bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The evolution of brittle and ductile structures at the surface of a partly debris‐covered, rapidly thinning and slowly moving glacier in 1998–2012 (Pasterze Glacier, Austria)
Authors: Kellerer‐Pirklbauer Andreas , Kulmer Bernd
Published: November 2018

Many glaciers in alpine regions are currently rapidly receding and thinning at historically unobserved rates causing changes in the velocity field and in normal and shear stresses affecting the surface expression of structures within the ice. We studied the distribution of brittle and ductile structures at the surface of Pasterze Glacier during a 14‐year period by analysing orthophotos and digital elevation models of five stages (1998, 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2012). A structural glaciological mapping key was applied. Normal faults, strike‐slip faults, en échelon structures (systematic stepping of fractures), thrust faults, and band ogives were distinguished. Results indicate substantial deceleration and glacier thinning in 1998–2012. Glacier thinning was not homogenous over time related to the uneven distribution of supraglacial debris causing differential ablation or the selective ablation effects of subglacial water channels. Peculiar supraglacial features observed are circular collapse structures with concentric crevasses which form when the ice between the surface and the roof of water channels decreases. The total length of brittle structures increased from 38.4 km to 56.9 km whereas the extent of the glacier tongue decreased by 25%. The fracture density doubled from 0.009 to 0.018 m/m2. Areas of the glacier tongue which were up to 100 m away from the nearest brittle structure increased by 16%. The visual appearance of thrust faults shifted upglacier due to decreasing glacier velocity causing horizontal shortening or due to exhumation of faults that did not previously extend to the surface. A large number of brittle structures are progressively independent from glacier motion. Our study suggests that glacier tongues which are in a state of rapid decay and thinning are prone to fracturing due to normal fault formation and glacier disintegration. Water further increases ablation rates substantially if rather large amounts drain through supra‐, en‐ or subglacial water channels. © 2018 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Production of nutrient‐enhanced millet‐based composite flour using skimmed milk powder and vegetables
Authors: Tumwine Gerald , Atukwase Abel , Tumuhimbise Gaston A. , Tucungwirwe Francis , Linnemann Anita
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study was to develop a nutrient‐enhanced millet‐based composite flour incorporating skimmed milk powder and vegetables for children aged 6–59 months. Two processing methods were tested to optimize nutrient content and quality of millet‐based composite flour, namely germination for 0, 24 and 48 hr and roasting at 80, 100, and 140°C. The amount of ingredients in the formulation was determined using Nutri‐survey software. Germinating millet grains for 48 hr at room temperature significantly (p < 0.05) increased protein content (9.3%–10.6%), protein digestibility (22.3%–65.5%), and total sugars (2.2%–5.5%), while phytate content (3.9–3.7 mg/g) decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Roasting millet grains at 140°C significantly (p < 0.05) increased the protein digestibility (22.3%–60.1%) and reduced protein (9.3%–7.8%), phytate (3.9–3.6 mg/g), and total sugar content (2.2%–1.9%). Germinating millet grains at room temperature for 48 hr resulted in millet flour with the best nutritional quality and was adopted for the production of millet‐based composite flour. Addition of vegetables and skimmed milk powder to germinated millet flour significantly (p < 0.05) increased the macro‐ and micronutrient contents and the functional properties of millet‐based composite flour. The study demonstrated that the use of skimmed milk powder and vegetables greatly improves the protein quality and micronutrient profile of millet‐based complementary foods. The product has the potential to make a significant contribution to the improvement of nutrition of children in developing countries.
Distribution and characteristics of mud diapirs, gas chimneys, and bottom simulating reflectors associated with hydrocarbon migration and gas hydrate accumulation in the Qiongdongnan Basin, northern slope of the South China Sea
Authors: Zhang Wei , Liang Jinqiang , Su Pibo , Wei Jiangong , Gong Yuehua , Lin Lin , Liang Jin , Huang Wei
Published: November 2018

