bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simplified Orange (Citrus spp.) Production Guide for Small-scale Farmers
Authors: Otieno Hillary M. O.
Published: January 2020

Orange production provides both nutritional and financial benefits to farmers across Africa. However, these farmers do not realize the full benefits due to low yields caused by poor agronomic practices currently applied in the region. This guide, therefore, highlights key practices that farmers need to adopt for better yields. Farmers should always follow the best practices right from the selection of a variety to harvesting practices for high yield and better quality fruits to be achieved. Proper land preparation helps in early weed control and improves water infiltration and growth of roots. Weeds should always be kept below economic thresholds to ensure efficiencies in the use of water and nutrient. Like other plants, oranges require proper nutrition for growth and development of big fruits. Both manure and inorganic fertilizers should be applied depending on the availability and cost. Soil analysis helps in determining the rates of application. During production, farmers should scout for pests such as aphids, false codling moth, whiteflies, leaf miners, thrips, fruit fly and common spiral nematode and diseases like Pseudocercospora leaf and fruit spot, Phytophthora spp. and orange fruit scab which are common in the area. These pests cause significant yield losses if not timely controlled. When ready, harvesting of fruits should be careful and gentle without causing injuries.
Vectorial Iterative Fractional Laplace Transform Method for the Analytic Solutions of Fractional Cauchy-Riemann Systems Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Kenea Kebede Shigute
Published: January 2020

The present study aims to obtain infinite fractional power series solution vectors of fractional Cauchy-Riemann systems equations with initial conditions by the use of vectorial iterative fractional Laplace transform method (VIFLTM). The basic idea of the VIFLTM was developed successfully and applied to four test examples to see its effectiveness and applicability. The infinite fractional power series form solutions were successfully obtained analytically. Thus, the results show that the VIFLTM works successfully in solving fractional Cauchy-Riemann system equations with initial conditions, and hence it can be extended to other fractional differential equations.
Isolation, Bioactivity and Charaterisation of 3-Ethynyl-5-(2,3-dehydropyrrole) Pyridine from the Stem Bark of Adenanthera pavonina
Authors: Abdu K. , Adamu M.
Published: January 2020

Natural products from medicinal plants either as pure compounds or standardized extracts, provide unlimited opportunities for new drug leads, because of the unmatched availability of chemical diversity. Due to an increasing demand for therapeutic drugs from natural products, interest particularly in edible plants has grown throughout the world. The phytochemical screening was carried out via standard procedures while the isolation and characterization was done using different solvents via thin layer and column chromatography. The bioactivity studies of the purely active compound isolated was achieved using different clinical bacterial isolates, gram negative (E. coli and Salmonella typhi) and positive (Staphylococcus aureus); the radical scavenging power of the purely active compound was assayed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) and characterization using GCMS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and FTIR was carried out to facilitate structure elucidation. The focus of this paper is on the analytical and biological methodologies, which includes the extraction, isolation, bioactivity studies, and characterization of the purely active ingredients in the stem bark of Adenanthera pavonina.
Copper‐Impregnated Magnesium‐Lanthanum Mixed Oxide: A Reusable Heterogeneous Catalyst for Allylation of Aldehydes and Ketones
Authors: Pogula Jaya , Laha Soumi , Sreedhar B. , Likhar Pravin R.
Published: January 2020

Copper‐impregnated magnesium‐lanthanum mixed oxide [Cu(II)/Mg−La] was used as catalyst in synthesis of homoallylic alcohols from aldehydes and ketones using allyltributylstannane as the allylating source. The present protocol provides a great application potential for the synthesis of corresponding allyl alcohols with excellent yields and selectivity. The catalyst exhibits broad functional group compatibility with a variety of substituted aldehydes and ketones to furnish the desired products in high yields under heterogeneous conditions. Importantly, the heterogeneous catalyst could be recovered from the reaction mixture by centrifugation and used up to three cycles.

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Sulfoxide‐Promoted Chlorination of Indoles and Electron‐Rich Arenes with Chlorine as Nucleophile
Authors: Ji Yuan‐Zhao , Li Hui‐Jing , Wang Yi‐Ruo , Zhang Zheng‐Yan , Wu Yan‐Chao
Published: January 2020

An efficient chlorination of indoles and electron‐rich arenes with chlorine anion as nucleophile is described. With the use of ethyl phenyl sulfoxide as the promoter, the reaction went smoothly under metal‐free and mild conditions. Various indoles and electron‐rich arenes are converted into the corresponding chlorinated compounds in moderate to excellent yields. A plausible interrupted Pummerer reaction mechanism was proposed without the oxidation of chloride anion. In addition, the byproduct thioether could be easily converted to the starting material sulfoxide just by a simple oxidation reaction.

