bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing computational methods of modeling vertebroplasty in experimentally augmented human lumbar vertebrae
Authors: Day Gavin A. , Jones Alison C. , Wilcox Ruth K.
Published: February 2020

Vertebroplasty has been widely used for the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures but the efficacy of the technique has been questioned by the outcomes of randomized clinical trials. Finite‐element (FE) models allow an investigation into the structural and geometric variation that affect the response to augmentation. However, current specimen‐specific FE models are limited due to their poor reproduction of cement augmentation behavior. The aims of this study were to develop new methods of modeling the vertebral body in both a nonaugmented and augmented state. Experimental tests were conducted using human lumbar spine vertebral specimens. These tests included micro‐computed tomography imaging, mechanical testing, augmentation with cement, reimaging, and retesting. Specimen‐specific FE models of the vertebrae were made comparing different approaches to capturing the bone material properties and to modeling the cement augmentation region. These methods significantly improved the modeling accuracy of nonaugmented vertebrae. Methods that used the registration of multiple images (pre‐ and post‐augmentation) of a vertebra achieved good agreement between augmented models and their experimental counterparts in terms of predictions of stiffness. Such models allow for further investigation into how vertebral variation influences the mechanical outcomes of vertebroplasty.
Clinicoradiologic Characteristics of Temporal Bone Meningioma: Multicenter Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Han Jae Joon , Lee Doh Young , Kong Soo‐Keun , Chang Ki‐Hong , Yoon Yong Joo , Kim Hyung‐Jong , Lee Hyo‐Jeong , Park Min‐Hyun , Koo Ja‐Won , Kim Young Ho
Published: February 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

Meningioma is a neoplasm arising from cells related to the arachnoid villi. The aim of the present study was to explore the clinical and radiological characteristics of temporal bone meningioma (TBM) in a multicenter cohort.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Thirteen patients diagnosed with TBM at eight medical institutes between 1998 and 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. The clinical procedures, symptoms, signs, and images that led to the diagnosis of TBM were investigated for all patients.

Results

The most common symptom at the initial visit was hearing loss (n = 12/13, 92.3%). All patients exhibited unilateral TBMs with varied symptom durations (1–60 months). Four patients presented masses occupying the external auditory canal; the tympanic membrane (TM) could not be evaluated. The other nine patients did not show TM perforation despite the presence of inflammatory signs. The majority of patients exhibited unilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss. A retrospective review of temporal bone computed tomography (TBCT) images revealed findings suggestive of a tumor in all patients. However, three patients had been misdiagnosed with chronic otitis media and were subjected to tympanomastoidectomy (n = 3/7, 42.9%). TBCT findings that suggested TBM included diffuse trabecular hyperostosis in the middle and posterior cranial fossae and widening and destruction of the temporal bone in the jugular bulb area.

Conclusions

TBM should be suspected if patients exhibit persistent inflammatory symptoms or signs involving intact TM or unilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss with trabecular hyperostosis or destruction of the temporal bone on computed tomography images.

Level of Evidence

4Laryngoscope, 131:173–178, 2021
Large‐scale deforestation of mountainous areas during the 21st Century in Zhejiang Province
Authors: Xiong Bo , Chen Ruishan , Xia Zilong , Ye Chao , Anker Yaakov
Published: February 2020

Deforestation affects environmental systems worldwide by increasing disaster risk and carbon emissions and also by reducing soil fertility rejuvenation and biodiversity. Here, we inspected the patterns and processes of deforestation in Zhejiang Province of China since 2000 under a background of national forest restoration. By integrating the Hansen high‐resolution forest cover change products and a field study, the relationship between forest loss dynamics and topography and also the proximity to settlement and rivers, were evaluated. The results show that the total forest loss in Zhejiang Province was 266,984 ha in 2001–2018. Forest loss magnitude reached a maximum in 2008 and has maintained a high level of annual loss about 17,000 ha since. While forest loss patches are mainly located on the mountaintops, the slope and altitude of the deforested patches reached maximal values in 2008, and both of them decreased since then even though the amount of forest loss remains high. The most significant forest loss was recorded at the south of Zhejiang Province around Lishui City and the least forest loss was in the area of Jiaxing city near Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province. The area of deforestation decreases while the distance to settlements increases. We analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics and potential factors that affect deforestation in Zhejiang Province and highlight the role of market and policy, which transformed land use. This study further enriches the forest transition theory and provides a basis for the future decision making on clearing forest for compensating farmland loss.
Farmers' willingness to leave land fallow from the perspective of heterogeneity: A case‐study in ecologically vulnerable areas of Guizhou, China
Authors: Xie Hualin , Wu Qing
Published: February 2020

