bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical Advances in Non‐Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Rhodes Zayn , Cabrera‐Pardo Jaime R. , Li Min , Minteer Shelley D.
Published: August 2020

Electrochemistry has made a significant impact on scientific discovery and industrial development throughout recent history. One of the most important contributions of the field, the battery, has provided much of the energy storage for this progress. Recently, redox flow batteries have emerged as a promising modern battery technology toward grid‐scale energy storage. Through the employment of non‐aqueous electrolytes and optimization of redox‐active organic molecules as catholyte and anolyte, these batteries have the potential to offer affordable, environmentally‐friendly energy storage without sacrificing desirable high energy densities and long cycling lifetimes. These developments are ongoing, and the associated computational tools have expanded the capabilities and scope of redox flow batteries and shown a path toward the eventual commercialization of this technology to continue to provide power to humanity into a bright future.
Bank deposits and Google searches in a crisis economy: Bayesian non‐linear evidence for Greece (2009–2015)
Authors: Konstantakis Konstantinos N. , Paraskeuopoulou Despoina , Michaelides Panayotis G. , Tsionas Efthymios G.
Published: August 2020

Due to a variety of reasons, the Greek economy faced a severe crisis being a member of EMU. Nonetheless, the country's banking system experienced a dramatic outflow of deposits, in the period 2009–2015. The present paper attempts to shed light on the possibility of forecasting bank deposits, based on the keyword “Grexit” of Google searches. In this context, apart from standard forecasting models like AR (p) and ARDL (p, q) we estimate a novel Neural Network ARDL (p, q, G) model and its respective Bayesian modification. We show that extending standard autoregressive models with the information provided by Internet Searches leads to significant improvement in the forecasting accuracy of the Bank Deposits, compared with other standard models. Furthermore, the forecasting performance of the models, which are extended with Google searches, is shown to be better than models containing only the well‐known indicators. Our findings are robust and econometrically sound.
Are public spending determinants significant in per capita budget spending decisions in Nigeria?
Authors: Aladejare Samson Adeniyi
Published: August 2020

The motivation for this study had been to assess whether the established determinants of public spending decisions in Nigeria which are government revenue, the inflation rate, the exchange rate, the growth rate of real gross domestic product, and the international price of oil, do actually affect per capita budget spending as assumed by the fiscal authorities. However, evidence from the baseline symmetric and asymmetric auto‐regressive distributive lag regressions suggest otherwise. A further probe by adding population growth rate, and gross fixed capital formation to the baseline variables to have a robust regression, suggests that while gross fixed capital formation which measures for infrastructure development was insignificant, population growth rate was crucial for the instituted determinants to exert substantial effect on per capita spending. This outcome can be taken as evidence of why the budget on a yearly basis is being perceived by most citizens as an ineffective tool of fiscal policy. Since the fiscal authorities have continued to always assume that factors that play crucial role in formulating their spending decisions; are the same with those necessary in deciding the share of Nigerians in the budget; without due consideration for population growth. Hence, ridiculing whatever goal the budget is set out to achieve.
On the Italian public accounts' sustainability: A wavelet approach
Authors: Magazzino Cosimo , Forte Francesco , Giolli Lorenzo
Published: August 2020

In this paper we analyse the relationship between public primary deficit and debt for Italian sustainability over the 1862–2013 years. Our empirical strategy uses the wavelet analysis. The evidence confirms the absence of fiscal sustainability in the long‐run for Italy, reinforcing the need for a rebalancing of the public accounts.
Internet and private insurance participation
Authors: Liu Zhifeng , Li Wenquan , Zhang Tingting
Published: August 2020

Since the Internet is an important information intermediary, this paper examines whether and how the Internet affects private insurance participation. Using national representative household survey data from China, we show that the Internet has a significant positive effect on households' private insurance participation. Then, we use both an instrumental variable analysis and propensity score matching to identify this causal effect. Furthermore, we find that this positive effect of the Internet is mainly driven by positive information on News Portals. In contrast, information regarding insurance on BBSs is usually negative and, thus, has a deterrent effect on insurance participation. Additionally, we examine the role of trust in these impacts. The results show that netizens with a high level of trust are more likely to purchase insurance, indicating that trusting the information received online is an essential factor for participating in private insurance.
Common correlated effect cross‐sectional dependence corrections for nonlinear conditional mean panel models
Authors: Hacıoğlu Hoke Sinem , Kapetanios George
Published: August 2020

This paper provides an approach to estimation and inference for nonlinear conditional mean panel data models, in the presence of cross‐sectional dependence. We modify Pesaran's (Econometrica, 2006, 74(4), 967–1012) common correlated effects correction to filter out the interactive unobserved multifactor structure. The estimation can be carried out using nonlinear least squares, by augmenting the set of explanatory variables with cross‐sectional averages of both linear and nonlinear terms. We propose pooled and mean group estimators, derive their asymptotic distributions, and show the consistency and asymptotic normality of the coefficients of the model. The features of the proposed estimators are investigated through extensive Monte Carlo experiments. We also present two empirical exercises. The first explores the nonlinear relationship between banks' capital ratios and riskiness. The second estimates the nonlinear effect of national savings on national investment in OECD countries depending on countries' openness.
The last two perfect Mendelsohn designs with block size 5
Authors: Griggs Terry S. , Kozlik Andrew R.
Published: August 2020

