bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polyp expansion of passive suspension feeders: a red coral case study
Authors: Rossi Sergio , Rizzo Lucia , Duchêne Jean-Claude
Published: July 2019

Polyp activity in passive suspension feeders has been considered to be affected by several environmental factors such as hydrodynamics, water temperature and food concentration. To better elucidate the driving forces controlling polyp expansion in these organisms and the potential role of particle concentration, the octocoral Corallium rubrum was investigated in accordance with two approaches: (1) high-frequency in-situ observations examining various environmental and biological variables affecting the water column, and (2) video-recorded flume-controlled laboratory experiments performed under a range of environmental and biological conditions, in terms of water temperature, flow speed, chemical signals and zooplankton. In the field, C. rubrum polyp expansion correlated positively with particle (seston and zooplankton) concentration and current speed. This observation was confirmed by the flume video records of the laboratory experiments, which showed differences in polyp activity due to changes in temperature and current speed, but especially in response to increasing nutritional stimuli. The maximum activity was observed at the highest level of nutritional stimulus consisting of zooplankton. Zooplankton and water movement appeared to be the main factors controlling polyp expansion. These results suggest that the energy budget of passive suspension feeders (and probably the benthic community as a whole) may rely on their ability to maximise prey capture during food pulses. The latter, which may be described as discontinuous organic matter (dead or alive) input, may be the key to a better understanding of benthic-pelagic coupling processes and trophic impacts on animal forests composed of sessile suspension feeders.
Complete chloroplast genomes of medicinally importantTeucriumspecies and comparative analyses with related species from Lamiaceae
Authors: Khan Arif , Asaf Sajjad , Khan Abdul Latif , Khan Adil , Al-Harrasi Ahmed , Al-Sudairy Omar , AbdulKareem Noor Mazin , Al-Saady Nadiya , Al-Rawahi Ahmed
Published: July 2019

Teucriumis one of the most economically and ecologically important genera in the Lamiaceae family; however, it is currently the least well understood at the plastome level. In the current study, we sequenced the complete chloroplast (cp) genomes ofT. stocksianumsubsp.stenophyllumR.A.King (TSS),T. stocksianumsubsp.stocksianumBoiss. (TS) andT. mascatenseBoiss. (TM) through next-generation sequencing and compared them with the cp genomes of related species in Lamiaceae (Ajuga reptansL.,Caryopteris mongholicaBunge,Lamium albumL.,Lamium galeobdolon(L.) Crantz, andStachys byzantinaK.Koch). The results revealed that the TSS, TS and TM cp genomes have sizes of 150,087, 150,076 and 150,499 bp, respectively. Similarly, the large single-copy (LSC) regions of TSS, TS and TM had sizes of 81,707, 81,682 and 82,075 bp, respectively. The gene contents and orders of these genomes were similar to those of other angiosperm species. However, various differences were observed at the inverted repeat (IR) junctions, and the extent of the IR expansion into ψrps19was 58 bp, 23 bp and 61 bp in TSS, TS and TM, respectively. Similarly, in all genomes, thepbsAgene was present in the LSC at varying distances from the JLA(IRa-LSC) junction. Furthermore, 89, 72, and 92 repeats were identified in the TSS, TM and TS cp genomes, respectively. The highest number of simple sequence repeats was found in TSS (128), followed by TS (127) and TM (121). Pairwise alignments of the TSS cp genome with related cp genomes showed a high degree of synteny. However, relatively lower sequence identity was observed when various coding regions were compared to those of related cp genomes. The average pairwise divergence among the complete cp genomes showed that TSS was more divergent from TM (0.018) than from TS (0.006). The current study provides valuable genomic insight into the genusTeucriumand its subspecies that may be applied to a more comprehensive study.
Controls of plant diversity and composition on a desert archipelago
Authors: Wilder Benjamin T. , Felger Richard S. , Ezcurra Exequiel
Published: July 2019

Aim

With the most robust floristic data set for any arid archipelago, we use statistical modeling to determine the underlying controls of plant diversity and species composition.

Location

The study was undertaken in the Midriff Islands of the Gulf of California, Mexico.

Methods

Using the area–diversity relationship we estimate the power coefficientzwith generalized linear models (GLM). We tested eight predictors (area, human presence, habitat diversity, topography, distance to mainland, island type, precipitation, and seabird dynamics) using a step-wise process on the same GLM procedure. Plant species composition was assessed by conducting a non-standardized principal component analysis on a presence-absence matrix of the 476 (plant species) × 14 (islands). Finally, families were tested for over or under representation with aX2analysis subjected to a Bonferroni correction.

Results

The classic species-area model explained 85% of the variance in island plant diversity and yielded a slope (z) of 0.303 (±0.01). When the effect of area is removed, four additional factors were shown to account for observed variation; habitat diversity (34%), seabird dynamics (23%), island type (21%), topography (14%). Human presence and distance to mainland were not predictors of species richness. Species composition varies significantly with island area; small islands have a particular flora where certain families are overrepresented, such as Cactaceae, while the flora of larger islands is strongly dependent on the continental source.

