bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Susceptibility and Fat Content in the Lumbar Spine of Postmenopausal Women With Varying Bone Mineral Density
Authors: Guo Yihao , Chen Yanjun , Zhang Xintao , Mei Yingjie , Yi Peiwei , Wang Yi , Feng Qianjin , Tegola Luciana La , Guglielmi Giuseppe , Zhang Xiaodong , Feng Yanqiu
Published: September 2018

Background

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease characterized by low bone mass with increased fracture risk. Quantitative imaging biomarkers are important for accurately predicting fracture risk in patients with osteoporosis.

Purpose

To prospectively study the changes of magnetic susceptibility and fat content in the lumbar spine of postmenopausal females with varying bone mineral density (BMD), and investigate their application to osteoporosis assessment.

Study Type

Cohort.

Population

In all, 108 postmenopausal females (58.2 ± 6.7 [range 45–79] years old).

Field Strength/Sequence

Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) performed on a 64‐detector CT scanner; quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and mDixon quant MR imaging performed using a 3.0T imaging system with a 16‐channel posterior coil.

Assessment

QCT, QSM, and mDixon were performed in 108 postmenopausal females to measure vertebral BMD, susceptibility, and proton‐density fat fraction (PDFF). Mean vertebral QSM and PDFF were compared among three BMD cohorts (normal, osteopenic, and osteoporotic). Receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed to evaluate the performance of QSM, PDFF, and QSM+PDFF for assessing osteoporosis.

Statistical Tests

Parameters were compared using Kruskal–Wallis test and Pearson test.

Results

Compared with that of the normal BMD group (–17.0 ± 43.6 ppb), vertebral QSM was significantly increased in osteopenia (30.8 ± 47.0 ppb, P < 0.001), and further increased in osteoporosis (82.0 ± 39.9 ppb, P < 0.001). QSM was negatively correlated with BMD (r = –0.70, P < 0.001) and positively correlated with PDFF (r = 0.64, P < 0.001). Compared with the area under the curve (AUC) of PDFF, the AUC of QSM was higher in differentiating between normal and osteoporosis (P = 0.44), and between osteopenia and osteoporosis (P = 0.13), but without statistical significance. The AUC of QSM+PDFF was significantly higher than that of PDFF for differentiating between osteopenia and osteoporosis (0.82 vs. 0.70, P = 0.039).

Data Conclusion

The combination of vertebral susceptibility and fat content may be a promising marker for assessing postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1020–1028.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Tibial and Common Peroneal Nerves in Patients With Guillain–Barre Syndrome: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Cao Jinfeng , He Bing , Wang Shanshan , Zhou Zhongmin , Gao Fei , Xiao Lianxiang , Luo Xin , Wu Chao , Gong Tao , Chen Weibo , Wang Guangbin
Published: September 2018

Background

The development of a noninvasive, objective, and accurate method to assess peripheral nerve disorders in Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) is of clinical significance. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been used to evaluate some peripheral nerve disorders.

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility of DTI in evaluating the peripheral nerve disorders in patients with GBS.

Study Type

Case control.

Subjects

Twenty GBS patients and 16 healthy volunteers.

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0T, T1WI‐SE, T2WI‐SPAIR, DTI; electrophysiology.

Assessment

MRI data were analyzed by two radiologists blindly and independently. Fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), axial diffusion coefficient (AD), and radial diffusion coefficient (RD) values of tibial nerve (TN) and common peroneal nerve (CPN) were recorded. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) and motor nerve conduction amplitude of TN and CPN were recorded.

Statistical Tests

Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), t‐test, receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC), and area under the curve (AUC) analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results

The FA and AD values of TN and CPN in the GBS group were significantly lower and the ADC and RD values were higher than those in the controls (P <0.05). The AUC of the FA values (0.970 for TN and 0.927 for CPN) were higher than that of the ADC, AD, and RD values. FA and AD values were positively correlated and ADC, RD values were negatively correlated with MCV and motor nerve conduction amplitude, respectively (P <0.05). The correlations between FA value and electrophysiology parameters were the highest.

Data Conclusion

DTI quantitative parameters could evaluate the disorders of peripheral nerves in patients with GBS. A moderate correlation was observed between DTI and electrophysiology parameters.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1356–1364.
Quantitative Identification of Nonmuscle‐Invasive and Muscle‐Invasive Bladder Carcinomas: A Multiparametric MRI Radiomics Analysis
Authors: Xu Xiaopan , Zhang Xi , Tian Qiang , Wang Huanjun , Cui Long‐Biao , Li Shurong , Tang Xing , Li Baojuan , Dolz Jose , Ayed Ismail ben , Liang Zhengrong , Yuan Jing , Du Peng , Lu Hongbing , Liu Yang
Published: September 2018

Background

Preoperative discrimination between nonmuscle‐invasive bladder carcinomas (NMIBC) and the muscle‐invasive ones (MIBC) is very crucial in the management of patients with bladder cancer (BC).

Purpose

To evaluate the discriminative performance of multiparametric MRI radiomics features for precise differentiation of NMIBC from MIBC, preoperatively.

Study Type

Retrospective, radiomics.

Population

Fifty‐four patients with postoperative pathologically proven BC lesions (24 in NMIBC and 30 in MIBC groups) were included.

