bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic Appendectomy Using Hem-o-lok Polymer Clips: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Öz Bahadır , Emek Ertan , Akyüz Muhammet , Sözüer Erdoğan , Arıkan Türkmen , Akcan Alper , Akyıldız Hızır
Published: December 2018

Although the surgical technique of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) stump has been well understood, there are many alternative techniques in relation to torocar positioning and closure of appendicular stump. In recent times, Hem-o-lok polymer clips (HOLP) was implemented in several studies in the closure of appendicular stump because of its lower cost and easy implementation. The purpose of this study to investigate the safety, usefulness, and cost effectiveness of HOLP for the closure appendecular stumps in LA. The study was carried out between December 2011 and December 2013. Patients with acute appendicitis were included in the study. Two groups were defined as patients with the HOLP and patients with endoloop. The prospectively collected data, including age, sex, body mass index, operative time, hospital stay, cost effectiveness, intraoperative, and postoperative complications were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 66 (35 male, 31 female) LA were performed. The endoloop group consisted of 30 patients (16 male, 14 female, and mean age, 30.4 ± 1.8), while the HOLP group consisted of 36 patients (19 male, 17 female, and mean age, 28.6 ± 1.6). The mean operative time was 42.5 ± 1.3 in the HOLP group and 53.8 ± 1.5 in the endoloop group (P < 0.0001). The mean hospital stay was 2.1 ± 0.2 days in HOLP group and 2 ± 0.2 in the endoloop group (P = 0.73). Both patient groups had no intraoperative complication, and no cases were converted to open procedure. Total hospital cost was 1170.8 ± 6.3 dollars in the HOLP group and 1094 ± 6.9 dollars in the endoloop group (P < 0.0001). The use of HOLP for the appendicular stumps in LA is a feasible, safe, and cost-effective procedure in patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis.
Atypical Presentation of Intestinal Intussusception Caused by Insidious Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Bowel Wall
Authors: Dong Shuo , Xie Xiaoying , Zhao Linsheng , Pei Guanghua
Published: December 2018

Introduction:

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare but real tumor, which is histologically characterized by myofibroblastic spindle cells proliferation with inflammatory infiltrate. The lung is the most common affected organ, and extrapulmonary IMTs are less common. However, IMT seldom presents in the gastrointestinal tract, and intussusception is a rare complication of this tumor.

Case presentation:

We documented this rare case of a 12-year-old Chinese girl presenting with abdominal pain. The clinical and radiologic impression was bowel intussusception and bowel obstruction. No sign of abdominal mass was found before surgery, neither physical examination nor radiologic images. Operative findings revealed intestinal intussusception secondary to a little mass. Histopathlogic evaluation of this mass revealed IMT.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, IMT may present with bowel intussusception. However, at the intestinal location, the tumor may be found as an abdominal mass or may be insidious; hence, detailed history, physical examination, and imaging studies are necessary for early recognition and diagnosis.
Adult Nesidioblastosis With Hypoglycemia Mimicking an Insulinoma: A Challenging Case
Authors: Yurekli Banu Sarer , Kutbay Nilufer Ozdemir , Altun Ilker , Cetinkalp Sevki , Nart Deniz , Coker Ahmet , Ozgen Gokhan
Published: December 2018

Introduction: Nesidioblastosis is the primary cause of persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia in infants but it is a rare entity for the adults. Nesidioblastosis is defined as an increase of pancreatic beta cells in number and in size. Case Presentation: We describe a rare case of nesidioblastosis with positive endoscopic ultrasonography result mimicking an insulinoma. A 35-year-old female patient had hypoglycemic episodes with high insulin level. Her investigation revealed low venous plasma glucose, high insulin and C-peptide level with positive 72-hour fasting test suggestive of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. Abdominal computed tomography did not show any mass lesion. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a mass lesion sized as 1 cm in diameter in the pancreas. But, insulinoma like lesion couldn't be found intra-operatively. It was decided to perform distal pancreatectomy. After distal pancreatectomy, nesidioblastosis was diagnosed histopathologically. The patient was free from her symptoms after surgery. Conclusion: This case illustrates difficulties and limitations of imaging modalities and false positive result of EUS in a case of nesidioblastosis. When there is no insulinoma like lesion during operation, operation should be performed as gradient guided pancreatectomy by the way of selective arterial calcium injection test.
Toward Control of Microstructure in Microscale Additive Manufacturing of Copper Using Localized Electrodeposition
Authors: Daryadel Soheil , Behroozfar Ali , Minary‐Jolandan Majid
Published: December 2018