We complete the existence spectrum of perfect Mendelsohn designs as by exhibiting previously unknown designs and .
Consistency evaluation of Liferiver, Yaneng, Darui, and the Cobas 4800 test for high‐risk human papillomavirus screening
Authors: Wang Mengmeng , Ji Xiang , Dou Xiaowen , Tang Huamei , Kan Lijuan , Wu Wei , Chen Dayang , Zong Zengyan , Xiong Dan , Zhang Xiuming
Published: August 2020

Background

In recent years, several high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) tests have been developed. The assay capabilities need to be systematically reviewed. Here, we compared the clinical sample performance of three novel HR‐HPV assays (Liferiver, Yaneng, and Darui) based on different platforms with the widely adopted cobas4800 test.

Methods

A total of 346 cervical swabs from women who were screened for cervical cancer were analyzed for the presence of 14 HR‐HPV genotypes. The distinction between the four assays was investigated by the genotyping and direct sequencing.

Results

The positive rates of the four assays ranged from 61.56% to 64.16%. The overall concordance was 88.15%. The Yaneng assays displayed the best sensitivity (100%) and specificity (98.43%). The sensitivity (98.17%) and specificity (98.43%) of the Darui assay were superior to those of the cobas4800 test (97.72% and 93.70%, respectively). The Liferiver assay displayed comparable sensitivity with the cobas4800 test (95.89% and 97.72%, respectively). The specificity of the cobas4800 was lower than that of the Liferiver assay (93.70% vs. 97.64%).

Conclusions

The three novel HR‐HPV assays displayed good agreement with the cobas4800 test. The analytical performance of all four fulfilled the requirements of sensitivity and specificity for HR‐HPV detection.
Bedside ultrasound in the management of critically ill patients; Echocardiographic signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary embolism can be very similar, and lung ultrasound can act as a key: A case report
Authors: Yamanoğlu Adnan , Celebi Yamanoğlu Nalan Gokce
Published: August 2020

Right‐sided heart failure (RHF) diagnosed at point‐of‐care‐ultrasonography examination of critical patients may reveal an acute disease, such as pulmonary embolism (PE), requiring emergency thrombolytic treatment. However, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and PE leading to acute RHF may exhibit very similar echocardiographic features. We report the case of a 27‐year‐old pregnant woman diagnosed with ARDS due to septic abortion, and in whom ARDS mimicked PE both clinically and on echocardiography. Such similarity may lead to inappropriate administration of thrombolytic therapy and/or delay the correct treatment. Lung ultrasonography may help avoiding this pitfall.
Association between deficient cesarean delivery scar and cesarean scar syndrome
Authors: Dosedla Erik , Gál Peter , Calda Pavel
Published: August 2020

Introduction

The aim of our study was to compare long‐term morbidity after elective and emergency cesarean delivery (CD).

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted in 200 women delivered by CD. Ultrasound examinations were performed transvaginally at 6 weeks and 18 months after CD. Clinical data were collected at the time of CD and after 18 months.

Results

In the group of 200 women, 29% underwent emergency and 71% elective CD. Then, 6 weeks and 18 months after CD, a severe scar defect was present in 7% and 5%, respectively (P = .4). After 18 months of CD, 17% (34/200) of women had evidence of adhesions of the vesicouterine pouch.

Severe CD scar defects were significant predictors for adhesion formation in vesicouterine pouch (OR 3.14, 95% CI, 1.54‐4.74), pelvic pain (OR 1.68, 95% CI, 0.22‐3.14), dysmenorrhea (OR 2.12, 95% CI, 0.74‐3.50), and dyspareunia (OR 1.38, 95% CI, 0.09‐2.67).

Uterine scar defects detected at 6 weeks after elective CD were detectable at 18 months in only 40% of cases, whereas uterine scar defects after emergency CD were still detectable in 87% of cases.

Conclusion

Uterine scar defects are more frequent at 18 weeks after emergency CD, than after elective CD (40% vs 87%). Women with severe scar defects have higher risk of adhesion formation, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain.
Conceptualization of dental caries by dental students is related to their preventive oral care routine
Authors: Fernández Constanza E. , Chanin Marisa , Appice Gabriella M. , Culver Ashley M. , Stein Amy
Published: August 2020

Objective

Whether the understanding of dental caries influences how future dentists manage the disease themselves has not been previously studied. Thus, this study evaluated whether the conceptualization (understanding) of dental caries by dental students is related to their own preventive oral care routine.

Methods

Dental students at a U.S. dental school (n = 517) were invited to voluntarily respond to an anonymous electronic survey in spring 2018. Demographic characteristics, caries conceptualization (CC), dental care habits, and self‐caries risk determination were asked. Discursive responses to CC were analyzed by content analysis technique, and categories [c] were created. Chi‐square and Fisher's exact tests were used for analysis.