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0T MRI/T2‐weighted (T2W) and multi‐b‐value diffusion‐weighted (DW) sequences.

Assessment

A total of 1104 radiomics features were extracted from carcinomatous regions of interest on T2W and DW images, and the apparent diffusion coefficient maps. Support vector machine with recursive feature elimination (SVM‐RFE) and synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) were used to construct an optimal discriminative model, and its performance was evaluated and compared with that of using visual diagnoses by experts.

Statistical Tests

Chi‐square test and Student's t‐test were applied on clinical characteristics to analyze the significant differences between patient groups.

Results

Of the 1104 features, an optimal subset involving 19 features was selected from T2W and DW sequences, which outperformed the other two subsets selected from T2W or DW sequence in muscle invasion discrimination. The best performance for the differentiation task was achieved by the SVM‐RFE+SMOTE classifier, with averaged sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the curve of receiver operating characteristic of 92.60%, 100%, 96.30%, and 0.9857, respectively, which outperformed the diagnostic accuracy by experts.

Data Conclusion

The proposed radiomics approach has potential for the accurate differentiation of muscle invasion in BC, preoperatively. The optimal feature subset selected from multiparametric MR images demonstrated better performance in identifying muscle invasiveness when compared with that from T2W sequence or DW sequence only.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1489–1498.
Quantification of protein markers monitoring the pre‐analytical effect of blood storage time before plasma isolation using 15N metabolically labeled recombinant proteins
Authors: Ahn Hee‐Sung , Park Seong‐Jun , Jung Hyun‐Gyo , Woo Se Joon , Lee Cheolju
Published: September 2018

In the hospital, blood samples are collected to monitor patients' health states, and thus various protein‐based clinical methods have been developed. However, some proteins are found to change in abundances during the process of blood collection and storage. In order to account such pre‐analytical effects, we performed liquid chromatography multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (LC‐MRM‐MS) on 15 selected proteins in plasma samples prepared by varying storage time and temperature of whole blood prior to plasma isolation. Two cytosolic proteins, profilin‐1 (PFN1) and thymosin beta‐4 (TMSB4X), were absolutely quantified using 15N‐labeled recombinant proteins spiked externally. The other 13 proteins were quantified in a relative way compared with the two reference proteins. Triplicated LC‐MRM‐MS measurements showed that the median CV of MRM peak areas was 5.7%. The amounts of PFN1 and TMSB4X increased rapidly depending on the storage time between blood collection and plasma preparation. It indicates the leakage of cellular components into the plasma fraction. Relative quantification further revealed that five proteins including PFN1, S10A8, S10A9, S10A11, and TMSB4X showed significant difference (P < 0.05). We further monitored PFN1 and TMSB4X on 40 samples collected for protein diagnostics under a typical clinical study condition. Compared with the plasma samples prepared within a day, the level of both PFN1 and TMSB4X increased in the plasma samples prepared from the blood collected the day before and kept overnight at 4°C (0.51 to 3.11 μg/mL for PFN1 and 0.98 to 5.36 μg/mL for TMSB4X in average). Our result suggests an effort of assuring plasma quality for accurate protein‐based diagnosis or biomarker discovery and validation.
Influence of source and scale of gridded temperature data on modelled spring onset patterns in the conterminous United States
Authors: Mehdipoor Hamed , Zurita‐Milla Raul , Izquierdo‐Verdiguier Emma , Betancourt Julio L.
Published: September 2018

Gridded time series of climatic variables are key inputs to phenological models used to generate spatially continuous indices and explore the influence of climate variability and change on plant development at broad scales. To date, there have been few efforts to evaluate how the particular source and spatial resolution (i.e., scale) of the input data might affect how phenological models and associated indices track variations and shifts at the continental scale. This study represents the first such assessment, based on cloud computing and volunteered phenological observations. It focuses on established extended spring indices (SI‐x) that estimate day of year (DOY) for first leaf (FL) emergence and first bloom (FB) emergence in plants particularly sensitive to accumulation of warmth in early to mid‐spring. We compared and validated gridded SI‐x products obtained using Daymet (at 1, 4, 35, and 100 km spatial resolution) and gridMET (at 4, 35, and 100 km) temperature data. These products were used to estimate temporal trends in DOY for FL and FB in the coterminous United States (CONUS) from 1980 to 2016. The SI‐x products, and their resulting patterns and trends across CONUS, affected more by the source of input data than their spatial resolution. SI‐x estimates DOY of FL and FB are about 3 and 4 weeks more accurate, respectively, using Daymet than gridMET. This leads to significant differences, and even contradictory, rates of change in DOY driven by Daymet versus gridMET temperatures, even though both data sources exhibit advancement in DOY of FL and FB across most regions in CONUS. SI‐x products generated from gridMET poorly estimate the timing of spring onset, whereas Daymet SI‐x products and actual volunteered observations are moderately correlated (r = 0.7). Daymet better captures temperature regimes, particularly in the western United States, and is more appropriate for generating high‐resolution SI‐x indices at continental scale.
Inter‐annual and multi‐decadal variability of monsoon season rainfall in central Thailand during the period 1804–1999, as inferred from tree ring oxygen isotopes
Authors: Xu Chenxi , Pumijumnong Nathsuda , Nakatsuka Takeshi , Sano Masaki , Guo Zhengtang
Published: September 2018

