bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Situational Interest and Scientific Self‐Efficacy: Influence of an Energy Science Career Intervention
Authors: Deemer Eric D. , Sharma Pankaj
Published: June 2019

This study examined the efficacy of a career intervention aimed at promoting adolescents’ perceptions of scientific self‐efficacy (SSE), as well as interest in specific activities and careers relevant to energy science. One hundred thirty‐four adolescents (60 girls, 74 boys) completed self‐efficacy and interest measures on 4 occasions (Time [T] T1 to T4]) during the course of the 6‐day intervention. Results of latent change modeling yielded evidence of significant growth in SSE from T1 to T4. Results of a multiple regression analysis also revealed that situational interest in an energy science activity at T2 was a significant positive predictor of SSE at T4, thus offering further clarity regarding the theorized sequence of causal relations between interest and self‐efficacy. Findings call attention to the need for future research on the role of task‐level interest in the social cognitive career theory framework and highlight the importance of mastery experiences in the delivery of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics career interventions.
Contributing Factors to Earning Tenure Among Black Male Counselor Educators
Authors: Hannon Michael D. , Nadrich Tyce , Ferguson Alfonso L. , Bonner Matthew W. , Ford David J. , Vereen Linwood G.
Published: June 2019

The authors used a phenomenological research design and a critical race theory lens to examine interviews with 8 Black male counselor educators and learn what contributed to their earning tenure. Participants described requisite personal dispositions and institutional support as contributing factors. Recommendations include facilitating programmatic sociocultural awareness, assessing faculty experiences, and coordinating mentoring opportunities.
Racemization and Deracemization through Intermolecular Redox Behaviour
Authors: Engwerda Anthonius H. J. , Meekes Hugo , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias , Rutjes Floris P. J. T. , Vlieg Elias
Published: June 2019

Chiral molecules exhibiting a quinone and/or hydroquinone moiety are ubiquitous in natural products and small molecule drugs. Herein, we describe a chiral quinone‐hydroquinone molecule that racemizes through a reversible redox reaction. Using a combined computational and experimental approach, we show that this racemization proceeds via an intermolecular reaction mechanism. Starting from two achiral reactants, this molecule could be obtained in enantiopure form using Viedma ripening.
Linear Relationship between 13C NMR Chemical Shifts and the Bending of sp‐Carbon Chains
Authors: Kreuzahler Mathis , Adam Abdulselam , Haberhauer Gebhard
Published: June 2019

Polyynes show a strictly linear relationship between the energy impact and the bending of the polyyne chain. The energy, which is necessary to bend the acetylenic chain, decreases with the increasing number of acetylene units. A deviation from linearity in polyynes can be realized in solution by violation of the mutual‐exclusion principle between IR and Raman spectra. However, there is still no possibility to measure the extent of the nonlinearity in solution. Herein, we show that the 13C NMR spectroscopy represents an appropriate tool for this as we found an almost perfect linear relationship between the bending of the alkyne chain and the change of the chemical shift of the outer acetylenic carbon atoms. By using molecular bows in which the alkyne chain can be bent by switching the azobenzene unit, this correlation can be proved experimentally. In the future, this correlation should enable the determination of the extent of the bending and the strain energy in polyynes. Consequently, polyynes could be employed as probes for measuring further molecular forces.
Evaluation of left ventricular function in immunoglobulin‐resistant children with Kawasaki disease: a two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography study
Authors: Wang Haiyong , Shang Jing , Tong Minghui , Song Yan , Ruan Litao
Published: June 2019

Background

Kawasaki disease (KD) patients who are unresponsive to intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) have a high occurrence of coronary artery lesions (CALs). The characteristics of left ventricular (LV) function alternation in IVIG‐resistant patients are not well‐described.

Hypothesis

Two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a useful technique that can accurately detect myocardium subclinical dysfunction in resistant patients and may assist in differentiating patients with KD at a higher risk of IVIG resistance.

Methods

A consecutive sample of 50 IVIG‐resistant patients (25 males, 2.2 ± 0.9 years), 50 IVIG‐responsive patients (27 males, 2.2 ± 0.7 years) and 50 normal subjects (27 males, 2.1 ± 0.9 years) were analyzed using STE, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was utilized to determine the threshold values of STE parameters associated with IVIG resistance.

Results

Compared with normal children, IVIG‐resistant patients had lower global longitudinal strain (GLS) (15.82 ± 3.32 vs 20.01 ± 2.98, P = 0.000) and lower global circumferential strain (GCS) (16.65 ± 3.12 vs 20.11 ± 2.86, P = 0.042). Both GLS and GCS in IVIG‐resistant patients were significantly lower than in IVIG‐responsive patients (15.82 ± 3.32 vs 19.95 ± 3.01, 16.65 ± 3.12 vs 19.01 ± 3.00, P = .000, .030, respectively). ROC analysis demonstrated that the absolute values of GLS < 16.8% and GCS < 15.9% were optimal predictors of IVIG unresponsiveness (area under the curve = 0.78, 0.75; sensitivity = 0.83, 0.79; specificity = 0.69, 0.65, respectively).

