bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Site fertility drives temporal turnover of vegetation at high latitudes
Authors: Maliniemi Tuija , Happonen Konsta , Virtanen Risto
Published: October 2019

Experimental evidence shows that site fertility is a key modulator underlying plant community changes under climate change. Communities on fertile sites, with species having fast dynamics, have been found to react more strongly to climate change than communities on infertile sites with slow dynamics. However, it is still unclear whether this generally applies to high‐latitude plant communities in natural environments at broad spatial scales. We tested a hypothesis that vegetation of fertile sites experiences greater changes over several decades and thus would be more responsive under contemporary climate change compared to infertile sites that are expected to show more resistance. We resurveyed understorey communities (vascular plants, bryophytes, and lichens) of four infertile and four fertile forest sites along a latitudinal bioclimatic gradient. Sites had remained outside direct human disturbance. We analyzed the magnitude of temporal community turnover, changes in the abundances of plant morphological groups and strategy classes, and changes in species diversity. In agreement with our hypothesis, temporal turnover of communities was consistently greater on fertile sites compared to infertile sites. However, our results suggest that the larger turnover of fertile communities is not primarily related to the direct effects of climatic warming. Furthermore, community changes in both fertile and infertile sites showed remarkable variation in terms of shares of plant functional groups and strategy classes and measures of species diversity. This further emphasizes the essential role of baseline environmental conditions and nonclimatic drivers underlying vegetation changes. Our results show that site fertility is a key determinant of the overall rate of high‐latitude vegetation changes but the composition of plant communities in different ecological contexts is variously impacted by nonclimatic drivers over time.
Conjugating Biotin to Ruthenium(II) Arene Units via Phosphine Ligand Functionalization
Authors: Biancalana Lorenzo , Gruchała Martyna , Batchelor Lucinda K. , Błauż Andrzej , Monti Andrea , Pampaloni Guido , Rychlik Błażej , Dyson Paul J. , Marchetti Fabio
Published: October 2019

Two‐step functionalization of 4‐diphenylphosphino benzoic acid with biotin afforded 2‐(biotinyloxy)ethyl 4‐(diphenylphosphanyl)benzoate (LP), that was subsequently used to synthesize the Ru(II) arene complexes [RuCl2(η6‐p‐cymene)(LP)] (1), [Ru(C2O4)(η6‐p‐cymene)(LP)] (2) and [Ru(curc)(η6‐p‐cymene)(LP)]NO3 ([3]NO3), the latter incorporating curcumin (curcH) as an additional bioactive fragment. [Ru(curc)(η6‐p‐cymene)(PPh3)]NO3 ([4]NO3) was also prepared as a reference compound. Compounds 2 and [3]NO3 exhibited excellent stability in water/DMSO solution while being slowly activated in the cell culture medium over 72 hours. Together with LP, they were therefore assessed for their antiproliferative activity towards a panel of cancer cell lines, with different levels of biotin transporter expression. The apparent affinity of the compounds towards avidin varies, and their antiproliferative activity does not correlate with biotin transporter expression, although it is systematically enhanced when biotin‐free cell culture medium is used.
Metallo‐Corroles Supported on Carbon Nanostructures as Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts in Neutral Media
Authors: Raggio Michele , Mecheri Barbara , Nardis Sara , D'Epifanio Alessandra , Licoccia Silvia , Paolesse Roberto
Published: October 2019

In this work, we report the investigation of Fe and Co triphenylcorrole complexes supported on two different carbon supports as eletrocatalysts for the ORR in neutral pH media, comparing their performances with the corresponding tetraphenylporphyrin complexes. Cyclic voltammetry experiments were acquired in neutral phosphate buffer demonstrating that corroles exhibit a superior catalytic activity towards ORR than porphyrins, as demonstrated by more positive oxygen reduction peak potential (Epr) and half‐wave potential (E1/2) values of corroles. Also, iron complexes performed better than cobalt ones, showing an ORR activity even superior to that of platinum taken as reference, as demonstrated by RDE experiments. We investigated the role of the axial ligand on the ORR activity of the macrocycles, and we found that Epr and E1/2 values are more positive along the series: PPh3Co < py2Co = µ‐oxoFe2 < FeCl. By contrast, there was not much difference in activity supporting the porphyrinoids on carbon nanotubes or carbon black pearls, indicating that the effect of carbon support is less important to that of the axial ligand. The results allowed pointing at iron corroles as a promising class of molecular catalysts for application as cathodes in biolectrochemical systems at neutral pH, such as microbial fuel cells.
Development of Glucose Transporter (GLUT) Inhibitors
Authors: Reckzeh Elena S. , Waldmann Herbert
Published: October 2019