Results

Overall response rate was 54.5% (n = 282, 48.2% female). Three researchers independently analyzed discursive answers and classified them into 1 of 6 caries concept categories [c]: [c1] only signs of the disease (10.3%), [c2] bacterial disease‐not specifying bacterial metabolism (38.3%), [c3] bacterial byproducts‐not specifying substrate (13.8%), [c4] biological or multifactorial concept (24.8%), [c5] comprehensive multifactorial disease (8.2%), or [c6] other (4.6%). Only 33% completely defined dental caries according to the modern understanding of the disease (c4−c5). Statistical differences were found between: CC and diet modification, CC and rinsing after brushing, year of school (YS) and self‐determined caries‐risk, YS and brushing at school, and YS and rinsing after brushing (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the students’ understanding of the disease can influence how they will manage the disease in terms of diet modification and behavior after brushing. Moreover, self‐caries risk determination influenced students’ brushing behavior.
Allosteric targeting of the FFA2 receptor (GPR43) restores responsiveness of desensitized human neutrophils
Authors: Frei Robert , Nordlohne Johannes , Hüser Ulrike , Hild Seda , Schmidt Johannes , Eitner Frank , Grundmann Manuel
Published: August 2020

The G protein-coupled free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2R) is highly expressed on neutrophils and was previously described to regulate neutrophil activation. Allosteric targeting of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is increasingly explored to create distinct pharmacology compared to endogenous, orthosteric ligands. The consequence of allosteric versus orthosteric FFA2R activation for neutrophil response, however, is currently largely elusive. Here, different FFA2R desensitization profiles in human neutrophils following allosteric or orthosteric activation are reported. Using a set of neutrophil functional assays to measure calcium flux, pERK1/2, chemotaxis, cellular degranulation, and oxidative burst together with holistic and pathway-unbiased whole cell sensing based on dynamic mass redistribution, it is found that the synthetic positive allosteric modulator agonist 4-CMTB potently activates neutrophils and simultaneously alters FFA2R responsiveness toward the endogenous, orthosteric agonist propionic acid (C3) after homologous and heterologous receptor desensitization. Stimulation with C3 or the hierarchically superior chemokine receptor activator IL-8 led to strong FFA2R desensitization and rendered neutrophils unresponsive toward repeated stimulation with C3. In contrast, stimulation with allosteric 4-CMTB engaged a distinct composition of signaling pathways as compared to orthosteric receptor activation and was able to activate neutrophils that underwent homologous and heterologous desensitization with C3 and IL-8, respectively. Moreover, allosteric FFA2R activation could re-sensitize FFA2 toward the endogenous agonist C3 after homologous and heterologous desensitization. Given the fact that receptor desensitization is critical in neutrophils to sense and adapt to their current environment, these findings are expected to be useful for the discovery of novel pharmacological mechanisms to modulate neutrophil responsiveness therapeutically.
Effectiveness of remdesivir for the treatment of hospitalized COVID‐19 persons: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: Jiang Yawen , Chen Daqin , Cai Dan , Yi Yao , Jiang Shan
Published: August 2020

Several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that investigated the effectiveness of remdesivir for the treatment of coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) have generated inconsistent evidence. The present study aimed to synthesize available RCT evidence using network meta‐analyses (NMAs). Both blinded and open‐label RCTs in PubMed database from inception to 7 June 2020 that contained “remdesivir”, “Covid‐19”, and “trial” in the abstracts conducted on hospitalized COVID‐19 persons were identified and screened. The studies must have at least one remdesivir arm and evaluated one of the pre‐specified outcomes. The outcomes were clinical improvement between days 10 to 15 after randomization and clinical recovery during the follow‐up period. The identified literature was supplemented with relatively recent studies that were known to the researchers if not already included. Frequentist NMAs with random effects were conducted. Both 10‐day and 5‐day remdesivir regimens were associated with higher odds of clinical improvement (odds ratio [OR] of 10‐day regimen: 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09‐1.67); OR of 5‐day regimen: 1.81, 95% CI, 1.32‐2.45, and higher probabilities of clinical recovery (relative risk [RR] of 10‐day regimen: 1.24, 95% CI, 1.07‐1.43; RR of 5‐day regimen: 1.47, 95% CI, 1.16‐1.87 compared with placebo. Remdesivir may have clinical benefits among hospitalized COVID‐19 persons.
Assessing the serum chymase level as an early predictor of dengue severity
Authors: Sahu Ankit Kumar , Aggarwal Praveen , Ekka Meera , Nayer Jamshed , Bhoi Sanjeev , Kumar Akshay , Luthra Kalpana
Published: August 2020

We conducted a prospective, observational study to assess the serum chymase level, a mast cell derived protease, as a predictor of dengue severity. NS1‐positive non‐severe dengue patients of age ≥14 years with duration of fever ≤4 days were included in the study. At the time of admission, the serum sample was taken for chymase estimation. Patients were followed up to four days after they became afebrile to find out the final diagnosis. Total of 338 non‐severe dengue patients were recruited (mean age: 29.15 years; male: 66%). On follow‐up, 26 patients (7.8%) developed severe dengue. Only chymase level (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.787; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.309–2.440) and platelet count at admission (aOR: 0.981; 95% CI: 0.968–0.993) were able to predict the severity after adjustment for all variables. But, for prediction of severe dengue, the area under receiver′s operating curve of chymase was 0.835 (95% CI: 0.765–0.905), which was significantly higher than that of the platelet count at admission (0.760, 95% CI: 0.650–0.870) (p < .001). Patients who developed severe dengue in due course of illness had significantly higher serum chymase level at admission as compared with the rest of the patients. Similar findings were noted across all age‐groups. At an optimum cut‐off value of 1.35 ng/ml, chymase had a positive likelihood ratio (LR) of 3.5 and a negative LR of 0.15, for predicting severe dengue. This study demonstrated the potential ability of serum chymase levels at admission, as a biomarker for prediction of severe dengue in due course of illness.
Central nervous system‐infiltrated immune cells induce calcium increase in astrocytes via astroglial purinergic signaling
Authors: Bijelić Dunja D. , Milićević Katarina D. , Lazarević Milica N. , Miljković Djordje M. , Bogdanović Pristov Jelena J. , Savić Danijela Z. , Petković Branka B. , Andjus Pavle R. , Momčilović Miljana B. , Nikolić Ljiljana M.
Published: August 2020