Conclusion

IVIG‐resistant patients presented with more severe LV systolic dysfunction compared with IVIG‐responsive patients, which may be the result of myocarditis rather than CALs. STE may be a helpful diagnostic tool that provides supportive criteria to detect KD patients at a higher risk of IVIG resistance.
Optimal dosing of cyclophosphamide in rhabdomyosarcoma: It's complicated
Authors: Lucas John T. , Pappo Alberto S.
Published: June 2019

Cyclophosphamide dosing has previously been implicated as a risk factor for local failure in rhabdomyosarcoma. Casey et al report on findings from ARST0531 that provide ancillary support for this hypothesis.
Identifying and characterizing cancer survivors in the US primary care safety net
Authors: Hoopes Megan , Schmidt Teresa , Huguet Nathalie , Winters‐Stone Kerri , Angier Heather , Marino Miguel , Shannon Jackilen , DeVoe Jennifer
Published: June 2019

Background

Primary care providers must understand the use patterns, clinical complexity, and primary care needs of cancer survivors to provide quality health care services. However, to the authors' knowledge, little is known regarding the prevalence and health care needs of this growing population, particularly in safety net settings.

Methods

The authors identified adults with a history of cancer documented in primary care electronic health records within a network of community health centers (CHCs) in 19 states. The authors estimated cancer history prevalence among >1.2 million patients and compared sex‐specific site distributions with national estimates. Each survivor was matched to 3 patients without cancer from the same set of clinics. The demographic characteristics, primary care use, and comorbidity burden then were compared between the 2 groups, assessing differences with absolute standardized mean differences (ASMDs). ASMD values >0.1 denote meaningful differences between groups. Generalized estimating equations yielded adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for select indicators.

Results

A total of 40,266 cancer survivors were identified (prevalence of 3.0% of adult CHC patients). Compared with matched cancer‐free patients, a higher percentage of survivors had ≥6 primary care visits across 3 years (62% vs 48%) and were insured (83% vs 74%) (ASMD, >0.1 for both). Cancer survivors had excess medical complexity, including a higher prevalence of depression, asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and liver disease (ASMD, >0.1 for all). Survivors had higher odds of any opioid prescription (aOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.19‐1.27) and chronic opioid therapy (aOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.23‐1.32) compared with matched controls (P < .001 for all).

Conclusions

Identifying cancer survivors and understanding their patterns of utilization and physical and mental comorbidities present an opportunity to tailor primary health care services to this population.
Ultrasound‐guided FNA cytology of groin lymph nodes improves the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: Results from a comparative cytohistological study
Authors: Angelico Giuseppe , Santoro Angela , Inzani Frediano , Spadola Saveria , Fiorentino Vincenzo , Cianfrini Federica , Carbone Claudia , Garganese Giorgia , Rossi Esther D. , Scambia Giovanni , Zannoni Gian F.
Published: June 2019

Background

Lymph node metastases represent the most important negative prognostic predictor in vulvar carcinoma. Therefore, an accurate preoperative assessment of suspicious lymph nodes would be fundamental for a personalized therapy. The aim of this article was to assess the reliability of ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the preoperative assessment of nodal metastatic disease in 43 patients with vulvar cancer.

Methods

In total, 43 FNAC specimens of clinicoradiologically suspicious lymph nodes with corresponding nodal resection specimens were collected from 2016 to 2018 at Catholic University Hospital in Rome. Cytohistologic correlation was performed. Patients were treated with wide local excision of the vulvar mass followed by bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy and radiotherapy if the tumor involved a lymph node or the vulvar margins.

Results

Cytologic examination agreed with histology in 37 of 43 cases (86.04%). The authors observed a positive FNAC result in 14 of 20 histologically confirmed metastatic lymph nodes, 6 false‐negative cases, and no false‐positive results. The sensitivity and specificity of cytological examination were 76.92% and 100%, respectively. All patients with FNAC‐positive results showed metastatic disease in other surgically resected inguinofemoral nodes. Eleven of 29 patients (37.9%) with FNAC‐negative results also showed metastatic disease in subsequent lymphadenectomy specimens, but the extent of metastases was always <1 cm (range, 0.1‐0.6 cm).

Conclusions

FNAC of suspicious lymph nodes represents a useful tool in the management of patients with vulvar cancer. A positive result enables the surgeon to immediately perform a bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy thus avoiding an unnecessary sentinel lymph node sampling. Finally, FNAC can also predict the presence and extent of metastatic disease in other surgically resected inguinofemoral lymph nodes.
A small number of residual teeth after the mandibular resection of oral cancer is associated with titanium reconstruction plate exposure
Authors: Hirohata Hiromi , Yanagawa Toru , Takaoka Shohei , Yamagata Kenji , Sasaki Kaoru , Shibuya Yoichiro , Uchida Fumihiko , Fukuzawa Satoshi , Tabuchi Katsuhiko , Hasegawa Shogo , Ishibashi‐Kanno Naomi , Sekido Mitsuru , Bukawa Hiroki
Published: June 2019

Objective

Reconstruction plates are used to treat patients with a segmental mandibular defect after oral cancer surgery. Reconstruction plate failure analysis has rarely focused on occlusion, which conducts a mechanical force to the mandible and the plate. To determine the prognostic factors, we retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent reconstruction of a mandibular segmental defect with a reconstruction plate and assessed the number of residual paired teeth.