The discovery of novel compound classes endowed with biological activity is at the heart of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry research. This enables novel biological insights and inspires new approaches to the treatment of diseases. Cancer cells frequently exhibit altered glycolysis and glucose metabolism and an increased glucose demand. Thus, targeting glucose uptake and metabolism may open up novel opportunities for the discovery of compounds that differentiate between normal and malignant cells. This review discusses the different chemical approaches to the development of novel inhibitors of glucose uptake through facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs), and focusses on the most advanced and potent inhibitor classes known to date. GLUT inhibitors may find application not only in the treatment of cancer, but also of other proliferative diseases that exhibit glucose addiction.
[3+3] Annulation via Ring Opening/Cyclization of Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropanes with (Un)symmetrical Ureas: A Quick Access to Highly Functionalized Tetrahydropyrimidinones
Authors: Taily Irshad Maajid , Saha Debarshi , Banerjee Prabal
Published: October 2019

A mild and straight‐forward access to pharmacologically privileged tetrahydropyrimidinones exploiting readily available Donor–Acceptor cyclopropanes (DACs) is reported. This methodology involves the Lewis acid catalyzed synthesis of uriedo‐malonates from (un)symmetrical ureas and DACs followed by I2‐base mediated cyclization to their corresponding tetrahydropyrimidinones. The cyclization protocol involves nucleophilic attack of the nitrogen of urea on the newly generated electrophilic acceptor end of DAC. The post functionalization offered potential biologically active molecules.
Study of the performance of biogas production by mixed fermentation of cow dung, deer manure, and mushroom fungus
Authors: Li Longwei , Xu Jianling , Wang Hanxi , Liu Xuejun , Zhang Di
Published: October 2019

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of livestock and poultry manure to produce biogas can not only improve environmental problems, but also effectively utilize waste. In order to maximize the resource utilization of livestock and poultry manure, the AD experiments of mixing cow dung, deer manure, and mushroom fungus were carried out. The changes of AD biogas production (daily and cumulative biogas production), CH4 content, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), pH at different temperatures (20, 35, and 50°C), and mixing ratios were studied, and the optimum reaction conditions were discussed. Results show that with the increase in temperature the biogas production rate and the cumulative biogas production at each proportions increase. At 20°C, the amount of biogas generated is very small. Under different proportions of raw materials, the cumulative biogas production first increased and then decreased. The best biogas production is at a temperature of 50°C and a proportion of cow dung, deer manure, and mushroom fungus is 0.3:0.4:0.3. The unit total solid biogas production rate reached 0.23 L·g−1. The mixed fermentation of livestock manure and mushroom fungus made up for the inadequacy of its separate fermentation performance and was also an effective method to improve the biogas rate and comprehensive utilization rate of livestock manure. The results of this study are of great significance in promoting the utilization of livestock and poultry manure.
Metabolomic Investigations of the Temporal Effects of Exposure to Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products and Their Mixture in the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica)
Authors: Brew David W. , Black Marsha C. , Santos Marina , Rodgers Jackson , Henderson W. Matthew
Published: October 2019

The eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) supports a large aquaculture industry and is a keystone species along the Atlantic seaboard. Native oysters are routinely exposed to a complex mixture of contaminants that increasingly includes pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). Unfortunately, the biological effects of chemical mixtures on oysters are poorly understood. Untargeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics was utilized to quantify the response of oysters exposed to fluoxetine, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, 17α-ethynylestradiol, diphenhydramine, and their mixture. Oysters were exposed to 1 µg/L of each chemical or mixture for 10 d, followed by an 8-d depuration period. Adductor muscle (n = 14/treatment) was sampled at days 0, 1, 5, 10, and 18. Trajectory analysis illustrated that metabolic effects and class separation of the treatments varied at each time point and that, overall, the oysters were only able to partially recover from these exposures post-depuration. Altered metabolites were associated with cellular energetics (i.e., Krebs cycle intermediates), as well as amino acid metabolism and fatty acids. Exposure to these PPCPs also affected metabolic pathways associated with anaerobic metabolism, osmotic stress, and oxidative stress, in addition to the physiological effects of each chemical's postulated mechanism of action. Following depuration, fewer metabolites were altered, but none of the treatments returned them to their initial control values, indicating that metabolic disruptions were long-lasting. Interestingly, the mixture did not directly cluster with individual treatments in the scores plot from partial least squares discriminant analysis, and many of its affected metabolic pathways were not well predicted from the individual treatments. The present study highlights the utility of untargeted metabolomics in developing exposure biomarkers for compounds with different modes of action in bivalves. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:419–436. © 2019 SETAC
Hepatitis C Virus NAT‐Positive Solid Organ Allografts Transplanted Into Hepatitis C Virus–Negative Recipients: A Real‐World Experience
Authors: Kapila Nikhil , Menon K.V. Narayanan , Al‐Khalloufi Kawtar , Vanatta Jason M. , Murgas Carla , Reino Diego , Ebaid Samer , Shaw Joshua J. , Agrawal Neerja , Rhazouani Salwa , Navas Viviana , Sheffield Cedric , Rahman Asad Ur , Castillo Michael , Lindenmeyer Christina C. , Miller Charles , Quintini Cristiano , Zervos Xaralambos B.
Published: October 2019

Background and Aims

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐viremic organs are underutilized, and there is limited real‐world experience on the transplantation of HCV‐viremic solid organs into recipients who are HCV negative.

