bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon accumulation by Pinus sylvestris forest plantations after different periods of afforestation in a semiarid sandy ecosystem
Authors: Huang Ze , Cui Zeng , Liu Yu , Wu Gao‐Lin
Published: December 2020

The carbon pool is changing in afforestation ecosystems, which vary in their duration since establishment, in many semiarid sand regions. Understanding this is important for the management of the planted forest. The present study explored the dynamics of afforested forest carbon pool in a semiarid sandy ecosystem, northwest China. We studied afforested forests of pine (Pinus sylvestris) of five afforestation ages (20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 years since planting, and bare sand as control), the carbon storage and carbon sequestration rate of the forest aboveground biomass layer, surface litter layer, and soil layer (0–50 cm) were calculated, and the soil water content and soil organic carbon of 0–400 cm soil depth were measured. The results showed that the carbon sequestration rate was highest after 20–30 years, with 0.58 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 in the soil layer (0–50 cm). We found a rate of 0.13 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 in the surface litter layer, and a rate of 20.79 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 in the forest aboveground biomass layer. The carbon storage of the forest aboveground biomass layer was highest after 30–40 years, and the carbon storage of the surface litter increased with time. In the soil layer, the carbon storage at 0–10 cm depth was highest after 60 years, the carbon storage at 20–50 cm depth increased soon after afforestation and then decreased afterward with increasing afforestation ages with the maximum for 20‐50 cm occurring after 30–40 years. The total carbon storage [the forest aboveground biomass layer, surface litter layer and soil layer (0‐50 cm)] was higher when afforestation ages reached around 30 years, after that it decreased with increasing afforestation age. Our research improves the understanding of the P. sylvestris forest ecosystem carbon sequestration in a semiarid sandy area.
miR‐32‐5p Regulates Lipid Accumulation in Intramuscular Fat of Erhualian Pigs by Suppressing KLF3
Authors: Liu Hongcheng , Wei Wei , Lin Weimin , Yu Wensai , Luo Wu , Niu Yingfang , Zhang Lifan , Chen Jie
Published: December 2020

Intramuscular fat (IMF) and subcutaneous fat (SCF) are important traits affecting the economics of the pork industry, in which less SCF and more IMF content is desirable. However, the mechanisms that regulate IMF and SCF content are not clear yet. In this study, we demonstrate that KLF3 (Krüppel‐like factor 3) was negatively correlated with IMF content in the longissimus dorsi muscle of Erhualian pigs. In addition, the expression level of KLF3 was significantly higher in IMF than SCF. Overexpression and knockdown experiments revealed that KLF3 could suppress adipocyte differentiation in vitro by downregulating adipogenic markers, including PPARG, C/EBPA, and FABP4. Luciferase activity analysis proved that miR‐32‐5p was able to suppress KLF3. Notably, miR‐32‐5p level was negatively correlated to KLF3 mRNA level in both IMF and SCF tissues. The same relationship was proved in samples with different IMF content. Further studies showed that miR‐32‐5p could promote adipocyte differentiation via inhibiting KLF3. Our results suggest that the miR‐32‐5p‐KLF3 pathway is involved in the regulation of differential fat deposition of IMF and SCF tissues.
Trophic ecology of Caribbean sponges in the mesophotic zone
Authors: Macartney Keir J. , Slattery Marc , Lesser Michael P.
Published: December 2020

Sponges are a crucial component of Caribbean coral reef ecosystem structure and function. In the Caribbean, many sponges show a predictable increase in percent cover or abundance as depth increases from shallow (< 30 m) to mesophotic (30–150 m) depths. Given that sponge abundances are predicted to increase in the Caribbean as coral cover declines, understanding ecological factors that control their distribution is critical. Here we assess if sponge cover increases as depth increases into the mesophotic zone for three common Caribbean reef sponges, Xestospongia muta, Agelas tubulata, and Plakortis angulospiculatus, and use stable isotope analyses to determine whether shifts in trophic resource utilization along a shallow to mesophotic gradient occurred. Ecological surveys show that all target sponges significantly increase in percent cover as depth increases. Using bulk stable isotope analysis, we show that as depth increases there are increases in the δ13C and δ15N values, reflecting that all sponges consumed more heterotrophic picoplankton, with low C:N ratios in the mesophotic zone. However, compound‐specific isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA‐AA) shows that there are species‐specific increases in δ13CAA and δ15NAA values. Xestospongia muta and P. angulospiculatus showed a reduced reliance on photoautotrophic resources as depth increased, while A. tubulata appears to rely on heterotrophy at all depths. The δ13CAA and δ15NAA values of these sponges also reflect species‐specific patterns of host utilization of both POM and dissolved organic matter (DOM), its subsequent re‐synthesis, and translocation, by their microbiomes.
Corrosion behaviour of Cu–2Ti and Cu–2Zr (wt%) alloys in neutral aerated sodium chloride solution
Authors: Rosalbino Francesco , Scavino Giorgio , Macciò Daniele
Published: December 2020