A comprehensive analysis on high‐resolution seismic data and the geological characteristics of the Qiongdongnan Basin (QDNB) in the northern South China Sea reveals multiple seismic evidence indicative of hydrocarbon migration and gas hydrate accumulation, including mud diapirs, gas chimneys, bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs), acoustic blanking, enhanced reflections, V‐AMP structures, elevated stacking velocity of sediments, and seafloor expressions. Mud diapirs and gas chimneys, which are characterized by acoustic turbidity, fuzziness, and blanking reflections on seismic profiles, with a diversity of structures and scales, are widespread and concentrated in the centres of sags and the transitional zones between sags and uplifts. Five BSR regions, with a total area of approximately 11,000 km2, have been delineated in the QDNB. They have high or medium‐high continuity amplitudes with overlying acoustic blanking on seismic profiles, indicating the occurrence of gas hydrate. Distinct fluid seepage phenomena are common below the BSRs, demonstrating that abundant free gas has migrated and accumulated beneath the gas hydrate. The distribution of BSRs and the developed zones of mud diapirs and gas chimneys presents a spatial superposition feature, and the BSRs are usually located on top of or within the structural highs of the mud diapirs and gas chimneys, indicating a close relationship between them. Mud diapirs, gas chimneys, and associated faults are efficient pathways for migrating hydrocarbons, through which the mature to highly mature thermogenic gas of the Palaeogene strata and the biogenic gas of the Neogene sediments migrate to the gas hydrate stability zones and form gas hydrate. Gas hydrate samples were recovered from the gas chimney area during the remote operated vehicle (ROV) investigation in deepwater QDNB in 2015. Based on the seismic interpretation and geochemical results, we propose two models of gas hydrate accumulation in the deepwater area of the QDNB: (a) near source biogenic gas hydrate with self‐generation and self‐accumulation, and (b) distal source thermogenic gas hydrate with lower generation and upper accumulation. We believe that the areas with a fine spatial coupling configuration between the mud diapirs, gas chimneys, and BSRs are favourable exploration targets for gas hydrate in the QDNB.
Joint visual attention and locomotor experience: A longitudinal study of infants with treated idiopathic clubfoot
Authors: Dillmann Julia , Gehb Gloria , Peterlein Christian‐Dominik , Schwarzer Gudrun
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study was to examine the link between joint attention skills and locomotor experiences in infants with locomotor delay due to congenital idiopathic clubfoot compared to typically developing infants. Using a following of point and gaze gesture task, we repeatedly tested joint attention skills of 11 infants with congenital idiopathic clubfoot and 14 typically developing infants at the ages of 6, 9, and 12 months. Additionally, we tested all typically developing infants and eight infants treated for idiopathic clubfoot at onset of crawling on hand and knees and after they had been crawling for about 5 to 6 weeks. Our results confirmed a delayed onset of locomotion in infants treated for idiopathic clubfoot; however, our results did not indicate lower joint attention performances in those infants in general. Moreover, we found a positive effect of crawling on the development of joint attention skills in typically developing infants; however, not in infants treated for idiopathic clubfoot. Our results complement previous work by indicating that locomotor experience, especially crawling is an important, however not necessary agent for developing joint attention skills.

Highlights

We repeatedly tested the link between crawling experience and joint attention skills in typically developing and infants with locomotor delay due to congenital idiopathic clubfoot.

We did not find poorer joint attention performances in clubfoot infants, however crawling facilitated the development of joint attention skills in typically developing infants.

Results indicated that locomotor experience, especially crawling is an important, however not necessary agent for developing joint attention skills.
Role of breast vascular calcification in predicting cardiovascular risk
Authors: Mendonça Roberto M. , Araruna Arthur L. , Alves Flora V. , Souza Thaís R. , Egito Eryvaldo S.T. , Gonçalves Ana K.
Published: November 2018

We identified a positive association between presence of breast vascular calcification and high coronary calcium score, and thus with high cardiovascular risk.
Preparation and characterization of folic acid functionalized bioactive glass for targeted delivery and sustained release of methotrexate
Authors: Chen Jianhui , Chen Xiaofeng , Yang Zhengyu , Tan Xiaojun , Wang Jiachen , Chen Yao
Published: November 2018

We have successfully prepared a novel targeted drug delivery system, composed of folic acid (FA) as targeting molecule, methotrexate (MTX) as anticancer drug, and bioactive glass (BG) as carrier. The BG nanoparticles were synthesized by sol‐gel method with the dodecylamine as template. The surface of BG nanoparticles was grafted with amino groups by (3‐aminopropyl) triethoxysilane, then, FA and MTX were covalently conjugated to the surface of modified BG through amidation reaction, so FA functionalized BG (BG‐FA) and targeted drug delivery system (MTX‐BG‐FA) were prepared. The physicochemical properties of BG, BG‐NH2, and BG‐FA were characterized by various methods, such as X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible, and so on. Moreover, the drug release results showed that the MTX‐BG‐FA had sustained release property because of the peptide bond between MTX and BG‐FA. And the cytocompatibility evaluation demonstrated that the BG and BG‐FA were biocompatible and BG‐FA even could promote cell proliferation, while the MTX‐BG‐FA had high cytotoxicity owning to the sustained release of anticancer drug. From the above, it could be concluded that MTX‐BG‐FA could kill tumor cells targetedly and sustainedly, which made it a good cancer targeted therapy material. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 319–329, 2019.
ACT001 can prevent and reverse tamoxifen resistance in human breast cancer cell lines by inhibiting NF‐κB activation
Authors: Jin Xiao‐Han , Jia Yong‐Sheng , Shi Ye‐Hui , Li Qiu‐Ying , Bao Shi‐Qi , Lu Wen‐Ping , Tong Zhong‐Sheng
Published: November 2018

Endocrine therapy is one of the main treatments for estrogen receptor–positive breast cancers. Tamoxifen is the most commonly used drug for endocrine therapy. However, primary or acquired tamoxifen resistance occurs in a large proportion of breast cancer patients, leading to therapeutic failure. We found that the combination of tamoxifen and ACT001, a nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) signaling pathway inhibitor, effectively inhibited the proliferation of both tamoxifen‐sensitive and tamoxifen‐resistant cells. The tamoxifen‐resistant cell line MCF7R/LCC9 showed active NF‐κB signaling and high apoptosis‐related gene transcription, especially for antiapoptotic genes, which could be diminished by treatment with ACT001. These results demonstrate that ACT001 can prevent and reverse tamoxifen resistance by inhibiting NF‐κB activation.
Retracted: Knockdown of long noncoding RNA GAS5 attenuates H2O2‐induced damage in retinal ganglion cells through upregulating miR‐124: Potential role in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Miao Xinglu , Liang Anran
Published: November 2018

Background

Optic nerve injury is one of the most common and serious complications in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Alleviating degree of optic nerve injury is important to cure of TBI. This study explored the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) GAS5 in mice retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) suffered to H2O
2 injury.

