bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Board interlocks and the diffusion of CSR reporting practices: The role of market development
Authors: Sun Weizhang , Li Xuan , Geng Yanli , Yang Jinfeng , Zhang Yifei
Published: December 2019

Although traditional studies concerning the diffusion effect of board interlocks stress the influence of mimetic pressures, extant studies increasingly emphasize board interlocks' communication role. From the perspective of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting, this paper seeks to investigate the validity of the two views by introducing market development as a moderating variable. Based on samples of Chinese listed companies between 2008 and 2015, we find that board interlocks positively affect firms' CSR reporting. Consistent with the communication mechanism view, the impact of board interlocks on CSR reporting is relatively weak in developed regions. With this study, we contribute to the literature concerning the diffusion effect of board interlocks and the institutional literature related to CSR reporting.
Thermal Cracking of Sugars for the Production of Glycolaldehyde and Other Small Oxygenates
Authors: Schandel Christian B. , Høj Martin , Osmundsen Christian M. , Jensen Anker D. , Taarning Esben
Published: December 2019

Thermal cracking of sugars for production of glycolaldehyde, a potential renewable platform molecule, in yields up to 74 % with up to 95 % carbon recovered in the condensed product is demonstrated using glucose as the feed. The process involves spraying an aqueous sugar solution into a fluidized bed of glass beads. Continuous operation is carried out for more than 90 h with complete conversion and stable product selectivity. Besides glycolaldehyde, the other identified condensed products are pyruvaldehyde (9 %), formaldehyde (7 %), glyoxal (2 %), acetol (2 %), and acetic acid (1 %). The effects of temperature, glucose feed concentration, and type of sugar feedstock are investigated. Cracking the monosaccharides fructose and xylose leads to very different product distributions from glucose, but similar carbon recovery. A reaction network in agreement with the main observed products from cracking of monosaccharide sugars is proposed.
From immunohistological to anatomical alterations of human pancreas in type 1 diabetes: New concepts on the stage
Authors: Nigi Laura , Maccora Carla , Dotta Francesco , Sebastiani Guido
Published: December 2019

The histological analysis of human pancreatic samples in type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been proven essential to move forward in the evaluation of in situ events characterizing T1D. Increasing availability of pancreatic tissues collected from diabetic multiorgan donors by centralized biorepositories, which have shared tissues among researchers in the field, has allowed a deeper understanding of T1D pathophysiology, using novel immunohistological and high‐throughput methods. In this review, we provide a comprehensive update of the main recent advancements in the characterization of cellular and molecular events involving endocrine and exocrine pancreas as well as the immune system in the onset and progression of T1D. Additionally, we underline novel elements, which provide evidence that T1D pathological changes affect not only islet β‐cells but also the entire pancreas.
Circulating osteocalcin: A potential predictor of ketosis in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Zhu Bing , Lin Ziwei , Chen Xianying , Gusdon Aaron M. , Shen Wenjun , Chen Jia , Zheng Liang , Sun Hang , Li Yan , Zhu Cuiling , Li Jue , Qu Shen
Published: December 2019

Aims

Osteocalcin contributes to the regulation of endocrine system. However, the association between osteocalcin and ketosis has not been evaluated. We thus aimed to explore the relationship between total osteocalcin and risk of ketosis in type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Materials and methods

We identified 6157 diabetes patients from Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital between 1 January 2011 and 1 March 2017. Six hundred eight subjects were enrolled in the retrospective cross‐sectional study: 304 T2DM patients with ketosis whose age, gender, and body mass index were matched with 304 T2DM patients without ketosis. A further retrospective nested case‐control study was conducted in 252 T2DM patients without ketosis for a mean duration of 21.58 ± 12.43 months to investigate the occurrence of ketosis.

Results

Osteocalcin levels were negatively correlated with blood ketones (adjusted r = −0.263) and urine ketones (adjusted r = −0.183). The inverse dose‐dependent relationship of osteocalcin and risk of ketosis was present across osteocalcin level quintiles (top quintile as the reference, adjusted odds ratio [95% CI] = 2.56 [0.80‐8.17], 3.71 [0.90‐15.29], 10.77 [2.63‐44.15], 23.81 [4.32‐131.17] per osteocalcin quintile, respectively). Ketosis occurred in 17 of the 252 T2DM patients during follow‐up. The Cox regression analysis indicated that osteocalcin was an independent protective factor against development of ketosis (adjusted hazard ratio [95% CI]: 0.668 [0.460‐0.971]).

