bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fundamental niche unfilling and potential invasion risk of the slider turtle Trachemys scripta
Authors: Espindola Sayra , Parra Juan L. , Vázquez-Domínguez Ella
Published: October 2019

Background

How species colonize new environments is still a fundamental question in ecology and evolution, assessable by evaluating range characteristics of invasive species. Here we propose a model approach to evaluate environmental conditions and species features to predict niche changes in non-equilibrium contexts. It incorporates potentially range-limiting processes (fundamental niche), hence allowing for better predictions of range shifts, differentiation of analog and non-analog conditions between the native and non-native (invaded) ranges, and identification of environmental conditions not currently available but likely in the future. We apply our approach with the worldwide invasive slider-turtle Trachemys scripta.

Methods

We estimated the native and non-native realized niches of T. scripta and built its fundamental niche based on key features of the turtle’s temperature physiological tolerance limits and survival-associated factors. We next estimated response functions adjusted to the physiological predictor variables and estimated habitat suitability values, followed by a comprehensive set of analyses and simulations to compare the environmental conditions occupied by T. scripta (at its native and non-native ranges).

Results

Climatic space analysis showed that the T. scripta’s non-native realized niche is 28.6% greater than the native one. Response curves showed that it does not use its entire range of temperature tolerances (density curves for native: 5.3–23.7 °C and non-native: 1.7–28.4 °C ranges). Whether considering the mean temperature of the warmest or the coldest quarter, it occupies a wider range of temperatures along its non-native distribution. Results of the response curves for worldwide (global) and across Mexico (regional) comparisons showed it occupies analog and non-analog conditions between its native and invaded ranges, exhibiting also unoccupied suitable climatic conditions.

Discussion

We demonstrate that T. scripta occupies a wider subset of its fundamental niche along its non-native range (within its physiological tolerances), revealing that the species observed niche shift corresponds to a different subset of its fundamental niche (niche unfilling). We also identified suitable environmental conditions, globally and regionally, where the slider turtle could potentially invade. Our approach allows to accurately predict niche changes in novel or non-equilibrium contexts, which can improve our understanding about ecological aspects and geographic range boundaries in current and potential invasions.
Perceptions of Climate Change and Adaptation of Climate Smart Technology by the Tea Smallholders: A Case Study of Ratnapura District in Sri Lanka
Authors: Navaratne N. W. M. G. S. , Wanigasundera W. A. D. P. , Alahakoon P. C. B.
Published: October 2019

Climate change impacts such as rainfall variability, rise in ambient temperature, extreme dry spells and excessive wet periods cause low productivity and quality of tea. Ratnapura District in Sri Lanka, having the largest number of tea smallholders, is highly vulnerable to natural disasters and other negative impacts of climate change. This study was conducted to assess the status of climate change using long term meteorological data, to determine the perception of tea smallholders on short term changes in the climate and to assess the level of adaptation of climate-smart technologies by tea smallholders. Four Divisional Secretariat Divisions were selected for the study. Using multistage sampling, a hundred farmers were selected for the social survey. Meteorological data for 42 years was collected from the Department of Agriculture Sri Lanka. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis. Results showed that there was a significant (p<.05) increasing trend in daily maximum temperature. A slightly increasing trend in consecutive wet days was also observed. The perception of the majority of smallholders about changes in daytime temperature, number of wet days and rainfall distribution was in line with actual changes. Further, the overall level of adaptation to climate-smart technologies was at a moderate level. Shade management practices were at a higher level while moisture conservation practices were at a lower level. It was pivotal to make people aware of the severity of the impacts of climate change on their livelihoods and introduce climate-smart technologies to manage the consequences of extreme weather events.
A Review on Bioreactor Technology Assisted Plant Suspension Culture
Authors: Su Renugaa , Sujarani M. , Shalini P. , Prabhu N.
Published: October 2019

This review is related to bioreactors for plant suspension culture and its products. Bioreactor plays an important role in bioprocess engineering. The core of bioprocessing technology is the bioreactor. A bioreactor is basically a device in which the organisms are cultivated and helps in production of desired products in a contained environment. Bioreactors are usually a containment which provides optimal condition for microorganisms in order to produce desired products. In this review, the bioreactor’s principle, working and its types are discussed. Enclosed by unit operations that carry out physical changes for medium preparation and recovery of products, the reactor is where the major chemical and biochemical transformations occur. In many bioprocess, characteristic of the reaction determined to a large extent the economic feasibility of the project. The integration of biosynthesis and separation is considered as a possible approach towards more efﬁcient plant cell and tissue culture. In this review article, the aspects of bioprocess engineering for plant suspension culture and its products, bioreactor types, optimized strategies for production of secondary metabolites also and its industrial applications.
Lomax Weibull Distribution
Authors: Apam Benjamin , Suleman Nasiru , Adjei Emmanuel
Published: October 2019

In this article, we introduce the Lomax-Weibull (LoW) distribution using the method of composition of CDFs from the Lomax and Weibull distributions. Expressions for the moment generating function, hazard and survival functions were derived. A plot of the probability distribution function and cumulative distributions were done using the Python software. We also used the maximum likelihood method of estimation to derive the score functions for estimating the parameters of the distribution.
The innovation algorithms for multivariable state‐space models
Authors: Ding Feng , Zhang Xiao , Xu Ling
Published: October 2019