Land fallow policy is an important measure for improving cultivated land protection. There is a lack of heterogeneous farmers' willingness to fallow, although scholars have done a lot of researches on the fallow farmers. Therefore, this research based on farmer classification and field research, a questionnaire survey, and PROBIT model was adopted to analyze farmers' willingness to fallow and the influence this has in a rocky desertification fallow area of Guizhou Province, China. The results show that the willingness to fallow and its influencing factors differ among heterogeneous farmers. The amount of fallow compensation and project satisfaction are the common influencing factors affecting heterogeneous farmers' willingness to fallow. In addition, farmers' willingness to fallow is influenced by education level and their understanding of the fallow project, among other factors. Part‐time farmers' willingness is affected by age, gender, and compensation satisfaction, among other factors, and off‐farmers' willingness to fallow is mainly influenced by nonagricultural income level. Based on the results, the following policy recommendations are proposed. The Government should adopt different fallow policies for heterogeneous farmers and formulate corresponding subsidy policies according to local conditions. Furthermore, detailed follow‐up policies should be formulated as soon as possible to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of fallow projects.
Researchers' attitudes and perceptions towards data sharing and data reuse in the field of food science and technology
Authors: Melero Remedios , Navarro‐Molina Carolina
Published: February 2020

This work analyses the perception and practice of sharing, reusing, and facilitating access to research data in the field of food science and technology. The study involved the coordination of a focus group discussion and an online survey, to understand and evince the behaviour of researchers regarding data management in that field. Both the discussion group and the survey were performed with researchers from several institutes of the Spanish National Research Council. The lack of a data sharing culture, the fear of being scooped, and confusion between the concepts of the working plan and the data management plan were some of the issues that emerged in the focus group. Respondents' previous experience with sharing their research data has been mainly in the form of appendices to peer‐reviewed publications. From the survey (101 responses), the most important motivations for publishing research data were found to be facilitating the reproducibility of the research, increasing the likelihood of citations of the article, and compliance with funding body mandates. Legal constraints, intellectual property, data ownership, data rights, potential commercial exploitation, and misuse of data were the main barriers to publishing data as open data. Citation in publications, certification, compliance with standards, and the reputation of the data providers were the most relevant factors affecting the use of other researchers' data. Being recent or recently updated, well documented, with quality metadata and ease of access were the most valued attributes of open research data.
A Cuboid Spider Silk: Structure–Function Relationship and Polypeptide Signature
Authors: Kong Na , Wan Fengju , Dai Wentao , Wu Ping , Su Chen , Peng Chao , Zheng Ke , Chen Xuexin , Ling Shengjie , Gong Jinkang , Yao Yuan
Published: February 2020

A unique cuboid spider silk from the outer egg sac of Nephila pilipes, with an unusual square cross‐section, is disclosed. The structure–function relationships within this silk are first studied through structural characterization, mechanical measurement, protein conformation, and polypeptide signature of silk proteins. This silk maintains the higher stiffness property of egg sac silks, and also shows a species difference. Environmental response of the mechanical properties within this silk are observed. Synchrotron FTIR microspectroscopy is used to monitor the silk protein conformation in a single natural silk. The β‐sheet structure aligns parallel to the fiber axis with a content of 22% ± 2.6%. The de novo resulting polypeptide from the solid silk fibers are novel, and an abundant polar amino acid insertion is observed. Short polyalanine (An, n ≤ 3), alternating serine and alanine (S/A)X, and alternating glycine and alanine (G/A)X, GGX, and SSX dominates in the resulting de novo polypeptide. This accords with the composition pattern of other egg sac silk proteins, besides the rarely observed GGX. This study broadens the library of egg sac spider silks and provides a new perspective to uncover structure–function relationships in spider silk.
Identification of genes of prognostic value in the ccRCC microenvironment from TCGA database
Authors: Wan Bangbei , Liu Bo , Huang Yuan , Lv Cai
Published: February 2020

Background

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common pathological subtype of renal cell carcinoma. Bioinformatics analyses were used to screen candidate genes associated with the prognosis and microenvironment of ccRCC and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of action.

Methods

The gene expression profiles and clinical data of ccRCC patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The ESTIMATE algorithm was used to compute the immune and stromal scores of patients. Based on the median immune/stromal scores, all patients were sorted into low‐ and high‐immune/stromal score groups. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were extracted from high‐ versus low‐immune/stromal score groups and were described using functional annotations and protein‒protein interaction (PPI) network.

Results

Patients in the high‐immune/stromal score group had poorer survival outcome. In total, 95 DEGs (48 upregulated and 47 downregulated genes) were screened from the gene expression profiles of patients with high immune and stromal scores. The genes were primarily involved in six signaling pathways. Among the 95 DEGs, 43 were markedly related to overall survival of patients. The PPI network identified the top 10 hub genes—CD19, CD79A, IL10, IGLL5, POU2AF1, CCL19, AMBP, CCL18, CCL21, and IGJ—and four modules. Enrichment analyses revealed that the genes in the most important module were involved in the B‐cell receptor signaling pathway.

Conclusion

This study mainly revealed the relationship between the ccRCC microenvironment and prognosis of patients. These results also increase the understanding of how gene expression patterns can impact the prognosis and development of ccRCC by modulating the tumor microenvironment. The results could contribute to the search for ccRCC biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Whole‐brain chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging with optimized turbo spin echo readout
Authors: Zhang Yi , Yong Xingwang , Liu Ruibin , Tang Jibin , Jiang Hongjie , Fu Caixia , Wei Ruili , Hsu Yi‐Cheng , Sun Yi , Luo Benyan , Wu Dan
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To achieve fast whole‐brain chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging with negligible susceptibility artifact.