Material and Methods

From among 390 patients with oral cancer who visited University of Tsukuba Hospital (Tsukuba, Japan) between 2007 and 2017, we selected and analyzed the data of 37 patients who underwent segmental resection of the mandible and reconstruction with reconstruction plates. Prognostic factors evaluated were patient age, sex, TNM classification, plate manufacturer, treatment with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, whether the patient had diabetes or smoked, and whether the patient had a small number of residual paired teeth, plate length, and use of a fibular‐free flap. Among these 37 patients, eight reconstruction plates had intraoral or extraoral exposure and were removed in 5 years.

Results

Kaplan–Meier and log‐rank analyses revealed that the prognosis for the 5‐year plate exposure‐free rate was significantly poorer for patients with a small number of residual teeth than for patients with no teeth or those with a large number of residual teeth (.01). Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that a small number of residual teeth was a significant prognostic factor in the loss of a reconstruction plate (hazard ratio: 5.63; 95% confidence interval [1.10, 25.85]; .04).

Conclusions

A small number of residual teeth after the segmental resection of oral cancer is significantly involved in reconstruction plate survival and may be important in predicting reconstruction plate prognosis.
Temporal variation in suspended sediment transport: linking sediment sources and hydro‐meteorological drivers
Authors: Vercruysse Kim , Grabowski Robert C.
Published: June 2019

Suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs) in rivers are variable in time due to interacting soil erosion and sediment transport processes. While many hydro‐meteorological variables are correlated to SSCs, interpretation of these correlations in terms of driving processes requires in‐depth knowledge of the catchment. Detailed sediment source information is needed to establish the causal linkages between driving processes and variations in SSC. This study innovatively combined sediment fingerprinting with multivariate statistical analyses of hydro‐meteorological data to investigate how differential contributions of sediment sources control SSC in response to hydro‐meteorological variables during high‐flow events in rivers. Applied to the River Aire (UK), five sediment sources were classified: grassland topsoil in three lithological areas (limestone, millstone grit and coal measures), eroding riverbanks, and street dust. A total of 159 suspended sediment samples were collected during 14 high‐flow events (2015–2017). Results show substantial variation in sediment sources during high‐flow events. Limestone grassland and street dust, the dominant contributors to the suspended sediment, show temporal variations consistent with variations in total SSC, and are correlated with precipitation and discharge shortly prior and during high‐flow events (i.e. fast mobilization to and within river). Contrarily, contributions from millstone and coals grassland appear to be driven by antecedent hydro‐meteorological conditions (i.e. lag‐time between soil erosion and sediment delivery). Riverbank material is poorly correlated to hydro‐meteorological variables, possibly due to weak source discrimination or the infrequent nature of its delivery to the channel. Differences in source‐specific drivers and process interactions for sediment transport demonstrate the difficulty in generalizing sediment transport patterns and developing targeted suspended sediment management strategies. While more research is essential to address different uncertainties emerging from the approach, the study demonstrates how empirical data on sediment monitoring, fingerprinting, and hydro‐meteorology can be combined and analysed to better understand sediment connectivity and the factors controlling SSC. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Sr–He–Ar isotopic and elemental evidence constraints on the ore genesis of the Zhaxikang Sb–Pb–Zn–Ag deposit in southern Tibet
Authors: Wang Da , Zheng Youye , Zhang Jianfang , Wu Song , Zhang Sukun , Yu Miao , Qu Feifei
Published: June 2019

The genesis of Zhaxikang deposit is still debated, and three main geological environments have been proposed to model the mineralization: hot spring, magmatic hydrothermal fluid, and sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) overprinted by hydrothermal fluid. This study presents elemental and Sr–He–Ar isotopic data of minerals from different mineralization stages to support the genetic model of earlier submarine hydrothermal sedimentation (metasomatism) metallogenesis superimposed by a later magmatic‐hydrothermal fluid. The linear relations between 1/Sr and 87Sr/86Sr ratios, Sr isotopic two‐component mixing model and elemental characteristics for Mn–Fe carbonate (87Sr/86Sr ratios: 0.713135–0.720277, Sr concentrations: 0.72–6.05 ppm) and calcite (87Sr/86Sr ratios: 0.707953–0.716116, Sr concentrations: 177–1,194 ppm) imply that the first episode of mineralization relates to a seafloor hydrothermal fluid and the second episode of mineralization is associated with a magmatic hydrothermal fluid. Furthermore, noticeable different He–Ar isotopic characteristics of the two episodes of mineralization (the first episode: 40Ar/4He: 0.06–0.27, 40Ar/36Ar: 288.9–1483.4, 38Ar/36Ar: 0.16–0.22, 3He/4He: 0.04–0.08Ra; the second episode: 40Ar/4He: 0.23–211.76, 40Ar/36Ar: 831.5–10047, 38Ar/36Ar: 0.17–0.25, 3He/4He: 0.04–1.31Ra) indicate that both these two episodes of ore‐forming fluids are mainly crustal‐derived with a more possibly magmatic hydrothermal origin for the second episode. Overall, the elemental and Sr–He–Ar isotopic data demonstrate the existence of two episodes of mineralization in which the initial submarine hydrothermal sedimentation (metasomatism) metallogenesis was overprinted by a later magmatic hydrothermal fluid.
Contemporary Issues in Women's Health
Authors: Geary Michael , Chibwesha Carla , Stringer Elizabeth
Published: June 2019

Should we be performing routine salpingectomy as a preventative approach to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer?