Main conclusions

The factors that control diversity levels are expressions of geology, landscape heterogeneity, and land-sea connections. Species assemblages in small islands are governed by copious marine nutrients in the form of guano that depress species diversity. Distance to mainland and human presence hold no predictive power on diversity. The results show these islands to be isolated arid ecosystems with functioning ecological networks.
Bayesian Estimation of Normal Linear Regression Model with Heteroscedasticity Error Structures
Authors: Oseni Bolanle A. , Olubusoye Olusanya E. , Adepoju Adedayo A.
Published: July 2019

Non-constant error variance in Normal Linear Regression Model (NLRM) is an econometric problem generally referred to as heteroscedasticity. Its presence renders statistical inference invalid. Classical approach to its detection, estimation and remediation are widely discussed in the econometric literature. However, estimation of a NLRM using the Bayesian approach when heteroscedasticity problem is present is a major gap in the existing stock of knowledge on this subject. This approach has grown widely in recent times because it combines out-of-sample information with observed data. The study derived Bayesian estimators of the NLRM in the presence of functional forms of heteroscedasticity. Variance was treated as a linear function and as an exponential function of exogenous variables. The estimators are found to be unbiased and consistent and the precision values tend to zero. The estimates obtained from the estimators approximately 95% draws fall within each of the corresponding credible interval. Therefore, the results obtained for the derived Bayesian estimators for different functional forms of heteroscedasticity considered are similar, thus, providing a credible alternative to the existing classical methods which depend solely on the sample information.
Capacity for Parasitism of Trichogramma spp. in Tomato Fruit Borer under Different Temperatures
Authors: Fragoso Débora Ferreira Melo , Pratissoli Dirceu , Carvalho José Romario De , Damascena Alixelhe Pacheco , Junior Luis Moreira de Araujo , Bueno Regiane Cristina Oliveira de Freitas , Túler Amanda Carlos
Published: July 2019

The parasitoid in eggs of Trichogramma genre is the most studied in the world, being bred widely and used for flooding releases. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity for parasitism of Trichogramma galloi Zucchi, 1988 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) eggs at different temperatures. The experiment was developed at the Nucleus for Scientific and Technological Development in Phytosanitary Management (NUDEMAFI) in which the daily and accumulated biological parameters were assessed, as well as total parasitized eggs by female, sexual ratio (number of females/number of males + females), viability of the eggs (number of eggs with orifice/number of parasitized eggs x 100) and number of individuals per egg at temperatures 18, 21, 24, 27 and 30ºC. The eggs of the fruit borer were offered daily to each T. galloi female at each temperature until the death of the parasitoid could be verified. The larger number of parasitized eggs was found in the first 24 h, at temperatures 24 and 27ºC with 17 parasitized eggs. The accumulated parasitism in N. elegantalis eggs reached 80% of total parasitized eggs for each thermal range (18, 21, 24, 27 and 30ºC) on the 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 1st and 2nd days respectively. The ideal parasitism conditions for this lineage vary between 24 and 27°C. Therefore, it is concluded that the studied T. galloi lineage has adequate biological parameters in N. elegantalis eggs, demonstrating promise in phytosanitary management of this pest.
Prospective, Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Two Hemorrhoidopexy Staplers: The HEMOSTASIS Study
Authors: Marcet Jorge , Ferrara Andrea , Rivadeneira David E , Erbella Jose , Papaconstantinou Harry T.
Published: July 2019

The objective of this study was to compare two hemorrhoidopexy staplers (EEA versus PPH03). Stapled hemorrhoidopexy is a treatment option for patients with symptomatic internal hemorrhoids who have failed more conservative measures. However, staple line bleeding remains common. Recent improvements in stapler design have attempted to reduce intraoperative bleeding and the need for intervention. HEMOSTASIS is a prospective, multicenter, 1:1 randomized controlled trial. Twelve hospital centers in the United States enrolled participants between 18 and 85 years of age with symptomatic grades 2 to 3 internal hemorrhoids. The primary end point was intraoperative bleeding, defined as bleeding requiring intervention (e.g., placement of sutures, cauterization, or ligation to achieve hemostasis). Secondary end points included staple line location, postoperative pain, quality of life, operative time, length of hospital stay, adverse events, and complication rates. On the primary end point, the rates of intraoperative bleeding requiring intervention were 41.0% (32 of 78) with EEA and 70.4% (50 of 71) with PPH (P < 0.001). Treatment for active bleeding was required in 30.8% versus 57.7% (P < 0.001) in the EEA and PPH arms, respectively. There were no significant differences between groups in postoperative pain. Adverse events and perioperative complication rates were generally mild/moderate and were similar between groups: 74.1% (60 of 81) of patients in the EEA group reported at least one adverse event versus 80.9% (55 of 68) in the PPH group (P = 0.32). Intraoperative bleeding occurred less often after stapled hemorrhoidopexy with the EEA stapler compared with the PPH03 stapler. Intervention to achieve hemostasis was required less often with the EEA stapler.
A Case of Delayed Duodenal Obstruction Due to Traumatic Fibrosis Following Seromuscular and Intramural Injury
Authors: Moriwaki Yoshihiro , Arata Shinju , Toyoda Hiroshi , Kosuge Takayuki , Iwashita Masayuki , Tahara Yoshio , Suzuki Noriyuki
Published: July 2019

Objective:

Traumatic duodenal obstructions are rare, and most are caused by compression from intramural or retroperitoneal macroscopic hematomas. This report describes a very rare type of delayed traumatic duodenal obstruction without macroscopic intramural or extraluminal hematoma caused by traumatic fibrosis due to seromuscular and intramural injury and microscopic hemorrhage.