Conclusions

Total osteocalcin can be used as a predictor of ketosis in T2DM.
Do most patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes, and atrial fibrillation, also have undiagnosed heart failure? A critical conceptual framework for understanding mechanisms and improving diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Packer Milton
Published: December 2019

Obesity and diabetes can lead to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), potentially because they both cause expansion and inflammation of epicardial adipose tissue and thus lead to microvascular dysfunction and fibrosis of the underlying left ventricle. The same process also causes an atrial myopathy, which is clinically evident as atrial fibrillation (AF); thus, AF may be the first manifestation of HFpEF. Many patients with apparently isolated AF have latent HFpEF or subsequently develop HFpEF. Most patients with obesity or diabetes who have AF and exercise intolerance have increased left atrial pressures at rest or during exercise, even in the absence of diagnosed HFpEF. Among patients with AF, those who also have latent HFpEF have increased risk for systemic thromboembolism and death. The identification of HFpEF in patients with obesity or diabetes alters the risk‐to‐benefit relationship of commonly prescribed treatments. Bariatric surgery and statins can ameliorate AF and reduce the risk for HFpEF. Conversely, antihyperglycaemic drugs that promote adipogenesis or cause sodium retention (insulin and thiazolidinediones) may increase the risk for heart failure in patients with an underlying ventricular myopathy. Patients with obesity and diabetes who undergo catheter ablation for AF are at increased risk for AF recurrence and for post‐ablation increases in pulmonary venous pressures and worsening heart failure, especially if HFpEF coexists. Therefore, AF may be the earliest indicator of HFpEF in patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes, and recognition of HFpEF alters the management of these patients.
Presence, function, and regulation of IL‐17F‐expressing human CD4+ T cells
Authors: Burns Lachrissa A. , Maroof Ash , Marshall Diane , Steel Kathryn J. A. , Lalnunhlimi Sylvine , Cole Suzanne , Catrina Anca , Kirkham Bruce , Taams Leonie S.
Published: December 2019

The pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐17A has been implicated in the immunopathology of inflammatory arthritis. IL‐17F bears 50% homology to IL‐17A and has recently been suggested to play a role in inflammation. We investigated the induction and cytokine profile of IL‐17F+ CD4+ T cells, and how IL‐17F may contribute to inflammation. Upon culture of healthy donor CD4+ T cells with IL‐1β, IL‐23, anti‐CD3, and anti‐CD28 mAb, both IL‐17A and IL‐17F‐expressing cells were detected. In comparison to IL‐17A+IL‐17F− CD4+ T cells, IL‐17F+IL‐17A− and IL‐17A+IL‐17F+ CD4+ T cells contained lower proportions of IL‐10‐expressing and GM‐CSF‐expressing cells and higher proportions of IFN‐γ‐expressing cells. Titration of anti‐CD28 mAb revealed that strong co‐stimulation increased IL‐17F+IL‐17A− and IL‐17A+IL‐17F+ CD4+ T cell frequencies, whereas IL‐17A+IL‐17F− CD4+ T cell frequencies decreased. This was partly mediated via an IL‐2‐dependent mechanism. Addition of IL‐17A, IL‐17F, and TNF‐α to synovial fibroblasts from patients with inflammatory arthritis resulted in significant production of IL‐6 and IL‐8, which was reduced to a larger extent by combined blockade of IL‐17A and IL‐17F than blockade of IL‐17A alone. Our data indicate that IL‐17A and IL‐17F are differentially regulated upon T cell co‐stimulation, and that dual blockade of IL‐17A and IL‐17F reduces inflammation more effectively than IL‐17A blockade alone.
Nitrene Transfer Reactions for Asymmetric C–H Amination: Recent Development
Authors: Hayashi Hiroki , Uchida Tatsuya
Published: December 2019

C–H bonds are ubiquitous and abundant in organic molecules. If C–H bonds could be directly converted to desired functional groups in a chemo‐, site‐, and stereoselective manner, C–H functionalization would be a strong and useful tool for organic synthesis. Recent developments in catalytic and enzymatic chemistry have achieved highly sustainable and selective nitrene C–H insertion. Initially, C–H amination was inspired by model studies on enzymatic oxidation and used iminoiodinanes, nitrogen analogs of iodosobenzene, as nitrene precursors. Transition‐metal/iminoiodinane systems are well studied and established. These systems can directly introduce sulfonamide groups with excellent stereoselectivity, albeit with co‐production of iodobenzene as waste material. Fortunately, the atom economics of this methodology were improved by introducing highly sustainable nitrene sources such as azide compounds and 1,2,4‐dioxazol‐5‐one derivatives. In this review, we present the details of these developments with respect to their catalysts and nitrene sources.
Dissociating automatic associations: Comparing two implicit measurements of race bias
Authors: Volpert‐Esmond Hannah I. , Scherer Laura D. , Bartholow Bruce D.
Published: December 2019

Weak correspondence across different implicit bias tasks may arise from the contribution of unique forms of automatic and controlled processes to response behavior. Here, we examined the correspondence between estimates of automatic and controlled processing derived from two sequential priming tasks with identical structure and timing designed to separately measure stereotypic (Weapons Identification Task; WIT) and evaluative (Affective Priming Task; APT) associations. Across two studies using predominantly White samples, three consistent patterns emerged in the data: (a) stereotypic bias was stronger for Black targets, whereas evaluative bias was stronger for White targets; (b) overall response accuracy bias correlated modestly across the two tasks; and (c) multinomial processing tree estimates of controlled processing corresponded much more strongly than estimates of automatic processing. These findings support models positing distinct learning and memory systems for different forms of race bias, and suggest that these differing forms contribute to estimates of automatic associations.
Application of multisegment injection on quantification of creatinine and standard addition analysis of urinary 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid simultaneously with creatinine normalization
Authors: Huang Zi‐Ao , Scotland Kymora B. , Li Yueyang , Guo Jian‐Ping , McGeer Patrick L. , Lange Dirk , Chen David D. Y.
Published: December 2019