The corrosion behaviour of Cu–2Ti and Cu–2Zr (wt%) alloys has been assessed by open‐circuit potential and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements carried out in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, at approximately neutral pH, without stirring and in contact with the air. For comparison, the electrochemical tests have also been carried out on unalloyed Cu. Electrochemical impedance results showed that Ti and Zr alloying additions significantly increased the corrosion resistance of copper, the best behaviour being observed for the Cu–2Zr alloy. This improvement may be ascribed to the formation of Ti‐ or Zr‐enriched passive layer, which exhibits higher protective effectiveness compared with that of unalloyed Cu.
Large‐Area, Conformal, and Uniform Synthesis of Hybrid Polymeric Film via Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Kim Min Ju , Jeong Jaejoong , Lee Tae In , Kim Jihye , Tak Yongduk , Park Hyeongsang , Im Sung Gap , Cho Byung Jin
Published: December 2020

Hybrid organic‐inorganic polymeric films are widely used in various areas, for encapsulation, dielectrics, super‐hydrophobic surfaces, membranes, and other applications, because of the features of their organic and inorganic components. The initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) process is developed to synthesize hybrid polymeric films via this approach. However, the conventional iCVD process is based on laminar injection, and has difficulty depositing hybrid films with uniform thickness and composition over the large areas required by industry. In this work, the geometry of the iCVD chamber is newly designed to enable conformal and uniform deposition over an 8‐inch area, using a dual showerhead structure injection system. The inorganic concentration and deposition rate can be linearly controlled by adjusting the flow ratio of the inorganic precursor and organic monomer, up to 25% and 2.75 nm min−1, respectively. In addition, the dual showerhead injector reduces the source consumption by 37%, compared to a conventional laminar flow iCVD chamber, while depositing a film with the same thickness and composition. The surface roughness of the entire 8‐inch area is less than 0.6 nm, showing that very uniform and homogeneous hybrid polymeric films can be successfully synthesized over a large area. In addition, the variation in electrical capacitance between metal–insulator–metal (MIM) structure devices is measured, and is within 4.1% over the entire wafer for films deposited with the dual showerhead chamber, compared with 30% for the conventional iCVD chamber. The iCVD process with the dual showerhead structure enables the synthesis of conformal and uniform hybrid polymeric films over a large‐scale area with lower source consumption, compared to conventional iCVD.
Fabrication of a Bio‐Based Superhydrophobic and Flame‐Retardant Cotton Fabric for Oil–Water Separation
Authors: Luo Yaofa , Wang Shuang , Fu Xihan , Du Xiaosheng , Wang Haibo , Zhou Mi , Cheng Xu , Du Zongliang
Published: December 2020

It is an urgent task to develop environmentally friendly and flame retardant durable oil–water separation materials. A green TA/B@PDA coating derived from bio‐based materials such as tannic acid (TA), borax (B), and polydopamine (PDA) is deposited on cotton fabric through facile dip‐coating method and step‐by‐step assembly method. A series of methods are used to characterize the as‐prepared cotton fabric. PDA provides a reactive interface, while n‐dodecyl mercaptan enhances the hydrophobicity of the surface with a water contact angle (WCA) and shedding angle (SA) of 153.3° ± 1.2° and 9° ± 0.8°, respectively. The as‐prepared fabric exhibits outstanding oil/water separation efficiency (>98.5%) for various types of oil, and wear resistivity, washability, and reusability. Meanwhile, combustion test and limit oxygen index (LOI) test show that the modified fabric has excellent flame retardant performance. The cone calorimeter test (CCT) indicates that compared with the pristine cotton fabric, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release (THR) of the TA/B@PDA cotton is decreased by 50% and 32%, respectively. Through the analysis of char residues, the flame retardant mechanism is studied. This method provides a general green way for the construction of superhydrophobic surfaces, and can be further applied to the broad fields of durable oil–water separation.
Synthesis, Characterization, Speciation, and Biological Studies on Metal Chelates of Carbohydrates with Molecular Docking Investigation
Authors: Khalf‐Alla Perihan A. , Basta Altaf H. , Lotfy Vivian F. , Hassan Safaa S.
Published: December 2020

The role of starch aerogel (St‐AG) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as biolgical active compounds, when they subjected for complexation with metal ions, is assessed in this work. The complexation is carried out with palladium(II) and copper(II) ions, in solid state. Different tools of analysis are carried out to characterize and elucidate the structures of these complexes, namely: elemental analysis, IR, thermal analysis, magnetic measurement and molar conductance techniques. All synthesized complexes are formed with 1:2 (metal:ligand) stoichiometry except the case of aerogel starch 1:1 (Pd:starch). All isolated complexes show a satisfactory cytotoxic effect results against colon cancer cell lines HCT11. Additionally, these complexes are screened for their antibacterial activities against two types of Gram positive and negative bacteria. Molecular docking investigation confirmed the cytotoxicity and antibacterial results. Proton–ligands association constants and their complex formation constants with some bivalent metal ions, using potentiometric method show that the complexes formed in solution have a stoichiometry of 1:1 [metal:ligand]. The effects of metal ion, ionic radius, electronegativity and nature of ligand on the formation constants are discussed. The formation constants of the complexes with 3D transition metals followed the order Mn2+ < Co2+ < Ni2+ < Cu2+ > Zn2+.
"I Like Your Suggestion!" the role of humanlikeness and parasocial relationship on the website versus voice shopper's perception of recommendations
Authors: Whang Claire , Im Hyunjoo
Published: December 2020