Approach and Results

Patients listed or being evaluated for solid organ transplant after January 26, 2018, were educated and consented by protocol on the transplantation of HCV‐viremic organs. All recipients were HCV nucleic acid test and anti‐HCV antibody negative at the time of transplant and received an HCV‐viremic organ. The primary outcome was sustained virological response (SVR) at 12 weeks after completion of direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapy (SVR12). Seventy‐seven patients who were HCV negative underwent solid organ transplantation from a donor who was HCV viremic. No patients had evidence of advanced hepatic fibrosis. Treatment regimen and duration were at the discretion of the hepatologist. Sixty‐four patients underwent kidney transplant (KT), and 58 KT recipients had either started or completed DAA therapy. Forty‐one achieved SVR12, 10 had undetectable viral loads but are not eligible for SVR12, and 7 remain on treatment. One KT recipient was a nonresponder because of nonstructural protein 5A resistance. Four patients underwent liver transplant and 2 underwent liver‐kidney transplant. Three patients achieved SVR12, 1 has completed DAA therapy, and 2 remain on treatment. Six patients underwent heart transplant and 1 underwent heart‐kidney transplant. Six patients achieved SVR12 and 1 patient remains on treatment.

Conclusions

Limited data exist on the transplantation of HCV‐viremic organs into recipients who are HCV negative. Our study is the largest to describe a real‐world experience of the transplantation of HCV‐viremic organs into recipients who are aviremic. In carefully selected patients, the use of HCV‐viremic grafts in the DAA era appears to be efficacious and well tolerated.
“Perceived fit,” “understanding,” and “communication”: Key factors underpinning stakeholder and partnership engagement with the Make Healthy Normal campaign
Authors: Keane Lewis , Kite James , Grunseit Anne , Vineburg John , Tawil Victor , Thomas Margaret
Published: October 2019

Issue addressed

Published evaluations of population‐level social marketing campaigns predominantly focus on impact and outcome evaluation. Evaluation of complementary locally implemented activities and programs, despite being common and important components of social marketing campaigns are rarely published. This study sought to examine the drivers of engagement of local implementers in the Make Healthy Normal campaign, implemented in New South Wales (NSW), Australia from 2015 to 2018, and to describe their engagement with the campaign as well as the scope and extent of complementary activities.

Methods

We conducted 13 in‐depth semi‐structured qualitative interviews with health and nonhealth stakeholders from a range of urban, regional and rural settings across NSW. We analysed the interviews thematically, using an inductive and iterative approach.

Results

We found stakeholder engagement (ie decision to buy into and commit resources) to the campaign was underpinned by two main drivers: “understanding”, or how well they understood the campaign and their role in it, and “perceived fit”, or how appropriate it was to their context. A third factor, “communication” functioned to enhance both understanding and perceived fit.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that stakeholders would engage with the campaign more where they had a sound understanding of the campaign objectives and content, and an appreciation of how the campaign fits their strategic and procedural context.

So What?

Campaign managers should incorporate clear, regular and efficient communication with local implementers and work with these groups early in the campaign development process. Organisers should also support and promote a “community of practice” approach to capitalise on the innovations of those promoting campaign messages at the community level.
Vitamin D binding protein and risk of renal cell carcinoma in the prostate, lung, colorectal and ovarian cancer screening trial
Authors: Kratzer Tyler B. , Weinstein Stephanie J. , Albanes Demetrius , Mondul Alison M.
Published: October 2019

Our group has conducted two previous studies on the association between vitamin D binding protein (DBP) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common form of kidney cancer, finding strong inverse associations. We undertook the current analysis to replicate our findings in a different study population that included women and nonsmokers. We conducted a nested case–control study in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (PLCO). Cases (n = 323) were matched 1:1 to controls on age (±1 year), race/ethnicity, date of blood collection (±30 days) and sex. We performed conditional logistic regression to estimate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association between quartiles of circulating DBP and risk of RCC. We observed a statistically significant positive association between DBP and RCC that persisted after adjustment for history of diabetes, history of hypertension, family history of renal cancer, body mass index and smoking status (mv‐adj Q4 vs. Q1 OR = 4.1, 95% CI = 2.2–7.8; p‐trend <0.0001). These findings were similar when we restricted to cases with at least 2 years of follow‐up and no major weight loss, suggesting that our findings are not due to reverse causality. In the present study, those with higher serum concentrations of DBP were at increased risk of RCC, in contrast to previously published findings. Further research is necessary to determine the true association between DBP and risk of RCC, and whether different DBP phenotypes may have different associations with risk of RCC.
Ethical guidelines for publishing in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle: update 2019
Authors: von Haehling Stephan , Morley John E. , Coats Andrew J. S. , Anker Stefan D.
Published: October 2019

