bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anger Dimensions and Mental Health Following a Disaster: Distribution and Implications After a Major Bushfire
Authors: Cowlishaw Sean , Metcalf Olivia , Varker Tracey , Stone Caleb , Molyneaux Robyn , Gibbs Lisa , Block Karen , Harms Louise , MacDougall Colin , Gallagher H. Colin , Bryant Richard , Lawrence‐Wood Ellie , Kellett Connie , O'Donnell Meaghan , Forbes David
Published: November 2020

Anger is an important dimension of affect and a prominent feature of posttraumatic mental health, but it is commonly overlooked in postdisaster settings. We aimed to examine the distribution and implications of significant anger problems in the aftermath of a natural disaster, via analyses of Beyond Bushfires survey data from 736 residents of rural communities 5 years after the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria, Australia. Assessments included the five‐item Dimensions of Anger Reaction (DAR‐5) scale along with measures of PTSD, depression, and significant mental illness, and indicators of life satisfaction, suicidality, hostile aggressive behavior, and violence exposure. The results indicated that approximately 10% of respondents from areas highly affected by the bushfires scored above the provisional cutoff criteria for significant anger problems on the DAR‐5, which was a more than 3‐fold increase, OR = 3.26, relative to respondents from areas of low‐to‐moderate bushfire impact. The rates were higher among women, younger participants, and those who were unemployed, and co‐occurred commonly, although not exclusively, with other postdisaster mental health problems. Anger problems were also associated with lower life satisfaction, β = −.31, an 8‐fold increase in suicidal ideation, OR = 8.68, and a nearly 13‐fold increase in hostile aggressive behavior, OR = 12.98. There were associations with anger problems and violence exposure, which were reduced when controlling for covariates, including probable PTSD. The findings provide evidence indicating that anger is a significant issue for postdisaster mental health and should be considered routinely alongside other posttraumatic mental health issues.
Outcomes of Endoscopic Versus Open Skull Base Surgery in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Lenze Nicholas R. , Gossett Katherine A. , Farquhar Douglas R. , Quinsey Carolyn , Sasaki‐Adams Deanna , Ewend Matthew G. , Thorp Brian , Ebert Charles S. , Zanation Adam M.
Published: November 2020

Objective/Hypothesis

To characterize the pathology and outcomes of skull base surgery in the pediatric population by open versus endoscopic surgical approach.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

A retrospective review of pediatric patients (<18 years) who underwent skull base surgery for nonmalignant disease from May 2000 to August 2019 was performed. Patient demographics, pathology, and operative characteristics by surgical approach were recorded and analyzed. Patients with a combined endoscopic/open approach were classified as open for the analysis.

Results

Eighty‐two pediatric skull base patients were identified with a mean age of 11.3 years (standard deviation 5.2). A purely endoscopic approach was used in 63 (77%) patients, a purely open approach was used in nine (11%) patients, and a combined open/endoscopic approach was used in 10 (12%) patients. The all‐cause complication rate was 9.8%. There was no statistically significant difference in rate of complications between patients with an open versus endoscopic approach for resection (15.8% vs. 7.9%; P = .379). Risk of having a complication did not significantly vary by patient age. The odds of having a complication with an open approach was not statistically significant in a multivariable model adjusted for age, sex, race, intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, tracheostomy requirement, and vascular flap use (odds ratio 2.76, 95% confidence interval 0.28–26.94; P = .383).

Conclusions

Our retrospective study demonstrates a similar risk of complication for open versus endoscopic approach to resection in pediatric skull base patients at our institution. Safety and feasibility of the endoscopic approach has previously been demonstrated in children, and this is the first study to directly compare outcomes with open approaches.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:996–1001, 2021
Long‐term Impact of Hearing Aid Provision or Cochlear Implantation on Hearing Handicap
Authors: Kim Alexander S. , Betz Joshua F. , Nieman Carrie L. , Hoyer Matthew R. , Applebaum Jeremy , Lin Frank R. , Goman Adele M.
Published: November 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

Previous research has shown hearing handicap to be reduced following hearing aid use or cochlear implantation in short‐to‐medium follow‐up periods, yet the impact of interventions for hearing loss on hearing handicap in the long term remains understudied. This article reports hearing handicap at 6 months, 12 months, and 5 years after either hearing aid provision or cochlear implantation.

Study Design

Observational study.

Methods

A study of 115 participants from the Studying Multiple Outcomes after Aural Rehabilitative Treatment (SMART) study cohort assessed self‐reported hearing handicap using the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening version (HHIE‐S) at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and 5 years. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to estimate the population mean HHIE‐S score over time, accounting for the correlated nature of repeated measures data, and multiple imputation with chained equations was performed to impute missing data.

Results

Compared to baseline, mean HHIE‐S scores after hearing aid provision were significantly reduced at 6 months (mean = −7.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −10.40, −5.53), 12 months (mean = −6.58, 95% CI: −9.26, −3.90), and 5 years (mean = −4.58, 95% CI: −7.87, −1.30). After cochlear implantation, mean hearing handicap scores were also significantly lower compared to baseline at 6 months (mean = −8.18, 95% CI: −11.07, −5.30), 12 months (mean = −10.04, 95% CI: −12.92, −7.16), and 5 years (mean = −8.97, 95% CI: −12.92, −7.16).