The progress in microscale additive manufacturing (μ‐AM) of metals requires engineering of the microstructure for various functional applications. In particular, achieving in situ control over the microstructure during 3D printing is critical to eliminate the need for post‐processing and annealing. Recent reports have demonstrated the possibility of electrochemical μ‐AM of nanotwinned metals, in which the presence of parallel arrays of twin boundaries (TBs) are known to enhance mechanical and electrical properties. For the first time, the authors report that the microstructure of metals printed using the microscale localized pulsed electrodeposition (L‐PED) process can be controlled in situ during 3D‐printing. In particular, the authors show that through electrochemical process parameters the density and the orientation of the TBs, as well as the grain size can be controlled. The results of the in situ SEM microcompression experiments on directly 3D‐printed micro‐pillars show that such control over microstructure directly correlates with the mechanical properties of the printed metal.
Boosting Direct X‐Ray Detection in Organic Thin Films by Small Molecules Tailoring
Authors: Ciavatti Andrea , Basiricò Laura , Fratelli Ilaria , Lai Stefano , Cosseddu Piero , Bonfiglio Annalisa , Anthony John E. , Fraboni Beatrice
Published: December 2018

The attention focused on the application of organic electronics for the detection of ionizing radiation is rapidly growing among the international scientific community, due to the great potential of organic technology to enable large‐area conformable sensor panels. However, high‐energy photon absorption is challenging as organic materials are constituted of atoms with low atomic numbers. Here it is reported how, by synthesizing new solution‐processable organic molecules derived from 6,13‐bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene (TIPS‐pentacene) and 2,8‐difluoro‐5,11‐bis(triethylsilylethynyl)anthradithiophene, with Ge‐substitution in place of the Si atoms to increase the material atomic number, it is possible to boost the X‐ray detection performance of organic thin films on flexible plastic substrates. Bis(triisopropylgermylethynyl)‐pentacene based flexible organic thin film transistors show high electrical performance with higher mobility (0.4 cm2 V−1 s−1) and enhanced X‐ray sensitivity, up to 9.0 × 105 µC Gy−1 cm−3, with respect to TIPS‐pentacene‐based detectors. Moreover, similar results are obtained for 5,11‐bis(triethylgermylethynyl)anthradithiophene devices, confirming that the proposed strategy, that is, increasing the atomic number of organic molecules by chemical tailoring to improve X‐ray sensitivity, can be generalized to organic thin film detectors, combining high X‐ray absorption, mechanical flexibility, and large‐area processing.
Tracing the Origin of Visible Light Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Cai Chao , Han Shaobo , Caiyang Weinan , Zhong Ruyi , Tang Yongliang , Lawrence Matthew J. , Wang Qi , Huang Limin , Liang Yongye , Gu Meng
Published: December 2018

Hybrid nanostructures with a plasmonic core and catalytic shell often show significantly enhanced catalytic efficiency under illumination of specific frequency. Excitation of localized surface plasmonic resonance on plasmonic metals under illumination can generate hot electrons that assist in the catalytic reaction. However, the correlation between the microstructural geometry, dielectric environment, internal energy flow in the hybrid structure, and the chemical reaction rate is so far not clear. Here, a composite with a plasmonic Au metal yolk and a nearly transparent Ni3S2 shell is designed to maximize the absorption of incident light by forming strong localized surface plasmonic resonance at the yolk as predicted by 3D finite element method. The incoming photoenergy is dominantly dissipated on the shell by forming electron–hole pairs, leading to higher energy flow rate for oxygen evolution reaction. The overpotential is 252 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and the catalytic activity of Au@Ni3S2 achieves ca. 85‐fold that of pure Ni3S2 under illumination and surpasses the commercial IrO2 catalyst. The study opens the door of exploration of highly effective hybrid composite catalysts for energy applications.
Shape‐Deformable Self‐Healing Electroluminescence Displays
Authors: Cho Sung Hwan , Lee Seung Won , Hwang Ihn , Kim Jong Sung , Jeong Beomjin , Kang Han Sol , Kim Eui Hyuk , Kim Kang Lib , Park Chanho , Park Cheolmin
Published: December 2018

Self‐healing electronic materials can substantially enhance the lifetime of a device as they can self‐repair mechanical damages, thereby recovering their initial electronic performance similar to human skin. Despite the development of various self‐healing electronic components such as electrodes and semiconducting carrier transport layers, self‐healing electroluminescence (EL) layers suitable for deformable displays, which require both high stretchability and self‐recovery function, have been rarely demonstrated. Herein, shape‐deformable and self‐healing EL displays (SSELDs) are presented. Light‐emitting materials are fabricated by adding a certain amount of a plasticizer, Triton X‐100, to elastomeric poly(urethane) containing light‐emitting Cu‐doped ZnS microparticles to obtain a viscoelastic composite that undergoes facile shape‐deformation and recovery. A capacitive SSELD exhibits frequency‐dependent field‐induced light emission under alternating current (AC). Color mixing and tuning of EL is conveniently achieved by mechanically mixing two or more Cu‐doped ZnS microparticles with different EL characteristics. More importantly, an SSELD self‐recovers its EL within few minutes of electrical failure. Further, the AC EL device endures more than 100 cycles of failure‐recovery operations. By combining with a shape‐deformable ionic liquid, a novel fiber display that exhibits excellent shape‐deformable and self‐healing EL performance is demonstrated.
Catalytic effect of zeolite LTA on thermal degradation of polysulfone and kinetic analysis
Authors: Huang Zhen , Wang Xiao‐jie , Lu Tao , Nong Dan‐dan , Gao Xin‐yang , Zhao Jun‐xu , Wei Meng‐yu , Teng Li‐jun
Published: December 2018