Interaction between autoreactive immune cells and astroglia is an important part of the pathologic processes that fuel neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis. In this inflammatory disease, immune cells enter into the central nervous system (CNS) and they spread through CNS parenchyma, but the impact of these autoreactive immune cells on the activity pattern of astrocytes has not been defined. By exploiting naïve astrocytes in culture and CNS‐infiltrated immune cells (CNS IICs) isolated from rat with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), here we demonstrate previously unrecognized properties of immune cell–astrocyte interaction. We show that CNS IICs but not the peripheral immune cell application, evokes a rapid and vigorous intracellular Ca2+ increase in astrocytes by promoting glial release of ATP. ATP propagated Ca2+ elevation through glial purinergic P2X7 receptor activation by the hemichannel‐dependent nucleotide release mechanism. Astrocyte Ca2+ increase is specifically triggered by the autoreactive CD4+ T‐cell application and these two cell types exhibit close spatial interaction in EAE. Therefore, Ca2+ signals may mediate a rapid astroglial response to the autoreactive immune cells in their local environment. This property of immune cell–astrocyte interaction may be important to consider in studies interrogating CNS autoimmune disease.
Mean storms: Composites of radar reflectivity images during two decades of severe thunderstorm events
Authors: Haberlie Alex M. , Ashley Walker S. , Karpinski Marisa R.
Published: August 2020

This research quantifies the spatiotemporal statistics of composite radar reflectivity in the vicinity of severe thunderstorm reports. By using over 20 years (1996–2017) of data and 500,000 severe thunderstorm reports, this study presents the most comprehensive analysis of the mesoscale presentation of radar reflectivity composites during severe weather events to date. We first present probability matched mean composites of approximately 5,000 radar images centred on tornado reports that contain one of three types of manually‐labelled convective storm modes—namely, (a) quasi‐linear convective system (QLCS); (b) cellular; or (c) tropical system. Next, we generate composites for tornado report data stratified by EF‐scale and for four temporal periods during which notable severe weather events took place. The data are then stratified by hazard, region, season, and time of day. The results show marked spatiotemporal and intra‐hazard variability in radar presentation. In general, cellular convection is favoured in the Great Plains of the United States, whereas QLCS convection is favoured in the Southeast United States. Night and cool‐season subsets showed a preference for QLCS convection, whereas day and warm‐season subsets showed a preference for cellular convection. These results agree well with the existing literature and suggest that the data extraction and organization approach is sound. Because of this, these data will be useful for future image classification studies in climate and atmospheric sciences—particularly those involving storm mode classification.
North Atlantic centers of action and seasonal to subseasonal temperature variability in Europe and eastern North America
Authors: Osman Mahmoud , Zaitchik Benjamin , Badr Hamada , Hameed Sultan
Published: August 2020

The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is one of the most prominent patterns of atmospheric circulation variability in the Northern Hemisphere. Its climate impacts have been identified for regions extending from North America to northern Asia and the Middle East, with implications for sub‐seasonal variability and, in some cases, meteorological trends over multiple years to decades. The NAO itself, however, is the combined expression of two pressure centers: the Icelandic Low and the Azores High. Previous work has shown that when these “centers of action” (CoA) are separated out and studied they can often provide better insight and explanatory power than the NAO does on its own. Here, we analyse the influence that the CoA have on daily minimum air temperature in winter and daily maximum temperature in summer in eastern North America and Europe. The paper has two goals: (a) to characterize CoA associations with temperature on a range of timescales, including sub‐seasonal analyses that reflect short‐term dynamics of the CoA and that are frequently ignored in NAO teleconnection studies, and (b) to evaluate NAO and CoA influence on temperature across seasons (winter and summer) and in upstream and downstream regions (eastern North America and Europe) using a consistent combination of datasets and methods, in order to contextualize results from prior studies that targeted a single region or season. We find that associations with summertime daily maximum and wintertime daily minimum temperatures are strongest for seasonal averages, but select CoA indices inform explanation of temperature variability at subseasonal timescales. The strength of the Icelandic Low and the location of both CoA show strong associations in winter, while in summer the locations of the CoA show temperature associations that are distinct from and sometimes stronger than those found for CoA strength or NAO indices.
Imaginary Companions in Childhood: What Can Prospective Longitudinal Research Tell Us About Their Fate by Adolescence?
Authors: McAnally Helena M. , Forsyth Bridget J. , Taylor Marjorie , Reese Elaine
Published: August 2020