Machine Learning in Women's Health

Women who undergo cesarean delivery in many parts of Africa are at high risk of severe maternal morbidity and mortality
An intelligent system for gastrointestinal polyp detection in endoscopic video using fusion of bidimensional empirical mode decomposition and convolutional neural network features
Authors: Mostafiz Rafid , Hasan Mosaddik , Hossain Imran , Rahman Mohammad M.
Published: June 2019

This paper presents an intelligent system for gastrointestinal polyp detection in endoscopic video. Video endoscopy is a popular diagnostic modality in assessing the gastrointestinal polyps. But the accuracy of diagnosis mostly depends on doctors' experience that is crucial to detect polyps in many cases. Computer‐aided polyp detection is promising to reduce the miss detection rate of polyp and thus improve the accuracy of diagnosis results. The proposed method illustrates an automatic system based on a new color feature extraction scheme as a support for gastrointestinal polyp detection. The scheme is the combination of color empirical mode decomposition features and convolutional neural network features extracted from video frames. The features are fed into a linear support vector machine to train the classifier. Experiments on standard public databases show that the proposed scheme outperforms the previous conventional methods, gaining accuracy of 99.53%, sensitivity of 99.91%, and specificity of 99.15%.
Characterization of ageing resistant transparent nanocrystalline yttria‐stabilized zirconia implants
Authors: Davoodzadeh Nami , Cano‐Velázquez Mildred S. , Halaney David L. , Sabzeghabae Ariana , Uahengo Gottlieb , Garay Javier E. , Aguilar Guillermo
Published: June 2019

The “Window to the Brain” is a transparent cranial implant under development, based on nanocrystalline yttria‐stabilized zirconia (nc‐YSZ) transparent ceramic material. Previous work has demonstrated the feasibility of this material to facilitate brain imaging over time, but the long‐term stability of the material over decades in the body is unknown. In this study, the low‐temperature degradation (LTD) of nc‐YSZ of 3, 6, and 8 mol % yttria is compared before and after accelerated ageing treatments following ISO standards for assessing the ageing resistance of zirconia ceramics. After 100 hr of accelerated ageing (equivalent to many decades of ageing in the body), the samples do not show any signs of phase transformation to monoclinic by X‐ray diffraction and micro‐Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, the mechanical hardness of the samples did not decrease, and changes in optical transmittance from 500 to 1000 nm due to ageing treatments was minimal (below 3% for all samples), and unlikely to be due to phase transformation of surface crystals to monoclinic. These results indicate the nc‐YSZ has excellent ageing resistance and can withstand long‐term implantation conditions without exhibiting LTD.
Membrane‐filtration based plasma exchanges for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: Audit of efficacy and safety
Authors: Khandelwal Priyanka , Thomas Christy C. , Rathi Bhim Singh , Hari Pankaj , Tiwari Anand N. , Sinha Aditi , Bagga Arvind
Published: June 2019

Background

While complement blockade with eculizumab is recommended as first‐line therapy of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), plasma exchanges (PEX) remain the chief option for anti‐factor H (FH) antibody associated disease and when access to eculizumab is limited.

Methods

We reviewed adverse events (AEs) and adverse outcomes (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 or death), in all patients with aHUS managed with membrane‐filtration based PEX at one tertiary care center over 5.5 years.

Results

During January 2013 to June 2018, 109 patients with aHUS (74 with antibodies to FH), aged median (range) 7.6 (0.5‐18) year weighing 22.1 (6‐90) kg, underwent 2024 sessions of PEX. AE, in 12.1% patients, were usually self‐limiting and included chills (5.5%), vomiting/abdominal pain (3.3%), hypotension (1.6%), urticaria (1.5%), seizures (0.2%), hypocalcemia (0.2%), and hemorrhage (0.1%); plasma hypersensitivity and severe reactions were rare. Rate of catheter‐related infections was 1.45/1000 catheter‐days. Filter reuse (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.26‐2.26; P < .001) and >20 sessions of PEX/patient (OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.27‐3.10; P = .002) were independently associated with adverse events; infusion of IV calcium gluconate during PEX was protective (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.16‐0.43; P < .001). Hematological remission was achieved in 96.3% patients after 6 (5‐8) PEX sessions; 80.8% and 89.6% patients were dialysis independent by one and 3 months, respectively.

Conclusions

PEX is safe and associated with satisfactory short‐term outcomes in children with aHUS. Prolonged PEX and filter‐reuse are associated with complications.
Overexpression of lncRNA WWTR1‐AS1 associates with tumor aggressiveness and unfavorable survival in head‐neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Jin , Li Zhongwu , Wu Yaping , Diao Pengfei , Zhang Wei , Wang Yanling , Yang Jianrong , Cheng Jie
Published: June 2019