Voice assistants are changing the way consumers shop. Guided by the anthropomorphism literature and parasocial interaction theory, this study investigated how the new unique relationship between consumers and artificial intelligence‐powered voice assistants may affect the way consumers evaluate the recommended products through two experiments. Study 1 (n = 85, students) employed a 2 (shopping medium type: voice assistant vs. website) × 2 (interaction style: task‐oriented vs. socially‐oriented) between‐subjects design lab experiment. Study 2 (n = 418, Mechanical Turk) employed a 2 (shopping medium type: voice assistant vs. website) × 2 (product type: search vs. experience) between‐subjects online experiment. The results suggested that consumers may perceive voice assistants as pseudohuman agents detached from the service provider while perceiving websites as a tool or interface used by the provider, resulting in a more positive perception and evaluation of websites. As one of the few studies investigating voice assistants from the consumer perspective, this study contributes to the growing body of research in voice assistants. The study also contributes to anthropomorphism literature and parasocial interaction theory by confirming the causal relationship between humanlikeness and parasocial relationships.
Top managers' attributes, innovation, and the participation in China–Pakistan Economic Corridor: A study of energy sector small and medium‐sized enterprises
Authors: Shah Syed Zulfiqar Ali , Anwar Muhammad , Hussain Ch. Mazhar
Published: December 2020

A large number of researchers are engaged in studying the determinants and consequences of China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Although optimism abounds, in particular, few empirical evidence is available for Pakistani businessmen and small and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) operators on how to benefit from this tremendous opportunity. Our study examined how top managers/owners of Pakistani energy sector SMEs can innovate their businesses to reap the benefits of CPEC. We have examined the influence of demographic factors (age, education, experience, and financial literacy) of top managers/owners on different forms of innovation (product, process, marketing, and organization) and their consequent chances of success through participation in CPEC.
Defective INPP5E distribution in NPHP1‐related Senior–Loken syndrome
Authors: Ning Ke , Song Emilie , Sendayen Brent E. , Prosseda Philipp P. , Chang Kun‐Che , Ghaffarieh Alireza , Alvarado Jorge A. , Wang Biao , Haider Kathryn M. , Berbari Nicolas F. , Hu Yang , Sun Yang
Published: December 2020

Background

Senior–Loken syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that presents with nephronophthisis and retinal degeneration, leading to end‐stage renal disease and progressive blindness. The most frequent cause of juvenile nephronophthisis is a mutation in the nephronophthisis type 1 (NPHP1) gene. NPHP1 encodes the protein nephrocystin‐1, which functions at the transition zone (TZ) of primary cilia.

Methods

We report a 9‐year‐old Senior–Loken syndrome boy with NPHP1 deletion, who presents with bilateral vision decrease and cystic renal disease. Renal function deteriorated to require bilateral nephrectomy and renal transplant. We performed immunohistochemistry, H&E staining, and electron microscopy on the renal sample to determine the subcellular distribution of ciliary proteins in the absence of NPHP1.

Results

Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy of the resected kidney showed disorganized cystic structures with loss of cilia in renal tubules. Phosphoinositides have been recently recognized as critical components of the ciliary membrane and immunostaining of kidney sections for phosphoinositide 5‐phosphatase, INPP5E, showed loss of staining compared to healthy control. Ophthalmic examination showed decreased electroretinogram consistent with early retinal degeneration.

Conclusion

The decreased expression of INPP5E specifically in the primary cilium, coupled with disorganized cilia morphology, suggests a novel role of NPHP1 that it is involved in regulating ciliary phosphoinositide composition in the ciliary membrane of renal tubular cells.
Two‐phase study of nanofluids mixed convection and entropy generation in an I‐shaped porous cavity with triangular hot block and different aspect ratios
Authors: Asadi Amin , Rafizadeh Siamak , Molana Maysam , Ghasemiasl Ramin , Armaghani Taher
Published: December 2020

The nanofluids mixed convection in a porous I‐shaped cavity using Buongiorno's method of nanofluids simulation is reported in this paper. The nanofluids have been assumed as a mixture of water and TiO2 nanoparticles up to 4% of volume concentration. Having accurate prediction of thermal properties of nanofluids is crucial for a numerical solution. Thus, a new predictive correlation for effective thermal conductivity is developed using the multivariable regression method with a high accuracy compared to the experimental data. Six different problems, including two different porous media and three different aspect ratios of the cavity, are solved implementing the finite volume method. As the first time, an internal triangular hot block in a cavity has been studied. The results showed that the entropy generation reduces with any increase in the aspect ratio of the cavity and the nanoparticle volume concentration. Any increase in the nanoparticle volume concentration also leads to enhance the average Nusselt number, in all considered aspect ratios.
A wideband dual‐polarized magneto‐electric dipole antenna for millimeter wave applications
Authors: Wu Fan , Xiang Lei , Jiang Zhihao , Yu Chao , Hong Wei
Published: December 2020