Do adolescents remember imaginary companions (ICs) from early childhood? Researchers interviewed 46 adolescent participants in a prospective longitudinal study about their ICs from early childhood (age 5½). The existence of one or more ICs was documented in early childhood for 48% of children (G. Trionfi & E. Reese, 2009). At age 16, most adolescents had forgotten their early childhood ICs: Only 5 of the 23 participants who had early childhood ICs recalled those ICs later. Eight participants who had forgotten their early childhood ICs recalled a later IC, and four participants who did not have an IC at age 5 ½ reported one by age 16. Ten of the 23 participants who had early childhood ICs claimed never to have had an IC. Girls were more likely to recall their early childhood ICs. Retrospective reports of ICs in adolescence or later life may be unreliable for investigating differences between those with and without imaginary companions. Those with ICs may not be a homogenous group, with some creating ICs throughout childhood and some desisting from this behavior in early childhood. Findings indicate that both the remembering and forgetting of ICs has potential to illuminate cognitive and creative processes surrounding both memory and imagination.
Challenges of Maintaining Optimal Nutrition Status in COVID‐19 Patients in Intensive Care Settings
Authors: Minnelli Nicole , Gibbs Lisa , Larrivee Jennifer , Sahu Kamal Kant
Published: August 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has threatened patients, healthcare systems, and all countries across the globe with unprecedented challenges and uncertainties. According to the latest literature, most patients with COVID‐19 have mild symptoms that do not require hospital admissions, and only a small percentage of those hospitalized require intensive care. In the intensive care unit (ICU), a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) assists the critical care team by formulating, executing, and monitoring the nutrition strategies and interventions to meet the unique requirements of extremely sick patients. However, because of the novelty of COVID‐19, the situation is fluid and guidelines continue to be developed and updated. This article discusses the interim guidelines available for the nutrition support of ICU COVID‐19 patients and the challenges the critical care team and RDN may face from a nutrition standpoint.
Auxiliary differential diagnosis of schizophrenia and phases of bipolar disorder based on the blood serum Raman spectra
Authors: Ogruc Ildiz Gulce , Bayari Sevgi , Aksoy Umut M. , Yorguner Nese , Bulut Huseyin , Yilmaz Sultan S. , Halimoglu Gokhan , Kabuk Hayrunnisa Nur , Yavuz Gizem , Fausto Rui
Published: August 2020

Schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BP) are severe psychiatric disorders that are characterized by an extensive spectrum of symptoms and affect approximately 2% of the world population. BP exhibits three well‐distinct phases, which are classified as manic and depressive episodes and euthymic phase. These disorders are of difficult differential clinical diagnosis due to the similarity of their symptoms. Diagnostic approaches for SZ and BP are based on constructed patient interviews and subjective evaluations of clinical symptoms, and there are still no molecular‐based auxiliary diagnostic tools to support the clinical diagnosis. In this study, an analytical model for auxiliary differential diagnosis of SZ and BP, based on the analysis of patients' blood serum Raman spectra, is developed, which is able to account for the different BP phases and can also differentiate SZ and BP patients from healthy individuals. The model is based on a hierarchical sequence of four two‐class PLS‐DA steps where the Raman spectra are the X‐predictor variables. It is concluded that the full 400–3,100 cm−1 Raman spectroscopic range is a sensitive probe for the disorders, thus working as a general spectroscopic biomarker for the illnesses. The proposed methodology is reliable, fast, cheap, essentially minimal‐invasive, and might be implemented easily in the clinical environment.
The Role of Depressive Symptoms in Substance Use Among African American Boys Exposed to Community Violence
Authors: Tache Rachel M. , Lambert Sharon F. , Ialongo Nicholas S.
Published: August 2020

Adolescents exposed to community violence (CV) are at increased risk for alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use. The disproportionate exposure to CV among African American boys heightens their susceptibility to substance use and related problems. Depressive symptoms are linked to both CV exposure and adolescent substance use; however, their role in the link between CV exposure and substance use in African American male adolescents has received little attention. The current study examined whether depressive symptoms mediate or moderate the associations between CV exposure and substance use among African American male adolescents. Participants were 225 African American adolescent boys in Baltimore, Maryland who completed measures of CV exposure and depressive symptoms in 10th grade and measures of substance use in 10th and 11th grades. Hierarchal linear regression analyses indicated that depressive symptoms moderated associations between violent victimization and alcohol and tobacco use, R2 = .21–.30, ps < .001. There was a positive association between CV victimization and alcohol and tobacco use among those who reported high levels of depressive symptoms but not low levels. Depressive symptoms also moderated the link between witnessing CV and alcohol use such that witnessing CV was negatively related to alcohol use among those who reported high levels of depressive symptoms only. The findings suggest that depressive symptoms may play an important role in differentiating alcohol and tobacco use outcomes in CV‐exposed African American boys. Prevention efforts should assess for depressive symptoms to identify adolescent boys with the highest risk of substance use.
Long‐Term Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Irradiated Ears of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Huang Yan , Wang Xiaoqian , Huang Hongming , Ge Runmei , Liu Xiaohong , Huang Donghua , Huang Yunye , Mo Yefei , Lin Xiaode , Liu Tao , Wu Peina
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the safety and feasibility of cochlear implantation (CI) in irradiated ears of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.

Study Design

A retrospective study.