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Weed control and response of yellow and white popcorn hybrids to herbicides
Authors: Barnes Ethann R. , Lawrence Nevin C. , Knezevic Stevan Z. , Rodriguez Oscar , Irmak Suat , Jhala Amit J.
Published: January 2020

Popcorn (Zea mays L. var. everta) is an important crop to Midwestern US producers. While there is considerable research on field corn and sweet corn sensitivity to herbicides, there is a lack of information on popcorn sensitivity to herbicides. Field experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 to evaluate herbicides labeled for yellow popcorn in commercially available popcorn hybrids for weed control and crop response in Nebraska. The experiments were arranged in a split‐plot design. The main plot treatments consisted of two white and six yellow popcorn hybrids. Ten sub‐plot treatments consisted of nontreated control, weed‐free control, and four pre‐emergence (PRE) followed by postemergence herbicide treatments applied at labeled rates (1X) and double the labeled rates (2X). Across hybrids, PRE herbicide treatments resulted in 4–8% injury. Across all PRE herbicide treatments, a yellow hybrid, R265, displayed the greatest average plant injury (11%). At labeled rates, broadleaf weed control in both years, and foxtail control in 2017, ranged from 95–99% with all treatments; however, foxtail control was limited (72–86%) for most treatments in 2018. Weed biomass reduction in all herbicide treatments ranged from 90–98% and 68–97% control in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Yield losses ranged from 0–7% in herbicide treatments, with a 42% yield loss in the untreated control. Although slight hybrid differences in herbicide sensitivity were detected, the differences were not linked to popcorn color. Information reported in this research are the first that determined popcorn sensitivity to herbicides.
Developing functional relationships between temperature and soybean yield and seed quality
Authors: Alsajri Firas Ahmed , Wijewardana Chathurika , Irby J. Trenton , Bellaloui Nacer , Krutz L. Jason , Golden Bobby , Gao Wei , Reddy K. Raja
Published: January 2020

Temperatures that vary spatially and temporally over the soybean growing areas affect soybean seed yield and quality. Five day/night temperature, 21/13, 25/17, 29/21, 33/25, and 37/29°C, effects on total biomass, yield, and seed quality parameters were investigated on indeterminate (Asgrow AG5332, AG) and determinate (Progeny P5333RY, PR) soybean cultivars. The cultivar × temperature interaction was significant for total biomass, seed yield, protein, oil, palmitic acid, oleic acid, linolenic acid, raffinose, and stachyose. Quadratic functions best described the response of yield to temperature, where the optimum temperature for maximum yield was 26°C for AG, and 23°C for PR. Temperature affected all seed quality parameters in both cultivars. Seed protein concentration was slightly higher at the two lower and higher temperatures than at 29/21°C. Seed oil concentration increased with temperature up to 26°C for AG and 25°C for PR and declined at higher temperatures. Palmitic acids showed quadratic responses to temperature with a significant interaction between cultivars, while stearic acid showed a similar quadratic response in both cultivars. Oleic acid increased with increasing temperature while linolenic and linoleic acids declined linearly with temperature. Sucrose concentration declined with an increase in temperature in both the cultivars. Raffinose and stachyose concentrations in the two cultivars responded differently to temperature and declined with increasing temperature. The effects of temperature on yield and seed quality that are described in this research can be used to improve crop growth models and the management of soybean under climate change.
Nutritive value and yield of reduced‐lignin alfalfa cultivars in monoculture and in binary mixtures with perennial grass
Authors: Cherney Jerome H. , Smith S. Ray , Sheaffer Craig C. , Cherney Debbie J. R.
Published: January 2020

Improvements in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) forage nutritive value through reduction in lignin content have the potential to increase economic returns when it is fed to dairy cattle, either as a pure species or in mixture with perennial grasses. Our objective was to assess yield and nutritive value of reduced‐lignin alfalfa in monoculture and in binary mixtures with perennial grass. Studies were seeded in the spring of 2016 in Ithaca, NY, Lexington, KY, and Rosemount, MN, and harvested in 2016, 2017 and spring of 2018. WL 355.RR and Hx14376 reduced‐lignin alfalfa were seeded as pure stands and in mixture with festulolium [Festulolium loliaceum (Hudson) P.V. Fournier], meadow fescue [Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv.; syn. Festuca pratensis Huds.; syn. Lolium pratense (Huds.) Darbysh.], or orchardgrass (Dactlyis glomerata L.). The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with a split plot arrangement of cutting management treatments in Ithaca and Lexington, harvesting at alfalfa first bud and first flower stages, and one harvest treatment in Rosemount at first flower. Samples were hand‐harvested for dry matter (DM) and nutritive value determinations. Reduced‐lignin alfalfa averaged between 11 and 18.5% less lignin over the 3 yr of the study, and averaged between 5.8 and 10.6% greater fiber digestibility, compared to a normal cultivar. Alfalfa response was relatively consistent across regions, but grass response was variable across regions for both grass proportion in mixtures and nutritive value. Perennial grasses grown with alfalfa must be evaluated on a regional basis to produce meaningful results.
Limited irrigation influence on rotation yield, water use, and wheat traits
Authors: Zhang Meng , Gao Yanmei , Zhang Zhen , Liu Yang , Han Meikun , Hu Naiyue , Wang Zhimin , Sun Zhencai , Zhang Yinghua
Published: January 2020

