bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient feedback on medical students in tertiary health care: are medical students accepted in clinical practice?
Authors: Rubliauskas Kasparas , Šalkauskaitė Aistė , Macas Andrius
Published: May 2019

Background. Clinical teaching is central in the training of medical students. Although medical studies without practice are hard to imagine nowadays, for most patients this type of learning is still difficult to understand and not always acceptable. Materials and methods. A prospective anonymous survey of 150 participants was carried out. Participants were patients at the Surgery Department of the Kauno Klinikos Hospital of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. The questionnaire comprised 12 questions: the first two on the patients’ personal information and the rest about the patients’ opinion about medical students. Statistical analysis software IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0 was used for statistical data analysis. A statistically significant difference was observed when p < 0.05. Results. Seventy-eight per cent of patients would allow medical students to be present during their surgery; 78.7% would permit medical students help the anaesthetic team with procedures; 79% responded that students were not introduced, and 21.3% stated that they were informed about students’ involvement for learning purposes. The majority of the respondents (62%) answered that the main advantage was additional practical skills. Talking about disadvantages, 25% of the respondents thought that students were not professional enough, 6% were worried about an overcrowded operating theatre, yet the majority of patients (69%) did not worry about this. Conclusions. The majority of patients would agree with the involvement of medical students in their surgical operations and induction of anaesthesia. The patients pointed out that the general reason for their concern over surgical operations was that the students were not professional enough and did not have required skills. Most patients thought that involving students in their surgical operations did not have negative influence on surgery quality.
Hermenéutica de la «semnótes»: el concepto de decoro en la ética de Aristóteles
Authors: Hernández Castro David
Published: May 2019

La noción aristotélica de «σεμνότης» ha sido traducida generalmente por «dignidad», y los estados que flanquean a este modo de ser por los extremos, la «αὐθάδεια» y la «ἀρέσκεια», como «arrogancia» y «servilismo». En este artículo aporto argumentos para sostener que, en realidad, el fragmento de la «σεμνότης» de la Ética Eudemia mostraba una teoría del «decoro», cuyo defecto era la «grosería», y su exceso, la «obsequiosidad». El decoro de Aristóteles no equivalía al «decorum» de Cicerón, pero sí a la expresión «guardar el decoro» que cristalizó en el Siglo de Oro español.
Analysing group agency through narrative interviews
Authors: Kahle Lena
Published: May 2019

The basis of cooperation is recognition and a common agenda. Cooperation is part of the agency of social groups in a professional setting. Working together for a common goal implies a shared concept. Especially in organizations with an educational or social agenda, agency refers to shared knowledge and empowerment.This article focuses on the reflection of societal power structures and the impact of the minority-majority relationship in the analysis of agency. Social conflicts not only play a role in political commitment in general, but are also a constant source of difficulties in a work context in which colleagues are comrades and friends. By analysing narrative interviews with actors in Coexistence Education in Israel this article discusses the premises of group agency.
The assembly and circulation of science:
Authors: Kernan Julia E.
Published: May 2019

This article positions narrative as a needed, but often lacking, communicative resource for science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals. While STEM curricula is quite effective at teaching students discipline-specific knowledge and preparing future generations of scientists to communicate within collegial discourse communities, there has been little attention paid to the importance of communicating effectively with public audiences—despite the fact that the public is a major stakeholder in scientific innovation. This article takes up this gap in current STEM curricula in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of best practices in communicating science, as well as the ways that these practices can be incorporated into academic programs. In achieving this goal, this article draws upon current pedagogical and curricular models in communication studies in its examination of the ways students at a leading American undergraduate STEM institution are taught to engage with public audiences. Of specific importance are the benefits of narrative in building bridges between academic and public stakeholders, particularly the ability of narrative to increase comprehension, interest, and engagement when communicating science to non-expert audiences.
A question of lineage
Authors: Sen Sonia
Published: May 2019

In the ventral nerve cord of fruit flies, neurons from the same hemilineage use the same neurotransmitter.
Deterministic processes dominate soil microbial community assembly in subalpine coniferous forests on the Loess Plateau
Authors: Zhao Pengyu , Bao Jiabing , Wang Xue , Liu Yi , Li Cui , Chai Baofeng
Published: May 2019

Microbial community assembly is influenced by a continuum (actually the trade-off) between deterministic and stochastic processes. An understanding of this ecological continuum is of great significance for drawing inferences about the effects of community assembly processes on microbial community structure and function. Here, we investigated the driving forces of soil microbial community assembly in three different environmental contexts located on subalpine coniferous forests of the Loess Plateau in Shanxi, China. The variation in null deviations and phylogenetic analysis showed that a continuum existed between deterministic and stochastic processes in shaping the microbial community structure, but deterministic processes prevailed. By integrating the results of redundancy analysis (RDA), multiple regression tree (MRT) analysis and correlation analysis, we found that soil organic carbon (SOC) was the main driver of the community structure and diversity patterns. In addition, we also found that SOC had a great influence on the community assembly processes. In conclusion, our results show that deterministic processes always dominated assembly processes in shaping bacterial community structure along the three habitat contexts.
Accuracy of a deep convolutional neural network in detection of retinitis pigmentosa on ultrawide-field images
Authors: Masumoto Hiroki , Tabuchi Hitoshi , Nakakura Shunsuke , Ohsugi Hideharu , Enno Hiroki , Ishitobi Naofumi , Ohsugi Eiko , Mitamura Yoshinori
Published: May 2019