In this paper, the development of a simple dilute‐and‐shoot method for quantifying urinary creatinine by CE–ESI–MS was described. The creatinine analysis time was about 7 min/sample by conventional single injection (SI) method and can be significantly reduced to less than 2 min/sample with multi‐segment injection (MSI). In addition, the standard addition analysis of 5‐hydroxyindole‐3‐acetic acid (5‐HIAA) and creatinine normalization was performed within one run by the MSI technique, and the total analysis time was 14‐min faster compared to the SI method for analyzing the same set of samples. The uses of isotopic and non‐isotopic internal standards (ISs) were compared. Creatinine‐(methyl‐13C) and 5‐hydroxyindole‐4,6,7‐D3‐3‐acetic‐D2 acid (5‐HIAA‐D5) used as isotopic ISs can provide both accurate and precise results. In contrast, 1,5,5‐trimethylhydantoin (1,5,5‐TH) used as the non‐isotopic IS for creatinine may cause a bias of over 13% in SI method and even worse when the MSI technique was used. Another compound, 2‐methyl‐3‐indoleacetic acid (2‐MIAA), was determined not suitable for MSI analysis of 5‐HIAA due to endogenous interferences despite its acceptable performance in conventional methods of analysis.
Material properties of clay and lime plaster for structural fire design
Authors: Johanna Liblik , Judith Küppers , Alar Just , Birgit Maaten , Siim Pajusaar
Published: December 2019

Clay and lime plaster are traditional surface finish materials used on historic timber walls and ceilings. Today, hardly any fire technical properties or design parameters exist that consider such plasters as fire protection materials for timber structures. This hinders the fire assessment of existing building structures and disadvantages their use in modern design solutions where healthy and sustainable materials are increasingly favoured. This research follows the safety philosophy of EN 1995‐1‐2 to describe the fire protection ability of plasters. This paper investigates the temperature‐dependent thermal properties of historic plasters by presenting series of material‐specific tests and furnace tests carried out under standard fire exposure conditions. Experimental studies are supported by numerical heat transfer simulations. Results demonstrate particularities between the fire protection ability of clay and lime plaster, however, highlight the need for further investigations in terms of their thermophysical performance and standardisation at the European level. Design parameters are presented and discussed in future perspective. This work demonstrates a basic research to plan and design full‐scale fire tests according to EN 13381‐7:2019.
Preparing high purity white carbon black from rice husk
Authors: Cheng Qunpeng , Xu Chenxi , Huang Wenwen , Ma Chao , Fan Guozhi , Yan Juntao , Jian Zhang , Zhang Yong , Song Guangsen
Published: December 2019

In this paper, rice husk (RH) was used as raw material to prepare white carbon black, and the key technological parameters of preparing white carbon black from RH were studied through single‐factor test, orthogonal experiment, and response surface analysis. Meanwhile, the characteristic of white carbon black was also analyzed. Through orthogonal experiment analysis, it was confirmed that the order of factors affecting the purity of white carbon black was calcination temperature > alkali treatment time > final pH > surfactant. Based on the response surface optimization analysis, the optimum parameters for preparation of white carbon black were as follows: calcination temperature 610°C, alkali treatment time of 2.3 hr, final pH of 10, CTMAB was used as the surfactant. Under this condition, the purity of silica prepared could be reached to 99.39%, and the particle size was uniform, spherical, and well dispersed, which satisfied the requirements of GB/T 34698‐2017 standard.
Dynamic changes of amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations in patients with generalized anxiety disorder
Authors: Cui Qian , Sheng Wei , Chen Yuyan , Pang Yajing , Lu Fengmei , Tang Qin , Han Shaoqiang , Shen Qian , Wang Yifeng , Xie Ailing , Huang Jing , Li Di , Lei Ting , He Zongling , Chen Huafu
Published: December 2019

Previous neuroimaging studies have mainly focused on alterations of static and dynamic functional connectivity in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). However, the characteristics of local brain activity over time in GAD are poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the abnormal time‐varying local brain activity of GAD by using the amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (ALFF) method combined with sliding‐window approach. Group comparison results showed that compared with healthy controls (HCs), patients with GAD exhibited increased dynamic ALFF (dALFF) variability in widespread regions, including the bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, striatum; and left orbital frontal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, temporal pole, inferior temporal gyrus, and fusiform gyrus. The abnormal dALFF could be used to distinguish between patients with GAD and HCs. Increased dALFF variability values in the striatum were positively correlated with GAD symptom severity. These findings suggest that GAD patients are associated with abnormal temporal variability of local brain activity in regions implicated in executive, emotional, and social function. This study provides insight into the brain dysfunction of GAD from the perspective of dynamic local brain activity, highlighting the important role of dALFF variability in understanding neurophysiological mechanisms and potentially informing the diagnosis of GAD.
Proton therapy for head and neck paragangliomas: A single institutional experience
Authors: Kang Kylie H. , Lebow Emily S. , Niemierko Andrzej , Bussière Marc R. , Dewyer Nicholas A. , Daly Jillian , McKenna Michael J. , Lee Daniel J. , Loeffler Jay S. , Busse Paul M. , Shih Helen A.
Published: December 2019

Background

Although slow growing, head and neck paragangliomas (HNPG) can cause significant morbidity. We evaluated the efficacy of proton therapy in the management of HNPG.