Selecting more water‐efficient wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties that are suited to no seasonal irrigation is an important way to improve water use efficiency (WUE) in the North China Plain (NCP). The goal of this study was to assess the yield and WUE of wheat, maize (Zea mays L.), and rotation, and to determine the traits of high‐WUE wheat varieties and clarify the mechanism for increasing WUE. Experiments were conducted during the 2012–2016 seasons using 10 common winter wheat varieties under no seasonal irrigation (W0) or two irrigation events (W2, irrigation at jointing and anthesis). No seasonal irrigation treatment decreased wheat and rotation yield, and improved maize yield and WUE of maize and rotation. No seasonal irrigation treatment decreased 150‐mm irrigation amount, reduced soil water content in 0–2‐m soil depth at wheat maturity and 1–2‐m depth after maize harvest, and extended the maize grain filling stage. Compared with the wheat genotype with the lowest WUE (‘Nongda 211’), under W0 condition, the genotype with the highest WUE, ‘Nongda 5133,’ could improve rotation yield and WUE by 10.7 and 10.9%, respectively. The WUE of wheat had a strong positive association with yield across the genotypes. High‐WUE varieties had a higher leaf area index at anthesis and higher late‐season photosynthesis rate and/or delayed canopy senescence under W0. This study indicated that W0 in wheat growing season could improve maize yield, narrow the rotation yield gap with W2 treatment, and improve wheat and rotation WUE by combining with high‐WUE wheat varieties.
Light‐Controllable Ionic Conductivity in a Polymeric Ionic Liquid
Authors: Nie Hui , Schauser Nicole S. , Dolinski Neil D. , Hu Jerry , Hawker Craig J. , Segalman Rachel A. , Read de Alaniz Javier
Published: January 2020

Polymeric ionic liquids (PILs) have attracted considerable attention as electrolytes with high stability and mechanical durability. Light‐responsive materials are enabling for a variety of future technologies owing to their remote and noninvasive manipulation, spatiotemporal control, and low environmental impact. To address this potential, responsive PIL materials based on diarylethene units were designed to undergo light‐mediated conductivity changes. Key to this modulation is tuning of the cationic character of the imidazolium bridging unit upon photoswitching. Irradiation of these materials with UV light triggers a circa 70 % drop in conductivity in the solid state that can be recovered upon subsequent irradiation with visible light. This light‐responsive ionic conductivity enables spatiotemporal and reversible patterning of PIL films using light. This modulation of ionic conductivity allows for the development of light‐controlled electrical circuits and wearable photodetectors.
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling of oxycodone drug–drug interactions
Authors: Rytkönen Jaana , Ranta Veli‐Pekka , Kokki Merja , Kokki Hannu , Hautajärvi Heidi , Rinne Valtteri , Heikkinen Aki T.
Published: January 2020

Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic with several pharmacologically active metabolites and relatively narrow therapeutic index. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 and CYP2D6 play major roles in the metabolism of oxycodone and its metabolites. Thus, inhibition and induction of these enzymes may result in substantial changes in the exposure of both oxycodone and its metabolites. In this study, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was built using GastroPlus™ software for oxycodone, two primary metabolites (noroxycodone, oxymorphone) and one secondary metabolite (noroxymorphone). The model was built based on literature and in house in vitro and in silico data. The model was refined and verified against literature clinical data after oxycodone administration in the absence of drug–drug interactions (DDI). The model was further challenged with simulations of oxycodone DDI with CYP3A4 inhibitors ketoconazole and itraconazole, CYP3A4 inducer rifampicin and CYP2D6 inhibitor quinidine. The magnitude of DDI (AUC ratio) was predicted within 1.5‐fold error for oxycodone, within 1.8‐fold and 1.3–4.5‐fold error for the primary metabolites noroxycodone and oxymorphone, respectively, and within 1.4–4.5‐fold error for the secondary metabolite noroxymorphone, when compared to the mean observed AUC ratios. This work demonstrated the capability of PBPK model to simulate DDI of the administered compounds and the formed metabolites of both DDI victim and perpetrator. However, the predictions for the formed metabolites tend to be associated with higher uncertainty than the predictions for the administered compound. The oxycodone model provides a tool for forecasting oxycodone DDI with other CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 DDI perpetrators that may be co‐administered with oxycodone.
5‐year experience of a tertiary center in major congenital abnormalities in singleton pregnancies
Authors: Beksac M. Sinan , Fadiloglu Erdem , Unal Canan , Cetiner Sibel , Tanacan Atakan
Published: January 2020

Objective

To demonstrate major congenital abnormalities delivered or terminated at our institution between 2014 and 2018.

Materials and Methods

Necessary information was retrieved from the registries of the delivery room and electronic database of Hacettepe University Hospital, Ankara.

Results

This study was consisted of 307 major congenital anomalies. The incidence of major congenital anomalies was 2.9 per 1,000 live births, while the majority of the cases were related to cardiovascular, central nervous system, and diaphragmatic hernia with 97, 87, and 25 cases at each group, respectively. Rate of termination of pregnancy (TOP) and live birth were 35.1 and 59.2%, respectively. The overall infant mortality rate was 28.9% in cases with live birth, while this rate was highest in cardiovascular system abnormalities and diaphragmatic hernia. Out of 182 newborns, 92.8% admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit after the delivery. Median gestational week at TOP was 21(20).

Conclusion

We have shown that TOP and infant mortality rates were 35.1 and 28.9%, respectively in pregnancies with fetal malformations. Detailed multidisciplinary counseling must be provided for parents in pregnancies with major congenital abnormalities.
Population-based analysis of outcomes with early-age colorectal cancer
Authors: Saraste D , Järås J , Martling A
Published: January 2020

Background

The aim was to evaluate differences in stage, treatment and prognosis in patients aged less than 50 years with colorectal cancer compared with older age groups.

Methods

This population-based study included all patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Sweden, 2010–2015. Disease stage, treatment, 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and relative survival were analysed in relation to age groups: less than 50, 50–74 and at least 75 years.