In this paper, a wideband dual‐polarized magneto‐electric (ME) dipole antenna with modified electric‐dipole structure is proposed based on the cost‐effective printed circuit board (PCB) technology for millimeter‐wave (mmW) applications. A 3D‐meandered electric‐dipole design is adopted to enlarge the operating bandwidth without increasing the physical volume and footprint of the antenna structure. The developed dual‐polarized antenna element demonstrates a wide overlapped impedance bandwidth of 54.5%, a decent isolation no less than 22 dB as well as stable radiation characteristics over the frequency band of interest. For proof‐of‐concept demonstration, a 2 × 2 dual‐polarized ME‐dipole array is designed, implemented, and measured. An overlapped impedance bandwidth of 46.3% (24.1–38.6 GHz), a gain up to 13 dBi, and nearly symmetric radiation patterns in the two main planes are experimentally obtained. The proposed dual‐polarized antenna array possesses the advantages of wide operational band, low cost, ease of integration, and stable radiation characteristics that would be of interest for mmW applications.
Toward nonparametric diffusion‐ characterization of crossing fibers in the human brain
Authors: Reymbaut Alexis , Critchley Jeffrey , Durighel Giuliana , Sprenger Tim , Sughrue Michael , Bryskhe Karin , Topgaard Daniel
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To estimate for each distinct fiber population within voxels containing multiple brain tissue types.

Methods

A diffusion‐ correlation experiment was carried out in an in vivo human brain using tensor‐valued diffusion encoding and multiple repetition times. The acquired data were inverted using a Monte Carlo algorithm that retrieves nonparametric distributions of diffusion tensors and longitudinal relaxation rates . Orientation distribution functions (ODFs) of the highly anisotropic components of were defined to visualize orientation‐specific diffusion‐relaxation properties. Finally, Monte Carlo density‐peak clustering (MC‐DPC) was performed to quantify fiber‐specific features and investigate microstructural differences between white matter fiber bundles.

Results

Parameter maps corresponding to ’s statistical descriptors were obtained, exhibiting the expected contrast between brain tissue types. Our ODFs recovered local orientations consistent with the known anatomy and indicated differences in between major crossing fiber bundles. These differences, confirmed by MC‐DPC, were in qualitative agreement with previous model‐based works but seem biased by the limitations of our current experimental setup.

Conclusions

Our Monte Carlo framework enables the nonparametric estimation of fiber‐specific diffusion‐ features, thereby showing potential for characterizing developmental or pathological changes in within a given fiber bundle, and for investigating interbundle differences.
Comparison of data‐driven and general temporal constraints on compressed sensing for breast DCE MRI
Authors: Wang Ping N. , Velikina Julia V. , Strigel Roberta M. , Henze Bancroft Leah C. , Samsonov Alexey A. , Cashen Ty A. , Wang Kang , Kelcz Frederick , Johnson Kevin M. , Korosec Frank R. , Ersoz Ali , Holmes James H.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Current breast DCE‐MRI strategies provide high sensitivity for cancer detection but are known to be insufficient in fully capturing rapidly changing contrast kinetics at high spatial resolution across both breasts. Advanced acquisition and reconstruction strategies aim to improve spatial and temporal resolution and increase specificity for disease characterization. In this work, we evaluate the spatial and temporal fidelity of a modified data‐driven low‐rank‐based model (known as MOCCO, model consistency condition) compressed‐sensing (CS) reconstruction compared to CS with temporal total variation with radial acquisition for high spatial‐temporal breast DCE MRI.

Methods

Reconstruction performance was characterized using numerical simulations of a golden‐angle stack‐of‐stars breast DCE‐MRI acquisition at 5‐second temporal resolution. Specifically, MOCCO was compared with CS total variation and conventional SENSE reconstructions. The temporal model for MOCCO was prelearned over the source data, whereas CS total variation was performed using a first‐order temporal gradient sparsity transform.

Results

The MOCCO reconstruction was able to capture rapid lesion kinetics while providing high image quality across a range of optimal regularization values. It also recovered kinetics in small lesions (1.5 mm) in line‐profile analysis and error images, whereas g‐factor maps showed relatively low and constant values with no significant artifacts. The CS‐TV method demonstrated either recovery of high spatial resolution with reduced temporal accuracy using large regularization values, or recovery of rapid lesion kinetics with reduced image quality using low regularization values.

Conclusion

Simulations demonstrated that MOCCO with radial acquisition provides a robust imaging technique for improving temporal fidelity, while maintaining high spatial resolution and image quality in the setting of bilateral breast DCE MRI.
The correlation analysis between the appearance anxiety and personality traits of the medical staff on nasal and facial pressure ulcers during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak
Authors: Kong Xiaodi , Cao Yong , Luo Xiaonian , He Lianxiang
Published: December 2020

Aim

To investigate the psychological status of medical staff with medical device‐related nasal and facial pressure ulcers (MDR PUs) during the outbreak of COVID‐19, analyse the correlation between their psychological status and personality traits, so as to provide a reference for personalized psychological support.

Design

A total of 207 medical staff who were treating the COVID‐19 epidemic from Hunan and Hubei provinces were enrolled in this analytic questionnaire‐based study.

Methods

We used these measures: Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Short Scale (EPQ‐RSC), Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) and demographic information forms online.

