bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intratumoral Nanofluidic System for Enhancing Tumor Biodistribution of Agonist CD40 Antibody
Authors: Chua Corrine Ying Xuan , Ho Jeremy , Susnjar Antonia , Lolli Graziano , Di Trani Nicola , Pesaresi Federica , Zhang Mengying , Nance Elizabeth , Grattoni Alessandro
Published: July 2020

Tumor uptake and biodistribution of immunotherapy is associated with clinical response as well as toxicity. To augment immunotherapy bioavailability in the tumor, an intratumoral administration route via direct injection or local release technologies has emerged as an appealing approach. Here the biodistribution of an agonistic anti‐CD40 monocolonal antibody (CD40 mAb) when sustainably delivered via an intratumoral nanofluidic drug‐eluting seed (NDES) is evaluated in comparison to systemic or direct intratumoral administration. The NDES achieves sustained drug release through diffusion by leveraging electrostatic nanoconfinement within nanochannels, without requiring internal or external actuation. Using the 4T1 murine mammary carcinoma model, the biodistribution of Alexa Fluor‐700 conjugated CD40 mAb is tracked via fluorescence imaging analysis, comparing three routes of administration over 7 and 14 days. NDES‐treated cohort shows sustained high levels of intratumoral CD40 mAb without off‐target organ exposure, compared to the intraperitoneal and direct intratumoral administration. Moreover, radiation pre‐treatment of the 4T1 tumors augments tumor retention of CD40 mAb in the NDES group. Overall, sustained intratumoral release of CD40 mAb via the NDES improves local drug bioavailability without systemic dissemination, suggesting an enhanced approach for immunotherapy administration.
Global parameters of the W UMa stars FI Lyn, UV Lyn, and NSVS 781878
Authors: Kjurkchieva Diana P. , Popov Velimir A. , Marchev Dragomir V. , Stateva Ivanka K.
Published: July 2020

Photometric and spectral observations of the W UMa binaries FI Lyn, UV Lyn, and NSVS 781878 with periods of around 9.5–10 hr were carried out in order to determine their global parameters by simultaneous light curve and radial velocity curve solutions. We found that the three targets have shallow‐contact configurations with close in mass and radius components. UV Lyn is of W‐subtype, NSVS 781878 is of A‐subtype, while FI Lyn may be considered as binary in thermal contact. Our data show evidences of photospheric activity of the targets but not of emission in the Hα line. The surface inhomogeneity of UV Lyn is stable during the last several decades. Its O–C diagram implies presence of third body with a period of 24 years. The distances of FI Lyn, UV Lyn, and NSVS 781878 calculated from the derived luminosities coincide with those obtained by GAIA astrometrically.
Strategies for Issues Management for Midlevel Leaders
Authors: Boggs George R. , McPhail Christine J.
Published: July 2020

Midlevel leaders are confronted by a never‐ending stream of issues. Two experienced leaders and scholars provide suggestions and guidance to help manage them.
Emotional Labor and Midlevel Leadership
Authors: Ayers David F. , Gonzales Leslie D.
Published: July 2020

In this chapter, we extend the conventional expectations of midlevel academic leadership to include emotional labor. To do so, we draw on examples salient to academic department chairs, who are the ultimate example of midlevel leaders: sitting between senior‐level leaders and a cadre of disciplinary‐ and departmentally‐based peers. After defining emotional labor, we discuss how it applies to higher education, generally, and to academic department chairs specifically. We highlight the potential consequences of emotional labor for such midlevel leaders and conclude with practical suggestions for raising awareness and advancing healthier notions of leadership for midlevel academic leaders.
Leading and Following: The Co‐Construction of Leadership
Authors: Beckley Jodie M.
Published: July 2020

The capacity of midlevel leaders to develop influential relationships in order to effectively lead up, down, and to the side is dependent upon internalizing and continuously nurturing both a leader and a follower identity.
Well‐Designed Chiral Ligands for Enantioselective Ir‐Catalyzed C(sp2)–H Borylation†
Authors: Wang Yin‐Xia , Zhang Ping‐Feng , Ye Mengchun
Published: July 2020

Due to the lack of proper chiral ligands, enantioselective C(sp2)–H borylation has been a challenging goal for a long time. Recently, three different types of well‐designed chiral ligands were developed, not only addressing this challenge, but also providing a good inspiration for the future development of other asymmetric reactions.
Examining the role of socioeconomic status and temperament in the hair cortisol levels of infants
Authors: Ertekin Zeynep , Berument Sibel K. , Gunnar Megan R.
Published: July 2020

Socioeconomic status (SES) appears to be an important contextual factor in children's developmental outcomes, including their responses to stress. However, some children are more susceptible to its effects than others. Hair cortisol is a newer method of assessing the activity of the HPA axis, providing cumulative cortisol levels. The present article examined whether temperament (negative emotionality) moderates the association between an SES index and the hair cortisol concentration (HCC) of infants. Sixty infants from 6 to 15 months of age were recruited, of which 49 had sufficient hair for cortisol analysis. The SES index was calculated from the education levels of the mothers, family income, and a scale measuring the quality of the home environment. Negative emotionality was measured with the three sub‐scales of the Infant Behavior Questionnaire (falling reactivity, distress to limitations, and fear). Among infants low in negative emotionality, there was no association between SES and cortisol. In contrast, among those high in negative emotionality, a significant association was obtained. These infants showed lower levels of HCC in lower‐SES environments. The findings suggest that there are individual differences in reacting to the environment, and low levels of cortisol (not high) were found in susceptible infants in lower‐SES families.
A Sensing Platform Using Ag/Pt Core‐shell Nanostructures Supported on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes to Detect Hydroxyurea
Authors: Haghshenas Mahnoosh , Mazloum‐Ardakani Mohammad , Alizadeh Zahra , Vajhadin Fereshteh , Naeimi Hossein
Published: July 2020