Evaluating the discrimination ability of a deep convolution neural network for ultrawide-field pseudocolor imaging and ultrawide-field autofluorescence of retinitis pigmentosa. In total, the 373 ultrawide-field pseudocolor and ultrawide-field autofluorescence images (150, retinitis pigmentosa; 223, normal) obtained from the patients who visited the Department of Ophthalmology, Tsukazaki Hospital were used. Training with a convolutional neural network on these learning data objects was conducted. We examined the K-fold cross validation (K = 5). The mean area under the curve of the ultrawide-field pseudocolor group was 0.998 (95% confidence interval (CI) [0.9953–1.0]) and that of the ultrawide-field autofluorescence group was 1.0 (95% CI [0.9994–1.0]). The sensitivity and specificity of the ultrawide-field pseudocolor group were 99.3% (95% CI [96.3%–100.0%]) and 99.1% (95% CI [96.1%–99.7%]), and those of the ultrawide-field autofluorescence group were 100% (95% CI [97.6%–100%]) and 99.5% (95% CI [96.8%–99.9%]), respectively. Heatmaps were in accordance with the clinician’s observations. Using the proposed deep neural network model, retinitis pigmentosa can be distinguished from healthy eyes with high sensitivity and specificity on ultrawide-field pseudocolor and ultrawide-field autofluorescence images.
Uso de bioestimulante na reversão de injúria de glyphosate no milho convencional
Authors: Lobo de Andrade Christiano Lima , Carvalho Marcos Paulo , Barroso Alberto Leão Lemos , Rosa Marcio , Gonçalo Tulio Porto , Buchling Cristiano , Rodrigues Rafael Lopes Santos
Published: May 2019

O cultivo de milho convencional vem retomando espaço no panorama agrícola nacional em função da dificuldade de controle do milho tiguera em culturas subsequentes. Entretanto, a deriva de glyphosate em lavouras adjacentes passou a ser uma preocupação entre os produtores e técnicos. Dessa forma o experimento foi instalado para avaliar o efeito de baixas doses de glyphosate na cultura e a capacidade de um bioestimulante a base de hormônios vegetais em reverter as injúrias causadas pelo herbicida, avaliando-se características morfológicas e taxa fotossintética de plantas de milho. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizados com quatro repetições em arranjo fatorial 5 X 2, sendo que o primeiro fator correspondeu a cinco doses de glyphosate (0; 10; 20; 30 e 40 g e.a. ha-1) e o segundo a ausência e presença do bioestimulante. As características avaliadas foram fitointoxicação, diâmetro do colmo, altura plantas e massa fresca de raiz e parte aérea, índice SPAD e taxa fotossintética. A maior dose de glyphosate provocou maior fitointoxicação, além de plantas com menor altura e menor índice SPAD. O bioestimulante proporcionou acréscimos no diâmetro de colmo, índice SPAD e taxa fotossintética. A presença de bioestimulante não proporcionou efeito reparador nos efeitos deletérios provocados pelo glyphosate em plantas de milho convencional.
Genotype-by-Environment Interaction and Stability Analysis in Grain Yield of Improved Tef (Eragrostis tef) Varieties Evaluated in Ethiopia
Authors: Jifar Habte , Assefa Kebebew , Tesfaye Kassahun , Dagne Kifle , Tadele Zerihun
Published: May 2019

Aims: To assess the magnitude of genotype by environment interaction; possible existence of different mega-environments; and discriminating ability and representativeness of the testing environments.

Study Design: Randomized complete Block Design with three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Debre Zeit, Holetta and Alem Tena for two years (2015 and 2016) and at Adet, Axum and Bako for one year (2015).

Methodology: Thirty-five improved tef varieties were evaluated at nine environments. The G × E interaction were quantified using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and the genotype and genotype by environment (GGE) biplot models.

Results: Combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant (P = 0.01) variations due to genotype, environment and genotype by environment interaction effects. AMMI analysis revealed 4.3%, 79.7% and 16% variation in grain yield due to genotypes, environments and G x E effects, respectively. G6 gave the highest mean grain yield (3.33 t/ha) over environments whereas G29 gave the lowest mean yield (2.49 t/ha). The GGE biplot grouped the nine testing environments and the 35 genotypes into four mega environments and seven genotypic groups. The four mega environments include: G-I (E1, E4 and E6); G-II (E2, E3, E7 and E8); G-III (E9), and G-IV (E5). E5, E6, E7 and E8 which had the longest vector were the most discriminating of all environments while, E1 and E4 which had the smallest angle with the average environmental axis were the most representative of all environments. Regarding genotypes, G6, G25, G34 and G16 were identified as the best yielding and relatively stable genotypes to increase tef productivity.