Case presentation:

A 31-year-old man was transferred to our center due to polytrauma with nausea and vomiting on day 53 after an accident. Gastrointestinal fiberscopy (GIF) on day 57 revealed an active stage small duodenal ulcer with patency of the pyloric ring. Although the patient underwent subdural drainage, the nausea and vomiting continued. A repeat GIF on day 91 revealed a duodenal ulcer with severe pyloric stenosis. GIF after nasogastric drainage on day 102 identified a severe pinhole stenosis. We performed surgery on day 106 and observed a constricted duodenal bulb due to a tumorous scar. We resected the stenotic section of the duodenal bulb including the pyloric ring.

Conclusion:

The histopathologic examination revealed constriction and fibrosis. Surgical options should be considered for patients with delayed duodenal obstruction without macroscopic hematoma around the duodenum after several months of hospitalization.
Variables Associated to Pathologic Complete Response, Overall Survival and Disease-Free Survival in the Neoadjuvant Setting for Esophageal Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Takeda Flávio Roberto , Viyuela Mateus Silva , da Cruz Junior Jurandir Batista , Tustumi Francisco , Braghiroli Oddone Freitas Melro , Nobre Karolyne Ernesto Luiz , Junior Ulysses Ribeiro , Sallum Rubens Antonio Aissar , Cecconello Ivan
Published: July 2019

Objective:

The aim of the study was to evaluate prognostic factors during neoadjuvant therapy that can predict pathologic complete response (pCR), overall survival (OS), or disease-free survival (DFS).

Summary of background data:

Variables that can predict tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy are required for esophageal cancer management.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort was performed with esophageal cancer patients submitted to neoadjuvant therapy. pCR, OS, and DFS were evaluated. Logistic regression was used to evaluate prognostic factors. This study covered 140 patients, 94 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), and 44 adenocarcinomas. SCC is more often associated with pCR (compared to adenocarcinoma, OR: 8.07, 95% CI: 2.91–22.38); it has higher probability of DFS (HR for death or recurrence was 0.6, 95% CI: 0.37–0.98); and a higher probability of OS (HR for death was 0.59, 95% CI: 0.35–1). Gender, age, grade of cellular differentiation, chemotherapy regimen, and neoplasm circumferential involvement before neoadjuvant therapy are variables that are unrelated to DFS. Relief of dysphagia, and weight gain were also unrelated to the outcomes. In the multivariate analysis, the weight loss during neoadjuvant therapy was related to higher risk for recurrence or death (HR 1.02, 95% CI: 1–1.04). SCC histologic type was associated with higher probability of pCR, and higher OS and DFS rates. Gender, grade of cellular differentiation, and chemotherapy regimen are variables that are unrelated to pCR, OS, and DFS. Relief of dysphagia and increased levels of albumin after neoadjuvant therapy were also unrelated to the studied outcomes. Weight loss during neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with poor DFS rate in the multivariate analysis.
GATAD1 gene amplification promotes glioma malignancy by directly regulating CCND1 transcription
Authors: Zhang Shanshan , Gao Min , Yu Lin
Published: July 2019

Background

The GATAD1 gene overexpression induced by GATAD1 amplification upregulation is detected in different human tumors. To date, the relationship between GATAD1 amplification and glioma oncogenesis and malignancy is still unknown.

Methods

GATAD1 gene amplification and expression were analyzed in 187 gliomas using qPCR and immunostaining. The relation of GATAD1 to patients’ prognoses was assessed via the Kaplan–Meier method. The MTT and orthotopic tumor transplantation assays were used to identify the function of GATAD1 in glioma proliferation. cDNA microarray, ChIP qPCR, EMSA and 3C were used to screen the downstream mechanism of GATAD1 regulating glioma proliferation.

Results

Our results indicated that GATAD1 gene amplification and GATAD1 gene expression are novel independent diagnosis biomarkers to indicate poor outcome of glioma patients. GATAD1 knockdown can remarkably suppress GBM cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. GATAD1 could promote CCND1 gene transcription by inducing long range chromatin architectural interaction on the CCND1 promoter. Then GATAD1 sequentially accelerates GBM cell cycle transition and proliferation via regulating CCND1.

Conclusions

We identify GATAD1 as a novel potential diagnosis biomarker and promising prognosis predictor in glioma patients. Functionally, we confirm GATAD1 as an epigenetic chromatin topological regulator that promotes glioma proliferation by targeting CCND1.
Bimetal−Organic Framework Derived High‐Valence‐State Cu‐Doped Co3O4 Porous Nanosheet Arrays for Efficient Oxygen Evolution and Water Splitting
Authors: Tian Yongshang , Cao Lijia , Qin Panpan
Published: July 2019

Developing low‐cost, high‐efficient, and robust electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) holds promise for the future hydrogen economy through overall water splitting. Herein, Cu doped Co3O4 porous nanosheet arrays were synthesized on three‐dimensional (3D) nickel foam (Cu−Co3O4 NAs/NF) by a facile pyrolysis process of bimetal−organic frameworks precursors. The systematic experiments evidence that the Cu doping in Co3O4 materials not only results in affluent trivalent cobalt as active sites for OER electrocatalysis, but also modulates the nanosheet morphology to achieve high specific surface area and well‐exposed active sites. Moreover, the 3D electrode configuration simultaneously offers open‐channels for electron transport and gas products release. Benefitting from the exotic geometric and electronic structure, the engineered Cu−Co3O4 NAs/NF electrode exhibits outstanding activity (an overpotential of 230 mV at 10 mA cm−2) and long‐term durability toward OER, much better than the benchmark IrO2/NF. Together with its remarkable HER activity, our Cu−Co3O4 NAs/NF electrode enables a low voltage of 1.58 V to generate a current density of 10 mA cm−2 for overall water splitting, which is comparable to those of current Co‐based bifunctional electrocatalysts. This work may open up opportunities to explore other advanced electrocatalysts with high valence Co3+ and 3D porous architectures for scale‐up water electrolysis.
Disadvantages and benefits of evolved unicellularity versus multicellularity in budding yeast
Authors: Kuzdzal‐Fick Jennie J. , Chen Lin , Balázsi Gábor
Published: July 2019

Multicellular organisms appeared on Earth through several independent major evolutionary transitions. Are such transitions reversible? Addressing this fundamental question entails understanding the benefits and costs of multicellularity versus unicellularity. For example, some wild yeast strains form multicellular clumps, which might be beneficial in stressful conditions, but this has been untested. Here, we show that unicellular yeast evolve from clump‐forming ancestors by propagating samples from suspension after larger clumps have settled. Unicellular yeast strains differed from their clumping ancestors mainly by mutations in the AMN1 (Antagonist of Mitotic exit Network) gene. Ancestral yeast clumps were more resistant to freeze/thaw, hydrogen peroxide, and ethanol stressors than their unicellular counterparts, but they grew slower without stress. These findings suggest disadvantages and benefits to multicellularity and unicellularity that may have impacted the emergence of multicellular life forms.
Characterizing population and individual migration patterns among native and restored bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)
Authors: Lowrey Blake , Proffitt Kelly M. , McWhirter Douglas E. , White Patrick J. , Courtemanch Alyson B. , Dewey Sarah R. , Miyasaki Hollie M. , Monteith Kevin L. , Mao Julie S. , Grigg Jamin L. , Butler Carson J. , Lula Ethan S. , Garrott Robert A.
Published: July 2019

Migration evolved as a behavior to enhance fitness through exploiting spatially and temporally variable resources and avoiding predation or other threats. Globally, landscape alterations have resulted in declines to migratory populations across taxa. Given the long time periods over which migrations evolved in native systems, it is unlikely that restored populations embody the same migratory complexity that existed before population reductions or regional extirpation.

We used GPS location data collected from 209 female bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) to characterize population and individual migration patterns along elevation and geographic continuums for 18 populations of bighorn sheep with different management histories (i.e., restored, augmented, and native) across the western United States.

Individuals with resident behaviors were present in all management histories. Elevational migrations were the most common population‐level migratory behavior. There were notable differences in the degree of individual variation within a population across the three management histories. Relative to native populations, restored and augmented populations had less variation among individuals with respect to elevation and geographic migration distances. Differences in migratory behavior were most pronounced for geographic distances, where the majority of native populations had a range of variation that was 2–4 times greater than restored or augmented populations.

Synthesis and applications. Migrations within native populations include a variety of patterns that translocation efforts have not been able to fully recreate within restored and augmented populations. Theoretical and empirical research has highlighted the benefits of migratory diversity in promoting resilience and population stability. Limited migratory diversity may serve as an additional factor limiting demographic performance and range expansion. We suggest preserving native systems with intact migratory portfolios and a more nuanced approach to restoration and augmentation in which source populations are identified based on a suite of criteria that includes matching migratory patterns of source populations with local landscape attributes.
Modeling the distribution of niche space and risk for a freeze‐tolerant ectotherm, Lithobates sylvaticus
Authors: Fitzpatrick Megan J. , Zuckerberg Benjamin , Pauli Jonathan N. , Kearney Michael R. , Thompson Kimberly L. , Werner Lawrence C. , Porter Warren P.
Published: July 2019