This paper derives the input‐output representation of the dynamical system described by a linear multivariable state‐space model and the corresponding multivariate linear regressive model (ie, multivariate equation‐error model). A projection identification algorithm, a multivariate stochastic gradient identification algorithm, and a multi‐innovation stochastic gradient (MISG) identification algorithm are proposed for multivariate equation‐error systems by using the negative gradient search and the multi‐innovation identification theory. The convergence analysis of the MISG algorithm indicates that the parameter estimation errors converge to zero under the persistent excitation condition. Finally, a numerical example illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Vascularized and Innervated Skeletal Muscle Tissue Engineering
Authors: Gilbert‐Honick Jordana , Grayson Warren
Published: October 2019

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) is a devastating loss of muscle tissue that overwhelms the native regenerative properties of skeletal muscle and results in lifelong functional deficits. There are currently no treatments for VML that fully recover the lost muscle tissue and function. Tissue engineering presents a promising solution for VML treatment and significant research has been performed using tissue engineered muscle constructs in preclinical models of VML with a broad range of defect locations and sizes, tissue engineered construct characteristics, and outcome measures. Due to the complex vascular and neural anatomy within skeletal muscle, regeneration of functional vasculature and nerves is vital for muscle recovery following VML injuries. This review aims to summarize the current state of the field of skeletal muscle tissue engineering using 3D constructs for VML treatment with a focus on studies that have promoted vascular and neural regeneration within the muscle tissue post‐VML.
Boosting the Performance of Environmentally Friendly Quantum Dot‐Sensitized Solar Cells over 13% Efficiency by Dual Sensitizers with Cascade Energy Structure
Authors: Pan Zhenxiao , Yue Liang , Rao Huashang , Zhang Jie , Zhong Xinhua , Zhu Zonglong , Jen Alex K.‐Y.
Published: October 2019

Generally, high light‐harvesting efficiency, electron‐injection efficiency, and charge‐collection efficiency are the prerequisites for high‐efficiency quantum‐dot‐sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). However, it is fairly difficult for a single QD sensitizer to meet these three requirements simultaneously. It is demonstrated that these parameters can be felicitously balanced by a cosensitization strategy through the adoption of environmental‐friendly Zn–Cu–In–Se and Zn–Cu–In–S dual QD sensitizers with cascade energy structure. Experimental results indicate that: i) the combination of the dual QDs can improve the light‐harvesting capability of the cells, especially in the visible light window; ii) the cosensitization approach can facilitate electron injection, benefitting from the cascade energy structure of the two QD sensitizers employed; iii) the charge‐collection efficiency can be remarkably enhanced by the suppressed charge‐recombination process due to the improved QD coverage on TiO2. Consequently, this cosensitization strategy delivers a new certified efficiency record of 12.98% for liquid‐junction QDSCs under AM 1.5G 1 sun irradiation. Moreover, the constructed cells exhibit good stability in a high‐humidity environment.
Highly Stabilized Quantum Dot Ink for Efficient Infrared Light Absorbing Solar Cells
Authors: Jia Donglin , Chen Jingxuan , Zheng Siyu , Phuyal Dibya , Yu Mei , Tian Lei , Liu Jianhua , Karis Olof , Rensmo Håkan , Johansson Erik M. J. , Zhang Xiaoliang
Published: October 2019

Liquid‐state ligand exchange provides an efficient approach to passivate a quantum dot (QD) surface with small binding species and achieve a QD ink toward scalable QD solar cell (QDSC) production. Herein, experimental studies and theoretical simulations are combined to establish the physical principles of QD surface properties induced charge carrier recombination and collection in QDSCs. Ammonium iodide (AI) is used to thoroughly replace the native oleic acid ligand on the PbS QD surface forming a concentrated QD ink, which has high stability of more than 30 d. The ink can be directly applied for the preparation of a thick QD solid film using a single deposition step method and the QD solid film shows better characteristics compared with that of the film prepared with the traditional PbX2 (X = I or Br) post‐treated QD ink. Infrared light‐absorbing QDSC devices are fabricated using the PbS‐AI QD ink and the devices give a higher photovoltaic performance compared with the devices fabricated with the traditional PbS‐PbX2 QD ink. The improved photovoltaic performance in PbS‐AI‐based QDSC is attributed to diminished charge carrier recombination induced by the sub‐bandgap traps in QDs. A theoretical simulation is carried out to atomically link the relationship of QDSC device function with the QD surface properties.
A UV‐LEDs based photomicroreactor for mechanistic insights and kinetic studies in the norbornadiene photoisomerization
Authors: Shen Chong , Shang Minjing , Zhang Hong , Su Yuanhai
Published: October 2019