Methods

An optimized turbo spin echo readout module, also known as sampling perfection with application optimized contrasts by using different flip angle evolutions (SPACE), was deployed in the CEST sequence. The SPACE‐CEST sequence was tested in a phantom, 6 healthy volunteers, and 3 brain tumor patients on a 3T human scanner. A dual‐echo gradient echo sequence was used for B0 inhomogeneity mapping. In addition, the proposed SPACE‐CEST sequence was compared with the widely used turbo spin echo‐CEST sequence for amide proton transfer–weighted (APTw) images.

Results

The SPACE‐CEST sequence generated highly consistent APTw maps to those of the turbo spin echo‐CEST sequence in the phantom. In healthy volunteers, the SPACE‐CEST sequence yielded whole‐brain 2.8‐mm isotropic APTw source images within 5 minutes, with no discernible susceptibility artifact. As for the B0 maps in the whole brain, its mean, median, and standard deviation B0 offset values were 5.0 Hz, 5.6 Hz, and 16 Hz, respectively. Regarding the APTw map throughout the whole brain, its mean, median, and standard deviation values were 0.78%, 0.56%, and 1.74%, respectively. The SPACE‐CEST sequence was also successfully applied to a postsurgery brain tumor patient, suggesting no disease progression. In addition, on the newly diagnosed brain tumor patients, the SPACE‐CEST and turbo spin echo‐CEST sequences yielded essentially identical APTw values.

Conclusion

The proposed SPACE‐CEST technique can rapidly generate whole‐brain CEST source images with negligible susceptibility artifact.
Small fiber neuropathy in Sjögren syndrome: Comparison with other small fiber neuropathies
Authors: Descamps Elise , Henry Julien , Labeyrie Céline , Adams David , Ghaidaa Adebs Nasser , Vandendries Christophe , Adam Clovis , Aiello David , Mariette Xavier , Seror Raphaèle
Published: February 2020

Introduction

We compared histological and clinical profiles of primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) small fiber neuropathy (SFN; pSS‐SFN) with idiopathic SFN (i‐SFN) and hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis SFN (hATTR‐SFN) and described the evolution of pSS‐SFN.

Methods

All patients with pSS‐SFN, i‐SFN, and hATTR‐SFN confirmed by reduced intraepidermal nerve fiber density on skin biopsy were retrospectively included, and their characteristics were compared. To analyze prognosis of pSS‐SFN, patients prospectively underwent a second evaluation.

Results

Fifteen pSS‐SFN, 17 hATTR‐SFN, and 11 i‐SFN were included. Time to diagnosis SFN was longer in pSS‐SFN and i‐SFN than in hATTR‐SFN. Painful and non–length‐dependent patterns were more frequent in pSS‐SFN than in hATTR‐SFN. Twelve (80%) patients with pSS‐SFN had a non–length‐dependent pattern. Ten patients with pSS were reassessed after 3.1 years (1.7–4.7); none developed large fiber neuropathy linked to pSS.

Discussion

Primary Sjögren syndrome SFN is characterized by a more frequent non–length‐dependent pattern compared with i‐SFN and hATTR‐SFN. Primary Sjögren syndrome SFN did not evolve through large fiber neuropathy.
Electronic Health Record and Parenteral Nutrition Functionality: A Gap Analysis
Authors: Ayers Phil , Foster Jillian , Kanorwala Anees , Jenkins Anastasia , Raymer Kelsey , Byrd Laine , Crumby Trey
Published: February 2020

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a complex, high‐alert medication that contains up to 40 different ingredients. Surveys have shown that current electronic health record (EHR) systems may lack functionality for safe and optimal delivery of PN. A gap analysis was performed by a multihospital system to identify opportunities to enhance the current PN process using the EHR utilized by the organization.
Association of Changes in Physical Activity and Incidence and Remission of Overall and Abdominal Obesity in 113,950 Adults
Authors: Martinez‐Gomez David , Hamer Mark , Ortega Francisco B. , Cabanas‐Sanchez Verónica , Sadarangani Kabir P. , Lavie Carl J. , Rodríguez‐Artalejo Fernando
Published: February 2020

Objective

This study examined the dose‐response relationship between changes in physical activity (PA) and subsequent incidence or remission of overall and abdominal obesity.

Methods

A total of 113,950 healthy individuals aged ≥ 18 years participating in the Taiwan MJ Cohort were included. Two‐year changes in PA between the first and second examination were linked to subsequent development and remission of overall and abdominal obesity.

Results

During a mean 5.6‐year follow‐up after the second examination, 9,991 and 11,488 individuals developed overall and abdominal obesity, respectively; also, 3,588 and 3,156 participants with obesity lost sufficient weight or reduced their waist circumference to be classified as nonobese. Compared with no changes in PA, the multivariable hazard ratio (95% CI) of overall obesity was 0.95 (0.90‐1.00) for a PA increase of 0.01 to 3.74 metabolic equivalent hours (MET‐h) per week and 0.86 (0.80‐0.91) for a PA increase of ≥ 3.75 MET‐h per week. Corresponding values for remission of obesity were 1.00 (0.91‐1.09) and 1.16 (1.05‐1.28). Similar results were observed for the development and remission of abdominal obesity. Any decrease in PA was not associated with the risk of obesity outcomes when compared with a stable pattern (0 MET‐h/week).