Methods

Retrospective review of an institutional proton therapy experience of treating patients between 1997 and 2016; 37 patients and 40 tumors were included.

Results

Proton therapy was delivered to a median of 50.4 Gy(RBE) (range: 45‐68). Having a genetic/family predisposition for HNPG was associated with multifocal tumors (P = .02) and younger diagnosis age (P = .02). Twenty‐six (70%) patients had symptom improvement posttreatment, and 65% of treated tumors showed ≥20% volumetric shrinkage. The 5‐year recurrence‐free and overall survival rates were both 97%. Grade 2 to grade 3 toxicities (54%) included subjective hearing impairment (19%), middle ear inflammation (14%), and dry mouth (8%). There were no grade 4‐5 toxicities.

Conclusions

Patients with HNPGs can be effectively and safely treated with proton therapy with excellent tumor control, successful volumetric tumor reduction, and symptomatic improvement.
Evaluating the suitability of three gridded‐datasets and their impacts on hydrological simulation at Scotty Creek in the southern Northwest Territories, Canada
Authors: Persaud Bhaleka D. , Whitfield Paul H. , Quinton William L. , Stone Lindsay E.
Published: December 2019

In the southern Northwest Territories (NWT), long time series of historical observations of climate and hydrology are scarce. Gridded datasets have been used as an alternative to instrumental observations for climate analysis in this area, but not for driving models to understand hydrological processes in the southern NWT. The suitability of temperature and precipitation from three‐gridded datasets (Australian National University Spline [ANUSPLIN], ERA‐Interim, and Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Application, Version 2 [MERRA‐2]) as forcings for hydrological modelling in a small subcatchment in the southern NWT are assessed. Multiple statistical techniques are used to ensure that structural and temporal attributes of the observational datasets are adequately compared. Daily minimum and maximum air temperatures in gridded datasets are more similar to observations than precipitation. The ANUSPLIN temperature time series are more statistically similar to observations, based on population statistics and temporal structure, than either of ERA‐Interim or MERRA‐2. The gridded datasets capture the seasonal and annual seasonal variability of precipitation but with large biases. ANUSPLIN precipitation compares better with observations than either ERA‐Interim or MERRA‐2 precipitation. The biases in these gridded datasets affect run‐off simulations. The biases in hydrological simulations are predictable from the statistical differences between gridded datasets and observations and can be used to make informed choices about their use.
Charge Transport Calculation along Two‐Dimensional Metal/Semiconductor/Metal Systems
Authors: Stan Gabriela Ben‐Melech , Dhaka Kapil , Toroker Maytal Caspary
Published: December 2019

Two‐dimensional transistors are promising candidates for the next generation of nanoscale devices. Like the other alternatives, they also encounter problems such as instability under standard condition (STP), low channel mobility, small band gaps, and difficulty to integrate metal contacts. The latter poses a great challenge since metal/semiconductor interface significantly affects the transistor‘s performance. Some of these obstacles can be solved by using two‐dimensional transition metal di‐chalcogenides (TMDC) materials. In this study, we performed charge transport calculation based on density functional theory (DFT) followed by wave dynamics to evaluate the performance of six two‐dimensional TMDC metal/semiconductor/metal systems. Each semiconductor monolayer was laterally connected, at both ends to metal contacts consisting of VS2 or FeS2 monolayers. We found that charge transport was more efficient in systems containing a CrS2 semiconductor monolayer compared to systems with MoS2 or WS2 as the semiconductor monolayer. The electronic characterization of the monolayer TMDC materials by DFT estimates well the trend in charge transport efficiency calculated using wave packet dynamics.
EFFECTS OF CANAL AUTOMATION ON REDUCING GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION WITHIN IRRIGATION DISTRICTS: CASE STUDY OF QAZVIN IRRIGATION DISTRICT†
Authors: Hosseini Jolfan Mohsen , Hashemy Shahdany Seied Mehdy , Javadi Saman , Mallakpour Iman , Neshat Aminreza
Published: December 2019

Abstract

The impact of upgrading irrigation canal water distribution and delivery systems on reducing the pumping of water from aquifers was investigated. Consequently, energy consumption and carbon emission reduction were investigated. For this purpose, a decentralized integrated control system and a centralized control system were designed. The arrangements were tested on the main canal of the Qazvin Irrigation District under a water shortage scenario. In this research, the centralized automatic control system was satisfactorily implemented in water distribution under the water shortage scenario. The decentralized control system (PI) did not show significant operational performance. According to the results, obtained values of the index of adequacy by upgrading utilization to decentralized automated control systems (PI) were 70 and 77% for the centralized automated control system. Accordingly, the reduction in harvesting from the aquifer was 69.7 and 71.5%, respectively, the reduction of energy consumption was 54.5 and 63.7%, and greenhouse gas emission reduction was 52.4 and 62.5%. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comovements in the real activity of developed and emerging economies: A test of global versus specific international factors
Authors: Djogbenou Antoine A.
Published: December 2019

