bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of biological fluid analysis using the sysmex XN automatic hematology analyzer
Authors: Aguadero Vicente , Cano‐Corres Ruth , Berlanga Eugenio , Torra Montserrat
Published: August 2017

Background

Hematological cytometers with a biological fluid module could potentially correct the limitations of the manual chamber method. This study evaluates the agreement between the manual technique and the Sysmex XN‐1000 analyzer for white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) counts, as well as for leukocyte differentiation in different types of fluids. This study also evaluates the advantages of incorporating the technique in routine laboratory work.

Methods

One hundred and three fluid samples examined were 45 ascite (AF), 21 synovial (SF), 33 pleural (PF), and 31 cerebrospinal (CSF) fluid samples. All cell counting was performed with a Sysmex XN‐1000 and a Fuchs‐Rosenthal counting chamber. May Gründwald‐Giemsa stain was used for manual WBC differentiation. The manual analysis data were obtained in duplicate by the same two observers. Passing‐Bablok regression and the Kappa index were used to evaluate the interchangeability and concordance.

Results

Good agreement was observed for WBC differentiation in all fluids and for WBC counts in SF and PF. An optimal Kappa index was obtained, which indicated agreement and clinical significance for WBC and RBC counts in CSF and for RBC counts in PF. There was disagreement for WBC and RBC analysis in AF, with significantly higher results from the Sysmex XN‐1000 than from the manual method. A reduction in laboratory response time was observed when using the automatic method.

Conclusions

Except for AF, the Sysmex XN‐1000 results agree with those of the manual method, although to different degrees depending on the fluid type. © 2017 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Partially observed cross‐layer optimization for vehicular communications
Authors: Li Lin , Liu Yanheng , Wang Jian , Wu Tao , Zhou Peng
Published: August 2017

Vehicular Ad‐hoc Networks (VANETs) that are characterized by frequently changed topology, worse signal noise ratio, and non‐negligible Doppler effect introduce new non‐trivial challenges to Quality‐of‐Service (QoS) provisioning. The methodology of cross‐layer optimization aims to jointly optimize the working behaviors over different layers to achieve a better network performance, eg, throughput and transmission latency. This paper presents a novel cross‐layer optimization method based on Partially Observed Markov Games (POMG) to improve optimization decision against the inaccurate observed context caused by high‐speed movement, sensor errors, and other unavoidable reasons. POMG extends Markov Decision Process (MDP) and Partially Observed Markov Decision Process (POMDP) to dynamically adjust the concerned actions (eg, transmission range, contention window, and bit rate) according to the observed traffic density and thus can improve optimization performance at several aspects, eg,, throughput, channel utilization, delay, and total number of neighbor nodes. The extensive simulations show that POMG could harvest a high entire gain compared with the traditional fixed policy and the other cross‐layer optimization schemes.
Intraosseous Rosai‐Dorfman disease diagnosed by touch imprint cytology evaluation: A case series
Authors: Pendse Avani A. , Wobker Sara E. , Greene Kevin G. , Smith Scott V. , Esther Robert J. , Dodd Leslie G.
Published: August 2017

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy, also known as Rosai‐Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare benign disorder that primarily affects the lymph nodes. Localized lymphadenopathy is the most common clinical manifestation of this disorder. However, RDD has been described in several extra‐nodal sites including the head and neck region, soft tissue, skin, upper respiratory tract, gastro‐intestinal tract and central nervous system (CNS). Involvement of the bone is considered very rare, occurring in less than 10% patients. RDD is one of the histiocytoses and the differential diagnosis includes entities such as Langerhans cell histiocytosis and Erdheim‐Chester disease. In the rare intraosseous variant, the clinical and radiologic differential diagnosis is broader and includes neoplasms such as osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. In this report, we describe three cases of extra‐nodal, intraosseous RDD where touch imprint cytology played a crucial role in diagnosis. Two of the cases initially presented with involvement of the head and neck region and later developed intraosseous disease; while the third patient presented with primary bone involvement. The diagnosis was established by core biopsy with touch imprints of the bone lesions. The cytologic samples showed numerous histiocytes, often with neutrophils within their cytoplasm (emperipolesis) in addition to lymphocytes and plasma cells. The diagnosis of RDD was confirmed with appropriate immunohistochemical stains. Our account of these three cases of intraosseous Rosai‐Dorfman disease highlights the role of cytology in the diagnosis of this rare entity.
School‐age children's neural sensitivity to horizontal orientation energy in faces
Authors: Balas Benjamin , van Lamsweerde Amanda E. , Saville Alyson , Schmidt Jamie
Published: August 2017

Face processing mechanisms are tuned to specific low‐level features including mid‐range spatial frequencies and horizontal orientation energy. Behaviorally, adult observers are more effective at face recognition tasks when these information channels are available. Neural responses to face images also reflect these information biases: Face‐sensitive ERP components respond preferentially to face images that contain horizontal orientation energy. How does neural tuning of face representations to horizontal information develop? Behavioral results show that this information bias increases over time such that younger children have a reduced bias favoring horizontally‐filtered faces that increases with age. In the present study, we chose to investigate how neural sensitivity to these low‐level features develops in the same age range, using ERP as a means of studying children and adults. Specifically, we examined how both face‐sensitive ERP components (the P100 and N170) changed their responses to faces and non‐faces as a function of age and orientation energy. Briefly, we found that the latency of the P100 and N170 component across age groups was consistent with the gradual emergence of a bias favoring horizontal orientation energy during middle childhood. The amplitude of the N170 component, however, exhibited a more complicated developmental profile that does not easily map onto previous behavioral results obtained from children in the same age ranges.
Parental depression and parent and child stress physiology: Moderation by parental hostility
Authors: Merwin Stephanie M. , Leppert Katherine A. , Smith Victoria C. , Dougherty Lea R.
Published: August 2017

This study examined the moderating role of parental hostility on the associations between parental depression and the cortisol awakening response (CAR) and morning cortisol levels of both parents and children. 148 parents and 148 preschool‐aged children provided salivary cortisol samples at waking, 30 and 45 min post‐waking on two consecutive days. Parental depression was assessed using a clinical interview, and parental hostility was assessed using an observational parent‐child interaction task. Results indicated that the combination of parental lifetime depression and high parental hostility was associated with lower morning cortisol levels in both parents and children. This interactive effect was present in children regardless of their exposure to parental depression. In addition, the combination of higher levels of parents’ current depressive symptoms and parental hostility was associated with lower parent CAR. Lastly, parents’ and children's lower morning cortisol levels were associated with parent‐reported child externalizing symptoms. Findings demonstrate that parents and children have similar stress system functioning related to parental depression and the parenting context, as well as children's behavioral problems, which may play a role in the intergenerational transmission of risk for psychopathology.
Reactivity of Copper Complexes with Bis(piperidinyl)methane and Bis(quinolinyl)methane Ligands
Authors: Stumpf Tim‐Daniel J. , Steinbach Manfred , Würtele Christian , Becker Jonathan , Becker Sabine , Fröhlich Roland , Göttlich Richard , Schindler Siegfried
Published: August 2017

Copper complexes with bis(piperidinyl)methane (BP) and bis(quinolinyl)methane (BQ) ligands were investigated. A dinuclear carbonato‐bridged copper(II) complex as well as a dinuclear copper(I) complex with BP ligands were structurally characterized. The reaction of a copper(I)–BP complex was investigated by low‐temperature stopped‐flow techniques, which showed that the very fast formation of a bis(µ‐oxido)copper intermediate leads to an intramolecular ligand hydroxylation. However, substrates such as benzyl alcohol could also be oxidized with this complex. In contrast, no intermediates could be observed spectroscopically for complexes with the BQ ligand or derivatives of this ligand. Instead, complex reaction behavior was observed when copper(II) chloride was treated with BQ in air or under inert conditions. Several crystal structures helped to establish mechanisms for these reactions. A coordination polymer was obtained as an interesting reaction product.
Enhanced Relative Stability of Metallabenzenes versus Metallocenes upon Ring Perfluorination: Nickel, Palladium, and Platinum Systems
Authors: Li Jing , Li Guoliang , Xie Yaoming , King R. Bruce , Schaefer Henry F.
Published: August 2017

Perfluorination of one η5‐C5H5 ring in the MC10H10 system (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) to give an MC10H5F5 system greatly destabilizes structures containing a perfluorinated pentahapto η5‐C5F5 ring. As a result, the metallapentafluorobenzene structures (η5‐C5H5)(MC5F5) are the lowest‐energy structures for all three metals, with energy differences of 1.4, 6.2, and 16.2 kcal/mol for nickel, palladium, and platinum, respectively. In addition, palladium and platinum isomeric metallatetrafluorocyclopentadiene structures, with a complexed fluorobenzene ring; that is, (C6H5F)(MC4F4) (M = Pd, Pt), are lower‐energy structures than the lowest‐energy metallocene structures. Furthermore, for palladium and platinum, the lowest‐energy metallocene structures are slipped metallocenes with a trihapto, rather than a pentahapto, pentafluorocyclopentadienyl ring. These theoretical results suggest the pentafluorocyclopentadienyl anion as a reagent for synthesizing metallapentafluorobenzene derivatives by reactions with (η5‐C5R5)M(CO)X, (η5‐C5R5)2M2(µ‐CO)2, or (η5‐C5R5)2Ni (R = H, Me; M = Ni, Pt).
Immobilized enzyme reactors based on monoliths: Effect of pore size and enzyme loading on biocatalytic process
Authors: Volokitina Mariia V. , Nikitina Anna V. , Tennikova Tatiana B. , Korzhikova‐Vlakh Evgenia G.
Published: August 2017

Macroporous monolithic columns with different mean pore size (from 360 to 2020 nm) and appropriate flow‐through properties were synthesized using free radical in situ copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate, 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and ethylene dimethacrylate. In order to predict the composition of porogen mixture to generate the pores in the interested size interval, the Hildebrand theory was used. Ribonuclease A and its specific low‐ and macromolecular substrates cytidine‐2′,3′‐cyclic monophosphate sodium salt and RNA were applied as model system. The effect of mean pore size of macroporous monoliths used for enzyme immobilization on molecular recognition and biocatalytic characteristics was examined. The monitoring of RNA degradation was performed using anion‐exchange HPLC on monolithic CIM DEAE analytical column. The high efficiency of heterogeneous biocatalysts obtained comparatively to the catalytic reaction of RNA degradation in solution was demonstrated. Additionally, the series of six monolithic immobilized enzyme reactors with different amount of biocatalyst was prepared and studied regarding to the biocatalytic properties at recirculation mode at two experimental variants, e.g. (i) fixed range of concentrations of circulated substrate solutions, and (ii) fixed range of substrate/enzyme molar ratios.
An aptamer‐based paper microfluidic device for the colorimetric determination of cocaine
Authors: Wang Ling , Musile Giacomo , McCord Bruce R.
Published: August 2017

A method utilizing paper microfluidics coupled with gold nanoparticles and two anticocaine aptamers has been developed to detect seized cocaine samples. The ready‐to‐use format involves the use of a paper strip that produces a color change resulting from the salt‐induced aggregation of gold nanoparticles producing a visible color change indicating the presence of the drug. This format is specific for the detection of cocaine. The visual LOD for the method was 2.5 μg and the camera based LOD was 2.36 μg. The operation of the device is easy and rapid, and does not require extensive training or instrumentation. All of the materials utilized in the device are safe and environmental friendly. This device should prove a useful tool for the screening of forensic samples.
Controlled crosslinking of trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate for preparation of organic monolithic columns for capillary liquid chromatography
Authors: Gama Mariana R. , Aggarwal Pankaj , Lee Milton L. , Bottoli Carla B.G.
Published: August 2017

Organic monolithic columns based on single crosslinking of trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) monomer were prepared in a single step by living/controlled free‐radical polymerization. Full optimization of the preparation, such as using different percentages of TRIM and different amounts of radical promoter as well as various porogen solvents were explored. The resulting monolithic columns were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy and nitrogen sorption for structure morphology studies and surface area measurements, respectively. Using capillary liquid chromatography, 150 μm i.d. columns were applied to separate a mixture of small hydrophobic molecules. The results indicated that column performance is highly sensitive to the type and the amount of porogen solvents used in the polymerization mixture composition. Good resolution factors and methylene selectivity were obtained, indicating the promising potential of this material for capillary liquid chromatography separations.
Nano‐engineered Diamond‐based Materials for Supercapacitor Electrodes: A Review
Authors: Siuzdak Katarzyna , Bogdanowicz Robert
Published: August 2017

Owing to the popularity of carbon‐based supercapacitors, diamond has been examined as a potential candidate for such devices with unique advantages such as a wide electrochemical potential window and stable capacitive behavior in both aqueous and non‐aqueous electrolytes. Moreover, its chemical stability in harsh environments at extreme applied potentials and currents provides unique opportunities for designing new supercapacitors. Owing to the intrinsic low surface area of diamond, it is necessary to increase the electrochemically active surface area or to produce diamond‐based composites, thereby ensuring capacitance improvement for the practical applications. According to previous literature reports, nano‐engineered diamond structures can achieve a specific capacitance values as high as 10 mF cm−2 with a specific energy of 10–100 Wh kg−1 in aqueous electrolyte. The present manuscript reviews the recent advances in this topic of research by highlighting the potentials and challenges of diamond‐based supercapacitors. Special attention is paid to the fabrication methods and electrochemical performance of particular material combinations in view of further application for supercapacitor construction.
The relation between insulin‐like growth factor 1 levels and risk of depression in ischemic stroke
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Wo , Kuang Li
Published: August 2017

Background

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether lower serum levels of insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) in the acute phase of ischemic stroke are associated with higher risk of post‐stroke depression (PSD) over a 1‐year period.

Methods

The subjects were first‐ever acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients who were hospitalized from July 1, 2014 to August 31, 2015. The study also included 120 age‐matched and sex‐matched healthy controls from the same geographical area. Fasting blood samples were collected within 24 hours of admission for IGF‐I measurement. Neurological and neuropsychological evaluations were conducted at a 1‐year follow‐up.

Results

Two‐hundred twenty‐five patients were observed for a 1‐year follow‐up, and 74 of these patients (32.9%, 95%CI: 26.8%‐39.0%) were diagnosed with PSD. The depression distribution across the IGF‐1 quartiles ranged between 61.4% (first quartile) and 8.9% (fourth quartile). In a multivariate model using the first quartiles of the IGF‐1 versus quartiles 2 through 4, together with the significant clinical variables, the marker displayed prognostic information, and the odds ratio (OR) for first quartile was 3.35 [95% CI, 1.88‐6.79; P = 0.001].

Conclusion

The data showed that low serum IGF‐1 levels at admission are associated with a high risk of developing PSD, suggesting that these alterations might be involved in the pathophysiology of depression symptoms in stroke patients.
Community mental health teams for older people in England: Variations in ways of working
Authors: Verbeek Hilde , Worden Angela , Wilberforce Mark , Brand Christian , Tucker Sue , Abendstern Michele , Challis David
Published: August 2017

Objective

Integrated community mental health teams (CMHTs) are a key component of specialist old age psychiatry services internationally. However, in England, significant shifts in policy, including a focus on dementia and age inclusive services, have influenced provision. This study portrays teams in 2009 against which subsequent service provision may be compared.

Methods

A bespoke national postal survey of CMHT managers collected data on teams' structure, composition, organisation, working practices, case management, and liaison activities.

Results

A total of 376 CMHTs (88%) responded. Teams comprised a widespread of disciplines. However, just 28% contained the full complement of professionals recommended by government policy. Over 93% of teams had a single point of access, but some GPs bypassed this, and 40% of teams did not accept direct referrals from care homes. Initial assessments were undertaken by multiple disciplines, and 71% of teams used common assessment documentation. Nevertheless, many social workers maintained both NHS and local authority records. In 92% of teams, nominated care coordinators oversaw the support provided by other team members. However, inter‐agency care coordination was less prevalent. Few teams offered the range of outreach/liaison activities anticipated in the national dementia strategy.

Conclusions

Compared with previous studies, teams had grown and changed, with a clear increase in non‐medical practitioners, particularly support workers. Measures to facilitate integrated care within CMHTs (eg, common access and documentation) were widespread, but integration across health and social care/primary and secondary services was less developed. Consideration of barriers to further integration, and the impact of current reforms is potentially fruitful.
Do low‐serum vitamin E levels increase the risk of Alzheimer disease in older people? Evidence from a meta‐analysis of case‐control studies
Authors: Dong Yonghai , Chen Xiaodan , Liu Yun , Shu Yan , Chen Ting , Xu Lei , Li Meng , Guan Xihong
Published: August 2017

Objective

Whether low‐serum vitamin E increases the risk of Alzheimer disease (AD) in older people remains inconclusive. This meta‐analysis aims to synthesize evidence‐based case‐control studies to evaluate the association between serum vitamin E and the risk of AD.

Methods

Potentially relevant studies were selected through PubMed, Embase, Wanfang, Chongqing VIP, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases by using the core terms Vitamin E/alpha‐tocopherol and Alzheime's disease/senile dementia/AD in the titles, abstracts, and keywords of the articles. The association between serum vitamin E levels and AD was estimated by using the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval by adopting a random effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed by using Cochran Q test and I2 statistic. Forest plot was used to present the results graphically from meta‐analysis. Publication bias was evaluated by using funnel plots and Egger test.

Results

We identified 17 studies that met the eligibility criteria. The studies included 2057 subjects with 904 AD patients and 1153 controls. The results indicated that AD patients had a lower concentration of serum vitamin E compared with healthy controls among older people (WMD = −6.811 μmol/L, 95% confidence interval −8.998 to −4.625; Z = −6.105, P < .001). Publication bias was not detected and sensitivity analysis performed by omitting each study, and calculating the pooled WMD again for the remaining studies indicated the results stable.

Conclusions

Alzheimer disease is associated with a low concentration of serum vitamin E in older people. However, necessary prospective cohort studies should be conducted to determine the risk of serum vitamin E for AD in the future.
Self‐assembled liver organoids recapitulate hepatobiliary organogenesis in vitro
Authors: Vyas Dipen , Baptista Pedro M. , Brovold Matthew , Moran Emma , Gaston Brandon , Booth Chris , Samuel Michael , Atala Anthony , Soker Shay
Published: August 2017

Several three‐dimensional cell culture systems are currently available to create liver organoids. In gneral, these systems display better physiologic and metabolic aspects of intact liver tissue compared with two‐dimensional culture systems. However, none reliably mimic human liver development, including parallel formation of hepatocyte and cholangiocyte anatomical structures. Here, we show that human fetal liver progenitor cells self‐assembled inside acellular liver extracellular matrix scaffolds to form three‐dimensional liver organoids that recapitulated several aspects of hepatobiliary organogenesis and resulted in concomitant formation of progressively more differentiated hepatocytes and bile duct structures. The duct morphogenesis process was interrupted by inhibiting Notch signaling, in an attempt to create a liver developmental disease model with a similar phenotype to Alagille syndrome. Conclusion: In the current study, we created an in vitro model of human liver development and disease, physiology, and metabolism, supported by liver extracellular matrix substrata; we envision that it will be used in the future to study mechanisms of hepatic and biliary development and for disease modeling and drug screening. (Hepatology 2018;67:750‐761).
The social hippocampus
Authors: Montagrin Alison , Saiote Catarina , Schiller Daniela
Published: August 2017

The concept of cognitive map has been proposed as a way to organize our experiences and guide behavior across all domains of cognition. The hippocampus has been identified as the neural substrate supporting cognitive maps for navigating physical space. Recent evidence is broadening the role of the hippocampus into mapping other manner of spaces. Here we focus on the case of social space as a candidate for hippocampal representation because it combines multiple continuous dimensions and requires dynamic navigation through social contexts. We present evidence for the role of the hippocampus in (1) supporting social memory, (2) representing different dimensions of social space, (3) tracking dynamic social behavior, (4) maintaining a flexible map allowing adaptation to new social contexts, and (5) maladaptive social behavior across psychiatric disorders. To do so, we explore evidence across species including birds, rodents, nonhuman primates and humans, indicating hippocampal involvement in a range of social processes. Review of previous findings in a manner predicted by the cognitive map supports the existence of systematic mapping of social space by the hippocampus. Evidence for hippocampal social maps complements findings from other abstract domains, such as auditory, temporal and conceptual, allowing successful navigation through many domains of everyday life.
How much does dry‐season fog matter? Quantifying fog contributions to water balance in a coastal California watershed
Authors: Chung Michaella , Dufour Alexis , Pluche Rebecca , Thompson Sally
Published: August 2017

The seasonally‐dry climate of Northern California imposes significant water stress on ecosystems and water resources during the dry summer months. Frequently during summer, the only water inputs occur as non‐rainfall water, in the form of fog and dew. However, due to spatially heterogeneous fog interaction within a watershed, estimating fog water fluxes to understand watershed‐scale hydrologic effects remains challenging. In this study, we characterized the role of coastal fog, a dominant feature of Northern Californian coastal ecosystems, in a San Francisco Peninsula watershed. To monitor fog occurrence, intensity, and spatial extent, we focused on the mechanisms through which fog can affect the water balance: throughfall following canopy interception of fog, soil moisture, streamflow, and meteorological variables. A stratified sampling design was used to capture the watershed's spatial heterogeneities in relation to fog events. We developed a novel spatial averaging scheme to upscale local observations of throughfall inputs and evapotranspiration suppression and make watershed‐scale estimates of fog water fluxes. Inputs from fog water throughfall (10–30 mm/year) and fog suppression of evapotranspiration (125 mm/year) reduced dry‐season water deficits by 25% at watershed scales. Evapotranspiration suppression was much more important for this reduction in water deficit than were direct inputs of fog water. The new upscaling scheme was analyzed to explore the sensitivity of its results to the methodology (data type and interpolation method) employed. This evaluation suggests that our combination of sensors and remote sensing allows an improved incorporation of spatially‐averaged fog fluxes into the water balance than traditional interpolation approaches.
Snow model sensitivity analysis to understand spatial and temporal snow dynamics in a high‐elevation catchment
Authors: Engel Michael , Notarnicola Claudia , Endrizzi Stefano , Bertoldi Giacomo
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we addressed a sensitivity analysis of the snow module of the GEOtop2.0 model at point and catchment scale in a small high‐elevation catchment in the Eastern Italian Alps (catchment size: 61 km2). Simulated snow depth and snow water equivalent at the point scale were compared with measured data at four locations from 2009 to 2013. At the catchment scale, simulated snow‐covered area (SCA) was compared with binary snow cover maps derived from moderate‐resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Landsat satellite imagery. Sensitivity analyses were used to assess the effect of different model parameterizations on model performance at both scales and the effect of different thresholds of simulated snow depth on the agreement with MODIS data. Our results at point scale indicated that modifying only the “snow correction factor” resulted in substantial improvements of the snow model and effectively compensated inaccurate winter precipitation by enhancing snow accumulation. SCA inaccuracies at catchment scale during accumulation and melt period were affected little by different snow depth thresholds when using calibrated winter precipitation from point scale. However, inaccuracies were strongly controlled by topographic characteristics and model parameterizations driving snow albedo (“snow ageing coefficient” and “extinction of snow albedo”) during accumulation and melt period. Although highest accuracies (overall accuracy = 1 in 86% of the catchment area) were observed during winter, lower accuracies (overall accuracy < 0.7) occurred during the early accumulation and melt period (in 29% and 23%, respectively), mostly present in areas with grassland and forest, slopes of 20–40°, areas exposed NW or areas with a topographic roughness index of −0.25 to 0 m. These findings may give recommendations for defining more effective model parameterization strategies and guide future work, in which simulated and MODIS SCA may be combined to generate improved products for SCA monitoring in Alpine catchments.
Arctic Mackenzie Deltachannel planform evolution during 1983–2013 utilisingLandsatdata and hydrological time series
Authors: Vesakoski Jenni‐Mari , Nylén Tua , Arheimer Berit , Gustafsson David , Isberg Kristina , Holopainen Markus , Hyyppä Juha , Alho Petteri
Published: August 2017

Arctic deltas, such as the Mackenzie Delta, are expected to face major climate change and increased human influence in the near future. Deltas are characterised by highly dynamic fluvial processes, and changing climate will cause considerable evolution of the riverine environment. The changes are difficult to predict with existing knowledge and data. This study quantified channel planform change of the Mackenzie Delta (1983–2013), analysing its temporal and spatial patterns. We addressed the main obstacle of research on large remote areas, the lack of data, by developing a unique work flow that utilised Landsat satellite imagery, hydrological time series, remote sensing‐based change analysis, and automatic vectorisation of channels. Our results indicate that the Mackenzie Delta experienced constant evolution but at a highly varying rate over the 30 years. The study demonstrates that the magnitude and duration of flood peaks and the presence of spring ice breakup floods determine the rate of Arctic delta planform change. Changing winter conditions and spring flood magnitudes may therefore affect the stability of Arctic deltas. However, no clear trends towards decreased recurrence or magnitude of spring floods or increased instability of the delta plain have yet been observed in the Mackenzie Delta. The delta plain was most dynamic at the beginning and at the end of the examined period, corresponding to intense flooding, whereas the rates of change were subtle during the low‐flood period 1994–2007. The largest changes have occurred along the wide Middle Channel and in the outermost delta. Relative to their size, however, smaller meandering channels have been highly dynamic. Hotspots of change in the delta plain are located in anastomosing and braiding channel segments and, at the local scale, in point bars and cut‐banks along meandering channels. Our study describes how Landsat satellite data can be utilised for advancing fluvial geomorphological research in remote areas. However, cloudiness in the delta restricts production of dense time series with simultaneous coverage of the whole area and requires manual preprocessing.
DOES TRAINING IN THE CIRCLE OF SECURITY FRAMEWORK INCREASE RELATIONAL UNDERSTANDING IN INFANT/CHILD AND FAMILY WORKERS?
Authors: McMahon Catherine , Huber Anna , Kohlhoff Jane , Camberis Anna‐Lisa
Published: August 2017

This article evaluated whether attendance at Circle of Security training workshops resulted in attendees showing greater empathy and attachment‐related knowledge and understanding, and fewer judgmental responses to viewing a stressful parent–child interaction. Participants were 202 practitioners who attended and completed a 2‐day (n = 70), 4‐day (n = 105), or 10‐day (n = 27) COS training workshop in Australia or New Zealand in 2015. In a pre/post design, participant reactions to a video clip of a challenging parent–child interaction were coded for empathic, judgmental, or attachment‐focused language. Attachment understanding was coded in response to questions about the greatest challenge that the dyad faced. In all training conditions, participants provided significantly more attachment‐focused descriptors and showed significantly greater attachment understanding after training, but significantly fewer empathic descriptors. While participants at the longer workshops provided significantly fewer judgmental/critical descriptors, there was no change for those attending the 2‐day workshop. Irrespective of workshop duration or professional background, participants took a more relational perspective on the vignette after the training workshops. More detailed research is required to establish the extent to which this increased knowledge and understanding is retained and integrated into infant mental health practice with parents and young children.
Metal release and cell biological compatibility of beta‐type Ti‐40Nb containing indium
Authors: Pilz Stefan , Gebert Annett , Voss Andrea , Oswald Steffen , Göttlicher Markus , Hempel Ute , Eckert Jürgen , Rohnke Marcus , Janek Jürgen , Calin Mariana
Published: August 2017

Small indium (In) additions up to 5 wt % to the beta‐type Ti‐40Nb alloy effectively improve its mechanical biofunctionality. The impact on its biocompatibility is addressed in this work. Comparative electrochemical polarization studies and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry analyses were conducted in Tris‐buffered saline (on the basis of 150 mM NaCl) with pH 7.6 and 2.0 at 310 ± 1 K with Ti‐6Al‐4V as reference. The metal ion releases from beta‐type alloys were generally very low, for example, those of In3+ ions from (Ti‐40Nb)‐4In specimens were below 6 × 10−7 mmol/cm2. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the passivation mainly by Ti‐ and Nb‐oxides with traces of In‐oxides as the dominating surface process. In vitro studies demonstrate a better human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSC) activity on the beta‐type alloys in comparison to CP‐Ti (grade 2), which is mainly due to their high Nb content. At 24 h after seeding on (Ti‐40Nb)‐4In the metabolic activity of hBMSC was 1.5‐fold higher and after 11 days, the tissue non‐specific alkaline phosphatase activity was 1.8‐fold higher relative to values for CP‐Ti. Surface treatments, like chemical etching or plasma oxidation, change the surface topography and the thickness and composition of the oxide layers, but they are not effective in further improving the cell response. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1686–1697, 2018.
Mammalian target of rapamycin as a therapeutic target in osteoporosis
Authors: Shen Gengyang , Ren Hui , Qiu Ting , Zhang Zhida , Zhao Wenhua , Yu Xiang , Huang Jinjing , Tang Jingjing , Liang De , Yao Zhensong , Yang Zhidong , Jiang Xiaobing
Published: August 2017

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a key role in sensing and integrating large amounts of environmental cues to regulate organismal growth, homeostasis, and many major cellular processes. Recently, mounting evidences highlight its roles in regulating bone homeostasis, which sheds light on the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. The activation/inhibition of mTOR signaling is reported to positively/negatively regulate bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)/osteoblasts‐mediated bone formation, adipogenic differentiation, osteocytes homeostasis, and osteoclasts‐mediated bone resorption, which result in the changes of bone homeostasis, thereby resulting in or protect against osteoporosis. Given the likely importance of mTOR signaling in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, here we discuss the detailed mechanisms in mTOR machinery and its association with osteoporosis therapy.
Claudin7b is required for the formation and function of inner ear in zebrafish
Authors: Li Xiaohui , Song Guili , Zhao Yasong , Zhao Feng , Liu Chunyan , Liu Dong , Li Qing , Cui Zongbin
Published: August 2017

Zebrafish has become an excellent model for studying the development and function of inner ear. We report here a zebrafish line in which claudin 7b (cldn7b) locus is interrupted by a Tol2 transposon at its first intron. The homozygous mutants have enlarged otocysts, smaller or no otoliths, slowly formed semicircular canals, and insensitiveness to sound stimulation. These abnormal phenotypes and hearing loss of inner ear could be mostly rescued by injection of cldn7b‐mRNA into one‐cell stage homozygous mutant embryos. Mechanistically, cldn7b‐deficiency interrupted the formation of apical junction complexes (AJCs) in otic epithelial cells of inner ear and the ion‐homeostasis of endolymph, which then led to the loss of proper contact between otoliths and normally developed hair cells in utricle and saccule or aberrant mechanosensory transduction. Thus, Cldn7b is essential for the formation and proper function of inner ear through its unique role in keeping an initial integrity of otic epithelia during zebrafish embryogenesis.
Livestock Insurance as a Coping Strategy Against Economic Loss and Food Insecurity: A Case From Rural Communities of Nawalparasi District Nepal
Authors: Kaphle Manoj , Bastakoti Nagendra
Published: August 2017

The primary objective of this paper is to disseminate the practice of risk management by the people from their own management system of livestock insurance in Rupaulia and Daunnedevi Village Development Committees aiming to improve their livelihood. The research found that a number of livestock increased significantly by 74% and income of an individual livestock raiser inclined by 112.1%. The income contributed to purchase food for additional 11 months. Besides their income, their access to service also improved in agriculture, finance, private and local government sectors. The paper disseminates the ideas of rural people towards income generation, risk management and enterprise development. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Little We Know: An Exploratory Literature Review on the Utility of Mobile Phone‐Enabled Services for Smallholder Farmers
Authors: Baumüller Heike
Published: August 2017

Mobile technologies could help to improve service delivery to smallholder farmers, but whether such services are fulfilling their potential remains poorly understood. To address this gap, this article presents an exploratory literature review regarding the impact of mobile phone‐enabled services on farmers in developing countries. The review highlights a dearth of empirical evidence in this area. Findings suggest that farmers benefited through improvements in production planning, management of weather‐related risks, and greater ease in receiving money. The review also points to several methodological shortcomings, notably the reliance on perception data and the failure to assess impacts in relation to usage. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aerosols characteristics, trends and their climatic implications over Northeast India and adjoining South Asia
Authors: Dahutia Papori , Pathak Binita , Bhuyan Pradip Kumar
Published: August 2017

Aerosol characteristics and climatic implications derived for selected locations of the north‐eastern region of India and adjoining locations Thimphu (THM), Dhaka (DAC) and Banmauk between 22–30°N and 88–98°E are reported. The region is found to reveal a distinct spatio‐temporal variability in aerosol distribution, with highest climatological mean aerosol optical depth at 550 nm (AOD550) at DAC (0.65 ± 0.07) and lowest at the high altitude location THM (0.19 ± 0.02). Seasonally the maximum AOD550 is observed in the pre‐monsoon season. Moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer Level‐3 Collection 6 AOD550 and Ångström exponent (AE) exhibit a significant and simultaneous increasing trend in the range of ∼0.003 year−1 to 0.012 year−1 and ∼−0.001 year−1 to 0.020 year−1, respectively, during the period 2001–2014. Together with AE, increasing trend of total ozone mapping spectrometer and ozone monitoring instrument‐retrieved aerosol index (∼0.001 year−1 to 0.007 year−1 during 1979–2014) signifies an increase in anthropogenic aerosol loading, leading to an increase in number density of cloud condensation nuclei and decrease/increase of cloud effective radius /cloud optical depth (COD). This is further associated with overall decreasing trends of rainfall rate over this complex monsoon region. A slow increase in maximum temperature (Tmax) (∼0.008 °C year−1 to 0.049 °C year−1) compared to that in minimum temperature (Tmin) (∼0.007 °C year−1 to 0.068 °C year−1) is attributed to solar dimming due to increasing aerosol loading and COD (∼0.056 year−1 to 0.15 year−1). A decrease in high‐level cloud (CODhigh) counteracts decreasing trends of ground reaching solar radiation over a few locations, including Dibrugarh. This study is important from an aerosol radiation interaction and aerosol cloud interaction viewpoint, which facilitates in reaching a closure of model simulated present day climate change and future climate projections.
Efficacy and rebound rates in propranolol‐treated subglottic hemangioma: A literature review
Authors: Schwartz Tyler , Faria John , Pawar Sachin , Siegel Dawn , Chun Robert H.
Published: August 2017

Objective

Propranolol has recently become the treatment of choice for management of subglottic and airway hemangiomas. This literature review aimed to determine the success rate of propranolol for managing these lesions as well as the rate of rebound growth following propranolol treatment cessation.

Study Design

Literature search involving MEDLINE and Scopus to identify English‐language articles.

Methods

Studies were identified using hemangioma, subglottic or airway, and propranolol for search terms. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported the treatment used, individual deidentified patient data, and contained patients without medical or surgical treatment prior to propranolol therapy

Results

Initial review included 107 abstracts. Twenty‐four articles including case reports and case series met inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative analysis. Forty‐nine patients were included. Twenty‐eight (57%) were treated with propranolol alone, and 20 (41%) were treated with a combination of propranolol and a corticosteroid. Thirty‐seven (76%) of patients were treated with a dose of 2 mg/kg/d of propranolol. The initial treatment was successful in 43 (88%) of patients. Rebound growth occurred in four (9%) patients. Overall, six (12%) patients underwent surgical resection.

Conclusions

Propranolol is efficacious for treating subglottic hemangiomas. Rebound growth does occur in a small subset of patients during the propranolol wean. Close observation for children during weaning of propranolol therapy for subglottic hemangioma is essential. Adjunctive management strategies need to be used in patients with rebound growth. Laryngoscope, 127:2665–2672, 2017
Effects of Solvents on Stereocomplex Crystallization of High‐Molecular‐Weight Polylactic Acid Racemic Blends in the Presence of Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Yang Su , Xu Jia‐Zhuang , Li Yang , Lei Jun , Zhong Gan‐Ji , Wang Ruyin , Li Zhong‐Ming
Published: August 2017

Stereocomplex (SC) crystallization of solution‐casted high‐molecular‐weight polylactic acid/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites is investigated under the effects of solvents, including dichloromethane (CH2Cl2), chloroform (CHCl3),N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), and 1,4‐dioxane (DIOX). It is found that addition of 0.1 wt% CNTs can promote the SC formation in the equimolar poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA)/poly(d‐lactic acid) (PDLA) blends. More interestingly, the final content of SC crystallites is mediated by solvent species to a large extent. Results of wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry reveal that the capability of solvents for enhancing the SC content in PLLA/PDLA/CNT composites follows the sequence: DMF > DIOX > CHCl3> CH2Cl2. Especially, exclusive SC crystallites are formed in the DMF. Such a disparity is explained in terms of solubility parameter and vapor pressure of the solvents. The above results also provide the possible solution to regulate the crystalline composition of the PLLA/PDLA/CNT blends, by which the expected performance may be obtained.
3D Printing of BaTiO3/PVDF Composites with Electric In Situ Poling for Pressure Sensor Applications
Authors: Kim Hoejin , Torres Fernando , Villagran Dino , Stewart Calvin , Lin Yirong , Tseng Tzu‐Liang Bill
Published: August 2017

This paper presents 3D printing of piezoelectric sensors using BaTiO3 (BTO) filler in a poly(vinylidene) fluoride (PVDF) matrix through electric in situ poling during the 3D printing process. Several conventional methods require complicated and time‐consuming procedures. Recently developed electric poling‐assisted additive manufacturing (EPAM) process paves the way for printing of piezoelectric filaments by incorporating polarizing processes that include mechanical stretching, heat press, and electric field poling simultaneously. However, this process is limited to fabrication of a single PVDF layer and quantitative material characterizations such as piezoelectric coefficient and β‐phase percentage are not investigated. In this paper, an enhanced EPAM process is proposed that applies a higher electric field during 3D printing. To further increase piezoelectric response, BTO ceramic filler is used in the PVDF matrix. It is found that a 55.91% PVDF β‐phase content is nucleated at 15 wt% of BTO. The output current and β‐phase content gradually increase as the BTO weight percentage increases. Scanning electron microscopy analysis demonstrates that larger agglomerates are formulated as the increase of BTO filler contents and results in increase of toughness and decrease of tensile strength. The highest fatigue strength is observed at 3 wt% BTO and the fatigue strength gradually decreases as the BTO filler contents increases.
Core fecal microbiota of domesticated herbivorous ruminant, hindgut fermenters, and monogastric animals
Authors: O’ Donnell Michelle M. , Harris Hugh M. B. , Ross R. Paul , O'Toole Paul W.
Published: August 2017

In this pilot study, we determined the core fecal microbiota composition and overall microbiota diversity of domesticated herbivorous animals of three digestion types: hindgut fermenters, ruminants, and monogastrics. The 42 animals representing 10 animal species were housed on a single farm in Ireland and all the large herbivores consumed similar feed, harmonizing two of the environmental factors that influence the microbiota. Similar to other mammals, the fecal microbiota of all these animals was dominated by the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla. The fecal microbiota spanning all digestion types comprised 42% of the genera identified. Host phylogeny and, to a lesser extent, digestion type determined the microbiota diversity in these domesticated herbivores. This pilot study forms a platform for future studies into the microbiota of nonbovine and nonequine domesticated herbivorous animals.
Treating Congenital Mirror Movements with Botulinum Toxin
Authors: Allegra Cosimo , Girlanda Paolo , Morgante Francesca
Published: August 2017

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Pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine (7‐deazapurine) as a privileged scaffold in design of antitumor and antiviral nucleosides
Authors: Perlíková Pavla , Hocek Michal
Published: August 2017

7‐Deazapurine (pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine) nucleosides are important analogues of biogenic purine nucleosides with diverse biological activities. Replacement of the N7 atom with a carbon atom makes the five‐membered ring more electron rich and brings a possibility of attaching additional substituents at the C7 position. This often leads to derivatives with increased base‐pairing in DNA or RNA or better binding to enzymes. Several types of 7‐deazapurine nucleosides with potent cytostatic or cytotoxic effects have been identified. The most promising are 7‐hetaryl‐7‐deazaadenosines, which are activated in cancer cells by phosphorylation and get incorporated both to RNA (causing inhibition of proteosynthesis) and to DNA (causing DNA damage). Mechanism of action of other types of cytostatic nucleosides, 6‐hetaryl‐7‐deazapurine and thieno‐fused deazapurine ribonucleosides, is not yet known. Many 7‐deazaadenosine derivatives are potent inhibitors of adenosine kinases. Many types of sugar‐modified derivatives of 7‐deazapurine nucleosides are also strong antivirals. Most important are 2′‐C‐methylribo‐ or 2′‐C‐methyl‐2′‐fluororibonucleosides with anti‐HCV activities (several compounds underwent clinical trials). Some underexplored areas of potential interest are also outlined.