Thermal stability of polysulfone (PSF) and its zeolite LTA hybrids with two different zeolite contents has been investigated by using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis measurements, and the thermal experiments in air were conducted at a constant heating rate in the span of 5–30 K/min. The thermal characteristics were evaluated based on TG and DTA results. Two‐stage thermal decomposition is seen to mainly occur in the range of 700–970 K and the zeolite LTA added has considerably influenced the thermal behavior of PSF. Two isoconversional model‐free Flynn–Wall–Ozawa and Coats–Redfern methods are employed to perform kinetic analysis of the mass loss versus temperature data, resulting in activation energy and pre exponential factor values. The activation energies obtained over the whole conversion range for two zeolite composites are considerably lower than those of pure PSF, possibly related to the catalytic effect of zeolite LTA added. The materials conversion functions D5 and D3 are found to more appropriately describe thermal degradation of PSF and its zeolite LTA hybrids. Using the kinetic parameters and conversion functions, the temperature‐dependent thermal conversion curves under different heating rates have been successfully recast, leading to excellent calculation results.
Self‐Assembled 2D Perovskite Layers for Efficient Printable Solar Cells
Authors: Zuo Chuantian , Scully Andrew D. , Vak Doojin , Tan Wenliang , Jiao Xuechen , McNeill Christopher R. , Angmo Dechan , Ding Liming , Gao Mei
Published: December 2018

2D organic–inorganic hybrid Ruddlesden–Popper perovskites have emerged recently as candidates for the light‐absorbing layer in solar cell technology due largely to their impressive operational stability compared with their 3D‐perovskite counterparts. The methods reported to date for the preparation of efficient 2D perovksite layers for solar cells involve a nonscalable spin‐coating step. In this work, a facile, spin‐coating‐free, directly scalable drop‐cast method is reported for depositing precursor solutions that self‐assemble into highly oriented, uniform 2D‐perovskite films in air, yielding perovskite solar cells with power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of up to 14.9% (certified PCE of 14.33% ± 0.34 at 0.078 cm2). This is the highest PCE to date for a solar cell with 2D‐perovskite layers fabricated by nonspin‐coating method. The PCEs of the cells display no evidence of degradation after storage in a nitrogen glovebox for more than 5 months. 2D‐perovskite layer deposition using a slot‐die process is also investigated for the first time. Perovskite solar cells fabricated using batch slot‐die coating on a glass substrate or R2R slot‐die coating on a flexible substrate produced PCEs of 12.5% and 8.0%, respectively.
Emergency Ultrasound Training Program in Guyana: Systematic Credentialing Process in a Resource‐limited Setting
Authors: Rupp Jordan D. , Jagjit Sri Devi , Ferre Robinson M.
Published: December 2018

Ultrasound has become an important skill for emergency physicians. Ultrasound is more crucial in resource‐limited settings where diagnostic testing may not be as timely or available at all. In 2015, an emergency medicine ultrasound curriculum was implemented at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation in Georgetown, Guyana. Implementing an ultrasound‐training curriculum in Guyana had four main challenges: limited ultrasound equipment, lack of informational technology infrastructure to record and review ultrasound examinations, availability of local emergency ultrasound expertise, and competing educational needs within the curriculum. These challenges were met with creative solutions and the formation of a formalized curriculum and credentialing process. The experience of creating the program is described along with the curriculum, credentialing process, and plan for sustainability. Since implementation, every graduating resident has displayed competency on final assessment.
Analyzing determinants of US distillers dried grains with solubles exports
Authors: De Matteis Maria C. , Yu T. Edward , Boyer Christopher N. , DeLong Karen L.
Published: December 2018

The exports of US distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a coproduct of corn ethanol, have grown more than five‐fold over the last decade. However, there is limited knowledge of what factors drive US. DDGS exports and how those factors could impact future US DDGS exports. This study aimed to identify the determinants of US DDGS exports and estimate the growth of DDGS exports to major international buyers. A commodity‐specific gravity model was estimated using the pseudo‐Poisson maximum likelihood method for US DDGS exports to 29 countries over 2000–2013. Results suggest that the importing country’s meat production, technical barriers to trade, tariffs, and US ethanol production influence US DDGS exports. A baseline outlook for US DDGS exports to the six major importing countries through 2020 generated from the estimated gravity model shows China’s commodity and trade policy could have a vital impact on US DDGS exports. Variations in DDGS exports under the scenarios of high and low meat production in those importing countries were also derived.
Three‐dimensional modelling of large archaeological sites using images obtained from masts. Application to Qubbet el‐Hawa site (Aswan, Egypt)
Authors: Pérez‐García José Luis , Mozas‐Calvache Antonio Tomás , Gómez‐López José Miguel , Jiménez‐Serrano Alejandro
Published: December 2018