Conclusions

This study found short‐term benefits from hearing aids and cochlear implantation on hearing handicap were maintained over 5 years. Laryngoscope, 131:1122–1126, 2021
Voice Component Relationships with High Reflux Symptom Index Scores in Muscle Tension Dysphonia
Authors: Dabirmoghaddam Payman , Rahmaty Benyamin , Erfanian Reza , Taherkhani Safa , Hosseinifar Shamim , Satariyan Adnan
Published: November 2020

Objective

To analyze the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and the Voice‐Related Quality of Life (V‐RQOL) scores based on the perceptual and analytical parameters in primary MTD patients with no reflux.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

One hundred and eighteen participants, that is, sixty patients with normal voices and fifty‐eight patients with primary MTD were recruited in this study. The diagnosis of primary MTD was made by perceptual voice analysis, neck palpation, video‐laryngoscopic examination, and exclusion of other etiologies. Acoustic analysis and the GRBAS (Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, and Strain) scale were evaluated for all participants. The V‐RQOL and RSI questionnaires were then given to all participants.

Results

This study included 118 participants of 29 males (48.3%) and 31 females (51.7%) in the normal group. MTD group also included 27 males (46.6%) and 31 (53.4%) female patients. Mean (SD) RSI and V‐RQOL scores were 12.35 (3.84) and 11.09 (2.20) for the normal group, and 22.87 (6.97) and 22.89 (7.94) for the MTD group (P = .000). In the MTD group, V‐RQOL had a positive correlation with jitter for /i/ and /u/, Noise to Harmonic Ratio (NHR) for /i/, /a/, and /u/, and Grade, Roughness, and Strain of GRBAS scale (P < .05). In addition, RSI had a positive correlation with Strain in the MTD group (P < .05).

Conclusion

MTD patients in the absence of laryngopharyngeal reflux findings may have high RSI scores. Hence, patients with high RSI scores and disproportionate acoustic and perceptual analysis would require a thorough evaluation of MTD.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1573–E1579, 2021
Special fonts: The competing roles of difficulty and uniqueness in consumer inference
Authors: Wu Ruomeng , Han Xiaoqi , Kardes Frank R.
Published: November 2020

The use of special fonts in marketing communications may have more complex effects than expected. This study examines multiple effects of special fonts and proposes boundary conditions for the effects. Special fonts are perceived as more unique and difficult to read than regular fonts. Five experimental studies show that whereas the perception of uniqueness decreases the awareness of missing information, leading to more favorable initial judgments but a higher likelihood of regret later, the perception of difficulty has the opposite effects. These competing effects are moderated by contextual cues that vary the salience of uniqueness versus difficulty associated with special fonts. Specifically, consumers are more influenced by the uniqueness of special fonts when they rate the degree of uniqueness before the degree of difficulty or when they evaluate a product category (e.g., a handmade item or a décor) that is generally expected to be unique. On the contrary, they are more influenced by difficulty when they rate difficulty first or when they evaluate a product category (e.g., “a tax preparation service”) that is unexpected to be unique. Implications of the results for understanding the effects of fonts on information processing and consumer inference are discussed.
The Vasomotor Response to Dopamine Is Altered in the Rat Model of l‐dopa‐Induced Dyskinesia
Authors: Booth Samuel , Ramadan Abdullah , Zhang Dali , Lu Lingling , Kirouac Gilbert , Jackson Michael F. , Anderson Chris , Ko Ji Hyun
Published: November 2020

Background

Levodopa (l‐dopa) is the frontline treatment for motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. However, prolonged use of l‐dopa results in a motor complication known as levodopa‐induced dyskinesia (LID) in ~50% of patients over 5 years.

Objectives

We investigated neurovascular abnormalities in a rat model of LID by examining changes in angiogenesis and dopamine‐dependent vessel diameter changes.

Methods

Differences in striatal and nigral angiogenesis in a parkinsonian rat model (6‐OHDA lesion) treated with 2 doses of l‐dopa (saline, 2, and 10 mg/kg/day subcutaneous l‐dopa treatment for 22 days) by 5‐bromo‐2'‐deoxyuridine (BrdU)‐RECA1 co‐immunofluorescence. Difference in the vasomotor response to dopamine was examined with 2‐photon laser scanning microscopy and Dodt gradient imaging.

Results

We found that the 10 mg/kg l‐dopa dosing regimen induced LID in all animals (n = 5) and induced significant angiogenesis in the striatum and substantia nigra. In contrast, the 2 mg/kg treatment induced LID in 6 out of 12 rats and led to linearly increasing LID severity over the 22‐day treatment period, making this a promising model for studying LID progression longitudinally. However, no significantly different level of angiogenesis was observed between LID versus non‐LID animals. Dopamine‐induced vasodilatory responses were exaggerated only in rats that show LID‐like signs compared to the rest of groups. Additionally, in juvenile rats, we showed that DA‐induced vasodilation is preceded by increased Ca2+ release in the adjacent astrocytes.