Although globalization has shaped the world economy in recent decades, emerging economies have experienced impressive growth compared to developed economies, suggesting specific comovements within developed and emerging business cycles. Using observed developed and emerging real economy activity variables, we investigate whether the latter assertion can be supported by observed data. Based on a two‐level factor model, we assume these activity variables can be decomposed into global components, emerging or developed common components, and idiosyncratic national shocks. We propose a statistical test for the null hypothesis of a one‐level specification, where it is irrelevant to distinguish between emerging and developed latent factors against the two‐level alternative. This paper provides a theoretical justification and Monte Carlo simulations that document the testing procedure. An application of the test to various data sets of developed and emerging countries leads to strong statistical evidence of specific comovements within these two groups.
Treating posttraumatic stress disorder across cultures: A systematic review of cultural adaptations of trauma‐focused cognitive behavioral therapies
Authors: Ennis Naomi , Shorer Shai , Shoval‐Zuckerman Yael , Freedman Sara , Monson Candice M. , Dekel Rachel
Published: December 2019

Objective

Although trauma‐focused cognitive‐behavioral therapies (CBTs) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been applied worldwide, the nature of how these Western‐based interventions are applied in diverse settings has varied. This paper systematically reviewed the literature on how trauma‐focused CBTs have been applied and adapted cross‐culturally.

Method

A systematic review of studies that discuss the process of cultural adaptation of trauma‐focused CBTs.

Results

Seventeen papers were included and varied in the comprehensiveness of the adaptation process. Two studies stated that a theoretical framework was followed. Almost one‐third of the studies did not report whether local stakeholders were involved in the process of application. Fifteen studies examined the efficacy of the adaptations and the results were positive, but the methodology and quality varied.

Conclusion

There are inconsistencies in how trauma‐focused CBTs are culturally adapted. A systematic approach to the transportation of such therapies would enable greater investigation into the necessity and efficacy of such adaptations.
A bioaugmentation agent allowing the advanced treatment of refractory refinery wastewater in a biological aerated filter and analysis of its microbial community
Authors: Feng Lei , He Qingsheng , Wen Jianping
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUND

The performance of a biological aerated filter (BAF) with activated sludge and nut shell activated carbon was evaluated for the advanced treatment of intractable refinery wastewater. Bioaugmenting the BAF with Pseudomonas sp. FS‐01 and Bacillus sp. FS‐02 and the microbial community structure between the upgrade system and the original system were also studied.

RESULTS

During the steady state of the BAF, the influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) was in the range 80–128 mg L−1, and ammonia nitrogen (NH4+‐N) was in the range 15–20 mg L−1. The BAF with activated carbon from nut shells as a supporting material can remove over 32% of influent COD and 95% of NH4+‐N. On bioaugmentation, the average effluent COD and NH4+‐N concentrations were 31.8 and 0.4 mg L−1, respectively. The predominant genera in BAF1 were Nitrospira, an unranked member of the Anaerolineaceae and an unclassified member of the Rhizobiales, while the dominant genera in BAF2 were Pseudomonas, Bacillus and an unranked member of the Anaerolineaceae.

CONCLUSIONS

The coconut shell activated carbon has outstanding properties for removing COD and NH4+‐N, along with high shock loading resistance. Bioaugmentation can improve the COD remove efficiency by 35% in relation to only adding sludge. Microbial diversity analysis indicated that bioaugmentation accelerated the transformation of the bacterial community structure, quickly becoming dominant strains. This bioaugmented process may be a promising alternative technology for the treatment of refractory wastewater. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Survival benefit associated with early detection of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in veteran inpatients with cirrhotic ascites
Authors: Townsend Luke , Blais Pierre , Huh Alex , Nayak Leela , Elwing Jill E , Sayuk Gregory S
Published: December 2019

Background

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is common in hospitalized cirrhotic patients with ascites and carries high mortality. This study aimed to determine whether early diagnostic paracentesis (EDP) <12 h of hospitalization conveys an intermediate‐term (6‐month) survival benefit in cirrhotic patients diagnosed with SBP.

Methods

Consecutive US veterans with cirrhosis diagnosed with SBP over 13 years at a single VA medical center were reviewed retrospectively. Kaplan‐Meyer analyses assessed the effects of EDP on survival.

Results

A total of 79 cirrhotic patients were diagnosed with SBP (61.8 ± 8.8 years, n = 77 male, n = 52 [66.8%] Caucasian, n = 23 [29.1%] African‐American). Underlying liver diseases included hepatitis c viral infection (HCV) (17.5%), alcohol (28.6%), alcohol and HCV (30.1%), and cryptogenic/metabolic (15.9%). Median baseline model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) was 12 (range 6–34), and median MELD at presentation was 18. Seven subjects had a history of hepatocellular carcinoma (11.1%), and 26 (41.3%) presented with sepsis. Thirty‐three (52.4%) subjects died within 6 months after the SBP admission. Of the subjects, 41 (65.1%) underwent EDP, of which 23 (56.0%) survived at least 6 months, compared to only 7 of the 22 patients (31.8%) undergoing paracentesis >12 h from presentation (P = 0.057). The maximal benefit of EDP on survival was observed beyond days 14 and 30; at these time points, no statistical difference in mortality was discernable (P = 0.55 and 0.71). In a multivariate model including age, MELD at admission, hepatocellular cancer, and sepsis criteria, EDP (p 0.034) positively impacted patient survival at 6 months.

