bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct enantioseparation of mandelic acid by high‐performance liquid chromatography using a phenyl column precoated with a small amount of cyclodextrin additive in a mobile phase
Authors: Watanabe Yuri , Mikami Ikko , Yamamoto Atsushi , Aizawa Sen‐ichi , Taga Atsushi , Mochizuki Naoki , Ishihara Yoshimi , Kodama Shuji
Published: April 2020

Direct enantioseparation of mandelic acid by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a reversed phase column and a mobile phase containing a small amount of hydroxylpropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD) was studied as an efficient method for saving consumption of the CD additive. As a result, it was proposed that racemic mandelic acid can be analyzed with a phenyl column by using a mobile phase composed of 10 mM ammonium acetate buffer (pH 4.2) and 0.02% (w/v) HP‐β‐CD at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min at 40°C after the passage of 10 mM ammonium acetate buffer (pH 4.2) containing 0.1% (w/v) HP‐β‐CD as a precoating mobile phase for 60 min. It is suggested that HP‐β‐CD is bound with a phenyl group on the surface of the stationary phase to allow a phenyl column to act as a transient chiral column, and injected mandelic acid can form the ternary complex with the adsorbed HP‐β‐CD. The longer retention time of D‐mandelic acid than the L‐isomer for HPLC can be explained from the higher stability of the HP‐β‐CD complex with D‐mandelic acid, which was confirmed by CE experiment with HP‐β‐CD as a selector. The efficiency of a phenyl column compared with other stationary phases was also discussed.
Phased implementation for breast cancer management in low‐income and middle‐income countries: A proposal for the strategic application of resource‐stratified guidelines by the Breast Health Global Initiative
Authors: Dvaladze Allison , Duggan Catherine , Anderson Benjamin O.
Published: April 2020

Women around the world continue to face obstacles to receiving timely, effective, and high‐quality breast cancer care. The sixth global summit of the Breast Health Global Initiative has published a supplement in Cancer proposing phased implementation as an evidence‐based methodology with which to translate resource‐stratified guidelines into practice.
Image quality assessment by an efficient correlation‐based metric
Authors: Lin Li‐Hui , Chen Tzong‐Jer
Published: April 2020

Image quality can be measured visually. In the human visual system, a compressed image can be judged by the human eye. Image quality may not be perceived to decline in a region with low compression. However, image quality clearly declines in a region with high compression. As image compression increases, image quality gradually transitions from visually lossless to lossy. In this study, we aim to explain this phenomenon. A few images from different datasets were selected and compressed using JJ2000 and Apollo, which are well‐known image compression algorithms. Then, error‐based and correlation‐based metrics were applied to these images. The correlation‐based metrics agree with human‐vision evaluations in experiments, but the error‐based metrics do not. Inspired by the positive result of the correlation‐based metrics, a new metric named the simple correlation factor (SCF) was proposed to explain the aforementioned phenomenon. The results of the SCF show good consistency with human‐vision results for several datasets. In addition, the computation efficiency of the SCF is better than that of the existing correlation‐based metrics.
Additive‐Free Conversion of Internal Alkynes by Phosphanylalumanes: Production of Phosphorus/Aluminum Frustrated Lewis Pairs
Authors: Yanagisawa Tatsuya , Mizuhata Yoshiyuki , Tokitoh Norihiro
Published: April 2020

Internal and terminal alkynes react with phosphanylalumanes, i. e., P−Al single‐bond species, through heating but without any additional additives. The reactions with internal alkynes afforded the corresponding adducts with cis‐1,2‐form in moderate yields (54–80 %). In addition, alkyne adducts thus obtained function as P/Al‐based C2‐vicinal FLPs, and the FLP addition reactions with benzaldehyde and CO2 were demonstrated. Furthermore, in the reaction of 2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl‐substituted alkyne adducts with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, an unexpected CAr−CMe bond cleavage characteristic of this system was demonstrated.
The Microbiome and the Gut‐Liver‐Brain Axis for Central Nervous System Clinical Pharmacology: Challenges in Specifying and Integrating In Vitro and In Silico Models
Authors: Hawkins Kyle G. , Casolaro Caleb , Brown Jacquelyn A. , Edwards David A. , Wikswo John P.
Published: April 2020

The complexity of integrating microbiota into clinical pharmacology, environmental toxicology, and opioid studies arises from bidirectional and multiscale interactions between humans and their many microbiota, notably those of the gut. Hosts and each microbiota are governed by distinct central dogmas, with genetics influencing transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. Each microbiota's metabolome differentially modulates its own and the host's multi‐omics. Exogenous compounds (e.g., drugs and toxins), often affect host multi‐omics differently than microbiota multi‐omics, shifting the balance between drug efficacy and toxicity. The complexity of the host‐microbiota connection has been informed by current methods of in vitro bacterial cultures and in vivo mouse models, but they fail to elucidate mechanistic details. Together, in vitro organ‐on‐chip microphysiological models, multi‐omics, and in silico computational models have the potential to supplement the established methods to help clinical pharmacologists and environmental toxicologists unravel the myriad of connections between the gut microbiota and host health and disease.
Lupus erythematosus cell in body fluids: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Ningombam Aparna , Sarkar Abhirup , Acharya Shreyam , Chopra Anita
Published: April 2020

The diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has undergone radical change after the development of serological techniques. The in vitro demonstration of lupus erythematosus (LE) cell has less significance for the diagnosis of SLE in the present scenario. Although over the years, the spontaneous in vivo occurrence of LE cell in numerous body fluids as an initial presentation of SLE has been documented. The report of the presence of the LE cell can not only aid in the further workup of the patient but also suggest the involvement of a particular organ or body cavities by SLE. The morphology and mimickers of the LE cell should be cogitated and meticulous search of such cells should play an important role in the evaluation of body fluids. In our case, the patient presented at emergency with pericardial tamponade and cytological evaluation of the pericardial fluid demonstrated in vivo presence of LE cells. The serological work‐up then confirmed the case to be SLE. This report and review of literature wish to highlight the fact that this cell still plays a significant role even in the era of immunoassays.
Quantifying drought’s influence on moist soil seed vegetation in California’s Central Valley through remote sensing
Authors: Byrd Kristin B. , Lorenz Austen A. , Anderson James A. , Wallace Cynthia S. A. , Moore‐O’Leary Kara A. , Isola Jennifer , Ortega Ricardo , Reiter Matthew E.
Published: April 2020

California’s Central Valley, USA is a critical component of the Pacific Flyway despite loss of more than 90% of its wetlands. Moist soil seed (MSS) wetland plants are now produced by mimicking seasonal flooding in managed wetlands to provide an essential food resource for waterfowl. Managers need MSS plant area and productivity estimates to support waterfowl conservation, yet this remains unknown at the landscape scale. Also the effects of recent drought on MSS plants have not been quantified. We generated Landsat‐derived estimates of extents and productivity (seed yield or its proxy, the green chlorophyll index) of major MSS plants including watergrass (Echinochloa crusgalli) and smartweed (Polygonumspp.) (WGSW), and swamp timothy (Crypsis schoenoides) (ST) in all Central Valley managed wetlands from 2007 to 2017. We tested the effects of water year, land ownership and region on plant area and productivity with a multifactor nested analysis of variance. For the San Joaquin Valley, we explored the association between water year and water supply, and we developed metrics to support management decisions. MSS plant area maps were based on a support vector machine classification of Landsat phenology metrics (2017 map overall accuracy: 89%). ST productivity maps were created with a linear regression model of seed yield (n = 68,R2 = 0.53, normalized RMSE = 10.5%). The Central Valley‐wide estimated area for ST in 2017 was 32,369 ha (29,845–34,893 ha 95% CI), and 13,012 ha (11,628–14,396 ha) for WGSW. Mean ST seed yield ranged from 577 kg/ha in the Delta Basin to 365 kg/ha in the San Joaquin Basin. WGSW area and ST seed yield decreased while ST area increased in critical drought years compared to normal water years (Scheffe’s test,P < 0.05). Greatest ST area increases occurred in the Sacramento Valley (~75%). Voluntary water deliveries increased in normal water years, and ST seed yield increased with water supply.Zscores of ST seed yield can be used to evaluate wetland performance and aid resource allocation decisions. Updated maps will support habitat monitoring, conservation planning and water management in future years, which are likely to face greater uncertainty in water availability with climate change.
Evolutionary and plastic changes in a native annual plant after a historic drought
Authors: Lambrecht Susan C. , Gujral Anjum K. , Renshaw Lani J. , Rosengreen Lars T.
Published: April 2020

Severe droughts are forecast to increase with global change. Approaches that enable the study of contemporary evolution, such as resurrection studies, are valuable for providing insights into the responses of populations to global change. In this study, we used a resurrection approach to study the evolution of the California nativeLeptosiphon bicolor(true babystars, Polemoniaceae) across populations differing in precipitation in response to the state's recent prolonged drought (2011–2017). In the Mediterranean climate region in whichL. bicolorgrows, this historic drought effectively shortened its growing season. We used seeds collected both before and after this drought from three populations found along a moisture availability gradient to assess contemporary evolution in a common garden greenhouse study. We coupled this with a drought experiment to examine plasticity. We found evolution toward earlier flowering after the historic drought in the wettest of the three populations, while plasticity to experimental drought was observed across all three. We also observed trade‐offs associated with earlier flowering. In the driest population, plants that flowered earlier had lower intrinsic water‐use efficiency than those flowering later, which was an expected pattern. Unexpectedly, earlier flowering plants had larger flowers. Two populations exhibited evolution and plasticity toward smaller flowers with drought. The third exhibited evolution toward larger flowers, but displayed no plasticity. Our results provide valuable insights into differences among native plant populations in response to drought.
Changes in physicochemical profiles and quality of apple juice treated by ultrafiltration and during its storage
Authors: Cai Ming , Xie Chunfang , Lv Yuqing , Yang Kai , Sun Peilong
Published: April 2020