Three‐dimensional (3D) modelling of archaeological sites has recently undergone a great development due to the implementation of new acquisition devices and techniques and new processing algorithms. One of the most noteworthy of these is the use of unmanned aerial systems for lifting acquisition devices such as digital cameras to model sites based on photogrammetric techniques. Despite the development and wide use of these systems there are some situations where they are not allowed to fly. In this context we propose a method based on masts which elevate the camera in order to perform photogrammetric surveys of large archeological sites. In this study we analysed the photograph acquisition parameters and the surveying procedure in order to balance in‐field the efficiency and the complete coverage of photographs in the study zone, taking into account the requirements of the photogrammetric processing technique to be implemented. The proposed method has been applied to a large and complex archaeological site located in Aswan (Egypt). The results obtained (photogrammetric products and the 3D model) have demonstrated the viability of the method in these cases and the possible implementation of these types of studies for documentation, planning, virtual visualization, etc.
Collecting event‐related tweets from twitter stream
Authors: Zheng Xin , Sun Aixin
Published: December 2018

Twitter provides a channel of collecting and publishing instant information on major events like natural disasters. However, information flow on Twitter is of great volume. For a specific event, messages collected from the Twitter Stream based on either location constraint or predefined keywords would contain a lot of noise. In this article, we propose a method to achieve both high‐precision and high‐recall in collecting event‐related tweets. Our method involves an automatic keyword generation component, and an event‐related tweet identification component. For keyword generation, we consider three properties of candidate keywords, namely relevance, coverage, and evolvement. The keyword updating mechanism enables our method to track the main topics of tweets along event development. To minimize annotation effort in identifying event‐related tweets, we adopt active learning and incorporate multiple‐instance learning which assigns labels to bags instead of instances (that is, individual tweets). Through experiments on two real‐world events, we demonstrate the superiority of our method against state‐of‐the‐art alternatives.
Controllable Synthesis of Inverse Opal TiO2‐x Photonic Crystals and Their Photoelectric Properties
Authors: Liu Shuming , Zhou Liang , Zhang Jinlong , Lei Juying
Published: December 2018

In this study, inverse opal TiO2‐x photonic crystals (IO‐TiO2‐x) have been successfully synthesized by a two‐step calcination. The whole synthesis is safe and feasible. Additionly, the reduction degree and the structure of IO‐TiO2‐x can be precisely controlled. A series of IO‐TiO2‐x samples with different reduction degree were prepared and characterized. The TEM images show that the obtained samples possess a 3D‐ordered macroporous inverse opal structure. The reduced Ti atoms/oxygen vacancies were confirmed by Raman and XPS spectroscopy. All IO‐TiO2‐x samples showed better photoelectric properties than those of common TiO2 which indicates their great potential to be applied to photoelectric fields. The improvement of photoelectric properties is attributed to the efficient electron‐hole separation efficiency induced by moderately reduced Ti atoms/oxygen vacancies. Meanwhile, the 3D‐ordered macroporous inverse opal structure and the band gap are regulated to “capture” more solar energy. This new approach is proven to be a meaningful method to synthesize high‐performance TiO2 materials.
An Aggregation‐induced Emission Probe Based on Host–Guest Inclusion Composed of the Tetraphenylethylene Motif and γ‐Cyclodextrin for the Detection of α‐Amylase
Authors: Shi Jie , Deng Qianchun , Li Ya , Chai Zhaofei , Wan Chuyun , Shangguan Huijuan , Li Lu , Tang Bo
Published: December 2018

α‐Amylase, an essential biomarker in pancreas related diseases and perform a major role in carbohydrates metabolism. Hence, monitoring the dynamic changes of α‐amylase is crucial for better clinical diagnosis of diseases. However, the existing methods are suffered from low sensitivity, time consumption and indirect assay with aid of tool enzyme or inhibitor of competitive substrates, the rapid and non‐destructive sensing of α‐amylase in biological samples was highly desired. In this work, a very simple tetraphenylethylene motif and γ‐cyclodextrin based supramolecular fluometric sensing system was firstly established. This system has no emission signal in aqueous media for the freely rotation of phenyl rings in the cavity of γ‐cyclodextrin, but the AIE residues can be released in to water after the α‐amylase hydrolysing γ‐cyclodextrin, then turn on the fluorescence. In this system, the detection limit is calculated to be 0.007 U mL−1 in MES buffer with a linear range of 0–0.35 U mL−1, having excellent selectivity to α‐amylase compared to other proteins. At last, our probe can be applied to the quantitative analysis of α‐amylase in human serum, showing potential in point of care testing.
Edaravone acts as a potential therapeutic drug against pentylenetetrazole‐induced epilepsy in male albino rats by downregulating cyclooxygenase‐II
Authors: Liu Liang‐min , Wang Ning , Lu Yan , Wang Wei‐ping
Published: December 2018

Introduction

The effects of edaravone against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)‐induced epilepsy in male albino rats were investigated. Edaravone is a well‐known commercial drug used in the treatment of strokes and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of edaravone have been reported in patients with ALS.

Methods

In this study, the experimental groups were as follows: sham, control, 5 mg/kg edaravone, and 10 mg/kg edaravone. Behavioral assessment, determination of biochemical markers, apoptosis, nitric oxide (NO), and mRNA and protein expression of cyclooxygenase‐II (COX‐II) were carried out. Seizure incidence, including generalized tonic–clonic seizure (GTCS) and minimal clonic seizure (MCS), was directly associated with PTZ administration in rats.