Results

Medical staff wearing protective equipment are particularly susceptible to nasal and facial MDR PUs, which is increasing their social appearance anxiety; neuroticism is significantly related to social appearance anxiety and negative emotion. We should pay more attention to their psychological state, cultivate good personality characteristics and reduce negative emotions, and thereby alleviate their MDR PUs‐related appearance anxiety.
A cross‐case comparison of the trauma and orthopaedic hospital experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities using interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Drozd Mary , Chadwick Darren , Jester Rebecca
Published: December 2020

Aim

To present the cross‐case comparison component of a qualitative study exploring and describing the experiences of adults with an intellectual disability who have received trauma and orthopaedic hospital care for musculoskeletal conditions or injuries in the United Kingdom.

Design

A qualitative, exploratory study was conducted using 1:1 semi‐structured interviews to describe the lived experiences of trauma and orthopaedic hospital care from the perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities and a carer of a person with profound and multiple intellectual disabilities. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines were applied.

Results

There were common and interconnected experiences across the five participants: communication challenges; lack of person‐centred care; issues related to pain management; lack of confidence in hospital care; the valuable support and expertise of carers; and incompetence of hospital staff and isolation and loneliness.
Efficacy and safety of guanfacine extended‐release in Japanese adults with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Exploratory post hoc subgroup analyses of a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Naya Noriyuki , Sakai Chika , Okutsu Daiki , Kiguchi Ryo , Fujiwara Masakazu , Tsuji Toshinaga , Iwanami Akira
Published: December 2020

Aim

Previously, we reported on the efficacy and safety of guanfacine extended‐release (GXR) in Japanese adults with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from a phase 3, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized trial. In this exploratory post hoc analysis, we assessed the efficacy and/or safety of GXR in the following subgroups: ADHD‐combined (ADHD‐C) and ADHD‐predominantly inattentive (ADHD‐I) subtypes, age (≥31, <31 years), sex (male, female), and body weight (≥50, <50 kg).

Methods

The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline in the Japanese version of the investigator‐rated ADHD‐Rating Scale‐IV (ADHD‐RS‐IV) with adult prompts (total scores) at week 10.

Results

The efficacy analysis population included 200 patients (GXR, 100; placebo, 100). ADHD‐RS‐IV total score effect sizes (GXR vs placebo) were similar across all subgroups (total population: 0.52, ADHD‐C: 0.51, ADHD‐I: 0.52, ≥31 years: 0.61, <31 years: 0.47, male: 0.50, female: 0.57). There were no major differences in the incidence/types of treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) across the subgroups. The incidence of significant TEAEs (34.3%, 10.6%) and TEAEs leading to discontinuation (34.3%, 12.1%) were approximately three times higher in females than males, respectively. The incidence of TEAEs in patients weighing <50 kg and ≥50 kg was 100% and 73.6% during dose optimization and 40% and 24.4% during the maintenance period, respectively.

Conclusion

Findings from this post hoc analysis in adults with ADHD support the efficacy and safety of GXR regardless of ADHD subtype, age, or sex and suggest that careful monitoring for TEAEs and GXR dose optimization is considered for all patients, as needed.
Training future agriculture professionals in landowner–tenant conservation decision‐making
Authors: Basche Andrea , Carter Angie
Published: December 2020

The landowner–tenant relationship is important to the implementation of conservation on agricultural lands. Women own or co‐own a significant portion of U.S. farmland yet are underrepresented in conservation research. The next generation of agriculture professionals can benefit from first‐hand experience in assisting women landowners and their tenants in navigating the complexities of conservation decision‐making. This article analyzes undergraduate student perceptions of landowner–tenant relationships in conservation management through their engagement in case studies with women landowner–tenant pairs in the Western Corn Belt. Student groups were asked to complete a management improvement plan that both incorporated the agronomic and conservation goals discussed by the landowners and tenants, following a field trip and interviews with the landowners, tenants, and other key stakeholders. Assessment data included a quantitative survey of career goals and conservation attitudes, qualitative reflections at start and end of course, and autoethnographic observations. The case studies presented students with new knowledge challenging previously held assumptions, leading some students to reconsider landowner–tenant relationships and conservation decision‐making. However, students returned to existing gendered norms and production‐oriented stereotypes when applying this knowledge in real‐world farm management plans. Although students gained firsthand valuable experience from the case studies, a one‐semester case study was insufficient to significantly shift student perceptions. We recommend that more curricular experiences incorporate the complexities of agricultural decision‐making to better equip future agricultural professionals with skills to ensure environmental and social sustainability outcomes.
Numerical solutions of fractional parabolic equations with generalized Mittag–Leffler kernels
Authors: Alomari Abedel‐Karrem , Abdeljawad Thabet , Baleanu Dumitru , Saad Khaled M. , Al‐Mdallal Qasem M.
Published: December 2020