Conclusions

EDP is associated with improved 6‐month mortality in cirrhotic patients with ascites. In this veteran cohort, EDP was as important as MELD as a predictor of intermediate‐term survival.
Biocontrol potential of Bacillus subtilis RH5 against sheath blight of rice caused by Rhizoctonia solani
Authors: Jamali Hena , Sharma Anjney , Roohi  , Srivastava Alok Kumar
Published: December 2019

The sheath blight disease of rice caused by Rhizoctonia solani is widely prevalent and one of the most destructive diseases, affecting rice cultivation and loss worldwide. In the present study, a set of twenty Bacillus isolates from saline soil of Uttar Pradesh were tested for their biocontrol activity against R. solani with the aim to obtain a potential strain for the control of sheath blight disease toward ecofriendly and sustainable agriculture. The results of dual‐culture assay and scanning electron microscopic studies showed that the strain RH5 exhibited significant antagonistic activity (84.41%) against the fungal pathogen R. solani. On the basis of 16S rDNA sequencing analysis, the potential biocontrol strain RH5 was identified as Bacillus subtilis. Furthermore, the strain RH5 was characterized by different plant growth‐promoting (PGP) activities and induction of defense‐related enzymes in rice plants against R. solani. The strain RH5 posses various PGP attributes (indole acetic acid, siderophore, hydrogen cyanide production and phosphate, Zn, K solubility), hydrolytic enzymatic (chitinase, protease, cellulase, xylanase) activity, and presence of antimicrobial peptide biosynthetic genes (bacylisin, surfactin, and fengycin), which support the strain for efficient colonization of hyphae and its inhibition. Finally, the results of the greenhouse study confirmed that strain RH5 significantly increased plant growth and triggered resistance in rice plants through the production of defense‐related antioxidant enzymes.
Ultrasensitive amyloid β‐protein quantification with high dynamic range using a hybrid graphene–gold surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy platform
Authors: Yu Xinke , Hayden Eric Y. , Wang Pu , Xia Ming , Liang Owen , Bai Yu , Teplow David B. , Xie Ya‐Hong
Published: December 2019

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) holds great promise in biosensing because of its single‐molecule, label‐free sensitivity. We describe here the use of a graphene–gold hybrid plasmonic platform that enables quantitative SERS measurement. Quantification is enabled by normalizing analyte peak intensities to that of the graphene G peak. We show that two complementary quantification modes are intrinsic features of the platform and that through their combined use, the platform enables accurate determination of analyte concentration over a concentration range spanning seven orders of magnitude. We demonstrate, using a biologically relevant test analyte, the amyloid β‐protein (Aβ), a seminal pathologic agent of Alzheimer's disease, that linear relationships exist between (a) peak intensity and concentration at a single plasmonic hot spot smaller than 100 nm and (b) frequency of hot spots with observable protein signals, that is, the colocation of an Aβ protein and a hot spot. We demonstrate the detection of Aβ at a concentration as low as 10−18 M after a single 20 μl aliquot of the analyte onto the hybrid platform. This detection sensitivity can be improved further through multiple applications of analyte to the platform and by rastering the laser beam with smaller step sizes.
Analysis of the characteristics and driving forces of water footprint productivity in paddy rice cultivation in China
Authors: Chen Sheng , Wu Mengyang , Cao Xinchun , Guo Xiangping
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUND

Water productivity improvement is fundamental to agricultural water use control, and the water footprint provides a new and comprehensive method for identifying the crop‐water relationship. This study is intended to explore the spatiotemporal pattern and driving forces underlying the rice water footprint productivity (WFP) in China during the years 1996–2015 based on calculations of the provincial blue, green, gray, and white water footprints.

RESULTS

The national water footprint in paddy rice cultivation was 240.97 Gm3, and green water accounted for 43.9% of the total. The WFP was 0.795 kg m−3 and increased over time in all 30 provinces for which it was calculated. The growth rate in the northern provinces was greater than that in the southern part of the country. The WFP clustered geographically in all years observed. High‐value provinces were concentrated to the south of the Yangtze River, whereas most of the provinces that showed a low WFP were distributed in the north China and northwest subregions. Precipitation and sunshine hours were the most obvious driving factors of rice WFP. The effects of agricultural input, e.g., agricultural machinery power, pesticides, and irrigation efficiency, on WFP also could not be ignored.

CONCLUSION

The WFP is a comprehensive and useful index of the crop‐water relationship and water‐use efficiency. Improving agricultural input and irrigation technology are reliable approaches for WFP promotion. Areas in northeast China showed the most urgent need for improving the rice WFP, and the inclusion of the main grain producing areas in the Yangtze River Basin will further reduce ineffective water occupancy to improve water‐use efficiency. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Identification of heat damage in imported soybeans based on hyperspectral imaging technology
Authors: Liu Yao , Li Ming , Wang Shuwen , Wu Tao , Jiang Wei , Liu Zhongyan
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUND

Imported soybeans are prone to heat damage due to high storage temperatures or poor ventilation during transportation. Heat damage directly degrades the quality of the produce and greatly reduces the edible value of soybeans. Rapid and nondestructive techniques for assessing the quality of imported soybeans are in demand. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology was used to distinguish sound soybeans from heat‐damaged soybeans.