Methods

Primary RGC (PRGCs) were treated with H2O
2 to simulate an in vitro oxidation stress model. LncRNA GAS5 and miR‐124 expressions were knocked down by cell transfection with short‐hairpin RNA against GAS5 and miR‐124 inhibitor, and the transfection efficiency was determined by qRT‐PCR. Cell viability, apoptotic cell rate, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was analyzed by CCK‐8 assay, PI/FITC‐Annexin V method, and DCFH‐DA fluorometric assay. Cell apoptosis‐associated proteins as well as activations of JAK/STAT3 signaling and JNK signaling were analyzed by Western blot.

Results

H2O
2 treatment‐induced cell injury was inhibited by lncRNA GAS5 silence. Specifically, knockdown of GAS5 improved viability of primary PRGCs, inhibited apoptosis, decreased ROS expression, increased antiapoptosis proteins’ expressions, and decreased proapoptosis proteins’ expressions. It was also found that miR‐124 inhibitor treatment impaired the cell protective effect of GAS5 silence, indicating low level of GAS5 protected PRGCs via upregulating miR‐124. GAS5 silence might exert cytoprotection effect via activating JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway and inhibiting activation of JNK signaling pathway.

Conclusion

Knocking down lncRNA GAS5 alleviated H2O
2‐induced injury in PRGCs via upregulation of miR‐124, which might dependent on activation of JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway and inhibition of JNK signaling pathway.
Activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway underlies a novel inhibitory role of ring finger protein 182 in ventricular remodeling after myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion injury
Authors: Wang Jing‐Hua , Wei Zhi‐Feng , Gao Yan‐Li , Liu Cong‐Cong , Sun Jing‐Hui
Published: November 2018

Myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion injury (MIRI) is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, leading to mortality and disability associated with coronary occlusion worldwide. A correlation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) signaling pathway has been observed with brain damage resulting from myocardial ischemia. Therefore, by establishing MIRI rat model, this study aimed to explore whether ring finger protein 182 (RNF182) regulates the mTOR signaling pathway affecting MIRI. Initially, MIRI rat model was successfully established, followed by either treatment of shRNF182 or phosphoesterase (PITE) (inhibitor of the mTOR signaling pathway). Then, the serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were determined, followed by detection of myocardial infarct sizes and myocardial cell apoptosis. Moreover, the levels of related genes/proteins were determined to further determine the mechanisms of RNF182 in MIRI. First, RNF182 was upregulated in MIRI. Another key observation of this study was that rats with shRNF182 presented with downregulated SOD, GSH‐Px, and MDA in serum, accompanied by decreased levels of LVEF, LVFS, LVSP, and LVEDP. In addition, both reduced myocardial infarct sizes and apoptosis of myocardial cells were observed after silencing RNF182. Furthermore, silencing of the RNF182 was observed to downregulate Bcl 2–associated X and cysteine proteinase 3 but upregulate mTOR, ribosome protein subunit 6 kinase 1, eukaryotic elongation factor 2, and B‐cell lymphoma‐2. Importantly, the effects of RNF182 silencing were reversed after PITE treatment. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that RNF182 silencing can prevent ventricular remodeling in rats after MIRI by activating the mTOR signaling pathway.
Effect of autophagy on the resveratrol‐induced apoptosis of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells
Authors: Wang HongYan , Peng Yan , Wang Jing , Gu AnXin , Li Qi , Mao DongWei , Guo LiYuan
Published: November 2018

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between apoptosis and autophagy induced by resveratrol (Res) in SKOV3 human ovarian cancer cell lines.

Methods

The experiment was divided into four groups: normal control group, Res group, Res combined with autophagy inhibitor 3‐methyladenine (Res+3‐MA) group, and Z‐VAD‐FMK group. SKOV3 cells were cultured and treated with Res and 3‐MA for 24 hours. The processing concentration of Res was screened out by the Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK8) assay. The cell survival rate was measured by the CCK8 assay. The expression of bule‐associated protein light chain 3 beta 2 (LC3‐II) and Beclin‐1 was detected using Western blot analysis. The percentages of apoptotic and autophagic cells were analyzed using flow cytometry.

Results

The cell survival rate significantly decreased as Res concentration increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The processing concentration of Res was 25 μmol/L. After treatment with Res for 24 hours, the expression levels of autophagy‐related protein LC3 and Beclin‐l were significantly higher than in the other groups. Furthermore, the expression of LC3 and Beclin‐l significantly declined in the Res+3‐MA group compared with the Res group. However, the percentage of autophagic cells significantly decreased from 37.0% ± 4.24% to 6.1% ± 0.28%, and the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly increased from 24% ± 4.55% to 67.0% ± 4.3%; and the differences were statistically significant (
P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Res can induce autophagy to inhibit apoptosis in tumor SKOV3 cells, and inhibition of Res+3‐MA could not only enhance the effects of chemotherapy but also prevent normal cells from tumorigenesis.
Theoretical study of correlations between the coordination structures and catalytic activities in polymer‐stabilized au nanocluster catalysts
Authors: Ato Yoshinori , Hayashi Akihide , Koga Hiroaki , Tada Kohei , Kawakami Takashi , Yamanaka Shusuke , Okumura Mitsutaka
Published: November 2018