Many animals depend on stable below‐the‐snow (subnivium) conditions to survive winter in seasonally cold regions. Freeze‐tolerant ectotherms may experience increased ice content and/or energy expenditure in suboptimal subnivium conditions, with implications for overwinter survival and body reserves available for spring reproduction. We used a novel mechanistic modeling approach to explore effects of winter climate on the microclimate conditions, energy expenditure, and ice dynamics of the freeze‐tolerant, subnivium‐dwelling wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) in the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes Basin region of the United States. We hypothesized that (1) frogs would experience the greatest energy cost to survive winter in southern regions of our study area, where air temperatures are warmer and shallower snow could allow for increased numbers of freeze–thaw cycles, and (2) frogs would be most vulnerable to lethal freezing in the cold, dry northwest portion of our study region. We found that total winter energy expenditure changed little with latitude because the effect of warmer soil temperatures (higher metabolic rates) to the south was offset by a shorter winter duration. Energy expenditures were greatest in the snowbelts of the Great Lakes, characterized by more persistent snow cover and relatively warm soil temperatures. In contrast, highest ice contents occurred in the northwest of the study region where air temperatures were coldest and snow was shallow. Thus, it appears that wood frogs experience a trade‐off between risk of lethal ice content and extensive use of body reserves across geographic space. Simulations showed that interpopulation differences in burrow depth and cryoprotectant concentration can influence risk of lethal ice content and overuse of body reserves prior to spring breeding, and those risks vary in relation to winter climate. Our mechanistic modeling approach is a novel tool for predicting risk and shifting niche space for cold‐adapted and subnivium‐dependent species.
Food‐web interaction strength distributions are conserved by greater variation between than within predator–prey pairs
Authors: Preston Daniel L. , Falke Landon P. , Henderson Jeremy S. , Novak Mark
Published: July 2019

Species interactions in food webs are usually recognized as dynamic, varying across species, space, and time because of biotic and abiotic drivers. Yet food webs also show emergent properties that appear consistent, such as a skewed frequency distribution of interaction strengths (many weak, few strong). Reconciling these two properties requires an understanding of the variation in pairwise interaction strengths and its underlying mechanisms. We estimated stream sculpin feeding rates in three seasons at nine sites in Oregon to examine variation in trophic interaction strengths both across and within predator–prey pairs. Predator and prey densities, prey body mass, and abiotic factors were considered as putative drivers of within‐pair variation over space and time. We hypothesized that consistently skewed interaction strength distributions could result if individual interaction strengths show relatively little variation, or alternatively, if interaction strengths vary but shift in ways that conserve their overall frequency distribution. Feeding rate distributions remained consistently and positively skewed across all sites and seasons. The mean coefficient of variation in feeding rates within each of 25 focal species pairs across surveys was less than half the mean coefficient of variation seen across species pairs within a survey. The rank order of feeding rates also remained conserved across streams, seasons and individual surveys. On average, feeding rates on each prey taxon nonetheless varied by a hundredfold, with some feeding rates showing more variation in space and others in time. In general, feeding rates increased with prey density and decreased with high stream flows and low water temperatures, although for nearly half of all species pairs, factors other than prey density explained the most variation. Our findings show that although individual interaction strengths exhibit considerable variation in space and time, they can nonetheless remain relatively consistent, and thus predictable, compared to the even larger variation that occurs across species pairs. These results highlight how the ecological scale of inference can strongly shape conclusions about interaction strength consistency and help reconcile how the skewed nature of interaction strength distributions can persist in highly dynamic food webs.
The image‐guided operating room—Utility and impact on surgeon's performance in the head and neck surgery
Authors: Muhanna Nidal , Douglas Catriona M. , Daly Michael J. , Chan Harley H. L. , Weersink Robert , Qiu Jimmy , Townson Jason , de Almeida John R. , Goldstein David , Gilbert Ralph , Yu Eugene , Kucharczyk Walter , Jaffray David A. , Irish Jonathan C.
Published: July 2019

Background

The image‐guided operating room (OR) is an emerging standard for dealing with complex cases in many surgical disciplines including neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, maxillofacial trauma, and orthopedic surgery. Its use in head and neck oncological surgery is not well established. The primary aim of this study was to assess the image quality of cone‐beam CT (CBCT) under real clinical conditions. The secondary aim was to assess the effect on surgical performance and decision making.

Methods

Intraoperative 3D imaging was performed using a CBCT capable C‐Arm mounted on a multi‐axis robot (Siemens Zeego) in the image‐guided OR. All patients had immediate preoperative imaging taken with further intraoperative imaging performed as required. Ten initial patients, comprising 28 intraoperative scans, were used for questionnaire‐based image reviews conducted with experienced head and neck clinicians. Scans were assessed for aspects of both image quality and clinical utility, on separate 5‐point Likert scales (1‐5).

Results

The median rating for bony detail was 4 out of 5. Vascular detail was increased (P < 10−8) from 1 to 3 with the use of IV contrast (region of interest CT# was 284 HU [SD, 47 HU]). Images were rated as 4 for freedom from artifact. Soft tissue definition was 2, with no significant improvement (P = .2) with the addition of IV iodinated contrast. Surgeons rated the greatest clinical utility (4) for the CBCT when assessing postreconstruction imaging of a complex case.