Results

Edaravone supplementation substantially increased MCS and GTCS latency in rats, and biochemical markers were significantly altered in the brain tissue of PTZ‐treated rats. Edaravone treatment normalized altered biochemical markers compared with the untreated control. Apoptosis and NO levels were significantly reduced by more than 50% compared to their respective controls. COX‐II mRNA was increased by 130% in PTZ‐treated rats, while edaravone supplementation reduced mRNA and protein expression of COX‐II by more than 20% and 40%, respectively. Immunohistochemistry indicated that COX‐II protein expression was reduced by 13.2% and 33.7% following supplementation with 5 and 10 mg/kg edaravone, respectively.

Conclusion

Taken together, our results suggest that edaravone functions by downregulating the levels of COX‐II and NO and is a potential candidate for the treatment of PTZ‐induced epilepsy.
The Role of the Community College in Addressing Poverty
Authors: Williams Mitchell R. , Nourie‐Manuele Meredith
Published: December 2018

In this chapter, the authors discuss the role community colleges play in alleviating poverty and how this role is reflected in institutional mission statements.
Food Pantries as a Gateway for Academic Enhancement and Basic Needs Support
Authors: Gupton Jarrett T. , Trost Jennifer L. , Collins Kelly
Published: December 2018

While homeless and highly mobile students experience multiple forms of marginality, trauma, and economic hardship, an increasing number of community colleges are providing support services tailored for this population. This qualitative study examined campus food pantries as a vital service that furthers the completion agenda.
Switching the Electron‐Donating Ability of Phosphines through Proton‐Responsive Imidazolin‐2‐ylidenamino Substituents
Authors: Mehlmann Paul , Dielmann Fabian
Published: December 2018

Stimuli‐responsive ancillary ligands are valuable tools to control the activity and selectivity of transition‐metal catalysts. The synthesis and characterization of a series of metal complexes containing phosphines with proton‐responsive imidazolin‐2‐ylidenamino substituents are reported. Determination of the ligand‐donor properties revealed that protonation of each substituent increases the Tolman electronic parameter (TEP) of the phosphine by 22 cm−1, hence allowing for switching of the electron‐donor power of phosphine 2 within an unprecedented range (ΔTEP=43.4 cm−1).
Dehydrative Allylation between Aldehydes and Allylic Alcohols through Synergistic N‐Heterocyclic Carbene/Palladium Catalysis
Authors: Haruki Hiroki , Yasuda Shigeo , Nagao Kazunori , Ohmiya Hirohisa
Published: December 2018

Dehydrative allylation between widely available aldehydes and allylic alcohols to afford β,γ‐unsaturated ketones was enabled by a synergistic merger of a thiazolium N‐heterocyclic carbene catalyst and a palladium‐bisphosphine catalyst.
Ambient PM10 and Respirable Dust Levels Near Gold Mine Tailings Storage Facilities in South Africa
Authors: Andraos Charlene , Dekker Kobus , Gulumian Mary
Published: December 2018

Gold mine tailings storage facilities (TSFs) contribute largely to high dust levels in the Gauteng and North‐West provinces, South Africa, and are seen as a public health concern. Currently, the South African National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM10 is 75 μg m−3 (24 h) and no limits have yet been set for respirable PM4 levels. This study investigates the ambient PM10 levels close to three TSFs as well as respirable PM4 levels of school learners at various distances from five TSFs during the dry and wet season. The results show that the ambient PM10 levels exceeded the current limit to a large degree between three and five times during the sampling period at the three TSFs studied. Analysis of wind speed, direction, and frequency show that emissions from two of the three TSFs could have been a possible dust source contributing to some of these exceedances. The respirable PM4 levels ranged from 10–130 μg m−3 (wet season) to 3–173 μg m−3 (dry season). For two TSFs studied, sampling sites close to the TSFs showed significantly higher PM4 levels compared to those further away, which was, however, likely not the result of TSF emissions but rather from other dust‐generating sources. Overall, these results reveal high PM10 levels in surrounding communities, which should be monitored and investigated further.
IoT‐based wireless body area networks for disaster cases
Authors: Cicioğlu Murtaza , Çalhan Ali
Published: December 2018

Wireless networks have many advantages for emergency situations especially disaster cases. A disaster might happen because of various reasons such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes. In these emergency situations, wireless communication technologies are very important for the rescue of human life. Wireless technologies, especially body area networks, might monitor, collect, and send data about human in trouble to rescue unit. In this paper, Internet of things‐based wireless body area network is proposed for disaster cases. The proposed architecture guarantees lifesavings by using wireless technologies for location determination, vital signs transmission, and SOS calls. Also, a gateway selection algorithm based on fuzzy logic is developed for selecting more appropriate wireless technology.
Flying between raindrops: Strong seasonal turnover of several Lepidoptera groups in lowland rainforests of Mount Cameroon
Authors: Maicher Vincent , Sáfián Szabolcs , Murkwe Mercy , Przybyłowicz Łukasz , Janeček Štěpán , Fokam Eric B. , Pyrcz Tomasz , Tropek Robert
Published: December 2018