Developing anticancer sensing platforms has a significant impact on individual cancer treatment. Monitoring of anticancer drugs in bodily fluid allows doctors to prescript the efficient amount of drugs that significantly lower chemotherapy side effects on individuals. In this study, for the first time, we explored a chemically modified carbon paste electrode (CPE), containing 2, 2′‐(1, 6‐hexanediylbisnitrilo‐ethylidine)‐bis‐hydroquinone (HEH) and Ag@Pt/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), to monitor hydroxyurea (HU), a highly toxic anticancer drug, in human serum. The electrochemical study was carried out to determine the electrocatalytic rate constant, the diffusion coefficient, and the electron‐transfer coefficient of HU oxidation. The DPV of HU showed three linear dynamic ranges in the concentration ranges of 0.05 to 1.0 μM, 1.0 to 50.0, and 50.0 to 1000.0 μM. The detection limit was lowered to 23.0 nM. With this sensing platform, DPV peaks of mixed HU and uric acid (UA) could be isolated from each other, indicating satisfied selectivity. The proposed electrochemical sensor serves as a handy device for monitoring of HU in clinical samples.
S(O)MWCNT/modified Carbon Paste – A Non‐enzymatic Amperometric Sensor for Direct Determination of 6‐Mercaptopurine in Biological Fluids
Authors: Manasa G. , Raj Clinto , Satpati Ashis K , Mascarenhas Ronald J
Published: July 2020

In this study, carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with strongly oxidized MWCNT (S(O)MWCNT) was developed as an efficient, economical, electrochemical sensor for the detection of 6‐mercaptopurine (6MP) with antineoplastic and immunosuppressive activities. However, this cytotoxic anticancer drug is associated with adverse side‐effects; hence 6MP determination becomes crucial. Drop‐cast‐coating was an effective strategy in the fabrication of S(O)MWCNT/MCPE to increase surface area. Electrochemical measurements were performed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometry. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy Dispersive X‐ray (EDX) elucidated surface characteristics. With S(O)MWCNT's good conductive ability, we achieved rapid electron transfer that amplified 6MP anodic signal by 3.8 folds higher compared to bare CPE. Additionally, great consonance between CPE loaded with S(O)MWCNT yielded superior current response with decreased activation energy compared to S(O)MWCNT/modified glassy carbon electrode (S(O)MWCNT/MGCE). Under optimal conditions S(O)MWCNT/MCPE displayed a wide‐single‐linearity range from 1.0 to 100.0 μM with an excellent detection limit of 0.24 μM during amperometric quantification for the first time. It also exhibited good selectivity, after a series of common physiological interferents’ assessment. As a part of proof‐of‐concept, the proposed sensor was investigated in 6MP fortified human fluids, and the satisfactory recoveries obtained authenticated S(O)MWCNT/MCPE's accuracy and reliability for practical applicability.
Recent progress of two‐dimensional lead halide perovskite single crystals: Crystal growth, physical properties, and device applications
Authors: Di Jiayu , Chang Jingjing , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: July 2020

In recent years, research on organic‐inorganic lead halide two‐dimensional (2D) perovskites has been blossoming. 2D perovskites have completely different layered structures from three‐dimensional perovskites, with interleaved organic and inorganic layers, leading to 2D perovskite materials being more stable and possessing anisotropic electrical transport. Meanwhile, 2D organic‐inorganic lead halide perovskite single crystals are receiving increasing attention because of their remarkable properties, such as long charge carrier lifetime, low defect density, and high photoluminescence quantum yield, increasing their potential for optoelectronic applications. Previously, a series of material systems based 2D perovskites single crystals has been synthesized and applied in various device applications. In this review, the preparation methods of organic‐inorganic lead halide 2D perovskite single crystals, the growth principles, their photoelectric properties and several device applications are discussed.

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Psoriatic arthritis with skin lesions localized to the scalp: A case report
Authors: Akaishi Tetsuya , Yamasaki Kenshi , Mori Yu , Takahashi Toshiya , Izumiyama Takuya , Terui Hitoshi , Abe Michiaki , Takayama Shin , Aiba Setsuya , Ishii Tadashi
Published: July 2020

A 66‐year‐old man with a 2‐year history of suspected scalp eczema with excessive dandruff developed painful swollen joints in the extremities. Four months after developing polyarthritis and polydactylitis, eczema gradually spread to the face. He was referred to our hospital for intractable scalp and facial eczema and polyarthritis. Based on the appearance of the head and facial skin lesions, psoriasis was suspected. Treatment with apremilast (a phosphodiesterase‐4‐inhibitor) was initiated, which swiftly alleviated the skin lesions. The joint deformities persisted, but the pain in the joints disappeared. This case implies that psoriatic arthritis should be suspected even if psoriatic skin lesions are localized to the scalp.
Degron capability of the hydrophobic C‐terminus of the polyglutamine disease protein, ataxin‐3
Authors: Blount Jessica R. , Johnson Sean L. , Libohova Kozeta , Todi Sokol V. , Tsou Wei‐Ling
Published: July 2020