Conclusions

The image quality of CBCT in the image‐guided OR is good for bony detail and complex oncological reconstructions in the head and neck setting but probably has limited benefit for intraoperative soft tissue delineation. Future studies must also focus on clinical outcomes to help demonstrate the value of the image‐guided OR.
Genetic assignment and monitoring of yellow cardinals
Authors: Dominguez Marisol , Pizzarello Gimena , Atencio Melina , Scardamaglia Romina , Mahler Bettina
Published: July 2019

The yellow cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata) is a passerine bird endemic to southern South America. At present, the species is threatened with extinction, in part because of the capture of wild birds to supply the illegal caged‐bird market. Previous genetic evidence supports the existence of 3 management units for the species in Argentina, where the largest populations are currently found. Our objectives were to guide the reintroduction of these animals to their respective management units by determining the origin of seized specimens from illegal trade using 2 molecular markers, mtDNA and microsatellites, and to monitor the success of the released birds through radio‐telemetry. We compared the performance of different molecular markers and assignment approaches to optimize a technique capable of assigning the origin of confiscated yellow cardinals in a reliable way. Five of 10 released radio‐tracked individuals were predated shortly after liberation; however, 3 were successful in finding a mate and starting reproductive activities. Individual success was independent of the time spent in captivity, the liberation with a partner, the settlement type (semi‐open or closed), and the maximum distance traveled from the point of release. Cardinals that survived had higher individual heterozygosity. Our findings contribute a robust genetic assignment technique to be used in future yellow cardinal seizures and identify factors that might improve subsequent releases. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
A Novel Approach for the Synthesis of Thermo‐Responsive Co‐Polyesters Incorporating Reversible Diels–Alder Adducts
Authors: Banella Maria Barbara , Giacobazzi Greta , Vannini Micaela , Marchese Paola , Colonna Martino , Celli Annamaria , Gandini Alessandro , Gioia Claudio
Published: July 2019

The proof of concept for a new copolymerization approach taking advantage of the thermally reversible aptitude of the furan/maleimide Diels–Alder (DA) adducts is reported here. A new monomer bearing two carboxylic acids as end‐groups and a Diels–Alder adduct within its structure is synthesized using benign and mild reaction conditions. Two polyesters are then fabricated from the DA‐diacid and 1,6‐hexanediol and 1,4‐benzenedimethanol, respectively, and characterized by 1H‐NMR, GPC, DSC, and TGA. Kinetic studies of these polyesters, performed by 1H‐NMR spectroscopy at variable temperatures, establish the appropriate conditions for their controlled depolymerization, through the retro Diels–Alder reaction (rDA), and their re‐construction through the DA reaction, showing moreover the reproducibility of this rDA/DA cycle. Finally, by exploiting this peculiar feature, a copolyester is successfully synthesized from the concomitant treatment of the two homopolymers, demonstrating the effectiveness of the method. The present approach provides a new method for the fabrication of multicomponent copolymers based on the DA/rDA strategy that is extendable to a variety of other polycondensation materials, such as polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, and epoxies, allowing the establishment of a library of novel architectures through this one‐pot approach.
Operators from the Hardy space to the α‐Bloch space
Authors: Honda Tatsuhiro
Published: July 2019

Let be a bounded symmetric domain realized as the open unit ball of a finite dimensional JB*‐triple X. In this paper, we characterize the bounded weighted composition operators from the Hardy space into the α‐Bloch space on . Also, we show the multiplication operator from into is bounded. Finally, we show that there exist no isometric composition operators.
Purification, characterization, and functional groups of an extracellular aflatoxin M1‐detoxifizyme from Bacillus pumilus E‐1‐1‐1
Authors: Zhang Xue‐Jiao , Gao Jie , Han Jun , Wang Xiang‐Hong , Sang Ya‐Xin
Published: July 2019

The experiment was conducted to purify high activity extracellular enzymes, which were produced by a strain that we previously screened was able to degrade aflatoxin effectively, and speculate the functional groups of the enzyme associated with degradation. An extracellular aflatoxin‐detoxifizyme (DAFE) from Bacillus pumilus E‐1‐1‐1 was purified through a process including ammonium sulfate precipitation, ultrafiltration, Sephadex chromatography, and ion exchange chromatography. The molecular mass of the enzyme assessed by SDS‐PAGE was found to be approximately 58 kDa. The optimum reaction temperature and pH for the purified enzyme were 45°C and pH 7, respectively. The enzyme showed temperature stability of up to 60°C. Ba2+, Ca2+ Na+, Mn2+, EDTA, and β‐mercaptoethanol showed inhibitory effects on the enzyme activity. Mg2+, Fe3+, Zn2+ and K+ were the activators of enzymes. This enzyme was composed of at least 15 kinds of amino acids. Lysine, tryptophan, and histidine residues were necessary and major functional groups to maintain enzyme activity, disulfide bonds were observed, serine residues had little effect on the enzyme activity, so it was not the necessary group to reflect the enzyme activity, and arginine had no effect on enzyme activity.
Broadband lung dielectric properties over the ablative temperature range: Experimental measurements and parametric models
Authors: Sebek Jan , Bortel Radoslav , Prakash Punit
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Computational models of microwave tissue ablation are widely used to guide the development of ablation devices, and are increasingly being used for the development of treatment planning and monitoring platforms. Knowledge of temperature‐dependent dielectric properties of lung tissue is essential for accurate modeling of microwave ablation (MWA) of the lung.

Methods

We employed the open‐ended coaxial probe method, coupled with a custom tissue heating apparatus, to measure dielectric properties of ex vivo porcine and bovine lung tissue at temperatures ranging between 31 and 150 C, over the frequency range 500 MHz to 6 GHz. Furthermore, we employed numerical optimization techniques to provide parametric models for characterizing the broadband temperature‐dependent dielectric properties of tissue, and their variability across tissue samples, suitable for use in computational models of microwave tissue ablation.