Although seasonality in the tropics is often less pronounced than in temperate areas, tropical ecosystems show seasonal dynamics as well. Nevertheless, individual tropical insects’ phenological patterns are still poorly understood, especially in the Afrotropics. To fill this gap, we investigated biodiversity patterns of Lepidoptera communities at three rainforest localities in the foothills of Mount Cameroon, West Africa, one of the wettest places in the world. Our multitaxa approach covered six lepidopteran groups (fruit‐feeding butterflies and moths, the families Sphingidae, Saturniidae, and Eupterotidae, and the subfamily Arctiinae of Erebidae) with diverse life strategies. We sampled adults of the focal groups in three distinct seasons. Our sampling included standardized bait trapping (80 traps exposed for 10 days per locality and season) and attraction by light (six full nights per locality and season). Altogether, our dataset comprised 20,576 specimens belonging to 559 (morpho)species of the focal groups. The biodiversity of Lepidoptera generally increased in the high‐dry season, and either increased (fruit‐feeding moths, Arctiinae, Saturniidae) or decreased (butterflies, Sphingidae) in the transition to the wet season in particular groups. Simultaneously, we revealed a strong species turnover of fruit‐feeding Lepidoptera and Arctiinae among the seasons, indicating relatively high specialization of these communities for particular seasons. Such temporal specialization can make the local communities of butterflies and moths especially sensitive to the expected seasonal perturbations caused by the global change. Because of the key role of Lepidoptera across trophic levels, such changes in their communities could strengthen this impact on entire tropical ecosystems.
Rapid adaptation to high temperatures in Chironomus riparius
Authors: Foucault Quentin , Wieser Andreas , Waldvogel Ann‐Marie , Feldmeyer Barbara , Pfenninger Markus
Published: December 2018

Effects of seasonal or daily temperature variation on fitness and physiology of ectothermic organisms and their ways to cope with such variations have been widely studied. However, the way multivoltines organisms cope with temperature variations from one generation to the next is still not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the multivoltine midge Chironomus riparius Meigen (1803) responds mainly via acclimation as predicted by current theories or whether rapid genetic adaptation is involved. To investigate this issue, a common garden approach has been applied. A mix of larvae from five European populations was raised in the laboratory at three different pre‐exposure temperatures (PET): 14, 20, and 26°C. After three and five generations, respectively, larvae were exposed to three treatment temperatures (TT): 14, 20, and 26°C. Mortality was monitored for the first 48 hr and after emergence. After three generations, significant mortality rate differences depended on an interaction of PET and TT. This finding supports the hypothesis that chironomids respond rapidly to climatic variation via adaptive mechanisms and to a lesser extent via phenotypic plasticity. The result of the experiment indicates that three generations were sufficient to adapt to warm temperature, decreasing the mortality rate, highlighting the potential for chironomids to rapidly respond to seasonally changing conditions.
Partitioning wild bee and hoverfly contributions to plant–pollinator network structure in fragmented habitats
Authors: Jauker Frank , Jauker Birgit , Grass Ingo , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf , Wolters Volkmar
Published: December 2018

The risk of ecosystem function degradation with biodiversity loss has emerged as a major scientific concern in recent years. Possible relationships between taxonomic diversity and magnitude and stability of ecosystem processes build upon species' functional characteristics, which determine both susceptibility to environmental change and contribution to ecosystem properties. The functional diversity within communities thus provides a potential buffer against environmental disturbance, especially for properties emerging from interactions among species. In complex plant–pollinator networks, distantly related taxa spanning a great trait diversity shape network architecture. Here, we address the question of whether network properties are maintained after habitat loss by complementary contributions of phylogenetically distant pollinator taxa. We quantified contributions of wild bees and hoverflies to network structure (connectance, network specialization, specialization asymmetry) in 32 calcareous grassland fragments varying in size. Although hoverflies are often regarded less susceptible to environmental change than wild bees, species richness of both taxa was similarly affected by habitat loss. The associated loss of 80% of interactions resulted in small and tightly connected networks, which was more strongly attributed to wild bee loss than hoverfly loss. Networks in small fragments were less specialized due to equivalent losses of species and interactions in both pollinators and plants. Because wild bee and hoverfly loss contributed similarly to declining network specialization, we conclude that trait diversity among distantly related pollinators does not necessarily provide insurance against functional homogenization during community disassembly following habitat loss.
Germanium Dioxide and the Antioxidant Properties of Catechols
Authors: Nikolaevskaya Elena N. , Kansuzyan Artem V. , Filonova Galina E. , Zelenova Vera A. , Pechennikov Valery M. , Krylova Irina V. , Egorov Mikhail P. , Jouikov Viatcheslav V. , Syroeshkin Mikhail A.
Published: December 2018