Conclusions

Increasing PA was consistently associated with a progressively lower incidence and higher remission of overall and abdominal obesity.
Reactions of 1,2,4‐Oxadiazole[4,5‐a]piridinium Salts with Alcohols: the Synthesis of Alkoxybutadienyl 1,2,4‐Oxadiazoles
Authors: Moiola Mattia , Leusciatti Marco , Quadrelli Paolo
Published: February 2020

1,2,4‐Oxadiazole[4,5‐a]piridinium salts add alcohols and alkoxides to undergo electrocyclic ring opening affording alkoxybutadienyl 1,2,4‐oxadiazole derivatives. The pyridinium salts represent a special class of Zincke salts that are prone to rearrange to give alkoxybutadienyl 1,2,4‐oxadiazoles when treated with suitable nucleophiles or, alternatively, to give pyridones in the presence of bicarbonate. The pivotal tuning of the experimental conditions leads to a straightforward synthesis of valuable 1,2,4‐oxadiazole derivatives. The mechanism is also discussed in the light of previous observations.
Maternal genetic disorders and fetal development
Authors: Mardy Anne H. , Chetty Shilpa P. , Norton Mary E.
Published: February 2020

With improvements in early diagnosis and management of genetic diseases, more women with genetic disorders are reaching reproductive age and becoming pregnant. While pregnancy can have a significant impact on a woman's health when there is an underlying genetic disorder, there can also be fetal effects, including embryopathy, fetal growth restriction, and brain injury. Some maternal genetic disorders are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, including a high risk of perinatal loss and preterm birth. In this article, we review several maternal genetic disorders associated with fetal risk that are important for clinicians and patients to understand and manage appropriately. These include phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency and other inborn errors of metabolism, tuberous sclerosis complex, myotonic dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, Turner syndrome, sickle cell disease, and connective tissue disorders.
Dual Stimuli‐Responsive Self‐Assembly Behavior of a Tailor‐Made ABC‐Type Amphiphilic Tri‐Block Copolymer
Authors: Pal Sanjay , Kather Michael , Banerjee Sovan Lal , Saha Pabitra , Pich Andrij , Singha Nikhil K.
Published: February 2020

This investigation describes the synthesis of a dual stimuli‐responsive, amphiphilic ABC tri‐block copolymer (BCP) based on the functional monomers via RAFT polymerization. In this case, ABC‐type BCP was prepared based on N‐isopropylacrylamide, n‐butyl acrylate, and 4‐vinylpyridine in DMF solvent using cyanomethyl dodecyl trithiocarbonate as the RAFT agent and azobisisobutyronitrile as a thermal initiator in a subsequent macro‐RAFT approach, respectively. The BCPs were characterized by SEC, 1H‐NMR, FTIR spectroscopy, and DSC analyses. Temperature and pH‐dependent properties of the smart BCP micelles in aqueous medium were investigated using dynamic light scattering. Transmission electron microscopic images were taken at cryogenic and dry conditions to study the morphology of molecular assemblies of block copolymers in an aqueous medium. The phase and topographical images were captured by atomic force microscopy to understand the assembly of block copolymers in solvents of different polarities. The morphology of BCP micelles was transformed from flower‐like to spherical in the presence of solvents with different polarities (H2O or CHCl3).
Clinical assessment of emotions in patients with cancer: Diagnostic accuracy compared with two reference standards
Authors: van Linde Myra E. , Braamse Annemarie M. J. , Collette Emma H. , Hoogendoorn Adriaan W. , Snoek Frank J. , Verheul Henk M. W. , Dekker Joost
Published: February 2020

Background

Previous research has suggested that clinical assessment of emotions in patients with cancer is suboptimal. However, it is a possibility that well‐trained and experienced doctors and nurses do recognize emotions but that they do not evaluate all emotions as necessitating professional mental health care. This implies that the sensitivity of clinical assessment should be tested against the need for professional mental health care as reference standard, instead of emotional distress. We hypothesized that the observed sensitivity of clinical assessment of emotions would be higher when tested against need for professional mental health care as reference standard, compared with emotional distress as reference standard.

Patients and Methods

A consecutive series of patients starting with chemotherapy were recruited during their routine clinical care, at a department of medical oncology. Clinical assessment of emotions by medical oncologists and nurses was derived from the patient file. Emotional distress and need for professional mental health care were assessed using the Distress Thermometer and Problem List.

Results

Clinical assessment resulted in notes on emotions in 42.2% of the patient files with 36.2% of patients experiencing emotional distress and 10.8% expressing a need for professional mental health care (N = 185). As expected, the sensitivity of clinical assessment of emotions was higher with the reference standard “need for professional mental health care” compared with “emotional distress” (P < .001). For specificity, equivalent results were obtained with the two reference standards (P = .63).