Long‐term records of precipitation in Thailand are necessary to evaluate the robustness of the relationship between El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and rainfall. This study presents a tree ring‐cellulose oxygen isotope (δ18O) record, based on Pinus merkusii, for the period 1804–1999 in Thailand. Response and spatial correlation analyses reveal that tree ring δ18O is significantly correlated with regional monsoon season (May–October) precipitation. Tree ring δ18O, which explains 50.1% of the variability in regional precipitation, was employed to reconstruct monsoon season rainfall back to 1804. Relatively wet periods occurred in 1809–1821, 1876–1882, 1897–1908, and 1944–1975, while the periods 1825–1850, 1913–1925, and 1979–1997 were relatively dry. During the periods 1854–1930 and 1970–1999, inter‐annual variability of precipitation was modulated by the ENSO. In contrast, the absence of this relationship between 1930 and 1970 might relate to the reduced variance of ENSO.
Author Response to “Unraveling Methodology to Ensure the Search for Optimal Nutrition Quantity in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Remains INTACT”
Authors: Peterson Sarah J. , Lateef Omar B. , Freels Sally , McKeever Liam , Braunschweig Carol A.
Published: September 2018

We thank Drs. Patel, Martindale, and Heyland1 for their interest in our most recent study2 exploring the role of early exposure to recommended energy delivery in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Their stated concerns center around 3 major areas: (1) the comparability of the population in our study2 with those of INTACT (Intensive Nutrition in Acute Lung Injury: A Clinical Trial); (2) their confusion on the analysis of the relationship between the likelihood of death with energy exposure (table 1 in our article2); and (3) their apparent misunderstanding of type I error, type II error, P‐values, and power analysis. Our responses to each of these areas are detailed as follows.
Plasma‐Activated Substrate with a Tropoelastin Anchor for the Maintenance and Delivery of Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells
Authors: Yeo Giselle C. , Kosobrodova Elena , Kondyurin Alexey , McKenzie David R. , Bilek Marcela M. , Weiss Anthony S.
Published: September 2018

Conventional wound therapy utilizes wound coverage to prevent infection, trauma, and fluid and thermal loss. However, this approach is often inadequate for large and/or chronic wounds, which require active intervention via therapeutic cells to promote healing. To address this need, a patch which delivers multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) is developed. Medical‐grade polyurethane (PU) films are modified using plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII), which creates a radical‐rich layer capable of rapidly and covalently attaching biomolecules. It is demonstrated that a short treatment duration of 400 s maximizes surface activation and wettability, minimizes reduction in gas permeability, and preserves the hydrolytic resistance of the PU film. The reactivity of PIII‐treated PU is utilized to immobilize the extracellular matrix protein tropoelastin in a functional conformation that stably withstands medical‐grade ethylene oxide sterilization. The PIII‐treated tropoelastin‐functionalized patch significantly promotes MAPC adhesion and proliferation over standard PU, while fully maintaining cell phenotype. Topical application of the MAPC‐seeded patch transfers cells to a human skin model, while undelivered MAPCs repopulate the patch surface for subsequent cell transfer. The potential of this new wound patch as a reservoir for the sustained delivery of therapeutic MAPCs and cell‐secreted factors for large and/or non‐healing wounds is indicated in the findings.
Earlier awareness of extreme winter precipitation across the western Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Lavers David A. , Richardson David S. , Ramos Alexandre M. , Zsoter Ervin , Pappenberger Florian , Trigo Ricardo M.
Published: September 2018

Extreme winter precipitation across the western Iberian Peninsula is frequently connected to atmospheric rivers, which are bands of intense water vapour transport (integrated vapour transport, IVT). Recent research over Western Europe has shown that by using the IVT forecasts in the form of the extreme forecast index (EFI), a tool that identifies anomalous conditions, it is possible to provide earlier awareness of extreme precipitation events than by using the precipitation EFI directly. The aim of the present paper is to assess these findings further by identifying the regions of Iberia where such IVT forecasts are skilful and for what lead times. Employing the EFI on the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Integrated Forecasting System ensemble for winters 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 and using high‐density daily surface precipitation observations, the IVT EFI is shown to have slightly more skill (than the precipitation EFI) in discriminating extreme precipitation anomalies across the western Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and northwestern Spain) from forecast day 11 onwards. The reasoning is that the higher IVT predictability means that the IVT EFI is more able to detect the approximate location of extreme events at earlier lead times than the precipitation EFI. In contrast, for shorter forecast lead times, the precipitation EFI is more skilful. Also, when considering the entire Iberian Peninsula, the precipitation EFI is more skilful and more appropriate to monitor for potential extremes even at longer lead times.
Predicting major peach yield reductions in the Midwest and Southeast United States
Authors: Chun Steven E. A. , Changnon David
Published: September 2018