In this article, we investigate the generalized fractional operator Caputo type (ABC) with kernels of Mittag–Lefller in three parameters and its fractional integrals with arbitrary order for solving the time fractional parabolic nonlinear equation. The generalized definition generates infinitely many problems for a fixed fractional derivative α. We utilize this operator with homotopy analysis method for constructing the new scheme for generating successive approximations. This procedure is used successfully on two examples for finding the solutions. The effectiveness and accuracy are verified by clarifying the convergence region in the ℏ‐curves as well as by calculating the residual error and the results were accurate. Based on the experiment, we verify the existence of the solution for the new parameters. Depending on these results, this treatment can be used to find approximate solutions to many fractional differential equations.
Global and local structure‐based influential nodes identification in wheel‐type networks
Authors: Berberler Murat Erşen
Published: December 2020

Network theory has been widely used to describe complex systems in the real world. Identifying the influential nodes in a network is one of the most important topic in the research of network theory. Identification of influential nodes in a network is a significant and challenging task since influential nodes act as a hub for information transmission in a command and control network, however it is necessary if the invulnerability of the network is to be increased. The global and local structure (GLS) is a reasonable and efficacious method to quantify the influence of nodes in a network model. The influence of a node depends not only on its own influence but also on the ability of other nodes in the network to contribute to its influence. This method was also proved to be accurate and efficient in influential node analysis within a network. In this paper, influential node analysis is conducted in wheels and related networks based on GLS.
The embodiment of craft production in Bronze Age Portugal: Exceptional dental wear grooves in an individual from Monte do Vale do Ouro 2 (Ferreira do Alentejo, Portugal)
Authors: Willman John Charles , Valera António Carlos , Silva Ana Maria
Published: December 2020

Two human lateral mandibular incisors exhibiting exceptional dental wear in the form of lingual surface grooves along the cementoenamel junction were recovered from the superficial levels of a pit grave attributed to the Bronze Age at the archaeological site of Monte do Vale do Ouro 2 (Ferreira do Alentejo, Beja, Portugal). Although a number of analyses of dental wear features acknowledge the relatively common use of the dentition for nondietary purposes (using the ‘teeth as tools’) during the Early/Middle Bronze Age (2200–1200 BC) of southwest Iberia, the form of dental wear documented at Monte do Vale do Ouro 2 is not only a novel finding in this region but also has seldom been described in any bioarchaeological context. The present study provides a macroscopic and low‐magnification description of the atypical dental wear for this individual. Results indicate that the incisors are likely antimeres. In addition to the deep lingual grooves, asymmetrical wear removed a substantial portion of the laterolingual crown volume of each tooth. Occlusal and lingual surface wear accumulated slowly enough for tertiary dentin to form. An occlusal groove is also present on the right I2. A review of ethnohistoric and bioarchaeological literature suggests that some form of craft production involving the manipulation of cordage or fibre with the mouth and teeth can account for the unique wear patterns from Monte do Vale do Ouro 2. The hand‐spinning of flax requires wetting which can be accomplished by passing flax fibres through the mouth in a mediolateral direction while using a hand spindle. Similar habitual behaviours were probably practiced by the Bronze Age individual from Monte do Vale do Ouro 2. The wear grooves represent the embodiment of aspects of craft production and maintenance activities that occurred during this individual's lifecourse.
Optimal Avapritinib Treatment Strategies for Patients with Metastatic or Unresectable Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Authors: Joseph Cissimol P. , Abaricia Sarah N. , Angelis Michelle A. , Polson Kathleen , Jones Robin L. , Kang Yoon-Koo , Riedel Richard F. , Schöffski Patrick , Serrano César , Trent Jonathan , Tetzlaff Eric D. , Si Tuan Dong , Zhou Teresa , Doyle Ashley , Bauer Sebastian , Roche Maria , Havnaer Tracy
Published: December 2020

Background

Avapritinib, a novel inhibitor of KIT/PDGFRA, is approved in the U.S. for the treatment of adults with PDGFRA exon 18-mutant unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (U/M GISTs). We assessed the safety of avapritinib and provide evidence-based guidance on management of avapritinib-associated adverse events (AEs), including cognitive effects and intracranial bleeding.

Materials and Methods

We performed a post hoc analysis of data from a two-part, single-arm dose escalation/expansion phase I study (NAVIGATOR; NCT02508532) in patients with U/M GISTs treated with oral avapritinib 30–600 mg once daily. The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability; the impact of dose modification (interruption and/or reduction) on progression-free survival (PFS) was a secondary endpoint. Efficacy analyses were limited to patients who started avapritinib at 300 mg (approved dose).

Results

Of 250 patients enrolled in the study, 74.0% presented with KIT mutation and 24.8% presented with PDGFRA exon 18-mutation; 66.8% started avapritinib at 300 mg. The most common treatment-related AEs (any grade) were nausea (59.2%), fatigue (50.0%), periorbital edema (42.0%), anemia (39.2%), diarrhea (36.0%), vomiting (36.0%), and increased lacrimation (30.8%). No treatment-related deaths occurred. Among 167 patients starting on 300 mg avapritinib, all-cause cognitive effects rate (grade 1–2) was 37.0% in all patients and 52.0% in patients ≥65 years. Cognitive effects improved to a lower grade more quickly with dose modification (1.3–3.1 weeks) than without (4.9–7.6 weeks). Median PFS was 11.4 months with dose modification and 7.2 months without.