Conclusion: AMMI and GGE were found to be efficient in grouping the tef growing environments and genotypes.
The Effects of Familiar Voices on the Level of Consciousness among Comatose Patients: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Mohammadi Mohammad Kazem , Yeganeh Mohammad Reza , Ebrahimzadeh Aida Mohammad , Roshan Zahra Atrkar , Soodmand Mostafa , Pouralizadeh Moluk
Published: May 2019

Background: Brain injury can reduce consciousness and the ability to respond to environmental stimulation.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of familiar voices on the level of consciousness (LOC) among comatose patients with a brain injury hospitalized in the intensive care unit.

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, sixty comatose patients with head trauma were conveniently selected from an intensive care unit of a hospital in Rasht, Iran, and randomly allocated to either a control or an intervention group. Participants in the intervention group received auditory stimulation for three consecutive days and the level of consciousness was compared in two groups. The Glasgow Coma Scale was used to assess the patients’ level of consciousness. The data were analyzed through the Chi-square, the paired-samples t, student’s t test, and the repeated-measures analysis of variance. 

Results: A significant increase was found in the mean LOC in the intervention group after every daily auditory stimulation (P<0.05). However, no significant changes were observed in the control group (P>0.05). The repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that the time and interaction of time and groups were statistically significant (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Auditory stimulation with familiar voice was effective in improving levels of consciousness among comatose patients with a brain injury after three days.
Binding of alpha‐fodrin to gamma‐tubulin accounts for its role in the inhibition of microtubule nucleation
Authors: Sreeja Jamuna S. , Nellikka Rohith Kumar , John Rince , Sivakumar Krishnankutty C. , Sreekumar Easwaran , Sengupta Suparna
Published: May 2019

Non‐erythroid spectrin or fodrin is present as part of the γ‐tubulin ring complex (γ‐TuRC) in brain tissue and brain derived cells. Here, we show that fodrin, which is otherwise known for providing structural support to the cell membrane, interacts directly with γ‐tubulin within the γ‐TuRC through a GRIP2‐like motif. Turbidometric analysis of microtubule polymerization with nucleation‐potent γ‐TuRC isolated from HEK‐293 cells that lack fodrin and the γ‐TuRC from goat brain that contains fodrin shows inefficiency of the latter to promote nucleation. The involvement of fodrin was confirmed by the reduction in the microtubule polymerization efficiency of HEK‐293 derived γ‐TuRCs upon addition of purified brain fodrin. Thus, the interaction of fodrin with gamma‐tubulin is responsible for its inhibitory effect on γ‐tubulin mediated microtubule nucleation.
Internet Luring of Female Victims
Authors: Maras Marie‐Helen
Published: May 2019

Along with its positive uses, the Internet has been exploited by perpetrators and utilized for malicious purposes. One such purpose is to lure female victims by using deceitful practices online to trick females into meeting persons who want to commit crimes against them. The tactics utilized by perpetrators to lure female victims varies by perpetrator. Nevertheless, females are primarily lured offline through false promises of love, employment, and fame. The methods used by perpetrators to lure victims and victims' online behaviors, activities, and habits can shed light on the criminal justice policies and practices in this area.
Microfluidic Handling and Analysis of Giant Vesicles for Use as Artificial Cells: A Review
Authors: Robinson Tom
Published: May 2019

One of the goals of synthetic biology is the bottom‐up construction of an artificial cell, the successful realization of which could shed light on how cellular life emerged and could also be a useful tool for studying the function of modern cells. Using liposomes as biomimetic containers is particularly promising because lipid membranes are biocompatible and much of the required machinery can be reconstituted within them. Giant lipid vesicles have been used extensively in other fields such as biophysics and drug discovery, but their use as artificial cells has only recently seen an increase. Despite the prevalence of giant vesicles, many experiments remain challenging or impossible due to their delicate nature compared to biological cells. This review aims to highlight the effectiveness of microfluidic technologies in handling and analyzing giant vesicles. The advantages and disadvantages of different microfluidic approaches and what new insights can be gained from various applications are introduced. Finally, future directions are discussed in which the unique combination of microfluidics and giant lipid vesicles can push forward the bottom‐up construction of artificial cells.
Promoting the Transformation of Li2S2 to Li2S: Significantly Increasing Utilization of Active Materials for High‐Sulfur‐Loading Li–S Batteries
Authors: Yang Xiaofei , Gao Xuejie , Sun Qian , Jand Sara Panahian , Yu Ying , Zhao Yang , Li Xia , Adair Keegan , Kuo Liang‐Yin , Rohrer Jochen , Liang Jianneng , Lin Xiaoting , Banis Mohammad Norouzi , Hu Yongfeng , Zhang Hongzhang , Li Xianfeng , Li Ruying , Zhang Huamin , Kaghazchi Payam , Sham Tsun‐Kong , Sun Xueliang
Published: May 2019