In this work, we report a simple and inexpensive UV‐LEDs based photomicroreactor assembly constructed by commercially available components. The photoisomerization of norbornadiene to quadricyclane was selected to validate this novel photomicroreactor design. Mass transport limitation was eliminated and indicated by dimensionless numbers Fo and Da
II, and photons loss was evaluated considering the absorption and reflection of the microreactor walls. The solvents, photosensitizers, and light sources selections were optimized for achieving better photochemical performance and mechanistic insights. The detailed comparison between the high‐pressure mercury arc lamp and the UV‐LEDs strip revealed great potential of UV‐LEDs as appealing light source for photochemical transformations. Moreover, the reaction mechanism was thoroughly discussed and illustrated by the Jablonski diagram indicating electronic states transitions. According to possible intermediate steps, a kinetic model was proposed with the reaction rate constant being correlated with the photon flux, which is valuable for process optimization and further understanding reaction mechanisms.
Safety and activity of ibrutinib in combination with durvalumab in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma or diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Herrera Alex F. , Goy Andre , Mehta Amitkumar , Ramchandren Radhakrishnan , Pagel John M. , Svoboda Jakub , Guan Shanhong , Hill John S. , Kwei Kevin , Liu Emily A. , Phillips Tycel
Published: October 2019

This phase 1b/2, multicenter, open‐label study evaluated ibrutinib plus durvalumab in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) or diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Patients were treated with once‐daily ibrutinib 560 mg plus durvalumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks in 28‐day cycles in phase 1b without dose‐limiting toxicities, confirming the phase 2 dosing. Sixty‐one patients with FL (n = 27), germinal center B‐cell (GCB) DLBCL (n = 16), non‐GCB DLBCL (n = 16), and unspecified DLBCL (n = 2) were treated. Overall response rate (ORR) was 25% in all patients, 26% in patients with FL, 13% in patients with GCB DLBCL, and 38% in patients with non‐GCB DLBCL. Overall, median progression‐free survival was 4.6 months and median overall survival was 18.1 months; both were longer in patients with FL than in patients with DLBCL. The most frequent treatment‐emergent adverse events (AEs) in patients with FL and DLBCL, respectively, were diarrhea (16 [59%]; 16 [47%]), fatigue (12 [44%]; 16 [47%]), nausea (9 [33%]; 12 [35%]), peripheral edema (7 [26%]; 13 [38%]), decreased appetite (8 [30%]; 11 [32%]), neutropenia (6 [22%]; 11 [32%]), and vomiting (5 [19%]; 12 [35%]). Investigator‐defined immune‐related AEs were reported in 12/61 (20%) patients. Correlative analyses were conducted but did not identify any conclusive biomarkers of response. In FL, GCB DLBCL, and non‐GCB DLBCL, ibrutinib plus durvalumab demonstrated similar activity to single‐agent ibrutinib with the added toxicity of the PD‐L1 blockade; the combination resulted in a safety profile generally consistent with those known for each individual agent.
Arginine‐enveloped virus inactivation and potential mechanisms
Authors: Meingast Christa , Heldt Caryn L.
Published: October 2019

Arginine synergistically inactivates enveloped viruses at a pH or temperature that does little harm to proteins, making it a desired process for therapeutic protein manufacturing. However, the mechanisms and optimal conditions for inactivation are not fully understood, and therefore, arginine viral inactivation is not used industrially. Optimal solution conditions for arginine viral inactivation found in the literature are high arginine concentrations (0.7–1 M), a time of 60 min, and a synergistic factor of high temperature (≥40°C), low pH (≤pH 4), or Tris buffer (5 mM). However, at optimal conditions full inactivation does not occur over all enveloped viruses. Enveloped viruses that are resistant to arginine often have increased protein stability or membrane stabilizing matrix proteins. Since arginine can interact with both proteins and lipids, interaction with either entity may be key to understanding the inactivation mechanism. Here, we propose three hypotheses for the mechanisms of arginine induced inactivation. Hypothesis 1 describes arginine‐induced viral inactivation through inhibition of vital protein function. Hypothesis 2 describes how arginine destabilizes the viral membrane. Hypothesis 3 describes arginine forming pores in the virus membrane, accompanied by further viral damage from the synergistic factor. Once the mechanisms of arginine viral inactivation are understood, further enhancement by the addition of functional groups, charges, or additives may allow the inactivation of all enveloped viruses in mild conditions.
Carbon‐ion radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy for head and neck mucosal melanoma: Prospective observational study
Authors: Takayasu Yukihiro , Kubo Nobuteru , Shino Masato , Nikkuni Osamu , Ida Shota , Musha Atsushi , Takahashi Katsumasa , Hirato Junko , Shirai Katsuyuki , Saitoh Jun‐ichi , Yokoo Satoshi , Chikamatsu Kazuaki , Ohno Tatsuya , Nakano Takashi ,   for the Working Group on Head and Neck Tumors
Published: October 2019