Conclusion

This finding supports that astrocytic dopamine signaling controls striatal blood flow bidirectionally, and the balance is altered in LID. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Cholinergic Denervation Patterns Across Cognitive Domains in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: van der Zee Sygrid , Müller Martijn L.T.M. , Kanel Prabesh , van Laar Teus , Bohnen Nicolaas I.
Published: November 2020

Background

The cholinergic system plays a key role in cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous acetylcholinesterase positron emission tomography imaging studies found memory, attention, and executive function correlates of global cortical cholinergic losses. Vesicular acetylcholine transporter positron emission tomography allows for more accurate topographic assessment of not only cortical but also subcortical cholinergic changes.

Objective

The objectiveof this study was to investigate the topographic relationship between cognitive functioning and regional cholinergic innervation in patients with PD.

Methods

A total of 86 nondemented patients with PD (mean ± SD age 67.8 ± 7.6 years, motor disease duration 5.8 ± 4.6 years), and 12 healthy control participants (age 67.8 ± 7.8 years) underwent cholinergic [18F]Fluoroethoxybenzovesamicol positron emission tomography imaging. Patients with PD underwent neuropsychological assessment. The z scores for each cognitive domain were determined using an age‐matched, gender‐matched, and educational level–matched control group. Correlations between domain‐specific cognitive functioning and cholinergic innervation were examined, controlling for motor impairments and levodopa equivalent dose. Additional correlational analyses were performed using a mask limited to PD versus normal aging binding differences to assess for disease‐specific versus normal aging effects.

Results

Voxel‐based whole‐brain analysis demonstrated partial overlapping topography across cognitive domains, with most robust correlations in the domains of memory, attention, and executive functioning (P < 0.01, corrected for multiple comparisons). The shared pattern included the cingulate cortex, insula/operculum, and (visual) thalamus.

Conclusion

Our results confirm and expand on previous observations of cholinergic system involvement in cognitive functioning in PD. The topographic overlap across domains may reflect a partially shared cholinergic functionality underlying cognitive functioning, representing a combination of disease‐specific and aging effects. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A discrete approximation of Blake and Zisserman energy in image denoising with optimal choice of regularization parameters
Authors: Theljani Anis , Belhachmi Zakaria
Published: November 2020

We introduce and study a multi‐scale approximation of a nonlinear elliptic functional introduced by Bake and Zisserman (BZ) for solving image restoration problems. The functional is a fourth‐order PDE variational model that aims to locate geometric features that are singularities of first kind and second kind in the image. The method consists in introducing a family of linear discrete energies approximating BZ functional in the sense of theΓ‐convergence. These functionals are built from an adaptive finite element method that reflects how the corresponding high‐order diffusion operators act on image restoration with preserving contours and corners. The initial nonlinear functional includes low‐dimensional measures (Hausdorff) of the singular sets, whereas its linear discrete counterpart keep a simple structure of the underlying PDEs system easy to solve. The resulting approach allows us to capture that singularities of the image and its gradient better than the second‐order methods. We perform the analysis of the proposed method in the framework of theΓ‐convergence, and we derive a new algorithm to solve the minimization of the BZ functional. We consider and implement the algorithm and a variant based on the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) to enhance the convergence. We give some numerical results in agreement with the theoretical analysis to show the performances of the method.
Investigation of light behavior of all optical full adders in two‐dimensional photonic crystals
Authors: Sonth Mahesh V , Soma Savita , Gowre Sanjaykumar C
Published: November 2020

In this article, an optical full adder is investigated in terms of light flow inside the two‐dimensional (2‐D) crystal lattice waveguide structures. The phenomenon such as resonance, splitter, and combiner based on the principle of constructive and destructive interference is used in the modeling of all optical full adders. Also, defects are introduced in the junction of the waveguide structures to pass/stop light wave inside the waveguide structure. The designed full adder structure in 2‐D photonic crystals (PhCs) occupies an area of 382.91 μm2 and maximum light confinement at the Sum and Cout output ports are 0.52 and 0.6 arbitrary unit (a.u.), respectively. The response time of the full adder structure is about 0.25 ps and the maximum contrast ratio achieved at the Sum is 7.16 dB and Cout is 5.74 dB. RSoft FullWAVE simulation tool is used to perform a full‐vector simulation of photonic structures.
A small pilot study to evaluate the accuracy and feasibility of a novel automated voiding diary device for recording urine output measurements
Authors: Takai Shun , Matsukawa Yoshihisa , Hashizume Nobuya , Gotoh Momokazu
Published: November 2020

Aims

Recording a voiding diary can be bothersome for patients and is sometimes inaccurate and unhygienic. This study aimed to develop and assess the accuracy and convenience of a novel device that automatically records the voiding diary by measuring pre‐ and post‐void body weight.

Methods

We used this novel device for seven healthy volunteers and ten hospitalized patients. The examinees got on the device before and after voiding and the device recorded the voiding diary automatically. The examinees also manually recorded a voiding diary by collecting their urine in a cup and measuring its volume and weight. We examined the correlation between the traditional and the automated voiding diary to confirm the accuracy of voiding measurements using this device. Additionally, we investigated which measurement method was preferred by the participants.