Conclusion

Tolerability-guided dose modification of avapritinib is an effective strategy for managing AEs in patients with GISTs.

Implications for Practice

Early recognition of adverse events and tailored dose modification appear to be effective approaches for managing treatment-related adverse events and maintaining patients on avapritinib. Dose reduction does not appear to result in reduced efficacy. Patients' cognitive function should be assessed at baseline and monitored carefully throughout treatment with avapritinib for the onset of cognitive adverse events. Dose interruption is recommended at the first sign of any cognitive effect, including grade 1 events.
Somatostatin Analogs for Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Any Benefit When Ki-67 Is ≥10%?
Authors: Merola Elettra , Alonso Gordoa Teresa , Zhang Panpan , Al-Toubah Taymeyah , Pellè Eleonora , Kolasińska-Ćwikła Agnieszka , Zandee Wouter , Laskaratos Faidon , Mestier Louis , Lamarca Angela , Hernando Jorge , Cwikla Jaroslaw , Strosberg Jonathan , Herder Wouter , Caplin Martin , Cives Mauro , Leeuwaarde Rachel
Published: December 2020

Background

Long-acting somatostatin analogs (SSAs) are the primary first-line treatment of well-differentiated advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), but data about their efficacy in pancreatic NETs (panNETs) with Ki-67 ≥10% are still limited.

Materials and Methods

To assess the clinical outcomes of advanced, nonfunctioning, well-differentiated panNETs with Ki-67 ≥10% receiving first-line long-acting SSAs in a real-world setting, we carried out a retrospective, multicenter study including patients treated between 2014–2018 across 10 centers of the NET CONNECT Network. The primary endpoints were time to next treatment (TNT) and progression-free survival (PFS), whereas overall survival (OS) and treatment safety were secondary endpoints.

Results

A total of 73 patients were included (68 grade [G]2, 5 G3), with liver metastases in 61 cases (84%). After a median follow-up of 36.4 months (range, 6–173), the median TNT and PFS were 14.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.6–16.2) and 11.9 months (95% CI, 8.6–14.1) respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed according to the somatostatin analog used (octreotide vs. lanreotide), whereas increased tumor grade (hazard ratio [HR], 4.4; 95% CI, 1.2–16.6; p = .04) and hepatic tumor load (HR, 2; 95% CI, 1–4; p = .03) were independently associated with shortened PFS. The median OS recorded was 86 months (95% CI, 56.8–86 months), with poor outcomes observed when the hepatic tumor burden was >25% (HR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.2–10; p = .01). Treatment-related adverse events were reported in 14 patients, most frequently diarrhea.

Conclusion

SSAs exert antiproliferative activity in panNETs with Ki-67 ≥10%, particularly in G2 tumors, as well as when hepatic tumor load is ≤25%.

Implications for Practice

The results of the study call into question the antiproliferative activity of somatostatin analogs (SSAs) in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors with Ki-67 ≥10%. Patients with grade 2 tumors and with hepatic tumor load ≤25% appear to derive higher benefit from SSAs. Prospective studies are needed to validate these results to optimize tailored therapeutic strategies for this specific patient population.
Adjuvant Osimertinib: A New Standard of Care
Authors: Jelinek Michael J. , Aggarwal Charu
Published: December 2020

Osimertinib, a third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), is the new first line standard of care in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on improvements in overall survival (OS), control of central nervous system (CNS) disease, and a superior toxicity profile. This commentary highlights interim results from the ADAURA trial, continuing the effort to establish a role for EGFR TKIs in the adjuvant setting.
Integration and social cohesion in the migrants' neighborhood in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Naz Lubna
Published: December 2020

In developing countries, migration plays a crucial role in the development of social capital. However, the lack of social cohesion and migrant's integration into the host country exposes the locals and migrants to conflict and violence. In Pakistan, big cities are constantly facing the challenges of the inflows of migrants from neighboring countries. This article analyzes three premises relating to social cohesion and the integration of migrants. First, it explores the contextual factors (i.e., ethnic commonalities) behind migrants' large inflows. Second, it analyzes some of the driving forces of integrations, such as socioeconomic characteristics (education, employment, self‐reported health, etc.) of the population settled in Karachi's migrants' neighborhoods. Third, it examines the process of social cohesion by using data on the migrants's perceptions of the social cohesion. This study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate the premises. Research findings offer a pragmatic insight into the broader spectrum of the thematic issues, which hinder the streamlining and monitoring of integration and social cohesion in migrants' neighborhoods.
Clinical prognostic factors in pediatric adrenocortical tumors: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zambaiti Elisa , Duci Miriam , De Corti Federica , Gamba Piergiorgio , Dall'Igna Patrizia , Ghidini Filippo , Virgone Calogero
Published: December 2020