Results

Rapid decreases in both relative permittivity and effective conductivity were observed in the temperature range from 94 to 108 C. Over the measured frequency range, both relative permittivity and effective conductivity were suitably modeled by piecewise linear functions [root mean square error (RMSE) = 1.0952 for permittivity and 0.0650 S/m for conductivity]. Detailed characterization of the variability in lung tissue properties was provided to enable uncertainty quantification of models of MWA.

Conclusions

The reported dielectric properties of lung tissue, and parametric models which also capture their distribution, will aid the development of computational models of microwave lung ablation.
Computational 1H NMR: Part 3. Biochemical studies
Authors: Krivdin Leonid B.
Published: July 2019

This is the third and the last part of three closely interrelated reviews dealing with computation of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts and 1H–1H spin–spin coupling constants. Present review deals with the computation of these parameters in biologically active natural products, carbohydrates, and other molecules of biological origin focusing on stereochemical applications of computational 1H nuclear magnetic resonance to these objects.
UHPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS and HPTLC profiling of ash leaf samples from different commercial and natural sources and their in vitro effects on mediators of inflammation
Authors: Kiss Anna K. , Michalak Barbara , Patyra Andrzej , Majdan Magdalena
Published: July 2019

Introduction

In European traditional medicine, common ash leaf infusion is recommended by European Medicines Agency to treat minor articular pain and to increase the amount of urine for flushing minor urinary complaints. However, a comprehensive ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography diode array detector electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS) analysis of this pharmacopeial plant material has never been performed. Moreover, the number of biological and pharmacological investigations proving the usefulness of this plant material in recommended traditional uses is surprisingly small.

Objective

Phytochemical profiling of ash leaf samples from different commercial and natural sources and the determination of the in vitro effects on inflammatory mediators in a model of human neutrophils.

Methods

Ash leaf samples were characterised by total hydroxycinnamic acid content and by high‐performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), UHPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS methods. The effects of leaf infusions on reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α), interleukin 8 (IL‐8), interleukin 1β (IL‐1β), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1) production by neutrophils were measured using luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

In ash leaf samples 64 compounds were identified or partly identified together with four unknown compounds. The major compounds detected belong to different structural groups, including phenolic acid derivatives, phenylethanoids, flavonoids, iridoids, secoiridoids and lignans. The major compounds detected in ash samples were chlorogenic acid, quercetin‐3‐O‐rutinoside, verbascoside, oleuropein and ligstroside. However, one sample contained coumarin derivatives. This finding suggested adulteration with other Fraxinus species and/or plant parts. All infusions were able to inhibit ROS, cytokine and chemokine production.

Conclusions

The performed phytochemical and biological analyses contribute to the knowledge about this pharmacopeial plant material and supports its traditional use to treat minor inflammatory complaints.
Protein Expression Profiles Corresponding to Histological Changes with Denosumab Treatment in Giant Cell Tumors of Bone
Authors: Suehara Yoshiyuki , Okubo Taketo , Kurihara Taisei , Hayashi Takuo , Kohsaka Shinji , Kazuno Saiko , Sano Kei , Hasegawa Nobuhiko , Miura Yoshiki , Akaike Keisuke , Kim Youngji , Takamochi Kazuya , Takahashi Fumiyuki , Ueno Takashi , Kaneko Kazuo , Saito Tsuyoshi
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Giant cell tumors of bone (GCTBs) are locally aggressive osteolytic bone tumors. Denosumab is a novel and effective therapeutic option for aggressive and recurrent GCTBs. Histologically, the post‐denosumab‐treated samples are characterized by two lesions: a residual stromal cell lesion with a few multinucleated giant cells (SL‐lesion), and a fibro‐osseous lesion (FO‐lesion).

Experimental design

To clarify the differences in the protein expression between the SL‐lesion and FO‐lesion in GCTB treated with denosumab, comparative proteomic studies are conducted using both lesions (12 pairs of pre‐ and post‐denosumab treatment samples) by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (i‐TRAQ).

Results

Thirty‐two consistently regulated proteins in the SL‐lesions and 59 consistently regulated proteins in the FO‐lesions are found. Twenty‐one proteins in the SL‐lesion and 48 proteins in the FO‐lesion are independently expressed. These proteins may be involved in the process of the fibro‐osseous reactions by denosumab treatment. In the software program used to establish these profiles, several canonical pathways are identified, including the unfolded protein response as an FO‐lesion specific pathway.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

It is believed that the identified proteins and the results of the network analysis will provide a better understanding of the effects of denosumab in GCTB.
Engineering‐driven performance degradation analysis of hydraulic piston pump based on the inverse Gaussian process
Authors: Ma Zhonghai , Wang Shaoping , Liao Haitao , Zhang Chao
Published: July 2019