Methods

From 2008 to 2017, 10 adults with binaural severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss subsequent to radiotherapy for NPC underwent CI in our center. The mean follow‐up was 63.2 months. Hearing and speech performance were evaluated pre‐ and postoperatively with audiometric and speech discrimination testing, Category of Auditory Performance, Speech Intelligibility Rating, and Chinese version of Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire.

Results

According to the severity of radioactive osteomyelitis of temporal bone, patients were classified into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. Patients in mild category underwent routine CI. Patients in moderate category underwent extended radical mastoidectomy and CI simultaneously. Patients in severe category underwent subtotal temporal bone resection, external auditory canal elimination, and CI simultaneously or by stage. There was no massive hemorrhage, facial paralysis, or nonunion of incision after operation. One suffered from radiation encephalopathy 13 months postoperatively; since then, the cochlear implant has been idle. The other nine patients demonstrated encouraging results of hearing and speech performance.

Conclusion

CI for postirradiated ears of NPC is safe and feasible. Strict control of operative indications and extra care during surgery are required. Individual surgical plan should be made according to the severity of radioactive osteomyelitis. Choose one‐stage surgery as much as possible in severe cases to avoid the risk of difficulty in locating round window in second‐stage surgery.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:649–655, 2021
Meningiomas of the Internal Auditory Canal
Authors: Sykopetrites Vittoria , Piras Gianluca , Taibah Abdelkader , Sanna Mario
Published: August 2020

Objective

Identify and define specific preoperative and postoperative characteristics of intracanalicular meningiomas (ICMs) in order to improve their diagnosis and management, and to differentiate them from intrameatal vestibular schwannomas (IMVSs).

Methods

Preoperative symptomatology, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and postoperative outcomes of 28 ICMs were analyzed. The results were compared to the literature and IMVSs treated by our group.

Results

Anacusis and progressive hearing loss were more frequent in the present population than the cases reviewed (P = .0064 and P = .0001, respectively). Hearing loss affected more than 90% of the patients, with anacusis in 32.1% of the cases. Facial palsy affected 17.9% of the patients. In comparison to IMVSs, preoperative anacusis was more associated to meningiomas (P = .0037), and the facial nerve was more compromised in ICMs than IMVSs, both preoperatively (P = .0011) and at follow‐up (P < .0001).

According to a re‐evaluation of preoperative MRIs and comparison with IMVSs, linear tumor borders, and linear morphology along the internal auditory canal wall, but not the presence of a dural tail, were significantly more present in ICMs (P = .0035, P = .0004, P = .1963, respectively). These characteristics could have led to a correct preoperative diagnosis in 61% of our cases.

Conclusion

Contrariwise to IMVSs, the frequent preoperative anacusis and facial palsy demonstrate the more aggressive nature of ICMs, which also carry a higher risk of postoperative facial palsy and difficulty to preserve hearing. An attentive evaluation of imaging should ease diagnosis, and asymptomatic or stable ICMs should be enrolled in a wait‐and‐scan protocol.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E413–E419, 2021
Imaging Analysis for Cholesteatoma Extension to the Perilymphatic Space in Labyrinth Fistulae
Authors: Motegi Masaomi , Yamamoto Yutaka , Akutsu Taisuke , Yamauchi Hideomi , Kurihara Sho , Takahashi Masahiro , Morino Tsunetaro , Komori Manabu , Yamamoto Kazuhisa , Sakurai Yuika , Ojiri Hiroya , Kojima Hiromi
Published: August 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

Disturbed perilymph behind a labyrinth fistula can lead to hearing deterioration; thus, delicate manipulation is required during surgery for cholesteatomatous fistulae with matrix extension to the perilymphatic space (EPS). However, it remains challenging to identify the EPS preoperatively. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) for preoperative prediction of the EPS of cholesteatomatous fistulae.

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Methods

We included serial high‐resolution CT images showing a cholesteatomatous bone defect in the lateral semicircular canal (LSC) requiring mastoidectomy. CT and intraoperative findings were analyzed retrospectively. Using axial CT planes, we evaluated the length and angle between the margins of bone defects. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to determine the cutoff points.

Results

We extracted data from 30 bone defects, of which six (20.0%) showed EPS intraoperatively. Bone defects with EPS (n = 6) had significantly greater length and angle values than those without EPS (n = 24) (P < .001 for both, Wilcoxon rank sum test). For length and angle, the area under the curve was 0.944 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.858‐1.000) and 0.951 (95% CI: 0.875‐1.000), respectively, according to the ROC analysis, and the optimal cutoff values were 3.65 mm and 71.6°, respectively, with 100% sensitivity and 91.67% specificity for both.