Ataxin‐3 is a deubiquitinase and polyglutamine disease protein whose cellular properties and functions are not entirely understood. Mutations in ataxin‐3 cause spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), a neurodegenerative disorder that is a member of the polyglutamine family of diseases. Two major isoforms arise from alternative splicing of ATXN3 and are differently toxic in vivo as a result of faster proteasomal degradation of one isoform compared to the other. The isoforms vary only at their C‐termini, suggesting that the hydrophobic C‐terminus of the more quickly degraded form of ataxin‐3 (here referred to as isoform 2) functions as a degron—that is, a peptide sequence that expedites the degradation of its host protein. We explored this notion in this study and present evidence that: (a) the C‐terminus of ataxin‐3 isoform 2 signals its degradation in a proteasome‐dependent manner, (b) this effect from the C‐terminus of isoform 2 does not require the ubiquitination of ataxin‐3, and (c) the isolated C‐terminus of isoform 2 can enhance the degradation of an unrelated protein. According to our data, the C‐terminus of ataxin‐3 isoform 2 is a degron, increasing overall understanding of the cellular properties of the SCA3 protein.
From social activism to active socialization: The evolution of football ideology in community‐owned football clubs
Authors: Thomas Robert
Published: July 2020

Community‐owned clubs are profound socializing agents that offer children a prosocial environment that disarticulates some of football's most pernicious ideologies in favor of an environment that is developmental, empowering, and self‐affirming while facilitating self‐determination. The work highlights the evolution of community‐owned clubs from activist enclaves to virtuous, imperative environments that influence and transfer community‐bound knowledge. Children in the study articulated that the ethos found at these clubs has enhanced their self‐esteem and self‐efficacy and has positively changed their perceptions, behavior, and interactions with the vulnerable individuals within their community. In addition, the data reveals a new idealism in terms of football with self‐restraint and nominal consumption of club apparel preferred to traditional materialism.
MiR‐451a ameliorates alcoholic hepatitis via repressing HDAC8‐mediated proinflammatory response
Authors: Du Bo , Tan Xiao‐Hong , Cheng Ling , Wang Feng , Zhang Hai‐Feng
Published: July 2020

Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is identified as an inflammatory syndrome with high morbidity and mortality as a result of severe hepatocellular dysfunction and liver injury. Accumulated studies indicated that miRNAs are involved in AH. The potential effect of miR‐451a in AH mice was examined in the current study. A mice AH model was established and the miR‐451a expression in AH mice compared with the sham group was tested by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). AH mice were injected with pre‐miR‐451a lentivirus for miR‐451a overexpression and histone deacetylase (HDAC8) lentivirus for HDAC8 overexpression in AH mice. The underlying mechanisms were explored by searching the potential target genes of miR‐451a in miRanda database and then we confirmed this. We found that miR‐451a expression was significantly decreased in AH mice compared with the sham group. Moreover, miR‐451a overexpression alleviated alcohol‐induced liver inflammation and injuries of AH mice. Additionally, further mechanism exploration disclosed that HDAC8 was a target of miR‐451a. The protective effect of miR‐451a on AH in AH mice was abolished by HDAC8 overexpression. In summary, miR‐451a ameliorates AH via repressing HDAC8‐mediated proinflammatory response.
Dietary Antioxidants and Risk of Parkinson's Disease in the Singapore Chinese Health Study
Authors: Ying Ariel Fangting , Khan Shazma , Wu Ying , Jin Aizhen , Wong Aidan S.Y. , Tan Eng‐King , Yuan Jian‐Min , Koh Woon‐Puay , Tan Louis C.S.
Published: July 2020

Background

Despite experimental evidence implicating oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of PD, epidemiological studies have provided inconsistent associations between dietary antioxidants and risk of developing PD. Furthermore, no study has been done in any Asian population.

Objectives

We examined the associations for intake levels of dietary carotenoids (α‐carotene, β‐carotene, lycopene, β‐cryptoxanthin, and lutein) and vitamins (vitamin A, C and E) and the risk of developing PD.

Methods

We used data from the Singapore Chinese Health Study, a population‐based prospective cohort of 63,257 men and women aged 45 to 74 years during enrollment in 1993–1998. Antioxidant intake was derived from a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Incident cases were identified through follow‐up interviews, hospital records, or PD registries through 31 July 2018. Hazard ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were derived from multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models with adjustment for other lifestyle and dietary factors.

Results

During an average 19.4 years of follow‐up, 544 incident PD cases were identified. No association was found for dietary carotenoids, individually or summed. Hazard ratio comparing highest to lowest quartile for total carotenoids was 0.98 (95% confidence interval: 0.76–1.28; Ptrend = 0.83). There were also no clear dose‐dependent associations of dietary vitamins A, C, and E with risk of developing PD (all Ptrend ≥ 0.10). Sensitive analyses with lag time and excluding supplement use did not materially alter results.