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recognized as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in human cancer including head‐neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Here, we aimed to investigate the expression of a novel lncRNA WW domain containing transcription regulator 1 antisense RNA 1 (WWTR1‐AS1) as well as its clinical significance and biological roles in HNSCC. The expression level of endogenous WWTR1‐AS1 in primary HNSCC and paired adjacent nontumor mucosa was evaluated by quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction. The correlations were assessed between WWTR1‐AS1 expression and clinical data such as clinicopathological parameters and patient survival. Further, the molecular mechanisms of WWTR1‐AS1 underlying HNSCC progression were detected by loss‐of‐function assay in vitro and bioinformatics analysis. Aberrant overexpression of WWTR1‐AS1 in HNSCC samples showed a significant correlation between its higher expression levels and larger tumor size, cervical node metastasis, and poor prognosis. WWTR1‐AS1 knockdown mediated by antisense oligonucleotide markedly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, tumorsphere formation as well as apoptosis resistance probably by modulating WWTR1 messenger RNA (mRNA) stability in HNSCC cells. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that WWTR1‐AS1 expression positively correlated with WWTR1 expression in TCGA‐HNSCC data sets. Together, our data provide evidence that aberrant upregulation of WWTR1‐AS1 associates with malignant features and unfavorable prognosis in HNSCC, highlighting that WWTR1‐AS1 might be a potential oncogenic lncRNA during HNSCC progression.
NBO 7.0: New vistas in localized and delocalized chemical bonding theory
Authors: Glendening Eric D. , Landis Clark R. , Weinhold Frank
Published: June 2019

We briefly outline some leading features of the newest version, NBO 7.0, of the natural bond orbital (NBO) wavefunction analysis program. Major extensions include: (1) a new NPEPA module implementing Karafiloglou's “polyelectron population analysis” in the NBO framework; (2) new RDM2 program infrastructure for describing electron correlation effects based on full evaluation of the second‐order reduced density matrix; (3) improved convex‐solver implementation of natural resonance theory (NRT), allowing a greatly expanded range of applications and associated “resonance NBO” (RNBO) visualization of chemical reactivity; (4) a variety of other improvements in well‐established NBO algorithms. We also provide brief introduction to the new NBOPro@Jmol utility program, a plugin to the Jmol chemical structure viewer that serves as a convenient tool to provide on‐demand NBO descriptors or orbital visualizations for a broad variety of chemical inquiries in research or classroom applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
lncRNA NEAT1 facilitates melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via regulating miR‐495‐3p and E2F3
Authors: Xia Ying , Zhou Yu , Han Han , Li Peng , Wei Wei , Lin Nengxing
Published: June 2019

Melanoma contributes a lot to skin cancer‐related deaths. lncRNAs are implicated in various diseases, including melanoma. lncRNA NEAT1 is frequently dysregulated and can play important roles in multiple cancers. Nevertheless, little has been studied about the function of NEAT1 in melanoma progression. In our present research, we displayed NEAT1 was overexpressed in melanoma cells. A series of functional assays showed that overexpression of NEAT1 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of melanoma cells. By contrast, NEAT1 knockdown obviously restrained melanoma cell progression. Mechanistically, it was revealed that NEAT1 could directly bind with miR‐495‐3p, which led to a negative effect on miR‐495‐3p levels. In addition, miR‐495‐3p was significantly decreased in melanoma cells. Furthermore, E2F3 was postulated as the target of miR‐495‐3p and overexpression of this miR could suppress the levels of E2F3. Meanwhile, it was exhibited that melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion induced by E2F3 silence was abrogated by miR‐495‐3p. Moreover, an in vivo xenograft nude mice model was established using A375 cells and it was indicated that NEAT1 promoted melanoma progression in vivo via regulating the miR‐495‐3p/E2F3 axis. In conclusion, we suggest that NEAT1 exerts an oncogenic effect on melanoma development via inhibition of miR‐495‐3p and induction of E2F3. NEAT1 might serve as a crucial prognostic biomarker of melanoma.
The formation of dead zones in nonisothermal porous catalyst with temperature‐dependent diffusion coefficient
Authors: Andreev Vsevolod V. , Skrzypacz Piotr , Golman Boris
Published: June 2019

This paper considers the formation of dead zones in the porous catalyst pellets due to the chemical reaction and diffusion. We established and investigated the model with nonisothermal reaction of fractional order and activated temperature‐dependent diffusivity. The effects of process parameters, catalyst shape, and reaction and diffusion parameters on the formation of the dead zone are studied numerically and characterized by the critical Thiele modulus. The lower bounds for the critical Thiele modulus are derived analytically in terms of process parameters for exothermic and endothermic reactions and verified numerically. The critical Thiele modulus increases with increasing Arrhenius number for diffusion and decreasing Arrhenius number for reaction in the case of exothermic reactions, whereas the opposite trends hold for the endothermic reactions. The critical Thiele modulus also increases with increasing fractional reaction order as well as with decreasing energy generation function, and increasing Biot numbers for heat and mass transfer. Moreover, the critical Thiele modulus is the highest for spherical pellets and the lowest for pellets with planar shape.
What Can Be Learned from the Polymerization of a Pyridine‐Based Two‐Component System
Authors: Vaganova Evgenia , Dubnikov Faina , Kesselman Ellina , Lokshin Vladimir , Khodorkovsky Vladimir
Published: June 2019