Complexes of tetra‐ and hexa‐coordinated germanium AdrCat2Ge (1, AdrCat = adrenaline catecholate), AldCat2Ge (2, AldCat = 4‐formylcatecholate), AldCat3Ge(Et3NH)2 (3) were synthesized by the reaction of germanium dioxide with adrenaline and 3,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde in aqueous solution. The structures of the complexes were confirmed by 1H and 13C NMR and IR spectroscopy, HRMS, and elemental analysis. Cyclic voltammetry in phosphate buffer solutions (pH = 6.86) has shown the oxidation potentials Ep of these complexes to be shifted by ca. 330–360 mV to more positive potentials compared to the parent aromatic diols, which means that their electron‐releasing properties were diminished by about 7.6–8.3 kcal mol–1. A study of the kinetics of the reaction of these complexes with 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical in the presence of 5 % acetonitrile reveals a decrease of approximately one order of magnitude in the radical scavenging activity of adrenaline and model 3,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde upon their complexation with Ge. The corresponding rate constants drop from (3.23 ± 0.07) × 103 L mol–1 s–1 (adrenaline) to (3.80 ± 0.20) × 102 L mol–1 s–1 for 1, and from (4.40 ± 0.20) × 103 L mol–1 s–1 (3,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde) to (4.45 ± 0.25) × 102 L mol–1 s–1 for 2 and 3 (germanium is equally capable to bind two or three molecules of the diol). Keeping in mind that 1,2‐diols are widespread in the living nature and often have important biological functions, these results will contribute to the understanding of role of germanium dioxide in metabolic mechanisms and to alert against unreasonable use of Ge preparations.
Multigenerational effects of carbendazim in Daphnia magna: From a subcellular to a population level
Authors: Silva Ana Rita R. , Santos Cátia S.A. , Ferreira Nuno G.C. , Morgado Rui , Cardoso Diogo N. , Cruz Andreia , Mendo Sónia , Soares Amadeu M.V.M. , Loureiro Susana
Published: December 2018

Anthropogenic activities such as the use of pesticides may affect aquatic biota populations, due to potential agricultural runoffs or disposals. Carbendazim is one example of a widely used fungicide with a high potential to end up in aquatic ecosystems through runoff. Deleterious effects observed at the individual level are possibly explained by changes in homeostasis at the cellular level, and both factors can then be used to predict effects at the population level. In the present study, an isoclonal population of Daphnia magna (clone K6) was exposed to a concentration that mimics relevant levels of carbendazim in the environment over 12 generations. The effects of carbendazim were assessed in some generations using the following endpoints: biochemical biomarkers (cholinesterase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase), lipid peroxidation and energy-related parameters (carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins along with available energy and energy consumption), parental longevity, and population growth (r). Long-term exposure to carbendazim had no effect on the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) of adult D. magna, but longevity was decreased at the F12 generation compared to that of control. Differences between the exposed and nonexposed populations were found for cholinesterase, glutathione-S-transferase, and lipid peroxidation. However, for catalase and energy-related parameters, no differences were observed between these 2 populations. Natural variability was seen throughout the test period, under control conditions, within the 12 generations. Overall, carbendazim induced some effects at the subcellular level that translated into changes in longevity but these later vanished in terms of population effects. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:412–422. © 2018 SETAC

Abstract

Multigenerational effects of carbendazim in Daphnia magna.
Nanostructured Free‐Form Objects via a Synergy of 3D Printing and Thermal Nanoimprinting
Authors: Wu Jumiati , Lee Wei Li , Low Hong Yee
Published: December 2018

High‐resolution surface patterning has garnered interests as a nonchemical‐based surface engineering approach for creating functional surfaces. Applications in consumer products, parts for transportation vehicles, optics, and biomedical technologies demand topographic patterning on 3D net shape objects. Through a hybrid approach, high‐resolution surface texture is incorporated onto 3D‐printed polymers via direct thermal nanoimprinting process. The synergy of geometry design freedom in 3D printing and the high spatial resolution in nanoimprinting is demonstrated to be a versatile fabrication of high‐fidelity surface pattern (from 2 µm to 200 nm resolution) on convex, concave semicylindrical, and hemispherical objects spanning a range of surface curvatures. The novel hybrid fabrication is further extended to achieve a high‐resolution curved mold insert for rapid prototyping via injection molding. The versatility of the fabrication strategies reported here not only provides a post‐3D printing process that enhances the surface properties of 3D‐printed objects but also opens a new pathway to enable future study on the effects of combining microscale and nanoscale surface texture with macroscopic curvature. Both have been known, individually, as an effective approach to tune surface functionalities.
Portable sequencing, genomic data, and scale in global emerging infectious disease surveillance
Authors: Shaw Liam P. , Sugden Nicola C.
Published: December 2018