Au nanoclusters (Au NCs) stabilized by poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) and poly(allylamine), abbreviated to Au:PVP and Au:PAA, catalyze the aerobic oxidation of p‐hydroxybenzyl alcohols, but the catalytic activity of Au:PVP is much higher than that of Au:PAA. To elucidate the correlations between the catalytic activities and coordination structures of the stabilizing polymer, the substrate accessibility on Au NCs was estimated by density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) calculations. For MD simulations, we applied a systematic method to optimize the temperature parameters in temperature replica exchange molecular dynamics (T‐REMD), and the coordination structures were comprehensively classified by multivariate analysis. The results show that the number of open active sites on the Au NCs is a good index for predicting the catalytic activities. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Moderate Renal Impairment Does Not Impact the Ability of CSL112 (Apolipoprotein A‐I [Human]) to Enhance Cholesterol Efflux Capacity
Authors: Gille Andreas , Duffy Danielle , Tortorici Michael A. , Wright Samuel D. , Deckelbaum Lawrence I. , D'Andrea Denise M.
Published: November 2018

CSL112 (apolipoprotein A‐I [human]) is a novel intravenous formulation of plasma‐derived apolipoprotein A‐I (apoA‐I) that enhances cholesterol efflux capacity. Renal impairment is a common comorbidity in acute myocardial infarction patients and is associated with impaired lipid metabolism. The aim of this phase 1 study was to assess the impact of moderate renal impairment on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of CSL112. Sixteen subjects with moderate renal impairment and 16 age‐, sex‐, and weight‐matched subjects with normal renal function participated in the study. Within each renal function cohort, subjects were randomized 3:1 to receive a single intravenous infusion of CSL112 2 g (n = 6) or placebo (n = 2) or CSL112 6 g (n = 6) or placebo (n = 2). At baseline, subjects with moderate renal impairment versus normal renal function had higher total cholesterol efflux, ABCA1‐dependent cholesterol efflux capacity, and pre‐β1‐high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Infusing CSL112 resulted in similar, immediate, robust, dose‐dependent elevations in apoA‐I and cholesterol efflux capacity in both renal function cohorts and significantly greater elevations in pre‐β1‐HDL (P < .05) in moderate renal impairment. Lecithin‐cholesterol acyltransferase activity, demonstrated by a time‐dependent change in the ratio of unesterified to esterified cholesterol, did not differ by renal function. No meaningful changes in proatherogenic lipid levels were observed. Moderate renal impairment did not impact the ability of CSL112 to enhance cholesterol efflux capacity. CSL112 may represent a novel therapy to reduce the risk of early recurrent cardiovascular events following acute myocardial infarction in patients with or without moderate renal impairment.
Synthesis and Reactions of a 2(5H)‐Furanone Bearing Two Furyl Substituents
Authors: Hashem Ahmed I. , Abou‐Elmagd Wael S. I. , El‐Bordany Eman A. , Abdel Aziz Ahmed
Published: November 2018

A 2(5H)‐furanone bearing two furyl rings was synthesized. The behavior of this furanone toward some nitrogen nucleophiles, namely, hydrazine hydrate, benzylamine, and ammonium acetate, was studied. The nitrile group at position‐3 of the furanone was utilized to construct thiazolidine ring by the action of thioglycollic acid. The acid hydrazide synthesized from the previous step was allowed to react with some carbonyl compounds, namely, acetonylacetone, acetylacetone, ethyl acetoacetate, ethyl cinnamate, diethylmalonate, phthalic anhydride, benzil, and 4‐methoxybenzaldehyde, to form pyrrole, pyrazole, and pyrazolopyridazine ring systems bearing two furyl groups. The structures of all the products obtained were illustrated from their analytical and spectral data.
Macrophage immunomodulation in chronic osteolytic diseases—the case of periodontitis
Authors: Sima Corneliu , Viniegra Ana , Glogauer Michael
Published: November 2018

Periodontitis (PD) is a chronic osteolytic disease that shares pathogenic inflammatory features with other conditions associated with nonresolving inflammation. A hallmark of PD is inflammation-mediated alveolar bone loss. Myeloid cells, in particular polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and macrophages (Mac), are essential players in PD by control of gingival biofilm pathogenicity, activation of adaptive immunity, as well as nonresolving inflammation and collateral tissue damage. Despite mounting evidence of significant innate immune implications to PD progression and healing after therapy, myeloid cell markers and targets for immune modulation have not been validated for clinical use. The remarkable plasticity of monocytes/Mac in response to local activation factors enables these cells to play central roles in inflammation and restoration of tissue homeostasis and provides opportunities for biomarker and therapeutic target discovery for management of chronic inflammatory conditions, including osteolytic diseases such as PD and arthritis. Along a wide spectrum of activation states ranging from proinflammatory to pro-resolving, Macs respond to environmental changes in a site-specific manner in virtually all tissues. This review summarizes the existing evidence on Mac immunomodulation therapies for osteolytic diseases in the broader context of conditions associated with nonresolving inflammation, and discusses osteoimmune implications of Macs in PD.
A multi‐scalar evaluation of differential impacts of canonical ENSO and ENSO Modoki on drought in China
Authors: Deng Shulin , Cheng Liang , Yang Kang , Chen Yanming , Gao Yu , Yang Ni , Li Manchun
Published: November 2018

