bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructural description of fresh and frozen/thawed sperm derived from collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu Linnaeus, 1,758)
Authors: Bezerra Luana Grasiele Pereira , Souza Ana Liza Paz , Silva Herlon Victor Rodrigues , Vasconcelos Fábio Roger , Moura Arlindo de Alencar Araripe , Pereira Alexsandra Fernandes , Oliveira Moacir Franco de , Silva Alexandre Rodrigues
Published: October 2018

The aim was to describe, through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the ultrastructure of peccaries' fresh and frozen–thawed sperm. For that, semen derived from three mature males was obtained by electroejaculation and evaluated for motility, membrane integrity, membrane functionality, chromatin integrity, and morphology through light microscopy. Samples were frozen using a Tris extender plus egg yolk (20%) and glycerol (6%). Then, fresh and frozen–thawed semen samples were mixed in different sperm pools that were processed for SEM and TEM. Sperm motility, membrane integrity, and functionality were impaired (p < .05) by freezing–thawing procedures, but sperm morphology, and chromatin integrity evaluated by light microscopy were not significantly affected. The SEM revealed that peccaries’ sperm presents a flattened head in a paddle format, measuring 6.07 μm in length and 3.84 μm in width, with a vastus acrosome (4.46 μm). Normal tails measure 38.11 μm, being formed by an extensive midpiece with 15.52 μm in length. In frozen–thawed samples, both SEM and TEM provide us information about damage undetected through light microscopy as the presence of vesicles in the acrosome, loose plasma membrane, vacuolized mitochondria, dense fibers disorganized, and decondensed chromatin. In conclusion, we provide the first description of the sperm ultrasctruture in collared peccaries. Moreover, SEM and TEM help us to identify some nanometric damage provoked by freezing–thawing procedures, thus providing valuable information for the improvement of such important protocols used for biobanking formation.
An Efficient One‐Pot Three‐Component Synthesis of Some New 3‐(Benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐alkyl‐4(3H)‐quinazolinones Using Silica Sulfuric Acid as a Heterogeneous Catalyst
Authors: Koroji Samira , Mohammadi Ali A. , Mehrshad Mohammad
Published: October 2018

Silica sulfuric acid catalyzed one‐pot synthesis of some new 3‐(benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐alkyl or 3‐(2‐benzimidazolyl)‐2‐alkyl quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one by condensation of a three component of antheranilic acid, 2‐aminobenzothiazole or 2‐aminobenzimidazole, and orthoesters under microwave irradiation.
Increased iron deposition of deep cerebral gray matter structures in hemodialysis patients: A longitudinal study using quantitative susceptibility mapping
Authors: Chai Chao , Wang Huiying , Liu Saifeng , Chu Zhi‐Qiang , Li Jinping , Qian Tianyi , Haacke E.M. , Xia Shuang , Shen Wen
Published: October 2018

Background

The cerebral iron overload in hemodialysis patients has been reported in a previous study, in which the evaluation of the changes in iron content could be affected by the cross‐sectional analysis.

Purpose

To investigate the longitudinal changes of iron deposition in hemodialysis patients using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and correlate these findings with the longitudinal changes of neurocognitive function and clinical factors.

Study Type

Prospective; longitudinal.

Population

In all, 34 patients and 30 healthy controls (HCs); the mean follow‐up interval was 22 ± 7 months.

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0T, susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI).

Assessment

QSM reconstructed from original phase data of SWI was used to measure the susceptibility of gray matter structures including bilateral caudate nucleus (CN), globus pallidus (GP), putmen (PUT), red nucleus (RN), substantia nigra (SN), dentate nucleus (DN), thalamus (THA), pulvinar of thalamus (PT). The Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) test and clinical factors were recorded.

Statistical Testing

Analysis of covariance adjusting for age and gender as covariates or a paired t‐test for the differences in susceptibility, MMSE scores, and clinical factors among baseline, follow‐up patients, and HCs. Correlation and stepwise regression analysis for the relationship between susceptibility, MMSE scores, and clinical factors.

Results

The susceptibility of bilateral CN, GP, PUT, RN, SN, DN, THA, PT in follow‐up patients was significantly higher than that in baseline between patients and HCs except for left THA (all P < 0.05; Bonferroni corrected). MMSE scores significantly negatively correlated with the susceptibility of bilateral CN, PUT, and RRN in the baseline examination and bilateral CN, PUT, RN, and DN in the follow‐up examination (all P < 0.05; false discovery rate [FDR] corrected). The follow‐up interval, creatinine, phosphorus, and calcium were independent factors for the increased susceptibility of some nuclei (all P < 0.05).

Data Conclusion

The iron deposition of gray matter nuclei in hemodialysis patients increased over roughly a 2‐year period and may be a risk factor for neurocognitive impairment. Creatinine and abnormal calcium‐phosphorus metabolism were independent risk factors for abnormal iron deposition.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:786–799.
Anatomical location, sex, and age influence murine arterial circumferential cyclic strain before and during dobutamine infusion
Authors: Castle Paige E. , Scheven Ulrich M. , Crouch A. Colleen , Cao Amos A. , Goergen Craig J. , Greve Joan M.
Published: October 2018

Background

One of the primary biomechanical factors influencing arterial health is their deformation across the cardiac cycle, or cyclic strain, which is often associated with arterial stiffness. Deleterious changes in the cardiovascular system, e.g., increased arterial stiffness, can remain undetected until the system is challenged, such as under a cardiac stressor like dobutamine.

