTs. The findings suggest that prototypical and leader‐centric ILTs are giving way to collective models.
Effects of renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system inhibitors on disease severity and mortality in patients with COVID‐19: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Guoyue , Wu Yue , Xu Rui , Du Xianzhi
Published: November 2020

To investigate the effects of renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors on the prognosis in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). A meta‐analysis was performed. We systematically searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science, EMBASE, medRxiv, and bioRxiv database through October 30, 2020. The primary and secondary outcomes were mortality and severe COVID‐19, respectively. We included 25 studies with 22,734 COVID‐19 patients, and we compared the outcomes between patients who did and did not receive angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEIs/ARBs). The use of ACEIs/ARBs was not associated with higher risks of severe disease (odds ratio [OR] = 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63, 1.15; I2 = 38.55%), mechanical ventilation (OR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.61, 1.16; I2 = 3.19%), dialysis (OR = 1.24; 95% CI: 0.09, 2.39; I2 = 0.00%), or the length of hospital stay (SMD = 0.05; 95% CI: −0.16, 0.26; I2 = 84.43%) in COVID‐19 patients. The effect estimates showed an overall protective effect of ACEIs/ARBs against mortality (OR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.85; I2 = 73.37%), severity/mortality (OR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.95; I2 = 22.90%), transfer to the intensive care unit among COVID‐19 patients with hypertension (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.53, I2 = 0.00%), hospitalization (OR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.98; I2 = 0.00%), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (OR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.95; I2 = 0.00%). The use of RAAS inhibitor was not associated with increased mortality or disease severity in COVID‐19 patients. This study supports the current guidelines that discourage the discontinuation of RAAS inhibitors in COVID‐19 patients.