Conclusions

Results demonstrated that a length >3.65 mm and an angle >71.6° for LSC bone defects on axial CT images are reliable diagnostic markers of EPS. Preoperative high‐resolution CT analysis can provide surgeons with a more conscientious preparation for handling deeper labyrinth fistulae.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1301–E1307, 2021
Yellow pea flour and protein isolate as sources of antioxidant peptides after simulated gastrointestinal digestion
Authors: Cipollone María A. , Tironi Valeria A.
Published: August 2020

Although peas are widely consumed legumes throughout the world, the bioactivity of the peptides released by the gastrointestinal digestion has not been sufficiently studied so far. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the potential of flours and protein isolates obtained from two varieties of yellow peas as sources of antioxidant peptides. Flours and protein isolates were prepared and submitted to a simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Protein hydrolysis degree (TNBS method) and protein solubility (in phosphate buffer saline, pH = 7.4) values were independent on the starting material. Antioxidant activity measured by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and hydroxyl radical averting capacity (HORAC) showed no differences between varieties. A lower activity was registered for protein isolates with respect to flours in the case of HORAC, which could be associated with a loss of molecules with molecular masses lower than 43 kDa in the protein isolates. A significant increase in activities was evidenced by both methods after gastrointestinal digestion, except in the case of HORAC activity of flours. Digested from protein isolates presented a greater ratio of molecules smaller than 1.4 kDa and a lower ratio of those larger than 6.5 kDa with respect to digested flours, according to electrophoresis and gel filtration chromatography studies. Results suggested that the presence of other components or/and the initial state of proteins would affect proteolytic attack of digestive enzymes. Both, pea flours and protein isolates, present interesting potential as antioxidants food ingredients.
Using a space‐for‐time substitution approach to predict the effects of climate change on nutrient cycling in tropical island stream ecosystems
Authors: Frauendorf Therese C. , MacKenzie Richard A. , Tingley Ralph W. , Infante Dana M. , El‐Sabaawi Rana W.
Published: August 2020

Climate change is expected to alter precipitation patterns worldwide, which can have direct effects on streamflow dynamics. In many tropical regions, climate‐driven changes in rainfall are predicted to decrease streamflow and increase flash flooding, but the implications of these changes for stream ecosystem function are poorly understood. We used a rainfall gradient on Hawaii Island that mimics projected changes in rainfall and streamflow in order to estimate how climate change affects nutrient recycling. We measured per‐capita excretion (nitrogen, phosphorus) and egestion rates of three dominant taxa (shrimp, caddisfly, midge) in eight streams along the gradient for 3 years. We scaled these rates to the population and community levels and measured nitrogen and phosphorus demand of the ecosystem to estimate if the relative contribution of nutrients supplied by invertebrates changes along the gradient. Across all three taxa, population egestion and excretion rates declined by 10‐fold in drier streams. These declines were driven by lower population density, rather than differences in per‐capita rates. Under the current climate scenario, community excretion supplied up to 70% of the nitrogen demand, which was 10‐fold lower with projected changes in rainfall. Conversely, community excretion supplied up to 5% of the phosphorus demand, which did not vary across the rainfall gradient. This difference indicates that climate change may exacerbate nitrogen limitations in tropical island streams, and change the balance of nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics. Our study also demonstrates that space‐for‐time substitutions are a valuable tool to examine implications of climate change on ecosystem function in freshwater systems.
Transition Metal Complexes Incorporating with Unsymmetrical N2O2‐Donor Schiff Base Ligand: Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis, Spectroscopic, Thermal, and Biological Aspects
Authors: Yaul Amit Ramdasji , Yaul Sarika Ramdasji , Makode Jagannath Tulshiram , Salunkhe Nilesh Govindrao , Ramteke Avinash Avdhutrao
Published: August 2020

Complexes of Ti(III), Cr(III), Mn(III), Fe(III), VO(IV), MoO2(VI), WO2(VI), and UO2(VI) with 3‐(1‐(2‐(1‐(2,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)ethylideneamino)‐cyclohexylimino)‐ethyl)‐4‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one (H2L) are reported and have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques like IR, UV–visible, 1H & 13C NMR, Mass, XRD, and ESR as well as elemental analyses, magnetic, and thermal measurements and also by the aid of molar conductivity measurements. It is found that the ligand behaves as a dianionic tetradentate coordinating to the metal ion with 1:1 metal to ligand stoichiometry. An octahedral geometry is proposed for all the complexes except Mn(III) and VO(IV) complexes, which possess square pyramidal geometry. The thermal studies show the type of water molecules involved in metal complexes as well as the thermal decomposition of the metal complexes. The compounds are subjected to antimicrobial activity screening and minimum inhibitory concentration is determined. Microbial assay of the above compounds against Escherichia coli MTCC 443, Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 424, and Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 96 and fungal strains Candida albicans MTCC 227 and Aspergillus niger MTCC 282 shows that complexes exhibit higher activity than the ligand.
Electrospun Deposited Manganese Oxide Nanofibers Thin Film Electrode for Supercapacitor Application: Effect of Mn Concentration
Authors: Burute Vishranti , Teli Aviraj , Beknalkar Sonali , Rajmane Swapnali , Bhosale Aappasaheb , Patil Pramod
Published: August 2020

The manganese oxide is one of the promising material substitutes to ideal RuO2 used for supercapacitor application. Electrospinning techinque is used to deposite 1D nanofiber‐like structure which provides high surface area and porosity. 1D structure gives easy pathway to electrons capable of storing the charges. Hence, the Mn2O3 nanofibers thin films deposited by electrospinning method are gaining huge attention for energy storage application.
Network of Interconnected Mesoporous Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Ingole Rahul S. , Kadam Snehal L. , Rajmane Deepak S. , Kulakarni Shrinivas B. , Lokhande Balakrishna J.
Published: August 2020