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of carbon‐ion radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy using dacarbazine, nimustine, and vincristine (DAV therapy) in mucosal melanoma. Twenty‐one patients with clinically localized mucosal melanoma of the head and neck were enrolled. The primary endpoint was 3‐year overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints included local control, progression‐free survival (PFS), and adverse event occurrence. Carbon‐ion radiotherapy with a dose of 57.6‐64.0 Gy (relative biological effectiveness) in 16 fractions was delivered concurrently with DAV therapy, and 2 cycles of adjuvant DAV therapy were administered every 6 weeks. The median follow‐up periods were 15.5 months for all patients, and 31.2 months for 12 surviving patients. All patients had locally advanced T4a or T4b disease in the rhino‐sinus area. In 16 patients (76.2%), 3 cycles of planned DAV therapy were completed. The 3‐year OS and PFS rates were 49.2% and 37.0% respectively. The 3‐year local control rate was 92.3%. Eleven patients (52%) developed distant metastasis, which was the most frequent pattern of the first failure. Commonly presenting acute grade 2‐3 toxicities associated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy were mucositis (11 patients [53%]) and leukopenia (9 patients [43%]), which improved with conservative therapy. None of the patients developed grade 3 or greater late toxicities. Carbon‐ion radiotherapy in combination with DAV therapy led to excellent local control for advanced mucosal melanoma within acceptable toxicities. The efficacy of additional DAV therapy in improving survival was weaker than expected as distant metastases still occurred frequently. Trial registration no. UMIN000007939.
Anaerobic Biodegradability of Digestates – Influence of and Correlations for Klason lignin
Authors: Mächtig Torsten , Casaretto René , Moschner Christian R. , Born Jens , Holm-Nielsen Jens Bo , Hartung Eberhard
Published: October 2019

Appropriate evaluation of the process performance of biogas plants needs to consider the anaerobic biodegradability of the used biomass. Anaerobic biodegradability is limited by lignin, which is part in most substrates and, by extension, in digestates of biogas plants. Previous research has shown that the content of acid detergent lignin (ADL) in digestates can be predicted from measured gross calorific values (GCVs). The correlation of GCV of 34 digestate samples to an alternative measure for lignin, the Klason lignin (KL), is evaluated as well as the correlation of KL content and other chemical constituents to residual biomethane potential (BMP). Results indicate a very low correlation of chemical composition to GCV and BMP. A correlation of GCV to BMP was not observable. The results let conclude that evaluation of anaerobic biodegradability of digestates by measuring KL or predicting KL from GCV is not productive.
Validity and efficiency in analyzing ordinal responses with missing observations
Authors: She Xichen , Wu Changbao
Published: October 2019

Abstract

This article addresses issues in creating public‐use data files in the presence of missing ordinal responses and subsequent statistical analyses of the dataset by users. The authors propose a fully efficient fractional imputation (FI) procedure for ordinal responses with missing observations. The proposed imputation strategy retrieves the missing values through the full conditional distribution of the response given the covariates and results in a single imputed data file that can be analyzed by different data users with different scientific objectives. Two most critical aspects of statistical analyses based on the imputed data set,  validity and  efficiency, are examined through regression analysis involving the ordinal response and a selected set of covariates. It is shown through both theoretical development and simulation studies that, when the ordinal responses are missing at random, the proposed FI procedure leads to valid and highly efficient inferences as compared to existing methods. Variance estimation using the fractionally imputed data set is also discussed.The Canadian Journal of Statistics48: 138–151; 2020 © 2019 Statistical Society of Canada
deltaTE: Detection of Translationally Regulated Genes by Integrative Analysis of Ribo‐seq and RNA‐seq Data
Authors: Chothani Sonia , Adami Eleonora , Ouyang John F. , Viswanathan Sivakumar , Hubner Norbert , Cook Stuart A. , Schafer Sebastian , Rackham Owen J. L.
Published: October 2019

Ribosome profiling quantifies the genome‐wide ribosome occupancy of transcripts. With the integration of matched RNA sequencing data, the translation efficiency (TE) of genes can be calculated to reveal translational regulation. This layer of gene‐expression regulation is otherwise difficult to assess on a global scale and generally not well understood in the context of human disease. Current statistical methods to calculate differences in TE have low accuracy, cannot accommodate complex experimental designs or confounding factors, and do not categorize genes into buffered, intensified, or exclusively translationally regulated genes. This article outlines a method [referred to as deltaTE (ΔTE), standing for change in TE] to identify translationally regulated genes, which addresses the shortcomings of previous methods. In an extensive benchmarking analysis, ΔTE outperforms all methods tested. Furthermore, applying ΔTE on data from human primary cells allows detection of substantially more translationally regulated genes, providing a clearer understanding of translational regulation in pathogenic processes. In this article, we describe protocols for data preparation, normalization, analysis, and visualization, starting from raw sequencing files. © 2019 The Authors.

Basic Protocol: One‐step detection and classification of differential translation efficiency genes using DTEG.R

Alternate Protocol: Step‐wise detection and classification of differential translation efficiency genes using R

Support Protocol: Workflow from raw data to read counts
Ocean warming and acidification alter the behavioral response to flow of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus
Authors: Cohen‐Rengifo Mishal , Agüera Antonio , Bouma Tjeerd , M'Zoudi Saloua , Flammang Patrick , Dubois Philippe
Published: October 2019