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries with high sulfur loading are urgently required in order to take advantage of their high theoretical energy density. Ether‐based Li–S batteries involve sophisticated multistep solid–liquid–solid–solid electrochemical reaction mechanisms. Recently, studies on Li–S batteries have widely focused on the initial solid (sulfur)–liquid (soluble polysulfide)–solid (Li2S2) conversion reactions, which contribute to the first 50% of the theoretical capacity of the Li–S batteries. Nonetheless, the sluggish kinetics of the solid–solid conversion from solid‐state intermediate product Li2S2 to the final discharge product Li2S (corresponding to the last 50% of the theoretical capacity) leads to the premature end of discharge, resulting in low discharge capacity output and low sulfur utilization. To tackle the aforementioned issue, a catalyst of amorphous cobalt sulfide (CoS3) is proposed to decrease the dissociation energy of Li2S2 and propel the electrochemical transformation of Li2S2 to Li2S. The CoS3 catalyst plays a critical role in improving the sulfur utilization, especially in high‐loading sulfur cathodes (3–10 mg cm−2). Accordingly, the Li2S/Li2S2 ratio in the discharge products increased to 5.60/1 from 1/1.63 with CoS3 catalyst, resulting in a sulfur utilization increase of 20% (335 mAh g−1) compared to the counterpart sulfur electrode without CoS3.
Realizing Broadband Transparency via Manipulating the Hybrid Coupling Modes in Metasurfaces for High‐Efficiency Metalens
Authors: Cheng Kaiyang , Wei Zeyong , Fan Yuancheng , Zhang Xiaoming , Wu Chao , Li Hongqiang
Published: May 2019

Metasurfaces with locally controlled phase discontinuity are promising for novel manipulations of the optical fields. However, the high insert loss at off‐resonance frequencies and narrow operation band of the resonant metasurface lead to the common low efficiency, obstructing it from practical applications. Here, it is shown that a broadband transparent metasurface, made of three‐layer complementary square ring resonator (CSRR) arrays, can be employed for high‐efficiency and broadband beam manipulation. The nonuniform metasurface can be optimized with high transmittance (above 90%) while maintaining full range (from 0 to 2π) phase modulation by adjusting the geometric parameters of the CSRR on the middle layer. The physical insight can be understood with a coupled oscillator model, it is found that the interlayer coupling constant is the key factor to realize phase modulation with high efficiency. A transmittance metalens with long focal depth in broadband is experimentally demonstrated as an example, the measured transmission efficiency is higher than 80%. The developed broadband wavefront engineering elements can be employed for high‐performance, miniaturized and superior environmental suitability sensing, imaging, and communication system.
Systematic synthesis and integration of multiple‐effect distillation into overall processes: The case of biorefineries
Authors: Pyrgakis Konstantinos A. , Kokossis Antonis C.
Published: May 2019

Chemical engineering is challenged by new chemistries that convert raw materials (biomass, biogenic waste) into chemicals through numerous promising, yet untested, chemical/biochemical reactions. Process and energy integration are essential to provide viable recommendations as downstream separation costs are often prohibitive to support the selected reactions. Distillation remains attractive for separation, whereas multiple‐effect distillation (MED) offers high energy savings, fully exploiting the potential to integrate separations with the background process. Whereas model‐based methods are plentiful for stand‐alone MED designs, integration of units with the background process is restricted by graphical or inspection methods, which are prone to miss optimality and impractical to use for high‐throughput screening. This work contributes with the introduction of an optimization approach that addresses challenges in allocation and integration of MED by considering methods to systematize design options and to automate decision‐making. The approach is illustrated in a real‐life biorefinery securing 70% savings under a small investment. © 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Influence of wood pulp quality on the structure of carboxymethyl cellulose
Authors: Fechter Catharina , Heinze Thomas
Published: May 2019

The quality of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) prepared from different wood‐derived market pulps is examined. The pulps represent kraft and sulfite qualities with different levels of hemicellulose (1.5–22.8 wt %), intrinsic viscosity (391–780 mL g−1), and content of extractives (0.04–0.13 wt %). The pulps are carboxymethylated in aqueous medium at three different levels of sodium hydroxide concentration, resulting in three levels of degree of substitution (DS), 0.3, 0.7–0.8, and 1.3–1.4 (according to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high‐performance liquid chromatography). CMC with DS 0.7–0.8 is found to be near the limit for water solubility and the resulting ranking for that solubility is shown to be correlated to DS. The DS is found to be impaired by a high content of impurities and high degree of Cellulose II in the pulp. The sulfite pulps yield CMC with the best solubility in water. A high level of extractives does not interfere with reactivity. Moreover, it is found that impurities, such as lignin and xylan, inhibit thickening behavior even at high DS, and that the ratio of substitution on Position 3 is a measure of the xylan content, which suggests that this position in xylan has extremely high reactivity. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47862.
Protein–polymer interaction: Transfer loading at interfacial region of PES‐based membrane and BSA
Authors: Sadegh Hamidreza , Sahay Rahul , Soni Shivani
Published: May 2019