Conclusions

Intake of dietary antioxidants, such as carotenoids and vitamins, was not associated with the risk of developing PD in Singaporean Chinese. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
On Jc‐contraction and related fixed‐point problem with applications
Authors: Nazam Muhammad
Published: July 2020

We introduce Jc‐contraction, which encompasses both F‐contraction and JS‐contraction. We investigate a fixed‐point problem subject to Jc‐contraction. The existence of the solutions to the linear matrix equation and system of fractional differential equations are discussed by the application of obtained results.
Temporal differences (TED) compressed sensing: a method for fast MRgHIFU temperature imaging
Authors: Shimron Efrat , Grissom William , Azhari Haim
Published: July 2020

This work proposes the Temporal Differences (TED) Compressed Sensing (CS) method for accelerating thermal monitoring in MR‐guided High‐Intensity Focused Ultrasound (MRgHIFU) treatments. TED combines k‐space subsampling, parallel imaging, and a unique CS recovery of the temporal differences between pre‐heating and post‐heating multi‐coil data. TED was validated through retrospective experiments with (i) two phantom datasets acquired with 1.5 T and 3 T MRgHIFU systems from different vendors, (ii) data from an in vivo animal model experiment, and (iii) four datasets from clinical in vivo MRgHIFU treatments of prostate cancer in humans. TED produced highly accurate temperature change maps from subsampled k‐space data for all datasets. For the clinical in vivo data, an analysis of 105 time frames showed that the average TED reconstruction error is 1.06‐1.67 °C. Furthermore, TED consistently outperforms two state‐of‐the‐art methods, l1‐SPIRiT and the K‐space Hybrid Method, and offers errors that are significantly lower, by 29% or more. Moreover, TED offers robust performance over a range of its tunable parameters, stability across MRgHIFU systems from different vendors, and a short runtime of 1.7 s. In summary, TED enables k‐space subsampling while retaining high‐temperature mapping accuracy.
Job satisfaction among family nurses in Poland: A questionnaire‐based study
Authors: Kalinowska Paulina , Marcinowicz Ludmila
Published: July 2020

Aim

To define the level of job satisfaction among Polish family nurses. Attempts were made to assess whether job satisfaction depends on the job location, form of employment, family structure and financial situation.

Design

A cross‐sectional study was conducted among Polish family nurses who were professionally active in 2018.

Method

A self‐administered questionnaire which included a standardized questionnaire “The Satisfaction with Job Scale” by A. M. Zalewska and our survey questionnaire was administered to 225 of participants (returned 220). The data were collected in 2018.

Results

Our study showed that the Polish family nurses are moderately satisfied with their job. A higher level of job satisfaction was reported by those family nurses with longer job seniority, those who were working in the country, those who were owners or co‐owners of a primary healthcare unit, those who were living in a complete family or as single and those who could afford to buy what they wanted and possessed savings.
Sandwiched polyimide‐composite separator for lithium‐ion batteries via electrospinning and electrospraying
Authors: Jaritphun Shayapat , Park Jun Seo , Chung Ok Hee , Nguyen Thuy Thi Thu
Published: July 2020

A novel type of sandwiched separator for lithium‐ion batteries has been developed by combining electrospinning and electrospraying techniques. This separator consists of three layers in which the top and bottom layers are prepared by electrospinning a poly(amic acid) ammonium salt (PAAS) solution and the middle layer is obtained by electrospraying a mixture of the PAAS solution and inorganic nanoparticles (SiO2 or Al2O3). Subsequently, the sandwiched separators are imidized at 250°C in a nitrogen atmosphere. The morphology, porosity, thermal stability, mechanical strength, wettability and electrochemical performance of sandwiched separators were examined and the results were compared with those of a commercial separator (SV718). The thermal properties of the sandwiched separators and SV718 were determined using a thermal gravimetric analyzer and a differential scanning calorimeter. The sandwiched separators had no melting peak, whereas SV718 had a melting peak at 139°C, demonstrating the higher thermal stability of sandwiched separators. The electrolyte contact angles of sandwiched separators were around 11.5°, which were significantly lower than that of SV718. Moreover, the porosity and electrolyte uptake of sandwiched separators were over 81% and 910%, respectively, while those values of SV718 were 43% and 121%, respectively. The higher porosity, electrolyte uptake, and wettability of the sandwiched separators resulted in the better their cycling performance and higher specific‐discharge capabilities than SV718.
Convenient Assembly of Privileged (Hetero)Arene‐Fused Benzo[1.4]oxazepines via Two Tandem SNAr Events. Part 3 – (Hetero)arene‐Fused benzo[f]imidazo[1,2‐d][1,4]oxazepines
Authors: Dmitriev Viktor , Vedekhina Tatiana , Sapegin Alexander , Krasavin Mikhail
Published: July 2020

A tandem approach to (hetero)arene‐fused benzo[f]imidazo[1,2‐d][1,4]oxazepines has been described which involves condensation of bis‐nucleophilic 2‐(2‐hydrohyaryl)imidazoles with reactivity‐matched o‐dihalo and o‐halonitro (hetero)aromatic substrates. The process is generally regioselective with respect to the unsymmetrically substituted imidazole ring and proceeds via two SNAr events (intermolecular first and then intramolecular) intermitted by a Smiles rearrangement. In some cases, the last SNAr step provides a rare example of nucleophilic displacement of a nitro group or a halogen in non‐activated positions of a (hetero)aromatic ring which does not require the use of a metal catalyst.
Pharmacological MRI responses of raclopride in rats: The relationship with D2 receptor occupancy and cataleptic behavior
Authors: Masaki Yukiko , Kashiwagi Yuto , Rokugawa Takemi , Ito Miwa , Iimori Hitoshi , Abe Kohji
Published: July 2020

Pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging (phMRI) allows the visualization of brain pharmacological effects of drugs using functional MRI (fMRI). phMRI can help us facilitate central nervous system (CNS) drug development. However, there have been few studies demonstrating the dose relationship of the fMRI response induced by CNS drugs to underlying target engagement or behavioral efficacy. To clarify these relationships, we examined receptor occupancy measurements using positron emission tomography (PET) (n = 3~5), fMRI (n = 5~8) and a cataleptic behavior (n = 6) with raclopride, a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist (8, 20, and 200 μg/kg) on Wistar rats. Dopamine D2 receptor occupancy was increased dose dependently by raclopride (41.8 ± 2.7%, 8 μg/kg; 64.9 ± 2.8%, 20 μg/kg; 83.1 ± 3.0%, 200 μg/kg). phMRI study revealed significant positive responses to raclopride at 200 μg/kg specifically in the striatum and nucleus accumbens, related to dopaminergic system. Slight fMRI responses were observed at 20 μg/kg in some areas corresponding to the striatum and nucleus accumbens. There were no noticeable fMRI responses at 8 μg/kg raclopride administration. Raclopride at 200 μg/kg significantly increased the cataleptic score, although, at 8 and 20 μg/kg, raclopride had no significant effects. These findings showed that raclopride‐induced fMRI responses were observed at doses inducing cataleptic behavior and high D2 receptor occupancy, suggesting that phMRI can be useful for dose selection in clinical trial as an evaluation method of brain activity, which reflects behavioral responses induced by target engagements.
Stem Cell Marker Expression in Early Stage Colorectal Cancer is Associated with Recurrent Intestinal Neoplasia
Authors: Walker Brett S. , Zarour Luai R. , Wieghard Nicole , Gallagher Alexandra C. , Swain John R. , Weinmann Sheila , Lanciault Christian , Billingsley Kevin , Tsikitis V. Liana , Wong Melissa H.
Published: July 2020

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks second in cancer deaths worldwide and presents multiple management challenges, one of which is identifying high risk stage II disease that may benefit from adjuvant therapy. Molecular biomarkers, such as ones that identify stem cell activity, could better stratify high‐risk cohorts for additional treatment.

Methods

To identify possible biomarkers of high‐risk disease in early‐stage CRC, a discovery set (n = 66) of advanced‐stage tumors were immunostained with antibodies to stemness proteins (CD166, CD44, CD26, and LGR5) and then digitally analyzed. Using a second validation cohort (n = 54) of primary CRC tumors, we analyzed protein and gene expression of CD166 across disease stages, and extended our analyses to CD166‐associated genes (LGR5, ASCL2, BMI1, POSTN, and VIM) by qRT‐PCR.

Results

Stage III and metastatic CRC tumors highly expressed stem cell‐associated proteins, CD166, CD44, and LGR5. When evaluated across stages, CD166 protein expression was elevated in advanced‐stage compared to early‐stage tumors. Notably, a small subset of stage I and II cancers harbored elevated CD166 protein expression, which correlated with development of recurrent cancer or adenomatous polyps. Gene expression analyses of CD166‐associated molecules revealed elevated ASCL2 in primary tumors from patients who recurred.

Conclusions

We identified a protein signature prognostic of aggressive disease in early stage CRC. Stem cell‐associated protein and gene expression identified a subset of early‐stage tumors associated with cancer recurrence and/or subsequent adenoma formation. Signatures for stemness offer promising fingerprints for stratifying early‐stage patients at high risk of recurrence.
Kingman’s Model with Random Mutation Probabilities: Convergence and Condensation II
Authors: Yuan Linglong
Published: July 2020

A generalisation of Kingman’s model of selection and mutation has been made in a previous paper which assumes all mutation probabilities to be i.i.d.. The weak convergence of fitness distributions to a globally stable equilibrium was proved. The condensation occurs if almost surely a positive proportion of the population travels to and condensates on the largest fitness value due to the dominance of selection over mutation. A criterion of condensation was given which relies on the equilibrium whose explicit expression is however unknown. This paper tackles these problems based on the discovery of a matrix representation of the random model. An explicit expression of the equilibrium is obtained and the key quantity in the condensation criterion can be estimated. Moreover we examine how the design of randomness in Kingman’s model affects the fitness level of the equilibrium by comparisons between different models. The discovered facts are conjectured to hold in other more sophisticated models.
Heavy metal pollution assessment in the groundwater of the Meghna Ghat industrial area, Bangladesh, by using water pollution indices approach
Authors: Rahman Mirza A. T. M. Tanvir , Paul Moutushi , Bhoumik Nikhil , Hassan Mahmud , Alam Md. Khorshed , Aktar Zakia
Published: July 2020