Electrochemically synthesized iron oxide thin films are deposited on stainless steel (1.5 × 5 cm) by using 0.1 M aqueous ferric chloride as a precursor solution. X‐ray diffraction spectra of the prepared samples show orthorhombic crystal structure with polycrystalline in nature of iron oxide (Fe2O3) and field emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs show compact granular and mesoporous surface morphology. Prepared electrodes show mixed capacitive behavior, the highest specific capacitance of Fe2O3 (annealed at 300 °C for 1 h) is 408.45 F g–1 at 2 mV s–1 scan rate in 1 M Na2SO4. Charge–discharge behavior exhibits specific energy 8.41 W h kg–1, specific power 7.465 kW kg–1 and columbic efficiency 91% of the Fe2O3 electrode. Impedance spectroscopy carried from 1 mHz to 1 MHz frequency range reveals the capacitive behavior of the electrode and gives internal resistance of 2.35 ohm.
Synthesis and Characterization of MnS Thin Film at Room Temperature for Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Admuthe Aishwarya , Kumbhar Sambhaji S. , Chougule Susmita. K. , Padasare Ganesh N. , Tonape Mallikarjun M.
Published: August 2020

Manganese sulfide (MnS) thin films are deposited by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method on stainless steel substrate. Manganese acetate and sodium sulfide are used as the source materials for the preparation of thin films. These films are characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) which shows that the prepared MnS films are polycrystalline in nature, having a crystallite size of 0.2647 nm. It is determined from the broadenings of corresponding XRD peaks by using Debye–Scherrer's formula. The wettability study of deposited MnS thin film is hydrophilic in nature. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy technique is used to determine the functional groups present in MnS material and its chemical composition. Bandgap of MnS thin films is measured using ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy which shows a gap of 2.6 eV. The present work focuses on studying the supercapacitive properties of MnS material which is used as electrode material for supercapacitor. The highest specific capacitance (Cs) of MnS 632.91 Fg−1 is obtained for 100 mV S−1 scan rate by using galvanostatic charge discharge technique.
Mutational burden and potential oligogenic model of TBX6‐mediated genes in congenital scoliosis
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhao Sen , Zhang Yuanqiang , Wang Shengru , Shao Jiashen , Liu Bowen , Li Yaqi , Yan Zihui , Niu Yuchen , Li Xiaoxin , Wang Lianlei , Ye Yongyu , Weng Xisheng , Wu Zhihong ,   Deciphering Disorders Involving Scoliosis and COmorbidities (DISCO) study, Zhang Jianguo , Wu Nan
Published: August 2020

Background

Congenital scoliosis (CS) is a spinal deformity due to vertebral malformations. Although insufficiency of TBX6 dosage contributes to a substantial proportion of CS, the molecular etiology for the majority of CS remains largely unknown. TBX6‐mediated genes involved in the process of somitogenesis represent promising candidates.

Methods

Individuals affected with CS and without a positive genetic finding were referred to this study. Proband‐only exome sequencing (ES) were performed on the recruited individuals, followed by analysis of TBX6‐mediated candidate genes, namely MEOX1, MEOX2, MESP2, MYOD1, MYF5, RIPPLY1, and RIPPLY2.

Results

A total of 584 patients with CS of unknown molecular etiology were recruited. After ES analysis, protein‐truncating variants in RIPPLY1 and MYF5 were identified from two individuals, respectively. In addition, we identified five deleterious missense variants (MYOD1, n = 4; RIPPLY2, n = 1) in TBX6‐mediated genes. We observed a significant mutational burden of MYOD1 in CS (p = 0.032) compared with the in‐house controls (n = 1854). Moreover, a potential oligogenic disease‐causing mode was proposed based on the observed mutational co‐existence of MYOD1/MEOX1 and MYOD1/RIPPLY1.

Conclusion

Our study characterized the mutational spectrum of TBX6‐mediated genes, prioritized core candidate genes/variants, and provided insight into a potential oligogenic disease‐causing mode in CS.
Standing waves for a class of fractional p‐Laplacian equations with a general critical nonlinearity
Authors: Lou Qing‐Jun , Mao An‐Min , You Jin
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we concern with the following fractional p‐Laplacian equation with critical Sobolev exponent

where ε > 0 is a small parameter,  λ > 0, N is a positive integer, and N > ps with s ∈ (0, 1) fixed,
.

Since the nonlinearity
does not satisfy the following Ambrosetti‐Rabinowitz condition:

with μ > p, it is difficult to obtain the boundedness of Palais‐Smale sequence, which is important to prove the existence of positive solutions. In order to overcome the above difficulty, we introduce a penalization method of fractional p‐Laplacian type.
Synthesis of ultra wideband tightly coupled array with RFSS by using particle swarm optimization algorithm
Authors: Rao K. Nishanth , Meshram Vaibhav , Suresh H. N.
Published: August 2020

In current scenario, the communication is essentially depends on the design consideration and working principle of an antenna. The design consideration antenna maybe a large size or small size, but it will develop in various ranges for more applications. In previous antenna’s having a problem on design considerations like frequency and materials. In this paper presents the particle swarm optimization (PSO) optimized technique with the FSS surface for UTC antennas. PSO method increases accuracy of the antenna parameters. With the help of these techniques, we maintained the Bandwidth and gain of the array antenna. Usage of these techniques achieved the radiation efficiency and improved of gain and Low profile with thickness. And hence it improves gain measurement, radiation efficiency, bandwidth ratio etc.