Purpose

To quantify cyclic strain in mice at different locations along the arterial tree prior to and during dobutamine infusion, while evaluating the effects of sex and age.

Study Type

Control/cohort study.

Animal Model

Twenty C57BL/6 mice; male, female; ∼12 and 24 weeks of age; n = 5 per group.

Field Strength/Sequence

7T; CINE MRI with 12 frames, velocity compensation, and prospective cardiac gating.

Assessment

Prior to and during the infusion of dobutamine, Green–Lagrange circumferential cyclic strain was calculated from perimeter measurements derived from CINE data acquired at the carotid artery, suprarenal and infrarenal abdominal aorta, and iliac artery.

Statistical Tests

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post‐hoc tests was used to evaluate the influence of dobutamine, anatomical location, sex, and age.

Results

Heart rates did not differ between groups prior to or during dobutamine infusion (P = 0.87 and P = 0.08, respectively). Dobutamine increased cyclic strain in each group. Within a group, increases in strain were similar across arteries. At the suprarenal aorta, strain was reduced in older mice at baseline (young 27.6 > mature 19.3%, P = 0.01) and during dobutamine infusion (young 53.0 > mature 36.2%, P = 0.005). In the infrarenal aorta, the response (dobutamine – baseline) was reduced in older mice (young 21.9 > mature 13.5%, P = 0.04).

Data Conclusion

Dobutamine infusion increases circumferential cyclic strain throughout the arterial tree of mice. This effect is quantifiable using CINE MRI. The results demonstrate that strain prior to and during dobutamine is influenced by anatomical location, sex, and age.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:69–80.
Anthocyanidins structural study using positive electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry and H/D exchange
Authors: Poliseli Camila B. , Ribeiro Marcos , Tonin Angelica P.P. , Vagula Julianna M. , Santos Oscar O. , Visentainer Jesuí V. , Pontes Rodrigo M. , Moraes Luiz A.B. , Meurer Eduardo C.
Published: October 2018

We report herein a detailed structural study by collision‐induced dissociation (CID) of nonglycosylated anthocyanins (anthocyanidins) using electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (ESI‐QqQ) and isotope labeling experiments to understand the fragmentation process often used in mass spectrometry analysis of this class of compounds. Tandem mass spectrometric product ion spectra for three anthocyanidins (cyanidin, delphynidin, and pelargonin) were evaluated to propose fragmentation mechanisms to this natural colorant class of organic compounds. The proposed rearrangements, retro Diels‐Alder reaction, water loss, CO losses, and stable acylium ion formation, were evaluated based on tandem mass spectrometric experiments of normal and labeled precursor ions together to computational thermochemistry. B3LYP/6‐311 + G** ab initio calculations studies were carried out to obtain energy diagrams to show the viability of the proposed mechanisms. The CO losses fragmentation channels have lower energies when compared with water losses and the other proposed fragmentations. The isotope labeling experiments indicate the H/D exchange of the hydroxyl protons and corroborate the proposed general fragmentation mechanism for anthocyanidins.
Fungal bio‐sorption potential of chromium in Norkrans liquid medium by shake flask technique
Authors: Igiehon Nicholas O. , Babalola Olubukola O
Published: October 2018

In this study, the myco‐reduction potential of fungi isolated from soil was ascertained by Norkrans shake flask experiment contaminated with chromium(VI). Fungal tolerance assay and induced tolerance training of the fungi were also carried out. Aspergillus niger, Penicillium, and Saccharomyces strains were isolated from the soil samples using culture based technique. Norkrans samples were collected and analyzed for Cr(VI) concentration using diphenylcarbazide spectrophotometric method. Penicillium strain was observed to be most effect at Cr(VI) concentrations of 16.1 and 8.1 mg L−1 since it was able to reduce Cr(VI) more than Saccharomyces strain and A. niger on day 20. Bio‐sorption kinetics for this study was better described by pseudo second order model while Langmuir isotherm model fitted better to the equilibrium data. There was virtually steady increase in fungal growth for all the treatments through‐out the experimental period. Significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between fungal growth and Cr(VI) reduction rate. The results from the induced tolerance training showed that Penicillium had the highest tolerance index (TI) values at 18, 20, and 25 mg L−1 concentrations of Cr(VI) compared to A. niger and Saccharomyces strain. These results demonstrated that these fungi have the potential to bio‐absorb Cr(VI) and if properly harnessed, could be used in place of conventional remediation technology to clean‐up the Cr(VI) contaminant in the field.
A new and flexible rainy season definition: Validation for the Greater Horn of Africa and application to rainfall trends
Authors: Seregina Larisa S. , Fink Andreas H. , van der Linden Roderick , Elagib Nadir A. , Pinto Joaquim G.
Published: October 2018