Ocean warming (OW) and acidification (OA) are intensively investigated as they pose major threats to marine organism. However, little effort is dedicated to another collateral climate change stressor, the increased frequency, and intensity of storm events, here referred to as intensified hydrodynamics. A 2‐month experiment was performed to identify how OW and OA (temperature: 21°C; pHT: 7.7, 7.4; control: 17°C‐pHT7.9) affect the resistance to hydrodynamics in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus using an integrative approach that includes physiology, biomechanics, and behavior. Biomechanics was studied under both no‐flow condition at the tube foot (TF) scale and flow condition at the individual scale. For the former, TF disk adhesive properties (attachment strength, tenacity) and TF stem mechanical properties (breaking force, extensibility, tensile strength, stiffness, toughness) were evaluated. For the latter, resistance to flow was addressed as the flow velocity at which individuals detached. Under near‐ and far‐future OW and OA, individuals fully balanced their acid‐base status, but skeletal growth was halved. TF adhesive properties were not affected by treatments. Compared to the control, mechanical properties were in general improved under pHT7.7 while in the extreme treatment (21°C‐pHT7.4) breaking force was diminished. Three behavioral strategies were implemented by sea urchins and acted together to cope with flow: improving TF attachment, streamlining, and escaping. Behavioral responses varied according to treatment and flow velocity. For instance, individuals at 21°C‐pHT7.4 increased the density of attached TF at slow flows or controlled TF detachment at fast flows to compensate for weakened TF mechanical properties. They also showed an absence of streamlining favoring an escaping behavior as they ventured in a riskier faster movement at slow flows. At faster flows, the effects of OW and OA were detrimental causing earlier dislodgment. These plastic behaviors reflect a potential scope for acclimation in the field, where this species already experiences diel temperature and pH fluctuations.
High‐throughput compound screen reveals mTOR inhibitors as potential therapeutics to reduce (auto)antibody production by human plasma cells
Authors: Tuijnenburg Paul , aan de Kerk Daan J. , Jansen Machiel H. , Morris Ben , Lieftink Cor , Beijersbergen Roderick L. , van Leeuwen Ester M.M. , Kuijpers Taco W.
Published: October 2019

Antibody production by the B cell compartment is a crucial part of the adaptive immune response. Dysregulated antibody production in the form of autoantibodies can cause autoimmune disease. To date, B‐cell depletion with anti‐CD20 antibodies is commonly applied in autoimmunity, but pre‐existing plasma cells are not eliminated in this way. Alternative ways of more selective inhibition of antibody production would add to the treatment of these autoimmune diseases. To explore novel therapeutic targets in signaling pathways essential for plasmablast formation and/or immunoglobulin production, we performed a compound screen of almost 200 protein kinase inhibitors in a robust B‐cell differentiation culture system. This study yielded 35 small cell‐permeable compounds with a reproducible inhibitory effect on B‐cell activation and plasmablast formation, among which was the clinically applied mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor rapamycin. Two additional compounds targeting the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase‐AKT‐mTOR pathway (BKM120 and WYE‐354) did not affect proliferation and plasmablast formation, but specifically reduced the immunoglobulin production. With this compound screen we successfully applied a method to investigate therapeutic targets for B‐cell differentiation and identified compounds in the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase‐AKT‐mTOR pathway that could specifically inhibit immunoglobulin production only. These drugs may well be explored to be of value in current B‐cell‐depleting treatment regimens in autoimmune disorders.
Internalized equality and protest against injustice: The role of disadvantaged group members’ self‐respect in collective action tendencies
Authors: Renger Daniela , Eschert Silke , Teichgräber Mimke L. , Renger Sophus
Published: October 2019

Recent research shows that self‐respect (defined as seeing yourself as a person with equal rights) predicts assertive but not aggressive responses to injustice in interpersonal contexts. The present research focuses on the antecedents of self‐respect and its consequences for collective action tendencies among members of disadvantaged groups. Across three studies (N = 227, N = 454, N = 131) using different contexts and samples (discrimination of Muslims in Germany; women regarding gender inequality), experiences with equality‐based respect (defined as being treated as someone of equal worth) predicted self‐respect. Moreover, across all three studies, self‐respect predicted intentions for cooperative or normative but not support for hostile or non‐normative protest. The results demonstrate the potential of self‐respect for facilitating collective action in the face of injustice while still enabling positive intergroup relations.
Optimization and field application of water jet for coal bed methane stimulation
Authors: Yang Xuelin , He Lipeng , Lu Tingkan , Liu Yanbao , Li Xuelong , Cao Jie , Luo Guang , Yang Huiming
Published: October 2019

Nowadays, the water jet technique has been more frequently used for coal bed methane stimulation. As the ultimate component of the water jet system, the nozzle has important influence on the rock breaking ability of water jet. To optimize the nozzle, a simplified model for impinging water jet was established. The effects of geometric structure (cylindrical, conical, and conical‐straight) and parameters (outlet diameter d, conical angle α, and length L) on the flow field of the impinging water jet are simulated through computational fluid dynamics software Fluent14.0. Besides, the effects of inlet pressure (Pin) and target distances (S) on the jet dynamics are also discussed based on the simulation results. The results show that the jet dynamic parameters including dynamic pressure, velocity, and impinging pressure vary with different nozzles. The jet dynamic parameters linearly increase with the inlet pressure, while they first increase then decrease with the increase in target distance. Additionally, the optimal nozzle designed based on the numerical simulation was used in the field test, and the results indicate that this technique can effectively improve the gas drainage efficiency.
An die Spitze der Bewegung!
Authors: Vowe Gerhard , Henn Philipp
Published: October 2019