Many fruit crop failures, including those for peaches, are caused by extremely low winter temperatures or by false springs, which is when a hard freeze occurs in the spring after plants have broken dormancy and started to grow. A decision‐support tool was created to predict major, regional peach yield reductions based on the analysis of significant peach crop loss years between 1934 and 2016 in the Midwest (Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas) and Southeast (Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina) regions of the United States using surface temperature data. The tool was tested using data from high‐yield peach years and was found to function well in all the sample years for the Midwest, but only for 75% of years for the Southeast. The tool was then tested on the 2017 false spring event that occurred over parts of the Eastern United States. The tool correctly indicated that the entire Southeast region would likely experience a major peach crop yield reduction, while many peach‐growing areas in the Midwest were spared as not all Midwest stations had accumulated enough growing degree‐days before experiencing a hard freeze. Composite 500 hPa geopotential height anomalies associated with the “warm” periods of false spring events were 100 m above average for the Midwest, and 100–125 m for the Southeast. Cold period composites of the low‐yield years suggested 500 hPa geopotential height anomalies were 100–200 m below average for the Midwest, and 100–175 m for the Southeast. The decision‐support tool will assist the peach industry to anticipate major, regional yield reductions.
An objective verification system for thunderstorm risk forecasts
Authors: Brown Katie , Buchanan Piers
Published: September 2018

An objective verification system for the Met Office's 5‐day thunderstorm and cumulonimbus (CB) risk forecasts is described. The forecasts are designed specifically to forecast the impact of CB on aviation in the London Terminal Manoeuvring Area, known as the London TMA, and are produced by meteorologists at the Met Office. Challenges faced in developing the verification system resulting from the subjective nature of the forecasts themselves and the limitations of the data (from the UK Air Navigation Service Provider [UK ANSP]) available to assess the true impact on aviation are discussed. The forecasts include the likelihood of medium impact events as well as the likelihood of high impact events resulting from thunderstorms. A unique approach has been taken to verifying these forecasts which has involved working closely with the primary user, the UK ANSP. An objective verification system has been developed to assess the forecast accuracy across all lead times for high and medium impact events. This system provides the tools necessary for routine, year‐on‐year evaluation of the forecast performance.
Quantifying the impact of global warming on precipitation patterns in India
Authors: Mishra Anoop Kumar
Published: September 2018

The past few decades have witnessed a change in precipitation patterns around the world. This change includes an increase in heavy precipitation and a decrease in light and moderate precipitation. Global/regional warming has been attributed as one of the major factors causing the observed change in precipitation patterns. Past studies over the Indian region have not focused much on quantification of the impact of warming on changes in precipitation patterns. The present research quantifies the impact of warming on precipitation patterns over the Indian region. For this purpose, rain gauge‐based high‐resolution gridded precipitation data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for 113 years between 1901 and 2013 are used to link the changes in precipitation patterns over India during the South West (SW) monsoon season with warming using a new method that focuses on inter‐annual differences rather than time series. It has been reported that during the SW monsoon period, there is an increase of about 51.85% ± 19% in the top 10% precipitation for each degree (K) increase in temperature. Decreases of about 15–30%/K in low and moderate precipitation have also been reported per 1 K increase in temperature. The impact of warming is more severe over Western and North Eastern India and during July and August. An increase in heavy rainy days of about 46.53% ± 14% per 1 K increase in temperature has been reported over the Indian region. Low and moderate rainy days show a decrease of about 24.67% ± 9.53% for a unit degree increase in temperature. Results reported in this research point out increasing trends in droughts and floods due to increased heavy precipitation and decreased low and moderate precipitation in a warming environment.
New report a call to action to address medication challenges
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: September 2018

Half of individuals who are sick and suffering enough to be prescribed medication are not getting it, resulting in more emergency room visits, hospital admission and disability, according to a new report released by the National Council for Behavioral Health's Medical Director Institute. The report is a call to action to ensure that all Americans get comprehensive care, according to the National Council.
Mark–Recapture Validation of Pectoral Fin Ray Age Estimation for Lake Sturgeon
Authors: Hessenauer Jan-Michael , Utrup Brad E. , Briggs Andrew S. , Wills Todd C. , Thomas Michael V.
Published: September 2018

Age estimation is an integral part of fisheries management and is critical for evaluations of growth, mortality, and recruitment. Validation of ages obtained from age estimation of hard parts is a necessary part of the aging process because understanding the magnitude of error and bias associated with structure interpretation provides context for managers using the data. However, validation studies on large-bodied and long-lived species, such as Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens, are challenging. We utilized a 20-year mark–recapture dataset from Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River, Michigan, to validate pectoral fin ray age estimates from 51 individuals that were sampled twice, with 2 to 17 years between capture–recapture events. Samples were divided into four quartiles based on mean annual growth rates during their time at large (mean growth for quartiles = 0.6 cm/year, 2.1 cm/year, 3.7 cm/year, and 5.1 cm/year). Age error was defined as the difference between the estimated age of the fish at first and second capture and the number of years at large. No difference in time at large existed among the four groups, but age error differed among the four groups. Additionally, age error did not differ from zero for the two fastest-growing quartiles but did differ significantly from zero for the two slowest-growing quartiles. We conclude that for Lake Sturgeon growing faster than 3 cm/year (generally less than 100 cm TL) pectoral fin rays provide valid age estimates. Managers should evaluate the growth rates of Lake Sturgeon in their populations to determine a size threshold for using fin rays for age determination.
Sheepshead Foraging Patterns at Oil and Gas Platforms in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Reeves David B. , Chesney Edward J. , Munnelly Ryan T. , Baltz Donald M.
Published: September 2018