Heavy metal pollution in groundwater is a substantial environmental risk for Bangladesh. The Meghna Ghat industrial area in Bangladesh becomes a promising site for installing various industries for few decades. It was necessary to assess the heavy metal level in the groundwater of this area, and current study took the initiative. We collected 20 groundwater samples and tested pH, DO, TDS, EC, turbidity, COD, and DOC as well as four heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb, and Ni) to calculate four water quality indices, i.e., water quality index (WQI), degree of contamination (DC), heavy metal evaluation index (HEI), and heavy metal pollution index (HPI). Ni was too low to detect by the instrument, whereas the mean concentrations of Cr, Cd, and Pb were 0.07, 0.007, and 0.18 mg/L which exceeded the drinking water standards set by Bangladesh. According to the water quality indices, only 10% samples were good according to WQI; 30% and 15% samples were subjected to low level of pollution considering DC and HEI, respectively. Although according to HPI 35% samples were unsuitable for drinking, rest of the values were very close to characterize as unsuitable. Finally, we proposed two best-fitted models that can represent relationships between the metals and water quality indices. Water quality was comparatively better near the open spaces of the study area. The area needed to be under continuous monitoring for checking further pollution distribution.
Ileocecal valve syndrome and vitamin b12 deficiency after surgery: a multicentric prospective study
Authors: Germani Paola , Zucca Annalisa , Giudici Fabiola , Terranova Susanna , Troian Marina , Samardzic Natasa , Greco Marco , Janez Jurij , Gasparini Camilla , Cagnazzo Emanuela , Vignali Andrea , Giannone Codiglione Fabio , Armellini Andrea , Fumagalli Uberto Romario , Rosati Riccardo , Piccinni Giuseppe , Megevand Jacques , Tomazic Ales , Corcione Francesco , Palmisano Silvia , de Manzini Nicolò
Published: July 2020

Patients undergoing colon resection are often concerned about their functional outcomes after surgery. The primary aim of this prospective, multicentric study was to assess the intestinal activity and health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) after ileocecal valve removal. The secondary aim was to evaluate any vitamin B12 deficiency. The study included patients undergoing right colectomy, extended right colectomy and ileocecal resection for either neoplastic or benign disease. Selected items of GIQLI and EORTC QLQ-CR29 questionnaires were used to investigate intestinal activity and HRQL before and after surgery. Blood samples for vitamin B12 level were collected before and during the follow-up period. The empirical rule effect size (ERES) method was used to explain the clinical effect of statistical results. Linear mixed effect (LME) model for longitudinal data was applied to detect the most important parameters affecting the total score. A total of 158 patients were considered. Applying the ERES method, the analysis of both questionnaires showed clinically and statistically significant improvement of HRQL at the end of the follow-up period. Applying the LME model, worsening of HRQL was correlated with female gender and ileum length when using GIQLI questionnaire, and with female gender, open approach, and advanced cancer stage when using the EORTC QLQ-CR29 questionnaire. No significant deficiency in vitamin B12 levels was observed regardless of the length of surgical specimen. In our series, no deterioration of HRQL and no vitamin B12 deficiency were found during the follow-up period. Nevertheless, warning patients about potential changes in bowel habits is mandatory. In our series, no deterioration of HRQL and no vitamin B12 deficiency were found during the follow-up period. Nevertheless, warning patients about potential changes in bowel habits is mandatory.
Successfully scaled solutions need not be homogenous
Authors: SOMAN DILIP , HOSSAIN TANJIM
Published: July 2020

Al-Ubaydliet al.point out that many research findings experience a reduction in magnitude of treatment effects when scaled, and they make a number of proposals to improve the scalability of pilot project findings. While we agree that scalability is important for policy relevance, we argue that non-scalability does not always render a research finding useless in practice. Three practices ensuring (1) that the intervention is appropriate for the context; (2) that heterogeneity in treatment effects are understood; and (3) that the temptation to try multiple interventions simultaneously is avoided can allow us to customize successful policy prescriptions to specific real-world settings.
A behavioral approach to personalizing public health
Authors: RUGGERI KAI , BENZERGA AMEL , VERRA SANNE , FOLKE TOMAS
Published: July 2020

Behavioral policies are increasingly popular in a number of health care contexts. However, evidence of their effectiveness, specifically in low-income and highly disadvantaged populations, is limited. Some positive effects have been found for adaptive interventions, which merge more personalized approaches with advances in data collection and modern analytical methods. These approaches have only recently become feasible, as their implementation requires a confluence of large-scale datasets, contemporary machine learning, and validated behavioral insights. Such methods have considerable potential to improve outcomes without requiring substantial increases in effort on the part of individuals. Using examples from health insurance choice, clinical attendance rates, and prescription of medicines, we present an argument for how adaptive approaches, especially those considering disadvantaged populations explicitly, offer an opportunity to generate equity in public health.
Developing an evidence-based reading intervention for early brain injury rehabilitation
Authors: Watter Kerrin , Copley Anna , Finch Emma
Published: July 2020

Introduction:

Providing evidence-based services in areas with emerging or low-level evidence is a challenge for many clinicians. The aim of the current study was to apply a newly designed novel methodology to develop and describe a new intervention for cognitive-communication reading comprehension deficits in early acquired brain injury rehabilitation.

Methods:

An emergent multi-phase mixed methods design allowed phases of different research activity to build an evidence base of quantitative and qualitative data. A pragmatic clinical framework was developed to combine these traditional research findings with principles from knowledge translation and implementation science, evidence-based practice and intervention development models, clinical contextual practice guidelines and the Medical Research Council’s guidelines for developing and evaluating complex interventions, to create an evidence-based contextually driven clinical intervention.