The adsorption of proteins onto polymeric surfaces is encountered in many natural and industrial processes and is a prerequisite to their efficient identification, separation, and purification by methods such as chromatography, and filtration. Nevertheless, the exact nature of the adsorption mechanisms and interfacial interactions is not easy to identify for a given protein–polymer system. Here, we aim to document the adsorption mechanism of a protein–polymer system by investigating the adsorption as well as desorption phenomenon of a protein [bovine serum albumin (BSA)] from the polymeric surface [polyethersulfone (PES)]. The analyses performed to document the adsorption mechanism of the BSA–PES system include scanning electron microscope (SEM), attenuated total reflection‐Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), contact angle, zeta potential, surface charge density measurement, and Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO). Here, SEM and FTIR identified the physical and chemical properties of pure PES and PES–BSA membranes. The low water contact angle of the PES–BSA membrane confirms its applicability for tissue engineering applications. Further, the zeta potential, surface charge density measurement, and DLVO analyses were performed to document the adsorption mechanism. The adsorption of BSA particles on the PES surface was carried out for pH values that ranged from 4 to 10 for contact times that ranged from 1 to 3 days. A monotonic increase in the zeta potential of the PES–BSA system indicated considerable adsorption of BSA particles on the PES surface. Further, BSA adsorption was very strong for pH values greater than 4.7 which confirms to strong electrostatic interactions between BSA and PES. The strong electrostatic interaction is also collaborated by low desorption rate, which was only ∼22% for pH 10 after 3 days of contact. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47931.
Targeting the signalling pathways regulated by deubiquitinases for prostate cancer therapeutics
Authors: Islam Md. Tariqul , Zhou Xi , Chen Fangzhi , Khan Md. Asaduzzaman , Fu Junjiang , Chen Hanchun
Published: May 2019

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer diagnosed and the second most common cause of cancer‐related death in men worldwide. The current androgen deprivation therapy for PCa cannot fully cure this disease. Moreover, androgen receptor gene amplification and mutation are associated with PCa to develop castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). This review focuses on the deubiquitinases (DUBs) involved in PCa development and progression. For PCa development and progression, several cellular pathways are regulated by specific DUBs which are also highlighted in here. The ubiquitin‐specific proteases (USPs), a family member of DUBs mostly involved in the regulation of cellular pathways for PCa development, and the ubiquitin C‐terminal hydrolases (UCHs), another family member of DUBs, are responsible for PCa metastasis. Small molecular inhibitors against DUBs can inhibit or reduce the level of specific DUBs through the regulation of cellular pathway to treat this disease. Some small molecular inhibitors are already identified against some of the DUBs, but very few of them are clinically proved in PCa. So, to find out other DUBs involving in the regulation of PCa‐related pathways and to develop more effective small molecule inhibitors with greater potency would be a great idea to target PCa cells for future therapeutics and drug development with or without the combination of other anticancer drugs.

Significance of the study

This review is targeting DUB proteins which are responsible for PCa induction, proliferation, and metastasis by highlighting their signalling pathway so that the readers can get information about other mechanisms for PCa besides androgen receptor pathway and helps to find other oncogenic DUBs involving in these signalling pathways. This review also hopes to find other oncogenic DUBs involving in PCa‐related signalling pathways or to find the DUBs that can regulate multiple oncogenic signalling pathways which might be a good target for PCa therapeutics. In addition, there are some small molecule inhibitors that can inhibit the oncogenic DUBs and thus able to control the oncogenic pathways which would be a novel strategy to treat CRPC by using DUB inhibitor combined with or without other anticancer drugs.
A Self‐Assembly Process for the Immobilization of N‐Modified Au Nanoparticles in Ordered Mesoporous Carbon with Large Pores
Authors: Li Hui , Shen Hong , Pei Chun , Chen Shangjun , Wan Ying
Published: May 2019

A self‐assembly approach has been developed for the immobilization of nitrogen‐modified gold nanoparticles in an ordered mesoporous carbon matrix with large pores. Self‐assembly of the polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) diblock copolymer template coordinated with gold ions and a low‐polymerized phenolic resin leads to a face‐centered cubic mesostructure with F
mm symmetry. Characterization with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy shows that after pyrolysis at 600 °C, monodispersed N‐modified gold nanoparticles approximately 4 nm in size are encapsulated in the ordered mesoporous carbon matrix with open and large pores. The aggregation of Au nanocatalysts into large particles is inhibited due to the coordination between gold and pyridine. The pore size can be tuned from 6 to 12 nm by changing the molecular weight of the PS block. The N‐modified gold catalyst is active in converting benzyl alcohol to benzoic acid using O2 as a green oxidant.
Earthworms affect growth and competition between ectomycorrhizal and arbuscular mycorrhizal plants
Authors: Frouz Jan , Moradi Jabbar , Püschel David , Rydlová Jana
Published: May 2019

Previous research showed that during intermediate stages of primary succession, when vegetation is dominated by ectomycorrhizal (EcM) shrubs and trees, site colonization by earthworms substantially alters plant communities. Research has also shown that EcM shrubs and trees suppress arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) plants in the understory. To determine whether earthworm activity reduces this asymmetric competition, we conducted a full factorial laboratory experiment in which we grew EcM Betula pendula and AM Tripleurospermum inodorum, together or apart, in soils affected or not affected by earthworms. When both plants were grown together in soil unaffected by earthworms, growth of T. inodorum was significantly reduced by competition with B. pendula, but B. pendula growth was not reduced by T. inodorum. In soil affected by earthworms, the growth of both species was increased, and the negative effect of B. pendula on T. inodorum was no longer statistically significant (P < 0.05). These data indicate that earthworms weaken the asymmetric competition between EcM and AM plants. Consistent with this inference, EcM colonization of B. pendula was decreased and AM fungal bioassay in soil was increased by earthworms.
Understanding structure ignition vulnerabilities using mock‐up sections of attached wood fencing assemblies
Authors: Suzuki Sayaka , Manzello Samuel L.
Published: May 2019