Pediatric adrenocortical tumors (ACT) are rare and sometimes aggressive malignancies, but there is no consensus on the outcome predictors in children. A systematic search of MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for studies from 1994 to 2020 about pediatric ACT was performed. In 42 studies, 1006 patients, aged 0‐18 years, were included. The meta‐analyses resulted in the following predictors of better outcome: age <4 years (P < .00001), nonsecreting tumors (P = .004), complete surgical resection (P < .00001), tumor volume (P < .0001), tumor weight (P < .00001), tumor maximum diameter (P = .0009), and Stage I disease (P < .00001). Moreover, patients affected by Cushing syndrome showed a worse outcome (P < .0001). International prospective studies should be implemented to standardize clinical prognostic factors evaluation, together with pathological scores, in the stratification of pediatric ACT.
Engineering printable composites of poly (ε‐polycaprolactone) / β‐tricalcium phosphate for biomedical applications
Authors: Beatrice Cesar Augusto Gonçalves , Shimomura Kawany Munique Boriolo , Backes Eduardo Henrique , Harb Samarah Vargas , Costa Lidiane Cristina , Passador Fabio Roberto , Pessan Luiz Antonio
Published: December 2020

The incorporation of bioactive β‐tricalcium phosphate (TCP) into poly (ε‐polycaprolactone) (PCL) originates a composite biomaterial with required properties for a variety of biomedical application. We manufactured bioactive composites of PCL/TCP by melt compounding and assessed their rheological, structural, and thermal behavior, envisioning the use of the composites as filaments for additive manufacturing via fused filament fabrication (FFF). Biocomposites of PCL with 5 wt% and 10 wt% of TCP presented similar thermal stability, crystallinity, molecular weight, and rheological behavior of neat PCL, while the addition of 25 wt% TCP leads to the formation of TCP agglomerates and increased viscosity. These results show that low concentrations of TCP in the PCL matrix make it more suitable for FFF since no change in the printing process is required. PCL/TCP filaments were fabricated by a twin‐screw extruder and used to print scaffolds using FFF. The possibility to design scaffolds with specific size, geometry, and porosity enables the application of diverse types of tissue engineering. Herein, we demonstrated the feasibility of the fabrication of 3D printed PCL/TCP scaffolds for bone regeneration with improved mechanical properties and controlled geometry.
Enhancement of the thermal stability of PVC filled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes using new antimicrobic itaconimido aryl 1,3,4‐oxadiazoles
Authors: Mohamed Nadia A. , Al‐Harby Nouf F.
Published: December 2020

A series of PVC films stabilized with novel antimicrobial itaconimido aryl 1,3,4‐oxadiazoles (D1'‐D4'), at absence or presence of various concentrations of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), was prepared by a conventional solution casting method. D1'‐D4' was prepared via thermal cyclization processes by loss of water for their congruous predecessors itaconimido aryl hydrazides. Elemental analysis and various spectroscopy measurements were used to prove their structures. D1'‐D4' have great antimicrobial activities and some of them showed similar or sometimes higher impact than the reference antibiotic. From TG measurements in nitrogen, they have high thermal stabilities and their decomposition temperatures were above 275–310°C in accordance with substituent groups NH2 and/or OH incorporated into their structures. They have higher thermal stabilizing efficiencies for PVC in comparison with some industrial thermal stabilizers. Inclusion of 0.1–0.5 wt% MWCNTs into PVC films, that were stabilized with D4', enhanced the composites thermal stability. XRD, SEM as well as TEM were used for ascertaining of incorporation and well dispersion of MWCNTs into PVC matrices. Additionally, the efficacy of stabilization has been proven via a decreased rate of color alteration, mechanical properties change and chains cleavage for PVC. The high antimicrobial and thermal characteristics of these stabilizers afford them a great possibility to secure antimicrobial thermally stable PVC composites. Also, improvement of thermal and mechanical properties of PVC stabilized by D4' after its incorporation with MWCNTs afford a great possibility to its application in different fields where their thermal resistance and high tensile strength resistance play a very important role.
Composite helical spring with skin‐core structure: Structural design and compression property evaluation
Authors: Jiang Qian , Qiao Ye , Zhao Feng , Pan Zhongxiang , Wu Xianyan , Wu Liwei , Fu Hongjun
Published: December 2020

The helical spring is an essential mechanical component of automobile and machinery and has been widely used in industrial application. The weight reduction is the requirement of current material design and also the research trend for material development. In this study, a novel composite helical spring with “skin‐core” structure was designed and fabricated with an integrated formation process based on the vacuum‐assisted resin infusion technology. Based on the different function of skin and core, the skin structure was weft knitting tube made of aramid and ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, and the core structure was unidirectional carbon fiber. By selecting material for knitting tube and adjusting the volume content of carbon fiber core, the static and fatigue compression properties of composite helical spring were investigated. It has been found that the spring torsion and bending performance can be improved by wrapping the core with the knitting tube as the spring wire. Moreover, the finite element method was applied to further analyze the stress evolution of the “skin‐core” composite helical spring during compression and fatigue. The results of compression test and simulation show that the spring stiffness can be effectively improved by using knitting tube and increasing the content of carbon fiber. The stress of the spring cross section is concentrated in the internal radial region of 180°, and the distribution of the corresponding cross sections is relatively uniform. The “skin‐core” structure with aramid knitting tube as the outer skin and carbon fiber as the spring core significantly improves the load‐carrying capacity and stability of the composite spring. The proposed lightweight helical composite could provide a replacement strategy of existing metal or unidirectional filament reinforced springs used in the engineering applications.