This article details an updated version of the principles of ethical authorship and publishing in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle (JCSM) and its two daughter journals JCSM Rapid Communication and JCSM Clinical Reports. We request of all author sending to the journal a paper for consideration that at the time of submission to JCSM, the corresponding author, on behalf of all co‐authors, needs to certify adherence to these principles. The principles are as follows:

all authors listed on a manuscript considered for publication have approved its submission and (if accepted) approve publication in JCSM as provided;

each named author has made a material and independent contribution to the work submitted for publication;

no person who has a right to be recognized as author has been omitted from the list of authors on the submitted manuscript;

the submitted work is original and is neither under consideration elsewhere nor that it has been published previously in whole or in part other than in abstract form;

all authors certify that the submitted work is original and does not contain excessive overlap with prior or contemporaneous publication elsewhere, and where the publication reports on cohorts, trials, or data that have been reported on before the facts need to be acknowledged and these other publications must be referenced;

all original research work has been approved by the relevant bodies such as institutional review boards or ethics committees;

all relevant conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, that may affect the authors' ability to present data objectively, and relevant sources of funding of the research in question have been duly declared in the manuscript;

the manuscript in its published form will be maintained on the servers of JCSM as a valid publication only as long as all statements in the guidelines on ethical publishing remain true.

If any of the aforementioned statements ceases to be true, the authors have a duty to notify as soon as possible the Editors of JCSM, JCSM Rapid Communication, and JCSM Clinical Reports, respectively, so that the available information regarding the published article can be updated and/or the manuscript can be withdrawn.
Feature selection for OPLS discriminant analysis of cancer tissue lipidomics data
Authors: Tokareva Alisa O. , Chagovets Vitaliy V. , Starodubtseva Natalia L. , Nazarova Niso M. , Nekrasova Maria E. , Kononikhin Alexey S. , Frankevich Vladimir E. , Nikolaev Evgeny N. , Sukhikh Gennady T.
Published: October 2019

The mass spectrometry‐based molecular profiling can be used for better differentiation between normal and cancer tissues and for the detection of neoplastic transformation, which is of great importance for diagnostics of a pathology, prognosis of its evolution trend, and development of a treatment strategy. The aim of the present study is the evaluation of tissue classification approaches based on various data sets derived from the molecular profile of the organic solvent extracts of a tissue. A set of possibilities are considered for the orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis: all mass spectrometric peaks over 300 counts threshold, subset of peaks selected by ranking with support vector machine algorithm, peaks selected by random forest algorithm, peaks with the statistically significant difference of the intensity determined by the Mann‐Whitney U test, peaks identified as lipids, and both identified and significantly different peaks. The best predictive potential is obtained for OPLS‐DA model built on nonpolar glycerolipids (Q2 = 0.64, area under curve [AUC] = 0.95); the second one is OPLS‐DA model with lipid peaks selected by random forest algorithm (Q2 = 0.58, AUC = 0.87). Moreover, models based on particular molecular classes are more preferable from biological point of view, resulting in new explanatory mechanisms of pathophysiology and providing a pathway analysis. Another promising features for OPLS‐DA modeling are phosphatidylethanolamines (Q2 = 0.48, AUC = 0.86).
Terrestrial water storage and Pacific SST affect the monthly water balance of Itacaiúnas River Basin (Eastern Amazonia)
Authors: Cavalcante Rosane B. L. , Pontes Paulo R. M. , Tedeschi Renata G. , Costa Cláudia P. W. , Ferreira Douglas B. S. , Souza‐Filho Pedro W. M. , de Souza Everaldo B.
Published: October 2019

At subannual timescales, terrestrial water storage (TWS) plays a critical role in the partitioning of precipitation into runoff and evapotranspiration, and Amazonia stands out due to the great amplitude of the annual cycles. In this study, we analyse the monthly variation of the water balance and extreme hydrological events using GRACE data for a watershed situated in the “arc‐of‐deforestation” in the Eastern Brazilian Legal Amazon. The existence of a correlation and lag time response between the monthly sea surface temperatures in the Pacific and North Atlantic and the variables of the water balance were also investigated. The results showed a weak seasonal cycle of evapotranspiration, with higher water intercepted by the vegetation canopy in the rainy season and higher potential evapotranspiration supplied by TWS in the dry season. The lowest value of water storage was reached in December 2015 during the strongest El Niño event observed in the analysed period (2002–2016). This value impacted the streamflow for at least the entire rainy season. The correlation analysis showed that positive anomalies of the Niño 3.4 index from October to March caused a significant decrease in precipitation in the following March to May and in November, a significant increase in the reference evapotranspiration in April and May, and longer lasting effects on the streamflow and TWS. Although the underlying mechanisms contributing to the time delays remain incompletely understood, the results indicate that consideration of the ENSO influence on the water balance and of the TWS influence on streamflow would improve flood and drought forecasts with benefits for water management.
Investigating the spatio‐temporal variations of nitrate leaching on a tea garden hillslope by combining HYDRUS‐3D and DNDC models
Authors: Lai Xiaoming , Liu Ya , Zhou Zhiwen , Zhu Qing , Liao Kaihua
Published: October 2019