Previous studies on observed or projected rainfall trends for the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) generally focus on calendric 3‐month periods, and thus partly neglect the complexity of rainfall seasonality in this topographically heterogeneous region. This study introduces a novel and flexible methodology to identify the rainfall seasonality, the onset, cessation and duration of the rainy seasons and the associated uncertainties from rainfall time series. The definition is applied to the Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) satellite product and an extensive rain gauge data set. A strong agreement with known seasonal dynamics in the region and the commonly used calendric rainy seasons is demonstrated. Compared to the latter definition, a clear added value is found for the new approach as it captures the local rainfall features (associated with, for example, the sea breeze), thus facilitating evaluations across rainfall seasonality borders. While previously known trends are qualitatively confirmed, trends are amplified in some regions using the flexible definition method. Notably, a drying trend in Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo and a wetting trend in central Sudan and parts of eastern Ethiopia and Kenya can be detected. The trends are regionally associated with changes in rainy season cessation. CHIRPS and station trend patterns are consistent over larger regions of the GHA, but differ in regions with known rainfall contributions from warmer cloud tops. Discrepancies are found in coastal and topographically complex areas, and regions with an unstable seasonality of rainfall. As expected, CHIRPS shows spatially more homogeneous trends compared to station data. The more precise definition of the rainy season facilitates the assessment of rainfall characteristics like intensity, rainfall amounts or temporal shifts of rainy seasons. This novel methodology could also provide a more adequate calibration of climate model simulations thus potentially enabling more realistic climate change projections for the GHA.
Non‐stationary peaks‐over‐threshold analysis of extreme precipitation events in Finland, 1961–2016
Authors: Pedretti Daniele , Irannezhad Masoud
Published: October 2018

There is an urgent need to understand and predict how extreme precipitation events (EPEs) will change at high latitudes, both for local climate change adaptation plans and risk mitigation and as a potential proxy “anticipating” the impact of climate change elsewhere in the world. This paper illustrates that a combination of non‐stationary modelling approaches can be adopted to evaluate trends in EPEs under uncertainty. A large database of daily rainfall events from 281 sparsely distributed weather stations in Finland between 1961 and 2016 was analysed. Among the tested methods, Poisson distributions provided a powerful method to evaluate the impacts of multiple physical covariates, including temperature and atmospheric circulation patterns (ACPs), on the resulting trends. The analysis demonstrates that non‐stationarity is statistically valid for the majority of observations, independently of their location in the country and the season of the year. However, subsampling can severely hinder the statistical validity of the trends, which can be easily confused with random noise and therefore complicate the decision‐making processes regarding long‐term planning. Scaling effects have a strong impact on the estimates of non‐stationary parameters, as homogenizing the data in space and time reduces the statistical validity of the trends. Trends in EPE statistics (mean, 90 and 99% percentiles) and best‐fitted Generalized Pareto parameters in the tails of the distributions appear to be stronger when approaching the Polar region (Lapland) than away from it, consistent with the Arctic amplification of climate change. ACPs are key covariates in physically explaining these trends. In particular, the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) can explain statistically significant increases in extreme precipitation in Lapland, Bothnian and South regions of Finland, particularly during summer and fall seasons.
Downscaling satellite‐derived daily precipitation products with an integrated framework
Authors: Chen Fengrui , Gao Yongqi , Wang Yiguo , Qin Fen , Li Xi
Published: October 2018

Spatially downscaling satellite precipitation products have been performed on annual and monthly precipitation. Accurate downscaling on daily precipitation remains a challenge due to the limitation of the downscaling assumption, the large spatial discontinuity of daily precipitation, and the relatively poor quality of satellite‐derived daily precipitation product. In this study, an integrated downscaling‐fusion framework was proposed and used to downscale satellite‐derived daily precipitation. First, a spatio‐temporal downscaling scheme is applied to produce preliminary downscaled daily precipitation. The accuracy of the derived preliminary results is then boosted by merging with daily gauge observations using an ensemble fusion method. The performance of the proposed framework was tested and evaluated by downscaling the Integrated Multi‐satellite Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement (IMERG) daily precipitation data from 0.1 to 0.01° over eastern and central China for the period of 2015–2016. The results showed that (a) the downscaling scheme accurately mapped the spatio‐temporal variation in daily precipitation, and the preliminary downscaled results perfectly maintained the accuracy of the original IMERG data; (b) the fused results were much more accurate than the original IMERG data, decreasing the root‐mean‐square errors (RMSEs) by 22, 10, and 18% at daily, monthly, and annual timescales, respectively, for the whole period; and (c) the fused daily precipitation data considerably strengthened the detection of rain/no rain area compared with the original IMERG daily precipitation data, with a 17% reduction in the inconsistency index.
Does the modern‐era retrospective analysis for research and applications‐2 aerosol reanalysis introduce an improvement in the simulation of surface solar radiation over China?
Authors: Feng Fei , Wang Kaicun
Published: October 2018