Online‐Medien, Suchmaschinen und soziale Netzwerke verändern längst die politische Kommunikation und damit auch politische Entscheidungsprozesse. Nicht weniger als ein neuer Strukturwandel der Öffentlichkeit vollzieht sich, den es zu gestalten gilt.
LNG, a Primer on Measurement, and the Current State of the Market
Authors: Smead Richard G.
Published: October 2019

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has been high‐profile in the mainstream news for a while—the ultimate manifestation of American energy abundance and our intention to share the benefits with the world—to improve air quality in many countries, to provide a quick, cost‐effective remedy for the energy poverty that cripples most of the world, and, of course, to make a buck or two. I recently wrote here of the progression of LNG in the United States as we transitioned from being “on our way” to becoming the world's largest importer of LNG to being in contention to become the world's largest exporter in the space of only a decade. Politically, LNG has become a major part of the administration's claim to global energy dominance.
Prefrontal theta modulates sensorimotor gamma networks during the reorienting of attention
Authors: Spooner Rachel K. , Wiesman Alex I. , Proskovec Amy L. , Heinrichs‐Graham Elizabeth , Wilson Tony W.
Published: October 2019

The ability to execute a motor plan involves spatiotemporally precise oscillatory activity in primary motor (M1) regions, in concert with recruitment of “higher order” attentional mechanisms for orienting toward current task goals. While current evidence implicates gamma oscillatory activity in M1 as central to the execution of a movement, far less is known about top‐down attentional modulation of this response. Herein, we utilized magnetoencephalography (MEG) during a Posner attention‐reorienting task to investigate top‐down modulation of M1 gamma responses by frontal attention networks in 63 healthy adult participants. MEG data were evaluated in the time–frequency domain and significant oscillatory responses were imaged using a beamformer. Robust increases in theta activity were found in bilateral inferior frontal gyri (IFG), with significantly stronger responses evident in trials that required attentional reorienting relative to those that did not. Additionally, strong gamma oscillations (60–80 Hz) were detected in M1 during movement execution, with similar responses elicited irrespective of attentional reorienting. Whole‐brain voxel‐wise correlations between validity difference scores (i.e., attention reorienting trials—nonreorienting trials) in frontal theta activity and movement‐locked gamma oscillations revealed a robust relationship in the contralateral sensorimotor cortex, supplementary motor area, and right cerebellum, suggesting modulation of these sensorimotor network gamma responses by attentional reorienting. Importantly, the validity difference effect in this distributed motor network was predictive of overall motor function measured outside the scanner and further, based on a mediation analysis this relationship was fully mediated by the reallocation response in the right IFG. These data are the first to characterize the top‐down modulation of movement‐related gamma responses during attentional reorienting and movement execution.
Prospective evaluation of oral premalignant lesions using a multimodal imaging system: a pilot study
Authors: Yang Eric C. , Vohra Imran S. , Badaoui Hawraa , Schwarz Richard A. , Cherry Katelin D. , Jacob Justin , Rodriguez Jessica , Williams Michelle D. , Vigneswaran Nadarajah , Gillenwater Ann M. , Richards‐Kortum Rebecca R.
Published: October 2019

Background

Multimodal optical imaging, incorporating reflectance and fluorescence modalities, is a promising tool to detect oral premalignant lesions in real‐time.

Methods

Images were acquired from 171 sites in 66 patient visits for clinical evaluation of oral lesions. An automated algorithm was used to classify lesions as high‐ or low‐risk for neoplasia. Biopsies were acquired at clinically indicated sites and those classified as high‐risk by imaging, at the surgeon's discretion.

Results

Twenty sites were biopsied based on clinical examination or imaging. Of these, 12 were indicated clinically and by imaging; 58% were moderate dysplasia or worse. Four biopsies were indicated by imaging evaluation only; 75% were moderate dysplasia or worse. Finally, four biopsies were indicated by clinical evaluation only; 75% were moderate dysplasia or worse.

Conclusion

Multimodal imaging identified more cases of high‐grade dysplasia than clinical evaluation, and can improve detection of high grade precancer in patients with oral lesions.
Favorable modulation of osteoblast cellular activity on Zr‐modified Co–Cr–Mo alloy: The significant impact of zirconium on cell–substrate interactions
Authors: Gong Na , Montes Ivan , Nune Krishna C. , Misra R. Devesh Kumar , Yamanaka Kenta , Mori Manami , Chiba Akihiko
Published: October 2019