Results

Of 34 434 patients included, 24·1, 19·7 and 14·0 per cent of patients aged less than 50, 50–74 and at least 75 years respectively were diagnosed with stage IV disease (P < 0·001). Adverse histopathological features were more common in young patients. Among patients aged less than 50 years, adjuvant chemotherapy was given to 18·9, 42·0 and 93·9 per cent of those with stage I, III and III disease respectively, compared with 0·7, 4·4 and 29·6 per cent of those aged 75 years or older (P < 0·001). Stage-adjusted DFS at 5 years for patients under 50 years old was 0·96, 0·90 and 0·77 in stage I, II and III respectively. Corresponding proportions were 0·88, 0·82 and 0·68 among patients aged 50–74 years, and 0·69, 0·62 and 0·49 for those aged 75 years or older. Relative survival was better for young patients only among those with stage III disease.

Conclusion

Patients younger than 50 years with colorectal cancer had a poorer stage at diagnosis and received more intensive oncological treatment. DFS was better than that among older patients in early-stage disease.
Establishment and validation of two nomograms to predict the benefit of concurrent chemotherapy in stage II‐IVa nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with different risk factors: Analysis based on a large cohort
Authors: Sun Xue‐Song , Xiao Bei‐Bei , Lin Chao , Liu Sai‐Lan , Chen Qiu‐Yan , Tang Lin‐Quan , Mai Hai‐Qiang
Published: January 2020

Objective

We aimed to establish and validate two nomograms that predict progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with stage II–IVa nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) while evaluating the benefit of concurrent chemotherapy.

Patients and Methods

We randomly divided 3412 patients newly diagnosed with stage II‐IVa NPC between 2008 and 2013 into training and validation ‘A’ cohorts (n = 1706 each). Another set of patients diagnosed between 2014 and 2016 served as validation cohort ‘B’ (n = 1503). A Cox multivariate model using the backward stepwise approach was applied to develop the nomograms, which were assessed for accuracy (Harrel C index) and calibration.

Results

The 3‐ and 5‐year PFS rates in the training cohort were 86.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 85.0%‐88.6%) and 82.3% (95% CI 80.1%‐84.5%), respectively. For the PFS nomogram, 5 variables were selected based on a backward procedure in the multivariate Cox model (gender, T stage, N stage, Epstein‐Barr virus DNA, and treatment method). The same variables plus patient age and diabetes mellitus were used for the OS nomogram. The Harrell C indices of the training, validation A, and validation B cohorts were 0.711, 0.700, and 0.703, respectively, for PFS, and 0.775, 0.743, and 0.727, respectively, for OS. Both nomograms performed well in terms of calibration in the training and validation cohorts.

Conclusions

Our nomograms are reliable prognostic predictors of PFS and OS in patients with stage II‐IVa NPC. These nomograms could robustly estimate an individual's benefit from concurrent chemotherapy, which assists in treatment decision‐making.
Postlaryngectomy sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Mantsopoulos Konstantinos , Taha Lava , Agaimy Abbas , Iro Heinrich
Published: January 2020

Postlaryngectomy sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma, being theoretically associated with exposure to the same risk factors or development of precancerous lesions due to altered nasal physiology, should warrant a thorough head and neck examination.
Development and validation of a chiral LC‐MS method for the enantiomeric resolution of (+) and (−)‐medetomidine in equine plasma by using polysaccharide‐based chiral stationary phases
Authors: Karakka Kal Abdul Khader , Nalakath Jahfar , Kunhamu Karatt Tajudheen , Perwad Zubair , Mathew Binoy , Subhahar Michael
Published: January 2020

The detection and separation of medetomidine enantiomers from the complex biological matrices poses a great analytical challenge, especially in the field of forensic toxicology and pharmacology. Couple of researchers reported resolution of medetomidine using protein‐based chiral columns, but the reported method is quiet challenging and tedious to be employed for routine analysis. This research paper reported a method that enables the enantio‐separation of medetomidine by using polysaccharide cellulose chiral column. The use of chiralcel OJ‐3R column was found to have the highest potential for successful chiral resolution. Ammonium hydrogen carbonate was the ideal buffer salt for chiral liquid chromatography (LC) with electrospray ionization (ESI)+ mass spectrometry (MS) detection for the successful separation and detection of racemic compound. The method was linear over the range of 0 to 20 ng/mL in equine plasma and the inter‐day precisions of levomedetomidine, dexmedetomidine were 1.36% and 1.89%, respectively. The accuracy of levomedetomidine was in the range of 99.25% to 101.57% and that for dexmedetomidine was 99.17% to 100.99%. The limits of quantification for both isomers were 0.2 ng/mL. Recovery and matrix effect on the analytes were also evaluated. Under the optimized conditions, the validated method can be adapted for the identification and resolution of the medetomidine enantiomers in different matrices used for drug testing and analysis.
The Role of Lone‐Pair Electrons in Pt–N Interactions for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Polymer Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Ham Kahyun , Shin Dongyoon , Lee Jaeyoung
Published: January 2020

An N‐doped carbon with various N concentrations was prepared by using a scalable ball‐milling method. The importance of the lone pair of electrons on the N species for the stability of Pt nanoparticles and their activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction was investigated. X‐ray spectroscopic analysis was used to investigate the interaction between Pt and the pyridinic N. The pyridinic N modified the Pt oxidation state and helped achieve size homogeneity and high catalytic activity by facilitating the rate‐determining step.
Role of noncanonical Wnt ligands and Ror‐family receptor tyrosine kinases in the development, regeneration, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system
Authors: Kamizaki Koki , Endo Mitsuharu , Minami Yasuhiro , Kobayashi Yasuhiro
Published: January 2020