Spatio‐temporal variations of nitrate‐nitrogen (
‐N) leaching is driven by both soil hydrology and biogeochemistry. However, the widely used soil hydrology and biogeochemistry models have their weaknesses in simulating soil N cycling and soil water movement processes, respectively. In this study, we proposed an alternative approach by simply combining the HYDRUS‐3D and DNDC models to investigate the spatio‐temporal variations of ‐N leaching on a representative tea garden hillslope in Taihu Lake Basin, China. Results showed that the soil hydrology and N cycle were well simulated by HYDRUS‐3D and DNDC models, respectively. Based on the leaching equation, the soil water flux simulated by HYDRUS‐3D and soil ‐N content simulated by DNDC were combined to calculate the leachate ‐N concentrations with good accuracy. The accumulative ‐N leaching flux during the simulation year was 71.7 kg N ha−1, with remarkable spatio‐temporal variations on this hillslope. Hot spots of ‐N leaching were observed in blocks 24, 27, 31, 34, 37, and 40 with accumulative leaching fluxes > 82.0 kg N ha−1 y−1. The spatial variation of ‐N leaching was mainly controlled by soil texture and soil hydraulic properties. Hot moments of ‐N leaching were observed after the applications of spring fertilizer (16 March) and basal fertilizer (30 October). The temporal variation of ‐N leaching was mainly controlled by precipitation and the spring fertilization. Methods and findings of this study will be benefit for the risk assessment of non‐point source N loss and the precise agricultural management.
Will concerns for ski tourism promote pro‐environmental behaviour? An implication of protection motivation theory
Authors: Chen Fangfang , Dai Shanshan , Zhu Yiting , Xu Honggang
Published: October 2019

Encouraging mitigation behaviour at the personal level is vital to address the issue of global climate change. However, despite numerous climate change communication campaigns, a large percentage of people still feel reluctant to engage in mitigation behaviours. In this paper, we reconsidered the gap between people's objective knowledge on climate change and their mitigation intention in tourism context. By applying protection motivation theory (PMT) and construal level theory (CLT), we accessed the mediating role of threat appraisal and coping appraisal in the context of ski tourism. The results indicate that generally, appraisal of climate change's threat on ski tourism mediates the relationship between knowledge and behavioural intention. Besides, the role of coping appraisal is also partially supported. By contextualizing this study in tourism context and also by separating generally response efficacy from that in terms of ski tourism, we verified the effect of proximising climate change on encouraging mitigation behaviour. This study contributes to existing literature by (i) empirically examining knowledge as an antecedent of PMT and also (ii) incorporating CLT to PMT in a tourism context. The findings have important implications for encouraging personal mitigation behaviours.
A Novel Tablet‐Based Approach for Hearing Screening of the Pediatric Population, 516‐Patient Study
Authors: Xiao Lin , Zou Bin , Gao Li , Weng Meiling , Lando Matthew , Smith Ann E. , Barber Wayne , Yao Hongbing
Published: October 2019

Objective

Assess a tablet hearing game as a screening instrument for pediatric hearing loss.

Methods

All children age 3 to 13 presenting to the ENT clinic of a tertiary hospital clinic over a 3‐month period were eligible for study. Five hundred sixteen were entered by completing the tablet screen with calibrated tablet/headphones. All had full standard audiometry or otoacoustic emission testing to assess hearing status. Tablet game data was analyzed to find the best correlation to the air conduction audiogram. The appropriate pass threshold of the tablet game was established and the statistical accuracy of the tablet game versus the air conduction audio was assessed.

Results

The overall rate of hearing loss was 29.7% (153 subjects). Conductive hearing loss predominated and was present in 128 children. The tablet game pure tone average from 500– 4000 Hz correlated best with the air conduction audiogram, and was most predictive of hearing loss. Setting the pass level at 20 dB for the tablet screen prioritized detection of hearing loss, yielding a sensitivity of 91% and corresponding specificity of 73.5% for ages 4 and older. Specificity progressively improved with increasing age and was over 90% for all ages 7 and older.

Conclusion

Tablet game audiometry as a screening tool performs well in a controlled setting. Based on these results, it can be considered as a reliable screening method for school‐age children and to monitor resolution of otitis media.

Level of Evidence

4, case series Laryngoscope, 130:2245–2251, 2020
Stratification of microbiomes during the holomictic period of Lake Fuxian, an alpine monomictic lake
Authors: Xing Peng , Tao Ye , Luo Jianhua , Wang Lina , Li Biao , Li Huabing , Wu Qinglong L.
Published: October 2019

In warm monomictic lakes, the hypolimnion is important for accumulating and decomposing organic matter derived from surface production, and the regenerated nutrients will be supplied to the epilimnion through winter vertical mixing. So far, we know little about microbial community composition and function in the hypolimnion when the significant thermal stratification disappears. In this study, we investigated microbial community compositions and functional gene contents by means of metagenomics along a depth profile in the warm monomictic alpine Lake Fuxian during holomictic period. Overall, bacteria were the dominant microbial group at different water depths, while phages had their high relative abundance in the epilimnion. We observed slight thermal but strong chemical stratification even during this typical winter overturn. The anaerobic respiration with nitrate and sulfate as the terminal electron acceptors was accumulated at bottom of hypolimnionin as indicated through metabolic pathway reconstruction. We were able to get 440 metagenome‐assembled genomes (MAGs) and unraveled a high genomic diversity of freshwater pelagic microbiomes along this depth profile. We furthermore defined a new class of “Plancto_FXH1” of Planctomycetes from these MAGs, of which a distinct nitrate reduction operon was identified. Representatives of this phylum mainly thrive in the hypolimnion as previously suspected, but few lineages were detected in the epilimnion. In summary, metagenomics enabled us to find a new group of Planctomycetes, probably involved in denitrification in the hypolimnion in Lake Fuxian, which expand our knowledge on denitrifying bacterial diversity and their denitrification potential in deep freshwater lakes.
Single‐nucleotide polymorphism rs13426236 contributes to an increased prostate cancer risk via regulating MLPH splicing variant 4
Authors: Xiao Fankai , Zhang Peng , Wang Yuan , Tian Yijun , James Michael , Huang Chiang‐Ching , Wang Lidong , Wang Liang
Published: October 2019