Conclusions

Clinical assessment of emotions in patients with cancer may be more accurate than previously concluded.
Magnetic Capacitance in Variable‐Valence Manganese Sulfides
Authors: Aplesnin Sergey S. , Kharkov Anton M. , Filipson Gleb Yu
Published: February 2020

The permittivity of TmxMn1–xS (0 < x < 0.15) solid solutions is measured in the frequency range of 102–106 Hz at temperatures of 300–500 K in magnetic fields of up to 12 kOe. The migration and relaxation conductivity contributions to the electric polarization are established. The relaxation time and activation energy are calculated using the Debye model. A decrease in the capacitance and relaxation time in a magnetic field is observed. The electron polarization relaxation channel provided by recombination of the electron–hole pairs is found using the infrared spectroscopy investigations.
Nitrate leaching reduced with Dynamic‐Adaptive nitrogen management under contrasting soils and tillage
Authors: van Es Harold , Ristow Aaron , Nunes Márcio Renato , Schindelbeck Robert , Sela Shai , Davis Michael
Published: February 2020

Large temporal and spatial variability in soil nitrogen availability combined with economic risk avoidance leads many farmers across the United States to generally over‐apply N fertilizers in corn (Zea mays L.) production systems. Various static N rate calculators are promoted in the United States, but new dynamic model‐based decision tools allow for adaptive recommendations that account for specific production environments and weather. This field study quantified N leaching losses from a crossed design involving two tillage practices, plow and no‐till, and two N management tools: (i) the Corn N Calculator (CNC), a generalized static N tool for New York State, and (ii) Adapt‐N, a model‐based tool that uses soil, crop and management information with real‐time weather data. Corn was grown for four growing seasons on lysimeter plots on clay loam and loamy sand soil, and drain water samples were collected on 14 dates. Adapt‐N and CNC showed identical yields despite an overall higher N input of 66 kg ha−1 (46%) for CNC. Concentrations of NO3+NO2 in drainage water varied by sampling date, but overall were impacted by soil type (loamy sand > clay loam) and N tool, with CNC‐associated N losses 58 and 68% higher than Adapt‐N for the clay loam and loamy sand, respectively. Plow till resulted in marginally higher NO3+NO2 concentrations in drainage water than no‐till. Overall, this study offers field‐based evidence on the agronomic and environmental benefits from N management that is adapted to growing environments (soil, management, weather).
Influence of environmental conditions on extracellular and intracellular antibiotic resistance genes in manure‐amended soil: A microcosm study
Authors: McKinney Chad W. , Dungan Robert S.
Published: February 2020

The objectives of this study were to modify the protocol of a commercial DNA extraction kit to sequentially extract extracellular DNA (eDNA) and intracellular DNA (iDNA) from the same soil sample and to determine the effects of temperature (5, 20, and 35 °C), water holding capacity (25, 50, and 75% of maximum water holding capacity), and freeze‐thaw (−20/20 °C) on the abundance of two antibiotic resistance genes [sul1 and tet(M)], a class 1 integron‐integrase gene (intI1), and a 16S rRNA gene in soils treated with dairy manure. To assess the efficiency of the eDNA/iDNA method, we performed spiking and recovery experiments with a gene that codes for a green fluorescent protein (gfp). When soils were spiked with a whole‐cell preparation of gfp‐containing Escherichia coli, the recovery of the gfp gene was on average 0.2 and 1.2% for eDNA and iDNA, respectively. Soils were also spiked with the gfp gene itself, which showed that nearly 80% of the DNA could not be recovered. Results from the microcosm experiments indicate that extracellular and intracellular sul1, tet(X), intI1, and 16S rRNA genes are resilient and not readily affected by changes in soil moisture and temperature. The intracellular gene levels decreased only slightly during the 56‐d incubation period, whereas the extracellular gene levels decreased dramatically by Day 7 and leveled off thereafter. Absolute gene abundances were one to two orders of magnitude higher in iDNA than in eDNA fractions but were similar when normalized to the 16S rRNA gene throughout the incubation period, indicating that enrichment of extracellular and intracellular antibiotic resistance genes did not occur.
Surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag metallized SnO2 particles: Exploration of metal induced gap states and characteristic properties of Ohmic junction
Authors: Shyamala Ramakrishnappa , Gomathi Devi Lakshmipathi Naik
Published: February 2020

Ag metallization on the surface of SnO2 catalyst was performed by the photoreduction method, and its presence was confirmed by the (111), (200), (220), and (311) hkl planes of Ag metal by powder X‐ray diffraction technique. Further lattice parameters “a” and “c” of the SnO2 tetragonal unit cell show prominent changes on metallization. Ultraiolet‐visible absorption spectrum of Ag‐SnO2 shows the extended adsorption in the visible region up to almost ~565 nm due to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect. Percentage composition of the elements present in the SnO2 and Ag‐SnO2 samples were confirmed by the energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis and the inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectroscopic analysis techniques, and the spherical morphology of these samples were confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy. The photoluminescence technique confirms the reduction of recombination of photogenerated charge carriers by 44% in the case of Ag‐SnO2. The metal‐metal oxide contact was found to be Ohmic rather than Schottky. The higher activity of the Ag‐SnO2 nanoparticles are correlated to the SPR effect, metal‐induced gap states, inherently created structural defects, the ability of Sn to show multiple oxidation states, variation in the surface oxygen concentration, and also to the Ohmic junction. Synergistic effect between electronic/intrinsic defect energy levels of Ag‐SnO2 photocatalyst with the redox potential of the fast red dye leads to the higher quantum efficiency.
Fabrication of BiOCl/ZnO/CN Nanocomposite for Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes
Authors: Zhang Xiaorong , Huo Yuewen , Shakeel Muhammad , Li Baoshan , Wang Lei , Liu Jianjun , Zuo Shengli
Published: February 2020