Surface incident solar radiation (Rs) is a key parameter of energy and water cycles of the Earth. Reanalyses represent important sources of information on Rs. However, reanalyses Rs may have important bias due to their imperfect parameterizations and input errors of cloud and aerosol. NASA's Global Modelling and Assimilation Office has recently released Version 2 of the Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA2), which incorporates a reanalysis of atmospheric optical depth for the first time. In this study, we evaluate Rs from MERRA2 and its predecessor (MERRA) in China from 1980 to 2014. We first compare three possible reference data sources: (a) observed Rs at 122 stations, (b) satellite retrievals of Rs and (c) Rs values derived from sunshine durations measured at 2,400 weather stations. We find sunshine duration derived Rs is a reliable reference and use it to evaluate MERRA and MERRA2. Our results show that both MERRA and MERRA2 have a high mean bias of 38.63 and 43.86 W/m2 over China due to their underestimation of cloud fraction, which is greater in southern China. MERRA2 displays improved capability in reproducing monthly and annual variability, and national mean trend of Rs. MERRA overestimates the trend of Rs by 3.23 W/m2 in eastern China. MERRA2 reduced this trend bias over the North China Plain likely due to its aerosol assimilation. However, MERRA2 show a negative bias in trend of Rs (−3.44 W/m2) in the south China likely due to its overestimation of atmospheric aerosols loading and aerosol‐cloud interaction. The results provide guidance for future development of reanalysis and its scientific applications for ecological and hydrological models.
Will to Masculinity: An Existential Examination of Men's Issues
Authors: Schermer Travis W. , Holmes Cornelius N.
Published: October 2018

The will to meaning can be frustrated by supplanting meaning with its consequence (e.g., will to power). The present treatise suggests that dominant male culture has supplanted meaning with masculinity, thus creating a will to masculinity. This work seeks to conceptualize the issues of modern masculinity through an existential‐humanist lens.
Interfacial Behavior of Anionic/Cationic Flotation Collectors in Mixed Aqueous Solutions and Their Effect on Flotation Recovery of Quartz
Authors: Özün Savaş , Ulutaş Şemsettin
Published: October 2018

In this study, the effects of anionic/cationic collector mixtures on surface tension (γ) were investigated as a function of pH using the pendant drop method. For the tests, long‐chain tallow amine and petroleum sulfonate, which are the most common anionic and cationic flotation collectors, were used individually and as binary mixtures with different mixing ratios. The results show that pH of the solution had crucial effects on surface tension values of the amine whose species distribution varied with pH but not on petroleum sulfonate that is found in the ionized form over the entire pH range. In the case of binary anionic/cationic collector mixtures, the minimum surface tension values were obtained under highly acidic pH conditions with a mixing ratio of 1:3, while the collector mixtures with 3:1 and 1:1 mixing ratios displayed similar surface tension values at all pH values. For all binary‐collector mixtures with different mixing ratios, the surface tension values were found to be higher than those of single‐collector solutions with equal collector concentrations. In the case of microflotation tests, the flotation recoveries of quartz in the presence of the binary anionic/cationic collector mixtures dropped more than 25% when compared with the results in the presence of single‐collector solutions having equal collector concentrations.
Critical evaluation of microextraction pretreatment techniques – Part 1: Single drop and sorbent‐based techniques
Authors: Havlikova Martina , Cabala Radomir , Pacakova Vera , Bursova Miroslava , Bosakova Zuzana
Published: October 2018

Sample pretreatment techniques or preconcentration constitute a very important step before the analysis of environmental, clinical, pharmaceutical, and other complex samples. Thanks to extraction techniques it is possible to achieve higher method sensitivities and selectivities. Miniaturization microextraction methods make them more environmentally friendly and only small amounts of samples are required. In the past 30 years, a number of microextraction methods have been developed and used and are documented in thousands of articles. Many reviews have been written focusing on their use in specified professional fields or on the latest trends. Unfortunately, no uniform nomenclature has been introduced for these methods. Therefore, this review attempts to classify all the essential microextraction techniques and describes their advantages, disadvantages, and the latest innovations. The methods are divided into two main groups: single drop and sorbent‐based techniques according to the type of extraction phase.
Predictive Value of Quantitative Uterine Fibroid Perfusion Parameters From Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound for the Therapeutic Effect of High‐Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation
Authors: Wang Ying‐Jin , Zhang Peng‐Hua , Zhang Rong , An Pei‐Li
Published: October 2018

Objectives

To assess the predictive significance of quantitative perfusion parameters from contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for the therapeutic response to high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation in patients with uterine fibroids.

Methods

A total of 263 patients with single uterine fibroids were treated with HIFU ablation under ultrasound guidance. The arrival time, peak time, enhancement time, enhancement intensity, and enhancement rate were evaluated with pretreatment CEUS. According to a nonperfused volume ratio evaluation by posttreatment magnetic resonance imaging, all patients were assigned to groups with volume ratios of 70% or higher and lower than 70%. Then the predictive performances of different parameters for ablation efficacy were studied.

Results

The arrival time, peak time, and enhancement time in the group with a nonperfused volume ratio of 70% or higher were longer than those in the group with a volume ratio lower than 70% (mean ± SD, 16.7 ± 3.5, 26.5 ± 4.9, and 10.2 ± 2.6 seconds, respectively, versus 13.3 ± 4.2, 20.8 ± 5.4, and 7.6 ± 2.3 seconds), whereas patients with a volume ratio of 70% or higher had a lower mean enhancement intensity and enhancement rate than those with a volume ratio lower than 70% (29.7 ± 16.7 dB and 3.2 ± 1.5 dB/s versus 63.2 ± 26.3 dB and 8.6 ± 4.3 dB/s; P < .05). The nonperfused volume ratio was negatively correlated with the enhancement intensity and enhancement rate (r = –0.631 and –0.712) but positively correlated with the arrival time, peak time, and enhancement time (r = 0.322, 0.456, and 0.477; P < .05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the enhancement time, enhancement intensity, and enhancement rate were 0.73, 0.79, and 0.81 (P < .05).