A prostate cancer risk single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs13426236, is significantly associated with melanophilin (MLPH) expression. To functionally characterize role of the rs13426236 in prostate cancer, we first performed splicing‐specific expression quantitative trait loci analysis and refined the significant association of rs13426236 allele G with an increased expression of MLPH splicing transcript variant 4 (V4) (P = 7.61E−5) but not other protein‐coding variants (V1‐V3) (P > .05). We then performed an allele‐specific reporter assay to determine if SNP‐containing sequences functioned as an active enhancer. Compared to allele A, allele G of rs13426236 showed significantly higher luciferase activity on the promoter of the splicing transcript V4 (P < .03) but not on the promoter of transcript V1 (P > .05) in two prostate cancer cell lines (DU145 and 22Rv1). Cell transfection assays showed stronger effect of transcript V4 than V1 on promoting cell proliferation, invasion, and antiapoptotic activities. RNA profiling analysis demonstrated that transcript V4 overexpression caused significant expression changes in glycosylation/glycoprotein and metal‐binding gene ontology pathways (FDR < 0.01). We also found that both transcripts V4 and V1 were significantly upregulated in prostate adenocarcinoma (P ≤ 2.49E−6) but only transcript V4 upregulation was associated with poor recurrence‐free survival (P = .028, hazard ratio = 1.63, 95% confidence interval = 1.05‐2.42) in The Cancer Genome Atlas data. This study provides strong evidence showing that prostate cancer risk SNP rs13426236 upregulates expression of MLPH transcript V4, which may function as a candidate oncogene in prostate cancer.
Groups say bill to reduce mass violence sends wrong message
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: October 2019

Legislation introduced Oct. 23 to help reduce mass violence and make communities safer following two recent mass shootings and countless others is sending the wrong message, according to a coalition of mental health groups and disability rights organizations. While they appreciate support of mental health reform, the legislation erroneously focuses those efforts on people with mental health disabilities, advocates said.
Technical Note: Assessment of electromagnetic tracking systems in a surgical environment using ultrasonography and ureteroscopy instruments for percutaneous renal access
Authors: Gomes‐Fonseca João , Veloso Fernando , Queirós Sandro , Morais Pedro , Pinho António C. M. , Fonseca Jaime C. , Correia‐Pinto Jorge , Lima Estêvão , Vilaça João L.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Electromagnetic tracking systems (EMTSs) have been proposed to assist the percutaneous renal access (PRA) during minimally invasive interventions to the renal system. However, the influence of other surgical instruments widely used during PRA (like ureteroscopy and ultrasound equipment) in the EMTS performance is not completely known. This work performs this assessment for two EMTSs [Aurora® Planar Field Generator (PFG); Aurora® Tabletop Field Generator (TTFG)].

Methods

An assessment platform, composed by a scaffold with specific supports to attach the surgical instruments and a plate phantom with multiple levels to precisely translate or rotate the surgical instruments, was developed. The median accuracy and precision in terms of position and orientation were estimated for the PFG and TTFG in a surgical environment using this platform. Then, the influence of different surgical instruments (alone or together), namely analogic flexible ureterorenoscope (AUR), digital flexible ureterorenoscope (DUR), two‐dimensional (2D) ultrasound (US) probe, and four‐dimensional (4D) mechanical US probe, was assessed for both EMTSs by coupling the instruments to 5‐DOF and 6‐DOF sensors.

Results

Overall, the median positional and orientation accuracies in the surgical environment were 0.85 mm and 0.42° for PFG, and 0.72 mm and 0.39° for TTFG, while precisions were 0.10 mm and 0.03° for PFG, and 0.20 mm and 0.12° for TTFG, respectively. No significant differences were found for accuracy between EMTSs. However, PFG showed a tendency for higher precision than TTFG. AUR, DUR, and 2D US probe did not influence the accuracy and precision of both EMTSs. In opposition, the 4D probe distorted the signal near the attached sensor, making readings unreliable.

