bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tooth loss and risk of end‐stage renal disease: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Han Kyungdo , Park Jun‐Beom
Published: August 2020

Background

The association between renal disease and oral health has been studied in previous researches. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether oral health, depicted by number of natural teeth was associated with an increased risk of kidney diseases.

Methods

The present study analysed data from the Korean National Health Insurance from 2007 to 2008. Database of 4,544,610 individuals who received routine health checkups and dental examinations were included in this study.

Results

There was an increase in end‐stage renal disease with lower number of natural teeth and longer follow‐up periods. Hazard ratios and their 95% confidence intervals for end‐stage renal disease in participants with a number of natural teeth of 28, 24 to 27, 20 to 23, and <20 were one (reference), 1.066(0.997,1.139), 1.285(1.161,1.422), and 1.285(1.155,1.429), respectively. The association was significantly noted with age and body mass index (P < 0.05). In general, the substantial increase in hazard ratios is seen with loss of teeth and smoking. Hazard ratios and their 95% confidence intervals for end‐stage renal disease in male smoking participants with a number of natural teeth <28 is 1.631(1.339,1.988). However, this association was not noted in female group.

Conclusions

The association between number of natural teeth and end‐stage renal disease was suggested after adjusting for confounding factors by using multiple logistic regression analyses from the entire South Korean population. Oral health, depicted by the number of tooth loss showed strong and dose‐dependent association with end‐stage renal disease in a large population‐based cohort.
Pressure effects on N2–N2 rototranslational Raman spectra predicted from leading spectral moments
Authors: Sokolov Andrei , Buldyreva Jeanna , Kouzov Alexander
Published: August 2020

Non‐Markovian effects having a strong influence on far‐wing intensities of spectroscopic signatures by molecular gases are analyzed theoretically with the use of a non‐Markovian relaxation matrix derived for rapidly colliding linear rotators (J. Chem. Phys. 149, 044305 [2018]) for the benchmark case of rototranslational Raman spectra of molecular nitrogen recorded at high densities up to very far wings (Phys. Lett. A 157, 44 [1991]). This matrix is built here on the base of the translational‐spectrum model of Birnbaum and Cohen and the recently computed, from known potential energy surfaces, two leading classical spectral moments (J. Ram. Spectrosc. 2020, DOI: 10.1002/jrs.5923). Theoretical intensity computations, going beyond the commonly used impact approximation, give much less overestimated values in the far wing and constitute a promising tool for getting accurate theoretical description of broad‐band spectra.
Lung Ultrasound in COVID‐19 A Role Beyond the Acute Phase?
Authors: Gaspardone Carlo , Meloni Carlo , Preda Alberto , Romagnolo Davide , Brugliera Luigia , Castellazzi Paola , Tettamanti Andrea , Conte Caterina , Secchi Antonio , Maranta Francesco , Iannaccone Sandro , Cianflone Domenico
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a viral illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. With the increasing number of improved and discharged patients with COVID‐19, the definition of an adequate follow‐up strategy is needed. The purpose of this study was to assess whether lung ultrasound (LUS) is an effective indicator of subclinical residual lung damage in patients with COVID‐19 who meet discharge criteria.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 70 consecutive patients with COVID‐19 who had a prolonged hospitalization with inpatient rehabilitation between April 6 and May 22, 2020. All of the patients underwent an LUS evaluation at discharge. Data of patients with more severe disease during the acute phase (ie, required ventilatory support) were compared to those of patients with milder disease.

Results

Among the 70 patients with COVID‐19 (22 women and 48 men; mean age ± SD, 68 ± 13 years), the LUS score before discharge was still frankly pathologic and higher in patients who had more severe disease during the acute phase compared to patients with milder disease (median [interquartile range], 8.0 [5.5–13.5] versus 2.0 [1.0–7.0]; P < .001), even when both categories met internationally defined discharge criteria.

Conclusions

Lung ultrasound can identify the persistence of subclinical residual lung damage in patients with severe COVID‐19 even if they meet discharge criteria. Considering the low cost, easy application, and lack of radiation exposure, LUS seems the ideal tool to be adopted in outpatient and primary care settings for the follow‐up of patients with COVID‐19.
Validation of a Telemedicine Quality Assurance Method for Point‐of‐Care Obstetric Ultrasound Used in Low‐Resource Settings
Authors: Dougherty Anne , Kasten Miriam , DeSarno Michael , Badger Gary , Streeter Mary , Jones David C. , Sussman Betsy , DeStigter Kristen
Published: August 2020

Objectives

A remote quality assurance and improvement protocol for point‐of‐care obstetric ultrasound in low‐resource areas was validated against the standard of care for obstetric ultrasound in the United States.

Methods

Compressed movie clip ultrasound images (obstetric sweep protocol) obtained by minimally trained personnel were read and interpreted by physicians with training in obstetric ultrasound. Observed findings were compared among readers and between each reader and the gold standard ultrasound scan report. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis.

Results

The agreements among readers and between readers and the gold standard, for the anterior and posterior variables of the placental location were excellent, with Cohen κ values of 0.81 to 0.88 and 0.77 to 0.9, respectively. Cohen κ values were slight or slight/fair for other placental locations (left, right, fundal, and low), and the sensitivity and specificity ranged widely. The agreement among readers and between readers and the gold standard for fetal number comparisons was also excellent, with Cohen κ values ranging from 0.82 to 1, sensitivity from 0.83 to 1, and specificity from 0.99 to 1. The agreement among readers for fetal presentation comparisons, according to the Cohen κ, ranged from 0.79 to 0.85 and between readers and the gold standard had values of 0.43 to 0.49. For biometric parameters and estimated gestational age calculations based on these parameters, inter‐reader reliability ranged from 0.79 to 0.85 for all parameters except femur length. Greater than 94% of obstetric sweep protocol ultrasound ages were within 7 days of the corresponding gold standard age.

Conclusions

Movie clip ultrasound images provided adequate information for remote readers to reliably determine the placental location, fetal number, fetal presentation, and pregnancy dating.
Iatrogenic Cholesteatoma Presenting as Neck Mass
Authors: Vella Joseph B. , Wackym P. Ashley , Wang He , Roychowdhury Sudipta T.
Published: August 2020

We present a rare iatrogenic cholesteatoma of the neck in a ten year old male four years after tympanomastoidectomy, an entity that to our knowledge has not been published in the literature for over 30 years. Furthermore, we discuss the diagnostic uncertainty of typical magnetic resonance imaging protocols for pediatric neck lesions and the improved diagnostic specificity of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging. En bloc surgical extirpation was performed. Laryngoscope, 131:E882–E884, 2021
Ablative Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser and Autologous Platelet‐Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars: A Comparative Clinico‐Immuno‐Histopathological Study
Authors: El‐Hawary Esraa E. , Nassar Samia , Hodeib Abeer A. , Shareef Mohamed M. , Fawzy Mohamed M.
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives

To compare the efficacy of autologous platelet‐rich plasma (PRP), ablative fractional carbon dioxide (FCO2) laser, and their combination in the treatment of atrophic acne scars, both clinically and immuno‐histopathologically.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Sixty patients were randomly divided into three equal groups. Group 1 received intradermal PRP injection sessions. Group 2 received FCO2 laser sessions. Group 3 received FCO2 laser followed by intradermal PRP injection sessions. Each group received three sessions at monthly intervals. The final assessment took place 3 months after the last session. Skin biopsies were obtained before and 1 month after treatment sessions with pathological evaluation.

Results

Combined PRP and FCO2 laser‐treated patients had a better clinical response, fewer side effects, and shorter downtime than FCO2 laser alone. PRP‐treated patients had some improvement but significantly lower than the other two groups.

Conclusion

The current study concluded that a combination of PRP and FCO2 laser is an effective and safe modality in the treatment of atrophic acne scars with better results than PRP or FCO2 laser alone. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Outcomes of Liver Transplantation Among Older Recipients With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in a Large Multicenter US Cohort: the Re‐Evaluating Age Limits in Transplantation Consortium
Authors: Kwong Allison J. , Devuni Deepika , Wang Connie , Boike Justin , Jo Jennifer , VanWagner Lisa , Serper Marina , Jones Lauren , Sharma Rajani , Verna Elizabeth C. , Shor Julia , German Margarita N. , Hristov Alexander , Lee Alexander , Spengler Erin , Koteish Ayman A. , Sehmbey Gurbir , Seetharam Anil , John Nimy , Patel Yuval , Kappus Matthew R. , Couri Thomas , Paul Sonali , Salgia Reena J. , Nhu Quan , Frenette Catherine T. , Lai Jennifer C. , Goel Aparna ,   Re‐Evaluating Age Limits in Transplantation (REALT) Consortium
Published: August 2020

The liver transplantation (LT) population is aging, with the need for transplant being driven by the growing prevalence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Older LT recipients with NASH may be at an increased risk for adverse outcomes after LT. Our objective is to characterize outcomes in these recipients in a large multicenter cohort. All primary LT recipients ≥65 years from 2010 to 2016 at 13 centers in the Re‐Evaluating Age Limits in Transplantation (REALT) consortium were included. Of 1023 LT recipients, 226 (22.1%) were over 70 years old, and 207 (20.2%) had NASH. Compared with other LT recipients, NASH recipients were older (68.0 versus 67.3 years), more likely to be female (47.3% versus 32.8%), White (78.3% versus 68.0%), Hispanic (12.1% versus 9.2%), and had higher Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease–sodium (21 versus 18) at LT (P < 0.05 for all). Specific cardiac risk factors including diabetes with or without chronic complications (69.6%), hypertension (66.3%), hyperlipidemia (46.3%), coronary artery disease (36.7%), and moderate‐to‐severe renal disease (44.4%) were highly prevalent among NASH LT recipients. Graft survival among NASH patients was 90.3% at 1 year and 82.4% at 3 years compared with 88.9% at 1 year and 80.4% at 3 years for non‐NASH patients (log‐rank P = 0.58 and P = 0.59, respectively). Within 1 year after LT, the incidence of graft rejection (17.4%), biliary strictures (20.9%), and solid organ cancers (4.9%) were comparable. Rates of cardiovascular (CV) complications, renal failure, and infection were also similar in both groups. We observed similar posttransplant morbidity and mortality outcomes for NASH and non‐NASH LT recipients. Certain CV risk factors were more prevalent in this population, although posttransplant outcomes within 1 year including CV events and renal failure were similar to non‐NASH LT recipients.
Myoclonus and Cerebellar Ataxia Following COVID‐19
Authors: Dijkstra Femke , Van den Bossche Tobi , Willekens Barbara , Cras Patrick , Crosiers David
Published: August 2020

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Effective crisis systems the focus of first‐ever MH international declaration
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: August 2020

Observing a need to organize services to meet the needs of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis that would ultimately lead to hope, recovery and action, mental health and substance use leaders in the United States and around the world have released the first‐ever international declaration on mental health crisis care.
Maternal Fructose Intake Increases Liver H2S Synthesis but Exarcebates its Fructose‐Induced Decrease in Female Progeny
Authors: Fauste Elena , Rodrigo Silvia , Aguirre Rodrigo , Donis Cristina , Rodríguez Lourdes , Álvarez‐Millán Juan J. , Panadero María I. , Otero Paola , Bocos Carlos
Published: August 2020

Scope

Fructose intake from added sugars correlates with the epidemic rise in metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, consumption of beverages containing fructose is allowed during gestation. Homocysteine (Hcy) is a well‐known risk factor for CVD while hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a product of its metabolism, has been proved to exert opposite effects to Hcy.

Methods and results

First, it is investigated whether maternal fructose intake produces subsequent changes in Hcy metabolism and H2S synthesis of the progeny. Carbohydrates are supplied to pregnant rats in drinking water (10% wt/vol) throughout gestation. Adult female descendants from fructose‐fed, control or glucose‐fed mothers are studied. Females from fructose‐fed mothers have elevated homocysteinemia, hepatic H2S production, cystathionine γ‐lyase (CSE) (the key enzyme in H2S synthesis) expression and plasma H2S, versus the other two groups. Second, it is studied how adult female progeny from control (C/F), fructose‐ (F/F), and glucose‐fed (G/F) mothers responded to liquid fructose and compared them to the control group (C/C). Interestingly, hepatic CSE expression and H2S synthesis are diminished by fructose intake, this effect being more pronounced in F/F females.

Conclusion

Maternal fructose intake produces a fetal programming that increases hepatic H2S production and, in contrast, exacerbates its fructose‐induced drop in female progeny.
A novel frequency scanning monopulse slotted waveguides array with enhanced scan sector
Authors: Zong Yao , Ding Jun , Guo Chenjiang , Li Chao
Published: August 2020

A wide‐angle frequency scanning narrow‐wall slotted waveguide array antenna with monopulse function is designed for two‐dimensional electrical scanning radar and communication systems. A novel slow wave waveguide formed by loading the periodic metal T‐shaped sheets onto the narrow wall is used to enhance the frequency scanning angular sector of the edge‐slotted waveguide traveling wave array. Two slotted waveguides with 35 radiation slots are arranged in a segmented frequency scanning structure to simultaneously achieve sum/difference patterns in the E‐plan. The prototype antenna fabricated and welded by aluminum is composed of 70 × 8 radiation slots with an overall size of 425 mm × 45 mm × 10 mm. The measured results show that the designed array exhibits a frequency scanning angle range of 20.6° at a relative operating bandwidth of 10% with greater than 50% aperture efficiency. The measured sidelobe level of sum beam is less than −17 dB, and null depth of difference beam pattern is below –25 dB over operating frequency band. This structure can be used to design the electrical two‐dimensional scanning array with a scanning sector greater than 20° × 80°.
Development of aMSTsensor probe, based on aSP3Tswitch, for biomedical applications
Authors: Donelli Massimo , Manekiya Muhammedhusen , Iannacci Jacopo
Published: August 2020

Recently wireless sensors based on modulated scattering techniques (MST) have been applied to different practical scenarios demonstrating their capabilities. A particular configuration of the MST sensor antenna permits to retrieve the electric characteristics of the media which surround the antenna tag. Thanks to the capability of MST probes to retrieve the dielectric characteristics of the surrounding media, MST probes can be applied efficiently for biomedical applications. The development of MST sensors working at microwave frequency bands require the development of suitable and expensive RF switches, to avoid this problem RF‐MEMS microwave switches could be considered. In this work the use of a customized SP3T MEMs for MST probes has been considered. Thanks to the MEMs switch an MST probe can be developed considering reduced dimensions, complexity, and good performances up to high frequency bands. In particular, an MST system able to transmit data and the dielectric characteristics of the surrounding media through a wireless channel has been designed, fabricated, and experimentally assessed. The obtained experimental results demonstrated the capabilities of MST probes as miniaturized biomedical sensors.
Improving contrast and spatial resolution in crystal analyzer‐based x‐ray dark‐field imaging: Theoretical considerations and experimental demonstration
Authors: Ando Masami , Nakao Yuki , Jin Ge , Sugiyama Hiroshi , Sunaguchi Naoki , Sung Yongjin , Suzuki Yoshifumi , Sun Yong , Tanimoto Michio , Kawashima Katsuhiro , Yuasa Tetsuya , Mori Kensaku , Ichihara Shu , Gupta Rajiv
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper describes and experimentally validates a methodology for improving contrast and spatial resolution of the x‐ray dark‐field imaging (XDFI) by cutting the monochromator‐collimator asymmetrically and thinning the Laue angle analyzer.

Methods

We measure the spatial resolution of our XDFI setup using a test object consisting of wolfram tungsten meshes and compare it with the theoretical prediction. Using x‐ray dark‐field computed tomography of breast cancer specimens (lobular carcinoma in situ), we demonstrate that the resolution of XDFI is sufficient for histopathologic analysis.

Results

Our experimental results show that the overall spatial resolution of XDFI can be improved by approximately a factor of 2 when these modifications are implemented. The reconstructed images of breast cancer specimens provide sufficient details for radiologic histopathology.

Conclusions

By cutting the monochromator‐collimator and thinning the Laue angle analyzer, XDFI can achieve the resolution sufficient for radiologic histopathology.
Simultaneous proton density fat‐fraction and imaging with water‐specific T1 mapping (PROFIT1): application in liver
Authors: Thompson Richard B. , Chow Kelvin , Mager Diana , Pagano Joseph J. , Grenier Justin
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To describe and validate a simultaneous proton density fat‐fraction (PDFF) imaging and water‐specific T1 mapping (T1(Water)) approach for the liver (PROFIT1) with mapping and low sensitivity to calibration or inhomogeneity.

Methods

A multiecho gradient‐echo sequence, with and without saturation preparation, was designed for simultaneous imaging of liver PDFF, , and T1(Water) (three slices in ~13 seconds). Chemical‐shift‐encoded MRI processing yielded fat‐water separated images and maps. T1(Water) calculation utilized saturation and nonsaturation‐recovery water‐separated images. Several variable flip angle schemes across k‐space (increasing flip angles in sequential RF pulses) were evaluated for minimization of T1 weighting, to reduce the dependence of T1(Water) and PDFF (reduced flip angle dependence). T1(Water) accuracy was validated in mixed fat‐water phantoms, with various PDFF and T1 values (3T). In vivo application was illustrated in five volunteers and five patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (PDFF, T1(Water), ).

Results

A sin3(θ) flip angle pattern (0 < θ < π/2 over k‐space) yielded the largest PROFIT1 signal yield with negligible dependence for both T1(Water) and PDFF. Mixed fat‐water phantom experiments illustrated excellent agreement between PROFIT1 and gold‐standard spectroscopic evaluation of PDFF and T1(Water) (<1% T1 error). In vivo PDFF, T1(Water), and maps illustrated independence of the PROFIT1 values from inhomogeneity and significant differences between volunteers and patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease for T1(Water) (927 ± 56 ms vs. 1033 ± 23 ms; P < .05) and PDFF (2.0% ± 0.8% vs. 13.4% ± 5.0%, P < .05).  was similar between groups.

Conclusion

The PROFIT1 pulse sequence provides fast simultaneous quantification of PDFF, T1(Water), and with minimal sensitivity to miscalibration or inhomogeneity.
Micromechanical modeling for rate‐dependent behavior of salt rock under cyclic loading
Authors: Shen Xianda , Ding Jihui , Arson Chloé , Chester Judith S. , Chester Frederick M.
Published: August 2020

The dependence of rock behavior on the deformation rate is still not well understood. In salt rock, the fundamental mechanisms that drive the accumulation of irreversible deformation, the reduction of stiffness, and the development of hysteresis during cyclic loading are usually attributed to intracrystalline plasticity and diffusion. We hypothesize that at low pressure and low temperature, the rate‐dependent behavior of salt rock is governed by water‐assisted diffusion along grain boundaries. Accordingly, a chemo‐mechanical homogenization framework is proposed in which the representative elementary volume (REV) is viewed as a homogeneous polycrystalline matrix that contains sliding grain‐boundary cracks. The slip is related to the mass of salt ions that diffuse along the crack surface. The relationship between fluid inclusion‐scale and REV‐scale stresses and strains is established by using the Mori–Tanaka homogenization scheme. It is noted from the model that a lower strain rate and a larger number of sliding cracks enhance stiffness reduction and hysteresis. Thinner sliding cracks (i.e., thinner brine films) promote stiffness reduction and accelerate stress redistributions. The larger the volume fraction of the crack inclusions, the larger the REV deformation and the larger the hysteresis. Results presented in this study shed light on the mechanical behavior of salt rock that is pertinent to the design of geological storage facilities that undergo cyclic unloading, which could help optimize the energy production cycle with low carbon emissions.
Nursing students' views and satisfaction of their clinical learning environment in Singapore
Authors: Woo Ming Wei Jeffrey , Li Wenjie
Published: August 2020

Aims

This study aims to investigate final‐year nursing students' actual perception of their clinical learning environment in Singapore.

Design

Descriptive cross‐sectional survey.

Methods

An online survey based on the clinical learning environment inventory (CLEI; “Actual” version) was administered to final‐year (third year) nursing students (N = 301) in a polytechnic in Singapore between May–July 2018.