Stable poly (4‐vinyl pyridine)/pyridine gels prepared by dissolving solid polymer in pyridine (the equimolar ratio of the pyridine moieties to the pyridine solvent molecules) exhibit sensor properties rapidly and reversibly increasing their conductivity upon irradiation by light in the UV‐Vis and NIR ranges. Both ionic and electronic mechanisms of conductivity were detected. The gels behave as polyelectrolytes involving the positively charged pyridine moieties and negatively charged saturated chains held together by a network of hydrogen bonds between the charged and neutral species. This interpretation is corroborated by the cryo‐TEM images of the gel samples resembling chains of beads and the analysis of FT‐IR and 1H‐NMR spectra. Photoinduced proton transfer can thus be responsible for the observed ionic conductivity of the gels. Exposing gels to the ambient light can bring about ring opening of the pyridine moieties and of the free pyridine molecules with subsequent polycondensation of the initially formed 5‐amino‐2,4‐pentadienal. The oligomers of the latter, aza‐analogs of polyacetylene, can serve as molecular wires providing the electronic component of electrical conductivity. These oligomers can also contribute to the ionic conductivity and further stabilize the gels by cross‐linking of the separate polymer chains.
SAXS and SANS Studies on the Phase‐Separated Network Structure of Amphiphilic Copolymer Composed of Poly(dimethyl siloxane) and Poly(N,N‐dimethyl acrylamide) Gels Swollen in Water and a Water/Methanol Mixture
Authors: Yamamoto Katsuhiro , Ito Eri , Mori Yuka
Published: June 2019

The phase‐separated network structure of amphiphilic copolymer gels composed of poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) and poly(N,N‐dimethyl acrylamide) (PDMAA) in water and a water/methanol mixture is investigated by small angle X‐ray (SAXS) and small angle neutron scatterings (SANS). The copolymerized gel of PDMS‐co‐PDMAA exhibits bicontinuous phase‐separated domains (hydrophilic and hydrophobic) with a periodicity at the nanometer scale, and the PDMS hydrophobic domain forms a cylinder‐like core. The hydrophilic region is confirmed to be selectively swollen by water and methanol. Deuterated water and deuterated methanol are used for the SAXS and SANS measurements. The electron density and scattering length density (SLD) of the hydrophilic region vary according to the mixture ratio and adsorption amount of the solvents. The SAXS profiles (curve and scattering intensity) significantly change with the ratio D2O/methanol‐d4. On the other hand, the SANS profiles do not change significantly. The deuterated solvents cannot be distributed into the PDMS domain (core). The solvents and PDMAA hydrophilic form matrix. In these situations, as for SANS, the SLD difference between the PDMS and matrix remains almost constant. As for SAXS, in contrast to SANS, the electron density difference between the PDMS and hydrophilic domain varies with the ratio of water to methanol. The SAXS and SANS profiles can be simulated using a core‐shell cylindrical model. We found that an interfacial thin region exists between the hydrophobic PDMS and hydrophilic PDMAA/solvents. This interfacial region is determined to be composed of a solvent–poor PDMAA.
Tough Responsive Polymer Hydrogels and Devices Crosslinked by Block Copolymer Micelles
Authors: Fu Jun
Published: June 2019

Amphiphilic block copolymer Pluronic F127 is modified by acrylate groups on both ends, generating a functional triblock copolymer F127DA. The functional copolymer forms micelles in aqueous solution, with the hydrophilic PEO coronae containing reactive double bonds. The F127DA micelles are copolymerized with acrylamide, 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS), and methyl chloride quaternized N,N‐dimethylamino ethylacrylate (DMAEA‐Q) through free radical copolymerization, generating hydrogels with outstanding toughness, fatigue resistance, and responsiveness to pH, ion strength, and electric field. The polyelectrolyte hydrogels are assembled through electrostatic interactions into devices with periodic structures and property contrast, which enables shape transformations upon external stimuli.
A Preliminary Comparative Study of the Baylis–Hillman Reaction in Ionic Liquid Solution and Gelled Ionic Liquid
Authors: Schön Eva‐Maria , Saldías César , Haldar Debasish , Díaz David
Published: June 2019

Baylis–Hillman reaction in ionic liquid ([BMIM][PF6]) solution under stirring conditions and in the presence of a base (DABCO) can also be performed efficiently in non‐stirred gel phase upon gelation of the ionic liquid using a LMW gelator (i.e., (S)‐N‐(1‐oxo‐3‐phenyl‐1‐(tridecylamino)propan‐2‐yl)benzamide). In this preliminary study, the authors have compared both reaction media and the results showed similar behaviors. Interestingly, the ionogel is found to be slightly more effective affording the desired products with moderately higher yields within a reaction period of 24 h.
Identifying High‐Attenuating and Low‐Attenuating Muscle Using Computerized Tomography and Exploring Its Impact on Physical Function and Muscle Strength in Obese Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Patel Jayshil J. , Baruah Dhiraj , Sobush Dennis , Koester Katie , Aase Jacob , Zellner Stephanie , Graf Jeanette , Durand Matthew J. , Szabo Aniko , Shahir Kaushik
Published: June 2019

Background

Computed tomography (CT) methods to estimate sarcopenia in obesity do not differentiate high‐attenuating from low‐attenuating muscle. The primary purpose of this study was to determine agreement between a CT method using general workstation‐derived total and high‐attenuating psoas muscle cross‐sectional area (CSA) and a commercially available segmentation software–derived value. Secondary purpose was to explore the relationship between quantity of high‐attenuating muscle to physical functioning in a pilot cohort of obese medical intensive care unit (MICU) patients.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational cross‐sectional study. CT images of obese MICU patients were reconstructed to calculate total psoas muscle, low‐attenuating muscle, and high‐attenuating muscle within the third lumbar psoas CSA using a CT method and commercial software. We performed blinded outcome measures of CSA, physical function, and muscle strength in 28 patients.