Conclusions

Ureteroscopy‐ and ultrasonography‐assisted PRA based on EMTS guidance are feasible with the tested AUR or DUR together with the 2D probe. More studies must be performed to evaluate the probes and ureterorenoscopes’ influence before their use in PRA based on EMTS guidance.
Distributed deep learning across multisite datasets for generalized CT hemorrhage segmentation
Authors: Remedios Samuel W. , Roy Snehashis , Bermudez Camilo , Patel Mayur B. , Butman John A. , Landman Bennett A. , Pham Dzung L.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

As deep neural networks achieve more success in the wide field of computer vision, greater emphasis is being placed on the generalizations of these models for production deployment. With sufficiently large training datasets, models can typically avoid overfitting their data; however, for medical imaging it is often difficult to obtain enough data from a single site. Sharing data between institutions is also frequently nonviable or prohibited due to security measures and research compliance constraints, enforced to guard protected health information (PHI) and patient anonymity.

Methods

In this paper, we implement cyclic weight transfer with independent datasets from multiple geographically disparate sites without compromising PHI. We compare results between single‐site learning (SSL) and multisite learning (MSL) models on testing data drawn from each of the training sites as well as two other institutions.

Results

The MSL model attains an average dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 0.690 on the holdout institution datasets with a volume correlation of 0.914, respectively corresponding to a 7% and 5% statistically significant improvement over the average of both SSL models, which attained an average DSC of 0.646 and average correlation of 0.871.

Conclusions

We show that a neural network can be efficiently trained on data from two physically remote sites without consolidating patient data to a single location. The resulting network improves model generalization and achieves higher average DSCs on external datasets than neural networks trained on data from a single source.
Using Recreation-Grade Side-Scan Sonar to Produce Classified Maps of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
Authors: Bennett Daniel L. , Bister Timothy J. , Ott Richard A.
Published: October 2019

The routine assessment and monitoring of aquatic habitat characteristics, such as submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), is a fundamental tool in fisheries management. The relative low cost and availability of recreation-grade side-scan sonar (SSS) systems has made capturing high-resolution (<10 cm) underwater imagery a practical and viable tool for improving these assessments. Using Humminbird SSS and a boat-mounted transducer, we determined our ability to produce classified maps of SAV within three reservoirs in Texas. Sonar recordings of photic zone habitat were collected and processed into georeferenced mosaic images by using SonarTRX SSS software for use in geographical information systems (GISs). The resulting raster images were interpreted to identify and map SAV, and a classification scheme was developed. Random-point data was also used to develop a traditional error matrix and an accuracy assessment for each classified map. In the three reservoirs, 485 ha were classified, including 298 ha of SAV. The area estimates for 11 of 12 classes fell within the 95% CIs that were estimated from concurrent random-point surveys. Overall classification accuracy ranged from 78% to 88% for the three reservoirs. The methods that were developed demonstrate an accurate procedure for calculating SAV coverage and producing a high-quality map product for distribution to stakeholders.
Numerical modelling of heat shock‐assisted rock fracture
Authors: Pressacco Martina , Saksala Timo
Published: October 2019

This paper presents a numerical investigation on the effects of thermal shock as a pretreatment of rock prior to comminution. More specifically, the effect of heat shock‐induced cracks on the uniaxial compressive strength of rock is numerically studied. The chosen constitutive model of rock employs a (strong) embedded discontinuity finite element formulation to describe cracks. The thermomechanical problem that governs the heat shock pretreatment of rocks is considered as an uncoupled problem because of a highly dominating role of the external heat influx. Two solution methods of the global problem are presented: an explicit‐explicit dynamic scheme and an implicit‐implicit quasi‐static scheme. The model performance is tested in simulations on heterogeneous numerical rock samples subjected first to a heat shock pretreatment and then to a mechanical compression test. According to the results, the compressive strength of intact granite rock having the axial splitting failure mode can be substantially reduced by heat shock pretreatment.
ECLES: A general method for local editing of parameters with linear constraints
Authors: Rodrigues Elisa de Cássia Silva , Stolfi Jorge
Published: October 2019

We describe ECLES (Editing by Constrained LEast Squares), a general method for interactive local editing of objects that are defined by a list of parameters subject to a set of linear or affine constraints. The method is intended for situations where each edit action affects only a small set of the parameters; some of which (the “anchors”) are to be set to new given values, whereas the rest (the “derived” ones) are to be modified so as to preserve the constraints. We use exact integer arithmetic in order to reliably determine solvability, to detect and eliminate redundancies in the set of constraints, and to ensure that the solution exactly satisfies the constraints. We also use constrained least squares to choose a suitable solution when the constraints allow multiple solutions. Unlike the usual finite element approach, the method allows editing of any set of anchors with any sufficiently large set of derived parameters. As an example of application, we show how the method can be used to edit smooth (
) deformations of geometric mesh models.
“The meal is an activity involving at least two people”—Experiences of meals by older persons in need of elderly care
Authors: Odencrants Sigrid , Blomberg Karin , Wallin Anne‐Marie
Published: October 2019

Aim

A shift of focus on older persons’ nutrition has occurred, from focusing on nutrition status to focusing on the whole meal. There is lack of studies on how older persons experience meals. Knowledge is needed to enhance a meal with dignity and pleasure, but also to prevent deterioration in nutrition. The aim was to describe meals from the perspective of older persons in need of elderly care.

Design

A descriptive qualitative study.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews (N = 18) were conducted and analysed using thematic analyses.