Cobalt‐chromium‐molybdenum alloys exhibit good mechanical properties (yield strength: ~530 MPa, ultimate tensile strength: ~1114 MPa, elongation‐to‐failure: ~47.3%, and modulus: ~227 GPa) and corrosion resistance. In recent years, from the perspective of osseointegration, they are considered to be lower in rank in comparison to the widely used titanium alloys. We elucidate here the significant and favorable modulation of cellular activity of Zr‐modified Co–Cr–Mo alloys. The average grain size of Co–Cr–Mo alloy samples with and without Zr was 104 ± 27 and ~53 ± 11 μm, respectively. The determining role of small addition of Zr (0.04 wt. %) to the Co–Cr–Mo alloys in favorable modulation of cellular activity was accomplished by combining cellular biology and materials science and engineering. Experiments on the influence of Zr addition to Co–Cr–Mo alloys clearly demonstrated that the cell adhesion, spread and cell–substrate interactions were enhanced in the presence of Zr. The spread/growth rate of cells was ~120% on the Co–Cr–Mo alloy and 190% per day on the Co–Cr–Mo–Zr alloy. While the % area covered by the cells increased from ~5.1 to ~33.6% on Co–Cr–Mo alloy and ~19.2 to ~47.8% on Co–Cr–Mo–Zr alloy after 2 and 24 hr of incubation. Similarly, the cell density increased from ~1354 to ~3424 cells/cm2 on Co–Cr–Mo alloy and ~3583 to ~7804 cells/cm2 on Co–Cr–Mo–Zr alloy after 2 and 24 hr of incubation. Additionally, stronger vinculin focal adhesion contact and signals associated with actin stress fibers together with extracellular matrix protein, fibronectin, were noted.
Low‐pressure plasma activation enables enhanced adipose‐derived stem cell adhesion
Authors: Kleinhans Claudia , Schmohl Lena , Barz Jakob , Kluger Petra J.
Published: October 2019

Human adipose‐derived stem cells (hASCs) have become an important cell source for the use in tissue engineering and other medical applications. Not every biomaterial is suitable for human cell culture and requires surface modifications to enable cell adhesion and proliferation. Our hypothesis is that chemical surface modifications introduced by low‐discharge plasma enhance the adhesion and proliferation of hASCs. Polystyrene (PS) surfaces were modified either by ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2) or acrylic acid (AAc) plasma. The results show that the initial cell adhesion is significantly higher on all modified surfaces than on unmodified material as evaluated by bright field microscopy, live/dead staining, total DNA amount and scanning electron microscopy. The formation of focal adhesions was well pronounced on the Tissue Culture PS, NH3‐, and CO2‐plasma modified samples. The number of matured fibrillar adhesions was significantly higher on NH3‐plasma modified surfaces than on all other surfaces. Our study validates the suitability of chemical plasma activation and represents a method to enhance hASCs adhesion and improved cell expansion. All chemical modification promoted hASCs adhesion and can therefore be used for the modification of different scaffold materials whereby NH3‐plasma modified surfaces resulted in the best outcome concerning hASCs adhesion and proliferation.
Bioinformatics analysis of the prognosis and biological significance of HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 in gastric cancer
Authors: Fang Jian , Ge Xuhui , Xu Wenjing , Xie Jingjing , Qin Zhongke , Shi Liqing , Yin Wenjie , Bian Maohong , Wang Hao
Published: October 2019

High mobility group box (HMGB) consists primarily of HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 proteins. Although abnormal HMGB expression is associated with various tumors, the relationship with gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. In this study, HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 expression was analyzed using the Oncomine and TCGA databases. Correlations between HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 and clinicopathological factors were analyzed. cBioPortal was used to analyze HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 genetic alterations and its gene regulation network in GC tissue. HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 expression was higher in tumor tissues than in normal tissues, especially in GC. High HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 expression may predict a poor prognosis among patients with GC (hazard ratios [HR] = 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.30−2.78]) and human digestive system neoplasm (HR = 1.85; 95% CI [1.64−2.10]). These findings suggest that HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 may be useful prognostic indicators for patients with GC.
Association of change in muscle mass assessed by D3‐creatine dilution with changes in grip strength and walking speed
Authors: Duchowny Kate A. , Peters Katherine E. , Cummings Steven R. , Orwoll Eric S. , Hoffman Andrew R. , Ensrud Kristine E. , Cauley Jane A. , Evans William J. , Cawthon Peggy M. ,   for the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study Research Group
Published: October 2019

Background

Muscle mass declines with age. However, common assessments used to quantify muscle mass are indirect. The D3‐creatine (D3Cr) dilution method is a direct assessment of muscle mass; however, longitudinal changes have not been examined in relation to changes in other measures of muscle mass, strength, and performance.

Methods

A convenience sample of 40 men from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study (mean age = 83.3 years, standard deviation = 3.9) underwent repeat assessment of D3Cr muscle mass, dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) lean mass, grip strength, and walking speed at two time points approximately 1.6 years apart (2014–2016). One‐sample t‐tests and Pearson correlations were used to examine changes in DXA total body lean mass, DXA appendicular lean mass/height2, DXA appendicular lean mass/weight, D3Cr muscle mass, D3Cr muscle mass/weight, grip strength, walking speed, and weight.

Results

D3‐creatine muscle mass, D3Cr muscle mass/weight, grip strength, and walking speed all significantly declined (all P < 0.01). The change in DXA measures of lean mass was moderately correlated with changes in D3Cr muscle mass. There was no significant correlation between the change in DXA measures of lean mass and change in walking speed (all P > 0.05). The change in D3Cr muscle mass/weight was moderately correlated with change in walking speed (r = 0.33, P < .05). The change in grip strength was weakly correlated with the change in DXA measures of lean mass and D3Cr muscle mass (r = 0.19–0.32).