Conclusions

Quantitative parameters from CEUS are potentially useful for evaluating the therapeutic effect of HIFU ablation for uterine fibroids.
International neural monitoring study group guideline 2018 part I: Staging bilateral thyroid surgery with monitoring loss of signal
Authors: Schneider Rick , Randolph Gregory W. , Dionigi Gianlorenzo , Wu Che‐Wei , Barczynski Marcin , Chiang Feng‐Yu , Al‐Quaryshi Zaid , Angelos Peter , Brauckhoff Katrin , Cernea Claudio R. , Chaplin John , Cheetham Jonathan , Davies Louise , Goretzki Peter E. , Hartl Dana , Kamani Dipti , Kandil Emad , Kyriazidis Natalia , Liddy Whitney , Orloff Lisa , Scharpf Joseph , Serpell Jonathan , Shin Jennifer J. , Sinclair Catherine F. , Singer Michael C. , Snyder Samuel K. , Tolley Neil S. , Van Slycke Sam , Volpi Erivelto , Witterick Ian , Wong Richard J. , Woodson Gayle , Zafereo Mark , Dralle Henning
Published: October 2018

This publication offers modern, state‐of‐the‐art International Neural Monitoring Study Group (INMSG) guidelines based on a detailed review of the recent monitoring literature. The guidelines outline evidence‐based definitions of adverse electrophysiologic events, especially loss of signal, and their incorporation in surgical strategy. These recommendations are designed to reduce technique variations, enhance the quality of neural monitoring, and assist surgeons in the clinical decision‐making process involved in surgical management of recurrent laryngeal nerve. The guidelines are published in conjunction with the INMSG Guidelines Part II, Optimal Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Management for Invasive Thyroid Cancer–Incorporation of Surgical, Laryngeal, and Neural Electrophysiologic Data.

Laryngoscope, 128:S1–S17, 2018
Instruments evaluating the clinical findings of laryngopharyngeal reflux: A systematic review
Authors: Lechien Jerome R. , Schindler Antonio , De Marrez Lisa G. , Hamdan Abdul Latif , Karkos Petros D. , Harmegnies Bernard , Barillari Maria Rosaria , Finck Camille , Saussez Sven
Published: October 2018

Objectives

To identify the instruments for evaluating the clinical findings (ICFs) of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) designed for use with regard to diagnosis and treatment effectiveness.

Methods

The PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were used to search for subject headings following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. Three investigators retrieved relevant studies published between 1990 and 2018 describing the evolution of laryngopharyngeal findings throughout LPR treatment. Issues of clinical relevance, that is, LPR diagnosis, treatments, and signs assessed for diagnosis or as therapeutic outcomes, were assessed. The investigators also evaluated the psychometric properties (conceptual model, content validity, consistency, reliability, concordance, convergent validity, known‐groups validity, responsiveness to change, and interpretability) of the ICF. The risk of bias was assessed with the tool of the Clarity Group and Evidence Partners.

Results

The search identified 1,227 publications with a total of 4,735 LPR patients; of these studies, 53 met the inclusion criteria. Of these 53 studies, we identified 10 unvalidated and six validated ICFs. None of the validated ICFs included all the psychometric properties. The main identified deficiencies related to ICF psychometric validation included variable construct validity, disparate and uncertain reliabilities, and a lack of interpretability. The lack of consideration of certain LPR laryngeal and extralaryngeal signs is the main weakness of ICFs, biasing content, and construct validities.

Conclusion

The low specificity of LPR signs, the lack of consideration of many findings, and the absence of a gold standard for diagnosis constitute barriers to the further validation of these ICFs. Additional studies are needed to develop complete and reliable ICFs.

Laryngoscope, 129:720–736, 2019
Soil microbial community responses to forage grass cultivation in degraded karst soils, Southwest China
Authors: Li Dejun , Liu Jing , Chen Hao , Zheng Liang , Wang Kelin
Published: October 2018

Variation of soil microbial community abundance and structure has great implications for soil fertility and nutrient cycling. A better understanding of soil microbial community dynamics under different land use types is undoubtedly needed in order to develop sustainable land use schemes. The current study aimed to assess how soil microbial community changed after replacement of maize–soybean crop by sugarcane, mulberry, or forage grass crop in a karst area of Southwest China. Mature forests were included for comparison. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) method was used to characterize soil microbial community abundance and structure. The abundances of total PLFAs and PLFAs of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were significantly increased in the forage grass field but not in the sugarcane and mulberry fields relative to the maize–soybean field. Total PLFAs' abundance in the forage grass field was increased by 81% compared with that in the maize–soybean field but was about 52% lower than that in the forest. The microbial community structure was not distinguished as much as the microbial abundance among the five land use types. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was identified as the primary factor affecting both soil microbial abundance and structure. Soil microbial community abundance was positively correlated with SOC, but the ratios of fungal to bacterial PLFAs and Gram‐positive to Gram‐negative bacterial PLFAs were negatively correlated with SOC. Our findings suggest that the replacement of the maize–soybean rotation system by forage grass cultivation has the potential to improve soil fertility in the karst region, Southwest China.
Why do smallholder farmers dis‐adopt conservation agriculture? Insights from Malawi
Authors: Chinseu Edna , Dougill Andrew , Stringer Lindsay
Published: October 2018