The Ror‐family receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), consisting of Ror1 and Ror2, play crucial roles in morphogenesis and formation of various tissues/organs, including the bones and skeletal muscles, the so‐called musculoskeletal system, during embryonic development, by acting as receptors or coreceptors for a noncanonical Wnt protein Wnt5a. Furthermore, several lines of evidence have indicated that Ror1 and/or Ror2 play critical roles in the regeneration and maintenance of the musculoskeletal system in adults. Considering the anatomical and functional relationship between the skeleton and skeletal muscles, their structural and functional association might be tightly regulated during their embryonic development, development after birth, and their regeneration after injury in adults. Importantly, in addition to their congenital anomalies, much attention has been paid onto the age‐related disorders of the musculoskeletal system, including osteopenia and sarcopenia, which affect severely the quality of life. In this article, we overview recent advances in our understanding of the roles of Ror1‐ and/or Ror2‐mediated signaling in the embryonic development, regeneration in adults, and congenital and age‐related disorders of the musculoskeletal system and discuss possible therapeutic approaches to locomotive syndromes by modulating Ror1‐ and/or Ror2‐mediated signaling.
High‐severity wildfire leads to multi‐decadal impacts on soil biogeochemistry in mixed‐conifer forests
Authors: Dove Nicholas C. , Safford Hugh D. , Bohlman Gabrielle N. , Estes Becky L. , Hart Stephen C.
Published: January 2020

During the past century, systematic wildfire suppression has decreased fire frequency and increased fire severity in the western United States of America. While this has resulted in large ecological changes aboveground such as altered tree species composition and increased forest density, little is known about the long‐term, belowground implications of altered, ecologically novel, fire regimes, especially on soil biological processes. To better understand the long‐term implications of ecologically novel, high‐severity fire, we used a 44‐yr high‐severity fire chronosequence in the Sierra Nevada where forests were historically adapted to frequent, low‐severity fire, but were fire suppressed for at least 70 yr. High‐severity fire in the Sierra Nevada resulted in a long‐term (44 +yr) decrease (>50%, P < 0.05) in soil extracellular enzyme activities, basal microbial respiration (56–72%, P < 0.05), and organic carbon (>50%, P < 0.05) in the upper 5 cm compared to sites that had not been burned for at least 115 yr. However, nitrogen (N) processes were only affected in the most recent fire site (4 yr post‐fire). Net nitrification increased by over 600% in the most recent fire site (P < 0.001), but returned to similar levels as the unburned control in the 13‐yr site. Contrary to previous studies, we did not find a consistent effect of plant cover type on soil biogeochemical processes in mid‐successional (10–50 yr) forest soils. Rather, the 44‐yr reduction in soil organic carbon (C) quantity correlated positively with dampened C cycling processes. Our results show the drastic and long‐term implication of ecologically novel, high‐severity fire on soil biogeochemistry and underscore the need for long‐term fire ecological experiments.
Background matching, disruptive coloration, and differential use of microhabitats in two neotropical grasshoppers with sexual dichromatism
Authors: Ramírez‐Delgado Víctor Hugo , Cueva del Castillo Raúl
Published: January 2020

Cryptic coloration is an adaptative defensive mechanism against predators. Color patterns can become cryptic through background coloration‐matching and disruptive coloration. Disruptive coloration may evolve in visually heterogeneous microhabitats, whereas background matching could be favored in chromatically homogeneous microhabitats. In this work, we used digital photography to explore the potential use of disruptive coloration and background matching in males and females of two grasshopper species of the Sphenarium genus in different habitats. We found chromatic differences in the two grasshopper species that may be explained by local adaptation. We also found that the females and males of both species are dichromatic and seem to follow different color cryptic strategies, males are more disruptive than females, whereas females have a high background matching with less disruptive elements. The selective pressures of the predators in different microhabitats and the differences in mobility between sexes may explain the color pattern divergence between females and males. Nevertheless, more field experiments are needed in order to understand the relative importance of disruptive and background matching coloration in the evolution of sexual dichromatism in these grasshoppers.
Long‐Life Sodium Metal Anodes Achieved by Cuprous Oxide–Modified Ni Foam Host
Authors: Sun Jianchao , Zhang Ming , Ju Peng , Hu Yue , Chen Xiaoxia , Wang Wenrunze , Chen Chengcheng
Published: January 2020

Sodium metal is considered as a potential anode material for future energy‐storage systems. However, the practical application of Na is hindered by the infinite dimension change and dendrite growth during Na stripping/plating. Herein, a nanoflowered cuprous oxide–modified nickel foam (CNF) matrix is used as a stable host to guide Na nucleation behavior and suppress dendrite growth. Tailored CNF shows a 3D porous core–shell cylindrical structure with Cu2O as the shell and special Ni as the core. The shell of CuO2 can reduce the nucleation barrier of Na by reacting with sodium. The core of Ni provides a strong skeleton with high electrical conductivity, good mechanical ductility, and a rich porous structure. The unique matrix structure can direct the homogeneous nucleation of sodium metal and restrict its deposition within matrix pores, suppressing the volume expansion and dendrite growth of sodium metal. As a consequence, the Na/CNF anode exhibits an excellent stability over 1000 cycles with a capacity of 1 mAh cm−2 at 1 mA cm−2. Moreover, the full battery exhibits excellent performance over 300 cycles at a high rate (5 C). A new avenue is opened, herein, for practical applications of sodium metal anodes in rechargeable Na batteries.
Mineralization of the Luanling gold deposit in the southern margin of the North China Craton: Insights from mineralogy and mineral chemistry of sulfides, tellurides and oxides
Authors: Meng Lei , Gao Xin‐Yu , Wu Qiang , Zhao Tai‐Ping
Published: January 2020