In the northern Gulf of Mexico, there are over 2,000 oil and gas platforms (hereafter, “platforms”) that are de facto artificial reefs. The ecological importance of platforms is the subject of debate, but little information exists on the extent to which fish feed on platform-dwelling benthic organisms. We used a camera array to characterize the frequency and duration of incidents in which Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus foraged on platform-dwelling benthic organisms. We also characterized abundances and distributions of select platform-dwelling benthic organisms (barnacles, blennies, and stone crabs). Sheepshead foraging was more strongly associated with dissolved oxygen (DO, mg/L; measured at each camera) and time to slack tide (high or low) than other biological (prey densities), physiochemical, locational, or temporal variables. The number of Sheepshead foraging incidents increased by 18.9 incidents·m−2·h−1 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.6–33.3) when DO increased by 1.0 mg/L; foraging incidents increased by 4.5 incidents·m−2·h−1 (95% CI = 1.6–7.4) when time to slack tide increased by 1.0 h. The time Sheepshead spent foraging increased by 245.4 s·m−2·h−1 (95% CI = 144.1–346.7) when DO increased by 1.0 mg/L, and time spent foraging increased by 78.0 s·m−2·h−1 (95% CI = 60.5–95.5) when time to slack tide increased by 1.0 h. Abundances of barnacles and blennies decreased with increasing depth. The presence of hypoxia near the seafloor during the late summer appeared to cause barnacle mortality, which shifted barnacle depth distributions upward (i.e., 1–3 m shallower). Platform-dwelling benthic organisms persisted throughout the hypoxia season and served as prey for Sheepshead.
Assessing Dietary Intake in the Management of Obesity
Authors: O'Neil Patrick M.
Published: September 2018

O'NEIL, PATRICK M. Assessing dietary intake in the management of obesity. Obes Res. 2001;9:361S–366S.

This paper focuses on assessing the caloric‐intake side of the energy balance equation in clinical settings. In the treatment of obesity, dietary assessment may have many purposes including the following: 1) establishing a baseline of eating patterns to determine targets of intervention and to gauge progress, 2) providing a means of monitoring change in the targeted dietary areas and behaviors, and 3) allowing for ongoing feedback to the patient. The types of data to be gathered in dietary assessment will depend on the purposes of the assessment. The nature, advantages, and disadvantages of the following dietary assessment methods are reviewed: 24‐hour recall, diet history interview and questionnaire, and self‐monitoring. When used on an ongoing basis in treatment, self‐monitoring enhances weight‐loss outcomes. However, compliance with self‐monitoring varies widely across patients and over time. Possible methods of increasing compliance are discussed. Recent technological advances in software and hardware systems offer promise in improving compliance and effectiveness of self‐monitoring.
Fishing, food, and harbor community development in Massachusetts
Authors: Balsas Carlos J. L.
Published: September 2018

Fishing communities are highly dependent on fishing and maritime economies. Regulations and techniques attempt to control quotas, types of fish caught, and the gear utilized in the industry. Furthermore, societal preferences and markets dictate the value of the fish transacted. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship and recent changes between fishing and community development in two fishing communities in Massachusetts: Gloucester and New Bedford. Moreover, I also discuss the role that fish food plays in cities and their foodways. The research asks how these communities have adapted to changes in fishing stocks, techniques, socioeconomic trends and regulations during the last two decades. A resilience public affairs approach centered on seven governance dimensions of fisheries is utilized to analyze the case studies. It is argued that specializing in niche markets, developing adequate industry facilities, and nurturing the cultural aspects endemic to each fishing community has positively influenced the communities' capacity to withstand major societal transformations. The harbor plans for Gloucester and New Bedford provide some plausible directions toward future improvements in the fishing sector.
Cytotoxic activity of difluoromethylornithine compared with fenretinide in neuroblastoma cell lines
Authors: Makena Monish R. , Cho Hwang Eui , Nguyen Thinh H. , Koneru Balakrishna , Verlekar Dattesh U. , Hindle Ashly , Kang Min H. , Reynolds C. Patrick
Published: September 2018

Background

Maintenance therapy with 13‐cis‐retinoic acid and immunotherapy (given after completion of intensive cytotoxic therapy) improves outcome for high‐risk neuroblastoma patients. The synthetic retinoid fenretinide (4‐HPR) achieved multiple complete responses in relapse/refractory neuroblastoma in early‐phase clinical trials, has low systemic toxicity, and has been considered for maintenance therapy clinical trials. Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO, an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase with minimal single‐agent clinical response data) is being used for maintenance therapy of neuroblastoma. We evaluated the cytotoxic activity of DFMO and fenretinide in neuroblastoma cell lines.

Procedure

We tested 16 neuroblastoma cell lines in bone marrow‐level hypoxia (5% O2) using the DIMSCAN cytotoxicity assay. Polyamines were measured by HPLC–mass spectrometry and apoptosis by transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) using flow cytometry.