Results

In the healthy volunteers group, there was a strong correlation between the voided urine weight recorded by the device and voided urine weight measured manually by the examinee (R2 = 0.9935). In the patients group, there was a strong (R2 = 0.9117) but lower correlation than that of the volunteers group, with an error of ±25 g 62% of the time, and ±50 g 82% of the time, respectively. All of the healthy volunteers and seven of the ten patients preferred using the automated voiding diary.

Conclusions

This novel device recorded a reasonably accurate voiding diary for everyday clinical practice.
Sport and pelvic floor dysfunction in male and female athletes: A scoping review
Authors: Giagio Silvia , Salvioli Stefano , Pillastrini Paolo , Innocenti Tiziano
Published: November 2020

Aims

The aims of the present scoping review were to systematically map and summarize findings to identify any study that reported epidemiological data on pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) among male and female athletes.

Methods

Six medical databases were searched up to March 2020. No language, study design, and publication type restrictions were applied. Additional studies were identified through gray literature and the reference lists of articles were screened. The results were presented numerically and thematically.

Results

A total of 4358 records were identified with an initial search. A hundred studies met the criteria for inclusion. The number of studies published annually increased over the years. Cross‐sectional studies (n = 62), urinary incontinence (n = 64), multiple sports (n = 58), and female athletes (n = 83) are the most investigated study design, condition, sport, and population, respectively. Only 12 studies explored PFD in the male population. Authors focused selectively on elite athletes in 21 studies.

Conclusions

This is the first scoping review to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic. The major gaps in the literature include studies focused on male participants, other PFD (e.g., anal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic pain), with appropriate study design. This review may be useful to raise awareness of the issue among clinicians and stakeholders in sport and it may represent a starting point for future research.
Boundary layer flow pattern of heat and mass for homogenous shear thinning hybrid‐nanofluid: An experimental data base modeling
Authors: Hassan Mohsan , El‐Zahar Essam R. , Khan Sami Ullah , Rahimi‐Gorji Mohammad , Ahmad Ashfaq
Published: November 2020

The boundary layer flow problem for non‐Newtonian hybrid nanofluid over moving wedge is discussed. The hybrid nanofluid is synthesized by equal suspensions of MWCNTs and SiO2 nanoparticles in a binary mixture of EG–water. The physical problem is modeled through continuity, momentum, and energy equations and a two‐parameter rheological model relates shear stress to shear rate is used that obey the trend of experimental result. The relevant governing equations are simplified form by means of the similarity transformation and then solved by an analytical scheme. The results are obtained at different nanoparticles volume fractions for velocity and temperature profiles and displaced graphically for discussion. In addition, displacement and momentum thicknesses are calculated numerically to understand the deflation in mass flow rate and momentum flux to due to boundary layer growth. The results show that velocity profile is reduced due to increasing of viscosity by nanoparticle volume fraction. In this consequence, the displacement and momentum thicknesses are increased.
A study on fractional host–parasitoid population dynamical model to describe insect species
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Kumar Ajay , Samet Bessem , Dutta Hemen
Published: November 2020

The parasitoid is a broad evolutionary association of hymenopteran insects which are well‐known as biological control agents. Parasites are different from predators because parasites only take resources from one host, whereas predators eat many preys. The preeminent target of this study is to present a fractional model of host–parasitoid population dynamical system through the Caputo operator. The host–parasitoid population dynamical model is a system of three dimensional coupled differential equations. This research also investigates the possibility for obtaining new chaotic behaviors with singular fractional operator and shows the chaotic behavior at different values of fractional order. Furthermore, two numerical schemes Adam–Bashforth–Moulton and new Toufik–Atangana mechanism were suggested to solve fractional host–parasitoid population numerically. Again, some numerical simulations are perform to assess the efficiency of the newly proposed method. Some attractive illustration is presented through graphically. We strongly believe that the proposed work will open various new doors of investigations toward modeling on parasitoid.
Tailored music listening intervention to reduce sleep disturbances in older adults with dementia: Research protocol
Authors: Petrovsky Darina V. , Gooneratne Nalaka S. , Bradt Joke , Gitlin Laura N. , Hodgson Nancy A.
Published: November 2020