The Luanling gold deposit, a typical Te‐Au deposit in the Xiong'er terrane, the southern margin of the North China Craton, contains two types of ores, namely altered rock‐type and quartz vein‐type ores. Gold is hosted by pyrite and As‐bearing pyrite in the altered rock‐type ores, whereas tellurides are the main gold carriers in the quartz vein‐type ores. In order to investigate their origins, we calculated the Gibbs free energies of formation and reaction of related sulfides, tellurides and oxides from different ore types. The phase diagrams of these minerals were constructed at 300 °C, a temperature at which gold was mainly precipitated in the Luanling deposit. According to phase relations among sulfides, logfS2(g) is constrained between −10.4 and −6.5. In addition, we propose that [Au(HS)2]− was the dominant carrier of gold in ore‐forming fluid, and its decomposition formed pyrite and arsenian pyrite, in which gold mainly exists as an invisible phase. In the quartz vein‐type ores, logfTe2(g) and logfO2(g) are constrained to range from −13.68 to −7.9 and −36.8 to −31.1, respectively, based on the phase relations between tellurides, sulfides and oxides, and gold was mainly transported as [Au(HTe)2]− and its break down formed gold‐bearing, including sylvanite, petzite and Au‐Ag‐tellurides. Sylvanite and petzite, the two stable Au‐Ag tellurides, were probably precipitated primarily from hotter ore‐forming fluids. According to phase relations among tellurides, the two phases were decomposed into native gold, hessite and more stable Au‐Ag‐tellurides with the changes of physicochemical conditions in the later stages. In addition, we proposed that the ore‐forming fluids relevant to the altered rock‐ and the quartz vein‐type ores were from the same source and continuously evolved.
Restoring apoptosis dysregulation using survivin inhibitor in nasopharyngeal cancer
Authors: Shi Junli , Tan Soo Yee , Lee Andrea Zhe Ern , Zhang Siting , Sasidharan Swarnalatha Lucky , Wong Benjamin , Tan Min Han , Lim Chwee Ming
Published: January 2020

Background

Restoring apoptosis dysregulation via survivin inhibition has been investigated in several cancers. In Epstein‐Barr Virus (EBV)‐driven nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), virally induced oncogenes can upregulate survivin. Therefore, we seek to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of YM‐155 (a survivin inhibitor) in NPC, both in vitro and in vivo models.

Methods

Cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and active‐caspase 3 expression assays were performed.

Results

Both NPC tissue and cells expressed high levels of survivin which were inhibited by YM‐155 in a dose‐dependent manner. In addition, YM‐155 induced apoptosis of NPC cells with an IC50 of 100 nM and inhibited tumor growth in vivo (P < 0.05). YM‐155 in combination with cisplatin or radiation significantly increased overall cytotoxicity as compared to YM‐155 monotherapy. In the xenograft model, YM‐155 plus radiation additively achieved significantly higher percentage of active‐caspase 3‐positive tumor cells than radiation alone (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

YM‐155 is a potential therapeutic agent for NPC through inhibiting survivin and restoring apoptosis dysregulation.
Hepatitis B Virus Particles Activate Toll‐Like Receptor 2 Signaling Initially Upon Infection of Primary Human Hepatocytes
Authors: Zhang Zhenhua , Trippler Martin , Real Catherine I. , Werner Melanie , Luo Xufeng , Schefczyk Stefan , Kemper Thekla , Anastasiou Olympia E. , Ladiges Yvonne , Treckmann Juergen , Paul Andreas , Baba Hideo A. , Allweiss Lena , Dandri Maura , Gerken Guido , Wedemeyer Heiner , Schlaak Joerg F. , Lu Mengji , Broering Ruth
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To date, conflicting data exist as to whether hepatitis B virus (HBV) has the ability to induce innate immune responses. Here, we investigated cellular changes after the first contact between HBV and primary human hepatocytes (PHH) in vitro and in vivo.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

The exposure of PHH to HBV particles resulted in nuclear translocation of NFκB, followed by the expression and secretion of inflammatory cytokines (IL [interleukin] 1B, IL6, and TNF [tumor necrosis factor]). Ultraviolet irradiation of viral particles suppressed HBV infectivity but not the induction of cytokines in PHH, suggesting that the inoculum contains the immune‐inducing agent. Purified HBV particles on the whole, which were prepared from HBV DNA‐positive and protein‐rich fractions after heparin column separation, still had immune‐inducing capacity in PHH. The HBV‐induced gene expression profile was similar to that induced by toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) ligand Pam3Cys, but different from those induced by the viral sensors TLR3 or TLR7‐9. Treatment of PHH with both HBV particles and Pam3Cys led to phosphorylation of ERK (extracellular signal–regulated kinase), JNK, and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinases as well as NFκB (nuclear factor kappa B). Finally, HBV‐induced gene expression could be neutralized by TLR2‐specific antibodies. Of note, pretreatment with an HBV entry inhibitor attenuated the TLR2‐mediated response to HBV, suggesting a receptor binding‐related mechanism. In liver‐humanized uPA/severe combined immunodeficient (SCID)/beige mice challenged with HBV in vivo, immune induction could only marginally be seen.