Firebrand production from structure combustion becomes a key factor in the magnitude of how quickly a large outdoor fire may spread. Post‐fire disaster investigations suggest that attached building components, such as wood fencing assemblies are known to be prone to ignition in these fires, and may provide pathways to structure ignition. Here, a comparison of ignition results from full‐scale fencing assembly experiments conducted using a full‐scale wind tunnel facility, to mock‐ups of full‐scale fencing assemblies using the recently developed experimental capability at the National Research Institute of Fire and Disaster (NRIFD) are discussed. In both experimental facilities, the fencing assemblies were exposed to firebrand showers using custom built continuous feed firebrand generators with size and mass distributions similar to those generated from structure combustion. Similar ignition behaviors were observed between the full‐scale fencing assemblies and the mock‐up of full‐scale fencing assemblies. Additional experiments are required for other fencing assembly types to further verify these important findings.
A ~2.5 Ga magmatic arc in NE China: New geochronological and geochemical evidence from the Xinghuadukou Complex
Authors: Hou Wenzhu , Zhao Guochun , Han Yigui , Eizenhoefer Paul R. , Zhang Xiaoran , Liu Qian
Published: May 2019

This study reports new LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb zircon ages from the Xinghuadukou Complex from the Erguna Block, NE China. A suite of the Palaeoproterozoic orthogneiss and a suite of the Vendian to Cambrian paragneiss are recognized with the co‐magmatic age of 2,464 ± 26 Ma and the maximum depositional age of 561 ± 10 Ma for their igneous and sedimentary protolith, respectively. The trace element geochemical analysis suggests a strong arc affinity for our orthogneiss, characterized by the enriched LREE and LILE, the elevated incompatible and fluid‐mobile elements and the depleted yet negligible fractionated HREE and HFSE. By comparing our samples with a suite of Cenozoic mantle‐derived granitoids from Hokkaido and a suite of Mesozoic active continental margin volcanics from NE China, it is suggested that the igneous protolith of our near Archaean orthogneiss formed in an arc environment and probably derived from the prior arc crust. The trace element features of the paragneiss highly resemble that of the orthogneiss, showing arc affinity, which suggests an arc basin environment for the sedimentary protolith of our Vendian to Cambrian paragneiss. Based on the synthesized evidence from the Xinghuadukou Complex, a new tectonic scenario is proposed that the basement of the Erguna Block might be forged by the accretion and collision of multi‐episodic igneous arcs and their correlated arc basins, which was probably lasting through the Proterozoic and followed by the Pan‐African period high‐grade metamorphism. The consolidated Erguna Block was later involved into the CAOB tectonic domain, modified and disrupted with the assembly of NE China.
A longitudinal characterization of perfusion in the aging brain and associations with cognition and neural structure
Authors: Staffaroni Adam M. , Cobigo Yann , Elahi Fanny M. , Casaletto Kaitlin B. , Walters Samantha M. , Wolf Amy , Lindbergh Cutter A. , Rosen Howard J. , Kramer Joel H.
Published: May 2019

Cerebral perfusion declines across the lifespan and is altered in the early stages of several age‐related neuropathologies. Little is known, however, about the longitudinal evolution of perfusion in healthy older adults, particularly when perfusion is quantified using magnetic resonance imaging with arterial spin labeling (ASL). The objective was to characterize longitudinal perfusion in typically aging adults and elucidate associations with cognition and brain structure. Adults who were functionally intact at baseline (n = 161, ages 47–89) underwent ASL imaging to quantify whole‐brain gray matter perfusion; a subset (n = 136) had repeated imaging (average follow‐up: 2.3 years). Neuropsychological testing at each visit was summarized into executive function, memory, and processing speed composites. Global gray matter volume, white matter microstructure (mean diffusivity), and white matter hyperintensities were also quantified. We assessed baseline associations among perfusion, cognition, and brain structure using linear regression, and longitudinal relationships using linear mixed effects models. Greater baseline perfusion, particularly in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and right thalamus, was associated with better executive functions. Greater whole‐brain perfusion loss was associated with worsening brain structure and declining processing speed. This study helps validate noninvasive MRI‐based perfusion imaging and underscores the importance of cerebral blood flow in cognitive aging.
Enhanced fully cellulose based forward and reverse blood typing assay
Authors: Casals‐Terré Jasmina , Farré‐Lladós Josep , López Joan A. , Vidal Teresa , Roncero Maria Blanca
Published: May 2019