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) occur when pathogens unpredictably spread into new contexts. EID surveillance systems seek to rapidly identify EID outbreaks to contain spread and improve public health outcomes. Sequencing data has historically not been integrated into real‐time responses, but portable DNA sequencing technology has prompted optimism among epidemiologists. Specifically, attention has focused on the goal of a “sequencing singularity”: the integration of portable sequencers in a worldwide event‐based surveillance network with other digital data (Gardy & Loman, Nature Reviews Genetics, 19, 2018, p. 9). The sequencing singularity vision is a powerful socio‐technical imaginary, shaping the discourse around the future of portable sequencing. Ethical and practical issues are bound by the vision in two ways: they are framed only as obstacles, and they are formulated only at the scales made visible by its implicit geography. This geography privileges two extremes of scale – the genomic and the global – and leaves intermediate scales comparatively unmapped. We explore how widespread portable sequencing could challenge this geography. Portable sequencers put the ability to produce genomic data in the hands of the individual. The explicit assertion of rights over data may therefore become a matter disputed more at an interpersonal scale than an international one. Portable sequencers also promise ubiquitous, indiscriminate sequencing of the total metagenomic content of samples, raising the question of what (or who) is under surveillance and inviting consideration of the human microbiome and more‐than‐human geographies. We call into question a conception of a globally integrated stream of sequencing data as composed mostly of “noise,” within which signals of pathogen “emergence” are “hidden,” considering it instead from the perspective of recent work into more‐than‐human geographies. Our work highlights a practical need for researchers to consider both the alternative possibilities they foreclose as well as the exciting opportunities they move towards when they deploy their visions of the future.
Intestinal Microbiota Mediates the Susceptibility to Polymicrobial Sepsis‐Induced Liver Injury by Granisetron Generation in Mice
Authors: Gong Shenhai , Yan Zhengzheng , Liu Zhanguo , Niu Mengwei , Fang Heng , Li Na , Huang Chenyang , Li Lei , Chen Guiming , Luo Haihua , Chen Xiaojiao , Zhou Hongwei , Hu Jingjuan , Yang Wei , Huang Qiaobing , Schnabl Bernd , Chang Ping , Billiar Timothy R. , Jiang Yong , Chen Peng
Published: December 2018

Sepsis‐induced liver injury is recognized as a key problem in intensive care units. The gut microbiota has been touted as an important mediator of liver disease development; however, the precise roles of gut microbiota in regulating sepsis‐induced liver injury are unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of the gut microbiota in sepsis‐induced liver injury and the underlying mechanism. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was used to induce polymicrobial sepsis and related liver injury. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was used to validate the roles of gut microbiota in these pathologies. Metabolomics analysis was performed to characterize the metabolic profile differences between sepsis‐resistant (Res; survived to 7 days after CLP) and sepsis‐sensitive (Sen; moribund before or approximately 24 hours after CLP) mice. Mice gavaged with feces from Sen mice displayed more‐severe liver damage than did mice gavaged with feces from Res mice. The gut microbial metabolic profile between Sen and Res mice was different. In particular, the microbiota from Res mice generated more granisetron, a 5‐hydroxytryptamine 3 (5‐HT3) receptor antagonist, than the microbiota from Sen mice. Granisetron protected mice against CLP‐induced death and liver injury. Moreover, proinflammatory cytokine expression by macrophages after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge was markedly reduced in the presence of granisetron. Both treatment with granisetron and genetic knockdown of the 5‐HT3A receptor in cells suppressed nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐кB) transactivation and phosphorylated p38 (p‐p38) accumulation in macrophages. Gut microbial granisetron levels showed a significantly negative correlation with plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in septic patients. Conclusion: Our study indicated that gut microbiota plays a key role in the sensitization of sepsis‐induced liver injury and associates granisetron as a hepatoprotective compound during sepsis development.
Dietary Patterns and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Among U.S. Men and Women
Authors: Ma Yanan , Yang Wanshui , Simon Tracey G. , Smith‐Warner Stephanie A. , Fung Teresa T. , Sui Jing , Chong Dawn , VoPham Trang , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Wen Deliang , Giovannucci Edward L. , Chan Andrew T. , Zhang Xuehong
Published: December 2018

Although adherence to healthy dietary guidelines has been associated with a reduced risk of several health outcomes, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers, little is known about the role of dietary patterns in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We prospectively assessed the associations of three key commonly used a
priori dietary patterns—the Alternative Healthy Eating Index‐2010 (AHEI‐2010), Alternate Mediterranean Diet (AMED), and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)—with risk of incident HCC in the Health Professionals Follow‐Up Study (HPFS) and the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), two large prospective cohort studies. Diet was assessed almost every 4 years using validated food frequency questionnaires (FFQs). Multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression. During up to 32 years of follow‐up, 160 incident HCC cases were identified. After adjustment for most HCC risk factors, participants in the highest tertile of Alternative Healthy Eating Index‐2010 (AHEI‐2010) had a multivariable HR of 0.61 (95% CI, 0.39‐0.95; P
trend = 0.03), compared with those in the lowest tertile. There was a suggestive, but nonsignificant, inverse association for Alternate Mediterranean Diet (AMED; HR = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.49‐1.15; P
trend = 0.18) and a null association for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH; HR = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.59‐1.36; P
trend = 0.61) in relation to the risk of HCC development. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that better adherence to the AHEI‐2010 may decrease the risk of developing HCC among U.S. adults. Future studies are needed to replicate our results, examine these associations in other populations, and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.