Effects of various factors, such as membrane materials, molecular weight cutoff, transmembrane pressure (TMP), and cross flow rate (CFR) on flux and physicochemical properties of apple juice during ultrafiltration and storage have been investigated. Clarity, color, total phenols, total proteins, total sugars, total soluble solids (TSS), pH, and some specific polyphenols of juices were evaluated. Results show that at conditions of PES‐10 kDa, CFR 30 L/hr, and TMP 0.75 MPa, a clarified juice obtained with color 0.15 A, clarity 96.94%T, TSS 9.55 °Brix, pH 4.2, and total phenols, total proteins, and total sugars were 64.12 and 13.20 μg/ml and 50.70 mg/ml, respectively. Chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, phloridzin, catechin, and caffeic acid decreased differently from 32.63, 17.33, 3.25, 7.58, and 0.75 μg/ml to 17.24, 12.38, 1.79, 5.27, and 0.25 μg/ml, respectively. Storage in refrigeration for 4 weeks, clarity, total sugars, and total phenols reduced by 2.5%, 6.4%, and 16.6%, respectively, while TSS increased by 3.1%.
Procedural precautions and personal protective equipment during head and neck instrumentation in the COVID‐19 era
Authors: Panuganti Bharat A. , Pang John , Califano Joseph , Chan Jason Y. K.
Published: April 2020

Background

Otolaryngologists represent a subset of health care workers uniquely vulnerable to COVID‐19 transmission. Given the segmentation of extant guidelines concerning precautions and protective equipment for SARS‐CoV2, we aimed to provide consolidated recommendations regarding appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in head neck surgery during the COVID‐19 era.

Methods

Guidelines published by international and US governing bodies were reviewed in conjunction with published literature concerning COVID‐19 transmission risk, testing, and PPE, to compile situation‐specific recommendations for head and neck providers managing COVID‐19 patients.

Results

High‐quality data regarding the aerosolization potential of head and neck instrumentation and appropriate PPE during head and neck surgeries are lacking. However, extrapolation of recommendations by governing bodies suggests strongly that head and neck mucosal instrumentation warrants strict adherence to airborne‐level precautions.

Conclusion

We present a series of situation‐specific recommendations for PPE use and other procedural precautions for otolaryngology providers to consider in the COVID‐19 era.
Father–child literacy teaching activities as a unique predictor of Chinese preschool children's word reading skills
Authors: Xiao Nan , Che Yishu , Zhang Xiao , Song Zhanmei , Zhang Yuanyuan , Yin Shaoqing
Published: April 2020

This study examined the relationship between the frequency of mother–child and father–child literacy teaching activities and the reading skills of Chinese preschool children. A total of 105 Hong Kong Chinese preschoolers and their fathers and mothers were involved. Fathers and mothers independently reported the frequency of their own literacy teaching activities (i.e., reading Chinese characters, recognizing Chinese characters based on their pronunciations and writing Chinese characters). Children were tested individually on their Chinese word reading skills, receptive vocabulary and verbal memory. Structural equation modelling was used to assess the relations between mother–child and father–child literacy teaching activities and children's reading skills. The results showed that, although mothers engaged in home literacy teaching activities more frequently than did fathers, the participation of fathers—and not mothers—in Chinese literacy teaching activities significantly predicted their children's Chinese reading skills after controlling for vocabulary, verbal memory and demographic variables (i.e., parental education, the child's age and gender). The results highlight the importance of paternal involvement in home education for Chinese preschoolers' literacy learning.

Highlights

This study examines the relation between mother–child and father–child literacy teaching activities and preschoolers' reading skills.

Based on parental questionnaires and children's individual tests, the participation of fathers in Chinese literacy teaching activities significantly predicts their children's reading skills.

The results highlight the importance of paternal involvement in home education for Chinese preschoolers' literacy learning.
The effect of different irrigation treatments on yield and water productivity of Arachis Hypogaea L. under semi‐arid conditions in Iran
Authors: Khodadadi Dehkordi Davoud
Published: April 2020

The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of varied irrigation regimes on the yield, irrigation water productivity (IWP) and crop water productivity (CWP) of Arachis hypogaea L. under pressurized irrigation in the south‐west of Iran (Hamidiyeh, Khuzestan Province, Iran). The test was performed in a split‐plot pattern. The main treatments were three irrigation frequencies (Fs) based on varied levels of cumulative pan evaporation (CPE) amounts (F1: 35 mm; F2: 60 mm; F3: 85 mm of CPE). The subtreatments were seven irrigation water levels (Is) (I1 = 60%, I2 = 85%, I3 = 100%, I4 = 135% (of actual evapotranspiration (ETc)), I5 = PRZD60, I6 = PRZD85 and I7 = PRZD100 treatments) with four replications. The partial root‐zone drying (PRZD) treatments received 60, 85 and 100% of the actual evapotranspiration (ETc), respectively, from replacing laterals. Crops were planted on 1 June 2017 and 1 June 2018. The results indicated that the F2I4 treatment in both years showed the greatest peanut yield (PY). Moreover, in order to avoid greater PY loss the PRZD method was a proper and favourable option compared with traditional deficit irrigation (DI). However, PY declined by an average of 11.1 and 3.4% compared to the F2I4 treatment in 2017 and 2018, respectively, but the F2I7 treatment had about 16.3 and 16.1% lower water value than the F2I4 treatment. PRZD treatments (I5 and I6) have effective amended PY than deficit irrigation treatments (I1 and I2) in both growing seasons, whereas these treatments received the same amount of moisture for all Fs (F1, F2 and F3). In the end, crop water productivity and IWP amounts also declined with rising irrigation frequency. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
“We Are All Projects…Together We’re Strong”
Authors: Crandall Bryan Ripley , Baldizon Jessica , King William
Published: April 2020