Result

Three themes were identified: The meal is an activity which involves at least two persons, The meal relates to habits and traditions and The meal seldom gives possibilities to make individual choices. It was obvious that older persons who live in nursing homes miss the opportunity to decide what to eat, when to eat and with whom to eat. Attention must be paid to listening to older persons to enhance mealtime with dignity and autonomy.
Enamel hypoplasia and health conditions through social status in the Roman Imperial Age (First to third centuries, Rome, Italy)
Authors: Minozzi Simona , Caldarini Carla , Pantano Walter , di Giannantonio Stefania , Catalano Paola , Giuffra Valentina
Published: October 2019

Dental enamel hypoplasia, a deficit in enamel matrix formation, occurs in childhood and in utero as a result of survived nutritional deficiencies/diseases. Examination of hypoplastic lesions in ancient skeletal remains provides an excellent index of developmental stress levels in the past. In this research, linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) was detected to investigate the relation between social status, health, and nutritional conditions of the Romans during the Imperial Age. LEH was scored in 3,105 permanent teeth of 177 individuals found in two large necropolises in Rome (Italy), dating back to first to third centuries AD. Both sites are located near the ancient city centre, and the presence of different grave typologies, with monumental mausoleums and simple tombs, testifies the presence of stratified social classes. LEH was observed in the whole dentition. Statistically significant differences were found in all the parameters considered, mostly in anterior dentition. Frequencies of the teeth and of the individuals affected were higher in the lower than in the upper class, in both sexes and ages, whereas male/female or adult/subadult differences were not statistically significant. The mean number of events for individuals was also higher in the lower class. Chronological distribution of age at onset of the stressful events seems to be social status related.

The study of two subsamples with different subsistence patterns in the same population allowed us to detect a relationship between LEH and social status in Imperial Rome, indicating that the socially advantaged group enjoyed better health in this past population.
Isotopic reconstruction of human diet in the Ji'erzankale site, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China
Authors: Guo Yi , Lou Jia , Xie Shiyu , Wu Xinhua , Fuller Benjamin T.
Published: October 2019

The Ji'erzankale Necropolis (吉尔赞喀勒墓地) is located on the Pamir Plateau in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. Composed of numerous stone circle graves and directly radiocarbon dated to the Iron Age (ca. 2400–2600 years cal BP), this site is unique in that numerous lines of archaeological evidence suggest that those interred here were followers of the Zoroastrian religion. Here, we present carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope ratio measurements of seeds (Nitraria pamirica, n = 7), animals (n = 14), and humans (n = 24) to reconstruct ancient diet and lifeways at the Ji'erzankale Necropolis. The results of the N. pamirica reflect the natural C3 vegetation and arid environment of this region. The δ13C (mean ± SD = –18.6 ± 0.8‰) and δ15N (mean ± SD = +8.1 ± 1.6‰) results of the animals (13 sheep and 1 hare) display a mostly C3 terrestrial diet with variable levels of protein consumption. Adult humans (n = 19) have δ13C (mean ± SD = –17.9 ± 0.2‰) and δ15N (mean ± SD = +13.1 ± 0.3‰) results that tightly cluster above the sheep by approximately +5‰. This is evidence that the diet of this population was relatively homogenous and mainly based on sheep and/or their secondary products and did not have a large input of C4 crops such as foxtail (Setaria italica) or common millet (Panicum miliaceum).
The Effect of Spray‐Freeze Drying of Montmorillonite on the Morphology, Dispersion, and Crystallization in Polypropylene Nanocomposites
Authors: Abdallah Wissam , Tan Victor , Kamal Musa R.
Published: October 2019

The spray‐freeze drying (SFD) technique was applied to sonicated aqueous suspensions of spray‐dried montmorillonite clay (MMT) to produce highly porous agglomerates (SFD‐MMT). Both MMT (used as a reference) and SFD‐MMT were subsequently incorporated in polypropylene (PP) via melt compounding to produce 2 wt % nanocomposites with and without maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA). Polypropylene nanocomposites containing SFD‐MMT exhibited thinner silicate flake layers compared to large agglomerates in PP/MMT nanocomposites. SFD‐MMT particles became even more finer in the presence of PP‐g‐MA (i.e., in PP/PP‐g‐MA /SFD‐MMT) where it hindered PP crystallization instead of serving as nucleation sites for the PP crystallization during rapid cooling. SFD‐MMT improved the thermal stability of PP/PP‐g‐MA by 30°C compared to only 5–8°C for MMT/nanocomposites. MMT acts as a heterogeneous nucleating agent in the nucleation‐controlled PP nanocomposites, but the hindrance effect was observed for the PP/PP‐g‐MA with SFD‐MMT. PP/PP‐g‐MA/SFD‐MMT exhibited twice the edge surface energy as compared to PP/PP‐g‐MA/MMT. The incorporation of both types of MMT raised the tensile moduli of PP and PP/PP‐g‐MA, with no improvement in their tensile strength and a decrease in the elongation at break. The PP/PP‐g‐MA/SFD‐MMT showed brittle failure. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:168–179, 2020. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers