bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Carboxyl Graphene Membranes for Ethanol Dehydration by Pervaporation
Authors: Han Guanglu , Chen Zhe , Cai Lifang , Zhang Yonghui , Tian Junfeng , Ma Huanhuan , Fang Shaoming
Published: January 2020

Carboxyl graphene (CG) with two functions of hybridization and crosslinking was incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix to form PVA/CG mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs). The membranes demonstrated excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability. The improved hydrophilicity and formed crosslinking structure led to moderate swelling. The membrane crystallinity decreased and the free volume was promoted with increasing CG loading amount. The pervaporation (PV) separation performance for ethanol dehydration indicated that both permeation flux and separation factor were enhanced simultaneously at the optimum CG loading. Subsequently, the permeation flux continued to increase while the separation factor declined at higher CG loadings.
Electrochemiluminescence of Glutathione‐Stabilized Au Nanoclusters Fractionated by Gel Electrophoresis in Water
Authors: Kang Yunjeong , Kim Joohoon
Published: January 2020

We report the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of water‐soluble individual Au nanoclusters (Au NCs) fractionated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of Au NCs synthesized using glutathione. The individual Au NCs demonstrated unique and significant differences in ECL. Interestingly, they exhibited near‐infrared (near‐IR) ECL that became dominant when the ratio of Au(I) to Au(0) decreased in the individual Au NCs. This indicated that the oxidation states of Au NCs primarily affected the ECL wavelengths of the clusters because the Au(0)‐glutathionate motif in the Au NCs was responsible for the near‐IR ECL emission.
Azobenzene Isomerization‐Induced Photomodulation of Electronic Properties of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes
Authors: Islam Sk Aminul , Kundu Kshama , Kundu Pintu K.
Published: January 2020

Azobenzene‐based protonated N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), N,N’‐bis(azobenzene)imidazolium chlorides (IAz‐X⋅HCl; X=OMe, Br, H) were successfully synthesized and switching abilities of the attached azobenzene units along with the concomitant photoinduced generation of geometric isomers were studied. Upon irradiation with 365 nm UV light, a p‐methoxy‐azobenzene derivative get transformed from all‐trans isomer to nearly all‐cis isomer at the photostationary state. The extent of photomodulation of electronic properties in the NHC ring of the p‐methoxy‐azobenzene derivative is determined through the Tolman Electronic Parameter (TEP). Iridium complex, [(IAz‐OMe)IrCl(CO)2] was synthesized and infrared spectra were recorded in dichloromethane solution as film in NaCl crystals and by drop‐casting in an ATR crystal. Comparison in averaged carbonyl stretching frequency between all‐trans isomer (

) and all‐cis isomer (

) indicates a significant decrement of Δtt–cc
av=2.7 cm−1 (film) and 3.8 cm−1 (ATR). Therefore, moderate to excellent enhancement of electron density (Δtt–cc TEP=2.3 cm−1 [film] and 3.2 cm−1 [ATR]) at the C‐2 position of the NHC is achieved through trans→cis isomerization of the remotely placed azobenzene units. This fine phototuning of electron‐donating ability at the catalytic center would pave the way to control NHC/NHC‐metal catalyzed organic transformations through external stimuli.
Short‐term mortality risks among patients with oropharynx cancer by human papillomavirus status
Authors: Fullerton Zoe H. , Butler Santino S. , Mahal Brandon A. , Muralidhar Vinayak , Schoenfeld Jonathan D. , Tishler Roy B. , Margalit Danielle N.
Published: January 2020

Background

There is substantial variation in head and neck cancer (HNC) mortality and competing mortality among patients with HNC. In this study, the authors characterize the causes and risks of short‐term mortality among patients with oropharynx cancer (OPC) and how these risks differ by human papillomavirus (HPV) status.

Methods

A custom Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data set with HPV status was used to identify 4930 patients with OPC who were diagnosed with nonmetastatic (M0) disease from 2013 to 2014, including 3560 (72.2%) HPV‐positive patients and 1370 HPV‐negative patients. Causes of death and cumulative incidence estimates for HNC‐specific mortality, competing mortality, second‐cancer mortality, and noncancer mortality were analyzed by HPV status. Risk factors for mortality events were determined using multivariable competing risk regression models.

Results

Compared with HPV‐negative patients, HPV‐positive patients had a lower risk of 2‐year cumulative incidence of all‐cause mortality (10.4% vs 33.3%; P < .0001) and a lower risk of both HNC‐specific mortality (4.8% vs 16.2%; P < .0001) and competing‐cause mortality (5.6% vs 16.8%; P < .0001). Second‐cancer mortality was the most common cause of non‐HNC mortality among HPV‐negative patients. Both second‐cancer mortality and noncancer mortality were significantly higher among patients who had HPV‐negative OPC (10.8% and 6.1%, respectively) compared with those who had HPV‐positive OPC (2.4% and 3.2%, respectively; both P < .0001). The median follow‐up was 11 months (range 1‐23 months) in this cohort with known HPV‐status.

Conclusions

Patients with HPV‐positive and HPV‐negative OPC have significantly different rates of both HNC mortality and competing mortality. HPV‐negative patients are at substantial risk of competing mortality, even within 2 years of cancer diagnosis. These differences can inform power calculations for clinical trials and patient management in the acute and survivorship settings.
Testing the differences between two color measurement probability distributions using Hotelling's T2 test and the permutation test
Authors: Gamm Brian M. , Gerard Patrick
Published: January 2020

It is common practice in statistics to test the equality of two population means using, for example, the Student's t test, in the univariate case, or the Hotelling's
T2 Test in the multivariate case. However, tests on the equality of population means are not well developed for testing the difference between two populations of color measurements. Methods for analyzing populations of spectral reflectance and L*a*b* measurements have been described for applications such as analyzing inter‐instrument agreement and repeatability. Methods have also been proposed for the analysis of color differences, but there are little written about techniques for testing whether two samples have the same probability distribution. This article focuses on testing the difference between color measurement probability distributions based on color difference. In addition, a metric is proposed called the threshold for color difference discrimination (TCDD, in units of ΔE), the color difference at which two populations can be considered to have different population distributions. A lower TCDD means smaller color differences between two samples can be resolved. Two parametric tests based on Hotelling's
T2 test and a nonparametric permutation test were used to determine the TCDD for populations of color measurements with different variances and sample sizes. The TCDD was found to be smaller by tests using the Hotelling's
T2 statistic, compared with a permutation test performed directly on color difference. It was also found, as expected, that larger sample sizes led to smaller TCDDs, as did smaller population variances.
Solvent‐Free Mechanochemical Synthesis of a Systematic Series of Pure‐Phase Mixed‐Halide Perovskites MAPb(IxBr1−x)3 and MAPb(BrxCl1−x)3 for Continuous Composition and Band‐Gap Tuning
Authors: Tang Sheng , Xiao Xinyu , Hu Jing , Gao Bo , Chen Hunglin , Peng Zongyang , Wen Jianchun , Era Masanao , Zou Dechun
Published: January 2020

Hybrid perovskites have recently received much attention in optoelectronic applications. However, hybrid perovskites are unstable in a humid environment. Mixed halide perovskites (MHPs) show enhanced stability and band‐gap tunability upon engineering of their halide composition. Here, MHPs are prepared through a solvent‐free mechanochemical synthesis (MCS) route that allows superior control over halide compositions than the solvent synthesis routes (SS). The MCS route eliminates the problem in the preparation of MAPb(IxBr1−x)3 with continuously varying x, while maintaining the material properties and suppressing phase segregation present in SS routes. UV‐vis absorption and X‐ray diffraction patterns confirm the production of the desired pure‐phase MHPs. For MAPb(IxBr1−x)3 (0≤x≤1), with increased ratio of halide (x), the cubic phase gradually transforms into the tetragonal phase and band‐gap tunability is accomplished. The MCS route for the preparation of MHPs is a very promising and efficient technique for superior control in optoelectronic properties, leading to improved control in fabrication approaches.
MapR: A Method for Identifying Native R‐Loops Genome Wide
Authors: Yan Qingqing , Sarma Kavitha
Published: January 2020

R‐loops are abundant, RNA‐containing chromatin structures that form in the genomes of both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Devising methods to identify the precise genomic locations of R‐loops is critical to understand how these structures regulate numerous cellular processes, including replication, termination, and chromosome segregation, and how their unscheduled formation results in disease. Here, we describe a new, highly sensitive, and antibody‐independent method, MapR, to profile native R‐loops genome wide. MapR takes advantage of the natural specificity of the RNase H enzyme to recognize DNA:RNA hybrids, a defining feature of R‐loops, and combines it with a CUT&RUN approach to target, cleave, and release R‐loops that can then be sequenced. MapR has low background, is faster than current R‐loop detection technologies, and can be performed in any cell type without the need to generate stable cell lines. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Harvest frequency effects on herbage characteristics of ‘Mavuno’ brachiariagrass
Authors: Siqueira da Silva Hiran M. , Vendramini João M.B. , Leite de Oliveira Fabio C. , Soares Filho Cecilio V. , Kaneko Makoto , Silveira Maria L. , Dalmazo Sanchez João M. , Yarborough James K.
Published: January 2020

‘Mavuno’ brachiariagrass (Brachiaria spp.) is a warm‐season perennial grass cultivar released in Brazil with potential to be used as forage in subtropical regions. The objective of this study was to evaluate herbage accumulation (HA), nutritive value, and the persistence of Mavuno under different harvest frequencies. The experiment was conducted in Ona, FL, from April to November in 2016 and 2017. Treatments were the factorial arrangement of four grasses: Jiggs bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers], ‘Tifton 85’ bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.), ‘Mulato II’ brachiariagrass, and Mavuno and two regrowth intervals (3 or 6 wk), distributed in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Mavuno and Mulato II had similar total annual HA (11.0 Mg ha−1), and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM, 644 g kg−1), but greater total annual HA and IVDOM than Jiggs (7.8 Mg ha−1 and 500 g kg−1) and Tifton 85 (8.4 Mg ha−1 and 550 g kg−1). Mavuno had the least crude protein (CP) among all treatments (111 vs. 124 g kg−1), and CP and IVDOM were greater at the 3‐wk regrowth interval than at the 6‐wk interval (130 vs. 111 g kg−1 and 610 vs 548 g kg−1, respectively). Root mass was greater at 3 wk than at 6 wk for Tifton 85 (9.4 vs. 5.4 Mg ha−1) but was not affected by regrowth interval for Jiggs, Mavuno, and Mulato II (6.5 Mg ha−1). Mavuno and Mulato II had superior HA and IVDOM, and Mavuno may be a viable forage source in subtropical regions.
Differences in submillimetre surface morphology and canopy interception storage capacities of Gleditsia triacanthos L. (honeylocust) in relation to canopy phenophase and position
Authors: Campellone Sabatino V. , Levia Delphis F. , Montalto Franco A.
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this study is to examine submillimetre surface morphology and interception storage capacity of foliar surfaces for Gleditsia triacanthos L. (honeylocust) in relation to canopy phenophase (emergence, full leaf, and senescence) and bark surfaces with respect to canopy position through the integration of bioimaging microscopy techniques, three‐dimensional (3D) surface mapping, and laboratory‐based storage capacity analyses. The results demonstrate that there were some statistically significant differences in foliar microrelief and storage capacity across canopy phenophases. Mean foliar roughness and storage capacity peaked during the full leaf phenophase at 173 μm and 0.019 ml cm−2, respectively. Both foliar microrelief and storage capacity were least during emergence. The decreased surface roughness during senescence as compared with full leaf might be due to the tree's inability to repair environmentally induced degradation of the morphological microstructures and epicuticular wax during that phase. Bark microrelief and storage capacity both varied as a function of tree height, with the greatest mean roughness (859 μm) and storage capacity (0.094 ml cm−2) observed in the lower tree. The observed reduction in bark microrelief and storage capacity with height may be attributable to bark age and thickness. Further research that links the 3D submillimetre morphology of canopy surfaces by identifying specific physical mechanisms and processes that either promote or inhibit water storage on foliar and bark surfaces is needed.
Assisted gene flow in the context of large‐scale forest management in California,USA
Authors: Young Derek J. N. , Blush Thomas D. , Landram Michael , Wright Jessica W. , Latimer Andrew M. , Safford Hugh D.
Published: January 2020

As climate changes, locally adapted tree populations may become maladapted to the sites in which they presently occur. When natural adaptive processes are insufficient for populations to keep pace with changing climate, human‐assisted relocation of genotypes (assisted gene flow) may be a useful tool for maintaining forest resilience. While existing empirical evidence provides insight into the potential outcomes and consequences of assisted gene flow, its applicability to large‐scale plantings needs to be evaluated. We conducted a test of assisted gene flow in the context of operational postfire restoration plantings in three U.S. Department of Agriculture National Forests in California. Our experimental restoration plantings included seedling provenances representing both the local planting site and lower‐elevation provenances that may be adapted to hotter and drier conditions. For the duration of the experiment, the planting sites experienced anomalously hot, dry conditions, offering a window into the potential outcomes of assisted gene flow in a future climate characterized by warmer temperatures and more frequent drought. In most cases, there was no significant difference in seedling growth or survival among provenances. However, in a few cases, lower‐elevation provenances performed better than local provenances, suggesting a potential benefit of assisted gene flow as a management response to climate change. Our analyses accounted for spatial variation in shrub cover and detected a consistent and substantial negative association between shrub cover and seedling growth. In addition, our study revealed that the use of operational seed collections that are not geographically precise (and therefore also not climatically precise) can complicate selection of appropriate provenances and lead to unpredictable outcomes. Numerous other risks and uncertainties—including the fact that tree populations are often adapted to local site factors other than climate and that long‐term outcomes may differ from short‐term observations—complicate evaluations of the potential utility of assisted gene flow.
Synthesis of a T‐Shaped Cobalt(I) Complex and Its Dinitrogen Adduct
Authors: Sanz Corey A. , Stein Carolin A. M. , Fryzuk Michael D.
Published: January 2020

The coordination chemistry of the new NNP pincer ligand framework (QuiNacNacP) is explored with cobalt. Upon treatment of the cobalt(II) complex Co[QuiNacNacP]Cl with KC8, the formation of cobalt(I) dinitrogen complex Co[QuiNacNacP]N2 was observed. Co[QuiNacNacP]N2 crystallizes as a square planar (S = 0) complex with an essentially unactivated N2 ligand. In solution, the dinitrogen complex is in equilibrium with the paramagnetic T‐shaped complex Co[QuiNacNacP] (S = 1). The ability of Co[QuiNacNacP]Cl to act as a catalyst precursor in the reductive silylation of dinitrogen was also briefly explored. Reaction of ≈ 1000 equivalents KC8 with ≈ 1500 equivalents Me3SiCl (relative to Co[QuiNacNacP]Cl) under 1 atm of N2 furnished roughly 40 equivalents of N(SiMe3)3.
Investigation of corrosion performance of aluminum and zinc alloys in three acidic media
Authors: Owoeye Femi Timothy , Adetunji Olayide R. , Omotosho Adegbenro , Azodo Adinife P. , Aiyedun Peter O.
Published: January 2020

The consequences of corrosion are many and varied, and their effects of these on the safe, reliable and efficient operation of equipment or structures are often more serious than a simple loss of metal mass. This research investigates the corrosion performance of two nonferrous metals in three acidic media, namely sulfuric acid (98% volume of H2SO4), hydrochloric acid (75% volume of HCl), and trioxonitrate (V) acid (75% volume of HNO3). The corrosion rate is determined by the weight loss method, and the characterization of metallic samples is obtained by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM shows the cracking pattern of grains indicating surface erosion due to the corrosion effects which are more depicted on the zinc than aluminum samples. It is shown that the solution of H2SO4 has the highest impact on the corrosion rates of metallic samples, whereas the least effect is observed on the solution of HNO3. It is observed that Zn alloy sample in 3 M H2SO4 records the highest corrosion rate of 138.64 mm/year, while the aluminum alloy sample has the lowest rate of 24.661 mm/year after 72 hours of exposures in the acid. The corrosion rates of the samples decrease as the exposure time increases. The weight loss intensity increases with exposure time for Al samples and varies for Zn sample in acidic media. In conclusion, the higher the acid molarity, the shorter the exposure time and the higher the corrosion rates for both zinc and aluminum alloy samples.
Formation of the Liaoshang gold deposit, Jiaodong Peninsula, eastern China: Evidence from geochronology and geochemistry
Authors: Li Junjian , Zhang Pengpeng , Li Guohua , Liu Wengang , Zhao Zhelin , Li Xiuzhang , Ding Zhengjiang , Fu Chao , Tang Wenlong , Dang Zhicai , Tian Jiepeng
Published: January 2020

The Liaoshang gold deposit in the Jiaodong area of the Shandong Province is best known for its super‐large size. Situated on the north‐eastern margin of the Jiaolai Basin, it forms a part of the Jiaobei terrane of the North China Block. Approximately 20 ore bodies within the Liaoshang gold deposit have been explored; of these, four are structurally controlled gold‐bearing pyrite–dolomite vein‐type deposits. These ore bodies lie in an NE‐trending altered fracture zone and are characterized by their thickness and high‐grade ores. The wall rocks of the ore bodies consist of Paleoproterozoic Jingshan Group metamorphic rocks and Mesozoic granites. Gold is hosted mainly in pyrite and dolomite. The ore is divided into two subtypes—the dominant pyrite–dolomite vein subtype and the subordinate altered rock subtype which contains pyrite and dolomite. Fluid inclusions within dolomite indicate that the main metallogenic period was dominated by a CO2–NaCl–H2O fluid system that had low‐moderate salinity, low density, high abundance of CO2, and a small amount of N2. The ore formed at 81‐ to 94‐MPa pressure and between 2.97‐ and 3.24‐km depth. Research on the S, Pb, C, O, and He–Ar isotopes in the gold‐bearing minerals suggests that the ore‐forming material was mainly crustal in origin, with some degree of crust–mantle mixing. The application of Rb–Sr isotope analysis to gold‐bearing pyrite yields a metallogenic age of 105.5 ± 9 Ma. The Sm–Nd isotope analysis of dolomite yields an age of 104.8 ± 5.1 Ma. We propose that gold mineralization in the Jiaodong area occurred in two phases: the early Early Cretaceous for gold deposits in the north‐west and the late Early Cretaceous for gold deposits in the east.
Individual identification and individual variability analysis based on cortical folding features in developing infant singletons and twins
Authors: Duan Dingna , Xia Shunren , Rekik Islem , Wu Zhengwang , Wang Li , Lin Weili , Gilmore John H , Shen Dinggang , Li Gang
Published: January 2020

Studying the early dynamic development of cortical folding with remarkable individual variability is critical for understanding normal early brain development and related neurodevelopmental disorders. This study focuses on the fingerprinting capability and the individual variability of cortical folding during early brain development. Specifically, we aim to explore (a) whether the developing neonatal cortical folding is unique enough to be considered as a “fingerprint” that can reliably identify an individual within a cohort of infants; (b) which cortical regions manifest more individual variability and thus contribute more for infant identification; (c) whether the infant twins can be distinguished by cortical folding. Hence, for the first time, we conduct infant individual identification and individual variability analysis involving twins based on the developing cortical folding features (mean curvature, average convexity, and sulcal depth) in 472 neonates with 1,141 longitudinal MRI scans. Experimental results show that the infant individual identification achieves 100% accuracy when using the neonatal cortical folding features to predict the identities of 1‐ and 2‐year‐olds. Besides, we observe high identification capability in the high‐order association cortices (i.e., prefrontal, lateral temporal, and inferior parietal regions) and two unimodal cortices (i.e., precentral gyrus and lateral occipital cortex), which largely overlap with the regions encoding remarkable individual variability in cortical folding during the first 2 years. For twins study, we show that even for monozygotic twins with identical genes and similar developmental environments, their cortical folding features are unique enough for accurate individual identification; and in some high‐order association cortices, the differences between monozygotic twin pairs are significantly lower than those between dizygotic twins. This study thus provides important insights into individual identification and individual variability based on cortical folding during infancy.
Oncological impact of hypothyroidism and levothyroxine supplementation following hemithyroidectomy in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Ahn Dongbin , Lee Gil J. , Sohn Jin H. , Jeon Jae H.
Published: January 2020

Background

We aimed to evaluate the oncological impact of hypothyroidism and levothyroxine (LT) supplementation after hemithyroidectomy in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

We retrospectively examined 401 patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy for classic PTC and who were postoperatively followed‐up with ≥3 thyroid function measurements for ≥24 months.

Results

During 77.4 months of follow‐up, 268/401 patients (66.8%) developed hypothyroidism and 19/401 patients (4.7%) showed recurrence. Recurrence rates did not differ between the euthyroidism and hypothyroidism development groups. Recurrence rates were significantly lower in the LT group than in the no‐LT group, although mean postoperative thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were not different between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that tumors sized >1 cm and lack of LT supplementation were significantly associated with recurrence.

Conclusions

Postoperative hypothyroidism development was not a risk factor for PTC recurrence after hemithyroidectomy. Nevertheless, LT supplementation reduced recurrence risk without suppressing TSH.
Cenicriviroc Treatment for Adults With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Fibrosis: Final Analysis of the Phase 2b CENTAUR Study
Authors: Ratziu Vlad , Sanyal Arun , Harrison Stephen A. , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , Francque Sven , Goodman Zachary , Aithal Guruprasad P. , Kowdley Kris V. , Seyedkazemi Star , Fischer Laurent , Loomba Rohit , Abdelmalek Manal F. , Tacke Frank
Published: January 2020

Background and Aims

Cenicriviroc (CVC) is a C‐C chemokine receptors type 2 and 5 dual antagonist under evaluation for treating liver fibrosis in adults with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Year 1 primary analysis of the 2‐year CENTAUR study showed that CVC had an antifibrotic effect without impacting steatohepatitis. Herein, we report the final data from year 2 exploratory analyses.

Approach and Results

This was a randomized, controlled study of adults with NASH, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score ≥4, and NASH Clinical Research Network stage 1‐3 fibrosis. Participants in arms A and C received CVC 150 mg or placebo, respectively, for 2 years; arm B received placebo in year 1 and switched to CVC in year 2. Liver biopsy was performed at baseline, year 1, and year 2. Of 289 randomized participants, 242 entered year 2. At year 2, 24% of patients who switched to CVC and 17% who remained on placebo achieved ≥1‐stage fibrosis improvement and no worsening of NASH (P = 0.37). Twice the proportion on CVC who achieved fibrosis response at year 1 maintained benefit at year 2 (60% arm A versus 30% arm C), including 86% on CVC who had stage 3 fibrosis at baseline. Over 2 years, a similar proportion on CVC or placebo achieved ≥1‐stage fibrosis improvement and no worsening of NASH (15% arm A versus 17% arm C). In patients with fibrosis responses, we observed consistent reductions in levels of N‐terminal type 3 collagen propeptide and enhanced liver fibrosis scores, while increases in aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index and Fibrosis‐4 scores were consistently observed in nonresponders. Safety profile was comparable across groups.

Conclusions

CVC was well tolerated, and year 2 data corroborate antifibrotic findings from year 1. The majority on CVC who achieved fibrosis response at year 1 maintained it at year 2, with greater effect in advanced fibrosis. ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02217475 (CENTAUR).
Quantification of the hydraulic diffusivity of a bentonite‐sand mixture using the water head decrease measured upon sudden flow interruption
Authors: Schäfer Gerhard , Berez Amor
Published: January 2020

This paper presents a new modelling approach to quantify the hydraulic diffusivity of low‐permeability unconsolidated porous media under confined saturated‐flow conditions in the laboratory. The derived analytical solution for the transient variation of the hydraulic head after flow interruption was applied to experimental data obtained from continuous measurements of the water pressure at two locations in the soil column. Three soil samples made of a mixture of natural bentonite (at different mass fractions) and medium sand were studied during a series of stepwise constant flow rates of water. The numerical results well fit the experimentally measured decrease of the dimensionless hydraulic head. The study shows that the increase of the mass fraction of bentonite in the soil sample from 10 to 30% is accompanied by a strong decrease of the hydraulic diffusivity from 2.4 × 10−2 to 1.1 × 10−3 m2 s−1, which is clearly due to the decrease of the hydraulic conductivity of the soil sample. The specific storages obtained for each of the three samples are in the same order of magnitude and seem to decrease with the increase of mass fraction of bentonite. However, they clearly reflect the predominant portion of the compressibility of the porous medium compared with that of water. Compared with reported literature values for clayey soils, the specific storage values in this study are slightly higher, varying within the range of 2 × 10−3 to 8.1 × 10−3 m−1.. The experimental results also give insight into the limitations of the modelling approach. In the case of low‐permeability soils (K < 2 × 10−6 ms−1) and steady‐flow conditions with low Reynolds numbers, for example, Re < 0.003, it is recommended to choose a time duration for flow interruption between subsequent flow rate steps of longer than 5 s. For high‐permeability porous media, to increase the precision of the quantified hydraulic diffusivity, it might be useful to select a measuring frequency significantly higher than 1 Hz.
Associations of trait positive emotion regulation with everyday emotions: An experience sampling approach
Authors: Ma Tsz Wah , Bryant Fred B. , Hou Wai Kai
Published: January 2020

Positive emotion regulation is important for enhancing psychological well‐being. Previous studies have adopted a cross‐sectional design to examine the relationships between positive emotion regulation strategies and psychological functioning. Relatively little is known about the role of positive emotion regulation strategies in positive and negative emotions in everyday life. This study examines associations between perceived capability of savoring and trait positive rumination and everyday emotions. Among 300 Hong Kong Chinese (age 18–77 years), perceived capability of savoring the moment and positive rumination predicted higher positive emotions during positive‐valenced events. Perceived capability of savoring the moment predicted lower negative emotions during positive‐valenced events and higher positive emotions during negative‐valenced events. Positive links between positive valence ratings of events and positive emotions were stronger among individuals who reported higher levels of perceived capability of savoring through reminiscence and greater trait emotion‐focused rumination. Positive links between negative valence ratings of events and negative emotions were significant only among individuals who reported low/medium levels of perceived capability of savoring through anticipation. These findings suggest that: (a) perceived capability of savoring and trait positive rumination are key mechanisms for increasing positive emotions and (b) perceived capability of savoring fosters adaptive adjustment to stress during negative events.
Long noncoding RNA LEF1‐AS1 binds with HNRNPL to boost the proliferation, migration, and invasion in osteosarcoma by enhancing the mRNA stability of LEF1
Authors: Lu Xiangdong , Qiao Lin , Liu Yanxiong
Published: January 2020

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most frequent type of cancer that starts in the bones, with a rather high tendency to metastasize to other bones at the early stages. Although many types of research have demonstrated that long noncoding RNAs commonly take part in the development of various cancers, the modulating mechanism of LEF1‐AS1 in OS was unknown yet. In this study, our results disclosed that LEF1‐AS1, as well as LEF1, had higher expression levels in OS cells than that in normal bone cells. LEF1‐AS1 knockdown dramatically inhibited the proliferation, migration, as well as invasion in OS, which proved that LEF1‐AS1 contributed to the growth of OS. Furthermore, HNRNPL knockdown suppressed the expression of LEF1. LEF1‐AS1 was confirmed to sponge HNRNPL and HNRNPL could bind with LEF1. Both LEF1‐AS1 and HNRNPL could enhance the stability of LEF1 mRNA. LEF1‐AS1 acted as a promoter in stimulating the Wnt signaling pathway in OS. In rescue experiments, overexpression of LEF1 partially offset the inhibition LEF1‐AS1 knockdown brought in the proliferation, migration as well as invasion of OS cells. Collectively, this study had investigated that LEF1‐AS1 bound with HNRNPL to promote OS cell proliferation, migration as well as invasion by enhancing the messenger RNA stability of LEF1.
Long noncoding RNA SPRY4‐IT1 promotes proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma via mediating TNF signaling pathway
Authors: Ma Weijie , Chen Xi , Wu Xiaoling , Li Jinghua , Mei Chengjie , Jing Wei , Teng Li , Tu Honglei , Jiang Xiang , Wang Ganggang , Chen Yiran , Wang Kunlei , Wang Haitao , Wei Yongchang , Liu Zhisu , Yuan Yufeng
Published: January 2020

Our previous studies have indicated that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) SPRY4 intronic transcript 1 (SPRY4‐IT1) was highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it still remained unclear how SPRY4‐IT1 worked in tumorgenesis in HCC. In this study, we tested the overexpression of SPRY4‐IT1 in HCC tissues and cells through a quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analyses showed that the upregulation had an association with the tumor node metastasis stage, thrombin time, and alkaline phosphatase. Furthermore, SPRY4‐IT1 could be involved in cell proliferation, metastasis, and the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in HCC in vitro and in vivo. RNA‐sequencing and transcriptome analysis were carried out to explore the mechanism of SPRY4‐IT1 in HCC. With SPRY4‐IT1 being knocked down or overexpressed, the level of proteins in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway changed. We detected the RNA binding protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L (HNRNPL) as a SPRY4‐IT1 interacting protein through RNA pull‐down assay and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, then verified through RNA immunoprecipitation. Downregulation of HNRNPL induced the change of proteins observed on SPRY4‐IT1 downregulation revealing the SPRY4‐IT1: HNRNPL complex in the TNF signaling pathway and EMT process in HCC. In general, our experimental data and analysis demonstrated the role of SPRY4‐IT1 in promoting progress and metastasis of HCC by the TNF signaling pathway.
Development of an integrated process for the production of high‐purity cadaverine from lysine decarboxylase
Authors: Liu Yuxuan , Zheng Yunxin , Wu Hao , Zhang Wei , Ren Tianyu , You Shengping , Qi Wei , Su Rongxin , He Zhimin
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Cadaverine is a natural polyamine that can replace fossil‐derived hexamethylene diamine to produce bio‐based polyamide. Despite huge developments in cadaverine bioproduction, an econo"mically attractive purification process is a highly important part of the production of high‐purity cadaverine.

RESULTS

This study utilized l‐lysine hydrochloride as a substrate for the production of high‐purity cadaverine via a litre‐scale integrated process incorporating fermentation, bioproduction, deprotonation, extraction and rectification. First, 8.24 U mg–1 lysine decarboxylase activity and 205 g L–1 cadaverine with a yield of 91.61% were achieved through the fermentation of low‐cost industrial culture by engineered Escherichia coli and the bioproduction of cadaverine by lysine decarboxylase. Secondly, four integrated purification methods – deprotonation‐evaporation, pH adjustment‐deprotonation‐evaporation, deprotonation‐extraction‐evaporation and deprotonation‐extraction‐rectification – were explored, and the conditions of each unit operation in the chosen method (deprotonation‐extraction‐rectification) were optimized. Then the optimized method was applied to a 2‐L purification system, resulting in 99% purity of cadaverine with a yield of 87.47%. Furthermore, the n‐butanol recovery ratio reached 91.25%, effectively avoiding the waste of resources and environmental pollution, and thus reducing purification costs.

CONCLUSION

The proposed experimental approach proves that this integrated process leads to the production of high‐purity cadaverine. In the 2‐L‐scale integrated process, 358.64 g cadaverine of 99% purity was produced at a cost of US$3.99 (US$1.11 per 100 g), which is far below its market price (US$784.71 per 100 g). This integrated process provides a potential way for the industrial‐scale production of bio‐based cadaverine. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Potential microbial drivers of biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in crude oil sludge using a composting technique
Authors: Obi Linda , Atagana Harrison , Adeleke Rasheed , Maila Mphekgo , Bamuza‐Pemu Emomotimi
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Improper disposal of crude oil sludge poses a public health risk due to the toxic nature of components of the waste, especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Such toxic wastes can be treated by bioremediation of the polluted sites with composting, an eco‐friendly technique that is gaining acceptance. Crude oil sludge was composted for four months during which surfactants were introduced. Fungi and bacteria were isolated from the compost using basic culture techniques. Residual concentrations of PAH components of the sludge during the composting period was monitored with gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC‐MS).

RESULTS

Molecular characterization of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genes of fungal isolates classified fungi in the compost into different genera including Aspergillus, Bionectria, Doratomyces, Exophiala, Fusarium, Galactomyces, Geotrichum, Mucor, Penicillium, Trichoderma and Trichurus. The bacterial isolates were classified into Stenotrophomonas, Pseudomonas, Bordetella, Brucella, Bacillus, Achromobacter, Advenella, Klebsiella, Mesorhizobium, Mycobacterium, Ochrobactrum, Pusillimonas and Raoultella. Results from analysis of residual PAH concentrations of composted samples showed higher degradation efficiency of the higher molecular weight (HMW) PAHs resulting in their complete degradation, whereas the lower molecular weight PAHs were not degraded completely.

CONCLUSIONS

Compost bioremediation is a sustainable waste management technique for hazardous wastes such as crude oil sludge. Inclusion of surfactants at different concentrations did not constantly improve the bioavailability of PAH compounds in the crude oil sludge but it promoted fungal growth in the treatments. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Intimate partner violence indirectly dysregulates child diurnal adrenocortical functioning through positive parenting
Authors: Hibel Leah C. , Nuttall Amy K. , Valentino Kristin
Published: January 2020

Data were drawn from an ongoing study of preschoolers (N = 221). Mothers self‐reported experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) and parenting practices, and collected three saliva samples (waking, midday, and bedtime) on themselves and their child on 2 consecutive days. Saliva samples were later assayed for cortisol. Bootstrapped mediation analyses revealed IPV to indirectly impact child diurnal cortisol through positive parenting. Specifically, greater exposure to IPV was associated with reduced positive parenting and subsequently heightened child waking cortisol levels. IPV did not indirectly impact child diurnal cortisol via autonomy supporting parenting or maternal diurnal cortisol. These findings suggest a possible pathway by which mother's experience of IPV indirectly influences child physiological regulation via maternal positive parenting.
Locomotor muscle morphology of three species of pelagic delphinids
Authors: Kroeger Jacqueline P. , McLellan William A. , Arthur Logan H. , Velten Brandy P. , Singleton Emily M. , Kinsey Stephen T. , Pabst D. Ann
Published: January 2020

The locomotor muscle morphology of diving mammals yields insights into how they utilize their environment and partition resources. This study examined a primary locomotor muscle, the longissimus, in three closely related, similarly sized pelagic delphinids (n = 7–9 adults of each species) that exhibit different habitat and depth preferences. The Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) is a relatively shallow diver, inhabiting continental shelf waters; the striped (Stenella coeruleoalba) and short‐beaked common (Delphinus delphis) dolphins are sympatric, deep‐water species that dive to different depths. Based upon comparative data from other divers, it was hypothesized that the locomotor muscle of the deepest‐diving S. coeruleoalba would exhibit a higher percentage of slow oxidative fibers, larger fiber diameters, a higher myoglobin concentration [Mb], and a lower mitochondrial density than that of the shallow‐diving S. frontalis, and that the muscle of D. delphis would display intermediate values for these features. As expected, the locomotor muscle of S. coeruleoalba exhibited a significantly higher proportion of slow (57.3 ± 3.9%), oxidative (51.7 ± 2.5%) fibers and higher [Mb] (8.2 ± 0.7 g/100 g muscle) than that of S. frontalis (41.3 ± 3.9%, 31.0 ± 3.2%, 4.7 ± 0.05 g/100 g muscle, respectively). There were no differences in fiber size or mitochondrial density among these species. Like other deep divers, S. coeruleoalba displayed locomotor muscle features that enhance oxygen storage capacity and metabolic efficiency but did not display features that limit aerobic capacity. These results suggest a previously undescribed muscle design for an active, small‐bodied, deep‐diving cetacean.

Highlights

The locomotor muscle features displayed by the striped dolphin, which are unique among deep divers, enhance oxygen stores but do not limit aerobic capacity. This novel muscle design may facilitate the active lifestyle of this small‐bodied deep diver.
Direct Comparison of Four Presurgical Stratifying Schemes for Prediction of Microvascular Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Gadoxetic Acid‐Enhanced MRI
Authors: Sun Shu‐Wen , Liu Qiu‐Ping , Xu Xun , Zhu Fei‐Peng , Zhang Yu‐Dong , Liu Xi‐Sheng
Published: January 2020

Background

Microvascular invasion (MVI) is implicated in the poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Presurgical stratifying schemes have been proposed for HCC‐MVI but lack external validation.

Purpose

To perform external validation and comparison of four presurgical stratifying schemes for the prediction of MVI using gadoxetic acid‐based MRI in a cohort of HCC patients.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

Included were 183 surgically resected HCCs from patients who underwent pretreatment MRI.

Field Strength/Sequence

This includes 1.5–3.0 T with T2, T1, diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic gadoxetic acid contrast‐enhancement imaging sequences.

Assessment

A two‐trait predictor of venous invasion (TTPVI), Lei model, Lee model, and Xu model were compared. We relied on preoperative characteristics and imaging findings via four independent radiologists who were blinded to histologic results, as required by the tested tools.

Statistical Test

Tests of accuracy between predicted and observed HCC‐MVI rates using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve analysis. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's alpha statistics were used to evaluate reproducibility.

Results

HCC‐MVI was identified in 52 patients (28.4%). The average ROC curves (AUCs) for HCC‐MVI predictions were 0.709–0.880, 0.714–0.828, and 0.588–0.750 for the Xu model, Lei model, and Lee model, respectively. The rates of accuracy were 60.7–81.4%, 69.9–75.9%, and 65.6–73.8%, respectively. Decision curve analyses indicated a higher benefit for the Xu and Lei models compared to the Lee model. The ICC and Cronbach's alpha index were highest in the Lei model (0.896/0.943), followed by the Xu model (0.882/0.804), and the Lee model (0.769/0.715). The TTPVI resulted in a Cronbach's alpha index of 0.606 with a sensitivity of 34.6–61.5% and a specificity of 76.3–91.6%.

Data Conclusion

Stratifying schemes relying on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MRI provide an additional insight into the presence of preoperative MVI. The Xu model outperformed the other models in terms of accuracy when performed by an experienced radiologist. Conversely, the Lei model outperformed the other models in terms of reproducibility.

Level of Evidence

3

Technical Efficacy Stage

2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:433–447.
The round trip model for severe herpes zoster caused by live attenuated varicella vaccine virus
Authors: Grose Charles , Enquist Lynn W.
Published: January 2020

Highlights

Varicella vaccine is a live attenuated varicella‐zoster virus.

Varicella vaccine can enter latency and later reactivate as herpes zoster.

Pseudorabies virus is another herpesvirus closely related to varicella‐zoster virus.

The round trip model for pseudorabies virus explains pathogenesis of herpes zoster from vaccine virus.
Developing a highly selective method for preconcentration and determination of cobalt in water and nut samples using 1‐(2‐pyridylazo)‐2‐naphthol and UV–visible spectroscopy
Authors: Eskandarpour Maryam , Jamshidi Parastoo , Moghaddam Mohammad Reza , Ghasmei Jahan B , Shemirani Farzaneh
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Heavy metal contamination in water and agricultural products is a major concern that causes risks for human health. This article describes a highly selective approach to preconcentrate cobalt(II) (Co(II)) ions based on the standard UV–visible measurement of Co(II)–1‐(2‐pyridylazo)‐2‐naphthol complex at λ = 628 nm in water and nut samples. In this method, magnetic silica (mSiO2) was utilized as a practical sorbent and 1‐(2‐pyridylazo)‐2‐naphthol was employed as a complexing agent in the elution step. The adsorbent was characterized via X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of the main variables (pH, adsorption time, sorbent amount, pH of eluent, ligand volume, and desorption time) were investigated and established.

RESULTS

The maximum recovery was achieved at pH 7 ± 0.3, adsorption time of 60 min, sorbent amount of 40 mg, eluent pH 8 ± 0.2, ligand volume of 2 mL (16.95 × 10−4 mol L−1) and desorption time of 30 min. The linearity of dynamic range (10–500 μg L−1), limit of detection (0.32 μg L−1), relative standard deviation (3.04%), and preconcentration factor (25) show the reliability of the method. The sorbent was reusable 12 times. Selectivity and the effect of interference ions were successfully examined. The adsorption process of Co(II) ions on mSiO2 was investigated based on Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The Freundlich model was fitted with the system and the maximum capacity adsorption of mSiO2 for Co(II) adsorption is 2.35 mg g−1. Then, the kinetics study revealed that the adsorption process of Co(II) ions on the mSiO2 follows the pseudo‐first‐order model. The thermodynamics parameters ΔG, ΔS, and ΔH were calculated.

CONCLUSION

The method was fruitfully applied to preconcentrate Co(II) ions in water and nut samples. This method offers high selectivity and precision for determining Co(II) ions. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Clinical pathway for enhanced recovery after surgery for gastric cancer: A prospective single‐center phase II clinical trial for safety and efficacy
Authors: Roh Chul Kyu , Son Sang‐Yong , Lee Sook Young , Hur Hoon , Han Sang‐Uk
Published: January 2020

Background

We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a clinical pathway (CP) for enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in gastric cancer patients, including early oral feeding and discharge on postoperative day 4.

Methods

We performed a prospective, single‐center, phase II clinical trial. Based on proposed indications for an ERAS CP in our retrospective study, we enrolled 133 patients younger than 65 years who were undergoing minimally invasive subtotal gastrectomy. The primary endpoint was the ERAS CP completion rate. Secondary endpoints included complication, mortality, hospital stay, and readmission.

Results

Among 133 patients, six patients were dropped out from this study. The ERAS CP completion rate (77.2%, 98 of 127) was comparable to the historical control group that completed a conventional CP (85.4%, P = .085). The postoperative complication incidence (13.4%, 15 of 127) was also similar to that of the conventional CP group (9.5%, P = .174). We identified reduced hospital stays (4.7 ± 1.3 vs 7.2±2.3 days; P < .001) and lower hospital costs ($7771 vs 8539; P < .001) in the ERAS CP group compared with the conventional CP group.

Conclusions

An ERAS CP can be safely and effectively adopted for patients with gastric cancer without increasing the complication rate and could shorten hospital stays.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01642953).