Results

Most nursing students reported moderate satisfaction with their clinical learning environment, reflecting their positive (although not strongly positive) perceptions. Among the six constructs of the CLEI, the higher scores of the constructs of “Personalization” and “Task orientation” implied their greater contribution to the positive view. Conversely, the lower scores of “Individualization” and “Innovation” implied their lesser contribution. Additionally, the positive correlation between “satisfaction” and the other five CLEI constructs was found to be statistically significant.
Functional health literacy and caregiving burden among family caregivers of patients with end‐stage renal disease
Authors: Abed Mona A. , Khalifeh Anas H. , Khalil Amani A. , Darawad Muhammad W. , Moser Debra K.
Published: August 2020

Family caregivers of patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) experience significant caregiver‐related burden, yet the contribution of their functional health literacy (FHL) to caregiving burden has not been elucidated. We investigated the magnitude of FHL and caregiving burden and their association in a descriptive, correlational cross‐sectional study of family caregivers of Jordanian patients with ESRD (N = 88). The short versions of the FHL for Adults and the Zarit Burden Interview were used for assessment of caregivers. Demographic and clinical information of patients and their family caregivers were self‐reported. Of family caregivers, 41% had limited FHL and 38% experienced high caregiver burden. FHL and history of comorbidity in family caregivers predicted caregiving burden independent of demographic and clinical factors. Consideration of FHL in support interventions for family caregivers may minimize some of the high perceived caregiving burden, but clinical trials of such interventions are needed to confirm this conclusion.
Grafting of the hierarchical natural tannic acid and polyethyleneimine onto carbon fiber for significantly improved surface/interface properties
Authors: Cui Xuejun , Liu Jianhui , Ma Lichun , Wang Xingong , Zheng Yawen , Wang Xiaoyun , Wu Guangshun
Published: August 2020

The interfacial adhesion between carbon fibers (CFs) and matrix is mainly controlled by inherent surface structures and mutual wettability. However, CFs, with superior properties, have the low of surface wettability and activity. Changing the fiber surface can enhance the quality of interface, which expands the engineering application of CFs composites. Noticeably, the most traditional procedures involve the deterioration of fiber structure by multistep manipulation to introduce active sites, toxic reagents, high energy consumption, as well as the poor interfacial interaction between the fibers and the modified materials by the coating or deposition. Herein, an environmentally friendly and mild strategy was facilely designed via firmly coating tannic acid (TA, a renewable plant‐based polyphenol, the versatile adhesive) and then covalently grafted branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) onto the fiber surface. The novel grafting significantly increased fiber surface polarity, roughness and interfacial wettability without destroying surface microstructure, resulted in the sharp improvements in interlaminar shear strength (ILSS, 51.34 MPa) and interfacial shear strength (IFSS, 66.21 MPa). Impact strength and hydrothermal aging resistance of the resulting composites were also greatly increased. The hierarchical reinforcement arising from a promising and green strategy is facile to be prepared advanced polymer composites in multifunctional applications with the demand of highly interfacial properties and the usages of energy conservation.
ZHX2 inhibits SREBP1c‐mediated de novo lipogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma via miR‐24‐3p
Authors: Yu Xiangguo , Lin Qinghai , Wu Zhuanchang , Zhang Yankun , Wang Tixiao , Zhao Songbai , Song Xiaojia , Chen Chaojia , Wang Zehua , Xu Leiqi , Li Chunyang , Gao Lifen , Liang Xiaohong , Yue Xuetian , Ma Chunhong
Published: August 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer‐related death worldwide. Lipogenesis has been considered as a critical player in HCC initiation and progression. However, the underlying mechanism is still not fully understood. Here, we identified zinc fingers and homeoboxes 2 (ZHX2), an HCC‐associated tumor suppressor, as an important repressor of de novo lipogenesis. Ectopic expression of ZHX2 significantly inhibited de novo lipogenesis in HCC cells and decreased expression of FASN, ACL, ACC1, and SCD1. In accordance with this, ZHX2 was negatively associated with SREBP1c, the master regulator of de novo lipogenesis, in HCC cell lines and human specimens. Results from silencing and overexpression demonstrated that ZHX2 inhibited de novo lipogenesis and consequent HCC progression via repression of SREBP1c. Furthermore, treatment with the SREBP1c inhibitor fatostatin dampened the spontaneous formation of tumors in liver‐specific Zhx2 knockout mice. Mechanistically, ZHX2 increased expression of miR‐24‐3p transcriptionally, which targeted SREBP1c and led to its degradation. In conclusion, our data suggest a novel mechanism through which ZHX2 suppresses HCC progression, which may provide a new strategy for the treatment of HCC. © 2020 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of temperature and deformation rate on fracture behavior of S‐2 glass/epoxy laminated composites
Authors: Kaya Zafer , Balcıoğlu Hüseyin Ersen , Gün Halit
Published: August 2020

Cracks can occur in the composite structures during production, assembly, or usage. Environment temperature, deformation rate, and crack geometry have a direct influence on the fracture behavior of laminated composites. In this study, the fracture behavior of S‐2 glass/epoxy composites having different crack geometry at different temperatures and deformation rates was investigated experimentally and numerically. Within the scope of the study, the fracture toughness (K) and strain energy release rate (G) values of samples with 5 mm crack geometry were calculated for the crack tip opening conditions in Mode I and Mode I/II. Fracture tests at different environmental temperatures were performed to investigate the effects of temperature on fracture behavior. Fracture tests were achieved at three different deformation rates, to exhibit the relationship between crack initiation and deformation rate. Also, the fracture behavior of S‐2 glass/epoxy laminated composites was analyzed by using the finite element method (FEM). S‐2 glass fabric reinforced composite is used as a new alternative to traditional building materials, especially in the aviation, space and military industries. The results obtained from the experimental and FEM studies of this composite structure showed that different environmental and loading conditions were effective on the fracture behavior of the composite structure.
Simulation of differential structure and dynamics of disulfide bond isoforms of conopeptideAuIBin presence of humanα3β4nAChR
Authors: Sajeevan Karuna Anna , Roy Durba
Published: August 2020