Results

At clinically achievable levels (100 μM), DFMO significantly decreased (P < 0.05) polyamine putrescine and achieved modest cytotoxicity (<1 log (90% cytotoxicity). Prolonged exposures (7 days) or culture in 2% and 20% O2 did not enhance DFMO cytotoxicity. However, fenretinide (10 μM) even at a concentration lower than clinically achievable in neuroblastoma patients (20 μM) induced ≥ 1 log cell kill in 14 cell lines. The average IC90 and IC99 of fenretinide was 4.7 ± 1 μM and 9.9 ± 1.8 μM, respectively. DFMO did not induce a significant increase (P > 0.05) in apoptosis (TUNEL assay). Apoptosis by fenretinide was significantly higher (P < 0.001) compared with DFMO or controls.

Conclusions

DFMO as a single agent has minimal cytotoxic activity for neuroblastoma cell lines.
Transition to adult care in sickle cell disease: A longitudinal study of clinical characteristics and disease severity
Authors: Kayle Mariam , Docherty Sharron L. , Sloane Richard , Tanabe Paula , Maslow Gary , Pan Wei , Shah Nirmish
Published: September 2018

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic blood disorder in which mortality has increased for adolescents and young adults (AYA).

Procedure

A longitudinal analysis of medical records was conducted to describe the clinical course among AYAs (ages 12–27 years) during transition to adult care. Measures included sociodemographic, complications, SCD severity (modified pediatric SCD severity index), comorbidities, and transfer. Group‐based trajectory modeling (GBTM) to identify subgroups with distinct severity trajectories and chi‐square and unpaired Student t test to explore subgroup differences were used.

Results

Overall, 339 AYAs (97% black, 56% male, 69% hemoglobin SS) had 10 848 clinic, 3840 hospital, and 3152 emergency department visits. Complications included vaso‐occlusive crises (80%) and acute chest syndrome (41%). Comorbidities included depression (19%) and anxiety (14%). Most AYAs transferred to adult care (n = 220) at 19 years. Fourteen AYAs died, 10 within seven years from transfer. GBTM identified both stable and increasing severity trajectory groups: stable‐low (n = 31, 23%), stable‐medium (n = 61, 46%), stable‐high (n = 6, 4.5%), low‐increasing (n = 13, 10%), and medium‐increasing (n = 22, 17%). AYAs with increasing severity (25%) were older, lived closer to the clinic, and had higher risk for SCD complications and comorbidities. They had fewer pediatric clinic visits; however, they were more likely to transfer and remain longer in adult SCD care.

Conclusions

Whereas most AYAs had stable severity, nearly a quarter had increasing severity, over time. AYAs with increasing severity had more complications, were more likely to transfer to adult care, and demonstrated higher and longer adult SCD care utilization compared with AYAs with stable severity.
Express Method of Estimation of Etched Ion Track Parameters in Silicon Dioxide Template
Authors: Yakimchuk Dzmitry , Bundyukova Victoria , Smirnov Andrey , Kaniukov Egor
Published: September 2018

It is proposed to use the ellipsometry as an express method of estimating etched ion track parameters in a silicon dioxide template. Ellipsometric studies are carried out on a series of SiO2/Si templates with pores in the silicon oxide layer. Using the standard model of the interaction of a polarized light beam with a layered structure of silicon oxide on silicon, the basic parameters of the pores are determined through mathematical transformations. In order to determine the validity of the proposed model the results obtained with the ellispometry were compared with the data of scanning electron microscopy. Limitations of the proposed method are discussed.
Antiallodynic effect induced by [6]‐gingerol in neuropathic rats is mediated by activation of the serotoninergic system and the nitric oxide–cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine triphosphate‐sensitive K+ channel pathway
Authors: Mata‐Bermudez Alfonso , Izquierdo Teresa , de los Monteros‐Zuñiga Espinosa , Coen Arrigo , Godínez‐Chaparro Beatriz
Published: September 2018

The present study evaluated the possible antiallodynic effect induced by [6]‐gingerol in rats with L5–L6 spinal nerve ligation (SNL). Moreover, we determined the possible mechanism underlying the antiallodynic effect induced by [6]‐gingerol in neuropathic rats. The animals underwent L5–L6 SNL for the purpose of developing tactile allodynia. Tactile allodynia was measured with von Frey filaments. Intrathecal administration of [6]‐gingerol reversed SNL‐induced tactile allodynia. The [6]‐gingerol‐induced antiallodynic effect was prevented by the intrathecal administration of methiothepin (30 μg per rat; nonselective 5‐hydroxytryptamine [5‐HT] antagonist), WAY‐100635 (6 μg per rat; selective 5‐HT1A receptor antagonist), SB‐224289 (5 μg per rat; selective 5‐HT1B receptor antagonist), BRL‐15572 (4 μg per rat; selective 5‐HT1D receptor antagonist), and SB‐659551 (6 μg per rat; selective 5‐HT5A receptor antagonist), but naloxone (50 μg per rat; nonselective opioid receptor antagonist) did not prevent the [6]‐gingerol‐induced antiallodynic effect. Moreover, intrathecal administration of Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (100 μg per rat; nonselective nitric oxide [NO] synthase inhibitor), 1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one (10 μg per rat; inhibitor of guanylate cyclase), and glibenclamide (50 μg per rat; channel blocker of adenosine triphosphate [ATP]‐sensitive K+ channels) prevented the [6]‐gingerol‐induced antiallodynic effect. These data suggest that the antiallodynic effect induced by [6]‐gingerol is mediated by the serotoninergic system involving the activation of 5‐HT1A/1B/1D/5A receptors, as well as the NO–cyclic guanosine monophosphate–ATP‐sensitive K+ channel pathway but not by the opioidergic system.
Identification of botanicals with potential therapeutic use against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections
Authors: Gerstel Johanne , Turner Tiffany , Ruiz Guillermo , Wise Justin , Stein Ashley , Jones Greg , Morin Tanya , Pinazza Tony , Sukhorukov Elena , Clark Donna , Steen Taelor , Wright Berlin , Langland Jeffrey
Published: September 2018