CONCLUSIONS

PHHs are able to sense HBV particles through TLR2, leading to an activation of anti‐HBV immune responses in vitro. These findings challenge the previously described stealth properties of HBV.
Diosmin for the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Authors: Li Tingting , Zhu Wanshan , Liu Guihua , Fang Cong , Quan Song
Published: January 2020

Objective

To evaluate the effect of oral diosmin on the incidence and severity of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and explore the value of diosmin in preventing and treating OHSS.

Method

A retrospective study of women attending a reproductive center in Guangzhou, China, between September and December 2016. The inclusion criterion was previous cancellation of embryo transfer after oocyte retrieval during IVF owing to a high risk of OHSS. The women were divided into two groups depending on whether they received oral diosmin (1000 mg twice daily for 10 days) after oocyte retrieval (diosmin group) or not (control group). Apart from diosmin, both groups underwent the same treatment. Baseline information and data related to OHSS were compared.

Results

Overall, 146 women were included: 74 in the diosmin group and 72 in the control group. The incidence of moderate‐to‐severe OHSS in the diosmin and control groups was 5/74 (6.2%) and 14/72 (13.4%), respectively (P=0.027). The control group included four cases of paracentesis due to ascites; there were no cases of paracentesis or severe OHSS in the diosmin group.

Conclusion

Oral administration of diosmin effectively reduced both the incidence of moderate‐to‐severe OHSS and the severity of OHSS among high‐risk women.
Coordination of Multi‐Underwater Drones: Towards an Integrated Object‐Oriented Methodology in an Open‐Source Environment
Authors: Pham Hoang Anh , Soriano Thierry , Van Ngo Hien
Published: January 2020

This paper's goal is to present a framework for studying multi‐underwater drone coordination, specifically formation control, based on a real‐time object‐oriented paradigms in an open‐source environment (the Operating Robot System Environment). This framework will capture the system's whole development life cycle, from the requirements specification to testing out the simulation and realization models. Based on this specialized framework, we can easily and quickly develop and verify the control algorithms while meeting future input requirements or manageable changes.
Ultrasound assisted, synthesis of N‐(7‐(R)‐2‐oxa‐8‐azabicyclo[4.2.0]octan‐8‐yl)isonicotinamide derivatives and their biological evaluation
Authors: Chavan Pravin , Salve Amol , Jadhav Shivaji , Pansare Dattatraya , Rai Megha
Published: January 2020

In this study, new series of azetidine derivatives were synthesized (4a‐n) from isoniazide (1), Aromatic aldehydes (2a‐n), dihydropyran (3) using SnCl2 catalyst, via one pot multicomponent reaction/cycloaddition reaction. The synthesized azetidine derivatives were characterized by IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR and have been screened for antimicrobial, antituberculosis and anti‐inflammatory activities. In relation to Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) promising antibacterial activity was shown, compounds 4e and 4k, followed by compounds 4h, 4n, 4f, 4g and 4l. The synthesized azetidine derivatives, 4a, 4e, 4j and 4m (with zone 12 mm) displayed antituberculosis activity. But its lower potential than, the standard streptomycin (with zone 18 mm). Further 4d compound alone displayed similar activity.
Subseasonal convection variability over the Intra‐American Seas simulated by an AGCM and sensitivity to CMIP5 SST biases and projections
Authors: Vigaud Nicolas , Lyon Bradfield , Lee Dong Eun
Published: January 2020

The influence of coupled model sea surface temperature (SST) climatological biases and SST projections on daily convection over the Intra‐American Seas (IAS) during the May–November rainy season are examined by clustering (k − means) daily OLR anomalies in ECHAM5 atmospheric global climate model (AGCM) experiments. The AGCM is first forced by 1980–2005 observed SSTs (GOGA), then with climatological, multi‐model mean monthly climatological SST bias from 31 CMIP5 coupled models (HIST) and projected SST changes for 2040–2059 (PROJ) and 2080–2099 (PROJ2) imposed on top of observed values. A typology of seven recurrent convection regimes is identified and consists of three dry and four wet regimes, including three regimes characterized by tropical‐midlatitude interactions between surface convection cells across the IAS and Rossby wave in the upper‐troposphere, and a regime of broad wettening typical of the ITCZ. Compared to an earlier observational study, all seven regimes are reasonably well reproduced in the HIST runs. However, the latter exhibit drier dry regimes, a less wet ITCZ‐like wet regime and a southeastward shift of convective anomalies developing across the IAS in the three other regimes, all result in a drier simulated IAS climate compared to GOGA. ECHAM5 projection runs for PROJ and PROJ2 are both characterized by the inhibition of the broad ITCZ‐like wet regime, indicating a significant trend towards more frequent dry weather. Meanwhile, convection anomalies related to tropical‐midlatitude interactions are shifted further east of the Caribbean as lead increases. These results suggest more frequent and intense extreme rainfall over the tropical Atlantic and the southeast US, while parts of the Caribbean are projected to experience drier climate. The projected drying, however, is of the same order of magnitude as results from historical SST biases, suggesting that the latter need to be considered in model projections, which might underestimate future IAS drying.
The Usefulness of the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System in Determining Thyroid Malignancy
Authors: Xie Michael , Gupta Michael K. , Archibald Stuart D. , Jackson B. Stanley , Massey (Ted) Young James Edward , Zhang Han
Published: January 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