The structure and function of conopeptides are usually strongly modulated by disulfide bond linkage patterns. Conopeptide AuIB is a selective inhibitor of the mammalianα3β4nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), found in the neuromuscular junctions. The non‐native ribbon isoform ofα‐conotoxin, AuIB, is reported to be significantly more potent than the native globular isoform. However, experiments show that their binding sites on mammalian nAChR are different. The difference in the structure and dynamics of these two isoforms when bound to the globular isoform binding site in homology modeled human (α3)3‐(β4)2nAChR is explored in this work. The isoforms are compared in their unbound and bound states through equilibrium and replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations. Interaction energy map between the key peptide and the receptor residues involved in binding, secondary structures of the peptide and intra‐peptide H‐bonding patterns bring out the difference in non‐bonding interactions and structure of the isoforms while being bound to the receptor. Dynamics exhibited by the isoforms as followed by principal component analysis (PCA), using internal coordinates of backbone dihedral angles, reveal that the ribbon isoform is significantly more flexible as compared to the globular isoform, when bound to the latter's binding site, near the Cys‐loop of theα3(+)β4(−) junction of human (α3)3(β4)2nAChR. The works brings out differences in the structure and dynamical modes exhibited by the isoforms as it explores the receptor surface.
Efficacy of fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage in childhood‐onset, complicated plastic bronchitis
Authors: Wang Li , Wang Wang , Sun Jing‐min , Ni Shen‐wang , Ding Jun‐li , Zhu Yu‐lin , Ding Sheng‐gang
Published: August 2020

Background

Plastic bronchitis (PB) is a rare, variable, and potentially fatal disease. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in treating children with PB.

Methods

In total, 15 children with PB, between 2012 and 2020, were enrolled in our study. Within 12 hours of admission, FOB and BAL were performed and reviewed under local anesthesia and sedation. Before and after FOB, clinical findings and chest imaging were evaluated.

Results

Regarding the onset of symptoms before FOB, all cases had prominent cough for 7.00 ± 4.55 days, and 14 had persistent high fever. In total, 13 cases had complete obstruction from bronchial casts, consistent with consolidated lesions; 2 had partial airway obstruction. Within 3 days, complete resolution was revealed in nine cases. Overall, six cases underwent repeated FOB (range, 2‐3 times) for persistent atelectasis and airway obstruction. Except for two cases with type 2 PB, cast histology confirmed type 1 PB for all cases. Only eight children had minor intra‐ and post‐procedure complications. Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction for Mycoplasma pneumoniae in sputum and BAL samples were positive in 13 cases. Next‐generation sequencing of the BAL samples was positive for adenovirus and Human parainfluenza virus in one case, respectively. During 1 month to 7 years of follow‐up, no patient developed PB recurrence, asthmatic attacks, or chronic cough.

Conclusions

Early FOB and BAL were effective in alleviating clinical findings, atelectasis, and airway obstruction. Serial FOB could be performed in patients with recurrent symptoms.
‐Corrected Poisson‐Lie T‐Duality
Authors: Hassler Falk , Rochais Thomas
Published: August 2020

We propose leading order ‐corrections to the Poisson‐Lie T‐duality transformation rules of the metric, B‐field, and dilaton. Based on Double Field Theory, whose corrections to this order are known, we argue that they map conformal field theories to conformal field theories. Remarkably, Born geometry plays a central role in the construction.
Does resource‐mediated stress affect colony personality in leaf‐cutting ants?
Authors: Gandra Lailla C , Amaral Karina D , Couceiro Joel C , Guedes Raul NC , Della Lucia Terezinha MC
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Animal personality refers to behavioral consistency and propensity. In social insects, little is known about the interplay between colony personality and colony foraging. This study aimed to assess personality traits among colonies of the leaf‐cutting ants Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus and Acromyrmex subterraneus molestans and examine their behavioral consistency when provided with a toxic substrate, nasturtium leaves [Tropaeolum majus L. (Tropaeolaceae)], with potential as a management tool against these pest species. The association between colony behavioral traits and fungus garden growth was also examined, and thus the efficacy of the colony suppression.

RESULTS

Behavioral variation was higher between colonies than between subspecies. Behavioral traits were correlated before and after exposure to resource‐mediated stress in both subspecies, indicating the existence of behavioral syndrome. The dimensions that contributed most to colony personality (activity, aggressiveness, and boldness) are directly related to colony resource searching and foraging. However, these dimensions diverged in their contribution before and after exposure to nasturtium. Colony activity was the major determinant of fungus garden growth, which is probably a consequence of its relationship with foraging behaviors and maintenance of the fungus garden.