The zinc oxide (ZnO) based heterogeneous semiconductors has acknowledged extensive attention but its property was radically repressed because of diminutive visible light photocatalytic activity. Herein, metal‐nonmetal hetero‐structure coupling is adopted to encompass the visible light harvesting capability and endorses the charge separation and transferring efficiency. Graphitic‐carbon‐nitride (CN) and bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) semiconductors were effectively incorporated into the ZnO crystal structure by hydrothermal and calcination treatments. The obtained BiOCl/ZnO/CN nanocomposite has improved visible light capability with efficient separation and low recombination rate of photo generated charges. The synergistic effect of semiconductors coupling endues BiOCl/ZnO/CN with superior photocatalytic activity up to 98.6% for Rhodamine B (RhB) and 93.5% for Methyl Orange (MO) with rate constant (k)=0.2134 min−1 and 0.138 min−1 respectively. Furthermore, BiOCl/ZnO/CN sample has outstanding stability and reusability. Scavengers trapping experiments validate that superoxide and holes are the main active species in the photocatalytic reaction.
RUCY‐XylBINAP Catalyzed and Autoclave Assisted Rapid Enantioselective Synthesis of Benzhydrols
Authors: Dalavai Ramesh , Khan F. Nawaz
Published: February 2020

Autoclave assisted, RUCY‐XylBINAP catalyzed enantioselective conversion of pro‐chiral biaryl ketones, 12 to chiral benzhydrols, 13 a‐a1 (biphenyl methanol) through asymmetric hydrogenation with great enantiomeric excess (>99%) is reported. The Sodium borohydride (SBH) reduction of, 12 to racemic benzhydrols, 13 b‐h have also been presented. The compounds structures were affirmed by their spectral studies (1H, 13C and mass) and chiral purity was analyzed by utilizing SFC (Supercritical fluid chromatography) technique.
Two‐Photon Detection of Organotin Schiff Base Complexes in Cancer Cells
Authors: Berrones‐Reyes Jessica C. , Muñoz‐Flores Blanca M. , Uscanga‐Palomeque Ashanti Concepción , Santillán Rosa , Del Angel‐Mosqueda Casiano , Nobis David , Cochrane Max A. , Magennis Steven W. , Jiménez‐Pérez Víctor M.
Published: February 2020

The early detection of cancer cells and their visualization before and after surgery are essential for successful pre‐ and post‐operative disease management. Although fluorescence imaging is a sensitive and versatile tool that is finding increasing use in clinical applications, there is a lack of tumour‐targeting fluorophores. We report here a family of fluorescent Schiff base organotin dyes (1: Et2N−L‐SnPh2, 2: Et2N−L‐SnBu2, 3: MeO−L‐SnPh2, 4: MeO−L‐SnBu2, 5: HO−L‐SnPh2, and 6: HO−L‐SnBu2, where L=2‐hydroxybenzylidene‐4‐hydroxybenzhydrazine). In addition to one‐photon‐excited fluorescence, efficient two‐photon excitation was demonstrated in compounds 1–4. Two of the compounds (5 and 6), both with hydroxyl substituents, were capable of selective accumulation in HeLa cells, allowing differentiation from normal cells (periodontal ligament cells). Compounds 1 and 3 showed excellent cancer cell staining (HeLa) using two‐photon bioimaging, which is promising for biomedicine applications.
Application of iPSC to Modelling of Respiratory Diseases
Authors: Calvert Ben A. , Ryan Amy L.
Published: February 2020

Respiratory disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality world-wide with an increasing incidence as the aged population prevails. Many lung diseases are treated for symptomatic relief, with no cure available, indicating a critical need for novel therapeutic strategies. Such advances are hampered by a lack of understanding of how human lung pathologies initiate and progress. Research on human lung disease relies on the isolation of primary cells from explanted lungs or the use of immortalized cells, both are limited in their capacity to represent the genomic and phenotypic variability among the population. In an era where we are progressing toward precision medicine the use of patient specific induced pluripotent cells (iPSC) to generate models, where sufficient primary cells and tissues are scarce, has increased our capacity to understand human lung pathophysiology. Directed differentiation of iPSC toward lung presented the initial challenge to overcome in generating iPSC-derived lung epithelial cells. Since then major advances have been made in defining protocols to specify and isolate specific lung lineages, with the generation of airway spheroids and multi cellular organoids now possible. This technological advance has opened up our capacity for human lung research and prospects for autologous cell therapy. This chapter will focus on the application of iPSC to studying human lung disease.
Feelings of Guilt in the Family: The Case of Divorced Parents
Authors: Kalmijn Matthijs
Published: February 2020