Conclusions

The results of our study provide new insights regarding the decline in muscle strength and D3Cr muscle mass. The D3Cr method may be a feasible tool to measure declines in muscle mass over time.
Scale‐down studies for the scale‐up of a recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum fed‐batch fermentation: loss of homogeneity leads to lower levels of cadaverine production
Authors: Olughu Williams , Nienow Alvin , Hewitt Chris , Rielly Chris
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

The loss of efficiency and performance of bioprocesses on scale‐up is well known, but not fully understood. This work addresses this problem, by studying the effect of some fermentation gradients (pH, glucose and oxygen) that occur at the larger scale in a bench‐scale two‐compartment reactor [plug flow reactor (PFR) + stirred tank reactor (STR)] using the cadaverine‐producing recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum DM1945 Δact3 Ptuf‐ldcC_OPT. The new scale‐down strategy developed here studied the effect of increasing the magnitude of fermentation gradients by considering not only the average cell residence time in the PFR (τPFR), but also the mean frequency at which the bacterial cells entered the PFR (fm) section of the two‐compartment reactor.

RESULTS

On implementing this strategy the cadaverine production decreased on average by 26%, 49% and 59% when the τPFR was increased from 1 to 2 min and then 5 min respectively compared to the control fermentation. The carbon dioxide productivity was highest (3.1‐fold that of the control) at a τPFR of 5 min, but no losses were observed in biomass production. However, the population of viable but non‐culturable cells increased as the magnitude of fermentation gradients was increased. The new scale‐down approach was also shown to have a bigger impact on fermentation performance than the traditional one.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that C. glutamicum DM1945 Δact3 Ptuf‐ldcC_OPT physiological response was a function of the magnitude of fermentation gradients simulated. The adaptations of a bacterial cell within a heterogeneous environment ultimately result in losses in fermentation productivity as observed here. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Effect of patient size on image quality in radiotherapy kV planar verification imaging: a phantom study
Authors: Chan Sara , Giles Eileen , Newmarch Lyndal , Short Michala
Published: October 2019

Introduction

This study aimed to determine a maximal pelvic separation and waist circumference in pelvic patients to guide radiation therapists in acquiring kilovoltage (kV) planar images of acceptable quality for treatment verification.

Methods

A pelvic anthropomorphic phantom modified with different bolus thicknesses was imaged at various default kV exposure settings. Radiation therapists rated image quality and acceptance/rejection of these images for treatment verification.

Results

Sixteen radiation therapists participated in the study. Image quality was inversely proportional to phantom size. AP and lateral kV images were acceptable for treatment verification up to a waist circumference of 143 cm.

Conclusions

Exposure settings for kV image verification of large patients should be individualised to avoid unnecessary patient radiation dose through repeated imaging.
A correlation analysis of HHV infection and its predictive factors in an HIV‐seropositive population in Yunnan, China
Authors: Ren Li , Wang Binghui , Miao Zhijiang , Liu Pan , Zhou Shiyi , Feng Yun , Yang Shuting , Xia Xueshan , Wang Kunhua
Published: October 2019

Human herpesviruses (HHVs) have a particularly high prevalence in certain high‐risk populations and cause increased morbidity and mortality in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Screening and treating subclinical HHV infections reduce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection incidence, disease progression, and transmission. However, there are few studies on HHVs, HIV coinfection rates, and their related risk factors. We aimed to clarify the prevalence of all eight HHVs in peripheral blood samples collected from HIV‐positive patients, and explore the association of HHV infection in HIV‐positive patients in an HIV‐seropositive population in Yunnan. We recruited 121 HIV‐positive patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and 45 healthy individuals. All the eight HHVs were detected using polymerase chain reaction and their epidemiological information and clinical data were collected and statistically analyzed. A high prevalence of HHVs (89.3%) was observed in individuals with HIV infections and with herpes simplex virus (HSV)‐2 (65.3%), and HSV‐1 (59.5%) being the most common. Coinfection with more than two different HHVs was more common in patients with HIV infections receiving HAART (72.7%) than in healthy controls. Older age, being married, higher HIV‐1 plasma viral loads, and use of antiviral protease inhibitors were independently correlated with an increased frequency of HHVs, but we found no association with CD4 count, WHO HIV clinical stage, and HIV infection duration. Our findings are of great significance for the prevention of HHV opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS and their clinical treatment.
Theoretical simulation of surface‐enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy of cytosine and its tautomers
Authors: Sharafdini Raziyeh , Mohammadpour Mozhdeh , Ramazani Shapour , Jamshidi Zahra
Published: October 2019

The primary challenge of spectroscopic techniques in selective detection and characterization of tautomeric structures of DNA and RNA bases, and moreover, the accurate interpretation and explanation of the experimental results are the main motives of theoretical studies. Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can be a powerful approach to distinguish cytosine in the presence of its tautomers. For this respect, herein, the theoretical simulation of the SERS spectra of cytosine and its three most stable tautomers adsorbed on silver clusters is carried out. The calculations of SERS spectra is based on the excited‐state energy gradient approximation as a well‐established approach that gives us the knowledge about the properties of excited states and their effect on the pattern of spectra. The good consistency of this theoretical simulation in solution and also the gas phase with the experimental results is achieved and represents the capacity of the current theoretical investigations to interpret and supplement the experimental findings.