China has experienced alarming drought events during recent decades. In this study, we investigated monthly drought severity related to the eastern Pacific cooling (EPC), eastern Pacific warming (EPW), and central Pacific warming (CPW), and analysed the differential influence of canonical ENSO (c‐ENSO) and El Niño Modoki (ENSO_M) events on monthly droughts severity based on the SPEI at multiple timescales in China. The results show that (a) EPC episodes negatively affected 1‐ and 3‐month drought severity in southeast and northeast China with negative anomalies lower than −0.4 (<−0.4) during November–February the next year. EPW and CPW episodes significantly negatively affect drought severity in central north China (<−0.8) and the coastal areas of southeast China (<−0.6) during the most months, respectively. (b) La Niña negatively affected drought severity in the most parts of northeast China (<−0.2) and southeast China (<−0.4) during the most months, and La Niña Modoki caused dry conditions in the most parts of China (<−0.2) during a few months. Significant dry conditions were observed in central north China (<−0.8) in many months during El Niño, but dry conditions covered south China (<−0.4) in the most months during El Niño Modoki. (c) SST anomalies in Niño3 and ENSO_M regimes and wind anomalies might explain the spatial distribution of dry conditions across China during c‐ENSO and ENSO_M phases. The results could provide valuable information for predicting droughts associated with the c‐ENSO and ENSO Mokodi.
Stratigraphic pollen analysis performed on a late Pleistocene cypress forest preserved on the northern Gulf of Mexico continental shelf
Authors: Reese Carl A. , Harley Grant L. , DeLong Kristine L. , Bentley SR. Samuel J. , Xu Kehui , Gonzalez Suyapa , Truong Jonathan T. , Obelcz Jeffrey , Caporaso Alicia
Published: November 2018

Stratigraphic pollen analysis of terrestrial peat–mud layers from a buried bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) forest allows study of autochthonous fossil pollen profiles from a glacial refugium along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast in the context of fluctuating sea levels. The site is in 18 m of water, offshore from Orange Beach, Alabama, USA. Exposed cypress stumps are in growth position, still rooted in sediment. Radiocarbon dating of peat and optically stimulated luminescence dating of subjacent sediments yielded an age range of 72–45 ka. We hypothesize the site was rapidly buried by floodplain aggradation from pulsed sea‐level rise during the glacial interval. Pollen results from the lowermost peat layer are consistent with a bald cypress − tupelo gum (Nyssa aquatica) backwater forest. This was followed by a brief transitional period where the pollen assemblage is similar to Atlantic Coastal Plain Blackwater Levee/Bar Forests, but may be evidence of a no‐modern analog community. Final Pleistocene pollen spectra indicate a more open environment, dominated by grasses (Poaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae).
Advances in research and development of bioplastic for food packaging
Authors: Jariyasakoolroj Piyawanee , Leelaphiwat Pattarin , Harnkarnsujarit Nathdanai
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

The article reviews the recent developments in bioplastic food packaging. Several bioplastic materials (polylactide, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and starch) have been successfully converted into food packaging using conventional plastic conversion technologies including extrusion, injection molding, and compression molding. Recently, bioplastic packaging has been developed into active packaging which can either control the release of active ingredients or scavenge undesirable substances. This review emphasizes the advances in bioplastic packaging with regard to active packaging applications and applications requiring gas and water barrier.

RESULTS

The review shows that antioxidant and antimicrobial functions are major developments for the control‐release application in bioplastic packaging. Factors affecting the release of active ingredients have been reviewed. The sorption of low molecular weight substances such as humidity, aromas, and gases, also affects the properties of packaging materials. Some patents are available for oxygen‐scavenging bioplastic packaging. Moreover, improved high‐barrier packaging technologies (modified polymer, coating, and lamination) have been developed to increase the shelf‐life of food products.

CONCLUSION

The finding shows that the development of bioplastic into food packaging included control‐release (desorption), scavenging (absorption) and permeation technologies. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Pediatricians’ proficiency in the care of the dysphonic child
Authors: Schiff Carly S. , Zur Karen B. , Biggs Lisa M. , Guo Jia , Pitman Michael J.
Published: November 2018

Objectives/Hypothesis

Pediatricians are the first physicians to see a dysphonic child (DC), yet there are limited data on their proficiency in caring for them. The objective of this study was to understand how pediatricians’ experience and their comfort in recognizing/diagnosing voice disorders affects their referral patterns and use of basic treatment options.

Study Design

Survey study.

Methods

A 13‐question survey was sent to pediatricians in the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's primary care network; 45/216 were returned. Statistical analyses were performed using the Student t test, linear/logistic regression model, Fisher exact test, Kruskal‐Wallis test, and Spearman's correlation test.

Results

Pediatricians practicing longer are more comfortable recognizing dysphonia (P = .0022). They are significantly more likely to refer a DC, even without subjective complaints of hoarseness by the family/patient or compounding medical issues. For each year in practice, the probability of referring increases by 1.55% (P = .0017). Pediatricians with a higher percentage of dysphonic children in their practice are more likely to trust their own perceptual recognition when deciding to refer (P = .0496). Nearly all pediatricians (40/45) would refer to a pediatric otolaryngologist. None would refer to a laryngologist or a voice therapist. No factors significantly affected treatment options.