Guilt is believed to be a common emotion in personal relationships. Few studies, however, have examined if guilt plays a role in the divorce process. The present chapter uses unique nationally representative survey data which included questions on the extent to which parents have feelings of guilt toward their (young or adult) children (N = 3,203). By comparing married and divorced parents while controlling for an elaborate set of control variables, we describe the effect of divorce on guilt. By testing a series of variables that may moderate the divorce effect, we subsequently try to explain why divorce affects guilt. Our findings show that there are significant effects of divorce on the feelings of guilt that parents have toward their children. These effects are stronger when parents have more traditional attitudes toward family issues, in line with moral explanations of guilt. The effects are also stronger when the relationship between the child and parent is stronger, in line with explanations of guilt in terms of altruism.
Quality of Non-resident Father-Child Relationships: Between “Caring for” and “Caring About”
Authors: Maslauskaitė Aušra , Tereškinas Artūras
Published: February 2020

Using the cross-sectional Fathering after Union Dissolution in Lithuania survey data (2016), this chapter analyzes the quality of non-resident father-child relationships after a parental union dissolution. We assess the relationship quality perceived by fathers and focus on both positive elements such as intimacy and approval and negative ones such as conflict and child’s dominance in relationships. The influence of fathers’ resources such as their personal well-being, socio-economic resources, parenting practices and a family situation on relationship quality is also examined in the chapter. Following Smart (J Law Soc 18(4):485–500, 1991) we use the concepts of “caring for” and “caring about” specifically developed to describe the post-divorce father-child relationship quality. We make the hypotheses that fathers’ higher personal, socio-economic resources and involved parenting practices contribute positively to the “caring for” type of relationship, while limited resources contribute to the “caring about” type of relationships. Our findings demonstrate that the father-child relationship quality is associated with personal and parenting resources, while the effect of men’s socio-economic resources is not relevant if child-related characteristics are controlled. We also find the positive association between fathers’ re-partnering and new children and the quality of the relationships (less conflict and more paternal authority) with non-resident children.
Floor Effects or Compensation of Social Origin? The Relation Between Divorce and Children’s School Engagement According to Parents’ Educational Level
Authors: Havermans Nele , Swicegood Gray , Matthijs Koenraad
Published: February 2020

This chapter uses multi-group structural equation models to investigate how the mediators between divorce and school engagement differ according to parents’ educational level. Previous studies have failed to address which processes underlie this potential moderating role of parents’ educational level and have reported conflicting results. Based on the Leuven Adolescent and Family Study data (N = 7035), our results show that children with lower educated parents are more negatively affected by divorce than children of highly educated parents and that this result cannot be explained by the lower availability of family resources in the group of children with lowly educated parents, whereas family resources are important mediators for children with medium and highly educated parents. Overall, the findings provide more nuanced evidence on how the experience of divorce varies between children of different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Coping Strategies of Migrant Ex-partners. Does Work, Family, or a New Partner Help You Through the Dark Times?
Authors: Mortelmans Dimitri , Van den Berg Layla , Thielemans Gert
Published: February 2020

This study focuses on financial consequences of a separation for migrant ex-partners. International literature on economic consequences has well documented the gender effects in the consequences of splitting up or the differences between former married and cohabiting couples. Building on these insights, this chapter focuses on the heterogeneity in couples in migration status and origin group. Using data from the Belgian Crossroads Bank of Social Security, we look at financial consequences after a break-up for European and non-European ex-partners with a migrant background. Using latent growth modelling for income trajectories of men and women after divorce, we show that migrant background plays a role to a certain extent. Gender effects were large and significant in all subgroups but contrary to our expectations, economically weaker groups show a more modest financial drawback compared to stronger groups. Coping strategies showed patterns that were expected except for returning to the parental home which had a negative influence on the income trajectory. The (weak) economic position of the parents in some migrant group explains this effect.
Approximating Node-Weighted k-MST on Planar Graphs
Authors: Byrka Jarosław , Lewandowski Mateusz , Spoerhase Joachim
Published: February 2020

We study the problem of finding a minimum weight connected subgraph spanning at least k vertices on planar, node-weighted graphs. We give a (4 + ε)-approximation algorithm for this problem. We achieve this by utilizing the recent Lagrangian-multiplier preserving (LMP) primal-dual 3-approximation for the node-weighted prize-collecting Steiner tree problem by Byrka et al. (SWAT’16) and adopting an approach by Chudak et al. (Math. Prog. ’04) regarding Lagrangian relaxation for the edge-weighted variant. In particular, we improve the procedure of picking additional vertices (tree merging procedure) given by Sadeghian (2013) by taking a constant number of recursive steps and utilizing the limited guessing procedure of Arora and Karakostas (Math. Prog. ’06). More generally, our approach readily gives a (4/3 ⋅ r + ε)-approximation on any graph class where the algorithm of Byrka et al. for the prize-collecting version gives an r-approximation. We argue that this can be interpreted as a generalization of an analogous result by Könemann et al. (Algorithmica ’11) for partial cover problems. Together with a lower bound construction by Mestre (STACS’08) for partial cover this implies that our bound is essentially best possible among algorithms that utilize an LMP algorithm for the Lagrangian relaxation as a black box. In addition to that, we argue by a more involved lower bound construction that even using the LMP algorithm by Byrka et al. in a non-black-box fashion could not beat the factor 4/3 ⋅ r when the tree merging step relies only on the solutions output by the LMP algorithm.
Wie kann Reden heilen? Zur Sprache in der Psychotherapie
Authors: Marx Christopher , Benecke Cord , Gumz Antje
Published: February 2020