International donors and advisory bodies, governments, and nongovernmental organisations are actively promoting conservation agriculture (CA) to improve agricultural productivity and resilience to climate change impacts. However, many smallholder farmers continue to dis‐adopt (abandon) the technology. Reasons for dis‐adoption are not well known. This article examines farmers' lived experiences and perceptions of CA to understand why smallholder farmers dis‐adopt CA in Malawi. Improving understanding of dis‐adoption of this seemingly appropriate intervention is important to achieve sustained adoption and for ensuring long‐lasting impacts of agricultural development project interventions. A mixed methods approach was used, involving household questionnaire survey and focus group discussions with smallholder farmers. Findings reveal that although drivers of dis‐adoption are multidimensional and multilayered, they are rooted in shortfalls of CA promoters' implementation arrangements. Although CA proponents market CA as a time‐saving, labour‐saving, and yield‐improving technology, respondents report contrary experiences. Our findings show that farmers lack sufficient technical support and encounter technological, social, institutional, and economic challenges. These, coupled with unfulfilled expectations, undermine ownership of CA projects and lead to dis‐adoption. This highlights a need to (a) collaboratively design projects to better suit local needs and context with inclusive implementation arrangements; (b) emphasise climate resilience benefits of CA rather than economic benefits to manage farmers' expectations; (c) intensify multidisciplinary research that incorporates farmers' knowledge and experiences to develop suitable, flexible, and low‐input CA packages; and (d) provide regular hands‐on technical extension support to farmers.
The development of active middle ear implants: A historical perspective and clinical outcomes
Authors: Kließ Melodi Koşaner , Ernst Arne , Wagner Jan , Mittmann Philipp
Published: October 2018

Objective (s)

Energy emitting, active middle ear implants (aMEI) have taken more than two decades of research to reach technological sophistication, medical safety, and regulatory approval to become a powerful tool in treating sensorineural, conductive, and mixed hearing loss. The present review covers this era.

Data Source

Literature found from searching Pubmed (MEDLINE); EMBASE, SciSearch, German Medical Science Journals and Meetings, and The Cochrane Library; and published as of February 2017. Study bibliographies were hand‐searched to find further materials.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted to identify studies evaluating the safety, efficacy, effectiveness, and subjective outcomes of partially implantable aMEIs. Data were extracted on systems with regulatory approval and summarized narratively. Meta‐analyses were conducted for aMEIs with more than 25 publications. Study selection, data extraction, and quality appraisal for quantitative data synthesis was carried out by two reviewers.

Results

Four hundred thirty‐one studies included in narrative synthesis describe that albeit good audiological outcomes, clinical safety and (dis)investment are major barriers to continued market access. The synthesised risk of adverse events was three fold with the MET than with the VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE. With the latter system, audiological outcomes were stable and similar for all indications and age groups.

Conclusion

To date, the majority of the literature covers the clinical application of the VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE system as it is applicable to a wide range of otologic and audiological conditions, particularly with the introduction of couplers to extend its clinical reach. The MAXUM and MET still have to find their way into surgical routine.

Level of Evidence:
Responses of phytoplankton assemblages to iron availability and mixing water masses during the spring bloom in the Oyashio region, NW Pacific
Authors: Isada T. , Hattori‐Saito A. , Saito H. , Kondo Y. , Nishioka J. , Kuma K. , Hattori H. , McKay R. M. L. , Suzuki K.
Published: October 2018

Spring phytoplankton blooms play a major role in the carbon biogeochemical cycle of the Oyashio region, western subarctic Pacific, where the seasonal biological drawdown effect on seawater pCO2 is one of the greatest among the world's oceans. However, the bloom often terminates before depleting macronutrients, and the initiation and magnitude of the bloom is heterogeneous. We conducted a high resolution taxonomic and physiological assessment of phytoplankton in relation to the different physicochemical water masses of Coastal Oyashio Water (COW), Oyashio water (OYW), and modified Kuroshio water (MKW) in the Oyashio region from April to June 2007. Massive diatom blooms were found in April. Then, chlorophyll a concentration, cell abundance of diatom taxa, and the maximum photosystem II photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) were positively correlated with the mixing ratios of COW, suggesting that the spring bloom in April was strongly affected by the intrusion of COW. In the OYW, intensive blooms occurred from the middle of May under low dissolved iron (DFe) concentration (< 0.26 nM). Redundancy analysis showed that while diatom blooms accompanied by COW were related to DFe concentration, this was not the case in the OYW. These results indicated that diatoms in the OYW possess different iron adaptation strategies compared with diatoms in the water masses affected by COW. This led to the spatial heterogeneity of the Oyashio spring bloom. The results presented here demonstrate that water mass characterization with detailed assessments of phytoplankton taxonomy and physiological status can improve our understanding of marine ecosystems.
A data mining approach to evaluate suitability of dissolved oxygen sensor observations for lake metabolism analysis
Authors: Muraoka Kohji , Hanson Paul , Frank Eibe , Jiang Meilan , Chiu Kenneth , Hamilton David
Published: October 2018