Results

Concordance correlation coefficient for identifying total psoas muscle was 0.96 (95% confidence interval: 0.93‐0.98, P‐value < 0.0001) between CT method and commercial software. There was moderate correlation between modified Medical Research Council muscle strength scores and high‐attenuating psoas muscle CSA (r = 0.47, P = 0.01) and lower extremity strength and high‐attenuating psoas muscle CSA (r = 0.40, P = 0.04).

Conclusion

There was strong agreement between our CT method and a commercial software method to identify total psoas muscle CSA in obesity. Greater total high‐attenuating psoas CSA moderately correlated with muscle strength. Additional studies using more objective markers of muscle strength validating these findings are needed.
Evidence‐based criteria for palaeopathological recognition: New methodology suggests that the rotator cuff condition will be amenable to reliable identification in the archeologic record
Authors: Rothschild Bruce M.
Published: June 2019

Purpose/research question

Pitting or new bone formation on or around tendon insertions, marginal osteophytes, eburnation, cystic changes, and altered contours have been utilized by some palaeopathologists for recognition of the rotator cuff condition, with the purpose of this paper to evaluate the reliability for diagnosis (sensitivity and specificity) of these criteria as documented in the clinical literature.

Materials and methods

The spectrum of medical literature is examined without time limitation, utilizing the phrase “rotator cuff” to assess criteria utilized for diagnosis of a rotator cuff conditions, the reliability of those criteria, and the relationship to symptoms and limitations/disability.

Results

None of the skeletal features previously referred to by palaeopathologists have reliable indicators for recognition and may simply be age‐related phenomena. New methodology is described, offering the opportunity for confident diagnosis.

Conclusions

There have been no validated evidence‐based criteria applicable for recognizing rotator cuff conditions in skeletons, in the absence of soft tissue structures. Greater tuberosity osteopenia has been noted but not yet evaluated for specificity. Rotator cuff conditions may actually be unrelated to lifestyle but may simply represent the accumulation/culmination of lifetime stresses (aging). The ratio of acromial lateral extension and height provides greater opportunity for confident diagnosis.

Given the disconnection between presence or extent of pathology and clinical symptoms and limitations/disability, identification of any of the components utilized in previous consideration of rotator cuff disease diagnosis does not permit extrapolation to confidently hypothesize lifestyle or occupation.

Contribution to knowledge/originality/value

Documents a methodology for confident diagnosis of rotator cuff disease and the challenge of confident attribution of skeletal conditions and clinical/lifestyle implications

Limitations of this study

Evidence, rather than conjecture/consensus‐based.

Suggestions for further research

Population survey utilizing ratio of acromial length extension and height.
Conjugates of Cryptophycin and RGD or isoDGR Peptidomimetics for Targeted Drug Delivery
Authors: Borbély Adina , Figueras Eduard , Martins Ana , Bodero Lizeth , Raposo Moreira Dias André , López Rivas Paula , Pina Arianna , Arosio Daniela , Gallinari Paola , Frese Marcel , Steinkühler Christian , Gennari Cesare , Piarulli Umberto , Sewald Norbert
Published: June 2019

RGD‐cryptophycin and isoDGR‐cryptophycin conjugates were synthetized by combining peptidomimetic integrin ligands and cryptophycin, a highly potent tubulin‐binding antimitotic agent across lysosomally cleavable Val‐Ala or uncleavable linkers. The conjugates were able to effectively inhibit binding of biotinylated vitronectin to integrin αvβ3, showing a binding affinity in the same range as that of the free ligands. The antiproliferative activity of the novel conjugates was evaluated on human melanoma cells M21 and M21‐L with different expression levels of integrin αvβ3, showing nanomolar potency of all four compounds against both cell lines. Conjugates containing uncleavable linker show reduced activity compared to the corresponding cleavable conjugates, indicating efficient intracellular drug release in the case of cryptophycin‐based SMDCs. However, no significant correlation between the in vitro biological activity of the conjugates and the integrin αvβ3 expression level was observed, which is presumably due to a non‐integrin‐mediated uptake. This reveals the complexity of effective and selective αvβ3 integrin‐mediated drug delivery.
Paleoproteomics of Mesozoic Dinosaurs and Other Mesozoic Fossils
Authors: Schweitzer Mary Higby , Schroeter Elena R. , Cleland Timothy P. , Zheng Wenxia
Published: June 2019

Molecular studies have contributed greatly to our understanding of evolutionary processes that act upon virtually every aspect of living organisms. However, these studies are limited with regard to extinct organisms, particularly those from the Mesozoic because fossils pose unique challenges to molecular workflows, and because prevailing wisdom suggests no endogenous molecular components can persist into deep time. Here, the power and potential of a molecular approach to Mesozoic fossils is discussed. Molecular methods that have been applied to Mesozoic fossils—including iconic, non‐avian dinosaurs— and the challenges inherent in such analyses, are compared and evaluated. Taphonomic processes resulting in the transition of living organisms from the biosphere into the fossil record are reviewed, and the possible effects of taphonomic alteration on downstream analyses that can be problematic for very old material (e.g., molecular modifications, limitations of on comparative databases) are addressed. Molecular studies applied to ancient remains are placed in historical context, and past and current studies are evaluated with respect to producing phylogenetically and/or evolutionarily significant data. Finally, some criteria for assessing the presence of endogenous biomolecules in very ancient fossil remains are suggested as a starting framework for such studies.
Cell Uptake of Lipid‐Coated Diamond
Authors: Morita Aryan , Martinez Felipe P. Perona , Chipaux Mayeul , Jamot Nicolas , Hemelaar Simon R. , van der Laan Kiran J. , Schirhagl Romana
Published: June 2019

Fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) can be used as nanoscale magnetic resonance sensors and stable optical labels. As a first step for using FNDs as nanosensors inside cells, they have to be ingested. Several techniques that improve particle uptake have been used. A simple approach based on commercially available liposomes is used to improve uptake. Uptake into colon cancer cells (HT‐29 cells) is demonstrated. Additionally, it is shown for the first time that one can facilitate diamond uptake into yeast cells by removing the cell wall and creating a so‐called spheroplast. Finally, the characteristics of FNDs coated with lipids and their behavior inside the cells are evaluated.
Experimental study on whether and how particle size affects the flame propagation and explosibility of oil shale dust
Authors: Wang Junfeng , Meng Xiangbao , Ma Xuesong , Xiao Qin , Liu Bo , Zhang Gongyan
Published: June 2019

Flame propagation tests and explosibility tests were conducted on three different particle sizes of dust samples with a vertical glass tube and a 20 L spherical explosibility test apparatus. The explosibility was examined using Pmax, [dp/dt]max, and tb. Proximate analysis and SEM analysis were performed on the oil shale dust samples before and after explosion. The results indicate that, within a given limit of particle size, the smaller the particle size, the greater the flame propagation velocity and explosibility of oil shale dust; beyond this limit, oxygen content and particle agglomeration will both make a difference, eventually weakened the combustion reaction. The extent to which particle size affects explosibility also varies as a function of concentration, and the optimum concentration of dust was found to vary with mass median particle size. The process of the oil shale dust explosion is mainly the volatile matter combustion reaction. Particle size affects oil shale dust explosion primarily as a result of the different pyrolysis rate and amount of volatile matter.
Adaptive fixed‐time fault‐tolerant control for rigid spacecraft using a double power reaching law
Authors: Tao Meiling , Chen Qiang , He Xiongxiong , Sun Mingxuan
Published: June 2019

In this paper, an adaptive fixed‐time fault‐tolerant control scheme is presented for rigid spacecraft with inertia uncertainties and external disturbances. By using an inverse trigonometric function, a novel double power reaching law is constructed to speed up the state stabilization and reduce the chattering phenomenon simultaneously. Then, an adaptive fixed‐time fault‐tolerant controller is developed for the spacecraft with the actuator faults, such that the fixed‐time convergence of the attitude and angular velocity could be guaranteed, and no prior knowledge on the upper bound of the lumped uncertainties is required anymore in the controller design. Comparative simulations are provided to illustrate the effectiveness and superior performance of the proposed scheme.
Human influence on the morphological adjustment of river channels: The evolution of pertinent concepts in river science
Authors: Gregory Kenneth J.
Published: June 2019

Whereas 6 decades ago little attention was accorded to the influence of human activity on affecting river channel adjustment, great progress has been made subsequently, with many contributions published in River Research and Applications. Many concepts have been involved, and this paper considers how they have arisen and developed during a sequence of complementary research stages. The first stage during the 1970s and 1980s, including research by Geoff Petts, involved “recognition of change” and saw the emergence of two separate research strands focused on different timescales: over shorter timescales river channel adjustments affected by the impacts of dams and reservoirs, channelization, land use changes, and urban effects; over longer timescales investigations of river metamorphosis. The second “realization” stage involved significant advances in understanding by considering interaction between these two timescales, more detailed investigations of changing processes, a more holistic catchment‐based approach, and incorporation of ecological changes. These advances led into the third stage, “application” of results, stimulated by analysis of the effects of hard and soft engineering, development of international drivers such as the Water Framework Directive, and concern for what is “natural.” This paper evaluates this sequence of stages, the concepts that have emerged, the extent to which they are consistent and sustainable, and how they can provide the foundation for evaluation of channel adjustments. The effects of urbanization in Fountain Hills, Arizona, USA provide an illustration. Finally, the future requirement for adaptation of existing concepts and the possible development of new ones is briefly considered in the context of global environmental changes.
Enhanced Stability and Optimized Morphology Induced by Electric‐Field‐Assisted Annealing of Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells
Authors: Vijayan Raaghesh , Azeez Abdul , Narayan Kavassery S.
Published: June 2019

The utility of electric fields during the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) film drying process for tuning the morphology and stability of the device is demonstrated. An external electric‐field‐assisted annealing (EFTA) treatment is used to engineer the stability of amorphous donor polymer‐based BHJs without compromising device performance. Residual additive in the device post fabrication is a major source of degradation. Thermal annealing of an active layer effectively removes residual additive, which in case of amorphous polymer donor‐based BHJs, however, leads to unfavorable changes in the morphology. The detrimental effect of thermal annealing in amorphous donor polymer‐based solar cells is mitigated by the presence of an electric field during the drying stage. The complete removal of additive is ensured by this treatment procedure and leads to improved packing and a rigid morphology. The structural stability is reflected in the performance parameters monitored over the long term and electrical noise measurements. The magnitude and polarity of the applied electric field are observed to control the vertical distribution of donor and acceptor components.