To determine the effect of a modified Thyroid Imaging and Reporting Data System (TIRADS) in predicting malignancy in surgically treated nodules.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

This study was carried out at a tertiary care center from July 2016 to July 2017. Patients were included if they had a thyroid nodule that had an ultrasound assessment with subsequent fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) as well as surgical resection. Patients were excluded if they had previous head and neck surgery. Patients were stratified into those who had a formal modified TIRADS report by the radiologist versus those who had an ultrasound report without TIRADS reporting. FNAB results were reported as per Bethesda Thyroid Cytology Criteria, and the final pathology report was nominalized as malignant or benign.

Results

One hundred twenty‐four consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria listed above were included within the study. Thirty one patients (25%) had a modified TIRADS report from the radiologist, whereas 93 patients (75%) did not. There was no statistical significance between the two groups in terms of: gender (P = .24), age (P = .77), FNAB results (P = .95), final surgical pathology (P = .90), or incidental findings of malignancy (P = .09). Comparative analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the concordance of FNAB and a final pathological diagnosis of malignancy (P = .91).

Conclusions

Despite the known diagnostic utility of the TIRADS in relation to FNAB results and its widespread use, this study shows that the overall detection of malignancy is not statistically different in those who received a modified TIRADS report.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 130: 2087–2091, 2020
Facial Nerve Branching Patterns Vary With Vascular Anomalies
Authors: Adidharma Lingga , Bly Randall A. , Theeuwen Hailey A. , Holdefer Robert N. , Slimp Jefferson , Kinney Greg A. , Martinez Vicente , Whitlock Kathryn B. , Perkins Jonathan A.
Published: January 2020

Objectives

At our institution, in vivo facial nerve mapping (FNM) is used during vascular anomaly (VAN) surgeries involving the facial nerve (FN) to create an FN map and prevent injury. During mapping, FN anatomy seemed to vary with VAN type. This study aimed to characterize FN branching patterns compared to published FN anatomy and VAN type.

Study Design

Retrospective study of surgically relevant facial nerve anatomy.

Methods

VAN patients (n = 67) with FN mapping between 2005 and 2018 were identified. Results included VAN type, FN relationship to VAN, FNM image with branch pattern, and surgical approach. A Fisher exact test compared FN relationships and surgical approach between VAN pathology, and FN branching types to published anatomical studies. MATLAB quantified FN branching with Euclidean distances and angles. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) analyzed quantitative FN patterns amongst VAN types.

Results

VANs included were hemangioma, venous malformation, lymphatic malformation, and arteriovenous malformation (n = 17, 13, 25, and 3, respectively). VAN FN patterns differed from described FN anatomy (P < .001). PCA and HCA in MATLAB‐quantified FN branching demonstrated no patterns associated with VAN pathology (P = .80 and P = .91, one‐way analysis of variance for principle component 1 (PC1) and priniciple component 2 (PC2), respectively). FN branches were usually adherent to hemangioma or venous malformation as compared to coursing through lymphatic malformation (both P = .01, Fisher exact).

Conclusions

FN branching patterns identified through electrical stimulation differ from cadaveric dissection determined FN anatomy. This reflects the high sensitivity of neurophysiologic testing in detecting small distal FN branches. Elongated FN branches traveling through lymphatic malformation may be related to abnormal nerve patterning in these malformations.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 130:2708–2713, 2020
Diagnostic criteria for postbullying disorder: A phenomenological research design of bullying victims
Authors: Arnout Boshra A. , Alshehri Abeer S. , Assiri Aeshah M. , Al‐Qadimi Fatma Y.
Published: January 2020

This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic criteria for postbullying disorder, which enable the persons who provide therapy services for bullying victims, because until now, there are no criteria to help clinicians diagnose postbullying disorder. This study employed phenomenological research design. Purposive sampling was adopted to sample six university students who are experiencing the bullying behavior from their colleagues in the university campus. The results revealed that there are eight criteria for diagnosing postbullying disorder among victims. These are trauma exposure, symptoms of penetration, avoidance, perception and negative emotions, self‐destructive behavior, dysfunction due to symptoms, duration (1 month or more) of symptoms, and the criteria that the bullying symptoms cannot be attributed to the use of substances or drugs of another medical conditions. Results shed new light on the diagnostic criteria for postbullying disorder and proved the usefulness of these criteria in understanding the development of the postbullying symptoms among victims. These findings enable schools and universities to plan psychotherapy interventions for victims.
Sirolimus for the treatment of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma
Authors: Fernández Karen S. , de Alarcon Alessandro , Adams Denise M. , Hammill Adrienne M.
Published: January 2020

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a pathologically benign yet locally aggressive and destructive tumor that develops in the choana and nasopharynx. Historical treatment of JNA has included embolization, surgical resection, and radiation. Here, we describe three patients who received therapy with the mTOR inhibitor sirolimus with improvement in clinical symptoms, imaging, and overall well‐being.