In this commentary, a National Writing Project site director and two teachers reflect on the philosophy of ubuntu as it helped them redesign a writing community between teachers and students in Connecticut. With the guidance of writing activity genre research, the authors discuss the creation of Young Adult Literacy Labs, including Ubuntu Academy, a two‐week literacy program for immigrant and refugee youth. In the work, young people participating in a number of literacy labs work alongside teachers in a summer institute for teaching writing. The redesign has fostered many relationships with community organizations and inspired numerous collaborations throughout the school year.
Osteoblast–Osteoclast Coculture Amplifies Inhibitory Effects of FG‐4592 on Human Osteoclastogenesis and Reduces Bone Resorption
Authors: Hulley Philippa A , Papadimitriou‐Olivgeri Ioanna , Knowles Helen J
Published: April 2020

The link between bone and blood vessels is regulated by hypoxia and the hypoxia‐inducible transcription factor, HIF, which drives both osteogenesis and angiogenesis. The recent clinical approval of PHD enzyme inhibitors, which stabilize HIF protein, introduces the potential for a new clinical strategy to treat osteolytic conditions such as osteoporosis, osteonecrosis, and skeletal fracture and nonunion. However, bone‐resorbing osteoclasts also play a central role in bone remodeling and pathological osteolysis, and HIF promotes osteoclast activation and bone loss in vitro. It is therefore likely that the result of PHD enzyme inhibition in vivo would be mediated by a balance between increased bone formation and increased bone resorption. It is essential that we improve our understanding of the effects of HIF on osteoclast formation and function and consider the potential contribution of inhibitory interactions with other musculoskeletal cells. The PHD enzyme inhibitor FG‐4592 stabilized HIF protein and stimulated osteoclast‐mediated bone resorption, but inhibited differentiation of human CD14+ monocytes into osteoclasts. Formation of osteoclasts in a more physiologically relevant 3D collagen gel did not affect the sensitivity of osteoclastogenesis to FG‐4592, but increased sensitivity to reduced concentrations of RANKL. Coculture with osteoblasts amplified inhibition of osteoclastogenesis by FG‐4592, whether the osteoblasts were proliferating, differentiating, or in the presence of exogenous M‐CSF and RANKL. Osteoblast coculture dampened the ability of high concentrations of FG‐4592 to increase bone resorption. These data provide support for the therapeutic use of PHD enzyme inhibitors to improve bone formation and/or reduce bone loss for the treatment of osteolytic pathologies and indicate that FG‐4592 might act in vivo to inhibit the formation and activity of the osteoclasts that drive osteolysis. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Japanese International Medical Graduates and the United States clinical training experience: Challenges abroad and methods to overcome them
Authors: Heist Brian S. , Torok Haruka Matsubara
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Due to the large language and cultural distances between Japan and the US compared to many countries, Japanese International Medical Graduates (IMGs) may have a different US training experience, including more stress, than many IMGs. We examined the US clinical training experience for Japanese IMGs, including the challenges encountered, how those challenges are overcome, and the benefits of US training.

Methods

We performed individual semistructured interviews with 35 purposively sampled Japanese IMGs who had completed US clinical training. Exploratory thematic analysis was conducted using iterative data collection and constant comparison.

Results

All participants reported high personal growth and that US clinical training was worth the sacrifices. Commonly fatigue was lower than during Japanese residency. Participants explained medical practice and local culture associated challenges that aligned with literature on US graduates and other IMGs. By contrast, nearly all participants reported that English communication was very challenging, and described specific language related struggles and methods to help overcome them. Communication struggles were contextualized within an American training culture that values verbal assertiveness. Self‐esteem varied among participants and, for some participants, improved with confidence in communication. Several participants reported depression and other mental illness. The training environment varied among residency programs.

Conclusions

Japanese IMGs who completed US training report that it was worth it, but describe significant language and culture related struggles and effects on mental health. Further research should address which Japanese IMGs are most likely to struggle, how this will transpire, and how to optimize the US clinical training experience.
Favourable outcomes for high‐risk Burkitt lymphoma patients (IPI 3‐5) treated with rituximab plus CODOX‐M/IVAC: Results of a phase 2 UK NCRI trial
Authors: Phillips Elizabeth H. , Burton Catherine , Kirkwood Amy A. , Barrans Sharon , Lawrie Anthony , Rule Simon , Patmore Russell , Pettengell Ruth , Ardeshna Kirit M. , Montoto Silvia , Paneesha Shankara , Clifton‐Hadley Laura , Linch David C. , McMillan Andrew K.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Outcomes after frontline treatment of Burkitt lymphoma (BL) have improved with the introduction of dose‐intense chemotherapy regimens, such as CODOX‐M/IVAC. While rituximab has increased survival rates for most forms of high‐grade B‐cell lymphoma, there has previously been hesitancy about incorporating it into BL treatment, partly due to concerns about increased toxicity. Prospective data using the standard dose CODOX‐M/IVAC regimen in combination with rituximab are lacking. We conducted a single‐arm phase 2 trial to assess the efficacy and toxicity of R‐CODOX‐M/R‐IVAC.