As a key aircraft component, hydraulic piston pumps must be developed with high reliability. However, collecting failure time data of such pumps for reliability analysis is a big challenge. To save testing time, performance degradation data obtained from degradation tests can be used for quick reliability estimation of hydraulic piston pumps. This paper proposes an engineering‐driven performance degradation analysis method considering the nature of mechanical wear of hydraulic piston pumps. First, the failure mechanism of a type of hydraulic piston pump is investigated. By taking into account the close relationship between the degradation rate and the failure mechanism, an inverse Gaussian (IG) process model with a variable rate is developed to describe the degradation behavior of the pump. Under this model, a Bayesian statistical method is developed for degradation data analysis. The corresponding procedure for model parameter estimation and reliability evaluation is also presented. The proposed degradation analysis method is illustrated using a real experimental data. The results show that the engineering‐driven approach is quite effective in evaluating the lifetime of the hydraulic piston pump and will improve the overall reliability of aircraft operation in the field.
Assessing the efficacy of environmental restoration via noninferiority: A Bayesian perspective
Authors: Robinson Timothy J. , Wulff Shaun S. , Webb Michael , Banda Jo Ann , Nair Sreejayn
Published: July 2019

The Ashtabula River covers an area that lies in northeast Ohio, USA, flowing into the central basin of Lake Erie at the city of Ashtabula where its drainage covers an area of 355 km2. In the mid‐1900s, several chemical production companies began operation along tributaries of the Ashtabula, and over time, discharges from these facilities left the lower Ashtabula River heavily contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals, and a suite of other agents. This pollution lead to the designation of the lower Ashtabula River as one of the most contaminated sites in the Great Lakes watershed, as defined in the 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. This manuscript is a case study used to demonstrate the advantages of noninferiority testing over the classical hypothesis testing framework to demonstrate when one or more biological variables at the impacted site are no worse or inferior to the distribution of the same biological variable(s) at a reference site. In order to implement this approach, it is essential to define a tolerance level that represents a meaningful difference in parameter values. We demonstrate the use of Bayesian logistic regression for developing a data‐driven approach for tolerance level determination when consensus on the tolerance level value cannot be reached.
Kampo therapy for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (report 2): Gradual decrease in KL‐6
Authors: Homma Yukihiko , Ohtsuka Yoshinori
Published: July 2019

Aim

In a previous unpublished study, we reported that Kampo therapy improved the prognosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). KL‐6 is also associated with the inflammatory process of the alveolar unit, including type II epithelial cells. In this study, we measured KL‐6 as an index of the alveolar wall destruction in the progression of IIP.

Methods

Of the 59 patients who initially participated in the previous study, KL‐6 was evaluated during the follow‐up period and compared with that at baseline in 18 patients.

Results

KL‐6 gradually decreased during the follow‐up period, although the difference was not significant on two‐way repeated measures ANOVA.

Conclusion

Kampo therapy could be effective in improving the prognosis of IIP, partly due to inhibition of lung inflammation.
A fluid past: Socio‐hydrological systems of the West African Sahel across the long durée
Authors: Coutros Peter R.
Published: July 2019

Since the end of the last glacial period (~12.4 ka bp) the African continent has undergone no less than 30 dramatic climate transitions. West Africa in particular witnessed abrupt climate oscillations—between humid optima and hyper‐aridity—which lasted anywhere between 10 and 15 years and a millennium. Such unpredictable shifts forced local communities to develop a suite of risk‐buffering strategies that could withstand climate change on various scales. Both archeological and palaeoclimatic research has begun to reveal how these societies engaged with their erratic environment over the span of the Holocene. The adoption of pastoral lifeways, the domestication of cereal crops, and the emergence of monumentality or urbanism may indeed be viewed through the lens of environmental risk‐buffering strategies. Yet, these developments proceeded along trajectories that belie traditional narratives rooted in environmental determinism and underscore the unique cultural processes at play, which do not conform to presumptions imported from outside regions. Revised narratives, therefore, must take into account cultural perceptions of climate change, and the localized nature of landscape.

This article is categorized under:

Human Water > Water as Imagined and Represented

Science of Water > Water Extremes
Improving Triage Accuracy in First Responders: Measurement of Short Structured Protocols to Improve Identification of Salient Triage Features
Authors: Loth Sarah , Cote Alanna C. , Shaafi Kabiri Nina , Bhangu Jaspreet S. , Zumwalt Ann , Moss Mark , Thomas Kevin
Published: July 2019

Gaze tracking is used in biomedical teaching for situations requiring the assessment of complex visual data. We employed gaze tracking techniques to examine an adapted training protocol using simple triage and rapid treatment (START) triage principles. This study utilized a case‐control design. Both groups were presented with a series of computer images, each corresponding to four levels of injury severity. Subsequently, the experimental group underwent training using the START triage program while the control group underwent training regarding patient transportation. Participants who underwent training with the START protocol fixated upon salient features significantly earlier post‐training as evidenced by decreased post‐training entry time (ms). 1376.35 (1665.69) (p = .02, 95% confidence interval [CI] [318.02–2434.68]); circulation: 1986.57 (2268.38) (p = .01, 95% CI [545.31–3427.84]). Those who underwent training only on patient transport and not on the adapted START triage protocol demonstrated no statistically significant between‐session gaze measurement. Subjects who underwent START triage training significantly improved in their first fixation entry time, indicating a faster recognition of salient triage features. We have shown the effectiveness of a short, directed triage training tool in improving the recognition of triage features.