RESULTS

For testing the effectiveness of preprocessing methods in enhancing model performance, five different preprocessing methods were implemented to original spectra. To solve problems related to accuracy, efficiency, and model interpretability caused by high‐dimensional HSI data, three waveband selection algorithms – dependency measure (DM‐NRS), mutual information (MI‐NRS) and variable precision (VP‐NRS) – based on neighborhood rough set (NRS) theory were proposed to identify the waveband subsets with optimal distinguishing ability. The effectiveness of preprocessing methods and waveband selection algorithms was validated by establishing two kinds of models: extreme learning machine (ELM) and random forest (RF) models. In addition to the classification accuracy, the robustness of the waveband selection algorithms was studied. The results demonstrated that the Savitzky–Golay (SG) smoothing preprocessing method combined with the MI‐NRS waveband selection algorithm and the ELM classifier achieved the best classification and robustness results. Classification accuracy reached 99.98% when using only two optimal wavebands, and reached 100% when using more than four optimal wavebands.

CONCLUSION

The results prove that the HSI technology is an accurate, effective, and nondestructive technique for classifying sound and heat‐damaged soybeans. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Estimating Deer Populations Using Camera Traps and Natural Marks
Authors: Macaulay Luke T. , Sollmann Rahel , Barrett Reginald H.
Published: December 2019

Despite the ubiquity of camera traps in wildlife monitoring projects, the data gathered are rarely used to estimate wildlife population demographics, a critical step in detecting declines, managing populations, and understanding ecosystem health. In contrast to abundant white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the eastern United States, black‐tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) in the western United States have declined over the past several decades. We tested whether passively operating camera traps can be used to quantify population characteristics for black‐tailed deer. We used images of naturally occurring physical characteristics of deer to develop movement and activity data and inform a Bayesian spatial mark‐resight model that estimates deer abundance, density, sex ratio, ratio of fawns to adult females, and home range size. We developed the model to account for the effect of attractants (bait) on encounter rate. We placed 13 cameras on all known water sources of a private ranch in California and provided bait once a month in front of each camera. Over 9,000 visits occurred between 24 May 2012 and 21 January 2013, and we identified 50 individual deer from ear notches or antler characteristics. We estimated density at 7.7 deer/km2 in summer and 8.6 deer/km2 in fall. In the summer, home ranges were 2.3 km2 for females and fawns and 16.8 km2 for males. Home ranges constricted slightly in fall. We estimated a sex ratio of 12.5 males/100 females, and a ratio of 47.0 fawns/100 adult females. Bait increased baseline encounter rates (visits/week) by 3.7 times in summer and 4.95 times in fall. We found slightly higher densities of deer in our study area compared to other recent studies in more mountainous areas of California, and lower male:female sex ratios. This approach shows that commonly deployed camera traps can be used to quantify population characteristics, monitor populations, and inform harvest or habitat management decisions. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Exploring the Possibility of Starch‐Based Electrolyte Membrane in MFC Application
Authors: Tiwari Tuhina , Srivastava Neelam
Published: December 2019

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a quite promising green and clean approach toward the power generation. In MFC, electrochemically active bacteria present in the wastewater oxidizes the available carbohydrate thereby releasing electrons and protons. The proton conducts through separator membrane in the cathodic chamber combines with its counterpart and makes H2O. Thus the separator membrane is of utmost importance. Nafion is one of the most studied membranes at laboratory scale but for commercial MFC it is not cost effective and hence different membranes are explored. The authors’ group is working on starch‐based electrolyte as an alternative membrane. The paper discusses the effect of the different constituent components of starch‐based membranes (namely salt and type of solvent) and the effect of membrane thickness.
On a class of p‐fractional Laplacian equations with potential depending on parameter
Authors: Massar Mohammed , Talbi Mohamed
Published: December 2019

We discuss the existence of solutions for a class of nonlinear equations driven by the fractional p‐Laplacian operator of the form

where 0<s<1
ps and λ is a positive parameter. By combining variational techniques with a version of the mountain pass theorem without Palais‐Small (PS) condition, we establish the existence of nontrivial solutions for the above equation under certain appropriate assumptions on nonlinearity and weight functions.
On the matrix algebra of elliptic biquaternions
Authors: Özen Kahraman Esen , Tosun Murat
Published: December 2019

In this study, we introduce the concept of elliptic biquaternion matrices. Firstly, we obtain elliptic matrix representations of elliptic biquaternion matrices and establish a universal similarity factorization equality for elliptic biquaternion matrices. Afterwards, with the aid of these representations and this equality, we obtain various results on some basic topics such as generalized inverses, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, determinants, and similarity of elliptic biquaternion matrices. These valuable results may be useful for developing a perfect theory on matrix analysis over elliptic biquaternion algebra in the future.
Higher‐order diffusion MRI characterization of mesorectal lymph nodes in rectal cancer
Authors: Ianuş Andrada , Santiago Ines , Galzerano Antonio , Montesinos Paula , Loução Nuno , Sanchez‐Gonzalez Javier , Alexander Daniel C. , Matos Celso , Shemesh Noam
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Mesorectal lymph node staging plays an important role in treatment decision making. Here, we explore the benefit of higher‐order diffusion MRI models accounting for non‐Gaussian diffusion effects to classify mesorectal lymph nodes both 1) ex vivo at ultrahigh field correlated with histology and 2) in vivo in a clinical scanner upon patient staging.