Methods

Eligible patients were aged 18–65 years, with newly diagnosed BL with MYC rearrangement as the sole cytogenetic abnormality, and high‐risk disease, defined by an International Prognostic Index (IPI) score of 3‐5. Patients received two cycles of R‐CODOX‐M chemotherapy alternating with two cycles of R‐IVAC, followed by two further cycles of rituximab alone. The primary endpoint was 2‐year progression‐free survival.

Results

Thirty‐eight patients were registered but after central pathology review, 27 patients had confirmed BL and commenced study treatment. Median age was 35 years, 14.8% patients had central nervous system involvement and 18.5% were HIV positive. Twenty‐two (81.4%) patients completed four cycles of chemotherapy. There were two treatment‐related deaths (7.4%). Two‐year progression‐free and overall survival rates were 77.2% (90% confidence interval [CI]: 56.0‐89.0) and 80.7% (90% CI: 59.6‐91.5), respectively.

Conclusions

This prospective trial demonstrates excellent survival rates with R‐CODOX‐M/R‐IVAC in a high‐risk BL cohort. It provides reassuring evidence regarding the feasibility of this regimen and also provides a benchmark for future studies.
How certain can we really be that our boss is trustworthy, and does it matter? A metacognitive perspective on employee evaluations of supervisor trustworthiness
Authors: Holtz Brian C. , De Cremer David , Hu Biyun , Kim Joseph , Giacalone Robert A.
Published: April 2020

This research helps to integrate the metacognitive concept of evaluation certainty into the trust literature by demonstrating that certainty can amplify the effects of trustworthiness evaluations and stabilize trustworthiness evaluations over time. Across an experimental study (Study 1) and a multiwave survey of employees (Study 2), we show that trustworthiness evaluations exert a stronger influence on individuals' trust at higher levels of certainty and that trust transmits the multiplicative effects of trustworthiness evaluations and certainty on key indicators of employee risk‐taking including reliance and disclosure behavior. Further, in Study 2, we show that certainty can help predict change in trustworthiness evaluations over time. Finally, in a two‐wave field survey (Study 3), we examine factors that influence evaluation certainty and show that relational transparency and leader prototypicality (LP) have interactive effects on employees' certainty such that the influence of relational transparency on certainty will be more positive at higher levels of LP. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Sequential multiple retinal vein occlusions and transient ischemic attack inMTHFRpolymorphism and protein S deficiency
Authors: Cho Ahra , Ragi Sara D. , Oh Jin Kyun , Lima de Carvalho Jose Ronaldo , Ryu Joseph , Yang Ber‐Yuh , Tsang Stephen H.
Published: April 2020

Background

The C677T variant of theMTHFR(5,10‐Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) gene is associated with increased susceptibility to homocystinuria (OMIM#236250), neural tube defects (OMIM#601634), schizophrenia (OMIM#181500), thromboembolism (OMIM#188050), and vascular diseases. Protein S deficiency is also associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism from reduced thrombin generation. In this report, we describe the case of a patient who presented with multiple retinal vein occlusions likely caused by an underlying combination of a homozygousMTHFRC677T variant and protein S deficiency.

Methods

We performed 8 years of continuous ophthalmic follow‐up of one patient diagnosed with central retinal vein occlusion. Peripheral blood was collected for metabolic evaluation and hypercoagulability assessment. Targeted gene sequencing was used for genetic diagnosis. Examination of the retinal vasculature was performed through dilated funduscopic examination, digital color fundus and ultrawide‐field color fundus photography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiography.

Results

Sequential retinal vein occlusions and a transient ischemic attack were observed during the follow‐up period. Targeted gene sequencing by PCR identified the homozygousMTHFRC677T variant. The metabolic profile indicated low‐protein S activity, high levels of vitamin B6, and LDL cholesterol consistent with her hypercoagulable state. Prescription of low‐dose aspirin and atorvastatin for hypercholesterolemia resulted in no further neovascularization, leakage, or vein occlusion.

Conclusion

Retinal vein occlusions associated with theMTHFRC677T variant and protein S deficiency may signal impending systemic thromboembolic episodes and warrant aggressive preventative measures.
Uniform exponential stabilization of nonlinear systems in Banach spaces
Authors: Ouzahra Mohamed
Published: April 2020

This paper presents necessary and sufficient conditions for uniform exponential stabilization of a class of nonlinear systems in Banach state spaces. The stabilization assumptions are formulated in terms of integral estimates involving the control operator and the state of the uncontrolled version of the system at hand. An explicit estimate of the convergence speed is given. Applications to feedback stabilization of affine control systems are given. Illustrative examples are further provided.
A problem of capillarity under Neumann condition
Authors: Vetro Francesca
Published: April 2020

We formulate a Neumann variational problem, which characterizes the capillary phenomena, and disLaplacian‐like operator defined bycuss the existence of nontrivial weak solutions. We get the results using sufficient hypotheses on the reaction term.
Combining foam injection molding with batch foaming to improve cell density and control cellular orientation via multiple gas dissolution and desorption processes
Authors: Zhou Ying‐Guo , Chen Tuo‐Yang
Published: April 2020