CONCLUSION

As the personality of a colony is unequally defined by its constituent castes, the relationship and network of interactions are determinants of foraging behaviors with relevant consequences for colony suppression using toxic foraging substrates that impair these relationships and interactions, as nasturtium leaves do. Therefore, it is plausible to say that resource‐mediated stress affects colonies personality exhibiting control potential against these species.
Push‐pull to manage leaf‐cutting ants: an effective strategy in forestry plantations
Authors: Perri Daiana V , Gorosito Norma B , Schilman Pablo E , Casaubón Edgardo A , Dávila Camila , Fernández Patricia C
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Leaf‐cutting ants (LCAs) are amongst the most important forestry pests in South America. Currently, their control is carried out almost exclusively through the application of toxic baits of restricted use. Here we evaluate a push‐pull strategy (i.e., the simultaneous use of attractant and repellent stimuli in order to divert pests) to manage LCAs Acromyrmex spp. in young willow plantations in the area of Delta of the Parana River, Argentina, a wetland ecosystem. First, we surveyed ants' selection of farmland vegetation during one year. Then, we estimated ants' preferences between the willow Salix babylonica and a subsample of plant species from farmland vegetation under laboratory conditions. Finally, we designed and performed a fully crossed experimental field assay to evaluate a push‐pull strategy by using farmland vegetation as pull stimulus.

RESULTS

We surveyed 39 plant species in the area, 19 of which had been foraged by LCAs along the year. Plants were selected by species, not by abundance. In the lab, ants showed similar preference for the cultivated willow and the subsample of plant species. Push‐pull was the only treatment that maintained willow remaining vegetation above 60–80% at the end of the growing season.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time the push‐pull strategy was evaluated in social insects. We demonstrated that it can be successfully used to manage LCAs in young willow plantations. Our strategy generates biodiversity, which can improve the ecosystem functioning, and it can be easily implemented by producers since its design is based on regular willow plantations.
Insecticide rotation scheme restores insecticide susceptibility in thiamethoxam‐resistant field populations of Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), in Florida
Authors: Chen Xue Dong , Neupane Surendra , Gossett Hunter , Pelz‐Stelinski Kirsten S , Stelinski Lukasz L
Published: August 2020

Background

We investigated rotation using insecticides with multiple modes of action as a resistance management strategy for Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), in Florida. The stability of thiamethoxam resistance was investigated in the laboratory by establishing populations of field‐collected, resistant D. citri and rearing them under no insecticide exposure. Furthermore, recovery of susceptibility was investigated in the field by initiating rotation to insecticides in plots that previously were treated with consecutive thiamethoxam applications.

Results

The resistance ratio (RR) for thiamethoxam reached between 1266.29‐ and 1395.00‐fold after three and four consecutive applications of thiamethoxam, respectively. However, the RR for thiamethoxam remained low (1.71–5.28‐fold) under both rotations at both Lake Alfred and Wauchula. Thiamethoxam was cross‐resistant with imidacloprid (RR site 1 = 1059.65‐fold, RR site 2 = 1595.43‐fold) and clothianidin (RR site 1 = 1798.78‐fold, RR site 2 = 1270.57‐fold) in the nonrotated treatment at both sites. There was very low cross‐resistance to other insecticides with different modes of action. Both laboratory and field investigations indicated that susceptibility to thiamethoxam fully recovered after five D. citri generations. Expression of CYP4C67 was significantly increased in resistant populations.

Conclusion

Our results revealed that D. citri populations develop a high level of resistance following only three or four consecutive neonicotinoid sprays; this was associated with subsequent product failure. Our data suggest that metabolic detoxification by cytochrome P450s contributes to thiamethoxam resistance in D. citri. Overall, the investigation demonstrated that resistance to thiamethoxam can be managed readily in populations of D. citri by rotating modes of action.
Effective Mechanical Responses of a Class of 2D Chiral Materials
Authors: Wang Yun-Che , Ko Tsai-Wen , Ren Xuejun
Published: August 2020

Chiral materials may exhibit negative Poisson's ratio and deformation‐mode coupling phenomena. The finite element numerical method is adopted to analyze a class of 2D chiral and nonchiral materials and to show the effects of microstructural geometry on their effective elastic properties and coupling between tension/compression and bending. With the same area fraction (AF), nonchiral samples show larger effective moduli than chiral ones. The number of unit cells may reduce negativity in effective Poisson's ratio of the chiral samples due to nonuniform lateral deformation under uniaxial straining. Increasing AF in a hierarchical pattern in the chiral samples makes their Poisson's ratio more negative. Bending occurs in the chiral samples when they are under uniform, uniaxial, tensile, or compressive straining due to the coupling of deformation modes. The sensibility of tension–bending coupling may be controlled by the chiral microstructure. Optimization of the coupling sensitivity may help develop novel mechanical sensors.
Optimization of compound‐specific chlorine stable isotope analysis of chloroform using the Taguchi design of experiments
Authors: Asfaw Berhane Abrha , Sakaguchi‐Söder Kaori , Bernstein Anat , Siebner Hagar , Schüth Christoph
Published: August 2020

Rationale

Chloroform, a probable human carcinogen, is commonly detected in various concentration levels in many surface water and groundwater sources. Compound‐specific chlorine stable isotope analysis (Cl‐CSIA) is significant in investigating the fate of chlorinated contaminants in the environment. Analytical conditions should, however, be thoroughly examined for any isotopic fractionation. In this study, we simultaneously optimize three analytical parameters for a robust online Cl‐CSIA of chloroform using the Taguchi design of experiments.