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen. Over‐ and improper‐use of pharmaceuticals against S. aureus has led to the development of antibiotic resistance, including methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA). This study examined the efficacy of botanical extracts as an alternative form of treatment to S. aureus and MRSA, including penicillin/methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (PenR), and multidrug resistant S. aureus (MDR). Initial screening of botanicals was done via a minimum inhibitory concentration procedure. In addition, a temporal growth curve was performed in order to quantify the growth of the bacteria in the presence of the extracts. Results demonstrated 13 botanicals that had varying activities against S. aureus, PenR, and MDR. These botanicals were separated into mild, moderate, and highly efficacious based on the concentration needed to inhibit bacterial growth. These results propose a comparison of botanical‐derived antimicrobial extracts that may be utilized against S. aureus and different antibiotic resistant strains of MRSA.
An analytical method for reliability analysis of hardware‐software co‐design system
Authors: Zeng Yanhao , Xing Liudong , Zhang Qun , Jia Xujie
Published: September 2018

Hardware‐software co‐design systems abound in diverse modern application areas such as automobile control, telecommunications, big data processing, and cloud computing. Existing works on reliability modeling of the co‐design systems have mostly assumed that hardware and software subsystems behave independently of each other. However, these two subsystems may have significant interactions in practice. In this paper, an analytical approach based on paths and integrals is proposed to analyze reliability of nonrepairable hardware‐software co‐design systems considering interactions between hardware and software during the system performance degradation and failure process. The proposed approach is verified using the Markov‐based method. As demonstrated by case studies on systems without and with warm standby sparing, the proposed approach is applicable to arbitrary types of time‐to‐failure or degradation distributions. Effects of different transition and fault detection/recovery parameters on system performance are also investigated through examples.
Characterization of N‐methylcanadine and N‐methylstylopine metabolites in rat liver S9 by high‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Zuo Meng‐Ting , Liu Sha‐Sha , Lin Li , Wang Zi‐Yuan , Bai Xia , Sun Zhi‐Liang , Liu Zhao‐Ying
Published: September 2018

Rationale

N‐Methylcanadine and N‐methylstylopine are two types of isoquinoline alkaloids which are considered to be the main medicinally active constituents of the genus Papaveraceae. However, to date, no metabolism studies of N‐methylcanadine and N‐methylstylopine have been reported. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the in vitro metabolism of these two alkaloids in rat liver S9.

Methods

N‐Methylcanadine or N‐methylstylopine was incubated with rat liver S9 for 1 h, and then the incubation mixture was processed with 15% trichloroacetic acid. High‐performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/QqTOF‐MS) as a reliable analytical method was used. The structural characterization of these metabolites was performed by the combination of the accurate MS/MS spectra and the known elemental composition.

Results

As a result, a total of four metabolites of N‐methylcanadine and five metabolites of N‐methylstylopine in rat liver S9 were tentatively identified. The cleavage of the methylenedioxy group of the drugs was the main metabolic pathway of N‐methylcanadine and N‐methylstylopine.

Conclusions

The present study is the first in vitro metabolic investigation of N‐methylcanadine and N‐methylstylopine in rat liver S9 using a reliable HPLC/QqTOF‐MS method. The metabolic pathways of N‐methylcanadine and N‐methylstylopine are tentatively proposed. This work lays the foundation for the in vivo metabolism of the two compounds in animals.
Applying a Community Violence Framework to Understand the Impact of Immigration Enforcement Threat on Latino Children
Authors: Barajas‐Gonzalez R. Gabriela , Ayón Cecilia , Torres Franco
Published: September 2018

Heeding the call put out by the New England Journal of Medicine (2017), we utilize an ecological–transactional model as a conceptual framework for understanding existing literature and for guiding future research on immigration enforcement threat and Latino child development. Using the World Health Organization's definition of violence, we draw on literature from psychology, medicine, social work, and developmental psychology to outline how the anti‐immigrant climate in the United States and the threat of immigration enforcement practices in everyday spaces are experienced by some Latino children as psychological violence. Researchers, teachers, and practitioners are encouraged to be aware of how uncertainty and threat regarding familial safety adversely impacts the lives of Latino children in immigrant households, especially in charged, anti‐immigrant climates.
Reliability‐based optimum seismic design of RC frames by a metamodel and metaheuristics
Authors: Gholizadeh Saeed , Aligholizadeh Vahid
Published: September 2018