In contrast to solid parts fabricated through conventional injection molding (CIM), foamed parts manufactured via foam injection molding (FIM) exhibit substantial variations in mechanical properties, which are attributed to differences in the cellular structure. In this study, parts with different cellular structures are fabricated via FIM, during which the gas dissolution and desorption processes are controlled by subjecting the gas‐laden melt to reciprocating compression and expansion operations. The results suggest that the cell density can be drastically improved by rapidly decreasing the pressure caused by the mold opening and that the cell orientation obviously occurs in the direction perpendicular to the mold‐opening direction. Moreover, the cell density and cellular orientation can be adjusted by utilizing appropriate mold opening and closing operations, leading to improvements in the resultant ultimate mechanical properties. In particular, the foamed samples fabricated with controlled mold opening‐closing operations exhibit excellent tensile strength and strain‐at‐break, indicating that samples containing a high density of cells oriented along the tensile test direction facilitate the formation of superductility and an increase in tensile strength. Hence, a method that combines FIM with batch foaming has been proposed for improving the cellular structure and controlling the cellular orientation.
The Social Network: How Friends’ Online Behavior and Belongingness Needs Influence Political Activity
Authors: Bäck Hanna , Renström Emma A. , Sivén David
Published: April 2020

Are people more likely to become more politically active through social media when they observe that their friends are active? Previous research has shown that an individual's likelihood of engaging politically is influenced by observations of how friends act through social media, but relatively little is known about how such social influence through social media interacts with personality features. We argue that individuals with high belongingness needs will engage in political activity if they believe that this is expected from the social groups they belong to. To evaluate this hypothesis, a survey experiment was designed (n = 289) in Qualtrics. We had two experimental conditions (friends or extended network) in which we informed participants that the most shared or “liked” online material among their friends or extended network on Facebook was a specific petition. In a control condition, they were informed that they were shown a random petition. To increase the credibility of the manipulation, we asked participants to log into a fictive app that supposedly downloaded their Facebook data. We show that individuals are more likely to engage politically if they observe that their friends have been politically active on Facebook, but only if they have high belongingness needs.
Boundary control of stochastic reaction‐diffusion systems with Markovian switching
Authors: Han Xin‐Xin , Wu Kai‐Ning , Ding Xiaohua , Yang Baoqing
Published: April 2020

This article focuses on the boundary control of stochastic Markovian reaction‐diffusion systems (SMRDSs). Both the cases of completely known and partially unknown transition probabilities are taken into account. By using the Lyapunov functional method, a sufficient condition is obtained under the designed boundary controllers to guarantee the asymptotic mean square stability for SMRDSs with completely known transition probabilities. For the case of partially unknown transition probabilities, we introduce free‐connection weighting matrices to handle the boundary control problem. When external disturbance enters the system, a sufficient criterion of H‐infinity boundary control is developed. Furthermore, robust stabilization is investigated for parametric uncertain SMRDSs in both cases. Two examples are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approaches.
From Precursor Chemistry to Gas Sensors: Plasma‐Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition Process Engineering for Zinc Oxide Layers from a Nonpyrophoric Zinc Precursor for Gas Barrier and Sensor Applications
Authors: Mai Lukas , Mitschker Felix , Bock Claudia , Niesen Alessia , Ciftyurek Engin , Rogalla Detlef , Mickler Johannes , Erig Matthias , Li Zheshen , Awakowicz Peter , Schierbaum Klaus , Devi Anjana
Published: April 2020

The identification of bis‐3‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)propyl zinc ([Zn(DMP)2], BDMPZ) as a safe and potential alternative to the highly pyrophoric diethyl zinc (DEZ) as atomic layer deposition (ALD) precursor for ZnO thin films is reported. Owing to the intramolecular stabilization, BDMPZ is a thermally stable, volatile, nonpyrophoric solid compound, however, it possesses a high reactivity due to the presence of Zn‐C and Zn‐N bonds in this complex. Employing this precursor, a new oxygen plasma enhanced (PE)ALD process in the deposition temperature range of 60 and 160 °C is developed. The resulting ZnO thin films are uniform, smooth, stoichiometric, and highly transparent. The deposition on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) at 60 °C results in dense and compact ZnO layers for a thickness as low as 7.5 nm with encouraging oxygen transmission rates (OTR) compared to the bare PET substrates. As a representative application of the ZnO layers, the gas sensing properties are investigated. A high response toward NO2 is observed without cross‐sensitivities against NH3 and CO. Thus, the new PEALD process employing BDMPZ has the potential to be a safe substitute to the commonly used DEZ processes.
The Nano–Intestine Interaction: Understanding the Location‐Oriented Effects of Engineered Nanomaterials in the Intestine
Authors: Cui Xuejing , Bao Lin , Wang Xiaoyu , Chen Chunying
Published: April 2020

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are used in food additives, food packages, and therapeutic purposes owing to their useful properties, Therefore, human beings are orally exposed to exogenous nanomaterials frequently, which means the intestine is one of the primary targets of nanomaterials. Consequently, it is of great importance to understand the interaction between nanomaterials and the intestine. When nanomaterials enter into gut lumen, they inevitably interact with various components and thereby display different effects on the intestine based on their locations; these are known as location‐oriented effects (LOE). The intestinal LOE confer a new biological‐effect profile for nanomaterials, which is dependent on the involvement of the following biological processes: nano–mucus interaction, nano–intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) interaction, nano–immune interaction, and nano–microbiota interaction. A deep understanding of NM‐induced LOE will facilitate the design of safer NMs and the development of more efficient nanomedicine for intestine‐related diseases. Herein, recent progress in this field is reviewed in order to better understand the LOE of nanomaterials. The distant effects of nanomaterials coupling with microbiota are also highlighted. Investigation of the interaction of nanomaterials with the intestine will stimulate other new research areas beyond intestinal nanotoxicity.
21st Century Tools for Nanotoxicology: Transcriptomic Biomarker Panel and Precision‐Cut Lung Slice Organ Mimic System for the Assessment of Nanomaterial‐Induced Lung Fibrosis
Authors: Rahman Luna , Williams Andrew , Gelda Krishna , Nikota Jake , Wu Dongmei , Vogel Ulla , Halappanavar Sabina
Published: April 2020

There is an urgent need for reliable toxicity assays to support the human health risk assessment of an ever increasing number of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). Animal testing is not a suitable option for ENMs. Sensitive in vitro models and mechanism‐based targeted in vitro assays that enable accurate prediction of in vivo responses are not yet available. In this proof‐of‐principle study, publicly available mouse lung transcriptomics data from studies investigating xenobiotic‐induced lung diseases are used and a 17‐gene biomarker panel (PFS17) applicable to the assessment of lung fibrosis is developed. The PFS17 is validated using a limited number of in vivo mouse lung transcriptomics datasets from studies investigating ENM‐induced responses. In addition, an ex vivo precision‐cut lung slice (PCLS) model is optimized for screening of potentially inflammogenic and pro‐fibrotic ENMs. Using bleomycin and a multiwalled carbon nanotube, the practical application of the PCLS method as a sensitive alternative to whole animal tests to screen ENMs that may potentially induce inhalation toxicity is shown. Conditional to further optimization and validation, it is established that a combination of PFS17 and the ex vivo PCLS method will serve as a robust and sensitive approach to assess lung inflammation and fibrosis induced by ENMs.
Direct Fabrication of Freestanding and Patterned Nanoporous Junctions in a 3D Micro‐Nanofluidic Device for Ion‐Selective Transport
Authors: Kim Junhyun , Park Sang Min , Choi Dongwhi , Kim Dong Sung
Published: April 2020

In the field of micro‐nanofluidics, a freestanding configuration of a nanoporous junction is highly demanded to increase the design flexibility of the microscale device and the interfacial area between the nanoporous junction and microchannels, thereby improving the functionality and performance. This work first reports direct fabrication and incorporation of a freestanding nanoporous junction in a microfluidic device by performing an electrolyte‐assisted electrospinning process to fabricate a freestanding nanofiber membrane and subsequently impregnating the nanofiber membrane with a nanoporous precursor material followed by a solidification process. This process also enables to readily control the geometry of the nanoporous junction depending on its application. By these advantages, vertically stacked 3D micro‐nanofluidic devices with complex configurations are easily achieved. To demonstrate the broad applicability of this process in various research fields, a reverse electrodialysis‐based energy harvester and an ion concentration polarization‐based preconcentrator are produced. The freestanding Nafion‐polyvinylidene fluoride nanofiber membrane (F‐NPNM) energy harvester generates a high power (59.87 nW) owing to the enlarged interfacial area. Besides, 3D multiplexed and multi‐stacked F‐NPNM preconcentrators accumulate multiple preconcentrated plugs that can increase the operating sample volume and the degree of freedom of handling. Hence, the proposed process is expected to contribute to numerous research fields related to micro‐nanofluidics in the future.
Nano Assessing Nano: Nanosensor‐Enabled Detection of Cell Phenotypic Changes Identifies Nanoparticle Toxicological Effects at Ultra‐Low Exposure Levels
Authors: Geng Yingying , Chattopadhyay Aritra Nath , Zhang Xianzhi , Jiang Mingdi , Luther David C. , Gopalakrishnan Sanjana , Rotello Vincent M.
Published: April 2020

Industrial use of nanomaterials is rapidly increasing, making the effects of these materials on the environment and human health of critical concern. Standard nanotoxicity evaluation methods rely on detecting cell death or major dysfunction and will miss early signs of toxicity. In this work, the use of rapid and sensitive nanosensors that can efficiently detect subtle phenotypic changes on the cell surface following nanomaterial exposure is reported. Importantly, the method reveals significant phenotypic changes at dosages where other conventional methods show normal cellular activity. This approach holds promise in toxicological and pharmacological evaluations to ensure safer and better use of nanomaterials.
Wnt7b-induced Sox11 functions enhance self-renewal and osteogenic commitment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Yu Fanyuan , Wu Fanzi , Li Feifei , Liao Xueyang , Wang Yitian , Li Xin , Wang Chenglin , Shi Yu , Ye Ling
Published: April 2020

As a profoundly anabolic regulator of bone, Wnt7b is well acknowledged to enhance osteoblast activities. Here, we report that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are another important population responding to Wnt7b. In this study, we systematically investigated the in vivo role of Wnt7b in BMSCs using transgenic mice, high-throughput RNA-seq, immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, and in situ hybridization. These methods led us to uncover that Sox11 is induced via Wnt7b in BMSCs. Colony formation assay, flow cytometry, EdU incorporation labeling, RT-qPCR, and Western blot were conducted to detect the self-renewal capacity of BMSCs. Alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin red staining, and ex vivo BMSCs transplantation were utilized to detect the osteogenic ability of BMSCs. ChIP-qPCR, shRNAs, and immunofluorescence staining were utilized to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Consequently, bone-derived Wnt7b was found to decrease in osteoporosis and elevate in bone fracture healing. During bone fracture healing, Wnt7b was particularly expressed in the mesenchymal cells residing within healing frontiers. RNA-seq data of Wnt7b-overexpressed bones uncovered the significant upregulation of Sox11. Histological results further unveiled that Sox11 is specifically increased in BMSCs. Wnt7b-induced Sox11 was demonstrated to reinforce both self-renewal and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Mechanistically, Wnt7b activates the Ca2+-dependent Nfatc1 signaling to directly induce Sox11 transcription, which in turn activates the transcriptions of both proliferation-related transcription factors (Ccnb1 and Sox2) and osteogenesis-related factors (Runx2, Sp7) in BMSCs. It is intriguing that this Wnt7b-Sox11 signaling in BMSCs is β-Catenin-independent. Overall, this study provides brand new insights of Wnt7b in bone formation, namely, Wnt7b can enhance both self-renewal and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via inducing Sox11. These findings present a new crosstalk between Wnt and Sox signaling in BMSCs.
Prescription patterns of antidementives in a high income country: A pharmacoepidemiologic study
Authors: Wurm Raphael , Stamm Tanja , Reichardt Berthold , Schwarz Felix , Parvizi Tandis , Silvaieh Sara , König Theresa , Cetin Hakan , Stögmann Elisabeth
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Dementia is a leading and growing cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate real‐world prescription patterns of antidementive medication in one of the largest cohorts published thus far to optimize use in this growing population.

Methods

Prescription claims from 2005 to 2016 were provided by Austrian sickness funds, covering 98% of the population of Austria. Patients treated with at least one of the four approved antidementive drugs (ADDs) were included. Prescription prevalence was calculated for 2014 and 2015, and prescription patterns were traced on an individual level during the entire study period.

Results

A total of 127,896 patients were treated with an ADD between 2005 and 2016. The prevalence was 0.93% in 2014 and 1% in 2015. The median age at initiation of treatment was 82.3 years, and 65% were female. Initial therapy was a cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI) in 80% and memantine in 20%. The median duration of therapy was 13.3 months. Eighteen percent of patients switched medication: two thirds to receive memantine, and one third to a different cholinesterase inhibitor. More than 26% discontinued treatment early.

Conclusion

We find that discontinuation of ADDs is more frequent than switching; memantine is a common starting drug and age at the start of treatment is rather high in this population. Interpretation should be cautious, but the data may suggest that treatment guidelines are followed inconsistently. Appropriate provision of the available options should be emphasized to optimize cognitive survival, comorbidity, quality of life, and health care expenditures.
Long‐term changes in extreme air temperature in Nuwara Eliya: a case study from Sri Lanka
Authors: Sonnadara Upul
Published: April 2020

Long‐term changes in extreme air temperature at Nuwara Eliya (a high‐elevation observatory located in the western slopes of the central mountainous region of Sri Lanka) are examined. The present work is limited to a linear trend analysis of daily maximum and minimum air temperature series of the period 1926–2015. The statistical significance of the trend is estimated using the Mann‐Kendall test. There is a significant reduction in the diurnal temperature range (DTR) in Nuwara Eliya. The magnitude of the reduction is −0.23 degC per decade and is due to the increase in the daily minimum air temperature. No significant increase or decrease in the daily maximum air temperature was evident from the data. There is a strong inverse correlation between the standard deviation (which is related to the temperature variability) and the mean daily minimum air temperature. The increase in minimum temperature is not uniform throughout the year as the minimum temperature of the cold season has increased, while it has remained the same for the warm season, thereby reducing the overall DTR.
Is nutrition science ready for the twenty-first century? Moving towards transdisciplinary impacts in a changing world
Authors: Tufford Adèle R. , Calder Philip C. , Van’t Veer Pieter , Feskens Edith F. , Ockhuizen Theo , Kraneveld Aletta D. , Sikkema Jan , de Vries Jan
Published: April 2020

Malnutrition in an obese world was the fitting title of the 13th Federation of European Nutrition Societies (FENS) conference held in October 2019. Many individuals do not eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, and this is now understood to be a major driver of increased disease risk and illness. Moreover, both our current eating patterns and the food system as a whole are environmentally unsustainable, threatening the planetary systems we depend on for survival. As we attempt to feed a growing global population, food systems will increasingly be confronted with their environmental impacts, with the added challenge of climate change-induced threats to food production. As we move into the third decade of the twenty-first century, these challenges demand that the nutrition research community reconsider its scope, concepts, methods, and societal role. At a pre-meeting workshop held at the FENS conference, over 70 researchers active in the field explored ways to advance the discipline’s capacity to address cross-cutting issues of personal, public and planetary health. Using the world cafe method, four themed discussion tables explored (a) the breadth of scientific domains needed to meet the current challenges, (b) the nature and definition of the shifting concepts in nutrition sciences, (c) the next-generation methods required and (d) communication and organisational challenges and opportunities. As a follow-up to earlier work [1], here we report the highlights of the discussions, and propose the next steps to advance responsible research and innovation in the domain of nutritional science.