Results:

The resulting reading comprehension intervention and service delivery model is presented and involves a multiple-strategy intervention across increasing level of reading comprehension complexity. In areas where traditional methodologies provide low-level evidence, this method provides an alternate way to conduct evidence-based clinical research.
ENHANCED AEOLIAN ACTIVITIES IN THE MIDDLE YANGTZE RIVER BASIN DURING MIS2: EVIDENCE FROM RADIOCARBON DATING OF SAND HILLS AND LOESS SEDIMENTS
Authors: Zhang Zhi , Jia Yulian , Wang Yeqiao
Published: July 2020

Aeolian deposits are widely distributed in the middle Yangtze River Basin (YRB), central China. The formation of those aeolian deposits (including aeolian sands and loess deposits) represented the deterioration of local environment. Previous geochronological studies have shown that both aeolian sands and loess began to be deposited in the last interglacial (~100 ka). In this study, a total of four and six accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon (AMS 14C) samples were collected from a sand hill and a loess section, respectively, in the Jiujiang area to refine their chronology. Charcoals extracted from bulk samples were employed for AMS 14C dating. The sand layer at the lower part of the HG-C section is sandwiched by two mud layers dated to 26,670–26,285 and 24,480–24,180 cal BP, respectively. Therefore, we infer that aeolian activities in this region started at ~25 ka BP, which was significantly younger than that of previous studies. Meanwhile, thick loess began to deposit leeward of the sand hills in this region. Based on the AMS14C chronology and provenance tracing, we conclude that the loess was essentially the fine-grained aeolian deposits. Our results suggest that topography and vegetation cover have an important effect on the spatial distribution of aeolian deposits in this region.
DOES IT MATTER WHEN YOU REVIEW?
Authors: Rogers John , Cheung Anisa
Published: July 2020

This study is a conceptual replication of Rogers and Cheung’s (2018) investigation into distribution of practice effects on the learning of L2 vocabulary in child EFL classrooms in Hong Kong. Following a pretest, treatment, delayed posttest design, 66 primary school students (Cantonese L1) studied 20 vocabulary items over three training episodes under spaced-short (1-day interval) or spaced-long (8-day interval) learning conditions. The spacing of the vocabulary items was manipulated within-participants, and learning was assessed using crossword puzzles following a 4-week delay. While Rogers and Cheung (2018) resulted in minimal overall learning with a slight advantage for the spaced-short group, this study found large learning gains across the experimental conditions with no significant differences between the two learning schedules. Taken together, these results provide evidence that the results from previous research examining input spacing with adult populations in laboratory contexts might not generalize to authentic child learning contexts.
On the Psychology of the Psychology Subject Pool
Authors: Sadeghiyeh Hashem , Wang Siyu , Kyllo Hannah M. , Alberhasky Maxwell R. , Savita Shlishaa , Kellohen Kathryn L. , Wilson Robert C.
Published: July 2020

Abstract. Many psychology researches are performed through “psychology subject pools” which give participants considerable flexibility when they participate. This “participant degree-of-freedom” has led to concern that the characteristics of subject pool participants may change with time, with the most engaged students signing up at the start of the semester and the least engaged students leaving it all to the end. In this paper, we performed an exploratory analysis to look for evidence of this “good student effect.” Consistent with previous work, we find support for the good student effect with earlier participants scoring higher on the Big-Five subscales of Achievement-Striving and Cooperation, as well as Grit and Empathic-Concern. In addition, we found a non-linear effect of time-of-semester on Sensation-Seeking, with this measure peaking in the middle of the semester as well as the end. However, the vast majority of the measures we tested, including measures of personality, cognition, decision-making, and social interaction, did not correlate with time-of-semester or time-of-day at all. Thus, we conclude that, while some studies directly related to measures of Grit and Sensation-Seeking would do well to recruit throughout the semester, in most cases any bias introduced by the good student effect is likely to be small.
To Protect the World’s Sand, We Need to Know How to Measure It
Authors: Fritts Rachel
Published: July 2020

New research provides a more accurate model that coastal managers and engineers can use to account for sand transport over time.
Negative Streamer Initiation From an Isolated Hydrometeor in a Subbreakdown Electric Field
Authors: Koile Jacob , Shi Feng , Liu Ningyu , Dwyer Joseph , Tilles Julia
Published: July 2020

Plasma discharge fluid simulations indicate a negative streamer can be initiated from the narrow tip of a cone‐shaped, realistically sized hydrometeor in a uniform electric field as low as 0.65Ek. A negative streamer, however, cannot be formed from a cone‐shaped hydrometeor with a slightly smaller base radius or a column hydrometeor under otherwise the same conditions. The simulation also shows the negative streamer is accompanied by a positive streamer. The results present implications for understanding lightning initiation and the physical mechanism of the recently discovered thunderstorm‐related phenomenon called fast negative breakdown. Finally, the initiated negative streamer develops with a relatively constant head radius and velocity in contrast with the expanding and accelerating positive streamer. It appears that the differences between the properties of each polarity of streamer are more pronounced in an electric field below Ek.
Rapid Frequency Variations Within Intense Chorus Wave Packets
Authors: Zhang X.‐J. , Mourenas D. , Artemyev A. V. , Angelopoulos V. , Kurth W. S. , Kletzing C. A. , Hospodarsky G. B.
Published: July 2020

Whistler mode chorus waves are responsible for electron acceleration in Earth's radiation belts. It is unclear, however, whether the observed acceleration is still well described by quasi‐linear theory, or if this acceleration is due to intense waves that require nonlinear treatment. Here, we perform a comprehensive statistical analysis of intense lower‐band chorus wave packets to investigate the relationships between wave frequency variations, packet length, and wave amplitude, and their temporal variability. We find that 15% of the wave power is carried by long packets, with low frequency sweep rates (linear trend in time) that agree with the nonlinear theory of chorus wave growth. Eighty‐five percent of the wave power, however, comes from short packets with large frequency variations around the linear trend. The kappa‐like probability distribution of these variations is consistent with random superposition of different waves that could result in a destruction of nonlinear resonant interaction.
The Grass Is Not Always Greener on the Other Side: Seasonal Reversal of Vegetation Greenness in Aspect‐Driven Semiarid Ecosystems
Authors: Kumari Nikul , Saco Patricia M. , Rodriguez Jose F. , Johnstone Samuel A. , Srivastava Ankur , Chun Kwok P. , Yetemen Omer
Published: July 2020

Our current understanding of semiarid ecosystems is that they tend to display higher vegetation greenness on polar‐facing slopes (PFS) than on equatorial‐facing slopes (EFS). However, recent studies have argued that higher vegetation greenness can occur on EFS during part of the year. To assess whether this seasonal reversal of aspect‐driven vegetation is a common occurrence, we conducted a global‐scale analysis of vegetation greenness on a monthly time scale over an 18‐year period (2000–2017). We examined the influence of climate seasonality on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values of PFS and EFS at 60 different catchments with aspect‐controlled vegetation located across all continents except Antarctica. Our results show that an overwhelming majority of sites (70%) display seasonal reversal, associated with transitions from water‐limited to energy‐limited conditions during wet winters. These findings highlight the need to consider seasonal variations of aspect‐driven vegetation patterns in ecohydrology, geomorphology, and Earth system models.
Assessment of Satellite and Reanalysis Cold Season Snowfall Estimates Over Arctic Sea Ice
Authors: Song Yang , Behrangi Ali , Blanchard‐Wrigglesworth E.
Published: July 2020

This work presents a systematic assessment of precipitation estimates from satellite and reanalysis products over Arctic sea ice by reconstructing snow depths from precipitation products and comparing them with snow depth observations from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s Operation IceBridge (OIB). Results show that the observed snow depth pattern is generally captured through reconstruction of snow depth using various precipitation products, but the use of passive microwave precipitation estimates results in significant underestimation of the snow depth. By using CloudSat monthly precipitation rate, to adjust the Global Precipitation Climatology Product (GPCP V1.3), the modified product (GPCP V1.3‐mod) shows improved statistics over GPCP V1.3 as compared with OIB snow depth observations. Snow depth reconstructed from ERA‐Int precipitation rate outperformed other products by showing the highest correlation coefficient and lowest root‐mean‐square error (RMSE). ERA5 shows larger RMSE than ERA‐Int, while MERRA‐2 results in large overestimation of snow depth and larger RMSE compared to GPCP and other reanalysis products.
Water‐Ice Exposing Scarps Within the Northern Midlatitude Craters on Mars
Authors: Harish  , Vijayan S. , Mangold N. , Bhardwaj Anil
Published: July 2020

We report new exposures of water ice along the scarps wall located within craters in the northern midlatitude region of Mars using high‐resolution imagery and spectral data of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The exposed water‐ice deposits are shallower and exhibit 1.5 and 2 μm absorption. These scarps are located on the pole‐facing walls and equator‐facing wall origin floor deposits which formed over the latitude dependent mantle. Our observations advance in bracketing the younger ice deposits through the crater size‐frequency distributions of host craters, which formed around ~25 and ~95 Myr and exposed around ~1 Myr. This reveals that ice transportation, accumulation, compaction, and ice‐dust mixing occurred in recent epochs. Our study complements the earlier studies that shallow water ice is spatially widespread and consistent with subsurface water‐ice detection by neutron spectrometer. We interpret the ice remnants likely to preserve in craters pole‐facing wall and equator‐facing wall‐associated floor deposits, which demonstrates widespread water‐ice resources on Mars.
The Relationship Between Convective Clustering and Mean Tropical Climate in Aquaplanet Simulations
Authors: Popp Max , Lutsko Nicholas J. , Bony Sandrine
Published: July 2020

Convective clustering, the spatial organization of tropical deep convection, can manifest itself in two ways: through a decrease in the total area covered by convection and/or through a decrease in the number of convective areas. Much of our current understanding of convective clustering comes from simulations in idealized radiative convective equilibrium (RCE) configurations. In these simulations the two forms of convective clustering tend to covary, and their individual effects on the climate are thus hard to disentangle. This study shows that in aquaplanet simulations with more realistic boundary conditions, such as meridional gradients of surface temperature and rotational forces, the two aspects of convective clustering are not equivalent and are associated with different impacts on the large‐scale climate. For instance, reducing the convective area in the equatorial region in the aquaplanet simulations results in broader meridional humidity and rain distributions and in lower tropospheric temperatures throughout the tropics. By contrast, the number of convective regions primarily impacts the zonal variance of humidity‐related quantities in the aquaplanet simulations, as the distribution of convective regions affects the size of the subsidence regions and thereby the moistening influence of convective regions. The aquaplanet simulations confirm many other qualitative results from RCE simulations, such as a reduction of equatorial tropospheric humidity when the area covered by convection diminishes.