Despite rapid growth in continuous monitoring of dissolved oxygen for lake metabolism studies, the current best practice still relies on visual assessment and manual data filtering of sensor observations by experienced scientists in order to achieve meaningful results. This time consuming approach is fraught with potential for inconsistency and individual subjectivity. An automated method to assure the quality of data for the purpose of metabolism modeling is clearly needed to obtain consistent results representative of collective expertise. We used a hybrid approach of expert panel and data mining for data filtration. Symbolic Aggregate approXimation (SAX) treats discretized numerical timeseries segments as symbolic indications, creating a series of strings which are literally comparable to human words and sentences. This conversion allows established text mining techniques, such as classification methods to be applied to timeseries data. Half‐hourly frequency surface dissolved oxygen data from 18 global lakes were used to create day‐long segments of the original time series data. Three hundred sets of 1‐d measurements were provided to a group of seven anonymous experts, experienced in manual filtering of oxygen data for metabolism modeling studies. The collective results were treated as expert panel decisions, and were used to rank the data by confidence level for use in metabolism calculations. While considerable variation occurred in the way the experts perceived the quality of the data, the model provides an objective and quantitative assessment method. The program output will assist the decision making process in determining whether data should be used for metabolism calculations. An R version of the program is available for download.
Beyond the Modification Degree: Impact of Raw Material on Physicochemical Properties of Gelatin Type A and Type B Methacryloyls
Authors: Sewald Lisa , Claaßen Christiane , Götz Tobias , Claaßen Marc H. , Truffault Vincent , Tovar Günter E. M. , Southan Alexander , Borchers Kirsten
Published: October 2018

Gelatin methacryloyl (acetyl) (GM(A)) is increasingly investigated for various applications in life sciences and medicine, for example, drug release or tissue engineering. Gelatin type A and type B are utilized for GAM(A) and GBM(A) preparation, but the impact of gelatin raw material on modification reaction and resulting polymer properties is rather unknown so far. Therefore, the degrees of modification (DMA) and physicochemical properties of five GAM(A) and GBM(A) derivatives are compared: The degrees of methacryloylation (0.32–0.98 mmol g−1) are indistinguishable for GAM(A) and GBM(A) as are the sol‐gel temperatures. Isoelectric points, solution viscosities, and hydrodynamic radii which are distinct for GA and GB, converge with increasing DMA. Interestingly, differences are measured for the storage moduli and equilibrium degrees of swelling of respective GA and GB derivative‐based hydrogels, in spite of their comparable DMA. This underlines the importance of GM(A) characterization beyond the modification degree.
Oriented Polar Crystals in Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) Produced by Simultaneously Applying Pressure and Flow
Authors: Yang Shu‐Gui , Li Yue , Lei Jun , Zhong Gan‐Ji , Li Zhong‐Ming
Published: October 2018

Fabricating oriented polar crystals in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is of significance whether in basic scientific research, or in developing flexible piezoelectric devices. Here, a set of pressuring and shearing devices are utilized to fabricate oriented polar crystals in PVDF. Under 50 and 100 MPa, isotropic α‐crystals are formed regardless of imposing a shear rate of 30 s–1, due to the fast relaxation of molecular chains as the flow is introduced at a high temperature of 190 °C. Intriguingly, oriented polar crystals (β‐ and γ‐crystals) in the form of shish‐kebab superstructure are induced by the shear flow (30 s−1) when increasing the pressure to 200 MPa, for the relaxation of molecular chains is retarded by the elevated pressure, and thus, flow‐induced long trans conformation can crystallize into oriented polar crystals. Generally, PVDF can crystallize into extended chain crystals (ECCs) under 200 MPa, but unexpectedly, when a shear flow is applied simultaneously, oriented polar crystals composed of folded chain crystals (FCCs) instead of ECCs are generated. These results shed light on the formation of oriented polar crystals in PVDF crystallizing under flow and pressure, and provide new opportunities to fabricate flexible piezoelectric devices with oriented polar crystals.
Tailoring Thermo‐Mechanical Properties of Cationically UV‐Cured Systems by a Rational Design of Vinyl Ether Ester Oligomers using Enzyme Catalysis
Authors: Brännström Sara , Finnveden Maja , Razza Nicolò , Martinelle Mats , Malmström Eva , Sangermano Marco , Johansson Mats
Published: October 2018

There is a demand for new sustainable polymeric materials. Vinyl ethers are, in this context, attractive oligomers since they polymerize fast, are non‐toxic, and can be polymerized under ambient conditions. The availability of vinyl ether oligomers is, however, currently limited due to difficulties in synthesizing them without using tedious synthesis routes. This work presents the synthesis of a series of vinyl ether ester oligomers using enzyme catalysis under solvent‐free conditions and the subsequent photoinduced cationic polymerization to form polymer thermosets with T
gs ranging from −10 to 100 °C. The whole process is very efficient as the synthesis takes less than 1 h with no need for purification and the crosslinking is complete within 2 min.
Keller–Osserman estimates and removability result for the anisotropic porous medium equation with gradient absorption term
Authors: Shan M. A. , Skrypnik I. I.
Published: October 2018