Methods

For Cl‐CSIA, a purge‐and‐trap autosampler coupled to a gas chromatograph in tandem with a quadrupole mass spectrometer, with electron ionization in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode, was used. Using the Taguchi method, the dominant parameter affecting the results of Cl‐CSIA for chloroform was identified through concurrent investigation of the signal‐to‐noise ratios (S/N) of three parameters, each at three levels: purging time (5, 10, 15 min), transfer time (80, 120, 160 s), and dwell time (20, 60, 100 ms). Moreover, the optimum combination of the levels was identified.

Results

The purging time, with a maximum S/N, resulted in the highest influence on the isotope ratios determined. It was further refined through additional experiments to sufficiently extract chloroform from the aqueous phase. Accordingly, 8 min of purging time, 120 s transfer time and 100 ms dwell time were the optimum conditions for Cl‐CSIA of chloroform. Post‐optimization, a precision of ±0.28 ‰ was achieved for 8.4 nmol of chloroform (equivalent to 0.89 μg or approx. 25 nmol Cl‐mass on column).

Conclusions

A simple online method for Cl‐CSIA of chloroform was optimized with the Taguchi design of experiments. The Taguchi method was very useful for the optimization of the analytical conditions. However, the purging conditions should be fine‐tuned and selected so that sufficient extraction of a target compound is confirmed to acquire a stable and higher precision of the method.
Should Anisotropic Emission or Reabsorption of Nanoparticle Luminophores Be Optimized for Increasing Luminescent Solar Concentrator Efficiency?
Authors: Moraitis Panagiotis , de Boer Dick K. G. , Prins P. Tim , de Mello Donegá Celso , Neyts Kristaan , van Sark Wilfried G. J. H. M.
Published: August 2020

For the optimization of solar‐to‐electricity conversion efficiency of luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), luminophores are treated as isotropic emitters. As rod‐shaped nanocrystals are being developed, their anisotropic emission properties may be beneficial for LSC efficiency, as it is expected that escape cone losses can be reduced by proper alignment of nanorods (NRs). Herein, theoretical considerations and Monte Carlo ray‐tracing simulations are used to examine the effect of anisotropic emission of luminophores on LSC performance, using nonspherical nanoparticles. Three different nanoparticles are examined with different Stokes shift and with two different quantum yield (QY) values (QY = 1 and QY = 0.7). In the case of a rod‐shaped emitter with emission intensity distribution aligned perpendicular to the lightguide plane, escape cone losses can potentially be reduced to ≈9%, compared to 25.5% for isotropic emission. For more realistic anisotropic emitters, escape cone losses reduce to ≈19%. Nonetheless, it is found that the useful emission of isotropic quantum dots with low reabsorption is much larger than that of aligning anisotropic emitting NRs with high reabsorption. Hence, focus on reducing reabsorption loss yields larger improvements in LSC device efficiency than focus on aligned NRs.
Prediction method of bridge static deformation based on dynamic test
Authors: Lu Pengzhen , Pan Jinpeng , Hong Tao , Li Dengguo , Chen Yangrui
Published: August 2020

To solve the high cost of bridge load tests, considerable influence on traffic, and damage to bridge structure in the process of problem detection and maintenance of existing bridges, we use the method of improved Gaussian process response surface to explore the prediction of the rigidity and unit weight of existing bridges to produce high‐precision predictions of the existing bridge static test. The Gaussian process response surface method in Bayesian principle is adopted to optimize and correct the model. Because Gaussian process is a non‐parameter model with high sensitivity, reliable accuracy, and small calculation, it avoids repeatedly using finite element model. This makes the efficiency of finite element correction improve significantly. A continuous beam bridge is adopted as a study case. In sample selection, an improved uniform design method based on weighting is designed to improve the learning efficiency and prediction accuracy of the model while using ANSYS to analyze and predict the typical bridge. The analysis of the date of the bridge dynamic test is used to correct the finite element model, obtain the actual parameters of the bridge structure, and predict the measured data of the bridge static load test based on the modified finite element model.
Context‐based automation of critical infrastructure systems for efficiency, stakeholder equity, and resilience
Authors: Marshall Curtis J. , Roberts Blake , Grenn Michael W. , Holzer Thomas H.
Published: August 2020

There is an urgent need for more efficient and resilient infrastructure systems to support a growing population with increasingly scarce resources worldwide. As the demand for limited natural and man‐made resources grows, improved methods for resolving anticipated and unforeseen conflicts of availability are needed. System automation has broadly been adopted for efficiency optimization and resource deconfliction via preplanned actions and responses to anticipated needs. However, human intervention is still relied upon up to resolve emergent issues for which automation lacks the flexibility and adaptability to resolve. In this research, a context‐based decision model for system automation is presented that uses satisficing heuristics to deconflict shared resources without preplanning or human intervention. Via modeling and simulation, the presented model and existing rule‐based algorithms were applied to an air traffic management problem to compare performance with respect to: (a) system efficiency, (b) standard deviation of efficiency, and (c) system stability as a measure of disruption avoidance. Simulation results demonstrate that the presented model concurrently supports efficiency optimization and disruption avoidance for airspace deconfliction, averaging 9.7% higher system efficiency and a 1.5% lower standard deviation of efficiency than the existing rule‐based standard for aircraft collision avoidance (based on an air traffic density of 45 aircraft per 10 000 square nautical miles). The model presented here is extensible to engineered systems that rely on shared, finite resources for mission execution. This research is relevant to the domains of critical infrastructure management, risk management, distributed control systems, and mission assurance.