Conclusions

Veteran pediatricians feel more comfortable diagnosing a voice disorder and are more likely to refer a DC, regardless of patient/parent complaints or compounding factors. Pediatricians are most likely to refer to a pediatric otolaryngologist versus a voice specialist. These findings suggest that education of younger, less‐experienced pediatricians about recognizing voice disorders and options for referral is needed. This may improve the overall care of the DC.

Level of Evidence

4

Laryngoscope, 129:1756–1762, 2019
Modeling the biogeochemical functioning of the Seine estuary and its coastal zone: Export, retention, and transformations
Authors: Romero Estela , Garnier Josette , Billen Gilles , Ramarson Antsiva , Riou Philippe , Le Gendre Romain
Published: November 2018

The model ECO‐MARS3D, successfully applied thus far to coastal ecosystems, has been extended to encompass the Seine estuary up to Poses, at the limit between the river and the estuary. We used updated bathymetric data and thoroughly calibrated the hydrodynamics and the sedimentary dynamics in the turbidity maximum zone (TMZ). Biogeochemical processes related to oxygen were newly implemented, and freshwater phytoplankton and zooplankton groups were added to the existing marine groups. The simulations allowed us to evaluate the filter effect of the estuary with regard to the main nutrients (N, P, and Si). Today, this filter role appears quite limited and variable depending on the hydrology. On average, considering three different hydrological years, the estuary was able to retain (at least temporarily) 19 kt N yr−1, 10 kt Si yr−1, and 0.7 kt P yr−1, amounting to −13%, −11%, and −27% of the total N, Si, and P inputs, respectively. Seasonal differences in the filtering capacity (lower in winter than in summer) were similar between wet and dry years. Nutrient retention was higher in the upstream fluvial estuary than in the TMZ, the former being mostly characterized by uptake, the latter by remineralization. At the coastal zone, the dry year showed greater risk of eutrophication. Despite lower discharge and lower nutrient fluxes, inputs were confined into a shallower layer, close to the coastline, where nutrients were concentrated and allowed phytoplankton to thrive. Differences in the N : P : Si ratios (lower P‐deficit during dry years) could also underpin the larger proliferations, and notably the larger dinoflagellate blooms during dry years.
India and the United Kingdom—What big data health research can do for a country
Authors: Bandopadhyay Souvik , Murthy Gudlavalleti Venkata Satyanarayana , Prabhakaran Dorairaj , Taylor Paul , Banerjee Amitava
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Big data and growth in telecommunications have increased the enormous promise of an informatics approach to health care. India and the United Kingdom are two countries facing these challenges of implementing learning health systems and big data health research.

Analysis

At present, these opportunities are more likely to be exploited in the private sector or in public‐private partnerships (eg, Public Health Foundation of India [PHFI]) than public sector ventures alone. In both India and the United Kingdom, the importance of health informatics (HIs), a relatively new discipline, is being recognised and there are national initiatives in academic and health sectors to fill gaps in big data health research. The challenges are in many ways greater in India but outweighed by three potential benefits in health‐related scientific research: (a) increased productivity; (b) a learning health system with better use of data and better health outcomes; and (c) to fill workforce gaps in both research and practice.

Conclusions

Despite several system‐level obstacles, in India, big data research in health care can improve the status quo, whether in terms of patient outcomes or scientific discovery. Collaboration between India and the United Kingdom in HI can result in mutual benefits to academic and health care delivery organisations in both countries and can serve as examples to other countries embracing the promises and the pitfalls of health care research in the digital era.
Dysfunctional DNA repair pathway via defective FANCD2 gene engenders multifarious exomic and transcriptomic effects in Fanconi anemia
Authors: Velmurugan Karthik Raja , Michalak Pawel , Kang Lin , Fonville Natalie C. , Garner Harold R.
Published: November 2018

Background

Fanconi anemia (FA) affects only one in 130,000 births, but has severe and diverse clinical consequences. It has been theorized that defects in the FA DNA cross‐link repair complex lead to a spectrum of variants that are responsible for those diverse clinical phenotypes.

Methods

Using NextGen sequencing, we show that a clinically derived FA cell line had accumulated numerous genetic variants, including high‐impact mutations, such as deletion of start codons, introduction of premature stop codons, missense mutations, and INDELs.

Results

About 65% of SNPs and 55% of INDELs were found to be commonly present in both the FA dysfunctional and retrovirally corrected cell lines, showing their common origin. The number of INDELs, but not SNPs, is decreased in FANCD2‐corrected samples, suggesting that FANCD2 deficiency preferentially promotes the origin of INDELs. These genetic modifications had a considerable effect on the transcriptome, with statistically significant changes in the expression of 270 genes. These genetic and transcriptomic variants significantly impacted pathways and molecular functions, spanning a diverse spectrum of disease phenotypes/symptoms, consistent with the disease diversity seen in FA patients.