The present study is devoted to reliability‐based optimum seismic design (RBOSD) of reinforced concrete (RC) moment frames within the context of performance‐based design. A chaotic enhanced colliding bodies optimization (CECBO) metaheuristic algorithm is proposed to achieve the optimization task. In the framework of CECBO, chaotic maps are employed to achieve randomness that results in better convergence rate in comparison with its standard version. For reliability assessment of structures during the optimization process, the Monte Carlo simulation method is employed. In order to reduce the prohibitive computational burden of the MCS in the optimization setting, a metamodel is proposed to accurately evaluate the required deterministic and probabilistic structural seismic nonlinear responses. Efficiency of the proposed methodology for implementation of RBOSD process for RC frames is illustrated by presenting two numerical examples.
Managing testicular torsion – time is of the essence
Authors: Bastianpillai Christopher , Ryan Kate , Green James SA
Published: September 2018

Testicular torsion is a medical emergency that usually requires surgical intervention to untwist the spermatic cord and restore blood flow to the testis. Delays in the pathway from diagnosis to surgery can lead to testicular loss and need to be minimised. In this article the authors explore some of the current controversies surrounding the management of this important organ‐saving surgery.
Measuring biomass fast pyrolysis kinetics: State of the art
Authors: SriBala Gorugantu , Carstensen Hans‐Heinrich , Van Geem Kevin M. , Marin Guy B.
Published: September 2018

Fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass is considered to be a promising thermochemical route for the production of drop‐in fuels and valuable chemicals. During the past decades, a comprehensive understanding of feedstock structure, fast pyrolysis kinetics, product distribution, and transport effects that govern the process has allowed to design better pyrolysis reactors and/or catalysts. A variety of lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks, like corn stover, pinewood, poplar, and model compounds like glucose, xylan, monolignols have been utilized to study the thermal decomposition at or close to fast pyrolysis conditions. Significant progress has been made in understanding the kinetics by developing unique setups such as drop‐tube, PHASR, and micropyrolyzer reactors in combination with the use of advanced analytical techniques such as comprehensive gas and liquid chromatography (GC, LC) with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer (TOF‐MS). This has led to initial intrinsic kinetic models for biomass and its main components, namely cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, validated using experimental setups where the effects of heat and mass transfer on the performance of the process, expressed using Biot and pyrolysis numbers, are adequately negligible. Yet, not all aspects of fast pyrolysis kinetics of biomass components are equally well understood. The use of time‐resolved or multiplexed experimental techniques can further improve our understanding of reaction intermediates and their corresponding kinetic mechanisms. The novel experimental data combined with first principles based multiscale models can reshape biomass pyrolysis models and transform biomass fast pyrolysis to a more selective and energy efficient process.

This article is categorized under:

Energy and Climate > Climate and Environment

Energy Research & Innovation > Science and Materials

Bioenergy > Science and Materials
[Ge9{Si(SiMe3)3}2{Ge(SiMe3)3}]–: The Mixed Substituted Metalloid Germanium Cluster and the Intermetalloid Cluster [ZnGe18{Si(SiMe3)3}4{Ge(SiMe3)3}2]
Authors: Kysliak Oleksandr , Schnepf Andreas
Published: September 2018

The novel metalloid germanium cluster [Ge9(Hyp)2HypGe]– (1) was synthesized, exhibiting two different bulky groups [Hyp = Si(SiMe3)3; HypGe = Ge(SiMe3)3]. Further reaction of 1 with ZnCl2 gives the derivative [ZnGe18(Hyp)4(HypGe)2] (2) in good yield, showing that the substitution of Si(SiMe3)3 by Ge(SiMe3)3 within a metalloid Ge9R3– compound leads to a comparable reactivity. 1 and 2 are characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (1) and single crystal structure analyses (2). 1 and 2 are the first metalloid germanium clusters bearing germyl groups.
Hearing Children’s Experiences in Public
Authors: Crane Jennifer
Published: September 2018

‘Hearing Children’s Experiences’ explores emergent concerns about understanding, accessing, and utilising children’s experiences and emotions to reshape child protection policy and practice. These concerns were foregrounded in the 1960s and 1970s, but developed significantly from the 1980s, fostered by a coalition of small children’s charities, psychologists, agony aunts, and popular authors. The chapter traces how constructs of childhood experience were used to further pre-existing adult agendas but also to make genuine efforts to enable specific groups of children to criticise existing statutory interventions. By contrasting the thinking about emotion and experience in two landmark public inquiries—around the death of Maria Colwell in 1973 and the Cleveland case of 1987—the chapter traces increased public policy interest in consulting with children over these decades.
Inculcating Child Expertise in Schools and Homes
Authors: Crane Jennifer
Published: September 2018

‘Inculcating Child Expertise’ explores how small children’s charities sought to enter family homes and schools to make children themselves expert in child protection, providing education about bodily autonomy, self-expression, and confidence in the 1980s. In doing so, these charities reshaped and challenged relationships between parents and teachers and between adults and children, and presented a model whereby children both were, and had the potential to become, authoritative. The chapter explores the material and consumer products which became important in this moment—storybooks and films—and analyses how these objects looked to reflect, but also to reshape, complex visions of childhood experience, emotion, and expertise. Overall, this chapter argues that the 1980s was a distinctly liberationist moment for children, whereby child protection campaigners bypassed the moral politics of the ‘sex wars’.