Psychotherapie gilt traditionell als „talking cure“, als Heilverfahren also, das wesentlich über Sprache operiert. Unklar ist allerdings, was diese Zuschreibung konkret bedeutet, insofern die therapeutische Wirkung von Sprache unterschiedlich expliziert wurde. Vor diesem Hintergrund rekonstruiert diese Studie zentrale Ansätze, die die „talking cure“ in Termini von 1. Katharsis, 2. Symbolisierung, 3. Metaphern, 4. verbalen Interventionen und 5. Narrativen beschreiben, und diskutiert diese im Hinblick auf Befunde der Psychotherapieforschung. Im Resultat ergibt sich ein komplexes Bild disparater theoretischer Zugriffe, die in der Grundannahme konvergieren, das therapeutische Potenzial von Sprache in ihrer Möglichkeit zur Explikation beziehungsweise zur Modifikation pathologisch-maladaptiver Erlebens- und Erfahrungskonstellationen zu sehen. Die empirische Befundlage bezüglich dieser Ansätze ist heterogen: Die meisten Typen verbaler Aktivität zeigen unklare Assoziationen mit dem Behandlungserfolg. Konsistenter sind Zusammenhänge mit Prozessvariablen, wobei spezifische Prozesse von unterschiedlichen verbalen Aktivitäten evoziert werden können (zum Beispiel Verstehen durch Übertragungsdeutungen, Selbstoffenbarungen, Metaphern oder Narrative). Weiterhin wurde gezeigt, dass verbale Aktivität auch negative Effekte haben kann. Insgesamt legen diese Befunde eine integrative Sicht auf die Sprache im Sinne eines Sets sprachinduzierter veränderungsrelevanter Prozesse nahe, deren heilsame Wirkung im Kontext eines umfassenden Beziehungsgeschehens zu betrachten ist und dabei komplexen Randbedingungen unterliegt, die zu präzisieren und systematisieren ein wichtiges Desiderat der Psychotherapieforschung darstellt.
Minimally invasive esophagectomy and radical lymph node dissection without recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis
Authors: Otsuka Koji , Murakami Masahiko , Goto Satoru , Ariyoshi Tomotake , Yamashita Takeshi , Saito Akira , Kohmoto Masahiro , Kato Rei , Lefor Alan Kawarai , Aoki Takeshi
Published: February 2020

Background

We introduce a novel operative technique to dissect lymph nodes adjacent to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, referred to as the “native tissue preservation” technique. Using this technique, there was no damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which is maintained in its anatomical position.

Methods

From September 2016 to December 2018, minimally invasive esophagectomy was performed in the left lateral decubitus position in 87 patients with esophageal cancer. The native tissue preservation technique for lymphadenectomy around the recurrent laryngeal nerve was used, and all patients were evaluated for recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis.

Results

Minimally invasive esophagectomy was completed in all patients without conversion to thoracotomy. Although an extended lymphadenectomy was performed in all patients, there were no grade II or higher complications (Clavien–Dindo classification) and no incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis.

Conclusion

The native tissue preservation technique may reduce the incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis after minimally invasive esophagectomy with radical lymph node dissection.
What is the evidence for mirtazapine in treating cancer-related symptomatology? A systematic review
Authors: Economos Guillaume , Lovell Natasha , Johnston Anna , Higginson Irene J.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Cancer patients often experience multiple distressing symptoms which are challenging to manage. It would therefore be helpful to find a treatment that alleviates more than one symptom, to avoid polypharmacy: mirtazapine has been used in several studies for this purpose. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of mirtazapine in alleviating one or more frequently encountered cancer-related symptoms.

Methods

Systematic review of clinical trials in English or French. Eight databases were searched. Included studies assessed the effectiveness of mirtazapine in alleviating one or more frequently encountered cancer-related symptoms. Comparator and validated assessment tools were required. Studies were independently appraised by two investigators before data synthesis.

Results

The search yielded 1898 references, from which we identified 12 relevant articles evaluating highly heterogeneous outcomes. These were two randomised-controlled (RCTs), three non-randomised controlled, and seven non-randomised non-controlled trials. In total, 392 participants were included and 185 were in RCTs. No study assessed the effectiveness of mirtazapine in alleviating symptoms at the same time, but some considered more than one symptom. Overall, the data was of poor quality, limited by small sample size and bias. However, mirtazapine showed effectiveness in treating depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, emesis and neuropathic pain. Across all studies, mirtazapine is safe to use, with drowsiness and dizziness the most common side-effects.

Conclusion

Study design and small sample sizes limit the ability to interpret results. Trials to assess the impact of mirtazapine or other medicines in alleviating multiple symptoms would be valuable.
A selection of weather type classification systems and examples of their application
Authors: Piotrowicz Katarzyna , Ciaranek Dominika
Published: February 2020

The paper discusses a selection of the most popular systems classifying weather types found in climatological literature. The review focuses on the choice of meteorological elements and their value ranges as the differentiating criteria. Examples of the application of some of these systems are presented, as well as a number of possible analyses that could be attempted. In order to investigate this, use was made of 1961–2010 meteorological data from stations in Warsaw (Poland) and Cologne (Germany). It was found that the annual and long-term changes in the types of weather reflect the diversity and variability of the climate in both cities very well, and allow the stability (non-changeability) of weather to be quantified.