This study presents an enhanced paper‐based analytical device (PAD) for forward and reverse group blood typing. The proposed PAD uses a novel methodology, which provides highly reliable results on a fully cellulose based device. The PAD was printed on different cellulose substrates. These substrates were made of different cellulose fibers (sisal and eucalyptus), different grammages, refining steps, and wet additive content. Best parameters were chosen to achieve high reliability on both forward and reverse blood typing. The substrates were patterned with five hydrophilic channels and two hydrophobic areas. For reverse blood typing, the hemoagglutination reaction took place on the hydrophobic surface of the paper before being transferred to the paper web, where together with the forward blood typing tests were all washed with saline solution to read the results by elution. This device allows direct read‐out of results; the stains show were agglutination happens. Different blood types were in full agreement between the reverse and forward method and in agreement with traditional methods. The time and simplicity of this methodology confirmed its utility.
A CGenFF‐based force field for simulations of peptoids with both cis and trans peptide bonds
Authors: Weiser Laura J. , Santiso Erik E.
Published: May 2019

Peptoids, or poly‐n‐substituted glycines, are peptide‐like polymers composed of a flexible backbone decorated with diverse chemical side chains. Peptoids can form a variety of self‐assembling structures based on the type and sequence of the side chains attached to their backbones. All‐atom molecular dynamics simulations have been useful in predicting the conformational structures of proteins and will be valuable tools for identifying combinations of peptoid side chains that may form interesting folded structures. However, peptoid models must address a major degree of freedom not common in proteins – the cis/trans isomerization of the peptide bond. This work presents CHARMM general force field (CGenFF) parameters developed to accurately represent peptoid conformational behavior, with an emphasis on a correct representation of both the cis and trans isomers of the peptoid backbone. These parameters are validated against experimental and quantum mechanics data and used to simulate three peptoid side chains in explicitly solvated systems. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Upper airway stimulation therapy and sleep architecture in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Bohorquez Dominique , Mahmoud Ahmad F. , Yu Jason L. , Thaler Erica R.
Published: May 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

To quantify changes in sleep architecture before and after upper airway stimulation (UAS) therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

This study was performed at a single‐institution tertiary academic care center. Patients who responded successfully to UAS implantation were selected for this study. Preoperative and postoperative sleep studies were compared to determine sleep architecture changes. Primary outcomes included sleep architecture parameters such as N1, N2, N3, and rapid eye movement (REM) in addition to others. Secondary outcomes included body mass index.

Results

Thirty‐five patients met inclusion criteria for this study. There was significant improvement across several sleep architecture parameters. N1 sleep percent decreased from 16.7% ± 2.1% preoperatively to 10.1% ± 1.6% postoperatively (P = .023). Time spent in N2 increased from 148.0 ± 12.4 minutes to 185.5 ± 10.4 minutes (P = .030), whereas N3 increased from 21.9 ± 5.0 minutes to 57.0 ± 11.1 minutes (P = .013). No significant changes were observed in REM sleep. Arousal index decreased from 38.8 ± 4.0 to 30.3 ± 4.0 (P = .050).

Conclusions

There was significant improvement across several sleep architecture parameters among patients who responded successfully to UAS implantation.

Level of Evidence

4

Laryngoscope, 130:1085–1089, 2020
The surgical anatomy of soft tissue layers in the mastoid region
Authors: Hongo Takahiro , Komune Noritaka , Shimamoto Ryo , Nakagawa Takashi
Published: May 2019

Background

An understanding of the soft tissue layers in the mastoid region has become important for otologic reconstructive surgery. The objective of this study was to clarify the surgical anatomy of the soft tissue layers in the mastoid region and reveal its clinical significance.

Methods

Cadaveric study.

Results

Our dissections showed the soft tissue layers consisting of skin, subcutaneous layer, superficial and deep mastoid fasciae, and periosteum. The superficial mastoid fascia was continuous with the temporoparietal fascia cranially and the superficial cervical fascia caudally. The deep mastoid fascia could be clearly separated from the superficial mastoid fascia and has continuity to the loose alveolar layer in the temporoparietal region. However, it caudally fused with the fascia and ligament of the sternocleidomastoid.

Conclusions

A comprehensive understanding of soft tissue layers would improve otologic reconstructive surgery.

Level of Evidence

NA
Superior Wait‐List Outcomes in Patients with Alcohol‐Associated Liver Disease Compared With Other Indications for Liver Transplantation
Authors: Giard Jeanne‐Marie , Dodge Jennifer L. , Terrault Norah A.
Published: May 2019