We study “large” nonnegative solutions for a class of quasilinear equations model of which is
urn:x-wiley:0025584X:media:mana201700177:mana201700177-math-0001We give a sufficient condition on the exponents and for the removability of isolated singularities.
PLA‐Based Triblock Copolymer Micelles Exhibiting Dual Acidic pH/Reduction Responses at Dual Core and Core/Corona Interface Locations
Authors: Bawa Kamaljeet Kaur , Jazani Arman Moini , Shetty Chaitra , Oh Jung Kwon
Published: October 2018

Polylactide (PLA)‐based amphiphilic block copolymers and their nanoassemblies designed with stimuli‐responsive degradation (SRD) hold great potential as promising candidates for tumor‐targeting drug delivery. However, most of the smart PLA‐based nanoassemblies are designed to respond to a single stimulus (typically reduction or acidic pH). Herein, a new strategy is reported to synthesize PLA‐based block copolymer micelles exhibiting dual SRD at dual locations (DL‐DSRD). The strategy utilizes a combination of ring opening polymerization, controlled radical polymerization, and facile coupling reactions to synthesize an ABA‐type PLA‐based triblock copolymer with a hydrophilic polymethacrylate (A) and PLA (B) blocks. Incorporation of an acidic pH‐responsive ketal linkage in the center of PLA block and reduction‐responsive disulfide linkages at PLA/hydrophilic polymethacrylate blocks ensure the formation of smart nanoassemblies featured with ketal linkages in the PLA cores and disulfide linkages at core/corona interfaces, thus attaining DL‐DSRD. Such dual acidic pH/reduction‐responses at dual locations lead to not only shedding of coronas at interfaces but also destabilization of cores, resulting in the synergistic and accelerated release of encapsulated model drugs, compared with the single stimulus systems. These results, along with lower cytotoxicity, suggest that DL‐DSRD strategy can offer versatility in the development of tumor‐targeting drug delivery nanocarriers.
Natural Rubber with Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane, Nanocomposites, and Hybrids Compared by Molecular Modeling
Authors: Martinez‐Pardo Isaac , Shanks Robert A. , Adhikari Raju , Adhikari Benu
Published: October 2018

Physical and chemical blends, that is nanocomposites and hybrids, respectively, of natural rubber (NR) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POS) at different concentrations are modeled and compared using amorphous cell molecular dynamics (ACMD) and a topology method similar to group additivity contribution methods. Pre‐calculations using topology methods are proven useful to determine the optimum number of atoms in ACMD that will predict equivalent reported experimental thermo‐mechanical properties. Densities at infinite relaxation time are used to estimate various thermo‐mechanical transitions using asymptotic and quadratic polynomial functions. Incorporation of POS increases the density and glass transition temperature (T
g). The results demonstrate that NR hybrids are preferred to nanocomposites for mechanical properties, though with ENR, T
g increase may be problematic and must be considered before choosing between composites or hybrids.
123I‐FP‐CIT SPECT [(123) I‐2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐(4‐iodophenyl)‐N‐(3‐fluoropropyl) nortropane single photon emission computed tomography] Imaging in a p.A53T α‐synuclein Parkinson's disease cohort versus Parkinson's disease
Authors: Koros Christos , Simitsi Athina , Prentakis Andreas , Beratis Ion , Papadimitriou Dimitra , Kontaxopoulou Dionysia , Fragkiadaki Stella , Papagiannakis Nikolaos , Seibyl John , Marek Kenneth , Papageorgiou Sokratis G. , Trapali Xenia Geronicola , Stamelou Maria , Stefanis Leonidas
Published: October 2018

Background: The p.A53T point mutation in the α‐synuclein gene (SNCA) is a rare but highly relevant cause of autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD).

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess striatal dopaminergic denervation in a cohort of symptomatic carriers of the p.A53T SNCA mutation as compared to PD patients.

Methods: Data from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative database of 11 symptomatic p.A53T SNCA mutation carriers who underwent 123I‐FP‐CIT SPECT [(123) I‐2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐(4‐iodophenyl)‐N‐(3‐fluoropropyl) nortropane single photon emission computed tomography] imaging at our site were compared with those of 33 age‐, sex‐, and disease duration–matched PD patients.

Results: The p.A53T mutation carriers had significantly lower caudate nucleus binding ratio both contralaterally and ipsilaterally to the most affected side (P = .002 and P = .006) and a decreased contralateral caudate/putamen signal ratio (P = .007) as compared to PD. A similar degree of striatal asymmetry was observed in both subgroups. No correlation between scores in neuropsychological tests and caudate nucleus dopaminergic denervation could be demonstrated.

Conclusions: PD patients harboring the p.A53T SNCA mutation show evidence of a more severe nigrostriatal denervation, especially evident in the caudate nucleus. The lack of significant differences in the putaminal binding ratios may reflect a floor effect or a true preferential targeting of the caudate terminals in p.A53T SNCA‐associated PD. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society