Sleep disruption in older adults living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) is debilitating and contributes to increased institutionalization, reduced cognitive function, and accelerated disease progression. Furthermore, sleep disruption is linked to poor health outcomes in caregivers, such as decreased quality of life and increased caregiver burden. Given the potentially harmful side effects of pharmacologic treatment, nonpharmacologic approaches, such as music, may provide a safer alternative to reducing sleep disruption in this vulnerable population. A growing body of literature suggests that calming tailored music may improve sleep quality in older adults with memory loss, but its efficacy has not been demonstrated in older adults with ADRD in the community, where most older adults with ADRD live. If shown to be feasible and acceptable, tailored music interventions can then be tested for efficacy in reducing sleep disruption. This protocol details a wait‐list randomized controlled trial (NCT04157244), the purpose of which is to test the feasibility, acceptability, and examine the preliminary efficacy of a tailored music listening intervention in older adults with ADRD who report sleep disruption. Music selections will be tailored to the music genre preferences of older adults with ADRD and account for known sleep‐inducing properties. The feasibility of processes that is key to the success of the subsequent study will be examined. Preliminary efficacy of the intervention will be assessed using objective (actigraphy) and subjective (proxy‐reported) sleep quality measures. In addition, qualitative data will be solicited, examining the acceptability and satisfaction with the intervention by individuals with ADRD.
Functional Brain Networks: Unique Patterns with Hedonic Appetite and Confidence to Resist Eating in Older Adults with Obesity
Authors: Burdette Jonathan H. , Laurienti Paul J. , Miron Laura L. , Bahrami Mohsen , Simpson Sean L. , Nicklas Barbara J. , Fanning Jason , Rejeski W. Jack
Published: November 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine whether baseline measures of hedonic hunger—the Power of Food Scale—and self‐control for food consumption—the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire—were associated with network topology within two sets of brain regions (regions of interest [ROIs] 1 and 2) in a group of older adults with obesity. These previously identified brain regions were shown in a different cohort of older adults to be critical for discriminating weight loss success and failure.

Methods

Baseline functional magnetic resonance imaging data (resting state and food cue task) were collected in a novel cohort of 67 older adults with obesity (65‐85 years, BMI = 35‐42 kg/m2) participating in an 18‐month randomized clinical trial on weight regain.

Results

The Power of Food Scale was most related to ROI 1, which includes the visual cortex and sensorimotor processing areas during only the food cue state. During both the food cue and resting conditions, the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire was associated with ROI 2, which includes areas of the attention network and limbic circuitry.

Conclusions

Our findings show critical, distinct links between brain network topology with self‐reported measures that capture hedonic hunger and the confidence that older adults have in resisting the consumption of food because of both intrapersonal and social/environmental cues.
Whole‐slide laser microdissection for tumour enrichment
Authors: Coope Robin JN , Schlosser Colin , Corbett Richard D , Pleasance Stephen , Tessier‐Cloutier Basile , Pandoh Pawan , Kirk Heather , Haile Simon , Zhao Yongjun , Mungall Andrew J , Marra Marco A
Published: November 2020

The practical application of genome‐scale technologies to precision oncology research requires flexible tissue processing strategies that can be used to differentially select both tumour and normal cell populations from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissues. As tumour sequencing scales towards clinical implementation, practical difficulties in scheduling and obtaining fresh tissue biopsies at scale, including blood samples as surrogates for matched ‘normal’ DNA, have focused attention on the use of formalin‐preserved clinical samples collected routinely for diagnostic purposes. In practice, such samples often contain both tumour and normal cells which, if correctly partitioned, could be used to profile both tumour and normal genomes, thus identifying somatic alterations. Here we report a semi‐automated method for laser microdissecting entire slide‐mounted tissue sections to enrich for cells of interest with sufficient yield for whole genome and transcriptome sequencing. Using this method, we demonstrated enrichment of tumour material from mixed tumour–normal samples by up to 67%. Leveraging new methods that allow for the extraction of high‐quality nucleic acids from small amounts of formalin‐fixed tissues, we further showed that the method was successful in yielding sequence data of sufficient quality for use in BC Cancer's Personalized OncoGenomics (POG) program. © 2020 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Autophagy in white matter disorders of the CNS: mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities
Authors: Nutma Erik , Marzin Manuel C , Cillessen Saskia AGM , Amor Sandra
Published: November 2020

Autophagy is a constitutive process that degrades, recycles and clears damaged proteins or organelles, yet, despite activation of this pathway, abnormal proteins accumulate in neurons in neurodegenerative diseases and in oligodendrocytes in white matter disorders. Here, we discuss the role of autophagy in white matter disorders, including neurotropic infections, inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, and in hereditary metabolic disorders and acquired toxic‐metabolic disorders. Once triggered due to cell stress, autophagy can enhance cell survival or cell death that may contribute to oligodendrocyte damage and myelin loss in white matter diseases. For some disorders, the mechanisms leading to myelin loss are clear, whereas the aetiological agent and pathological mechanisms are unknown for other myelin disorders, although emerging studies indicate that a common mechanism underlying these disorders is dysregulation of autophagic pathways. In this review we discuss the alterations in the autophagic process in white matter disorders and the potential use of autophagy‐modulating agents as therapeutic approaches in these pathological conditions. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Strain rate dependency on failure load and stress intensity factor of single lap steel joints bonded with epoxy adhesive reinforced with nano‐Al2O3 sphere and rod particles
Authors: Gupta Sunil Kumar
Published: November 2020