Conclusion

These results underscore the consequences of defects in the DNA cross‐link repair mechanism and indicate that accumulating diverse mutations from individual parent cells may make it difficult to anticipate the longitudinal clinical behavior of emerging disease states in an individual with FA.
DMD Open‐access Variant Explorer (DOVE): A scalable, open‐access, web‐based tool to aid in clinical interpretation of genetic variants in the DMD gene
Authors: Bailey Mitchell , Miller Nicole
Published: November 2018

Background

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne) is caused by pathogenic variants in the DMD gene. Antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) are one emerging precision medicine treatment for Duchenne. DMD molecular genetic testing results guide precision‐therapy molecular eligibility, requiring healthcare providers to perform analyses currently uncommon in clinical laboratory and medical practices. Clear DMD variant notation and interpretation are key components of clinical care with the availability of precision medicine.

Methods

The DMD Open‐access Variant Explorer (DOVE) is a web‐based aid for DMD variant interpretation which additionally reports variant‐specific predicted molecular eligibility for therapy. DOVE was developed in Python and adapted to the Django Web framework, integrates existing open‐access tools, and does not rely on previous variant report/classification.

Results

DOVE [www.dmd.nl/DOVE] interprets colloquial and HGMD inputs of DMD variants to output HGMD variant nomenclature, theoretical molecular eligibility for therapy, and any predicted deleterious molecular consequences of therapy. DOVE relies on holistic in silico prediction of molecular eligibility for therapy in lieu of reference to an empirically defined, “variant‐eligible” list. Examples illustrate the advantage and necessity for holistic variant interpretation.

Conclusion

DOVE may prove useful for variant interpretation both at patient‐level and in large‐scale programs such as newborn screening and has broad application in concept to molecular genetic test result interpretation.
Pseudo‐spherical Darboux images and lightcone images of principal‐directional curves of nonlightlike curves in Minkowski 3‐space
Authors: Zhou Kean , Wang Zhigang
Published: November 2018

Choosing an alternative frame, which is the Frenet frame of the principal‐directional curve along a nonlightlike Frenet curve γ, we define de Sitter Darboux images, hyperbolic Darboux images, and lightcone images generated by the principal directional curves of nonlightlike Frenet curves and investigate geometric properties of these associated curves under considerations of singularity theory, contact, and Legendrian duality. It is shown that pseudo‐spherical Darboux images and lightcone images can occur singularities (ordinary cusp) characterized by some important invariants. More interestingly, the cusp is closely related to the contact between nonlightlike Frenet curve γ and a slant helix, the principal‐directional curve ψ of γ and a helix or the principal‐directional curve ψ and a slant helix. In addition, some relations of Legendrian dualities between C‐curves and pseudo‐spherical Darboux images or lightcone images are shown. Some concrete examples are provided to illustrate our results.
Stability analysis and a numerical scheme for fractional Klein‐Gordon equations
Authors: Khan Hasib , Khan Aziz , Chen Wen , Shah Kamal
Published: November 2018

Fractional order nonlinear Klein‐Gordon equations (KGEs) have been widely studied in the fields like; nonlinear optics, solid state physics, and quantum field theory. In this article, with help of the Sumudu decomposition method (SDM), a numerical scheme is developed for the solution of fractional order nonlinear KGEs involving the Caputo's fractional derivative. The coupled method provides us very efficient numerical scheme in terms of convergent series. The iterative scheme is applied to illustrative examples for the demonstration and applications.
Evaluation of magnetohydrodynamic effects in magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography at ultra‐high magnetic fields
Authors: Minhas Atul S. , Chauhan Munish , Fu Fanrui , Sadleir Rosalind
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Artifacts observed in experimental magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography images were hypothesized to be because of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects.

Theory and Methods

Simulations of MREIT acquisition in the presence of MHD and electrical current flow were performed to confirm findings. Laminar flow and (electrostatic) electrical conduction equations were bidirectionally coupled via Lorentz force equations, and finite element simulations were performed to predict flow velocity as a function of time. Gradient sequences used in spin‐echo and gradient echo acquisitions were used to calculate overall effects on MR phase images for different electrical current application or phase‐encoding directions.

Results

Calculated and experimental phase images agreed relatively well, both qualitatively and quantitatively, with some exceptions. Refocusing pulses in spin echo sequences did not appear to affect experimental phase images.

Conclusion

MHD effects were confirmed as the cause of observed experimental phase changes in MREIT images obtained at high fields. These findings may have implications for quantitative measurement of viscosity using MRI techniques. Methods developed here may be also important in studies of safety and in vivo artifacts observed in high field MRI systems.
Reducing the number of samples in spatiotemporal dMRI acquisition design
Authors: Filipiak Patryk , Fick Rutger , Petiet Alexandra , Santin Mathieu , Philippe Anne‐Charlotte , Lehericy Stephane , Ciuciu Philippe , Deriche Rachid , Wassermann Demian
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Acquisition time is a major limitation in recovering brain white matter microstructure with diffusion magnetic resonance imaging. The aim of this paper is to bridge the gap between growing demands on spatiotemporal resolution of diffusion signal and the real‐world time limitations. The authors introduce an acquisition scheme that reduces the number of samples under adjustable quality loss.

Methods

Finding a sampling scheme that maximizes signal quality and satisfies given time constraints is NP‐hard. Therefore, a heuristic method based on genetic algorithm is proposed in order to find suboptimal solutions in acceptable time. The analyzed diffusion signal representation is defined in the qτ space, so that it captures both spacial and temporal phenomena.