Methods

The preclinical investigation included 54 mesorectal lymph nodes, which were scanned at 16.4 T with an extensive diffusion MRI acquisition. Eight diffusion models were compared in terms of goodness of fit, lymph node classification ability, and histology correlation. In the clinical part of this study, 10 rectal cancer patients were scanned with diffusion MRI at 1.5 T, and 72 lymph nodes were analyzed with Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC), Intravoxel Incoherent Motion (IVIM), Kurtosis, and IVIM‐Kurtosis.

Results

Compartment models including restricted and anisotropic diffusion improved the preclinical data fit, as well as the lymph node classification, compared to standard ADC. The comparison with histology revealed only moderate correlations, and the highest values were observed between diffusion anisotropy metrics and cell area fraction. In the clinical study, the diffusivity from IVIM‐Kurtosis was the only metric showing significant differences between benign (0.80 ± 0.30 μm2/ms) and malignant (1.02 ± 0.41 μm2/ms, P = .03) nodes. IVIM‐Kurtosis also yielded the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.73) and significantly improved the node differentiation when added to the standard visual analysis by experts based on T2‐weighted imaging.

Conclusion

Higher‐order diffusion MRI models perform better than standard ADC and may be of added value for mesorectal lymph node classification in rectal cancer patients.
A modified sensitivity equation method for the Euler equations in presence of shocks
Authors: Fiorini Camilla , Chalons Christophe , Duvigneau Régis
Published: December 2019

The continuous sensitivity equation method allows to quantify how changes in the input of a partial differential equation (PDE) model affect the outputs, by solving additional PDEs obtained by differentiating the model. However, this method cannot be used directly in the framework of hyperbolic PDE systems with discontinuous solution, because it yields Dirac delta functions in the sensitivity solution at the location of state discontinuities. This difficulty is well known from theoretical viewpoint, but only a few works can be found in the literature regarding the possible numerical treatment. Therefore, we investigate in this study how classical numerical schemes for compressible Euler equations can be modified to account for shocks when computing the sensitivity solution. In particular, we propose the introduction of a source term, that allows to remove the spikes associated to the Dirac delta functions in the numerical solution. Numerical studies exhibit a strong impact of the numerical diffusion on the accuracy of this strategy. Therefore, we propose an anti‐diffusive numerical scheme coupled with the approximate Riemann solver of Roe for the state problem. For the sensitivity problem, two different numerical schemes are implemented and compared: one which takes into account the contact wave and another that neglects it. The effects of the numerical diffusion on the convergence of the schemes with respect to the grid are discussed. Finally, an application to uncertainty propagation is investigated and the different numerical schemes are compared.
Prognostic value of H3K27me3 in children with ependymoma
Authors: Han Zhe , Kang Peng , Zhang Heng , Liao Zhiyi , Li Chunde , Gong Jian , Liu Wei , Tian Yongji
Published: December 2019

Objective

To investigate the expression of H3K27me3 in different anatomical sites and analyze its prognostic value in children with ependymoma.

Methods

A total of 188 children diagnosed with ependymoma were admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, between 2012 and 2017, and regular follow‐up was conducted. Expression of H3K27me3 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and scored semiquantitatively. The prognostic correlation was analyzed by Kaplan‐Meier and Cox regression survival analyses.

Results

Of the 188 children with ependymoma, 61.7% were male, and the median and average age was five years (0‐17 years) and 6.26 years, respectively. There were 65 cases of supratentorial ependymoma, 115 cases of infratentorial ependymoma, and 8 cases of spinal cord ependymoma. The median follow‐up time was 39.95 months (0.3‐90.19 months). Five‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 48.5% and 61.4%, respectively. Kaplan‐Meier univariate survival analysis showed that H3K27me3 expression had significant effects on PFS (P = 0.0003) and OS (P < 0.0001) in infratentorial ependymoma, but only affected OS (P = 0.03) in supratentorial ependymoma.

Conclusion

In Chinese children, infratentorial ependymoma with incomplete resection and no adjuvant radiotherapy is associated with poor OS. On the other hand, low expression of H3K27me3 indicates poor prognosis of infratentorial ependymoma, but it has no significant prognostic value for supratentorial ependymoma. In addition, high expression of H3K27me3 in spinal ependymoma may indicate a better prognosis.
Children's cancer pain in a world of the opioid epidemic: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Fortier Michelle A. , Yang Sun , Phan Michael T. , Tomaszewski Daniel M. , Jenkins Brooke N. , Kain Zeev N.
Published: December 2019

The opioid crisis in the United States has grown at an alarming rate. Children with cancer are at high risk for pain, and opioids are a first‐line treatment in this population. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to optimize pain management in children with cancer without contributing to the opioid crisis. This report details opportunities for this optimization, including clinical practice guidelines, comprehensive approaches to pain management, mobile health, and telemedicine. It is vital to balance appropriate use of analgesics with efforts to prevent misuse in order to reduce unnecessary suffering and minimize unintended harms.