The failure load of single‐lap steel joints (subjected to compressive force) with epoxy/nano‐Al2O3 adhesives containing 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt% of sphere and rod nano‐Al2O3 was analyzed at quasi‐static loading. At optimum wt% (1.5 wt%) of nano‐Al2O3, the failure load of epoxy/nano‐Al2O3 adhesive was determined at high strain rates using Kolsky bar. Critical stress intensity factor of the adhesive layer at the corner of single‐lap joints was calculated from the experimentally obtained failure load. A substantial improvement in the failure load and critical stress intensity factor of epoxy/nano‐Al2O3 adhesives was achieved compared to the base adhesive at quasi‐static and high shear strain rates. Whereas, the failure load of epoxy/nano‐Al2O3 adhesives containing 1.5 wt% of sphere and rod nano‐Al2O3 at high shear strain rates were 3 to 5 times more than the static failure load of adhesives. The reinforcement of sphere nano‐Al2O3 in epoxy had better performance on failure load and critical stress intensity factor of joints compared to rod nano‐Al2O3 under the compressive mode of loading.
Wachsen oder sterben – Partikelbildung in Städten
Authors: Kürten Andreas , Curtius Joachim
Published: November 2020

In der Luft schwebende, feste oder flüssige Teilchen sind wichtige Bestandteile der Atmosphäre. Diese Aerosolpartikel mit Durchmessern zwischen etwa 1 nm und 100 µ m wirken als Kondensationskeime, an denen Wasserdampf kondensieren kann. Somit beeinflussen Aerosole die Bildung von Wolken und Niederschlag und haben einen Einfluss auf Wetter und Klima. Mit der CLOUD‐Kammer am CERN hat ein internationales Forscherteam herausgefunden, dass die genaue Mischung von Ammoniak und Salpetersäure darüber entscheiden kann, ob neue Partikel entstehen und anwachsen oder nicht [1].
Comparison of nanocrystalline cellulose dispersion versus surface nucleation in poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) crystallization
Authors: Haham Hai , Shen Mo‐Yuan , Billington Sarah L. , Frank Curtis W.
Published: November 2020

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), which is a known crystal nucleating agent, is utilized to improve poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) thermal properties. Since NCC aggregation in PHBV negatively affects composite properties and processability, NCC crystal nucleation effectiveness was examined at low concentrations (<1%) under isothermal and nonisothermal conditions. NCC was dispersed in PHBV solutions using a solvent exchange method and then cast into films. We found that NCC was an effective nucleating agent in amounts as low as 0.25%, resulting in an increase in PHBV crystallization rate by more than 50%. However, increasing to 1% NCC resulted in aggregation in PHBV, with the NCC becoming less effective compared to lower NCC concentrations. In an attempt to improve NCC dispersion, we added cellulose acetate (CA) or stearic acid (SA) to the casting solution, anticipating that CA or SA would preferentially adsorb on the NCC. With such pretreatment, dispersion was indeed improved but NCC became less effective as a PHBV nucleating agent. This work shows the advantage of using low NCC concentrations (<0.5%) for promoting PHBV crystallization, but the lack of improved nucleation upon addition of CA and SA supports the importance of NCC surface accessibility.
Psychosocial and family‐centered support among breast cancer patients with dependent children
Authors: Hammersen Friederike , Pursche Telja , Fischer Dorothea , Katalinic Alexander , Waldmann Annika
Published: November 2020

Objective

To evaluate the psychosocial situation of breast cancer (BC) patients with dependent children, with regard to who used family‐centered psychosocial support (PS) services, reasons against using it, as well as existing, unmet needs, and current PS need.

Methods

Data were collected via survey and patient files during an inpatient rehabilitation program for mothers with BC, who were accompanied by a child <12 years. Descriptive statistics and tests for statistical significance were used.

Results

Out of the total of 561 patients, 23.0% had used family‐centered PS services before. Common reasons against it were enough support, no anticipated need and organizational issues. Patients stated a high number of unmet needs. The most urgent ones related to their children. About 59.3% of mothers stated a current PS need (PSN) and 33.3% a need for their children. Little social support and a worse maternal HRQOL, but not time since diagnosis, were related to a higher PSN in mothers and children (bivariate association).

Conclusion

Among BC patients with dependent children, clinicians need to take the whole family and their support needs into account. They should know about the existing organizational barriers, which need to be overcome with the help of tailored offers. Patients with low HRQOL, little social support and single‐mothers (with regard to children's PSN) need special attention as these can be indicators of high PSN.
Canopy spray application technology in specialty crops: a slowly evolving landscape
Authors: Warneke Brent W , Zhu Heping , Pscheidt Jay W , Nackley Lloyd L
Published: November 2020

Many specialty crops are susceptible to insects and diseases, and as such are reliant on regular canopy pesticide applications to achieve quality attributes required for salability. The majority of specialty crop producers continue to use antiquated pesticide application technologies for directed canopy spraying such as the radial air blast sprayer that has been associated with chemical wastage and off‐target drift of around 40% and 15% of total applied spray volume, respectively. However, precision sprayers are available that result in remarkable improvements to these parameters. The wide‐scale adoption of precision sprayers by specialty crop producers remains low. Reasons for the continued dominance of old technologies include risk averseness of farmers and regulatory bottlenecks. However, as farm labor becomes more expensive, less available, and consumers and regulations favor sustainably produced products, motivations to improve spray application efficiency are increasing. While there are many opportunities and future directions application technology may take, sensor‐controlled sprayer technology that applies a proportionate amount of spray will likely be the primary technology of precision sprayers going into the future. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Graph‐based subterranean exploration path planning using aerial and legged robots
Authors: Dang Tung , Tranzatto Marco , Khattak Shehryar , Mascarich Frank , Alexis Kostas , Hutter Marco
Published: November 2020