Alcohol‐associated liver disease (ALD) is the most common indication for liver transplantation (LT) in the United States and Europe. A 6‐month alcohol abstinence period has been required by many transplant programs prior to listing, which may influence wait‐list (WL) outcomes. Therefore, we examined WL events in patients with ALD versus non‐ALD with a special interest in whether these outcomes differed by sex. All US adults listed for LT from January 2002 to December 2016 were eligible except status 1 patients, Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease exceptions, retransplants and those with acute alcoholic hepatitis. The outcomes of interest were cumulative WL death or being too sick and WL removal for improvement within 2 years of listing. Competing risk regression models were used to evaluate recipient factors associated with the outcomes. Among the 83,348 eligible WL patients, 23% had ALD. Unadjusted cumulative WL removal within 2 years was 19.0% for ALD versus 21.1% for non‐ALD (P < 0.001). In fully adjusted models, ALD was associated with a significantly lower risk of WL removal for death or being too sick (subhazard ratio [SHR], 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81‐0.87; P < 0.001) and a higher risk of removal for improvement (SHR, 2.91; 95% CI, 2.35‐3.61; P < 0.001) versus non‐ALD patients. After adjusting for potential confounders, women with ALD had a higher risk of removal for death or being too sick (SHR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.00‐1.08; P < 0.001) and a higher chance for improvement (SHR, 2.91; 95% CI, 2.35‐3.61; P < 0.001) than men with ALD. In conclusion, WL candidates with ALD have more favorable WL outcomes than non‐ALD patients with a 16% lower risk of removal for deterioration and 191% higher risk of removal for improvement. This result likely reflects the benefits of alcohol abstinence, but it suggests that listing criteria for ALD may be too restrictive, with patients who might derive benefit from LT not being listed.
Silicon nitride enhances osteoprogenitor cell growth and differentiation via increased surface energy and formation of amide and nanocrystalline HA for craniofacial reconstruction
Authors: Awad Kamal R. , Ahuja Neelam , Shah Ami , Tran Henry , Aswath Pranesh B. , Brotto Marco , Varanasi Venu
Published: May 2019

The bioactive silicon nitride (Si3N4) has been FDA cleared for use as spinal intervertebral arthrodesis devices. Because its surface properties promote bone ongrowth and ingrowth, it also has the potential to benefit craniofacial reconstruction. Thus, the aim of this work was to determine whether the surface properties of Si3N4 could enhance the osteoblast cell growth, differentiation and nucleation of hydroxyapatite (HA) crystals compared to conventional implant materials such as titanium (Ti) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK). X‐ray absorbance near‐edge structure analysis (XANES) indicated the presence of Si‐Si, Si‐O and Si‐N bonding. Surface wettability studies confirmed that Si3N4 exhibits the lowest contact angle and highest surface energy. Cell culture studies showed that osteoblast growth was enhanced on Si3N4 after 1 day and up to 7 days. Si3N4 surface induced highest surface coverage and thickness of nanocrystalline HA (211) and (203) in cell‐free in vitro studies after 7 days of culture. Raman spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of surface functional groups consisting of phosphate and carbonate species. Interestingly, Si3N4 surface showed amide and hydroxyproline groups, the precursors to collagen, which were not observed on Ti and PEEK surfaces. Furthermore, Si3N4 surface indicated high expression of RUNX2, enhanced cell differentiation and dense collagenous ECM after 30 days of the in vitro study. The present study concluded that Si3N4 surface enhances osteoprogenitor cell adhesion, growth, RUNX2 expression and ECM formation via the coupled effects of higher surface energy and the presence of amide and nanocrystalline HA functional groups.
Dynamics and pattern formations in diffusive predator‐prey models with two prey‐taxis
Authors: Guo Xinxin , Wang Jinfeng
Published: May 2019

A reaction‐diffusion two‐predator‐one‐prey system with prey‐taxis describes the spatial interaction and random movement of predator and prey species, as well as the spatial movement of predators pursuing preys. The global existence and boundedness of solutions of the system in bounded domains of arbitrary spatial dimension and any small prey‐taxis sensitivity coefficient are investigated by the semigroup theory. The spatial pattern formation induced by the prey‐taxis is characterized by the Turing type linear instability of homogeneous state; it is shown that prey‐taxis can both compress and prompt the spatial patterns produced through diffusion‐induced instability in two‐predator‐one‐prey systems.
Identification and mapping of worldwide sources of generic real‐world data
Authors: Wang Xuan , Lahoz Raquel , Jawla Shantanu , Przybysz Raymond , Kahler Kristijan H. , Burdukova Lisa , Venkata Shiva Kumar , Nassim Maria , Jalapu Anil , Justo Nahila
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The demand for real‐world data as supportive evidence to traditional clinical studies has increased in the past few years. The present study aimed to identify worldwide generic sources of real‐world data and to assess completeness and suitability of selected real‐world evidence (RWE) data sources to conduct prespecified research.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted to identify generic (non‐disease specific) sources of real‐world data in Medline and Embase from January 1, 2010 to September 8, 2015. Data sources used in observational studies were identified and summarized based on their geographical distribution and the type of data. In the next step, the selected data sources were critically evaluated for their completeness.

Results

A total of 10,069 identified publications were screened, leading to 2635 unique data sources across 102 countries. Europe had the maximum number of data sources (n = 1163) followed by United States (n = 578), and Asia, Middle East, and African Countries (n = 374). The most common type of identified data sources across all countries was structured data sources, ie, administrative databases and registries. Of the identified data sources, 300 were selected for further investigation. From the selected databases, ~50% had confirmed information on over 60% of the investigated variables, ~61% were suitable for epidemiological research, and 60% had possibility of linkage.

Conclusions

The present study applied a systematic literature review approach and identified available generic sources of real‐world data worldwide, in addition to the United States and Europe, which are suitable for conducting pre‐defined researches and support future RWE studies.