Results

The experiments on synthetic data and in vivo diffusion images of the C57Bl6 wild‐type mouse corpus callosum reveal superiority of the proposed approach over random sampling and even distribution in the qτ space.

Conclusions

The use of genetic algorithm allows to find acquisition parameters that guarantee high signal reconstruction accuracy under given time constraints. In practice, the proposed approach helps to accelerate the acquisition for the use of qτ‐dMRI signal representation.
FDEM‐TH3D: A three‐dimensional coupled hydrothermal model for fractured rock
Authors: Yan Chengzeng , Jiao Yu‐Yong
Published: November 2018

This paper proposes a three‐dimensional coupled hydrothermal model for fractured rock based on the finite‐discrete element method to simulate fluid flow and heat transport. The 3D coupled hydrothermal model is composed of three main parts: a heat conduction model for the rock matrix, a heat transfer model for the fluid in the fractures (including heat conduction and heat convection), and a heat exchange model between the rock matrix and the fluid in the fractures. Four examples with analytical solutions are provided to verify the model. A heat exchange experiment of circulating water in a cylindrical granite sample with one fracture is simulated. The simulation results agree well with the experimental results. The effects of the fracture aperture, fluid viscosity, and pressure difference on the heat exchange between the fluid and rock are studied. Finally, an application concerned with heat transport and fluid flow in fractured rock is presented. The simulation results indicate that the 3D fully coupled hydrothermal model can capture the fluid flow and temperature evolution of rocks and fluids.
Personality Development in Emerging and Young Adulthood: A Study of Age Differences
Authors: Pusch Sebastian , Mund Marcus , Hagemeyer Birk , Finn Christine
Published: November 2018

Early adulthood is a time of substantial personality change characterized by large inter–individual diversity. To investigate the role of age in this diversity, the present study examined whether emerging adults differ from an older group of young adults in their Big Five personality development. By means of multi–group latent change modelling, two groups of 16– to 19–year–olds ( n = 3555) and 26– to 29–year–olds ( n = 2621) were tracked over the course of four years and compared regarding four aspects of personality change: mean–level change, rank–order change, inter–individual differences in change, and profile change. In addition, age–differential socialization effects associated with six first–time life events were investigated. Analyses revealed substantial age differences in all four aspects of change. As expected, emerging adults showed greater change and diversity in change than young adults. However, the six life events had no age–differential impact on change in single traits and Big Five profiles. Overall, the results indicate that age differences should be considered even in specific life stages to advance the understanding of personality development. © 2018 European Association of Personality Psychology
Hydrogen bonding assists stereocomplexation in poly(l‐lactic acid)/poly(d‐lactic acid) racemic blends
Authors: Li Zhaolei , Zhang Meng , Fan Xiao , Ye Xinxin , Zeng Yu , Zhou Haijun , Guo Weijie , Ma Yu , Shao Jun , Yan Chao
Published: November 2018

In this communication, we reported the sequence variation of stereocomplex crystals (SC) and homocrystals (HC) in poly(l‐lactic acid)/poly(d‐lactic acid) (PLLA/PDLA) racemic blends melts. It was evidenced that the emerging sequence of the SC and HC depends on the hydrogen bond formation in the melt, and the hydrogen bond is required for the stereocomplexation in PLLA/PDLA racemic blend. First, by combining a commercial fast‐scan chip‐calorimeter (Flash DSC 1) and micro‐FTIR, we found that hydrogen bonds were formed in the melt during cooling at 2.5 K/s, but not at 3000 K/s. Second, annealing the melt without hydrogen bonds at 100 °C led to HC emerging first, while annealing the melt with hydrogen bonds resulted in SC emerging at first. Third, the crystallization kinetics of the racemic blends after cooling to predefined Tc at 2.5 or 3000 K/s further verified that the hydrogen bonding can be inhibited effectively by cooling the racemic blends isotropic melt at fast enough rate. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 83–88
Genistein inhibits Aβ25–35‐induced SH‐SY5Y cell damage by modulating the expression of apoptosis‐related proteins and Ca2+ influx through ionotropic glutamate receptors
Authors: Xu Hui‐nan , Li Li‐xia , Wang Yu‐xiang , Wang Hong‐gang , An Di , Heng Bin , Liu Yan‐qiang
Published: November 2018

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of genistein against SH‐SY5Y cell damage induced by β‐amyloid 25–35 peptide (Aβ25–35) and the underlying mechanisms. Aβ‐induced neuronal death, apoptosis, glutamate receptor subunit expression, Ca2+ ion concentration, amino acid transmitter concentration, and apoptosis‐related factor expression were evaluated to determine the effects of genistein on Aβ‐induced neuronal death and apoptosis. The results showed that genistein increased the survival of SH‐SY5Y cells and decreased the level of apoptosis induced by Aβ25–35. In addition, genistein reversed the Aβ25–35‐induced changes in amino acid transmitters, α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) receptors, and N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits in SH‐SY5Y cells. Aβ25–35‐induced changes in Ca2+ and B‐cell lymphoma‐2 (Bcl‐2) and Bcl‐2‐associated X (Bax) protein and gene levels in cells were also reversed by genistein. Our data suggest that genistein protects against Aβ25–35‐induced damage in SH‐SY5Y cells, possibly by regulating the expression of apoptosis‐related proteins and Ca2+ influx through ionotropic glutamate receptors.