Autonomous exploration of subterranean environments remains a major challenge for robotic systems. In response, this paper contributes a novel graph‐based subterranean exploration path planning method that is attuned to key topological properties of subterranean settings, such as large‐scale tunnel‐like networks and complex multibranched topologies. Designed both for aerial and legged robots, the proposed method is structured around a bifurcated local‐ and global‐planner architecture. The local planner utilizes a rapidly exploring random graph to reliably and efficiently identify paths that optimize an exploration gain within a local subspace, while simultaneously avoiding obstacles, respecting applicable traversability constraints and honoring dynamic limitations of the robots. Reflecting the fact that multibranched and tunnel‐like networks of underground environments can often lead to dead‐ends and accounting for the robot endurance, the global planning layer works in conjunction with the local planner to incrementally build a sparse global graph and is engaged when the system must be repositioned to a previously identified frontier of the exploration space, or commanded to return‐to‐home. The designed planner is detailed with respect to its computational complexity and compared against state‐of‐the‐art approaches. Emphasizing field experimentation, the method is evaluated within multiple real‐life deployments using aerial robots and the ANYmal legged system inside both long‐wall and room‐and‐pillar underground mines in the United States and in Switzerland, as well as inside an underground bunker. The presented results further include missions conducted within the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Subterranean Challenge, a relevant competition on underground exploration.
Creating and Navigating a Transborder Writing Space: One Multilingual Adolescent’s Take‐Up of Dialogue Journaling in an English‐Medium Classroom
Authors: Linares Rebecca E.
Published: November 2020

Centering the literacy practice of a newly arrived, transnational, emergent multilingual student, the author provides insights into how these students, particularly when positioned as lacking literacy and content knowledge when labeled as students with interrupted formal education, might benefit socioemotionally and educationally from the opportunity to story their own lives and write their way into a new classroom and culture. The author shows how Marlón, a newly arrived immigrant from Guatemala, leveraged existing bodies of linguistic, content, and experiential knowledge to maximize his participation in the classroom‐based literacy practice of dialogue journaling. As such, the author demonstrates how the relatively low‐stakes, low‐tech, dialogic nature of journaling afforded Marlón the opportunity to create a transborder writing space in which he enacted agency in his decisions to translanguage, engage in multimodal writing, invoke familial knowledge, and share personal experiences. In the process, Marlón created an agentive border space that spanned cultures, nations, and languages in ways that authentically represented his multifaceted and complex identity and lived history. Students like Marlón are a growing demographic; thus, the author calls for teachers to consider the benefits of creating instructional spaces for low‐risk, low‐tech writing to ease transnational, emergent multilingual students into classroom and school‐based writing. The author also suggests the need for further research exploring the implementation and benefits of literacy practices that take into account newly arrived students’ identities holistically.
Nitrogen, irrigation, and alley management affects raspberry crop response and soil nitrogen and root‐lesion nematode dynamics
Authors: Kuchta Shawn , Neilsen Denise , Zebarth Bernie J. , Forge Tom , Nichol Craig
Published: November 2020

There is a need to improve raspberry crop nitrogen (N) management practices, particularly when grown over aquifers vulnerable to nitrate (NO3) leaching. This study quantified the effects of N, irrigation and alley management strategies on berry yield, indices of crop vigor and N status, growing season soil N dynamics, and root‐lesion nematode (RLN) population dynamics under red raspberry production in British Columbia, Canada. Conventional management (100 kg N ha−1 surface broadcast on the row, clean cultivation of alleys, and drip irrigation for a fixed duration regardless of evapotranspiration [ET]) was compared with different mineral fertilizer N rates, application of N as manure, seeding the alley to either a perennial forage grass (perennial ryegrass [Lolium perenne L.] and ‘Bridgeport II’ chewings fescue [Festuca rubra subsp. commutate]) or an autumn‐seeded spring barley crop, or ET‐scheduled irrigation. In addition, the combination of ET‐scheduled irrigation plus fertigation of a reduced rate of N was compared with conventional practices at a reduced N rate. There was little or no crop response to N source and rate, a finding attributed primarily to high nonmanaged N inputs, and possibly also to RLNs present at population densities (grand mean = 4 per cm3 soil) expected to suppress raspberry growth. ET‐scheduled irrigation reduced water use ∼50% compared with fixed‐duration irrigation without compromising crop performance. The perennial forage grass in the alley reduced soil mineral N but not yield. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that more environmentally sustainable raspberry production can be achieved through integrated management systems even in soils vulnerable to NO3 leaching.
A Phosphorus‐Doped Ag@Pd Catalyst for Enhanced CC Bond Cleavage during Ethanol Electrooxidation
Authors: Yang Xiaobo , Liang Zaipeng , Chen Shuai , Ma Minjun , Wang Qiang , Tong Xili , Zhang Qinghua , Ye Jinyu , Gu Lin , Yang Nianjun
Published: November 2020

Ethanol is preferred to be oxidized into CO2 for the construction of a high‐performance direct ethanol fuel cell since this complete ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) transfers 12 electrons. However, this EOR is sluggish and has the low activity as well as poor selectivity. To promote such a favorable EOR, more exactly the cleavage selectivity of CC bonds in ethanol, phosphorus‐doped silver‐core‐and‐Pd‐shell catalysts (denoted as Ag@PdP) are designed and synthesized. In the alkaline media, a Ag@Pd2P0.2 catalyst is superior toward EOR into CO2. It exhibits seven times higher mass activity and six times higher selectivity than the benchmark Pd/C catalyst. As confirmed by means of density functional theory calculation and in situ Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, such high performance stems from an increased adsorption energy of OH radicals on the Pd active sites. Meanwhile, the tensile strain effect of a core–shell structure of this Ag@Pd2P0.2 catalyst favors the formation of adsorbed CH3CO intermediate, the key species for the enhanced C–C cleavage into CO2, instead of acetate. The proposed way to design and synthesize such high‐performance EOR catalysts will explore the practical applications of direct alkaline ethanol fuel cells.
Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Adhesives for Transfer Printing of Carbon Nanotubes and Metallic Nanostructures
Authors: Dore Camilla , Dörling Bernhard , Garcia‐Pomar Juan Luis , Campoy‐Quiles Mariano , Mihi Agustín
Published: November 2020

Transfer printing is one of the key nanofabrication techniques for the large‐scale manufacturing of complex device architectures. It provides a cost‐effective and high‐throughput route for the integration of independently processed materials into spatially tailored architectures. Furthermore, this method enables the fabrication of flexible and curvilinear devices, paving the way for the fabrication of a new generation of technologies for optics, electronics, and biomedicine. In this work, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) membranes are used as water soluble adhesives for transfer printing processes with improved performance and versatility compared to conventional silicone alternatives. The high‐water solubility and excellent mechanical properties of HPC facilitate transfer printing with high yield for both metal and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) inks. In the case of metal inks, crack‐free stripping of silver films and the simple fabrication of Moiré Plasmonic architectures of different geometries are demonstrated. Furthermore, HPC membranes are used to transfer print carbon nanotube films with different thicknesses and up to 77% transparency in the visible and near infrared region with potential applications as transparent conductive substrates. Finally, the use of prepatterned HPC membranes enables nanoscale patterning of CNT with feature resolution down to 1 µm.
Coke Gasification in Blast Furnace Shaft Conditions with H2 and H2O Containing Atmospheres
Authors: Heikkilä Anne M. , Koskela Aki M. , Iljana Mikko O. , Lin Rongshan , Bartusch Hauke , Heikkinen Eetu-Pekka , Fabritius Timo M. J.
Published: November 2020

Most of world steel in 2018 has been produced from virgin iron ore via the blast furnace (BF)—basic oxygen furnace route. Therewith the BF is one of the most important unit processes in worldwide steel making. Among others, energy efficiency of the BF is dependent on coke reactivity. Coke gasification occurs via solution‐loss reactions either with CO2 or H2O. Herein, the gasification of coke is studied in CO–CO2–H2–H2O–N2 atmosphere simulating the BF conditions. The simulated atmospheres are based on the measurements from an actual BF. This research studies the effect of the composition of the BF atmosphere representing conditions near the wall as well as at the center and influence of the H2O content on coke gasification under simulated BF conditions. It is found that the location plays a role in coke gasification: wall atmosphere yields higher coke gasification compared with center. Dynamic tests show that introduction of H2 and H2O in gas atmosphere fastens coke gasification by +119% at temperature range between 800 and 1200 °C in wall conditions. When H2O is present in gas atmosphere, the mass loss of coke is also greater in both wall and center conditions.
A survey of biodiversity informatics: Concepts, practices, and challenges
Authors: Gadelha Luiz M. R. , de Siracusa Pedro C. , Dalcin Eduardo Couto , da Silva Luís Alexandre Estevão , Augusto Douglas A. , Krempser Eduardo , Affe Helen Michelle , Costa Raquel Lopes , Mondelli Maria Luiza , Meirelles Pedro Milet , Thompson Fabiano , Chame Marcia , Ziviani Artur , de Siqueira Marinez Ferreira
Published: November 2020

The unprecedented size of the human population, along with its associated economic activities, has an ever‐increasing impact on global environments. Across the world, countries are concerned about the growing resource consumption and the capacity of ecosystems to provide resources. To effectively conserve biodiversity, it is essential to make indicators and knowledge openly available to decision‐makers in ways that they can effectively use them. The development and deployment of tools and techniques to generate these indicators require having access to trustworthy data from biological collections, field surveys and automated sensors, molecular data, and historic academic literature. The transformation of these raw data into synthesized information that is fit for use requires going through many refinement steps. The methodologies and techniques applied to manage and analyze these data constitute an area usually called biodiversity informatics. Biodiversity data follow a life cycle consisting of planning, collection, certification, description, preservation, discovery, integration, and analysis. Researchers, whether producers or consumers of biodiversity data, will likely perform activities related to at least one of these steps. This article explores each stage of the life cycle of biodiversity data, discussing its methodologies, tools, and challenges.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Biological Data Mining